A Vegan Valentine Libido Boost. | elephant journal

If you?ve lost that lovin? feeling, it?s worth examining your diet.

The food of love is all about taking pleasure in what you eat while ensuring your body receives all the nutrients essential for an optimum sex drive and healthy sex organs.

The benefits of a healthy sex life are numerous. Sex strengthens the immune system. Orgasms release hormones beneficial to immunity. DHEA is one of them. It fights against colds and flu. Greater sexual activity in older men helps reduce the risk of prostate cancer while regular sex encourages longevity in both men and women. It?s a great natural stress reliever, and heaven knows we can?t have too many of those in our modern lives!

Instead of consuming that box of chocolates this St. Valentine?s day, why not treat your lover to a day of sexy vegan recipes instead?

Eat, drink, sleep, make love. Repeat.

Morning:

Almond Banana Bliss-ified Smoothie

This drink is simple, sexy and smooth ? not unlike your sweetheart.

What you need:

? cup raw almond butter
4 Medjool dates, pitted and soaked in 2 cups water
2 frozen bananas
? t pure vanilla extract
dash of cinnamon

What to do:

Soak pitted dates in water for at least 30 minutes. Place all ingredients in your blender (including date soak water) and combine until smooth. Sip mindfully and with great pleasure.

Midday:

Spicy 13-Bean Soup

Every ingredient in this warming bowl of goodness has properties to support your sex organs.

What you need:

1 ? cups Bob?s Red Mill 13-bean soup mix, soaked in water, overnight.
2 T coconut oil
7-10 cloves garlic, peeled
2 cups yellow onion, chopped
2 carrots, peeled and chopped
1 cup chopped celery
1 T fresh ginger root, sliced
2 cups broccoli stalks, chopped
pinch cayenne
dash of cumin
a bit of turmeric
pinch garam masala
4 cups vegetable broth
1 cup water
1 (14-ounce) can diced tomatoes
1 t soy sauce
juice of half a lemon
sea salt, to taste
ground black pepper, to taste
handful fresh parsley
nutritional yeast, to taste

What to do:

In a large stockpot, heat coconut oil over medium heat.?Saute garlic cloves, onion, carrots, celery, ginger and broccoli stalks for 5 minutes. Add spices. Cook another 5 minutes. Add broth, tomatoes, drained beans, water, soy sauce and lemon juice. Bring to a boil. Let simmer, partially covered for about an hour. Add salt and pepper. Serve and garnish with parsley. Sprinkle with nutritional yeast. Bon app?tit!

Evening:

Spicy Sweet Potato Bites

Sweet potatoes are great for your sex life due to their vitamin A content, which helps produce sex hormones while keeping the vagina and uterus in optimal shape.

What you need:

4 cups peeled and chopped sweet potatoes
1 T coconut oil, melted
pinch garam masala
pinch cumin
dash of cayenne
pinch of ginger powder
a bit of sea salt
a little ground black pepper

What to do:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. On a baking sheet, toss all ingredients. Bake for 35 minutes. Bon app?tit!

Arugula Quinoa Salad

Arugula was born in the Mediterranean, one of the most fertile and romantic strips of land on earth. It is considered to support male and female sex drive, increase fertility and alleviate anxiety in the bedroom.

What you need:

1/2 cup quinoa
4 cups arugula
1 avocado, seeded and cut into chunks
1 medium tomato, chopped
1-2 cloves garlic, minced
2 T lemon juice
sea salt and pepper, to taste

What to do:

Cook quinoa as you normally would. (I usually use a little more than twice as much water to quinoa, bring to a boil and let simmer for 10-15 minutes.)?Place arugula, avocado, tomato, garlic and 1 T of the lemon juice in a large bowl. Add in the cooked quinoa and remaining lemon juice. Season with salt, pepper and basil. Toss to combine. Serve in your two favorite vessels.

Simply Raw Banana Pudding with Rosewater

Rosewater, like chocolate, contains phenylethylamine (that chemical that produces the feeling of post-coital bliss). What?s more, it?s great to use on your body (think refreshing rosewater facial splash).

What you need:

? cup raw cashews, soaked
2 large bananas
ground cardamom, to taste
splash of rose water

What to do:

Drain the cashews of water and blend the cashews and banana together. Spoon into two dishes and splash a little rosewater on each, then sprinkle with cardamom.

Happy Valentine?s Day, Lovers!

Aimee Hughes. World traveler, freelance writer, francophone, degree in naturopathy, former flamenco dancer, yogi, lover.?More sexy vegan recipes here.

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Asst. Editor: Edith Lazenby

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Source: http://www.elephantjournal.com/2013/02/a-vegan-valentine-libido-boost-aimee-hughes/

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