5 Easy Steps to Letting Your Crockpot Fill Your Being.

Shared via @elephantjournal on twitter: Ode to a Crockpot http://bit.ly/9RSfep + 5 Steps how-to

I am single.

I find ways to make it work.

My crockpot rests solidly upon my countertop, ready to be filled with fresh offerings of Mother Earth’s gifts.

My crockpot warms quickly, creating a nourishing blend of fragrant fruit and spice.

My crockpot has truly brought immense peace, joy, and love to my life.

The season of autumn is upon us, settling us into the warmth of home and community. As the leaves settle to earth, we settle to earth. Our movements slow, our breath deepens within, our gaze turns inward. We look to our home as we create a cocoon of warmth around ourselves and our families.

Crockpot meals have become ritual in my home, creating a cocoon-like warmth around my family. Upon arriving home in the afternoon, my crock has simply and efficiently created a wonderful meal that is ready upon arrival. The days of rushing to prepare a meal in the midst of growling bellies has ceased. The days of scouring the cupboards to find suitable food items to create a meal no longer exist. Instead, we arrive to freshly, fragrant, joyful nourishment. We wash our hands, give thanks, and enjoy. Each bite of this warmth nourishes our beings and our cocoon is created.

Children thrive on ritual and routine. When children know what to expect, their little bodies and minds are at peace. My children know that we eat crockpot dinners. There are no questions or requests. We have simplified our lives. All thanks to the crockpot. And you can too!

1. Pick up a crockpot cookbook. My absolute favorite right now is “Make it Fast, Cook it Slow. The Big Book of Everyday Slow Cooking.” by Stephanie O’Dea. Not only are the recipes gluten free, they are delicious. Her approach and insights are straightforward, simple, and easy to follow.
2. Determine your Shop Days. My days to shop are Monday and Thursday.
3. Pick meals & write a list. The night before Shop Day, choose 3 meals from the book and write a shopping list.
4. Prepare. The night before, prepare all your ingredients by chopping, defrosting, etc. In the morning, add your ingredients to you crock.
5. Take a break. We have Fancy Friday nights and my children can choose a meal for themselves on our Thursday Shop Day (usually Chicken Nuggets, French Fries, or Mac and Cheese.) It’s okay, they’ve eaten well all week! They look forward to this night and know that it’s coming!

Crockpot cooking is fun, easy, and nourishing. Simplify your life today and let your crock fill you with peace, joy, and love. Give yourself the gift of simple ritual and open up space for slow movement, deep breathing, and turning inward this colorful season. To my crock, I stand devoted.

By the way, how does one get a date these days? When I find out, I’ll write about it!

Enjoy this poem that I wrote around creating a family mealtime ritual.

Eat & Breathe by Helene Rose

*

Sitting at my dining table.

I notice.

I notice my surroundings.

A lovely vase filled with fresh flowers.

A framed quote from Corinthians on love.

A golden swag inviting the eye to read.

Two carefully crafted felt robins fly above.

Here we sit to eat.

Here we sit to breathe.

Breathing & eating go very well together.

Aiding digestion.

Elevating relaxation.

Inviting peace & calm.

We light a candle and sing a lovely blessing

Holding hands

Creating community

Creating family & love.

We ask God to bless our food.

We ask that this food may nourish our bodies.

We thank God for blessing our food with goodness.

We ask for peace on Earth forever and ever.

Let us eat consciously.

Let us eat in beauty.

Create a space of beauty in your dining.

With flowers.

With candles.

With presence.

The children love this routine.

The children crave this routine.

The children really do need this routine.

I notice how slowly my child eats and I admire her.

She takes each bite as if it were her last.

She savors each and every bite of her meal.

She allows her food to nourish each cell to the maximum

When she eats in reverence.

She shows extreme honor and respect for her food.

She shows extreme honor and respect for herself.

She shows extreme honor and respect for Mother Earth.

She allows her food to nourish each cell to the maximum

When she eats with pleasure.

She invites an enjoyable and positive state of being.

Thank you dear child for showing me how to eat in reverence.

Savoring each bite.

Loving each bite.

We let each bite nourish our bodies & our beings.

We are satisfied.

Eating & Breathing.

Together.

“Love bears all things, believes all things, endures all things…Love never fails.” ~ Corinthians 13:4