Noel Lizotte is the author of Apron Free Cooking - the weekly syndicated newspaper column, the blog, and the cook book. She loves her crock pots! (All five of them!) Since she tends to fill up her schedule with work, school activities, family events and writing projects, the freezer and her crock pots are some of her best friends. There's something special about coming into the house after a long day working, and smelling the flavors of a meal that is ready to eat!