Super Easy, "Healthier" Crockpot Apple Butter: A Fall Favorite!

A few weeks ago, the girls and I visited a local apple orchard to pick apples. We had been reading books about apples and looking at the apple's different parts, so I thought a nice conclusion to our little unit study would be a visit to a place where apples come from (and no, not the grocery store!).

 

We spent about an hour walking among rows and rows of apple trees. We were only allowed to pick from the Red Delicious trees, but there were more than enough apples for our bags to hold. The trees were so low that even my two-year-old could pick them herself although she preferred the ones on the ground.

The owner of the orchard instructed us in proper apple picking etiquette. Just so you know, you hold the branch down with one hand, grab the apple in the other, and twist the apple stem from the branch.

We ended up with a LOT of apples!

 

Unfortunately, none of us like Red Delicious apples; they’re just too mealy in my opinion. Since neither of the girls likes applesauce and I don’t like to waste food, I made apple butter. The weather has been slowly getting cooler, and apple butter is one of my favorite fall foods.

I have made apple butter a few times before using the crockpot, but I couldn’t find my easy-peasy recipe. Not to worry, though, my mom, the super chef, had just made a batch of apple butter using “healthier” ingredients AND the crockpot.

Here’s my mom's delicious, super easy, "healthier," no-peel crockpot apple butter recipe:

Crockpot Apple Butter

14 cups apples, cored & chopped (peel on)

1 ½ cups maple syrup

1 ½ cups brown sugar

1 cup raw sugar (turbinado)

2 T cinnamon

Process apples in the food processor until almost applesauce texture. Pour into a very large bowl. Mix in remaining ingredients; combine thoroughly.

Apple mixture prior to cooking

Pour mixture into crockpot set on highest setting. Let boil. Add water as needed. If cooking overnight, turn crockpot down to lowest setting. When apple butter has cooked down, you can use a hand-held blender for a smoother texture or leave as is. Can apple butter using a hot water bath. {For more information about hot water baths, click here.}

I cooked my apples for 4-5 hours on high. Then, before I went to bed, I turned the crockpot down to the lowest setting and let it cook all night and even on until after lunch the next day. The hardest part was coring and cutting up the apples.

We ate fresh, piping hot apple butter on homemade biscuits that morning. Delicious! You can’t get any more “fall” than homemade apple butter.

Thanks, Mom, for the great recipe!

Do you have a favorite fall recipe?

Keri

 

For comments or questions, contact me at: growinginhisglory@gmail.com

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This post may be linked to: The Better Mom Mondays, Monday Mom Musings, Raising Arrows Welcome Home, Teach Me Tuesdays, Domestically Divine Tuesdays, Time-Warp Wife Titus 2Days, Encourage One Another, Top 10 Tuesdays, Loving Our Children Tuesdays, Women Living Well Wednesdays, Raising Homemakers Wednesdays, Works for Me Wednesdays, Beautiful Thursdays, Hearts 4 Home, Faithfully Parenting Fridays

What We Think, Therefore, We Are

Photo Credit: Loren Sztajer

 

I'm a runner.

To type those three words sets me on edge. Why? Because less than three months ago, I was not a runner. I was a couch potato.

You may think me bold to declare myself a runner now after only 9 weeks. Especially since what I do right now can hardly be called "running"--it's more like jog-walking. And especially since yesterday's 2 mile run nearly killed me.

But I'm taking Jeff Goins' advice any way and calling myself a runner.

Why?

So I will act one.

That is, so I will...

• Take my running seriously and stay committed even on days when the desire to move isn't there.

• Pay closer attention to my diet--eating more proteins and complex carbs and fewer sweets.

• Factor running in as a recurring activity on my weekly calendar and not just an "if-I-have-time-for-it" afterthought.

• Drink more water throughout the day to keep hydrated, which is especially important for nursing.

• Feel a sense of confidence in myself that I haven't had in a long time.

Calling myself a runner means not only do I act like a runner, but I also think like one. I am adopting new habits that encourage a healthier lifestyle, and I feel happier and more energetic than I have in a long time.

What about you?

Are you afraid to identify yourself by a title for fear that you aren't quite there yet? 

Maybe you aspire to be an artist, a writer, a gentle mother, or even a Christian but don't think you quite live up to the standards others have set for those titles.

Let me encourage you to bravely step out in faith and declare your title for the world to hear {or read}. You WILL begin to act and think like one if you truly believe that you are one.


What title have you shirked from because you don't feel you measure up?


Praying God's blessings on you as you grow in His glory,
Keri Tidwell, Runner

Linking to: The Better Mom, Time-Warp Wife, Growing Home, Women Living Well, Raising Homemakers

August Book Reviews, Twitter-Style

When I mentioned recently that I would be sharing reviews of some of the books I read in August, I knew that a modified version of the "Twitter Style Book Review," that is in 140 characters or less, was the way for me to go. My inspiration came from one of my new favorite bloggers, Anne from Modern Mrs. Darcy. Two of the books on my August reading list actually came from Anne's book review. 

If you are interested in writing  your own Twitter-style book reviews, check out this helpful character counter. 


August Book Reviews

Grace for the Good Girl: Letting Go of the Try-Hard Life by Emily P. Freeman

  A deep & thought-provoking book that demands re-reading, Freeman challenges women to stop hiding behind masks and truly accept God's grace.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing & Life by Anne Lamott

 Witty & chock full of useful writing tips, this classic is a must-read for writers who want to improve their craft. Some profanity. 

Rating: 4 out of 5

Growing Grateful Kids: Teaching Them to Appreciate an Extraordinary God in Ordinary Places by Susie Larson

 Full of Biblical wisdom & personal anecdotes plus practical ideas for instilling gratitude in ourselves & kids. Get out the highlighter! 

 

Rating: 5 out of 5

 

Rules of Civility: A Novel by Amor Towles

 Set in 1930s NYC with characters who take different paths to climb the social ladder. Beautifully written. Think F. Scott Fitzgerald.

 Rating: 5 out of 5

A Homemade Life: Stories & Recipes from My Kitchen Table by Molly Wizenberg

 Wizenberg will be your new best friend after reading her witty yet very personal memoir. Her recipes are just as amazing as her story.

 Rating: 5 out of 5

The Resolution for Women by Priscilla Shirer

 Great for personal use or group discussion, this book made me want to improve on every aspect of my life as wife, mother, & child of God.

 Rating: 4.5 out of 5

You Are A Writer (So Start Acting Like One) by Jeff Goins 

 

  Goins gives writers a serious pep talk on why we need to start calling ourselves writers. Excellent & highly informative--take notes!

Rating: 5 out of 5

Have YOU read any good books lately? 

 Keri

Other related links:

Organized Simplicity: Book Review 

The Hunger Games: Book Review

Why God Won't Go Away: Book Review

 

For comments or questions, contact me at: growinginhisglory@gmail.com

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This post may be linked to: The Better Mom Mondays, Monday Mom Musings, Raising Arrows Welcome Home, Teach Me Tuesdays, Domestically Divine Tuesdays, Time-Warp Wife Titus 2Days, Encourage One Another, Top 10 Tuesdays, Loving Our Children Tuesdays, Women Living Well Wednesdays, Raising Homemakers Wednesdays, Works for Me Wednesdays, Raising Mighty Arrows Proverbs 31 Thursdays, Beautiful Thursdays, Hearts 4 Home, Faithfully Parenting Fridays

August Goals Update + New Goals for September {Plus My Reading List}

July & August Goals

At the end of July I set three personal goals:

• Start Couch to 5K
• Read for 1 hour every day.
• Write for 30-45 minutes daily.

During the month of August, I continued with those same goals and added a fourth:

•  Give my undivided attention to each child for 10 minutes every day 

Here's how I've done thus far:

• I am finishing Week 8 of Couch to 5K and have averaged about 2.4 miles during the last three days of running. I am not at the 5K (3.1 miles) mark yet in terms of distance, but hopefully within the next two to three weeks I will be. 

• Most days I have done a fair job of reading for one hour. In August, I read the following books {reviews of my favorites to come!}:

• Grace for the Good Girl: Letting Go of the Try-Hard Life by Emily P. Freeman

• Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott

• Growing Grateful Kids: Teaching Them to Appreciate an Extraordinary God in Ordinary Places by Susie Larson

• Rules of Civility: A Novel by Amor Towles

• A Homemade Life: Stories & Recipes from My Kitchen Table by Molly Wizenburg

• The Resolution for Women by Priscilla Shirer
  

• You are a Writer (So Start Acting Like One) by Jeff Goins

• As for writing, aside from taking notes from some of the aforementioned books and a few blog posts, I don't feel like I adequately met my goal of 30-45 minutes per day. I really need to work on time management because when I'm engrossed in a book, I tend to read during any free moments and completely neglect my writing.

• Ten minute one-on-one time with the kids each day worked out pretty well this month. Between early morning wake-ups and different nap times, I had a chance to spend a few quality minutes chatting or playing with all three girls by themselves, and I must admit we all have benefited. There's just something special about having Mommy's undivided attention that makes my little girls' faces light up and mine too!

September Goals  

1.) I plan to finish the Couch to 5K program. My goal is to run the entire 5K in 30 minutes. 
 
2.) I intend to continue reading for an hour daily. On my reading list for September are the following:  

• Beyond Bath Time: Embracing Motherhood as a Sacred Role by Erin Davis

• A Million Miles in a Thousand Years: How I Learned to Live a Better Story by Donald Miller

• Your People Shall Be My People: How Israel, the Jews, & the Christian Church Will Come Together in the Last Days by Don Finto

• Homeschooling the Early Years by Linda Dobson

• In Spite of Thunder: A Dr. Fell Detective Novel by John Dickson Carr

3.) I plan to set aside 30 minutes every day--whether during nap time or after the kids go to bed--just for writing. I will have to be strict on myself if I hope to accomplish this goal. However, I know that the only way to become a more adept writer is to write!
 
4.) I will continue spending at least 10 minutes with each child per day and aim for a little longer if possible. 


A new goal for September:

*To write at least one card per week to someone in need. I used to do a fairly good job of sending notes to people who were sick, bereaving, or in need of encouragement, but after having kids, I totally let that area of service fall by the wayside. I personally appreciate receiving a thoughtful note in the mail and want to get back into the habit of encouraging others who may need a kind word sent their way. It's one act of service that I can do even with small children to take care of. 

{These are affiliate links.}


How did you do do with your goals in August, and do you have any personal goals for the month of September?

Other links of interest:
Personal Goals for July
July Goals Update

Blessings to you in this new month,

Keri

For comments or questions, contact me at: growinginhisglory@gmail.com

Find Growing in His Glory on Facebook.

I would love to see more of you!  If you are encouraged by what you read here and would like to have posts from Growing in His Glory delivered to your inbox daily, simply click here.  Or you can subscribe in a reader of your choice in the right sidebar.