Learn to Love Your Crockpot! (Fast and healthy food in your slow cooker!)

I have to say, I LOVE my slow-cooker lately!  As a new mom, I just don't have the time (or energy) to cook like I used to.  ....but considering how important it is, I've learned some shortcuts.  Using a slow-cooker will allow you to easily create healthy, tasty, easy, meals with in-season vegetables (something we can all eat more of), whole grains, and tender meats for PENNIES per serving!  Why not dig out that crockpot today?

I don't even use a recipe these days.  Who has time to plan, make a shopping list, and such?  Here's what I do:

1.  When at the grocery store or market, buy whatever fresh vegetables that are on sale and in season.  You get lots of strange vegetables you've  never tried before this way.  (Variety is good!  Each vegetable has its own unique combo of vitamins and minerals, some of which have not even been discovered yet.)  I've gotten jicama, celery root, butternut squash, and sunchokes to name a few.

2.  Buy whatever meat is on sale.  Get a different type each time.  (buffalo, pork, beef, lamb, etc.)  Rotating your food prevents you from developing food sensitivities.  Even the cheap, grissly cuts of meat turn out tender and delicious in the slow cooker!

3.  If you wish, you can add grains too.  (Optional)  I've used brown rice, quinoa, and pearled barley.  (I saw some Israeli purple wild rice the last time I was at the grocery.  I'm going to try that next!)

Preparation:

• When you get up to go to work, or when the baby wakes you up at 6am (if you're lucky.  --or 5 or 4 or 3 if you're not),  throw everything into the crockpot.  (You can chop veggies the night before, or just do it right then like I do.)
• Cut slits into the meat and shove cloves of garlic into them.  (I use about 4 or 5.)
• Add a glass of liquid like broth or just water.
• Set it to cook on low for 8 hours.

In the evening, when you are too tired to even think about cooking, guess what......dinner's ready!  This makes a delicious stew that you can have for supper, with enough leftovers for several lunches throughout the week.  Easy peasy and yum!