Fitness Blender / Staying in Shape With a Home Fitness Program

Fitness Blender

It is no secret that to stay healthy you have to include fitness activity in your schedule, but many of us lead very active lives and finding the necessary time for this activity can be difficult. Home fitness programs can be quite convenient when it comes to getting the necessary exercise.

There are a variety of types of home fitness programs that a person can use to get their weekly exercise:

1. Equipment-There are many types of equipment that are designed for the home. Many people have elliptical trainers, treadmills and Bowflex complete gyms. These items can be quite expensive and equipment also requires ample space for the gym equipment.

2. Exercise DVDs-These are quite popular and there a large variety of programs available. It all depends on what you like. There is no shortage of options when it comes to home exercise DVDs.

3. Yoga Ball-This is a large ball that has grown in popularity in recent years. These work well for participants that have special needs and senior citizens. They can be used for both aerobic and strength training.

4. Resistance Bands-These are my favorite and are great for strength training. They are large elastic bands that you pull on when you workout. The resistance that is created when you pull on them gives your muscles a complete workout. They are inexpensive and can easily fit in a bag or briefcase.

So as you can see, you do have options for home fitness. Some people like the structure and social aspects of going to the gym and working out. But this type of fitness routine will not fit into everyone's schedule. If you have a family or do not have time to go to the gym, home fitness will probably work better for you. It is just a matter of selecting the type of exercise or combination of exercises that you would like perform to stay healthy and in shape.

Fitness Blender / The Veg and Fruit Blend

Fitness Blender

Smoothies drinks are typically made from fresh fruits and, less often, vegetables and super foods. It's normally a fairly thick beverage with common ingredients being berries, citrus fruits, apples, and with even healthier versions, spinach, cucumbers, lettuce, and even zucchini tossed in. Vegetables make smoothies even healthier for you by reducing the sugar content while adding their own amazing nutrients as well. Milk and yoghurt are also commonly used. Some of the less healthy varieties might also have ice cream or extra sugar thrown in. Other common ingredients are healthy oils such as coconut oil.

Smoothies can be a very healthy drink, or even serve as meal replacers. It gives a number of health benefits to children and adults alike. It is even considered to be healthier than fruit juice. This is due to the fact that a smoothie provides all-natural fiber to the body from the whole fruit which a juice doesn't. This natural fiber keeps the digestive system of the body in working perfect order. Additionally,On top of that, a smoothie also keeps the body hydrated because of its high water content. It also offers the necessary quantity of nutrition to the body in the form of nutrients like vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.

A smoothie keeps you lively throughout the day by providing energy to the body. It also keeps the mind alert and active by providing it nutrition in the form of fructose. Fructose is a form of healthy sugar found in fruits. A smoothie also will increase the immune function of the body and safeguards the body from falling prey to seasonal colds and flus.

Moreover, a smoothie also keeps your skin supple and crystal clear. A smoothie containing milk, yoghurt or broccoli delivers the necessary quantity of calcium for strong bones and teeth. A smoothie containing oil delivers the necessary quantity of fats necessary for the appropriate functioning of the body.

So drink your way to good health. Have one glass of smoothie when you wake up before heading out the door. It's easy enough to make that there's just no reason not to. If you don't have a good blender yet, the best blender for smoothies is definitely the Blendtec. Toss in whatever produce you'd like with very little dicing. Flip the switch, and in less than a minute, you have breakfast ready to take with you. Toss in a handful of spinach leaves and a couple tablespoons of a healthy fat like coconut oil, and you've got a well-balanced meal in your hands.

Fitness Blender / Eating Right to Lose Weight

 Fitness Blender

Do you skip breakfast? It is imperative that you start your day with a good, healthy breakfast. Whatever you do, do NOT skip breakfast. Your body has been without nutrients for 6+ hours...thus the name BREAK(the)FAST. People who start their day with a good healthy breakfast without fail have the best success with their weight loss plan and actually eat LESS throughout the day than those who regularly skip breakfast. Balance this meal (and all subsequent meals) with carbohydrates, proteins, and a little healthy fat.

Some good options would be a bowl of oatmeal with walnuts, whole wheat toast w/jelly, and a banana. Or an egg white omelet with cut up veggies (mushrooms, tomatoes, bell peppers), whole wheat toast w/peanut butter, and a small glass of orange juice. Or if you prefer to drink your breakfast on the go, smoothies are an excellent option. Gather the ingredients in your blender for your favorite smoothie the night before and store it in the refrigerator. The next morning, all you have to do is blend and go! Super easy!  

In addition, plan your meals so that you are eating every 3-4 hours, about 5-6 times per day. For example, if you normally eat breakfast at 6am, you would also have meals at 9am, 12pm, 3pm, and 6pm. You want to make sure that your last meal is 3-4 hours before you go to bed. Eating more frequently may seem a little odd at first, but studies have shown that people who eat more frequently have the most success with not only weight loss, but consistent energy levels throughout the day.

Think of building a fire. You wouldn't load a bunch of wood on a fire only three times in a day and expect it to constantly burn. If you tend to the fire more frequently and feed it small pieces of wood every few hours, the fire will respond with a consistent and even flame all day. This is also true for your metabolism. You will experience more level ranges of energy throughout the day if you eat more often. This is not to say that you have huge meals at every sitting! Think about dividing your normal portion in half. Eat half of what you normally eat for lunch and eat the other half 3-4 hours later. You are still getting plenty to eat...you are just eating more regularly. This also helps to prevent you from overeating. When you know that your next meal is only a few hours away, you will be less likely to eat more to "store up".

Plan your meals ahead of time, and write them down to make sure you have everything on hand. When you fail to plan, you plan to fail! When you eat more regular meals, you will also find that the 3pm "afternoon slump" will be a thing of the past.

Fitness Blender / Blending Tips and Tricks For Maintaining an Effective Smoothie Diet

Fitness Blender

• Choosing the best blender for your budget

Again, when making a whole food Health Smoothie, DO NOT use a juicer, use a BLENDER! The best blender to use for a whole food Smoothie is a Vitamix, Bosch or K-tech. They are high-quality blenders and they come with a large container that can hold up to 60 ounces. They have a strong motor that lasts for years and save time because they quickly liquefy the mixture of vegetables, hard carrots, fruit and supplements. A high-power blender has a strong enough motor to actually blend and retain the fiber. 

These high-quality blenders are investments in the $430 range, and the savings created by using a blender instead of a juicer are enormous when you consider the fact that no food volume is wasted, not to mention the decrease in health care costs which will be created by your new levels of health and energy.

• Affordable and powerful blenders

You may also buy a simple blender at WalMart or most drug stores for between $39 and $89. These blenders work fine, provided they have a motor with at least 425-watts or more, so that they are strong enough to blend vegetables. A blender with a weak motor may not survive daily whole food Smoothies, so it's best to get a blender that has at least a 425-watt motor. Also, most of these less expensive units come with a container that is 40 oz instead of 60 oz. If the blender has a small pitcher (less than 40 oz), you may have to blend two batches instead of one. Some units such as Hamilton Beach come with a two-year limited warrantee. At that price, even if the blender breaks, it can be replaced for a minor cost. Hamilton Beach also has an 800 number and a website,  where you can order a larger container of up to 60 oz for only $15 dollars extra.

I use an Oster or a Hamilton Beach for my travel blender. There are various blenders that are probably just as good, as long as they have a strong motor. I take my less expensive blender with me on the road and it fits in the trunk of my car or in my suitcase when I travel.

• Transporting your Slim Smoothie

The transport container can be a two quart container with a lid that can be opened and closed as you drink or sip. It does take time to consume the 32 to 60 ounces of blended slim smoothie, so you need a good container that is spill proof. In the past, I have accidentally spilled an entire blended drink from an open container - as you can imagine, this was a mess that took a lot of effort to clean up. A good container or large straw will make it easy to drink the entire amount everyday. You can walk around in the morning getting ready for work and even take the container with you in the car on the way to work. This will allow you enough time to consume sufficient quantities of drink necessary to get the full benefits from blending. 

The moment you decide to blend on a regular basis you will notice a big difference in your health and energy. The days you forget to blend you may notice less energy, stiffer joints and deeper wrinkles in the face due to dehydration. I have convinced thousands of people to start blending instead of juicing and every one of them has noticed a huge difference within nine days.

• Tips for fast and efficient blending

You must have a blended drink on a daily basis to gain the maximum benefits from the whole foods. I know you can be successful if you follow these steps: 

o Set your blender on the kitchen counter top, ready to use at all times rather than stored in a cabinet where you may forget about it. Human nature is such that if you see the blender ready to go, it is more likely that you will use it.

o Have a cutting board ready for some minor preparation to cut, remove stems and seeds or clean vegetables and fruit.

o Use sufficient water, soy or rice milk and ice in the drink so the consistency comes out smooth. The water line should come up to over half or three fourths of the blender line for proper blending of all the harder chunks of vegetables.

o The moment you pour out the blended concoction, immediately rinse the blender and any cutting utensils with fresh, hot water. Vegetables, fruit and sprouts easily rinse with water down the disposal after blending. However, if you wait to clean the blender pitcher later with the rest of the dishes, the thick, almost caked-on layer of vegetable matter will be much harder to clean. The common excuse of not wanting to "do the dishes" may give you a false reason to not want to blend again.

The whole process from putting vegetables, fruit and water in the blender to pouring out the completed drink, to rinsing the pitcher and utensils can be done in less than eight minutes - the time you would usually take to brew some coffee in the morning. If you don't have time to blend in the morning, then blend in the afternoon or evening. The key is that you do it on a daily basis to gain the youth-extending benefits of fat loss, increased energy and total body hydration.

Fitness Blender / 5 Weight Loss Tips To Keep You Slim And Fit

Fitness Blender

Being overweight brings about lots obesity related health problems. In most cases, people who are obese suffer from type II diabetes and hypertension. If you are one of those people who have tipping the scale more than you should, start making a difference in your life today. Here are five weight loss tips that could help you get into shape and make you look really fit and attractive.

• Eating a balanced diet

Losing weight starts with a balanced diet. More often than not, people who are overweight tends to eat more fatty foods and less on the fiber. According to experts, having a high fiber diet will help you lose weight because fiber helps speed up the metabolism. Unlike fatty foods that are often slower to digest, fiber would facilitate digestion. What is more interesting about a high fiber diet is that you feel full for longer period of time. Since you don't get hungry easily when you are on a high fiber diet, you will tend to eat less between meals.

• Drinking plenty of liquids

Drinking plenty of liquids is one of the best weight loss tips that you will ever get. The good thing about drinking plenty of liquids is that it is very easy to follow. You just simply put a water bottle on top of your table at the office and you will always be reminded to drink up!

Drink at least eight glasses of water per day. Aside from drinking water, drink plenty of fruit juices. If you have blender, blend at least five types of fruit juices, which you can drink throughout the day. The more types of fruits you mix in your juice, the more nutrients you will get.

• Climb stairs

One of the best ways to burn those extra calories is to climb stairs. If you happen to work on the 10th floor of an office building, make it a point to use the stairs at least three times a week to help you exercise. According to experts, climbing stairs is equivalent to running or walking a few miles so go ahead a climb stairs.

• Walk around while taking phone calls

If you think that you can't do enough exercise while in the office, think again. There are plenty of ways to exercising while you are working in the office. One of the best ways for you to exercise is to stand up and walk around the room while taking phone calls. Stretch those legs and flex those muscles while talking on the phone.

• Do household chores

One of the most practical weight loss tips that experts recommend these days is to do household chores. According to a recent study, doing household chores would help you flex those muscles and those joints. Cleaning around the house and moving furniture on the process could definitely give you a good work out. Besides, doing household chores will not only help you tone those muscles and loss weight, you can save a lot of money on housekeeping fees as well.

Fitness Blender / Fitness Foods

Fitness Blender

Everyone goes to the gym for the same exact purpose, getting in shape and hoping to lose some weight. Next time you are heading to the gym, snack on these fantastic and healthy "fitness foods". Not only will they fill you up for a few hours but some of these foods can help your muscles from suffering injury due to heavy weight lifting, help stop cramping, help you burn more calories and give you more energy for the best workout you can give yourself and your body.

The Carrot

Rumor has it that if you eat enough of these in one day your skin will turn orange. I have yet to find this out but what I did find out is that carrots are packed full of complex carbs that provide energy to your muscles. They are also wonderful because carrots contain potassium which controls your blood pressure and muscle contractions. 

•  Carrot Zucchini Bars 

Ingredients

2/3 C. firmly packed brown sugar

1/2 C. butter at room temp

1 3 oz. cream cheese

1 egg

1 tsp. vanilla

1 1/2 C. flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. salt

2/3 C. coarsely grated carrot

2/3 C. coarsely grated zucchini excess liquid squeezed out

1/2 C. raisins

Directions

Preheat oven to 350. Grease 9x9x2 " square pan. Beat together first 3 ingredients till fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla. Beat in flour, baking powder, and salt till well blended. Stir in carrot, zucchini, and raisins. Spoon into pan and spread evenly. Bake for 30 minutes or till toothpick comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes. Invert and frost with cream cheese frosting.

The Avocado

This delicious green fruit, which basically goes with any recipe is packed full of cholesterol-lowering monounsaturated fat. This means the avocados keep your body strong and pain-free from certain injuries.

•  Pear and Baby Green Salad 

Ingredients

3 Bartlett pears, cored and thinly sliced

6 C. baby greens

1 avocado, peeled and diced

1/4 C. olive oil

1/4 C. lemon juice

2 tsp. sugar

1/4 C. fresh basil leaves, chopped

salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Combine olive oil, lemon juice, sugar, basil, salt, and pepper in a cruet and shake well. Arrange baby greens and pears in a large bowl. Just before serving, pour dressing over greens and toss.

The Banana

Bananas are known to be full of potassium, something everyone needs to have. Bananas are also packed with energizing carbohydrates.

• Banana Soy Smoothie 

Ingredients

1 banana

1/2 C. soy milk (organic and calcium-enriched)

1/2 C. orange juice (calcium-enriched)

Directions

Peel the banana, break it into pieces and put it in the blender with the soy milk and orange juice. Blend until smooth and serve. If you like, use frozen banana chunks or add a couple of ice cubes. 

Yield: 1 serving

Berries

All berries have powerful antioxidants, which are good for protecting muscles from free radical damage like exercising. Just remember next time you go shopping for berries, the darker the color, the healthier the fruit.

•  Apple Berry Brunch Bake 

Ingredients

Filling:

4 C. peeled, thinly sliced apples (about 4 medium)

2 C. fresh or frozen blueberries (do not thaw) or sliced strawberries

1/4 C. firmly packed brown sugar

1/4 C. frozen orange juice concentrate (thawed)

2 Tbs. all-purpose flour

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

Topping:

1 C. Quaker® Oats (quick or old fashioned, uncooked)

1/2 C. firmly packed brown sugar

5 Tbs. margarine or butter, melted

2 Tbs. all-purpose flour

Directions

Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 8-inch square glass baking dish with cooking spray. For filling, combine all ingredients in large bowl; mix until apples are evenly coated. Spoon into baking dish. For topping, combine all ingredients in small bowl; mix well. Sprinkle evenly over fruit. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until apples are tender. Serve warm.

Hummus

Most recipes for Hummus call for olive oil, which contains Oleic acid. According to Northwestern University Researchers, this wonderful acid is known as a fat that helps destroy the gene responsible for 20-30 percent of breast cancer. Hummus is known for its complex carbohydrates, protein and unsaturated fats. These three elements give us energy during the day.

•  Hummus (Garlic) 

Ingredients

2 1/2 C. canned garbanzo beans, rinsed

1 1/2 Tbs. lemon juice

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tsp. cumin

1 1/2 Tbs. fresh parsley

Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

In a blender or food processor, blend all ingredients until mixture reaches desired consistency. For a creamier texture add 1/4 C. water. Chill and serve cold with pita or tortilla chips.

Yogurt

Yogurt is good for a lot of things. The best thing is having it for breakfast or as a light snack before you go workout. This energy-boosting treat fills you up for a while and give you the immune-strengthening tools you need to make it through the day.

•  Strawberry, Orange, Banana Smoothie 

Ingredients

1 1/2 C. frozen unsweetened whole strawberries

1 banana, peeled and cut up

1/2 C. orange or apple juice

1/2 C. nonfat vanilla or other flavor yogurt (not frozen)

1/2 C. small ice cubes

2 Tbs. protein powder

Directions

In a blender, whirl together all ingredients until smooth and thick. Serve immediately. Makes about 3 C., 2 servings.

Chicken Thighs

Meals with chicken thighs are an excellent source of iron and zinc. Even though many people prefer the white meat over dark, dark meat is lower in fat and has enough iron, zinc and B vitamins for everyone's diets.

•  Sautéed Chicken Thighs 

Ingredients

1 lb. boned, skinned chicken thighs

1 Tbs. minced fresh sage leaves or 1 tsp. dry sage

2-3 tsp. olive oil

Salt and freshly ground pepper

Sage sprigs (optional)

1 lemon, cut into wedges

Directions

Rinse chicken and pat dry. Place each piece between 2 pieces of plastic wrap. With a heavy, flat-sided mallet, pound meat firmly but gently all over to a thickness of 1/4 inch. Sprinkle one side of each piece with minced sage, pressing into meat. Heat a wide nonstick frying pan over medium-high heat. Add 2 tsp. oil and swirl to coat pan bottom. Fill pan with meat, sage sides down, without crowding. Cook until golden on bottom (about 1 1/2 minutes). Turn pieces and cook until no longer pink in center; cut to test (30 seconds to 1 minute). Repeat until all chicken is cooked, adding more oil if needed to prevent sticking. Season chicken to taste with salt and pepper. Garnish with sage sprigs, if desired, and lemon wedges. 

Yield: 4 servings

Eggs

Many people associate eggs with cholesterol. Having too much is obviously not good, but we all need some. Having just one egg a day supplies 215 milligrams of cholesterol, which is just the perfect amount. Plus, a little known fact about egg yolk is that it is an excellent source of iron. It's also loaded with lecithin, which is critical for brain health.

•  Baked Eggs with Leeks and Smoked Salmon 

Ingredients

1 dozen large hard cooked eggs, peeled

2 ripe California avocados

1 Tbs. lemon juice

1/4 tsp. coarse ground garlic powder

2 Tbs. finely chopped shallots or green onions

2 tsp. capers mashed, optional

Garnish, slivers of red, yellow or green bell pepper

Directions

Slice each egg in half lengthwise removing egg yolks. Use egg yolks in another recipe. Cut avocado in half and remove seed. Peel avocado and cube. In bowl combine avocado, lemon juice and garlic mashing to blend. Stir in shallots or green onions and capers, if desired. Fill each egg white with avocado mixture. Garnish with bell pepper. Serve. Serves: 24.

Salmon

Salmon is great for the heart and also contains Omega-3 fatty acids which might help lesson abdominal fat.

• Salmon In A Snap

Ingredients

Nonstick cooking spray

4 1-inch-thick salmon fillets (about 1 lb.)

1/2 tsp. lemon-pepper seasoning or 1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

1 to 2 tsp. reduced-sodium soy sauce

1 medium orange, halved and very thinly sliced

2 C. small broccoli florets

1 C. reduced-sodium chicken broth

3/4 C. water

1 tsp. bottled minced roasted garlic or minced garlic

1 C. couscous

Directions

Lightly coat a shallow baking pan with cooking spray; set aside. Season salmon fillets with lemon-pepper seasoning. Arrange fillets in prepared pan. Drizzle with the soy sauce. Top with orange slices. Bake, covered, in a 450 degree F oven for 8 to 12 minutes or until fish just flakes easily when tested with a fork. Meanwhile, in a 2- qt. saucepan bring broccoli, chicken broth, water, and garlic just to boiling. Cook, covered, about 3 minutes or until broccoli is barely crisp-tender. Stir in couscous. Remove from heat; cover and let stand 5 minutes. Serve fish over hot cooked couscous and broccoli. Yield: 4 servings

Low-Fat Cottage Cheese

This is something great to snack on before you go workout. Cottage Cheese is very important because it heals the microscopic muscles that can tear during exercise.

•  Zucchini, Spinach and Mushroom Lasagna

Ingredients

1 1/2 C. reduced-sodium, low-fat (1%) cottage cheese

1/2 C. grated reduced-sodium Parmesan cheese

1 egg, lightly beaten

1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg

1 can (16 oz.) zucchini with tomato sauce

12 no-boil lasagna noodles (7x3 1/2-inches) or 6 no-boil lasagna sheets (8x8-inches)

8 oz. shredded reduced-sodium mozzarella cheese

1 3/4 C. bottled marinara sauce

1 can (13 1/2 oz.) no-salt-added whole leaf spinach, drained

2 cans (4 oz. each) sliced mushrooms, drained

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In medium bowl, mix together cottage cheese, Parmesan, egg and nutmeg. Into an 8x8x2-inch square baking dish, drain liquid from zucchini. Spread evenly over bottom of dish. Place 2 small lasagna pieces or 1 sheet in bottom of dish. Spread with zucchini one-quarter of the mozzarella and 1/4 C. of the marinara sauce. Repeat the noodle layer a second time. Spread evenly with 1/2 of the cottage cheese mixture and then 1/4 C. of the marinara sauce. Repeat the noodle layer a third time. Spread evenly with the spinach, then 1/4 of the mozzarella and 1/4 C. of the marinara sauce. Repeat a fourth layer of noodles. Cover with the remaining half of the cottage cheese mixture and 1/4 C. of marinara sauce. Top with a fifth layer of noodle. Cover with mushrooms, 1/4 of the mozzarella and 1/4 C. of marinara sauce. Top with a sixth layer of noodle. Top with remaining marinara sauce and remaining mozzarella. Cover dish tightly with aluminum foil. Place on a baking sheet. Bake until filling is bubbly and noodles are tender, about 40 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before cutting. 

Fitness Blender / What You Should Look for When Choosing a Smoothie Blender

Fitness Blender

If you've got a craving for smoothies and would like to have them as part of your meals, it's strongly recommended that you get yourself a smoothie maker. Preparing smoothies in the kitchen will be a piece of cake, but making sure you buy the right smoothies blender is the hard part. You need to consider what you should look for when choosing a smoothie blender for yourself.

First you should decide if you will be preparing smoothies for your entire family or just yourself. There are portable smoothie makers available that can easily be carried to your workplace or wherever you go. They are specially designed for smoothie-making and can only work on one smoothie at a time. In order to prepare larger amounts of smoothies, you will need a high wattage electric smoothie blenders. These are equipped with heavy duty motors that have a 500 watt rating or higher and can blend fruit and ice efficiently and allows larger preparations of smoothie to be made in a short time.

What you should also look for in a smoothie maker is that its base should be firm and the lid should fit tightly over the container. The motor has a high running speed, so the apparatus should not start spinning on its own when it is not held down. Also, the lid should stay in place, instead of coming off the chamber because of the high pressure of whirling smoothie mix. This matters a lot when there are kids helping you out in preparing smoothies. Always purchase blenders with these specifications even if they cost more, to ensure safety for everyone during work.

If you are a little careless with timing, you may choose a smoothie maker that comes with a built-in automatic timer that turns off the machine once the smoothie has been completed. This allows your smoothies to be made of just the right consistency even if you were temporarily engrossed in other activities, such as watching TV. Also, you can buy a blender that comes with adjustable controls, that can allow you to prepare other drinks besides smoothies. One last thing to look for in a good blender is that it is easy to wash and clean after use, whether it is made of plastic or glass. Caution should be taken in this regard because if there are areas that cannot be cleaned easily while washing, they may be potential sites for microbial growth.

Hence, you should give special consideration to all these issues when making your choice for smoothie blenders, so that you can prepare the best and healthiest smoothies for your household and guests.

Fitness Blender / Hand Blender - Benefits of a Hand Blender

Fitness Blender

A hand blender or hand mixer can be an essential kitchen helper if you spend any amount of time making food from scratch. Hand mixers come in a wide variety of different types and styles, and so the key to getting the most out of such a kitchen appliance will be to find one that meets your basic needs and provides the level of functionality that you are looking for. Consider that some of these handheld devices provide basic mixing capabilities while others offer additional attachments that lead to other kitchen uses as well.

A hand blender providing the functionality that you seek will be powerful and versatile, taking care of a wide variety of different jobs within your kitchen. This type of automatic mixer should fit comfortably in your hand, and it should have perfect balance allowing it to complete desired tasks adequately without difficulty on your behalf. Some of these handheld devices offer a pair of metal whisks, which are designed to complete a multitude of kitchen tasks including beating egg whites, mixing desserts, whipping cream, mixing cakes and so on in order to create fast, easy and airy results.

Some hand blender devices have dough hooks that are capable of preparing bread dough, yeast dough and related mixtures. Kneading doughs like these are achievable twice as quickly as if done with your hands, but with the same quality of results. Stick blender attachments are also often included, allowing you to increase the functionality of your handheld device including the blending and pureeing of sauces, soups, homemade mayonnaise, drinks, milkshakes, baby food and much more, either directly in the bowl or pan, or even in a glass. If you make your own milk shakes, smoothies or similar flavored drinks, a kitchen handheld blender will make your life much simpler.

There are many benefits to keeping a hand blender in your home, especially if you like to experiment with new recipes and ideas in the kitchen. Hand blending devices are user friendly but powerful, and so they simplify many mixing, blending and kneading tasks without forcing you to sacrifice quality in the process. Choosing the right hand mixer is going to be integral in getting the most out of such a device in your kitchen. Shop around and make sure that you choose the right mixing device for your needs, and choose a level of functionality and user-friendliness that suits you.

Fitness Blender / Basic Blenders For The Family

Fitness Blender

Back to Basics, which started selling canning and food storage products in 1971, has not only grown over the years but has also maintained the idea that kitchen products should focus on the premise of "back to things that work." In an age of such advanced technology, Back to Basics is committed to keeping things simple for its customers, whether they are professionals on the go or families with a focus on nutritional health. For Back to Basics, it's about family, food and fun. This promise is delivered throughout its product line, from popcorn makers to smoothie makers and blenders.

Blender Express

As more and more people are turning to healthy lifestyles, even in this fast-paced world, a good blender is now a necessity in the kitchen.

Designed specifically for the person on the go, the new Blender Express from Back to Basics is perfect for nutrition on demand. Most of us don't have the time to sit and enjoy our blended breakfast or snack in the morning, whether we're headed to work, school or to the gym. This combined with other morning responsibilities usually leaves us seeking other, often unhealthy, alternatives for breakfast - like fast food.

Not with the Blender Express. Targeting professionals and families on the run, this two-speed blender features a 350-watt motor, a pulse dial and an attached mug that fits your car's cup holder. Not only that, but the detachable travel mug has a flip-up lid so you don't spill the contents all over your newly washed clothes. Available in three colors - White, Brushed Chrome, and Blue - the Blender Express is a must-have for those pressed for time but adamant about health.

Blender Solution

Calling all health nuts: The Blender Solution 5000 from Back to Basics is the appliance for you. Dump that old blender and invest in this revolutionary three-in-one appliance that chops, blends and makes delicious smoothies. This sleek innovation is a must-have for the kitchen, specifically targeted to health enthusiasts, home chefs and those who enjoy in-home entertaining.

This handy appliance is a necessity for avid smoothie lovers, too. No more hand-chopping those fruits and vegetables. Let the Blender Solution chop your ingredients using the blender's base. Then add the smoothie maker attachment (an interchangeable blade base with separate stir stick) to make delicious smoothies for the entire family, or just for yourself. This blender will become a favorite item in your kitchen.

The Blender Solution features a 500-watt motor with 700-watt pulse power, a dishwasher-safe 48-ounce glass goblet atop a stainless steel base and cord storage.

Get rid of that old blender. In today's world of healthy lifestyles combined with high tech gadgets, the Blender Solution 5000 is the "it" blender for your kitchen.

Fitness Blender / Best Smoothie Blenders

Fitness Blender

Best Smoothie Blender for Great Tasting Smoothies

A blender, by definition of its features, will give you a superb blend of fruits and vegetables. To attain the best smoothie, you will need to purchase the best smoothie blender! There are many kinds of smoothie makers which fit into various budget slots. While mid range blenders that fall between $50 and $120 make outstanding smoothies, the best smoothie blender is one that is built to last, has a powerful motor and will crush frozen fruits.

Consistency Concerns

In order to zero in on a great smoothie blender, there are a few criteria that will have to be met. The smoothie blender has to meet these criteria to be considered the best. The most important aspect of a smoothie is its consistency. No one wants to drink lumpy fruits or vegetable chunks mildly processed with almost uncrushed ice. Delicious smoothies require at least 500 watts or more of power in the motor. A good smoothie blender will have a high powered motor with much more than 500 watts to offer. The idea is that frozen fruits, berries, vegetables, tofu, and ice cubes need to be crushed, pureed, and liquefied so that the final output is a creamy smooth smoothie with the best flavors.

Other Criteria

Choosing a blender with a sturdy base that is made of metal is another significant priority as this lends stability to the blender. You do not want the mixture toppling off due to lack of support. If you get one of the premium smoothie blenders then this will be a given.

Keeping the blender clean can be a challenge; the fact is that spillages are nearly inevitable while making a smoothie. A smoothie blender with buttons will make cleaning the equipment a frustrating and time consuming job. The best smoothie blender is one with a touch pad which can be easily wiped and cleaned and is impervious to damage because of water or liquid spills.

Top Quality Blender

The Vitamix 5000 or Vitamix 5200 fall in the category of top quality blenders as they are well built Uncut, frozen fruits can be decimated in these blenders. This blender can even devastate peanuts so thoroughly that you can make your own peanut butter. While this is a top of the line blender, you will have invested your money well as you won't need to buy a replacement for a long time. It will be one of the greatest health investments you have made and be an essential part of your kitchen appliances.

The Blendtec Total Blender is another choice that has been touted to be the best smoothie blender by users and critics alike. This blender packs a powerful punch with a motor that is powered with 1500 watts! With an electronic display that is easy to use and manipulate as well as a self timer and auto adjust function, you will have purchased a highly effective and convenient health solution which can be properly labeled as one of the better blenders.

Low Price Range

Other cheaper blenders that can be considered, are the Magic Bullet and the Oster Beehive. These are quality devices that allow you to make enough smoothies for one or two helpings though you cannot blend uncut frozen fruits in it. While a high end blender might be expensive, the best smoothie makers are without doubt cost effective and will be a part of your household for quite some time.

Fitness Blender / Mini Blenders Are Perfect for Today's Fast Paced Lifestyles - From Breakfast Smoothies to Party Dips

Fitness Blender

Most people do not think they need another kitchen appliance. However, until you have seen the mini-blender in action you really do not know what you are missing in terms of speed and convenience.

A mini blender is the perfect addition to anyone's kitchen.

Perfection is the word used for these single serve blenders that are used for making healthy single serving drinks or chopping, mixing and whipping nearly any food you find in your kitchen. These little wonders are even used for whipping up your little ones baby formula for bottle fed babies.

Salsa is a wonderful dish that goes terrific with a personal blender. You can chop, mix and blend all of your ingredients in this little blender and have little if any mess to clean up and your dish is ready in a matter of minutes.

Mini blenders not only take up less room on your counter space or storage, but they are also designed in many marvelous and wonderful colors. Having one in the office can make for wonderful fresh smoothies or health drinks in the office also.

If you are having your drink on the go, many of these blenders come with travel cups installed. A healthy breakfast drink can fit in the travel cup holder of your car and you can make and have your healthy breakfast beverage within a couple of minutes.

High speed motors have been installed to allow mini blenders to have the same performance as their larger regularly sized counterparts.

Tribest personal mini blenders are some of the best on the marketplace today.

Tribest has three different models each with 200 watts of power, more than enough to blend nearly anything you would like to blend, chop or mix in a regular size blender.

Tribest has taken the personal blender a step further by advancing the technology to include a grinder in the package. Tribest model PB-150 is the mini blender while their models PB 250 and PB 350 are mini blenders as well as grinders. With one touch pulse modes you can have a continuous flow of blending or grinding for all of Tribest models.

These Tribest personal blenders have more than 200 watts of power. The PB 250 and PB 350 models have interchangeable blades. There is one grinding blade and one blending blade, two 16 ounce jars, two 8 ounce jars, one commuter lid (for your drink on the go) and three regular lids.

The PB 350 model also adds glass mason jars. Imagine making your jams or jellies and having them already in their mason jars. As an added plus the mason jars do come with their own lids. Included are one 4oz, 8oz and 12oz mason jar and their matching lids.

Salsa is not the only recipe that can be used for the mini blenders and Tribest Personal Blenders includes a recipe book to get you started with ideas for your blenders and grinders. Surprisingly, you can create soups, dips, sauces, baby food and so much more than simple smoothies.

Fitness Blender / What Blender Should I Buy?

Fitness Blender

If you are in the market to buy a blender, you may be surprised by the amount of choices there are. There are immersion blenders, counter top blenders, blenders designed to crush ice, blenders just for smoothies, blenders that are also food processors, etc. It can be daunting to pick one out.

So how do you choose the right blender?

The first thing you need to decide is what you are planning to use the blender for. Do you simply want to blend drinks or make smoothies or make green smoothies? Will you be crushing ice with it? What about the capacity to grind grain or mix dough? Many blenders today are combination blenders / food processors - is this something you would like?

Next you should take a look at your budget. Since blenders can run from $20 to $500, there is quite a choice.

Once you know your budget and your basic use of the blender, you can narrow down your choices.

Another thing to look at is the capacity. There are single serve blenders which are great if you are living alone, but not necessarily what you want if you are hoping to make smoothies for your family. Most other blenders will be about 4 to 7 cups. Some like the Blendtec offer 3 quart capacity. I recommend a larger size so that you do not end up overflowing the container.

Next, look at the wattage. The higher the wattage, the more powerful the blender. If you want something blended very smooth, then you want more watts. Those who want a blender for green smoothies will want a powerful blender in order to break down the greens adequately.

Various designs offer various perks. Do the blades come out for cleaning? Does the lid fit tightly? Can you add ingredients while the blender is blending? These options may help you choose one blender over another.

Finally, take a look at the size and design. Will it be on your counter or in your cupboard? Take a look at the height to see if it will fit where you want it. Do you like the color?

Taking a look at these various options will help you choose the blender that is just right for you.

If you are looking for a recommendation, then I suggest you take a look at the Ninja 1100 Blender. This kitchen system is extremely versatile and has many great reviews. It can handle crushing ice, making green smoothies and mixing dough. It comes with two containers that give you the option of using it more like a blender or more like a food processor - depending on what you are making.

Fitness Blender.

Fitness Blender / 5 Great Tips To Find The Best Blender For Your Money

Fitness Blender

Whether you're a home cook, a smoothie-shop owner, care about your health, or just big into DIY, a priceless addition to your kitchen is a quality blender. But just because it's priceless doesn't mean you want to pay any price for it.

Here are 5 great tips to help you find an awesome blender:

• Power 

 This might not be the number one thing to look for in a blender, but it certainly does help with everything you might want to use it for. More power means you won't have to prep your foods as much when making a smoothie - don't chop your fruits into tiny pieces, just let the blender do it for you. And if your concoction is unusually thick, a powerful blender will be able to break right through it. Anything over 1HP should do well.

• Blade design 

 All the horsepower in the world doesn't mean much if the blade design isn't good. The blades need to be able to create a vortex, pulling everything in the blender down into them to be chopped into a billion little pieces. It's also good to have blades that get close to the bottom of the pitcher, so that food pieces don't get stuck in that mystery zone between the blades and the bottom of the pitcher.

• Has a plunger 

- Now, I know some of the high quality blenders out there claim that they don't need plungers at all. And if that were true, it would be great. But really, from what I've seen, no blender can really guarantee that it won't need some occasional josteling. Having a plunger that can jostel the food inside the pitcher while the blender is running is a huge advantage.

• Can fit under cabinets 

 Having a blender that can't fit between a countertop and the cabinets overhead can be a real pain! I can't think of how many times I would have knocked over my blender if it didn't fit perfectly under my cabinets. And knocking over a blender while it's running would not be fun indeed.

• Has a great warrantee 

 If you're going to get something you want to last for the long haul, you should really make sure it has a great warrantee. For our purposes, let's say it should have no less than a 7-year warrantee.

But What About The Price?

Right, the price! That's really the question here, isn't it? After all, if money was no object, it would be no problem finding a blender that satisfied all those requirements.

But finding one that will do that without breaking the bank is a different story entirely. That's where the Omniblend comes into play. By satisfying all of the parameters we listed above, and costing only $279 USD, this is truly the best blender for your money.