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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 10, 2011)
loving your body 2011 the love truffl e AND OTHER SWEETS FOR YOUR VALENTINE’S SWEETIE by heather cyrus m PHOTO BY TRASK BEDORTHA mm, chocolate. It tastes good; some say it’s good for you and it just might get your lover in the mood this Valentine’s Day. While food-based aphrodisiacs may not be scientifi cally proven, chocolate does contain two chemicals attributed to sexual desire. Tryptophan, a building block of serotonin, is a brain chemical attributed to sexual arousal. Phenylethylamine is a stimulant released in the brain when people get the fl utters of falling in love. Both chemicals occur naturally in the human brain and are released into the nervous system when we are happy. Whether a true aphrodisiac or simply a placebo, eating chocolate tends to provide a pleasurable experience. Despite those extra calories, studies show that eating chocolate keeps your blood pressure down, your blood fl owing and your heart healthy. Since chocolate is derived from the seed of the theobroma cacao tree (theobroma means “food of the gods”), it contains fl avonoids, which help protect plants by shielding them from environmental toxins and helping to repair damage. According to a research newsletter out of OSU’s Linus Pauling Institute, we benefi t from these antioxidants when we consume foods high in fl avonoids. All the red wine (also high in fl avanoids) consumed in France has led to something researchers call “the French paradox”: the French have a high-fat diet but low death rates from heart disease. LOVE TRUFFLES BY SWEET LIFE Be warned, not all chocolate is created equal. When chocolate is processed, the antioxidants are destroyed (translation: the darker the better!) Additionally, research suggests that you avoid drinking milk with your chocolate, as it interferes with the absorption of the antioxidants. Whether motivated by health or romance, fi nding quality chocolate is easy in Eugene. Among the many options, Euphoria Chocolate Company offers traditional heart and lip-shaped solid chocolates, and chocolate heart dishes fi lled with cookies or caramel. For a sample of truffl e delicacies, try their 27-piece heart box that includes a variety of wine truffl es, spice truffl es (yup, these are your turbo aphrodisiacs) and fruit truffl es. Sweet Life Patisserie, 755 Monroe St., has offered their famous “Love Truffl e” for years on top of all of the other sweets for your sweet it sells. Biting into the Love Truffl e reveals its “earthy” fl avor, and the dark chocolate coating encases aphrodisiac herbs and soy-based ganache (yes, this is a vegan treat). With more than a dozen truffl e fl avors to choose from, Sweet Life offers traditional heart-shaped Valentine’s boxes for customers to fi ll with their favorite fl avors, including chili pepper, which is also said to have aphrodisiac properties. “If you get a box of truffl es from your partner, I’m telling you that makes all the love right there,” says Sweet Life co-owner Catherine Reinhart. She adds, “The truffl es are healthy in a sense that they are small, and they are full of fl avor, so you can eat one and be happy.” Hosanna-Joy Haines, who says she is a frequent patron of Sweet Life, was in the patisserie sampling treats last week. She says, “I like to buy chocolate for my partner to feed me.” She’s not shy about sharing her love for chocolate, “It’s exciting putting it in my mouth,” Haines says. “I can feel it raising my endorphins. I’ve actually already had a lot of chocolate this morning.” Whether you want to heat things up, soothe a broken heart or increase those antioxidants, chocolate is just what the (love) doctor ordered. ew H EAL YOUR loving your body RELATIONSHIP WITH MONEY SERVICE DIRECTORY Upcoming workshops www.janhavimorton.com Michele Antico LMT BRULé Counseling, LLC Encompass compassion License #8200 Advanced Craniosacral Therapy Individual counseling Using Acceptance and commitment Therapy & mindfulness Approaches Advanced Myofascial Therapy General Wellness & Medical Massage Therapies Insurance Billing Available 541-554-9467 Circle of Life Center - 1039 Taylor St., Eugene Google: B EST B ARBERS IN E UGENE Focusing on In-Home Care Services • Personal Care • Meal Preparation • • Housekeeping • Laundry • • Appointments • Home Care • • Bathing • Grooming • Groceries • • Companionship • Medication Assistance • • Respite Care • Insurance Billing • • Errands • Blood Pressure Checks • • Memory Care • Insured • Cognition • • Licensed • Bonded • Available 24/7 • All care plans are individually tailored to each individual. There are no fees for assessments or care plan set up. Give the opportunity of a better quality of life by living at home 541.505.9715 • www.aqhcinc.com 16 FEBRUARY 10, 2011 EUGENE WEEKLY Anxiety, depression, personal growth, Relationship issues & cultural adjustment Nicole Brulé, PsyD 1210 Pearl St., Eugene • 541-953-3929 mail@brulecounseling.com Relieve Stress Massage Take Time Out Give Your Body The Attention it Deserves Lucia McKelvey , LMT 541.683.3286 Days, Evenings, Weekends Nationally Certified LIC. # 8250 M EDICAL M ARIJUANA C LINIC Are You Tired of Pills? Do You Suffer From: :L]LYL7HPU 4\ZJSL:WHZTZ :LPa\YLZ .SH\JVTH *HUJLY (0+: :L]LYL5H\ZLH *HJOL_PH (SaOLPTLY»Z $Q(VWDEOLVKHG 5HVSHFWHG&OLQLF)RU2YHU<HDUV:H·YH%HHQ+HUH)RU<RX Southern Oregon Alternative Medicine 5L^:WYPUNÄLSK3VJH[PVU4HPUZ[ ^^^ZV\[OLYUVYLNVUHS[LYUH[P]LTLKPJPULJVT (541) 844-1708 WWW.EUGENEWEEKLY.COM • BLOGS.EUGENEWEEKLY.COM
