The Many Benefits of Healthy Crock Pot Cooking

Healthy crock pot cooking allows families to prepare their meals, have it cooked and be ready at dinner time with little effort. Once all the ingredients have been combined into a slow cooker (crock pot) you can easily set the meal to cook while away at work, or out enjoying other activities. In fact, foods cooked in a crock pot tend to have more intense flavors because of the extended cooking time. Having the ability to control all added ingredients can enhance the nutrient content of every family meal.

The first slow cooking crock pot was manufactured in the early 1970s. By the end of that decade, manufacturers had made them easier to clean. Within the first few years, hundreds of quality cookbooks dedicated to slow cooking became very popular with home chefs.

Nutritious Meals

Having the ability to control every meal's nutrient profile helps maintain a healthy family. As an example, adding organic vegetables to a recipe helps increase the nutrient content of the meal while adding more bulk and fiber from the vegetables. In fact, high-quality tougher cuts of meat turn out perfectly when the cooking time is extended at a lower temperature. Often times, these meats become fork tender without the need to add tenderizers or fat. This helps the family maintain a lower calorie content and consume leaner cuts.

Increased Nutrient Content

During any cooking process, there tends to be a breakdown and nutrients, with the exception of lycopene that often is heightened during cooking. Fortunately, a crock pot offer significant advantages over other cooking methods because of its relatively low heat an extended cooking time. The lower temperature tends not to destroy healthy nutrients, which is often the downside to boiling or steaming. Recapturing juices and sauces with the slow cooker tends to increase the results of healthy crock pot cooking.

Reduced Processed Food Consumption

One of the greatest benefits of a slow cooker is the ability to reduce the consumption of harmful processed foods. In fact, a slow cooker provides the opportunity to decrease the amount of sodium intake, while reducing calories and fat in the family's diet. Prepackaged meals purchased from the frozen or box section of the store can now be easily prepared using the family's slow cooker. As an example, the home chef can find a wide assortment of recipes specifically designed for the slow cooker including casseroles, roasts, soups and even baked desserts.

Aside from healthy crock pot cooking results, there are other significant benefits to using a slow cooker. These include:

• A Timesaver - Most meals prepared in the slow cooker require only the single pot. There is only minimal initial preparation required, and the slow cooker will perform all the work while the family is away.

• Reduced Energy Consumption - Slow cookers are manufactured to use substantially less electricity than through conventional ovens and stoves.

• Easy Cleanup - Manufacturers now create crock pots that are easy to clean. The pot simply lifts out of the cooker and can be placed in the dishwasher, or cleaned at the sink. With the exception of cutting utensils and a cutting board, all meals are prepared in the crock pot.

• Useful during Every Season - Because the slow cooker does not emit high levels of heat inside the kitchen, it works well for year-round cooking. There is a huge variety of recipes available including comfort foods for the wintertime, and easy to repair meals for the summer.

With the ability to use less expensive meats, cooking at lower temperatures, and controlling nutrient content, preparing meals in a slow cooker makes sense. It offers convenience, because it cooks the meals while the chef is away.

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Crock Pots: Cooking Healthy With Them

If you didn't know by now, crock pots or slow cookers can be used to cook a variety of things. You can make bread, oatmeal, brownies, and and even drinks. They're very convenient kitchen appliances to have in your kitchen.

A slow cooker is a counter-top kitchen appliance used to cook food for hours, unattended. They cook food for a few hours using low heat and liquid. The liquid keeps the food heated. They're especially convenient to people with busy lifestyles. Just put on a meal, go about your day and do what you have to do, and when you get done, your food will be cooked without you even paying any attention to it.

Crock-Pot is actually a trademark and IS a slow cooker. The only difference is the name. A slow cooker will not always be a crock pot. For instance, some people say "kleenex" for all tissue even when its not the Kleenex brand. If you search for them on Amazon, you'll notice that brands such as Hamilton Beach do not have crock pots. It's because they're not allowed to use that name. They have slow cookers. Hamilton Beach Crock Pots do not exist, or else Hamilton would probably get in trouble.

Now that you know some of the basics of what they are and how they work, you should try out some delicious recipes. One of the things people like to do with them is cook healthy recipes. Why? Because it's easy, convenient, and good for you. You're also not limited to only a few select meals.

A good, healthy recipe is overnight cinnamon apple oatmeal. Just combine oats, apples, flax, milk, sugar, and butter, put them in the slow cooker, and then go to bed. Wake up in 7-8 hours, and you'll have a delicious healthy crbreakfast already prepared. You're mouth will water the instant you smell the oatmeal. Just add salt and then enjoy.

There are many more recipes like this. There's pumpkin bread, brownies (yes, brownies made in a slow cooker), greek yogurt, tacos, etc. Once you start cooking healthy meals in a crock pot, you won't stop.

Eating better is made way easier when using these slow cookers. You have no more "I have no time to prepare a healthy meal so i'll stop at the nearest fast food place" excuses.

If this doesn't convince you to go and get one, I don't know what will.

For more recipes such as the overnight cinnamon apple oatmeal and more information on crock pots, visit http://crockpotzone.com/

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Using Your Slow Cooker to Bake

Do you know that you can actually bake in your slow cooker? A lot of people are not aware of this because they assume that only the oven can be used to bake the things that they want. There are some things that you can cook much easier with the use of your slow cooker than your oven. As much as possible, you would like to make things easy. You will also be using up less amount of energy with the use of your slow cooker.

Want to know some of the things that you can bake in your slow cooker? Read on.

1. Apple Cake

A lot of people think that anything that involves apples can surely be good. This recipe in particular can serve 8 - 10 people. Just make sure that you need a cake pan that can fit inside your slow cooker.

Beat the following in a bowl:

• 2 cups sugar
• 1 cup oil
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla

You would need to stir in:

• 2 cups of chilled chopped apples

You would need to sift:

• 2 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

You would need to mix in all of these ingredients together with the chopped apples. You may also choose to place some pecan nuts with the mixture but if you are allergic to nuts or you are not that interested in nuts, you may choose not to. Place on the bread pan and make sure that you grease the tin foil that you will be placing on top of the pan. For 3 - 4 hours, bake on high temperature.

When it is fully baked, make sure that the pan will remain on the slow cooker for about 5 minutes before you will take out the pan that contains the baked apple cake. Cool it further then slice.

2. Chocolate Fudge Cake

The great thing about this cake is that you do not need any pan in order to cook it. You can cook it directly on the slow cooker.

In the bowl before you place the cake on the slow cooker, here are the things that you would need to mix:

• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup flour
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

You would need to stir in the following:

• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons melted butter or margarine
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

The next thing that you need to do is make sure that you will spread the mixture that you have created at the bottom of the slow cooker. You can then mix in the following:

• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

You would need to sprinkle this over the batter that you have placed on the bottom of the slow cooker. You need to boil about ¾ cup of water to pour over the batter. Remember that you would need to cover this and cook on high for about 2 - 3 hours. Do not stir this even if it would look a bit uneven. You can check if the cake is already done when you insert a toothpick and the chocolate fudge does not cling to the sides.

3. Whole Wheat Bread

If you would want to bake something simple, you may be able to do that. You can bake your whole wheat bread without making your kitchen all hot and stuffy. This whole wheat bread recipe that you are about to see can serve up to 12 people.

You would need a deep metal pan or bowl that can fit into your slow cooker. If you do not have either, you can also choose a 1lb coffee can that you are not using anymore. Make sure that you will place the grease on the bowl and preheat your slow cooker to high with the cover on.

You would need a small bowl to dissolve yeast in ¼ cup of water. Leave it and let it sit. While waiting, you can combine these ingredients in another bowl:

• 1 cup warm milk or buttermilk
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 2 tablespoons oil
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup wheat germ

Mix all of these ingredients together then you can add it with 3 cups of whole wheat flour.

Remember that you would have to knead the dough for about 10 minutes. Once you are sure that it has been kneaded properly, what you can do is place it on the greased bowl. Make sure that you will cover with aluminum foil. Place half a cup of water on the trivet or crumbled foil in the bottom of the slow cooker. Cover the cooker and bake for about 3 hours. Do remember that it does not mean that just because the bread is not brown does not mean that it is not cooked yet.

If you would like a bit of variation, you may want to replace ¼ cup of flour with ½ rolled oats that can give the bread a nutty taste.

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3 Fuss-Free Slow Cooker Recipes Using Herbs and Spices

A slow-cooker is inexpensive, economical and is a great tool to use to transform budget ingredients into a 5-star style dish. It's time that you make the most out of your weekends by enjoying flavorful home-cooked meals using your crock-pot.

Here are 3 recipes that use healthy herbs and spices that you can try:

Herb-Crusted Slow Cooker Pot Roast

What you need:

• 1/2 kg. pot roast, fat trimmed
• 1/3 cup dry white wine
• 1 tbsp. honey
• 1/2 tsp. dried basil
• 1/2 tsp. dried thyme
• 1/2 tsp. oregano
• 1/2 tsp. celery salt
• 1/2 tsp. ground ginger
• 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp. dry mustard
• 1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
• 1/2 tsp. salt

Combine basil, thyme, oregano, celery salt, ginger, garlic powder, mustard and black pepper in a small bowl. Set aside. Cut the fat side of the pot roast with 1/4-inch deep slits (1 1/2 inches apart). Rub the spice mixture all over the roast until covered completely. Pour white wine and honey over the top. Cook the pot roast in a crock-pot for 3-4 hours or until tender. Serve with mashed potatoes or with mixed vegetables if desired.

Slow Cooker Chili Chicken

What you need:

• 3 boneless and skinless chicken breasts
• 2 cups diced tomatoes
• 2 cups green salsa
• 1 3/4 cups cooked corn kernels
• 1 3/4 cups white beans
• 1 3/4 cups chicken broth
• 1/2 cup sliced green chili peppers
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1/2 tsp. dried oregano
• 1/4 tsp. ground cumin
• Salt and ground black pepper to taste

Combine tomatoes, green salsa, corn, beans, chili peppers, onion, oregano, cumin, salt, black pepper and chicken broth in a slow cooker. Stir to combine ingredients well. Place chicken breasts on top of the mixture. Cook on a slow cooker over low heat for 6-8 hours or until chicken flakes easily. When ready, remove chicken, shred completely then return to cooker and stir. Serve warm.

Crock-Pot Spinach Marinara Sauce with Herbs

What you need:

• 3 1/2 cups peeled and crushed tomatoes
• 1 3/4 cups sliced mushrooms
• 1 1/4 cups chopped spinach
• 1/3 cup grated carrots
• 3/4 cup tomato paste
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 1/2 tbsps. crushed red pepper flakes
• 2 tbsps. dried basil
• 2 tbsps. dried oregano
• 2 tbsps. salt

Mix together tomatoes, mushroom, spinach, carrots, tomato paste, olive oil, onion, garlic, bay leaves, red pepper flakes, basil, oregano and salt in a crock-pot. Cover and cook over high heat for 3-4 hours. Stir, then cook for 2 hours more over low heat. Pour over cooked pasta and serve immediately.

Forget take-outs for a while - take the time to enjoy a mouth-watering slow-cooked meal with herbs and spices with your family.

Adrian T. Cheng is a food blogger who promotes healthy eating. He has written numerous posts and articles about natural herbs and spices, shared countless of delicious and healthy recipes and reviewed top-notch cooking accessories that are worth checking out. You can view Adrian's posts about nutritious food and other interesting topics on his blog.

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Herbs and Spices: 3 Healthy Slow Cooker Recipes for Beginners

A slow cooker is very ideal for anyone who doesn't have enough time to cook in the morning but still wants to come home to a delicious homemade meal. When using a crockpot, fresh ingredients are cooked in low temperature for hours and the natural juices of meats and produce are retained, resulting to a flavorful and nutrient-rich dish. Season with natural herbs and spices for added goodness!

Try these 3 easy herbs and spices slow cooker recipes:

Cilantro-Lime Slow Cooker Chicken

What you need:

• 1 1/2 kg. boneless and skinless chicken breast halves
• 1 lime, juiced
• 2 cups salsa
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
• 2 1/2 tablespoons dry taco seasoning mix

Mix together lime juice, salsa, cilantro and taco seasoning mix in a slow cooker. Stir until all ingredients are well-combined. Add the chicken breasts to the cooker and coat with the cilantro-lime mixture. Cover, set the cooker to low and cook for 6-8 hours. When ready, use a fork to shred chicken breasts. Serve with soft taco shells and a dressing of your choice if desired.

Slow Cooker Herbed White Bean Soup

What you need:

• 1/2 kg. dry navy beans (soaked overnight)
• 2 carrots, peeled and diced
• 1 potato, peeled and cubed
• 1 large onion
• 4 sprigs fresh parsley
• 1 sprig fresh lemon thyme, chopped
• 1 sprig fresh rosemary
• 1 sprig fresh savory
• 1 bay leaf
• 4 cups mushroom broth
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cube vegetable bouillon

In a skillet, heat olive oil and cook carrot and onion over medium-high heat until tender. When ready, combine carrot, onion, beans, mushroom broth, bouillon and bay leaf. Tie together parsley, lemon thyme, rosemary and savory and add to the cooker. Set on low and cook for 6-8 hours. When ready, add potatoes and cook on low for 1 more hour. Remove tied herbs before serving.

Slow Cooker Herbs and Spices Spaghetti Sauce

What you need:

• 18 cups tomato sauce
• 2 1/4 cups tomato paste
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 3 tablespoons dried oregano
• 3 tablespoons dried parsley
• 3 tablespoons dried rosemary
• 3 tablespoons dried thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 pinch red pepper flakes

Mix together tomato sauce, tomato paste, garlic, onion, oregano, parsley, rosemary, thyme, bay leaf and red pepper flakes in a slow cooker. Stir to combine ingredients well. Cover and set on high and cook for 3-4 hours, stirring frequently. Serve on top of cooked pasta.

Come home to a healthy and fulfilling meal at the end of each day by cooking using your crockpot. Add more flavor and nutrition to the dishes with natural herbs and spices!

Adrian T. Cheng is a food blogger who promotes healthy eating. He has written numerous posts and articles about natural herbs and spices, shared countless of delicious and healthy recipes and reviewed top-notch cooking accessories that are worth checking out. You can view Adrian's posts about nutritious food and other interesting topics on his blog.

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Healthy Meal of the Week 35 With Healthy Leftover Idea

Healthy Meal of the Week: Crock Pot Ham

Healthy Leftover Idea: Ham Omelette Melt

Here's another crock pot (slow cooker) meal idea tied directly to the holidays that is simple to make yet yields a tasty ham your family will truly enjoy. You can even pick and choose items from this meal along with last week's to really have a wonderful spread at your dinner table or for your next family function. As for the leftover idea, this is the first breakfast idea presented here but can easily be used for a nice lunch treat too! Many people enjoy breakfast-type dishes throughout the day so here's an easy way to use any of the leftover ham in a tasty omelette melt.

Healthy Meal of the Week 35

Equipment Needed

- Crock Pot (Slow Cooker) 

- 2 Stove top pans 

- baster 

- whisk 

- cutting knife

Prep Time

- 5 minutes

Cooking Time

- 4+ hours

Ingredients

(5-6 servings)

- 2 pound boneless ham 

- 1 cup brown sugar 

- 1/4 cup maple syrup 

- 1/4 cup honey 

- 1 can corn 

- 1 package stuffing mix

For Ham Omelette Melts

- Eggs 

- Shredded Cheese (mozzarrella) 

- Sandwich Thins (if making a sandwich melt)

Directions

1. Open ham package and using a sharp knife carefully cut ham slices 3/4 of the way to the bottom. If you purchased a ham that's already semi-cut and has perforations that makes this part a whole lot easier. By taking this step you will allow the sweet sauce to get into the middle of the ham during cooking time and is particularly helpful when you use a baster to squirt juice back on top periodically throughout cooking time.

2. Once you have the ham sliced, spray the inside of your crock pot (slow cooker) with non-stick spray or coat with oil, then layer a 1/2 cup of brown sugar on the bottom of the cooker.

3. In a bowl, add the other 1/2 cup of brown sugar, 1/4 cup of maple syrup, and 1/4 cup of honey, and whisk until mixed well. Pour this sauce all over the ham letting it seep down in between the slices as best as possible.

4. Place glazed ham in the crock pot on top of the 1/2 cup brown sugar you already put there, cover and turn on to Low. Set timer to 4 hours, but adjust timer if the ham you purchased is larger than two pounds. If you have a meat thermometer, you're striving to hit 140F degrees.

5. Periodically use a baster to squeeze some of that sweet glaze back on top of the ham after the one hour mark. Possibly in 30 minute intervals. This helps keep the ham continually marinated preventing it from drying out. Don't worry if you're unable to do this due to time restrictions or if you're too busy. Just know that your ham may turn out a bit dry.

6. When there is less than 30 minutes total cooking time remaining, you can start cooking the corn and the stuffing. Both of these can be made in under 10 minutes. For the corn, simply open the can and add contents directly to a stove-top pot medium temperature and stir occasionally. For the stuffing, follow the directions as indicated on the box.

7. When everything is finished serve an appropriate portion size of each. You may want to squeeze a tad bit of the glaze sauce over the ham or even in the stuffing if you want a little extra pizzazz.

Healthy Leftover Idea: Ham Omelette Melt

Here's a great way to use some of the leftover ham for a breakfast treat. All you'll need extra are some eggs, shredded cheese, and if you want to make it a handheld sandwich or burrito, some type of bread/tortilla. In this example to help keep calorie count as low as possible, sandwich thins were used - only 100 calories total per pair.

First take a piece of leftover ham and dice it into small pieces. Crack open 2-3 eggs into a bowl, add a pinch or two of salt and pepper then whisk well. Add the pieces of diced ham. Put a small skillet on medium temperature and use a bit of non-stick spray or oil/butter. After a minute of warming up, pour the entire mixture into the pan. Let cook for a bit then with a spatula flip to the other side. Eggs should harden and brown just a bit. Once both sides have browned a bit add a few sprinkles of cheese and turn off the stove. Cheese will melt with residual heat.

Either warm up the type of bread/tortilla you are planning to use in the microwave for 20 seconds or you can place the omelette on top of it then warm up - your choice. Add some ketchup, olives, jalapenos, spinach, or whatever else you like on omelettes and enjoy!

Gregory L. Gomez, a LAUSD teacher who's also on journey to develop a healthy life in an effort to lose weight and get in shape. Follow his progress on http://HealthyChoicesInLife.com as he strives to lose nearly 100 pounds by eating healthy and maintaining a consistent exercise routine. Get a FREE monthly Healthy Choices Newsletter along with a Healthy Eating eBook just for stopping by at http://healthychoicesinlife.com/healthy-eating.

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