After a long day of work, kids, meals, cleaning the house, etc., we moms and dads need to relax, decompress, and regenerate together. So from one tired mom to another (or whoever you are), hereโ€™s a little list of all you need for a romantic stay-at-home date night โ€“ complete with a list of delicious gluten-freeย treats, and a wonderful massage.ย 

From one tired parent to another, here's all you need for a romantic stay-at-home date night - complete with 20 grain-freeย treats. #datenight #valentinesday #romantic #grainfree #glutenfree #realfood #treats

A work in progress.

For those of you who donโ€™t know me โ€“ which is probably almost all of you โ€“ Iโ€™m going to let you in on a little secret aboutย myself:ย I amย not a romantic girl. But as often happens, opposites attract, and I marriedย a guy who cries duringย Return to Me.ย 

But regardless of my personality, I know the importance of date nights. When you have fiveย six crazy kids running around you like banshees all day (well, technically only five of them can run โ€“ oneโ€™s just learning to walk) you NEED time alone with your spouse! And even if youโ€™re not being overrun by kids, a little one-on-one time for couples is a must-have for a healthy relationship!

Being the unromantic type makes planning date nights a tad tedious for me, though.ย While Iโ€™d be happy with a movie and a bucket of ice cream between us, my husband isย more of a โ€œletโ€™s do something specialโ€ kind-of guy. So lately Iโ€™ve been working on more โ€œsomething special.โ€ Wanna know how?

Keto Italian Garlic Bread Sticks

Melt: Massage for Couples

Thankfully, something special doesnโ€™t mean you have to leaveย the house. After the kids are locked in their room until they fall asleep snug in bed and theย dinner dishes are washed soaking for tomorrow, my husband and I have beenย settling down and trying something new.

Through the Melt series, done byย Australian massage therapistย Denis Merkas and his wife Emma, my husband and I haveย been learning how to give each other killer massages. (Please note that the use of the word โ€˜killerโ€™ is completely idiomatic, in case you were worried.)

Couples massage? Sounds way romantic, right? Yeah,ย and way out of my comfort zone! But getting out of your comfort zone can beย a good thing, and in this case getting out of my comfort zone actually feels amazing!

The Melt videos are beautifullyย and elegantly filmed andย teach couples how to give each other simple, soothing, in-house massages. With no fancy equipment needed, and easy-to-learn techniques, the routinesย areย the perfect complement to your stay-at-home date!

Denis goes through everything: the best positioning forย giving/receiving massages (and itโ€™s not the bed โ€“ what?), how to properly apply massage oil (and what kinds to use!), as well as simple, easy-to-remember techniques that goย way beyond a simpleย back rub. The massage routines donโ€™t take longย to learn, but theyโ€™re an amazingย way to unwind and relax with your spouse.ย 

My Take on Melt

While my husband and I chose to watch the sessionsย after our kids went to bed, theyโ€™re clean enough (no nudity or awkwardness) that you can watch them with the kiddos around, and the individual sessions are short enough that you canย watch them in your down time (whatโ€™s that again?) during the day.ย In all, it took us three nights to get through the 2+ hours ofย Denisโ€™ย material, and it was totally worth the time spent!

Now, besides being unromantic, Iโ€™m pretty ticklish. Before we started the videos I was a little nervous that I would be tensing up and laughing hysterically the whole time. But as we got into the massage I was pleasantly surprised to find that the techniques Denis teaches both soothed and relaxed my achy mom-muscles.ย Even after just going throughย the basics, the massage my husband gave me almost put me to sleep, and theย morning after ourย first session he evenย remarked that it was the first time in a long time heโ€™d wokenย up and not beenย sore somewhere.

All you need for a romantic stay-at-home date night. #datenight #valentinesday #romantic #grainfree #glutenfree #realfood #treats

So, what are you waiting for?

Sound like a date nightย youโ€™d love to give your spouse?ย Denis is giving my readers (thatโ€™d be you) 20% off the retail price of the entire package of Melt courses. (Thatโ€™sย only $89 (usually $147 in total.) Youโ€™ll get lifetime accesses to all the sessions, which includes learningย 3 massage routines that coverย basic and advanced massaging techniques, as well as massaging highlights.

  • The Basic Seriesย starts with going overย some common massage mistakes and teachingย the foundations of massage, ending with a 5 minute follow-along massage routine.
  • The Highlights Seriesย shows you how to findย the toughย spots and work them out. This series covers theย neck, shoulders, lower back, arms, head and ends with a 15-minute massage routine.
  • The Deep Tissue Seriesย is left to the very end for good reason โ€“ itโ€™s amazing stuff, but it shouldnโ€™t be over-emphasized. This series also ends with an epic 30-minute massage follow-along massage routine.ย 

Head on over and grab this fabulous deal and bless your husband/wife with a perfect date night!ย Because, as Denis and Emma, the creators of MELT say, every relationship deserves a little massage.

Click Here to Get Melt!

Before You Meltโ€ฆ

Need some tasty treats to go along with your massage? A few of my gluten-free blogger friends and I have put together a list of some of our favorite date-night treats for you and your special someone to enjoy!

Side shot of spiced hot cocoa from raiasrecipes.com

Nourishing Spiced Hot Cocoa

Non-Alcoholic Drinks

Mixed Berry Switchel โ€“ When youโ€™re needing a cold refreshing drink this summer reach for this easy, anti-inflammatory mixed berry switchel! Itโ€™s paleo, GAPS-friendly, and refined sugar-free.ย 

Lemon Pomegranate Spritzer with Chia โ€“ Whether itโ€™s warm or chilly out, youโ€™ll love this refreshing low-carb sparkling drink to stave off that thirst! So grab the stemware and serve up this lemon pomegranate spritzer with chia seeds from the Organic Kitchen!

Nourishing Spiced Hot Cocoa โ€“ On chilly mornings and evenings, thereโ€™s nothing like a cup of this nourishing spiced hot cocoa to warm you up. This less-traditional version boasts subtle spices to kick the warmthย up a notch.ย 

Instant Pot Mexican Hot Chocolateย โ€“ Chilly nights call for cozying up under a comfy throw blanket while watching a good movie and sipping some delicious Instant Pot Mexican hot chocolate from Cook With Me Darling!

Elderberry Water Kefirย โ€“ Elderberry kefir is a healthy healing probiotic drink packed with probiotics and the immune boosting vitamins of elderberries. Since itโ€™s made with water kefir, itโ€™s paleo and vegan, too!

Paleo Black Betty from All the Nourishing Things

Alcoholic Drinks

Cranberry Coconut Daiquiriย โ€“ This real food, paleo cranberry coconut daiquiri is a wonderfully festive and healthy drink. Itโ€™s bursting with flavor and full of ingredients and nutrients you need to stayย hydrated and healthy!ย 

Dark Hot Chocolate Shotsย โ€“ These delicious paleo and GAPS-friendly dark hot chocolate shots are just what you need when youโ€™re looking for something quick and healthy to satisfy your chocolate cravings!

Paleo Black Betty (Blackberry & Sage Cocktail)ย โ€“ With whisky and hints of lime, bubbling sparkling water, plump blackberries, and earthy sage, the stevia-sweetened Black Betty is not only beautiful to look at, itโ€™s also quite tasty! Try this low-carb paleo blackberry and sage cocktail from All the Nourishing Thingsย for your next date night in!

Elderflower Champagne โ€“ Lightly sweet and deliciously fizzy, this homemade honey-sweetened elderflower champagne is a fun way to increase your summer nutrition!

Sweet & Salty Chocolate Bar 5

Sweet & Salty Chocolate Bar with Fruit & Nutsย 

No-Bake Treats

Triple Chocolate Mousse Shootersย โ€“ Decadent and delicious, these triple chocolate mousse shooters are not only easy to whip up, theyโ€™re full of healthy, real food goodness!

Paleo Chocolate Coconut Barsย โ€“ย Easy and delicious, these no-bake paleo chocolate coconut bars are a hit wherever theyโ€™re served! With only a few real-food ingredients, youโ€™ll be devouring them in no time.

Raw Banana Brownie Parfaitย โ€“ This raw banana brownie parfait from the Unconventional Bakerย is super easy to throw together and tastes absolutely amazing as it is!

Chocolate Avocado Nice Cream โ€“ Packed with nutrients and delicious deep chocolate flavor, this paleo and GAPS-friendly chocolate avocado nice cream is a perfect treat for warm weather!

Sweet & Salty Chocolate Bar with Fruit & Nutsย โ€“ This delicious and easy-to-make sweet and salty chocolate bar with fruit and nuts is the perfect healthy treat for chocolate lovers! Itโ€™s naturally gluten-free, and also dairy and refined sugar free with a paleo option.

Browned Butter Chocolates

Chocolate Rum Ballsย โ€“ Perfectly chewy, fudgey, and flavorful, and free from gluten, dairy, refined sugars, soy, these chocolate run balls from the Unconventional Bakerย are perfect for an allergen-free treat.

Probiotic Cheesecake Ice Cream โ€“ Filled with nutrition and a delicious strawberry swirl, this primal and GAPS-friendly probiotic cheesecake ice cream is a healthy and fun treat!

Chocolate Avocado Tart โ€“ No need to turn on the oven to enjoy this delicious treat! Enjoy this no-bake chocolate avocado tart without heating up your house.

Toasted Coconut Trufflesย โ€“ย These toasted coconut truffles ย from What the Forkย are the perfect chocolateย coconut pairing. Truffles made withย coconut milk and rich chocolate are rolled in toasted coconut. Few ingredients, easy to make and totally delicious.

Browned Butter Chocolates โ€“ Deep and rich, these browned butter chocolates are a superbly delicious substitute for Hersheyโ€™s or Doveโ€™s dark chocolates. Theyโ€™re perfect for primal and/or Full GAPS, too!
ย 

Grain-Free Cranberry Cheesecake Bars from Recipes to Nourish

Baked Treats

Paleo Chocolate Nut Butter Tartย โ€“ This easy prep chocolate nut butter tart from Raising Generation Nourishedย is rich and decadent using all real food ingredients!

Dark Chocolate Almond Flour Brownies โ€“ With an amazing soft and moist texture, these perfect dark chocolate almond flour brownies are just what you need to fix that dessert craving. And with no dairy, eggs, or refined sugar, theyโ€™re a perfectly healthy treat, too!

Keto Chocolate Chip Cookie Cheesecake Barsย โ€“ These chocolate chip cookie cheesecake bars from All the Nourishing Things are easy, allergy-friendly, and good for your gut! Because theyโ€™re sugar-free, you can enjoy this crazy-good dessert without spiking your blood sugar!ย 

Paleo Salted Walnut Butter Blondiesย โ€“ย On a grain-free, refined-sugar free diet? No need to miss out on delicious treats! These paleo salted walnut butter blondies are the perfect way to get in your sweets without compromising your health.

Death by Chocolate Paleo Blender Browniesย โ€“ย These death by chocolate blender browniesย from Delicious Obsessions are undoubtedly one of the richest things Iโ€™ve ever made. Theyโ€™re not for the faint-of-chocolate-heart! Dark and fudgy, and sweetened with only fruit and honey, theyโ€™re the perfect thing if youโ€™re craving chocolate!

Healthy Grain-Free Cranberry Cheesecake Barsย โ€“ย These healthy cranberry cheesecake bars from Recipes to Nourish are so festive and perfect for the stay-at-home date nights! Theyโ€™re made with a homemadeย shortbread crust, protein-rich cheesecake center and topped with a naturally sweetened cranberry sauce.ย 

Perfect Paleo Chocolate Cake โ€“ย The perfect paleo chocolate cake is right around the corner, friends! This easy, blender cake is full of decadent chocolate flavor and a delicious crumb. Itโ€™s so easy youโ€™ll be making it again and again!

close up of honey roasted peanuts from raiasrecipes.com

Homemade Honey Roasted Peanuts

Finger foods

Sprouted Candied Nuts & Seedsย โ€“ย Learn how to make candied nuts and seeds the real food way from Raising Generation Nourished! Sprouted for better digestion and using better sweeteners without the junk!

Crunchy Cinnamon Sugar Chickpeasย โ€“ย The sweetness of cinnamon sugar, without the sugar! The perfect crunchy snack to satisfy your sweet craving in a healthy way! Gluten-free, vegan, and sugar-free, these chickpeas from Strength & Sunshineย are roasted with cinnamon and stevia for a well balanced snack any time of day!

Homemade Honey Roasted Peanutsย โ€“ Love honey roasted peanuts, but not the unhealthy ingredients in the store-bought ones? These easy, real food, homemade honey roasted peanuts are sure to be a sweet hit.

Bacon Wrapped Cheese Stuffed Datesย โ€“ย Bacon-wrapped, cheese-stuffed dates from Recipes to Nourishย are the most delicious small bites. Theyโ€™re the perfect real food snack to enjoy with someone you love.ย 

Italian Garlic Breadsticks โ€“ These easy keto Italian garlic Breadsticks are the perfect side! Serve them with a bowl of easy dipping sauce for added fun!

Delicious recipes for a romantic stay-at-home date night. #datenight #valentinesday #romantic #grainfree #glutenfree #realfood #treats

This post is sponsored by Melt: Massage for Couples.