Ask the Coach!

September 2026

My name is Donna Jodhan and I am using my extensive experience as a sight loss coach as well as my lived experience to share and respond to questions that are submitted to me and I also invite you to share your thoughts on questions asked.

 

For this month:  a question from Hilda in the Netherlands

Hilda is seeking some tips on how to use her slow cooker and I have the perfect article for you Hilda.

GET TO KNOW YOUR SLOW-COOKER

Slow-cookers, we have found, vary considerably in temperature level and many of the newer ones cook at a much higher temperature, greatly affecting the speed at which food cooks.

Plan to try a new slow-cooker, or a new slow-cooker recipe, on a day you will be around to keep an eye on what’s happening. Observe how the time the food takes to cook jibes with the cooking time in a recipe. Don’t keep lifting the lid to look inside, as every time you lift the lid you add 20 minutes to the cooking time. Do this a couple of times and you will have a much better idea of how your slow-cooker functions.

Some foods, large pieces of meat for example, may be fine if cooked at too high a temperature for too long. Others may end up dry. Slow-cookers are wonderful time savers, but you do need to learn to live with the one you have.

KEEP IN MIND:

* The cooker should be at least half full and no more than three quarters full.

* Don’t be tempted to add more liquid than called for. While slow-cookers need some liquid, foods give up quite a bit as they cook and too much extra liquid dilutes the flavor. A possible exception: one of the newer slow-cookers that cooks at a higher temperature; you may find you need to add more liquid to prevent the food from drying out.

* There is no need to stir or turn food, and because it cooks evenly, it won’t stick or burn.

 

To contact me, send your message to:

 

 

To contact me with a question or a thought; please send an email to me at donnajodhan@gmail.com and I’ll be sure to respond in 5 business days at the most.

If you wish me to respond earlier then put the word important in your subject line and I’ll do my best to respond more quickly.

Until the next time then!

I’m Donna wishing you a pleasant day and thanking everyone for their insightful feedback and suggestions!