The Saint with Plato, who we found as an infant in a garbage bin, and who, just like all our other pooches, adores his papa and savior.

by Katerina Lorenzatos Makris ~

The Saint kept me company before my first biopsy, December 2015. I had never been under anesthesia before, nor had I ever imagined that a lifelong health nut like me could possibly get cancer (duh!), so my fave nurse provided much-needed moral support.

Having won a couple of bouts with stupid endometrial cancer (so far so good!), Rescue Diva is feeling lucky these days, and especially grateful to a certain tall, handsome, and sweet fellow for his dauntless support throughout the fight.

He has also been my valiant and generous partner in rescue for the past couple of decades, helping me save, re-home and/or sponsor more than 200 dogs, a few cats, and most amazingly, my elderly human aunt and uncle who were unceremoniously abandoned by other relatives. But that’s another story.

As the cherry on top there’s been his indulgence toward my never-ending parade of writing projects and other schemes, no matter how zany (and spectacularly unprofitable) they may be.

In honor of this life mate, patron, and best buddy, a.k.a. The Saint, I wanted to create a romantic feast to beat the band, including not just some of his favorite foods, but also some that are purported to be aphrodisiacs, at least according to sources like Cleopatra and other randy yet eminent personages.

Without blinking an eye, The Saint arranged and financed the senior-safe remodel of a bathroom as we prepared for my mom to live with us. One of the countless times he’s done his darnedest to grant the wishes of his compulsive rescuer wife. (A wife who does not mend his clothing, by the way. Note hole in shirt.)

Not that Hubsy and I particularly need the aphrodisiac effect. Even after nearly four decades together, I still find him pretty cute, and it seems the feeling is mutual. But the cancer adventures created a long spell when we were so focused on beating it, in between taking care of our bustling pack of pooches, elderly loved ones, and other responsibilities, that we hardly got to even look at each other for five minutes straight. Furthermore, the biopsies, surgery, radiation, and other medical fun do not exactly make for the most romantic circumstances.

So yep, I’m feeling pretty darn lucky now that things have calmed down a little. But hmm… maybe a few of Cleopatra’s culinary tricks can help me get just a wee bit luckier.  😉

You’ll find our yummy, healthy, and romantic menu and recipes below. First, here’s some fun info to whet your whistle regarding the ingredients… 24 Aphrodisiac ingredients for a romantic vegan feast

Bon appetit from Rescue Diva!

ROMANTIC VEGAN FEAST—MENU

(click each dish’s name for recipe)

Zesty Vegan Aphrodisiac Appetizer Dip Platter

Perky Vegan Sweet Potato Soup with Caramelized Onions, Ginger, and Curry

Sultry Vegan Stack of Eggplant, Squash, and Mushroom with Sundried Tomato Basil Pesto-Coulis

Silky Chocolate Banana Almond Fudge Meltdown

Fun info: 24 Aphrodisiac ingredients for a romantic vegan feast

HELP US SAVE ANIMALS — just $2 ! Rescue Diva depends on sales of our romantic fiction to help create real-life happy endings like those of Claire, of Noble, Granger, and Raza, and of Rhea and her Earthquake Puppies.

Enjoy a fun read, spice up your life, and help replenish our rescue fund!  🙂

Rescue Diva proudly sponsors needy animals in the U.S. and around the world. For example:

~ We help Kefalonia Animal Trust (KATs) in Greece provide free spay/neuter for hundreds of animals per year, which is one of the best ways to prevent the abandonment and misery of puppies like Noah and Kyla.

~ We donate to Center for Animal Protection and Education (CAPE), Praying for Paws, Southern California Siamese Rescue, Aniplant (Cuba) and many other groups.

~ We do in-the-trenches rescues of angels like Robin, Chance, and Tiger, with help from San Diego Animal Support Foundation, and of Marisol and Lisa, with help from Last Chance at Life.

DON’T MISS ANY DIVA!  Hit FOLLOW button above.

Katerina Lorenzatos Makris is a career journalist, author, and editor. Her fiction includes 17 novels for Simon and Schuster, E.P. Dutton, Avon, and other major publishers (under the name Kathryn Makris), as well as a teleplay for CBS-TV, and a short story for The Bark magazine. She has written hundreds of articles for regional wire services and for outlets such as National Geographic Traveler, The San Francisco Chronicle, Travelers’ Tales, NBC’s Petside.com, Animal Issues Reporter.com, and Examiner.com (Animal Policy Examiner).

Together with coauthor Shelley Frost, Katerina wrote a step-by-step guide for hands-on, in-the-trenches dog rescue, Your Adopted Dog: Everything You Need to Know About Rescuing and Caring for a Best Friend in Need (The Lyons Press), coming soon in digital format!