Spring is in the air!

Springtime brings a certain light-heartedness and joie de vivre after winter (a really LONG winter) and can also inspire thoughts of romance.  What better spring inspiration than looking for a romantic marriage booster shot!

A short article in Science Daily (May 24, 2010) indicates it’s the little things like everyday gratitude that is a booster shot for romantic relationships.  They discuss  the methods of gratitude we can use to give a boost to our romantic relationships, and help us achieve and maintain satisfaction with our partners.

Lead author of the study quoted, Dr. Sara Algoe says events such as one partner planning a celebratory meal when the other partner gets a promotion, taking the children to the zoo so the other partner can have some quiet time, or stopping to pick up the other partner’s favorite coffee drink are each examples of gratuitous behavior that could strengthen romantic relationships, if the recipient feels grateful in response.

The study authors chose to study over sixty-five couples who were already in ongoing, satisfying, and committed relationships. They tracked the day-to-day fluctuations in relationship satisfaction and connection for each member of the relationship. These little, everyday, ups and downs in relationship quality were reliably marked by one person’s feelings of gratitude. The effects on the relationship were noticed even the day after feeling the gratitude was expressed. This research thus suggests that even everyday gratitude serves an important relationship maintenance mechanism in close relationships, acting as a booster shot to the relationship.

And the good news is, this can help a relationship on the rocks as much as a stable committed couple. So be the first and take a chance – find a way to give this booster shot to your marriage - feel the gratitude – and watch it come around!

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!!

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– of course not outrageously but in a subtle romance reminiscent of your early days of marriage when you couldn’t get your hand off her/him.

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!

How to find the perfect romantic gesture!

Sometimes Romance is right under your nose. Look around your hometown. You might be surprised at what you find.  We found several ideas in the Twin Cities to share….

Finding romance, no matter how long you’ve been married, or how long you haven’t been dating, is all about the romantic gesture.  And that gesture can be something as simple as a stroll at sunset on a warm spring evening.

Here are two A+ ideas for some great romantic strolls in your metro backyard.

Top of the list:  The University Avenue Project. It is a six-mile photographic journey!  From May to October, Wing Young Huie’s photographs will transform St. Paul’s University Avenue into a six mile public gallery.  Hundreds of images will be on display in windows and on buildings from the KSTP Tower to the State Capitol.

Wing Young Huie and Tara Simpson Huie

Each night at a Landmark Projection Site, Wing’s images will be shown on 40 foot screens, accompanied by a soundtrack from local musicians. Monthly cabarets will feature live community performances and new media presentations. 

   

This is billed as the Language of Urbanism, but is also a great excuse for the language of love, including walking slowly, holding hands, and having some discussions and experiences you hadn’t considered an hour ago!

  Second on the list has to be a classic:  The Minneapolis Sculpture Garden.  It is one of Minnesota’s crown jewels and its centerpiece, the Spoonbridge and Cherry, has become a Minnesota icon. The Sculpture Garden is essentially a free museum in a park.

 

 

How long since you have been there?  Wander freely to your two-hearts content and take in the sculpture, the landscaping, even the mini-arboretum walk-thru.  You will find the pace of life slows, and the pace of your hand-in-hand stroll becomes the best stress-buster you could ever imagine!  Where else can you improve your blood pressure and achieve a romantic gesture all-in-one?!

 

You might as well keep walking, over the Irene Hixton pedestrian bridge, designed by famous sculptor Siah Armajani crossing Hennepin Ave. and dropping you neatly into Loring Park. There you have a choice of 3 or 4 stops to get a bite or have a drink. 

 

 

Try Café Lurcat, Joe’s Garage, or Dunn Brothers Coffee!

  

  

  

  

 A Romantic gesture doesn’t have to be predictable; it can come up on the spur of the moment and be all the more treasured. 

 

Take a stroll and try it! 

 

 

Top 5 Events You Shouldn’t Miss!

1 ~ Spontaneity Skiing  With just a little “thinking cap” effort, you could find yourself with a medal! Surprise your spouse with an unusual outing. 

 It doesn’t really have to be skiing; perhaps you just haven’t gone bowling in years.  Or stretch a little and rent some snowshoes at your county park.  Or suprise him/her with some live theatre tickets. Visit http://www.hennepintheatretrust.org/

 2 ~ Bobsledding for Compliments

Go ahead! Just jump on and go for compliments on ice!  How quickly can you tell your significant other all their best qualities?  They won’t even mind a few sharp turns as you warm up and gain momentum, including things they’ve done that made you proud, or what simply makes them special to you!

 3 ~ Cross-Country Communication

 Communication really is a cross-country event. You need stamina, a strong heart, and lots of practice.  Winning at communication with your significant other means daily practice, not just when you might want something!

It is the art of asking questions, as well as the art of listening.  Some couples do well setting aside a private time, just for them. Whether it is morning coffee before breaking out the newspaper, or a glass of wine over dinner, you just need to make a pact that you will continuously practice, and make time for each other.  An evening walk around the block together is good for the heart, and c-c communication!

4 ~ Inspirational Ice Hockey

 Need a little inspiration to make sure you don’t skate past opportunities in your relationship?  If you’ve had that passing thought, “I should have done that” or “I could do that” but you didn’t go for the next step, then take some inspiration from Out of the Box Dates! These ultimate adventures could be your own personal Olympics! Score a 10 with an amazing date…just check out the Shop link next to this blog! Don’t take our word for it – read the Testimonials!  http://www.outoftheboxdates.com/testimonials.php

 5 ~Figure Skating Fun

 What Olympic experience would be complete without figure skating? Swirling couples in perfect unison, they create the picture of Ideal Romance!

Not an idealist? No problem! Most relationships are strengthened through sheer fun!  Ask your spouse what their idea of a fun outing is. You might be surprised! And it might be easier to create some fun than you think! Challenge him/her to a cook-off! Give him/her a punch card with 5 chances to do what they think is most fun as a couple.  You’d be surprised what a $15 nerf gun battle can do to make you think of nothing but each other! Live it up! You both deserve some fun!

Don’t be a bystander, join the Olympics! Create your own events! And go for the GOLD!  

How to Plan a Romantic Valentine’s Day With Only 4 Days To Go and Zero Energy!! 

There is a way to pull this off. You can still succeed on Valentine’s Day and avoid the cliché box of chocolates or cut flowers.  In some instances, however, classic Valentine’s may be the way to go!  It all boils down to communication.  You will have to ask!

 The Question???

 Although Men are from Mars and Women are from Venus, don’t despair. Sometimes you really just have to try straight-forward questions.  “I’d like to do something romantic for Valentines. What would you most like to do?”

  Answer 1

 If you get nothing but sarcasm, you may have bigger things to work on than Valentine’s Day plans. But, it doesn’t mean you should give up!  Classic may be the way to go here.  A reservation somewhere you can’t quite afford, combined with chocolates in a heart box is probably the best immediate step.  And you can still be lazy. Try an online reservation service to make a quick reservation without lots of dialing. Something like www.opentable.com.

 Answer 2

Really listen to the answer! If it isn’t sarcastic, then you are truly being told what she would like to do. And it pays to pay attention.  You might have multiple options, and none should be forgotten. 

Answer 3

If you get no answer, it can also be a good sign.  While straightforward communication is healthy, she may just feel like that answer is too much pressure. Whether it is a cop-out or not, saying “just surprise me” means she has trust in you.

It also means you can take a chance, or go traditional, and as long as you look her straight in the eyes when you “present” your present, she will think you rock.  But, if you have no ideas, see the last 4 sentences from Answer 1~!!

 And never underestimate the power of the tiny romantic gesture! 

Out of the Box Dates salutes the Lazy Man’s romantic intentions – visit our Romantic Adventure Shop!! We wish you the Perfect Valentine’s Day!

More than Flowers:

Instead of roses or floral arrangement this year, do something really thoughtful… something that she knows you put some effort into.  Take pix of her bridal bouquet and have a florist re-create it.  It let’s her know you would marry her all over again.

My Favorite Valentine Destination for 2010:

• Loring Pasta Bar
• Sunday nights are Tango night.  It feels like you are on vacation… in a completely different place.  Enjoy dinner and watch the ballroom dancers.  Very Romantic!

 Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend:

• While diamonds may not be in your budget, you could wrap a Neil Diamond CD
• Make sure she knows that while this isn’t the precious gem, she is your treasure.
• Follow up with invite to dance to her favorite Neil Diamond song

Dial-A-Compliment: 

• Can’t think of anything… do a Dial-A Compliment card
• Involve the Kids
• On the card include a password… so each time she calls you and says the password, you give her a compliment
• Have some ready – should be thoughtful – not just your eyes are pretty – I get lost in your blue eyes and I love how you capture my gaze

Now that sounds like dialing to solve a Love Emergency!!  Thanks to our friends at Out of the Box Dates you can now feel prepared for Valentine’s Day, in unique unusual ways! If you have more ideas for us, there is still time! Submit them to romance@outoftheboxdates.com!

 Shop around the website for other Valentines Day Date Ideas!!

Tell us YOUR romantically unusual  Dates!

 Yes, this blog post is about the Secret to the Unusual Date, but in preparation for Valentines Day, we’d love to get some real life examples of your romantically unusual Valentine’s Day dates! Please email your Best or Worst unusual Valentine’s Date to  romance@outoftheboxdates.com. Your submission will remain anonymous!

So what do we mean by unusual?

Truly, there are some unusual dates out there. Don’t have the stomach to take tango lessons together?  Not considering the tandem sky diving lessons that have popped up?  Whether your partner is married to you, or you are planning a date with someone new, it is courageous to desire to create the unusual date!  Dinner and a Movie couldn’t be more passé, not to mention you don’t get to converse while watching a movie!

 So how do you make it unusual without making it a turn-off?

The key is in unlocking your observational skills and looking for unique things you have noticed about your date or spouse. Think about his/her interests or hobbies or a chance remark about travel. A personalized approach to date planning is endearingly appreciated by the recipient! 

Need some suggestions to get you started?  Well, here are a few unusual date ideas:

•  S/he nurtures a desire to paint? Try an art school where you can enroll together for a workshop – include a kit of some painting supplies as your invite!
• Does S/he love reading?  Ask at your local bookstore about an author- reading coming up.  You could tuck the invitation inside a copy of a book by that author.
• Perhaps cooking is a favorite? Try looking for a local high-end cooking store. Many of them offer “event” classes, like a couples cooking class, or a special menu preparation class (you just watch & eat) combined with live music or a classic film.  You could copy off a description of the class event registration and slide it in a basket of cooking goodies.
• A fashion guru?  Do some googling or check with local boutiques asking about any upcoming fashion galas (could be only once a year – so planning required!)
• You uncover that s/he loves the idea of a trip to Africa or the Amazon. It may not be the same, but s/he will appreciate your surprise visit to a zoo. Many zoo’s offer special events for new members – buy her/him a membership and see!
• And of course, not all of us can create something out of thin air – and that is why Out Of The Box Dates is such a great idea! Check it out! http://www.outoftheboxdates.com/romantic-adventure-shop.php

Once you think of something that you are sure s/he is interested, work through your friends – connections- brainstorm- to create a truly unique and personal date. It’s a great romantic gesture, practically guaranteed to be not only an Unusual Date, but a success! And the key to their heart!