1. I have a question on a product called Agave (being used as a sweetener). I have drank Tequilla in the past. I just can’t keep it down no matter what. It just boils in my stomach and then it’s a trip to the commode. Is this the same agave they use to make tequilla? your help would be most courteous. thank you Armo

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   • It is indeed the same plant that is used to make tequila. I don’t know about cross sensitivities between tequila and agave, but it sounds conceivable.

     Many people recommend agave nectar as a healthier alternative to sugar, but I am not convinced that it is any better (it’s actually closest to the much-maligned high fructose corn syrup). I’ve been thinking about doing a post on sweeteners, but I have not gotten around to it yet. My current personal philosophy is to not add any sweeteners to smoothies other than whole fruit. Fruit has plenty of sugar, and over time your taste buds will adapt to things that are less sweet.

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     • Agave is truly no better than high fructose corn syrup. Or even plain sugar. People have been duped by deceptive advertising for years on this junk.
       Stick to real fruit for sweeteners or Stevia. Check out this article: http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2010/03/30/beware-of-the-agave-nectar-health-food.aspx

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     • I’m not an expert on sugar, so I look forward to reading more about it when you post about sweetener. However, I too have heard that Agave is as bad as sugar (I wish I had known that before I bought a bunch.) I’ve heard stevia is better but am wondering if Truvia (or the generic brand) is good enough (cheaper) or do I have to buy those expensive pure stevia in liquid form? You don’t have to respond now if you plan to write a post, but want to submit my question for your considerations. Thanks much. CH

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       • One additional note: this is in consideration for people who are diabetic. I’ve heard some sweeteners have low/zero glycemic index and yet is not carcinogenic. Thanks.

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       • My experience with stevia is that the white processed stevia (like Truvia) tastes too much like licorice. But whole leaves (or ground to a powder) work fine for me. I bought some liquid made from whole leaves, but I’ve not yet cooked with it. Stevia is simply from leaves from a plant, so it is natural, extremely low calorie, will not promote tooth decay, nor influence blood sugars. Apparently (though I don’t recall where I heard this), it has been used in Japan for decades with no ill effects noted.

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     • We are using Madhava Light Agave Nectar, but not in smoothies. Natural fruits add enough sugar. Doctor told me that sugars in natural foods are OK, and are not the same as sugar in candy and other desserts. I use my fitness.com and it shows the calories and nutrients in many Vita-Mix recipes. I am new to the Vita-Mix.

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     • I use the organic agave
       It has eliminated sugar headaches, when I stop drinking coffee which i do every few months I went from sickening feeling like throwing up to not much at all. The only difference was I quit using sugar and switched to an organic light amber agave. I have been using it for about a year or so. Ive read the reviews on agave but it seems to react better on me than sugar. Ive tried stevia and such and I dont care for them

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2. Hi Adam,

   Can 7500 make juice instead of smoothie?

   Thanks!

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   • Hi Sara, traditional juice has the fiber removed. You can make it with a blender by straining your blend (a nutmilk bag can work well for this). Most people who have Vitamix blenders like to consume the fiber though. You can thin out smoothie-type blends by adding more liquidy fruits like grapes, or you can add more water.

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3. I’m thinking seriosly about investing in a Vitamixer. Do you mind sharing which Vitamix series you own? So many choices!
   Thanks!

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   • I am still using the Vitamix 5000 that I got in 2005. The 5000 is extremely similar to the current 5200. You can use any Vitamix to make these recipes, though the new models have some features that add convenience. I summarized the various features in my Vitamix model comparison post.

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   • You will not be sorry, it is the best investment I have made. I use it at least twice a day. I got the 750. It is the best. Call Vitamix and talk to them. They are very helpful.

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4. I have been wanting to purchase a Nutrimill to grind wheat. I just discovered that the Vitamix does this too. Is that correct?

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   • Yes! I bought my Vitamix and got two vessels – one for making wet things like smoothies and another for grinding up stuff to make your own flour and stuff like that.

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   • Yes a Vitamix can be used to grind grains; see my bread recipe. You can grind grain in the regular container, although it will scratch the container.

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5. Hi! I am debating on how much I really NEED a Vitamix. I got a KitchenAid food processor only a few months ago and have a smaller mini food processor, as well as a blender (a cheap one). What bothers me about my food processor is that it takes a long time to make nut butters. I also make sprouted bread and it does not blend it as smoothly as I would like my dough to be. I know I can get by with my current appliances, but I wanted to know if you can say whole-heartedly that the Vitamix is worth the big purchase.

   Also, thanks so much for this review of the different purchasing options. It has been helpful!

   Thanks!!

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   • If you’re frustrated with your current equipment, then I’d say it’s definitely worth trying out a Vitamix. The thing is that they give you a 30-day no-risk trial period. They really honor that trial period, so if you decide that the cost isn’t worth it to you, they will pay for the cost of shipping it back to them and give you a full refund.

     I can’t say if it will be worth it to you, but I do think there is a good chance that it will be.

     You should be able to get smoother results faster, and it will also likely last longer than those other machines. You may also find that it’s versatility allows you to use fewer different machines, which will make your kitchen less cluttered.

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6. I just got a vitamix 6000 and I am trying to find juice recipes

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   • What kind of juice are you looking for? My smoothie recipes could be considered “total juice.” That is, they contain the fiber of the fruits and vegetables. If you’re looking for a traditional thin juice without fiber, you can strain the fiber out by using cheesecloth or a nutmilk bag, but I don’t usually do that.

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7. I had some ice cream at a Vitamix demo that was so good and I can’t find the recipe. It had cabbage and carrots and coconut milk and mango and jalepeno? He threw all kinds of stuff into it and everyone keeps saying it is fire and ice but it was different. Do you know what I am referring to?

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   • I haven’t had that exact combination, but I’m familiar with the idea. The demonstrators like to put in all kinds of things to catch your eye. The trick is that they don’t put in too much of the vegetables. That combination actually sounds a bit like my strawberry mango sorbet, just with the extra vegetables thrown in. You can make just about any “ice cream” combination; the general trick is to start with 3 cups frozen ingredients and 1 cup unfrozen.

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8. How do you adjust preparation or amounts of ingrediants for recipes that are made in a 64 oz container for a 48 oz container.

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   • Many recipes won’t need to be adjusted, but of course on some you will have to reduce the amount. You can also run it in multiple batches. Of my recipes, the most likely ones to go past 48 oz are some of the soups (the only other that immediately comes to mind is the mega muffins).

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9. THE DEMOS I SAW ON QVC SAID NOTHING ABOUT HAVEING TO STRAIN THE PULP TO GET GOOD CLEAR JUICE THEY LEAD YOU TO BELIVE IT GRINDS EVERTHING UP TO LIQUID .JUST TRYED MINE AND GOT FOAMY MESS TRYING TO MAKE ORANGE JUICE OR PINEAPPLE JUICE ,JUST FOUND ON LINE HAVE TO BUY MILK NUT BAG TO STRAIN IT NOW,SOUNDS LIKE A PRESS IS BETTER OPTION MAY RETURN UNIT

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   • I learned that you pulse a few seconds and then turn the blender up to ten. There will be no pulp.

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10. Looking for Galato recipes !

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    • I’ve got a new chocolate sorbet recipe coming in the next couple of days. Keep an eye on the front page of the blog (or subscribe to email updates) to see it.

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      • I love pistachio gelato. Any recipe on that? As the weather warming up, I’m eager to venture into cold dessert now. 🙂

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11. I have a vitamix 6000. I was wondering when making the apple pancakes can you throw the dry ingredients into the blender with the wet? Don’t understand why it says only to blend the wet then fold into the dry mix in a bowl. And if I can do the dry will it still be 20sec or more?

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    • I haven’t made those apple pancakes, but if they’re anything like the pancakes that make, it should be possible to mix the wet and dry in the pitcher. The one thing about pancakes is that ideally you don’t want to over-mix the batter, and doing it in a bowl gives you a bit more control. That said, for the buttermilk pancakes that I make, I mix the wet and dry ingredients in the Vitamix.

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12. I bought a Vitamix just recently. Ive used it everyday so far. I need more recipes.

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13. Got a vitamix as a gift, am I the only one out there that doesn’t like it!
    To big for counter, nothing I have made taste like the samples at Costco. Followed them step by step. Not really getting the greatness of this machine.

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    • Well, Vitamix machines are not for everyone. That said, you should be able to match the Costco samples if that’s what you want. If you share the problems you’re having I can probably help. What recipes are you having trouble with, and what don’t you like about the results?

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14. Do the smoothies taste ok the next day if you don’t use it all up when you make it,does anything change?

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    • I like to drink it all right away. I know plenty of people who store smoothies overnight in the fridge though. Some ingredients last better than others… For example blended oranges turn bitter if they sit for very long. I haven’t methodically gone through other ingredients to test their stability.

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      • I tried to store it for the next day but it seem to taste bitter. I didn’t have any oranges in it. So I prefer to drink it the same day.

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15. Is anyone on weight watchers and drink just fruit and veggie smoothie? If so is it any points? I know just eating whole fruit and veggies are zero points but not sure on smoothies

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    • i would like to know the points for smoothie

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16. Do you clean the dry container the same as the wet container?

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    • Yes, usually just by running it with dish soap and water.

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17. Where is the chocolate sorbet recipe?! I’m drooling thinking about it!!!

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    • Oops, for some reason it hasn’t made it onto this page yet. Here’s the recipe: https://joyofblending.com/vitamix-chocolate-sorbet-recipe/

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18. Every time I make soup, it turns out more foamy than soupy. Ick! Any suggestions? I realize if I run it on a low speed vs the “soup” option, it will help, but how then can the vitamix heat it? Or do I have to just heat in the microwave?

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    • There are two tricks that should both help. First, adding a little fat (a tablespoon of olive oil or a handful of nuts) will minimize the foam. In addition to reducing foam, the fat can also help with absorption of nutrients.
      Second, check out my video of the “bubble removal trick.”

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      • I saw that video but it didn’t address the heating issue ????
        Thank you for the fat suggestion! Of course!

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        • You could use that video technique after letting the blender run for a few minutes to heat your soup…

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          • Oh! Do that technique AFTER the soup cycle. Got it. Thank you so much!

19. I just bought a 7500 vitamix with 2 20oz to go containers. How do I use the to go containers with the vitamix?

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    • Were you hoping to blend in the to-go container? (And are you talking about these travel containers?) If so, only the S30 does that. If that’s what you want to do, and you just bought a 7500, you should be within the 30-day return period and you can exchange it.

      If you want to keep your 7500, you could always blend first in the normal container and then pour into a to-go container.

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      • Thank you

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20. i bought and used the code, ty for your help btw.
    my question is, with the blender i got the savory cook book. i dont particularily like it. i see on ebay they have a creation book. are they the same recipes just for a different machine? or are they new recipes? i know i could look up recipes on the web, but i like books 🙂 thanks for your advice! main purpose for blender is ice cream and smoothies and nut butters.

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    • There’s some overlap between the cookbooks, but they also have different recipes. Offhand I’m not sure about the specifics of those two.

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