I am a cookbook collector and this new "card deck" style was very appealing to me. There are many delicious recipes and this card format is very easy to use when mixing up drinks (can't close itself in the middle of my mixing the drink, etc.). The recipes are easy to read and storing this deck of recipe cards in its' own little box holder doesn't take up much space in the kitchen. It is easy to store right next to your drinking glasses inside the cabinet. Most cards have beautiful photographs of the featured smoothie. The cards show the photo or a graphic on one side and then the recipe is on the other side.

My complaints have to do with some formatting and organization issues. First, if these recipes were in a book they'd be categorized and separated by chapters. When these recipes transitioned to a card deck format, the author did not use any kind of organization method to distinguish one type of smoothie from the other. With the subtitle of the deck being "50 recipes for high-energy refreshment" I was surprised to see things with alcohol and sweet dessert-only type smoothies. (That subtitle is a bit deceiving, and given that this deck is shrink-wrapped in plastic preventing browsing before buying, it is a little more bothersome to me.) But that is fine, I am interested in these smoothies, but would rather see some kind of categorization. For example: every single card has a teal background with the words in white font. Why not color-code the backgrounds by category such as "sweet dessert smoothies", "meal in a glass (very nutritive in nature)", "high energy", and "alcoholic"? All that would be needed is one background color for each type. Another idea would be to have small icons/symbols to note which type of smoothie it is, possibly near the top of the card so we can shuffle through quickly for the type of drink we want to make. As they are now, the only way to tell one smoothie type from another is to read through the ingredient list.

Fun, useful and delicious recipes!

While the combinations may become dated in time (read: somewhat trendy), right now they sing. And the recipes are well-tested, which is very important to me in a cookbook. You can tell that they are because every smoothie I've tried has been just super. Some of the ingredients are a bit difficult to find but I have had fun seeking out mango nectar and the like. It's been worth the trouble.

One reviewer didn't like that the background color is the same on every card and, after thinking about it, I have to agree, but that doesn't detract from the experience too much in my view. I really love that I can search for a smoothie I'd like to try and I can stick the card on the 'fridge with a magnet until I can get around to making it. The handiness is such a treat.

The graphics on the verso of the cards are so attractive, the cards are a nice heavy weight and they have smooth, rounded corners. The colors are bright and smart. They feel great in the hand. These cards are definitely a keeper.

What a great little book that makes such good smoothies! The instructions and ingredients are easy to read and the smoothies are easy to make (healthy too!). An essential cookbook.

This book is well worth the money to anyone who is just starting out in Family Child Care. Menu planning is made easy and relativly fast with this cookbook. The recipes are easy to follow and encourage children to try a variety of foods. The Home made Tomato soup is awesome!!!