Valentine’s Day

Expressing your appreciation for the special connection you share is the essence of Valentine’s Day. Spending money is not important. Showing creative sensitivity in celebration of your relationship makes for a very romantic gift. From expressing words of endearment to creating romantic afternoon adventures, your gift can be all the more special because it comes from you…

On Valentine's Day some just like it traditionally romantic while others like to make it simple yet unique. For those searching for ideas, search no further.

Valentine’s Day is not just for lovers but can also be for that special friend in your life! Win the heart of your special someone on Valentine’s Day with romantic and creative ideas. Win the heart of your special someone…

To plan for a creative and special Valentine’s Day:

• Romantic candle-lit dinner. Cook a dinner together; create a romantic ambiance, candles, and to win his/her heart serve dessert; strawberries in a chocolate shell with raspberry sauce, alongside a glass of sparkling wine. Have a favorite selection of music in the background.

• Watching a Romantic movie together with a favorite snack, snuggle together. Even if the movies not romantic, the night still can be. Sometimes a moment alone holding each other is all a couple needs.

• Notes of love. Leave love notes about in the car, kitchen, or even on the bathroom mirror to express how much you care and adore your special someone.

• Send an e-card to your special friend with a personalized message. Include a creative invitation to somewhere you both enjoy.

• Walk along the beach. Beaches are always beautiful, but even more so when you can share with that special friend. It makes Valentine’s Day even more wonderful and special.

• Surprise that special someone with heart-shaped candies, a traditional box of chocolates, balloons or flowers.

• Spend a romantic afternoon just hanging out together. If you experience a small adventure together, take pictures. Upload your pictures and create a digital photo album. Make a gift of your album to show appreciation of your time together.

• Romantic bath for two. Sprinkle rose petals in the bath water, adds beauty and a mild fragrance to a candle light serenade, select a song that creates the exact mood you desire.

Valentine’s Day is about being with the right person and sharing quality time, remember less is more on Valentine’s Day!

“The aim of love is to love: no more, and no less” Oscar Wilde

Maxpro promotes a healthy tomorrow by providing educational information allowing people to make informed choices. Always use a condom every time you have sex, if not a male condom then use a female condom to prevent unwanted pregnancy and the transmission of STD's and HIV/AIDS. Pleasurable safe sex is an effective lifestyle choice used by many to bring about a happy and healthy future.
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Articles & Resources:
Valentine's Day
Oscar Wilde

State Lawmakers to Receive Condoms

News Excerpt from: FOX 40 News
February 10, 2009

SACRAMENTO - Today, Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California will give condoms to lawmakers to honor National Condom Day. The presents are also the organization's way of calling attention to the importance of funding preventative health care statewide.

"With these Valentine's 'Condom Grams' we are saying to state lawmakers 'Don't break our hearts. Join together to maintain funding for vital preventive services'," said Kathy Kneer, PPAC President and CEO, "A healthy budget equals a healthy California."

The 'Condom Grams' include an assortment of condoms, information about the savings associated with family planning services, and a message asking the State Legislature to maintain funding for preventative services.

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With the recent pass on funding for condoms in the stimulus, it looks like Planned Parenthood has taken the situation further into their own hands and moved onto the lawmakers! Legislatures might not receive the exact "Condy gram" in the picture, but in any case, hopefully these actions will show how important contraception is beneficial to the state's, as well as nation's, health.

In addition, hopefully it will show how public family planning and preventative services are important to the economy -- as they have helped significantly reduce the number of unintended pregnancies and abortions that occur.

Hopefully the package of "goodies" will make an impact on the legislatures!

Helpful Resources & Links:
- Provision To Increase Access To Medicaid Family Planning Services Cut From Stimulus Package (MAXPRO Blog)
- National Condom Awareness Month? Week? Day? (MAXPRO Blog)
- Condom Week (The Cauldron)
- Alternative uses in honor of national condom month (The Examiner)
- Hey Valentine, how about a condom? (The Examiner)
- Roses are red, condoms are clear (Daily Princetonian)
- Feature: Being Prepared (MAXPRO Blog)
- Ten Reasons Why Condoms Are The Best Contraceptive (MAXPRO Blog)

National Condom Awareness Month? Week? Day?

As I've mentioned before, I've found different variations on this month's awareness on condoms: National Condom Awareness Month (February), National Condom Awareness Week (February 14-21), and National Condom Awareness Day; appropriately celebrated on Valentine's Day (February 14). Again, whenever it is, it's probably best to celebrate safe sex all year!

While it's not hard to associate Valentine's Day with sex, not everyone practices safe, protected sex on the night of. It's said that many unplanned pregnancies can be pinpointed to Valentine's Day; which shouldn't really be a surprise because it's a day to celebrate and make love! Yet if you and your partner aren't ready to make the commitment of children, then condoms are a good alternative!

Another important concept to grasp on is that condoms help prevent the spread or transmission of Sexually Transmitted Diseases/Infections (STDs/STIs). It's important to get tested for such cases and protect yourself during sex. While some STIs show no major signs, avoiding to use protection can cause serious health risks later on.

In any case, safe sex is probably the best sex! ..so celebrate it!

Articles & Resources
- Condom Week (The Cauldron)
- Alternative uses in honor of national condom month (The Examiner)
- Hey Valentine, how about a condom? (The Examiner)
- Roses are red, condoms are clear (Daily Princetonian)
- Feature: Being Prepared (MAXPRO Blog)
- Ten Reasons Why Condoms Are The Best Contraceptive (MAXPRO Blog)

For fine condom products for all your National Condom Month needs, please visit our website & store:
MAXPRO Condoms
MAXPRO Store

Valentine's Day still rich in romance, sex

News Excerpt from: USA Today
By Nanci Hellmich
February 10, 2009

The sluggish economy might make sweethearts a little stingier when buying Valentine's Day gifts, but it hasn't slowed down their sex lives.

About 50% of people with partners say they'll spend less money on Valentine's Day, but 78% say the economy hasn't affected the amount of time they have for sex or the frequency this past year, a national Consumer Reports poll shows.

Q&A: What kills sex in a marriage?

"People are certainly cutting back on expenditures, and that may mean less lavish dinners out and more stay-at-home dates that lead to a romantic evening," says Orly Avitzur, a neurologist and medical adviser for the magazine. "Sex can provide pleasure and boost mood while serving needs for intimacy and providing a calming effect."

In January, the magazine's National Research Center surveyed about 600 adults who reported being sexually active in 2008. The findings, reported on www.consumerreportshealth.org:

• 81% avoided or delayed having sex this past year. The most common reasons they gave: too tired, weren't feeling well, weren't in the mood.

• 45% said they had to plan a time for sex with their partner, and 7% said they used a printed or electronic calendar, PDA or smart phone to keep track.

• 20% said they had missed work to keep a planned time for sex; 21% said they had missed an outing with friends, and 15% said they had skipped an important event or appointment.

• 60% of men said they thought about sex at least once a day, compared with 19% of women.

• 66% of men and 58% of women said they were satisfied with their sex lives.

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While jobs are down and money continually becomes an issue, staying home is becoming more of an option.. yet this necessarily isn't a bad thing!

Staying home and having private evenings with your partner, rather than going out, will not only save you some extra cash in the bank, but can most likely lead to a MAXPRO night.. and if you can somehow ease in creativity and romance, you can probably score extra points too!

While going out occasionally can be fun, it could also be tiring. Those "lavish dinners" can tire a person out if you have too much to eat. Even the crowds of people can get frustrating.. and who knows? With the flu going around, do you really want to be around that?

At least at home you can control the situation. Instead of having to go through the hassle of getting ready, you and your partner can dress casually or comfortably.. or not at all? Hmm? You can even control how much you eat! Making dinner and preparing just enough portions for the two of you will allow you to "make room for dessert later." Finally, there's no reason to say "I'm tired" or "I'm not feeling well" because you haven't really done anything! ..except stay home, live comfortably, and avoid everything on the outside world.

So with all that said, have fun at home! Forget the economy! Forget that you've been rejected by hundreds of employers! You can't get rejected now! ♥

With the slumping economy, it's good to know that other things are recession proof.


If you're planning on having a MAXPRO night, check out our store for all your MAXPRO needs:
MAXPRO Condoms
MAXPRO Store


Helpful Resources:
- Feature: Sex Around the House (MAXPRO Blog)
- Feature: Foods to Get in the Mood (MAXPRO Blog)

Erotica at the Zoorotica Tour

News Excerpt from: Battle Creek Enquirer
by Lori Holcomb
February 2, 2008

You know about the birds and the bees, but how about the giraffes and the gibbons?

This Valentine's Day, Binder Park Zoo is hosting an exotic afternoon for lovers of all species. Over champagne and hors d'oeuvres, Zoorotica attendees will receive an unabashed look into the mating habits of wild animals and receive a behind-the-scenes tour of some of the zoo's typically off-limit areas.

This 21-and-older-only event is the only one of its kind in the state, yet marketing manager Kari Parker said the zoo actually is treading on a well-beaten path.

"Zoos in larger cities across the country have been doing this for years," she said. "It's worked for them so we decided to try it. It's a fun idea and something different to do for Valentine's Day."

The idea originated with the San Francisco Zoo's Sex Tours in the mid-1980s and evolved to become a Valentine's tradition. That zoo will celebrate its 20th annual Sex Tour/Woo at the Zoo this year, which offers multiple sessions over two weekends and typically sells out, said groups sales manager Laney Odom.

Zoos from Honolulu to New York's Central Park have since caught on to the trend, proving that one truth of marketing holds firm regardless of species: sex sells.

In Houston, it's "Wild for Love." In Tampa, it's "Wild at Heart." In New York, it's "Jungle Love" and in Philadelphia, the annual event is called "Lovin' on the Wild Side."

The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's Animal Attractions draws about 400 people annually. Now in its seventh year, attendees come to dine on food from local restaurants, taste wine and, of course, hear about a little monkey business.

"It's a nice, adults-only event that allows couples and individuals to come out to the zoo in the middle of the winter and do something a little bit different," said Cleveland Metroparks spokeswoman Lisa Foster. "It's educational and kind of fun, and that seems to be a winning combination."

Zoorotica at Binder Park will feature a guided tour that stops at the exhibits and barns housing snow leopards, giraffes, zebras, primates, Mexican wolves and reptiles, to name a few. A DVD presentation about wild animals' mating habits will be given along with refreshments and a gift bag.

Although the event's concept might beget blushing cheeks and puckish jokes, Foster added that the Cleveland zoo has received only positive feedback.

After all, it is just the facts of life, Parker said.

"It's a lot of information about our animals and how they reproduce is really pretty fascinating," Parker said. "It's a lot of interesting things you would never know unless you asked."[...]

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When I first came across this article, I thought, "Okay, that's cool... if you're into that kind of thing." I can understand the educational value in it, but on Valentine's Day? Personally, I don't see how that could help strike the mood.

Well.. I can actually see it as a fun day at the zoo with friends.. aaand maybe it might make for an interesting and fun day for a couple, but personally, I couldn't see myself taking a day to go watch documentaries about animals and their mating habits. It might be fun on another day, but I don't think I'd want to go on Valentine's Day.

That's just me.

It must be a big enough hit for it to have lasted 20 years in San Francisco though! At the San Francisco Zoo, they offer 2 weekends of the "20th Annual Woo at the San Francisco Zoo." On special event days (February 8th & the 14th), the tour hosts a romantic brunch including; mimosas, French toast station, scrambled eggs, pastries, chocolate covered strawberries, fresh fruit and a delicious surprise. I'm kind of wondering what that delicious surprise could be! Apparently, these events sell out, so reservations are recommended (21 and over only!).

I think as long as people keep it on an educational level and not on a more physical adventure with the animals, COOL! :)

Helpful Resources & Links:
- 20th Annual Woo at the San Francisco Zoo

No Glove, No Love. No Test, No Sex

News Excerpt from: LA Singles Examiner
February 5, 12:03 AM
by Niki Payne

With Valentine's Day approaching, you can bet that plenty of couples (or non-couples, for that matter) will probably be knocking boots a lot this month.

Maybe it's love, maybe it's lust. Or maybe it's loneliness and self-esteem issues that get your legs to open wider than the Grand Canyon. Whatever the case, it's important to note that February happens to be National Condom Month. Kind of ironic, don't ya think?

What's even more ironic is that I recently overheard a friend tell another friend that a girl he was dating (for about a week or so) asked him to get checked out before she would agree to sleep with him.

Now, my mom always preached to me to do the same, but I'd always laugh at her thinking, "What person my age would actually do that?" So when I heard the topic come up, of course my ears perked up naturally.

How does someone typically respond to a request like that? After all, it's not an unreasonable request considering how promiscuous people can be these days. But what it you're in the heat of the moment and you really, really, really want to put it inside her or really, really, really want him to put it inside you already?

Most people "know" the risks and yet do it anyway figuring it's just a "one-time exception." Only it's not, and once is one time too many if you're not in a committed relationship.

Among some of the most common sexually transmitted infections ("disease" seems to imply a slow death) are chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphillis. Of course, when someone does contract one of these sexually transmitted bacterial infections, no one really talks about it. That's because STD's are a totally taboo topic. Don't believe me? Play a game of "Ten Fingers" with a group of friends and see how much slower fingers go down when you say, "Never have I ever has an STD."

People keep that ish on the DL as well as their sexual history, probably because they've never been checked out or are afraid to get checked out.

I was in complete awe when I discovered that some of the people I know have never taken an STD test before. Are you kidding me? Maybe it's because I'm a woman and have grown accustomed to getting tested every year along with my annual pap smear, but I think it's so incredibly important to get yourself tested frequently if you are sexually active.

I recommend getting checked out every 3-6 months because that's about how long it takes sometimes for the infection or disease to manifest. And if you do find yourself in the unsettling scenario of having contracted an STD from one of your partners (and you care enough to inform them), know that you have the option of letting him or her know via an e-card through an Internet Notification Service created specifically to notify past partners of possible infections.

We grow up learning that abstinence is the key to practicing safe sex. F that ish! We all know that none of us are going to start abstaining from sex any time soon. So if you really want to practice safe sex, ask your partner to get checked out and always use a condom.

The way I see it, if a girl doesn't hear back from a guy after making such a request, you know he was only interested in an easy lay and wasn't planning on sticking around long. On the other hand, if he does agree, he might actually have plans to keep you around a little. Either that, or he hasn't been laid in a really long time.

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There really shouldn't be a fear in getting tested. If it's about embarrassment, why be embarrassed? Lots of people get tested! ..that's why the wait at the Planned Parenthood clinic is always so long! ..or at least I heard.

Maybe it's the fear of getting bad news? Even if "bad news" were the case, it's better to find out sooner than allowing it worsen. Ignoring it won't only make it worse, but you have the chance of "spreading the bad news" to other people! Boooo.. don't be that person!

In addition, not all birth control methods will protect you from the risk of STDs. If used properly, condoms will help in the preventing of contracting STDs. If you read the fine print, the pill can't do any of that. :(

I also looked into the whole National Condom Month. After Googling it, I found that there are different variations on the celebration. There's the aforementioned (February), along with National Condom Week (February 14-21), and National Condom Day (celebrated on February 14/Valentine's Day). Whatever it is, celebrate it throughout the year!

Have fun & be safe ♥


For fine condom products for all your National Condom Month needs, please visit our website & store:
MAXPRO Condoms
MAXPRO Store


Helpful Resources:
- Feature: Being Prepared (MAXPRO Blog)
- Ten Reasons Why Condoms Are The Best Contraceptive (MAXPRO Blog)

Condom Display At Mall Raises Eyebrows

Update:
News Excerpt from: WWJ Newsradio 950
Posted: Thursday, 05 February 2009 8:54AM

AIDS Group Claims Mall Banned Condom Display

Troy (WWJ) -- The Michigan AIDS Coalition said Thursday that an HIV/AIDS Awareness display has been pulled from a Somerset Collection storefront in Troy.

The display, at Armani Exchange, featured hundreds of red condoms forming a giant heart as part of the National AIDS Fund's "Give Love, Get Love" effort ahead of Valentine's Day.

The group said more than 70 malls nationwide have allowed a similar display--and Somerset was the only one that banned it.

WWJ has a call in to Somerset spokesman Thursday morning for comment.




Original Post: February 4, 2009

News Excerpt from: KSBW-TV
January 31, 2009

With Valentine’s Day approaching, you wouldn’t think a heart-shaped window display would cause much controversy.

But this one is made out of red condoms.

It’s right on the front window of the Armani Exchange store at Arden Fair Mall in Sacramento, California.

The display reads, “give love, get love…and practice safe love.“

It’s part of a promotional campaign for the National AIDS Fund.

A mall spokesperson says they’ve received a few calls from concerned shoppers with questions. The mall has no comment about the display because it’s in a space leased by the store.

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Another Valentine's Day related post! ..expect a lot of them in the next few days! ♥

I just thought this article was interesting. There's nothing really harmful in promoting safe sex and I think A|X found a creative, innovating, and cute way to promote it!

What do you think?


Helpful Resources:
- Feature: Being Prepared (MAXPRO Blog)
- Ten Reasons Why Condoms Are The Best Contraceptive (MAXPRO Blog)

Chocolatier Creates Candy to Stimulate Male Sex Drive

News Excerpt from: FOXNews.com
Wednesday, February 04, 2009

Just in time for Valentine's Day a New Zealand chocolatier says she created a new candy that acts as a male aphrodisiac, the Australian Associated Press reported.

Former food scientist and owner of Mamor Chocolates, Hanna Frederick, has made headlines for her crazy candy concoctions including beer-flavored and deer antler chocolate.

Now, the Auckland, Australia businesswoman is hoping to capitalize on Valentine's Day with her Tongkat Ali-infused chocolates.

Tongkat Ali is an herb that comes from a tree found in Southeast Asia. It is believed to stimulate testosterone production in men, giving a boost to the sex drive. It has been nicknamed the "Asian Viagra," but, like most herbal remedies, there are very few scientific studies backing its benefits.

The chocolates, which can be ordered online, deliver a "small but noticeable" aphrodisiac effect, Frederick claims.

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Just another reminder of what's to come in the next week! Valentine's Day! ♥

A chocolatier who seems to know the way to a man's heart -- concocting morsels like whiskey and beer-flavored chocolates -- has made a chocolate to act as a male aphrodisiac. While chocolate has already been known to act as an aphrodisiac by itself, Hanna Frederick has created a candy using the finest Belgian chocolate with a high cocoa mass and pure flavors.. with an extra ingredient of course!

Eurycoma Longifolia Jack (also known as Tongkat Ali) is a South Asian herb that "has been used by men for centuries to increase sexual desire, libido, and enhance overall performance. It has been traditionally taken for energy, strenuous labor and athletics."¹

As if chocolate couldn't get any better! ..it does :)


Helpful Resources & References:
¹ Mamor ~ The Spirit of Passion
- Kiwi men get aphrodisiac chocolates for Valentine's Day (www.news.com.au)
- Feature: Foods to Get in the Mood (MAXPRO blog)

Pubs Offer Condoms Over Valentine's Day

News Excerpt from: Illawarra Mercury
BY ANGELA THOMPSON
2/02/2009 3:52:00 PM

Beer, wine, spirits, and condoms.

Wollongong watering holes will stock more in their bars this month as part of a campaign to promote safe Valentine's Day loving.

Pub-goers at four pubs will receive free condoms with their pints in the lead-up to the day, very deliberately included in the sexual health campaign, The Big Gamble.

The campaign targets members of the heterosexual population who have recently changed partners and comes after a dramatic spike in chlamydia notifications in the region.

"When people start a new relationship they might not know the sexual background of the person they're having a relationship with and lots of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have no symptoms," Healthy Cities Illawarra sexual health promotion officer Naomi Cox said.

"We thought Valentine's Day was an appropriate time to get that message out there and get people thinking about their sexual health.

"Along with the presents and love that comes with Valentine's Day, we also encourage people to use condoms and be aware of sexually transmitted infections."

Chlamydia notifications to South Eastern Sydney Illawarra Area Health Service tripled between 2000 and 2006, with a particularly large spike recorded between 2004 and 2005.

Condom packs, together with coasters and posters bearing the safe sex message, will be distributed to the University of Wollongong Unibar, the Beach Bar, North Gong Hotel and the Harp Hotel.

Healthy Cities recommends people beginning a new relationship have a sexual health check-up, particularly if they don't plan to use condoms. Those who recently ended a relationship, had unsafe sex or whose partner had an STI should also have a check-up.

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Valentine's Day isn't just a commercial day celebrated around little cards and heart-shaped boxes of chocolates, but it's a day to celebrate love! ..and what's another way to show love by "making" it? ♥

Although Valentine's Day is a special day, it shouldn't be a day to forget about safe sex! ..and despite the spike in chlamydia outbreaks in the South Eastern Sydney Illawarra Area, it's still a good idea to promote safe sex everywhere; especially on a day where copious amounts of people will be "doing it."

I understand that it might not be appropriate to just give patrons condoms in some locations, but having them readily available may be convenient and serve as a reminder to people who might have just "forgotten." Creatively distributing them (i.e. packaged discreetly, gift boxes) could even be an option for inconspicuously nudging safe sex.

Overall, it can't hurt to be safe.. literally :)

If you want to be prepared beforehand, MAXPRO condoms can provide for your Valentine's Day needs! Visit our store at http://store.maxprocondoms.com


Helpful Resources:
- Feature: Being Prepared (MAXPRO Blog)
- Ten Reasons Why Condoms Are The Best Contraceptive (MAXPRO Blog)