In Need of Appliances

[myrtlexeiba]

Hey everyone, I need some advice. So I have been wanting to go raw for a long time. I will eat right for a few days and then go back to a SAD diet. The main reason is because I give into temptaion. I am 17 and live in a home with my parents and 4 siblings, so my mom usually buys easy, cheap and not so healthy meat filled food. So not only do I have to buy the fresh produce myself (with my low pay job) but I also need to get the appliances. The only thing we have at my house is a crappy blender. I think that if I have juicers, dehydrators, a good blender, nice food slicers, and etc. I would be more happy eating raw if I could eat the foods that I find in recipes that call for these appliances. Now the trick is that my mom won't let me order things online because she doesn't want me using her credit cards, etc. I need to get good quality things that are not over the top expensive, and I need to be able to get them at walmart, meijer, kroger, sears, average stores. So to get to the main point, if you guys could please list brand names and prices of the appliances that you know are good and I will try to buy them over time. Okay thank you so much! :D

[raweater]

I think lots of the top appliances like the dehydrators and good quality juicers are only sold online but I may be wrong. Could you not apply for a credit card? It would almost certainly be much cheaper to get it online, why pay hundreds more if you're already tight on cash? I think it would be worth finding a way to order online, maybe a friend of yours could do it. I often order things online for my friends and they pay me back.

[Aleesha Sattva]

hmmm... 17 and living at home does limit what you can do in some situations. too bad your mom isn't more supportive of you acquiring better health for yourself.

that said... any chance you have another relative who might be more willing to assist you? like a grandmother or auntie?

you can get a blender at any store... but honestly, they just burn out. i bought a $200 Cuisinart in August when I went raw and it's already toast!!! So I have a Vita-Mix coming next week. The dehydrators you get in stores are crap as well... just a waste of your money.

Personally I would try to find an adult in your life who IS supportive of your choice... and ask them to assist you.

[jacsam]

Alissa didn't have the top of the line appliances for years, in fact somewhere I'm recalling that she didn't get a vita mix until a few years ago. Watch her DVD and you'll know exactly what food processor she used on the DVD. I went to Walmart and bought the exact same one and it was around 30.00. Now as for a blender, get the Osterizer brand because the two parts that turn the blades (one on the bottom of the container and the other on the motor base where the container sits and turns the blades) are made of metal and all the other cheaper blenders are plastic. A few batches of smoothies that have froozen fruit and they break. You can get one of these blenders for around 35.00 at Walmart. A juicer isn't necessary and a dehydrator is also down on the list, the special slicers I have get used on occassion. So basically all you REALLY need is a food processor and a blender, which will cost you between 60 - 75.00. As far as the credit card, listen to your Mom.....she loves you, you really don't need a credit card to be raw. When it comes to your birthday, maybe you can ask for cash and let them know that you want to save it until you get enough to buy which ever appliance you want most. I've had kids want something more expensive and that's what they do....between money from us, their grandparents and what they have earned themselves, it happens pretty quick. Your going to do great!!!! Love, Judith:)

[jacsam]

Oh, another thing....I have found my appliances at health food stores, that's the more expensive ones like Vitamix and my cuisinart foord processor was purchased at Costco for 100.00 - which my husband gave me for Christmas one year. (I think they do that about once every year) so no, you don't have to buy on line. One more thing, I would really listen to your Mom because you could easily see raw becoming a source of contention between the two of you.....and that isn't worth it. Your 17 and you'll be out on your own before you know it, so keep your ties with your mother close.....you always get further down the road to what you want with kind words. Your Mom will see your determination and do what she can to help you. There's a Proverb that says....a soft answer turns away wrath but grievious words stir up anger. Like I said before, your going to great!!! Love, Judith:)

[spiralgirl]

You can definitely get reasonable appliances at Wal-Mart, Target etc. I've had a General Electric blender that is 450 watts and my mom, sister and I went raw 8 months ago and we use it all the time and it's still holding up. Also it's good to start off cheaper to see if this is something you are willing to commit too.

Now for blenders I'd recommend: Oster (heard on this site they are good)

GE brand, Braun 550 max (was told at my local store this would be a good cheap one to get)

Dehydrator: Get the American Harvest (others on this site have recommended it)

Slicer: Get one that is a V shape type and stainless if possible but plastic works fine too.

Sprializer: Check out kitchen stores and these are about $20 for the one that does angel hair pasta (this isn't a necessity but it's a great perk and fun)

Food Processor: Braun (I have an old Multipractic one that is still going)

I've heard Cuisenart is good but pricey so check out what your stores have. I personally thing it's better to have a bigger one so you can make bigger batches. Mine is 12 cups I think so pay attention to size and power too.

Now if you decide you are serious about raw you can then always go out and buy better quality type of products. For instance I'm planning to get a Vitamix blender in the next couple of months. I started with a cheap dehydrator and then got the Excalibur, started with a cheaper slicer and am going to get a better one now.

Maybe offer to make your family a raw meal once a week so they can check it out. Once they see you looking better they will ask questions. So many people that I never told tell me how great I look or how did I lose the weight etc.

[myrtlexeiba]

thank you everyone with your advice and support!

[JEN]

Walmart has an Oster blender with a food processor attachment for 40$. I use the processor all the time because it is small enough to make my 1 person meals in. The blender works well too although I do have a vitamix that I love. I have an excalibur dehydrator so I cant speak about the less expensive ones available at Walmart etc. The 2 main things you will need are blender and food processor. The rest you can get in time. Good luck!!

[walnutty]

myrtlexeiba,

I have everything you could want...Vitamix, Excalibur Dehydrator, 2 different sized food processors, Spiralizer, different slicers and garnishers, tart pans, springform pans, and a myriad of other kitchen appliances...

I am writing this to tell you that 99% of the time I use a basic cutting board and a knife! Having all the above is not necessary and definetely can complicate things...in my opinion. I just wanted you to know that if this is what you want to do then DO IT! Just go for it!

I disagree with the others about waiting. Being an example to your family is the way to go! I speak as one who has a mother and who is a mother herself.

Just go for it!!!