So we recommend taking a look at the following Twitter feeds:

Susan Mathison

Allison Braun

Nicole Daedone

Hillary Rubin

Amber McCue

Sherri Nickols

Joy Nordenstrom

And remember to follow us for the latest and greatest in sex news!

But first, a few Hanukah/Christmas/Kwanza/Festivus tips:
1. Try to look grateful when you get a used tape player from your great-uncle
2. Count to 30 before responding to your mother-in-law
3. Always choose cookies in lieu of all other food
4. Have fun!

Video of the Week:

Sexy Quotes from Sexy People

“I think it is funny that we were freer about sexuality in the 4th century B.C. It is a little disconcerting.” –Angelina Jolie
“I like to have a Martini, two at the very most; three, I’m under the table, four I’m under my host!” –Dorothy Parker
“Sex education may be a good idea in the schools, but I don’t believe the kids should be given homework.” –Bill Cosby

Sexpert of the Week – Josey Vogels

Zestra Sexpert-of-the-week Josey Vogels is as prolific as she is clever. Known as “Canada’s Carrie Bradshaw,” Ms. Vogels writes two newspaper columns, contributes to five blogs and hosts a sex and relationship series on radio. Oh, and in case that wasn’t enough, she writes books too. It makes the rest of us seem downright lazy, doesn’t it?

The youngest of eight children (her mother was quite prolific too), Ms. Vogels grew up on a dairy farm in Ontario, Canada. For the past decade, the journalism major has dispensed sex know-how and relationship advice to people throughout North America (despite her column being pulled in some more conservative markets).

According to Ms. Vogels, “The mainstream media are really uncomfortable with talking about kids having sex. It’s automatically assumed that any sexual experience will be traumatic.”

Sample topics she’s written about are “Women Have Lots of Casual Sex – Get Over It,” “Christmas Gift-Giving: the True Test of Your Relationship” and “Can Drugs Make You Love Someone You Don’t?”

This gifted writer gives sound advice while bravely discussing topics others consider taboo. We at Zestra admire her courage, honesty and fortitude.

You can follow Ms. Vogels on Twitter @joseyvogels and us Follow @Zestra

Tip of the week:

Play Santa
Sure, everyone likes an iPhone or a cashmere sweater, but give your partner the real gift of intimacy this holiday. Most people, when they think of “intimacy,” think of intercourse. But sex, while enjoyable, isn’t the only way of showing your love. Back massages, erotic baths, simple touching and even playful banter can also display affection and attraction. After all, gifts mean nothing without a caring partner.

The results of last week’s Facebook poll

Question: If I was stuck on a desert island, I could do without ________.

Best answers:
“…The Hallmark Channel”
“…The smoke monster from Lost”
“…The Republican primary”
“…My cell phone”

1.) Check out our Facebook page to vote on this week’s poll question: “If I could have sex anywhere, I would have it…”
a. In space
b. In a church
c. On The Planet of the Apes
d. On top of Brad Pitt

Results will be published next week! Happy Holidays!

Women are prolific, efficient and effective liars…

…At least, they are when it comes to faking orgasms.

Over the past few weeks, Zestra has tweeted, posted, blogged and commented on a number of media stories related to the seemingly irrepressible habit women have of acting out the Big O instead of experiencing one.

Scientists have speculated on why women fake it. How much they fake it. When they fake it. With whom they fake it. What it means when they fake it.

The fake orgasm may be History’s tallest tale.

The thing is, though… WOMEN DON’T HAVE TO. We have the technology! We have Zestra.

Below is a sample of our favorite orgasm news. Just keep in mind that in today’s day and age, “faking it” is a choice, not a necessity.

Women’s Health IDs reasons women fake orgasms, and why it’s not good for them…

ABC News claims some women experience a “labor orgasm” during childbirth.

Study finds women who fake orgasms more likely to believe their mate will cheat.

MRI shows a woman’s brain lighting up during orgasm.

Be sure to come back and visit this blog for the best in orgasm and sex information. You should also follow us on Twitter using the button below!
Follow @Zestra

Videos of the Week:

For those of you making a dating profile video, do NOT copy Trudy Wiegel of Reno 911!

Or her pal Frank Rizzo…

Raineesha may have a point on the good credit:

Sexy Quotes from Sexy People–

“I’m at the age where food has taken the place of sex in my life. In fact, I’ve just had a mirror put over my kitchen table.” –Rodney Dangerfield
“I wouldn’t recommend sex, drugs or insanity for everyone, but they’ve always worked for me.” –Hunter S. Thompson
“Anyone who knows anything of history knows that great social changes are impossible without feminine upheaval. Social progress can be measured exactly by the social position of the fair sex, the ugly ones included.” –Karl Marx

Sexperts of the Week – Judith Claire and Frank Wiegers

Judith Claire and Frank Wiegers are married relationship and sexuality experts based out of Santa Monica, CA. Judith, a writer and life coach, met Frank, a thrice-divorced Vietnam War vet, in 2004. After their initial attraction blossomed into a marriage, Judith and Frank wanted to share their experiences with others and founded Top Gun Love, an online resource “dedicated to honestly answering love, sex and relationship questions.”

“Some say that sex is 10% of a relationship—if it’s working; but it becomes 90% if the sex is not working,” says Frank.

Their website offers webinars on such topics as “Reawaken Romance with an Adventure in the Bedroom!” and “Be Rewarded for Giving Her What She Wants!” Personal coaching is also available.

According to Frank, “To have a consistent sustainable sexual relationship requires skills and abilities for which many of us received very little (if any) training. Contrary to popular opinion, great sex does not come instinctively or just happen because we are in love. It takes training and practice in both sex and relationship to bring us the ecstatic life we want.”

“Living with and loving Frank is truly a blessing and one that can be shared. Together, we’ve got 138 years of life experience and counting, and the commitment and training to help make your love, sex and relationship dreams come true,” says Judith.

Follow the couple on Twitter @topgunlove and us Follow @Zestra
.

The results of last week’s Facebook polls

Question: Sexting is…
A. A waste of good hanky-panky thoughts. 50%
B. Dangerous for celebrities and politicians. 25%
C. The wrong way to do it. 8%
D. Idiotic. 8%
E. What I’m doing right now. 8%

Check out our Facebook page to vote on this week’s poll: “The movie my love life most resembles is…”

Results will be published next week!

And remember to enter the Zestra Glide into the Holidays Contest where you can enter to win a $500 Visa Gift Card.

The 21^st century is a busy place.  Politics, money, kids, planes, trains, migraines… It’s hard to find time for anything relaxing or personal.

And good sex requires both.

Rushing from dawn until dusk, most of us are tired, stressed and more interested in sleeping on hay than rolling in it.  But this cannot stand!  After all, the very future of the planet and human civilization is at stake!

All kidding aside, here are six ideas for dates that ditch the distractions and re-ignite your sex life.

1.  “Plan” to be spontaneous

Even the best things in life can become routine.  Dazzle your partner with an impulsive lunch-hour shower.  (A tip: Various male and female arousal lubricants can make this experience even more tantalizing and memorable.)  Or, surprise your partner with an unexpected last minute tryst in an upscale hotel.  This decadent and delicious Us Time is guaranteed to leave your relationship refreshed and recharged.

2.  Rent a sailboat for a nautical adventure

A voyage on the high seas is a great way to celebrate your love and kick-start the romance.  Enjoy a candlelit dinner with your partner while relaxing on a beautiful body of water.  For those less experienced, charter companies often offer rentable crews.  Sailing lessons are also available and the experience is more affordable that you think.

3.  Get your game on

Nothing gets the blood hotter than a little friendly competition.  Consider turning your date night into a battle of the sexes over mini-golf or bowling.  Bar games like pool and darts can be both entertaining and endorphin-inducing.  For the truly adventurous, a bedroom casino can combine fun and… more fun.  Challenge your partner to a few hands of strip poker or Kama Sutra roulette.  But remember to draw the blinds.  Or don’t.  Dealer’s choice.

4.  Split date night

Rather than argue about what to do on Saturday night, split the date in two and tailor one-half to each partner.  A sample might be as follows:  Dick likes fishing.  Jane likes dancing.  Dick plans a trip to a local studio for a couple’s tango lesson.  Afterwards, Jane takes Dick to a Bass Pro Shop for dinner.  (And yes, they actually have restaurants in the majority of Bass Pro Shop locations!)  Nothing is sexier than a partner who considers your feelings.

5.  Cook an exotic meal together

Channel your inner Julia Child as the two of you create a sumptuous new dish. Trade duties as you laugh and re-connect in the kitchen.  Food can be surprisingly erotic. Try embracing something spicy like Thai or Indian to get your libido going.  But, remember to ignore those dishes until morning.

6.  Go back to the beginning

Butterflies in the stomach, sly glances across the table, your hand brushing his – a jaunt down Nostalgia Boulevard is a great way to rekindle the fire.  Peruse old pictures or recreate your first date to feel like you’re meeting for the first time, again.

The most important thing to remember is that sex is a shared experience.  Be creative, communicate and have fun together.  Keeping your romantic life fresh amidst the demands of today is a challenge, but not an insurmountable one.

It’s now a time to keep the statement from your 401K or retirement account closed; the Dow Industrial Jones is a yo-yo with huge fluctuations in gains and losses.  Many are now suffering financial woes, and everyone is cutting back.  Gone are the extended vacations, the glamorous shopping and the elegant dining.

Couples are now spending more uninterrupted time together and may be reexamining their relationships.  Work family and financial stress certainly can impact the hormones of sexuality and can lead to decreased desire, delayed sexual response and even apathy in the bedroom. It is not uncommon that when preoccupied or worried, sexual arousal and satisfaction suffer

Stress reduction techniques include maintaining a balanced and healthy diet, aerobic exercise, and proper sleep patterns. Yoga and meditation may also help calm your anxiety. The practice of mindfulness, or attentive awareness, to the present moment may also be an effective stress-reduction technique.

Satisfying sexual activity is also a natural source of euphoria, and can enhance natural endorphins release.  As an added benefit, satisfying sexuality can boost intimacy and provide comfort in an uncertain time.

If the woes of the stock market are causing anxiety and stress, and its impacting your sex life, try a sure fire investment, Zestra® Essential Arousal Oils™, is a clinical proven blend of herbs which can improve sexual satisfaction. It is non hormonal, topically applied and easily available on line.  A small investment now will return unprecedented huge dividends: a fulfilling sex life with sensual intimacy is priceless.

This post was provided by guest blogger Dr. Michael L. Krychman, Executive Director of the Southern California Center for Sexual Health and Survivorship Medicine.