Make Dinners EASY!!

Summer is coming to an END! Dont want to warm the house with the oven, kids have homework! Try dusting off the crock pot!! Its a LIFE SAVER!!

More Healthy Crockpot Recipes
By Linda Larsen,

Everyone's crockpot is busy now! During the fall and winter months, meals that take just a few minutes to throw together, but are healthy, hearty, and comforting, are a must.
All of these recipes are nutrient dense. What does that mean? Nutrient dense foods are those which provide a large amount of the Daily Value of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and protein in an inverse ratio to the calories. In other words, deep fried potato chips are full of 'empty calories' in that there are few nutrients and a whole lot of calories per serving. Nutrient dense foods, such as the Beef Stew below, provide more than 50% of your daily requirement of Vitamins A and C, and 45% of your protein needs, all in only about 400 calories.

Many crockpot recipes can be updated to make them healthier. Use low fat meats, trim meats of excess fat, choose lower calorie cheeses, dairy products, and sauces, and increase healthy foods in the recipe. Most crockpot recipes can be significantly changed and they'll still work just fine. For instance, substitute peeled cubed sweet potatoes for regular potatoes and you'll up the Vitamin A content in the recipe by about 200%. Using brown rice instead of white rice will increase the fiber content by about 50%. And here's the easiest way to make sure that the foods you serve are healthy: create a colorful plate. The more colors on your plate, the healthier your diet will be.

Madras Chicken

This simple recipe cooks for hours and is full of nutrition and good taste.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 12 hours,
Ingredients:
•3 onions, chopped
•4 cloves garlic
•4 apples, peeled and cut into chunks
•1/2 teaspoon salt
•1-2 tablespoons curry powder
•1 (8-ounce) jar mango chutney
•3 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
•3 cups hot cooked couscous
Preparation:
Combine all ingredients in a 4-5 quart slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 7-9 hours until chicken is thoroughly cooked and onions are tender. Stir well and serve over couscous. Serves 6
Calories: 600
Fat: 20 grams
Sodium: 320 mg
Vitamin C: 25% DV
Vitamin A: 64% DV
Niacin: 82% DV

Slow Cooker Gingered Beef
You can also use frozen green peas, asparagus, or tiny baby peas as a substitute for the snap peas in this delicious main dish recipe.
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 10 hours
Ingredients:
•1-1/2 lbs. boneless beef round steak, trimmed
•4 carrots, cut into 1/2" pieces
•1 onion, chopped
•3 cloves minced garlic
•1 cup beef broth
•3 Tbsp. low sodium soy sauce
•1 Tbsp. grated fresh ginger root
•1/4 tsp. pepper
•1 Tbsp. hoisin sauce
•3 Tbsp. water
•3 Tbsp. cornstarch
•9 oz. pkg. baby peas
•3 cups hot cooked rice
Preparation:
Cut beef into 1" cubes. Place in crockpot along with carrots, onions and garlic. Combine broth, soy sauce, ginger root, pepper, and hoisin sauce in a small bowl and mix well. Pour over beef and vegetables.
Cover crockpot and cook on low for 10 to 12 hours or until beef and vegetables are tender.

Turn crockpot to high heat setting. Mix cornstarch and water in a small bowl and stir into crockpot. Cover and cook on high for 15-20 minutes until thickened. Stir in peas and cook another 10-15 minutes until hot. Serve over cooked rice. 6 servings

Crockpot Chicken Alfredo
This easy and nutritious crockpot recipe combines chicken thighs with lots of vegetables and alfredo sauce.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 6 hours,
Ingredients:
•2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cubed
•2 onions, chopped
•2 cloves garlic, minced
•1 red bell pepper, chopped
•16-oz. jar alfredo sauce
•4 cups frozen broccoli florets
•9-oz. pkg. refrigerated fettuccine
•1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Preparation:
In 4 quart crockpot, place chicken, onions, and red bell pepper. Pour alfredo sauce over. Cover crockpot and cook on low for 7-8 hours.
Thaw and drain broccoli and add to crockpot along with fettuccine. Stir, cover crockpot, and cook on high for 30-40 minutes, until broccoli is hot and fettuccine is tender. Sprinkle with cheese and serve. 6 servings

Calories: 600
Fat: 35 grams
Sodium: 550 mg
Vitamin A: 70% DV
Vitamin C: 50% DV

Sweet and Sour Crockpot Pork
I love sweet and sour anything, and when you can get this fabulous flavor in a crockpot meal and it's good for you too - well, make this recipe soon.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 9 hours,
Ingredients:
•2 pounds boneless pork, cut into 1" chunks
•2 teaspoons smoked paprika
•1 teaspoon salt
•1/4 teaspoon white pepper
•2 tablespoons olive oil
•2 onions, sliced
•2 green bell peppers, cut into chunks
•16 ounce bag baby carrots
•2 (13 ounce) cans pineapple chunks
•1/3 cup vinegar
•1/4 cup sugar
•3 tablespoons cornstarch
•1 tablespoon soy sauce
•1/2 cup reserved pineapple juice
Preparation:
Sprinkle pork with paprika, salt, and pepper. In heavy skillet heat olive oil and brown pork, stirring frequently, for about 4-5 minutes.
Place onions, peppers, and carrots in 4-5 quart slow cooker and top with pork. Drain pineapple and reserve 1-1/2 cups juice. Pour 1 cup juice into crockpot and reserve 1/2 cup juice and the pineapple chunks. Cover and cook on low for 8-9 hours until vegetables and pork are cooked.

In small bowl, combine vinegar, sugar, cornstarch, soy sauce, and 1/2 cup pineapple juice; mix well. Stir into crockpot along with pineapple chunks. Cook on high for 10-15 minutes until sauce is thickened. Serve over rice or couscous.

Calories: 350
Fat: 15 grams
Sodium: 400 mg
Vitamin A: 55% DV
Vitamin C: 80% DV
Thiamin: 120% DV

Here are a few to get you started!! ENJOY!! Let me know how they turn out!! Keep going you can do it!! Have a SUPER Awesome Day!!
Love Ya~~ Fit Now Girl!!!