Posted By admin on August 9, 2010

The Vita-Mix 5200 Power Blender

If the idea of doubling or even tripling your vegetable and fruit intake sounds appealing, the Vita-Mix may be for you. Fast, fun and efficient, this powerful blender produces juice, smoothies, nut butters, frozen treats, ice-cream, hot soup, sauces, dips, spreads and more. The Vita-Mix Whole Food Recipes cookbook offers ample opportunity to provide healthy creations for you, your family and guests.

Healthy Green Smoothie

In a league of its own, the Vita-Mix pulverizes produce into super smooth juices, smoothies, and other treats, with all the fiber intact. The machine makes light work of skins and most seeds, adding even more nutritional value to the finished product.

Banana Berry Frozen Treat

After extensive research, I replaced a juicer, blender and food processor with the powerful Vita-Mix machine. Unlike a juicer, clean-up is a snap and none of the healthy fiber is tossed out the shoot, yet the texture is smooth and light. While most common blenders burn out after a few years, the Vita-Mix has a powerful 2 HP motor allowing it to tackle numerous combinations of food processing, backed by a full 7 year warrantee. Its ability to chop veggies, puree soups and mix and blend a variety of food combinations left the food processor, with its chunky blades and parts, alone on the shelf.

Always concerned with lessening my toxic load, I was immediately impressed with the health-friendly, BPA free 64 oz. shatterproof container. This feature alone makes the Vita-Mix a stand-out product in its class.

The Vita-Mix has become the most utilized piece of equipment in my kitchen, consistently living up to its reputation and providing a creative outlet in food preparation.

Here are the top reasons I love my Vita-Mix:

Healthy juices and smoothies can be processed in one minute, complete with fiber, providing several servings of fruits and veggies per day. The Vita-Mix utilizes skins and seeds of most fruits, so preparation is super quick.

Nut butters are a favorite in my house, especially sesame tahini! Peanut butter, almond butter, pumpkin butter or your choice can be prepared quickly and efficiently in the Vita-Mix. No more purchasing expensive nut butters!

The Vita-Mix whips up frozen delights of varying textures and thickness made from fruit in no time. If you are an ice-cream lover, the Vita-Mix can prepare that as well, with pure simple ingredients.

Kids love the colorful smoothies created in the Vita-Mix, even my kids who are young adults! A handful of spinach is virtually undetectable when blended with fruit.

The Vita-Mix is a perfect companion for entertaining. I whip up salsas, bean dips, spinach dip, carrot spread, guacamole, hummus, and cheese fondue in a flash, leaving more time to enjoy guests!

Speaking of guests, the Vita-Mix is a pro at several elite infusions, such as a Cappuccino, Iced Peppermint Café, Whole Fruit Margaritas, and Peach Daiquiris.

Quick breads are truly quick when the Vita-Mix takes on the blending of ingredients.

Emulsify salad dressings and prepare marinades and sauces in a flash.

A steaming, hot bowl of soup is prepared without ever turning on the stove.

And last, but certainly not least, the Vita-Mix is super easy to clean; in fact, Vita-Mix has its own self cleaning feature! My days of scraping screens in the basket of the juicer or straining to clean around blades inside the blender have officially ended.

By now you can probably tell I think the Vita-Mix is an amazing machine that enhances my healthy life style and brings joy into the kitchen every single day! If you are as passionate about healthy living as I am, the Vita-Mix is a great kitchen companion; well worth the investment in your health and the health of your loved ones.

The company offers a full 7 year warrantee for all parts and labor, including the cost of shipping on all repairs. Also available is a direct phone line to customer service with a knowledgeable representative waiting to address your concerns.

If you are interested in ordering a Vita-Mix, please click here to receive free shipping!

If you should choose to order by phone, please provide the free shipping code of:
***06-005218***

For phone orders, call: 1-800-848-2649

Please feel free to contact me, I would be happy to answer your questions.
Lisa.colasurdo@yahoo.com

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Posted By admin on July 27, 2010

With basil in abundance, it’s pesto season! Traditionally made with walnuts or pine nuts, pesto has had to undergo some changes to meet the ever increasing needs of nut allergic individuals. And if wheat doesn’t agree with you, try an alternative pasta, like spelt. Spelt is not tolerated by all sufferers of celiac disease, but it is easier to digest than wheat and can be enjoyed by a vast number of people who are observing a wheat free diet. Rice or corn pasta are other choices.

To change things up from the usual parmeggiano reggiano cheese in a traditional pesto recipe, I chose the flavors of pecorino romano for some added zip. Slightly roasted or sprouted pumpkin seeds will add an extra layer of flavor as well.

If you suffer from nut allergies, make sure to avoid cross contamination that can occur between nuts and seeds. Always read the labels carefully. Food sold in bulk is not recommended as customers often use various scoops for different items. Click here for a delicious brand of organic, sprouted pumpkin seeds: http://www.goraw.com

Recipe for Pumpkin Seed Pesto

½ cup of extra virgin olive oil
½ pecorino romano (or parmeggiano reggiano) cheese, freshly grated
3 medium garlic cloves, peeled
2 cups fresh basil leaves
¼ cup sprouted or slightly roasted pumpkin seeds (roast seeds by spreading on a cookie sheet in a 325 degree oven for about 10 minutes)
Salt and pepper to taste

If using a Vita-Mix, add all ingredients in blender (except salt and pepper) in the order listed and secure lid. Select variable 1. Turn machine on and quickly increase speed to variable 7. Blend for one minute, using tamper press if necessary.

(Note: to find out more about how a Vita-Mix can change your life, click on the Vita-Mix link in the upper left corner of the page).

For a standard blender or food processor, add basil, pumpkin seeds and garlic and pulse a few times. Stream olive oil slowly into the mixture while the machine is running. Scrape down the sides as needed. Add cheese and pulse until blended. Add salt and pepper to taste.

*If using pecorino romano cheese, additional salt will most likely not be needed.

Cook spelt pasta according to package directions. Recipe makes enough sauce for 1 pound of pasta. Blend pasta with sauce, add a few freshly grated cheese curls of desired.

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Tags: alternative pasta, basil, celiac, corn, extra virgin olive oil, healthy, nut allergy, parmeggiano reggiano, pecorino romano cheese, pesto, pumpkin seeds, raw, rice, roasted, spelt, sprouted, wheat free diet, wheat intolerance, whole foods

Posted By admin on July 19, 2010

Birds inhabit nest in bottom center of wreath

Even birds would prefer to move into a ready made home in “move in” condition if given a choice. Why go through the hassle of finding the right materials, and engineering a home for the family to grow when a lovely, decorative nest glued to a wreath on my front door is vacant?

I became suspicious when a petite feathered friend took flight from my front door wreath every time I came into view. A peek inside revealed 4 eggs that were now destined to hatch in front of the eyes of all who stood on the porch. Occasionally, the hatchlings may  take a swing into my hallway and I can only assume this aspect of inherited real estate was not anticipated by the proud parents.

The hatchling waiting for food

The bird family and my family found themselves placed in a precarious situation. They were faced with dangers of predators at eye level of their young as well as the potential swaying motion of the entire nest. Although impractical, birdie seat belts might have offered some security. We were faced with the constant reminder of keeping the front door closed and eliminated action in the vicinity.

As I watched the events unfold without being too invasive, it was quite thrilling to witness bird behavior. Mother finch guards the eggs almost continuously and dad keeps his eye on things as well. Father finch stays ready for action in a nearby tree, the same one mother bird reluctantly retreats to when someone closes in on the nest. After the birds have hatched, dad guards the tiny, featherless, sleepy newborns when mother finch is away. It seems both parents are providers of food and have a system of coverage at all times.  Father finch is easy to spot with his red tinged head, face and neck. Mother finch is a dull gray brown. As the hatchlings grow, they are left alone in the nest on occasion in preparation for a life of independence.

A close up of the baby finch

Despite our best attempt at leaving the front door closed until the birds flew the coop, the inevitable was bound to happen. Late one night, not wanting to wake the sleeping old adults (one of which was me) by opening the noisy garage door, the young adults (my son and friends) came in through the front after a night of fun. To join the continuing party two baby birds flew in along with them. In the darkness, they only saw one, carefully caught it and set it free, went to bed and no one would be the wiser.

Early the next morning, I made my way downstairs with the two yappy Yorkies. After they ate breakfast, something caught their attention on the other side of the gate into the dining room. Peering through, the bark fest began. As I made my way over, a little bird was hopping around on the floor, terrified, I’m sure. Not really experienced in catching wildlife, I was momentarily perplexed. Opening the front door was not an option as it might lead to a family of birds in the house. Catching it with my bare hands was a little beyond my comfort level. I decided to go right to the source, the person who let the little hopper in, interrupted his blissful sleep and demand he figure it out. Unbeknownst to me, he was already experienced from the night before and gently cupped the bird in his hands and released to its outside wonderland.

Shortly thereafter, the last of the hatchings flew to freedom, have not returned, and left quite a mess of droppings on the front door and wreath. My feathered house friend also left me a present in the dining room. Of course in the midst of piercing barks, anything would have lost control. Luckily, the floors are made of hardwood. In spite of the mess and a bird on the loose, it was quite enjoyable to watch the behavior of the finch family. Although no longer residing at my address, there seems to be an increase of birds singing in the air and I suspect they are not far away!

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Tags: bird in house, finch, hatchlings, house finch, inhabit nest, nature, nest, wreath