Blender Heaven.

Author's Rating:

Pros: Sleek design, sturdy, efficient.

Cons: Might be a bit pricy for some.

The Bottom Line: 
You will enjoy great, healthy shakes and smoothies with this beautiful, easy to use blender.

Author's Review
The Cuisinart Smart Power 7-Speed Blender is truly a fantastic blender. I have the Classic Chrome model (a bit more expensive (Listed $115, on-line $99.95) than the regular model ($79.95 on-line) but VERY attractive.

FEATURES

1. The blender offers 7-speeds (hence the name): stir, blend, chop, puree, liquify, mix and crush.

2. You can select "pulse" at any speed for greater control over contents' consistency.

3. You can crush ice without liquid in this powerful machine.

4. A 40 ounce glass blender jar with a wide-mouth and dripless spout for less mess.

5. A 2 ounce removable measured pour lid that lets you add ingredients while the blender is running.

6. A slide in locking mechanism, no need to twist (or forget to twist and wind up with a mess on your counter and blender buttons).

7. Flat, large easy to read buttons, no goo gets stuck between -- easier cleaning than older blenders.

8. Sharp, sturdy blades.

9. A 3-year limited warranty.

10. Hide-away space for the cord, if you don't keep it on the counter for day to day use (as I do).

11. Sleek, compact design.

Uses

I mostly use this blender for mixing cold drinks:

Milkshakes and Smoothies (usually with fresh fruit).

Pina Coladas, Daquiris, Frozen Margaritas etc.

Flavoured Lemonades (Juice of one or two lemons; ice; filtered water; berries passed first through a food mill to remove seeds, if you want; sweetener of your choice to taste and liquify in pulse mode for a couple of minutes).

Sauces:

Blender Hollandaise or Bernaise, for example.

Chops herbs.

Soups:

Blender gazpacho.

There are of course, many more uses and ideas found in the cookbook that comes with, but I mostly use if for breakfast drinks and frozen cocktails.

Overall

The Cuisinart Smart Power 7-Speed Blender is attractive, easy to use and clean, doesn't take up too much counter space, and works like a dream. It is so easy to add fruit to milkshakes and smoothies that this would be an ideal product for moms with kids who aren't eating enough fruit. It is great for people who like to entertain, and for those of us who like to start the day with a healthful breakfast but don't have the time or the inclination to eat a solid, sit-down meal.

The Italian design is so attractive (have I said that already?), in either model, that it will be welcome on most countertops and make a nice house-warming or shower gift for folks with modern taste (It might look a tad out of place in a rustic or traditional decor kitchen).