Energy juice - a Jolly Green Giant of a juice.

I'm fed up with having no energy and feeling low. Ok so the Dr is looking for reasons but I thought that I'd see what I could do with some juice therapy.

For 2 large servings: In a juicer I juiced:
2 lemons (use unwaxed or wash first with warm water).
1 large piece of root ginger
2 cups of raw spinach (packed hard)
1 cup of raw kale (packed hard)
1/2 a cucumber (washed but unpeeled).
1/2 a head of celery
3 apples

Serve over ice.

This is a very strong "green" juice.

It is much more palatable if served very cold although us much nicer than it sounds. It's fresh tasting and vibrant.

So let's see if this helps my energy levels. The chlorophyll from the greens should help along with the ginger.

Fingers crossed.

Warm banana mousse. Yes dear, whatever you want!

I was going to make a cold pudding when you know who says: "but it's cold, and I want something hot".

Oh bloody great, so I chucked this together and it turned out rather well.

In a powerful blender pop a large handful of cashews (or almonds) in with 2 tablespoons of custard powder and a heaped teaspoon of cornflour (I used that as I ran out of custard powder) 2 tablespoons of ground chia seeds, (or ordinary ones), 2 tsps of manuka honey, 1 peeled ripe banana.

Boil the kettle and put a large mug of vanilla soya milk in the microwave.

Slosh in a splash of hot water in the blender and blend for about 5 mins to create a thick paste and for the chia to take up the moisture.

Once the soy milk is scalded and almost boiling you can froth up if you like (as i did - to make it lighter), and slosh in some soy or oat cream, if you have some.

Pour the hot soya milk into the blender and blend till thoroughly mixed.

Pour into bowls and it should lightly set, a bit like an egg custard. I served ours over some sliced banana. (I am trying to get rid of some over-ripe bananas) It set beautifully. I had some left over and popped in some bowls. No idea if it will stay set when put in the fridge. I'll let you know tomorrow.

It got the thumbs up from you know who. He who is notoriously hard to please, so it can't have been that bad!

Healthy soy mocha?

Sunday mornings usually find me in the conservatory reading the Independent and listening to the Archers.

All these coffee chains do winter special drinks, so here's my healthier version.

Make a double expresso or a really concentrated coffee using a cafetiere or French press (if American).

Heat some vanilla soy milk (you can use ordinary, but vanilla is nicer) till almost boiling (do not overheat as it becomes a bit toffee ish). Mix with 2 tsp of good quality cocoa powder and some manuka honey, or agarve syrup or sugar (if you must). Blend thoroughly with some of the hot soy milk, ensuring you get rid of any lumps.

You can also add a tsp of cinnamon too if you want.

Pour the soy milk into a large mug (don't get me started on "tall", "vente", "grande" none sense), add the cocoa mixture and then the expresso.

Top with a sprinkle of cocoa or cinnamon to give it that coffee shop finish.

Sit back and enjoy knowing you weren't stung £4.50 for an unhealthy version.

Now for my second one!

When the world gives you Lemons, make Lemonade

I love lemonade but not the rubbish commercial types full of sugar and chemicals. The crisper and juicier the apples, the better. Red apples give you pink lemonade. Adding ginger gives it a zing.

So in a juicer, juice:

4 crisp eating apples
1 small piece of root ginger (unpeeled) - optional
2 unwaxed lemons (if you don't have unwaxed ones, wash in warm water first to remove the wax).

Serve over ice.