Hacking the Slow Cooker – Joyce Dooley I have been creating my own healthy, nutritious, delicious and easy recipes. The recipes are simple yet diverse. I use a slow cooker, which simplifies the meal prep and serving as well. I usually base the recipes on five main ingredients. I typically include a healthy protein, complex carbohydrates, vegetables, seasonings, and use extra virgin olive oil for the minimum amount of fat needed. For the protein you can use: • tofu, which takes on the flavors of your creation • a small amount of turkey or frozen turkey balls • chicken – pre-cooked or out of a can if you're wanting a fast start, or raw chicken when you have time • diced low-fat cheese. • I nearly always put in legumes for both protein as well as fiber content. The addition of precooked pasta or grains, or various types of potatoes or other complex carbs is entirely up to the cook. I always add a lot of veggies. If you prefer that they are very soft and easier to digest, they can be precooked in the microwave. If you would like, add a can of diced tomatoes – they are a beautiful complement to the finished meal. Of course, a variety of spices can be used. I prefer healthy and tasty basil, turmeric, ginger, garlic, and onion. Always add some liquid to the crock, especially if you would like to serve the meal with crusty bread or crackers. I deliberately left out specific measurements. This is what makes every meal so different than the previous one. The crock contents can be cooked on low or high depending on your timeframe for serving it. Enjoy your personal recipe! 54 msfocusmagazine.org Life with MS Have You MS Hacked the Problem? Send your tips and tricks to MSHacks@msfocus.org.