Vitamix is ordered--quick question about Green Smoothies

[Pony500]

I finally made the decision to order the VM 5200!!! I have been thinking about this for quite some time and I have spent a rediculous amount of time researching and deciding which blender to buy. I have spent hours not only on this forum looking up any threads which talked about the two blenders, but I have also looked elsewhere for reviews and opinions. I figured, since my Waring broke last week, I am not going to be able to really do a raw diet without a blender and I may as well just bite the bullet and go for the big boy! Anyway, until it comes, I just wanted to ask, because I see all kinds of things and hear all kinds of things, but I definitely need to add some kind of liquid to my green smoothies, even with the VM, correct? And I saw somewhere on some thread but I can't remember where, but did someone say that you need to put the greens in first, basically at the bottom of the blender? I just want to make sure that I'm doing it right and operating the machine correctly and I didn't think that even the instructions and all that come with it will talk about green smoothies, so I thought I would ask here.

I've been collecting recipes through searching on the green smoothie threads, so hopefully I will have enough recipes. I have made green smoothies before with my Waring, but yeah, I have had chunks and seeds and even stopped putting raspberries and blackberries in them because I didn't like chewing on all the seeds.

Honestly, I am so relieved to have finally made the decision and ordered the darn thing! I think my fiance will be glad too because it's been a topic of conversation for quite some time now (I should have just ordered one when I started to feed my dogs raw to do their veggies instead of getting the less expensive Waring). Of course, he said he wants to partake in the bounty produced by the machine as well!

One other thing, do you always have to use the tamper when making green smoothies or can you just throw the stuff in and turn it on?

Thanks! Can't wait!!!

[Snownoir]

I made a gs yesterday with the following

half a head of lettuce
juice of 3 oranges
a pluot
some kelp
some dates
1 banana

it tasted great!

No water, however, there is the liquid from the oranges and pluot that helped things get going. I added water after I tried it because I needed to fill two 32 oz containers with the goodness. =]

I always add my greens last. I add all the fruit or juice or whatever then fill the container to the top with greens, add water to the top (cause I like the thin texture though I've found it doesn't need water) and "On" "walk to 10" and then "high." And my vm (the one you are getting) chomps it all up fine. I think the water thing mainly has to do with how dry the ingredients are. When you add fruit to the BOTTOM you're supplying the liquid to help everything else along.

I've NEVER had to use my tamper for green smoothies.... other things? yea. Oh, if you add cucumbers, cut them up into reasonable sizes and you won't need the tamper.

I'm really excited for you!!! I love mine. Its funny, there is two in the house because before my bf and I were living together we both got one.. then we moved in and now its great! When one over heats and turns itself off, I just put the container on the other one. Hee hee. It pulverizes seeds just fine too. Enjoy those berries again! Just leave it on long enough and all will be good. You'll notice a change in noise (you'll hear the "grit" sound leave).

Have a blast (and rinse it once you're done, clean up is a cinch that way)

[MiahTay]

I usually blend my greens first. I typically put about a TB of hemp seeds and about 1 c. water, then fill the container up (loosely) with greens. Blend until smooth, then I add the rest of my fruit and blend again. The reason I put the greens in first is because they take up a lot of room and I don't want to have to cram the container all the way to the top, but I do think it is a matter of preference. You'll get a feel for what works best for how you like your smoothies.

Blessings,
Heather

[steveoregon]

My fruit goes in first, greens on top.

I always add some water, how much depends on what kind of fruit. Bananas and a mango for example requires water, or you could never get the blending started. If three oranges, you might get away with no water.

After blending, I sometimes put the Vitamix container in the freezer for about 15 minutes - I like my smoothies cold.

Posted this before, but here's a couple photos of my red 5200 (and everything that came with it) to get you dreaming. . . .


http://www.justmyfolder.com/VitaMix.JPG

http://www.justmyfolder.com/VitaMix1.JPG

[Snownoir]

Oooo... you got all the fun stuff that went with it. I just got the blender and book..... I really wanted the dry blade.

I agree on the preference thing. I LIKE to stuff as much green as possible on top because I feel like I'm getting more in that way. If I put greens on the bottom then I have a harder time gettin the fruits in. I can't really smash the fruit as easily as I can smash greens.

[Revvell]

You can use anything you want as a liquid ~

Orange juice, apple juice, water, coconut water, seed or nut milk; then add fruit of choice. I add greens on top but doesn't really matter. Liquid should go in first though ~ or very juicy fruits. I use the tamper when needed.

A good book on smoothies is "Smoothies and Smoozies for Life ~ Based on the Raw and Living Food Diet" (http://revvellations.com/shopping) There's a special sale (http://revvellations.com/shopping/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=9&products_id=38&zenid=d875bc591d942a9205d767fb8ec1bb6a) on the soft-cover edition along with the dvd "Eating" currently going on.

[Pony500]

Thanks guys (I saw your red one Steveoregon--it is cool except that I kind of have a earthy looking kitchen with stainless steel, black and cherry colored wood, so the black is perfect for me)--and I'm kind of cracking myself up here--I mean, who gets that excited about a blender exept raw food enthusiasts!! I can't wait--I really hope it comes this week. It's coming from Ohio and I'm in PA, I would think it would be here this week....

[Snownoir]

Haa haa.. you should have seen me when I was getting mine! I got a deposit back from a rental and hopped online immediately. Bought it (Black) and then went and bragged big grinning to EVERYONE!!! I was ecstatic! I feel for you. I'm excited for you!

YEA!

[RawSinger]

I always start my smoothies with some water, bananas, and hemp seeds and blend that up first. I then add other fruits and blend that. Lastly, I add my greens. It's all a matter of personal preference. I add my greens last because it makes it easier to see how much I need to add to actually make the smoothie green! I blend each item individually because when I first started raw, I had a crappy blender with which I had to do that for it to blend. Also, I love my VitaMix and even though it's a workhorse, I still want to be gentle with it.

[fuggles]

Is this any good for a smoothie idea ? Or would it be too bitter ? Or should I just try and see if I like it ?

Its 500 ml water
half head of broccoli
Tbsp lucuma for sweetness
Tbsp bee pollen for sweetness
Tbsp Goji powder for some nutrition
1 apple for sweetness aswell

Would that work ??

[annavon]

Is this any good for a smoothie idea ? Or would it be too bitter ? Or should I just try and see if I like it ?

Its 500 ml water
half head of broccoli
Tbsp lucuma for sweetness
Tbsp bee pollen for sweetness
Tbsp Goji powder for some nutrition
1 apple for sweetness aswell

Would that work ??

I tried Kale in one of my first conconctions, which is similar in taste to broccoli in my first green smoothie, I didn't really like it,:p but I didn't use an apple, that might help. I suggest you start with small amounts and then if you don't like it you can add to adjust the taste. I had to cut my kale smoothie with some carrot juice and some other things.

My favorite is 1 cup frozen mango, 1/2 cucumber and a couple of handfulls of baby spinach (probably about 1 1/2 cups) and water to thin. (I like my GS on the thin side.)

[ManyLittles]

I only use my tamper when I see that some stuff is wedged in the middle of the vita mix and not dropping down to where the blades are. Doesn't happen often during smoothie making.

Make sure that you never use the tamper without the lid...AND make sure you tell others in your household REPEATEDLY to never use it without the lid. My husband made the kids a smoothie one day and had to throw the whole pitcher out, because he forgot and used the tamper without the lid...and ended up with shredded bits of the tamper end in the smoothie. Now I have no tamper.:(