Aphrodisiacs of Life

There’s an arousing array of herbs, spices, and foods to help you strengthen your vitality, nourish your body and enhance your sensuality. From ginger to nettles, chia to cacao, nuts, seeds and fruits are foods of love. A toned and balanced body is the first step to living the super luscious life. Recently, after my Spice It Up! Cooking class at Kripalu, I noticed that I was energized even after having a vigorous teaching schedule. I was thinking what was the difference between this particular time teaching and some other previous workshops that I’ve taught is that I was constantly drinking lots of nettle ginger tea through the day and it made a huge difference.

Nettles nourishes hair, skin, blood, bones and glands. Loaded with calcium, iron, magnesium and potassium, drinking nettle tea or adding fresh or dried nettles to soups and stews will support, balance, and enhance your well being.

Here is a quick and easy recipe for making nettle ginger tea. Steep 1 tablespoon of dried nettle leaf and 1 teaspoon-tablespoon of fresh grated ginger in 1 cup of boiling water. Optional: add honey or maple syrup to taste.

Once you balance and tone the body then you can enhance your well being by adding a little chocolate since Valentine’s Day is coming up. Chocolate raises our endorphins, and therefore makes us happy and feeling the love. When I want a little pep in my step, here is one of my favorite chocolate drinks:

Chocolate Cashew Lassi also known as Chocolate Smoothie

I am offering a Special Valentine’s Day Dinner Cooking Class on Saturday, February 14, 3:30PM-7:30PM in Shutesbury, MA. $100.00 Bring a friend and save $10 each; 2 for $180.00. If you are looking for more inspiration, please come. I also can offer overnight accommodations for those coming a great distance. Contact me for more information and to reserve your place: leslie@lesliecerier.com

For those on the west coast, please join me at Esalen, March 29-April 4, 2015 for Delicious Meals in Minutes, Fresh From the Esalen Garden: https://www.lesliecerier.com/classes/

Wishing you the most luscious Valentine’s Day Ever!

Leslie

Photo by Tracey Eller