Slow Cooker Broccoli Beef

Most Chinese foods are prepared with lots of oil, especially stir fry dishes. But not this time. I promise you, if you like Chinese take-out, this is the real deal! And much healthier!

Meet Broccoli Beef via slow cooker:

Recipe adapted from Mother Thyme

2 pounds sirloin steak, sliced thin and fat trimmed
1 cup beef broth
1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce
1/4 cup oyster sauce
2 Tablespoons light brown sugar
2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
Fresh ginger minced (half a stalk)
1/4 cup water
2 Tablespoons corn starch
broccoli florets (I used one bag from Trader Joe's - and next time I'm adding half bag more)
Steamed rice

Thinly slice sirloin steak. If you pop it in the freezer for 20 minutes it will be easier to slice into thin pieces. Combine broth, soy sauce, oyster sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger in a bowl. Whisk until well combined. Pour over steak. Let marinate for 20 minutes. Trasnfer to slow cooker and cook on low for 4-5 hours. During the last hour, dissolve cornstarch in the water and add to slow cooker along with the broccoli florets. Serve with rice and chopsticks. Serves 4.

This recipe is so easy. You can easily add different veggies like bell peppers and mushrooms. Just make sure to add them in the last hour so they don't become too soft.

Sophia's First Jogathon

Sophia had her first of many Jogathons last Friday. The collecting of sponsors prior to Jogathon was a little confusing at first (Sophia thought she was going to keep the money), but when we explained the money she raised would help her school keep extra classes, like art, she was ready to run her little heart out!

Day before the Jogathon, sporting her tee shirt.
An upper grade student won the contest for the honors
of having his work on our tee shirts.
How cool!

A BIG THANK YOU to Dr.'s Hall & Bienstock 

for being a sponsor!

A little jumping jack warm-up

 Oh my . . .

She looks so mature!

 And they're off!

 Much needed water break

 Perfect form :)

 So determined. I think she looks like

David in this picture.

30 minutes of running = 36 laps!

First place in her class, first place out of all the kindergarten girls, 

and second overall kindergartener (there was a boy who beat her by 3 laps).

Sophia, we are so PROUD of you! Think you might have found your sport!

Scenes from April

I try to blog as current as I can. But sometimes the days and weeks roll right into each other and I fall behind. So here is a little picture storytelling (aka photo dump) of April:

The cutest Frozen party for Kalista's gal pal, Gianna.

The best tablescape ever!

 We celebrated Daddy, but forgot to take pics :(

But did manage to take a shot of this birthday pie!

Oreo crust, chocolate chip, rocky road, and salted caramel.

Easter and a rare family photo:

Post egg hunt fun with friends.

And the best photo of the month is this selfie . . . 

after I got CARDED at Trader Joe's.

TEA-cher Appreciation

Kalista and I were out the other day and I saw these cute mugs at Anthropologie:

These monogrammed beauties were the perfect discovery to help show 

our appreciation for the wonderful TEA-chers in our lives.

Starting to make sense?

So cute, right?

So don't forget . . . May 6th! 

Let the teachers in your life and/or your children's lives know how much you appreciate all they do!

Thursday Things

We desperately need some rain, but spring has decided to trump that idea. And the last few days have actually felt like summer. I know the grass is always greener, but a dry Santa Barbara is never good.

I hate saying adieu to my cozy sweaters but looks like it's time for a switch. 

Bring on the brights!

And don't forget the flip flops. Gotta get rid of my hideous tan lines from running and tennis!

Feeling pretty lucky when this view is minutes away:

 Warm weather goodness:

Cooler evenings are still welcomed. 

I guess it's the best of both worlds!