A couple of days ago, I was solo with the heathen children for dinner. I was running late with work and deadlines and needed something quick to make the kids for dinner. I didn’t have any meat thawed and we already had my go to chicken tacos twice that week.

What’s a frantic mom to do?

Hot dogs and green smoothies-that’s what. It’s one of my favorite back up meals and the kids love it too. Every time I go to Costco, I buy a giant pack of Teton Waters Ranch hot dogs or Polish sausages for nights just like those. Being the huge fan of my blender and making anything possible in it, our natural side for a hot dog meal is a green smoothie.

Did I blow our mind with having a smoothie as a dinner side dish? You’re totally allowed to do that.

Costco (obviously I love and can’t get enough of that place) sells a giant bag of frozen cut up organic mangoes, so I always have one in the freezer.

This is a simple recipe with just a five basic ingredients. It s full of greens and flavor.

If you want your green smoothie to be a protein shake, add a scoop or two of Vital Proteins Beef Collagen. It doesn’t alter the flavor and you will get a boost of extra protein. If that’s not your thing, soak two or three tablespoons of chia seeds in a half cup (or so) of water while you prepare the smoothie, then dump them in the blender and pulse a few times. It’s like a pudding.