It’s an appliance that’s been making life in the kitchen easier (and healthier!) since 1922″”so how is it you still don’t own a blender? This handy tool, invented for milkshake-making back in the old soda shop days, can chop, purée or liquefy fresh fruits, veggies, nuts and other foods for delicious, nutritious meals in minutes. Think: breakfast smoothies, homemade nut butters, creamy sauces, savory soups.
Start blending your way to better health today with these helpful how-tos:
“¢ Choose the right size blender for your needs. Cooking for one? A small, simple model will do. If you’re feeding a family of four, go with a larger blender (the biggest ones typically hold up to four cups of liquid).
“¢ Plastic or glass, what’s the difference? Plastic blenders are more durable and less expensive, but they may scratch if cleaned in the dishwasher frequently. Glass ups the price you’ll pay, but (if you can keep it from breaking), holds up in appearance longer.
“¢ Whir, whir, whooops! Unless you’re in the mood to clean your kitchen ceiling, don’t turn on the blender until the lid is secure. As an extra precaution, you can place your hand on the lid while blending. When the job is done, be sure the motor has come to a complete stop before removing the lid.
“¢ Make clean-up a breeze. It’s best to disassemble and wash blender parts as soon as possible (most are dishwasher safe””check your manual), but if you don’t have time and it happens to sit on your countertop all morning, try this trick. Simply fill the container with warm water, add a drop or two of dish soap, secure the lid and blend for about a minute. Rinse clean, and you’re done!
My favorite smoothie
Smoothies are an easy way to use your blender regularly. Just combine your favorite fruits or berries, water or milk, additions such as protein powder or flax seeds and a little ice and blend until smooth. Here’s a simple smoothie recipe I love:
Berry-Spinach Blast
- Coconut water
- Almond milk
- Fresh baby spinach leaves
- Seasonal berries
- A scoop of protein powder
- Ground flax seeds
- Ice
Directions
Combine all ingredients in blender and blend to desired consistency. Enjoy!