Recipes

Even those who don’t follow the latest and greatest diet fads have probably heard of celery juice by now. Influencers and celebrities are drinking it up and posting about it like crazy, insisting it’s a cure-all miracle juice. 

Of course, there are also those who have come out to say there isn’t anything all that special about celery juice. The reality is that while we know what celery does for us, very little research has been done on the specific health benefits of celery juice. Still, it seems to be helping many people look and feel better, so who are we to argue? 

History of Celery Juice

Most accounts of the origins of celery juice trace back to a self-proclaimed medical medium named Anthony William. He is an author of many top selling books and a popular TV guest.

Williams doesn’t have any medical training, but he’s built a career out of spreading awareness of the health benefits of drinking celery juice. Nearly 140,000 posts are tagged with #celeryjuice on Instagram and more than 37,000 show up under #celeryjuicebenefits. Regular fans of the daily green drink include actresses such as Miranda Kerr and Debra Messing, athletes including tennis player Novak Djokovic, and singer/producer Pharrell Williams. 

Celery Juice Benefits

Celery juicers claim to experience a wide range of health benefits after adding the drink to their daily routine. Some of the most common include clearer skin, improved digestion, and increased energy levels. The anti-inflammatory properties of celery have even been credited with improving respiratory diseases such as asthma, as well as several symptoms of seasonal allergies. 

There is no doubt that celery is also a powerful antioxidant. It is packed with:

• Vitamin K
• Vitamin A
• Vitamin B2
• Vitamin B6
• Vitamin C 
• Potassium
• Folate

All of these nutrients help lower oxidative stress in our bodies that may lead to major health problems such as cancer, stroke, and heart disease. 

In addition to the stalks, celery seeds are often used to treat joint pain and sooth the nervous system. Many people have used them to treat a number of skin conditions such as psoriasis and acne. 

Health experts warn, however, that the juicing process removes the fiber from celery stalks. When blended (preferably in a vacuum) and juiced in a mesh bag there is a negligible loss of nutrients, but it’s important to remember that celery juice is far from a meal replacement. It should be added into a well-rounded diet to increase your intake of these vitamins rather than taking the place of your protein-packed breakfast or lunch. 

How to Consume Celery Juice

If it were up to William, everyone would drink about 16 ounces of celery juice on an empty stomach each morning. To ensure that all of the essential nutrients are absorbed and you receive as many health benefits as possible, he then advises waiting 15 minutes or more before eating anything else. 

Since celery juice is an acquired taste, you may want to start out with a smaller 8-ounce glass and increase as you get used to it. If starting your day with straight celery juice doesn’t seem like an option for you, add it into your day 15 to 30 minutes before any meal. If you suffer from a chronic illness, William recommends drinking 24 to 30 ounces of pure celery juice per day. 

If possible, drink your celery juice right away when it is at its freshest. Otherwise, store it in a sealed container in the refrigerator and drink within 24 hours of blending or juicing.

Why Use a Blendtec to Make Celery Juice?

We’re fairly confident that you aren’t drinking celery juice for the peppery flavor, so the Blendtec team has created a way for you to blend celery stalks that maintains all of their nutritional value. Our vacuum blending system works with any Blendtec or Vitamix blender. The process of blending in a vacuum prevents oxidation of the celery, so you get as many of the original vitamins as possible in your juice. 

Our vacuum blending system results in better: 

Many juicers and other blenders are lucky to get about a 60–70% yield. That means if you have a celery stalk weighing 17 ounces, you only get about 10 ounces of juice. From vacuum blending, Blendtec users consistently enjoy over 90% yield. You get more juice and drier pulp than any other juicing process.

There is no point in drinking celery juice if you blend all of the nutritional value out of the celery. You can tell when celery juice has been over oxidized when the consistency is dark with bubbles.

Celery Juice Recipe

Making celery juice is simple because it is best consumed all by itself. While celery is a great, healthy addition to any green smoothie, blending it solo is said to produce the best benefits to your health. 

If you are new to celery juice, it may take time to get used to the taste. In the beginning, you can tone it down a bit by adding a cucumber or an apple. In time, you’ll be ready to eliminate more ingredients until you are blending pure celery. 

1. 1 large head of celery

When we say there is only one ingredient, we mean it! But there are some notes on picking out your celery stalks. Whenever possible, try to buy organic. It’s believed that you have the best chance of experiencing health benefits of celery if the juice is as pure as possible. Remember like strawberries, celery is one of the "Dirty Dozen" so make sure you wash.

1. Wash celery
2. Cut into 1–1.5 inch pieces (keep the celery leaves if possible)
3. Put into your Blendtec blender + vacuum system (optional)
4. Pulse to allow blade to engage celery
   
5. Blend until smooth, slowly increase speed until smooth. Try not to allow celery to bounce and hit the lid (easier clean up)
   
6. Strain with our Blendtec Nut Milk and Celery Juice bag (available on Amazon)
7. Drink immediately

If you are living with a chronic illness, digestion issues, or skin condition, it may be worth giving celery juice a shot. Thousands of people are sharing how the green liquid has improved their lives on social media, and you could find yourself doing likewise. 

If you make celery juice in your Blendtec blender, let us know how it goes! Share your videos and pictures with us, or comment below. 

More Blendtec Recipes Containing Celery

• Garden Green Giant Juice Recipe
• Kale and Apple Green Smoothie Recipe
• New You Green Smoothie

Looking for a tasty, guilt-free dessert you and your entire family can enjoy? Our spinach ice cream recipe will do the trick! This sweet, almond-flavored dish is low in calories and full of green produce. It’s a sweet treat everyone can feel good about eating. 

Make this spinach ice cream to cool down on a hot summer day or satisfy your sweet tooth after dinner. As you’re savoring every bite, you won’t even remember that one of the main ingredients in this recipe is spinach. And you won’t feel bad going back for seconds, either. 

This recipe is healthy and packed with essential nutrients from ingredients like agave nectar, avocado, and vanilla whey protein powder. It can also easily be converted to a vegan ice cream. For that, users just add a vegan-friendly protein powder. 

When you make this two-step recipe with your Blendtec, it’s a breeze to dish up a mouthwatering dessert. Just toss the ingredients in your Blendtec machine, hit the “Ice Cream” button, and wait for the mixture to reach your ideal consistency. Serve on a cone, in a bowl, or next to a slice of your favorite pie. 

Secrets About Spinach

A lot of us associate spinach with a healthy diet, and maybe even Popeye the Sailor Man. We know that we should eat our spinach, but do you know why?

Spinach is a superfood that is overflowing with healthy nutrients, such as iron, magnesium, potassium, and folate. It has a high nutritional value while still maintaining a low calorie count. The benefits of spinach are plentiful, and they include: 

• Spinach boosts digestion. It protects your body from toxins and supports a healthy digestive system.
• It is a great source of vitamin K, which aids in blood clotting and bone mineralization.
• Its healthy amount of Vitamins A and C support strong and healthy hair and skin.
• Spinach contains vitamins that strengthen bones and decrease the risk of bone fractures.

Can You Use Frozen Spinach?

The simple answer is yes. Frozen spinach does a good job of keeping its flavor, and it also holds onto most of its nutrients. If you do choose frozen over fresh for your spinach ice cream, just make sure there is not a lot of ice on the spinach. If there is, let the water melt off a little or simply use less ice cubes. Fresh is always best, but we also know that frozen spinach is a little more practical. 

Which Milk Should You Use for Spinach Ice Cream?

Many online ice cream recipes call for full cream milk or skimmed milk. In our spinach ice cream recipe, almond milk provides the best flavor and consistency. Plus, it is nutrient-dense while remaining low on calories. 

You can use regular cow’s milk for the recipe, or you can experience with other milk flavors. Other popular milk options include coconut milk, which makes very rich, creamy ice cream, and cashew milk, which has a very subtle flavor. Oat milk and banana puree can also be used as a substitute for almond milk.

Did you give the recipe a try? Tell us about your experience below. 

With simple but delicious ingredients, vanilla protein shakes are one of the best ways to kickstart your day. Even though this low-calorie shake recipe is extremely easy to make, it will fill your belly and keep you satisfied for a large part of the day. 

What makes this vanilla protein shake recipe one of our favorites is how readily available these ingredients are. You might already have all of them in your fridge and pantry! It’s so simple, yet unbelievably tasty. 

Vanilla lovers will appreciate the strong flavors in this protein shake. Combining vanilla non-fat Greek yogurt, vanilla extract, and vanilla protein powder is surprisingly not a vanilla overload. That’s because the flavors are muted by the perfect amount of unsweetened almond milk. Together, the familiar sweet tastes will leave you saying “Ah” after you take your first sip. 

Benefits of Protein Powder

Food packaging and recipes often flaunt the fact that they have a high amount of protein, but do you know why protein is so important? Protein is an essential nutrient for the body. Protein helps build and repair muscles and tissues, and it also serves as a fuel source for your body. 

Protein powder is a great source of protein because it is an easy addition to almost any recipe, from smoothies, to pancakes, to cookies. Scoop in some protein powder to get genuine benefits from almost any meal. Protein shakes are perfect for an on-the-go meal or a healthy drink to sip on throughout the work day.  

Weight Loss

When you consume protein, it interacts with the hormones in your body and makes you feel fuller for longer. You are then less likely to snack because you don’t feel the need to. When you eat a protein-filled meal, you can also cut back on your portion sizes. Snacking less and eating smaller meals can help with weight loss. 

Post-Workout Recovery

Protein is a powerful nutrient. Protein’s ability to repair muscles and other tissues speeds up the recovery process of your muscles, letting you get back to training sooner. Protein will restore the strength in your muscles and reduce feelings of soreness. Drink a protein powder-packed shake after a workout and your legs and arms will thank you. 

Builds Your Muscles

We’ve already said that protein is amazing at muscle repair, but it also helps build your muscle mass. Feed the muscles in your body to increase your strength by munching on protein-filled foods or using protein powder in your recipes. Greek yogurt (included in this vanilla protein shake recipe) is another great source of protein. 

Other Healthy Shake Recipes

Interested in other healthy shake recipes? Hop over to our other blogs to read about protein shakes, green smoothies, and fruity drinks. You can make every single recipe with your versatile Blendtec. 

Chocolate-Peanut Butter Protein Shake: A sweet, protein-dense protein shake. Perfect as a recovery drink after a long workout. 

Kale Smoothie: 10 tasty —yep, tasty — kale smoothie recipes with ingredients like pineapple, pistacchio, matcha, and cherry.

Organic Green Smoothie: A fresh green smoothie recipe that packs a punch of flavor. 

Basic Green Smoothie: Master the basics of green smoothies with a traditional recipe. 

Mango-Cherry Smoothie: A full serving of vegetables and lots of protein are packed into this yummy smoothie. 

What Can You Add to a Vanilla Protein Shake?

A lot of people think they don’t like the taste of protein shakes — perhaps that’s because they haven’t tasted the Blendtec-inspired shakes. Thanks to ingredients like almond milk and vanilla extract, our vanilla dream protein shake recipe converts those type of people into protein shake lovers. 

Vanilla protein shakes make great stand-alone meals, but they are also serve as a good base for experimenting with other flavors. To mix up your protein shake, there are some simple additions you can make to this recipe. Frozen fruit such as blueberries and raspberries add a tart flavor and healthy antioxidants. Spices such as cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice make your iced vanilla protein shake a little warmer. Unique flavors like orange extract and even coffee are perfect additives for the morning.

How to Make a Vanilla Dream Protein Shake

Your new favorite vanilla protein shake is only a couple steps away. Begin by gathering all of the necessary ingredients. As you measure them, pour them into the FourSide or WildSide+ jar in the order listed. Once every ingredient is added, you can secure the lid. 

Hit the “Smoothie” button on your device and blend on medium speed for 50 to 60 seconds. Just like that, you’ll have a delicious protein shake. 

Give this recipe a try and share your experience in the comments below.

Recipe by Margaret of PaleoGirl99

This traditionally Japanese condiment is delicious sprinkled on vegetables, rice or cauliflower rice, or on top of salads. Once you try it you will find lots of other uses for this simple but delicious and nutritious sprinkle. 

Traditional gomasio is made with sesame seeds, but I make mine with hemp hearts to boost the nutritional punch. Cup for cup, hemp hearts have more than twice the protein and less than a 1/3 the carbs of sesame seeds and are packed with healthy omega fatty acids. Win win win! This simple but delicious condiment can fit in to so many dietary templates...vegetarian, vegan, paleo, primal, low carb, and keto to name a few. Give it a try!

By Lindsey of Little Pine Low Carb 

Looking for the most decadently delicious, keto friendly smoothie that tastes more like a milkshake than the nutrient dense drink that it is?

NOTES

If you're trying to live a healthy lifestyle and drink green smoothies, it's always best to make your own at home. Smoothies at cafes or smoothie shops tend to be loaded with sugar and other unnatural ingredients.

To ensure that your smoothie is truly green, we've created this simple recipe that can be prepared in seconds to give you a healthy start to any day. The key is to purchase all organic ingredients. 

Why Choose Organic Smoothie Ingredients

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), organic produce must be grown without synthetic pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, or genetically modified organisms. This designation means organic food is generally better for the planet and healthier for humans to ingest. 

Exposure to the pesticides commonly found on non-organic produce has been linked to several health issues, including cancer and Parkinson's. 

Pesticides are used to keep harmful insects away from produce as it grows. There is wide debate over whether agricultural workers use enough pesticides on fruits and vegetables to cause harm to the consumers who eat them. It's more clear that pesticides harm to the environment by damaging soil health. 

Guide to Buying Organic Smoothie Ingredients

Unfortunately, buying organic is generally more expensive. You may notice a big difference in your grocery bill if you abruptly switch all of your items to organic. But there are ways to cut costs, starting with knowing which produce items have been found to contain the highest amounts of pesticides. 

The Environmental Working Group is a nonprofit that puts together a list of fruits and vegetables with the most pesticides using data from the Department of Agriculture. 

EWG's Dirty Dozen for 2019: 

1. Strawberries
2. Spinach
3. Kale
4. Nectarines
5. Apples
6. Grapes
7. Peaches
8. Cherries
9. Pears
10. Tomatoes
11. Celery
12. Potatoes

If you are trying to buy organic smoothie ingredients on a budget, start by purchasing these produce items with organic labels first. 

Another tip to save is to buy organic produce that is in-season. Items will be priced higher when they aren't currently growing naturally. 

Finally, look for sales and coupons on the organic smoothie ingredients that you need. It may take some extra time, but the health benefits and reduced environmental impact will be worth it. 

Blendtec's Organic Green Smoothie Recipe

You'll notice that three of the ingredients in our organic smoothie recipe are on the EWG's "Dirty Dozen" list. You can always choose the conventional version of those ingredients if your budget requires, but be sure to at least thoroughly rinse and clean your non-organic produce. 

Once you've gathered all of your ingredients, this unique organic smoothie recipe takes less than one minute to make, and keeps you going with three grams of protein and 48 grams of carbs. And don't let those 33 grams of sugar scare you — that's all natural sugar! 

Let us know how you like this organic green smoothie in the comments below! 

Green beans can be a great first-stage solid food for babies. The tasty green vegetable is packed full of vitamins A and C, folate, potassium, iron, and calcium. Green beans also rarely cause allergic reactions, making them a great food to introduce to babies as young as six months old. 

Selecting Green Beans for Baby

Before we get into how to make green beans baby food, let's start with how to pick out green beans at the grocery store. If you can, choose organic green beans. They will have fewer chemicals and toxic pesticides that don't always come off with rinsing. 

To make sure they are fresh, look for green beans that are bright green. They shouldn't have any brown discoloration or bruising that causes squishy spots. Finally, be sure to conduct the snap test. A delicious, fresh green bean will be so crisp that it easily snaps in half. 

Outside of summer it may be difficult to find fresh green beans. Don't be afraid to buy them frozen — we won't judge. 

Preparing Green Beans for Baby Food

• Once you have your green beans home, start by thoroughly rinsing them in a strainer with cold water. 
• Break or cut off the pointy ends of each green bean. 
• Steam green beans in a microwave, steamer, or on a stovetop. 

How to Store Green Bean Baby Food

After you have blended your green beans into a tasty, nutritious baby food, you can save even more time by separating it out into small containers and storing it in the fridge or freezer. Your green bean baby food will still be good to eat after 3 days in the fridge, and 3 months in the freezer. 

This refreshing caramel frappe recipe is a popular dessert and afternoon pick-me-up. It's a sweet treat that can be a nice change from your usual smoothie or boring black coffee. 

What Is a Frappe? 

Frappes originated in Greece as an iced coffee drink made from coffee, water, and sugar. They are often blended, making the consistency similar to a milkshake. In fact in Italian, "frappe" means milkshake. 

You'll now find variations of frappes that don't even contain coffee, but know you are likely ordering some kind of sweet blended beverage. 

Make It Your Own

Making our caramel frappe recipe instead of getting one from the coffee shop is going to save you a lot of money, and possibly even calories. When you have control over the ingredients, you can choose healthier substitutions that can cost extra at coffee shops. 

• Milk substitutions: almond or coconut milk
• Sugar substitutions: honey
• Topping options: instead of whipped cream or caramel syrup, you could opt for a fruit such as blueberries or strawberries. 

If calories aren't a concern and you're making a celebratory frappe, they make great cocktails as well. Try adding some Kahlua or Amaretto to this caramel frappe recipe for the perfect adult beverage. 

Contrary to popular belief, guacamole isn't the only way to eat avocados. Avocado soup makes a delicious, healthy appetizer, side, or light meal. Our recipe is meant to be served cold, making it perfect to serve anytime of the year. And of course, it wouldn't be a Blendtec recipe without being "soup-er" quick and easy!

Health Benefits of Avocados

If you're thinking you should avoid this avocado soup recipe because of the fat, read on.

Avocados are an impressive source of nutrients and healthy fat. The nearly 20 vitamins and minerals in one avocado can help control your blood pressure, fight off disease and infection, and even repair cells during pregnancy. 

The fat in avocados is called monounsaturated fat. Eating it in moderation helps lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease. 

Even the carbohydrates in avocados are good for you. They're mostly comprised of fiber which helps with digestion and can make you feel full for longer. 

Make It Your Own

The best part about this refreshing avocado soup is that you can add or subtract many of your favorite ingredients and still create a tasty, nutritious snack. It is wonderful topped with ceviche or other seafood, croutons, or slices of your favorite vegetable. 

Adjusting the amount of lime juice can also make a big difference in taste. There's just something about the combination of lime and avocado that we can't get enough of! 

Let us know what you think of this avocado soup recipe in the comments below! 

This is a low-sodium, fresh tomato and vegetable juice you can enjoy every day — morning, noon, and night. We know that many people are looking for the health benefits of a vegetable juice, but don't necessarily want it to taste like the typical green, leafy vegetable smoothie. 

With that in mind, we have created a healthy, tasty alternative. From pulling the ingredients together to throwing them in the blender, this tomato vegetable juice recipe can be prepared in about two minutes total. There are just eight ingredients, and it's an easy way to load up on important vitamins at any point in your day. 

Mix It Up

In addition to enjoying this tomato and vegetable juice to improve your health, it can also serve as a great bloody mary recipe. Simply add some vodka and enjoy!

Who says you can't have chocolate for breakfast? A good chocolate peanut butter smoothie is packed with the protein and deliciousness you need to start your day right. We'd like to thank whoever was the first person to realize that chocolate and peanut butter go together even better than bacon and eggs. 

Your Ingredient Options

Some chocolate peanut butter smoothie recipes include all sorts of expensive ingredients and flavored protein powders. If you're more of a "less is more" person, here are a few ingredients we recommend switching around to meet your personal taste buds and health goals: 

• Liquid. Don't get stuck thinking that 2% milk is your only option for making a delicious chocolate peanut butter smoothie. There are plenty of fat-free, non-dairy milk options, and many people even love adding coffee as the main liquid ingredient for their morning caffeine boost. Try mixing it up with sweetened or unsweetened almond milk or coconut milk until you find your favorite.
• Powder. If you simply must have a protein powder in your smoothie, it doesn't have to be chocolate flavored. You could experiment with a vanilla protein powder and cocoa powder for a similar chocolate peanut butter flavor. Also check out our Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Shake recipe.
• Fruit. While we think a banana is the best fruit to round out a perfect chocolate peanut butter smoothie, we won't be offended if you swap it out for something crazy like pineapple chunks or blueberries. It's your life. You do you. 

That said, here is our favorite version of the ever-popular chocolate peanut butter smoothie, ideal for your breakfast fuel or satisfying that afternoon chocolate craving. Let us know how yours turns out! 

If you are living an active lifestyle, it can be hard to keep the refrigerator stocked with enough healthy ingredients that keep you full. Protein shakes are a quick and tasty way to fill up on nutrients that will keep you going for hours. While some protein powders result in an unpleasant, chalky flavor, there are a few simple tricks to making your protein shake taste so good, you'll look forward to it every day. 

There are tons of protein shake recipes out there, but if you love chocolate, a chocolate peanut butter protein shake is a great way to curb the craving without reaching for the cookies or peanut butter cups. 

Ingredient Options

• Customize your base. The milk you choose for your protein shake can make a big difference in the flavor and nutritional value. Have fun with all of those milk options at the grocery story. You don't have to be dairy-free to enjoy a smooth soy or almond milk.
• Craft Your Powder. If you already have some vanilla protein powder in the cupboard instead of chocolate, you can still make a delicious chocolate peanut butter protein shake. Try adding some cocoa powder along with your vanilla protein powder for the same effect.
• Choose Your Peanut Butter. Just like milk, not all peanut butter is created equally. You have many options to experiment with such as PB2 Powdered Peanut Butter and unsweetened peanut butters, not to mention deciding between smooth and crunchy. Of course, you could also opt to switch up the flavor entirely with almond butter. Imagine the possibilities.