Thanksgiving dinner is one example of how food brings all sorts of things together in our lives. This is the time of year where we give thanks for all we have, but really, of the many other things we may want, there are only a few we cannot live without. What we need to stay alive is air, water, food and, in my opinion, sex .
When you combine sex with food you have two basic pleasures that create a “super pleasure” of the senses, better known as aphrodisiac foods. Spanning as far back as the ancient Aztecs, the power of food has been incorporated into our sexual world as an enhancer for, or a representation of, the genitals. It is believed that these certain foods have a physiological impact on the brain due to the release of specific chemicals however, from a scientific standpoint, the concept is vague and has never been proven. Clinical researchers suggest that it is not the food itself, but our conceived notion of aphrodisiac foods and their sexually enhancing properties that makes them work.
Believers in aphrodisiac foods tell a magical and romantic story of the foods getting their name from the Greek Goddess of sensuality and love, Aphrodite. A few of the foods found in this category are: garlic, chocolate, coffee, oats, pomegranate, strawberries, mangoes and oysters.
We all know chocolate’s association with love and romance. Aztec ruler Montezuma was one of the first people to experiment with this sweet treat and drank upwards of fifty cups of chocolate elixir a day. The correlation is that the phenyl ethylamine in chocolate releases the same hormone in the body as if you were having sex. Although the dose is far too small to have significant effects, the combination of sex and chocolate could bring that chemical percentage up to exciting levels.
Grapes have historically been linked with the symbols of virility, fertility and love in many cultures. The ancient Romans made grapes the emblem of Bacchus, god of ecstasy, and the Greeks have a tradition of giving clusters of grape seeds to newlyweds to bless the couple with many children.
Researchers consider celery an aphrodisiac because it contains the male hormone androsterone. This hormone generates the arousal of sexual desires in women– men, go grab your cheese whiz or peanut butter and get crunching. Another food men can eat guiltlessly are oats. This nutritious food encourages the release of testosterone, helping significantly to heighten a man’s libido.
Here is a fun recipe you can make for someone that contains the aphrodisiac, chillies. Who can resist the pull of wings and sex, it’s almost like bringing Hooters to you. Happy Thanksgiving.
Come-to-Jamaica Wings
¼ c freshly squeezed lime juice (4-5 limes)
2 Tbsp of Dark Rum
2 Tbsp of honey
1-2 jalapeno peppers, thinly sliced
2 Tbsp of soy sauce
2 Tbsp of Cider vinegar
1 tsp allspice
1 clove Garlic, minced
¼ tsp cinnamon
¼ tsp of finely grated fresh ginger
¼ tsp hot sauce
½ tsp dried Thyme
2 generous pinches of salt and pepper
¼c vegetable oil
2 lbs of large chicken wings, tips discarded and wings rinsed.
Combine all ingredients except wings in large plastic storage container. Shake well to mix. Add wings and marinate in refrigerator for 24 hrs. Prepare medium fire on BBQ, drain wings and grill on each side for 4-5 minutes or until fully cooked over indirect heat. If cooking in the oven, place on baking sheet and cook at 400 degrees F for 15-20 minutes, turning once or until cooked through.