It not only juices, it can make baby food, sorbets, nut butters, and even breadsticks and pasta.

Four Green Star juicer models have been introduced by Tribest Corp., a designer of small kitchen appliances for healthy lives, which can accomplish all of the above.

The Basic GS-1000 comes with everything needed to start juicing and food processing. The Complete GS-2000 adds a course screen, stainless-steel strainer and drip tray for different textures and juice clarity. The Deluxe GS-3000 includes a two-setting pasta maker set and a breadstick maker set. The Green Power Gold GP-E1503 features a third setting for pasta with a more classic body design.

All of the models include the following features:

— They can juice hard roots (carrots) and fibrous vegetables (celery) along with herbs, leafy greens, nuts and grains. Special pocket recesses aid with hard vegetables by creating a sharper edge at the start of the process. In addition, there are cutting points that allow for produce to be put through without jamming.

— Green Star Juice Extractors incorporate magnetic and bioceramic technology to create a more stable juice that can be refrigerated for several days.

— A quiet, 110-RPM heavy-duty, Twin Gear press system crushes and presses, helping to retain key nutrients.

— Nylon elements create a buffer between the two stainless steel gears. The nylon prevents stainless steel shavings from inadvertently entering the juice or pulp.

— Ejects pulp automatically. "A great deal of pressure is created inside the juicing chamber during the juicing process, which is released as pulp is ejected from the unit," said Jae Choi, president of Tribest Corp., thus extending the life of the machine.

— A special pressure adjustment mechanism allows you to alter the amount of pressure needed for each ingredient — heavy for carrots, light for parsley — without having to stop the juicing process, allowing you to add whatever you like in one session.

Retail prices range from $499 to $599. For more information, call 888-254-7336 or visit www.tribest.com.

SEASON AWAY

"Please, pass the salt" takes on a whole new meaning with these selections from Trudeau Corp., a leading supplier of kitchenware and tabletop accessories.

Across the country, specialty salts are hot. Professional chefs use them all the time to add that special flavor to that unique dish.

Trudeau allows you to take them home in order to put that perfect finishing touch on your own dishes. All of the specialty salt products are designed for pinching and come with ceramic bowls. Sea salt is best kept in a bowl exposed to open air, which makes it less apt to form clumps.

Here's a look at some of the sumptuous selections:

Nine specialty salts in pinch bowls:

— Mediterranean Salad Salt: Looks green and includes salt, black peppercorn, mint, garlic, lemon peel and parsley.

— Cyprus Flake Mediterranean Sea Salt: Very mild, both in flavor and texture, so a safe, tasty choice for all of your favorites.

— Salish Alderwood Smoked Sea Salt: Cold smoked over Northwest Red Alder for 48 hours to deliver a deep, clean, smoke flavor.

— Apricot Sea Salt: A beautiful color to add to decorations.

— Alaea Hawaiian Sea Salt: Mellow, smooth and pink, this salt comes from red bake volcanic clay (alaea).

— French Sea Salt: Seems many chefs consider this the top sea salt.

— Onion Garlic Salt: Bring on those Italian dishes and go for it.

— Bolivian Rose Salt: As with the Apricot, perfect for decoration.

— Rosemary Tomato Salt: Here you get coarse salt, rosemary, dry tomato flakes and minced garlic. Use as a topper for pizza, or to jazz up a little oil and vinegar for salad.

Six specialty salts:

These salts handsomely hang in glass tubes with sealed caps on a chrome rack. Along with two pinch bowls you receive Mediterranean White Sea Salt, New Zealand Natural Salt, Sel Gris, Kala Namak Salt, Alaea Salt and Salish Smoked Sea Salt.

Two salts and bowls:

Featured in two glass tubes with cork tops are two salts — Alaea Salt and Cyprus Salt. Two ceramic pinch bowls are also included.

For selections, prices retail from $25 to $30. For more information, call 888-887-8332 or visit www.trudeaucorp.com.

Maggie Reed may be reach at trocar2000@hotmail.com. To find out more about Maggie Reed and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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