Crockpot Rotisserie Chicken- A Sparkedmom Recipe for Your Healthy Family

This week was a blur, I have no idea where it went nor if I made it to half the things I committed to and the weekend went even faster- story of my life! I have always been a multitasker but becoming a Mom really amplified it and moving into a work from home Mom threw it into overdrive. I have really been focusing lately on slowing down, dialing life back and taking it all in. I'm learning that life can wait- but kids are only little for a short time. It's going to be on ongoing processes, believe me!

When I'm on the top of my game I make breakfast AND pull together a great homey Sunday meal- this week I pulled off my "baked" Crockpot Chicken- not only does it make your house smell like you slaved away for hours, it delicious, moist and SO easy!

What I Used:
Seasoned chicken leg quarters
1/2 C chicken stock

What I Did:
Stack chicken quarters in your crockpot gently and pour in stock. Cook on high 4-5 hours or until chicken is cooked through an chicken is tender. Gently remove each quarter from crockpot and place on cookie sheet or broiling pan and place under broiler until browned to your liking.

I love this recipe for the summer when it's too hot to bar-b-que, cook, clean, leave the house...hey, it's AZ- that could actually go on for weeks! I look for the pre-seasoned ones but if you want to get fancy you could totally season yourself and get your Martha Stewart on- me, I'm leaving it to Albertsons this week. It's early in the month, I need to spread my kitchen adventure over many days or we'll be living off turkey burgers and broccoli (my go-to I didn't plan dinner, or shop, or even realize it was past dinner- meal). I do make a mean turkey burger though- McCormick Hamburger Seasoning is DA-BOM- get you some!

What's your go to meal in a pinch?

Chocolate Protein Pancakes- A Sparkedmom Recipe for a Healthy Family

If I can swing pancakes on Saturday that's major Mom bonus points and sneaking in some extra protein and fiber for my healthy family shoots me right to Super-Nutritious-Mom status! The fact that I didn't get them on a plate until 11ish is completely irrelevant so hand me my cape already- I need it to distract people from the fact that I slept in this shirt ;)

Chocolate Protein Pancakes

What I Used:
1 large Egg
1 C Whole Wheat Flour
1/4 C Quick Cooking Oats (yes, mine are Walgreens brand- no judging!)
1 C Almond Milk
1 Tbs Agave Nectar
2 Heaping Scoops of Chocolate Protein Powder
2 Tbls coconut oil
3 tsp baking powder

What I Did:
Beat egg in large bowl until fluffy looking, and then added all remaining ingredients and mix until smooth- pour onto hot griddle or pan and flip once when bubbles form or edges look puffy (I assume nothing, so please don't be offended that I just explained how to flip a pancake...heck I still stress out as to when to flip the dang things and 9 times out of 10 the first one goes in the trash as my "practice" one. I just found out today you can flick water on the pan and if it sizzles your ready...way to leave us in the dark Food Network!)

These were a hit and are quite filling, one batch made 5 of the medium pan sized ones you see in the picture. You can also double/triple the batch, freeze and have the kids just pop them in the toaster for a nutritious on the go breakfast or after school snack.

Tried this healthy family recipe? Share your pics! Any fun mix ins?

How about banana? Super-Yummo!





All Season Legs; A Sparkedmom Recipe for a Healthy Family

Forget groundhog day, yesterday was one of those days that felt like an entire week wrapped up in a day- really not sure if that was a good thing or bad, still reeling!

Actually cooked something pretty to share, I think it would be classified as more of a "winter" dish, but since I don't actually know the rules I can't really be expected to follow them- right? Winter dishes to me means I cooked them when it was winter outside, which I'm in AZ so really, WHEN is that- December? It was stormy yesterday- maybe that counts for something..hopefully no one starts keeping track of my culinary missteps, although THAT could get entertaining- I digress..

Let me preface by admitting I pretty much just throw stuff together- this Momma's on the fly 99.9% of the time so I usually use what I have on hand and season to taste...that being said here's the closest I can get to a recipe for this dish so you can make for your healthy family:)

All Season Legs

What I Used:
1 package drumsticks (usually I do remove the skin but time and patience to do so was not permitting yesterday)
Seasoning; salt/pepper/Mrs Dash Onion/Mrs Dash Garlic- to taste
Vegi Mix of the day; zucchini, tomatoes, garlic, red onion

What I Did:
Salt and pepper my legs and browned over medium heat until brown on all sides. Chopped all my vegie's chunky-like while the legs were browning. Once the legs are browned to my liking, I seasoned with my on hand assortment of Mrs. Dash, tossed in the vegie mix, covered pan and cooed for 15 min or until chicken juices run clear. (if you want crispier legs you can also broil the pan in the oven until the outside crisp up a bit as well)

I don't cook drumsticks near as much as I should considering when it comes to kids and nutrition they kick a chicken nugget out of the park ALL DAY. Leftovers make easy lunches the next day, and they are so versatile, portable, portion controlled, easy to eat- note to self...more leg!

What's your favorite thing about legs?