The three main tools I use are blender, juicer, and food processor. However, I lost the lid to my food processor (like…how?) so now I use my blender for anything that calls for a food processor. Unless you have a Vitamix I don’t recommend this. HOWEVER, if you are in the market for a new blender AND food processor then leveraging your Vitamix and skipping the food processor can help alleviate the cost of the Vitamix.
Vitamix
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Like I mentioned above, if you buy one tool then the Vitamix is worth the splurge. I’ve been known to use mine 2-3 times a day for months at a time. In a pinch it can replace both a food processor and juicer and 10-15 people in your life.
To me, there are two biggest advantages of a Vitamix over other blenders. The first is the tamper, which allows you to create frozen desserts without a lot of liquid since traditional blenders won’t function properly without liquid to ‘catch’ the blade. This also works for recipes like pesto or bliss balls. It's also fun to lick while winking seductively.
The second is the power. Spinach pieces completely disappear in green smoothies and the flavor of everything you make is so much more cohesive. You can also create make-shift juice by blending your fruits and veggies and pouring the mix through a mesh strainer.
Cost effective ways to buy a Vitamix: purchased reburbished from their website to save hundreds of dollars. Refurbished Vitamix’s are certified by Vitamix itself. Look for sales – Crate and Barrel and William & Sonoma regularly offer $50 off. You could also Open and Crate card to save 15% off your first purchase. While you're at it you might as well throw a few throw pillows in there. Gotta spend to save.
Hurom Juicer
WHY? Essentially there are two main types of juicers: centrifugal and masticating. Both sound like they belong in a sex shop, and both have their advantages and disadvantages.
I wanted a juicer that preserves the maximum amount of nutrients so I looked for a masticating juicer which cold-presses your fruits and veggies to extract juice without using heat. Masticating juicers also yield slightly more juice, especially when juicing leafy greens like spinach. Centrifugal juicers use a blade, produce heat, and therefore kill some nutrients in the process. However, centrifugal juicers are generally much less expensive and can be ideal for the occasional juicer. They are also quicker and can handle inputting more fruit than masticating juicers. The first juicer I owned was a Jack Lalane juicer, found here, and it worked well for me. I can’t speak to other brands as I haven’t tried them, but I absolutely love my Hurom juicer.
Food Processor
My missing lid food processor is a Cuisinart. It works well (when it’s not missing pieces) and that’s really all I have to say about that. I am interested in buying a mini food processor for single serving recipes so I’ll update you when that happens.
Vegetable Spiralizer
This thing gives me life! I don’t know what it is, but spiralized zucchini and cucumber just do not taste the same as their normally chopped counterparts. Can also be used to create curly fries. Still trying to figure out how people spiralize carrots…in the meantime I’ll stick to buying mine pre-shredded from Whole Foods.
Soda Stream
If you aren't addicted to club soda then you're done here. On the other hand, if you're like me and totaled your club soda purchases over the course of a cloudy November to realize you spent $260 and need a new way of life, then THIS IS IT. Cost effective and better for the environment. Win. Win.
