All You Need for a Romantic Stay-At-Home Date Night

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), here’s a little list of all you need for a romantic stay-at-home date night – complete with a list of delicious gluten-free treats, and a wonderful massage. 

A work in progress.

For those of you who don’t know me – which is probably almost all of you – I’m going to let you in on a little secret about myself: I am not a romantic girl. But as often happens, opposites attract, and I married a guy who cries during Return to Me. 

But regardless of my personality, I know the importance of date nights. When you have five six crazy kids running around you like banshees all day (well, technically only five of them can run – one’s just learning to walk) you NEED time alone with your spouse! And even if you’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. While I’d be happy with a movie and a bucket of ice cream between us, my husband is more of a “let’s do something special” kind-of guy. So lately I’ve been working on more “something special.” Wanna know how?

Keto Italian Garlic Bread Sticks

Melt: Massage for Couples

Thankfully, something special doesn’t mean you have to leave the house. After the kids are locked in their room until they fall asleep snug in bed and the dinner dishes are washed soaking for tomorrow, my husband and I have been settling down and trying something new.

Through the Melt series, done by Australian massage therapist Denis Merkas and his wife Emma, my husband and I have been learning how to give each other killer massages. (Please note that the use of the word ‘killer’ is completely idiomatic, in case you were worried.)

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

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

Denis goes through everything: the best positioning for giving/receiving massages (and it’s not the bed – what?), how to properly apply massage oil (and what kinds to use!), as well as simple, easy-to-remember techniques that go way beyond a simple back rub. The massage routines don’t take long to learn, but they’re an amazing way to unwind and relax with your spouse. 

My Take on Melt

While my husband and I chose to watch the sessions after our kids went to bed, they’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 can watch them in your down time (what’s that again?) during the day. In all, it took us three nights to get through the 2+ hours of Denis’ material, and it was totally worth the time spent!

Now, besides being unromantic, I’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. Even after just going through the basics, the massage my husband gave me almost put me to sleep, and the morning after our first session he even remarked that it was the first time in a long time he’d woken up and not been sore somewhere.

So, what are you waiting for?

Sound like a date night you’d love to give your spouse? Denis is giving my readers (that’d be you) 20% off the retail price of the entire package of Melt courses. (That’s only $89 (usually $147 in total.) You’ll get lifetime accesses to all the sessions, which includes learning 3 massage routines that cover basic and advanced massaging techniques, as well as massaging highlights.

• The Basic Series starts with going over some common massage mistakes and teaching the foundations of massage, ending with a 5 minute follow-along massage routine.
• The Highlights Series shows you how to find the tough spots and work them out. This series covers the neck, shoulders, lower back, arms, head and ends with a 15-minute massage routine.
• The Deep Tissue Series is left to the very end for good reason – it’s amazing stuff, but it shouldn’t be over-emphasized. This series also ends with an epic 30-minute massage follow-along massage routine. 

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

Click Here to Get Melt!

Before You Melt…

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!

Nourishing Spiced Hot Cocoa

Non-Alcoholic Drinks

Mixed Berry Switchel – When you’re needing a cold refreshing drink this summer reach for this easy, anti-inflammatory mixed berry switchel! It’s paleo, GAPS-friendly, and refined sugar-free. 

Lemon Pomegranate Spritzer with Chia – Whether it’s warm or chilly out, you’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 – On chilly mornings and evenings, there’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 warmth up a notch. 

Instant Pot Mexican Hot Chocolate – 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 Kefir – Elderberry kefir is a healthy healing probiotic drink packed with probiotics and the immune boosting vitamins of elderberries. Since it’s made with water kefir, it’s paleo and vegan, too!

Paleo Black Betty from All the Nourishing Things

Alcoholic Drinks

Cranberry Coconut Daiquiri – This real food, paleo cranberry coconut daiquiri is a wonderfully festive and healthy drink. It’s bursting with flavor and full of ingredients and nutrients you need to stay hydrated and healthy! 

Dark Hot Chocolate Shots – These delicious paleo and GAPS-friendly dark hot chocolate shots are just what you need when you’re looking for something quick and healthy to satisfy your chocolate cravings!

Paleo Black Betty (Blackberry & Sage Cocktail) – 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, it’s also quite tasty! Try this low-carb paleo blackberry and sage cocktail from All the Nourishing Things for your next date night in!

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

Sweet & Salty Chocolate Bar with Fruit & Nuts 

No-Bake Treats

Triple Chocolate Mousse Shooters – Decadent and delicious, these triple chocolate mousse shooters are not only easy to whip up, they’re full of healthy, real food goodness!

Paleo Chocolate Coconut Bars – Easy and delicious, these no-bake paleo chocolate coconut bars are a hit wherever they’re served! With only a few real-food ingredients, you’ll be devouring them in no time.

Raw Banana Brownie Parfait – This raw banana brownie parfait from the Unconventional Baker is super easy to throw together and tastes absolutely amazing as it is!

Chocolate Avocado Nice Cream – 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 & Nuts – This delicious and easy-to-make sweet and salty chocolate bar with fruit and nuts is the perfect healthy treat for chocolate lovers! It’s naturally gluten-free, and also dairy and refined sugar free with a paleo option.

Browned Butter Chocolates

Chocolate Rum Balls – Perfectly chewy, fudgey, and flavorful, and free from gluten, dairy, refined sugars, soy, these chocolate run balls from the Unconventional Baker are perfect for an allergen-free treat.

Probiotic Cheesecake Ice Cream – 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 – 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 Truffles – These toasted coconut truffles  from What the Fork are the perfect chocolate coconut pairing. Truffles made with coconut milk and rich chocolate are rolled in toasted coconut. Few ingredients, easy to make and totally delicious.

Grain-Free Cranberry Cheesecake Bars from Recipes to Nourish

Baked Treats

Paleo Chocolate Nut Butter Tart – This easy prep chocolate nut butter tart from Raising Generation Nourished is rich and decadent using all real food ingredients!

Dark Chocolate Almond Flour Brownies – 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, they’re a perfectly healthy treat, too!

Keto Chocolate Chip Cookie Cheesecake Bars – These chocolate chip cookie cheesecake bars from All the Nourishing Things are easy, allergy-friendly, and good for your gut! Because they’re sugar-free, you can enjoy this crazy-good dessert without spiking your blood sugar! 

Paleo Salted Walnut Butter Blondies – 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 Brownies – These death by chocolate blender brownies from Delicious Obsessions are undoubtedly one of the richest things I’ve ever made. They’re not for the faint-of-chocolate-heart! Dark and fudgy, and sweetened with only fruit and honey, they’re the perfect thing if you’re craving chocolate!

Healthy Grain-Free Cranberry Cheesecake Bars – These healthy cranberry cheesecake bars from Recipes to Nourish are so festive and perfect for the stay-at-home date nights! They’re made with a homemade shortbread crust, protein-rich cheesecake center and topped with a naturally sweetened cranberry sauce. 

Perfect Paleo Chocolate Cake – 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. It’s so easy you’ll be making it again and again!

Homemade Honey Roasted Peanuts

Finger foods

Sprouted Candied Nuts & Seeds – 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 Chickpeas – 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 & Sunshine are roasted with cinnamon and stevia for a well balanced snack any time of day!

Homemade Honey Roasted Peanuts – 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 Dates – Bacon-wrapped, cheese-stuffed dates from Recipes to Nourish are the most delicious small bites. They’re the perfect real food snack to enjoy with someone you love. 

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

This post is sponsored by Melt: Massage for Couples.