February 14 is just around the corner, posing the age old question: what can we do for that special someone to let them know we care? Cards may seem impersonal. The heart-shaped chocolate boxes might be overdone. And buying a surprise plane ticket to Jamaica isn't exactly in most of our budgets. Take a hint from Michigan foodies - nothing says "I love you" like a homemade dinner with love-inducing side effects.

Call them aphrodisiacs, "getting in the mood" food or love foods. Michigan is home to three delicacies noted for their romantic properties: honey, wine and asparagus.

Jerry Dunbar of Dunbar Honey Farm in Roseville has been keeping bees for 40 years after discovering the medicinal advantages the sweet treat provides. With about 20 hives, even this self-proclaimed hobbyist has seen people fall in love with Great Lakes honey, "Michigan honey is desired worldwide because the floral biodiversity that is in Michigan, along with our weather, produces excellent honey that Florida beekeepers wish they could have. Most people prefer the taste of Michigan honey."

When asked if he thought honey was a love food, Dunbar responded, "Not only is honey considered a romantic food, people actually use the word honey as an endearment to those they love! People have been marveling over its beautiful golden to amber hue and its sweet taste for centuries. King Solomon said that, 'The lips of the bride are as sweet as honey.'"

Bees themselves could even be considered "lovey-dovey" insects as they are eternally loyal to their hive and use the infamous "waggle dance" to direct their colony towards sources of pollen.

And adding honey to our Valentine's Day menu might not be as hard as we thought. Dunbar suggests, "For starters, you can just serve it in a honey bowl with a drizzle stick, toast over a glass of mead (wine made from honey), give a massage with cream that has honey in it or put it in your after dinner coffee or tea. If you really want to kick up the romance, just feed a teaspoon of it to each other."

Nutritionally, honey is a natural immune system booster, containing vitamins, minerals, protein and pollen. New Zealand's Manuka honey has even been known to promote healing and kill antibiotic-resistant M.R.S.A. It's even good for the complexion! Stay tuned for the upcoming Dunbar Honey skincare line that Dunbar and his associate, Leslie Gantner, will be introducing this summer.

Visit http://www.honeylocator.com to find a beekeeper near you! And don't forget to ask the beekeeper where the honey was harvested.

And what about the romantic beverage of choice: wine? Elizabeth Peterson of Contessa Wine Cellars in Coloma tells Michigan foodies, "Wine is considered a romantic drink, because it is the perfect complement to any special occasion, elegant dinner, fireplace or dessert.  All you need for a romantic evening is a bottle of wine, a couple of glasses and someone to share with."

Peterson invites foodies to visit Contessa's elegant tasting room or enjoy a glass of wine on their newly expanded deck and patio, overlooking their vineyard. Stay tuned for Contessa's outside tasting bar open during the summer and fall months.

A true Michigan company, all of Contessa's grapes come from the Lake Michigan Shore region. Peterson adds, "We currently have fourteen different varieties of wine, which range from white to red and dry to sweet, including black raspberry, blueberry and cherry for our fruit wines." Look for delicious Michigan wine in various local grocery stores and specialty liquor shops or visit Contessa Wine Cellar's website for more information.

Topping off our Valentine's Day love-seducing lineup, Sarah Greiner, co-owner of Todd Greiner Farms, says asparagus is a high-end vegetable offering great taste and nutrition to any romantic dinner. As the nation's third largest asparagus producer, Michigan harvests 25 million pounds of the delicious vegetable each year.

In fact, five spears of asparagus only has 20 calories, 0 fat or cholesterol and 5 milligrams of sodium, while offering 400 milligrams of potassium and 3 grams of fiber. Not to mention asparagus is an excellent source of thiamin and vitamin B6. Show that special someone you're not willing to sacrifice taste for health! Check out some asparagus recipes and preparation techniques for more information.

Even though it's a little early for Michigan asparagus, Greiner adds, "During Michigan's growing season (early May through late June), you should be able to find fresh Michigan asparagus at any large retail grocery chain store. Bunches of asparagus will have a rubber band and sometimes a tag that tells where it is from."

Todd and Sarah Greiner operate a diversified fruit, vegetable and evergreen farm and fresh packing facility in Hart. They farm approximately 1,100 acres and most of their crops are fresh packed and shipped directly to wholesale distributors and chain stores.

Whether its drizzling honey on your "honey's" dessert, toasting to love with Michigan wine or cooking some nutrition-packed asparagus, there's no reason to settle for ordinary this Valentine's Day. Show him or her you really care with Michigan romantic foods that say the "I love you" for you.