Keeping with the theme of Valentine's Day foods, let's talk aphrodisiacs!

Although foods' aphrodisiac qualities aren't based in science, it's still fun to play along with your partner, registered dietitian Sara Shama says, and many of them have health benefits anyway.

Some commonly known aphrodisiacs are: chocolate (Shama says go for dark chocolate for the healthier option), oysters, avocados, fennel, figs, garlic, ginger, raspberries, strawberries, bananas and red wine.

"There's no scientific evidence on whether these really increase someone's sex drive, but it has to do with appearance and texture -- that might stimulate romantic sides," Shama says. "A banana's phallic shape can be a bit more exciting. Figs appear like women's genitilia."

Being creative with the actual cooking process is also another great way to create sparks, says Jackie Newgent, registered dietitian and culinary instructor at the Institute of Culinary Education.

Cooking together could be a great way to start the evening, Newgent said. She suggested a "soup ceremony," where each partner makes each other's favorite soup (Newgent suggests making a healthier vegetable puree rather than a cream-based soup) and once each person is done, pouring each other's soup into one bowl to share.

Anything handmade can also be a sign of love, she says, for instance, using a heart-shaped cookie cutter to shape side dishes like vegatables or pilaf. You can also make an herb bouquet, putting edible flowers, such as lavender or nasturtium, on the plate.

"Any plant that is edible has health benefits to it," she said.  "Herbs, such as mint, basil, parsely, thyme ... is a great addition to any meal."

Here's Newgent's recipe for cocoa-mint lamb lollipops:

Ingredients:
• 8 oz lean boneless lamb loin (raised without antibiotics)
• 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1/3 cup finely chopped fresh mint
• 1 tablespoon unsweetened natural cocoa powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/2 cup fat-free plain organic Greek yogurt

Directions:
1. Soak 6 (8-inch) bamboo skewers in water (at least 15 minutes). Preheat the oven to 425.

2. Cut lamb into 6 long, thin slices. Insert each slice onto a skewer. Rub the lamb with the oil.

3. On a plate, combine the mint, cocoa, cinnamon and salt. Coat each skewer of lamb by pressing entire surface of lamb into the cocoa-mint mixture until fully coated.

4. Place the skewers on a parchment paper-lined large baking pan and bake for 10 minutes (for medium-rare) or longer if desired. Serve the lamb lollipops on top of Greek yogurt.*

*Alternative serving suggestion: Serve lollipops on top of a bed of velvety mashed potatoes -- made extra creamy with Greek yogurt -- for a meal with sex appeal!

Nutritional info:
• Makes 2 servings: 3 lollipops each

• Per serving: 320 calories, 20g fat, 8g saturated fat, 0g trans fat, 85mg cholesterol, 670mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate, 1g fiber, 2g sugars, 28g protein

Handout photos: Red wine and Jackie Newgent's cocoa-mint lamb lollipops

--By Kim Thai, USA TODAY

Good morning! Valentine's Day is tomorrow. If you're planning to cook a special meal but are trying to lose or maintain your weight, Valentine’s Day foods don’t have to be loaded with fat and calories. In fact, USA TODAY’s nutrition bloggers have some creative ideas that may warm your Valentine’s heart.

Consider making your significant other a simple meal with a favorite homemade soup, says Keith Ayoob, a registered dietitian at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York. Anything broth-based or tomato-based is a low-calorie winner, he says. “Serve with a nice bottle of wine and some whole-grain crusty bread for a healthy meal that’ll help keep arteries clear and the blood flowing for other things that evening.”

You can top the meal with a simple sorbet dessert with rose water — instead of buying expensive roses or chocolates, Ayoob says. Just defrost a package of frozen fruit, such as strawberries or blueberries, mix with about 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of rose water and about 1 teaspoon of sugar (you can even use a packet or two of sugar substitute) and let marinate for an hour. Serve it with some vanilla frozen yogurt. “As desserts go, it’s low in calories, and the berries are packed with antioxidants. Plus, you even get some protein and calcium to keep you both going for all the endurance exercise that Valentine’s Day brings,” he says.

If money is no object and you really want to wow your sweetheart, consider champagne and caviar, he says. “It’s actually nutritious, low in calories, high in omega-3 fats and protein, and you’ll get points for giving a pricey gift. Plus, you can have it with plain, whole grain crackers, and it’s a light meal.”

So what if you need a chocolate fix?  “My favorite is spa chocolate. They are perfectly portioned for one-a-day for the week,” says Dawn Jackson Blatner, a registered dietitian in Chicago. She also thinks “Mighty Leaf does an awesome job with chocolate teas.”

Bonnie Taub-Dix, a registered dietitian in New York City, says on Valentine's Day she bakes oatmeal/dark chocolate cookies in the shape of hearts. "Not only do they make the house smell yummy and inviting, but they also represent taking care of the hearts of those I love: oats help lower cholesterol levels, and dark chocolate reduces inflammation and increases blood flow, also reducing risks of heart disease. Antioxidants and fiber can be boosted further with the addition of dried cranberries too, also adding a little red color."

For more, see dietchallenge.usatoday.com. Now get cookin' and have a happy Valentine's Day tomorrow!

Photo by Todd Plitt, USA TODAY: Caviar.

--By Nanci Hellmich, USA TODAY

Women take note. A new study exploring the impact of stroke in women has brought the picture into clearer focus. It isn't pretty. With 780,000 strokes occurring in the USA each year stroke has become the leading cause of disability and the third leading cause of death nationwide. Sixty thousand more strokes occur in women than men.

Now a new analysis used data from the famed Framingham study, a long-term study of the residents of the Massachusetts town, to look more closely at stroke in women. The results, released online this week in the journal Stroke, focused on more than 10,000 residents from two generations.

It showed that women  were significantly older than men when they suffered their first stroke (75 years old versus 71) and that women older than 85 had more strokes than men. Even though men were more likely to suffer from heart disease and cancer, women who experienced strokes were still more likely to be disabled and institutionalized.

"In regard to elderly women, our data suggest a need for increased social support," say lead researcher Rodica Petrea, of Boston University, and her colleagues.

If you believe someone has had a stroke, call 911 then remember to act FAST:

• F = Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?

• A = Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?

• S = Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Are the words slurred? Can the person repeat the sentence correctly?

• T = Time: If the person shows any of these symptoms, time is important. Get to the hospital ASAP. Brain cells are dying.

Learn more in our article "For strokes, closest hospital might not be best." We've also reported in this blog on a study that found that women who sleep too much are at increased risk for stroke.

Photos: Top by Jack Gruber, USA TODAY: Houston Fire and EMS transport an elderly woman from her home to an emergency room showing signs of a possible stroke. Houston EMS crews are among many across the nation that now bypass the closest hospital with stroke patients taking them instead to specialized stroke centers. Bottom, handout: Blood flow to the brain during and after a stroke.

--By Steve Sternberg, USA TODAY

Good morning! You have two days until Valentine's Day. So far we've shared a doctor's advice on keeping love alive, plus tips on giving stress relievers and flowers. If you're single, this may not be a holiday you particularly enjoy. But in these troubled times, why pass up any opportunity to celebrate?

Chiff.com has an article called "Going Solo on Valentine's Day." It suggests celebrating by doing something that you enjoy, like going out to a movie or dinner with other unattached friends. Are you sad that you're not in a relationship? If so, come up with a plan for meeting people to date, like tapping online resources.

Ehow has a very funny article that compares Valentine's Day to an Aztec feast day, with its ritual ripping out of human hearts. It suggests staying inside, avoiding romantic shows on TV and keeping in mind that not all couples are happy. About.com is a bit more positive, recommending that you plan out your activities for the night and pamper yourself, spending as much time and energy on yourself as you would on someone else.

Valentine's Day is on Saturday night, which brings to mind a quote from Sex and the City: "If you are single there is always one thing you should take out with you on a Saturday night ... your friends."

This Sex and the City photo from New Line Cinema shows Kristin Davis, Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon and Kim Cattrall, who played together-forever friends.

--By Sue Kelly, USA TODAY

READERS: Been there, done that single Valentine's thing? Share your survival tips or favorite ways to pass the day in the Comments section:

Marijuana use could increase the risk of testicular cancer, according to a study by the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center out this week.

If a man has smoked marijuana on a weekly basis or has been exposed to hashish for an extended period of time, the chances of testicular cancer double compared to someone who has never smoked marijuana.

The study found that marijuana could also decrease sperm quality, decrease testosterone levels and cause impotency, since these are similar side effects of testicular cancer.

Men already produce a "cannabinoid-like chemical," which protects the reproductive system from cancer, but marijuana use could reverse that protective chemical and instead work against the body. The marijuana link is somehow associated with "nonseminoma," malignant germ cell tumors, and is increasing the risk.

The study has prompted more research as it has open up a bevy of questions, said Stephen Schwartz, a member of the Public Health Sciences Division at the Hutchinson Center.

"What young men should know is that first, we know very little about the long-term health consequences of marijuana smoking, especially heavy marijuana smoking," Schwartz said in a press release. "So, in the absence of more certain information, a decision to smoke marijuana recreationally means that one is taking a chance on one's future health."

The National Cancer Institute estimates almost 8,100 men will be diagnosed with testicular cancer, and 380 will die because of it in 2008.

Patients, survivors, caregivers and loved ones are invited to share their advice, questions and experiences in our Living with Cancer Forum. Last week, readers entered more than 1,000 votes here sharing views on marijuana legalization as medical marijuana cases and Michael Phelps put it in the headlines.

Photo by H. Darr Beiser, USA TODAY: A demonstrator lights up a joint at a rally to legalize marijuana in 2001 in Washington, D.C.

--By Kim Thai, USA TODAY

Eggs are getting their day in the sun -- ick -- I mean, headlines today. The BBC reports today that researchers at the University of Surrey found that eggs have little impact on a person's cholesterol, calling the idea of limiting yourself to three eggs a week an out-of-date misconception. Consuming saturated fat, they said, is where you need to put on the brakes.

USA TODAY's Weight-Loss Challenge "blog squad" dietitian Keith Ayoob listed eggs in his post earlier this month: "Protein -- your edible appetite suppressant." He also recommends keeping hard-cooked eggs in the fridge as a cheap, healthy lunch or snack.

Jason Dinant, 27, a CNN "iReporter," is taking these tips to the nth degree, eating 16 egg whites a day in his quest for six-pack abs. Apparently his initial routine of 500 crunches a day wasn't enough.

If you don't think you can stomach egg whites alone, next time you make an omelet or scramble try using two egg whites and one whole egg -- that makes it healthier but it will still look like the eggs you're used to. And don't be afraid to jazz them up with onions or peppers and spices, such as garlic powder or cilantro.

Photo by Tim Loehrke, USA TODAY

--By Anne Godlasky, USA TODAY

Good morning! Not to alarm you, but you've only got three days until Valentine's Day.

For many of us, a gift certificate for a massage, facial or other treatment at a spa would be the perfect Valentine's Day treat and a great way for to relieve stress and boost our sagging spirits. But in this era of tight budgets and shrinking bank accounts, such luxury may seem totally out of reach.

However, a day or week at a spa may not be as an expensive as you think. Many places are ramping up incentives and offering specials, according to ShopSmart magazine from Consumer Reports.

In the February/March issue, the magazine offers several ideas for spa savings:

• Call spas and ask, “What specials are you offering?” Inquire about off-season deals, whether certain days or times are cheaper than others and about cost-cutting packages. If you’ve never been to the spa, ask about specials for new clients.

• Try chain massage stores. The decore usually isn’t fancy and chains are prone to staffing turnover, but the savings can be big.

• Go to a school. Many cosmetology and massage therapy schools offer a student spa/salon or clinic where treatments are done under the supervision of instructors. This can save you a bundle.

• Search the web. Sites such as spafinder.com, spamagazine.com and spa-addicts.com post special deals.

• Buy in bulk. You might be able to purchase a series of treatments — say six for the price of five — to be used within a specified amount of time.

For specific deals, see Kitty Bean Yancey's report in USA TODAY's Travel section that "spas are giving relief to get relief."

Handout photo

--By Nanci Hellmich, USA TODAY

Grandma may have been right about keeping a tea kettle warming on the stove in winter to moisten the air. Studies of seasonal influenza have long found indications that flu spreads better in dry air.

Now, research in this week's Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences indicates that the key is the absolute humidity which measures the amount of water present in the air, regardless of temperature not the more commonly reported relative humidity.

Relative humidity varies depending on air temperature; absolute humidity does not.

"When absolute humidity is low, influenza virus survival is prolonged and transmission rates go up," says Jeffrey Shaman, an atmospheric scientist in Oregon State University. In some cases, it may be worthwhile to add humidity to the air, but don't overdo it, Shaman says, noting that too much humidity can lead to other problems, such as mold.

--By Michelle Healy, USA TODAY

Much of the country has been pummeled with snow and ice over the past few weeks, so many people have been outside shoveling and doing other outdoor activities.

Previously on Better Life, we wrote about how to prevent injuries while shoveling. That said, the good news about shoveling snow and many other winter activities is you use a lot of energy, therefore calories, in a short period of time. That can be really helpful if you’re still working on that New Year's resolution.

Here’s how many calories a 165-pound person uses in 30 minutes of doing some typical winter physical activities, according to caloriesperhour.com:

• Shoveling snow: 225 calories
• Cross-country skiing (4-4.9 miles per hour, moderate): 299 calories
• Downhill skiing (moderate): 225 calories (watch out for trees!)
• Ice skating (general): 262 calories

For more, see our calorie chart. For those who'd rather to stay inside and do an exercise video, here are some good ones to consider. For those who are looking for ways to burn more calories at the office, check out  tips on "non-exercise activity thermogenesis."

Photo by Felicia Fonseca, AP: Jonah Jensen heads to a park with his dog to cross country ski in Flagstaff, Ariz., in December. Cross-country skiing is a big calorie burner.

--By Nanci Hellmich, USA TODAY

Good morning! You've got four days until Valentine's Day. In our first day of Cupid Countdown, we shared a doctor's advice on keeping love alive. But maybe today you're thinking of sending flowers.

First, make sure the intended recipient isn't prone to allergic rhinitis, better known as hay fever. A common cause is pollen from flowering plants. Indoor plants, however, tend to be better for allergy sufferers because they're big on leaves, not flowers, according to MedicineNet. Of course, you may miss out on the bright reds and pinks, but if they're potted you're providing a year-long, more eco-friendly gift. Test your allergy knowledge here.

Once allergies are ruled out, give some thought to the message you're sending.

"A rose is a rose is a rose is a rose," wrote Gertrude Stein. But according to the Gardeners' Network, roses not only come in many colors -- each color has a different meaning. Red, for example, means love and respect; white means reverence; pink means admiration; yellow means joy; and orange means desire. Red and white together signify unity.

The St. Valentine's Day site, which offers information about how the holiday is celebrated around the world and offers free delivery in India, cautions that women should not think it their sole right to receive flowers on this day. Men also want flowers, preferably a manly blooming plant.

If you've got lots of love but not as much cash, an Alabama site called al.com has an article about making your own flower arrangement with flowers from your yard or the supermarket.

Whether you go high-end or backyard, as the Irish blessing says, "My flowers always line your path." Good luck.

Handout photo from Teleflora

--By Sue Kelly, USA TODAY

Baking soda for your lips. Olive oil for your fingernails. Duct tape for your heels. And sugar for everything. All of these household items can be a way to maintain healthy skin when it's freezing outside.

"You can use sugar in your palms and rub it together to exfoliate," says New York dermatologist Francesca Fusco. "You can also use a soft toothbrush, dip it in baking soda and gently brush it along your lips before applying Vaseline as a great way to care for your lips."

More traditional but lesser known ways of staving off dry skin in the bitter cold include avoiding hot showers and using heavier lotions as a way to keep your natural oils intact, says Dr. Suzan Obagi, assistant professor of the Department of Dermatology at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

"This time of year, change your lotions, switch to cream-based products and ointments. Heavier products do much better to trap the oil in our skin," Obagi said. She also recommends putting a humidifier in the bedroom.

Obagi's secret tip is to use Vaseline petroleum lip balm instead of ones that are medicated or have fragrances because the ingredients in those products tend to create an allergic reaction in your lips, she says, so that when you stop using it, your lips will feel drier than they were before.

Other dermatologists advise against rubbing hydrogen peroxide on the skin as a way to prevent itching and to always wear scarves, gloves and sunscreen for another layer of protection. If your dry skin persists, you should see a professional.

Steps to bringing back your beautiful feet

Tips from Vesna Petronic-Rosic, associate professor of medicine at the University of Chicago Medical Center:

1. Gently remove the thick skin from your heel with a pumice stone or stick.
2. Continue removing until the skin on your heel feels softer.
3. Put on crazy glue or liquid band aid on the remaining cracks.
4. Moisturize with a heavy-cream lotion.
5. Wrap duct tape or wear a sock on your foot to protect it.

USA TODAY photo: Olive oil.

--By Kim Thai, USA TODAY

Kidney patients on dialysis who live at higher altitudes have lower rates of death than dialysis patients who live near sea level, says a study in Journal of the American Medical Association. Researchers identified 804,812 end-stage kidney disease patients and found that those at an altitude higher than 4,000 feet had a 12-15% lower rate of death. Scientists say those at higher locales achieved higher hemoglobin concentrations, a protein in red blood cells that helps carry oxygen.

--Staff and wire reports

Good morning! You've got five days to get ready for Valentine's Day on Saturday. Something to ponder: How do you keep the love alive?

Dr. Catherine Birndorf, clinical associate professor of psychiatry at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Cornell Medical Center, has some advice. In a press release issued by the medical center, she recommends remembering good times spent together and trying to find similar activities, like a romantic dinner or a special vacation. Set aside quality time for each other; give thoughtful gifts; compliment your partner sometimes.

Bindorf also recommends making a date for sex. In today's busy world, you can't always expect spontaneity, she says. According to a recent survey, 45% plan a time for sex with their partner, my colleague Nanci Hellmich reports today in "Valentine's Day still rich in romance, sex."

And if you need more advice, there are 14.3 million websites on keeping love alive. Those rascals at FamilyCorner.com recommend conserving energy and love at the same time by showering together! Caffection, which describes itself as a romance, friendship and marriage enrichment site, suggests making time for each other by turning off the TV, stereo and computer.

EzineArticles has 20 tips, including taking a page from David Letterman and creating a Top 10 list of your own: "Top 10 Reasons Why I Love You."

Most people would not put the words "Friedrich Nietzsche" and "keeping love alive" in the same sentence. But what the 19th Century German philosopher had to say applies to all kinds of relationships: "It is not a lack of love, but a lack of friendship that makes unhappy marriages."

Handout photo from Perrier-Jouet

--By Sue Kelly, USA TODAY

Yesterday USA TODAY's Rita Rubin reported on a study that found that the increased breast cancer risk associated with postmenopausal hormone therapy falls markedly within two years of quitting treatment.

Other breast cancer news came from researchers at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto. Evaluating how various proteins interact in tumors can help predict a woman's chances of surviving breast cancer, allowing doctors to better tailor treatment, they reported.

Knowing from the outset that a particular woman's prognosis is bad could allow doctors to give her aggressive treatment right away, but often it is difficult to know which breast cancer patients will do well and which will not.

The researchers analyzed networks of proteins chemical compounds vital in cellular processes in breast cancer tissue from 350 women in the USA and Europe.

They found that women who survived the disease had a different organization of the network of proteins within the cancer cells than those who died. Writing in the journal Nature Biotechnology, they said tracking these protein interactions enabled them to accurately predict in 82% of patients whether their breast cancer would kill them.

If you or someone you know has experienced  cancer, share questions, advice and experiences below or with other readers in our Living with Cancer Forum.

--Staff and wire report