Crock Pot Sesame Chicken

 

 

 

I just love the feeling of a Saturday that stretches before you will no plans on the calendar to worry about. A day to spend at home if you wish, catching up on all the little things that need to be done or maybe even just losing yourself in a good book. Also, a perfect day for putting something in the crock pot and letting it cook while you relax.

I came up with this recipe by using a little of this and a little of that; all ingredients that I had on hand. The flavor after cooking all afternoon was really delicious and this recipe will go in my crock pot rotation. One of my tricks for making crock pot meals a little more special, is to add a fresh ingredient at the end. I especially like to use celery in an Asian flavored dish like this, because it adds both a brightness and a great crunch. Served with brown rice and oven roasted carrots this was a colorful and tasty Saturday night dinner.

 

Crock Pot Sesame Chicken

I 1/2 pounds chicken, sliced

1 cup chicken broth

1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce

1/3 cup brown sugar

4 minced garlic cloves

3 T sesame seeds

1 cup chopped celery, divided

3 T corn starch

Place chicken in crock pot. Put sesame seeds and 1/2 cup chopped celery, garlic and brown sugar on top of chicken pieces. Add chicken broth and soy sauce. Cook on high for 4 hours. At the end of cooking, add the cornstarch ( mix cornstarch with water and shake together to avoid lumps) and let thicken. Serve over brown rice and top with remaining chopped celery. Enjoy!

 

{Linking with these friends}

A Stroll Thru Life

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Have A Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson

Serenity Now

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Craftberry Bush

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Skip To My Lou

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Gooseberry Patch

Sunny Simple Life

 

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Being a Pom Mom

 

 

 

As Melissa's pompon career is winding down, it's hard not to reflect on the last eight years she has been involved in this sport. It's been an extremely good thing for her and she has grown up right before our eyes, into the confident college senior she is, about to conquer the grown up world. It is a sport with judge's opinions and scores, right or wrong in your eyes and ones you learn to accept with grace and sportsmanship, an experience that will serve you well in all aspects of life.

 

 

Being the mom of a daughter can bring much happiness, but there can also be drama. These eight years of Pom have had there fair share of tears, but I knew it was my job to be there to encourage and bring things back into perspective. Sitting in the stands for an all day competition can be long and tedious, but you do it for those few minutes your daughter is center stage and doing what she loves.

 

 

And that is what motivates you. That love of her sport that shines so bright, every time she performs with her team. No matter how big the crowd, she walked out with such confidence and it was always a marvel to me. She was able to see that all her hard work and practice brought her to that point. MSU Pom has been a big part of her college experience, and it has definitely helped to shape her into the confident young woman she is today. This Pom mom couldn't be more proud.

Happy Monday!

 

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Two Books

 

 

Reading is getting me though these cold winter days and lately, I have read two good books. They couldn't be more different, but that is what makes reading fun. One day a psychological thriller and another a uplifting and humorous look at life. Life is never boring when there are books to be experienced.

 

 

I always read the Boo Mama blog with a smile on my face and sometimes a chuckle or two. Sophie Hudson's first book A Little Salty to Cut the Sweet, was a extension of her blog posts; humorous stories about her life in the south. Her new book, Home Is Where My People Are, surprised me a bit. The book takes you from her childhood, to present day and explores the relationships and people she meets along the way. The people who have made her who she is and what home means to her. While still funny at times, this book is very personal and deals with all aspects of her life including faith, her marriage and dealing with death. I enjoyed getting to know her life on different level than her blog.

 

 

After much hype, I decided to read The Girl on the Train and wondered if it would live up to my expectations. I did read it rather quickly, and there were times I could not put it down. But, and it's a big but, I'm not sure I really loved it. It gave me an unsettled feeling throughout and none of the characters were really likable. You wanted to know what happened, but the things that occurred were all very depressing. I would say, I definately had a love, hate relationship with this book. It's a good one to give a try and see what you think.

Have a wonderful weekend!

 

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