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I’m loving my Vitamix. It’s truly an incredible machine. One of my favorite things to make with it is a smoothie, and more specifically I’m really enjoying tricking myself into eating more vegetables by making green smoothies.
My green smoothies probably aren’t like a lot of green smoothies that you’ve seen- mostly because there not quite as green! I’ve just taken the first step by adding in some greens to my current base smoothie recipe for the PB Monster smoothie.
Here’s what I do-
I get all my ingredients together (and never mind my husband’s non-dairy coffee creamer in the background!):
Approx 1/2 cup Coconut Milk- here I’m using So Delicious’s Unsweetened coconut milk, you can use any can of dairy/dairy alternative, but for me I use unsweetened coconut milk. So Delicious has this great new product with the same consistency of regular cow’s milk. I also sometimes use coconut milk from the can, Thai Kitchen is my personal fave when I use the can, and you can find it almost anywhere now in the ethic section of your grocery store.
1 Banana- I just use one banana in my smoothie, as I know it does have more natural sugars in it than something like strawberries or blueberries.
Approx. 2 tablespoons Unsweetened Cocoa Powder- I like to add a little chocolate to my PB Monster smoothie, just to give it that flavor that we all know and love!
Stevia to taste- Stevia is a tricky little thing! Is it bitter? Is it too sweet? Is it not sweet enough? Honestly the answer could be yes to all questions, but you really just have to play with it. I personally like to use the pure 100% stevia extract powder, which has a tiny little micro scoop for the powder, and in this case I used 4 little scoops. You just really have to play with it though. I also use the liquid extract with the dropper, and honestly I am still tweaking my stevia preference. I’m even growing my own! Stay tuned for a future post on Stevia 411!
Approx. 2 tablespoons Peanut Butter- I’m using a peanut butter made with Valencia peanuts and flaxseeds, available at one of my favorite grocery stores- Trader Joes!
Two handfuls of Organic Baby Spinach- I get my baby spinach at Costco- you get a huge container for less than what a typical small bag costs at most grocery stores- plus it’s organic! Awesome!!!
Ice, your preference- I just used a small handful of ice, but you might want to use more or even less, it really depends on the consistency you’re looking for.
I put all of these in my Vita-Mix, in the order that I have listed above, and you will see what looks like an odd combination in your blender!
From here it’s a super quick process, starting on variable 1, quickly turning it up to variable 10, then switching up to high. I use the tamper to get everything smushed down into the blades. After approx. 15-20 seconds it’s done! Pour it in a glass, and tah-dah! Breakfast is served!
As you can see, my smoothie is definitely green, it’s just not that bright neon green that I used to think of when I pictured a green smoothie! At this point baby spinach is my green of choice due to its high nutrient density, and the fact that in smoothies it is practically undetectable! I’m going to also give Romaine and Kale a try in the near future, so stay tuned!
 I’m so excited, because two weeks ago I got something that is truly a life changer- my very own Vitamix! I am now the proud owner of something I have literally been searching for since I was a child!
I can vividly remember always wondering why it was that when we would go to Orange Julius that their blender made things so smooth and creamy, yet when I would try to blend ice at home it would be chunky mess. I think I probably annoyed my Mom more than she remembers on trying to find the ultimate blender. I also vaguely remember my Dad be interested in a high quality blender type of kitchen gadgetry, which now might have very well been the Vitamix come to think of it.
I got the bug a few months ago when my chiropractor mentioned using this piece of equipment for far more than making ice into snow. After doing some research I found this whole Vitamix world that I was totally unaware of. I even started bugging every smoothie/frappe shop I could to find that they are all using the Vitamix. I probably used the Vitamix when I worked for Starbucks (way back in the day, when there was only one in the Middle Tennessee area, in which I worked), and just didn’t realize it.
So far I’ve made the must-have green smoothie (I’ve only used spinach for the green so far), home-made nut butters, apple sauce, ice-cream, frappes, and probably a few other things that fall somewhere in between those categories. I’ve been using it at least once a day, so I know I’m going to get my money’s worth. One of my favorite local smoothie shops that actually uses real fruits, stevia, coconut milk, you know real foods, not powdered junk- anyway, they make a great smoothie, I won’t deny that, but if you buy the largest size ( 24oz. I think) you’re talking almost six bucks! So, unfortunately for them they’ve lost a customer (unless I’m just out and really wanna get crazy!), and great news for me, I am now my own smoothie shop!
Anyway, I had to share my exciting news and warn you, I’m going to be posting some recipes and ideas- hopefully I can help persuade all you “on-the-fencers” out there to take the plunge and get the Vitamix!!!
It’s been over two months now, and I am completely off of Omeprazole. I won’t lie, there’s been more than a few times I have been close to running to the nearest drug store and starting it back up again. However, those thoughts haven’t crossed my mind in a good month or so.
• I still have indigestion, and at times, can be on the severe side.
• I’ve only had one instance of acid coming into my throat since I have quit, which is great, because before I quit it was happening almost every night.
• I still take Tums, usually at least once per day, but luckily I am no longer having all day constant burning going on.
So, what am I taking?
I use a digestive enzyme product called Mega Zymes, which I typically take two of before each meal.
I also take a high quality pro-biotic twice a day, on an empty stomach- usually in the morning when I wake up and before I go to bed.
Bragg’s Apple Cider Vinegar has been a miracle for me as well. I can take a small sip of ACV with a meal, and it keeps me from getting indigestion!
I’m finding that with my issue of indigestion it’s very helpful to me if I eat more natural, real, whole foods. Kick the junk to the curb, and my body just seems to know what to do it better!
It’s been over a month now of being off of omeprazole, and I have to say it’s been one big up and down roller coaster I’ve been going though.
There’s been more than one occasion where I found myself with a package in hand, ready to buy it.
I’ve struggled with the thoughts of maybe staying on it until I lose more weight, but just as I begin to convince myself it’s okay to get back on it I start to realize that it would just be prolonging the getting off of it part that is so very very hard- the stuff I’m going through right now.
The days do seem to be getting better though, and most days I’m not have that constant all- day indigestion that I was having.
Still, I’ve yet to go a full day without taking Tums or Rolaids, and that is where I’m praying that I will end up!
Happy Easter to everyone! Today was a truly beautiful day, and I had a great day with family.
As great as my day was, there was one aspect in which it kind of was difficult- eating at all of these get togethers.
At first I was nervous, as I didn’t want to offend anyone by not eating their food, but I stuck to my guns and I didn’t eat anything that I shouldn’t. Was it easy? No, not completely, but it was a lot easier to turn down the casseroles and desserts when I thought how they would affect my indigestion and health in general.
The easiest way for me to handle these get togethers is to do just what I did today- politely sip on my water and not touch anything unless I know that it’s going to work for me.
You know, I did this today, and wasn’t asked one time why I wasn’t eating anything- it really works!
I think when people can tell you’ve actually lost some weight then they don’t push food on you as much!
Part of my goals in getting healthy is kicking my Omeprazole habit. Many of you know exactly what Omeprazole is, but for those of you who do not, it’s commonly sold as Prilosec.
I want to go back and visit my past for a bit to fully explain why I want so desperately to get off of this pill.
I’ve had indegestion for as long as I can actually remember. While most kids were eating smarties and jolly ranchers, I was secretly popping Rolaids. For a middle school kid (maybe even elementary, who knows!) secretly is the operative word. Taking Rolaids made me feel old, and just frankly embarrassed me, but it was something that I had to do, so I made the best of it.
I was finally prescribed prilosec by a doctor at the local walk-in clinic at least ten years ago. I had an odd feeling where I felt like I needed to swallow to clear my throat, yet somehow no matter how many times I would gulp/swallow my throat still never felt totally clear. The doctor explained to me that the same thing happened to her father, she prescribed him Prilosec and it cleared the lump in his throat right up. I was just looking to get rid of the annoying lump, so I took the prescription paper to the pharmacy and began what is now an addiction that’s oh so hard to break.
I took that prescription for two months, and that annoying lump was gone, but something else really awesome also happened, my heartburn left right along with the lump. After my prescription ran out I went back to my rolaid popping ways, and waited. I waited for years and went through thousands of rolaids.
In 2003, when Prilosec finally went OTC, I started taking them every day. For me I felt that being able to obtain these without the once required prescription was an answered prayer.
I probably went along carefree for quite some time, but eventually I would get break through heartburn, and I would still have to take a rolaid. Worse than that, though, was that before I started The stuff I never got the actual acid coming back up into my throat. It was only after I had been on it that the terribly nasty side effect began.
Most recently, within the past few months, it was becoming a nightly occurance- me waking up choking on acid, having to chew tums and take a spoon full of peanut butter just to get the nasty taste out of my mouth.
So here I am today, going on two weeks now of being off of omeprazole, and I can 100% say this- it’s freakin hard, and it’s so much more than just getting off of a medication. This, I feel, is something that I’ll be going through the waves of emotions with for months to come.
 So, lately I’ve started a new hobby. I’ve been walking around local grocery stores with a piece of paper and a pen, scribbling down prices for various items.
I’m actually shocked that I haven’t been kicked out of the grocery stores yet, but so far so good.
I have compared prices at Kroger, Harris Teeter, Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, Wal-Mart Super Center, Super Target and Costco. I still have a few more in the area to check out, but I have to say I’m really off to a great start.
My goal here is to have a database with price comparisons for staples that I’ll be eating- everything from apples to almond butter.
I’ll leave you with this until next time, you might very well be shocked at the results. Some big name stores have been claiming you’d save a ton by shopping with them, but on some instances these guys were super expensive! Every store has its strong areas, but I am quite surprised by the results I have found.
Stay tuned!
Yep, I’ve been off living my life in the real world, all the while forgetting my little place here on the interwebs.
The thing is though, I’ve kind of came to the realization that it really is time for me to cut the crap and focus on really getting that sparkle back.
I’m excited about living life to my best potential, and investing in myself so that I have a long, healthy and upbeat life.
So, without further ado, here I am at my first drawing day in forever, and (drum roll please), boo-whoooo, no makeupalley for 2 lbs!
I’m getting started on this- it’s all coming to a big bang beginning on Monday, August 10, 2009.
My first step I created in a dream a couple nights ago. I mentioned in a previous post that I like instant gratification, so it really sparked something in me to create my own way to keep myself interested in this, while it will take some time to really see some signifigant loss.
What I have come up with is to wheel and deal with myself.
Here’s my first deal- I love makeup, as you will be sure to find out if you follow me on this journey. Well, I could have told myself that I could buy a new [fill in the blank] when I lose [insert amount] lbs, but that seemed old and overdone to me, plus I’m not trying to spend too much money during this process… at least not at first! So, what does a sparkle gal like myself need in life? Variety- I need lots of variety, and that is why I have boxes of makeup, that most people do not understand the reason behind. Ahhh, are you seeing where I am going here? Gasp if you will, but I just had my husband go through my box of “in rotation” lip products and I asked him to pick out just one. “Are you serious?” he asked. I think he knew where I was headed with this.
So, the deal is this, I only have this one little lipgloss to work with… until I lose two pounds. Pretty good, I think this fits me quite nicely.
You might ask, “Well, what lip gloss did he pick?” I have to tell you he has excellent taste. It’s actually one of my personal favorites- MAC Lustreglass in Flusterose. A nice smooth gloss from MAC- not nearly as sticky as the regular Lipglasses, yet still long lasting- a nice sheer, rosy pink with plenty of sparkle- very fitting indeed.
You might also think this is a little crazy, but I’ve been doing crazy dieting since the last day of my fifth grade year in elementary school, so why not try something different?
I gotta tell you, it was a little surreal for me to dump out my “travel” makeup bag tonight- you know that bag full of goodies that I take with me everywhere. It’s going to be odd not having a bunch of options, but I think it really will make me work harder!
I can’t deny it, I am really getting excited, and I hope you will join me on this journey, and I hope I inspire someone, even if it really is just one person!
Okay, so it dawned on me. Here it is:
If someone offered you a gift, the most incredible gift that you could possibly want- for me let’s say it was a shopping spree at every cosmetics store in Manhattan- you could have this gift, it’s right there for the taking- would you take it? Would you take your ultimate gift?
Yes, of course you would, and you would do it because- one, it’s free- two, it’s awesome- three, and I think this is really the most important, it’s instant satisfaction.
Let’s take a look at weight loss now. Let’s think of it as a gift, the ultimate gift really- health, beauty, for me it’s just really going to make me feel better about myself. The gift is there, for the taking, but some how I keep missing out on it.
Why?
Well, it can’t be because it’s not free, you can do it on your own, you really don’t need anything special to do it.
It can’t be because it’s not awesome- because it really is awesome!
This leaves me to believe that it’s really the lack of instant gratification.
This is what I’m going to have to deal with. I need to realize that it really does take some time to lose the weight- and while it’s quite quick to put it on, it really does take a while to take it off.
I need to care enough about me to receive the ultimate gift…
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