Gosh, can you believe this cold weather?! I mean…I’m kind of over it!! With freezing temps here in Austin and well below zero in other parts of the country, I’m in desperate need of some sunshine in my life!
While I can’t control the weather, I did find these gorgeous citrus fruits that *almost* made up for it! Citrus is SO GOOD this time of year! The grapefruits are sweet and the blood oranges…oh man, they are amazing!
Sunny citrus is not only great for brightening your day, it’s also packed with amazing healthy benefits!
Did you know that citrus fruits are LOADED with phytonutrients?! One of the most potent being hesperetin which is well known for its ability to lower high blood pressure and cholesterol. It’s also great for strengthening the veinal and arterial walls to support healthy blood circulation and strong veins (bye bye spider veins!!).
Of course we all know that citrus fruits are packed with Vitamin C which is important for a healthy immune system, cell repair, and the cleansing of free radicals from the body. Free radicals play a key role in degenerative diseases like cancer, inflammation, cholesterol, and cardiovascular disease.
Studies have also shown that in addition to Vitamin C, compounds in citrus fruits called limonoids have been shown to help fight cancers of the mouth, skin, lung, breast, stomach and colon. Citrus is also a good source of Vitamin B1, pantothenic acid, and folate as well as vitamin A, calcium, copper, and potassium!
New research published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition shows that enjoying a daily glass of freshly squeezed citrus juice can also significantly lower your risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis!
That’s a lot of goodness from the unassuming citrus fruit! I typically get on the “Juice Train” this time of year and love using citrus is a staple in my daily juices! Maybe it’s time to head on over to the grocery store and pick out a variety of seasonal citrus for yourself! There are so many varieties this time of year: blood oranges, minneolas, tangerines, mandarins, grapefruit, cara cara oranges, and so many more! If you have one in your area, Trader Joe’s has a great variety at very reasonable prices.
This has been my favorite juice combo as of late. It’s delicious, refreshing, and the color is absolutely stunning! It’s sure to get you in that sunny state of mind even when it’s dark and grey outside!
1. Info for Sunshine State of Mind Juice
- Cook Time: 5 mins
- Total Time: 5 mins
- Servings: 1
- Calories: unavailable
2. Ingredients for Sunshine State of Mind Juice
- 2 pink grapefruits, peeled
- 3 blood oranges, peeled
- 2 honey tangerines, peeled
3. Directions:
- Simply Run all ingredients through a juicer (I recommend Breville) and enjoy! (Makes 24oz)
4. Tips and advices:
- I recommend peeling your citrus before juicing as the essential oils in the peels can make the juice taste bitter. You can include the skin if you like as there are great health benefits but just know that the flavor will definitely change!
