4 Ingredient EASY Crockpot Ribs

4 Ingredient EASY Crockpot Ribs

Y’all these are my favorite way to have ribs! They are always so tender and juicy. This recipe is SO EASY and ONLY 4 INGREDIENTS!!!

 

Ingredients:

  • 1 Rack Pork Ribs
  • 1 bottle Barbeque Sauce
  • About 6 ounces of Coca-Cola
  • Dry Rub Seasoning

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Directions:

  1. Cover both sides of ribs with dry rub seasoning and place in the crockpot. (Cut in 1/2 if needed.)
  2. Combine BBQ Sauce and Coke in a bowl and mix well. Pour about 3/4 of the mixture over the ribs.
  3. Cook on HIGH for about 4 hours or LOW for about 8 hours.
  4. Once ribs are finished, pour remaining sauce mixture on top.

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That’s it! It’s that easy! Serve with mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, corn or sides of your choice!

 

Enjoy!

When & How to Accessorize

When & How to Accessorize

Accessories are KEY to a good outfit! Hats, jewelry, headbands, scarfs….you name it, I love it! Sometimes knowing if or when you should add accessories to an outfit is tricky. It’s tough to know if you’re going overboard or if you’re not stepping out of your comfort zone enough. I’m sharing with y’all how I decide what accessories to add to my outfits and when!

When to Accessorize

If you have an outfit that is pretty boring, the best way to spice it up is to add accessories. Don’t get me wrong, I like this midi dress BUT the thing that makes me LOVE it is the countless ways you can accessorize it!

I love adding a belt to dresses that are a flowy fit. Not only does it add a statement piece, but it clinches the fabric to add a more flattering look. If you know me, you know that my FAVORITE accessory is hats. I think sometimes a hat is so bold that we feel almost embarrassed to wear them. My momma always taught me to be a leader and not a follower. THIS STANDS WITH FASHION TOO, LADIES! Don’t be scared or embarrassed. If you like the outfit, wear it! BE YOU!! BE BOLD!!

With this outfit, I wanted to add two statement pieces: the belt and the hat. With that being said, I went with a thin gold hoop earring and sneakers to give the outfit a little more casual, relaxed and street style look.

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When to Keep it Simple

If your outfit has a lot going on, keep the accessories simple. If my outfit is plain, my go-to accessory is a statement pair of earrings. I’m someone who always wears some sort of jewerly. However, my outfit will determine how bold I go. Sometimes, the more simple you go, the better. 

I LOVE this dress and am OBSESSED with the ruffled detailing, flowy sleeves and smocked top. However, this is the perfect dress to go easy on the accessories. You don’t want to add a statement accessory like a hat or big pair of earrings. I had statement earrings that matched this dress perfectly. When I put them on, I knew instantly it was too tacky. It also took away from the dress which you don’t want to do.

I decided to go with a simple 1″ lavender headband to match and my favorite Kate Spade pearl earrings for a more classy look.

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Don’t be afraid to add statement pieces to your outfits. Sometimes stepping out of your comfort zone is the best thing you can do. You may stand out. You may not look like everyone else or wear the same things everyone else wears. That is OK! That’s what makes you different. That’s what makes you YOU! Embrace your style and ROCK IT! You are beautiful in everyway!

-XOXO

S

You can shop both looks at www.liketoknow.it/sara.baker 

 

Crockpot Creamy Ranch Pork Chops & Garlic Parmesan Smashed Potatoes

Crockpot Creamy Ranch Pork Chops & Garlic Parmesan Smashed Potatoes

Anyone who knows me knows I like EASY and CONVENIENT when it comes to dinner! My crockpot is one of my favorite kitchen tools and gets SOOOO much use! This is one of my favorite crockpot recipes! I pair these Crockpot Creamy Ranch Pork Chops with Garlic Parmesan Smashed Pototoes. I love using the creamy mixture from the pork chops over my potatoes like gravy! However, you could easily pair any side you’d like with these. If you try it, please let me know what you think!

Ingredients:

For Crockpot Creamy Ranch Pork Chops

  • 4 pork chops
  • 1 packet of dry ranch seasoning
  • 1 can of cream of chicken soup
  • Salt, pepper & garlic powder to taste

For Garlic Parmesan Smashed Potatoes

  • 6-8 medium size potatoes
  • 5 tablespoons of butter
  • 3/4 cup fresh parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoon of minced garlic
  • 3/4 cup of warm milk
  • Salt & pepper to taste

 

Directions:

For Creamy Ranch Pork Chops:

  1. Place pork chops in crockpot
  2. Add salt, pepper & garlic powder to taste AND add 1/2 of the ranch packet
  3. Add the cream of chicken soup
  4. Add the other 1/2 of the ranch packet and additional salt, pepper & garlic powder
  5. Cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6 hours

 

For Garlic Parmesan Smashed Potatoes:

  1. Peel & cut the potatoes and place in a large pot of cold water
  2. Cook the potatoes until soft
  3. Drain & place back in the pot
  4. Add butter, milk, garlic, parmesan and salt & pepper to taste
  5. Smash the potatoes

To Serve:

  • Place desired amount of Garlic Parmesan Smashed Potatoes on plate & top with Creamy Ranch Pork Chops and gravy!

 

Enjoy!

Guacamole

Guacamole

I can’t lie to y’all…I have never been a fan of guacamole and am still not a fan of some. However, this recipe changes that. I LOVE this guac so much that I have to share my FAVORITE recipe with you all!

Ingredients: 

  • 2 large avocados
  • 1 jalapeño pepper
  • 1/6 of a red onion
  • 5 small tomatos
  • Juice from 2 limes
  • Pinch of cilantro
  • Salt & Pepper to taste (I like a lot!)

Directions: 

  1. Slice the avocados in half & remove the seed and skin.
  2. Mash the avocado to make as smooth or chunky as you’d like. (I use a hand chopper to start then move to mashing with a fork.) 
  3. Chop the jalapeño, onion and tomatos into very small pieces.
  4. Add all the ingredients together and stir.

Enjoy! 

Top 5 Amazon Items

Top 5 Amazon Items

There are SO many Amazon items that I use on a daily basis and absolutely love! Amazon is so convenient and literally has the biggest variety of products. If you’re an Amazon Prime member, you get free delivery on most items and have it at your doorstep before you know it. I’m sharing my top 5 favorite items from Amazon that I’m loving right now!

1. Ottoman Foot Rest Bench with Rolling Wheels

My favorite Amazon purchase thus far! I LOVE this button-tufted ottoman! The wheels make it so easy to move for cleaning. It was also super easy to put together which is a big plus!

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2. Roll-Up Dish Drying Rack

I hate clutter in my kitchen. This dish drying rack is perfect! It doesn’t take up extra space on the counters and is perfect for laying your dishes to air dry. You can roll it up or unroll it as much as you like. It’s also great for when you’re rinsing fresh fruits and vegetables. You can move it to the counter and use it to sit hot pots/pans on as well. I personally think this is a more sanitary option, as the water drips straight into the sink rather than collecting on a mat or the bottom of a traditional dish rack. I’ve used this for years and love it!

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3. Dyson Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner

Y’all, no one likes vacuuming, but this Dyson is a game changer! It’s super lightweight and you don’t have to deal with unplugging and plugging in the cord for every room. This is a HUGE plus in my opinion! I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to go back to a normal vacuum after using this one!

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4. Rubber Shoe Mat 

This mat has been a lifesaver! Living in a small apartment, everyone uses the main door so this has been great. It’s perfect for your shoes when you get home or for your visitors. It’s also super easy to clean and under $10!

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5. Yogalicious High Waist Leggings 

I’ve been wearing these leggings at least once every week! They are the closest leggings I’ve found to a Lululemon dupe and are ONLY a quarter of the price. I’m shorter, so I got them in the ankle length. They’re perfect for running, weight lifting and lounging around the house. I can’t say enough good things about these leggings!

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Please tag me and let me know if you try any of these items and how you like them! I’ve linked everything in this post. You can also shop all of the items at www.amazon.com/shop/sara.j.baker

Go-To Pink Smoothie

Go-To Pink Smoothie

I’ve always been someone who is looking for an easy and yummy way to get my protein in every day. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good kale smoothie with all the green goodness. However, today I’m sharing my go-to pink smoothie recipe! It’s less than 300 calories and around 20 grams of protein. This fruit smoothie is so refreshing and perfect for warmer weather!

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Ingredients: 

  • 1/2 of a Dragon Fruit Organic Smoothie Packet (I put the other 1/2 in a ziplock bag and save it for the next day)
  • 2 Scoops Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides Powder (This protein powder is great for skin, hair, nails and joint support!)
  • 8 ounces of Organic Orange Mango Juice (Optional: substitute for any juice that is your favorite.)
  • 2 Whole Frozen Strawberries
  • 1/4 cup Frozen Pineapple Chunks
  • 1/4 cup Frozen Mango Chunks

Directions:

  1. Place ingredients into blender (I use a Ninja) and blend for about 10-15 seconds.
  2. Add ice and blend for about 30 more seconds.

Enjoy!

 

 

If you guys try this recipe, let me know how you like it!
I linked my Ninja blender and the protein powder below!

amazon.com/shop/sara.j.baker

Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

Can you really be from the South and not love comfort food? One of my favorite things to make in the Winter on a cold, deary day is a big pot of hot soup. Yes, it’s always easier to grab a can at the store and just warm it up. But does it really taste better? Is it better for you? Absolutely not. This homemade chicken noodle soup is so easy to make and so delicious!

Ingredients:

Directions:

  1. Cook chicken breast for approximately 30 minutes or until done. (I added 8 ounces of chicken broth, salt, pepper and garlic powder to the water to give the chicken some more flavor.)
  2. While the chicken is cooking, chop up the celery and carrots into very small pieces
  3. Bring another pot of water and remainder of chicken broth to a boil
  4. Add egg noddles
  5. Add both cans of cream of chicken soup (I try to avoid getting those small processed pieces of chicken in there.) Whisk to avoid any clumping.
  6. Once chicken is done cooking, take it out and shread into small pieces
  7. Add shreadded chicken, celery and carrots to soup mixture.
  8. If you need more liquid, you can add the broth your chicken cooked in for some more flavor
  9. Add salt and pepper to taste
  10. Boil for 5 minutes after all ingredients are in
  11. Serve and (optional) top with crackers

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You can shop some of the key ingredients at https://www.amazon.com/shop/sara.j.baker!

My Top 5 Hair Tips

My Top 5 Hair Tips

Hey y’all! Let’s be real, I’m not going to sit here and tell you things that are good for your hair and impossible to accomplish with a busy lifestyle.  Most of us put heat on our hair. Most of us don’t have 30 minutes to an hour a day to focus on our hair. So how do we keep our hair healthy?

Most of you know that my hair is naturally kinky curly, but I ALWAYS wear it straight or curled. Why? Well, I just like it better that way and believe it or not – it’s easier for me. But wearing it straight or curled means I’m having to put heat on my hair at least 5 out 7 days of the week. Oh, and my hair is BLONDE!! By no means am I an expert on hair or claim to be, but I’m going to share some tips that I use to help tame the frizz and keep my blond hair from looking completely burnt, broken, & destroyed.

 

1. ONLY WASH YOUR HAIR ONCE A WEEK

I made this #1 for a reason…I can’t stress this enough!!! You may think your hair is too oily to only wash it once a week, but believe me when I say that YOU CAN TRAIN YOUR HAIR. Everyone I know that washes their hair once a week had to it. It may take using dry shampoo a couple days a week (I’ve linked my favorite here). It may take wearing a hat. It may take starting out washing it twice a week instead of once. I promise you can do it and I highly recommend it! WHY? Only washing your hair once a week builds up natural oils. THIS IS KEY!! You get those natural oils by letting them build up and not stripping them from your hair every night when you shampoo it. Which makes it even more convenient that you don’t have to spend that extra time everyday washing your hair when it’s not needed. If you only choose one tip, I would tell you this is the most important in my option.

2. GIVE YOUR HAIR A BREAK FROM BLEACH 

For all my girls who are blondes, this is HUGE! I always try to add color to my hair every year, usually during the winter months. If you don’t give your hair a break from bleach, it will break off. I know this because MINE did! No matter how much you love being blonde, your hair will feel SO much healthier by adding some color to it. Oh, and yes I decided this winter to add a little more than normal and go for the balayage look, but you can add a little color underneath and within your blonde and often times not even notice! You don’t have to forever cut out the bleach forever, but I just recommend taking a small break from it every now and then.

3. LET YOUR HAIR AIR DRY 

I put heat on my hair to style it at least probably 5 out of 7 days a week. So the one time a week I do wash my hair, I always try to let it air dry. Let’s be real, life happens and you don’t always have 4-5 hours to let your hair air dry completely. BUT let it air dry as much as you can before grabbing the blow dryer.

4. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OILS 

Natural oils that your hair builds up are the best – HANDS DOWN! Take a couple of minutes every night and massage your scalp to get those oils circulating, honestly, this is probably the best tip for hair growth. If you have medium to long hair the natural oils aren’t going to make it all the way to the ends of your hair. I add OI Oil to the ends of my hair on a daily basis to help add shine and tame frizz! (I’ve linked it here).

5. BE CAUTIOUS OF HAIR TIES 

Your hair gets in your face. You get hot. I get it, sometimes you just need to put your hair in a ponytail. I’m the same way, but just be cautious of hair ties. I played sports in high school which required me to wear my hair in a ponytail a lot and I never gave it a break from bleach. Eventually, I started seeing my hair break off exactly where my hair tie would be. A circle on my hair of breakage. Use scrunchies or silk material hair ties. If you have to use a traditional, just be careful of how tight you wrap it. Scrunchies are my go to for a loose pony. (I’ve linked the kind I use here). 

Quinoa & Flaxseed Salad

Quinoa & Flaxseed Salad

The holiday season is finally here and I LOVE getting together with my family for all the tasty meals. I don’t know about you all, but I’m so excited for that turkey to come out of that oven that I can’t wait 5 more minutes without grabbing a taste of something. This is the perfect salad for a holiday appetizer OR even for a summer cookout!

After many different combinations, I finally found the perfect blend of harvest grain. In case you don’t know much about quinoa, it is super good for you! Compared to rice, it has fewer calories, WAYYY fewer carbs, and DOUBLE the protein! Oh, & adding the flaxseed will help make you feel full and helps with weight loss. Flaxseed is a good source of Omega-3 fatty acids AKA “the good fats” which also help with hair growth for those wondering. So to get to the point, it’s healthy and it’s yummy. Best of both worlds, right?

Ingredients:

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For salad:

  • 2 cups quinoa
  • 5 tablespoons flaxseed
  • 1/2 red onion
  • 1 red pepper
  • 1 English cucumber
  • Salt & Pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons red pepper flakes

For dressing:

  • 1 packet Italian salad dressing mix
  • 1/4 cup vinegar
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil

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Directions:

For salad:

  1. Prepare quinoa as directed on the package
  2. While cooking the quinoa, cut the red onion and red pepper into small pieces.
  3. Cut the cucumber in half and hollow out the seeds before cutting. This will help to not make the salad too watery.
  4. Add quinoa, flaxseed, red onion, red pepper, cucumber, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper to a bowl and mix well.
  5. Add dressing to the whole bowl if serving at one time. The full amount of dressing will make it SUPER moist. Add and stir and base how much you add off of your liking. If not serving all at one time, I recommend only adding a couple tablespoons per serving.

For dressing:

Mix water, vinegar, and the packet of Italian dressing and mix well. Add oil and mix until well blended.

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You can shop http://www.amazon.com/shop/sara.j.baker to find the key ingredients to this recipe: quinoa and flaxseed. 

Still Need Your Sunglasses

Still Need Your Sunglasses

Hey, y’all! It’s finally starting to get cold and looks like we have some snow in the upcoming forecast. For me, that’s one of the most crucial times to have your favorite pair of sunglasses handy. After the snow comes and the sun starts shining, it’s so bright and blinding. So even though it’s not summer doesn’t mean you don’t still need your sunnies!

These SunglassUP sunglasses could be the perfect stocking stuffer for Christmas! Fashionable, budget-friendly, and styles to go with every outfit. Both pairs of sunglasses are linked! Click the link and you will find both pairs under $14!

Two different styles to go with two different kinds of outfits. These are paired perfectly with any work, business, or professional outfit. Y’all these are ONLY $11 & linked at http://www.amazon.com/shop/sara.j.baker under accessories!

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I paired these sunglasses with casual jeans and a tee. These are great for any comfy or casual street style outfit. They are ONLY $13 & linked at http://www.amazon.com/shop/sara.j.baker under accessories!

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Click the link http://www.amazon.com/shop/sara.j.baker and find both pairs of sunglasses for under $14!