Shared posts

27 Apr 22:14

Pumpkin Chipotle Pulled Pork Sandwiches!

by Natalie
This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Libby’s for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Pumpkin Chipotle Pulled Pork Sandwiches!!

A total mouthful, I know. A mouthful of awesome flavor explosions that is!

We have had a week or so now of decent, almost warm weather after the winter that wouldn’t quit, and it has me itching for summer foods! One of our favorites is a pulled pork sandwich! I have lots of variations of sauce I use, but I thought I’d try something new this time!

I’ve been trying to incorporate more pumpkin into our menu year-round, because it has so much fiber and Vitamin A, and, well, it just tastes good! So I thought I’d give it a shot with some pulled pork and it blew me away!

It all started with me pulling a can of pumpkin out with the rest of my pulled pork ingredients and my husband looking at me skeptically. What a dear. When will he learn to just trust me and roll with it?! I love the smoky depth of flavor that pumpkin can add to a dish and I knew I wanted to add some chipotle peppers to complement that flavor and give it a little zing.

Guess what?? My husband, aka Skeptic #1 for the sake of this post, loved it. I’m talking full-out-eat-it-5-days-in-a-row LOVE. He already told his friends that we will be having it at our next BBQ and has decided said BBQ will be sooner rather than later. My husband is NOT a party planner, so this is big stuff right here, people!

pumpkin chipotle pork pulled barbecue sandiwch

Pumpkin Chipotle Pulled Pork Sandwiches!

 

 

 

Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 8-10
Ingredients
  • 3 lb. pork roast
  • 3/4 cup 100% Pure Libby’s Pumpkin
  • 2/3 cup brown sugar
  • 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
  • 2-3 Chipotle peppers, chopped
  • kaiser rolls
Instructions
  1. Place the pork roast in a slow cooker. Add the pumpkin puree, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, salt, Worcestershire sauce, and chipotle peppers. Mix everything together and spread over the top of the pork. Cover and set slow cooker to low. Cook for 7-9 hours, or until pork is tender and shreds easily.
  2. Using two forks, pull the pork apart until it is well shredded. Stir the shredded pork back into the sauce. You can spoon onto your rolls and eat now or cover it back up and let it thicken for 30 minutes or so.
3.2.1284

pumpkin chipotle pulled pork barbecue sandwich

You can just see all the flavor, can’t you??

Here’s the best part!  There’s so much that Pumpkin Can do!  You’ll still have some of your pumpkin left after making this recipe, so tomorrow when you’re making some oatmeal for breakfast, stir in a spoonful of pumpkin!  Making a smoothie for lunch??  Plop in some healthy pumpkin!

Do you have some great uses for getting more pumpkin in your meals?  Hop over to the Pumpkin Can website to share your tips and you could be entered to win some great weekly prizes!

Libby's photo 09a341e3-a992-48f0-aedc-b8cb5b488a8d_zpsdfc183eb.png

Be sure to follow Libby’s on all their social media channels for more recipes and tips!

Libby’s on Facebook

Libby’s on Twitter

Libby’s on Pinterest

Visit Sponsor's Site

Author information

Natalie
Natalie
Hi, I'm Natalie and I like to move slowly (like a turtle, if you will)! I daydream about minivans, painting walls and eating fudge with a spoon. Welcome to my little computer home where I share my family's adventures as we live life from the slow lane!
23 Apr 17:27

your daily rock : remember who you are

by pattidigh

There are a lot of people who will tell you who you should be. Who you used to be.

Listen politely. Cock your head to one side, say “thanks so much for that feedback,” and then remember who you are.

Be you. It’s a relief. It’s a blessing. It’s a life.

Love,

patti signature on white

 

 

 

(These beautifully painted rocks are created by Kim Mailhot, aka The Rock Fairy.

18 Mar 04:01

A Mother’s Day Present of a Lifetime

by Chris Mulligan


MOM-GETS-A-MOTHERS-DAY-PRESENT-OF-A-LIFETIME-207132011.html

I was going to write a post about Mother's Day but this story (please click the above link) came out in our local news today and it seemed so relevant that it makes sense to post this and make the suggestion to notice yours... your signs and messages from your deceased loved ones.

Everyone seems to want to receive signs from your loved one and often they have expectations about what that sign will be but that is not how the universe works. We are only thinking about the situation from our perspective and we have to understand that a continuing relationship with our loved ones is just that...a relationship between two souls. Both entities have to participate in the connection.

First, the loved one who has crossed over has to learn how to communicate. (meaning they have to learn how to live in spirit again, how to communicate using their energy and they have to acclimate to living in spirit.) We, on this plane, have to be aware of and notice anything that might be a message or sign from my loved one.

We have to let go of expectations; meaning that they will send you a message that has personal meaning to you and one that you will understand but it may not be the same message or sign that someone else has received. (because another bereaved parent noticed feathers or coins or butterflies does not necessarily mean that one of them might also be sent by your loved one.)

This mama was open to any communication with her son and she surprisingly received a clear gift from him. Further, she was open and aware and accepted the message from her son.

Research has demonstrated that receiving signs and messages from our loved ones can bring comfort and solace to those in grief. I wish you openness, awareness and noticing of the gifts your loved ones are attempting to offer you.

And, if you are a mother, I hope that you had moments of joy in your day today... Chris




Chris Mulligan is the author of Afterlife Agreements: A Gift From Beyond which describes in detail the mother/son relationship that continues after death through documented signs and conversations. For more information visit http://www.afterlifebooks.com/ where you can sign up for her Living Differently newsletter  and visit her blog at http://www.afterlifebooks.blogspot.com. She writes about death, grief, loss and living. Her aim is to inspire, awaken, and motivate the bereaved to choose life after the death of a loved one
06 Feb 06:38

How to Make a Delicious Green Smoothie in 3 Easy Steps (Dancing Optional)

by Nathan

I think this just about covers it all…

 

 

The 3 Steps:

  1. Start with the easy stuff
  2. Create a Smoothie Tornado
  3. Add the dense/tough/frozen items at the end

 

The Recipe:

  • 1 1/2 cups of Water
  • 1 Banana
  • 1 Apple
  • Few dashes of Cinnamon
  • 2 handfuls of Spinach
  • 1 handful of Kale
  • 1 handful of frozen Mango

 

As I mention in the video, you can either pick up a Vitamix blender—or another great brand is the Blendtec (which is smaller and easier to travel with). Here’s one good comparison between the two, and another.

 

And gotta give a shout-out to my buddy Eliothe taught *me* how to make a green smoothie when he posted a video—three years ago!

I seriously thought, “how does this work??” and watching his video was a total game-changer: I remember thinking, “WOW—that was easy. I can do that!” Thank you dude!!

 

Now go get your smoothie ON! :)

 

Any questions/tips/ideas? Let us know below!
From the road…
Nathan

 

###

31 Dec 18:23

Extreme Excavations.

by Muhammad Haroon

31 Dec 18:13

Million-to-one Black and White Twins

by Infoatinternet
Bette Jo McDonald

amazing..

The odds of a mixed race couple having twins of different colours are a million to one. The million-to-one black and white twins Kian and Remee turn seven. One is black and has big brown eyes. The other is a blue-eyed blonde with the palest of skin. They might share the same cheeky smile, but side by side, they could hardly look less alike. Yet remarkably, Kian and Remee are twins, born a minute apart.

Million-to-one Black and White Twins



Skin colour is believed to be determined by up to seven different genes working together.

If a parent is of mixed race, their eggs or sperm will contain a mixture of genetic codes for both black and white skin. However, if both the egg and sperm contain all white genes, the baby will be white. And if both contain just the versions necessary for black skin, the baby will be black.

13 Sep 05:37

Do People Who Commit Suicide Go to Hell?

by angelicview
AngelicView: Related article: “Does “Hell” Really Exist?“ By Teal Scott In this episode of Ask Teal, the topic addressed is: Suicide. In this episode, Teal explains that suicide is a topic which has been shrouded in stigma for hundreds of years. In our society today, suicide has become taboo because it is so tightly interwoven [...]
13 Sep 04:52

Hollow Pursuits

by Stella
inside of a macaron

I’ve wanted to write a post about hollow pursuits for a while, but I’ve kept waiting and waiting so I could check out one more technique. Try out one more idea. Test another theory. Research a different angle. I realized if I waited until I’d fully mastered the science of hollows, the post would never get written. I will always have one more thing to learn about what can exacerbate or minimize hollows.

happy macaron family

The problem of hollow macarons doesn’t break down into a simple list of dos or don’ts, like my Macaron Myths and Commandments, it’s just too complex. Someone can read about how to do a backflip every day, watch videos that demonstrate the perfect technique and listen to detailed talks from the pros. But that person won’t stand a chance of nailing a backflip on the first try. It’s not a matter of knowledge, but one of muscle strength and momentum and balance and the whole body working in unison.

In the same way, making beautiful and hollow-free macarons isn’t a 1 + 1 = sort of problem, it’s about making a variety of judgement calls during every step of the process. You can only learn how to make those calls through practice and careful observation. I can’t make a magical checklist that will guarantee hollow free macarons, but I can talk about some points to consider for those who’d like to improve their technique.

1. If you want to understand why your macarons turn out hollow, skip the flavoring and food dye. To get to the bottom of hollows, you have to divorce the problem of ingredients from the problem of technique.



If that seems boring, grab some watercolor brushes and paint the finished shells with food coloring, grab a food-pen and doodle on them, use a stencil and some cocoa powder to pattern them, rub the baked shells with luster dust, or go wild with a flavorful, colorful filling.

2. Underbaked macarons have a soft interior that doesn’t have enough structure to support itself as it cools, so make sure the macarons have baked through and will cleanly peel away from the parchment paper. I don’t like baking macarons on silicon because even underbaked macarons will slip off easily, which makes judging doneness more tricky and hollows more common.

3. Crack one macaron open before you pull the rest out of the oven. Is it already hollow? If so, the problem probably goes back to the meringue or macaronage, but it could mean your oven runs a little hot. Forget what it says on the dial, check the temperature with an oven thermometer.

inside of a macaron

4. If you crack that macaron open and find out it isn’t hollow, do a flip test! As soon as the macarons come out of the oven, lift up the parchment and carefully turn it upside down with all the macarons still attached. Set aside one or two macarons to cool right side up. Once they’ve fully cooled, break open one of each. 



Either both macarons turn out perfect (high five!), they both turn out hollow (aw, shucks!), or you wind up with mixed results. If the upside-downers have a nice structure and the right-side-uppers are hollow, the problem is that the interior is collapsing as it cools. Why is another matter.

One reason may be that the macarons are cooling too fast, which can happen in the wintertime or if you’ve got the AC set to Frosty the Snowman (I found this out my first January in the Pastry Dungeon). Another reason may be the macaron is slightly underbaked and, like an angel food cake, will benefit from cooling upside down. This helps the macaron maintain its structure until it sets firmly enough to support itself.

5. Don’t skip sifting even with pre-ground almond flour and don’t skimp on grinding for whole nuts. When sifting, use a sieve not a colander. If a large amount of almond meal will not pass through the sieve, put it back in the food processor and keep grinding and sifting until more than 2 tablespoons of chunky bits remain. Too many small chunks make an abrasive dry mix that will tear holes in the meringue as it tries to rise in the oven and cause collapsed, hollow macarons.

6. Try a splash of oil. Macarons are fairly lean by nature and sometimes a little extra fat is all they need. Any odorless, flavorless oil will work. Add in 4 teaspoons of oil along with the dry ingredients before grinding and/or sifting. Don’t worry about the slight dampness, just sift as usual; use a spatula or whisk to make sifting easier if you need to. The oil seems to minimize hollows in a variety of circumstances, but most especially when using less-than-fresh nuts (or nuts without an expiration date, like some purchased from a bulk bin).

I know from countless impassioned emails that preventing hollows is a major concern, but please give yourself time and space to learn. Macarons involve too many variables for anyone to reasonably expect to master them in only a handful of attempts. Don’t forget that macaron are for eating and even the best pastry shops in Paris sell hollow, funky, mismatched macarons.

Have fun. Enjoy the process of making them and learning. Share them with friends and family; they’re not judging you. And if they are? They don’t deserve your delicious macarons (jerks). Because with or without hollows, macarons will always be delicious.

Recipes:
Basic Macarons
Nut Free Macarons

Further Reading:
Macaron Mythbusters
Macaron 10 Commandments
Macaron Are For Eating

12 Sep 03:27

Redbox: Free One-Night Rental Code (Still Available!)

by Carrie
redbox-coupon-codes-colorado

Just a reminder that if you haven’t used it yet, you can get a free one-night movie rental at Redbox when you enter code F2AMA8TG3!  This code is valid for a long time – through May 8th, according to Deal Seeking Mom.  Stephanie confirmed that she was able to use it right at the kiosk, or you can also use it when you reserve online.

______________________________________
Links may be affiliate or referral links. Full Disclosure
______________________________________

Carrie's new ebook is now available! Get inspired to stretch your grocery budget even further - without coupons!
Purchase From Garbage to Gourmet today while it's on sale for a discount through March 31st. Click here »
28 Aug 16:04

wednesday washday

by noreply@blogger.com (Marit)




It's been a while since I made my last block for Ringo Pie. Penny's theme is women's clothing and accessories. Finding this fun paper piecing pattern online, I finally got back in business...

; )

So, after a good start, I am now planning my next block. Thankfully, there are patient women in the bee...

Wish you a wonderful wednesday!

10 Apr 02:25

4/8/13

by Three A Day
Bette Jo McDonald

I love what she shared here from her heart!

 Asheville, NC
 It is shocking enough to fall.
When you fall without time to pull your arms out
in front of you to stop the fall, it's even more shocking. The saying, "I fell flat on my face" has new meaning for me today.
John, Tess, and I were outside planting herbs
and tending my Arugula Farm when I
needed something in the house.
Splat. On brick. I am very very very thankful that my nose wasn't broken,
that I didn't lose my two front teeth,
and that the kneecap that was hurt so badly
I immediately felt nauseous wasn't broken.
And I am pondering where my arms were in all this.
Sometimes the fall is too quick, leaving no time
for even that impulse for saving. An afternoon of icing my face and knee.
Arnica gel. I was strangely exhausted, needing to nap it off.
I wonder if we ever give ourselves enough recovery time
when we experience a great shock to our system. 
 **************************************************************************************************************
 South Bend, IN
There was a boy, and he said, "I'd like to build a tee pee." I said, "If you do, please use these sticks,
the electric company cut them out of my tree,
and didn't bother even moving them." and my brother said, "all you need is a tarp, then" and the boy said, "I'm going to go get some string." and my brother and I went to dinner.
And then we came back.
**************************************************************************************************************
Richmond, VA
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.  Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.  It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.  We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?'  Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God.  Your playing small does not serve the world.  There is nothing enlightened about shrinking  so that other people won't feel insecure around you.  We are all meant to shine, as children do.  We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.  It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone.  And as we let our own light shine,  we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.  As we are liberated from our own fear,  our presence automatically liberates others.”    Marianne Williamson

However you believe in God, or the universe,  so believe in yourself.    Go Visible.