A Charitable Challenge

What  better way to embark on an amazing date than by trying The Great MN Race?!  Challenge yourself and your spouse/date to try something totally different in a couple’s teamwork unique date.

The Great MN Race is modeled after CBS series The Amazing Race, with a few original twists thrown in to give a local appeal. The race will benefit Urban Ventures, a faith-based non-profit that works to break the cycle of generational poverty, specifically in the Central and Phillips neighborhoods of South Minneapolis.

The Great MN Race will take teams of two across the metro area of Minneapolis & St. Paul, Minnesota. Teams will be solving clues and performing challenging tasks that are both mental and physical in nature as they race across the city (by foot, by bus, or by train).

The Great MN Race is unlike any race in the area, combining the fun elements of racing, solving clues, and completing tasks all while exploring the urban areas of the Twin Cities.

There’s still plenty of time to find a partner and register your team of two to participate in the race. Register online for $45 before 11:59pm Friday August 27^th.  

Registration and check-in is at 8:30am on Saturday and the race begins at 9:30 at 1199 Midway Pkwy, the north side of Como Pavilion in St. Paul.

For challenge examples, race details, and other information, email info@greatmnrace.com or visit http://www.greatmnrace.com/.

We are so inspired by this charity event, we may look for more A+ romantic idea as date opportunities that allow you to both enhance your relationship on a date and support a fabulous charity. Dates that Inspire! Watch for more ideas….

Experts Agree!

There are foods that can result in better sex!  And we are not just talking about oysters…these are everyday foods that can actually make a difference. So read on and discover these indulgances for improving your relationship and enriching your marriage!

David Zinczenko and Matt Goulding, co-authors of the national bestselling book Eat This, Not That!, tell how you can revitalize your sex life and reinvigorate your relationship.

Consuming  filling foods with fewer calories will help you begin to shed weight that’s dragging down your desire. Then,  foods that contain ingredients and nutrients that strategically boost sexual attraction and performance will help you squeeze even more satisfaction out of each and every sexual encounter.

Insurance for Men:

 Smoothie for Him

1 cup blueberries
1 cup vanilla yogurt
2 Tbsp flaxseeds
1 cup orange juice
1 cup ice

It’s loaded with two of the most potent circulation enhancers out there: soluble fiber and antioxidants. Soluble fiber helps push excess cholesterol through your digestive system before it can be broken down, absorbed, and deposited along the walls of your arteries. Antioxidants attack free radicals before they have the chance to lower nitric oxide levels. And since nitric oxide helps deliver oxygen to your blood, the higher the level, the better the erection bloodflow.

Smoothie for Her

2 shots of espresso (or 6 ounces of strong coffee)
1 cup skim milk
2 Tbsp dark chocolate syrup
1 cup crushed ice

Coffee increases bloodflow to your genitals, making sensitive nerve endings more easily accessed and stimulated. A Southwestern University study even found that female rats wanted more sex after a shot of caffeine. Add to that a big hit of calcium, another important contributor to effective bloodflow, and a swirl of chocolate, which contains a host of chemicals to brighten your mood, including anadamine, which targets the same receptors as THC, and phenylethylamine, which produces a cozy, euphoric feeling. It’s no wonder a new Italian study of 163 women shows that those who regularly eat chocolate report enhanced sex drive and sexual satisfaction.

What could be a more A+ romantic idea and romantic gesture than fixing smoothies for each other?  Watch for our “Part Two” on Food for better sex later this week! ENJOY!!

Summer’s Date Night!

Every summer night can be your Summer Date Night when you start looking around at the possibilities!  Dancing under the stars?  Perhaps some live music? What better way to replenish your relationship than checking out the ready-made date nights in the Twin Cities!

Thursday evenings through August 12th, the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts and several partners team up to turn Landmark Center Plaza into a venue for dance.

This Thursday, July 29th is Rock ‘n’ Roll night. The evening kicks off at 6pm with instruction by Arthur Murray Dance Studio, followed by live music  from the Rockin’ Holywoods from 7:30 until 10, giving you some time to practice what you learn and dance the night away.

Beer and wine is available for purchase starting at 5:30, so you can come early and mingle with other couples before class is in session.

August 5th, the schedule remains the same for Ballroom Dance night. Cinema Ballroom will provide instruction and live music is by the Jerry O’Hagan Orchestra.

But if dancing isn’t the way to your collective heart, you and your date could check out some upcoming free movies and music. Loring Park has some A+ Date Night opportunities!

 Tuesday nights starting August 3rd and wrapping up August 24th, the live music starts at 7pm followed by the movie screenings at dusk. Then you can head over to Nick and Eddie for more live music at the afterparty.

The series kicks off August 3rd with a live set from local heroes Communist Daughter followed by a showing of Raising Arizona, written, produced and directed by St. Louis Park natives Joel and Ethan Coen. Then at the afterparty, catch local electro pop outfit Estate.

What could be better than a ready-made fresh date night with no planning required!  So if you need something more spontaneous, on a date night of your choice, visit our website.  And enjoy a summer of unique romantic adventures!

An Outdoor Date!

You can hardly miss the romantic opportunities of an outdoor festival!  Check out the possibilities, and see which are most attuned to both your desires…

Aquatennial Block Party  

 The Aquatennial Block Party will officially launch the 2010 Minneapolis Aquatennial on the evening of Friday, July 16. The festivities will take place from 5 p.m. until 11 p.m. on Nicollet Mall between 3rd and 4th Streets in downtown Minneapolis. The Aquatennial Block Party is one of the largest free annual outdoor concerts. No ticket is required! This year marks the 33rd anniversary of the Block Party, the official kick-off event of the Minneapolis Aquatennial. Night Ranger, the iconic 80’s band famous for songs such as “Sister Christian” and “When You Close Your Eyes,” will headline the block party! Minnestoa musicians, Corey Stevens and Romantica will open the show. The Aquatennial Block Party will offer happy hour pricing from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. with discounts on beer.

 Twin Cities River Rats
West River Road in Minneapolis
1758 West River Rd N
The River Rats perform an hour long show combining various water skiing acts with skits and music. Their acts include Barefooting, Pyramids, Doubles, and more.

The River Rats show site is located just north of downtown Minneapolis on the Mississippi River. The hillside along the river provides excellent viewing for the best show in the Twin Cites.

07/17/2010 3:00 pm 5:00 pm
07/17/2010 7:00 pm 9:00 pm
07/18/2010 3:00 pm 5:00 pm
07/18/2010 7:00 pm 9:00 pm

Star Tribune Beach Bash
10:00 am 4:00 pm
Thomas Beach, Lake Calhoun
The Star Tribune Beach Bash features the beloved events of the Milk Carton Boat Races and the Sandcastle Competition. Join us Sunday, July 18th for the ultimate blast on the beach!

CenterPoint Energy Torchlight Parade
8:30 pm 10:30 pm
Hennepin Avenue
Come line the streets of downtown Minneapolis for the Aquatennial CenterPoint Energy Torchlight Parade. Watch as the parade runs down Hennepin Avenue on Wednesday, July 21st starting at 8:30 PM!

If you really aren’t in the mood for outdoor festivals, perhaps a nice quiet poetry reading tonight?

Poets Sharon Chmielarz, Mark Conway, and J.P. White read from their latest collections at the Loft Literary Center and Open Book    just scroll down the homepage to upcoming events, directions etc.  The best things in life are free!

Have a romantic adventure! And you can always find those right on our website!

We wish you a very romantic week…

Romance Always!

We went on a little journey in search of romance….and have 7 fresh unusual tidbits to entice you!  Join our tour of insights for always finding Romance.

Start a Joint Diary

 When it’s hard to communicate face-to-face, try writing in a book. Purchase a beautiful notebook or diary, and record your thoughts from the day as a message to your partner. Have your partner do the same.  Even though you can’t be physically together, you will feel a sense of unity by creating this one-of-a-kind record of correspondence. Then, when your schedules slow down and you have more time with your partner, you’ll have a special keepsake to re-read years later and cherish.

Read more at Suite101: Keeping Romance Alive: Strengthen Your Relationship Even When Schedules Keep You Apart http://dating-advice.suite101.com/article.cfm/keeping_romance_alive#ixzz0t9ZddXAo

Keep Him in the Dark
For the ultimate lights-out love nudge, fake a power outage. “Unplug the phone, computer, and TV, then turn off all the lights,” instructs Godek. “With nothing else to distract you, you have no choice but to break out the candles and cling to each other as you tell scary ghost stories…or just plain cling to each other.”

http://www.cosmopolitan.com/sex-love/tips-moves/285737-3

Share a Book

Chicken Soup for the Soul: True Love (Chicken Soup for the Soul Publishing, LLC, December 2009) is a fun read about dating, romance, love and marriage, guaranteed to inspire a renewed search for that special someone, or open your heart a little more to the one you already love.

Read fascinating stories about how couples met, when “they knew,” incredible good and bad dates, imaginative proposals, wedding day adventures, second chances, the ones that got away, and all the other ups and downs that come hand-in-hand with true love, including great examples of how to keep relationships strong.

http://www.amazon.com/Chicken-Soup-Soul-Heartwarming-Humorous/dp/1935096435

Touch

Plato once said “Every heart sings a song, incomplete, until another heart whispers back. Those who wish to sing always find a song. At the touch of a lover, everyone becomes a poet.”  In any relationship touch is as essential as sunlight. A child who walks into this knows his mother by her touch and can recognizes her mother among thousands just with one touch. Touch is a powerful tool in romance. Hold her hand as you shop or walk down to the mall. Hug her when she brings you your bed tea. Kiss him Goodnight. Just snuggle and cuddle on the couch watching TV. Don’t limit the touch to the bedroom; bring it out off course not outrageously but in a shuttle romance reminiscent of your early days of marriage when you couldn’t get your hand off her.

http://hubpages.com/hub/HOW-TO-KEEP-ROMANCE–ALIVE-AFTER-MARRIAGE

Flowers

…Make a point to give your wife flowers once a month — on random days. The flowers, from hubby and children, thank Mom for being a great wife and mother.

http://sexsmart.com/article_bringing-back-the-romance.htm

Make a List

Determine what it is that makes you feel attracted to someone. What attracted you to your partner in the first place? What are the things that you find attractive that you would like to see in your spouse? What gets your attention?

http://www.focusonthefamily.com/marriage/daily_living/keeping_romance_alive.aspx

Date Night

Well, no matter how many articles you look for regarding romance, you will find advice to go out on a date night. Look no further! Out of the Box Dates give you variety, simplicity, plan-free freedom!

There is a guy in New York who decided to outfit his car with a sleeping space, and then hit the road to achieve 100 random acts of kindness for strangers.  We applaud his values, his goal setting, and his sense of fun!   And then we had another idea. What about 100 random acts of kindness for your spouse? 

If helping strangers makes the world a better place, what about helping those closest to you, whom we all admit, are sometimes the people we show our worst side?  And what if you incorporate some fun around the Twin Cities  in your random acts? Intrigued?

When Tyler Kellogg, a chronic do-gooder, drove 1600 miles, he found plenty of possibilites for random acts of kindness, according to Readers Digest.  What Tyler realized after achieving 115 acts of kindness in 55 days, is that you don’t have to be a philanthropist to do good. You just have to ask people “how can I help?”

Maybe we can start a trend right at home. Suprise your spouse with “How can I help?  You have to admit -it could be an interesting conversation!  And it doesn’t hurt to have some fun while you try this new effort.  How about a Twin Cities destination? For example, you could suggest a date night to the Twin Cities Improv Festival now through Sunday at the “Brave New Workshop.  For only $12 a ticket, the two of you could look at life completely differently!  It might give you some ideas for your own improv version of “How can I help you?”

Suprise him/her with a summertime fun Waterfall Windchime.  Sit outside at sunset, listening to the chimes, and ask “is there soemthing that I could do that would make you happy right now?”  Call it a zen couple-moment for relationship renewal!

 Walking alongside each other might also offer an opportunity to simply ask, ”lets go out tonight–where would you like to go? ” If you are both stumped for a fresh date idea, and enjoying the summertime outdoors when you can, then try Steven’s Square Park on June 30.

They are offering a free movie showing of  “Dr. Strangelove.” And as a bonus, while you are waiting for it to get dark, there will also be live music performances by Phantom Tails and Rogue Citizen, and free mini cupcakes from Whole Foods. Also, bring a dish to share for the community potluck. They are actually offering movies every Wednesday night…check out Cinema and Civics.

See? it’s easy to find random ways to be kind, and have fun doing it together!  Send us your stories of random acts of kindness for each other — and things to do in Minnesota!  We’d love to hear!

Hints & Hotspots to Help You

Have you ever heard of Dr. Pepper Schwartz? She’s a Sociology prof at the Univ of Washington, and a sexologist who has written 12 books and is a leading industry expert on relationships.  She has some effective tips on staying married, which we are going to pair up with some exciting Twin Cities hotspots for date nights. You can earn an A+ in Romantic Ideas!

Hint #1

Don’t try to persuade your spouse that you are right; instead look for a comfortable middle ground.

HotSpot #1

Perhaps finding a good spot for a comfortable conversation would be helpful?  Try  Piccolo in south Minneapolis – voted Best New Restaurant by City Pages in April.  They believe in enhancing the dining experience with variety in small tastes and healthier eating. Now that is romantic advice!

Hint #2

If you find either of you are getting defensive in conversations, take responsibility and suggest a do-over. This can make it easier for either of you to admit you’re are wrong.

HotSpot #2

Suggest a do-over in a wide open place – perhaps a park with ample walking time to help you both keep your cool!  You may have a favorite neighborhood park, or for something new, visit Ft.Snelling State Park.  Just off 494 by the airport, you can’t miss with hiking on Pike Island, swimming or walking the beach of Snelling Lake, or canoeing on Gun Club Lake.  Be corny and stop in the Thomas C. Savage Visitor Center for a memento of your day and maybe a fridge magnet to represent your new efforts to communicate defenselessly. Now that is a  cheap date night!

Hint #3

 Affection isn’t just about sex – it’s about hugging and holding hands too. Share a smile, a kiss, or a hug at the end of the day.

HotSpot #3

What better place to rekindle romance than walking hand in hand through a winery, on the gorgeous 55-acre grounds if Chateau St. Croix (complete with a carriage house, stables, gardens, and a fishing pond). Schedule a tour and learn about winemaking, or sign up for their Tuscan Vine & Dine evening on June 11^th or the Marseille and French Riviera Vine & Dine evening on June 25^th.  Have fun!

So try our hotspots, check out Dr. Schwartz’s book, “The Love Test: romance and relationship self-quizzes”, and consider an Out of the Box Date for a romantic adventure!  Watch your marriage endure!

Why Date Night Works!

 Straight from the LHJ, comes advice for long time married couples about rekindling early romance.  Their advice? Embark on a regular date night but reinvent it to include new and unusual experiences.

LHJ tells us new experiences activate the brain’s reward system, flooding it with the brain chemicals dopamine and norephinephrine.  These are the same brain circuits that are ignited in early romantic love when you feel exhilarated by — and obsessed with – your new partner. And several experiments show that novelty—simply doing new things together as a couple—may help bring the butterflies back, re-creating the chemical surges of early courtship.

No surprise to Out of The Box Dates!  We completely believe in Date Night.  And we’ve also found that being “out of the box” is all about trying new things, and sharing new experiences with your spouse.

So  take a few minutes to shop for Romantic Themed Dates with surprises here, at Out of  The Box Dates!  And look below for a few ideas for you to try something new  and memorable in the Twin Cities with your spouse this week:

Persephone: Reign of Fire

Presented by Bedlam Theatre and Infiammati Fire Circus
Directed by Rah Kojis
Playing June 3, 2010 through June 13, 2010

Persephone: Reign of Fire tells the story of an innocent maiden’s journey to the underworld, her rise to power as queen and her incandescent return as harbinger of spring. Theater, dance, fireworks, aerialists, acrostilting, shadow puppetry, video, and live score by Naomi Joy and Asylum Soundsystem.

Eat Street Excursion

The section of Nicollet Ave. from Grant to 29th St. is also known as Eat Street, so named for its dozens of restaurants and markets. Eat Street has an option for every palate, from Greek food (Christo’s, It’s Greek to Me) and pizza (A Slice of New York) to upscale Asian Fusion (Azia) and sushi (Anemoni Sushi & Oyster Bar). There’s German cuisine (Black Forest Inn), Chinese (Rainbow Chinese, Peninsula), American (Java, The Bad Waitress), a handful of excellent Mexican restuarants (Pancho Villa, Little Tijuana Cafe, Morello’s Mex-Grill, El Mariachi, Los Amigos), and even bakeries (Marissa’s Bakery, Sinbad Mideastern Bakery) and sandwich shops (Lu’s Sandwiches, Jasmine Deli). For more info on Eat Street options, check out the reviews page at Urbanspoon.com.

Two Romantic Twin Cities Destinations

Every relationship needs stretching from time to time.  Think about it as if you are taking your daily commute via a completely different route. You see things right around home that you hadn’t noticed before, or from a different angle.  Take a new view of each other by trying something you’ve never done together before.  We have two very different destinations that could provide just the spark you two could use!

Try an artsy collaboration!  The enticement is not to BE artsy, but rather, to try something different, something new, where you just enjoy the act of collaboration!

Twin Cities Destination? Mosaic on a Stick.   It is a community classroom, mosaic supply store, and studio.  Join your spouse by taking a class, or check their website for their “open” days, where for a small fee you get supplies and free reign to make whatever mosaic comes to mind, after sifting through tiny cubes of ceramic tile, beads, and other fascinating tidbits.  Together you could create your own work of art to celebrate yourselves or a special occasion. Or sign up for a class together!

Do you two have more of an outdoors yearning? What better way to be romantic than to search for hidden treasurer together!  Find marriage enrichment by joining the craze for geo-caching.

One of the best ways to explore this together is at Ft. Snelling State Park. They offer 1 hour classes on geo-caching basics, and have 25 GPS units that you can check out to try your new skills together.  It’s an excuse for a romantic stroll…with a purpose! You can cut your geo-cache teeth on their current Wildlife Safari challenge in all the MN State parks.

Any time spent truly together is an excellent romantic destination. Whether it is a super cheap date night running errands together (without the radio playing), or taking a walk around the block at sunset, or taking a fun shower together, it is a successful romantic destination that could give you a new view on your relationship.  So start stretching! Who knows where these A+ Romantic ideas could take you!

Sometimes romance IS in the crowds…

Sound crazy?  A couple can be come an island of closeness even with people all around. Whether it is an excuse to hold hands, squeeze together, or have a face-to-face conversation, a crowd can be very romantic!  We have several intimate-crowded-adventure-ideas for you…..

My husband I and recently went to Luci Ancora in St. Paul, billed as a casual elegant restaurant for people who like food.  The first thing I noticed is how close the tables were to each other. I shrugged – and decided it was like the cute little bistros in Europe.  The funny thing was, as you get lulled into the gentle buzz of all the conversations, you actually cease to notice any individual chats around you, and focus on your own. 

We had what really felt like a “date night” of non-stop conversation, easily moving from kids and jobs to sharing experiences and really talking. Thumbs up to Luci Ancora!  And we recommend the mussels appetizer and try the Limón cello sorbet for a light refreshing dessert!

Another inspired crowded yet cozy date night?

Add a little jazz to your date-life!

Try a Blues singer/piano combo at the Dakota Jazz Club.  Davina has been a hit in Minneapolis, Memphis and even Switzerland for the melting pot of her blues, American roots, and New Orleans music.

Or try a little Pop with 10-time Grammy nominated Meshell Ndegeocello!  Her music, energetic and assertive, is equal parts funk, folk, hip-hop, jazz and African roots music. And you won’t be the first to find romance in the intimate candle-lit jazz room. 

And here’s an A+ romantic idea that can bring intimacy whether it is crowded or not – tho you will find people there! Try Patisserie Margo. They’ve been referred to as the bakery version of “Cheers”, where everybody knows your name. If you need desserts for a party, morning pastries or just a treat for the two of you, this is the place to be. They have muffins, scones, croissants, danish, bars, cookies, bread, quiche, sandwiches, and famously sinful desserts. Of course, they make everything from scratch daily.

What better way to create a memorable date night and relationship renewal than splitting a scrumptious hand made dessert?  Share a fork and look into each other’s eyes – the crowd will melt away!