The 30th Oregon Asian Celebration will take place at Eugene’s Lane Events Center this Saturday and Sunday (Feb. 14-15). The Asian Celebration incorporates the different countries of Asia in an annual festival. The celebration is a platform that brings the community together through Asian culture, history, entertainment and food. The festivities take place from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

Both days hold numerous events, including martial arts performances, lion dances, puppet shows, cooking demonstrations and various live music performances. University of Oregon President Scott Coltrane will be speaking, as well as other UO students, athletes, diversity scholars and young scholars.

All ages are welcome and encouraged to enjoy this event. A special children’s room for kids 12 and under will be available.

This year’s theme is “Celebrating 30 Years of Love and Diversity,” and since Saturday is Valentine ’s Day, there is one event in particular which might interest couples, “Canoodle Noodle,” a noodle eating contest. The winners will receive a gift certificate to a local restaurant.

“Couples, or even friends, can enter the contest,” says event co-director Ardyn Wolfe. “The goal is to feed your partner noodles with a pair of long chopsticks, whoever finishes first wins!”

Wolfe has been involved with the Asian Celebration for 12 years and said the most rewarding experience has been seeing everyone come together, from all different backgrounds and nationalities.

The event will have a food court with a mix of commercial vendors and community groups. Vietnamese, Indian, Japanese and Korean food will all be served.

Tickets are free for students on a first-come, first-serve basis at the Oregon Community Credit Union. Student IDs must be presented to receive the tickets.

One-day tickets ($6) and two-day tickets ($10) are also sold at the Oregon Community Credit Union. Kids 12 and under are admitted for free.

The Asian Celebration is also looking for volunteers and strongly encourages students to apply. If you are interested in volunteering for next year’s event, or want to see what volunteer opportunities are available now, contact info@asiancelebration.org

Being gluten-free and living in the dormitories could be a seemingly difficult task, but the University of Oregon dining options provide gluten-free foods that are just as widely available as non gluten-free foods. Last week I decided to check out what has been incorporated into dining halls for students hoping to maintain a gluten-free diet.

Global Scholar Hall offers a plethora of gluten-free options, most of which will have a card indicating as such. Mini teff brownies (made from an African cereal), banana nut muffins, Cuban sandwiches and creamy coconut lentil soup are a few of the options available. Other options you would have to know are gluten-free, such as the twice-baked potato, sushi, and miso soup. The pasta bar offers gluten-free pasta and sauces as well.

Both Hamilton and Living Learning Center have gluten-free bread for sandwiches. At LLC, all salad dressings without gluten are marked, and the staff is very helpful with any questions regarding ingredients in the food. At Hamilton, freshman Linds Wiens, who’s on a gluten-free diet herself, said the dining halls are becoming more inclusive for all eating habits and dietary styles.

“The (UO) is becoming a gluten-free friendly campus,” she said. “When I first started school at the beginning of the year there weren’t too many options for gluten-free, but at the beginning of winter term Gastro Bistro in Hamilton got really good gluten-free waffles so it’s definitely becoming more friendly as we go!”

Even the buffet-styled dining at Carson offers gluten-free pizza crust for students looking to enjoy some late night.

Currently, many different gluten-free options are not only readily available, but also, are clearly marked for students who are looking for them.

Gather ’round Patriots and Seahawks fans, it’s Super Bowl time. If you’re like me, your New Year’s resolution to eat healthy has already come to an end, and at the perfect time, because what is better than beer, football and delicious fattening foods? For your consideration, below are a list of some classic finger foods to indulge in on Sunday, Feb. 1. Kickoff the Super Bowl with guacamole, beefy cheese dip, and many other tasty finger-foods this year.

Guacamole
Mash three avocados, chop a small white onion, finely chop cilantro, squeeze in juice from half a lime. Combine in a small bowl and add salt, pepper and garlic salt.

Beefy Cheese Dip
Mix in 2 tablespoons of butter and flour in a pot. Bring heat to medium and stir in 1/2 pound of cheddar cheese, 1/4 cup of cream cheese and 1/2 a cup of milk. Cook ground beef on medium heat with a jar of salsa, once it is cooked, stir in cheese mixture.

Mini Hawaiian Sliders
On open-faced Hawaiian rolls, add cold cuts of sliced ham and cheddar cheese and place in oven at 350 degrees for 4 minutes. Serve with slices of canned pineapple.

Pigs in a Blanket
Take miniature hot dogs and wrap them with pre-made croissant rolls. Bake for 10 minutes, remove from oven and sprinkle with shredded cheese. Place back in oven for five minutes. To spice it up, dip in spicy mustard!

Sweet and Salty Mix
Add a bag of peanut M&M’s, a bag of chocolate chips, a box of plain Chex cereal and mini pretzels into a big bowl and mix thoroughly.

Garlic Butter Popcorn
Prepare two bags of popcorn. Melt one stick of butter on medium heat in a small pot. Add salt, pepper and chopped chives. Once popcorn has popped, pour it into a big bowl and pour butter mixture over it. Stir thoroughly and sprinkle garlic salt over the top.

Caramel Corn
Prepare two bags of popcorn. Melt one stick of butter, one cup of brown sugar and two teaspoons of vanilla extract in a small pot over low heat. Stir until mixture thickens. Pour popcorn in a large bowl and drizzle caramel over it. Stir in chocolate chips or chocolate sauce for added deliciousness.

Regardless of the game’s outcome, a Super Bowl party equipped with the right food can make any day a victory. Enjoy!

Feeling burnt out is never good, and when you’re tired it’s easy to go grab a cup of coffee for a quick energy boost to keep you going through the day. As much as I love coffee, I will be the first to admit that although it is fast-acting, it is not long-lasting. After a few hours you begin to crash and feel even more tired than you were before drinking it. Instead of trying to fuel yourself with caffeine, try some of these snacks to keep you awake and mentally alert for those long winter days! These snacks are healthy and easy to incorporate in your everyday diet.

Bananas – A great food to get you going, and keep you going throughout the day. They are rich in carbohydrates. potassium, natural sugars and fiber. The fiber in bananas helps maintain a steady and consistent energy all day, and you wont crash! Bananas are great in smoothies, or just by themselves.

Peanut Butter – Not only creamy and delicious, but surprisingly good for you. It’s packed with antioxidants, vitamin E and potassium. Peanut butter keeps you full for longer and is considered “a good fat,” which means it is full of monounsaturated fats. Add some to a piece of wheat toast or even eat it by the spoonful for a healthy snack.

Raw Almonds – With protein and fiber, almonds can help you sustain energy for long days! An almond also contains the amino acid tryptohan which helps relax the body and gets rid of the mental drained feeling you have when you’re tired. Raw almonds are my personal favorite on this list, low in calories and yummy! If you don’t like the taste of raw almonds add them in a smoothie or chop them up and add them to a salad.

Lemon and Mint Water – An excellent substitute for coffee, the smell of lemon and mint are refreshing, and it’s practically energizing just to make this drink. It can be used as a detox for weight loss, but it’s also a great way to clear your skin as well. This mix has electrolytes, is a great source of vitamin C, and a good way to make bland water a little more fancy. You can add any sort of fruits and veggies into this mix, including strawberries and raspberries.

Eating

As we start 2015, just like every year, people make resolutions to eat healthier. Eating healthy seems more difficult than it actually is, when so many options and small changes can make a potentially “unhealthy” meal healthier. But changing your eating habits is not so easy. Curb those cravings and stay on track by incorporating these simple recipes into your life this year.

Breakfast

Greek yogurt with granola and fruit

What you’ll need:

Greek yogurt (flavor of your choice)
1/2 cup of desired fruit (I used bananas and blueberries)
1/2 cup of granola
1 teaspoon of honey (optional)

What you’ll do:

In a bowl, add yogurt, fruit and granola, stir then add in honey if you would like. I used bananas and blueberries because bananas keep you full and are a good source of potassium, while blueberries help boost your metabolism and even help preserve your memory.

Lunch

Avocado salad open-faced sandwich or wrap

Chive spread:

What you’ll need:

1/4 cup Greek yogurt
1 tablespoon of finely chopped chives
A pinch of salt and pepper

Avocado salad:

What you’ll need:
1 avocado, diced
1 tomato, diced
1 cucumber, peeled and diced
1 tablespoon lime juice
2 tablespoons of chopped cilantro
A pinch of salt and pepper
1/4 cup alfalfa sprouts

1 piece of wheat bread or wheat tortilla

What you’ll do:
Toast bread and spread desired amount of chive spread. Top the bread with avocado salad, and enjoy! If you are making a wrap, use desired amount of chive spread, add avocado salad, wrap and enjoy! The spread makes up to four servings, so there will be plenty more for later. This is a quick and easy on-the-go lunch or snack, not to mention super delicious.

Dinner

Cheddar broccoli and chicken shells

What you’ll need:

3 cups of 9 oz shell noodles
1 lb boneless chicken breast, cooked and chopped
12 oz broccoli florets
2 1/2 tablespoon butter
1/4 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
A pinch of salt and pepper
3 cups of low fat milk
1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese
1/3 cup of finely shredded Parmesan cheese

What you’ll do:

Boil water in a large pot, add noodles and cook until done. Once noodles are cooked, on low heat add butter, garlic powder, flour, milk, salt and pepper, stir until all the ingredients are mixed well. Add in cheese, chicken and broccoli. Remove pot from heat and let sit for five minutes before serving.

Dessert

Low-fat rice krispy treat in a mug:

What you’ll need:

1 tablespoon smart balance butter
1/2 cup rice krispy cereal
5 small marshmallows

What you’ll do:

In a mug combine all the ingredients and microwave for 45 seconds. When it is all done, mix well and enjoy. This is a sticky treat, but it’s super yummy, and since it is in a mug, you will be eating a controlled portion and won’t have to worry about overeating!

Follow Katie Wideman on Twitter: @KatieWideman

Exercise

Eating healthy is only one part of your New Years resolution to be healthy. Use these exercise and nutrition apps to help you stay on track with your fitness goals of 2015.

ACTIVE by Popsugar — This app was developed by one of the most popular fitness websites for women. The ACTIVE app allows you to work out anywhere and at anytime by providing the user with tons of workout videos and step-by-step pictures to help you master the move. You can download your favorite videos to your phone or you can simply open the app every time you want to access workouts. This app also features an alert that syncs with your phone to help remind you it’s time to workout. The videos on this app are excellent and very encouraging. They are updated a few times a week.

Lorna Jane — With the Lorna Jane app, you can track your runs and other workouts. This app is unique because it combines fitness routines and recipe ideas for after the workout. The app has workout videos for running, cyclizing, treadmill, cross training, stationary biking, walking and the rowing machine. In addition to recipes, videos and tracking, it shows you your caloric breakdown each day and provides inspiration.

Fooducate — This app, developed by nutritionists, provides delicious recipes and features a section called ‘Ask.’ In the ‘Ask’ section, you can submit a food related question and it will send a reply back from its nutritionists. This app helps you eat healthy and stay on track by providing meal plans in the app, and it tracks your weight and calories. This app is great because even if your not making food from its recipes, you can search a brand of food and find your specific item and it will give you a detailed break down of its health benefits. This app is like having a nutritionist in your pocket!

7 Minute Workout — This app is perfect for the busiest of the busy. This app sneaks in a great workout in only seven minutes. It alternates effective workouts and time durations to get you similar results to HIIT training. By having such a short workout time you can do it in the morning or at night. If seven minutes is too long, you can even reduce the time. If you can, try sticking with the seven minute routine to help you achieve your goals by summer.

Nike Training Club — NTC is by far one of the best apps created by Nike because you don’t need to go out and buy any of its gear (fuel bands anyone?) to perform the exercises. This app provides detailed and specific videos and workouts. It is great for any fitness level because it breaks workouts down by your experience. You can share your results and workouts with your friends, and they can cheer you on, virtually! This app also provides a four week program that you can customize. You can use this app in the gym or at home, and it even works with Airplay, so you can play your workouts on your TV and it can become a group workout. NTC of course can be synced with Nike Running and your fuel band, but it works wonders on its own.

Follow Sarah Vella-Labrador on Twitter: @SarahKiana95

December can be a hectic time of the year, especially for college students. There is a lot to keep in mind: holiday parties, finals week and the highs and lows that come with spending the holiday season with your family. Soon enough, it’s time for the holidays. After gorging yourself on a Thanksgiving feast, the next thing you know, you’re packing for a month’s vacation for winter break.

On the first of the month, you might feel confident financially, but that panicky strapped-for-cash feeling only grows as the holiday season rolls on. You don’t have to make a hasty, last-minute Christmas card with folded parchment paper and Sharpie. Please don’t break out the waxy bags of gelt or rush to bake some kugel for Hanukkah. You don’t have to avoid your friends whom you avoided this holiday season. Instead, this year, demonstrate your craftsmanship and artisan skills with easy do-it-yourself stocking stuffers.

For your best friend:

Shot Glass: Plain clear shot glasses are super easy to find and decorate. I found mine at the Dollar Tree (where you can also find beer mugs that are fun to decorate). Find some cool stickers, use some puffy paint and customize it to your best friend. A glass paint marker is a great idea to color glassware. It’s incredibly easy to inspire an endless amount of creativity in decorating a glass.

Traveler Mug: Customize a coffee or tea traveler for your best friend! Many stores offer a travel mug or tumbler in which you can insert your photos and create a collage. If your friend is a tea drinker, fill the mug up with an assortment of different kinds of tea.

For your mom or sister:

Honey Sugar Bath Scrub: In a Mason jar, combine 1 ½ cup raw sugar, ½ cup honey and 1 cup of olive oil, stir until all ingredients are mixed together. Decorate your Mason jar or leave as is. This is a perfect gift of relaxation; you may find yourself wanting to make a personal batch.

Peppermint Lip Scrub: In a small jar combine 1 teaspoon of peppermint extract, 2 teaspoons honey and 1 teaspoon raw sugar for the perfect lip exfoliator. This can also be used as peppermint body scrub, just follow the Honey Sugar Bath Scrub directions and add 2 tablespoons of mint extract.

For your dad or brother:

Homemade Tie:

What you’ll need:
Fabric
Sewing Needle
String
Iron
Scissors
Old Tie

What you’ll do:

1) Lay out fabric and place old tie on top, cut out new tie following the shape of the old one.

2) Mimic all of the folds and stitching the old tie had. It seems difficult until you start doing it. I only made a few folds on each end and one long stitch down the middle of the tie.

3) Iron each fold and make sure it lines up before stitching.

Homemade Beef Jerky:

What you’ll need:

1/2 lb lean sirloin beef
2 tbsp water
1/2 tsp of minced garlic
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce

What you’ll do:

1) Cut your roast into thin slices and mix all ingredients in large bowl.

2) Place your beef slices in bowl, let marinate overnight in the fridge.

3) Place slices on baking sheet and roast at 175 degrees for 3 hours.

4) Turn meat and continue to bake for 1-2 more hours.

5) It is done when it is dry and flexible.

Follow Katie Wideman on Twitter @katiewideman

As the holiday season approaches, so do many festive celebrations. I always find myself getting invited to holiday-themed pot lucks and never knowing what exactly to bring. On top of that, I don’t always feel like cooking. These holiday drinks are my solution. They are a perfect addition to any winter festivity. They’re simple to make, require very little effort and are still delicious.

They are also all non-alcoholic, so anyone and everyone can enjoy them. For those of you 21-and-over who feel inclined, try adding Fireball to the eggnog and a splash of regular whiskey into the spiced cider — some of us can use that extra kick to make this season a little more bearable. But however you celebrate this holiday season, I hope you’re doing so with one of these drinks in hand and a smile on your face.

Eggnog

What you need:

6 eggs
1 teaspoon of vanilla
1/3 cup heavy whipping cream
1 pinch of salt
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1 quart of 2 percent milk
1 pinch of ground nutmeg

What to do:

1. Beat eggs, stir in with condensed milk, quart of milk, vanilla, salt and nutmeg.
2. Beat whipping cream until small soft peaks form. Next slowly mix in egg mixture until smooth. Serve chilled.

Be cautious when consuming raw eggs, as there is a slight risk of salmonella or other food-borne illnesses. 

Apple Sparkler Punch

What you need:

2/3 cup raspberry juice blend (chilled)
sliced orange wedges
sliced lime wedges
750 milliters sparkling apple-pear juice (chilled)

What you do:

1. In a large bowl, pour raspberry juice and apple-pear cider. Next, add sliced oranges and limes.
2. Serve punch style, with large spoon.

Cinnamon-Vanilla White Hot Chocolate

What you need:

3 cups of half and half
3/4 cup of white chocolate bar
1 stick of cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon of nutmeg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4  teaspoon almond extract
pinch of salt

What you do:

1. In a large saucepan, bring half and half and the white chocolate to a low boil on medium heat.
2. Next, stir in nutmeg, vanilla extract, almond extract and pinch of salt, turn heat to low.
3. Once mixture is smooth, turn off heat and add cinnamon stick while it cools.
4. Let drink sit for about 15 minutes, remove cinnamon stick and serve warm.

Hot Apple Cider

What you need:

6 cups apple cider
2 whole cloves
1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons light brown sugar
1 cinnamon stick
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

What you do:
1. Bring all ingredients to a boil on medium heat.
2. Next, reduce heat and let the cider simmer for about 20 minutes.
3. Take a spoon and discard of all the solids (cinnamon stick and cloves)
4. Serve warm, and enjoy.

Follow Katie Wideman on Twitter: @KatieWideman

What should I cook? by Katie Wideman

Thanksgiving is my personal favorite holiday. In my family, the only requirements for Thanksgiving are eating as much as you desire, wearing pants with an elastic waist band and, of course, showing thanks. While I do those exact same things on days that are not Thanksgiving, having one day every year where my family and I can come together is something I always look forward to.

The great food is something else to look forward to. I have always preferred the side-dishes on Thanksgiving. My personal favorite is garlic mashed potatoes. These creamy mashed potatoes pair well with gravy and turkey, nicely complement the stuffing — and they are super easy to make.

No matter how you decide to celebrate your holiday, I hope you choose to add these garlic mashed potatoes to your plate. They’re a crowd-pleaser and will have you coming back for seconds.

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

What you’ll need:

3 pounds Yukon gold potatoes
2 teaspoons salt
1/3 cup butter
1/3 cup half-and-half
4 ounces cream cheese
3/4 teaspoon pepper
2 cloves of finely chopped garlic

What you’ll do:
1) Peel the potatoes and cut the potatoes into halves.

2) Place potatoes and 1 teaspoon of salt in cold water in a large pot over high heat.

3) Boil for 16-20 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Drain.

4) Return the potatoes to the pot and mound them on 1 side.

5) Add butter, half-and-half, cream cheese, pepper, garlic and remaining 1 teaspoon of salt to opposite side of the pot. Heat for about 2 minutes or until butter melts and mixture boils.

6) Remove from heat and beat at medium speed with an electric mixer until potatoes are smooth.

What should I watch? by Sydney Zuelke

Lets be honest, we will all be thankful for some time to mindlessly sit and relax on the couch this Thanksgiving weekend. Whip out the fuzzy blankets, hot apple cider and tune in to these specials.

1. Planes, Trains and Automobiles Nov. 26 on the CW at 8 p.m. ET

Steve Martin and John Candy star as two men on a three-day trip of misadventures as they try to get Neal (Martin) home in time for Thanksgiving dinner with his family.

2. The third-annual Thanksgiving with Friends marathon Nov. 27 on TBS at 10 a.m.

The marathon will feature 14 episodes of the beloved sitcom, including all 10 Thanksgiving episodes. Your Thanksgiving is not complete without seeing Joey’s head inside of a turkey.

3. Seinfeld for the Holidays marathon Nov. 27 on TBS at 5 p.m.

The comedy continues on TBS with a marathon, featuring three hours of fan-favorite episodes, culminating with the legendary “Festivus” episode.

4. NFL Football Nov. 27 on CBS, Fox and NBC

Check out these three NFL matchups on Turkey Day:

The Chicago Bears take on division rival the Detroit Lions in the early game on CBS (12:30 p.m. ET.)

The Philadelphia Eagles will travel to Texas to go head-to-head against Tony Romo and the Dallas Cowboys in a game airing on Fox (4:30 p.m. ET.)

The primetime game will feature NFC rivals Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers on NBC (8:30 p.m. ET.)

5. The 88^th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Nov. 27 on NBC at 9 a.m.

Joining the festivities this year are Cirque du Soleil, Hilary Duff, Lucy Hale, Nick Jonas, KISS, Sandra Lee, The Madden Brothers, Miss USA 2014 Nia Sanchez, the cast of the Muppets and of Sesame Street, Taylor Swift, NHL legends John LeClair, Pat LaFontaine and more.

6. A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving Nov. 28 on ABC and on Hulu at 8 p.m.

The tenth prime-time animated TV special is based upon the popular comic strip Peanuts. Peppermint Patty invites herself and her friends over to Charlie Brown’s for Thanksgiving dinner with Linus, Snoopy and Woodstock.

To see what you should wear on Thanksgiving, check out tips from our fashion writer here. 

Fall was fun, and I’m sad to see it go. We are now embarking on a new season the brings a whole new feel: winter! Since we are officially leaving fall, it’s time to retire Pumpkin spice for the year, and make room for some new delicious flavors that really embody winter, like caramel and peppermint.

Although Thanksgiving is just around the corner, which technically makes it feel like its still fall, winter is definitely here. You can feel it in the air, literally. Temperatures are dropping drastically, it’s getting darker sooner and finals week is slowly creeping up on us. It’s that much more important we start our mornings with enough energy to keep us going, and thriving through this season. Skip waiting in long lines for over-priced coffee, and make your own caramel and peppermint mochas and lattes that will make you feel like you’re celebrating this season the right way. Plus, with the money you’re saving you’ll be able to splurge a bit more around the holidays.

Caramel creme brulee latte

What you’ll need:
1 tablespoon of caramel syrup
¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon brown sugar
1/2 cup milk
10 oz coffee
Whipped cream

What to do:
1) Bring the caramel, vanilla, brown sugar, and milk* to a simmer on low heat, while stirring frequently.

2) Pour these ingredients into a cup and add 10 oz of freshly brewed coffee.

3) Stir and enjoy!

*Technically a latte is steamed milk and espresso. If you have an espresso machine, warm up the milk, caramel and brown sugar together. After that is done heating, stir in vanilla and add one or two shots of espresso.

Caramel cinnamon mocha

What you’ll need:
2 teaspoons of caramel syrup
1 teaspoon of cinnamon
1/2 cup chocolate milk
10 oz coffee

What to do:

1) Simmer caramel, and cinnamon with chocolate milk until mixture is smooth.

2) Pour the ingredients into a cup and add 10 oz of freshly brewed coffee. Stir and enjoy.

Caramel choco-cocomo mocha

What you’ll need:

2 teaspoons of caramel
2 teaspoons of coconut extract
1/2 cup chocolate milk
10 oz coffee

What to do:
1) Simmer caramel, and coconut with chocolate milk until mixture is smooth.

2) Pour the ingredients into a cup and add 10 oz of freshly brewed coffee.

3) Stir and enjoy.

Peppermint latte

What you’ll need:
2 tablespoons mint extract
4 tablespoons of half-and-half
1/2 milk
10 oz coffee

What to do:
1) Simmer mint and half and half with milk in a medium pot.

2) Stir continuously until mixture is at a low boil.

3) Pour the ingredients into a cup and add 10 oz of freshly brewed coffee. Stir and enjoy.

Mint mocha

1 tablespoon mint extract
2 teaspoons of chocolate sauce
1/2 cup chocolate milk
10 oz coffee

What to do:

1) Simmer chocolate sauce, mint and chocolate milk until mixture is smooth and thick in a pot.

2) Pour the ingredients into a cup and add 10 oz of freshly brewed coffee.

3) Stir and enjoy.

White Chocolate Peppermint Latte
4 tablespoons of white chocolate sauce
1 tablespoon mint extract
3 tablespoons of half-and-half
1/2 cup milk
10 oz coffee

What to do:
1) In a pot, simmer white chocolate, mint and half-and-half with milk* until mixture is at a low boil.

2) Pour the ingredients into a cup and add 10 oz of freshly brewed coffee.

3) Stir and enjoy.

* If you have an espresso machine, warm up the milk, white chocolate and half-and-half together. After that is done heating, stir in mint and add one or two shots of espresso.

If you have a slow cooker, you know when I say that they’re an invaluable part of the kitchen, it’s true. Honestly, what is easier then throwing ingredients in a pot, leaving it and coming back to an effortless home-cooked meal?

Crock-Pots are fool-proof; it’s nearly impossible to mess up a meal. You almost have to try to do something wrong with them. That’s why they’re perfect for the culinary-challenged, those who don’t really know how to cook, but can follow recipes. That being said, you can get really creative with slow cooker meals. Whether you’re busy, lazy or just not in the mood to cook, these recipes essentially appeal to everyone. Here are some of my favorites recipes to make in a slow cooker. These can help you out of the apprehension that everyone feels at some point in the kitchen. Go ahead. Set it. Forget it. Love yourself. These recipes include gluten-free chicken tacos, veggie lasagna, beef stew and bread pudding.

Gluten-Free Chicken Tacos
4 chicken breasts
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 teaspoons garlic powder
3 tablespoons of lime juice
3/4 cup diced onions
1 jar of salsa of choice

Avocados, chopped tomatoes, cilantro (optional)

1) Spray a light coat of cooking oil into Crock-Pot.

2) Place the chicken breast in the bottom of pot, and evenly distribute ingredients over the chicken breast.

3) Set the crock-pot for either four hours on high or eight hours on low.

4) Shred the chicken by taking two forks and pulling the meat apart. As far as toppings go, it’s up to you and what you enjoy on your tacos! Personally, I used diced avocados, tomatos and fresh cilantro. Instead of a taco shell or a tortilla, I used iceberg lettuce to hold my taco, hence, why it is gluten free.

Vegetable Lasagna
2 24-ounce jars of tomato sauce
1 package of uncooked lasagna noodles
1 jar of ricotta cheese
3 cups of vegetables of your choice (I used chopped carrots, spinach and broccoli)
1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese
Parmesan cheese for topping

1) Spray a light coat of cooking spray into Crock-Pot.

2) Layer lasagna noodles on bottom layer of pot, followed by a layer of ricotta cheese, tomato sauce, vegetables, half a cup of mozzarella cheese and noodles. Continue layering in this order until the slow cooker is full.

3) Cook on high for 3-5 hours. When it is all done, finish each serving by sprinkling Parmesan cheese on top, and enjoy!

Beef Stew
1 pound of beef stew meat cut into bite-sized pieces
1 teaspoon of salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup diced onion
2 cloves of garlic, minced
24 ounces of beef broth
6oz can of tomato paste
1 cup diced potatoes
1 cup baby carrots
1 cup frozen peas
1 cup frozen corn
1/4 cup water
1/4 flour

1) Mix tomato paste, flour, water and beef broth. Stir all these ingredients together until smooth and set aside.

2) Place meat into pot and add all dry ingredients evenly on meat. Pour the mixture of tomato paste, water and beef broth into the pot.

3) Add the vegetables, then mix everything together.

4) Set the Crock-Pot on low for 6 hours or high for 4 hours.

Bread Pudding
2-3 cups of bread cubes
2 cups of milk
2 eggs
1 tablespoon of cinnamon
2 tablespoons of vanilla
3/4 cups sugar
3 tablespoons rum (optional)

1) If you’re like me and never eat the ends of the bread, this recipe is perfect for you. Instead of wasting those ends, start saving them in an airtight plastic bag.

2) Once you have a significant amount of bread saved, about 10 pieces, cut it into small squares and throw them into the crock-pot with a stick of butter.

3) Next, combine milk, eggs, vanilla, sugar, rum and cinnamon and whisk before pouring over bread in crock-pot. Cook on low for 4 hours. This makes for a great dessert!