Keep it greasy...with Zestra®

Sexual desire an issue? Not feeling it?

That isn’t my problem but when I was approached by the folks at Semprae Labs to test Zestra®, their hormone-free, topical “Essential Arousal Oils™, I thought, hey, what the heck? I’m all for research! And they sent me clinical data supporting its theoretical effectiveness, which peaked my interest even more.

What is Zestra, you ask?

Zestra contains a proprietary blend of borage seed and evening primrose oils (purportedly to increase blood flow and nerve sensitivity), angelica root extract (to improve arousal/desire) and coleus forskohlii extract (to boost performance/orgasm). On its packaging, it says that “Zestra works effortlessly and within minutes by heightening your sensitivity to touch — for deep, pleasurable sensations, sexual satisfaction and fulfillment.

Zestra was tested in a small clinical study comparing its effectiveness versus a placebo oil in 20 women with and without difficulties with arousal. During the study, participants were asked to use Zestra 5 times and then complete a questionnaire on side effects and sexual function (i.e. desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction and pain). Study findings showed the following:

• Participants with normal function reported highly significant improvements in arousal while those with female sexual arousal disorder reported highly significant improvements in arousal, orgasm and satisfaction.
• The most commonly reported side effect was a burning sensation in the genitalia that subsided within 30 minutes.

So, this was the study population.

What about me?

Zestra ain’t “zesty.” The oil has a unpleasant smell. Following application, it heats up the vaginal area but that’s about it – heat – and not the sexual, I want to/have to have you kind of heat. Nope. No increase in desire, arousal or sensitivity to touch.  No added improvements in satisfaction. Just one unpleasantly warm, greasy vagina.

Is it just me? Evidently not. Here’s what some friends have to say about Zestra:

“Smells like an overly-sweet candle shop or bad potpourri. Not an enticing scent. Taste is chemical and bitter. Too greasy. Nice, slightly warming effect, but felt no unusual or heightened sensation. Actually had to work harder because I was so turned off by the Zestra scent. Zestra will be sleeping alone from now on!!!”

“OH. MY. F***ING. GOD. I hated that shit. It burned and I couldn’t even wash it off afterward. Who the f**k knows if it increased arousal? I was too busy burning to notice.”

Like my gal pals, I couldn’t wait to shower Zestra off. In fact, Zestra left me wanting less, not more.

I’ve got lots of zest. But not for Zestra.  Zestra – you underwhelm and underwow me.

Sorry Semprae. This one’s a dud.

About ME

Feeling tons better tonight. Thanks to Melanie and Abraham Lincoln for your good wishes. It gives me a frisson of pleasure to say thanks to Honest Abe: I am fascinated by American politics and presidents. I think it started back in the Eighties when I watched a mini-series about Theodore Roosevelt, and I know it became a part-time passion when I started watching The West Wing; and last year’s race for the Democratic nomination was truly exciting. I just hope President Obama’s hype is more than that. Not sure about that dancing on Ellen, though….

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsWpvkLCvu4

I don’t know where my headache came from because I’m not prone to them and can usually ignore them; but this one had me flat on my back for almost 24 hours. My friend suggested it might be hormonal. Given that I’m a woman of a certain age, it’s a possibility. The last time I remember being so bad, I had not long given birth to Tory Boy. Or maybe it’s just my age: the Hub suffers migraines, but he hasn’t given birth to any children that I’m aware of.

The Hub’s migraines are connected to his CFS/ME, of course. He became ill with it in 1996. It isn’t life-threatening, but it is a life killer. Forget any hope of going back to your pre-CFS existence: it ain’t gonna happen. The prognosis for it is anything from six months to the rest of your life, with the average being ten years. Once he got to six years with it we started hoping he was average, but it’s going on for thirteen and he’s getting slowly but progressively worse. We’ve accepted – grudgingly – that he will never be well enough to work again, and that we will never go back to our pre-CFS life, but that makes it oddly easier to go on. Once you can accept your life has changed forever and that five-year plans are a waste of time (just ask Stalin), you can get on with it.

My next five minutes plan is a hot bath and cup of Earl Grey (decaf, naturally), then bed. It won’t pay the bills, but it’s about as perfect a plan as there is, as far as I’m concerned.

Sweet dreams!

The relationship between obesity and low self-esteem

This British study found that over 20 years, low self-esteem leads to obesity and not the other way around.

I believe low self-esteem leads to poor eating habits, especially the need to stuff yourself with sweets, which makes us feel the need to eat ever more carbohydrates to feel full.

It’s called stuffing your feelings instead of letting them out and dealing with them, and it can turn into a never-ending vicious cycle.  We stuff our feeling and try unsuccessfully to hide them.  Pretty soon they are showing all over our body!

[Via http://midlifecrisisqueen.com]

To Your Health...With Tofu

The star of yesterday’s recipe, Tofu Stir Fry, was none other than tofu. As I mentioned in yesterday’s post, tofu is a versatile source of protein that takes on the flavors of whatever you cook it in, which makes it stand out in the protein world. But what is tofu and what are some of it’s benefits?

Tofu is made from the curds of soybean milk and is a great source of protein, which is wonderful for those who maintain a vegetarian diet. It is also a good source of iron, calcium (especially if it is enriched with calcium), and omega-3 fatty acids, which have cardiovascular benefits. Research has also shown that soy protein:

• lowers total cholesterol, LDL (”bad”) cholesterol, and triglyceride levels. It also may increase HDL (”good”) cholesterol levels.
• helps alleviate symptoms associated with menopause.
• helps reduce bone less and decrease risk of osteoporosis.
• is a good source of antioxidants selenium and copper.

There are various types of tofu ranging from silken to extra-firm tofu.  The more firm the tofu, the more calories and protein it has. Here is a general breakdown of nutrition stats for different types of tofu (per 3 oz serving):

• Silken: 45 calories, 2.5 grams total fat, 4 grams protein
• Soft: 60 calories, 3 grams total fat, 6 grams protein
• Firm: 70 calories, 3 grams total fat, 7 grams protein
• Extra-Firm: 80 calories, 4 grams total fat, 8 grams protein

As you can see there isn’t a big nutritional difference between the different forms of tofu, so you should feel free to use any kind you want without worrying about calories and fat.

What’s your favorite tofu dish?

[Via http://nutritioulicious.wordpress.com]

October 13th: Holistic Professionals Lead Workshop on `Symptom-Free Menopause’

What do you get when you mix an acupuncturist, a chiropractor and a massage therapist?

On Tuesday, Oct. 13, it will be a holistic workshop called “The Secret to Symptom-Free Menopause.” Three holistic healthcare professionals will teach how women can slow the aging process as they reduce—and in some cases, prevent—menopausal symptoms.

The workshop is from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Art of Natural Healing, 7773 Lake St. in River Forest, across the street from Lincoln Elementary School.

The presenters are acupuncturist Alejandro Fernandez, director of Art of Natural Healing; Dr. Linda Knowski, a chiropractor and naprapath who is founder of Tree of Life Health Center, 6968 W. North Ave., Chicago; and Michelle Donat, a Licensed Massage Therapist and stress resiliency coach who operates Relaxation Plantation, 715 Lake St. in Oak Park.

In their respective practices, all emphasize the importance of drug-free, natural approaches to attaining and maintaining better health.

Menopause, or the end of menstruation that signals the end of women’s reproductive fertility, usually occurs between the ages of 45 and 55. For women approaching or in the midst of it, striving for optimal health is essential for various reasons, said Fernandez.

Among other factors, he cited these:

• After menopause, the body converts one of the adrenal hormones into estrogen. Therefore, an evaluation of kidney and adrenal gland function is essential in hormone-related health problems.

• Too much tension and stress can cause organs to malfunction. An imbalanced organ system can impair hormonal balance.

• Women with low blood sugar can have dramatic shifts in mood, as well as vitamin and mineral levels, leading to a misdiagnosis as having hormonal problems. It’s crucial to clarify those situations.

• Nutrition and avoidance of specific chemicals in your food can significantly affect your hormones and your health.

In the workshop, Fernandez will discuss acupuncture treatments, herbal medicine and nutrition, following Chinese medicine principles that women should consider.

Knowski will discuss BioEnergetic Assessments, a non-invasive, computerized method of accessing the energy pathways of the body. The assessments enable a woman, in consultation with her practitioner, to determine appropriate treatments and remedies.

“Many women in menopause feel depressed and irritable. Others suffer from hot flashes, night sweats, sleep problems, and fatigue,” said Knowski. “I will outline alternative options for managing the symptoms and long-term risks associated with menopause.”

She will also discuss the endocrine system, a complex group of glands that, through hormones, helps to control reproduction, metabolism, growth and development. The system also controls the way you respond to surroundings and provides the proper amount of energy your body needs to function.

Donat’s talk will focus on stress relief. She will share practical tools, such as simple techniques you can use at home, to quickly rebound from stressful events.

The three are well acquainted with one another. Through their association with OPRF Partners, a chapter of Business Network International, the three have increasingly referred patients to one another as they have seen the complementary benefits that flow from that cooperative effort.

“`The Secret to Symptom-Free Menopause’ is a natural outgrowth of our collaborative effort these past few years,” said Knowski. “Alejandro, Michelle and I regularly exchange ideas and learn from each other’s insights and experience.”

“We have great confidence in one another’s ability to help people in ways that complement our individual areas of expertise,” Donat added.

The admission fee for the workshop is $25 and will be credited toward a visit with any one of the three holistic professionals. To register, call 708-366-8002.

For directions to Art of Natural Healing, click here.

For more background about the holistic professionals, click here.

[Via http://trialtotriumph.wordpress.com]