Jodi Mardesich works at the Ann Wigmore Institute, a living foods school in Puerto Rico. She was previously a staff writer for Fortune and the San-Jose Mercury News. Seven months ago, I wasn't even a vegetarian. I thought I'd skip most classes, but once I got here, I became morbidly fascinated with colon health, digestion, and the benefits of wheat grass, and I didn't miss a single class. At first I felt like utter crap-I had headaches daily, and I felt bitchy and exhausted. Detoxing, everyone at the institute called it. (They blame every unpleasant symptom on detoxing.) But about a week into my stay, I started to feel different. Energized. Mentally sharper. Happier. More serene. Lighter. (I lost 10 pounds in the first week and didn't really need to lose weight.) I slept less. I started waking at dawn and going to bed earlier than I would have left the house for a night of partying back home in New York. My eyes even started changing color. Not just the whites, which got whiter, but my irises changed, too-from very dark to a richer, reddish brown.

a handful of fresh spinachseveral strawberries⅓ ripe avocado4-5 raw macadamia nuts1½ tsp raw apple cider vinegar1 tsp raw agave nectarpinch of sea saltground black pepper to taste Clean and stem spinach; tear into bite-size pieces and throw in a bowl. Slice strawberries, cube avocado, and coarsely chop macadamia nuts. Add. Though macadamia nuts are ideal, Brazil nuts or cashews may be used as a substitute-because really, who besides me has raw macadamia nuts on hand.Drizzle salad mixture with vinegar and agave, add a pinch of salt (to bring out the sweetness) and toss.Dish onto a plate and garnish with fresh ground black pepper. Serve within an hour of preparing as the spinach will wilt.Serves 1 starter salad. Double the recipe for an entree, or multiply the above quantities by the number of guests. Enjoy!

Read 87 pages pf this 200-page book online for free...and those 87 pages include excellent recipes, with clear explanations for using new equipment (juicers, blenders, dehydrators, vitamixers, etc.).

Vitamix competitor... The Blendtec has some advantages in operational flexibility and features (such as a 3-hp engine vs 2-hp in the Vitamix), but a much shorter warranty period (and probably other disadvantageous I haven't yet researched)

Stock up on these listed items [tools, equipment, basic foods to have on hand]