Easy Clean Vitamix

Finished

Cleaning

Did you know your Vitamix is it's own dish washer?

It's true!

Instead of washing by hand or putting in the dish washer, simply rinse out the container, fill with hot water up to the 5 cup mark and add 1 drop of liquid dish soap.  I said 1 drop - trust me!  Now blend on high speed for up to 1 minute.  Rinse & dry.

Not bad, eh?

I suspect this same principle can be applied to your conventional blender as well, though I have never tried.

Now if you choose to ignore my warning and exceed the 5 cups of water or 1 drop of soap, the aftermath is all you...

Happy Cleaning!
The Hoff

The 7-Day New Year's Resolution

It's that time of year again when everyone makes grand, lofty goals in hopes of re-inventing themselves in the upcoming year.

The problem with this is that these goals tend to fizzle out by February.  Either we get too busy, lose interest or simply forget.

Why not try a weekly resolution, practiced daily instead?  A week is certainly less daunting that 365 days!  And instead of trying to change yourself, why not doing something that will make you feel good, which will result in change naturally.

Try it for a month and see how you feel - perhaps you'll be motivated to keep going throughout the entire year, perhaps you'll pick up new habits along the way.

7-Day, Daily Resolution Ideas:

• Meditate 5-10 minutes
• Practice Mindful Breathing 5-10 minute
• Adopt an Affirmation
• Eat only Home Cooked Meals
• Try a new Exercise: Yoga, Zumba, Pilates, Weight Training
• Pay 1 person a Compliment
• Practice 1 Random Act of Kindness
• Learn 1 New Thing
• Figure It Out

Share some of your ideas!

Happy New Year!
The Hoff

Peeled Garlic

My latest indulgence is peeled garlic.

I know this is nothing new, but for the longest time, I have avoided buying it, because frankly, how hard is it to peel garlic?

Well, it's not hard, just slightly time consuming and some nights I find it a bit daunting and reach for the garlic powder instead.

I finally decided to treat myself to a small container of peeled garlic (only keeps up to 2 weeks) at the "extravagant" price of $1.32 - courtesy of my local grocer's produce department. 

I am hooked!  I love this stuff!  In fact, peeled garlic so convenient that I am using even more garlic now!

Some things are just worth the extra pennies....

You Deserve It!
The Hoff

Event: How To Start A Community Garden

How To Start A Community Garden

Learn about resources available for starting a community garden, including:

• Practical information on basics needed 
• Things to consider when looking for lots in Akron 
• Hands-on info from experienced community gardeners 
• Financial aid available in the community

When: January 23, 2013
Where: Main Branch Akron Library: 60 S. High Street, Akron, OH 44326
Time: 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Cost:  Free

Brought to you by:
Neighborfood -- Summit Food Policy Coalition
Let’s Grow Akron
Akron Community Foundation
Summit County Master Gardeners
Akron Summit Community Action, Inc.

For more information, contact Sarah Vradenburg at sv0614@gmail.com

Hoff's "Cheesy" Potato Soup

Hoff's "Cheesy" Potato Soup
Serves: 2
meat-free, dairy-free, egg-free, oil-free


Ingredients:

• 1 can diced Potatoes (rinsed & drained)
• 1 can Hominy (rinsed & drained)
• 1 1/2 cups Veggie Broth
• 1 tbsp Nutritional Yeast
• 1 tsp Italian Herbs
• 1 tsp Brown Sugar
• 1 tsp Sea Salt
• 1/2 tsp Bragg Liquid Aminos

Directions:

1. Evenly divide Potatoes into two serving bowls
2. Place all remaining ingredients in a Vitamix and blend for 6 minutes
3. If using a traditional blender, blend until smooth and then heat as usual
4. Pour soup over Potatoes, stir & allow to sit a few minutes for the Potatoes to heat through
5. Enjoy!

My2Cents: At first I was concerned that the soup was too thin, however after sitting for a few minutes, it thickened right up!

Recyle Your Christmas Tree

Sigh.  The holidays are over and now it's time to begin the massive clean-up from Christmas.  For some that includes dragging your live tree out to the curb to sit and rot in a landfill.

Don't be part of this sad, sad display...

Instead, give your tree a second life and drag it to the Metroparks!

That's right!  The trees will be chipped and then turned into mulch and compost.  Plus, this program is free and benefits the environment!

All decorations, plastic, tinsel and wire must be removed prior to dropping off.

Find a drop-off location near you:
Cleveland (ends January 25)
Lake County (ends week of January 17)
Summit County (ends January 31)


Not your area? 
Google Christmas Tree Recycling and see what's available in your neck of the woods or check out the National Christmas Tree Association (yes that exists) for more ideas.  Another great resource is "How to Recycle Your Christmas Tree", for an extensive state by state listing.


Remember, Santa is watching...so is Mother Nature.
The Hoff

Hoff Hit: Creamy Juice

If you're into juicing, try adding a sweet potato/yam to your recipe to give your juice a creamier consistency.   Added bonus, sweet potatoes help to balance hormones & alleviate menstrual cramps.