It's DOUBLE FISTED NUT PUNCH Tuesday!

Now dont get me wrong I LOVE MY HUSBAND but today he nearly earned a DOUBLE FISTED NUT PUNCH.

I asked J this morning if he could go and get the money order from Chase to pay rent to our land lady.

1. We get free money orders from our bank and I am alllll about utilizing free services

2. Money Orders come out IMMEDIATELY like withdrawing cash. Unlike checks that pend for 2-3 days throwing off my "available" balance.

3. This might the 4th time in 2.5 years I have asked him to pay rent.

He says "If I can remember..."

Excuse me?!?! I didnt ask you to go get stamps, @$$#*%& I asked you to go pay for the roof over our head!

DOUBLE FISTED NUT PUNCHHHHHHHHHHH

What I have been up too...

Well as my last post stated we moved into a darling little house!

Then all hell broke loose on my little family!

My husband got rear-ended on our 2nd to last load of the day on move day! Fortunately, the truck wasn't totaled out and will be fixed and back the first week of August.  I might have died if we had had to buy ANOTHER new vehicle. 

                                                        In May my husband hit a deer with my CAR and since we only had liability we were forced to trade in my PAID OFF CAMRY 

for an additional car payment...fortunately the truck is paid 

off in October, and we can go back to being a one car 

payment family.

Monty got out of my friends back yard 4th of July weekend, got picked up by doggy police. He apparently ate something that wasn't digestible and have to have it surgically removed while out on his little adventure! THANKS to my Dad who shelled out $2500 to save our little loves life, which we will be paying back (oh happy day *ANOTHER* bill)

I am SLOWLY but surely making the sweetest little house on Donnybrook into a home!
I have an awesome neighbor, her name is Rachel and we get along SO well!

Lets try this again!

We are MOVING!!!! YAAYYY

                           

This is the house we are moving too!! I am so EXCITED!

Yes it is still renting but renting something worth letting someone come over an SEE!

We will be embarking on some furniture makeover journeys in the near future.

Which will be well documented in this blog!

FIRST:

TV Stand will begetting new legs and a new paint of coat...Turquoise meets Robin Egg with a Mocha Glaze

SECOND:
DVD Stand into a Pantry ( SAY WHAAAT??)...adding legs and maybe red, yellow, orange or turquoise (rooster-esqe colors)

THIRD:

My dinky kitchen table/island that my was my parent's first table, turned my dads desk, turned my desk, turned my sewing table, turned our kitchen table/crafting table will be getting a new coat of paint and possibly some stenciling!

FOURTH:

My Mom's Broyhill Fontana-ish armoire will be made a antique white/cream

also hunting down a DRESSER to go with it!

at that point my old middle school/highschool dresser will be moved in to the guest room!!

FIFTH and most exciting!

WE ARE BUILDING A DINING ROOM TABLE!

THANK YOU ANA WHITE WEBSITE!

The Rustic X table, its "meant" for outdoors, but I will finish it for indoor use!

then I will be on the hunt for a 4-5ft antique church pew to use on one side of it!!

I am truly awful at this...

I thought I would be better at this, I am not.

No updates, still not pregnant, still renting, husband STILL has the  same job. STILL, STILL, STILL. I so desire change in our lives yet everything is at a standstill. It sometimes is so nice, other times its annoying/awful/heart-wrenching. 

I have officially started temping, like every morning temping. It is alot less stressfull, you know when you ovulate, how many DPO you are, "early pregnancy symptoms" is just progesterone same as period signs. Along with temping this month I am trying mucinex, pineapple core, OPKS, preseed, soft cups, and
S(perm)M(eets)E(gg)P(lan). I should I have paid more attention to the logistics of science experiements.

Radiologist - SHUT YOUR MOUTH

So I left a scathing message on my Dr.'s voice mail yesterday. Pretty much stating "we needed to move forward or I was going to find an ew Dr. since I apparently was informed there was blackages and he hadnt acknowledged my need for contact. So are going to set an appt or do I need to find a new Dr?!"
I lost my cool.

At 4:15 the Nurse called me back. She smoothed my feathers a bit. I explained to her that I had gotten my period early this month by 10 whole days. THat it was alot of brown discharge. She told me to NOT count that as my period for the month and if I dont get my period on the 19th then I should go ahead and POAS! YUP My nurse basically gave me the dont stop believing speech!

At 6:45pm (hella late) for a Dr. call. My Dr himself calls me! I nearly passed out from shock.  I was then informed, my tubes are not blocked! That my tubes spasmed due to the dye being injected but there was infact spilage on both sides!! However he did say it was super important to get J into the Dr. ASAP bc he does have motility issues and a low sperm count. both however are fixable!

Catch up

Catching up
Well I had the expensive procedure/test done and guess what?? I t was not that expensive, inface with my awesome health insurance it was FREE! If my health insurance hadnt of covvered it could have cost $1,500.00!! I know praise the Lord!

Unfortunately it showed my left tub is partially blocked and my right tube is dilated, now I dont know to severity. I wont know until my OBGYN calls me back : /

However, I do know that the HSG does push/remove small blockages out, and maybe it pushed out just enough for us to get pregnant. Here's to hoping, as you see I am always the hopeful optimist. Sometimes reality slaps me...hard. If not, we will have the laprascopic surgery to see if they can remove it. Maybe I'll get put on Clomid, hopefully have twins. I know alot of people are omg multiples are such risky pregnancy please dont wish that on you or your babies. Part of me thinks that those people have not had issues getting pregnant.

HAD A BLAST!

We went to Mississippi and it was a blast!

Mere's husband Kyle and my husband get along great which is great!! They went and did boy things on Friday day like 4 wheeling and shooting at tin cans. That night while we were going to bed my husband gives me the most serious look and says..."I really want...a 4 wheeler".It was the cutest thing. lol
Our husbands also made us a "firepit" out of the top of an old grill. Fire pit is being used loosley here...it was smoke pit we think the failing part was the wood Mere and I bought...I  dunno.  I was told it really pick up after we all went to bed (oops, "Only you can prevent Forest Fires" - Smokey the Bear)

Mere and I went shoppping on Friday Day, I found Sperry's at Belk that I loved but they didnt have my size oh I wasnt really in the place to drop $80+ on a pair of shoes. Infact I rarely ever bring myself to a point where I can drop more that $15-20 on shoes (unless I have giftcard or am buying boots). The silver lining to this I went to Clothes Mentor in Tyler. I am in love. I bought Sperry's for $20 yup...and they are perfect.


I love visiting Mere and Kyle in Mississippi.

Mississippi Bound

We are going to my bff Mere's for the weekend, a long weekend we are leaving this afternoon and coming back on Sunday! I'm so stinkin excited. Monty is staying with my only Tyler friend Jana (also my co-worker).  The cats will be left to fend for themselves with 4 bowels of food spread out among the "house". 

I am super excited about this trip, one bc I get to spend quality time with Mere, and two bc she is giving us lotsa "hand me ups" lol. A desk, 2 porch christmas trees (with the right amount of thought I think I can make them year round decor), and lotsa clothes.

 As I mentioned in a earlier post Mere lost a ton of weight. She started using this product called Plexuslim and looks amazing, however since I am trying to get pregnant I wont put any weight loss products in my system just due to baby health. Maybe inbetween babies I'll try some plexuslim.

Here is a pic of the super cute desk she is giving me!

Monty has cute moments

Progress

Big news on the the baby making front, I have the esxpensive HSG scan scheduled, I am fairly certain my health insurance will cover with an outpatient surgery co-pay.  If not, the hospital will come up with a payment plan for us.  This is the step in the direction to get what my heart desires. It is so weird to miss someone soo much even though you have never met them. To love someone so much when they dont even exsist. These feelings make me so excited to one day feel that love like no other for my child. 

Blue Dress in Action

Ok, I am gonna toot my own horn a bit, I look so stinkin' cute today!

This dress had a big bad snagged hem and I fixed it and am wearing it! I "pinterested" it up a bit with belt and cardi, my husband took me out on a date on Friday night and I got dressed up super cute to go out and about with him, and his compliment was "You look really nice, like a pinterest pin."

Apparently, pinterest is a style now ;)...

"OHMGOSH She looks sooo pinterest-y."

A story of 2 crockpots..and a mother in-law

I have 2 crock pots, its nice for meals that can be served with baked potatoes...
I had a crock pot I brought from:
Marriage #1 ------->Single girl world------------>Marriage #2.

Marriage #2, my first Christmas present from my mother in-law is crock pot #2.
Apparently she didnt think to ask, does Heather already have a crockpot??
Why,yes, yes I did.

She didnt ask this year does Heather already have a blender? 
ATTENTION::::: Heather has small kitchen appliances!

I was not a young 20's when I married husband #2. I was a Mid-Late 20's when we got married.

She also bought me silverware...when I had a set already as our "wedding" present.

This woman must think my kitchen is a barren wasteland

Sewing Adventures. Part One: The Hanging Towel, Bonus Adventure: Dress Hemming

 Sewing Adventure:

I am not skilled, what-so-ever. I actually took my sewing machine up to work and had help learning to thread it. Yes the sewing machine I campaigned for. I campaigned for 2 solid years. I had no clue what to do with the damned thing once I finally got it. (haha its kinda funny in a oh shit  crap way)

Well after lettting my machine spend nearly a whole month unopened on the kitchen table I broke that bad boy out. Took him up to work and the ladies were oh so helpful.

Took it home...2 broken needles (which I changed out on my own ahhh talent), several jam ups. About 2 hours of messing around with the "have to have" machine...I have 4 almost done hanging towels and 1 mended dress!!

Clearly this is exciting.

My bff Mere handed down this dress down to me bc she got skinny and I am still on the fluffy side...with intentions to lose weight, unless I get pregnant :).

DRESS HEMMING

Sad needs to be fixed

BOOM Dress Mended

I found a yellow cardi at Old Navy today...so I will be wearing the dress tomorrow with brown belt and brown boots...ohh lala cute.

TOWEL MAKING

Start with full size dish towel, I got these at Walmart...I am doing my kitchen in Roosters.

 

Cut in half, one towel makes 2 hanging towels.

Pleat...fold

pin it

sew it, remove pins

wa-laa. Clearly I had 2 towels and made 4.

I will be completing with cute little toppers...that will have snaps (no button-hole-ing for this gal) to make the oh so adorable hanging towel hang from the stove handle thing!

A Big Prep Day!

I am doing a freezer meal prep day.

I have compiled a list of 26 recipes from Pinterest for my Crock Pot(s) yes plural as in 2 Crock Pots.

I am going to make a big, HUGE grocery list, clip lotsa and lotsa coupons and have a hay day of shopping,  prepping, and freezer bag filling.

Here is my list of recipes: Anything notated in blue is from the original blogger/Pinner, anything in green is me, right now there is not alot of green when I actually put my prep day in real life, I am so sure there will be alot more green.

1.    Lazy Day Stew

4lb cubed stewing beef

4 cups baby red potatoes, cut in half

10oz pkg dried lima beans

4 tsp quick cooking tapioca

salt and pepper to taste

1 15oz can tomato sauce

2 tbs brown sugar

4 cups baby carrots

2 onions (chopped)

2 cups celery

(I didn’t use stewing beef, I used ground turkey on this one and I even added another can of corn and NO lima beans, I used kidney beans instead. We also did not use the tapioca– it was probably just for texture anyway. Dumped everything into two bags and froze)

2.    Savory Chicken
 (split this recipe between two bags)
(we used a bag of frozen broccoli, threw all the ingredients in a bag and froze.)

4-6 chicken breast

2 cans of stewed tomatoes

4tbs white wine, or extra broth

1 large onion

4 garlic cloves, minced (just a little note, if it says minced garlic I usually just use garlic salt)

1 cup ckn broth

salt and pepper to taste

2 bay leafs (I dont know what bay leaves are, I will not be using bay leaves)

4 cups of broccoli (added while cooking)

Cook on low for 6-7 hours, add broc. last 30 minutes, remove bay leaves before serving.

3.    Crock Pot Pizza Soup –
prep/no cooking, freeze in zip lock bag
 (split recipe in half between two bags)

–1 jar (14 oz) of pizza sauce

–3 empty jars full of water

–1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped

–1/2 red onion, chopped

–1 cup sliced mushrooms

–1 cup baby tomatoes, cut in quarters (or 1 can diced tomatoes, drained)

–2 cooked Italian sausage (I used chicken Italian sausage)

–1 cup sliced pepperoni, sliced in quarters (Hormel turkey pepperoni is labeled gluten free)

–8 fresh basil leaves, chopped (or 1/2 T dried)

–1 T dried oregano

–1/2 to 1/3 cup of dried pasta (if your pasta is tiny, use 1/3 cup. if it’s big, do 1/2. I used 1/2 cup Trader Joe’s brown rice penne) (I didn’t add any pasta to this one, it might actually be great with garlic bread… mmmm!)

–shredded mozzarella cheese (to add later)

The Directions.

Use a 5 or 6 quart crockpot for this recipe. Serves 4 hungry adults, or 2 hungry adults and 2 kids with enough leftovers to feed them all again.  Wash and prepare veggies. Dump them into the crockpot. Cut up the sausage into small pieces–I sliced, then cut the pieces in fourths. Add to crockpot. Cut up the pepperoni, add it, too. Add basil and oregano. Pour in the pizza sauce, and follow with three empty jars of water.  Cover and cook on low for 7-9 hours. Everything in this is already cooked, so you are really only heating through and allowing the flavors to meld.

Thirty minutes before serving, add the dry pasta, and turn to high. My pasta only took 20 minutes to soften quite nicely.  Garnish/top with shredded mozzarella cheese

(I didn’t make this yet, just threw all ingredients in two bags and freeze)

4.    Beef/Turkey Taco Soup
 – make day of, freeze leftovers

2 cans of kidney beans (I only used one)

–2 cans of pinto beans (I only used one)

–2 cans of corn (I only used one)

–1 large can of diced tomatoes
 —1 can tomatoes and chiles

–1 packet taco seasoning

–1 packet ranch dressing mix

–1 lb browned ground turkey or hamburger

–shredded cheese and sour cream for embellishment

–1 package of tortilla chips or bake corn tortillas

Directions:

–brown meat if you are going to use it

–drain fat and add to crockpot stoneware insert (the meat. not the fat.)

–sprinkle seasoning packets on top of meat

–drain and rinse the beans and add

–add the ENTIRE contents of the corn and tomato cans

–stir.

Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours or on high for 4-5. I think the longer you cook soup, the  better, so if you have the time, opt for cooking on low. About 20 minutes before serving, add  desired amount of crushed chips into the crockpot. Then,stir well, and serve with a handful of  shredded cheese and a dollop of sour cream. (I cooked the meat ahead of time and then just threw all the ingredients in two bags– I may or may not add the cheese and sour cream when the time comes to eat. Will probably make with a salad on the side)

5.    BBQ Pineapple Pulled Pork
 – prep/no cooking, freeze

Ingredients:

- one 4 – 6 pound pork shoulder (I bought a pork roast, I’m not sure the difference, but it looked good/less fatty– I’d never bought pork before, so we’ll see how this one works!)

- all purpose seasoning

- one bottle of barbecue sauce (you can buy low-sugar BBQ or just use half the bottle to lessen the sugar)

- one 15 ounce can of diced pineapples, undrained

Directions:

- Rub pork shoulder all over with all purpose seasoning and place in slow cooker.

- Dump can of pineapples (undrained) over pork.

- Pour bottle of barbecue sauce over pork.

- Lift pork a little to let the sauce get underneath.

- Cook on high for six (6) hours or low for ten (10) hours.

- Shred in the pot and mix with the juice.

Strain & serve!

(We took ALL of the ingredients– dumped in a gallon bag and threw in the freezer– I plan on defrosting for a day and just dumping into the crock pot— serve with brown rice?)

6.    Chicken & Spinach –
prep/no cook, freeze
 (split recipe in half between two bags)
4-6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1 jar Classico Pasta Sauce (or any marinara– 3 cheese, mushroom, etc.)

Onions, bellpeppers, etc.

Cajun seasoning to taste

Sliced zucchini & squash (the yellow ones that look like cucumbers) (optional)

mushrooms sliced (fresh or can)

Bag or container of fresh spinach (i break off the larger stems)

Pasta of your choice (bow-tie, spaghetti, etc.)

Layer:Chicken breasts, onions, bell peppers, etc., seasoning, other veggies and top with  spinach.   I cook it about 6 hour (Dumped everything in two bags— freeze)

7.    Lemon Garlic Chicken
– prep/no cooking, freeze
(this one we portioned into TWO bags)

1 tsp. dried oregano

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. ground black pepper

2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breast halves (1 lb. in each bag)

2 T. butter (1 tbsp. in each bag)

1/4 c. water

3 T. fresh lemon juice

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tsp. chicken bouillon granules

1 tsp. chopped fresh parsley (I didn’t have fresh parsley, so I just used dried and  it worked  perfectly)

1 package cream cheese (you can use 1/3 less fat or fat free)

1. In a bowl, mix the oregano, salt, and pepper. Rub the mixture into chicken. Melt the butter in  a skillet over medium heat. Brown chicken in butter for 3 to 5 minutes on each side. Place  chicken in a slow cooker.

2. In the same skillet, mix the water, lemon juice, garlic, and bouillon. Bring the mixture to boil.  Pour over the chicken in the slow cooker.

3. Cover, and cook on High for 3 hours, or Low for 6 hours. Add the parsley to the slow cooker  15 to 30 minutes before the end of the cook time.

4. About 15 minutes before you’re ready to serve, remove the chicken and place on a serving  platter. Add the cream to cheese to the juice in the crockpot, and whisk until smooth.

Ladle the sauce over rice or pasta, then place your chicken on top!

(Again— dumped everything into two gallon bags and into the freezer– I think it will workout just fine)

8.    Slow-Cooker Vegetarian Lasagna
Sure, the slow cooker’s great for stews and soups, but it also happens to make a mean lasagna! In this ingenious slow-cooker recipe, all you have to do is chop your veggies, then layer the ingredients (raw) into the crockpot. Serve with: Garlic bread and a green salad.
8 servings | Active Time: 30 minutes | Total Time: 2 hours on High or 4 hours on Low
Ingredients
1 large egg
1 15- to 16-ounce container part-skim ricotta
1 5-ounce package baby spinach, coarsely chopped
1 small zucchini, quartered lengthwise and thinly sliced
1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
1 28-ounce can diced tomatoes
3 cloves garlic, minced
Pinch of crushed red pepper (optional)
15 whole-wheat lasagna noodles (about 12 ounces), uncooked
3 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella, divided
Preparation
Combine egg, ricotta, spinach, mushrooms and zucchini in a large bowl.
Combine crushed and diced tomatoes and their juice, garlic and crushed red pepper (if using) in a medium bowl.
Generously coat a 6-quart or larger slow cooker with cooking spray. Spread 1 1/2 cups of the tomato mixture in the slow cooker. Arrange 5 noodles over the sauce, overlapping them slightly and breaking into pieces to cover as much of the sauce as possible. Spread half of the ricotta-vegetable mixture over the noodles and firmly pat down, then spoon on 1 1/2 cups sauce and sprinkle with 1 cup mozzarella. Repeat the layering one more time, starting with noodles. Top with a third layer of noodles. Evenly spread the remaining tomato sauce over the noodles. Set aside the remaining 1 cup mozzarella in the refrigerator.
Put the lid on the slow cooker and cook on High for 2 hours or on Low for 4 hours. Turn off the slow cooker, sprinkle the reserved mozzarella on the lasagna, cover and let stand for 10 minutes to melt the cheese.
Nutrition
Per serving : 414 Calories;

9.    Bean Stew
6 cups chicken broth or vegetable broth (add when putting in crock pot)1 cup dry beans, picked over and rinsed
2 medium carrots, peeled and finely diced
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 celery stalks, finely diced
3 tablespoons uncooked white rice
2 tablespoons minced garlic
1 teaspoon herbes de Provence or dried thyme
½ teaspoon salt
1/8teaspoon ground white or black pepper
Combine ingredients in a gallon zip lock bag (minus the broth). Freeze. Thaw, add broth and bag to slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4 to 5 hours. Serves 4-5 people.

10.  Meat Stew
2 lbs Meat (beef, pork, whatever is on sale), cubed
2 Onions, chopped
5 Carrots, sliced
3 Zucchini, sliced
2 Celery stalks, chopped
2 Red Bell Peppers, chopped
2 tsp Salt
.5 tsp Pepper
2 tsp Minced Garlic
1 14 oz can Canned Tomatoes
1 can Tomato Sauce
Put all ingredients in a large ziploc bag and freeze. Thaw bag and add contents to slow cooker. Cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 8. Stir occassionally. Serve with warm cornbread. Serves approx 5-6 people.

11.  Pork and Veggies
1 lb Pork Roast, cut into 1/2 inch strips
1 Onion, chopped
1 Green Bell Pepper, sliced
4 Carrots, sliced
½ pound Fresh Mushrooms, sliced
1 8oz can Tomato Sauce
1.5 Tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar
1 tsp Salt
2 tsp Worcestershire Sauce
Combine ingredients in a large ziptop bag, freeze. Thaw contents of bag and place in a slow cooker. Cook on low 6-8 hours. Serve over hot rice. Serves approx. 5-6 people.

12.  Sausage and Bean Supper
1 lb Sausage, thinly sliced or crumbled
1 Onion Chopped
1 Celery Stalk Chopped
1 Tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
1.5 tsp Dry mustard
¼ cup Honey
1 can Tomatoes with Chili Peppers
1 can Butter Beans, rinsed and drained
1 can Kidney Beans, rinsed and drained
1 can Garbanzo Beans, rinsed and drainedIn a large skillet brown sausage and onion, drain and allow to cool (totally optional, sausage will cook in the crock pot but there will be excess oil if you don’t pre-brown it). Place sausage in a ziptop bag with other ingrediants. Freeze. thaw contents of bag and place in a slow cooker. Cook on low for 4 hours, stirring occassionally.
Serve with shredded cheese and tortilla chips over rice. Serves approx. 5-6 people.

13.  Chicken Tortilla Soup
1 pound shredded, cooked chicken
1 (15 ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes, mashed
1 (10 ounce) can enchilada sauce
1 medium onion, chopped
1 (4 ounce) can chopped green chile peppers
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 bay leaf
1 (10 ounce) package frozen corn
1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
7 corn tortillas
vegetable oil
Combine all ingredients into a Ziploc bag. Freeze. Thaw and put into a slow cooker add 2 cups water and one 14 oz can of chicken broth. Cover, and cook on Low setting for 6 to 8 hours or on High setting for 3 to 4 hours.

14.  Chicken Taco Soup
1 onion, chopped
1 (16 ounce) can chili beans
1 (15 ounce) can black beans
1 (15 ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 (12 fluid ounce) can or bottle beer (or broth)2 (10 ounce) cans diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
1 (1.25 ounce) package taco seasoning
3 whole skinless, boneless chicken breasts
shredded Cheddar cheese (optional garnish after cooking)
sour cream (optional garnish after cooking)
crushed tortilla chips (optional garnish after cooking)
Combine all ingredients into a Ziploc bag. Freeze. Thaw and cook on low for 6-8 hours. Serve topped with shredded Cheddar cheese, a dollop of sour cream, and crushed tortilla chips, if desired. Served approx. 5-6 people.

15.  Chicken and Sweet Potato Stew
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
2 medium Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cubed
2 medium carrots, peeled and cut into 1⁄2-inch slices
1 can (28 ounces) whole stewed tomatoes
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon celery seeds
1⁄2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1⁄8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1⁄8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 cup nonfat, low-sodium chicken broth
1⁄4 cup fresh basil, chopped
Combine ingredients minus broth and add to gallon Ziploc bag. Freeze. Thaw add broth and cook on LOW for 6 to 8 hours or on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours. Serve over hot rice. Serves 6-8 people.

16.  Creamy Farmhouse Chicken and Garden Soup
1/2 package (16 ounces) frozen pepper stir-fry vegetable mix
1 cup frozen corn
1 medium zucchini, sliced
2 bone-in chicken thighs, skinned
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1 cup half-and-half (or non-dairy milk for dairy allergies)
1/2 cup frozen green peas, thawed
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
2 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
1 can (14 ounces) fat-free chicken broth
Put all ingredients in a Ziploc bag except chicken broth. Freeze. Thaw and put in slow cooker and add chicken broth. Cook on low for 6-8 hours. Stir in 3 cups prepared noodles. Serves 7-8 people.

17.  Mexican Style Chicken Chili
4 boneless/skinless chicken breasts
1 (16 oz) jar of salsa (or homemade if you prefer)
2 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp chili powder
1 (11oz) can mexi-corn
1 (15oz) can pinto beans, rinsed
Combine all ingredients. Cook on low 6-8 hours. Shred chicken & serve. Good with low fat cheddar cheese or light sour cream on top.

  

18.  Easy Roasted Rosemary Chicken
6 skinless chicken breasts
1 can low sodium chicken broth
Fresh onion & garlic (if you have them)
1/2 cup fresh chopped rosemary
salt & pepper to taste
Place chicken breasts in cooker. Pour can of broth then 1/2 cup fresh rosemary. Salt & Pepper to taste. Stir around to get the rosemary all over the chicken breasts. Cook about 6 hours on low.  Served with brown rice and steamed green beans.

19. Salsa Chicken

2-3 skinless/boneless chicken breasts
1 can rinsed black beans
1.5 cup chunky salsa
1 cup frozen corn

Put your chicken in the crock pot. Top with the rinsed black beans, salsa, and corn.
 Cover and cook on low for 6-9 hours, or on high for 4-5.

20.  Amazing Pork Tenderloin

Serves 8

1 (2 pound) pork tenderloin
1 cup low sodium beef broth, no sugar added
1/2 cup white wine (or apple juice, no added sugar)
3 Tbsp garlic, minced
3 Tbsp low sodium soy sauce
8 teaspoons dried onion flakes
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon seasoned pepperpepper to taste
Place pork tenderloin in the slow cooker with herbs and spices.  Pour broth, wine, and soy sauce over the top, turning the pork to coat.  Carefully spread garlic over the pork, leaving as much on top of the roast during cooking as possible. Sprinkle with pepper, cover, and cook on low setting for 4 hours. Serve with cooking liquid on the side as au jus.

21.  Cheese Burger Sandwiches

12 servings

1 1/2 pounds leans ground beef (or lean ground turkey)
1/2 teaspoon garlic pepper
8 ounces low fat cheddar cheese*
2 tablespoons skim milk
1 medium green bell pepper, chopped (1 cup)
1 small onion, chopped (1/4 cup)
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
12 sandwich buns, wheat
Instructions:  Cook beef and garlic pepper in 12-inch skillet over medium heat 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until beef is brown; drain.  Spray 3 to 4 quart slow cooker with cooking spray. Mix beef and remaining ingredients except buns in cooker.  Cover and cook on low heat setting 6 to 7 hours. To serve, fill buns with beef mixture.

22. Slow Cooker Fajitas
8 servings

1 each med. green,yellow & red (cut into 1/2 in strips)
1 sweet onion (cut into 1/2 in strips)
2 lbs. beef (cut into thin strips - skirt steak is perfect)3/4 c water
2 tbsp. red wine vinegar
1 tbsp. lime juice
1 tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper
8 tortillas warm
1/2 c salsa
1/2 c shredded reduced fat cheddar cheese
8 tsp minced fresh cilantro
Cover & cook on low for 8-9 hrs or until tender.  Using a slotted spoon,place about 3/4 c. meat mixture down center of each tortilla. Top with 1 tsp. salsa,1 tbsp cheese, & 1 tsp cilantro;roll up.1 fajita equals 335 calories

23. Black Bean and Rice Soup
1 medium onion, chopped
3 carrots, thinly sliced (or handful of baby carrots)
2 stalks of celery, thinly sliced
4 cloves of garlic, minced
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1 1/2 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp Tabasco sauce
2 16 oz. cans black beans, drained & rinsed
1 14.5 oz can crushed tomatoes
2 14.5 cans reduced sodium chicken broth
1 1/2 cups cooked riceCombine all ingredients except the rice in Crock-Pot. Cover; cook on Low 8-10 hours, High 3-4 hours) Add cooked rice before serving.

24. Skinny Taco Soup
1 lb ground turkey
½ lb lean hamburger
3 tbsp taco seasoning

1 can rotel (do not drain)
1 can chili beans
¼ tsp (each) ground cumin, pepper, garlic power
1 tbs onion flakes
¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
1 sm bag frozen corn (optional)
3 cups low sodium beef broth
Additional salt to taste.
Brown meat w/spices & taco seasoning. Pour into Crock pot w/other ingredients and stir. Cook for about 4 hours on low. Serve w/baked tortilla chips.

25. Cranberry Chicken 
2 pounds boneless, skinnless chicken breasts
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 teaspoons olive oil
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
dash ground allspice
1 cup orange juice (100% juice, no sugar added)
2 teaspoons finely grated orange peel
2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
1/4 cup honey
2 tsp. unsulfered molasses
Preparation:  Brown chicken pieces and onion in oil; sprinkle with salt. Add browned chicken, onions and other ingredients to crockpot. Cover and cook on LOW 5 1/2 to 7 hours. If desired, thicken juices with a mixture of about 2 tablespoons cornstarch combined with 2 tablespoons cold water.

26. Honey Chicken
1 lb. or 4 small skinless chicken breasts
1/4 tsp. curry powder
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 cup diced onion
3 T. oil
1/4 cup honey
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/4 tsp. powdered ginger
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1tsp. salt
1 tsp. pepper
1/4 tsp. paprika
1/2 cup water
In a large mixing bowl, combine all of the ingredients. Toss well to coat the chicken evenly. Place the mixture in a slow cooker. Cover & cook on low for 4 hours. If desired, serve over rice or orzo.