Question on Green Smoothies

[reneel]

Can I use a regular blender or do I need something stronger like a vitamix?

Also, what do you all put in yours?

P.S. I am new to this board, so hello to everyone! http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/showthread.php?p=514014#post514014 My intro is here.

[Veronica01]

You can definitely use a regular blender, if you are add water or nut milk and the greens first at high speed to really blend the greens smoothe, then add fruit etc.

I have a vitamix and because of the higher horse power you can add everything at once and blend at high speed and it's pretty darn smoothe.

I add things like spinach or kale to my smoothies, it's usually 60% fruit as i still like enjoying a sweet smoothie.

[SimplyFabulush]

I used a regular blender for the past year up until a couple months ago when I got my vitamix. And I only got that because I decided I wanted to only have green smoothies for a while... and I needed to be able to make a larger amount since I have to take them to work and such. I showed my fiance's mom how to make them, and she had a smaller blender I think she got from Target or something. It made them wonderfully, and works for her. It is definitely do-able imo.

I usually stick to spinach and romaine in my smoothies for veggies, because I like those best. They give me the most energy (especially the spinach). I usually fill up the blender 80% of the way with greens. I always try to have at least a couple/few bananas too because it just makes the smoothie a better consistency. And then I just add whatever fruit I want. I use frozen, because its easier for me. Most of my smoothies will have bananas, oranges, pineapple, peaches, and mixed berries (cept strawberries... I don't like those in my smoothies :))

[rayofsunshine]

I used a regular blender on vacation and it worked pretty well. There were just larger pieces of greens (spinach and baby green mix) that I don't get with my vitamix. A tougher green, like kale, my not break down as well.

I like banana, blueberry, spinach, and clemetine smoothies. Mango (2) and parsley is also a great smoothie.

[Zanjabil]

A regular blender will work..you might have to chop up the fruit and greens before blending..depends on the blender. I put greens (any kind you prefer) romaine, parsley, spinach..etc. And fruit any yummy combo of anything you can think of.:) And water, enough to make it liquid enough to drink it.

[xPIXIEx]

I use the magic bullet because I killed my mom's blender. :o

It doesn't turn out 'perfect.' My smoothies are a little chunky, but it'll do for now.

[rawrealestatelady]

I used a regular blender for the past year up until a couple months ago when I got my vitamix. And I only got that because I decided I wanted to only have green smoothies for a while... and I needed to be able to make a larger amount since I have to take them to work and such. I showed my fiance's mom how to make them, and she had a smaller blender I think she got from Target or something. It made them wonderfully, and works for her. It is definitely do-able imo.

I usually stick to spinach and romaine in my smoothies for veggies, because I like those best. They give me the most energy (especially the spinach). I usually fill up the blender 80% of the way with greens. I always try to have at least a couple/few bananas too because it just makes the smoothie a better consistency. And then I just add whatever fruit I want. I use frozen, because its easier for me. Most of my smoothies will have bananas, oranges, pineapple, peaches, and mixed berries (cept strawberries... I don't like those in my smoothies :))

this is great..what do you with them at work? dont they loose taste? i have worried about this for a while so i havent taken them to work...

[reneel]

Thanks for the ideas! I'll have to try a banana the next time. What kind of nut milks do you use? I used soy. Isn't that technically a nut? *L*

[Raw Angel Mom]

If you cannot afford and good blender for now, what you can do is get a nut bag.

Blend with water your greens or and with any fruits with strong fiber. Drain everything in your nut bag and compost the pulps. Pour back the green liquid in your blend and blend with fruits (such banana, strawberry etc...).

A powerful blender such vitamix, you just blend everything and this blender makes it smooth.

[SimplyFabulush]

this is great..what do you with them at work? dont they loose taste? i have worried about this for a while so i havent taken them to work...

I got some mason jars from Ace Hardware and I just put the smoothies in there and make sure the lids are on tight. So I make a blender full and then take two of the mason jars with me to work and throw them in the fridge. They taste fine in my opinion, even two or three days after I've made them. It works for me :)