Green chiller

October 29, 2015Posted in Drinks, Recipes, VegetarianTagged cantaloupe, children, coconut, coconut water, fruit, halloween, juice, kiwi, melonLeave a comment

The Halloween-fuelled experiments have been continuing in full force in our kitchen. As well as our macabre muffins, the kids and I have also come up with this delicious green juice chiller.

Featuring kiwi fruit, canataloupe melon and coconut water, it’s super quick to make and delighfully zingy on the tastebuds. It’s a suitable shade of ghoulish green as befits this time of year, but you’ll be happy in the knowledge that no matter how nasty your little monsters are endeavouring to be, there are no nasties at all in here. Continue reading “Green chiller” →

Beetroot, orange, carrot and ginger juice

February 27, 2015February 27, 2015Posted in Drinks, Recipes, VegetarianTagged beetroot, carrot, ginger, healthy eating, juice, orange7 Comments

My health kick continues to go well. As well as feeling so much better in myself, I’m thrilled to report that I’m finally back to my pre-children weight and dress-size – my oldest is nearly 10, so it’s been some time coming. This feeling is really rather addictive and I can see how the changes I’m making to my lifestyle and eating habits will stay with me for the long-term.

In addition to doing the 5:2 diet and generally eating more healthily, I’ve also set myself targets of walking 10,000 steps a day, getting a good night’s sleep every night (I’m aiming for at least seven hours), and fitting in a short workout most days (even if it’s only 10 minutes of Pilates or cross-training), plus a least one run a week.

And I am really feeling the benefits. I have so much more energy, my brain feels more focussed and productive, my clothes fit well (the muffin top has been banished!) and I just feel good in my own skin. Continue reading “Beetroot, orange, carrot and ginger juice” →

Passion 4 Juice winners

February 9, 2014February 9, 2014Posted in Competitions and challengesTagged fruit, juice, passion 4 juice, smoothie, vegetableLeave a comment

A couple of weeks ago, I ran a contest to win a copy of the Passion 4 Juice recipe book. Here are the eight winners and their winning juice and smoothie combinations…

Sylvia from Happiness is Homemade: (for summer) 10 frozen strawberries, 2-3 sliced bananas and 1 can of 7up; (for winter) 5 dates, 1 banana, 100 ml of almond milk, 1 tsp of hot chocolate powder

Janie from The Hedge Combers: who likes green smoothies and her “oddest one to date” used fresh stinging nettles in lieu of spinach

Choclette from The Chocolate Log Blog: who a suggests her ingredients for a banana, avocado and chocolate pudding would also be a great combination for a smoothie

Bintu from Recipes from a Pantry: who is rather partial to a spinach and peach smoothie

Rachma Bush: who likes like a beetroot, apple and fennel juice

Emma from Adventures of a London Kiwi: whose favourite smoothie combination is spirulina and banana – she says “it’s a kiwi favourite and much nicer than it sounds!”

Dannii from Hungry Healthy Happy: who loves anything anything with spinach in it – “it gives me a proper boost in the morning,” she says

Nazima from Franglais Kitchen: for winter she likes a Chai spiced smoothie – she made one with almond milk, banana, cinnamon, cardamom, vanilla and ginger, and if you’re feeling indulgent a bit of vanilla ice cream!

Thank you to everyone who took part in the competition. Winners – please email me or direct message me on Twitter with your addresses, and a Passion 4 Juice recipe book will be winging its way to you very soon. Enjoy!

The cheeky monkey smoothie

January 19, 2014January 19, 2014Posted in Competitions and challenges, Drinks, RecipesTagged almond milk, banana, cacao, chilli, dates, juice, passion 4 juice, peanut butter, smoothie, spice41 Comments

A delicious smoothie packed full of goodness – plus your chance to win one of eight Passion 4 Juice recipe books

If one of your New Year resolutions was to take a healthier approach to food, then starting the day with a delicious juice or smoothie is surely one of the easiest way to pack in a whole heap of goodies. For the last couple of weeks, this is what I’ve been doing and I feel fantastic. I’m gradually working my way through the Passion 4 Juice recipe book, created by my good friend Trish Tucker-May, which features some brilliant recipes for juices and smoothies made from both fruit and vegetables.

Together with her husband Joe and two young sons, Trish spends half the year in the UK taking their mobile juice bar from one festival to another, and then the other half of the year she does the same but back in her homeland of Australia. Now doesn’t that sound like an amazing way to live? Before she headed off to warmer climes down under, she gave me some of her fabulous recipe books to give away to readers of Bangers & Mash. I’ll tell you how you can get hold of a copy at the end of the post, but first over to Trish to tell you a bit more about why she loves juicing…

“I feel really lucky as we leave the UK and head Down Under for the summer of festival fun. Spending six months in the UK and six months in Australia, keeping people healthy at festivals, is an unusual but rewarding way to live my passion. But it seems right to me as I get to go home and see family and friends. Also escaping the UK winter has its benefits!

“I have been juicing and making smoothies for 30 years now and I love introducing people to new taste sensations. Here are some other great reasons to make juices and smoothies every day:

Best way to fulfil daily recommended fruits and vegetables
Rapid intake and assimilation of vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals, enzymes and antioxidants in the body
Very cleansing/detoxifying – assists in the removal of toxins
Weight loss
Very alkalizing – diseases thrive in acidic conditions
Clears the mind and balances moods and blood sugars
Improves your complexion
Increased energy
Improves your hair, skin and nails
Improves your overall health.

“Why not kick-start each day with a taste sensation that will revitalise, inspire and rejuvenate you? With our on-the-move lifestyles and chaotic schedules, it is difficult to find the time to prepare and consume a meal that has sufficient energy and nutrients to sustain a balanced and healthy way of life. Quick and wholesome refreshments, rich in vital nutrients, are in high demand. This is the kind of daily boost we need.

“If it’s a tangy wake-up call, a smooth pacifier or a zesty jump-start you’re after, your personalised fresh pressed juice will do the trick.

“In the Passion 4 Juice book, I have collected some of our bestselling recipes, plus some of my favourite juices and smoothies from around the world. This handy little book is in a wipe clean format, so it doesn’t matter if it gets splashed with juice. Keep it next to your juicer or blender and have a bit of fun trying some of my favourites.”

As I mentioned, I’m enjoying working my way through the Passion 4 Juice book. My favourite juice concoctions so far have been The Morning After featuring ginger, carrots and pineapple and Buzz Juice with apples, celery and beetroot.

And the whole family loved this gorgeous smoothie recipe from Trish called The Cheeky Monkey, made with almond milk, banana, raw cacao, dates and spices. We served ours cold over ice, but Trish recommends this served warm as a lovely winter warmer. We also left out the chilli from the children’s helping.

The Cheeky Monkey Smoothie

1 banana
1 cup of freshly made almond milk
a pinch of nutmeg, cinnamon and chilli – the stronger for me the better
1 heaped tbsp raw cacao
1 tbsp peanut butter
3 dates

Blend all the ingredients in a liquidiser, and then warm in a pan on the stove top – don’t overheat but give it just a bit of warmth so it stays raw and delicious. This should warm you up on the coldest of winter days.

Win the Passion 4 Juice recipe book

All you have to do to win one of eight Passion 4 Juice recipe books is leave me a comment below, providing your ideas for new smoothie or fresh juice combinations. Trish will select her eight favourites to receive a prize.

The closing date for entries is Sunday 2 February 2014 and please note that books can only be shipped to UK addresses.

I can’t wait to hear your suggestions!