Porkchops & Applesauce

I got a new Crock Pot for Christmas! Here I am in all my dorky glory:

Want to read more about my family's Christmas? Go here. :)



Remember The Brady Bunch? It was one of my favorite shows growing up. Tonight for dinner, we're having Pork Chopsh...and Appleshaush.


This meal goes together quickly and cooks in the crock pot. That's perfect for nights like tonight at my house. Our new German Shepherd Sacha is starting her training classes at Petsmart, so we're going to be in a rush. It'll be nice not to have to fiddle around with making dinner and cleaning up. Everything will be done. Just one pot to wash and some plates to stick in the dishwasher.

Also, this is very healthy, with no added sugar or fat. And that's good for my weight loss. I'm following Weight Watchers Points Plus program and have lost over 25 pounds since September 19th. :)

Your house will smell delicious when you cook this. Plus, you get to talk like Humphrey Bogart and act like Peter Brady. What could be more fun?

The chops are completely covered with applesauce prior to cooking. I don't measure the amount, but it's roughly two cups of sauce.

Pork Chops & Applesauce
Serves 6

What You Need:

• 6 boneless pork chops
• 1 large, tart apple (cored and sliced)
• about 2 cups unsweetened applesauce

How it's Done:

1. Layer chops and apple slices in slow cooker.
2. Cover completely with applesauce.
3. Cover and cook on low 6 to 8 hours.

Some of my favorite non-recipe breakfasts

Lately, I'm been busy.

I mean, super, crazy, insane, taking on too much responsibility, need to learn to say no sometimes, busy.

So I haven't been cooking much at all. And I feel like I'm neglecting my blog and my blogger friends.

It occurred to me this morning as I was making my breakfast that not everything needs a recipe, and maybe I could just share some of my favorite non-recipe meal ideas with you all.

You know, in case you need inspiration for your busy days.

Because I know I can't be the ONLY one out there that has no time for kitchen detail.

Or am I?

Anyway, here are some of my favorites. Please leave a comment and tell me yours. I'm always looking for fresh ideas around here, too.

Breakfasts in a Hurry

• 1 cup Greek yogurt, mixed with a sliced banana and topped with 1/2 cup granola (store-bought or homemade)
• Banana, sliced in half the long way. Spread peanut butter on one of the cut sides. Top with the other half of the banana and press together gently to get the peanut butter to smoosh out the sides. Roll in chopped nuts.
• Toasted waffles (can be retoasted from homemade or store-bought) topped with almond butter and fruit spread, folded together for a PB&J wafflewitch
• Heat up some pork & beans and serve over toast.
• Instant oatmeal: If you pulse old fashioned oats in your food processor for a few seconds, you turn them into instant oats that can be prepared simply by adding hot water or milk. You can make up individual packages of these and flavor them as desired. Some ideas include brown sugar-cinnamon, vanilla (scrape a vanilla bean for this), peanut butter (look for dehydrated PB2 at your grocery store), and apple-cinnamon (using dried apple bits).
• fruit & yogurt: Serve fruit with vanilla yogurt to dip. Add some crushed cereal for topping.
• "Baked" apple: Core an apple. Fill the center with chopped nuts, a bit of cinnamon and sugar. Bake in the microwave until soft. Drizzle with vanilla yogurt for a quick sauce.
• Bagel with tomato and cheese. Toast a bagel. Add a slice of mozzarella and a slice of tomato. Fresh basil is delicious here.
• Pizza. One of the easiest breakfasts ever. Reheat a slice of pizza. Or, eat it cold.
• Leftover rice with milk and honey
• Smoothies. Blend yogurt with fruit, milk, and ice. No sweeteners needed!

What are your quick breakfast ideas?