Happy VitaMix Day!

Hey there, Gnawers!  I hope that you kicked off your week to a great start!

Today is an exciting day in this Gnawer's world.  Why?  Let me explain.  See, over a year ago, my sister got on a health kick and bought a VitaMix.  For months, I don't think she and I had a conversation where she did not tell me about some awesome thing she made using this magical machine.  I didn't understand her obsession at first.  "What's the big deal about a blender?" I thought.  Then, she introduced me to the VitaMix and all its jaw dropping tricks.  She had me at homemade peanut butter cups, banana "ice cream", tomato soup, and margaritas.  Plus, she made me a green smoothie (meaning full of spinach).  I smiled politely as I prepared to take my first sip ... planning to accidentally spill it or dump it if it was horrible.  "Spinach in my smoothie? Gross," I thought.  But, it wasn't.  It wasn't at all.  In fact, it tasted cool and refreshing ... like strawberries and bananas.  It was (gulp) ... GOOD!  I drank the entire thing, happy to accept that I had been wrong.  It was amazing!  I also started listening a little more keenly when my smarter, older sister talked about her VitaMix concoctions.   ;)

Fast forward to the start of this new year when something clicked in my thick head and I decided to take control of my health.  I had no idea where to start.  Truly.  All I could think about was the green smoothies my sister had introduced me to the year before.  I knew she did a ton of other stuff with the VitaMix, but I could only think about the smoothies at the time.  That was the first decision I made in all of this ... to start having a green smoothie every morning.  I justified the cost of the VitaMix by thinking about how much I would spend buying smoothies daily (or coffee for that matter).  It would pay itself off in a couple of months if all I ever used it for was smoothies.  Plus, I felt that making the investment in the VitaMix and in my health might help me stay on track (which it has!).

I have had my VitaMix for two months now, and I do not know how I ever lived without it.   I use it at least once a day, but usually more like three times daily.  I make smoothies, soups, dips, salsas, ice creams, sauces, dressings, and so much more in this bad boy.  I even use it to make my own peanut and almond butter.  It works as a food processor on top of that, which makes it the most awesome kitchen appliance known to man.

You have probably seen me mention my love for my VitaMix several times in older posts.  I often said that I had no affiliation to the company at all and that I just really loved how the VitaMix had changed my life.  Well, today that changed!  I love my VitaMix so much that I decided to become a VitaMix affiliate!  This means that VitaMix supports me in sharing its awesomeness with friends, families, and Gnawers alike.  In doing so, you all now get FREE SHIPPING should you decide to buy one for yourself (a $25 value).  Awesome, right?!  Save some cash with no strings attached.  I am excited to be promoting a product and a company that has been integral in changing my life and helping me find health once again.  Click on the VitaMix link at the top of the page to get your new VitaMix and discount.  Woohoo!  We are all getting healthy!

In honor of VitaMix Day, I have three, YES THREE, recipes using my VitaMix today!!!  I really didn't plan it that way, but I did end up using it three times today so it only seemed right to share!

I started the morning with another new smoothie.  I branched out a bit and decided to add fresh orange to my smoothie this morning.  I don't know why I never did that before!  It was so yummy and fresh, making this smoothie one of my new favorites.  Something about citrus in the morning just seems right.  I call this one my F-COMBS green smoothie ... Flaxseed, Coconut water, Orange, Mango, Banana, & Spinach.  Not so much a creative name, but maybe it will catch on.  ;)


F-COMBS Green Smoothie


Ingredients:

• 1-2 tablespoons flaxseed
• 1 cup coconut water
• 1 whole orange, peeled
• 3/4 cup frozen mango chunks
• 1/2 frozen banana
• 2-3 large handfuls of fresh organic spinach
• Ice (until consistency you like)

Preparation Instructions:

• Put all ingredients except for ice in blender (VitaMix!) and blend.
• Add ice until desired smoothie consistency.  
• Serve and enjoy!!!

Next recipe is one that I ended up making last night.  I broke out these delicious sea salt and lime organic tortilla chips that I bought at the store the other day.  They are made my Laurel Hill.  Yum.  I started craving salsa after my first chip, but I had none.  Well, that is not true.  I did find a jar of moldy processed salsa in the back of the fridge (I know ... so nasty).  Needless to say, that went straight into the garbage.  I started thinking about the main ingredients of salsa and decided to just try and make up my own.  I figured it couldn't be that hard.  Guess what?  It wasn't!  It was super simple and the salsa was ready in less than 5 minutes.  I made plain old salsa, but I am already dreaming up all sorts of variations (black bean salsa, fresh corn and avocado salsa, and so many more).   Get creative and mess with the ingredients yourself.  So much salsa goodness to be discovered!  I will likely be making salsa for every party I attend from now on ...  Cheap and easy!

Vegan Restaurant Style Salsa!

Ingredients:

• 4 tomatoes, quartered, divided 
• 1 large white onion, quartered
• 2 packed cups fresh cilantro (or more or less to taste)
• 2 jalapeño peppers, seeded
• 3 cloves fresh garlic
• juice of 1 lime
• sea salt to taste
• crushed black pepper to taste 

Preparation Instructions:

1.  Put 2 tomatoes (8 quarters), onion, cilantro, jalapeño peppers, garlic, lime, salt, and pepper into the blender (VitaMix!).  Blend briefly on low, leaving it a little chunky.

2.  Add remaining tomato quarters and blend very briefly so salsa remains chunky. 

3.  Add salt and pepper to taste.

4.  Serve with your favorite chips and enjoy!!!

Last up is tonight's dinner.  I made Tomato Basil Quinoa Salad from a recipe I adapted from The Diva Dish website.  I know, I know ... I am a little obsessed with quinoa lately.  It is just that good!  This diva dish did not disappoint.  Lots of yummy flavors melded into one fantastic salad.  The beans add some nice extra protein, which is always a good thing.  Loving all things quinoa.  

Vegan Tomato Basil Quinoa Salad

Ingredients:

• 3 cups prepared quinoa (1 cup dry)
• 3-4 large tomatoes, diced
• 3 cups spinach, tightly packed
• 2 cups basil leaves, tightly packed
• 1 can organic navy beans, drained and rinsed
• 8 cloves fresh garlic, divided
• 4 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 2 tablespoons cold pressed extra virgin olive oil
• zest of one small lemon
• sea salt to taste
• crushed black pepper to taste

Preparation Instructions:

1.  Put basil and 5 cloves of garlic in food processor or VitaMix and blend until it is chopped.  Transfer to large bowl (that you will use to make the salad).

2.  Put spinach in food processor or VitaMix and blend until chopped.  Transfer to large bowl for salad.

3.  Add quinoa, navy beans, and tomatoes to bowl with greens.

4.  Put balsamic vinegar, olive oil, lemon zest, and 3 cloves of garlic in blender (VitaMix!) and blend.  You can whisk these together in a small bowl instead if you prefer.  Just put the garlic through a garlic press (or mince finely) first.  

5.  Add dressing to large salad bowl and toss to coat all of the quinoa and veggies well.

6.  Garnish with basil leaves if you want.  Leave in fridge until ready to eat.  Serve and enjoy!!! 

So that is it for tonight, Gnawers!  So much cooking going on and it is only Monday!  The blog is continuing to grow and the messages I get from you guys give me strength beyond measure to keep going. You inspire me every single day and I cannot say thank you enough.  THANK YOU!  Let's keep this journey going and the number of us getting healthy growing.  There is strength in numbers!  Until next time, dear Gnawers ... take good care of you ...