Crockpot to the Rescue

This week has been busy! Fun, but busy. Sunday is my day to usually do the food shopping and cooking for the week. I really love being prepared and knowing the I will something to eat for every meal. I know that more "ugh why did I eat that" moments happen when I am not prepared. My usual Sunday turned into a really fun creative day. My mom and dad have been changing and redoing rooms on and off with lots of DIY (do it yourself) projects. My sister and I headed over for this weeks project of updating photos and hang frames. I admit I left the designing to them, but helped with picking out photos. Like most projects once you start it's too fun to stop and it also turned into a fun family dinner when my brother in law came over to help too.

Beginning of the DIY photo hallway

Fast forward to Monday morning. I am in the kitchen having breakfast before work when I realize I only have enough cooked food for lunch. I was also supposed to have plans to meet up with Debbie for coffee later that night. Not leaving me much time to cook. And then I heard my crockpot calling my name from the cabinet. I pulled it out with a plan. I grabbed a chuck steak from the freezer and placed it in. No need to remember to defrost the extra moisture from being frozen just makes it that much juicers as it cooks. I cut up some garlic, sprinkled some salt and pepper, and put in a couple of teaspoons of butter. I know, I know, you are saying BUTTER? That's what I said to my mom when she first told me how to make this meal, but trust me it works and it's delicious! I put the lid on and set the crockpot for 8 hours on low.

I found neat garlic tip...
After you cut off the end, put the flat end of the knife on top and push down lightly.
This helps you peel the garlic so much quicker!! 

It is as easy as it sounds
Place chuck in crockpot/garlic/butter, cook, and enjoy

I came home for lunch and let me tell you my place smelled amazing. I was drooling just thinking about my dinner.

Lunch time check in...I didn't want to open the lid and release the heat
but you can see it getting delicious and juicy

Finally home after a busy Monday and was really happy I had remembered to use my crockpot. I roasted up some broccoli and had a complete, healthy, low carb dinner meal with enough for leftovers during the week. Thank you crockpot and my mom for teaching me her meal ideas.

Finished crockpot chuck steak!

My finished low carb/paleo dinner
The meat came out so juicy and tender.
I was full after eating, good thing Debbie and I only got coffee

No Meal..Go Fish

The biggest thing I have learned about eating healthy is that it requires you to be prepared as much as possible with meals. When it comes to weekdays I usually try to go grocery shopping and make some meals on Sunday to last me the week. Then there are those weekends that get away from me; next thing I know it's Monday and I get home from a busy day of work with no dinner pre-prepared. When this happens there are a few options.. order in food, throw together a quick something you aren't even sure what it is, eat Doritos (fill in your favorite food) or my favorite new option...fish!

Two of my coworkers told me about bags of fish they bought at Shoprite (most grocery stores carry them). The fish are individually packaged giving you the option of cooking 1 or 4 and nothing will go bad because you didn't make it right away, plus it makes it easy to store them in the freezer for the next time you need a quick meal. I figured I would give it a shot and tried the salmon. Wow was I pleasantly surprised!! It came out mouthwatering delicious, and even better it was quick and easy! I didn't even have to defrost the fish first (who has time for that after work). 

Frozen salmon, seasoning of choice, butter and you have a healthy meal in minutes

Ingredients: 

Fish of your choice (I've used salmon and tilapia with these ingredients)

Fresh cut garlic 

Seasoning of your choice...I prefer Mrs. Dash herb and garlic 

Parmesan cheese

Butter

Preheat the over to 350F. Spray a pan or baking sheet with PAM, this is so the fish doesn't stick. In an effort to have less clean-up, because admit it who likes to clean, I like to use disposable pans. Once your fillet(s) are placed in the pan or baking sheet sprinkle the seasoning on the top and bottom, then the parmesan cheese on top, finish by adding the garlic pieces on top and around the fillet and place about a teaspoon of butter on each filet. Tada ready cook. Place in the oven for approximately 15 min. Cooking times vary on filet sizes and ovens. 

Salmon is prepared and  ready to cook

After about 15 minutes or when the fish is mostly cooked I put the oven on broil. I love the parmesan cheese and garlic to get a little crispy. After about a minute (again depends on oven) I take it out and drool at my latest creation. 

L: salmon fresh out of the oven, see little crispy outside.
R: A complete and healthy meal in less than 30 minutes

Hope this helps you, like it did me, get through some hungry meals. Salmon can be a meal for almost any time of the day. Have leftovers for breakfast or lunch too! Oh and stay tuned for some side dish ideas including the zucchini one above.