Peg Harvey-Sweeney

I visited Portland last summer, and the kids took me to Costco to buy a Vitamix 5200–the Rolls Royce of blenders. Normally $565, Costco was having a “sales event” and priced them at an unbelievably low $379, sales tax-free in Oregon! We watched a demo and the salesman prepared Tortilla Soup (yes, the Vitamix even heats things because of the speed of the blade), Fruit Sorbet, and this Green Smoothie. I came in to purchase ONE Vitamix, but the kids were so impressed by the razzle-dazzle of the Vitamix demo that they begged me to buy one for each of them! (Their Christmas and birthday presents for the next five years). This makes a great breakfast smoothie, with five servings of fruit and one of vegetables to start your day off on the right nutritional path. Don’t overlook the slice of unpeeled lime; it’s an important ingredient for just the right taste. Organic fruits and veggies are always recommended, if available.

• 1/4 c. white grape juice
• 3/4 c. water
• 1/2 banana (peeled)
• 1 orange (peeled)
• 1 slice pineapple (peeled)
• 1 slice lime (not peeled–important!)
• 1 large handful spinach
• Agave or Stevia to taste
• 1-2 cups ice (add on top of all the above)

Blend on high speed 60-90 seconds.