New England Minute~Acadia National park & Bar Harbor

Nail Files. Week # 335

This week I'm wearing a Sally Hansen gel polish. It's Too Haute. Hoping this lasts since it's a gel polish.

10 Reasons I can't wait for Back to School

1. I can watch my reality shows the next day & not have to wait until T isn't around. I have to wait until she has a play date or camp.
2. I can clean in peace.
3. I don't have to here Mommy 100x a day.
4. I can get ready & go out & not have to sit around waiting for T to get dressed & brush her hair & teeth.
5. I can clean & have it stay clean for more than 5 minutes.
6. I can shop alone.
7. I can go to appointments alone.
8. I can rest.
9. Quiet/alone time.
10. I can watch what I want on the tv in the living room.

Friday Favorites

1. I finally got my bum bum cream. lol. I found out it's pronounced Boom Boom cream. It is for cellulite & firming your skin. I have put on some weight & noticed that I have cellulite on my thieghs & inner arms (I didn't even know that you can get cellulite on your arms). It's tough getting old. This smells so good & does really make your skin look better. I've only been using it for 2 weeks.

2. I love this Hawaiian tropic silk hydration after sun lotion for when you have a sunburn. I got 1 on my back when we were in Bar Harbor. I had a big circle cut out on the back of my shirt & my hair up. I didn't get to put sunblock on that spot. So a few days after my skin was burning, itchy & peeling & this soothed it. It felt a lot better after. I think I've had this bottle for 2 years now.

3. Some nail polish that I got in a swap.

scrapbook pages that I got done recently

Wordless Wednesday~International Cat Day

Tasty Tuesday~Slow Cooker chicken, broccoli & rice casserole

Slow Cooker Chicken, Broccoli and Rice Casserole

 

Prep time

10 mins

Total time

10 mins

 

Recipe & photo from Kristin's Kitchen.com

This cheesy Slow Cooker Chicken, Broccoli and Rice Casserole takes just minutes of prep, thanks to your crock pot!

Recipe type: Slow Cooker, Main Dish

Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 cup long grain brown rice (not quick-cooking or instant), rinsed and drained
• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon dried thyme
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ⅛ teaspoon pepper
• 1¾ cups (one 14.5 ounce can) low sodium chicken broth
• 1 cup water (or omit the water and use a total of 2¾ cups chicken broth)
• 1 pound broccoli, cut into small pieces (4-5 cups)
• ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup grated cheddar cheese

Directions:

1. Combine onion and rice in bottom of 5 quart slow cooker. Spread out in an even layer. Place chicken on top of rice/onion mixture. Sprinkle with the garlic powder, thyme, salt and pepper. Pour in chicken broth and water. Be sure that all of the rice is covered by the liquid.
2. Cover and cook on low heat for 6-7 hours, or on high heat for 3½ hours, until the rice is tender and almost all of the liquid is absorbed.
3. Transfer chicken to a cutting board and chop into bite-size pieces (or shred it in the slow cooker). Stir chicken back into the rice mixture in the slow cooker.
4. Steam the broccoli in the microwave: Place broccoli in a microwave-safe bowl and add enough water to fill the bowl 1-2 inches deep. Cover with plastic wrap. Microwave on high 3-6 minutes, until crisp-tender. Drain.
5. While the broccoli steams, stir the Greek yogurt, Parmesan and cheddar into the slow cooker. Then, stir in the cooked broccoli. Serve.

*Notes:
1. Some readers have commented that the rice in this dish is mushy. As it's cooked in the slow cooker, the rice is much softer than rice cooked on the stovetop or in a rice cooker. My family loves this casserole and we make it all the time. We love the flavor and how easy this recipe is. If you are worried about mushy rice, this may not be the recipe for you.
2. Some slow cooker recipes are easily adapted, this one is not. I recommend making the recipe exactly as written, with the understanding that all slow cookers cook differently. Your casserole may take slightly longer or shorter to cook, depending on your slow cooker. You'll know it's done when the rice has absorbed almost all of the liquid.
3. I do not recommend using white rice in this recipe.
4. I do not recommend doubling this recipe, unless you allow for a much longer cook time.

More Bar Harbor Photos

Rock beach, all rocks, no sand. Lots of spiders too.

In front of Geddy's. 1 of my fave restaurants.

Yummy, strawberry coconut margarita.