Women at work and their tips, challenges, advice, complaints, and experiences

Numerous studies have shown that families sitting down to eat at least one meal together a day brings parents and children together in a way that eating on the go, while going our separate ways, just can't compare.  However, with a growing number of women working outside the home, we can't exactly mold to the June Cleaver expectations of decades ago.

Even as a work-at-home mom, I have to fight the problem of quickie runs through McDonald's or throwing some ramen noodles in a bowl in some semblance of a sit-down dinner, and it frustrates me.  I certainly recognize that home-cooked meals are often healthier, and even those that may traditionally be less "healthy" due to their ingredients can be adapted if we have the time to do so.

How though, do busy Workerettes make that time?  Even in my single days, long before I had kids, I had to deal with long hours, a draining commute, and quite the tight budget.  It all adds up, but I think I've finally found a way to get around the time crunch and come up with healthier fare for my family.

The slow cooker.

Yes, I know they've been making a comeback for at least a year now, but I resisted for as long as possible.  Usually anything that my own mother and grandmother go "ga-ga" over is something I don't have the time or energy for.  However, my new husband is a pretty healthy guy, and he's also pretty traditional, in that he agrees with me that it's important for us to have a "sit-down" dinner when possible.  So when some friends gave us a gift card for Bed, Bath & Beyond, we splurged on a CrockPot slow cooker. 

But I still didn't use it.  Until today.  We moved to a new home about a week ago and Monday I unpacked it, put it on the counter all shiny and new, and had the overwhelming urge to cook something in it to see what all the hubbub is about.  Luckily my friend Lisa (founder of Homestead Originals) posted a recipe for super easy applesauce on her blog.  Made in her slow cooker, with apples her kids had just harvested on their property -- it sounded like a simple enough project to get me started, especially since I had about a dozen apples that were getting a bit less than crisp.  Rather than throw them away soon, I reasoned, why not let the Little help me chop them up and make applesauce.  Besides, it'd be a way to see what the hubbub's about, right?

Well, ladies, I'm hooked now.  The applesauce turned out great, though ours is a bit chunkier than storebought.  (Hey, that's what happens when a five-year-old uses a butter knife to cube apple slices.)  My entire downstairs smells like warm apple pie, and I can't help but think this would be sooooo good as a topping on vanilla ice cream. 

Now I'm dreaming of home-cooked meals that fit in with our family's busy schedule.  Just think: on cold days, we could have stews and soups to use up the vegetable and chicken broth in my food storage!  I can just imagine serving them up with very little work thanks to the CrockPot.  Sure would be nice to have fresh baked bread, too.

Too bad I got rid of my bread machine, isn't it?