Instant Pot-ober : Instant Pot Chili + A GIVEAWAY!

Welcome to the Larson Lingo's annual Instant Pot-ober 

(formerly known as Crocktober since 2011)

Out with the OLD (Crockpots!) in with the NEW (Instant Pots!)

Every October, I post one of my favorite Slow Cooker Recipes & declare it "Crock-tober"
2 years ago I got an Instant Pot & used my Instant Pot for my Crocktober post and I haven't looked back. I have been using my Instant Pot instead of my Crock Pot for the past 2 years and I am in love.

Instant Pot-ober doesn't have a ring to it like Crocktober does, but oh well ;)

As a working mom, an Instant Pot (or Crock Pot) is a staple during the Fall & Winter months.
They make my life & dinner time so much easier!

I am so excited to share this recipe with you. Everyone in my family loves it.
When Kevin and I got married 16 (!!!) years ago and one of my bridal showers, the hostess knew I loved to cook so she sent a blank recipe card with the invitation and asked everyone to fill out the recipe card with a tried & true recipe. The hostess put them in a binder for me & as a young wife of 23 years old, I had a great little collection of recipes!
This chili recipe was one of the recipes that was given to me by our family friend Jenna.
I have tweaked & changed the recipe a little bit (the original doesn't call for diced tomatoes, but we like those added in) and I converted it from a stove top to Instant Pot!

Here is what you need:

• 2.5-3 lbs of Beef Stew Meat (cut in 1 inch cubes)
• 1 T minced garlic
•  1 cup diced onion
•  1 can of beef broth
• 3 cans of chili beans (or pinto beans)
• 1 cans of diced tomatoes with green peppers/onions
• 1 1/2 t cumin
• 1 T Italian Seasoning
• 3 T chili powder
• 1 t salt
• 1 t pepper 
• Splash of Olive Oil

Directions:
Press the SAUTE button on your Instant Pot:

Add a splash of olive oil, the meat, diced onions & minced garlic.

You are going to saute this for a couple minutes to get the meat browned:

Then, add in the spices:

Saute for another minute or so, just to get everything coated:

Then add in the diced tomatoes & beans (drained):

Add in the can of Beef Broth:

Give everything a big stir:

Then put the lid on your Instant Pot turn the knob to SEALING:

Cook on Manuel HIGH PRESSURE for 18 minutes:

After it is done cooking for 18 minutes, When time is up, let it do a natural release for 15 minutes. If there steam left, do a manual release.
When you open the lid, it will look like this:

Give it a big stir & you will be able to see how tender the meat is:

It is ready to serve! We like to garnish it with sour cream, shredded cheese & cilantro:

This Chili is so good...we love having beef chunks rather than ground beef.

I also serve this with Cornbread & whipped honey butter:

To make whipped honey butter, buy whipped butter and let it sit out on counter until soft. Then spoon into a bowl & add honey. Mix together & viola! Whipped Honey Butter!

We hope you love this Chili as much as we do!

It feeds a crowd and is very filling.

Enjoy!

You could make this in a crock pot, you would just add all the ingredients and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. If you wanted to brown the meat, you could do that before hand.

In honor of my 8th Annual Crocktober Post which is now Instant Pot-ober, I am giving away THREE Instant Pots!

THREE lucky people will win THIS Instant Pot....a 7-in-1 Multi-Functional Cooker--Pressure Cooker, Slow Cooker, Rice Cooker, Saute/Browning, Yogurt Maker, Steamer & Warmer!

You can keep it for yourself, give it as a present....the holiday season is right around the corner!

 

I am OBSESSED with it & I am excited to give one away to 3 lucky readers!

But....that's not all! Those 3 people will ALSO get a $100 Amazon Giftcard!

Use the Rafflecopter below to enter.

Giveaway ends next Monday, November 5th.

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Instant Pot-ober is Coming & some Blog Updates!

Crocktober is now Instant Pot-ober!

Mark your calendars for this Monday, October 29th!

There will be BIG Giveaways and I will be posting a new Instant Pot Recipe!

For the past 7 years, it was called Crocktober, but I decided to switch the name this year because I haven't used my Crock Pot in TWO YEARS.
I actually donated my Crock Pot to Goodwill this Summer when I did my 40 bags in 40 days clean out.

I have had my Instant Pot for 2 years and I haven't looked back.
This is the Instant Pot I have:

If you haven't gotten an Instant Pot yet...what are you waiting for?
I use mine 1-2 times a week! 
 

Read THIS post...The Top 5 Reasons Why I love my Instant Pot.

Last year,  I bought some Instant Pot decals!

 Yes, I am aware that this brings to to a whole new level of Instant Pot Nerdiness.

 The first decal is from HERE & the Unplug me one is from HERE.

Also, I finally updated my Recipe Box on my blog!!!

 I made a new icon for Instant Pot recipes! 
 
I added an Instant Pot category...check it out HERE!

All my Instant Pot recipes in ONE spot! Look at all those IP recipes :)

Trying to make everything more user friendly for you. I am also working on getting a recipe card widget/code that I can insert on my recipe posts so that you can print the recipe....STAY TUNED!

I also want you to know I have converted ALL of my Slow Cooker/Crock Pot recipes to Instant Pot recipes, I just need to take photos & blog them for you guys....STAY TUNED! 

It's quite the process.

I also have about 8 new Instant Pot Recipes that I need to blog that are staples for us. 

Again...STAY TUNED! :)

Do you own an Instant Pot?
What Instant Pot recipes would you like me to create/convert/post?
I have SO much fun converting recipes into Instant Pot recipes & would love to know what recipes you are looking for!

If you don't have an Instant Pot yet, put it on your Christmas List

I bet they will be on sale on Black Friday.

Or, better yet....come back here on Monday for Instant Pot-ober...there will be a Giveaway!

Have a great weekend! 

Miscellaneous Monday!

Happy Monday....thought I would share a little randomness on this Miscellaneous Monday!

{ONE} 

 I am pretty sure this is the warmest October on record here in the Bay Area,

It's been in the 80s all month. 

No rain, no clouds. 

Just sun & warm temperatures.

Hoping & praying that Fall arrives to California in November. 

Even though the weather has been warm, we are still all about the pumpkin bread!

 My recipe makes 2 batches and we devour them in less than 48 hours. 

If you need a perfect pumpkin bread recipe, here it is!

{TWO}

The local bookstore in my town has been killing it this month with author visits!

First, Jodi Picoult came for an event. She is one of my favorite authors.

 She gave an awesome talk, shared about her new book A Spark of Light and then had a meet & greet. 

Jodi was so lovely & down to earth. I got a signed copy of the book can’t wait to read it. 

Have you read it yet?

Then on Friday, Elin Hilderbrand came to our bookstore for a book signing and to talk about her new book, Winter in Paradise.

 

 Elin (pronounced Ellen...did not know that) was promoting her new book, Winter In Paradise...the first book in a new trilogy,

 

Loved meeting her & hearing some of her story. Elin is real, down to earth and so humble. 

I think I’ve read 15 or 16 of her books....Can’t wait to read this one!

{THREE}

I'm still on my mission to run a race every month until I turn 40 in May.

This month, I did the Run for Education 10k.

I'm also doing a little October running challenge and running at least 1 mile everyday in the month of October. I haven't missed a day yet this month. Hope I can keep the streak alive....especially since we are going to Vegas this weekend.

{FOUR}

I've been wanting to show the kids Freaky Friday. I loved the book as a kid and found the newer version of the movie HERE for only $5!

My girls LOVED it!

{FIVE}

This weekend the Colorado Women's Soccer Team was playing here in the Bay Area. 

They played Cal on Thursday & Stanford on Sunday.

We took the kids to the Stanford game & we had a blast!

We invited a bunch of friends, including some girls I coach and our girls friends. They were so awesome and made signs and cheered so hard for Colorado.

We lost, but it was still so much fun!

So many great memories playing soccer at Colorado.

{SIX} 

Hamilton is coming back to San Francisco next year. My mom, sister and I went when it was here last year. It was AMAZING. I knew I wanted to get tickets so that Kevin and I could go. Tickets when on sale this morning. I was number 55, 277 in line.

The website opened up at 10 am and almost 7 hours later it was my turn (luckily, once you put your name in, you could give them your email and they would email you when it was your turn) When I checked it after school, it said I my turn would be around 2:25 pm.

WRONG! It was my turn at 4:45....and soccer practice started at 5 and I am a coach, so needless to say, I did NOT have a chance to buy Hamilton tickets. Oh well! Thankful I got to see it last year.

Sorry Kevin, I tried!

{SEVEN}

As you know, Rodan + Fields came out with a new product, Radiant Defense.

 What is Radiant Defense? It is Derma Cosmetics. Derma-Cosmetics offer instant cosmetic results with long-term dermatologic skin improvements.

  How is this different from foundation or B.B. or CC creams?

 Derma-Cosmetics  work to IMPROVE your skins health, not just cover it up.

Our NEW Radiant Defense:

👉 Is PERFECT for ALL skin tones and types

👉🏻 Doesn’t clog pores or leave skin oily

👉🏼 Protects against environmental aggressors

👉🏽 Leaves a smooth and flawless finish, like you’re wearing nothing at all

👉🏾 Contains SPF 30

👉🏿 Comes in 6 shades to match any skin tone and can be blended and contoured

👉🏽 Helps dry, irritated skin

👉🏼 Has skin-perfecting ability

👉🏻 IMMEDIATELY IMPROVES your skin tone

👉 Functions as the last step of your morning skincare regimen

I am the 3rd shade which is Sand. It goes on so easily & it so lightweight. I never wear foundation, but I am loving the Radiant Defense. You would use this in place of foundation. I am seriously obsessed...it covers up the scar on my nose from my skin cancer surgery. I don't even need to wear concealer on my scar anymore.

  This is me with Radiant Defense on in Sand:

We have a few specials going on preferred customers who want Radiant Defense. 

Cost is $59 & free shipping for preferred customers.

Special #1 : Buy Radiant Defense and get make up wipes or eye make up remover for free:

 Special #2: Buy lash boost, get Radiant Defense for HALF off:

 

Special #3: Buy a regimen, get Radiant Defense for HALF off.

 One bottle of Radiant Defense will last 5-6 months.
Comes with a 60 day empty bottle 100% money back guarantee.
Radiant Defense is good for all skin types, has SPF 30 and won't clog pores...it's good for your skin!

 If you are interested in Radiant Defense, you can find your shade on my color matcher HERE.

Message me if you have questions or want to place an order.
melissa_larson17@yahoo.com

{EIGHT}

If you've read my blog for several years, you know that every October, I have a Crock-tober event where I share a Crock Pot recipe and do a giveaway.

I got an Instant Pot in September 2016 and since then I haven't used my Crock Pot. 

2 years of no crock pot, in fact...I gave it away this Summer when I was doing my 40 bags in 40 days.

Why keep it if I don't use it? I have my Instant Pot that I love!

So, instead of having Crock-tober this year, I am officially changing the name to:

Instant Pot-ober!

It's not as catchy as Crock-tober, but I felt like I needed to change the name since I don't even own a Crock Pot anymore!

Stay tuned for Instat Pot-ober...coming to my blog VERY soon!

{NINE}

Have you heard of the Lost My Name books?

The books are so cute, you customize them with your child's name. Each child’s adventure is totally unique and based on their name

Luke has both of these books.

It's an outer space adventure staring your child & their house and they use an actual satellite image of your child's house. You can preview all the books with your customization. Luke loves them!

They now have a Birthday book called the Birthday Thief

I love how you can personalize it!

  Another cute book is Kingdom of You. Planning on getting this one for Luke this Christmas.

  You can order the books HERE

If you enter your email address, they will send you a $7 off your order code!  

They have bigger discounts if you order more than 1 book, you  get an additional 15% off with code Use code MULTI15

These books make great birthday or Christmas gifts.

{TEN}

 Someone has to get glasses & isn't excited about it.

I think she looks adorable! And, she looks so old!

She only needs to wear them at school & while reading, so that makes her happy.

There you have it....some miscellaneous on this October Monday!

Hope you had a great day!