Crock pot meals a big help to college moms
November 19, 2012
When it comes to making wholesome family dinners, there may not feel like enough time in the day for single moms with college scholarships to get through all the other tasks that need to get done. On the other hand, skipping meals with kids can fray families, and not eating together can make everyone feel less healthy and energetic. There are options available besides takeout food or microwave meals that are both nutritious and inexpensive.
Crock pot cooking is easy and simple to do, plus it allows single moms with scholarships to throw everything in before school and have a full meal waiting when they get home. Finding ways to make these in a more time- and cost-effective way is the trick.
Get the right tools
Buying a slow cooker for the first time can be confusing, as there are a lot of different options on the market. There isn't much of a practical need to get a portable model, for instance, but getting a model with a timer can make it easier to ensure that meals won't be overcooked if an exam goes long or a college scholarship needs some added attention. If a single mom owns a model without a timer, instead of buying a new one, make sure ingredients sit in the fridge overnight and go in cold. That will ensure they take a while longer to cook.
Prep beforehand
Instead of waiting until the morning to put everything together, take some time the night before to chop vegetables and herbs, assemble ingredients and assure that everything necessary is on-hand. Moms with college scholarships should be well versed in organizational tactics, so applying these skills to cooking can be simple. On top of that, doing meal prep the night before allows moms an opportunity to teach kids how to cook, connect over food and help them make lunches for the next day, too.
Don't over spend
The nice thing about crock pot cooking is that it doesn't require the most expensive ingredients. A single mom on a budget can get away with buying cheap cuts of meat, rudimentary vegetables and a little bit of stock, put them all in the cooker before heading out in the morning and wind up with a fabulous dinner. In fact, because it takes so long to prepare meals in a slow cooker, it would actually ruin more tender pieces of meat if allowed to stew for that long. Stick to bone-in chicken pieces, low-end beef cuts and pork that requires a long time in the oven. These ingredients will be tender and succulent when it comes time to eat.
