Post 5lbs in 5 Days Juice Challenge: Peace, Paris-Roubaix & Pesto!

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I was thoroughly spoiled yesterday with beautiful flowers from both my mum and my grand-daughter.

It’s Sunday evening and what a contrast to yesterday! After a busy Saturday with family, today I was on my own. The sun was streaming through the windows, I’d lost another 1lb to add to the 5 yesterday and there would be 6 hours of cycling on the telly! I was in seventh heaven.

Our resident blackbird woke me with a virtuoso performance and I began the day as usual with an invigorating ginger shot. This was followed by a tiger nut milk, banana, blueberry and chia smoothie, with a green juice for lunch invented by my husband so I can’t tell you the recipe, he likes to keep me guessing! 

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Then came an afternoon of peace and quiet and Paris-Roubaix, one of, if not *the*, most exciting cycle races on the calendar.

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Team Sky bossing it on the cobbles!

My son and I were texting throughout as he kept losing pictures and I lagged behind due to phone interruptions – imagine, don’t they know!

Despite feeling the effects of a day with a two year old and a few days with an 85 year old, I feel really well from the juicing. Even Mum, who worries about me losing too much weight, said I looked good. It was an extra bonus to have a relaxing day doing what I enjoy and sharing it with my bike-mad son. At one stage I may have been guilty of  commentator’s curse when the Sky guys started going down like skittles after I posted that picture!

Dinner was a huge salad with home-made basil and walnut pesto, thrown together to use up the basil from the juicing.

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I feel full and satisfied and calm. I have a juice in the fridge for later if I need it.

Today was just perfect.

Copyright: Chris McGowan

5 lbs in 5 Days: Day 4 Are We Nearly There Yet?

imageDid you all enjoy the Berry Banana Crunch? 

It was certainly the highlight of a wintry day here where we had bone-chilling winds and face-scalding hailstorms interspersed with steely skies and sluicing showers!

Today you can look forward to Minty Sunshine, a refreshingly fruity/spicy/minty juice that perks you up in the middle of the day.

So, are you feeling it yet? That feeling of being on cloud nine, your mind clear, alert and bursting with ideas/goals/motivation? My eyes, so often tired and strained from too much reading and not enough sleep, feel so wide open – like those characters in cartoons whose eyes jump forth on springs when they are surprised by impending disaster! I am all ready for family visits starting later today, one the oldest member of our family in her 80s, the other the 2 year old whirlwind who’s already a juicer! I need all the energy I can get 😉

Tiger nuts* are soaking to make Horchata or Tiger Nut Milk in the morning as Mum said she would like to try it, and I think the 2 year old might like it too.

Thursday’s Thoughts

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From ‘The Secret’

I realised as I had my shower I hadn’t mentioned skin brushing when I talked about skin being part of the detoxing system. A great way to enhance the detox and renewal is to brush the skin with a dry loofah or Dead Sea Salts to slough off old flaky cells and stimulate the circulation. Do this before you go in the shower or bath. Work up from your toes to your belly using single upward strokes – go gently there and if you’re female avoid the breast area – use circular motions on your buttocks and upward strokes again up your back, then from your fingers to your shoulders, working your way towards your heart. It might hurt at first, but do it gently until you’re used to it and you’ll feel warm and invigorated. Then have a warm shower or bath.

You will feel so alive! (You can just see Graham Nash in this video)

Copyright: Chris McGowan

5 lbs in 5 Days: Day Zero – Prep Day

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(Apologies for lack of credit, I came across this on Twitter and it was unattributed)

So, here we are on Day Zero of my 5lbs in 5 Days* challenge! It starts properly tomorrow, but Day Zero is preparation day.

It’s a fine morning to begin our countdown, the sun is straining to come out from behind the clouds. I was woken by the dawn chorus, a beautiful way to start the day. If you have the oportunity, get as much fresh air as you can, breathe it in deeply and appreciate the budding trees and nesting birds.

This is an excellent time to clear out the bodily clutter and start anew. In a week’s time you will feel you are a different person!

If, like me, you are a regular juicer and have a fairly ‘clean’ diet ie free from processed foods, alcohol and sugar, then you probably only need the weekend to taper down before the week long juice fast. If you are doing this for the first time and/or tend to have takeaways or convenience food and so on, then I recommend you spend a couple of weeks gradually introducing more fruit and veg and reducing the sugar/alcohol/coffee/processed foods before you do a full-on juice cleanse. That way, you are less likely to experience withdrawal symptoms in the first couple of days – this could be a headache for instance or a strong craving for caffeine – and therefore less likely to give up before you’ve really felt the benefits.

My day began with my usual cup of hot water – unfortunately I can’t have lemon juice in it, it sets my teeth on edge! Sometimes I have ginger tea; fresh ginger is anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-fungal and is a strong weapon to deploy when doing a cleanse or when fighting off viruses or inflammation in the body.

Next I had a very fiery Morning Glory – see Juicy Winter Warmers – which was particularly spicy today and a great wake-up juice!

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Another glass of warm water was followed by a large breakfast smoothie:

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Small banana

Handful of Walnuts

Heaped Tbsp of Pumpkin Seeds

2 Tbsps Quinoa Flakes

2 Large Romaine Lettuce Leaves

1 Tsp Wheatgrass Powder

1 Medium Glass Fresh Apple Juice + a little filtered water

1 Heaped Tbsp Coyo Plain Yogurt

It has plenty of protein, carbs, omega oils, vitamins and minerals to keep me going all morning. If you want it a little fruitier/sweeter and a little less ‘green,’ try adding a couple of dried apricots or a pitted medjool date.

For lunch I’ll be having leftover home-made vegetable soup (see Thick and Chunky Winter Vegetable Soup)

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with home-made Gluten-free Tiger Nut Bread

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 Mid-afternoon I’ll have The Red One image

Beetroot juice in my funky Grip and Go glass bottle

This evening I’ll either have a huge salad with avocado or a vegetable stir-fry, haven’t decided yet – depends how cold it is by then!

Don’t forget to keep hydrated, lots of water and fruit or herbal teas will help prevent any detox headaches and hunger pangs.

Try to wind down from tv, computers and other devices well before bedtime and get an early night. Try to avoid over-exertion of the mind and body during this juice fast, it’s not advisable to start building that extension or increasing your work load. Any chance you get to just ‘be’, to be still, to be alone, to meditate, contemplate, do some yoga, go for a stroll, take it. Cleansing your mind is as important as cleansing your body.

Hope this has given some useful insight to pre-cleanse prep and I look forward to hearing your experiences during the week.

See my other Juicing Posts for more detailed tips and to read about my Super Juice experience.

Good luck!

*http://www.juicemaster.com

Copyright: Chris McGowan

5lbs in 5 Days Juice Challenge

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On Monday 4th April, I will be taking part in Jason Vale’s Big Juice Challenge using his 5lbs in 5 Days juicing plan. I wondered if any of you would like to do it with me and perhaps I can offer some support if it’s your first time?

This is my favourite of Jason’s plans: the juices are tasty and satisfying and the plan is just long enough to feel you’re getting somewhere and to spur you on to clean up your diet and lifestyle more permanently.

It says 5lbs in 5 Days, but most people lose more. My first time – without exercising – I lost 8, some have lost as much as 11, it really depends how overweight you are and how much you exercise.

This is an excellent time to start cleaning up your diet as the weather improves and the days get longer; you can finally leave your winter cave and breathe some fresh air while walking/running/cycling, and feel inspired by the renewal of Nature all around you to renew your faith and investment in you and your amazing body!

Juicing feeds your body on a cellular level, giving it everything it needs, and once your body has eliminated and replaced all the rubbish you will feel alert, energised, positive and motivated to carry on. Your hormones will be reset, your digestive system calmed and you may even finally discover which foods are aggravating or make you bloated/sluggish when you begin slowly to reintroduce solid food.

For those of you concerned about living on liquids for a week, don’t worry there are some solids in there too! Some of the juices are blended with avocado, there are mixed seeds, berries, banana and yogurt too. The Berry Banana Crunch is something to look forward to on Day 3!

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Jason’s 5lbs in 5 Days app is fun, informative and inspiring. I recommend using it if you’ve never done this before, and if you can obtain a copy of the book all the better. It really helps if you understand the process and make a mental as well as physical commitment to your health.

The app contains a shopping list and all the recipes and coaching videos you need to keep motivated. You have a ginger shot and 4 juices every day (2 x 2 recipes so you can make some in advance by doubling the quantity) plus herb or fruit teas and water:

DON’T FORGET THE WATER!

For extra motivation, I recommend watching Super Juice Me! The Documentary which involves an experiment Jason conducted taking 8 people with 28 chronic and sometimes life-threatening illnesses, giving them specially-prepared juices for 28 days. You will be amazed, moved, inspired.

If you are interested or if you would like more information or if you’re not sure, take a look at my My First Juice Cleanse – Advice for Beginners (which has my before and after photos), Super Juicing Day 1: Tips & Tricks or any of the other juicing posts.

Finally, if you would like to join me, Rule Number 1 is Don’t Have A Final Blow-Out This Weekend! You will feel worse for it and stand a bigger chance of giving up before you get properly started.

If this is too short notice, then you could spend this week tapering off your usual diet ie cutting out sugar, processed foods, alcohol, coffee and begin properly next week. I will still be here if you need support.

Juice On!

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Juice Master

Copyright: Chris McGowan

Walnut & Banana Smoothie with Raw Chocolate Mulberry Chips

This is a really thick smoothie – you will definitely need a spoon! – so feel free to adjust the amount of liquid if you prefer it thinner. It is intended as a meal replacement.

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Walnuts are a powerhouse of nutrients: protein, Vitamin E, B vitamins, healthy oils, fibre – good for the brain, good for the heart. Apricots contain iron and Vitamin A while Romaine, Quinoa, Sunflower and Hemp Seeds are also good sources of protein, Banana has potassium – also good for your heart – and Cacao, well, what doesn’t it have and what’s not to like?!

All ingredients are organic where possible.

Ingredients

Small Banana

4-5 Organic Dried Apricots, rinsed

1 Tbsp Quinoa Flakes

3 Large Romaine Leaves, washed and chopped

1 Tbsp Sunflower Seeds

1 Tbsp Raw Hemp Seeds*

1 Tbsp Raw Cacao Powder *

Handful Walnut Pieces or Halves

1 Tbsp Dried Mulberries*

1 Tbsp Raw Chocolate Mulberry Chips* to sprinkle on top

1 Small Glass Fresh Apple Juice + some filtered water if you want it a little thinner

Blend all except the extra Raw Chocolate Mulberry Chips, then sprinkle them on top. Sit back, relax and savour this raw chocolate smooth sensation!

This is for you, K! 😉

*from The Raw Chocolate Company

Copyright: Chris McGowan

Rocket-Powered Smoothie

 

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Adding greens to your smoothies gives them and you an extra boost of important nutrients: Proteins, Vitamins, Minerals and Fibre.

Rocket, or Arugula, is a cruciferous vegetable – like Kale and Sprouts – which are associated with a lower risk of cancer, in particular lung and colon cancer. It provides Calcium and Vitamin K for bone health, antioxidants, Iron and B Vitamins, including Folate, and contains nitrates, which lower Blood Pressure and the amount of oxygen required during exercise, while enhancing athletic performance.

It has a light, slightly herby flavour and is not at all overpowering when combined with fruit, nuts and seeds. I was pleasantly surprised the first time I tried it when we ran out of Romaine Lettuce.

(Remember to alternate cruciferous with non-cruciferous greens to protect your thyroid health).

This is a thick smoothie, you’ll need a spoon! (You can reduce the oats if you want it thinner).

Ingredients

1 Banana

2 Tbsps Gluten-Free Oats

A Large Handful Rocket Leaves

1 Rounded Tbsp Sunflower Seeds

1 Tbsp Cashew Nut Butter

1 Tsp Wheatgrass Powder

1/2 Mango

1 Tbsp Dried Mango Pieces

Small Glass of Fresh Apple Juice + a little water if you want a thinner smoothie

Blend and serve! Add ice if you’re not sure about the greenery, it helps when you’re not accustomed to green smoothies, but this has such a fruity flavour from the dried mango and apple juice, you’ll be fine ☺️

Copyright: Chris McGowan

Tiger Chia Smoothie

 It’s orange with black chia seeds and it roooaaarrrs! It doesn’t really have tigers in, but it does have tiger nut milk! It’s packed with protein, Vitamin E, potassium, omega oils and lots of other goodies to help power you through your day.

Ingredients

1 Banana

Handful of Organic Sunflower Seeds

Handful of Raw Chocolate Company Goji Berries*

1 Tbsp Raw Chocolate Company Chia Seeds

1 Heaped Tbsp Organic Quinoa Flakes

1 Organic Dried Apricot

Medium Glass of Tiger Nut Milk* (see Recipes) – more or less depending on how thick or thin you like it.

Blend until smooth, and if you’re reading this in Summer, pour over ice – if not, add a pinch of turmeric and roooaaarrrr!!

(Psssst couldn’t resist posting this YouTube link to Katy Perry’s ‘Roar’!)

*http://www.therawchocolatecompany.com  http://www.thetigernutcompany.co.uk

Copyright: Chris McGowan

Golden Cacao Shake

This Shake features some of my favourite nutrient-packed fruit: Peruvian Golden Berries and Blueberries.

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 Golden Berries are regarded by some as one of the Superfoods, being nutritionally dense, and with their sweetly tart flavour they are delicious on their own as a snack, in your breakfast bowl or smoothie. (There is also a recipe for GoGo Berry Fudge on my Raw Treats Recipes page using both Golden and Goji Berries).

Also known as Physalis peruviana, Inca Berry and Cape Gooseberry, Golden Berries are comparatively high in antioxidants, fibre and iron – reportedly, they contain more iron than spinach – as well as protein and Vitamin A, whilst being lower in sugar than other berries.

They contain essential fatty acids that aid in insulin sensitivity and Dr Oz believes Golden Berries also aid in burning fat.* 

So here is a recipe for a delicious and nutritious protein-rich thick shake using The Raw Chocolate Company* raw, organic Golden Berries (as I write they are still in the sale). A spoon will be required!

Golden Cacao Shake

(All ingredients are organic where possible, measurements as always approximate). 

Ingredients

1 Small Ripe Banana

Handful Blueberries

2 Tbsps Raw Organic Golden Berries*

1 Tbsp Sunflower Seeds

2 Tbsps Gluten-Free Oats

Juice of 2 Apples

2 Tbsps Yogurt of your choice

2 Tbsps Raw Hemp Seeds*

1/2 Tbsp Raw Organic Cacao Powder*

Blend, Sip from a spoon, and be like the funky Jill Scott: Live Your Life Like It’s ‘Golden!’

*http://www.doctoroz.com/blog/kate-geagan-ms-rd/how-blast-fat-after-40

*http://www.therawchocolatecompany.com

Copyright: Chris McGowan

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

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