Vita Mix, how did I live without you for so long???

Hey hey hey!!!

How are ya? Can you believe tomorrow’s Friday?!? I can’t either.. but I will happily embrace the weekend 😀

Someone is still a little tuckered out from our trip:

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(I thought it was so cute that she matches the crocheted blanket)

I started out the day with a homemade continental b-fast

2 pieces of Ezekiel bread (1 topped with Polaner, the other topped with 2 egg whites), cantaloupe and blueberries

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With a giant cuppa Joe, it was a fabulous breakfast

I did some stuff around the casa, including sorting through 3.5 weeks of mail and ran to school to drop off some paperwork.

For snack, I had a Christmas-flavored (aka Gingersnap Larabar)

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I took the puppers on their 2 mile walk, then came home to play with the Vita Mix!!

I seriously can’t believe that I didn’t get one of these sooner. It is OUTTA CONTROL—you can make anything! Appetizers, soups, fondues, juices, milks, smoothies, ICE CREAM, dough, the list goes on and on..and on

I studied the cookbook that came with the Vita Mix last night and after getting a feel for the settings (there’s variable speed in which you can increase and decrease the speed depending on what you’re making, and high speed in which I’m pretty sure you could put an umbrella in the blender and make umbrella butter).  I came up with this concoction:

Orange-less OJ

-2 organic carrots

-1 small banana

-1/2 cup cantaloupe

-1 cup almond milk

-1/3 cup water

-1 packet Stevia

-1/2 cup ice

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On variable speed, turn the power to on and increase the speed level from 1-10 and blend for 1 minute.

Voila:

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It made two pina colada glasses full of this sweet and surprisingly filling creation. It tasted so light and I loved the fact that I was eating two giant carrots!

I hit up the gym with my friend Jeni and did some cardio and weights:

Elliptical 30 minutes, Hill 2 program
Chest press 20 lbs, 3 sets of 12
Shoulder press 20 lbs, 3 sets of 12
Compound row 50 lbs, 3 sets of 12
Seated row 60 lbs, 3 sets of 10
Triceps Extension 50 lbs, 3 sets of 12
Stability ball back extension Body weight, 3 sets of 12
Hammer curls 10 lbs each, 3 sets of 12
Lateral raises 5 lbs each, 3 sets of 12
Total time: 1 hr 15 min  

When I got home, it was lunchtime so I was stoked to use the Vita-Mix again

Raw Chickpea Marinara

-1/2 package of sundried tomatoes

-1/3 cup chickpeas (you can use soaked dry chickpeas or the ones a la can)

-1/3 cup water

-juice of 1/2 lemon

-dried basil and oregano

-sprinkle of garlic powder

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On variable speed, turn the power on and increase speed from 1-4. Stop after 30 seconds and scrape the sides down and continue blending. Add more water if needed.

I shaved a yellow squash with a veggie peeler as my “noodles” and topped with the sauce:

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It was delicious!! I seriously think it’s love at first sight with the Vita Mix. The pilot seriously needs to stop going away.. I’ve fallen in love with a high school vampire and a kitchen appliance since he left.

When I was finished with the amazing “pasta”, I was craving something starchy (and didn’t want bread), so I opened my first package of polenta. I used 1/3 of the roll and cut it up and zapped it in the microwave for 90 seconds.

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I topped it with sea salt and pepper, and it was pretty good, but I got the feeling that I wanted it to taste sweeter. Does anyone have an amazing polenta recipe they’d like to hook me up with? I still have 2/3 of a roll left to use 😀

After snack, I went to an hour yoga class. I really enjoyed it but I’m thinking no matter what, I’ll always be more of a pilates kinda girl.

After yoga, I met up with Jeni and Jamie at Baberitos for dinner. I forgot my camera (!) but I’ve had this meal a few times before: salad with tofu, guac, black beans, mushrooms, cucumber, jalapenos, pico, salsa and olives. It was muy bueno.

Now I’m watching Grey’s, having trouble getting into it (this season just isn’t doing it for me), sipping some green tea and stoked for Friiiiiiiday!

Tomorrow I’m training a friend, starting my first day at a new job (ack!), walking the puppies on base, going for a run, then dinner with the girls 😀

Hope you all have a wonderful night!

Much love,

G$

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41 Comments

  1. Bridget on January 8, 2009 at 10:35 pm

    Your Vita Mix creations look awesome! Good luck at your new job!

  2. Danielle on January 8, 2009 at 10:47 pm

    Looks like your putting that vitamix to good use. I’m so jealous! But can’t wait to see what else you make with it!

  3. HangryPants on January 8, 2009 at 10:58 pm

    Is it the illusions of dead Denny that is turning you off?

    Love that marinara by the way. Such a great idea!

  4. Aimee on January 8, 2009 at 11:05 pm

    I love that picture of Bella. She looks so sweet!

  5. Melissa on January 8, 2009 at 11:07 pm

    The Vita Mix looks awesome!! Glad you like it so much!!

  6. Heather McD (Heather Eats Almond Butter) on January 8, 2009 at 11:12 pm

    Oh, sweet Bella – too cute. Ha- I'm in love with Edward & my Vita-Mix as well! So glad you are livin it up, Vita-Mix style. That thing is amazing. Good luck with your new job. Is it a personal training job? Enjoy dinner with the girls, and I hope you have a fabulous weekend!

  7. Laura on January 8, 2009 at 11:12 pm

    I’m glad you love the vita-mix! They make me think of the blenders we had at Starbucks. We were always inventing new drink concoctions. I would have so much fun if I had one at home!

    Good luck with the new job!

  8. Erin of Care to Eat on January 8, 2009 at 11:17 pm

    It’s amazing! I need one. You are so gonna be a high raw vegan who eats shrimp one day!
    a la can…you kill me girl.
    Remember how RhodeyGirl did the polenta BSI? Maybe there were some good recipes there!

  9. Kate on January 8, 2009 at 11:28 pm

    I hate to say it but I think I’m giving up on Grey’s (GASP). But I agree! The story is lame this year! I would LOVE a vitamix, but I can’t afford one:(

  10. elise on January 8, 2009 at 11:44 pm

    chickpea marinara!!!!! omg, this is going to take my obsession with hummus to a WHOLE NEW level. a vitamix might be in my near future!?

    hungryhungryhippie.com

  11. ashley (sweetandnatural) on January 8, 2009 at 11:56 pm

    I’m loving Bella’s pose in the first picture. She looks so elongated!

  12. Marianne on January 8, 2009 at 11:58 pm

    I’m getting a little jealous seeing all this Vita-Mix deliciousness around the bloggosphere. I know I can’t justify dropping that kind of cash on a blender when I still have a working Magic Buller and my immersion blender. Enjoy it!

    And good luck at the new job!

    PS – thanks for stopping by and mentioning you saw my blog featured in the newsletter. I was pretty excited when I saw that this morning!

  13. fitnessnyc on January 9, 2009 at 12:03 am

    OMG I just got my vitamix in the mail and I can hardly breathe I am so excited. Thanks for the great ideas!

  14. just me on January 9, 2009 at 12:06 am

    omg your creations with that vita mix are amazing!! i need to get me one of those pronto!!

  15. Megan on January 9, 2009 at 12:07 am

    ohhh that chickpea marinara, thank you so much for that! i’m always looking for a good savory raw recipe. yum.

    isnt it so sad about grey’s? i’m going to stick with it and hope it gets better…. boo.

    p.s. question! i need to get a new HR monitor. i’m going to start training for a marathon (eek!) and i’m CLUELESS when it comes to them. i really want one that tracks my burnt calories as well, and money isnt really an issue. any preferences? i thought you’d be the perfect person to ask! the people at Dick’s were clueless.

  16. eatingbender on January 9, 2009 at 1:33 am

    You make me smile :oD Falling in love with a vampire and a blender is easy to do when they are both so delicious, no? Haha!

    Your Vita-Mix creations are AMAZING! I’m definitely going to have to try that carrot smoothie. I would love to eat veggies that taste SWEET. And the marinara…yum!

    I bought a polenta roll the other day, too! I’ll be checking back here for recipes.

    Good luck with your new job!

  17. An Apple a Day on January 9, 2009 at 2:04 am

    Hi Gina,

    I have never posted, but have been reading for a while. I have a question about your b-fast cookies:
    Do you eat them with a spoon? The reason I ask is because I used your recipe and though it tasted awesome, it was sticky…did I do something wrong?
    Thanks!

  18. Bobbi on January 9, 2009 at 2:36 am

    ooo how yummy! Your doggy is soooo cute. I miss yoga, I so need to do it soon:)

  19. Sarah (lovINmytummy) on January 9, 2009 at 3:09 am

    I don’t know what looks the best, your larabar, your oj or your marinara!

    Your poor tired puppy =)

    It does feel a little wrong to love a high schooler, huh?

    Oh Grey’s…my time is limited so the better pick it up quick! I do love Denny though, if only he weren’t dead…

  20. Lara on January 9, 2009 at 6:04 am

    I’ve gotta get on the VitaMix train!! Yes, I agree about Grey’s…just not that into it this season 🙁

  21. Amy L on January 9, 2009 at 7:41 am

    HI! I just found your blog and it is AMAZING!
    I love how you always plate your healthy food up so beautifully. And how you show that you can eat yummy food while being healthy. I am currently in the process of losing ALOT of weight and your blog will be a favorite stop from now on.
    Plus I live in GA! 🙂
    Take care.

  22. Amira on January 9, 2009 at 9:07 am

    awww cutest puppy!!
    I wanna vita-mix, look at all the incredibly stuff you’ve made!

  23. Denise on January 9, 2009 at 9:15 am

    I love polenta. I even started making it from scratch, rather than using the roll.

    I use it as a “crust” in baking dish and usually make a taco type casserole. (layer refried beans, ground turkey/chicken meat, onions, tomatoes, etc).

  24. Rose on January 9, 2009 at 11:17 am

    Love the blender transformation pics!! I got my Vita Mix this week, and I’ve been scared to try it – I feel like I’m going to break it or something! I’ve also been studying the cookbook like mad.

  25. Missy on January 9, 2009 at 12:08 pm

    Cute little dog!! Vitamix looks awesome! Good luck at the new job? Where will it be?

    http://www.missymaintains.blogspot.com

  26. sweetandfit on January 9, 2009 at 12:17 pm

    your raw-chick pea marinara looks incredible! you should make some chicken-broth pesto with the viamix…its sooo good

  27. lauren on January 9, 2009 at 12:22 pm

    ohh – the juice and marinara look great! will have to try them!

  28. Megan (valdizzle:)) on January 9, 2009 at 12:38 pm

    Hey Gina!! Good morning! I love the pic of little Bella, such a sweet girl:)
    I’m soooo excited for you and your Vita-mix!! I see some pretty delicious dinners in our future:)
    What are your plans this weekend??
    Talk to you soon, have a great day!!
    Love, Megan

  29. flaxmonkey on January 9, 2009 at 12:52 pm

    I’ve had my eye on a Vita Mix for quite some time now and you just sealed the deal for me. Your smoothie looked delicious!

    Good luck with your new job!

  30. Kim on January 9, 2009 at 1:40 pm

    I’m so jealous of your Vita Mix! Your creations turned out looking great!!

    As much as I enjoy yoga I’m definitely more of a pilates girl too.

  31. petitfoodie on January 9, 2009 at 2:08 pm

    I want a vitamix so much! it looks so wonderful!! maybe for my bday! until then i’ll be dreaming of your OJ

  32. lighterportions on January 9, 2009 at 2:56 pm

    Those are quite the awesome Vitamix creations you’ve got going on there. That juice looks amaaazing and chickpea marinara got my attention right away. I really want to get a Vitamix now!

  33. Andrea (Off Her Cork) on January 9, 2009 at 4:50 pm

    Good luck and have fun at the new job! 😀 Love the marinara sauce, looks amazing!

  34. strongandhealthy on January 9, 2009 at 5:48 pm

    Great OJ minus the OJ! Cute Bella pic!

  35. Rachel on January 9, 2009 at 6:14 pm

    I’m totally jealous of your Vita-Mix…the Orange-less OJ looks fabulous!

    And I said two years ago that I was going to stop watching Grey’s because it annoys me. But it’s like a car wreck, you can’t help but stare at it!!

  36. Victoria on January 9, 2009 at 6:34 pm

    I have blender envy.

  37. Juliet on January 9, 2009 at 6:38 pm

    Your smoothie looks great. I have a VitaMix on the way. Now I’m even more excited. 🙂

  38. ksgoodeats on January 9, 2009 at 7:23 pm

    Oh my gosh – so many good eats Gina! Love your continental breakfast and umbrella butter?! I bet it would taste great too 😉

    I can’t wait to see what you do with the polenta because I’ve had a roll in my cabinet just waiting to be used.

  39. nibblesandwiggles on January 9, 2009 at 8:58 pm

    My favorite way to have polenta is:
    cube it and fry it with 1t oil and onions (like you are making homefries).
    Top with poached or “fried” eggs.
    YUM!

  40. Katy on January 9, 2009 at 11:58 pm

    So jealous over the Vita Mix … harumph. 🙂

    As for the polenta, I usually make mine from scratch from cornmeal, and bake it. It gets a great texture, and I made a balsamic vinegar reduction, drizzle it over with fresh tomatoes, basil and kosher salt.

  41. Jen (Running with Food) on January 10, 2009 at 10:10 am

    Great Vita-Mix concoction! YUM!!

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