Plants with Benefits by Helen Yoest

"Tell me what you do with the food you eat, and I’ll tell you who you are. Some turn their food into fat and manure, some into work and good humor, and others, I’m told, into God.”~ Zorba the Greek 
~ Nikos Kazantzakis

Displayed with matching seed packet, lace garter and cherries charm- this is a natural engagement or wedding party gift

 The  title, Plants with Benefits, is subtle.  The subtitle, An Uninhibited Guide to the Aphrodisiac Herbs, Fruits, Flowers and Veggies in Your Garden. is to the point. Our gardens are our Edens, the starter to more loving (and for the younger set) more fruitful lives. 

Side yard Orchard

Herbs and flowers offer aromatic foreplay. The birds in the garden, the cook singing in the kitchen, these are love songs. Produce is tactile to finger and tongue. When at last you taste the labor of love from the kitchen, you are entranced. Plants don't just come with nutritional benefits: Helen Yoest may not have set out to write a botanical Kama Sutra, but her  teasing text  lively waft and weave of lore and legend attached to why the plants in her recipes are so darn sensual. 

Offertory arrangement of fruit on display with Chinese Floral Arts Exhibit at Los Angeles County Arboretum and Garden 

Plants with Benefits intrigues with hints from history. Casanova ate celery before his legendary hookups. Alexander Dumas sipped on almond soup in prelude to satisfying his mistress.  This is a book in need of a matching naughty board game or crossword puzzle. How much fun would that be to develop?

Until we meet again, Thank YOU for all YOU do to make the world more beautiful. 

Lydia