When I first started dating my now-fiance, I learned it was a bit of a Valentine's Day tradition for people guys to patiently wait in line at a local candy shop for their famous chocolate covered strawberries. The shop sells a whole assortment of white, milk, and dark chocolate, -- and yeah, they're pretty amazing! So I can understand why they're considered a go-to gift for V-Day.

But the thing is ... the juicy, decadent treat is so easy to DIY! And if you have the time and the tools, why not do it at home? After all, something about giving homemade ones is extra heartfelt, right? Check out the super-easy recipe ...

The countdown until Valentine's Day is on, and if you're still looking for a sweet treat for the sweet ones in your life, then these cookies are just the thing. They're actually made from saltine crackers if you can believe it, but they taste amazing. And just look at how adorable they are.

From Souffle Bombay, they're incredibly easy to whip up. They're also a lot of fun to decorate, and kids will love to help. The end result is sweet, salty, and sensational.

When it comes to holidays and themed food choices, Valentine's Day provides some of the most delicious ones of the year. Food can be such a sensual experience any day of the year, but when it comes to this high holiday of romance, it's a great time to heat things up in the kitchen ... and elsewhere.

Whether you're dining out or eating in, you might as well make your meal as hot as possible ... even if it's served cold. Here are six of the sexiest foods to indulge in with your Valentine. If you have no Valentine, then a double serving for you!

What foods do you find most romantic?

Image via juliesjulesjules m/Flickr

You may not know it, but I'm actually a pretty sensitive guy. I can get mushy like the rest of them and really enjoy treating my wife to a romantic evening when I can. But despite that, I have to say this about that little "holiday" coming up this week: Valentine's Day is the biggest crock.

Just another one of those made-up Hallmark holidays, V-Day regularly spreads far more pain than love. First, there are all the people out there who aren't married, dating, or in a serious relationship. Or worse, there are those who just broke up with someone or are going through a rough divorce. Valentine's Day is just a way of the calendar giving those folks the middle finger.

Looking for a super-cute Valentine's Day breakfast idea? Check out these adorable heart-shaped toast cups. These are individual-sized toasts filled with bacon and egg. And the bacon looks like little arms about to hug you. We first spotted them on the blog Recipe by Photo. The step-by-step photo tutorial makes it look so easy.

The recipe is by Jaymee Sire of E Is for Eat. You'll need heart-shaped muffin cups. Otherwise, this is super-simple -- just cut and butter bread, and place cooked bacon and a raw egg, and bake. What a cute way to say Happy Valentine's Day to your family first thing in the morning!

With Valentine's Day a week away, it's definitely not too early to start thinking about what kinds of holiday treats you might want to indulge in ... or, even sweeter, bake up for your honey. And while you never really need an excuse to enjoy a red velvet dessert -- defined as any variation on the Southern classic-turned-trendy cake -- V-Day's a great one!

Here are six delicious red velvet recipes that'll delight your taste buds and warm your heart, starting with one of the most decadent -- Red Velvet Whoopie Pies!

Hey you attached ladies. Right now, as you wrap up for the day at work and/or put the kids down for a nap and/or return from picking them up from school, your DH/SO/BF is likely out there at the mall/candy store/drugstore/florist picking up approximately $168.74 worth of clothing, jewelry, and other gifts for you for Valentine's Day. That's what the National Retail Federation has found at least. Overall, everyone's expected to shell out $17.6 billion for the Hallmark holiday. Seeing a number like that's probably enough to make you want to stop in your tracks, pick up your cell, and text your man, "NNNNNNOOOOOOO!!! STOOOOP!" ... right? Or maybe not. Maybe you spend the same or more on him?

Doubtful. The NRF also found that $168.74 is nearly double the amount women will spend on their guys. Excuse moi? Is it just me or is that stat totally disheartening? Yeah, I'm all about ladies being treated like royalty by their men, but since when did this holiday become another "her day"? 

Justin Bieber gets a kiss on the cheek from fan Avalanna RouthThese days, just about anyone with an Internet connection or television has an opinion about Justin Bieber. But whether you love him, hate him, or simply cringe every time you hear an adolescent girl shriek his name, you gotta admit the kid has become a force to be reckoned with. But I've wondered if the fame has made him lose that genuine, down-to-earth vibe he and his mom have been marketing since day one ... Now, it looks like we have our answer.

The pop star went on a Valentine's Day date with one of his biggest fans yesterday. But she's not your average little girl suffering from a common case of Bieber Fever. Avalanna Routh is a 6-year-old who has for most of her young life battled an aggressive and rare form of cancer known as ATRT that is diagnosed in less than 30 cases per year.