Thrifty Thursday Slow-Cooker White Bean Stew Recipe: Healthy and ...

What is it with so many people claiming eating healthy is expensive? Yeah, maybe when you go and buy organic doughnuts and poptarts, but that?s hardly healthy anyway. Not everything has to be organic, either. I feel choosing something with little to no processing is usually the better choice.

When I use the convenience of slow-cooker cooking, most of the veggies I use are frozen and not organic. You can find frozen store brand produce for cheap, and I stock up on these each week. If I need a quick dose of veggies, I just put a mix in a microwavable dish, cover, and steam in the microwave for a few minutes. Add several herbs and spices plus some tasty brown mustard and mix it all together?.wham! Healthy eating in minutes for pennies on the dollar.

Frozen veggies, good; frozen meals, bad. I can?t stand seeing people open their Lean Cuisine or SmartOnes meal, tear a slit in the plastic covering, and set the timer to nuke for ?X? amount of minutes. Then stir and cook a little more. Boo. If you really have no time, at least buy the microwavable bags of frozen vegetable mixes (beware of added salt and creamy sauces) and have some salsa to mix in once cooked. There are plenty of frozen mixed veggie medleys with beans for a healthy dose of protein.

Canned tuna or salmon in water is another easy add-in. Be creative and fast, people, it?s your health! Do you ever see people with their frozen meals and want to just tell them how easy it is to eat something better? It shouldn?t bother me, but this is my passion and for some reason I care. Sue me??.ok, don?t. Please, don?t.

Microwaving frozen vegetables seriously helps cut down the time I spend cooking meals for Kelley and me to bring for work lunch. I try to keep it varied to avoid meal monotony, but Kelley says she?d rather spend time with me than me taking longer in the kitchen. I still end up taking a long time though; I think I have a kitchen addiction. I could have no reason to be in there, but I?ll make sure to find something. Anyone else ever do this?

Back to the slow-cooker. Today?s recipe is simple and very easy to change the ingredients to suit your preferences. You can make it vegan, vegetarian, or add meat if you choose. I actually added tilapia filets on top of everything in the cooker and then served them with a baked sweet potato and broccoli. This is another time saver tip; cooking food for 2 different meals in the same pot. It may not always be extravagant eating, but if it tastes good and is healthy, your body will thank you. And Kelley thanks me too??.unless I added too much cayenne. I didn?t think that?s possible!

I must cut today?s post short as I?m short on time. Balancing my job, exercise, meal prep, and quality time can be hard, but I feel it?s more than worth it when it comes to health. I make my food to be in control of my health, and am always up to help give advice to anyone who wants it. That?s the hard part, most people I see don?t want to hear they are doing the wrong thing. Ok, I?m stopping before I go on another rant.

by RC Liley

Prep Time: 10 Minutes

Cook Time: 4 hours

• 2 (15oz) cans drained and rinsed or 1 cup dry white beans; I used dried cannellini beans and soaked overnight; use whatever bean you have at home
• 1 26.4 oz box of Pomi Chopped tomatoes; 2 (15oz) cans of diced/chopped will work too
• 1 bag of frozen fiesta blend mix; usually has red peppers 3 types of beans, broccoli, and carrots, anything you have works fine, this is very customizable!
• 1/2 bag of frozen or fresh sugar snap peas
• 12oz bag of frozen chopped broccoli
• 10oz bag of frozen diced green peppers, onions, and celery mix
• 4 ? 6 cloves fresh garlic; crushed and chopped
• 1 T each of cumin, chili powder, turmeric, dried basil, dried parsley, and paprika
• 1 T dried rosemary
• 1 t cayenne powder
• 2 cups low sodium chicken or vegetable stock; or fill that almost empty container of mustard or salad dressing with water and use instead
• 2 T balsamic vinegar

Heat a pan on medium-high heat on the stove and saut? onion and pepper mix with garlic until fragrant

Add remaining ingredients to slow cooker (you may need more liquid, but it should be thick to be called ?stew?) and cook on high for 4 hours.

Serve in bowl or store in a dish to heat and eat later.

Garnish with extra paprika, parsley, and crumbled goat cheese if desired

Serve with hearty, crusty bread and refreshing iced tea; it is summer after all!

Optional: Try blending everything for a creamy soup or healthy dip.

Thanks for listening and enjoy this stew. Make a double batch for a quick meal later too!

Q: Do you find yourself trying hard not to lecture those unaware of what they are actually eating in some processed food?

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