I am having trouble focusing this afternoon. I blame the cold, gray weather.
Meanwhile, Matt’s been on the phone for hours!! This morning we met with our contractor. Whew things are going well. We may have a few days delay because of a new roof our landlord is putting on and this blah weather we’re having, but things are moving along. The next big thing for us is getting tons (literally – tons) of equipment here and installed! Hence the hours of phone calls.
Once we were home from our meeting, I waited a bit for hunger to build for lunch. It’s weird for me to eat lunch without going to the gym first since that’s what I do most days!
MY OTHER RECIPES
We were out of eggins, so while we were out I stopped into Feast to pick up some – Polyface in honor of Joel!
New twist on a cheese + jam or jam + egg sandwich = cheese, egg + jam. Parmesan was fabulous in this combo on Great Harvest spelt bread!
On the side – a fru fru salad. Greens with olive oil, salt and granola for crunch!
And a few pieces of carrot and mango from the fridge
Peppermint tea instead of sparkles because it’s freezing here. Feels like February.
But still a bright lunch.
I did a bit more grinding. I sure hope I’m not dulling my Vita-mix blade too much! It blended up the steel cuts into Scottish-style oats in just 5 seconds! You’re right, Ashley, better than the Cuisinart. If I had to choose between a Vita-mix and a Cuisinart, I’d choose the Vita-mix!
Is it breakfast time yet??
Do you have the smaller Vita-Mix container for grinding grains? You are not supposed to use the regular, large one for grinding grains. It may even void your warranty; I am not sure. I love my VM!
no I don’t have that one. But it worked like a charm?
The Vitamix people really pushed the smaller “dry” container for grinding grains – no mention of the warranty but the customer service person said that the wet container is just not designed to grind grains and the blade will dull if I use it for that a lot. I thought it was a marketing ploy, but I got both anyways (since i am gluten-intolerant, I thought I would be grinding a lot of grains) and the blade on the smaller Vita container for grains is pretty different and actually grinds faster than the regular Vita container (and yes, I did a comparison – mine was with buckwheat and quinoa). I would say it is fine to use the regular Vita container if you grind grains just once in a great while, but I really found my dry container a worthwhile investment.
I need to try the egg + jam combo! Sounds delicious.
Good luck with all of the equipment installs/deliveries!
Love the photos. Being on the phone sucks. I was on hold the other day with the bank – and then transferred to 3 different people!
Do you make your smoothies in the Vita?
Ugh, that is the worst… being transferred to other people. Sometimes, I’ve been transferred back to people I’ve already talked to — talk about frustrating! But what’s even worse is when all you “talk” to are the robots. Sometimes I just hit zero until I get an actual person!
I want a Vita-Mix! I looooove my Cuisinart food processor…. is it possible I would love the Vita-Mix more? I don’t know. 🙂
Your lunch looks great. I made curried tuna salad today for lunch – inspired by a post of yours from a looooong time ago (the old blog). Yum.
I have the TJ’s smoked sardines (on your rec), but was too chicken. Went with the ‘safe’ choice today… ha, ha.
~
can you grind flax in the Vita?? We had an unfortunate flax explosion when I tried to use my food processor. Flax EVERYWHERE!
I don’t see why not?
My cuisinart wasn’t strong enough to grind it! I wonder if VM is stronger than a regular FP?
I use my coffee grinder to grind flax seed, works great!
I have flax seeds and I’m unsure of how to grind them.
A coffee grinder works best if you’ve got one.
Opps! I think Jodi and I responded at the same time.
Thanks, Jodi & Faith! I currently use a burr grinder so I’ll have to dig out my old grinder and put it to the test.
I always use plain old oats in my breakfasts…. you make me wanna try other options too. I might have to hit up the whole foods bulk aisle and experiment this weekend!
I think I have the same as Caitlin HTP’s processor–the hamilton beach one? It’s great, but it doesn’t melt things like nut butters. Unless i’m wrong haha. Have a beautiful day! <33
I would love love love to have a vita-mix one day. It’s on the list of things I’d put on a wedding registry… now if only I were engaged… ha! Maybe one day 🙂
I’m always so intrigued by your food combinations. Hmm…not sure what to think about the cheese, jam and egg. I have done just the cheese and jam and it was delish!
My mom bought me the Vita-mix last year because she insisted that everyone needs one, and I don’t know what I did without it! I’m in love with that thing.
Such pretty lunch pics 🙂
I think we’re having the same weather 🙁 Hopefully it will clear in the a couple days 🙂
That egg + cheese + jam sandwich looks delicious! It’s almost time for lunch here in CA and I’m starving!
I’m glad things are moving along with building the bakery!
Yay for vitamix! I can’t wait until I can afford one, haha 🙂
Hey Kath! How long can you leave overnight oats in the fridge? I usually make a big pot of oats on Sunday and divide them into 5 Pyrex bowls for easy reheating at work all week. With the warmer temps approaching, I’m wondering if I’ll have to start prepping my breakfast daily…
Just overnight. A few hours would do the trick
Next time I make an egg sandwich for breakfast, I’m def adding a little jam !
I have a Cuisinart that works great for food processing and blending but I’ve never tried grinding any grains in it. Lunch looks great- as usual! 🙂
I was just thinking today if jam, cheese and egg make a good combo!
Looks delicious 🙂
Your lunch looks delicious, per usual!!
I love the idea of parmesan on a sandwich! I’m not a huge fan of jam, but you make me want to reconsider!
I have the Cuisinart. I need to start thinking about a Vitamix. The sandwich combo looks so interesting and tasty!
Mmmm I love Morroccan Mint tea!
I want a vitamix so badly…one day!
“fru fru salad” haha that is a perfectly way to describe that type of salad.. I’m jealous you can eat them; I have to cover mine up in topping because otherwise I feel like I’m just eating leaves :-/
I hope that yummy lunch gave you some energy! It’s dull and cloudy here too….feels like springmay never get here:0)
I so wish I had a Vita-mix, but my cuisineart will just have to do! I’m thinking if grinding farro tonight…wish me luck!
A guy I knew in my 20s used to make jam/jelly omelettes. Turns out it was a tradition in some parts of Brooklyn. You might try that and report back!
I long for the day I can lay my hands on a Vitamix 🙂
I have both the wet (both the large and small canisters) and dry blades for my Vita. So I have 3 canisters. I never!! use the dry blade one. And 90% of the time I use the large/wet canister. Only use the small one if I am truly grinding like 1/4 c of something which sometimes in raw baking, 1/4 c dry oats makes the difference in a recipe so I whip out the small container for that.
But in 3 yrs of making raw baked goods and grinding TONS of nuts and oats and almonds into nut flours, I have had no issues w/ blades being dulled. It’s just so much easier to have 1 go-to canister. And worst case scenario, if you do dull the blades, for 79 bucks you can get new container. That’s my logic 🙂
Good to hear your blades are good!!
Egg, jam, and cheese? A combo I’ve most definitely not tried! I guess I just prefer my eggs on the more savory end 🙂
Love using my vita to grind grains and seeds!
ooh fresh mango?! it’s been too long since I’ve had that!
What a perfect example of the simple concept of getting a wide range of nutrients from a wide range of colors – beautiful photos!
I just made Mama Pea’s porridge this morning by using this very technique! I loved how my oats turned out, super creamy and thick!
It is cold and dreary here too! Rain, rain go away! lol. The cheese, egg, and jam sammy looks yummy! 🙂
Glad to hear the bakery is still comin along!
I think no matter how good things go, opening day usually gets moved back a couple of times, but that just gets everyone even MORE excited than they already were to begin with – yay!
Glad to hear things are going well at the bakery-to-be!
Egg sandwiches rock.
Ugh, I KNOW!!! It is SNOWING right now in Pennsylvania…I just want it to be spring!!!
Although I love my food processor (it’s probably my most frequently used kitchen appliance along with my stand mixer), I really want a Vita-mix! 🙂
I just got some raw buckwheat groats last week and I’m so excited to experiment with them! Already have them sprinkled in a SIAB this moring…amazing. I can’t wait to try her Buckwheat bake too. Yum!
I have an older blender that I dont care if the blade gets dull so I use that to grind flax and things.
i had a vitamix fail this morning but i just made a batch of those scottish oats – hoping it works out!!!
Sounds like a busy morning! That lunch definitely brightens things up. 🙂 LOVE all the differnet food groups!
Lunch looks fantastic!
I love love loveee your photography! The sunshine today was beautiful, and I cannot wait to try grinding up my steel cut oats! Why did I not think of that?!
Jam and cheese (practically ANY cheese) sandwiches are some of my favorites! Then of course, a good egg sandwich is also a good runner-up 🙂
kath,
Your lunch looks delicious today! Every part of it looks so good mmmmm
Jamie
I have been wanting to try steel-cut oats and Scottish oats for the longest time, but I never knew that you can make Scottish oats out of steel-cut oats. As much as I love to try making Scottish oats out of steel-cut oats, I doubt my food processor will allow me to. I have a really lousy food processor. How I wish I had a vita-mix.
Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day!
Ugh- I know, I hate this weather too! It didn’t go above 49 today 🙁 Boo. Let’s hope it warms up for the weekend! Glad to hear your business is coming along, it’s so exciting to hear the updates 🙂 🙂
I should really try jam on other things than pb & j sandwiches! Your sandwich looks delicious, and the “fru fru” salad made me laugh 🙂
interesting sandwich combo! I love it!
I totally just grinded up some scottish oats for a post I’m doing tomorrow! Great minds think alike!
I’ve heard from a couple of people that the Vitamix is better than a Cuisinart. Noted and now I want one even more!
I need a better food processor. Right now I use a blender…which does zilch for grinding oats, etc. Good to know that VitaMix is the one to get when the time comes!
i seriously believe fried eggs on bread are the best thing EVER!
Certainly is a colourful lunch…and some interesting flavour combos too…would love to give that sandwich a try.
Your lunch is so colorful! Love it!
Gloomy weather makes me sleepy. I have trouble focusing too!
Your lunch photos are extra gorgeous and vibrant today!
there is something so wonderful about the combination of cheese jam and a hearty bread/cracker! I used to snack on triscuits with cheese and a sliced apple on top when i was a kid haha
Granola on salad? What will you think of next? Hmm… I’ve heard of the dry container for the Vita-mix but I’m not actually sure if I can get it in Australia. i didn’t see it on the one site that I could get the VM from here…
It’s been dull, gloomy, dark, rainy, thunderstorm, hail and terrible wind here in Central Florida. Scary experience! But that salad made me smile coz I had mangoes in my salad too!
I know what you mean about gloomy weather = sleepy!
That lunch looks fabulous!
I haven’t used my Vitamix for dry grains or anything yet. I feel like I under utilize it. The only thing I use it for is smoothies! I’ve found most other things work better in the food processor.
I’m jealous of your ripe mango! I tried to have mango in my salad tonight for dinner, but when I cut it open, it definitely wasn’t ripe yet! 😛
Do you think we can grind wheat berries in the wet container?
Yes, I think so
I am moving to Virginia (Fairfax!) in a few weeks 🙂 I’ve heard of Polyface – can’t wait to make the drive out there for a visit! But I thought they only sold their products on the farm? Or is that where you went to get the eggs? If there is a store that sells Polyface products I’d love to know!
They sell in some stores- there’s a list on their website. My eggs are from Feast
I will try it out this weekend because I cannot get whole wheat flour from where I stay. Previously I was thinking of getting a dry container but I think what Averie commented is logical. Just use the wet blade and if it gets dull, get a new container rather than getting a dry blade now but only use it occasionally.
i LOVE the look of your ground grains…so pretty (and delicious) looking!
Such a good brunch sandwich! Can’t wait to try.
Now that’s my kinda sandwich! I love pairing cheese with jam!
What a gorgeous lunch!! I love eating some extra carrots on the side. It really fills me up!
I tried unsuccessfully to find this information on the Vitamix website, so I was wondering how you would describe the difference/advantage between a Vitamix and other blenders. Reading through the above comments, it seems like it has a strong following of fans – but I hardly use the blender I do have, so I’m curious about its perks. Thanks! =)
I don’t know the science, but it’s REALLY REALLY powerful, really lightweight, easy to clean and very very versatile (hence the grains to hummus to smoothies).