just had my first green smoothie and eww.. problem...

[britaniefaith]

I put some cucumber, 1/2 apple and spinach through my new vitamix and let it blend for like 1 minute and tasted it and it was DISGUSTING. it was kind of thick and I kept trying to blend it more so that it would be more like JUICE, not a smoothy but it wasnt working for me.

Do I need a juicer as well even though I have a vitamix? because I love fruit smoothies but not veggie smoothies, it tastes gross to me... I like my greens to be juiced...

ugh.

[Rawkinlocs]

You can do one of two things:

1. Add more fruit - 1/2 apple is really not much fruit to make a fruity, sweet green smoothie. I know that some LIKE green smoothies with more green than fruit, but if that's not you, then you definitely need to add more fruit.

2. If you want to make a juice with your Vitamix, you can get a nut milk bag and strain that mixture to get the juice out of it. I'd do a search here on green smoothies and take a look at some of the combinations that others make. My favorite is apple, banana, pineapple and greens of choice (usually kale, spinach or parsley). A lot of folks like berries of some sort in their smoothies also for great flavor.

[Veganforlife]

Oh I remember the first couple I made? They were green glue glop!!! UGH. Then the folks here asked if I was adding enough water? DUH...nope. So now I add 2 cups water. I've also used nut mylk - makes it a creamery dream cicle type drink.
Sorry your first experience was not so pleasant, but don't throw out what you've made - add to it like Rawkinlocs suggested. You will learn to LOVE them. Trust me. Have I disappointed anyone yet? Seriously. Have I???

[LoveLife]

just add more fruit to it..and that will change the taste to be sweeter and better:D ...no u don't need to juice unless u want to...if u want it to be thinner then either add water or sometimes i add fresh sqeezed orange juice:D ...I made one yesterday w/ spinach, banana, grapes, apple, kiwi, strawberry, and parsely:D ..Yummmy..just keep experimenting...if u don't like veggies as much..just start with more fruit than veggies and then slowly add more veggies as u like them more..I also like to make mine with a bunch of different kinds of things..not just 2 or 3...but just have fun..and use stuff u like:D

[britaniefaith]

Oh I remember the first couple I made? They were green glue glop!!! UGH. Then the folks here asked if I was adding enough water? DUH...nope. So now I add 2 cups water. I've also used nut mylk - makes it a creamery dream cicle type drink.
Sorry your first experience was not so pleasant, but don't throw out what you've made - add to it like Rawkinlocs suggested. You will learn to LOVE them. Trust me. Have I disappointed anyone yet? Seriously. Have I???

haha it's nice to know I'm not the only one who started out making complete GLOP because seriously... ew, it was nasty lol. I did add a bit of water but only like 1/4 cup so I guess that's not NEARLY enough, eh? I just remember watching someone juice a cucumer, spinach and apple at this cafe and they didn't add ANYTHING besides those few ingredients and it came out like juice and it was lovely... so I just wish I could make mine like that! and I definitely dont have the money to buy a juicer as well, after I Just spent $400 on the vitamix!

[145ish]

Sometimes it's just finding the right combinations of greens and fruit. For instance if I do spinach then I use a banana and watermelon. The combination hides the green bitterness. If I use cabbage I make sure there is some cantaloupe in it as it neutralizes the taste. I have never added water. I usually keep a little oj on the side in the fridge especially for the purpose of blending drinks.

I have a small juicer called the Juiceman Jr. It was fairly inexpensive...maybe $60 and it works great. They have them at most of the big chain stores like Target, Wal-Mart....

I do not have a Vita-Mix. I chop hard stuff in my fp first then transfer to the blender and it's worked fine so far.

Good luck and keep on trying. I also agree with having more fruit than greens to start with.

[Ama]

My favorite smoothies are something like this:

2 cups water
1-2 bananas (usually 2)
1/2 bag frozen fruit
3 handfuls of spinach or 3-4 kale leaves or a few handfuls of lettuce (NOTE: the milder the green the more I can add)

I also add things that aren't necessary but are nice like:
1 t maca powder
2-3 T cacao powder
sweetener if you need (I don't)

[Revvell]

I did add a bit of water but only like 1/4 cup so I guess that's not NEARLY enough, eh?

I use 2 CUPS of oj.



I just remember watching someone juice a cucumer, spinach and apple at this cafe and they didn't add ANYTHING besides those few ingredients and it came out like juice and it was lovely...

That's juice. No fiber. You said it was juiced so, it came out like juice. A juicer separates the fiber from the fluid. For a smoothie, add more fluid.

Might want to check out some of the recipes here to get started?

R.

[GHOST27M]

HONEY HONEY HONEY HONEY HONEY HONEY

raw unfiltered.

[Veganforlife]

haha it's nice to know I'm not the only one who started out making complete GLOP because seriously... ew, it was nasty lol. I did add a bit of water but only like 1/4 cup so I guess that's not NEARLY enough, eh? I just remember watching someone juice a cucumer, spinach and apple at this cafe and they didn't add ANYTHING besides those few ingredients and it came out like juice and it was lovely... so I just wish I could make mine like that! and I definitely dont have the money to buy a juicer as well, after I Just spent $400 on the vitamix!

You're good to go with the Vita-Mix. A juicer takes all the fiber out. The VM keeps all that goodness in. You'll get the hang of it. Like I said, my green glue glop, well, I couldn't figure out what everyone was talking about. I too, like you added about 1/4 cup water. Even though I had Victoria Boutenko's book, "Green for Life", did I refer to it? No. Why? Cuz I'm stupid sometimes.
I add 2 cups of water. Or you can add OJ, or coconut water, or nut mylk or another juice (not pasteurized). I prefer water. But the nut mylk is a nice change ever so often. Then add a banana, other fruits, your choice. The more fruit, the sweeter. You'll get it. Then you'll love 'em and you'll see your life change.
I am making green smoothie leather right now for my big bike ride. I didn't know how I could carry a green smoothie with me, and this will be perfect! It'll fit in my jersey pockets and I'll have instant smoothies during the ride for my stamina. Cool! I'm so excited!

[Davylp25]

Hey... Am I the only one who never likes Apples in a smoothie? I have a Vita, but the apple always seems to seperate from the smoothie. ugh. I just dont like it.

Anyways, I was wondering, those who do use Frozen Fruits, that are already bagged, which brands are good?

I know I should probably by my own berries etc and freeze them, but they are expensive!! Yowza..

[Veganforlife]

Nope. I use apples frequently. I go and pick my own fruits and freeze them. Check out your local farmer's markets. Fruits and such should be starting coming in soon! Strawberries are happening, soon to be followed by raspberries, blueberries, peaches, etc.! Love this time of year! Also at the local orchards they always have "seconds" - baskets of ripening fruit - cheap!

[Davylp25]

Hey...

So how much at farmers markets have u purchased berries for? I just saw rasberries organic, for freakin 7 buck at the store for a lil 5 oz tray..!!

[mattm]

Hi Britaniefaith, I haven't posted on the forum for few days (had uni exams...yikes!) so I've just had a chance to see your stunning transformation and want to join in congratulating you like the many others. I'm sorry to hear that your first green smoothie wasn't the greatest of succeses and I can only reiterate what others have said in that the original half apple isn't enough to make a sweet, delicious tasting green smoothie. I'm a huge advocate of green smoothies (I've been on them since Dec) and due to their completeness as a food I find them extremely satisfying. They enabled me to rid myself of cooked food cravings and their sweetness helped me get over particularly the cooked grain. Recently LoveLife sought help with the green smoothies and I posted in detail what works for me and my thoughts on the subject which can be found at the following http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/showthread.php?t=27646&highlight=mattm. I really hope this helps and the best of luck...trust me these things can taste really good and they are worth it big time especially when, as you said, you just got a Vitamix!

By the way, LoveLife hope everything is going well with the smoothies and my info was of help. I just saw your thread about trying to get some saltiness in the smoothies and people were right on the mark with their suggestions of celery which always satisfies my craving. Also as for the saltiness issue how about...salt! White table salt is bad for you because it is refined (demineralised) and contains chemicals, additives etc but products like Celtic Sea salt (my personal fav) are superb for you...plus I think Alissa sells it so check it out. For the scientist in you (!)...these (heavily mineralised) salts are wonderful for your body in making electrolytes which are pretty useful when considering they are what carry electrical currents around the body telling it what to do and thus are essentially the spark of life. As for seaweed in the smoothies...I haven't actually tried this one...but why not? It's just another food...blend a bit in and try it...might taste really good or might taste aweful...you never know but there certainly AREN'T ANY RULES and experimentation is the biggest part of having fun on this diet...just go for it. Also, you've got the bonus of seaweed being salty and having a certain amount of B12 in it. I remember getting really hung up over the food combining thing and whether for instance I could encorporate things like melon into green smoothies after being constantly told that you must never eat them with anyhing else...but I stopped worrying...put some in a smoothie one day...it tasted gorgeous and my digestion was fine (no fermentation probs etc)...again may not work for some but it certainly worked FOR ME. Lastly, as for the B12 stuff, Veganforlife was right that spirulina like other algaes (e.g.chlorella) contain B12 along with seaweed just mentioned. I'm sure you know of the controversy surrounding this topic (seems to be a thread on it every other week!) and I don't think it will ever go away so personally, instead of having to worry about whether I'm getting enough of it or not all the time, I just take a supplement.

All the best

[belleadonna]

I've been making a really good smoothie lately.

1/2 frozen banana
5 large frozen strawberries
1 scoop raw hemp protein powder
1 tbsp Herbal Fiberblend (optional)
Raw honey
Spinach
Almond milk (added till desired constistancy)

YUM.

[dustandbreath]

Hey... Am I the only one who never likes Apples in a smoothie? I have a Vita, but the apple always seems to seperate from the smoothie. ugh. I just dont like it.

Anyways, I was wondering, those who do use Frozen Fruits, that are already bagged, which brands are good?

I know I should probably by my own berries etc and freeze them, but they are expensive!! Yowza..

You know I have not researched frozen fruit. I just by them all, whatever is cheaper. Maybe I am losing something . . . but I FEEL HEALTHY. How could it be wrong when it feels sooo right? :p I have not bought and then frozen fresh fruit yet. (With an exception below)

Vegan for life, the "overripe" fruit thing was great for us at a discount grocery store that was selling about 2 bundles of bananas for 65 cents! That is right: sixty five cents! We bought a TON and peeled and froze them all and they have been turned into numerous smoothies and even strawberry/banana icecream (YUMMY!!)

mattm: I like your style about not worrying about combining. Just enjoy it. Who cares about a little . . . side effect? :D

Britaniefaith: I also add atleast a cup of fresh squeezed OJ to my smoothies. Helps alot. I either juice with my champion juicer or just squeeze juice it. We have also juiced the core of pineapple (many dont like to eat that part anyway) and used it. And I juice apples on occasion and then throw it in the blender.

Happy Happy!