Forum Thermomix
Welcoming Center, Management and General Chat => Introduce Yourself => Topic started by: Ali123 on April 11, 2012, 08:23:17 pm
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I am looking at buying a TM and have had the demonstration at my home. in addition to this I have been looking through some of the books and have looked at this forum and found loads of lovely recipes, but am still torn as to whether to buy one or not!! It is such a lot of money initially, money that I have in my savings, but just don't know whether I can justify spending that kind of money on something unless I am absolutely convinced that it will change my life for the better. My two boys are such fussy eaters, only because they like what they know, and I enjoy knowing that they will eat what I know they traditionally like, and I don't want to purchase one to find that they won't eat anything it makes. Everyone seems to only have good things to say, (with the occasional negative) but I just need a bit more reassurance. many thanks, Ali.
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Hi Ali23 and welcome to the forum.
You are certainly correct when you say that purchasing a TMX is a lot of money, but that doesn't seem to be a hurdle you are faced with. Like everything new that you buy, whether it be a TMX, a handbag, a car, a new set of towels ... everything is just a little different to what you are familiar with, but you very quickly get used to it.
From reading the forum, you will know that we all love our machines and very few of us regret making the decision to buy. Yes, you will undoubtedly start using ingredients that you never used before, but you and your family may not even notice that they are eating something radically different. Many of us have found that we are making / baking / cooking things we never did before - for me that was things like pastry, real custard, sorbets, mayonnaise. Even if you only start with 'simple' things like these, some of them will be familiar to your family already and they will probably not even notice the difference - except perhaps for an improvement in taste or texture, etc. and you will know what they are eating so you are immediately up and running with healthy additive free foods.
For me, purchasing the TMX was a very easy decision. For others, the expense has been a challenge, but they have gone ahead and not regretted it. You will ready many threads and posts on here about families with fussy eaters and food intolerances and there is always someone else on the forum who can help and support you because they have experienced exactly what you are experiencing. There is a vast resource on here of all kinds of recipes and I am sure you will find much inspiration for meals that very closely resemble those you currently cook for your family. Slowly you can start introducing variations and variety and they will get used to these changes - it may not happen overnight, but it will happen.
Good luck with your decision and I hope everything works out for you for the best.
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hello and welcome to the forum ali, yes it is a lot of money if you dont use it, but i can guarantee you that you will love it ;D
what do the boys like to eat ?
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Hi Ali23 and welcome to the forum.
You are certainly correct when you say that purchasing a TMX is a lot of money, but that doesn't seem to be a hurdle you are faced with. Like everything new that you buy, whether it be a TMX, a handbag, a car, a new set of towels ... everything is just a little different to what you are familiar with, but you very quickly get used to it.
From reading the forum, you will know that we all love our machines and very few of us regret making the decision to buy. Yes, you will undoubtedly start using ingredients that you never used before, but you and your family may not even notice that they are eating something radically different. Many of us have found that we are making / baking / cooking things we never did before - for me that was things like pastry, real custard, sorbets, mayonnaise. Even if you only start with 'simple' things like these, some of them will be familiar to your family already and they will probably not even notice the difference - except perhaps for an improvement in taste or texture, etc. and you will know what they are eating so you are immediately up and running with healthy additive free foods.
For me, purchasing the TMX was a very easy decision. For others, the expense has been a challenge, but they have gone ahead and not regretted it. You will ready many threads and posts on here about families with fussy eaters and food intolerances and there is always someone else on the forum who can help and support you because they have experienced exactly what you are experiencing. There is a vast resource on here of all kinds of recipes and I am sure you will find much inspiration for meals that very closely resemble those you currently cook for your family. Slowly you can start introducing variations and variety and they will get used to these changes - it may not happen overnight, but it will happen.
Good luck with your decision and I hope everything works out for you for the best.
Thank you for your advice. I guess you are right, and I will certainly get alot more constructive use out of it than I would a new handbag!! I am however faced with the hurdle of expense as it will use all my savings, but the plan is to gradually put it back in over a period of time, which is why Iam a little unsure about making such a huge purchase. However it is reassuring to know that the forum is here, as youy say for help and support, and a huge part of me feels that it is a decision I won't regret. The sorbet made at the demonstration was heavenly, and I would never of thought to make sorbet before, plus my kids love it. One of my boys even ate the red pepper soup that he would never have touched before, so I guess the answer is staring me in the face really!! Thank you once again for your support.
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hello and welcome to the forum ali, yes it is a lot of money if you dont use it, but i can guarantee you that you will love it ;D
what do the boys like to eat?
They like the usual favourites....shepherds pie, lasagne, lamb hotpot, toad in the hole etc etc but I am getting bored of making these things and want to branch out.
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Hi Ali23 - a very warm welcome to the forum! Has your consultant explained the different ways you can pay off your TMX? If not, have him/her thoroughly explain the ins and outs of each method - you may find a solution there without having to pay the full amount up front.
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Welcome to the forum Ali.The TM is a brilliant machine that will change the way you cook and eat but I do agree it is a lot of money.Where do you live Ali.I'm asking because it sounds as though you had UK demonstration menu :)
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I do live in the UK....near Stamford.
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I do live in the UK....near Stamford.
Such a shame you are not nearby as you could have popped over and had a play with my TM :)
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Apologies to everyone who I have sent a msg to and sent it to the wrong place!! I am still getting to grips with the whole forum, and think I have just worked it out!! There is no hope for me with a TM if I can't even work out how to post replies on here!!! Thank you all for your advice and support also. :-*
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Welcome to the forum Ali. With all the recipes here at the forum you will be able cook the boys their favourite meals and branch out.
Soon there will be many new family favourites.
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Thank you mcmich. Have been looking at the forum for some weeks now and it is great. Have never seen so many recipes. If I do get TM, will be great to branch out and experiment more!! Plus it is so nice to have advice and support from other users. :D
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It is a big decision isn't it? I am still grappling with the price issue too. Welcome to the forum from another newbie.
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Hello Ali,
I spent about four months doing my homework before I purchased my TM. There were times I actually thought no I don't really need one and other times yes I must have one, so I really do understand where you are coming from. I use mine daily and am able to make a lot more in the kitchen now than before, yesterday I made some butter for the first time and it was so quick and easy. Cakes, custards and desserts are a breeze now, my son doesn't like sandwiches but has to take a cut lunch to work so the pizza scrolls are a favourite of his.
If I am honest I don't use it for main meals so much, apart from soups and risottos and the occasional pasta dish, but this is due to the fact that my family like grilled/bbq meats and slow cooked stews and roasts. But I do use it for the preparation of a lot of our main meals, chopping and grating etc.
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Hi Ali,
Yes this machine is a lot of money, & yes you have the money in your account which would have taken a lot of saving. Its hard to withdraw hard earned savings & naturally you dont want to regret it.
I love my TM, I use it minimum 3 times per day.
I make bread near enough daily, nothing better than home made bread. Soups, sauces, risottos are a cinch.
Alot of the food you make I use the TM for. Now use left over roast meat to make shepherds pie, the best shepherds pie I have made. Every week there is always a mince dish on the menu. . Lasagna is great I make mm bol sauce, bechamel in the TM, grate my cheese & sometimes make the pasta for the lasagna sheets.
Make the batter for toad in the hole in TM.
Cakes are whipped up.
Yesterday needed some terriyaki marinade, the girls on the forum googked a recipe, I made it in the TM, didnt even need to go to the shops to buy the marinade, all healthy no added presevatives.
Your world of cooking is endless, so much adventure & excitement using the TM.
Hope this helps
Hally :)
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Once you have the TM bug it's really hard to shake it away. I used all my savings as well to buy mine 15 months ago, but I have found that the TM has paid for it self in that time with savings from buying pre prepared foods, takeaways, packaged foods etc. I cook all my family's foods for school/work which on its own would save me around $60 a week (family of 7) that's about a $3000 savings in a year on its own. I make pizzas which we would probably have brought once a month costing around $50, making my own would save us around $300 a year, my Grocerie bill is down around $100 a f/night.
It's a big decision spending so much in one item but we all need food to survive and it's a big part of our life. I couldn't bare being without my TM now. The whole family eat much healthier and I know what is going in their mouth (lots of nasties in pre prepared foods)
Good luck with your decision
And welcome to the forum.
Keep asking questions until you have come to a decision your happy with :)
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Hi Ali, welcome to the forum. As you can see with the responses already, our members are so supportive and they will continue to be as you go on your TMX journey. If buying the machine takes all your savings, perhaps you can put back into that account all the money you save from your housekeeping each week. To start with, you may spend a little more but once you have got everything in the pantry and are ready to go, it will be a very short time and you will notice your savings. Pop those savings back into your account and as you watch them grow, you will know you have done the right thing. Your children seem to eat 'normally' and don't appear to be too fussy so I'm sure you will find many recipes on here to satisfy them. Get them involved in the cooking and they may even try things they aren't sure of. Hopefully you will go ahead and order your TMX and I would be very surprised if you don't come to love it as we do. I use mine for 99% of all my cooking. It was bought for mains more than anything else as there is no way I would have bought it for just cakes and desserts but I find I am now making things I never dreamt of making and it is just one long love affair between the machine and me.
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Hi welcome to the forum.
You will love tour TMX when you get it.
You can make so much, so easily, fuss free.
Robyn :)
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Hello and welcome. Like everyone here, I absolutely love my thermomix. It saves you both time and money. The initial outlay was frightening, but the machine soon pays for it self. My family are now eating healthy, natural food which is good for us all. Since eliminating all the nasties in our diet, our medical bills have also gone down. If you were to purchase all the gadgets a thermomix replaces, it would cost a lot more.
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Hi Ali, and welcome to the forum. Like you I have fussy eaters and I must admit there have been several meals I've prepared in the TMX which they didn't like. However - if I'd made the same meals the old way it would have taken me a lot more time and effort and they still wouldn't have liked it! To me, one of the great things about the TMX is that it encourages me to try new things on my family because it takes so little effort.... so I don't get upset about wasting my time slaving over a hot stove all day if they don't like it!
As to the money side - I agree with the others that you will spend more initially stocking up your pantry on ingredients you don't normally use. But once you're fully stocked, you will never need to buy biscuits/cakes/bread/dips/ice cream etc. again. So after a while you will notice your weekly shopping bill will be reduced. Plus I've noticed a lot less wastage of fresh foods - if I have an excess of something, I can usually find a recipe on here that will use it up. Which reminds me - must go and look at recipes using apples....
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Welcome Ali.
You do have a big decision to make and of course everyone here loves their machine so we will promote it. How old are your boys? Perhaps once they are used to the machine (or even before) they will love to help you 'cook' things in it. Sorbets will be a great source of fruit for them. As you have probably read vegies can be well hidden in lots of things. Green smoothies that are healthy can be called 'Shrek Smoothies" etc.
Good luck in your thinking.
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Thank you so much to everyone for your kind words and support. I find every night I am going to bed thinking Shall I shan't I!! But I really can see so many advantages to having one. The list of recipes on here is just endless!! And as people have said, I will, hopefully in time be able to adapt things to our particular liking and develop recipes of my own. My boys are 12 and 14 now so easily old enough to help out with a bit of cooking themselves. I do so desperately want to go for it, it's just going to use the only savings I have, but as previously mentioned, I can save up again, with the money that I save from not having such a big shopping bill once my food store is well and truly established. I will let you all know how I get on!!!! Thank you once again. :-\
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Ali.. It is a huge purchase for what a lot of non-believers will say is just another kitchen gadget.
I couldn't justify the expense due to our circumstances and had to opt for the cheaper ThermoChef.
But I love TC and he sits proudly on my bench and is used almost every day. And is saving so many $$$'s has probably paid for itself since I bought him in November.
I think that is the main thing to remember. If you get one.. Keep it on your kitchen bench and whenever you go to make something ask yourself... Is there any part of the process the ThermoMix would make simpler/quicker/better.? ???
They are sooo adaptable to so many tasks, in no time you will be using it for things you never expected.
I make the food for our dogs and chopping veg was always a chore. Now I grab anything in the fridge that looks tired :-\ and zap it in TC with hot water for a minute or so and add to the mince that is browning. Soo much easier.. :D and no bits that he dogs pick out and leave next to their dishes.
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I make the food for our dogs and chopping veg was always a chore. Now I grab anything in the fridge that looks tired :-\ and zap it in TC with hot water for a minute or so and add to the mince that is browning. Soo much easier.. :D and no bits that the dogs pick out and leave next to their dishes.
Works with kids too.... ;)
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Hi, I'm a newbie too.
I too debated and researched over many, many months before purchasing my TM. My DH was totally against the idea and thought it was another gadget/fad that I would spend money on and forget. Well, I've had my machine for just under 2 months and thus far have no regrets.
I'm probably only using it once or twice a week at this stage and have had many disasters (made three rissottos and none of it any good to be honest) but it is a learning curve and it is a totally different way of cooking which will take some time to get used to. If you can get over the shock of the cost - though isn't the price in the UK much more reasonable than Australia? The cost here is AUS$1939. I can understand why everyone who's had one for some time rave about their TM's.
I don't believe the TM replaces 10 other kitchen appliances as claimed by the advertising slogan. It might replace the need for a food processor, rice cooker, blender and steamer but that's about it in my humble and limited experience. That said, I do think it is useful and can save you time in the kitchen.
Hope that helps. Good luck with your decision.
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All the best in making your decision. I was sickened by the purchase price initially and in fact paid it off in a couple of installments. Now, 18 months later I don't ever think about how much I paid for the TM as it has definitely paid itself off in terms of my reduced grocery bills, I feel healthier due to less reliance on processed foods, I know what goes into the food I am giving my family and there isn't a day that goes by when I am not using it. Everyone makes decisions in their own way to justify an expensive purchase such as a TM and if you are going to fell too stretched financially to buy one, then don't do it but if you are able in any way to get one, I think every single member on the forum would agree that we all love our TM and how it has completely changed the way we cook!
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I remember the first time I heard of a TM and the price I thought it was crazy how anyone would pay that much for a kitchen gadget. There was no way I would even think about buying one unless I was rich (which I'm far from )
But only about 8 months later from the first time I had heard of them my sister brought one. And 1 month later I had one sitting on my bench, 2 weeks after that my mum had one as well. We were hooked. I have never regretted my purchase not for 1 second at all.
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I have had my TM for just over 1 year now.
I absolutely love cooking with my TM, couldnt be without.
I think once purchased & kitchen staples purchased, try & bank the money you save each week on food shopping & watch your savings grow. We would all be interested in seeing how quick you recoup your money.
I have learnt so mch from being on here, have made great friends & have saved lots of money.
The time it takes you to go out and grab a takeaway you could have whipped up a nice pasta, curry or risotto for a fraction of the cost. Take aways are a thing of the past in this house, maybe 2 in a year, & they have been the night before we have an early flight to catch, house all clean & kitchen, so not wanting to wash dishes etc.
I now buy all my meat in bulk, so much cheaper, would never have attempted this pre TM.
We are all here to help you.
H :)
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Once you have the TM bug it's really hard to shake it away. I used all my savings as well to buy mine 15 months ago, but I have found that the TM has paid for it self in that time with savings from buying pre prepared foods, takeaways, packaged foods etc. I cook all my family's foods for school/work which on its own would save me around $60 a week (family of 7) that's about a $3000 savings in a year on its own. I make pizzas which we would probably have brought once a month costing around $50, making my own would save us around $300 a year, my Grocerie bill is down around $100 a f/night.
It's a big decision spending so much in one item but we all need food to survive and it's a big part of our life. I couldn't bare being without my TM now. The whole family eat much healthier and I know what is going in their mouth (lots of nasties in pre prepared foods)
Good luck with your decision
And welcome to the forum.
Keep asking questions until you have come to a decision your happy with :)
Dede, can I ask what sorts of things do you make for lunches that saves you $60 wk? They are fantastic savings and I'm so impressed with $100 f/night grocery bill!
I have only started using my TMX in the past couple of weeks and am still definitely in the stocking up the cupboard stage, but we have our own business and things are quite slow at the moment, so I'm reluctant to spend more than I would usually at the moment (especially after the $2K outlay!) so am looking for tips/ideas on the most noticeable ways people saved money on meals? Once our business picks up again, then I will definitely start buying more ingredients for things I have never cooked before, but in the meantime, does anyone have any tips on the easiest/quickest way for saving money? I guess bread will be a big one, I haven't taken the plunge and attempted that, but in our family of 4, we only buy Bakers delight/brumbies wholemeal bread and spend a lot on that per week.
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just to name a few ;D
jams
bread
pasta
cakes
cookies
pizza
scrolls
jam
yogurt
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Bubbles with a family of 7 it's not hard to save $60 a week on lunch box foods. If I had to buy everything for their lunch boxes I would go broke :)
Things like bread rolls, slices, cakes biscuits, muesli bars, pizzas, sausage rolls, scrolls etc etc. I am shocked at what my lot can demolish in a week.
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I know exactly how you feel. You know in your head that the TMX is the right thing to have in your kitchen for healthy and happy eating but it's a lot of money for a machine that could potentially gather dust. I purchased mine the other day and am waiting on delivery (after about 3 months of deliberation) but know that if I consciously cook using it then the investment will pay off. I am also concerned that my children won't want to eat anything made from it as I can tell you the risotto and sorbet got thrown out after the demo as neither of them wanted a bar of it. I will probably start introducing new snacks into their daily routine and then expand on the main meals etc. I have a very fussy husband when it comes to eating meat and three veg (and not even veg really) is all he wants. Doesn't do soups, pastas, casseroles etc but to be honest I'm a convinced that once he sees it in action and adjusts to having it in the household he too will be impressed. Good luck with your decision and if it's something you can;t stop thinking about then I think that's a clear indication that you really do want one.
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I cook most of my main meals in the thermomix. It is so easy and healthy. Last night was chicken cacciatore and it was delicious. Even on a meat and veg night, I make my mashed potato in it.
Last Friday night when I stayed at mums, she asked if I would like to cook something for dinner. I said "No you don't have a thermomix and I can't remember cooking the old way" :D
We have cherry tomatoes galore atm and have been making lovely tomato sauce with them. Cost saving of about $20.
DG
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How long does the tomato sauce keep for? Obviously not as long as the bottled stuff? Same question for the peanut butter and jams really. You probably don't get the same shelf life as packaged food.
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I have made heaps of tomato sauce and tomato relish over the years (non -TM and TM)
I found that I had no problem with tomato sauce and relish lasting 6 to 12 months the non - TM way (but that is cooked for quiet a few hours and cooking up 9 kg of tomatoes)
With the TM recipe I think you would have no problem with it lasting 3 months. But as you only cool up a kg of tomatoes at a time you only getting a couple of bottles which you should be able to use up in less than 3 months.
I use the relish in lots of recipes as well as on it's own so we go through quiet a bit. :)
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As for jam and peanut butter they do last a while without any problems. I really go by smell and the look of foods. If they don't look or smell good then I toss them.
Jam usually would be fine for 6 months, peanut butter I'm not sure though. :)
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Graoesy83- just to reassure you,my kids didn't touch any of the food made at my first TM demo either but they sure do now! I didn't expect them to jump with joy as soon as I bought my TM but as it is my main way of cooking these days, they now ask me to cook in the "termomix" as they call it all the time. Also, it will definitely not gather dust either. Sure, you'll have days when you won't be using it at all or maybe just to cook one thing ie steaming rice etc but at least look at it as an extra helper in your kitchen doing stuff that you'd otherwise have to do conventionally and I look at it as extra time spent with the kids instead of slaving over the stove. The more you get used to TM recipes and all of the capabilities of the TM, the more you'll use it. In fact, I probably use it far more now than I ever did in the beginning and I don't know what I'd do without it.
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Yes I agree Merlin, I am already noticing after a couple of weeks how less stressful 5pm-6pm is now that I can spend that time with my 4 and 2 y o rather than standing at the stove having them clinging to my legs whinging! I can also hear when the timer goes off even if we are in the backyard playing- it is so nice to hear that sound and just say to the kids 'ok, inside kids, tea is ready!' :D
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I have made heaps of tomato sauce and tomato relish over the years (non -TM and TM)
I found that I had no problem with tomato sauce and relish lasting 6 to 12 months the non - TM way (but that is cooked for quiet a few hours and cooking up 9 kg of tomatoes)
With the TM recipe I think you would have no problem with it lasting 3 months. But as you only cool up a kg of tomatoes at a time you only getting a couple of bottles which you should be able to use up in less than 3 months.
I use the relish in lots of recipes as well as on it's own so we go through quiet a bit. :)
Dede, can I please ask what recipes you use your relish in? I've recently been given two big jars from a friend, and am getting a bit sick of putting it in toasted sandwiches!
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I add relish to a lot of recipes like when making pizza I mix half relish half tomato paste to spread on the base.
Beef patties I always throw in a Tbs or 2 of relish.
Curried sausages I will add the same, sausage rolls, casseroles etc etc.
I guess it's up to your imagination what you can add it to for a little extra flavor.
Also I make cheese devils (http://www.forumthermomix.com/index.php?topic=5870.0) which is a savory toast. Hope that helps abit :)
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Thanks a lot , thats great :)
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thanks for the info - definitely will make a conscious effort to whip up foods and meals that would never have captured my mind before having a TMX - also starting my consulting training in the middle of May - looks like I have thermo fever too!
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Glad to hear you have made up your mind about becoming a consultant grapesy - best of luck with your training.
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those cheese devils sound delicious dede