December Date Night: Frisky Fortune Cookies + Cashew Chicken Recipe

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #KYTrySomethingNew #CollectiveBias

Momma Told Me: Life can get in the way.

The holidays are in full swing (Tell me something I don't know Jenna, right?) Okay, did you know our family celebrates Christmas twice? Because half of the family lives on the East Coast, and the other half here in Southern California, we are always sure to have the tree trimmed and decorated for Thanksgiving. Since my grandparents can't take an entire month off to visit, we cram all of the Winter holidays into one in November, then do it again with local family in December. Sure, after a 'dry run' on turkey day, the real thing goes off without a hitch- but it's still a heck of a lot of planning. After all, half of our shopping and gifts have to be done before Black Friday!

I'm quite fortunate though, Jay doesn't mind hauling out boxes of decorations, assisting in the wrapping of piles of gifts, or the residual glitter from having to hang my favorite pink zebra sequined globe at the top of the tree. He's a trooper. In fact, this will be our 4th holiday season together, and we are constantly creating new traditions, while celebrating the old. However, it can be quite hard to find time for just the two of us in between his full time job, and holiday overtime, and my schedule with the blog, daycare, and holiday event planning. So, this year, I'm instituting a new tradition; December Date Night.

Few people know this, but our first official date was over lunch at a Chinese restaurant- He'll say our first date was over frozen yogurt at 11pm at night after bowling league, but I call that an impromptu hang out. So, for me, there has always been something special about returning to that ritual of sharing a good conversation, in great company, over some cashew chicken and fortune cookies. It may sound silly, and even a bit childish, but we always wrap the meal up by playing the humorous 'in bed' game with our fortunes. It's simple, add the words 'in bed' to your actual fortune cookie fortune, and see who has the more amusing twist! I don't think we haven't gotten a gem yet- and it's a great way to start a flirty dialogue with your other half over a few smiles!

This year, I'm taking time out of our busy holiday season to schedule date nights- Scheduling time with your significant other may not be the most optimal scenario, but sometimes it's a necessity. If we didn't make time to reconnect with one another an entire season would go by lacking that intimacy healthy relationships require. So, inspired by our first date, I decided to make date night more memorable with homemade slow cooker cashew chicken and Frisky Fortune Cookies.

Homemade fortune cookies may seem a bit overwhelming, but they're actually quite fun to make, and really easy to get the hang of. Best of all, they can be made with basic baking ingredients you already have on hand! 

1. Simply prepare the recipe at the bottom of this post and place the batter into a piping bag with a small corner snipped.

2. Pipe tight spiral circles onto a well greased cookie sheet to about 2"- Only pipe 2-3 cookies at a time, as the cookies will set quickly upon removal from the oven and you will need time to fold them.

3. Next, tilt the tray left right, up, and down, to coax the batter to spread and thin in a round circular shape. Once your batter circles are near 2.5-3" place the cookie sheet in a pre-heated oven and bake for 4-5MIN, or until the outer edges are golden brown (the center will remain light.)

4. Immediately move from the oven and carefully remove the cookies with a spatula. The cookies will be hot so be mindful of temperature! Place one of our Frisky Fortune strips (FREE Printable here,) in the center of the cookie and fold loosely in half.

5.Grabbing the two creased edges pull down on the corners alongside the rim of a glass to create a crescent shape. Place folded cookies in a muffin tin to cool and set.

Of course there are a few other things you will want to have on hand and prepared for a December Date Night- you can grab our Cashew Chicken recipe below too, it slow cooks in 3-4 hours so there's little fuss there. You'll also want to have a few other things sorted out, like who will be watching the kids (if you have them,) what you'll be wearing (or not wearing), and how you'll continue the mood after dinner. Since this date night is in your home, you're free to really reconnect with your partner- I've given you some breadcrumbs with my Frisky Fortunes, it's up to you to determine where they'll lead. Perhaps a pampering massage or something a little more intimate?

For us, date night is all about reconnecting and nurturing the emotional and physical bond we share so I also did a little exploring at Walmart while shopping for my date night essentials. Armed with this $2 off one K-Y® product printable coupon I made a beeline to the personal hygiene and wellness aisle where I discovered K-Y® TOUCH® 2-In-1 Massage Creme and Pleasure Gel. It's a whole new way for couples to connect and explore through touch-based connections. The non-greasy gel magnifies skin's sensetivity in a very subtle, building effect that truly enhances the sensations of massage and other passionate activities.

Half the fun in a date night is the unwinding and reconnecting that goes on between two people so committed to one another. Sometimes our commitment can be taken for granted when we get comfortable and feel as though our significant other will 'always' be there- but it's especially important during busy and hectic times such as the holiday season to make time to engage one another without all of the distractions of busy lives. We've survived our 'pre-holiday' holiday, but still have one coming up; I think another date night is in order! For more tips on increasing intimacy, no matter the time of year, check out these Intimacy Tips with Dr. Laura Berman. How do you plan on making time for romance with your partner this holiday season?

What Daughter Says: There may be a lot of awesome things going on this holiday season, but it's important that you take time out to ensure your relationship is one of them!

Slow Cooker Cashew Chicken Recipe

***Click here for printable Slow Cooker Cashew Chicken recipe

The Freedom To Be Spontaneous And Other Relationship Secrets

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #TheMoodStrikes #CollectiveBias

Momma Told Me: Relationships are work.

If you've been with Momma Told Me since the beginning (yes, way back in the dark days of over saturated pixelated photos) you may recall this blog's URL was originally "Momma Said Days Like These" yadda yadda Blogger dot com. And back in those days, on my first marriage, it very clearly resonated with where I was in my life. Relationships take work ya'll. In between the unexpected bills, the ups and downs of physical health, natural disasters, an just plain rude ex girlfriends (too personal?) you have to find time to put in the hours. But there's good news, its the kinda job you should always love- yes, fun at work. Relationships, whether they're professional, family, or friends all require nurturing and attention. And romantic relationships, which are ultimately hoped to be life long are no exceptions to the rule. So I've compiled a few of my Top 5 Relationship Secrets for a healthy relationship- no need to take notes, I've even added Pin-Photos!

Communication- It goes without saying (get it?) that communicating with your significant other is the most important task at hand on any given day. Whether this is through a simple gestures, such as making them a cup of coffee before work, or relaying the schedule for the day ahead in physical conversation. Communicating your shared needs, goals and individual feelings are key to great communication. But what if you can't always tackle those more touchy subjects? Have you ever had one of those days where both of you go to bed, one wondering why the other hasn't said a word all evening, the other silently brooding on the far edge of your bed?

That's precisely where The Elephant In The Room comes in. It's not my original idea, but it's a concept that is easily adapted to fit many relationships and has truly worked wonders in mine. The process is simple. 1. Buy a stuffed elephant and an acrylic case (you may even have one laying around from when collecting Beanie Babies was cool in the 90s.) 2. Place the elephant, in the case, in a prominent location in your home. 3. When one of you has something they're generally steamed/confused/worried about, remove the elephant from the case. This will give your partner a clear idea that something is bothering you. 4. When your partner is ready to focus on and discuss the problem with you they should take the elephant and approach you to open a safe grounds for communication. Thus 'the elephant in the room' has now been addressed.

Keeping Up Appearances- Studies indicate one of the primary reasons for disconnect in a romantic relationship is one or more of the party's perceived lack of attraction. There's always that one woman at the grocery store looking as though she just stepped off a Cosmo magazine with her two perfectly quiet kids dressed head to toe in L.L. Bean; how can you compare? It's no secret you look your sexiest when you feel your sexiest, but it is a secret how on Earth 'those women' manage to keep up with all the coloring, plucking, and shaving while running a household full time with a job.

If you're like me, and can't afford  a house full of help, and shiatsu massages twice a week, your secret is just this simple; do something. Anything, really, just pick one or two things a week to do for yourself. Can't afford an hour bath by candlelight? Take a 20 minute soak with some aromatherapy oils. Using the excuse "It's Winter" to explain away those scratchy legs? Buy yourself a brand new, nice, razor and indulge in 10 minutes of relaxing shave time. That short time spent on you each week can do wonders for your confidence and mood in your relationship!

Now that you've worked on communication and spent some time taking care of yourself, it's time to find time to connect with your partner. Sure the two of you see each other every evening, and there's the week night sitcoms you chuckle together over after the kids have gone to bed- but when was the last time you spent some time reconnecting outside the home? Making time, or the budget, for a date doesn't have to be overwhelming. Staying active and engaged is crucial to a healthy relationship.

Take as much stress out of 'date night' as possible by going low key. Make sure both parties understand that connecting, one-on-one, for any period of time, doing anything, is preferred over any extravagant meals or fancy clothes. For example, resolve to eat fast food (we like to go with kids meals and have a little fun, but Subway or other fast serve value options work just as well,) and wear 'civilian' clothes while the two of you go to a second run movie or visit the local boardwalk/arcade. Just because you have kids doesn't mean you can't enjoy acting like one now and then!

Never Stop Reminding Them How You Feel- This is another one of those things we get 'lazy' on as our relationship progresses. Whether you're in the 6 months slump, or heading towards 10 years of wedded bliss; it's easy to lose track of all that bliss and the singing birds when the real world works its way into your relationship. Always be sure to stop and take the time to remind your partner how much you care, and how much you appreciate them. Just a few moments a day, even repeating something they may already know, let them know that you not only appreciate them and love them, but that you think about it every day. Try filling a simple pill case with a little something sweet and a daily note for them to enjoy every morning, or at the end of a long day. I've included an exclusive Daily Love Reminder printable (my first one ever!) to help you out. Check it out at the bottom of this post!

Be ready for anything- even when your body isn't as willing as your heart. It's not something women discuss often; certainly not women my age. However, I certainly know that life can get in the way of an active and healthy relationship when it comes to connecting with your partner one-on-one. I, personally, take a myriad of medications that seem to jumble my physical cues with my emotional ones, and I am seldom prepared to join the race when the starting gun fires. It's a personal issue that causes me quite a bit of frustration and missed connections within my relationship.

Thankfully, I discovered K-Y® Liquibeads for couples; an advanced moisturizer that acts and feels as organic as my own. They are easy to use and only require 30 minutes advanced placement (via a comfortable applicator similar to a tampon) and can provide intimate moisture for over a day, so your body is always as willing as you when the timing is right. Best of all this revolutionary aid for couples is sold at a number of common retailers, such as Walgreens, Target, and Walmart, near the contraceptives or behind the pharmacy counter, and you can print a special $1 off coupon to try it for yourself.

Let's face it, relationships will always be a lot of work, but the putting the time in doesn't have to feel like a chore with these simple tips for a healthier and more spontaneous relationship!

What Daughter Says: Reclaim your relationship and make it the best job you've ever had!

Curious to learn more about how to be ready when #TheMoodStrikes with K-Y® Liquibeads? Check out our fun video below!

Want to be ready when #TheMoodStrikes? I discovered the secret to intimacy as spontaneous as my relationship. Discover how K-Y® Liquibeads can take the hassle out of preparing for that magic moment and free you up to focus on what really matters- you and your partner! #ad #CollectiveBias

A video posted by Jenna Marie's (@mommatoldme) on Dec 12, 2014 at 3:59pm PST

Click here for the free Daily Love Reminder PDF Printable