Cooker Slow Reviews / Pressure cooker Reviews

Brisket is basically the chest of the cow, and as such includes the ribs. So not the easy to sort out steaks, but a joint with loads of flavour that responds to the right sort of cooking. At one time any beef would only be eaten by the rich , which is why in English the word beef comes from the Norman French ‘Beouf’ . the Normans ate the meat. The Saxons looked after the animals - so it is their word Cow that is used for the animal. Cattle comes from Latin and meant movable property - as in chattels.

In those times of course cattle were only killed at certain times of year - the autumn to save providing for winter fodder. This meant that meat had to be preserved - usually by salting it. It also meant that it wasn’t always as fresh as it might be - hence the use of spices in medieval times to cover any bad tastes.

Brisket is an economic joint that works best in recipes that specify long slow cooking - 5 or 6 hours as opposed to minute steak. I find a slow cooker is great if you have one. It is usually purchased ready boned and rolled. Because the animal uses its chest muscles all the time the muscle is firm and would be tough unless cooked slowly.

Oh So Tender

I cook this in a slow cooker, but a roasting bag in a slow oven will work just as well. If using a slow cooker have it on full power for an hour and then place the meat inside and turn it down.

3 lbs, just under 1 ½ kilos, beef brisket
1 packet dry onion soup mix
I crushed clove of garlic
Sprinkling of freshly ground black pepper
1 oz, 30 g all-purpose flour

Preheat oven to 275 degrees F ,135 degrees C, Gas 1

Place the flour inside the roasting bag and shake to cover inside surface. Place meat in bag and add other ingredients. Seal bag and then pierce in a couple of places. Place in roasting tray and cook for 6- 8 hours. This means you can leave it in the morning and take it out at the end of your working day - unless you work long hours in which case this is a weekend dish. It will give you 6-8 servings or 4 hot and then some cold for sandwiches and a picnic.

Variations

You might like to pop into the bag a couple of tablespoons of red wine or a dollop of Worcestershire sauce.

Irish Marinade

The Irish really know how to use their country’s ingredients. This marinade from Dublin uses that Irish classic - Guinness. This needs to be prepared the night before cooking meat.

4 oz, 120 mls Guinness
2 garlic cloves
3 green onions, scallions, chopped
1 oz, 30 grams soy sauce
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
½ teaspoon English mustard powder
A good pinch of dried tarragon and one of parsley. If using fresh chopped herbs use a teaspoonful of each.
Salt and pepper

Combine everything in a medium saucepan and allow to stand for at least 15 minutes,
maybe while you are enjoying the rest of the Guinness. Now heat to reduce liquid by about 1/3.

Allow to cool and then place with joint in roasting bag. Seal and turn several times to coat the joint. Leave in fridge fro at least 4 hours, possibly overnight, but turn the bag over when you can so that the flavors penetrate evenly. When ready to cook piece bag in a couple of places, place in roasting tin and cook in slow oven as for ‘Oh So Tender’ above

Author: Guido Nussbaum

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Busy lives!  Aren’t we all busy, busy, busy?  Bring out the crockpot or slow cooker and you can make some tasty, economical meals for your family and cut down your kitchen time too.  For these recipes, all you have to do is add a salad, perhaps a bread, and you’ve got dinner.  Dessert can be elaborate or as simple as sugar-free cookies or a bowl of sugar-free ice cream.

PORK ROAST WITH ONIONS AND POTATOES

This recipe requires a 4-quart slowcooker for best results.

Approximately 3 lb boneless pork loin roast, trim off fat

1 large garlic clove, sliced

5 medium potatoes, washed, cubed, unpeeled

1 large onion, sliced

3/4 cup water (or tomato juice, if desired)

1 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce

1 tbsp cornstarch

1 tbsp cold water

Make slits in roast in insert slices of garlic.  Place roast under broiler to brown.  Put potatoes in slow cooker.  Add 1/2 the onion slices.  Place roast atop vegetables and cover with remaining onions.  Combine water or juice with soy sauce and pour over roast.  Place lid on slowcooker and cook on low about 8 hours.  When ready to serve, remove roast and vegetables from cooker.  Combine cornstarch and cold water.  Add to the liquid in the slow cooker.  Turn cooker to high until liquid is thickened.  Slice meat and serve thickened liquid over the meat and vegetables.

This recipe has a few more protein grams than carbs so it is excellent for diabetics who want to enjoy some good old “meat and potatoes”.

COWBOY CASSEROLE

1 medium onion, chopped

1 1/4 lbs 90% lean ground beef

6 medium potatoes, unpeeled, sliced

1 clove garlic, minced

16 oz can kidney beans

15 oz can diced tomatoes

2 tbsp flour

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

In a heavy skillet over medium-high heat, brown ground beef, rinse with hot water and drain.  Mix flour into diced tomatoes, stir until flour is smooth.

Layer into slow cooker in the following order;  onion, beef, potatoes, garlic and beans.  Pour tomatoes over all and sprinkle with salt and pepper.  Cover and cook on low 5 to 6 hours or until potatoes are tender.

Author: Linda Wilson

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If you are pressed for time, slow cooker or crock pot cooking offers the perfect solution in both flexibility and versatility.

When you put together the benefits of limited preparation, the use of one pot and the time saved by not having to prepare a meal on the spot, you know you have a winner. A meal can be cooked and served from the same pot, without having to juggle pots and pans and serving dishes.

Imagine coming home after a long hard day and smelling that your meal is already cooking, just waiting - a pure plummet in your stress levels.

If you don’t already own a slow cooker, there are a number of things you need to look at before deciding on the best one for you and your family.

The first consideration will be the size of the cooker. Small versions can be handy if you eat a lot of appetizers, dips, and salsas. Generally these are 16 oz. or quart size and are perfect for serving these types of foodstuffs. Obviously, they are the best size also if you are cooking for one. A large family would be best served with a 5 quart or maybe a 7 quart model.

The second thing to think about is the type of cooking you usually do, or plan to do with your slow cooker. If you are wanting to slow cook large or awkward cuts, like rack of lamb, you will definitely need the larger crock pot version.

There are a couple of options available as far as control of the slow cooking goes. If controlling or setting the temperature is your wish, there are crock pots that let you do this.

The other option is that you can just opt for a push button model that cooks at preset low or high temperature settings and sometimes a warmer setting. You need to be aware that if the “low” setting is too low and the lid is not on properly, the cooking temperature can drop below the safe level for cooking some foods.

Finally, you need to look at the heating elements. Crock pots can come with either bottom or side elements, or they can have both. Pots with side elements often require more liquid while slow cooking to avoid the risk of drying up over long cooking times.

If you are someone who really enjoys mixing things up and experimenting, slow cooking provides a wealth of possibilities. Where the crock pot really takes its place head and shoulders above any other cooking method is for slow cooking leaner and cheaper cuts of meat. The moist, long, slow cooking provides very tender meats where the fat is either dissolved or very easy to remove.

There are a few things you need to remember with crock pot cooking. Some meals will require the ingredients to be added at different times. For example, a casserole may require the meat to be cooked for a few hours before you then add firm vegetables, with softer vegetables being added toward the end of cooking.

As a rule of thumb, you should add things like spices, herbs and seasonings at the beginning of the cooking cycle, and things like frozen vegetables and seafood toward the end. Since ingredients are generally thoroughly cooked over a long period of time, a lot of stirring is not recommended or the food may break apart or turn to mush.

The versatility of the crock pot even allows you to create breads and desserts, but this is one area where you must take particular care during preparation. This becomes even more important if you are leaving your creation unattended while it is cooking. An over beaten or whipped dessert can quite easily raise the lid off the crock pot and create an ugly mess. This is certainly something you would not want to come home to after a long day at work.

A crock pot can deliver meals as classic as pot roast and vegetables, as simple as a cream cheese layer dip, or as complex and spicy as paella. The crock pit is one kitchen appliance that can rightly be called the cook’s best friend, especially if you learn to use it to its full potential.

Author: Sharron Nixon

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The popularity of slow cookers dipped since the 1970s. Reviews show these products to be excellent kitchen partners.

The slow cooker is a cooking appliance. It allows the unattended cooking of several dishes such as pot roast, stew, and other long-cooking recipes. The slow cooker is designed for those individuals who want home cooking but do not have the necessary time.

Crock pot is the accepted generic name of slow cooker. The slow cooker was popular in the 1970s. It faded as quickly as it got popular. The cause of the demise in popularity of slow cookers in the United States is the advent of fast-food eateries. People turned to food outlets to eat their dinner. They prefer to do so rather than spending their time cooking.

Food cooked in crock pots keeps its freshness and flavor. The slow cooker can be left all day long. It is safe to use because there is no flame. The food is cooked with indirect heat. Ingredients are dipped into the pot and cooking will begin.

Slow cookers have sizes from 1 quart up to a maximum of 11 quarts. According to reviews, the family size, 4 quarts, is the ideal slow cooker. The larger slow cookers are suitable for those who want to cook plenty of food. The idea is to refrigerate leftover foods and consume them later.

Slow cookers have power range of 1,500 to 2,000 watts. Larger models will have bigger wattage requirements. Newer models have two or more heat settings. There are slow cookers with automatic timers for easy usage. Some slow cookers have the feature for keeping food warm before the time of eating.

It is good to have a slow cooker, which has removable pot for safe cleaning. The slow cooker, which has handles, that does not get hot is a better choice. Most housewives look for slow cookers capable of cooking chicken, vegetarian dishes, beef stew, pot roast, chili roast, beef ribs, pork roast, chicken stew, and pork chops. Foods that are cooked in crock pots retain the original taste and tenderness.

The major slow cooker brands are Rival, Hamilton Beach, All Clad, West Bend, Farberware, Cuisinart, and KitchenAid. Reviews of different slow cookers point out to these brands. These brands are considered the best buy in slow cookers.

Prices of slow cookers are in the range of twenty dollars to about one hundred fifty dollars. The range of prices is exceptionally good for those who want to cook while at work or spending leisurely moments.

Among the reviews, the Rival 64451LD-C 6.5 Quart Round Slow Cooker with Bonus Little Dipper Slow Cooker, priced at $40 is the best in the budget slow cooker models category. Reviews say that most of the rival slow cookers burn food and do not properly cook. This particular model mentioned above is an exception.

According to reviews, the most versatile of the slow cookers is the 84716 Versatility West Bend 6-Quart Elliptical Slo-Cooker. The slow cooker model could be purchased at $50.

The Hamilton Beach 33141 4-Quart Oval Slow Cooker obtained the best reviews in the category of small slow cooker. It has an affordable price of $25. Owners like this particular model because the stoneware crock can be removed. The cooker can be used as a serving dish. Cleaning is easy and at the same time safe.

Slow cookers’ popularity was at its peak in the 1970s. Today, these slow cookers are still excellent products that can be a partner in the kitchen of every household.

Author: Jayesh Bagde

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Don’t let diabetes cause you to become bored with your diet!  There are a lot of foods, even very tasty desserts, out there for you.  Check out the recipe sections of my website http://diabeticenjoyingfood.squarespace.com to see for yourself.  Try new recipes, serving at least one or two new dishes a week.  Just because you or your loved one is diabetic doesn’t mean your meals have to be boring.  In fact, the whole family can benefit from eating as the diabetic does.  Pick at least two or three new recipes from our lists now and try them over the next week.  Come back once a week and do the same thing.  This will help you keep your menus fresh and tasty!  Most of the non-diabetics in your household won’t even know they are eating a diabetic menu!  It can be that good!  Following are a few examples of the recipes you will find on my website:

For a tasty breakfast bread, brunch item, snack, or even dessert try Apple Bread.  Made with canola oil, fresh apples, egg substitute and Equal Sugar-Lite, this is a tasty and healthy choice.

APPLE BREAD

1 cup canola oil

2 cups peeled and diced apples

3 eggs, well beaten or 3/4 cup egg substitute

2 cups Equal Sugar-Lite

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp salt

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Mix together thoroughly the oil, apples, eggs and Equal.  Mix spices with flour and add to apple mixture.  Stir together well.  Add vanilla extract and nuts.  Mix well.  Pour into two greased and floured loaf pans and bake for 50-60 minutes.  Cool about 10 minutes then remove from pans to a wire rack to finish cooling.

Thumb Print Cookies are good for snacking (especially good for diabetic youngsters who want some milk and cookies after school) or used as dessert.  You can serve them with sugar-free ice cream for a tasty and filling dessert.

THUMB PRINT COOKIES

1/4 cup shortening

1/4 cup butter

1/4 cup brown sugar, firmly packed OR 2 tbsp Splenda brown sugar blend

1 egg yolk, reserve white for later

1/2 tsp. vanilla

1 cup sifted flour

1/4 tsp. salt

Finely chopped pecans for rolling

Mix together the shortening and butter.  Beat in egg yolk, vanilla and brown sugar.  Mix well.  All flour and salt.  Mix thoroughly.  Roll into 1-inch balls.  Dip in slightly beaten egg white.  Roll in pecans.  Place about 1-inch apart on ungreased cookie sheet.  Press thumb gently into center of each cookie.  Bake at 375 degrees for 10-12 minutes until golden brown.  Add a dab of sugar-free jelly to the center of each if desired.  Makes 2-dozen cookies.

Note:  This recipe uses a small amount of brown sugar.  This puts a nominal amount of sugar into each of the 24 cookies which should be counteracted by the egg and nuts.  However it is important to be aware of this and work into your diet accordingly!  Or you can substitute 2 tbsp of Splenda’s brown sugar blend.

Yankee Pot Roast is a good recipe for those who work and want to have dinner ready when they get home.  This is a slowcooker recipe which can be very convenient for busy families.  You have meat and vegetables ready, add a salad and a quick dessert.  Dinner is served.

YANKEE POT ROAST

2 1/2 - 3 lbs beef chuck roast

1 lb med baking potatoes, scrubbed, quartered

2 large carrots, cut into inch-size pieces

1 medium onion, quarted

2 bay leaves

1 tsp dried rosemary

1/2 tsp dried thyme

1/2 cup reduced-sodium beef broth

Trim excess fat from beef and discard.  Cut into serving size pieces; sprinkle with salt and pepper.  Combine vegetables and spices in slow cooker.  Place beef pieces over vegetables.  Pour the broth over beef.  Cover and cook on low 8 to 9 hours or until beef is fork tender.  Discard bay leaves before serving.

Note:  1 large parsnip, cut into bite size pieces may be added for more flavor.

Serves six.  Per serving with parsnip: 494 calories, 48 g protein, 35 g carbs

These are just a small sample of the delicious recipes you will find at my website.  New recipes are added daily so there’s always something new for you to try.  Whatever you do, don’t let your meals become dull and boring.  There’s a bundle of good, tasty recipes out there for diabetics.  The more satisfying your meals, the less likely you will be to cheat, risking your health.

Enjoy!

Author: Linda Wilson

Cooker Slow Reviews

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Imagine getting home from work to the tantalizing smell of dinner, ready to dish out, hot and delicious. For a busy working mom, corporate couple or live-alone single, that’s a dream that doesn’t seem likely, unless you can afford your own chef. But it’s not unattainable. All you need is one handy-dandy little appliance that will simplify your life and have you dishing up your dinner before you even kick off your good shoes.

They’re an old stand-by from the 70s, and they’re making a huge comeback. Crock pots, also known as slow cookers, are one of the handiest tools for a busy working woman - or man, for that matter. With a crock pot, you can spend ten minutes of prep time before you leave for work in the morning, flip it on, and return home in the evening to a fully cooked meal - nutritious, delicious and far less expensive than takeout.

I grew up with a crock pot in the house, but it was seldom used. My grandmother was home full time, and it was far more common for her to slow cook on top of the stove. When I moved out on my own, those delicious slow-simmered dishes that were a staple of my diet were out of reach. I didn’t have time to stay at home and stir the pot. I turned to convenience meals and microwave cookery, but I missed the wonderful meals I grew up with - coq au vin, slow simmered spaghetti sauce, beef stew, stewed chicken and baked beans.

That all changed when I discovered a recipe for ‘Mom’s Busy Day Chicken’ in a recipe book offered by, of all places, the La Leche League. The recipe was incredibly simple - just put one cut up chicken in a crock pot, add two cans of stewed tomatoes and an onion, and flip the crock pot to low, and then walk away for six to eight hours. I was skeptical, but I tried it - and the results quickly became a family favorite. The chicken was tender enough to fall off the bone, and flavored through and through with spices and tomato sauce. The sauce was thickened and perfect for spooning over rice or pasta and best of all, it was nutritious and healthy.

Why is crock pot cooking so great?

1.You don’t have to watch the pot.
They say a watched pot never boils - neither does a crock pot. When you set the crock pot’s temperature to low, you can be sure that the food inside will cook at temperatures low enough to avoid overcooking, and high enough to prevent the formation of harmful bacteria.

2.Ten minutes in the morning makes a home-cooked meal in the evening.
Prep time for crock pot cooking is almost none. Cut up your ingredients, add them to the pot, cover it and walk away. The most elaborate recipes may require that you cut things uniformly or that you layer ingredients in a particular order, but all it takes is a few minutes in the morning, and you’ll come home to a home-cooked meal at the end of the day.

3.Cleanup is quick and easy!
Crock pots used to be a real hassle to clean, but no more. Today’s crock pots feature removable liners so washing the pot is as simple as washing a dish. Just lift out the liner and wash. You can even put most in the dishwasher. In addition, slow cooking means no crusty crud to scrub off.

4.Convenient features let you time things perfectly.
One of the drawbacks of crockpot cooking used to be overcooking. Let that meat simmer too long, and you ended up with unpalatable mush. Today’s crock pots feature timers that turn the crock pot off when it’s time, or lower the temperature when needed.

5.Slow cookers are energy efficient.
What? You thought that leaving your slow cooker plugged in and cooking all day was a waste of energy? Think again. A crock pot uses wraparound heat to cook the food, without wasting all the heat that would simmer away in an oven or stove top. You actually use less energy.

If you have a slow cooker tucked away somewhere, pull it out and give it a try. You’ll find dozens of recipes that break the traditional “mushy” meals syndrome that has given crock pots a bad name. Test a few, and you’ll find yourself upgrading to a new family friendly model so you can treat your family to wonderful, tasty, home cooked meals with almost no effort.

Author: Stephanie Larkin

-- Cooker Slow Reviews

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#1 Time management “systems” often fail because they are born of perfectionism and unrealistic expectations.

For instance, some people don’t initiate a time management approach until they’re already falling behind in their work; they undertake time management as a means of catching up.

Their initial plans tend to cram in everything they have to do without appropriate regard for the time required. The unrealistic plans that emerge from “catch-up time management” amount to little more than an expression of renewed motivation for change but without the structure to support it.

Those who try to follow crammed schedules often fall seriously behind their intended pace and abandon the plan altogether, resulting in continued time trouble. Some conclude somehow that these strategies of planning don’t work for them.

But, what is important isn’t being perfect, it is making and using a plan that helps you accomplish your goals. One of your best options for time management systems is to begin with the process of goal setting to establish a context for managing time.
I find that I have to stay on top of lots of different types of news and content that fit with the different types of people that I meet. My company pulled together a website for me that pull’s in RSS feeds, news and articles for dozens of different topics. I go to http://info.trainingpass.com for a few minutes when ever I need to quickly study up on subjects. This saves me time, I don’t have to search. It’s in one place for me.

What’s your business plan? Even if you don’t own a business lets assume that your life needs to be run efficiently and organized and that you need a return on investment (ROI). Step one is goals, both long term (5 years) and short term (1 year). Let’s get started. Stop reading this article whenever you need too. First you need to create a sheet with 2 columns and 2 rows. Label the columns professional and the other personal, then the rows under them should be labeled long term and short term. Know what you want to achieve in life. Remember balance in life as well. Do your goals include exercise, financial, career, education, entertainment, religion, charity? List all that fit. Make sure that each goal is clear, positive and achievable. But, reach and grow, don’t set the goals to low. Remember and learn to celebrate your success too. As you achieve these goals take time to enjoy the satisfaction of your achievements.

This section of the program should take a few days. Get started on your goal list today, come back and visit it a couple of times to really make it the best that you can. After you have revisited it a few times now prioritize and number the list in the order that is most important for you to achieve over all success. Adjust how you think about time, improve your awareness of how you use time, and make change for peak performance. As you encounter time troubles, keep in mind that some are predictable, some are not; some are controllable, some are not. For those that are not controllable, keep your cool and get back on track as soon as possible. For time troubles that you can control, and particularly those that occur predictably, deal with them directly and forcefully so that they don’t prevent you from achieving your goals. Examine the following list of troubles: the tips and strategies associated with each one can help you shift your time back to your goals.

Procrastination often emerges as a means of distancing oneself from stressful activities. If you’re overwhelmed by the volume of work on your to-do list, you might benefit from making a “one-item list”: re-write the top item from your list at the top of a blank page and work the task to completion, then repeat.

It can be difficult to start working. Most of the time, however, not starting seems to be related to fear of poor results or negative evaluations than it is to the actual difficulty of the work. Aim to subdivide tasks into small steps and convince yourself that to get started all you need is 10 full minutes working on a task. Often, the 10 minutes will elapse and you’ll be right into the swing of things, prepared to continue on productively.

#2 The next phase of the system involves tracking time and developing awareness for where you spend your time.

How do you currently spend your time? You need to know. For the next week you need to keep a log of what your whole day looks like. Take a notebook and make notes all during the day. Also make a note in the logs about your moods. Don’t rely on your memory, that doesn’t work very well. After the week is over you’ll need to really dive into the log and split the entries into professional and personal. You might be surprised as to how much time is spent on reading junk mail, and chatting with the office chatterers or doing less than organized activities. It’s interesting to compare your energy levels when you review the logs. Productivity may be tied into your eating habits. Now how much is your time worth? Take your pay or if you’re at home, what your pay should be and divide it per hour, ½ hour and each 15 minute section. Examine the log and how much does it cost for you to deal with that junk mail or chatting and being social in non-productive discussions? Of course we all realize that we are human, and need social interaction. This is just a guide of what time management means in terms of costs. Here’s where your return on investment is important. You’ll return to this log to restructure your day.

#3 The third phase of the cycle is plan making, and this could include making to-do lists, weekly plans, monthly plans and longer-range plans.
Your new plan. Using the log to analyze your time you’ll now need to see where you can improve on your time management. Remembering the goals that you created in step one as a guide, we need to start using a to do list. You’ll need to revisit your master goals list several times during the year. Those goals are not carved in stone and can be changed as your life becomes more organized. Many people talk about multi-tasking, but be sure that you schedule quality time to complete your tasks completely. Your to-do list is your business plan of essential tasks for the week or for the day. Set time aside just once per day to process your postal mail, set time to read and responded to e-mail, unless you are in a service position that requires it more than once. As you look at the tasks that you need to schedule think about if this is a task that you enjoy and are you good at it? Are there some tasks that just should not be on your to do list? Would your personal ROI be better served if you showed someone else how to do this task? This is important because you will be more effective on the important tasks that fit your role in the organization and or family. It will also increase your satisfaction of a day well spent. Your new business plan should concentrate on your strengths and tasks that really matter to your job and home life and support the goals that you identified in step 1. In order for you to do this well you may need to review your job description purpose and meet with others to learn what is most important in increasing your value to them. How would you be able to exceed expectations? Consider this as you create your to do list. What are the most important deadlines? Are you part of a team and how does your time management skills relate to projects. You should know if there are resources and budgets available to you to support exceeding the expectations. If you manage people or are a family caregiver this all needs to be scheduled. This is a lot to consider and should be done over a period of time, perhaps a week. But, don’t procrastinate. Let’s get it done. Time management is important. What type of to do list will work best for you? Choose either a weekly or daily list based on the method that will be most effective for your management style. As you create your list consider that:

1. It makes sense that the person with the time, skill, talent and knowledge does each job. Bear in mind however that one person can not do everything.
2. Teach the person how to do the job, including shortcuts.
• Have the best tools, supplies, and equipment for doing the job.
• Consider what jobs people already do.
• Never re-do a job (unless health and/or safety is threatened). If you do, you’ll get the job back.
• Realize others may not meet your standards, but if you have truly given up the job, accept that your standards no longer apply.
• Praise people; let them know their work is appreciated.
3. There are plenty of people who would enjoy being paid for a job you would rather not do.
4. Apply the motto “Less is Best,” so you have fewer possessions to manage. Evaluate if the world will come to an end if the job just does not get done.
Divide your goals into time frames – and then subdivide into manageable pieces.

While it may seem challenging to take in the whole scope of that convergent goal, thinking of your goals in this way helps to reinforce the idea that there is a connected path linking what actions you take today and the successful completion of your goals.

Seeing these connections can help you monitor your own progress and detect whether you are on track or not.

The final phase of the cycle is time shifting and adjusting (i.e., changing where you spend your time to better match your intended use of time) in which you make corrections to the system before starting the cycle again at goal setting.

Taken together, these phases permit you to initialize a process of gradual, performance-based improvement in time management skill.

Everybody wants the “quick fix”, but the complexity of changes involved in really getting a grip on your time management process will take some time to move through.

Resist the urge to cast aside strategies that don’t promise instant results; like it or not, change takes time.

Now make the to – do list. Once your list is complete prioritize the list using numbers where #1 is most important. As you implement your new business plan start with most important. If at the end you don’t get to do the least important tasks examine how important they are and if you are the right person to be doing the task. Can you and should you delegate that duty?

#4 Now that you have your list created use technology and tools. How do you schedule your time? Do you use a calendar, a daily, weekly, monthly planner? Do you use computer software, pda, or smart gadget? If you have these tools but don’t know how or do not use them, make time on your list for this learning. If your life is fast paced or stressful, remember to allow time for balance. For many people, sports are a fun activity. We created a fun website that’s a sports portal for when you only have a few minutes. http://www.adventurezonesports.com
If you need a walk or workout time schedule this, don’t try to do it while you’re eating lunch! Quality time management includes:

Physical (exercise, nutrition, sleep)
Intellectual (cultural, aesthetic)
Social (intimate and social relationships)
Career (school and career goal directed work)
Emotional (expression of feelings, desires)
Spiritual (quest for meaning)

It is important to keep in mind that the purpose of scheduling is not to enslave you to your planner, but rather to record your decisions about when certain things should happen.

The weekly objective list is a to-do list with additional features to further decompose tasks into smaller units and to record time estimates for the task.

Construct your plan to follow a rhythm.

Pick a time each week to plan your schedule. Even with unexpected occurrences that can impact your schedule you assist yourself in making decisions that are governed by your desire to reach your goals.

Once your week is planned you will experience clarity of focus, your tendency to be distracted will be reduced and you will be certain of your reasons for doing the things you had planned. Committing yourself to a plan you’ve made represents a renewal of your motivation for the goals and tends to increase your time on task.

#5 The last phase of the system is self-monitoring your action. Self monitoring involves paying attention to how well you are working your plan, how accurately you have planned, how well you have forecasted for various events and so on
For many people motivation isn’t a prerequisite to action…it is a result of it!

You’ll spend a lot of your time waiting in lines. At the library check-out, waiting for the bus, waiting for the light to turn green at an intersection, buying tickets, and even waiting for the professor to arrive at class… you find yourself just waiting. If you carry around a book, some photocopied reports, spreadsheets, your pda smart gadget with this MP3 management program you could be actively using time that would otherwise escape you. Plan ahead with an activity to fill this empty time.

The key to commuting time is, simply, use it or lose it. Books on tape or MP3 training are a wonderful way to multitask if you are driving, or if you are riding, the list is endless of little chores that can be accomplished. The challenge is to use that time for something productive.

Helpful tips:

OFFICE
When chatterers show up unannounced in your office be firm but polite. Suggest that you wish you had time to chat right now but absolutely do not. You realize that it’s important to get together and take your calendar out and suggest a time that might work for you because with your new time management program right now you have something scheduled.

Always putting out fires? Maybe others in your office or family need to learn how to have better time management. Chaos is normally due to poor planning. Offer to schedule a team time management planning session.

FOOD
Develop and use a rotating menu system which can include complete meals or just main dishes.
Photocopy a master shopping list so you just have to check off needed items.
Buy and cook in quantity.
Do only one large shopping trip each month for basics and staples?
Prepare quick and easy but nutritious breakfasts only.
Use food preparation and storage equipment to the maximum such as a slow cooker, freezer, microwave, food processor, and pressure saucepan.
Prepare as much in advance as possible such as lunches the night before and quantity cooking on the weekends.
Get everyone in the habit of rinsing dishes immediately after use.

CLOTHES
All family members above the age of three put away their own laundry.
Multiple hampers or baskets coded for the type of washing machine settings such as “warm wash, cold rinse” or “cold wash, cold rinse” cuts sorting time.
Locate laundry near the bathroom or the kitchen.
Put away coats, boots, etc. as soon as possible when entering the house.
Make it a house rule that what goes into the laundry basket inside out, gets washed and dried inside out — socks, underwear, T-shirts, etc.

HOUSE
Set Friday night or Saturday morning as house cleaning time for everyone.
Develop a flexible cleaning schedule so everything eventually gets done.
All family members over the age of three are responsible for their own bedrooms.
Use shelves instead of cabinets or drawers for storage; it’s easier to put something away if you don’t have to open a drawer or door.
In each room have either all or no carpeting.
Decorate with darker colors especially in high traffic areas
Use quilts or sleeping bags for easier bed making.
Wipe the bathroom sink after each use.
Clean the tub or shower before you get out of it.
Make the bed right after you get up.
Use throw rugs with rubber backs in heavy traffic areas.
Change filters on the heating/cooling system frequently to cut down on the amount of house dust.
Keep multiple sets of cleaning supplies and equipment especially if the house has more than one level.

YARD
Simplify landscaping; consolidate several flower beds into a large one.
Use low maintenance plantings.
Keep lawn care equipment in top-notch working order.

CAR
Schedule the next routine car service appointment each time you pick up the car left for servicing.
Develop a car care calendar for routine service and seasonal maintenance.
Use a master calendar to schedule chauffeuring of family members.

SHOPPING
Run several errands at the same time.
Have a morning “launching pad” as a place to collect backpacks, briefcases, papers, money, etc. the night before.
Carry a list of current sizes for everyone in the household when shopping. Do as much routine shopping (bedding, underwear, footwear, etc.) as possible by telephone or mail.
Buy an entire season’s clothing in one trip.
Buy duplicates of gifts, cards, etc.
Organize important papers and records in a filing system.
Use “sticky notes” on the bathroom mirror or by the door to remind someone of something they tend to forget, or use magnets to hold notes on metal surfaces.

Author: Bob Therrien

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The slow cooker or crock pot is one of the greatest inventions known to man. With little or no effort, you can have a hot, delicious and nutritious meal whether you worked all day or were out running errands. With most slow cooker recipes, you cut and chop in the morning and turn on your crock pot to the required setting and let it simmer all day. When you and your family return home after a long and busy day you will have a delicious hot meal waiting for you.

A slow cooker can make a low fat meal simply delicious. You begin by spraying low fat spray into the ceramic insert and you are just about ready to make a low fat meal. Adding fresh vegetables and lean cuts of meat cooking for hours can make flavor rich and satisfying, even if it is a low fat meal. The flavor comes from the liquid you add, and you can use tomatoes, broths and wines as your base when you are preparing a low fat meal.

If you really want a low fat meal, don’t use as much meat and replace with whole grains and beans. You can add fresh herbs and spices to enhance the flavor of your slow cooker low fat meal as well. If someone tells you that eating low fat meal is boring and bland, they aren’t making use of all the no fat options that are available to add zest and flavor to any meal.

Tips for Preparing Low Fat Meal in a Slow Cooker

Start with buying a slow cooker with a removable insert for easy cleaning. Find a slow cooker that has more than one setting, such as low, medium and high. Most slow cookers include basic instructions for using it, as well as more elaborate recipes you may want to try. Remember, any slow cooker recipe you find can be easily remade into a low fat meal using low fat substitutes for high fat ingredients. When you use your imagination and your slow cooker, there is no end to the delicious low fat meal you can serve your family.

Author: Arturo

— cooker slow reviews

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