Smoothie Bike encourages exercise, healthy eating
Finding a unique way to involve the community in active and healthy living can sometimes be a challenge.
Nancy Randolph, manager at Manitowoc County Human Services, rides the Smoothie Bike at a recent farmers market. (Photo: Submitted by Lindsay Brookshier )
This is the challenge that Broken Spokes manager Colin Knab and the community-based initiative, Healthiest Manitowoc County, are tackling with their newly created Smoothie Bike. Taking its cue from similar bikes that have been sweeping the nation, this locally owned business and community initiative is bringing the Rock the Bike movement to Manitowoc.
“It’s just seeing biking in different ways and what biking can do,” said Knab. “It’s all about getting into the culture of biking, it’s just one step to move forward into that.”
Using an exerciser trainer model, the Smoothie Bike depends entirely on its rider to power the blender. To mix the drink faster, the rider will have to pedal faster because the bike only operates at one speed. But the bike has the capability to make more than just smoothies. The bike can create dips, pesto, milk shakes and even soups.
The philosophy behind the bike ties into the goals that many organizations within the community, such as Healthiest Manitowoc County and Broken Spokes, have been working on for years. Specifically, they have been supporting initiatives to increase the consumption of locally grown fruits and vegetables and being active 60 minutes a day.
“The Smoothie Bike is a creative tool for the Activity and Nutrition Coalition to expose, engage and educate youth, parents and community members about the importance of fruit and vegetable consumption,” said Cath Pape, Healthiest Manitowoc County grant coordinator. “We can’t afford to ignore our poor health. Two out of three Wisconsinites are overweight and at risk for heart disease, diabetes and cancer. Our local food movement understands that investing in a strong food system is right for health, business and budget. The bike is a fun, friendly reminder that we have better health when we make better choices about where we live, learn, work and play.”
For members of the community that experienced the Smoothie Bike, creating something delicious using locally grown food and the power of their own body made the bike an exciting concept.
“I love the ‘Fender Blender’ bike and am amazed at how quickly it becomes the center of attention when someone is pedaling it. I think that using the bike to bring focus to the Healthiest Manitowoc County initiative is a fantastic way to market the ‘buy local and eat fresh’ approach.” said Nancy Randolph, manager at Manitowoc County Human Services who gave the bike a spin at its showcase at the Manitowoc Farmers Market.
The bike’s success at the Farmers Market is a promising sign of how the community is pedaling its way to a healthy lifestyle through the enjoyment of locally grown food.
This article was posted on July 15, 2014 by HTR NEWS, and written by Lindsay Brookshier. For the full article please go to: http://www.htrnews.com/story/life/2014/07/15/smoothie-bike-encourages-exercise-healthy-eating/12709149/
Read MoreHummus Recipe
Foost, our Australian partners, have been using the Fender Blender Pro (High Performance) at all their events. A recent event they participated in promoted Melbourne city workers to get active during their lunch break, and to eat more colorful veggies. To stick with the theme of the event they whipped up some hummus and then served it in shot glasses with veggie sticks. Everyone enjoyed it and they got lots of complements on the hummus, so give it a try! 
Ingredients: 1 15oz can chickpeas, liquid drained
1 large lemon, juiced
2 teaspoons crushed garlic
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 heaped tablespoon tahini
1 teaspoon cumin
1/4 cup water or liquid from chickpeas Pinch salt, optional
Prep It In Your Pitcher: Blend all ingredients together with your bike blender (we recommend the High Performance option for this). Adjust garlic, lemon juice and tahini to suit your taste buds. Serve with fresh veggies!
Alternative Ingredients:
Try making pink hummus by adding raw grated beetroot.
If you don’t have tahini, use 2 tablespoons of roasted sesame seeds (simply put sesame seeds on a baking tray and roast for 5 minutes).
Bike Blended Berry Breakfast Smoothie Recipe
This smoothie uses more banana to make it thick and should be topped with granola and even fresh fruit to make it a filling healthy breakfast.
Ingredients:
Frozen Blueberries
Frozen Mango
2 Ripe Banana
Yogurt
Vanilla Soy Milk (organic is best)
Granola / Fresh Fruit topping
Prep It In Your Pitcher:
1. Peel your bananas and place them in the bottom of your pitcher
2. Add 1/3 cup yogurt
3. Scoop in 1/2 cup of frozen mango and 2/3 cup frozen blueberries
4. Pour in some vanilla soy milk. Roughly 1/2 – 2/3 cup. If too thick after blending, add a little more
5. Cover with the lid and pop onto your bike blender! Blend until smooth (roughly 30 sec – 1 minute, depending on how hard you pedal.)
6. Pour and top with granola, fresh fruit, and even a sprig of mint. Enjoy!
Read MoreShopping List for 2 Day Bike Blending Event for 500+ Smoothies
This year we hosted a Bike Blended Smoothie Booth at Maker Faire 2014 in San Mateo, CA. Below is some information from the event that can help you plan and shop for your upcoming bike blending event.
Event Length: 7 – 8 hours / day
# of Smoothies Served (estimate): 500 16 oz smoothies OR 8,000 oz (2,000 4oz servings / 1,000 8oz servings)
# of Flavors: 4 – Strawberry Banana, Mango Strawberry, Paradise Punch, and Mixed Berry
Tip: Have flavors that use the same ingredients. We only needed 4 different kids of frozen fruits to make these 4 flavors.
Photo Credit: Eric Montross
Shopping List for 2 Days (purchased at Costco):
▢ 2 Almond Milk (case of 3 each) – $7.29
▢ 3 Vanilla Soy Milk (case of 3 each) – $21.87
▢ 4 Yogurt, Plain (64 oz each) – $17.96
▢ 7 Yogurt, Greek (48 oz each) – $32.45
▢ 10 Orange Juice (1 gal each) – $69.90
▢ 16 Bananas (3 lb bag, each) – $31.84
▢ 11 Frozen Mango (4 lb each) – $95.59
▢ 14 Frozen Triple Berry (4 lbs each) – $143.46
▢ 11 Frozen Whole Strawberry (6 lbs each) – $98.89
▢ 5 Frozen Pineapple (4 lbs each) – $32.95
TOTAL: $552.20
We had some leftovers afterwards. Want a no-leftover shopping list for a 7 – 8 hour bike blending event?
‘No-Leftovers’ Shopping List for 1 Day:
Roughly 225 16 oz smoothies OR 3,600 oz (900 4oz servings / 450 8oz servings)
▢ 1 Almond Milk (case of 3)
▢ 1 Vanilla Soy Milk (case of 3)
▢ 4 Yogurt, Plain (64 oz each)
▢ 4 Orange Juice (1 gal each)
▢ 9 Bananas (3 lb bag, each)
▢ 6 Frozen Mango (4 lb each)
▢ 4 Frozen Triple Berry (4 lbs each)
▢ 5 Frozen Whole Strawberry (6 lbs each)
▢ 4 Frozen Pineapple (4 lbs each)
TOTAL: $254.91
Is My Vitamix Pitcher Compatible with Your Bike Blender Base?
We have seen the bike blender work with the Vitamix Creations II 48 oz. 12-in-1 Variable Speed Blender’s pitcher, as well as our own Advance Container.
We cannot guarantee every blender pitcher from Vitamix is compatible, but you’re more than welcome to ask Vitamix directly.
We use Vitamix’s sound reduction pad (Vitamix 15579) and Drive Socket (Vitamix 891). If your pitcher is compatible with both those parts it will work!
If you find out yours is compatible please email us your model type/number so we can add it to this FAQ!
Tips for a Successful Bike Blended Smoothie Booth
First: Check with your local health department on what they require at temporary food/beverage stalls. Requirements vary by county, so if you’re planning to travel, check every place you’ll want to set up.
Below is a blend of our experience at large crowd events and working with Bay Area health departments.
Read More