How to enjoy a solitary night with your sweetie

There is a chill in the air, a dampness creeping in and at night your breath is making little puffy clouds as you try and get your keys into the front door lock. Autumn is more than officially here - it sucker punched you.

No longer can you linger at your favorite alfresco dining establishment sipping wine into the evening. Yes, it is that time of year when instead of laughing, saying all those people need to get a little exercise and taking the last spot in the lot - you also start hunting for the nearest parking spot to the door.

It is getting a bit chilly out there ladies and gentlemen.

Even though the weather is taking a turn, we do not have to let our relationships get frigid. Cool weather means more time inside - together - keeping warm.

When kickin' it inside together we eat and play more.

Whether or not you believe certain foods affect your libido, we are physiologically affected by the look, taste and smell of food and the environment we eat in. Certainly sinking your teeth into a warm slice of apple pie or sucking down an oyster on the half shell in a candlelit restaurant evokes a sensual response.

On the other hand, eating previously frozen and sodium injected foods off a plastic tray in a crowded cafeteria is less than stimulating.

So whether you and your date have chosen to fix a meal or just some snacks, do not forget to incorporate these sexy foods into your ingredient lists:

Raw oysters: A cliche, and the most popular sexy food on the aphrodisiac list, there is a reason these babies hold their title. High in zinc, which increases sperm and testosterone production, oysters also contain dopamine, thought to increase libido.

Honey: Medieval seducers plied their partners with mead, a fermented drink made from honey. Lovers drank mead on their honeymoon and it was thought to sweeten the marriage.

Eggs: Hard boiled with a little caviar on the top and, viola, you have an aphrodisiac bomb that is guaranteed to make waves long after the meal is finished. Eggs are rich in B6 and B5, both crucial for libido and balanced hormone levels.

Almonds: A symbol of fertility throughout the ages, the aroma is thought to induce passion in females. These morsels are a must eat because they are full of essential fatty acids that are important for male hormone production. For her, light an almond scented candle and she will never know what seduced her.

Chilies: Spice up your night and get a good hit of vitamin C at the same time by incorporating some chilies into your food.

Bananas: Get your mind out of the gutter - bananas are rich in potassium and B vitamins, necessities for sex hormone production.

Garlic: The "heat" in garlic is said to stir sexual desires. Just make sure you and your partner share it together. Enjoy pasta with a light garlicky sauce and it may lead up to something spicy in the bedroom later.

Chocolate: Finally, the chocolate! Chocolate contains many substances that directly affect the brain like the feel-good serotonin. While chocolate is sexy, melted chocolate is erotic. Fondue anyone? Dip fresh strawberries or bananas in the chocolate. To really melt a woman, give her the salty-sweet mix and dip pretzels into the chocolate.

Next on the list is entertainment.

Board games are not just for children; there are many adult board games on the market today. Board games for adults usually feature mature subject matter, complex rules, or both. They can run from fun and flirty to serious and thought provoking.

Many of the most popular adult board games are carnal in nature. These games can be great for relationship building and creating intimacy. You can use one to spice up a long-term relationship or to take a new relationship to a different level. Other games are great for getting a laugh and are perfect for breaking the ice.

You can try a prepackaged adult board games like "Taboo" or use a run-of-the-mill game like "Yahtzee" and throw in a strip in front of the name. You now just made your own adult board game.

Got it? Leisure - check; food - check! You and your date settle in for a warm night of tasty treats and suitable adult entertainment.

DIY dates

Wine and waves

Head to the city for a two-hour wine tasting architectural tour on the Chicago River. The last tour of the season, hosted by Wendella Boats and Kafka Wine Co., departs at 5:45 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 15. The cost is $57 a person, which also includes those super knowledgeable Wendella guides sharing all they know about architecture and tastings from Buca di Beppo. Wine, pasta, waves and history on a Wednesday. What more could you want? For more info, see wendellaboats.com.

Looking for a day date?

Check out "Spaces," a free exhibit of photographer Nate Mathew's Institutional Space Series at Barlett village hall art gallery, 228 S. Main St., Bartlett. The collection examines artificial features incorporated into publicly accessible spaces in an attempt to mitigate the effect of cold, flat, featureless structures (and if you understand that, surely you'll impress your date). The exhibit runs through Friday, Nov. 14, and is open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturdays. For more info, e-mail artsinbartlett@comcast.net.

So weird it's fun?

The Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago is offering an odd twist on Bingo that involves quirky art and the tango. Bingo games involve shapes of the museum's artworks and in between games, players learn tango steps from professional instructors. Seriously, who would have thought? And the price is just right - it's free and takes place Tuesday, Nov. 11, at 6 p.m. at Puck's Cafe in the museum, 220 E. Chicago. There is a cash bar (which we suspect you might need!). For information, see mcachicago.org.

Red Hot tip

Students who work out two to three times a week are only 5 percent more sexually confident than those who never work out.

Source: OkCupid.com's survey of 10,000 college students