Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and you may be planning on a sensual and romantic night to remember, but as Valentine’s day is in February, if you are living in Britain you may find that the cold wet, weather conditions are a bit of a love dampener. This is because research shows that when you’re exposed to sunlight, your body produces more seratonin and Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone (MSH). Studies have linked MSH to an increased sex drive in women whilst seratonin makes you feel good, so summer loving may be more than a phrase.
Whilst liquid sunshine is not yet on the market, eating specific foods can enhance the libido and arouse desire. For thousands of years people have taken delights in aphrodisiacs and secret elixirs of love. Love foods that stimulate desire and enhance libido are prized in cultures throughout the world. From commonplace foods such as honey and apricots to exotic ingredients shrouded in secrecy and history the amatory properties of food are founded in more than just myth. Often foods that are considered to be aphrodisiacs have health benefits that help to stimulate our bodies and minds.
Top Foods of Love
I have trawled the pages of history to bring to you my list of the top foods to give you that loving feeling:
The Seductively, Soft Apricot
The tender, golden apricot has been considered a fertility aid for centuries. It is recorded that in the court of James I, “apricocks” were commonly served as amatory enhancing treat. Whilst in China fresh apricot pulp combined with Royal Jelly has been considered a provocative love potion for centuries. Fresh apricots liquidised and combined with Royal Jelly at a ratio of 50% fruit to 5% Royal Jelly should give a restorative tonic when spread on your morning toast. These golden delights will give you a boost not least because they are packed with vitamins and nutrients. Bursting with beta-carotene they are a good antioxidant and their reputation as a fertility aid is well deserved as they contain iron, magnesium, vitamin A , fibre and not to forget Vitamin E, which is dubbed as the sex vitamin.
Sensual Sea Food
Oysters have long been thought of as aphrodisiacs; indeed legend has it that the Venetian lover Casanova ate copious amounts of oysters each morning for breakfast. Studies now prove that eating oysters does improve dopamine levels which boosts libido in men and women. Oysters are also proven to be good for fertility as they contain zinc which is vital for testosterone production and healthy sperm. It is considered that they are most potent eaten plain with just the simplest of dressings.
It is not just oysters that have aphrodisiac qualities, all shellfish contain phosphorus, calcium, iodine, iron, vitamin B and glycol-phosphates which is the essential combination of a strong aphrodisiac, so if you don’t fancy an oyster seductively sliding down your throat, the lobster, crab, clams, winkles, cockles, mussels and scallops all make for frisky aphrodisiacs.
Wonderful Walnuts
Walnuts were considered a symbol of fecundity by the Ancient Greeks and Romans and were thrown at children by the bridegroom at weddings as a sign of leaving childish things behind and becoming a man.
Walnut Cream
Ingredients:
225g walnuts (chopped finely)
300ml goats milk
3 tbsp. runny honey
4 raw egg yolks
Method:
Place the milk and walnuts in a pan and simmer gently, until the nuts soften. Allow the mixture to cool slightly and liquidise it with the egg yolks and honey until it is a thick consistency. Delicious served in a wine glass as a pudding or as a dip with a selection of breads, smoked cheese and pastrami.
Amorous Asparagus
With its phallic shape asparagus is well known as a food of love. This aristocratic vegetable has been cultivated since 2000 BC and is high B vitamin content means that its reputation as an aphrodisiac is well deserved, having been linked to a healthy sex drive in men and women. Young tender asparagus spears served with butter are ideal for dipping in the yolk of a perfectly poached egg.
Cooking Asparagus:
To boil: submerge in a large pan of boiling water, cover and cook for 3-6 minutes. Drain and toss in melted butter. Serve immediately
To steam: stand the asparagus in 3 inches of boiling water, cover and cook for 3-6 minutes. Remove when tender and serve with melted butter and freshly ground black pepper.
Garlic to Get You Going
How about some raw garlic to get you in the mood for love? Eating raw garlic may make your breath repulsive to your partner, but it will stir up sexual desire. The heat in garlic is what awakens your libido and the allicin that garlic contains is thought to increase blood flow to sexual organs. However, this is not a quick fix as you need to consume raw garlic for at least a month before you reap the benefits.
If a dish of oysters and side salad of raw garlic has failed to get you in the mood, you could resort to the lovers favourite, chocolate. Aptly termed ‘nourishment for the gods’ by the Aztecs, chocolate is proven to increase levels of serotonin in the brain, making you feel happy and more receptive to the powers of seduction.
If you don’t feel like cooking this Valentine’s Day and you’d rather stay in than venture into a crowded restaurant then you could look at increasing intimacy with your partner through food in a uniquely Tantric way, this technique is lots of fun and will certainly make your Valentine’s Day memorable and best of all there will be no pots and pans to wash afterwards! You can read the article here.
Indeed Mal Weeraratne talks about how taste is an essential sense in the sacred connection between partners and that when creating a sacred connection or soul mate connection it is a vital element, you can read more about this here.
So instead of just curling up with a bar of chocolate this Valentine’s Day try something a little different and try a sensual tantric feast!
To find out more about Tantric Journey, then please visit our website here or click to contact us.
