Simple Sexy Food {recipe + photo contest}

Ever since I started seeing my health coach, I’ve been practicing the pleasure principle and have lost 20 pounds without counting a single calorie. Recently I was asked to participate in a virtual book tour for Simple Sexy Food, which takes the pleasure principle for eating to a whole new level!

Do aphrodisiacs work? What exactly are they? How can I use them? The Simple Sexy Food virtual tour with clinical sex therapist and foodie Linda De Villers, PhD., answers these questions and more. There are many ordinary foods that can have aphrodisiac effects – and this tour will help you understand them.

In her book, De Villers shares her knowledge about the myths and truth about aphrodisiacs. She also share over 80 recipes and a wealth of love and sex tips.

Sample Recipe

Artichokes Stuffed with Shrimp

Eating an artichoke takes time…a great metaphor for sensual lovemaking.

SEXY FOODS: artichoke (or avocado), shrimp

• 2 medium to large artichokes
• 2 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 10 cups water
• 2 teaspoons vinegar
• 1 3/4 teaspoons salt
• 1/3 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated lemon zest
• 1/4 teaspoon chopped fresh tarragon
• 1/4 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1/4 pound peeled, cooked small shrimp
• Lemon wedges for garnishing

1. Remove coarse outer leaves from the artichokes and trim the stems even with the bases so artichokes stand upright. With a sharp knife, cut off the top third of each artichoke. With scissors, trim thorns from tips of remaining leaves. Rub the cut surfaces with about 1 teaspoon of the lemon juice.
2. In a 3-quart or larger non-aluminum pot, combine the water, vinegar, and 1 1/2 teaspoons of the salt. Bring to a boil over high heat. Add the artichokes, cover, and boil gently until the stem ends pierce readily with a fork, about 30 minutes. Drain.
3. Let cool slightly, then pull out and discard center leaves, and scrape out fuzzy centers with a spoon. Drizzle the cavities with about 2 teaspoons of the lemon juice and let the artichokes cool thoroughly. Wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour or until the next day.
4. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, mix the mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon zest, tarragon, mustard, remaining 1 ½ tablespoons lemon juice, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt. If making ahead, refrigerate the sauce until needed.
5. When ready to assemble, mix the shrimp with 1/4 cup sauce in a small bowl, then spoon the mixture into the artichoke cavities.
6. Serve the remaining sauce in individual dishes for dipping the artichoke leaves.
7. Garnish with lemon wedges.

Variation: Substitute a large avocado, halved, for the artichokes. You can scoop out a little of the avocado flesh to make more room for filling. Stuff each half with shrimp mixture. Serve the remaining sauce on the side.

Simple Sexy Kitchen Tip

When grating citrus zest, do not go too deep. You want to avoid the underlying bitter, white pith.

Love Skills

Get the prep work out of the way, and make some time for a little foreplay!

We invite you to participate in the Simple Sexy Food Recipe Photo Contest – http://www.lovecoachjourney.com/recipe-photo-contest – the grand prize winner will get a one on one aphrodisiac consultation and five runner ups will receive a digital copy of Love Skills by Linda De Villers.