It is time to check in on the “after-Valentines-Day” results. I trust you had an enjoyable celebration, but some of us are clearly more romantically-challenged than others.

It’s good to have a special day to remind us guys to recognize and appreciate our significant other, though that thoughtful gift of platinum booster cables may not be the gift she had in mind. If you tested your romance skills through cooking or you gave your significant other those platinum booster cables and now have to make it up to her, you’ll need to carefully prepare your special dish in a way that won’t cause you (or her) more damage.

First, if you made something special to share with your loved one and you kept the leftovers, I applaud your success. Since microwave instructions for leftover preparation usually don’t come on the ingredients box, you need to make sure it is thoroughly heated through as “refrigerator time” can be as deadly as the initial fixins.

If you are preparing something new, ensure your main course is cooked properly and that it hasn’t passed its “sell by” or “use by” date (guys, now is not the time to get that ‘great deal’ from the ‘expires today’ sale rack). How long that meat has been in the refrigerator as well as sitting on the store shelf does make a difference. Otherwise, you and your date may become a statistic from a date with danger from a tiny microorganism called Listeria monocytogenes (Lm), which grows on food even when refrigerated.

And what about dessert? Crème brûlée, chocolate mousse, tiramisu, salmonella – what? Yep, those rich decadent egg-based desserts if not prepared – or stored - properly can give you and your loved one a real exciting time later on in the evening.

Are there pets? I am sure you know how deadly chocolate is to animals as well as certain flowers and plants. Loading up on the make-up chocolates and flowers can provide a curious pet with a deadly combination. Veterinarians advise that as little as four ounces of chocolate can kill a ten pound dog or cat. Sharing leftovers with your pet is also dangerous. High sodium in foods can create serious health problems. And if you really messed up so you are trying balloons and flowers, remember that some pets eat ribbon and may be very afraid of balloons. A pet ingesting ribbon can experience life-threatening airway blockages or in the digestive system. Don’t use the pet as an excuse to not give a gift but do take that into consideration.

So, plan ahead. Practice your make-up menu before serving it. Use fresh ingredients. If you are kitchen-challenged, join the others across America following through on Valentine’s and don’t spare the expense. The hot fudge sundae for a buck at your local fast food place is not going to help. If you choose to stay home, keep you, your loved ones, and your pets safe.