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Jazz up your green smoothie with blood oranges! This Blood Orange Smoothie is the perfect way to utilize those immune-boosting oranges this winter season. Plus, this green smoothie tastes good!
Are blood oranges better for you?
You might be thinking, "Gina, can't I just use a regular orange for this recipe?" Well, you can if you like. But let briefly explain the difference between a regular orange and a blood orange.
Both oranges are high in vitamin C (which helps your immune system), but blood oranges are unique in that
- it's typically only available during the winter months and
- it offers a unique benefit known as anthocyanins.
Anthocyanins are a type of flavonoid with antioxidant effects, aka it fights free radicals. This natural chemical is where blood oranges get their red color. Anthocyanins have anti-inflammatory properties, as well.
To read more about blood oranges, check out 17 Benefits of Blood Oranges That You Didn't Know.
Other Tasty Blood Orange Smoothie Ingredients
In addition to blood oranges, this combination of ingredients makes this blood orange smoothie immune healthy plus taste good!
- Spinach: Spinach has folic acid, which is an immune booster that helps your body produce and maintain new cells. It's also the most neutral tasting green, which allows your smoothie to taste pleasant.
- Frozen Bananas: Smoothies are all about texture, and bananas help make it smooth. Using frozen bananas allow your smoothie to be cold without the need to refrigerate.
- Monkfruit Sugar: Monkfruit Sweetener is a natural sweetener alternative. You get the sweet taste without the spike in your blood sugar. Visit this article here to learn more.
- Fresh Ginger & Fresh Turmeric: Ginger is antibacterial, and turmeric is an anti-inflammatory. Both help support the immune system. Don't worry; the taste won't be strong as you only need to add tiny pieces.
- Hemp Seeds: Hemp Seeds are a curvy girl ingredient! In my Vegan Weight Gain article, I talk A LOT bout how adding calorie-dense foods to typically low-calorie meals can boost your calories. Hemp Seeds are calorie-dense in that it contains a high amount of healthy fats. It also provides plant-based protein!
- Herbal Vitamin C Powder. Hands down, it's the most natural potent vitamin C powder I have ever consumed. It contains wildcrafted herbs like pine needle, amla, acerola berry, etc. It is pretty price because of the potent ingredients, so this ingredient OPTIONAL but worth it.
How to Make a Blood Orange Smoothie
*Please read detailed and printable recipe card below for full ingredients and instructions.
Prep and Blend Ingredients
- Grab all of your ingredients and add them to a high-speed blender. (Photos 1 & 2)
- Blend until smooth, and if you like, garnish with blood orange slice! Serve immediately. (Photos 3 & 4)
Substitution, Cook, & Storage Tips
- You can use whatever leafy vegetable you desire. Some greens like dandelion, collards, and kale are intense. If you like a bold green taste, feel free to use those instead or mix and match.
- If you don't have access to blood oranges or you find them too pricey (they can get expensive), use regular oranges. It will be just as good!
- Omit the banana if you don't want a banana taste in your smoothie. You can substitute with ½ medium avocado to ensure a smooth smoothie. Just add some 2-3 ice cubes to keep it chilled. You can also use frozen mango for this.
- No access to monk fruit sugar? You can order it here on Amazon or use 3-4 dates instead! (Make sure you take the pit out!)
- Hemp seeds work best for this smoothie, but you can also use hemp protein powder if you don't want the extra fat content. You could omit altogether.
- Substitute fresh turmeric and fresh ginger for ¼ teaspoon of powdered turmeric and ginger if you desire.
- Get creative and eat this as a green smoothie bowl! Top it with a mixture of citrus fruit; make it "Instagram pic worthy." (Please tag #veganwithcurves if you do this I would love to see it!)
- This smoothie is best served fresh. However, you can keep in the refrigerator for 24 hours, max 48 hours. You can freeze for up to 5 days.
Other Smoothie Recipes You'll Enjoy
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Green Blood Orange Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1 cup packed spinach
- handful parsley with stems
- 1 medium blood orange, peeled
- 1 frozen banana, chopped see notes
- 1 tablespoons Herbal Vitamin C Powder
- 2 tablespoons monk fruit sugar
- 3 tablespoons hemp seeds
- 1 ½ cup plant-based milk almond, soy, coconut, etc.
- small pieces of fresh turmeric and ginger, cut up see notes
- ½ squeeze lime
Equipment
Instructions
- Rinse your spinach ingredients and add them to your high-speed blender.
- Blend until nice and smooth. Serve immediately for breakfast or as a snack!
- You can keep in the refrigerator for 24 hours, max 48 hours. Freeze for up to 5 days. Thaw out in the fridge overnight and re-blend before consuming it.
Video
Notes
- GREENS: Instead of spinach, use dandelion greens, collards, or kale. If you like the taste of cilantro, you can add that or swap it with parsley.
- ORANGES: Regular oranges will work for this as well.
- BANANAS: If not using frozen bananas add ice cubes. If you don't like the banana taste substitute with ½ medium avocado to ensure a smooth smoothie. Again use 2-3 ice cubes to keep it chilled. You can also use frozen mangos for this.
- ADDITIONS & SUBSTITUTIONS: If you can't find monk fruit sugar, use 3-4 dates instead! (Make sure you take the pit out!) Hemp protein powder can sub for whole hemp seeds or omit altogether. You can also substitute fresh turmeric and fresh ginger for ¼ teaspoon of powdered turmeric and ginger.
Nutrition
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© Gina Marie Hoskins. Vegan With Curves. All Rights Reserved. Unless noted otherwise, all images, recipes, & content are copyright protected and registered with the U.S. Copyright Office. My images and written content are NOT to be used without prior permission. Read full Copyright Disclosure.
© Gina Marie Hoskins. Vegan With Curves. All Rights Reserved. Unless noted otherwise, all images, recipes, & content are copyright protected and registered with the U.S. Copyright Office. My images and written content are NOT to be used without prior permission. Read full Copyright Disclosure.
Nicole
Ha, I find it hilarious when people say they don't like something they haven't eaten! I feel like they just hear other people say it and they repeat it so many times as it's their own thought, they start to believe it. I get why people don't love beets though, they are earthy, but that's what I love about them. I have to make this soon! It's been too long since I had fresh juice.
Gina Marie
I know right! lol Yes their earthy taste is what draws me to this beautiful vegetable.
Marly
This looks so wholesome! Can't wait to give it a try!
Gunjan
I love the facts about beets is that its naturally pretty in color. It just makes any recipe extremely beautiful. Also, not to forget its high nutrition value.
Holly
So pretty! And I could use a little detox this time of year, lol!
Gina Marie
We all could haha lol
Amy Katz from Veggies Save The Day
I'm going to share this with my boyfriend. He drinks straight beet juice every day, but I think he's going to like this a lot better!
Gina Marie
Your guy is awesome! lol
Jillian
I love this color!
Gina Marie
thank you!
Serena Lissy
It's like you were watching me frown up my nose at the thought of beet juice. I had a second of guilt because you knew I was doing it 🙂 I keep hearing so many things about the benefits of beet juice, I may have to give it another try.
Gina Marie
lol yes please do lol
Tara
Wow! A perfect way to start the new year! That color from the beets looks incredible.
Gina Marie
Thank you!
Lisa Huff
SO I have to admit, I'm not a beet fan, BUT that color may change my mind. This looks so good!
Gina Marie
thank you! I love the color of beets myself!
Sarah
I'm not a huge fan of beets but those raspberries and apples make this juice sound absolutely amazing and I can't wait to try it!!!
Gina Marie
let me know how it turned out for you!
sue | theviewfromgreatisland
I can never resist the color of beets, in any form, but especially all blended up like this, I need one now!
GinaMarie
The color is so beautiful!
Lisa | Garlic + Zest
For me, beets are an acquired taste. For some reason I get a distinct "dirt" taste from them... My mother calls it "earthy". That said, the color is beautiful.
GinaMarie
I agree. Most people have that description of an "earthy" taste. I know for myself I LOVE that taste in all root vegetables but you are right it is an acquired taste indeed.
Suzy
Love good-for-you drinks like this! Gotta try!
GinaMarie
It's my FAVORITE go to drink when I am in detox mode....LOVE beets!
Emma @ Supper in the Suburbs
I love beets too but had never appreciated just how good.they are for me! Fab post!
GinaMarie
Thank you!!