So Who Wants Better Sex-Enhance sexual desire

Sure a little bit of soft music some candlelight and nice dinner can be romantic. But, if you want to turn up the heat a little try adding the following (healthy) foods.They may actually affect hormone levels,brain chemistry,and energy,heightening arousal and sex drive.While there is no double blind study to prove the aphrodisiac properties of these foods,there is plenty of anecdotal evidence suggesting they really do help,so why not add one (or more) to your next date night.Or add a few a day or week-why not? Be sure to check out the recipes at the bottom of this page for a few recipe ideas to get you started.

This vegetables phallic appearance no doubt has something to do with it's legendary aphrodisiac status,but the goods are inside, too. Asparagus is rich in vitamin B6

and folate ,both of which can boost arousal and orgasm.It also boasts vitamin E,which stimulates sex hormones in both men and woman.

The season :

March to July;sometimes in fall.

Look for:

Straight stalks with closed,compact tips,good green color almost entire length(The white area at the end is tough and should be discarded.)

To Store:

Refrigerate in crisper or wrapped in plastic bags. Use within 1 to 2 days.

To Prepare:

Hold base of stalk firmly and bend stalk;break off end where it is too tough to eat;discard end.With sharp knife trim scales if stalks are gritty.

To Cook:

In large skillet over medium heat, in 1/2 inch boiling,salted water, heat stalks to boiling; reduce heat to low;cover and simmer until tender-crisp;whole asparagus take about 5 minutes,cut-up stalks about 3-5 minutes. Or,steam or stir-fry or use in recipes for soups,main dishes,salads,appetizers.

Seasonings:

Cook with allspice,mustard,coriander,lemon,seasoned salt and pepper.

To Serve:

Serve hot or cold, with or without sauce.

Energy and a healthy libido are crucial for great sex,and avocados can give you both.They are loaded with minerals,monounsaturated fats(the good kind that protect the heart and lower cholesterol), and vitamin B6 - all of which help keep your energy and sex drive up. They are also a top source of omega-3 fatty acids,which naturally boost your mood,making you more likely to feel ready for bedroom action.

Avocados can also protect your vision,they are rich in lutein and zeaxanthin,antioxidants found in the retina that keep eyes healthy;they may also help to prevent age-related problems,like cataracts and macular degeneration.

Extracts from avocados kill or stop the growth of precancerous cells that lead to oral cancer and may have a similar effect on other cancers.The fruit is also rich in folate and vitamins C and E.

Avocado can be added to salsa for a healthy reward. A study found that people who absorbed for and a half times more of the cancer- fighter lycopene from the tomatoes when avocado was added;the healthy fats help you absorb more nutrients.

Season: All Year

Look For:

Pear-shaped,round or egg-shaped fruit,green or purplish-black,depending on variety. Avoid any with dark spots or broken skin. Avocados yield to gentle pressure when ripe.

To Store:

Refrigerate avocados after ripening and use within 3 to 5 days.

To Prepare:

Cut avocado lengthwise around the seed;twist gently to separate halves. To remove seed,strike it with blade of sharp knife so blade lodges in seed;twist knife gently to lift out seed.Peel and slice or cut up,depending on use.Or use unpeeled as shell for salads or filling.

To Serve:

Use in dips and appetizers.Serve slices with french dressing,or toss with green or fruit salads.

Chili peppers can really make things hot--and not just in your mouth-thanks to capsaicin,a chemical that has been shown to induce the release of endorphins in the brain,which create a feeling of euphoria.The potential reward?Enhanced foreplay and hotter sex.

Chili peppers; the hot varieties of pepper,are smaller than sweet peppers and can be red,green or yellow.

Season:All Year

Look For:

Peppers that are firm,shiny and thick-fleshed,medium to dark color.

To Store:

Refrigerate. Use within 3 to 5 days.

To Prepare:

Rinse in cold water. Cut around stem;remove core, seeds and white membrane. Use whole to stuff.Or cut into rings,strips,or halves,dice or slivers.

To Cook:

Cook in recipes for main dishes or casseroles and as seasoning for meat, in Creole,Spanish ans Italian dishes.

To Serve:

Eat fresh in salads, main dishes; prepare with care,wash hands before and after handling.

Chocolate has been long linked with love and sex,and for good reason. It contains tryptophan,which helps the body produce serotonin,a natural feel-good chemical that may play a role in sexual arousal.Chocolate also provides a hit of phenylethylamine,a stimulant thought to contribute to that lovey-dovey feeling. Indulge!

Chocolate Tips

Melting chocolate: use any of the following ways; Place in top of double boiler and melt over hot,not boiling,water. Or place in custard cup and set in pan of hot water. Or place in heavy,1 quart saucepan;melt over low heat- if the pan is too thin,it will transfer heat too fast and burn the chocolate.

To speed melting break up chocolate into smaller pieces; stir frequently. If you are melting the chocolate in double boiler or in custard cup set in pan of water, do not boil the water to speed melting as this will only thicken or curdle the chocolate.

If chocolate thickens or curdles,add vegetable shortening9not butter or margarine) a little at a time and stir until of desired consistency.

It is not the slippery feel or the taste of oysters that make them a sexy superfood. It's zinc,which oysters are loaded with. The mineral helps the body produce testosterone, a hormone critical in regulating women's and men's libido and sexual function.Research suggests that zinc can improve sperm count and swimming ability, and increase sexual potency in men.( No wonder legend has it that Casanova sucked down quite a few oysters a day!) For woman,zinc may also help ovaries-the source of estrogen,progesterone and some testosterone.

Oysters are sold live in the shell, fresh-shucked or shucked then frozen or canned. Eastern oysters are graded by size; "counts" are extra-large," extra-selects"are large and "selects", the preferred for frying,are used for soups and stews. West coast oysters include the tiny Olympia and the very large Pacific oyster.Fresh oysters in the shell are sold by the dozen,shucked oysters by the pint or quart. For serving raw on the half-shell,allow 5 or 6 oysters per person. Oysters can also be cooked in stews or chowders,breaded and pan-fried or deep-fried.A sturdy oyster knife or clam shucker tool is the ideal implement for shucking oysters;if you don't have one use a small blunt knife.

Opening Oysters

First scrub oyster shells under running cold water with a vegetable brush to remove sand,then shuck them as follows:

1.Hold oyster in one hand and with the other hand, insert oyster knife between shells near the hinge.

2.Run knife between shells until you reach the opposite end.

3.With twisting motions of the knife,pry shells apart. Remove top shell.

4. Insert knife under the oyster to cut meat loose from shell;retain as much liquor as possible.Remove any broken shell.

Serving oysters on the half shell:

For each individual appetizer serving arrange 5 or 6 open raw oysters with their liquor around edges of a bed of crushed ice.Place lemon wedges or cocktail sauce in center of plate.Serve with oyster crackers,if you wish.

This candy is thought to mimic the effects of estrogen and progesterone, critical hormones for normal reproductive and sexual function and response.Eating it may help you get in the mood-and stay that way more often.Plus,enjoying this candy may also reduce symptoms of PMS,a real perk both in and out of the bedroom.Don't settle for just any old licorice flavored candy. Be sure to buy a variety that contains real licorice-root extract.

Asparagus Canape

5 Thin slices white bread

mayonnaise

1 15 ounce can white asparagus spears,drained

1 whole pimento,cut in thin strips

1 gherkin,cut in 20 slices

1. Trim crusts from bread slices,Spread bread slices lightly with mayonnaise; cut each slice into quarters.Cut each asparagus spear in half.

2.On bread squares,arrange asparagus diagonally;cut asparagus to fit bread if necessary. Arrange 2 pimento strips on each appetizer;garnish with a gherkin slice.

Appetizers Avocados

6 Servings

2 tablespoons water

2 tablespoons sugar

2 tablespoons white vinegar

2 tablespoons Worcestershire

1/2 cup chili sauce

1. In 1- quart saucepan overt medium heat,heat first 6 ingredients to boiling.Reduce heat to low;simmer 15 minutes,stirring occasionally.

2. Arrange avocado slices on 6 appetizer or salad plates; spoon hot sauce over avocados and sprinkle with the crumbled bacon slices.

Chili -Cheese Dip(Chile con Que-so)

1/2 cup finely chopped onion

1 tablespoon butter or margarine

2 medium tomatoes,peeled,seeded,and chopped

1- 4-ounce can green chili peppers,rinsed,seeded,and chopped

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Milk

Tortilla or Corn chips

1. In medium skillet cook onion in butter till tender but not brown.

2. Stir in tomatoes,chili peppers,and salt.

3.Add cheese,a little at a time, stirring till cheese is melted. Stir in a little milk if mixture becomes too thick.

4.Serve immediately with tortilla chips or corn chips. Keep warn in fondue pot over low heat.

Makes 1 3/4 cup

French Hot Chocolate

4 squares semi sweet chocolate

1/4 cup light corn syrup

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

4 cups milk

1 cup heavy or whipping cream

1.In heavy 1-quart saucepan over low heat,or double boiler over hot ,not boiling ,water,heat chocolate and corn syrup until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth,stirring occasionally with rubber spatula.

2. Cover and refrigerate 30 minutes or until mixture in cool.Stir in vanilla.

3.In 2-quart saucepan over medium-low heat,heat milk until very hot and small bubbles form around edge(do not boil).

4.Meanwhile,in small bowl with mixer at medium speed, beat heavy or whipping cream and chocolate mixture until soft peaks form.

5. To serve, pour milk into warn coffeepot.Carefully spoon whipped-cream mixture equally into 8 warmed,decorative cups;gently pour hot milk mixture in cups.

ENJOY!!