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REVIEW: Ninja Master Prep

November 16, 2009 By 8 Comments

Just in time for Christmas…what do you get the person that has everything?  Why, the kitchen appliance that DOES everything!

I’m finally getting my review posted for the new Euro-Pro Ninja Master Prep Blender and Food Processor
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Way back in September *blush* a bunch of bloggers were invited by Euro-Pro to New York City.  While there, we were introduced to the very cool Ninja Master Prep as well as several other Shark appliances.  You can read about my trip here and here.  Today I’m going to tell you what I actually think about my new Ninja.

I think it’s GREAT!

I’ve been using my Ninja for a few weeks now and it does take some getting used to.  It has a powerful double blade and if you are not careful you can turn your diced onions to mush.  The motor is on top and it only takes a few “pulses” of the button to get perfectly diced onions or shredded cheese.

One night, I wanted to make pizza for the boys but low and behold, I had no shredded mozzarella.  I decided to try out my ninja with some string cheese sticks!  In no time, my cheese sticks were shredded into a perfect pizza topping.

Then, one afternoon, I got the bold idea to make smoothies for the boys.

Tip:  Don’t try to make smoothies for the first time without a recipe.  I’m really a recipe kinda gal, and while it sounds really simple…it’s not.

I started out with a 48 oz pitcher stuffed FULL of frozen strawberries and rainbow sherbert.

What?  I didn’t know that I needed some sort of liquid.  Recipes = good.

My official helper.
(yes, that is a “mustache”)

After pulsing, pulsing, pulsing…taking the lid off and stirring a little…pulsing, pulsing…adding a little water…pulsing, pulsing…stirring…adding some yogurt….pulsing….pulsing…I got this:

Looks good, huh?

It was!

But it was SUPER thick.  At first I was annoyed.  I thought, “this Ninja is supposed to blend anything.”  I had to keep removing the lid and messing with it.  But in reality, it can only do what is physically possible for an appliance.  If you give it a good recipe, it will do good work.  If you give it a half thought out, crappy recipe, well…it doesn’t do such good work.

Total operator error.

The Ninja did blend this concoction and it gave us some serious frozen goodness.

I think next time, I’m trying this recipe (from the Ninja website):

Strawberry Banana Smoothie

* 1 Ripe Banana

* 4 OZ. Frozen Strawberries

* 6 OZ. Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice

* 2 OZ. Frozen Strawberry Sherbet (optional)

Add all ingredients into the pitcher and use long pulses until you’ve reached the desired consistency.

Makes two 8 oz. Glasses

Seems I was missing some orange juice.  Not everyone can be Robin Miller.

Anyhow, here are some official facts about the Ninja Master Prep:

  • The Ninja Master Prep uses Ninja technology to mince, dice, chop, blend and puree evenly without turning food into mush.
  • Ninja technology cuts precisely and evenly.
  • Both the large 48oz pitcher and 2 cup bowl make it easy to switch from food prep to drink making in seconds.
  • High-torque motor offers uniform cutting and ice crushing action while splash guards keep the prep area clean.
  • Both the pitcher and bowl are designed to use the same powerful motor which is interchangeable to save space.
  • Ergonomic operation with one touch pulsing creates an easy-to-use and safe product.
  • Features dishwasher safe parts.
  • Contains custom-fit storage lids for both the pitcher and bowl.

Things I LOVE about my Ninja:

  • It’s really easy to clean!  So much easier than my blender or my food processor.  No creases that need cheese dug out of.  The double blade easily pulls apart for easy washing.
  • DISHWASHER SAFE!  A must have.
  • The plastic is BPA free and break resistant.
  • The lids are great.  You can chop some onions and pop a lid on to use at dinner.
  • The 2 cup bowl is attractive enough to go from the fridge to the table.

Things I don’t love about my Ninja:

  • Not much really.  It does take some practice with the pulsing before you are not making mush, or leaving chunks.  Practice makes perfect!

I know that my Ninja will be working double time as the holidays approach.  I am really happy with how it performs and have put my blender and food processor away into the cupboard.  I use my Ninja for everything now.

The Ninja Master Prep is available online and at retailers nationwide.  It retails for $49.99 and will make any wanna be chef a fabulous gift.

Euro-pro provided me with a paid trip to New York to be introduced to the product as well as a Ninja for personal review.  My opinion is my own and is not influenced by Euro-pro.
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Mommy in New York City ~ Day 2

September 28, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Continuing on from Day 1…

I had my alarm set for 5am so I could make it to a Today Show taping, but when you are still trying to fall asleep at 4am…well, I just kept on “napping.”  I got my butt up and out of bed at 7am.  I got dressed and ready for the big event which was to start at 9am.  I headed across the street for McDonalds breakfast.

My cousin Gary is from NYC and he was so disappointed that I ate at McD’s for breakfast.  Sorry, Gary.

After breakfast I checked out of my room and met up with my walking buddies, Shera and Lisa.  Really, most of the bloggers that were in the hotel were meeting in the lobby so we could walk as a group the 10 minutes to the Mandarin Oriental Hotel.  The walk went down Broadway and it was a fun walk with more great sites.

letterman [Read more...]

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Mommy in New York City ~ Day 1

September 28, 2009 By Leave a Comment

I was invited by Euro-Pro to a NYC Blogger Event where we (a bunch of super cool bloggy gals and guys along with various media) got a first hand look at the new Ninja Master Prep.

Oh.My.Gosh!

This was one crazy adventure for sure.  I had so much fun!

I had never been to New York and when I got the invite I about came out of my skin.  I was so excited!  Really, I still have no idea how my name came up on this list…but I’m certainly glad it did.  Let me share how the weekend went, and I have LOTS of pictures.  I’m going to split it into 2 posts:  Day 1 and Day 2 just so it doesn’t get too long.  K?

Wednesday morning I was up at 4am to leave.  My flight left at 7:30.  It was a long flight but went by quickly (thanks to my True Blood books).  I arrived into the JFK Airport at 3:30ish.  I hopped aboard my shuttle to get a ride to my hotel, the Sheraton Manhattan.

Anything and everything you have ever heard about taxi/shuttle drives in NYC is 1000% TRUE!  I have never been so afraid in my entire life as I was on that 2.5 hour shuttle ride.  We were literally flying at around 50+ mph through tiny residential streets.  Not enough room to squeeze by?  The driver folded in his mirrors to get that extra inch of space!  I shit you not!  Then hoards of people are walking across at the intersections and the cars are just driving through.  I thought we would hit more than one person.  EVERYBODY thought it was their right of way.

Amazingly enough, I arrived at my hotel in one piece.  I got checked into my small, but beautiful room and was set to check out the city.  I walked out onto the sidewalk and my mind just blanked out.  I had no idea what to do or where to go.  I had all these plans of what to see, but you get there and it’s loud and bright and overwhelming.  I needed to eat (hadn’t since 4:30am) so I made a right and headed directly into Times Square.

timesquareI’m sorry I’m not a very good night time photographer!

Self Portrait!

I managed to duck into a small pizza place (Sam’s Pizza, I think) right in Times Square.  I had a piece of pepperoni and mushroom pizza.  It was the best pizza ever!  I don’t know if it was the best because it was the best, or if because I was starving.

I wandered around Times Square for a bit.  I was just amazed at all the people.  Cars are driving by swerving in and out of lanes (those white dashed lines mean nothing in NYC), and people were just sitting at tables in the middle of it all.  They even had bleachers set up.  I was looking for some kind of show or entertainment, but I think they were just there for people watching.  I did notice a small brass band and people dancing, right in the streets.

My head finally cleared a bit and I remembered I wanted to see the Empire State Building.  So I went back to the hotel to change my shoes and ask for directions.  The bell hop guy (is that what they are?) advised me to take a taxi or the subway but I wanted to walk.  So I did…from 51st all the way to 34th.  I should have taken a taxi.

It was fun walking.  There was so much to see.  The people!  I saw Spongebob and Batman just to name a few.  I walked all the way down 7th Avenue to the Empire State Building.  I was lucky this night, there was no line.  And a nice man who was working at the ESB told me I was beautiful…Thanks Mario! He is now my favorite New Yorker.

I was really surprised at just how beautiful the inside of the Empire State Building is.  It is gold and red and rich looking.  Just gorgeous!  Unfortunately, I was having camera trouble and did not get very many decent pictures.  This made me really sad.  Here is the best one I got:

I did manage to shoot a couple videos, but since my laptop is being serviced, I can’t figure out how to download from the JVC onto my DH’s computer.  Sorry.  I’ll try to add them (if they are good) when I can.

After my trip up the Empire State Building, I got smart and hired a pedicab to take me back to the hotel.  He was really nice and gave me a bit of a tour and took me by a few sights.

He also took me through Rockefeller Plaza but I didn’t manage to get pictures there, either.  I suck.  It was beautiful and all lit up.  I actually didn’t take any pictures because I had planned on going back down in the morning to see the Today Show taping.  But since I never was able to get any sleep (don’t even know why I bothered trying) I never made it down.  This is my biggest regret!  I love the Today Show and am really bummed I didn’t get to see it live.  I know a few other bloggers did make it down and I am very jealous of them (scroll through the pics to see)!

So there is my recap of Day 1 in New York City!  I’ll be back in a bit to show you all that happened on Day 2 and all the fun I had with the people of Euro-Pro.

Filed Under: Mommy Time Tagged With: , , , , , ,
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Back to Normal

September 28, 2009 By Leave a Comment

crazyDid anyone miss me??

Last week was C.R.A.Z.Y.  Here is a recap as to where I have been:

Tuesday – We had our first ultrasound for the surrogacy.  The clinic is about 1.25 hours away.   Me and my mom drove up and met with Shannon and Mike.  The ultrasound was of course, fantastic!  We had lunch at Cheesecake Factory and then did a little shopping.  After I got home, I had to finish packing for my early departure to New York City.

Wednesday -  I was up at 4am to make a 7:30am flight to New York City.  I went to my first ever invitation blogger event and I was so excited to go to NYC for the first time, too (lots of firsts today!).  I will have LOTS more on the actual event and my whirlwind trip later, just for now know that it was a very long day of flying and traveling and exploring.  I didn’t get to the hotel until 7pm and never really got to sleep that night (not for a lack of trying).

Thursday -  As I mentioned, I never really went to sleep Wednesday night, so I just got up out of bed at 7am to get ready for the Euro-Pro Event.  There was lots more walking and fun times.  Got to meet Robin Miller from the Food Network…again, there will be lots more detail on this later.  But it was great and I had such a nice time meeting so many other bloggers.  I went directly from this event back to the airport for my long return flight home.  I arrived back in San Diego around 9pm and into bed around midnight.

Friday -   Since my oldest son was turning 5 on Saturday, I had a lot of shopping to do.  We headed out to Fry’s Electronics, Toys R Us, lunch, grocery store and something else….?  I spent over an hour at Fry’s so that I could get my laptop serviced since it took a crapper on me the week before.  Turns out that the hard drive is failing and the power supply is dead.  So, I am working on a loaner right now.  Got all my shopping done in time to come home, wrap it up and have a pizza party with my brother and some friends.  Another long day.  I actually felt hung over all day just from my lack of sleep.

Saturday – Took Anthony to Legoland California for his birthday.  The tickets were actually provided for review and I will be giving away a family 4 pack !  So be on the lookout for the “official” post on this, too.  We had a LOT of fun.  Legoland was a blast and the boys loved it.  BoBo actually had the only melt down of the day when it came time to leave.  He wanted to stay.  But, as with any amusement park day, long hot day of walking around.  After Legoland, I took Anthony out for a crab dinner at Joe’s Crab Shack.  I had lots of family meet us there and we had a great time.  Joe’s is FUN!

Sunday – Finally went truck shopping.  We ended up at Perry Ford in Poway where a nice man named John (I think) sold us our beautiful red 2008 Ford F150 Supercrew!  I love it!  It’s so pretty.  I can’t tell you how ecstatic I am to be able to have a vehicle that will carry my entire family somewhere.  Getting around in a 2 door, 4 seater sucked eggs.  So I am thrilled with my truck.

Monday – Well, Thank God it’s Monday!  We are back to normal!

Filed Under: Randomness Tagged With: , , , , ,
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Introducing The Ninja Master Prep

September 13, 2009 By 18 Comments

If you have been reading, you know all about my dilemma in finding a suitable outfit to wear in New York City for my first ever Blogger Event.  Well, it’s time for me to tell you exactly why I get to take my first visit to New York City.

Euro-Pro is introducing the new Ninja Master Prep and has invited a bunch of us bloggers to New York City to meet the Food Network’s Robin Miller as she demonstrates this new must have appliance!

I will get to watch as Robin Miller demonstrates this amazing new kitchen gadget.  Robin is the host of Quick Fix Meals and has authored many cookbooks directed straight to busy moms looking to make delicious food in a hurry and on the cheap.

I am so excited to meet her!!  I am embarrassed to say that I don’t own any of her cookbooks.  I don’t know why…I have so many others.  So I am going to go buy one so I can get it autographed.  Would that be cheesy?

Anyhow, I am not here to talk about Robin Miller.  I am supposed to be telling you about the amazing new Ninja Master Prep!

This thing looks really cool.

From the Ninja Master Prep Press Release:

…a powerful kitchen helper that will enable anyone to rule the kitchen.  the Ninja Master Prep transforms everyday ingredients into delectable drinks, snacks and meals with Ninja technology that turns chunks of ice into show instantaneously and evenly chops an onion in seconds.  Offering the speed and accuracy of professional grade products, the Master Prep can chop, blend, mince, dice or puree with refinement allowing for hassle-free entertaining or quick and delicious snacks.

The Master Prep’s Ninja Technology sets a new precedent in the kitchen appliance market by chopping food or blending drinks with a uniform consistency and without turning food into mush.  With both a 48 oz. pitcher and a 2-cup bowl that feature splash guards and slip resistant bottoms, this all-in-one versatile appliance takes the place of bulky food processors and blenders that are difficult to store and clean.  Custom-fit storage lids and dishwasher-safe parts let the home cook move seamlessly from food prep to cleanup.

I can’t wait to try this out.  I have both a blender and a food processor taking up space on my counter.  I use each one for different things.   I think it will be awesome to have just one universal appliance taking up less space and doing a better job.

The Ninja Master Prep will become available in stores Nationwide beginning in Mid-September.  But right now, you can order yours online.  And even better, they are offering a buy one get one free offer!  Think of who would love this for Christmas??

So on the 23rd of this month, I will head to New York City.  I am very excited to meet Robin and the people from Euro Pro along with many other amazing bloggers that I love to read.  I will most definitely be talking more about it so be sure to tune in, okay?

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