I kept seeing people in the blogs/newsletters I follow using a Vitamix and it just seemedto work so well. It took over a year, but after signing up for the Lifeisnoyoke email series, I was convinced to take the plunge. I have used this appliance at least once every day since it arrived. Love that I can have fresh, hot soup and queso in five (5) minutes from a blender. I am also able to hide greens in smoothies and whole food juices without a trace. It is very powerful and LOUD, my husband describes it as 'a blender with a small block V8 engine.' :)