Juice Break

So, no juicing lately.
I am doing a 7-8 week diet that involves severe calorie restriction and limited food choices.  I have a couple of more weeks and then will start back on the juicing path as a way to transition back into a more balanced regime.  I am using some of the powdered mixes to supplement my diet, so I am still getting some of the nutrition I would be getting from the juice.
See you soon!

Smoothie

The morning of day six of the fast found another cheat smoothie on the coaster. I lightened up on the peanut butter and added wheat grass powder.
Mix: 1c flax milk, 1 banana, 1tbsp peanut butter, 3/4tsp powder, big handful of ice.
I am going to try some store bought natural juices for lunch.

Sweet and Spicy

Juice fast day 5:
I did have another cheat smoothie yesterday.  My favorite shop also had frozen, blended bananas that felt like an ice cream cheat.
Today's blend turned out a little sweet.  I had prepped an extra pear and then remembered that I had fresh pineapple that needed to be used.  I also had a banana that was about to die so I refrigerated it, to firm it up.  Some juice did come out but I think the blender is a better destination for banana.
The rest:  kale, chard, parsley, apple, yellow carrots, tomato, and celery.  I added cayenne to this morning's glass.  A nice kick.

Time Matters

Today, I timed myself while making a small juice. From couch to couch, it took me 13 minutes. Cleaning the produce the night before would have saved 6 minutes.
I used kale, chard, dandelion greens, broccoli, carrots, oranges, and frozen pack of acai juice.
It was good but I could taste the orange rind I left on (about 1/4 area of one small orange).

Fig Infused and Balsamic Vinegar

Inspired by a fellow blogger, I attempted a new chicken dish.  Please check Eat GFCF for the recipe.
So I tried it, with alterations.  Instead of raspberry jam, I used the pulp and some juice from sweet dark cherries (I'm such a juice head).  I used some balsamic vinegar but also substituted fig infused vinegar for some of it.  It is a little sweeter and thought it might help make up the difference for the jam.  (and I was looking for an excuse to use it).  I didn't have fresh rosemary so I used general poultry seasoning.  It still resulted in a nice new way to give chicken a kick.  I think it needed a starch and a glass of wine.  I had neither but a bed of fresh spinach worked out.

Kale chips

I tried to make kale chips for the first time.  I started with purple kale so they turned out better than they may look.  I do think that I will get better the more times that I do it.  I used a cooking spray and then sprinkled on some sea salt, garlic powder and a little too much cayenne pepper.  I adapted the recipe from:  http://crazycowboywife.wordpress.com/2012/04/29/kale-chips-done-right/

Having Seconds

I really enjoyed today's juice of: one medium beet, about 4 kale leaves, handful of spinach, 2 small oranges, what I could rescue from a mango, 4ish celery stalks and a tomato.  I had to go back for a second glass that I had been planning on saving for later.

Tastes Better Than it Looks

Today I used a little kale, 3 mushrooms, some parsley, a pear, half a lemon, a handful of yellow carrots, a touch of broccoli, and cauliflower. I also threw in a bag of blueberries. It looked great going in but like a greenish-brown mess coming out.
It tasted really good.

Splish Splash

My veggies are taking a bath.
Today's mix is: kale, parsley, spinach, mushroom, yellow carrots, scallion, 1/2 lemon, 2 small pears, 1/2 hot pepper, and kiwi.
It is a good mix. I may be catching on to this stuff. I'm taking leftovers in for lunch.

Best Juice Yet

I used 2 colors of kale, yellow carrots, tomato, parsley, scallion, 1/2 hot pepper, orange, apple, pear, broccoli, and a little cauliflower. Wow! So glad I made a big batch of this.

Heating It Up

At the farmers market, I had found a little bag with some peppers in it. I threw one in with my fridge clean out juice of kale, brussels sprouts, lemon, papaya and tomato. It was great! I will certainly do the pepper again. If you are not into hot, maybe try a half pepper.

Friday Farmers Market

I was running low on supplies so I stopped by a farmers market near work. It wasn't the most impressive place but it was Thursday afternoon. They probably gear up for weekends. I did find some Brussels sprouts and local blue berries. I added to that: 1/2 a papaya, blackberries, kale and a sprig of mint. It could have used some coconut water but I was too lazy.

Too Rind or Not to Rind

I have read on some sites that recommend leaving the rind on your citrus for the vitamins. Others state to take it off because of the taste. I left half of the rind on half of a lemon. The predominate flavor of this mornings juice is lemon rind. So, I will be taking off all of it next time.
Today's mix: kale, chard, lemon, apple, spinach, and Romaine. I added some cayenne pepper but not enough to consider it spicy.

Do Not Try This at Home

A dangerous confluence of left over produce from last week and new stuff for this week made for a nasty combination. I went juicer crazy and the crazy won.
I am left with an extra large batch of toxic vitamins. Maybe I'll try to overpower it with grapefruit.
I used: kale, swiss chard, sprouts, celery, parsley, carrots, spinach, garlic, ginger, turmeric, orange, 2 kinds of apples, and the kitchen sink.

Keeping it Safe

I started putting my veg in a vinegar and water bath before the final rinse. A good deal of stuff I don't want to eat was left in the bowl. That method is a keeper!
Today's mix: kale, broccoli, carrots, parsley, celery, romaine, and half of a grapefruit a friend gave off of a tree.
It tasted, mostly, of grapefruit.
I saved some of the pulp for eggs later on.

Mango vs Spinach

Today's mix included: Mango, lemon, strawberries, spinach, romaine, garlic, carrots, broccoli and beet root.

It looked this weird brownish color but with all the fruit, it couldn't help but taste okay.

Exercise:  Zumba and walking yesterday so Monday likely will be a work only day.

Berry Good Morning

Just some mixed frozen berries and a couple of handfuls of fresh blueberries. Quite tasty.

A little Zumba yesterday and I'm ready to power through the rest of the week

Would have been better for dinner

Today's juice: kale, romaine, parsley, carrots, garlic, tomato, and an apple
Good stuff, but the garlic was a little weird at 5am.

Tropical Juicing

Tonight I had a little fun with the juicer.
1/2 each of a lemon and lime, mango, and cucumber. Poured it over ice and fresh mint. I added a shot of coconut water. Stirred with sugar cane. May have been better with rum, but it was sooo good as it was.

Fridge Explosion

Landing in the juicer this morning: kale, dandelion, beet root, celery, spinach, broccoli, kiwi, orange, 1/2 lemon, 1/2 sweet potato.
It was pretty good. Definately better than I had expected.

Off to the gym!