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Update: My crock pot adventure has ended, but not my love of the slow cooker. The experience only deepened my belief that the slow cooker is the best kitchen device for losing weight and eating great.
You really can slow cook yourself skinny and here are some of my favorite recipes to help…
Happy October Crocktober 1!
This marks the official kickoff of a new project for me: A year of Weight Watchers friendly crock pot cooking!
Beginning today, I’m going to attempt to use my crock pot everyday for a year and write about it here. I realize that a year of crock pot cooking isn’t an original idea. In fact, I’m a huge fan of Stephanie from A Year of Slow Cooking, who used her crockpot everyday for a year way back in 2008. Unfortunately, she also gained 8 pounds in the process.
I want to prove that it’s possible to take advantage of all the benefits of crock pot cooking without gaining weight! In fact, I believe that slow cooking can actually help with weight loss.
But I feel like we Weight Watchers could use more light crock pot recipes that are easy, healthy and delicious. And recipes that include nutritional and WW Points information makes it so much easier to stay on track.
With every passing year, I love the ease and convenience of crock pot cooking more and more. I still want to eat well. But I want to minimize my time in the kitchen too. Crock Pot cooking fits perfectly with my desire to simplify my life. And get maximum reward for minimal effort.
When I use my slow cooker, I’m so much happier at meal time. And calmer. Crock Pot Cooking is easier. Less messy. Less precise. And more forgiving.
So, I’m giving myself permission to give this year of crock pot cooking a try.
Why begin my year of crock pot cooking on October 1, instead of waiting until the New Year?
I love fall. In my mind October marks the beginning of crockpot season. There’s nothing that says a calendar year and a crock pot cooking year need to coincide is there?
I really want to learn how to use the Ninja 3-in-1 Cooking System (affiliate link) my mom bought me for Christmas last year. I’ve used it a few times as a slow cooker. But I haven’t fully explored how to use it to its full potential.
And if I’m going to be completely honest, I’m afraid that if I wait until January, I’ll talk myself out of it. Tell myself it’s a crazy idea. Lose my excitement. Convince myself I can’t do it. Come up with millions of reasons not to try.
So, I’ve decided to dive right in beginning today. I’ve dusted off my slow cookers and gathered my crock pot cookbooks.
I don’t have a great track record of seeing such undertakings through to their finish, so wish me luck 🙂
Martha
Find a list of all my Year of WW Friendly Slow Cooker Recipes Here!
I’m wishing you all the best of luck! I did a 30 day crock pot challenge last year during the month of August (Texas heat here) and I loved it! I am looking forward to seeing your year unfold!
Sorry, these are not crock pot recipes but simple.
Found a treasure trove of old, old, old weight watchers recipes. Who knew so many were looking for recipes from the 70’s and 80’s?
http://community.cookinglight.com/showthread.php?110196-Old-Old-Old-Weight-Watchers-Recipe
or this one is this one from Google (which I think is the same as above.)
http://community.cookinglight.com/archive/index.php/t-110196.html
People there are seeking so of their old favorites from yesteryear.
Somebody gave me two recipes I had been trying to find and so I’ll share.
CHEDDAR MUFFINS
1 slice enriched bread made into crumbs
1 ounce grated cheddar cheese
1 medium egg, lightly beaten
1/3 cup non-fat dry milk
2 teaspoons melted margarine
Artificial sweetener to equal 4 teaspoons sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon dehydrated onion flakes
Preheat oven to 375. In medium bowl combine all ingredients and beat until thoroughly blended. Pour into small loaf pan or 2 muffin tins coated with release agent. Bake 20 – 25 minutes or until browned and firm to the touch. Makes one serving for the midday meal. Supplement as required. Equals:
1 serving bread
1 oz hard cheese
1 egg
1 serving milk
2 servings fat
Hot Stuff publication, Volume 13, page 7
Hot Stuff publications were pamphlets given at Weight Watcher meetings in the olden days! 🙂
————-
RAISIN COFFEE DANISH
2/3 cup non-fat dry milk
2 slices enriched bread, crumbed in blender
1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
artificial sweetener to equal 2 tablespoons sugar
8 tablespoons water
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon imitation butter extract
2 medium apples, cored, peeled and grated
4 ounces bran flakes with raisins
In a large bowl combine first 4 ingredients. In a cup combine next 3 ingredients. Combine both mixtures and add aples and cereal last. Bake at 350 for 25 minutes. Makes 4 servings for the morning meal. Divide evenly. Supplement as required. Each equals: 1/2 serving milk, 1/2 serving bread, 1/2 serving fruit, 1 serving cereal
Hot Stuff Publication, Volume 11, Page 6
You may have just saved my sanity!!! I am Mom to a busy 14 year old and 11 year old and have a husband that Coaches sports every season! I love using my crockpot. As a matter of fact it’s the only way I cook during the school year. But finding recipes that are Weight Watchers friendly has been so challenging! I’m excited to try all your recipes! Thank you so much!
Hi Laurie,
Wow, are you busy! I can see how the crockpot keeps you sane. Hope the recipes help 🙂
I love your recipes! My latest favorite is your split pea soup with ham. Just made it yesterday and it is so filling, even with moderate bits of ham added for extra flavor. I love that you offer nutritional information, points, and calories!! Thanks for sharing your great ideas and I’ll keep cooking them!
Thanks, Nancy. Glad you liked the split pea soup with ham and that the nutritional estimates help.
I am very excited about this. As a lifetime WW member, I am always looking for simple, one dish meals that are healthy & tasty……& my crockpot is decades old, so could definitely use an upgrade 🙂
Hi Sharon, sorry you didn’t win the crock pot but hope some of these recipes meet your need for simple one dish meals that are healthy and tasty!
As an avid ww member, I’m always looking for websites that have recipes that list ww points plus values. What a treasure your site is. I’ve made several crockpot soups that are wonderful.
I am so exciting about your site, I’ve emailed my ww leader to share with all our members.
Thank you for sharing all these wonderful recipes!
Thanks so much, Anne. I appreciate your support!
I am very excited about crock pot cooking, and too I am a newbie Weight Watcher. I do not have a web site, so how would I download? I sure hope this doesn’t count me out.
Thank you.
Hi Debbie,
So glad you found the site and are excited about crock pot cooking! I’m confused about what you are wanting to download???
I love the idea of crockpot cooking. But the recipes I have found mostly are very heavy, calorie laden, or use much processed food. I wish you success and perseverance. Also, recipes say “cook on high for 3-5 hr. or on low 5-7 hrs.” I find it very off putting and confusing to determine what time I should start cooking so it is ready at X time.
Hi Barbara.
Thanks for your comments. I’m looking forward to the Weight Watchers Friendly Crock Pot Cooking Challenge 🙂
I’m so excited for this!! I joined WW in summer and have done well but am worried about the fall and winter with heavier foods (and treats!) to keep up my weight loss goals!
Hi Jenni, The great thing is that fall and winter is perfect for making healthy yet hearty recipes in the crockpot! I’m sure you will be successful with your weight loss goals. The key is to just stick with it!!