My Favorite Smoothie, a Hamilton Beach Review and a Giveaway!

I was given the opportunity to review the Hamilton Beach Thermal Cooler Blender. I was so excited when the Blender arrived. I had to try it out right away with one of my favorite blender drinks, Bananarita Smoothie. This blender was so easy to operate, the coolest part was that you could blend your cold drinks right in the thermal cooler, how neat is that!! then just lift it off the base and bring it along to the beach, park, pool, sporting events, or even your own backyard. The contents will stay ice-cold for up to eight hours, it has a easy-pour spout making serving drinks simple. For additional versatility, Thermal Cooler Plus Blenders also comes with a blender jar for traditional blending at home. I used the glass jar feature as well to whip up a batch of Orange Julius for the kids. Assembly and interchanging of the jars was a cinch I really thought it might be complicated, but it wasn't. This awesome new blender is available at K-Mart as well as online at www.hamiltonbeach.com/blenderreview. You should check it out I have included a photo of the new Thermal Blender Cooler below.

Mommy's Kitchen & Hamilton Beach
are Teaming up to Giveaway
a "Single Serve Blender"

The generous folks over at Hamilton Beach are offering one of my lucky readers a brand new Hamilton Breach Single Serve Blender with 2 Jars. Pictured BELOW. This little blender features a handy Travel lid that lets you drink from the jar, it fits in most car drink holders, great for fruit smoothies, icy drinks, shakes and more. Stainless steel blades and one-touch blending. Easy storage and less cleaning


How can you win this Single Serve Blender?

Giveaway Is Now Closed!
Winner Announced, Check Top Posting!


Well, my favorite blender recipe is the Bananarita Smoothie. Click here for the recipe. For an entry to win this awesome little blender all you have to do is comment on this post and tell me what your favorite blender recipe is. It is as easy as that. It can be any kind of recipe that utilizes a blender it doesn't have to be a drink. I will choose one winner on Thursday, June 17Th. If you do not have a blog account please leave a email address on your post so I can get in touch with you if you are the winner. Last day to enter the drawing will be
Wednesday June 16Th at Midnight (central time) I have included the some photos of my blender review. I like both features but the Thermal Blender is my favorite
.

Reviewing the Standard Glass Jar Feature
& the Thermal Cooler Blender

Good Luck!!!!
Contest is Open To US Residents Only!!!
Due to shipping.


Photobucket
The Mom in Mommy's Kitchen

104 comments

Melody said…
I really like to have protein shakes for breakfast. I like chocolate the best, and I always add ice, natural peanut butter and a little Splenda. Even my kids beg me for a drink. It would be great to have a single serve blender. Very cool giveaway!
Elizabeth said…
Oooh, that looks delicious! My favorite blended drink is an Oreo smoothie. Soooo not healthy but yummmmmmy!! It's just vanilla ice cream, Oreos, a splash of milk, and a few ice cubes. It's a very rare treat around here but we love it!
Emily said…
My favorite blender drink is a Green Monster. It's a healthy smoothie that has been circling around the blog world. When reading the description most people will be turned off but it's really good and you also get a lot of veggies and fruit servings.

For Green Monster:
2-3 generous handfuls of spinach
1 banana
a few strawberries (or any other fruit of your choice)
ice and milk to top it off

Blend it and serve!! It is delish!!
Tina Butler said…
All of those smoothies sound good. The Green Monster isnt all that bad at all. I think I want to try it . The bananarita reminds me of a margarita i love it. Good Luck everyone.
Cheryl Wade said…
My families favorite blender drink is homemade vanilla milkshakes. My favorite non-drink use for the blender is to blend my french toast batter in it. Nothing incorporates the cinnamon and flour as well as it does.
Stephanie said…
My favorite thing to make in a blender is salsa - a can of tomatoes, some onion and garlic, a little parsley, lemon juice, salt, and some hot sauce or jalapeno. Blend it just until it's all combined, and it's so delicious!
Kami said…
With four kids in my house smoothies are a regular thing during those hot summer months! We love to experiment with different fruits (especially when our raspberries are finally ripe - it's a great reward to get to have an awesome drink with them after picking them for an hour!). We always use a little vanilla yogurt and some ice, I occasionally will throw flax seed in there (but they don't know that!). They are delicious and even a hit with my picky three-year-old!
Heidi said…
I love making milk shakes in my blender. Just add milk, icecream and yummy things like candy bars or cookies. How cool you got to try it out! The smoothie you made sounded great.
Candace said…
My favorite blender recipe is the Orange Julius recipe. Yummy and depending on which recipe I use, it's not too bad. Otherwise we like chocolate shakes!
Jennifer H. said…
How stinkin cook is that!? I love a good berry smoothie myself. Frozen berry mix, yogurt, honey and ice. Yum!

jjnhubbs(at)yahoo(dot)com
The Brandleys said…
I Lovaall frozen drinks but my current favorite is strawberry limeade. Ice, limeade concentrate slightly watered down and a about 4 fresh strawberries. Blend and drink, it's so tangy and good!
Bonny said…
I have to say my favorite blender drink is the Orange Julius! I like to add strawberries/blueberries/bananas to mine too. So yummy!! I'm excited about this giveaway!
SNW said…
I like creating my own healthy smoothie in a large batch & freezing for the week! I my favorite is strawberry banana with yogurt & flax seed! saranwilliams at gmail
ICook4Fun said…
My favorite smoothies is a mixture of milk, bananas, berries and some lemon. I can drink this everyday :)
Lana said…
My favorite blender drink is chocolate milkshakes. Just chocolate icecream and milk. I also like to make fruit smoothies.
Bunny said…
Wow this is great! I love to make milk shakes, and with the summer here i'll be making them alot!
dctm said…
We love chocolate milkshakes and smoothies. The smoothies vary and I don't have an exact recipe. I usually use yogurt, bananas, strawberries, crushed ice and milk

Christie
dctm at bellsouth dot net
Ok. Well, I don't have a blender, but I have to admit - its nice to have a icy, mixed drink now and then! Especially mudslides, lol!

Recipe:

Mudslide mix
ice or ice cream
blend.
yum.
anonymous said…
i love frozen mochas:
coffee ice cubes
packet of hot chocolate
milk (about 6 oz.)
1 T. instant chocolate pudding powder (not prepared)
add in:oreos, mint extract, chocolate chips, etc
blend and serve
as good as starbucks to me!
i would love to win that blender!
laura
lauramarzen@yahoo.com
GTT said…
We like decaf frappucinos in the summer -- cold coffee, ice, milk, cocoa powder, sugar and gelatin powder.

Green Monster sounds great!
I love making hummus in the blender. Super quick and easy. I always make a big batch and then flash freeze in individual servings in a muffin tin lined with papers. Once frozen, I toss them into a ziploc. They are great for lunches and snacks on the go!

donnangowen @ hotmail . com
Lisa said…
Margaritas have to be my favorite. A night with friends and frozen margaritas = FUN. A milkshake is pretty good too!

Lisa in TN
glc411@yahoo.com
Anonymous said…
I love mocha smooties. My favorite is a flavored coffee called "Holiday Grog" with chocolate syrup and milk. Blended up is just the PERFECT summer treat.
Anonymous said…
My favorite is Orange Julius. Although I love a good ice cream shake too!

Susan
susanbeck at tx dot rr dot com
~Mo~ said…
My favorite is to take a banana, milk, little sugar and blend it.
Anonymous said…
My favorite drink is Batido de limon, you put in the blender 1 whole lemon (with peel and everytning, quartered), 100 gr of sugar, and 500 ml milk. Blend for 2 seconds, strain and drink immediately.
Adela

gambule@yahoo.com
Hey love the site-can't wait to try the smoothies--even if I am an alaskan-(we hit 80 degrees today and it sure would've been nice to have one today!) thanks.
- thesteady5@gmail.com
Susan Mrenna said…
Since it is just 2 of us at home now, we use powdered milk and eggs for cooking with.
Tha milk especially tends to clump a bit.
We use our blender and reconstitute the milk and eggs together and then add to whatever we are cooking.
A little blender would be perfect for this.
Patti said…
I don't always go for the healthiest sweet treats, so when I make smoothies I do try to use fresh fruit and or frozen yogurt. I am in Georgia and fresh peaches are "ready for the picking" right now. A great way to use all these peaches (other than in salads and other weekly recipes and canning) is smoothies. What a treat!!! Hope you enjoy:

Peach Smoothie

Peach juice (from 10-16 oz can)

3 Scoops vanilla frozen yogurt (could use vanilla ice cream)

1 cup peaches (fresh, canned or
frozen)

1 scoop ice

Mix all ingredients in a blender.

UMMMMMMMM!
Patti said…
Sorry, I forgot my email address:
thegadeans@att.net

I am loving this site and return each day to search new things that I haven't had time to read!!!
Laurie said…
OMG my daughter would love that blender! She is 9 and loves to make smoothies! I prefer to use it for making my open face stromboli sandwiches or the 5 can rotal salsa!! The salsa recipe is easy-1 can hot rotel, 2 reg cans, 1 mild can and 1 cilantro rotel. Blend and then you have awesome salsa!
Anonymous said…
That is the coolest! That smoothie recipe looks great. I'll have to let my son try it. He's been into smoothies lately.
Carlene's World said…
I don't have a stand alone blender, I use a hand blender stick. Mostly, I make hollandaise, but I would love to mix up some adult beverages in this one...vanilla ice cream, a banana and Galliano for starters!
Lara said…
My daughter likes to make a blueberry+yogurt+orange juice smoothie that is my favorite blender drink! It's refreshing and naturally delicious!
Anonymous said…
This blender is neat! Would love to try it ou ton the grandkis!! Love this site and love forward to every new message
smyrly@hotmail.com
Kelli said…
I had not seen this blender. How cool is this? My favorite to blend is Mango Limeade. Just limeade with crushed ice, fresh mango cut up and a lil lime juice. Oh so good. I love your blog too!!!
Tracy Bentley said…
OH WOW!! that looks so great. And I love banana's. I like to make what you call an ELVIS smoothie. Banana's, peanut butter, yogurt, ice. so good. I would love to win this blender then I could make mine smoothie and care it to work everyday. I am going to add your link over at my blog Feed Sack Cooking. Thanks for the give away
Becky said…
Wow thats a pretty cool blender!
My favorite smoothies are with yogurt, strawberries, bananas, ice, & apple juice :)
Ann in TN said…
I love you site and I love smoothies. Anything with bananas in it. YUMMY!!!

nannybethy@aol.com
Melissa said…
my favorite blender recipe is a margarita. The summertime is the perfrect time for this frozen concocktion. Just take 1 can of bacardi margarita mixer and 3/4 can of tequila, and put in blender, fill the blender with ice and mix till smooth. Take your glass and dip it in the margarita mix and dip the rim in margarita salt, then pour in the smooth frozen margarita, and enjoy!
teresa said…
My favorite smoothie is frozen pinapple, coconut and rum extract and any sort of fruit juice. Mmmm, so tropical! Great giveaway!
Lynette said…
My favorite blender treat is a purple cow! Grape Juice mixed with vanilla ice cream. That blender looks awesome! What a great giveaway.

~Lynette
Julie said…
I like strawberry and banana smoothies in the blender. I add some yogurt as well.
Kathy A said…
That is a great blender! My kids are really in to the shakes and smoothies right now. If I don't win this, I am going to for sure purchase one...but winning would be better!
Amy said…
I like frozen berry mix with yogurt and non-fat milk. Makes a great breakfast!
scott said…
Homemade butter made in a blender is the best!
Lyndsi said…
I make a butternut squash soup using my blender and it is so yummy! I also love smoothies and will add some frozen spinach and peanut butter to my normal ingredients for some added health benefits.
#1SAHM said…
I love orange julius, that's my all-time fav blender recipe! I hope I win, I currently don't own a blender at all!
Erin said…
Hey! This blender looks awesome! My favorite blender recipe is Whole Wheat Blender Waffles. I posted the recipe on me and my sisters' cooking blog, The Sisters' Cafe, at http://sisterscafe.blogspot.com/2008/06/whole-wheat-blender-waffles-coconut.html. it uses whole wheat berries, and it makes a slightly crunchy waffle. They are delicious!
New Beginnings said…
My current favorite blender recipe is to take some peach sherbert and add a little bit of Peach Punch (minute maid I think) to it and make a freeze. It is so delicious!
Unknown said…
My favorite blender drink is a regular old Strawberry Banana Smoothie....yum! I'll have to try the bananarita next, sounds wonderful. And now that summer is here I'm going to try to make some yummy tropical blanded drinks.
Tina❀ said…
That blender makes my heart skip!!

How about a Fall Smoothie?

1 ripe pear, peeled/cored/diced
1/2 cup unsweetened apple juice
1/2 cup milk
1 tsp. sugar
1/4 tsp. vanilla - pure
a couple drops of almond extract
a pinch of ground cinnamon

blend ingredients well - enjoy!

Please add me to list of wanna win!
Pam said…
I used to like to use my blender to make the impossible coconut pie. Now that I'm low carbing, I probably use it mostly for chocolate protein shakes. Milkshakes are also good but I can't go there right now. Would love to win the blender.
Anonymous said…
Smoothies are a staple for school mornings in our home! One of our favorites is the Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie:

2 over ripe bananas
1/2 cup peanut butter
milk & ice

Blend, Enjoy!

Delish!

Jill
jilldaugherty03@yahoo.com
Jenna Z said…
I love this blender's thermal cooler, how awesome is that?The recipe I make the most that uses my blender (and therefore my favorite, right?) is dog treats! Yes, you heard me right, dog treats. I have a tutorial for them here: http://corgipants.blogspot.com/2007/10/tutorial-for-dog-cookies.html And you can see my ancient blender there in the picture.
Live.Love.Eat said…
THAT looks like such an awesome idea. Rarely does a product come along that makes me go wow. Very cool.

My fav smoothie is with pomegranate juice and yogurt and something else I am forgetting. Oh, egg whites.
Kim said…
My family's favorite blended drink is orange strawberry bannana smoothie's. We also like to make milkshakes! This would be great to win!
Christy H said…
My favorite recipe using the blender is dirt cake - yum! choney79@gmail.com
Tiffani said…
I like shakes. My fave is strawberry but I can't make them very often as my oldest is allergic. But I dream about them

tifg45@excite.com
Anonymous said…
Oh my, that looks great. Please enter me.

Erin
eparker@arkwest.com
Oh my, this blender is pretty cool. I love the fact that it will keep drinks cool for eight hours. How great is that? My daughter and I have been collecting smoothie recipes for a while now for when she takes off to Dallas to finish her last two years at the university. I think our favorite so far is the Pineapple Crush. It's made with pineapple hunks and coconut milk and frozen yogurt. Delicious.
Dorene said…
We like to put together a smoothie using Silk soy chocolate milk, strawberries, ice, banana and some vanilla yogurt.

Reading some of the other comments, I need to broaden my horizons!
Anonymous said…
Wow, this looks like a really nice blender. I like the cooler idea a lot. My blender is over 20 yrs old so I'd love a new one! Jen cjy5787@gmail.com
Kathy said…
I don't own a blender but sure would like to try out some of these drinks that everyone mentions. They sound delicious.

kld816@comcast.net
Krystal said…
I love making lime-aid in my blender. I'm thinking of adding vanilla ice cream next time I make it :) and I must say, the cooler is an awesome idea!!
Unknown said…
I make salsa in my blender. Tomatoes, garlic, peppers, lime, and any other sort of spice I toss in at the moment.
Ingrid_3Bs said…
Very cool giveaway! One of the twins is a smoothie fanatic! He drinks a smoothie probably 300 days of the year! His fave a pina colada with banana added.
~ingrid
Julie said…
my current blender does not have enough power to make my favorite smoothies. i am very interested in your review..and have been looking for a better product. here's my favorite smoothie recipe from my daughter working at "jamba juice".
1 cup orange juice
1 banana
6-8 large frozen strawberries
2 scoops of orange sherbert/vanilla ice cream.
This is a great new product that I can't wait to try. You are sure a good advertiser. We love the smoothie drinks in this family.
Colleen C. said…
Hello! My all time favorite it the Orange Julius recipe like the ones you get at the mall. I can't go to the mall without getting one and then still make the ones at home like 2 times a month. :) Awesome giveaway, thanks for the Julius recipe and I'll have to try the Smoothie. Colleen @colleencabanaw@yahoo.com
Caroline said…
Our "new" favorite blender recipe is Boby Flay's chocolate milkshake from the latest Food Network magazine (it's got marshmellow fluff in it!!). I made it for my kids on the last day of school - won me cool mom points!! :)
Kanga said…
What a wonderful looking product! Mmmm...chocolate banana shakes and strawberry smoothies are my favorites...this is a fantastic give away! *smile*

BTW... I have recently begun following your blog and I must say that I am thoroughly enjoying myself!

I have selected your blog to receive the Kreative Blogger Award. See my blog, http://orcalady.blogspot.com for details.

Congrats!

(I hope you are ok with this?)
Joanna said…
I love to use my blender to make hummus...I'm also a big fan of smoothies!

jojo17 at gmail dot com
throuthehaze said…
I like to make banana milkshakes in the blender
Anonymous said…
My favorite blended smoothie is Strawberry Banana. The blender looks really neat and I like the compact size. Thank you for the opportunity to win. I also love your blog and have made several of your recipes - they were awesome! bh
becky.humphrey@tdi.state.tx.us
Sarah said…
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said…
My family loves fruit smoothies, any kind of fruit juice mixed with any kind of fruit, we love to experiment. We also add yogurt and ice. Our favorite: bananas and strawberries in orange juice. YUM!
Tina Butler said…
I never would of thought of making pancake and waffle batter in the blender. What a great idea.
Unknown said…
Oops!
mrs.szombathy@gmail.com
Anonymous said…
That would be so handy!! We love smoothies around our place and I actually make homemade baby food and that would be handy to make it fresh and easy! My blog is private but here is my email chels581@yahoo.com. Thanks.
Rebecca said…
My fav thing to make is a banana milk shake.Yummy
rebeccalovesdiezel(at)yahoo(dot)com
Unknown said…
I'll post my kids favorite smoothie

Chocolate mudslide
1 C. skim milk
1 Banana
2 tbs. Honey
1/4 C. Chocolate drink mix
1/4 vanilla ice cream

gworner@gmail.com
Hollis Fam said…
This comment has been removed by the author.
Hollis Fam said…
I have a little cheap thing bought around New Year's and it doesn't work very well. I usually just make mixed drinks and it doesn't even crush the ice all the way. lol My kids love milkshakes and smoothies, so it would be nice to have a blender that actually worked to make summer treats for them.
linda said…
we love strawberry banana smoothies and chocolate cookie milkshakes..
I like using my blender to make smoothies with a mix that I buy at my Weight Watcher's meetings. Their directions say to add either milk or water. I usually add milk, frozen fruit (usually strawberries) and ice. It ends up being a thick milkshake that is totally yummy.
Amy in Edmond said…
I really like smoothies with strawberries in them.
Tina Butler said…
Forwareded.... Lisa Lamb
First, I would like to enter your giveaway. I am a diabetic who knows I should eat a good breakfast, but I just don't like to eat when I first get up. This might help me out. My e-mail is lamb003@yahoo.com.

Second, I want to let you know that this smoothie sounds wonderful and I can't wait to try it.

Lastly, I tried your Nacho Pie back in February and loved it. I decided to make it again this week and due to unexpected company, I needed to stretch it. I added just a simple layer of refried beans and everyone was very pleased with the result. I figured I'd let you know, and you may want to try it too. Love your blog, keep up the great work.
Anonymous said…
I love "Frosty's" from Wendys...so last year I searched around for a recipe that would be as close to the original...About (I say about because I don't always measure) 3/4 cup of cold milk, 1/4 cup of Nestle powdered
chocolate drink mix (or other brand), and about 4 cups of good vanilla ice cream. Blend in a blender until nice and smooth and delicious. I usually stick mine back in the freezer for a couple of minutes to let it thicken up a bit. Yummy Yummy Yummy!!
cds1484@gmail.com
Laura said…
I already made your recipe this morning. YUMMY! I love to make german pancakes in my blender. This blender looks awesome! I love to make about any smoothie also. I really like strawberries with banana and orange juice.
Carol Ann said…
My favorite blender recipe is from Better Homes and Gardens magazine. It is for a nut torte that is completely mixed in the blender then covered in a mocha frosting. Delicious!!
JenR65 said…
MMMmmm, what good recipes you have here. My son loves smoothies and asks for them all the time, this blender would be perfect to just whip him up one. Please enter me, thanks!

jenr65@hotmail.com
Juanita said…
My favorite blender recipe is milkshakes! Especially strawberry/banana shake YUMMY!!! Fresh strawberries with diced up bananas MMMM thanks for the giveaway! Hope I win!
Juanita
Well, I'd have to say a virgin strawberry daiquri. I love strawberries! WHat a great giveaway!
Lindsay said…
Very cool! I love making smoothies with whatever fruit I have around. Our favorites are banana with yogurt, honey, cinnamon and a splash of lemonade! :)

Would love to try out the single serve!

frugalfab at gmail dot com
marcy_clifton said…
I absolutely LOVE smoothies. On hot Texas days they make you feel so GREAT! This little blender would be perfect for my household!!!
Melissa said…
My favorite thing to make in the blender is pina coladas!!
Gwyn said…
Lately I have to have blueberry smoothies!!!
Anonymous said…
I just found your site and I am hooked!!
Anonymous said…
The main thing I use my blender for all year round is to blend up my tomatoes that I can in the fall. I use them in soups, stews, chili, and sloppy joes. My husband is picky and doesn't like pieces of tomatoes in his food. my email: ckplarson@hotmail.com
Anonymous said…
My husband and I use our blender to make protein shakes almsot every morning for breakfast. We use an egg white protein powder, flax seed, fresh or frozen fruit,a splash of fate free milk, and of course some ice! It would be wonderful to have the thermal blender! Thank you for the awesome giveaway! jenbud28@sbcglobal.net
Mickey said…
Ok so I hate using my masher for beans so I use my blender =).When your cooking a big meal it comes in handy especially if you dont have a handy electric masher
Anonymous said…
I don't use a blender much but I would like to make smoothies for the kids and I this hot, hot summer.
Karen
d8t8k@aol.com
Ruth said…
I just discovered the world of food blogs and I love starting out with a smoothie recipe!

My favorite blender recipe is a classic smoothie recipe i learned from my Aunt in San Diego. Place a whole banana in the blender and cover with frozen strawberries, add orange juice about halfway up the fruit and blend until no chinks remain. It's thick, fruity and flavorful.