Quick Tips

As the summer sizzles, Drs. Brian and Anna Marie Clement have a prescription to put some sizzle in your sex life, too — eat watermelon, eat kale.

The Clements run Hippocrates Health Institute, a pioneer in natural wellness for over half a century. “What draws people here is its historic reputation, tens and tens of thousands who’ve reversed disease and premature aging,” says Brian. So who are these people? “Every person, every age. It’s like your neighborhood.”

Most people come for Hippocrates Health’s three-week intensive wellness program. Brian, who’s directed the facility for over 30 years, says, “We watch people come back to life.” And back to lust. “One thing we hear constantly and consistently is, ‘Yes, my cancer went into remission, but my God, my sex life has never been as good as this.'” That led him and his wife to write “7 Keys to Lifelong Sexual Vitality: The Hippocrates Institute Guide to Sex, Health, and Happiness,” published by New World Library.

The Clements are big into sex. We all are. “This biological force governs every choice we make until the day we die. Even when you comb your hair, or doll up, that’s sex hormones still working for you,” says Brian. The Clements want to keep them working. An active sex life ups your immunity, energy and emotional happiness. Plus, it’s fun.

None of those seven keys to sexual vitality involves popping a pill. “It’s a journey of consciousness,” says Anna Maria. “Your kindness, your compassion, your awareness, it’s determined by what we consume.”

Their book contains sections on tantric exercises, fantasy and adult films, but central to the book and to the Clements are foods designed to rev your libido — we’re talking nature’s aphrodisiacs like kale, rich in vitamin A, B complex, calcium, choline and zinc.

The book’s dozen recipes are vegan and raw, the Clements just don’t make a big deal about it. What is a big deal are the results. They cite the 2008 Texas A&M study showing watermelon delivers “Viagra-like effects to the human body’s blood vessels and could even help to increase libido.” Does it really work? “Absolutely. I’m buying watermelon left and right, eating the rind and seeds,” Brian jokes.

Back in the 1960s, he was less into eating watermelon, more into fried bologna. “I was obese and smoking three packs a day and plenty of grass.” In college, he met a guy who practiced yoga and didn’t eat meat. While Clement was slightly weirded out, “something resonated.” He gave up meat, then dairy, and credits it with saving his life. “I was lucky.”

His wife Anna Maria grew up in Sweden, where “there’s a healthiness, an openness” about sexuality. The average Swedish diet, though? Not so much. “Meat, gravy potatoes, dessert,” says Anna Maria, who, with her whole family, went vegetarian when she was young.

The Clements met on the job at Hippocrates Health. They’ve stayed there — and stayed together — for decades. “There’s nothing like having a relationship that goes on and on and on, it’s the best,” says Anna Maria. “There’s so much memory, you’ve been through so much together, you grew up together and supported each other.”

“We’re grandparents, we’re best friends, we want to hang out together and make love,” says Brian.

The Clements are calling for more and better sex for all, including what Brian calls the Boomer Sexual Liberation Front. “Let our generation lead the way to healthier sex, less guilt and shame, and much longer, more fulfilling lives.” Better stock up on watermelon.

Hippocrates Melon Soup

Easy, bright and refreshing, this chilled soup recipe, used and adapted with permission from Hippocrates Health Institute, is just the thing for summer. Make it with your favorite type of melon. However, given its naughty-making possibilities, watermelon’s a pretty strong contender.

1/2 melon, roughly chopped
1 teaspoon fresh herbs, such as tarragon, basil or mint or 1/4 teaspoon warming spice like cinnamon or ginger
juice of 1 lemon or lime, if desired

In a food processor blender, blend the melon for about a minute or until it reaches smoothness. Add the herb or spice, optional squeeze of citrus and a little water to thin, if desired. Process again briefly until well combined.

Serves 2.

An earlier version of this post first ran on February 4, 2013.

Tired of being tired? Studies show that it often takes older adults 30 minutes longer to fall asleep than younger adults. And, when they do finally fall asleep, they sleep lightly and wake up a lot. It’s no wonder, then, that many of us feel sluggish during the day.

Don’t compound the problem by maintaining a diet that drains the energy right out of you. For example, sugary foods may seem like a good idea, as they may give you a quick burst of energy, but they’re actually not as your blood sugar will wind up lower than before you ate the sugar. Ultimately this “crash” will sap you of energy.

Need other ideas for an energy boost? Check out the three dietary tweaks below designed to give you an instant jolt to get you through the day. Have any other ideas? Let us know in comments.

1. Eat foods with iron.

You will definitely crash and burn by mid-afternoon if you only eat foods low in iron. These foods include milk, cheese and potatoes. Instead, seek out great sources of iron such as beef, fish, beans, lentils, poultry and leafy greens. Why’s iron so important? Iron is an essential mineral that helps to carry oxygen from the lungs around the body, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Without enough of it, you may feel cold, weak and tired.

2. Stay away from processed foods.

Processed foods usually contain less fiber and more sugar than other foods, which make them terrible for insulin health and blood sugar control. Sugar consumption is strongly linked with health issues such as obesity, diabetes and heart disease. And it can have an adverse impact on metabolism when consumed in excess. Need more proof that processed foods are bad for you? A recent study published in the journal Physiology & Behavior found that rats became lethargic when fed a diet low in fat but high in simple sugars and refined flour. Yet another study, from 2012, found that processed foods can slow the brain, hampering memory and learning.

3. Ditch the fried foods and caffeine.

Fried foods will make you sleepy because your digestive system has to work harder than usual to process the fats in them. And fried food won’t do your skin any favors either. Loaded with oil and trans fats, fried foods can clog arteries and stiffen blood cells, which makes skin appear wrinkled and worn out. Caffeine, too, should be avoided. Although it’s a stimulant, you’ll no doubt feel even more tired after it peaks. So skip that morning cup of java and go for a cup of tea instead. White tea can help you look younger and black tea can help reduce stress. What could be better?

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It’s summer, the time of year when we as a collective body of caffeine addicts all switch from hot cups to the refreshing crispness of coffee on ice. But it’s so dang expensive (due to the fact that it actually takes more coffee, labor, and time to mak…

You may have dreamed about it, but until now, Nutella ice cream has only been a figment of your imagination. Today, thanks to Carvel, Nutella ice cream is finally a reality. It’s available nationwide starting today, June 30, and will be sold until September 30. So hurry up, Nutella fans!

Carvel and Nutella both have big birthdays this year, and they’re thankfully teaming up to celebrate. Carvel is celebrating its 80th anniversary this year and giving itself, and all of us, a great birthday present by releasing this Nutella ice cream. Nutella is turning 50, and in addition to partnering with Carvel, the company has opened two Nutella bars in Eataly Chicago and Eataly New York. Nutella also celebrated its birthday by teaming up Cronut™ chef Dominique Ansel to make special, one-day-only Cronut™ hole made with made with Nutella.

While you may have seen chocolate-hazelnut ice cream before, this is the first time an ice cream brand has ever partnered with Nutella. Carvel is incorporating Nutella into four ice cream treats:

• Soft-Serve Ice Cream made with Nutella
• Sundae Dasher with Banana, which has layers of soft-serve made with Nutella and Carvel Crunchies, and topped with whipped cream and Nutella.
• Sundae Dasher with Chocolate Crunchies, which has layers of soft-serve made with Nutella and bananas, and topped with whipped cream and Nutella.
• Hand-Scooped Chocolate Ice Cream layered with Nutella and Carvel Crunchies, then topped with more Nutella.

The Nutella flavor isn’t overwhelming in the ice cream, which may disappoint some Nutella fans. When you get a bite swirled with the spread, however, the flavor is overwhelming — in a good way. If you like bananas, the Sundae Dasher with Banana is for you. However, be warned that in the battle of competing flavors — banana vs. Nutella — banana definitely wins. Our favorite was the hand-scooped chocolate ice cream layered with Nutella and Carvel Crunchies, because it had the most apparent Nutella flavor. If you get your hands on one of Carvel’s new Nutella ice cream treats this summer, let us know what you think!

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If you’ve ever had the misfortune of drinking a warm beer — which is almost every beer you enjoy al fresco in the summer — you know all too well how disappointing it can be. And while people have worked hard to find a solution to that problem — Kooz…