Admittedly I've never been a great breakfast eater  – unless it's a "special occasion, big stack of pancakes" kind of breakfast. The guilt of ignoring the most important meal of the day for years has finally caught up with me, but I've found the perfect solution: an obsession with green smoothies.

It's the perfect way to start my day with a boost of nutrition. Getting in a serving or two of fruits and vegetables right off the bat makes me feel like I'm doing my body good. In addition to the health benefits of my chosen morning blend and the delicious taste, it's also a time saver for me. I'm able to whip a smoothie together in no time in my blender, pour a big glass, then easily clean up. I just add a drop or two of dish soap to the blender carafe with some warm water and whiz away. It's so easy!

I've got a great recipe for a Mean Green Smoothie recipe that I did on the current season of Kelsey's Essentials, but I also love picking up some inspiration for new blends by following @simplegreensmoothies on instagram. They post pictures, tips, and recipes almost every day to make any green smoothie addict swoon.

Kelsey Nixon shares her passion for the basics on Kelsey’s Essentials, a series showcasing tips, tools, & techniques that no home cook should be without. Kelsey got her start in food media when she created Kelsey’s Kitchen, a college cooking show emphasizing fast, fun and affordable meals. She earned her professional culinary arts degree from Le Cordon Bleu – Hollywood.  In 2008, she was a finalist on The Next Food Network Star. Kelsey lives in New York City with her husband Robby where she spends her days developing recipes and cooking up a storm. She has a cookbook scheduled to come out in 2013. Keep up with Kelsey on her blog and follow her on Facebook and Twitter.