Feeling uninspired when it comes to date night? Here are a few date ideas that are inspired by the Olympics.

Not to be confused with the Dating Olympics, here are some Olympics inspired date night ideas.

Trying a New Sport

Do you like tennis? Try playing badminton. It's easy enough to set up a net at the park or in your backyard. Do you like volleyball? Same deal. There are a lot of sand volleyball courts at the local parks. Are you a fan of swimming? Go to the YMCA and get a day pass and try lap swimming. You don't have to be overly competitive about it. It's just a fun way to get outside and move around.


Trying British Food

OK. They eat a lot of the same things we do, but there are some dishes that are definitely British. Bangers and mash is basically sausage and mashed potatoes.You'll need:

8 baking potatoes peeled and cut into quarters, two teaspoons of butter, milk as needed, salt and pepper, a pound and a half of beef sausage, half a cup of diced onion, one .75 ounce packet of dry brown gravy mix, water as needed.

Preheat the oven to 350. Place potatoes in a saucepan with enough water to cover. Bring to a boil, and cook until tender, about 20 minutes. Drain, and mash with 1 teaspoon of butter, and enough milk to reach your desired creaminess. Continue mashing, or beat with an electric mixer, until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.

In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the sausage until heated through. Remove from pan, and set aside. Add remaining teaspoon of butter to the skillet, and fry the onions over medium heat until tender. Mix gravy mix and water as directed on the package, and add to the skillet with the onions. Simmer, stirring constantly, to form a thick gravy.

Pour half of the gravy into a square casserole dish so that is coats the bottom. Place sausages in a layer over the gravy (you can butterfly the sausages if you wish). Pour remaining gravy over them, then top with mashed potatoes.

Bake uncovered for 20 minutes in the preheated oven, or until potatoes are evenly brown.

Bubbles and squeak is a vegetable based dish with bacon and it's a great way to use up the leftover mashed potatoes. Here's one easy recipe. You'll need:

4 Tablespoons of butter, 1/2 cup chopped onion, leftover mashed potatoes, leftover veggies like cabbage, carrots, peas, etc., salt and pepper and chopped bacon.

Over medium heat, melt the butter and fry the onion for about three minutes. Turn the heat up a tad and add the potatoes, bacon and vegetables and fry for 10 minutes, making sure to turn them over in the butter two or three times to make sure the outside is browned and the inside is thoroughly heated through. Smash the bubbles and squeak flat and fry for one minute on each side. The Brits usually eat this for Sunday lunch with a fried egg on top.


Movie Night

Too hot to leave the house? Stay inside and watch movies about Olympic events. Miracle stars Kurt Russell and tells the story of the 1980 U.S. Olympic team lead by Minnesota's own Herb Brooks winning the gold medal against the Russians. Cool Runnings is another fun movie to watch that is based on the true story of the Jamaican Bobsled Team.


Viewing Party

If you don't want to watch the Olympic games alone, invite your friends over and have a viewing party. Stock up on some Boddington's, serve fish and chips and have a party.


Brush Up on Your British Slang

Sometimes when you hear Brits talk among themselves, it's like listening to a foreign language. Here are a few phrases the Brits us so you can keep up.

Absobloodylutely - Absolutely

All Over the Gaff - Disorganized

Arse - Butt

Ballistic - Wild or crazy

Bird - Lady (Doris also works)

Blimey - Jeez!

Bloke - Guy

Bobby - Policeman (Copper also works)

Brilliant - Fantastic, awesome or great

Chips - French Fries

Chunder - Barf

Crikey - My gosh!

Doodle - Easy (Getting through traffic was a doodle today.)

Eppy - To have a fit.


Are you watching the Olympics? Which sport is your favorite?

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