Last night I got to be a kid again…
Chalk and I go way back.
Did I mention that when I was a kid I used to ‘play school’ a lot? I would pretend I was a teacher and I had a whole room full of ‘students’ which were all of my stuffed bears, of course. Sometimes, I managed to con OSGMOM or my sister Kristi into participating for a bit or a friend that was over. I used to make up attendance lists and everything. :lol: I remember calling out everyone’s names on the very long list and say things like, ‘James? JAMES?! James isn’t here today I guess.’ [heavy sigh].
Eric and I started gathering some items for the Oakville Organic Farmer’s Market that begins very SOON. Orientation is this Saturday and the market begins the following Saturday on June 19th!
We went for the cheapest canopy tent we could find- on sale for $69 at XS Cargo a couple months ago.
The jury is still out as to whether it will keep out the rain. We are going to test it this weekend…fingers crossed that it does…
I bought two chalkboards that I will hang from each side of the tent. I am going to list the Glo Bar flavours and prices on the boards. If this isn’t home-made, I don’t know what is!
The jury is still out as to whether our $69 tent will hold up two chalkboards. Minor details! We also need to make cement pails to tie the tent to (it’s a safety requirement).
Then I got dizzy from chalk fumes because I had to erase and start over so many times. I certainly have lost my touch!
Speaking of dizzy…this placemat never fails to make me feel like I spent all night at a club or an amusement park.
See any resemblance?
I used to love the Gravitron!
:pinch:
This angle is a bit easier on the eyes…
I really wanted to show you something new for breakfast because you are probably sick to death of looking at Banana Soft Serve Vegan Overnight Oats, but I could not bring myself to make anything else.
Don’t even mention the word Green Monster…I will shed a tear. My Kitchenaid blender is in a very sad place where blenders go to die. The body still remains in my kitchen, but the spirit has left. (I hear that Vitamix blenders are never found in the blender graveyard.)
Speaking of Energizer Bunny Blenders, check out the top 5 blenders according to a Consumer Report’s test of over 80 different blenders:
1) Vita-Mix: for $499 from Pleasant Hill Grain.
2) Oster BCBG08: for $39.99 from Bed Bath and Beyond.
3) Breville 800BLXL: for $277.91 from Amazon.
4) L’Equip 306500: for $163.13 from Amazon.
5) Blendtec Total Blender: for $399.99 from Amazon.
[Of course, Consumer Reports wants your cash forked over before they will let you see the entire study in their June 2010 issue…I just may have to buy it!]
I thought it was very interesting that Vita-Mix came out on top while Blendtec was 5th. I have been debating between the two for a while. I also loved that the second best blender was the $40 Oster! Anyone have this one?
Back to breakfast.
I had my parfait with raw cacao nibs sprinkled on top:
Some of you have been asking me about the raw nibs. Raw cacao nibs are very nutritious- they have more antioxidants than blueberries, red wine, and green tea, and they are rich in many vitamins and minerals such as zinc, magnesium, and beta-carotene. The nibs are also high in fibre with about 9 grams per 28 gram serving.
Be warned though, raw cacao nibs are very bitter (now I know why chocolate has so much sugar added to it!) and are best enjoyed along with something very sweet (like banana soft serve). They are very crunchy and add a wonderful texture to other sweet foods.
Giveaway Alert:
- Check out this fun giveaway over at Eating Journey for a chance to win GLO Bars, the Operation Beautiful Book, and gorgeous cards!
I realized I promised you a post about tri talk, however that clearly did not happen. It is coming. I am still processing a few thoughts in my mind… :whistle:
Enjoy your day!
Thanks so much for the info on the blenders. I have been debating which type to buy, and this really helps out! By the way… LOVE the chalkboard. I have one in my kitchen that I love drawing on!
I just won a Vita-Mix and I adore it!! We tested it out with a green smoothie and it was so fast! Very powerful and did a great job pureeing my frozen banana & blueberries. I had a KitchenAid but it never seemed to get the spinach blended fine enough or fail to leave chunks of ice. The VM is a vast improvement for smoothie-making!
Thanks for the shout out. What’s interesting is that a 30.00 blender is better than hundred dollar ones…interesting.
You might try looking for a used Vitamix on ebay. I have a really cool stainless steel model from the early 1990s that still works like a charm that I got from ebay. It’s also so attractive, it looks great with my kitschy kitchen!! “Crazy Dish Lady” needs a really retro, cool looking blender that rocks.
haha i loved the gravitron too! I remember always trying to sit up crossed legged, it was the “cool” thing to try to do.
ps. its my birthday today, woo!
foodforhealing.ca
I heard a rumour that Costco has the Vita-Mix at the lowest price around. I haven’t gone to look for it yet because I’m afraid that if I find it I’m going to buy it…
My blender is broken, too, due to a hot soup incident that resulted in my boyfriend chopping up the lid and wearing half the soup. I use the Magic Bullet for green monsters and smoothies.
I have seen the Vita at my Costco, It was $399. It’s n ot there all the time though. A guy comes in and sets up a demo table and its only available when he’s there. At least at mine.
You deserve a vitamix!! you’re the reason many bloggers started to make green monsters! you’re the green monster queens and all queens have a vitamix!!
Haha I totally played school all the time when I was younger too. I even made up assiggnments when my friends came over for them to do so I could grade them.
I have an Oster blender. I have no clue what model or how old it is. I got it when my grandma passed away. I am guessing it is pushing at least 10 years. It is still rocking. But I agree with Nicole you deserve a vitamix!
I used to play school too! My poor sister was the student and I even made her do homework..in the summer! She must have hated it that her bossy big sis forced her to do book reports when everyone else was out riding bikes and running through the sprinklers. Haha! I should probably take her out to lunch soon to make up for it :)
I need a new blender too. Mine takes a million tries to blend frozen fruit…ugh!
I have an Oster blender. I don’t know what model it is off-hand, but my cousin bought it for me two years ago. It’s big and loud but works really well. It’s not Vita-Mix, clearly, but still good!
setting up at the farmers market will be so much fun!!!
we love 3D chalk at my house! :)
Wow, I am impressed that the $40 Oster blender came in second! Of course, the Vita-Mix still came in first. One day, it will be mine. One day!!!
I have an oster! I LOOOVE IT! We’ve done so many hellish things to that blender, and it refuses to die. I think we’ve had it for atleast 5-6 years? We got a new one for when I finally move out of my parents.. It only cost 30$ on sale at Target. Blends ice without any water no problemo, and comes with a food processor that rocks my socks too.
It is a bit loud, but it does it’s job and it’ll last you forever… or atleast until you save for that vitamix you want. :P
I can’t even hear the words Vita Mix without crying. I soooo want one.
Hey Ange –
I love your graphs — seriously! I’m getting ready to make these oats after seeing them soooo many times!!
I tried the banana soft serve for the first time yesterday and now I’m wondering what took me so long! it was SO GOOD!
Angela:
I am temporarily playing the role of my husband in this comment. He hates it that I am very conservative with spending freebie ($$$ that it’s OK to spend) money (and I mean conservative – my wardrobe is an example of how not to shop – I usually only by stuff if it’s on sale, that I don’t even really love, wear it once or twice and then it hangs out (no pun intended) in my closet for the next year. Don’t get me wrong, he loves that I am a saver (and he’s one too), but I am waaaay at the other end of the spectrum where I probably end up losing money b/c I won’t buy one or two good quality items.
You are a successful business lady running a growing company – a Vita-mix will be an investment (is there anyway you can claim it on your taxes?) and you will use it a lot. I use mine every day for green monsters and (currently experimenting with) juices (though I love your juicer!) and it’s been worth it just to see my husband downing something gross looking in the morning and saying how good it tastes and how much energy he has!
However I was just as nervous buying mine and did heaps of research like you before purchasing. Are there other bloggers like yourself who have bought it and been satisfied?
Good luck with the first farm stand – I bet it will attract a lot of interest!
I agree 100%. Just as good business clothes are a necessary investment for the corporate world, so is good kitchen equipment for the baking/experimental vegan cooking business. A good/well-fitted suit lasts me at least 3 years (if I treat it well), and I think a blender should last as long!
That said, I have to say your blender-drama over the last couple years, has lead to some pretty amusing posts.
I agree ladies! Definitely all valid points. I think I just need to suck it up and make the plunge…
Just want to second (third?) these ladies. I agree completely. When I first heard about the cost of the VM I was aghast. But when my year-old Oster couldn’t handle daily smoothies/ took 5 minutes to make a chunky smoothie, I couldn’t get the Vita out of my head. Well, I got it for Christmas and I have truly not thought twice about the money we put into it. And I am an insanely frugal/ cheap person! I promise you will not regret it. :) Plus I’m sure if you’re using it for your business there’s bound to be a way to claim it/ part of it on your taxes.
Hope you’re having a great day, Ange!
I agree! But at the same time – it’s good to hear that I’m not the only one who goes “eesh” at the price. Sometimes when I see stuff made with a ‘normal’ blender I feel it’s more attainable for me to actually try out.
Don’t you just love XS cargo? I swear, we buy everything there, haha! My mom has an Oster blender that is AWESOME. I sort of want to upgrade my $10 Magic Bullet so I can make more voluminous smoothies, I will have to consider that Oster!
OH, so cute! I think you will do great! Good luck with it. :)
i have an oster blender that i “inherited” when my boyfriend moved in with me (he never uses his blender anymore, so it is allllllll mine). i am amazed at how awesome it is, for such an inexpensive appliance (i’ve had other blenders that i paid similar prices to that have totally sucked)
love your chalkboard sign!