While on vacation recently I read a book I enjoyed so much, I read it twice. That’s saying a lot for a girl who used to despise reading.
The book is called Modern Rapunzel by Jeanne Powers. The cover looks a little bizarre and out of touch, but don’t let that fool you. It boasts a ton of information about women’s health and natural beauty, especially for hair and skin (my top two concerns when it comes to aging gracefully – fingers crossed as 30 approaches).
In the book, Jeanne shares about a time when she got very sick and suffered from hair loss as a result, and she nursed herself back to health with natural remedies, including carrot juice. This is my kind of lady.
Carrots are loaded with beta carotene which does wonders for the body and fights off disease-causing free radicals. They’re also extremely high in Vitamins A, B, C, E and K, magnesium, potassium and calcium, and have been found to fight inflammation, relieve congestion, and protect eyesight and brain function among many other benefits. All of these vitamins and minerals boast a ton of benefits for your skin and hair.
Naturally, they’re my new best friend.
I’m not typically a big juice fan because I prefer smoothies and the fiber they provide. But, for carrots, I make exceptions.
While I was reading this book, we were on vacation in Healdsburg, California, home to a beautiful restaurant called Shed. Their coffee shop offered two fresh daily juices: one green and one orange. The orange boasted carrots. I was in.
I enjoyed an orange juice almost every day we were there, and I’ve since been making my own inspired version at home. Get ready for some good, healthy fun, kids.
This 6-ingredient, 10-minute (juicer-free!) juice is based with carrots and naturally sweetened with orange, nectarine, and apple. Lemon juice adds brightness, and ginger some zing (and anti-inflammatory perks, yo). Mint is optional for an earthy, minty vibe. Do it – you know you want to.
I hope you guys love this beauty elixir. It’s extremely simple, easy to make, loaded with vitamins and minerals, super delicious, and my new go-to morning beverage.
If you give it a try, let us know what you think! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a picture #minimalistbaker on Instagram! We’d love to see your juice in action. Cheers, friends!
Super Powered Orange Juice
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup orange juice
- 3 Tbsp lemon juice
- 1 small nectarine (pit removed)
- 1 small apple (cored and quartered)
- 1 Tbsp fresh ginger (peeled)
- 4-6 whole carrots (peeled/tops removed)
- 3-4 sprigs fresh mint (optional)
- 1-2 cups filtered water
Instructions
- If using a juicer, add all ingredients to the juicer and press (omit water). Otherwise, squeeze orange and lemon juice into a blender as the pulp can make the juicing process more difficult.
- Next add nectarine, apple, ginger, carrots, and mint (optional). Top with filtered water (start with the lesser quantity), cover and blend until combined. You don’t want your blender to get the juice too hot in temperature so be careful not to over-blend – it shouldn’t take more than 30 seconds.
- Drape a clean, thin towel over a large mixing bowl and carefully pour over the juice and pulp. Then gather the corners and begin extracting the juice, leaving the pulp behind. Continue squeezing until all juice is extracted. You can either compost the pulp or add it to baked goods!
- Enjoy the juice fresh. Cover and refrigerate leftovers for 2-3 days, though best in the first 12-24 hours for mineral and vitamin content.
Notes
*To reduce sugar content, leave out 1-2 of the fruits (such as nectarine and apple).
*The recipe as written yields about 2 1/2 cups juice.
*Recipe inspired by the Orange Juice at Shed.
*If you’re looking for a carrot smoothie, try my Ginger Carrot Turmeric Smoothie.
Baiba says
Dear MB Team,
I am preparing for a long juice fasting, so I am testing loads of juice recipes.
This is one of the tastiest juices I have tried so far. Thank you so much!
P.S. Even if you are not a fan of mint, don’t skip it completely – it adds that special something :)
Cheers.
Aw, we’re SO glad you love this one, Baiba. We appreciate you sharing! Best of luck to you on your juice fast!
Sophia says
This was delicious, thank you! Even my toddler enjoyed it. I am using the leftover pulp to make muffins.
Woohoo! Love that creativity. Thanks for the great review, Sophia!
Landy Sanz says
This drink appears to be a fantastic idea, and I’m excited to give it a try!
It seems like healthy.
Hope you love it!
Edward Foster says
Hello,
I’m going to try your recipe tomorrow , just bought a juicer today. Just wondering if your recipe made your stomach do a dance too??
Thanks
Bee says
Do you do anything/have any recipes with the carrot “pulp”? I love the carrot juice but feel wasteful throwing out all that perfectly good fiber. I’ve heard of other food bloggers that use that pulp in other recipes and was wondering if you had any similar recipes!
You could try adding it to our carrot muffins, perhaps?
Tasha says
Looking for your black bean falafel recipe to make for family tonight! The link is broken :) I wasn’t sure how to contact you and tell you!
jenny says
Yummm! Love this recipe!
Glad to hear it, Jenny!
Katherine says
Hi Dana,
I have featured this Super Powered Orange juice recipe in our website Green Thickies post 10 Best Fruit Based Meals, because its a fantastic recipe.
I haven’t posted the actual recipe, but only one image from here and a small quote and link back to the recipe page. All credits given to you.
Thanks a lot,
Katherine
Thanks for letting us know, Katherine! :D
Mari says
This juice seems like i great idea,I’m hoping to try it!!
Ricky Shearer says
I already made it without water. Can you please let me know may I need to use water when I blend?
Em says
If using a juicer do I still add the water?
Lucy says
Hi Dana!
It is really nice to enjoy such juice. yummmy yummy. oh!!! Oh!!! i cant spend a day without it.
Dana, you know what?thanks alot
May the good lord bless you with more wisdom
Sabrina says
Hello! I love the site and all of these yummy recipes!
Would adding a bit of spinach and/or turmeric change anything about this recipe?
Perhaps, but only a bit depending on how much you add. Good luck!
Natalie says
Hi Dana, thanks for sharing this recipe! I am just 6 weeks away from 30 and I too am having some serious hormone/hair loss issues at the moment so I am looking forward to adding this juice to my list of helpful remedies. Honestly, the hair loss fiasco isn’t really helping my anxiety about turning the big 3-0! Anyway, sometimes it’s just nice to know you’re not alone. xx
jodie says
I love the look of this recipe!
I’m a huge fan of carrot juice too so the ingredients for this morning booster will definitely be on my shopping list for today.
Big Thanks x
Emily @ Robust Recipes says
Beautiful color! I am intrigued by the book your recommended, adding it to my list of books to read! I can’t wait to try this juice. I love that your recipe doesn’t require a juicer. :)
Monica @ Wok Like Me says
Daaaang what a clever juicing method! I got rid of mine because it was so bulky and such a bummer to clean. A huge fan of anything with carrot and ginger in it, especially because ginger is so cheap and accessible in China. Awesome share!
Krysten (@themomnoms) says
I was just in Healdsburg for my birthday. It is literally my favorite place in the world.
I keep trying to tell my partner that we just need to move there, but he thinks that will be trouble! :P
I need more juice in my life, I prefer smoothies over juices, as well, but sometimes it’s too much to make a smoothie.
This looks like a fantastic recipe! Thank you!
We want to retire there. Ha! It’s fantastic! If you were there I hope you visited The Shed! It’s amazing :D
Aleksandra says
I wish I had carrots at home right now!
Julie says
Sounds and looks delicious. One word of caution though; back in the 70’s people started juicing and drinking carrot juice everyday. My friends dad literally turned carrot color! I kid you not, the man was orange all over his body! It took months of him not drinking carrot juice to return to his normal color (Italian tan). Maybe once a week or twice, but don’t drink it everyday.
Ha! I make it occasionally but know that’s a potential side effect!
Jessica says
“Modern Rapunzel “sounds like a great read. Speaking of Women’s health and natural beauty, I feel I need to share another website and author to look up. The site is called Floliving, it is an amazing site all about eating properly for your hormones and overall health. This woman, Alisa Vitti is revolutionary in helping women over come female issues such as infertility, fibroids, ovarian cysts etc. Her book “Woman Code” available on Amazon is a great read and will have some people looking at food in a whole new way. This information is not just if you are having issues but also helps you preserve your natural youth.
Love your site and recipes. Thank you for sharing them.
Already know it! Thanks for sharing! Love Alissa Vitti and the Woman Code!
Katie says
Yum! This was delicious – thanks for a great recipe. :)
Sarah | Well and Full says
Thank you for the book recommendation, Dana. I’m always looking for my next read :) Also, this juice looks so healthy and delicious. I love that you can make it without a juicer, too! :D
Mandy says
I Love love LOVE that you posted a juice recipe that is right up my alley!!!!! Thanks so much! I’ll be making this daily! Without a doubt!
I’m 30! Don’t be scared! It’s so awesome!!
Ha! Thanks Mandy. Hope you love this juice!
Kristen says
What is the towel that you used called and where can I get one like that? It looks like you poured the juice into it like a bag? That looks much easier than methods I have tried!
The one I used is just a fabric bag that came with a product I bought. But really any thin dish towel will do!
Laura says
Would cheesecloth work?
Joni Holmes says
Cheese cloth is what I use over a fine mesh strainer in case I squeeze too hard.
Nora says
I’m just taking a sip of this juice (okay, okay, I inhaled half the thing already, you caught me :)) and I love it! I would never have thought to blend and strain carrots to make juice, absolutely genius Dana! <3 I used pantyhose for a cheap strainer, worked perfectly!
Laura @ Raise Your Garden says
Hmmmm, I’m popping over to your place for a sip!!! Hehe. I’m a huge juice, just don’t like cleaning the machine. I knew how good carrots were for you, but I guess I didn’t realize just how good. WOn’t touch traditional store-bought orange juice with a 10 foot pole. No way. Don’t need the sugar. This looks great!
Natalie | Feasting on Fruit says
Thank you for this glowing juice and what sounds like a wonderful book recommendation! I love carrot + orange juice, and I especially love that you gave an option for juicer-less people like me. A slight beta carotene skin glow wouldn’t be a bad side effect either :)