Has anyone tried the Ninja or Magic Bullet types??

http://www.amazon.com/Magic-Bullet-p...7120633&sr=1-2

http://www.amazon.com/Ninja-Blender-...120633&sr=1-15

I've seen the presentation for this Ninja appliance. The price is much better than the VitaMix or the Montel Williams one. But I wonder if I'm just getting what I pay for?


http://www.qvc.com/The-Ninja-Master-...N-_-1-_-K33917

First off, you get what you pay for. I say this for Magic Bullet AND Vitamix.

I started with a M.B., then realized the thing only lasted about 6 months with daily usage. WE got a Vitamix and WON'T EVER SELL IT!. We use it EVRY DAY for something, smoothies for breakfast, apple butter or honey butter on toast, soup at night, it's amazing. I am serious when I say it's the best $490. we ever spent. The M.B. is good for people who don't want to use it everyday. It's cheaply made and the motor burns out quick. it also does not emulsify food like the VM does.

As for the other big machine, the Montel Willaims one, that's made in China and not as good either. I am a Made int he USA kind a guy and that along with lifetime guarantee ALWAYS sells me.

As for the Ninja, I think it's about the same as the M.B. cheap China garbage.

Try to save up for a Vitamix or buy one used, they come up on Craig's List often.

Now I'm off to make a smoothie. C-ya

I bought a Vitamix about 8 years ago. I have a love/hate thing with it. Try as I might the juicing thing was not for me. I just can not drink it without adding a lot of sweetener.

I do use it a lot during the summer for making smoothies. I puree fresh tomatoes for canning or freezing. I bought the dry blade canister for grinding wheat berries into flour, but have not used it often.

I bought it during an in-store demo at Costco and paid under $400 for it. I have used the type of juicers that leave the pulp behind and I do not like them. It wastes the best parts of the veggies and fruits that you need in your diet too.

I love my ninja! it chops thru ice and frozen fruit. Take a splash of milk, a sprinkle of sugar, frozen fruit and tada! instant fruit ice cream. wonderful!

Do you want some easy recipes? All my smoothies are VERY sweet and I do not use any sweeteners.

BTDT

I have the Jack L. Juicer and it is ok...but hard to clean.
I was going to buy a large, more professional one, but changed my mind last minute. I believe I heard the Vitamix (sp?) is considered one of the best.

What I ended up doing and am GLAD I did, was use my little Magic Bullet for most things..primarily green drinks. My fave is: celery, cucumbers, spinach, a little Kale and a little apple juice. Delicious and nutricious!!!!!!
In fact, I was drinking this instead of either breakfast or lunch for awhile and lost weight and felt great! The Magic Bullet (I have the complete set with a variety of blades and containers) will juice softer veggies. When I want something like carrots and beets, I go to my local health food store.

These days I'm not juicing much....perhaps once a week. So, sometimes I make the Green Drink and once in awhile buy one. For me, it works well. I just can't honestly see myself spending tons of time juicing and/or cleaning the juicer.

BUT, I do think having these juices now and again is a very good idea. They do seem to give me energy. If I go a week w/o one, I seem to feel a little "off." For me it is about finding the middle ground....works well for me!!!

BTW, try this for summer: Pineapple and cucumbers. Easy to make, good for you and refreshing!

Note: If you buy a Magic Bullet...make sure you go for the complete set...can be used like a Blender too and has more than one blade option.

Have fun!

I would love them!

Occasionally, I buy the really expensive packets of smoothie makings from Yoplait and love that. I can never seem to get the balance of fruit and yogurt to work when I try from scratch.

Now I have made some pistachio/broccoli ice cream with my Vitamix that my 15 yrs old loves...in-spite of the broccoli burps that come back hours later! I found that recipe on the Vitamix website.

Lor - The green drink sounds yummy! I make smoothies with cucumbers and plain yogurt.

DDs make their smoothies with Yoplait yogurt (flavored), orange juice, bananas, and frozen fruit. They do a good job and they always come out great. Since I am allergic to bananas, I don't drink theirs - plus, theirs seem really sweet and I don't like things too sweet.