Winner Announced! Little Ways You Can Involve Your Children in the Everyday Parts of Life Guest Post for Jen and Barb Mom Life #MomLife

And the Winner of the $25 Visa Gift Card for Tweeting a response to the video on my original post is:

@ErikaMyers

Congrats!

You have 48 hours to contact me via twitter or at ABusyCrockPotMom@yahoo.com or a new winner will be chosen.

New York Pizza Dip - Hamilton Beach Recipe

This New York Pizza dip would make a great addition to any party, or just a fun family night appetizer!  Pizza.....as a dip.....made in the slow cooker?!!!!!!  YES PLEASE!!!!!!

 Doesn't that look delicious?!!!!

For this EASY, Kid-Friendly Recipe, please click here.

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

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

Chicken Curry - Guest Post by Josette

One of our long-time followers has come up with a delicious recipe to share with us!  It's something I've yet to make in my Slow Cooker, but now that I have this recipe, it shall be in there soon!

Here is Josette's post for you:

Hi!  My name is Josette, I am a busy mom of two and a middle school teacher in Northern Virginia.  Keeping my busy family fed means that the crock pot in my friend.  It has a permanent place on my kitchen counter.  I hope you enjoy this Crock Pot Chicken Curry as much as we do!

Crock Pot Chicken Curry

 Ingredients:

1 small bunch scallions, coarsely chopped

1 inch ginger, peeled and grated

2 large garlic cloves

1 T red pepper flakes

1/2 cup cilantro leaves

2 rounded tablespoons curry powder

¾  cup chicken stock

1 ½ lbs chicken thigh (thawed)  

1/2 cup chunky peanut butter

1 cup Greek yogurt

Directions:

Place chicken into crock pot.  In a blender mix together ginger, garlic, red pepper flakes, cilantro, curry powder, chicken stock, and yogurt.  Then pour over the chicken.  On top of that mixture, add the chunky peanut butter and scallions.  Cook on LOW for about 6 hours.  Serve over basmati rice.  

Once you've made this yummy sounding recipe, come on back and leave a comment!  Tell us how it was!  Thanks again for sharing this with us, Josette!

No Alarm Chili - Guest Post

If you’re in need of new Chili ideas try this interesting Chili Recipe. It’s a hearty chili dish with a sweet tangy taste.  This recipe doesn't call for the slow cooker, but I would follow the directions as is, then let it cook 6 hours or so on LOW in your slow cooker!

No Alarm Chili

INGREDIENTS

·         1 pound extra lean ground beef (95% lean)

·         1 can (15 oz each) Manwich® Original Sloppy Joe Sauce

·         1 can (8 oz each) Hunt's® Tomato Sauce-No Salt Added

·         1 can (15 oz each) red kidney beans, drained, rinsed

·         2 teaspoons chili powder

·         1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

·         1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

DIRECTIONS

1.       Cook beef in large skillet over medium-high heat 7 minutes or until crumbled and no longer pink, stirring occasionally; drain.

2.       Add all remaining ingredients; simmer 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Author Bio: James writes on behalf of Manwich. For other Ground Beef Recipes or Sloppy Joe sauce visit manwich.com. 

Little Ways You Can Involve Your Children in the Everyday Parts of Life Guest Post for Jen and Barb Mom Life #MomLife #Giveaway!

Have you ever visited Jen and Barb Mom Life?  It's a GREAT site, written by mom's just like some of you!  This week, my guest post on "Little Ways You Can Involve Your Children in the Everyday Parts of Life" is being featured along with a video featuring Felicity Huffman.  Please head on over and check out my article.  Be sure to leave a comment for me too!  I even have a great recipe for a Chef Boyardee Ravioli Casserole that you won't want to miss!  I want to know what kind of life skills you're teaching your children, so be sure to let me know using the hashtag #MomLife.

Be sure to follow Felicity Huffman at @WhattheFlicka and @FelicityHuffman on Twitter and at www.facebook.com/WhatTheFlicka as well.

 

Want to win a $25 Gift Card?
Tweet your views on the video using #MomLife and @BusyCrockPotMom, then come back here and comment with your email address and link to your tweet.  

The giveaway is open to U.S. Residents 18 and older.  Once the giveaway closes, the winner will be given 3 days to respond and claim their prize or a new winner will be chosen.  Winner will be randomly chosen through random.org.  Giveaway closes Friday, February 22, 2013 at 11:59 p.m. EST.  Good luck!

*Disclaimer: I am not being compensated for hosting this giveaway.  I was compensated for writing the article for Jen and Barb Mom Life.  All opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

Chicken Parmesan - Guest Post from The Country Cook

I'm so grateful that Brandi of TheCountryCook.net has agreed to do some guest blogging for me while I work on the cookbooks!!!!!!  She has so many awesome recipes on her blog!  Every time she posts something, my mouth waters! :)

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.

First up from Brandie, Chicken Parmesan!  One of my absolute favorite things to eat!  I can't wait for you all to try this and come back and tell me how good it is!!!!

*For the Chicken Parmesan Recipe and step-by-step pictures, please click here.
You can follow TheCountryCook.net on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest!

Kicked Up Crock Pot Pepper Steak - Guest Post from Mamma Maria's La Cucina

Personally, I love anything with sauce served over rice!  How can it be bad?!  LOL  This Pepper Steak from Mamma Maria's La Cucina looks scrumptious!  When you give it a try, come back and tell me how great it tasted!!!! And go give her facebook page a "like" and let her know I sent you!!!! ;)

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!

Kicked Up Crock Pot Pepper Steak

Ingredients:
1 1/2 lbs sirloin steak, sliced very thin 
1/2 each of red, yellow & green bell peppers, sliced into julienne type strips * see photo 
2 medium onions, sliced in half then made into smaller slices * see photo 
1 8oz package of mushrooms, sliced 
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
salt pepper & garlic powder to taste to season the beef, not alot as you will be adding more 
1 teaspoon oil to coat beef
1 can or jar turkey gravy ( yup i said turkey ) 
1 beef bouillon cube
1 heaping teaspoon szechuan chili paste 
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon salt 
1/2 cup tomato sauce or spaghetti sauce

Directions :

Turn your crock on for 8 hours on low ..... 
Slice your beef and set aside then chop the garlic, in a bowl mix the beef, oil, garlic powder s&p and set aside. 

Continue with cutting your vegetables. Once done with that, the crock will be slightly warm and add the beef into crock pot. Add the remaining vegetables, then seasonings and gravy & tomato sauce.

Mix well and cover and cook for 8 hours on low.

Serve with steamed rice * my suggestion for a side 

It has a very nice kick to it, so if you are feeding young children I suggest not adding the szechuan paste, unless they are accustomed to spicy foods. ** you can also add some to your own plate once you have served it up !!! 

For directions with step-by step pictures, click here.

The Making of the Cookbook, Part 1!

Yesterday was a very important day in the history of my life!  It was the first food photography day for one of my upcoming cookbooks!  Let me tell you, it was an incredible amount of fun, but an incredible amount of work too!  LOL  The fun outweighs the works for sure though!

I'm so lucky to be working with Rob of "Wyse Eyes" photography!  As soon as he has a website/facebook page up and running, you'll have a link to his work!  He is truly amazing and pay attention to every last detail!  I cannot wait for you to see all of the beautiful pictures he took!  Before I do though, I thought I'd give you a sneak peak into what a day in the life of food photography looks like!

Here's me, ready for my day in the Kitchen!  That's an apron from Sew Mary Beth!
An updated version of this apron should be available to purchase on my website in the coming months!!!!

Here is my beautiful backdrop, made by A Vintage Fairy!  She's EXACTLY what I wanted!!!!
Check out Kristin's facebook page!  Her work is awesome!

There was one more Slow Cooker on another counter in my kitchen!  I had 6 going, all at once, times staggered.

This is some of my prep work the night before, with my daughter busily crafting in the background.

Here are some of my many dishes I've been collecting for the photographs.  Rob's wife Kimberly also has a large collection of white dishes we used as well!

Left is Barbecue Chicken and the right is Florentine Sauce

Preparing to stuff the Cabbage Rolls the morning of the shoot.

I made some beautiful Corn Muffins to go with the Beer Chili Photo.

Fragrant Lemon Rosemary Chicken

There are my Cabbage Rolls, all stuffed

This is my Polish Sausage and Sauerkraut Recipe, which will be exclusive to the cookbook!  It was amazing!!!

We started the morning with Barbecue Pulled Pork.
We are very highly technical, using Ella's sketch pad to reflect light!  

There's my beautiful little bird!  That's my Fragrant Lemon Rosemary Chicken being photographed.

More fun and photos will come after the next Photo Shoot!

I hope you enjoyed this little preview!

I know you're all wondering, "When will the first cookbook be released?!"  At this time, I don't have an answer for you!  So sorry!  These things take time.....and money......so it will happen in time!  Thank you for your patience and support!

It Works! Wrap It Up Amie #Review

I had the pleasure of hosting an It Works! Party with my friends and Amie a couple of weeks ago!  What a FUN time!!!!!  While Amie was here, we got to try several It Works! Products.  I'm going to tell you all about them below!

At the party we used the Ultimate Body Wrap Applicator divided into 4 sections for our chin wraps. Look at the difference in some of my friends!!!!!!!!

 

As the host of the party, I had the privilege of trying a wrap on my abdomen.  The results were gradual over 3 days as you can see below, but let me tell you.....my pants sure did fit better in the end!

These retail $99 for a 4 pack or can be purchased as a Loyal Customer 4/$59.  They can also be purchased individually for $30 each directly from Amie.
https://amiekelp.myitworks.com/Shop/Product/135

Most of us tried the he Greens facial, which is made up of It Works! Greens and Defining Gel.
The It Works! Greens are a great source of vitamins and minerals in a powder mix of 38 different POWER foods to make up 8 servings of fruits and veggies, providing detox benefits, energy and alkaline, which also brings your system to a neutral state, preventing sickness! Amie drinks Greens daily and I hasn't been sick at all this year, even with the flu going crazy all around her! If you suffer from heart burn or acid reflux, this product will be a favorite for you! Amie was on prescription meds daily for gastritis/acid reflux and have been able to stop taking them with drinking Greens! She says they REALLY do neutralize the acidity in your stomach as well as your system!!!
https://amiekelp.myitworks.com/Shop/Product/475
$40 retail or $28 as a Loyal Customer

The Defining Gel is an awesome product with so many great uses! Along with helping maintain and maximize your wrapping efforts the Defining Gel will brighten up your tattoos, smooth out sun damaged and aging skin, help with skin conditions such as psoriasis, excema and varicose veins! Mixed with our Greens it creates an amazing facial!!! 
https://amiekelp.myitworks.com/Shop/Product/448
$79 retail or $45 as a Loyal customer

Here's crazy ole' me with my chin wrap and Greens facial on!  LOL

The Lip and Eye Lifting cream uses beautifying botanicals to to rejuvinate the areas around the lip and eye while visibly reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.  It's made with natural ingredients and goes on silky smooth!  My friend Helen had the tried it and had great results!!!!

https://amiekelp.myitworks.com/Shop/Product/461

$59 retail or $39 as a Loyal Customer

You can find Amie's It Works! Page on Facebook, or you can visit her directly on her website!

Italian Chicken Vegetable Stew - Guest Post from Mamma Maria's La Cucina

I LOVE a good stew....especially one packed with lots of "good for you" things!  Mamma Maria's Italian Chicken Vegetable Stew looks incredibly delicious!  There is so much you can do with this to customize it for your family.  I think you'll find it will please everyone at your dinner table.

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!

Once you make this, please come back and let me know how it was!  And go give her facebook page a "like" and let her know I sent you!!!! ;)

Italian Vegetable Stew

Ingredients:

1 1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into cubes 
3 carrots peeled and cubed 
1 sweet potato peeled and cubed 
1 white potato peeled and cubed 
1/2 cup frozen corn 
1 cup fresh green beans cut into spoon size pieces ( if fresh isnt available use frozen cut green beans ) 
**optional 1/2 cup frozen green peas ** my daughter HATES them so I didnt add them , but its a great addition to put in this stew as well 
1 medium onion, chopped fine 
2-3 cloves garlic, minced 
salt pepper & garlic powder to taste ( for chicken ) 
1 can tomato sauce or spaghetti sauce * your favorite flavor 
2 bay leaves
1 chicken bouillon cube 
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes 
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 
1/2 teaspoon black pepper 
1 teaspoon basil flakes 
2 teaspoons fresh chopped parsley 
1/2 teaspoon onion powder 

Directions :

Prep your chicken and toss into crock pot and season with salt, pepper & garlic powder. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic and mix well.

Then add the corn, carrots, potatoes and green beans. Toss in your seasonings & sauce . Mix well, cover and cook for 8 hours on low.

Mamma suggests serving over Egg noodles. 

Enjoy!