Summer vacation has just started, and while my kids have been enjoying more chips, hot dogs, and ice cream than they get most of the year, we've also been taking advantage of the seasonal fruits and vegetables that grace the warm months. 4th of July food is often high in calories and sugar, so we found these healthy 4th of July food ideas that are easy enough for the kids to help make and are fun to eat. Later in the season, when grandparent time is in full swing, my kids' unhealthy diet will ratchet up to cotton candy and corn dog levels, so I need to feed them something with some nutritional value while I can. You know when you do a search for “easy snacks” and the results include intricate directions and uncommon ingredients? These are not those recipes. You won’t need to boil … [Read more...]
Father’s Day
Father’s Day is complicated for those who don’t have dads, for those who have fathers who have repeatedly disappointed them, and for people like me, whose fathers have died. I’m not sad today, though. I was lucky to have over 30 years with a wonderful dad, and though he’s been gone for nine years now, his influence still colors my life daily. I see him in my brother’s face. I sense him in my affinity for dry humor and satire. I feel him in my keen bullshit meter and my ability to see people in ways they may not want to be seen. He is responsible for my cynical nature and for the weird hairs that grow on the tip of my nose. He is with me in the green of my eyes and the wave of my hair. I miss him, of course. I am sad knowing how much he would have loved seeing my kids … [Read more...]
Crock Pot Chicken Ranch Tacos
My favorite recipes fit three criteria: they are easy, they are versatile, and my family will eat them without complaint. This Crock Pot Chicken Ranch Tacos recipe checks all of those boxes, making it a winner at our house. I have several versions of slow cooker shredded chicken recipes because I love chicken, and I love easy recipes that can be tailored to multiple dishes. There is my basic shredded chicken, the ever popular Mississippi Chicken, and this tasty Buffalo chicken slider recipe. Sometimes when I make shredded slow cooker chicken, I throw a slotted spoon in the slow cooker and put out whatever fixings I have on hand, like corn tortillas, flour tortillas, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, shredded cheese, salsa, sour cream, salsa, olives, or black beans, and let my family … [Read more...]
Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
On the weekends, I like to have something in the refrigerator for my husband to grill. He works late most weeknights, and rarely gets to eat dinner with us, but on the weekends, we can enjoy our meals as a family, and I enjoy handing off some of the meal prep duties. Last week, he grilled up some chicken, and I made this Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad. Teamwork! When we're cooking together, it reminds me of back before children, when we'd get home from work around the same time and make dinner together. Almost every night he'd grill some protein and I'd make a salad or rice or something, and we'd talk about our day. I love having dinner with my husband and children, but there was something relaxing and simple about those early years, when we were using whatever language we wanted to recap … [Read more...]
Buzzed Cherry Bombs
My friend Erin made these Buzzed Cherry Bombs last year, and they were so good, I didn't even mind that she tricked me into helping her make like five thousand of them for the three Memorial Day barbecues she and her family attended. She said they were a huge hit everywhere they went, and that even though she traveled with a truckload of them, they could have used more at every party. Maybe she would have had enough if her "helpers" wouldn't have tested so many. What can I say? Quality control is very important to me. Also, the kids were mad that she didn't make more of the virgin ones for them to enjoy. Sorry kiddos! If you,too, want to make some for the kids, just skip the alcohol step. This recipe is pretty versatile. If you don't want to use cherries, strawberries would work. If … [Read more...]
Crock Pot Greek Stuffed Chicken
I knew I was going to like this Crock Pot Greek Stuffed Chicken recipe. I mean, what's not to like? It's pretty, it's healthy, and I love all of the ingredients that make up the filling. I also knew my kids would hate it. It has grown-up flavors like roasted peppers and artichoke hearts, and I suspected my kids would probably end up eating cereal. I was wrong, and the kids both ate this without complaint! Oh, man. Sometimes I really love being wrong. The kids split a breast because they were pretty big, and we had almost enough for leftovers the next night. Things have been like that around here lately. My kids, at eight and ten, are eating like little adults, and any "leftover" nights are a few different meals cobbled together. I like that, though. It feels like I'm at a … [Read more...]
Crock Pot Madras Lentils
My seven-year-old daughter is a pretty healthy eater. She's crazy about vegetables and she likes lean protein. I mean, she loves candy and chips and all of the other garbage food, too,but if she gets a "treat" at the grocery store, her choice is usually a can of green beans. She doesn't get her admirable eating habits from either of her parents, that's for sure. Her current obsession is these Tasty Bite Madras Lentils. They are super convenient, and she can cook them herself in the microwave safe pouch, which she would do for breakfast, lunch, and dinner if we let her. The problem is, they aren't cheap. These Indian lentils cost between $3 and $4 a pouch at our local grocery store, and my girl demolishes an entire pouch herself. While I'll always have Tasty Bite Madras Lentils in … [Read more...]
Valentine Dipped Wafers
Until a few years ago, I didn't particularly like Valentine's Day. I didn't appreciate being told to show affection in the form of underwhelming greeting cards, dining at crowded restaurants, and giving and receiving cliched gifts. Besides, didn't we just wrap up Christmas? As I type this, I still have a handful of wayward ornaments and various other Christmas type things on a shelf waiting to be sent to the holiday bins in the basement. The old me certainly wasn't going to make Valentine Dipped Wafers to mark Valentine's Day. My kids are responsible for my newfound appreciation for Valentine's Day. Kids do that, don't they? Mine have softened my views on many things, from jumping in puddles to spiders that cross my path, and seeing the world through their eyes has made me more fun. … [Read more...]
Crock Pot Appetizers
I've spent the past two weeks celebrating the holidays with family, and it is no exaggeration to say that a slow cooker was used almost every single day. Crock Pots are great for parties and feeding crowds. The dish can be started hours before the event, allowing the host time to clean up, or to shove all of the homeless items into the junk closet, or to binge watch a couple of episodes of Gilmore Girls. You know, important tasks. New Year's Eve is coming right up, and Superbowl Sunday is just around the corner, so get that slow cooker of yours to do the hard work for you! Here are my all-time favorite Crock Pot Party recipes, and I hope you love them, too! Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip I first made this Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip on Halloween a couple of years ago. We had … [Read more...]
Crock Pot Braised Beef Ragu
You know how, despite your best efforts, you get stuck in ruts? For me, mealtime planning can become the ruttiest of ruts, and before I realize it, we've eaten spaghetti, tacos, or chicken for weeks. The thing is, it's easy to make dishes I know everyone will eat, and trying new recipes takes foresight, and often, an extra trip to the store. I ask you, who has time for that? Despite my best efforts, it appears we're becoming "busy" people. My seven-year-old daughter and nine-year-old son are active in scouting, and they both play a sport most seasons. My son participates in our town's gifted program, which is an after-school commitment, once or twice a week. We haven't crossed into "over-scheduled" yet, but we've got something pretty much every night, and for a homebody like me, … [Read more...]
Crock Pot Nutella Hot Chocolate
Every once in a while, I question my parenting abilities. Like last Saturday when I discovered my kids had never tried Nutella. What kind of mother was I to keep that kind of deliciousness from my little ones? Thanks to the rain, soccer had been cancelled, so a quick run to the store was all that was needed to fix this great injustice. Crock Pot Nutella Hot Chocolate was on the menu! This slow cooker treat is perfect for holiday parties or for a family movie afternoon. We topped ours with whipped cream, but if you wanted to get extra festive, a candy cane or some sprinkles could kick your Crock Pot Nutella Hot Chocolate up a notch. I used my 6.5-Quart Crock-Pot Programmable Touchscreen Slow Cooker (affiliate link) to make this Crock Pot Nutella Hot Chocolate. Crock Pot Nutella … [Read more...]
Crock Pot Black Beans
I'm a huge fan of black beans. I love black bean soup, I love black beans in burritos, and I happily eat them on their own or topped with a poached egg. Beans are healthy and inexpensive, so I whip up a batch of Crockpot Black Beans at least once a month. This recipe is super versatile. Sometimes I dice up a jalapeno for extra spice, and I've used both chicken stock and beef stock with success. If you are vegetarian, vegetable stock would work well, too. You can add pretty much whatever spices you favor, and increase or decrease the red pepper to suit your family's tastes. I've made this recipe with and without the bell peppers, and while I love it most with the peppers, it's delicious without them, too! For a main dish, top your Crockpot Black Beans with sriracha, cilantro, grated … [Read more...]
Crock Pot Turkey Chili
There are certain meals that I crave when the seasons change, and chili falls solidly in my autumn go-to dishes. It's hearty, it's perfect for eating while watching football, and it's happy to simmer patiently in the slow cooker on busy school nights when soccer practice or Cub Scouts keeps us out late. One of the great things about this Crock Pot Turkey Chili is how easily it can be adapted to your family's tastes. You can substitute ground beef for the turkey, and you can use whatever types of canned beans you have on hand. A little bit of diced jalapeno or green chili would be great for people who like a little more heat, or for those households who don't have to accommodate kid palates. As it is with many things, the toppings really kick the meal up a notch, so don't forget … [Read more...]
Crock Pot Sandwiches and Wraps
I love sandwiches. I love subs and melts and burgers. I love sliders and dips and Reubens. I also love pretty much anything wrapped in a tortilla or pita bread, and lucky for me, my family is a big fan of these types of food, too. Today I'm sharing some of our favorite Crock Pot sandwiches and wraps, because I'm sure you like easy dinners that are filling and (mostly) healthy, too! Some of these recipes were originally intended for a different type of meal, like Crock Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs, for example. Sometimes we enjoy Spaghetti and Meatballs one night, and Crock Pot Meatball Subs the next, and sometimes we skip the noodles altogether and jump straight to the messy, delicious subs. The Crock Pot Mississippi Roast Sandwich was born the day after making one of our favorite … [Read more...]
The Thing About the First Day of School
I like to think I'm levelheaded, so it always takes me by surprise when my emotions take over my better judgement. From commercials that make me cry to seemingly normal situations that cause sleep-depriving anxiety, I'm taken aback when I get knocked over by life's regular occurrences. The first day of school is a perfect example of something ordinary that sends me reeling. How can a situation that everyone with school-aged children experiences generate so much emotion? It's not as though the first day of school is a surprise. It's not like I haven't been calling my son a 4th grader and my daughter a 2nd grader all summer long. However, the mental preparations did nothing to stop the low level of panic I felt last night as I made sandwiches for today's lunches, wondering if our summer … [Read more...]
Grilled Summer Vegetables
My ode to summer grilling continues with this delicious side dish of marinated summer vegetables that pairs wonderfully with just about any protein you have on the grill. I'm always on the lookout for yummy ways to prepare veggies or any side dish on the grill because it saves time and keeps me out of my insanely stuffy kitchen. This recipe for Grilled Summer Vegetables is well-worn in my family's recipe binder because it's versatile and easy - and I love the depth of flavor a little bit of char adds to our veggies. So the next time you are wondering how you're going to get through all veggies in your produce box, garden haul or farmer's market basket, just toss together this lightly sweet and tangy marinade made from basic items in your pantry. This recipe makes about 8 cups worth … [Read more...]
North Carolina BBQ Pork Chops
I love my grill this time of year. I love it on hot days when my non-air conditioned house is an oven. I love it when I get home late from work and the aroma of my hubby’s perfectly charred steaks greets me. I love it when our schedules are crazy and we need a quick, easy, and relatively healthy dinner. I could go on about how much I love meals on the grill during the summer, but my ode writing skills are a bit rusty. There’s just no better way to prepare and enjoy a meal during the warm months. And these North Carolina BBQ Pork Chops are one of my favorite grill recipes because they’re easy, lean and so very tasty. The rub is made from spices that you likely already have on-hand (in fact, consider multiplying the recipe so you have a batch of premade rub on-hand at all times – it … [Read more...]
Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Tenders
My husband is a great cook. Unfortunately for me, his work hours don't allow him to get his hiney in the kitchen to make my dinner nearly as often as I'd like. In our previous life, when we both worked full-time and we were child-free, we'd make most of our evening meals together. He'd grill some form of meat while I whipped up the side dishes, and we'd do the dishes together. Now those types of collaborations only happen on the weekends, which is when he introduced me to the taste sensation of Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Tenders. On this fateful day, we had bacon ready for Sunday breakfast, but the kids received several compliments on their behavior at church, so we went out for donuts and hot chocolate, bumping the bacon to dinner duty. Donuts for breakfast and bacon for dinner? Everyone's … [Read more...]
Crock Pot Orange Marmalade Meatballs
Let me tell you a little story about Crock Pot Orange Marmalade Meatballs. A while back, my kids got a four pound jar of orange marmalade in the mail. It was after visiting their Grandma and Pappy, where Pappy introduced them to marmalade on toast. They fell in love, and the package that arrived a few weeks after we got home was a way for the West coast grandparents to support their East coast grandkids' new habit. Now, let me tell you, a jar of marmalade the size of a child's head lasts a long time. A really long time. This jar has been staring at me from its perch on my refrigerator shelf for what seems like years, but because I'm super cheap and because orange marmalade lasts about as long as a Twinkie, there was no way I was throwing it out. I'm glad I kept it, because today I … [Read more...]
Trust
Today's political climate makes my heart hurt. It's frustrating, and polarizing, and is damaged enough that a good number of Americans have a "Fuck it. Burn it to the ground and start over" attitude. We have become a nation so distrustful of each other, even a child being snatched by an alligator has become a way to generate hate and divisiveness. We don't trust parents to do the best for their kids. We don't trust doctors to act in our best interest. We don't trust police officers to protect our communities. We don't trust our neighbors. We don't trust our kids' teachers. We don't trust our government to represent us. When it comes to government, we treat our country like a chess board. There are two main sides, both trying to gain complete control. Because the object of the game is … [Read more...]
Crock Pot Healthy Chicken Tortilla Soup
I love this Crock Pot Healthy Chicken Tortilla Soup. Unlike chili or taco soup, which is really more like a dip you eat with a spoon, chicken tortilla soup is a soup. Sure, tons of toppings can be added to it, which my family LOVES, but if I've spent the past week eating pizza and drinking beer, I can feel good about my food choices by going easy on the toppings, and enjoying this Crock Pot Healthy Chicken Tortilla Soup in all of its delicious glory. My kids gobbled up this soup one night, and ignored it the next. This has nothing to do with the flavor of the chicken tortilla soup, but is mostly because they cannot be counted on to have any consistent opinions on food unless it's candy, chips, or peanut butter and jelly. My husband liked it, too, but wished I would have chosen a cooler … [Read more...]
Crock Pot Shepherd’s Pie
My husband loves Shepherd's Pie, and when we're out to eat and it's on the menu he always gives it careful consideration. So he was excited when Crock Pot Shepherd's Pie was our Crock Pot Thursday pick. I was excited too, because I had a ton of leftover mashed potatoes to use up, and shepherd's pie calls for mashed taters. For me, mashed potatoes are like pasta, in that I can never make the appropriate amount. I either make way too little, or more often than not, I make enough mashed potatoes to feed the neighborhood. When that happens, I make shepherd's pie. I know a true shepherd's pie calls for lamb, but I used beef because I like it better. You could be a real rebel and even use ground turkey if you wanted! This dish with beef is supposed to be called cottage pie, which I am … [Read more...]
Balsamic Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Onion
My sister-in-law, Kim, is a key member of the Crock Pot Thursday gang, but today we're not cooking slow; we're speeding things up as she shares her quick and healthy Balsamic Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Onion recipe! These days, keeping things simple has been my motto. Both my husband and I are on a mission shed some pounds and more importantly, develop better nutrition and exercise habits that will finally stick. We both work full time, and when we're not at work we're busy with our three children under the age of six, so what works for us is not overthinking things, especially dinner. A lean protein, a veggie side or two, and a salad generally round out our plates. So when Amy asked if I’d like to share a recipe, I first thought what I’m cooking up these days is too boring to … [Read more...]
Crock Pot Creamy Ranch Pork Chops
Here at Crock Pot Thursday, we favor recipes that aren't too complicated, and these Crock Pot Creamy Ranch Pork Chops may be one of our easiest slow cooker recipes yet. There is a good chance the ingredients are already in your kitchen, which means you could slap this bad boy together today if you wanted. It is modified from Eat Cake For Dinner and it was exactly what I expected it to be: easy, hearty, and tasty. The entire family liked it, which meant we didn't have any leftovers. That is getting to be a problem. My kids are six and nine and I often need to double recipes to have any leftovers. How can bellies that small eat so much food? And how am I going to keep up with those appetites when they are actual big kids? If your kids are real eaters like mine, and you love leftovers like … [Read more...]
Motherhood
I'm not sure how I got here, wide awake at four am on Mother's Day morning. Both of my kids have always been great sleepers. While my husband wishes he didn't have to sleep at all, sleeping is one of my favorite hobbies, and when we had kids I was intensely focused on protecting my shut-eye. With a handful of exceptions, the kids slept in their own rooms and we enjoyed several years of peaceful nighttime hours. For this reason I'm surprised to be rocking in a La-z-Boy recliner, sipping coffee in the dark. This isn't the first time I've sought refuge in the living room in the middle of the night, and at the rate things are going, it won't be the last. A couple of years ago my daughter began climbing into our bed in the morning. I liked it. I love a morning snuggle, the promise of the … [Read more...]
Crock Pot Picadillo
Guys, this Crock Pot Picadillo recipe is so delicious. My entire family loved it, and my 3rd grade son even asked for the leftovers in his thermos for lunch the next day. Picadillo is a traditional Spanish and Latin American dish that until now I didn't even know I needed in my life. It's kind of like a complex Sloppy Joe dish, but more flavorful and grown-up. It's great on its own, but is also excellent on buns, over rice, over potatoes, or served in a tortilla. I need to make it again to try all of the serving options, since we went crazy on it the first night, and it didn't last nearly as long as I expected it to. This is happening more frequently around here. My kids are only nine and seven, but their appetites rival an adult's these days. How do you people with teenagers afford to … [Read more...]
Crock Pot Italian Beef Sandwiches
We love a sandwich around here. My husband and kids eat a sandwich almost every day for lunch, and if I had the metabolism of a child or a man, I pack a sandwich in my lunch, too. My affection for sandwiches runs deep, like Joey Tribbiani from Friends deep. And the messier the sandwich, the more I adore it. Meatball subs are my first love, but I go crazy for French dip sandwiches, too. You can probably imagine my excitement when I saw this Crock Pot Italian Beef Sandwich recipe was picked for Crock Pot Thursday. For some reason, though, while this tasty recipe was picked way back in October, I never actually made it. October was forever ago, so I have no recollection as to the circumstances that kept my family and me from this sandwichy goodness, but fate can only keep me from a … [Read more...]
Crock Pot Butternut Squash Tortellini
Sometimes I make something I just know my kids will love, and I'm congratulating myself on preparing a winner before dinner is even on the table. Sometimes, those kids of mine will decide before even trying that tasty dinner that they don't like it. It's maddening, I tell you. MADDENING. I tell them, "No, you like this! It's so good!" Or I try some reverse psychology with the classic, "I'm glad you won't eat it. More for me." Many times my eight-year-old son will come around after his obligatory three bite minimum, but his six-year-old sister digs in her heels and ends up eating whatever she can scavenge from the kitchen. That's what happened with this delicious and creamy Crock Pot Butternut Squash Tortellini. My husband and I really dug it, the boy resisted it initially, … [Read more...]
Is It Summer Yet?
I don’t need a calendar or the weather to know what time of year it is, experiencing mornings in our house tells me everything I need to know. Summer is easy. These are the magical days of relaxed mornings, of sunlight streaming through windows waking us up, of very little rushing, and almost no yelling. It’s kids wearing the same clothes two days in a row, and instead of packed backpacks, it’s making sure towels and sand toys are always in the car, just in case. Oh, summer. I love thee. Fall is busier, but everyone is excited for be heading back to school. My six and eight year olds dig school the most, and they are still able to wake up to sunlight. They bound out of bed, they are happy with sandwiches, veggies, cheese sticks, and yogurt for lunch every single day, and the … [Read more...]
Crock Pot Lemon Chicken
Have I told you all how much I love chicken thighs? Not only are they less expensive than breasts, they are moist and flavorful. Now, I'm a fan of chicken in all forms, and I'm not thumbing my nose at the breasts, but in many dishes, thighs are where it's at. One of my favorite things about my slow cooker is how it cooks up deliciously moist chicken, but I also love brown and crispy skin on my poultry, and that's where Crock Pot cooking can fall short. This recipe combines the best of both worlds by adding a ten minute broiling session at the end of the cook time. This quick step adds so much depth to the dish, and creates a beautifully plated chicken dinner! Crock Pot Lemon Chicken is light and healthy, that is until you make our deliciously creamy sauce. Of course you can skip the … [Read more...]
Crock Pot Thai Ginger Chicken Soup
When I was taking the photos for this Crock Pot Thai Ginger Chicken Soup, my six-year-old daughter stood behind me telling me how good it looked. "Mommy, that looks sooo yummy." "Mommy, when can we eat it?" "Mommy, what's that yummy soup called?" I was shocked, because I thought for sure the kids would be eating something else while my husband and I dined on this for dinner, and as I clicked my camera, I wondered it I should have doubled the recipe. When it came time to sit down at the table, the soup ended up being a little too spicy for my sensitive-mouthed girl. She really can't handle any spice at all, because this had just a tiny kick to it. My eight-year-old son was happy to eat her bowl and his, and he even asked for some of the leftovers in his thermos for lunch the … [Read more...]
I Clean, You Clean, We All Need to Spring Clean
What is it about this time of year that makes me want to spring clean? Is it the sun trying to shine through the grimy windows? Is it the increased likelihood that a neighbor may pop by unannounced since we're all hanging out in our yards? Is it that the days are longer, so I feel a little more productive and am less apt to curl up with a book or binge watch The West Wing? The answer is all of the above. When I was invited to take part in the #SpringClean16 campaign with The Motherhood and Kimberly-Clark, I was excited. I’m great at planning to do things, and stocking my home with cleaning essentials is right in my wheelhouse. In the same way people buy treadmills believing earnestly they’ll be fit in no time, my buying a window squeegee with a long arm makes me truly believe my … [Read more...]
Crock Pot Ropa Vieja
When my sister-in-law, Kim, picked this Crock Pot Ropa Vieja recipe for the week, she cautioned the rest of us, "Don't be scared of green olives or raisins; they really add to the depth of the dish without overpowering it." This cracked me up, because she's probably the most adventurous of the Crock Pot Thursday crew, and she knew that without this directive, some of us might have skipped those two ingredients. Kim's picks are almost always winners, and this time was no exception. This is one of my very favorite things about Crock Pot Thursday. Since my mother-in-law, three sisters-in-law, and I take turns choosing our weekly recipe, we're forced into adding some variety to our meal planning. I probably would have never tried this delicious Crock Pot Ropa Vieja were it not a Crock Pot … [Read more...]
Mugs and Memories
It isn’t much to look at, but I love it nonetheless. I reach for it in the morning when the house is quiet and the day is new. It is with me during the short time I have to think clearly and when my spirit is at rest. The simple blue coffee mug that has been with me for more than a decade used to belong to my parents. I don’t know if I stole it, which is a possibility because I have always loved it, or if I accidentally ended up with it after a family camping trip. Like an old friend, the way we came together almost doesn’t matter. The mug is mine now, and it will forever be. My parents were always funny about mugs. They had their favorites, and when I was serving coffee, I would instinctively grab the right one for each recipient. Dad liked one with a generous handle to fit his … [Read more...]
Crock Pot Cinnamon Roll Casserole
Look at this deliciousness. This gorgeous breakfast recipe is what prompted my eight-year-old to say, "Mom? You know how usually I'm not excited about casseroles? I'm really excited about this one." No kidding, kid? You're excited about Crock Pot Cinnamon Roll Casserole? Me too, son. ME TOO. I've had my eye on this recipe from Recipes That Crock for some time now, and have even shared it on my Facebook page, but had never actually made it. Thankfully, I have a sister-in-law who is pregnant (with twins!), and her palate can only tolerate a few things right now. One of those things is sweet, dessert-type recipes, and this week's pick is hers. Thanks, Sarah! I made this recipe on Valentine's Day, which happened to be a Sunday. I put it together before church, and by the time we got home … [Read more...]
Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken and Black Bean Chili
I knew this week's Crock Pot Thursday recipe was going to be a winner, but I was shocked at how much I loved this healthy Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken and Black Bean Chili. It's full of delicious vegetables, and the chicken, beans, and spices come together beautifully. Now, as far as chili goes, this one isn't the thickest you'll ever see, but the consistency is still hearty and rich, and it definitely gives off a strong chili vibe. My husband really enjoyed it, and kept commenting on how good it was as he tore into his second bowl. This is huge, as his usual high praise for any soup type dinner is, "It's decent. I mean, for soup." This tasty slow cooker recipe makes a ton of chili, which is great if you plan on feeding a crowd, if you like leftovers, or if you're like me, and enjoy … [Read more...]
Crock Pot Pesto Spinach Chicken
I love pesto. I love the way it looks, and I love the way it tastes. I love it in pasta, I love it spread over crusty bread, and I love it on chicken. Thankfully my family loves, it, too, and my latest obsession is with the premade, jarred pesto from Costco. It's so handy to have on hand for quick, easy dinners and appetizers! Just last night I chopped up some leftover pork chops, boiled up bowtie pasta and frozen peas, and tossed it all with pesto and parmesan. It was a hit, and it couldn't have been more simple. This Crock Pot Pesto Spinach Pasta was easy, too. I kicked up the green a bit by adding in some frozen spinach, kicked up the flavor with onions and garlic, and I was very happy with the results. My mother-in-law added artichoke hearts and red pepper flakes to hers, which I … [Read more...]
Crock Pot Tater Tot Taco Casserole
We have several versions of Tater Tot Casserole in our Crock Pot Thursday recipe box, and each one has been a winner. This Crock Pot Tater Tot Taco Casserole is no exception. I loved the way the taco meat mixed with the tater tots, and the sour cream mixture adds a nice creamy layer to the dish. This recipe is great for those with hearty appetites, and is also a hit with kids. My kids are a fan of tater tot anything, and of taco anything, for that matter, so Crock Pot Tater Tot Taco Casserole was really a no-brainer for my family. The only thing I need to look out for was the spice factor. For my six and eight-year-old, if it's too spicy, it's not happening. This recipe isn't spicy, but it does have nice taco flavors throughout, so everyone was happy. This dish is really lovely with … [Read more...]
Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip
Sometimes I sit on a recipe I love, even though I want to share it will all of you immediately. Every single time this happens, it's because I don't have a good image to go with the post, and in most of those cases, it's because we loved the dish so much we ate it all up before a photo could be taken. That was the situation with this Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip. Like every recipe I share with you, I make this food to feed my family and sometimes my friends. Many Thursdays my family can be found waiting patiently around the dinner table while I do a quick photo shoot in my kitchen, or they're waiting not so patiently if I'm being completely honest. The first time I made this recipe was on Halloween. I doubled it because we were having friends over, and I got so swept up in the … [Read more...]
How My Daughter Changed My Body Image
I have friends who marvel at how powerful they felt after giving birth. They say the experience of making and growing a whole human helped them realize what incredible feats they are capable of accomplishing. Not me. I wish I would have felt that way post-baby, but instead I was dehydrated, lumpy, tired, and shocked. My entire pregnancy was a marvel of “I can’t even believe the shit that is happening to me right now.” Situations like when I was getting ready for my own baby shower, I choked on water from laughing too hard, and I puked and peed my pants at the same time. At the time I thought this was the most embarrassing thing that could possibly ever happen, but now I know it's actually pretty common for those in the family way. In fact, my sister-in-law did this just a few weeks … [Read more...]
Crock Pot Beef Bolognese
My kids are consistently inconsistent. If you ask me what they'll do in a given situation, I can make an educated guess, but honestly, I'm as curious as anyone how it'll turn out. Usually, I like this about them. I like that they are always growing and changing, and I appreciate how one's behavior can depend on their mood. I don't love this whimsical trait of my children when it comes to dinnertime. If I make a favorite food, I expect them to wolf it down the same every time, not announce "I don't like tacos anymore." It was because of this possibility that I didn't double this Crock Pot Beef Bolognese recipe. While my gut told me they'd love it, I was afraid of a pasta strike, which would have left me with a tanker truck's worth of delicious sauce. I know this doesn't sound like a … [Read more...]
Crock Pot Butternut Squash Soup
Yesterday the kids had no school, the rain and wind had me craving soup, and the butternut squash sitting on my counter was begging to finally be eaten. I have no idea how long gourds last, but it honestly feels like forever, and this one had been living with us for well over two weeks. Do you ever see something at the grocery store that you absolutely must make? The fact that I can pull my shopping cart out of the way and do a quick search for recipes on my phone is both a blessing and a curse, and this modern day convenience is directly responsible for the Granny Smith apples and heavy cream that accompanied the squash home with me to be made into a creamy fall soup. By the time I got around to making this soup for Crock Pot Thursday, though, the original butternut squash soup recipe … [Read more...]
Crock Pot Ham and Beans
When I was a kid, my dad loved making ham and beans. Seeing a big pot of beans simmering on our stove marked fall for me just as much as watching the leaves change color. I always loved the way the ham bone and the white beans made the house smell, but when it came to eating it? No, thanks. It became a joke, as many things between my father and I did, and he would delight in announcing what we were having for dinner if ham and beans were on the menu. When I was away at college, he would email me to tell me my welcome home dinner would be "my favorite." He was always joking, but I reacted with horror, partially to make him laugh, partially because what if he was serious? My dad was forever busting my chops, not unlike his father before him; and now I am carrying on the family legacy. My … [Read more...]
Crock Pot Cheesy Spinach and Tomato Tortellini
You know those slow cooker recipes that you can throw together in the morning and let cook all day long? This is not that recipe. This Crock Pot Cheesy Spinach and Tomato Tortellini is super easy to make, but the pasta only takes a couple of hours to cook, so you can't step away from it for too long. Did you guys know that Crock Pot Thursday isn't just for recipe reviews? My family, and my extended family, make these dishes in our regular life, just like you do. We toss them together with a cup of coffee in one hand, and we delight in the aroma of our slow cooked meals when we come home from work in the evening or from hauling our kids around all day long. Really the only difference between your house and mine is that I plate one serving for my blog photos. That serving usually ends up … [Read more...]
The Best Gift I Ever Gave My Husband
Once, I gave my husband a great gift, and by that I mean only once ever. I'm not talking about the gift of my love, although that really should be enough to sustain him for all eternity, but he likes tools and stuff, too. The year was 2005, and we had an electrician at my work, doing something electriciany in our office. This electrician said to me, "If you don't know what to get your husband for Christmas, this would make a great gift,” and he held up the cutest little cordless drill you ever did see. Apparently it's actually called a pocket driver, and when I presented my husband with one for Christmas, he could not have been more confused. "Did I tell you I wanted this?" "How did you even know about this tool?" "This is awesome. I don't understand." It was a good gift. We … [Read more...]
Crock Pot Curry Mustard Beef Roast
I love one pot meals. I like the fact that they dirty less dishes, I like not having to worry about sides, and I totally dig coming home from work and hearing my Crock Pot tell me, "Don't worry about dinner. I've got your family's entire meal right here." My slow cookers talk to me. I think objects take on human qualities when they are loved hard, a lesson we all learned from The Velveteen Rabbit. Usually my trusty slow cookers say nice things, like, "Go read a book while I whip up something your kids may or may not eat," but sometimes they say "Hey lady, uh, are you going to wash me? I've been sitting next to this sink for two days." Or, "Listen, it's not my fault dinner is ruined. You forgot to turn me on again." Even if your slow cooker doesn't talk to you (yet), it can crank out … [Read more...]
Crock Pot Meatloaf and Vegetables
Sometimes I like to think back to when I was a newlywed, and I was trying to cook like how I imagined a wife should cook. This was funny for a few reasons. One, my dad did a good majority of the cooking when I was growing up because my mom was busy saving lives at the hospital; and two, I was a terrible cook. One of the first dishes I tried to make for my husband was meatloaf. It tasted bad and looked worse. I couldn't figure out why such a seemingly simple recipe could have gone so wrong. It was bland, dense, and wouldn't stay in loaf form. My husband suffered through far too many failed meatloaf attempts before I learned that the key to tasty meatloaf is very finely chopped vegetables, enough salt and pepper, and the proper ratio of meat to bread crumbs. We like our meatloaf without … [Read more...]
Crock Pot Hawaiian Chicken
Sometimes we make a Crock Pot Thursday recipe that we like, but life gets busy and I forget about it before I have a chance to write about it. Yesterday I was scrolling through the images on my camera and came across the ones for this Crock Pot Hawaiian Chicken, and immediately wished I had sweet and tangy shredded chicken in my slow cooker and not just in my camera. I'm a fan of dishes that can be served multiple ways. I won't make different dinners for each of my family members, but if my six-year-old is in a kick where she doesn't like sandwiches, I have no problem giving her the exact same thing we're eating, only disassembled on her plate. "Here's your chicken, your bun, and your shredded cabbage. Enjoy!" She's happy and I'm happy. My husband is irritated, but only because he can't … [Read more...]
Back to School Crock Pot Recipes Your Kids Will Actually Eat
Back to school is right around the corner, and I'm already thinking about how busy our afternoons and evenings will be. I'm not going to lie, it's bumming me out. If you are like me, you're dreading trying to get back into a routine, and are worried about the responsibility of feeding a family when evenings are quick and bedtimes are early. Well, you guys, I'm here to help. If you are familiar with my Crock Pot Thursday series, you know that I have spent several years testing and reviewing one slow cooker recipe a week with my mother-in-law and a few of my sisters-in-law. Most of us feed children, and all of us feed grown men who are often more picky than the kids. Today I'm sharing the recipes our kids actually ate! I selected easy, quick, and family-friendly choices, so you can … [Read more...]
Books and Money: An End of Summer Giveaway
When someone tells me summer is almost over, I say "No, thank you." I'm not ready to say goodbye to lazy mornings and unscheduled days. When the kids go back to school, I go back to work, and I've just got too many books to read and too much lying around to do before that can happen. To embrace the few weeks we have left of summer, I teamed up with a bunch of my blogging buddies and asked the all-important question: what book would you recommend for a last-blast at summer reading? What book would you love to share with others? Every month, The Mom of the Year and Normal Level of Crazy meet through a virtual book club* to allow moms to come together and chat about incredible books while still rocking their pj pants in the cozy-comfort of their own homes. It doesn't get any better, … [Read more...]
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