Drinks/ RECIPES

Blender Lemonade

What if you could have homemade lemonade without juicing a bunch of lemons? How great would that be? What if I told you this is possible thanks to Blender Lemonade? Yes, it is true. Blender Lemonade is my new favorite way to make lemonade and I think it will be yours, too.

Blender lemonade sounds like it could be a recipe for slushy lemonade, but that is not this. This blender lemonade recipe is a way of making lemonade that is quick and easy. The final product has the goodness and health benefits of lemon oil from the peel because you use the entire lemon to flavor the lemonade.

It also uses a couple of tablespoons of sweetened condensed milk, so the finished glass of lemonade has a milky hue to it. It is quite beautiful in a glass over ice, and the bit of creaminess is very appealing to the palate, which makes a this lemonade special. It is a great recipe to make when having company, or just sitting on the porch with a friend.

Brunch/ HEALTH/ Nutrition/ RECIPES/ Sweets

Quinoa Cinnamon Cracker Crumble Topping

SUMMER ENTERTAINING

It is almost July and I’m loving every bit of this summer. Comparing it to last, it is a breath of fresh air and full of moments I’m trying hard to hold on to, as my 3 teen girls are growing up so quickly. Every time I blink I feel they change, morphing by the moment!

In this season of life, summer entertaining at our house more often than not involves teenagers! They have sleepovers, watch movies, and literally ‘hang’ out in our backyard in their hammocks. Did you know portable hammocks are a ‘thing’ with teens right now? They are a super fun way to get your teen outdoors with friends, to hang together & socialize with each other and the whole world on their phones.

SMOOTHIE BOWLS

Whenever my teens ask to have a friend sleepover, one of the first thoughts I have is “hmm..what do I have for snacks and breakfast?” We all know food is a very important part of entertaining teens.

My oldest is a cross-country runner and cares about nutrition and health. She wants a healthy breakfast and snacks. My younger two just want tasty and don’t care much about the health status of their snacks, but I’m noticing some of their friends do, so hopefully it will wear off on them!

I have found the perfect healthy solution for both summer sleepover breakfasts & snacks whether the girls have a healthy palate or not…THE SMOOTHIE BOWL!

There is a huge smoothie bowl movement going on and I love it! Just search #smoothiebowl on instagram or twitter and you will see all kinds of beautiful examples.

A smoothie bowl is basically a thick smoothie that you can eat with a spoon, with all kinds of fun toppings. The toppings are a great way to add nutrition to the bowl, and the extra texture makes it feel like a luxurious treat for breakfast.

This is great summer entertainment food for my girls. I can blend up the smoothie in seconds and set out a variety of toppings, from chia seeds to chocolate chips– something to please everyone!

It’s also the perfect food to eat while hammocking outside in the summer sun!

QUINOA CINNAMON CRACKER CRUMBLE TOPPING

I made the PERFECT topping for our smoothie bowls. I wanted to add a nice hearty crunch, something like granola but more decadent. Something that tastes like a cinnamon roll but with crunch and a bit of health to go along with it.

Enter my Quinoa Cinnamon Cracker Crumble Topping.

That is so fun to type. It is also so fun to create a recipe, because then I get to name it whatever I want!

This Quinoa Cinnamon Cracker Crumble Topping is amazing and good enough to be eaten alone, straight from the jar. It has cinnamon, maple syrup, butter and just a touch of brown sugar. The crunch comes from raw quinoa and delicious chunks of cracker.

CRACKERS

I used and love Dare Breton Crackers. They are super versatile, great for an extravagant party, an impromptu gathering, or a teenage sleepover. They are loaded with crunch and packed with flavor.

I coated the cracker chunks with the maple/cinnamon/butter mixture and baked. The quinoa is tasteless but adds amazing crunch factor. Other than the crunch, the best thing about adding quinoa is the protein it adds to the top of your smoothie bowl, which is extra filling and makes my ‘runner girl’ and her friends very happy.

The cracker topping stays nice and crunchy even mixed into a smoothie bowl, down to the very last bite! This cracker topping would also be great on top of yogurt, ice cream, or oatmeal.

MORE TOPPING IDEAS

I made the smoothie bowls inside, and set my topping bar outside, for guests to help themselves to. I kept the toppings on the healthy side, but really, the sky is the limit when it comes to smoothie bowl toppings. The one topping I will always want now that I’ve tasted it, is the quinoa cracker crunch topping. You guys, I’m telling ya, this recipe is GOOOOD!

Here are a few other topping ideas:

chia seeds

chocolate chips

shredded coconut

berries

nuts

hemp seeds

banana

gogi berries

raisins

dried cherries

You could even add some gummy worms when serving teens, although, if I did this I would make the base a green smoothie by adding spinach, to make myself feel better about the worms!

QUINOA CINNAMON CRACKER CRUMBLE TOPPING

INGREDIENTS:

1/2 sleeve Dare Original Crackers, crumbled (about 1 1/2 – 2 cups crumbled)

1/4 cup melted butter

1/3 cup uncooked quinoa, rinsed

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

1/3 cup maple syrup

1 tablespoon brown sugar

sprinkle of salt

INSTRUCTIONS:

Crumble the crackers into a bowl, keeping some nice big chunks. In a separate bowl, melt butter. Add cinnamon, maple syrup and quinoa to the butter and stir well. Pour over crackers and toss to coat.

Spread into a buttered baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes. Be careful not to over-brown.

Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon brown sugar & some salt to taste while still hot. Let cool then toss and store in an airtight container. I love using a mason jar.

SMOOTHIE BOWL RECIPE

INGREDIENTS:

1/3 cup yogurt (can use smashed avocado to keep it vegan)

1 frozen banana

1 cup frozen strawberries

1-2 tablespoons maple syrup

1/2 – 1 cup milk of choice (I used almond)

INSTRUCTIONS:

Put all ingredients in a blender. Start with 1/2 cup of milk and add more until vortex forms in the middle and ingredients can blend freely. Don’t add too much milk. The key to the smoothie bowls is keeping it thick enough to eat with a spoon.

Pour into a bowl and add Quinoa Cinnamon Cracker Crumble & your choice of toppings.

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WHAT ABOUT YOU?

Have you done much summer entertaining this year?

What are your favorite cracker recipes?

Want more ideas for using crackers in creative ways to entertain? Check out Dare Breton Cracker for a ton of great recipe ideas!

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

RECIPES/ Sides

Rotisserie Chicken Bone Broth Plain & Simple

I’ve made bone broth a few different ways, and there really isn’t a right way, but using a rotisserie chicken is by far the easiest way! I simply use the rotisserie chicken meat for a meal, but instead of getting rid of the chicken carcass, I keep it and use it to make a wonderfully good-for-you bone broth. Sometimes I use the meat to add right back into the broth once it is finished which makes the tastiest chicken soup, and sometimes I make another recipe that calls for shredded chicken and freeze the bone broth once it is finished.

Bone broth is all the rage right now, with bone broth cafe’s popping up in bigger cities like New York. Why? Because of bone broth’s amazing health benefits. It has been called better than botox broth because of the many benefits it contains for skin, hair and nails. Homemade bone broth contains collagen and gelatin that makes your skin plump up & hair shine! It not only makes your outsides glow, but it does amazing things for your inside, too! It heals your gut by coating your intestines and also cushions your joints and relieves inflammation.

I started making bone broth on a regular basis specifically for brain health. I love learning what I can do with food to make our guts healthy which in turn makes our brains healthy too! The minerals from bones are wonderful, and this method of making bone broth extracts calcium, potassium & the calming mineral, magnesium, right into the broth.

Why not just use store-bought stock? Sometimes I do if it is organic from a brand I trust, and I need convenience. Most of the stocks you can buy at the store do contain gelatin, but is thinned down with water so the gelatin content is very low. Cheaper brands have to make up the flavor somehow, so they use additives: salt, yeast extracts and MSG. Even the most expensive, organic brands have super high salt content and you have to pay a pretty penny for them.

Any chef will tell you the key to a delicious soup is a nice, hearty, rich, homemade broth. I am known for my delicious homemade soups and the reason why they are so good is because of bone broth. You now know my soup secret! Making your own is so easy, it will make your home smell wonderful & is cost efficient way to give great boosts to your health through food.

Benefits of Drinking Bone Broth

~it is one of the most nutrient dense, whole foods that you can make

~it is super hydrating

~gives steady energy throughout the day if you drink it in the morning. A cup for lunch gives energy during the afternoon energy slump.

~it is rich in amino acids & trace minerals

~research shows that chicken broth boosts immune function

Tips For Making Bone Broth:

~Do not boil. Boiling can destroy collagen molecules. A slow simmer is best.

~Use vinegar when possible to pull out the trace minerals & collagen from the bones.

~Use an organic chicken, one with no hormones & no antibiotics. Whole Foods has organic rotisserie chickens.

~Celebrate if you see that the broth become gelatinous when refrigerated. That is a great sign that you extracted all the good stuff from the bones. That is liquid gold!

~Want to pull even more health benefits from the bones? Soak the bones in cold water with the vinegar & vegetables for 15 minutes to an hour before turning on the heat.

~Oftentimes, there will be wonderful gelatin left in the bottom of the rotisserie container if you have refrigerated the chicken before preparing the broth. Don’t let that go to waste! Dump it right into your broth or save it with your chicken to add later to the soup or whatever dish you are making. You can see it in the picture below.

~Make your own rotisserie chicken in the slow cooker with a Trader Joes Organic whole chicken. {instructions here}

~Bone Broth keeps fresh in refrigerator for up to 5 days.

~Can freeze in mason jars or ice-cube trays.

~Not ready to make bone broth but have leftover bones? Freeze them in a ziplock.

~Not gonna be home for hours? Use a slow cooker instead of the stove. Instructions below.

Bone Broth Plain & Simple

Recipe Type: sides

Ingredients

Rotisserie Chicken bones & skin
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
3 organic carrots halved
3 stalks organic celery halved
1 organic onion halved
6-10 cups water
Kosher salt & pepper

Instructions

Take all meat off a rotisserie chicken. Save the meat and set aside.
Place the carcass & skin in large pan.
Cut up 2 organic carrots, add to the pan.
Cut up 2 organic celery stalks, add to the pan.
Cut an organic onion in half, add to the pan. If organic, can leave skin on.
Add water to the pan, until it comes a few inches above the chicken bones. I never measure the water. It all depends on the size of your pan and the amount of bones you have.
Add the vinegar & pepper.
Optional: Let all soak for 15-1 hour to bring even more gelatin out of the bones.
Bring to a simmer and remove any scum that rises to the top. Remove the scum, but keep the fat.
Reduce the heat to the lowest setting and let simmer for 12-24 hours.
Remove bones from the broth using a slotted spoon, & strain the rest using a mesh strainer until to remove any bone fragments.
Let broth cool, strain, add salt to taste, & store in mason jars. Freezes beautifully!

Bone Broth (Slow Cooker)

Recipe Type: sides

Ingredients

Rotisserie Chicken Bones & Skin
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
3 organic carrots halved
3 stalks organic celery halved
1 organic onion halved
6-10 cups water or enough to cover chicken bones & vegetables by a couple of inches
Kosher salt & Pepper

Instructions

Combine all ingredients in your slow cooker. Cook on low for 15 hours. (I do overnight.)
Let broth cool, strain, add salt to taste, & store in mason jars. Freezes beautifully!

………

What do you think? Do you make your own broth? Do you want to make bone broth after reading how simple it is and all of the health benefits it brings?

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RECIPES/ Sides/ Sponsored

8 Simple and Delicious Sandwich Thin Snack Recipes

It can be tricky to keep calories low when the urge to snack hits. I am a carb lover, and can easily over-do it when it comes to consuming too much when I’m hungry and need a snack. I’ve found that staying mindful while consuming is key to snacking in a more healthful way.

I was recently asked by Weight Watchers® to share that their products can be found at Walmart & how they have made mindful, low-calorie snacking so much easier with a variety of products. They have popcorn, string cheese and more! My new fav? Fiber-filled Oroweat® Sandwich Thins!

I picked up a couple of packages of Oroweat® Sandwich Thins from Walmart, knowing that they are Weight Watchers® endorsed and just 100 calories made me eager to get creative with them. 100 calories each means that half of one is just 50 calories! That is way lower calorie & fewer SmartPoints® than regular bread. With this sort of portion control and low calories, I feel free to top them with all kinds of goodness which makes a satisfying and hearty snack.

Keep reading for fun ways to top your sandwich thins & for a list of specific Weight Watchers® products that you can find at Walmart.

8 Simple & Delicious Sandwich Thin Snack Recipes

CREAM CHEESE & BERRIES SANDWICH THIN

Toast your sandwich thin. Spread with cream cheese. Top with your choice of berries & dust lightly with powdered sugar.

CINNAMON-SUGAR SANDWICH THIN ROUND

Toast sandwich thin. Spread with butter. Sprinkle with a cinnamon-sugar mixture. I’ve read that the perfect ratio of cinnamon to sugar is 1/4 cup cinnamon to 1 Tablespoon of Cinnamon.

PEANUT BUTTER CLOUD SANDWICH THIN ROUND

This one is delicious! Toast the sandwich round, spread with peanut butter, top with marshmallows. Pop under the broiler for just a minute, until the marshmallows puff and brown to your liking. Be careful…they burn easily!

GARLIC HERB TOMATO SANDWICH THIN APPETIZER

Spread toasted or non-toasted (I liked non-toasted for this one) sandwich thin with a prepared garlic-herbed cheese spread. Cut into triangles & top with a halved grape tomato. So delicious and makes a pretty appetizer platter!

GARLIC BREAD SANDWICH THIN ROUNDS

I made spaghetti for dinner tonight and served these garlic sandwich rounds along with it. Much healthier for you than a big hunk of french bread. Did you know these Oroweat® Sandwich Thins have 5 grams of fiber and no high-fructose corn syrup? That makes me happy.

PIZZA SANDWICH THIN ROUNDS

My teen girls gobbled these up as an after-school snack. Toast the sandwich thin, top with pizza sauce (I just used spaghetti sauce), sprinkle with cheese & stick under the broiler until the cheese melts. Top with a chiffonade of basil.

INSIDE-OUT GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICH THIN

This was so gooey and satisfying! Spread the inside of the sandwich thin with butter. Place buttered side down on a pan over medium heat. Sprinkle with cheese and top with the other buttered half. Flip when browned on one side, and cook until the cheese is melted.

I plan on using these easy snack recipes during our late afternoon snacking sessions. My kitchen is full of teenage girls every day after school who are all looking for a hearty snack, so I will keep these sandwich thins around so they can get creative themselves.

………………..

Want more after school snack ideas?

You can find the below Weight Watchers® products available at Walmart. There is even an iBotta offer up to $4.00.

-Weight Watchers® Endorsed Jolly Time Healthy Pop microwave and pre-popped Popcorn
-Weight Watchers® Ice Cream Novelties
-Weight Watchers® Sweet Baked Goods
-Weight Watchers® String Cheese

& of course

-Weight Watchers® Endorsed Sandwich Thins (Arnold®, Orowheat®, and Brownberry®)

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A few other ideas for Oroweat® Sandwich thins:

Peanut Butter Banana Chia:

~Toast & spread with peanut butter. Topped with sliced bananas & a sprinkle of chia seeds.

Breakfast Thin Sandwich

~Make a breakfast sandwich–sandwich thins are great for breakfast, lunch, dinner or snack! Fry an egg within the confines of a round mason jar lid ring to make it into a round shape. Top the egg with cheese, place within a toasted sandwich thin and enjoy!

Bruschetta Thins

~Dice some tomatoes, add a bit of olive oil and a splash of balsamic vinegar. Sprinkle with a bit of garlic salt. Mix. Place on toasted sandwich thins & sprinkle with a bit of pepper.

Parmesan Pesto Thins

~Toast a sandwich thin. Spread with prepared pesto. Top with a few shavings of parmesan cheese.

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Follow Weight Watchers® On Facebook for more snack ideas!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Weight Watchers®. The opinions and texts are all mine.

Meals/ RECIPES

6 Super Simple Dinner Recipes Using Trader Joes Ingredients + A Shopping List

I have a dear friend whose husband was in a bad car accident last November. He suffered a traumatic brain injury & her world has been turned upside down. He has been healing all of these months and is not home yet. As you can imagine, keeping up with meals has been a challenge. Her daughter asked me to make a simple meal plan with some quick meal ideas for her Mom to make, in between trips to caring for her husband.

My friend likes simple, healthy food, so I hope this plan will serve her well & the grocery list make shopping convenient for her.

6 Super Simple Dinner Recipes

This plan has one chicken dish, one ground beef dish, one fish dish, 2 vegetarian soups and one “brinner” or breakfast for dinner. This will give 6 meals total.

These dinner recipes are super simple, quick and easy, & are made using Trader Joes groceries.

Serve each meal with a big, green leafy salad and one another type of vegetable on the side, if desired.

Chicken

Balsamic Slow Cooker Chicken & Roasted Potatoes

Buy:

4 organic chicken breasts

organic chicken broth (in a box)

balsamic vinegar

brown sugar, 3 cloves garlic, dried basil, dried oregano, dried thyme, dried rosemary

Red potatoes

Slow Cooker Balsamic Vinegar

1/2 cup balsamic vinegar

1/2 cup chicken broth

1/4 cup brown sugar, packed

3 cloves garlic, minced

4 boneless, skin-less chicken breasts

1 teaspoon dried basil

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

1/4 teaspoon dried thyme

1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary

salt & pepper to taste

In a small bowl, whisk together balsamic vinegar, chicken broth, brown sugar and garlic; set aside.

Season chicken breasts with basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary, salt & pepper.

Place chicken breasts into a 6 qt slow cooker. Stir in balsamic vinegar mixture. Cover and cook on low heat for 7-8 hours or high 3-4 hours.

Roasted Red Potatoes

Wash potatoes. Cut into 1/4. Put in a single layer on a baking sheet. Drizzle with oil & seasons with salt, pepper & some dried rosemary. Toss (I use my hands) then place in a single layer once again. Bake 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown on the bottom and able to prick with a fork.

………………………………….

Soup #1

Easy Black Bean Soup with $.99 Pretzel Bread

Buy:

15 ounce can black beans

frozen corn

salsa

vegetable broth

cumin

$.99 cent pretzel bread (small loaf, comes in a paper sleeve)

Make:

Using recipe below, which really just takes minutes, make the soup. Serve in bowls with pretzel bread for dipping.

Easy Black Bean Soup
{happy herbivore}

15 ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup frozen corn, thawed (or not:))
1 cup salsa
11/2 cups vegetable broth (more or less, depending on desired thickness)
1/2 tsp cumin
dash of hot sauce
salt and pepper to taste

tortilla chips (optional)

Place 1 cup beans, salsa, broth and cumin in a blender and puree until smooth. Transfer to a medium saucepan and add remaining ingredients except chips. Stir to combine and heat thoroughly over low. Once warmed, serve and garnish with broken chips.

……………………………..

Fish

Swai Fish Filets on a Bed of Wild Rice, Veggie & Salad

To Buy:

Swai frozen fillets (any white fish if Swai is not available)

frozen multi-grain rice packs

dried dill

butter

Make:

Line baking sheet with foil. Lay out thawed fish filets. Sprinkle both sides with salt, pepper and dill. Add a pat of butter on to of each filet. Bake 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until no longer opaque in the middle and flakes easily. Serve with rice, veggie & salad.

…………………………..

Beef

Sloppy Joes with Mashed Potatoes

Buy:

1 lb Organic, grass-fed beef

hamburger buns

mashed potatoes (in a bag in the freezer section)

ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire Sauce, lemon, chili powder, brown sugar, cumin, paprika, oregano

Make:

Use this recipe for Sloppy Joes, but substitute the lentils for the ground beef. So easy! Serve on buns with a side of mashed potatoes.

…………………………….

Soup #2

Easy Tomato, Pesto, Tortellini Soup

Buy:

Organic Tomato Soup (in a box)

Container of prepared pesto (in refrigerator section)

Container of fresh tortellini pasta (in refrigerator section)

Sourdough bread (optional)

Make:

Pour the tomato soup into a sauce pan. Let come to almost a boil, then reduce heat. Add tortellini pasta and cook for 4-6 minutes or according to package directions. Taste one to make sure it is tender. Last step, add 2 large spoonfuls of prepared pesto & swirl into the soup. Serve with crusty bread.

…………………………..

“Brinner” (Breakfast for Dinner)

Toad In a Hole + Nitrate-Free Bacon

Buy:

Organic Eggs

Bread

Nitrate-Free Bacon (get the ‘already cooked’ kind, in the bacon area)

Frozen berries (your choice, I like blackberries)

Make:

Make Toad In a Hole using this recipe. Heat bacon for just seconds in the microwave according to directions. Serve with slightly thawed berries.

…………………………

Trader Joes Shopping List

Slow Cooker Balsamic Chicken Dish Ingredients

4 organic chicken breasts (fresh or frozen)

organic chicken broth (in a box)

balsamic vinegar

brown sugar

garlic

dried basil

dried oregano

dried thyme

dried rosemary

red potatoes

Black Bean Soup Ingredients

15 ounce can black beans

frozen corn

salsa

vegetable broth

cumin

$.99 cent pretzel bread (small loaf, comes in a paper sleeve)

Tortilla chips (optional)

Fish Dish Ingredients

Swai frozen fillets (any white fish if Swai is not available)

multi-grain or organic brown rice packs (in freezer section)

dried dill

butter

Beef Dish (Sloppy Joes) Ingredients

1 lb Organic, grass-fed beef

hamburger buns

mashed potatoes (in a bag in the freezer section)

ketchup

mustard

Worcestershire Sauce

lemon

chili powder

brown sugar

cumin

paprika

oregano

Tomato, Basil, Tortellini Soup Ingredients

Organic Tomato Soup (in a box)

Container of prepared pesto (in refrigerator section)

Container of fresh tortellini pasta (in refrigerator section)

Sourdough bread (optional)

“Brinner” (Breakfast for Dinner) Ingredients

Organic Eggs

Bread

Nitrate-Free Bacon (get the ‘already cooked’ kind, in the bacon area)

Frozen berries (your choice, I like blackberries)

Misc.

Bagged Salad Greens to eat with each meal

Frozen sides of veggies to eat with each meal

Something Sweet (I love Trader Joe’s bag of Nutty Bites)

Wine {smile}

…………………….

Would you be willing to know more about our dear friends and consider giving toward a fund we set up to help lighten the load? We are getting close to the goal and I know every bit helps and so appreciated!

If you are unable to give, will you pray for them? The journey has been long and the road is hard. I know your prayers will bring continued peace & healing.

Meals/ POPULAR/ RECIPES

30 Minute Sloppy Joes

Sloppy Joes have always been a comfort food for me. This 30 Minute Sloppy Joes Recipe is a keeper. It’s almost as comforting as the recipe I’ve grown to love, which is the one my Mom makes and of course, can’t be replicated. She just throws ingredients together, then tastes it, and it is magically perfect!

ATTENTION: My Essential Oil Recipe Blend Recipe Cards is part of the Herbs and Essential Oils Bundle! It is a super short sale so hurry! So much is included… 38 eBooks, eCourses, printables, and a membership site designed to help you use easy and effective natural remedies.

97% off! Click here to purchase and watch a short video all about it!

My recipe is very, very similar to hers, and uses the ingredients that she does, with a few added herbs and spices. It was very easy to make, and even though the recipe ingredient list looks long, most of the ingredients are spices.

It excludes the garlic and green/red pepper that many Sloppy Joe recipes use, so the only chopping is an onion. This not only keeps the flavor simple but keeps the preparation simple, too! It really is a breeze to mix together for a quick, filling, comforting family dinner.

Meals/ RECIPES

Slow Cooker Meatloaf Meatballs & Sauce

I’ve been collecting easy recipes for the slow cooker that my whole family will love and eat. These Slow Cooker Meatloaf Meatballs & Sauce fit the bill and then some. They are delicious, inexpensive, quick & easy, made in the slow cooker, and everyone loves them!

They taste like delicious little meatloaves. The binder to hold them together is cooked rice. My Mom used to make something similar called Porcupine Meatballs, but they remind me of a meatloaf recipe I’ve made that also uses rice, so I named them Meatloaf Meatballs. They have definitely become one of our family’s favorite meals!

I’m trying to get into the habit of making a slow cooker meal on Sundays. It is a busy day for our family, as my girls are involved in church and youth group activities, and it seems like everyone needs to be somewhere at different times, and arrive home at different times– hungry & wanting food!

Why Our Family Needs Slow Cooker Sunday

My 16-year-old Teagan teaches Sunday School for 5-year-old’s during the first service, my Colsie & Avery attend youth group first service, and Todd and I sit attend church & listen to the sermon during the first service. Then Todd takes the younger two home, & I have been attending a teen parenting class during the second service while my Teagan sits in church with her friends to hear the sermon during the second service.

Some Sunday afternoons Teagan has youth leadership team meetings and every Sunday evening my 2 high school girls attend youth group. Whew! I told you Sundays are crazy! I am so thankful for our church and all that we learn there as a family, and I’m so thankful my 3 girls all love being there.

Slow Cooker Sundays

Can you see why I need to utilize my slow cooker on Sundays? I love coming home from church to a house that smells delicious & food that is ready to eat.

These meatballs are a snap to put together, but if you would rather not be handling raw ground beef first thing in the morning, this can be thrown together the evening before, and kept in the refrigerator until morning.

A key step in keeping this recipe easy is to have rice that is already cooked. Rice freezes beautifully in jars, so I always make extra when using my favorite rice maker. Sometimes I get lazy and just buy Trader Joes frozen rice. They have a rice blend that uses a few different types of grains & adds extra fiber to this meal.

Do you have any favorite slow cooker recipes you love? If so, please share in the comments!

This recipe is from How Jen Does It. Click to watch her make this recipe on YouTube. I add some onion powder & top them with ketchup for some added flavor and zing, which I thought was much needed. Otherwise, I follow her recipe.

Slow Cooker Meatloaf Meatballs & Sauce

1 lb ground beef (preferably grass-fed & organic)

1 1/2 cups cooked rice

1 egg

2 8 oz cans tomato sauce

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

salt & pepper

1/4 cup or so of ketchup

Spray slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray or wipe with oil. Pour one can of tomato sauce in the bottom of the slow cooker.

Mix ground beef, egg, rice, onion powder, salt & pepper. Form into 1 1/2 inch balls.

Place on top of tomato sauce & pour 2nd can of tomato sauce on top of meatballs.

Top with ketchup (I just eyeball this and squirt it directly from the ketchup bottle, topping each meatball and adding the nice acidic tang that ketchup has.)

Cook on high 3 1/2 – 4 hours or low 7-8 hours.

Tips:

Do not stir. These are tender and can fall apart easily.

Use good quality ground beef with lower fat content.

Great served with mashed potatoes & green beans!

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