If you’ve never tipped a little turmeric into your smoothie, I’m here to tell you you’re missing out. Talk about a unique and utterly delicious sipping experience. Combined with cold creamy coconut milk, frozen mango + pineapple, a touch of fresh ginger, and a sprinkle of sweet Ceylon cinnamon, and you’ve got your self one funky flavor party in your mouth.

Which is why my song inspiration for this one goes to the catchy, glittery funk of “Golden Years” (<–click here to jam). Full of flavor and made to dance to. Also fun to sing along with, even if you have no idea what most of the words are. Golden years, gooooold… whop whop whop. Just try to not to sing along.

Other than the flavor party, there are plenty of health benefits to enjoying this smoothie as you bust a move in your kitchen. The main golden ingredient, turmeric, is basically radiating with health benefits. I love combining Ceylon cinnamon with turmeric in a hot tea or latte when I’m feeling the sniffles trying to take hold. Here are just some of the many wonderful reasons to start including Turmeric in your diet:

• Contains the bioactive compound curcumin, which is a powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant, and studies have shown its effects are similar to pharmaceutical drugs but without the side effects
• Curcumin in turmeric boosts your body’s ability to fight free radicals
• Curcumin can also increase a certain kind of growth hormone that functions in the brain called BDNF (Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor). This is a very good thing, since decreased levels are linked to degenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease.
• Reduces the risk of heart disease and cancer, and many other chronic diseases
• Effective in treating arthritis symptoms, thanks to its anti inflammatory properties.
• Natural pain killer
• Helps with digestion
• Detoxes the liver
• Improves mood
• Anti inflammatory, antioxidant, and detoxifying properties also make it great for keeping skin glowing, clear, and youthful

Consuming turmeric with a food containing fat, like coconut milk, as well as piperine, a constituent of black pepper, will make the curcumin in the turmeric more readily absorbed. This smoothie has just a pinch of black pepper (you won’t taste it, promise) and is made with homemade coconut milk, so you’ll be getting the most out of turmeric’s curcumin benefits. You could also add a bit of coconut oil to the smoothie to increase the curcumin’s bioavailability.

 

Don’t let me hear you say life’s taking you nowhere… Go in the kitchen and make this smoothie and you’ll be feeling golden in no time.

Golden Years Turmeric Smoothie

• 1 + 1/2 cup homemade coconut milk (see “notes” below), or prepared coconut milk beverage
• 1/2 tsp grated fresh turmeric*
• 1/2 tsp ground turmeric
• 1/2 tsp Ceylon cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp fresh grated ginger root
• pinch of black pepper or a few peppercorns
• 1 small golden beet, quartered (slightly larger than a golf ball) this is optional, but I love beets in my smoothie if you haven’t noticed
• 1/2 cup frozen pineapple
• 1/2 cup frozen mango
• 1 frozen banana

Instructions:

Blend the first 7 ingredients until smooth, then add the remaining (frozen) ingredients and blend again.

*If you don’t have fresh turmeric, replace it with another 1/2 tsp of ground turmeric. I like to use both.

Notes:

To make homemade coconut milk the easy way, I combine about 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut shreds with 1 cup of hot water (heated in a kettle over the stove) in the blender. I let it sit about 10-15 minutes, then add another cup of room temp water (for 2 cups total). Blend for about 1 minute on high, then strain through a nut milk bag or fine mesh strainer. Double or triple the recipe, but be sure to use within 2-3 days.

 

Sources:

http://authoritynutrition.com/top-10-evidence-based-health-benefits-of-turmeric/

http://www.healthyandnaturalworld.com/the-amazing-health-benefits-of-turmeric/

http://www.stepin2mygreenworld.com/healthyliving/greenfoods/the-best-tips-on-how-to-enhance-turmeric-absorption/