#1 Molly @ RDexposed
on Jun 15th, 2011 at 9:07 am [edit]
I love how making smoothies extends the life of bananas. People would eat less banana bread if they used old bananas for smoothies instead!

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#2 Brittany (A Healthy Slice of Life)
on Jun 15th, 2011 at 9:08 am [edit]
I do think frozen banana are key.
And I’ve become a believer of adding a pinch of xanthan gum as well for extra thickening!

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#3 Liv @ The Salty n’ Sweet
on Jun 15th, 2011 at 9:08 am [edit]
Totally agree on freezing fruit! I just had a strawberry cranberry smoothie yesterday!

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#4 Alett
on Jun 15th, 2011 at 9:10 am [edit]
Thanks for the tip!

Have you tried spinach in your smoothies? It does not change the taste and is a GREAT way to get some greens in; seriously, try it.

NOTE: don’t accidentally use arugula like I did (grabbed the wrong bag by accident at the grocery store!)

Have an awesome day!

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Faith @ lovelyascharged Reply:
June 15th, 2011 at 9:39 am

Gah – I’ve made the same mistake! Talk about bitter smoothies!

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#5 Elizabeth @ Eat Clean Fun
on Jun 15th, 2011 at 9:10 am [edit]
LOVE LOVE LOVE the fact that you stole the blender from your exboyfriend that is hilarious. I don’t buy into the $500.00 blenders… Hamilton Beach works for me as well

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#6 LizAshlee
on Jun 15th, 2011 at 9:11 am [edit]
Creamy smoothies are the best in the summer! I have been enjoying green smoothies for breakfast and later in the day they are great as a snack or treat! The past couple of nights we have been getting around a bit later than usual and we will have one for dinner along with a little snack. I agree, frozen bananas are a MUST for creamy smoothies!

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

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#7 Ashley O. @ The Vegetable Life
on Jun 15th, 2011 at 9:11 am [edit]
Thanks for the tip I could never figure out how to get a smoothie to be not chunky from ice….. I need to try freezing bananas!

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#8 Courtney @ The Granola Chronicles
on Jun 15th, 2011 at 9:11 am [edit]
Frozen fruit is definitely key…although I think a frozen banana is THE most important thing! It adds a nice smooth creaminess to smoothies. I’ve been loving frozen mango also – great flavor!

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#9 chelsey @ clean eating chelsey
on Jun 15th, 2011 at 9:12 am [edit]
Frozen fruit IS definitely the secret!

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#10 Katherina @ Zephyr Runs
on Jun 15th, 2011 at 9:12 am [edit]
Summer smoothies are the bessst. I like throwing veggies in like cukes or carrots, so tasty!

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#11 Errign
on Jun 15th, 2011 at 9:12 am [edit]
I accidentally left my blender home in NH, so I have to buy a cheap one here. Thanks for the tips

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#12 Andrea
on Jun 15th, 2011 at 9:13 am [edit]
As the owner of a not-so-great blender, I appreciate the tip!

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#13 Samantha
on Jun 15th, 2011 at 9:13 am [edit]
Good tip about putting the heavier stuff in last! I have a crappy blender and dream about a Vitamix because mine has so much difficulty with frozen fruit. I always put the frozen goodies in first though, so now I’ll try switching it up!

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#14 Nicole of Raspberry Stethoscope
on Jun 15th, 2011 at 9:13 am [edit]
i really want to get a clorox bleach wipe and clean your blender lol

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Samantha Angela @ Bikini Birthday Reply:
June 15th, 2011 at 9:14 am

LOL

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lindsay Reply:
June 15th, 2011 at 9:15 am

that was my first thought. I have cleaning issues haha

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Nicole of Raspberry Stethoscope Reply:
June 15th, 2011 at 9:17 am

it’s weird how cleaning something could give such immense pleasure, haha!

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Tami Reply:
June 15th, 2011 at 9:16 am

My first thought too

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CaitlinHTP Reply:
June 15th, 2011 at 9:17 am

Those stains pre-date the ex boyfriend! They are NOT coming off. LOL Trust me, I’ve tried

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Katie @ cooklaughmove Reply:
June 15th, 2011 at 9:20 am

I have the same blender and it looks the same exact way! Cleaning my bathroom is more important then cleaning my blender

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#15 Samantha Angela @ Bikini Birthday
on Jun 15th, 2011 at 9:14 am [edit]
I had a very smooth and creamy and practically velvety smoothie yesterday that I made with fresh fruit:

1 banana
3 strawberries
1 scoop of vegan protein
1 c of water

If you don’t have frozen fruit on hand I think fresh works just as well. The only downside is that it won’t be as cold.

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#16 Rachel
on Jun 15th, 2011 at 9:15 am [edit]
Oh my word thank you for this! I’ve been researching blenders for a week now! I don’t want a vitamix, but I do want something that works. I’m glad I know your secret now!

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#17 Liz @ Blog is the New Black
on Jun 15th, 2011 at 9:15 am [edit]
Totes agree! All in the frozen ‘naner!

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#18 Lizzy @ runbakerace
on Jun 15th, 2011 at 9:15 am [edit]
Good tips! I need to start freezing bananas.

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#19 Tami
on Jun 15th, 2011 at 9:15 am [edit]
I’m with Nicole! You need to clean your blender!!!!

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#20 Katie @ cooklaughmove
on Jun 15th, 2011 at 9:17 am [edit]
I have the same blender and it looks the same too

I freeze all our smoothie fruit! I sometimes use canned in juice, no sugar added fruit. I open the can and divide into little container and freeze.

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#21 Holly @ The Runny Egg
on Jun 15th, 2011 at 9:18 am [edit]
I agree that frozen bananas really make a good smoothie! But I think a really ripe banana works just as well.

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#22 Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat
on Jun 15th, 2011 at 9:20 am [edit]
I agree on the bananas – they definitely add creaminess! I actually can’t remember the last time I purchased bananas that I didn’t freeze!!! Since the weather is getting warmer now and farmers markets have more fruit, I’ve been purchasing peaches, pineapples, and berries, and freezing them rather than buying bags in the grocery store. It’s so much cheaper!! And PS- my old blender used to look just like yours!! “Well-seasoned” as my aunt would say!

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#23 DefineDiana
on Jun 15th, 2011 at 9:20 am [edit]
I can definitely attest that a expensive blender will not garuntee great smoothies. We have now (in 6 months!) blew out two $100 blenders (same type, we are using the warrenty on it for right now). I’m so mad, we’ve had no smoothies all week!

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#24 Yin
on Jun 15th, 2011 at 9:22 am [edit]
Thank you for this post! I made a green monster once and it was just terrible, and I gave up hope for any kind of smoothie. I’m going to try this one morning!

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#25 chloe @ 321delish
on Jun 15th, 2011 at 9:22 am [edit]
A dirty blender is a loved blender!

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#26 Ash @ Good Taste Healthy Me
on Jun 15th, 2011 at 9:25 am [edit]
Thanks for the tips! I love smoothies and use frozen fruits as well. I hate the icy kinds!

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#27 Caitlin
on Jun 15th, 2011 at 9:27 am [edit]
I just started on a big smoothie kick (thanks summer!). I used Kath’s Doughboy Smoothie as inspiration.. the overnight oats (just 1/2 cup raw oats and 1 cup milk + cinnamon) plus 1 frozen banana and a cup of frozen berries and an extra splash of milk is perfect–and has super staying power!

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#28 Caroline Leigh
on Jun 15th, 2011 at 9:27 am [edit]
caitlin – i recently started following you and love your blog. i have some similarities with you: patella femoral syndrome, wacky/non-existent periods without bc (which i dont want to take), i’m recently vegetarian, and i’m all about holistic healing. i particularly loved this post because i’ve been making smoothies lately, but haven’t been wanting to use whey or soy protein, and now i know there is something else out there! thank you for all you share on your blog. love it!

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Caitlin Reply:
June 15th, 2011 at 7:16 pm

Aw thank you so much for reading!

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#29 Bee Goes Bananas
on Jun 15th, 2011 at 9:28 am [edit]
I tried making a smoothie with frozen bananas instead of fresh and you’re totally right! Frozen fruit makes all the difference in the WORLD!

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#30 Baking ‘n’ Books
on Jun 15th, 2011 at 9:32 am [edit]
I can’t get into smoothies because of the thin consistency. I like thick – thick, but not chunky I guess. So I never thought about frozen. I agree though – bananas would be a must!

I’ve noticed a lot of people put chia seeds in there as a thickener? Or those gums (xantham?)

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#31 Rachel @ The Perseverance Diaries
on Jun 15th, 2011 at 9:39 am [edit]
Thanks for the tips! I do have a crappy blender so following that guideline should help mix things up better

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#32 maria @ Chasing the Now
on Jun 15th, 2011 at 9:39 am [edit]
I agree 100% about the order you put things in. I always go: milk, frozen spinach (BLEND), frozen banana (BLEND), any protein powder, gums, etc…

Makes a huge difference.

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#33 Mary
on Jun 15th, 2011 at 9:46 am [edit]
Agreed. Frozen fruit is the way to go. Then most of the time you never have to add ice, you’ve already got it cold once the frozen fruit blends up!

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#34 Amy @ SGTC
on Jun 15th, 2011 at 9:52 am [edit]
When I freeze my ‘naners they turn brown really quick. How long are they good for? I’m scared of the color, haha.

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Jodi Reply:
June 15th, 2011 at 10:31 am

Amy, I am assuming you don’t peel them? You need to peel, slice or break in chunks and freeze. So good in smoothies!

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Amy @ SGTC Reply:
June 15th, 2011 at 11:42 am

sadly, I do peel them. Maybe I just buy weird bananas?! Hmm.

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#35 Lauren @ LaDolcePita
on Jun 15th, 2011 at 9:57 am [edit]
So true – I swear by frozen fruit in my smoothies too. Also – putting a tiny bit (a big splash) of seltzer in the smoothies actually tastes really good & refreshing.

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#36 Christina
on Jun 15th, 2011 at 10:44 am [edit]
It’s so true! Frozen fruit always makes a smoothie better, and I always add the milk first! We can’t all afford a $400 blender so I’m so happy to see I’m not alone on that one!! Be proud of your stolen blender!! Work those smoothies!

I’m also happy to see you don’t use Xanthum gum, I’ve heard some pretty crazy stuff about it. Like you can have a little and it’s ok but overtime it can cause digestinal issues, no bueno!

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#37 kristin @ wounded fawn
on Jun 15th, 2011 at 11:43 am [edit]
I use whole foods vanilla whey protein and often times I want to vomit before I can finish my smoothie. What’s the best protein powder out there really?
Caitlin does the standard process protein powder you use add any worthy taste factor to your smoothie?

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Caitlin Reply:
June 15th, 2011 at 7:16 pm

It is flavorless actually!

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#38 Lauren @ Sweet and Twisted
on Jun 15th, 2011 at 12:10 pm [edit]
I’m at work and there are no smoothies here! Boo!

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#39 Hayley @ Oat Couture
on Jun 15th, 2011 at 12:46 pm [edit]
I have a crappy blender so gonna try that approach of milk first etc and see if it saves me having to rock my blender all over the place just to get everything to blend!

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#40 Christina
on Jun 15th, 2011 at 1:19 pm [edit]
I been using frozen fruit in my smoothies for years! The blender comment cracked me up! I was definitely using my ex-boyfriend’s $30 blender–until he very nicely asked for it back.

I’ve been using a $25 one and works wonderfully!

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#41 Abby
on Jun 15th, 2011 at 1:32 pm [edit]
Yes! Glad I’m not the only crappy blender owner! Some days I get an arm workout rocking the dang thing around even if I do put the lighter ingredients at the bottom! lol. Frozen bananas are crucial in smoothies!

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#42 Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin
on Jun 15th, 2011 at 5:59 pm [edit]
Yes! Frozen bananas are key to a good smoothie! Except I usually eat all mine raw before I have a chance to freeze them.