Behind the scenes of Simple Green Smoothies

It all started with a plan and 2 cups of spinach… I went from feeling like I’d never catch a break and making decisions out of fear to now living my dreams out loud, and I’d like to share with you how I did it.

When I first started drinking green smoothies, it was the hardest time in my life. No joke. I was struggling with my health, with money and with where I was in life (I gained over 25 pounds because I wasn’t feeling good about myself and felt the comfort food I ate was the only thing I had control of). I would eat to feel good, then I’d feel like crap.

I’m a planner. And a slight control freak. I’ve been known to throw kid-like temper tantrums when things don’t go according to plan. But life put me in the passenger seat when all the plans I had laid out for my life did a 180 turn.

The American Dream: go to college, get married, buy a house, have a baby, and be happy–– I wanted this life so bad. But this life that I so desperately wanted was slipping through my fingertips.

In one year, I went from living the good life as a new mom on Kauai to losing my first home, closing my brick and mortar business, and desperately trying to get a college degree.

I was forced to let go. I was forced to make choices.

And it wasn’t easy. I decided to take control of my health and I jumped on the green smoothie bandwagon. For some reason that tiny daily habit gave me so much energy and zest for life. I almost didn’t recognize myself. I lost 27 pounds in less than three months, gained more energy and nourished my family with leafy greens (my husband and daughter haven't been sick in three years!)–– all while making a difference in other people’s lives too.

Here’s the embarrassing part…

I was broke (and I mean b-r-o-k-e) while I was fueling my body with the green stuff.

It all started on New Years Day, 2012. My husband and I spent that day, trying to envision a life we love, while listening to Tony Robbins “Awaken the Giant Within” and tearing out magazine images for our vision board. We both laughed and cried as we tried to answer the question: “If we could have anything in the world, what would it be?” Almost an impossible question for a young mom living paycheck to paycheck, borrowing money from friends, and with no college degree to fall back on.

But we dreamed anyways, and at that moment I decided to give myself permission to say yes to myself and a life of freedom. Freedom to choose what I did, who I served and how I worked.

I knew what I wanted – freedom, but I didn’t know how to get it.

Green smoothies gave me the energy I needed to pursue my passions. And along the way, green smoothies became my passion and the message I had to share with the world.

Drinking green smoothies excited me. No one in our family was getting sick, and everyone wanted to know more about what I was drinking. I introduced green smoothies to my friend, Jen Hansard, and she got hooked. We then started sharing our new crazy addiction to green smoothies with loved ones and friends, and unexpectedly our passion for health, happiness and energy, turned into a website and a full-time business. We’ve changed the lives of nearly 1 million people through our 30-Day Green Smoothie Challenge.

Testimonials like this still make me so happy and teary-eyed:

“I just want to say how much doing the green smoothie challenge changed my whole way of eating. Since the last smoothie challenge, there have probably only been 3 or 4 days that we did not have a green smoothie! When we don't have one, we really miss it. My husband is legally blind, and he has even learned to make the green smoothies. Today he made me spinach, frozen pineapple, cherries, banana and hemp hearts! If he can do it, anyone can do this. We are also thankful because it makes us make better choices of what we eat throughout the rest of the day.” – Nancy

“Just over 2 months ago my doctor told me my potassium was low. Because of my age it is important to keep your potassium level where it should be as it helps regular the electrical impulses of your heart. I tried the recommended meds and it hurt my stomach. Sooo I did some research and found that spinach, kale, pineapple, bananas, etc., are loaded with natural potassium. I began the green drinks, stopped the meds after only using for 3 days, and just saw my doctor on Friday, had blood drawn on the previous Monday, and OMG my potassium level is normal. I am addicted, I love the taste of all I have made, can't begin my day without my green drink. Thank you Simple Green ladies, natural is always better!” – Marjorie C.

“Hey there I just wanted to tell you guys how much I love Simple Green Smoothies. Before I stumbled upon your page I would make the occasional green smoothie but wouldn't really enjoy it because I didn't really know how to make a good one. Since finding your page and using your recipes, I'm totally addicted! I make one everyday! All of your recipes are so delicious and I love how they make me feel. I've been a chronic fatigue sufferer for over a year and green smoothies have helped me to heal and start regaining energy. So thanks.”- Nicolette

I really pinch myself every day

In the first 15 months of starting our website, Simple Green Smoothies, we’ve had over 8 million website page views, 270,000 Instagram followers, 160,000 Facebook fans, and 200,000 email subscribers join our rawkstar community. Simple Green Smoothies has become a full-time business for me, and my husband was able to quit his job and pursue his dreams as a musician and actor. But what I do is not about money–– it’s about changing lives. It’s also about faith, my family, my friends and serving others. The heart of my message is to do it in the most real and honest way that feels good to me while making a difference in the world.

That shifted everything. I now live life on my terms, surrounded by an amazing community of friends, spend quality time with our daughter, travel often, and have built a business where I have the freedom to choose what I do, who I serve and how I work. And I want this for you too.

Through my experience, I’ve learned to believe in all of this…

• When I say my dreams out loud, they come true
• When I take imperfect action, I see big results
• When I choose to guard both my time and my relationships, I feel more grounded
• Every time I fail, it’s a building block to something greater and better
• My best business collaborations come from choosing to work with people I want to vacation with
• The more I follow my dreams, the more confident I become in standing up for myself
• Sometimes I have to turn off the noise, be still and really listen to my heart
• Staying connected with my community has given me the strength to change the world

I hustle with heart…

…every single day because I really want to help you. I want you to know you’re not alone. I want you to know that life is not always easy, but it doesn’t have to be your forever story. Things can change. But change starts with you first. You have to be ready to say yes to yourself, yes to your health and yes to your dreams.

So if you're looking for mentorship (someone who's been where you want to go) to help you take your business and dreams to the next level, check out my 3-Month Mentorship Lab where I work with a small group of dedicated entrepreneurs.

If you’d like to get a taste of the green drink I’m sipping on, that literally changed my body, my business, and my lifestyle, join the green smoothie movement. You’ll meet our green smoothie lovin’ tribe and get hooked on drinking 2 cups of spinach too!