You know what they say… "The way to a man's heart is through his stomach"…meaning a woman can make a man love her by cooking him good meals. Whether this is true or not, I believe that cooking a meal for someone is an act of love but what if you can't even boil a pot of water?!

Although this can certainly gain you points, ~90% of people surveyed say kitchen-know-how is not a deal breaker when it comes to lasting relationships so don't feel bad if your skills in the kitchen aren't up to par. Whatever the case is, don't let mealtime become a source of conflict.

I've seen things get heated in the kitchen (no pun intended) and it makes for an unpleasant evening even after the dishes are washed and put away. Cooking a meal and sharing it with someone is one of the most sensual experiences I can think of so don't let indecisiveness and bickering over 'who's going to make what' ruin an otherwise pleasant evening.

5 Benefits of Cooking with your Significant Other:

• Memories are created
• Teamwork is strengthened
• Friendships are foraged
• Senses are heightened
• Interesting conversations are had

In addition, you will improve your cooking skills and increase your confidence by learning what the other person likes/dislikes to avoid any unwanted conflicts in the future. Cooking should be fun so turn up the heat and let your inner chef come out to play!

Go a step further and start cooking healthier meals together. Social support can be a big factor when trying to adopt a healthier lifestyle. Get out of that weekly routine of pizza, tacos, spaghetti and try something new such as whole-grain salads like tabbouleh, curried red lentils, or slow-cooker chole over rice. Don't forget to spice things up! Your relationship will thank you.

Today's post was written by Kristin Bogdonas, MPH. She is a Certified Health Education Specialist and Nutrition & Wellness Educator covering Mercer, Henry, Rock Island and Stark Counties. She specializes in local foods, seasonal eating, program planning, and food safety/preservation.