Lingerie, chocolate, flowers and jewelry are lovely things to give your Valentine’s sweetheart, but it’s time to be sexy. Tango and Swing are two partner dances in honour of St. Valentine’s that’ll get you close and enjoy the woman in your arms. With either dance it’s understood you’ll get physical, but this Valentine’s get in character, enhance your partnership and have fun with rhythmic exercise that connects you to her heart and soul.

TANGO
The Dance: Called the three-minute love affair, Tango is a striking ballroom-style dance originating in Buenos Aires distinguished by pronounced rhythms, strong postures and abrupt pauses. Tango has many styles: American, as performed in the movie, Shall We Dance? with Jennifer Lopez, is easier to learn than Argentine, yet all are sophisticated and elegant.

The dancers’ home base position is a close embrace, often chest to chest while the sizzling pair swivel, pivot, dip, kick and ricochet around the room. Impetuously, the man twirls his partner, who performs arm sweeps then thrusts her head back as a leg clutches around his thigh or dramatically lunges at the song’s finale.

As with many Latin dances such as the Cha Cha, Rumba, Samba, Salsa and Mambo, the Tango radiates sex appeal as lovers’ eyes lock in a tango trance. This is good news for beginners as it keeps her from paying attention to your feet.
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According to the Cleveland Clinic, foods rich in antioxidants have substances such as flavonoids and lycopenes, which aren’t included in vitamin supplements. Eating a diet rich in antioxidant-containing foods, namely fruits, vegetables and whole grains, is linked to a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease.

Now a new book, The 02 Diet, presents information showing how antioxidants also make you slimmer. If you’re game to eat your way fitter and prettier, in it you’ll learn where your foods rank on the Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity Scale, kick-start your weight loss and boost beauty with an easy 4-day cleanse and a delicious 4-week antioxidant-based program.

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Haiti’s disaster relief efforts are taking many forms. Former first daughter, Chelsea Clinton, for example, is co-hosting a 90-minute spinning class in New York City to raise funds. Her efforts inspired me call up friends and host a fund raising yoga party. I encourage you to do the same or join an established group. This week I round up fitness for Haiti events, in addition to posting a new group exercise class and a gadget for swimmers.

Ride/Run for Relief
If you’re compelled to do something physical and raise money for Haiti disaster relief, you’re in good company. QuadSpin Toronto East is hosting a three-hour Ride for Relief Sunday January, 24 at 3 p.m. A $20 donation will benefit Doctors Without Borders. Running Free asks you to register online for its Pay What You Can, Run What You Can event Saturday January 30 at 9 a.m.

Finally, Fiterati in Los Angeles can join TV’s Josh Duhamel and The American Red Cross Youth Run 4 Haiti Saturday, January 23 at 9 a.m. for a two-mile run on the beach at Santa Monica Pier.

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The well-chosen book ideas for Christmas and holiday gifts for the health and fitness buff listed here are new or bestsellers. These books are a worthy addition to everyone’s library shelf or coffee table, but flipping through them, you might find fitness books to inspire your workout.

1.

Knockout Workout, Mia St. John

2.

Body Science, James Cracknell

3.

Walking, John Stanton
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You can approach Halloween one of two ways: Eat all the treats or indulge in moderation and offset any extra calories — a lot more figure-friendly. Here are six helpful tips and swaps to help you enjoy Halloween in a healthy way, inspired by Arnel Ricafranca, owner of Fitness Boot Camp.

1. Eat a healthy snack before going to a Halloween party and you’ll be less tempted by unhealthy party food. Be sure to include lean protein and such complex carbohydrates as brown rice before eating some sweets to decrease blood sugar spike.

2. Choose hard candies such as lollipops and pick dark chocolate over light chocolate for extra heart health benefits.

3. Exercise before attending a Halloween party and add 15 minutes to your cardio session.

4. Eat the least unhealthy Halloween treats such as jelly beans, pretzels, trail mix or popcorn balls.

5. Consider buying candy that you don’t like to avoid the temptation of eating it when handing out candy to trick-or-treaters.

6. Plan Halloween recovery exercise now for the day following a Halloween party and stick with it. Reward yourself with health, not more treats.

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