My Favourite Juice Recipe

Seeing as it's the New Year, and pretty much everyone and their nan are trying to shift that holiday weight, I figured you'd appreciate a detoxifying juice recipe that is perfect for weight loss breakfast options.

 Ingredients: 

• Carrots 
• Celery
• Lemon
• Beetroot
• Ginger
• Coconut water

Drinking celery juice helps balance weight by helping to reduce cravings for rich or sweet foods. Celery juice also aids weight loss, reduces cellulite and puffiness by acting as a diuretic and reducing inflammation. 

It also contains many anti-cancer compounds and reduces the risk of certain cancers including colon and stomach cancer. It has also been shown to lower bad cholesterol and lower blood pressure as good or better than many prescription medications.

The healing and detoxifying properties of ginger may be due to its high concentration of gingerol and shoga, which provide anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmodic effects on the gastrointestinal system.

These properties help to sustain digestive enzymes, which neutralize acids, supporting the entire digestive process. As a result, stomach discomforts such as gas, bloating, diarrhea and constipation can be relieved.

Lemon juice contains acid that is very similar to the natural juices produced by the stomach. Ingesting fresh lemon juice will therefore help in keeping the digestive system on tract, which allows food to be digested properly (and more quickly). This is highly beneficial to those who often suffer from indigestion, bloating, and heartburn, all of which can be painful and inconvenient.

Vitamin C happens to be one of the most important components in cell regeneration, which is a necessary step in keeping the body healthy. A healthy supply of vitamin C ensures stronger bones and teeth, healthier skin, better eyesight, and better joints.

Once all the ingredients are juiced, I fill the rest of my cup with coconut water for their electrolytes and to make the drink more substantial.

5 Reasons Why I Love Lanzarote

After spending the week over christmas in Lanzarote (and many other occasions in this beautiful canary island) I just need to express my love for this place. There are lots of things to love about Lanzarote but I've narrowed it down to my top 5...

The Attractions

I'm not the type of person who goes on holiday to lie like a beached whale under the scorching hot sun by the poolside; I like to get some culture when I travel, experience new things and see new places. This is why Lanzarote is perfect for this. In a trip to Timanfaya National Park you can go on a hair-standing, breath-taking coach trip around the mountain of hair pin bends and sheer cliff faces before getting your diner cooked purely by the heat of the active volcano. If heights aren't your thing leisurely camel rides are an option that are fun and you still get to see around the sight (they also make a fabulous photo to show family back home!) Taking a dip way down the 198 ft mountain right to Ariel and Flounder under the sea, Lanzarote waters offer a dazzling array of sea-life. Scuba-diving is a once-in-a lifetime opportunity and so much fun.

The Food

Whether it's eating out in the Italian, Chinese or Spanish restaurants, pigging out in your all-inclusive or buying local produce at markets the food here is all fabulous, delicious and definitely appetite desiring. Over the years i've done it all and I have to say they're all great contenders. Eating in restaurants is excellent as they have a diverse range of expats all wanting to feed you their cuisine. On the other hand not many can say no to a first-class week or two of endless food. With popularity of all-inclusives, especially in Playa Blanca, you can find dishes ranging from lobster and caviar to multicoloured jelly delights. It has to be said though, my overall favourite is buying and cooking myself; I find that nothing can taste better than
juicy-sweet rosy red tomatoes, drenched in lemon, kicked with flavour-bursting garlic and finally topped off with a generous sprinkling of coriander, all underneath a lightly toasted slice baguette. Now this may sound like too much work for your holiday meal, but for me it's a delight to make my own meal and it's really not a toll when jamming out to some Spanish tunes.

The Walks

On this particular trip we didn't hire a car which meant WALKING WALKING WALKING. Even when we do get a car we still walk places. Wanna know why? Because when the views are pretty and the weather is fine why the hell not? We're in cars all the time at home so why stay in one on holiday? In Playa Blanca, the 7 mile boardwalk covers a marvellous marina, several gorgeous beaches, a fab fitness gymnasium and many food stop-off breaks. Anyone can do it as it's leisurely and flat. Another walk we did we up a dormant volcano that lasted like 2 hours. There are tonnes of volcanos/mountains in Lanzarote that offer amazing views of the island. If you're staying for longer than a week I would recommend getting a car so you can access the exquisite Timanfaya park, superb Green caves, surfing in the North and Teguise market square. Even if you're not a fan of walking it's a great option for staying in shape after your third helping of food (guilty of that one!)

The cave was created around 3,000 years ago by lava flows

Crater of Mout Roja

Volcano conquering selfie  

 



The Scenery

Needless to say this small island gives stunning views. In true 'A picture speaks a thousand words' attitude i'm going to leave you with these photos that i'm sure will leave you wanting to book the next flight over here...

The Weather

Lanzarote has more to offer than an average 'Sit in the Sun to get a tan' holiday. Seeing as it is just 78 miles away from the African continent (weather is perfect. For me my perfect weather is not too hot it's un-bearable but needs to be warmer the icy grasps of England. In the week I was there we had days of warm overcast sky to clear blue sunnies. To be fair, when you're walking 5-7 miles a day you wouldn't want seriously hot temperatures. Don't be put off by the over-cast days though I still got some colour.

Now you know why me and family come here so often, will you be visiting?

Jess
X

Loaded Nachos & Guacamole

THESE ARE ADDICTIVE!

These were a favourite of mine over the holidays sharing with family & friends.

They are vegetarian, but absolutely fricken insane delicious.

They consist of a crunchy layer of tortilla chips, followed by meaty (meatless) chilli, flavoursome spring onions, sweet tomatoes, stringy cheese & finally, smooth guacamole.

Chilli Recipe:

Onion
Garlic
2 carrots - grated
1 courgette
2 tins chopped tomatoes
Tin baked beans
1 TBS cumin
1 TBS Ground coriander
1 TBS smoked paprika
2 tsp cacao
Rinse red kidney beans

Optional to serve:
season with salt and pepper
big bunch coriander

Cook 15-20 mins
















Guacamole recipe:

2 ripe avocados
1 small red onion
2 cloves of garlic
handful of cherry tomatoes
juice of half a lemon
salt
black pepper
pepper
cumin
paprika
(all to taste)
coriander


To assemble:

1. Pre heat grill

2. Layer oven-proof dish with tortilla chips

3. Add hot chilli mixture over the chips

4. Spinkle in spring onions and tomatoes

5. Grate cheese over the top

6. Pop over the grill till the cheese melts and starts to go golden

7. Take out, make a well and fill with guacamole

8. Sprinkle with coriander and serve!

Beautiful Ilfracombe

For the past 4 years my family and I have been going down to Ilfracombe, Devon. In those 4 years we have seen a huge growth! We stay in a smaller village called Hele, just a 5 minute walk from the town.

Ilfracombe used to be quite a popular destination and for whatever reason dipped. The high street isn't the prettiest, I'll admit that, but with the past year it's definitely picking up. With one off home decor shops, art galleries and charity shops it's perfect for a potter around.

The coastal town also has stunning walks to go on. Every morning my family go up a huge hill from Hele to Ilfracombe and go picnicking from Ilfracombe to Lee.

(some shots I got from the nicer part of the high street)

(Photo from google images) View from the Hele to Ilfracombe walk.

(Photo from google images)

Places worth visiting

1. Tunnel Beaches

Beautiful victorian styled beaches, with soft play area and cafe for lunch, a refreshing change to your average beach!

(Google images)

http://www.tunnelsbeaches.co.uk/


2. The Quay, Damien Hirst

Restaurant with the most delicious food in Ilfracombe. On the pricey side but worth going in for a coffee at least! Oh, and definitely don't miss the creme brûlée.

http://11thequay.co.uk/

Also while on the quay take some photos of Verity, Damien's 67ft pregnant statue.

3. Roly's fudge

Don't have to say too much because I know no-one can resist it once they've smelt the fresh fudge they make daily! It's Irresistible. 

4. Eat breakfast in Adele's Cafe

Having tried and tasted all the cafe's in Ilfracombe Adele's is the one we always go back to. Very busy on the weekend mornings but definitely worth the 5 minute wait!

5. Eat lunch in The Deli

Take a break from shopping and die over their amazing blueberry pancakes while sipping some coffee.

More Places

• Hele Billy's, Hele
• Smuggler's Inn, The Quay, Ilfracombe
• Farmhouse Breakfast, Hele 
• Lynton and Lynmouth - 25 minute drive away
• Wildlife and dinosaur park, Combe martin 

Ilfracombe is certainly a place to look out for next summer! 

This was quite the impromptu post but for anymore information just ask!

See you soon
Jess
X

New Year: Clean out your wardrobe!

New Year New Me Wardrobe                                                                                                                   It's time to make some space for those new christmas clothes and in true christmas spirit make a donation to charity. Yes, it's the time of the (new) year to sort out and decide whether to keep, give or bin those long-lost, hardly-worn or waaayy too tight jeans. 

Hopefully these pictures inspire you to do the same because if you're not wearing it someone else should be!

Jess
x

New Year.. NO SUGAR!! Week 1

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2016 !!

Myself and my mom have decided to do a Sugar Free Vegan January.. the main reason for this is we are doing a Parasite Cleanse. The brand of cleanse is a completely natural one from LifeGive; Par-A-Gone..6 tablets per day on an empty stomach.

The catch is with this cleanse is that NO SUGAR is to be consumed, as the parasites thrive on sugar.. So absolutely NO SUGAR.. processed, refined, unrefined, raw or pretend sugar, like agave (yuck! raw honey, maple syrup, coconut palm sugar etc.. We are allowing ourselves stevia.. this is a sweet herb.. We are NOT having any fruits either as the fructose in the fruits basically act like any other sugar and it spikes your blood sugar levels which can bring on more sugar cravings, also as fruits are now hybridised they contain masses more sugar than they would have done say 50 yrs ago. (Im going to miss those bananas & apples.. Dried fruits; cranberries, raisons etc.. ) We are allowing a small quantity of organic tomatoes & organic carrots but reducing our intake to a minimum..

Brian Clement the director of Hippocrates recommends that everyone should do a Parasite cleanse yearly.. It is very easy to pick up these little blighters even if you are vegan.. So better safe than sorry..  Here we go..

I would like to let you know what my sugar free breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks consist of..

For Breakfast I had a Green Juice, consisting of;

Cucumber
Celery
Kale
Sunflower Sprouts
Ginger
Lemon (skin peeled off)

For lunch I had a Waitrose Salad Box with;

Quinoa

Celery

Toms

Chopped nuts

Chopped Herbs

Cucumber

For Dinner mom made Curried Rice Bowl;

Brown Rice cooked in veg broth & loads of spices ( chilli, mild curry powder, turmeric, cumin)

A bag of Stir Fry cooked & mixed in with a carton of chick peas & half a can of chopped tomatoes..

On a bed of steamed kale

This was truly yummy and so filling..

Hope you try out & enjoy the meals... 

Jess X