A bright and refreshing way to start your day, this Carrot Orange Ginger Juice packs a nutritional punch.
Today is the first week of our Healthy New Year 6-Week Challenge and I couldn’t be more excited to get this party started! Each week, Dara and I will be rolling out a new theme. Then, the following week we will add on another challenge while also keeping up with the first one. We know from experience that the key to long term success is making simple, gradual changes, one day at a time.
This week’s theme is one of my favorites: hydration. Staying hydrated is such an important aspect of healthy living but yet so many of us struggle to stay properly hydrated. Before I get to how I want to quickly explain the why:
Why is it important to stay hydrated:
Stay Energized: Water is one of the most important sources of energy for the body. If you’re going to start 2015 off with a bang, you need to give your body the liquid fuel is needs to help you reach your goals.
Bone and Joint Health: Cartilage is made up of mostly water so when we don’t stay hydrated, our bones and joints won’t have the proper lubrication and we will feel stiff and achey (and less eager to get moving.)
Slows Down Aging: Drinking water is one of the easiest ways to flush out toxins from the body. The less toxins in your body, the more your skin will glow and the younger you will look. Plus, water is a whole lot cheaper than botox.
Of course, it goes without saying that drinking water is the best way to stay hydrated but natural whole juices such as this Carrot Orange Ginger Juice also count towards your daily requirement. (Which, for the record, is half of your weight in ounces. So if you weigh 160 pounds, try to get 80 ounces of water a day.)
Making Juice At Home
Have you ever made whole juices at home before? I prefer it over traditionally pressed juices because you don’t throw away all of that nutrient-dense, satisfying dietary fiber. Since it’s more filling, you don’t need to drink as much which also helps reduce calorie intake. Win-Win.
To make at home, I use a high-speed blender like my Blendtec Designer 725 and press the whole juice button. Don’t have one? Don’t worry – there will be a chance to win one during the challenge! Stay tuned.
In the meantime, this week I challenge you to stay hydrated by setting a specific, achievable goal. For example, if you typically drink 4 glasses of water a day, your goal this week is to drink 5 glasses a day. If you don’t love plain water, make a big pitcher of flavored water by tossing in lemon wedges, peeled ginger root, fresh mint or cucumber slices. Each day, make it a goal to drink the entire pitcher. And don’t forget, this Carrot Orange Ginger Juice and Dara’s Pink Grapefruit, Pineapple & Ginger Sparkler count towards your goal!
You can do it. Your straw is waiting.
Carrot Orange Ginger Juice
Ingredients
- 4 carrots (peeled and cut large chunks)
- 2 seedless oranges (peeled)
- 1 lemon (skin removed)
- 2 inch piece ginger root (peeled)
- 2 cups ice
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in the blender and press the "whole juice" function. Add more or less ice to taste.
- Pour into two glasses to serve.
I’m not usually big on juices, but doing one that includes all the fibers with this wonderful flavor combo, would be a nice treat. I’d need to win that blender to make it, though…
Wow, I love that the BlendTec has a “whole juice” button! That is so cool!
OH my goodness I love GINGER! This looks amazing. I also am going to need that vitamin BTW! : D
Love this! Has tons of Vitamin A and sounds fantastic!
I absolutely LOVE fresh carrot and orange together. This looks incredible and the challenge is even better!
I can’t wait to try this! The ginger and orange with the carrot sounds so fresh!
I don’t think I have ever added lemon to my juices or smoothies-great idea and we all need more Vitamin C.
Love the bright look of this, you know it’s good for you just by looking at it. My goal is to drink 1 gallon of water a day. I already drink a lot of it, so it shouldn’t be too hard. I have a container in my fridge so I can be sure to fill er up and put er down!
I love your 1 gallon goal! Makes it nice and easy. I’m so glad you’re joining us for the challenge – you’re going to rock it! xo
You couldn’t help but be inspired with a drink this pretty and tasty in front of you!
Thank you Gaby!!
If this tastes half as good as it looks, I’m sure its beyond delicious!
I hope you try it and love it!
The colors of the juice are so vibrant, Liz, and I can imagine how good it must taste. This is one I’ll be trying this week, for sure! I’m so excited to be embarking on this challenge with you!
I wish we could trade refreshments today Dara!! Cheers to a #HealthyNewYear!
I love this series you are doing with Dara!! You gals rock! Now, pass me a juice, please?!
I’ll swap you for some Cauli!!
Oh my goodness I want to make this so bad today! Love these flavors!!
I wish I could pass you a glass right now!
Love this challenge. What a great idea! Definitely more fun to do (and easier to stick with) when you have some buddies by your side! Love the vibrant color of this juice!
Yes – I am a huge fan of doing things in groups!! Thank you Liz!
Has one of your first comments ever been a review? :)
I just made it and I LOVE that you can’t taste the carrots! I’m so, so happy. I want to cry. I already puree my veggies to make them easier to eat (less choking) but the taste still makes me gag. I didn’t gag at all here! YAY! I even like the taste. I might have used the smallest carrot I had but it’s still a victory! I’ll keep increasing carrot size.
Do you have any other recipes where you truly can’t taste the veggies at all? :) (ones that don’t use fresh spinach or kale because those are hard to find here) I want to be healthy but it’s so hard when I hate the taste so much (which causes choking issues. I was actually in the hospital on the 27th due to some broccoli. Isn’t that absurd?)
Have you made my pumpkin mac and cheese? You do not taste the pumpkin I promise! I’ll brain storm other ideas. :)
I haven’t! Canned pumpkin is absurdly expensive here so I’m going to have to wait until pumpkin season. But once it’s time, I’m so trying it! Thanks a bunch. :)
Liz! I love that you and Dara are doing this healthy challenge!! everyone needs tips, motivation and support so this is awesome!! I LOVE this Carrot Orange Ginger juice! I could probably drink this everyday. . and probably should! thanks for the reminder on hydration . . I love the power of drinking WATER. Amazing .. we all need to drink more!! here’s to a fabulous and healthy new year!
I’m so glad you’re joining us Alice!!! Cheers to a healthy and happy 2015!!
I drink water like it’s going out of style. My hubs though? He’s proud if he has 1 GLASS A DAY.
We just made juice in our Blendtec for the first time and L-O-V-E-D it! Can’t wait to try this! Pinned :)
Get your hubby on the water band wagon!!!! Tell him it’s vodka!
I actually love water (and smoothies!) so this is an easy one for me. But I recently got a beautiful new infusion pitcher that I haven’t used yet. Thanks for the reminder!
Oh my gosh I was just eyeing one of those!!! Please let me know how you like it??
I love this challenge! Water is my beverage of choice always, but I’m finding it a little hard to keep up with during this time of year for some reason (not as hot out?). You are ginger queen, this sounds delish!
I can’t quit with the ginger – it’s a slight problem. ;)
What a pretty juice! Sounds very tasty, with the combination of carrot + ginger :)
Same here June!! Happy New Year!