7 Surprising Stay at Home Date Night Ideas

If you are looking for a date night idea for those on a budget or just to keep the spark alive, I have a few inspired ideas for a romantic or fun night in.

Why break the bank to have a good time? Personally, I like someone who uses a little imagination vs just throwing money at it! So here are some suggestions on making a special night for two.

Start With A Theme: An easy plan for the less creative types is to start with a theme and revolve the evening around that theme. Take Italian for instance. You can plan an Italian meal (start with antipasto, followed by Spaghetti and finish with dessert of gelato or canoli). After dinner, watch an Italian inspired movie such as Under the Tuscan Sun. There are many themes to work around.

Karaoke Night: Search Karaoke on Youtube and let the fun begin!

Fondue Night: You can do cheese, meats or even dessert. Search google or Pinterest for fondue ideas. 

Picnic Under The Stars: Set out a blanket under the stars, maybe some cozy pillows and have an easy dinner in a romantic setting. Maybe a bottle of wine?

Spa Night: Set the stage with candles (I prefer flameless) and throw in massage oil and give each other massages. 

Video Game Night: Play video games together one evening. 

Snow Date: Build a Snowman and have a snowball fight. 

Clean Eating Pork Carnitas

This is a super simple meal, made in the crock pot and makes awesome left overs.  Make extra for week of lunches.

Clean Eating Pork Carnitas

Ingredients:

3 lbs of Pork Loin
1 bay leaf
1 1/2 cup of water

For the rub:

2 tbsp of chili powder
2 tsp of cumin
1 tsp of ground coriander
1/2 tsp cloves
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp sea salt
1 tsp oregano


Directions:

Mix all spices (except bay leaf) together in a bowl.
Rub the pork loin with the spices,bay leaf and water and place in your slow cooker.
Cook on low for 6-8 hours, checking throughout cook time to see if water needs to be added.
Pork is ready when it pulls apart easily, remove from crock pot and shred. Place back in the crock pot.
Stir, coating the meat with the juices.


To serve-

Corn Tortillas
Black or Pinto Beans in a can
Romain Lettuce
Diced Tomatoes
Diced Avocado
Shredded cheddar cheese


Cilantro Lime Dressing
Greek yogurt
1/4 Cup Fresh Lime Juice
1/4 Cup Fresh Cilantro Chopped
1 lime cut into wedges for garnish


Combine the ingredients for the dressing  in a bowl and set aside. 

Drain the beans and add 1/2 of a cup of water  in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook until heated through. Mash with a fork until desired consistency.

Spray your corn tortillas lightly with cooking spray and place on a foil lined baking sheet.
Place tray in 350 degree oven for 8-10 minutes until desired crispiness.

Top a tortilla with desired toppings and serve.


Enjoy!!!!!

Clean Eating Chicken Fajitas

Clean Eating Chicken Fajitas

We've been experimenting with some clean eating recipes and so far this is one recipe that we 
have loved!  We made the chicken Fajitas on Saturday night and we actually made extra so 
we would have lunch for Sunday.  Not only was it really delicious, it made great leftovers too!  
Honestly, leftovers are HARD for me but THIS is a HIT in my book! This is something you could 
make a larger quantity of if you are wanting to start meal prepping. Simply portion out for the 
entire week and have lunches for a few days.  For non clean eaters, you can still do the chicken 
fajitas but just give everyone else wraps instead of lettuce!  

Try this on your family!  Make sure to let me know what you think!

This recipe makes 4 servings and 2 fajitas each

Ingredients:
1 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp. sea salt
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp olive oil, divided, use
4 (5-6oz) raw chicken breast, boneless, skinless, cut into 1/2 in strips
1 medium red or green red bell pepper, cut into thin strips
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
1 tbsp fresh lime juice
8 large romaine (or butter) lettuce leaves
1/2 medium avocado, thinly sliced
1 cup fresh salsa
lime wedge for garnish optional

Directions:
Combine chili powder, salt, cumin, garlic powder, and 1 tsp oil in large resealable plastic bag.

Add chicken, bell pepper, and onion; mix gently to coat.

Refrigerate for 15 minutes.

Heat remaining 1 tsp. oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. 

Empty contents of bag into skilled; cook stirring frequently, for 5 to 6 minutes, or until 
chicken is cooked through.

Remove from heat.  Add lime juice.

Evenly top lettuce leaves with chicken mixture, avocado and salsa.
Garnish with lime wedges if desired.


You gotta try this!  It's amazing!!!

Tomato Basil Turkey Cutlets

 We primarily stick to chicken, fish and turkey, for the most part, for sources of protein.  The leaner the better. I really wanted to try something new. These looked yummy to me but the family is the REAL test! This was a hit in the house! So of course I can't keep a hit a secret so I am sharing this yummy-ness with with you!!! 

This recipe is not only delicious but such a simple recipe to make!  So if you clean eating then this is a perfect one to try!

Tomato Basil Turkey Cutlets

Ingredients:

• Dried Basil
• Garlic Powder
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 can diced tomatoes (low sodium)
• Turkey Breast Cutlets (3)
• 1/4 cup low fat mozzarella cheese

Directions:
Place a piece of foil in the bottom of a 9x13 baking dish.  Place turkey cutlets on top.  Then, sprinkle with basil, garlic powder, chopped onion, diced tomatoes and then top with mozzarella cheese.

Then, cover the dish with foil and bake at 400 degrees for 45 minutes or until cooked through.
I served the Turkey with steamed veggies and quinoa. 

CROCK POT CABBAGE ROLLS

Photo by: NewCakeRecipes

CROCK POT CABBAGE ROLLS




1 large head cabbage
1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
3/4 cup quick-cooking rice
1/2 cup chopped green pepper
1/2 cup crushed saltines (about 15 crackers)
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 ounce onion soup mix
1-1/2 pounds lean ground beef (90% lean)
1 can (46 ounces) V8 juice
Salt to taste
Grated Parmesan cheese, optional

Directions
 NewCakeRecipes - more here!

Come In From The Cold

Stew is one of those comfort meals and so great when it's cold out. 

I've done this recipe in the crock pot as well, once I've done 

the browning.

Hope you Enjoy!

Beef Stew

1 -1 1/2 lb cubed beef stew meat...
1/2 cup flour
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 onion, chopped fine
1 carrot, chopped fine
1/4 cup finely chopped celery, with a few minced leaves
1 tablespoon dried parsley
1 pinch thyme
3 1/2 cups beef broth
2 medium potatoes, diced
2 carrots, diced
2 onions, diced
Directions:
Put flour, salt and pepper in a large ziploc bag.
Heat oil over medium heat in a large dutch oven.
Place meat in bag with the flour and shake until well coated.
Shake off meat pieces and add them to the oil and stir until slightly browned, Add remaining flour from the bag and the finely chopped onion.
Stir until well browned.
Add finely chopped carrot and next 4 ingredients.
Cover and cook over low heat for 1 1/2 hours (stirring every 15 minutes).
Add diced potatoes, carrots, and onions, cook for another 45 minutes or until potatoes are tender.