When I don’t see the sun for multiple cold days on end, and I leave work every night in the dark, it has a serious affect on my optimism level. Trying hard to not succumb to the winter blues, live simply, and eat more whole food gets hard this time of year. Because all I really want to do is eat all the sweet treats that I can get my paws on, in the name of Saint Valentine of course. It’s almost Friday, you (I) could use a healthy, no brain required recipe where the crockpot does all the work. Enter stage left: crockpot turkey quinoa meatloaf. You may be thinking meatloaf is gross, you don’t eat meatloaf, and you don’t want to make meatloaf. I feel ya. I have always said I will only eat the one my grandma used to make. My meatloaf days were over. But I can’t help thinking that she wouldn’t like that train of thought, so when I had a craving for hers, I made my own, healthier version.

 

Crockpot Turkey Quinoa Meatloaf:

2 eggs

1/2 cup almond milk

1/2 cup cooked quinoa

2 1/2 tablespoons dried onion

2 teaspoons garlic salt

1/2 teaspoon sage

1/4 cup ketchup

2 stevia packets

1 teaspoon dried mustard

1 teaspoon worcestershire

Shake of onion powder

1/2 teaspoon cumin

1lb ground turkey

Mix all ingredients in a big bowl until everything is incorporated. Pour into your crockpot and shape into a loaf. Here is where I channel my grandma- I squeeze a little ketchup design and add a sprinkle of brown sugar (if you’re feeling dangerous) on the top. I like to cook mine overnight, so I add a couple of tablespoons of water around the bottom so it doesn’t dry out. Cook on low for 6-8 hours. This meal can definitely feed you lunch and dinner for a few cold days!