A while ago, I attended a Ninja Launch Event. I’m pretty sure that you have heard of Euro-Pro’s Ninja Master Prep. Basically, it is a food and drink maker. It’s sort of like a mini food processor…but better. I have had two food processor sets in the past. I used one once. The other is still brand new in the box. You might wonder, why? The answer: blades. I don’t like dealing with them. (I must have seen an image of someone getting a finger or something nipped in a blade when I was really young, because I have a mini-phobia about using them!) Anyway, the thing that I like the most about the Ninja is that it won’t turn on/the blades won’t rotate unless the pieces are in place/the top is completely on. I don’t know of any other food processor type item that has this safeguard. (Believe me. I have asked other manufacturers!)
Food Network’s Robin Miller did a cooking demonstration at the event. She was funny and (obviously) a good cook. My mouth was watering. (You can find some recipes for the Ninja Master Prep on their website.) I wish that I could say that I have recreated some of her gourmet delights, but I have not. Rather, I primarily use the Ninja for three things: iced drinks, milkshakes and chicken salad. The thing that I really like is that I am able to include a variety of healthy vegetables into my chicken salad. Sean is a super picky eater/pseudo-vegetarian child. (I don’t know WHERE that came from…) I think that the texture of meat doesn’t sit well with him, because he will eat the chicken salad mixed with spinach/other vegetables that I blend in the Ninja. When Sean asks if the chicken salad is green because of the relish, I say, “There is relish in there.” There is! It’s like “Santa”, the “Tooth Fairy”, etc. – I neither confirm nor deny. He will figure out the truth about the spinach for himself soon enough!
After the Ninja presentation, we were able to see a variety of Euro-Pro cleaning products at work. I had decided beforehand that I would only take one of the vacuums. There were other really great cleaning products too (i.e. their steam mop that practically everyone was “oohing” and “aahing” about). I live in NYC though, so I don’t have room for things that I won’t be using on a regular basis! That is not to say that I use the vacuum on a regular basis…my husband does the vacuuming now that we have carpets in our home.
There were three different vacuums that I was able to test before making my choice, but I chose the Shark Navigator. One cordless vacuum was really great and lightweight, but you had to recharge it. I have enough electronic items that need to be recharged. Then, there was this super vacuum with a variety of attachments and such. That was too much of a vacuum for me. I wouldn’t even remember how to use all of the pieces! I really enjoy my pick. It has really suction. All kinds of stuff end up in it. It’s kind of gross/scary to see what is on my floor. I try not to think about it too much, because it tempts me to institute one of those “no shoes” policies in my home. (The accommodating Southern gal in me won’t let me!) The other two things that I especially like about the Navigator is that you don’t need separate bags and the price ($200) is much less than similar quality vacuums. The only thing that I don’t like about the vacuum is that although it only weighs 15 pounds, it’s heavy to me. The weight doesn’t seem to bother my husband though, so he’s happy.
(Sean doesn’t like to vacuum either BUT he likes to look like he did…just like his mama!)