May 7th, 2008 by Cynthia
About a month ago, my twenty year old Vita-Mix Maxi-4000 blender started showing signs of imminent death. I started seeing chunks of ice, fruit, even spinach left in my smoothies, the motor didn't sound good at all and it was starting to emit some nasty burning smells.
I was immediately sad. I used this kitchen appliance daily, sometimes more than once a day. It ground my flax seeds and made my smoothies and protein shakes. I've made fresh applesauce in it, ground wheat berries to flour and more. Truth is, I barely tapped the full potential of the machine while I owned it, but for what it did do well, it was super! And it provided such a neat retro look in my kitchen.
If you are familiar with Vita-Mix blender models at all, I'm sure the first thing you are thinking is "WHY is she writing a review/obituary on a 20 YEAR OLD MACHINE?"
I'm not entirely crazy... yes, this model is OLD, but I've heard of machines that have lasted as long as thirty years with daily usage! Furthermore, there is a thriving trade in old Vita-Mix blenders, parts and accessories on eBay. It's possible to find barely used or even like new machines with all stickers intact! Given the high price of a brand new model, many folks DO search for these older models! You can still buy replacement parts for the 4000, including Action Domes and seals and in fact, Vita-Mix will still repair the Maxi-4000 motor bases for $110. So I hope that shoppers for used equipment find this information useful.
Besides... I was fond of my Vita-Mix 4000, it had served me long and well. Respect is due. I am the kind of person who buys quality, takes care of it and has her stuff last for many years.
With the death of my 4000 coming, I knew I'd like to upgrade to the new 5200 model. Fortunately, my wonderful husband said I could for my birthday! Needless to say, he is now reaping the food rewards! Vita-Mix offers a $75 credit trade-in program on some models including the 4000 and they don't have to be working!
Continue reading 'R.I.P. Vita-Mix Maxi-4000'
March 19th, 2008 by Cynthia
I had this bright idea on Saturday afternoon... I had time, the house was peaceful, so I thought I'd try out this new body weight style resistance workout with a brand new fitness toy I'd bought that arrived over the past week. Something called a TRX Suspension Trainer. I was itching to try it out!
photo courtesy of FitnessAnywhere.com
For one thing, it looked like it might make some bodyweight exercises, like push-ups, more easy for me to modify and do, hopefully without aggravating my bad shoulder as much, or my feet. Well, I'll have to see about that, but I think I can certainly use it for some exercises. It is supposed to be excellent for hitting your core. And I really need more strength work now.
I set up my shiny new TRX trainer anchored to the front door so I could see the TV, and started trying the All Body Express Workout DVD that came with the bundle. Well, the pace of the DVD was TOO FAST for me, I couldn't keep up. So it was like, stare at the DVD, do a few reps, then move on to trying to get set up for the next exercise. That's OK... you have to learn somehow. Some exercises I "got" quickly, some, I will have to work on.
I found I could not do all of the DVD exercises and I will need to modify others to my ability level. The tricep exercise... well, I have never felt my triceps like that in all of my life! It didn't SEEM like I'd overdone things with my legs. I tried the single-leg squats and quickly realized that was too advanced and went to normal squats assisted in balance by the trainer.
Well, all seemed reasonably well... until after the drive up to the Tri-Cities! Perhaps doing a new workout before sitting in a car for a chunk of time was not a good plan. Perhaps forgetting to stretch after wasn't ideal either! Perhaps I just did a few more squats than my body was ready for!
I noticed I was starting to feel stiff in the car and was a bit sore when we arrived at the restaurant, but by the time we got home again, I was so sore it was hard to climb up the porch steps! And it got worse! The true onset of my DOMS (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness) came right about at 24 hours after the exercise. And it was BAD! WOW my thighs hurt! They burned, they felt swollen to the size of redwood tree trunks! I didn't sleep well.
Sometimes, you don't realize that what you are doing is that difficult at the time and BOOM! I guess I caused a bit of an "earthquake" to my muscles. The quad pain lasted TWO SOLID DAYS. I missed Monday's water aerobics.
Today, I am just normally sore... I managed to do my Nordic Track, and am feeling fine after that. I even remembered to stretch after. I'm hoping I come out of this with a little new muscle! Trying new workouts is good and even necessary, since the body will adapt and burn fewer calories if it only gets same old, same old all the time. I'll just be a bit more careful next time I hit something new though! Sometimes less is more!
Can't wait to play with the TRX again... sucker for punishment that I am!
I was immediately sad. I used this kitchen appliance daily, sometimes more than once a day. It ground my flax seeds and made my smoothies and protein shakes. I've made fresh applesauce in it, ground wheat berries to flour and more. Truth is, I barely tapped the full potential of the machine while I owned it, but for what it did do well, it was super! And it provided such a neat retro look in my kitchen.
