juice it up!

I never thought I would be someone to own a juicer.  No way, no how.  I rarely ate vegetables, never mind drink them!  But that all changed when I was inspired by so many stunning photographs of colorful juices and plates full of different veggies and fruits.  

I first stepped into the arena with smoothies.  Mixing different berries, and a banana together with things like kale and spinach.  I was buying kale!  How did that happen.  I had to look it up on the internet to see what it looked like prior to purchasing.  I had no idea.  Thank goodness for google.  

I thought that all the talk about how good a smoothie and juice makes you feel was hype.  Oh sure it is some type of magical potion, right!?!  Yet after mixing together my first concoction I was a believer.  

First I was shocked that I actually didn't mind the taste.  I wouldn't say I loved it, but it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be.  Banana is the secret ingredient.  It is amazing what one banana can do to a smoothie.  

After a while of blending together smoothies I got brave and purchased a Breville Juicer. I did a lot of research, asked many questions, and took the plunge.  I wasn't sure how to use it but I jumped on in anyway and pushed through different fruits and veggies.

My first juice consisted of:  lemon, green apple, spinach, carrots, and cucumber.  

It was pretty good.  What amazed me was that I normally do not eat cucumber yet once it went through the juicer I drank it without a problem.  This was the beginning of a whole new love affair.  

Some of the juices I make do not have a pretty color but they are filled with so much goodness.  Beets have become a fan favorite.  They are an instant pick me up and infuse me with energy!  

My favorite combination is:  beets, lemon, ginger, green apple, carrots, romaine, and celery

What I love about juicing is the process.  The time it takes to cut the veggies.  The manual process of pushing each item through the machine.  Pulling apart the juicer and cleaning each piece.  It takes time to juice and during that time I really feel that I am tending to myself.  

Green juice makes me happy.  It nourishes my body and fuels my mind.  I am so glad that I discovered green juice and took the plunge.  How about you?  Do you juice?  If so, what is your favorite combination?

"Nature itself is the best physician." ~ Hippocrates

(P.S. For full disclosure the link to the juicer is an affiliate link)

braving the blues check in

So far the winter has treated us kindly.  The days have not been to bitingly cold and I have had the opportunity to step outside from some fresh air more often than not.  Having a plan in place has definitely helped me to brave the blues and keep me on track from not falling down the rabbit whole.  

I have been keeping myself busy with some creative projects.  I unpacked my sewing machine and jumped on in.  I do not really know how to sew but I am learning.  It has bee so much fun to watch something take shape.  Have a creative outlet to turn to and a project to complete keeps me energized and focused.  

More often than not I have revved up my juicer.  Getting healthy foods into my body always makes me feel better.  One of my favorite go to juice recipes is:

• A few Carrots
• One Beet, two if they are really small
• One Green Apple
• One Lemon
• A couple of stalks of Celery
• Some Ginger
• Romaine

This is one of my favorite combinations.  I love the healthy dose of energy that the beets provide me.  Do you have any favorite juicing recipes?  

I have also been enjoying sending and receiving postcards as a part of the Love Notes Postcard Project.  For this round I created a couple of postcards using watercolors.  It was nice to sit down for a little while and really focus my energy on these postcards.  

For me there is such a thrill that occurs when I see a little sliver of sunshine in my mailbox sitting next to the bills and excessive amount of catalogs that I receive.  These little pieces of paper lift me up and change my day for the better.  I can't believe next week is already our third and final prompt for this round.  

How about you?  How have you been braving the blues?  Do you have any secret recipes or  warrior moves that you can share?  What is helping you get through these dark and cold days?  
I encourage you to join me in braving the blues.  Check out the hashtag #bravingtheblues on Instagram to see what else has been helping me.  Maybe it will inspire you in #bravingtheblues