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Instant Pot Chicken Cauliflower Rice Soup

Chicken Soup, Instant Pot, Instapot, Crock Pot, Slow Cooker, Cauliflower Rice, Autumn Calabrese, 21 Day Fix, Tosca Reno, Clean Eating, 80 Day Obsession, Vanessa.fitness, vanessa.fit, vanessa mclaughlin

Instant Pot chicken and cauliflower rice soup was amazing, and we have been eating leftovers all week long. Canned chicken soup is always so full of sodium and half the time you aren’t even sure if it’s real chicken in there. So homemade is our way to go!!
Here is a new recipe I made with my Instant Pot that was delicious!!!

INGREDIENTS

1 tablespoon of olive oil
1 small onion, diced
3 cloves of garlic, minced
5 carrots, peeled and sliced into 1/2 inch pieces
2 celery sticks, sliced into 1/2 inch pieces
2 bay leaves
1 TBSP thyme
Any vegetables of your choice (I used broccoli, chopped red pepper, and peas)
3 large frozen chicken breasts
6 cups low sodium chicken broth or stock
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
One package of frozen cauliflower rice (I get mine at Trader Joe's)

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Set Instant Pot to Saute function.
  2. Heat olive oil and onions until onions start to soften and become translucent, 2-3 minutes.
  3. Add garlic, carrots and celery and saute for another minute.
  4. Add frozen chicken to Instant Pot, followed by chicken broth, bay leaves, thyme, 2 teaspoons of salt and several turns of freshly ground pepper.
  5. Turn off Saute function, lock Instant Pot lid in place, make sure pressure valve is set to sealing and set Instant Pot to High Pressure for 20 minutes, via manual mode.
  6. Instant Pot will take 15-20 minutes to come to pressure, then will countdown from 20 minutes.
  7. After 20 minutes at high pressure, Instant Pot will beep and switch to keep warm mode.
  8. Turn pressure release valve to Quick Release pressure.
  9. Carefully open Instant Pot, keeping lid angled away from you to avoid very hot steam.
  10. Remove chicken and set aside to shred.
  11. Turn Instant Pot back to Saute function and let chicken broth come to a boil.
  12. Shred the chicken.
  13. Add frozen cauliflower to the soup.
  14. Return shredded chicken to the pot.💓
  15. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
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How to cook a whole frozen chicken in an Instant Pot

chicken, instant pot, frozen chicken, autumn calabrese, clean eating, tosca reno, 80 Day Obsession,
Let’s get real. Who has time to defrost? Even though I make a meal plan in advance, I always forget to defrost the meal I planned! And by the time I realize this, I have to come up with something for dinner at 4 pm.

That’s why I was so excited to meet the Instant Pot!! It allows me to think of something to make for dinner at 4:00 pm and have it on the table by 5:30…even if it’s a whole frozen chicken. Yes! It’s true. FROZEN TO COOKED! I know that’s hard to believe. But miracles do happen. I threw a 5 lb frozen chicken in the Instant Pot and it set the timer for 50 minutes. It took about 15 minutes to come to pressure and then I let the pressure come down for about 15 minutes before opening the pot. So about an hour and 20 minutes total time. The chicken was perfectly tender and we ate some of it plain that night with a salad and then saved the rest for wraps and sandwiches.

One thing I did notice was that I had to really work to get my 5 lb chicken to fit in my Instant Pot. It was placed on the trivet and I had to maneuver it around a bit. So next time I’ll probably choose a 4 lb chicken, which would actually take a few less minutes to cook, as well as fit better.

If you’re a fan of the crispy skin on a chicken then you’ll probably want to take the extra step of placing the chicken under the broiler after it cooks. I just stuck my chicken on a cookie sheet and put it under a broiler set on high for about 5 minutes. That way my sons and husband, who live for the skin, can be happy.To cook this frozen chicken I used my 6 quart Instant Pot Duo 60 7 in 1 for this recipe.

If you love getting those whole rotisserie chickens at your grocery store, you’ll love this recipe for pressure cooker whole seasoned chicken. The chicken is cooked in minutes in your Instant Pot (my chicken was actually totally frozen) and then stuck under the broiler to crisp up the skin. Slice the chicken up to eat plain or use it in any recipes that call for cooked chicken.

INGREDIENTS
1 whole chicken (mine was 5 lbs and fit just perfectly in my Instant Pot, so I wouldn't buy it any bigger).
1 cup water
1 bay leaf
4 Tbsp melted butter
1 TBSP dried rosemary
1 TBSP dried sage
1 TBSP dried thyme
1 Tbsp kosher salt
1 tsp black pepper

INSTRUCTIONS
1.  Remove packaging from frozen chicken. Run a little warm water over the chicken and pat dry with paper towels. (I didn't removed the packaged giblets and neck until after the chicken was cooked).
2. Add 1 cup of water to the bottom of the Instant Pot and put the bay leaf in there too. Place the trivet in the bottom.
3. In a little bowl combine the butter, rosemary, sage, thyme, salt, pepper and garlic powder. Use your fingers to run this mixture all over the chicken. Place the chicken, breast side up, on the trivet.
4. Cover the Instant Pot and set the timer on manual for 50 minutes. Make sure valve is set to “sealing.” When the timer beeps let some of the pressure release naturally for 15 minutes and then switch the valve to “venting” and release the rest of the pressure.
5. When it is done cooking, use a meat thermometer to check the temperature of the meatiest portion of the chicken. It should read 165° F. If it’s not up to temperature then you’ll want to cover the pot and cook on manual setting for 5-10 more minutes.
6. Optional: Place the chicken on a cookie sheet and put under the broiler for 5 minutes to crisp up the skin.
7. Slice chicken and serve. Season to taste. I save the leftovers to use in other recipes or make sandwiches and wraps with it.

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Top Ten Kitchen Gadgets I LOVE!


avoSaver, avocado keeper, avocado saver, https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001IWONL6/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B001IWONL6&linkCode=as2&tag=vanessafitnes-20&linkId=5c7ba3b694d3e74a445fd6b5253cac8b
1. Avo Saver Avocado Holder - Prevent your avocados from browning! I eat half an avocado each day, so I want to make sure the half I'm saving is still good for the next day. The Avo Saver is an indispensible kitchen gadget for anyone who eats avocados. Even though avocados are such a culinary delight they are also quite expensive and have a short life, once cut. Save money, time and aggravation with this truly innovative gadget. The Avo Saver is easy to use and will reduce a cut avocado’s exposure to air, greatly slowing the destructive oxidization process. Unit is top-shelf, dishwasher safe.

2. Jaxx FitPak Meal Prep Bag - This bag is my favorite! It comes with six leakproof, portion control containers that fit perfectly into the insulated bag, an ice pack, AND a shaker cup! It's a great deal too. When I need to take several meals and snacks for my day, this bag is perfect.

3. Aerolatte Original HandHeld Milk Frother - This tool makes EASY cappuccinos....well, at least frothed milk to put on top of your coffee. Add a sprinkle of cinnamon, and it tastes as good as a coffeehouse in your own home!

4. Culina Mechanical Whisk (Hand Push Mixer) - GAH! I love this mixer. So easy to mix dressings, whipped cream (for special occasions) or anything else that needs a quick mix. Just push down. The kids love it too!

5. Vitamix Blender - The only blender I use for my Shakeology. Makes it as smooth as a milkshake. It crushes ice, and makes delish frozen drinks (for special occasions - ha!) and I also use it  to blend hot soups and sauces. Whenever I want to "hide" soup vegetables for my kids, I blend them up, then add pasta and chicken for a veggie chicken soup. They can't even tell I made it with onions and kale!!

6. Meal Prep Containers (3 Compartments) with Lids These are perfect when I need to prepare meals for the entire week. When I was working in an office from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm, and prep all my meals on Sunday. I'd put a protein, veggie, and sweet potato or rice in each of the compartments, and just grab and go all week long.

7. KitchenAid Mezzaluna I love, love, love chopped salads. I bought this gadget, along with a large metal bowl. Veggies, protein, and dressing go in the bowl, I chop, chop, chop, and I get a perfect chopped salad, just like in a restaurant. It also chops garlic and herbs, and has a cover to protect the blade.

8. Stainless Steel Lemon Squeezer When drinking lemon water each morning, and throughout the day, I love this little squeezer. It gets all the juice out of the lemon and into my glass. I also love it for juicing lemons, limes, or oranges for sauces and dressings.

9. OXO Silicone Steamer, Green From the microwave to the stove, to my Instant Pot this Silicone Steamer makes steaming simple. High walls keep food from falling into boiling water and a large center makes the steamer perfect for fillets of fish and other large food items. The pleats on the Steamer make it flexible enough to fit into many different pot sizes. Silicone feet elevate and stabilize steamer over water and it won't scratch pots, making it perfect for both glass and non-stick cookware. I use it to steam the perfect hard boiled eggs. Flexible handles fold inward to accommodate pot lid and stay cool to the touch to safely and securely transport food.

10. Instant Pot This tool makes Sunday meal prep a breeze! Last Sunday I made 3 meals in 2 hours!! It's a smart electric pressure cooker designed to be safe, convenient and dependable. It speeds up cooking by 2~6 times using up to 70% less energy and, above all, produces nutritious healthy food in a convenient and consistent fashion. Instant Pot Duo is a 7-in-1 programmable cooker, it replaces 7 kitchen appliances as it has the functions of a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, sauté, yogurt maker & warmer. It generates almost no noise and leaks no steam. It traps all the aromas in the food without heating up the kitchen. The best part? If I forget to defrost chicken, meat or fish for dinner, I just put it all in the pot, set it for 20 minutes, and dinner is ready!
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Transform with ME!!!

LADIES! Get ready for your transformation! Whether you want to lose weight or tone up, I have the perfect program for you!

Our newest program, 80 Day Obsession, is going to rock your world and body!

It focuses on the TWO areas we ALL want to tone: the abs and ass!

Let me give you ALL the details! Read on!

Fill out the application at the bottom of this post to RESERVE YOUR SPOT!

Test Group Transformation Results

Look at these 80 day transformations! Incredible, right?!

Program Overview

  • There are 3 phases of workouts over the course of 13 weeks. 
  • In total there are 97 days of workouts because you get Sundays off as a rest day.
  • The workouts range from 45-60 minutes, and as always, there is a modifier.
  • It utilizes a timed nutrition plan to produce amazing results.
  • Shakeology, Energize, and Recover are incorporated to help fuel and replenish the body.
  • Equipment required: dumbbells, strength bands, sliders.

Nutrition Plan

80 Day Obsession follows a timed nutrition plan to optimize muscle performance and recovery.

You’ll get to eat small frequent meals- which means you'll never go longer than 3 hours without eating (yay!). More importantly, you'll have a 6-hour workout block.

You'll have a preworkout meal one hour before you work out then you’ll drink your Energize 15-20 minutes before your workout.

Then you’ll have your post-workout Recover within an hour of your workout and enjoy your post-workout meal within 2 hours of your workout. After that you'll eat every 2.5 to 3 hours {my kinda schedule!}!

2 Groups to Choose From

I am launching TWO different BETA TEST groups because interest has been so high! Both groups offer:
-a private app for tracking your progress
-daily tips and motivation from me!
-a community of support from the other women in the group so you don't feel alone
-weekly recipe shares
-ME to help you with the timed nutrition, designing your meal plans, sticking with your workouts, troubleshooting, and focusing on yourself!

Choose Your Start Date

Option 1: Jump Into January and Get Obsessed with YOU (begins January 1)
This group is for the ladies who don't want to wait, the ones who want to start with 30 minute exercises in December to COMBAT the holiday weight gain! This is a great way to get comfortable with the equipment so you can ROCK the exercises in January and NOT have an EXTRA 10 lbs to lose when you start in 2018!
We'll begin on January 1 with a mini version of the program) and focus on clean eating while to JUMP INTO the NEW YEAR! We'll complete Clean Week, and go to A Little Obsessed from January 8th (when it becomes available on Beachbody On Demand) to January 14th when 80 Day Obsession officially launches! You will be totally prepared to rock it!
Option 2: 80 Day Obsession ONLY (prep week begins January 8th, workouts begin January 15th)
If you aren't ready to get started on January 1, join us on January 8 for the official launch! We'll kick things off with a week of meal planning, goal setting, and more then begin the program when it launches on the 15th!

*Both groups will last the duration of the entire program!

In these groups each participant MUST commit to:

  • Showing up daily and participating in the group.
  • Following the timed nutrition plan for your body type and goals.
  • Replacing 1 meal a day with Shakeology for the duration of the group.
  • Drinking Energize before workouts and Recover after workouts.
  • Utilizing the strength bands and sliders for best results.
  • I must be your assigned coach.

Do I Really Need Shakeology, Energize, and Recover?!

Ummm YES! Those transformations above didn't come from just doing half the program. ALL of those people committed to the whole shebang and that's what I'm requiring for my groups! I want YOU to get the best results and I want to devote my attention to the ladies who are SERIOUS about sticking to their goals! Plus, you will be SORE and will NEED these to keep moving forward!

If a builder came into your house to make renovations, would you have him use your set of tools or his set of tools? You would want the best renovation possible, and you would want him to use  ALL the tools available in his tool box. 

These are the tools for transforming your body, to get stronger and healthier! If you want something you've never had, you have to do something you've never done. Use the tools.

Shakeology is a superfood powerhouse designed to deliver your entire day's worth of nutrients! It's made from over 70 whole superfoods from around the world and will replace a meal, vitamin, and probiotic each day! It will give you a natural energy boost, lower your cholesterol, reduce blood sugar levels, curb cravings, keep you full, AND improve your hair, skin, nails, and digestion! Read more about it here!

ENERGIZE is the pretty yellow drink that gives me LIFE! I call it my "mommy juice" or "parent power punch" because it is AH-MAZING! It gives me a great little energy boost without the jitters! It tastes like a fruity lemonade and is one of the main highlights of my day!

RECOVER is the post workout drink that prevents your muscles from getting sore. It replenishes what you lost and helps to rebuild and repair your muscles so you aren't too sore to press play the next day! Plus it tastes like a Wendy's Frosty and is freaking delicious!

Cash Prize! Say what?!

This is a BETA TEST GROUP which means you will be the FIRST to go through the program! You have the opportunity to win $500 for completing the program and submitting your results plus you have the opportunity to become a Beachbody Challenge Winner and earn additional money for your transformation. I am looking for people that are seriously committed to rocking this program and your results.
So no exceptions will be made. You cannot join a group without the above requirements.

What Are The Package Options?

If you are a NEW customer…

MEGA CHALLENGE PACK (BEST VALUE)

Are you ready to go ALL IN?! If so, this one is for you because the only way to get the best results is to feed your body with the best fuel possible. This challenge pack includes EVERYTHING you need for the ENTIRE duration of the program – plus you save $275.
Mega-Pack-New-Customers.png
  • Shakeology on Home Direct
  • 2 tubs of Energize
  • 4 tubs of Recover
  • 2 resistance bands
  • Sliders and booties
  • Portion Fix system
  • Shaker cup
  • Intro guide & calendar
  • 1 year subscription to Beachbody on Demand which includes 80 Day Obsession program & all other Beachbody Fitness Programs & nutrition guides.
COMBO CHALLENGE PACK
Are you ready to get this party started? This challenge pack includes everything you need to start out the program. And you get to save $200! The difference is if you just want to try out Energize and Recover for the first time you get 1x orders vs. enough supplements for the entire program.
Combo-Pack-New-Customers.png
  • Shakeology on Home Direct
  • 1 tub of Energize
  • 1 tub of Recover
  • 2 resistance bands
  • Sliders and booties
  • Portion Fix system
  • Shaker cup
  • Intro guide & calendar
  • 1 year subscription to Beachbody on Demand

If you are a current customer who already has Beachbody On Demand…

MEGA COMPLETION PACK 
This is the mother of all packages! It seriously offers the best value. You get everything you need for the program (assuming you already have BOD) AND you save $205. If your BOD is about to expire OR you don’t have it—> Check the packages above!!!
Mega-Completion-Pack-Existing-Customers.png
  • Shakeology on Home Direct
  • 2 tubs of Energize
  • 4 tubs of Recover
  • 2 resistance bands
  • Sliders and booties
  • Portion Fix system
  • Shaker cup
  • Intro guide & calendar

COMBO COMPLETION PACK
Are you ready to get re engaged? Then this package is for you. Save $130 and get ready for 80 days of obsession!!
Combo-Completion-Pack-Existing-Customers.png
  • Shakeology on Home Direct
  • 1 tub of Energize
  • 1 tub of Recover
  • 2 resistance bands
  • Sliders and booties
  • Portion Fix system
  • Shaker cup
  • Intro guide & calendar

And a special bonus…

Beachbody is offering a pre-launch discount! If you order your 80 Day Obsession Challenge Pack between December 14th and January 14th, you’ll automatically get $10 off!
80-day-pre-launch-discount.png
If you are ready to adopt healthy habits that will LAST and deliver incredible results, join me and give yourself 80 days to change your body and life!

Fill out the application to RESERVE YOUR SPOT!

I'll send you an email with more details once I receive your application!

Fill out my online form.
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