VITA-MIX 5200

Oh yes, it will be mine.

Oh yes, it will be mine.

Oh yes, it will be mine!!!!

A long-time resident of my manifestation board, the day finally came! I am now the owner of a super duper Vita-Mix 5200, including a wet blade and dry blade container, which basically unclips my wings and allows me to soar to all new whole-food heights in my very own kitchen.

Vita Mix Day — as May 8 shall forever be known as — was a windy Saturday. We set off for St. Catharines braving high gusts on the sky way, but nothing could stop us. We rolled up to Costco and battled crowds of consumerism gone rampant and found the Vita Mix reps in the back with only THREE machines left for purchase. Even though I was a sure thing, we decided to put them through the paces and they blended to our hearts' content.

This thing has steel blades that are no match for any food. It can spin them up to 240 m.p.h. It's got a 2 horse-power motor in there, and it's own cooling system, so you can let that sucker go on high all day long, without damaging the machine. And, they last forever. What an investment!!! (for those dying to know, all this does not come cheap, but if you can get to a Costco, you'll save more than a hundred dollars. My blender was $499 + $99 for the dry blade set, which you can use to grind up your own flours from nuts and grains).

So far, I've been using it faithfully at least once, sometimes twice a day. Of course, I'm very excited to have green smoothies back in my life, and although I loved them unconditionally before, I have to say that with the Vita-Mix, they're just that much more heavenly. So smooth.


We also tried the Guacarita featured earlier on this blog ... to mixed reviews. I think it needs some more fine tuning, whereas G had no problem polishing off both of ours, raving about how "weirdly good" it was between gulps. But my luke-warm reception wasn't the Vita-mix's fault -- it performed its role to perfection, producing a silken cocktail like no other. And in only about 5 seconds.


The numerous recipe books, plus internet support it brought with it also claim you can make soup, from start to finish, right in the blender! Just by spinning it around in there, it heats up to the point of boiling. And in only about 4 minutes. Wow.

And don't even get me started on the ice cream. (That's right! Ice Cream and Hot Soup all from the same magical little machine!!) Tonight I have big plans for some lone strawberries and some left over vanilla yogurt. I can't wait.

Green Smoothie of the Day

Spinach-strawberry-blueberry-goji berry-hemp seed-banana

Health Benefits:

Spinach (two big handfuls or more, baby spinach)

• Excellent source of vitamin K, vitamin A, magnesium, folate, manganese, iron, calcium, vitamin C, vitamin B2, potassium, and vitamin B6. It’s a very good source of protein, phosphorus, vitamin E, zinc, dietary fiber, and copper. Plus, it’s a good source of selenium, niacin, and omega-3 fatty acids
• Loaded with flavonoids which act as antioxidants
• Anti-inflammatory properties
• Slows age-related decline in brain function
• Protects against eye diseases
• Excellent source of iron

Strawberries (two hands-full)

• Source of vitamin C
• Antioxidants
• Excellent source of vitamin K and manganese, as well as folic acid, potassium, riboflavin, vitamin B5, vitamin B6, copper, magnesium, and omega-3 fatty acids

Blueberries (half pint)

• Some of the planets best antioxidants (cancer fighter, heart helper ... antioxidants can help your body with almost everything)
• Helps improve vision

Goji Berry (30 berries)

• For their weight — a daily serving is only 10 to 30 grams — they have more vitamin C than oranges, more beta carotene than carrots and more iron than steak
• Beta carotene helps protect your skin from the sun
• Good source of B vitamins and antioxidants
• Rich in polysaccharides that support your immune system
• They have 18 kinds of amino acids, and are a rich source of potassium
• They taste like little pillows of honey. No joke.

Hemp Seed (1tbsp)

• Second only to soybean in protein content
• Contains all 20 known amino acids including the 9 essential amino acids (EAAs) our bodies cannot produce
• Free of the tryspin inhibitors that block protein absorption
• Free of oligosaccharides found in soy that cause upset-stomach and give you gas
• Lowers cholesterol and blood pressure
• Ladies: helps with menstrual cramps
• Promotes organ health
• Helps in recovery after exercise
• Nutty flavour that goes with everything. Yum.

Banana (x2)

• Rich in vitamin B6 and they are a good source of fiber, vitamin C, magnesium and potassium (lack of B6 in a diet can cause weakness, irritability and insomnia)
• Potassium helps to regulate blood pressure and may reduce the risk of high blood pressure and stroke
• Potassium helps muscles to contract properly during exercise
• Plenty of carbs = good source of energy
• "The good mood food" -- may help to overcome depression!

Add two cups of water, blend, and enjoy.

Spinning Day One

Yesterday was the inaugural "Base Camp" spin course kick-off. In previous years (this is my fourth run) we've started our Sunday mornings at the leisurely hour of 11am. Ride for two hours, stop for pho on the way home, call it a day. (Or make the mad dash to get ski gear all ready and head to Blue for the night, whichever.)

This year, we've changed start time to 7:00am. I think I am actually in favour of the switch, despite first impressions experienced at 6am Sunday morning.

1) While the TTC doesn't run that early on Sunday, there IS free parking on Bloor, right up to 1pm. And no traffic.
2) By the time I actually wake up, spin class is already half over.
3) When you start early, you finish early. Home by 10am, leaving plenty of time for a nap, two lunches and then the traditional 2pm departure for Sunday-Nights-At-Blue.
4) Forces me to behave myself on Saturday nights.
5) Another feather in the cap for green smoothies which are the perfect pre-spin fuel it turns out.

Also, everyone's different but my body is happiest in the morning I think. So my workout went very well. For our first session, we completed 2x8 minute tests* at race pace to log averages and come up with a "basement" and a "ceiling" heart rate for our base miles. We also completed some single leg drills and kept a mostly steady pace for a total of two hours.

Then I got home where my lentil soup was just finishing in the slow cooker, and my kitchen smelled amazing. I had a bowl, caught up with Athena who's eight-months-down-one-month-to-go from the most beautiful physical test of all, and tended to my crops in Farmville. An hour after lunch one, I was ready for lunch two and whipped up some whole wheat pasta to go with the turkey-pesto-meatball sauce I'd made in the slow cooker the day before. Then it was off to Blue Mountain for night skiing.

Who told everyone about Sunday nights?! Snow was mostly great, line-ups were aggravating but with our little posse we had no trouble killing the time. Too bad about the cold wind waiting when you disembark at the top though. brrrr. That's why night-skiers are tougher. Who's in next Sunday?

And so, tired and sore, I start another week. On the menu: book club tonight (only 50 more pages to read before then ... eep)! yoga, training, and of course our next spinning class Thursday night! Still room if you're interested in joining. Contact Mike at RPM, 416-761-9717



*The "industry standard" for testing is the famous [dreaded] 20 minute test. But Lance Armstrong's coach, Chris Carmichael has found that in the early season, when athletes are not yet at their prime (or anywhere close to it), the 2x8 minute test will usually produce the same results as the 20 minute version, without straining capillaries, muscles and tendons that aren't ready yet.

Breakfast of Champions!

Just sitting here waiting for trails to dry (where is the summer?!) enjoying a green smoothie. Can't say enough about these tasty drinks. Packed full of the nutrients we all need, they are nutritious and delicious. Plus, they're easy to make and quick to clean up. I have one every morning and it means as much to me as a regular cup of coffee does to the average Joe. Except I don't get the jitters and instead start my days clear-eyed and energized.

The fact is, most of us aren't getting the greens we need. The best nutrition advice you can give is "eat more fruits and vegetables more often". And green smoothies make following that advice soooo much easier. No need to get any more detailed than that here, so with that, I leave you with the first green smoothie I ever tried (the "gateway smoothie" ...)

Give it a whirl! All you need is a blender and a glass.

Strawberry - Banana - Romaine

7 leaves of romaine (or the greens of your choice! Experiment!)
2 Bananas
1 cup of fresh Ontario strawberries
2 cups of water