The Crockpot Equation

Now that kids are back in school, you may have a few more items on your daily agenda. Between carpools, homework checks, and attending games and practices, those few hours before dinner go by in a flash. Don't worry; it's still possible for you and your family to enjoy a healthy meal together each evening!

When life gets busy, utilizing the crockpot is one of the easiest ways to save time while still getting a nutritious dinner on the table. Crockpot dishes require minimal prep, and with a little strategy, you can pack a nutritional punch!

Soups, stews, and hearty recipes make it easy to sneak in extra vegetables and whole grains. This is especially helpful if you have a picky eater at home! Mixed and flavorful dishes commonly made in a crockpot make it more challenging to distinguish between different ingredients, such as chopped vegetables.

Not familiar with crockpot cooking? No time to follow a recipe? No problem! We have created a handy equation to help you create ANY recipe using things you already have in your pantry. All you need to remember is CPOT:

C = Carbohydrate (vegetables, starchy vegetables, whole grains)

P = Protein (meat, beans, legumes, tofu)

O = cOver with liquid (broth or stock, tomato sauce, curry, water)

T = Taste (seasonings)

Easy, right?! Once you have your equation and ingredients ready, all you have left to do is assembly. If you are preparing a crockpot dish for dinner, the best time to get everything cooking is in the morning. Simply throw your ingredients into the pot, leave cooking on "low" before leaving for the day, and dinner will be waiting for you that evening!