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Easy Slow-Cooker Meals for Busy Weeknights

December 8, 2015 by

If you can never seem to find the time to prepare a full meal for your weeknight dinners, the slow cooker may be the answer to all of your mealtime woes. Here are a few easy slow-cooker meals perfect for your next busy weeknight.

Spicy Turkey Lasagna [bhg.com]
Lasagna in the slow-cooker? Yep, it’s possible! This recipe takes just 20 minutes to prep the meat, noodles, and veggies, and since it takes just under four hours to cook, it’s a quicker alternative to the usual day-long slow-cooker meals.

Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings [allrecipes.com]
If you’re craving something hearty and comforting, these slow-cooker chicken and dumplings taste just as good as the kind your grandma used to make—but likely with half the effort. Use canned soup and packaged biscuit dough to save even more time.

Vegetarian Pinto Bean Sloppy Joes [eatingwell.com]
While many slow-cooker recipes contain meat, this veggie-filled version of the classic sloppy Joe is perfect for vegetarians. Instead of the usual ground beef, you’ll use pinto beans, zucchini, and corn in a sauce that’s equal parts tangy, smoky and perfect for a chilly autumn evening.

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Fast and Easy Dinner Recipes Everyone Can Master

November 10, 2015 by

So you’re not exactly a whiz in the kitchen? Not to worry! You can still create healthy, delicious dinners in no time flat by following these simple recipes.

Slow-Cooker Vegetarian Chili With Sweet Potatoes [realsimple.com]
Whether you’re a vegetarian or not, everyone will love this simple and spicy chili containing one of the season’s most popular ingredients: sweet potatoes. Simply combine all of the essential ingredients and let them simmer for seven to eight hours in the slow cooker. By the time you get home from work, you’ll have a hot, tasty dinner waiting for you.

Potsie's Creamed Chicken and Biscuits Casserole [food.com]
There’s nothing more comforting than a plate of good old-fashioned Southern chicken and biscuits, and this casserole version is an easy way to make the homemade favorite. Simply combine refrigerated biscuits with chicken breasts, canned soup, and some common kitchen essentials to create a warm dinner that the whole family will love.

Skillet Chicken and Spring Vegetables [countryliving.com]
If you’re looking for a lighter, more nutritious dinner option, this one-skillet dish is the perfect choice. While the veggies are in season in the springtime, you can make this dish all year round.

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Did You Know You Can Cook These Recipes in the Microwave?

October 13, 2015 by

If you think that the microwave is only good for re-heating leftovers and preparing microwave dinners, think again. This common kitchen appliance is actually a great tool for preparing scratch-made dinners, desserts, and even breakfast dishes! These three recipes will show you how it's done.

The Moistest Chocolate Mug Cake [tablefortwoblog.com]
By combining a few simple baking ingredients in your morning coffee mug, you can create a one-serving dessert that’s perfect when you’re craving a sweet treat. Best of all, this simple cake takes just two minutes to make in the microwave.

1-minute Microwave Quiche in a Mug [fullthymestudent.com]
Quiche certainly isn’t the easiest breakfast to make, but with this simplified recipe it becomes a whole lot easier. Simply blend eggs with fresh veggies, herbs, and bread and cook it all in a mug — in just one minute, no less.

Lemon Shrimp with Rice [marthastewart.com]
Ingredients like Sauvignon Blanc wine, chopped, fresh herbs, and fresh shrimp combine to make a meal with more gourmet flair than your usual microwave dinner. Prepare the other ingredients while the rice cooks, and then pop the whole thing in the microwave for an additional two minutes before serving.

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Love Home Canning? Read These Food Safety Tips!

September 15, 2015 by

Home canning is a delicious food trend that’s seen quite a comeback in recent years, and it makes a great way to use up fresh produce before it has a chance to spoil. Here are a few safety tips that will help you to can your fruits and veggies safely.

  1. Be aware of the safety hazards. Many first-time home canners don’t realize that there are deadly food poisonings associated with incorrect canning methods. Botulism is the most common one, and it comes from a bacteria found in soil that produces a toxin when sealed in a jar. Luckily, there are preventative measures to kill these bacteria before canning.
  2. Throw out your old canning recipes. Those old family canning techniques are likely a botulism risk waiting to happen. Keep up with the latest techniques to keep yourself and your family safe.
  3. Don’t stray from the recipe. Canning recipes aren’t just created to preserve the taste of your foods; they’re also meant to protect you against illness. Resist the urge to add extra herbs or a pinch more sugar, as this can threaten the pH levels in your jar.
  4. Use a pressure canner. In recent years, it’s become apparent that the only way to stay completely safe while canning meats or low-acid vegetables is by using a pressure canner. This heats the food to 240 degrees Fahrenheit, a temperature that can only be reached in a pressure canner.

Don’t Botch It: Home Canning Safety Tips [Home Food Safety]
Home Canning: Keep Your Family Safe! [FoodSafety.gov]
Home Canning and Botulism [CDC]
Safety Tips for Home Canning [About.com]

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Refuel and Replenish by Eating These Foods After a Workout

September 16, 2014 by

The foods that you eat before your workout help to increase your energy level, but it’s the food that you eat afterward that’s really important. What you eat after exercising helps to repair muscle tissue and to replenish glycogen, which is an important aspect of building the lean, toned body that you strive for. Here are some of the best foods to refuel with after a workout.

  1. Bananas. Bananas are high-glycemic carbohydrates, which provide you with an instant boost to replenish your energy quickly. Try slicing one up and eating it with peanut butter on top of a rice cake.
  2. Greek yogurt with berries. Greek yogurt is packed with protein, which is very important in building muscle. Your muscles are depleted of their usual amino acids after lifting weights or performing an intense cardio workout, and this healthy snack helps to build them back up.
  3. Tuna sandwich. The combination of healthy carbs and proteins is one of the very best things to eat after working out. Spread some tuna on whole wheat bread to refuel after that gym class.
  4. Water. Replenishing your body’s fluids is just as important as replenishing its food supply. Be sure to drink plenty of water after working out to avoid becoming dehydrated.

6 Smart Snacks to Eat After Your Workout [Fitness Magazine]
What to Eat After You Work Out [Spark People]
Food as Fuel – Before, During and After Workouts [American Heart Association]

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