If you still think of the blender as an appliance reserved for making smoothies, that just means you haven't tried the right one yet. A high-powered blender can help you prep quick and healthy recipes from breakfast through dinner-including dessert, cocktail hour, and every delicious bite and sip in between.

Healthy Breakfast

Start your day off on a healthy note with a slurpable smoothie packed with fruit, greens, herbs, spices, and more-the sky's the limit when it comes to creative mix-ins. Blend up an ever-popular Triple Berry or All Green Smoothie smoothie, or mix it up with fresh flavor combos like Cherry, Pistachio, Cardamom Kombucha or Coconut Goji Berry.

In just a few minutes, you can make your own non-dairy milks to use as a smoothie base, add to your coffee, or stir into baked goods and soups. You can also blend up your own homemade nut butters like Almond and Classic Peanut Butter in 60 seconds flat and then use the warm, fragrant spread to top toast or apple slices.

Lunch

It's easy to make healthy, seasonal lunches to have at home or tote to work using a high-powered blender as a tool. Whip up easy, classic comfort food soup recipes like Broccoli Cheese or Japanese Miso-Shiitake Soup from the kitchens of inspiring chefs.

Try fresh and flavorful side dishes including grain salads, slaws, healthier "fries" and salads, and find delicious dressings to drizzle them with, too.

Healthy Snacks

Snackers young and old will be impressed with the variety of scrumptious sweet and savory dishes that a high-powered blender can create. Blend together cookie dough for spiced Gingersnaps, batter for cakes and other baked goods including Gluten-Free Brownies, or freeze a batch of homemade ice cream or frozen treats like S'mores Popsicles.

There are also dozens of delicious savory blender recipes for dips and spreads, including an easy salsa recipe for every occasion and level of spiciness (a few favorites include Classic California Salsa, Tropical Avocado, Tomatillo and Crunchy Apple).

Easy Dinner Recipes

Kick off a dinner party-or make a regular weeknight feel special-with tasty appetizers like Crab Cakes with Chili Dipping Sauce and a vibrant Pomarita Cocktail. For entrees, use your high-powered blender to make everything from casual pizza and empanada recipes to elegant risotto and pasta dishes.

Dessert

End your night on a sweet note with creative cakes and other baked goods including easy recipes for better-for-you versions of Carrot Cake and Vegan Truffles. And don't forget to put your blender to use during the busy holiday season to make impressive desserts like Pumpkin Pie, Eggnog Cheesecake and Sweet Potato Pie that come together easily and are sure to delight.

The best blenders are multi-functional appliances that help you create a variety of meals throughout the day. This keeps your menus interesting, and also helps you get the most out of your investment.