We've been very busy promoting our book, The Essence of Tantric Sexuality and working on our next one, but we hope to start blogging a bit more regularly. Scroll down to the bottom of this post for our appearance schedule and links to some reviews and interviews.


What Tantra can do for the Tastebuds
Few realize that foods can do more than stimulate the tastebuds. A light meal with carefully chosen dishes can be the beginning of a delicious night in! In one traditional Tantric ritual (the Pancamakara or 5M ceremony), certain foods are consumed, and each is associated with a Chakra and an element. We have borrowed this concept, modified it and adapted it for modern Westerners. This is not the classical ceremony, but it is a delightful way to awaken your senses and connect with your beloved.

In Tantra, different energetic centers (Chakras) in the body are triggered by different sensory stimuli. Taste and smell are the most primal senses, and they awaken the Chakras that govern sensuality. The right foods can stimulate these centers and tantalize your partner. See below for the recipes.

First Course
The first course should include a musky, earthy element. A dish made with truffles is a good choice and will stimulate the sense of smell and begin to awaken desire (Muladhara). Chef Jonathan Pratt (www.prattsinn.com) suggests starting off the meal with Truffle Mac n’ Cheese, which is rich in earthy flavors.

Main Dish
Swadhisthana chakra is associated with water. For the second course, evoke the ocean and try a seafood dish, like Oyster and Morel Fricassee. The mushrooms in this dish will also stimulate the sense of smell. The sensory avenue for this sexual center is taste, so if you don't like seafood, anything with bold flavor will work. Recipe courtesy of Chef John Michael Hamlet.

Dessert
Finally, what better way to engage the heart than with chocolate? Pratt suggests Strawberry and Chocolate Ganache Fondue. The shape of the strawberry is similar to that of the heart, and the sensory avenue for the heart center is touch. The watery, dark chocolate is also reminiscent of the ocean, which will appeal to your sensuality. Feeding each other the dipped strawberries and paying close attention to the sensations of touch will awaken the heart.

Wine is also a part of the classical 5M ceremony. It represents Manipura Chakra, and the fire element. If you choose, you can add this traditional component to your ritual meal. The fifth M, Maithuna or sexual union, is associated with the air element and the throat Chakra in many systems.

Tantra & Tastebuds Recipes for a Great Night In!
Truffle Mac & Cheese (Truffles earth)

2 cups raw macaroni
3 cups milk
1 cup cream
2 oz. Black Truffle butter (found at specialty stores)
4 oz. Butter
4 oz. All purpose flour
4 oz. Grated Fontina cheese (found at specialty stores)
Dash truffle oil
Salt and pepper

Cook pasta and set aside.
Simmer cream and milk. In a separate pot melt butters and whisk in flour to make a rouille. Add to milk mixture and simmer about 5 min. to cook out flour. Add dash truffle oil to enhance. Salt and pepper to taste.
Mix together with pasta and place in ramekins, top with bread crumbs. Place under broiler until top is golden brown.

Oyster and Morel Fricassee (mushrooms, earth, Oysters, water)
8 Large meaty West coast oysters
4 large morels
2 plum tomatoes
2 cloves garlic
1/2 cup white wine
Butter
Salt and Pepper
Olive oil

Blanch, peel, seed and chop small the plum tomatoes. Slice garlic into thin rounds. Cut morels in half and brush off any loose dirt. Sear off in olive oil. Add tomato and garlic, then deglaze with white wine. Turn off heat and add oysters. Allow to poach. Add butter, salt and pepper.

Strawberries and Chocolate Ganache (resemble the heart)
8 Large Strawberries, stem and wash
1 lb chopped semi-sweet or bitter-sweet chocolate
1/2 c. sugar
2 c. heavy cream
Heat cream to a light simmer, combine sugar with chocolate. Pour in hot cream to melt. Dip and serve like a fondu.

We will be discussing our Tantric Dinner, Saturday, Sept. 9th 10:30am (EST) on "The Chef's Table" in WHYY in Philadelphia, and Sirius Radio.

Swami Umeshanand and Devi Veenanand
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Events & Workshops

September 8
LOVING MORE EAST COAST CONFERENCE, (UPSTATE NY) - "The Chakras and Sexuality" workshop Friday evening.

September 9 , 4:30 p.m.
THE DREAMING GODDESS (POUGHKEEPSIE) - "Introduction to Tantra" workshop followed by signing - $10

September 13 - 17
DARK ODYSSEY SUMMER CAMP - We will present, The Chakras and Sexuality, Tantric Erogenic Zones, Pleasure as Spiritual Practice, and Exploring Gender Paradigms

October 12, 7-9 p.m.
INSPIRED! BOOKS AND GIFTS (KINGSTON, NY) - 41 N. Front St. Kingston NY. Introduction to Tantra, $20

November 16, 7-10
TANTRA TEMPLE (SEATTLE) - Lecture, Q&A and book signing, register at http://www.tantratemple.us/events.html

November 18, 6:30 p.m.
THIRD PLACE BOOKS (SEATTLE) - Booksigning

TV
September 11 p.m. (EST)
WCAU-TV “NBC 10 NEWS AT 11” (PHILADELPHIA) - Ways couples can keep their relationship strong with Tantra.

Podcasts, Webcasts & Archived Radio

LECTURE AT THE BODHI TREE - www.VitalEnergyCenter.com/tantrapm.html

THE SEX AND SEXUALITY SHOW - www.healthylife.com (click Archives, Sex and Sensuality Show, July 18th) We are guests for Tantra Tuesdays, the first Tuesday every month.

WPBN - FULL CIRCLE - http://www.tekneek.com/wpbn/html/full_circle.html

FEMALETHINK.COM

NOBODYLIKESONIONS.COM – archived, August 15th show

WMCW-AM AND WKKD-AM (CHICAGO) AND HEALTH RADIO NETWORK “HEALTH MOVES” (NATIONAL) – live interview with Host Melanie Cole. http://www.healthradionetwork.com/archives/20060725/0725_Hmoves.mp3

Articles Online
ALBANY TIMES UNION - http://tinyurl.com/myz9j

SOULDISH - Interview with Jamye Waxman, http://tinyurl.com/q4gk3

THE SHADOW SACRAMENT - Interview with Skian McGuire, http://www.shadowsacrament.com/tantra_interview.htm

Erotic Authors Association - Interview by Pamela Weatherill, http://www.eroticauthorsassociation.com/html/tantra.html

Magazine & Newspaper
August
JANE MAGAZINE - p. 94, Tantric Erogenous Zones by Kate Torgovnick.

August
CHRONOGRAM - "Listening and the Spiritual Power of Silence" by Mark Michaels and Patricia Johnson

September 12
METRO NEWSPAPER (NYC METRO AREA) - interview

October
ROCKSTAR MAGAZINE - What men can do to appeal to women’s sense of smell and cause sexual arousal, by Jon Platner.

November
WEDDING ESSENTIALS (TORONTO, CA) - Tips on how newlyweds can keep the sparks flying for years

January 2007
ALL YOU MAGAZINE - Interview with Patricia Johnson

Radio
September 9th, 9:30 p.m.
WFMU-FM "UNSPORTED" (LONG ISLAND, NY)

September 9th
WHYY-FM/SIRIUS SATELLITE RADIO “A CHEF’S TABLE” (NATIONAL) – Creating a Tantric meal. This show airs on Philadelphia’s NPR station, as well as Sirius Satellite Radio.

September 20, 12:40 p.m.
WBIX-AM "THE FRANKIE BOYER SHOW" (SYNDICATED)

November 6, 2 p.m. (EST)
WKTF-AM VOICE AMERICA "POSITIVE LIVING" (NATIONAL) - interview with Patricia Raskin


REVIEWS
http://www.tarotguy.com/bookreviews/tantric.html
http://www.chronogram.com/issue/2006/08/arts/books/shorttakes.php
http://www.shadowsacrament.com/tantric_sexuality_review.htm by Joshua Tenpenny
http://www.eroticauthorsassociation.com/html/tantric.html by Pamela Weatherill