Get Her in The Mood With These 10 Sexy Foods

 

 

Having sex is the top thing that men usually think about, but how do you turn those thoughts into reality when you’re both working, taking care of the kids and trying to have some sort of social life? Sex is beneficial to your wellbeing in many ways – improving your health, mental wellness and your relationship – so how do you keep the flames of passion burning? If you want to get the magic back under the sheets with your partner, raid your kitchen! Not only are the following foods – outlined by sexual health expert Shruti Goenka – delicious; they will also get you and your lady ready for some sweet, sweet loving.

 

1. Vanilla: According to Goenka, ‘The smell of vanilla itself does a lot of things to the body, doesn’t it? That apart, it is any woman’s favourite fragrance. Its aroma has therapeutic, relaxing effects that help you soothe down the tired body and get into the naughty mood. Order a large tub of vanilla ice cream or gift her a vanilla fragrance, and be ready for surprises.’

 

2. Oysters: ‘The high levels of zinc in oysters work on the hormones for both men and women, which increase the lovemaking desire dramatically,’ Goenka explains. ‘Take her out for a fancy dinner and order some oysters. Gulp them down and be ready for a wild night!’

 

3. Chocolate: ‘A delicious way to be great in bed is to have a chunk of dark chocolate,’ Goenka suggests. ‘It has chemicals that not only work on the stress and relax the mind, but also improves the feelings of pleasure and excitement. Pick your favourite chocolate while you get back from work.’

 

4. Pomegranate: Goenka notes, ‘This fruit is full of antioxidants and improves the blood circulation to the sexual organs, making them more sensitive to touch. Have a bowl of pomegranate for dessert tonight.’

 

5. Red Wine: ‘Often called the ladies’ drink, this one will work wonders for your girl,’ says Goenka. ‘The chemicals in red wine help in working on the oestrogen (female hormone) levels, increasing the pleasure in women. But this one works for men too; you can enjoy the heated benefits as well! Find a reason to celebrate tonight, and go home with a bottle of red wine.’

 

6. Bananas: Goenka advises, ‘Bananas are a must for the production of sex hormones. Having this fruit everyday provides the body with minerals that can encourage pleasure and excitement. How about enjoying some bananas after dinner, while watching a movie maybe?’

 

7. Almonds: Goenka details, ‘This is probably the oldest known aphrodisiac (mentioned even in the Bible). Have a handful of almonds everyday and see how its works towards a mind-blowing performance! The fragrance of almonds is also known to boost the desire for intimacy. Apart from munching on some almonds, how about an almond oil massage session?’

 

8. Caffeine: ‘Any foods or drinks that have caffeine in them, like tea or coffee, can improve the blood circulation in the body including to the genital organs,’ Goenka comments. ‘But don’t overdo this, as it can have side effects like restlessness. Relax with some black coffee with your sweetheart before bedtime.’

 

9. Chillies: Goenka argues, ‘The spicier your food, the more excited you feel! Chillies release endorphins when you start feeling the heat, thus working great for your physical desires. Have a spicy, hot chilli chutney or pickle with your dinner and get ready for a wild night!’

 

10. Strawberries: ‘Sensuality has always been directly associated with strawberries,’ Goenka points out. ‘There have been numerous movie scenes where strawberries have been a part of the passionate love making. The vitamin C in the fruit along with antioxidants works on the hormones and gives the pleasure that you crave for. Top all your desserts with this yummy fruit to surprise your wife with not just your cullinary skills, but more as well!’

Categories: almonds, blood circulation, body, goenka, nbsp, night nbsp, Oysters, ready, Red Wine, vanilla, wild night

Ready Meals – A Poor Choice for Family Meals?

 

 

In the last few decades the popularity of ready meals has risen dramatically. They provide a quick, convenient way for busy families to eat. But as many nutritionists question the quality and nutritional value of pre-packaged ‘TV dinners’ are they actually a poor choice for family meals?

 

Yes – Dominic

Ready meals really are a lazy way to feed your family. I appreciate that people live busy lives but that is no excuse for not cooking a proper evening meal. Pre-packaged meals from supermarkets promise convenience, taste and nutrition but rarely deliver. The ingredients used in ready meals are usually the cheapest that the manufacturers can get away with – meaning that they will never be as nutritious as a home cooked meal. In addition, they are often packed full of salt, sugar and fat to make them taste more appealing. At least when you cook your own meals at home you know exactly what has gone into them and can choose the best ingredients.

I think ready meals have also contributed to a breakdown in family values. In the past, the family would have gathered around the dinner table at least once a day to enjoy a meal, providing the opportunity for children and parents to catch up with one another and chat about their day. Now, thanks to ready meals, children can simply pop a box in the microwave and take their meal up to their bedroom to eat – meaning that parents and children often don’t interact at all during the day.

It’s also worth noting that many teenagers no longer know how to cook a meal from scratch. Basic cooking skills have been lost and I think ready meals have played a big part in this. Yes, cooking from scratch may take a little longer – but the results are well worth it.

 

No – Annie

I think ready meals are a wonderful invention and I rely on them for all of our mid-week dinners.  With three children and a full-time job, there’s no way I can find the time to cook an evening meal from scratch when I get home!

We have a really busy family life and I never know who is going to be in for dinner one night to the next. My teenage daughter will often stay at a friend’s house, whilst the younger children have after-school activities such as ballet, swimming and football most evenings. There’s no point me slaving away making a home cooked meal when it might not get eaten. With ready meals everyone can just help themselves when they want.

I know people think ready meals aren’t very nutritious but they are better than crisps and chocolate – which is what my teenager would reach for if she didn’t have ready meals available. Also, most ready meals now give nutritional values on the box so it’s easy to choose the healthier options.

Things have changed since the 1950s and parents today simply don’t have the time to be making meals from scratch each evening. Buying ready meals saves time shopping and cooking – giving my family valuable time to spend on more enjoyable activities. I don’t think there is anything wrong with turning to ready meals if you are too busy to cook – they are tasty, convenient and good value.

Categories: cooked meal, evening meal, family meals, home cooked, meals, meals nbsp, pre packaged, ready, ready meals

New Relationships: Are You Ready to Have Sex?

A new relationship can be a wonderful boost to your wellbeing, but there are certain sexual health and wellness concerns to consider. Before you jump into bed with someone new, you need to make sure that you’re ready for sex, both emotionally and in terms of protection.

 

It’s easy to get carried away in the early days of a blossoming romance, but that doesn’t mean you should rush things. These days, it seems as though everyone is having sex early on in their relationships, and there seems to be some sort of “three-date rule” about giving up, but if you are feeling like you’re being rushed into things, you should stop to consider why you’re feeling under pressure. This pressure may be coming from your partner, others around you or even from yourself. If you’re worried that your new partner will lose interest in you if you don’t start having sex soon, the only sensible way to find out is to talk to them. If you feel unsure before having sex, you’re unlikely to feel good afterwards, so only have sex when you’re both ready.

 

Choosing to have sex with someone is often part of a natural process of deepening and strengthening a special relationship. If you take the time to get to know each other, you’ll be more comfortable with your partner as and when you do decide to have sex – and the experience will be all the better for it. Or, waiting to have sex could give you the time you need to realise that this isn’t the relationship for you, meaning it will be that much easier to move on without the heartache and regret (and possibly worse). Good sex means no regrets. If you rush things and don’t consider your choices carefully, it’s easy to end up regretting it. This might mean you end up with an unwanted pregnancy, having an STI, messing up other, more valuable relationships or just wishing you had waited.

 

You or your partner may choose not to have sex for cultural or religious reasons such as choosing not to have sex until you are married or until you move in together. Whether it’s you who wants to wait, or your partner, you need to understand that there’s more to life and relationships than just sex and there’s nothing ‘wrong’ with choosing not to have sex. Still, if you’re not having sex but both of you want to, it’s important that you talk about what’s happening and maintain good communication. It may be because of time constraints, children, periods of stress or illness, fears of bad sex or that your feelings for each other have changed radically. For most of these problems, talking about it can be a massive help. However, for the latter it could help to get some relationship counselling.

 

If you and your partner are ready and willing to have sex, you first need to discuss your contraception options, as well as STI testing and pregnancy. It’s best to get these conversations out of the way before having sex, as it’s less likely that, in the heat of the moment, you’ll stop to ask about sexual history and birth control. You should always get tested for STIs before having sex with someone new, and make sure that your partner has also been tested. Moreover, you need a barrier method of birth control – such as condoms – to prevent the transmission of infections. However, as condoms can be forgotten or end up splitting, it’s also a good idea to double up your birth control with something more regular, such as the Pill or the Injection.

Categories: Birth Control, nbsp, new relationship, partner, ready, relationship, Relationships, waiting for sex

Break-Up Bounce Back: Are You Ready for Sex Again?

Immediately after a break up, you’re not thinking about your sexual health. However, soon enough you start considering getting back on the horse, as it were, to satisfy your needs that a no longer, ahem, being met. As the saying goes; sometimes the best way to get over someone is to get under someone else. But is this the best thing for your wellbeing in the long run? After all, a great night in the sack can bolster your mental health, amping up your confidence and reminding you there are other fish in the sea. However, sometimes this isn’t always the case, and having sex with someone new sets you back a few steps on your road to recovery. So how do you know if you’re ready to have sex with someone new?

 

1. You can listen to the radio without bursting into tears: Let’s be honest; you don’t even comprehend the sadness of EVERY SONG EVER WRITTEN until you’ve had your heart broken. If you’re going out clubbing to meet someone new or he takes you back to his and tries to set the mood with some sexy tunes, you’d better make sure you can listen happily without being reminded of the past.

 

2. You can drink without bursting into tears: If you only have your crap together when you’re stone cold sober, you’re not ready to get together with anyone just yet. Having a meltdown after one glass of wine does not scream “over it” to anyone, least of all the nice new fella you’re trying to sleep with.

 

3. You know your ex was not the be-all and end-all of satisfaction: The stakes are high when sleeping with someone else, because if it’s not firing in all cylinders you’re guaranteed to start longing for your ex’s magic touch. You need to be at least open to the possibility that someone else can make you feel good in a way that may be different but still hot – and potentially even better than your ex did. Disappointment can set your progress back so wait it out until you’re genuinely ready for something different. Likewise, if you’re too miserable to have sex with yourself (i.e. masturbate), you sure as hell are not in a position to have sex with someone else.

 

4. You’re not constantly reminded of your ex: Everyone has random little things that reminds them of an ex and sets them off. However, if everyone and everything is making you freak out and burst into tears, no sex for you. Until you limit your triggers, or start to look back with fondness rather than misery, you’re not ready to move forward.

 

5. You’re confidence isn’t shaken: It’s totally ok to be fragile after a break-up, but getting naked with someone new is a really vulnerable place to put yourself in, so you need to be ready to take that step. If your new partner can’t get it up, for whatever reason, will that make you feel ugly and desirable for weeks? Before you have sex, you need to be in a place where you feel hot no matter what someone else’s expression is when you take off your clothes.

 

6. You’re prepared: Do you know what doesn’t help the heartbreak situation? Herpes. If you’re coming out of a monogamous relationship, you need to take a look at your contraceptive methods. Go out and get condoms or dental dams or whatever you need to have safe sex. If the thought of it brings the crocodile tears, you’re not ready.

Categories: Break Up, feel, listen, nbsp, Protection, ready, Sex with someone new, tears