Chocolate as an Aphrodisiac (Stimulates Sexual Desire)

The Magic of Chocolate

How many time have you bitten into a piece of chocolate and found yourself moaning from the sheer pleasure of it? How often have you joked about why chocolate is as good as -- or better than -- sex? Believe it or not, there is a scientific link between chocolate and sexual arousal. In 2004, researchers at a hospital in Milan, Italy, questioned nearly two hundred women about their consumption of chocolate and their feelings of sexual fulfillment.

The results are impressive. Women who consumed chocolate daily reported a higher degree of sexual satisfaction. The study, which was funded by a university for academic purposes, and not by a chocolate company, indicated that even women who normally had a lower libido reported an increase in their sex drive after consuming chocolate.

From a scientific standpoint, chocolate contains both Serotonin and Phenylethylamine, which are mood-lifting hormones found naturally in the human brain. When we consume chocolate, we increase our normal levels of both, which leads to that feeling of excitement, as well as an increased level of energy. So although chocolate may or may not be a true aphrodisiac, it certainly does have some aphrodisiac properties. After all, it makes us feel good all over -- much like being in love!

In some magical traditions, food and magic go hand in hand. It stands to reason, then, that a great way to bring someone closer to your heart is to give them a gift of chocolate!

source : www.paganwiccan.about.com

Sex During Pregnancy

What You Need to Know..

Nothing raises as many eyebrows as the subject of sex during pregnancy. Despite the old saying that medical and religious miracles aside, every pregnancy started with a sex act.

One thing that I would note is that sex and sexuality are very different, and that even if you are not having sexual intercourse, your sexuality can still be expressed.

Your sexual practices during pregnancy will depend on several factors:

• Your previous beliefs about sex
• Your Partner's previous beliefs
• Physical aspects of your pregnancy
• Emotional aspects of your pregnancy

There are many reasons why sex during pregnancy can be more enjoyable, even if your are doing it less. There is an increase in vaginal lubrication, engorgement of the genital area helps some people become orgasmic for the first time or multi-orgasmic, the lack of birth control, or if you have been trying for awhile, a return to sex as pleasure as opposed to procreational, and other reasons.

On the other hand there are reasons why sex might not be as pleasurable: fear of hurting the baby, nausea, fatigue, awkwardness, etc.

Although these can be valid reasons, doing research and talking to your partner and practitioner can often help you clarify what is really inappropriate during pregnancy, particularly for you.

Change is rampant during pregnancy both in your body and your beliefs. While women may feel large and uncomfortable, men generally find the pregnant body very erotic and desirable. Talk about your differences and attitudes towards your body and sexuality.

Make sure that you discuss the feelings that you have about sex and sexuality. These discussions can lead to a more fulfilling sex life. If either of you do not feel like having sex, this can be particularly important. Explain to your partner what is going on and what they can do to help you be sexual. For example: more cuddling, relaxing baths, romantic dinners, massages, mutual masturbation, whatever you and your partner agree upon is exactly what you need.

The hormonal fluctuations of pregnancy also play a part in your reactions to making love, as do the trimesters. Many women are too fatigued and nauseated to be very interested during the first trimester, while the second trimester brings a new sense of delight as her abdomen grows, and again later in the third trimester the desire may wane as well.

"Hmmm...sex during pregnancy...during the first trimester, honestly, I think the sex was more..intimate...the sensations seemed heightened, despite the initial ‘Ohmigosh, are we going to hurt the baby?' Now in the second trimester, it's becoming a little more awkward, especially now that I'm showing. We've had to ...ummm...well...adjust a little bit, position-wise...but the intimacy hasn't changed," says Dee.

Okay, so we know that there are wide variances in who is doing it and when, the big question (No pun intended.) is how?

Creativity should be your keyword during pregnancy. Or more bluntly put, whatever works! There are many sex positions that are more comfortable as you expand. These include:

• Woman on top
• Spooning (Man behind woman, rear entry)
• Hands and Knees
• Side lying, knee pulled up

What are men saying about sex during pregnancy? Most are pleasantly surprised.

Rich says "I haven't noticed a real change in the sex...it was always awesome! The only real difference now is in the position! We've had to accommodate for a growing belly, and as a result we've had to explore a little...but it's been fun exploring."

When not to have sex and/or orgasms during pregnancy:

• Your practitioner has advised against it
• You have a history of premature birth or labor
• Placenta previa (Where part of the placenta is covering the cervix)
• Your water has broken
• Your are currently experiencing bleeding
• You or your partner has an active sexually transmitted disease

By Robin Elise Weiss, LCCE, About.com Guide

source : http://pregnancy.about.com

SEX AND SÈNSE

Enhancing Your Sexual Experiences Through Your Five Senses

When you think about sex, what comes to mind? Chances are, most of the images and adjectives have to do with touch and movement. Stroking, rubbing, moving. But touch is just one of your five senses-you have four others. Imagine what sexual experiences might feel like if you took full advantage of those, too. So here are some suggestions to incorporate all your senses into your sex life. Be creative and feel free add to the list below.

Hearing

• Talk with each other. Ask your partner to tell you, very softly, how your body feels as he or she touches you, how it feels as he or she strokes you. Don't let your partner do all the talking, however. Make sure you share with him or her your own thoughts about your lovemaking. Another option is to tell each other what you're going to do or what you'd like to do.
• Put on some music. Something erotic and sexy or something you both enjoy listening to. We can't tell you exactly what that is-it's whatever turns you on. You might even consider making a playlist in your mp3 player just for lovemaking!

Sight
• Dress sexy. Don't just go to bed in your ratty old flannel nightgown. Make yourself beautiful for your lover. Try a silky chemise or a gauzy peignoir.
• Act sexy. Arouse your partner through your actions. Let your partner watch as you prepare for bed, sensuously brushing your hair and rubbing cream into your skin. Or, on the far end of the spectrum, how about teasing your partner with your body.
• Play dress up. Share your fantasies with each other, then consider hitting a costume store to make them come true. But remember, all fantasies do not have to be acted upon or discussed.
• Watch a romantic movie, an erotic film or an instructive video. Non-exploitive DVDs are available.

Smell
• Take a deep breathe. Because humans emit pheromones, scents that may play a role in our attraction to one another - use them! Consider skipping the scented soap and lotions and leave the perfume and cologne bottles alone.
• Fill your room with the scents of desire. Vanilla, musk and sandalwood could work.

Taste
• Experiment with foods. There are many foods that people like to associate with sex, from oysters to chocolate covered strawberries. You may also consider experimenting with different tastes including foods that are sweet, salty, spicy, bitter or sour.
• Cook a meal together. Work together with your partner to make a scrumptious meal. Taking the time to do this may help you to focus on one another and relax. You may even want to feed each other!
• Go out for a romantic meal. Pick one of your favorite restaurants or be adventurous and find a new place - possibly one that is dark with candles?
• Have dessert in bed. Consider bringing foods into the bedroom and feed each other as part of your foreplay. We're thinking of foods like strawberries with whipped cream, crème brulee or ice cream with warm chocolate sauce.

Touch
• Close your eyes. Consider closing your eyes and relaxing so that you only focus on what you are feeling as your sense of touch heightens.
• Experience silky. Make your bed with silk or satin sheets. While not terribly practical for sleeping, they can add an entirely new dimension to lovemaking. For a more affordable option, there are also sprays that make your sheets feel silky.
  
  
  Courtesy :http://www.healthywomen.org

Food & Sex..

Some Foods that help for better SEX


“There’s a growing body of evidence that some of the vitamins and components in foods can enhance sexual function and sexual experience,” says Jennifer R. Berman, MD, the director of the Berman Women’s Wellness Center, in Beverly Hills, Calif. 

Here are some of the food ingredients that have been major players in aphrodisiac history and lore, and also have modern-day science to back up their claims.

Avocados 

The Aztecs referred to avocados as, ahem, testicles, because of their physical shape. But the scientific reason why avocados make sense as an aphrodisiac is that they are rich in unsaturated fats and low in saturated fat, making them good for your heart and your arteries. Anything that keeps the heart beating strong helps keep blood flowing to all the right places; in fact, men with underlying heart disease are twice as likely to suffer from erectile dysfunction (ED).  

Almonds

Topping my list of feisty foods, almonds have long been purported to increase passion, act as a sexual stimulant, and aid with fertility. Like asparagus (another one of my favorite sexy foods), almonds are nutrient-dense and rich in several trace minerals that are important for sexual health and reproduction, such as zinc, selenium, and vitamin E.  “Zinc helps enhance libido and sexual desire,” says Dr. Berman. “We don’t really understand the mechanisms behind it, but we know it works.”  

Strawberries

The color red is known to help stoke the fire: A 2008 study found that men find women sexier if they’re wearing red, as opposed to cool colors such as blue or green. Strawberries are also an excellent source of folic acid, a B vitamin that helps ward off birth defects in women and, according to a University of California, Berkley study, may be tied to high sperm counts in men. This Valentine’s Day, try making dark-chocolate-dipped strawberries. And while we’re on the subject, there’s a reason we give chocolate on Valentine’s Day: It’s full of libido-boosting methylxanthines.

Seafood

Despite their slippery and slimy texture, oysters may be the most well-known aphrodisiac. They’re also one of the best sources of libido-boosting zinc. But other types of seafood can also act as aphrodisiacs. Oily fish—like wild salmon and herring—contain omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for a healthy heart.  

Arugula (Rocket leaves) Eruca sativa

Arugula has been heralded as an arousal aid since the first century. Today, research reveals that the trace minerals and antioxidants packed into dark, leafy greens are essential for our sexual health because they help block absorption of some of the environmental contaminants thought to negatively impact our libido.  

Figs

These funny-shaped fruits have a long history of being a fertility booster, and they make an excellent aphrodisiac because they are packed with both soluble and insoluble fiber, which is important for heart health. Plus,high-fiber foods help fill you up, not out, so it’s easier to achieve that sexy bottom line—or belly.  

Citrus

Any member of this tropical fruit family is super-rich in antioxidants, vitamin C, and folic acid—all of which are essential for men’s reproductive health. Enjoy a romantic salad that incorporates citrus, like pink grapefruit or mandarin oranges, or use a dressing made with lemon and lime.  

Courtesy : www.health.com