Ah, the art of romance! Sweet, subtle tokens of affection- a glance, a touch a kiss. If you have tried all the ‘usual’ ideas for romance, spend a little time here getting some extra ideas for your next romantic rendezvous.

Enjoying and getting to know one another go hand-in-hand. Romance can be cultivated through thoughts, words, and deeds. Preparing a night of romance can also include a bit of fun and a bit of role-playing. But to get the engine of romance revving, why not prepare one of these drinks and get going?

Drink for Getting into the Mood
Vanilla Aphrodisiac Smoothie
1 cup Milk
15 Whole Cloves
15 Cardamom pods
2 Cinnamon sticks
1 Vanilla pod, split
1 cup Vanilla frozen Yogurt
Honey to taste

Place milk, cloves, cardamom, and cinnamon in a saucepan. Scrape in vanilla seeds from pod. Heat milk but do not boil. Remove from heat and allow it to cool, then refrigerate until chilled. Strain milk into a blender goblet and discard spices. Add frozen yogurt and honey to taste. Blend until smooth and frothy. Delicious!

Kama Sutra Shake
1 tbsp clarified Butter (heat the butter till it froths and skim with a muslin filter)
1 tsp Honey
1 tsp Liquorice powder
150 ml Milk
150 ml centrifuged Fennel juice

Wash and dry the fennel. Centrifuge to obtain 150 ml of liquid. Pour into the blender with the other ingredients and process.

20 Questions to take you Places…
While dinner is cooking, pour two glasses of aphrodisiac beverage, put on some relaxing music and play ‘20 questions.’ Dare to ask! You may just find out something you didn't know about your mate.

Here are some questions to get you started. Don't be afraid to think of some, more intimate ones of your own as well.



If you could be any age for just one day what age would you be?
Would you ever go skinny-dipping?
Do you believe in love at first sight?
What kind of clothing do you feel most sexy in?
What is your favourite song?
If you could have lunch with anyone past or present who would it be?
Who is your hero?
Do you like scary films?
What holiday do you really look forward to each year?
What are two most erogenous parts of your body?
Have you ever watched an X movie?
Have you ever had a full body massage?
If someone dared you would you be a stripper for one night?
What is the most outrageous place you have ever made love?
What are your three most important goals to achieve this year?
Besides your parents who knows you best?
What one person has helped you change for the better?
Have you ever played Strip Poker?
Have you ever read the Kama Sutra?
Would you ever run for a public office

Food for Love
No ‘promising’ relationship was ever enhanced by a plain bowl of soup or a sandwich. Prepare a special dinner with dishes that will create an atmosphere that promotes romance, passion, and communion. Forget the traditional aphrodisiacs such as frog saliva, mandrakes, powdered rhinoceros’ horns, or the liquorice teas used in the days of old. Turn, instead, to delicious recipes from around the world, laden with flavours, enticing aromas and miraculous ingredients with which to tempt your love. In no time at all you’ll be on your way to something provocatively appetizing. On your menu of seduction, add the following dishes.

Soupe à l’oignon gratineé — Onion soup
4 sliced Onions
3 tbsps Butter
2 tbsps Flour
500 ml Stock
6 slices country bread toasted in the oven
100 gms grated Gruyère

Brown the onion rings in the butter in a non-stick pan. Keep the heat low and stir often so they do not stick. When they start colouring add the flour and stir for a minute, then add the stock. Cook for 25 minutes. Butter a small oven dish and line the bottom with 2 slices of toast. Pour some stock on top and a grating of Gruyère cheese and repeat three times adding butter to the last layer. Grill until a fine golden crust forms on the top.

Lovers Salad — Insalata Degli Innamorati
1 Avocado
300 gms shelled, boiled Shrimp, fresh or frozen
2 Celery hearts diced
4 Walnuts, shelled
Mayonnaise
Tomato ketchup
Cream

Halve the skin, remove the pit stone and dice the pulp of the avocado into small pieces. Drop the shrimp into boiling water for 30 seconds and cool. Put the avocado in a bowl with the shrimp, the celery, and the chopped walnuts. Dress with a pink sauce obtained by mixing 4 tbsp. of lemon mayonnaise with one tbsp each of ketchup and cream. Fill the avocado halves with the mixture and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Clean Up
Who said getting clean isn't fun? Start by acquiring some lightly scented candles. Also pick up your favourite brand of bubble bath! Then splurge on a rich creamy shampoo and conditioner! After the food, drinks and game, your lover will probably be full of passion. Add on to the flames by sprinkling rose petals from the bedroom door to the bathtub. After dinner, suggest that you go for a "romantic bath".

After you lead your lover to the bath tub, gently light the candles that you have strategically arranged around the bathroom area. (NEVER LEAVE CANDLES UNATTENDED!) We leave the rest to your imagination.

Now plan your date and enjoy!

Aphrodisiac Facts
Almonds
Almonds were regarded as fertility symbols throughout antiquity. Nuts in general are held to have fertility powers. The aroma of almond supposedly arouses passion in females. Alexander Dumas dined on almond soup every night before meeting his mistress, and Samson wooed Delilah with them.
Avocado
Aside from their voluptuous, feminine shape, avocados have also been associated with male sexuality. The Aztecs called the avocado tree "Ahuacuatl," or "testicle tree." The ancients thought the fruit hanging in pairs on the tree resembled the male's testicles. The Spanish, in fact, found avocados so obscenely sexy, that Catholic priests forbade them to their parishioners.
Oysters
These succulent mollusks are the classic aphrodisiac. And, there's research to support it: raw oysters are very high in zinc, which raises sperm and testosterone production, thus increasing libido. Oysters are also a source of dopamine. Casanova is said to have eaten 50 raw oysters every day