While vegetables wouldn’t be at the top of the list when asked about favorite foods for the holidays, there’s only so much overindulging you can do before your body craves them. And the truth is, you’ll feel better about the goodies you let yourself get away with through the holidays if you try to follow the simple rule of covering two-thirds of your plate with vegetables and only one-third with grain and/or protein.

Here’s where the slow cooker comes to the rescue again. By being able to almost simply “toss” vegetables of your choice into it with various seasonings, turn it on, and let it prepare a yummy and satisfying dish for you, you can free up your time to do other things—including baking! The vegetables that work best in the slow cooker are the ones that need the most cooking time in general: carrots, fennel, peppers, artichokes, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and several varieties of squash, for example.

These veggies form the base for dishes that might also include greens such as spinach, which takes no time to cook. The recipes explain when to add certain things so it all comes out right. Another bonus of these recipes is that many of them include garlic. Slow cooking minimizes the strength of garlic while retaining its nutrients, and garlic definitely boosts the autoimmune system, which helps fight off colds, which are often brought on by the stress and pace of the holidays.

There’s no excuse for forgetting or overlooking vegetables on a daily basis, even in the busiest time of year, the holidays. These recipes prove how simple it can be.