I totally agree about the slow cooker.
Veggies soup, start with two cans of crush tomatoes and add whatever you have
Put it on low for 6 hours, and yum!
Spray your slow cooker with Pam, throw some whole mushrooms in, some baby spuds, and on top a whole chicken.
Add a little water, some spices
Put it on low for 6 hours, or high for 4, and you have chicken for dinner and lunch the next day