Sure, slow cookers are great for roasts and chili, but did you know they can do so much more? There are literally hundreds of dishes you can prepare in your slow cooker, and they aren’t just for dinner either. Take a look at these 7 meals you may not have considered cooking in a slow cooker. So whether it be breakfast, lunch, or dinner you need to prep, you can put your slow cooker to work for you! Here are 7 ideas to get you started!
1. French toast bake.
Do you want to simplify breakfast? There are tons of recipes for slow cooker French toast. By combining a mixture of eggs, bread, water, and select spices, you can make your own French toast bake that is perfect for serving at breakfast on Sunday morning or any day of the week, really!
2. Taco casserole.
Did you ever think about preparing tacos in a slow cooker? Add your cooked ground beef, chopped veggies, cheese, and taco chips along with select seasonings and you have a taco casserole. This pairs well with a side salad and is a meal you will be happy to come home to.
3. Brownies.
Yes, you can make brownies and other cakes in your slow cooker! There are so many recipes out there that allow you to slow bake your dessert. Can you imagine how amazing your house will smell? Head to Pinterest where tons of slow cooker recipes for brownies and cake await you.
4. Biscuit/breakfast gravy.
Heading to a breakfast potluck or just want a nice Sunday breakfast? Consider preparing a breakfast or biscuit gravy in your slow cooker. You only need a few ingredients and in no time you have the perfect, creamy topping for biscuits, toast, and other breakfast items.
5. Cider/Hot chocolate.
Yes, you CAN prepare hot beverages in your slow cooker. This includes various kinds of fall cider as well as hot chocolate. Or my personal favourite, chai tea! Your slow cooker will make it easy to prepare these hot seasonal beverages in bulk, so you can easily serve a crowd!
6. Barbecue sauce.
Why not try making your own signature barbecue sauce? Your slow cooker is perfect for creating the best blend! Use a variety of ingredients and spices to create the perfect blend (ketchup, apple cider vinegar, hot sauce, etc.) and see what you can create. Your slow cooker makes it easy for you to prepare your sauce in bulk which you can then can or freeze for later.
7. Baked fruit.
Try baking fruit such as apples or peaches in your slow cooker for a sweet breakfast or dessert. You can top them with sweet seasonings for the ultimate treat! If you haven’t tried baked fruit, your slow cooker is the perfect way to experiment!
Are you ready to get creative with your slow cooker? Give one or all seven of these ideas a try. Need a recipe? The internet (especially Pinterest) is chock full of them. Give one a try!
I’d love to know what your favourite thing to make in the slow cooker is. Let me know in the comments below!
Simple Ingredients to Keep on Hand for Slow Cooker Meals
Do you love using your slow cooker? It’s the perfect appliance for getting a hot meal on the table with little effort and little expense. But do you know which items to keep on hand if you own a slow cooker? There are in fact, a few ingredients that can help you get a meal on the table quickly, even if you haven’t planned ahead. Take a look at these 7 items to keep on hand for great slow cooker meals, so you can put a meal together even at the last minute.
1. Canned cream soups.
You can dress up so many cuts of meat with a can or two of creamed soup. Cream of mushroom, celery, and chicken soups all dress up chicken and pork nicely. You can pour a can over your cut along with some water, seasonings, and vegetables if you have them and have a tasty dish in no time.
2. Barbecue sauce.
Make quick slow cooker ribs or slow cooker chicken when you add in the cut of meat along with some barbecue sauce. You can also add chopped onions if you wish to add some extra flavor, but even the sauce alone will dress up the meat nicely.
3. Ranch mix.
Dried ranch mix can spice up your chicken and even a beef roast nicely. Just sprinkle the mix in and add some butter and you will have flavorful chicken or roast that your family will love. If you have fresh veggies you can add them, but the ranch mix does well on its own.
4. Onion soup mix.
No fresh onions on hand? No problem! Dried onion soup mix can really dress up a cut of meat. Just add it along with some water and it will flavor the meat nicely. Of course you can add fresh veggies if you have them, but if not the onion soup mix is quite flavorful alone.
5. Rice and noodles.
You can bulk up any meal with some rice or noodles. Add rice or noodles along with the cream soup of your choice for a fast meal. You can also use them to make quick casseroles, soups, or stews. Rice and noodles are both cheap when bought in bulk, so stock up.
6. Certain cuts of meat.
Try to keep certain cuts of meat in your freezer so when you need to toss a quick meal in you can. Simple ribs, chicken breasts, or even an inexpensive roast all do well in a slow cooker. If you see these items on sale, stock up for future meals. They are so easy to dress up and prepare in a slow cooker.
7. Dried seasonings.
Stock up on dried seasonings. This doesn’t mean just salt and pepper, but seasoning salt, garlic salt, chili seasoning, taco seasoning, beef stew seasoning, Italian seasoning and ranchand onion soup mix as mentioned above. All of these seasonings can be added to your slow cooker along with some water for a fantastic meal.
Make sure you are slow cooker ready when you keep these 7 slow cooker must haves on hand. They are sure to come in handy when you are preparing your next slow cooker meal in a pinch!
I’d love to know what you make most often in your slow cooker?
I had the opportunity to attend a pre-grand opening event at a new Value Village that has opened in the area. Not only was it really fun to attend, they challenged me to see how far I could stretch $50. Challenge accepted!
Rather than buying whatever I fancied without any thought put into it, I thought it would be fun to put together a “capsule wardrobe” for fall. A capsule wardrobe is a very small collection of clothing that you love that changes with each season. This concept appeals to me because I often find myself going for the same pieces over and over again in my closet. And I’m quite fond of (trying) to be minimalistic. Perhaps you feel the same?
I rifled through the racks and pulled out anything I thought would work for me, being sure to pick out a good assortment of tops and bottoms. I didn’t find any shoes because I’ve got pretty small feet and the selection in my size wasn’t very abundant. (Like at most stores!) However, I do have shoes at home that will work. 😉 It was fun filling my basket to the brim!
I’ve been craving colour in my wardrobe lately so I was trying to pick out some good fall colours that I liked. Value Village didn’t disappoint in the colour department. I ended up with a bit of a theme. Cobalt/navy, beige/gold and plum for tops. Bottoms are a neutral denim.
As I mentioned, I was challenged to spend $50. I tried my best to stay within budget, but I went a bit over. Here’s the break down:
Beige H&M sequined top $3.99
Cobalt blue Simons sweater $7.99
Gold Banana Republic sweater $9.99
Navy Hollister ruffle top $7.99
Purple Old Navy tank $5.99
Cobalt button shirt (omitted from the tally because it’s from Amazon.ca)
London skinny jeans $7.99
Banana Republic denim skirt $11.99
Gap jeans (omitted from the tally because I owned them already)
TOTAL: $55.93
Here are some pieces that I already owned that I’m incorporating into my fall capsule wardrobe:
Accessories are generally a big part of capsule wardrobes, (I think, I’m no fashionista) but they’re honestly not really my thing. I wear my wedding rings all the time, but that’s it! However, I do have one accessory that I have been wearing because the baby likes it. It’s the hot pink teething necklace pictured below. I think it can go with all the colours I have in my wardrobe, except for the purple tank.
So now, if I were to add everything together that you see above, I spent under $130 for an entire wardrobe. (I’ve have to purchase other new things recently because I’m losing weight and everything was falling off of me 🙁 ) Not bad! Especially since everything was bought over a span of a few months.
Now, you may be wondering how to create a capsule wardrobe with stuff you own already. Here’s how:
Do a purge. Empty out your closet in it’s entirety and lay everything on your bed.
Sort each item into three piles: Keep (you love and regularly wear the item), Maybe (item may not fit quite right, sentimental…etc. Put it all in a bag then store away. If at the end of the season/year you don’t “rescue” anything from the bag, donate the bag.), Donate (self-explanatory).
Assess what you have left. These are the clothes you love and wear regularly. You should see your “style” pop out at you with what you have left.
Fill in the gaps. Perhaps you need a new pair of jeans. Or a black tank top. Shop for one item at a time and get them on sale. However, I recommend quality over price, within reason, especially since most items in a capsule wardrobe will be getting frequent use.
The amount of clothes you have in a capsule wardrobe depends on your personal needs/desires. I’ve seen some people stick to 50 pieces, others with 37 and others with less than that. Maybe you need two capsule wardrobes. One for work wear and one for weekends. Do what works for you.
Have you considered creating a capsule wardrobe for each season? I bet you already own quite a few pieces you could incorporate!
Disclaimer – This is a sponsored post brought to you by Value Village. All opinions are 100% my own.
In my mind, being frugal, is less about not spending and more about intentional spending. For example, I may have (mostly) stopped my mindless shopping habit thanks to a No Spend Challenge I did several years ago, but I am not afraid to spend money on things that I feel add value to my life.
After all, frugality is not just about a house full of containers waiting to be reused, or having a pile of cheap clothes waiting to be mended. Sometimes, it’s about using your time and money intentionally to do more of what you love.
Here are seven things that I never regret spending money on:
Good food
For me, good food is one of the best things in life. Especially delicious, satisfying meals where I'm gathered around a table with family or friends. It’s about quality. Quality food, quality company and quality conversation. Tasty, well made food and slow eaten dinners whether you’re eating out or cooking at home just can't be beat. Sometimes being frugal means purchasing some grocery items of lesser quality so that you can splurge on the things that really matter to your family's good food philosophy. (Grass fed beef, organic fruits & vegetables, for example.)
Travel or Fun Experiences
Nothing quite brings a smile to my face like the opportunity to travel to new places or enjoy fun experiences. We recently took our daughters to a local annual fair that was quite costly. (Admission, food, rides...it all adds up!) But we save our hard earned money for times like this. I loved seeing the smile on our oldest daughter's face after she experienced her very first fair ride. Or hearing her squeal when she saw the tiny baby pigs. It was worth it!
My husband and I also have dreams to travel abroad one day. I have done some traveling in Australia and Africa before I was married, but my husband hasn't done much. I can't wait to see the day when we can make his dream of travelling to Europe and other countries a reality.
A hobby that makes you happy
I consider Simply Frugal a money making business, but it's also my hobby. I spend time researching, writing and even spend a decent amount of money to keep it running. But it's fun! I enjoy learning all aspects of running an online business and I love seeing what I do help others. As with any hobby, (sewing, jewelry making, or even a tropical fish hobbyist) you have to spend money to do your thing. And if it brings you joy, then by all means go with it and make room in your budget.
Learning new things
I love learning new things. I’ve done online courses (where I learned a lot about various aspects of blogging) and in-person conferences. I’ve also spent money on books and travel; all experiences that have helped expand my mind. Learning makes me feel more confident and proud of myself.
Quality items
Comfortable, sturdy shoes that I wear season after season. A high quality set of cooking pots made to last. A brand name backpack that I have been using for every trip I have taken since I went to Australia 15 years ago.
I’m talking about well made, quality items that serve a specific purpose in your life. It's incredibly satisfying to actually wear something out and then replace them with something just as good. In today’s disposable society, there is something so satisfying about knowing you’ve made a good, quality purchase!
Services that improve your quality of life
There is no rule in the frugal lifestyle that says you must DIY everything. If you really hate housework, hire a cleaner. If you desperately need some time to yourself, hire a babysitter. Or even if you think you can fix the toilet, sometimes hiring a professional can save you money in the long run if something goes wrong if you try to DIY.
I know that services are sometimes expensive, but it’s about looking at your values and prioritizing your spending. You might be surprised at what you can afford!
A cause you believe in
Lastly, I never regret being generous. I believe that giving to charity is important. Whether that be a local charity or a charity in a third world country. Imagine what would happen if everyone gave, even in a small way? Money donated to charity always feels like money well spent if you're donating to what speaks to you.
I also love to surprise friends and family with little meaningful gifts, especially when they are not expecting anything. I believe in cheering up those that are "in the trenches" of daily life.
What are your thoughts? What do you never regret spending money on? Let me know in the comments!
Here’s a question that a reader of Simply Frugal would love some help with:
I am a single person, trying to live frugally. I have it down in every other area of my life, but when it comes to meal planning and buying food, I seem to waste a lot. How do you eat healthy and frugally when you are single?
Can you help her out with some awesome suggestions?
Just because you're frugal, doesn't mean you don't deserve to treat yo' self once in a while! It also doesn't mean your treats have to be expensive! Here are 16 ways that you can treat yourself for free today!
Feel-Good Ways to Treat Yourself for Free
Rewarding yourself for little (or big) accomplishments and treating yourself to a little pick-me-up to help you get through the week, is important. I'd also go as far to say it's a necessity in order to not fall victim to frugal fatigue. However, it’s not always a good idea to spend money every time you feel like doing something special for yourself.
But, don't let that discourage you. There are quite a few ways that you can feel like you did something nice for yourself without paying a cent.
The next time you feel like treating yourself, try any of these 16 Ways to Treat Yourself for Free.
Read at the beach:
This is something my husband and I would do regularly before we had kids. We would make a day of going to the beach with a book or magazine and just sit and read. People watching is also fun.
Bubble Bath:
Every once in a while, a warm bubble bath sounds really, really nice and relaxing. It's a great way to put that bubble bath to use that was given to you as a gift. If you have Epsom salts, throw those in too! Or try my Homemade Sore Muscle Soak!
Take a Nap:
Now this one sounds like a fantastic treat to me right now! I'm working on very limited sleep during the night because the baby is waking up far too often for my liking. Grabbing a mid day nap sounds wonderful. 🙂
Go for a Walk:
Get out and get some fresh air. Walk around the neighborhood or find a nice wooded trail. Go by yourself or bring the family or a friend. Enjoy the scenery and focus on all the details surrounding you.
DIY Manicure or Pedicure:
I'm sure you can do an almost salon like manicure or pedicure at home after watching or reading an online tutorial. You could even get in some girlfriend/daughter time by doing each others nails.
Visit a Pet Shelter:
Head to your nearest pet shelter to give some animals a few cuddles, pets or a walk! This is a definite feel-good way to treat yourself for free!
Netflix marathon:
If you have a Netflix subscription, you could binge watch a popular series, with popcorn, of course.
Head to a free community event:
I'm fairly certain that all communities offer some sort of free event. For example, our city offers a free summer music concert in a local park once a week. There are also regular events going on for major holidays. Take a look in the newspaper and you should find something of interest!
Swap some clothes with a friend
Are your clothes feeling a bit boring to wear over and over again? Why not try swapping a few pieces of clothing with a friend? You'll have brand new wardrobe possibilities without spending a dime.
Grab a notebook and start journaling:
Journaling can be quite cathartic. Especially if you're in a stressful season of your life. Take the time for yourself to write down all your thoughts and dreams. Allow yourself to vent.
Find that hidden chocolate bar that someone gave you and savor it:
I'll be honest in saying that all my hidden chocolate is gone now, but for a while I was working on some Christmas chocolate that was given to me! It tastes best when I eat a piece hidden from my daughters. 😉
Bake a treat:
Craving a piece of cake? Why not bake an entire cake and invite some friends over? (So you don't accidentally eat the whole thing yourself.) You probably have most of the ingredients on hand already in your pantry.
Picnic outside in the yard or park:
Why not pack up a rotisserie chicken, some buns, fruit and veggies and have an outdoor picnic? This is another favourite thing our family likes to do. We have to eat anyways, so why not enjoy eating outdoors?
Do something nice for someone else:
Doing something nice for someone else will surely put a smile on your face for the entire day. It just feels good to show someone else some kindness. Some cheap ideas are:
Bake someone a batch of muffins to make their mornings a bit smoother
Double up one of your dinners and bring a friend in need the second dinner
A "thinking of you" card to someone who's been on your mind
Give a compliment to a stranger
Let someone else go in front of you in line at the grocery store
Gift your talents to someone (photography, a knitting project, baking, art work...etc.)
Learn something new:
I have a whole post dedicated to skills and hobbies you can learn for free. Check it out.
Say no to something that you are dreading that is not essential:
Sometimes our lives can fill up with things that we should do, because they're "good things". Why not say "no" to that thing that is completely not essential. Saying "no" can feel really good!
I'd love to know the ideas that you have to treat yourself for free or cheaply! Let me know in the comments.
