Heart Matters

I ended up in the hospital last week due to complications of high blood pressure and had a mild heart attack. I underwent angioplasty , an echocardiogram and an MRI procedure . Shits complicating .

Happy Valentines Day !

From My Valentine

I got a lovely arrangement of red roses mixed with carnations and some other flowers from Phil for Valentines . They are giving off a budding scent right now as I type . 

To My Valentine : I made No Nut Carrot Pulp heart-shaped cakes with chocolate only ignore the mess cause they were really good . There was 4 hearts but we managed to eat them all up along with the strawberries dipped in chocolate .

Here is the recipe for the No Nut Carrot Pulp Cookies Cake

2 cups carrot pulp
1 cup chopped soft dates
meat from 1 young coconut (I didn't have this but I used about 1 cup of organic coconut milk instead )
2 T coconut butter
2 T chia seeds covered in 1/4 cup water to make a chia seed gel
1 t freshly grated ginger- varied nutmeg & vanilla with cinnamon
1/2 t cinnamon
raisins for garnish (optional)
Blend all ingredients except for the chia seed gel in the food processor with s blade until well processed. Mix in the chia seed gel. Form into small cookies (top with a raisin) and dehydrate for about 20 hrs at 115 degrees. Makes about 16 small cookies.

→ Okay here is what I did . Since I don't have a dehydrator, I substituted the chia seeds with one Tablespoon of ground flax and the dough and/or batter was really good. I made those heart shaped cakes with a cookie cutter .

This is how I made the chocolate frosting:
1/3 cup cacao powder
pinch of salt
13 agave nectar
1/6 coconut oil, melted
Food process, or use a hand blender and mix all ingredients together. Taste the yumminess.

Almond & Chocolaty Fig Strawberries

created by Heather McCarthy for the Hot Raw Chef Scholarship


Almond Cream Sauce
Instructions: Make Irish moss gel . It consists of 1 ounce of Irish moss blended with 1 cup of water (soak Irish moss 8-12 hours, make sure you wash it really well )

1 cup almonds , blanched and soaked for 8 hours
1/3 cup Irish moss gel(already made)
1/4 cup Agave
1 Tblsp water
1 tsp vanilla extract
Set in fridge for about an hour to firm consistency .


Chocolate Fig Sauce
5 dried and soaked figs chopped (soak for 45 minutes)
2 Tblsp Agave
3/4 cup water
3 tsp red Miso – blend ingredients for 1 minute
add 1/8 tsp vanilla extract
3 tsp cacao powder
1/8 cayenne
1/8 tsp Tamarind
1/4 cup dried strawberries – set in fridge to firm up.
Prep strawberries . remove the stems . Cut strawberries in half lengthwise and made a v-cut in the center of the strawberry and fill with both sauces . yumm

click to see contestants

I voted for Heather in the Hot Raw Chef contest, because she presented her recipe really well and it made sense, and it looked like something I would like to try and easy enough that I could make lol  and it had at least 4 aphrodisiac food. Strawberries, figs, almonds, chocolate which she even mentions and I agree with her . Some contestants didn't even have one aphrodisiac lol ok maybe cacao powder but that's it .


UPDATE: I forgot to mention , that if you vote for the next 'Hot Raw Chef' you will in return receive an ebook of all 44 recipes entered in the contest, as a "thank you" gift :) So go to http://hotrawchef.com/VoteInfo.html before Feb 9th to cast your vote :)

I pretty much killed myself getting the Irish Moss for this recipe though. Beside the fact that the Journey of Health Store is really far from where I live , I had to take the bus , and the owner temporarily closed the store.

When I got there, I found a sign in the window that said: "Temporarily Closed. Will be back at 4pm , sorry for any inconvenience :)" . It meant I had about 4 hours to kill so I went to see my boyfriend at his work by bus . Anyway that day I ate some cooked food and something else in the form of a bug . My throat is sore and I had a fever .Walking back and forth twice didn't help , but I did go back at 4 o,clock that afternoon, only the store was still not opened and I was pretty disappointed never mind my aching feet .
Anyway the next day, I made sure I phoned first ; but there was no answer :/ so I phoned again and I was relieved to hear that they would be open all day . I was feeling a little sick with a high temperature still .

However, if I was going to make The Potluck I needed some Irish Moss. I ordered some online but I knew it would never come in time for the potluck even though I paid $38 for delivery . The moss cost $12 or something online. Anyway , as I type this my fever has disappeared but my throat is still sore . I have my Irish Moss soaking in water since last night and it's getting pretty soft and big lol . It's wonderful stuff . I still need red miso though ooops. I don't know why I can't use the miso I have . Anyway I hope this recipe tastes good .

Aphrodisiac Food for Valentines

• Almond

A symbol of fertility throughout the ages. The aroma is thought to induce passion in a female. Try serving Marzipan (almond paste) in the shapes of fruits for a special after-dinner treat.

• Aniseed

A very popular aphrodisiac with many culinary uses. It has been used as an aphrodisiac since the Greeks and the Romans, who believed aniseed had special powers. Sucking on the seeds is said to increase your desire.

• Arugula

Arugula or "rocket" seed has been documented as an aphrodisiac since the first century A.D. This ingredient was added to grated orchid bulbs and parsnips and also combined with pine nuts and pistachios. Arugula greens are frequently used in salads and pasta.

• Asafetida

An Indian dried, powdered herb used as a sexual stimulant in Ayurvedic medicine. The herb has a very strong, garlicy flavor.

• Asparagus

Given it's phallic shape, asparagus is frequently enjoyed as an aphrodisiac food. Feed your lover boiled or steamed spears for a sensuous experience. The Vegetarian Society suggests "eating asparagus for three days for the most powerful affect".

• Avocado

The Aztecs called the avocado tree "Ahuacuatl which translated means "testicle tree". The ancients thought the fruit hanging in pairs on the tree resembled the male's testicles. This is a delicious fruit with a sensuous texture. Serve in slices with a small amount of Balsamic vinegar and freshly ground pepper.

• Bananas

The banana flower has a marvelous phallic shape and is partially responsible for popularity of the banana as an aphrodisiac food. An Islamic myth tells the tale that after Adam and Eve succumbed to the "Apple" they started covering their "nudity" with banana leaves rather than fig. From a more practical standpoint bananas are rich in potassium and B vitamins, necessities for sex hormone production.

• Basil (sweet basil)

Is said to stimulate the sex drive and boost fertility. It is also said to produce a general sense of well being for body and mind.

• Broccoli Rabe (And Other Mustard Greens)

The ground seeds of various plants in the brassica family were believed to increase virility. In the case of broccoli rabe its more likely a myth created to get people to eat this bitter vegetable.

• Chocolate

The Aztecs referred to chocolate "nourishment of the Gods". Chocolate contains chemicals thought to effect neurotransmitters in the brain and a related substance to caffeine called theobromine. Chocolate contains more antioxidant (cancer preventing enzymes) than does red wine. The secret for passion is to combine the two. Try a glass of Cabernet with a bit of dark chocolate for a sensuous treat .

The Empowered Chocolate Bar with Raw Cacao Nibs

• Carrots

Another good reason to eat carrots--believed to be a stimulant to the male. The phallus shaped carrot has been associated with stimulation since ancient times and was used by early Middle Eastern royalty to aid seduction. High vitamins and beta-carotene. Perhaps a justification for a piece of carrot cake?

• Coffee

Caffeine is a well-know stimulant but remember, too much and it becomes a depressant. Serve small amounts of rich dark coffee in special little demitasse cups. Coffee stimulates both the body and the mind so partake of a little in preparation for an "all-nighter".

• Coriander (Cilantro seed)

The book of The Arabian nights tells a tale of a merchant who had been childless for 40 years but was cured by a concoction that included coriander. That book is over 1000 years old so the history of coriander as an aphrodisiac dates back far into history. Cilantro was also know to be used as an "appetite" stimulant.

• Fennel

In the 1930's fennel was found to be a source of natural plant estrogens. Use of fennel as an aphrodisiac dates back to the Egyptian times where it was used as "libido enhancement".

• Figs

An open fig is thought to emulate the female sex organs and traditionally thought of as sexual stimulant. A man breaking open a fig and eating it in front of his lover is a powerful erotic act. Serve fresh Black Mission figs in a cool bowl of water as it is done in Italy and be sure to eat with your fingers!

• Garlic

The 'heat' in garlic is said to stir sexual desires. Make sure you and your partner share it together. Garlic has been used for centuries to cure everything from the common cold to heart ailments. This is a good time for moderation. Enjoy a pasta with a lightly garlicky sauce and it and lead up to something spicy in the bedroom later.

• Ginger

Ginger root raw, cooked or crystallized is a stimulant to the circulatory system. Perhaps a stir-fry with freshly grated ginger can stir something spicy up in the bedroom later.

• Honey

Many medicines in Egyptian times were based on honey including cures for sterility and impotence. Medieval seducers plied their partners with Mead, a fermented drink made from honey. Lovers on their "Honeymoon" drank mead and it was thought to "sweeten" the marriage.

• Liquorice (licorice)

The Chinese have used licorice for medicinal purposes since ancient times. The essence of the Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice) plan, glycrrhizin, is 50 time sweeter than sugar. Chewing on bits of licorice root is said to enhance love and lust. It is particularly stimulating to woman.

• Mustard

Believed to stimulate the sexual glands and increase desire. Prepare a tenderloin roast (filet mignon) for two with a mustard and peppercorn sauce.

• Nutmeg

Nutmeg was highly prized by Chinese women as an aphrodisiac. In quantity nutmeg can produce a hallucinogenic effect. A light sprinkling of the spice in a warm pumpkin soup can help spice up your evening.

• Oysters

Oysters were documented as a aphrodisiac food by the Romans in the second century A.D as mentioned in a satire by Juvenal. He described the wanton ways of women after ingesting wine and eating "giant oysters". An additional hypotheses is that the oyster resembles the "female" genitals. In reality oysters are a very nutritious and high in protein.(I think I'll pass on this one)

• Pine Nuts

Zinc is a key mineral necessary to maintain male potency and pine nuts are rich in zinc. Pine nuts have been used to stimulate the libido as far back as Medieval times. Serve pine nut cookies with a dark espresso for a stimulating dessert.

• Pineapple

Rich in vitamin C and and is used in the homeopathic treatment for impotence. Add a spear to a sweet Rum drink for a tasty prelude to an evening of passion.

• Raspberries and Strawberries

Perfect foods for hand feeding your lover. "Both invite love and are described in erotic literature as fruit nipples" Both are high in vitamin C and make a sweet light dessert.

• Truffles

The Greeks and the Romans considered the rare Truffle to be an aphrodisiac. The musky scent is said to stimulate and sensitize the skin to touch.

• Vanilla

The scent and flavor of vanilla is believed to increase lust. According to the Australian Orchid Society, "Old Totonac lore has it that Xanat, the young daughter of the Mexican fertility goddess, loved a Totonac youth. Unable to marry him due to her divine nature, she transformed herself into a plant that would provide pleasure and happiness." Fill tall Champagne glasses to the rim and add a vanilla bean for a heady, bubbly treat.

• Wine

A glass or two of wine can greatly enhance a romantic interlude. Wine relaxes and helps to stimulate our senses. Drinking wine can be an erotic experience. Let your eyes feast on the color of the liquid. Caress the glass, savor the taste on your lips. Do remember that excessive alcohol will make you too drowsy for the after-dinner romance. A moderate amount of wine has been said to "arouse" but much more than that amount with have the reverse affect.

Taken from [Aphrodisiac Foods & Recipes]