They're such an easy way to get fruits and veggies into your day, and I find they energize me in a way that even coffee can't compete with. (That doesn't mean I'm giving up my soy lattes anytime soon though.)
It can also be a nice way to get some fiber in and start things moving.
A word on blenders: there's a huge range in price. About a year ago, the fiancé (also known as B) and I decided to upgrade to a Ninja. We purchased the basic model. However, when we initially attempted whole food smoothies (we also love to juice but then miss out on the fiber), we found the resulting product chunky and not the creamy, Jamba Juice-esque smoothie we hoped for.
We debated purchasing a new blender so we could enjoy nutrient-dense, spinach packed smoothies that weren't full of green leafy chunks.
Then I discovered that if I initially blend my greens with liquid (milk, non-dairy milk, or juice) on high for a few minutes, they get really pulverized and liquified.
We typically use a non-dairy milk (almond, coconut, or flax), some sort of green, some fresh fruits or veggies, and frozen fruit. Using frozen fruit instead of ice cubes helps prevent the smoothie from getting too watered down.
Today's morning smoothie consisted of coconut milk, mixed baby greens, red pepper (tastes better than it sounds), banana, frozen strawberries, and frozen pineapple.
Happy smoothing!
