I’m sure you may have suspected that I fell into a big bathtub full of candy a la Khloe Kardashian-Odom. But, nope. I’m still here chugging away, perfecting my Paleo meatball recipe, enjoying my SodaStream fizzy water, learning to appreciate a banana as a snack, and resetting all my unhealthy thought patterns.

And, because I enjoyed so MUCH success with the QVC’s Today Special Value that was the SodaStream, I couldn’t resist the urge to call the toll-free number and order up another little beauty of an appliance.

I have coveted a Vitamix for a looooooong time. And, when I saw this one and it was available on a five payment plan, I couldn’t say no.

My husband told me that he thought there were a lot better ways to spend that kind of money, but I know that I will use it all the time–so, I’m investing in myself and my health. With something like this in the house, I have an easy and quick way to make lots of things I never make because my $40 anemic blender can barely gnarl up soft berries. I’d have better luck beating my smoothie ingredients with rocks.

Be still my heart when the QVC folk put a pound of food in this thing and turned it into a perfectly smooth drink in a matter of moments. The greek yogurt cup with a bunch of frozen strawberries being magically turned into frozen yogurt made me smile…even if dairy isn’t something for what I’m doing right now. My kids would find that fascinating when it happened in their own kitchen.

I have beets and kale in my kitchen and some new frozen berries and peaches too…I’m thinking I will reward my stamina this week with a nice marathon of daily smoothies. I mean, I haven’t had a glass of wine in over three weeks. That’s pretty impressive in my book.

This week has been super crazy. Orientation for new students at my work and lots of participation by me in that. My youngest started school. The soccer mom duties have kicked up a notch and will be dicey through Labor Day weekend. Way too much stuff all at once, but I’m dealing.

Tomorrow will be the hardest day of the week. We are treating our new students to a catered lunch from our nearby Chinese restaurant. My mouth waters when I think of those meals. I have to attend because it’s face time and I like these new students. But, it’s going to be difficult staring down fried rice, crab rangoon and General Tso’s chicken. Gah!

But, I have 8 days left and I’m going to do it. Period.