The ultimate date night checklist

Whether you’re planning an intimate night in or splashing out at your favourite restaurant, Sjaan van der Ploeg has put together a fool-proof checklist that ticks all the right boxes.   

Long-distance love?
Bridge the gap like this…  

1. Order flowers, cake, a card or special gift to be delivered to where they are staying.  

2. Rope in family members. Ask a sibling or parent to help you surprise your partner and make them feel special despite the distance.  

3. For the hopeless romantics, book a flight to surprise your partner on the day, just make sure they aren’t doing the same thing!  

Date night out?
Don’t forget to run through these key points:  

BEFORE
– Make a restaurant reservation at least a week before to get that scenic seat.
– Make it official. Send your partner a formal invite to them to this special dinner date.
– If you’re giving a gift, sneak into your bedroom before you head out and place it on your partner’s pillow to surprise them when you get home.  

DURING
– Order a few dishes to share between the two of you so your experience can be interactive.
Turn your phone on silent to be fully present for your dinner.  

AFTER
– Find somewhere different to go for dessert, and take a walk together in a park or along a promenade.  

Date night in? 
Follow these top tips:  
– Set up the table beautifully (take a look at Kitchen 101 on page 10 of the February issue for tips!)
– Add a picture frame, candle, vase of flowers, box of chocolates or a special trinket to finish off the table.
– Make sure all the food prep and clean-up is done before the night so that you can focus on your partner and be present.
– If your partner’s love language is quality time: rope them into helping you with dinner — make it a fun and interactive experience and enjoy the process of creating delicious food together.  

Love on the brain  

Love languages in the limelight
The five different love languages developed by author Gary Chapman have been embraced around their world as a tool for improving the way in which we prefer to show and receive affection. Here are a few gift ideas that cater to each type:  

Words of affirmation
You communicate your love and affection towards your partner through talking. A few compliments and words of encouragement will go a long way.  
Try This 
Write a well thought-out love letter about your favourite memories together, what you love about them, and your hopes for your future.  

Physical touch

Physical touch says it all; your partner feels comforted by your touch, they feel connected to you and reassured in the relationship by simply feeling your touch or presence.  
Try This 
Set up a super special at-home massage with candles, essential oils, dimmed lights and calm music. Or cosy up together under a blanket to watch your favourite TV show or a movie.
 

Gift giving  
It’s not only the material aspect behind this gift that creates joy, it’s also the fact that there was thought, effort and time that went into the gift. 
Try This 
Order a few of their favourite food-related things. Splurge on an expensive olive oil or treat them to a set of fancy wine glasses, a rare bottle of gin or a kitchen tool that’s a have-to-have.  

Acts of service
This goes beyond the task being done. It’s also about the time and effort put into the process. This does not always have to be geared towards your partner, but can include community service or charity work. 
Try This 
Book a holiday, but handle all the admin. Deal directly with the venue, make any necessary payments and do the shopping if it’s a self-catering vibe.  

Quality time
Quality time is also how people feel connected to their significant other. Leave the phone behind or company laptop switched off.  
Try This 
Enjoy a scenic picnic, drive to a viewpoint or cook together.  

One last thing 
You might not have the same love language as your partner. The special task behind this exercise is to push yourself to do the things your partner loves, despite the difference in the ways you show love and care. 

 Photography: Getty, Fresh Living Magazine, Courtesy Images

The post 5 Ways To Show Love And Understand Your Partner appeared first on MyKitchen.

Families that eat together are healthier together, or so says LANCEWOOD in their recent Quality Time Report on South African families.

These days our lives are so fast-paced and filled with all sorts of distractions that it’s difficult to take a moment to actually be, well, in the moment. From work and traffic to parental responsibilities and social media, there seems to be an endless routine of ‘busy’ – too busy to even enjoy mealtimes anymore.

For decades now, the amount of time families spend together, especially during mealtimes, has been on the decline. That was until the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020. Last year, many of us were forced to stomp on the brakes and slow it down. We were confined to our homes in an effort to stay safe and limit infections, and this meant numerous families were spending more time together. 

It was also during this time that local dairy producer LANCEWOOD conducted their Quality Time research study, which aimed to understand how families spend their mealtimes. Needless to say, the results were interesting.

The Details 

The study was conducted between 12 June and 6 July 2020 with 2 100 participants. LANCEWOOD collaborated with four local experts to share further insight on the research findings and assist South Africans with enhancing quality time over meal-times. This included psychologist Dr Ilse de Beer, TV personality and cookbook author Zola Nene, media personality and author Vanessa Raphaely, and former magazine editor and stylist Vicki Sleet.

The Findings

According to LANCEWOOD’s report, 89% of respondents believe that quality time with friends and family is important. Yet it found that while quality time during meals is valued, there are many responsibilities and barriers that prevent families from prioritising it. These barriers include work (62%), household chores (36%), school activities (35%) and traffic (21%) being the main culprits.

However, many of these barriers were reduced or fell away during the nationwide lockdown last year. With many not working, sitting in traffic or going to school, the report found that 59% of participants said they are eating together more and 43% said that they are cooking together more. With the majority of people spending time at home, it meant that supper wasn’t the only mealtime that family members were present. Being at home all day meant that breakfast, lunch and dinner were prepared and enjoyed together as a family. On the other hand, 20% of the study participants reported that their eating behaviour hadn’t changed at all
during lockdown. 

The majority did notice a change though, and Zola reiterates this. ‘There was absolutely a change, and I know this because of the type of interaction I received on my platforms. People have to cook more, and they need help. They’re also looking for creative ways to elevate their meals without breaking the bank,’ she explains.

The Takeaway

With life returning to a semi-normal state, it is understood that many of the challenges we faced when prioritising mealtimes will return. Yet the experts believe it is more important than ever for us to continue spending quality time together. ‘We need that sense of belonging, the sense of being accepted, a place of safety, and experiencing love and interest in one another’s life. If we do not spend quality time together, we lose that feeling of cohesion,’ says Dr de Beer.

Besides the distractions, there’s also this notion that mealtimes and food needs to be perfect in order for it to be enjoyed. ‘Sharing images of perfection are becoming the norm. But, remember that the image that is held up through social media is only an edited, highly curated version of what life is,’ says Vanessa. And it certainly doesn’t have to be the perfect family setting that we’re used to seeing in the media. Whether you and your family prefer to dine at the table, sit in front of the TV, eat on the floor, or use your hands, there’s no right or wrong way to enjoy your meals – and the same can be said for the food itself. Oftentimes a quick and easy meal is all that you can manage to muster up after a long day, and that is perfectly okay!

‘Creating a space in your home to eat, and actively clearing your mind to be present, goes a long way in having quality time. Where possible, try and separate your workspace from the area where you eat to help with distinguishing between work time and family time,’ suggests Vicki.

Food should always be a joyous occasion and so much more than simply nourishment. It is a way to celebrate, connect, share, show love and bond with others. So the next time you need to prepare a meal, why not involve the whole family, and turn an everyday moment into a quality mealtime moment. 

By: Taryn Wilson
Photography: Gallo/Getty Images

The post LANCEWOOD’s Quality Time Report proves that eating together is better appeared first on MyKitchen.