Vitamix: Eating Natural

Task 40: Eat all natural, nothing processed for 1 month

This Christmas I got a Vitamix 750 Professional series blender. I have wanted one of these for years and have sat through more demonstrations at the Big E then I can remember. Any one that doesn’t know what a Vitamix is, let me explain it. A vitamix is more than a blender; it’s a way of life. With the vitamix you can make hot soups, ice cream, blend, chop, and so much more. It can replace most small appliances in your kitchen.

The vitamix is the one of the best ways to begin and maintain a diet of non-processed foods. With Task 40 in my Day Zero Project being to do just that I thought that this appliance would be a great way to help me accomplish this goal. In the box with my newest kitchen appliance was a book called “Create: Inspiring recipes for every day of the week”. I plan to make each and every one of the 200 recipes it contains. Tomorrow morning I am going to start the year of right with the first breakfast recipe; A Blackberry Pear Smoothie.

Boston Pops Holiday Concert

To get into the holiday spirit my parents and I attended the The Boston Pop’s Holiday Concert in Worcester, MA. The Boston Pops and conductor Keith Lockhart dazzled the city and the audience with their sold out holiday concert at the Hanover Theatre. They were accompanied by vocal group Five by Design, the Seven Hills Charter School Show Choir, and Jolly Ole’ St. Nick. This performance by the Boston Pop’s marks their return after having broken their 27 year tradition of coming to Worcester in 2008. This year they moved from the larger DCU center to the more intimate Hanover Theatre. This more intimate setting, where the venue is known for its acoustics, proved to be a success with not a single empty seat.

After a brief introduction by Hanover Theatre’s Troy Siebels, the Boston Pop’s and Keith Lockhart started the show off with a bang with Christmas Canticles. The concert featured classic music of the holiday season with a unique twist. The vocal styling’s of Five by Design added a retro swing style to the performance. They performed such Christmas songs as Carol of the Bells, O Come O Come Emanuael, Holly Jolly Christmas and a special reading of how the Grinch Stole Christmas.

After a brief intermission they started the second half with an amazing rendition of Joy! followed by Noelle Scarlett from Grafton High School reading the classic Yes. Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus. While they continued with more classics like Sleigh Ride, Home for the Holiday’s and Twas the Night Before Christmas you couldn’t help but want to sing along with the beautiful music.

The show wrapped up when Jolly Ole’ St. Nick joined Keith Lockhart on stage and the Seven Hills Charter School Show Choir performed Light the Candles. They then lead the audience in a sing along of some of the classic holiday songs like Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Have yourself a Merry Christmas, Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire, Winter Wonderland, and Jingle Bells.


After a standing ovation for their performances we were treated to an encore performance of Silent Night sung by Five By Design. The concert was closed by the Boston Pop’s with a solo orchestra performance of holiday medley of Christmas Favorites Frosty the Snowman and Jingle Bells.

Panorama of The Hanover Theatre from the Balcony with the Boston Pop's on Stage

 



Task 5 – Bully Boy Distillery Tour

(05) Visit a winery or brewery & take the tour

Activity: Bully Boy Distillery Tour
Location: 35 Cedric Street Boston, MA 02119
Website: http://www.bullyboydistillers.com 
When: December 3, 2012
Rating: 4-Stars

Named after a work horse that tended the fields on the family farm in Sherborn, MA, Bully Boy Distillers is owned and operated by brothers Will and Dave Willis. On a recent tour of their Boston facility Dave Willis explained the process they use to distill White Rum, Boston Rum, Vodka, White Whiskey and American Straight Whiskey using their German made 600 liter Kothe Vodka copper pot still. 

Their facility is located in an industrial area of the city and has no exterior signage. When we arrived it was simply the number on the small door that indicated we were at the right place. Once inside we found ourselves looking at their whole operation in one building. Every step of the process happens right there in their small warehouse facility. It starts from the USDA certified organic raw ingredients such as wheat and molasses which they put in the mash pot. After that process is completed it moves to the still, where it processed and distilled until it reaches the proper proof. From there some is put in barrels for aging and the rest is bottled and labeled for sale and distribution. 

Dave Willis learned the craft as an apprentice in a small batch distillery in the Ozarks and his brother Will apprenticed in Chicago. Dave showed a true mastery of his craft and a love of the process that has lead to his success as a Boston distiller of quality handmade spirits. Their products are featured on the menu’s of several high-end restaurants and bars in the city and they are slowly increasing the reach of their products through a distributor. Their small handmade and number batches are sure to become a city favorite.