Healthy Solutions Spice Blends - Slow Cooker Hearty Beef Stew

This is my first product review! I was contacted and asked to review the Healthy Solutions Spice Blends spice packets. I chose 4 spice packets to try and received samples in the mail: Savory Meatloaf, Authentic Chili/Tacos, Italian Meatballs, and Hearty Beef Stew. Each of them come with a recipe on the back. They are all natural, and most contain no salt or sugar. I'm not a health nut, so normally this isn't something that I really care about when buying spice packets, but I couldn't say no to trying something for free. You can't buy these at the store in Washington, but they sell them in a few states at Whole Foods and other stores, and of course you can buy them online on their website here. If these were available in my local store, I would probably buy them again. So if you live in one of the lucky states (like Texas), or are into online shopping, give these a try! I used the recipe on the stew packet and tweaked it a bit. It originally called for wine, which I don't usually cook with, so I substituted water and beef bouillon. It made a very flavorful broth and my family loved it. My husband really liked the flavor of the spices on the meat (said it tasted a little like bbq). Some of us opted to eat it over rice. I will use this recipe again, even if I don't have the spice packet.

Slow Cooker Hearty Beef Stew

adapted from Healthy Solutions Spice Blends

1 1/2-2 lbs potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks

1/2 onion, chopped (I like big chunks)

1 cup green beans, washed and trimmed (or other vegetable you like)

4 carrots, peeled and chopped

2 stalk celery, sliced

2 cups water

2 beef bouillon cubes

1 pkg Healthy Solutions Spice Blends Hearty Beef Stew or other stew spice packet

2 lbs beef stew meat or cube steak, cut into 1 inch pieces

1/2 cup chili sauce

1. Place all vegetables in bottom of slow cooker. Add water and bouillon cubes. Sprinkle 1/2 of spice packet over the top of vegetables.

2. Place meat on top. Sprinkle meat with remaining spices. Pour chili sauce on top of meat.

3. Cook on low 8-10 hours. (I like to cook on low for about 7 hours and then high for the last 2-3 hours just to make sure that meat is tender).

4. Stir and serve.