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.

I am on a steady regimen of Vita-Mix smoothies. Lettuce, orange, and blueberries for breakfast, followed by some variation of the combo pictured here for lunch.

This one turned out great… for a bunch of veggies blended into a drinkable beverage, or as I prefer to call it, a healthy lunch smoothie.

There are no exact measurements here. Add more of what you like, but not necessarily less of what you don’t like! Don’t skimp on the greens!

• a few broccoli florets
• 2 carrots
• 1/2 red pepper
• 1 golden delicious apple
• 10-15 beet greens, wilted
• a handful of wheatgrass
• a handful of sunflower sprouts
• 3 frozen strawberries
• 1/2 red beet
• 1-2 cups water