Thanks to a large yellow dog who had an upset stomach I was woken many times in the night to let said dog out in to the garden.  Consequently when I got up at my customarily early time I was exhausted.  I tried to do some gardening and the usual Saturday morning tasks which I usually enjoy but it was all too much effort today.  The sun was shining so I decided to enjoy it and relax.

I had lemon in hot water first thing and then took my mint in hot water outside with my kindle and enjoyed sitting in the early morning sunshine with a new book.

I am beginning to enjoy the ginger shots more although I do confess I don’t get quite so excited about them as Jason Vale does! I did however get very excited by the morning juice/smoothie – Berry Banana Crunch.  It was fabulous.

If you are following the 5 lbs in 5 days plan you have one type of juice in the morning and evening and another type of juice for lunch and in the afternoon.  I have been having the morning/evening juice but eating a healthy meal at lunch time as I have a long way to go and think that is more sustainable.  However, I am really enjoying the juices so I might go for a 5 day juice fast and then back to how I am eating now which is quite easy to live with.

I really like the app for 5lbs in 5 days too.  I have never seen the book so can not comment on that but what I like about the app is it is simple to use, not much on it but it does have everything you need  and it has several little videos from Jason to teach you how to juice and enthuse you about his programme.  I initially found that over enthusiastic style slightly grating but have got over that now and find the videos interesting.

I will share this recipe as it is fantastic.  I made it exactly as instructed except I do not like crunchy smoothies so I ground the seeds in a coffee grinder first.

Berry Banana Crunch – thank you to Jason Vale for this lovely recipe.  I am giving the quantities for the morning and evening smoothie as I always make the double batch and then put half in the fridge in a light proof container for later.

Juice 4 apples

Add 4 handfuls of mixed berries (fresh or frozen) to a blender.  I used half blackberries and quarter each of raspberries and blueberries. 4 tbsp seeds (optional).  I used 1 tbsp each of linseeds, sesame, hemp and chia seeds. 4 tbsp natural yogurt and 1 banana. Add ice and blitz until smooth or leave crunchy.  However you like it.  It was fantastic. For lunch I had a salmon, potato and salad (mixed leaves, tomato and half an avocado) with mayonnaise.  Followed by a very long and much needed snooze on the sofa.

I have just enjoyed the second half of the Berry Banana Crunch.  Sadly I think my good intentions and healthy eating so far are about to be unravelled.  I am about to totter over the road to Marion’s birthday party.  It will almost certainly be a diet and alcoholic disaster as not only are our hosts very generous and hospitable, it is only over the road so all I have to do at the end of the evening will be to totter back over the road.  It is also likely to be late.  My over the road neighbours are not early to bed people, ever, and today I had a long sleep so I am buzzing.  Let’s party!