5 Cozy Fall Crockpot Recipes

As a busy mom of 3 I am always on the lookout for good crock-pot meals. When it comes to trying out seasonal favorites Pinterest is my normal go to place to find new and exciting recipes. Unfortunately, when you type 'fall crock-pot meals' what comes up is soup. My husband dislikes soup, so this makes 99.9% of the recipes out of the question for our family. What do I cook in the crock-pot for our no-soup family? 

Today I am sharing 2 crock-pot recipes of my own, and 3 more recipes that are tried and true favorites from Pinterest. If you are stumped on what to cook for dinner (or breakfast for dinner) then I hope this will offer some inspiration! 

Apple Butter

This is a great recipe to do with your kids! It's both a recipe with just a few ingredients, and quick to put together, which is perfect for young helpers. We bought these knives for Little Man, so he could learn about cutting up fruits and veggies. 

I also want to add that I added Pumpkin Pie spice, instead of each individual spice you'll find on most recipes. I did this to lesson the amount of ingredients. I think they also make an apple pie spice mix, but this is what I had on hand and it turned out perfect! Here is the recipe:

8 medium sized apples 
1 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons Pumpkin Pie Spice
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 tablespoon vanilla

Chop up apples, skin and all and place into crockpot. Add the rest of the ingredients and turn the crockpot on low. Cook on low for 8 hrs, blend in a blender and add it back to the crockpot to cook for about 30/45 more minutes. Add to jars.  

If you wanted to start this first thing in the morning you can have one of my favorite easy dinners: breakfast for supper. Fry up some bacon, maybe whip up a couple of eggs and slather this delicious warm apple butter on biscuits, toast, waffles, pancakes, whatever!

I love supper recipes that I can put together at lunch time and this next recipe is a perfect recipe for that! My husband loves a chunkier chili (again, we aren't a soup family) so you'll see beans and a good amount of meat. You can adjust this to fit your family's preference!

Chili

1 lb of ground beef
1/2 a medium onion, diced
1 can of beans (pinto, kidney, black beans, etc.), drained
1 28 oz can of petite diced tomatoes in tomato juice
Chili seasoning mix (I make my own by combining about a teaspoon of each (garlic powder, chili powder, creole seasoning, paprika)
Salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup (or more if you like thinner chili) Chicken stock

Brown ground beef and onion in a pan. Add 1/2 of seasoning to meat as it cooks. Add it and the rest of the ingredients to the crockpot and cook on low for 4 hrs. 

Other Crockpot recipes we love on Pinterest:

Healthy Crock Pot Pulled Pork This is absolutely delicious! My kids loved this and no one noticed that I used sugar free BBQ sauce (Sweet Baby Ray's all the way). 

Red Beans and Rice  This is one of my favorite cold day favorites. It will 

Crockpot Caesar Chicken  This is an anytime favorite that can be served with a quick veggie. 

5 Ways to Have a Cozy Home for Fall

 

When I say 'cozy home' what do you think of? Warm blankets? Candles? The other day it was one of those crisp cold days (okay, cold in the south, which is where the temps are in the 50s!) where I honestly just wanted to curl up in a ball on the couch with a good book and a cup of coffee or tea. I'm a mom, so that didn't happen. Actually, all this staying at home all the time can be a big downer on your mood. However, even spending so much time with your crew, and in your home, you can get that cozy home feel, I promise! If you are a mom and yearning for that cozy home feel, here are some ways you can help make your home feel cozier!

Do a quick clean of the house

Set a timer for 15 minutes per room. You'll be surprised what you'll be able to accomplish in such a short amount of time, and for me personally, it helps me to be less anxious. A cluttered house can lead to a cluttered mind! Nothing says cozy more than a freshly cleaned house-it's almost like I can actually breathe and rest once it's clean. For those with young kiddos-you may have to lower expectations. Toys will get back out, spills will happen, handprints will reappear, but having things tidied as much as possible, and wiped down will certainly be a step in the right direction! 

Light a candle

I am not sponsored by Bath and Body Works at all, but if you get the Pumpkin Pecan Waffles, or Blueberry Pumpkin Waffles (notice a theme here?! haha) you can't go wrong! I love the smell of baking, and both the scent and the ambiance put me in a cozy mood. So stop what you are doing (yes! I give you permission to stop reading my post for a few minutes) go do a quick tidy and light a candle and see if doesn't help your mood!

Listen to some encouraging music

We really like our home Google Device. Listening to positive Christian music helps me get those chores done with a better attitude. Pouring out my thanks to God helps me appreciate the home given to me. I also feel like this helps calm the chaos that my house feels like 24/7! 

Read a Good Book with your Children

So you no longer have the luxury of curling around a good book and a cozy blanket on a cold rainy day, but bringing your children around you on the couch with the same snuggly blankets can be just as refreshing. My favorite Read alouds are the Little House books, Chronicles of Narnia, Ann of Green Gables, and Little Britches series (reader discretion advised-it contains some language. Mom can easily read around it though!). What are your favorite books to read together as a family?

Bake Cookies together!

Maybe this should be done first, since it makes such a big mess, but there is just something about freshly baked cookies on a wet, cold day. We recently made homemade chocolate cookies from scratch. I decided to do a merge of Magnolia's and a family recipe. The secret to good cookies is vanilla! Some don't include this, and also, less butter. Try 1 stick instead of 2 and the texture is so much better. Here is how we made ours (I didn't have baking soda, so I used baking powder and they turned out fine!)

Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 stick of butter
3/4 cup white sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 egg
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 1/4 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 package of chocolate chips (I used a whole 2 cup package and it was super chocolaty and we had chocolate chips that simply didn't stick to the dough)

Preheat oven to 375F. Mix butter, sugars, egg, and vanilla, then add flour, baking soda and salt. Mix together-should make a pretty thick dough. Add chocolate chips. Make balls (not sure of size...they kept their shape pretty well!) and slightly push them down on the tray. Bake for 9 minutes. Should make about 30 cookies

5 Ways to Have an Unplugged Summer

Some of my favorite summer memories growing up, were spent outside. I'm guessing kids do not register heat like adults do, because I do not remember it being so difficult to stay outside longer than 30 minutes during the summer, like it does now! I remember baseball games with my siblings, running through the sprinkler, cold watermelon on the front porch. I remember playing with my sister and cousins in my Memaw's front yard. We would climb trees, play 'house', and sit in her shaded front porch and drink ice cold water as a break. These are the kind of memories I want for my children, however, how many times do I hear 'what can I do now?' and 'Can I just watch something?'.

I am thankful we've never bought my son a tablet, so there is no weaning him off of it, but I've been convicted about the amount of other screen time that he gets. I know other mamma's struggle with kid's constantly wanting to play video games. Or feel how easy it is for screen time to be a go to. However, If you are like me, and would rather have more camping in homemade forts nights, than them playing Fortnite (see what I did there?) then read ahead on some ways you -and I- can have a unplugged summers, this year!

 1. You are the Parent!
Um, what? That isn't a way to be unplugged, is it? Y'all, the easy thing is to give in to your kid when they are bored. As parent's, though, we know that what is easy, isn't always what is best. If you want your kids to have an unplugged summer, then you will have to be the parent and limit devices and TV. I am not completely cutting TV this summer, but I am limiting it. You can do it too. Trade in those devices and TV for memories that will last!

2. Schedule and Routine
Having a plan is a way to set yourself up to win! I am not one to want to bog down the freedom of summer with a lot of set schedules, but having a routine can help things to be accomplished and plans to be executed. For my son, since he is little, I am creating a colored routine chart to help him know what comes next during the day. This way, instead of coming to me wanting to know what to do, he can go look at the chart and know what the plan is for the day.

3. Boredom Busters
I don't remember my mom having these when I was a kid. It was more, go play or I'll put you to work, kind of a thing. ha! However, Pinterest has so many cute activities and Ideas, that I want to add this category. You could have a 'make it Monday' and 'Take a trip Tuesday'. For us, this year, I am having a quiet time basket. Each week (or every couple of weeks) I'll have a themed basket filled with books, puzzles, and small activities (like lacing, water beads, coloring book, etc. ) that he can do while it is really hot outside. I've also included some colorful dollar store workbooks to help him remember what we studied during the school year. I may also look up some fun Pinterest activities to do a few days a week.

4. Family Game Time
Our game cabinet is full of board and card games that we only rarely play as a family. My son is nearing 5, and he is starting to catch on to games like UNO, Blockus, Sorry, ect. I am planning to have a set time (that might have been spent watch a show) to play games as a family. There is nothing like bonding(or fighting!) during a family card game!

5. Go Outside!
Buy that watermelon, have that spitting seed contest. Run through the sprinkler and let your kids have water fights. These are the moments you will never get back with your children. Be present in their lives. Since we teach by example, put down the phone (talking to myself here) and watch your children grow. Swimming lessons are great, art camps are fun, but simply spending time as a family can become the fond memories your children look back on for years to come.

Happy Summer!

Meal Planning for Beginners

When I first got married, I could count on my one hand how many things I knew how to cook, and almost all those things were Thai. This made meal planning incredibly simple at first. It wasn't too long before I realized that I loved to cook! I loved taking recipes I found and putting my own twist to it. Before long I had quite a number of things I could make, and started writing down what I was going to make each week before I wrote out my shopping list. When I got pregnant that all went out the window. We ate whatever I thought I could stomach, or whatever I had a hankering for (yes, hankering, it's a good southern word!).  It wasn't until a few months ago that I really got back into the whole meal planning thing.  I thought I would share some meal plan ideas.

Meal planning not only helps relieve stress, but also can help with staying healthy and eating on a budget. If you meal plan, you are less likely to open that box of hamburger helper, or grab a hamburger from a fast food place. Let me know of cool ways you meal plan!

Since this is for beginners, I am only showing a week's worth. Honestly, that is all I ever do. Shopping is done once a week at our house, and I find that a one week meal plan works for our family. 

Theme Meal Plans

Here is an example of how themed meals work. I love this method, because you know what recipes to choose from each week, and it's easier to keep track of what ingredients you need. It doesn't have to be these themes, it is completely up to you and how your family works.  I am, though, including links to some of my favorite recipes. 

Meatless Monday: Now for us this doesn't work, since KJ is a big fan of meat, but this would make a great salad day. Mondays we go grocery shopping, so for us are it's normally a 'what can I make with the groceries I have left' day. 

Taco Tuesday: Yes, yes, Taco Tuesday counts, but just because it's called Taco Tuesday, doesn't mean you have to have tacos every time. Look at this link, to see some of my favorite 'taco' recipes!

Crock-pot Wednesday: I am aware that this is a bit of an unusual Wednesday theme, but since my husband is the youth pastor of our church, we like to get to to Wednesday services a bit early to set up. Having a meal that's ready to serve when he comes home from work, makes it nice! One of my favorite recipes is chicken breast + your favorite bbq sauce. I put some seasonings we like, and serve it with toast and a veggie.  Here is a list of a great crock-pot meals. 

Pasta Thursday: My hubby loves pasta, and when I say love, I mean LOVE, especially if involves cheese. This is far from healthy, but once a week I make pasta, or perhaps something a little less healthy, but something my husband loves (I still try to include a veggie). Thursdays are the ideal day, because my piano lessons for Thursday are bi monthly, so I have more time in the evening to do something special for supper. 

Pizza Friday: This is the night that my husband go out for a date night, but pizza is a popular Friday night meal! if you would like to get your kids to get in on the fun, here is a recipe from my blog for tomato sauce, that you can spread on pizza dough and get your kids to add cheese and your favorite toppings!

Sandwich Saturday: Easy meal, and you can use leftover veggies from taco Tuesday to add to your sandwich!

We eat out on Sunday as well. This can be replaced with a crock pot meal to be ready when you get home from church. 

Budget Friendly Meal Plan

Another way to meal plan is to use the same ingredients multiple times. This saves money, but it might take a bit more time to plan out. I'll give you the recipes I am using this week, for an example.

Monday: grilled chicken and corn. As I stated before, this is our shopping day. We had chicken and frozen corn, so that's what we ate!

Tuesday: Thai stir fry, and Spring Rolls: Made with cabbage and chicken. Ground pork is normally used but my store was all out! 

Wednesday: Crock-pot Red beans and rice Use the leftover rice from Thai night. 

Thursday: Use the remainder sausage from the Red Beans and Rice, and the cabbage from the spring rolls to make sauteed  cabbage and sausage. 

Friday: Date night! 

Saturday: BBQ Chicken and veggies. 

I don't write plans on a cute chalkboard sign, or dry erase board. It doesn't have to be fancy (although it can be. Let your creative juices flow!), but it can help save money and the stressful question of 'What in the world am I going to make tonight!'

Very Berry Muffins

When it's springtime in the south, you open your door and the scent of honeysuckle and freshly mowed grass make a sweet smelling mix. The chirping of birds and the humming of bees can be heard if you listen closely. Along my fence there are prickly vines of fat juicy blackberries just calling to be picked. Aside from the storms, I love this time of year when everything is warming up and making everyone want to be outside (unless you have allergies, then you might want to stay inside). This morning I went and picked several of the ripe blackberries dangling from the fence, and then started looking up a healthy recipe to make with them.
So far I've made two blackberry cobblers, and although it tasted great, it was packed with butter and sugar...so, I figured I would try to incorporate some healthier ingredients, that I have around the house. Nothing on pinterest or other internet recipe sites had exactly what I was looking for, so I decided to do what I have wanted to do for a while now, bake something freestyle. I was really nervous about it, to say the least! Getting the flour and milk and so on to be just right to have the right consistency, then to have enough sugar that it wouldn't be too sweet (or not sweet enough), was going to be difficult. I tried, and I succeeded! Really happy about how it turned out, and besides the sugar and white flour, it is really healthy! Here is the recipe for you to try. Let me know what you think!

Berry Muffins

1 1/4 c.  self-rising flour

1/2 c. white sugar

1/4 c. brown sugar (I put a couple of handfuls, not much)

1/2 c. whole grain old fashion oats

2 t. cinnamon  

1t. vanilla

1 egg

1/4 c. plain fat-free yogurt (to replace butter)

3/4 c. milk

1 1/2 c. berries (I used a mix of blackberries and strawberries)

Pre-heat oven to 350F and spray muffin cups with Non-stick cooking spray that have been placed in a muffin pan. In a mixing bowl, mix together flour, sugar, oats, and cinnamon. Add vanilla, egg, and yogurt, and mix until a little clumpy. Slowly add milk and stir until it's the right consistency then add the berries. Fill muffin cups 3/4 full of mix and bake for about 14 min. Should make about 14 muffins.

Enjoy!

A newlywed's approach to cooking

In high school, I hated cooking. I would have much rather been bent over a Jane Austen book than over a stove making something that would be devoured by 8 hungry people in less than an hour! When I moved to Thailand, I became best friends with my uncle's housekeeper, and watched her as she cooked, and then later made trades with my adult English students: one hour of English, for one hour of cooking lessons. I got to where I knew how to cook more Thai dishes than American ones. Since I got married about a month after returning to America, I became really concerned with my lack of cooking skills. My husband told me that he would love me regardless of whether I could cook or not :) but I wanted to be one of those wives who has a delicious hot cooked meal when the husband returns tired from work. So, I determined to learn to cook!!
In our first weeks, I went strictly by recipe, and did simple things like hamburgers, fried rice (like I said, I could do Thai food better than American), fried chicken, and baked potatoes and salads. Once I became more comfortable with cooking, and the recipes I began experimenting, adding my own flair, and adding things to my numerous Pinterest recipe list (Pinterest is amazing for beginning cooks! Normally the pins come from blogs, which have numerous comments that give reviews on the recipes. That way you know if it's a good one before you start making it).
I have done all this introducing, to say, that I love cooking now! There is something so rewarding about cooking for your husband. If you don't feel like you're that great of a cook, do exactly like the recipe says for a while, until you feel comfortable, then think 'how can I make this even better' and try it!

Today I am giving you a few dinner recipes that take less than 30 minutes to prepare, for those who don't have a lot of time on their hands. My first dish is one that I make the most often, every Wednesday, in fact, since we leave for church right after dinner, and I love how it's in one dish. All of these make about 3 servings, since I make it for my husband and I, and then for his lunch the next day.

Dirty Rice

1/2 pound hamburger meat

1/4 cup chopped onion

Cajun and Italian spices (I use everything in this dish: Garlic salt, Italian seasoning, Season All, and red pepper flakes)

Salt and pepper to taste

1 1/4 cup Chicken broth

1/2-3/4 cup rice (I use Jasmine rice)

Add just a bit of oil to a skillet (I use Olive oil) and add onions and hamburger meat. Chop up meat and cook until brown. Add seasonings to taste (maybe a teaspoon of each? I really just wing it!). Add broth, then rice, turn the stove to med. heat and cover the pan. Set a timer for 15-18 minutes and let simmer. Uncover, and serve!

I recently made pizza and decided to create my own sauce. I looked at a few recipes and then incorporated a little bit from each, and made my own. The hubby really liked it, so I decided to make it a bit thinner and use it as a pasta sauce. Whether using it to make pizza or pasta sauce, this takes very little time to make. If you boil your pasta while cooking the sauce, your meal will be ready in no time at all!

Tomato Pasta Sauce

1-2 Tablespoons Olive oil

2 cloves minced garlic

1/4 cup onion

6 oz can tomato paste

chopped tomato, optional

Tomato sauce to preferred consistency

Italian spices, oregano,  minced basil leaves (optional), garlic salt

salt and pepper to taste

With the stove at high heat, add olive oil, and garlic and onion to saucepan. When the onion starts to change color, add tomato, stir, then add paste. Try to stir as best you can (I know it will be thick) to incorporate the onion and garlic. Start adding the tomato sauce a few teaspoons at a time (then maybe a little more) until desired thickness. Add your seasonings, then once the sauce starts to boil, turn down heat, and let simmer until time to serve over delicious penne or spaghetti pasta (or pizza!)!

If you are wanting a meat to go along with the pasta, here is a recipe that I love from Rachel Ray: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/rachael-ray/parmesan-crusted-chicken-breasts-with-tomato-and-basil-and-potatoes-with-peppers-and-onions-recipe/index.html 

(I know that this includes a potato recipe, but it shows a video on how to do the chicken).

If you it's too expensive to use up all that Parmesan, then just take a piece of bread, a handful of Parmesan, and some Italian spices and put it in the food processor. Take a whisked egg and dip the chicken in the egg then the bread crumbs, and fry it in a skillet with the bottom of the pan covered in oil, and fry until done. 

For the pizza I used walmart brand roll out crust, then added the homemade sauce, cheese, pepperoni, more cheese and Italian spices.

Here are a few of my 'specialties' that I do at the house. I may add a few more later, and perhaps later I can add some appetizers and desserts! Comment on which you would like to see first!

Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoy these recipes. Let me know how they turned out!