Slow Cooking for Nutritious Meals

If you mention preparing a meal with a slow cooker, many people imagine a mushy beef stew or chicken left to simmer all day in a cream soup and cheese mixture. But the face of slow-cooked meals is changing due to a recent resurgence in popularity and a desire for easy, healthy, homemade meals. Dinner is an important time for families to reconnect in this busy, fast-paced day and age. Research from the Dairy Council of California has shown that kids who sit down to eat a meal with their families consume more fruits and vegetables and fewer fried foods, soda and saturated fat than those who don't. But parents are busy, and so are kids! They're off to school early and then participate in extracurricular activities. Add in homework and there really isn't much time left in the day. It's temptingly easy to grab something in the car, pop something frozen in the oven, or eat out. Enter the slow cooker. There are so many meals you can make in a slow cooker that are actually nutritious! How about coming home to Asian Beef with Mandarin Oranges? Or Wine & Tomato Braised Chicken? Just gather your ingredients and put them in the slow cooker in the morning. When you come home, not only will your house smell delicious – dinner is done! The no-fuss nature of the slow cooker makes it easy to prepare a balanced meal that includes lean proteins, complex carbohydrates, fiber-packed veggies, herbs and spices. Fall is a great time to get reacquainted with your slow cooker. Enjoy coming home to a hot, delicious home-cooked meal!