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Nicole

How to Save Money Buying Prescription Glasses Online

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There are so many positive traits I have been able to pass along to my children. A love of reading. A flair for French cooking. An ability to think calmly under pressure. Unfortunately, a keen sense of eyesight is not amongst them. From the moment a second-grade parent-teacher conference culminated with the suggestion that I was squinting to see the blackboard in class, I was destined to be a glasses-clad gal for life. 

My earliest experience with smart looking frames was dismal. For decades, glasses for children were classified under two camps: librarian or reporter in training. So under the direction of my grandmother, I was given a stunning pair of red, thick, plastic frames, set off by a dazzling pair of coke bottle lenses. I was the envy of every Sally Jessie Raphael wannabe of the elementary school sect. 

Fortunately, times have changed. Nowadays prescription glasses come in a myriad of hip, trendy, options for those of all ages. The only issue? The price hefty tag. Add to this the fact that going to an optometrist’s office, especially with a family or children in tow, can be well, inconvenient.

I mean, you have to schedule an appointment, take time off of work, drive across town, fill out forms, wait endlessly, and culminate your experience by having a brief rendezvous with the tonometer, or as I like to call it, my scientifically proven inability to keep my eyes open while small gusts of high-powered winds are blown over my eyeballs. And it is at this point, with your hard earned eye prescription in-hand, are you are finally able to purchase your next pair of overpriced glasses. 

Thankfully there are other options for purchasing your next pair of prescription glasses. Providing you have a valid eye prescription, you can opt to simply order glasses online, delivered right to your door and, best of all, for under half the cost of retail from the GlassesShop online.

 

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Launched in 2004, GlassesShop is an online optical store that provides fashionable eyewear at affordable pricing. Not only does this site offer prescription eyeglasses, glasses, and prescription sunglasses for the entire family, but GlassesShop offers their commitment to offering customers 100% prescription accuracy, a free scratch proof multi-hard coating, and unbeatable savings to the public.

 

 

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As I began to browse their selection, I immediately noticed that GlassesShop site makes it easy for customers to navigate and narrow down their collections within minutes. Whether shopping for plastic or metal, men’s, women’s or kid’s frames, what you need is only a click away.

 

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In full disclosure, I knew I would be keeping my eye out for a full rim, plastic, tortoiseshell frames that would add a little style and pop of color to my current fall capsule wardrobe, and I was jazzed to quickly find the Winchester, a frame that was stylish, simple, and perfect for fall! 

 

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1) Ordering glasses on the site is super simple. First, you can determine your frame dimensions by comparing your frame of choice to your current frames digitally. The mainframe of the site allows you to select your new frames, and then select the compare button, which will give you the option to view your new frames and fit on your face through a virtual try-on of your glasses.

2) For a more customized view, GlassesShop will also allow you to upload a photo of yourself, add your new frames to the image, and see how your newly selected frames will look on you. 

3) Once you’ve decided on your frame, you’ll be asked to supply your prescription information, place your order, and then just sit back until your new frames arrive!

 

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Not having seen my new frames in person, I had reservations as to the quality of the glasses I would receive. However, my frames arrived within one business week, and I found my frames to be identical to those that I have purchased previously in retail. 

 

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I also appreciated the thicker frames, longer lenses, and sturdy arms and hinges of my frames. Not only were my glasses trendy the frame sizing also helped to cover up the thickness of my lenses beautifully. This was a huge bonus in my book. 

 

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These glasses have definitely become my favorite new fall capsule wardrobe accessory!

 

 

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What can be better than this? The Winchester, currently priced at only $29.99, including the single vision lenses, anti-scratch coating, protective case, microfiber cleaning cloth, coupon offer for 30% off my next order, and shipping, is an excellent value considering that even with vision insurance, my last set of glasses cost well over $120.00!

 

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If you are still on the fence about the GlassesShop, consider this: this site offers their customers a chance to get their first pair of glasses completely free. And what savvy saver doesn’t love free? And this certainly ties in very well with this month’s so-Spend November theme!

Also, should you need additional sets of frames, glasses, or prescription sunglasses, GlassShop also currently has a special coupon code GSHOT50, which can save you 50% off on eyeglasses and sunglasses with free lenses (sale frames excluded). 

 

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If you’re looking for a complete pair of accurately prepared and crafted lenses and frames at low prices, with the convenience of shopping in your slippers, with stellar customer service that will go the extra mile to ensure you are completely satisfied with each and every order, then you owe it to yourself, and your wallet, to mosey on to the GlassesShop today.

So tell me, everyone, what style of glasses are you most interested in checking out from GlassesShop today for your own fall capsules and wardrobes? I’d love to hear about them below! 

Here’s to saving,

niki-name-design

 

Please note, I received my glasses, frames, and case as a review sample from GlassesShop.com in order to facilitate this review.  I was not compensated for this review and was based on my opinion of this site and their products.

 

 

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Follow Us This No Spend November

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Just in case you haven’t darkened the doors of the mall, patronized a retail store, turned on the radio, or browsed your inbox as of late, let me gently bring you up to speed- it’s nearly that time of year when everyone on Earth wants your hard earned money!

Even as a blogger, who admittedly make a partial living off of affiliate deals and sponsored posts, I still feel the stress of simply uttering the phrase, holiday. I mean just in case, others may not know, posting deals for others online can be stressful too!

My personal remedy? This month I’m giving myself the permission and grace to take a financial break by way of a  No-Spend November. 

While many folks are already planning their entry and exit plan strategies for Black Friday shopping chaos, I have decided to take a break from the traditional madness that November entails and take an intentional spending break.

And I feel I may not be alone. For most, the holiday season can be a killer for most people’s budgets. However, November is also the month that many people celebrate a holiday centered around appreciating what you already have. That makes November perfect for a spending freeze.

Why a holiday? Holiday season’s in years past have been a killer for most people’s budgets, mine included. Even years where I have been very careful with our family holiday budget things have always seemed to go awry. And where does the madness generally begin, you may ask? You guessed it, November.  

In my opinion, from overspending on Black Friday, to having to purchase the biggest gobbler of them all, far too much money is spent in November. November spending starts the spiraling of conspicuous consumption that leads many people to tons and tons of crazy, unnecessary credit card bills come the new year.

Luckily, there is a saving grace to this narrative. While November can be one of the most expensive months of the year, it is also the month that many people celebrate a holiday centered around appreciating what you already have. A time for gratitude. A period of rest and reflection. A season where minimal living is frankly, en vogue. Which is what makes November perfect for a spending freeze.

This No-Spend November, like with any personal budget challenge, is super simple in that you can design the rules for yourself, deciding what you want to accomplish during your personal spending hiatus. Want to wait until December to start shopping for gifts? That’s great. Maybe you want to simply ban all impulse Amazon purchases for the next few weeks in preparation for Cyber Monday. That’s totally doable too! Generally, any spending freeze will give you time to take to pen and paper and drastically narrow down which sales and “deals” will be truly worth your time, energy, and income. 

Of course, there’s nothing wrong with spending money during this time of the year. I am in no way trying to guilt others into shying away from purchasing awesome things for their friends and family. I am however suggesting that if you want to proactively protect your holiday budget at a time when it’s most vulnerable, scheduling a period of downtime while you create holiday spending ground rules for what you’ll actually be spending is key. 

Each day in November I will be posting ways to fine tune your holiday budgets, create affordable DIY projects, simple, natural spa products you can make at home, free date night ideas, ways to have a more minimal holiday at this season, and ways to better cultivate an attitude of gratitude at home. I’ll also be posting to my Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter feeds with additional tips, recipes, and resources as well, and if you are following along, I’d love for you to use the hashtag #nospendnovember16 so I see your posts and help encourage you on this month as well! 

So whether you are seeing this post on November 1st or later in the month, please note you can create a spending freeze at any time. It’s Never Too Late to Participate in “No Spend November.”

There’s always time to save a few extra dollars!

Here’s to November,

niki-name-design

Pura Vida Bracelets Review

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Hello again, savvy savers! Today I wanted to share with you one of my new favorite accessories, as part of my current Fall Capsule Wardrobe, my new Pura Vida Bracelets. Please note, we received the following bracelets were sent to us at no cost for review. Now, more about Pura Vida Bracelets.

 

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For those who may not be familiar with Pura Vida, it’s best to start with their mission statement (from they’re about us section):

Here at Pura Vida Bracelets we dream to do more. That was our inspiration behind the Charity Collection. This collection was created to give back to different causes all over the world. We are partnered with over 190 charities and have donated more than $935,358 to date. We are also a member of 1% for the Planet, meaning we donate 1% of our annual net revenue to environmental organizations worldwide. We’re constantly looking to expand our charity line and we try to support as many causes as possible.

These beautiful Costa Rican bracelets help to not only keep your capsules fashionable but help to fund charities that are meaningful to our everyday lives, such as the save the Sea Turtles fund. 

 

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Now, if you know anything about my blog, I always try to buy fair trade or portion-to-charity purchases first. I was impressed with Pura Vida’s mission statement and was proud to include their pieces in my cruelty-free capsule jewelry collection. 

 

Pura Vida Bracelets offers a wide selection online of individual bracelets and necklaces (which range in price from $5.00-$32.00 each piece), a bracelet-of-the-month club ($14.99/month cost) where you’ll receive 3 hand-picked bracelets (valued up to $50.00 value/month) from their current seasonal collections and their most popular styles to date, offer a selection of swimwear, clothing, and accessories (varied but affordable in price). Pura Vida also has available

Pura Vida also has available opportunities for boutiques and private, and even charity fundraisers, to sell their products by way of brick-and-mortar storefronts and pop-up boutiques.

 

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Currently, Pura Vida ships out orders to the continental United States within 24 hours of orders being placed. For bracelet-of-the-month orders, your card of choice will be charged $14.95+tax around the 10th of each month, and your package will be scheduled to arrive around the 15th of each month.

 

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Each shipment comes with a fun, stenciled, recyclable poly shipping bag, a note about franchise opportunities, and an invoice form.

 

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The bracelets themselves come in a fun, natural, zero-waste linen storage bag. 

 

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Rose Gold Mendala Bracelet in Seafoam – Value $15.00

 

 

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Rose Gold Lotus Bracelet in Vanilla – Value $15.00

 

 

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Seed Bead Bracelet in Sorbet – Value $24.00

 

 

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Seed Bead Bracelet in Blush – Value $24.00

 

 

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The bracelets were comfortable. Also, worth noting, all of Pura Vida’s bracelets are made with wax coated threads, ensuring a waterproof product and a non-fraying, easy-to-pull, adjustable band fitting. The bracelets can be worn as tight, or as loose as you want. These bracelets are made to last!

 

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From swing dresses to blanket scarves, boots, and tunics, these bracelets will bring a youthful twist to both my upcoming winter and spring capsule wearing seasons. 

 

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After wearing your Pura Vida items, you can tag a photo in your bracelet on Instagram with the hashtag #puravidabracelets, and then submit your photo here to receive a free bracelet!  

 

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Personally, I think I received a clever, tasteful assortment of bracelets. I love the company’s mission statement, and the fact that their price point makes them affordable enough to buy individual pieces as well as to splurge on a monthly subscription for yourself is a bonus too! These bracelets are a real value for the quality of handmade bracelets you receive. Lastly, the design of each bracelet is modest, feminine, and are made to last, which definitely makes the worthy of my overall stamp of approval.

These are not just grown-up versions of friendship bracelets, they are lasting pieces sure to help you pull together casual looks on-the-go. Beyond this, I love the price, the value, and the presentation. This company is a keeper! 

So, savvy savers, what do you think of the Pura Vida Bracelets? I’d love to hear about it below!

 

Here’s to being your most fashionable self,

niki-name-design

 

 

(Photo credit for San Diego/Costa Rica & Pure Vida, Pure Life Graphic. All other photos are my own.)

 

 

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Welcome to this week’s Happiness is Homemade Linky Party

Welcome back to another great week at Happiness is Homemade Link Party!
 
 
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Happy Halloween, everyone! Thank you all for coming back to join us for another great linky party. Be sure to check out your hosts various blogs and social media channels, the various links on this weeks party, and then be sure to add your best and brightest posts, tips, recipes, tutorials, and posts from this past week as well. Have a wonderful week! 

 

Welcome to this week’s Happiness is Homemade Linky Party

Welcome back to another great week at Happiness is Homemade Link Party! 

 
Happy Fall, Y’all! The trees are starting to change colors, I am not sure where you may located but here the foliage is starting to look pretty spectacular. Mornings and evenings are getting chilly and that crisp Fall feel is starting to happen. Last weeks party was pretty spectacular and there were so many wonderful fall crafts and recipes, it was hard narrowing the spotlight to only four.
So be sure to stop by, check out this week’s latest and greatest from this past week, stop by your hosts social media channels and show them some love, as well as to come on back and link up your best posts from this past week as well!
 

Swing Dress Style Guide

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Hello again, savvy savers! It’s that wondrous time of year again when you get to bring your boots out of the hibernation and slip into cozy scarves, sweaters, and fun, flirty long sleeve dresses!

While Fall is the perfect time of the year to wear all things cozy, there are few cool weather outfits this frugal fashionista loves more than an awesome figure flattering dress. I mean who doesn’t love a dress that looks as good on as on the hanger as it does on you? A dress that is cozy and never clingy, drapes your body well, and can hide both a myriad of sins and makes you feel like a million bucks in it! For me, this season, my dress du jour is the easy, relaxed, flirty, and fun Cents of Style Remi swing dress.

In seasons past, various fashion bloggers cautioned plus size women away from the swing dress, stating its open design as being shapeless and unflattering. But as someone not only with a Capsule Wardrobe at home but as a beautiful, curvaceous gal myself, I’ve loved experimenting with the softer silhouette this dress gives me. I’m happy to have this practical piece as my new fall go-to dress. I’ve grown to not only appreciate the feel of this frock but to love the overall design of the Remi Cents of Style Swing Dress

So why the Swing Dress? A good Swing dress can take you from girly to glam, from funky to boho. The swing dress is more than just a silhouette, it’s like a fit-and-flare dress, that can be styled in whatever way is most inherently best for you. No doubt, this dress, a Cents of Style Swing dress, was made for me and my burgeoning Fall Capsule Wardrobe. 

 

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Now as any frugal fashionista will tell you, a dress just isn’t a dress without the right accessories, and this dress is no exception. There are numerous ways this dress can be styled this season. From being paired with a basic denim jacket to a simple necklace duo, this dress can take you from day to evening with ease. While we all know that the right accessory can change the look of any outfit seconds, we can apply this to this Swing Dress as well. And my accessory of du jour? The classic plaid blanket scarf. 

 

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Not only does this scarf remind me of my favorite seasonal Fall blankets, these scarves have become a versatile wardrobe staple, which will easily allow me to transition from season to season flawlessly. I also love that Blanket scarves are also as easy on the eyes as they are on the pocketbook. Sure, you could splurge on a Pashmina scarf. But with a blanket scarf, especially a blanket scarf with a vibrant pop of color, you can go from cozy to couture in moments, all while staying on a budget this season too!

What’s really awesome about the Cents of Style Blanket Scarves is that they can be worn in so many ways. And just for all my fellow curvy girls out there, I’ve put together several fun, frugal looks to show you how you can style a Swing Dress with Blanket scarves this fall.

 

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1112So, let’s start with the basics. Blanket scarves can be worn as a faux Infinity, or loop scarf, perfect for what I like to call “throw and go” looks. You throw them on, loop them once, and go. Easy peasy. 

 

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1223They can also be worn Pashmina-style, with the Blanket Scarf draped over one shoulder. This look will give the neck and shoulders a more modest look, which will also help you fight off the elements. 

 

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2222Blanket scarves can also be worn easily with a jacket. To make a chic city look, just add a blanket scarf under your jackets collar for a softer, yet edgy look. 

 

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333Blanket scarves are also stunning when simply draped across the shoulders. A tip? A Blanket scarf can quickly take you for a fall business meeting to a casual holiday dinner party with just a few folds. During the day you can style your Swing Dress with riding boots, tights, and a blanket scarf tied in a French knot configuration (to achieve this look simply double your scarf in half and then pull the tail end of the scarf through the middle of your knot to secure the scarf in place), and later for evening wear transition your scarf to an over the shoulder number, sure to get you noticed in any room or gathering! 

 

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444And it’s worth noting that I’m currently wearing the Cents of Style Long Sleeves Swing Dress, which is available in US sizes Small-3X; noting that while my usual size 16 US, I am wearing a Cents of Style Size 2X. As you can see, the dress hits just a few inches below the knee on my 5’6″ frame and is a true three-quarters length dress. Also keep in mind that the fabric also flares generously over my hips to accentuate the full, twirly shape for most curvy girls out there. This dress is super comfy, and a must-have this season!

 

 

And now for the fun part! Currently, the Cents of Style Long Sleeve Swing Dress, available in 17 awesome jewel tones colors, is on sale for only $21.95 and FREE SHIPPING with promotional code DRESS2016 in your shopping cart. You can also pick up a Blanket Scarf, starting at only $17.95 shipped, or my favorite State or Tribe necklaces as well, starting at only shipped! 

 

 

Now, if you’re looking for some great pieces to transition into fall, the Cents of Style Swing Dress and Blanket Scarf will be all you’ll need to stay in comfort and in vogue this coming holiday season. I’ll definitely be picking up a few more things in the next couple of weeks!

 

 

While I hope this scarf and swing dress guide has helped illuminate a few of the different ways a blanket scarf can be worn this season to create a myriad of looks as well as styles, I hope that this post brings home my greater point, to invest in quality, staple pieces for your wardrobe at home.

Also, be sure to pin your favorite images, and go back to them when you need some inspiration, and be sure to share this post with a friend who loves cool weather scarves or is looking for ways to wear scarves too!

So, savvy savers, what are your thoughts on the swing dress? Is it a style you’re likely to try this fall and winter? Which of the Cents of Style swing dresses and blanket scarves is most appealing to you? I’d love to hear about it below!

Here’s to staying stylish,

niki-name-design

 

Please note: This post is sponsored by Cents of Style. I was gifted the following pieces, and I selected the items and post theme myself, and all words and opinions are my own.

Crock-Pot Pork Loin with Apple-Cranberry Sauce

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Hello again, savvy savers! With the Autumn season fully in swing, I wanted to put together several prepare several freezer cooking that could be quickly put together for simple weeknight meals during the busier holiday season ahead including one of my favorite cranberry dishes, Crock Pot Pork Loin with Apple-Cranberry Sauce recipe.

What’s nice about this dish, is that is can be made for a weeknight dinner, taken along to a potluck meal, or even served for Christmas Dinner. While this recipe calls for a pork loin, which is normally an expensive item, this time of year pork loin and smoked picknicks can be purchased at nearly half the price you will find in your local markets during the summer grilling season.

And my favorite part of this recipe? This recipe is uber aromatic, in that it uses rosemary, granny smith apples, and cranberries. A combination that smells reminiscent of the holiday season for me!

This recipe is perfect for Sunday dinners at home or made ahead of time as freezer-ready holiday weeknight meals at home!  served with mashed potatoes, brown sugar carrots, and a side salad. Super delicious! So folk, if you have any freezer-friendly pork loin meals, I’d love to hear about them below as well.

Pork Loin with Apple-Cranberry Sauce
Serves 6
A delicious fall-inspired meal. Perfect for Sunday dinners or freezer-ready holiday dining at home!
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Prep Time
30 min
Cook Time
8 hr
Total Time
8 hr 30 min
Prep Time
30 min
Cook Time
8 hr
Total Time
8 hr 30 min
Ingredients
  1. 1 Whole, trimmed Pork Tenderloin
  2. Salt And Pepper
  3. 3 Tablespoons Olive Oil, Divided
  4. 3 Tablespoons Butter, Divided
  5. ½ whole Medium Onion (can be substituted for turnip or parsnips)
  6. ½ tsp. dried rosemary
  7. ¾ cups Low Sodium Chicken Broth or bone broth
  8. 3 cups fresh or frozen cranberries (12 oz. bag)
  9. 2 cups peeled, cored, and diced organic granny smith apples
  10. 1 Cup Truvia (or sugar)
  11. 1 cup water
  12. 1/4 cup honey
  13. 2 teaspoons orange juice
First, make the cranberry sauce ahead of time
  1. In a medium to large saucepan, simmer the oranges juice and water for about five minutes.
  2. Then add the sugar and stir until the sugar is completely dissolved.
  3. Add the cranberries and granny smith apples.
  4. Simmer until they pop open and became translucent, about 15 minutes.
  5. Remove from the heat.
  6. Cool for 1 hour.
  7. Freezer in small, pint size baggies for up to a year.
Freezer Cooking Meal Preparation
  1. Thaw one baggie of cranberry sauce; save your baggie.
  2. In a medium-sized bowl, combine the cranberry sauce, honey, and minced onion; taste and re-season as needed.
  3. Place sauce back in cranberry sauce baggie; freeze flat for two hours or until completely frozen.
  4. Take a larger 1 quart bag and place pork roast inside; freeze flat for three hours or until frozen.
  5. Now place the pork roast baggie and cranberry sauce baggie inside a 1 gallon Ziploc bag, and label accordingly.
How to prepare meal
  1. Thaw the freezer meal, overnight in the fridge.
  2. Using the oil from your pan, season your crockpot with olive oil, or additional cooking spray and set aside.
  3. In a medium sized skillet, use your salt, pepper, and olive oil to lightly sear your pork loin.
  4. Next place the pork loin in your crock pot.
  5. Pour your thawed cranberry mixture over the pork..
  6. Cook on low for 8 hours.
  7. Serve sliced or shredded.
Notes
  1. This dish pairs well with steamed green beans, carrots, mashed potatoes or cauliflower, and rolls. Enjoy!
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