3 Ideas to Ignite Passion and Romance Through Food This Valentine’s Day

How indulging in a home-cooked meal can reignite your passion for each other.

How much quality “alone time” do you truly spend with those you love?

We’re not talking about the time you spend together on the couch, nose deep in your phone, or rushing around the house trying to get things done—we’re talking about true quality time. These days, couples spend a lot of time “alone together,” but not really engaging with each other. The little moments spent at home, cooking, and eating together with friends and family, is time spent truly indulging in your relationships.

We take the time each day to express our gratitude for each other and acknowledge our love in little ways. Be it through the handwritten love notes Chef Dario leaves for me (Anita) in Italian every morning, daily walks talking, or simply spending time in the kitchen together. But Valentine’s Day presents a great opportunity to pay special attention to the bond you have with your partner, especially with the help of the International Dinner Club.

Here are three ways to reignite your passion with an intimate, homemade Valentine’s Day:

1.  Plan and Cook a Homemade Meal Together and Enjoy It Picnic Style

Both of us come from backgrounds where relationships don’t just revolve around food; they revolve around spending time together preparing the food. Throughout our relationship, we have embraced this Mediterranean way of life, which is why we’re so passionate about helping couples rediscover each other by spending time together in the kitchen.

Studies show that performing acts like cooking for your partner inspire connection, confidence, and have a self-esteem boosting effect, giving you an added lift going into a romantic evening with your partner. Cooking together is also an important ritual to help each other stay accountable to your health goals by taking the time to learn about and appreciate the ingredients going into your food.

Last Valentine’s Day we spent a romantic evening making Beef Wellington for each other (one of our favourite indulgences). After cooking together, we enjoyed our meal by the fire with a special bottle of wine and a few treats we love. Planning a special night at home together creates the perfect special setting to truly engage with your partner, without the distraction of a busy restaurant, the TV, or your devices.

2.  Unlock Your Relationship Goals by Starting a New Tradition Together

Valentine’s Day is a wonderful excuse to shower your partner in love. But we firmly believe that you should make time every day to affirm your relationship through little gestures and rituals. For example, every morning Dario likes to leave daily love notes, handwritten in Italian, just to let me know he’s thinking about me. This is my love language that makes me happy. For Dario, I always leave little daily specials around the house and show appreciation.

In our relationships with each other, and with our family and friends, we often refer back to the book The Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate by Gary Chapman. It outlines five ways to express and experience love through what they define as “love languages.” It means a lot to know that the people you love understand what makes you feel loved and appreciated and can be different for different people.

While enjoying your romantic dinner, why not take a cue from the book and discuss new daily rituals that you could start to reaffirm your relationship – whether it be through daily love notes or vowing to cook dinner together each night.

3.  Take a couples cooking class with the International Dinner Club

Have you ever noticed that reminiscing about your travels can be romantic? Although travel is a priority in our relationship, we also enjoy looking back on our favourite travel moments together – especially the incredible food we enjoyed.

The International Dinner Club is guaranteed to evoke the same romantic feeling you had sharing a meal on your favourite trip, with the flavour palate to match. International culinary recipes, wine & juice pairings designed by world-renowned Chef Dario Tomaselli will inspire the chef in you, while homemade juice pairings, relationship tips, and lifestyle shifts provided by myself, Rich Life Strategist & Health Advocate Anita Heidema, will leave you and your partner feeling like every day is Valentine’s Day.

These exclusive, one-of-a-kind five course menus will allow you to enjoy a culinary experience curated from different regions or countries around the world with friends, family, or your special someone. Get started today.

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