I Got My Fruit On…And Then Some (Plus a Giveaway!)
August 10, 2009 by Jenn
About a week ago, I embarked on an adventure to Chicago to meet some fellow bloggers and learn a thing or two about OJ from the OJ master itself, Tropicana. (For full disclosure, Tropicana paid for the whole dang trip—airfare, swanky hotel, dinners, cab rides. They bribed us well.) During my trip I learned some cool facts, sorta started a tiff with their dietitian and got hipped to some cool blogs. Overall, it was a success, and goshdarnit Chicago is a fun town with good food. Lots of good food. But more on that later. Let’s focus on my seven take-home lessons from the trip.
Stuff Learned in Chicago
1. Juice with pulp doesn’t have more fiber than non-pulp juice. This one really ruined Christmas for me. I’d always, erroneously, thought that my pulpilicious OJ was healthier and had more fiber than the watery non-pulp stuff, but I was wrong. The good news here is that for those of you who were forcing yourselves to drink the pulp-kind but didn’t like it, you can now drink the pulp-less without any fiber guilt.
2. Eight ounces of OJ equals two servings of fruit. That means that if I use a full cup in my morning smoothie (I will sometimes pair it with a banana and some vanilla protein powder for a delicious creamsicle flava), I’ve already got two of my five fruit and veggie servings down. Sah-weet.
3. There are sooo many good blogs out there. I met these great bloggers (and many of them are more than just fitness!):
- Kristen, That’s Fit
- Melissa, Consumer Queen
- Laurel: Laurel on Health Food
- Michelle: What’s Cooking
- Fitz: Fitzness
- Sarah: Totally Her
- Maridel: Vital Juice
- Amy: Super Healthy Kids
- Katie: Live Well Spend Well
4. Exhale: Core Fusion Body Sculpt isn’t any easier in person. Awhile ago, Erin reviewed this DVD, and on the Saturday of my trip, the Trop people set us up with a live class of it. And lordy, lordy, lordy. It was tough. If you have a chance to attend a live class, go for it. You won’t be able to laugh or sneeze without pain for days. It’s awesome.5. I’m not sold on all of it. The new “juice beverage” Trop 50 has half the calories and sugar of regular OJ, but I’m not ready to endorse it yet. They take normal juice, add water to it and then add back in vitamins and a derivative of stevia to sweeten the drink and to bring it back to its OJ-ness. I have to admit that I wasn’t crazy about its taste. I might use it in a smoothie, but when it comes to OJ, I’d rather just drink half as much of it, or, well, eat an orange. Note to readers: The Tropicana dietitian tiff ensued when I asked how Trop 50 was different than me taking regular OJ and adding water. Hehe.
6. OJ isn’t just for drinking. Turns out OJ is a powerhouse to cook with, too, lending both flavor and complexity to dishes. (I think I’ve been watching too much Top Chef.) After our killer workout, we went to this rocking cooking joint to make a breakfast fit for a king, or for a whole lot of hungry bloggers. You can even download the Trop-inspired recipes, including walnut-banana pancakes and a killer fruit salad with mint and coconut.
So, am I sold on Tropicana making the best juice possible? Not sure. But they do have super fresh OJ with no preservatives or artificial flavors. And their employees seem to really care, which goes a long way in my book. I’m still probably picking up an orange over juice most days, but sometimes there’s nothing like a cool glass of OJ on a weekend morning to make you feel like you’re really eating breakfast. —Jenn
Want to try some Tropicana yourself? Comment below or email us at contact@fitbottomedgirls.com by next Monday with why you love the orange or OJ, and we’ll pick FOUR lucky readers to win this gift basket complete with a super cute glass that’s the perfect OJ serving size! (U.S. residents only, please!)
I love using orange juice in my breakfast smoothies. But I prefer snacking on a plain orange.
I'd love to win your giftset for my boyfriend. He loves OJ! I can't drink it, it really upsets my stomach, but i do love oranges.
I love orange juice, especially for fighting off colds. It just tastes so good!
Sounds like a great trip!! I love OJ especially in smoothies. It's a great was to incorporate some sweetness and vit. C in them!
I love OJ and never thought about putting it in my morning smoothie. What a great idea!! thanks so much.
No fiber benefit with the pulp huh? Wow – I had no idea!
OJ is a weakness of mine (most juices really) – I have to really watch my consumption because of the calories/sugar. It seems to flip on my sweet tooth from time to time, although not so much in smoothies.
Thanks for the balanced report, and especially some of the details on the green aspect. Cool to know. Thanks!
I love using orange juice in recipes, like salad dressings or marinades. And I like to snack on oranges, especially after workouts. The vitamin C boost is great!
I found your blog because of your review of the Core Fusion DVD. I've taken a few of the classes in Dallas and love them. It really does get all of your muscles pumping.
I'd really like to get the gift basket too.
i have a wonderful recipe that uses OJ to make french toast. My kids love it and with the extra flavor they do not use syrup or powdered sugar.
yummy
I love orange juice,with french toast,yum!!
I gave up drinking OJ when I got serious about losing weight and had to choose more carefully where to spend my calories and OJ just didn't make the cut. My husband still drinks it though and his brand of choice is Tropicana (pulp-free only: don't mess with the man's pulp ratio)!
I didn't realize Tropicana was so green. That goes a LOOOOOOONG way in my book, so I'm happy to support a company that legitimately tries its hardest.
Thanks for all the great info!
Nothing better than OJ and French Toast in the morning!
I loved your unbiased review about Tropicana OJ. I am especially impressed by their green efforts. I do enjoy a glass of cold OJ on a Saturday morning, so I'd love to win the basket!
Wish I could try the Core classes in person! Sounds awesome!
I LOVE OJ and have to have it with my oatmeal. So refreshing! And I'm not a huge fruit eater so pure orange juice really goes a long way.
Also, thanks for the Live Well Spend Well shout out
–Sam
Great post! sounds like you had a blast and learned so much! I have been a fan of Tropicana for sometime. From what I have found the "regular" stuff is the most natural and low sugar of what you can buy in the supermarket. I love it in my protein shakes also and can't wait to check out the recipes!
Thanks!
Angie
Bwhahahaa I would have gotten into a tiff over the same thing. I was thinking the exact same thing as you- "why not just take regular OJ and add some water to it?"
That sounds like a great time! And I didn't know that Tropicana was green like that; I'm impressed.
I guess I water down my OJ too when I make OJ ice cubes! Not used to a lot of sugar so this works for me. Interesting info! Thanks.
I love oranges, OJ, and the rest of the citrus fruits, too! I mostly stick with oranges, but anytime I feel under the weather, or a twice of a cold – I buy some OJ and drink up.
Maybe it's in my head, but it seems to work for me.
I hope I win!!
OJ just tastes so refreshing on a hot summer morning, and it complements breakfasts foods very well.
i prefer fresh oranges but oj is great too!
the giftset is fab! my sis loves OJ so this is perfect for her~
I am a fan of all citrus fruits! I love to eat a cold crisp orange just as a snack, and I absolutely have to have some yummy orange juice with my scrambled eggs and bacon! I loved your post, I am from Chicago and I really enjoyed reading it! I love that glass, and I would love to win the basket. Good luck to everyone!
sounds like you had a great time!! i got that core fusion dvd after you reviewed it, and i think the dvd is hard enough for me! haha
i would love to win, but i agree a regular orange is better!
What a super trip! That is so interesting to learn that cows eat orange peels!! I a big fan of all citrus and pretty much enjoy some form every day in juice or whole fruit form. This is a super giveaway that I would be so excited to win!
**jealous**
wish I could have gone.
I needeth a nanny
I use orange juice all the time for smoothies; it's the perfect juice for it! This would be great.
So glad you had the tiff with the nutritionist and I didn't have to. I had my hand up to ask the same question but she picked you first. Phew. Love your balanced summary of our trip and love that I got to meet you and have you make me laugh in person instead of just in print!
I love using orange juice in salad dressing, also I have a couple great marinades that call for OJ.
Having orange juice for breakfast makes me feel like I'm drinking sunshine. That's got be good right?
I love OJ with a lot of pulp…it makes me feel like I am eating the whole fruit:)
Oranges have always been one of my favorite fruit. I would love to win the Tropicana basket as I love that first bite into a room temp orange and tasting the sweet juice that immerses into my mouth! Mmmmm, I'm already salivating!!
I love orange juice and usually buy tropicana with extra pulp. Sorry to hear it isn't higher in fiber. That's counterintuitive. I use the juice more in smoothies than to just drink plain. The reason I don't drink it plain is I can't stop with 1 serving (1/2 cup)!!
I love using a splash of orange juice in fizzy water. It's low cal and feels fancier than a soda!
The seriousness about being environmentally benign gets them BIG points in my book. I would love to work for a company like that.
i love making easy popsicles with OJ!
I love OJ because it makes delicious chocolate-orange smoothies, which are a great post workout treat.
Also, it helps fight scurvy. We wouldn't eant to get scurvy, now, would we?