Author: thejuicenut

Vegan, raw foodie, juice nut, writing somewhat wryly about health/nutrition/wellbeing with a little creativity on the side. pearsnotparsnips@mail.com

Super Juicing: Day 7 – Bit of a Wobble

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For Goodness Shake

Yep, I admit it, I had a bit of a wobble yesterday.

I was hungry. I was cold. I was tired. I was fed-up with the grey, damp weather. Everything hurt. Then at night I couldn’t sleep. My tummy was gurgling. I was seriously concerned about being able to carry on another week.

I had decided to have a rest in the late afternoon. This caused me to break one of my own Tenets of Juicing: Remember to have your juice!

By the time I got up, I was so hungry I skipped the green juice and went straight to the more substantial evening shake, Tahini Cocoa Beany.* I had been looking forward to this all week, it was lovely.

But in doing so, I filled myself up and didn’t feel like having the skipped juice before I went to bed.

Big Mistake.

I just couldn’t fall asleep. I tried the slow breathing technique – breathe in to a count of 4, hold for 7, breathe out for 8 – which certainly made me feel more relaxed,  but I couldn’t drop off. My tummy growling and gurgling. I tried the audiobook. 3 cds later I could ignore it no longer.

Finally, I got up at 3 am, had the missed juice and 6 cashew nuts – magnesium helps you relax and can help with insomnia – and went back to bed. I fell asleep.

Today, I am back on track. All systems are go. I know I can do this. I no longer feel tired and am superalert again.

I think what also happened was that my body reacted to the tomatoes in a juice on Day 5. I haven’t had them since doing the Clear Skin Programme* and had always wondered if I was sensitive to them. My stomach felt bloated after the juice and I had slight indigestion. I felt uncomfortable that night, but not seriously. That’s the only other thing I can think of to explain yesterday’s pain and tiredness and consequent need to rest.

Further Tip:

I forgot to mention in an earlier post that, psychologically, it helps if you ‘eat’ the thicker blends and shakes with a spoon rather than straight from the glass. If you also chew, even better. It makes the juice last longer and you feel more satisfied.

A Juice Cleanse/Fast/Detox is Not a Diet:

I have so far lost 4 lbs. But as I indicated at the start, I am not doing this to lose weight.

When I was at the dentist’s last week, I got into a conversation with the receptionist about juicing. She asked me if I could recommend a plan.*

She also looked me up and down and said, ‘But why are you doing it?’ clearly linking juicing with dieting.

I told her I was doing it for the health benefits. That it helps with the aches and pains, that I hadn’t had to use an inhaler for 2 years, that I had cleared myself of a horrible rash,* that it eased my digestive problems, lowered my cholesterol and gives me more energy.

I am definitely carrying on.

*http://www.juicemaster.com

*A Rash Decision?

Copyright: Chris McGowan

Super Juicing Day 6: The Tempting Smells of Melted Cheese and Spicy Teacakes

I am not going to lie to you, doing a long juice fast or cleanse is not easy. It requires mental and physical preparation, commitment, determination and sheer will-power. You also need to be able to explain your actions to the naysayers!

By now, after doing several juice fasts, I have all this down-pat. But yesterday I struggled.

For me, the hardest part is the smells of family cooking. Not the actual food. I wouldn’t normally eat the pies, pizzas, potatoes or pasta anyway.

No, it’s just the smell.

Before I gave up dairy, my favourite food was cheese. I love/d cheese and never for a second did I believe I could ever go a day without it. It would be my luxury item on Desert Island Discs!*

When I was a student, I was in cheese heaven. The local market would sell huge rounds of Lancashire cheese, both crumbly or creamy, take your pick or have both, why not?! I would buy a wedge to take home but would have consumed it all on the way back. Too irresistible.

When I met my husband, he would only ever eat cheese sliced with fruit cake once a year at Christmas! It’s a Yorkshire thing. Now, he eats it practically every day.

But it’s not the fact of cheese being around, it doesn’t bother me. I really have no desire to eat it.

It’s the smell of cheese melted that is the thing that is causing me the most problems on this juice fast. Melted cheese. It’s there, every day. On pizza, on pasta, on rice, on jacket potato and, his pride and joy, home-made cheese and herb sausages!

Don’t get me wrong, I definitely don’t want to eat the cheese.

There’s just something primal about certain food smells that are tied up with memories. They conjure up the pleasures, the joy, the social rituals, family get-togethers.

The saliva glands start to work overtime and the digestive juices begin to gurgle. Your tummy rumbles. I practically drool, the juices are flowing so freely.

Until you do a juice fast,  you aren’t really aware of how much of your day is spent thinking about, preparing, cooking and eating food. My juices are made in the morning, and take very little time to consume, so that leaves a huge chunk of empty hours where you find yourself looking around for something to occupy your thoughts and distract you from the smells while others are cooking and eating.

My husband, though, doesn’t get this.

Every mealtime we have to go through the same ritual when he asks me what he should have for lunch/dinner etc.

Should he have quiche? Pizza? Pasta?

Then, this morning I woke up to the smell of freshly baked bread!

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(And don’t get me started on his toasted cinnamon fruit teacakes!)

Oh, the smells, the smells!!

*http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04stgz0

Copyright: Chris McGowan

Super Juicing Days 4 & 5: Beetroot & Snow!

Day 4 : Beetroot juice everywhere except in my tummy, and I was soooo hungry! Took us ages to clean up: after we took these photos, we lifted up the base to find red juice pouring out of the bottom like it had just had it’s jugular sliced!

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Tip No. 1 for today: Make sure you tighten the lid properly!!

(The juice, Anti-Oxidant King, was lovely by the way. Pineapple, beetroot, mixed berries, banana, apple, spinach. Yum).

No further surprises on Day 4, but the temperature was dropping and I know that for many, doing a juice cleanse in January is a real challenge.

Cycling to and from work every day in icy weather and working in cold conditions can cause a rethink. I am fortunate in that I am in a warm environment, but even I am sitting with a hot water bottle on my knee!

Lots of herbal and fruit teas and hot water can help, but if you really begin to suffer then transitioning to light soups is recommended. Jason Vale’s Soup’n’Juice me plan is a good place to start.*

Tip No. 2:  Try not to jump right back in to eating starchy, fatty meals. Your digestion will suffer. 

Day 5: Our first dusting of snow!

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It had begun to thaw by the time I took this. 

I am feeling good. No headaches at all this time. I am super-alert, my skin and hair look good and I also survived a visit to the dentist! I am keeping hydrated this time too. No cravings now. On Day 2 I would have given my right arm for an apple or some Brazil nuts – my usual morning snack!

After several juice cleanses, one thing I have learned is that I often can’t manage a whole serving of juice and I can’t go the full 3 hours between juices. So, if a juice is too much for me to consume all in one go, I divide them and have them more often, so every 2 hours or so rather than 3.

Tip No. 3: It is important to listen to your body.

I have lost another pound, making 3 so far. I am keeping an eye on my weight loss as I don’t need to lose any, having already lost 36lbs since I began juicing 2 years ago.

Tip No. 4:  if you want to do a juice cleanse for health reasons and don’t especially want or need to lose weight you can add ‘a little something’ to the juice in an easily digested form.

For instance, some Udo’s Choice Oil, or some ground up almonds or seeds. Yesterday, I added some homegrown mung bean sprouts that I didn’t want to waste. The extra ‘little something’ will help keep you feeling satisfied for longer too.

When I get into the juice plan and I get used to not eating whole foods, I have a tendency to forget my juice. When I am not having to think about meals or mealtimes, I become preoccupied with other things. I become involved, time passes and suddenly I am feeling light-headed. Blood sugar levels crash. Oops, missed a juice.

Tip No. 5: Remember to have your juice!

The next 2 days will be a bigger challenge I think because the temperature is set to plummet further and also because my body is used to beginning the transition after 5 days. But I am really looking forward to the Tahini Cocoa Beaney!

*http://www.juicemaster.com

Copyright: Chris McGowan

Cumin and Have Some Soup!

A spicy, satisfying and nourishing soup to warm your cockles – and everywhere else!

This is my favourite when it’s cold and dark and I’m hungry but don’t know what to have and there isn’t much in the fridge anyway – you know, that day before shopping day?

Serves 2

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It takes about an hour from start to finish.

Ingredients

(All veg, oil and spices are organic, so the peel is left on the carrots and sweet potatoes, if not scrub and peel. All measurements approximate.)

1 Tsp Raw Virgin Coconut Oil

1 Tsp Cumin Seeds

1 Large Onion, sliced thinly

1 Large or 2-3 Small Cloves Garlic, crushed

2 Medium to Large Carrots, scrubbed and sliced

2 Medium to Large Sweet Potatoes, scrubbed and sliced

Half Stick of Celery, scrubbed and sliced

1/3 Cup Orange Lentils, rinsed

1 Vegetable Stock Cube dissolved in approx 600 mls boiling water

Freshly Ground Black Pepper

Couple of Splashes Tamari (dark gluten-free soy sauce, a staple in our kitchen)

Fresh Coriander to serve – optional

Method

Melt the oil

Gently toast Cumin Seeds, stirring around so they don’t burn

Ditto Garlic and Onions

Add rest of Vegetables, stir a few times, then add some black pepper

Cover and allow to sweat gently for about 15 mins. stirring once.

Add Lentils, Stock Cube & Water, Tamari.

(Be sure to have enough stock to easily cover the veg as the lentils will soak up some of it)

DON’T BOIL

Simmer very gently on a low heat for about 30 mins. until lentils cooked and vegetables are soft.

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Blend as little or as much as you like – We use a stick blender as we like to leave some whole, but the liquid quite thick

Taste and add more pepper if desired.

You’ll notice there is No Salt on the list. This is because the Stock Cube and Tamari already have it in and the soup can be a little salty if you put extra in. Add it at the table once you’ve tasted if need be. (Pink Himalayan is best as it still contains all the minerals and has no added nasties).

Add Fresh Coriander to serve.

Copyright: Chris McGowan

Super Juicing: Days 2 & 3 Trouble Sleeping? Hunger Pangs? 10 Tips to Help You Through The ‘Difficult Days!’

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The second night of a juice cleanse is usually the part I struggle with. I get quite hungry in the evening and often have trouble sleeping, partly through hunger but also from being super-alert.

The ‘juicy high’ begins to kick in just at the point where you’re wondering if you should just give in, get up, and go and raid the fridge or snack cupboard. So here is some advice:

  1. Don’t do it! It will pass.
  2. Listen to an audiobook or some relaxing music until you drop off.
  3. Have some valerian or chamomile tea. I also like Clipper’s Snore and Peace.
  4. Lavender drops in a bath, on your pillowcase or a hanky work well.
  5. I also find Rescue Remedy Night-Time Drops helpful for turning off the buzzing thoughts long enough to fall asleep.
  6. Rest is important when doing a juice cleanse, so if absolutely necessary, have a little something (as Winnie the Pooh was often inclined to do!), but make that little something count.
  7. Don’t be tempted to eat mindlessly. You will be proud of yourself for seeing it through and will feel amazing next day.
  8.  Don’t reach for your partner’s leftover pizza or that slice of carrot cake you selflessly made for your children’s tea. No, really, don’t. You’ll thank me for this. Promise.
  9. Instead, try half a ripe avocado with some black pepper and a squeeze of lemon. Or a small, ripe banana. Or half of one of the Juice Master’s Juice Bars.*
  10. And don’t give yourself a hard time for ‘giving in!’ Instead, give yourself a pat on the back for choosing a healthy option and sticking to your goal.

This time, although I had trouble getting to sleep – I had a lot on my mind – I did manage to eventually and didn’t have to get up in the night to assuage those demonic temptations.

I think I may have cracked this juicing lark!

I got up, congratulated myself, and looked forward to the first main juice of the day: Sweet ‘n’ Smooth Blend. 

Hang on. Parsnip?! No way! Jason, how could you?!

(Regular readers will already know of my complete antipathy towards this genuinely nutrient-filled vegetable, but if you are bemused then please read my post ‘Pears But No More Parsnips’)*.

My husband knows better and thankfully had replaced it with sweet potato. And very nice it was too.

Phew, that was close!

Ps Although I don’t normally weigh myself during a cleanse, and am not looking to lose a significant amount – just the extra couple of Christmas pounds – for those interested in knowing these things: I have so far lost 2lbs. If it starts going beyond 5, I will begin adding more extras to my juices, or have an extra one each day.

Onwards and upwards – or downwards, or something! You know what I mean!

*http://www.juicemaster.com

*https://pearsnotparsnips.com/2015/11/06/pears-but-no-more-parsnips/

Disclaimer: As always, if you are thinking of doing a juice cleanse, please be sure to check with your doctor first. These posts are my personal experiences with juicing.

Copyright: Chris McGowan

Blogger Recognition Award!

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Thank you to the lovely Baisakhi at https://nerdsakhi.wordpress.com/ for nominating me for this award – I am honoured that she should think of me as being worthy of consideration among such worthy winners. I am a blogging newbie and owe my success to my Primary School teacher, Miss Evelyn Walker, my Secondary School teacher, Miss Paterson, Microsoft, Kindle and Apple, who all taught me the value of reading and writing, the impact of the written word together with the appropriate image, using them to entertain, inform, provide inspiration, support and advice. I hope I manage to succeed doing at least some of these. Now which dress shall I wear to the ceremony…?

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Here are the rules of the Blogger Recognition Award:

Rule 1: Thank the person who nominated you and provide a link to their blog.

Rule 2: Provide a link to the award creator.

Rule 3: Attach the award to your post.

Rule 4: Nominate fifteen other bloggers, excluding yourself and the person who nominated you.

Rule 5: Write a brief story of how you started your blog.

Rule 6: A piece or two of advice to new bloggers.

Rule 7: Comment on the blogs you have named here to let them know you have nominated them.

I began my blog after writing guest recipes on the blog of The Raw Chocolate Company.* I enjoy writing, juicing, food, and am passionate about health and nutrition, so I decided to combine them all in a blog!

I was overwhelmed when I first set up my blog. I have no technical expertise other than what has been self-taught. I would recommend participating in the Blogging 101 course on https://wordpress.com and chatting to other bloggers. Also, write about your passions, your enthusiasm will come across to your readers, the more you write the sooner you will find your own voice and stand out from the rest writing on similar topics. I follow nerdsakhi because we share a passion for books and writing. Her youthful enthusiasm shines through her writing and you can’t help but look further into the books, poems and topics she discusses.

I nominate the following:

https://foodbycamilla.wordpress.com/

https://wanderingsoul2015blog.wordpress.com/

https://mindandlifematters.wordpress.com/

http://myjourneysinsight.com/

https://aheartafire.wordpress.com/

https://storyshucker.wordpress.com/

http://yoursuccessinspirer.com/

https://notionlux.wordpress.com

http://parishereandthere.com

http://spiritualfoodie.org

https://kingsoracle.wordpress.com/

http://www.veganfamilyrecipes.com/

http://www.theveganwoman.com/

http://veganfamily.co.uk/

http://www.therawtarian.com

*http://www.therawchocolatecompany.com

Copyright: Chris McGowan

 

 

 

Super Juice Day 1: Keep Calm & Juice On! Tricks & Tips

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Well, not the best start. I woke up to hear that David Bowie had died. Then had my first juice and realised I had forgotten to remind my husband to cut back on the pineapple and replace the lime with lemon, so now I have a mouth ulcer and my stomach hurts. (I am sensitive to them both when taken in large amounts). Then I got into a ‘discussion’ with my husband about a 4p difference in the price of an item I was about to order (don’t ask!). All before mid-day! I am supposed to be having a stress-free day!

But back to the beginning.

My husband gets up much earlier than I do –  I am a night owl and he is up with the lark – so he is making the day’s juices and putting them in flasks and jars to keep in the fridge.

  1. It is a good idea to put ice in them to help keep them as fresh as possible. Also, try to fill up the containers so the trapped air doesn’t cause the juices to oxidise and deteriorate faster than is necessary. Keep them out of the light.
  2. I always enjoy my daily Ginger Shot and Jason’s coaching videos really get you motivated. I highly recommend his apps and books.* He just has a way of getting important points across in a non-hectoring, often amusing manner. You usually have a smile on your face as you sip your first juice, and if you find yourself flagging or being tempted by your spouse’s pizza, just play the video or read the book and you’ll be right back on track.

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Protein-rich Powerhouse with Peas, Avocado, Hemp Protein Powder & Mixed Seeds – where do I get my protein from? Right there.

3. I have no problem with hunger pangs. This is probably because I am used to juicing plus I have gradually altered my diet in the week leading up to the SuperJuice.

4. When I eat solid food, I eat when I’m hungry not according to the clock, ditto when juicing.

Over-riding natural hunger pangs or thirst reflex or eating through boredom etc leads to your body not being able to recognise genuine hunger from psychological hunger or actual thirst. It also leads to bingeing and poor food selection, where we get so hungry we reach for the convenience foods rather than cooking a meal from fresh, healthy ingredients.

I follow the same routine when juicing. The timings for consuming the juices on the plan are guidelines. The first time I did a plan I stuck to it rigidly. Which meant I went hungry sometimes and had to force down juices at others. Now I am more flexible.

5. Never force yourself to have a juice if you really aren’t hungry, but don’t let your blood sugar levels crash either by leaving too long a gap between juices.

I am also remembering to keep hydrated.

6. The first time I did a juice plan, I thought I was getting enough liquid in the juices. Not so, and I really suffered until I realised my mistake.

7. As it’s the depths of winter here, drinking between juices is a welcome opportunity to have something warming. I like Pukka* Licorice and Cinnamon tea, Chamomile, Peppermint, Lemon, Ginger and Manuka Honey, and I drink hot water too. I find hot water much easier to drink than cold, even in summer.

8. Days 1 & 2: Stay near the facilities!! Not going to elaborate on that one!

9. If you do get tired or have withdrawal symptoms like a headache and you are able to, have an afternoon rest. Go to bed early in the evening.  Try not to over-exert yourself. Try some meditation or yoga. Do not get into ‘discussions’ with your spouse or teenage offspring that you have no chance of winning!

10. Sip juices through a straw and rinse your mouth with water after a juice. I am oil-pulling too – rinsing my mouth with raw virgin coconut oil for 15 minutes a day. Don’t clean your teeth straight after a juice.

I promise by the end of Day 3 you will have so much energy and be so alert, you’ll think you’ve been kidnapped by aliens and had an energy transplant.

Stick with it, it’s worth it!

*http://www.juicemaster.com

http://www.pukkaherbs.com/pukka-products/pukka-teas/

Copyright: Chris McGowan

Preparing to be SuperJuiced Part 2

It’s Sunday evening and I have just had my final meal on a plate (as opposed to meal in a glass) before beginning Jason Vale’s Big January Juice Challenge tomorrow.*

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I’ve been tapering down all week after the – for me – slight excesses of the Christmas/New Year period. I was still basically clean-eating and had at least 1 juice a day, but I did have vegan mince pies, a glass of vegan sparkling wine and larger portions more often than normal. I managed to put on 3lbs! I think it was my son’s heavenly gift of raw chocolate avocado mousse that did it – I couldn’t bring myself to share it and had it for breakfast, afternoon snack and dessert! Or maybe I am just in denial about what I actually did eat all the other times!

Anyway, I enjoyed our family Christmas and that mattered more to me than 3 extra pounds.

I have been eating normally again this last week and have already waved goodbye to half of them.

However, this is not about putting on weight and having to lose it again. Quite the opposite in fact. Other than the extra I acquired over Christmas, I don’t want or need to lose weight.

I am doing the SuperJuice Challenge of 14 days’ juicing to reset my body, boost my immune system, balance my hormones, help reduce the usual January blues I suffer and generally give my body an energy lift.

Before I began juicing, every January would signal the oncoming of the most lengthy, debilitating cough, cold and sinusitis and often a cracked rib and strained muscle from the effort of it all. Last year, as last woman standing in our family – my daughter was struck with pneumonia, my husband forced to spend several days in bed for the first time in his life and everyone else coughing and spluttering and feeling at Death’s door –  I did finally succumb, but it was much less severe and shorter than normal. Plus, I didn’t have to use an inhaler.

This year, once again everyone else in the family has been snuffling and coughing, but so far I am immune. I will be interested to see if SuperJuicing will help me avoid it altogether this year.

It is not an ideal experiment: I am having dental work done twice within this period, which will place my body under some stress, but we’ll see what happens.

Note to self: Do Not Make The Same Rookie Mistake As When You First Did A Juice Challenge! (See earlier post J is For January, Juicing and Jason! http://wp.me/p6UDky-2X)

KEEP HYDRATED

UPDATE: By 3/3/16 I have managed to resist all attempts by rampant viruses to take hold! I have felt a dry throat once and a few sneezes once but each time I drank a lot of ginger and lemon tea as well as regular ginger juices – see Juicy Winter Warmers in Juice Recipes – and within hours they were gone. This despite being hugged and kissed by younger family members in the full throws of colds and chest infections as well as having some intensive dendtal treatment and falling on the stairs!

*http://www.jasonvalesbigjuicechallenge.com

Copyright: Chris McGowan

Why I call you friend

If you are having a bad day, having doubts about your life, your very existence, need a smile, inspiration or motivation or just plain bored, I recommend you visit Ngobesing Romanus’ blog. He is a journalist, philosopher and poet and writes thought-provoking posts, poems that are equally uplifting and poignant, life-affirming and beautiful.

Source: Why I call you friend

Passing It Forward

Many years ago, a good friend was visiting from overseas with her young daughters. Of course, despite only being September, the weather was wet, grey and chilly. She observed me struggling to dry the family’s clothes on a plastic airer in front of a heating vent on the wall of our tiny kitchen. There was nowhere else to dry them and we had problems with condensation and damp.

My friend insisted on buying us a drier. It made life so much easier and I never forgot her generosity.

Several years later, when our circumstances were much improved, I became aware that another friend, a lone parent with a young child, was in difficulties: her ancient fridge freezer had finally given up the ghost and she had no money to replace it.

I gladly offered to buy her a new one.

I was, as the Americans phrase it, ‘passing it forward’ and it felt good to repay the original act of kindness in this way. I knew the second friend would do the same when she was able.

These gifts were expensive but much-appreciated, they enhanced the lives of the recipients for a very long time.

But it doesn’t have to cost a lot of money – or even any money – to Pass It Forward.

Next time you do a clear-out of your wardrobe, your loft, your children’s toys, your shed or garage, think carefully about who might benefit from your passing it on. The local charity shops will welcome clean, useable clothing, toys, kitchenware and so on, many even take small working electrical goods. Playgroups and nurseries are sometimes short of good quality toys, books and play equipment. Women’s Refuges are often crying out for clothing and baby equipment.

We sometimes send books and refurbished bikes to our local Combat Stress centre.

Occasionally, we put an item at our gate with a note saying ‘free if you take it away’ or a serviced secondhand bike with a minimal price on which is donated to our local hospice.

Remember all those times when you were in need and someone helped you out, then pass it forward when your circumstances allow it. It can even just be the giving of your time.

I promise you, the recipient won’t be the only one who benefits.

Copyright: Chris McGowan