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

Whether you're a Workerette juggling a job outside the home, an at-home mom, a work-at-home mom or all of the above *yikes!*, you've probably wondered if a slow cooker would be useful for you.  I'm personally learning that the answer is a resounding YES!  Even if you aren't a mom (or perhaps, are a gramma or great-gramma), planning ahead can only be a good thing.  It makes the budget a little less likely to break, the days a little more efficient, and with recipes like the ones these ladies are sharing, it can make dinner healthier and/or tastier!

Today I thought I'd post a little something sweet - guess who's craving dessert right now?  *chuckle* Read on for a recipe for peanut butter-caramel apples, borrowed from Fitness magazine (November 2007 issue).

What You Need:

• PAM or other non-stick cooking spray
• 1 - 12 oz jar of caramel ice cream topping
• 1/2 C of peanut butter
• 1/2 C of water
• 2.5 pounds cooking apples (they recommend Granny Smith, though I've had good luck with Fujis, which aren't really a "cooking" apple usually)
• vanilla ice cream (optional)

What To Do:

• Peel and core the apples and slice into wedges about 1/2 inch thick.
• Coat the inside of a 3.5 - 4 quart slow cooker with the Pam.
• Add the caramel, water, and peanut butter.  Whisk together until smooth.
• Add the apples and stir the mixture to coat them.
• Cover and cook on low heat for 3 - 4 hours.
• Serve topped with a scoop of ice cream, if you like.