The "Oh no, not me" Male Complex!

CookingWithCarlo.com ^ | July 5 2003 | Chef Carlo3b, a FReeper lover.

[carlo3b]

The "Oh no, not me" Male Complex!

By Chef Carlo3b

NOT MUCH SEX IN THE CITY, or anywhere else for that matter if you are a maturing male, and experiencing some pretty common problems. For some men, being over 50, even if you are in great physical and mental health, can pose some really serious problems, and you may require the male equivalent of the 50,000 mile check-up.

The Problem
The "Oh no, not me" complex comes to mind!  Contrary to popular belief, Men do not always think about sex, especially if it questions his own performance. Most men are, by nature, forbidden from thinking about sexual difficulties, and NEVER, any suggestion of a diminished capacity.

To face what is the 3rd rail of masculinity, is to confront nature's call... the dreaded " I " word. Speaking of I, as in me, I would rather wrestle an Rabid Alligator than think about Impotence, or any variation of the squishy references to problems in the bedroom... But that doesn't change the facts.. and, it may be time to play with fire..

The Awakening
Most middle-aged men have begun to experience something equivalent to erectile dysfunction (ED). It isn't so bad if you think about it as a wake-up call, rather than a the distant sound of the male death rattle. It is in the worse case scenario, the inability of a man to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for his sexual needs or the needs of his partner.

To suggest, or even worse, to discover, that you may not be, what you thought you were, (and probably never were to begin with.. DUH), is to admit you are reaching the end much quicker than you thought. Face it ..or deny it. Most men find it much safer to deny it.

Most guys start to experience this natural, evolutionary phenomenon, at some point in their lives, usually beginning around the age of 40. However, most men do not acknowledge it until it bites him on the ass. If you refuse to face it, the results are nearly always devastating, and the infamous slippery slope comes into play.. self doubt, lower expectations, refusal to engage in sex, and the true destruction of most relationships.. the total avoidance of intimacy for what is sadly, and subconsciously perceived as self preservation.

Have I got your attention yet...
Sounds pretty bad doesn't it? Avoiding the problem can be. Truth be known, it is not just bad, but this could be fatal. A life without sex or intimacy, is actually horrible for your health, physically, and mentally. Here is were it gets really interesting, This problem does not have to be end of the world, and this scenario, as serious as it is, can in most cases be easily averted.

What in the heck is wrong with me...
Nothing is wrong with a man, or woman that have changes in their lives, on any or all levels. We have all been taught to recognized the ramifications of Female Menopause, but how often have we confronted with what is the equally as lifealtering as the Male equivalence of Menopause, clinically refereed to as Andropause. Androgen Deficiency, is the loss or decreasing levels of androgens, or testosterone.

I do not intend to play Doctor here, (although I have played one on TV.. ha), however, a decrease in male hormones begins to create a physiological and chemical change in maturing males. This phenomenon, generally takes place between the ages of 40 and 55, although it can occur earlier or much later.

The most common symptoms of Androgen Deficiency, or, according to author Jed Diamond, in his book, "Male Menopause," he concluded, men experiencing this phase of life, "need longer to  recover from injuries and illness, less endurance for physical activity, weight gain, thinning hair, sleep disturbances, irritability, and reduced interest in sex.."

Awareness, is the key to overcoming the natural injustices of life, and there are a milieu of other causes for many of the symptoms of sexual dysfunction, in the reverse order of causation;

TOP TEN REASONS

10) Fear of rejection
9)   Physical limitations, stroke, handicap
8)   Chronic tobacco use
7)   Alcoholism, or frequent drinking habit
6)   Prolonged drug addiction, cocaine, marijuana, hallucinogenics...
5)   Illnesses requiring medication, i.e.: high blood pressure, prostate, heart conditions, diabetes.. etc
4)   Stress
3)   Depression
2)   Physical condition, (weakness, lack of exercise, weight gain)

And the #1 reason for hitting in a Sexual Slump... drum roll......
DIET

Yes, diet ranks at the top of the list of reasons most men can not achieve their sexual potential! In later chapters we will address how, and what you can eat, that can change your lives in the most dramatic fashions imaginable. Many of the most treatable conditions listed above can be altered by changing your eating habits. As and example, weight gain, which makes exercising so difficult. Atherosclerosis, the hardening of the arteries, caused by deposits of fatty substances, high cholesterol levels, platelets, cellular waste products, calcium and other substances build up in the inner lining of an artery inhibiting blood vessels and restricting blood flow..

Just avoiding cooking with animal fats, and switching to olive oil, can drastically raise your natural endorphins, which remove stress or pain, and change the condition of the blood flows to the extremities of your body, resulting in enhanced and prolonged erections... Ba da bing..

Did you know, that there are foods, such as natural aphrodisiacs, that stimulate the normal body functions, that have been used throughout history, to create high sexual interest in both women and men?  Ba da boom
Any of this sound familiar?

The Silver lining...
WHAT? Are you nuts? How can there be any SILVER LINING?
For most men, having discovered any of the symptoms as an early warning sign, can dissuade much of the long term destructive behaviors, and choices can be treated, corrected, and/or avoided, before they consume your relationships. Having been detected early, these common problems can be stopped in there tracts.

Now what...
Having been made aware of the rules and red flags in the game, now is the time to take the ball and run with it. Lets get a handle on the problems and take the first step in solving them. Now with our help lets start to tackle, and remove the simplest roadblocks.

Cooking now takes on a whole new world of fun, ...that is aside from holding your family and sex life together.. it tastes good too... blush.. smirk!
 

Copyright: Carlo3b, Morelli Publishing Inc.

[MeekOneGOP]

Mmmm-mmm !! Asian food is great. Being married to a Chinese, I get good home-cooked Chinese every day too! Breakfast-Lunch-Supper.

I tried some Thai soup at a Chines Buffet place a few years ago that was outta this world. Yum !!

[MeekOneGOP]

Whoops !! That should be:

ChinesE Buffet

[carlo3b]

I don't wnt to talk about it..

OK, I will...

Even More Help is on the way...

Listen fellas, can we talk? This problem is real, and the maturing  men reading this know what I am saying is fact.
With the new drugs and therapies available in today's market, there is no good reason to suffer the embarrassment of  this crippling disease any longer. We owe it to the loved ones, to find a way back to our manhood.

There are wonderful and safe procedures that correct what Father Time has taken away...
Here is a real tip.. a new product,  Testim gel, is the best testosterone replacement product on the market today, hands down. I was given a tube of this remarkable topical testosterone delivery system a few months back, and felt the positive results almost immediately. Rub it on your shoulders and upper arms at night and BINGO.

The intended remedy was to increase my lower levels of testosterone, thus, increasing my overall libido, interest, and sexual drive.... Wellllllll, it worked, wonders.. There was even a bonus that I had not known about that I really enjoyed as well, muscle mass increase. I have been taking a prescription, for control of my heart muscle after a stroke, that I suffered several years ago. The product worked too well. Testim rapidly replaced my strength, my muscles and sexual performance levels to boot.. Yehaaaaaaaa The Italian Scallion returns.....The neverending miracles of science... sigh

[carlo3b]

Being married to a Chinese, I get good home-cooked Chinese every day too! Breakfast-Lunch-Supper.

What a great life, as you are no doubt aware, there is a special method to the preparation of the healthy delicate sauces in Asian food.. unfortunately most Americans are only familiar with America-Chinese foods in the all too common carry-out cafes, and to their dismay miss the true qualities of their more exotic foods.

[MeekOneGOP]

Yes, very well aware. The Chinese food places that most Americans frequent are spiced to American taste. There are a few CHINESE Chinese food places here in Dallas (and, I assume, in most Major Metro areas), but one has to know where to go. Ming has a Gift Store in an Asian part of Dallas, and they have some Chinese and Vietnamese food in the shopping district there. There is a Vietnamese place a couple of doors down and I've had some of their soup. It is really good. My wife (Ming's sister) had never had it before, and she didn't care for it much. Ming said it's because she never had it before and wasn't used to it. Ming liked it, the same as me. (Our tastes are very much the same. Usually the stuff I like, Ming does, and vice-versa).

[Da_Shrimp]

Hmmm, reference bump.

[carlo3b]

I want to thank the many many Freepers that have written me privately and Freep mail, in gratitude for tackling this tough issue.. Let me tell you my friends, I have gladly researched this subject to help both you and I, and have spent a lifetime perfecting my healthy food choices, and suffer the same problems all active men confront.

As you know, as a restaurant and hotel owner, I have had to respond to the market place in presenting selections that were both appealing and commercially acceptable. Consequently I must bow to the latest chic cuisine du jour. However, stubbornly I made the switch to cooking in olive and vegetable oils very early on, in spite of the problems that caused in costs and instant preparation, and held back on salt were we could, and always fresh baked whole grain breads.

So I am again, pushing you to behave better in your healthy choices, not as a nanny, but a friendly neighbor, who has been there and done that.. I will continue to answer your questions privately, as you apparently wish.. Any way to help. I'm at your service.. Bless you all, I'm glad to help.. keep this cards and letters coming.. LOL

To hear more on theses and additional subjects, please join my newsletter list on my website and I will keep you up to date on every issue that may affect your health, and recipes and articles, you may find helpful!

[carlo3b]

Ming has a Gift Store in an Asian part of Dallas

Where is her shop, in the Chinatown community on 75, or perhaps the Hong Kong Market area? We no longer live in North Texas but I have a son that is visiting his family up there I have taught my kids to eat wisely, so they frequent Asian food outlets when they are dining and I do often.

[MHGinTN]

Not a replacement for Emeril, Carlo, an adjunct! Good cooking is eye candy to behold ... and it has nothing to do with the sex of the preparer, beyond the obvious voluptuosness of perhaps a Nigella as she bites. Real men, men who are 'slef actualized' enjoy watching and even partaking of food preparation, especially in a famliy setting.

Thanks so much for a truly enlightening and entertaining thread on a holiday weekend. I've got to get a copy of your book! [PS- my stepson has just taken a job with a catering company. He intends to finish his History degree, then perhaps try your suggestion of getting a job in a classy Hotel kitchen rather than going to chef school. Thanks for ther solid advice. He doesn't shun the 'sue chef' role.]

[MHGinTN]

slef = self ... need midday coffee!

[MeekOneGOP]

In the shopping center at Audelia and Walnut Street. The Southwest corner.
A couple miles north of LBJ (I-635).

[firewalk]

Thanks for the pings

A very informative & entertaining thread (-:

[radu]

A TRIPLE TRICK OR TREAT

Ooooooooh myyyyyyyy!! CHOK-LIT!!!!! I'm off to the grocery store for some chocolate chips (the other ingredients are already in the pantry) to make this "to die for" recipe. YUM!!! I know of two choc-o-holics who'll be diving into this later this evening!

I also need to grab some things for that pasta recipe posted earlier. That sounds scrumptious! Italian food is my weakness.

Breaking out the bibs! LOL!!

[christie]

Come visit Carlo's web site and sign up for the newsletter (at the bottom of the page).

Cooking with Carlo

[carlo3b]

Roasted garlic has a completely different mild and aromatic flavor than it's pungent raw nature.

Roasted Garlic Old World Bruschetta

 
This feel-good, delicious bread (brew-SKEH-tah) is traditionally grilled over hot coals in cave like ovens, but your oven's broiler will do the job.  The real secret to this recipe is getting a rustic round loaf of bread, with a thick, crunchy, crust.

• 2 heads garlic, roasted and peeled (about 45 minutes, at 350)
• Extra-virgin olive oil
• Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
• 8 - 12 thick slices good quality, crusty bread

1) Mash the garlic with enough olive oil to make a thick paste and season with salt and pepper.
2) Grill or broil the bread until toasted on both sides.
3) Spread the garlic paste on one side, drizzle with additional olive oil if desired, and serve immediately.
Serves 4 to 6.

[carlo3b]

Would you like a truly romantic evening with your new or as we say seasoned squeeze? Clear the counters and roll up your sleaves and make a pizza together, and find out what real love is, both in and out of the kitchen....sigh

A Chicago Legend

In Chicago...eating pizza is a dining experience, not just a snack as in most places. But it wasn't always that way. Ike Seawell changed things back in 1943 when he created deep dish pizza. (Some folks call it Chicago Pizza.)

Dough Recipe

• 2 packages rapid rise dry yeast
• 2 cups warm water
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 cup cornmeal
• 5 1/2 cups flour

In the bowl of a stand mixer (KitchenAid), dissolve the yeast in the water. Add the vegetable oil, olive oil, cornmeal, and half of the flour. Beat for 10 minutes. Attach the dough hook and mix in the remaining flour. Knead for several minutes with the mixer. (Note: because the dough is very rich and moist, it would be difficult to do this by hand.)

Remove dough and place on a clean countertop. Cover with a very large metal bowl and allow to rise until double in bulk. Punch down and allow to rise again. Punch down a second time and you are ready to make pizza!

Oil your deep-dish pizza pan. Depending on the size of your pan, place some dough in the pan and push it out to the edges using your fingers. Put in enough dough so that you can run the crust right up the side of the pan. Make it about 1/8-inch thick throughout the pan.

Filling for a 9- or 10-inch Pan

• 1/3 pound sliced mozzarella cheese
• 2 cups Italian-style whole peeled tomatoes, drained and squished
• 1 teaspoon basil
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt to taste
• 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
• 3 tablespoons olive oil

Place the cheese in tile-like layers on the bottom of the pie. Next put in the tomatoes and the basil, oregano, garlic, and salt, reserving the Parmesan cheese for the top. Drizzle olive oil over the top of the pie and you are ready to bake.

Variations: Before you put on the Parmesan cheese and olive oil drizzle, you might like to add any or all of the following:

• Italian sausage, hot or mild
• Yellow onions, peeled and diced
• Pepperoni, sliced thin
• Mushrooms, sliced
• Green sweet bell peppers, cored and sliced thin

Bake the pie in a 475 degree F. oven until the top is golden and gooey and the crust a light golden brown, about 35 to 40 minutes.

 

---

 

Italian Sausage (Chicago Style)

• 4 lbs. pork shoulder (or pre-ground from the grocery in a pinch)
• 4 1/2 tsp. salt
• 2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
• 4 1/2 tsp. fennel seed
• Red pepper to taste. About 1 1/2 tsp.

Grind pork and mix in spices. I do not sauté the sausage, as it hardens it. Try forming the sausage into 6-inch oblong loaves and microwave them on the defrost setting until the pink barely disappears. Let the loaves cool, then break them into bite sized chunks. Freeze and use as you desire.

 

[AZLiberty]

The chocolate cake recipe located here will almost make you forgive NPR for abusing your tax money.

The icing is amazing: equal amounts of sour cream and chocolate chips. I improved it in two ways. First, you have to warm the sour cream to make it mix well with the chocolate. One minute or so in the microwave is about right. Second, replace the chocolate chips with an 11 oz bag of Dove dark chocolates. You'll spend 5 minutes unwrapping them, but the icing it makes is wonderful.

[deadhead]

Thanks for the ping Carlo :-) I checked out your Website, very impressive!

[Victoria Delsoul]

Thank you, Carlo.

Bump!

[Aquamarine]

Thanks Carlo. I think discussing adult problems can be good...if it's done with taste. ;)