SMOOTHIES…

Recently I purchased a new toy.  

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My new Blendtec high-powered blender.  About 10 years ago I used to enjoy smoothies quite a bit.  I was doing a tough workout and needed to get nutrition that I wasn’t getting through my normal diet.  The biggest problem was it just seemed like I was focusing on when, where, how and what to eat way too much.  I quickly learned by making a smoothie and jamming a bunch of different ingredients into it you can cover a lot of nutritional ground very quickly.  Not to mention the broken down food for easier digestion and the ingredients were raw and better for you.  My friend left a blender at my house that I used on a daily basis and I really enjoyed making my berry smoothie every morning.  That blender finally failed and I never replaced it.

A week ago I was walking through Costco and came across a section with a blender by Blendtec.  Prior I had researched a little and knew that Blendtec and Vitamix are the two that are always talked about when it comes to professional, high power blenders.  The price was right so I picked one up.  When I first got home my wife was a little “unhappy” at the fact that I just purchased a $250 blender.  Actually they retail at $329 so I thought it was a good buy.  Not much different from her justifying her purchases by saying “it was on sale”.  🙂

I have to say WOW!  This thing is a beast.  It will munch up just about anything you put in it… in seconds.  I have even won my wife over with the new Oreo Blizzard knock off I have created.  The thing spins so fast that on the right setting it will heat your mixture into a hot soup.  There are actually some funny videos produced by the Blendtec company called “will it blend…?” on YouTube.  They blend everything from iPhones to rake handles.  Amusing to watch for sure.

There seems to be a rivalry between the Blendtec camp and the Vitamix camp as to which one is better.  It’s similar to the Iphone vs. Android battle.  And much like the phone controversy they are both good just depends on what you want.

If you want to make a quick, nutritious and portable meal, a smoothie is a great way to get it done.  Try one of these new high-powered blenders they are a blast!

My Breakfast Berry Smoothie Recipe:

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1/4 cup frozen mixed berries

1/4 cup milk or almond milk

One large spoon full of greek yogurt

One spoon full of peanut butter

1/8 to 1/4 cup of dry uncooked oatmeal

1 scoop of protein powder

A few ice cubes

 

 

Dollar Shave Club – Initial Impressions

How many times have you needed to shave and you either can’t find a sharp razor or the razor you have is full of hair and it’s not your hair?  Between my three daughters and wife I may get a chance to use my new razor once before it is taken away.  Hey, it’s just the way it is and everyone needs to shave sometime.  The only problem is that razors aren’t cheap.  I feel that when my girls use my high dollar razor blades on their legs it’s wasting money.  Replacement razor blades in the store can cost $15, $30 upwards of $50!!  So looking for a solution to my problem I came across the Dollar Shave Club.

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The Dollar Shave Club is a company that provided razors, handles, and lotions via online order.  You sign up online and establish an account.  You have three choices…the $1/month double blade “the humble”, $6/month Multi blade “4x” and the $9/month mac daddy “executive”.   One small catch is that the $1/month is actually $3/Month because this is the only level that charges delivery.  The other two higher levels are free delivery.  For Blade choices you can follow this link www.dollarshaveclub.com/blades.

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I went for the lowest level of entry thinking that if it wasn’t good enough I could upgrade to a nicer blade.  My package arrived yesterday so I wanted to share my opinion of the first shave with the “humble” razor.

Bottom line…it’s good.  It’s not spectacular but its a solid razor for a really inexpensive price.  Beyond the razor this is what I like about the program.  I no longer have to remember to get razors.  I no longer have to worry if the store has the correct kind of blade for my handle.  I won’t get upset when others use my blades…there are more coming next month.  AND…the shave is pretty good.  Keep in mind this is the entry-level so I didn’t expect the shave to be the best but it’s actually better than I expected.  In the kit I received a cool box, a razor handle, five razor blades and some shaving “butter”.  Not crazy about the shaving butter but its ok.  I prefer the old-fashioned shaving cream.

So, initial results…thumbs up.  I will check back and update to let you know how long the blades last and the opinions from my girls.  So far so good, you may want to give it a try.

Update:  July 13, 2015 – I have used the first blade for the first week and it is still shaving close.  I think my face is adjusting to the angle of the blade.  5 shaves and they are still clean and close.

Update:  October 21, 2015 – Tracey from Dollar shave club contacted me to thank me for giving DSC props and to request a link to the blade choices…done.  🙂