People around the world are experiencing depression, ill health, loneliness, financial lack and a sense of failure. To some it may even seem like everything is going wrong. People who have family members to provide for, cannot settle for failure. They have to succeed for their own sake, as well as for those who are dependant on their success.

If you are emotionally, physically, financially and spiritually drained, here is the good news. Your mind is the most valuable asset you possess. The power of thought is a valuable instrument for success and prosperity. The right use of our mind is the key to healthy, happy, prosperous and successful living. Learn how to be successful at the most important asset management.

Much has been written in recent years about positive thinking. The content of this article will focus on prosperous thinking and the positive changes you can experience in your life. The word prosper means to flourish, succeed, thrive and experience the results you desire. We are prosperous to the degree that we experience peace and contentment as part of our everyday lifestyle. It is about being empowered to achieve our desires and goals, increased financial success and a deeper spiritual and emotionally balanced life. Success and prosperity is about inner peace and happiness, a mental outlook on life. Tension, both conscious and subconscious will be eased and give way to serenity and peace of mind.

The field of science has given us ample evidence that mankind is able to shape and form the world from the unlimited substance within and around, by thoughts, emotions, words and actions. No matter what the circumstances of your life may be, you have access to information that can bring about success and prosperity in your life. Physicians, psychologists and theologians have also discovered many ways in which this information is able to empower people to change the circumstances of their lives. Many doctors have stated that they have many patients that are seriously ill due to the anxiety, tension and strain caused by financial problems. Stress is known to impair both the mind and body to the point of incapacity. More than half of the world’s ills are caused by the misery and unhappiness that is due to poverty.

Wealth means having an abundance of good – living a fuller and more satisfying life. You are prosperous to the degree that you are experiencing peace, happiness and contentment in your life. There are many honorable methods that can and do allow you to achieve your desires, goals and make more money. It has become important for all of us to develop this innovative way of thinking so that we can solve our personal problems and share the responsibility of educating the young generation about economic success and prosperous living.

You cannot live fully on the mental or emotional sphere without satisfying creative, mental activity; without time to enjoy pursuits like music, art and other cultural interests. You need opportunity and money for travel and intellectual stimulation with other people. Of equal importance is the spiritual sphere of life, time for quiet contemplation, meditation, spiritual study, prayer and fellowship with like-minded people. It is therefore of supreme importance that you be prosperous for your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual welfare and development. You aren’t much good to yourself or to anyone else unless you are living a well balanced, successful and prosperous life.

There is no reason for you to think of prosperity as impacting only one particular sphere of your life. They are all inter-related. Your way of thinking contributes to the success of your financial, emotional, physical and spiritual well-being. Many people tend to think that success and prosperity is contrary to spiritual laws. Some of the oldest spiritual writings give us extremely valuable information about wealth and prosperity. The Bible is the greatest textbook on prosperity and success. It tells us that God is the source of our prosperity, the source of all our blessings. He is a loving, understanding Father and we can ask Him to assist us with all our affairs, each and every day of our lives. We can ask for His divine instruction about each and every sphere of life.

The first chapters of the Bible describes the abundance and wealth that was created for mankind. Historical evidence reveals that many of the Biblical people were either born prosperous, became prosperous or had access to prosperity whenever the need arose. A study of Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, David, Solomon, Boaz, Elijah and many more, are prime examples of this. God was the source of their supply. King David wrote many poetic verses about this subject. The most widely recognized psalm is probably: The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. It is a wonderful affirmation to declare each day.

God does for you what He can, through you, by means of your thoughts, ideas, words and actions. Prosperous thinking opens the door to prosperous results. Remind yourself throughout the day that God is the source of all your supply. In order to gain greater insight, think of your breath. Most of us breathe with very little conscious thought of this action. Someone else cannot breathe for us just as we cannot breathe for them. We cannot hold our breath for more than a certain amount of time without losing consciousness. Use this analogy to become conscious of God as your source of supply.

Concentrate on your breathing for a few minutes first thing in the morning. During this time also think of God as your source of supply during the course of the day. It is also a good idea to affirm a prosperous thought for the day. The more senses you can use and involve in the development of your thinking patterns, the easier it will be for your mind to accept this way of thinking. Your unconscious will also start to work along with your rational mind to assist you with more innovative ways of problem solving.

Food is a pivotal part of lifes pleasures and in love anything that celebrates the pleasure of love and sensuality should be both exotic and erotic. Use your creativity and give your impulses wings while indulging in the art of culinary seduction.

Tales of table theatricals have given us much needed insight into the blurred boundaries between the art of making love and food. So much information exists, and it gives us the necessary insight into the art of erotic instruction on matters of modern romance. The mind and senses can be captivated by flickering candlelight, flirtatious banter, aphrodisiac ensembles, tipple, nibbles, picnics and a variety of ways to attract the attention of a lover. Culinary art is a journey filled with gastronomic pleasures that will ensure the direction of Cupids arrow and prolong a heightened memory of a romantic interlude. Who knows, if you take this information more seriously, you may just find yourself being taken more often.

At some stage we have all read or watched a movie that highlights the pleasure to both parties when time has been taken to exite with nibbles, caresses and kisses. Even in the animal world we can learn a lot about the ritual courtship dances and interludes between the male and female.

So without further ado lets venture into the world of erotic fantasy and aphrodisiac effects on both mind and body.

Exotic Coffee and Velvetey Chocolate Delight for Two

500g whipped cream

250g milk

100g strong espresso coffee (optional addition – a few tiny bits of chilli)

60g dark cholcolate

35g sugar

2 egg yolks

3 teaspoons coffee powder

10g gelatine

4 tea biscuits quickly dipped in coffee to soften (or optional coffee liqueur)

Corn starch

Soak gelatine in a small container with a little lukewarm water. Mix sugar, egg yolks and coffee powder together. Add half a teaspoon of corn starch and mix again. Add milk and gently heat until the mixture is fairly warm. Squeeze out excess water from gelatine mixture and add to the above.  Continue to heat the mixture gently until it starts to thicken. Add the whipped cream gently until it has the consistency of mousse. Put a tea biscuit into the bottom of a goblet and then pour in some of the mousse mixture. Add another tea biscuit and another layer of mixture.Reserve a little of the mixture for decoration.  Place goblets in the fridge.

Sauce: Melt the chocolate in the coffee and stir until dissolved. When ready to serve pour over sauce and add a nipple of the mousse mixture. An aphrodisiac masterpiece that is easy and quick but it will leave behind a haunting memory of sensual indulgence and the intricate alchemy between food, mind, body and love.

Erotic spiced honey

Find an empty jar and clean thoroughly. Add a few spoons of honey and stand the jar in fairly hot water. Add some cloves and cinnamon. Once the honey has cooled, warm again and strain off the spices. Take a packet of ground almonds and empty into a container. Add the spiced honey until it has the consistency of a paste.

Additional ideas  for a romantic evening includes a warm bath, aromatic oils like jasmine or ylang ylang, music, scented candles, some good wine and no interruptions (if you have young children organize to have them sleep over with grandparents, other family members or trusted friends)

To elevate the senses feed each other some dessert. Also be sure to describe the sensations you are experiencing as you savor the smooth silkiness of the chocolate mixed with the exotic flavor of coffee. To continue the arousal of the senses dip your fingers into the honey and almond paste. Rub some on your lovers mouth and then gently kiss it off. This can be used very safely on all your favorite body parts and is most effective to stoke the fire of love again at dawn.

Ladies this is the ideal opportunity to give your man a head start with the purrrfect Fathers Day surprise. Be his playful sex kitten for the entire evening……

The following morning everyone can get together for a lovely family brunch, lunch or picnic. Don’t be surprised if the mood continues with loving glances and affectionate caresses.

• Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts (high)
• The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don’t be alarmed!
• Allow to cool a little, and then tip onto a plate if desired

• EAT! (this can serve 2 if you want to feel more virtuous) – also good for comfort binges
• If you’re feeling very,very naughty cover liberally with favorite tipple 

 
And why is this the most dangerous cake recipe in the world?
Because now you are only 5 minutes away from chocolate cake at any time of the day or night! 

No more excuses……have mug will bake…..even the guys can do this!!!

 The two oceans that surround the coast of Cape Town is known world- wide for its exciting deep sea angling. Depending on the time of year, there are many species inhabiting the waters. Anglers can expect to lure big game fish weighing between 6 and 110kg. I live approximately 20 minutes drive from Cape Town, in a beautiful town called Gordons Bay, nestled at the foot of a majestic mountain range. This is where I learned about the joys of the open water and angling. There is something about the ambience of the bustling harbour where we spend many happy hours in the club, talking about the latest fishing gear and comparing stories of the “big ones” that got away.

What I like most about fishing as a sport  is the awesome friendships made with some of the many, wonderful people who you really get to know. Fishing is an integral part of my life. I am extremely lucky to be able to incorporate my interests into my career options. Many of my joys and success stories are connected to fishing. The fun and fellowship between friends always makes me smile. Wise parents understand that time spent outdoors with family is a special time to bond and learn something about the environment. So encourage your teenagers to join you on your next fishing trip. They will talk about their extreme adventure to all their friends. Eventually you will have a willing team of able bodied anglers who are always eager and willing to go on yet another trip to find those elusive sea creatures.

Depending on seasonal conditions, you can fish for just about anything your taste buds and sense of adventure desire. For those who are really open to an extreme adventure the ocean waters offer some great opportunities for spear fishing and glimpses of some of the most amazing underwater sealife.

If you are looking for rod bending action these species will fulfill your desire. Whether you wish to pursue a dream of catching a “record” on light tackle, catch some of the most delicious fish for the grill, or simply fishing  for “fun” and then releasing your catch, there is always a seasoned team of skippers and anglers who will assist in making your dream come true. 

Have rods ….. will travel. My friends and I will spend a week playing with fishing gear, getting ready to hit the water. It’s easy to become a child again when fishing.

There are all sorts of fishermen, professional, weekend, once-a-year and wanna-be fishermen. No matter what your category,  do some things around the house, spend some quality time with the spouse and kids and then put that note on the door – gone fishing.

Grab some clothes, sunglasses, sunscreen and a cap. With rods rigged, boats ready and bait in the hold, it is time to fish. We have been told that schools of yellow fin Tuna are ready to be lured and are there to test our physical and emotional endurance. So lets put the boat in top gear and head out to the wide blue yonder.

 Chumming up several giant yellow fin Tuna behind the boat is a sight that will excite any angler.  Whether you prefer to fish with conventional or fly tackle,  the guidance of the fishing team will ensure that the skilled as well as the novice angler will receive all the assistace that he or she needs.  It is a little after 6am and the boat is in top gear,  pounding through the choppy water. It is very apparent that the ocean is like a washing machine and we are going through the spin cycle. About 9am, after almost 3 hours of mind numbing, bone jarring jolting, the wind suddenly drops and the water becomes calm. Everyone starts cheering and the fishing starts in all earnest.

The guys are all casting, thumbs poised on the reel and ready for that first bite. Suddenly there is a giggle, then another and eventually uncontrollable laughter. Our newbie angler can hardly speak, just points to the water. “What happened?” I ask. “Don’t know, I made a cast and my rod just flew away!” Oh well, it’s all part of the learning curve. We retrieve the winged rod and start casting again. And the fish start biting.

 At one time one of the anglers looks like a sleek-footed rugby wing, working the sideline to the bow of the boat as he glides down the gunnels. On reaching the back of the boat it suddenly looks like an imaginary tackler has slammed his body off the deck, and right into the water. He is gone and then just like magic he suddenly pops up out of the water, grabs the side of the boat and hauls himself back in. With rod still in hand he is back in the saddle, fighting his fish. Half an hour later and he is still fighting and then just as suddenly there is nothing. The line has snapped. All that sweat, (and tears dare I say), and nothing to show for it. Oh well, it’s all part of the game. Better luck next time.

 After what seems like only a few hours the skipper says he is calling it a day. Everyone moans and groans and allowance is made for one last catch. Suddenly there is the whine of a reel and Jason gives a triumphant shout!  Once again he is at it. After an hour of determined struggle the catch is hauled into the boat. There is no way this one is going back into the water, no sir, it is going straight to the grill to feed the hungry masses back home. I suppose if there had been cameras rolling we would have ended the shoot with a “never give up” whoop. As the sun starts to set we leave behind the mysteries of the ocean and head back for the shore.

  Back at the seaside resort friends are gathered to share in the excitement of the adventures at sea. The fish are examined, photographed and cleaned. The fire is specially prepared. I lean back in my deck chair, cross my legs, drink in hand and look over the tranquil ocean. Behind me the men are exchanging stories of the day’s events. Photographs have been taken to capture the outcome of tales of challenge, adventure, danger and excitement.  A wisp of smoke rises from the fire and the smell of roasting fish pervades the air. This is what keeps me going back for more!

Life is like a continual flow, affected by our background, environment, partners, life-style and mental attitiude. Anything that disturbs that flow can make life seem stagnant and must be soundly investigated. That can mean your own attitude to the life you lead, and the sort of person you think you are. It should always be remembered that the real purpose of attaining a healthy body and mind is to recognize your higher purpose.

What do Nelson Mandela, Lance Armstrong and Beethoven have in common? Each is famous in their respective fields of, politics, cycling and music – but what feature do they share? The interesting tales of their struggles have made each a household name.  The one common link they share is tenacity. No matter what obstacles we face in life, whether it be physical ailments, emotional or a stressful lifestyle due to some particular set of circumstances, there are ways of dealing with it. The first rule of thumb is to seek help from a professional or well informed source.

Children learn the intricacies of language by trial and error. No-one would suggest that children enjoy the many falls and bumps that are part and parcel of learning to walk. This is just the natural growing process, an example of the development of life itself, by trial and error. Adults have no physical growth to cope with,  but mental growth is continual and must be tackled as children tackle talking and walking – by openly and consciously pushing forward and refusing to be put off by negative circumstances.

Having made your own internal commitment to development is not enough – you must grow with a sense of purpose. Make a list of the things you want. This may be business goals,  material possessions , life-style changes, taking better care of your health, excercise,  emotional experiences you need to work through,  whatever it is, be specific. This is not an exercise in greed. It is a necessary step to mental growth. By doing this you are continuing the clearing out process, only this time you are clearing out confusion. By working from the inside out you will become more sure of your ability to reach out for that growth symbol. You will learn to open out and wil EXPECT new ideas and inspirations. And they will come. By cultivating an open and searching attitude to life you will find people who are able to assist you with ideas and focus that often escapes you when you are so bogged down in your own troubles.

Expect to make mistakes. That does not mean that you have failed. It means your courage is being put to the test.  Today, with the increasing knowledge of the origins of disease, and of the pharmacology of the plant kingdom and other sciences, illness has become better defined and understood. Depression is better understood and no longer has the stigma that was attached to it for many centuries. Finding the right methods of support can help you focus on the important issues that can put you back on the road to successful living.

 I once heard a great definition of success at a seminar:  “to have everything money can’t buy and some of the things it can”.  Technology has catapulted us into a world of new challenges. These challenges force us to choose between apathy and action. There are choices and it is time to choose. 

Johnny is a single guy living at home with his father and working in the family business. At yearend  he hears the accountant tell his dad that the business is worth a fortune, $250 million to be exact. He also hears his dad tell the accountant that he is the sole heir to this fortune. Knowing that his sickly dad had only been given a year or two to live, he decides that he should start planning for a wife with whom to enjoy his fortune.

One evening at an investment meeting he spots the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Her natural beauty almost takes his breath away. “I may look just like an ordinary man,” he says to her, “but in a year or two I’ll inherit at least $250 million.” Impressed, the woman obtains his business card.

A week later, she becomes his stepmother. Women are so much better at financial planning than men!

Laughter is good for mind, body and soul – so go on, laugh, or at least smile!

Celebrity Designs

With my imagination at full throttle I decided that surfing the net would help me find and define the visual effect I wanted to create. I googled celebrity apartments and condos on hotmail, yahoo, excite and infoseek, to name but a few. I searched for free pictures of sculptures and art collections. This search routed me to sites with pictures of the exotic all right. I usually prefer my surprises in tiny boxes, thank you very much, and not as artistic deconstructions of  visual erotica. What I had been hoping for, was pictures of romantic sculptures and rhetoric that could be framed, and that would be appreciated by any audience, including myself.

World Celebrities

I vaguely remembered some art history and a french artist who had made some waves with his romantic works. I was determined to find a site that would give me the pictures I needed to create my inspired decor. Most travellers and lovers of art know the sculpture of the nude David, and Michelangelo was about all I got from a search of celebrated artists in history.  Everything else was basically a free for all showcase of nudity and sexually overt graphics. So be warned, know your subject and your topic before searching this route. I know we all have our own little secrets , but to divulge those of the lascivious kind on the web seems a tad like a desperate attempt at attention.

Gourmet Addictions

With that project now on the back burner I decided my energy would be best applied to exposing some of my culinary vices. With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, I thought the boys might appreciate some tips and hints on how to celebrate love and romance in true celebrity style. Most do the bunch of roses and card thing anyway, but here is some added inspiration to fire up the desire to celebrate. Some winning formulas – applied knowledge, reason and imagination. Fun + Mental = Fundamental

Breakfast for Two 

Whether in or out of bed, this is always a winner. Make sure you have her favourite selection of fruit. Wash thoroughly and pat dry. Lots of strawberries, cherries or black grapes would be good. Alternatively  use red apples with the skin to add colour. Dice and slice everything and put in the fridge to chill slightly. Put into pretty bowls and add a few scoops of fresh yoghurt. Pour some juice or a mixture of juice and bubbly. Serve on a tray and scatter a few rose petals around. Don’t forget the bunch of roses and the card. These could be strategically tied to your body to make the personal delivery more fun.

Nibbles to Set the Scene

You could book a movie in advance. Something with  humour and plenty of romance would be good. Decide what you are going to feast on. In some cases you may prefer your lover to be hungry enough to feast on you, rather than just food. Either way these ideas can be used as snacks or dessert.

Blend together half a cup of caster sugar, a small drop of red food colouring and 1Tsp rose water. Add more sugar if the mixture starts to dissolve. Sprinkle over freshly popped popcorn and garnish with a few rose petals. Serve with flavoured bubbly water, sparkling juice or wine. A few strategically placed rose scented candles will add a glowing ambiance.

The evening before mix a packet of jello (red is good) according to instructions. Before refrigerating add some finely chopped pickled ginger. When ready to serve cut some wedges of jello and arrange on a bed of roses with some cheese and warm, crusty bread or crackers. A few tea lights on the tray will make it look even more enchanting. Yummy with good coffee or wine.

Put some washed and dried strawberries onto a platter. In a bowl over simmering water, gently melt together half a cup of skim milk, some chilli flakes (optional) and a slab of good quality dark chocolate. When smooth, decant into a bowl. Serve on a tray with a scattering of rose petals and some tea lights. Dip the strawberries into the chocolate and feed them to each other. Really does set the mood for further romantic escapades.

Celebrity Breasts

Every woman would like her own personal celebrity chef to prepare a truly sensational gourmet celebration meal. If you are pressed for time buy some cooked chicken breasts rather than having to cook from scratch. Set the table. Fill a bowl with clean pebbles and wedge a long tapered candle into the centre, between the pebbles. Scatter a few rose petals on the table. Carve the breasts into slices and season with natural salt, cracked black pepper and a hint of your favourite herbs. Sear on both sides till crisp and allow to rest for a minute or two. Combine 2T rose water, 5T rice-wine vinegar, 4T sweet chilli sauce (optional) and 1T honey. Serve the slices of breasts on a bed of litchis (or mango) and drizzle with dressing. Serve with some fragrant rice and a fresh, crisp salad, Garnish with a few rose petals.

Remember that each day is an opportunity to treat someone like a celebrity. Celebrate your ability to love and be loved. The world will always applaud a winner – rise to the occasions of  love, romance and life.

Our first stop at the farm is the on-site shop. Here we are able to select the ideal wine to go with our food. Fresh, crisp rolls and salmon is one of our favourite eats. To go with this we usually select a voluptuous, sexy Chardonnay. (No guys it really is a bottle of wine – if you close your eyes it might help you conjour up other voluptuous images too). The reason for this kind of description is that the chardonnay grape yields tastes that are rich and buttery, with a toasted flavour of oak.

Most white wines are for drinking right away as they don’t really improve with age. The exceptions are the sweet white wines like German Rieslings and other expensive whites from Burgundy. White wines are perfect when chilled, but not freezing cold. A rapid ice chiller works well for last minute, panic chilling.

If you intend to do a bit of a romantic thing then a Riesling white is probably the way to go. Here words like lime, lavender, fresh herbs, fragrance and perfume come to mind. It really can be quite a heady sensation!

Red wines are good for almost any occasion. There are varieties that are so light and juicy that they can be chilled and glugged like their white counterparts. However the more serious reds are often spicy and richer in flavour. The good news about reds are, that the medics are saying,  moderate consumption  could help us live longer.  Apparently it’s good for the heart (oh yes, both from a medical and romantic perspective). They are intensely flavoured. If you like your meat then go for red.

So if you are ever on holiday in South Africa, give me a buzz and we can enjoy an outing to a wine farm together. Good company, good wine, good food…..yummy!