Dos and Don'ts of Successful Slow Cooking

Do look for cuts of meat with lots of connective tissue, such as beef or pork shoulder or beef stew meat.  The long, slow cooking process will break down the tough connective tissues.  An added plus is that these cuts of meat are typically cheaper.

Do brown any beef or sauté chicken on the stovetop if you want any caramelization/color on the meat. This adds another layer of flavor and is worth the extra time.

Do set the slow cooker on high until the food begins to bubble, and then turn to low and continue to cook.

Do select recipes that contain a liquid.

Do place vegetables on the bottom as they take longer to cook than most meats. 

Do use the slow cooker like a warming drawer for short holding times (set to "keep warm" setting).  It's a life saver for mashed potatoes when the stovetop is full.

Do add fresh herbs in the last 10 minutes of cooking.  If added earlier, they will turn mushy and lose their vibrant color.

Don't open the lid of the cooker to take a whiff; you will lose heat in the cooker.  If you can't wait and you do lift the lid, add 20 minutes to the cooking time.

Do fill the Crockpot at least half full.

Don't fill the slow cooker more than 2/3 full.  Once the bubbling starts, the lid might be pushed off and you will have a big mess to come home to or worse yet could burn someone.

Don't use the slow cooker for reheating foods.

ARE YOU AN EMOTIONAL EATER?

A study published in Obesity found that people who eat in response to emotions are more likely to regain the weight they lose and a related study found emotional eaters don’t lose as much weight as those who don’t use food to cope.  To combat emotional eating, think about your feelings before every meal.  When you are stressed, find ways to face negative thoughts and feelings head on.  Emotional eating is a distraction and may comfort you short term, but it will not change the problem. Instead displace your energy toward coping with the resulting stress.  Talk to someone or write down your feelings, and find out if there are ways to change stressors in your life.  Self-soothe with relaxation techniques, meditation, or coping strategies that stimulate sight, sound, smell, and touch.  Leave taste to a variety of healthy foods and try to regulate your mood before eating.

CINNAMON AND WEIGHT LOSS

A recent report speaks to the health benefits of cinnamon as a miracle spice that has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant, as well as cancer-fighting and cholesterol-lowering effects. However, the amount of clinically controlled trials to corroborate cinnamon’s effect on humans is scant. One such study of Type 2 diabetes patients showed profound effects on the levels of fasting blood glucose and an added weight loss perk to boot. The double blind, randomized trial assigned participants to a three-grams-per-day cinnamon supplement for eight weeks. Though there were no significant differences in baseline characteristics, dietary intake and physical activity between groups, when compared to placebo, those who took the supplements saw a reduction in weight, BMI and body fat mass which all decreased significantly compared to baseline. 

Other study findings include:

•     A ½ teaspoon of cinnamon a day can help lower LDL, your "bad" cholesterol.
•     Cinnamon can be used as a natural preservative, inhibiting bacterial growth and food  spoilage.
•     Cinnamon is a natural cure for headaches and migraines, and may lower fever.
•     The smell of cinnamon alone can boost your cognitive function and memory.