Have you joined the Instant Pot craze? This kitchen appliance has gone viral, changing the way we cook. The primary reason for its popularity? Convenience! In addition to the versatility of usage with the basic Instant Pot, you can utilize Bluetooth connectivity on the Instant Pot “Smart,” which allows remote use with the help of an app. It is Alexa and Wifi enabled. Imagine turning on dinner from your Smartphone while you are still at work!
The Instant Pot functions as a:
- Pressure cooker. It uses pressure and heat to cook foods, which will provide quicker cooking of foods – usually in half the time of traditional methods.
- Slow cooker. Want to cook more slowly? The Instant Pot does that as well.
- A fryer and steamer. The Instant Pot sautes and steams – the built in heat source at the base of the machine allows you to use the pot to sear meats and/or saute vegetables, as well as simmer liquids for steaming.
- Rice Cooker. Easy to use; this feature makes perfect rice with liquid and sensors. You don’t have to watch over it or stir.
An instant pot is a programmable all-in-one pressure cooker. It offers many healthy food options. It quickly batch-cooks healthy staples such as chicken breasts, eggs and potatoes. Keeping your refrigerator stocked with pre-cooked healthy basics is a convenient way to quickly prepare different meals throughout the week.
Pros of using an Instant Pot include:
- Uses only one dish – the instant pot! So there is a reduction in the amount of dishes to wash.
- Uses less fat. Great for reducing the amount of fat in cooking since moisture is used instead to pressure cook. This leaves the product moist and tender with no additional fat.
- Includes a handy timer. Set the timer and the instant pot will beep when the cook time is complete.
- Possesses a variety of settings. Includes settings for making yogurt, searing meat, steaming, boiling and baking.
- Dinner can start with frozen items – no need to defrost. It is safe to put frozen meats and vegetables into the Instant Pot. However, it will require additional time to pre-heat and cook.
There are many healthy Instant Pot recipes now available to use for quick meals. Most of your favorites will easily adapt to being cooked in an Instant Pot. Just avoid recipes using lots of cheese or butter.
Written by: Beth Stefura, Extension Educator, Family & Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, Mahoning County, [email protected]
Reviewed by: Donna Green, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, Erie County, [email protected]
Sources:
https://blogs.extension.iastate.edu/answerline/2019/02/18/resources-for-instant-pot-eppc-users/
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December 15, 2019
hookah | Live Healthy Live Well
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Most people are aware of the dangers and health risks associated with smoking. Over the last several years this has caused the consumption rate to experience a steady down turn. The tobacco industry has rallied back by creating and introducing a sleeker, sexier, new product known as e-cigarettes. E-cigarettes have grown to be the most commonly used tobacco product among U.S. middle and high school students. The U.S. Surgeon General reported in 2018, more than 3.6 million U.S. youth, including 1 in 5 high school students and 1 in 20 middle school students, currently use e-cigarettes. Adults are not immune to this trend, a whopping 10.8 million adults use e-cigarettes in the U.S. Even more shocking, one study published by the American College of Physicians reported 15% of e-cigarette users had never smoked cigarettes before.
Trying to make sense of what has been referred to by the U.S. Surgeon General, Jerome M. Adams, as an “e-cigarettes epidemic” can be quite confusing and overwhelming. The National Institute of Drug Abuse defines an electronic cigarette as an e-cigarette, e-vaporizer, or electronic nicotine delivery system which are battery-operated devices that people use to inhale an aerosol. They typically contain nicotine, flavorings, and other harmful chemicals. There are over 450 different e-cigarette brands on the market but some common nicknames for them include: e-cigs, e-hookahs, hookah pens, vapes, vape pens, and mods.
You might be asking yourself, “What is the appeal of e-cigarettes”? People cite several different reasons for using e-cigarettes but some of the most popular include:
Most health organizations and officials agree it is still too early to know the potential long-term impacts of e-cigarettes. According to the American Lung Association and the American Cancer Society, there is evolving evidence supporting negative impacts including irreversible lung damage, lung disease, addiction, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases. While only time will reveal the overall negative health consequences, the CDC suggest practicing the following prevention strategies: be tobacco-free, talk to your kids, friends, and family about why e-cigarettes are harmful for them, and let your children know you want them to stay away from all tobacco products because they are not safe.
Author: Lorrissa Dunfee, Family & Consumer Sciences Educator, OSU Extension Belmont County
Reviewer: Alisha Barton, Family & Consumer Sciences Educator, OSU Extension Miami County
Sources:
“The 3 Main Reasons Youth Use e-Cigarettes.” Truth Initiative, 2018, truthinitiative.org/research-resources/emerging-tobacco-products/3-main-reasons-youth-use-e-cigarettes.
Mirbolouk, Mohammadhassan, et al. “Prevalence and Distribution of E-Cigarette Use Among U.S. Adults: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2016.” Annals of Internal Medicine, American College of Physicians, 2 Oct. 2018, annals.org/aim/article-abstract/2698112/prevalence-distribution-e-cigarette-use-among-u-s-adults-behavioral.
National Institute on Drug Abuse. “Electronic Cigarettes (E-Cigarettes).” NIDA, 2018, http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/electronic-cigarettes-e-cigarettes.
Surgeon General’s Advisory on E-Cigarette Use Among Youth. e-cigarettes.surgeongeneral.gov/documents/surgeon-generals-advisory-on-e-cigarette-use-among-youth-2018.pdf.
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