When it comes to getting your special someone in the loving mood this Valentines Day, forget roses, cards and poetry. To really get things cooking you need only look as far as your local grocery store. By following this guide to some simple edible aphrodisiacs you will be on your way to getting things sizzling in the kitchen.

Foods such as asparagus, strawberries, chocolate and more have long been considered stimulants for the romantic appetite. For centuries, folk wisdom held that certain foods have powers that excite or heighten the sexual drive and experience. Modern science tries to debunk the theory of aphrodisiac foods, but a special meal and the right ambiance can precipitate the most passionate encounters.

Start with Oysters: Oysters are usually the first aphrodisiac that people can name. As far back as the Roman Empire, oysters enjoyed a randy reputation. Oysters are high in zinc, phosphorus and iodine, all of which have been proven to increase sexual stimulation. Some people find the texture alone to be erotic. These tempting treats are usually served raw on the half-shell and are readily available in most seafood markets; they should smell and taste fresh and salty, like the sea. For a fun variation on serving oysters, try them in an “Oyster Shooter.” Put the oyster in a shot glass, add a little cocktail sauce, fresh horseradish and jalapeno vodka, and then drink the shot.

Drink anything made from grapes: whether it?s champagne, wine or Welch?s grape juice ? they should all do the trick. The grape?s vine reaches back in history as an aphrodisiac to the Greek god Dionysus, who was not only the god of wine, but of fertility and procreation as well. Over time, a natural association to grapes as an aphrodisiac was ascribed; from then on grapes were thought to have stimulating properties.

Eat your Fruits and Veggies: Many of the foods reputed to have powers of virility are fruits and vegetables. Some examples include asparagus stalks, celery, bananas, chilies and tomatoes. The influence on the libido by asparagus, bananas and celery is thought to be associated with their shape alone. The tomato?s history has roots that begin in Mexico, where it was domesticated. In a misunderstood translation from Spanish to French, the French believed the fruits were called ?love apples.? The chili pepper has an effect upon the body that is similar to physical excitement. When you eat chilies, your body temperature, heart rate, breathing rate and blood flow all increase. Strawberries are also thought to possess aphrodisiac qualities; they make a subconscious appeal to sexuality with their stimulating seeds and offer a light bite that will not leave you feeling heavy and full when you need to be alert and active. Try strawberries with champagne and chocolate for a nice combination, and check out Shari?s Berries in Sacramento for some Valentine?s gift ideas.

A Sweet Finish: The green M&M gained its notoriety as an aphrodisiac in modern urban lore. The green M&M is notably the only female candy of the bunch. M&M / Mars Co. denies that she has the power to excite anybody other than the big, dumb yellow peanut M&M. Nobody is sure where the myth began, but you can?t help but wonder: is it true what?s said about the green ones? What can truthfully be said about Ms. Green M&M is that she is full of ? chocolate.

The cocoa in chocolate contains phenyl ethylamine (PEA). PEA is the endorphin that the body secretes in the bloodstream when you feel “in love.” PEA causes heart rates to quicken, blood pressure to rise, skin to flush, nervousness and perspiration. Could this be why chocolate is such a popular Valentine’s Day gift?

With the right ingredients in hand you can put your foods in action with recipes from “Intercourses: An Aphrodisiac Cookbook,” by Martha Hopkins and Randall Lockridge. The cookbook features “85 heart-melting, temperature-raising dishes, along with an array of sensuous photographs that will make you look at food in a whole new light.” For a preview of selected recipes, you can log on to the book?s website at: www.intercourses.com