Ten strategies to give your sex life a lift

Bored in the bedroom? Do you and your partner experience more excitement from watching reality TV than from enjoying each other’s company? Candlelight and romantic music are nice but did you know that your diet and lifestyle might have a more lasting impact on your love life?

Think about it. When you are in good shape, you feel better about yourself and you’ve got more stamina. It all fits together. Short-term performance solutions may sound inviting, but to put the spark back into your love life day in/day out, there are other simple strategies to consider.

Here are my first five strategies for living a “better sex” lifestyle. Get together with your partner and have fun turning these simple ideas into lifelong habits. Check back next week for “Part Two”.

• Honey, call the doctor! As soon as you notice an issue in your love life, get over any embarrassment and talk with your doctor. Low libido and/or sexual performance issues can be early warning signs of everything from cardiovascular disease and hypertension to thyroid disease or other hormonal disorders. So the first thing you must do is have a medical professional rule out an underlying health condition.
• Laugh and chill out. Mother Nature was smart. She didn’t want us having babies during stressful times. Stress lowers testosterone, an important hormone for our libido and performance. Find activities that help relieve stress on a regular basis, and stick with them.
• Kick the smoking habit. Smoking can damage the blood vessels that affect performance.
• Think ‘better sex through nutrition’. Processed foods and high fat diets have been linked to poor sexual performance and libido. So instead of a burger or pizza, choose foods that may help boost libido and arouse passion such as avocados, almonds, basil, dark chocolate and garlic. Who knew that guacamole was an aphrodisiac?
• Schedule romance before dinner. If you’re going to unzip your pants, make sure it’s for reasons of romance—and not because you’re so bloated that it’s either unbutton or risk cutting off circulation. There’s nothing like a big, heavy meal to crush your performance and desire, especially if it includes alcohol.

JJ Virgin is one of the nation’s foremost fitness and nutrition experts, an accomplished public speaker and media personality. Her 25 years in the health and fitness industry, the past 10 in holistic nutrition and functional medicine, have earned JJ recognition as the go-to weight loss expert who can unlock the door to lifelong weight management through her sensible, no-fail approach to nutrition and fitness. JJ is the author of Six Weeks to Sleeveless and Sexy published by Simon & Schuster Gallery and the co-star of the TLC reality series, Freaky Eaters.

Red meat and pork chops for better health?

Guys, here’s good news for meat lovers! Pork chops and the right kind of beef may actually offer some impressive health benefits. Check out what else made the list for the best food choices for improving your health:

• Pomegranate juice. This liquid disease fighter is packed with antioxidants, and some studies have indicated it may offer some protection against certain cancers, including prostate cancer.
• Kale. This natural detoxifier supports liver health.
• Iceberg lettuce. Iceberg wins over romaine lettuce because it contains significantly more alpha-carotene, an immune-boosting antioxidant.
• Mushrooms. They are also believed to crank up your immune system.
• Bananas. Rich in potassium, bananas support healthy blood pressure levels.
• Green tea. This natural weight loss aid may also rev up your metabolism.
• Soybeans. These little guys are a great source of protein, fiber, iron and omega-3 fatty acids and provide better satiety than other snacks. Feel fuller longer!
• Oysters. Oysters are packed with zinc, which your body needs for DNA production and cellular repair.
• Grass-fed beef. Besides containing fewer hormones and antibiotics than corn-fed beef, grass-fed beef also has less fat and more conjugated linoleic acid, which may help reduce belly fat.
• Salmon. Salmon and other fatty fish is full of omega-3 fatty acids, which act as natural anti-inflammatories and may be beneficial for your brain, cholesterol and immune system.
• Red pepper flakes. New research shows that the capsaicin found in peppers may provide some cancer protection, and a Dutch study found that if consumed prior to a meal red pepper flakes may prevent overeating.
• Vinegar. It is thought to naturally help regulate blood sugar levels and promote a better sense of satiety.
• Whole grains. Go for whole grain pasta, quinoa, oatmeal and barley: these choices may help lower LDL (bad) cholesterol and may also be good for your prostate.
• Bright berries. These “good for your brain” fruits include cherries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, strawberries and cranberries.
• Pork chops. These meat cuts contain significantly more selenium than beef or chicken, which means your cells are getting more free-radical protection. One study found that pork chops may also be beneficial if you’re trying to lose weight: they may help preserve your muscle while shedding pounds.

Exercise your body and mind with a healthy hobby

You work hard and deserve a little “me” time. Getting involved with a hobby is an excellent way to spend your free time, especially if it’s something that keeps your body fit and your mind active. Wind down from a long day at work or spend part of your weekend doing something that truly sparks your interest (vegging out on the couch watching TV or working from home don’t count!). There are plenty of entertaining hobbies that benefit your health from the inside and out by sharpening your brain, pumping your heart and soothing your soul. If you don’t have one already, here are some of our favorite healthy hobbies:

• Gardening. Get some exercise, sunlight and fresh air, not to mention a sense of accomplishment from growing your own crop or watching your seeds blossom into beautiful flowers.
• Yoga. Get it out of your head that yoga is a “girly” workout. “Manly” yoga classes are springing up all over the country. Yoga is excellent for improving strength, flexibility and balance, as well as helping you de-stress.
• Learn a new language. Next time you’re at your favorite bistro, show off your skills by ordering in Italian! There are great at-home programs out there that enable you to learn a variety of languages on your own schedule, or find a class so that you have practice partners.
• Bowling. Depending on your weight, one hour of bowling burns off between 175 and 250 calories. Just don’t get too crazy with the beer and fried bowling alley food, which can turn this healthy hobby unhealthy!
• Cooking. Start experimenting with some healthy recipes and consider taking a healthy cooking class at your local community college.
• Mentoring. Have fun and make a difference. Mentors can do a number of things, such as  going to athletic events, getting pizza, playing video games, going to movies, shooting hoops, helping with homework and the list goes on! Programs such as Big Brother are a great opportunity to offer guidance and truly make a difference in a kid’s life.
• Join a league. Make some new buddies and get a good workout as well. Most cities have plenty of leagues to choose from, including bowling, tennis, basketball, softball and horseshoes. And don’t be self-conscious if you want to try a new activity: you can usually find beginner or amateur leagues.
• Water sports. Nothing is better than some fun in the sun! Jet-skiing, water-skiing, kayaking paddle-boating and wakeboarding are all fun, healthy ways to enjoy yourself during the summer months. Just don’t forget the SPF 30!

“Living pharmacies” are a natural source of nutrition and health

When most people hear the word “pharmacy” they don’t envision beautiful, lush gardens.

Malaysian villages are home to medicinal gardens that act as natural living pharmacies full of plants they use as a source of nutrition and health.

One of the components of these living pharmacies is the mangosteen fruit, which is valued for more than its exotic flavor, which mimics a fusion of a passion fruit and a peach. Malays believe mangosteens to contain powerful antioxidants known as xanthones, which may provide an immune boost while also standing up to bacterial and viral infections.

In the Malay world, male sexual prowess and stamina are closely related to man’s spirit.

The herb tongkat ali has traditionally been consumed by Malay men to increase overall energy, support sexual potency, boost metabolism and improve fertility. Luckily, tongkat ali is available to us in supplement form: Physta™ is a patented freeze-dried water extract form of Tongkat Ali. It was developed in collaboration with the MIT Research Center, and is the primary active ingredient in Tenaga.

Could you be experiencing male menopause?

If you thought menopause was something only women had to worry about, think again! While testosterone levels naturally decrease with aging, this dip in hormone levels may indicate an onset of “male menopause.” Male menopause, or andropause, represents a change in testosterone levels and its associated symptoms.

While menopause in women marks a complete hormone plunge and loss of fertility, male menopause tends to be much more gradual. If you’re healthy, you may still be able to produce sperm well into your seventies or even eighties, although subtle changes in testosterone levels can begin occurring in your forties or fifties.

You may experience less-intense versions of the typical symptoms of female menopause (think hot flashes, night sweats and lack of energy), but other symptoms that may indicate a decrease in testosterone include:

• Sexual problems, such as fewer erections, dip in desire or smaller testes
• Sleep disturbances
• Emotional changes, such as depression, poor concentration, nervousness or anxiety.
• Physical changes, such as decreased muscle mass and bone density, an increase in body fat, hair loss and swollen or tender breasts.

 You are more at risk to experience male menopause if you are obese or suffer from certain conditions, such as diabetes or cancer, or if your overall health is in tough shape. If you think you may be going through male menopause, talk to your doctor! Together you can discuss treatment options available to you.

Five ancient energy boosters revealed

Are you throwing back highly-caffeinated energy drinks or spending a huge portion of your paycheck on the Starbucks drive-through every morning just to get through the Monday-to-Friday work week grind? If so, you may want to consider a more natural approach to boosting your energy.

Malaysians have been practicing health and beauty traditions for centuries. These traditions are known as ramuan and are all about synergy, balance and moderation, a holistic approach for attuning the body’s energies with nature’s rhythms. Here are five natural ramuan secrets for boosting energy:

Exercise—Regular exercise may play a significant role in a number of different health aspects, such as increasing energy, decreasing fatigue and even boosting sexual desire. Malays have long practiced senaman asak badan, a traditional form of exercise that consists of a combination of body movements and breathing techniques. Many of the movements include yoga-like postures (think bending tree, tiger, snake, warrior and blowing-flute poses). Benefits of senaman asak badan include improved flexibility, agility, endurance and strength.

Detox—Part of the ramuan regimen includes herbal cleansing to help purify and rejuvenate the body, promote a youthful complexion, improve digestion and optimize liver health.

Massage—Even though it’s ultra-relaxing, massage has been known to improve energy levels as well. Malays practice a traditional form of massage known as urut melayu, a deep-tissue massage with long, kneading strokes that focuses on blood flow in the urat, or veins and arteries. This traditional massage stimulates energy points while loosening and warming up muscles. 

Herbal supplements—There are a couple great supplements that make it easy to reap the benefits of rare, potent Malaysian herbs. Tenaga may support energy, overall well-being and sexual vitality in men, and Asmara may support energy, vitality, and postpartum firming and toning as well as overall emotional well-being in women.

Foods—Greens already pack a potent punch, so how about turning it up a notch? For lunch or dinner Malays eat ulam, a fresh, leafy herbal salad that they believe to have anti-aging properties and significant antioxidant activity. If you’re feeling adventurous, try this traditional ulam recipe.

Healing herbs and spices you should have in your pantry

Herbs and spices may have more to offer than just flavor! Some are believed to carry some impressive healing benefits as well. We think everyone should include the following herbs and spices in their pantries. We’ve also searched the Internet for a few tasty ideas for incorporating them into your diet:

Curry—Curry contains turmeric, the yellow spice that gives curry its distinctive color. Turmeric’s active component is called curcumin, which is associated with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-tumor and anti-amyloid properties. (Amyloids are plaque-like proteins that build up in brain tissue and are thought to be responsible for diseases like Alzheimer’s and rheumatoid arthritis.) Try chicken curry for a tried-and-true favorite.

Ginger—No wonder your mother gave you ginger ale when you felt sick to your stomach as a child: Ginger is believed to help relieve nausea. It’s also thought to provide some relief from headaches, menstrual cramps, muscles soreness and arthritis. A gingery grilled salmon salad makes for a light, delicious meal that offers up ginger’s healing benefits.

Cardamom— Cardamom is thought to increase circulation as well as improve energy, digestion, asthma and bronchitis. It’s also believed to fight halitosis, perk up a bad mood and even function as an aphrodisiac. (If the aphrodisiac belief is true, we sure hope the bad breath-fighting qualities are as well!) Try baking up some cinnamon cardamom snickerdoodles for some sweet natural healing.

Garlic—Besides offering protection from Count Dracula, garlic may also support healthy cholesterol and blood pressure levels. Garlic is also thought to have antibacterial properties. It’s up to you to decide if the health benefits are worth the stinky breath, though! A delicious garlic-centric side dish that can accent pretty much any meal is garlic green beans.

Fennel seed—Fennel helps digestion in a couple ways: It stimulates the production of gastric juices and also soothes the nervous system, regulating the action of the muscles that line the intestine. Check out this recipe for beef tenderloins with ancho and fennel seeds: The combination of ground ancho, fennel seeds and star anise make for a brilliantly mouthwatering flavor fusion.

Cinnamon—Cinnamon may support healthy blood sugar levels and is also thought to detoxify the system. Did we also mention that it may support brain function and have antiseptic properties as well? While these benefits aren’t proven, sprinkling a little cinnamon on your oatmeal or toast adds a sweet kick (and possibly some impressive healing properties) to your morning. If you’re not watching your waistline you could also treat your taste buds to a cinnamon roll.