It's Easy to Be Green: Healthy Recipes for Green Smoothies

Green smoothies seem to be everywhere these days, but buying a bottle a day can quickly add up! Give yourself a health boost at home with these easy smoothie recipes—from kale to spinach and more. You'll have a slimmer waist in no time—without the huge hole in your wallet.

Years ago, if you picked up a juice from the grocery, it likely was something fruity from a major manufacturer. Fast forward to 2013, where you'll find a plethora of designer bottles most likely for $8.99 a pop.

Premium juicing is no longer a fringe movement of superfoods in a bottle; drinking your greens has hit its stride. In 2012 juicing was a $5 billion business, projected to grow up to 8 percent a year, according to Barron's. Well-known premium brands like Odwalla and Naked Juices are backed by powerhouse parents (Coca-Cola and PepsiCo, respectively). And in October 2013, Starbucks opened a new $70 million juice facility in Rancho Cucamonga, California, set to sling their bottled Evolution juice line right alongside their mocha-frappa-everythings.

The USDA recommends 2-4 servings of fruit and 3-5 servings of vegetables daily, which can be challenging for some people. Like those who live in regions without easily accessible fresh produce. Or those who just really, really like burritos. But regardless which camp you belong to, green juices and smoothies are easy ways to funnel your daily allotment of greens into a single serving.