Top 10 ways to a man’s heart

By: Hugh Wilson

It’s nearly That Day. Here are 10 ways to make Valentine’s Day - and every day - extra special this year.

t’s nearly Valentine’s Day, when the love quotient is as high as the Valentine’s mark-up in your local bistro.

But how do you make this Valentine’s Day special? And in particular, how do women find a way into the flinty cold hearts of men?

It’s not easy, but it is possible. And in the spirit of joyful giving that is surely the very essence of love, here are our top 10 ways to a man’s heart. Point your girlfriend in this direction and have a Valentine’s Day (and many other days) to remember.

Get his adrenalin up

Thinking of booking a quiet, romantic restaurant for two this Valentine’s Day (or any day, for that matter)? Well don’t. Or at least not always. Think action rather than entrees, says match.com relationship expert Kate Taylor.

“Men thrive on excitement, and love does too – many studies have shown that adrenaline actually boosts the amount of attraction people feel for each other,” she adds. “There’s not much white-knuckle action to be found in a romantic restaurant, so if you’re booking a Valentine’s date with your guy, think all-action: laser quest, horror film, flight-simulator, paintball, or theme park.”

Give him space

Remember, it’s Valentine’s Day, not Valentine’s Week or even Valentine’s Weekend. Planning or expecting the romantic treatment for three nights on the spin is going to be annoying rather than enchanting.

The same is true for the rest of the year. Men need space (as do women, to be fair). They need time with their mates, and that means regularly rather than the occasional one-off. Before you plan away his every weekend make sure he doesn’t have other ideas. And if he does, accept them.

Make him laugh

You know that oversized teddy bear card with the two cute kissing teddies? He’ll hate it. Men like their romance served with a large dollop of humour.

“Don’t give in to your urges to send him a card festooned with poetry, teddy bears, and/or blurry photos of couples walking on a beach,” says Kate Taylor. “Remember your target audience – he’s male.”

“Instead, keep things light and fun by choosing a card and present that will make him laugh. You can always whisper your heartfelt mushiness later on; just don’t get it printed.”

That’s pretty good advice for romantic gestures year-round, too.

Take it away

If you’re in charge of the V Day organising this year, but you can’t afford to book a restaurant, get a takeaway instead. He’ll love it.

I know, it’s hardly romance central. But trust us, takeaway is a man’s best friend, particularly during the week. At any time of year, a surprise takeaway can seem like a gift from the gods.

Are we overdoing it a bit? No. A takeaway is not just about the food, it’s about the avoidance of cooking and washing up (as a Valentine treat, use paper plates!) on a cold winter evening after a long day at work. Seriously, there’s nothing a man likes more than anticipating domestic drudgery and having it whipped away with one wave of your magic MasterCard.

Wear nice lingerie

We know, we know. How obvious can we be? It’s just that this one is worth repeating. Your sexuality turns him on, and lust is a great leap on the ladder towards love. Yep, that’s right, one of the ways to his heart is through your bra. Hey ho.

(Oh, and this one definitely shouldn’t be confined to Valentine’s Day.)

Keep it private

More good advice from Kate Taylor about Valentine’s Day. “Avoid any temptation to send cards or presents to him at work,” she says. “Not only is it territorial, but it’ll get him teased daily until 2025.”

That’s pretty true at all times. Public displays of affection should be kept brief and rare. You know the couple who are always snogging in the bus queue and groping at the supermarket checkout? Well, she may not be embarrassed about it, but he almost certainly is. Keeping it private makes it more special, and less humiliating.

Use random compliments

Make Valentine's Day special by letting him know how good he’s looking. Make every day special by throwing a random compliment in his direction. He’s looking more toned. Those jeans really suit him. He’s a great listener (after you’ve yapped on for an hour about your mother).

Actually, scratch that. A random compliment every day will begin to look pre-planned, and you want to give the impression of an impromptu thought (“Wow, you have lost weight!”). But every now and then a random, out-of-the-blue compliment will work a treat with most men. We like to feel appreciated. We like to feel the effort we put in is noticed. And we also like to feel like the hottest guy in the pub - once in a blue moon at least.

Be appreciative

“The biggest gift you could give your man this Valentine’s Day is simply looking thrilled with whatever he does for you,” says Kate Taylor. “Most men resent the enforced-romanticism demanded by February 14th, so if they’ve made any effort at all, it’s to be applauded. This will set you apart from every other girlfriend he’s ever had, and it’ll ensure that next year he tries even harder.”

Again, this works well beyond Valentine’s Day. Men spend an awful lot of time assuming they’ve got it wrong. Let him know he's got it spot on (whatever ‘it’ happens to be) and he’ll love you for bringing out the best in him.

Make an effort

Look good this Valentine’s Day. Maybe book in a haircut or a pampering session. Have a swim. Put on the outfit you know he likes. Glam up.

One way to a man’s heart is to keep looking as good, if not better, than the moment he first saw you. Keep reminding him that his eyes were not deceived by low light and a pint too many: you really do look that good. Avoid the mistake of thinking that once you’ve pulled off the initial “wow” you don’t have to make an effort.

Sexist? No. You can expect him to do the same and have every right to complain if he doesn’t.

Fly by the seat of your pants

Don’t know what to do this Valentine’s Day? Book a last-minute weekend away to Paris. Can't afford it? Book a last-minute spa day. Can’t afford it? Drag him up to bed the minute you - or he - gets home from work.

Many men want to know that settling down won’t mean the end of excitement, surprise and adventure. One way to his heart is to convince him that life with you will never be dull, and that routine - though necessary much of the time - is always there to be broken.

So there you have it: 10 ways to win his heart, or strengthen your bond, this Valentine’s Day. But remember that they’re all for every other day of the year, too.

Latest Recipes "Raspberry & Milk Chocolate Cheesecake"

Raspberry & Milk Chocolate Cheesecake

Ingredients

180g digestive biscuits
75g melted butter
100g milk chocolate
300g cream cheese
200ml double cream
75g sugar
150g raspberries
Icing sugar
Chocolate melted, to serve (optional)

Directions:

1. Crumble the digestives in a food processor
2. Add the melted butter and mix well.
3. Place in a 20cm flan ring with a push-up base and pat down with the back of a spoon.
4. Melt the chocolate in a microwave or a glass bowl set over a pan of simmering water.
5. Mix the cream cheese, cream and sugar together until smooth.
6. Add the raspberries (or equivalent) and stir in, then add the melted chocolate and quickly swirl through.
7. Spoon into the flan ring and smooth the top with a palette knife, then place in the fridge and chill for two hours.
8. Serve dusted with icing sugar and a little melted chocolate if you like.

For More Recipes

As women, our default setting is getting back to being vulnerable: Chitrangda Singh

Ananya Bhattacharya

In an industry where women above the age of 33/34 are considered almost passé, Chitrangda Singh is changing the rules of the game. She is 36 years old, the mother of a child and she is – as every single person would accept at the drop of a hat – extraordinarily hot. Maintaining a figure, which is the envy of many women and the desire of even more men, is a formidable task but not one that can leave Chitrangda hassled.


Says the actress, “It’s a constant process – there’s no shortcut. I can’t give you any miracle tip or anything of the sort. I work out – I’ve been working out for a long time now; I do yoga, I’ve been doing cardios and all of that, but honestly, now – the thing that works for me the most is kickboxing.”

An ardent lover of sports, this lady is one who leaves no stone unturned when it comes to pursuing her favourite ones. “I’m crazy about tennis. I’m a crazy tennis fan, cricket fan, swimming fan and golf fan,” adds Singh.

Speaking about her current role as Anushka Lal in ‘I, Me Aur Main’, Chitrangda’s next film, the actress says, “I think I can relate to Anushka a lot. And I believe all girls can relate to my character because she’s somebody who’s in a live-in relationship with a man-child. He’s selfish, he’s somebody who’s totally self-centred, he’s a typical male. Men somehow – any man – has this default setting of being very selfish and they just go back to that very quickly. I feel all modern women will be able to understand what Anushka is going through because we are all independent and so on, but our default setting is that we go back to being vulnerable. We have security issues – we somehow feel this need to be emotionally secure. That’s the space Anushka is in, and she doesn’t know what to do with it all. She’s somebody who’s in love with Ishaan (the character played by John Abraham in the film) but he doesn’t understand what she wants from him.”

Chitrangda rose to fame with Sudhir Mishra’s ‘Hazaaron Khwahishein Aisi’ and received ear-splitting critical applause. After having featured in several art-house films, the actress made her first commercial debut with ‘Desi Boyz’. However, when it comes to the quintessential debate whether or not she prefers commercial or art-house films, Singh says it’s a good film that she wants to be associated with.

“I prefer a good film. I think that’s the only thing I want – a good film. The film needs to work for the target audience that you’re making it for. If you’re making it for the masses, then it has to work for them and if you’re making it for a niche audience, then it has to work for that. I feel the effort is just for that. If I’m a part of a film like ‘Desi Boyz’, it should work on a mass level; if I’m in something like ‘Inkaar’, it has to work for a niche audience. I think ‘I, Me Aur Main’ falls in that bracket – it’s a good film for me to be a part of. It’s a beautiful film with no crazy dramatic plotline there.

“Also, most of the time we don’t really know what we’re doing in a relationship,” adds Singh. “This film will give all another perspective. You unknowingly become a jerk for each other in a relationship – innocently. And in the end you realise all that has gone wrong.”

As far as her experience of working with John Abraham and Prachi Desai is concerned, Chitrangda admits to having had a great time. She’s had only about two days of work with Prachi, but with John, she admits to really having known him during the course of the film. “John’s involvement in the film has been really intense. His inputs on other aspects like marketing and music have all been very valid. He’s a very helpful person. He’s a very simple guy, somebody who comes across as very easy to get along with. You can crack jokes at his expense and he wouldn’t take that in any other way. That puts everybody so much at ease... there’s a lot of energy when John is around,” the actress says in praise of her co-star.

In the past, Chitrangda has been praised to the heavens by critics for her acting skills. Time and again, this dusky beauty has been compared to another dusky star from the past – Smita Patil. Says Singh, “It’s been a huge, huge compliment for me – right from day one – from ‘Hazaaron Khwahishein Aisi’. I think while we were shooting for the film, it never occurred to anyone. But then when the first screening of the film happened, people began saying that to me.”

Speaking about her fitness mantra, Singh reveals that one needs to constantly pay attention to what they are eating. “You need to watch what you eat. You are what you eat – that’s really important. The dieting and all that don’t really work. 

“And playing a sport is very important – even if it’s chasing boys!” the actress bursts into laughter and signs off.

In ‘I, Me Aur Main’ that hits theatres on March 1, 2013, Chitrangda plays a strong-willed corporate lawyer – who is emotionally vulnerable at the end of it all. And with this one too, Singh would probably take her performance skills several notches higher! - See more at: http://zeenews.india.com/exclusive/as-women-our-default-setting-is-getting-back-to-being-vulnerable-chitrangda-singh_6078.html#sthash.3sJhuVNJ.dpuf

Recipe of THe Day

Chinese Beef with Cashew

Ingredients:
1 kilo o your favortie steaks, cut into thin slices
4 tablespoons oil
4 green onions, cut into small pieces
1/2 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
1/2 tablespoon minced fresh garlic
2/3 cup roasted cashews
4 teaspoons cornstarch
4 teaspoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon olive oil
Directions:
1. Heat 2 tablespoons oil- cook meat 3 to 5 minutes, remove from wok.
2. Heat remaining oil; add onions, garlic, ginger and cashews. Cook 1 minute. Return beef to wok. Mix cornstarch with remaining ingredients and add to wok, stir until liquid boils and thickens. Salt and pepper to taste.

                                                          For More Recipes

 

Hrithik Roshan and Katrina Kaif to lock lips yet again

Siddharth Anand’s Bang Bang, an official remake of Hollywood flick Knight and Day, which stars Hrithik Roshan and Katrina Kaif in the lead, will see the on screen power couple once again exchange a long steamy kiss in the film.
Hrithik and Katrina made one of the most good looking on screen couples in Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara. The duo also shared a long passionate kiss in the same film. Now, buzz is that ‘Bang Bang’ will see the two repeat the romantic kiss. However, it is not clear whether the kiss will be like the previous fleeting one. The makers of the film still have to take a call on that. But the actors have been informed about the latest development and they have agreed to do so. Infact, they will have to out do the previous one to have an impact.
The shooting of the film is slated to begin soon in Kashmir, by Feb end.
Meanwhile, buzz is yet again doing rounds that Ms Kaif flew to all the way to Chandigarh recently, to be with Ranbir Kapoor, who is busy shooting for his upcoming movie Besharam.
Says a source, “She took a flight to Chandigarh, accompanied by her manager, some time around noon to spend some time with Ranbir.”
We think, it’s high time Kats and RK get a little more open about their hush-hush romance.

Recipe Of The Day

St.Patty’s Day Lamb Stew

 

Ingredients:
1 1/2 lbs lean lamb fillets, boneless shoulder cut into 3/4 inch cubes
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, coarsely chopped
3/4 cup water
1 teaspoon seasoned pepper
2(14 1/2ounce)cans beef broth
1(7/8ounce)package brown gravy mix
3 cups cubed new potatoes
2 cups thinly slice carrots
2 cups shredded thin cabbage
chopped parsley(to garnish)
Directions:
1.Heat oil in 3-quart saucepan over medium high heat.
2.cook and stir lamb and onion in oil until lamb is brown and onion is soft;add water n pepper.
3.Bring to a boil over high heat; reduce heat to low cover and simmer 30 minutes.
4.Stir in brown gravy mix and broth; add potatoes and carrots. Cover and simmer 15 to 20 minutes until lamb and veggies are fork tender.
5.Stir in the cabbage; cook just until the cabbage turns bright green.
Garnish with chopped parsley.

 

Latest Recipe "Nestle chocolate chip cookies"

Nestle chocolate chip cookies

 Cookies are favored by kids and adults alike. Dipped in some milk and loaded with chunky chocolate chips, are guaranteed to elevate your mood almost instantly. Down below is the original Nestle® Toll House® cookie recipe. This recipe yields around 60 cookies and takes only half an hour to prep. Here’s what you need:

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup of softened butter
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs
• 1 (12 ounce) package NESTLE® TOLL HOUSE® Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels (if you can’t find these, try HERSHEY’S chocolate chips)
• 1 cup chopped nuts (skip the nuts if you’re allergic)
Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 190c / 375 f
2. Mix flour, baking soda and salt in a small bowl. Beat the cup of butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until creamy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in the flour mixture. Stir in the chocolate chips and nuts. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets.
3. Bake until golden brown (from 9-11 mins). Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes then remove to wire racks to cool completely.
You’ll probably feel guilty after indulging in these treats but each cookie is 108 Calories, which contains 6.2g fat and 15mg cholesterol