The Caitlin Moss Blog

Here we go... Menu: 2 Potato Soup 2 Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli 1 Sweet Hawaiian Chicken 2 Italian Peppers and Sausage 1 Roast Beef Au Jus 1 Memphis BBQ Pit Pork Roast and Potatoes 1 Cheeseburger Soup 2 Chili 1 Honey Mustard BBQ Chicken 1 Italian Sausage Spaghetti Sauce 1 Balsamic Roast 2 Mac and Cheese (non crock pot) 2 Shepherds Pie (non crock pot) Shopping List: 2 cartons chicken broth (or 4 cans) 3 cream of chicken 3 cans corn 4 cans tomato sauce 3 cans cheddar cheese soup 4 cans diced tomatoes 1 can diced pineapple 2 cans kidney beans 2 cans black beans 3 bottles BBQ sauce 1 bottle honey mustard 1 Memphis BBQ Pit Seasoning Packet 1 Au Jus seasoning packet 2 packages cream cheese 3 bags of shredded cheddar cheese 2 Pork Roasts 1 package roast beef 2 bags of chicken breasts 2 packages Italian sausage links 1 package Italian sausage (ground) 8-10 lbs. ground beef 2 boxes yellow rice 1 box spaghetti noodles 2 boxes macaroni noodles 4 p...

I've been running low on crock pot meals and wanted to do a quick restock today. This time I only did 8 meals but they are all new recipes. While I was putting these meals together my kitchen smelled SO GOOD and I didn't even have anything cooking...that means they're going to be good! What you'll need: Smokey Mesquite Seasoning Garlic Basil Smoked Paprika Mustard Seed 1 Alfredo Seasoning packet 1 Hawaiian Luau Seasoning Packet 1 Beef Stroganoff Seasoning Packet 1 Smokehouse BBQ Seasoning Packet Pesto 1 carton chicken broth 1 large bag frozen chicken 4 pork shoulder roasts 1 beef sirloin tip roast 2 cans diced tomatoes 2 packages cream cheese Spinach 2 onions Here's what you'll get: Smokey Mesquite Pork Shoulder Roast Chicken Alfredo Pesto Chicken Hawaiian Luau Pork Shoulder Roast Beef Stroganoff Creamy Tomato Chicken Smokehouse BBQ Pork Shoulder Roast My Yummy Roast Recipe Smokey Mesquite Pork Shoulder Roast: 1 pork shoulde...

I started making this version of fried chicken recently and it is so good! Fried chicken is something I couldn't ever get just right and I think I have finally perfected my very own fried chicken recipe. The best part is it's healthier than your typical fried chicken and my kids gobble it up (and Isaiah isn't much of a meat eater). Dry Rub: 1/3 c whole wheat flour 1/2 T Smoked Paprika 1/2 T Garlic Salt 1/2 T Mustard Seed Powder 1/2 t Cumin 1 T Brown Sugar Mix ingredients together and spread on large plate. Gently toss chicken tenderloins or breasts (cut into strips) in the rub. This recipe should be enough for at least 6-7 tenderloins or 3-4 chicken breasts. Heat a large saucepan to medium-high and melt about 3 T of coconut oil (olive oil works fine too). Place coated chicken in the pan and flip about every 3-5 or until chicken is cooked through and the crunch in brown. Don't over crowd the chicken. Enjoy!

I crock pot. That's what I do. It's not all I know how to do but, my goodness, the crock pot makes my life so much easier. It simply is the easiest way to have a diverse menu without the stress of spending the afternoon/evening cooking. Dump. Wait. Eat. My other crock pot extravaganza's can be found here (12 meals $60) and here (12 meals $53) . This particular crock potting adventure includes 23 meals (4 freezer, 19 crock pot) for $115. You'll see a few repeat recipes (you've probably figured out our favorites) and many "new" recipes as well. As always, I shopped at Winco because it's cheap. Menu: 1 Tortellini Soup 2 Orange Chicken 2 Apple Honey Pork Roast 2 Creamy Tortellini Soup 2 Italian Sausage and Peppers 1 Ranch Pork Chops 1 Teriyaki Chicken 2 Pulled Pork 2 BBQ Chicken 2 Pork Tacos 2 Ranch Chicken 2 Mac and Cheese (freezer) 2 Shepherd's Pie (freezer) Grocery List: Tortellini (bought in bulk, enough for 3 soups) Elbow...

Scatter brained, forgetful, tired, spacey. I never would have used those terms to describe myself three years ago. Yet, here I am. I am all those things. And I'm positive I can blame those things on chubby, messy toddler hands leaving smudges on all the furniture and windows and silly children that keep pooping on my family room floor. [sigh] I remind myself all the time this is just a phase in my life. It won't last forever...not even close. In the scheme of things it will seem to have gone by so quickly. I mean they won't poop on my floor forever...right?! There's always so much to say about what's been happening and I never know where to begin. I rarely even finish telling a story these days so finding time and the brain capacity to type in full sentences is becoming extremely difficult. My kids are busier and busier every day so I find myself feeling a little worn out as well. My sweet husband told me today, "Honey, you work 24/7. Of course, you're ...

Salt. It tastes good. It usually makes things taste better. If your soup doesn't have much flavor? Add a little salt. Right? I was recently told by another woman, "That's what stay-at-home moms do all day!" It was kind of a joke but also clearly insinuating that if I "stay home" every single day, clearly I have time to clean my base boards with a q-tip. Irritating, isn't it? Especially since I know very few stay at home moms that actually STAY AT HOME. I've even had a neighbor ask what I do for a living because we're always out and about. Anyway, instead of embarking on a debate or getting defensive I simple gave it HA! Ain't nobody got time for that! remark. What I really thought was, seriously? Is this where WE are still? After all the positive publicity stay at home and working mothers have been getting, why is it necessary to belittle the other? Even if it's a joke. We are all emotional, sleep deprived, worn out moms. Let's s...

When Maci was almost 6 months, I realized I needed to start making baby food again. Ugh. I can't help but be honest. That's how I felt. I don't really care for one more thing to do. So, instead of putting my big girl pants on and just doing it, I visited the baby food section at the grocery store and started buying Gerber's "first step" baby food jars. They were $0.99 for two containers which is not expensive at all so I thought I was totally justified. I didn't buy much. Just enough to get us started. Then when I was running low on something, I realized it goes too fast and I don't want to keep buying it. So instead, I put my big girl pants on and just made it myself. Plus, the food combinations I like cannot be found at the store. Gosh, it really is so much easier...and cheaper! 1 can of pears(canned in water...very important!), a handful of spinach, and one banana makes a full ice cube tray of baby food! And only retails for about $1.50. Do you u...

Round 2. My first crock pot blog can be found here , though it's not the last time I crock potted (how's that for a word?). Anyway, I'm going to keep this blog super simple because I think part of the reason people don't do this is because it doesn't seem simple. But it is. Trust me. First off, I shopped at Winco. Grocery List: 6 pork chops 1 package of pork carnitas (2 lbs.) 2 bags of frozen chicken breasts 1 3 lb. bag of red potatoes 4 sweet potatoes 2 bottles BBQ Sauce 2 Ranch Seasoning packets 2 taco seasoning packets 1 alfredo sauce packet 1 package Italian sausage 4 bell peppers (2 green, 2 red...or whatever you prefer) 1 small carton of heavy cream 2 packages of tortillas 1 loaf garlic bread 1 package hamburger buns My total was $53 Get home, wash and chop, and label bags - Pulled Pork, Ranch Pork, BBQ Chicken and Sweet Potatoes (x2), Pork Tacos, BBQ Pork and Sweet Potatoes, Ranch Chicken, Chicken Tacos, Italian Sausage and Peppers...

These days I'm in a constant state of growth and I'm realizing that as a mother, I will never stop growing. I look back at my first months as a mom when Isaiah was so small, so quiet, and had no hair. I was lost - I had no idea what I was doing. I was just loving my child the best I could and somehow I started to figure things out. Being a mother has caused not only my heart to grow enormously and in directions I didn't know possible, but it has tested my patience and strength and allowed those two qualities to grow within me immensely. I even look back at just a few months ago when Maci was first born and know I am already a completely different mother than I was 6 months ago. I'm stronger, more patient, happier, and even more blessed. And I know I'll look at this weeks, months, and years from now and think, "Wow. I have learned so much since then." I know I won't be the same person not just because life knocks you around and teaches you lessons but b...

I love Facebook. Guilty. I'm not very good at staying in touch with people and Facebook has allowed me to stay "connected" to people I love but would have easily lost touch with over the years. I completely understand how it can be impersonal or obnoxious but I have been able to kindle real-life (not cyber) friendships with people I hardly knew in high school and stay in touch with old friends that are in a completely different place than I am in life. Ashamed and embarrassed or not, I like Facebook. [sigh] I've had a Facebook since I went away to college. You know, when it was first invented and you had to have a college email address to join? Very exclusive. I've been able to witness the growth of friends, family and myself through social media. Weird, huh? From partying too hard at frats, falling in love and getting married, and having kids, Facebook has been the cyber platform for everyone I know to "shout it from the roof tops!" It's exciting....