As the weather gets warmer, I usually switch my breakfast to smoothies. Summers here are super hot and cooking is not quite an option.
You’ve probably already seen all those rainbow smoothies – the green one being probably the most popular. But since Spring is being late, I thought that sharing with you a yellow smoothie that can help raise your energy level will be helpful.

For an energy boost smoothie, you will need:

• two juicy oranges
• half of a medium lemon
• a banana
• one inch of ginger
• a pinch of turmeric
• optional: water and/or honey

I highly recommend adding water too, since the smoothie is quite concentrated.
If you also add water, you get two large jars, enough for two-three people.

Oranges and lemons are high in vitamin C. When the weather is being as weird as it was lately (snow everywhere around Europe in March) you have to keep your immune system ready for everything. Vitamin C is the easiest way to boost your immune system.
The stars of this smoothie are turmeric and ginger!

Turmeric

Maybe turmeric is quite new to us, but Indians use it for more than 400 years. It’s not only the rich flavour and colour that made Indians love this plant. Some of its benefits are:

• boosts brain functions
• acts as an anti-oxidant
• had anti-inflammatory properties
• can lower the risk of heart disease
• might delay ageing

Turmeric is also believed to have benefits when it comes to diseases like cancer, arthritis, Alzheimer’s, diabetes or depression. You can read more about turmeric benefits here.

Ginger

You might have noticed that turmeric and ginger are quite similar: yellow-orange colour and very spicy.
That’s because they are “related” – they come from the same family plant called Zingiberaceae.
Here are some of ginger’s benefits:

• helps digestion and can help with some “stomach problems”
• can help relieve menstrual pain
• boosts immune system
• also has anti-inflammatory properties – can ease muscle pain
• ginger oil can prevent insect bites

You can read more about the benefits of ginger here.

 Related: The Ginger Shot that Will Keep Cold and Flu Away

The rich flavours of the ginger and turmeric will definitely wake you up. And the banana always brings that pleasant smoothness of a… well, smoothie.

Prep it

Squeeze the orange and lemon juice.
Add the juice in the blender, together with the chopped banana, the turmeric and the chunk of ginger. Blend everything for 30 seconds, or until everything is smooth.
Be careful! Turmeric and ginger are quite spicy.
If you’re not into spicy things, lower the amount of ginger and turmeric. Please note that spices are not recommended for people with a sensitive stomach. Safer to skip the turmeric and go for a centimetre of ginger instead.

 Related: Smoothie Freezer Bags

Ultimately, you can add some honey if you think the smoothie is too sour or dilute it with some water if you think it’s too concentrated.

Want to make it more nutritious?

I would have this smoothie as a side drink with my breakfast. I personally find it too spicy to enjoy it just as it is.
But if you want to have it on its own and have a more nutritious version or it, you can add an extra banana and some oats or protein powder. It will definitely keep you full by lunchtime.

More yellows

If you want to add more fruits, or more yellow to this smoothie, consider throwing in the blender also:

• mangoes
• pineapple
• golden apples
• pears
• apricots

Or any other yellow fruits that I haven’t probably heard of.

Have you ever tried a yellow smoothie before? Which are your favourite ingredients?