Winter Comfort foods

Soups 2

Tomato soup

Nutritional value of tomato:

Tomatoes contain dietary fibre, vitamin A in form of beta-carotene, vitamin E, vitamin C, vitamin B6, niacin, folate, biotin and the following minerals copper, potassium and manganese. Provides essential antioxidants.

They are good for you heart, skin, hair, eyes and kidneys.

Ingredients:

cubed tomatoes	5
shallot	1
cloves of garlic	4
chopped red pepper	1
peeled and cubed potatoes	2
water	500ml
rosemary  leaves	6
basil leaves	7-8
salt	Up to your taste
pepper	Up to your taste
butter	1tsp
olive oil	1tsp

Melt the butter in a medium size pan add the shallot, garlic and chopped pepper stir them in. 

Mix the potatoes and the tomatoes in and salt the mixture.

Add the water and cook it for 10 minutes

Blend the soup with fresh rosemary and basil leaves.

Stir the olive oil into the creamy soup.

Winter Comfort foods

Soups

Sweet potato soup

Health benefits of sweet potatoes: 

The strong orange colour of the sweet potatoes is from the beta-carotene content, which is a vitamin A. They are effective source of other vitamins: vitamin C, pantothenic acid, niacin, vitamin B6, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, the following minerals: manganese, potassium, phosphorous and dietary fibre.

1	shallot	2 chopped
2	garlic cloves	3 chopped
3	sweet potatoes	3 peeled and cubed
4	chilli pepper	½ sliced
5	vegetable  stocks solution	1
6	water	500 ml
7	nutmeg	½ tsp
8	salt
9	pepper
10	Greek yogurt or coconut milk	2 tbsp
11	olive oil	1tsp
12	roasted   buckwheat	2 tbsp

tbsp: tablespoon

tsp: teaspoon 

Place 1-9 ingredients into a medium size pan and cook it until the sweet potatoes get soft.

Blend the soup until it becomes creamy.

Stir the yogurt / coconut milk and oil in.

Season it if required.

Serve the soup with roasted buckwheat sprinkled on the top.

Aphrodisiac Foods

Foods stimulate sexual desire are called aphrodisiac foods. Aphrodisiac is a Greek word aphrodisiakos from aphrodisios –belonging to Aphrodite- relating to love or desire.

Sexual desire is initially modulated by the release of sex hormones, for males testosterone and for females oestrogen.

Here is a list of foods that can boost your sex drive naturally.

Cinnamon is considered to be one of the most effective natural aphrodisiacs.

Oysters improve dopamine level, which boosts libido. Oysters contain high level of zinc, which is vital for testosterone production and healthy sperm.

Cocoa beans in chocolate are known as a super-food. It contains antioxidants and stimulating chemical, phenylethlamine –stimulates the sense of excitement.

Watermelon is the natural Viagra. This fruit contains citrulline amino acid. Citruline is good for the cardiovascular system and helps relax the blood vessels that increase sex drive.

Avocado   The ancient Aztec’s nickname for avocado was “ahuacatl,” or “testicle” because of the fruit’s shapely form. 

Pumpkin seeds contain zinc, which is important in the testosterone production. They are also loaded with libido vitamins and minerals like vitamin B, E, C, D, K, niacin and minerals including calcium, potassium and phosphorous.

Asparagus: The high level of folate in asparagus increases the histamine production, which is important for a healthy sex drive. 

Celery is a libido inducing food.

Chilli contains capsaicin. The chemicals promoted by capsaicin can raise your heart rate and trigger the release of endorphins driving the libido.

Figs  In many culture figs are associated with fertility.

Almonds have long stood as a symbol of fertility. Almonds are rich in zinc and selenium, both important for reproductive health.

Ginger increases blood flow in sexual organs and warms the blood.

Sweet potato contains vitamin A, which boost fertility.