Slow Cooker Vegetable Beef Stew

One of the hardest things to do when I am deiting is finding meals that fulfill all my requirements.  It can be very repetitive to eat the exact same thing everyday.  I literally probably eat close to 40 chicken breats in a week.  I'm surprised I haven't turned into a chicken!  My diet mainly consists of 6 meals per day.  The typical meals looks a little something like this.  The only meal that really varies is breakfast, so you can only imagine how old it gets. 

Meal 1

6 oz. chicken, fish, or lean sirloin
1 c. broccolli, green beans, or corn
2 tbsp. peanut butter, or 18 almonds

42g protein, 10g carbohydrates, 15g fat

As you can see it can become very boring eating the same thing almost every single day.  I am a perosn that loves to eat non-stop, but I need some variety in my life.  I began searching all over for meals that could incorporate everything into one great dish.  The big thing about my diet is meeting the required protein, carb, and fat requirements, which in my case I needed something close to the above measurements.  I came across one of the most intresting, but yet healthy meals I have seen in a long time.  Here's the recipee along with the nutritional content.  The protein content is the only thing that is lacking, but this can be fixed by adding additional buffalo ground to the stew.  I thought to myself I can gain a little extra on the carbs, and lose a little on the fat with this recipe.  Regardless of whether or not you are dieting, this is still a great meal for everyone to enjoy.

 

Multiple benefits in one meal.

North American bison provided nourishment for the Native American population for centuries, until the late 1800s when the herds became nearly extinct. Today, thanks to careful breeding programs and cooperation between government and ranchers, the bison has made a strong comeback and its meat is now appearing on dinner tables. Unlike cattle, bison aren’t subjected to antibiotics in their feed or growth hormones. The result? More flavor and richness, not to mention a multitude of health benefits (such as high levels of CLA, a fatty acid that may favorably affect body composition).

Although it’s similar to beef, buffalo must be handled and cooked differently. Since it’s very low in fat, be careful not to overcook it or let the meat dry out; it’s better to cook buffalo “low and slow.” Cook the meat to the same doneness you prefer in beef; however, I recommend medium to avoid overcooking.

Prepare It: Spray a skillet with nonstick cooking spray. Brown buffalo meat in the skillet over medium-high heat until cooked through. Place in a slow cooker along with all other ingredients. Turn cooker on high and simmer for 6-8 hours.

Makes six servings

1 lb. ground buffalo meat
1 onion, chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced
2 stalks celery, chopped
1 large carrot, chopped
3 tomatoes, chopped (or 1 can stewed tomatoes)
2 bay leaves
1 Tbsp. paprika
1 tsp. black pepper
1 cup red wine
1 (14-oz.) can low-sodium beef broth Nonstick cooking spray

Nutrition facts (per serving): 247 calories, 17 g protein, 14 g carbohydrate, 13 g fat, 2 g fiber-

Recipe brought to you by:  Muscle and Fitness Magazine