Getting Sexy Back

So, I was inspired to delve into a subject matter that will make my mother blush; but c’est la vie. It’s a subject that everyone is interested in but rarely talks about, aphrodisiacs. You show me a person who is not interested in increasing their sexual health and libido and I’ll show you a liar. (Or maybe that uninterested person lives in a convent).

From the beginning of time humans have been using food to tempt and tantalize each other; hello remember Eve’s apple? (Which was most likely a fig, a super sexual fruit). Currently you cannot turn on the television without being bombarded with commercials geared towards increasing sexual performance. Well there really is no need to spend all that money on chemically enhanced drugs; all you need to do is start incorporating certain foods into your daily diet to see some results. On the most basic level you need to have a healthy diet in general; if your blood is flowing freely to your heart then it will flow freely elsewhere.

With that said there are some specific foods that you and your significant other can eat that will increase hormone development and libido.

♥ Celery contains Androsterone, which is an odorless hormone that is released through a man’s perspiration and turns women on.

♥ Avocados contain folic acid, which helps metabolize proteins and give you more energy. They also contain vitamin B6, which increases male hormone production. There is also a healthy dose of potassium in these fruit, which helps regulate a woman’s Thyroid gland to increase her libido.

♥ Asparagus contains vitamin E, which increases hormone levels to stimulate sexual responses.

♥ Almonds are a prime source of fatty acids, which aid in healthy production of male hormones. Walnuts, pumpkin seeds and salmon also contain these omega 3 fatty acids.

♥ Eggs are high in vitamins B6 and B5, which help balance hormone levels and fight stress; both of which are crucial for a healthy libido.

♥ Garlic contains Allicin, which increases blood flow down below. And if you are both eating garlic you won’t notice it’s pungent aroma.

♥ Oysters are perhaps the epitome of an aphrodisiac, especially when eaten raw. They are high in zinc, which raises testosterone production. They also contain dopamine, which is a hormone known to increase libido.

♥ Bananas contain Bromelain, which is an enzyme believed to increase libido and supposedly reverse impotence.

♥ Figs, “The Forbidden Fruit” are high in amino acids, which are believed to increase libido and improve sexual stamina.

♥ Chocolate, a woman’s best friend, contains Phenyl ethylamine a stimulant that produces the “in love feeling” that makes sex sound like a good idea.

♥ Red Wine, in moderation, contains resveratrol, which is an antioxidant that helps increase blood flow to make arousal easier. Remember moderation is key here, too much is no good.

Let’s start with the quintessential aphrodisiac, oysters. Now I will admit to you that I am not adventurous enough to eat them raw; so I will share a to-be-cooked recipe, Oysters Gratin. Start by cooking three thick slices of diced up bacon until crisp, once done remove them from the pan and add one diced shallot, two diced cloves of garlic, and two tablespoons of butter. Cook this over medium heat until softened before adding about three cups of fresh baby spinach. Cook until the spinach wilts and then transfer it all to a colander to drain out all the excess liquid. In the same skillet boil two cups of half and half and a dash or so of nutmeg for about five minutes to reduce it by half. Once this is accomplished remove the skillet from the heat and let it cool. Once cool stir the spinach mixture in to the cream and add about eighteen chopped oysters, half a cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese, the reserved bacon bits, salt and pepper to taste. Spoon this mixture into a buttered baking dish and top it all with a combination of half a cup Parmesan cheese and two-thirds a cup of seasoned bread crumbs. Bake this all at 400 degrees for ten to fifteen minutes. This meals masquerades as a gooey cheesy dish, but packs a healthy punch with the spinach and those libido-increasing oysters.

If you are looking for a lighter meal that still packs a punch to your sex drive, try an Asparagus-Avocado Egg Pie. Start by sautéing two cloves of diced garlic, one bunch of diced asparagus, two stalks of diced celery, salt and pepper in olive oil until softened. Let this cool before mixing it with five beaten eggs and half a cup of sharp shredded Cheddar cheese. Pour this into a buttered pie plate and bake at 350 degrees for about half an hour. When you are ready to serve sprinkle each slice with diced avocado. You can accompany this dish with a simple green salad dressed with a simple garlic vinaigrette made from olive oil, white wine vinegar, minced garlic, a little Dijon mustard, salt and pepper.

Lastly I am going to share with you my favorite quickie dessert, Banana Treat. Begin by peeling and halving one banana into a small baking dish, sprinkle it with cinnamon and a small handful of mini marshmallows. On top of that crunch up some of your favorite cereal, I use Kashi Go Lean Crunch, and top that with some dark chocolate chips and sliced almonds. Bake this in your toaster oven at 350 degrees until the chocolate melts and the marshmallows are browned. Not only does this dessert include three aphrodisiacs, but also the potassium in the bananas is key to muscle strength and helps to alleviate those mood killing leg cramps.

You can wash these dishes down with a glass of red wine; now I don’t mean one of those oversized glasses, we are talking about eight ounces of wine for women and sixteen ounces for men. I don’t think I need to mention to anyone what too much alcohol can do to one’s performance. There are tons of combinations you can come up with to incorporate these special foods into your everyday diet. Studies show that a healthy diet is key to a healthy sexual life; and who doesn’t want that? ♥♥♥





Oyster Gratin

3 slices thick cut diced bacon
1 medium shallot, diced
2 cloves garlic, diced
2 Tlbsp. butter
3 cups fresh baby spinach
2 cups half and half
1/8 tsp. Nutmeg
18 oysters, chopped
1 cup Parmesan cheese divided in half
2/3 cup breadcrumbs
Salt and pepper


Preheat the oven to 400°. Cook bacon until crisp and remove to drain on paper towels. In same pan cook shallot and garlic in the butter until softened. Add the spinach and cok until wilted, remove form pan and drain in a colander. Boil half and half and nutmeg until reduced by half, about 5 minutes, let cool. Stir the spinach into the cram and add the oysters and half of the Parmesan cheese, season with salt and pepper. Pour into a buttered baking dish and top with a combination of the remaining Parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs. Bake for 10-15 minutes.



Asparagus-Avocado Egg Pie

2 cloves garlic, diced
1 bunch asparagus, diced
2 stalks celery, diced
Salt and pepper
5 eggs beaten
½ cup sharp shredded Cheddar cheese
1 avocado, diced

Sauté the garlic asparagus and celery in olive oil until softened, season to taste and let cool. Add the mixture to the eggs and cheese and pour into a buttered pie plate. Cook at 350° for a half hour. Top with diced avocado right before serving.


Banana Treat

1 banana
¼ tsp. Cinnamon
¼ cup mini marshmallows
¼ cup cereal, crushed
1 Tlbsp. dark chocolate chips
1 Tlbsp. sliced almonds

Peel and halve the banana and place in a small baking dish. Sprinkle with cinnamon and then top with the remaining ingredients. Bake at 350° for about 15 minutes or until the chocolate chips melt and the marshmallows brown.