The Vitamix Certified Reconditioned 5300 model is on sale with free shipping now till December 31st, 2017  for $259.95 (Originally $360.00) It comes with a 5 year, free, Standard Warranty. Extend an additional 3 years for $75.00 within the first 30 days of purchase. 

Vitamix Reconditioned Units are by far one of the best values, and best gifts to give yourself, or anyone you care about. Consider Vitamix a gift that will give ease of meal preparation, health and vitality. A gift that will be used, hopefully, a lifetime.

Have you ever had something so long, you don’t know how long you’ve had it? Well, that’s how it is with my Vitamix. I enjoy mine so much, I thought it would be a wonderful gift idea to share with you!  I like to think of it as the gift “that keeps on giving.” Giving health, glowing skin, slim body, yummy comfort, very easy quick meals, warm soups, and oh yes…party-time margaritas and cocktails! You will never need another blender, in fact it’s a shame it even gets called a blender because it rivals a food processor at most jobs. A Reconditioned Vitamix truly is the best value, best gift.

Vitamix can be purchased at many retail outlets, but I find the reconditioned units available from the Vitamix website to be one of the best values, and best kept secrets in the culinary world. In the above photo, mine is the style of the white one, the 5200 Standard model. I purchased it years ago as a reconditioned unit from this same site.  In our house it gets used several times a day.

Read more below, or link to Vitamix Reconditioned Units [HERE]

Some Reasons Why I Enjoy and Recommend Vitamix Blenders:

1. It is one of the only blender brands that heats. There is not a heating element, it heats with speed and friction from the blades. It will boil water in about seven minutes. I toss my soup ingredients in, blend, taste, make adjustments, then hit the power for three to four minutes. I have a soup warm enough to be satisfying, and the three to four minute blending time keeps the temperature low enough (under 118 degrees) to preserve nutritious enzymes. If you like, it will heat soup to boiling hot, or make a frozen dessert.
2. It pulverizes food into a velvet texture, producing smooth peanut or almond butter, sesame tahini or satin-like ribbons of coconut yogurt. In contrast, it will rough chop vegetables for a salad or gazpacho, or rough chop nuts for a topping.
3. It was used at both culinary schools I attended and commercial kitchens I worked in. Although, I had my Vitamix long before I started my culinary path. 
4. Value for the dollar. Their history of long term dependability, and quality materials justify their higher price. Less expensive machines generally don’t hold up to the years of daily use.

The Reason to Buy a Certified Reconditioned Vitamix from Vitamix.com:

1. It comes with a 5-year-warranty. You may buy an additional 3-year-warranty for $75.00. This additional warranty must be purchased within 30 days of purchasing the Vitamix.
2. Where do the reconditioned machines come from?  I made a phone call to Vitamix customer service to confirm information before writing this post. They assured me that most reconditioned units have not been out of the factory more than 30 days. These machines could be used at weekend shows for a few weeks, or they could be overstock from a major retailer. You will not be getting a worn-out, old unit that has been used for months at shows.
3. They are inspected, replaced with a new canister and blade, so you are getting a machine that has never touched food.
4. Vitamix has a Trade-in-Program. Even if you have a twenty-year-old Vitamix, if you buy a new one, from the Vitamix website, then send in your old one, they will credit your card with $100.00 toward the new machine.
5. They are always available with customer support.
6. 70% of the machine is made in the U.S in the Cleveland, Ohio area.

Which Vitamix?

In my opinion, the best value selection is a personal choice between two styles:
1. The Certified Reconditioned 5300 Model is $360.00+ brand new. This Month, until December 31, 2017, it is on sale for $259.95  [LINK HERE]  

2. The Certified Reconditioned Next Generation Programs  is $399.95 vs $519.00 brand new (not reconditioned) from a retail store. It has program timer settings for smoothies, soups, frozen desserts and pulse. Settings are helpful if you have kids that want to make their own smoothies, or you get distracted with multi-tasking and need specific timer settings.  

Go to:  Vitamix Certified Reconditioned Products

Phone: 1-800-848-2649

Sometimes they have Free Shipping. Allow 8 – 15 days for delivery.

 

Here are a few recipes from the Vitamix website:

Banana Blueberry Orange Smoothie

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Banana Blueberry Orange Smoothie

Submitted by: Vitamix

Dietary Interest: vegetarian, gluten-free, high fiber, low cholesterol, low fat, low sodium, no added sugar, raw foods, vegan
Yield: 1 1/2 c (360 ml)
Difficulty: Easy

Total Time: 6 Minutes

3/4 cup (180 ml) water
1 medium orange, peeled, halved
1 small banana, peeled, frozen
1/2 cup (80 g) frozen unsweetened blueberries
Directions

Place all ingredients into the Vitamix container in the order listed and secure lid.
Select Variable 1.
Turn machine on and slowly increase speed to Variable 10, then to High.
Blend for 1 minute or until desired consistency is reached.

Almond Butter

Almond Butter
Submitted by: Vitamix

Dietary Interest: vegetarian, gluten-free, no added sugar, vegan
Yield: 1 3/4 c (420 g)
Difficulty: Intermediate
Total Time: 10 Minutes

3 cups (440 g) unsalted roasted almonds
1-3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil or coconut oil (Use oil only until butter is moving smoothly)
Directions

Place all ingredients into the Vitamix container in the order listed and secure lid.

Select Variable 1.
Turn machine on and slowly increase speed to Variable 10, then to High.
Use the tamper to press the ingredients into the blades.
In 1 minute you will hear a high-pitched chugging sound. Once the butter begins to flow freely through the blades, the motor sound will change and become low and laboring. Stop machine.
Store in an airtight container. It can also be frozen for longer storage.

 

Glowing Green Smoothie

Glowing Green Smoothie
Submitted by: Kimberly Snyder

Dietary Interest: vegan, vegetarian
Yield: 7 1/2 c (1.8 l)
Difficulty: Easy
Total Time: 11 Minutes

1 1/2-2 cups (360-480 ml) water
3/4 pound (340 g) organic romaine lettuce, rough chopped, about 1 head
1/2 head large bunch or 3/4 small bunch organic spinach
3-4 organic celery stalks, halved
1 organic apple, cored, seeded, quartered
1 organic pear, cored, seeded, quartered
1 organic banana, peeled
1/2 fresh organic lemon, peeled, seeded
1/3 bunch organic cilantro with stems (optional)
1/3 bunch organic parsley with stems (optional)
Directions

Place water, romaine, spinach, celery, and optional ingredients, if using, into the Vitamix container in the order listed and secure lid.
Select Variable 1.
Turn machine on and slowly increase speed to Variable 8.
Blend for 30 seconds or until smooth. Stop machine and remove lid.
Add apple, pear, banana and lemon to the Vitamix container in the order listed and secure lid.
Select Variable 1.
Turn machine on and slowly increase speed to Variable 10, then to High.
Blend for 30 seconds or until desired consistency is reached.                                                                                                                                                                       

Phebe is not paid by Vitamix, compensated in any way for the sale of a Vitamix, nor is she a spokesperson for Vitamix.  This is a product she uses daily in her life. Through this post she wishes to share information, and answer questions often asked about her Vitamix.

You may contact her directly at: [email protected]

Photo taken in the studio of The Raw Chef, Russell James, London.

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