Green Smoothie Question

[Carolyn]

Has anyone prepared green smoothies the night before to take to work the next day? Any luck with them holding up? I'd tried it once, but it didn't seem very appealing. However, I want to try to have green smoothies thru the day and don't have the convenience of my Vitamix at work. Is there a best way to do this?

Thanks!

[parsnip]

I do this every day. They seem to hold up perfectly fine -- mine are usually about half spinach or other greens, and half fruit, like banana/raspberries/peaches/blueberries/whatever. Or sometimes they're all greens. It could make a difference what you put in them, but I doubt it. I put them in mason jars and keep them in my car (in a cooler if it's warm out). I drink them in my car on breaks.... they look a bit shocking and I'm not interested in defending them to anyone, so I don't drink them in public. :) I'm looking for non-see-thru containers to put them in, so I can drink them at my desk, but haven't come across any yet that are the right size and not plastic.

Victoria Butenko says that because of the fiber in smoothies, as opposed to juices, they can keep in the fridge for up to three days, and while I don't usually keep mine around that long, they seem fine when I do. They just need a good shaking.

There's another thread here that addresses that a bit -- "Oxidized Green Smoothies" -- maybe this link will work. http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/showthread.php?p=380542

[Carolyn]

Thanks so much, Parsnip, I appreciate it! I'll give it a try tomorrow. I'd thought they could keep for a few days in the fridge, but I guess I was surprised at how it turned out that first time I'd tried it. I'll ignore the look and just go by the taste. :)

[iamacranberry]

I freeze mine. Otherwise they seem to go off in the fridge. They get brown if nothing else.

[Carolyn]

Mine went brown ... I think that's why I really wondered how it should be done. I'll try it both ways ... freezing and just keeping it in the fridge overnight and see how it goes.

Thanks! :)

[parsnip]

That's strange -- mine have never gone brown, and I store them in glass, so I'd notice! Hmmmmmm.... I do use frozen fruit, which is not organic, and there's some absorbic acid in at least some of that, which is used to prevent things from going brown. So maybe that's it. And often the greens aren't organic either. I do think that organic is better, it's just not my main priority right now.

You could try adding the juice of half a lemon (or less) if freezing them doesn't work or is a hassle.

[Carlsbad]

I do this all the time, make 64 ounces of green smoothie and drink it over a couple of days. I haven't noticed mine turning brown unless there's a brown type of berry in there (strawberry, blueberry, any berry really). The only time I had one where the taste went bad was when I added greens and broccoli. That was overkill. The broccoli taste drowned out everything else. Yuck! Other than that, I've never had a problem.

[GoingtoRAW]

I freeze mine. Otherwise they seem to go off in the fridge. They get brown if nothing else.

I have tried making enough smoothies to last at least 2 days but I just really could not stand the taste after it was more than 24 hours old. I didn't think of freezing it. I think I will try that - it certainly would save me some time!;)

[Aleesha Sattva]

i've been making a huge green smoothie in the morning and putting some in the fridge for later. no problems here at all.

except... if i use a LOT of greens... i find it gets thick. so i have to make sure to make it thinner than normal...

[MiahTay]

I usually make 5-6 cups Green Smoothie in the morning and drink half then and drink half around 4:00 - tastes great. However I have let it sit in the fridge over night and I can taste a freshness difference. Is it completely unreasonable to make your smoothie in the morning instead of the night before?

Heather

[EZ rider]

I've heard some people get one of those small Magic Bullet blenders and either take it with them to work or store it in a drawer and use it to make fresh smoothies.

[RawSinger]

Hi Carolyn,

Everyone's suggestions are really good but I've heard many times that fresh smoothies and juice are a lot better (not only in taste and texture but nutrition wise as well). The advice that EZ rider gave is really good. Buy a Magic Bullet or some other small device and make fresh smoothies at work. That's probably the best option, but whatever is convenient for you. Take care and good luck!;)

-Francesca

[Jack]

But then, I love a lot of these threads.:D

I've had similar problems with my GS when I would make them the night before...they would turn slightly brown and get very thick. Not terribly appetizing. I started doing what Recycling Goddess is doing (adding more water) and voila! a much better GS. Also, if I don't use a banana it doesn't turn brown. Not sure why.

EZRider - I LOVE my Magic Bullet!! When I'm on a project my days are as long as 17 or 18 hours from the time I leave my house/hotel to the time I return and I was having a hard time drinking my GS until a friend suggested the Magic Bullet - it's a little loud in the office so I use it in the kitchen if we have one or in the ladies bathroom, and it doesn't make as much as my Vita Mix but hey, it's fairly quick and I can use the fruit that is provided at the office. It's also great for traveling though on two occasions I have had the airport screeners ask me to turn it on for them. Yeah, it's a little heavy for a carry-on but I'm used to it now. DH thinks I should put it in my checked baggage but I'm afraid if my bags got lost I would have a hard time replacing it where I was going.

I use the MB to grind raw oat groats (that have been soaked overnight) and to grind raw pumpkin seeds for the dogs. I'm having a very difficult time being 100% raw but I know without my Magic Bullet it would be even harder for me at work.

Sorry for the long ramble....I think it's so awesome that this site is supportive and encouraging to one another and even though I fail a great deal of the time, it's been a real blessing in my journey to try and become raw.

[Eva]

Whoah Jack!!! You put that in your carry on??

[Jack]

LOL...yeah, pretty pathetic, eh? I put it in my computer bag, which is on wheels. The only hassle is when you have to turn it on for security..and it's so loud it usually freaks a few people out. :o

[Bananna]

Does a magic bullet leave the greens chunky?

[divaitalia]

Someone asked about a container that is not see through and I use a SIGG container. They are made in Switzerland and are leach proof material that is easy to clean and holds a liter at a time. My smoothies keep for a couple of days.

I find mine at wholefoods but you can also get them at stores like REI or outdoor stores.

Good luck!

Divaitalia

[Jack]

Does a magic bullet leave the greens chunky?

No, however, I do tear my greens up (spinach, romain, red leaf) into pretty small pieces and I run it with water first before adding any fruit or anything else. Also, I let it run for about a minute and then I pulse it about 6 or 7 times only holding it for about 20 seconds or less - (another friend taught me that after she burned her MB out) but again, it doesn't make large quantities but it is definitely handy.

eeeewwww...I really can't handle chunky smoothies..I like to drink them and not chew them. :D

[RaWonderWoman5]

I make my smoothie in the morning. I drink about two glasses and then I fill a water bottle that includes a straw with the remaining smoothie. I take it to work and sip on it throughout the day.

[Eva]

Jack, I can't believe that! That is so cool... I figured if you can't have a pair of scissors or nail clippers, surely you can't have a blender with a blade. I'll have to check with the airlines I usually fly on to see if I can just bring my travel blender with me without checking in luggage. My gracious, if I can, that will be so exciting!

I had heard that you could not bring stuff like bananas through because you could hide something inside (crazy!), but I recently flew with bananas a couple times with no problem. Of course, I didn't like that they x-rayed my naners!

To the original poster... have you thought about just getting a travel-sized blender?? I recently got the Tribest Alissa sells, and I'm in love with it. It's so small and easy to clean. It's not like the VitaMix, but it's better than my old standard blender. It was GREAT to have with me when I was on a 9-day trip recently. :)

[parsnip]

Jack, I'm so impressed that you're willing to make your smoothies in the ladies bathroom, if it comes to that! Hopefully the bathroom at your workplace is fairly nice. :) I sometimes feel a little resentful about drinking my green smoothies in my car (this is totally my choice, so I've no real reason to feel resentful -- really it's just that I would rather spend my limited break time drinking my smoothie than explaining it, and I'm too cheap/lazy to find an alternative to glass jars).

I admire your resourcefulness and commitment! And I also think it's really nice of you to be willing to make an extra effort to keep the noise down. You sound like a good co-worker!

[parsnip]

Thanks for the tip on the SIGG container, Divaitalia!

[Jack]

Eva - I thought it was pretty strange when they let me carry on the magic bullet but wouldn't let me have my knitting needles or a crochet hook. A friend said she thought it was because it had to be plugged in to be able to do any damage but perhaps I just got lucky. I flew American from Albuquerque to San Antonio, to New York and my next trip will be to Florida. DH thinks I should put it in my checked luggage but either way, I'm happy to have it with me. :D

Parsnip - Most of the time the bathroom is in fairly good condition but if it's questionable :eek: I have no problem hiding away in a distant office and making my GS there. I noticed my dogs run from the kitchen when I use it at home and figured it was probably just as annoying to my co-workers as well. Now mind you, often times, once they know what I have, they like to use it to to whip up a smoothie or a milkshake. :) I'm like you though, I hate to have to justify what and why I'm eating raw but I love it when they're truly interested and I can share with them what I've learned. Also, telling people that I'm trying to eat a raw diet helps me a little with the accountability factor. If they know I'm raw then it makes it much more difficult to partake of the cupcakes or treats that are often brought in. And believe me, I need all the accountability I can get. :o There are a few raw foodists in the field in which I work but not a lot. I'm probably more accepted in my workplace than many others would be. I'm working with a woman who is producing a food/cooking show and she's open to hearing everything I have to say about raw food and I don't feel as if she's judging. I think it's nice you can get away and sip your GS in solitude.

I'm always amazed at the different ways the people on this forum find in helping them to stick to a raw food lifestyle when society pushes SAD so heavily. Going raw is a huge challenge that some people can meet easier than others. For me, it's a constant struggle but I'm not ready to give up.

[Anastazia]

I drink them in my car on breaks.... they look a bit shocking and I'm not interested in defending them to anyone, so I don't drink them in public. :) I'm looking for non-see-thru containers to put them in, so I can drink them at my desk, but haven't come across any yet that are the right size and not plastic.



Add a few frozen (or not) blueberries!:p It covers up the green, then just call it a smoothie! (If they ask what's in it, & you don't wanna say greens, just list the fruit & "A few other things!":rolleyes:

This also works great if you're offering them to someone who's freaked out by the color!:eek:
~Anastazia~

[maui_butterfly]

they look a bit shocking and I'm not interested in defending them to anyone, so I don't drink them in public. :)

LMAO

when my work smoothies are shocking, i don't defend, i just smile knowingly and keep drinking! if a response is required, i might say "yes, it DOES look horrid, doesn't it!?!"

i find adding a bit of water and shaking it up works great when it gets a little thick-n-stagnant. :)