Author: thejuicenut

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

Kiwi Protein Smoothie

This tangy protein smoothie is a nutritious green powerhouse. It is more of a thinny than my usual thick smoothies but feel free to adjust the amount of apple juice. As always, all measurements are approximate and can be adjusted according to taste and preference.

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Ingredients:

1 Banana

1 Kiwi, peeled

Juice of 2 or 3 Apples, depending on size and how thick or thin you want it

1 Rounded Tbsp Quinoa Flakes

1 Rounded Tbsp The Raw Chocolate Company Organic Raw Hemp Protein Powder*

1 Rounded Tbsp Pumpkin Seeds

1 Tsp Wheatgrass Powder

A few Romaine Leaves, washed and chopped

Blend and serve!

*http://www.therawchocolatecompany.com

Copyright: Chris McGowan

Spicy Raw Hot Chocolate with Hemp Milk

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This recipe was born on a freezing wet British Friday in August! It is just the thing to curl up with on a chilly afternoon or evening now that it’s time once again to don the thermals and woolly pullies.

Warming and very chocolatey, this hot chocolate is made with Raw Cacao,  Hemp Milk and a touch of cinnamon, but you can opt for nutmeg, ginger or even chilli or cayenne if you’re feeling that way inclined! (You can of course use nut milk if you don’t have hemp seeds but it will have a different flavour).

Ingredients:

2 Cups Hemp Milk made with Raw Chocolate Company Shelled Hemp Seeds* (or any nut milk)
2 Tbsps Raw Chocolate Company Cacao Powder
2 Tsps Coconut Oil
1/4 Tsp Cinnamon
3 Squares Raw Chocolate Company Pitch Dark and a little extra to grate on top
2 Tbsps Raw Chocolate Company Raw Coconut Palm Sugar

Method

You can do this 2 ways:
If you have a high speed blender, place all the ingredients in together and blend for about a minute. The blender will warm up the mixture so it is ready to drink straightaway.
If not, warm but don’t boil the Hemp Milk in a saucepan – it is best done from room temperature – and stir occasionally.
Add the warm milk to the rest of the ingredients and blend.
Grate some Pitch Dark over the top.

Makes enough to fill a huge Friends-type cup or 2 small mugs, so depending on how generous you’re feeling, curl up or cuddle up in front of the fire and unwind with Van the Man’s ‘Oh The Warm Feeling’ (youtube link: http://youtu.be/os9nt93BhqE) or better yet, find an episode of Friends (usually on Comedy Central) and remember what Friday evenings used to be like… Chandler, Joey, Frasier, Niles…

I feel a song coming on… ‘I’ll be there for you…’

Warning: A very few people are sensitive to cacao and are advised not to drink this on an empty stomach eg first thing in the morning.

This recipe first appeared on the Raw Chocolate Company Blog in an edited form.

*http://www.therawchocolatecompany.com/

Copyright:Chris McGowan

4 Christmas Meals = 3 Extra Lbs, But That’s OK!

(Apologies for no pictures of Christmas food, I was too busy eating it!

Despite still managing to have a couple of juices a day over the Christmas period and only succumbing to 3 vegan mince pies, a glass of fizzy wine, some bombay mix and some tortilla chips, by way of processed food, I have managed to gain 3lbs. I think it was Christmas get-together number four that did it, as I seemed to consume most of those items in one day!

But gaining the 3lbs doesn’t worry me, I know they will disappear when I get back to normal.

What matters is we had a wonderful time. All 13 members of my family came together – a rare feat given one member had just returned from Peru! – with everyone old enough producing an item of food towards the buffet lunch.

My son made the most decadently delightful raw chocolate avocado mousse I have ever tasted – and I think I ate most of it!!

(Well, he said he needed his kilner jar back😉)

He also made onion bharjis (yum), my daughter made vegan sushi (my favourite), there were sesame and mint falafels (me again), almond stuffed olives (ditto) and my daughter-in-law made me some raw breakfast bars (but as I discovered, also good for lunch, tea and any time in-between!)

So that explains the 3lbs. I enjoyed putting on every ounce of them haha!

Christmas is a special occasion for us as it is the only time of year when we can all be in one place to share a meal together, and I wasn’t going to spend this precious time worrying about weight gain.

Neither should you.

Now life has returned to normal, I am gradually returning to normal portions of clean food, juices and smoothies.

What matters is looking and feeling healthy, having energy, resisting coughs and colds – not obsessing over 3lbs.

I hope you had a lovely Christmas, too!

Copyright: Chris McGowan

Preparing to be SuperJuiced!

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I find January difficult. Dark, damp chilly days, post-Christmas blues, everyone hibernating waiting for the sun to come out.

A few years ago, I developed a coping strategy whereby every January I give myself a project or a challenge.

Three years ago, for instance, I spent the month adding to my family history. Two years ago, I came across Jason Vale’s 3lbs in 3 Days app* and began juicing (see my post ‘J is for January, Juicing and Jason!’).

I discovered a new me.

Last year, I became a raw foodie and vegan.

This time I am going to try Super Juicing. I have wanted to do it since I saw Jason Vale’s documentary, Super Juice Me! (see it for free on YouTube, link below), but wasn’t sure I had the stamina or discipline. I have done 7-9 days before, but I am concerned about my weight. I can’t afford to lose more than 3 or 4lbs, having already lost and kept off 34lbs and reached an optimum weight for me.

No, I am not superjuicing for weight loss. At this time of year, I always feel a slump in energy, a feeling of lethargy. As I write this, it is such a grey, wet day we need all the lights on, the fire lit. No opportunities for natural Vitamin D. I also have multiple aches and pains from longterm injuries. The youngest children were full of coughs and colds at Christmas, plus my husband has started sneezing.

So I am superjuicing to boost my energy levels, help ward off winter viruses and to see if it will help me reduce the pains and stiffness of damp winter weather.

This week I am tapering down: gradually returning to my normal clean diet in preparation for beginning Jason’s Free Big January Juice Challenge on the 11th.*

Part of this preparation is reading Jason’s ‘Super Juice Me! 28-Day Juice Plan.’

Although I have done most of his juice challenges, it is still always inspiring and remotivating to read one of his books before embarking on a cleanse.

It is as important to renew your juicing faith, to understand how it works and why you’re doing it, to make a mental commitment, as to prepare your body physically by gradually reducing the processed, sugary and fatty foods, coffee and alcohol.

I recommend reading any of Jason’s books: they are easy to read, informative as well as amusing. His enthusiasm is like attending an evangelical meeting. It is almost impossible not to see it through once you have read the book, made the commitment and best of all, watched his daily coaching videos. His SuperJuiceMe! The Documentary * is also inspirational as is Joe Cross’s film, Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead.

So this is my personal January Challenge: I am committing to doing a 14 Day Super Juice Me plan. I will see how that goes and how it affects my weight before deciding whether to carry on.

I had my last mince pie on Friday.

(It is important to emphasise that this is Taper Down Week NOT One Last Blow-Out Week!)

I am having my morning ginger shots or variations on the theme (see my post ‘Juicy Winter Warmers), a protein smoothie for breakfast, blended juice for lunch, a handful of nuts in the afternoon and light cooked meal for dinner – oh, and perhaps a little Raw Chocolate Company* raw chocolate in between (well it would be rude to let my Christmas present go to waste!)

I’ll keep you posted!

Happy New Year to you All!

Ps Don’t Forget To Keep Hydrated!

SuperJuiceMe! The Documentary

*http://www.juicemaster.com, http://www.therawchocolatecompany.com

Copyright: Chris McGowan

Gadgets Anonymous – My Family of Blenders

I have never particularly liked gadgets. I didn’t get a mobile phone until about 5 years ago – under pressure from the family – and I still have the same non-smart keyboard phone with text-only plan.

Today, however, I realised I have a problem. I have succumbed to gadget mania. You see, I just realised that I now have an ever-expanding collection of kitchen gadgets and I feel an intervention coming on next time my minimalist daughter pays a visit.

To be more specific, I own 3 juicers, 6 blenders (I know, I know), a food processor, a chopper and a spiraliser! Of course, this is in addition to the usual toaster, kettle, handheld mixer and breadmaker. In my defence I do not own a dehydrator – yet. Nor do I have an espresso machine or ice-cream maker. I did once have a yogurt maker and used it for many years. I actually don’t recall what happened to it – my son’s miffed that it isn’t still hiding at the back of a cupboard somewhere.

My husband uses the gadgets of course, but I have to take full responsibility for our ownership of them as I am the one who initiates their purchase – one of the side-effects of becoming a keen juicer and raw foodie!

  But I hear you getting restless. Go on, ask the question: ‘Never mind the rest, what on earth do you need with six blenders?’ you ask in wide-eyed disbelief.

Well, as I explained to my daughter, they all perform a different function.

Sort of.

So, let me introduce you to my family of blenders – but like any mother, don’t expect me to choose a favourite!

The oldest is the ever useful Braun stick blender with grinder attachment, variations of which we have been using since making baby food and more latterly for blending soup. But its functions are obviously limited. It needed a hand with the bigger, tougher, strong-arm jobs. And you can’t get much bigger, tougher, stronger (or faster) than this:

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This powerful large Optimum blender from Froothie is used principally for making nut milks, raw soups, nut butters and larger quantities of smoothies. It is fast, it can cope with anything, including ice cubes, makes the smoothest smoothies in no time at all and is easy to assemble and clean. (By the way, Froothie have one of the most helpful and responsive customer service teams I have ever dealt with).

In between we have the handy flask-size blend-and-go type blenders, 2 of which are Fusion boosters – yes, I have two! (Covers face with embarrassment). One was a replacement for the first which had a fault, but they both still work. Great for smaller quantities that you want to make quickly and go. Light, twist and go action, BPA-free, pouring lid. Its drawback is that you keep having to renew the rubber seal. Frustrating and expensive. 

Recently, however, on discovering it was no longer manufactured and therefore the parts no longer available, I bought a lime green similar type from Breville – the Blend Active – because it looked cheerful, was a great price (£20) and had great reviews! And it came with a spare flask and pouring lid. A one-button action. 30 seconds and you’re done. It has a small motor, just 300w and you have to keep your finger on the button while it blends, so it is just used for small quantities of easy-to-blend ingredients when in a hurry.

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I was very happy.

Until I received an email from Jason Vale informing me he has just brought out a new Retro Super Blender to match my Retro Juicer and – wait for it – it is being sold for half price for one day! And it has 15 parts, extra flasks large and small, a grinding blade, lids, drinking rings, all sorts! Plus, it’s twice as powerful as the Breville and it too can make nut milks etc.

What’s a girl to do? I am a marketing manager’s dream customer. I admit it. I am the daughter of a sales manager, I know all the tricks of the trade. I fall for them with my eyes wide open.

And so, the Retro Super Blender has duly joined my stable of kitchen gadgets! (see review here – hint: I love it!).

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Ps I am now on first name terms with all the delivery drivers such that they have been added to my Christmas ‘thank you’ list!

PPs I can no longer claim the moral high ground over my husband’s shed full of bikes and I daren’t tell him I think we need a new sprouter!

PPPs One of the Fusion boosters has gone to the charity shop.

(And, just to be clear, some were gifts!)

http://www.froothie.co.uk http://www.juicemaster.com http://www.breville.co.uk

Copyright: Chris McGowan

Lemony Tiger Nut Truffles

Tiger nuts aren’t just tiny little balls of protein, they are also versatile in flour and milled form.* I decided to add some milled to these lemony truffles.

(While devising this recipe I found myself humming Mud’s Tiger Feet and discovered this youtube video of Mud live on ToTP 1974. It’s hilarious and can’t fail to make you smile! http://youtu.be/QZvPtzFyrSM)

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Continue reading “Lemony Tiger Nut Truffles” →

Smooth and Creamy Hemp Milk

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I gave up dairy many years ago and relied on rice milk instead. But recently I discovered homemade nut milks and have become a true convert. Much creamier, tastier and more nourishing than the rice version. Lately, though, I tried homemade hemp seed milk for the first time and thought I would share the recipe.

You can use the milk in SMOOTHies, on cereal or to make Spicy Raw Hot Chocolate or try a SMOOTH Cool Chocolate Hemp Milk: just whisk up some hemp milk with some Raw Cacao Powder and Lucuma Powder or Coconut Palm Sugar to taste and plonk in some ice cubes.

There can only be one choice for our music today, let’s get SMOOTH with Santana – see what I did there? – (youtube link here: http://youtu.be/B0WlQsotC1Y (*WARNING* brief flashing lights at beginning) and start blending:

Ingredients
1 Cup Raw Chocolate Company Shelled Hemp Seeds* (no need to soak)
3 Cups Filtered Water
3 Pitted Medjool Dates, depending how sweet you want it
1Tsp Vanilla Extract
Pinch of Pink Himalayan Salt
Optional: 1Tbsp Organic Soya Lecithin or
1 Tsp Coconut Oil to make it creamier

Method
Blend for about a minute until smooth.

Some people like to use it as it is for a fuller flavour and of course you get all the nutrients, but you can also strain it through a nut milk bag . You can always dry the pulp and use it in burgers, cakes or smoothies.
This recipe makes about 1/2 to 3/4 of a litre 
It will keep chilled in a sealed container for about 2 or 3 days.

Hemp seeds are a good source of protein, B vitamins, Vitamin E, minerals and omega oils.

*http://www.therawchocolatecompany.com/

Copyright: Chris McGowan

Christmas Truffles

img_2880These are similar to the mix for the Spiced Fruity Raw Vegan Gluten-Free Christmas Pudding  The method is a little different, however. You may want to make individual treats for a gift or if you don’t need a whole pudding. They keep well in the fridge or freezer.

As always, measurements are approximate, substitutions are encouraged so long as they are like for like. If you don’t have enough dates, use some raisins or figs to make it up. The recipe contains no refined sugar.

The mix is vegan, gluten-free and all done in the food processor, so it’s easy-peasy lemon squeezy!

Different combinations of tart or sweet berries will give you a different balance of sweetness.

The fun bit is that if you really want, you can scoop out small amounts of the mixture and try them with a different combination of spices, or dust with a different powder eg cacao, lucuma powder, fine tiger nut flour,** finely ground sweet apricot kernels or almonds, and you can test as you go along: add a bit of this or that, see what you prefer and then next time do it all for real with your preferred combination!

Good for getting the kids involved rolling them in different ingredients and trying them out.

They also make a great gift.

So put on some Seasonal music – my antidote to all the shopping centre Christmas muzak: Miley Cyrus, Permanent December – and off we go!

Ingredients

Half Cup Sweet Apricot Kernels (or almonds, roughly chopped) pre-soak them while you get everything else ready
Half Cup Walnuts
Half Cup Dates
Half Cup Goji Berries
Half Cup Dried Mulberries
Zest and Juice of Half an Orange (or apple juice if you prefer a sweeter flavour)
Zest of Half a Lemon
1/4 Tsp Cinnamon
1/4 Tsp Nutmeg
Or whichever spices you prefer, adjust amount according to taste

Method

Pre-soak the Sweet Apricot Kernels
Soak Berries in the Orange Juice (or apple juice if you want it less citrusy)

Drain Kernels and process
Add remainder of ingredients
Process & Stir, Process & Stir, it will take a while, until you arrive at your preferred consistency.

Scoop spoons of the mixture and roll into balls in your hands.
Refrigerate to firm up.
Lightly dust with Raw Lucuma Fruit Powder or whatever else you fancy. It has a slightly malted flavour and is rich in healthy nutrients.

You could also dip them in melted raw chocolate, add a little raw cacao butter to make it dip easier and prevent it being too brittle when it sets.
Place in truffle cases, decorate with holly and gracefully accept all the compliments!

*https://www.therawchocolatecompany.com

https://www.thetigernutcompany.co.uk

Copyright: Chris McGowan

Retro Super Blend – Review

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If you are new to juicing, you will soon realise you need a good blender as well as a good juicer for adding avocado, banana, super greens or protein powders.

There are so many blenders available and everyone has their favourite.

I thought I did too after I bought Juicemaster’s Fusion Booster. It was used every day, two or three times, and was so easy to use: no buttons or settings, just press down the flask, turn clockwise and it goes. It was light, portable, took up hardly any space, was BPA-free and could go in the dishwasher. Perfect for blending-to-go.

Unfortunately it had one serious flaw: the separate black rubber seal on the lid of the blade soon perished and would need replacing every few weeks. It wasn’t very pleasant when I found chopped up bits of rubber in my smoothie! I complained and complained about this design flaw. Customer services were excellent, patiently listened and sent out several free seals – until it was out of guarantee and no longer manufactured. I was so disappointed.

But, someone at Juicemaster* and Retro* was obviously listening! They have just brought out the Retro Super Blend. It matches the Retro Juicer in style and available colours and for me it was love at first sight! In fact, I loved it so much, I bought one for myself and one for a gift, sight unseen.

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There are so many parts and functions, it seems overwhelming at first, but it couldn’t be easier to use. There are 3 large blender flasks, 2 blades – 1 for blending, 1 for grinding – 2 smaller blender/grinder flasks/cups, pouring cap, 2 screw-on rings for drinking, 2 screw-on lids and a shaker lid. And dishwasher safe. Ideal for family smoothies. Oh, and it has suction feet so it doesn’t travel when in use.

The best thing of all for me is that they have retained the twist and go action of the Fusion Booster. There are no buttons or settings, you just press the flask into position, turn clockwise and off it blends.

I was a little concerned at first about the large diameter of the flasks, it seems they are designed for a man – I can only just get my hand round them – and I thought it might take more pressure to put them in position on the base before turning, but this is not the case.

Everything is so lightweight and simple to use.

We used it first to make cashew nut milk. The Super Blend has a powerful 700w motor – more than twice as powerful as the Breville Blend-Active, a similar design to the Fusion Booster –  and in less than 30 seconds, we had ultra smooth and creamy milk.

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It made just under a litre of cashew nut milk, some of which we used to make a version of Happenin’ Hemp Protein Smoothie from the enclosed recipe booklet. Again, it took less than 30 seconds, and no bits.

The blender managed the ice cubes in the smoothie with no problems at all.

We have only used it twice, but so far we love it. It will be put through its paces regularly, so watch out for future updates – hopefully, I’ll have little to write but ‘as above’ or ‘still going strong!’

Available in several colours.

Update: A year on, it is still in regular use, often 2 or 3 times a day. We’ve had to replace the seal once, this was provided free of charge. I’ve just bought another at half-price during April (2017). It makes an excellent gift. We gave one to a family member who is a student and she loves it. It has made a healthy improvement to her diet. It’s become our everyday blender. (We use a larger Froothie Optimum 9200 Blender for making larger quantities of nut milk, for instance, or when making smoothies for a few people).

Highly recommended.

*http://www.juicemaster.com

*http://www.retrojuicer.com

Copyright: Chris McGowan