But first, a recipe update:
I added 1/8 tsp of vanilla to the Raw Cashew-Vanilla Bars, which took the flavor to a new level 
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Plus, I wanted to show off the cute owl candle.
When I was at Bryn Mawr (their mascot is the owl), we kinda went owl-overboard and bought everything owl-y we could find .
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And now back to your regularly-scheduled post.
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If you’ve been reading blogs for a while, chances are you already know about the amazing Vita-mix 5200.
The Vita-mix is not your average blender. This extremely powerful machine can turn fruit into ice cream, produce steaming hot soup without a microwave, grind nuts into velvety butter… all in a matter of minutes (or seconds!).
Above, all-fruit Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Ice Cream
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In short, this one machine can do the job of ten other kitchen appliances—with no added attachments.
Recently, the company launched a contest, Pitch Me, to find a new Vita-mix TV-demonstration star. The grand prize is $10,000, and there are over $20,000 in prizes! So if you do own—or have access to—a Vita-mix, check out this contest!
But what if you don’t own a Vita-mix?
You can ask Santa for one, or…
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You can enter the Vita-mix 5200 Giveaway that the Vita-mix Company is hosting with me in January!
I still am having a hard time believing this!! Most generous company EVER! Anyway, like I said, the giveaway will go up in January. But I’m writing this post now because the company wanted me to get the word out about the Pitch Me contest, which ends December 31st. So get those entries in!
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Chocolate-Covered Meal of the Day
Kabocha was once again the star: Rich and creamy Pumpkin Pie Soup (used the Vita-Mix for this!!), toast with vegan butter, steamed green beans, side salad, and sautéed mushrooms and peppers
I made a double batch of the sautéed peppers and mushrooms.
The leftovers became Red Pepper Magic Soup.
Used the Vita-Mix for that too
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Then later, I joined some friends for dessert. And by friends, I mean:
Raw Gingerbread Men friends .
The best kinds of friends are those you can eat!
(Wow, what a bad vegan I am…)
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{ 46 comments… read them below or add one }
OHMIGOSH I want a VitaMix so BAD!!! I’d love to make that chocolate strawberry ice cream. You have the best recipes girl! Can’t wait for January.
I asked santa for a vita-mix and his eyes popped out of his head when he saw the price. I keep trying to explain that it’s a good investment! I’ve still been meaning to make the raw gingerbread men
ahhh that is so exciting. I will be looking forward to that giveaway
:D
OMG cant wait! Guess what im about to go snack on? A delicious banana hammock
why are all your titles so damn creative? makes me look bad! haha anywoo, yay i won the food scale! baking is going to be breezy now. Hmmm now all I need is a vitamix to go with it tho hahha
xoxo
lolo
p.s. adore the header title.
You know I am a huge Vita worshiper and there was a time I think I mentioned it every day (til people wrote to me all the time and said but I dont have one therefore I can’t make this xyz recipe. Sure they can, in a food proc. Vita is my hero no doubt though
) I wish I would have entered the contest but I didnt and now am videocameraless. Oh well 
love ya honey!
What a great contest! I NEED a vitamix! Can’t wait till January!!
Yeah! My chance to win a Vitamix and try those fudge babies recipes!!!
Maybe this giveaway will be one, lol.
Ah, the legendary Vita-Mix. They sound super cool and all, but no matter how I look at it, it’s still just a blender (albeit a superman blender). I’m too cheap to dish out $400+ for a blender… wouldn’t mind getting it for free though
That’s an adorable owl you have there :]
Oh, I can’t wait! I cannot afford one these days and would love to quit torturing my poor blender. It TRIES to rise to the occasion but, not so much!
Pumpkin soup sounds perfect right about now!
have a great day!
Wow! I’ve read and seen ads about the VitaMix for years now…….and I’ve wanted one ever since. This is exciting….can’t wait for your giveaway!! How do you guys get these companies to do that? I’d love to be able to do giveaways too.
T.
YESSSS! A vita-mix giveaway!!!
Your chocolate covered meal looks delicious!
Best. Giveaway. Ever.
Also, the addition of vanilla to the cashew bars sounds PHENOM.
I love all the soup action going on…
Happy Monday!
Sorry I didn;t get to tell you sooner that i like the new look of your blog. I just redid mine too if you haven’t seen it yet, check it out.
oh honeyyyyy I have been prayin to the Vita Mix gods every night! I want one so badly — between you , HEAB, and Averie, there are so many things I want to make that my little lame magic bullet just can’t do. Can’t wait for le giveawaaaay.
love you muffin!
Ooh, a Vitamix giveaway! How exciting! I want one sooooo bad.
I hope you enter that contest – you have so many amazing creations!!! As for me, I just keep dreaming about the VitaMix. It sounds incredible!!
How ’bout we just cut out the middleman and you just give me a Vita Mix
Yes, you SHOULD enter that contest!
So exciting that you’ll be having a Vita-Mix giveaway. I’ll probably be trying to win for the 127497320947 time.
I can’t wait to win one for one of two people (I’ll have to draw straws or see who doesn’t get one from Santa). Can’t wait!
Santa brought my one as a Christmas gift! Love it!! (Thank you, Santa Baby)
Do you blend the kabocha’s skin into the soup too? I may need to give that a try! I’ve been loving on the kabocha lately.
ohh I saw that contest and thought poo i don’t yet have one…fingers crossed for next month… friends you can eat…ha
AHHH I cannot believe what an awesome giveaway this is! I cannot wait! I guess I will have to drool at all your gooodies to hold me over
which I don’t mind one bit!!
that soup looks great!
I <3 my vitamix. Can you believe that I made so many nut butters in the last few days that my tamper MELTED?!?!?!? GAH!
We just bought a Vitamix over the weekend! LOVE it. Such a fun new toy still exploring everything we can make in it but it does make a wicked black bean soup and salsa!
Cute gingerbread men.
I have no vita – mix, way too pricey, and not sure if its my “thing”.
Have a sweet day.
That owl is a CANDLE?!?! Adorable (says the girl who studies birds)!!
The Vita-mix will be mine, oh yes it will be mine.
I’ve asked Santa (aka my bf) for a vita but I think it’s a little out of budget lol. I’d love to win one! I will for sure check back for your contest
Very excited about the giveaway in January!
Man do those mushrooms and peppers look good!
Omg, so excited about that giveaway!
Great giveaway! I’m an owner already, so will stand aside, but I cross my fingers for the lucky winner.
omg so excited bout the vitamix giveaway…i think id positively die if i won it
…those gingerbread men look delish by the way MmmMmm
AHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SOOOOOOOO EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ahhhh! My tummy dropped when I saw this… I was really counting on winning Miss Heather’s Vita-giveaway so I could make smoothies with a non-cracked blender. hahaha
Aww, I hope you win their contest though! Post your video if you enter!
Oh yes we have ourselves a Vitamix!! Love it : ) We make all sort of things in it!!
gosh, i so need a vita-mix on so many levels and i think the only way i will ever get one any time soon is if i win that sucker
……they are extremely generous!cant wait for the contest to start 
hope you are having a great holiday so far katie
~Justine
Oooh. I am so going to make that recipe tomorrow! Thank you! I can eat cashews, they are not on my food sensitivity list like almonds
I will let you know how they turn out 
This is hilariously ironic. Two days ago I told my sister that I wanted a VitaMix for Christmas, but we agree it just wasn’t in either of our budgets. She said, “don’t they ever end up as giveaways on the vegan blogs you read every day?” and I said, “Pigs will fly before something THAT awesome ends up in a giveaway”. Somewhere, pigs are flying. Thanks for another amazing upcoming giveaway!
Raw gingerbread men! Vitamix! This is such an exciting post. That’s awesome that the company is going to have you host a giveaway!!
Best giveaway EVER! Katie you are SO awesome, thank you for doing this. I can’t wait to enter….along with the thousands of others who are sure to throw their name in the hat too. Merry Christmas sweetie!
Are you entering the Pitch Me contest? I think you would make a great spokesperson. Don’t know if you’d actually want to do that though.
Woah Vitamix! I would definitely like to enter when you post the contest!
Im so excited for the give away!!! awesome!
Katie, I made that kabocha soup and omg was it amazing!! Thank you for such a great idea
I think this soup was the first actual “wow-factor” when I used my VM (it’s still pretty new). Soooo smooth and delish 
So wish I could enter the Pitch Me Contest! I have so many wonderful things I could demonstrate! But, I had to ask Santa instead, and… he had to put meon next years list… maybe- LOL So this would be a great opportunity to win! Thx for updating us!
yes, i would make that chocolate,strawberry ice cream with that new VITAMIX!!!!! among mannnyyyy other delicious ice creams etc. what a generous gift!!!!!!! you are an inspiration! Never stop! Thanks
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