Health Foods: Fresh Smoothie and Juice Recipes

When it comes to going raw, a top quality blender becomes one of the go-to appliances in the kitchen. And few blenders are as powerful and praised as that of the Vitamix 5200. From blending smoothies and soups to pulverizing nuts to a creamy butter, the Vitamix is one heck of a machine to have in the arsenal if you’re a proponent of a whole-food diet. And though a little pricey, starting at $450 for the base model, its worth the money if your daily routine includes a smoothie or fresh juice, allowing you to skip the juice stand, while the powerful motor and container design makes the most out of whatever you throw in (the Vitamix 5200 absolutely owns kale, one of the most difficult veggies to juice), making for less waste. Have a Vitamix, or top quality blender? Give these recipes a try and get started on that New Year’s healthy kick early.

Good Morning Smoothie

• ½ cup water
• 1 cup green grapes
• ¼ cup chopped cucumber
• ½ kiwi, peeled
• ½ medium apple, 4 ounces, seeded
• ¾ cup chopped fresh broccoli
• ½-inch-thick slice lemon, peeled
• 1 cup ice cubes

Method:

1. Place all ingredients into the Vitamix container in the order listed and secure lid.
2. Select Variable 1.
3. Turn machine on and slowly increase speed to Variable 10, then to High.
4. Blend for 1 minute or until desired consistency is reached. Serve immediately.

Carrot Juice Plus

• 1 cup water
• 1½ cups diced carrots
• 2 tsp. fresh lemon juice or 1 teaspoon concentrate
• 1 cup ice cubes

Method:

1. Place all ingredients into the Vitamix container in the order listed and secure lid.
2. Select Variable 1.
3. Turn machine on and slowly increase speed to Variable 10, then to High.
4. Blend for 1 minute or until desired consistency is reached.

Berry Delicious Smoothie

• 1/3 cup water
• 1 cup red grapes
• 1 cup frozen pineapple
• 1 ripe banana, peeled
• 1 cup strawberries, fresh or frozen
• 1/3 cup blueberries, fresh or frozen
• 1/3 cup cranberries, fresh or frozen
• ½ cup ice cubes

Method:

1. Place all ingredients into the Vitamix container in the order listed and secure lid.
2. Select Variable 1.
3. Turn machine on and slowly increase speed to Variable 10, then to High.
4. Blend for 45 seconds or until desired consistency is reached.

Avocado Yogurt Sauce

• 1½ cups plain low fat yogurt
• 2 avocados, pitted, peeled
• 1 garlic clove, peeled
• 1 lime, peeled, halved
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 jalapeño pepper, halved, seeds and membranes removed
• ¼ cup fresh cilantro leaves

Method:

1. Place yogurt, avocados, garlic, lime, salt, and jalapeño pepper into the Vitamix container in the order listed and secure lid.
2. Select Variable 1.
3. Turn machine on and slowly increase speed to Variable 10, then to High.
4. Blend for 30 seconds, using the tamper to press the ingredients into the blades. Reduce speed to Variable 7. Remove lid plug and add cilantro through the lid plug opening.
5. Blend for 15 seconds.

Glowing Green Smoothie

• 1½-2 cups water
• ¾ pound organic romaine lettuce, rough chopped, about 1 head
• ½ head large bunch or 3/4 small bunch organic spinach
• 3-4 organic celery stalks, halved
• 1 organic apple, cored, seeded, quartered
• 1 organic pear, cored, seeded, quartered
• 1 organic banana, peeled
• ½ fresh organic lemon, peeled, seeded
• 1/3 bunch organic cilantro with stems (optional)
• 1/3 bunch organic parsley with stems (optional)

Method:

1. Place water, romaine, spinach, celery, and optional ingredients, if using, into the Vitamix container in the order listed and secure lid.
2. Select Variable 1.
3. Turn machine on and slowly increase speed to Variable 8.
4. Blend for 30 seconds or until smooth. Stop machine and remove lid.
5. Add apple, pear, banana and lemon to the Vitamix container in the order listed and secure lid.
6. Select Variable 1.
7. Turn machine on and slowly increase speed to Variable 10, then to High.
8. Blend for 30 seconds or until desired consistency is reached.

Recipes and images courtesy of Vitamix. All recipes created for the Vitamix 5200 with Standard 64 oz. container. If using a different blender, you may need to make adjustments to speed settings to ensure a smooth mix.