Valentine’s Day 2011: Gift Guide

If you’re still scrambling to find the perfect gift for someone you love, don’t fret – we’ve got you covered!

Here are our top picks, especially for the ‘foodie’ in your life:

• For the wine lover: Arizona Stronghold Vineyards Wine

Pick up a bottle (or two!) of Arizona-harvest wine to share this Valentine’s Day. We especially recommend the Nachise (Syrah, Grenache, Petite Sirah, Mourverdre) and the Dayden (Zinfandel, Grenache, Sangiovese, Malbec, Sauvignon Blanc). Arizona Stronghold Wines are available for purchase at your local Total Wine, or (even better) take your sweetie on a road-trip to Cottonwood and visit the Tasting Room!

arizonastrongholdvineyards.com

• Add some spice to your life: Desert Smoke BBQ Sauce

If you haven’t tried Desert Smoke BBQ’s sauces yet, you’re missing out! Grab a bottle at your nearest Whole Food’s or purchase online here.

Desertsmokebbq.com

• Sharpen your cooking skills together: Cooking Classes at AndyFood Culinary Studio

Enjoy cooking in a state-of-the-art, over-equipped kitchen with Viking appliances and the best cookware. AndyFood has several cooking classes coming up this month, many which are couple-friendly. View the Cooking Class schedule here.

Andyfood.com

• Treat her to a spa day: Hotel Valley Ho

Hotel Valley Ho is offering two fabulous spa specials for the month of February: A Chardonnay Antioxidant Treatment (Enjoy 90 minutes of wine-induced bliss, including a full-body scrub, massage, and deep moisture treatment. Crushed chardonnay wine grapes are full of antioxidants and natural sugars that will leave your muscles deeply relaxed and your skin soft and smooth. After your treatment, enjoy a complimentary glass of chardonnay on the VH Spa deck.) and a Scottish Whiskey and Black Pepper Facial (An aromatic blend of essential oils and malt extract of Scottish Whiskey is combined with a series of relaxing massages to ensure a deep sense of well-being and relaxation. Skin is immediately bright, clean, soft, and refreshed. After your treatment, enjoy a complimentary shot of whiskey!). Sound indulgent? We think so.

Hotelvalleyho.com

• For the chocolate lover: Wei Love Chocolate

Available at many farmers’ markets around the Valley, enjoy this organic, fair trade, vegan, gluten free, soy free 74% cacao dark chocolate with a delicious chili finish. You’ll taste the warming mix of cinnamon and ginger that ends with just enough cayenne.  Chili is great for the body and mind as it’s thermogenic – it kicks up the metabolism, increases circulation and makes the brain connect better. Wei Love also has special organic herbs and flower essences that work behind the scenes to balance body and mind.  Eleuthero is an adaptogen that supports the adrenals, astragalus is used as a tonic for the immune system and maca is good for sustained energy and hormone balance.

Weiofchocolate.com

• Sweets for your sweet: Goody Twos Toffee Co.

We have yet to find one person who isn’t madly in love with GoodyTwos. Offering a line of traditional and contemporary toffees, you’re sure to find something to sweeten your Valentine’s Day gift. For location, visit their website here.

Goodytwos.com

• The ‘win-win’ gift: Share Our Strength’s Dinner at L’Auberge

L’Auberge, a luxury Sedona hotel, is hosting a special dinner to benefit Share Our Strength. On February 17th, Executive Chef David Schimidt of L’Auberge Restaurant on Oak Creek and Executive Chef Lee Hillson of T. Cooks at Royal Palms will team up to prepare a special 6-course wine pairing menu. Enjoy an escape to Sedona and an unforgettable dinner and know that the proceeds from this event will benefit Share Our Strength and their mission to end childhood hunger in the United States. It’s a ‘win-win’, right? View the menu here:

Lauberge.com