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!

In honor of Brownies (which hits right in the middle of my day and seems to really throw a wrench in the works), I thought I'd share this casserole recipe I found in Taste of Home cookbook.  I've adapted it a little bit because we don't care for regular onion or garlic; I prefer to substitute powders instead.  Here goes:

What You Need:

• 1 C uncooked wild rice (rinsed and drained)
• 1 C chopped celery
• 1 C chopped carrots
• 2 - 4 oz cans mushroom stems & pieces (drained)
• 1 T onion powder
• 1 T garlic powder
• 1/2 C slivered almonds
• 3 beef bouillon cubes
• 2 1/2 tsp seasoned salt
• 2 lbs boneless round steak (cut into 1" cubes)
• 3 C water

What To Do:

• Place all the ingredients in your slow cooker in the order listed above.  DO NOT STIR.
• Cover and cook on low for six to eight hours (until rice is tender).
• Stir before serving.

Sounds like just the thing to serve up with some nice warm rolls, doesn't it?  Just think: you can set the timer so you can come home from work (or Brownies) and pop some of those Pillsbury-type refrigerator rolls in the oven while you get settled, then have a nice homemade dinner on the table.  Whew!