Blender vs. Vitamix DO I need one?

[girl007]

Hey Guys,

Wanted to know if I need to have a vitamix to make green smoothies?
I plan to get Victorias book for that purpose but want to know if I need the Vitamix vs. my blender which is a good one. TIA

[sport]

I have just purchased a vitamix (not arrived yet) but the cheap one that I have had up until now was making green smoothies without any problem and I intend to continue using it as well as the vitamix.

[karotw]

I have a heavy duty Osterizer blend that does just find for the green smoothies.

Many Blessings,
Karen

[theresaann]

I never tried making green smoothies with a regular blender, but I'll tell ya, I've had my vita mix for 6 years and the thing is fantastic-best appliance investment I ever made. Many besides Victoria have said it's the best for making nutrients available from blending, and even if I didn't have one today, I would buy one all over again-but maybe a good quality "regular" blender is adequet-don't know....

[TimmyC]

No you don't, but it's "ideal." I used a smoothie (blender) thing for 3 months, and it did just fine. Just don't use regular blenders for rye bagels. I burned mine up doing that a few weeks ago. A Vitamix would have handled it much better I'm sure :).

Tim

[prana]

We use one of those hand blenders, not even a real full fledged blender and it makes pretty good smoothies. Currently, we are looking into getting a Vita Mix because when it comes to harder fruits it takes too much time to blend. The longer you have blended fruit exposed to the air, the more oxidation takes place, which results in less enzymes.

[joannes]

We have a vitamix - there's 5 in our family. I use it at least 2 to 3 times a day. It makes great 'ice cream' (just blend frozen fruit with 'milk' and sweetener of choice), nut butters and raw soups. However we use it the most for making smoothies. Since there's so many of us (well, not really ... we just eat a lot!), we have to fill up the blender a few times; but it's so fast it does not matter. Regular blenders work alright, but the vitamix really blends up all the greens. You can put in the whole fruit with the seeds too (great for blending up those large globe grapes with huge seeds!). I also use it to 'grate' carrots for salads, to make raw salsa and guacamole, and more.
My husband thought I was a little crazy at first for wanting such an expensive 'blender', but he uses it all the time now too!! I consider it the best kitchen item I've ever bought. (the kids can operate it w/out a problem too)

[girl007]

Thanks for the helpful info. I will give my blender a whirl first since I have 2. Both pretty good. Then I will keep my eye on the vitamix when I'm really hardcore.
When I purchased 90.00 bucks in porganic food yesterday hubby gave me the look, since he is an Accountant we track everything. So, I better wait a few months in between purchases. I also just got the Omega 8005. :)