5 Slow Cooker Recipes You Need To Start The Year Off Right

Happy New Year!

Here we are — the first Monday of the new year. With all the fa-la-la-la-la behind us, January can feel like a bit of a let down. Like the party’s over, but you still have to get dinner on the table.

While everyone’s talking about goals, resolutions, Fitbits and Bullet Journals, I still haven’t de-decked the halls. I’m stuck in the no man’s land between the cozy glow of the Christmas tree and the urgency of a fresh start.

The date on the calendar beckons us to move on to a brighter, better beginning. But, somehow I’m not fully finished with the fullness of the season. I find comfort knowing there’s historical context for my longing to linger. . . today is not merely January 2nd, or the second day of the new year, today is also the 9th day of Christmas.

The Twelve Days of Christmas

The twelve days of Christmas actually begin on Christmas Day and end on the twelfth night, or Epiphany. On the 9th day in the Christmas story the three kings, or Magi, were still on their journey following the star in search of the newborn king of the Jews. The Magi find Jesus on Epiphany which is one of the oldest celebrations in the church’s year.

Okay. But what about those Slow Cooker recipes? 

Maybe you’ve fully entered the new year. Your new planner is organized, you have impressive goals for the gym, and you are excited to begin living out the intentions and resolutions you’ve boldly proclaimed.

Maybe you are like me, not wanting to fall into the same old trap of starting the new year like a race horse and losing steam by March. Or next Monday. Maybe, like the Magi, you are still on the journey in anticipation of the gifts and goodness to come.

Chances are you’re back in your old routine today. Work, family obligations, and responsibilities don’t change with the advent of a new year. Our kiddos go back to school tomorrow. And, this week I’ve purposefully left white space on my calendar to take care of me. It feels awkward to schedule “me” time, but I know if I don’t start the year off filling my own cup, I won’t have anything to pour out for the people I love.

Resources to Help You Prepare for 2017

I’m using these three free resources to help me and will be tucked away in a quiet space free of wifi and iDevices. Just good old pen and paper.

Hello, Goodbye Workbook. Written by one of my favorite leaders, Jo Saxton shares a thoughtful 6-part workbook that walks you through the end of 2016 and helps you move towards 2017. Hint: You can get Hello, Goodbye for free if you sign up for the LeadStories Podcast email.

Dream Guide. Jennie Allen shares a fabulous tool for praying and dreaming about the new year. I’m continuing to dream big this year for the Turquoise Table and will be using this guide to help.

Rhythms of Rest Calendar.  Several years ago my word for the year was Sabbath. Learning the practice of rest in our crazy, busy world is hard. I joke with my friend Shelly Miller that I’m prone to fall off the Sabbath wagon. Shelly’s book on Sabbath has helped me realize the joy and importance of rest. Her free Beginnings calendar for January is full of sweet reminders to open the gift of Sabbath.

Slow Cooker = Gift of Time!

While you are dreaming, praying, and planning here’s another little gift for you. The gift of time! I pulled these recipes for us to use this month. While we are taking care of ourselves, let the slow cooker take care of dinner.

Now, if only Ryan Gosling came to do the dishes.

• Crock Pot Enchilada Soup from Gina at Skinny Taste
• Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup from Samantha at Five Heart Home
• Slow Simmer Meat Sauce from Cooking Light
• Slow Cooker Chicken Mushroom Pot Pie from RealSimple
• Chile Verde Soup from BetterHomes & Gardens

This month will be full of ideas, recipes, and tips to help you kick the year off right — focused on you.

Sound selfish?

Not at all. . . we’ll talk more about hospitality and self-care on Thursday. Make sure you are signed up to receive the blog posts and Turquoise Table newsletter, too. It’s going to be a fun year.

Happy New Year, friends!