Friday, May 3, 2013

Green Smoothie - Reloaded

First of all, I have a few people to apologize to... you know who you are.

Second of all, remember, the right tool for the right job.

When I started doing my green smoothies I would have people tell me about their blender and how it would liquefy the food... I was like, sure.  I finally caved in a bought a BlendTec Blender from Bed Bath and Beyond because they said if I didn't like it I could return it at any time... no time limit!

Last night was the sound test (to be sure I wouldn't wake up the house) and found that it is totally doable if you close the thing in a cupboard.  I opted for under the sink since there is already an outlet for power thanks to the insinkerator and I might gain super powers from all the chemicals down there... well 50% isn't bad right.

I went with the more expensive BlendTec, not because of the fancy tough screen, but because it comes with the larger container.  The larger container costs $90 so I thought it would be worth the extra $50 to get the big container and fancy touch screen.

I put all the ingredients into this thing and was VERY glad I bought the bigger one.  I didn't have enough room for everything so I was planning on running it all twice.  Good thing too because the kale got all stuck at the top of the container.

Contents for Round One:

  • 2 medium carrots
  • 4 stocks of kale (two dino and two regular)
  • a few oz lemonade
  • an orange peeled with a potato peeler and quartered
  • some strawberries with tops on (the green bits left on)

I could tell it kinda spun up and was not hitting the rest of the food so I stopped it early and packed the kale down a little and added some ice.  That ran a full cycle of "Whole Juice" setting... by then end of the cycle it had killed most of it but there were still some big pieces that had been on the top.

Contents for Round two:

  • mostly blended stuff from round one
  • ice
  • a banana
I hit the same setting and shut the door.  After a it was over I kinda thought I would have to run it again since it sounded like it was gonna topple over as if there were a baseball bouncing around in there (remember, its behind a closed cupboard door so all I get is the sound and my minds eye.)

When I opened the lid it was liquefied... my jaw hit the floor.  And why I say liquid I mean almost watery.  I drank some to see if I should add more fruit or something.  The taste was not that great, a little bitter, but the texture was silky and smooth.  I was dumbfounded.

I pored the contents into a Nalgene bottle and was happy to see it filled with extra left over (32+oz).  I was a little annoyed I did not have a straw to drink it from.

I assume the order of how I fill the blender container will make the difference.  I will experiment and maybe update things.

Now that I have jumped back in with both feet I need to find more recipes to try... thanks to google I found the following posts:




to be continued...

Thursday, May 2, 2013

Eagle Scout Project (2013-05-16 @ 6:30p)

Aaron Camiling’s Eagle Scout Project

> What: Talent Show and Blanket Making Live Event!
> When: Thursday May 16th @ 6:30p
> Why:  (From the Scout Project Proposal paperwork)
My name is Aaron Camiling. For my Eagle Project, I propose to design and deliver a project that will serve the San Fernando Rescue Mission. This is a nondenominational outreach Christian Ministry that helps to provide refuge, recovery, and restoration for the homeless in our local community. They provide refuge specifically by providing food, clothing, and shelter for 30 homeless families for up to six months, while helping them recover spiritually and socially. Fifty percent of the guests who stay at the mission center are twelve years and younger. The Mission’s goal is to help these families get back on their feet and able to have independence again and they assist in finding these families longer-term living situations. The Mission also goes out in trucks daily and offers a shower, clothing, and food for the homeless that they are unable to provide shelter for that are actually on the street. In order for this charity to continue to operate, they need donations and help from the donors and volunteers in the community. They are dependent on any assistance they can get. I found this to be a worthy cause.
My plan is to hold a canned food and hygiene drive in the community over the course of the next two and a half weeks, culminating on Thursday, May 16th, where I will organize and host a dinner and Talent show at the Tarzana Ward building for the community as a way to bring people together to help donate towards this cause. The talent will be from among the community from various wards and my school, and the dinner will be open to the community via an open Facebook event, phone calls, personal invites, and flyers. On the night of the dinner, we will additionally be making forty no sew double thick fleece blankets to donate to the San Fernando Rescue Mission for the families that stay there. I expect about 100 people to attend.
> How: Admission to the tallent show requiers a donation of either your assistance in blanket making at the event or a donation of food or hygiene item.

Items that will be accepted for this project:
All donations listed below Must be undamaged, unopened, and in the manufacturers original packaging.

Personal Items:
  • Razors (men & women)
  • Socks Men’s/Women's/Kid's
  • Toothbrushes
  • Deodorant
  • New men’s underwear (boxers 34, 36, 40)
  • New women’s underwear (Sizes 5 & 6 or XS & Small)
  • Women’s bras (34B, 34C, 36B)
  • Diapers (sizes 4 & 5) & Baby wipes
  • Baby Shampoo
  • Shower Gel/Foam
  • Sunblock
  • Lotion
  • Umbrellas / Panchos
Food:
  • Cooking / Vegetable / Olive Oil
  • Barbecue Sauce
  • Pasta Noodles / Sauce
  • Garlic Salt
  • Tomato Sauce
  • Italian Seasoning
  • Canned Raviolis
  • Salt / Pepper
  • Soy Sauce
  • Canned Meats (Chicken / Beef / Tuna)
  • Cream Soup
  • Pinto Beans
  • Refried Beans
  • Fruit Juice
  • Baby Formula
  • Granola Bars
  • Canned Fruit
  • Whole Grain Crackers
  • Healthy Cereal
  • Salad Dressing
  • Peanut Butter
  • Jelly
Also remember that you can make monetary donations to the San Fernando Rescue Mission site directly.