Who’s excited that the weekend is finally here?!?! I feel like this week went by especially slow… I blame the freezing temps and bleak, gray skies in Chicago! At least February is a short month… 
I wanted to thank everyone who participated in Dress Down for Haiti! I got so much great feedback and I want to send a shout out to Heather, May, and Mara – just the 3 of them together raised over $1,500 from their school districts! Wow!! Don’t forget that it’s never too late to participate and to help out Haiti in what I think is one of the easiest ways possible.
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Before I get to the chia seed giveaway, I wanted to brag about the amazing snack I made last night (and that I am seriously making again right now this very instant)….
As I mentioned a couple days ago I’ve had a serious nut butter addiction going on. Sadly, I recently ran out! But no worries, I got creative – I should mention that in years past I have known to be so desperate for dessert that I’ve melted down an unsweetened bar of baking chocolate with sugar and milk!! Crazy, I know…
The only possible nut butter contenders I could find in my pantry/freezer (I store my opened nuts in the freezer or fridge) were some pepitas (pumpkin seeds) and pine nuts. Pine nuts are phenomenal by themselves in dishes, so I passed on those and moved along to the pepitas. I threw them into my FP with some dates, flax meal, cocoa powder, a bit of flax oil, salt, and vanilla. I had planned to make a Laraba-type treat, but the texture was a bit off, so I added in some coconut flour.
Then….. Goldilocks determined that the texture was STILL not quite right. So, after eating some nibbles plain, I threw a large spoonful into some banana and mango soft serve (plus 1/4 tsp xanthum gum for the fluff factor). Soooooo good!! You don’t need to blend all of the ingredients first like I did, but I highly recommend adding dates and nuts to your next banana soft serve. It adds such a lovely addition of depth and flavor!
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I have 1) a spaghetti squash creation and 2) a hearty stew recipe coming up soon, but today I’m short on time so without further ado, let’s hear it for the Chia Seeds Giveaway!!! Please check back soon
When Don at Chia Seeds Direct contacted me about doing a giveaway for my readers, I jumped at the chance! I LOVE using chia seeds, but they can be a little expense at the health food store which is unfortunate since they have so many health benefits: high in protein and fiber, full of antixoidants, Vitamin C and E, and more…
I know most of you in the blogworld are familiar with this so-called “Superfood” and I would be happy to help you get your hands on a 2 pound bag!
To enter the giveaway, in light of the upcoming Vday holiday, please leave a comment about the most romantic meal you have ever cooked, or had cooked for you!
Also, please feel free to also mention this on your blog and/or to Tweet about it if you like – the contest will run until Thursday, February 4.
Have an amazing weekend, friends!!
I'm a school social worker who is also a newlywed (and had a Big Fat Greek Wedding, no less!) living in Chicago. I am starting this blog to talk about the training process I will go through to prepare for the Chicago Marathon, while also raising awareness for Ceasefire, a Chicago anti-violence program.
When I first went vegan a couple of years ago and was nervous about cooking new vegan meals, my (very carniverous) boyfriend let me test out a few recipes on him one night. I thought it was very sweet!
hmmm I’m really not romantic lol, but I would like some Chia seeds!
The most romantic meal ever cooked for me was when my husband made a beautiful Thanksgiving dinner. We had squash and the whole spread. We had it with family, but I felt very romantic because he went to such work. Ha ha.
There have been a lot of romantic meals in my past (I love to cook, and it’s definitely a way I show affection). However, I would have to say that the most romantic meal I have ever experienced was cooked for me just a couple of months ago.
I’m pregnant with my first child, and during the first trimester I was so sick that I went days at a time without eating. One day I mentioned offhand to my husband (who NEVER cooks. Ever.) that the only thing that sounded appetizing to me was pancakes. I was way too sick to cook them for myself, so I decided to lie down instead. About an hour later my husband came in to the bedroom to wake me up and let me know that there was a giant plate of pancakes waiting for me, that he had cooked himself. It may not have been elaborate or fancy, but that was the most amazingly romantic and delicious meal that I have ever had the pleasure of eating.
I apparently made this really rockin’ SALMON once. It was supposedly “perfectly cooked and the flavor was spot on.” I don’t remember it, it was like, 5 years ago, but my boyfriend keeps talking about it!
My most romantic meal was a few years ago. I cooked for my (current, but new then) boyfriend and asked what his favorite food was – he said lasagna. I decided to get creative and add goat cheese. I served him and noticed after a few minutes that he was eating everything but the goat cheese! I asked what was wrong and he said he hated got cheese, but didn’t want to say anything! Corny story but I thought it was sweet that he ate around it. Still to this day he always eats everything I make without any complaints, even if he doesn’t like something!
I cook fairly extravagant things on a regular basis, so romantic meals are a mainstay. Last Vday, however, my long time boyfriend and I climbed a tree with a bottle of wine and then drank the whole thing while gazing at one another in love and adoration. (The wine helped with all the gazing.) It was the best Vday ever.
i’m lame, nothing elaborate or romantic-no sig.othr to speak of:) but i do make my family a ridiculous choc.chip rum cake in a heart pan every year so i guess that counts for something!:)
Well my husband was out on buness all week and just got back late last night. So today after work I made “chicken” parm. with spaghetti squash. It’s really special because I hate to cook…and really selfish because he’s not gluten free or vegetarian–I am! But he did enjoy it!
I was dating my then boyfriend a couple years ago and we lived together. Since we couldn’t spend Thanksgiving together (I was leaving town to spend it with family), I surprised him by making a whole Thanksgiving dinner for him that we enjoyed together
I made the turkey, stuffing, green bean casserole, and mashed potatoes and it all turned out pretty good!!
After 2 months of dating, my husband took me to a French restaurant in Saratoga, one of the fanciest that we’ve ever been to on a date. I don’t remember the food so much as I remember what he wore – a red (yes, red) Hugo Boss wool jacket and khakis with white collar shirt. To this day, he still wears the red jacket at Christmas parties. I don’t think it’s stylish at all. But he’s loveable so I just think it’s endearing and cute.
The most romantic meal I ever made was tres random: cheeseless pizza and carrot souffle (my MIL’s recipe). We made it together and both loved it. Hope I win this giveaway — have always wanted to try chia seeds!
OOh, most romantic ever was a few years ago, I made a fondue dinner for Adam and I…
Hmm, the most romantic meal the hubs and I ever had wasn’t a home-cooked one, but we did eat it at home. It was our 3rd wedding anniversary and we had a little one at home and no one to babysit. Instead of blowing off our special night hubs lit candles all over the living room (after the little one was asleep for the night) and ordered Chinese food (our tradition is Chinese food every year). We ate with chopsticks by candle light and were cozy. Beats eating out any day!
About a week after my now husband and I met he found out I just recently discover Halibut and loved it. He had never made it before but he wanted to impress me so he set up a romantic dinner on his balcony, overlooking the city. He grilled halibut and made vegetables! Now I’m amazed because he hates vegetables but I LOVE them!
gah i hate Vday..nothing romantic happens! anywoo i love u ad altho feb is a short month, its also my bday month!!!
xoxo
lolo
hmmm…i can’t remember any romantic meals i cooked/were cooked for me but i do remember when my husband and i were dating in college he brought me a bag of swedish fish to a movie we were watching and i knew he was the one for me. hope i win this – i need some chia seeds!!!
not the romantic type and don’t have a bf/husband (only 20!) but i’ve been wanting to try chia seeds!
Well ive honestly havent had a real romantic meal… im still in high school! But once my mom did make me cinnamon rolls for breakfast on valentines day. I know its not really romantic but it was still sweet and nice all the same
The most romantic meal I’ve ever had cooked for me was cooked by Tina on my first birthday we had together. I asked for chicken pot pie, but she knows how much I love pizza, so she experiented and me me a pizza pot pie.
It wasn’t at all what I wanted, and neither of us thought it tasted very good, but it was just amazingly awesome that she tried. 
Last Valentine’s day I made my then-boyfriend a full dinner, followed by Raspberry Rose Pots de Creme. Ridiculous to do in a kitchen for 6 girls, but everything turned out delicious and he loved it
I once made a four course meal for my boyfriend, complete with a molten chocolate cake at the end!
My most romantic meal was when my (now) husband made me a candle lit dinner and then proposed!
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I have been in quest of chia seeds for quite some time now so I’m super happy you’re doing this giveaway!
Romantic meals? Not many yet. I like to bake with possible partners though
Every year on my birthday (Feb. 16th) my husbands cooks me dinner
i made a stuffed cinnamon french toast recipe from women’s health magazine…for my sister…but i’d consider it pretty romantic if someone made it for me someday : )
This was likely only romantic in the context…
In high school, my best friend and her boyfriend wanted to do a “romantic” dinner but, you know, high schoolers have no money. So I offered to make them dinner.. which consisted of Kraft Mac + Cheese served on fine china, milk in wine glasses, and homemake chocolate chip cookies shaped like hearts. Served by candlelight. 16 year old romantic style for sure
Most romantic meal…hmm, that’s kind of hard since I don’t have a boyfriend. I did cook a meal for my parents as a special romantic evening once, though. I set up everything as a restaurant, made menus on the computer, played romantic music, dressed up as a waitress, and brought their food to them. It sounds kind of kingergarten-ish but really it was so fun and they loved it!
the more romantic meal is definitely the first (but not best) meal i made my then-boyfriend, now-husband. i was NOT into cooking at all at the time, so this was a big deal!!! i made stuffed shells with a salad and breadsticks…and starbucks ice cream for dessert
great giveaway!
Well, it wasn’t “cooked” per se but my boyfriend made a sashimi dinner! The fish was really fresh and he even made some sides… I loved that it was healthy, fresh and delicious. I thought it was romantic because he cares about my eating habits so instead of making a “fancy steak” dinner, he thought of my needs
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[...] the meantime, don’t forget to enter my Chia Seeds giveaway…. I’m loving the comments I’m getting about your most romantic meals, keep [...]
Back in college, when Adam and I started dating, he was living in an apartment with a bunch of other people and no kitchen (or dining room) table. So, we did everything in bed – watch TV, hang out, eat junk food, etc. The first night he made me dinner, we had it at his house, and after he served it onto plates, he looked around and, looking embarrassed said, “Hmmm, I guess I didn’t think this through.” We ended up eating it in his bed. (He *hates* that we used to do that!) I wish I could remember what the meal actually was… the location was just so much more noteworthy! (As was the super-sweet gesture, of course!)
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How have I not entered this yet!?
Most romantic meal? Banana pancakes for sure
How have I not entered this yet!? Most romantic meal? Definitely banana pancakes!
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My most romantic dinner was the one my husband (then boyfriend) made for our very first Valentine’s Day together. We had been dating a month and I wasn’t sure how the big V-day would go. He invited me over to his house and when I arrived I found a plate of snacks and a glass of wine waiting for me. He told me to relax, snack on some appetizers and have some wine while he finished making dinner.
A little while later it was ready and it was amazing! He made my favorite penne al vodka with chicken, as well as a delicious salad and fresh bread. He pulled out my chair and then placed a vase with a single red rose on the table that was for me. He lit candles and had jazz music playing in the background while we enjoyed our meal and time together. And last, but certainly not least, when we finished dinner he brought out a beautiful LARGE chocolate cake, which he had made and even iced himself.
We finished dinner and dessert and then he asked me to dance – right there in the kitchen. We swayed to the jazz music and I looked at him and knew this was the man I would someday marry. We’ve had several romantic dinners since then, but that one definitely sticks in my mind as the best.