| The two main advantages of crockpot cooking are | | | | are now making a comeback, and for Vegas |
| that they: | | | | supporters, so is Barry Manilow. The essential |
| - Save Time | | | | ingredient here is not that we're all going retro but |
| - Save Money | | | | rather that life is busy and we're seeking |
| Time-Saver | | | | time-management helps that work. Five o'clock can be |
| Crockpot cooking for me is synonymous with | | | | the busiest, so preparing food the night before and |
| time-saver. We each have different phases of life and | | | | putting it in containers overnight or chopping and dicing |
| this season is definitely my crockpot phase -- maybe | | | | earlier in the day can be the most convenient and |
| out of desperation. No matter what stage we're in | | | | healthy solution. |
| though, crockpot cooking can always be a benefit. | | | | Money-Saver |
| Here's a scenario: It's five o'clock and you've finally | | | | This type of cooking saves money on many levels. As |
| finished helping with the homework with two of your | | | | I mentioned earlier, if you're organized and have your |
| children, and then your third child returns from piano -- | | | | pizza in a pot cooking all day -- you won't be tempted |
| ready to start homework -- and has a question about | | | | to call Dominos at five pm. Eating out does get |
| algebra. Soccer practice starts in exactly one hour. | | | | expensive, especially for an entire family and if it |
| And not to mention that you've got three loads of | | | | becomes a habit. Cooking in the crock is a longer |
| laundry spewed across your bed and ready to be | | | | process than in the oven or on the grill and because of |
| folded. The phone rings -- a reminder to bring snacks | | | | this meats are really tender, even with cheaper cuts of |
| to soccer practice, it's your turn. The kids are hungry, | | | | meat. Therefore it really has the potential of reducing |
| hubby will be home in thirty minutes. Do you make that | | | | our grocery bills. |
| call? "Honey, could you bring home In & Out again, | | | | In the summertime it's hot -- especially where I'm living |
| the usual?" Or do you simply whip up a salad to go | | | | in the desert -- so any excuse not to heat up the |
| with your chicken cacciatore that's been cooking | | | | house is a good one. Energy bills are definitely |
| slowly and succulently in your crockpot all day. This | | | | affected. |
| truly is my life and I'm working towards the latter | | | | There are numerous crockpot cookbooks out there |
| scenario becoming a more prevalent one. | | | | with healthy and tasty family-friendly recipes. |
| Perhaps you remember crockpots back when you | | | | Incorporating crockpots back into our lives can be one |
| were a kid -- along with Barry Manilow, mood rings, | | | | of the first and simplest of many steps in achieving |
| and banana seats -- all popular in the 1970's. Crockpots | | | | organization and balance in our lives. |