May 16, 2018

THE INSTANT POT EXPERIENCE


This past Christmas, I received the BEST gift
from our Miss Catherine (our daughter-in-law),
which was this gorgeous INSTANT POT!
I have not used it until now...
what was I waiting for?

The darling will be undergoing a knee replacement surgery
in June, and his Orthopaedic surgeon is very, very
strict on getting his patients as healthy as possible prior to surgery.
He was encouraged to participate in a very limited, whole food
eating plan for the next month, so I am doing this with him.
The surgeons pre-surgical diet is very, very limited and of course,
there is NO SALT allowed. If it has ONE INGREDIENT,
it's allowed.......


You will need to do some research before using your INSTANT POT....
I read all the manuals and watched You Tube videos to feel
comfortable with the operation of this newly styled pressure cooker.
When we were newly married, I had an old green pressure cooker
from Sears, that we both remember so well...I even
remember my grandmothers.....things have changed honey....
and for the better too!
The first step was the WATER TEST....it was easy peasy
and successful....now on to our first dinner.....


Jenn dropped Bo off in the early afternoon, before she
headed to Austin for work on the University of Texas
graduation and brought me her lovely arrangement from a coworker....
it is stunning and we will enjoy it until they return next week.



Bo enjoys being at our house and it will be good to have
him keep us company for these next few weeks before
he drives off to San Francisco......


You would not believe his toy bin......you would think we had a human baby!


Our first dinner in the INSTANT POT was
marinated boneless, skinless chicken breasts...
...

The side dish were these veggie spirals...
no seasoning.....


only pepper and garlic powder as seasoning...
15 minutes under poultry and they turned out great.


Well....I will tell you this....we both agreed....
pretty tasteless, but filling....
I don't like eating this way and neither does he...
I want to love the food I eat....
I'll have to continue to learn to spice things up....
however, I give the INSTANT POT,,,TWO THUMBS UP!

22 comments:


  1. Good morning, wow it is great that a docter even cared what she was eating! But I agree life is to short for not enjoying some yummy home cooking. I thought about getting an insta pot, but still using my crockpot! Hugs, enjoy your day!
    Roxy

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    1. HI Roxy...I love my crockpots too...but the Instant Pot was a great experience..dinner was ready in 15 minutes!

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  2. I received an instant pot for Christamas and have yet to use it, I am a little afraid of it. I will have to watch the videos. There are so many recipes on Pinterest so I think you could get a few more ideas. As for the dog, I think he probably has a toy box like my two. We do not have kids so my pups get all of the toys that the kids would. LOL Have a great day!

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    1. Hey Elizabeth...I was a bit fearful of the Instant Pot too, but it is rather easy...going to take some experimenting to gather some great recipes....it takes minutes to prepare dinner...I really enjoyed the experience so I hope you try yours soon! Keep us posted!

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  3. I have to watch my sodium all the time...highly recommend Mrs. Dash salt substitute.

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    1. Thank you Terri...I love Mrs. Dash too, but forgot to pick this up at the store....it's on my list now! Thank you so much for reminding me of this!! Have a lovely day!

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  4. I didn’t bring any f my insta pots to the ranch. Louis Dean bought three in different sizes! Dean and Sherry gave us a Nu Bake oven and I’m reading the info about it and plan to use it tomorrow. I’d never heard of it before so we will see!

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    1. I have heard of the NuBake oven Linda. Not sure how it works but I would love to hear your thoughts on it..probably perfect for your camper!

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  5. AnonymousMay 16, 2018

    welcome to my world! heart problems = no salt! i am allowed garlic and onions and they make a difference!
    i haven't tried the zucchini swirls! will have to try them. since becoming Vegan i've discovered a lighter touch with everything. actually i quite like it! you will get healthier if by nothing but default! lol! and oh my. how i love that bo.

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    1. It probably just takes some getting used to Tammy...we really do eat pretty healthy, but one month of no salt is a good thing...would love to know how you spice things up!

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  6. I love my instant pot. It is terrific for stews. The meat gets so tender. It’s hard without salt but maybe other spices can give it a kick.

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    1. That sounds lovely for fall Peggy...I used to make beef stew in our old pressure cooker and you are so right...very tender! Thanks for reminding me of this!

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  7. I too received an Instant Pot and was very skeptical. I was not afraid to use it but like you, I liked the way I cooked. All that to say, I actually love it. I have used it for one thing or another almost once a week with huge success. The one thing is that I wish it was the little one as it's mostly just my husband and I. I have not been a great lover of the crockpot and still feel that way, just a few things that I use it for. The trick I found before or after cooking some things in the Insta Pot was to use the saute button to brown things and I use very little liquid in it. Instead of cooking my ribs slowly in the oven then finishing on the bbq, I do it in the instant pot and they are perfect and then we finish on bbq and you are right it really is just pressure cooking and I did that for many years when I was working and trying to get things on the table quickly. Good luck and keep trying until you have found the items you like to cook in it.

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    1. HI Patricia...my daughter-in-law maked bbq ribs in hers too....I look forward to trying that! I would love to have you suggest some of your favorite recipes...thank you so much for commenting today! Have a lovely week!

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  8. the insta pot is wonderful and so is the small electric pressure cooker I have. fast soups etc...
    I had a knee replacement 18 months ago. I was told not to use certain spices or herbs. . I wasn't told anything about salt etc... The class I had to meet for and all day questions and blood work was a bother and it did take a good part of the day. I am going back for another one I believe before August. I wish now I had had both done. TKR is painful. Ice packs and physical therapist coming in three days a week for the first three weeks was something else to talk about also. The staples weren't to bad coming out as the lady was a pro and fast at removing them. They monitor you really good once home with a nurse coming in and checking blood pressure and making sure I do not get blood clots at the time, then I took 6 more week of therapy near home. Two years of antibiotics before the dentist visits I have to remember. He will do fine and you will too taking care of him. Have fun with that insta pot and let us hear what other goodies you cook up.

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    1. Hi Betsy...I worked in Orthopaedics for many years, so I am pretty familiar with the procedure. It indeed is no picnic but the preop time that we are in now has really been enhanced. I hope he is back on the golf course by fall. Good to know you have experienced good results. Yes, he will have home health therapy for 6 wks and there is the 5 hour class to attend, along with cardiac and dental clearance....it's alot for certain. Thank you for sharing and commenting your experience. I am really loving the Instapot too! Big hugs.

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  9. No salt is a very bland experience, but you may grow to love it. I have heard that all this adrenal failure going on is because people were switiching to sea salt and not getting their iodine. Apparently, we need that stuff. Hoping that you both feel terrific for eating so healthfully. Gotta keep those doctors happy!

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    1. Hi Vee..I am not a big salt person or home chef, but he is. A little sprinkle will do ya'! It does make a difference. You will find as you grow older, you just have to pay more attention to your health...comes to all of us! Hope you enjoy a lovely day!

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    1. I think you would love it Deanna...I prepared pork chops last night that were scrumptious! Have a lovely week!

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  11. Betsy, I rarely use salt when cooking....I use Mrs. Dash, original blend. No salt or MSG in it. Your dinner looked fine..somethings just taste better raw if you can't have salt or seasonings. LOL. Good luck to you and your sweet husband. You will be in my prayers. Blessings, xoxo, Susie

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    1. Thank you Susie..I am sure he will be good as new....I am certainly learning and enjoying using spices. Have a great weekend love!

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