Jill, a reader, wrote us this week with a very sensible thought: "I look at Valentine's Day as more than just the opportunity to show the special people in my life I love them. I take the opportunity to do a little pampering of myself. I'm wondering what other people do to pamper themselves so that I might incorporate something new into my ritual." What a good question!
Here's Jill's entire question:
Maybe it's a hold over from my many years as a single gal, but I look at Valentine's Day as more than just the opportunity to show the special people in my life I love them. I take the opportunity to do a little pampering of myself.Usually that means a hot bath and some wine or spending the morning in bed indulging in magazines and chocolate. One year in college, I took myself out to get my eye brow pierced! I'm wondering what other people do to pamper themselves so that I might incorporate something new into my ritual.
Love the idea of a morning in bed with magazines! Leela actually recommended that as well last year, in this piece:
• Recipe for Indulgence: Pamper Yourself for Valentine's Day!
Here are five thoughts for Jill — and others! — on some kitchen-oriented ways to indulge yourself on Valentine's. Please add your own ideas and rituals too — we'd love to hear them!
- Invest in a small yet indulgent ingredient - Splurge on something tasty. Something like truffle salt, really good olive oil, a bar of some wonderful chocolate.
- Read through a new cookbook - You don't have to buy it — check it out from the library, or borrow from a friend. Have a cup of tea and leaf through a beautiful, inspiring book, like one of these — our readers' 5 favorites from 2011.
- Get your kitchen cleaned... by someone else. - Nothing like a clean kitchen to make you feel pampered! Order maid service or trade in a favor to a friend.
- Make a single layer cake - A little cake, all to yourself. Dana expounded on this pleasure here, and we think this is just th thing for Valentine's.
- Plan and make a brand new meal - We love this idea from Sarah Rae: Take Valentine's Day as an excuse to make an entirely new meal, to you, something you've been wanting to try. Indulge yourself with a long, leisurely, no-pressure evening in the kitchen, learning something new.
Do you have any happy kitchen rituals or indulgences for Valentine's Day?
Related: Last Minute Desserts for Valentine's Day
(Images: Leela Cyd Ross)
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is there a recipe for the chocolate cake in the first picture? it looks delicious. :)
I indulge in one of Trader Joe's frozen chocolate croissants. I put it on a baking sheet the night before to defrost and proof. As it's cooking in my toaster oven, like the author, I wash some grapes and make a pot of my favorite Earl Grey Supreme tea from Harney and Sons.
Haha. I will be cleaning my own kitchen. I'm "treating" myself to a weekend of cooking. A new job and tons of homework have meant the house has been neglected for the past month or so. On the docket: pastries with rosehip jam, coconut macaroons drizzled with chocolate, rum raisin bread pudding with caramel butter sauce, and if I'm REALLY ambitious, some earl grey madeleines. And mulled wine, if it's still good from New Year's (it's been living in a mason jar in the fridge).
As for real food? No idea. The boy doesn't want steak or anything else super fancy. Might end up with just homemade pizza! Lol.
A leisurely and loving foot rub with special foot cream and more massage with nice smelling lotion, splurge on some fancy toiletries. I just picked all the early blooming daffodils ahead of the coming cold front and my house is so much cheerier now.