WHAT TO EAT TO KEEP YOUR SEXY ON...

Brought to my attention by one of my readers, the following article lists some interesting foods which when added to our diets might put us on and keep us on the road to sexual fitness!  How many of these have you eaten?  Are you willing to try some of these more unusual selections to get your sex drive in gear?

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If you’ve got sex on the brain but your body’s feeling unsexy, put away the blue pill! You don’t need Viagra, you need food. (Just not potato chips.) Sexual health and energy is synonymous with a healthy, energized you. An active lifestyle, balanced diet and self-confidence are the best ways to get the sexual charge you need – but that doesn’t mean there aren’t a few foods out there that can give you that extra…boost you’re looking for.

Maca

This Andean root is the first food that comes to mind when I think of sexual health and stamina. Just me? It’s been commonly used in Peru since the times of the Inca to increase strength, energy and libido. Modern foodies consider it a superfood, and with good reason. Maca is excellent for balancing hormones and makes a tasty addition to deserts and smoothies.

Cacao

Always a woman’s favorite. Real dark chocolate (we’re not talking See’s Candies here!) with a high cacao content contains natural stimulants and wellbeing chemicals, plus plenty of magnesium which is good for the heart and women’s libido. A healthy heart means better circulation, and that means better sex drive. Melt it, pour it, lick it…

Chiles

You can’t travel in Latin American without hearing a hot and spicy joke about the size of a man’s chile. And if you’re a fan of picante foods, you know how they can make you a bit sweaty and excitable. Blame it on the capsaicin, the substance in hot peppers which releases endorphins, stimulates nerve endings and increases heart rate.

Cardamom

This deliciously exotic little spice has a reputation in its home country of India for being an aphrodisiac. I just think it’s got a wonderful, sensual taste. But there may be some science behind it too: cardamom is high in cineole, which stimulates the nervous system.

Ginger

The spicy taste of hot, fresh ginger tea will heat your body up, make your heart race and increase the heat. What more do you need to get it going?

Pumpkin Seeds

High in zinc, which is needed for testosterone production, pumpkin seeds are essential for the libido in both men and women. Toast some up, pop in a movie, oh, forget the movie…

Oysters

Cold, slimy: I always wondered why oysters have such a reputation as an aphrodisiac food. Some say it’s the shape, but I say it’s the zinc, baby.

Hemp

Whether you prefer the seed, the milk, or the oil, hemp is high in the Essential Fatty Acids needed to help balance hormones for a better libido. Whip up a hemp milk latte and cozy up to your sweetie for some kisses to get things going.

Almonds

Best when eaten raw, almonds are high in libido-boosting vitamin E. A very sensible sex-boosting insurance policy. Eat daily.

Garlic

This one surprised me, because we all know how unattractive it is to be around someone who reeks of garlic. But take note, allicin improves blood flow to the sexual organs, so just make sure you and your partner have garlic in your meal together and you won’t mind the way the other smells. You have to admit, for garlic, that’s a sexy picture.

 Bananas

This suggestively shaped fruit regulates blood pressure, and you’d do well to eat one a day, because there’s nothing quite like excessively high blood pressure (also known as hypertension) to cause erectile dysfunction.

 Pomegranate Juice

A very sensual juice and luscious juice (surely Nigella Lawson would approve), many think that pomegranate’s high antioxidant content keeps free radicals from interfering with circulation. Which would have a positive effect on erectile dysfunction.

 Goji Berries

These superfood berries are considered a potent sexual tonic in Asia. They improve mood and well being and increase testosterone production. They’re tart, complex and intriguing – fittingly.

 Celery

Granted, celery is not the sexiest food, but it does contains andresterone, which is the hormone that gives men a subtle smell that drives women wild. I’m talking that t-shirt smell, ladies. (Men: we like this.)

 Ginseng

This high energy root normalizes hormones levels in both men and women and it’s been used for centuries by the Chinese to increase stamina and desire.

 Ginkgo Biloba

Sort of a wonder herb touted for many purposes, ginkgo can be used to increase sexual energy and regulate blood circulation.

 Guava

High in vitamin C, guava is great for the antioxidants. Kiwi and berries are high in vitamin C too, which keeps the sexual glands running smoothly. There’s nothing like sharing a cool fruit salad on a hot summer’s day”¦

 Wild Salmon

Another great source of Essential Fatty Acids. Try it cold with creme fraiche, crackers, wine and a little hand-feeding.

Avocado

Such an amazing food anyway, avocados are high in EFA’s and B-vitamins for hormone balance, and folic acid which is good for the heart and gives you energy.

 Leafy Greens

Eat your salads, ladies, dark leafy greens help your liver metabolize estrogen, and create a good balance of this hormone essential for healthy female sexuality. Sure, they don’t look sexy, but they’ll make you feel amazing.

Of course, there’s no one food that’s going to magically improve your sex life. The key is to avoid cigarettes and excessive alcohol and maintain a state of general health and wellbeing. You can’t expect to sit on your tuckus all day snacking on potato chips and be an excellent lover!

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SPRING  2009~




   HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

This year I turned forty-six and really don't feel that different from forty-five except for that list of resolutions I made last year that I haven't made a dent in.

I received quite a few lovely gifts this year, the best of which were two copies of the Washington Post from the day of the Obama inauguration from one of my siblings and a new notebook computer courtesy of Otto.

With the financial gift from my mom, I'm going to pay my yearly gym membership. So suffice it to say, I'm looking forward to a healthy, productive year! 

              -o)0(o-

HAPPY BIRTHDAY 2008

No, I am not one of those vain creatures that turns back the calendar each year pandering to the cult of eternal infancy.  I am pleased to report that this month I celebrated by forty-fifth year on the planet and plan to celebrate the occasion in grand style!  Luckily for me, the Ebony Fashion Fair is coming to town the weekend of 3/16/08 and my daughter and I plan to be there!

Did you know that the Ebony Fashion Fair is celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year?  And for those who have no idea what the Ebony Fashion Fair is...You have GOT to make it a point to watch the TV1 documentary of the rise of the fashion giant that brought the concept of glamorous African American modelling to the U.S. and to the world in the late 50's.

I'll be sure to post my observations of the Fashion Fair and I hope you'll check the schedule and put it on your list of To-Dos when the show comes to your town!

From the bright lights of Times Square to an aerie atop the world famous Wonder Wheel, there is simply no better way to start the summer than a quick trip to New York City. 











This bustling and inviting metropolis easily makes my top ten of places to visit in the world.
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~SPRING 2009





Dying Easter Eggs Naturally

For many of us dying Easter eggs is one of those things that moved from great fun as kids to another one of those parental responsibilities, nowadays. But there are ways to make the egg dying process a more greown-up designer process to that you and your kids can both enjoy it.

This year you might take a crack at dying the eggs naturally. Naturally dyed eggs have a design quality that is formal enough that they are as home as a centerpiece on the Easter dinner dining table as they are in the kiddies' Easter baskets.

The method suggested by Vosges Chocolates makes this recipe for 8 eggs. I think it works just fine for twelve.

The boiling technique (for 8 eggs):

Use 2 tablespoons of vinegar per quart of water. Place eggs in pot and cover with 1 inch of water. Add natural dye ingredients (see below for ideas), bring to a rolling boil, and reduce to simmer for 20 to 30 minutes. Rinse with lukewarm water.

GOLDEN - add 2 to 3 teaspoons of turmeric to hot water, or boil for more intense color
PINK - soak hard-boiled eggs in cranberry or beet juice
LAVENDER - soak hard-boiled eggs in grape juice
GREEN - boil eggs with spinach
BLUE - two heads (16 cups) of chopped red cabbage, 2 additional quarts of water and 6 additional tablespoons of vinegar. Soak overnight for a deep royal blue.
BROWN - Soak eggs overnight in a solution of 1/2 cup of expresso coffee to one quart of boiled water.

This is an activity that you can enjoy with your kids, significant other or friends.  So this Easter harken back to the days of your childhood and color some eggs!

        -o)0(o-