More about blending please.....

Hi folks,
I know we have been through this so many times, but I need some serious help! I have the juicing thing down-pat and love it all green, no issues there. However, the blending thing, now that has me confused. I just got a vitamix and am so excited for smoothies, but they don't taste very good at all. I have been using all greens and a good organic coconut milk and it feels like am drinking a very bland salad. So many people rave about there smoothies so I am looking for help to be able to rave about mine. I am cautious about fruits because of the sugars and I am working like a bandit to loose some weight, which isn't really happening due to some meds. I am willing to use fruits and berries if they are low sugar and safe, but I don't know where to begin. What are some 'safe' fruits and berries (low sugar etc.) and how do I blend so it is yummy! What is a girl to do.....Debbie, I know you are out there and I know you have some great ideas.....please girl, share, share, share!

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Permalink Reply by heather on March 28, 2008 at 10:23am: Try a scoop or two of Stevia, or a little bit of Agave. It gives it a little sweetness which counteracts the "green" taste. A little cucumber is usually good to even out the green leafies! Good luck!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Raw Warrior on March 30, 2008 at 3:17am: You might want to try a little bit of stevia at a time for your taste buds as it's super sweet. I use soaked dates for my smoothies for the sweetness and no stevia is needed. I'll post a few recipes for you tomorrow.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Raw Warrior on March 30, 2008 at 3:03pm: Hi Laura,

Here's a few smoothie recipes to get you started. These are from the book: The Thrive Diet by Brendan Brazier.

Ginger Pear Smoothie (Inflammation reducer)

1 banana
1/2 pear, cored
2 cups water (or 1-1/2 cups water plus 1 cup ice)
1 tbsp ground flaxseed
1 tbsp hemp protein (if you don't have this, it's ok it's not a thickener, it's a just a great source of protein)
1 tbsp grated ginger

Chocolate Almond Smoothie (antioxidant-rich)

1 banana
2 fresh or soaked dried dates
2 cups water (or as above with ice) BUT I use Almond milk instead usually
1/4 cup soaked almonds (or 2 tbsp raw almond butter)
1 tbsp ground flaxseed
1 tbsp hemp protein
1 tbsp roasted carob powder (or cocao nibs or powder to make smoothie 100% raw)

Blueberry Rooibos Antioxidant Smoothie (antioxidant-rich)

1 banana
2 cups water (or above with the ice or almond milk)
1/2 cup blueberries
1 tbsp flaxseed
1 tbsp hemp protein
1 tbsp agave nectar (this is too sweet for me so I usually skip and add 1/4-1/2 packet of stevia or a dash of raw honey at the end if I want it in that day)
1 tbsp hemp oil or EFA blend (add fish oil if you have it instead)
2 tsp ground rooibos (can be omitted if you don't this but it's very healthy and delish as a tea!)

Give these a try and I'll add some more for you when I have more time. Enjoy!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Raw Warrior on March 31, 2008 at 2:16am: I forgot to add that I usually add Kale to the Chocolate Almond smoothie. I don't have a Vita Mix so I add it last and need to blend longer. It doesn't heat up at all. It just takes a bit longer with the kale. You can add any favorite green leafy veggie.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by LauraB on March 30, 2008 at 4:10pm: Wow, these are some great ideas and I look forward to trying them. They sound great, thanks all! Please, send more and more as you can.
xoxoxoxoxo; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jill on March 30, 2008 at 8:23pm: I did one the other day that was so good even my teenage son liked it! The banana really masks the taste of the greens.
1/2 banana
1 pear
1 handful spinach
1 chard leaf
1 cup purified water

Blend banana and pear with water until smooth
Add greens and blend until smooth.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Becky B. on March 30, 2008 at 8:33pm: What do you do if you can't afford a VitaMix??; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jill on March 30, 2008 at 8:48pm: You can still make a mean smoothie with a regular blender. Just stay with the less chunky greens like spinach, and make sure you blend the fruit with water first until smooth, then add veggies slowly while blending. It's a bit more of a challenge, but it works.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by hellosunshine on March 30, 2008 at 9:59pm: Hey LauraB! I would recommend trying two types of green smoothie.. sweet and savory.

For sweet, stick with what you have goin' on there, and how about tryin some blueberries or whatever mixed berry feels comfy for you (i like to buy frozen raspberry, blueberry, blackberry, strawberry packages). Then add some vanilla, stevia, spirulina, cinnamon, all the greens that are palatable to you and you have a party!

My other favorite sweet combo is 1/2 grapefruit, 1/2 cucumber (not peeled), several kale leaves, vanilla, lots and lots of cilantro, stevia to taste, and water to blend.

You can also go savory, and I like to have the base be the same as for my green juice -- cucumber and celery. Then I add greens and avocado. You can play with this recipe at this point.. maybe add some seaweed or sea salt, cumin, curry, cayenne, whatever floats your boat! I like to use warm water too, so it's more of a soup than a smoothie.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Towanda on March 31, 2008 at 6:18am: "Safe" fruits, as in lower glycemic index fruits...
strawberries, blueberries for sure.
went a searchin' for you... found this
source: http://www.fredericpatenaude.com/questions/glycemic.html
says...Most fruits are not “high” on the glycemic index. Banana is 51 (low), Kiwi is 47 (low), Grapefruit is 25 (low), Mango is 41 (low), Oranges is 31 (low), Papaya is 56 (low). Only watermelon is listed as “high” in most charts (72)
I use Isopure protein powder, with soy milk (considering changing to rice milk), and frozen strawberries in a blender. YUM. I buy the fresh fruit and throw it in the freezer.
Spring is coming and the farmers markets will have a wonderful selection of all our goodies soon!
I try to do one protein shake a day for my plan. Helps stave off the hunger bunny for me.
And of course... exercise helps immeasurably with trying to lose weight.
steady as she goes...
T.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by LauraB on April 3, 2008 at 2:19pm: This is fabulous information. I am still working on the getting the blending down and really hope to before April 15th, when I start my 'fast.' This place rocks!
love you all!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Becky B. on April 4, 2008 at 4:40pm: Laura B. - try the green smoothie from Kris' DVD. She starts with cucumber, adds avocado, then spinach, next sprouts and a splash of coconut water (not milk). Then a couple of ice cubes and blend away!!! After thoroughly blended, she throws in some stevia and cinnamon and adds a sprinkle of coconut flakes to the top :-) So delish! I made my first one today for lunch (after a liquid morning no less!! ok- wheat grass folks, not champagne!) If you have the DVD, check it out!!! My sweet daughter had one this morning at 6am for breakfast - she wasn't so sure about doing this again... too early for veggies I guess!

I can't wait to get to WF to get more yummies to blend.....I'm in on the fast for the 15th too!; ▶ Reply to This