Day 4 of Jason Vale’s 5 lbs in 5 days juice detox.

I am struggling with this juice fast over the weekend.  In some ways it is easier than being in the office when there seems to always be someone eating or offering to buy you a latte. Too much temptation.  But I am struggling with wanting to cook over the weekend but not being able to so next time I fast, I will definitely do it Monday-Friday.  I need my weekend cooking fix, especially at this time of year when the garden is full of lovely eatables that I can only juice.

One big challenge for me has been what to feed Harvey.  Lara has been juicing with me (or she has been out) so that is easy.  But the Little Fella enjoys his food and has developed expectations over the years.  Such as, could he have pancakes for breakfast please?

I drank my water with fresh lemon juice and then a green tea while I pondered what he could have for breakfast.  Light fluffy American style pancakes were out of the question as I would definitely give in and eat one of those!Whenever I juice I always give Harvey a juice too.  Not as a meal replacement but as a drink before his meal.  I have to be careful to not put in too much greenery or vegetables or it will be rejected.  He loves ginger in a smoothie and I usually use an apple and an orange as a base.  Today I added some kale and yellow pepper too.
I stuck a straw in it (that always helps persuade him to drink it) and since it wasn’t too green, it was enjoyed. I remembered reading somewhere about a pancake made with just egg and banana.  I ran the idea past the Little Fella and got the thumbs up.  I also thought I would try using this coconut flour which I have had a while now but never used.  It did smell of coconuts!

2 eggs, 1 banana and 2 tbsp coconut flour made the ‘batter’ and I cooked it in coconut oil. I began by mashing the banana in to the flour but it was too dry so I added the eggs. It then made a smooth paste quite easily.  I wondered about adding some milk as pancake batter is looser but decided for the first attempt to leave it as it was. Not bad.  It cooked the same way as a standard pancake but it was quite large and it broke when I served it, rather than crack while cooking.  It looked moist and smelt really good.  Served with raspberries from the garden and maple syrup.  The maple syrup was a condition of eating the pancake!  It got the thumbs up and I managed to resist trying any.
I had a ginger shot instead; half an apple and a chunk of ginger. Followed by a ‘Nature’s Super Blend’.  This is one of my favourite juices.   You juice 2 apples, a large handful of spinach, 1/2 a courgette, 1 peeled lime, 2 carrots, 1/4 of a cucumber, 2cm broccoli stem, 1/2 a celery stalk and 1/4 of a green pepper.  Then you blend the juice with half an avocado and some ice. It seems quite sweet but not too sweet and the avocado makes it creamy.  I really enjoyed it and it kept me feeling full for hours. We were out for the afternoon and had to leave early.  I made up a double batch of ‘Minty Sunshine’ as you have the same juice at 1 pm and then again at 4pm.  I missed out the ginger (by mistake) but this is it, for 2 juices!  I really liked it but it did not sustain me for long.  I was really hungry and very tired by early evening when I enjoyed another nature’s Super Blend.

Due to timing and shopping incompetence on my part, I had neither the time nor ingredients to make Harvey the packed lunch he needed so we went to the wonderful Hartley Dyke Farm Shop.  They sell a good range of ready made sandwiches and wraps plus baked goods such as pies, sausage rolls and Scotch eggs.  Harvey chose a chicken and salad wrap, bag of Doritos, juice and some dairy free orange chocolate.  Well, to be precise he chose a load of rubbish and we negotiated to what I bought!  Just as well as his Father was in charge of supper which was a takeaway.

So I did some cooking for my cherub but also bought ready made food.  I don’t feel too bad about it as it is only one weekend I am only cooking for him some of the time.

I will finish tonight by sharing a picture of these beautiful flowers Lucy and Tanya gave me for my birthday.  They are still looking beautiful and the scent of the lilies is incredible and fills the lounge and hallway.  I absolutely love them.  Thank you again ladies 🙂

I also love the fact that I only have one more day of juicing to get through and then I can eat something 🙂