Sexy Nutrition, It Does a Body Good

For centuries, couples have experimented with various food items, especially those known for being aphrodisiacs. Although this practice undoubtedly continues today, many people chalk the idea of a connection between food and sex as a myth. However, there is truth to this topic and if you and your significant other are seeking a delicious way to improve your sex life, the following food items mentioned below will definitely want to be added to the grocery list.

While there are a score of well known foods that are often turned to for aphrodisiac purposes, the good news about the particular food items discussed here are not only proven to stimulate physiology to enhance sexual pleasure and desire, they are also nutritious and ideal for keeping your health - as well as your sex drive - on the up and up.

Snack foods aren’t just good for settling a case of the munchies or to h

ave handy while watching a movie. The next time you want to spice things up in the bedroom, turn to the right type of snacks to get things going. Couples will want to reach for raisins, celery and peanut butter in particular. These may not sound like sexy foods, but the reality is that consuming these items results in quite a potent effect when it comes to sex.

Even though raisins are small, they contain high levels of antioxidants. In skincare and anti-aging, antioxidants are commonplace ingredients. However, in terms of sex, the presence of antioxidants found in raisins stimulates blood flow to a woman’s nether regions. Additionally, raisins are rich in lignans, which serve the purpose of balancing out a woman’s hormones.

Each time you bite into a stalk of celery, pheromones get released. When this occurs, it causes the body to produce odor molecules that influence the level of attraction and creates a high level of arousal - not just for yourself but your significant other as well. While you’ve got your pheromones running rampant by eating celery, why not add a touch of peanut butter? This popular food item has been shown to be especially beneficial for men when it comes to sex drive. This includes raising testosterone levels through the consumption of peanut butter’s monounsaturated fats and providing the body with an amino acid known as arginine, which enhances blood flow throughout the body, including the penis.

Want breakfast in bed? Then you’ll want to throw together a helping of scrambled eggs, sandwiched between two slices of an English muffin. Believe it or not, eggs pack a strong punch when influencing sexual desire in both men and women. Niacin is part of the vitamin B family and has the ability to produce histamine in the body, which is ideal for causing strong orgasms. In addition to niacin, eggs are rich in zinc. In men, the presence of zinc allows for the production of semen. On the flip side, eating foods high in zinc can help keep a woman naturally lubricated during sexual intercourse.

As you can see, it doesn’t take a three course meal to achieve sexual desire using the aphrodisiac approach. Obtaining more of a boost in this category is as simple as eating a hearty breakfast or snacking your way into the sack.

Oils: Good, Bad, What’s the Deal?

The word “oils” typically conjures up a bad image for most people. From the kind of oil that is known for causing breakouts on a person’s complexion (sebum), to the oils people consume that could result in high cholesterol, it seems that oils in general are given a bad rap. But before unfairly judging oils, it is a good idea to see which ones we should stay away from as well as which ones we should include more of in our lives.

There is such a thing as “good” and “bad” oils, especially when it comes to cooking healthy, nutritious meals. In general, “bad” oils are described as those containing trans fats and is listed on the label as having more than two grams of saturated fat per tablespoon. What makes this characteristic bad for oil is the fact that such properties are known for increasing a person’s cholesterol and, in some cases, their blood pressure, which is very unhealthy. Corn oil in particular is a culprit that is guilty of such crimes. It is best to avoid using corn oil in your cooking altogether.

The good news, however, is that there are more “good” oils than bad. Some of the most notable ones to add to your kitchen pantry include, but are not limited to: olive oil, walnut oil, almond oil, flax seed oil and canola oil. Peanut oil also makes the list of good oils but due to the fact that there are many people with peanut allergies, it is best to avoid using this oil for cooking. Or at least make sure to ask if anyone you’re preparing food for has such an allergy. Remember, even foods that have been exposed to, or come into contact with, peanut oil are strong enough to trigger a negative (even deadly) allergic reaction.

So what makes these healthy oils so good to use when it comes to cooking? For one thing, these oils are rich in natural antioxidants, which we all know contains numerous health benefits, including the ability to prevent or decrease a person’s chances of developing certain types of cancers. Other good oils are also known for having the natural ability to improve heart function overall, as well as lower bad cholesterol while raising levels of good cholesterol. Medical studies done over the years have also shown that individuals who included a moderate level of good oils in their daily diets were able to lower their risk of stroke by over 40%.

Of course it is important to know that too much of anything can still be bad for you, even if they are good oils. Always use these oils in moderation and avoid consuming too much, too often. When shopping for these oils, don’t take the labeling too seriously, either. For example, light olive oil does not mean it contains fewer calories. In fact, light olive oil has the same amount of calories as regular olive oil. The only difference is that the oil is lighter in flavor and color.

When cooking with these oils, make sure it doesn’t get too hot to the point where it starts smoking. When this happens, it causes the oils to break down, which can be toxic when consumed because it automatically targets the joints and arteries, causing them to become clogged. So use the appropriate temperatures when sautéing, grilling or microwaving and you shouldn’t have any problems.

Exercise Takes Two!

It can be hard to maintain an exercise regimen when you have a hectic schedule. It’s also hard to stay motivated when you’re the only one exercising. One way to make your exercise regimen more interesting is to involve your significant other as your workout buddy. Certain exercises designed for more than one person can make staying fit more fun and can be done in the comfort of your own home.

Life is hectic enough with work, school, kids and the daily wear and tear of a weekly routine. Often relationships can be put on the backburner because of other priorities. However, a great way to get more quality time with your spouse or boyfriend/girlfriend is to do activities together, such as exercising.

Unfortunately, that can be easier said than done. After a long day at work or school, the last thing most couples want to do is make a trip to the gym. Often there isn’t enough time to fit in a good workout and if you have children, dealing with a sitter or sticking them in the gym’s daycare (if they have one) can be an extra hassle.

Make things easier on yourself by staying physically fit together in the comfort of your own home. How is that possible? First thing’s first: make time. Exercise workouts don’t have to be hours long. Even if you can only manage to fit in 30 minutes, if done on a daily basis or a few times a week, that can be all you need. To throw another factor into the mix, make your exercise routine fun by performing exercises designed for more than one person. This method of exercise makes things more fun and allows the two of you to become more hands on with your workout.

Try this exercise out as a fun way to add variety to your workout:

“Pass It”:

· Both you and your partner should be sitting on the floor facing each other with your knees up and together (think of the way you would position yourself to do a sit-up). Both of your toes should be touching but not overlapping.

· One of you should be holding a round ball no smaller than a tennis ball and no bigger than a basketball.

· To begin, whoever has the ball should lie down with their arms to their chest, holding the ball, while the other person stays in the upright position.

· As you do your sit-up with the ball in your hands, pass the ball off to your partner, who then lies down.

· Remain sitting up until your partner has come back up and hands the ball back to you.

· Each person should do a full sit-up (or crunch) 8-10 times and then rest. Repeat as desired.

Don’t have a ball to use? Follow these same steps but instead of passing a ball back and forth, share a quick kiss as you complete each sit-up. That may be all the motivation you and your partner need!