If it wasn't enough that we had to endure more than two months worth of holiday dinners, parties, snacking and candies, the stores are already jam-packed with chocolates, chocolates and MORE chocolates, prettily packaged into shiny red heart-shaped boxes. Yes, Valentine's Day is upon us, so it's time to start thinking about what you're going to do for your sweetheart this year. Why not cook a meal?

Whereas many holidays have traditional foodstuffs – Christmas has ham, Thanksgiving has turkey, July 4th has hot dogs and hamburgers – food lovers are on their own when it comes to Valentine's Day. In a quest to try to figure out the perfect Valentine's Day meal, I took a straw poll of my friends, family and acquaintances. My conclusion: there's no way to have a "perfect" Valentine's Day meal because everyone's tastes are so varied. Stuffing your face full of sushi might be one person's dream come true and another's worst nightmare. However, I did come up with some pretty interesting ground rules, many based on past experiences with Valentine's meals gone awry.

The overall consensus was, whether cooking at home or eating out, sticking to lighter entrees (chicken, fish, pork) is your best bet for two reasons. First, you'll probably want to drink a white or sparkling wine with dinner. Why white, you ask? No one likes red-wine-stained teeth! Second, you'll probably be partaking in an appetizer and dessert, so don't overdo the main course.

Stay away from heavily spiced or seasoned foods, and especially garlic. Again, unless you've got access to your toothbrush and some mouthwash, the last thing you want to do is move in for a smooch with garlic breath. That is, unless, you suspect your date's a vampire.

Tomato sauces and floppy, stringy pastas are a no-no. It worked for those dogs on 101 Dalmatians, but trust me, it's not that romantic. Anything that could permanently end up on your dress shirt, forget about it (that includes red wine!).

Be creative and verge on hokey! Garnish a mixed greens salad with ¼ inch thick beet slices cut into heart shapes with a cookie cutter. Use hearts of palm and artichoke hearts in a salad or pasta dish. Bake an angel food cake for dessert and serve with a pink berry sauce (use frozen berries). At least you'll make your partner smile…

If you are cooking at home, do NOT attempt to cook something you've never cooked before. Go with an old standby – like pan-seared fish, roasted chicken or pork tenderloin – but get saucy! Add an unexpected and flavorful sauce to an otherwise ordinary meal. See my recipes below for some ideas, or consult your favorite online culinary tools (I like Epicurious.com, Recipezaar.com, Cooks.com and FoodNetwork.com).

When deciding on a menu, think easy. Don't overwhelm yourself with 18-step, four-hour processes. It doesn't take long to cook a delicious and stunning meal. Choose an undemanding appetizer or salad, an uncomplicated main course (meat and veggie; starch optional…remember keep it light), and, if you're like me and can't follow a recipe to save your life when it comes to baking, rely on our local folks to do the work. Pick up something sophisticated from Market Salamander's Pastry Chef Jason Reaves or delight in chocolate-covered handmade marshmallows or Cosmic Cupcakes from Mello Out. Or, splurge on a pint of Häagen-Dazs or Ben & Jerry's!

I've said it before and I'll say it again, if you have children, involve them in the process! Let them pick out some of the menu items, help you prepare the food, or choose the restaurant. However, encourage them to choose healthy meals. Remember, there's no better way to show our love to one another than through food, and passing down good eating habits is a lifelong gift you can provide your children.

Most importantly, be happy and eat what you'd like on Valentine's Day (within reason, of course). It's the last time this winter you'll be able to splurge for a holiday, so take advantage! Take care, eat well, be well, and show someone how much you love them through food this Valentine's Day!