Disclaimer: I received this product for free from Moms Meet to use and post my honest opinions. Compensation for this post was provided and this page may contain affiliate links.

It took a while to really come to the conclusion that one needs such a high-powered blender as a Vitamix (and the latest model – E310 Explorian). Maybe it’s age or maybe it’s just the fact that I’m tired of having half-blended smoothies. It comes down to simple math – what is worth more to you? Time or money? If it’s your time, as mine has gotten more valuable over the years like gold, I’ve invested in a few worthy items that will really make your life that much easier. This is one of them.

After the passing of Anthony Bourdain today, I decided it’s time to do more of what I love in life – and that means finding time for the kitchen. It’s therapy to me and like him, I find the biggest joy from an adventure in the kitchen and food. There is nothing to feel more accomplished than take tons of ingredients in my fridge and pantry and like Tetris, make them all come together into one beautiful masterpiece. That’s a gift I’ve been neglecting.

Since May happens to be my birthday AND Mother’s Day, it’s the one month I #treatmyself and this year it was upgrading to the beautiful piece of machinery you see on my counter. And I haven’t regretted it since. The Vitamix E310 Explorian (so amply named that I believe Bourdain himself would approve) has allowed me to take a journey into my kitchen that I haven’t before. We’re taking it beyond chicken fingers and mac and cheese here people, and it’s not that difficult to get out of your rut.

Some simple ideas to get you started:

If you’re tired of pinning the sh** out of green smoothies – there’s a whole world out there than your blender can do beyond the latest health food craze.

• Cold Tomato sauce. Stovetop is for beginners. As shown above, I love to take fresh tomatoes and greek yogurt and pulse it together. Throw in fresh oregano, garlic and salt and pepper to taste and you’ll have a summer-chilled salsa/dip that is perfect for grilled meats (and meatballs!). Step outside the box a little!
• Soups. Better for fall, but I still love me some butternut squash soup. However, it has to be blended after it’s cooked. Before the Vitamix E310 Explorian, I was literally scooping a tiny bowl here and there into the mini blender over and over. The mess and the burns were enough to turn me off from my favorite soup forever. Now it’s a simple one-time blender for beautiful creamy dishes.
• Ice Cream. Oh yes, you can. Froyo isn’t just on the menu for a fun out-on-the-town treat. One of our favorite new things to do is make a fun froyo bar at home for a movie night in. All you need is a good cold base to start (there are a million recipes but my go-to is frozen bananas – they turn into ice cream without anything else!). Get a bunch of fun toppings, think fresh, summer berries, set out and it’s as simple as that.

Fun facts about the Vitamix E310 Explorian

• Ok yes, it’s a little pricey – up there about $350 to start, but trust me when I say it’s an investment you will use – and it will last you a lifetime. All those little fads and fro yo out on the town and $12 smoothies in NYC? It won’t take long to see you’ve actually saved yourself money.
• The 2 HP motor can chop just about anything. You want to know how many cheap blenders I’ve burned out with ice and peanut butter? Just save yourself the agony (and that smell).
• Cheap blenders require you to pull them apart and try to somehow always find the pieces and put back together again. The Vitamix E310 Explorian doesn’t require any of that – just a drop of dish soap and a blend for 30 seconds and it cleans itself.
• Remeber that blender you have that has one speed? On? The Vitamix E310 Explorian has over 10 different speed modes so you can get your Martha Stewart on.

Get $100 off your new Vitamix!

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