Monday, October 12, 2015

My love of food ~ My column from Sunday's paper

I’m not sure if it’s my hillbilly heritage or some age-related chink in my chromosomes, but my life now revolves around food.

I’ve read that most men spend a lot of time thinking about money, careers, politics and sex. That might have been true when I was younger, but now I think about BBQ, bagels and any kind of meat on a stick.

On the mornings when Jilda and I head into the city, I usually ask, “Where are we eating lunch?” Even though it’s only 8 a.m., it never seems too early to be thinking about food.

We bought a membership to COSTCO, not because you can buy a year’s worth of paper towels and TP cheaply, but because you can buy wild salmon, organic blueberries, brick-sized chunks of cheese and apple-smoked bacon in four-pound packs. We go to COSTCO for the food.

When you mention protein shakes for breakfast, most people roll their eyes and yawn. But Jilda has turned morning shakes into an art form.

Several years ago we bought a blender that she used to whip up shakes that tasted better than the ones we bought at Mug ‘n Cone Drive-In when we were dating.

Then last year Jilda saw a spot on QVC for a Vitamix. When she pitched the idea to me, I was all for it until I saw the price tag. “We could get a swimming pool cheaper than that,” I said flippantly.

She was persistent in her pursuit and emailed me links to Vitamix videos and other promotional information on the device.

But in my capacity as the resident cheapskate, I was unmoved so she took off the gloves. Recently, when the QVC channel featured Vitamixes, the remote control somehow disappeared. Also, dinner seemed to be contingent upon me watching the pitch.

I could smell the aroma of dinner wafting through the house so my defenses were down.

Sitting there, I watched as they whipped up a batch of cheese and broccoli soup, which happens to be my favorite. The woman popped the ingredients into the device and turned that baby on high. In about five minutes, she poured out two cups of piping hot soup.

Next, the woman clattered a few cups of ice into the device along with half and half, vanilla flavoring, and some other ingredients. After the concoction rattled a moment or two, she scooped out ice cream.

“How does it know whether to make it hot or cold?” I wondered. Then my figure-outter (is that a word?) kicked in and I realized it was the motor speed and spin duration that determined in part if the final results burned your tongue or gave you brain freeze.

After a few minutes, I was convinced to buy one of those babies for our kitchen counter. After all, who needs both kidneys? I could make a sacrifice for the sake of a good meal. Another bonus was that Vitamix products are made in America.

Since our culinary contraption arrived, we’ve made all kinds of soup, ice cream and more kinds of morning shakes than I can name. We made peanut butter from dry-roasted peanuts.

Yesterday, Jilda threw in frozen blueberries, a banana, coconut water, orange juice, yogurt, flax seed and carrots. With a bit of showmanship, she washed an apple, twisted off the stem and dropped that baby into the device.

My eyebrows furrowed as I wasn’t looking forward to drinking apple seeds, but when she poured the concoction out, it was one of the tastiest treats I’ve ever had. Our new Vitamix gives us another way to enjoy food.

Peach Blossoms this past spring



13 comments:

  1. Lately the first thing I ask my wife in the morning is "What's for dinner tonight?"

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  2. That sounds like a product I would love... anything that makes life easier... not sure I could justify the price... who knows down the line though :-)

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  3. Yep, we do pay attention to Food. Now that I do some cooking, I pay even more. Sounds like you guys have hit on a great idea that works, for variety. ;-)

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  4. Anonymous11:17 PM

    We have a powerful Vitamix-type blender that I use to make "garbage" (anything I feel like throwing in) smoothies--they're usually delicious!!

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  5. I am a big fan of smoothies. I use fresh or frozen fruits and milk, yogurt, or ice cream depending on my mood. It is a good mid day meal.

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  6. I do love good food but haven't tried out a Vitamix. I do have a ancient blender that still does a good job with smoothies and milkshakes though.

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  7. Too funny!
    ... Then again, the joke's on me -- It's not yet 8AM and I've already had my breakfast ... but my mouth's watering for one of Jilda's smoothies.

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  8. I love food too and I happen to have a Vitamixi n my kitchen with 2 different container. One is for grinding grain which I almost never use. I need to go make me a smoothie.
    Count yourself very lucky to have Jilda to mix you some super food in a jiffy.

    Enjoy...
    JB

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  9. Your post almost convinces me to buy one, almost. I will think on it, and talk with my husband, who will most certainly plan ice cream and other treats. Must think about it.

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  10. Men and their food. My hubby will ask what i am making for the weekend and then gives not too subtle hints about certain dinners he would like. I am one who looks at the money so I don't think i would have caved-heck I still have a TV from 1997

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  11. I always like knowing what's for dinner. I don't like surprises when it comes to food, and anticipation is half the meal.

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  12. I also think a lot about food, I like my food just saying

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  13. Beautiful peach blossoms...

    Ms Soup

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