You have read the news articles and seen the news stories. You know that cooking from scratch is healthier and more affordable for your family. When you just got out of work and have to get home to pick up your children from soccer practice, it can seem impossible to even open a few jars or make a gourmet meal.

Making healthy and quick meals at home is possible, it’s just not as difficult as you might think. You can speed up the process with the right equipment. One blender, the Vitamix 5200 is powerful enough to liquefy entire fruits and vegetables including their seeds and peels in just seconds.

Vitamix 5200 userswww.vitamix.comYou can make your own smoothies, sauces and pestos in a matter of minutes. High-end blenders can be expensive, but they will eventually become worth it as families stop buying canned tomato sauce, peanut butter, and mayonnaise.

Family members should enjoy the fresh and seasonal produce available at farmer’s market. For dessert, try a whole-wheat pasta with Pesto sauce and a Peach Sorbet. You can make these recipes with a blender or food processor even if you don’t own a Vitamix.

Pesto Sauce

One pound pasta can be made with 1 1/2 cups.

1/2 cup olive oil

1/2 cup grated Parmesan Cheese

Three medium garlic cloves

2 cups fresh basil leaves

3 tablespoons pine nuts

Salt and pepper to your liking

All ingredients except salt and pepper should be placed in the Vitamix container. Secure the lid. Select Variable 1. The machine should be turned on and the speed increased to Variable 7. Blend for one minute. Use the tamper with the ingredients to push them into the blades.

Peach Sorbet

Three cups

3 fresh peaches, ripe, halved, pitted

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

3/4 cup sugar

4 cups of ice cubes

Put all the ingredients in the Vitamix according to the list. Secure the lid. Select Variable 1. Turn on the machine, and then increase the speed to Variable 10 before going to High. Blend for 30 seconds. You will hear the motor hum and you should hear four mounds. The machine should be stopped. Do not overmix. Otherwise, melting may occur. Serve immediately