Here are three great reasons for cooking a whole food, plant-based meal for your special someone this Valentine’s Day.

1. Heart-healthy
   Research has proven that a whole food, plant-based (WFPB) diet consisting of vegetables, fruits, grains and legumes can improve and even reverse heart disease. A study published in the July 2014 issue of The Journal of Family Practice, called “A Way to Reverse CAD” (Coronary Artery Disease), found that 81% of study participants improved their symptoms and 22% experienced a complete reversal of their condition. Since there is no cholesterol in plants and low saturated fat, people on a plant-based diet tend to have lower cholesterol numbers as well as lower blood pressure than those who consume meat and dairy products. Source: PCRM. So you can feel good about serving a meal that will help your heart, and your partner’s, beat longer and stronger.

1. No more ED
   Not only can a whole food, plant-based diet reverse heart disease, it can reverse erectile dysfunction (ED).  Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn, a heart surgeon who has studied the effect of a plant-based diet on his patients, has stated… “We have seen erectile dysfunction reverse on multiple occasions.” And Dr. John McDougall reports on engine2diet.com that “the same diet that closes arteries to the heart (heart attacks) and brain (stroke) also closes the arteries to the penis – the result is erectile dysfunction (ED).”   So stock up on plant-based foods for this nice side benefit!
2. A plethora of plant aphrodisiacs
   Since ancient times, people have sought out aphrodisiacs to boost libido in both men and women. Here are several plant foods that various sources say do the trick:
   • Nuts: almonds and walnuts
   • Vegetables: arugula, asparagus, celery, garlic, onions, mushrooms, tomatoes
   • Fruit: apples, avocados, bananas, chocolate, strawberries,
   • Spices: basil, red chili peppers, cinnamon, cloves,  nutmeg, rosemary, saffron, and vanilla

Suggested Menu:

Below is a menu suggestion for a home-cooked whole-food, plant-based meal that is heart-healthy and packed with plant aphrodisiacs.  Have fun cooking, serving a candle-lit dinner and enjoying some romance this Valentine’s Day!

• Appetizer
  • Sliced apples
• Salad
  • Arugula salad with toasted walnuts, strawberries and avocado with a lemon dressing
• Entree
  • Spaghetti with mushroom marinara. The marinara has basil, celery, garlic, mushrooms, onion, red chili peppers, rosemary, saffron and tomato sauce.
• Side Dish
  • Sautéed asparagus with garlic and meyer lemon
• Dessert
  • Vegan chocolate truffles with walnuts and coconut
  • Rooibos chai tea with cinnamon, vanilla, cloves and nutmeg