Arousing Aromas

Alan R. Hirsch, M.D., a neurologist at the Smell and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation of Chicago, Illinois performed studies of food smells and concluded that aromas such as those from pumpkin pie and freshly baked cinnamon buns can be more sexually stimulating than a bottle of Chanel No. 5 perfume. The smell of certain foods was actually found to increase the blood flow to a man's penis.

One test group consisted of thirty one men who were given 46 different aromas to assess, such as peppermint, pizza, parsley, peppermint, buttered popcorn, orange, and chocolate and a variety of combinations. Each of men had their penile blood flow measured during inhalation of the various scents. According to the Foundation's study the following foods significantly increased penile blood flow in the participants:

While none of the aromas decreased penile blood flow, all aromas had some enhancing effect. Some more than others: Men whose sexual partners wear cologne were stimulated most by lavender. Those who felt sexually satisfied responded most to strawberry. Older men experienced the greatest enhancement with vanilla. Those who reported the most frequent sexual activity were particularly aroused by lavender, cola and oriental spice.

Sinsuality, Bruce and I want this Valentine's Day to be the most fulfilling for you and your partner. To spice things up, we offer information on that luscious herb, lavender, as well as pumpkin, two foods with aromas most likely to spark his passion (according to some studies).

Lavender

Lavender is a hearty plant and easy to grow if planted in a sunny location with good soil drainage. We at The World Square have enjoyed breathtaking views of seemingly endless fields of lavender growing in the French countryside. It is a sight to behold! While your gardening area may not allow you as much space, you can enjoy the beauty of the purple spikes and the clean, fresh fragrance of this enchanting plant.

In the Bedroom

To offer a delicate lavender scent to arouse his passions, scent your room with lavender. The bedroom is an obvious choice but don't neglect the other areas of your home. Make sweet, lacy lavender sachets, tie them with a pretty satin ribbon, and tuck them in drawers, hang them from doors or bedposts (!) and set one or two behind a bookshelf or arrange a few in a pretty basket set upon a table.

In the Kitchen

Sweet Wine Lavender Cookies
Batonnets Au Vin Doux et A La Lavande

Bruce & I prefer bite-size cookies and never became fans of the "big cookie" syndrome. Cut these cookies into small nuggets to bake.

To eat, we suggest you pour a glass of a sweet dessert wine for him, slip a slice of fresh peach into the wine goblet, feed him the wine soaked peach and let him nibble on the cookies (and you!) and then drink the peach-flavored wine together. A wonderful dessert and a perfect beginning for the rest of your evening together. (And peaches are so erotic ... but more on that later!)

1 cup plus 1 1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/3 cup lavender sugar*
A pinch of salt
4 tablespoons butter
2 1/2 tablespoons sweet white wine
12 leaves of fresh lavender, finely chopped

Sift the flour, all but 1 tablespoon of the sugar, and the salt into a bowl. Rub in the butter until the mixture resembles bread crumbs. Mix a well in the center and add the wine and the lavender leaves and stir in gently. Leave the mixture for 10 minutes, stirring now and again, by which time it will have bonded together, then gather together to make a soft dough.

Roll out the dough on a floured board to about 1/8 inch thick and use a serrated pasta wheel to cut out small strips, about 2 inches by 1 inch. Place on a buttered baking tray, giving one half of each strip a twist as you do so to make the cookies look like little bows. Bake at 375 degrees F. for about 6 to 8 minutes or until the edges are just turning brown. Cool on a wire rack and sprinkle with the remaining sugar.
Recipe courtesy of Recipes from a French Herb Garden.

Lavender Sugar:

Mix 2 tablespoons of spikes of fresh lavender flowers or 1 tablespoon of dried lavender flowers with 1 cup of superfine sugar. Select a glass jar and make alternate layers of sugar and lavender flowers until the jar is full. Cover tightly and leave in a warm, dry room for 1 to 2 weeks. Shake the jar through a sieve before use. This method is similar to the conventional method you use to make vanilla sugar.

Something to Wear to Get Him Aroused 

The paramours of 19th Century France kept their cool yet got their men hot by spritzing on freshly scented eau de toilettes. It's easy to make scented waters and the lavender fragrance will awaken his interest. Bruce & I make our own lavender water and display it in a pretty flacon on our vanity. You can use any bottle or jar you have handy. Dress it up with a pretty ribbon and display it! Here's the recipe: it's so easy & fun to make you'll want to make an extra bottle or two and share it with your friends.

2 cups distilled water 1/4 cup vodka 8 drops lavender oil

Pour the distilled water into a mixing bowl. Add the alcohol. Add the oil. Stir and pour mixture into a covered bottle for at least one week in a cool, dark area for the scent to age. Then add it to your bath water! Splash it on your neck or face. Pat it on other places, too.

Pumpkin

In Turkey, pumpkin seeds are considered a potent aphrodisiac and the Illinois study pointed to pumpkin as a powerful scent to arouse a man's interest. You can easily grow your own pumpkins. We, Bruce and I were successful in harvesting a few fine specimens this past fall but you can opt to purchase pumpkin at the market.

In the Kitchen ... Recipes to Arouse His Desire

Pies are a delicious dessert and many guys will opt for pie over cake when given the choice. Make a pumpkin pie and stir up his urges!

Here's America's favorite pumpkin pie recipe:

2 eggs, slightly beaten 1 16 oz. can solid pack pumpkin (Libby's) 3/4 cup sugar 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ginger 1/4 teaspoon cloves 1 1/2 cups (12 ounces) undiluted evaporated milk 1 9 inch unbaked pie shell

Mix filling ingredients in order given. Pour into pie shell. Bake in a preheated oven for 425 degrees F for 15 minutes. Reduce temperature to 350 degrees F and continue baking for 45 minutes until knife inserted in center of pie filling comes out clean. Cool. Garnish with whipped cream, if desired. Makes one 9 inch pie.

Crunchy Pecan Topping:

In a small bowl, mix 1 cup coarsely chopped pecans with 2/3 cup firmly packed light brown sugar. Drizzle with 3 tablespoons melted butter or margarine; stir until uniformly moistened. Sprinkle over completely cooled pumpkin pie. Broil about 5 inches from heat for 1 to 2 minutes, until topping is bubbly. Serve while warm. Or cool, then garnish with whipped cream or dessert topping and extra pecan halves. Top one 9 inch pie.
Recipe courtesy of Libby's.