At lunchtime today, Ryan and I had a meeting with an accountant. I’ve always done my own taxes (Turbo Tax, baby) and ever since Ryan and I got married, we’ve handled our taxes as a couple. Every year things get more and more confusing since I’m self employed and have income coming from a variety of sources thanks to freelance writing and the blog.
I reached out to my friends Cara and Brittney since they both own their own businesses in town. (Cara owns Vitalize Nutrition, a local health food store, and Brittney owns A Cut Above Boutique.) Cara recommended her accountant, Sandy. She’s a spunky woman who clearly knows her stuff! Our meeting lasted about an hour and now Ryan and I have some work to do on our end to simplify everything.
Before Ryan headed back to work, we ate lunch together at home.
I claimed the dinner leftovers which included a big mess of chicken, beans and veggies.
Yesterday, I threw a bunch of stuff into the crockpot and let it cook on low all day (about eight hours) and the end result was so flavorful.
Into the crockpot went:
- 3 large chicken breasts
- 1 jar salsa
- 1 can reduced sodium kidney beans (not drained)
- 1 can reduced sodium black beans (drained)
- 1 can chicken broth
- Several handfuls of baby carrots
- 1 cup chopped cauliflower
I honestly liked this dish even better the next day. I guess it’s like chili in that the longer it sits, the more the flavors develop. The only thing it was missing was corn! I could’ve sworn we had corn in the freezer, but unfortunately we were out. Next time!
Crock Pot Challenge
I am thinking about starting a self-imposed crock pot challenge. I would love to try to utilize my slow cooker a bit more because it makes dinner preparation so ridiculously easy and I want to find a few new recipes to add to my crock pot arsenal. If you have a personal favorite, please feel free to share it (or link to it) in the comments section at the bottom of this post. It’s time to get (slow) cookin’!
A crock pot challenge sounds perfect for the winter–sign me up!
Carrie @ Fitness and Frozen Grapes
http://www.kalynskitchen.com/2012/03/slow-cooker-recipe-for-sweet-potato-and.html?m=1. Sweet potato and black bean lime burritos. By far my fave crockpot recipe! Smells so good while it cooks, too….
Leigh
Cheesy Chicken and Rice: http://www.southernplate.com/2010/09/slow-cooker-cheesy-chicken-and-rice-the-downside-of-being-a-swan-princess.html
So tasty! I think adding some black beans or some broccoli would make it even better!
Amy H. @ Run with Perseverance
I plan on busting out the crockpot this weekend for the first time ever. Yes, crockpot virgin over here! My grandma is a CPA and always does my taxes for me, although mine are pretty easy. One income, no properties owned or anything. At least, she tells me it’s easy!
Meghan @ After the Ivy League
I call my crock pot concoction “Mexi-cken” (Mexican Chicken) and it’s the easiest meal I have ever made – and delish!
Layer, beginning at the bottom:
1 can of corn
1 can of black beans (drained and rinsed)
2-3 chicken breasts (or 4-5 thighs)
1 packet of taco seasoning
1 jar of your favorite salsa
Turn the crock pot on low for 4-5 hours and you’re done. It doesn’t need anything more (though I’m sure cheese would be a nice topper). Sometimes I make it without the chicken for a warm, yummy salsa dip for parties too. ENJOY!
Kerry @ Half Healthy, Half Nuts
please check out my blog at runningathousandmiles.blogspot.com
i wish i had a crockpot! it seems soooo easy
Kelsie
OhMyGosh! I love my slow cooker …I have made so many things in it it’s unreal! I buy the Reynolds crock pot liners which make clean up so much easier and then I don’t need to soak it overnight… Recently I made a big pot of goulash in a Dutch oven but it can definitely be done in a crock pot on low for a while… Check out my recipe here… http://healthyepiphany.wordpress.com/2013/01/06/southwestern-goulash/
It was so filling and so healthy…I actually got the recipe out of the cookbook Taste of Home diet comfort food! If you try it let me know what you think!!
Rachel
Chicken tortilla crock pot soup is the bessssssst!!! My mom uses a recipe with black beans, corn and enchilada sauce
maybe google it?!
Makenzie
My favorite is a Beef Stew!! The fiance swears by the thick, juicy cuts of steak and my whole family was so impressed on Christmas Eve they said they might start a new tradition! (go me!!)
The recipe is a lil long so I’ll send it to your pbfingers email
Warning: your house will smell DELICIOUS after it cooks all day!
Brittany
I have a sweet potato infatuation! This recipe is from Advocare’s 24 day challenge cookbook:
Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Chili
sweet potatoes, peeled and in 2-inch chunks
1 yellow onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 (15-ounce) can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed (or 2/3 cup dried beans, soaked overnight and boiled briskly for 10 minutes)
1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
1 (14.5-ounce) can tomatoes (whatever’s on sale, mine had oregano and roasted garlic)
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon chipotle chili powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup water
1/2 cup freshly squeezed juice from an orange (or water if you do not have an orange)
Use a 5-6 quart slow cooker. Peel and chunk the sweet potato and add to the pot. Add diced onion. Follow with the red bell pepper, can of tomatoes, the beans, garlic, and seasonings. Pour in juice from orange or water. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or until the onion is translucent and the sweet potato is fork-tender (if you want the sweet potato to disappear when stirred, cook longer).
I also added a lb of lean ground turkey for more protein and to thicken it up
enjoy!
Emma
http://utah.todaysmama.com/2012/03/20/tomato-basil-parmesan-soup-in-the-slow-cooker-or-on-the-stove-top/ Seriously the BEST tomato soup ever! So creamy, flavorful, and cheesy. Especially extra delicious served alongside a grilled cheese for dippage : ) It makes a huge portion so you can freeze the rest for another lazy day of not cooking!
Tori L
Wow that looks/sounds delicious!
Chelsea
Try 2 lbs chicken breast, 1 bottle of franks red hot sauce, and a packet of hidden valley ranch spices. Cook on high for 6 hours (or until chicken can shred). Easiest buffalo chicken ever! AND if you add cream cheese, and put it in the oven with chedder jack cheese on top, you have buff chicken dip.
Jamie
Here are two that I love!
http://fitandfrugirl.blogspot.com/2012/06/crockpot-zesty-bbq-chicken.html
http://fitandfrugirl.blogspot.com/2012/11/crockpot-southwestern-chicken-chili.html
Aly @ FitandFrugirl
I’ll be honest, the only thing that keeps me from monetizing my blog is fear of screwing up my taxes! My husband and I file together and I stay home with our little one, so I fear that if I made a little money it might mess up our taxes. They confuse me! I should have taken a finance class in college!
P.S. That soup looks delicious!
Angela
I’m in love with my crockpot!
Refried beans are amazing… if you’ve never had homemade you should definitely try them out: http://cookinginthecitydc.blogspot.com/2011/11/vegetable-fajitas.html
Also, lamb shanks. It sounds really intimidating, but honestly you can put ANYTHING into a crockpot and its going to come out well. http://cookinginthecitydc.blogspot.com/2012/01/slow-cooked-lamb-shanks.html
Kim @ Cooking in the City
Kalua Chicken ( favorite dish in Hawaii)
boneless skinless chicken thighs
4 cans spinach
liquid smoke
rub with salt
rub a generous amount of liquid smoke
low for 8 hours
an hour before its done shred chicken and add spinach (drained)
mix with chicken
Leila Tone
I literally JUST posted this crockpot recipe for Hawaiian BBQ Pork http://4thesakeofcake.com/?p=7482
Erica @ For the Sake of Cake
This recipe is super easy, tasty, and flavorful! Hope you enjoy, http://fitsouffle.com/home/pumpkin-butternut-squash-enchiladas
Jacquelyn B
Skinny Taste Chicken Taco Chili! It’s to die for. My favorite recipe to make in the slow cooker!!!
http://www.skinnytaste.com/2008/11/crock-pot-chicken-taco-chili-4-pts.html
Katherine
Only 2 steps!
http://myneonrunningshoes.com/?p=280
Have a great day!
Elizabeth @ myneonrunningshoes
One of our favorite things to do in the crock pot is to get some good, flavorful (not crazy spicy) green salsa and pour it over chicken breasts. Let it cook on low until tender then shred. We eat it in tacos, put it in enchiladas, put it over rice, and so many other ways. So good!
Jordyn
32 oz can of crushed tomatoes
15ish can of tomato sauce
15ish can corn, drained
3-15ish cans of beans (I use white, kidney and black) all drained
1 package Taco seasoning
Chili pepper to taste
(I dump in tomato and seasonings to mix it up well then add the corn and beans)
You could add chicken on top to shred into mixture when cooked. I cook hamburger or ground turkey in the microwave to add at the last minute. Barley works good too, just cook it first.
6 hours on low without the chicken. 8 hours with? been forever since I did it with I’m not sure.
Gina, book dragon
I JUST made a YUMMY Beef Stew that I will be featuring next week on the blog. Can you wait until then?!
Megan @ Fiterature
Crock pots make the world go round. Seriously LOVE mine!
janetha
I also need to get in the habit of using my crockpot more. Here are a few of my favorite crockpot recipes:
http://www.dailydishblog.com/2011/09/crockpot-turkey-taco-chili.html
http://www.dailydishblog.com/2012/10/ropa-vieja.html
http://www.dailydishblog.com/2011/10/slow-cooker-sweet-sour-meatballs.html
http://www.dailydishblog.com/2011/10/beef-bourguignon.html
Shari @ The Daily Dish
I love, love, love my crockpot! I need to use it more often! My favorite recipe is for some pork tacos: http://321delish.com/2011/07/18/the-only-taco-recipe-youll-ever-need/
It seriously is the best port taco recipe EVER!
Steph @321delish
this book
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0848736575
is great!
I highly recommend it and the recipes
Michaela Granados
Here’s my GREAT (If i say so myself ) slowcooker recipe for Kimchee Chicken. You just drop everything in and let it go and it’s so yummy every time
http://www.weekendssosweet.com/2012/01/easy-slow-cooker-kimchee-chicken.html
Charlotte @ Weekends So Sweet
I found a recipe for CROCK POT FRENCH TOAST!!! It sounded so easy and sooo delicious!
http://momswithcrockpots.com/2011/09/crockpot-french-toast-casserole/
beka @ rebecca roams
Familiar with Hungry Girl?
Turkey Chili!
http://www.hungry-girl.com/show/movie-night-ez-as-1-2-3-alarm-turkey-chili-recipe
Carly
Love my crockpot! I’ve made dinner in it twice this week :-p
My favourite thing to do is to cook a whole chicken in it. Just season the chicken, place it in the crockpot, set it low for 8-10 hours. Perfectly cooked, juicy chicken. So easy it’s ridiculous.
Sam @ Better With Sprinkles
I LOVE the crockpot. It is ridiculously simple and when you come home dinner is ready. Perfect.
Jessica R @ fromthekitchentotheroad
My go-to crockpot recipe uses about 2-3 pounds of chicken breasts and one 16 ounce jar of sliced peperoncinis. Put chicken in the crockpot and cover with entire contents of jar. Let the chicken cook on low for about 5-6 hours. Then shred the chicken breasts. Put chicken back into the crockpot to soak up all of the juices. Then enjoy! Super easy and tasty!
Nikki
I’ve Tried this with Beef Roast, Pepperocinis, and Onion Soup Mix to make Easy French Dip Sandwhiches….DELICIOUS!
Jennifer
Super easy and yummy crockpot dish:
Sunday Chicken
4-6 frozen chicken breasts
2 cans cream of chicken soup
1 packet dry onion soup
1/2 cup sour cream (added after cooking)
Place chicken on the bottom of greased crockpot. Mix cream of chicken soup and dry onion soup together. Pour soup mixture over chicken covering completely. Cook on high for 6-8 hours. During last half hour of cooking mix in the sour cream. Serve over rice or noodles.
Kari F
Lentil Chili-It’s Vegetarian, but tastes just like “regular” chili…Lentils have tons of protein and fiber (and do not require pre-soaking).
http://creationsofawannabechef.blogspot.com/2012/10/lentil-chili.html
And might I STRONGLY recommend the cookbook, “More Make It Fast, Cook It Slow” by Stephanie O’Dea.
http://www.amazon.com/More-Make-Fast-Cook-Slow/dp/B0052HKU2E
Lots of healthier recipes, plus all her recipes are centered around being gluten-free (which isn’t a big deal for me, but, that means more recipes with “good” carbs).
Jennifer
I love using my crock pot for soups but the best recipe I’ve found is from the AllRecipes website. It’s a pork tenderloin recipe and is always a crowd pleaser! I serve it over brown rice with broccoli or (if I’m feeling “bad”) over mashed potatoes and its great leftover as a salad topper!
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/amazing-pork-tenderloin-in-the-slow-cooker/
Kristen Claxon
I just made beef stew in my crockpot today with beef, carrots, celery, onions, and broth. You could add whatever you wanted though (corn, tomatoes, etc.). I also love making pulled pork in there and turkey chili can’t be beat either. I cook big batches of apple cinnamon oatmeal in there as well.
Ali
one of my favorite slow cooker recipes is chicken fajitas. Combine chicken breasts, a jar of salsa and package of taco seasoning. cook on low for 6-7 hours, shred, put it back in the slow cooker and add peppers and onions and cook on high for 30 mins. I’ve also done pulled buffalo chicken sliders by combining chicken breast, franks buffalo, plain greek yogurt and a package of dry ranch mix. You also can’t beat pulled pork in the slow cooker. I cook mine in root beer then mix it with whatever sauce I’m in the mood for after it’s shredded.
This is also a great website for healthy slow cooker recipes:
http://skinnyms.com/category/recipes/skinny-slow-cooker/
Kathryn
I love my slow cooker, its so nice! Last night I just made a good ole roast…tasty!
Sara @ fitcupcaker
This is a good vegetarian chili I found and tweaked a little. Really good! http://dancingforfood.com/2012/10/01/its-not-quite-the-weather-for-chili/
Melissa
omg please round up more crock pot recipes! I barely ever use mine. Def need some inspiration.
jess @ jessiebear what will you wear?
I recently “roasted” a chicken in the crock pot. 8 hours on low or 4 on high. Pull it out of the crock pot and place in a pan and put it under your broiler for the last 10 minutes or so to crisp up the skin. So good and so easy!!
Teri
That always seems to happen to slow cooked meals and soups. They taste so much better with time!
My favorite crock pot dish is a black bean and sweet potato chili. Chili’s are always 1000 x better in the crock!
Lauren
I’m trying to get the whole slower cooker thing down, but here’s a really tasty four-ingredient recipe for shredded buffalo chicken sandwiches!
A must-try!
Abby Ecker
Just saw this on Cooking Light today! http://www.myrecipes.com/healthy-diet/healthy-slow-cooker-meals-10000001863046/?iid=edit-ws-011013&promkey=xet
Maybe you can get some ideas!
Alison
http://www.pauladeen.com/recipes/recipe_view/slow_cooker_apricot_glazed_pork_tenderloin/
This is a fantastic recipe; I use even more carrots and a bit less preserves.
Katie
I make stuffed peppers in the crockpot. I make quinoa and mix with ground beef, onion, garlic and chili powder and some salsa. Stuff the peppers with the mixture, cover with some more salsa and some broth. Cook on high for six hours and serve with cheese
Lissy
I made crock pot Chicken Taco Chili last night. It was DELICIOUS! I highly recommend!
Crock Pot Chicken Taco Chili
Gina’s Weight Watcher Recipes
Servings: 10 • Size: 1 1/4 cups • Old Points: 3 pts • Points+: 5 pts
Calories: 203.7 • Fat: 1.4 g • Carb: 33.3 g • Fiber: 10.0 g • Protein: 16.9 g
Ingredients:
1 onion, chopped
1 16-oz can black beans
1 16-oz can kidney beans
1 8-oz can tomato sauce
10 oz package frozen corn kernels
2 14.5-oz cans diced tomatoes w/chilies
1 packet taco seasoning
1 tbsp cumin
1 tbsp chili powder
24 oz (3-4) boneless skinless chicken breasts
chili peppers, chopped (optional)
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Directions:
Combine beans, onion, chili peppers, corn, tomato sauce, cumin, chili powder and taco seasoning in a slow cooker. Place chicken on top and cover. Cook on low for 10 hours or on high for 6 hours. Half hour before serving, remove chicken and shred. Return chicken to slow cooker and stir in. Top with fresh cilantro. Also try it with low fat cheese and sour cream (extra points).
Amy
Honey orange carrots from Cooking Light are the BOMB!
3 lbs carrots cut diagonally into about 2 inch pieces
1/4 cup honey
2 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons butter cut into pieces
1/8 tsp salt
2 tsp orange zest stirred in at the end
Kristen
I typically adjust the recipe a bit, but the basics of Courtney’s Veggie Stew is one of my favorite slow cooker recipes! http://www.sweettoothsweetlife.com/2011/01/03/low-fat-crockpot-veggie-stew/
Danica @ It’s Progression