As embarrassing as it is to admit that, its kind of true.
I've literally not used it...not once! I am DYING to use it, but a wee bit intimidated.
So anyway, Caleb and I did some of our meal planning on both Monday and Tuesday night and we went grocery shopping in our newest Kroger Marketplace last night. It was aaaamazing.
We made a whole list, and I took my pen, and literally checked things off my list. It was AWESOME. Felt great...then we get home, unpack all of our groceries... and I kiiind of realized I missed a main ingredient I'd need for my new crock-pot recipe.
The meat.
Is this a joke?!
It's almost like my subconscious is telling me "you can't do this, you can't cook"...and sadly, I'm starting to believe it. There was even a point last night when Caleb and I were shopping, looked at each other, and one of us said "are we ever going to be able to cook well?" Ha!
At this point, it was 8PM...we had been at the grocery store all stinking night. SO you know what I made for dinner once we finally got home? Freaking waffles.
PLEASE. SOMEONE TELL ME THEY'VE BEEN THROUGH THIS!
We've only been married for 3 months, and so I know there is still hope I can turn into my grandma who makes the best family meals every single night...
right?!
I've talked to a couple close friends about help with simple meals (because with starting to run, I do NOT feel like spending an hour+ prepping my dinner), so if anyone has ANY advice...please.
Let me have 'em!
Let me have 'em!
you toss the crap in the crockpot and you turn it on. 8 hours later you pull it out. you've got this handled, trust me lol
ReplyDeleteso crockpots are legitimately hard to get used to, at least I think so! I love the crockpot baked potato (http://pinterest.com/pin/139330182193771525/), and there is a mexican crock pot recipe (http://pinterest.com/pin/139330182192810128/) I've made from a blogger. I post the recipes I've tried and my thoughts on them under this board, http://pinterest.com/mrsveronicaleeB/passion-pink-pearls/
ReplyDeleteOhhh my gosh Kayla you sound like me when I first married Scott & moved in with him. Ohhhh em geee.. I thought I would be a horrible cook because I had never really had to cook too much before. I had never used a crock pot in my life. After we got one for our wedding... it sat in a box for almost a whole year. Finally, I got the courage to use it and I followed a crock pot recipe....... And after that....life changed!! I use the crock pot EVERY week now. Sometimes more than once. It's a life saver. You'll get brave eventually! Pinterest has awesome recipes, of course, too. It's so funny I read this today. This post is like a mirror image of a post I wrote just after being married. Trust me, it will get better! =D
ReplyDeleteYou can do it! Just throw it in and let it cook! I am not a cooker but I love my crockpot...honestly check pinterest you can find a lot of crockpot recipes!!
ReplyDeleteFirst up, for crock-pot recipes, grab some Reynolds crock-pot liners from the store! They come in a pack of four and while it may seem like a splurge purchase, they make cleanup SO much easier!! Second, you can totally do crock-pot (and non-crock-pot) yummies, I have faith in you and your kitchen abilities, sweet friend! And anytime you feel like maybe you can't do it, text me and I'll send you back five recipes for the week - meal planner extraordinaire, at your service! :)
ReplyDeleteLove you! Life's about learning. Don't throw in the dish towel yet!
You can do it!! I've only used one a handful of times but the more I used it the more confident I got. This is one of my favorites: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/robin-miller/minestrone-soup-with-pasta-beans-and-vegetables-recipe/index.html . Except no spinach for this girl yuck :P
ReplyDeleteThis is THE BEST and EASIEST crockpot recipe ever!! We make it all the time. Just make sure you cut off most the fat from the ribs...and then you're done!!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.jaxandmarbles.blogspot.com/2011/11/slow-cooker-bbq-baby-back-ribs.html
LOL y'all are just too cute! Go to SkinnyTaste.com and start with some of her recipes. The baked Parmesan chicken is really good! Last night I made buffalo chicken lettuce wraps. The crockpot took care of the hard part. You'll get used to it. :) I absolutely cannot work out and cook for more than 30 minutes on the same night. I would never get to bed!
ReplyDeleteYes you cannnnn! Just Pinterest your lil' fingers off and try one out! You got this :)
ReplyDeleteYou crack me up :) I have the easisest dish in the world for you!! About a 10 minute prep time, 30 minute cook time and bam! I found it on pinterest and blogged about it... Chicken Brests, Red potatoes cut in half and green beans (frozen from the bag)... Add Olive Oil, salt pepper and a few slices of butter- cook 350 until the chicken is done (30-45 minutes) and yummy!
ReplyDeleteI love my crock pot- roast and potatoe carrots is my easist/go to! I prep it the night before and plug it in before I got to work in the mornings :) I'll help ya out if I can!
seriously- meat, potatoes, onion, chicken broth, done!
ReplyDeleteThere are some great recipes on pinterest. One of my favorites is from a friend, though. 4-6 chicken breasts--fresh or frozen, 1 1/2 cups salsa (your preferred heat level), 2 Tbsp. lime juice, 2 Tbsp chili powder. Let it cook, shred it and place back in juices. Chicken tacos are ready to go, once you get your tortillas and favorite toppings, anyway!
ReplyDeleteOh girl the crockpot is your best friend... you can't mess it up, seriously! Dump in your ingredients and turn it on... voila, a few hours later your meal will be all ready and waiting for you!!
ReplyDeleteI agree with everyone else! The crockpot os SO EASY! It's like a time machine...one day, I was daydreaming while I was waiting for the copy machine at work. One of my co-workers was like, "Why are you smiling?" And I said, "I'm just thinking about how dinner is in the crockpot and it's already ready!" Haha...
ReplyDeleteYes. Get some crockpot liners. Is yours digital...? Ours is digital so you can set the timer and then it will just turn it to "warm" until you get home (i.e. if you set it for 6 and are gone for 8 hours then it just warms for two hours). That makes it a little easier.
All the recipes above sound great!
Pinterest has some good chicken and dumplings recipes.
If you ever get stuck, let me know! I used to hate meal planning and cooking and now I love it! I'll help you in any way I can! If you find me on Pinterest, I have a whole crockpot board! :) I'm under "Holly Bierly-Young"
Hahaha Kayla--this is too funny!! Trust me, I have been in your exact shoes and know how overwhelming it can be!! I even wrote a post on it as well: http://www.benandnicoleshea.com/2012/10/clean-up-in-aisle-7.html
ReplyDeleteBelieve me, it DOES get easier. Pretty soon you are going to be writing your grocery list organized by what aisle everything is in....or maybe that's just me being crazy!
Meal planning makes life so much easier, and you will soon figure out some of your favorite meals that you are going to make every week. Don't feel like you need a whole week of new things, just shoot for maybe 1 or 2 new meals and the rest can be recycled!
YES!! So glad to know I'm not the only one who makes a grocery list by how the store is laid out. I also go from the back of the store to the front. My husband teases me, but it really does save time!
DeleteEveryone says "You can't mess it up." Uh, I have. Haha.
ReplyDeleteBut just experiment with some meat and chicken broth or cream of chicken soup. You'll find something tasty! :)
We've all had those moments! I swear it gets easier!! And the crock pot will become your best, best friend, PROMISE! I have a few recipes if you want me to send them to you I will!
ReplyDeleteOh please....waffles is THE way to go! I do all our grocery shopping on Saturday and plan out every single meal for the week with ingredients. I use my crock pot all the time, because ain't nobody got time to be hanging out in the kitchen for hours making dinner. My favorite is a chili chicken. Frozen chicken breasts, black beans, taco seasoning, and a few other things...and you are set!
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, waffles are amazing and so is breakfast for dinner so no shame in that! Second, crock pot liners are sent from Heaven. I'm almost positive of this. Third, don't give up! You guys sound very much like Ryan and I two-ish years ago when we got married. He quickly became a Martha Stewart and passed me up in the cooking department but it's so much fun to learn together. Meal planning on the weekend is key and start simple. For really easy crockpot recipes, try the McCormick Slow Cooker recipes (on the back of the packets), they are kind of really processed but you can use it for meal ideas and then add your own seasoning to be healthy. Hope this helps! :)
ReplyDelete& that is why when Josh is working, I eat cereal for dinner. :-) No, but I found a meal planner weekly printout and then I just search for 30 minute or less recipes that are easy to make. The more you do it, the more you learn. Like, I can't cook on the grill at all because I never have, but give me a stove or an oven & I can do a pretty good job. Sometimes it just takes trial & error!
ReplyDeleteFirst, I consider myself a pretty good cook but I do breakfast for dinner ALL THE TIME. No shame in that!
ReplyDeleteSecond, once you get the hang of the crock pot, you'll love it. I recommend getting some liners though, they're a life saver (for those of us who hate dishes - the crock pot is the worst).
Third, if you have a grill, don't be afraid of it - they aren't just for men! I do 50% (and some of my best) cooking on the grill. It's so easy to throw raw veggies + greek/Italian dressing in some aluminum foil and let the grill do it's thing!
Trust me! Once you jump in, it will become your BEST FRIEND. Only tip, buy those crockpot liners. Sooooo much easier to clean up :)
ReplyDeleteI really wanted to make this crockpot pasta that I saw on a friend's blog...until I saw that it required a crockpot. Ha- NOT happening! Stir frys will save your life if you don't want to prep for long!
ReplyDeletexo, Hima
Hima Hearts
I am so with you on this friend. The only thing I have done is pulled pork. I'm with Alexa up there though. The liners were the best invention ever. Just give it a try. You'll see what you need to do different and what you did great with each try. :) Let me know if you find some yummy ones.
ReplyDeleteI have two super easy and super yummy crockpot recipes. I even have all of my coworkers addicted! I'll find the recipes and send them your way. You've got this!
ReplyDeleteMy precious! You will cook fabulously! I have no doubt at all. Just get in there and follow recipes-or not. Whatever suits you guys! I definitely am a followe
ReplyDeleteI seriously am still going through this and I have been married for over a year...bleh! haha!
ReplyDeleteThat's why I like that website stolenmomentscooking.com because she literally does a lot of her prep with just stolen moments. Will put some chicken in a marinade and let it go all night and then crock pot it in the morning or something like that. Do an easy meal one night and then maybe add in some prep for tomorrows harder meal that same night, and then the next night's dinner doesn't seem so daunting and you'll probably make it instead of going out to eat because you've already started on it.
ReplyDelete