Crock Pot Cooking! How Romantic!

Crock Pot Cooking how in the world can that be romantic? Well when you cook in the crock pot you get a wonderful meal that is tender and juicy without spending hours in front of the grill or stove. With spending less time in front of the stove you have more time to enjoy your partner. So you can watch a movie, play a game, or fool around a little all while your dinner is cooking. Plus the smells of the dish you are cooking helps tantalize the sense of smell as it fills the whole house with the wonderful aroma. You also look like a chef when your dish is done and all you have to do is throw in the ingredients and stir them from time to time and presto. It does take a little planning but nothing compared to cooking a whole meal on the stove. Some great ideas are roast and potatoes, chili, soups and even Mexican dishes. This also gives the sense of the house being more comfortable with the warmth the crock pot fills the kitchen with. Check the Internet today for some great recipes that will not only have your partner drooling for your food but gives a chance to enjoy their company at the same time it's cooking.

Make your meal a Happy Meal.

Remember way back when and the excitement you had as a kid when you would get a happy meal. You didn't even touch your food until you got the prize out of the box. Why not do that every once in a while for your partner? Next time you go to a fast food place to pick up the food slip a little something in the bottom of the bag for your sweety. It doesn't have to be something large or expensive. Maybe a Magazine they like or their favorite candy bar. Something to show them you are thinking about them. If you do have the means maybe some tickets to a show or sporting event would be nice. You could even do a coupon for a evening out instead of fast food the next time. Be creative you can even get little stuffed animals to place in the bottom of the back just to make someone feel warm and fuzzy. A word of caution however, realize that the food from these places sometimes is greasy. Don't put tickets in the bottom of the bag without protection on them so the grease doesn't ruin them. A little zip lock bag will do nicely and keep your prize safe and sound.

Get choosy over Movies

Okay, so it's your turn to choose the movie for your date! So what it gonna be - the shoot ‘em up movie or the slap stick comedy? Before your Neanderthal mentality kicks in, and you pick the most macho movie you can find, think of where this can lead. Look at your relationship. Are you at the beginning of it or have you been married for 20 years? What are your plans after the movie? Are you going to dinner, out to a club, or are you hoping to venture back to your place for a more intimate setting? Take all of that into consideration. Get a newspaper or get on your computer and find out which movies are playing near you. Scan over the times of each movie and eliminate all the ones where the time just doesn't work out for your date.

Now comes the pondering part of the movie selection process. How do you want this movie to affect your date? I can see you now with that glazed look in your eyes thinking, "I just want to see a movie.” Okay, I will make it a little simpler for you. Let’s say you are going to dinner after the movie; you don't want to see a gory movie as it might ruin your appetite. The stupidly funny movie might lead to way too much laughter during the main course. In my opinion, the best movie to see before going to dinner is one that will strike up great conversation - a thriller or a movie with twists and turns in the plot. Let’s say you are headed out to the club for dancing and drinks. My choice of movie would be a great comedy. You know - the ones with stupid lines and the comedy is right in your face. This has double the impact as one it gets you ready for fun while dancing at the club. And a bonus is if you’re not a good dancer, you might be able to imitate the movie on the dance floor and get some chuckles from your date. You can also quote silly lines form the movies to each other. If you are drinking alcohol they get funnier and funnier. Now let’s say you want to head back home for some alone time after the movie. You have several choices - the first being the horror film. Your partner might jump into your arms and want to be held. However if you’re a little jumpy this might back fire on you. A romantic comedy might do you well as it will take the edge off the date and still promote kissing and other stuff. An adventure movie might do you well as it gets your blood pumping, and might lead to some role playing at the homestead.

So don't just choose the movie you want to see the most when going on a movie date. Take some time and think about the outcome - no not of the movie but, of the later activities. One more thing before I leave you, sometimes the best movie to see is one that no one else wants to see. “Why?” you might ask. Well, you just might have the whole theater to yourselves!!

Click on the title line to go to Fandango and pick your movie for tonight.

The "I Love You Meal"

Gentlemen/ladies let me tell you something I have learned - cooking is fun! Cooking for your spouse or loved one is even better because it shows him/her you care. We live in such a wonderful age with the Internet that it is never hard to find a recipe. Now, your mission begins with you making a list of what type of foods your partner likes. Does she/he like chicken or a specific cuisine such as mexican. Make a list and then hit the Internet. There are several recipe sites that you can find, and some of them you can even put in the ingredients your partner likes. The site will bring back a dish using those ingredients. One of my favorite sites is http://bigoven.com. I even have the big oven application on my iPod touch. One point I want to make here is not to pick the same old thing you have everyday. Make something a little out of the ordinary. If you do this, it makes it a little adventurous as neither one of you will really know what it is going to taste like. I love it when my wife makes us a different meal. It may sound silly, but the excitement of taking that first bite and seeing everyones reactions is exhilirating to me. If you can, get your ingredients ahead of time. That way you are are ready to cook instead of searching through the cabinets or making a quick trip to the store. Don't take comments too seriously if your partner doesn't like it. No biggie - now you know you guys don't like - don't make it again. I know that sometimes I have made something even I don't like, every once in a while you just have to say "Wow, this sucks, lets order a pizza. Oh look the dog won't even eat it!" Yet, nothing ventured nothing gained. Lastly, if your partner makes you a meal good or bad, a burp is not the correct way to apperciate it. A simple thank you with a kiss will do.