Turning Florida Produce Into Powerful Wellness Elixirs

Last Updated on May 28, 2025 by Tracy

 Florida’s seasonal produce can be turned into nutrient-rich blends. These natural elixirs support energy, digestion, and overall wellness every day.

Florida is filled with vibrant, fresh, and seasonal ingredients. From sun-kissed citrus to antioxidant-rich berries, there’s so much natural goodness right in our backyards. So, what do we do with this deliciousness? Eat it, of course! Why not experiment and make some wellness elixirs that support immunity, energy, and overall vitality?

I’m always looking for simple, nourishing ways to feel my best, and I’ve found that some of the most powerful remedies start right in the kitchen, using what’s fresh and local.

Read on for some wellness elixirs that you can easily make at home.

Kale Shots

Kale is incredibly versatile, and it grows well in Florida in the fall-winter-spring season, so it’s available almost all year. I love making kale shots because they pack a serious punch in a small glass. This leafy vegetable is full of nutrients that help keep my immune system strong and my vision sharp, and it’s one of those greens that actually delivers when it comes to antioxidants. Research also shows it can lower your cancer risk, so it’s a real superfood.

When I juice kale, I feed it through my juicer in small handfuls. I’ve tried using a manual juicer before, but honestly, it’s a lot harder work. A mechanical juicer makes the job faster and cleaner, and I can get more juice out of each bunch.

I usually consume one or two shots of kale juice daily. That’s more than enough since a few servings a week are enough to reap the benefits. A single glass already provides close to half my daily fiber, and it’s also loaded with calcium, beta-carotene, and vitamins C and K. I’ve found it helps with digestion and gives me a good boost without needing caffeine.

Pro tip: Add a splash of lemon or lime juice to reduce bitterness.

Natural Rosemary Oil

Rosemary (not to be confused with Ceratiola ericoides, a native Floridian rosemary that’s not edible) is very Florida-friendly as it’s quite tough and thrives in hot, dry spots. You can even grow it in your kitchen on your windowsill!

I love the smell of this fresh herb, but I also love what it can do for me. Rosemary contains iron, calcium, and vitamin B6, and when combined with olive oil, which supports heart health, reduces inflammation, is good for gut health, and has a whole lot of other wellness benefits, it’s a powerhouse duo for boosting immunity, enhancing digestion, and supporting overall well-being.

To combine the two, I make my own rosemary olive oil by combining a bottle of olive oil with five sprigs of rosemary and cooking it over a low heat for about five minutes. Once it’s cooled, I decant it into a bottle and use it in my cooking, as a salad dressing, and even as a butter replacement. You can choose to leave the rosemary in or remove it, or you can use it in cooking to ensure nothing goes to waste.

Pro tip: To make your rosemary olive oil last longer, refrigerate it.

Cold-Pressed Juice

Making juice is like making your own fountain of youth, health, and wellness. I stick with the cold-pressed method because it doesn’t use heat, which helps the juice retain more of its vitamins and antioxidants.

In terms of flavor, I like mixing things up, and I depend on what’s in season. Lemons are at their peak from late winter through early summer, which makes them perfect for adding brightness. Spinach grows well in the fall and early winter, so I pair the two for a clean, green blend.

Florida limes thrive in the summer and early fall, complementing the juicy watermelon that peaks from April to July. For cooler months, I reach for blueberries from March to May or earthy vegetables like carrots and beets, which are harvested from fall through early spring.

When juicing, I like to follow the 80/20 rule, which involves using mostly vegetables with just a little fruit for sweetness. This makes the perfect tasty mix that doesn’t have too much natural sugar but still tastes amazing. 

Pro tip: Adding oranges or in-season tangerines gives your juice a fresh flavor and helps it stay tasty a bit longer.

Thick Fruit Shake

The indulgent version of a smoothie, fruit shakes can be a wonderful way to boost your energy, especially when made with wholesome ingredients full of complex carbohydrates and nutrients. I like to use fruits grown right here in Florida, like strawberries, blueberries, mangoes, and peaches. These local ingredients are packed with vitamins and nutrients that keep your immune system strong, aid in digestion, and help regulate blood sugar. Blueberries are also full of Pterostilbene, which is a powerful antioxidant that helps fight against aging and age-related illness.

To make one of my favorite fruit shakes, I slice up a banana and add it to the blender. Then I add a 6-ounce container of yogurt (preferably made from Florida milk!). The state has a strong dairy industry, with over 100,000 dairy cows producing around 300 million gallons of milk each year. Much of that milk goes into making yogurt and other dairy products.

After that, I mix in about 1 1/2 cups of fruit. I usually pick a variety like mangoes and peaches grown in Florida during their peak seasons, along with locally grown blueberries and strawberries.

Next, pour in 1 1/3 cups of juice. Orange juice is my go-to, especially when it comes from Florida oranges, but occasionally I like to try peach or mango juice for a change. If the shake is too thick, I just add a little more juice and blend again until it reaches the right consistency.

Pro tip: Portion your fruit up and freeze it in advance. This keeps it fresh and prevents the need for ice blocks, which can dilute the creaminess of your shake.

Make Elixirs Part of Your Everyday Routine

Whether I’m looking to boost my energy, support digestion, or just avoid that mid-morning crash, these Florida-friendly, locally grown wellness elixirs work for me. I also like that I can adjust their ingredients depending on what I need that day. They’re affordable, easy to make, and genuinely satisfying. So, go ahead, try one! And be sure to come back and let me know what you think!

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