The Female Mind

Archive for the ‘Health’ Category

The Love Chef
Ten Natural Aphrodisiacs That Deliver Health Benefits and Some Heat Between the Sheets

With all the financial stresses and quarterly deadlines that tend to bear down on us this time of year, getting in the mood for a little ‘Suki Suki’ can be more challenging than a fifth grader. But, a little foreplay is just what the doctor ordered … or more appropriately, what the chef ordered. A little time spent wisely in the kitchen can actually turn up the heat off the stove.

According to experts, some foods have a direct impact on your sex life, affecting your hormones, brain chemistry and energy and stress levels. While some have psychoactive properties, others can even increase blood flow to the genitals.

Work some of these into the evening’s menu and prepare to knock some boots, sista.

ASPARAGUS. Dating back to the 17^th century, scholars have believed that asparagus “stirs up lust in a man and a woman.” Besides its more obvious phallic shape, asparagus is a great source of vitamins A, C, E and B6, potassium, fiber, thiamin and folic acid, which help boost histamine production essential in reaching orgasm in both sexes. Vitamin E is also considered to stimulate production of our sex hormones for a long, healthy sex life.

AVOCADO. The Aztecs thought the fruit resembled testicles when hanging in pairs on trees, Catholic priests in Spain forbade it due to its sexual innuendos and its been used as a remedy for erectile dysfunction in traditional husbandry. Rich in folic acid, vitamin B6 and potassium, the avocado has similar histamine-boosting superpowers as asparagus. Its aphrodisiac effect has also been rumored to come from a component named bromocriptine, which in certain conditions, can influence the functioning of certain glands.

DARK CHOCOLATE. The queen of aphrodisiacs, pure chocolate exudes PEA (phenylethylamine), which releases dopamine in the pleasure centers of the brain and helps induce feelings of excitement during orgasm, anandamide, the psychoactive ‘feel-good’ chemical and cacao. Cacao contains tryptophan, which is known to entice a sense of well-being and relaxation. Round two, anyone?

CHILI PEPPERS. Is it getting hot in here? Chili peppers contain capsaicin, which stimulates our nerve endings and evokes physiological responses in our bodies (sweating and increased heart rate) that are reminiscent of sex. Spicy foods are also believed by some to trigger the release of endorphins, body chemicals that give us a natural high essential to lovemaking.

GARLIC. Yes, your breath alone could be a bit of a buzzkill on a first date, but garlic is chock-full of allicin, an ingredient that increases blood flow. Garlic is also considered to treat ailments like the common cold and acne due to its anti-bacterial component. Just keep the gum handy.

GINGER. Sprinkle some grated or sliced ginger into an Asian-inspired dish or dessert cake. Gingerroot raw, cooked or crystallized is actually a stimulant to your circulatory system. Ginger also reduces pain and inflammation, provides relief from migraines and menstrual cramps and has been proven to be effective in the treatment of morning sickness.

FIG. Figs became known as an aphrodisiac because of its suggestive shape resembling the female organs. They are packed with amino acids that improve sexual stamina, and its heady sweetness and creamy consistency is said to induce amore. Figs are also an excellent source of potassium and are packing loads of fiber and calcium.

VANILLA. The tantalizing scent of vanilla is said to increase lust and cure male impotency. In 1762, a German physician claimed that 342 impotent men were changed into astonishing lovers from sipping on vanilla decoctions. The aroma of vanilla also triggers the release of serotonin, a “feel-good” neurotransmitter that causes satisfaction. On the nutritional scale, vanillin, the active component of vanilla, is also a powerful antioxidant, while studies have shown the expensive spice to help prevent against cancer and tumors.

Now, get cookin’ gorgeous. And consider wearing nothing under that apron for once.

Taken from: Healthy Bitch Daily which is a daily health and self-interest guide that gets down and dirty with women on nutrition, health, fitness, beauty, environmental and social awareness, and the forward-thinkers that are changing the world we live in. Created by Kim Barnouin- the co-author of New York Times Bestseller, Skinny Bitch – HBD rounds up a team of experts, celebrities and personalities to offer women the tools and resources they need to change their filthy ways and the world around them. www.healthybitchdaily.com

I started a cleanse about a week before New Year’s because I have been working to get over mono all of December. I was so tired of being sick that I just wanted to feel better. In my head I was fully committed to eating only non-processed foods and drinking extra water. The last couple weeks have not really happened that way however. I found myself craving junk at some points for no apparent reason.

But what I have noticed is that now that I am almost at the end of the cleanse I crave the healthy fruits and veggies. I’ve made some really great homemade meals over the last couple days and my diet is much closer to the perfect diet I had in my head when I started the cleanse. I really don’t know if cleansing does much for you or not. What I think it does is make you more aware of the things that you are putting into your body and the way you are treating yourself; that I think is the biggest benefit of a cleanse.

Women have this tendency to want to be “perfect” all the time. If we slip up and eat something “off” plan we mentally bash ourselves instead of looking at all the good. Who cares if you eat off plan sometimes. I think if you are cruising from 80% and up with healthy food you’ll be just fine. So cleanse away but make sure that with your cleanse you are also cleansing your thoughts.

Christina Helwig

I have what we’ll call a delicate family situation right now. For the last three plus years I have been jumping in and taking care of all their concerns without any regard to how my choices were going to stack up against me. I was so busy saving them, that I stopped caring about myself in the process. Now I have realized the error of my ways and I am pulling back my help.

You see… people need consequences so that they understand what their actions mean. If you constantly rush in and save a person they will never stand up for themselves. They will be dis-empowered and unable to care for themselves. My need to save them transitioned from a little sting to a massive tsunami in my life. You feel this constant guilt and social duty to help your family. Its incredibly difficult to step back and say no.

Its only because I have finally had my “consequences” hit me hard that I have started reaching for my oxygen mask. I have a big hurdle to jump over now to get myself back on track after I let this situation develop. I know that I am RESPONSIBLE for letting myself not take care of me first. You will never be happy if you live for others and not for yourself. You come first… period. Once you are taken care of… you can CHOOSE to help others. Let go of social stigma and feelings of guilt or they will run you into the ground.

A simple question to ask yourself is: if the situation was reversed… would there be anyone there to save me? If the answer is no, its time to blow back up your life raft and let them worry about theirs all by themselves.

When most people think of setting goals they focus on increasing income or buying some material possession. Setting a goal that focuses on a physical challenge can be just as rewarding. Indeed these types of goals can give you a huge mental boost because they do not focus on things that you cannot control. Your body is under your dominion. Now I am not talking about setting a goal related to releasing weight. When I talk about a physical goal I mean something like hiking up a mountain, competing in a race, swimming a certain number of miles or any other physical challenge you can think of.

You can also combine the goal with raising money for a charity. The Walk for the Cure even gives you a solid training program and support throughout your training period. Each portion of your physical goal can be broken down into measurable increments. Take a look at my last post on Conquering Half Dome for my own challenge I completed.

The first place you should start is picking a challenge. Then take an assessment of where your fitness level currently is. Can you hike 4 miles without getting too sore or tired or can you only do one? Then take your calendar and build a plan from now until the date of your event. Each week add a little more to your schedule. The last few weekends before I hiked half dome I was hiking 12+ miles each weekend to prepare for the 17 mile hike. Each week you will get stronger and faster. We started to blast through the 12 miles faster and faster. A full day ordeal starting taking a little over a half day to complete and I did not feel horrible at the end, I felt invigorated. Within a short amount of time you will start to marvel at the progress you’ve made and your self confidence levels will skyrocket.

Christina Helwig
www.GlobalSuccessILG.com