Donnita's Intro And Swiss Chard Stems

[Guest guest]

Hi all,I'm fairly new to the forum and to green smoothies! I have really been enjoying all the posts. And Lea Ann what a peach you are! Thank you for nurturing this wonderful community. Your tips are priceless! And your moderation of the list... well what can I say.. I am on so many where I won't even post because the "list mom" is so mean if someone breaks a "rule". You are a breath of fresh air! I have an old Vitamix 4500 on my counter and a Vitamix 5200 in my car unopened. I am seriously thinking about returning the 5200 to Costco! Reason being is the new model that is coming out has me thinking about all the trips I take back and forth across my kitchen to my microwave to set the timer and then to turn it off! I can't hear the timer above the Vitamix so I have to keep a close eye on it. A bit about me.. I am originally from Maine but have lived in Northern Virginia since early 1982. My job brought me here and I never left. My two sons are grown, 26 & 28. I am a lifetime Weight Watchers member since 1997. I love using my Vitamix to make healthy low-point

smoothies. They feel like a treat and keep me very satisfied. Now on to part two of my subject line.. Swiss Chard Stems! I have read in several places to cut the stem from Swiss Chard before using it in the smoothies. Today I was talking to a Sicilian lady who owns a small restaurant near me (We have the best conversations!). I was telling her of my plans to use Swiss Chard in my smoothies and was going to cut the stems out. She said don't throw them out. She told me she uses the leafs and stems in separate dishes. So when I got home I googled Swiss Chard Stems and came up with this recipe from one of my favorite bloggers. It looks amazing! So I thought I would share! http://www.kalynskitchen.com/2008/02/baked-swiss-chard-stems-recipe-with.html Bye for now! Donnita in Northern Virginia

[Guest guest]

Hi all,

I wrote the post below on a day that was having issues so it never was

delivered beyond the Vitamix Enthusiasts group site. Since I was getting ready

to share something else that I have been doing with my Vitamix I thought I would

start by replying to my first intro email.

Lately I have been making spritzers made from mostly vegetables. I started out

by making a base liquid with a seeded cucumber, fresh mint leaves, and water.

Once blended I stored it in the fridge. When I am ready to have some I fill a

glass with ice and then fill it about halfway with the cucumber mixture. I top

it off with sparkling water and a twist of lime.

The next one I made was a bit more daring! It was 5 small bok choy heads, half

of a peeled seeded lemon, a seeded cucumber, a whole apple, 3 stalks of celery,

fresh ginger, and a bit of stevia (Truvia). I did the same routine with this

one. Filled my glass with ice and poured in halfway with the bok choy mixture,

then topped it off with sparkling water and lime.

I am really enjoying the fresh taste of these drinks and they are helping to

keep my appetite under control without consuming lots of calories. And they are

so healthy!!!

Bye for now!

Donnita in Northern Virginia

>

> Hi all,

>

> I'm fairly new to the forum and to green smoothies!  I have really been

enjoying all the posts.  And Lea Ann what a peach you are!  Thank you

for nurturing this wonderful community.  Your tips are priceless!  And your

moderation of the list... well what can I say.. I am on so many

where I won't even post because the " list mom " is so mean if someone breaks a

" rule " .  You are a breath of fresh air!  

>

> I have an old Vitamix 4500 on my counter and a Vitamix 5200 in my car

unopened.  I am seriously thinking about returning the 5200 to Costco!  Reason

being is the new model that is coming out has me thinking about all the trips I

take back and forth across my kitchen to my microwave to set the timer and then

to turn it off!  I can't hear the timer above the Vitamix so I have to keep a

close eye on it.  

>

> A bit about me.. I am originally from Maine but have lived in Northern

Virginia since early 1982.  My job brought me here and I never left.  My two

sons are grown, 26 & 28.  I am a lifetime Weight Watchers member since 1997.  I

love using my Vitamix to make healthy low-point smoothies.  They feel like a

treat and keep me very satisfied.  

>

> Now on to part two of my subject line.. Swiss Chard Stems!  I have read in

several places to cut the stem from Swiss Chard before using it in the

smoothies.  Today I was talking to a Sicilian lady who owns a small restaurant

near me (We have the best conversations!).  I was telling her of my plans to use

Swiss Chard in my smoothies and was going to cut the stems out.  She said don't

throw them out.  She told me she uses the leafs and stems in separate dishes.

 So when I got home I googled Swiss Chard Stems and came up with this recipe

from one of my favorite bloggers.  It looks amazing!  So I thought I would

share!  

>

> http://www.kalynskitchen.com/2008/02/baked-swiss-chard-stems-recipe-with.html 

>

>

> Bye for now!  

>

> Donnita in Northern Virginia

>