I’m tapping out on winter. I’m sorry. I can’t help it anymore. These past few days have held some pretty wild weather, wind gusts that created a total whiteout, bone chilling cold, and now, hovering around freezing, I just don’t know what to make of this crazy weather.

But I do know what I have been making. Sunshine in a glass. This Sunshine Breakfast Smoothie has been a little bit of bright to offset the bleak weather! We are straight up hooked on them in this house.

For some reason, I bought a 10lb box of navel oranges, clearly not realizing how many oranges is in a 10lb box! I wasn’t sure what to do with them all…

Then, I caught myself dreaming of an Orange Julius. This is the same self that supposed to be eating healthy since I fell off the wagon at over the Christmas holidays. Not only did it not make sense to buy an Orange Julius when I had a box filled with oranges, but it wasn’t exactly healthy.

On to plan B. As a kid, I loved me a rich, frothy, yummy Orange Julius. It was such a treat to have them, as we didn’t have a franchise in our town. In fact, the closest franchise was 3(!) hours away. My parents were really good about it and always treated me to my beloved OJ when we were in the city, and they always stocked the necessary ingredients for me to make them at home.

Unfortunately for me, those ingredients were frozen concentrated orange juice and a few other things we just don’t stock in the CTG household. I needed to make myself a delicious but also reasonably healthy alternative.

Enter the Sunshine Breakfast Smoothie.

It’s packed with yummy, and healthy stuff. We’ve been completely addicted to these for almost a week. I’ve made at least one batch a day in my trusty Vitamix!

the good stuff

First up, the oranges. Oranges carry vitamin C, which is an essential nutrient – this means it’s a nutrient we must obtain from our diet. Vitamin C is integral in the formation and maintenance of collagen, which helps heal wounds, shape the body and maintain healthy blood vessels. While oranges are known for having high amounts of vitamin C, most don’t know that they actually carry nearly all vitamins and minerals, at least in modest amounts. Oranges also have more vitamin A than the other citrus fruits – which helps support our immune system and helps to fight infections.
We all know bananas contain lots of potassium, but did you know, potassium is regulates the water balance in your body? Potassium is also an important regulator of blood pressure, and energy metabolism! Bananas contain many vitamins and minerals, including iron, selenium, and magnesium. They are almost completely carbohydrate which means they give your body a quick burst of energy!
The oats in this recipe have a high amount of complex carbohydrates, which provide your body with lasting, sustained energy. They are also 10-15% protein and provide a good source of soluble fibre, so they offer a lasting fullness to go with the energy! Oats are also high B vitamins, vitamin A, and iron.