How can someone love a Vita-Mix so much? The past 8 months have been so fantastic thanks to this workhorse of a kitchen machine. Every morning I drink a green smoothie that is made of oranges, lettuce or another leafy green like kale or spinach, and frozen blueberries or raspberries. It is simple and a very nice way to start the day.

Peaches are in season here in Colorado, so I am pleased to start the day with local, seasonal produce that hasn’t been shipped in from Florida or California. This is my low carbon footprint breakfast drink that I’ll enjoy until I bid farewell to my favorite fuzzy fruits…

Into the Vita-Mix goes 2 or 3 peaches (pitted, of course) and as much lettuce as you can stuff in there. I have an heirloom mix I picked up at the Farmers’ Market. Add a little water and some ice cubes if you’d like it cold. Turn it up to speed 10, then high, then enjoy.

Here is another healthy lunch smoothie. Super healthy, and not so bad going down.

Ingredients:

• 1 apple
• 2 carrots
• lettuce (large handful)
• 1 cup pineapple chunks (I used frozen)
• 1/3 red beet
• 1 green onion
• splash of Boulder Hot Sauce, Smokey Serrano flavor
• 2 cups water

Here’s another great healthy breakfast smoothie.

Ingredients:

I have a green smoothie every morning for breakfast, so I will be blogging about all of the really good ones. This smoothie has a nice texture and is just sweet enough to make you completely forget how many servings of fruits and veggies you are getting in one drink. If you’re not into this for a morning smoothie, enjoy it as a healthy lunch smoothie.

Ingredients:

• 2 kiwis
• 1 apple
• 1 stalk celery
• 1/2 green pepper
• 1/2 head of green leaf lettuce
• a handful of parsley
• 1/2 cup frozen strawberries
• 1.5 cups cold water