Vitamix users, or similar product users and juicers - HELP!

[LilyLily]

Here's the info she just sent over....



Below is some info on smoothies – links to sites as a starting point, including recipes. The challenge with smoothies is that they can be very calorie dense depending on what you add to them. Smoothies are a great weight loss tool if you are exclusively eating raw or doing only smoothies. You have to be more careful with calorie intake if you are using them as a meal replacement. The very best ones for weight loss are green smoothies with only a bit of fruit and some source of protein. I steer clear of soy, but I have issues with it. I use things like spirulina, chia seeds, nut butters and a raw vegan protein powder to bump up protein percentages if needed. The biggest thing is making sure it's a balanced smoothie or you're going to be hungry.


Young and Raw Smoothie Challenge – Their 30 challenge is free, but is about adding one green smoothie a day to your diet. They have great recipes and information.

·         Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/30daygreensmoothiechallenge/?ref=ts&fref=ts

·         Website: http://www.youngandraw.com/

·         Weight loss smoothie category on their website: http://www.youngandraw.com/tag/weight-loss-smoothies/



Prevention

·         http://www.prevention.com/weight-loss/flat-belly-diet/smoothies-weight-loss-flat-belly-smoothie-diet-recipes/mango-smoothie-surprise



Super Skinny Me

·         http://www.superskinnyme.com/smoothie-recipes.html


Reboot with Joe

·         http://www.rebootwithjoe.com/



Joe Cross is the man behind Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead. The site is based on juicing, not smoothies, but there are some great recipes on the site for smoothies that are worth checking out.

[wherestheportojohn]

Vitamix is QVC's TSV...I'm watching the program right now. 4/14 till midnight.
5 easy payments, free s&h.

My finger is twitching on the BUY NOW button.

[merigayle]

Vitamix is QVC's TSV...I'm watching the program right now. 4/14 till midnight.
5 easy payments, free s&h.

My finger is twitching on the BUY NOW button.

[wherestheportojohn]

Done!!!!

Ordered it in cinnamon....mmmm, cinnamon.

[merigayle]

Done!!!!

Ordered it in cinnamon....mmmm, cinnamon.

Mazel tov!

[wherestheportojohn]

Squeeeeeal!
UPS tracking has my new toy on the truck for delivery by 4pm today.



What should I make first?
What supplies should I run out and get this afternoon?

[Courtney]

Eeee!!!

Fruit.  Yogurt.  Spinach.

That's what I did, anyway. 

I need to try something else other than this in my vitamix. 

[wherestheportojohn]

 I always stock:
Greek plain yogurt, fresh strawberries, almond milk, almonds, kale, spinach, frozen blueberries, beans (canned and dry), garlic, bananas, Vietnamese  cinnamon, blah blah.

I need to pick up raw sesame seeds for making hummus.
Also plan on picking up fresh lemons (probably at Aldi's.)
Probably some peanuts to make lovely peanut butter.

[diablita]

I always stock:
Greek plain yogurt, fresh strawberries, almond milk, almonds, kale, spinach, frozen blueberries, beans (canned and dry), garlic, bananas, Vietnamese  cinnamon, blah blah.

mix that all up in the blender for your first shake.  Vitamix is magic.  It will be delicious.   

[Ice Cream]

mix that all up in the blender for your first shake.  Vitamix is magic.  It will be delicious.   

What kind of beans do you put in there?

[wherestheportojohn]

Garbanzo...for hummus.

[Ice Cream]

Garbanzo...for hummus.

I think Diablita suggested beans in a shake...

[wherestheportojohn]

I saw that. 
I supposed if you doctored it up enough with fruit and/or yogurt, you'd never know they were there.

[diablita]

I was being silly.  The vitamix is good from what everyone here says, but it can't be that good...


On another note, "hummus" in Hebrew translates to "chickpea" in English or "garbanzo" in Spanish.  I didn't realize that.  I though "hummus" was the word for what we call hummus but it's not, it refers to the bean used in what we cal "hummus" (though they call the mix hummus as well).

[Ice Cream]

I was being silly.  The vitamix is good from what everyone here says, but it can't be that good...

Well, I don't quite get the spinach and the greens in there, it does not sound any worse to put in beans.  But the again, I like my greens so I do not have any need to hide them. 

[qarhon]

I ordered a juicer and put it to use for the first time today:

1/2 a cucumber
2 stalks of celery
giant handful of spinach
1/2 green apple
~1" ginger
lemon juice

I was trying to replicate a recipe from a juice bar where I used to live... did an okay job! It was a bit heavy on the ginger, but pretty tasty.

[diablita]

Well, I don't quite get the spinach and the greens in there, it does not sound any worse to put in beans.  But the again, I like my greens so I do not have any need to hide them. 

I understand the desire to throw in the greens.  I LOVE leafy greens so it's not tough for me to work them in.  But I'm always delighted when I see something like wilted spinach in a place I wouldn't ordinarily expect it and with a food that I ordinarily think of as a splurge/unhealthy.  So for example, I rarely order grilled cheese in a restaurant b/c even with sliced tomato it's not a super healthy choice.  But if I find spinach (and other veggies) in it...and yet it still tastes like a grilled cheese (vs. a roasted veg sandwich) I'm delighted.  It elevates my 'splurge'.  not sure if this makes sense?

So I could see wanting to accomplish the same on your own in a smoothie.

But beans, while I love them, would not be something I'd throw in.  I was joking when I wrote that.  They add almost a meatiness for me when blended (e.g., white bean dip).  When we were kids, the joke at bar mitzvahs was to throw all the food into a drink and find someone brave enough to eat it.  That's what I was thinking of.

[Ice Cream]

I had sauteed spinach tonight, with onion, garlic, and myer lemon juice.  Delicious!!

[moroccangirl]

mix that all up in the blender for your first shake.  Vitamix is magic.  It will be delicious.   

[moroccangirl]

Lily, thanks for posting all of that!! I have no time to do anything now, but my plan is to start excercising regularly and watching what I eat, when I get to Saudi. I bought the vitamix to be able to get more greens in my diet so I'll be looking at that stuff you posted later.