It's no secret: I'm obsessed with my crock pot. I catch a lot of grief from my husband over my crock pot usage...who continues to inhale my slow-cooked suppers. So, thanks to Easy Reader News, here's a public tribute for crock pot users and lovers out there....'cause really, what's not to love about a crock pot?
Reason #1 to go crock: Vitamin and mineral preservation.
Similar to braising, crock pot cooking produces low, steady, moist heat for hours -- approximately 300 degrees for 4 hours on high and 200 degrees for 10 hours on low. When you place wholesome, nutrient-dense foods INTO the crock pot, that's what you get out of the crock pot. No nutrient loss!
Sarah Krieger, RD and spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association explains the unfortunate vitamin and mineral loss through standard cooking methods. Nutrients are lost through heat, oxygen, and water. A crock pot, however, contains all of these elements throughout the cooking process and thus, retains nutrients in your food.
Reason #2 to love your crock pot: Lean and cheap -- make it great!
Cuts of beef such as chuck, shoulder, and bottom-round are exceptionally lean and cheap...but they're also rather tough. The low-temperature, moist-heat cooking of a crock pot, however, breaks down tough muscle fiber and connective tissue in these leaner, cheaper cuts. You're left with a healthy, iron-packed, tender beef cut...and gaining convenience in preparation!
Reason #3 to use your crock: There's better things to do during the evening hours!
The crock pot is a time-saver. Rather than meal preparation and cook time in the 60-90 minutes after getting home from work, I can enjoy the time playing with Lily, visiting with my husband, or going for a workout! After loading up your crock, your job is done! And crock pot liners save on dishes...big time. I highly recommend using them! If you've ever "finished" dinner before work, you know how great a feeling it is to know it's one less thing on your plate come 5 o'clock when you punch out for the day.
My friend Kristin recently purchased a crock pot in order to try many of the recipes I post. Kristin, this post is in honor of your recent purchase....I hope it brings you many years of crock pot happiness and delectable meals!
On a completely unrelated note, ABC News put out a fun article entitled, "Top 5 Weird Weight Loss Products". I thought I'd share a recap as it was rather entertaining to read...
Weird Weight Loss Product #1: The Hula Chair
Gain an exotic dance workout inspired by dance-exercises such as Zumba and Kukuwa...by sitting in a hula chair! Dr. Steven Blair, professor of exercise science at the University of South Carolina stated, "Standing, you'd be burning even more calories, and standing on one leg, you'd be burning even more calories than before." Rather than buying this expensive, large hula chair, Blair suggests going on a walk...and saving your money. If you're looking for a laugh, however, Ellen DeGeneres trying to pour a glass of water while sitting in the hula chair WAS rather amusing.
Weird Weight Loss Product #2: Power Plate
A vibrating platform which supposedly causes the body to burn more calories due to the higher difficulty in balancing. Again, Dr. Blair recommends going for a walk for increased calorie burn. The Power Plate is beneficial for bone density, however.
Weird Weight Loss Product #3: Thermal Suits
Water weight through sweat is not a feasible means of losing weight. Using such suits can be dangerous, decrease endurance, and cause the body difficulty in regulating body temperature. Not smart, not useful.
Weird Weight Loss Product #4: Sound Waves for Muffin Tops and Belly Fat
This Vaser technology uses sonic waves to dissolve a layer of fat which is then sucked out through a vacuum. These procedures are marketed as "sculpture" liposuction and are meant to assist those who are relatively fit rather than the general obese population looking to shed lots of weight quickly.
Weird Weight Loss Product #5: The Tongue Patch
Dr. Nikolas Chugay, a plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills, developed the tongue patch as a temporary way to lose 20 to 40 pounds. The procedures involves stitching a prolene patch to the tongue, causing discomfort and pain to chew and swallow food. Patients of Chugay's receive 700 calories of daily nutrition through a liquid drink mix containing carbohydrates, proteins, fat, vitamins, and minerals. The patch is removed after a month. Wow, just wow.
Reason #1 to go crock: Vitamin and mineral preservation.
Similar to braising, crock pot cooking produces low, steady, moist heat for hours -- approximately 300 degrees for 4 hours on high and 200 degrees for 10 hours on low. When you place wholesome, nutrient-dense foods INTO the crock pot, that's what you get out of the crock pot. No nutrient loss!
Sarah Krieger, RD and spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association explains the unfortunate vitamin and mineral loss through standard cooking methods. Nutrients are lost through heat, oxygen, and water. A crock pot, however, contains all of these elements throughout the cooking process and thus, retains nutrients in your food.
Reason #2 to love your crock pot: Lean and cheap -- make it great!
Cuts of beef such as chuck, shoulder, and bottom-round are exceptionally lean and cheap...but they're also rather tough. The low-temperature, moist-heat cooking of a crock pot, however, breaks down tough muscle fiber and connective tissue in these leaner, cheaper cuts. You're left with a healthy, iron-packed, tender beef cut...and gaining convenience in preparation!
Reason #3 to use your crock: There's better things to do during the evening hours!
The crock pot is a time-saver. Rather than meal preparation and cook time in the 60-90 minutes after getting home from work, I can enjoy the time playing with Lily, visiting with my husband, or going for a workout! After loading up your crock, your job is done! And crock pot liners save on dishes...big time. I highly recommend using them! If you've ever "finished" dinner before work, you know how great a feeling it is to know it's one less thing on your plate come 5 o'clock when you punch out for the day.
My friend Kristin recently purchased a crock pot in order to try many of the recipes I post. Kristin, this post is in honor of your recent purchase....I hope it brings you many years of crock pot happiness and delectable meals!
On a completely unrelated note, ABC News put out a fun article entitled, "Top 5 Weird Weight Loss Products". I thought I'd share a recap as it was rather entertaining to read...
Weird Weight Loss Product #1: The Hula Chair
Gain an exotic dance workout inspired by dance-exercises such as Zumba and Kukuwa...by sitting in a hula chair! Dr. Steven Blair, professor of exercise science at the University of South Carolina stated, "Standing, you'd be burning even more calories, and standing on one leg, you'd be burning even more calories than before." Rather than buying this expensive, large hula chair, Blair suggests going on a walk...and saving your money. If you're looking for a laugh, however, Ellen DeGeneres trying to pour a glass of water while sitting in the hula chair WAS rather amusing.
Weird Weight Loss Product #2: Power Plate
A vibrating platform which supposedly causes the body to burn more calories due to the higher difficulty in balancing. Again, Dr. Blair recommends going for a walk for increased calorie burn. The Power Plate is beneficial for bone density, however.
Weird Weight Loss Product #3: Thermal Suits
Water weight through sweat is not a feasible means of losing weight. Using such suits can be dangerous, decrease endurance, and cause the body difficulty in regulating body temperature. Not smart, not useful.
Weird Weight Loss Product #4: Sound Waves for Muffin Tops and Belly Fat
This Vaser technology uses sonic waves to dissolve a layer of fat which is then sucked out through a vacuum. These procedures are marketed as "sculpture" liposuction and are meant to assist those who are relatively fit rather than the general obese population looking to shed lots of weight quickly.
Weird Weight Loss Product #5: The Tongue Patch
Dr. Nikolas Chugay, a plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills, developed the tongue patch as a temporary way to lose 20 to 40 pounds. The procedures involves stitching a prolene patch to the tongue, causing discomfort and pain to chew and swallow food. Patients of Chugay's receive 700 calories of daily nutrition through a liquid drink mix containing carbohydrates, proteins, fat, vitamins, and minerals. The patch is removed after a month. Wow, just wow.
Question: Has anyone tried one of the whack weight loss products discussed above? I've heard of a lot of Power Plate users in the Chicagoland area; that products appears the most feasible of the 5.
Looking forward to Biggest Loser tonight! Have a wonder Tuesday!
Posts
I've been meaning to use my crockpot again. Thanks for giving me even more reasons!
ReplyDeleteI love my crockpot! Although it's still too hot here to break it out. I think I need to get a new one because it cooks really hot on the low setting and it's ancient :)
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing what some believe will work as a fast fix to weight loss.
Came across this article while searching for Power Plates. Science is starting to prove that these Vibration Plates do work. They obviously need to be used alongside a balanced diet and a good cardiovascular exercise regime but they are great to compliment this and as mentioned in the article are also great for bone density and also injury rehabilition where high intensity exercise is not possible.
ReplyDelete