Did Santa bring you what you wanted this Christmas? Was you stocking loaded with goodies or coal? Or was that stocking just left empty? Did Santa's GPS neglect to direct the sleigh full of gifts to your chimney? Did you mail out 20 Holiday greeting cards and get only 4 in return? Less than 4? Not even an eCard? Southwest Desert Blogger feels your pain. But the holidays are about giving, not receiving. So let me give you some things I hope you or someone you know can use.
First, let me give you a code for $5 off any purchase at www.iherb.com . They sell nutritional supplements, raw supplements, 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, soaps such as Dr. Bronner's Castile, raw cacao, organic chia seed, hemp seed, seaweed, nuts, seaweed noodles, oils, homeopathics, organic pet food, etc. -- All at discounts. They ship free for orders of $20 or more. They also ship internationally. Just enter code WAL660 at check out. WAL= We All Love the $5 discount. 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. I think you will find iherb prices lower than your local store. It is fun to browse www.iherb.com so check it out.
Get some FREE juice and smoothie recipes and free access to hundreds of short videos (scroll down to "blog" and "recipes") plus other info' on a variety of raw food and health topics at this site:
http://www.1shoppingcart.com/app/?af=1383344
You can also get info on a 10 Day Juice Fast (feast) and a 7 Day Raw Food Challenge at http://www.1shoppingcart.com/app/?af=1383344 Just scroll down to check around the site. I have done both the Juice Fast and Raw Food Challenge and recommend both. The 7 Day Raw Food Challenge was my favorite. See Southwest Desert Blogger posts from mid July 2011 and September 2011 for my notes on the Raw Food Challenge and the Juice Fast.
I trust you are now on your way to a healthy New Year.
Happy, prosperous 2012 to all, from
Southwest Desert Blogger
C. (c)2011
Popular Posts
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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 ...
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Six Holiday Haiku for You
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| Holiday Lights in the Southwest Desert |
I will create a
little haiku for you all:
Happy Holiday.
. . . . . . . . . .
Do you like my lights?
wish you all were here tonight
to drink the eggnog.
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Be of good cheer dear
blog friends all throughout the world.
Peaceful holidays.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
No Omega Vert
complaints or tales for you now.
Got vegan eggnog? :)
*****************************
Enough haiku now.
May your holiday be bright
as Southwest night sky.
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* * * * * ^ * * * * *
* * * ^^^^ * * * *
* * ^^^^^^^ * * * *
* * * [] * * * *
The Southwest Desert
stars will shine bright on the Christ-
mas eve new moon night.
**********************************
All these haiku from
Southwest Desert Blogger
C. (c)2011
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Got a Sprouter?
I got a new 4 tier sprout tower. I had been growing sprouts in a jar for years, but decided I would like the sprouts to grow straight up instead of in a cylinder the way they do in a jar. I chose a 4 tier plastic model with cylinder shaped trays. The trays are translucent plastic. I just water the top tray and the water drips down into the trays below and finally into a fitted collection dish. Just empty the collection dish before the next watering and the sprouts grow. The four tray system produces a rotating crop of salad and soup sprouts. I find the fine sprouts (salad sprouts such as alfalfa, broccoli, radish, clover) are easier to clean when they grow straight plus I prefer the aesthetics of the straight sprouts.
I enjoy using this vertical sprout growing system. It saves counter space, looks good, works well and only requires watering twice a day. I water the sprouts first thing in the morning and again about twelve hours later. I soak the sprouting seeds about 8 hours. The cool weather requires a longer sprouting and growing time than the summer. I wrap a dish towel around the sprouter if the temperatures in the house are particularly cool. The towel also creates a darker environment for the first few days of sprouting. I rotate the sprouting trays so that the newest seeds are in the lower trays. When the sprouts get as tall as the trays are deep, I just prop an empty tray, up side down, over the tall sprouts thus creating a higher ceiling. That way the sprouts can grow a bit taller without being cramped. If all four trays are in use, I just prop a light plastic bowl over the top tier in lieu of the flat cover that comes with the sprouter. See the photos.
Just one teaspoon of alfalfa, radish, broccoli sprouts produced the tray on the left. I harvested some from the middle of the tray this morning. The extra tray is on the lower right of this photo.
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The photo below shows mixed lentils, peas, and adzuki beans in two phases of growth. Discard any beans, lentils, or seeds that do not sprout or appear unhealthy in any way.
I like lentil, bean, and pea sprouts in miso or other soup. They add a nice, chewy, alive quality.
It is important to clean the sprout trays after harvest as well as cleaning the bottom water collection tray every few days. This is as simple as just using a brush, sponge, or dish cloth with soap and hot water. Some sources say to clean the sprouter with a solution of bleach or something like that to kill any potentially harmful organisms that may be growing in the humid environment of the sprouter. Some sources say to use vinegar to clean the sprouter. Always rinse any cleaning products off the sprouter before you use it. The tiny holes in the trays, that allow the water to flow through to the tray below, may get clogged with a tiny seed or root from time to time. A tooth pick or pin can be used to clear these water drainage holes as needed. Of course, with any food preparation area, the sprouter should be kept very clean. This is not a hobby for the slothful or slovenly.
The only down-side to this and similar plastic sprouters is that they may not be dishwasher safe. I have heard that some similar sprouters only tolerate 3 or 4 washings in the dishwasher. I have not put mine in a dishwasher. It only takes a minute or 2 to wash it by hand.
Watching seeds sprout in the winter,
Southwest Desert Blogger
C. (c)2011
I enjoy using this vertical sprout growing system. It saves counter space, looks good, works well and only requires watering twice a day. I water the sprouts first thing in the morning and again about twelve hours later. I soak the sprouting seeds about 8 hours. The cool weather requires a longer sprouting and growing time than the summer. I wrap a dish towel around the sprouter if the temperatures in the house are particularly cool. The towel also creates a darker environment for the first few days of sprouting. I rotate the sprouting trays so that the newest seeds are in the lower trays. When the sprouts get as tall as the trays are deep, I just prop an empty tray, up side down, over the tall sprouts thus creating a higher ceiling. That way the sprouts can grow a bit taller without being cramped. If all four trays are in use, I just prop a light plastic bowl over the top tier in lieu of the flat cover that comes with the sprouter. See the photos.
Inverted sprout tray on top allows the sprouts to grow taller -- water collects in the bottom tray.
:
:
:
The photo below shows mixed lentils, peas, and adzuki beans in two phases of growth. Discard any beans, lentils, or seeds that do not sprout or appear unhealthy in any way.
I like lentil, bean, and pea sprouts in miso or other soup. They add a nice, chewy, alive quality.
 |
| A mere teaspoon of alfalfa, radish, and broccoli seed is soaking in the little glass bowl on the right of the above photo. This evening I will drain and rinse these seeds in a fine strainer and they will be placed in the empty extra tray (stacked below the alfalfa tray in this photo) before I water the tower. |
The only down-side to this and similar plastic sprouters is that they may not be dishwasher safe. I have heard that some similar sprouters only tolerate 3 or 4 washings in the dishwasher. I have not put mine in a dishwasher. It only takes a minute or 2 to wash it by hand.
Watching seeds sprout in the winter,
Southwest Desert Blogger
C. (c)2011
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Southwest Desert Weather Report and Salt Talk
I decided to quit complaining about my Omega VRT 350 HD vertical juicer (see 9 previous posts including 9/12/11). Yes, it still has problems. Today I pulled a 1.75 inch string out of my mouth after drinking some fresh vegetable juice -- do the young folks still use the word "gross" when referring to something very distasteful? OOps, sounds like a complaint...
OK folks, now for the weather. It has gotten chilly and wet here. The temperatures will flirt with the freezing mark tonight and likely hit below freezing during the next few nights. We have to be sure all the exterior pipes are covered or insulated. We also cover all the plants that are not frost resistant. These may consist of plants that are not indigenous that we have planted in the earth or in pots.
I harvested most of my basil a few days ago and made some pesto -- just grind the basil with olive oil, garlic (not too much!), and maybe a touch of fresh ground pepper and, if you like, some salt. The salt I have been using is red sea salt. I know Celtic Sea salt is all the rage, but until I finish the bag of red salt, I'm not buying any fancy, high priced salts. Is that popular Himalayan salt really from the Himalayas? Salt from Chili, Poland, Bolivia, Peru and other countries are being marketed as Himalayan or pink salt.
My salt is called Realsalt. It is not bleached, kiln dried, heated or altered with chemicals or pollutants. It has a full complement of over 50 beneficial trace minerals, including iodine, yet nothing added. The 26 ounce package has lasted a few years and still has years to go. The package says that millions of years ago this gourmet salt was part of a pristine sea that covered North America. Over millions of years the water in the sea evaporated, leaving salt deposits. During the Jurassic era volcanoes erupted around the ancient sea bed sealing the salt with layers of volcanic ash. This protected the salt until humans near Redmond Utah extracted the salt from deep within the earth. They market it without additives, chemicals, or heat processing of any kind. So, why don't all the raw foodists jump on this? It sounds like raw salt made in the USA. It tastes great lightly sprinkled on a green salad drizzled with a bit of oil or as a compliment to any food that needs a little special something.
Back to the freeze: I think I will cover the young citrus trees and exotic non-native succulents. I might even bring a few potted plants into the house. Maybe this low pressure system bringing us cold and rain will bring some snow to the folks in ski country. For us, it is welcome winter moisture, but challenging cold.
Staying cool, not by choice,
Southwest Desert Blogger
C. (c)2011 P.S. Let me gift you a code for $5 off any purchase at www.iherb.com . They sell Real Salt, natural sea salts, nutritional supplements, raw supplements, 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, soaps such as Dr. Bronner's Castile, raw cacao, organic chia seed, hemp seed, seaweed, nuts, seaweed noodles, oils, homeopathics, organic pet food, etc. at discounts. Currently, they ship free for 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. I think you will find iherb prices lower than your local store. It is interesting to browse www.iherb.com so check it out.
OK folks, now for the weather. It has gotten chilly and wet here. The temperatures will flirt with the freezing mark tonight and likely hit below freezing during the next few nights. We have to be sure all the exterior pipes are covered or insulated. We also cover all the plants that are not frost resistant. These may consist of plants that are not indigenous that we have planted in the earth or in pots.
I harvested most of my basil a few days ago and made some pesto -- just grind the basil with olive oil, garlic (not too much!), and maybe a touch of fresh ground pepper and, if you like, some salt. The salt I have been using is red sea salt. I know Celtic Sea salt is all the rage, but until I finish the bag of red salt, I'm not buying any fancy, high priced salts. Is that popular Himalayan salt really from the Himalayas? Salt from Chili, Poland, Bolivia, Peru and other countries are being marketed as Himalayan or pink salt.
My salt is called Realsalt. It is not bleached, kiln dried, heated or altered with chemicals or pollutants. It has a full complement of over 50 beneficial trace minerals, including iodine, yet nothing added. The 26 ounce package has lasted a few years and still has years to go. The package says that millions of years ago this gourmet salt was part of a pristine sea that covered North America. Over millions of years the water in the sea evaporated, leaving salt deposits. During the Jurassic era volcanoes erupted around the ancient sea bed sealing the salt with layers of volcanic ash. This protected the salt until humans near Redmond Utah extracted the salt from deep within the earth. They market it without additives, chemicals, or heat processing of any kind. So, why don't all the raw foodists jump on this? It sounds like raw salt made in the USA. It tastes great lightly sprinkled on a green salad drizzled with a bit of oil or as a compliment to any food that needs a little special something.
Back to the freeze: I think I will cover the young citrus trees and exotic non-native succulents. I might even bring a few potted plants into the house. Maybe this low pressure system bringing us cold and rain will bring some snow to the folks in ski country. For us, it is welcome winter moisture, but challenging cold.
Staying cool, not by choice,
Southwest Desert Blogger
C. (c)2011 P.S. Let me gift you a code for $5 off any purchase at www.iherb.com . They sell Real Salt, natural sea salts, nutritional supplements, raw supplements, 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, soaps such as Dr. Bronner's Castile, raw cacao, organic chia seed, hemp seed, seaweed, nuts, seaweed noodles, oils, homeopathics, organic pet food, etc. at discounts. Currently, they ship free for 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. I think you will find iherb prices lower than your local store. It is interesting to browse www.iherb.com so check it out.
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Omega Vertical Juicer VRT 350 HD -- Post #9!
I have reviewed the Omega VRT350HD vertical juicer in 8 previous posts starting September 25, 2011. The problems persist even though I have cut celery as small as one inch lengths -- then the carrot may jam the juicer and cause it to stop. I suspect these stops and starts add to the pulp in the juice. Even without the stops and restarts, the juice is still pulpy -- too pulpy for my taste. And the pulp consists of strings, tiny chunks, and some very thin skin-like stuff.
The strings and fibers lodge in the exit port even when I juice only one stick of celery, cut into 2 or three inch lengths. I suspect the wheatgrass may be doing the same. Anything fibrous seems to cause issues.
The Omega VRT350 is not the juicer to use for efficiency juicing carrots and root vegetables. Overall it does not produce more yield for me, despite it's reputation of producing a dry pulp. You have to remember that the juice has so much pulp, that when you strain it, you may get another ounce or two of pulp per pint of juice. And this juicer produces quite a head of foam, especially when juicing greens.
The company has offered to send me yet another replacement juicer; however, this requires over two weeks of transit time from the time I ship the juicer to them until I receive the replacement. I have also received several replacement parts to try to remedy issues. Honestly, one should not have to get replacement parts for a new product! The parts are mostly plastic and in my opinion poorly molded. Some of the edges are sloppy, irregular, and thus difficult to clean. If this were a cheap juicer, i.e., under $100, I would understand the sloppy molding, etc. But, this is a machine that sells for nearly $400! (USD). Is it possible that I have gotten 2 defective juicers from Omega? How many VRT350HD juicers do I have to try to get one that is perfect? How many times do I have to sit on hold while trying to contact Omega? There is no way I can get that time back. Is this just as good as it gets with the VRT350 HD?
Before you purchase and Omega vertical juicer, I suggest you read my other 8 posts reviewing the 350HD. Do I regret this purchase? Yes. This is the desert and money doesn't grow on trees.
Your Southwest Desert Blogger,
C. (c)2012
Thanks for reading Southwest Desert Blogger. If you want to learn more about the 10 day juice fast or the 7 day raw food challenge I did (previous posts), or just want a free eBook with vegan juice and smoothie recipes and informative blog /videos (recommended by Southwest Desert Blogger) link to:
http://www.1shoppingcart.com/app/?af=1383344
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, 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, soaps such as Dr. Bronner's, raw cacao, organic chia seed, white chia, hemp seed, seaweed, nuts, seaweed noodles, oils, homeopathics, organic pet food, etc. at discounts. Currently, they ship free (US) for 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 -- check it out.
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| One or the strings and other material found in the Omega VRT 350HD juice! |
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| Can you see the fiber mass stuck in the exit port? This is very hard to pull out -- I tried. The cleaning tool that comes with the juicer does not fit or assist in this area. Also notice the cylinder at the bottom of the photo is the juice exit port. The red line in the middle is a piece of hard plastic hanging half-way down the exit port. This is impossible to clean with the cleaning tool provided or any other dish cleaning tool I have and thus is not hygienic. There is a very narrow area on all sides of the rectangle. I cannot imagine the purpose of this hard plastic rectangle in the juice exit port. Earlier versions of the Omega VRT may not have it. |
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| Another view of the fibrous mass. See the fibers hanging down the exit port and up the inside of the juice bowl. The bright orange is carrot pulp. |
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| There was also a wad of wet fiber strings in the bottom center of the juice bowl. |
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| The fiber I tugged out of the exit port. |
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| That same fiber pulled apart a bit. Some of these strings end up in my juice! |
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| This strainer is 3 inches in diameter and 1.25 inches deep. It is sitting on the lid of a wide mouth pint mason jar. The strainer is filled with pulp strained out of one pint (16 ounces, about 1/2 liter) of vegetable juice (carrot, beet, greens and a bit of apple) from my Omega VRT 350 HD juicer. |
The company has offered to send me yet another replacement juicer; however, this requires over two weeks of transit time from the time I ship the juicer to them until I receive the replacement. I have also received several replacement parts to try to remedy issues. Honestly, one should not have to get replacement parts for a new product! The parts are mostly plastic and in my opinion poorly molded. Some of the edges are sloppy, irregular, and thus difficult to clean. If this were a cheap juicer, i.e., under $100, I would understand the sloppy molding, etc. But, this is a machine that sells for nearly $400! (USD). Is it possible that I have gotten 2 defective juicers from Omega? How many VRT350HD juicers do I have to try to get one that is perfect? How many times do I have to sit on hold while trying to contact Omega? There is no way I can get that time back. Is this just as good as it gets with the VRT350 HD?
Before you purchase and Omega vertical juicer, I suggest you read my other 8 posts reviewing the 350HD. Do I regret this purchase? Yes. This is the desert and money doesn't grow on trees.
Your Southwest Desert Blogger,
C. (c)2012
Thanks for reading Southwest Desert Blogger. If you want to learn more about the 10 day juice fast or the 7 day raw food challenge I did (previous posts), or just want a free eBook with vegan juice and smoothie recipes and informative blog /videos (recommended by Southwest Desert Blogger) link to:
http://www.1shoppingcart.com/app/?af=1383344
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, 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, soaps such as Dr. Bronner's, raw cacao, organic chia seed, white chia, hemp seed, seaweed, nuts, seaweed noodles, oils, homeopathics, organic pet food, etc. at discounts. Currently, they ship free (US) for 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 -- check it out.
Friday, December 2, 2011
More Omega VRT 350 HD Complaints
I made a vegetable juice today that was so pulpy I had to drink it through a straw. I do not like the pulpy juice the Omega VRT 350HD juicer produces. After sucking down the juice, I realized something was in my throat. I pulled out a vegetable string that was over 2 inches long. This never happened with my old juicer. The amount of strings in my Omega VRT 350 HD juice is unacceptable and becoming a potential health hazard. The strings also get jammed into the pulp exit port and are very hard to clean. I have to try to dislodge a wad of strings and pulp from a very narrow space. Nearly every other day the juice overflows onto the motor housing. I suspect it is leaking into the motor housing because I can fit the corner of a paper towel into the places the rubber-like area meets the hard plastic.
Maybe I will add more to this post later. There are more problems with the way the plastic parts are machined. It is sloppy. Enough pulp for now.
Get info on a 10 Day Juice Fast (feast) and a 7 Day Raw Food Challenge and a FREE eBook with juice and smoothie recipes at http://www.1shoppingcart.com/app/?af=1383344 Scroll down to check around the site. It is full of informative "blog" videos, recipes, etc. I have done both the Juice Fast and Raw Food Challenge and recommend both. The 7 Day Raw Food Challenge was my favorite. See Southwest Desert Blogger posts from mid July 2011 and September 2011 for my notes on the Raw Food Challenge and the Juice Fast.
Another juicy blog by
Southwest Desert Blogger
C (c)2011 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 .
Maybe I will add more to this post later. There are more problems with the way the plastic parts are machined. It is sloppy. Enough pulp for now.
Get info on a 10 Day Juice Fast (feast) and a 7 Day Raw Food Challenge and a FREE eBook with juice and smoothie recipes at http://www.1shoppingcart.com/app/?af=1383344 Scroll down to check around the site. It is full of informative "blog" videos, recipes, etc. I have done both the Juice Fast and Raw Food Challenge and recommend both. The 7 Day Raw Food Challenge was my favorite. See Southwest Desert Blogger posts from mid July 2011 and September 2011 for my notes on the Raw Food Challenge and the Juice Fast.
Another juicy blog by
Southwest Desert Blogger
C (c)2011 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 .
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