Foods for Love

Unleash Your Libido and Nourish Your Sexuality

The benefits of a healthy sex life are numerous. Sex strengthens the immune system. Orgasms release hormones, such as DHEA, beneficial to immunity. Greater sexual activity in men helps reduce the risk of prostate cancer while regular sex encourages longevity in both men and women. It’s a great natural stress reliever, and heaven knows we can’t have too many of those!

If you’ve lost that lovin’ feeling, it may be time to examine your diet. The food of love is all about taking pleasure in what you eat while ensuring your body gets all the nutrients essential for an optimum sex drive and healthy reproductive organs.

Start by eating as many fresh, organic fruits and vegetables as you like because the quality of your food provides your body with energy. The more energy you have, the better your sex life will be. In addition, supplement with high-grade fish oil, beta-carotene, vitamins C and E, as well as minerals like calcium, magnesium, and zinc. Other supplements which are highly recommended function as natural sex enhancers, including maca, ginseng, gingko, l-arginine, and DHEA.

And be sure to indulge in 15 grams or more of dark chocolate daily. Chocolate contains phenylethylamine and l-arginine, an amino acid involved in sexual responsiveness. These compounds boost sexual brain chemistry.

Avoid orgasm killers, which include caffeine, tobacco, artificial hormones, hydrogenated fats, and refined sugar.

Furthermore, carrying too much body weight around can dampen female desire because excess fat triggers hormonal imbalance and mood swings, not to mention feelings of low self esteem. A plant-based diet paired with exercise you enjoy will help keep you at an optimal weight.

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RECIPES FOR LOVE

Sexy Spicy Maca Balls

Maca is a natural root from Peru with a long history as a sex enhancer. It also increases strength, stamina, energy, fertility, and libido. These tasty morsels have the libido-boosting benefits of almonds, maca, cacao, cayenne, vanilla, and honey! Serves two hungry night revellers.

¼ cup almond butter
1 Tbsp maca powder
1 Tbsp raw cacao powder
Dash of cayenne pepper
Dash of real vanilla extract
Drop of raw honey

Place all ingredients in food processor. Combine until a dough forms. Roll dough into little balls and place in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. Enjoy with a cup of hot chocolate or your favourite warming herbal tea.

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Sexy Raw Chocolate ‘Shake

Chocolate has been regarded as an aid to intimacy for centuries. Cacao, chocolate’s most pure form, has been used in South America for thousands of years for its healthy, invigorating properties. In addition to magnesium and zinc, good quality organic dark chocolate contains a couple of chemicals called phenylethylamine and anandamide – this pair is responsible for that feeling associated with falling in love. Cacao also increases serotonin, enhancing sexual desire and responsiveness. It also contains 10 times as many antioxidants as blueberries!

Sip on this rich and delicious chocolate ‘shake as a prelude to afternoon delights with your lover.

2 Tbsp raw cacao powder
2 Tbsp raw almond butter
½ tsp pure vanilla extract
4 medjool dates
½ tsp ground cinnamon (optional)
2 cups water

Place dates in water and let soak for 30-45 minutes. Take the pits out of the dates and place all ingredients in a blender. Purée until frothy. Pour into two glasses. Enjoy!

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Deep Purple Antioxidant Smoothie

This is just what the sex doctor ordered to stay energized through the winter. (Serves: 2)

2 Tbsp chia seeds
1 tsp ground green tea
1 Tbsp açaí powder
4 Tbsp cacao powder
6 dates, pitted and broken into pieces
2 cups water
Coconut cream from the top of a can of coconut milk

Soak all ingredients together for 30 minutes. Place in blender. Blend. Drink. Thank yourself for being good to your body.

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Carrot Cake ‘Shake’

Almonds contain vitamin E, one of our star sexual nutrients. They also provide the body with trace minerals essential for sexual health and reproduction such as zinc and selenium. What’s more, these precious morsels symbolize love, joy, health, and fertility. At Italian weddings, guests are given sugar-coated almonds.

Treat your lover to this special ‘shake in the morning and watch your squabbles float away.

¼ cup raw almond butter
1½ cups carrot juice
4 dates, soaked in 2 cups water
¼ tsp pure vanilla extract
Dash of cinnamon

Remove pits from dates. Place all ingredients in blender. Blend. Pour. Sip with contentment.

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Simply Raw Banana Pudding with Rosewater

Bananas are rich in potassium and B vitamins, two key ingredients in the production of sex hormones. The rosewater in this recipe adds a nice touch of romance. Feel free to enjoy this as a breakfast or simple dessert.

½ cup raw cashews, soaked
2 large organic, fair-trade bananas
Ground cardamom (an Indian spice), to taste
Splash of rosewater

Drain the cashews of water, and place them in blender along with bananas. Blend for 2 minutes. Spoon into two dishes and splash a little rosewater on each, then sprinkle with cardamom.

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TIPS FOR CREATING THE RIGHT MOOD

Find ways to be and feel romantic. Give yourself a lingerie budget. A new negligee can make you feel like a new woman. Give each other foot massages and back rubs. Burn soy candles with your favorite sensual scents. Listen to soft music, make a dinner date, and sit next to each other. (Feeding each other is encouraged.)

End the night with a warm bath sprinkled with salts. Enjoy a glass of organic red wine and simply “be” together.

Set aside time for intimacy without sex. Spend time in bed cuddling, laughing, dozing, chatting, and reading. Simply enjoy being near one another. There’s nothing sexier than being each other’s best friend. All that said, Happy St. Valentine’s Day!