My Let's Talk About Food post the other day sparked a phenomenal question from Nada, author of One Arab Vegan. In my Fist Pumps post I shared about my recent purchase of the 9-Tray Large-Excalibur with 26 hour Timer #3926T and Nada was curious why I decided on the 9-tray opposed to the 5-tray.

Simple question. Simple answer! I like the best! Several years ago I bought a juicer, which was the best commercial-grade juicer on the market at that time...and it's the only juicer I've ever owned. When contemplating the dehydrator purchase, I knew I wanted the best on the market, and everyone raved about the Excalibur. So after a condensed but thorough research it was determined the 9-large tray is the factory exclusive top of the line deluxe model ideal size for large families, large gardens, and so on. It's simply the biggest and best there is, so I bought it!


Actually, it was more than that. I couldn't pass up the packaged-deal opportunity Excalibur was offering--which they extended until December 31st if you are interested. If you place your order before Dec. 31, 2011 you will receive:

FREE 10 Year Extended Warranty (On All 5 and 9 Tray Models)
FREE Polyscreen Pack
FREE 28 Page Dehydration Guide
1 FREE ParaFlexx™ Premium Non-Stick Solid Drying Sheet
FREE Shipping Via FedEx Ground (within the continental US)

All I had to do was pick the Model I wanted and the free gifts were added to my order. The price difference from the 5-tray and the 9-tray were in my opinion minimal for what you got, and I simply couldn't resist. Plus, shipping was FREE -- yes, please and thanks!

I'm a single gal so the 9-tray may be excessive, however I plan on making A LOT of yum. Think when you go into a raw/vegan health bar and you look around and you see an epic operational kitchen with everything you would ever need, shelves lined up with glass jars filled with seeds, nuts, powders, spices, and herbs... that's my goal. And I'm starting with the Excalibur. When I get to Seattle my next purchase is a VitaMix (I've been using my brother's here on Maui).


While I don't plan on opening my own raw/vegan health bar (heck, who knows, maybe I will!), I do plan on creating A LOT of awesome recipes to feed my family. I am 99.9% certain I will ALWAYS have something in the dehydrator, if not multiple trays in use at the same time.

My family (including myself!) used to be straight up carnivores and now we're 100% herbivores. Not only do I need the tools to successfully transition and maintain this new and strict lifestyle (raw/vegan, dairy-free, soy-free, egg-free, gluten-free), I need recipes, inspiration, and mind-blowing meals for my family to embrace this lifestyle even more, and fall in love with this way of life because it's the way we need to be eating and living. 

Right now we've been what I consider getting by. For over six weeks now we've been living off mainly salads and other raw means to obtain a balanced nutritional intake but with out what my Dad likes to call: substance. He is a big guy, and we want to keep him a big guy. One of my biggest fears in this transition is my parents losing weight, because they really do not need to lose any more. Once we relieve ourselves from this current state of limbo, I'm hoping to get back into the kitchen where I've always been, and start (un)cooking with my lovely new impulse purchase. 

I have a strong inclination this will be a long and possibly tiring process of trial and error; however I also think that will be part of the fun and a learning curve I'm prepared for (for the most part!). Plus, don't you think that is a great new adventure to share with all of you -- my wonderful readers?!

Speaking of which, I have to give a loud and proud shout out to all my GFC followers/subscribers -- I am so stoked to see all the new faces around here. I apologize in advance for not posting regularly -- life has been very crazy since November 1st, so I encourage you to snoop around the blog and check out previous posts while I get back on my feet and begin catching everyone up on all the recent changes around here!

If you haven't already, check out my latest giveaway and get yourself entered! Only six more days and a winner will be determined!! I can't wait to find out who it is:)

-------