ORGASM, there I said it! What is so taboo about it? Wait, is it that we aren’t allowed to talk about women orgasm or that it isn’t so important and hence it’s fading. What is so wrong if a woman wants to pleasure herself? Are only men allowed to be happy and their satisfaction is of utmost importance? Women-centric four short stories that makeup ‘Lust Stories‘, talk about subjects people usually avoid. What women are neglected and how they need to accept whatever that’s served on the plate.

Anurag Kashyap showed us how a woman becomes obsessive and possessive if she’s void of love or lonely. She enters into this clandestine affair with her eyes open, speaking of Amrita Pritam and Draupadi, and soon finds herself consumed by it, stalking the young man and wanting more, more, more. We are indeed watching a woman unravel, but we are also watching a woman lose control to possessiveness, reduced to behaving the way a man would.

Zoya Akhtar’s story may just be love without words. A sexual relationship between a bachelor and a maid who works for him. Until his parents arrive and find him a girl to marry. It is a minimal, beautiful film with Akhtar gradually and lovingly fetishising the very act of cleaning a house even as the maid begins to grow wistful. She enjoys screwing the master but it cannot lead anywhere. She knows she has no right to expect more, something she is reminded when she sees a fellow maid thrilled with discarded finery, and yet her hands tremble. For she can only dream but can never achieve it!

Banerjee showed us where actually a woman stands in most marriages, with her husband and her children. How she can be made so guilty for finding happiness in her life. For a woman to ask for a divorce is a sin. And how complicated things become, it is not okay to cheat on your spouse, but what if you are dead being with that person? You can’t leave your partner either, so what choice is she left with?

Karan Johar left us all with laughs but created a huge AF impact on many mindsets as well! To not be guilty to love yourself, and be proud of it. Being a woman, giving birth to children isn’t your only happiness. A shy young bride, having considered her entire life right upto the wedding-night as foreplay, quickly tires of the five-second intercourse her husband loves so much. Love is something that is still a taboo in our culture. Sadly, we still don’t have that many love marriages, we are not allowed to date, and our parents still decide who you are going to spend your life with.

From being possessive, not being able to dream big and make amends with your life, from having to be in a marriage that sucks the life out of you to be ashamed of loving yourself, women go through these phases and nobody wants to talk about it! Sex, marriage, divorce, affair, orgasm and lust, something that shouldn’t be taboo anymore and people need to speak up about it.

For those confused, aphrodisiac means any fruit, drink, etc that produce sexual desire in a person. Many of us active animals don’t need to turn to such measures to spice up our sexual life, but those in need, these food can prove to be really helpful. Well, you can try them yourself with your partner and then you’ll know for sure. 😛 

1)    Chilli Peppers

Apart from helping a pregnant women from conceiving early, This invigorating spice has an exotic reputation and a bright red color, which could be why it’s considered a natural aphrodisiac and a symbol of love. Chilli peppers stimulate endorphins (the brain’s feel-good chemicals), speed up heart rate and make you sweat, which all mimic how you feel when you’re aroused.

2)    Chocolate

A girl’s best friend, chocolate is sensual, from its taste to its aroma, but dark chocolate has also been shown to cause a spike in dopamine, which induces feelings of pleasure.

3)    Honey

Close up view of the working bees on honey cells, copyspace for text

Food that’s created through pollination, a symbol of procreation has to be the number 1 aphrodisiac item. In fact, the word ‘honeymoon’ originates from mead, an alcoholic beverage made from honey given to the happy new bride and groom. It also contains boron, which helps regulate estrogen and testosterone levels and provides a natural energy boost.

4)    Banana

Apart from looking like… well you know, Banana also contains bromelain, an enzyme which triggers testosterone production, and the fruit’s potassium and vitamin B elevate energy levels.

5)    Watermelon

As surprised as I am to as why this fruit is in this list, according to scientific research this fruit may have a Viagra-like effect on the body, as it relaxes blood vessels and improves circulation. These are the myths about sex that everyone thinks are true.

6)    Coffee

The caffeine in coffee is a stimulant that ups the heart rate and makes the blood flow. Research suggests that coffee could put women in the mood for sex.

7)    Strawberry

If you put strawberries on a plate beside a cup of melted chocolate, chances of you getting laid triples, you don’t need any scientific study to tell you that :P. Or maybe just Feed them to each other for a healthy, vitamin C-packed dessert that helps keep blood flowing to all regions of the body.

8)    Artichokes

Alright, all you dirty minds calm down, it’s not what you think it is. This veggie’s aphrodisiac reputation comes mostly from legend and the intimacy of eating it with another, pulling off the leaves to reach the center. But it is packed with vitamins and antioxidants, which are critical to proper body function and blood flow.

9)    Chai Tea

Skip the coffee after dinner and reach for a cup of chai tea. The typical spices in this brew—ginger, cloves, and cinnamon—will get the blood flowing but the caffeine effect is less, so you’ll still be able to drift off to sleep after your meal.

10)    Whipped Cream

Decadent yet light as air, it just isn’t dessert without this rich topping. While there’s no evidence that whipped cream will boost libido, it’s sure to put you in the mood. You can also try and come up with exciting or kinky ways to use this aphrodisiac item to make the mood.

Let us know if this list of item got you excited in any way in the comment section below.

College is a world of its own. It has its own laws, its favourites, and its own culture to say the least. Perhaps the biggest benefit of being part of college life is the endless cycle of dating that goes on. Truth be told, there will never be a time in your life where you’ll meet so many people and have a chance to put your dating skills to the test. As a guy you’d want to maximize the chances of getting a good girlfriend. So, cash in on these chances by learning these college dating tips.

1. There’s No Need To Panic

Panic isn’t cool. In case you don’t have a girlfriend in college, no problem. Stay calm. There’s always time to get one. Build a diverse group of friendships and be confident about yourself. Remember, freaking out only makes the situation worse. Plus, who would want to be in the company of a guy who is low on confidence and doubts his very existence.

2. Think Different

You’ll usually meet many people in college, some similar in nature, some different. If you were to ask me, always follow the advice “similarity breeds contempt”. You don’t exactly want to date a shadow self. Try to find new experiences and new people who’ll give you new moments to savour. Of course, the difference can’t be as profound as chalk and cheese, but the right mixture of similarities and differences can be the perfect foil for a budding love story.

Also read: Online Dating Tips That Every Digital Dater Needs To Know

3. Do Something Together

Find a common goal or interest and get things in motion. Investing time in such an activity can strengthen the bond that you two share, and yeah, sparks can fly. If you don’t believe me, then ask the scientists that have been working their butt off in labs to prove this phenomenon.

4. Authenticity Is Always Appreciated

Ever come across a person in life who believes in the theory “fake it till you make it”? Well, guess what, girls have a sense for the real and the fake much more than guys do. Eventually, they will be able to see through you. So, it’s always preferable to be your natural self. Of course, it doesn’t mean you act like a moron.

Also read: 8 Relationship Mistakes That You Need To Take Seriously

5. Add A Cool Quotient

Now, by this I don’t really mean changing what you truly are. Just keep a tab of the latest trends, dress up appropriately, and improve yourself in every way possible. Girls love a guy who takes good care of his appearance. This way, you can be cool and also impress the chicks.

Also read: Style check for teen boys

Now that your dating tips are in place, go ahead and play the field. And don’t forget what Darwin stated “Survival of the fittest.”

Losing weight takes a lot of discipline and determination, whether in the gym or outside it. Some of us just don’t have the time for hitting the gym. Or maybe we are just not a gym-person. So how do we get rid of all the excess fat reserved in our body?  Follow these steps to achieve your desired weight without sweating it out.

Smaller meals:

Not all of us are conscious enough to count every calorie, so try to make your meal portions smaller. And bunk the second helping altogether. You can take shorter lunch breaks at work so that you don’t over-eat.

Avoid too much sweet:

If you really need to have a dessert after your meals then try to swap the ice-creams and cakes with a piece of dark chocolate. It’s a healthier option to satisfy your sweet tooth without piling up on the calories.

Move your butt:

Having a sedentary lifestyle can make losing weight very difficult. Take regular breaks every 2 hours to walk around the office. Skip the elevator and start taking the stairs whenever possible. Enrol for a fun weekend dance class. The more you move, the faster you lose that weight.

Sleep:

Sleep is more than just a pretty-making mechanism. Your digestive system is also pumping hard to process your food, metabolizing carbohydrates and breaking down fats. Some studies have linked sleep deprivation to weight problems; so the bottom line is – if you don’t want your ‘bottom’ to grow bigger, hit the sack at the earliest.

Have sex:

That’s right; sex is a great way to shed the extra calories. An average sex session burns 150 to 250 calories per half hour – depending on how hot, flexible and athletic your session was. Now don’t be disheartened even if you aren’t extremely acrobatic in love-making, as sex naturally gets your heart rate up, which in turn improves circulation and burns calories and fat.

Laugh while you still have teeth:

Last but not the least – laugh more! Laughing heartily five times a day has the same beneficial effects as ten minutes on a rowing machine. How great is that!

In Indian society, especially among the traditionalists, living-in may be considered as taboo, but many individuals from free spirited societies find it a convenient way of getting acquainted with their partners in a profound sense.  But what do youngsters feel about this? Has the shift of western culture into the Indian subcontinent changed the way people perceive marriage? We met five youngsters and asked them if they would live-in with their partners before marriage. We requested them to keep the Indian culture aside while answering this and talk only based upon their personal morals. Let us take a look at a few snippets of what these youngsters had to say about this.

(Also read – Bollywood actresses who got pregnant before marriage)

Safana Abdul is a storyboard artist who is currently single and feels that the only factor that could influence whether or not she should live-in with her partner will be the potency of their commitment. “If I know that the commitment with my partner is strong enough for marriage, I wouldn’t mind living-in with him. But only if he gives me an assurance that he will marry me in the future. My family wouldn’t be alright with it, as generalised, but I would do what is fair and what I feel is right in the end.”

(Also read – Contemplating an arranged marriage?)

Divya Sajnani

22-year-old student counsellor Divya Sajnani is currently single, but is open to the idea of living-in as well. “I think it’s a great idea. First of all, you get the sense of independence, away from family. Only if you stay with a person for a longer time will you get to know whether or not you are compatible with him, whether you will get bored of each other, whether common sense and logic will prevail in your decisions as a couple. There will be like a ‘preview’ to all these problems before you actually take the plunge into marriage, which is a big decision!”

(Also read – Steps to get a guy to fall in love with you)

30-year-old Jayavardhan Verma has been dating for about a year now and says that he is happy to have a girl who is open minded like him. “I think it is a great idea to live-in with my girl. She is quite open-minded and she would consider it if I would make such a decision. We aren’t too keen on getting married in the near future, so it is an option.”

Daisy Leivon too, was of the opinion that living-in is a great opportunity to explore interests and motives of your partner. “I totally believe that living-in with your partner is completely different from dating. You don’t know someone until you live with him. All the tolerance levels, interests, motives and everything else that comes with living together are put to the test, rather than just the promises that a couple make at the marriage altar.”

(Also read – Mistakes that can ruin new love)

Aakash Parekh

So we’ve had four liberalist points of view which say a lot about how things have changed here in India. The fifth interviewee, however, was one who was quite firm about his beliefs and morals and says that he will not compromise in this area. Aakash Parekh was strongly opposing the idea of a live-in relationship. “The institution of marriage is sacred. Its purpose cannot be defeated by impatience. Marriage is something you have to wait for and treasure, not something you practise for with a partner and then give it a try! Marriage is special. I would never want to lose the essence of marriage by living-in with someone. My wife is going to be the only one with whom I will live… not my girlfriend. I’m sorry; my girlfriend doesn’t have my consent to live with me. If she loves me, she will have to wait to marry me! If she doesn’t have the patience to wait, then she probably never was the right girl for me.”

With most people living a life of compromise, based on what they feel is right and not what ethics have taught them, it is hard to draw a line of morality. But in the end, who am I to draw a line? Or who is anyone who spoke here? Everyone has freewill, but I would only put in a proposal for everyone to weigh out the pros and cons of anything before they jump into it.