VitaMix versus BlendTec

Which one should I get—BlendTec or VitaMix?

I own both power blenders, so which is the best blender? I use my BlendTec 3-5 times a day. I think that qualifies me for a new nickname, like maybe “blendergirl”? I hate to even call it a blender, because it's so much more: it grinds wheat or flax seed or coffee, it makes perfect soups without a stove, it crushes ice, it juices, and it makes ice cream (nutritious, GreenSmoothieGirl ice cream, of course).

They cost the same---and I'll leave any other competition out of the comparison, because these two big guys, VitaMix and BlendTec, are the best. (I also own a Bosch blender and some others, and they don't even belong in the comparison.)

So why have I chosen to recommend BlendTec to you?

1. BlendTec's motor is 3 horsepower (compared to VM's 2.5), and I'm a sucker for faster/bigger/better.

2. BlendTec is the best blender because it's a smarter machine, with 17 settings for what you want to do-for instance, green smoothies! The smoothie setting alternates high and low to pull greens down into the "blending vortex" centrifugally during the slow cycles. That way you don't have to muscle your greens down with the tamper thingie that the VitaMix relies on.

3. BlendTec has a lifetime warranty on the blade so you don't have to worry about it getting dull. I never worry about something going wrong with my BlendTec-and by the way, I've sent my VitaMix back to the manufacturer several times, but haven't needed to repair my BlendTec.

4. BlendTec's product is smaller and fits under standard countertops (unlike VM, which does not fit). I take mine to hotel rooms, condos, anywhere I go, so my family's nutrition doesn't suffer on the road-and my BlendTec is smaller to fit neatly in a suitcase.

5. BlendTec has the square jar design is easier to pour from, and wider (where the VM is deeper, and I have a hard time scraping stuff out of its bottom with a spatula and get stuff all over my arm). Stuff gets stuck at the narrow part of the bottom of the VM and usually goes to waste.

6. BlendTec is the best blender because you don't have to buy a second canister to blend dry ingredients (that costs you an extra $80 with the VitaMix).

7. I admit this is my weakest point, but BlendTec is the best blender because they have a cool marketing campaign: check out YouTube for demos on blending a camcorder into powder, making a drink out of a whole chicken and a can of Coke including the CAN. (My vegan daughter is a conscientious objector to the chicken dying for no good reason, though, if you're reading, BlendTec.)

Nobody who is serious about raw, whole-food nutrition (especially getting greens into the diet) should be without a BlendTec, the best blender in the world. Get it on my site for the same price that BlendTec sells direct for, and I'll include:

• My recipe collection ($7.95 value)
• 12 Steps to Whole Foods coaching program ($29.95 value)
• and free weekly nutrition tips.