What's Cookin?

Slow Cooker Pot Roast

It was chilly and rainy over the weekend which left me craving some good comfort food. I went on the hunt for a good slow cooker pot roast and I found a winner! It turned out so flavorful!!

Ingredients

First, I chopped up the carrots, celery and potatoes and threw them in the crock pot.

Next, I generously seasoned the meat with salt, pepper and flour on both sides and seared it to lock in the flavors (this is the trick for getting that rich taste).

Once the meat was browned, I set it aside and cooked the onion and garlic and then added tomato paste and chicken broth to create the gravy.

Next, I added the pot roast and the gravy mixture to the crock pot and let it work its magic.

 6 hours later we had yummy pot roast!!

Recipe
Slow Cooker Beef Pot Roast 
(I omitted the mushrooms and added potatoes. Also, I could only find a boneless roast.)

The video that goes with this recipe was very helpful. I am now curious to try other recipes from Chef John.

Enjoy!

Weekend Highlights

10 Miler - Done!!

I am happy to report that I made it through the 10 mile run yesterday!! As I mentioned a while back, I am running my 1st half marathon in November and I've gradually been building up my mileage through the Memphis Road Race Series. Well, yesterday was the 10 miler in Shelby Forest which I was very scared about since 1) I've never run that far and 2) there are some crazy hills there! The weather was great and the scenery was pretty so it made for a good run. Here are some pics.

   

 

Steep switchbacks! Source

Later that day my mom and I went to the Vesta Home Show in Germantown. We got to walk through 5 houses that featured top of the line appliances, each furnished by a different furniture store. Here are the houses with some of the features and decor that I liked.

They all had these mudrooms with little cubby holes

Pool with hot tub - I want!

Tornado shelter in the garage

Loved the wallpaper

Great decor from Chestnut Hall

Closet

Love wallpaper and decor - Chestnut Hall

Fire pit

Outdoor spaces were done to the max! These screens roll down for an instant screened in porch!

Party house

Friday night after the monsoon came through, I met some friends at Bari in Midtown. I can't believe it was my first time there because it was delish! It reminded me of the Italian restaurants in Italy. We will definitely be back!

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Last, since it is officially starting to feel like Fall in Memphis, I have been treating myself to Chai Tea with pumpkin spice (with skim milk of course!) from Starbucks on the weekends. Also, I made some pumpkin bread!

  

Weekend Highlights

We didn't do too much over the weekend as we have a BIG anniversary trip on the horizon - ITALY!!! I can't wait! So, we are trying to save up as much as possible so we can take fully advantage of all the fabulous shopping and food abroad.

We did however try a new restaurant in East Memphis called Hog & Hominy. It offers some unique pork dishes as well as a cool atmosphere. Between us and our friends, we sampled a variety of different dishes and sides. I even tried a bite of some pig tails!! The meatballs, polenta and Margaretta pizza were my favorites from what I sampled. The sauces there are great and I would definitely recommend this place.

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Plus, they had one of my favorite beers! Lazy Magnolia Southern Pecan! And yes, it is really made with whole roasted pecans (first beer in the world to do this per their knowledge). It has a nice nutty flavor and I strongly recommend it if you haven't tried it yet!

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While out on Saturday, I spotted this really cute outfit at J. Crew. I love the unexpected mixture of colors and the combo of the fun sweater with the conservative button down and skirt. I just need it to go on sale now!

Last, I completed my 3rd week of 1//2 Marathon training with a 5 mile run on Sunday. This race was hosted by the Memphis Road Race Series. The weather was awesome - in the 60's! That's me on the far left nearing the finish line.

 

Time: 43:36/Avg Pace 8:43

Hope you are having a great week!

Friday Favs

It's finally Friday!! This has been a busy week! I've been on a hiatus but I do have exciting news to report: I signed up for my first 1/2 Marathon this week!! I am actually in my 3rd week of training and will be participating in a road race series which gradually works up to a 1/2 marathon in early November. The series hosts two runs per month. So, this month is 5 mile races, September is 10Ks, October is 10 milers and November is the big 13.1!

Needless to say, I'm loving this quote on my calendar and will likely be reminding myself of this as I increase my mileage.

I am also loving my new running shoes! New gear is a good motivator for me:) I love colorful shoes!

Also, I am enjoying this new olive oil dispenser which I purchased at the farmers market.

It's a neat concept - Re-Hy takes post-consumer bottles from restaurants and engraves them with pretty designs after a 3-part sanitizing process.You can even get your initials on the bottle.

Have a great weekend!

Friday Favs

Happy Friday! These are my favs this week:

1) Summer hang outs on our back porch

2) My new blue dress - great deal from Francescia's Collection

3) Butter, Sugar and Cream Cupcakes

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I helped with a baby shower this week at work and I ordered these cute rosette cupcakes from Butter, Sugar and Cream. Not only are they delicous, but all proceeds go to charity! The business is run by a mom and her 6 daughters out of their house and I work with the dad. If you are in the Memphis area, I would strongly recommend. Check out their other impressive treats here.

TGIF!!!

Weekend Highlights

I caught an antelope!!

Haven't exactly figured out where I'm going to hang it, but I've been wanting one of these for a while. Trying to decide if I should group it with other items or keep it separate. I got it from Posh, a cute new gift/furniture/florist shop in Midtown.

Other than that, I mainly hung out with friends and hit the pool! I finally went to the Levitt Shell on Friday night and listened to a jazz band from New Orleans. The Levitt Shell offers FREE concerts in the summer and is a great way to spend the evening. My friend Lauren called me on my way home from work wanting to go on a "quick bike ride." After a stressful day at the office, it sounded great. Well, we rode to Overton Park and then decided we should stick around for the show. Josh brought a blanket and we sipped on wine as we enjoyed the sounds of Louisiana.

Saturday I got my Farmers Market flower fix and bought some purple bell peppers! Never knew they existed but they were good in the chicken kabobs that we grilled out!

Recipe to come!

Sunday, I found a china cabinet that I'm seriously considering buying!! I love it because it's so different. What do you think?

Hope you're having a good week!