Here’s a Valentine’s Day quiz to test your knowledge and put you in the mood.

1. Who created the first box of Valentine’s Day Candy?
a) Richard Cadbury, 1868
b) George Hershey, 1910
c) Phil Snickers, 1880

ANSWER: A — Richard Cadbury, the son of John Cadbury, the founder of Cadbury’s cocoa and chocolate company was the first one to invent the famous box of Valentine Day candy, in 1868.

2. Which of these foods doesn’t belong and why?
a) Banana
b) Asparagus
c) Cantaloupe

ANSWER: C — Cantaloupe.  Bananas and asparagus are erotic stimulants because of their phallic resemblance. Asparagus contain folate, which boosts histamine production necessary for the ability to reach orgasm in both sexes. Bananas are rich in potassium and B vitamins, necessities for sex hormone production.

3. Which food will not make you frisky?
a) Oysters
b) Eggs
c) Beans

ANSWER: B — Eggs. Oysters have long been considered the food of love and legend has it that Casanova ate dozens of oysters a day, once even seducing a vestal virgin by sliding an oyster from his lips.  Oysters and beans both carry a hefty dose of zinc. Zinc has been linked to male fertility, potency, sex drive, and is essential to sperm production.

4. How many calories are in one chocolate-covered strawberry?
a) 45 calories
b) 60 calories
c) 30 calories
d) 75 calories

ANSWER: A — 45 calories.  One chocolate-covered strawberry contains 45 calories. Not only do these contain the fewest amounts of calories as opposed to other chocolate candies, like nut or caramel filled, but strawberries contain fiber and beneficial nutrients as well.

5. How many calories are there in one glass of champagne?
a) 75 calories
b) 100 calories
c) 150 calories
d) 200 calories

ANSWER: B — One glass of champagne contains 100 calories. Champagne is the wine of choice on Valentine’s Day because it will lower inhibitions and help any couple into an amorous mood.

6. Which is the sexiest nut?
a) Pine nuts
b) Pistachios
c) Almonds

ANSWER: B — Pistachios. Besides providing protein to help increase stamina, pistachios are heavy in healthful mono-saturated fats, zinc and other nutrients that are linked with increased sexual desire. Pistachios have a greater portion size than any other nut, so you can eat 49 kernels (1 serving) and still feel sexy.

7. According to the Doctrine of Signatures, food aids in the part of the body it resembles. Which food did the Aztecs value as an aphrodisiac?
a) Avocado
b) Orange
c) Grapes

ANSWER: A — Avocado. The Aztecs valued the avocado as an aphrodisiac and named it “ahuacale”which means testicles, because they grow in pairs. This fruit will give you fuel in the form of healthy fats, protein and potassium.

8. According to studies at the Smell and Taste Foundation in Chicago, men find the smell of which food to be sexually arousing?
a) Beef Jerky
b) Buttered Popcorn
c) Licorice
d) Steak

ANSWER: B — Buttered popcorn.

9. Which fruit is known as the “love apple?”
a) Tomato
b) Grapes
c) Cherries

ANSWER: A — Tomatoes are known as the love apple. Upon arrival in Italy, the heart-shaped tomato was considered an aphrodisiac, thus tomato in Italian poma amoris means “love apple.”

10. Which spice won’t spice up your sex life?
a) Cayenne
b) Curry
c) Ginger
d) Basil

ANSWER: D — Basil. The right spices not only heat things up on the tongue, but also in the bedroom.  Capsaicin, the substance that gives kick to peppers, stimulates nerve endings to release chemicals, raising the heart rate and possibly triggering the release of endorphins, giving you the pleasurable feeling of a natural high.  Hot spices like cayenne, curry and cumin help warm the body.  The intoxicating aromas of exotic spices help infuse romance into the atmosphere.

11. How many pounds of chocolate does the average American consume each year?
a) 6.5
b) 11.5
c) 7.5

ANSWER: B —  According to ABC News, Americans consume 11.5 pounds of chocolate a year.

Tanya Zuckerbrot, MS, RD is a nutritionist and founder of Skinnyandthecity.com.    She is also the creator of The F-Factor Diet™, an innovative nutritional program she has used for more than ten years to provide hundreds of her clients with all the tools they need to achieve easy weight loss and maintenance, improved health and well-being.  For more information log onto www.FFactorDiet.com.

With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, there’s nothing that comes to mind more than chocolate.  And with all the recent studies showing the health benefits found in cocoa, you might be tempted to eat too much.  Let’s get the facts straight so you don’t go eating all the chocolate in sight.

Yes, it’s true that chocolate has many beneficial properties.  Chocolate comes from the cocoa bean, which is rich in flavonoids and antioxidants and helps prevent heart disease and cancer.  Typically, the darker the chocolate, the greater the health benefits.  But, not all chocolates are created equal. So, if you are going to consume chocolate for health benefits it is best to consume dark chocolate with the least amount of added sugar and fat as possible. 

There are 3 types of chocolate:

Dark: (at least 60% cocoa) contains the most flavonoids and the least amount of sugar
Milk: (usually 30%-50% cocoa) contains very little health benefits and is typically loaded with extra fat and sugar
White: (no cocoa) contains no health benefits

So on this Valentine’s Day, for those of you who want to use chocolate as a pleasurable preventative, remember: The darker, the better.  But a balanced diet and exercise are still the keys to a healthy heart.  Keep in mind, a serving is not an entire box or bar, but it is closer to an ounce.

Besides your typical chocolate treats, other F-Factor recommended products sure to beat a chocolate craving are GNU Foods Flavor & Fiber Chocolate Brownie Bar (14 grams of fiber) and Chocolite bars (12 grams of fiber for 2 pieces).

*F-Factor Best Bites

For comparison:

Tanya Zuckerbrot, MS, RD is a nutritionist and founder of Skinnyandthecity.com.    She is also the creator of The F-Factor Diet™, an innovative nutritional program she has used for more than ten years to provide hundreds of her clients with all the tools they need to achieve easy weight loss and maintenance, improved health and well-being.  For more information log onto www.FFactorDiet.com.

              Dear Yvonne,
Given the state of the economy, I’m already planning ahead for Valentine’s Day, and I want to take advantage of the after-Thanksgiving sales. I was wondering what I could get my girlfriend without breaking the bank. Any ideas would be really appreciated.
                                      -Lance

Dear Lance,
While many advertisements would have you think that expensive gifts, like jewelry, are going to make you her prince for the day, lots of ladies are a bit easier – and easier on your wallet – to please. “Think of me” gifts, with a sexy/romantic note, are one way to win her over without putting yourself in debt. For example, get her a pretty sun catcher to hang in her window with a note stating that you hope she’ll think of you every time she sees it. This will let her know that you want to be on her mind. Framing a picture of the two of you will give her a warm glow in reinforcing her confidence in the relationship. Get something that compliments what you love about her most. For example, if she has amazing locks, get her a pretty clip to pull up her hair, with presentation key, for example, let her know it has greater appeal in allowing you to better nibble on her neck. 

If you want to go for something traditional, give the tried and true gifts, only with a spin. A bouquet of flowers can be professionally preserved so that she’ll always have them around. Chocolates that are homemade from a gourmet store are going to be more appealing than ones from traditional candy makers. 

Remember packaging is a way to make a so-so gift much more special. Just the right wrapping paper and bow – basically presentation – will go a long way and shows that you’ve put a lot of thought into the gift. That’s what’s going to be priceless come V-day. And if a woman ends up giving a guy a hard time because something isn’t expensive or lavish enough, then you may want to rethink why you’re involved with her. Nobody should have to be that hard to please.
Dr. Yvonne Kristín Fulbright is a sex educator, relationship expert, columnist and founder of Sexuality Source Inc. She is the author of several books including, “Touch Me There! A Hands-On Guide to Your Orgasmic Hot Spots.”