Fall Goodness: Crockpot Apple Pumpkin Butter #Recipe

I have been trying to control myself. Trying not to jump into the apple and pumpkin everything bandwagon too soon. 
When September finally came, I sprung into action.  I diced up my apples, gathered my ingredients, plugged in my Crockpot Slow Cooker, and got to work. 
My house smelled heavenly. All thanks to this Apple Pumpkin Butter recipe. 

Lunch Made Easy: Allergy Free School Lunchboxes + Crockpot Sloppy Joe Recipe!

This week was another hodge-podge week of delicious allergy free school lunches for my Little Miss!
Some non-sandwich ideas, simple flowers of SunButter nut free spread, allergy friendly muffins, and leftovers. 
Make sure to read through to the bottom of this post to also get our yummy Crockpot Sloppy Joe recipe. You'll love it - trust me - and nothing is better than using your slowcooker and coming home to a meal done at night!

Food for Thought: Crockpot Love - Shredded Pork Salsa Tacos

The first time I made this recipe, it actually happened by mistake :) but we loved it! I had bought the pork for BBQ pulled pork sandwiches, but realized I forgot to buy buns *d'oh!* and I really don't care for eating pulled pork on regular bread... sooooo I decided to use the meat for tacos.

The fella loved it so much that it's become a hit in the house and a recipe I now make on purpose! LOL

Food for Thought: Crockpot Love - Beef Potato Stew

I found this recipe (via Fun Recipes and Life Stories) towards the end of last winter. Can't believe I never posted it before ~ Duh Keeley! I even mentioned it when I gave Little Miss leftover is her Pow Wow Fall Bento (click respective names to see links).

Well, I put it in the crock before work this AM and mmm, the BEST to come home too!

 

Food for Thought: Crockpot Love - Creamy Italian Chicken

I'm sure many of you may have a take on this recipe in your collection, but still a yummy meal I had to share!

Food for Thought: Crockpot Love - Foil Packet Salmon

This has just the right amount of sweet & spice. I have never made Salmon in the crockpot before, so I was nervous (to say the least) but this is definitely something I will do again! :)
I looooooove Salmon.

Food for Thought: Crockpot Love - A1 & Dijon Steaks

Mmm, when I saw this recipe over at Crockpot365 I just knew I had to try it...

Food for Thought: "AMERICA'S NEXT PORK CROCK-STAR"

Oh my goodness! I need everyones help!! I will beg, cook, clean, make your kids lunches, anything!! ;)

I entered on porkbeinspired.com some of my pork crockpot recipes for their "America's Next Pork Crock-Star" contest and made the cut in two different categories!!

Pork Inspiration Category: Crockpot Cranberry Pork Chops
http://www.porkbeinspired.com/form_form-Crock-Star-2011-Inspired-dropdown.aspx

Pulled or BBQ Pork Category: Crockpot Pulled Pork Sandwiches
http://www.porkbeinspired.com/form_form-Crock-Star-2011-BBQ-dropdown.aspx

At the bottom of each link, there's  drop down menu where you can vote!
You may vote once per day, per email address, per category until Monday, 10/31.

Grand Prizes (there will be 4 – 1 per category): A $2,000 check, a $200 gift certificate to purchase pork at a local retailer, a crock-pot, a set of dinnerware, place settings, a Pork Be Inspired cutting board, and a Pork Be Inspired apron.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE vote for me!! This would be AH-MAZING!
Tell your family, tell your friends, tell your churches! ;)

If I win, I promise there will be a giveaway on my blog to thank all of you for you help & support!
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!

*end shameless plug... for now, lol*

Food for Thought: Crockpot Love - Cranberry Pork

I've made this recipe before in my crockpot/ slow cooker but the first time I made it with a Pork Loin. It was apparently so good, my boyfriend and Little Miss at it all before I even got home from work! (lol, they did ask if it was OK first ;).) WELL, this week boneless pork chops happened to be on sale and I thought why not try it with those! Mmm, it worked out great too!

Here's how I did it --

Food for Thought: Crockpot Love - Cheesy Italian Tortellini

This dish was SO yummy! I will be making this again SOON. I don't think the fella has ever told me that many times how good dinner was and that he wanted more. :) Made my day.

Food for Thought: Crockpot Love - Zesty BBQ Chicken Drumsticks

Another simple and delicious meal made by my beloved Crockpot.
Finger lickin', fall off the bone chicken made easy!

Food for Thought: Crockpot Love - BBQ Pulled Pork *super easy & yummy*

I've been making this recipe for quite awhile now and can't believe I haven't shared it yet! Super simple, super easy... and if you read my blog, you know I *LOVE* my crockpot!

Food for Thought: Crockpot Love - Chicken Drumsticks

This is probably one of the easiest crock pot meals I make - I got going this morning so it will be done tonight, mmm mmm!

Our stores typically will sell the family size packs of drumsticks for 99 cents/ lb. I will then break up the pack into about 3-4 freezer bags, each containing 4-5 drumsticks (depending on how much I buy).

So for $4-5 I can get 3-4 meals out of the chicken! EXCELLENT.

Here's what you need: (this size feeds 2 people)



Food For Thought: Crockpot Love - Beef & Bean Chili

Ya'll thought I was joking when I said I'm having  a secret love affair with my crockpot, didn't you? ;)

Today was a cooler, rainy, dark day here so a bowl of warm chili just sounded like it'd be nice this evening! Here's how I make mine...

Food for Thought: Kraut & Kielbasa "Man Meal"

My boyfriend and I have an running joke that the meals I make that only he likes are dubbed "Man Meals" (although, this particular one the 5 year old has taken a liking to as well, lol - win/ win I suppose!)

This one is one of my faves (not to eat but to make) because it takes 1.2 seconds to do! lol ;) great for a morning when I don't have a lot of time!

Food for Thought: Crock Pot Love - Cheesy Potato Soup

So, as I mentioned in an earlier posting (http://keeleymcguire.blogspot.com/search/label/Meatloaf) I have a secret love affair with my Crock Pot, lol :)

One of my other favorite things to make in it is Cheesy Potato Soup. Mmm, mmmmmm!

Food for Thought: My Secret Love Affair with my Crockpot. (Post includes my Meatloaf Recipe!)

So, up until a year ago I hardly ever used a crockpot / slow cooker. My boyfriend had one. He would make what he called the "Man Meals" (I'll have to share some of those recipes another date, lol). I started finding recipes online and figuring out all the amazing things even on my own I could make in that sucker!
Due to opposite work schedules (he gets up at 2:45am and gets home around 4pm after picking up Little Miss from school. I get up at 4am and don't get home until after 6pm)  we were finding it hard to plan for meals. When I got home it was too late for him to eat and I was too tired to make anything of value that didn't involve the microwave or a frozen pizza! Thus began my love affair with my crockpot!

Here's an easy step-by-step recipe for my own meatloaf recipe!
I've had a lot of bad meatloaf over the years. Bless the person that made it but it seems to me its either dry, burnt, or tasteless in most cases! Ick.
This is a sure to be the best one you've ever had! Moist and full of flavor.