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the-finished-taco-2

Southwest Chicken Tacos (A Favorite Crockpot Recipe) #BackToSchoolWeek

Sometimes life is hectic. Some days require a little dinner help…from your crockpot. I love coming to home to the smell of a delicious dinner that has been cooking away all day!

I first got this recipe from my sister. She loves the spice cumin. I have never been a real big fan of cumin. But when I added a few ingredients and cut down on the cumin, I found this recipe became a FAVORITE quick crock pot dinner with my family. (Thanks, sis! *wink*)

southwest-chicken-tacos

I love that I can take a few cans of ingredients from the pantry and some chicken from the freezer and throw them all together in the crockpot and Voil’a…dinner!

easy-ingredients

I will post the complete recipe in a bit. But first, a note on that Herdez salsa. The Herdez salsa pictured above is the one I like to use, but I’ve tried the Ranchero salsa, too and it adds a bit more heat. You could use your favorite salsa if this brand is not available in your area.

Put the chicken in the crockpot, then add all the remaining ingredients. Turn the crockpot on High for 4 hours or Low for 8 hours. Beautiful. Then shred up the chicken using a couple forks and stir it all together.

When you are ready to eat, just assemble your toppings (shredded cheese, lettuce, homemade salsa, sour cream, guacamole…whatever you like!) and put your taco together.

building-your-taco

Oh…please do use those tortillas that you cook up yourself (find them at most grocery stores and Costco). These tacos taste SO much better on those fresh cooked tortillas.

fresh-cooked-tortillas

Easy, delicious crock pot dinner! It has a smoky Southwest flavor from the cumin, and a little added heat from the chiles and salsa. If you like more heat, you can increase the heat in the salsa or add some chipolte chili powder!

[amd-zlrecipe-recipe:11]

Enjoy!

the-finished-taco-2

Did you enter the giveaway yet? Enter the Back To School giveaway here!
There are some amazing prizes: like a $75 Pick Your Plum prize (I love them!), a Cuisinart 3-in-1 Cooker (perfect for this recipe!), a smoothie maker, cooking supplies, a Pack-It lunchbox cooler…and more! I hope you win!

There’s a whole lot of Back To School Ideas this entire week:

#BacktoSchoolWeek Graphic

And just a reminder, there is our back to school PinChat coming up:
Join us on Sunday, August 25, 2013 for a PinChat! For more information on how it works, click here

Comments { 6 }
Back-to-school-snack-ideas-SMALL-page

After School Snack Ideas (and free printable) #BackToSchoolWeek

I love creative Back To School snack ideas! But I don’t always have time to make amazing snacks that will win creativity contests. Instead, I love to have snacks available and get the kids involved.

The kids love putting their snacks together and they tend to eat healthier, too, if they have some ownership. My own kids are now grown and have moved away, but that doesn’t stop me from having snack parties with my nephews!

To make things easy, I always keep some basics on hand so they can build snacks like:

Mini Peach Parfaits for after school snacks! The kids will love this. | Sunshine In My Pocket

*Peach parfaits are simple with yogurt, granola, and peach slices. Have you tried that Honey Vanilla Greek yogurt? It’s so good! (I got mine from Sprouts and Trader Joe’s). The kids LOVE to layer their own….it might get a little messy, but it’s fun! I like to keep that granola cereal on hand just for this parfait. And kids love those mini dessert glasses!

fish-and-birds-on-a-log

We started building fish (or birds, or bears, or worms) on a log because I don’t care for raisins. I never buy them or keep them around for the kids. But I will get Goldfish or gummy treats for this fun after school snack.

When I have some extra time, I love to make a “special” snack that is quite a treat. Like Apple Cupcakes with worms! The kids love to add the worms and apple “stems” (pretzels).

worms-in-cupcakes

And you can build an easy After School Snack Board, see instruction and download a printable *here!

apple-cupcakes-with-worms-sign

I put together a list of snack ideas for you, dear readers, that includes a list of some Basics to keep on hand for easy snacks. It also includes a list of “special snacks” that take a little more time and preparation.

Back-to-school-snack-ideas-SMALL-page

 

This list can be downloaded here so that you can print it and keep it at-the-ready!
Click here to download: Back to school snack ideas page

If you liked these ideas, be sure to check out our Back To School Snack party here to see:

*watermelon sundaes

watermelon-sundae-with-fruit

*ham and cheese picks

the-snack-table

*fresh fruit kebabs

fruit-skewers

And check out this idea that your kids will LOVE: *MonstersU cookie decorating

monsters-u-snack-party

And don’t forget to enter the Back To School giveaway here!

There’s a whole lot of Back To School Ideas this entire week:

#BacktoSchoolWeek Graphic

And just a reminder, there is our back to school PinChat coming up:
Join us on Sunday, August 25, 2013 for a PinChat! For more information on how it works, click here

Comments { 13 }
snack-board-printable-sample

Back to School Snack Board (easy craft & free printable)! #BackToSchoolWeek

I don’t know about you, but I HATED when my kids came home from school and said, “I’m hungry! What is there to eat?”

So today, I have a simple craft and free printable to make an After School Snack Board. The snack board will give the kids a couple after-school snack ideas that they can get or make up themselves.

after-school-snack-board

It’s the best sign for the kids and it *might even keep you sane during the snack frenzy time! I KNOW this is a hit already…my nephew saw my sister & I working on this project and he said, “Mom, I want you to make that for me!”

I always had at least 2 choices for my kids’ snacks. I taught them where we kept their snacks, or on some days I’d have a fun surprise waiting for them! How awesome (and exciting) would it be to come home in anticipation of that snack board telling you what you could eat after school? [Hey, I’d even like one for after work! I’m giving you special permission to make one just for yourself if you don’t have kids. *Wink*]

You have 3 options for your snack board:

1) Use a cutting machine to cut out “Snacks” and an apple; Adhere them to an 8×10 frame. Use dry erase markers to write on it.

2) Print off the *free 5×7 printable and put it in a 5×7 frame. Use dry erase markers to update.

3) Print off the smaller 4×5 printables and use a mini clipboard OR make a tablet with them. Just tear one off each day for a new page.

printable-on-clip-board

These printables are *free and they are available here:

First, Like my page here:

Then download the printables here:

1) !after school snack 4×5

2) !after school snack 5×7

Come back tomorrow because I am going to have some of the best After School Snack Ideas for you that your kids will LOVE. And some easy ideas on how to be prepared for those days that are just too busy. Let’s face it, we don’t always have time to make adorable minion cupcakes or carve a watermelon rind into a shark; I will share some practical ideas for snacks that are sure to be a hit.

And don’t forget to enter the Back To School giveaway here!

There’s a whole lot of Back To School Ideas this entire week:

#BacktoSchoolWeek Graphic

And just a reminder, there is a PinCHat coming up:

Join us on Sunday, August 25, 2013 for a PinChat!

PinChat Prize Collage

Here’s how it works:

Go to the #BacktoSchoolWeek pin board on Pinterest here. It will be full of fun Pin graphics with questions about back to school. You can re-pin the questions, answer questions in the comment section of the pins and pin crafts/recipes to the board as answers to questions {only the comments on the question pins count as entries to the PinChatLive giveaway} How fun is that?!? {**Only ONE comment per question pin per person, please. Pinterest views multiple comments from the same person on the same pin to be spam}

Go to the YouTube video that will be happening during the PinChatLive from 6-7 pm EST Sunday Aug 25th (That’s 3-4 pm Arizona time!). We’ll be chatting about back to school and doing a play-by-play of the pinning. You’ll be able to see and hear the hosts of #BacktoSchoolWeek and some of the participating bloggers! Comments on the video count as PinChatLive giveaway entries!

You’ll be able to watch/listen to the YouTube video while you see the PinChat unfold on Pinterest. Cool, right?

Hope you can join us, it’s going to be a Pin-tastic time!

snack-board-printable-sample

Comments { 4 }
8-13-bts-be-awesome-today

Dose of Sunshine Monday: Positive Affirmations for Kids #BackToSchoolWeek

Happy Monday! Now that school’s back in session, are you feeling like you have the hang of your new schedule?
I’ve had school on my mind for quite some time now, and I thought back to MY school days. My mom would put a nice note in my lunch (or backpack) hand-written on a napkin. I loved to get that note!

And I did the same thing for my kids when they were in grade school. Kids can always use a note of encouragement or happy thoughts, don’t you think?

So today I’ve made up some positive affirmations you can use for your kids’ lunch OR put them up each day on their bathroom mirror. It’s a great way to start the day!

8-13-positive-affirmations

Here’s a sampling of the positive notes for you to give to your kids:
8-13-bts-SMALL-positive-affirmations-for-kids

To get these for *free first, Like my page here:

Then, download the positive affirmation printables here:
8-13 bts positive affirmations for kids

 

And don’t forget to enter the Back To School giveaway here!
There’s a whole lot of Back To School Ideas this entire week:
#BacktoSchoolWeek Graphic

Wow…there’s a lot going on. Here’s the last opportunity for more prizes:
Join us on Sunday, August 25, 2013 for a PinChat!
PinChat Prize Collage
Here’s how it works:

Go to the #BacktoSchoolWeek pin board on Pinterest here. It will be full of fun Pin graphics with questions about back to school. You can re-pin the questions, answer questions in the comment section of the pins and pin crafts/recipes to the board as answers to questions {only the comments on the question pins count as entries to the PinChatLive giveaway} How fun is that?!? {**Only ONE comment per question pin per person, please. Pinterest views multiple comments from the same person on the same pin to be spam}

Go to the YouTube video that will be happening during the PinChatLive from 6-7 pm EST Sunday Aug 25th (That’s 3-4 pm Arizona time!). We’ll be chatting about back to school and doing a play-by-play of the pinning. You’ll be able to see and hear the hosts of #BacktoSchoolWeek and some of the participating bloggers! Comments on the video count as PinChatLive giveaway entries!
You’ll be able to watch/listen to the YouTube video while you see the PinChat unfold on Pinterest. Cool, right?

Hope you can join us, it’s going to be a Pin-tastic time!

8-13-bts-be-awesome-today

 

Comments { 6 }
!apple

Back To School Giveaway! #BackToSchoolWeek

 

I am delighted to be a part of #BacktoSchoolWeek hosted by Rachel from {i love} my disorganized life and Miss Information. This week will help take the stress out of Back to School for all of us as bloggers from around the country post their favorite Back to School crafts and recipes.

We also have some really great prizes from our wonderful Sponsors. You can enter to win on any of the blogs that are participating in #BacktoSchoolWeek. (Scroll down or click here to see the prize details and entry form).

As part of the Back to School Week we’ll be holding a TweetChat and a PinChat during #BacktoSchoolWeek, with prize giveaways during those as well!

The TweetChat is today so I’ll tell you about that now. I’ll save the PinChat details for later in the week.

(search for hashtag #BacktoSchoolWeek to follow along. Use the hashtag in
tweets during the chat to enter to win.)

1) One TweetChat winner will receive a set of two Mighty Handles. Mighty Handle is the easiest way to carry more grocery bags across a parking lot, walking in a neighborhood, up a flight of stairs or from your car into the house. The patent pending handle and anchor design system distributes weight evenly allowing you to carry up to 50 lbs of bags in one hand. Facebook Twitter

2) One TweetChat winner will receive a 6-piece set of Cuisinartstorage containers.The cabinet-friendly, modular design of Cuisinart’s new Fresh Edge™ Food Storage System is only one of the practical conveniences it offers. In addition to their space-saving stack ability, the dishwasher-,freezer- and microwave-safe units have a simple, two-step sealing process that creates a vacuum to preserve food. {Follow on Facebook&Twitter}

3) One TweetChat winner will receive a set of Keycals from Kidecals. It’s the fun way to organize with these stickers, labels and decals. {Follow on Facebook & Twitter}

4) One TweetChat winner will receive a Mini Cooler and a Personal Cooler from PackIt. PackIt keeps its contents cooler longer – up to 10 hours in fact – and it eliminates completely the need for ice or gel packs. {Follow on Facebook & Twitter}

Now, for the Back to School Week Raffle:

We are so grateful to have such an amazing group of sponsors for #BacktoSchoolWeek! They have all provided us with wonderful raffle prizes for you!
#BacktoSchoolWeek Giveaway Hosted by {i love} my disorganized life and Miss Information #giveaway

1) One raffle winner will receive the Cuisinart 3-in-1 Cook Central. The 6-quart Cook Central simplifies combination cooking, letting home cooks bypass the stovetop by browning ingredients right in the unit before switching to Slow Cook. Preset function buttons and time and temperature controls offer easy-to-use Brown/Sauté, Slow Cook and Steam options. A 24-hour timer and automatic Keep Warm setting promise a fresh-cooked meal, warm and ready whenever consumers are sitting down to dinner. {Follow on Facebook & Twitter}

2) One raffle winner will receive a Mini Cooler, a Personal Cooler and a Shop Cooler from PackIt. PackIt keeps its contents cooler longer – up to 10 hours in fact – and it eliminates completely the need for ice or gel packs. {Follow on Facebook & Twitter}

3) One raffle winner will receive The Keurig® MINI Plus Personal Brewing System. It’s what you need when a little space is all that you have. Small kitchen spaces, vacation homes or home office desktops. The compact Keurig® MINI Plus Brewing System delivers the perfect cup in just two minutes. {Follow on Facebook & Twitter}

4) One raffle winner will receive from Kizmos the Crazy Cool Crafty’s Banana Muffins Kizmos Kit {be sure to visit Crazy Cool Crafty on 8/24 to see how Cassie uses this kit!} which contains the Get Happy salt and pepper shakers, Get Happy nesting Measuring cups, and the Get happy measuring spoons. {Follow on FacebookTwitter}

5) One raffle winner will receive from KizmosThe Grant Life’s Passe Passe Kizmos Kit {Be sure to visit The Grant Life on 8/21 to see how Kelley uses this kit!} which contains the Get Happy Spatula, Get Happy Spoonula and the Get Happy Ice Cream Scoop. {Follow on Facebook & Twitter}

6) One raffle winner will receive from Kizmos the Kleinworth’s Kid Command Center Kizmos Kit {be sure to visit Kleinworth & Co. on 8/20 to see how Gina uses this kit!} containing the Get Happy Magnet Set, the 7 assorted Bag Clips & the Get Happy 2 qt & 5 qt colanders. {Follow on Facebook & Twitter

7) One raffle winner will receive from Kizmos the Lemons for Lu Lu’s Fruit Salad Kizmos Kit {be sure to visit Lemons for Lulu on 8/19 to see how Tanya uses this kit!} containing the 2 1/2 quart colander, the spatula, the measuring cups and measuring spoons. {Follow on Facebook & Twitter

8) One winner will receive a $75 surprise box from Pick Your Plum, where they delicately slap prime-o pricing on crafting, clothing, baking supplies, home decor and other fabulous finds. They sell it til it’s gone or time is up. Get it before your neighbor does. *Contents may vary. {Follow on Facebook & Twitter}

9) One raffle winner will receive a prize pack featuring Cal-Organics/Grimmway Farms Swag {Grimmway Farms Speaker Cooler Bag, Cal-Organic T-shirt, Cal-Organic Hat, Cal-Organic Visor Clip, Just Crunch Em Tumbler Cup, Carrot Snack N Go Container} AND a Portable blender/smoothie maker from Cuisinart so you can take it with you on the go and the below listed prize pack. Get more veggies at home and at work and on the go. {Follow on Facebook & Twitter}

10) One raffle winner will receive a $50 prize pack from DecoArt containing a variety of craft paint and stencils. {Follow on Facebook & Twitter

11) One raffle winner will receive a $40 gift certificate from Kidecals. It’s the fun way to organize with these stickers, labels and decals. {Follow on Facebook & Twitter}

12) Two raffle winners will each receive a $50 Mooney Family Story gift box from Mooney Farms. Their signature box is filled with some of their most premium items including; Bella Sun Luci sun dried tomatoes in olive oil & herbs, julienne cut in olive oil & herbs, sun dried tomato pesto, sun dried tomato risotto blend, Tomato Artichoke Pasta sauce, Sun Dried Tomato Julienne Cut, Arbequina Extra Virgin Olive Oil and imported Italian Pasta. {Follow on Facebook & Twitter}

13) One raffle winner will receive a set of two Mighty Handles. Mighty Handle is the easiest way to carry more grocery bags across a parking lot, walking in a neighborhood, up a flight of stairs or from your car into the house. The patent pending handle and anchor design system distributes weight evenly allowing you to carry up to 50 lbs of bags in one hand. {Follow on Facebook Twitter

 

Good Luck!

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

!apple

Comments { 0 }