Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli

I hope you all had an amazing weekend. This post was definitely set on auto-publish, as I would have got home around midnight last night after a weekend in Charlottesville, VA for a Tai Chi training. So, being transparent and all, I'm probably sound asleep... dreaming about this recipe...

Sometimes I get the strangest cravings for Chinese food and I just have to have it. However, going out isn't always an option-- or even the quickest option. This super easy Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli recipe is sure to satisfy any craving for Chinese food. Serve it over brown rice and you've got a great dinner!

Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli

Ingredients:

1 cup beef broth
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup oyster sauce
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon sesame oil (I used olive oil)
3 cloves minced garlic
2 lbs. boneless beef roast, cut thinly
2 tablespoons corn starch
1/4 cup water
2 broccoli crowns, cut into florets

Directions:

Whisk together the first six ingredients. Place the beef in the slow cooker and coat the beef with the sauce mixture. Cover and cook on low for 90 minutes. In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water. Stir the cornstarch mixture into the slow cooker and add the broccoli. Set the slow cooker to high and serve immediately.

Recipe from damndelicious.net

What type of ethnic food is your favorite?

Mexican hands down, but Mediterranean food is pretty amazing as well.

Easy Handmade Hanging Rack

Hello, hello. Happy weekend! Break out the power tools because I have a fun and easy tutorial for you today. This handmade hanging rack is very simple and inexpensive to make AND it's totally functional and cute. Make one this weekend; you won't regret it!

Start by choosing a piece of wood and cutting it to the size of your choice. Anything will work, even scraps. I chose some beautiful clear cedar, but that's totally not necessary. Tip: Ask your local lumberyard if they have any scraps or imperfect pieces laying around that they could give you or sell to you cheaply. And, most stores will even cut the board for you.

Once you have the board cut to size, grab the closest guy and have him rout the edges for you! Just kidding; girl, you got this! Routing isn't necessary either, but it makes nice finished edges. There are all sorts of router bits, so get creative!

Once the edges are routed, use a pal, sander to smooth any uneven surface. You can also use a piece of sandpaper. Next, paint the board! For this particular hanging rack, I wanted more of a shabby look so I applied a lighter coat to let some of the grain show through.

I then went over the board with a piece of sandpaper and roughed it up a bit to further achieve the look I was going for. Next, I measured the board and decided where the knobs would go. Once I had it all figured out, I marked each spot and pre-drilled the holes.

Choose some knobs and make sure you have screws that fit each knob. Mixing and matching knobs creates a fun look. My knobs were given to me by a hardware store that discontinued several lines of their knobs. Their old display = inspiration and project time for me! Other thoughts: traditional hooks would also look great on this rack.

Attach the knobs and add some brackets on the back for easy hanging and you are done.

I love these hanging racks. The two below are hanging in my closet. These provide a fun way to display and store jewelry, purses, jackets, and more.

This is probably my favorite edge- I love this router bit! So classy.

Power tools: yes or no?

With a little guidance, I love to work on projects requiring power tools. 

I used to be afraid of them, but there're really nothing to be scared of :)

Healthy "Baked" Apple

I hope you all are having a fabulous week. It's a busy one for me... I'm heading out of town this weekend for a Tai Chi training. Tai Chi is very new to me and it's been very interesting to learn about this ancient practice. 

If you're like me, you've been indulging in a lot of treats and delicious food lately. I'm using Easter as an excuse. In times like this, I need healthy snack ideas to help get me back on track. So, to help combat overindulging, I'm sharing a guiltless, yet delicious recipe with you today.

Fruit is probably my favorite food group. I almost always get the recommended serving of fruit each day, but sometimes plain ol' fruit just doesn't seem to be satisfying... especially when I have dessert on my mind. With this easy recipe, a plain apple quickly transforms into a delicious treat- a Healthy "Baked" Apple. 

And the best part? It's totally guilt-free!

Ingredients:

1 apple (I used Golden Delicious for the sweetness)
1 tablespoon raisins
Dash of cinnamon

Directions:

Wash and core the apple. Cut the apple into 8 slices. On a microwave-safe plate, cook the apple for 2-3 minutes, or until you have reached your desired tenderness. Sprinkle on the cinnamon and add the raisins. Allow the apple to cool for a few minutes before enjoying.

What's your favorite healthy snack?

Cranberry Cashew Oat Bars

Happy Easter, everyone! I hope you all have a fabulous day spending time with those you love. 

I had the chance to dye some eggs with a few kids at work on Thursday and we had a ton of fun. I seemed to have forgotten that simple activities like dyeing eggs can make a child so happy.

I know you're probably loaded up with fun Easter candy and delicious food, but when you're ready to escape the sugar high you're bound to experience, give this tasty and wholesome snack a try!

I mentioned before that I'm trying to buy less of the store-bought processed snacks and snack bars to fuel my everyday life and workouts. It's sometimes tough finding a tasty, nutritious, and portable snack to take with me to work. These Cranberry Cashew Oat Bars are perfect for nutrition on-the-go. These bars are completely customizable: swap out your favorite dried fruit for the cranberries and your favorite nut for the cashews. Also, if your family likes a sweeter snack, add your favorite sweetener and make this bar as an afternoon treat! The possibilities are endless. 

Cranberry Cashew Oat Bars

Makes 8 generous bars, or 12 smaller bars

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cup old fashioned oats
1/2 cup chopped cashews
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cup skim milk
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350* and spray a 9" x 9" baking pan with nonstick spray. In a small mixing bowl, beat the egg. Add the milk and vanilla and mix well. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the remaining ingredients. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix well. Pour the mixture into the baking pan and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until golden brown along the edges.

*The only sweetener in these bars is the berries. Feel free to add 1/4-1/3 cup of your family's favorite sweetener.

Recipe inspired by Katheats.com



And if you're looking for more healthy snacks, check out these:

Peanut Butter Banana Oat Bars

Whole Wheat Banana Oat Muffins

Whole Wheat Applesauce Muffins