The stuff dreams are made of (well mine anyway)!

I'm 10 days into my raw food 21 day transition and have to say (well OK maybe I don't HAVE to say but it's my blog and I'm going to) I feel fantastic!

I decided to go with a slower approach for a few reasons but probably one of the main ones would be that I've some veggie meals from leftovers in my freezer that I'd like to use - and as I have a feeling that I'm moving towards a way of life as opposed to a temporary diet then there's no time like now.

I think also it's probably hard going to tell myself that's it - no more cooked food but now that I'm allowing myself this time for cooked evening meals I'm chomping at the bit to get going on 100% raw (which if I stick to my plan is this Saturday onwards).

So this week which is my week 2, I'm having a green smoothie for breakfast (largely fruit - bananas, peaches, blueberries, strawberries or mangoes - mixed with greens - most days baby leaf spinach) and then a raw meal for lunch. Today's lunch was spaghetti (made with grated courgette) marinara and a tomango soup - both of which were delicious.

Week 1 was merely swapping a breakfast for a green smoothie - all of which I enjoyed. I can tell that my tastes are changing as they seem even more delicious second time around.  They were also filling and I was never hungry - an easy way to start the process.

The last couple of days I've woken at 6 (once from my alarm and once just before 6) and felt really energised and ready to start the day.  It's a feeling I remember well but I've not had for some time (maybe juicing detoxes excepted).  I feel energised - and more motivated to get out and do things. Such as run at lunchtime in the rain.  Liking it. A lot.

It might be raining outside but it's sunny in my kitchen :)

Juice ahoy!

Time for a spot of juicing I think.  I've done juice detoxes for about 3 years now since a friend introduced me, or more importantly to me at that point, my sister to the joys of juicing.  She followed the Jason Vale 7lb in 7 days plan and looked so fabulous I decided that I wanted some of that for myself!  My sister followed the program much more to the letter than I did, doing the recommended excercise and looked, well, simply glowing.  I followed the juicing recipes, ran around after a 3 year old and felt fantastic.  Following us later my mum took part in it, got rid of headaches (along with using Homeopathy also) and lost an amazing 22lb (not all in a week I'd like to add) and felt brilliant.

The 7lb in 7 days a great one to start off with, whether you're looking for weight loss like my mum or detox like I was. It's especially important I feel to read the book first, to make yourself aware of the benefits, what you're gaining by cutting out certain foods (sometimes I think we can identify with the 'diet' mindset and focus on the lack instead of the gain involved). 

One of the big up-sides of Jason's work I feel is the education element.  There were many things I probably hadn't questioned or given much thought to before reading his books, and having been involved in healthcare for the past 9 years I would guess I'm not the only one in the country.  Take milk for example (and please bear with me - I'm a relative newbie to the argument), but really - why are we all drinking gallons of the stuff?  Surely cows milk was only intended for baby cows just as much as human milk was made for our babies.  Fair play to the restaurant in Covent Garden who produced the breastmilk icecream

and really - why was it banned (later unbanned) when we're as a nation downing gallons of stuff made for another species - and one with four stomachs at that?   And, if we need all that calcium to get by then how on earth do the biggest mammals on this earth cope with merely a plant based diet?  Don't get me wrong - I've not (yet) given up dairy but have significantly reduced it as a result of reading Jason's books. 

Scott Jurek may be the one responsible for that bigger change to come, after reading his brilliant Eat and Run, the first autobiographical recipe book I've ever read, I've been inspired to move towards a vegan based diet....

So here goes for Autumn - and in keeping with the just gone summer theme, the day after a wonderful full moon pool party I've chosen the Ibiza Detox  for initially 6 days of juicing.  It's the first time I've followed this plan and so far so good - the juices are easy to make, require slightly less variety of ingredients but are tasty and seem well planned.  Similarly to Mr Vale's programs there's a follow on so a total of a 3 week plan for you to follow should you desire.

Here's to a happy, healthy Autumn for everyone... juice ahoy!