Nothing like a Blendtec giveaway and 3 new smoothie recipes to kick off the weekend, right?
Happy Friday indeed!
Blendtec sent me a refurbished Blendtec Total Blender to review on the blog. I’m going to have a fun little giveaway to get your own engines revving and give this beast away to one lucky reader.
And boy, is this thing a beast!
As you may know, I purchased a Vitamix last year and I’m in love with it. I wasn’t sure what to expect with the Blendtec. My standards are pretty high when it comes to blenders, so I’m a tough cookie smoothie!
This is a refurbished machine, which means that it was slightly used but it was inspected and processed in the Blendtec factory to restore it to ‘like new’ condition. Honestly, you’d never be able to tell that this machine wasn’t brand spanking new! It is in mint condition. You can also save quite a bit of money if you purchase their refurbished models.
Plus, you get to be all eco-friendly by recycling…what’s not to love?
Here are some specs:
- You can make smoothies, fresh juice, ice cream, milkshakes, cappuccinos, margaritas, soups, sauces, bread dough, dressings, salsas and more
- The Total Blender comes with an exclusive Smart-Touch Technology which means when a cycle button is pushed, the Total Blender automatically speeds up and slows down, then shuts off when the cycle is complete.
- It turns ice to snow and actually comes with an Ice-Crushing Guarantee and has1560 Watts of blending power
- Blender includes: 32 oz. BPA free wet + dry container, Total Blender Motor Base, FourSide Pitcher, Vented Pitcher Lid, Recipe Book, Owner’s Manual, instructional CD
- It has 6 pre-programmed blend cycles (below) that are designed to produce optimum results for a range of blending tasks such as soups and sauces or whole juice. The instruction manual tells you how long each cycle goes for and it’s also displayed on the screen when blending.
- The pitcher is a wet and dry which means you don’t have to purchase another container like you do with the Vitamix.
After reading up on this bad boy, I threw a blending party and Eric and I got to be the lucky taste-testers!
Of course, the ultimate test for any blender is a Green Monster smoothie made with KALE! If you’ve ever made a smoothie with kale and it was chunky, I feel your pain. I suffered through that for a couple years before I finally bought my Vitamix beast.
After putting in my Green Monster ingredients, I hit the ‘smoothie’ button. I quickly realized that the smoothie setting (30 seconds) was probably not intended for Green Monsters because the greens didn’t pulverize enough after 30 seconds. I ended up blending for 3 smoothie cycles (1.5 minutes) instead of one.
After 1.5 minutes, it blended well and the kale was virtually smooth, but perhaps not as smooth as the Vitamix. It was a really close call, but I found the Blendtec was a tiny bit more coarse in texture as compared to my GM’s made with the Vitamix.
But again, it was so close, it’s almost a non-issue. And I’m sure many people don’t blend kale like my crazy self!
edited to add: Some of you told me to use the LIQUIFY setting for kale as it works much better! Good to know. :)
Up next, I made a few fruit smoothies and I was very pleased with the outcome. 
Strawberry Cherry Basil Mango Coconut Cream Banana Data Cinnamon
These smoothies turned out I-N-C-R-E-D-I-B-L-E.
I tried another ultimate test for this beast- grinding flax. I’ve used a few blenders in the past that didn’t grind flax well, so I was anxious to test it out with the Blendtec.
Let’s just say it was PULVERIZED! Amazing job!!!
All in all, I think the Blendtec Total Blender is a great machine.
Here are some specifics that I love about it:
- Shorter height (15”) compared to Vitamix (20.5”) which means that it will fit under any counter top
- Easy to remove lid (I find the Vitamix lid is hard to put on and off)
- BPA free container
- Digital display (while not necessary, it is sleek and fun)
- No need for a Tamper stick like you need with the Vitamix. (The Tamper stick is included with a Vitamix to help push down and process ingredients. No need for this with the Blendtec)
- Contemporary & sleek design! Looks great on the counter.
- Wet + dry container all in one
Now how about some of those smoothie recipes to kick off the weekend?
Mango Coconut Cream Smoothie
- 1.25 cups coconut water
- 1 cup frozen mango chunks
- 1/2 frozen banana (or 1/4 cup coconut ice cream)
- 1 tbsp chia seeds or ground flax (optional)
Strawberry Cherry Basil Smoothie
(My fav new smoothie!)
- 1/4 cup (or a bit less) loosely packed basil (trust me it WORKS!)
- 1 cup almond milk
- 3/4 cup pitted and frozen cherries
- 1/2 cup hulled and frozen strawberries
- Chia seeds or flax (optional)
Banana Date Cinnamon Smoothie
- 1 frozen banana (peel before freezing)
- 1 cup almond milk
- 1 pitted medjool date
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 cup rolled oats
- 1 tbsp chia seeds
- 2-3 ice cubes, as needed
(That one is for Kristi!)
By the way, what the heck is this? Nooooooooooo!!!!
To enter the giveaway:
Leave one comment below and you are entered! I’ll be drawing the random winner on Tuesday of next week.
Goodluck to all! Big thanks to Blendtec for this amazing opportunity!
This would be a fantastic addition to my kitchen.
I love your smoothie recipes! Keep ’em coming!
I saw your recipe for Green Monsters and I can’t wait to try it. I just bought some Amazing Grass Energy Powder and am I’m excited to try it in a Green Monster. I love that the Blendtec is BPA free and eco-friendly. Who ever wins it will be very happy!
This looks amazing! I can’t wait to try these recipes for me and my one year old!
Thank you for the always inspiring recipes!
Oh it is Tuesday–I hope I am not to late. I am starting a business cooking whole foods for my lovely people–a blendtec would be a great start to all the amazing cooking appliances I would like to add to my kitchen. I am in the beginner phase of collecting appliances.. : ) I can share my blendtec creations with everyone he he he!!
ohhhh! is it wrong to fantasize about a blender? my osterizer from 2002 is on its last legs…this baby is right up my alley!
my sad little magic bullet is broken and i’ve been without smoothies for weeks! i’d love nothing more than a new blender!!
I would love to own a good quality blender like Blentec. A girl can dream right :) I registered for it in my “dream list” along with my wedding registry.
I always feel up the VitaMix at my local Whole Foods, but haven’t made the giant jump to purchase one bc I’ve actually always wondered how it compared to a Blendtec…and now I know. Thank you for the review! :)
No more chunky kale smoothie!!!! Sounds like heaven ;)
I would love to own a good-quality blender (it’s on my birthday list, but free is better!) – my current blender has started making scary noises whenever I use it and is clearly on its last legs!
I’ve been making smoothies every day of my life since since I discovered how delicious they are and how good they make me feel! Unfortunately, my little Magic Bullet (in all its glory) leaves a lot of chunks of kale and spinach when I throw ’em in there. After reading your review, a Blendtec sounds like it would be perfect!
Sweet giveaway!!!!!!
I just discovered your website, and I am loving it! I’ve only just started tinkering with my diet and trying to make some healthier choices to keep the “temple” tickin’ through some auto immune house guests that have decided to take up residence! :) One of these blenders would be lovely but I know that either way, I’m coming back again and again to find some new, delish meals to try! Thanks for this site and all the work that goes into it!
I would love to have this! I am in desperate need of one!
Just in case anyone reads this for down and is wondering about blending kale well in a blendtec. I blend it with water first and then add the fruit. GreenSmoothieGirl style. It works well.
Also, I think I’ll trust you and try the smoothie with the basil, even though it sounds a bit off. ;-)
Oh my goodness, I would love to win a Blendtec! Pick me, pick me! ;)
Thanks for the post Angela! After calling myself a meatarian for years, I’ve recently declared myself a vegetarian! My friends and family are shocked :) I am thankful for your review on this new product as I’ve been bugging my husband for a vitamix for a while. Now I have two products to bug him for! :)
I’d love to be considered for the Blendtec!
i would completely love to own an awesome machine like this! I’ve been looking for a quality blender for a while, or a food processor, and this seems like it could do both.
The colors of your green monster and smoothies are all so vibrant that it must have been like sipping a rainbow!
Sum those flavors look amazing! I need a new fabulous blender and this one sounds great. Mine makes terrible noises when i blend. It’s an old culinart that has been around the block a few too many blends.
I’m looking to open up a green smoothie, all-natural, sugar-free juice bar and looking at BlendTec as the blender of choice. Hoping to keep start up costs to a minimum. Here’s to hoping for a free blender!
Great review! I have been looking for a very frank and honest comparison between the two. Thanks for that.
What an exciting give-away!
No friggin way!My vitamix died on me just last week!! so excited!
Goodness! A Blendtec giveaway! Green smoothies FTW.
What a great review, and it sounds like a great product!
Thank you for sharing your green monster recipes, they are great!
I’ve been getting so into smoothies lately and I’d love a better blender
What a great review! I would love to own BlendTec,..Thank you for sharing the recipes, can’t wait to try them ;-)
the holy geneolgy of my blenders:
Oster begat Westinghouse who begat GE who begat garage sale who begat panasonic who begat blendtech.
That blender looks amazing! I could definitely use an upgrade.
I would love to try this machine! I have a Vitamix from the 1980s, and it leaves chunks in my smoothies every time, so Iam ready to try something new. :0)
I have so much basil from my CSA–I can’t wait to try adding some to a smoothie!!
Am I too late for the giveaway? I use a Cuisinart blender now for my spinach green monsters and it does a great job…I’ve never tried kale, however! Seems to be the toughest to blend. I ALWAYS have to stir my smoothies in the middle so I am excited to one day have a blender that does it all on its own.
Love your blog!
Thanks for the give away. It would be fun to win!
AHHHH! I’d love a blender that actually works!
Mine is a joke….haha….not very funny though…
:)
OOOHH! Shiny new blender!
:) would love this for my kitchen!
A new blender would be amazing! I don’t own one, but love it when I am able to use my parents’. Smoothies and dairy free ice creams are my favorite things to make, but unfortunately, I’m unable to use a blender as frequently as I’d like.
This sure would be great!
Thanks so much for the opportunity Angela!
I’d love to be able to use a blender whenever I want! I don’t own one, but I always wish I did when I use my parents’.
Thanks so much for this great oppurtunity Angela!
I’d love to own a blender that actually works! I just have a standard run of the mill Oster Blender that takes forever to blend anything and even when it does, it isn’t nearly as smooth a texture as it could be. Thanks for offering this little giveaway!
Love your blog & would love this blender
i want this!
Ooooh! A Blendtec! I hope I’m not too late for the giveaway!
This would be SUCH a blessing :D
I would L-O-V-E to have this blender. Smoothies would make living with my in-laws more bearable for sure.
i would LOVE to win this!! hope i’m not too late to enter!
I am in major need of a new blender! All of these smoothie recipes look amazing. I really want a Vitamix (Im registering for one when I get married next year, ha), but this would be the next best thing!
I need this! Hope I’m not too late.