6 Foods For Glowing Skin

Whether you're slathering them on your skin or including them in a fresh meal, these 6 foods will have lasting health benefits for your body.

Avocados

Eat em': These buttery fruits are leading the pack of superfoods. With their richness in antioxidants and essential fatty acids they will keep your skin supple and be great source of healthy fats. Spread on a sandwich or diced into a salad they are a delicious addition to many meals.

Wear em': Pureed avocado used as a face mask is said to increase collagen production and skin elasticity. They are also a great source of potassium, which is known as the "youth mineral".

Tea

Drink it: Tea has been an herbal remedy for thousands of years. More recently its antioxidant properties have been show to help with cancer, heart disease, and diabetes; encourage weight loss; lower cholesterol; and bring about mental alertness. 

Apply it: Wanna bring out the natural highlights in your hair? Brewed teas like Chamomile and black tea can be used to amp up your locks. Just saturate your hair with 8 ounces of cooled tea, place shower cap over head, wait 15-20 minutes and rinse.

Almonds

Eat em' or Drink em': Rich in vitamin E, calcium, phosphorous, iron and magnesium, they are the most nutrient dense of all the nuts. The tryptophan in them can aid in relaxation before bed and almond milk is a great alternative to cow's milk (my kids love it).

Apply it: To make an invigorating body scrub, grind 1/2 cup almonds in a food processor until fine, combine with 2 tablespoons organic virgin olive oil and mix into a paste. In the shower rub on any rough spots like your feet or elbows and rinse for super smooth skin.

Cocoa

Eat it: Cocoa is made by fermenting and drying the seeds of the cacoa tree. They have a high concentration of flavanols, plant compounds with antioxidant properties (more than tea and red wine) that help protect skin from sun damage and improve blood pressure for coronary artery disease patients.

Apply it:  The flavanols help protect the skin from damaging free radicals from the sun. Get all over protection by adding 1/8 cup unsweetened cocoa powder to your bath water. 

Yogurt

Eat it: Consuming this creamy goodness can actually help brighten your smile. The calcium and phosphorus strengthens tooth enamel and prevent cavities. Non-fat organic yogurts are also high in protein, which is essential for collagen production in your skin. Yogurt also contains lactobacteria, intestines-friendly bacterial cultures that foster a healthy colon, and even lower the risk of colon cancer.

Wear it: Yogurt contains lactic acid, an alpha hydroxy that's great for sloughing away dead skin cells and unclogging pores. A simple plain yogurt facial applied two or three times a week will leave you with soft, supple skin—and save you a load of cash on beauty products.

Strawberries

Eat em': These red berries pack a powerful punch! The have over 100% of the daily recommended dose of Vitamin C, which helps boost your immunity. Their anti-inflammatory properties can fight against many inflammatory disorders, such as osteoarthritis and asthma. Strawberries are also very high in fiber, which can help maintain regular digestion. Just make sure to buy organic as the non-organic ones are on the dirty dozen list.

Apply em': In addition to being a yummy snack when covered in chocolate they also help clear up acne and oiliness, make skin younger and smoother, whiten teeth, reduce under-eye puffiness, leave hair glossy and beautifully conditioned, and so much more!

What's your favorite "double duty" food?

Nourishing my skin in Granolaville,

If you want to GLOW during your pregnancy and beyond, check out my doula services over at Soulfueledmama.com

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5 Foods For Healthy Hair

My hair has been on my mind recently. Far more than I care to admit.

8 months ago I took the leap and cut off all the processed ends to reveal my curly, soft and natural texture.

Since then I've been doing everything in my power to maintain length and keep the overall health of my hair. I've had good days and bad, but I have to say this natural hair journey has really made me take stock in more than how long it is or the products I put in it.

I don't know about the men out there, but I know most women care A LOT about the quality, texture, and overall fabulousness of their hair. I might go as far as saying that I...I mean some of us, can be pretty vain about our tresses.

It's OK to admit, I won't tell.

A woman's hair can be her badge of beauty, or a sign that she is a hot-mess without a mirror or a best friend. For most of us keeping it from breaking, being dry, or unruly is our only concern.

On my journey towards living the most natural life I can muster, I've discovered that my hair was the one thing I had sorely overlooked. Being a crunchy Black girl I had to overcome some deep issues (mostly the fear of looking like some cotton-pickin' slave), but I'm on my way.

Summer 2012

Summer 2013

NE WAYSSSS...I've now been free of the creamy crack for months (praise Jesus!) and have learned what my hair doesn't like (dryness, too much manipulation, ugly hats) and traded them in for practices like deep conditioning egg treatments and drinking plenty of water.

I've removed all the harmful chemicals from my hair product arsenal---stripping it down to only the bare essentials, and  replacing the necessary stuff with all natural products like Jason's Biotin Shampoo & Conditioner.

But wait! It's not just about what you put ON your hair, it's also about what you put IN it.

Our hair is a living, breathing, part of our body that needs all the same vitamins and nutrients to thrive. So if you aren't eating right, then you aren't going to have the shiny, voluminous hair you deserve. 

So do yourself a favor and feed your hair from the inside out with these 5 hair strengthening foods.

Salmon

This fresh water friend packs a one-two punch of Omega-3 fatty acids and protein. Without essential fats your scalp becomes dry and your hair as dull as 10th grade Math ( do you really care what time the trains will get into the station?). Just be sure to get wild caught salmon to avoid the antibiotics and other nasty stuff that gets pumped into many farm raised fish.  If you fancy a vegetarian or vegan diet include one or two tablespoons of ground flax seed in your meals for some plant-based omega-3 fats.

Dark Green Vegetables

Turns out Popeye knew a thing or two (although it makes me wonder why he was bald if he was eating so much spinach). Dark green veggies like swiss chard, broccoli and kale are chocked full of Vitamins B & C. Both contribute to creating sebum, an oily substance secreted from your hair follicle that acts as a natural conditioner.

Beans

They're not just a musical fruit! Legumes like lentils and kidney beans are not only a great source of protein (which your hair is made from) but they also provide an ample amount of biotin, which can prevent our locks from feeling brittle. Just make sure you don't plan on any hot dates after ingesting these bad boys.

Nuts

I am a HUGE fan of almonds. We drink almond milk, roast them, put them in salads, or grab a handful as a snack. Turns out pecans, cashews, and almonds contain lots of zinc. If you have a zinc deficiency you might notice a large amount of shedding when you comb or brush your hair. So save your hair, and stuff you face with nuts!

Eggs

While I know this won't work for my vegetarian lovin crunchy friends, the rest of us could stand a few more eggs in our diet if we want to load up on hair strengthening protein, B-12, and biotin.

Got any food tips for growing strong healthy hair? Share your crunchy wisdom below!

 Washing, Rinsing, Repeating in Granolaville, 

8 Steps to Growing An Organic Garden

There's something about this time of year that always excites me. I don't know if it's the potential that seems to blossom in the Spring, or the green buds peeking through the ground. Whatever it is I get pumped when I can dig my hands in the dirt, and start planting!

Creating your own organic garden can be a fun weekend project that takes little more than some elbow grease and a plan. Whether you are looking to put in a large plot or want to start out small, organic gardening can be as easy as pie...maybe even sweet potato!

So what is an organic garden? Well, its one that's cultivated without the use of fertilizers or herbicides to promote the growth of fruits and vegetables. Instead sunlight, organic soil, seeds and water can turn your backyard, or apartment balcony into an organic haven. From Organic Gardening:

When you garden organically, you think of your plants as part of a whole system within nature that starts in the soil and includes the water supply, people, wildlife and even insects.

Step 1: Prepare the Soil
Gardening soil isn't just dirt. In order to ensure your plants get all they need to flourish, you must first start with a nutrient rich base. If you need help determining the quality of your soil you can have it tested by your local agricultural office. Be sure to tell them you are planting an organic garden so they can provide the best mix of ingredients to start you off. The best time to test is in the fall, whatever you add in will have time to enrich the soil over the winter, and make for a beautiful harvest.

Step 2: Compost
You'll need to make sure you have a good mixture of organic matter like leaves or grass clippings which can be acquired right from your backyard. Decayed plants, vegetable scrapes from your kitchen and egg shells can provide a good start to your composting bin. Mushroom dirt is also a rich addition to your soil by improving drainage of clay dirt and increasing microbial activity. Stay tuned for our upcoming article on Composting 101.

Step 3: Choose the Right Plants
Picking the right planets for your geographic climate is an important step in planning your garden. While grapes may run wild in the North West, you'll find they are much harder to develop in colder North Eastern states. Choose vegetation that is well suited for the amount of light, moisture, and soil quality your garden will receive. Look for seeds or plants from your local farmers market that were raised without chemical fertilizers, and if possible were not genetically modified. Real food = Real Health.

Step 4: Give Your Crops Space
Plants you are harvesting should be grouped together in raised beds that can protect them from foot traffic. Grouping also reduces weeding and water waste. But be aware of the amount of space each plant will need to avoid over crowding and casting too many shadows.

Step 5: Water, Water, Water...but not too much
The best time to water your garden is in the morning when it is still cool, this leads to less evaporation and water consumption. If you water at night the plants may stay too damp and cause fungus growth. Always water the roots to avoid damaging leaves and flowers. Experts recommend substantial infrequent watering---about 1 inch of water per week.

Step 6: Weeding
Probably the least fun step of gardening is getting rid of those pesky plants that steal nutrients, water and sunlight from you beautiful food. But, no matter how time consuming, weeding is a necessary step to promote the full growth of your garden. As you are on your knees just think of all the fresh air and Vitamin D you'll be getting!

Step 7: Protect Your Plants
Whether its deer, ground hogs, or caterpillars, nature’s creatures always seem to find a way to nibble on or even eviscerate lovely gardens. Besides fences, netting, and Marigolds to ward off larger animals, there are some chemical-free ways to keep crawling critters at bay. The Daily Green suggests:

Organic weapons include Bacillus thuringiensis, a naturally occurring bacteria that disrupts the digestion of caterpillars and other leaf-eaters. You can also use horticultural oils, insecticidal soaps and garlic and/or hot pepper sprays.

Step 8: Harvesting
You’ve tilled, planted, watered, and weeded, so now its time to reap the rewards! Your organic fresh fruits and veggies can make mealtime a fun event. Have your kids pick from the garden right before preparing dinner---they'll make the connection that real food can be delicious. Share your harvest by giving a gift basket to family or neighbors. If you have an overabundant crop you can always freeze or can any leftovers until its time for next years batch.

However it's used, your organic garden can be a healthy and delectable labor of love.

Have you started your garden yet? Share your tips in the comments section.

Happy Spring from Granolaville,

 

Help, My Husband is Out of Control!

Mint Chocolate Covered Oreo Blizzard.

That's what my husband would like to eat. Every day of his life.

Sounds kinda strange, being married to someone whose lifestyle choices aren't quite in alignment with yours.

I'm a coach. My job is to give women (mostly moms) the tools to set simple holistic lifestyle goals and achieve them.

But I'm starting to think I'm a fraud.

While I've been able to sway my children toward healthier eating habits, give perfect strangers advice on the best ways to use coconut oil, my husband remains in the world of craptastic foods.

How can I teach others to live better if I can't get my own husband to join in?

Here I am, trying my damnedest to make healthier, more natural choices for my family, and all my sweet husband wants to do is chow down on artery clogging burgers and sleeves of cookies.

This is especially ironic because HE’s the one who really prompted changing the way we eat.

He's the one that told me the dangers of aspartame and was PISSED about High Fructose Corn Syrup, way before it was all over the media.

He made us switch to real maple syrup (which I now love) and discovered the perfect balance of tastes and nutrition in Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Breeze Milk.

3 years ago he's the one who drove 30 miles to a farm so we could buy raw milk and grass-fed beef.

So how could a man so in-tune with proper nutrition practices, fall SO far off the wagon?

How could he eat things he KNOWS are unhealthy, toxic, or even downright dangerous?

"I hate that its poison. But it just tastes so good!" ~ Brian Walsh

And there you have it ladies, mystery solved!

It sucks, but I know Brian is like many of us, at one time or another. He wants so badly to fully embrace a life that make him feel better, inside and out. But the temptation to go the other way is so strong.

At some point we hit a wall. We realize we can't go another day feeling the way we feel. So we decide to make a change.

Unfortunately it takes more than just a decision. It takes dedicated action, each day.

As with many things in our life, my husband sometimes needs a gentle nudge (or swift kick in the ass, depending on the situation) to get him going.

But I can't monitor EVERYTHING he eats nor can I force him to exercise.

He has to WANT it.

I've tried a few techniques to urge him in the right direction, but honestly I'm running out of ideas, FAST!

I've tried being the example I wish to see. This means I can't beg him to pick up a caramel cookie dough brownie sundae from our favorite ice cream shop. (What up Holy Cow!)

Yes, every once in a while we deserve to indulge, but on a day-to-day basis, meals should consist of protein, vitamins, minerals, healthy fats, and whole grains. 

Sometimes a cookie or two can get thrown in the mix, but you gotta be able to step away from the box before you lose count.

Sure, my husband won't make green juice or a healthy lunch on his own, but if he sees me eating this way, I think he'll be less likely to grab that unhealthy snack.

If you can't beat em, trick em! 

Do you know how many ways you can sneak milled flax seeds into other dishes? That was a trick question, because the answer is as many ways as you like!

I realized a long time ago the less my family knows about what's in the food I'm cooking the better.

When Brian’s curiosity peaks about particular ingredients I just include the ones he's MOST comfortable with.

The other night we had "Sloppy Joe's". Well, that's what I told him anyway.

See I knew if I said, "I made this amazing meal with ground turkey, ground beef, mushrooms, peppers and tomatoes on top of garlic seasoned whole wheat bread." I would've gotten a funny look.

Yup, Sloppy Joe's works just fine.

My fiercest enemy however is not the hubster. That honor goes to my angel-faced 7- year-old son.

Together, this dynamic duo stops for Mc Donalds' Shamrock Shakes and Apple Pies on their way home from hockey practice. 

They don't even try to hide the bags of evidence... amateurs. 

What's a crunchy mama to do?

How do you get your spouse to adopt healthier eating habits? Leave your comments below, cuz I really need help peeps!

Granolaville's Best of 2012

Wow! 2012 was a whirlwind. Filled with lots of people joining the Crunchy Revolution! We even survived the overly hyped Mayan Apocalypse. (sorry Mayans)

I look back at all the contributor posts and topics inspired by some of my favorite crunchy peeps and I'm so thankful I got to share all these tidbits with you.

I'll be sharing some BIG news via our next newsletter, so if you aren't a subscriber, get on it!

Sign Up For FREE Weekly Crunch

Just in case you didn't have a chance to peruse all the kick-ass recipes, fresh ideas, spiritual connections, or crunchy videos here's a look back at the Top 10 Crunchy Posts of 2012. 


The Perfect Avocado Grilled Cheese Sandwich

I didn't used to be a fan of avocado. Frankly any food that was green and mushy reminded me of baby poop. But when I started introducing solids, to my now 20 month old, avocado topped the list of non-allergenic foods that contained oodles of  healthy fats, with little taste to frighten his forming taste buds.

I figured if he could try something new, so could I. WOW...It was nothing like I imagined. It was smooth and had a buttery quality without the salt. From that day on I was putting avocado on EVERYTHING!...
Read More



9 Tips to Getting Better Sleep

My family and I are on this path to living a more natural and holistic life. We eat better, get moderate amounts of exercise, and try not to put anything in or on our bodies that will knock us off balance mentally, physically, or spiritually.

This morning my husband surprised me by coming home early from work. He said he wasn't feeling well and had gotten little sleep the night before....Read More

Fight the Cellulite, A Starter Guide to Clean Eating

I told my husband after the birth of my first son I refused to have a “Mommy Butt”. You know that flabby, saggy, flat area you see on women who have lost all muscle tone and definition in their once ample behind.

Having gained over 50 lbs (during two pregnancies) it was inevitable that my derriere would get out of place and start heading south...Read More



Do you Need Natural Living to be Easier Than a $10 Hooker?

So here's the deal my crunchy fabulous friends, I love you more than a fat kid loves cake...or in my case organic pumpkin cheesecake.

I also love giving you the BEST and SIMPLEST holistic and naturally living goodies on the inter-webs. The thing is, as with anyone on a journey, sometimes you need to stop right where you are, take a lay of the land and reassess where you want to go and how you want to get there...Read More


The Number One Form of Alternative Care

Chiropractic is the most popular form of alternative medicine, attracting an estimated 280 million visits annually and comprising the third largest profession in health care.  

Derived from Greek words meaning “done from hand,” chiropractic is based on the vital premise that the body has an innate intelligence, or inborn ability to heal.  This ability to heal is regulated through the nervous system, the master control system of the body.... Read More 

I Breast Feed & I Think the Time Magazine Cover Sucks

Finding Acceptance Can Set You Free

I hate being a stay at home mom. Actually, I used to hate it. Two years ago I wanted nothing more than to have the job of my dreams land in my lap (that fantasy usually included a fabulous suit, HUGE pay check, and commuting to NYC where I was appreciated for the amazing work I did).

Reality was quite different....Read More

9 Non-Edible Ways To Use Coconut

Over the last few months coconut oil has replaced all other oils in my pantry, aside from olive oil. When I began using it we had already become accustomed to coconut milk in lieu of cow's milk (though now we are strictly an almond milk family).  My dairy allergic son was even chowing down on coconut yogurt and ice cream. But I had no idea how many uses there were for coconut oil.... Read More

Top 5 Toxic Household Cleaners

You can research the internet until your fingers bleed trying to gather information on which products are safest, and which require a HAZMAT suit. Here's what I've learned: Never Trust Marketing.

Let's face it, companies spend millions, if not BILLIONS of dollars to convince you that THEIR product is the best. At a time when most people have become conscious of the "buzz" words like green, all natural, non-toxic and of course organic....Read More

Charting Your Cycle, How to Get Pregnant (or not) Naturally

Aunt Flo. Dot. My monthly friend or the beast from the East. Most women, from the time they hit puberty, are ruled by the cyclical nature of their bodies.

Some of us, for a time, are obsessed with avoiding pregnancy. Then all of a sudden we hit a certain age and ALL we can think about is making babies. But what do any of us really know about working with our bodies to plan a family?...Read More



Have a Happy & Healthy New Year From Granolaville,

Fresh Idea Friday: 5 Surprisingly Delicious Pinterest Recipes

I've been trying to expand my food vocabulary. A few years ago if it didn't come in a box with a name brand logo on it I didn't cook it.

I've definitely opened my eyes to the beautiful rainbow of tastes, colors, textures, and smells that real food has to offer. It can be scary trying new things, but think about the deliciousness (in food and life) you may be missing out on by saying, "I'll pass."

So as I sit here and snack on my organic almonds and dried cranberries let me share with you some daring food finds from Pinterest.

They all have a fresh twist on your favorite meals. Take a peek they just might rock your taste buds!

Roasted Veggie and Black Bean Burrito

Kale Chips with Miso Dipping Sauce

 Creamy Avocado Pasta

 

5 Spice Turkey & Lettuce Wraps

Apple Cheddar Grilled Cheese

If you like these recipes and want to see more, follow Granolaville on Pinterest! Have a happy and healthy Friday! 

What are your favorite meals that put a new twist on a old dish?

Happily Chewing in Granolaville, 

   

Taste it Tuesday: Gluten Free Apple Spice Cupcakes

In the immortal words of Eddie Murphy, "Your mama can cook her ass off!" is what my husband usually says to our boys as we sit down for dinner.

I'm not trying to toot my own horn, but I've gotten a WHOLE lot better at throwing down in the kitchen since the lame 3 meal repertoire I had going on 8 years ago.

One thing that has eluded me is the ability to bake. Don't get me wrong, I can follow directions, throw a pre-packaged dessert in a bowl and call it "baking". But no where in that description will you see the words, "from scratch"...EVER!

I once tried to make biscuits from a recipe I saw on the Food Network and I wound up with pancake looking cookies, with a texture closer to wet sand than fluffy biscuits.

Sad, sad, sad.

Gluten free baking poses a whole other set of challenges. But I can safely say I've gotten a lot better.

So tomorrow my 6 year old gets to share his favorite snack with his class, and guess what he picked? MY CUPCAKES!

That's right. He trusts me NOT to embarrass him with some awful tasting science experiment because the last time I made these bad-boys, he actually LOVED them, and so did the rest of my family.

Gluten Free Apple Spice Cupcakes

What You'll Need:

Cupcakes: (I doubled this recipe because I had to make 21 cupcakes)

1 package of Bob's Red Mill Vanilla Cake mix 

1/2 coconut oil

1/2 water

4 tablespoons chunky applesauce (I substituted this for the 3 eggs)

Bake according to the packaging.

Icing:

1 cup butter

3 tablespoons heavy cream

3 cups confectioners' sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)

I will admit I still need to work on my decorating technique. I was originally going for a Halloween pumpkin theme, kinda like this...

Except my test cupcakes looked more like this train wreck:

Yes these were my actual cupcakes.

So I decided to know my limits and keep it simple...and VOILA! A Halloween-esque cupcake fit for publicly serving.

These are so soft and delicious, with just a hint of apple goodness, I promise your kids will LOVE them too!

So what are you the WORST at cooking? Share your epic fails below! :-)

Improving my Skillz in Granolaville, 

Taste it Tuesday: 10 Ways Cinnamon Can Improve Your Health

Cinnamon. To me it describes Fall, holidays, and warm apple cider. It's one of those spices that's so versatile with both a sweet and savory flavor. I even add it to my homemade chili!

If you were already convinced of all the yummy reasons to use this ancient spice check out these 10 ways cinnamon can actually improve your health.

1. It regulates blood sugar which is great for diabetics or those who are hypoglycemic.

2. It reduces levels of the "bad" cholesterol known as LDL which can help prevent cardiovascular disease.

3. It has anti-infectious qualities that have been shown to diminish ulcer causing bacteria.

4. It can reduce pain associated with arthritis.

5. Research at the University of Texas, published in the journal Nutrition and Cancer, shows that cinnamon may reduce the proliferation of cancer cells, holding promise for cancer prevention and sufferers of the disease.

6. It is a natural food preservative.

7. It contains essential nutrients including fiber, manganese, calcium and iron.

8. It can relieve menstrual cramps. (Hooray!)

9. It contains a natural chemical called cinnamaldehyde, which has been shown to increase the hormone progesterone for infertility patients.

10. Cinnamon holds promise for various neurodegenerative diseases, including: Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, brain tumor, and meningitis, according to research at the Cytokine Research Laboratory, Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas. 

Do you have any home remedies or medicinal uses for cinnamon? Share them below!

Spicing things up in Granolaville,

 

Taste it Tuesday: Slow Cooked Hawaiian Pulled Pork Sliders

I have crunchy confession. I'm a procrastinator when in comes to dinner. I'd like my family to eat around 6pm each night. Unfortunately I often don't think about what I'm going to make until around 5.

An hour might seem like a long time, but between homework, diaper changes, and my 13-year-old's cross country meets, dinner needs to be quick and easy. More importantly I try my best not to feed my family anything that comes out a box (God knows my life was simpler when I had no clue about the toxic stuff in boxed macaroni and cheese.)

Some days, once I've cleaned up breakfast, made the kids lunches and gotten them out the door my mind actually does think ahead to what the heck I'll make for dinner.

My partner in crime when making planned meals has to be my trusty crock pot. Although I have had some epic snafus (yes I messed up chicken noodle soup, now THAT takes talent!) I've also had some of my biggest winners come from the slow cooker.

Tonight my son has a meet and I'm going to check on my doula client who just had twins (yea she's basically my hero), so setting and forgetting dinner is what I need to do so that we aren't stopping for some greasy fast food on the way home.

This recipe is SUPER easy and quick---as long as you allow 6 hours to cook :-)

Slow Cooked Hawaiian Pulled Pork Sliders

Ingredients

Pork Roast:

• 1/2 Teriyaki marinade
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
• 3 1/2 pounds pork shoulder
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1 cup chili sauce
• 1 (6-ounce) can pineapple juice
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 8 hamburger rolls

Hawaiian Sauce:

• 2 tablespoon coconut oil
• 1 tablespoon ginger, chopped
• 2 teaspoons garlic, chopped

In a medium pot heat the oil over medium heat. Add garlic and ginger and saute until soft, about 2 minutes. Add the remaining pineapple juice mixture, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.

Steps:

In small bowl, combine teriyaki marinade, paprika and pepper.

Coat the pork the with mixture. Set aside.

In a bowl whisk together the chicken broth, brown sugar, soy sauce, chili sauce and pineapple juice. Set aside.

Put the chopped onions and carrots in a 5-quart slow cooker. Place the pork on top of the carrots and onions and pour half of the pineapple juice mixture over pork.

Cover and cook on low for 5 to 6 hours. The meat should fall apart easily. Remove the roast from the slow cooker to a cutting board. Using 2 forks carefully pull the meat into shreds. Serve the pork on rolls drizzled with the Hawaiian sauce or on the side for dipping.

ENJOY!

What's your favorite recipe for busy days?

Crock Pot Cooking in Granolaville,