[Hitch]

If you were going to get an IP today, which one would you get, and why?

I have an issue/challenge which may not be doable, but...Mr. H had some severe medical issues, over the last 30 months. As a result, he has basically lost most of his sense of taste, so things he used to love, like Americanized Mexican food (Texican), no longer are that great to his mouth. Secondly, we have to watch his salt intake. Thirdly, he has, for the first time, put on weight, and that's GOTTA GO. It's not a ton, but it's enough; he has man-belly, you know. And it affects his BP, etc.

So, I already know that I can whip up some low-cal-ish rice and bean dishes, like a lightened Red Beans & Rice w/Andouille, that is nearly perfect food (w/o the Andouille, it would be), and reasonable in calories AND hopefully, in taste. Not sure that the IP would be the best environment, for that, but I typically make the rice for that separately, anyway, and combine them.

He's already eating a LOT of rice. (His thinking being, well, if I can't taste it anyway, what's the diff?, poor bastard.) I'd rather make better-quality rice for him, in bulk, if I'm able, and he can reheat that. (He's partial to sticky rice, as in the Asian method.).

I was cogitating on the Mediterranean diet, as that MIGHT address his tastebud issues--although I'm not sure what will, to be truthful. (He can taste Creole and Cajun seasonings, like Zatarain's and the Blackened seasoning that I use, and yes, I know that Zatarain's, etc., is high in salt, so I'll probably start home-making some of that, too. {sigh}).

We're cooking folks, generally--I wouldn't think much of the prep mentioned on this thread (I read it end to end), because to me, what's the diff? Prep veggies, meat, etc., and cook them on the stovetop, or the IP, or a crockpot, it's all the same. Obviously, anything that saves time, etc., is good--I'm in my office not less than 55hrs/week, and that's on a good week. So, yes, saving time=good.

So...I figure, splurge for an IP, and I'd ask you good folks: which one would you buy, if you were buying it today? (n.b.: I like oatmeal, and yes, I eat a fair amount of yogurt, too, but...that's really secondary to trying to address Mr. H's issues, first and foremost.)

Thanks in advance,
Hitch