Good Morning, Sunshine! Watermelon Orange Smoothie. Did anyone ever greet you with “Good Morning, Sunshine!” Good heavens, I hope not. That would probably put me over the edge in the early am.
But this delightful watermelon orange smoothie will softly whisper that greeting to you as you sip. Once you’ve finished it, you’ll feel energized and happy and may not even mind if someone booms, “Good Morning, Sunshine!”
![Good Morning, Sunshine! Watermelon Orange Smoothie. This three-ingredient smoothie not only gives you a reason to wake up; it helps you to wake up! [from GlutenFreeEasily.com]](https://glutenfreeeasily.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7100012.jpg "Good Morning, Sunshine! Watermelon Orange Smoothie. This three-ingredient smoothie not only gives you a reason to wake up; it helps you to wake up! [from GlutenFreeEasily.com]")
My sister and I will be celebrating our birthdays this weekend. We were born 6 years and 2 days apart.
We’ve been very close for most of our lives, but I’ll admit that I was kind of mean to my sister growing up. Okay, maybe not mean, but sometimes I ignored her or indicated I wasn’t crazy about her. Annoying little sister and all that, you know? (I’m sorry, Sis!)
But even from an early age, we’ve always shared our love of watermelon. When we were in our early 20s, during the summer time, it was not uncommon for watermelon to be about the only thing in each of our refrigerators.
Some our age had refrigerators full of beer. We had watermelons.
Summer meant watermelon. Watermelon meant summer. Life was good.
We’d eat watermelon all day long, Sometimes watermelon would be our sole breakfast or lunch. It was that beautiful combination of red and green (only Christmas competes for best use of red and green together).
It was cold and juicy. It was super sweet (if you did a good job picking your watermelon, and thumping still rules in our opinion—despite media guidance to the contrary).
It was even low fat. Yes, low fat was all the rage then.
Watermelon also rejuvenated us on a hot day due to the hydration factor. We didn’t care that as a result of eating so much watermelon we had to make frequent trips to the bathroom.
As good as watermelon is—and as good as it is for you—subsisting on watermelon is probably about as smart as following a cabbage diet, or whatever the current fad diet might be (and please for goodness sake, don’t bring up “gluten free” in the same sentence as fad—thank you!). Still watermelons just epitomize summer and happiness to me, and one must appreciate their true health benefits, so there’s always a place in my summer-time diet for watermelon.
Here’s a summary of the health benefits of watermelon below:
Excellent source of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, B6, and potassium.
Has the highest concentration of lycopene of ANY fresh fruit or vegetable. Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant that helps fight heart disease and cancer. (Take that tomatoes! Tomatoes are best known for their lycopene content. I like tomatoes, but I far prefer watermelon.)
Contains amino acids citrulline and arginine, which support healthy cardiovascular function.
Since childhood, we tended to cut our watermelon into large pieces (think eighths and quarters) and eat it with a paring or steak knife in hand. After cutting, we’d stab the piece with the knife and then eat it right off the knife.
That’s actually how we learned our first knife skills, and we never ended up with cut tongues. These days, I’m sure that most parents would consider that risky business.
Because I’ve loved watermelon so much, I’ve been given a lot of watermelons over the years as presents … cut-out watermelons, cross-stitch watermelon pictures and towels, stenciled watermelon placemats, watermelon bowls, etc. I’ve declared a moratorium on gifts in the watermelon theme, but my kitchen is still decorated with watermelons. I’ve removed many from the decorating scheme as I was getting overwhelmed, but I’ve hung on to a few.
Just for fun, I’m sharing some in these photos. Note that my very favorite watermelon is the one that young Son made by coloring one of the wedges left behind after Mr. GFE cut down a tree.
![Good Morning, Sunshine! Watermelon Orange Smoothie. This three-ingredient smoothie not only gives you a reason to wake up; it helps you to wake up! [from GlutenFreeEasily.com]](https://glutenfreeeasily.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7100013.jpg "Good Morning, Sunshine! Watermelon Orange Smoothie. This three-ingredient smoothie not only gives you a reason to wake up; it helps you to wake up! [from GlutenFreeEasily.com]")
Now how about that smoothie … great for morning, lunch, afternoon snack, dessert … see once I get going with watermelons, I can’t stop myself. And look for my simple Watermelon Sherbet recipe soon. (Update: Here’s the Watermelon Sherbet recipe.)
![Good Morning, Sunshine! Watermelon Orange Smoothie. This three-ingredient smoothie not only gives you a reason to wake up; it helps you to wake up! [from GlutenFreeEasily.com]](https://glutenfreeeasily.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7100016.jpg "Good Morning, Sunshine! Watermelon Orange Smoothie. This three-ingredient smoothie not only gives you a reason to wake up; it helps you to wake up! [from GlutenFreeEasily.com]")
Good Morning, Sunshine! Watermelon Orange Smoothie
This three-ingredient smoothie not only gives you a reason to wake up; it helps you to wake up!
Ingredients
- 1 cup full-fat coconut milk (other non-dairy milk will work, too, or dairy milk if you consume dairy)
- About 2 – 3 cups seedless watermelon chunks (slightly frozen chunks work best)
- Juice of one orange (I used a Navel orange), about ¼ cup or so
Instructions
- Blend all together on high for about a minute or so until smoothie consistency.
![Good Morning, Sunshine! Watermelon Orange Smoothie. This three-ingredient smoothie not only gives you a reason to wake up; it helps you to wake up! [from GlutenFreeEasily.com]](https://glutenfreeeasily.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7100015.jpg "Good Morning, Sunshine! Watermelon Orange Smoothie. This three-ingredient smoothie not only gives you a reason to wake up; it helps you to wake up! [from GlutenFreeEasily.com]")
Originally published July 13, 2011; updated August 3, 2017.
saretta says
Looks delicious. I had never thought about using watermelon in a smoothie. Tomorrow’s breakfast is planned!
Shirley says
Hi Saretta–I hope you love it! I also made watermelon sherbet and used some of that the next morning in a breakfast shake—another winner! Enjoy!
Shirley
Kristina @ spabettie says
I have a watermelon and I was wondering if I should just EAT it or make a smoothie – this looks TOO good!
Shirley says
Hi Kristina–It is humanly possible for a watermelon to go a long way. LOL So you can probably do some of each! 😉
Shirley
Linda says
I just bought a watermelon thinking to use it in some type of drink. Yours looks delicious. Thanks for the video. I’ve never cut the rind off like that before. I’ll give it a try on this one.
Shirley says
Hi Linda–Can’t wait to see what you come up with! I have some other watermelon beverage ideas to share, too. 😉
It was a lark that I found that video, but I thought his method looked like a pretty easy way to cut watermelon without a lot of waste. Will look forward to hearing your report! Finally, loving all the beverage recipes–great call for the July challenge. 🙂
Shirley
Kay Guest says
Hey Shirley!
You know that piece of wood that your son colored like a watermelon? He should make them and sell them! Nothing like an ice cold watermelon in the summer. 🙂
Kay
Shirley says
Hi Kay–Awww, you’re too sweet, dear! I think Son’s watermelon coloring days are over (plus he’s only likely to do something like that for his mama) and the watermelon and cut-out phase is probably long gone, too. But I totally agree on ice cold watermelons! Just saying those three words perk me up. 🙂
Shirley
Maggie says
Cute post Shirley. Kind of like, who can spot the watermelon? I love them! Funny enough, the kids and I met my sister and her kids at the park yesterday. We both brought watermelon for snack-time. That sisterly bond is pretty strong!
I forgot to tell you that I love your new header! And happy soon-to-be birthday! xo
Shirley says
Hi Maggie–Haha … not where’s Waldo, but where’s the watermelon? I might have to make future photos more challenging. 😉 Yippee on sister time. Can’t wait to celebrate with mine on Sunday! 🙂 Too funny that you both brought watermelon, too, but it’s that time of year for sure!
Thanks so much regarding the header! It’s been in my brain a long time and Lexie brought it to fruition with her wonderful graphics skills. 🙂 Thanks, too, for the BD wishes … I can never get enough of those!
xo,
Shirley
Jeanette says
Shirley, we love watermelon in the summer, and making it into a smoothie sounds especially refreshing with all the hot weather we’ve been having. Love hearing about you and sister growing up.
Shirley says
Hi Jeannette–So nice to see you! 🙂 Another watermelon lover! Watermelons are just irresistible, aren’t they? I hope you’ll enjoy this smoothie. It is quite refreshing. I could drink it every day. 😉 Glad you enjoyed hearing about my sister … she’s a doll.
Thanks, dear!
Shirley
Angie Halten says
Very refreshing! My kids even loved it – usually they don’t like smoothies since they are too thick tasting (from the berry seeds, or fibres from pineapple, etc). But it was nice light drink – thanks!
Shirley says
Hi Angie–Woohoo … a review and a really positive one at that! I’m glad you agree that it was nice and light … a really sweet way to wake up or perk up I think. 😉
Thanks!
Shirley
Ina Gawne says
This looks so deliciously inviting! Another luscious smoothie – never thought of using watermelon – how perfect!
Shirley says
Hi Ina!–I think most of us just eat our watermelon or perhaps make a fruit salad with it, but I love it in smoothies. 🙂 And sherbet, too … that recipe is coming soon! 😉
Thanks so much!
Shirley
Zoe says
Hey Shirley,
Although I’ve spoken with you on Twitter, I don’t remember the last time I dropped by gfe! I like the new header. 🙂 When it’s hot it’s not unknown for my family to eat watermelon for breakfast or even as a snack. I’ve seen watermelon in smoothies before but I think adding the coconut milk definitely adds a twist to it; I’d even dare call it a milkshake. 😉 How does the watermelon flavour work with the creaminess of the coconut milk?
Shirley says
Hi Zoe–I know … we’ve been kind of hit or miss lately on blog connections! And I can’t say I’ve been on Twitter too much of late either.
Thanks for the feedback on my header! I’ve been “sitting on it” for a while. 😉
There is so much water in watermelon itself that this cup of coconut milk just gives it a little thickness, not really enough to call it a milkshake. The watermelon flavor combined with the small amount of orange juice works perfectly IMO, plus there’s one feedback comment already that concurs. 🙂
Hugs,
Shirley
Ricki says
I’m a big watermelon fan, too–and how cute are all those little watermelon slices?? 😉 I’ve read about the lycopene in watermelon before, and thought it’s just one more reason to love it. Your smoothie sounds great. Thanks for linking it up to Wellness Weekends! 😀 And HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you and Sis–hope you have something stellar planned to celebrate! xo
Shirley says
Hi Ricki–Somehow I missed your Wellness Weekend announcement (or forgot … brain fog!), but I’m glad I finally saw it–love it! So happy to participate. 🙂 Can you believe I have many more watermelon slices and “gear”? Stay tuned. 😉 That smoothie is a great one. The next day I made a “shake” using my watermelon sherbet. Holy moly that was good! Each has its own merits though. 😉
Many thanks for the birthday wishes, dear! So far what’s planned is a quiet weekend camping with Mr. GFE and Sonny and then a family gathering on Sunday … all good. xo,
Shirley
Hallie @ Daily Bites says
This sounds so refreshing, Shirley! Watermelon seems to be just starting to get good here, so I’ll have to give it a whirl. 🙂
Shirley says
Hi Hallie–It is quite refreshing. 🙂 It’s always surprising to find out the differences between the south and the north as to what’s growing. Stay tuned for more watermelon recipes. 😉
Thanks!
Shirley