Posts: 62
5/26/12 11:01 P

I have to 2nd the crock pot!!!

Nothing better than sticking a few chicken breasts , rice, and some mushroom soup in the crock in the morning and coming home from work to the wonderful smell and brief thought you DO NOT have to cook dinner on your aching feet!

Pounds lost: 29.0

0 17.5 35 52.5

70

SparkPoints: (5,738)
Fitness Minutes: (5,463)
Posts: 106
5/7/12 10:09 P

I love my crockpot, I throw in chicken breast with some water and a packet of taco seasoning, in the am. Then at night we have chicken fajita tacos with whole grain rice, and bell peppers, yummy and healthy

Posts: 39
5/4/12 10:52 A

Grilling

SparkPoints: (2,790)
Fitness Minutes: (3,346)
Posts: 15
4/30/12 10:21 P

Grilling and baking!

SparkPoints: (114)
Fitness Minutes: (75)
Posts: 2
4/26/12 12:05 A

I love grilling and my crockpot! We have our grill on our covered back deck so we can grill all year round. Which is great since we get rain for 3/4 of the year.

SparkPoints: (3,512)
Fitness Minutes: (3,812)
Posts: 10
4/11/12 10:28 A

CROCK POT!!! I love the cookbook called Make It Fast, Cook It Slow.

SparkPoints: (3,779)
Fitness Minutes: (4,748)
Posts: 21
4/4/12 2:51 P

I am with the grillers!!! It's low fat and it makes everything taste better! Even the smell of the grill puts a smile on my face.

SparkPoints: (85)
Fitness Minutes: (0)
Posts: 6
4/3/12 1:22 P

I also like my crock pot and use it a few times a month. A large chicken or pot roast can go a long way for leftovers.
At the risk of sounding like a commercial, I also use my NuWave oven quite often. Burgers turn out very juicy. I even made a chicken on it, and it was terrific! I live in Houston, so anything that can be used instead of my oven is great. It's hot enough here without heating up the kitchen.

SparkPoints: (409)
Fitness Minutes: (135)
Posts: 7
3/24/12 2:49 P

grilling. I love to grill out and am glad we had a nice March where I could start early.

Posts: 20
3/15/12 8:18 A

I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE throwing things into the crock pot in the morning, or right before bed and turning it on. It may possibly be the LAZIEST way to cook, but with blending a family, heavy church activity, running my own real estate consulting business with my partner, having a Kindergartner, and going to school myself! It becomes a lot! LOL....but I love every minute of it! And in the summer the outside grill is my all time favorite! Prep the night before, and when you come home fire up the grill!

current weight: 160.0

160 150.25 140.5 130.75

121

SparkPoints: (1,819)
Fitness Minutes: (1,862)
Posts: 2
3/1/12 11:34 A

I love grilling in the summer. I also love to cook witht the crockpot. It takes a little prep time, but then I am free to accomplish other tasks while it cooks.

SparkPoints: (2,974)
Fitness Minutes: (4,731)
Posts: 168
3/1/12 7:57 A

I really am using my crockpot a lot! I love to cook beans and soups...

SparkPoints: (409)
Fitness Minutes: (135)
Posts: 7
2/28/12 8:59 P

My favorite method of cooking is to grill everything from the meat to the bread to the vegetables and fruit. When I can't grill I bake the meat instead of frying it.

SparkPoints: (2,402)
Fitness Minutes: (442)
Posts: 96
2/24/12 11:48 A

Thank you. They are my reason for smiling most days. They make me want to be a better person. I'm truly blessed.

Smiles!

Pounds lost: 3.5

0 6.25 12.5 18.75

25

SparkPoints: (334)
Fitness Minutes: (90)
Posts: 41
2/24/12 10:54 A

NOT2L8

LUV your babies in the snow!

SparkPoints: (2,402)
Fitness Minutes: (442)
Posts: 96
2/23/12 10:45 P

I love my crock pot. Its a great way to make more time in my day. After lunch, I throw the ingredients into it and let the crock do all the work. It allows me to focus more time with my little ones and have less clean up later.

Pounds lost: 3.5

0 6.25 12.5 18.75

25

SparkPoints: (334)
Fitness Minutes: (90)
Posts: 41
2/14/12 1:19 P

we are just finishing up a kitchen remodle. I bought a 5 burner gas double oven!
I am in my cooking glory!
The top smaller oven has the broiling element and can broil on high or low. IT IS PERFECT for just about all vegies and a dream with meat.

Last week we made hamburgers, the first time in over a year! and my son said why not just put them in the fry-pan ( Last year we were living out of the dinning room with the crock-pot, electric fry pan and rice-cooker which happens to make a perfect oatmeal!)

I said wait till you taste the broile burgers, they are just like on the grill.

Case closed, nothing but yummy sounds and silence at the table.
The smaller oven is perfect for toasting special size breads that wouldnt fit in the toaster too.

we mist the toast lightly with pamper'd chef pump filled with olive oil. It is less than butter and more healthy, gives the bread the just enough golden toasted edge we love it.
Perfect for left over toast to make crutons for salads.

I'll grill pans of vegies on monday and make meals for the rest of the weak from those vegies.
we just add rice, pasta, or have on tortilla with asian sauce for Mu-Shu or Salsa for Mexican.

but the crock pot rocks for pull apart meat. We cook up 5 large turkey thighs and shred the meat for everything from tacos to Pad-thai and refrig the broth, remove the fat and keep the broth for Pho / that asian soup. add rice noodles, fresh celery greens shredded, thin sliced onion and cilantro, Hot sauce and your good!
got to go now, I'm hungry
Oh its 12:17.....
later

Posts: 140
2/14/12 12:59 P

I love to cook, bake and especially eat. LoL the cooking/watching what I eat part is definitely going to be the hardest part of losing weight. It's definitely difficult because I work full time and go to school part time and have four kids. I try to cook something easy, but easy is not always healthy, so I'll be reading for tips!

SparkPoints: (142)
Fitness Minutes: (0)
Posts: 21
2/12/12 8:46 A

We grill our beef & fish most of the time, even if we have to shovel a path in the show. We toss vegetables on there too (no pans to clean!) Otherwise, I like to roast potatoes and asparagus in the oven.

SparkPoints: (227)
Fitness Minutes: (86)
Posts: 30
1/29/12 11:37 A

I like one pot/one skillet meals - especially if I all I need to do is take ingredients straight from the cutting board to the pot/skillet - so easy for clean up!

Posts: 9,102
1/17/12 8:41 A

I like to either bake, roast or use my crockpot.

SparkPoints: (2,626)
Fitness Minutes: (740)
Posts: 41
1/4/12 2:42 A

I love my Crock-Pot! Especially for cooking meat. I make spicy chicken for tacos, pulled pork BBQ, pot roast, etc. For veggies, I like roasting them in the oven with a little olive oil, garlic salt, and pepper.

SparkPoints: (5,152)
Fitness Minutes: (2,897)
Posts: 75
11/30/11 10:43 A

What method do I NOT like to use??? I cook for a living, so I do it all the time. I'm the crazy lady who comes home after 10 hours at the restaurant and will gladly cook for my family. At home, I shoot for wholesome, simple meals, packed with the freshest food I can get my hands on.

current weight: 258.2

278 243.5 209 174.5

140

Posts: 10
11/25/11 9:07 P

My favorite method of cooking is quick meals. I hate to spend three hours in the kitchen. If I can get it done is 30 min or less, it works great for me. It's just finding healthy meals that are 30 min or less to prepare. Thanks to Spark people I have been able to find quick recipes to make, and are within my budget.

current weight: 163.0

167 155.25 143.5 131.75

120

Posts: 728
11/22/11 6:31 P

I steam veggies any time I make pasta. My kids love them, they're lower in sodium than anything packaged, and my steamer fits right over my pasta pot so I can multi-task. Total Win.

current weight: 243.3

285 270 255 240

225

Posts: 417
11/14/11 10:14 A

My favorite method of cooking is using my slow-cooker.

Pounds lost: 24.7

0 36.25 72.5 108.75

145

SparkPoints: (360)
Fitness Minutes: (163)
Posts: 5
11/3/11 1:52 P

I love the stove. But I would love to grill more. Just can never get the fire going. I would have been a bad cave man :(

SparkPoints: (1,147)
Fitness Minutes: (245)
Posts: 82
10/31/11 4:05 P

During summer I love grilled food. During winter I love to use the crock pot.

current weight: 213.0

220 201.25 182.5 163.75

145

SparkPoints: (4,049)
Fitness Minutes: (1,813)
Posts: 244
10/27/11 5:50 P

I love the grill

SparkPoints: (13,254)
Fitness Minutes: (6,093)
Posts: 288
10/27/11 8:12 A

My husband grills everything and I love using the crock pot.

SparkPoints: (16,527)
Fitness Minutes: (13,090)
Posts: 8,084
10/26/11 11:32 A

Probably would say baking because it is easy to get food done. If not slow cooking process. Simmering and such.

SparkPoints: (15,026)
Fitness Minutes: (6,604)
Posts: 407
10/24/11 8:20 P

I love using my George foreman grill to grill chicken and veggies.

Pounds lost: 17.6

0 18 36 54

72

SparkPoints: (18,444)
Fitness Minutes: (5,920)
Posts: 219
10/19/11 7:54 A

Crock Pot!!! It's magic to someone who is a disaster in the kitchen. It's literally the only time the kids will eat my cooking..

Pounds lost: 3.4

0 5.5 11 16.5

22

SparkPoints: (682)
Fitness Minutes: (425)
Posts: 8
10/10/11 12:01 A

I love the slow cooker! Love finding easy and healthy slow cooker recipes!!

SparkPoints: (19,119)
Fitness Minutes: (24,537)
Posts: 489
9/27/11 11:00 A

Because of my crazy schedule, the crock pot is my favorite. If not, that things I can bake.

Posts: 209
8/7/11 8:38 A

I was a Home Ec major in college so I will cook almost anyway -- except microwave. I use that for reheating leftovers but that's about it. Baking is my fave though.

Posts: 214
7/25/11 8:27 A

Does Take out count? Seriously I hate to cook and so am not good at it. I use my microwave a lot. Luckily my friend Lori is a great cook, so I buy the food, she cooks, and my daughter cleans up.(with my help) The perfect situation.

SparkPoints: (4,454)
Fitness Minutes: (734)
Posts: 434
7/12/11 7:24 P

I love the grill in the summer. But year around we bake the majority of our foods.

current weight: 171.8

186 173.25 160.5 147.75

135

SparkPoints: (5,475)
Fitness Minutes: (6,097)
Posts: 43
7/10/11 8:22 P

I look to do any kind of cooking, I taught myself how to cook when I was pregnant with my son. It has always been the best memory of mine. My oldest daughter used to sit at the table and wait to try what I cooked that day. She stills does that anytime I cook. Her and I are in the kitchen together now, me teaching her.

Posts: 62
7/1/11 10:51 A

In the summer I love to grill. I try to crock pot cook at least once a week. It's a stress free way to cook. I get it done in the morning and don't have to worry about it. Sometimes trying to make dinner at dinner time is really hard.

Posts: 4,832
7/1/11 9:49 A

During the school year I love to cook in my crock pot about twice a week because the family does not have to wait when I get home from work to cook. During the summer I love to grill. I grill everything even the veggies!

Pounds lost: 0.0

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8

Posts: 412
6/26/11 8:20 P

Steaming works for me. My eight year old son helps too. Add water, set the timer and wait :-).

current weight: 212.0

219 204.25 189.5 174.75

160

SparkPoints: (5,127)
Fitness Minutes: (3,999)
Posts: 62
6/23/11 3:08 P

I just love to grill! Living in a warm-weather area, I get to grill all the time

Pounds lost: 4.0

0 2.25 4.5 6.75

9

Posts: 3,549
6/5/11 2:37 P

It depends on what the temp is like and how I am feeling like doing.

I love to bake, cook over the stove, make a roast. I don't care for barbequeing at all. That's where my hubby comes in. I can do it in a pinch, but I prefer to do the stuff inside the house.

SparkPoints: (3,034)
Fitness Minutes: (736)
Posts: 21
6/1/11 5:22 P

We tend to grill or bake more than anything - very rarely do I fry anything in oil. We steam or grill our veggies and are putting more fish and more salads into our diets.... Seasoning tends to be rubs, fajita seasoning and salt and pepper... sea salt is delicious! not in abundance though.
Grilled pineapple slices are wonderful soaked in honey and grilled then topped with frozen yogart....

current weight: 164.0

168 153.5 139 124.5

110

SparkPoints: (2,765)
Fitness Minutes: (2,850)
Posts: 139
5/21/11 12:48 A

I love broiling veggies! Broiled asparagus and cauliflower is amazing! chicken wise I love to bake chicken with wheat panko breadcrumbs, it literally tastes like fried chicken! I dust strips of chicken breast in wheat flour, then dip in raw egg whites that I've fluffed with a fork, and then roll in the wheat panko bread crumbs. Super healthy and AMAZING! My kid can't get enough of them!!! And most other meats I love to grill :)

current weight: 200.0

346 294.5 243 191.5

140

SparkPoints: (547)
Fitness Minutes: (742)
Posts: 6
5/19/11 10:09 P

I love to bake bake bake!!!

SparkPoints: (1,998)
Fitness Minutes: (2,280)
Posts: 50
5/19/11 9:36 A

I love to bake, occasionally grill and I have only fried two times in my life. Not much will change in that department.

Posts: 2,542
5/15/11 2:02 A

Grilling is my favorite. It adds flavor to the food and burns off fat. My second choice is baked. You can use a rack to cook fat away from meat. Also, I love Mrs. Dash seasonings!

current weight: 259.0

300 272.5 245 217.5

190

SparkPoints: (35)
Fitness Minutes: (0)
Posts: 10
5/2/11 4:19 A

Hi I am also new, and I am looking forward to reading from more people with similar goals. Oh I also love to grill and steam yum,yum!!! the slow cooker or crock pot is cool also especially if you lead a busy life!!!!




Edited by: FREESPARK75 at: 5/3/2011 (00:03)

SparkPoints: (891)
Fitness Minutes: (910)
Posts: 11
5/1/11 12:48 P

I love to grill everything from meats to veggies and even fruits.

SparkPoints: (479)
Fitness Minutes: (170)
Posts: 4
4/5/11 12:30 P

I love grilled foods (especially veggies and fish) and baking (all the carby foods), but I'd love to learn to use my crock pot since my hubby is out of town so often.

current weight: 163.0

166 162 158 154

150

SparkPoints: (9,356)
Fitness Minutes: (1,980)
Posts: 177
3/28/11 9:08 P

Grilling and baking are my favorites.

current weight: 207.4

216 205.75 195.5 185.25

175

SparkPoints: (7,252)
Fitness Minutes: (3,795)
Posts: 278
3/28/11 1:34 A

Love my crock pot and my wok even though my wok has not been used in many months. Must change that, I LOVE stir fries.

current weight: 262.6

317 275.25 233.5 191.75

150

Posts: 373
3/21/11 12:43 P

Baking and crock pot :)

Pounds lost: 4.0

0 15.25 30.5 45.75

61

Posts: 6,229
3/21/11 10:56 A

baking and grilling

May SparkPoints: 1,605

0 625 1250 1875

2500

Posts: 233
3/3/11 9:29 P

I also really like the crock pot for the convenience. Also the wonderful smell wafting through the house as it is cooking makes you enjoy the meal even more.

SparkPoints: (4,722)
Fitness Minutes: (1,431)
Posts: 5
2/28/11 4:25 P

I love the flavor of grilled foods but my schedule is busy. Crock pot cooking is awesome! Now I just need to find healthy, low-fat recipes to make in it

Edited by: BRIARRABBIT3899 at: 2/28/2011 (16:26)

Pounds lost: 108.0

0 32 64 96

128

SparkPoints: (18,845)
Fitness Minutes: (23,509)
Posts: 510
2/19/11 10:48 P

Roasting or grilling like roasted veggies and meat. My favorite green bean recipe is roasted and they get kind of shriveled up and ugly but nutty and chewy (same chewiness as a chewy chocolate chip cooky) and yummy that way.

Pounds lost: 40.0

0 25 50 75

100

SparkPoints: (1,863)
Fitness Minutes: (2,420)
Posts: 76
2/15/11 7:30 A

i have a crock pot still learning how to use it. I'm sure i will get it, in the mean time i broil everything taste good or i bake.

SparkPoints: (7,252)
Fitness Minutes: (3,795)
Posts: 278
2/12/11 11:34 A

I received a crock pot for Christmas and I'm loving it. Wonderful to just put everything I need in it and then let it cook away all day. Open up that lid and ..... tada ...... dinner is served.

current weight: 262.6

317 275.25 233.5 191.75

150

SparkPoints: (814)
Fitness Minutes: (1,030)
Posts: 20
1/30/11 9:19 P

I am really loving the crockpot gives me more time to do what else I need to without worrying about cooking something to long.

Posts: 55
1/26/11 12:21 P

I've always been big on baking as it runs in the family but have recently learned to love the Crock Pot

SparkPoints: (8,791)
Fitness Minutes: (5,530)
Posts: 162
1/21/11 1:33 P

Roasting and grilling.

SparkPoints: (2,074)
Fitness Minutes: (1,108)
Posts: 25
1/20/11 6:18 A

Broiling and grilling are our favs. I enjoy the flavor from those two methods the best.

Pounds lost: 1.0

0 15 30 45

60

Posts: 27
1/8/11 9:42 A

We are HUGE crockpot fans!! Grills are great in the summer. And of course we use our bread machine at least once a week.

SparkPoints: (17,263)
Fitness Minutes: (7,074)
Posts: 1,601
12/29/10 8:42 A

I prefer baking and we use our Forman grill a lot.

current weight: 238.0

260 245 230 215

200

Posts: 285
12/26/10 11:32 P

My husband bought me a beautiful grill for our anniversary, so I better say grilling!!! I loved baked/roasted vegetables. And sushi! No cooking necessary!

current weight: 190.5

195 183.25 171.5 159.75

148

SparkPoints: (27,055)
Fitness Minutes: (23,605)
Posts: 1,486
12/23/10 11:33 P

Baking in the winter.

Grilling in the summer.

Posts: 918
12/23/10 8:11 A

I agree with you about charcoal. Love to grill and also steam.

SparkPoints: (21,936)
Fitness Minutes: (26,976)
Posts: 759
12/14/10 9:27 A

cooking on the grill. I want to get a charcoal grill next though. Food taste so much better that way.

current weight: 273.0

305 293.75 282.5 271.25

260

Posts: 207
12/11/10 11:23 A

I line my baking pan with foil then bake. clean up is so easy just throw foil out and wash, no scrubing needed.

Edited by: RHEAMOSES at: 12/11/2010 (11:24)

Posts: 9
12/6/10 11:14 A

We grill and use the crock pot. both can be done with almost no added fat and tastes great. I've even got hubby asking for a big salad with grilled chicken on it...AND he's using a lot less dressing.

SparkPoints: (21,936)
Fitness Minutes: (26,976)
Posts: 759
11/22/10 8:52 A

I love to grill but here lately, I love my wok.

current weight: 273.0

305 293.75 282.5 271.25

260

SparkPoints: (1,480)
Fitness Minutes: (365)
Posts: 58
11/19/10 10:50 P

Someone suggested that we start off this way rather than to be challenged...Some of us are having a difficult time with our healthy changes, and like I said we are in this together, so here it goes....

current weight: 222.0

231 204.75 178.5 152.25

126