It was a week before my birthday. I was turning the big 2-0. I was leaving behind my teenage years and entering my twenties – this was a huge deal. When I was younger, I would make PowerPoint presentations of what I wanted for my birthday or Christmas, to email out to my family members. Genius, I know. Once I hit a certain age, money in an envelope replaced the birthday presents, and the day became less of an ordeal. I’m not complaining; who doesn’t love getting cash? But, I knew that I had to treat myself to something a little more special this birthday, something that screamed, “helllooo adulthood!” 

The Nutribullet did the trick. What screams adulthood more than ordering a kitchen appliance for yourself for your birthday and being excited about it? 

Before you ask me why I bothered ordering one if I already have a blender, don’t. The two don’t even compare. It’s like my mom asking me why I need another pair of white sneakers when I already have a thousand other pairs. Because they are different, Mom. 

For my first two years of college, I lived in a dorm. Although I always had a solid snack stash, I was never able to satisfy my smoothie or juice craving. I get that there are strict rules on what you can and cannot have in your dorms, but I really would recommend bringing one of these bad boys to school with you. 

Here are three simple reasons why: 

It is so easy to use and to clean

Reason why it’s better than a blender #1 applies here: it is all one cup! It comes with three pieces: the base, the blade / top and the cup. You literally just throw whatever you want into the cup, twist the blade on, pop it into the base and BAM. You’ve got yourself a beautiful creation. When you’re done, you just clean the cup and rinse the blade. Say buh-bye to a big, bulky blender to clean. 

You can literally make anything under the sun 

Maybe not anything and everything, but you can do a lot with it. Juices, smoothies, hummus, tomato sauce, pesto, milkshakes, ice cream, soup, acai bowls, sorbet, should I go on? It will take up no counter space in your little college kitchen and will do the job of about a dozen other appliances. Small but mighty. Oh, did I mention that it comes with a small little recipe book to help get those creative juices flowing? Literally. Juices. 

It’s affordable 

There are different styles and colors that you can get, but the one I have is under $50. Let’s pretend that I was shopping with my mom and the Nutribullet was a sweatshirt. She would say, Megan, will you really wear that 50 times? In both cases, yes. Sweatshirts last a lifetime, and I sure hope my Nutribullet does too. I have already used this more than 50 times and have only had it for two months! It has become part of my daily routine, and I guarantee it will become a part of yours too. Have I sold it to you yet? Just wait. 

I would say that this is probably the best birthday gift I have ever ‘received.’ If you asked me that question 10 years ago, my answer would have been my neon orange slap watch. But no, I have grown up since then and I have now entered the world of kitchen appliances. 

Here are a few of my favorite Nutribullet recipes and tips to try when you get your own!

My favorite green juice recipe: 

• ¼ of a cucumber
• 1-2 handfuls of spinach 
• 2 celery stalks 
• Watermelon, frozen pineapple, or whatever non-berry fruit you have 
• Lemon juice 
• Ginger (I like to add a lot) 
• Fill to the top with water at the end! 

My pink drink: 

• A handful of big pieces of watermelon 
• 1 cup of pineapple 
• ¼ cucumber 
• Lemon juice 
• Ginger (I like to add a lot) 
• Fill to the top with water 

My favorite smoothie tips:

• Add OATS to your smoothie to make it thicker and as an easy way to add some fiber and healthy grains into your drink. Sounds weird, but trust me. So good. 

My favorite juice tip: 

• Sometimes depending on what you use in your juice, you will get a lot more foam / froth than juice after it settles- apples and leafy veggies can do this. I used to use both in my juices, but got rid of the apples. I take the hit with the spinach but it’s worth it!