Welcome Dear Vitamix!

Please join me in welcoming the newest addition to my kitchen.... the Vitamix 5300!!!!  I'm currently contemplating what to name her/him.  I think it should start with a V, just so I can remember it better.  Vasco?  Vladamir?  Victor?  Vera?  I'll work on it.

Here is the beauty making me a berry smoothie for breakfast the other morning.
(The Husband who leaves earlier than me for work was quite jealous when I sent him a picture.)

I am lucky beyond belief that my parents thought an appropriate exchange of goods and services was to give me a Vitamix for watching their pup for the last month or so.  (I think I got the better end of that deal, but don't tell them!)

Now, since we were first married four years ago, I have had a very good KitchenAid blender.  It got the job done (with time and often lots of spatula scraping) enough so that I could never think of a good enough excuse to abandon it and spend a small fortune on a Vitamix.  I just kept hoping that a time would come that it would "vroom" its last and we would simultaneously win the lottery.... or at least a really good scratch ticket.

Alas, this wildly impossible situation did not need to come.  When the my parents came to visit last weekend, my Dad brought in a sizable box and pronounced it as their "thank you" for watching Tilly (now and at least one more time).  I ripped open the brown paper wrapped package to see just a part of one side.  It had a fondue bowl on it.  I have been lactose intolerant for over a decade and mostly avoid (especially liquid) cheese at all cost.  My parents know this, so I had a momentary mind panic of what I would say.

Here is it on its virgin run in making Hummus (recipe on my food blog here).

More of the brown paper came off to reveal a brightly colored smoothie.  I knew what this was!  Jumping up and down squealing in my robe and slippers followed.  The Husband looked on with only a portion of the enthusiasm I was experiencing (he will understand my joy when I get to using it more and more this week... and forever!).

So far, I have made quite a few fruit smoothies to share with Kevin, a few green smoothies just for me, hummus and pinto bean dip, my favorite ranch dressing, a BBQ sauce for my tofu the other day, and even a soup base to make Kevin tortilla soup on the stovetop.  Each time perfect results.  Now I know what I have been missing all of these years!  I think there has been a day I've even used it 5 times....  LOVE!

Kevin and my conversation later on Sunday after my parents headed home went something like this:

The Husband: So you are covered for life when it comes to kitchen stuff right?
Me:  Yes.
The Husband: Ok, good, because next time you--
Me: Well, at least for now.  Let me clarify, I am covered on major appliances for a long long time.  Having this now means that I can give away my old blender, my old food processor, and my old mini food processor.
The Husband:  Sigh.

Health and Happiness,

Amy

Example Day #3

Ever wonder what a Nutritarian eats day to day?  Join me in this weekly series while I show you an example day of what I typically eat.

Today's breakfast was a large fruit bowl with cantaloupe, apple, banana, pomegranate seeds, and strawberries.  My parents visiting over the last weekend gave me a bit more variety in fruit than I have been having since we had a frugal grocery budget last month.

Lunch was a bowl of brown rice with Chickpea Curry from Vegan Richa's Indian Kitchen cookbook, along with a side of celery sticks.

Dinner was a bowl of creamy broccoli potato soup with baked cashew BBQ sauce tofu.

Summary:

• 1 lb raw vegetables - I think I feel a bit short on this today with only having celery sticks.
• 1 lb cooked vegetables - I got my cooked vegetables primarily in my tomato and onion curry for lunch and broccoli soup
• 4 servings fruit - This was covered with my fruit for breakfast.
• 1 cup or more beans - I had chickpeas with lunch as well as tofu for dinner.
• 1 cup or less whole grains/starchy veggies - I went a bit over on this today with rice for lunch and a potato based soup for dinner.
• 1 oz or less of nuts - My homemade BBQ sauce had a bit of cashews in it to thicken it up.

Health and Happiness,

Amy

Vegan Under Pressure Giveaway Winner Announced!

I loved all of the responses I got from you guys on the giveaway of Jill Nussinow's new cookbook, Vegan Under Pressure last week when I prompted what everyone's favorite thing about their pressure cooker is!  I've been reading them over several times, and all I can think is: DITTO!

Here were some of your response topics:

• the "set it and forget it" nature of electric pressure cookers
• how quickly dried beans cook
• how quickly potatoes and mashed potatoes cook
• cooking large batches for weekday meals

And the winner of the random drawing is.....

Angie R!  Angie, I have sent you an email, and if you have not done so already please email me your name and address so I can get Vegan Under Pressure for you to start cookin'!

For those of you who would still like the cookbook, here is a link to purchase it on Amazon.  It is quickly becoming one of my favorites, with regular recipes already in rotation at our house including Sassy Tofu, Bean Sausages, Shane's Lentil Soup, Steel Cut Oats, and Creamy Broccoli Soup.


Health and Happiness,

Amy