I am usually late to the game when it comes to new trends. So in staying with this theme, it only makes sense that I very recently added an Instant Pot to my life. I got it in the summer and have really begun using it more and more now that fall is here and winter is coming (yes that is a GOT reference). But, I can totally see why people are raving and loving their Instant Pots, they make cooking a lot easier and so much quicker. I was so impressed when I made these Instant Pot steel cut oats in only minutes. Plus the best part, is that you just set it and it does its thing, you don’t need to hover over the stove, stirring and watching the oats cook.
Because it is fall, I had to make these Instant Pot steel cut oats pumpkin flavoured. You can of course, omit the pumpkin and just top them however you wish. I seriously love the fact that this only had to cook for 4 minutes! Although, you do have to wait for the Instant Pot to heat up and to release the steam naturally afterwards, it is still quicker and easier than stovetop. And I think once you see how easy it is to make Instant Pot steel cut oats, you’ll be more inclined to make steel cut rather than the quick cooking kind. Hey, I get it, that was me too. I always stuck to the quick cooking oats because steel cut took too long. One thing I lack is patience.
Instant Pot steel cut oats: Efficient AF
But the thing I do like the best is how efficient it allows me to be. Because once you get the Instant Pot steel cut oats going, you can pretty much let it do its thing. So, go do your morning routine and come back in 20-25 minutes to the warmest, creamiest, most comforting bowl of oats possible. Who doesn’t want that?
The Instant Pot that I bought and use is this one, I have the 6 quart size. I’ve already made so many dishes with it and cannot wait to share more recipes soon, trust me they’re coming!
Time for Some Reflection:
I actually cannot believe that thanksgiving is coming up next Monday here in Canada. I don’t know how it is already here, but this year it definitely feels different. There’s been a lot going on with me in regards to my personal life that I haven’t shared that has happened. But this year has been full of personal growth and this time of year really has me reflecting on a lot of it. In May of this year, I left my full time (very safe) job to pursue a completely different career (you can read more here). That time period from May until now has been full of lots of ups and downs. Being an entrepreneur and running my own biz is something that I dreamed of for quite a while and to finally be living it sometimes seems so surreal. There are definitely times I still wonder wtf I’m doing, how I will make it and what to do next. Then there are other times when I feel so aligned, living my purpose and completely at ease.
When you Fall Out of Alignment:
Don’t get me wrong, I always feel that I am doing what I am supposed to be doing. I have learned to trust the process 100% which was definitely not easy. But, there are times where things just don’t go right, and for a moment I lose sight of things. Or sometimes, I see myself doing things (and focusing on things) that don’t align with my purpose. For example, whenever I spend far too much time on social media (like Instagram) I definitely feel unease. The very nature of the program is to scroll and be inspired, but when you aren’t feeling 100, sometimes that inspiration turns to comparison. And you know what happens next… so I am making a more conscious effort to really spend less time on the app and make it more intentional. If I am feeling kinda blah, it’s usually not a good idea to scroll, for me personally.
Life Updates:
Besides entrepreneurship, other facets of my life have changed a lot as well. I’ve allowed certain people into my life that I had previously disconnected from. Others have kind of drifted away. I’ve also had a family member that is very close to me get sick (eff cancer) and it has made me see things in a different way. What I once thought of as important isn’t and it has made me really look at what I am doing and how I can make changes to feel more aligned at all times.
Getting Real and Talking about Hard Stuff:
Nobody wants to be face-to-face with illness, uncertainty or death. But the truth is, if we don’t think about it, are we really truly living? Tough questions, I know. But after reading (and loving) “The Subtle Art of Not Give a F*ck,” it reinforces the fact that we need to be careful about what we choose to put our energy towards. When we avoid thinking about our own death and questioning what our legacy is, we in turn let trivial values hijack our brain and take control of our desires and ambitions. In turn, the superficial things appear important (such as Instagram likes and engagement) and the important stuff somehow becomes superficial. Getting comfortable with issues like death, require you to look at yourself as something bigger than yourself. To choose values that go beyond just serving yourself is where true happiness lies. To believe that you are contributing to something greater in the world and there are much bigger forces at play requires that surrender I talked about above. I encourage you to take a few moments and really consider these things. Look at where and how you are spending your time, what you are letting influence your decisions and actions and make adjustments as necessary.
Thanksgiving can be a time for reflection and giving thanks, and I think it is so important to see what is really serving you and what isn’t. I would love to hear from you on any of this. If you want to share what you are grateful for, I’d love to hear.
Now, let’s get to these Instant Pot steel cut oats with pumpkin because they can definitely allow for more introspection as they are cooking away all on their own. Somehow I managed to tie this all together…
Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats: Pumpkin Pie
Make steel cut oats in no time by cooking them in an Instant Pot or pressure cooker.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups steel cut oats
- 3 cups water
- 1/4 cup dairy free milk
- 1/2 cup pumpkin, canned
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 2 tbsp maple syrup optional
Instructions
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Add the oats and water to your Instant Pot. Give it a quick stir, attach the lid, ensure that the device is set to "sealing" and press manual/pressure cooker and set the timer for 4 minutes on high pressure.
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Once the oats are finished cooking, turn it off (do not let it go to keep warm) and allow the steam to release naturally.
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Once the steam has released, open the lid carefully. Add the dairy free milk, pumpkin, cinnamon and maple syrup and stir to combine.
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Portion into bowls and add toppings like nut butter, granola and chocolate chips. Serve warm!
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