First Green Smoothie = Success! & blender question

lorification
lorification Posts: 29 Member
edited October 7 in Food and Nutrition
I tried making my first green smoothie today! I used 2-3 handfuls of spinach (probably 3-4 cups total?), 1 small golden delicious apple, 1 tablespoon chia seed, 1/2 a banana (because i dropped the other half on the floor), and added enough juice to make it the right consistency. The flavor of juice is a matter of preference, but I picked up some Langer's 100% juice (apple kiwi strawberry flavor!). I really like it and I feel really full, I suspect it's the chia seeds filling me up. Another bonus: this particular recipe/combination has fewer calories than my normal breakfast of steelcut oats with peanut butter (~230 calories vs ~250).

I do need a new blender, though. I have a Hamilton Beach single-serve blender, and it's just not strong enough and I suspect it's going to die after a few more green smoothies. Any suggestions? My price range is $25-$75.

Replies

  • jacklynmarieb
    jacklynmarieb Posts: 2
    I'm interested to hear some good suggestions for this too; I started freezing fruit and yogurt and throwing them in individual bags together so that I can just dump a bag in the blender and be on the go with a healthy smoothie, but my blender sucks and it ends up not being so "on the go" as "try four times and end up scooping it out in frustration". :)
  • lorification
    lorification Posts: 29 Member
    Hey.... I know you!
  • Smokey19
    Smokey19 Posts: 796 Member
    I got a Ninja blender for Christmas and it doesn't cost too much. It has 2 sets of blades. My brother swears by it. I just got it this week and will try it later today.
  • jacklynmarieb
    jacklynmarieb Posts: 2
    @Smokey - did you try it yet?
  • ChallengeChick
    ChallengeChick Posts: 17
    I like my magic bullet... I use it daily to make my vi-shakes and I mix in frozen fruit and/or ice cubes. Chops them with no problems. Hubby previoulsy used it for chopping coffee beans so it is quite powerful! Most stores carry them for abou $40, but I believe at Coscto you get a bunch of extra freebies!
  • sunnyh7
    sunnyh7 Posts: 8 Member
    YAY! Sounds delicious! I bought one a little above your range for $100 on sale by Kitchen Aid. I have used it almost every day for 2 months now and works wonderfully!
  • rockerbabyy
    rockerbabyy Posts: 2,258 Member
    i love my ninja blender - nothing ive had blends as well as it does. it is a little more pricy - i think we paid $80 for ours on sale... but its totally worth it!
  • idauria
    idauria Posts: 1,037 Member
    I also have the KitchenAid blender and love it! I bought it at Bed, Bath and Beyond when I had a coupon so I got it for $80 instead of $100. I did a lot of research and I knew I didn't have $400 to spend on a Vitamix or BlendTec. The KitchenAid was highly rated. It works great. I put ice in my protein shakes every morning and it does a great job of incorporating it without leaving chunks like my cheapo Krups blender.
  • regmcc
    regmcc Posts: 81 Member
    I have just discovered Green Smoothies and love them. I follow greensmoothies.com as well as the iphone app...just fruit, leafy green veggies and water.....love them. I don't always eat enough fruit and vegetables throughout the day and this is a great way to get the servings I need. I got a Kitchen Aid blender for Christmas and it's great, I can't imagine making them in my Magic Bullet which I use for my protein shakes everyday for breakfast.
  • nisijam5
    nisijam5 Posts: 9,964 Member
    Look on craigslist to find a good deal...maybe someone got one for Christmas and doesn't want it any more!!

    Very brave on the green aspect, I'm afraid..
  • SpaceMarkus
    SpaceMarkus Posts: 651
    I LOVE my kitchen Ninja. I had my first for two years. It still works great, but I wanted to upgrade to the new one with three blades. Recommend it 100%
  • aeboone24
    aeboone24 Posts: 24
    if you spend just 25 more at 100, you can buy the kitchen aid blender. let me just say I LOVE IT!! it blends quickly and evenly and SUPER fast to where you are like DANG its not working and it is seriously done!! just a thought i know its over budget but you can look on amazon and see if they have any.
    i have the bullet blenders eghhhhhhhh u have to shake em and mix them, thats just annoying for me,
  • bahacca
    bahacca Posts: 878 Member
    I'm no help. Several years ago I ditched my blender and got a Blendtec at Costco. I bought it for myself for mother's Day 2 years ago and that thing gets used almost daily. I'd suggest getting one that says it will chop ice really well. And then put a dollar in a jar next to the blender each time you use it for a Blendtec or a Vitamix.
  • Julie260
    Julie260 Posts: 2
    I am the same as bahacca, I just got a Vitamix and I could not imagine my life without it. The thing I was looking for was versatility, and I can make soup, hummus, ice cream, smoothies, dressings and lots of other things without heating up a stove. I've also heard that the Blendtec and Ninja are good as well. I did just watch a really good video on youtube the other day in which 5 blenders were tested, 2 being Vitamix and Blendtec and the three others being less commercial but just as good and in some cases even better.

    Anyone have any good tried and true recipes? I love my banana, frozen grape, frozen strawberry, frozen blueberry, pear, kale, carrot, and ice smoothie! Don't love the color, but it doesn't bother me too much. I always add banana for texture and it's good for covering. Anyone try avocado?
  • cgrout78
    cgrout78 Posts: 1,628 Member
    I have a basic blender from Target that I got as a wedding gift, it's a Hamilton Beach and it works REALLY well even for icy drinks I'm impressed.

    For my green smoothies I usually throw in a couple handfuls of spinach and then my son likes them with bananas, ice and vanilla protein powder. I use my herbalife cookies and cream, some chocolate protein powder, the spinach and some mint extract...yummmm
  • emma44ny
    emma44ny Posts: 141 Member
    Ugh! First green smoothie and NO success!!
    I have a cuisinart blender and I just halved the Dr. Oz green drink recipe and it was a swampy green sludgy mess! It actually didn't taste bad at all but the consistency was hideous. I used a handful of spinach, an apple, half a cuke, ginger, parsley, lemon/ lime juice. Blech- help!
  • Julie260
    Julie260 Posts: 2
    I've heard that Dr. Oz's smoothie is not a favorite. I would start with something milder, more fruits (frozen or not, but def. unsweetened) and something like kale or spinach and maybe a carrot. There are lots of options, just play around with them until you feel more comfortable adding more "greens" and veggies.
  • chubbybunnee
    chubbybunnee Posts: 197 Member
    if you juice a lot, get a juicer! There is a great one at GNC for only $39.99 right now! $50 off! I have it and it rocks!
  • Plove2011
    Plove2011 Posts: 8 Member
    I use the Ninja that I purchased from Sam's club for $50 (hopefully you're a member or know someone who is). It's been awesome and I love my veggie smoothies too. Check out the link to see all that's attached:

    http://www.samsclub.com/sams/search/searchResults.jsp?searchCategoryId=all&searchTerm=ninja&fromHome=yes&_requestid=35690
  • raevynn
    raevynn Posts: 666 Member
    Try a banana, a handful of greens, about a cup of frozen berries, and water...

    ...and, haunt Craigslist for a vitamix or blendtec (I've had a vitamix - I now have a blendtec)... beg for one for your birthday. get a second job. Whatever it takes. You'll never be sorry. :drinker:
  • KelleFlr
    KelleFlr Posts: 142
    Try a banana, a handful of greens, about a cup of frozen berries, and water...

    ...and, haunt Craigslist for a vitamix or blendtec (I've had a vitamix - I now have a blendtec)... beg for one for your birthday. get a second job. Whatever it takes. You'll never be sorry. :drinker:


    I agree, used a blender at first and they were more chunkies than smoothies. now have a vita mix. love it
  • darkling_glory
    darkling_glory Posts: 239 Member
    I LOVE my Ninja. I got it at Kohl's for $160 - it comes with the pitcher and the smaller food processor bowl. And if you get a Kohl's coupon in the mail that really knocks the price down. I had a 30% off and a 30$ gift card so I think mine came to like $95! Not bad.

    I make salsa, salad dressing, smoothies, sauces, etc... in there. It's fabulous!
  • Jessies_journey
    Jessies_journey Posts: 131 Member
    My green smoothie = couple handfuls of spinach, apple, 1/4 avacado and 1 cup of coconut water. DELISH!!! Even my 12yo daughter thought it was pretty good :) Going to try with chia seeds next time.
  • ksteb
    ksteb Posts: 8 Member
    This is what I have and I use it for everything. Absolutely love it!

    http://www.qvc.com/qic/qvcapp.aspx/view.2/app.detail/params.item.K33917.desc.The-Ninja-Master-Prep-Professional-Food-DrinkMaker
  • luckygirl007
    luckygirl007 Posts: 68 Member
    Ugh! First green smoothie and NO success!!
    I have a cuisinart blender and I just halved the Dr. Oz green drink recipe and it was a swampy green sludgy mess! It actually didn't taste bad at all but the consistency was hideous. I used a handful of spinach, an apple, half a cuke, ginger, parsley, lemon/ lime juice. Blech- help!

    ditch the apple....they have pectin which makes things thick and ichy. I put in 1/2 pear instead, green frozen grapes, 1/2 orange, 1/2 banana (also frozen) and a handful of spinach. It is a Dr. Oz recipe as well but it is a beautiful lime green color and taste sweet and delicious. Add 1 tsp of chia seeds they are filling.
  • ninainMA
    ninainMA Posts: 10 Member
    I've tried this one and it's pretty good..
    5 ozbaby spinich
    1 banana
    1 cup frozen blueberries
    1/2 cup soy, hemp or almond milk
    1/2 pomegranate juice or other unsweetened juice
    1 TBSP of ground flaxseeds

    I'm new here so if this is not the proper place to post recipes, sorry. I didn't really look and was reading the posts about the green smoothies.
  • luckygirl007
    luckygirl007 Posts: 68 Member
    I'm no help either. Sold on my vitamix It is the one machine in my kitchen that gets used more than the coffee maker. I realize an investment but if you are serious about clean eating this thing makes smoothies the consistency of silk. Like going to smoothie king or one of those other expensive smoothie places.

    I make my own soups (poured hot from the blender into the bowl)
    Make mayo fresh
    salad dressings
    low cal ice cream or deserts

    comes with an awesome cookbook also!
  • lightstruck1
    lightstruck1 Posts: 52 Member
    I love green smoothies. The only blender I can recommend is the Vitamix, which is way out of your price range but it is seriously the best purchase I have ever made.
  • misslissa555
    misslissa555 Posts: 135 Member
    I wish I had a vitamixer!!! Where I use to work, a guy would come in trying to sell them and he'd make sooooo much stuff with that thing with no problems! Too bad they're sooo expensive, but they last a long time! He made peanut butter, soup, ice cream, hummus....:noway:

    I have an Oyster blender that I bought from Walmart for like $20. I'm gonna kill it soon I feel. It doesn't make hummus like I want it to! It does make smoothies.
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