Knowing that the next few days are going to contain heavier food than we typically consume I decided we would start today with a nice light fruit drink. As though of you that read regularly know I light to get a couple of fruit servings in for breakfast since this is the food group I don’t consume as much as I should.
This morning’s juice blend contained a bit of everything. I added the bananas for potassium and creamy texture. Tangerines were added for vitamin C and their membrane. The membrane in citrus fruit has been linked to both cholesterol reduction and fighting cancer. Once I read that I stopped supreming my citrus. Apple cider was used for its intense flavor but you could also substitute apple juice or even water. Ginger is anti-inflammatory so I tossed that in the blender as well. Cinnamon was included to assist the body to process all the natural sugar that is contained in this juice. Flaxseed was added for its omega 3 fatty acids. We typically start our day with a tablespoon of ground flaxseed for the omega 3 fat. Here is the juice I made this morning.
Tangerine, Banana and Apple Juice with Ginger
Serves 2
Ingredients:
2 tangerines, peeled and seeded
2 bananas, peeled
1 apple, cored
2 cups apple cider
2 tablespoons freshly ground golden flaxseeds
1 inch fresh ginger, thinly sliced
¼ teaspoon cinnamon, ground
Directions:
Place everything in your blender and process until smooth. Serve cold.
Nutritional Information:
Amount Per Serving
Calories - 378
Calories From Fat (12%) - 45.64
Total Fat - 5.27g
Saturated Fat - 0.65g
Cholesterol - 0mg
Sodium - 16.73mg
Potassium - 1001.12mg
Total Carbohydrates - 84.73g
Fiber - 10.12g
Sugar - 32.16g
Protein - 4.61g
Comments:
This juice tasted very sweet to me, probably because we have dramatically reduced our consumption of sweetened foods. Next time I may use less apple cider. The flavor combination was nice. The juice tasted mostly of apple with the other flavors in the background.
Each serving of this juice contains approximately 780IU of vitamin A, 40mg of vitamin C, 70mg of calcium, and 40mcg of folate. I really like that this juice has 10 grams of fiber and 1000mg of potassium. This is a quick, tasty and healthy breakfast that you can eat on the run.
Unrelated note:
I have many things to do today to get ready for tonight and tomorrow. Italians celebrate the feast of the seven fishes on Christmas Eve, and this year I have decided to make a few of those traditional dishes vegan. Additionally, I have a few things to do to get ready for Christmas. I will be back later today with another recipe when I get 30 minutes to relax. I hope you are all having a wonderful holiday season.
That actually sounds refreshing.
ReplyDeleteHeather,
ReplyDeleteIt was good! I am much more likely to eat my fruit first thing in the morning, although I don't know why. I particularly like the little kick in the background from the fresh ginger.
Alicia
Yum...a nice fresh glass of juice sounds really good to me right now. I've definitely been indulging in a little too much holiday goodness :-)
ReplyDeleteI love fresh ginger in juice.
Mmmm, mmmm, mmmm. That does it, I'm comin' over. I promise to wipe my feet first. ;-) That looks and sounds so good! I lack tangerines, but I've got oranges. Might just make some tonight!
ReplyDeleteGirl, you are a blogging, cooking dynamo! How am I ever supposed to visit all your old posts if you just keep sprouting new ones several times a day? :-)
Buon Natale!
I'm out of spinach so I was just wondering what to have for breakfast - I'll give this a try and let you know how it worked out!
ReplyDeleteThe juice sounds like a healthy and balanced way to start the celebrations. Fresh ginger juice smells divine in the blender.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to see some of your holiday recipes.
newlywednewlyveg,
ReplyDeleteI love fresh ginger in juice too. Actually I love fresh ginger in everything. We also add to our hot green tea.
We have all overindulged a little. That seems to be part of the "holiday festivities". I will be happy to see the "goodies" disappear so my diet can return to normal.
Thanks for stopping by.
Laloofah,
LOL, you are very funny!
I do tend to cook often, and usually blog it shortly after. It may be tough to find enough time to get through all the old posts. I tend to be verbose. ;)
Are you also part Italian too?
Hollafoodzone,
We like green juice too, but this morning I wanted something different. We thought it was good, I hope you like it too.
Rose,
Hi there! I agree, the smell of ginger is great. I love it when things I enjoy turn out to be good for me.
I have gotten a little behind on the food front today with all the chaos and phone calls. But I will make something "fishy without fish" for the feast of the seven fishes tonight.
Alicia
Great way to start the day--and hope the meal to follow was equally delicious, if a little heavier! :)
ReplyDeleteRicki,
ReplyDeleteToday was very hectic so I didn't get to do what I had planned. I guess I will just move a few items I had planned for today to tomorrow.
Happy Holidays,
Alicia
Buon Natale e Felice Anno Nuovo
ReplyDeleteLouis,
ReplyDeleteAhhhh, thanks! :) That was very sweet. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you too!
Alicia
That looks and sounds absolutely healthy and refreshing! I love fruit smoothie for breakfast but it's impossible for me to make it during this hectic time. I'll definitely give this recipe a try on my day-off.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes for a Merry Merry Christmas to you and your family, Alicia!
p.s. I'll come back to read the older posts tomorrow night, talk to you soon:)
Hi, Alicia!
ReplyDeleteYou are impressively prolific but I'll do my best to catch up and stay caught up with you if it kills me! :-)
As you now know, yes... I'm part Italian. It's only 25% of my DNA but makes up about 50% of my cooking and 100% of my temperament! ;-)
I'll be in touch soon, hope you're enjoying a relaxing day!
Oraphan,
ReplyDeleteGlad you had time to come read a post. I knew you must be swamped when I didn't have any comments from you.
I hope you had a fabulous Christmas.
talk to you soon!
Laurie,
I am still laughing about your description of your "Italian-ness". It fits me as well. I can definitely "get my Italian up" which I know you understand, probably too well.
I hope you had a wonderful holiday.
talk to you soon,
Alicia
Hi, Alicia!
ReplyDeleteI made this mahvelous beverage this afternoon (and there is some left over for this evening), and wanted to thank you for sharing! Due to an absence of ingredients, I had to make some substitutions (don't you just hate that? You come up with and post a perfectly wonderful recipe, and then some nitwit comes along and says, "Hey, I made your thing, but instead of tangerines I used avocado, and instead of apple cider I used beer, and instead of ginger I used leeks.") Okay, my subs weren't THAT bad, so don't go gettin' your Italian up. (I have no idea what you're talking about, my temperament is patient, calm, quiet and never angry. And I NEVER talk with my hands, either. *snork*)
So I used one orange instead of two tangerines, organic apple juice in lieu of cider, tossed in about 3 TBSP of cranberries I had left over and had no clue what to do with, and used regular flaxseeds instead of golden. So our drink wasn't the same pretty color as yours because of the dark flaxseeds, but it did have pretty red flecks in it from the cranberries! :-) It is REALLY delicious! More of a dessert than a drink! We'll be making this often, and maybe even with the proper ingredients! LOL
Thanks again! Ciao, bella...
Laurie,
ReplyDeleteOMG you are too funny! I giggled about this for at least 10 minutes. I felt as though I was in the room. You are a laugh riot.
buona sera,
Alicia