The One Kitchen Splurge I Don’t Regret

(Apparently, I’m obligated to inform you all that this post contains affiliate links. Not that I expect anyone to go out and buy this, but just in case you do…)

 

I’m a saver not a spender by nature. We live a pretty sensible, sort of frugal life. But there’s one (seemingly) outrageously expensive kitchen appliance that I don’t regret investing in…. our Vitamix blender.

 

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I hadn’t even heard of them until just a few years ago, and honestly, we had a blender and a Magic Bullet-like set, so I figured we were all good. Um… no.

 

I’m so just a blogger – not a salesperson – but this thing is AMAZING! {Let me reiterate here –  My point is not to sell anything, but just share how much we love it. If you’ve been to our house, it’s likely you’ve even watched the demo DVD because it’s one of our son’s favorites! Slightly bizarre, but true}.

 

It makes HOT SOUP, folks! HOT SOUP! (And lots of it when you accidentally open the wrong side of a garlic salt shaker and dump in an enormous amount instead of the sprinkles you had intended…and then have to triple and quadruple the main ingredients in order to balance it out…but I digress…)

 

The texture of smoothies is unbelievably different than what we were making with our previous appliances. Not a shred of evidence that there is spinach hidden in many of my morning shakes or black beans in the brownies.

 

Kids’ applesauce and fruit squeeze-ems… LOVE being able to make my own with these handy reusable ReSqueeze pouches I found on Amazon.

 

And peanut butter – oh, the most delicious peanut butter you’ve ever eaten! Literally dump in a canister of plain peanuts and some honey (for the healthiest version – but Walmart’s Honey Roasted peanuts are our favorite) – and within minutes, absolute deliciousness!

 

I could go on, but I think you get the picture.

 

Now why do I share all of this? (Because, like I said, I’m not trying to be a salesperson…)

 

I share because I honestly feel that the Vitamix can help people make huge strides in their healthy eating goals.

 

A huge benefit is simply the whole foods nutrition. Entire apples, broccoli – stalks and all… nothing is wasted and every nutrient is saved. With juicers or less powerful blenders, you end up missing out on a lot of fiber and nutrition.

 

For me, I am finding it very helpful to have a shake in the mornings (either as breakfast or my morning snack, depending on my teaching schedule). Having a huge milkshake-like drink to sip on over the course of an hour or two, helps me curb morning hunger. If I have a bowl of cereal (and I’m talking fiber-rich and protein-packed Kashi and Grapenuts), I’m hungry again literally less than an hour later.

 

I seriously use this machine – almost everyday. The cost per use of this thing is quickly coming down to pennies. Well, we might not be quite there yet, but it’s definitely not just sitting around collecting dust.

 

And, no, I don’t drink the exact same thing everyday. We typically just use a vanilla whey protein powder, (but recently I’ve been using vanilla Shakeology) plus a variety of other ingredients. I made a calendar (like the ones you would get from Shakeology) with “recipes,” although I rarely measure anything.

 

I do like to mix it up between vanilla and chocolate-based shakes by simply adding unsweetened cocoa powder. (Buying vanilla gives you the flexibility to do both.)

 

My “go-to” shake includes:

• vanilla protein
• banana
• spinach
• peanut butter
• cocoa
• ice/water (or milk)

 

I’m a little (or a lot) less adventurous than my husband.

Last week – I couldn’t even make this up if I tried – he made a shake with:

• canned spinach (That right there just grosses me out. I get a fresh bunch for like $1 and it lasts me the whole week. Plus I’m able to use the stems and all.)
• cantaloupe
• a whole apple
• cocoa powder
• peanut butter
• vanilla protein
• apple juice

 

I believe he said, “it’s not as bad you’d think…” But not a chance I was trying it (As if the concoction itself isn’t reason enough, but cantaloupe makes me gag.)

Promise, you won’t find that recipe on the calendar!

 

So, if you feel like you’re not getting enough fruits or vegetables, or your diet could use some more whole foods, maybe consider shaking it up. (Ha – no pun intended!)

 

There won’t be a specific “diet” to follow, but we’ll be talking more about whole food nutrition when the Fall Fitness Challenge begins Sept 22. Registration is open now through Sept 19.

 

Plus, don’t forget if you share on social media, you’ll be entered into a random drawing for a free registration (a whole $10 – So you’d be like 1/30th of your way to your cheapest Vitamix option – a certified reconditioned Standard C5200, which is on sale now through November.)

 

Questions about the Vitamix? Any other favorite uses for it? Comment below! 

Check out other great fitness blogs on the Fitness Friday Linkup at www.jillconyers.com