DNI Dream Together Date guide

Volume 4, 2018

Date Night In

#DATENIGHTINBOX

• date night in box •

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Date Night In Box D r e a m To g e t h e r •

Editor’s Note Welcome to your Date Night In DREAM TOGETHER experience. As our company continues to grow at rates we never imagined possible, I had a moment of reflection recently where I realized that I have outlined and established goals for Date Night In as a company, but why don’t I do the same for my relationship? As I entered my 30s with two small children, I had to admit and take note of the fact that it’s easy to “drive on autopilot.” I know many of you out there can relate.

My hope for Date Night In is that it breaks up your daily routine and allows you to reconnect with your partner. My inspiration for the final product we deliver to your door each month comes from real-life experiences, and I hope you walk away from this date excited for your future.

Dreaming together will require some of you to step out of your comfort zones. Use your imagination, speculate, and try to consider options for how your shared life will change, develop, and deepen as the years pass.

We love seeing photos of you enjoying your date night. Share your photos using the hashtags #DateNightInBox and #DNIDream for a chance to win a free date next month!

Dream Big, Founder of Date Night In

Megan Pruitt

D r e a m To g e th e r • Date Night In Box

What you can expect Optional Dinner Menu & Table Talk

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Set the Mood

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Relationship Dream List

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Create Your Dreamcatcher

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Enjoy Your Included Snack

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Scattergories Dreams

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Enjoy Your Night

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Ways to Continue Your Night

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WhaT’s Included in your box 2 Individual Dream Lists

2 Pencils

1 Master Dream List

1 Bag of Beef Jerky

1 Scattergories Dreams Game Pad

1 Dreamcatcher Kit

1 Candle

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Date Night In Box D r e a m To g e t h e r •

Optional u n e M r e n n i D With Marina Makes, from marinamakesblog.com

Hi, friends! I’m Marina from marinamakesblog.com, and I’m glad you’ll be enjoying these dreamy activities at home. How great is this box? I love that this date encourages you and your significant other to take a night to discuss your dreams and ambitions. I’ve always been a big dreamer, and when I’m not dreaming about my future, I’m dreaming about food. You know, a good cheese pull, a juicy burger, or a fluffy cheesecake.

This month’s menu includes food that takes me up to the clouds and beyond. I hope you enjoy these recipes as much as I do!

The Dreamiest Pasta Salad You’ve Ever Had

Cheers, friends!

Prep time: 10-15 min.

Total time: 15-20 min.

Ingredients • • • • • •

8 oz of dried cavatappi pasta (bowtie or shell will work, too) (GF option: brown rice pasta or other GF option) Salt 1 ear of corn 1/2 cup of cherry tomatoes Feta Basil leaves

Ingredients for Feta Pesto (you may have pesto leftover) 1 cup of fresh basil leaves 1/4 cup of chopped walnuts 1/4 cup of olive oil 1 small garlic clove 1/8 teaspoon of salt 1/2 cup of crumbled feta Juice and zest of one lemon

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Directions Step 1: Make the pesto. Combine walnuts, olive oil, and garlic in a food processor or blender until smooth. Add the basil, salt, feta, lemon juice, and zest to the mixture and process until combined.

Step 2: Prep your corn and tomatoes. Dice the cherry tomatoes

in half and set aside. If you’re using corn on the cob, heat your grill or a grill pan on the stove to high heat. Add the corn and cook until slightly blackened on all sides. Remove from the heat and cool slightly. Using a knife, cut the kernels off and set aside to add to the pasta.

Step 3: Bring a medium pot of water to a boil over high heat. Add a tablespoon or two of salt to the pot and then add the pasta. Cook it according to the al dente time indicated on the box. When the pasta is done, drain it and add it to a large bowl. Top with pesto, corn, and tomatoes and stir to combine. Top with additional feta and basil leaves.

The pasta is best served hot or at room temperature.

am e r D ’s t h g i N r e m m su d Mi Panzan ella Salad Prep time: 5-10 min.

Total time: 15 min.

Ingredients • 3-5 slices of baguette bread (day old bread is best) • Olive oil • 3-4 very ripe vine tomatoes (heirloom tomatoes will work well, too), halved and sliced • Half of a small cucumber, thinly sliced • Several thin slices of red onion • 1/3 cup of crumbled feta • 1 tablespoon of fresh oregano, chopped • Salt and pepper

Directions

Brush the baguette slices with a small amount of olive oil. Set your grill or frying pan to a medium-high heat and place the baguette slices on it for about 1 minute until they’re slightly charred. Cube the bread and set aside.

In a medium bowl, combine tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, feta, oregano, 1/4 cup of olive oil, and salt and pepper to taste. Let the salad sit out at room temperature for about 10 minutes to allow the tomato juices to soak up the flavor of the vegetables and cheese.

Just before serving, add the bread, and mix to combine.

D r e a m To g e th e r • Date Night In Box

Tools • • • • •

2 wine glasses Cutting board Knife Tongs Food processor or blender

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Medium pot Strainer Microwaveable medium bowl Small bowl Measuring spoons

Tip

Your pasta will always turn out more flavorful if you add a good amount of salt to the boiling water. Adding salt allows the pasta and its starches to soak up the flavor.

I Dream of Rosé Ingredients • Bottle of rosé, chilled

(non-alcoholic option: sparkling lemonade or juice)

This one requires no prep or additional ingredients because rosé is dreamy on its own and pairs well with the foods you’re going to enjoy. Just chill a bottle and pour in a glass. If you’re looking for a nonalcoholic version, I’d recommend a sparkling lemonade or juice – Target sells a couple!

(makes 9-10)

Directions

Fluffy Coconut & Almond Macaroon s Prep time: 10 min.

Total time: 30-35 min.

Ingredients • 7 oz of shredded coconut • 1/2 cup of condensed milk • 3 tablespoons of sliced almonds • 1 teaspoon of vanilla • 1 large egg white • 1/8 teaspoon of salt • 1/4 cup of dark melting chocolate • Parchment paper

Preheat your oven to 325 degrees and place a sheet of parchment paper on a cookie sheet. In a medium bowl, stir the coconut, condensed milk, sliced almonds, and vanilla together. Set aside. In a separate small bowl, using a hand mixer or whisk, beat the egg white and salt until stiff peaks form. Add the egg mixture to the coconut mixture and stir to combine.

Using a spoon or your hands (ideally sprayed with cooking spray), form little macaroon rounds and place them on the parchment paper. The macaroons should be about an inch apart from each other. Cook for 20-25 minutes or until the edges turn golden brown. Set aside and let them cool completely before dipping them into the melted chocolate.

Melt the dark chocolate in a microwaveable medium bowl in 30-second intervals until melted. Dip the macaroons into the melted chocolate and lay them back on the parchment paper. Let the chocolate harden at room temperature or put the cookies in the fridge to speed up the process.

Once the chocolate is hardened, you can enjoy.

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e Talk abAmylMiller, TWith from freshlymarried.com

Note From Amy

To my husband and I, dreaming together means adding items to our bucket list! We have short-term items like specific activities we want to do, but we also have long-term items like having a vacation home and going on a service mission for our church. I’m looking forward to the mindset this date will bring us, getting us thinking about what other awesome experiences we want to add to our bucket list! Furthermore, I hope it will get us wanting to ACT more on our bucket list!

#tabletalk

The idea of sharing your hopes and dreams as individuals and as a couple is meaningful to a relationship! It brings many positives to your life because it’s a very hopeful concept. We all need things to look forward to, especially if our current life circumstances aren’t ideal. Working toward something feels purposeful and satisfying.

Sharing your hopes and dreams can also greatly benefit your relationship. For example, thinking about the future together and making goals and plans can be exciting! I also believe that it gives you the opportunity to strengthen your connection with each other by being attracted to your partner’s desires and drive, as well as seeing him or her want to support you in your dreams.

One fun and easy way to dream together is with bucket lists or by creating a list of things you want to do in life. I think most people have ideas floating in the back of their minds about what they would include on a bucket list. However, are we sharing them with our partners? Are we including our partners in the experiences we want to have and in the goals we want to achieve? Are these items on your list something you can include your partner in?

What better way to get into this “dreaming together” mindset than by eating your dreamy dinner together while talking about each other’s dreams?! Lots of dreaming going on here!

Take this dinner conversation opportunity to discuss items on your bucket list with each other. Share those items you would like to do soon and the items you want to do later in life. If they are experiences you could do alone, ask your partner if he or she would like to participate with you! Don’t forget the most important part, which is to share WHY those items are on your list.

Here are some questions that can be your guide: • What items on your bucket list are you most looking • • • • •

forward to doing?

What is something you’ve always wanted to do but haven’t for whatever reason?

What would you want for your future family life?

Are there experiences you have already done that you would want to do again? Would you do them differently or the same?

Is there something in particular on your bucket list that you would like to do together?

Which item on your list would you like to do in the coming year?

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Date Night In Box D r e a m To g e t h e r •

To set the mood, we have included a custom playlist for you to enjoy by visiting nightinboxes.com/music.

If you haven’t already, now would be a great time to light your included candle from our friends at Northern Lights Candles . This custom-selected scent of Vanilla Oud includes scents of Tahitian vanilla bean and exotic oud wood balanced with notes of oakmoss, sensual davana, Tibetan musk, and fresh tobacco leaf.

Create Your Relationship Dream List A Note Before You Begin: This task isn’t meant to be a to-do list. Our goal is to help you create a dream list that provides a roadmap or sense of mutual direction that will allow you to dream as one with each other’s support.

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Take the next 5 minutes and begin by filling out your individual shortterm goals. To begin, find a cozy spot and grab your included individual dream list cards. You will fill these out separately and privately. Take 5 minutes to open your mind and think about what short-term dreams you would like to see manifest in your life. Now that you have had some time to think about your individual short-term dreams, take the next 5 minutes to capture those dreams by writing them down on your individual dream list cards.

Isn’t it exciting to dream big? Now take a moment to think about your long-term goals and dreams.

Take another 5 minutes to imagine large and small longterm dreams.

Next, take an additional 5 minutes and put “pen to paper” and fill out your individual longterm goals.

Swap lists with your partner and take turns reading your dreams aloud to each other, starting with short-term goals.

Discuss each dream on the list with your partner.

What attracts your partner to each dream? Ask how your partner feels about these dreams and explain how you think you can help support your partner in his or her dreams.

Repeat the same process with your long-term goals.

Find the common ground. The goal of this next step will be to find a way to combine your lists into one.

Your lists may not immediately align, and often they won’t at first. Identify possible themes; for example, do you both have financial, emotional, physical, sexual, parenting, spiritual, material possession goals, etc.?

To complete this activity, you will now take a moment to combine your individual lists into one master “Our Dream List.” You can choose as a couple how to prioritize this list. Perhaps you will create a chronological timeline of achievable dreams. Another way to create the master dream list would be to alternate dreams between you and your significant other.

Find the method of organization that truly suits you as a couple.

There is no wrong way to prioritize the list!

It’s equally important that you both make a promise to each other to make your dreams a reality. Place this list in a visible location where you will both see it.

Cross off your dreams when they become realities and revisit your list on a frequent basis so it can evolve as life changes!

Dream In spiration: Financial: Budgeting, investing and saving for a purchase, etc.

Household: Menu planning, home improvement, projects, lawn care, moving, etc.

Physical: Exercise, healthy eating, stress management, etc.

Social: Hosting a party, getting to know neighbors, making more friends, etc.

Spiritual: Prayer, Bible verses, family devotions, etc.

Family: Expanding, more quality time, participating in activities, being present, etc.

Couple: Listening, improving intimacy, less screen time, growing old together, etc.

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Date Night In Box D r e a m To g e t h e r •

Following the directions on your dreamcatcher kit, collaborate to make your dreamcatcher.

The dreamcatcher you create will symbolize the dreams you weave together, and you should protect them like a spider that spins its webs. The feathers you attach will act as a fluffy, pillow-like ladder that allows your dreams to gently descend upon you. Place this dreamcatcher, like your master dream list, in a visible location. We hope that each time you see it you are reminded of the dreams you HAVE achieved and HOPE to one day achieve together as a team.

D r e a m To g e th e r • Date Night In Box

Enjoy

YOUR INCLUDED

Take a quick break and tear open your Country Archer Jerky Co. Jerky bag.

Whether one of your dream locations is a beach, countryside or mountain top, imagine yourself one with nature, as you take each bite of this handcrafted jerky.

Treat!

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Date Night In Box D r e a m To g e t h e r •

We are putting a dream theme twist on the traditional game of Scattergories. In this version, all the statements or questions are focused on dreaming big with your partner or in your relationship, such as, “Where would your partner take his or her dream vacation,” and “What would your partner’s dream date night be?” We hope it will give you a chance to end your date night with a laugh and maybe even learn something new about each other!

Enjoy!

Contents:

• Scattergories Dreams Pad • 2 pencils • Digital timer

object: Beating the timer, complete a category list with answers that begin with the same letter. Score points if no other player matches your answers. To win the game, score the most points.

game prep Take a quick minute to distribute your category lists, answer pads, and pencils. Next, you will need to locate your alphabet letters, tear the page off, cut them out, and use your empty date box to hold the letters that will determine the fate of your game.

Separate the category cards. Each player will need lists 1 through 6 (we have also included bonus lists if you would like to continue the game).

Next, you will need to access your digital timer for the game by visiting datenightinbox.com/dream-timer You are ready to play!

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Extending your date night in If you are interested in extending your Date Night In, we have a few suggestions to keep you Dreaming Together!

Inspiring movies: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

The Pursuit of Happiness A League of Their Own Cinderella Man Hidden Figures Darkest Hour Milk Lion Selma Joy To Kill a Mockingbird Lady Bird Seabiscuit Wild Remember the Titans School of Rock Erin Brockovich The Theory of Everything Mr. Holland’s Opus

Until n ext month!

– The Night In Boxes Team!

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@datenightinbox #datenightinbox #DNIdream