Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Aphrodisiac

The word seems exotic and intriguing yet it implies powerful effect - an effect that may change one’s acumen. An aphrodisiac is a substance that is used in the belief that it increases sexual desire. The name comes from Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of sensuality and love. It is a sexual stimulant that comes in various forms that thought to arouse sexual excitement.

Aphrodisiacs may be classified in two principal groups: (1) psychophysiological (visual, tactile, olfactory, aural) and (2) internal (stemming from food, alcoholic drinks, drugs, love potions, medical preparations). The second group is more popular since it can be acquired without difficulty especially when it comes in food form.

Here are some aphrodisiac foods that may be surprising to you:

According to www.gourmetsleuth.com, substances that "by nature" represent "seed or semen" such as bulbs, eggs, snails" were considered inherently to have sexual powers. Other types of foods were considered stimulating by their "physical resemblance to genitalia". It has been suggested that man's universal attribution of libidinous effects to certain foods originated in the ancient belief in the therapeutic efficacy of signatures: if an object resembled the genitalia, it possessed, so it was reasoned, sexual powers.

Asparagus
Given it's phallic shape, asparagus is frequently enjoyed as an aphrodisiac food. Feed your lover boiled or steamed spears for a sensuous experience. The Vegetarian Society suggests "eating asparagus for three days for the most powerful affect".

Almond
A symbol of fertility throughout the ages. The aroma is thought to induce passion in a female. Try serving Marzipan (almond paste) in the shapes of fruits for a special after-dinner treat.

Avocado
The Aztecs called the avocado tree "Ahuacuatl which translated means "testicle tree". The ancients thought the fruit hanging in pairs on the tree resembled the male's testicles. This is a delicious fruit with a sensuous texture. Serve in slices with a small amount of Balsamic vinegar and freshly ground pepper.

Bananas
The banana flower has a marvelous phallic shape and is partially responsible for popularity of the banana as an aphrodisiac food. An Islamic myth tells the tale that after Adam and Eve succumbed to the "Apple" they started covering their "nudity" with banana leaves rather than fig. From a more practical standpoint bananas are rich in potassium and B vitamins, necessities for sex hormone production.

Chocolate
The Aztecs referred to chocolate "nourishment of the Gods". Chocolate contains chemicals thought to effect neurotransmitters in the brain and a related substance to caffeine called theobromine. Chocolate contains more antioxidant (cancer preventing enzymes) than does red wine. The secret for passion is to combine the two. Try a glass of Cabernet with a bit of dark chocolate for a sensuous treat or let us temp you with our recipe for Chocolate Espresso Pots de creme.

Carrots
Another good reason to eat carrots--believed to be a stimulant to the male. The phallus shaped carrot has been associated with stimulation since ancient times and was used by early Middle Eastern royalty to aid seduction. High vitamins and beta-carotene. Perhaps a justification for a piece of carrot cake?

Oysters
Oysters were documented as a aphrodisiac food by the Romans in the second century A.D as mentioned in a satire by Juvenal. He described the wanton ways of women after ingesting wine and eating "giant oysters". An additional hypothesis is that the oyster resembles the "female" genitals. In reality oysters are a very nutritious and high in protein.

Vanilla
The scent and flavor of vanilla is believed to increase lust. According to the Australian Orchid Society, "Old Totonac lore has it that Xanat, the young daughter of the Mexican fertility goddess, loved a Totonac youth. Unable to marry him due to her divine nature, she transformed herself into a plant that would provide pleasure and happiness." Fill tall Champagne glasses to the rim and add a vanilla bean for a heady, bubbly treat.

source: www.gourmetsleuth.com

Thursday, September 10, 2009

BOREDOM Equals Trouble

According to psychologists, boredom is an emotional state that is unpleasant, transient affective state in which the individual feels a pervasive lack of interest in and difficulty concentrating on the current activity.

Boredom does not exist because one is unable to keep himself busy. It may also exist even with the busiest person. Boredom is not the absence of activity but the despondency even in the presence of activities. It exists because one may find himself unhappy on the things he does or not. A person is jaded because he is dejected on what’s going on with his life. He find himself unchallenged and unmotivated. Eventually, he tends to be lax then becomes unproductive. Hence, boredom may cause a great deal of malady. Problems may rise because of it. It may effect low self-esteem or lead a person to great depression.

So, how do you fight boredom? Here are four things that may help you:

Be with friends. Don’t let yourself be too much occupied with work. Or don’t dwell being alone at home all the time. Gurl, you need to go out and be with your friends. Friends can help lighten up your load.

Change environment. Home to office or office to home, these are your daily pattern. It became monotonous to you. Once in a while, you need to break the cycle. Go out of town and have picnic with your friends or family. Don’t go to malls anymore since you would be also confined in an establishment with concrete walls just like in your office or house. Go to a place where ambiance is far different from where you work or live.

Pamper yourself. Work, work and work! That’s all you always do, be it in the office meeting deadlines or doing household chores. And you’re doing this for your family. But gurl, you need to take care of yourself too. Take a leave once or twice every quarter and rejuvenate yourself. You should have a pamper day for yourself. Go to your nearest SPA saloon and have a relaxing massage. Or you may go to your favorite beauty saloon and have your hair trimmed or have manicure and pedicure.

Meditate. Attend a retreat or recollection, so you can contemplate greatly. Meditation helps you relax and uplift your positive spirit.

Always live positively though things may come to you negatively.