My best friend, my crock pot.

Our schedule around here is a bit weird. I work mostly evenings (although I am trying to get on some day shifts at work now that Allyson is older). I do like to cook on the nights I'm home, which are usually Wednesdays and Thursdays. I had originally asked not to work Thursday nights for PTA-related activities, but I am not going to be an officer next year (primary school goes up to third grade and Ally's in second this year; I want to step back a bit and let her enjoy her third grade year). That works out anyway because Ben plays guitar in our church's praise band and they rehearse on Thursday nights.

Wednesday is our truly busy night. Ben works from home (every day!) until 4:30. On Wednesdays he has to be out the door by 5; he works with the teen praise band at church. Allyson and I are on our own until about 6:15, when we also head to church for Caravans (a faith-based scouting program). She participates in the 1st/2nd grade class, and I am one of the leaders of Benson Buddies (which is the Preschool/Kindergarten group). We have to eat dinner at separate times, but we like to eat the same thing.

So, on Wednesdays, the crock pot is my best friend. I get up, make sure everyone is fed and dressed, take Allyson to school, come home, and start dinner.

Allyson is a picky eater and won't eat a lot of what comes out of the crock pot, but Ben and I are less picky. (I usually make her some mac and cheese or something; at this point I don't care what she eats as long as she eats.)

I get a lot of my recipes from Skinnytaste. I am on Weight Watchers (although not doing as well lately; I was doing GREAT until they took my Points Plus away and decided to implement Smart Points). Tonight I made Crock Pot Santa Fe Chicken and it was fabulous. I have also made:

- Crock Pot Chicken Cacciatore (Allyson will eat the spaghetti I make to go with this, but not the chicken)

- Crock Pot Chicken Taco Chili (also fabulous)

I also feel like I made chicken fajitas with it once but I can't find the recipe.

And YES, we do eat a lot of chicken.

Any other recipes I should try? :)