friday five: my favorite crock-pot meals

my crock pot is one of my absolute best friends. we spend a lot of time together... she's the type of friend that is always making me look good - she's does all the work & i take all the credit. this week i thought i'd share some of my favorite, go-to crock pot recipes!

1. rootbeer bbq beef sandwiches. although THIS recipe is pretty dang good too!
2. zesty crock pot chicken
3. cafe rio style sweet pork salad with creamy cilantro dressing
4. marta's meatballs
5. chicken salsa tacos

have i missed YOUR favorite crock pot recipe? oh please! do share your favorite crock pot go-tos.

hawaiian staycation.

so, i've got a hawaiian itch, & i've got it bad. unfortunately, it's looking like it's not going getting scratched anytime soon. not a problem - i'm adaptable like that.... enter the hawaiian staycation. the waves might not be crashing outside my window, or a breeze rustling through the palm trees, but it's doesn't take much to create a little island paradise of my own...

* jack johnson on repeat
* a little bit of johnson's baby oil gel with cocoa butter slathered on. (the lotion is wonderful too!)
* piña coladas complete with tiny umbrella, whipped cream & cherry
* & all the makings of my own personal hawaiian luau:

hawaiian kalua pork
4-5 lb. pork butt or shoulder
1 tablespoon liquid smoke
2-3 tablespoons hawaiian salt (or coarse sea salt)
2 cups apple cider

the night before... rub the pork with salt & liquid smoke, and place in the crockpot. cover with apple cider. turn crockpot on low & leave it to cook for 10-16 hours, flipping pork over halfway through. take meat out of crockpot and shred with two forks.

serve the pork with sticky rice, macaroni salad & finish the feast with a big 'ole slice of ted's chocolate haupia pie. yum! yum! yum!


so break out your grass skirt & coconut bra... let's staycation together. at the very least, whip up a ted's chocolate haupia pie, it's heavenly! i think i'll go cut myself another slice.

keep this one a secret!

This is seriously the EASIEST meal ever. But don't tell anyone. It's so good no one would believe how little time it took to prepare.

Crock Pot Chicken Salsa Tacos
Here's what you'll need for this meal:
Frozen, boneless chicken breasts (at least 1 per person)
1 jar of salsa (I like the chunky kind)
Tortillas
Your preferred taco/ burrito fixings

Place the frozen chicken breasts in the crock pot. Cover with the jar of salsa. Cook all day on low. Prior to serving, use to forks to shred the chicken, in the sauce. Serve it with your favorite fixings (I prefer sour cream and guacamole) for tacos or burritos. You can also use it for a taco salad!