I realize that I am late to the party but just wanted to add I love my VitaMix. Don't forget about coffee! I make frozen coffee drinks in the summer. I incorporate chocolate and caramel also. I have various syrups if I want something flavored such as toffee, hazelnut, irish cream, etc. I have a VitaMix Super 5000, that I bought a few years ago. I can't imagine my life without it. They now make a shorter container so that it fits under your cabinets. Mine sits out year round. Makes a good raspberry or strawberry lemonade. For breakfast I will use soy milk, protein powder, oats (or grain mix), cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom with some ice. I use it to smooth sauces, soups, etc. It does a smoother job than an immersion blender. The really great thing about the VitaMix is that you can throw your horse-pill vitamins in and you never know they are there. I have a terrible time with vitamins and this makes it a complete non-issue. The VitaMix makes great nut butters and I also grind grains for flour. There are 2 containers a "wet" and a "dry", the blades are different. Agar helps to keep the smoothie from separating. I use about 1/4 teaspoon per VitaMix container. It also keeps soy milk for separating especially in hot coffee. I put 1/4 teaspoon per 1 quart soy milk. Shake prior to use and no curdling.
