The Vitamix is a god send. EricS can tell you how it whipped up his breakfast when visiting us in no time flat plus how easily it let me eat the exact same dinner my wife prepared even though I had to put it through a feeding tube.
With a doctor's note, you can get a medical discount on a refurbished Vitamix directly from the company.
It's pricey but I've had my refurbished one for over three years and it works like a brand new one (you still get a brand new, not used blender container). The blenderized diet forums all agree that it's the very best one.
Charm