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Customer Review
Reviewed in the United States on May 7, 2013
This is by far the best smoothie book I have come across (and I'm somewhat of a smoothie connoisseur!). It's got 100 unique, creative, and nutritious recipes; it's sturdy and high-quality (hardcover); the photographs (taken by Julie herself) are UNBELIEVABLY, mouthwateringly gorgeous; and yet somehow, the price it's selling for is a total steal. You're paying barely 10 cents per recipe here, people! That'll leave you plenty of pennies leftover to splurge on some fun superfood ingredients for these smoothies.
Now, about those ingredients. YES, Julie uses a selection of what some people might consider "unusual" ingredients in these smoothies - but those are the superfoods! She has an extensive first chapter in the book detailing the nutritional benefits of each. I see several people here complaining about the use of these superfoods - but they are part of what makes this book so great, and worth buying and delving into. The thing is, if you're looking for smoothie recipes using only very basic ingredients, you really don't need a book for that - throw a cup of nondairy milk, a frozen banana, and a handful of any other fruit (pineapple, mango, berries, etc.) into a blender, and there you have it. Add a dash of vanilla or cocoa powder or a handful of spinach if you want a little something extra. But if you're like me, there's only so many times you can make permutations of that same basic formula without getting a little bored and itching for some new smoothie inspiration, ideas, and recipes. Superfood Smoothies to the rescue!
And listen: you certainly don't have to go out and buy a bag of EVERY superfood Julie uses. They can indeed be pricey (but they're so nutrient-dense, you usually will only use a small spoonful per recipe, so a bag of any given superfood will last you a LONG time). I suggest paging through the recipes, bookmarking some of the ones that look/sound best to you, and seeing what superfoods they have in common - then purchasing a couple to get you started. After all, that's how any collection begins, right? If you need some suggestions, I'll tell you that I'm a huge fan of maca powder, lucuma powder, and chia seeds. Online is the best place to buy superfoods, in my opinion (Amazon is an option, obviously; I also really like nuts.com - very affordable!), but grocery stores like Whole Foods carry quite a few of them.
Finally, here's the kicker: YOU DON'T NECESSARILY EVEN HAVE TO HAVE THE SUPERFOODS LISTED IN THE BOOK TO MAKE THE SMOOTHIE RECIPES IN THE BOOK. That's right. Just leave them out entirely, or replace them with an easier-to-find ingredient with a similar flavor profile (the first chapter will help you with that, since Julie does such a great job explaining the flavor properties of each superfood). Of course, the smoothies won't taste EXACTLY as Julie intended them to when you do this, and they'll lack the nutrients that the superfoods would've lent them, but you'll still be making yourself a delicious, frosty, nutritious snack. The Peaches & Cream smoothie on page 65, for example, will still taste amazing even if you leave out the camu powder and chia seeds; or try the Red Velvet Cake smoothie on page 143 with common golden raisins in place of the more exotic mulberries - yum!
Long story short, there are many ways to use this book, and ANYONE can get use out of it - whether you have a pantry full of superfoods, or only one or two, or zero interest in (or $$ for) investing in any superfoods at all.
Now, about those ingredients. YES, Julie uses a selection of what some people might consider "unusual" ingredients in these smoothies - but those are the superfoods! She has an extensive first chapter in the book detailing the nutritional benefits of each. I see several people here complaining about the use of these superfoods - but they are part of what makes this book so great, and worth buying and delving into. The thing is, if you're looking for smoothie recipes using only very basic ingredients, you really don't need a book for that - throw a cup of nondairy milk, a frozen banana, and a handful of any other fruit (pineapple, mango, berries, etc.) into a blender, and there you have it. Add a dash of vanilla or cocoa powder or a handful of spinach if you want a little something extra. But if you're like me, there's only so many times you can make permutations of that same basic formula without getting a little bored and itching for some new smoothie inspiration, ideas, and recipes. Superfood Smoothies to the rescue!
And listen: you certainly don't have to go out and buy a bag of EVERY superfood Julie uses. They can indeed be pricey (but they're so nutrient-dense, you usually will only use a small spoonful per recipe, so a bag of any given superfood will last you a LONG time). I suggest paging through the recipes, bookmarking some of the ones that look/sound best to you, and seeing what superfoods they have in common - then purchasing a couple to get you started. After all, that's how any collection begins, right? If you need some suggestions, I'll tell you that I'm a huge fan of maca powder, lucuma powder, and chia seeds. Online is the best place to buy superfoods, in my opinion (Amazon is an option, obviously; I also really like nuts.com - very affordable!), but grocery stores like Whole Foods carry quite a few of them.
Finally, here's the kicker: YOU DON'T NECESSARILY EVEN HAVE TO HAVE THE SUPERFOODS LISTED IN THE BOOK TO MAKE THE SMOOTHIE RECIPES IN THE BOOK. That's right. Just leave them out entirely, or replace them with an easier-to-find ingredient with a similar flavor profile (the first chapter will help you with that, since Julie does such a great job explaining the flavor properties of each superfood). Of course, the smoothies won't taste EXACTLY as Julie intended them to when you do this, and they'll lack the nutrients that the superfoods would've lent them, but you'll still be making yourself a delicious, frosty, nutritious snack. The Peaches & Cream smoothie on page 65, for example, will still taste amazing even if you leave out the camu powder and chia seeds; or try the Red Velvet Cake smoothie on page 143 with common golden raisins in place of the more exotic mulberries - yum!
Long story short, there are many ways to use this book, and ANYONE can get use out of it - whether you have a pantry full of superfoods, or only one or two, or zero interest in (or $$ for) investing in any superfoods at all.
