Wellness trend for 2014: Gold. Calling it now.
While everyone is sipping on green smoothies today (and cheers to that) I just blended up a different sort of smoothie to start this new year. My Golden Wellness Smoothie is a mellow, spiced, sweet citrus blend. A new fave recipe I hope you try! Lets share a golden smoothie toast to start a healthy, happy 2014..
Green was very in last year. Green juice. Green smoothies and more. And yes, green will always be "in" because leafy greens are rich in nutrients and wellness-infused properties. Kale, spinach, chard, arugula, broccoli, celery and more are all superfoods last year and this year. But I have a new trend for 2014, a prediction, lets start it going right now!..
GOLD. Golden wellness flavors and colors for this new year.
Golden carrots rich in vitamin A.
Golden oranges rich in vitamin C, potassium, folate and fiber.
Golden pineapple rich in bromelain, fiber and vitamin C.
Golden sweet potatoes rich in vitamins A and C, fiber and potassium.
And my new favorite gold of mine.. the spice turmeric. Also the secret wellness ingredient in today's smoothie recipe. I have been using turmeric a lot lately in savory dishes and now my smoothies and even hot beverages. Today's sweet and delicious citrus smoothie has healthy turmeric infused in each frosty golden sip.
And if you have any hesitation about a turmeric-filled smoothie, just give it a try! The sweetness and spices balance out the savory turmeric flavor in a unique and cravable way. This is one of my favorite new smoothie recipes and I hope you love it too.
Turmeric contains manganese, iron and vitamin B6 - and more. How much? Well, one tablespoon of turmeric has 16% RDA or iron, which is pretty good but I am more interested in the off-label properties of turmeric. Much of the wellness benefit to turmeric, for me, is the healing and anti inflammatory properties - variables that do not come up on a nutrient label.
Healing turmeric via ABC News: "Turmeric has been used for centuries to treat wounds, infections and other ailments. It's long been believed that curcumin -- the main ingredient in turmeric -- is responsible for its healing power, but it hasn't been known how curcumin works inside the body, explained researcher Ayyalusamy Ramamoorthy and colleagues. They used solid-state NMR spectroscopy to examine molecules of curcumin and found that they act like a "biochemical disciplinarian." The molecules insert themselves into cell membranes and make the membranes more stable and orderly in a way that boosts cells' resistance to infection by disease-causing microbes."
And this: 25 Reasons Why Turmeric Can Heal You - MindBodyGreen.
Cheers to a year filled with dreams, goals, love and light. Stop wondering what 2014 will bring to you and start dreaming about what you want to bring to it. Write down your wishes, keep them in a place you see them everyday, and who knows, they just may come true.
Golden New Year Smoothie
1 serving
1 large orange, frozen*
1 cup almond milk, vanilla (homemade)
1 banana, fresh or frozen**
½ teaspoon maple or agave syrup (optional)
1 teaspoon turmeric powder***
a few pinches of cinnamon
a pinch of cayenne
Directions: Blend from low to high until smooth and frosty. A high-speed blender is needed to obtain a smooth blend with the fibrous orange. Adjust flavor: Add in more turmeric for a brighter yellow blend. Add in more banana, maple or agave syrup if you want things sweeter. If you do not have a high speed blender, you can substitute the whole orange with ⅓ cup orange juice and a handful or ice - but the texture will be thinned.
Notes:
* You will need to freeze your orange ahead of time. I peel a bunch of very ripe and juicy oranges, quarter into large segments and freeze. Then I add them to citrus smoothies for some sweet frosty flavor - WITH the fiber - unlike straight up orange juice would provide.
** For a thicker, frostier shake-like blend use a frozen banana, for a thinner blend, use fresh. Just make sure it is very ripe! Smoothies need very ripe bananas, an under ripe banana can ruin a smoothie.
*** Build up to adding even more turmeric per smoothie! Start with ¾-1 teaspoon if you are new to the flavor. Then try one full teaspoon, then eventually two if you'd like!
Want 365 of vegan smoothies in 2014? Grab my book over at Amazon
Joanna Strycharz says
Second time that I've tried this recipe and it's amazing! My husband and I have it for breakfast because it's so refreshing.
Amanda says
Tried this recipe today, and it was absolutely delicious! I added some chia seeds and used a combination of almond and coconut milk. I already can't wait to make this again 🙂 Thank you for this!
Sheila Fretwell says
Love this smoothie. Instead of the turmeric powder I use a chunk of peeled turmeric root.
Sierra says
Thank you so much for this recipe! I bought turmeric for the first time just for this recipe and I am hooked! Such wonderful and refreshing flavors! I am excited to make this again tomorrow. One thing I would like to ask is if it makes your tongue tingle a bit? It did mine, it didn't bother me at all but I did notice a tingling sensation.
Cynthia says
Oh, also I did use the maple syrup. I usually skip sweeteners, but I knew the spice would be a little too much for me without one.
Cynthia says
I LOVE this flavor combination & the texture is perfect. It took me a couple sips to "get it," but then, I went head over heels. In fact, I just put another orange in the freezer. 😉 I didn't have time to make homemade almond milk, but it was still a glass of heaven. =) It also felt great after it.
Kimmy says
I made this for breakfast this morning and it was FANFREAKINGTASTIC! Yum =)
Kristin Mallory says
I didn't really care for it...but I think it has potential. I did go all in on the turmeric...I was different, but doable. I think it was the orange, too pulpy. May try again with orange juice.
Emily says
I'm drinking this right now and it is AWESOME! (That being said listen to the nice lady about working up to more turmeric. We went all in first time and it's a bit much if you're not ready for it.)
Kimmy says
Wow this smoothie sounds looks and sounds super delicious. I love my green smoothie and all, but a gal's gotta switch it up sometimes!
Grace says
I add turmeric to almost everything I cook, I am going to try this golden smoothie!
Colleen Gonzalez says
What's in here that's making the sodium content so high? Is it the almond milk?
Kaylee @ Lemons and Basil says
With all the holiday parties, get togethers, and dinners, my body is CRAVING the fruits and veggies it is accustom to! Looking for some great smoothies to get me back and track and this one looks amazing! Thank you for sharing!
My Dish is Bomb says
I've added a punch of turmeric once or twice in smoothies and I love how it gives the smoothie a more intense taste. I bet this taste awesome and I'm totally mesmerized by the colour!
More About Lasik says
Looks like deliciousness!
cassattack says
Love this but hate bananas - any tips for a substitute?
What should I eat for breakfas says
I love the name 🙂
Nomad is Beautiful says
Amazing! Thank you for the recipe! We are currently in Chiang Mai, northern Thailand, where we discovered turmeric and we just love it! Will try this recipe 🙂
Many tasty recipes in 2014, Kathy!
Meagan Joustra says
Sipping this right now and it's super tasty 🙂
Holly Bing says
What can be used instead of an orange? My stomach is sensitive to oranges.
myfabfitforties says
This looks super good. Turmeric is so good for us, I'm glad to see this recipe incorporates it. I'm definitely bookmarking & sharing this one!
Maitri Fischer says
yum yum, this reminds me of 'jamu' from home (Indonesia). We usually use fresh tumeric - but I know how hard that is to get anywhere else than South East Asia. Thanks for this delicious looking thing!
John Hartil says
Just what's needed after the last few weeks of over indulging!
Shanae says
This looks great! I'm definitely going to give it a try.
Is your book available for Nook users?
Heather McClees says
What a beautiful smoothie Kathy!!:) HAPPY 2014 to you! I use turmeric in everything these days too. Mostly teas, smoothies and even cooked oats with cinnamon and ginger, which is surprisingly good:) Have a wonderful new start to the new year. I know it's going to be awesome for you!:)