The Vitamix Blender is not simply for making delicious, nutritious smoothies. The company was started in 1937 when Vitamix founder William "Papa" Barnard discovered how a premium blender could help families eat healthier with whole foods. It can be used as a juicer to extract all the vital vitamins and nutrients out of fruits and vegetables, or as a blender to create shakes and smoothies or grind whole grains, chop vegetables and more. You can use the Vitamix blender to make glazes, sauces, soup, beverages, desserts and salad dressings, like Raspberry Vinaigrette.

What makes Vitamix machines so popular is that they can last for decades, even if used daily in your home. The hardened, stainless-steel blades of Vitamix blenders offer greater durability while the high-quality motor ensures longevity.

Take advantage of these New Year's sales to buy one of the three most popular Vitamix blenders:

Vitamix Professional Series 750 Blender. The newest blender from Vitamix offers self-cleaning technology and a 40 percent noise reduction over traditional in-home blenders. It comes with a seven year warranty for residential use. Color: Black/Silver. On sale at J.L. Hufford for $648.95 (Regular price: $749.00).

Vitamix 5200 Series Standard Blender. Create every course of your home-cooked meal -- from frozen beverages to creamy desserts -- in minutes. The Vitamix 5200 has a 64-ounce container that is ideal for family meals and entertaining. It comes with a cookbook featuring hundreds of tested recipes. The efficient 2 peak horsepower motor with radial cooling fan that is built to last a lifetime for home use. Color: Black. Buy it at Amazon for $452.97 (Regular price: $549.99).

Vitamix S30 Personal Blender. This streamlined machine gives you the professional performance of a Vitamix blender perfect for on-the-go food preparation or small kitchens. Don't let the compact size fool you-this blender can whip up everything from individual servings to small batches of soups and more. Use it to chop herbs and vegetables, too. Color: Ruby Red. Get it on sale at Williams-Sonoma for $399.95 (Regular price: $499.99).