turning down the kitchen heat

Im on a new kick: slow cooker summer cooking. Dont heat up the house! Use less energy! Make yummy food!
We have a nice big crockpot that has not been used much - aren't crock pots only for roasts and chili? So I thought. But I was wrong! Im excited to have realized that the crock pot/slow cooker is a way to cook most anything in the summer without turning on the oven. For instance, I love making lasagna, which in my house is basically a way to use any and all vegetables I happen to have around. But I never wanted to make it in the summer when we basically abandon the oven and pretty much move all cooking out to the grill. But, right now I am making lasagna in the slow cooker! (note: I have a largish oval shaped one) Ill let you know how it goes, but assuming it works this will be great for using garden bounty: spinach, carrots, eggplant, zucchini, you name it. Yesterday I made macaroni and cheese and it turned out great. Later this week I am actually going to attempt baking bread. totally. Ill keep you updated on the progress. Meanwhile, here is how I made the macncheese:

crockpot macaroni and cheese
combine 1/4cup corn starch (or flour), 1tsp salt, 1/4tsp pepper, 1/2tsp paprika and 3 cups milk in a saucepan
heat and whisk until no lumps and it thickens to a nice sauce
add a heap (2ish cups) of sharp cheddar
i also added some chopped onion and red pepper + garlic
add 2 cups macaroni (i used mostly elbow and some penne)
pour into slow cooker,
sprinkle bread crumbs and Parmesan
cover, cook 2 hours on low