The Way to a Man's Heart...

"The way to a man's heart is through his stomach!"

I have found that statement definitely to be true in my home. Each of my four men have a passion for food, it brings them joy. (for Micah, 4 weeks, it is an obsession!) Special goodies or meals don't only have to come on days like Valentines Day. Preparing food with love for your man and family on a regular basis is a great way to show love and make them feel special.

If you don't enjoy cooking I encourage you to evaluate how you think about the act of preparing and cooking meals. For me providing my family with homemade nutritious meals is a way that I bless them. Here are some other tips to make preparing and sharing a meal more enjoyable and meaning full at your home:

1. Pray for your family as prepare their food

2. Envolve the kids in the prep. The kitchen holds so many learning opportunities for kids and it will also keep you from getting lonely.

3. Listen to music, an audio book, podcast or the bible as you cook

4. Give thanks for the many hands that worked to get this food to your table

5. Have hubby help prepare. Send the kids off to play and the two of you can have some one on one time chopping, tossing, sauteing, or baking. We find this to be a very beneficial talk time. The kids tend not to interrupt because that they know that will take dinner longer to be made.

6. Plan your meals so you aren't standing with the fridge door wide open at 6:30pm saying what are we going to eat tonight.

7. Choose easy and quick recipes to prepare

Chocolate Mousse

Photo Credit

This may be my favorite dessert. It is simple, quick, nutritious and delicious. My favorite way to have it is on a date nut crust (like the picture up top) but it is also great plain, as a fruit dip, frosting, or frozen as fudge-sicles.

(updated 5-7-11)

1/2 cup packed Medjool Dates, pitted and soaked
1/2 tsp lemon juice

2 lg Avocados mashed (or 3 small)

1/2 cup cocoa powder

1/2 cup water or coconut milk 

Soak Dates in water for at least 4 hours. Place dates and lemon juice in food processor and process until smooth. Add remaining avocados, cocoa powder and half the water and process until creamy. Add additional water until you reach your desired consistency. Serve at room temp or cold.

Date Nut Crust:

1 cup walnuts or pecans

6-10 pitted dates

2 tsp coconut oil

1/4 cup shredded coconut, unsweetened

Optional 1/2 cup unsweetened Cocoa powder

Put everything in a food processor/ blender and mix. Press into pie pan and refrigerate. Top with chocolate mousse and raspberries!