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It seems like John Lennon was right when he said, “love is like a flower, give it time and it will grow.” Romance is a complex mixture of panic, excitement, and joy. And while you may feel as though love and affection are entirely up to you, there’s actually a lot of science going on behind the scenes that you may not even realize. Here are some fun facts about romance you may not have known:

Do You Believe in Love at First Sight?

According to researchers, it only takes 4 minutes to decide whether or not you like someone. Maybe that’s why we put so much stress on a first date! Hugging someone actually releases a chemical from your brain called oxytocin. When this hormone is released, it triggers feelings of intimacy and comfort. Continue Reading…

While we know Valentine’s Day is the most romantic day of the year, there is plenty more to the holiday than just that. After the Roman Emperor Claudius II outlawed marriage, Saint Valentine continued to marry men and women in secret. Even then, it was traditional for men and women to exchange flowers on their wedding day, as a sign of good luck and the start of a “blooming” relationship. Today, we continue to celebrate love on February 14th, the day Saint Valentine died, by exchanging flowers, and the more modern chocolates and teddy bears. But just how many flowers, candy and teddy bears is it really?

Whether you’re single and ready to mingle or coupled up for Valentine’s Day, here are a few fun facts about our most beloved holiday.

Valentine’s Day Facts:

• Every year, more than 36 million heart shaped boxes of chocolates are sold across the country.
• Sorry men, it looks like you’ll be spending twice as much as women this year on gifts. The average man spends $130 on Valentine’s Day, while women spend about $70.
• Don’t forget about your pets! Every year, around 9 million people buy their pets a Valentine’s Day gift.
• February 14th is the second largest card giving day of the year, just after Christmas. This year, it’s expected that 1 billion cards will be exchanged around the world.
• Teachers receive the most Valentine’s Day cards, followed by kids, mothers, wives and girlfriends.
• Hallmark was one of the first to mass produce a Valentine’s Day card, all the way back in 1913.
• More than one-third of men are comfortable not receiving anything from a lover on Valentine’s Day.

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Have you ever eaten a flower? Before you quickly respond with a puzzled, “no,” take a minute to think about what a flower is. While most of us think of roses, daisies, and orchids when someone says “flower,” there are quite a few species we’re leaving out.

Because ‘vegetables’ is a culinary term, not exactly a scientific one, there are many things we consider to be vegetables but are, in fact, flowers. As you prepare your Thanksgiving table for a beautiful feast, consider adding these vegetables that double as flowers.

Artichokes

Leaving your vegetable patch unattended for more than a few days is usually a recipe for disaster — unless you’re talking about artichokes, that is. When left unpicked, artichokes open up to expose a beautiful purple, string-like flower. Beyond their beauty, it also makes a wonderful Thanksgiving appetizer or side dish.

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