I’m back! And I’m linking up with Sara from Lake Shore Runner for her Tried it Tuesday!
Don’t forget to vote for me here for the Cover of RW! #StillGoingOn…
Hokay. I have some exciting news to share. I have a baby. And by baby I mean a Vitamix. We are absolutely, 100%, head over heels in love. She is beautiful, shiny, and new. Her name is Bertha because she chops, dices, minces, blends, and purees EVERYTHING. #Beast
I really struggled with what type of blender to buy. I appreciate all of your suggestions and feedback, but since I’m the most indecisive person ever, it has taken me roughly a month to take the plunge. It came down to 1. Does this blender do EVERYTHING I want? and 2. Will this blender need to be replaced in a year? As any type-A person would do, I spent weeks, yep… plural, researching the pros and cons of pretty much every blender sold.
Although overly expensive, I took the plunge and bought the Vitamix. There are so many great options out on the market, but for someone with a small kitchen, and zero time to deal with replacing kitchen appliances, I caved and spent the money on Bertha. I also now have no excuse to pay for said acai bowls and smoothies. I can just make them at home! Also it self-cleans. So that’s a plus.
I bought my Vitamix on Saturday and since then I have made: 2 batches of the most delicious date balls (vegan and paleo), asparagus lemon fettuccine, and an obligatory acai bowl. Because let’s be real, that’s why I bought it.
I am super excited to start experimenting with smoothies at home. My new kick (and really overpriced, expensive habit) has been getting smoothies with espresso or cold brew coffee in them.
Since the date balls were an absolute hit (read: completely polished off within 3 hours of making)… Here’s the recipe I used to make the most delicious date balls on the planet… super simple, super healthy, and a fantastic source of fuel pre or post workout.
- 2 cups walnuts, or other nut/seed of choice
- 1 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
- 2 cups soft Medjool dates, pitted
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
1. Blend the walnuts and coconut until crumbly. Add in the dates, coconut oil, vanilla and sea salt and blend again until a sticky, uniform batter is formed.
2. Scoop the dough by heaping tablespoons, then roll between your hands to form balls. Arrange them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper (I used tin foil), then place in the freezer to set for at least an hour before serving. Store the balls in a sealed container in the fridge for up to a week, or in the freezer for an even longer shelf life. (I prefer them frozen, myself!)
3. I also rolled some of them in cocoa powder before putting in the freezer – gave them a more chocolatey taste… I also plan on rolling some in shredded coconut or PB2 in the future!
This question makes me feel quite old but, what’s your favorite kitchen appliance?
Congrats on the Vitamix–great purchase and will totally pay off in the long run!! Always (mostly) better to buy quality 🙂 Cute red color too!
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Red was totally unexpected/unintentional. Probably wouldn’t of bought a color but now I’m loving it! Very happy surprise! : )
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I kind of really want to try a vitamix but I’ll have to at least wait until my kitchen aid blender dies, which might be a while! I think my kitchen aid food processor is my favorite kitchen gadget since It’s allowed me to make lots of paleo friendly baked goods and it’s also super easy to shred veggies. I don’t use it every day but without it I wouldn’t have been able to create so many of my recipes!
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I had no idea what I was missing. I’m going recipe crazy now that I have something that blends, minces, dices, etc!
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I have the exact same one – the red one!! I got it about two years ago. It was THE BEST appliance I’ve ever purchased. A lot of people balk at spending that kind of money on a “blender”…but it’s sooo much more than that! You hit the nail on the head – you have zero time to replace kitchen appliances. I had two expensive blenders ($100+) that broke within a year of purchasing each one. It’s BS! I am obsessed with my Vitamix! I make a very similar date ball, and I am paleo – I like to add Enjoy Life Mini Chocolate Chips for my chocolate fix!
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Consider chocolate chips added to the next batch! Hope you have a great day!!
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I got a Vitamix for Christmas but unfortunately couldn’t bring it back on the plane with me so it’s still just chillin at my parents house. I’m driving up to visit my family and will finally get to bring it back with me in a month! I can’t wait to make all kinds of fun recipes with it.
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It’s crazy – I’m totally obsessed. I’ve been blending more than I ever have haha. It’s definitely my favorite adult toy (that sounds bad, but you know what I mean!) Haha.
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I very much considered adding a Vitamix to my wedding registry but we already had a blender, and I’m not a big enough smoothie/puree person to need one. Also, is it weird that I don’t like to clean appliances? I think it comes from not having a dishwasher for several years. Appliances that need cleaning scare me lol.
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Haha I know… the fact that this one self cleans though is huge! Makes it a breeze to blend a bazillion different things!
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My husband’s been trying to convince me to take the plunge on a vitamix, and he’s starting to make sense. I may just have to give in!
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Do it! I promise you won’t regret it. 72 hour in and I’m in LOVE! Haha
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I feel like I need to get this just because I’m unwilling to buy/use a food processor 😉 there really is nothing like a Vitamix
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There really isn’t… I didn’t want to buy multiple appliances and save like $100 and eat up a ton of cabinet space so Vitamix for the win! Highly encourage : )
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So glad you went with the Vitamix and are happy with it! Its definitely my favorite kitchen appliance!
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I can’t wait to have a house and a big kitchen so I can get a real blender! Right now in my tiny apartment all I have space for is a magic bullet (which works fine, but isn’t very powerful). I don’t own many appliances, but I love my George Foreman and my Keurig!! Can’t live without em:)
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I hear ya… I just stack things on counters and on top of the fridge… Haha. Happy Tuesday!
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Just voted for you for the cover shot! Loved the photo girly! I have never tried a Vitamax before, but I have it’s little sister the Magic Bullet, and I love it! I have heard nothing compares to the power of a Vitamin before.
My favorite kitchen appliance is the banana smasher! I have no idea what it’s actually called, but it makes baking banana bread so much easier and quicker!
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Thank you!! 🙂 omg banana bread is one of my favorites. I think I need to investigate this !!!
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Blenders in general are just the best, but Vitamix is on a whole other level! Even though it is an expensive purchase it will last you a lifetime. I also love date balls! I love adding cacao powder for the health benefits and chocolate flavor!
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oh gosh, the vitamix is on my wish list for life 🙂
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Have you tried the coffee concentrate from trader joe’s? I love putting it in my smoothies. I actually have a recipe on my blog using it!
P.S. Now you have me wanting a Vitamax
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No I haven’t! I need to try!! I’ve also been contemplating adding a few coffee beans (raw) in just for the texture. Have you ever tried that?
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Self cleans??? That’s fantastic! I’m going to be super lame here and say my fav appliance is my oven. Bake all the thingssss!
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I’m the same way about house hold purchase that I know will cost a lot. Research it like crazy.!
Bertha looks very fancy and pretty 🙂
My go-to post workout snack is always a banana. So simple and easy to grab. Or if I want to go all crazy than I’ll do chocolate milk. lol
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I Like the red color for sure! I’m going to be super lame because my favorite kitchen appliance is my fridge. Its huge and has a bottom pull out drawer for produce that I fill to the brim!
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Not lame at all!! Nothing like a perfectly organized, spacious fridge 🙂
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I totally spent weeks researching the right blender to get…and then I got a food processor instead because I already have a personal blender =P I also could not afford a Vitamix at that time. Someday…
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I read two important things in this post: 1) self cleans. 2) you spent weeks researching. I love this. I am borderline crazy about researching products I may buy. I like when other people share this trait, makes me feel less obsessive. Glad you love your purchase! The research pays off!
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Ohhhh!!!! I’m so jealous (I’m a totally friendly, good way!) of your vitamix. I have a really really old blender that I am waiting to bite the dust to I can justify a fancy new one like yours 🙂
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It was the best purchase. Totally worth no froyo for the foreseeable future : )
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i used to rationalize spending a lot of money on snowboarding gear, when i lived in Colorado or upstate and was boarding a lot. not so much these days! sneakers i’ll def splurge on, to get the exact pair i want…otherwise, i’m pretty frugal, i’d say!
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I need to learn your ways! I’m so bad… Especially with Lulu lemon. I have no self control… : (
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Haha I find it so amusing you named your blender Bertha. I have a vitamix too but we rarely use her! I don’t have a name for her yet. Any suggestions?
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