Valentine's Day - Get In The Mood With Fruits and Veggies

Food Aphrodisiacs

Different foods have long been associated with love, romance, and the ability to increase sexual desire and passion. Fruits, vegetables, and spices, herbs, sweets and alcoholic beverages all have their place on menu's when it comes to romance. Check out this guide to food aphrodisiacs. When planning your next romantic dinner, try incorporating a few of these!

ALCOHOL

As for alcohol, a little is all that is needed. Champagne, known as the drink of love, is the classic aphrodisiac alcoholic beverage.

SWEETS

Chocolate, with it's rich and sweet flavor and smooth creaminess, has compounds that simulate the feelings you get when you are in love. The stimulant phenylethylamine is considered by some researchers to be a "love chemical". Chocolate is theperfect aphrodisiac.

HERBS

Herbs are known for their healthful properties as well as aphrodisiac qualities. A happy, healthy love life requires two happy, healthy people. Herbs can help.

Basil - The fresh leaves have an alluring aroma.
Cilantro - A pungent herb that promotes vigor.
Oregano - The Italian herb has more going for it than you know!
Rosemary - Heightens memory and improves circulation.
Saffron - A stimulating, expensive herb, saffron has an association with luxury.
Thyme - This herb contains many antioxidants that keep your cells humming along.

SPICES

Spices have been considered aphrodisiacs by many cultures around the world. Their intense flavor surely must jump start two sweethearts' love life.

Chili Powder - Highly flavorful and often very hot. Its intensity can add to yours.
Cinnamon - Sweet but stimulating, cinnamon increases blood flow.
Clove - Exotic spice that boosts your energy.
Coriander - Heightens emotions and arousal, especially for women.
Fennel - This tasty seed increases sex drive.
Ginger - Another flavorful, hot spice that can add a jump to your love life.
Nutmeg - A spice with a complex aroma that excites the imagination.
Vanilla - The smell alone increases blood flow and is especially enticing for older men.

FRUITS

Apricot - Plump and sweet flavored, apricots where thought by the Chinese to indicate a romantic, sensual nature.
Banana - Shape, sweetness, and texture promotes sensuality.
Cherry - These delectable fruits are said to arouse desire, especially in women.
Date - Rich and exotic, dates are considered aphrodisiacs for women.
Peach - Succulent, juicy, and flavorful, a ripe peach with delicate fuzz is a sensual treat and promotes interest in other sensual treats!
Pear - A ripe pear with sweet juice... yummmmmmmy.
Fig - A soft, ripe fig has an incredible sweet flavor. Just perfect for sharing with your love. It's said that the fig is the "forbidden fruit" referenced in the Bible, but the aphrodisiac qualities come from the fact that the fig resembles the female sex organs. Pucker up and enjoy!
Papaya - Tropical and exotic, excellent for nibbling.
Strawberry - Just-picked, perfect strawberries are ideal for dipping in chocolate, or savoring on their own.

VEGETABLES

Many people consider vegetables dull. Something that they eat because they've been told "vegetables are good for you." They are, but perhaps not in the way you expected.

Asparagus - Long stems and succulent tips that can be quite suggestive. Asparagus also is rich in vitamin E, which is a vitamin that stimulates production of our sex hormones. The Vegetarian Society recommends eating asparagus for three straight days for the maximum aphrodisiac effect.
Avocado - Rich and creamy, considered an aphrodisiac especially for women.
Carrot - All root vegetables draw power and intensity from the earth and can transfer that power and intensity to your love life.
Celery - Great for pepping up your blood flow.
Chile Pepper - Warm up your blood and get your pulse racing! Eating spicy foods is believed to trigger endorphins and other body related chemicals to enhance your love-making high.
Cucumber - Just its shape alone gives people ideas.
Potato
Radish - Another root vegetable that's crisp, allowing you to sink your teeth into it.
Tomato
Turnip - A rather dull looking vegetable, but turnips gives strength to soups, stews, and you.
Wild Yam (Damiana) - A traditional aphrodisiac as it is believed to increase sensitivity in the genital area. It also is believe to induce erotic dreams.
Zucchini - Similar to a cucumber.

TRUFFLES

Black truffles (not chocolate) are an extremely rare type of mushroom. Studies have shown that female pigs find tuffles to be aphrodisiacs as the scent is similar to their male counterparts. While scientists are not sure why humans find them stimulating, they are rumored to have mysterious aphoridisac qualities. It could be that they're rare, expensive, and generally part of special occassion or incredibly romantic meals, which usually ignites sexual feelings as well.

NUTS

While nuts may not be your first thought when it comes to aphrodisiacs, but you'd be surprised. Just the smell (not even eating them!) of almonds is said to trigger thoughts of passion in women. It's not a surprise that you find almonds in many soaps, lotions, and shampoos. Add passion to your night with an almond bubble bath for two, a bottle of Amaretto almond liqueur, or an almond/chocolate dessert.