By Patricia Darrow, Astrologer

Romance between people is a matter of chemistry. So is food. The L- triptophen in turkey can make one sleepy, but chocolate is a food with a certifiable aphrodisiac effect. Not only is the taste pleasurable, but cocoa contains phenylethylamine, a naturally occurring brain chemical that makes humans feel the euphoria associated with love.

Carbohydrates stimulate serotonin levels, the brain’s way of relaxing you. So bread and pasta are indeed friends of romance!

The capsaicin in hot peppers is thought to increase the sex drive, as the men of many warm climate cultures will attest!

Vanilla acts upon the central nervous system, and it’s fragrance can promote romance.

Below are some of my favorite recipes. Light your red and pink candles, burn some vanilla or rose potpouri, switch on some romantic ballads on your CD player and prepare the following:

"Love Squares"

Combine 12 oz. of semi-sweet chocolate chips, 12 oz. of butterscotch chips, and 1 cup of peanut butter in a bowl. Microwave the ingredients for 4 minutes or melt them with a double boiler. (I’m always pressed for time so I use the microwave!) Fold in 10 ½ oz. of minature marshmallows and 1 ½ cups of salted peanuts. Spread this mixture until set. Adding a tsp. of cinnamon to the fudge. Chill in the refrigerator for a while and then serve.

"Romantic Smoothie"

Put the following ingredients, except garnish, into a blender. Sixteen oz. of cranberry/strawberry drink, one banana - cut into slices; six medium strawberries-hulls removed and cut into halves; and one cup of crushed ice. Blend for a few seconds on high speed or until ingredients are thoroughly combined. Pour into two nice long-stemmed crystal goblets. Garnish each with a strawberry. Makes two servings. (You can always add a little champagne to the concoction!)