5 Foods That Are Healthier Cooked

You’d be forgiven if you thought that raw is always healthier than cooked. For many fruits and vegetables that’s certainly the case, but it’s not always the case. Cooking some vegetables actually breaks down their tough cellular structure and makes it easier for the body to absorb nutrients. Of course, by cooking we mean cooking them the right way. 

Read on to discover some of the vegetables that are healthier cooked.

#1 Spinach

Cooking spinach boosts your body’s ability to absorb all of the fantastic nutrients this leafy green is loaded with, like calcium, iron, magnesium, lutein and antioxidants like beta-carotene. The amount of calcium, for example, actually triples when you cook spinach.

#2 Kale

Raw kale is harder on your digestive system than the cooked stuff. But it’s also less nutritious; cooking kale increases its levels of vitamins A, and K, as well as  fiber.

#3 Mushrooms

Cooking mushrooms isn’t just the healthier option, it’s also the safer option. There are several types of mushrooms that are only safe to eat cooked, and even the ones more commonly served raw, like button mushrooms, are hard on your digestion. Mushrooms have very tough cellular structures, so cooking really does wonders on drawing out their nutrients, making them more digestible, and killing any toxins they may contain.

# 4 Tomatoes

Cooking tomatoes boosts the amount of  lycopene that is released into the body. Raw tomatoes, on the other hand, only release about 4% of this antioxidant that has been linked to lower rates of heart disease and cancer.

#5 Carrots

Carrots might not help you see in the dark, but they will help improve your vision thanks to high levels of beta-carotene, an antioxidant that youe body converts into vitamin A. Raw carrots - and the beta-carotene they contain - are somewhat difficult for our bodies to digest. But cooking breaks down the tough veggie and, in turn, boosts their nutritional value.

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The 5 Healthiest Winter Vegetables and Fruits

The 5 Healthiest Winter Vegetables and Fruits

It seems every year when winter approaches, many of my patients complain, "There just aren’t as many fruits and veggies available.” I, of course, beg to differ. Yes, the farmers markets and supermarkets aren’t booming with an assortment of colorful berries (at least tasty and inexpensive ones), tomatoes, or corn, but they still have plenty of healthy options. These five are delicious and provide the greatest nutrition bang for your caloric buck. You just might miss them come summer.

#1 Beets
The problem with beets is that many people avoid them because they think they are high in sugar. However, that really isn’t so: One raw beet has 5.5 grams for 35 calories. Plus they are a good source of magnesium and calcium (both important for bone health), iron (which you need for energy and to prevent and hair loss), fiber (to help to fill you up), and folic acid (necessary for the production and maintenance of new cells in our bodies, and especially important for pregnant woman). Beets are especially important during the winter because they have a unique source of phytonutrients, called betalains, which provide antioxidant and anti-inflammatory support to help keep your immune system strong.

#2 Brussels sprouts 
A member of the cabbage family, Brussels sprouts have seen a recent rise in popularity, and that's a good thing. (I wonder what took everyone so long—I love them!) They are an excellent source of bone-strengthening vitamin K and may give you a glow thanks to the vitamin C, which supports collagen production and products against free radicals. A cup also provides 15 percent of your daily iron and 13 percent of your recommended fiber.

#3 Cauliflower
Ever since we were told to load our plates with color, white foods have been getting a bad rap. Cauliflower doesn’t deserve it. It is an excellent source of folic acid and vitamins C and K, and also contains lots of iron, fiber, potassium for efficient muscle function, and B vitamins, which play a role in everything from hair growth to red blood cell creation to carrying oxygen and nutrients to cells of our body.

#4 Clementines
I know the winter season is upon us when I see the boxes of clementines, a cross between a mandarin and an orange, in the supermarket. So easy to peel, they make the easiest grab-and-go citrus fruit this time of year. Besides being a excellent source of vitamin C, they also contain calcium and potassium, and are a great low calorie fruit: a serving of two clementines is only 80 calories. 

#5 Pears
I think pears are an overlooked fruit, with so many more people grabbing apples at this time of year. One of the highest-fiber fruits, a medium pear offers about 6 grams, which can help with blood sugar control and promote weight loss. An excellent source of vitamins C and K, pears are also packed with B vitamins, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and manganese.

Unfortunately during this time of year with everyone being so busy with holiday parties, events, and shopping, a lot of people are not eating enough fruits and veggies at all. When on the run, one option is a small Jamba Juice smoothie. I like the sixteen-ounce Berry UpBeet, which combines fruits and veggies, including beets.

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5 Foods to Detox Your Body

5 Foods to Detox Your Body

Sick of feeling sluggish, tired, and bloated? Want to get that hot bod into pristine shape? Well, a detox might be for you, says author and chef Candice Kumai. 

If you're not ready to fully commit to a detox yet, you can still try to modify your diet to help. Try cutting carbs, alcohol, dairy, sugar, and caffeine from your current diet, and start adding in these top five foods to feel completely renewed:

#1 Tea
The polyphenols in tea leaves help to detoxify the body naturally, while popular herbal "detox" teas contain a blend of herbs with special detoxification and cleansing properties. Herbal and detoxification teas don't usually tend to carry caffeine.

#2 Cabbage
A natural diuretic that is used to help expel excess fluids in the body, cabbage is made up of approximately 92 percent water. You'd probably burn more calories chewing cabbage than anything else. It's also known for being a perfect source of many dietary fiber, minerals, and vitamins, including C, K, E, A, and folic acid.

#3 Garlic
Ahhh yes, the superfood of the century, not to mention the one that you don't want to consume on your first or second hot date. So exclude garlic for dating, but include it for a great slammin' detox. Garlic can also help to lower your bad cholesterol, prevent cardiovascular disease and also help to de-stress.

# 4 Greens
The chlorophyll in these plant-based foods will rid the body of harmful environmental toxins, as well as aid the liver in detoxification. A blood cleanser and natural antibiotic, it also reduces blood fats, thinning the blood and lowering blood pressure.



#5 Water
Are you surprised? Don't be afraid to down a few cups in the morning, through the day, before any meal, and of course, during and after a workout. Water will help to flush your kidneys and liver and also hydrate your body from head to toe. Plus, it's free! Here's to a happy and healthy new, cleansed you!

Good food for sex

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How to Dry Fresh Herbs

Drying herbs is something any home cook, gardener or DIY enthusiast should have in their arsenal. You’ll save money and reduce waste, of course, but you’ll also have herbs with much more flavor than anything you can buy at the store. After all, dried herbs don’t last forever, and you never know how long those jars have been sitting on the shelf.

What’s more, drying your own herbs is easy and painless — as long as you know what you’re doing. Different herbs require different techniques; some popular herbs don’t usually take well to traditional methods of drying at all. No matter how long you hang basil upside down, for instance, it’s not going to be take on the same consistency as the stuff you can buy at the store. But there are ways to dry basil, and other herbs like it, properly.

Drying Herbs: The Basics

No matter what drying method you are using, there are a few basic steps that need to be followed.

1. If you are harvesting herbs directly from your garden, make sure to pick them at their peak, when their flavor is the strongest. For most herbs, that means when the buds have just appeared, but are not fully open yet.
2. The best, and only, herbs you should dry are fresh herbs. Remove any yellowed, dried or otherwise unhealthy looking leaves.
3. Clean your herbs before drying them. Run the stems under cool, running water, removing any dirt or bugs, and pat dry thoroughly with a paper towel. Herbs should be totally, completely dry before you start the drying process.

Methods.

Bunching

Good For: Marjoram, lavender, chives, sage, oregano, rosemary, mint, catnip, lemon balm.
Method: Tie 5-8 stems together in a bundle, and place bundle in a paper bag, stems extending out from the opening. Hang the bag in a dark, warm place with good air circulation. The temperature should be about  70-80 degrees F. Let dry for two to four weeks, checking periodically to make sure the bundle hasn’t come loose.

Tray/Screen Drying

Good For: Basil, dill, parsley, cilantro, thyme, oregano, rosemary.
Method: Remove stalks and stems. Handle leaves gently, and cut large leaves into small pieces. Place on a drying tray, old window screen or baking sheet. If you’re stacking trays, place a spacer in between each try so the herbs have air circulation. Place in a warm, dark area and stir daily until thoroughly dried.

Oven Drying

Good For: Basil, bay leaves, mint, sage.
Method: This works best for gas ovens. On a baking sheet, arrange individual leaves so that no leaves are touching. If you have enough for more layers, place a paper towel between each. Do not turn on the oven. Leave overnight.

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Nutritious Healthy Recipes for Pregnant Women

All pregnant women would like to munch on something every now and then as their condition requires them to eat something. Instead of grabbing a bag of chips or a cola you can try some healthy recipes for pregnant women which are highly nutritious and highly beneficial for you and your baby. These recipes will make sure your cravings are satiated and are safe for your body.


Make sure that you try each recipe each time to avert boredom and enjoy your eating time. You can make small amounts to make sure you like it and then proceed in required amounts. Read this article to find out some nutritious recipes that will help you eat and stay well.

Healthy Recipes For Pregnant Women

Turkey Meatballs

These meatballs are very flavorful and turkey is good for mothers in all trimesters. Make these meatballs with ground turkey. You have to prepare this by mixing the ground turkey along with bread crumbs, kosher salt, Italian seasoning, cheese and egg. Then shape into meatballs and place in a tray lined with baking sheet and bake for 5 minutes. Have it with a slice of bread or along with a salad.
Banana and Berries Smoothie

Smoothies are very good for pregnant women and the healthy recipes for pregnant women would not be complete without one. Bananas are rich in potassium and berries are rich in antioxidants which along with yogurt offer a healthy smoothie. Take a blender and put a sliced banana, ½ cup of mixed frozen berries, wheat germ, low fat milk, strawberry yogurt and honey. Blend well until it is smooth and pour in glass and drink.
Chick Pea Soup

This comfort food is Moroccan based and in super nutritious. Garbanzo beans or chick peas are iron rich and protein rich which are essential for the baby. Heat a tsp of olive oil and saute onions, tomatoes along with celery and a bit of paprika. Then add the soaked and drained chickpeas and cover with enough water or vegetable stock to cook for 25 minutes. Then take two thirds of the mixture and run in a blender until smooth. Then mix this along with the rest of the one third. Now add lemon juice and serve with celery.
Mango and Yogurt Pop

When you are in need of a cool ice-cream on a hot Sunday, try this pops with mango and yogurt. Mango is a nutritious fruit and you need not add any extra sugar as it is very sweet naturally. This is an easy one among the healthy recipes for pregnant women that you can prepare easily. Put it in the freezer and enjoy it when you need one. Take a ripe mango and peel it. Coarsely chop it and put it in a blender. Now add in the yogurt of vanilla flavor and run well. Now spoon this mixture into pop mold and freeze it for 8 hours. You can prepare these in batches during the summer so that you can enjoy these as and when you want a cold treat.

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Why Herbal Supplements Are A Scam

#1 Gingko Biloba

Gingko Biloba, which is supposed to increase memory, was found to contain fillers and black walnut in the capsules, but none of the herb claimed on the packaging. Because they are not held to same standards as the medical community, anything can be in your supplements. Quality control is the biggest problem in the herbal industry, and some of the fillers used are not harmless to the body either. For people with nut allergies, black walnut as a filler could mean the difference between life and death.

#2 Garcinia Cambogia

Garcinia Cambogia is the most recent supplement to make news. Quoted as being able to turn any fat you eat into energy, rather than storing it, the bottles are flying off the shelves. Different companies sell different strengths, and it’s been advised that anything over 60% of the active ingredient will produce weight loss. This may be true if what was in the bottle is what was on the label, but we have no real way of knowing the truth.

#3 Green Tea Extract

Dr. Oz was a big supporter of Green Tea Extract, and claims have been made of the resulting weight loss from this supplement. Instead, some people were only filled with hot air. Flatulence resulting from fillers used in offers that claimed they were sending free samples, where you only paid for shipping, became abundant on the internet. How can you really be sure that what it says on the label is actually in the bottle? You can’t.

#4 Colon Cleanse

Colonics and colon cleanse supplements have become all the rage today. Rid your body of toxins trapped in your intestines and lose weight. Your skin will glow, your eyes will glimmer. These are the claims, but are you getting the herbs listed on the bottle of your colon cleanse? Without any regulations in place, it’s a crap shoot ... literally. Worse yet, the fillers may actually harm your body, adding more toxins instead of removing them.

#5 Resveratrol

Resveratrol promised to turn back the hands of time. Did it? Well, it might have if there were actually any traces of the herb Resveratrol in the bottle. Instead, what you get are rice, and other grains, powdered down to fill the capsule. Whether mind over matter, some people actually claimed it worked. Maybe they were the lucky ones who purchased from reputable companies who abided by the F.D.A. requirements, but others were not so lucky.

#6 Acai Berry

The Acai Berry hit the scene and everyone thought they found the miracle cure for weight loss and health. Quoted as having five times the antioxidants than that of the blueberry, people flocked to vitamin stores to stock up on this wonder berry. What they didn’t know was that some companies were using just filler, with little to no acai berry. This hard to find fruit, is expensive and not as abundant as most herbal companies would like. Filler however, is everywhere.

#7 Kava

Kava is another supplement that people depended on for weight loss, but instead got fillers that did nothing for their body weight. Some of these supplements can be pricey, not to mention the cost of medical issues that may arise from food allergies to certain fillers used in the products. Some supplement actually contained herbs that were toxic to human beings, and since some people take supplements religiously, they could be doing real harm to their bodies.

#8 Echinacea

Echinacea, an herbal supplement used to prevent and shorten the duration of colds, was found to contain fillers such as powdered grains. None of these fillers are listed on the label, causing grave concerns for officials who fear the supplements may be making some people sick. While the F.D.A. requires that labels convey accurate information, there is no system in place to enforce that, instead just trusting that the companies will follow protocol, but most don’t.

#9 St. John's Wort

We spend up to $5 billion dollars a year on herbal supplements with the promise that we will lose weight, boost memory, make our skin glow and our eye sight better, but a lot the claims are empty promises. Most times what we are getting in the bottles are just powdered rice and weeds. In bottles of St. John’s Wort, which is claimed to treat mild depression, only rice was found in the capsules.

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15 Herbs and Spices That Make You Lose Weight

#1 Parsley

This spice is easy to find in any grocery store. Add generous helpings to your next sauce or dish to suppress your appetite. Find fresh sources of this herb for more lasting benefits.

#2 Hila

This is the best herb for an active lifestyle. It encourages the production of lean muscle mass, suppresses the appetite and makes it more difficult for your body to store fat.

#3 Mint

This delicious herb is a natural appetite suppressant. Add it to your favorite dessert to keep from eating too much of it.

#4 Psyllium

Psyllium has very little flavor, but it's big on insoluble fiber. Add psyllium to baked good-batter or in other grains and you'll feel fuller longer.

#5 Flax Seeds

Flax seeds expand in your stomach after you eat them. And while they’re taking up extra real estate, they make you feel fuller longer. Sprinkle them on anything from salad to muffins if you want last longer between meals.

#6 Cinnamon

Studies suggest that cinnamon may help speed your metabolism. It is also well known for regulating blood sugar to prevent hunger spikes related to blood glucose levels.

#7 Sensa

Sensa isn’t exactly an herb or a spice and won’t do much to enhance the flavor of your food. These salt-like crystals are made from maltodextrin, tricalcium phosphate, silica and a few mild flavors.

Sprinkle Sensa on any food and it’s compounds trick your brain and stomach into thinking you’re full even when you’re not.

#8 Cardamom

Sweet and spicy cardamom boosts your metabolism while sweetening desserts and teas. Studies also suggest that cardamom may help your body burn fat more efficiently.

#9 Fennel

Fennel is great at stopping hunger pangs in their tracks. It is also a natural diuretic that gets rid of any extra water weight you may be carrying around.

#10 Turmeric

You're most likely to find this bright yellow spice in curries. In addition to bold flavor, turmeric adds curcumin to dishes. This compound cuts off the blood supply to fat cells to make it hard for them to multiply.

#11 Cayenne Pepper

Cayenne has more than heat to offer. Flavor a dish with this spice and it will suppress your appetite for hours after you eat. Cayenne also shrinks fat cells and lowers blood fat levels.

#12 Black Pepper

Chances are, this ubiquitous spice is already in your pantry. Black pepper contains piperine, a compound that inhibits your body from creating new fat cells. Make a dish with black pepper and cayenne and your body will burn more calories for a few hours.

#13 Ginger

This flavorful root spices up dishes while it kick starts metabolic rates. It also helps to suppress your appetite to prevent between meal snacking.

#14 Ginseng

Ginseng has so many great properties, they're hard to list. Dieters add ginseng to their daily diet because it speeds up your metabolism. In one study, mice who took daily ginseng supplements lost a considerable amount of weight after just two weeks of regular use.

#15 Mustard

Love this flavor on a sandwich? Switch to seeds. Unlike their liquid form, mustard seeds maintain the properties that give you a powerful metabolic boost. Just a teaspoon a day will help you burn an extra 75 calories an hour.

Weight Loss Success Now

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Seven Foods That Fight Inflammation and Belly Fat

When eaten on a regular basis, foods with anti-inflammatory properties can help reduce inflammation in the body, helping to prevent the long-term health consequences associated with it - but only if you also eliminate the foods that cause inflammation. When inflammation is under control, not only will you have more energy and feel better overall, but you’ll also find that weight loss and reduction of belly fat both become easier!

Try adding anti-inflammatory foods into your meal plan on a daily basis. The more often you eat these foods, the less inflammation that will be present in your body. The following foods and nutrients can fight inflammation:

1. Fruits and vegetables

All fruits and vegetables, due to their rich nutrient and fiber content, help to combat chronic inflammation, so make sure to include adequate amounts of these foods daily. Some types of fresh produce, however, are even more potent than others. Some terrific anti-inflammatory fruits andvegetables to include in your meal plan include apples, berries, broccoli, mushrooms, papaya, pineapple, and spinach.

2. Green tea

This mild beverage is great for helping shrink your waistline as well as for decreasing inflammation. The flavonoids in this tea have natural anti-inflammatory properties. And the compound EGCG in green tea has been shown to help reduce body fat.

3. Monounsaturated fats

These heart-healthy fats help raise your healthy HDL cholesterol levelsand reduce overall inflammation. Great sources include olive oil, almonds, and avocado.

4. Omega-3 fatty acids

Research has shown that a diet with a high percentage of omega-3 fatty acids and a low percentage of omega-6 fatty acids has been linked with decreased inflammation. Food sources of omega-3s include walnuts, flaxseed, and fish, such as wild Alaskan salmon.

5. Spices

Certain spices, including garlic, turmeric, cinnamon, ginger, and chili peppers, have potent inflammation-reducing capabilities, so try adding them to meals as often as possible.

6. Water

Staying hydrated is essential to flushing inflammation-causing toxins out of your body. Aim for 64 ounces of water per day. Remember: Add an additional 8 ounces of water for every 30 minutes of exercise as well.

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Honeyed Black Garlic

Garlic is ripened with far infrared heat of double-boiling to become black garlic, and become honeyed black garlic containing honey.

Materials | peeled garlic 7.05oz~10.58oz

Methods of cooking :

1. Pour honey into an inner pot enough to make the peeled garlic immersed in the honey.

2. If you shut an inner lid, couple an outer body, select <Honeyed red ginseng> from a menu, and push a start button, it is completed after 6 hours.

Health Common Knowledge :

Take out the honeyed black garlic from a germanium inner pot, dry it in an airy and shady place to be somewhat dry and hard and then roll it in white sugar powder to prevent it from being stuck together and then refrigerate it to take it later. The honey liquid is used as an essence of red ginseng honey tea.

Tip :

* An adult eats two honeyed black garlic for one dose and three times in a day, and a child eats a half of the adult’s amount.

* As honeyed black garlic is a healthy food, you can adjust the amount thereof that you eat according to your personal adaptability.

* Because it is a food that has a lot of smell, it is good that you cook it in a veranda or outdoors.

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Honeyed Red Ginseng Paste

Honeyed red ginseng paste can be easily made by using the completed honeyed red ginseng, which is good as a present with your best wishes for the elderly people and close acquaintances.

Materials | Completed honeyed red ginseng

Methods of cooking :

1. The completed honeyed red ginseng is crushed up well. (It can be pounded with a mortar or a mixer.)

2. It is completed if you mix the prepared honeyed red ginseng well. (If you add a honey liquid when making paste, the paste becomes watery, and thus the honey liquid should be kept separately to be used as an essence of a red ginseng honey tea.)

Health Common Knowledge :

Because this is red ginseng paste decocted with honey, you can eat this by refrigerating it or utilize it as an essence of red ginseng honey tea.

Tip :

As honeyed red ginseng is a health self-indulgent food, you can adjust the amount thereof that you eat in a day according to personal adaptability. It is good that an adult eats two small spoons of honeyed red ginseng paste for one dose and three times in a day, and a child eats a half of the adult’s amount.

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Decocting of Red Ginseng (Ripened Fresh Ginseng, Dried Ginseng)

The efficient ingredients of red ginseng are decocted and extracted without smell and loss of nutrition.

Materials | Ripened red ginseng (fresh ginseng 7.05oz, dried ginseng 3.53oz)

Methods of cooking :

1. Pour 2,000cc (5 cups) of water into red ginseng.

2. If you shut an inner lid, couple an outer body, select <Decocting red ginseng> from a menu, and push a start button, it is completed after 6 hours and a half and then it is converted into an automatic keep warm function

Health Common Knowledge :

Generally, it is economic wisdom to make a choice after checking how much concentrated liquid of red ginseng and solid powder of red ginseng are contained in the quality sign of healthy food related to red ginseng that is sold in the market and comparing them with those in the case of extracting efficient components of red ginseng directly at home.

Note !

* While 2,000cc of water is decocted, about 50cc of water is absorbed into ginseng, and 1,500~1,800cc of water is decocted. A daily standard amount - Drink 100cc twice a day (30 minutes after breakfast and dinner)

* A little child (who is younger than 12 years old) drink about 50cc for one dose.

Tip :

* In the case of a person who has allergy or side effects against ginseng (heat or diarrhea), reduce the dose to 1/2 of the standard amount (50cc) and then increase the dose up to 100cc gradually.

* Drink the red ginseng essence that is completely heated in the state of being refrigerated. In the case of a person who suffers from a stomach trouble, drink it after warming it up.

* If you drink a red ginseng essence as a restorative, it is good to drink it for a long period of time of more than 5 months.

* If you add honey or sugar to a red ginseng essence and then drink it before or after drinking, it is good to cure a hangover.

* When you store a red ginseng essence for more than 10 hours, please, do not use a keep warm function, but refrigerate it.

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Aging of Red Ginseng (Fresh Ginseng, Dried Ginseng)

Effective ingredients of red ginseng are produced by steaming and aging fresh ginseng or white ginseng (dried ginseng) with far infrared ray double boiling heat.

Materials | Fresh ginseng : fresh ginseng 7.05oz (1/3 root) 
Dried ginseng : dried ginseng (white ginseng) 3.53oz

Methods of cooking :
1. Wash ginseng thoroughly in flowing water with a brush, place the washed ginseng in a germanium pot and then place the germanium pot inside an inner pot. Cut rhizome (a trace of a stem) in a head part.
2. If you shut an inner lid, couple an outer body thereto, select <Aging red ginseng> from a menu, and then push a start button, it is completed after 7 hours and then it is converted into an automatic keep warm function.

Health Common Knowledge :
Because it becomes an economic burden to eat 6 year old ginseng that is highly expensive for a long time, it is the most economical health care method to extract and eat the efficient ingredients of 4 or 5 year old fresh ginseng that is inexpensive.

Tip :
* The browning phenomenon happens differently according to a size of ginseng, and thus the reddish brown color may become lighter or darker differently.
* If you read the manual of OCOO, understand the method of using and then cook healthy foods, you will be able to cook healthy foods more easily and conveniently.

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Foods and Herbs for Better Sex

Sexual energy is extra energy. Low libido may be Nature’s way of conserving vitality and a message that intimacy in the relationship needs improvement. Nutritional deficiencies, stress and exhaustion can decrease the urge to merge.

In eastern medicine the kidneys govern sexual vitality and are depleted through overuse of coffee, alcohol, saturated fats, overwork and exposure to cold weather. Build health and sexual vitality will be enhanced. When two people pursue good health together that can be a step in improving a joyous sexual life.

Aphrodisiacs, named after Aphrodite, goddess of love, can work in many ways. Suggestive shapes and textures of foods and herbs such as banana or chili pepper may simply turn one’s thoughts to love. Or a substance may be so nourishing, deficiencies are corrected and lust is aroused. Some may stimulate or even irritate the genito-urinary tract, such as asparagus, thus drawing attention to the lower regions. A substance may provide an abundance of energy or affect the mind in a relaxing manner.

Many foods nourishing to sexuality contain the spark of life and have their own reproductive capability. In other words they could grow if planted. Good examples are raw sunflower and pumpkin seeds and almonds, all of which contain life force that could grow into large plants given the right conditions. They are also rich in vitamin E and zinc.

Chocolate contains a chemical called phenylethylamine which is produced by the brain when in love. Most chocolates are high in fat and sugar, but a bit of quality organic naturally sweetened chocolate is available through natural food stores.

For centuries people have sought the healing benefits of herbs to incite passion. They can be used in the form of tea, tincture or capsules. Before using herbs, clear up emotional conflicts that may be affecting sexuality and develop a healthier diet.

Many of the herbs used to enhance libido are warming and improve circulation to all parts of the body, including the genitals. Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum, C. cassia), is an example and has been used in love potions since medieval times. It is mildly stimulating. Another culinary treasure is Vanilla (Vanilla planifolia), once banned by the Puritans because of its sexually stimulating qualities. The word vanilla is actually derived from Latin, meaning “little vagina” and plants of this Orchid family have very suggestive anatomically correct flowers.

Since the brain is the ultimate sex organ, Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba ) is an herb to consider. It relaxes blood vessels so that nutrients can be better delivered throughout the body, especially the brain. By improving vascular insufficiency it can improve blood flow to the genitals. Ginkgo is also considered a kidney tonic and a rejuvenative. Ginseng (Panax ginseng) improves fatigue, increases stamina and strengthens the adrenal glands. Oatstraw (Avena sativa) is warming, nutritive and relaxing. It has long been regarded as a tonic to improve sexual ability, increase libido, aid erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation. Oatstraw nourishes the nervous system and makes tactile sensations more pleasurable for both men and women.

South and Central America seems to abound with libido enhancing plants. Damiana (Turnera aphrodisiaca, T. diffusa ) is used in Central America for frigidity, erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation and testicular atrophy. It helps sexual problems related to anxiety and increases nerve sensitivity. Maca (Lepidium peruvianum Chacon, L. meyenii ), which grows at a high altitude in the Andes Mountains, is an energy enhancer, nutritive and rejuvenative that increases pituitary function, encouraging the body’s natural hormonal production. It also helps improve vaginal lubrication.

Muira puama (Ptychopetalum olacoides, P. uncinatum) is referred to in South America as “potency wood.” It improves virility and improves sexual debility. It is considered a tonic for the central nervous system as well as an aphrodisiac.

Two herbs widely used in oriental medicine include Schizandra and tribulis. Schizandra (Schisandra chinensis ) increases staying power in men and is a kidney tonic for both men and women improving general weakness, depression and sexual debility. It is also suggested as an herb to help heal trauma from sexual abuse. Tribulis terrestris (same Latin name, though also known as Caltrop and Horny Goat Weed) is used for erectile dysfunction and low sperm count. It is a kidney tonic, rejuvenative and aphrodisiac.

Learn to prepare meals with more spice including not only cinnamon and vanilla but cardamom, cloves, garlic, ginger all of which are warming and aphrodisiac.

You can create your own tonic brew by grinding any combination of the herbs listed above into a powder in the blender. Place them in a clean glass jar and cover with vodka or apple cider vinegar adding an extra inch or two so that the herbs are totally submerged. Shake the bottle daily, then strain the herbs. After a month, use a clean muslin cloth to squeeze the alcohol out of the herbs. Compost the herbs and bottle the remaining herb infused liquid. Add one third part honey to the mixture. Shake well and enjoy a shot glassful with your beloved before bed. Make a toast to love!

Supplementation can also improve libido. Vitamin A is needed for the production of sex hormones and strengthens the mucus membranes. Vitamin E improves the body’s utilization of oxygen, improves erection and vaginal circulation. Zinc is needed for both sperm motility and vaginal lubrication. Lecithin occurs naturally in the sexual fluids of both men and women.

Kegel exercises are done by simply tightening and relaxing the muscles that control the flow of urine. These are done in series — for example twenty one Kegels, three times daily. Kegels should be done by both sexes for many reasons. They can enhance the orgasmic capability of women and give men more control over ejaculating too quickly. Kegels help to strengthen the muscles that hold the bladder and can help keep senior citizens from having to wear diapers later in life which is not too sexy.

Too often couples have only leftover time for sex – 11:30 at night when they are exhausted or 8:00 in the morning when having to be somewhere in an hour. Consider creating sacred time to be with your beloved. Find a time when the kids are visiting someone else or send them to a sitter for a few hours. Turn down the volume on the phone and let voice mail take care of things. Make your bedroom more sensuous with soft fabrics, supporting pillows and candles. Enter you sacred space with a clean body without time restraints. Engage in massage as foreplay to help you relax and stimulate all the meridians of energy throughout the body. Don’t rush. Remember to breathe together. Make love more slowly. Enjoy “after play” by lying together to rest, enjoy a sweet nap or exchange feelings of love.

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