Need help on kitchen appliances

[hippie]

Ok, so I know there are definitely preferred brands among raw foodist. Unfortunately my budget doesn't allow for a lot of wiggle room. I'm a divorced mom of 2, a full time college student, and I do some consulting part time from home. I cannot cut into monthly bills and :eek: Christmas (praise God I can even afford Christmas this year!). With that said, I think I can swing a whopping $100 for the kitchen right now. Ok, so here is what I am working with, and these are the things I need. Any and ALL suggestions well appreciated!!!!

Currently have: Blender, Oster. It sucks, but I will deal until January!

Needs: spiralizer for veegies, dehydrator, food processor.

The juicer is way way later down the list for me :P

Anyhow, $30 to $40 suggestions well appreciated!!!!! Thanks in advance guys!!!!
:heart

btw: I have checked all my local thrift shops and found NADA!!

[RawHealthyBeauty]

I would recommend the Ninja blender which also comes with a food processor ringing up to 45 dollars the most and with lids to store in the fridge. It almost does a good job as the Vita-Mix.

You can still make juices by blending whatever raw in blender, then straining it through painter bags to sub for nut mylk bags.

I have it as a portable thing to take with me to work and other places. It's light and pretty handy compared to other blenders.

As far as the D goes......don't know of cheaper alternatives to this one. Unless you find it on craiglist or something like it.

Spiralizer can be up to 25 bucks. Can usually find that one at almost any online raw food store.

Wish you the best in setting up your raw food kitchen! Have FUN!! :)

[hippie]

The ninja looks great, good reviews too! I've only seen the spiralizers on amazon, what raw food sites sell them?

[DebB]

I agree - I've seen a food processor like the one Alissa uses in her DVDs at our Walmart for under $50..

About the spiralizer - those are neat and a lot of fun, but since budget is a concern - you can get a great 'veggie peeler' that has a serrated edge that will make long spaghetti-like strands. These look like a potato peeler. Our BB&B carries them along with several department stores in their housewares section. These are around $7.00. I heard on a YT video that you can take a zucchini (or what have you) and set it on a grater and twist it and it will make noodles.

You might even consider posting on Craig's List that you're looking for a used BlendTec or VitaMix - heck, you never know.

As far as thrift stores - you really do have to keep checking. Over the past few years I have gotten a small 4 tray Excalibur (still in box with all accessories) for $10! A couple months ago I found a Samson juicer, it looks like it's been used twice for an astounding $6! I've gotten other smaller things for my kitchen as well like neat wooden cutting boards, knives, etc. But - I stop at our local store several times a week. If it's a locally owned (vs Good Will) store, speak with the manager or employees and let them know what you're looking for and ask if they'll set it aside for you. They're happy to do this, the store I shop at does. I've seen many, many dehydrators (not Excalibur though), these might be something that will work for you until you can get an Excalibur. *Ü*

[hippie]

DebB, thanks I will try to check about 2x a week. You are right, money is soooo very tight, so I will pick up a veggie peeler instead of the spiralizer. I'm also going to search youtube for a video on making zucchini noodles w/ a grater. I found this http://www.walmart.com/ip/Nesco-American-Harvest-Square-Dehydrator-FD-80/10982699 it seems to have good reviews.

I would love for anyone (please!) to chime in about their cheapy dehydrator working for them!

[DebB]

Hi hippie ~ I don't know that you'll find a YT video on making z. noodles with a grater. It was something that a fella was explaining that he did before he bought a spiralizer. You can also make noodles simply using a knife. You can slice the z. super thin (or use a veggie peeler to make long thin slices), then stack those slices and cut down through them, top to bottom, into long thin strands. *Ü*

[k8sl8]

DebB, thanks I will try to check about 2x a week. You are right, money is soooo very tight, so I will pick up a veggie peeler instead of the spiralizer. I'm also going to search youtube for a video on making zucchini noodles w/ a grater. I found this http://www.walmart.com/ip/Nesco-American-Harvest-Square-Dehydrator-FD-80/10982699 it seems to have good reviews.

I would love for anyone (please!) to chime in about their cheapy dehydrator working for them!

I have this dehydrator as a "travel" D. We spend the summers in a motorhome and it is a lot smaller and easier to deal with. I find it works very well. There is no added space between layers to "cook" like you can in the Excalibur, but I did consider cutting out a couple sections of a couple trays to experiment. Have not done this yet.

I got mine on Amazon and it was a bit less than your post. You can VERY often find this type on Craigs list. Do a search and you'll probably get hits for yard sales that have them listed, too. I have had the round dehydrators, slimilar to the post, as well in years past. If cost is truly the motivating factor, and it seems it is... get whatever you find that is cheapest. They all do the basics. You may find you don't use it enough to warrant a bigger one...

[hippie]

I have this dehydrator as a "travel" D. We spend the summers in a motorhome and it is a lot smaller and easier to deal with. I find it works very well. There is no added space between layers to "cook" like you can in the Excalibur, but I did consider cutting out a couple sections of a couple trays to experiment. Have not done this yet.

I got mine on Amazon and it was a bit less than your post. You can VERY often find this type on Craigs list. Do a search and you'll probably get hits for yard sales that have them listed, too. I have had the round dehydrators, slimilar to the post, as well in years past. If cost is truly the motivating factor, and it seems it is... get whatever you find that is cheapest. They all do the basics. You may find you don't use it enough to warrant a bigger one...

Can you tell me what brand you have? I was at evil-mart yesterday looking and the only one they had in the store had NO temperature gauge on it (weird?)

Thanks!

[snoops]

I love it - evil-mart - good one:)

[hippie]

I would recommend the Ninja blender which also comes with a food processor ringing up to 45 dollars the most and with lids to store in the fridge. It almost does a good job as the Vita-Mix.

You can still make juices by blending whatever raw in blender, then straining it through painter bags to sub for nut mylk bags.

I have it as a portable thing to take with me to work and other places. It's light and pretty handy compared to other blenders.

As far as the D goes......don't know of cheaper alternatives to this one. Unless you find it on craiglist or something like it.

Spiralizer can be up to 25 bucks. Can usually find that one at almost any online raw food store.

Wish you the best in setting up your raw food kitchen! Have FUN!! :)

Thank you sooooooo much for the Ninja recommendation! I LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE IT!

[RawHealthyBeauty]

Glad to hear you love it! And you're welcome! :)