With the germiest season upon us, it seems like a fitting occasion to introduce you to my favourite winter cocktail (for the daytime, at least): a healthy smoothie. A smoothie is my breakfast of choice for so many reasons, the most important one being that it just makes me feel really great! Here's one of my favourite recipes for warding off winter chills. Plus, I'll let you in on the best blender in the business to get the job done. Vitamin C Boost Smoothie Beta carotene-packed carrots take the nutrition and flavour spotlight in this smoothie. When paired with the zing of orange and the sweetness of mango, there's plenty of immune-boosting vitamin C to keep colds and flus at bay and enough fibre to keep you satisfied until your next meal. Bonus? Hemp seeds are a complete protein, meaning they contain all 20 amino acids. Makes 2 INGREDIENTS 1 cup frozen mango chunks 2 navel oranges, peel and pith removed, cut into chunks 1 ripe banana 1 cup fresh carrot juice 1 tbsp hulled hemp seeds Combine the ingredients in a blender and puree until smooth. Serve. For more smoothie recipes and ideas, visit aglassofgoodness.com. And the best tool of trade: It's got to be the  Vitamix Professional Series 750. With five pre-programmed settings to make everything from the smoothest smoothies to hot soups, not to mention dips and spreads, cold desserts, nut butters and whole food juices, the Vitamix really is a one-stop-shop kitchen appliance. It's the most powerful blender on the market and even has a cleaning cycle! Check out vitamix.com for more information and nearby retailers. Top photography, Ryan Brook/TC Media.