Wow. Did January whizzed by, or what? For me it was a blur of business launch and birthday cake, with lofty goals of building both simplicity and yoga into my life. I have, as it happens, done yoga *three* times since I set that goal, and have tried my best to limit my camera clicks to around 50 per post (that mung bean and coconut curry I posted a couple of weeks ago, though, had nearly 300. But to be fair, it was shot in November).
In Vancouver, where I grew up, the first early hope of spring often appeared in February. Way up north here in Stockholm, however, it’s dumping snow right now. I find the snow equal parts charming and annoying, especially since I like to commute on my bike, but I can assure you that the husband, who is in the throes of marathon training, sees no charm in the situation whatsoever.
We started January with a clean and green smoothie, so I thought we’d kick off February in a similar style but this time with mega sunshine up in it. Folks, meet the Mango Turmeric Sunshine Smoothie.
Frozen chunks of mango get busy with terrific turmeric to bring you a blast of winter sunshine. Of course you can’t tell that even one bit because I can’t leave well enough alone in the smoothie department and insisted on shoving handful after handful of green things into my blender, which totally disguises the sunny look. But I assure you, one taste will transport you to the tropics, so just sip it with your eyes closed and pretend you’re drinking a bright orange drink while sitting under a gently swaying palm tree.
I’ve also added some carrot and cucumber here because mo veggies mo better (<-- like mo money mo problems, but in a good way), right? And since I don’t want ginger to have FOMO, in that goes too. A couple of tablespoons of hemp hearts boosts the protein content way up, and cashew milk makes everything dreamy creamy. Try it, I think you’ll like it!
Turmeric is terrific! This golden hued root has been on trend lately, and with good reason. Turmeric comes from the root of the Curcuma longa plant, with tough brown skin and bright orange flesh. This bright pigment is what gives most curries their distinctive yellow colour. Curcumin, the ingredient in turmeric that is responsible for its golden colour, is thought to be the primary pharmacological agent in turmeric, and has important antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and healing properties. The anti-inflammatory effects have been shown to be comparable to the many pharmaceutical anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, without any noted side effects. But it's health benefits don't end there. Curcumin protects the liver form toxins and congestion, lowers cholesterol, reduces menstrual pain, helps with flatulence, and rheumatoid arthritis. Some studies are being conducted on the effectiveness of curcumin in the treatment of cystic fibrosis, as well as the prevention and treatment of several different types of cancer, including breast, prostate, and colon cancer, and childhood leukaemia. Turmeric is an excellent source of both iron and manganese. It is also a good source of vitamin B6, dietary fiber, and potassium.
One year ago: Five Minute Feel Better Coconut Curry Soup
mango turmeric sunshine smoothie
Ingredients
- 1 cup frozen mango chunks
- 2 cups baby spinach leaves
- 1 cup cucumber slices
- 1 small carrot
- 1 inch knob of fresh ginger
- 1 inch knob of fresh turmeric
- 2 tablespoon hemp hearts
- 1.5 cups cashew milk or other milk of choice
Instructions
- Place all of the ingredients into the jar of a blender.
- Blend until smooth.
- Drink immediately.
Notes
Suzanne
I am so excited to have stumbled on to your Blog! I have now Bookmarked it!! 🙂
While I am not hopeless, I definitely have some troubles in the Kitchen. For example, I recently managed to burn Spaghetti sauce that I was 'simply' reheating. In my defense, it was only the second time I had used the stove and pans in our new house, albeit 3 months after living here... 😛
I am off to the store for the few missing ingredients for both the Mung Bean and Coconut Curry, and this Smoothie!
Thank you,
Suzanne
Katie Trant
Good luck with the recipes!
Dee
Can you give the nutrional fact of the smoothie
Katie Trant
Hi Dee, I don't provide nutrition info for my recipes for a variety of reasons, but if you need the breakdown there are some really great resources online. For example if you use My Fitness Pal, you can paste the URL of the recipe into their program and it will provide you with the information you're looking for!
Jenny @ BAKE
I have been seeing tumeric around my local stores all winter but I've never really known what to do with it! I will have to try this amazing smoothie next week!
Katie Trant
I really love it in smoothies. It's pungent, but has a really nice kick to it. Give it a try!
Linda @ Veganosity
What a healthful combination! I always put ginger, spinach, carrots, and hemp hearts in my smoothies, now I'm going to start adding turmeric. Thanks for linking to the definition of "FOMO," I had no idea what that meant - haha!
Katie Trant
I love turmeric in my smoothies! It adds a bit of punch, but I've got a feeling you'll like it.
Emma
Love mango! This looks like such a great way to wake up. I would like to use more fresh turmeric, but I never know where to put it... smoothies look like a good start!
Katie Trant
I buy it whenever I can find it and keep it in the freezer. It lasts ages that way, and I just throw frozen chunks right into my blender. Give it a try!
Jess
Gosh - I have GOT to use more tumeric. We have it in abudance here, and I can't believe how much good stuff it has going on - thanks for the great idea, Katie!
Katie Trant
Yeah, you're in the land of fresh turmeric! Soak it up while you can 🙂
Deena kakaya
Your recent posts are so full of promise, I love it!
turmeric; what a Superb addition and so balanced in its potential bitterness. X
Katie Trant
I love fresh turmeric in my smoothies! And yes, the fruit really balances any bitterness.