So, my blender I have had for forever is giving out on me. I want to pick up a new one this weekend. I want to start doing some veggie purees like Liz and also start trying some of Rainbows recipes. Does anyone know of a blender that would be good for both?

I have a ninja express chop I use for the purees. It is AWESOME. I think I paid like 20 bucks for it at Target. I also have the magic bullet that I love for shakes and stuff, but the ninja purees much faster and holds more. I have a regular blender too that I don't really use as much because it's much bigger.

Another Ninja fan here. I got mine at Sam's Club for about $40 that includes the motorized top and several different sized containers.

I have a Ninja and love it

I've got a Ninja too. It works well for the spinach smoothies and chopping, etc. Not as good as my Vitamix (which it is often compared to), but I use it every day for smoothies.

I wondered how the Ninja compared to the Vitamix (besides several hundred dollars difference). Good to know, Starshine, thanks. I have a Vitamix. Guess I don't need both. We're gonna get a bullet, tho.

Love me my VitaMix.

You're so welcome, Lisa. I've had the Vitamix oh, wow, for like 10 years now or more I think. It does pulverize things better and faster, but if I remember correctly, it said not to put protein powders in the, so that's why I got the Ninja for my breakfast spinach drinks. I use the Vitamix for the veggie purees too. And other things.

I was interested in how the Vitamix compared with the Ninja too. In quality, I'd say my Vitamix will last longer than this new Ninja, and I've had the Vitamix that much longer, so I think in terms of price, for me, it's worth it.

I have a Ninja from a few years back and it's still running strong. I also have a Cuisinart Stick Blender which I actually use more than the Ninja, more convenient and not such a pain to clean out. I've burned through a few stick blenders in the last few years.

I'm a Ninja fan also!

If you can afford it, go for Blendtec or Vitamix, they are considered the best out there (for home use). I have Blendtec and it is certainly far better than the bullet. Bullet leaves big chunks of food, I end up chewing my smoothie. Blendtec pulverizes it fine. I have always put protein powder in it, it's perfectly fine to do so. It has many abilities to make dough and whatnot, but I only ever used it for smoothies - not interested in using it for bread dough etc. Great thing about it is you can make your own almond milk (or any kind of "milk") - it makes it into a totally fine powder suspended in liquid. That way you know no other chemicals are in it. (not for phase 1 obviously) Blendtec is about $500 and Vitamix is even more than that I believe. I kinda think they are overpriced, but then, if you want it to work right, perhaps it's worth the money.

I love my Vitamix!!!! Expensive, but well worth the price... I waited for years for one, finally got one last year at Sam's club. We're thinking of getting one for each of our kids for Christmas...

Edited to add: if we did get them one, that would be it! Those things are expensive! LOL!!!

My Vitamix was about the same as you say a Blendtec costs. There was nothing in my manual about not using Protein powder. We do it all the time.

Maybe I was remembering wrong, or maybe my Vitamix is that much older. I have used protein powders in it before (a lot) and there weren't any issues, that I could see. My Vitamix is at least 10 years old.

Love my Vitamix :-)