If you’ve answered YES to any of the above questions don’t worry – there’s a solution: a SLOW COOKER! With this kitchen essential you can have fun creating dishes that are flavor-packed and nutrient-rich – all while on a budget and with minimal time and effort. No matter if you’re vegetarian, a meat lover, pescaterian, or vegan, the Slow Cooker is right for you – the possibilities for healthy and delicious meals, sides, desserts, snacks (I could go on and on) are endless!

If you’re still not convinced – Here’s why a Slow Cooker will save you time, cash, and trips to the grocery store:

More Time Slow Cooking, More Time For You: The Slow Cooker is a great time saver! Simply select and put the ingredients into the slow cooker, turn the switch on, and sit back and relax – or if you’re like me use this bonus time to do something else! Turn the slow cooker on before you head off to work and come home to a nice, warm delicious meal!

Cheaper Ingredients Taste Expensive: With a slow cooker, the lower temperature and longer heating time tenderizes meat and locks in flavors of the dish. Therefore less expensive cuts of meat can be used and less stock and/or broth are needed.

Leftovers are the Main Ingredients: After a meal are there a few handfuls of beans leftover or a small cup of veggies not eaten? It’s too little to save yet too much to dump! With a slow cooker, instead of scraping those leftovers into the trash can, throw them into the crockpot for another night’s meal! A helpful tip: keep a container in the freezer for all those little portions of leftovers. Keep adding to the container until it’s filled and use for your next Slow Cooker creation!

Store Bought Products can be Homemade: why spend money on packaged and pre-made products when you can make them yourself? Use the Slow Cooker to create your own soups, sauces, broths, stocks, – even your own yogurt and granola, which can be pricey grocery items!

Some Great Recipes to try:

With the weather getting colder, enjoy a warm, hearty, and healthy chili: Slow Cooker Chicken Chili (Courtesy of Foodnetwork.com)

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/slow-cooker-chicken-chili-recipe2/index.html

Here’s a great way to wake up in the morning: Slow Cooker Fruit, Nuts, and Spice Oatmeal (Courtesy of allrecipes.com)

http://allrecipes.com//Recipe/slow-cooker-fruit-nuts-and-spice-oatmeal/Detail.aspx

Savor dessert with this perfect combination of chocolate and peanut butter: Chocolate Peanut Butter Pudding Cake (Courtesy of the Healthy Apron & adapted from Not Your Mother’s Slow Cooker Cookbook)

http://thehealthyapron.com/2010/10/25/3-things-i-love/

Research Assistance provided by Marsi Shapiro

1.   EAT ENOUGH PROTEIN. How much is “enough”?  Aim for at least 15 grams at breakfast and 25 grams at lunch and dinner.  Eating enough protein will help keep you fuller longer, and resist the temptation to snack excessively in between meals. Including high-quality sources like lean pork tenderloin, chicken breast, and fish, lentils, beans, quinoa or protein-packed Greek yogurt are all great options!

2.  STAY HYDRATED. Dehydration has been known to be the underlying cause of food cravings, so this one is an easy fix – drink enough water!  Water also helps to keep you full and is one of the keys to detoxing your body. As I tweeted, you can flavor plain water with fruit or veggie slices for a fun twist.

3.  MORE VEGGIES, PLEASE! Eating more vegetables can help you meet weight loss goals in so many ways!  Vegetables are loaded with vitamins, minerals and fibre, and can be one of your biggest assets for getting back in shape quickly.  Adding in more vegetables increases the volume of your food, which allows you to eat more of nutrient-dense foods for less calories.  Try incorporating them into salads, pasta, omelettes, soups or a stir fry.

4.  AVOID AFTER DINNER EATING. Late-night snacking can be an issue for many of us, especially if its done mindlessly while watching television or browsing the internet, since we can forget how much we’re actually eating.  Avoid eating after dinner so you can look fabulous in your bikini on the beach!

5.  STRENGTH TRAIN FOR LASTING RESULTS. Many of us stick to the cardio so much that we may forget about the weight training side of the gym.  Strength training, whether on your own, with a personal trainer or part of a group exercise class, can help you define and shape your muscles to help you get toned and also boost your metabolism for a vacation-ready physique!  If you’re really short on time, focus on your upper body – arms can show definition faster than larger muscle groups.  Try lifting weights 3-4 times per week for at least 30 minutes to see results.

What are your favorite get-in-shape-fast tricks?

With assistance from Megan Skinner