Indulge in the ultimate chocolatey treat with these moist and flavorful Double Chocolate Banana Muffins.
Introduction
These double chocolate banana muffins are decadent and moist with a deep chocolate flavor but can be eaten as a breakfast item, making this muffin the best of both worlds. These muffins are topped with a sweet and crunchy streusel topping.
Those bananas on the counter have got to be used for something, so let’s turn them into a delicious treat!
A soon-to-be antique magazine of Taste of Home is where the base of this recipe came from. I made this recipe over a decade ago for the first time and realized this had serious potential.
After some adjustments, this recipe is more than perfect. My husband, who is not much of a banana bread person, said, “These are emotionally delicious.’
The description that these double chocolate banana muffins are so good they make you emotional is on point.
When baked, this streusel topping becomes crisp and sweet, adding a delightful crunch to each bite. This crumbly topping is a delightful contrast of textures and flavors that will have you wanting to lick up the crumbs.
These double chocolate banana muffins are the type of treats you can make for any occasion. I usually make them in the Fall or for Thanksgiving, but to be honest, bananas start going bad on my counter at any time of the year. Haha.
Ingredients for Double Chocolate Banana Muffins
For the muffins
Flour
Baking soda
Baking powder
Salt
Cocoa powder
Banana
Oil (Avocado, Canola, Veggie)
Mini Chocolate Chips
Streusel Topping
Sugar
Flour
Brown Sugar: 1 tbsp
Cinnamon
Butter (cold)
Instructions for Double Chocolate Banana Muffins
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Mix your dry muffin ingredients and set aside. Sometimes, I skip the part in recipes (mixing wet and dry ingredients separately), but we are aiming for the best double chocolate banana muffins, and this step does make a difference.
Mash banana with a fork or blend until mostly smooth; this does not have to be perfect, and the tiny bits add texture to the muffins. Add egg and oil.
Mix dry ingredients into wet just until incorporated. Add chocolate chips. Do not overmix.
Time to make the streusel topping: whisk sugar, flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon together. Cut the cold butter into small pieces and cut into the dry mix. (I usually just put a glove on and use my hand to squeeze the butter and mixture together til crumbly and combined.)
Pour batter into greased or lined muffin tins. I highly recommend THESE ONES. They are the perfect size for big, beautiful muffins and are made of parchment paper, so they peel away easily. Pour even amounts, about 3/4th full. For me, this recipe usually makes about 10 large muffins, depending on the size of the bananas.
Top each muffin batter with even amounts of streusel topping. You can push the streusel topping down just a bit so it sticks to the batter while cooking.
Bake for 20 to 22 mins.
Enjoy!
When eating these after they’ve completely cooled or the next day, heat them in the microwave for about 14 seconds so they are absolutely perfect again.
Storage Tip: These are best kept covered in an air-tight container for up to 4 days.
When I finally made these muffins this year, I made them for my mother-in-law to take to her bible study and share with the ladies there. Unfortunately, these double chocolate banana muffins were so yummy they never made it to bible study. That’s when you know something is delicious!
I refer to these muffins as “the best muffins in the world.” I hope you give them a shot and discover the same thing. If you try them, please leave a comment, tag me on Instagram (Cottagefulloflove), or send me a message letting me know how it came out!
If you’re a fan of banana bread and chocolate, you’ll love these double chocolate banana muffins. They’re easy to make, delicious, and perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re looking for a quick breakfast or a sweet treat, these muffins are sure to please.
Author:Taylor Fuller
Ingredients
Scale
For the muffins
1 1/2 cups Flour
1 cup sugar
1 tsp Baking soda
1/4 tsp Baking powder
1/2 tsp Salt
1/4 cup Cocoa powder
1 1/3 cup Banana (about 3 mashed bananas)
1/3 cup Oil (Avocado, Canola, Veggie)
1 large Egg
1 cup Mini Chocolate Chips
Streusel Topping
1/2 cup Sugar
1/3 cup Flour
1 tbsp Brown Sugar
1/2 tsp Cinnamon
1/4 cup Butter (cold)
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Mix your dry muffin ingredients and set aside.
Mash banana with a fork or blend until mostly smooth; this does not have to be perfect, and the tiny bits add texture to the muffins. Add egg and oil.
Mix dry ingredients into wet just until incorporated. Add chocolate chips. Do not overmix.
Time to make the streusel topping: whisk sugar, flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon together. Cut the cold butter into small pieces and cut into the dry mix. (I usually just put a glove on and use my hand to squeeze the butter and mixture together til crumbly and combined.)
Pour batter into greased or lined muffin tins. Pour even amounts, about 3/4th full. For me, this recipe usually makes about 10 large muffins, depending on the size of the bananas.
Top each muffin batter with even amounts of streusel topping. You can push the streusel topping down just a bit so it sticks to the batter while cooking.
Bake for 20 to 22 mins.
Enjoy!
When eating these after they’ve completely cooled or the next day, heat them in the microwave for about 14 seconds so they are absolutely perfect again.
Satisfy your sweet tooth with bite-sized carrot cake bliss! This recipe shows you how to make easy, delicious carrot cake bites packed with flavor. Perfect for parties, potlucks, or a quick and easy dessert.
Happy Easter Everyone!!
I am so late to the party making these. I have seen everyone posting their Easter recipes and desserts months ago! But, nonetheless, here I am, getting this up.
These bites are exactly what you want from carrot cake. They are mild and tame in flavor, so no one can resist reaching for another! This is just a cake cut into small, 2-bite pieces. This makes them so cute and dainty. There is just something about small bite-sized desserts that makes them so much more tasty. Also, the cream cheese frosting on top is incredibly perfect; it balances out the mild flavor of the carrot cake.
Table of Contents
Why Carrot Cake?
Carrot cake has a long history, starting as a carrot pudding in 1591; that honestly doesn’t sound too appetizing, but that’s before we had convenient access to all the goodies we do now. Carrot cake then became popular when sugar was rationed, and people were looking for a sweet treat. Throughout the years, it has evolved into the delicious, moist, spiced cake we all know and love today.
While carrot cake is not exclusive to Easter, it seems to go hand in hand in my head. If the Easter bunny could pick a cake, I’m sure he’d choose carrot cake every time. These carrot cake bites are perfect for Easter dinner, an Easter tea party, or a Springtime dessert.
About These Carrot Cake Bites
These carrot cake bites are so moist and spongy. They are somehow even better the next day.
Applesauce: The applesauce makes these so moist and has some extra flavor.
Cinnamon: This gives the cake that little spice that is craved when eating carrot cake. I skipped the ginger because I enjoy the mild flavor of the cake. If you miss it, though, add a little. If you love cinnamon the way I do, check out these Homemade Cinnamon Rolls!
Grated Carrots: You must grate your own carrots. I know they sell pre-grated carrots at the store, and while those are great for a salad, they won’t meld with the cake the same. Get out that grater and DIY those carrots!
Frosting: While you can get away with softening the butter in the microwave and using cold cream cheese, I HIGHLY suggest planning ahead and letting these things soften naturally to room temp first. The creaminess is unmatched!
Fun Toppings
I LOVE these little carrot designs on each piece, and when I tell you I am NOT an artist, I mean it. These were so easy! Just a squiggle and then a little green on top. They all have so much personality! Here are the types of icings I used:
Common Betty Crocker, great stuff.This stuff is worth the money! It’s so great and stores well!
If you aren’t feeling that creative though, feel free to use sprinkles or even just leave it blank! Decorate for someone’s birthday with birthday sprinkles or colored frosting.
Here are a couple of my favorite Amazon sprinkle options:
Sprinkles by ManvscakeEaster Spinkles by Sweets Indeed
These carrot cake bites are mildly spiced with cinnamon and are perfect for parties, potlucks, or a quick and easy dessert for Easter, Springtime, or any time of the year!
Author:Taylor Fuller
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Ingredients
1 1/2 cups Applesauce
2 cups Granulated Sugar
3 Eggs
2 cups All-purpose Flour
1 teaspoon Baking Soda
1 1/2 teaspoon Baking Powder
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1 1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon
2 cups Grated Carrots (about 3 large carrots grated)
Frosting
1/2 cup Softened Butter
8 oz Softened Cream Cheese (1 block)
3 1/2 cups Powdered Sugar
Decorating icing or sprinkles
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a jelly roll pan (12×17) with parchment paper and lightly spray with non-stick spray. (Can replace with a 9×13 pan, but your bites will be much thicker, so increase cook time. If replacing for cupcakes, also adjust the cook time.)
Beat applesauce, sugar, and eggs until smooth.
Add flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. (Technically, this should be mixed separately and then added, but I don’t like doing extra dishes, sooooo do as you wish.) Beat until smooth.
Fold in carrots.
Spread batter into prepared pan and bake for 24-28 mins til toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely before frosting.
Frosting: Beat butter and cream cheese until creamy and fluffy. Add powdered sugar in increments until it is all smooth and delicious.
Remove cake from pan by parchment and frost. I suggest keeping the cake on parchment until serving for easy removal of pieces on parchment.
Get ready to tantalize your taste buds with a delightful treat that combines two classic favorites: rich, moist chocolate cupcakes and fresh strawberries sitting in a homemade strawberry cream cheese frosting. This recipe will be your guide to creating these irresistible chocolate covered strawberry cupcakes, perfect for any occasion, from Valentine’s Day to birthday celebrations or simply a sweet indulgence.
The inspiration for these incredible little buggers came from the chocolate-covered strawberries my husband and I have been addicted to lately! While these are basically STRAWBERRY covered chocolate cupcakes, that doesn’t sound as fun haha!
A few weeks ago, I made these Brownies for Valentine’s Day that were so perfect for packing up and taking to work, school, bible study, or any other gathering for Valentine’s Day.
Do not be intimidated by the amount of ingredients! It’s not as bad as it looks and if you really wanna cut down on the amount of shopping, go ahead and buy a chocolate boxed cake mix or some canned strawberry frosting but I am telling you, this recipe is worth the effort. You will have guests so impressed with the complex flavor of these chocolate covered strawberry cupcakes.
I wanna be totally honest; this was the first recipe where I blended freeze-dried fruit to a powder to add for color and flavor. I am genuinely impressed by how amazing it worked. While I am in love with colored frosting, I am not in love with using food dye for everything.
Making these Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cupcakes
The Cake
This cupcake recipe is a take-off of Ina Garten’s Chocolate Cake Recipe. It does not even compare to the boxed stuff. There was a time where I preached that homemade was just as good as boxed. Boy was I wrong. This recipe is next level.
Coffee in the batter. It gives the cupcake this rich, deep, dark flavor. The flavor is unbeatable!
There is 1/2 heavy cream and 1/2 milk in this chocolate covered strawberry cupcakes recipe but if you choose to replace that with half and half or buttermilk or even just all whole milk your recipe should be just fine!
Frosting
I’m a sucker for cream cheese frosting. While buttercream frosting would probably go just as well, the cream cheese frosting adds to the depth of flavor.
Real strawberries! So I had seen the trend going around of using real freeze-dried fruit, turning it into a powder, and using it in recipes. Go figure, it works AMAZING! The joy I feel, being able to color and add flavor to my frosting without adding dyes or synthetic flavors, makes me so happy. Trader Joe’s sells the perfect sized bags of freeze-dried fruit and for SUCH a reasonable cost! If you’d prefer to Amazon it, here is a great brand to the sized bag in this recipe.
More recipes with freeze-dried fruit powder to come!
Toppings
Pink, red, or white sprinkles are perfect for topping for these chocolate covered strawberry cupcakes! Here are the kind I used but feel free to get creative with fun sprinkles!
Fresh strawberries add a freshness to these cupcakes that set them apart from others. Just add them before setting them out. If making these many hours before a party, try to add them more last minute so the strawberries are as fresh as possible.
These cupcakes are special! The cupcake part of these is moist and rich in flavor, unlike any boxed mix on the market. The frosting is creamy and fruity with real strawberries. Complex flavors make this cupcake different and unique, similar to a chocolate-covered strawberry.
Author:Taylor Fuller
Ingredients
Scale
Cupcakes
Dry Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups granulated sugar
3/4th cup cocoa powder (special dark is the best)
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
Wet Ingredients
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup hot coffee
Frosting
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup salted butter, softened
4 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1.2 oz bag of freeze-dried strawberries (such as this bag from Amazon or Trader Joe’s carries them also)
Toppings
Spinkles
Fresh strawberries, sliced for topping
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Spray cupcake pan with non-stick spray or line with cupcake liners.
Whisk all the dry ingredients together in a large bowl.
In a separate bowl, whisk together all the wet ingredients EXCEPT the coffee.
Slowly add wet ingredients to dry ingredients. Once incorporated, add a cup of hot coffee and mix everything until there are no pockets of dry flour left. The batter will be very thin.
Pour batter into cupcake pan until evenly distributed.
Bake for 20 mins for regular muffins, 15 mins for mini-muffins. Check that a toothpick comes out clean before removing.
For the freeze-dried strawberries: Blend strawberries in a blender until fine powder forms.
Once the cupcakes are cool, whip the frosting ingredients until smooth and light.
Simple ingredients, big flavor: This loaded baked potato soup Dutch oven recipe is made with pantry staples like potatoes, cheese, bacon, and milk. But don’t let the simplicity fool you – it’s packed with flavor!
This Winter has been so chilly! The benefit of that, though, is SOUP! I’ve been focusing on homemade soups this year, and this one is definitely a winner. The bacon and extra cheese on top are really the cherries on top, but to be honest, I ate most of it without the toppings. I really enjoyed the creamy, comforting flavors of this super easy, loaded baked potato soup Dutch oven recipe!
This is another one of my Dutch Oven meals. I have raved about the Dutch Oven so much in previous posts, but let us talk about it again cause it’s just one of my favorite kitchen appliances.
Table of Contents
What is a Dutch Oven?
The Dutch oven was inspired by brass and copper pots made and used in China more than 2,500 years ago. In the 17th century, a man named Abraham Darby returned home to the Netherlands and patented his design for the “Dutch Oven”
In 1891, the beautiful, eye-catching enamel coating was added to the oven, and sales quickly spread through Europe.
Due to its thick walls, Dutch ovens retain heat better than normal pots and work great inside the oven, on the stovetop, or even over a campfire.
The options for cooking with this small appliance are endless. It cooks meat better than any slow cooker ever could, bakes perfectly crispy bread, is perfect for frying, and makes perfect soup.
Want to check out another Dutch Oven soup recipe? Check out this Minestrone Soup!
Why use Dutch Oven for this Loaded Baked Potato Soup?
The Dutch Oven is great. It retains heat beautifully and makes things just taste better. It distributes heat so evenly to the whole surface area of the oven.
You can use the Dutch Oven in the oven to cook bread or meat. It can also be used on the stovetop like an incredible pot for soups and pasta dishes! It is perfect for this loaded baked potato soup Dutch oven recipe!
Are you looking for the most amazing gift for the cook in your life? Open a whole new door to cooking and buy them this quality beauty!
Making this Loaded Baked Potato Soup Dutch Oven Recipe
This recipe has some prep:
Chop the bacon into bite-sized pieces.
Dice the onion small.
Mince the garlic.
Cut the potatoes into little cubes.
And if you’re using fresh, which of course, I recommend, shred the cheese
When I tell you this loaded baked potato soup Dutch oven recipe is worth the prep, it is! It is so creamy and comforting.
Once the prep is done, the recipe gets easy, and all goes into one pot!
Placing the bacon in the bottom of a cold Dutch Oven allows the fat to render and break down. This will lead to a crispier, less fatty bacon. Place the cooked bacon on a paper towel and set aside but save about 2 tbsps of bacon grease in the pan. If the amount of oil at the bottom is WAY more than a couple of tablespoons, remove some.
Add your onions to the hot pan. Saute your onions til they are translucent and browning. Make sure to scrape all those goodies from the bottom of the pan.
Now it’s time to add your flour! Use a whisk to smooth out the flour, and blend with the onions for about a minute.
Turn down the heat and add garlic for a minute til fragrant.
Add chicken broth, milk, cream, and potatoes. Make sure to heat this up slowly so as not to allow the dairy to separate. Start on low and increase to medium heat, making sure to stir often!
Cover and boil for at least 25 mins. This is my favorite time to clean up the kitchen, get all the dishes washed and put away so when your soup is done there won’t be a sink full of dishes! Additionally, this soup goes GREAT with French bread from the store (Tip: Heat the French bread at 350 degrees for 5-7 mins for the BEST warm, store-bought French bread.)
Fork the potatoes after 25 mins; if not tender, allow to cook til soft. Once soft, use a potato masher right in the Dutch Oven til creamy and most of the potatoes are mashed or the desired consistency. At first, I thought this would be amazing if totally smooth, but once I tried it with some potato pieces still in it, I realized it was perfect.
Add your 1/2 cup shredded cheese. If you have been following me for awhile, you know what I’m gonna say…please use fresh! Freshly shredded cheese is just SO MUCH BETTER than pre-shredded.
Add your salt and pepper. I like to add a good amount of salt and some good quality pepper; it adds so much flavor.
Time to dish it up! I’m missing chives and sour cream in my photos, but don’t let that stop you. The bacon, fresh cheese, add parmesan, chives, and sun-dried tomatoes, and the possibilities really are endless. Whatever you enjoy on a baked potato would go great on this soup!
Enjoy this loaded baked potato soup Dutch Oven recipe!
Skip the takeout and whip up a cozy bowl of Loaded Baked Potato Soup in your Dutch oven! Our hearty recipe is packed with tender potatoes, melty cheese, and crispy bacon. It’s the perfect comfort food fix for a chilly day.
Author:Taylor Fuller
Ingredients
Scale
1 cup diced Bacon
1/2 cup diced Onion
1/4 cup Flour
2 cups Heavy Cream
2 cups Milk
1 clove chopped Garlic
4 cups Chicken Broth
4 large Russet Potatoes
Salt & Pepper to Taste
1/2 shredded Cheddar Cheese
Instructions
Layer uncooked bacon in bottom of cold dutch oven then turn on stove to medium and cook bacon until crispy. Remove bacon and leave grease.
Saute onions in bacon grease til soft and translucent. (If not cooking bacon just add 2 tbsp of cooking oil to pan before adding onions.)
Add flour, whisk til smooth and cook for about 1 minute
Turn down heat and add milk, cream, garlic, chicken broth and potatoes. Slowly bring to a boil.
Once boiling, continue to boil for 25 mins, stiring frequently.
Once potatoes are soft, mash with a potato masher until desired consistency.
Add the 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese.
Add salt and pepper to taste (about 1tsp of salt & 1/2 tsp of pepper)
Laddle into bowl, top with bacon, additional cheese, sour cream, chives, the possibilities are endless!
Happy is what we are all striving for, right? Whether that means money, family, less stress, getting to travel the world, helping people, having your own homestead, growing your own food, maybe just a little peace and quiet. Whatever it is, we are all aiming for a higher level of happiness, and here are 10 goals for a happier life.
This blog is going to be a little different. As some of you know, this blog is still new to me. While I have had Cottage Full of Love for more than a year now, I have slacked on putting content out. For 2024, I have decided enough is enough, and I am dedicated to writing two blog posts a week. One recipe and one of anything else.
Recipes are easy. I love to cook and am learning to love food photography. It’s the “Anything else” that is killing me. Trying to blog with the intent of eventually making a business from it is hard. I think most of us struggle with feeling passion-less. While I love cooking I love NOT cooking some days. While I love home decor, I DON’T fill my house Pinterest-perfect every season. While I LOVE the IDEA of gardening and growing my own food, I really don’t want to spend all my energy in a garden.
The struggle is real. The internet tells us to “Pick 2-4 things you write about in your lifestyle blog,” and that’s the way around picking only one. Still struggling. I spent all day yesterday sulking because I can’t seem to write. I spent all night last night lying awake in bed, thinking about how I’ll never be able to call myself a blogger because I can’t decide what to write about. I guess you could call it writers-block.
I want to talk about the goals that I, and many others, should have to reach a happier life. Some of these may be a little controversial, but they should all be considered because everyone has different goals for a happier life.
Table of Contents
1. Money
This is probably on everyone’s list of goals for a happier life. I know it’s on mine. It’s been my motivation to start this blog, which has only proved to be harder than I had expected.
Work: We should all be working in a job we can stand. I know that is hard for many, but if you are stuck in a job you hate…do some training for something else! Education can be expensive, but the internet is FILLED with articles about jobs you can do without schooling.
Additionally, check to see if your work offers any kind of discounts for school. I am fortunate enough to be getting my bachelor’s degree 100% covered by my work. The rules for that are ‘I need to get good grades and stay employed with my employer for 1 year after I graduate’. That’s a pretty great deal if you ask me. I still have student loans from when I was 17 y/o, and Carrington College took advantage of a minor and signed me up for some impossible loans. Also, don’t let your degree go to waste! I know too many people who have degrees they aren’t using!
Decade goals: I always set money-decade goals for myself. My last one was “Working from home by the time I’m 30.” while this isn’t specifically a price, it was a work goal to get me somewhere. I wanted to work from home so I could find time to work on a side hustle. My next goal is ‘To make $100,000 a year before I turn 40’. While this goal is broad and vague it keeps this amount in my head every time I have a birthday or try to invest in something.
Side Hustle: If I’m being honest, I hate the word hustle, haha, but it is what it is. Back in 2017, when James (husband) and I were house shopping, our realtor told us that he had heard, “You should never have all your eggs in 1 basket, financially.” While I have heard this many times since then, this was the most impactful, and I still think about it. I think this is true. If Covid 2020 taught us anything, it should have taught us that everything can crash at any moment. I will be writing an article soon about how it has been trying to figure out blogging so, please subscribe if you’re interested!
There are so many ways to add to your income, but I choose blogging because I want to build something, and I would recommend this. While people recommend doing stuff like Uber or getting a side job, I think that is a mistake because then you are just selling your time again. I have a friend who wants to write children’s books and this is a great goal because she can build herself into a brand and profit from that later. The goal of a side hustle should be passive income eventually.
Even though money definitely isn’t everything in life, I believe it is important to keep it as part of our goals for a happier life.
2. Family
We all know how important family is and I think for most families this is becoming a harder subject. The family unit has been defiled by “the world” and all the awful things that have been going on in it. Big families used to be common, and now only children, separated parents, and childless couples are very common.
My husband and I aren’t having children and it leads to much quieter holidays. Out of my family and my husband’s family, there are 7 members in our generations, and out of those 7 kids, only 2 had children. It is important to be close to what family is around. Maybe your family looks very different, but we struggle to get people together for holidays and spend quality time together.
Goals for a happier life are being close to family, and probably the most important.
3. Stress Less
Easier said than done, huh?? We need to focus on things in our world that can naturally help us! Earthing or grounding is so important in today’s world, where we spend all of our time disconnected from the natural world. Something I have been a huge advocate of lately is sunlight. After doing some real research on what the sunlight does for us as humans me wanting to soak up the sunlight EVERY SINGLE DAY. It is so important for goals for a happier life.
Stress less the way Morrus, the Great Dane, relaxes in the sun.
Letting the sunlight into your pupil causes your body to produce serotonin which is INCREDIBLE! It helps with stress, sleep, depression, weightloss, and so much more! Read more about that here.
4. Find Contentment
This is something I am watching a lot of people similar to my age (31) suffering from not being able to do. In this world where we can spend all day watching people online living amazing lives it makes it hard for us normal people to be ok that we aren’t living some extravagant lifestyle. It makes marriages suffer, and creates depression and severe FOMO.
Dream big but appreciate today.
Unknown
On my mission to find contentment, I do my best to take at least 2 days a week where I put away social media.
This is hard. I’m not really a social media addict, but I am addicted to checking on this blog. I check constantly to see how my numbers are doing for the day. Putting that away for a day, along with Instagram, Pinterest, and everything else, lets me just remember that it doesn’t really exist. It reminds me that my life is beautiful with my husband, my dog, and my kitties. I get cleaning done, gives me a chance to maybe put some music on and do something other than staring at my phone. Finding contentment is a huge part of goals for a happier life.
5. A Beautifully Maintained Home
Is anyone ready to laugh at this one?? HA! I thought…when I got my job working from home, I would keep my house spik-and-span, work, pay attention to my animals and husband, write a blog, and go to college. Wow, was I wrong! My house is still a struggle, not to mention it’s not a pretty home which is hard to stay motivated to keep it clean. I have worked hard to create a schedule of cleaning to keep up with the house. I will be releasing that in an article soon, don’t forget to subscribe for that =P!
This goal is also going to require money, I know many people these days are struggling financially to get into a place where they can buy their own home, and this could just be a pipe dream for many, but I have to say, don’t give up! I am thankful to be in a house where we are paying our mortgage, but that comes with many other issues.
Having a maintained home, if it is not beautiful, should be part of our goals for a happier life.
6. Producing Own Food Supply
Many people, if not all, have some piece of a dream to be more independent from grocery stores and “the world.” The idea of a homestead has been an increasing dream for many millions of people across the United States and many other countries. We have learned so much over the last few decades about the benefits of growing your own food supply, from freshness, preservative-free food to concern of not being able to get food from the stores and having the importance of knowledge of how to grow your food.
Gardening is hard, a labor of love, and can even be expensive at first but being slightly more self-sufficient, not to mention spending time outside in nature, with the pollinators, sun, birds, and critters, can help us ground and is a great addition to the goals for a happier life.
7. Travel
I had a friend who taught me so much about life, and one of the things she truly engrained in my head is “Traveling changes a person for the better.” This was something I really took to heart, and when I traveled to Hawaii in 2022, I really understood what she meant. She was talking about other countries, seeing how others lived and how the rest of the world functions but Kauai was an experience I will never forget, and it really did help me grow. We stayed in an Airbnb, and for about 4 days of our trip, I really got to live in a local community with locals. It was truly amazing.
As a born and raised California girl, I think travel is extremely important to our mental health. Experiences are essential to feeling fulfilled for me, and I don’t think I am unique in that way. This will always be in my goals for a happier life and I hope I can do more traveling in the future.
As someone who doesn’t gamble, I didn’t think I would enjoy Las Vagas. Boy, was I wrong! This was one of my favorite trips we’ve ever taken!
8. Helping Other Humans
This is something I am still working on myself. I have worked in health care since I was 20; the 10 years I spent working in a pharmacy were some of the most rewarding years of my life. I was able to actually help people directly. While I struggled to find joy in that job after about 8 years, up until about then, I learned so much about people and how I could help people with their pharmacy needs. Many people don’t stop to learn and appreciate this.
We all know what it is like to walk into places with professionals who just hate their jobs. I understand being burnt out, but knowing I had the opportunity to make people’s day and provide them with the help they needed kept a smile on my face while some coworkers just counted down the minutes til they left.
Not only being able to help people in our lives, whatever that may look like for you, but taking time to appreciate that you are that light for people. Even if that is just a small flashlight on a dark day, it is important for our internal happiness. Whether you work in customer service, on the phone, in health care, technology, with the general public, or even with internal people of your company, just remember, you have a chance to make people’s day better.
Of course, we can take this a step further and say helping people by donating money, time, volunteering, or reaching out to people in need can also provide so much fulfillment and happiness. I worked with a Pharmacist who used to make a big batch of soup or sandwiches and take it around every Saturday morning and feed homeless people on the street. It was something that brought her great joy! Goals for a happier life mean helping others be happy.
9. God
This will be controversial for many people, but this is very important to me and helps me live a happier life 100%. Growing up, I knew nothing of religion of any kind. Meeting my husband and becoming so involved with his family have taught me to be a Christian and what it all means. Do I go to church on Sunday? Shamefully no. But it doesn’t, for a second, mean I don’t have my faith. Having a relationship with Jesus, knowing he is looking out for me and that my life is his makes me a much happier person and is part of my goals for a happier life.
This has been a huge part of my optimisim over the last 10 years of my life or so. The world is only getting scarier, and it’s nice to know that whatever happens, I am loved and being taken care of. Additionally, I think being part of a church or bible study is a great place to meet like-minded individuals and socialize with many good people.
10. Laughter
This may sound like a cheap shot to fill in the blank so I can make it to 10, but it’s not. Laughter is SO important for goals for a happier life, and as we get older, we laugh so much less.
Something I am finding in my 30s is how much life becomes serious. This optimistic, carefree person I used to be is starting to slip away. Not that my life is bad in any way or that I don’t find joy in life, but you learn so much as you grow. People around you get older, there’s always money to think about, children are a huge stressor, pets you love pass away, and things just happen as you grow. We gain wisdom, sympathy, thoughtfulness, and maturity, but we lose that free spirit inside of us.
We need to remember to keep friends who make us laugh, turn off the news and watch funny videos, and get out of the house for experiences that make us smile and bring us joy. We all know “laughter is the best medicine.”
That’s it! That’s my list of Goals for a Happier Life! These are things I am implementing every day in my life to keep a smile on my face and move forward with my head held high every day. I set goals every New Year for myself and for my marriage in addition to my decade goals and my daily goals (otherwise known as just my daily to-do list haha). I hope you got something out of this post or maybe we just hung out while you read through this article, which I appreciate just as much!
Thank you so much for reading! Check out some of these other articles!
These aren’t your average boxed brownies for Valentine’s Day. We’re transforming a simple mix into a dessert that’s as delicious as it is adorable.
It’s almost Valentine’s Day! After the holidays, I find it hard to get into the rhythm of decorating and festivities again. I know many people do not decorate or do anything too special but I am an advocate of making things fun and special. Making these brownies for Valentine’s Day for the kids, family, to gift to neighbors or coworkers is such a sweet gesture.
Bake the brownies just as directed on the package. The only tips I have for this is to use a 13×9 dish to get the most surface area out of your brownies (so you can make the most treats) and use the Duncan Hines brand because it is THE BEST, but any brand will work.
Also, put parchment down and give it a light spray of oil so you can get your whole tray of brownies out and it makes for easier lifting. The last thing you want is your brownies sticking to the pan and being unable to get your heart shapes out. (I save scraps for the chef haha)
Once your brownies are cut out and set aside, it’s time to melt your chocolate. Melt the wafers per the microwave directions or over a double boil. Preferably the chocolate should be in a wide but shallow bow so you can dip the front of your heats into the chocolate. I like to keep a spoon handy to help spread the chocolate a little bit.
At this point, make sure to have your sprinkles nearby. While the chocolate is still wet pour your sprinkles over the top and leave to dry. I coat then sprinkle about 3 brownies at a time.
When all your brownies are beautiful, make sure to let them set for a bit. Maybe an hour on a cool day. The chocolate will harden, and they become extra great!
Presentation
Lastly, I wanna talk about bringing this dessert from amazing to being sell-ready. This heat sealer is incredible. Even when I just make these brownies for ourselves I love to package them up because it makes them feel professional.
The last time I brought these brownies for Valentine’s Day to a family gathering and was asked if I was selling them. It was such a compliment! I can’t recommend this device enough. It can be used year-round for treats and snacks! And don’t forget baggies for it!
Do not forget to pick up a pack of strawberries while you are at the store so you can make up some chocolate strawberries with the leftover melting chocolate!
Do you love the seasons and holidays like I do? Check out some of these fun posts!
Succulent chicken, sauteed mushrooms, and fresh spinach dance in a rich parmesan cream sauce over fluffy noodles. This Spinach and Mushroom Noodles with Chicken recipe is weeknight dinner magic!
This recipe takes a little prep since it’s cooking chicken, cutting an onion and mushrooms but it is so worth it! The flavors are fresh and light and this makes a great family meal.
If you are making a fancy dinner, this Minestrone Soup would be a great appetizer with this Italian-inspired dish!
Ingredients
Cooking oil, I use avocado oil but Olive oil or Canola oil if that’s your thang.
Chicken breast is my preference for this recipe, but feel free to switch it with chicken thighs or even pork chops would go well with this recipe.
I’m leaving the seasoning of the chicken up to you! Whatever you normally use in your pantry, just toss it on. If you are unsure just use a little salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, garlic, and/or onion powder.
Pasta! The Farfalle pasta is perfect for this recipe, but fusillini, penne, get creative, or just use whatever you have an extra package of.
Chop up the onions into thin slivers so they cook up into almost strips, they blend into the pasta well like that.
Balsamic Vinaigrette, this little splash and pinch of salt at the end of the cooked onions is incredible!
Crimini mushrooms sliced kind of thick is what I use but feel free to use more exciting options.
A good handful of fresh spinach adds so much brightness and greens!
If you don’t have heavy cream just use half-and-half
Fresh Parmesan cheese is a must!
Cooking the Spinach and Mushroom Noodles with Chicken
Starting the noodles first and then just setting them aside helps from having too much going on at once.
Slice your chicken breasts or pound them down to about 1/4 inch thick.
While your chicken is laid out, season your chicken and coat.
I’m a sucker for a non-stick pan and I still like to add a couple tbsps of oil. Once your oil is hot add your chicken. Try not to flip your chicken breasts til you see it starting to cook on the sides and the edges are turning white.
Once your chicken is cooked and beautiful, set it on a plate and loosely cover with aluminum foil to keep it juicey and warm.
Add your onions to your warm pan and add a couple tbsps of water to deglaze the pan. Low and slow is very important for perfectly caramelized onions.
Once the onions are finally done, add the splash of balsamic vinaigrette and a pinch of salt. Make sure to take some good sniffs of the depths of scents at this point. Then move them into a dish to free up your pan.
Add your garlic and mushrooms. Your house will smell amazing at this point! Cook them for about 2 mins just to let the garlic become fragrant and your mushrooms to brown a little bit.
Time to add your spinach and let wilt for about 20 seconds.
Make sure to turn down the temp at this point because the last thing you want is to overheat your heavy cream and cheese and cause the lactose to separate and make your dish grainy.
Once your pan has cooled down to a low setting, add your cream and cheese, add a little salt and pepper to taste.
Let the cheese melt and add your noodles and onions and stir til all well incorporated.
I like to place this mixture at the bottom of a pasta dish and top with freshly chopped chicken.
Perfection! Enjoy!
Need other dinner inspiration? Here are some of my favorites!
Whip up this restaurant-worthy Spinach and Mushroom Noodles with Chicken in under 30 minutes. Juicy chicken, savory mushrooms, and wilted spinach in a velvety parmesan sauce – a family favorite reborn!
Author:Taylor Fuller
Prep Time:15 mins
Cook Time:35 mins
Total Time:50 minutes
Yield:About 4 full meal servings 1x
Category:Family Dinners
Method:Stove Top
Cuisine:Italian
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
2 tbsp cooking oil
2 Chicken breasts, thinly sliced or pounded
Preferred seasonings for chicken (salt, pepper, onion, garlic, Italian seasoning)
Pasta
8 oz of Farfalle pasta, 1/2 a box (or pasta of choice)
Sauce
1/2 Onion chopped in slivers
1 tbsp Balsamic Vinaigrette
4 oz Mushrooms, Sliced
1 cup Spinach, roughly chopped
2 cloves of Garlic, Minced
1/2 cup Heavy Cream
3/4th cup Parmesan Cheese, preferably freshly grated
Salt & Pepper
Instructions
Boil pasta til done, drain, and set aside.
Coat chicken lightly with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, garlic, and/or onion powder.
Heat oil on medium/large skillet.
Cook chicken breasts on both sides til golden brown, beautiful, and fully cooked (165 degrees). Set aside.
In the same pan, you cooked chicken (no need to wash it), add onions, and a couple of tbsps of water. Cook on medium/low til onions smell sweet and caramelized.
As far as cooking the onions go..the art of caramelization takes patience. If they dry out, add a couple more tablespoons of water. They will start to turn golden and smell amazing. This process can take 20 mins if you have the time to let it.
Once onions have caramelized to tender perfection, add a splash of balsamic vinaigrette and a pinch of salt just til incorporated, remove, and set aside.
In the same pan, toss in your garlic and mushrooms. Cook for about 2 mins, then add spinach.
Turn the heat down to the lowest setting and add heavy cream and parmesan cheese.
Add noodles and caramelized onions.
Cut chicken breast into pieces and serve on top of a serving of noodle mixture.
Enjoy!
Notes
Make sure to take a minute to enjoy the smell of those onions after the glazing of balsamic vinegarette and salt. The flavors and scents are so intricate; it’s lovely.
I like to keep the chicken and noodles separate so I can save the leftover chicken for other recipes.
Bored kitties? No more! Dive into our purr-fectly curated list of the best interactive cat toys to reignite your feline friend’s inner playtime beast. We’ve got feathery wonders, laser-powered zoomies, and fun scratchers to keep those paws occupied and those purrs rumbling all day long. So ditch the droopy ears and hello kitty zoomies – it’s time to get your paws on some interactive awesomeness!
I love my kitties, and since you’re here, I assume you love yours too! Or maybe you are just looking for gift ideas for a cat lover in your life. This collection of the best interactive cat toys for bored cats is all tried and true in my house.
Our kitties are indoor cats, so boredom happens! We do our best to provide them with fun since they are always hanging out in The Cottage.
We are blessed to have kitties who are loving towards each other. They spend their days snuggling and playing.
Fluffy Jiminy on the left and Little Vito on the right.
As much as they love playing together, we love to provide fun toys to keep them entertained. They have a whole little area in the house dedicated to their toys, and they love it.
We have spent too much money on toys that don’t get played with, and I don’t want you to waste your money!
All of these links go to Amazon for an easy purchase. I hope your kitties enjoy these interactive cat toys as much as mine have!
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
This was one of the first toys we bought our 9-year-old cat. He plays with it almost every single day! Honestly, it’s impressive how much play this old toy gets!
This highly-rated automatic laser is interactive and will have your cat playing for 15 minutes at a time. It is so fun that it comes on every 1 1/2 hours! The dog even gets a kick out of the laser.
This was the most amazing toy we bought when we got Vito, our youngest kitty. He never stopped loving it. Sometimes I close it up during vacuuming and will leave it closed for a few days. He’ll still play with it all closed up. So silly.
This fish is so fun! It holds charge for a really long time, and every time it gets tapped, it starts flopping the tail around. I love setting it in a box or in the tunnel (pictured above), and it drives the cats wild!
This is just one example of these AMAZING cardboard houses. I love these houses so much that I bought one last year that was decorated for Christmas. I even took it apart and packed it up to use again next year. Always have at least one of these around, and they are always taking naps in them.
I bought this for the cats for Christmas, and they have been playing with it ever since!
As a married couple without children, I spend money buying gifts for the 2 cats and the Great Dane and then spend a bunch of time wrapping up all the gifts. Then my husband and I open them with the babies on Christmas morning. Yep, childless adulthood is getting weird, haha!
These catnip balls barely made it out of the package before the cats were checking them out. The only warning…the dog showed the same interest and ended up chopping through one! These are such a treat for the cats, though.
Ok, I hear you. This isn’t much of a toy, BUT these are a staple in my house. Having these around keeps them from scratching the couch, the bed, and everything else!
Treats always make the day more exciting and special. I try to limit too many toys like this because my kitties get treats in the morning and the evening, but for extra special days, being able to fill the ball with some treats is perfect.
We already talked about a cat house, but if you’re looking for a more permanent option, this house is great. If you have more than one cat, they will have a blast playing together on this!
These toys are always a good time. My kitties have been through a few different ones, but this one is much better quality than the cheap ones I’ve picked up from TJMaxx and other stores. I recommend this one!
This ball is enjoyed by all ages of cats! Don’t be fooled by the kitten in the photo. My older cat enjoys it just as much as our one-year-old.
13. Bonus Interactive Cat Toys!
Boxes! Don’t forget to keep boxes as interactive cat toys from online orders, Costco, or other packages for them to play with! I usually keep them around the house for about a week and then toss them out. Also, bags, sometimes I’ll leave a reusable bag on the floor, and the cats will have a blast with it, or this 2 pack of cat-nip-infused paper bags from Amazon was fun for a while!
Last but definitely not least, your cat loves you! You are the best interactive cat toy you have to offer to your cat so try to make a little time at least a couple times a week to spend playing with your feline friend.
Only about 3 days after we brought VIto home. It was instant love between these brothers.
That’s my list of the best interactive cat toys for bored cats! I hope you got some great inspiration for your cat or multiple kitties!
While not all cats are entertained by the same, I’m positive you can find something in here that will keep your cat entertained!
No fancy skills are required, just a love for good food and a Dutch oven ready for action.
This Dutch oven minestrone soup is a symphony of simmered goodness, ready to warm your heart and fill your belly. Ditch the multiple pots and pans – let your trusty Dutch oven work its magic, transforming fresh vegetables, plump beans, and tender pasta into a cozy masterpiece.
In the cold weather of the New Year it’s important to get lots of sunlight and eat lots of warm soup!
This soup, while vegetarian, is filling and can be a whole meal. Add some fresh-baked bread, top with some grated parmesan cheese, or use this soup as a fancy appetizer for a dinner party. I love minestrone by itself as a whole meal, and the last time I made this, my husband and I ate our weight in soup with some fresh French bread! Yum!
Dutch Oven Magic
The Dutch oven has been my best friend since I received it as a gift from my aunt and uncle. It’s the most amazing kitchen tool.
The Dutch oven was inspired by brass and copper pots made and used in China more than 2,500 years ago. In the 17th century, a man named Abraham Darby returned home to the Netherlands and patented his design for the “Dutch Oven”
In 1891, the beautiful, eye-catching enamel coating was added to the oven, and sales quickly spread through Europe.
Due to its thick walls, Dutch ovens retain heat better than normal pots and work great inside the oven, on the stovetop or even over a campfire.
The options for cooking with this small appliance are endless. It cooks meat better than any slow cooker ever could, bakes perfectly crispy bread, is perfect for frying, and makes perfect soup.
Minestrone Soup
Minestrone is an ancient soup that dates back to 30 CE in Rome
The soup used to be known as a poor man’s soup, as it doesn’t include any of that expensive ol’ meat.
There were times when minestrone contained everything from turnips and lard to wine and even animal brains.
Versatility is the beautiful thing about this recipe; feel free to add or replace veggies with…
Fava beans
Broad beans
Mushrooms
Asparagus
Lentils
Cabbage
Kale
Feel free to add protein! Some shredded roasted chicken, cubed cooked steak, or even shredded pork would be delicious in this soup!
The possibilities are endless!
Grocery List
For this Dutch Oven Minestrone Soup, the ingredient list is probably mostly things you have in the house. The only things I had to pick up were the tomatoes and fancy little noodles
Vegetable broth, or chicken, if that’s what you have
Kidney Beans, just 1 regular-sized can
Onion, I use just 1/2 of one
Carrots, about 3-4 large
Celery, 4-5 stalks
Garlic, 3 cloves
Diced canned tomatoes
Italian seasoning
Ditalini pasta
Spinach, fresh, just a handful with a rough chop
Cooking oil
Salt & Pepper
Cooking the Dutch Oven Minestrone Soup
Dice all your veggies first! I’m the worst about this, I’ll be rushing to dice veggies while already sauteing my onions. Don’t be me, haha! Dice your veggies small, as these will be the size they will be when your soup is done.
After heating your Dutch oven on medium heat, add your olive oil and then your diced onions.
I like to add my carrots before my onions are translucent; the little browning on the carrots adds great flavor. Then, after a min or two, add your celery and garlic. Let that heat through and cook for a few minutes, maybe about 3 mins.
Now you can add your 6 cups of broth, the whole, undrained can of tomatoes, the washed kidney beans, and Italian seasoning. Add a little pepper. I skip the salt here cause the broth is salty enough. Just check it at the end to make sure your soup is flavorful enough, or add a little salt then. Let this simmer for about 10 mins.
Add your dry pasta and let simmer for 10 mins til pasta is al dente. Feel free to change up the pasta type in this step!
A handful of fresh, rough, chopped spinach adds the perfect green and just a little extra nutrition!
This soup is one of my favorites, and I hope you enjoy it just as much!
If you make this Dutch Oven Minestrone Soup, please leave a comment and tell me how you enjoyed it!
Soup season is here! And what better way to celebrate than with a pot of homemade minestrone? This Dutch oven version is simple to make yet bursting with flavor. Serve it with crusty bread for a satisfying meal.
Author:Taylor Fuller
Prep Time:20 mins
Cook Time:30 mins
Total Time:50 minutes
Yield:About 4 full meal servings 1x
Category:Family Dinners
Method:Dutch Oven
Cuisine:Italian
Diet:Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
2 tbsp Olive or Avocado oil
1/2 cup Onion, diced
1 cup Carrot, diced
1 cup Celery, diced
3 cloves of garlic, minced
15 oz Red Kidney Beans
6–8 cups Vegetable Broth (or Chicken Broth)
28 oz Can of Petite Diced Tomatoes, with juices
1 1/2 tsp Italian Seasoning
1 cup Dry Ditalini Pasta (4oz)
1 cup Spinach, Fresh
Salt & Pepper to taste
Instructions
Heat Dutch Oven over medium heat, then coat bottom with cooking oil
Add onions and cook couple of minutes til starting to turn translucent
Toss in carrots, celery, and garlic. Cook for about 3 mins, til onions are slightly soft
Stir in vegetable (or chicken) broth, kidney beans, diced tomatoes, and seasonings
Bring to a boil and simmer on low for about 10 mins
Add pasta and cook an additional 10 mins, stirring frequently, or until pasta is cooked to your liking (aim for more al dente because noodles will continue to soften in the liquid)
Add fresh spinach at the end of cooking; only needs to cook about a min
Give it one last stir and serve it up in bowls! Enjoy!
Notes
The broth isn’t exact because I usually cook the soup up with 6 cups but then add a cup or two towards the end just because I like more broth! Feel free to be your own chef!
As adults, I don’t think many of us think about New Year Resolutions much anymore.
On my mission of becoming a goal-setter who accomplishes what she wants in life, I have made it a point to set New Year resolutions for the past 3 years or so. This year I want to set goals for not just myself but my marriage, also. Together we can accomplish our goals and feel good when next year comes sneaking up.
While spending the last couple of months of every year thinking about New Year resolutions (for myself and us as a couple), I thought I would share with you my 10 ideas for New Year Resolution ideas for couples!
Table of Contents
Are you ready for Valentine’s Day?
If so, check out some Valentine’s Day treat recipes!
This will look different for every couple, but in my marriage, I do all the cooking and meal planning.
Something we are working on is just discussing the meal plan while I’m making it. It’s something that my husband has been enjoying. I ask him if there is anything he is craving or any snacks he’s been missing lately then we go over the plan and try to agree on healthy options.
Having both of you involved in the food planning helps any one person feel the weight is not all just on their shoulder.
If your spouse is susceptible to helping in the kitchen maybe you both could even cook together!
2. Let the little stuff go
I don’t mean to let anger build up and ignore it. I mean, after an argument is ended or those little habits that he/she does that bother you, let those things go.
There are conversations that happen in a relationship that can just spark anger, and then before you know it, you’re irritated and just being kind of a jerk to the other person. We are working on not letting those moments get the best of us.
I read somewhere about how arguments can be a loop. Someone says something rude, and then it causes the other person to say something rude. This can continue this frustration as both people are now looking for the other person to say sorry or cut it out.
If you both work towards being the person to drop it, it can lead to less of a back-and-forth game of “Who’s gonna give in OR start yelling first”. Haha! (Of course, yelling is exaggerated; I hope no one is actually yelling at each other.)
3. Spend quiet time together
In this world of screens, I know it can be hard to put these things down and just hang out.
My husband and I spend probably, 99% of our time together with a screen in our faces. Whether that’s the TV, our phones, or a laptop.
This year we are going to try and dedicate at least a couple of hours a week to putting down our phones and just hanging out. We love spending time playing with our animals, hanging out outside, or even just close snuggle on the couch while we chit chat.
This is something I think is vital to keeping a couple close through the continued years of chaos and busy life.
Husband and I in Donner Lake, CA awhile back 💕
4. Take a vacation
Expenses play a big part in this, I understand, but hear me out. Being on vacation changes people. Taking someone away from their normal daily grind and letting them relax is so worth the expense!
There should be the time when you, as a couple, can just relax without the children, the daily chores, that ugly remodel staring you in the face, whatever it is, get away with it for a couple of days. You both deserve that and it will refresh you.
Without children, we spend plenty of time in the house, just the two of us but getting out together is a different experience that causes special bonding. Even if it’s just a day trip now and then or a weekend getaway, prioritizing some fun time by yourselves is very important.
5. Show interest in the other person’s hobbies
I’m looking in the mirror about this one. A point of contention in my relationship is my husband’s expensive love and passion for cars. This year, I am working on showing him love and acceptance for every bit of who he is.
This means being interested in his hobbies, and it means him showing interest in mine. He will be helping me decorate the house every season for the holidays, and he has been showing an interest in my writing which makes me feel so loved.
Showing an interest in each other’s hobbies helps the other person feel valued. As a spouse, showing the other person that their personality, likes, and dislikes are respected and cherished is key.
6. Walk together or exercise in general
Walking together is something special!
At least once a week, we take a walk with the dog together. While I walk the dog 2-3 times per day by myself while he’s at work, on the weekend, we get to walk together. It is such a nice small activity that always has us smiling by the end.
A walk around the block after dinner or a quick walk with the dog will leave you both feeling great from the fresh air, sunshine, and exercise.
If you both have goals of weight loss in the New Year, maybe finding some time daily or weekly to fit in an exercise routine to do together to keep each other motivated would be perfect!
7. Update your looks together
Over the last year, we have focused on updating our wardrobe and overall look. This is a great goal if you feel your wardrobes are out of date, out of style, or maybe just looking too young.
A couple of years ago, we realized my husband’s wardrobe was all graphic teas and baggie jeans, and mine was all off-brand shirts and junkie jeggings.
The New Year’s resolution to update our wardrobe led me to shopping places like TJMaxx, Marshalls, and even Nordstrom Rack for new clothes. These places carry so many brand names without brand name prices, and it has drastically increased our look!
I highly recommend this New Year resolutions for couples! Additionally, we have focused on keeping our nails clean and cut. These little things really add up to make us feel more confident and put together as a couple in public.
8. Be sexy
Once we are married for a while, sex can really fall to the waste side, especially for us ladies. Making a New Year’s resolution to dedicate at least one weekend day to some sexy time can really keep your bond tight.
Additionally, even if we, as ladies, don’t feel particularly sexy, usually, our men are more than happy for physical attention and love, even if we don’t see it in the mirror. I mean, they married you! He picked you over others because he thinks you’re beautiful, and he wants a piece! 😉
9. Find a weekly outing
Or monthly. Something like going to church, a farmers market, a class, or gatherings with friends. It’s good to get out and see people and be social together.
Getting a chance to meet other couples, make friends and get out of the house will keep you and the spouse from being bored around the house every day.
10. Say “I love you” more
Saying “I love you” is more than just words. It reminds the other person you care, and you feel that love when you hear their voice.
I heard someone say once they don’t like saying I love you often because it loses meaning. Everyone is welcome to their own opinion, but I don’t believe this. It’s never enough to say I love you to your spouse.
Sometimes I get these waves of love for my husband, and I always call him to tell him. So don’t be afraid to say it more!
My wedding day ❤️
There’s my list! I hope you got some ideas from it and are ready for 2024 to be in full swing!
Do you make New Year Resolutions?
Are you good about sticking to your New Year goals??
