Slow-Cooker Pulled Pork BBQ & Sweet Potato Fries

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Snapple. The opinions and text are all mine. #TrueTeaTaste

May was an absolute crazy month...we moved, we went to Disney (again), we kicked off our wedding season, and we tried to get into a good rhythm of living in our new place, cooking more often, and enjoying the start of the summer season.  

Part of that rhythm has been learning to meal plan and utilize my favorite kitchen appliance...the slow cooker! I mean, what's better than throwing some stuff together in the morning and coming home to a delicious-smelling house and meal ready for eating?  

One of our favorite things to eat any time of year, but especially in the summer, is BBQ.  We love going to our local BBQ place and sitting out at a picnic table and enjoying some home-cooked sides, delicious pulled pork, and sweet tea.  So last week, I decided to take one of our favorite meals and replicate it at home.  I got a pork roast, pulled out the slow cooker, and came home to a yummy pulled pork BBQ.  One of our favorite sides is sweet potato fries, and we've been serving up this easy and healthy baked version with everything lately.  They've got a great salty-sweetness to them and they pair so well with just about everything.

This meal just screams summer and makes me think of all of the picnics and outdoor eating we'll be doing this season!  We got to try out Snapple® Straight Up™ Tea, which paired perfectly with this delicious summery meal!  It comes in multiple varieties (including black, green, and rooibos!) with three levels of sweetness (AJ loved the Sweet while I went with Sorta Sweet!) and is made with all-natural ingredients and no artificial anything, so it's a great compliment to any meal!  

Read on for recipes for both the pulled pork and sweet potato fries, and enjoy! 

SLOW-COOKER PULLED PORK BBQ

WHAT YOU NEED // 

3lb pork roast (shoulder roast preferred)

1/3c apple cider vinegar

1/2c packed brown sugar

1/2c ketchup

1/4c BBQ seasonings (look for a bbq seasoning package in your grocer's spice aisle!)

WHAT TO DO // 

Place your roast in your slow-cooker, trim off any large pieces of fat as much as possible.  

Mix vinegar, brown sugar, ketchup, and seasonings in a bowl until combined.  Pour mixture over your roast.

Cook roast on low for 8hrs or high for 4hrs, until it easily pulls apart.  Using two forks, shred the roast and pull it apart to created a pulled pork BBQ.  Remove any pieces of fat as you shred.

Serve on toasted brioche buns!

BAKED SWEET POTATO FRIES

WHAT YOU NEED //

4-5 small-medium sweet potatoes

Olive oil

Salt

Pepper

Garlic

Preheat your oven to 425ºF.

Pierce sweet potatoes a few times with a knife or fork.  Microwave on high for 3 minutes, adding more time until sweet potatoes are slightly soft.  

Slice potatoes (we slice them into circles, but you can go for a more traditional "stick" fry shape as well) and place on a lightly greased baking sheet.  Try not to overlap them too much.

Drizzle with olive oil, and then sprinkle salt, pepper, and garlic over them.

Bake for 20min, turning over halfway, or until they reach a desired crispness.  Serve and enjoy!

You can find Snapple® Straight Up™ Tea in your local Giant Food store.  It comes in multiple varieties (we tried the standard Unsweetened, Sorta Sweet, and Sweet varieties as well as the Sorta Sweet Honey Green Tea and Rooibos new varieties!)  Look for the awesome new packaging on your grocer's shelves and stock up for summer!  

What is your favorite summer dinner recipe?

Blackberry Punch

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #BlackberryAffair #CollectiveBias

I first discovered Canada Dry® Blackberry Ginger Ale last spring and instantly fell in love. Ginger Ale easily tops the list of favorite bubbly drinks for me, and adding in that subtle blackberry flavor makes it even better.  

One of my favorite things to do when the weather gets warmer is to eat outdoors and have friends and family over to enjoy the weather and some grilled food! These types of gatherings tend to just pop up in my family...someone will decide in the afternoon to have everyone over for dinner, so it’s great to have a quick go-to beverage recipe up my sleeve to whip up at a moment’s notice.  

I love making these little casual gatherings a little bit fancier just by serving something special and unique, so this Blackberry Punch is perfect (and impressive) for whipping up at any time, but it’s also a great addition to any bridal shower, birthday party, or even an impromptu girls’ day! In fact, my mom and I also served this punch at my brother and sister-in-law’s rehearsal dinner last year and it was a huge hit!  

WHAT YOU NEED //

+ Canada Dry® Blackberry Ginger Ale (12-pack or 2 liter)

+ Fresh blackberries

+ Cranberry-Lime seltzer

+ Fresh or frozen cranberries

+ Raspberry sherbet

+ Rosemary sprigs

To make this easy punch, simply combine the Canada Dry® Blackberry Ginger Ale (one can will make one 16-oz glass, or you could combine the entire 2 liter bottle with other ingredients in a punch bowl), 1/3c seltzer, and a generous scoop (one per glass) of the raspberry sherbet.  Be careful...the sherbet will cause the soda to foam and may overflow the glass, so add it slowly!  Top with a few blackberries and cranberries and a sprig or two of rosemary, and Voila!  You have a beautiful, unique drink that’s sure to wow your guests!

Doesn’t it look delicious?

I easily found Canada Dry® Blackberry Ginger Ale at my local Giant Food Store! It’s available in both a 12-pack of cans and 2 liter bottles, both perfect for making this delicious Blackberry Punch!  Made with real ginger, Canada Dry® Blackberry Ginger Ale is only available for a limited time between March-May 2016, so grab it and bring feel-good refreshment to your next gathering before it’s gone!

HAVE YOU TRIED CANADA DRY® BLACKBERRY GINGER ALE?  WOULD YOU SERVE THIS PUNCH AT YOUR NEXT GATHERING?

Quick Lunches the Whole Family will Love!

This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group®, Rubbermaid® fasten + go, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #FastenNGo http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV

AJ and I are almost always on the go.  I work most of the week from my office at church and he has an hour and a half long commute to Purple Audio, where he works one day a week from their office and then works from home the rest of the time.  Between commuting and working in different directions, and just being out and about a lot, we've gotten into a really bad habit of eating out.  In the interest of not only saving money, but just living healthier lives, we're making an effort to pack our lunches and always make sure we have some fulfilling, healthy snacks with us when we're on the go.  

I used to pack my lunch in high school every day, and back then, I had a cute little lunch box that I packed and toted with me to the cafeteria.  As an adult, I appreciate a good design and convenience above all.  AJ and I recently discovered NEW Rubbermaid® fasten + go kits and we're in love.  

They're designed well, snap together into one convenient little container (carrying strap included!), and the minimalistic, chic style is great for a girl, guy, or a kid to carry around.  The sandwich kit includes a base for your sandwich, one 1-cup capacity side containers, and two 1/2-cup capacity snack containers.  It's all microwave and dishwasher safe, and it all snaps together for convenient carrying.  This nifty little box has already come in handy on some Christmas shopping trips when I've packed it with snacks and thrown it in my bag.  

Since sandwiches are the bread and butter (pun intended) of every good lunch, we've rounded up some of our favorite sandwich recipes for you!

GROWN-UP GRILLED CHEESE // 

If you've got a toaster oven at work, then this one is for you.  You can prep your grilled cheese at home so that it's ready for grilling when the lunch bell rings.  Simply butter the outsides of two pieces of bread (your favorite is fine, but we love picking up some artisan bread at our local grocery store) and then layer in your cheese.  My favorite cheese combo is some Jarlsberg, American, and Provolone, or, swap out that Jarlsberg for some Muenster and mmmm...so good!  Throw a piece of foil in your toaster oven and "grill" your sandwich on the highest settings, flipping when the top is golden.  Pair with some tomato soup (and the fasten+go soup kit!) and you've got one delicious lunch.

CHIPOTLE TURKEY & BACON //

AJ's a big fan of spicy food, so when he discovered chipotle aoili, he was in heaven.  You can typically find chipotle mayo in the deli or dressing aisle at your local grocer, and it makes a fun addition to any sandwich.  Grab some smoked turkey and sliced smoked gouda from your deli and layer slices of each with a few strips of bacon, some lettuce and tomato, and finish off this yummy lunch option with some chipotle aoili on thick slices of bread.  So good!

PECAN & GRAPE CHICKEN SALAD // 

Perhaps one of my favorite sandwiches is a good chicken salad.  We will often grab a rotisserie chicken at the grocery store (so much easier than cooking your own!) and pull it apart to make chicken salad.  Toss the pulled chicken with mayo (the amount varies based on your preference, but start slow and add until it's how you like it!), halved red grapes, and diced pecans.  My favorite way to enjoy this chicken salad is on a sun-dried tomato bagel.

All of these sandwiches are best enjoyed with some good sides....a few of our favorites (pictured here), include:

+ clementines

+ sweet potato chips

+ cranberry-almond cracker thins

+ popcorn with olive oil and sea salt

+ pretzels

+ pickles

+ applesauce

+ and for your sweet tooth, a sea salt caramel

Starting on 12/27/15 head to your local Target store to purchase the NEW Rubbermaid® fasten + go kits! Available in Entree, Sandwich, and Soup Kits! These kits are awesome options for food storage, and can help make meal planning and meal prep easier!

WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE SANDWICH RECIPE?

Holiday Baking: Easy Chocolate Chip Surprise Cookies

The chocolate chip cookie.  Classic, easy, and a definitely crowd-pleaser.  But what if you want to remix these timeless cookies and don't have a ton of time?  Enter pre-made Nestle Toll House cookie dough.

You know those brownie cupcake cookie concoctions?  Well these easy cookies are like that, but better.  I was looking for a way to shake up the classic chocolate chip cookie for a fun treat one night, and decided to pick up some Dark Chocolate Delight cookie dough to go along with the chocolate chip cookies.  

The Dark Chocolate Delight cookie dough is pretty fantastic all on its own, but like I said, I was trying to remix the classic chocolate chip cookie, so I nestled a little bit of the dark chocolate cookie dough inside a shell of chocolate chip cookie dough and then followed the baking directions for the chocolate chip dough and what resulted was a gooey, fudgey, delicious cookie.  I'm not sure that I can eat plain old chocolate chip cookies anymore!  

These cookies are perfect for any holiday party you have coming up...they're super simple to throw together and the little surprise inside will have your guests coming back for more!  I kept my on the relatively small side, so that they were more like bite-sized cookies, but you could easily make them as big or as small as you want!

For more Holiday baking recipes, check out Nestle's Pinterest feed!

Perfect Holiday Eggnog Smoothie

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #HolidayWithChobani #CollectiveBias

I know that I say this with every season, but I really can't believe that it's December!  With the holidays quickly approaching, there's the never-ending to-do lists, shopping and wrapping, and of course, hosting and attending lots of holiday parties!  One of my favorite parts of the holiday season is the wealth of goodies to enjoy!  

One of the holiday things that I've never been able to fully enjoy (before now) was eggnog.  Any time I'd had it, it was just too sweet and too milky for my liking.  But I feel like eggnog is one of those timeless, classy holiday indulgences, and you just can't go through the season without having a glass or two.  So, I decided to take the classic flavors of eggnog and turn it into a smoothie...perfect for an after-dinner treat at your next holiday party or at a festive holiday brunch!  It's an easy alternative to the classic eggnog that your guests will definitely love.  

Made with Chobani® Greek Yogurt, this smoothie is low in fat and high in protein, making it a great choice for the base of this treat.  Chobani® is an awesome choice because it has some great benefits, including three types of probiotics, 40% less sugar than other yogurts, and no artificial sweeteners.  Check out this simple recipe and enjoy!

WHAT YOU NEED //

Key Ingredients:

+ 1/2c Chobani® Vanilla Greek Yogurt

+ 1c unsweetened vanilla almond milk

+ 1 banana, frozen

+ 1/4 c chopped pitted dates

Additional Ingredients:

+ 1/2 tsp cinnamon

+ 1/4 tsp nutmeg

+ 1/2 tsp almond extract

+ 1/4 tsp vanilla extract

+ whipped topping (optional)

Mix together all of the ingredients in a blender and serve topped with whipped topping and cinnamon!  It's that simple, and a great treat for after dinner or even for breakfast!

I found all of the ingredients I needed to make this tasty smoothie on a quick trip to my local Walmart!  It was easy to pick up everything I needed for this quick smoothie, perfect for any occasion!  And when you grab the 32oz container of Chobani® Greek Yogurt, you'll have plenty to whip up these smoothies for a big party, or to have a yummy breakfast parfait the next morning!  (That's what I did with mine!  Just layer some granola and berries in with the yogurt...yum!)

Check out more Chobani® recipes here, or connect with Chobani® on their Facebook page, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest!

DO YOU LIKE EGGNOG?  WOULD YOU TRY THIS SMOOTHIE?  

Crab Alfredo Pasta

Growing up, one of my favorite things to do with my grandmother was make meatballs.  She made the best homemade meatballs and whenever I'd be at her house after school and she'd be making them, I'd end up being the one to mix all of the ingredients together.  Of course, I think she was happy to have me there to do it, as it always involved getting messy and sinking your hands into inevitably cold ground beef and raw eggs, feeling the sticky gooeyness of the ingredients mixing together.  She was probably thrilled on the days where she didn't have to take that job!  

Between my grandmother's meatballs and her homemade sauce, I learned some of the basics of an Italian kitchen.  We ate pasta regularly and of course, can never have enough bread.  My grandmother's meatball recipe is one of those age-old family secrets...we've passed it down from generation to generation, and I'm sure I'll pass it on to my own kids one day (when I don't feel like getting my hands cold and messy and instead, coax them into mixing the meatball recipe up the old fashioned way!).  

What I think I love most about our family's kitchen, though, is that it's always been a place of gathering.  Whether it's a day of baking for the holidays, making a family-favorite meal, or even just sitting around a box of pizza, the kitchen is always a place of good conversation and community.  I've sat at my mom's kitchen island and chatted while she prepped dinner many times.  I can't count how many times I hung out and baked cookies (or made meatballs!) in my grandmother's kitchen as a teenager and gushed about boys or complained about school.  My aunt and I have made great memories in her kitchen as we've cooked and eaten together.  Food brings people together, and the act of cooking it is a bonding experience.  

As someone who comes from a beach-loving Italian family, the marriage of seafood and pasta is a dream come true.  A cheesy combination of Alfredo, crab, and light Angel Hair?  That's a match made in heave, if you ask me!  One of AJ's favorite pasta dishes is a shrimp pesto pasta, and I personally love anything with shellfish, so pasta for dinner is a no-brainer.  

We came up with this crab alfredo pasta concoction the other night and it was a big hit.  It was super easy to make and can be adapted with your favorite sauce, shellfish, and pasta!  

WHAT YOU NEED // 

1 box of Angel Hair Pasta (we used 1/2 the box and had enough for 3-4 people)

A few clusters of frozen snow crab legs (we used two nice sized clusters)

1 jar Ragu Classic Alfredo Sauce

2 tsp Italian seasoning

2 tsp salt

Water

1 tsp garlic

2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese

HOW TO // 

Bring 3 quarts of water to a boil in one pot, and 3-4 cups of water to a boil in another large pot with a steamer basket.  

When the 3 quarts of water are boiling, add in 1/2 of your box of Angel Hair (or other desired pasta - follow cooking directions on box), and boil for 4 minutes for tender pasta.  Strain and set aside.

When the 3-4 cups of water comes to a boil, rinse your frozen crab leg clusters to remove any ice and then place in a steamer basket over the boiling pot.  Cover and steam for 6-8 minutes.  (Crab legs should be already cooked, you are just heating them through.)  When the crab legs are warmed, remove the meat and set aside.

In a separate microwave-safe dish, heat 1/2-2/3rds of the jar of Ragu Alfredo Sauce in the microwave (this can also be done on the stovetop), stirring occasionally.  

Combine the pasta and sauce, season with Italian seasoning, garlic, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper.  Top with crab meat and enjoy!  (Try adding a spoonful or two of Ragu Tomato & Basil sauce for an added kick!)

Ragu carries on the family tradition of Assunta Cantisano and her Italian heritage, and stems from an age-old family recipe.  They use farm-grown ingredients with no artificial flavors and no high fructose corn syrup, making it a great choice for your next family dinner!

Girls' Night In

This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #ThePitchesatWMT http://my-disclosur.es/OBsst

This weekend was nothing short of busy.  It was amazing and wonderful, and exhausting, but the Gettis family now has it's newest member, as my brother, Mark, and his girl Natalie tied the knot on Saturday!  My parents hosted the rehearsal dinner in their backyard, so AJ and I spent much of the week helping them get ready for it, decorating, and helping with food prep.  Friday was a long day and Saturday was even longer, so by the time Sunday afternoon hit, we were pooped.  

After church on Sunday, AJ and I brought his brother home with us to watch some football and hang out with my parents.  Once the game was over, the boys headed upstairs to play some video games, and my mom and I were ready for some girl time, good food, and a great movie.  I had picked up the limited edition Blu-Ray and DVD combo pack of Pitch Perfect 2 at Walmart earlier in the week, so we put on our PJ's and made some fun movie-night food, and snuggled under some blankets to watch and laugh!

If you're planning a girls' night in for your next movie party, you can't miss out on Pitch Perfect 2, and a pumpkin-themed menu to go with it, because it's so perfectly fall!  You'll also need some cozy clothing, socks, blankets, and a great couch to curl up on!  

Here's what I'd suggest for some movie-watching snacks:

Pumpkin Pancakes with Maple Butter

Pumpkin Spice Lattes

Pumpkin Pie

Popcorn, of course!

PUMPKIN PANCAKES WITH MAPLE BUTTER //

It's a bit insane how easy pumpkin pancakes are to whip up!  Simply add a quarter to a half cup of pumpkin and some cinnamon to your regular pancake batter, and cook as normal. You can even add chocolate chips or nuts!  For the maple butter, using a hand mixer, simply whip butter and maple syrup together.  I always start with just a bit of syrup and taste it when I've whipped it together.  Remember with both the pancakes and the butter, you can always add more pumpkin/syrup!

PUMPKIN SPICE LATTES // 

Another crazy easy recipe, pick up your favorite pumpkin spice creamer and ground coffee.  Start a pot of coffee.  If you have a milk frother, then froth your creamer with that, but if you don't, you can froth creamer by slowly heating it over your stove, constantly whisking.  Once the creamer is warm and you have a nice froth, add the creamer to your coffee and top off with some foam...and you have an at-home PSL!

PUMPKIN PIE // 

For pumpkin pie, you'll need a pie crust (store bought is fine!), a small can of pumpkin, a can of evaporated milk, 2 eggs, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ginger, 1/4 tsp cloves, 1/2 tsp salt, and 3/4 c sugar.  Beat the eggs and then add the cinnamon, ginger, cloves, salt, & sugar.  Stir in pumpkin and then gradually add the evaporated milk.  Pour into your pie crust and bake at 425ºF for 15 minutes, then turn the oven down to 350ºF and bake for 40-50 minutes, or until the pie is firm and doesn't jiggle.  Let cool, slice, and top with lots of whipped cream!

My mom and I loved Pitch Perfect 2!  We were big fans of the first movie, especially because musicals hold a special place in our hearts, so we were ecstatic when we heard a second movie was coming out, and it didn't disappoint!  We highly recommend making it your pick for your next girls' night!

Head to Walmart to grab the exclusive Pitch Perfect 2 Blu-Ray/Soundtrack combo pack. Soundtrack includes some of your favorite songs from Pitch Perfect and Pitch Perfect 2 (while supplies last)