Sunday, September 30, 2012

Join The Dew Crew


Celebrate 65 years of Mountain Dew by joining in on the Dew Crew fun!  The DEW® Crew, a group of Dale Earnhardt Jr. fans on Facebook who have access to awesome Dale Jr. and #88 team content. Go to their facebook page and get in on the fun!


Content and/or other value provided by our partner, Mountain Dew.
*Disclaimer: I was compensated for writing this post.  Any opinions expressed here are entirely my own. 
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Tasty Turkey Chili

Wow, was this ever yummy?!!!!!  It's cooled off here in Michigan as Fall has officially rolled in.  I bought some ground turkey on sale and I needed to use it up.  Chili it was!  I'm SO happy I decided to make this.....and that it turned out so good!

This is really very inexpensive to put together, and you can really adapt it to what you have in your pantry so you don't have to buy anything special if you don't want to.  I used a Zesty Tomato Sauce I found by Ro-Tel, but you could use regular tomato sauce.  When I tasted the Zesty Sauce, I decided to only use a little bit, but honestly, I could have used more.  You can use your own judgement for your family.

You can put whatever your family likes into this Chili.  I used carrots because I had them, and my kids like them.  It was a great way to "sneak" those veggies in!

Tasty Turkey Chili

Ingredients:
1lb. ground turkey, uncooked
1 medium onion, chopped
2 tsp. chopped garlic (or 4 cloves)
1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, sliced
3 medium carrots, sliced into rounds
1/8 tsp. pepper
1/2 tsp. salt
1 bay leaf
2 tsp. chili powder
1 tsp. ground mustard powder
1/2 tsp. oregano
1/2 tsp. basil
1 Tbsp. onion powder
1 chicken bouillon cube
1 Tbsp. Sugar
28 oz. can Petite Diced Tomatoes
15.5 oz. can Dark Red Kidney Beans, drained and rinsed
6 oz. can Tomato Paste
4 Tbsp. Zesty Tomato  and Green Chili Sauce (Mine was Ro-Tel brand)
2 cups water

Directions:
In the bottom of your crock, place the onion, garlic, sund-dried tomatoes and carrots.

Here's how I sliced my sun-dried tomatoes.
Next, add the pepper, salt, bay leaf, chili powder, ground mustard, oregano, basil, onion powder, bouillon cube and sugar.
Now, add your diced tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce and kidney beans.
Crumble the RAW turkey meat into your crock.
Add the water.
Cook on LOW for 7-9 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours.
ENJOY!
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Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Coca Cola Roast

Ready for cheap, easy and delicious?!  This is it!!!!!  I've had a roast in my freezer for a while now, and I've always wanted to try something I've heard others doing.  While in a GIGANTIC hurry to get out of the house the other day, but still have dinner for my busy evening when I came home, I THREW this together!  I don't think I've ever peeled carrots of chopped potatoes so fast!  LOL

Who knew 1 little can of Coca Cola could make such a delicious roast?!  Now, I know!  I'm gonna get right to it tonight!  You may have all the ingredients already, so go throw it in your crock for the morning!

Coca Cola Roast

Ingredients:
3-4 lb. boneless bottom round steak (or whatever kind of roast you want)
5-6 small potatoes, cut if you'd like
4-5 medium sized carrots (or more) peeled, cut in half or thirds
2 tsp. chopped garlic (about 2-3 cloves)
salt and pepper to taste
1 can Coca Cola

Directions: (I used a 6 Quart Slow-Cooker for this)
Place your roast in the crock (mine was frozen) with your carrots and potatoes.
Sprinkle it with salt, pepper and garlic.
Pour the can of coke over the top.
Cook on LOW for 8-10 hours or on HIGH for 4-5 hours.

ENJOY!

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Tuesday, September 25, 2012

10,000 Facebook Fan Giveaway WINNERS ANNOUNCED!


A HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to all of our winners!!!!!  

A GIGANTIC THANK YOU to ALL of our AWESOME Vendors for donating these fabulous prizes!  

And thank you to ALL who entered!  

Winners are in  PURPLE below.
Please contact the vendor of the prize you won directly to claim it by Tuesday, Oct. 2 2012.
After Tuesday, Oct. 2, a new winner will be drawn.


Prize #1 - WINNER: Ginnie Wade
Embroidered Onesie and Bib "Lunch is on me"
(onesie size can be chosen by winner)



Prize #2 - WINNER: Laurene Laurence
One-Month Family Pass (Valued at $60.00)



* NEW WINNER Prize #3 - WINNER: Mary Beth Elizabeth
Rockin' Cupcakes
1 dozen Gourmet Cupcakes



* NEW WINNER Prize#4 - WINNER: Mary Fanara Coleman
$25 Gift Certificate



Prize #5 - WINNER: Michelle Dobbs Mertic
2 Free Candles (a $26 retail value)




Prize #6 - WINNER: Renee Soubliere Keech
$25 Gift Certificate



Prize #7 - WINNER: Nichole Trager-Cassidy
Invitation Kit with Matching Cupcake Liners and Toppers



Prize #8 - WINNER: Barb Rogers
Thermal Tote


Prize #9 - WINNER: Cheryl Crain

Zipper Pouch


Prize #10 - WINNER: Stacy Randolph-Noyes
12 Month Personalized Photo Calendar




Prize #11 - WINNER: Jenny Wooldridge Steward
Free 30 minute Studio Photo Session
with 8x10 and 4x5 Accordian Album



Prize #12 - WINNER: Adriane Wilson
Twitter Handle @MedID559
MedID Card is a 2GB credit card-sized retractable flash drive with a proprietary software program to keep track of your health records. This is great for parents to access to the info without having to worry about lost little pieces of paper, have for their kids when it comes to filling out medical forms for school, if you have your kids stay with relatives with you are away from them, or just for the piece of mind



Prize #13 - WINNER: Natalie Trombley
Stacy Kraus, Thirty-One
$20 Gift Certificate



Prize #14 - WINNER: Tara Klotz
Cinch-It-Up Themal Tote in aqua cirlce spirals, a small rossette clip in black, a dark denim Key Fob and a black paisley parade nail file



Prizes #15 & 16 - WINNERS: Meaux Noyes & Joan Mantini
2 Bundle Packs of KidLoks to 2 Separate Winners!
Bundle Packs include: Daddy, Mommy, Brother, Sister, Baby and three hooks (oak) to be used with KidLok bands.  $15 value + FREE SHIPPING!
KidLok is a childproofing safety device that is easy to install and requires no tools, no screws and will not damage your cabinets or doors.



Prize #17 - WINNER: Amber Louchart
Twitter: @dimplesbbqsauce
Dimples Prize Pack



Prize #18 - WINNER: Lauren Arpan
Distressed Menu ChalkBoard



Prize #19 - WINNER: Jill Brune Lash
1 Personalized Blanket



Prize #20 - WINNER: Becky Marie
Crayon Roll
(fabric pattern may be different than pictured)


Prize #21 - WINNER: Sara Scott
Cupcake Bouquet



Prize #22 - WINNER: Brenda Schnarrs
$100 Voucher for a Full Weekend Service Stay
*No other discounts apply



* NEW WINNER Prize #23 - WINNER: Sue K.
1 Grapeseed Oil


Prize #24 - WINNER: Katie Landholt Steffen
Lunch Tote



Prize #25 - WINNER: Kristy Everlove-Fleming
Cinch It Up Thermal Tote



Prizes #26 & 27 - WINNERS: Sommer McIntosh & Amanda Jane Reif
2- $25 Restaurant.com Gift Cards to 2 separate winners!


Prize #28 - WINNER: Leanne Exelby
Twitter: @Metrodetroitmom
$25 Gift Card or $25 worth of AdSpace on metrodetroitmommy.com to one of our Vendors who share this giveaway!



Prize #29 - WINNER: Sheryl Nugent Fielbrandt
Kindermusik Kit ($45 Value)
Two Home CDs, Two Literature BooksHome Activity Book, Instrument and Sturdy Storage/ Carry Bag


Prize #30 - WINNER: Laura Pokas
Standard Cleaning (within 25 minutes of 48092)


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Sunday, September 23, 2012

Simple Savory Chicken

What to do when you just need something simple to get on the table?!  Make this!  It doesn't take long at all and it tastes wonderful!

I first made this on my first day back to work.  I wanted to be able to feed my in-laws, who were kind enough to watch our kids all day since we didn't have daycare yet, my kids and my husband (because of course on the first day back, we had open house I had to be at!) When I came home, there was none left!  That's always a sign of something good!!!!  Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get any pictures, so I made it again!

I'm happy to report, this was as delicious as my husband said it was!  The cool thing about this chicken?  First of all, leg quarters are CHEAP!  Second, it is SO versatile!  You could use this chicken as is, on salads, shred it for shredded BBQ Chicken, make chicken salad with it, use the leftovers in soup, and the list goes on!

Try it!  :)

Simple Savory Chicken
This recipe serves approx. 4 people
Ingredients:
2 lbs. (or more or less) of Chicken Leg Quarters
2 Tbsp. Apple Cider Vinegar 
1 cup of water (or as needed to cover the chicken)
1/4 cup onion, chopped ( I used Tastefully Simple Onion Onion in place of this)
1 clove garlic, chopped (I used Tastefully Simple Garlic Garlic in place of this)
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. basil
1 tsp. dill

Directions: (I used a 3 Quart Crock for this)
In a bowl, place the onion, garlic, black pepper, salt, basil and dill, vinegar and water.
Give it a quick stir and pour it over the chicken in your crock.
I ended up adding more water to mostly cover my kitchen.  It kind of depends on the shape of your crock and how much chicken you have in there.
Cook on LOW for 8-10 hours or on LOW for 4-5 hours.
ENJOY!



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Sunday, September 16, 2012

WhattoExpect.com Giveaway Winners Announced!

Congratulations to the following Winners of the WhattoExpect.com Giveaway!


Kellie Muckinhern - What to Expect When You're Expecting Book
Jennifer Lasala - What to Expect When You're Expecting Book


Lorene Laurence - What to Expect the First Year Book
Corinne L - What to Expect the First Year Book


Jessica Wyer Koopman - What to Expect the Toddler Years Book
Christian MyKell - What to Expect the Toddler Years Book

Winners: Please email me your mailing address to ABusyCrockPotMom@yahoo.com

Thank you to all who entered!


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Creamy Tomato Basil Soup

Smooth, creamy, rich, basily deliciousisness!!! I don't know any better way to describe it!!!!  We enjoyed this soup tremendously.....well, my husband and I that is!  (Ella and Gavin wouldn't eat it, but in my defense, they don't eat Campbell's Tomato Soup either.  Maybe it's a smooth texture thing?!)  It was the perfect balance of tomato vs. basil.  I added a small touch of sugar, just to sweeten it ever so slightly, and the cream I added really "mellowed" out all of the flavors.  It really was divine!

I got a little fancy and made some Asiago, Spinach and Sun-dried Tomato Grilled Cheese Sandwiches to go with our homemade soup!  They were incredible!  They were even better dunked in our soup!  My husband thought I was a genius.  I'm going to go with that!  LOL  Of course, I've posted the pictures and "recipe" below for you.  You may as well look like a genius with your family too!  No one has to know whose idea it was!  Claim it for your own and knock their socks off!  LOL

Ok, go get this soup simmering in your crock!!!!!  You don't want to miss out on this!

Creamy Tomato and Basil Soup
This recipe serves approximately 6-8 people
Ingredients: 
1 small onion, chopped
1 1/2 tsp. chopped garlic (or 1-2 cloves, chopped)
2 tsp. oregano
1/8 tsp. pepper
3/4 tsp. salt
1/4 cup fresh basil, chiffonade it (that means to cut it into thin little strips.  gather your basil into a bunch and use you knife to cut thin little "ribbons")  
28 oz. can stewed tomatoes
28 oz. can crushed tomatoes
1 tsp. sugar
2 cups vegetable broth (I used 2 cups water and 2 chicken bouillon cubes)
2 cups heavy cream (I used half and half)

Directions: (I used a 6 Quart Slow Cooker for this)
Place your onions and garlic in the bottom of your crock.
Add in the basil, oregano, salt, pepper and sugar.
Now add your stewed and crushed tomatoes.
Pour in your broth and give it a stir.
Cook on LOW for 6-9 hours, or on HIGH for 3-4.5 hours.

*I cooked mine in a Reynolds Slow Cooker liner, but poured it out of the bag and into the crock before I used my immersion blender to smooth it out!

Once it's cooked, use and immersion blender to smooth out your soup.


Take out about a cup of your soup and place it in a heat safe bowl, or measuring cup.
Now, SLOWLY add your cream to this small amount of soup, a TINY bit at a time while you whisk CONSTANTLY!!!!  You're tempering your cream right now so your soup doesn't curdle.


Slowly pour your tempered cream back into your crock with the rest of your soup as you continue to whisk it.  I ended up using my immersion blender again just to smooth is out completely.



Ready for the Fancy Grilled Cheese?!!!

What you need:
Freshly baked Italian Bread, sliced
Asiago cheese slices
Fresh Spinach
Sun-dried tomatoes
Butter

Butter 2 pieces of bread, on one or two sides, whatever you prefer.  Place them buttered side down in the pan and put a slice of the asiago on them (this is like your glue).
Layer on your sun-dried tomatoes, spinach and a final layer of cheese.


Top it off with your final buttered piece of bread. 

 Toast it until golden brown on both sides.
Cut it for ultimate dipping potential!
ENJOY!





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