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Gossy
06-23-2010, 10:25 PM
Hiya guys!

I haven't been around for a little bit. Things kind of got way off track for me this month, and I've had to do some soul searching, thinking, and planning. And I've realized I need to tackle my raw transition in a different way. Which includes simplifying and going the route of more juices with veggies, not fruits. Lots of reasoning for this, but it feels like the totally right thing for me to do to get to raw, so I'm gonna try!

Which leads me to two questions!

I'm planning to make several types of juices for myself for my day. Breakfast juices, snack juices, lunch juices, etc. I want to make sure I'm getting variety and keeping things fresh. But since I can't exactly run home to my blender multiple times a day I need to be able to make these in the morning, put them in something, and bring them to work. So, question - does anyone have suggestions for good, tightly sealable travel containers for green and fruit juices? I've been floating around looking at professional raw juice sites and they have such cute bottles! But of course, they don't sell them ;). I have some Ball jars, but they are wwwaaaayyyyy to small and I'm not sure they're leakproof, even though they seal tight. Additionally, how long do you think my juice will stay fresh if I make it all around 8AM? I know I've made some green smoothies that I've thrown part of into the fridge and by the end of the day it was getting really thick on top and fermenty icky. But I'm thinking my strained green juices won't do that - or at least, not as quickly. Will I still have an enjoyable fresh tasting juice by 1-2PMish if I made it at 8AM?

And most importantly - I got some paint strainer bags as I intend to use my Blendtec for "juicing". I made, for me, a large investment in it so I want to get my money's worth! Plus, from all the videos I've now looked at on YouTube it seems I'll get the nice juicy product I'm looking for no problem. But how the heck do I clean my bag out? I don't want to soak it in chemically dish washing fluids . . . is it sufficient to just rinse really good with water? And how do I sanitize it before I use it the first time? Boil 'em?

I'm hoping to get on my juice plan by this weekend. So I appreciate any help and tips. I'm really excited to do this and really feeling this will work best for me to get my nutrients, have easy prep/travel food, and give my tummy a bit of a break! :)
Aleesha Sattva
06-23-2010, 11:46 PM
mason jars. works for me and i fast a lot!
Aleesha Sattva
06-23-2010, 11:48 PM
sorry i answered too quick, let me hit a few of your other questions.

i have no idea how long juice lasts using a blendtec.

i just rinse out my strainer bag and then hang it to dry. sometimes i put it in the dishwasher or in the laundry... and i never sanitized mine before i used it. i just washed it.
Shels
06-24-2010, 01:20 AM
I carry my smoothies in glass (mason?) jars as well. I always save them when I finish off things like tahini or coconut oil, they've got so many uses. :D
Gossy
06-24-2010, 05:50 AM
Aleesha - Good call on the dishwasher! Didn't even think of that. I'm sure I could rig it up to stay put in there and get nice and washed in hot water, which will satisfy my "OMG this may have germs on it!" tiny bit of OCD I'm having regarding using a paint bag instead of a nut bag lol ;)

And it looks like I'll have to try to find some larger Ball/mason jars! Great idea on saving yours from tahini and whatnot Shels!! I have several jars (almond butter and tahini jars) that would be perfect to wash out and reuse! And that'll save me money! Yay! Now, to use up their contents so I can have the jars lol.
kjduf
06-24-2010, 09:31 AM
I carry my green smoothie in a Stanley stainless steel thermos. I like my smoothie with frozen fruit and it still has that consistency in the afternoon using the thermos.
Aleesha Sattva
06-24-2010, 09:42 AM
check out your local thrift store. they often have a jar or two there... waiting for someone to buy! often for pennies.

otherwise, you can go to a larger store and buy canning jars right now... they come by the case. i think i have 5 cases of jars in my home.
Gossy
06-24-2010, 12:33 PM
Awesome - thanks gang! I think I'll try to find a thermos for the time being as I can see myself using that for traveling with soups and trying to keep them a bit warm - and recycle my jars for juices. It'll even be a bit of fun to drink from a jar instead of a traditional glass. Not that they're really that different but . . . ;)
streetsurfer
06-24-2010, 02:14 PM
For traveling with juice or for pre-made batches, I use a zip-vac vacuum sealer. It's a hand held rechargable unit that is designed to be used with their valved bags. There is also a manual unit. I use it along with a food saver brand jar attachement. I've seen other brands but their connection method seems brand specific. I don't know with other brands, if you could mix and match parts like I was able to do. Juice pre-made for later gets the air drawn out of the jar with the zip vac and bell attachement.

The last picture is something a fellow member posted here recently. Thank you, whoever it was. Another good use for jars. I dislike cleaning the big clunky glass carafe from the blender, when making just a quart or less.
jacsam
06-24-2010, 03:23 PM
Turn your straining bags inside out and it rinses right off...then let them air dry. It's as easy as that. I've made juices for later in the day and they just aren't the same as fresh. I have a small....I mean really small blender that's called a Tribest and you actually drink your juice/green drink, right out of the container. You could fill the container with all the stuff your making your drink with.....put the travel lid on and take it to work, when it's time for it just keep the blending base at work and whip it up fresh each time. These little blenders aren't as strong as a vitamix but they really are great for travelling, work etc.
Gossy
06-25-2010, 08:42 AM
Streetsurfer - How the HECK do you get the jar off the blender without spilling all over?!

Jacsam - I wish I could do that! Unfortunately I think I'd get yelled at if I brought something like that into work. There is *no* privacy here, everyone can hear everything. Although, now that I'm thinking more, I could potentially just take it to the kitchen to blend, then bring it back to my desk to store. Hmmmm. I'll have to check that out. It'd be even faster in the morning for me to just chop and throw it in the container, then at juice time, go blend. Although it may be a bit messy to try to strain it *at* work. On the other hand (are we enjoying my internal back and forth ;) ), just diluting with some water to make it more juice like could also be an option.

Okay, I'm totally going to look into a little travel blender for using at work. And try out some green juice (diluted instead of strained) this weekend and see if I like it compared to my strained juice. I definitely am loving how fresh makes me feel. Plus, I kind of like showing off my rawness at the office. "Oh gee, yes, I am drinking a totally healthy green smoothie! Isn't is pretty?!" ;)
streetsurfer
06-25-2010, 12:16 PM
Streetsurfer - How the HECK do you get the jar off the blender without spilling all over?!
It is just resting down on the blender with the black screw on lid and blades attached to it. It lifts off with everything sealed in, and then the blade and cap are unscrewed to open it.
dmb2002man
12-09-2010, 10:25 AM
For traveling with juice or for pre-made batches, I use a zip-vac vacuum sealer. It's a hand held rechargable unit that is designed to be used with their valved bags. There is also a manual unit. I use it along with a food saver brand jar attachement. I've seen other brands but their connection method seems brand specific. I don't know with other brands, if you could mix and match parts like I was able to do. Juice pre-made for later gets the air drawn out of the jar with the zip vac and bell attachement.

The last picture is something a fellow member posted here recently. Thank you, whoever it was. Another good use for jars. I dislike cleaning the big clunky glass carafe from the blender, when making just a quart or less.

hey how big is the glass with handles as i came across this website that looks like good deals but im not sure what size to get. Im guessing either 6,9 or 12 oz. These would be good for the soup i make in my vitamix to bring to work with me. I like the fact these have screw on tops.

http://www.specialtybottle.com/index.asp?PageAction=Custom&ID=60
Aleesha Sattva
12-09-2010, 10:48 AM
i use 500ml and 1 litre jars myself. (that's 1/2 quart and a quart)
dmb2002man
12-09-2010, 10:53 AM
i use 500ml and 1 litre jars myself. (that's 1/2 quart and a quart)

so your using 16 and 32 oz which seems too big for me. I could see 16 but 32 seems huge.
Aleesha Sattva
12-09-2010, 10:54 AM
no not at all. but if it seems too large for you... don't get it. ;) pretty simple really.

i drink out of a litre jar on a daily basis. that's my 'drinking glass'.
streetsurfer
12-10-2010, 06:47 PM
hey how big is the glass with handles as i came across this website that looks like good deals but im not sure what size to get. Im guessing either 6,9 or 12 oz. These would be good for the soup i make in my vitamix to bring to work with me. I like the fact these have screw on tops.

http://www.specialtybottle.com/index.asp?PageAction=Custom&ID=60


I think it is 16 oz. and made by Golden Harvest.