Juicy Lucy?

Juicy Lucy? Not here (although with 24,000 people in 45 countries taking part I imagine there must be a few) here though Juicy Em is loving the World's Biggest Juice Detox.  The great news is it's not too late to join in - or if you wanted to start and go from a Monday to a Sunday just get going on Monday 14th January for an insight into how light - mentally and physically, how nourished and toxin free you can feel.

For some the first couple of days can be tough as you withdraw from caffeine (not lots of fun but when I did it it really showed me what a powerful drug caffeine is), maybe also from drug-like foods such as sugar and overly processed morsels.  However this behind you, the energy boost, clarity and general all round well being is phenomenal.

I've been juicing on and off for a few years now which you'll probably know if you've read my blog before.  The World's Biggest Juice Detox ran for the first time last year and, taking part this year I can really recommend the motivational videos, inspiring messages and support from, not just Jason Vale but other's taking part on the facebook and twitter pages. Stepping away from the 'norm' can be hard and everyone wants to know if you're getting enough food, if it's healthy, where your protein is coming from and a multitude more questions.  Having this reinforcement through these channels goes a long way towards not feeling so isolated.

So if you're sick and tired of feeling sick and tired and looking for a spring board into better health and an amazing 2013 consider joining in.  Having followed the same program before I know I've felt amazing, my eyes have sparkled, I've had lots of energy and felt GOOD!

Simply raw, juicy goodness. Thank you world :-)

Red Root Soup (my new second favourite soup)

Tonight made myself a tasty, tasty dinner and in the spirit of sharing I thought I would divulge my recipe.  It's become my new second favourite soup (I'll share my new favourite when I make it later this week but can't take the credit for that one).

Where possible I like to use organic vegetables - I get mine from the brilliant (IMHO) Riverford - and whilst I'm on that topic, I'd say that the best advice re organic I've been given is to buy as good quality veg as you can afford.  I think it's worth the little extra for the quality, taste and lack of nasties - and find Riverford very reasonable and great service too.

So for my Red Root Soup (to serve 2 with a little left for seconds) you'll need:

2 beetroots
2 sweet potatoes
1 butternut squash /small-ish pumpkin
1 medium red onion
2 cloves of garlic
Handful of green leaves eg watercress/spinach/rocket
1 pint of water
1 veg stock cube
2 tablespoons olive oil
Sesame seeds

Chop the onion, squash, sweet potato and beetroots, peel the garlic cloves and add all the vegetables to a large pan with the oil. Sweat over a medium heat stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes. Add the green leaves to the pan and continue to sweat for a further 5 minutes.

Dissolve the stock cube in a pint of boiling water and pour over the veg in the pan. Bring to the boil and then simmer for 10 minutes. Blend in the blender or use a hand blender to mix.

Serve topped with toasted sesame seeds.

Enjoy.