Orange Creamsicle Smoothie

Happy New Year! I know it’s been awhile since I took a couple weeks off but I’m back and back to basics bringing you a recipe for a simple and delicious Orange Creamsicle Smoothie!

I can’t believe it’s 2020 and I’m still trying to figure out where 2019 went and why it went by so fast. Oh and add 2018 to that too. The years seem to be flying by even faster lately. Is it just me? I’m not sure I’m ready for 2020 and I already know it will be a very eventful and emotional year for me. I’m not even going to think about that right now.

Instead I’m going to focus on sunshine and the high from the holidays and our trip. Today I sit here needing a vacation from my vacation, and lots of sleep! I had meant to post last week but with hosting and having family here for Christmas and then taking down the Christmas tree and packing Christmas Day. No lie it was so crazy we weren’t packed up until 11pm Christmas night so we decided to eat Christmas cookies for dinner and get to bed since we were leaving town at 5am the next morning. We got down to Florida and the days were LONG. We packed in a little too much but Baby G was happy and going with the flow, soaking up all the fun and not getting crabby even with all the teeth he had coming in. He seriously is the most chill, relaxed, happy baby. He even stayed up until midnight New Years Eve when we were at Sea World.

There wasn’t much down time on the trip but there were some more relaxed moments at the house swimming in the pool, hanging out at the beach, picking oranges, and making fresh orange juice. It is prime citrus season and the oranges down there are so much juicer than the ones we get back in Minnesota, even when they’re in season.

We were lucky enough to bring back over 20lbs of oranges and grapefruit along with some fresh squeezed grapefruit juice. We enjoyed all the fresh squeezed orange juice the kids had fun making down there. Trying to make them last, I mean I was dreaming about all the ways to enjoy them on the way home, but they’re so good I’m not sure they’ll survive the week.

Even though we left behind the unseasonably higher than average temps and sunshine in Florida we’re enjoying all the citrus back home and it seemed like the perfect time to share an Orange Creamsicle Smoothie recipe with you!

Yes even though we came home to freezing temps and snow on the ground I’m whipping up smoothies! There are only a few things I’m looking forward to and smoothies are one of them. Along with warm cozy bowls of oats, salads and veggie bowls, my lactation cookies, stacks of pancakes, and our homemade sourdough bread (fed my starter within minutes of walking through the door).

This is a simple 3-4 ingredient smoothie with multiple options. Depending on your mood, needs, and what you have on hand you can enjoy this smoothie a million different ways. Ok maybe that’s a slight exaggeration but really I’ve tried it over a dozen ways and enjoyed them all. Keeping with why I started this blog it’s meant to inspire you and while you can enjoy my recipes as is many are written to be customized to be made how you like them and for what you need so I always suggest reading the notes (as things I put in the post might be missed) and adapt them to fit you needs, taste, and what you have on hand. If you even have questions leave a comment and I’ll do my best to help you out.

Basics, all you really need is orange juice, frozen bananas (or other fruit), a little vanilla (can be omitted if adding vanilla protein powder), and ice.

If you really want the cream texture you can add coconut whipped cream or canned coconut milk.

Cutting sugar or a higher fat version you can use less banana or another fruit, or even coconut milk ice cubes.

For a more intense orange flavor I like to add a whole orange, minus the peel.

For protein add a scoop of your favorite protein powder (Vega Sport Vanilla and Ripple Vanilla are our favorites right now). Or you can even use a scoop of your favorite unflavored collagen. I’ve been adding Ancient Nutrition Keto Brain Orange Crème (with caffeine) to mine.

If you aren’t a fan of banana unripe bananas have a less intense banana flavor. Or I like to use frozen papaya or frozen sweet potato (which is great for hair and a favorite since I had Baby G).

Might be a new year but I’m still stuck on goals and where it will go. If I’ve learned anything the past two years is that you just have to take life as it comes and realize that you are not always in control. Yes it is nice to have goals, dreams, and a vision but some times there are bigger plans than what you have planned and things you cannot control. If you would have told me that I would have a 9 month old right now I would have laughed. We tried for years to add to our family and I finally gave up that it was in the plans for me. Surprised with Baby G and than last year thinking I “knew it all” already being a mom of 2 and again I was proven wrong and nothing really went as planned, well other than his birthday that I called 6 months before he was born and the doctors laughed.

All I know is that you have to live each day to the fullest, enjoy all the memories and the journey, make the best out of every situation, and live your life not carrying what others think or worrying about being perfect (this is a big one for me). So this year I will be switching a few things up as things have changed so much the last few years. Maybe posting less when things are more demanding here as my family is my number one priority and I need to try to make time for myself. Maybe posting more times when I’m really inspired and I have a moment to post even if that means going back to the days when there was a really good recipe but not a big post or story to go with it. Posting more real life on Instagram when I get time but also not feeling like I have to post because honestly sometimes it’s draining and I want to get back to loving it. Posting different recipes here, I’m not vegan anymore but lactose intolerant with a gluten sensitivity, but love plants and plant-based dishes. I also love donuts and treats and have a family with a meat eater, one that doesn’t like meat, one (in addition to myself) that’s lactose intolerant, an infant, am a nursing mother (for a few more months hopefully), and currently with other health issues need to limit some fats. This makes it interesting and we make a lot of dishes that are easy to customize when serving. There are some things I make that are family favorites that I haven’t shared over the years because they aren’t vegan or plant-based but since my family and friends love them I’m really thinking about sharing them.

Having a very diverse following makes it hard sometimes. Not all are vegan, plant-based, dairy free, have little kids, ect yet it’s a true reflection of myself and my family and while not every recipe might work for you I try to have options and even than sometimes they aren’t for everyone and that’s ok.

I’ve also received many questions about the name of the blog and for now it will stay A Whisk and Two Wands, even though there is technically a third wand or well maybe he can be something else. I can’t even get the blog back to what it was before it was hacked shortly after G was born and have put a lot of money in to make sure everything is secure and safe and doesn’t get hacked again but until my husband has to rewrite all the code and I’m sure of what I really want it will be what it is. Hopefully soon I’ll have a clear vision and make the changes. Until then just going with the flow.

What are your goals for 2020? What would you like to see or what do you come to A Whisk and Two Wands hoping to find?

Oh I don’t forget Meatless Monday and there are more great recipes linked up below and as always Deborah and I hope you join us and look forward to what’s cooking in your kitchen!

Print Recipe

Orange Creamsicle Smoothie

Simple delicious and refreshing Orange Creamsicle Smoothie is great for breakfast, snack, or even dessert! Gluten free and vegan friendly this smoothie only requires a couple ingredients but has optional additions to make it fully customizable for your taste and needs.

Course

Breakfast, Smoothies, Snacks

Prep Time

5 minutes

Servings

servings

Ingredients

• 2 c orange juice*
• 2 frozen bananas, or 1 1/2c frozen papaya*
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 peeled orange, optional
• 1 c ice
• 1/2-1 c coconut whipped cream

Optional Additions/ Custumizations

• 1 scoop vanilla protein, and omit vanilla extract (Vega Sport Vanilla and Ripple Vanilla are our favorites right now)
• 1 serving adaptagens or boosts such as ashwaghanda, maca, reishi, collagen (Ancient Nutrition Keto Brain Orange Crème)
• swap frozen banana for 1 1/2 cups frozen papaya, sweet potato, or 1 cup frozen coconut milk cubes

Course Breakfast, Smoothies, Snacks Prep Time 5 minutes Servings servings Ingredients 2 c orange juice* 2 frozen bananas, or 1 1/2c frozen papaya* 1/2 tsp vanilla extract 1 peeled orange, optional 1 c ice 1/2-1 c coconut whipped cream Optional Additions/ Custumizations 1 scoop vanilla protein, and omit vanilla extract (Vega Sport Vanilla and Ripple Vanilla are our favorites right now) 1 serving adaptagens or boosts such as ashwaghanda, maca, reishi, collagen (Ancient Nutrition Keto Brain Orange Crème) swap frozen banana for 1 1/2 cups frozen papaya, sweet potato, or 1 cup frozen coconut milk cubes

Instructions

1. In a Vitamix, or high-speed blender, blend orange juice, frozen banana (or substitute), vanilla, ice, orange and other optional ingredients together until smooth.
2. Pour into a glass, layering or topping with optional coconut whipped cream.
3. Enjoy!

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