We put a whole lot of time, thought, and effort into our frequent green smoothie binges: shopping for superfoods, stuffing the Vitamix, doling out giant jars of green stuff to team members through out the office…sometimes making smoothies feels like a full-time job! For Jen and Jadah, founders of the wellness site Simple Green Smoothies, this whole blending biz actually is a full-time job. These two have the whole spinach-laced smoothie game on lock and we’ve asked this energetic duo everything you could possibly want to know about whipping up The Perfect Green Smoothie at home. Smoothie newbies, take note!

THE CHALKBOARD MAG: What’s the easiest green smoothie of all time?
Jadah: Beginner’s Luck all day, everyday! It’s our signature recipe because it’s kid-tested and mom-approved. Make a family style batch by adding these ingredients to your blender: 2 cups spinach, 2 cups water, 1 cup mango, 1 cup pineapple and 1-2 bananas. Yum!
Jen: I like to keep things simple and affordable — and this easy recipe does both. All you gotta do is blend 2 cups spinach, 5 oranges and 2 frozen bananas together for a refreshing citrus green smoothie.

TCM: Your fave smoothie superfood:
Jadah + Jen: Hands down, chia seeds are our favorite. We use a few tablespoons of these mighty seeds almost every day to boost our smoothies with omega-3s and protein. Ch-ch-ch-chia!

TCM: Tips for green smoothie newbies…
JADAH: Say adios to leafy chunks by blending your green smoothie in two steps. First, blend your leafy greens and liquid together until you get a juice-like consistency. Then add in the fruit and blend again.
JEN: Also, don’t be afraid to add lots of fruit to your green smoothies — it takes time for your taste buds to fall in love with the taste of leafy greens. We suggest using 60% fruit and 40% greens to start, which will pretty much guarantee you’ll fall in love at first sip. If you commit to drinking one green smoothie a day, eventually you’ll begin to crave more of the greens and be able to cut back on the fruits.

TCM: Favorite green powder:
Jadah + Jen: We don’t often use green powders — We really prefer to pack in as many fresh leafy greens as possible. Yet we’ve found one green powder that we do like because it doesn’t have any added sweeteners or fillers, it’s just pure organic superfoods and powdered greens. It’s called Mega Nutrition Organic Superfood.

TCM: Favorite leafy green for green smoothies:
Jadah: Spinach is my go-to. I always buy a big bag and throw it in the freezer so I don’t have to deal with wasted, wilted greens.
Jen: Chard has really grown on me this past year. It’s mild, yet has a sweet undertone. I love it in smoothies! My husband and I grew rows of chard in our garden this spring. It’s hard not to fall in love with anything that you’ve planted and cared for.

TCM: When I’m not drinking a green smoothie, I’m…
Jadah: Drinking a chai tea latte. Oprah Chai is my jam right now!
Jen: Sipping on an Americano from my lil’ Italian espresso machine. I love coffee just as much as I love green smoothies.

TCM: My food philosophy in one sentence:
Jadah + Jen: Focus on eating better, not eating less.

TCM: Fave thing to pair with a smoothie:
Jadah + Jen: Oh, def a mason jar. Green smoothies are even more amazing when you drink them from a mason jar. #rawkstarfact

TCM: Best green smoothie tool:
Jadah: I love my Blendtec. It whispers digital sweet nothings to me everyday.
Jen: My Vitamix blender. I fell in love with the first creamy blend.

TCM: Have any smoothie “cookbooks” you love?
Jadah: Confession: My husband does most of the cooking in our house.
Jen: I’m diggin’ Tess Master’s Blender Girl — there’s some really adventurous recipes in it.

TCM: Weirdest thing you’ve ever put in a smoothie:
Jadah: I’ve tried to add bell peppers a few times, and that’s always a green smoothie fail for me.
Jen: Dried fennel seeds was a weird one. I def don’t recommend it! The texture and flavor was so intense that I wasn’t able to drink it all— it was making me nauseous. (Now, I do like blending up fresh fennel, that’s a hands-down winner!)

TCM: 5 things always on hand for smoothies:
Jadah + Jen: spinach, bananas, chia seeds, frozen pineapple, avocado

TCM: Green smoothie most easily mistaken for dessert:
Jadah: Almond Butter & Jelly––it’s actually too sweet for me. Best to only drink half a serving with the more decadent green smoothies.
Jen: They all are amazing for dessert!

TCM: Favorite smoothie recipe of all time?
Jadah + Jen: Oh, there are so many amazing ones! Yet we’d have to say the smoothie that we both crave and make the most is a personal rendition of Beginner’s Luck. Spinach, pineapple, mango, bananas and water — we like to add an extra cup of spinach and just one banana though.

                               Join us next week for a green juice x green smoothie Pinterest contest with Simple Green
Smoothies like no other! Details will be live on Monday…