Because Why Wouldn't You Want My Advice?

So, I'm here to give you some parenting advice.

(And with those words you should be slamming down your computer screen and running to hide underneath your bed covers. Or maybe in your closet. At the very least, you should cover your eyes.)

Really, though, I am linking up to a bloggy linky thing at It's Almost Naptime.

I rarely ever go through and read all of the linkys on a linky post thingy (do you like my use of technical jargon?), because it seems so time-consuming

but this time it has been worth it to me to read each and every one of these linked-up blog posts.

Why?

Because they are all about how moms (like me!) make life a little bit easier for themselves and their families. And WHO doesn't need some practical tips every now and then? I have already learned a few things, and I can't wait to keep reading for more mom advice. 

I was really, really wanting to link up and share something, but I honestly couldn't think of a single thing I had to offer.

Unless you would like to know how to let your infant child slide out of her stroller onto the freezing ground in front of dozens of strangers.

Or how to bandage your child's hand after she managed to cut her finger on something sharp you didn't even realize was there.

In fact, if you want to lose at Mother of the Year

KEEP READING MY BLOG.

We will walk, hand in hand, to the Loser's Circle. It will be beautiful.

But then I remembered that I most certainly DO have a magic trick up my sleeve.

I rely on it several times a week, and consider it one of my closest friends.

Hellllooooo Crock Pot!

On days where I don't feel organized (most days) or able to think straight (most days) or seem on top of things (most days)

if I can manage to get dinner in the Crock Pot, I breathe a deep, deep sigh of relief.

In fact, it is only Tuesday and I have already used my slow cooker twice this week.

During the warm summer months, I LOVE to grill out as a quick, tasty meal. But during this cold winter, my crock pot has been my hero.

I buy boneless chicken breasts in bulk, and I separate them and freeze them. In the morning I just pull the frozen chicken from the freezer, drop it in the Crock Pot, and by dinner time it is ready to go!

One of the EASIEST things I make, and for some reason my family loves, is:

--chicken breasts.

--bottle of bbq sauce.

There's your meal! I usually pair it with a steamable (microwavable) veggie, a salad or some rolls,

and THAT, my friends, is how dinner is served. ha!

Some slow cooker meals that I use for my family on a regular basis:

(I got many of these recipes from allrecipes.com, but adapted them to my family's tastes)

BBQ Chicken

Chicken taco soup

 Beef Stew

Pepper Steak

Spaghetti

Burritos

Beef Barbeque

 (similar to the chicken bbq)

Meatballs

(great for entertaining)

Any kind of soup--I just adapt it for the slow cooker

I love to cook, and wish I had time to whip up a gourmet meal each day.

Maybe one day I'll be able to do that. But it's worth it to me to save some time and

THROW IT IN THE CROCK POT BABY!

Well, make sure to go to the It's Almost Naptime blog to check out all the other Mom to Mom Advice.

And feel free to send me any of YOUR favorite slow cooker recipes! I'd love to add some to my amazing recipe repertoire. My family wouldn't know what to do with themselves!