End of the Unknown Caller, Sprouts, and New Year

I cracked the code of the Unknown Caller.  It was a collection company trying to find someone who I do not know.  I told them to take my number off their dang robo calling system or I'd notify various offices of the government.  Yep, the federal government of these United States.  Enough of the rant.

Been thinking of all you Southwest Desert Blogger readers.  I wanted to republish my Holiday Haiku, originally published around this time 2011!  Time flies.  I am not comfortable with this new fangled Blogger blog system... can't find a darned thing since they changed the system..  It is too frustrating, so I haven't been posting.

Now that it is cold in the Southwest Desert, i.e., in the 50s or 60s (Fahrenheit) by day and around freezing some nights, I am sprouting everything in sight: green peas, beans (mung, aduki, chick pea), red lentils, clover, alfalfa, radish, broccoli seed,and sunflower seed.  I have been letting the bean type sprouts grow to about 1/4 10 1/3 inch then clean any unsprouted or broken parts out and store in the fridge.  They continue to grow slowly.  I add them to salad, soup or broth such as miso, and you can sprinkle some on just about any dinner food, even pasta. 

I make a quick warm drink / broth of hot water, a spoon or 2 of tamari or shoyu (soy sauce to you) to taste (not too much!) a bit of sliced or diced garlic and ginger to taste (don't overdo it, can use powders), and a little helping of bean or lentil sprouts all in a small bowl or mug. You can add a little slivered or thin sliced green onion for color and flavor.  You can use Bragg's liquid aminos instead of tamari.  It's a quick and easy warm up.

I'm enjoying my 4 tier sprout tower.  It saves counter space compared to the sprouting in jars on the counter method.
Some folks sprout in the closet-- I mean put the jars of sprouts in the dark kitchen closet until they are grown enough to turn green in the light.  Just don't forget you left them in the closet or you'll find dried, hard, shriveled seeds there in the spring;)(:

We made it through that Mayan 2012 business, so let's have a Happy and Safe New Year.  You know what I mean?  Have fun...but not too much.  Maybe you can lassoo one of those Jehovah's Witnesses or Mormons who's been coming to your door to drive you around tonight.  They can give out literature while you are in the bar.

Happy New Year from
Southwest Desert Blogger
C. (c) 2012

(301)223-0073 What's your scam?

Today I got 2 calls from this phone number:  (301)223-0073  UNKNOWN NAME.
Yesterday I got 2 calls from that number.
A couple of days before that I got 2 calls from that number.
And 2 calls from that number the day before that...
And a call the day before that...
The phone calls just trigger my voice mail, but never leave a message.  If I answer the call and speak, I get no response.  What's the scam? 
OK UNKNOWN NAME, I'm closing in on you.  I know you are a landline from Williamsport, Maryland.
I know your phone carrier and your zip code.  I know others regard you as scam or spam.  So, just quit the sophomoric misbehavior.
If you Southwest Desert Blogger readers wonder what you get when you phone that number, just go ahead and try.  Let me know.
Let me know if you know anything about this or if you have some of this weirdness going on on your phone.
Is the Federal NO CALL LIST working for anyone out there?
Peeved,
Your Southwest Desert Blogger

Got Irritating Weird Phone Calls?

For weeks I have been getting calls from this phone number:  (301) 223-0096.  They do not leave voice mail, they do not respond when I answer the call, and there is no response when I dial their phone number.  A reverse number search revealed that other people are getting calls from this number and trying to figure out where these calls are originating from.  What's going on?  Anyone out there know?

I don't want to float any paranoid conspiracy theories, but...why an I getting these calls every day and sometimes twice a day?  The caller ID reads, "UNKNOWN NAME" ....  Give them a call and see what I mean. 

10% off already discounted prices TODAY ONLY!

Today, November 26 and possibly November 27 also, get an additional 10% off any purchase at iherb.com plus free shipping on orders over $20.  I have noticed that if the order weighs too much, you can still get free shipping on all orders over $40.  AND, use discount code WAL660 at check out and get an additional $5 off your first order.  iherb sells supplements, natural and raw food, nuts, energy bars, organics, body care products, pet food, teas, oils, .... check it out.
You can use the discount code WAL660 any time for the $5 off first purchase. They ship internationally.

Won't Publish Anonymous Comments

Sorry Anonymous, I won't publish any comments from folks who don't have enough courage to identify themselves.  To you I say, "There is this blame the victim mentality in the Omega VRT350HD culture that assumes everyone who has a problem with the VRT350HD is force feeding it."  Sorry pal, that was never the case here.  If you had read all my Omega VRT350HD posts you would have read that I allowed produce to feed at its own pace and rarely used the pusher tool.  And I mean rarely.  Still the juicer exhibited all the problems I spoke of in the numerous OmegaVRT350HD posts. 

And another thing, unplugging the little yellow plug did not dislodge the wads of stringy pulp, etc. that were stuck and extremely difficult to clean out. 
You did not mention what you juice.  But I certainly do not need your advice on another expensive juicer to buy.
For all I know, you sell the OmegaVRT350HD and naturally want to defend it.  No forum for that here.  Get your own Blog.  I see all the search terms people use to get here, and they sound seriously dissatisfied with the OmegaVrt350HD.  
So glad you are enjoying your pulpy juice, made with your expensive juicer, with it's expensive replacement parts.  Not all of us are having that blissful (and pricey) OmegaVRT trip.

Some of the vegetable wedged and pulled out of the bowl ports (photos above) after juicing.

Wondering whether they're drinking fresh juice or the Cool-Aid?
I did not misspell.  I intended it to read and provoke thought.
Southwest Desert Blogger
c. 2012

Best Search Terms of the Week

The Best Search Terms of the Week award goes to these four Southwest Desert Blogger readers:

1.  vert 350 hd junk

2. can i put ice cubes into an omega vrt350

3. drawbacks of omega vrt350

4. is it normal for the omega vrt350 to leak juice at the base

These are not necessarily in order of my preference, but how can you beat #1?  Number 4 isn't bad either.
Number 3 is verbally sophisticated.  "Drawbacks."  Nicely worded.  Scroll back in time, starting Sept. 2011, for my experience with the VRT350HD.
But the winner of the all time best Search Terms award is the "omega vrt350hd sucks" person --  A man of few words and kindred spirit of this week's winner, "vert 350 hd junk."  Disclaimer:  These search terms are not my original phrases, but real search terms people used to get to this site. The opinions expresses in the search terms are those of the searchers.

Is it normal for the omega vrt350 to leak juice at the base?  In my common sense, Southwest Desert Blogger logic, NO JUICER SHOULD LEAK!!!  unless you occasionally overfeed it or close off the juice spout.  This should be a rare event.  If you have a piece of junk juicer or it leaks often, see about returning it.  I hope you can.

Ice cubes?  I never put them in any juicer, so I don't know what happens.  I personally would not try it.  I have a good quality blender (not one of those $400 blenders).  It cost under $50 and it has a dedicated ice crusher button.  It works well for smoothies.  I used to go to the smoothie shop and saw that those $7.00 smoothies (then add the tip to that!) had a generous helping of ice blended into the mix. So, I got a blender that could crush 4-6 ice cubes in a pint or quart of smoothie.  That makes the smoothie super cold, especially if you use frozen fruit.  Just fruit, ice, a bit of water to blend, and perhaps raw carob powder, a tiny bit of maca, raw cacao, protein powder, a spoon of coconut oil, hemp seeds, chia seeds, acai, or any combination.  You can get those ingredients at discounts at www.iherb.com.  Use discount code WAL660 at checkout for $5 or $10 off your first purchase.   

Hovering around 100 degrees (F) in the desert, but it's a dry heat,
Southwest Desert Blogger
P.S. tonight is the last Blue Moon until 2015.  Make a wish and enjoy.
C. (c)2012

Got Natual Supplements and Food at Big DISCOUNT?

Southwest Desert Blogger has been telling you to save money and get the quality natural and nutritional products you want (even raw) at iherb.  All you vegans and others who want to try B-12, now is the time...

Receive $10 off your first order of $40 or more, or $5 off on smaller orders, when using my code: WAL660
Or, use the following custom link with the discount code in it: 
 http://www.iherb.com/?rcode=WAL660
You can send the link to friends and they can use it.  
Also select one free item from the freebies selection before you check out.
With over 32,000+ products in stock, and zero sales tax, I encourage you to shop at iHerb for all of your natural product needs.

Help support this blog, help those you know get quality vitamins, herbs, organic products, raw products, natural pet products, skin products, etc. at substantial discounts.
iherb ships in USA and internationally.  Southwest Desert Blogger has been buying from them for over 10 years.  Shipping is quick, items and well packed, prices are below what you are probably paying now.  See what your supplements, protein powders, energy bars, soaps cost at iherb -- you'll save.  Thanks for checking it out.  Send feedback.

I like Madre Labs Cafeceps (organic) and acai (great in smoothies at a great price), New Chapter, and Garden of Life.  You can even get dry skin brushes.

In a soupy southwest d.esert monsoon,
Southwest Desert Blogger  is waiting for your feedback.

No Omega VRT rant today!  See previous posts dating all the way back to September of last year.

Got More Search Terms?

These search terms got you to Southwest Desert Blogger this week: omega vrt brush broke

omega vrt complain

omega vrt350 juicer leaking

omega vrt350 strainer

omega vrt350hd and how can you keep juice Brush broke?  RIP (rest in peace).  How did you break it?  I suggest getting a dish cleaning brush at a discount store.  More bristles to clean the screen more easily no matter what juicer you have.  My opinion:  The Omega VRT 350HD brush is of little use anyway.  There are so many hard to clean little areas on the VRT350HD, plus all the other problems, I just sent it back to where I got it.  Omega VRT complain?  Join the club.  Folks come to this site with Omega VRT "issues" so you are not alone.  Complain to the folks who sold it to you.  What would you like them to do about it?  Return your money?  Ask for what you want.  That juicer cost too much for you to complain. Get happy. Omega VRT350 juicer leaking?  How well I remember that mess.  Glad I got rid of it.  We put folks on the moon decades ago.  Why can't we make a juicer that doesn't leak? I worried that the juice leaked into the motor housing.  Who knows?  The official response amounted to blame the victim.  Are you doing something wrong?  Should you dice the produce before juicing?  :-)  Don't blame me.  Then again, sometimes stuff just happens. Omega 350HD strainer?  As I've said in my strainer post, "Don't strain yourself." See 2/2/2012 post. Omega VRT350HD and how can you keep juice?  Probably best to keep it in the fridge, on ice, in a cooler...keep it cold and sealed, as in a jar with tight-fitting lid.  I would keep my jar in a zip lock baggie for transport, such as to work, in case the jar leaks.  The zip locks can be reused.  I found the Omega VRT350HD vegetable juice separated within an hour or two.  I did not expect that.  Yes, most juice will separate, but I thought the VRT350HD juice was said to be more stable. One of the informational items that came with the juicer states "Store Juice Up to 72 Hours!"  Silly me, I thought that meant it would be good for 72 hours.  Depends upon your definition of good. There was a picture of two glasses of juice. The caption reads "VERT Which would you rather drink?  Our Juice or Their Juice" and below Our Juice is a picture of a glass of juice with a bit of a head on it.  The color is consistent throughout.  The Their Juice glass has some foam too, but the juice has separated (if you know what I mean).  Sorry Omega, in my fridge your juice separated too. Run some tests and let me know your findings. Send me some feedback, findings, opinions and I may publish them. Sincerely, Southwest Desert Blogger C. (c)2012 P.S.  I don't run ads that track you!  One way you can support this blog is by shopping for your nutritional supplements, natural products, health foods, healthy pet foods, organic lotions, soaps, shampoos, etc. at a discount at www.iherb.com and using discount code WAL660 for $5 off first purchase.  Enter the code at checkout.  They ship internationally.  Be sure to add one freebie with your order.  Thanks.

Got Perseid Meteor Showers?

Yep.  We got 'em tonight, the later and darker the better, until just before dawn.  Plus, as a bonus, the brightest planets in our solar system, Jupiter and Venus, will be in the middle of the shower, as will the crescent moon.  This meteor shower peaks tonight (8/12/12) with over 100 shooting stars predicted per hour.
If it is cloudy, or you sleep through tonight, just try again tomorrow night.
Hope you see your lucky star.
Southwest Desert Blogger
P.S.  To the Southwest Desert Blogger readers who are searching for Omega VRT 350HD parts, I saw some on eBay.
C. (c)2012

Who's looking at Southwestern Desert Blogger This Week?

This week's Southwest Desert "Howdy" goes out to the blog readers from Tucson.  How are all you cowboys and cowgirls handling your Monsoonal heat and humidity? Stay out of the wash when the water's running.  I don't want you getting caught by that Tucson Stupid Motorist Law.  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Arizonas-Stupid-Motorist-Law/262377276540 And while I'm greeting folks, let me send a Southwest Desert "Howdy" to the folks in South Africa, Germany, Israel, Australia, USA, and all the other Southwest Desert Blogger readers out there.  Hope all you folks are enjoying the 2012 Summer Olympics.*  The only TV station I get to see the Olympics on is a Spanish speaking station.  They seem to broadcast a lot of beach volleyball (women's), basketball (men's), and wrestling (men's).    I guess you know which team I'm rooting for -- Team USA.  Back to the Blog...      Here are some of the search terms, in bold, you used to find me this week: buy omega vrt350hd tucson  [my answer: Don't know] omega vrt350hd foamy kale                                           [see comments below re: foam] buy juicer omega vtr [sic] 350 hd south africa buy omega vrt parts huron 100 vs omega vrt 350 omega 350 frozen bannanas [sic] and the old favorite: omega vert 350hd problems To the person with "problems":  Just scroll back in time on this blog and see all the posts detailing my Omega VRT350HD problems.  Tales of Omega vrt350hd problems started back in September of 2011. See September posts and 1/14/12, etc.  Does misery want company?  You should start an Omega VRT350HD Problems dating site.  Remember dear old Southwest Desert Blogger when this idea makes you as rich as a Facebook tycoon. To the person with "foamy" Omega 350 hd kale juice, I have photos of the pulp I strained out of Omega 350HD juice, photos of the strings and foam clinging to the jar, photos of the strings I pulled out of the juice and measured ... you get the idea.  For a while I posted the Omega Vrt350HD String of the Day! Was my Omega VRT350HD juice too foamy?  You bet!    Not pleasant juice in my opinion.  Wheatgrass foamed a good head for me.  See 11/1/11 post, for pulp, strings, etc. To the "Omega VRT350HD parts" person, I tried replacement parts.  The problems persisted.  Good luck amigo.  The parts are costly.  Do you have the warranty?  See post 10/29/11, 11/1/11, et al. To the Omega VRT350 frozen banana person, don't bother juicing bananas.  Just make smoothies.  See my smoothie recipe posts using frozen banana.  Peel bananas before you freeze them. Then store them in a plastic bag or reuse a yogurt container.   Just scroll down to the end of this blog and see the Southwest Desert slide show and click "bananas" or "smoothie" on the list of Labels.  It will take you to the related posts. These are ripe bananas!  Peel and Freeze.  Slicing is optional. *Hope your team wins some Olympic gold, but what really matters is how you play the game. Southwest Desert Blogger P.S. I Send me a Huron.  I would love to review it.  Are all the vertical juicers made in the same factory in Korea?  Isn't the Huron cheaper than the Omega VRT350HD?  Made of healthier plastic?  Send me one Huron juicer Lord, so that I may enlighten the Southwest Desert Blog readers.  Amen. C.  (c)2012

Got More Omega VRT350HD Search Terms

Howdy to all you Omega VRT 350HD folks around the world.  Here are a few of the more original search terms that led you to my site. 1.  fibrous veggies clogging omega vrt350hd

2.  is omega replacing the vrt 350 hd

3.  leaking from the bottom of omega vrt350hd Veggie fibers clogging the Omega VRT 350HD, view looking down into the juicer bowl I experienced  numbers 1 and 3.  As for number 2, I don't know.  Do you mean, "Are they replacing it with a replacement juicer?"  If so, I got a replacement, but the same problems persisted.  Browse back in time to see my experience with the OmegaVRT350HD juicer, replacement juicer, strings of the day posts, etc.   I finally returned the Omega.  I did not enjoy the problems I had with it on a daily basis. Good luck with your VRT 350HD.   If you don't get satisfactory performance from the expensive juicer you own, I hope you can return it and get your money back.  You deserve to be happy with your juicer and your juice. Happy trails to you,  Southwest Desert Blogger C. (c)2012

Got Heat?

Blooming non-native Carrion flowers, 1/2 inch

Howdy to all you VRT juicer readers.  I just figured you all would like to know what the summer weather is like here in the Southwest Desert.  It is hot.  Daily high temperatures are around 105 degrees (Fahrenheit), sometimes higher.  It cools down to 80 degrees at night. The humidity is creeping up as monsoon season has started.  Sometimes I see the rain clouds and lightening out in the distance, but it has not rained much yet.

The earth is hot.  The tap water is very warm because the pipes in the earth are warm.  You need some ice cubes if you want a cool drink. 

I look forward to melon season.  You can juice cantaloupe or watermelon with some cucumber, or just eat the sweet melons. 

Hope all you cowboys and cowgirls are staying cool,
Southwest Desert Blogger
C. (c) 2012

Got Search Terms?

Here is a partial list of the search terms that got you to my site during the past week:

omega vrt bowl is stuck

omega vrt350 banana

omega vrt350 problems

too pulpy omega 350

omega vrt350hd parts

omega vrt350 which strainer should i use to juice carrots To the person with the stuck bowl, I had that problem, too.  It was so hard to twist the bowl off the base unit.  It was one of the frustrating, daily issues with the Omega VRT350HD. To the person with "problems", just scroll back in time on this blog and see all the posts detailing my Omega VRT350HD problems.  This started back in September of 2011. See September posts and 1/14/12, etc. To the person with "too pulpy Omega 350", I have photos of the pulp I strained out of the juice, photos of the pulp and strings clinging to the jar, photos of the strings I pulled out of the juice and measured ... you get the idea.  For a while I posted the Omega Vrt350HD String of the Day! Was my Omega VRT350HD juice too pulpy?  You bet!  I had to brush and floss after drinking that juice.  Not pleasant juice in my opinion.  See 11/1/11 post, etc. To the "Omega VRT350HD parts" person, I tried replacement parts.  The problems persisted.  Good luck amigo.  See post 10/29/11, et al. To the "Omega VRT350HD banana" person, don't bother juicing bananas.  Just make smoothies.  See my smoothie recipe posts.  Just scroll down to the end of this blog and see the Southwest Desert slide show and click "bananas" or "smoothie" on the list of Labels.  It will take you to the posts.

To the "Omega VRT350HD which strainer should i use to juice carrots" person, see my strainer post, 2/2/2012.  Don't strain yourself.  It has a photo of the "more pulp" strainer.  Want more pulp?  Just scoop it out of the pulp ejection port and stir it into your juice.  Seems to me we want less pulp.  So, I finally returned my Omega VRT350HD, and it wasn't easy, and bought a Jack LaLanne's Power Juicer for under $100.  See 6/8/12 post.  The juice is pulp-free, the replacement parts, should I need any, cost under $10 each (including shipping!), and none of the parts stick to each other.  Bonus:  The Jack LaLanne juicer, screen, and other parts are so much easier to clean than the pricey OmegaVRT350HD. That's my opinion, Southwest Desert Blogger C. (c) 2012

Review of the Jack LaLanne's Power Juicer

Today it is 100 degrees (Fahrenheit) in the shade and bound to get hotter as the afternoon progresses.  Enough small talk.  The news is,  I got a new juicer!   If you have been following my blog you remember I got an Omega VRT350HD juicer.  It had several problems.  I got replacement parts.  The problems persisted.  The company sent me a second juicer.  The problems persisted and got worse. It was problematic to get a refund, but I persisted and finally got my money back and returned the juicer.

I went back to using my old centrifugal juicer.  It is over 16 years old and has been through several juice fasts and years of constant service.  It is getting old.  I will save it as a back up juicer now that I have a new Jack LaLanne's Power Juicer.  From Omega VRT to Jack LaLanne's Power Juicer . . . who'd have thought?

Jack LaLanne's Power Juicer, photo of the box

I bought my Jack LaLanne's Power Juicer at that BIG BOX store I lovingly call Costlo, because you can get name brand items and produce at low prices.  It is a members only shopping venue with money back guarantee on everything they sell.  So, no risk.  If you don't like it, return it for a refund.  Can you do that with your Omega VRT350HD juicer?  I hope so.  Unfortunately, the online merchant I purchased my VRT350HD from did not see it that way.  I had to really push hard to get my money back.  But back to the Jack LaLanne's Power Juicer.


My new Jack LaLanne's Power Juicer is Model E-1188.  It is a centrifugal juicer.  My final cost, including sales tax, was under $100 (US).  Great price with a money back guarantee.  It comes with a 190 page Fresh Recipe Collection and detailed instruction book with color photos.  The instructions are great for beginning juicers and seasoned juicing veterans may pick up a few tips, too.  The recipes include smoothies, recipes using the juicer pulp, cooked and raw recipes, soups, salads, dips, dressings, salsas, baked goods, frozen treats, smoothies and juices. There are aver 100 pages of juice recipes with beautiful color photos. 

The instruction section includes General Guidelines for Juicing, a Produce Chart indicating which fruits and vegetables are ideal for juicing, and which are challenging.  There is a nice "Juice and Pulp Yield Per Produce" chart which indicates, for example, how much juice and pulp you can expect to get from 5 large carrots, 4 celery stalks, 1 large cucumber, etc.


The Power of Pulp section in the Introductory Notes says that nothing need be wasted because there are "pulp friendly" recipes in the recipe section.  And, if you like pulp in your juice, just take some from the pulp collector and add it back to your pulp-free juice, stir it, and enjoy (if you like pulpy juice).  I like a pulp free vegetable juice, and that is what this juicer produces.  It is my dream come true.


It is quiet.  There is a hum from the motor, but certainly acceptable.  For my trial run, I juiced carrots, 2 at a time, a full, fat, stalk and a half of celery including the dense core, and pineapple, including the core (no skin).  The juicer did fine for more than a quart of juice and then there was some overflow from the fibrous pineapple.  But, had I read the description of Pineapples under Guidelines for Juicing, I would have been forewarned that very ripe pineapple can be stringy and sometimes cause blockages of the spout.  That is what happened.  But remember, I juiced all that celery also, and only cut some of the stalks in half.

Considering all the stringy celery and very ripe pineapple, I think the Jack LaLanne's Power Juicer passed the test.  It produced over a quart of juice before any blockage.  Under normal conditions, juicing a combination of carrot, celery, spinach, romain, beet, apple, ginger, cucumber, and a bit of very ripe pineapple, I have enjoyed smooth, pulp-free, string-free, juice with no spills, no overflows, no blockages, no strings, no pulp, no problems.  I just cut celery stalks in half, and gently push through all produce.  I put a handful or two of baby spinach into the chute and then push it down with a carrot or two.  I most often juice 2 carrots at a time.  Sometimes they almost juice themselves with only the weight of the pusher tool.  I let the bulk of the juice exit the exit port before juicing more produce as a common sense precaution to prevent overflow.  Depending on how stringy my choice of produce is, I may unplug the juicer after juicing a pint, open it, clean any fiber or pulp off the screen, replace the cover, lock it, and continue juicing.


Cleaning the juicer is surprisingly easy.  The juicer came with a cleaning brush that I hardly ever need to use. Most of the cleaning can be done with a sponge and soapy water.  Even the juicer screen, typically the hardest part to clean, can be cleaned almost entirely with a kitchen sponge.  The grating wheel is easily cleaned with any kitchen brush and running water.  All other parts rinse clean with sponge, soap, and water or a bit of brushing if needed.

The grating wheel is tightened and unscrewed with a "key" they call the crescent tool.  It allows the grating wheel (they call "blade") to be separated from the screen for easy, efficient cleaning.  The key must not be lost.  In older models of the Jack LaLanne's Power Juicer I worried about losing the key.  This new model has a magnetic key, so it will magnetically stick to the juicer.  I stick it on my stove.  This magnetic key is an improved feature.  I feel confident it will not get lost.  Overall, this juicer is easier to efficiently clean than the Omega VRT350HD.  There are not the several small areas that I had difficulty cleaning on the VRT350.

For ease of use, the Jack LaLanne's Power Juicer has a large, wide feed chute.  I can juice a small apple, whole.  For ease of cleaning, I give it a 9.5 out of 10. The Jack LaLanne's Power Juicer also comes with an instructional DVD which covers these topics: Getting Started, Tips & Tricks, Cleaning, Troubleshooting.  I have not watched the DVD.  The 22 page Operating Manual is so complete (read the Q & A section, too), plus the Quick Start Guide, and Fresh Recipe Collection Book that comes with the Costlo (aka Costco)  Jack LaLanne's Power Juicer that I have all the info I need.  I would recommend this for a beginner or any other person wanting a reasonably priced, decently made, reasonably quiet, easy to clean and use juicer with good information and instructions included.  All this for under $100.

The last page of the Operating Manual has an order form for replacement parts.  The Lid with Pulp Guard, Pulp Collector, Filter, Replacement Blade, Crescent Tool, and Pusher cost under (US) $10 each, including shipping and handling, to replace.  Much more economical than the Omega VRT350HD parts as I recall.

If you are not sure you will love juicing, you will stick to juicing after your juice fast, you have the patience to clean the juicer after each use, and if you are on a budget or just can't see spending the better part of $400 (US) for a vertical juicer, consider the Jack LaLanne's Power Juicer available at the big box store I lovingly call Costlo.  If your Omega VRT350HD juicer is delivering too much pulp, squeaking, jamming, overflowing, too hard to effectively clean, or just generally frustrating you, consider switching.
I Am glad I did.
Enjoying the Juice,
Southwest Desert Blogger
C. (c)2012                P.S.  To support this blog, use discount code WAL660 for $5 off first purchase at www.iherb.com .  They sell nutritional supplements, raw supplements (Garden of Life), raw and organic food such as tahini, coconut oils, energy bars, goji, etc., herbs, teas, organic and natural shampoos, conditioners, skin creams and lotions, cosmetics, dry skin brushes, Madre Labs acai and Cafeceps, organic soaps, raw organic cacao, organic raw chia seed, hemp seed, seaweed, nuts, kelp noodles, oils, homeopathics, organic pet food, etc. at discounts.  Currently, they ship free for US orders of $20 or more.  They also ship internationally.  Just enter code WAL660 at check out.    Plus, there are helpful product reviews.   And more free:  iherb offers a variety of FREE PRODUCTS to sample, so be sure to select one with your order. www.iherb.com .  Thanks.

Got Watchers?

"[I am] not even two bites into breakfast, and there are already nearly 25 sites that are tracking me. I have navigated to a total of four.” -- Gary Kovacs, Tracking the Trackers
Who is tracking you online? 
 http://www.ted.com/talks/gary_kovacs_tracking_the_trackers.html

Worth watching,
from Southwest Desert Blogger
C. (c)2012

Got Omega VRT350 HD "Issues" ?

You don't need a juicer to juice this beauty.  Here is a sample of search terms that got folks to my site last week: omega vrt pulpy juice

omega vrt350 banana

omega vrt350hd issues

omega vrt350hd leak juice

problems with omega vrt350

vrt complaints All I can say is, "Scroll back in time and you will find over a dozen reviews of my dissatisfaction with the Omega VRT350HD juicer.  I finally returned the second one because the problems were the same with both.  Leaks. Overflow.  Too much plup.  Strings.  More unusual matter in the juice.  Daily dissatisfaction. To all you suffering Omega VRT 350 HD owners I say,  "If you cannot get a satisfactory juicer after paying the better part of US $400, please return it for a refund."  Don't let them bully you into keeping something that does not work well, does not produce a clean juice free of strings and excessive pulp, etc. You deserve to be happy when you make your juice and drink your juice.  You cannot accept problems for the price you paid.  You are investing your time and effort daily as you purchase the produce to juice, clean the produce, cut the produce, juice the produce, clean the juicer (You have to do it.  I know you don't like to, but you have to.) and reassemble the juicer when it is dry.  Yes, I know that was a sentence within a sentence, but I am feeling your frustration and rage.  If you have tried to remedy the situation, and problems persist, insist on a refund.  Contact the seller's local Better Business Bureau if you are getting a run around.  File a complaint if necessary.  Quit suffering in silence. I AM glad the VRT350 HD is out of my house. Ciao babe.  Adios.  Via con Dios.  Good riddance. You can't juice this, but it is perfect for smoothie. Or just eat it! Note to the banana guy, I have tried juicing unfrozen and frozen banana, but it was a big mess.  Not worth the yield and clean up.  Bananas don't juice well.  Just eat them when ripe or make smoothies with your bananas.  You can probably get a new Blender for under US $20.  I upgraded to an Oster that can crush ice cubes in smoothie quite nicely.  It cost less than US $50 at the big box store I lovingly call Costlo.  They will easily refund your money if you do not find the product acceptable for any reason.  Shouldn't an Omega VRT juicer come with the same courtesy? So banana man, let your bananas ripen, scroll down to my several posts with smoothie recipes, make a green smoothie (sounds bad, but is so good!) add 4 or 5 ice cubes if it is summer where you are, and stay cool. Unhappy VRT owners, be proactive!   Get your vrt350hd refund.  Be happy. I am considering reviewing some of the cheaper juicers on the market.  Let me know if this would be useful for you. Special sayonara  to you Southwest Desert Blogger readers in Japan.  Thanks for checking this blog. Happy trails to all, Your Southwest Desert Blogger C. (c)2012 P.S.  I do not have ads (with cookies that track you!) in this blog.  If you'd like to support this blog and save money, check the health foods and supplements, including raw and organic at www.iherb.com/info/benefits.  The iherb site also has super- foods, vitamins, green powders (Hawaiian Spirulina, and others), homeopathics, organics, raw food http://www.iherb.com/Search?kw=raw+organic and supplements such as raw organic chia seed, hemp seed, cacao, coconut oil, kelp noodles, healthy pet food, Dr. Bronners, organic soaps, shampoos and skin products, tea, loose herbs, sports supplements, essential oils, protein powders, all at discounts. Use the WAL660 code will get you $5 off  your first order and free shipping for US orders of $20 or $40 or more.  Just enter the code WAL660 in the shopping cart before final check-out.  Remember to add a "freebies" free product to your order. iherb ships to over 180 countries.  Thanks for your support.

Hovering 'round 100

The Southwest Desert temperatures will be hovering around 100 degrees (Fahrenheit) -- yes, I know, it couldn't be 100 degrees centigrade, even in the Earth deserts.  No complaining about the weather yet.
Enjoy the blooming non-indigenous plant we call the "Bishop's Cap." 

Each "Bishop's Cap" flower blooms for only one day.  Notice the closed and wilted flowers from previous days around the fresh yellow bloom.

The flower lasts one day.  If you do not check it daily, you will miss the bloom.  What life lesson is there in this? 
Getting philosophical in the desert garden,
Southwest Desert Blogger
C. (c)2012

New Blogger Format?

Prickly Pear in bloom -- I'm waiting for the fruit

Until I figure out the new Blogger format, which currently seems restrictive and irritating, I may not be posting.  Send me a comment if you want more posts -- I need your feedback regarding what sort of topics interest you, and / or any of your thoughts. 
Scroll down and see my previous posts and the slide show at the bottom of the page -- Is it still there?  There should be a list of post topics down there also, so you can find posts of interest.  Some of the posts are hot, some are not.  I can't even figure out how to edit with the new Blogger.  Where's the "edit" function?

See my most popular post if you scroll down to 12/3/11.  
Recommendation: Check out www.iherb.com for discounts on health foods, raw foods, superfoods, organics, chia, cacao, maca, acai, shampoos, hemp seed, coconut oil, raw food bars, a variety of proteins, vitamins, minerals, herbs, even organic soaps and pet foods.  Use discount code WAL660 at checkout for $5 off first purchase and free shipping for orders over $20.  They ship international.  There are helpful product reviews and other information on the site.  I have been doing business with them for many years and shipping is expedient, the prices are super, and the selection is amazing.  Hope this helps.

If I cannot figure out the new format, this will be the last rodeo.
Your
Southwest Desert Blogger
C. (c)2012

The Heat Is On

The temperature hit 101 in the shade yesterday.  It seemed to be near 70 degrees (Fahrenheit) before sunrise this morning.  It is getting seriously hot in the Southwest Desert.  There may be a few cooler days later this week, but I put an extra ice cube tray in the freezer anyway.

Above is a photo of a Palo Verde Tree in full bloom.  Enjoy.

On the edge of breaking a sweat,
Southwest Desert Blogger
C. (c)2012

1 Haiku 4U:

New moon soon dark night

Should I fast for one day then?

Will it bring back moon?

Rest in Peace Levon Helm -- passed to the other world 4/19/2012 1:30PM in New York.  You are remembered with fondness by Southwest Desert Blogger  C. (c)2012

Southwest Desert Weather Report

The new moon is due in the Southwest Desert shortly after midnight April 20 turning into April 21, 2012.  The nights are still pleasantly cool in the upper 50s (degrees Fahrenheit).  By new moon, we will be experiencing daytime temp's near 100 degrees (F).  The sun is strong at mid morning and into the afternoon.  If you plan on visiting the Desert Southwest, you better bring your sunhat, sunscreen, and maybe long sleeve type protection and a generous supply of drinking water.  The heat is on.

Freeze some cut fruit for your smoothies.

Still cool in the Southwest Desert,
Southwest Desert Blogger
C. (c)2012

Tiny Spring Flowers 4/4/2012

The post title says it all.  Coin size 3/4 inch.

You're right, the post title does not say it all.  I feel guilty for not giving you my two cents worth.  Looks like all you got was a penny and some puny wild flowers from the Southwest Desert.  

Where's the juice?

Today is April 4, 2012.  That is 4-4-2012.  Fourth day of fourth month:  4+4+2012=2020, 2+0+2+0=4.
It is a perfect 4 day.  The card of the day is a 4 of spades -- if you follow such things.  Mercury goes direct.

Southwest Desert weather is predicted to be over 90 degrees (Fahrenheit) be-4 next week. The heat is on!

Just 4U,
Southwest Desert Blogger
C. (c)2012

Prius Rant -- Just an Opinion

What is going on with folks who drive the Toyota Prius car?  I don't know how it is in your town, but out here, folks who drive a Prius have several unusual behaviors.  They tend to drive slowly, i.e., too slow for the traffic flow.  What's yer problem there Prius driver?  Can't get it into second gear?  No third gear on that buggy?  Afraid that gas pedal will stick? 

The Mensa Genius has a theory.  Genius postulates that Prius drivers do not want to use energy; they think driving slower will save energy.  Well Prius folks, let me clue you in.  The fact that everyone coming up behind you has to break, because you are driving so slow that it reduces the flow of traffic, may actually increase the use of gas because we will finally have to accelerate to get around and ahead of you.  There may also be a contribution to air pollution from the needless use of our brakes as we slow down when you are ahead of us going so darn slow.

The second thing I notice about Prius drivers is that they always leave about 7 car lengths between themselves and the vehicle in front of them.  What's that about?  Don't your brakes work?  You don't need 7 to 10 car lengths to break when you are holding up the flow of traffic at your vehicular crawl of 30 miles per hour. 

An online search revealed that the Prius v gets 44/40 est. mpg (miles per gallon, estimate?).  Big deal.  My old Honda Civic Hatchback manual transmission from the 1980s got over 40 mpg and I did not need to suck electricity from coal burning or nuclear plants to make it happen. I did not need to drive slowly or leave excessive space between my Civic and the vehicle in front of me.  That Honda was a good car with great mileage using technology nearly 30 years old.

 I have come to a conclusion:  If I see a Prius on the road ahead,  I
a) seek an alternate route,  or  b) find the fastest way to get around and ahead of it.
I am pleading with all you Prius drivers -- Help the rest of us Southwesterners out and step on it!  If you want to drive slow, move up north!

Sincerely,
Southwest Desert Blogger
C. (c)2012

Discount Code

Howdy to the first Southwest Desert Blogger reader from China.  2012 is the year of the Dragon -- the Water Dragon.  What will this mean for us?  Anyone out there who can explain this?

Last year's 99 cent store plant is blooming again.  I keep it in the shade.

The sun is getting stronger in the Southwest Desert.  Some of the days are tasting like the hot dryness of summer.  It is just a taste -- an appetizer -- a reminder of what is to come.

The Code:  WAL660
For all you international jet-setters, cowboys, cowgirls, city slickers, taxi riders, horse riders, bike riders, board riders, wave riders, bus riders, range rovers, raw vegans, omnivores, and everyone just hoofin' it, I have a discount code WAL660 you can use at iherb.com . Link to: www.iherb.com/info/benefits.  My iherb shipments to the USA Desert Southwest arrive in 3 business days, with online tracking.  The iherb site has health food, super foods, vitamins, green powders (Hawaiian Spirulina, and others), homeopathics, organics, raw food and supplements such as raw chia seed, raw hemp seed, raw cacao, coconut oil, kelp noodles, healthy pet food, organic shampoos and skin products, tea, loose herbs, sports supplements, essential oils, protein powders, and new products added every week, all at discounts.  I think it will help you balance the budget. The WAL660 code will get you $10 (USA dollars) off your first order of $40 or more, or $5 off a first time order less than $40.  Just enter the code WAL660 in the shopping cart before final check-out. 
I am also told there is free shipping for international orders over $60, available now, but it may end March 31, 2012.  So get a move on and check it out.  iherb ships to over 180 countries.  They have been shipping international for over 14 years.  Average shipping time to China: 8-day average delivery time with possible extra delays/ expenses due to customs. This option offers tracking information. Yamato Japan, average 4 day shipping barring possible customs delays.  Check out the average delivery time for International Airmail for selected countries, based on feedback from iherb.com customers. Updated May 2011:

Australia 11	Canada 9	Germany 12	Israel 7	Mexico 15	Romania 8	Sweden 12
Austria 7	Czech Republic 7	Great Britain 10	Italy 14	Netherlands 8	Russia 17	Switzerland 11
Belarus 13	Denmark 8	Greece 9	Latvia 9	New Zealand 10	Singapore 9	Taiwan 11
Belgium 11	Estonia 10	Hong Kong 9	Lithuania 10	Norway 8	Slovakia 7	Ukraine 8
Brazil 22	Finland 8	Hungary 10	Malaysia 13	Poland 15	Slovenia 6	Spain 9
Bulgaria 8	France 10	Ireland 8	Malta 11	Portugal 9	South Korea 9

More international shipping info at http://www.iherb.com/info/shipping/International#iqs .

Be sure to visit the iherb freebies pages and select one free item with your order.  For all you domestic folks, i.e., non-international, there is free USA shipping for orders over $20 and faster free shipping for orders over $40.  Just select your shipping option at checkout.  I have dealt with this company for years and find the shipping fast and efficient.
Most of the products they sell have customer reviews with interesting ideas and thoughts about the products.  Check it out between waves you Hawaiian dudes and wahinis, rhinestone urban range cowfolk, sprout-growing southerners, and radiant raw food friends.  This cowpoke wouldn't steer you wrong.

I AM your
Southwest Desert Blogger
C. (c)2012