Chapter 0 - Introduction Part 1

In a world where instant gratification, medical intervention, and ridiculous demands on our time and attention have mechanized and "routinized" our eating and lovemaking, Simple Sexy Food offers a new perspective. You can think of it as the art and science of food hooking up with the art and science of sex, an intoxicating mixture of fact and fantasy, of ultra-modern and ancient, of physical and emotional. It's all of these things and more.

 

At very least it will help you perk up your sex life and your eating habits! The beauty of it is that, at their essences, both food and sex are deliciously simple pleasures. A bit of heat, some stirring, a light touch, some gentle words, and Presto! Yes, they can get complicated, but they don't need to be. So first and foremost is the concept of simplicity. You've got enough going on in your life without having to stress out over whether you're sexy enough, or attractive enough, or a good enough cook. You are, right now. No questions asked.

 

If food and sex are valued parts of your life, or if you'd like to make them more so, what you might need is a bit of inspiration, along with good information. This cookbook is designed to help stimulate and satisfy your creative appetites and get your home fires burning.

 

Simple Sexy Background

 

Beyond the fact that food and sex have deep human biological and psychological value, for many people both are at the core of their enjoyment of life. At their best, both enhance life nearly beyond description. At their worst they fall without control into pathology.

 

Most of us live somewhere in between, and are in search of ways to enjoy both food and sex to the fullest. Enjoying them in combination is an immeasurable bonus, and will contribute to both the quality and quantity of your experiences. Of course, this applies foremost to those in committed relationships, but it must also be said that nothing builds early relationship bonds better than sharing a great meal. Typically, though, new couples aren't as dissatisfied with their sex lives as those who've been together for years, or even decades. The newness is exciting, and in some ways the idea of re-creating a new and fresh context for lovemaking is what this book is all about.

 

What's been missing in the discussion over why we're increasingly discontent in our sex lives is that arousal, attraction, even good old-fashioned horniness, are influenced by many factors, including but not limited to whether you believe something is sexy, i.e. it contributes to, enhances, or initiates the sexual experience. In other words, it's a partly a mental thing. Viagra doesn't cause men and women to become aroused. In theory it helps the body to function properly in the presence of sexual stimulation, opportunity, and belief. You need all three. The "medicalization" of sexuality and the application of principles that work for men to women have actually pushed us away farther away from that fact.

 

Typically we still need and/or want the scent, the sight, the feel, the flavor of (at least the thought of) something or someone to spark arousal. Sometimes we want them all! Food is often the answer, for whether or not it directly turns us on, it draws us together in a shared, sensual experience with nearly limitless erotic potential. It gives us energy, relaxes us, and keeps us healthy. It's pleasing both superficially and deep-down, a quality good food shares with good sex.

 

There's a rich and well-documented history of the relationship between the food and sex, as well as misconceptions galore, starting with aphrodisiacs.

 

Some misconceptions result from the fact that very few natural aphrodisiacs cause immediate or even obvious contributions to the sex drive or act. Modern science has shown us that the chemical compounds in, say, oysters, stimulate or are needed by sex-related physical functions, though their effect may not be immediate. In short, oysters are loaded with zinc, a must-have mineral for testosterone production, which in turn is a must-have hormone in the pas-de-deux of sexual arousal.

 

But what about the appearance, texture, manner of preparing and eating, even the odor of oysters? They, too, might contribute to arousal.

 

And what about chocolate, that universal treat of sweethearts and lovers-to-be? Of all the aphrodisiac foods available to modern society, a simple sweet made from cocoa beans, milk and sugar remains the most cherished for its effect on our libidos. It is the ultimate simple, sexy food, available everywhere in myriad forms, delicious and decadent, easy to prepare and consume. As science has shown us, chocolate is loaded with "feel good" neurotransmitters that release endorphins and boost serotonin, is high in caffeine-like theobromine, and contains the cannabinoid anandamide, a chemical that connects to the same brain receptors as marijuana smoke. No wonder the Aztec ruler Montezuma was said to have consumed up to 50 cups of honey-sweetened chocolate before diving into his harem of 600 women! He didn't know about the science, but apparently he enjoyed the results.

 

A quick glance at the comprehensive list of aphrodisiac foods reveals both well-known and lesser known items, those with which you may have experimented and those you'd never have considered until now. All these ingredients have interesting and often humorous historical identities, further confirmation not only of their reputed love-enhancing effects, but also of the fact that we humans have been consuming food to boost sexual pleasure since the dawn of civilization.

 

As with most long-standing myths and legends, the specific origin of a given aphrodisiac is often shrouded in mystery, a by-product of time, the era or cultural context in which it came into use, and the reason for its use in the first place. By the same token, as with most myths and legends, even though their veracity may not be provable, a kernel of truth usually lies somewhere beneath the obfuscating layers of time and re-telling.

 

To bring some modern sensibility to the history of aphrodisiacs, I have conducted surveys of over 3000 adults to determine their sexy food preferences, usage, and suggestions. The survey data are not exhaustive, yet give insight into what regular folks do with food to enhance their sexuality. The surveys revealed that chocolate is the aphrodisiac of choice for modern Americans, and that a romantic dinner prepared by someone else is the sexiest setting, but the data also reveal something of a lack of knowledge about the variety and potential of aphrodisiac foods, something this cookbook addresses to the extreme.