Blending versus juicing

[RunnerGirl]

I am playing with the idea of going raw. I am thinking about buying some additional gadgets to help me prepare the new goods. I currently have only a regular food processor and a hand blender.

I have read about people doing the juice fasts etc. is there a big difference in terms of results if I was simply on liquidised veges and fruits?

I think long term I would not be using the juices too much but would need some good blender that would liquidise foods, including hard vegetables. I guess the regular cheaper versions can not really handle harder vegetables?

[JinxieKat]

I would go for a good high quality blender over the juicer at first. Smoothies, espcially green ones and coconut ones are wonderful! You can also make a bunch of other recipies like soups and puddings with it as well. Juice fasting is something you should do it you feel your body needs it. You'll know it if you do.

Jinx

[Shivananda]

The good news is that you don't need a $350 Vitamix. Yes, they work quite well, if you can afford them, and if you have room for them, and if you can stand to look at them, but they're by no means essential.

For a regular blender to do smoothies in, you basically need at least a 500 or 600 watt high speed machine with a big, easy to clean jar. Fortunately there are now a number of models readily available that fit the bill around $100 or so (and many of them are quite nicely designed). Breville makes a couple, the big Cuisinart CBT500is decent, KitchenAid has a new one that is good (but the old Classic model is underpowered for this task). And the new Jenn AIr Atrezzi blenders, while pricey at $170 - 200, are both attractive and unusually effective. They actually chop ice for smoothies faster than a VitaMix.

If you tell me what you find that is available in your area I'll be happy to tell you what my experience has been with them (I used to demonstrate and sell all of them).

Interestingly enough, as someone mentioned earlier elsewhere, the Kitchen Bullet blender is surprisingly good for a single user, although they do wear out pretty quickly. But i've seen them for $29.99 at discount stores, so it's no big whoop when they go, and that might bridge the gap while you save for a better one, if that interests you.


Also, let me point out that if you use your food processor to shred food, then put the shredded food in the blender to make smoothies, you'll get really great results, and do it faster than the blender alone can. I don't know why more people don't use this two step process, since it is so efficient. In restaurants that's how it is done all the time in making sauces, etc.

[ArcticMist]

I have the Oster brand blender that has a food processor attachment. I got it for $40. I have had no problems with it. Chops up my frozen strawberries no problem. What Shivananda says about the 2 step process really does work quite well.

[Queenie]

Just purchased the Jack LaLanne juicer - no, it does NOT heat the food as it is juicing it. I concur with the above, though; a good blender or food processer is a better first purchase. You can, if you absolutely must have juice, strain the stuff you've put through the food processer. Cucumber juice (yum yum) lends itself well to that. You waste more than you would with a juicer but you can always compost it.

I love tha darn juicer. I use the juice to MIX with smoothies and make nice yummy soups. Raw soups have become my life's blood lately. Made a fab borscht yesterday, man it was messy to make though...

[Nini]

:) Shivananda,
Could you please tell me which of these blenders would work to replace the pricey Vitamix?

Blenders (http://www.lnt.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=1969027&cp=1331608.1331958)

[Befronia]

I'm not Shivananda (and I'm pretty sure he's glad I'm not) but I have a L'equip. It isn't beautiful but it's easily controlled. It does have a certain visual flair, though. It can be slowed to a crawl to mix things and it's the first blender I've ever had the nerve to turn on without the lid in place. I have a VitaMix and it lives in the cabinet. The L'equip stays on the counter. I got mine on eBay for $70 including shipping.

[Nini]

Thanks, Befronia!

[rawpriestess]

I grew up very poor, to the point of not enough food. And my mom instilled one thing in me, and that was

Buy the very best you can afford, whether it is $1.00 or $1,000

always buy the best you can afford, don't just buy something to get by.

so, when we moved to a new home and we had no furniture, after two years we could finally afford a table and chair set, but she didn't just go out and buy the first one she could afford, she bought a really nice patio set, then once she could afford a really nice wood set for inside, the beautiful patio set went outside on our patio.

we had that patio set for 40 years until it finally wore out, we loved it every day we used it.

you see, when you buy the best that you can afford, it will always be something that you love.

so, whether it is a brand new Vita Mix at $400 or a hand held Bamix at $200 or a used one from ebay for $20, buy the best you can afford, and remember, ebay does have some really great deals.

[newyearspromise]

My daughter is truly afraid of the food processor, and since she is still little (10 months) I can't do much about it except to not use the food processor until she gets older.

What I have found that works just as well is the Samson juicer. It has several settings, so it can basically do it all...I have made salsa with it, ice cream, juices, smoothies, sauces, everything. It's about $200, though...but it does it all (even wheatgrass!!).

I love it, but no one ever talks about it on this board...

Might be a good purchase down the line.

[Nini]

nyp,
How do you make smoothies in the Samson? I would love an electric model for my wheatgrass!

[Shivananda]

:) Shivananda,
Could you please tell me which of these blenders would work to replace the pricey Vitamix?

I answered this to you privately, but for the benefit of others, the Cuisinart CBT-500 and the Breville Bar Classic are both readily available for around $100 and are perhaps 85-90% as good as a VitaMix. And Alissa also sells a good personal blender system that will get you started for maybe $80??

But wait, for those who cannot afford even $80, there is hope! This very evening I obtained a sample of a blender that may... I said may, my research is not yet complete... may be an acceptable starter blender for raw diets for... $20!

I know, I know... hard to bleeve. But that's why I do this, so you don't have to. Watch for my report tomorrow.

[Shivananda]

My daughter is truly afraid of the food processor, and since she is still little (10 months) I can't do much about it except to not use the food processor until she gets older.

Sure you can. This thought is just silly. Use the food processor when she's taking a nap in the other room.

Also, for those who don't know, the Samson line and the Omega 8000 line are essentially the same thing. It's as single auger masticating feed screw juicer with sieve collar. Works for wheatgrass, as well as carrots, apples, etc. Around $230 (incl shipping) in the US.