Meet My New Best Friend.
Yes my friends, this post is going to be an unabashed plug for this most amazing of machines- the Vita-Mix! (I am not getting paid to say any of this- if someone more savvy than me knows how to make that happen, please inform). I hadn’t heard of these power blenders until a few years back when my parents purchased one, and at the time I wasn’t too interested in what it could do for my health. But since I have been reading the Happy Foody blog lately and trying to incorporate more vegetarian items into my diet, I discovered the power drink: GREEN SMOOTHIES.
I made them with my normal blender for a while, but after making them with my parents’ Vita-Mix while at home on a weekend trip, the deal was done: I NEEDED one of these puppies. Not only did the Vita-Mix completely pulverize everything into the perfect smoothie deliciousness, it did it in record time. So I promptly added it to my Christmas list and prayed hard for a miracle.
The miracle came on Christmas day, and I could not believe it! Santa was good to me this year folks. So, for the last few weeks, I have been making green smoothies for breakfast, and loving how they make me feel. There is a great deal of information on the web if you just search under “green smoothie”, but it is basically a simple fruit smoothie with greens added to it to increase the nutritional value. I use this video recipe from Happy Foody, and always use baby spinach, as it’s flavor goes best with the fruit.
I have just started to branch out and make other recipes with the Vita-Mix, including an apple and butternut squash soup that I actually blended AND heated all in the Vita-Mix. It was delicious, although I probably added too much squash, because it was more like baby food than soup. But it tasted awesome! I can’t wait to try the other recipes included in the booklet. Some of them look seriously mouth watering. Here’s to a happy and healthy start to 2010, and to useful appliances and gadgets that make healthy eating easier and more fun!
That’s awesome, and I definitely want to check those smoothies out. They sound delicious, and I’d really like some good healthy things to drink. Maybe as a breakfast?
Also, random question: Did you do a CSA here last year? We’re looking into it for the spring, but I wanted to chat with someone who had a Nashville experience before moving forward!
E.P., I usually do eat them as my breakfast in the mornings, and it fills me up for the most part. It’s a fun morning routine!
I did do a CSA for the last two years, and it has been with Avalon Acres Farm. They deliver to multiple sites around town, and I have been pleased with their selection. During certain times of the season you might get a bunch of one item, such as squash or black eyed peas (not my favorite). but overall I have really enjoyed it. It has saved us a ton of money on produce and forced me to be more creative in my cooking! Just FYI, there is also a website you can check out to see other options in this area, it is http://www.localharvest.org/
YAY for green smoothies and CSAs!
I would LOVE a VitaMix, but alas, my little blender will have to suffice. My green smoothie of choice is apples, spinach, and water. SO filling and delish!