Evergreen Reads to Empower Your Mind
The Standard Sister
Issue no.7
The Valentine's Issue
Feb 14, 2025
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Love Yourself First.
I do not love you as if you were salt-rose, or topaz,
or the arrow of carnations the fire shoots off.
I love you as certain dark things are to be loved,
in secret, between the shadow and the soul.
I love you as the plant that never blooms
but carries in itself the light of hidden flowers; thanks to your love a certain solid fragrance,
risen from the earth, lives darkly in my body.
I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where.
I love you straightforwardly, without complexities or pride;
so I love you because I know no other way than this:
where I does not exist, nor you,
so close that your hand on my chest is my hand,
so close that your eyes close as I fall asleep. ”
If you find this uplifting, please share this link with a woman you love.
Image by Francisco Salmeron
Hunger For Sex
Love Story by The Standard Sister
Food and desire have been intertwined for centuries, with certain ingredients believed to enhance pleasure, boost libido, and set the mood for intimacy. Whether it’s the science of nutrients or the psychology of indulgence, what you eat can play a major role in your sex life. Here’s a curated list of aphrodisiac foods that will help elevate both passion and pleasure:
Dark Chocolate
Dark chocolate is rich in phenylethylamine (PEA), a compound known as the “love chemical” because it stimulates the release of dopamine, creating feelings of pleasure and excitement. It also contains flavonoids, which improve blood circulation, enhancing sensitivity and arousal.
Oysters
The word aphrodisiac (to arouse sexual desire) comes from Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love, who was said to have emerged from the sea, much like oysters. These shellfish are packed with zinc, a mineral essential for testosterone production and healthy sperm count. Zinc also plays a key role in increasing libido and sexual stamina.
Chili Peppers
Spicy foods, like chili peppers, contain capsaicin, which increases heart rate, stimulates blood flow, and triggers endorphin release—mimicking the effects of physical attraction. A little heat in your meal can spark a fire in your bed.
Figs
In ancient Greece, figs were considered sacred and associated with fertility and passion. They are packed with antioxidants and amino acids that improve blood circulation and enhance stamina. Their sensual texture and naturally sweet taste make them a perfect prelude to romance.
Avocados
Once called “ahuacatl,” which translates to “testicle” in Aztec culture, avocados are loaded with healthy fats, vitamin B6, and folic acid, all of which contribute to increased energy and hormone regulation. The Aztecs believed that eating avocados enhanced sexual desire and vitality.
Red Wine
A glass of red wine can set the mood by reducing inhibitions and enhancing relaxation. Rich in antioxidants and resveratrol, red wine improves circulation, which plays a role in heightened arousal. Just remember: moderation is key.
Watermelon
Watermelon contains citrulline, an amino acid that relaxes blood vessels and increases blood flow, similar to the effects of Viagra. Ancient cultures believed watermelon was a natural elixir for vitality and endurance. Plus, its high water content keeps you hydrated and energized.
Honey
Historically linked to fertility and passion, honey is rich in boron, which helps regulate hormones and provides a natural energy boost. In ancient times, newlyweds would drink mead, a fermented honey beverage, during their "honeymoon" to boost passion and intimacy.
Strawberries
Strawberries are packed with vitamin C, which helps boost libido and improve blood circulation. In medieval Europe, strawberries were considered a symbol of Venus, the goddess of love, and were often served to newlyweds for good luck in the bedroom.
So next time you are hungry for sex, you know what to eat first.
Iconic Love
Love Story by The Standard Sister
Some love stories are pure emotion, some are based on mutual interests, some truly last forever, and some are merely for show. No matter the motive behind these relationships, these love stories made history. From scandalous affairs to artistic obsessions, these couples didn’t just fall in love—they set the world on fire. These duos left their mark on culture, crime, creativity, and, last but not least, love.
Image by Alfred Eisenstaedt
We start with the legendary Cleopatra and her love affair with Julius Caesar, which was more than just romance—it was a calculated alliance that changed history. The Egyptian queen and the Roman general were drawn together by mutual ambition and undeniable chemistry. Their relationship solidified Cleopatra’s grip on the throne and brought her into the heart of Roman politics. After Caesar’s tragic assassination, Cleopatra’s influence remained. She later fell in love with Mark Antony, forging another powerful political and romantic alliance. Their love led to both triumph and tragedy, culminating in their legendary joint suicide after their defeat by Octavian, sealing their status as one of history’s most tragic and passionate couples.
Bonnie and Clyde, the iconic duo, were outlaws who lived (and died) on their own terms. The Depression-era criminal couple went on a fearless bank-robbing spree, becoming legends in their own right. Their love was reckless, raw, and completely intertwined with their high-speed, high-stakes lifestyle. Their story ended in a dramatic ambush in 1934, when law enforcement officers gunned them down in a hail of bullets, cementing their legacy as doomed lovers who defied the law until the very end.
Fast forward 2000 years, and it's the Austin Powers era. Together with Vanessa Kensington, they became possibly the most stylish, over-the-top spy duo of all time. Equal parts campy and charming, their whirlwind romance brought humor and retro flair to the idea of true love. Not every couple has to take themselves too seriously—sometimes, love is about the fun of the chase. Played by Mike Myers and Elizabeth Hurley, they were perfectly cast, bringing a comedic and nostalgic touch to the parody of classic spy films, ensuring their place as one of pop culture's most beloved fictional couples.
No couple embodied the glamour and pressure of political power quite like John F. Kennedy and Jackie Kennedy. Their marriage symbolized elegance, intelligence, and influence, with Jackie redefining the role of the First Lady through her fashion, poise, and cultural contributions. Despite the personal struggles and controversies that surrounded their relationship, their love story remains one of the most iconic in American history. Jackie stood by JFK through his presidency, ultimately facing heartbreak with his tragic assassination in 1963, making her one of the most enduring figures of grace and resilience.
Iconic or not, we can see elements of these love stories in every relationship. Sometimes, we create together; sometimes, we take advantage of each other. Sometimes, we conquer the world together. What we learn from these legendary romances is that iconic love is actually the love we all experience every day—in its beauty, chaos, ambition, and devotion.
Lips and Strawberry, Irving Penn (1983).
Cupid's Story
Love Story by The Standard Sister
Cupid—the ultimate matchmaker, the little winged mischief-maker we all know—has a backstory far richer than his playful modern image suggests. Before he was the archer of Valentine’s Day, he was Eros, the Greek god of love and desire—a magnetic, mischievous figure who could make or break hearts with a single arrow. Later, the Romans rebranded him as Cupid, the son of Venus (love) and Mars (war), embodying both passion and chaos.
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Legend has it that Cupid carried two types of arrows—gold-tipped for irresistible attraction, lead-tipped for icy indifference. This divine trickery explains why love can feel like pure magic—or complete disaster. His arrows have been at play in myths, literature, and real life ever since, making love’s unpredictability one of its most thrilling (and frustrating) aspects.
Forget your typical fairy tale—Cupid and Psyche is the ancient love story that has it all: jealousy, passion, betrayal, and ultimate redemption. Psyche, a mortal so breathtakingly beautiful that even Venus was jealous, was meant to be cursed by Cupid. Instead, he fell for her. Their love was tested through epic trials—separation, deception, even a journey to the underworld—until Psyche proved her devotion. As a reward, the gods granted her immortality so she and Cupid could live happily ever after. A true lesson from the gods, that love conquering all.
Once a fierce and complex deity, Cupid has evolved into something softer—literally. The Renaissance reimagined him as a playful, chubby cherub, a symbol of sweet, innocent love rather than powerful, all-consuming passion. By the 19th and 20th centuries, he became the face of romance, appearing on everything from love notes to Valentine’s Day cards. Today, he’s the ultimate matchmaking icon, his arrows still influencing pop culture, relationships, and how we romanticize love.
Beyond the cute illustrations and Hallmark charm, Cupid represents something deeper: the wild, unpredictable nature of love. His story demonstrate us that love can be both exhilarating and exasperating, that it requires both passion and perseverance.
Love Camps in Your Brain
Love is often described as an emotion, a feeling that sweeps us off our feet. But according to renowned anthropologist Helen Fisher, love is a biological drive deeply embedded in the human brain. Fisher is a biological anthropologist and a senior research fellow at the Kinsey Institute. She has spent decades studying the science of attraction, romantic love, and human bonding, using neuroscience to uncover the biological mechanisms behind relationships. In her TED Talk The Brain in Love from 2008, Fisher explores the neuroscience of romantic love, revealing why we fall so hard and what happens in our brains when we do.
She begins her talk with a beautiful story about a temple in Guatemala where the Maya king Jasaw Chan K'awiil was buried. The ancient script tells that he was so devoted to his wife that he built a temple in her honor, mirroring his own. Every sunrise, his temple casts a shadow over hers, and every sunset, hers casts a shadow over his, symbolizing their eternal embrace. Even 1,300 years after their deaths, their love story endures through architecture.
Fisher then explains her research using functional MRI scans, where she and her team studied individuals deeply in love. They found heightened activity in the ventral tegmental area (VTA), a part of the brain associated with motivation and reward. This region is flooded with dopamine, the neurotransmitter linked to pleasure, craving, and addiction. Simply put, romantic love triggers the same brain circuits as addiction, explaining why love can feel euphoric, obsessive, and, at times, painful.
She argues that romantic love is not just an emotion but a fundamental human drive, much like hunger or thirst. It motivates us to pursue and keep romantic partners, ensuring reproduction and survival. She adds Plato’s famous quote, "The god of love lives in a state of need." We need love. But unlike simple lust or attachment, romantic love creates an intense focus on one person, increasing energy, optimism, and even risk-taking behavior.
One of the most fascinating aspects of Fisher’s research is how love mimics addiction. When in love, people exhibit obsessive thoughts about their partner, experience euphoria and energy similar to a dopamine high, and suffer withdrawal symptoms when separated. This explains why heartbreak can feel physically painful—the brain reacts to lost love similarly to drug withdrawal.
Fisher’s research on love over the years reveals how love is universal—discussing historical evidence of love, asserting that no known culture has existed without some form of romantic love. Across history and deeply embedded in human evolution, love remains a driving force in our lives. Despite societal changes, our brains are still wired for passionate, all-consuming love.
