Akiva Resnikoff, founder of

His organic “Chocolate Chip Nookies” are baked with Peruvian Maca root, a member of the radish family. Packed with nutrients, this stamina boosting herb was eaten by Inca warriors before going to battle. Today powdered Maca root has been redefined as Peru’s natural Viagra, and mood enhancer, found in health food stores across the country.

Photo of harvested Maca roots from planetgreendiscovery.com.

Science contends that infatuation triggers chemical changes in the brain, often leading to love and relationships.  Now The Cookie Department is offering up a “functional” treat to possibly hasten the process along.

 Julie and Jennie

The initial buzz that accompanies romantic attraction has been scientifically proven to warp judgement. Lust, which is often confused with love, is ushered along by the release of mind-altering chemicals that can literally keep you up all night like that late afternoon double espresso.

Low serotonin levels and increased oxcytocin  are found in the brains of people experiencing heart pounding desire as well as those struggling with obsessive compulsive disorder.  This chemical induced drive is nature’s way to ensure continuation of the species through procreation. 

Chocolate Brain from VisualAnatomy.com

When “crazy” in love calls for a detox, reach for chocolate and get a dose of phenylethylamine, one of the chemicals found in the noggin of someone high on romance. The negative side affects of taking in too much chocolate are nominal compared to staying with someone who makes you love sick.

Angelina and Brad enjoying a candid kiss?

The kind of deep love and emotional attachment that evolves over time, lights up a separate area of the cerebrum associated with comfort rather than excitement. Even Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie will have to get creative to keep the embers burning… if their union withstands the test of time.

Author and researcher, Judith Viorst, explains the difference between initial attraction and a mature love relationship, in layman’s terms. You’ll get her drift if you replace Robert Redford with a contemporary celebrity crush like George Clooney or Robert Pattinson.

                                       Infatuation is when you think he’s

as sexy as Robert Redford,

as smart as Henry Kissinger,

as noble as Ralph Nader,

as funny as Woody Allen, and

as  athletic as Jimmy Conners.

Love is when you realize he’s

as sexy as Woody Allen,

as smart as Jimmy Conners,

as funny as Ralph Nader,

as athletic as Henry Kissinger, and

nothing like Robert Redford….

but you’ll take him anyway.

Julie and Jennie

The first time you spend the night with a new  liaison, do you sit on the commode while the other person brushes before bed? If the answer is a resounding NO, then perhaps you should reflect on how and when bathroom etiquette transgressed over time with your present love interest.

We use spell check to enhance the reading experience. Likewise, isn’t it more enjoyable to slither under the covers with someone who is already washed, groomed and squeaky clean?  Editing is a beautiful thing.

Perhaps love and relationships would do better with open communication rather than open doors. At least you’re safe at the mall where his and her public restrooms are private.

If it’s considered “old school” to take turns in the lavatory, then old is sounding pretty good.

Julie and Jennie

“Not a hair out of place.”

Newt's bride, Callista Gingrich, redefines "hat head".

Sophie the Standard Poodle, getting ready to strut her stuff at the 136th annual Westminster Dog Show.

“Let one’s hair down.”

Steven Tyler of Aerosmith fame, and judge on American Idol, is everything but constrained.

"Everything is going to be alright." A cascade of doggy dreadlocks worn by Komondor breed at the 2012 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.

 “Bald” ?

Donald wearing his signature comb-over.To Bald or not to Bald...that is the question?

Unconditional love with canine companions is easy to come by. Dogs adapt to relaxed, controlling and even confused kinfolk. They listen for tone versus diction, and are unmoved by a bad hair day.

People are more complex. How we present ourselves, and the words we choose, will summon a variety of responses in love and relationships. Although Callista, Steven and Donald have opposing ciofs, they all telecast the same caution signal. Running your fingers through their hairdos could prove risky.

Take heed, and choose your words and hair stylist wisely.

Julie and Jennie

Chopped liver never looked so good thanks to Jack Pepin's stylish presentation.

Getting a divorce has about as much curb appeal as chopped liver. The mention of either tends to evoke a negative response, despite the potential value of both.

Love and relationships don’t always work out as planned. You can’t alter the past, but you can influence the future with the power of words. Mark the end of marriage   with a “reorganization” versus the dreaded D.

 Since language colors our thoughts, choose wisely.

 My wasband and I legally reorganized. In an attempt to be civil, we talked over a glass of wine and had a light meal of p

ate (pureed goose liver) on a sliced baguette.

or

My X is no better than chopped liver, so I filed for divorce.

 Employing mood altering vocabulary is not easily accomplished in even the best of relationships, thus I love you often…just not always.

 Julie and Jennie

Four babies to one nursing mother is no laughing matter. Bravo to the sleep deprived dad who instigated the contagious giggles that buoyed his family and the millions who have watched this video.

Laughter is infectious, but so is yelling. The next time you or your partner have hit the wall and rational conversation is no longer an option, grab the helm and steer the course.

Try this experiment: distract your inflamed partner with the unexpected. Don’t take the bait and participate in the negative energy. Stick your tongue in the ear of your egregiously angered other, or defer to your smart phone’s Fart APP for comic relief.

Don’t be discouraged if, despite your best effort, you are still looking at Darth Vader (with one wet ear). Remember, it’s only an experiment. If the encounter makes you laugh instead of matching anger with anger, it’s a win.

Laughter is a novel remedy for brinksmanship, however some bickering  in love and relationships can’t be tempered with humor. Whatever challenge you face, aspire to make your response a game changer.

Julie and Jennie

Living together is the resounding trend among heterosexuals, while homosexuals are seeking the right to wed. This week Washington and New Jersey states joined the growing movement towards sanctioning same sex marriage.

Humans become complacent when their wants and needs are met. Straight couples are becoming more content cohabitating with a “partner,” while gays are appealing for the privilege of being  recognized as “husband” or “wife.”

Love and relationships beg to be acknowledged privately or publicly. Remember to show your appreciation and gratitude to those you care for.

Julie and Jennie

Show some love and appreciation to Robert Indiana, the little known artist who created this iconic pop art installation.

Gratitude and acknowledgement have a longer shelf life than chocolates and flowers. Extend the Valentine’s Day buzz with a heart felt vow, to someone you love.

A  Pledge To My Husband

This week I will:

▪                Watch American Pickers and Pawn Stars by your side without grumbling.

▪                Unclutter my desk in our shared office.

▪                Prepare a carbo-rich dinner without a lecture on the benefits of eating raw food.

▪                Use my own toothbrush instead of reaching for yours.

▪                Upgrade my sleeping attire from mismatched flannels to anything else.

▪                Get up early and bring coffee to your bedside.

▪                Take in the empty recycle bins on Monday morning.

▪                Recount all the things I admire in you…. that I assume you know after 20 years.

Love and relationships do best when watered with understanding and acknowledgement. Joe is an early riser. Hope I can pull off my vow to make him coffee in the dark.

Julie

]]> http://www.iloveyouoften.com/2012/02/15/valentine-break/feed/ 5 http://www.iloveyouoften.com/2012/02/10/ilyo-news-modern-sailors-valentine/ http://www.iloveyouoften.com/2012/02/10/ilyo-news-modern-sailors-valentine/#comments Sat, 11 Feb 2012 02:33:24 +0000 Admin http://www.iloveyouoften.com/?p=458

Made by women, for women. This typical 19th Century Sailor's Valentine is a two sided octagonal box housing shell mosaics reflecting yearning and love. Both sides were covered in glass providing protection on long sea voyages back home from a stop in Barbados, where making Sailor's Valentines was a cottage industry.

There’s a new convenient option to expressing love on Valentine’s Day. AmericanGreetingsCorporation.com will now sign, stamp and mail  your sweetheart an old fashioned paper card, trumping the electronic inbox message.  

Akin to the on-line Valentine Card, the antique “Sailor’s Valentine” (1830-1890) was often made by someone other than Popeye. The notion of sailors  crafting on deck   after a day of beach combing was, and is, a romantic myth. Many of these delicate shell mosaics were assembled by women in Barbados, a popular trading port in the 19th century. Hearts, flowers and sayings were part of the designs, much like today’s greeting cards. 

"Popeye The Sailor Man"...the original romantic.

Reading the words I Love You written in virgin ink, or painstakingly arranged in shells, is more likely to make your heart skip a beat than an outsourced electronic  missive or mass produced keepsake. Feeling the hand of the maker, or believing he/she licked the stamp or dabbed the glue, lends a romantic edge that money can’t buy.

Since it’s “the thought that counts,” we should still thank  100 year old American Greetings Corporation for keeping up with the times and helping us spread the love with greater ease.

Happy Valentine’s Week!

Julie and Jennie

Give your honey some sugar. Download photo portraits from your smartphone and special order personalized iChocolates for Valentine's Day. Your box of 20 organic confections are packaged to look like APPS in an iphone fashioned gift box.

The “me generation” has given way to the “iGeneration.”  Technology and the promise of big bucks has fueled the rage to customize everything to suit each and every individual desire.  The long list of iDesire includes personalized screensavers, ring tones, playlists and, to celebrate Valentine’s Day, tailor-made chocolates. No wonder the planet is love challenged. We expect mere mortals to change their tune to match our every mood…in a nanosecond.

"Sweet Play" is a chocolate lovers dream. Mix and match fillings and toppings with your choice of white, dark or milk chocolate housings.

The new iWorld spans all ages. The expectation of instant gratification has taken its toll on love and relationships, threatening the tradition of give and take and the willingness to accept less than perfect. Can you make a lifelong commitment to living with the toilet seat up, socks strewn across the floor, or that iconic toothpaste tube with the cap off?

One solution to the uncapped toothpaste tube issue.

Can you accept  a collection of personally annoying habits that don’t match your iMood in exchange for a good friend or loving partner who always has your back? That’s the iChallenge.

"I got your back" gift ornament available on Etsy's, Hoops And Hooks.

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