Maybe it's because it's summer. Maybe everyone is busy with rushing here or there - trying to enjoy as much sun and fun as we can, before we're trapped inside all winter. Thats the only guess I can make. I know I have cooked some things - but none of it has been overly worthwhile, I guess. Or so painful that I just HAD to blog about it so you guys could appreciate my struggles.
Well that will hopefully change soon. You know, minus the painful part.
Change is hard but change is good. Change is needed.
To sum up a really long story that really isn't necessary here - Jason & I broke up, and it was extremely difficult, so I haven't really had a huge desire to cook recently. It's not as fun when you do it alone (or so I've been telling myself.) Plus, its twice the work. And twice the memories. And really, I need to be..supervised most of the time. Honestly. I don't trust myself alone and so the thought of doing so much on my own is kind of... intimidating.
But since the breakup (and the weeks leading up to it) I've decided the wonderful philosophy we all go thru during breakups - where you start to focus fully on yourself. You stop worrying about someone else constantly and you start wondering what YOU need to improve your life.
So what do I need? To eat healthier. To eat fresher foods. To try to expand my tastebuds towards more veggies and fruits and you know, non-chocolate or Ben & Jerry's type things. But I also have less time (or so it seems) and less helps (how sad!) so that leads to..lack of motivation. So now I introduce to you my new partner:
The Crockpot.
Oh Crockpot. I love you so much. I can pre-cut and slice and arrange everything I need the night before, throw you into the crockpot in the morning before I leave for work, and come home to an apartment filled with amazing smells. You are such a wonderful little worker. Such a help.
My first crockpot meal, with the help of this receipe from my friend Pam, turned out so well I made it again just a couple weeks later. Now presenting...
Yummy Pot Roast!
1 can cr. of mushroom soup
1 pouch dry onion soup mix
6-8 small red potatoes, cut into quarters
1 bag baby carrots
3-4 lb. bottom round or chuck roast
Throw everything in the crock pot and cook for 8-10 hours on low. Ta-da!
And for those of you who don't enjoy a good can of cream of mushroom soup (or mushroom soup in general) this was ACTUALLY the last meal I made for Jason. And he HATES, HATES, HATES mushrooms and finds the thought of "cream of mushroom soup" vomit-worthy. So I may or may not have left out that ingredient when he asked what all was in the crockpot. And let me tell you, he LOVED it. He had no clue. I am just that sneaky. So if that scares you, have no fear - you honestly can't tell. It just helps make a really nice broth with the cry onion soup mix. Promise.
This has since inspired me to want to use my new friend, Crockpot, even more. And while at Barnes & Noble the other day in Morgantown, I stumbled across this little beauty. Which lead me to finding... THIS AMAZING DISCOVERY:
Yes. An entire receipe of healthy crockpot receipes. Including (but not limited to) main dishes featuring chicken, turkey, beef, pork, seafood, bean, soups, veggies, desserts, appetizers, snacks, spreads, beverages, breakfast dishes and breads. I mean, REALLY.
So next time I post (which will hopefully be soon) I will have made at least ONE of these amazing dishes. The hardest part is choosing between them! There is a Hot Crab Dip in there that sounds AMAZING. But I really want to try one of the meals first I think. We'll see!
So next time I post (which will hopefully be soon) I will have made at least ONE of these amazing dishes. The hardest part is choosing between them! There is a Hot Crab Dip in there that sounds AMAZING. But I really want to try one of the meals first I think. We'll see!
And hopefully by the time I come back to write again... you all will have written too. Cough, cough, nudge, nudge. :)
