A Busy Mom's Slow Cooker Adventures

Vodka Sauce Gluten-Free

2013-06-18T13:10:00.001-04:00

Who doesn't love a good vodka sauce? I mean, it's sinful in a couple ways right? It's creamy and delicious and has a hint of the vodka flavor most adults crave once in a while. This sauce turned out great! I was really happy with the consistency, and I really liked how versatile it became....more about that in a bit.

I only added a touch of vodka to my sauce because I was a bit nervous and cautious. If I make this again, I might add a bit more. Please feel free to add as much as you think you would like. I added 1/4 cup and this makes A LOT of sauce, so the vodka flavor was extremely faint. I would probably add 1/2 cup next time for this amount of sauce. That being said, I loved the sauce the way it was because it was simply, delicious! Also, my kids were eating this with us, and I didn't want to serve them something with a foreign taste (if you know what I mean) But, by all means, "beef up the vodka" if you really want that flavor to come through.

Not only did I use this sauce to serve over pasta as you see below, but a couple days later, I added 1 lb. of browned ground beef to about 4 cups of this sauce, and mixed it with 1 lb. of gluten-free pasta. I added a couple cups of Parmesan and Italian Blended shredded cheese on top, baked it in a casserole dish for about 20 minutes on 375 and had a delicious baked spaghetti the whole family LOVED!

So, we had this for dinner 2 nights, baked spaghetti for 2 nights and enough sauce left over to put in the freezer for another meal later! Pretty good, huh?!

P.S. I used skim milk (because that's all I had in my house and it turned out well. It was obviously not as rich, but it was still very good.

This is a gluten-free recipe!

Servings: 10-12

Ingredients:
28 oz. can crushed tomatoes with basil (regular crushed tomatoes will work as well)
14.5 oz. can fire roasted diced tomatoes (regular diced tomatoes will work as well)
12 oz. tomato paste
1/4 cup vodka (use up to 1/2 or 2/3 cup if you want more vodka flavor)
2 Tbsp. garlic powder
3/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
4 Tbsp. butter
3 cups heavy cream

Directions: (Use a 3-5 Quart Slow Cooker)

In your crock, dump the crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, tomato paste and vodka.

Add the garlic powder, salt and pepper.

Give it a stir and cook on LOW for 5-8 hours, or on HIGH for 2.5-4 hours.

About the last 45 mins-1 hour, add the 4 Tbsp. of butter and recover.

When you're ready to serve, blend the sauce with an immersion blender until it is smooth.

(If you don't have an immersion blender, CAREFULLY blend your sauce in a food processor or blender. Make sure to cover the lid with a towel in case there is splash. You don't want to burn yourself!)

Remove 2 cups of your sauce into a bowl and SLOWLY (and I mean slowly) add the heavy cream to your sauce by whisking CONSTANTLY! This will keep your milk from curdling. It still might not blend completely smoothly (mine didn't) but it's no big deal.

Now, you're going to SLOWLY pour this back into the remainder of your pasta sauce while again, whisking CONSTANTLY!

And you are done! A little bit of work, but nothing too hard. :)

Serve over your favorite pasta and ENJOY!

Look Who's Growing Review and #Giveaway!

2013-06-18T09:00:00.000-04:00

I love when I'm contacted by a company with a super cool product that I can review! This one will be around our house for YEARS to come!

Look Who's Growing sells personalized children's growth charts. They have 30 different designs and colors you can choose from, add your child's birth date, and you can personalize it even more by having your child's picture on their chart as well. You can find all their products on their website, www.lookwhosgrowing.c a.

As you can see, Gavin loves his chart! We have the perfect size wall right behind his door, where we hung the chart. The directions given say you can hang the chart with tacks, or nails, or adhesive strips, so I used adhesive strips to hang mine. I hate putting holes in walls.....I'm funny like that!

The cool thing is, we can use the chart for Ella as well. She was just as happy to stand there as Gavin was!

You can find Look Who's Growing many different ways:

www.lookwhosgrowing.ca
www.facebook.com/lookwhosgrowing

www.pinterest.com/lookwhosgrowingFollow us on Twitter @lookwhosgrowing

Now, here's the super fun part! Want a chance to win your very own Personalized Growth Chart?! Well, Look Who's Growing has been kind enough to offer one to one of my fans! All you have to do is enter the giveaway below! Good luck!

Entry -Form

Metro Detroit Mommy 5,000 Fan Celebration & Birthday Bash

2013-06-17T10:00:00.000-04:00

I am super excited to be a part of this Giveaway! Please take the time to enter. All of the sponsors are listed below and the rules are clearly stated as well. You do not need to be a member of the Metro Detroit Area to win a prize, but some are local prizes. Good luck!

First I would like to thank the bloggers who are helping to promote this awesome giveaway:

Mom Among Chaos
http://momamongchaos.blogspot.com

A Busy Mom's Slow Cooker Adventures
http://www.slowcookeradventures.com

Mind on Movies
http://www.mindonmovies.com/

MichiGal
http://michigalmom.com/

Yes/No Films
http://www.yesnofilms.com

Daily Leisure
http://www.dailyleisure.com

Baby Bear
http://www.babybearhugs.com

3 Months Free Mom Sponsor on online Magazine
for Michigan Mommy business owners
Michigan Home Mommy Works

And here are the wonderful prizes:

$50 cash prize from
Metro Detroit Mommy

Life on Paper Photography by Bri Mason
http://www.lifeonpaperphoto.com/
http://www.facebook.com/LifeOnPaperPhoto
On-Location Family Photography Session
(two adults with kids)
within 25 miles of Canton.
($175)Brithday Bash/5K Fan Prize:

4 headbands from
Lilly Bee's Shop

http://www.mythirtyone.com/dmanjo/
http://www.facebook.com/groups/592003664161269/
A 31 Keep-It-Caddy and $5.00 gift card ($27.00)

Robin Slawnyk Photography
http://www.robinslawnyk.com/
http://www.facebook.com/robinslawnykphoto
Free Mini Session ($100)

MDM Bowtique
(2) $20 Gift Certificates

$25 Gift Certificate to
James & Olive

Momcat's Signing Academy
http://www.momcats-signing-academy.com/
http://www.facebook.com/momcats.signing.academy
Baby Signing Time Vol. 1 Bundle ($39.95)

Twinkle Fairy Bowtique
4 hair bows and a hanging bow holder ($27)

Sugar Baby Boutique
Mommy & Me Apron Set $29

Sew Mary Beth
http://sewmarybeth.com/
$25 Gift Certificate

B Posh Events
http://bposheventplanning.com/
Dora Character for 25 minutes

Over the Rainbow Children Clothing & Accessories
$30 gift certificate
Photography by Life on Paper

Baby Boot Camp Farmington Hills
4 class session (Value $45)
http://www.babybootcamp.com/mi-farmingtonhills.aspx

Sadie's Room
Hair Bow Board and a pair of Hair Flowers
http://www.etsy.com/shop/sadiesroom

Kindermusik at Evola Music of Canton
Kindermusik Gift Basket

Tiny Town Play Lounge
1 month Play Pass
http://www.tinytownplaylounge.com/

Playaway
$25 gift certificate
http://playawayonline.com/

Aries Music
http://www.ariesmusicstudio.com/
http://facebook.com/ariesmusicstudio
3 Kidermusik gift baskets
(Free class, instrument, music download card, more!)
($25 each)

AirTime Trampoline & Game Park
$25 gift certificate
http://www.airtimetrampoline.com/

Alison Elle Edible Art
Elle Edible Art is a cottage food business in Lake Orion, MI.
One dozen custom decorated sugar cookies up to $35 value.
Redeem by ordering through Alison Elle Edible Art
(https://www.facebook.com/AlisonElleEdibleArt).
Please allow minimum 2 week notice.
Available for pick-up or local delivery only.
Offer good through December 2013.

An in home organic tan
Bask - Mobile Organic Spray Tans

Boogie Babies
One day play pass (4 winners)

Chelsie Maurer Photography
One free photo session (Expires Sept 30, 2013)

Dolly Madelynn's
BEAUTIFUL 18 Inch Wedding Gown,
Veil and Bouquette Doll Outfit that will fit American Girl
and similar 18 inch dolls (30.00 Retail)

Cindy's Cookies
http://cindyscookies.storenvy.com/
2 sets of 2 dozen lactation cookies, local orders only ($30)

Slick Sugar
http://www.slicksugar.com/
Belly Banter Stickers (3 winners)
Photo by: Brooke King Photography

Kindermusik of Clinton Township and Macomb Township
Kindermusik Storybook, CD, tambourine, and a free class.

Perfect Nanny Match
3 Hours Free Babysitting **
http://PerfectNannyMatch.com/
After the first 3 hours of babysitting, family must agree to pay babysitter $12/hr. Family may not use this babysitter again, without going through Perfect Nanny Match's procedures.

One hand-stamped, personalized necklace - winner's choice up to $40 value
Little Painted Polka Dots

Jennifer McArthur Photography LLC
2 gift certificates for $50 each off a regular priced session
http://www.jennifermcarthurphotography.com/

It Works, Wrap it up Amie
It Works!
http://amiekelp.myitworks.com/
FREE wrap ($30)

Little Lady
www.shoplittlelady.com
http://www.shoplittlelady.com/
Flamingo Tutu Dress & Leggings Set
and matching Headband ($49)

Cousins Clothing
Belly Banter Promo Donor

Restyle Child
$20 gift certificate and one bottle of Piggy Paint
http://www.restylechild.com/

pArt of Life Photography
http://www.partoflifephotography.com/
mini session, with 8x10 and 4x5 accordion album ($175)

It Works! Independent Distruibutor
Tracy Got Wraps (It Works!)
https://tracygotwraps.myitworks.com/Home
One Ultimate Body Applicator (Body Wrap) ($35)

Wildtree Cooking with Tammy
http://www.mywildtree.com/tammyw/
$25 in Wildtree Goodies

1 Yoga class and 2 drop in play passes
Nature's Playhouse

Music with Ms. Carissa Knoles
http://www.mscarissarocks.com/
Free Pass to a class of your choice (three winners) $10 value each
Locations all over the Metro Detroit Area

A Slow Cooker Cook Book from:
A Busy Mom's Slow Cooker Adventures

http://akissmeansiloveyou.com/
two signed copies of "A Kiss Means I Love You" ($32)

Please Read These RULES

many of the prizes are for local winners, so therefore I will be emailing the winners asking for their top prize choices. You do not need to be local to Metro Detroit to win.
winners will be emailed in batches asking for their top prize picks. You will have 48 hours to respond to the email or your prize will be forfeited.
winners can and probably will win more than one prize.
YOU MUST complete ALL of the mandatory entries to be entered. If you only do some you are not qualified to win any prizes. The Giveaway Tools app won't even select you as a winner!
If you have one invalid entry, you risk losing all of your entries. They will be verified to the best of my ability, so be honest!
Yes, there are over 40 mandatory entries, each participant has donated time, money or a prize to be a part of this giveaway. Please show support by liking each of the pages. If you don't want to like all the pages, don't enter!
have fun and good luck!

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Slow Cooker Recipes 10 Ingredients or Less And Gluten-Free....DEBUT!

2013-06-12T21:22:00.000-04:00

Well, well, well.......I have some VERY exciting news to share with all of you! My cookbook is FINALLY DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Whooooo hoooooo!!!!! It has been a hard and long road, but it has been worth every second! Deep and sincere thanks to both of my photographers, Robert Wyse of Wyse Eyes Photography, who made my food come to life; and Meghan Mace of Meghan Mace Photography, who took my stunning author photos and made me feel like a real true author! And to my family and friends, for their countless words of encouragement and support, I cannot thank you enough. You all mean the world to me! (I'm getting very misty-eyed!)

The book is available in both eBook and Print. If you're feeling sassy, order one of each! I like to have cookbooks in my kindle account for when I go to my sister's house. It makes finding my favorite recipes easier. At home, I like to have actual books.

My book is in Full Color (eBook and Print.) Every recipe in the book (with the exception of the first 4, which are just basic recipes, such as spice blends) has a picture to accompany it, so you'll know how it's supposed to look when it is done! How do you like that?! Because the book is in color, it does make it a bit pricier, but I promise, it is worth it! I wouldn't have it any other way! Let's face it.....we eat with our eyes and if I gave you a book in black and white, it wouldn't be as appealing.

Here are all the ways you can purchase the book, Slow Cooker Recipes 10 Ingredients or Less And Gluten-Free. I will update this page as they all become available! Thank you for your support and patience!

To pre-order an Autographed Copy of Slow Cooker Recipes 10 Ingredients or Less And Gluten-Free,
please fill out this contact form.

Kindle Edition of Slow Cooker Recipes 10 Ingredients or Less And Gluten-Free

Paperback Slow Cooker Recipes 10 Ingredients or Less And Gluten-Free

Nook Edition of Slow Cooker Recipes 10 Ingredients or Less And Gluten-Free

Kobo Edition of Slow Cooker Recipes 10 Ingredients or Less And Gluten-Free

iTunes Edition of Slow Cooker Recipes 10 Ingredients or Less And Gluten-Free
COMING SOON!

Jen Ramey Designs - Review

2013-06-08T09:24:00.002-04:00

I love pretty things, so when Jen Ramey of Jen Ramey designs asked me to do a review on her wine charms, it wasn't hard to say yes!!!!

Look at how beautiful these are!!!!

Jen is a true artist, which means I was able to choose the design, color and imprint I wanted on my charms. I love colorful things, so I chose rainbow charms. The heart symbolizes our marriage, and the "C," our last name.

Let me tell you something, you're not just getting wine glass charms when you order from Jen Ramey Designs. Look at how well these were packaged and all the extras I got!

The box was packed beautifully! A beautiful sticker on the inside of the box when I opened it, with Jen's gorgeous logo. Lots of cushion for my charms with the blue strips of paper, and my charms were gorgeously packed inside that "thank you" bag!

There is another envelope which comes inside the box, with a beautiful business card and magnet. Also, Jen included and extra wine charm....the gorgeous one you see there with the pink heart! So elegant!

Jen leaves no detail untouched! She even has a charm holder tag with the charms attached to them. The "thank you" bag you saw earlier is the bag you can store the charms in.

Jen not only sells charms for all occasions on her Facebook and Etsy Pages, but she sells cupcake toppers and key chains too! They are all impeccably made and GORGEOUS!

Jen Ramey Designs makes gifts for weddings, anniversaries, engagement celebrations, bridal showers or baby showers and birthday celebrations for all ages. You can find her on

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/jenrameydesigns?fref=ts

Etsy - http://www.etsy.com/shop/jenrameydesigns?page=3
Use Coupon Code SLOWCOOKER10 for 10% off your order!

Please go take a look! You won't be disappointed!

PYREX ® 10-pc No-Leak Lids Set - Review

2013-06-08T08:36:00.003-04:00

Just as I was finishing up the photo shoot for my cookbook, I was contacted and asked to review the PYREX ® 10-pc No-Leak Lids Set. I have a 2 sets of Pyrex, one I've been using for the last 7 years,and another I've been using for about the last 4 years. I was extremely excited to get another set, with a twist! The set I have now just have regular lids and I love them! They're what I use constantly. (You should know that I do have lots of the cheap disposable plastic storage containers, and most of them have missing lids.......they're like the missing socks the washer/dryer eat. Lord only knows what happens to them!!!!)

The first thing I noticed when I took them out of the box, was how very sturdy they are. I don't know if it's my imagination or not, but the glass seem thicker to me than the set I've had for 7 years. I really like how sturdy they are. The second thing I noticed are the different shapes. They are completely different shapes and sizes than the ones I have now, so that is a bonus in my eyes. The last thing I noticed is how different the lids are. The lids are very thick with a very nice seal on the inside and a easily usable vent on top for microwaving. I really like how easy the vent design is, because the previous set I had with the vents wasn't as easy to use.

I've spent the last few weeks really using these containers. I've taken my Greek Pasta Salad with Chicken to work in one of the containers with the red lid, I've stored the rest in my refrigerator with the big round one with the blue lid on the bottom. They worked great. No leakage. I've stored some leftover corn from dinner in the medium-sized round one with the blue lid, and I brought ranch dressing to dip my carrots in at work in the little one with the green lid.

The only negative I see in these, is the lid is quite thick, so it's not as easy to store as my other pyrex. With that being said, there is a reason they are thick.....and it's obviously because they are no-leak lids, so they need to be.

You can find the PYREX ® 10-pc No-Leak Lids Set at http://www.shopworldkitchen.com/pyrex/no-leak-lids-10pc-set-1107457 OR on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/PyrexHome?fref=ts?.

*DISCLAIMER: I was given a set of PYREX ® 10-pc No-Leak Lids Set in exchange for a review and my honest opinion of the product. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own and may differ from others'.

Gluten-Free Greek Pasta Salad with Chicken

2013-05-30T21:15:00.001-04:00

Goodness! I feel a bit rusty! LOL It's been a long time since I've posted one of my own recipes, but you all know that's because I've been working very hard on a beautiful cookbook to present to all of you! I threw this together so quickly the other night that I did not even stop to take pictures along the way! I apologize for that!

I don't know how Greek Pasta Salad popped into my head this week, but I'm so happy it did! I picked up all the ingredients at the grocery store this week and waited for the perfect night to make it......when I was extremely busy! That's because this recipe is really easy. So, let's get to it!

P.S. If you're not gluten-free, make this with regular pasta ;)

Servings: 10-15

Ingredients:

16 oz. Gluten-Free Pasta

3 lbs. boneless skinless chicken breasts

2 Tbsp. Greek seasoning/rub) (I used Pampered Chef Greek Rub)

2 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar

1 cup water

1/3 cup chopped red onion

1 cup cherry tomatoes, cut in half

1/2-3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese

1/2 cup sliced Kalamata olives

12 oz. (approximately) Greek Salad Dressing (I used Ken's Greek with Feta Cheese, Black Olives and Imported Olive Oil)

Directions: (Use a 3 Quart or smaller Slow Cooker for this recipe)

In your slow cooker, place your boneless skinless chicken breasts and sprinkle with the Greek seasoning/rub. Pour the apple cider vinegar and water into your crock, around your chicken, trying not to "wash off" the seasoning! Cook on LOW for 5 hours, or on HIGH for 2.5 hours. When it is done, let it cool and cut it into bite-sized pieces.

Cook your gluten-free pasta according to the package directions. Mix in about half of the Greek Dressing and set it in the fridge to cool for a couple hours. Once it's cooled, mix in the red onion, cherry tomatoes, feta, kalamata olives, the cooled chicken and the remaining Greek dressing. Stir it up, serve and ENJOY!

10 Easy Foods to Grill Out This Summer that Kids will Love - Guest Post

2013-05-30T20:38:00.002-04:00

I LOVE to use my grill during the summer, but often don't know what to make besides hot dogs and hamburgers. It's awesome to use the grill when you don't want to heat up the kitchen on a hot day, and you don't have time to wait for your slow cooker. Check out this great article on 10 Easy Foods to Grill Out This Summer that Kids will Love! It will give you some great ideas! I know my kids would gobble this stuff right up!

Food For Gifts: Tips for Handmade Gifts - Guest Post

2013-05-17T21:47:00.002-04:00

Food For Gifts: Tips For Handmade Gifts

When we were younger (when we had no income and no means by which to buy our parents something that wouldn’t have come out of their own pockets), we used to make them gifts ourselves. In many ways, those might have been the most thoughtful and relational gifts we could have ever given.

Why? Because we put in the effort of making it with our own hands.

We live in a society that is getting increasingly “gift weary” because of the high amount of focus on birthday and holiday shopping. Gift cards, in particular, have made it easy to view gift giving as an obligation with little or no thought (or effort) required.

While you can give a gift card with thought and sincerity, you can still (even as an adult) make something yourself that will be considered far more thoughtful.

It’ll probably also cost you a lot less, so everybody wins.

Since food lends itself easily to this style of gift giving, let’s look at a few ideas for homemade gifts in that category.

1. Fruit Infused Vodkas

Finding a cute and attractive glass bottle to keep it in is easy and fairly inexpensive. The process to actually make the fruit flavored vodka is even easier. Essentially, just buy the vodka and add the fruit. You can find plenty of recipes and instructions online.

2. Jams and Preserves

Since these are so easy to make, it’s odd that you see people buying them as gifts so often. Making them yourself is a pretty simple process and you can get creative with flavors and the jars you use to present them. Pinterest is a great place to go for flavor and presentation ideas.

Your out of pocket expense will be pretty low for this one.

3. Spice and Dry Rub Mixes

It might sound a bit redundant for someone who probably already has an adequate spice rack, but having a spice or rub mix already made for you is great when you’re ready to cook a meal that calls for it.

The person you gift this to will appreciate the fact that you took the time to mix it all up. Like the vodka and preserves, you can present it in a variety of different “gifty” ways.

Try making a few different kinds, labeling each container and giving them in a gift basket. These are especially great if you know people who love to cook.

4. Flavored Sugars

Different flavored sugars are easy to make and, like the spice mixes, are best offered in different flavors or variety packs. These might be ideal for someone you know who drinks a lot of tea or coffee, or who likes to bake on a fairly regular basis.

5. Homemade Cookie Dough

Presentation is everything with this one. The best way to wrap it up is to make it into a log, like you will often see at the store. To start, use some kind of baking paper, then wrap that paper up in something decorative and tie it off at the ends. Once it’s all wrapped, add a decorative label and you’re good to go.

You could also reuse a gift box (i.e. wine box) or gift bag that you have received in the past for any of these homemade gifts.

One of these gifts is sure to please and the recipient will definitely appreciate the fact that you took the time to make the gift yourself (and it won’t burn a hole in your wallet!).

Marcela De Vivo is a freelance writer from the Los Angeles area whose writing covers everything from healthy eating and cooking to technology and manufacturing. When it comes to budgeting, she enjoys saving money by making thoughtful handmade gifts for her friends and loved ones.

Cookbook Update from Hope 5-14-13

2013-05-14T11:27:00.001-04:00

It's been pretty quiet here as I've been editing away the manuscript of the cookbook! I can't believe I'm in the final stages of getting this cookbook to you! Here's what's going on:

This Week (May 13-18):
The Cover for the book is being developed!
Hope is editing the manuscript.
Hope will having fans vote on which author photos she will use in the book!

Next Week (May 19-25)
The ebook and print book will be formatted.
Back cover will be developed.
Hope will make final choices!

Somewhere around May 25-26 (maybe sooner, maybe later)
Hope will upload "Slow Cooker Recipes: 10 Ingredients or Less and Gluten-Free" to amazon.com.
Hope will start taking pre-orders for an autographed copy of "Slow Cooker Recipes: 10 Ingredients or Less and Gluten-Free"

Can you believe it's almost time for you to purchase MY cookbook?!!!! My goodness! I can hardly wait for you to see this!!!!!!!

Barbecue Brisket Slider Recipe - Guest Post

2013-05-08T21:07:00.000-04:00

Barbecue Brisket Slider Recipe

Everyone loves barbecues. But according to government run Food Safety councils across the globe, undercooked meat on a BBQ is one of the biggest health concerns in the developed world. This is because raw or uncooked meat contains germs that can cause life threatening levels of food poisoning. This is why using a slow cooker is a great way to ensure that not only is the meat well cooked, but it also helps the barbecues taste better because of the evenly applied heat.

In this article, we will teach you how to make barbecue brisket sliders using a slow cooker. Here are the ingredients you will need –

Ingredients:

1 flatly cut beef brisket

1 tablespoon of Cumin powder,

1 tablespoon of Onion powder

½ tablespoon of Garlic powder and Cumin

Smoked paprika

½ tablespoon of Cayenne pepper

12-16 small potato rolls

½ cup mayonnaise

½ cup honey barbecue sauce

½ cup brown sugar

Hamburger buns

Salt and pepper to taste

Above all, a slow cooker

How to make:

To start off, you will need to prepare the beef brisket. For this, take out the trimmed beef brisket and sprinkle it with a good amount of salt and pepper. Over this, evenly sprinkle the Cumin powder, Onion powder, garlic powder, Cumin and Cayenne pepper that we had listed in the ingredients. As you do this, remember to evenly spread the powder all over the surface of the brisket. This is not only to give a uniform taste but also helps the brisket absorb these tastes unto it which makes the brisket taste better overall. Apply these powders to both sides of the brisket.

Pour your honey barbecue sauce and brown sugar into the slow cooker and stir it to mix evenly. Once this is done, slowly dip the seasoned brisket into the sauce mixture. If you have a little sauce remaining, pour this on the top of the brisket. It is now time for the slow cooker to get at work. Close the cooker with its lid and let the brisket cook on low for 9-10 hours.

After this is done, the brisket is thoroughly cooked. Take it out of the cooker and slice off the top layer from the brisket. Now turn it upside down and run your knife against the grain of the brisket. This will shred the brisket into thin fragments.

In the meantime, the sauce from the slow cooker would begin to cool off and you should be able to notice the fat from the sauce rise to the top. Skim this layer off the sauce and discard.

Now drop the shreds of brisket back into the slow cooker that already contains the sauce with the fat skimmed out. Heat it for around an hour. You can add some water if you notice the sauce beginning to thicken up. Continue this till the meat is completely cooked.

Serve the shreds of the brisket on the hamburger buns. Add the potato rolls and mayonnaise for added taste. Your kids will love this food.

Fiesta Chicken with Rice and Beans - Guest Post

2013-05-07T20:22:00.002-04:00

Fiesta Chicken with Rice and Beans

Spring is here, meaning it’s time for fresh spring recipes that you can eat on the porch while you’re soaking up the sunshine. While many people pack up their slow cookers at the first sign of warm weather, there’s absolutely no reason to do so. Slow cookers are great kitchen tools all year round—in fact, you’ll actually be limiting your spring cooking options if you pack yours up until next winter!

While you will probably want to stay away from heavier winter staples like thick stews, pot roasts and creamy soups, there are dozens of ways to make lighter spring recipes in the slow cooker! They’re versatile enough to handle virtually any type of dish you’re craving; just use seasonal spring ingredients to keep your meals light so they won’t weigh you down.

This easy recipe for Fiesta Chicken with Rice and Bans is the perfect example of how warm-weather dinners are easy to make in cold-weather kitchen tools. It uses tomatoes, corn, taco seasoning mix and black beans for a burst of spicy spring flavor, and a chicken breast and rice combination that will fill you up. Eat it on its own, or put a fun spin on taco night and try spooning the fiesta chicken mixture into tortillas and taco shells.

Plus, tomato recipes like this one don’t require unhealthy cream or butter bases, making this a dish you can feel great about serving your family. Try it tonight and enjoy!

Fiesta Chicken with Rice and Beans

· PAM® Original No-Stick Cooking Spray

· 2 10 oz. cans Ro*Tel® Original Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies, undrained

· 1 15 oz. Hunt’s® Tomato Sauce

· 1 15 oz. can Rosarita® Premium Whole Black Beans, drained and rinsed

· 1 cup frozen whole kernel corn

· 1 1.25 oz. package 30% less sodium taco seasoning mix

· 2 cups water

· 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 24 pieces

· 1 ½ cups parboiled white long-grain rice, uncooked

Spray the inside of a 4-quart slow cooker with cooking spray. Place all remaining ingredients except for rice in the slow cooker. Cover and cook on LOW for 7 ½ hours or until chicken is tender.

Add rice, stir and cook for 30 more minutes or until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed. Stir again before serving.

Author Bio: This is a guest post by Meredith K. on behalf of Hunt’s®. For more easy slow cooker recipes and dinner ideas from salads to easy meatloaf recipes, visit www.hunts.com.

An Update on the Cookbook

2013-05-02T16:54:00.000-04:00

Well, hello everyone!!!!!!! Happy Spring! It's been so beautiful here in Michigan.....and it's about darn time! There have been lots of exciting things happening the last few months and I want to give you a quick update.

I've been feverishly working on typing up my cookbook so I can submit it to editors.....(my die hard friends and family!) The week of May 13th, my graphic designer will work with me on designing the cover. The week of the 20th, the book will be formatted for eBook and Print. After that, I upload it to Amazon and, well......the rest is yet to come!

A few weeks ago, I had a cooking marathon at my house. I made 22 dishes in 2 days! YUP! Crazy, right?! I'll tell you....we have plenty of food for at least another 3-4 weeks in our freezer.

My photographer, Robert Wyse of Wyse Eyes Photography took tons of beautiful pictures of every recipe in my cookbook. We even took a few outdoor shots. It was cold....like 40 degrees.

As you can see.....we're pretty high tech using a laundry basket and what not! LOL

If you didn't get to see my "Behind the Scenes" videos I posted on facebook, you can find them below:

I cannot WAIT for you to see this cookbook! I'm so proud of it, and it's turning out just the way I envisioned! As an added bonus, because I've recently gone gluten-free, all of the recipes in my cookbook will either be naturally gluten free, or have adaptations as to how to make them gluten free. This book will appeal to anyone and everyone! I put in only recipes that anyone can make, with my usual witty comments and step-by-step instructions. Due to the cost of printing books with photography, I will not be adding step-by-step pictures, however. I want to keep the book affordable for you. I am busy making sure the directions are even more detailed so you'll know just what to do.

When I know what the book will cost, I will take pre-orders. All pre-orders will receive an autographed copy from me! :)

Thank you for all of your support and kind words while I've been working on this massive undertaking! I sincerely appreciate it!

Buffalo Chicken Sliders - Guest Post from The Country Cook

2013-04-29T22:00:00.001-04:00

I have another recipe fro you from Brandie at TheCountryCook.net. How do Buffalo Chicken Sliders sound?! Amazing, right?! If you're gluten free, just grab yourself some gluten free buns or rolls. These would still be equally delicious.

Brandi from TheCountryCook.net publishes a website dedicated to classic American recipes and quick and easy family favorites . Brandie is a working Momma who lives in the beautiful mountains of Virginia. She understands the challenges of today's families and shares many recipes that are quick and easy to prepare so families have more time to enjoy each other (and a tasty meal) together at the supper table.

Buffalo Chicken Sliders

For this incredible recipe, please click here.
And don't worry.....I'll be sharing more of Brandie's tasty recipes in the future!

Jesben Slow Cooker Sauces

2013-04-28T13:28:00.005-04:00

I had the pleasure of being contacted by Susie, President of Jesben LLC, to see if I would like to try her all natural sauces! I was so excited when she told me they are also GLUTEN FREE! Hooray! It's an added bonus! These sauces were absolutely delicious! All you have to do is add meat. That's it! You seriously plop your meat (or tofu) in your slow cooker, pour a jar of Jesben Slow Cooker Sauce over the top and turn it on! When you get home, you have a delicious and healthy dinner! What could be better than that?! My family loved both of these sauces.

There are currently two flavors of Jesben Slow Cooker Sauces: Original BBQ and Italian Tomato, Peppers & Herbs. Since I had the pleasure of trying both of them, I can tell you they are both equally delicious! They are currently in the process of developing additional flavors, which I am very excited for.

Their sauces are currently available in supermarkets in PA, OH, WV and MD, and are located near the seasoning packs and gravy. They are also gaining distribution in other stores throughout the U.S, (e.g., NY, NJ, IN) and are now are also available online at AbesMarket.com. I found them here. You can also visit their website www.jesben.com/home/ for recipes, videos and more!

I hope you give them a try! They are worth every penny!

Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore - Guest Post by Being Cheap Is Easy!

2013-04-18T21:13:00.001-04:00

I absolutely love Chicken Cacciatore! When Ashleigh of www.beingcheapiseasy.com contacted me with this recipe, I was more than happy to post it! I'm especially happy to see a recipe with FEW and HEALTHY ingredients! This is one of those "go-to" type recipes when you're in a pinch.

Ashleigh is a Michigan mom of 3 little ladies and hubby Ricky. Her blog shares tips on how to save money online and in stores, recipes for easy and inexpensive meals, gardening, music, decorating, etc. She's always finding new topics to talk about!

Chicken Cacciatore

For this awesome recipe, follow this link.

Comment below on what you think about this great recipe!

MDM Bowtique Personalized Letters

2013-04-09T20:51:00.001-04:00

I had the immense pleasure of receiving a beautiful set of Personalized letters from Amber of MDM Bowtique! First, Amber was wonderful to work with. She asked what the colors of the room I would be placing my letters were, then posted lots of sample paper for me to choose from. Once I let her know which papers I liked, she put together some sample combinations for me so I could visualize things a bit better.

When she finished, and added the beautiful embellishments, I was SOOOO pleased! They look absolutely beautiful! I was going to hang them above my fireplace, but decided they looked perfect right on my mantle. So, sorry about seeing me holding the camera in the pictures! LOL!

The letters are one of a kind works of art that can be customized to match just about any color or style.

*****For the month of April, you can get each (8") letter for $3.50 each or $20 for each connected word (family, love, welcome, laugh, faith.) Make sure to mention you saw this special here or on facebook to get this deal!!!!!!! You can find MDM Bowtique on facebook here. She has all sorts of examples and options for you to choose from there. You can also email her at owner@123child.com with any questions of special requests you might have.

*Disclosure: MDM Bowtique sent me the letters for free in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own and may differ from others'.

Teriyaki Chicken - Guest Post from Mamma Maria's La Cucina

2013-04-08T21:43:00.000-04:00

No muss, no fuss! That's what I love about his recipe by guest poster Maria of Mamma Maria's La Cucina. Any recipe where I can just throw chicken in a slow cooker with some spices, I'm in!!!! I can't wait for you to try this, because everything from Mamma Maria is awesome!

A little bit about Mamma Maria......At the age of 10, Maria began cooking with her father and quickly developed a love for it! She enjoys mix-matching different spices and ingredients in different combinations to make unique tastes. Maria is a work at home mommy who LOVES to cook! Lucky for us, Mamma Maria has agreed to share several of her slow cooker recipes with us over the next few months! I'm excited to share the first one with you!

Teriyaki Chicken

Ingredients:

1lb chicken (sliced, cubed or however)

1c chicken broth

1/2c terriyaki or soy sauce

1/3c brown sugar

3minced garlic cloves

1/4 cup honey

1 Tablespoon sesame seeds

Directions:

Add ingredients to small crock stir, cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours

Serve with rice and zucchini , they were perfect accompaniment to this dish !!

Simple easy and delicious !!!

For Mamma's original post, with step by step pictures, click here.

CampusBookRentals.com

2013-04-05T06:30:00.000-04:00

Boy do I wish I had this option when I was in college!!!!! I would have been able to save a lot of money if I was able to rent my textbooks from CampusBookRentals.com! They even boast on their website that you can feel free to highlight in them as if you owned them. As if that isn't cool enough, they actually have online support! Phew! The more friends you refer to them, the more you "cash in!" You can also "rent back" your books when you're done by going to www.rentback.com. How cool is that?!

CampusBookRentals.com have partnered with Operation Smile and are donating over 1,000 life saving cleft lip surgeries this year to children in need. Awesome!

Go visit www.CampusBookRentals.com to see what it's all about for yourself!

*Disclaimer: I am being compensated for this post. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own and may differ from others'.

Health Benefits of Grass Fed Beef - Guest Post

2013-04-04T06:00:00.000-04:00

'Grass fed' means that the cattle that your beef comes from have eaten only grass and other foraged foods during their lifetime. It makes sense that what the cow eats makes a significant difference to the beef that it gives. The old adage 'you are what you eat' isn't just for children. Compared with traditional grain-fed beef, grass-fed beef has a much higher content of good fats, and much lower instances of bad fats. Understanding the difference between good and bad fats is a very important thing for your all-round health and well-being. It can be thought of as knowing the difference between what your body needs and what it doesn't. Omega-3 fatty acids and linoleic acid, antioxidant vitamins like vitamin E, are all found in high numbers in grass-fed beef, and are all indispensable elements to good health. For example, omega 3 fatty acids are essential for normal growth, and they play a big role in the prevention and treatment of nasty things like hypertension, coronary artery disease, arthritis, and cancer. Grass fed farming techniques are now practised and promoted by butchers like Cannings butchers, because there has recently been a big media discussion about the health elements of meat eating within the health industry.

Tests have shown us that when the ratio of omega 6 fats to omega 3 fats exceeds 4:1 in the food we eat habitually, health problems are likely to occur. To be healthy and have a strong healthy heart, this ration should be kept low. Grain-fed beef can have ratios that exceed 20:1 and grass-fed beef is down around 3:1, it's a big difference! This ratio of omegas can be easily overlooked, even though it's a very important health indicator. That means that lovely lean meat can actually lower your cholesterol levels! What's more, grass fed is that it is less likely to give a nasty food sickness, because levels of e coli are dramatically lower in grass fed cattle stomachs. Basically, you're much better off spending those extra few dollars on your grass fed beef. The cost is nothing compared with the benefits. Grass fed is the future.

This article was written by Danielle McAnn. You can find here in the following places

About.me/mcanndanielle

Connect with me on Google+

*Disclaimer: I have been compensated for posting this article. All opinions expressed here are those of Danielle McAnn.

"Falling Into You" by @Jasinda Wilder #Giveaway WINNER ANNOUNCED!

2013-04-03T21:59:00.001-04:00

Thank you to everyone who entered this awesome Giveaway!!! The giveaway tool randomly generated 3 winner for our Jasinda Wilder "Falling Into You" Giveaway!

Congrats to the following winners!

$25 Amazon Gift Card and Autographed Copy Winner - Amber L.

$10 Amazon Gift Card and Autographed Copy Winner - Julie S.

$10 Amazon Gift Card and Autographed Copy Winner - Maria S.

All 3 winners have been emailed and will need to respond withing 48 hours with their mailing address to claim their prizes, or a new winner will be selected.

Easter Slow Cooker Ideas

2013-03-25T21:18:00.002-04:00

First, thank you all of you for sticking with me during this cookbook process! It's been tough not to post new recipes for you every week! Just wait till you see these 2 cookbooks! They're going to be great!

Now, with Easter just a few days away, I thought I'd give you some ideas on things you could make in the slow cooker to save on oven space! Here are some sample menu items for you!

Main Course:
Brown Sugar and Honey Ham
Apple and Onion Pork Loin
Tropical Pork with Sweet Potatoes and Lemon Glazed Carrots

Side Dishes:
"Baked" Sweet Potatoes
Creamy Chive and Onion Mashed Potatoes
Greek Green Beans
Green Bean Casserole
Green Beans with Tomatoes, Bacon and Onions
Honey-Mustard Red Potatoes
Kickin' Beans
Slow Cooked Baked Beans

Desserts:
Apple Pear Delight
Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread
Coffee Caramel Cake
"Cookie" Divine
Irish Cream Brownies with Heath
Key Lime Cake
Orange Mint Cheesecake
Raspberry Lemon Cake
Rice Pudding
White Chocolate and Mixed Berry Cobbler
Zucchini Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

Leftover Ham:
The Best Bean and Ham Soup

Breakfast:
Cheese Strata
Egg Casserole
Turkey Bacon, Spinach and Gruyere Quiche
Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
Cinnamon French Toast Casserole
Mexican Breakfast Casserole
Slow Cooker Yogurt

Three-Bean Turkey Chili - Hamilton Beach Recipe

2013-03-24T20:34:00.000-04:00

It's still pretty darn cold here in Michigan, which means it's still time for Chili! This Three-Bean Turkey Chili sounds delicious! It's packed with lots of things that are healthy for you, and has a little bit of a "kick" too! Did I mention, it just "looks" delicious too?! I can almost smell it.......

For this hearty Three-Bean Turkey Chili recipe, click here.

For more great Hamilton Beach slow cooker recipes, click here.

How to Easily Make Any Recipe Gluten-Free - Guest Post by Bridgette Sandorford

2013-03-24T10:20:00.002-04:00

How to Easily Make Any Recipe Gluten-Free

Eating a gluten-free diet can be difficult: There seems to be gluten in just about all your favorite foods! Yet you know you can't eat gluten, either because you have a sensitivity or because you are trying to eat an overall healthier diet that is lower in carbs.

You don't have to resign yourself to eating broccoli and lettuce for every meal. You can enjoy many of your favorites by making some simple substitutions. Here are a few ideas for how you can make any recipe gluten-free:

Substitute the Flour

The primary ingredient in most recipes that contains gluten is the flour. You can easily fix this by substituting a gluten-free flour in the recipe. Some options may include:

Almond flour
Coconut flour

You will have to experiment with the ratios as you may not be able to substitute these flours one-for-one for typical all-purpose flour.

Opt for Flourless

You can get around the problem of the flour by omitting it from the recipe completely. Of course, this won't be an option for many dishes. However, you can easily find recipes online for flourless cake (http://allrecipes.com/recipe/flourless-chocolate-cake-ii/), flourless brownies (http://www.homemademommy.net/2013/01/flourless-brownies.html) and flourless cookies (http://babyparenting.about.com/od/snackrecipes/r/3ingpbcookies.htm). Search online to find flourless options of your favorite desserts.

Swap Out the Breadcrumbs

Sweet foods aren't the only ones harboring gluten. Savory fried treats often use breadcrumbs and batters that contain gluten. You can still enjoy crispy fried chicken and fish by making some simple swaps. You can use crushed nuts like almonds or make crumbs out of a gluten-free cereal. You can also bake instead of fry, which will make the dish healthier, as well.

Use Gluten-Free Condiments

Sauces and marinades like teriyaki, alfredo, or marsala can contain hidden gluten. There are ingredients that are added to thicken the sauces or to give them flavor, and these often contain gluten. You can easily swap these out for gluten-free varieties that you find in the grocery store. Just be sure to always read the labels! Yeast and "natural flavors" are found in a lot of these items.

Use Alternative Core Ingredients

You can enjoy "pasta" that's not really pasta and put a sandwich on a "bun" that's not really a bun. Try using spaghetti squash or spiralizing a zucchini for a healthy, gluten-free pasta dish, or wrap up your sandwich in a piece of lettuce instead of a bun. You'll have a naturally gluten-free dish that doesn't require any recipe substitutions or experiments.

Eating gluten-free doesn't have to be difficult. You can easily make any recipe gluten-free by simply following these basic tips.

How do you make recipes gluten-free? Share your tips in the comments!

About the Author:

Bridget Sandorford is a freelance food and culinary writer, where recently she’s been researching culinary arts schools in Michigan. In her spare time, she enjoys biking, painting and working on her first cookbook.

No Fail Barbecue Beef - Guest Post by 365 Days of Slow Cooking

2013-03-18T07:30:00.000-04:00

This awesome 7 Ingredient recipe for "No Fail Barbecue Beef" comes from guest blogger, Karen Peterson of 365 Days of Slow Cooking. With 7 Ingredients, you really can't go wrong!

Karen Petersen is a stay at home who began her slow cooking adventures in January 2009. She decided to try 365 different slow cooker recipes over the course of one year. She used her blog (365daysofcrockpot.com) to chart her progress and post the recipes, ratings and pictures. After the initial year of slow cooking, she continued blogging and developing new recipes. In March 2012, her cookbook "365 Days of Slow Cooking" was published. She enjoys thinking of new and innovative recipes for the slow cooker. She plans to write another cookbook in the future.

No Fail Barbecue Beef

Doesn't that look delicious?!!!! For this recipe, please head on over to 365 Days of Slow Cooking by clicking here.