NEW  Vita-Mix 5200
It's no quick task to evaluate a Vita-Mix 5200 machine. Of course, you could check out the juicing function in no time, but it's hard to give it a thumbs up on that function alone. The Vita-Mix 5200 is well known by chefs as a workhorse of a blender. But still, I was skeptical about a kitchen gadget with a very hefty price tag and a claim to be many appliances rolled into one. In my experience, multipurpose gadgets, like fax-copier-printers, may do many things but seldom do anything well. But the Vita-Mix is indeed an exceptional multitasker. You can remove the blenders, choppers, grinders, and food processors from your counter and cabinets and replace them with one machine that will juice whole foods; make frozen yogurt, ice cream, and sorbet; blend just about anything; knead dough; chop and grate food; make nut butters; crush ice; and grind meat or spices. Not only does it do it all, but it does it all well and easily. And it's packaged with a cookbook to help you make the most of its abilities. Not a good choice for an occasional cook, the Vita-Mix 5200 is a great selection for anyone who cooks on a regular basis and prizes ease and convenience in preparation. It's also a smart pick for people who want the health benefits of whole foods because it makes homemade a much easier proposition.