The Passionate Olive (14 page)

For the Hands

62)
IMPROVE THE APPEARANCE OF NAILS AND CUTICLES

Throughout history, well-manicured nails were a symbol of refinement, culture, and civilization—distinguishing the commoner from the aristocrat. Olive oil applied to one’s nails and cuticles will create a healthy glow and generally improve the overall appearance of both fingernails and cuticles. The following olive oil treatment is based on an old Egyptian recipe, possibly even from Cleopatra, who certainly knew how to take care of her body, her kingdom, and also her nails.

Nail and Cuticle Treatment

• Mix together 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil, 1 teaspoon of honey, and 1½ teaspoons of sea salt
  
• Massage a small amount into your nails and cuticles
  
• Wipe off any excess with a clean cloth and lightly buff
  
• End the treatment with a few drops of olive oil massaged onto your hands
  

63)
STRENGTHEN NAILS

Use olive oil in the treatment of dry and brittle nails; it helps to moisturize them and will restore their flexibility and strength. Soak your fingernails and toenails in warm
water and then in warm olive oil for five minutes. This sequence will soften the cuticles and help brittle nails become more resilient. You can remove the excess oil with a clean cloth and massage the remainder into your hands.

64)
SOFTEN HANDS

Have you ever noticed that the best chefs have the most beautiful hands (and cuticles)? I have been told that it is because they use olive oil so often in food preparation. So let’s go back to the kitchen (this time not just to make polenta) to solve the beauty problem of dry hands.

Polenta-Style Hand Softener

• Combine ¼ cup of cornmeal and ¼ cup of extra virgin olive oil
  
• Mix into a paste
  
• Massage the cornmeal paste into your hands
  
• Rinse
  
• Put a small amount (a drop) of olive oil onto your hands and massage
  

As we leave the chapter on beauty and continue on to the discussion of the many sensual uses of olive oil, I once again think of Louisa, who, during her life, probably never traveled more than about 250 miles from her home. She would never have understood my lifestyle. For fifteen years, my job as an international business management
consultant had me on the road 100 percent of my work time. Each Monday morning I would fly to a client site, stay at a local hotel for four nights, and fly back home on Friday. With limited suitcase space available in my ever-trusty carry-on bag, I was forced to carefully consider what I could take with me on the road. So, to handle my many personal grooming tasks, I would remember Louisa and include a small plastic bottle filled with extra virgin olive oil. Although olive oil is best stored in glass, for traveling, plastic is easier, safer, and lighter. I always put the bottle in a sealed plastic bag away from my packed clothes. Then, upon my arrival, I would use the packed extra virgin olive oil in a variety of ways.

First thing in the morning, I would swallow 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil (remember the story about Sophia Loren?); at night, I would remove my makeup with olive oil, and then, after washing my face, I would apply the olive oil (with a bit of water) as a nighttime moisturizer. If my nails and cuticles were overly dry from all the air travel (we all know how drying the inside of an airplane can be!), I would give my hands a quick massage; if I needed to shave my legs, I would use the olive oil as shaving lotion; and, if my shoes looked dull, I would moisten the shoe cloth with olive oil and give them a quick polish. I would then be ready for my next client appointment—perfectly groomed and feeling great, inside and out.

Now that every part of your body, from the very top of your head to the bottom of your feet, is smooth, supple, and soft, what better time to read about the many uses of olive oil in more, shall we say, “companionable pursuits.” My next chapter includes formulas and solutions (made
from olive oil, naturally!) used to massage, tantalize, and otherwise appeal to our amorous and romantic partners. After all, isn’t one of the primary points of beauty to attract that very special someone? It is certainly one of beauty’s (inside and out) benefits in my humble opinion, and my many Italian relatives concur. Read on!

CHAPTER SIX
Olive Oil and Sensuality

THE HISTORY OF
using olive oil in the sensual and erotic arts is as old as olive oil itself, dating back to the early Greeks—and continuing through many other cultures well known for their sexuality, such as the Romans.

Historians have written about the sexual practices of the early Greeks and Romans and the various types of pleasure-enhancing devices used in their erotic pursuits. Evidently, these early lovers actually lubricated their devices with the sacred oil of the olive. You, too, can recreate the ancient art of giving of pleasure through touch—enhanced through the use of olive oil. Read on and perhaps a new fantasy, involving the use of this ancient and sacred oil, will lead to that illusive and mystical glow that has long illuminated stories, folklore, and legends in our Western history.

Sexuality (and sensuality) is a key component to a person’s general well-being. Scientists have long studied
human sexuality, and recent research finds that vitamin E can actually improve one’s sex life. Good news! Olive oil is rich in this marvelous vitamin. While we cannot truthfully say that olive oil by itself is an aphrodisiac, the olive and its oil have been considered important to both fertility and fruitfulness; in ancient times and throughout history, Greek women often slept on olive leaves when they wished to become pregnant. The olive tree was considered to be a tree of fertility. Eating olives and using olive oil is purported to increase fertility, lust, and sexual potency in men. My advice, ladies, serve olives often! And gentlemen, enjoy your daily dose of olives!

Olives add a delicious flavor to that martini. They are great in salads, on pizzas, or by themselves. The olive’s rich and unctuous flesh adds sensuality to any dish. You can find them pitted, sliced, or puréed into an olive paste (like a tapenade).

Olive Paste or Paste di Olive

2 cups pitted, cured olives (Taggiasca or Kalamata)

1 sprig fresh rosemary

Pinch of fresh thyme

1 teaspoon anchovy paste

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

HOW TO PREPARE

• Make sure all olives are pitted
  
• In a blender or food processor, mix the rosemary and thyme (you may use a mortar and pestle in this step)
  
• Add the olives (or olive pieces)
  
• Blend thoroughly until the mixture forms an olive paste
  
• Remove from blender and place mixture into a bowl
  
• Stir in the anchovy paste
  
• Add the extra virgin olive oil a teaspoon at a time keeping the olive paste more on the “dry” side
  

HOW TO SERVE

• Serve with small toasted dry crostini, or
  
• Add a small amount of cream when serving with pasta, or
  
• Add to dough when making focaccia
  

Fertility was critical to the very survival of early people—both through abundant harvests and the continual births of healthy babies. Being one of the first oils, olive oil was widely used by the priests and priestesses of yore to ensure both human fertility and abundant agricultural harvests. In this ancient and magical world of sacred rituals, designed to honor the gods and goddesses, olive oil was a key component of many important ceremonies and rituals, including fire rituals, first for burning and later used to coat sacred candles. Many ancient formulas for special ritual oils call for the use of olive oil as the fixative or base. Olive oil is still used today as base oil when mixing herbs for essential oil blends.

Try a special potion made with extra virgin olive oil. One can infuse olive oil with a special fragrance or “essence” and use it as a magical potion of attraction. Use extra virgin olive oil as the base oil and then add other essential oils to make Love Oil, described by Scott Cunningham
(author of books on natural magic and herbs) in his book
Magical Aromatherapy
.

Love Infusion Formula

• Place ⅛ cup extra virgin olive oil (as a base oil) in a glass container
  
• Add the following essential oils and turn the container clockwise after adding each oil:
  

6 drops of ylang-ylang (a soothing scent, creating desire)

3 drops of palmarosa (a compelling citrus scent)

3 drops of lavender (a scent long associated with spiritual and romantic love—it even is claimed to calm untamed lions)

2 drops of geranium (a rich green roselike scent that both calms and refreshes at the same time)

• Use in the bath (about 10 drops) or dilute with another ¼ cup olive oil for massage
  
• Just a note: It is best to make this oil just before using it; essential oils tend to oxidize rapidly when mixed with the base oil and may cause the base oil to become rancid, if kept for more than a couple of months
  

Now, for more information on the subject of massage. Oils are a most vital ingredient in massage; you rub some onto your hands and then place them in contact with the skin of the person you are massaging. A fine oil will keep your hands free from any friction and thus ensure a pleasurable experience for both the person being massaged as well as the masseuse. You need only a small amount of my favorite golden liquid to give a loving massage and well lubricate
your partner’s skin. Olive oil tends to be more viscous and a bit sticker than vegetable oils, and it absorbs into the skin much better than either mineral or baby oils. Just imagine the combination of enjoying a meal rich with olives and olive oil and
then
giving or receiving an olive oil-infused bath or massage—ah, can lust be far behind?!

You can (and should!) lavish olive oil onto your partner with great joy and delight. In your massaging enthusiasm, be careful not to spill oil on the sheets or the floor. I find that filling a plastic, flip-top bottle keeps the process neater. Oil placed in a dish or in a bottle with a screw top can spill much more easily. (Then again, who cares … sometimes it is just easier to grab a bottle of olive oil.)

Warm the oil before applying it to your partner’s skin; cold oil can be a shock. Either warm it in your hands or put the bottle into a bowl of warm water. Pour the warmed oil onto your hands first and then rub it on your partner’s body. Slowly drizzling the oil from the bottle can tickle a bit—but maybe that is exactly the effect you want! Keep a small hand towel nearby to remove the excess oil, if you’d like, or just let it drip away with great abandon!

Below are just a few ideas I have included to spark your imagination and arouse your innate sensuality. While this is not a gourmet’s guide to sensual pleasure, what follows can definitely spice up your love life—through the highly enjoyable application of this ancient, magical, edible, lickable oil. Do let me know of your experiences.…

65)
BATHE IN IT

Water is the most therapeutic of all elements; its buoyancy can invariably lift your spirits. Add olive oil, and
water’s all-over embrace gives freedom to both your body and mind. So take this “bathe in it” idea any way you want. Just a note of caution, before you read on—olive oil will make any surface slippery, so watch your step!

I recommend frequent soaks in oil-enriched water. You can pour the extra virgin olive oil straight out of the bottle directly onto the body and then submerge yourself into the warm water and leisurely bathe; afterward, hop (carefully) out of the bath and into a nice steamy hot shower and loofa the excess oil off your skin—as it washes down the drain, just feel your cares slip away. Your entire body will feel alive and oh so soft. Wrap yourself in a plush terry-cloth towel and head for your bed with a good book, or perhaps with some other pleasurable pursuit in mind. There is just nothing that feels so good!