Where do you end up when time is not on your side and your stomach starts to growl or your children start to whine
? Usually in the fast food line or grabbing whatever snacks happen to be on hand as you rush out the door, but that doesn't have to be the case if you own a slow cooker. Not only do these small appliances ensure that a meal is ready when you are ready to eat but you can create very nutritious meals as well.
Hitting the drive thru is extremely convenient but it is just as bad for your health. Whether you are an active single or a busy parent, you can stay healthy and still have that convenience in your kitchen.
Purchasing a crockpot will put an end to the unhealthy meals on days when you just don't have time to stop and cook a complete meal. You can throw in whatever foods you have readily on hand and let it cook while you sleep or while you are off working, going to school, or playing car pool with the kids. Consider just a couple basic ways to use one of these cookers.
If you have chicken broth on hand and some frozen or fresh vegetables you could create your own soups. You can even add raw chicken to water and let it cook to create your own broth. Add in whatever other ingredients you happen to have on hand and you have a great starter for your soup.
A couple hours before you want to eat you can add in noodles, potatoes cut into small chunks, or whatever fast-cooking ingredients you want to add. Literally any ingredient can be added so get creative and make your own combination.
Beans: dry beans are extremely healthy but most people go for the canned varieties because they take so much time to cook. A crock pot is the perfect solution because you can put the beans in with some water and forget about them until done.
For a complete meal, cook the dry beans overnight and then add in uncooked whole grain brown rice and let it cook while you are out during the day. Brown rice takes longer to cook but doesn't need as much time as the beans. You can add whatever seasoning you like and may want to even mix in cooked ground turkey before eating.
Whatever types of food your taste buds enjoy most, you can do it in a slow cooker. Have some fun amending your favorite recipes!