This week, Small Kitchen College and The Naptime Chef are teaming up to host a Slow Cooker Challenge and Giveaway. So what do college cooks and moms have in common? They're both extremely busy. We couldn't agree more.

Winter is the perfect time to get cozy in the kitchen with a slow cooker. The ultimate time-saver, throw everything in one pot before heading off to work or class, and dinner’s ready by the time you get home.

Skip the canned stuff and try Robin Miller’s Minestrone Soup With Pasta, Beans and Vegetables (pictured above). It’s a well-rounded meal full of zucchini, spinach, carrots and cannellini beans. Garnish with fresh basil for even more flavor.

Make this Slow Cooker Chicken Chili for a crowd. Chipotle chiles add a smoky heat, while a pinch of ground cloves and a splash of beer keep things interesting.

Alton’s Overnight Oatmeal made with steel-cut oats, cranberries and dried figs is an easy way to make sure breakfast is a cinch.

Take a trip to the bayou with this easy Slow-Cooker Chicken Gumbo. Serve chicken, okra, sausage and spices over rice for a filling weeknight meal.

To enter the SKC Slow Cooker Challenge Giveaway, click here.

Join the conversation! Today from 12pm – 1pm, Small Kitchen College will be hosting a live Twitter chat along with Food52, The Daily Meal, Punchfork, Fine Cooking, Foodily, Gojee, OXO Good Grips and more. They'll be using hash tag #slowcooker. During the Twitter event and throughout the day they'll also be offering a bonus giveaway of amazing OXO Good Grip tools that are essential for slow-cooking valued at over $150.

On Thursday, January 19, they'll be slow-cookin’ all day on Facebook. You can enter to win a second prize pack of OXO Good Grips kitchen tools by uploading photographs of your slow-cooked meals to The Naptime Chef or Small Kitchen College fanpage.