Pork Tenderloin Recipes Slow Cooker

Crock Pot Cranberry Pork Tenderloin Recipe 

Are you looking for an easy pork tenderloin recipe for the slow cooker crock pot? Taking advantage of the crock pot gives you more time to prep side dishes or catch up on chores. We've come up with a tasty, fall slow cooker pork recipe that can serve as a substitute Thanksgiving entree. It will make you think differently about pork. Enjoy!

This post contains affiliate links for your convenience.

Pork Tenderloin Recipes Slow Cooker .

The folks at Smithfield® Marinated Pork invited us to share a recipe with their delicious Pork Tenderloin. So, we headed to our local Kroger to gather up all of the supplies needed for a simple, down home, fall pork tenderloin dinner. 

Your family will think you are awesome when you serve this up with a side of sweet potato tater tots and a green bean casserole. It is perfect any night, because it cooks in minutes and disappears in seconds. 

Smithfield® Marinated Pork Recipes for Slow Cooker Crock Pot.

You can have Thanksgiving dinner every night! For a limited time, (availability may vary) get a discount coupon for Smithfield® Marinated Pork at Kroger. 

Substitute pork for your Thanksgiving Dinner.

My family's favorite leftovers are Thanksgiving Turkey turned into a cranberry sandwich with mayo, salt, and pepper. They prefer that to the fancy Thanksgiving feast. So, of course, we decided to make a twist and switch out the turkey for pork. With Smithfield® Marinated Pork, the good news is we don't have to wait for leftovers!

Open Faced Cranberry Pork Sandwiches.

Easy Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin Recipe

Ingredients:

• Smithfield® Marinated Pork, Garlic
• 2 Boxes Corn Muffin Mix
• 2 Eggs (We use Duck Eggs)
• Milk or Almond Milk
• Green Beans
• Sweet Potato Tater Tots (found at Kroger)
• Canned Cranberry Sauce
• Almonds or Walnuts

Open Faced Cranberry Pork Sandwiches

• Spray your slow cooker with Canola Oil, add 1/2 C. water, a pinch of ground cloves, and a pinch of nutmeg. If you want, you can also add a dash of cinnamon. Place the pork in the slow cooker on high heat, turning occassionally. Cook until browned and 150 degrees in the center. Time varies with each slow cooker's settings. 

• While the pork tenderloin is cooking, prep corn muffin mix, and bake according to package instructions. We added 1/4 C. ground flax to our batter and then placed it in a loaf pan. You'll need 2 boxes to fill the loaf pan.

• The Sweet Potato Tater Tots only take about 20 minutes to cook, and cook nicely in a toaster oven.

• While everything is cooking, you'e got some time for yourself. Ha! You can do the dishes and sweep the kitchen floor. When everything is done cooking you can sit down and enjoy the meal with your family.

• When the Pork is done, remove from crock pot and allow to rest on a cutting board for 5-8 minutes before cutting it into 1/2" slices.

• While the pork is cooling, remove the corn muffin "bread" from the pan and slice it into 1/2" slices.

• Open the can of Cranberry Sauce and slice it thinly (up to 1/2").

• Lay the pork slice atop the corn muffin, and place the cranberry slice on top to form an open faced cranberry pork sandwich. Yum!

Click for a Greenbean Casserole Recipe.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Smithfield®. The opinions and text are all mine.

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Turkey Peanut Butter Balls

ADS DISCLOSURE: We've partnered with some wonderful advertisers who may sponsor blog posts or send us samples to test. Some companies pay us to review their products.

*We also use affiliate links, if you make a purchase we get a tiny commission. Kids Creative Chaos participates in the Amazon LLC Associates Program*, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a mean for blogs to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon properties, including, but not limited to, amazon.com, endless.com, myhabit.com, smallparts.com, or amazonwireless.com. We also offer Tapinfluence, Google Adsense, SoFab, and Izea ads here. Thanks so much for helping us keep the lights on! :)

Pin~it Online Scavenger Hunt 7/1/2012

Hunt for preschool, elementary, and camp curriculum on the Web and Pin~it on Pinterest.

Weekly winner is chosen by you.

The pin with the most re-pins is showcased here each week and the ORIGINAL pinner wins a small prize package from vendor donations to the blog or my own collection of goodies :-)

Cooking with Kids: Jake's Indiana Corny Corn Muffin Recipe for Homeschool

Homeschooling Study Natural Resources with Corn Muffin Recipe

Science? Ever had Corn Muffins with pieces of corn inside? In Kentucky and Indiana, it is a pretty common recipe. For Jake's Homeschool Social Studies project, he created a recipe using a few of Indiana's most common natural resources. Corn, of course is a number one crop. The Grandpa tried his hand at making maple syrup this year, so it found it's way into the mixing bowl too. Oh- and eggs are a natural resource anywhere. Enjoy!

This post contains affiliate links.

Kid Science Lesson on Corn with Corny Corn Muffin Recipe.

Jake's Indiana Corny Corn Muffins Recipe.

Free Printable Lesson about Corn (Download and print it.)

It's easy with Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix and Frozen Corn.

How to Make Indiana Corn Muffins Recipe

You will need:

1 Pkg. Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix 

1 Egg 

1/3 C. Milk 

1/4 C. Grandpa’s Homemade Maple Syrup

1 C. Corn 

Muffin pan and Paper

How to make Corn Muffins, Indiana Style:

Preheat oven to 400 F degrees.

Mix the ingredients together.

Batter will be lumpy, 

Spoon into muffin cups, fill ¾  full.

Bake 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.

Cool for 5-10 minutes.

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Hoot

Earth's Resources 

Corn by Gail Gibbons

Get Monthly Chaos Updates

How to Enter Indiana State Fair: County 4 H Fair

What to Know for 4 H Club 

How do I enter the Indiana State Fair? Want to know, we've got answers and all details of what to expect during your first year of 4 H. Enjoy!

Cornbread Mexican Casserole: New Year's Eve Recipe

7 Easy Recipes for New Year's Eve

Looking for an easy recipe for new year's eve? Whether you are cooking for a crowd or an informal family get together, this Cornbread Mexican Casserole is sure to please! For more easy New Year's Eve recipes, scroll to the bottom of this post. Enjoy!

Cornbread Mexican Casserole: New Year's Eve Recipe

Sneaky Healthy Sloppy Joe Recipe

Healthy Recipe for Sloppy Joe

No one was home, so I had a chance to get crafty and healthy with my cooking. I love when that happens. So, what's in the fridge? My best Sloppy Joe Recipe. Beware, it's sneaky. Enjoy!

This post contains affiliate links for your convenience.

Sloppy Joe eats Sneaky Sloppy Joes (Clip Art).

Breakfast Sandwich Ideas

Breakfast Sandwich Recipes

Who needs a breakfast sandwich maker? Grab your toaster, and join us in some easy breakfast sandwich ideas. These breakfast ideas are so easy you can make them in under five minutes. Enjoy!

Breakfast sandwich ideas with frozen pancakes.

Start with pre-packaged frozen pancakes or waffles. They don't call them toaster pancakes, but they work just like the waffles do!

We make also make pancakes ahead and freeze them to use.

Toast your frozen pancakes.

Frozen pancake sandwiches with Nutella and Peanut Butter.

Add your favorite ingredients. We made a peanut butter, Nutella, pancake breakfast sandwich. Grab it on the go. It is portable. Stick it in a plastic baggie for less mess on the run.

If you have plenty of time, it is delicious with strawberries on the side or inside!

Know how to make scrambled eggs super fast? We do. Spray a ceramic bowl with cooking spray. Crack your egg into a ceramic bowl, stir with a fork, and then pop in the microwave for about a minute. Remove, and flip it over. You may have to return it to the microwave for a few seconds.

How to make scrambled eggs in the mircrowave.

Here's what the microwave scrambled eggs look like when done.

Scramble eggs in the microwave.

To make an easy breakfast sandwich, place your egg inside two pancakes and add your favorite cheese.

Pancake breakfast sandwich ideas.

You can also add sausage, bacon, or Canadian Bacon to your pancake sandwich.

Easy Pancake Breakfast Sandwich.

Variations:  Cream cheese and jam, oatmeal with a drizzle of Maple Syrup, egg and avocado, and breaded chicken.


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ADS DISCLOSURE: We've partnered with some wonderful advertisers who may sponsor blog posts or send us samples to test. Some companies pay us to review their products. *We also use affiliate links, if you make a purchase we get a tiny commission. Kids Creative Chaos participates in the Amazon LLC Associates Program*, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a mean for blogs to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon properties, including, but not limited to, amazon.com, endless.com, myhabit.com, smallparts.com, or amazonwireless.com. We also offer Tapinfluence, Google Adsense, SoFab, and Izea ads here. Thanks so much for helping us keep the lights on! :)

Chicken Avocado Recipe

Avocado Chicken Recipe

Looking for lighter, healthier options for summer? Our easy Chicken Avocado Recipe is perfect. You cook it in a skillet! This recipe is modified from an Avocado Chicken Recipe we found on CookingClassy.com. It looked so good, we had to try it. Enjoy!

This post contains affiliate links for your convenience.*

Easy Chicken Avocado Recipe.

Ingredients:

1 lb. skinless and boneless chicken* breasts

salt and pepper

1 t. Italian seasoning

1/2 t. basil

1/2 t. garlic powder

2 T. olive oil

2 avocado, peeled and sliced

2 medium tomatoes, sliced

3 mozzarella cheese balls, sliced

*3 T. balsamic glaze

Skillet Avocado Chicken.

Directions:

1.  Place the chicken breasts between layers of plastic wrap.  Pound them to a consistent thickness with the side of a meat tenderizer.

2.  Season each side the chicken breasts with salt and pepper, to taste.

3.  Mix the Italian seasoning, basil and garlic powder in a small bowl.

4.  Coat each side of the chicken with the combined spices.

5.  Heat the oil in a large skillet on medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts. Cook until the chicken is browned, approx. 5 minutes. Turn over chicken and continue cooking until the inside temperature reaches 160 degrees F, approx. 5 minutes.

6.  Top the chicken with slices of mozzarella cheese, tomato, and avocado. Cover the skillet.  Continue cooking until the cheese melts and chicken reaches 165 degrees F.

7.  Remove the chicken from the skillet and drizzle with balsamic glaze.

Tip:

*  I did not have balsamic glaze. It is fairly easy to make. Add approx. 1/2 c. balsamic vinegar to a small pot. Bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low and continue cooking until the vinegar reduces to desired consistency.

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ADS DISCLOSURE: We've partnered with some wonderful advertisers who may sponsor blog posts or send us samples to test. Some companies pay us to review their products. *We also use affiliate links, if you make a purchase we get a tiny commission. Kids Creative Chaos participates in the Amazon LLC Associates Program*, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a mean for blogs to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon properties, including, but not limited to, amazon.com, endless.com, myhabit.com, smallparts.com, or amazonwireless.com. We also offer Tapinfluence, Google Adsense, SoFab, and Izea ads here. Thanks so much for helping us keep the lights on! :)

How to make French Toast Recipe: Kids Love It!

Wondering How to make french toast kids will love? 

This Recipe for French Toast is easy and kid-tested. Cut your french toast into sticks or fun cookie cutter shapes.

Use Cookie Cutters to make cute French Toast Shapes.

Stir up some eggs.

First of all, the type of bread used makes a big difference. Texas Toast works best, but any bread used should be toasted first. This helps prevent if from falling apart when dipping.

To make French Toast, Toast in toaster first.

Prepared Toast waiting for egg bath.

How to Make French Toast Recipe

To prepare the dipping batter:

Preheat Griddle to high setting, coat with non-stick spray.

Grab a bowl and add 4-5 eggs. Stir the eggs to scramble them. Sometimes, I start with 12 eggs and then divide into two separate bowls- 1 for French Toast and 1 for scrambled eggs.

Next, I add a capful/1 tablespoon of vanilla and a splash of milk. I like to add the milk so they don't look to eggy. I even stir in a 1/ tsp. of cinnamon. Then, cut cute shapes from your toast or slice it to make FRENCH TOAST STICKS. Now, grab your tongs and get busy. You have to work fast, so the toast doesn't get too wet. Dip into batter, turn over to saturate, and remove quickly.

Add Vanilla to your eggs.

Add a splash of milk.

Cut into fun shapes with cookie cutters.

The kids ate the shapes so quickly ; I had to make french toast scraps!

Cut for French Toast Sticks.

Dip in quickly and pull out before they get too soggy.

Flip once while cooking.

French toasts strips are done when golden brown and crisp.

Cooking the scraps.

Remove when golden brown.

We added powdered sugar, maple syrup, and caramel sauce. 
I know you shouldn't, but it is SO good!

Must be good, sure was fun for them. 
Here they devour the french toast trimmings.

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I'm no Martha Stewart: Parmesan Broccoli Spaghetti Recipe for Kids

Easy Weeknight Dinners: I am no Martha Stewart. Here's a quick leftover idea. Parmesan Broccoli Spaghetti Recipe

Easy Weeknight Dinner: Parmesan Broccoli Spaghetti.

I try to plan meals- unsuccessfully. If I get around to cooking, then, leftovers sit in the fridge FOREVER! So, yet another night that I did not want to cook arrived. You may recall that I am trying to lose weight, this means I am also trying to avoid eating out. 

You might also like to make a little extra, plain spaghetti for sensory play.

Parmesan broccoli spaghetti.

Saturday we had Roast Chicken with Curry, Broccoli with Cheese and Baked Potatoes. We'd all been sick and none of us had much of an appetite. Sunday we had hotdogs with Sloppy Joe Sauce. It all just sat there screaming at me to toss it. I'm tired, I thought. 

Then I remembered Alaina's blog.

She IS Martha Stewart.

Maybe, even better as she has 3 boys under 4. She does plan incredible things and actually does most of them. She is my idol and often my inspiration. So, I am feeling like a bad Mommy, I am seriously fighting the urge to say, "How about cereal tonight?" When I pull everything out of the fridge and stare at it. "By George, I think I've got it!"

Parmesan Broccoli Spaghetti Recipe.

First, I boil a big pot of spaghetti. Then, I throw in the sloppy joe sauce. Finally, I toss in the cheesy broccoli and canned spaghetti sauce. Slop it on a plate with some parmesan and serve with those crescents from yesterday.

Martha Stewart, it ain't.

The Cooks Next Door, Alaina.

Alaina Falk, of The Cooks Next Door, not even close. Hey though, Jake hugged me and said, "You're the best Mommy ever!" I know it doesn't get any better than that :-) If you are in to planning meals this works great for those nasty Mondays.

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Tips to Teach Kids Before College

Kids Going Off To College? Here Are Some Things To Teach Them Before

 

It’s a bittersweet time when your children fly the nest after years of living under your wing. While you know it’s going to be an exciting new experience for them to learn and become adults, you can’t help but worry about them. So, to put your mind at ease, and to give them some useful knowledge before they go, let’s have a look at some tips you can teach your kids or speak to them about before they set off for college.

Domestic Duties

College is the time when your children will realize all that you do for them around the house, from cleaning up after them to cooking their meals. Hopefully, over the years, they’ll have picked up a thing or two from you, but it’s always a good idea to send them off with recipes, cleaning products, and anything else that will equip them for what lies ahead. College care packages are always helpful, but they need to learn to prepare for life on their own.

 

You’re still sure to get calls from them exclaiming how the washing machine won't spin (click the link for possible issues and fixes for this) or the oven won’t turn on, which you can help them with, trying to decipher the problem. These will often be simple fixes but if not, they can always get a professional in to fix the problem. This is all part of them growing up and learning how to handle things going wrong and how to make them right again. Here are some healthy eating tips for college students.

 

Alcohol

College is notorious for parties and drinking, so even if your son or daughter isn’t a drinker, you should still speak to them about this before they go. Ensure that they know to always be safe and never leave their cup unattended at events, as it could pose a threat. Their safety is paramount, so without scaring them or being over the top, you need to talk to them about being sensible and always letting someone know where they are. Make them aware that they never have to buckle to peer pressure, saying “no” is their right and if they don’t want to do something, then they don’t have to.

 

The Value Of Money

Cash can be tight for college students, so teaching them about budgeting and not splurging on unnecessary items is something that will come in handy for them. You can instill this at an early age, by giving them pocket money if they help you with chores, or when special occasions come around. This will help them to realize that money is earned and if they want something expensive, they have to save for it. You can reiterate what you’ve taught them over the years in the lead up to them moving away for college, as it’s more important now than ever as they won’t be living under your roof anymore. You might also want to look into scholarships. There are several scholarships available to homeschoolers.

 

Most of the time, your children will learn a lot of this along the way, but if you can offer them any help and guidance beforehand, at least you know you tried! This is their time to make mistakes, and those are often the most prominent learning curves of all. 

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Futuristic Architecture for Kids

Architecture with a Fun, Kid-Focused, Futuristic Atmosphere

So, I'm somewhat of an Architecture ophile (okay, I made that word up). I studied Architecture in college, back then futuristic architecture was an oxymoron of sorts. It meant buildings designed in the past to look futuristic, generally the architecture of the 1920's-1930's Art Moderne later termed the Art Deco style- think the Chrysler Building in New York City. We've come a long way, baby.

Futuristic Architecture Story Lesson for Kids.

Were you looking for FUTURISTIC ACTIVITIES for Children?

What is the tallest building in the United States? Scroll down to find out. This is a great Homeschool Architecture Lesson.

Chrysler Building, New York City. Public domain photo from Wikipedia.

The era of 1910-1920 is termed a futurist movement. Everything since 1960 is considered Post-Modern Architecture. Futuristic Architecture is space age, like The Jetsons in the 1960's or Futurama in present day, it is impossible to believe these buildings could happen. But, happen they do.

Futuristic Reading Nook for Kids by Sako Architects.

This is a popular children's bookstore complete with activity centers, book nooks, and lots of space to run around while playing hide and seek. See more pictures of Kid's Republic Bookstore in Beijing.

Interior of the Swan Hotel, upscale (more for adults).
Public domain photo from Wikimedia.

One of the favorite buildings I ever saw up close was designed by Michael Graves. The Humana building in downtown Lousiville, Kentucky is known to locals as the Milk Carton. Below, you can see why.

Swan Hotel, Walt Disney World designed by Michael Graves.

Humana Building, Louisville, Kentucky designed by Michael Graves.
Public Domain Photo from Wikipedia.

Many futuristic architects designed buildings in my little, old backwoods state of Indiana. The city of Columbus, Indiana is known as the architecture capital of the world. My favorite architect, Michael Graves is from Indiana. Think you don't know anything he's designed? Take a trip to Disney World and check out the Dolphin Hotel. He's also done an office building or two there.

The Dolphin Hotel in Florida. Photo from Wikipedia in public domain.

I stayed in the Dolphin hotel in 1992. Graves designed everything down to the disposable plastic cups which I still have in my curio cabinet today. 

Michael Graves, NCAA Hall of Champions in Indianapolis, Indiana.  
Public Domain photo from Wikipedia.

I guess, I'm kind of lucky to live in Indiana- near Columbus and also Chicago. 

Hey, Architecture, remember Chicago? Yep, the old home of the famous Sears Tower (Now the Willis Tower). Completed in 1973, the one-hundred and eight story building was known as the tallest building in the world beating out the former title holder, the Twin Towers in New York City. 

Huh. I just realized I was also lucky enough to tour all of these buildings. And, you were all like- you aren't really an Architecture-o-phile you're just a Mommy blogger. :) Funny, because it took me by surprise too. These Mommy days sure wear on a person, making you think you are only good for cooking, cleaning, and hugging.

So, the Sears or Willis Tower is still the tallest building in the United States, but it is only the seventh (or ninth, depending how you count them) tallest building in the world and no; I haven't visited any of those buildings... yet. 

Click here for a ranking of the Tallest Building in the World per Wikipedia. Although it is always changing, it looks like the city of Dubai has it locked for now. 

What does the future of FUTURISTIC ARCHITECTURE have in store for us? How tall will they go? To the moon and beyond? I'd go there.

I'm just kidding. The World Trade Center (Twin Towers), the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building, and the Sears Tower (Willis Tower, today) were more than tall enough for me. I have NO desire to visit the others. In fact, after waiting in line to squeeze into the tiny elevator of the Sears Tower, I've had major claustrophobia and a tiny bit of Acrophobia. I can still feel the breathtaking view from the Empire State Building. 

More Futuristic Activities: Learn to be an Astronaut

Wanna come look over the edge? No thanks, I'm good let me just climb back into this tiny, killing contraption and get my feet on solid ground.

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ADS DISCLOSURE: We've partnered with some wonderful advertisers who may sponsor blog posts or send us samples to test. Some companies pay us to review their products.

*We also use affiliate links, if you make a purchase we get a tiny commission. Kids Creative Chaos participates in the Amazon LLC Associates Program*, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a mean for blogs to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon properties, including, but not limited to, amazon.com, endless.com, myhabit.com, smallparts.com, or amazonwireless.com. We also offer Tapinfluence, Google Adsense, SoFab, and Izea ads here. Thanks so much for helping us keep the lights on! :)