8 Foods that Are Aphrodisiacs to Get You in the Mood

Many of us will enjoy a romantic meal together as part of a date or a date night for married couples.  Food has long been known to do more than just fill our bellies and give us energy and some foods are known as aphrodisiacs.  But which ones really do help get you in the mood and why?

Hot chilies

This one might sound a little crazy but eating hot chilies releases epinephrine (adrenaline to most of us) that pushes up the heart rate.  This makes the body release endorphins, those natural opiates we all have in our bodies and this makes us feel good.  But don’t be tempted to try eating them off one another’s skin – that same stuff can burn badly.  If you want some bedroom fun, buy something from Pleasure Delights and leave the chilies on the table!

Asparagus

This is another food that you just wouldn’t think could help get you in the mood.  But it can for two reasons – one is that it contains a high amount of Vitamin E and this increases blood and oxygen flow in all important places.  The other is that it has lots of potassium in it and this is linked to the production of sex hormones.  Plus, there is that funny visual element to the food that is good for a giggle…

Bananas

Bananas are ones for the guys because they contain an enzyme called bromelain that has been shown to boost the sex drive.  Bananas also contain potassium, riboflavin and vitamin B2, all of which help to keep energy levels up when you need them most.

Dark chocolate

There are reasons why we give dark chocolate as a present for Valentine’s Day and other romantic occasions, even if we don’t know what they are.  Chocolate contains phenylethylamine which is a stimulate that makes use excited as well as boosting our sense of well-being.  Plus, chocolate contains caffeine and we all know that gives us a boost.  Aim for 75% or higher cacao content to get the best from the snack.

Pomegranates

Pomegranates are very popular at the moment due to their status as a superfood and some of those benefits help them be an aphrodisiac too.  They contain a huge number of antioxidants that can do anything from decrease inflammation to prevent plaque building in the arteries.  But for our topic, the increased blood flow is one of the main benefits.  In fact, some studies have shown that pomegranates can be a natural way to help with problems such as erectile dysfunction.

Salmon

Salmon is popular due to its Omega-3 fatty acid content and this helps with heart health – ensuring a good, strong flow of blood.  But it also contains elements that are required by the body to create vital hormones such as oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone.

Watermelon

Watermelon is a popular summer fruit but is easy to find at all times of the year and is great because it contains a phytonutrient called citrulline.  This increases the nitric acid in the body that boosts blood flow, blood vessel relaxation and even improves sexual arousal.

Strawberries

The aphrodisiac properties of strawberries have been known since the times of Ancient Greece in fact, the goddess whose name leads to the term aphrodisiac – Aphrodite – was said to have cried strawberries when she learned of her love Adonis’ death.  A nice story but the reality is that strawberries are full of Vitamin C which helps the production of sex hormones as well as boosting chemical neurotransmitters – these increase libido.  It even helps the immune system so that cold you have been suffering with doesn’t spoil the mood as much.

Being Smart About Summertime Bugs!

To most people, summer entails pool time, barbecues, road trips and county fairs. To a few people however, summertime means one thing: bugs.

Nobody wants to go outside and almost immediately be swarmed by thousands of disease carrying mosquitoes, and other creepy crawlies, that simply want to feast on your blood.  Okay, so maybe that is not their intention, but we all know the worst is having to slap yourself in the face when a bug buzzes close to your ear, or waking up the next day itching in some awkward spot, that you were unaware got bit the night before.

That is not my idea of summer and I don’t think it is yours either.  Many people have their go-to deet-infused insect repellent, but today I want to go over some natural options to help increase your chances of keeping the bugs away.

Small Glowing Objects

Everyone knows that bugs are attracted to the flame.  The same goes for mosquitoes and our phones.  Most people don’t realize it because it is so instinctive and habitual, but checking your phone every five minutes at a campfire is actually attracting bugs right in front of your face.  Make it a point to actually enjoy your time in nature or with family and friends, rather than checking social media profiles or the news.  If you are going to be “that guy or girl” at a gathering, try to check your phone while walking, as to not attract bugs to yourself or others.

One of the better things to have outside in the summer are the standing citronella or oil filled candles.  Strategically placing some of those in a circle around your gathering will greatly increase your chances of not being bitten.  Supplementing those with an electronic bug zapper will be even better.  Most bugs will be attracted to the flames but will not fly into them.  Having a bug zapper in your gathering will catch many of those attracted to the various lights and scents of your gathering.  Some of the best bug zappers out there emit carbon dioxide, other scents, or non-toxic pheromones like octonel, that attract mosquitoes to the zapper.  If you are going to buy a good bug zapper for your outdoor venue here are a few other things to keep in mind:

●     Buy one rated for outdoors.  Bug zappers that are rated for both indoor and outdoor use are often not robust enough to cover a wide area outside, plain and simple.

●     Buy one that is either propane fueled or corded. These models stay in use longer, are typically quieter, and the added power means more heat for luring in bugs.  Cordless models do not typically have extra features like pheromone release or that extra heat and light.

●     Buy one with easy to clean components and extra security features.  You definitely want a bug zapper that has a pull out tray or easy to clean grids.  Also, always get one with a guard over the electrified portion of the device to prevent someone from accidentally touching it.

Perfume, cologne, laundry detergent, lotion, body washes, etc.

Certain unnatural scents and ingredients in popular everyday products attract all kinds of airborne critters.  When you are going to be outdoors for an extended period of time, it is best to not practically invite the bugs to feast on your exposed skin.  When showering in the summertime, try to find a good citronella or unscented soap brand that is known for not attracting bugs.  The same goes for lotions, shampoos and body washes.  Prell is one such shampoo that is relatively scentless and does not attract most forms of bugs. 

Mosquitos, in particular, are drawn to heat, sweat and general dinginess.  That means that areas like close to your feet are always susceptible to being bitten, regardless if you have socks on or not.  Having dirty socks or shoes actually attracts more mosquitoes than say, a strong floral scent.

What you eat is what they crave

Certain foods attract bugs and certain foods attract bugs as you sweat.  Sugary foods and beverages will always be on the top of both those lists. 

Avoid eating things like bananas or lemons, as they have pheromones that attract bees and mosquitoes.  Salty things like peanut butter can attack many types of ants, but today we are mostly concerned with the airborne bugs.

Always compare your list of foods and beverages to the umpteen amount of lists available on the internet of what attracts and repels the types of bugs that are prevalent in your area.  Just keep in mind that many things like fruits, juices and most alcoholic drinks contain sugar in their natural makeup, and that attract bugs.  Many species of insects, especially the airborne ones, can detect a scent from miles away, and will move accordingly.

A few other tips are to avoid things like leaving empty cans of beer all over your gathering or eating a box of movie candy just before going outside.  Clean up any spills and put the tops back on beverages while unattended.  Be smart about it.  And most of all: be pragmatic.  If you got bitten up after eating or drinking a certain thing, don’t do it again!  

Day Trips Around Pune for Soul Travelling

You might have heard that Pune is the perfect place for partying; the night life of Pune can allure every fun-loving creature. If this has made you believe that Pune is full of noise and you can’t have your peace of mind there, then I’m sorry to say you are mistaken, my friend. It is a city that attracts people with its liveliness, as well as the captivating natural beauties.

Pune is the perfect blend of party culture and serenity!

If you want to come out of the hustle and bustle of Delhi to enjoy nature in solitude, then keep your bag packed. Go to the Yatra portal and book yourself a flight ticket from Delhi to Pune.  

Here we are giving you the top 5 options for soul travelling Pune within a day.

Duke’s Nose Trek    

What can be better than trekking for having a closer look at nature? Duke’s Nose is a cliff that is called nagphani due to its structure that looks like a snake’s hood (Britishers named it after the big nose of Duke Wellington). Here you can get teamed up with an expert team of explorers to guide you and take care of your safety. Trekkers from all over the world like to flock here because of the breathtaking view is seen from the top of the cliff. It is needless to say that you should have lunch and water in your backpack before starting the trekking journey. If you are going aloof the city crowd, you cannot expect any lavish restaurant ready to serve you at the cliff, right?

The Segway Ride in Lavasa (only for experienced riders)

If you are an experienced rider of the self-balancing vehicle, nothing else can be more exciting and relaxing at the same time. You get to ride the adventurous vehicle while exploring the scenery of nature. The fun here gets multiplied several times due to the man-made hill station you get to roam around. If you don’t have any experience, then don’t get disheartened just start your training!

River Rafting at Kundalika River  

There are many of us who find the beauty of flowing water more alluring than the hills, valleys and trees. If you are one of them, then you’ll surely want to ride the water currents and feel the beauty of nature splashing around yourself. Kundalika River Rafting Adventure is one of the favourite hotspots for escaping the crowd. It ideally takes 3.5hours to cover the stretch of 14Km but this fraction of time will add lots of memories in your soul for a lifetime.

Bike Riding Expedition in Satara Circuit

Most of the youths have become so accustomed to adventure and speed that they want to be close to nature but without getting down from the wheels. This expedition can be a glimpse of paradise for those adventurous youths. The expedition normally starts around 6:30 AM and ends around 7:30 PM. You can zoom all your way through the slopes and terrains (may also be done with private cars). The best part of this expedition is that you don’t need to carry your lunch with yourself; just carry your enthusiasm, and everything else will be taken care of in the package you choose for the expedition.

Paragliding and Joyride in Kamshet

Does adventure to you mean floating in the air? Do you see birds as your soul-mate? (Don’t take this literally!) Then nothing can give you more pleasure than Paragliding and Joyride over the beautiful Western Ghats. All the measures of safety will be taken care of while giving you the thrill of hanging in the air. You can also ask to customize this ride for special occasions like birthday or anniversaries.

Feeling excited? Take a weekend break and come to Pune to enjoy a soulful and adventurous day. Moreover, yes, make sure to book your flight ticket from Delhi to Pune in advance.

How to Get Your Retail Business Off the Ground Using Pop Up Leasing

Have you got a burning desire to start your own retail business? If so, you need to prepare properly and put in place steps that will allow you to get up and running as quickly as possible. Generating momentum and a buzz around your new venture will give you the energy and the confidence to create and grow a business you can be proud of. You can do this as follows by using one of the many pop up leasing solutions that are currently available.

Put Your Products in Front of Your Target Market

When you've decided what products you will offer to the public, you need to find out where the people who will be interested in your products hang out. In some cases, it may be easier to find these people online, while in other situations, your perfect shoppers and customers may visit your local mall each week.

In the case of a shopping mall, it is possible to reach huge numbers of shoppers through one of the many Pop In Retail solutions like Westfield POP, which gives a retailer the opportunity to display their products in front of the 335 million shoppers who pass through their doors every year.

Local Promotion of Your Pop Up Store

In most cases, pop up retailers initially sell to local shoppers and customers. As soon as you make the decision to start your retail business, it's essential to start getting the word out about your new business and let people know where your pop up shop is located.

You can start this process by telling as many of your friends and family members as possible about your business and ask them to spread the word. In the run-up to the launch of your retail pop up store or stores, you then need to start professionally marketing and advertising.

Typical ways you can do this include the development of a high-quality website, the creation of branded social media pages, and the designing of professional-looking, traditional marketing materials such as leaflets, posters, signs, and any other items that will attract the attention of potential customers and shoppers.

Displaying Your Products

Before you decide to use this type of business solution, you need to think carefully about how your products will be displayed in front of shoppers. Ideally, you should develop a brand that people become familiar with and will instantly recognize whenever they pass your store. If you can master this aspect of your business, you find that more people will return to buy your products in the mall you are located in and your customers will also refer other people to your retail business.

Every retailer has to start somewhere and most of the leading retail entrepreneurs started their businesses from humble beginnings too. However, it's vital to get off to the best possible start and make intelligent choices before you begin to trade. Using a pop up retail solution is one effective way to give yourself and your new retail business the best possible chance to succeed. 

Swagbucks Swag Luau Team Challenge

Put on your lei, enjoy some Slack-key guitar, and get ready to eat some Kalua Pork, because Swagbucks is holding a Luau Team Challenge to help you earn free gift cards! For those of you who don't know what Swagbucks is, it's a website where you can earn cash back on everyday tasks you do online like shopping, answering surveys, discovering deals, and watching videos. You can even earn for searching the web! 

If you've never tried Swagbucks before because you didn't know where to begin, their Team Challenges are a great way to learn the ropes! The challenge, begins Monday, August 14th at 8am PT, but you can pre-register starting on Friday, August 11th!

Here's how you can join the challenge and the site:  

1. Click here to join the challenge and be assigned to a team.

2. Starting August 14th at 8am PDT, in addition to earning SB you'll contribute points to your teams total as you complete different activities on Swagbucks.

3. Check back on the page often to see the scores and what you've contribute so far.   

All members who participate and contribute at least 600 points to their team’s total will receive a SB bonus in the form of a SB Swag Up Rebate on their next gift card! 

Not only that, but if you sign up under me this month and earn 300 SB before September 1st, you'll get a 300 SB bonus!

Members of the 1st place team will receive a 100 SB Swag Up Rebate, members of the 2nd place team will receive a 50 SB Swag Up Rebate, and members of the 3rd place team will receive a 30 SB Swag Up Rebate. Your SB Swag Up Rebate will be made available on Friday, August 18th at 2 pm PT and will expire on Thursday, August 31st at 11:59 pm PT.