Let's face it, home life can get a little crazy when you add hockey life into the picture. Between work, school and hockey, having time to plan and cook simple meals becomes a huge challenge. Fast food becomes a handy alternative to planning and preparing healthy meals for your family.

Here are a few tried-and-true recipes that take minimal planning and preparation. Perfect recipes for those busy weeknights and weekends. These were taken from Fix-It and Forget-IT™ Cookbook - Feasting with your Slow Cooker and also a few faves from allrecipes.com.

• Chicken Tortilla Soup
• Slow Cooker Sandwiches
• Penny's Sloppy Joes
• Easy Teriyaki Chicken
• Cranberry Pot Roast
• Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings

Our Mom's Old Friend: Mr. Crockpot

Did you know the Crock-Pot® is making a comeback? I grew up in the 70's and I remember the avacado green colored Crock-Pot® holding a very special place on my mom's counter. She was a working mom and took full advantage of trendy Crock-Pot® cooking. For me, it’'s not a matter of using it to be trendy, I am using it out of necessity. Although, the new term for it is "slow cooker."

Mary's Faves

My #1 slow cooker favorite meals are made from simple, flavorful seasoning packets. Crockery Gourmet® by Superior Touch seasoning packets available for a variety of meats and dishes. They are approximately $2.50/packet and can be found in your grocery store in the seasoning aisle.

I also like McCormick®Slow Cooker seasoning packets. The Chicken Noodle Soup seasoning packet is by far my favorite.

Do you have your own tried 'n true quick and easy hockey night meal? Please submit your recipes so we can share!