christmas 2008

aphrodisiac holiday gift guide by amy reiley Despite generally difficult economic times, Entrepreneur.com declared Eat Something Sexy “recession-proof” last month. Why? Because no matter how tough times become, we all have to eat and we certainly still want to have fun! So in light of the company’s new status, I’ve put together a list of my favorite new aphrodisiac products to save money while keeping your sensuality sizzling.

Hop Kiln Strawberry Champagne Decadence This may need to be the only item in your lover’s stocking. Serve her a breakfast in bed of this subtly sweet sauce swirled with Greek yogurt or drizzle a bit into the soft skin at the fold of his elbow and soon you’ll both forget all about Santa Claus. $6.75 http://www.hopkilnwinery.com

MyJones from Jones Soda
We’ve all seen the ads offering you the opportunity to buy a personalized label on a bottle of swill wine for which you will pay the price of a vintage champagne. But if you want to slip a personalized message intp someone’s stocking this year, why not try the new personalization program from Jones soda? For the price of, well, a bottle of soda, you get a bottle of Jones in whatever gourmet flavor you choose – black cherry is certainly sexy – with a label design limited only by your imagination. $29.99 (for a case of 12) http://www.myjones.com

Triple Truffle
Do you know why they use female pigs to search for truffles? Because a truffle smells like a male pheromone! Truffles are big this year in the restaurant world, but who can afford to give the gift of the Perigord with a shrinking line of credit? Instead try stuffing your lover’s stocking with something a little lighter on the wallet but equally indulgent in flavor:

Truffle Popcorn from Susan Rice
Flecked with black truffle, the new popcorn from xx elevates movie night to new aphrodisiac heights. Serve it with a glass of sparkling wine and make a little magic. http://www.susanricetruffleproducts.com Also available at Whole Foods stores.

da Rosario Savory Truffle Seasoning
Slightly further up the indulgence scale are the truffle salt blends from xxx. I love tossing a little in my scrambled eggs for a slow Sunday morning in bed. The blends also work well on grilled vegetables, french fries and as a crust for roast meats. http://www.darosario.com

Om Aroma Crème Luxe White Truffle Moisturizer
For the gastronome with an eye for beauty, the Crème Luxe from Om Aroma products is a must. Om incorporates white truffle extract into an anti-aging cream. I love using it after a day at the beach or in the snow for the parched skin around my lips and eyes. (Just the thought of applying truffles to my skin makes me feel the pampered princess, but the all-natural cream really does have a delightful effect on tired skin!) $95 http://www.omaroma.com

Gel Pro Chef Mat in Faux Croc Save yourself a trip to the chiropractor and endless years of back pain with this sexy little faux croc chef’s mat from Gel Pro. The cushioned pad, similar to the black mats you find in professional kitchens around the world, offers comfort for your feet, knees and low back. But thankfully, someone – must have been a woman – tailored this line for home cooks in a variety of colors with a fun, faux crocodile texture. Mine, dressed in scarlet red, of course, cushions my toes as I melt chocolate for my signature dessert. A lightweight swatch roughly the size of a yoga mat, it is easy to slide from in front of the stove to the sink during cleanup. $150 http://www.gelpro.com

Nespresso Lattissima A great gift for anyone with a Starbucks habit, Nespresso’s new Lattissima, (manufactured by De Longhi), whips up espresso, cappuccinos and lattes in seconds. Although you’ll pay for convenience, the machine has about the easiest cleanup in the business. Coffees come in pods, blends color-coded by strength. (And they’re pretty good for vacuum-sealed, pre-ground blends). The pods of coffee are inserted and ejected by the snap of a lever. A water reservoir holds 41 oz – that’s a lot of joe! And while the price per pod comes in at about $.60, when weighted against the $4.50 for a large latte, it’s a sound investment. The coffee is not of orgasmically artisan quality, but a cup is comparable to your average coffee chain and with the customization functions on the machine – low foam, skim milk, extra shot of water – you can serve your lover exactly what she likes without wasting gas on the drive thru. $699 http://www.nespresso.com

Blazer’s The Torch
If the economy really gets you down, just send everything up in flames. (I’m talking top of custard, not the whole house here). This mini butane buzzer is most definitely a crème brulee’s best friend, but as an addition to your tool kit can practically replace the handyman around the house. (It did wonders for the broken handle on my bathroom cabinet). Now that is a great way to bring cheap heat into your domestic life! $37.50 Purchase through http://www.cableorganizer.com.