Happiness is an attitude.

Another wonderful parable...


The 92-year-old, petite, well-poised and proud lady, who is fully dressed each morning by eight o'clock, with her hair fashionably coifed and makeup perfectly applied, even though she is legally blind, moved to a nursing home today. Her husband of 70 years recently passed away, making the move necessary. After many hours of waiting patiently in the lobby of the nursing home, she smiled sweetly when told her room was ready. As she maneuvered her walker to the elevator, I provided a visual description of her tiny room, including the eyelet sheets that had been hung on her window. "I love it," she stated with the enthusiasm of an eight-year-old having just been presented with a new puppy. "Mrs. Jones, you haven't seen the room .... just wait." "That doesn't have anything to do with it," she replied. "Happiness is something you decide on ahead of time. Whether I like my room or not doesn't depend on how the furniture is arranged ... it's how I arrange my mind. I already decided to love it ... It's a decision I make every morning when I wake up. I have a choice; I can spend the day in bed recounting the difficulty I have with the parts of my body that no longer work, or get out of bed and be thankful for the ones that do. Each day is a gift, and as long as my eyes open I'll focus on the new day and all the happy memories I've stored away ... just for this time in my life."

Bulgarian Cuisine Dishes, Bulgarian Food Recipes

Shopska Salad - a Bulgarian favourite



Ingredients for 4:


4medium size tomatoes,
2 cucumbers,
2 spoonfuls chopped onion or green onion (optional)
2 roasted peppers or fresh green peppers
1 red pepper,
optional: olives
chopped parsley,
grated feta cheese to sprinkle salad,
salt, pepper, vinegar and olive oil


How to prepare:

Cut all ingredients in slices or cubes. Season with salt, pepper, add the chopped parsley, 1 tbs. of vinegar and 2 tbs. of olive oil and mix well. Sprinkle with feta cheese and enjoy either on its own or as a side dish.

Snezhanka/Tarator - a Great Starter or a side dish

Ingredients:
1 small cucumber, peeled and chopped
1 garlic clove, crushed
salt, to taste
pepper, to taste
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon freshly chopped dill
16 ounces thick plain yogurt (or Greek Style )

How to prepare:

Snezhanka - dip style version. Peel the skin of the cucumber using a potato peeler, chop in small pieces, squeeze between your hands to drain most of the water, season with salt, add the chopped garlic, olive oil and dill, and leave for 10 minutes. Then add the joghurt and chill for at least 1 hour before serving.






Tarator - cold soup version.


This cold soup is among Bulgarians favorite foods for the summer. It is served as a first course instead of a salad or between meals as refreshment. You might even see it served in a glass.

Ingredients:
2 cucumbers (about 500 g or 1 lb)
500 g plain yogurt (1 lb)
3-4 garlic cloves
2-3 tablespoons of crushed walnuts (optional)
1 bunch fresh dill
oil
salt
water (optional)

How to prepare:

-Cut the cucumbers into cubes and put them in a bowl. You may aslo grate them but it changes the look and the consistency.
- Beat the yogurt with a fork until it gets liquid and pour it over the cucumbers.
- Add the crushed garlic, the walnuts and the minced dill as well as salt and oil to taste.
- If needed add some water to make the soup as liquid as you like but take care not to make it too "thin".
- Put into the refrigerator to cool or add ice cubes.
- Serve cold.

Scarlet Sails (The Book)

"Scarlet sails" tells the story of a little girl named Asole , who met a story teller one day and was told that someday in the future a ship with red sails would arrive -- to take her away to a new, happy life. She believed the story and kept this faith even when she grew up. She was considered strange, the town's people laughed at her and her life wasn't easy, but she managed to preserve a golden heart and pure eyes of a child.



Known as one of the most beautiful and romantic tales ever written, the book soon became a Russian classic. The best time to read is perhaps when you are still in your childhood, young and dreamy. Later in life, you will realize how powerful the story is. It's like a light in your heart, give you faith and help you standing up from the disappointments.



Saying it that way, the effect of the story on adult readers might not be as strong but it is still worth a look for anyone who has romantic soul and believes in miracles. And of course, Alexander Green's writing style is always joyful, poetic and very enjoyable.

Scarlet Sails (tradition)

The Scarlet Sails celebration in St. Petersburg, Russia is the most massive and famous public event during the White Nights Festival. The tradition is highly popular for spectacular fireworks, numerous music concerts, and a massive water-show including battle among tens of boats full of pirates on the waters of Neva river. The Scarlet Sails show celebrating the end of school year 2007 was attended by more than one million people.

This tradition began here after the end of WWII, when several Leningrad schools united to celebrate the ending of a school year in connection with symbolism of the popular children's book "Scarlet sails" by Alexander Grin. At the first celebration a boat with scarlet sails was sailing along the English Embankment and the Admiralty Embankment towards the Winter Palace. Although it was designed to update the rusty revolutionary propaganda, the "Scarlet Sails" tradition eventually evolved into a massive demonstration of freedom from "schools and rules" and became the most popular public event ever since, celebrating the ending of school year annually.

Crowds of about one million people are treated to a wide variety of free entertainment provided by the city of St. Petersburg. Entertainment also includes appearances by popular rock stars, as well as St. Petersburg Symphony Orchestra, ballet, and other classical acts, performing on several stages simultaneously during the days of the event. The show also includes a series of large-scale events on the waters of Neva river, such as rowing and motorboat races, and a massive battle with pirates culminating with appearance of a tall ship sporting spectacular "Scarlet sails." The show has been always the essential part of the White Nights celebration.

Martial Philosophy/History

If you think that martial arts are all about fighting, you are mistaken. All martial skills are developed to defend yourself, your loved ones and those who cannot defend themselves. In essence: "Learn the ways to preserve rather than destroy. Avoid rather than check; check rather than hurt; hurt rather than maim, maim rather than kill; for all life is precious, nor can any be replaced." This has been the martial artist's credo, passed down from teacher to student for thousands of years. Historical records date back to the Chou Dynasty (1027 - 256 B.C.), the beginning of the Iron Age.



Huang Ti, China's first unifier (221 - 210 B.C.) prohibited the practice of martial arts for fear that the masses might rise up and destroy the empire. Martial arts were practiced in secret until 206 B.C. when Liu Pang, later known as Kao Tsu, assumed the throne of the Han Dynasty. Emperor Kao permitted the resumption of martial arts practice throughout the realm and they became a vital part of military training.



Unarmed defense principles were advanced through Zen (Ch'an) Buddhist religious practices during the sixth century. Bodhidharma, who was said to have traveled to China, spread the word of Zen Buddhist faith and is believed to be the father of Shaolin Temple Boxing. It is said that he introduced the monks to systematized exercises for strengthening the body and the mind, to endure prolonged mediation. Self-defense movements were devised later from Bodhidharma's knowledge of Indian fighting systems and thus the birth of Shaolin Kung Fu.



The greatest contribution to martial arts by the Taoists is without a doubt Tai Chi Chuan. The Taoist priest Chang Sen-feng, after spending ten years with the Shaolin Monks, retreated to Wu Dan mountain to pursue his search for immortality. After witnessing a fight between a snake and a crane, he developed a complete system designed to maintain health, calm the mind, and increase longevity - Tai Chi Chuan, "The Grand Ultimate Fist." The self-defense aspects became so effective that it was recognized as one of the superior schools of traditional Chinese "boxing".



Over the past quarter century western science and medicine has tested and authenticated the powers and benefits of martial arts training. Practices handed down over thousands of years have stood the tests of modern science.



Quotes:



"Martial Arts Are As Infinite As The Universe." Master Hironori Otsuka



"Violet action may be understood as the way of Martial Arts, but the true meaning of the Martial Arts is to seekand attain the Way of Peace and Harmony." Master Hironori Otsuka



The Martial Arts teaches many things, but not all of these things are physical. As we study Martial Arts, we learn many lessons that guide us through the journey of life. We learn how and when to use or not to use what we have learned.



The "Ultimate Goal" of the Martial Arts philosophy is "Victory Without Combat", or that you can win a confrontation without resorting to physical violence. It also teaches us the habits and characteristics not only just to reach Black Belt excellence but also those things essential to a well-balanced life.



Some of these things you will learn right at the beginning of your journey; some you will learn in the middle; and yet others will take a while to establish.

true power of shaolin kung fu

This is very interesting video.
I love martial arts and always wanted to be able to do one of them.I enjoy watching differnt types of martial arts performances.

Nu pogodi!

This is a Russian cartoon from my childhood.It was very popular in Bulgaria too.This one is one of my favorite episodes. :) Each time I watch them, I feel back in those old good days. How wonderful is to be a child! When we are grown up we should keep a part from that child inside us. That makes us enjoy the life and remember life is not all about money and success, but joy and simple happiness.

More than words

Herat and Ameera (2)

Here we are again in the desert,
Under Ra’s look.

Here we are again together
Same stars, same sand at the bank of Nile .

Each death was just a door to another life,
Each birth a new journey.

Now we found each other anew
Ready to go on, from where we stopped.

Curse of Isis is over,
She took a pity on us.


Our love will live forever,
No one can separate us.

A new journey has just started,
A journey of Herat and Ameera.

Sveta M

13 June 1.22 am

Ivan (Konstantinovich) Ayvazovsky

Ayvazovsky is one of my favorite painters.He has stunning works which when I each time go to Russian Museum look at with admiration.



Ivan (Konstantinovich) Ayvazovsky

Ivan Konstantinovich Ayvazovsky was born in the family of a merchant of Armenian origin in the town of Feodosia, Crimea. His parents were under strained circumstances and he spent his childhood in poverty. With the help of people who had noticed the talented youth, he entered the Simpheropol gymnasium, and then the St. Petersburg Academy of Arts, where he took the landscape painting course and was especially interested in marine landscapes. In the autumn of 1836 Ayvazovsky presented 5 marine pictures to the Academic exhibition, which were highly appreciated. In 1837, Ayvazovsky received the Major Gold Medal for Calm in the Gulf of Finland (1836) and The Great Roads at Kronstadt (1836), which allowed him to go on a long study trip abroad. However the artist first went to the Crimea to perfect himself in his chosen genre by painting the sea and views of Crimean coastal towns.




During the period of 1840-1844 Ayvazovsky, as a pensioner of the Academy of Arts, spent time in Italy, traveled to Germany, France, Spain, and Holland. He worked much and had many exhibitions, meeting everywhere with success. He painted a lot of marine landscapes, which became very popular in Italy: The Bay of Naples by Moonlight (1842), Seashore. Calm (1843), Malta. Valetto Harbour (1844). His works were highly appreciated by J.W.M. Turner, a prominent English landscape and marine painter. In the course of his work, Ayvazovsky evolved his own method of depicting the motion of the sea – from memory, without preliminary sketches, limiting himself to rough pencil outlines. Ayvazovsky’s phenomenal memory and romantic imagination allowed him to do all this with incomparable brilliance. The development of this new method reflected the spirit of the age, when the ever-increasing romantic tendencies put an artist's imagination to the front.

When in 1844 the artist returned to St. Petersburg, he was awarded the title of Academician, and became attached to the General Naval Headquarters. This allowed him to travel much with Russian fleet expeditions on different missions; he visited Turkey, Greece, Egypt, America. From 1846 to 1848 he painted several canvases with naval warfare as the subject; the pictures portrayed historical battles of the Russian Fleet The Battle of Chesme (1848), The Battle in the Chios Channel (1848), Meeting of the Brig Mercury with the Russian Squadron... (1848).

Towards the 1850s the romantic features in Aivazovsky’s work became increasingly pronounced. This can be seen quite clearly in one of his best and most famous paintings The Tenth Wave (1850) and also in Moonlit Night (1849), The Sea. Koktebel. (1853), Storm (1854) and others.

The process, which determined the development of Russian art in the second half of the 19th century, also affected Ayvazovsky. A new and consistently realistic tendency appeared in his work, although the romantic features still remained. The artist's greatest achievement of this period is The Black Sea (1881), a picture showing the nature of the sea, eternally alive, always in motion. Other important pictures of the late years are The Rainbow (1873), Shipwreck (1876), The Billow (1889), The Mary Caught in a Storm (1892).

Ayvazovsky left more than 6000 pictures, which are of very different value. There are masterpieces and there are very timid works. He failed to draw landscapes, could not draw a man. Aivazovsky got good commissions and became rich. He spent much money for charity, especially for his native town, he opened in Feodosia the first School of Arts (in 1865), then the Art Gallery (in 1889). He was a member of Academies of Stuttgart, Florence, Rome and Amsterdam.

Love Quotes

To live without loving is to not really live. - Moliere

Gather the rose of love whilst yet is time.- Edmund Spenser

And think not you can guide the course of love. For love, if it finds you worthy, shall guide your course.- Kahil Gibran

No love, no friendship can cross the path of our destiny without leaving some mark on it forever.- Francois Mauriac

Love comforteth like sunshine after rain.- William Shakespeare

At the touch of love, everyone becomes a poet.- Plato

Love conquers all things; let us too surrender to love.- Virgil

It is not night when I do see your face.- William Shakespeare

The last of your kisses was ever the sweetest; the last smile the brightest; the last movement the gracefullest.- John Keats

He who love touches walks not in darkness.- Plato

Love is perhaps the only glimpse we are permitted of eternity.- Helen Hayes

If you press me to say why I loved him, I can say no more than it was because he was he and I was I.- Michel Montaigne

Love, like a river, will cut a new pathwhenever it meets an obstacle.- Crystal Middlemas

There is only one happiness in life,to love and be loved.- George Sand

You know you are in lovewhen you see the world in her eyes,and her eyes everywhere in the world.- David Levesque

Love is like a mountain,hard to climb,but once you get to the topthe view is beautiful.- Daniel Monroe Tuttle

To the world you may be one person,but to one person you may be the world.- Bill Wilson

Love is like a blazing flame,golden and full of warmth.- Ben Oliver

A story with no words

Ameera and Herat

Let the breeze wipes your tear,

The time has come.

Don't grieve for him Ameera

Keep your heart calm.

He left to come again,

To show you how he cares.

To give you all the world,

For just a kiss of yours.

Sveta

9th June 2008

1 pm

My Home Town - Kardjali

One of the cutest places in the world is my home town Kardjali. Peaceful, green and quiet. When I was a child it seemed to me that it is a very big city and I was feeling myself like Alice in Wonderland, exploring the places.Later I left the city with my parents,but after years when I was back there I was so surprised.That city I used to see with child's eyes was different.I was so surprised how small it is and how much it has changed.I was expecting to see the same town but as everything in this world it has changed too.But Kardjali never lost it's magic for me.It is still my Wonderland, even though it doesn't seem to me that big like before.It is my Sacred place.

Kardjali is the main town of the eastern Rhodopy Mountains ridge. It is a well developed administrative center with a population of about 60,000 people. Currently the town is attracting a lot of investment, the real estate business in town is booming, tourism as well; business and commerce are improving.

The town is developed with good infrastructure, and provides plenty of places for sightseeing. A few of them are the Museum of history showing a rich exhibition of artifacts from the region. Another interesting fact is that the building was designed by the architect who designed the “St. Alexander Nevski” cathedral in Sofia.

Other sights of importance are the central church “St George” in town, which is famous with its golden domes, the medieval church “St John Precursor” and the monastery “The Assumption” which are temples of national importance.

The town and the region are also famous with its large lakes and white water rivers. Kardjali dam is the second largest lake in Bulgaria (28 km long). Its wall is the highest in the Balkans – more than 100 meters. The lakes and rivers are famous amongst anglers, boatmen and kayakers. Plenty of hunting grounds attract hunters from Bulgaria and abroad. The region has unspoilt nature and is rich in flora and fauna. The region of Eastern Rhodopy is the only habitat in Bulgaria for the black stork and white headed vulture. Climate is moderate, with temperatures a little higher that the average temperatures in Bulgaria, and at least 200 sunny days a year. The mild climate is great for vineyards, as Ivaylovgrad and Stambolovo areas are famous with the production of first quality Merlot and Cabernet wine.

At a distance of 20km from Kardzhali is situated one of the remarkable Bulgarian monuments – Perperikon. According to the scientists it is an unique Thracians Castle, dated from 5-th to 4-th centuries B.C. The monument is impressive for its enormous size - 80m long, 30m wide and 8m high. There are 15 separated rooms, skillful cut into the rock - the throne-room, leaving rooms, corridor and stairs. The experts think that this magnificent complex can be compared to such World famous monuments as Mickena, Delphy or Krith.
The Stone Wedding or the Stone Pyramids are near the village of Zimzilen. They can be reached through the Prostor park or through Solishte – under pick Ivanci – Panchevo – Kurdjali. There are colored in pink Pyramids – resembling men, women, horses, birds and etc.

In the area of Kardjali there is one of the natural phenomenon “The Stone Mushrooms” the reserve of very rare plants “Valchi Dol” and the bed of unique flower “Silivriak” or so called “Orpheus Flower”, the fields of snow drop, red peony, blue juniper and etc.

Here are build tree artificial lakes – “Kardjali”, “Studen Kladenec” and “Borovica”, inhabited by river-fish.

One of the most important Medieval monuments is set up also in Kardjali – The Church “St.Joan Precusor” in “Veselchane” residential district, completely restored in 2000. It was a back to 11-14 c.A.C., when the Church fortress around it change into Baptist’s residence. Founded tomb and discovered pieces of peculiar Baptist’s clothes, which are already restored, prove this fact. The hypothesis that the second Baptist centre is set up near Kardjali might be proved by the last archaeological researches in 2001. One the area of “Bash Klise” near Chiflick village another Christian Cloister Rose from the dead.

My One and the Only

I just wanted to say here, MOM I LOVE YOU SO MUCH !!! You are my one and the only!

You are my lucky star, my sunshine, my endless well of love. I LOVE YOU!!!

REBIRTH

Today I woke up with a different feeling, to be more correct, during the day I felt something rising inside me, like sun rises and it brightened my innermost.I felt that I am changing, am I reviving, just like a Fenix.

I realized that we shouldn't stop working on ourselves.Graduating from college or getting the skills we need to survive is not enough.We should keep working not only on our bodies or minds, but also on our souls too.

I decided to change my thoughts, my attitude to life and understand my innermost.I want to see what really lies there.Then I will find myself, my soul will be free and I can live happily in harmony with myself.

We just need to work on ourselves,that's all.Like an artist creates a masterpiece, we create ourselves.

Dont stop! Believe in yourself. Love and spread the love around you. And dont forget to smile! :)

living in an illusion...

This is a passage which I wrote one night when I was insomniac and was thinking a lot.(Usually I like to think,even if it is not always good. LOL ) When the person remains with himself, he gets better and clearer idea about anything.


People delude themselves and think they are happy by living in an illusion.They dont see the true happiness,because they dont want to,they close their eyes with their hands.I am glad I finally opened my eyes and saw the light which brightened my heart and made me realize how lucky I am by having what I have.Material world is not eternal...Money makes the world goes round...but love makes the hearts fly high...Before it is too late,listen to your heart and open it to the true happiness.


Sveta

P.S. Sometimes insomniac nights could be very useful.In the middle of the night, in the deep silence when you get the needed serenity for the answers you have been waiting...

no more me...

no more me...what is left is just a ruin...

no more me, just a flesh...

no more me, not anymore,I vanished inch by inch

each time, with the tears I poured

I am nowhere and everywhere...

just wandering in between,like a soul

trying to get beyond borders...





Sveta

April 2008

when love hurts...

this is another work of mine...
(again without any corrections, it still needs improvement)


Each second turns to eternity when I wait for you
I could wait whole my life
if knew that in the end you will be mine.
You made me believe, you made me want.
It was you who made me fall in love
Now you turn your back and say good bye.
Don’t say we are friends,
I am not and never will be.
I am tired, powerless and worn out
Your each word become a scratch on my heart
Each look… a deep scar
And each smile… a crash
Why you have to be so cruel?
Don’t you understand?
my heart belongs to you
I need you…
You are my sunshine
Only your kisses can make me blossom in the morning
and your eyes can touch my soul so deep
It's only you and no body else...

Time

This is another parable which I liked very much. Time is all we have.Despite we know all about this, how many of us stop for a while and think about it?How many of us use his/her time to the full.I must confess I am also not using my time properly, but I am aware of it and try to do my best, to use each second of this precious gift called Life.Be good to yourself, live your life to the full and open your heart to love.

Time

Imagine there is a bank that credits your account each morning with $86,400. It carries over no balance from day to day. Every evening the bank deletes whatever part of the balance you failed to use during the day. What would you do? Draw out every cent, of course! Each of us has such a bank. Its name is TIME. Every morning, it credits you with 86,400 seconds. Every night it writes off, as lost, whatever of this you have failed to invest to good purpose. It carries over no balance. It allows no overdraft. Each day it opens a new account for you. Each night it burns the remains of the day. If you fail to use the day's deposits, the loss is yours. There is no going back. There is no drawing against the "tomorrow." You must live in the present on today's deposits. Invest it so as to get from it the utmost in health, happiness, and success! The clock is running. Make the most of today. To realize the value of ONE YEAR, ask a student who failed a grade. To realize the value of ONE MONTH, ask a mother who gave birth to a premature baby. To realize the value of ONE WEEK, ask the editor of a weekly newspaper. To realize the value of ONE HOUR, ask the lovers who are waiting to meet. To realize the value of ONE MINUTE, ask a person who missed the train. To realize the value of ONE-SECOND, ask a person who just avoided an accident. Treasure every moment that you have! And treasure it more because you shared it with someone special, special enough to spend your time. Remember that time waits for no one. Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is mystery. Today is a gift. That's why it's called the present!

Need Sunshine...

4th of June.It is supposed to be summer.Outside is not more than 10 degrees celcius.It's cold and I miss the sun.Even though today is not raining and the sky is clear,still I dont feel my best.Considering that I am ill now,it makes the situation worse.I am sick, with running nose and headache, alone at home with a company of my pc and taking tons of pills that I hate.But this time I can't escape it, as my doc strongly recommended me to take them regularly.Now I have a "nice" big pack full of tablets waiting for me. Blah! Feel lazy too, or just apathic. Hmmm....Actully at these time I can be very productive and can write something good (if I stop being lazy :P ). I realized that bad conditions or emotional experiences make me more productive in writing and I can get the most out of my innermost and put it on paper.So as they say, in every bad thing there is something good. ( When I look at myself from aside I can see there are some improvements in me. :) Even if I complain I still stay or try to stay positive. ) But first I need my headache to disappear. :S

As all women, I am not exception :) , I like to share my problems and to complain.It makes me feel relief a bit.While men try first to solve their problems by themselves and ask for help only if they see they cant handle it, women dont ask for advice but need just to be heard and get the symphaty of the person at that moment.

Is anybody going to show a symphaty for me today? :)

Today's posting is more like a part of a diary.I just feel like write all that, maybe it can help somehow for me to feel better.

God, how I wish now to be on the beach and enjoy the sunshine and the breeze, and leave myself at the embrace of the sea.

Somebody rescue me!!! :)

Foods of Love

I am sure each of you have once thought about this topic and as love takes a very big part of our lifes, we think how we can make it better. :) So here are some information which is useful I think.Enjoy your reading and dont forget to make your love life more colourful. ;)

Love Foods

People have been adventurous in love, and with aphrodisiacs, for as long as our history has been recorded. In every land we continue to create love recipes to entice and seduce the opposite sex, and to enhance our performance in the act itself.

Although the reasons for attraction and desire are almost as much a mystery today as they were in ancient times, we do know that the spur for sexual desire begins in the brain - in the hypothalamus, which also governs our appetites for food and drink.

The sea is one of the major sources of life. It is therefore no surprise that most sea creatures have the elements to form an aphrodisiac. All shellfish, the strongest aphrodisiacs, contain phosphorus, calcium, iodine, iron, vitamin B and glyco­phosphates, basic essentials for an aphrodisiac. All oily fish, such as salmon, tuna, shark, eel, herring, mackerel and sardines, and many forms of white fish, including sole and turbot, contain phosphorus, calcium and vitamins A, B and D, important elements in a variety of aphrodisiac treats.

History is rife with the human pursuit of aphrodisiacs in many forms. Scientific tests have proven that some aromas can cause a greater effect on the body than the actual ingestion of foods. Here are some common foods of love used through the ages.

Asparagus: three courses of asparagus were served to 19th century bridegrooms due to its reputed aphrodisiacal powers.

Banana: due not only to its shape, but also its creamy, lush texture, some studies show its enzyme bromelain enhances male performance.

Caviar: is high in zinc, which stimulates the formation of testosterone, maintaining male functionality.

Champagne: viewed as the "drink of love," moderate quantities lower inhibitions and cause a warm glow in the body.

Chocolate: The Aztec and the Mayan people considered chocolate a luxury with aphrodisiac powers. The Aztec emperor, Montezuma, drank 50 cups of chocolate a day to enhance his sexual ability. Chocolatecontains both a sedative which relaxes and lowers inhibitions and a stimulant to increase activity and the desire for physical contact. It was actually banned from some monasteries centuries ago.

Figs: seasonal crops were celebrated by ancient Greeks in a frenzied copulation ritual.


Ginger: Ginger root has been considered an aphrodisiac for centuries because of its scent and its ability to stimulate the circulatory system.

Honey: In Persia, newlyweds drank honey mead for one moon (or month) which is where the term “honeymoon” comes from. Others say the word “honeymoon” is from an old Viking tradition, where newlyweds were given a month to get to know each other. During that month, they were encouraged to drink lots of mead, a wine made from honey.



Soy: In at least one case, soy was associated with a case of “persistent sexual arousal syndrome.” A woman consuming over a pound of soy a day became chronically aroused. Soy milk, anyone?


Tomatoes: The bright red fruit that eats like a vegetable was shunned by the Puritans due to its reputed aphrodisiac powers. They are also known as "pomme d'amour" (French for "apple of love") which resulted from a misunderstanding of "pomme de' Moors."




Pine Nuts: Pine nuts are also high in zinc and have been used for centuries to make up love potions that stimulate the libido.

Oysters: These mollusks have long had a reputation of being aphrodisiacs. Oysters are high in both protein and zinc, which raises sperm and testosterone production which in turn increases libido. Oysters have a slightly salty/sweet scent which has been compared to a female pheromone. The great lover Casanova apparently ate dozens every morning.



Cardamom: This aromatic spice is regarded as a powerful aphrodisiac in certain cultures. It’s supposedly beneficial in treating impotence.


Avocado: The Aztecs call the avocado tree “testicle tree” because its fruit hangs in pairs on the tree, resembling the male testicles.


Basil (sweet): The scent of basil was said to drive men wild. Women have been known to sprinkle dry crushed basil on their breasts to keep their husbands’ eyes from wandering.