All Hail the Slow Cooker

[It's all you should want for Christmas.](#) [Take Five]( Musings, ramblings, and candid commentary from an always-hungry New Yorker. [Joey Skladany]( [Managing Editor]( If you know me, you know that I have an unhealthy obsession with sloths. This pre-dates Kristen Bell’s [sloth meltdown]( on Ellen, which made sloth adoration cool and trendy. In fact, I am *the* O.G. sloth lover. Disagree? I’d fight you about it, but I’m probably too busy sleeping and not caring…like a real sloth. The truth is that I’m never really sleeping or not caring. My life is hectic, and even though I despise people who say this (because they're usually lying and just pretending to be busy), this reality is legit. If I’m not working, I’m trying to find the next best restaurant. If I’m not eating, I’m pretending to be an influencer on Instagram. If I’m not on social media, I’m writing this newsletter. You get the picture. Thus, it comes as no surprise that my cooking skills, or at least the Ina Garten-influenced ones, have suffered tremendously under the weight of my schedule. I just don’t always have the time or energy to chop, dice, find a “really good salt,” and serve dinner on an actual plate. :::Enter the almighty slow cooker.::: Nearly everything you crave can be made in this truly wonderful device. Don’t believe me? Read below and your life will be changed for the better, much like Glinda and Elphaba's at the end of Wicked. [21 Soups and Stews You’d Never Guess Came Out of the Slow Cooker]( Unpopular opinion: I’m not the hugest fan of soup (which I’ve mentioned previously). Sipping food reminds me of being in a nursing home, no matter how delicious the dish may be. That being said, there are some amazing recipes in this guide that are worth the sacrifice in chewing. Grandma tested, Joey approved. [Read more]( [12 Budget-Friendly Slow Cooker Meals to Serve a Crowd]( Sometimes you're unexpectedly tasked with feeding a group of friends or friendly acquaintances. And if that's the case, I'm truly sorry. But have no fear: The slow cooker is here as a cooking vessel for anything that may be crowding your fridge and pantry. It also won't cost you an arm and a leg...and your sanity. [Read more]( [Unconventional Dishes You Can Make in Your Slow Cooker]( This article had me at loaded baked potatoes. If you believe it, you certainly can achieve it. Who knew the slow cooker could be so inspiring? [Read more]( [Christmas Dinners You Can Make in Your Crock-Pot]( Thanksgiving is over, which means it’s now socially acceptable to blast Mariah Carey holiday music at work and practice your Christmas cooking in a Crock-Pot. And if anyone says otherwise, send them straight to Mount Crumpit to live with the Grinch and forever remain on the Naughty List. [Read more]( [These Are the Best Slow Cookers for Every Personality and Situation]( If you don’t have a slow cooker (or are in need of a new one), we’ve broken down which models may work best for you. Plus, since Black Friday and Cyber Monday are now week-long affairs (or at least that's what Best Buy keeps telling me), you should be able to snag a great deal. [Read more]( [What I'm Making This Weekend: Slow Cooker Pulled Pork]( Because it's one of Chowhound's most popular recipes and for good reason: pork. [What I’m Sipping This Weekend: Slow Cooker Spiced Wassail]( Because the act of putting alcohol into a slow cooker is my idea of weekend fun. Let's Stay Connected! [View online]( | [Unsubscribe]( [Manage your Subscriptions]( | [Give Us Feedback]( CBS Interactive - [235 2nd St., San Francisco, CA 94105](#) ©2018 Chowhound.com | All Rights Reserved. [Privacy Policy]( | [Terms and Conditions](