DATE NIGHT IDEAS

For me, the days of dating are a fading memory. I too often put aside my desire for intimacy because of the immediate needs of life knocking at my door. At this stage in my life, it is usually my innocent and loving kids. I gladly drop just about anything for my them. However, with priorities the way they should be (God first, Spouse second, Children next, etc) the intimacy in marriage would not be in the drought state it is so often. 

So, since taking time out of our busy schedules is probably our first roadblock to date nights, and money being the second, here are 30 low-cost or no-cost date ideas, most of which you can do at home!

First thing to do: Schedule it weekly! Okay, I know most of us dream of that spontaneous weekend hotel surprise happening, but realistically, has it ever? Since our lives are all too often routine, make "intimacy night" part of it! Pick one night a week, and start the day being mindful of this. Look forward to it! Workout, take a bath, shave your legs, paint your nails, put on some of his favorite perfume for you, wear those sexy panties and bra, etc. You can do it! He will love it, and so will you!

So, without further explanation, here are 30 ideas to incorporate intimacy into your everyday life:

1. If you have a willing neighbor, friend, or family member, have a babysitting swap each week. 

2. Have a weekly family picnic night! Have a picnic indoors or out! This is great family bonding time, and creates memories and traditions for the kids! Then after they go to bed the rest can happen ;)

3. Order your favorite takeout, set a the table with fine china and eat dinner by candlelight.

4. If the kids are gone, greet him at the door in your birthday suit and heels. Tell him he has arrived in Utopia.  Have him follow you to the bedroom where you have a dinner of aphrodisiacs waiting, complete with chocolate covered strawberries. You both have to feed each other!

5. Role play- don’t forget the stilettos! 

6. Have a theme night. Dress, eat, and watch a movie with the same theme. 

7. Make a special dessert to enjoy.

8. Cuddle on the couch and watch a movie. 

9. Play cards, a board game, or a video game together (Rock Band and Wii are fun)!

10. Wear your favorite lingerie and sing karaoke!

11. Sit outside and read together.

12. Read poetry to each other... in character ;)

13. Make a CD of “your songs” and play it throughout the evening.

14. Dance (doubt he’ll turn it down, knowing what it will lead to)!

15. Write a poem or romantic letter to your love!

16. Splurge on delicious cheeses, fruit, crackers, and wine.

17. Share favorite memories of you two together!

18. Light your bathroom and bedroom with tea-lights and play soft music. (Be sure to remember to blow out the candles when you’re ready to sleep!) 

19. Take a bath or shower together (water is always sexy)!

20. Give each other a back rub with aromatic oils.

21. Cook together and try a new recipe.

22. Go to bed early together ;)

23. Watch a sports game and eat stadium food like nachos and hot dogs.

24. Make a scrapbook together from a vacation.

25. Start a collection together.

26. Play outside together! Fly a kite, play catch with a football, Frisbee, hike, fish, rollerblade, bike ride, etc.

27. Go to the gym or lift weights together at home. It really is fun and sexy! 

28. Work on a project around the house together.

29. Make breakfast in bed for dinner.

30. Watch the sun rise while drinking a good cup off coffee or tea. Watch the sun set while sipping wine. Cuddling is a must in both situations ;)

Do you have regular date nights? If you have kids, how do you balance romance with your busy family schedule? What ideas do you have?! 

ARE YOU CRAZY ENOUGH?

I heard this song for the first time this morning. I've played it over and over. Its one of those songs that just gripped my heart from the start. 

What could happen if you and I love like Jesus did and does??? 

We could change this world! :)

[Be sure to turn off my playlist (scroll down, its on the right side of the screen) before playing this YouTube video, otherwise you'll have 2 songs playing at once!]

CRAZY ENOUGH by MERCYME

Call me crazy but what if we learn

To love our brother for nothing in return? 

Oh how the rules would change

Reaching out to the ones who need help

Treating them as you first would treat yourself 

Now that would be insane 

(CHORUS) 

It may just be crazy enough

To work if we could only love 

What if we somehow changed the world? 

It may just be crazy enough

(Verse 2) 

Is it so strange to think that one day

we will truly see everyone the same 

Oh good we be so kind? (could we be so kind?) 

To sing along when life's playing their tune

And cry with them when their hearts broken in two

Have I lost my mind? 

(CHORUS) 

It may just be crazy enough

To work if we could only love 

What if we somehow changed the world? 

It may just be crazy enough

Oh, have I gone mad 

Believing that love still has a chance? 

(CHORUS) 

It may just be crazy enough

To work if we could only love 

What if we somehow changed the world? 

It may just be crazy enough

It may just be crazy enough (repeat)

Teriyaki Beef Kabobs

Teriyaki Beef Kabobs

2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 can Beef Broth
1/2 cup water
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon packed brown sugar
2 small cloves garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1 pound of steak, cut into 1-inch cubes
12 medium mushrooms
2 medium red onions, each cut into 6 wedges
4 cherry tomatoes
4 cups hot cooked rice

Stir the cornstarch, broth, water, soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic and ginger in a 1-quart saucepan until the mixture is smooth.  Cook and stir over medium heat until the mixture boils and thickens.

Thread the beef, mushrooms and onions alternately onto 4 skewers.

Lightly oil the grill rack and heat the grill to medium.  Grill the kabobs for 20 minutes or until desired doneness, turning and brushing often with the broth mixture. Place 1 tomato on the end of each skewer.

Heat the remaining broth mixture over medium-high heat to a boil.  Serve the broth mixture with the kabobs and rice.

2.14.11: Menu Plan Monday

***Lunch is either leftovers or some other quick & healthy dish.***

Update: My diet is no longer entirely gluten-free. I have reintroduced wheat and other gluten containing grains, and my health issues are for the most part unchanged- boo ;(.  However, I am reducing the amount of gluten the average American consumes,  just to maintain a healthier lifestyle. Maybe someday I’ll have a definite answer to my  health ailments, but for now, I’m just going to try to do my best at taking care of this earthly body God gave me.  

“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” 

- 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (New International Version)


So, if you are aiming to be gluten-free, know that recipes calling for all-purpose flour can almost always be substituted with (g.f) gluten-free all-purpose flour. I've found that, although usually more expensive and time consuming (no McDonalds ;), most all food can be conformed to be gluten free Bon Appetit ;)

Monday

• Dinner~ Slow Cooker Sauerbraten

Tuesday

• Dinner~ White Bean Chicken Chili

Wednesday

• Dinner~ Dinner Out :)

Thursday

• Dinner~ Grandma Van’s Frank Noodle Supper Pie (use plain yogurt instead of sour cream)

Friday

• Dinner~ Slow Cooker Pork Chops

Saturday

• Dinner~ Tacos

Sunday

• Dinner~ Pizza 

Thankful Thursday: 2.10.11

5 things I am thankful for today:

1. Honey... We've been using a lot of it lately to soothe coughs and sore throats around here

2. Sunshine... even when it is cold outside, I feel a warmth deep within when I bask in the light

3. Toothpaste... I can't imagine my teeth and breath without it :0) 

4. Clean Water...  something we take for granted. People in underdeveloped areas are dying from diseases that could have easily been prevented if they had clean water.

5. Lotion... my skin is soooo dry this time of year

What are 5 things you are thankful for today?

TV/ Books/ DVDs Move

I despise clutter, although ironically I frequently find myself in the midst of it. We have a fairly small living room, and any extra stuff makes it feel tight. I like feeling like we can all move around comfortably when company is over.

We have lived in our current home for 3 years this month. Ever since we moved in, I have been trying to talk my man into getting a smaller TV for our living area, and to put it on our wall. Our 61" TV seemed to take up half of our living room! We had our couch cutting off the middle of the room and our TV on a stand against the wall. My husband loves TVs, the bigger- the-better, and I would never miss them. We've definitely been at odds about this.

Well, my wish finally came true a couple months ago when I realized our big, not-flat-TV tapered enough in the back to be pushed into the cut out in our wall above our fireplace... no one believed me that it would fit until I showed them the measurements. So with rerouting our cable, we were able to get the TV off of the floor and move our couch to the wall, thus opening up our living room and making for a happy housewife :o) ... and happy husband too, since he got to keep his XL size TV!

(Meet my 2 dogs, Faith and Gracie.... apparently its still too early for them to get up and at-em!)

So, in saving mega space, I thought, why not save more? I love being surrounded by books... even if I may not have time to read. There is just something about books that calms, excites and intrigues me all at the same time! I never get tired of going to the library (btw- during long commutes, books on tape have become my new best friend)! Anyway, our books have not had a good home, bouncing between our nightstand, kitchen table, and the storage in our basement. Until now we just have not had the room to display them anywhere. I had an idea, I work at a children's hospital, and we have lots of movies stocked on each floor. I've seen different ways in storing them. One way I've always thought was handy was storing DVDs in a handheld CD case. Currently, our DVDs have been in a book-like case. So, once I convinced my husband, I got to work. I bought 3 different hand-held CD cases. One night we sorted alphabetically all the DVDs and separated the Blu-Ray from the regular DVDs, and separated the kid-friendly from the not-so-kid-friendly DVDs. The next day, I started at A and took the covers out, cut to fit and stuffed the DVDs and their covers in the individual slots.

Once I was finished I took my empty case and filled it with books- voila!

No big cost here, but I feel like I just got a new living room! Ahhhhh ;)

Isaiah 40:28-31

28 Do you not know?
   Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
   the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
   and his understanding no one can fathom.
29 He gives strength to the weary
   and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
   and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the LORD
   will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
   they will run and not grow weary,
   they will walk and not be faint.

(Isaiah 40:28-31)

Our Daily Journey

This is a good quick reminder regarding seeking direction through prayer...

Feel

Feb

07

by tim gustafson
Posted under God's Word, God's guidance, God's will, Holy Spirit, Jesus, christian living, daily devotional, decisions/choices, faith, mentoring, prayer, relationships,wisdom
(10 comments)

Proverbs 3:1-8 We don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words (Romans 8:26).

Read Romans 8:1-17 to learn about the Holy Spirit’s role in guiding our lives and decisions. In Matthew 16:1-4, what do you think is the “sign of Jonah”? (v.4).

How do you seek God’s guidance? Are your prayers sometimes attempts to manipulate Him? How well are you obeying God’s Word?

My friend has a habit of asking God for signs. In doing so, His prayers tend to seek confirmation of his feelings, as in “God, if You want me to do ‘X,’ then please do ‘Y,’ and I’ll know it’s OK.”

Not surprisingly, this has created a dilemma. For my friend feels that he should get back with his ex-girlfriend, based on the way he prays. His ex, on the other hand, feels strongly that God has told them not to get back together. Ah, feelings.

Jesus told the religious leaders of His day: “Only an evil, adulterous generation would demand a miraculous sign” (Matthew 16:4). But He wasn’t making a blanket statement to prevent anyone from seeking God’s guidance. Rather, Jesus was accusing them of ignoring the clear prophecies that told them He was the Messiah.

Proverbs gives us an abundance of direct signs as to how to live our lives. Solomon, who wrote most verses in the book, gave these instructions to his son: “Never let loyalty and kindness leave you” (Proverbs 3:3). “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5). To drive his point home, Solomon concluded: “Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil” (Proverbs 3:7).

God wants us to seek His guidance in prayer (James 1:5). He has given us the instruction of the Holy Spirit (John 14:26) and His Word, the Bible (1 Thessalonians 2:13). He gives us mentors and wise leaders. He’s also given us the ultimate example seen in Jesus (Philippians 2:4-5).

It’s wise to ask God for clear direction. But our prayers should never be formulaic attempts to manipulate God. Real Christianity is not a system; it’s a relationship with Jesus Himself.

The Peasant Princess

Marriage and relationships in general are always a constant work in progress. I am being challenged in more ways than one to be a better wife and woman of God.  Our life-group is currently doing this amazing study titled The Peasant Princess. I would encourage all of you, married or not, to check it out! 

2.7.11: Menu Plan Monday

***Lunch is either leftovers or some other quick & healthy dish.***

Update: My diet is no longer entirely gluten-free. I have reintroduced wheat and other gluten containing grains, and my health issues are for the most part unchanged- boo ;(.  However, I am reducing the amount of gluten the average American consumes,  just to maintain a healthier lifestyle. Maybe someday I’ll have a definite answer to my  health ailments, but for now, I’m just going to try to do my best at taking care of this earthly body God gave me.  

“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” 

- 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (New International Version)

So, if you are aiming to be gluten-free, know that recipes calling for all-purpose flour can almost always be substituted with (g.f) gluten-free all-purpose flour. I've found that, although usually more expensive and time consuming (no McDonalds ;), most all food can be conformed to be gluten free Bon Appetit ;)

Monday

• Dinner~ Carrot Potato Soup

Tuesday

• Dinner~ Pizza Pasta Casserole

Wednesday

• Dinner~ Shepherd's Pie

Thursday

• Dinner~ Chinese Chicken Salad

Friday

• Dinner~ Pumpkin (and Sausage) Lasagna

Saturday

• Dinner~ Terrific Turkey Chili

Sunday

• Dinner~ Slow Cooker Cube Steak

Wonderful Quinoa

This is a new favorite of mine! I enjoy cooking with it in its original form, and substituting regular pasta with quinoa pasta products!

Is Quinoa the Perfect Food?

By Jim Plummer  

Quinoa (pronounced keen-wah) has been grown for thousands of years in the Andes mountains in South America. It was a very important part of the Incan diet and it is still sometimes referred to as "the gold of the Incas." It is often thought of as a grain, but it is actually the seed of a leafy green plant called Chenopodium (also known as goosefoot), which is related to Swiss chard and spinach.

Quinoa has a structure similar to wheat or rice. Like grains, it can be eaten whole or ground into floor to make bread, cereal, or pasta. But unlike a lot of grains, it is not stripped of it's bran and germ when it is processed as a food source.

Here are the many powerful health benefits of quinoa:

Contains all nine essential amino acids. There are 20 amino acids that the body needs to form protein, but it can only manufacture 11 of these. The other nine, which are called essential amino acids, must come from food. Quinoa and soy are the only plant-based foods that contains all nine essential amino acids.

Digests slowly. Quinoa is a complex carbohydrate that digests slowly and will not cause blood sugar levels and insulin levels to spike. It's also an excellent source of energy.

Is high in fiber. One cup of cooked quinoa contains five grams of fiber. Fiber helps keep your colon and arteries clean and healthy.

Induces satiety. The protein and fiber in quinoa induce satiety, which is a feeling of fullness and satisfaction.

Is high in vitamins and minerals. Quinoa is higher in calcium, B vitamins, vitamin E, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, iron, copper, manganese, and zinc than most grains.

Contains phytonutrients. Quinoa contains phytonutrients (also known as phytochemicals), which are chemical compounds that help reduce the risk of heart disease and some forms of cancer.

Acts as a prebiotic. Quinoa acts as a prebiotic that feeds the microflora (good bacteria) in your intestines.

Is gluten free. Quinoa is gluten free and safe for those with gluten intolerance.

Quinoa is increasing in popularity, but you still won't find it in many grocery stores. Look for it in more progressive grocery stores and in health food stores. You can also buy it online.

Jim Plummer is a longtime health and fitness enthusiast. His website, http://www.functional-fitness-facts.com, contains information, advice, and resources that will help you get more fit and healthy. Visit his website and pick up your free fat loss report. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jim_Plummer

5 Things You Need to Know About the Health Benefits of Quinoa

1. The Gold of the Incas

Over 5,000 years ago, high in the Andes mountains, the Incas began to cultivate quinoa (pronounced keen-wah) as one of their staple crops, believing that it gave power and stamina to their warriors. Quinoa was also used in their ceremonial rituals. When Spanish conquistadors arrived in South America in the sixteenth century, they burned and destroyed the quinoa fields as part of the effort to annihilate Inca culture. But quinoa survived by growing wild in the mountains or by being cultivated in secret in small quantities. In the 1980s, two North Americans stumbled upon this ancient, super-nutritious food and began cultivating it near Boulder, Colorado. Since then, quinoa's popularity has exploded worldwide.

2. Getting to Know Quinoa

Although it is cooked and eaten like a grain, quinoa is technically a seed, and is related to spinach, chard and beets. It grows best in mountainous regions, 10 thousand feet or more above sea level, and thrives in poor soil, thin air and extreme weather. Quinoa stalks are 3 to 6 feet tall, and each plant can produce up to a cup of seeds! The seeds are round, about the same size of millet or sesame seeds, and come in a rainbow of colors, from red to purple to green to yellow, but the quinoa that is most commonly found in stores is an off-white color. Look for quinoa in the bulk section of natural food stores, or in the organic section of conventional supermarkets.

3. A Complete Protein and so Much More

Quinoa is a complete protein, which means that it contains all the amino acids necessary for our nutritional needs. Complete proteins are rare in the plant world, making quinoa an excellent food for vegetarians and vegans, or for anyone looking for healthy protein source. It's also high in iron and calcium, and is a good source of manganese, magnesium and copper, as well as fiber.

4. Cooking With Quinoa

Most commercially available quinoa has already been cleaned, but you should still give it a thorough rinsing before cooking to be sure to remove any remaining saponins, a soapy resin that protects the seeds while they are growing, but can impart a bitter taste if not removed. Combine one cup rinsed quinoa to two cups water or broth, bring to a boil, then simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, until the seeds become translucent and the germ of the seed uncoils to form a little "tail." Quinoa has a light, slightly nutty taste and a fluffy texture. It makes a tasty porridge or casserole and can be added to soups and stews.

5. The Gluten-free Grain of Choice

Quinoa is naturally gluten-free, making it an excellent food for celiac patients or other people following a gluten-free diet. Quinoa flour is great for baking cookies, breads and muffins, and quinoa flakes are a perfect substitute for oatmeal.

Read more

Find more great info @ http://www.quinoa.net/

See More Nutritional Information about Quinoa HERE and HERE

Check out MyPyramid.gov  for tons of healthy eating information!

Homemaker Makeover 2011

The Erickson Family Weekday Schedule:

Goal: Have a more consistent and organized routine, therefore have a more consistent and organized family :) As I am more disciplined, stick to a schedule and keep my priorities in order, I will consequently be a better homemaker, mother and wife. 

I really want to maintain a daily schedule to provide my children with a fun, loving and structured home environment, along with a good educational curriculum to help grow them into responsible adults. I want to model keeping priorities in order. Jesus first, My husband second, Children third, Other family/friends fourth, Work fifth, Volunteering and other obligations last... ideally we won't be overcommitted, so we should have plenty of room that!

I work varying days and hours each week. So, we will shuffle things around as needed. I'm not aiming for perfection. I know that life is full of the unexpecteds, (like the blizzard we are having today, so I am not leaving my house). If my plans fail occasionally, I'm okay with that! I just want an outline to try to live by!

Here it is (Thanks to Alicia H. for the weekday schedule and daily chores chart templates that I tweaked a bit ):

CHORES... done throughout the day, mostly in the afternoon (the girls help of course :)

M- Trash day, Laundry, Clean Windows, Mirrors and Bathrooms

T- Paper Clean Up (Mail, Bills, etc), Write letters (thank-yous, birthdays, etc.)

W- Laundry, Dust, Sweep Floors, Mop and Vacuum

Th- Overall De-clutter, Odds and Ends

F- Laundry, Clean Out Fridge, Freezer and Pantry

Sat/Sun- Yard work, Garage, Family Grocery Store/ Shopping (my husband likes to do this together), Misc.

FOOD and HEALTH:

Health Goal: Live an active lifestyle!  Find simple, everyday ways to incorporate more physical activity (walk more, use the stairs when possible instead of the elevator, play outside during playtime,etc). The girls and I just added on my husband’s gym membership to make it a family one! So, us girls will go to the gym 4 weekdays (ideally), and we will all go one weekend day as a family. 

Breakfast: The most important meal of the day! Should be well-rounded to give us brain power! (ie. a healthy juice like V8-Fusion, complex carbs such as quinoa or oatmeal, a yogurt parfait with granola and berries, low-sugar cereal and milk, fresh fruit and eggs, omelet, healthy breakfast casserole, breakfast sandwich, protein shake... for store-bought ones, we like Muscle Milk)

Lunch: Something fairly quick and easy, but healthy. Eat fresh, unprocessed foods when possible. (ie- a sandwich made with whole grain bread and veggie; Muffin-tin tray lunch-fill tray with different healthy finger foods and hummus dip, ie- sliced cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, red, yellow, orange peppers, broccoli, sugar snap peas, blueberries, grapes,apple slices, cheeses, crackers; etc.)

Snacks: Water or Milk. Fresh fruits/ veggies. Crackers and cheese. Yogurt.

Dinner: well balanced, home-cooked meal! 


*Along with exercise and diet.... as adults, we too need to get enough sleep! We are going to try to be in bed by 10:30p every night!

The idea behind our diet, activity level and overall way that we treat our bodies: 

As Christ followers, our bodies are temples for God’s holy spirit. We are to treat them with that respect. Focusing on what we put into our bodies includes not just our mouths, but also our ears and eyes. Not to get overly concerned about the way we “look”, but to be physically, mentally and spiritually healthy. We need to seek Him every day! 


*When we take a holistic approach to health (incorporating mind, body and spirit), we can truly be healthy and live an abundant life!!!

“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” 
- 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (New International Version)


The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
- John 10:10 (New International Version, ©2010)