I’m not going to lie. My dream dinner option has arrived. I have always loved using the slow cooker to make dinner because you can put everything in that morning and then when the day gets busy and your stomach is more than ready for dinner, you have a big pot of goodness waiting for you at home to eat.
I was REALLY excited when The Crock-Pot Brand reached out to me to try Crock-Pot Cuisine (and when I told my mom ((we text all day long.. it has kind of gotten out of control)) seconds after finding out about them she told me to sign her up too:) I just love the whole concept of being able to have such a convenient, delicious meal waiting for me to eat at home with my Brookers at the table (ehhh counter) after a busy day.
I can just put everything into the slow cooker right after I finish my workout and then know that I’ve got something delicious waiting for me to eat for dinner.
How it works—> they send you your meals in a styrofoam cooler box packed with dry ice to keep the meals frozen. I then just put the box of ingredients in my freezer and took it out the day I wanted to eat my meal for dinner.
Does it get any more simple than this? I think not. Ohhhh and less time to prepare a meal= more time to run which we all can agree is a win-win situation.
All of the ingredients come chopped just the way you need them so that it takes approximately 2 minutes to put everything together. PS I am buying these meals to be delivered to one of my good friends that lives in a different state for when she has her baby in a few weeks. I can’t take her dinner to help her out but I can send her an amazing meal that is crazy easy to make. These are so awesome to have in your freezer for those days where life is crazy and you are too busy to cook. You can even set up to be on their subscription program if you want to make re-ordering simple.
PS one of my favorite things about our new place is the toy room right by the kitchen. Whenever I start cooking Brookie runs in to her kitchen and starts whipping up something delicious too.
We put everything inside of the slow-cooker, I took a quick shower and then we were off for the day doing random things until right before it was all finished cooking. I wish I could include a button to click on right now that could let you smell how amazing my apartment smelled once we got home. It was so nice to not have to think about what to have for dinner and to have everything ready for us… especially because our stomachs were growling big time once we walked in and could smell our dinner cooking.
This is what it looked like just a few minutes before it was all done! The rice and green beans were added 30 minutes before it was finished which cooked them perfectly.
I think my parents could smell it from their house and they showed up right away! Each meal kit from Crock-Pot Cuisine feeds about 4 adults so it was perfect for all of us (plus I had a little leftover:).
We all loved it and could eat this meal many many times a month and be happy.
***First 100 readers will receive $10 off when you buy two or more meals (available online only)! Go HERE to get started (Discount will automatically apply when you click through the link)***
Sponsored by Crock-Pot Cuisine!!! I love sharing with you the companies/products that we love using!
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What days are usually your busiest each week? What makes those days extra crazy?
How do you make running one of your priorities on those busy days?
How often do you use a slow cooker?
Best meal you have made in awhile?
65 comments
Sally @ sweat out the small stuff
Sometimes I run at night. I did that last night because I had to work in the city and with the commute I really had no other time.
I love making pot roast in the slow cooker. The meat gets so tender it falls apart.
My busiest days tend to be Tuesday or Wednesday when my clients are all focused and realize they need work lol
Sarah @ SarahRuns26
Crock pot meals are my favorite. There is nothing better than putting everything into one pot and not doing anything and it is all done for you at the end of the day. Genius.
Since we are building a house right now, one of my biggest stressors is that I never know what days will be crazy. Some days I plan to go home after work and run, but we end up having to be over at the house for hours after work and then it doesn’t happen. I’ve learned to not get upset about it and to just try and roll with it and run when I can for as far as I can!
Natalie
I just bought a slow cooker and haven’t used it yet. I need to find some good recipes!! (I just now learned how to cook, so this is all new to me.)
My busiest days are probably Wednesdays and Thursdays, and I get up extra early to make sure I can get my run in before all of the madness sets in. It helps keep me sane. :)
Mel_OutRunCF
The best thing I made recently was an appetizer : butternut squash and apple soup made with coconut milk and curry. So delicious… I wish I had doubled the recipe because I had friends over and it was gone in 5 minutes! I love the crock pot, especially in the fall and winter…summer is all about BBQ because it means that my husband is cooking and I get a break ;-) It seems like every day is crazy busy (especially week days) so to make sure I get to run, I’m up and on the road at 5h30am.
Hollie
That’s really interesting. I think it would be beneficial for my husband and I when we are both out of the house for 12+ hours. Thanks for sharing Janae.
Normally I run in the early morning so it makes it one of my priorities.
Michelle
Wow this sounds like a dream come true! This winter I set aside a few days to make my own crockpot freezer meals. It would take all day (grocery shopping in the morning then prep in the afternoon) but would be so worthwhile when I had a freezer full of meals ready to go. BUT it’s a struggle to find a whole day to dedicate to this. Just buying the meals ready made sounds amazing!
My busy days change every week, but they’re always the week days when I work both of my jobs. This week it’s Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. The days go something like this: up at 5am, gym from 5:30-7am, commute 1 hour to work, work 8am-4:30pm, commute home 1 hour, dinner 5:30-5:45, second job 6pm-10pm, then straight to bed as soon as I get home! With only 15 minutes between getting home from one job and leaving for the other, I need to have dinner made and waiting for me!
Laura @ This Runner's Recipes
I don’t use thd crockpot much except for making slow roasted meats or soups. On busy days I always run in the morning—run the day before it runs you!
Ultra Run Couple @UltraRunCouple
We are so happy to see that you love your new place. It really makes a difference. We downsized to a condo two years ago and absolutely LOVE the simplicity of it.
You and Brookers just look right at home in all the pictures. We pray that God blesses your day and run today!
Sam @ See Sam Run
A slow cooker is on my list of things to buy when I move into my apartment/townhome next month. That meal looks so good!
Kaci @ Kaci K. RD2Be
I go through phases when I use the crock pot all the time and then other times I don’t use it at all. Right now it’s the latter. I haven’t used it in awhile. I’m not sure why-I love putting everything in and then not having to worry about it!
My busiest days are when I have Girls on the Run practice and then teach Jazzercise after. Fortunately, Jazzercise is my workout then. Otherwise if I have a busy day, I make sure to plan my workout and pack all my stuff to have it ready. I can’t workout in the morning before work but if I have a bag packed for afterwards, I’m more likely to do it. It’s depressing to have to unpack a bag of unworn workout clothes!
Michele @paleorunningmomma
I don’t use my crockpot enough! Our busiest days are Tuesdays and Thursdays and I try to make dinner in the afternoon so we can eat before 7pm!
Karien @ Running the Race
I’m a big fan of no-fuss, wholesome meals as well – looks like a great concept!
Angie @ Pace With Grace
I love slow cookers! So many healthy nutritious meal options so there’s no excuse to eat junk if you ask me. Any day Monday-Thursday are my busiest and so I definitely run in the morning to set the busy day off on the right foot. That recipe looks delicious!
Karrie
Hahaha it looks like Brooke is showing off her grocery haul too ;)
This is such a great idea, I love it!! I love your placemats too btw, they are super cute.
Thursdays are usually my busiest days. I make running/exercising a priority by reminding myself how much better I feel after. It just makes the rest of my day feel more organized. Plus, a nice run gives me time to clear my head and think about the rest of the day.
Rose
I love using my crock-pot but this seems like a waste of Styrofoam. I don’t imagine you would keep those coolers each time so then they just get thrown away? Or do they recycle them for you?
Mel_OutRunCF
My Cystic Fibrosis medication comes in a similar package (it needs to be refrigerated during transport) and the company recycles the entire thing (pick up or shipment included). I hope this company will do the same- if they don’t do it already.
Arthi
I’ve never used a slow cooker before but feel like it’d be the way to go! Seems like it’s way easier than a blue apron meal!
My busiest days are travel days for work … Had a 7:15am flight yesterday and got up at 4am so I could squeeze in a run … You do what you gotta do!
Meredith @ the cookie chrunicles
I still don’t own a slow cooker! Maybe I should get one. Tuesday night’s get busy for us with sports practice and then Hebrew school. I make it pizza night since it’s easy to make and my son always loves it
Jenny
We use a slow cooker a couple times a week. Especially when we are on the late schedule for church. Our busiest days are probably Monday’s and Wednesday’s but a lot of other days I forget that I’m the one that has to cook dinner and end up getting it ready much later than I hoped.
Bethany Thompson
I adore crock pot meals- so simple! I love coming home to a meal that is cooked perfectly and finished!
When I have busy days, I make sure to wake up early, jump into my running clothes, and head out the door before I have too long to think about what I’m doing ;).
Thanks for the post!
Betsy
This is amazing!! I’ve never heard of this company and I’m so glad you shared it. My best friend is on bed rest during her pregnancy and I wanted to send her something to help, this will be perfect!
Amanda @ Exploring Life & Things
My crockpot is my absolute favorite kitchen tool :) I love cooking with it and like you said, it’s so nice to come home to dinner ready andddd usually only clean one big dish instead of several.
We made Italian beef in the crockpot last week and I love how much leftovers we had!
Emma @myfullfatlife
I don’t use my crock pot nearly enough. I normally use it to keep meatballs warm when people come over. I’ve also used it when I make stew and I don’t want it to sit on the stove while I go out running.
Mollie
I run at lunch when I don’t have time after work. It’s actually a great way to break up the day and have my coworkers avoid me the rest of the afternoon. ;-)
I’ve found some great crock pot recipes, but my favorite is basic veggie, sweet potato chili. It lasts a few days and is always delicious reheated!
Meesh
I love the idea of an easy crock pot meal! It is lovely to come home to dinner already cooked :-)
elizabeth
I feel like everyday is busy. I’m always trying to get stuff done…after running and my other workouts :)
Haven’t used my slow cooker lately. I definitely want to try the Lemon Herb Chicken!! My go to meal is chicken tacos. I make enough chicken so I have leftovers for chicken nachos or topping for a sweet potato…sound familiar??
Love the pic of your parents!! They are soooo cute.
Megan D
Yep. I used my crock pot last night to make BBQ shredded pork sandwiches and I will use it tomorrow to make a basil chicken in coconut curry sauce. Between running my kids to practice, helping them with homework and all the things it is so nice to not have to add one more thing to my evening to do list!
I love Brooke’s kitchen. It is so cute. I think if I got one for myself, it would be totally normal, right?
kelly
Crockpot brand has their own meal service?! That’s fantastic! I bet they don’t deliver overseas, though……
I love my crockpot but am terrible about getting recipes and trying them. I tend to just buy ingredients and throw it all in. Sometimes I simply put in broth, chicken/turkey, and herbs de provence and let it cook all day so in the evening I can have cooked poultry to make fajitas/chicken pot pie/pasta/burrito bowls/etc.
My busiest days vary depending on kids activities and work meetings. I try to run immediately after work which is around 3:15. This way I am done when my kids’ practices are done and we can all head home together. Its so easy to get sidetracked which is why I am in the habit of running straight from my work.
The best meal I made was so dopey-I steamed up a sweet potato, zuchini, frozen kale (can’t get it hear but one month a year), then I placed it on top of a brown rice/basmati rice combo (sneaky mom putting brown rice in there) with some butter and sea salt. Oh, and I sliced avocado on it. This was a quicky on the fly meal. The next best meal was chicken enchiladas with yummy green salsa made with crockpot chicken!!!!
Enjoy the rest of your week!!!!
Annette in GA
I can’t wait to try this!! I’m a CPA up to my eyeballs in tax returns & my poor family has been living off of sandwiches & chicken nuggets. I like the idea of Blue Apron & Peach Dish but don’t want to do all of that chopping & preparing. Maybe this will solve our dinner problems.
Steph
Hey, how is your mom doing?
The Hungry Runner Girl
Hey Steph! She is doing a lot better! Thank you so much for asking. She has really learned to slow down and to take care of herself (her natural self just wants to spend 24 hours a day helping everyone else). The doctors are hopeful that another stroke in her eye will not occur and that her heart problem will be okay if she manages it well. I really appreciate you asking.
Erin
Crock pot meals are the best – my favorite is a chicken burrito bowl – throw some cheese on when it’s almost done and voila! You’ve got something better than Chipotle
Michele
Sundays and Wednesdays are the busy days around our house… Fridays and Saturdays can get crazy too, and the occasional Thursday? Okay, so Tuesdays and Mondays are the least hectic. I occasionally use the crock pot and have some great recipes.
The best meal I made recently was a chicken and wild rice soup. MMMmmmm.. Perfect for chilly days.
Caitlyn @ Candid Cerebrations
My schedule is all over the place and most days are busy because my down time often goes to friends. I haven’t been using my crockpot much lately but I really should! I made an awesome dip the other weekend for a potluck in it. As for making running a priority, I haven’t been lately =/ I did however sneak a short run in at my work’s gym on Monday during my lunch. But it was a bit unpleasant to have to run back across the campus for a meeting still sweaty – I showered post-run but hadn’t quite cooled down yet.
Becky @goodfortheswole
Oh my goodness! What a cool idea!! I’ve been looking into making a bunch of freezer meals before my babe arrives and this seems perfect!
Jane@50statecancuk
Ugh!! Am so jealous of you being able to order those meals – this service is not (yet) available in Canada…sounds heavenly!! I have a slow cooker…and want to use it more, but just haven’t…
I find Thursdays can be busiest…for me, I need to get my workout out done first thing in the morning otherwise it won’t get done!
Best meal…tofu spicy peanut stir fry!
LoriAnn
Love my crockpot but 24.99 plus 10 for shipping is a bit steep even for convenience.
Jenn
Agreed. You could buy a week’s worth of crockpot ingredients for $35. Also, the ingredient list is sketchy.
Lee
If I’m going to pay that for a meal, I’ll go out. I can get more meals for the money doing the shopping myself. Besides, I have to go yo the grocery store anyway. It’s not going to save me much time unless they’re going to bring me everything I need for the week.
autumn
I thought the same thing…..
Maggie L
This is my dream! Busy with work all day long I’m obsessed with my crock pot. A curry chicken will save me tonight- cooking as we speak!
[email protected]
The crockpot is a lifesaver and this idea is genius! I’m so glad you posted it! What a great gift idea for a new mom or even for Mother’s Day.
The best meal I made in a while was Easter dinner. It was the traditional fare, but it’s so nice to sit down with my family for a holiday meal.
It’s so hard to find balance as a working mom. Running has to come first thing and really early in the morning before my family is awake. Happy running!
Courtney @ Sweet Tooth, Sweet Life
OH MY GOD I need this!!!!
Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious
I use my crockpot for everything especially in the summer when it’s 115 degrees and too hot to turn on the stove or oven. Sadly, mine is on its last leg though.
Abby
Hi Janae!
Love your blog, but I was just wondering how you feel about the environmental impact of programs like this? Not only does the packaging seem wasteful, but the transport of the food itself seems like it would increase your carbon footprint!
The Hungry Runner Girl
Great questions Abby! As far as packaging goes, I need to think more about that and as far as transport of food itself… I feel like it is equivalent to food transported to a grocery store and then me driving back and forth to go get the food. Does that make sense?
Abby
Thanks for addressing!
Marissa @ Run Riss Run
I love my slow cooker! I use it at least once a week especially now that my kiddos have swim 3 x’s per week!
Becky
I wish this service was available in Canada.
christine
Days when my husband is traveling and I need to be in the office are crazy, I need to get my 17month old at daycare for 7am and my butt in the office at 730am.
If I need to get running in on a busy day like mentioned above, I set my alarm early and get on the treadmill at home (thank goodness for that). It may not be a great run, 530am runs are tough for me, but miles are miles!
I use my slow cooker a couple of times a month, usually to make carnitas – that stuff lasts for DAYS and you can do so much with it. (tacos, enchiladas, nachos, on top of a sweet potatoes, with eggs for breakfast, etc)
Best meal I’ve made lately…well it wasn’t a meal. It was a coconut easter bunny cake – I made a coconut cake with homemade cream cheese frosting and covered the cake in coconut – OH MY!
Kristen
Nights when my daughter has softball are the craziest! It’s usually from 5:30-8:30 so dinner before is a little too early (and she doesn’t want a full belly right before) but dinner after is a little too late for her.
I honestly love the idea of this service. Especially the idea of sending meals to loved ones far away. Probably ’cause I love feeding people!
Best meal I’ve had in a while? I made my husband lasagna for his birthday and it came out amazing. We called it Birthday Lasagna ’cause I didn’t healthify it one bit, just made it full-on decadent for his birthday. This might be a new tradition.
Mary Jo @ Run and Smile
I love my slower cooker. I usually have everything cut and measured the night before so all I have to do is dump it all in before I leave for work. Poof–dinner. We have a calendar and our training miles are on it to make sure we do them. That’s how we prioritize our running. :)
Rachel @ Simply Rachel Nicole
I LOVE this! I am all about the crockpot because it makes meals so much easier!!!
Lauren
We have the ninja slow cooker and love it! on average it gets used about once a week.
Where did her little kitchen come from?? It’s so cute!
The Hungry Runner Girl
THANK YOU!! I got it off of Amazon a few years ago! I can’t find the exact one but here is a similar one:
http://www.amazon.com/KidKraft-2-Piece-Retro-Kitchen-Blue/dp/B009DOYVB8/ref=sr_1_38?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1459380989&sr=1-38&keywords=toy+kitchen
Sarah @ Smile & Conquer
Our slow cooker is a life-saver as we both work full-time and it’s so nice to be able to set it in the morning and not worry about cooking when you get home. I have a chicken enchilada soup recipe for the slow cooker that is super delicious and is on constant rotation.
Sherry
I love using my crockpot. I like to cook roast and potatoes and I use the leftover meat, juice, and potatoes to make vegetable beef soup. I also cook chicken breasts with picante sauce then shred the chicken for tacos.
My busy days vary each week. I get up at 4:30 a.m. to run before work. It’s a great way to start the day!
Aimee
My crockpot is a lifesaver! I prep everything the night before and toss it in before I leave the house! I get my run in and have a delicious meal waiting for me when I get home!
Catherine
I prefer early morning running, but have learned to run in the afternoons so that I can run home from work so that I can always fit my running in. No matter how busy my day gets I always have to get home! I’m fully kitted out with high-vis gear and lights for winter running and in the summer I trade that for sunglasses and hats.
My husband does most of the cooking and doesn’t like slow-cookers??! But I’m going on maternity leave later this year and may have to invest in one to make my life easier :)
Lee
Tuesdays and Thursdays are busy during tax season since they are my late nights. I get up early every day to workout. It’s my only alone time and helps with stress management. If I wait, I won’t get to do it. Taking time off from running while sick was killing me.
Lover my crock pot. I use it once a week; sometimes more. I have a fancy one with a probe thermometer so it switches to warm at the appropriate temperature and avoids overcooking. It’s awesome!
Tedi @ Running With Infertility
That looks yummy! Way better than the Turkey Dogs I had for dinner tonight! :S
My busiest days are usually around the end of the month (at work) and I’m there for at least 8-10 hours a day which gives me no time to make dinner (hence mentioning the hot dogs above).
On my busiest days I often don’t go running (cause I’m on my feet for the majority of my day) unless I’m training for a race and I need to get some running in.
Kay
Looks great!
Laureen @Peachylau
What a great concept!
polly
WOW! That Crock pot meal looked absolutely delicious!!!! I love to use my crock pot, although I haven’t in a while…….. but man, it makes life so easy!!!
Week days are hectic……. I usually get up prior to the family getting up….. this means week days runs are on the dreadmill….. but hey, at least I get runs in!!! And, the treadmill makes me appreciate my weekend outside runs that much more!!!!
Taylor
Crock pot meals are the best for busy days!! I made a sweet potato and black bean chili in it!