Vita-Mix 5000 Variable Speed Blender Review

My Aunt gave me her old Vitamix many years ago.  This was when they were made very heavy and the blender jar was stainless.  Back then that machine was amazing.  What was wierd though is I never knew I owned a Vitamix.  I would go to home shows and in Costco and see the demonstrations and thought "wow, what a great machine".   Mine had different buttons on it, actually I believe it was a turn knob with an on/off switch.   I dug mine from the back of the counter and looked at it and discovered I actually owned one of those amazing machines I kept seeing.  The next home show I went to I again watched them make smoothies and soup and I asked about a trade in on my old unit and was surprised that they actually did that.  I bought the new unit and In about a week's time received in the mail the paperwork to fill out to send back my old unit.  I can't remember what I paid for shipping but it really wasn't too much but for buying it at the home show I got a huge discount, they threw in a bunch of freebie things like cutting boards, scrapers and different cookbooks (funny as it sounds, the original cookbook that came with my Aunt's unit was the same just a different cover) and then I got $75 back from Vitamix for my old blender.  I know I would have never gotten that much at a garage sale !!!  

We keep our Vitamix and our FoodSaver on the counter.  We use those appliances the most often and I would suggest having them both.  The FoodSaver will help keep fresh fruits and veggies fresher if you can't use them quickly (and offers great freezing alternatives).  The Vitamix gives us the ability to use fresh veggies and fruits in different forms for meal options.   Would recommend both for everyone !