The new year has arrived and is taking off at a speed I am astounded at as usual. Im not sure if its because I’m getting older, (aka- aging like a fine wine) or just the fact that we are all moving at a breakneck pace.

I don’t believe in new years resolutions.  I don’t like making promises to myself that I can’t keep or just wishing for the magical fairy dust to make me finally do the things I need to do. So…. I have been implementing things that I actually CAN do. I have been changing the way I eat for a while now, and this year I’m taking it to the next level. I want to actually enjoy the food I eat so I’ve been playing around with recipes that are healthy, easy, and don’t chain me to the kitchen cooking for hours (that I don’t have). Who has time for that anyway?

My most recent amazing kitchen tool I got is the Instant Pot. Ive been watching them for quite some time and I’m trying to stop making impulsive purchases (HSN, late night infomercial, QVC shopping lol). I have heard and seen amazing things about it, though was skeptical that I would actually use it or that it wouldn’t end up in my donate pile of weird gadgets that take up too much space, are hard to clean, or don’t really make my life easier and more amazing. Y’all hear me? I know you have this same problem.. tell me its true so I don’t feel so alone.

I LOVE this thing. Seriously. It really is so easy to use, and cooks frozen like a brick things in no time. Every time we bought meat in bulk, whenever it ended up in the freezer we never used it. It would sit there till it was time to toss, so I hate buying in bulk even though its so much more cost effective. I have thrown in frozen solid chicken and in 35 minutes its completely cooked, not dried out, or over cooked – just great! Now there is absolutely no excuse to make delicious healthy food faster than you can order take out. We probably use it at least three times a week. The best part is you only use that one thing- everything goes in there so its easy and it doesn’t make a mess.

The weather has been a little cooler down here in FL lately & that always puts me in the “soup weather” mood. Ive been wanting a bowl of hearty potato soup, but have found potatoes and dairy to definatly not agree with my autoimmune disorder. So I came up with a great alternative I wasn’t sure was going to turn out quite as satisfying as the real deal but I think it turned out so much better. I didn’t tell my family that it was dairy free, gluten free, grain free, AND full of cauliflower… otherwise they may not have tried it lol. I didn’t say a thing till they were both on their second bowl! Garnish it with vegan cheese (or regular if you want) and bacon and voila, they will NEVER know.

Faux-tato Soup Recipe

Organic Chicken Broth 32oz or Bone Broth

Nitrate Free Organic Bacon

1/2 onion Diced

Sea Salt (Maldon is our fave)

Pepper

Salt Free Seasoning – Ms Dash or any other seasonings you like

Diced Spring Onions

Daiya- Vegan Shredded Cheese (you can use dairy if it doesn’t bother you- my husband used regular shredded cheese)

Dairy Free Cream Cheese- (We use Kite Hill Plain Cream Cheese Style Spread-made with almonds)

2 bags frozen organic riced cauliflower

2 bags frozen cauliflower florets

In your Instant Pot, sautée chopped bacon till crispy. (Remove and drain on paper towels and set aside) leave about 2 Tbsp of bacon drippings to sautée the onion. Throw in the diced onion and lightly sautée till translucent (about 5 min) turn off sautée setting.

Add all the cauliflower and chicken broth along with seasonings

Close and make sure valve is sealed. Set to soup/broth setting (approx-12min)

When done, take about 2/3 of the soup with some of the cauliflower (leave some if you like it chunky or take out all of it if you like  a smoother soup) , add 1/2 container of dairy free cream cheese and blend in Vitamix or stick immersion blender till creamy.

Mix back together and combine & add any more seasonings to taste.

Spoon into bowls, add spring onion, sprinkles of bacon, & cheese & Enjoy!

** You can also add some sliced avocado, croutons (or gluten free croutons or crackers)

We loved this soup, and I may play around with adding a bunch of other veggies to this & post a recipe if it turns out:) I would love to hear what you think about this recipe!  Like and share this post if you love this, and post your own favorite Instant Pot recipe. Thanks for the love as always.