4 Healthy Slow Cooker Recipes for Fall

4 Healthy Slow Cooker Recipes for Fall Image via static.oprah.com A crock-pot may be a bit of an investment, but believe me it is so worth it. Every dish created with one of these slow cooking gems does not only turn out delicious, but saves you so much time and money and can feed you for days. Crock-pots are the greatest because not only can you use them to cook an entire chicken or pork tenderloin (to name a few), you can use them to literally craft a one-pot meal with all of the fixings. The best part is that you can throw all of the ingredients into your pot in the morning before heading to work or class, turn it on, go about your day, and then return home at night to an artfully prepared nutritious and healthy meal. Making the investment of buying a crock-pot will save you time, money, and stress and can also be a huge asset for those of us trying to eat healthily on a budget. So what are you waiting for? Get out and pick up that crock-pot (let’s be honest, order it online) and try out one of these tasty and nutritious slow cooker recipes! Quinoa and Black Bean Stuffed Peppers Image via pinchofyum.com These colorful peppers are not only delicious but they are stuffed with quinoa and beans and topped with fresh cilantro, spicy Pepperjack cheese, sour cream, and avocados. Who said that Mexican fiestas couldn’t be vegetarian? Another added bonus is that there is virtually no prep required (a.k.a minimal cleanup and maximum deliciousness). These are also super nutritious with tons of protein and fiber to keep your tummy happy, and if you want to get extra healthy just leave out the cheese. I promise that with all of the flavor that these peps are packing, you will want to start making Meatless Monday a weekly ritual! Check out the recipe from pinchofyum.com. Chinese Style Beef and Broccoli This version of a classic Chinese take-out staple is so easy to make right at home, and without all of the unwanted additives and calories. Slow cooking the beef tenderizes it and causes it to absorb the incredible flavor of the homemade sauce. Simply toss in the broccoli the final 30 minutes and your dinner is ready to be devoured. Try serving it over a bed of brown rice or quinoa, or for those low-carb lovers, some riced cauliflower, and I promise that you will feel like you actually ordered in. Try the recipe created by life-in-the-lofthouse.com. Chicken, Potatoes and Green Beans Image via themagicalslowcooker.com Although it is definitely delicious (and necessary) to experiment with your culinary flavor palette, sometimes you just want to keep things simple. A basic and healthy combination of protein, veggies, and healthy starches can go a long way in keeping you happy and satiated. This slow-cooker meal is an easy way to pack in all of the aforementioned macronutrients while also keeping things delicious. The savory Italian inspired flavor of this dish comes from a simple mixture of olive oil, lemon juice, garlic and dried seasonings that tie in all of the components of this tasty meal. This recipe is perfect for weekly meal prepping and can be enjoyed for lunch or dinner. Take a look at this recipe by themagicalslowcooker.com. Paleo Chicken Soup So I recently came down with a bit of a cold as a result of the cooling fall temperatures and all that I wanted to eat was a big bowl of chicken soup. Upon heading to the grocery store to pick up a few cans of those chicken soups that we all grew up consuming, I was shocked to find that they all contained high amounts of sodium and unhealthy additives. Just because I was sick, I did not want to hinder my dietary goals (especially because I was not up to my normal exercise routine). Instead, I picked up all of the ingredients for this recipe, threw them in my crock-pot and made a big batch of soup that outlasted my sickness. Even if you’re not feeling ill, this soup is perfect for those chilly fall days on the horizon and not to mention super healthy and easy to make! Taste this nourishing crock-pot chicken soup for yourself, courtesy of mynaturalfamily.com.