This guest post is from our favorite ladies, Natalie and Holly, over at The Modern Proper. Their mission is to reinvent proper for the modern homemaker, one delicious meal at a time. Check out more of their delicious recipes here. 
I know I'm not the only one out there who sets really high New Year’s resolutions. In fact, I think most of us know we are just setting ourselves up for failure of some sort when we make those lofty goals. "I'll eat better, I'll work out more, I'll spend less time on my phone and more time on the ground with my kids!" Fast forward several months and we are now halfway through the year and my lack of progress is slapping me in the face. Ever trying to put a positive spin on things, I’m attempting to push those feelings of defeat aside and to instead think of this as a great time to reevaluate my resolutions. You know, pull up my boot straps and convince myself to finish the year strong? Yep, that's my plan. Because, just like I told myself in January, a healthier, more balanced me is truly one of the best ways I can love my family. One aspect of what it looks like for me to care for myself and my family is eating better. Eating better means, in part, getting those illusive veggies into my diet in the proper amounts amidst our hectic lives, and for that, green smoothies are my saving grace. I know what you're thinking, green smoothies aren't exactly a groundbreaking discovery. In fact, they are probably the most saturated food category in social media, BUT (of course there is a but) there can be no argument that they are a genius way of packing a lot of nutritional punch with very little effort. And, in the name of being a busy mom who often slips into bad habits and falls short of my high culinary goals, I feel like they're worth talking about.
The green smoothie, in it's million and one varieties, has cut the guilt, time and decision making out of my morning routine. If you're like me (and my kids) and aren't in the mood for a plate of roasted veggies or a hearty green salad for breakfast, or just simply don't have the time to commit to a proper lunch, this a great way to mask all that goodness your body craves in one quick, easy, and really tasty beverage. And I don't know about yours, but I know it's much easier to get my kids to drink something than it is to eat something, especially if that something is cold and sweet and maybe, once in awhile gets called a milkshake by yours truly (shhhh). If the green smoothie revolution is all new to you, then here are a few recipes to get you started in the right direction. If you're a veteran with leafy greens and a high speed blender then please, allow me share with you a few of my favorites. Incorporating these babies into your routine is fairly effortless and the payoffs are big; less guilt over poor choices, tons of vitamins to give you the energy you need, and minimal time invested start to finish. Did I mention less guilt? That's my favorite part.
Purple Berry Detox Smoothie serves 2 ½ cup red cabbage 2 cups kale 1 ripe banana 1 cup frozen blueberries ½ cup frozen blackberries 1 cup coconut water
Power Green Matcha Smoothie serves 2 2 kale leaves ribs removed or 1 ½ cups chopped kale 1 ½ cups frozen pineapple 2 tbsp almond butter 1 cup coconut water 1 frozen banana, sliced 1 tbsp (matcha optional)
Refreshing Lime and Coconut Smoothie serves 2 2 cups Spinach 4 inches of a cucumber, sliced ½ juiced lime (optional) 8 mint leaves 1 cup almond milk or coconut milk 2 cups frozen mango chunks
Method: Add all ingredients to a high speed blender and blend until smooth. If consistency is too thick, add more liquid.
