There’s an art to the green smoothie.  Really, there is.  Ask anyone who’s made a bad one and they’ll tell you…there’s an art to the green smoothie.

There are endless combinations — hundreds of different ways to mix and match your fruits and veggies.  I’m guessing there’s a smoothie for every mood, and then some!

The trick?  Proportions.

I’ve learned my proportions through trial and error.  I tend to use whatever’s on hand.  While we usually have a healthy stash of enough fruits and vegetables to feed an army, we have been known to run out.  And that means getting creative.  You’re almost guaranteed to have a kick-ass smoothie if you can balance your flavors, no matter your ingredients (typically your greens with your fruits).

I’ve had a green smoothie every morning for the last two or three months.  It’s ALWAYS the first thing I put into my body to ensure all of those blended nutrients are properly absorbed.  It’s something I crave…a life changing addition to my morning routine.  From the way my hair and finger nails grow, to the energy boost I have after consuming…this is a habit I will never let die.

Here are some ideas…

Smoothie Base (I start every smoothie with these ingredients):

• 1/2 apple
• 1 banana
• palm full of cilantro (stems and/or leaves)
• large handful of greens (kale, spinach, romaine, whatever!)
• 1 stalk (leaves, too, if you’d like)
• half lemon (if you have a good enough blender, go ahead and throw the whole bit in, otherwise just the juice)
• 1 cup liquid (water, coconut water, coconut milk, etc)
• As much ice as your heart desires

Smoothie Additions (I add small handfuls of these in random combinations to the above base):

• raspberries (I choose these in the frozen variety instead of ice)
• pineapple (one of my favorite additions!)
• mango (so…good…)
• oranges
• parsley (sub for cilantro, if you aren’t a fan)
• avocado (omit banana if you’re choosing this)
• grapes
• blueberries
• strawberries
• beets (they go a long way!!!!  really, you only need a very small amount)