Toasted Sandwich Maker - Healthy Cooking For Two

We Love To Eat! Fortunately, I enjoy cooking. Wanting to cook healthy, quick simple meals for only two people, and not wanting another electrical kitchen appliance, an All Clad Panini Press stove top grill was the best choice for us. It has dimensions of 17x11 inches which makes it an ideal size for two 4x5 inch toasted sandwiches. A toasted sandwich maker is non-stick and easy to clean, however, after preheating it helps to baste press and pan with olive oil or spray them with a non-stick spray. They all have instructions but preheating the pan and press on medium (or a little lower) heat has worked the best for most recipes. It is also essential to heat both pan and press on separate burners. Be very careful when picking up the press. Parts of a Panini maker will get quite hot.

Some ideas for a simple toasted sandwich is to use a hearty bread layered with turkey, cheese, tomato, and onion.

Toast in Panini maker until bread is browned. Or use sliced turkey, artichoke hearts, black olives, roasted red bell pepper and provolone cheese on hearty bread. It is important to use a hearty robust bread as regular sandwich slice bread tends to flatten out and almost disappear.

Toasted sandwiches are great for leftover roast beef or ham. Layer a hearty sun-dried tomato ciabatta with left over roast beef, roasted red bell peppers, onions, tomato, slice of cheddar cheese, top with another slice of bread and toast in Panini maker until brown. Or try a double cheese beef panini. Spread a slice of ciabatta bread with mayo and prepared horseradish then layer with crumbled blue cheese, onion, provolone cheese, and roast beef. For ham layer bread with swiss cheese and ham and grill.

With Thanksgiving and Christmas just around the corner a Toasted Sandwich Maker would be great for left over turkey sandwiches. A good healthy turkey toasted sandwich is ciabatta bread layered with turkey, marinated artichoke hearts drained, chopped and patted dry, sun-dried tomato halves drained and chopped, basil leaves, reduced fat provolone cheese and topped with bread. Place in Panini maker and brown.

A Panini maker makes a great stove top grill. The grill press holds a lot of heat and sears the meat on top to keep the meat from drying out. You can easily make in-door grilled hamburgers with this handy little device. It will produce nicely browned patties on top and bottom without turning the patties. If you want the smoky flavor mix in 2-3 teaspoons of liquid smoke to hamburger before making into patties. For a different flavor mix a tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce and chopped onion into hamburger before making the patties.

The best thing about toasted sandwiches is experimenting and using any of your favorite sandwich toppings. This is especially nice if you both have different tastes.

Remember, a recipe is merely a guide.

Lea Ann Gingerich loves to eat but likes to eat healthy, fast, easy to fix meals. For more recipes and tips visit http://www.toastedsandwichmaker.blogspot.com/

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HCG Weight Loss Diet Meal Plan

HCG Diet Overview

During the first two days of taking HCG drops, you should be eating very high calorie foods that contain high fat and sugar contents. There is no limit to the number of calories or the types of foods that are eaten. Sweets, cookies, ice cream, deep fried foods, etc are all acceptable foods. It is important that you "load" properly, this is a very critical part of the diet. Do not begin loading if you have not started taking the HCG Drops. It is common for people to gain 3-5 pounds in the first two days. Don't worry, you will lose it all in the follow 48 hours. People that chose not to "load" properly have found that the rest of the unwanted weight does not drop as easily as those people who took the time to "load".

So, start your diet with a party and eat as much as you can!

Sample Diet (after loading) Drink lots of water each day (at least 2 liters)

Breakfast: Tea or coffee in any quantity without sugar. Only one tablespoonful of milk allowed in 24 hours. Saccharin or Stevia may be used. Stevia is a much healthier choice.

Lunch:

100 grams of veal, beef, chicken breast, fresh white fish, lobster, crab, or shrimp. All visible fat must be carefully removed before cooking, and the meat must be weighed raw. It must be boiled or grilled without additional fat. Salmon, eel, tuna, herring, dried or pickled fish are not allowed. The chicken breast must be removed from the bird. Boneless and skinless.
One type of vegetable only to be chosen from the following: spinach, chard, chicory, beetgreens, green salad, tomatoes, celery, fennel, onions, red radishes, cucumbers, asparagus, cabbage.
One breadstick (grissino) or one Melba toast (Wasa Bread is also acceptable).
An apple, orange, or a handful of strawberries (6-9 depending on their size) or one-half grapefruit.

Dinner:

The same four choices as lunch (above.)No oil, butter or dressing.

Hint: Our clients have found that saving your fruit and/or melba toast for a snack between lunch and dinner has helped them to not feel as hungry as well as keep their metabolism burning more steadily throughout the day.

5 Sample Recipes

When you order a 21 or 40 day kit, the Diet Manual contains another 17 hCG Diet Recipes for main dishes, drinks, marinades and desserts in the manual when you order the 21 or 40 day kits.

Green Onion Soup

Green onions (allowed amount)
2 c vegetable broth
1-2 t liquid aminos
1 t parsley
1 t zsweet
1/2 t paprika
1/2 t salt
1/2 t dill
1/2 t thyme
1/8 t cayenne or red pepper flakes
1/8 t celery seed

Briefly steam the green onions until tender.
Preheat saucepan over MED heat.
Chop steamed green onions.
In a saucepan, saute the green onions in a bit of vegetable broth for a couple of minutes, then add the parsley, zsweet, paprika, salt, dill, thyme, celery seed, and cayenne. Saute 1-2 mins more.
Add remaining vegetable broth, reduce heat, cover and simmer 20-30 mins.

Lemon Pepper Fish

100g whitefish
juice of half lemon
1-3 cloves minced garlic
1/2 t black pepper
1/4 t salt
1/4 t cumin powder
1/8 t turmeric

Place fish in small bowl. Add garlic, black pepper, salt, cumin, and turmeric. Ensure to coat both sides.
Cover & marinate at least 1 hour in refrigerator.
Preheat oven to 400.
Place the fish in a non-stick baking dish, & cover with the marinade.
Bake 10-20 minutes depending on thickness, until fish easily flakes.
Squeeze with lemon juice.
Serve.

Crockpot Swiss Steak

100g steak
1 T shake 'n bake
1 T liquid aminos
3-4 cloves minced garlic
1 stalk celery - sliced
1 onion - sliced
1 tomato - diced
1/2-1 c beef broth

Preheat pan over MED-HI heat.
Sprinkle steak with liquid aminos.
Dip steak in shake 'n bake, coating both sides.
Add steak to pan and brown on both sides.
Transfer steak to crockpot.
Cover with garlic, celery, onions, and diced tomato.
Top with beef broth. Don't stir!
Cover and cook on low until reaches desired doneness.
When done, serve immediately, and cover with juices from crockpot.

NOTE: This dish includes 3 vegetables which are meant only for flavor. When finished cooking, you can discard veggies, or choose to eat just one of them (as we aren't allowed to mix veggies on phase 2 per Dr S).

Asparagus Frittata

3 egg whites
1 whole egg
Asparagus (allowed amount)
1-2 cloves minced garlic
1 T dehydrated minced onion
1 T water
1 t parsley
Salt/pepper (to taste)
Tabasco (optional)

Preheat pan over MED heat.
Snap woody ends off asparagus and discard.
Snap each asparagus spear into 2-3 pieces. Add to pan with garlic & heat through until tender.
Preheat oven to 400.
In bowl, mix eggs & water. Add asparagus, minced onion, parsley, salt/pepper.
Pour egg mixture into non-stick baking dish (or dish lined with parchment paper).
Place in oven and cook 10-15 mins until done.
Top with tabasco (optional) and serve immediately.

Orange Ginger Chicken

100g chicken - cut into chunks
Black pepper
orange - cut in 1/4s
2-3 cloves minced garlic
1 T fresh ginger root (about 1/2"-1" long piece, peeled & minced)
1/2 t basil
Juice of half lemon

Preheat pan over MED heat.
Sprinkle chicken with pepper.
Add chicken to pan and stir fry until brown on all sides, about 5-10 mins.
Add garlic and cook for 1 min.
Squeeze juice of orange quarters over chicken.
Peel & separate orange into sections. Add orange sections, ginger, lemon juice, and basil. Stir well.
Cover and simmer for about 20-30 mins.

NOTE: This includes your meat and fruit portion for this meal.

Recommended Shopping List for Grocery Store

Meats

Shrimp, White Fish (Talapia, Halibut, Orange Ruffy, etc).
Turkey, chicken breast.
Lean Ground Beef, Steak or Roast

Vegetables

Asparagus
Cucumbers
Onions
Celery
Beet Greens
Lettuce
Green Onions
Spinach or Swiss Chard
Tomatoes
Radishes

Fruit

Lemons
Strawberries
Apples
Oranges
Grapefruits

Spices

Mrs Dash
Bragg Liquid Amino (Like Soy Sauce)
Garlic Cloves
Stevia- Both powder as well as liquid and flavors
Kosher Salt or Sea Salt
Other spices (be careful of ingredients, no sugars)

Other Items

Herbal Tea
Green Tea
Coffee
Water container with ounces for tracking
Apple Cider Vinegar
No Fat Cottage Cheese
Eggs
Fresh Salsa (no sugars or preservatives)
Melba Toast, Grissini Bread or Wasa Bread
Multi-Vitamin (make sure that there are no oils).
Miracle Noodles can be found online.

There is a great deal more detail and specifics in the manuscript itself, which you'll get a free copy of when you order the 21 or 40 day kit. It is suggested that this summary be used as a quick reference only. As with any diet program, if you experience complications or if you have any health risks or concerns, consult your Doctor immediately before beginning this or any other diet program.

Marcus McReynolds - Nutrition & Fitness Expert

Buy HCG Weight Loss Drops

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Season Your Pans for Non Stick Cooking

Nothing is more frustrating than trying to cook a delicious meal and having it stick to the bottom of the pan. A well season or cured pan will make cooking more fun, easier to clean and create better tasting food. There is a saying in the restaurant business; Hot pan - Cold oil. Meaning never put the oil in a cold pan and then heat it up. By heating the pan first and then adding the oil, then immediately the food, you'll have much less sticking. Furthermore if you season the pan when you first purchase it, you will have even better results.

Curing by metal types

Stainless Steel - Unfortunately stainless steel cannot be seasoned because of the hardness of the metal. A matter of fact I don't know of a single restaurant which uses stainless steel pan. They are great for storing food because the food won't react with the metal, but horrible for cooking. My advice is just stay away from them altogether.

Aluminum - First wash the pan with soup and water using a sponge or cloth (no steel sponge). Rinse and dry thoroughly. Heat the pan until hot then add two ounces of oil to the pan. Carefully swirl the pan so the oil coats every part of the pan. Let the pan cool. Remove the oil and repeat the process one more time. From this point on, never use soap again. Wash with warm water and dry with a paper towel. If some food does stick us a little salt with oil and a paper towel to remove it.

Teflon and other non stick surfaces - Non stick technology has come a long way over the years and there are dozens of infomercials to prove it. But the truth is even non stick pans will eventually stick. Follow the steps for seasoning aluminum pans and your non stick pans will last longer and perform better. Remember after the first time, never wash with soup again.

Cast iron and wok's - For cast iron and wok's the process is similar, but because of the nature of the metal you'll heat the pans to a much higher temperature. Fist wash the pan with soup and water then dry thoroughly. Heat the pan up until it is very hot. Add two ounces of oil and swirl to coat all sides. Let cool and remove excess oil. Heat the pan up again until it begins to smoke. Add more oil and repeat the process until you've done this three times. Never wash again and always store you pans at any angle or by hanging so they won't rust.

By taking the time to properly season you pans, you will enjoy cooking much more and increase the life of your investment. I recommend spending a little extra money and buying good quality pans and take care of them, in the long run you'll be much happier. Another tip is to never buy pans with plastic or wooden handles because you can't place them in the oven. As you increase you cooking skills you'll find many recipes start on the burner then move to the oven. By having an all metal pan this transition is flawless.

About The Author

Chef Richard has worked for some of the top fine dining restaurants in Washington State and is the author of the ebook “Chef’s Special”. You can find free recipes, informative articles and order the ebook at [http://www.csrecipes.com]

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Salmon for Calcium: Dairy-Free Solution

People with casein allergies or more general dairy intolerances must look to other sources of food for their calcium. Salmon is a good option. It is a good meat source of calcium and it also helps people meet their needs for the beneficial Omega 3 fatty acid. In 1 3/4 cups of canned salmon, you can get the same amount of calcium as in an 8-ounce serving of milk.
Salmon is best fresh, not frozen, and wild caught. Wild caught salmon has the most beneficial ratio of Omega 3 to Omega 6 fatty acids and is likely to have lower levels of dioxin and other toxins found in the ocean. However, all salmon will have calcium and beneficial Omega 3s, including canned salmon. Below are some ideas for adding more salmon to your diet.
Salmon Mousse
Enjoy salmon mousse as a finger food with crackers or make a meal out of it. It is easy to make and tastes great.
Ingredients:

Alexander V. Martin enjoys healthy eating, especially foods high in calcium recommended by his Bakersfield dentist and dentist Oakland. That Bakersfield dentist can also be found on video promoting healthy teeth.

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Crucial Functions to Take Into Account - When Purchasing an Automated Bread Machine

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Well, now you know how to choose the most effective breadmaker for yourself, have a look at these Morphy Richards Breadmaker or if you are looking for particular unit, remember to consider this one: Morphy Richards 48281

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Fabulous Olive Garden Recipes

The Olive Garden restaurant is known for their unlimited salad and bread sticks and romantic Italian atmosphere. The Olive Garden is a great place to eat, but my budget doesn't allow me to eat out as much as I did a few years ago. Fortunately, you can find some of their recipes online and make them at home! I wanted to take just a moment and give you my Top 3 Olive Garden recipe recommendations. With these recipes, you can impress all of your friends!

Jake Kelly is passionate about restaurants and restaurant recipes! He has years of experience in reviewing restaurant food, and today he writes articles on restaurants and the best food in the industry!



You can get More Great Olive Garden Recipes here!



Also, be sure to Check out more Copycat Recipes now!

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How to make homemade bread without the hassle

Just thinking about warm, homemade bread is enough to make your mouth water, right? But who really wants to go through the hassle of making a loaf from scratch? Well, it might not be as difficult as you think, and it's well worth the trouble! Here are a few simple steps for making hassle-free homemade bread.

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Body Detox Recipe Options-How to Make Your Recipes Detox Friendly

You do not have to have a special body detox recipe book in order to enjoy the benefits of it. In fact you can use your favorite recipes to make your own body detox recipe book. The first thing you need to do is pick out your favorite recipes. You will want ones that cover breakfast, lunch and dinner. Most people just grab some cereal or fast food for breakfast but that contains huge amounts of things, which can cause your body to slow down and can help to build toxins within your system.



It is a good idea to have a solid plan for what you are going to make for breakfast. If you need something quick consider making things like quiche or breakfast burritos that are home made and can simply be reheated. This is the first step to making a variety of body detox recipe options.



To avoid preservatives make your own wraps and breads. Bread makers are fairly standard equipment for kitchens and you can get organic wheat flour. Simply freeze what you are not using to store. This is a healthy alternative to prevent you from adding toxins from processed foods back into your diet. For lunch recipes consider home made bread for your sandwich or a salad. You can even enjoy a vegetable stir fry. If possible reheat in a pan rather than a microwave or eat cold. Simply substitute organic ingredients and tofu. When making stir fry or any type of dish involving vegetables cook for a short time on high heat and make sure the vegetables are as fresh as possible. This is probably one if not the most important thing when it comes to making a body detox recipe.



Drinks are favorites because you can fit so much more into a drink or juice than food. Consider modifying smoothie and healthy juice drinks recipe options by placing a variety of antioxidant and omega fatty acid rich fruits such as coconut or Acai along with blueberries. This can make a wonderful drink option and some of the juice combinations make a wonderful marinade for meat that can turn a normal marinade recipe into a body detox recipe.



As you can see it is not hard to make any recipe into a body detox recipe. You simply need to modify ingredients and be willing to make a few adjustments for taste. In fact, you may be surprised to find that a recipe modification comes out better than the original and not just in taste. These types of recipe modifications can help you to feel better as well and have more energy. It does not take a special body detox recipe book to provide the perfect recipes for your detox diet. All it takes is a bit of effort and some time sitting down and going through your current books to find things you love and make them better by switching out ingredients for ones that will provide you with a greater amount of energy, a healthier lifestyles and provide you with a way to keep your body in its best shape without having to make and plan special meals.

John Khu is a health enthusiast and author of a new eBook titled "Body Detox Tips". He is devoted to educate others on the benefit of body detoxification. He is also the owner of the website called
http://www.bodydetoxtips.com
which provides complete and up-to-date information.

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Obtain the Ultimate Cookware Set

Any kitchen cookware, cookware set that has the ability to intermingle classic and contemporary culinary elements like style, durability and heat retention can be referred to as nothing short of ultimate. There is a range of utensils that can be considered under this heading that have distinctive uses and bring diversification to the dining table or the hearth.

CORNINGWARE the original glass <a href="http://www.worldkitchen.co.uk/casserole.html "> cookware </a> that has enduring style and looks great on the table! Suitable for stovetop, oven & microwave cooking.

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Great Breakfast Ideas

Most people choose to skip breakfast because they think it is troublesome to wake up and prepare it. Having breakfast is a very important thing to do to start a wonderful day, isn't it? Bored of your breakfast menus? Then you may try some of these wonderful menus to spice up your brand new day! There are a few ingredients that you must have to prepare great breakfasts.
First of all, eggs. Eggs are perfect for breakfast because they give you protein needed for your body growth. Well, they are also healthy but do not consume too many eggs in a day because you may end up having high cholesterol instead of only protein. Eggs are also great breakfast ideas because they do not cost a fortune and very affordable. Thus, it is something you can afford to eat and you do not have to be filthy rich to stay healthy! Using eggs, you can prepare scrambled eggs for breakfast. Scrambled eggs are easy to make and you can include them in your menus especially on a busy day because they only require less preparation time. All you need is eggs, butter, cream, Cheddar cheese, salt and pepper. The steps are really simple and easy to follow as well. Mix the eggs and cream in a bowl; then, add in melted butter. Heat your pan and spread the eggs all over the pan until the mixture is balanced. After that, sprinkle the cheese on top then when the egg is almost cooked, simple stir your spatula to scramble it. In less than 10 minutes, you will be able to enjoy your scrambled eggs!
Besides, sandwich is also another great breakfast idea. As the bread, choose whole meal bread because it is a healthier choice. Having sandwich as breakfast is a good thing because you can add in a lot of ingredients to make your diet more balanced. You can choose from ham, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, eggs or even bacon as your ingredients. All you have to do is spread a little bit of margarine onto the bread and then add the ingredients in between to make your sandwich. It is great because if you do not have time to eat at home, you can bring it out and eat while waiting for your bus or on your way to work. However, you should always include vegetables like lettuce, cucumber or tomatoes into your sandwich topping so that you will have enough minerals.
On top of that, pancakes are also terrific! Pancakes are easy to make and eating them gives you warmth in the stomach especially early in the morning. All you need to prepare is flour, sugar, baking powder, milk and melted butter. Mix everything in a bowl and you can see a thick mixture that is light yellow in color. Heat the pan and fill the pan with flour mixture, but just a thin layer. Wait for 2 minutes and turn it over so that you will have nicely cooked pancakes! Serve while it is hot and you can add fruits or caramel as toppings to make it tastier.

For more info about Breakfast Menus, visit Breakfast Menus website.

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Homemade Christmas Gifts From the Kitchen - Make your Own Holiday Gift Baskets

Many of us would love to give hand made holiday gift baskets. Christmas gifts from the kitchen are always welcome and Christmas gift baskets, especially home made food gift baskets, are a real treat.





It's easy to become overwhelmed by the thought of making your own holiday gift baskets but with a few easy recipe ideas it is easy to create a personalized and thoughtful hand made Christmas food gift basket.





Any of these recipes make a wonderful gift packaged in a plastic or cellophane bag with a colorful bow or in a pretty jelly jar with a fabric covered lid. Add a hand made card with the recipe attached to it and your gift is complete.








Herbed Beer Batter Bread Mix





To make the mix you will need:


2 3/4 cups all purpose flour


2 tablespoons sugar


2 tablespoons baking powder


1 teaspoon salt


1/4 teaspoon each of dried thyme and oregano


Dash of dried dill





In a large bowl, stir together flour, sugar, baking powder, salt oregano, thyme and dill. Pack this mixture into an airtight container or bag. The mix can be stored at room temperature for up to 1 month. It will make 1 loaf of bread.





Recipe to print on attached card:


For Herbed Beer Bread





Herbed Beer Bread Mix


1 can of beer at room temperature


1 teaspoon butter, melted





Place the Beer Bread Mix in a large bowl. With a wooden spoon, stir in beer just until incorporated. Scrape into greased 8"x4" loaf pan.





Bake in 375ºF oven for 45 to 50 minutes or until crusty and golden brown. Let stand in the pan for 5 minutes then remove to rack and brush with melted butter. Makes 1 loaf.





Old Fashioned Oatmeal Cookie Mix





To make the mix you will need:


6 cups rolled oats


4 cups all-purpose flour


3 cups packed brown sugar


2 teaspoons cinnamon


2 teaspoons baking powder


1 1/2 teaspoons salt


1 teaspoon baking soda


1 pound shortening


2 cups raisins


1 1/2 cups shredded coconut


1 cup chocolate chips


1 cup chopped pecans





In a large bowl, stir together oats, flour, sugar, cinnamon, baking powder, salt and baking soda. With a pastry blender, cut in shortening until crumbly.





Stir in raisins, coconut, chocolate and pecans. This mix can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 10 weeks. Makes about 5 batches of cookies.





Recipe to print on attached card:


Old Fashioned Oatmeal Cookies





4 cups Oatmeal Cookie Mix


1 egg, lightly beaten


2 tablespoons milk


2 teaspoons vanilla





In a bowl, combine the Oatmeal Cookie Mix with egg, milk and vanilla until dough forms. Shape into 1 1/2" balls and place on greased baking sheets. Flatten balls with a fork.





Bake in 375ºF oven for 15 to 18 minutes or until golden. Remove to racks and let cool. Makes 24 cookies.








Spicy Mulled Cider Mix





To make the mix you will need:


3/4 cup crushed cinnamon sticks


3/4 cup chopped dried orange rind


1/3 cup whole allspice


1/4 cup whole cloves





Combine all ingredients in a jar. Makes about 2 cups.





Recipe to print on attached card:


Spicy Mulled Cider





4 cups apple juice, apple cider, or half apple juice and half cranberry juice


2 tablespoons Spicy Mulled Cider Mix





In saucepan, combine juice and cider mix. Cover and bring to a simmer. Gently simmer for 20 minutes. Strain into mugs. Makes 4 servings.








Place a few of these gems in a wicker basket, Christmas tin or other fun and seasonal container. Fill in the spaces with wrapped chocolates, holiday napkins or a bottle of wine and you have beautiful and sure to be appreciated holiday gift baskets with that extra personal touch.

Karen Ciancio is a fan of all things cooking related. Her website Cookingnook.com contains recipes, cooking tips, diet and nutrition information. Visit the site for a free copy of our Holiday Gift Guide, with great ideas for everyone on your list.

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Making Her Valentine's Day Special One Step at a Time

Making Her Valentine's Day Special One Step at a Time



When you want her to know she fills your soul, makes you a better person and that words fall short in expressing your undying love, the overwhelming feelings can sometimes leave you without any good ideas for your Valentine's Day. But there is hope in delivering a satisfying, personal and romantic Valentine's Day tailored just for her if you plan ahead and do it all one step at a time.



Step One: Determining Her Wants and Needs

The first step to creating an amazing Valentine's Day for the special woman in your life, is knowing who she is and what she needs. Does she prefer to be active on a day off? Is she more relaxed and prefers to lounge? What kinds of things does she need in her life right now? A pedicure? A massage? A new movie that was just released on DVD? That necklace she's been talking about?

You should even try to think of things she may have told you about, like where she used to go to get away when she needed to be alone.



Step Two: Combining Needs with Location

Now that you've taken some time to really think about who your lover is and what she needs this Valentine's Day, choosing a location shouldn't be so difficult.



If she's active and used to love getting away out in the country, take her to the zoo for a quiet picnic for two and some animal sight seeing. If she prefers to lounge around and has fond memories of cuddling by the fireplace, set up a love nest with blankets, pillows and mattress pillows in the loft or living room. Consider a portable DVD player as a gift to make your hide-away evening amazing with some romantic films and a backpack full of snacks, sandwiches and of course, chocolate.



Maybe your partner is a very busy woman, however, and has expressed a strong desire to be caught up in life. These women usually work very hard while trying to juggle a home and children. For this kind of Valentine's Day need, I would suggest taking Valentine's Day off, seeing the lovely woman off to work, hiring a housekeeper and asking grandma to come get the kids. This leaves you with ample time to plan reservations at an elegant restaurant or an indoor picnic near the fireplace or television. You could also have a hot bath ready for the moment she steps in the door, complete with red rose petals floating gently atop the water, bath oil already mixed in and lovely, aromatic candles lit about the clean bathroom. This is an excellent precursor to a simplistic but tasty dinner like the ones listed at the end of this article.



For those men who love the woman with a wild or unpredictable streak, choosing a location may be more difficult. Which is why you are the kind of man who shouldn't make reservations too far in advance. Choose two locations which don't require too much planning. One of these locations should be a relatively active location like an outdoor community concert performed in her taste of music. Maybe she likes more excitement like local off-roading shows or carnivals and theme parks, which would also make a private meal for two in the parking lot a special treat. The right picnic basket and a blanket could turn your tailgate into a memorable experience. The other location should be a relaxing location like a popular Garden or park. Taking along a specialized picnic basket with wine will warm her heart and likely take her desires home after the meal.



Step Three: Executing the Plan With Creativity

You shouldn't be surprised that the nurturing woman you love and adore appreciates silly and creative gestures in almost any form. While men are physical and literal creatures who usually keep balance in the family, women are emotional, sensitive and caring, which promotes happiness, positive behavior and other nurturing qualities in the home. So even if you feel a little strange going to the craft store for card stock and stickers, know that she will melt and believe that you've begun to understand her.



A great example of adding creativity to your Valentine's Day would be placing hand written notes inside each pocket of a beautiful gift basket or picnic basket on your outing. Not only will she enjoy ruffling through to find the food and drink you brought, but the little notes will be like an extra kiss on the cheek every time she reads one. Simple phrases like "You make me melt" or "This day should last forever" and "I love you more with time" should be superb.



Another way to get creative, especially for an outdoor event that leaves you with little privacy until retirement, is finding sneaky ways to give her jewelry, notes, candy or other small gifts, including gift cards. There are several ways to do this including buying her an oversized zip-up jacket just to keep her warm while you're outdoors. Slip notes, jewelry and candy into the pockets and watch as she discovers them while warming her hands!



You could also try buying her a small, inexpensive jewelry box, placing little notes and jewelry inside and then wrapping it. She'll probably like the jewelry box and then be surprised to find there's more to the gift. If you plan ahead and have reservations for a restaurant or a fun place like Medieval Times, you can request that they make an announcement for you or bring her gift to her with her meal. Be cautious, however. Women who don't like attention won't find this flattering.



Once you've decided on how to be creative and have a location, all you need to worry about is being relaxed and getting her there. A stressed out guy is the last thing a woman wants on Valentine's Day so be sure to be her rock and get her through this cherished holiday.



The Valentine's Day Food

At last, here are some great recipes to top off that special evening with. They are simple and very basic, though they can be dressed up for elegance and will wow her, even if the meal isn't perfect.



Grilled Sandwiches

Butter two slices of bread and sprinkle them each with garlic powder (just a pinch or two) placing one, butter side down in a hot pan. Place a slice of cheese on the frying bread and then sliced turkey or chicken. Top with another slice of cheese and then place the other bread slice (butter up) on top. Once the cheese has begun melting and the bottom slice of bread has turned brown (use a spatula to lift the bread corner and peek), gently scrape the sandwich from the pan and flip it. For an elegant touch, add a sprig of parsley on top.



Pita Sandwiches

With pita bread from the bakery at your grocery store, fill with fresh spinach, chopped and pre-cooked chicken strips (found in the deli meat section), shredded cheese and pearl tomatoes. Bring the Ranch dressing along and top the pita pockets with it during serving. For an elegant touch, place on a plate next to 2 bright strawberries.



Pigs in a Blanket

Using Snack Sausages, hotdogs or pre-cooked sausages cut into 2 inch weenies, roll into raw crescent rolls (found in cookie dough section next to sliced deli meats) and cook according to package. Remember to preheat the oven and put a timer on. For best results, stand around and wait until they are done rather than multi-tasking while cooking. To fancy them up, serve with canned asparagus.



By taking things one step at a time you can enjoy your Valentine's Day with your special partner and have a great time, above all else. There's nothing more rich than enjoying the small days throughout the year that make all the other times worth while. Happy Valentine's Day.

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