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Titillate the mind and the senses of your lover with some powerfully sensual, mood-altering aphrodisiacs like chocolate-covered strawberries or oysters.
by the brain when people fall in love. And of course, caffeine is a major component of chocolate … which accelerates the heart rate and increases blood pressure. While nature may make it appear that something is an aphrodisiac because of its shape or the way it grows, in reality, it’s likely the vitamins and minerals that do the trick. For example, bananas are suggestively shaped, but they are also high in potassium, which is crucial to heart function. A cob of corn is packed with Vitamin B5, which is critical for the
body to manufacture the sex hormones produced by the adrenal glands. Another reputed aphrodisiac, the avocado, got its name from the Aztec word for testicle, because of the way it hangs in pairs when it grows on trees. This fruit has a smooth, sensuous texture that contains 14 vitamins and minerals, including iron and copper, which are great for your blood. Sometimes, it’s what a food looks like on the inside that counts. An open fig resembles female genitalia, some say, and eating figs is considered a sexual stimulant. Seafood is another well-known reputed performance booster. In fact, all the hoopla over whether eating raw oysters can really enhance your sex life may, in fact, be true. In 2005 a group of Italian scientists working with the National Institutes of Health found two of the amino acids found in oysters actually do stimulate the production of sex hormones. It may also be because oysters are high in zinc, and studies have shown that a zinc deficiency can lead to a low libido. Caviar is another food thought to have aphrodisiac qualities because it, too, is high in zinc. But in this case, the expense and glamour associated with consuming caviar may be part of the reason it is passion-inducing. For centuries, herbs have been used to enhance sexual pleasure, increase stamina and promote arousal. The Internet abounds with capsules, oils and tonics offering sexual salvation made from various herbs. Damiana, a shrub native to Central America, causes tingling in the groin when ingested. That’s probably why it is considered a sexual stimulant even though there is no scientific proof that it works. Fennel contains natural plant estrogen, while ginger, ginseng and garlic stimulate the circulatory system. While science says there is no such thing as a true aphrodisiac, if you look at foods long thought to provide sexual healing, you’ll see that most are low in fat, high in vitamins and minerals with very little saturated fat or bad cholesterol. In other words, they’re good for you! A diet rich in healthy foods can only mean a healthy body, which in turn means energy for peak performance in the bedroom. So the next time your lover hands you the grocery list and asks you to do the shopping, bring home a little something extra just for the two of you to share. It’ll make unpacking the groceries at home a whole lot more fun!
For our oysters a la Café recipe, please visit www. cafemagazine.com
Chocolate Dipped Fruit Prep: 15 minutes Cook: 15 minutes 1 lb. good quality bittersweet chocolate chips or chunks (such as Scharffen Berger, Ghirardelli or Godiva) 2 dozen large, firm strawberries with leafy tops, washed and thoroughly dried Place the chocolate in a stainless steel or other heatproof medium sized bowl. Heat two inches of water in a medium saucepan until almost boiling. Turn off the heat. Set the bowl of chocolate over the water to melt. Stir until smooth. The chocolate should be between 87°F and 105°F. Carefully hold the leafy top of the strawberry and dip into the chocolate. Place on a wax paper-lined baking sheet to let chocolate harden. Variation: use a toothpick to dip the strawberry and then set the toothpick into a stable piece of styrofoam.
WALK ON THE WILD SIDE Some people will try anything. Here are some of the world’s more unusual reputed mood enhancers: Blister beetles: The emerald green beetle, also known as “Spanish fly,” secretes a poisonous chemical compound that, when ingested, causes a burning and swelling in the urinary tract. Those who partake mistake this for sexual stimulation when, in fact, it often causes kidney failure and death. Tarantula: In Cambodia, these hairy black spiders are pulled from their burrows and quickly deep-fried until they are gooey on the inside and extra crispy on the outside. The venom from these arachnids is thought to work as an aphrodisiac. Crocodile: Those eating crocodile meat, especially the penis, are said to gain the power and aggressiveness of these aquatic reptiles. This delicacy is especially popular in China. Snake: East Asians are the main connoisseurs of the blood and meat of the cobra, which they believe helps sustain erections by increasing one’s “yang” or active hot energy.
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