Orange Turmeric Crush.

{This post is sponsored by Florida’s Natural, I used their not-from-concentrate orange juice in this quick and healthy smoothie!}

Currently, I am on a major turmeric kick…well, along with my brunch kick.

I think a lot of the world is on a turmeric kick. It seems to be a very trendy ingredient right now. And with good reason. Turmeric is incredibly healthy for us.

As for my brunch kick, well, I’ve just really been into healthy winter breakfast and brunch recipes lately. Say hello to these banana pancakes and these colorful antioxidant packed smoothies! I’ve got to say, just looking at those smoothies makes me smile, they’re so full of color and brightness. Winter blues be gone! Or well, that’s if you have the winter blues. I am still very much enjoying the snow, and even the shorter days. There’s something so cozy about the winter months.

But staying on topic here, this orange turmeric smoothie…we’re now more than halfway through Healthy January and I’m still loving each and every recipe I have posted. This drink is no exception. It’s sweet, loaded with citrus, and packed full of so many good things that will keep you energized and full right through until lunch time. Yes, please!

I am really excited to announce my partnership with Florida’s Natural. It has always been my go-to orange juice because it’s made from one simple ingredient…FLORIDA ORANGES. No water, sugar or preservatives are added. <–amazing, right?!

To me, this is the best news ever. Orange juice should be just that, orange juice, and nothing else. I am all about eating foods in their simplest form, especially when it comes to fruit, and that’s what you get with not-from-concentrate Florida’s Natural^® Brand Orange Juice. So you can see why I am excited to be partnering with them!

A couple more fun facts about Florida’s Natural:

…their orange juice comes from pure Florida oranges. There are no artificial flavors or ingredients. All of their products are made entirely in Florida, using the citrus that their growers produce. Love this!

…they don’t mess with their growers’ oranges . To make the juice, they simply squeeze the oranges, flash-pasteurize it, and pour it into cartons that ensure a straight-from-the-grove taste. COOL!

Plus, my partnership with Florida’s Natural means that I’m now a member of the Florida’s Natural Brunch Club, which brings together bloggers of all different backgrounds to share our love of all things breakfast and brunch. I’ll be bringing you guys some of my favorite brunch recipes over the next few months.

Which brings me back to this superfood-packed smoothie. All month long I have been upping my weekend brunch game. Meaning, my Saturday and Sunday mornings have been spent making pancakes, waffles, french toast, eggs, bacon, pretty much every yummy brunch item out there. I realized recently, that while my meals were all pretty solid, I needed a good citrus-based smoothie to serve alongside my overeasy eggs, toast and fresh fruit.

Since my pantry is stocked with orange juice and turmeric, I knew I wanted those two ingredients included in my smoothie. From there, I just kind of threw some of my favorite things into a blender and hoped for the best. The recipe needed a few tweaks, but the smoothie you see today is my favorite. Again, the color has me hooked, but the sweet, warm and cozy flavors are what I really love most about this recipe.

Let’s run through the ingredients…

…orange juice

…coconut water

…dates

…carrot

…mango

…turmeric

…maca powder

…vanilla

Basically all my favorite things. The dates add sweetness, while the mango pairs well with the turmeric, which we all know is a nutrition powerhouse. Turmeric is a major cancer fighter, along with loads of other benefits. Studies have shown curcumin, one of turmeric’s healing compounds, to be a better anti-inflammatory choice than aspirin or ibuprofen. Curcumin also dramatically increases the antioxidant capacity of the body, AND…it can be used as an anti-depressant.

If you are new to maca powder, it is a superfood full of protein, fibers, vitamins + minerals. It helps to balance hormones, increase fertility, balance mood swings and increase energy. See? Powerhouse ingredient. I order mine on Amazon, but it can also be purchased at Whole Foods or other health food stores. If you don’t feel like buying it (I get it, it’s yet another ingredient), it’s totally optional, so feel free to leave it out.

This smoothie is great for on-the-go snacking, a quick breakfast before work or school, or the perfect beverage to serve at your next brunch!

I have major plans to make it this weekend for a little breakfast in bed action. Already way too excited about it!! Who’s with me?!

That color though. For real. I love it! 🙂

{This post is sponsored by Florida’s Natural. Thank you for supporting the brands that keep Half Baked Harvest cooking!! }