Welcome, and thank you for your kind words! Congratulations on getting back “on track” with juicing and smoothies!

Protein powders are definitely optional ingredients in smoothies, but, I always like to add protein when I’m eating carbohydrates. If you eat carbohydrates alone (fruit and veggies are carbs), they tend to burn quickly in your body and you’re hungry soon. However, if you eat carbs and protein together, the satiating effect lasts much longer.

I recommend steering very clear of Slim Fast, as it is a lot of processed ingredients and not really great for you. When selecting a protein powder, you want one that is low in sugar and has a fairly small list of “weird” ingredients that you can’t pronounce. My recommended powder for folks just starting out would be either Vega One or Amazing Grass Amazing Meal. They have lots of additional vitamins and minerals, and are fairly pleasant tasting. There are LOTS and lots of protein powders out there, but try to steer clear of the cheap kinds you can buy at big box stores, as it would be better to just not use those at all. Most powders have a “flavor,” but I don’t believe they dramatically alter the texture of smoothies. Flavors can range from vanilla to chocolate and berry flavors.

Cheers to your health!
Angela

I’m just wondering: what is the purpose of adding protein powder to smoothies? Is that only if you’re vegan? Is Slim Fast a protein powder? Do protein powders add a taste or texture to the finished smoothie? We still occasionally eat lean meat and some dairy. We still eat cooked food several times a week. I would enjoy knowing your thoughts about the necessity for protein powder.

For the last week we’ve been using both the juicer and my new Ninja Kitchen System (a birthday gift). We’re feeling great and are enjoying your delicious smoothie recipes.

Thank you so much for your interest in health and your beautiful way of writing about it and inspiring others!

A distant relative (maybe kinda sort of. . .),
Doris

Thanks for the note! And, that is so funny. We bought a vacation place in Bend last summer (NWX) but also just sold our house in Bellevue, so we are between places there while we shop for a downsized home. Our work is there, though! What a coincidence!

Have fun with your new Ninja. It really is a fun appliance!
Angela

Just wanted to say thank you so much for your site!! I just made the almond quinoa bites and they turned out great! I am newly Paleo and I eat grains (mainly quinoa) every once in awhile. This little treat will curb any sweet craving I have while I am detoxing from white sugar. I also just bought a ninja on Thursday and am IN love with it! I can’t wait to try more recipes.

As I was looking through your site, I had clicked on the “2chili” link and saw that your husband has Bend, OR and Seattle, WA listed – I just moved to the Seattle area from Bend in January. Thought it was a funny coincidence!

Take care!
Pamela

My Ninja Pulse came with 3 single serve cups. I don’t know if you somehow got a defective one or why you wouldn’t have them. I would recommend you contact the Ninja folks directly: http://www.ninjakitchen.com/cgi-bin/livew/site.w?location=mcopy.w&mcopy=customerSupport&target=main&frames=no&sponsor=000007 or go to their site and hit the “live chat” button to see if they can help you sort it out: http://www.ninjapulse.com/index.php. There is a button in the top header that says “Live Chat” — that is probably your best bet.

Angela

Thanks,
Susan

You are correct – I do not have the Ninja Professional System – only the Ninja Professional Blender, which doesn’t have the 40 ounce pitcher or all the neat accessories. I bought the NPB at Target before ever seeing the infomercials, so I didn’t know about the full KS with all the accessories. If I had it to do again, I’d get the full KS. But, the Pulse is a nice little compromise because it has some of the functionality of the Ninja Kitchen System in a tidy little form factor.

Thanks for dropping by!
Angela

I note that you never mention using the 40 ounce bowl. I guess your Professional model only includes the 72 ounce pitcher? I also note you only mention cooking for 2chili and yourself.

We have had our Ninja 1100 System for about six months. Cooking for two persons most of the time, we have never used the 72 ounce pitcher. The smaller bowl is perfect for bread, pizza dough, salsa, many (if not most) of your recipes for two persons, drinks, low-fat, no-sugar ices and smoothies.

Your comparison of the Ninja Pulse might should have been to the Ninja 40 ounce bowl rather than the 72 ounce pitcher. Or am I missing something here?

We very much appreciate your recipes, other hints and product reviews. Take care.