Healthy Shepards Pie & Movie Night at the Air Field

Jaime had to work this past weekend so I decided to find a new recipe to make for us and plan a unique date night! We rarely go out on dates simply because Jaime works hard and works a lot. The last thing you want to do when you've worked all day is dress up and go out. I understand that and am usually content on the couch watching Prision Break (our new Netflix show) cuddling. Thats what Jaime loves and I always try to do what he loves. But every once in awhile, I want to get out of the house and do something different. He's understanding that too! Marriage is a learning journey that you get to experience together.

Receipe: The Real Food Dietitians

Pie Filling Ingrediants

• 1 lb. ground turkey
• 2 medium carrots, peeled and chopped (I grabbed a handful of carrots from the bag)
• ½ green pepper, chopped
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• ½ tsp. dried rosemary
• ¾ tsp. chili powder
• ¼ tsp. sea salt or to taste
• ¼ tsp. black pepper
• 3 oz. tomato paste (about 6 Tbsp.) 
• 1 Tbsp. flaxseed meal + 2 Tbsp. water (or substitute with 1 egg white)

Sweet Potato Topping

2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed (I didn't peel mine since there is nutrition in the skin)

1 Tbsp. coconut oil

½ tsp chili powder

¼ tsp. sea salt

1. Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees. For the topping: Steam or bake (at 375 degrees) the sweet potatoes until fork tender.
2. Combine the flaxseed meal with water and set aside.
3. In a skillet on medium heat. Begin to brown ground turkey.
4. Once turkey is partially browned, add chopped carrots, onions, peppers and minced garlic.
5. Cook on medium heat until carrots are soft, about 10 minutes. Make the topping while the meat filling cooks.
6. Once the carrots are soft, stir in tomato paste, flax gel, seasonings salt and pepper.
7. Add all of the topping ingredients to a food processor (or blender) and process until smooth.
8. Final step: transfer the meat filling to a casserole dish (9 x 9 inch dish will work) and top the meat filling with the Sweet Potato Mash.
9. Bake for 15 minutes. Remove from oven and serve.

It was delcious! Or at least we thought so! Jaime took the left overs to work for lunch and was just as good warmed up! Enjoy!

We left for the air field as soon as we scarfed down dinner. The movie didn't start until it started to get dark around 9:30 (close to our bed time). I saw a flyer downtown last week and it said it was about two french air force pilots like a modern day 'Top Gun'. Admission was $1 a person and to bring lawn chairs.

I was excited to do something different and didn't know what to expect. We pulled up to the air field and there was only a couple cars there. We were the youngest couple by 20 years, if not more. They had concessions and chairs set up. I never did know what they were raising money for but nevertheless it was fun. The movie was indeed French with badly synced English acting.  We left at intermission since it was already passed our bed time but we had fun just hanging out together. Good memories!

Jaime's just not as skilled at taking pictures of us. ha!

I don't remember what he was explaining but he's cute.

So go try new things! Make a new recipe. Plan a date for you and your man. He works hard for your family, he shouldn't also be expected to plan dates too. Real life isn't Pinterest. Real men love and take care of their family. Some are romantics. Some aren't. It's okay. I'm learning and I want to remind you to make sure you are doing what you can to make your marriage thrive too.

The married life is good ya'll.

Hope you're having a great night!