Oct 7, 2018 Blog: InstantPot: Yes, It Really is Worth It!
Published by: janean strong on 10-07-2018
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InstantPot: Yes, It Really Is Worth It!
Those of you who know me well, know that my middle name could be ‘Gadget Girl’. Thanks Dad…. I’m sure I inherited the trait from my wonderful father.
So I had been hearing about the InstantPot for several months and then started looking into this gadget that many had been raving about. I kept going back and forth. The cost, $99, seemed pretty reasonable, but I already have a pressure cooker and a crock pot and lots of other kitchen gadgets that I rarely use.
If you have been reading this blog/newsletter for a while you know that I went to Portland to support my former husband and his family through his passing in May. After I got settled in at the house I scoped out what was my beautiful kitchen for 5 years.
Gosh I loved cooking and entertaining there. Anyway, I knew I would be cooking up a storm again so I looked around to see what supplies I had to work with. Lo and Behold, there on the counter sat an InstantPot. I thought, what an opportunity to try one out. Problem was that I didn’t have any recipes and a lot was going on at the time so I never did get a chance to use it. It looked like maybe it had been used once.
After Bill passed and we were going through ‘stuff’, I thought maybe I could take it with me. Turned out it was a gift from the lovely Shawnery. She said she did not have one at home so I told her she should take it and use it. Turns out cooking isn’t really her thing… she is an amazing baker OMG. After much back and forth of “you take it” “no, you take it” it was decided I should have it.
I have to say I use it more than any other kitchen gadget I have ever owned …. except maybe for the Breville Toaster Oven and Espresso Maker (which are the best BTW).
Some days I use it more than once. I have made chicken fettuccine alfredo, potatoe salad (the eggs hard boil right in the pot with the potatoes) soups, chili, pizza, chocolate cake (ok, so the chocolate cake was very dense, however, the flavor and texture was awesome, sort of like a brownie cake), cheesecake (super duper), creamy chicken and veggies. I still have lots to explore!
My last dish was stuffed peppers. Now, if you make anything with a cheese topping, don’t do it in one of the wire steamer baskets… took me 2 frigging weeks to get the cheese out. Talk about persistence!
I purchased a few accessories, naturally. I use the steamer basket and the extra liner pot the most. If you want to make cakes and cheesecakes you will need 7” spring form pans.
Oh… and the yogurt setting makes it super easy to make yogurt. I have been making the creamiest best tasting yogurt ever.
I have sold my pressure cooker and will sell my yogurt maker and probably the crock pot… looking around to see what else I can get rid of!
You can get a cookbook, but really all you have to do is search the internet and start with IP______ and the recipe you are looking for and lots will come up. Just print off the ones you really like and start your own cookbook.
I was starting to feel like I was running out of recipe ideas…. if any of you want to share some of your favorite recipes pass them along and of course, you will get the credit!
Now I feel comfortable adding in some for the InstantPot.
The holidays are coming up. It makes a great gift!
MY RANT
The Vote for Supreme Court Justice is over and since I haven’t posted yet I feel compelled to express my disgust and sadness.
I realize that I may lose some of my audience…. so be it.
First let me say that I was brought up to be a political independent. I have voted Democrat, Republican and Libertarian. What I want to express has nothing to do with political party, race or gender…. it is about being a human. Our political system has always to one extent or another been messy but I had hoped that things would improve and as far as I can see there is increasing divisiveness and lack of concern for all life on Earth. What has happened to intelligent debate, ethics and compassion? I see growing fear mongering and hatred. There are a bunch of selfish men and women who seem to only be concerned with staying in power.
How have we ended up with a president that is a huge narcissist, liar and bully? How has a man been nominated to the supreme court who has lied (under oath I believe) when questioned about his past, told friends to lie for him if asked and as numerous past friends and acquaintances have reported, has over and over again had little regard for the rights of others (mostly women) to get what he wants. There were many other candidates on the list besides Kavanaugh.
I will always remember my mother telling me that the most important aspect of our political system are the appointments to the Supreme Court…. even more so then who becomes president.
We are failing Mother Earth, ourselves and generations to come. Frankly, right now, I feel embarrassed to be an American.
Hey…. I would love to have some of my listeners record openings for my podcast. I think it would be fun to have YOU do the intro! If you are interested send me an email ….. realjanean@gmail.com. It will be easy. We'll use Skype.
I have been adding Slide Show videos to the Podcast YouTube Channel.
The link for the Keepin it Real w/ Janean Podcast YouTube channel:
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If you would like to help out, please forward this email to a friend who might enjoy/benefit by receiving these biweekly musings!
MY LATEST PODCAST CONVERSATION:
Access Your Voice, Open Your Heart, Release Your Song
Michael Stillwater innovates with music, words, and images. His life is about ‘returning home’ through the song of the heart and inviting others to do the same.
This is a heart opening conversation featuring Michael's music and inspiration. He also demonstrates with his voice and guitar how to access your own voice!
SongLife: the heading for his creative music and educational work, is about living one’s inner life while being in the world. Through his films, music resources and programs- singing events, seminars, trainings and retreats- he invites people to discover and enrich their own ‘song life’.
Films: His film series, co-created with his wife, psychologist Doris Laesser Stillwater, is entitled ‘In Search of the Great Song’, and focuses on the many aspects of song. Recipient of seven Best Documentary awards from US film festivals, these documentaries are contemplative transmissions which benefit from repeated viewings as visual and audio mediations (they may be viewed online or on DVD)
Music & Spoken Word: Composer of a large repertoire of chants and healing songs, Michael is also co-author with film composer Gary Malkin of Graceful Passages: A Companion for Living and Dying, Care for the Journey: Messages and Music for Sustaining the Heart of Healthcare, and The Heart of Healing,
He is founder of InnerHarmony.com, offering musical services online and on-site, and Song Without Borders, producer of films and other programs applying song to personal and societal transformation, a project of nonprofit Living Bridges of Santa Fe, NM.
Intuitive Music: His intuitive recording artistry provides a unique way for people to feel seen and supported at an essential level. The Honoring is a music healing ceremony which demonstrates empathic connection in a unique and beautiful way. SongSourcing is a method offering a way for anyone to re-connect to their own intuitive vocal expression.
Retreats: Song Sanctuary Retreats in America and Europe. These retreats are for healing and honoring of the whole being, an inquiry into the nature of living truth, conducted in partnership with Doris. Photography: Michael’s landscape and nature photography provides contemplative windows for peaceful reflection.
Go to the Podcast Webpage for all of Michael's links! http://realjanean.com/index.php?podcast=770
FOR ARCHIVED CONVERSATIONS I HAVE CHOSEN:
1. Melissa Harris, Visionary Artist Painting the Stories of Women
What does it mean to be an artist? Is everyone an artist?
Melissa Harris combines her background as a clairvoyant with her artistic abilities to create 'Spirit Essence Portraits’. She has created the beautiful card deck 'Creatrix, anything is possible, activation cards', as a tool for women to turn to for comfort, advice and inspiration.
Celebrating women’s love of life, beauty, nature and magic with all varieties of paintings from fairies to angels to goddesses to tropical seascapes. Teaching classes combining art and spirituality are among my favorite things to do. Join me in my Woodstock NY studio or travel and paint with me in all sort of exciting exotic, visually and spiritually stimulating locations.
The best way to learn more about my life as an artist and intuitive is to read my book “Painting Outside the Lines” – part memoir, and also addresses the questions about the connections between creativity and spirituality that folks have asked of me over time.
“Painting is my medicine…Through these decades of a sometimes erratic and ever-evolving life, painting had been the one constant. Relationships and homes have come and gone, but my paint box is always with me.”
BFA from Syracuse University in Painting and an MFA in painting from Queens College in the New York City area
Fulbright grant to Paris in Painting for Paris in 1985.
In 1990 she birthed my publishing company, CREATRIX.
At Melissa's website you can see her gallery and purchase her paintings and products along with her books
'Painting Outside the Lines' and '99 Keys to a Creative Life'. She also has a beautiful yearly calendar!
2. ADRENAL FATIGUE W/ DR. DIANA DRAPER
Adrenal Fatigue is becoming very common in these stressful challenging times.
Hard time getting up in the morning? Regularly fatigued? Have trouble sleeping? Find it difficult to handle stress? Feel mildly depressed or crave salty foods? Time to consider the possibility of Adrenal Fatigue.
Adrenal Fatigue leads to many lowered hormones and neurotransmitters and can affect every part of your body.
Dr. Diana Draper is a graduate of the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine, a member of the College of Naturopathic Physicians of BC and the Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors.
As a licensed primary care provider, Dr. Draper uses natural therapies that work with your body’s innate healing abilities to promote optimal, sustainable health by addressing all areas of the self: the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. Her goals as a Naturopathic Doctor are to be a facilitator for anyone who wishes to reach their highest potential in life, to empower patients and the community to take responsibility for their health, and to be a health educator and advocate.
Additional training Dr. Draper has obtained include IV Therapy and Prolotherapy.
Dr. Draper offers free monthly talks in Castlegar BC, Canada. See her website for more information about Diana and her services at Dr. Draper's website
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Take Care & Be Well
Access Your Voice, Open Your Heart, Release Your Song
w/ Michael Stillwater
Listen Now
Melissa Harris, Visionary Artist Painting the Stories of Women
Listen Now
Adrenal Fatigue
w/ Dr. Diana Draper
Listen Now
Your Healthy Yummy Recipe
Make Your Own InstantPot Bone Broth
2 1/2 pounds organic meat bones
2 large carrots
2 celery stalks
1 large onion
3 cloves garlic
Fresh herbs - if desired
1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1/2 tsp whole black peppercorns
1 tsp coarse salt
8 C Water
If you are using beef bones, you will want to roast them first in a 420 deg oven for 30 minutes.
After a roast chicken meal save the carcass and use to make bone broth/stock. If you don’t have time in the next couple of days you can put in a plastic bag and freeze until ready to use. No need to defrost first. You can leave the skins on onion and garlic.
Place all ingredients in the InstantPot cook pot insert.
Fill with water to 1-inch below the MAX fill line.
Lock the lid onto the Instant Pot and set the steam release knob to the "sealing" position.
Press the “Pressure Cook" button and set for high pressure for 120 minutes.
Once the two hours is up, allow the pressure to release naturally. It will take about 15-30 minutes, then the float valve will drop.
Strain the broth through cheesecloth or a strainer and cool. A good broth will usually have a layer of fat on the top, and will gelatinize when thoroughly cool. Remove the fat with a spoon if you wish.
Keywords: Instantpot, Michael Stillwater, Melissa Harris, Dr. Diana Draper
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