Apples, pecans, and cranberries-Oh my!

I am getting back into the swing of things. Having the kids go to class today helped a lot (shhh...)! I got up early and browned my pork chops for dinner tonight. Then, I put everything in the crock pot and went to shower and get ready before I had to get everyone else up for school. This is a yummy recipe that I got form my friend, Michelle, when she posted it on facebook last year! I love shared recipes! My family loved it then and I haven't made it in a while. I am trying to stay on a roll with meal planning and early preparation of dinner! :)

(The picture above is what it looked like at the end of the day)

Here's the recipe:

* 6 to 8 lean pork chops, about 1 inch thick

* 1/2 cup all-purpose flour

* 2 teaspoons salt

* 1 (10 oz.) can chicken and rice soup or chicken and wild rice soup

* 1 1/2 teaspoons dry mustard

* 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

* 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Preparation:

Coat pork chops in mixture of the flour, salt, dry mustard and garlic powder. Brown in hot oil in skillet, turning to brown both sides. Place browned pork chops in crockpot. Add chicken and rice soup. Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours.

Serves 6 to 8.

(I actually modified this by putting some dried brown rice and water in the crockpot 1st. Then, I used 2 cans of Campbell's condensed chicken and rice soup over the top of the pork chops)

Back to the story......Once I dropped the kids off, I ran 3 pretty big errands with the baby: Kohls, Homegoods, and Costco. Believe it or not, I am in the beginning stages of Christmas shopping. I have a few ideas that my parents have given me...so....I figure it will help a lot if I start with those things now! (Although, don't feel too bad...I wanted very successful at finding what I wanted to find.)

Anyway, back home and back to baking with some new recipes I found. The 1st one I made was an Apple-Pecan Granola Bar . Again....all healthy, wholesome ingredients! And....September just calls for apple recipes! And, by the way, my kids walked in the door and their faces were beaming when they spotted the plate of fresh granola bars on the counter. The bars totally passed the taste test with everyone again...including my husband.

So yummy with chunks of apples and pecans!

Next...while I have all of the ingredients out...Applesauce Bars. These are all whole wheat and they have chunks of apples (that I didn't need to peel-yeah!), and applesauce in them. The recipe stated that they freeze really well, so I will be freezing some! When everyone tasted these.....they loved them even more than the granola bars. Even grandpa stopped by and then Uncle Ray and they both gave them their stamp of approval. Uncle Ray even wanted the recipe! I can't take any credit for this because I just searched the Internet and found them. But, I can say that it is nice to know that "healthy" can taste good and get the kids excited. (2 new recipes to file away)

Love that it has chunks of apples

Finally, I ended the day with making a Broccoli Slaw to go with the pork chops and rice. Cranberries and pecans and onions with a homemade creamy vinaigrette dressing. Simple, healthy and delicious!

All in all, a busy and productive day! Yeah! Now, back to work with the kids home tomorrow!...No time for baking :( Tomorrow night is a casserole that I pulled out of the freezer from our casserole exchange a few weeks ago (since we have to leave early for Awana and youth group).