The topics for our regular features are:
Sex: Question and Answer : Pheromones: Fact or Fiction?
Just Do It! Feel Great Naked: Exercises to Feel Head to Toe Sexy
Just for Fun: Why Women Shouldn’t Take Men Christmas Shopping
Frightening Food Fact: Pain in the Angus
Recipe of the Month: Slow Cooker Turkey Chili
Sex: Question and Answer
Note from Sandra: As part of our focus on Healthy Relationships in 2009, we have decided to have a Question and Answer section in each newsletter. Now is your chance to – anonymously, of course, – ask any questions you may have about sex. Just email Sandra and you will get an answer to your question from either Tom or Sandra. We will answer every question, but will select one to appear in each newsletter. As I only had one question asked in last month that is all I have to answer in this newsletter. Please help me out and send in those questions!
Q: I’ve been wondering if the hype on pheromones is valid and if so, if you know of a reputable supplier?
A: In answering this question, I had to do my homework. After much research, it appears that – at least in humans – pheromones probably do not work (sorry). I found the following article on LiveScience.com.
Sexual Pheromones: Myth or Reality?
By Jeanna Bryner, Senior Writer
“While many ads purport to have the perfect chemical cocktail to make you irresistible to a mate, scientists say they have yet to identify such chemical signals called pheromones in humans.”
Half a century after the discovery of pheromones in animals, scientists have yet to conclusively identify a single such chemical in humans. Yet the term is bandied about regularly in reference to people and the supposedly silent means by which they communicate.
“Pheromones will improve your sex life”, a common sales pitch goes.
For certain, animals use pheromones to communicate nonverbally, transmitting the chemical signals often through air. The purpose is often related to mating or defense of territory.
Peter Karlson and Martin Lüscher first proposed the word “pheromone” in 1959, referring to a chemical cocktail emitted by an animal and detected and responded to by other creatures of the same species. That same year, researchers reported the identification of the first pheromone (called bombykol) in silk moths.
Since then, such chemical equivalents of text messages have been reported in various animals, including some mammals, writes Tristram Wyatt of the University of Oxford in an essay published in the Jan. 15 issue of the journal Nature.
However, the hunt for a human pheromone has come up short.
“We can demonstrate the effects of what are putatively pheromones, but we haven’t been able to pin down the chemical identity and show this particular compound or small set of compounds are responsible for outcome A, B and C,” said Charles Wysocki, a behavioral neuroscientist at Monell Chemical Senses Center in Philadelphia who was not involved in Wyatt’s review essay.
That apparently hasn’t stopped the press and private entities from sounding the horn.
“If you go onto the Web and put in ‘pheromone’ into Google, you’ll get something like half a million hits, most of them trying to sell you something that will make you irresistible,” Wyatt told LiveScience. “They’re basically trying to sell you a ‘releaser’ pheromone, but none has ever been identified.”
Releaser pheromones trigger a behavioral response (such as wooing a mate), while so-called primer pheromones cause physiological changes. Scientists have observed what they think are the effects of human primer pheromones, including studies showing that some compound in the extract from a woman’s armpit can cause menstrual cycles of nearby women to sync up. And a recent study found that women can smell a guy’s sexual intentions.
Nursing infants have been found to turn toward a lactating mother’s breast, suggesting some scent molecules drive the response.
But without any actual chemicals identified as pheromones, scientists can’t test effects on humans, so the jury is out as to whether we communicate via pheromones.
“As far as releasers, it may be that we simply don’t have them,” Wyatt said. “Certainly courtship and everything else is so complex in humans that it may be that the things that are really important are visual and social signals.”
Recent research showed that at about the same time our primate ancestors gained color vision, they also lost the genes for so-called vomeronasal organ (VNO) receptors, Wyatt said. Non-human animals use the organ to detect pheromones. (Turns out, mice use both their VNO and main smelling system to detect pheromones, so maybe humans don’t need that specialized organ.)
“It may be at that point that we moved from running things mostly by pheromones to doing things much more in the visual fashion,” Wyatt said.
So, the bottom line is that if you are adventurous (and willing to lose some money on a product that doesn’t work), you may want to check out online forums dedicated to pheromone products. Supposedly, these forums are dedicated to people who use and shop for human pheromones products on a regular basis (not so sure – see below). If you think something might be unquestionable or simply want to make sure about products you can try asking on a forum. Your chances of getting a response one way or the other are good (when I asked about reputable products I received about 10 different recommendations – all for different products – which again leads me to believe that the forums may be monitored by employees of the manufacturers). If something is known to be a pheromone scam you might be told. But PLEASE keep in mind that the “writers” may be someone working for a scam company. One site that I repeatedly came across in my research was:
http://www.pheromonetalk.com/
It is extremely hard to know if the supplier is “reputable” supplier until I have some valid reports of success! But, I would look for the following in trying to determine if they are at least trying to be a legitimate pheromone seller: (1) they should have an informative website for you to explore, (2) they should have more than two forms of contact (e.g., email and phone numbers are important), and ask if they offer a “money back guarantee” (although make sure you read any fine print as there may be so many limitations that you will have no chance of getting a refund – like not having used any of the product!).
Also keep in mind that those “customer ratings” you see on any website can be “fixed” so that the product appears to be better than it is (I’ve gotten pretty cynical about online products – websites know that people tend to believe just about anything they read on the Internet). So, if any of our OHI family decides to try any pheromone product, please let me know what product you tried and if it worked for you. If I get enough feedback, I will follow up with another report.
Good luck!
Exercise – JUST DO IT!!!
Head to Toe Sexy
Your sexiest body is only 6 exercises away
By Denise Brodey
Prevention.com
Turn up your sex drive with these saucy moves
While other fitness buffs are thinking about toned legs and arms, women doing the following plan can revel in their own little secret: Not only will it give you a flat belly, but it’ll also boost your sex drive–in an hour. Studies show that women’s sexual satisfaction directly correlates to their exercise quotient.
“Working out boosts endorphins that get you in the mood,” says Laura Berman, PhD, founder of the Berman Center, a sexual health clinic in Chicago. She teamed up with Prevention to devise this exclusive libido-boosting routine, based on her book The Passion Prescription.
Her Rx: daily Kegels plus, on alternating days, five more sex-enhancing moves designed to target the pelvic floor and abs. “Increasing the circulation to the pelvic area is a key component of better sex,” she says. Just be forewarned: The aphrodisiac effect of this plan might kick in immediately.
The (Private) Move You Need Daily: Kegels
To locate your pelvic floor muscles, imagine trying to interrupt your urine stream. Slowly tighten and hold for 10 seconds; then relax for 10 seconds. Repeat 10 times.Next, try a quicker squeeze and release of the same muscles–a faster move that works different muscle fibers. Squeeze and release in rapid succession 10 times. Do one set of fast and one set of slow Kegels each day, working up to three sets of both daily.
Body Benefit: Improves blood circulation to the genitals, which makes you more aroused; increases vaginal response and bladder control.
Pelvic SqueezeThe WindmillThe Belly DancerCouples StraddleHip RelaxerGet Sweaty for Better Sex
“Combining abdominal and Kegel exercises allows you to squeeze your Kegel muscles in and up, in and back, and even side to side–moves that will ultimately help you and your partner experience a broader range of sensations,” explains Berman.
To begin, lie back with knees bent, feet flat on floor. Place a pillow between knees and let hands rest at sides, palms down. Engage Kegel muscles, focusing on squeezing them in, up, and back. Engage abs to lift head and shoulders several inches off floor. Hold for three deep breaths, expanding stomach as you breathe in, contracting as you breathe out. Do 10 reps.
Body Benefit: Works your Kegel muscles, transverse abdominals (deeper ab muscles), and thighs.
You’ll need a scarf or a band to assist with stretching. Lying on back, bring right knee to chest and place scarf in middle of foot. Holding the ends, extend right leg up toward ceiling. Squeeze pelvic floor muscles while lowering right leg out to side toward floor. Hold for 10 breaths, using inner and outer thighs and pelvic floor muscles to keep pelvis anchored on floor. Slowly return to start, then switch sides.
Body Benefit: Increases flexibility and works abs and thighs. (Skip this exercise if you have sensitive hips or knees.)
Kneel so torso and lower legs form a right angle. (Place pillow under knees, if more comfortable.) Place hands on hips and do one set of Kegels, keeping butt relaxed. Next, squeeze butt muscles, tuck tailbone in underneath hips, and do Kegels while tilting pelvis forward. Relax butt and allow pelvis to move backward, letting butt come slightly up toward ceiling. Next, move pelvis side to side, engaging Kegel muscles and lower abs. (To move to right, engage right-side glutes as you do Kegels.)
Body Benefit: This move starts with a set of Kegels to help you engage your pelvic floor, and then works your butt and abs, giving you full range of motion in your pelvis.
For this beginner partner move, sit on floor, facing each other, with legs open in straddle position and feet touching, knees and toes facing up. (If he’s much taller, press your feet against his legs.) Grasp each other’s forearms as you press backs of knees toward floor, lengthen spine, and breathe in and out while holding pose for 1 minute. (To further increase the stretch, scoot slowly toward your partner.)
Body Benefit: Increases flexibility.
Lie on back with knees bent, feet flat on floor, and arms overhead with elbows slightly bent and palms up. Open knees to sides and as they drift toward floor, bring soles of feet together. (If necessary, place a pillow beneath each knee for support. For a deeper stretch, bring feet in closer to groin.) Feel the release in chest, hips, thighs, and pelvis as you take three deep breaths.
Body Benefit: Teaches you to relax your pelvic floor, which helps with pain prevention and muscle control (you should be able to relax and tighten at will), and loosens your hips, which will give you more flexibility during sex.
Besides this libido-boosting workout, try cardio to kickstart your love life.
Forget dinner and a movie. Whether you bike, run, or play tennis, aerobic exercise is a great way for couples to connect, turn on–and get in shape. “Watching your partner get sweaty can ignite sparks,” says Becky Jeffers, fitness director at the Berman Center in Chicago. Choose a cardiovascular activity you can do for at least a half-hour 3 to 5 days a week.
WHY WOMEN SHOULDN’T TAKE MEN CHRISTMAS SHOPPING
After I retired, my wife insisted that I accompany her on her trips to the Mall. Unfortunately, like most men, I found shopping boring and preferred to get in and get out. Equally unfortunately, my wife is like most women – she loves to browse. Yesterday my dear wife received the following letter from the local Mall.
Dear Mrs. Samuel,
Over the past six months, your husband has caused quite a commotion in
our mall. We cannot tolerate this behavior and have been forced to ban him from the store. Our complaints against your husband, Mr. Samuel, are listed below and are documented by our video surveillance cameras:
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October 22: Set all the alarm clocks in The Clock Shop to go off at 5-minute intervals.
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October 30: In the drugstore, he took 24 boxes of condoms and randomly put them in other people’s carts when they weren’t looking.
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November 2: Walked up to an employee at Dillard’s and told her in an official voice, ‘Code 3 in House Wares. Get on it right away’. This caused the employee to leave her assigned station and receive a reprimand from her Supervisor that in turn resulted with a union grievance, causing management to lose time and costing the company money.
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November 4: Went to the Service Desk at Target and tried to put a bag of M&Ms on layaway.
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November 12: Moved a ‘CAUTION – WET FLOOR’ sign to a carpeted area.
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November 21: Set up a tent in the camping store and told the children shoppers he’d invite them in if they would bring pillows and blankets from the bedding department at a nearby store. About twenty children obliged. Naturally, their parents were quite concerned.
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November 27 (Note: this is the day after Thanksgiving and our busiest day of the year): Mr. Samuel darted around the mall suspiciously while loudly humming the theme from ‘Mission Impossible’. Understandably, many shoppers were alarmed and a few made calls to police. This led to the SWAT Team being called in as it was reported that an armed “crazy man was planning something”. This shut down the entire mall for nearly 3 hours while search teams attempted to locate the suspicious individual… your husband. This caused a huge financial loss to most of the stores.
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November 30: While handling guns in the hunting department of one of our stores, he asked the clerk where he could find the antidepressants.
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December 3: When a clerk asked if she could help him he began crying and screamed, ‘Why can’t you people just leave me alone?’ EMTs were called.
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December 6: In the Creative Cook Store, he practiced his ‘Madonna look’
by using different sizes of funnels. Although several of the customers apparently found this quite entertaining (and some other husbands even joined in), the store owners were not amused. -
December 18: Hid in a clothing rack at Sears and when people browsed through
whispered, “Pick me. Pick me.” -
December 21: Throughout many stores in the mall (as well as the Food Court, Children’s Play Area and in ToysRUs, when an announcement came over the loud speaker, he assumed a fetal position and screamed ‘OH NO! IT’S THOSE VOICES AGAIN!’
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And on Christmas Eve, YOUR HUSBAND went into a fitting room, shut the door, waited awhile, and then yelled very loudly, ‘Hey! There’s no toilet paper in here.’ One of the clerks passed out.
Unfortunately, the store cameras were not the only ones that watched your husband’s adolescent antics. Apparently, many other husbands also noticed and we now have an epidemic of this sort of behavior occurring several times a day. We are now offering special discounts to women who leave their husbands/boyfriends at home.
After reading this letter, I felt that I had accomplished not only my own goal of not accompanying my wife on her shopping trips but also feel that I have made a significant contribution to husbands everywhere.
Pain in the Angus
Note from Sandra: This will be the last in the Frightening Food Fact Series (unless I hear complaints that I’m leaving it behind along with 2009). Beginning in January, we will replace it with the Right Stuff – recommendations from Nutrition Action Healthletter for Healthy, Tasty Eating!
“The more the meatier.” “You can never have too much of a good thing.” “Have your bacon, eat it too.” Those are a few of the “Angus Axioms” in ads for McDonald’s new Angus Third Pounders.
Two out of three Americans are overweight or obese. Obesity rates have doubled in children and teens. And McDonald’s wants us to shift from Quarter Pounders to Third Pounders. Why not Half Pounders? Or Full Pounders? After all, adding on pounds seems to be our national pastime.
Angus Third Pounders come in three flavors: Deluxe, Mushroom & Swiss, and Bacon & Cheese. To your waistline, their 750 to 790 calories look like two Quarter Pounders (410 calories each). That’s because each Angus has more meat and always comes with cheese and it takes a bigger bun to hold it all.
You shuffle out of the Golden Arches with at least three-quarters of a day’s saturated fat (16 or 17 grams) plus 2 grams of trans fat (it occurs naturally in the beef and cheese). With a boost from American cheese and pickles, the Deluxe tops a day’s sodium (1700 milligrams). The Bacon & Cheese hits 2070 mg or sodium and, if you get it as part of a Value Meal – with fries and a soda – 1380 calories. Yum.
Over at Burger King, the Steakhouse XT Burger, made with a 7 oz. beef patty, packs 970 calories, 23 grams of sat fat, 1 gram of trans fat, and 1930 mg of sodium. Why not just call it a Steakhouse Fat-T Burger?
Oh yeah. Want fries with that?
Nutrition Action Healthletter – December, 2009
Slow Cooker Turkey Chili
This chili will warm you up on a cold day. It’s so easy and good for you too!
Serves: 8 Prep: 15min Cook: 4hr 0min Total: 4hr 15min
Nutritional Info (per serving):
Calories: 286 Carbs: 34 g Sodium: 966 mg Fiber: 11 g
Fat: 5.9 g Sat Fat: 1.5 g Protein: 19 g Cholesterol: 44.8 mg
Ingredients:
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1 pound(s) ground turkey
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1 envelope/packet(s) low sodium taco seasoning
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1 tablespoon(s) chopped garlic
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1 can/jar 10 oz organic kidney beans, drained
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1 can/jar 10 oz organic chili beans
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1 can/jar 10 oz organic black beans, drained
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1 can/jar 10 oz pinto beans with jalapenos
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1 can/jar 20 oz canned tomatoes, diced or chopped
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1 can/jar 2.25 oz tomato sauce or tomato paste
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1 onion chopped
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Salt and pepper to taste
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1 cup red wine (anything you would drink)
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Alternate: You could use ground beef or chicken instead of turkey.
Instructions:
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Brown turkey meat, garlic, onion, and taco seasoning in a non-stick skillet.
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Put beans, tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, wine, salt and pepper into the slow cooker. You can eyeball it, if you want it thicker add tomato paste, for a thinner chilli add more tomato sauce. Aim for the consistency you like.
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Add turkey mixture.
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Stir and set to low if you want to cook it all day, 4 hours on high if you want it sooner. It’s already cooked so you are just heating it through and letting the flavors combine….
Recipe Tips: The thing about this recipe is that it is so versatile. You can add or omit anything that you like or don’t like. Don’t like a certain bean? Leave it out. I usually just go through my pantry and throw in whatever I have and it always comes out great!
Serving Suggestions: Add a little low fat cheese, or sour cream on top with some chopped onion.
Reviews:
I have used this recipe for several years now, really like how easy it is to ready before work, set to low and go. Great hearty chili to enjoy at the end of the day. I use a couple cans of Rotel hot in place of the 20 oz tomatoes and a can of beer rather than wine. Have used soy crumbs rather than turkey in the past (just as good) and any bean or pea you have sitting around (black-eyes are great) A great guy recipe! Post run meal or hot lunch on a ski day! Jeff B.
I have been searching for a really good turkey chili recipe. This is the best I have ever made. Used 99% lean ground turkey and only a 14.5 oz can of tomatoes and a small can of tomato sauce. Really thick & yummy.
