Hello Glorious You,
I’m smiling from ear to ear over here. Today we’re talking about one of my favorite topics, I’m sharing a recipe from my new book (!) and I have a crazy-awesome giveaway for you (!!)…
Ya know I love my green juice. But there’s another biggie in my regular super-drink repertoire that doesn’t get quite the fanfare my juicing habit does: smoothies! In a typical week, I drink almost as many smoothies as juices, so today I wanna shine a light on these blended superstars and hook you up with a chance to win a Vitamix blender!
Why smoothies?
When you go the blended route, you get to pack in a boatload of fruits and veggies like you would for a juice, but you also keep all the fiber—and man oh man, is fiber fabulous! From “sweeping out” excess cholesterol and harmful bacteria to keeping the poop train moving, fiber is most certainly our friend. And although it’s totally possible to keep your juices low-sugar, smoothies are a great choice for people who need to watch their blood sugar—the fiber slows sugar absorption into the bloodstream.
Another marvelous smoothie benefit? You can add ingredients to your drink that your juicer wouldn’t be able to handle, or that just don’t belong in a juice. Sprouts, nut butters, superfood powders? Load it up! And with those added, heartier ingredients, smoothies can even replace snacks or meals. Score!
Alright, so we all agree: Smoothies are incredible and we need more of them in our lives. What’s our first step? Get a blender.
I’m giving away a Vitamix blender!
In celebration of my new book, Crazy Sexy Juice—which is packed with amazingly yummy and nourishing juice, smoothie and nut milk recipes—I’m giving away the ever-popular Vitamix blender! The Vitamix is one of my favorite machines. It’s versatile, powerful and super easy to use. Though a Vitamix can be pricey, there’s another way to get this bad boy onto your counter. It’s called certified reconditioned blenders, and since I’m a thrifty gal myself, I wanted to share the low-down on this awesome alternative—and what better way than to just give you one?!
Now you may be thinking, wait, Kris, you’re giving me a used blender? Like from the back of your closet? Ha! I thought that, too, when I first heard about these models. But here’s the deal: “reconditioned” is almost a misnomer. These aren’t refurbished (or broken) machines; they’re simply returned machines that have undergone an intense inspection as part of the Vitamix Certified Reconditioning process. With a 5-year warranty and No Risk Guarantee, they gotta make sure these blenders are in tip-top shape. Reconditioned Vitamix blenders also come with a brand new container and cookbook package.
I like to think of purchasing reconditioned appliances like adopting pets—there are wonderful blenders out there that need a new home and some love.
Okay, wanna get your hands on one of these fancy-pants machines?
Great—I’m giving away one certified reconditioned standard 5200 Vitamix Blender today!
bananas are my favorite smoothie staple
Banana and dates with cinnamon, cardamon and plant-based milk makes a killer smoothie!
Spinach!
I have so many favorite ingredients – kale, ginger, chia seeds, hemp powder are just a few!
A few of my favs are frozen bananas, frozen mango, and unsweetened almond milk!
Vega One Natural
Pineapple and watermelon!
A simple ingredient …. frozen bananas!
As well as everything everyone else has posted so far, I like to add chunks of frozen fruit, especially pears, for that milkshake texture.
A great inexpensive single serve/travel blender:
http://www.amazon.com/Hamilton-Beach-51108-Stainless-Blender/dp/B005NIXSHQ
My favorite smoothie ingredient is frozen mango. I devour it by the pound.
Thanks for considering me for the giveaway! If I win, I want to give this blender to my mom.
ground rice bran and chia seeds
vega one protein powder!
Pumpkin Spice! YUM!
Ooooh perfect!
I have 2 favorite smoothie ingredients are pineapple and ginger. I get systemic arthritis due to autoimmune disease, and a green pineapple and ginger smoothie or juice is the best medicine to relieve my pain.
Any fruit with some greens. I want to name my adopted Vitamix, Sparkle!!!!
Flax seeds!
a ripe banana …
Spinach! My grandkids love love love smoothies and they have no idea they are drinking spinach.
Bananas
I love adding avocados to my smoothies.