Week in Review – March 2nd, 2018

Sweet Potato Chorizo Soup, Lettuce Wraps, What’s so Special about the Vitamix, This Week’s Vitamix Deals, and more!

This is the online version of our weekly email newsletter. It features the latest updates to lifeisnoyoke.com, articles published, recipes we made, Vitamix buying advice for those considering, and links (generally plant-based-lifestyle-related) we’re thinking about. To get it delivered to your inbox on Fridays, you can subscribe right here.

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Good afternoon from thawing Minneapolis!

Hope you had a nice week. 🙂

Here’s what’s new, exciting, and thought-provoking from the Life is NOYOKE world.

1. Recipes we made this week

4-ingredient, 1-pot, Mexican Sweet Potato Chorizo Soup. Can’t speak highly enough about the ease, quickness, and deliciousness. Make it for dinner tonight or lunch this week.

Mouthwatering Asian-style Lettuce Wraps. The flavors are Asian-inspired and are similar to the ones you’d get at PF Chang’s. And this is important: Do not be intimidated by the quantity of ingredients and instructions. This lettuce wraps recipe is easy.

A smoothie bowl with acai, strawberries, blueberries, flaxseed, and almond milk.

An acai bowl with greens whose colors stopped me in my tracks three seconds into blending.

And this morning, a batch of green juice.

2. A new blog post (review / recommendation)

Consider: The Certified Reconditioned Standard Programs Vitamix is a fan favorite. With over 1,700 5-star reviews and half-a-dozen friends who’ve received one of these from us as a gift, it’s objectively and subjectively a great pick.

3. New YouTube video we published

During our visit to the Vitamix Culinary Exploration Center last fall, I asked Michelle to help me answer a question we get all the time: What’s so special about the Vitamix?

Watch: THE VITAMIX: WHY SO SPECIAL? w/ Michelle of Vitamix Culinary Exploration Center

Here are a few highlights from the video above:

:30 How Michelle helps people feel comfortable “taking the plunge”
:54 The one thing the Vitamix does not do
1:15 How the Vitamix can help you get healthy
1:43 Closeup with the Copper Metal edition A3500
1:52 Why it’s so nice to be a person who sells the Vitamix (compared to selling other products)
3:26 What Michelle hears most often from shoppers in her store
4:10 What Lenny hears most often from shoppers who email
4:39 A helpful tip for new users
6:35 Dealing with the “I don’t deserve it” hurdle
7:51 Why it’s easier than it’s ever been to get a Vitamix
8:54 Comparing getting a Vitamix to getting a gym membership
10:30 Why getting something like a Vitamix typically is not worth it
11:25 How a Vitamix morphs with you as your needs change
12:28 Response: I’ll get a Vitamix when our cheap blender dies
13:35 How we use our Vitamix
15:20 The bottom line: Why you should or should not get a Vitamix

4. Vitamix Deals (for those considering)

The following are deals on Vitamix models featured on our model comparison page. All of them come with free shipping via our links.

Here’s a 30-second, up-close look at this model

Notes: Like all the A3500’s with True Metal Finishes, this is one of the least loud Vitamix machines you can buy. Copper metal is certainly not for every kitchen. But for modern, industrial, or kitchens that already have a copper appliance, this can be a nice addition.

Compare: The A3500 True Metal Finish Options

Notes: This model is a Vitamix fan favorite. It’s the one we’ve gifted to family several times. Step up your smoothie game for under $300 bucks.

Read: No downside to Certified Reconditioned Vitamix Machines

Notes: Another great pick for anyone trying to get into the Vitamix family for under $300.

Read: Everything you ought to know about the Explorian Series E310

Watch: Shalva unboxing the E310

5. Links, useful tips, and news we’re thinking about

Blame bacon

Last week we shared our classic video about whether or not bacon is worth it. Right on queue, this week I find a long read from Guardian that’s less about the indisputable fact that, “yes, bacon really is killing us,” and more about answering this question: How did the meat industry convince us it was safe?

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Thanks for reading and have a good week,
Lenny and Shalva

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And then, catch up on the last few week’s week-in-review:

Cranberry Relish Sauce Demo, What We’re Eating Lately, Study on Calorie Counting, A Look at the A3500 Copper, Vitamix Deals, and more!

Recipe Index Revamp, The Ultimate Guide to Making Smoothie Bowls, Live Vitamix Demo Video, Green Juice and Acai Bowls with a toddler, a Gooseneck Cellphone Stand, and more!

Green Juice Kids Video for Toddlers, The Ultimate Guide to Making Nut Butters in Your Vitamix, Southwest Salads, and more!