Mantra for Monday no. 75

I. DID. IT!!   I completed my Tough Mudder...... smiling faces all round :-)

What surprises me most was that I'm not too sore afterwards...winner!  Ok, well my knees were pretty painful yesterday and I wrapped packs of peas round them for a few hours, but that was expected since I am prone to pain in my knees and there was an awful lot of trail running!! But where is the muscle soreness?...nowhere to be seen!

I'm so glad I achieved it. For me the mental challenge was the biggest feat I had to overcome, swathes of self doubt crept in right up until the day itself. In terms of fitness I was more than ready (most apparent in hindsight which has given me a big confidence boost) and if I'm honest I didn't find too many of the obstacles as physically challenging as I was anticipating....see how much I over analyse and big things up to epic proportions in my mind!!

Anyway, for giggles, here is a short video shot of me trying to climb 'Everest' the slippery half pipe wall...bear in mind I had just run 12 miles and 20 obstacles when this was shot... see the gritted teeth...then the splat....oh so so close ;-)

What is a Mantra for Monday?

Silent Sunday no.75

What is my Silent Sunday ?

Mantra for Monday no. 66

I’ve done something pretty stupid...or maybe pretty awesome? It depends upon your point of view...I’m punching for the latter!

I needed a challenge.

I needed a challenge for a few reasons, as I discovered during my lent ‘6-weeek to 6-pack challenge’ that pushing myself without a real life tangible goal in mind and a real team of people to kick me into touch and keep me on track and accountable was harder than I had thought. I have questioned whether this made me weak. Possibly? But it also made me more determined to find a way through my struggles.

That determination is my strength.

This is my answer.

I have signed up for the Tough Mudder Challenge in just 8 weeks time, alongside an amazing team of people who have also signed up and I know won’t let me doubt myself or quit. It will be a huge physical and mental challenge as I am terrified of many of the obstacles, most notably the electric shocks and freezing waters.

But i’m in and there is no backing down now. The harder the challenge, the sweeter the victory. I know it will be worth it.

What is a Mantra for Monday?

Week Three 'Six Weeks to Six Pack'

I have updated my 'Lent Challenge' page....click the tab at the top and scroll down to check out my progress report for week three... half way in and I think I need to notch things up a gear!

3 weeks down...3 to go!

Amongst other things this week included!

• plenty more oats!
• Lots more buckwheat (new recipe on Saturday)
• green smoothie (a tried a more savoury version...hmmm!)
• Single serve banana blondies for a dinner party with friend
• More chocolate bars a bit like this
• lost of raw veggies with lots of this dip
• I also used this dip as a base spread for a roasted veggie tart..yum!
• Bean casserole...blog post planned for that too as soon as I can
• broccoli and bean soup
• lots if chia seeds!
• more of this spag bol and I also transformed it into a lentil chill with cauliflower rice
• homemade almond milk creations of various kinds

See you for WEEK FOUR this time next week! :-)

'Whole foods’ Lent Challenge

Join in with the challenge and follow me on Facebook or Twitter 

...let's get the party starting and the motivation flowing!

Shrove Tuesday is followed by Ash Wednesday...the time of year in the Christian calendar (and the general media) where traditionally people 'give something up for lent’. I must admit I don’t often partake in the challenge, in part due to my inner rebellion against society’s obligations . But you know what, this year I had a think, I wondered whether I might put myself out there for the challenge and maybe bring a few others on board in the process....

...Still listening? Ok, here’s the plan. This year the period of lent from today until March 28^th will become the 'WHOLE FOOD LENT CHALLENGE'. It’s not so much about what you don’t eat i.e. give up, but more a focus on what you do eat. I think this puts a more positive spin on things since giving up implies restriction and for me the plant based way of life is about choice not limits.

The challenge itself is pretty simple and the rules can be tailored to suit.... for example a focus on eating  whole grain bread instead of white refined read, or a challenge to use all whole food forms of sweetener instead of regular refined sugar, or a challenge to focus on whole natural foods whether they be plant or animal (I appreciate not everyone follows a plant based diet!) instead of processed meats and snacks substitutions... simply embrace the whole foods nature gave us and be inspired!

This line of thinking had come about in large part by T. Colin Campbell’s findings in The China Study and also my own development in undertaking the Plant Based Nutrition Course.

I been putting the word out and have already enlisted friends and colleagues, and I’d love it if you would join in too. It doesn’t need to be extreme or incur a huge change to routine, a little offering is all and your focus and mindset will reap the benefits.

I have chosen to focus on natural sweeteners for my challenge, so the forthcoming posts will be even more of a challenge to create indulgence using natural whole food sweeteners- banana, dates, raisins, fruit purees. I will allow stevia simply because it is used in such small amount within my recipes, I will try to use natural green stevia in some recipes where possible. The main things I want to find ways to work around if possible is agave nectar, brown rice syrup and maple syrup as I feel have become too reliant on the ‘healthy syrups’.

A few 'unrefined' goodies to get you going....I will be adding to this list over the next 6 weeks!

cocoa-nana custard, pear and gingerbread sauce,  chia jam over pancakes, banoffee shake, berry buckwheat breakfast

Anyway, that’s enough from me today. I hope you decide to join me in challenging yourself in some way. Let me know in the comments below and follow me on Facebook or Twitter ...let's get the party starting and the motivation flowing!

Your first (very simple) recipe will be coming your way on Saturday and will be the perfect start to natural sweeteners...here is a little sneak preview. Do you know what it is?

P.S  As a little side note I will also be challenging myself on a further level by undertaking a ‘Six-Weeks To Six-Pack: The Plant Based Way’ Challenge. I’m passionate about fitness and it’s contribution to a healthy lifestyle, yet that isn’t generally the focus of my blog, hence I’m keeping this challenge a little separate to my regular posts. You can find out more about my challenge and follow my progress here on the dedicated page tab.

Green Smoothie Challenge- revealed!

You may recall that last month I took it upon myself to undertake a 30-day Green Smoothie Challenge. It was inspired by thispost which presented the concept of trying something new for 30 days. In the spirit of discovery and self-development I went for it!

So now the 30 days are up…what have I learnt?

Did I come to love the Green Smoothie?

Well I have certainly found my preferences and have also come up with a few ideas in terms of preparation….more investigations yet to come on that.  I didn’t try a new flavour every day since I usuall made up a large pitcher and then froze two portion for following days, so roughly a new flavour combo every three days.

I quickly discover my favourite fruit mixer….mango! The intense sweetness and the high pectin content make for a super smooth smoothie capable of disguising a lot of greens! Also the yellow colour makes for a refreshingly coloured smoothie whereas red berries create more of a green sludge…not so easy on the eyes! I found that with mango I could use lots of different types of leafy greens without really noticing the difference.

This guide is also a really great reasource in making your own.

Here are a selection of my smoothie combinations (they make anywhere between 1 and 3 glasses worth):

1)      2 cup spinach, 1 small banana, 2 cup frozen mango, 1 cup water

2)      2 baby gem lettuce, 1 cup water, 1 medium banana, 1 cup tinned peaches

3)      2 baby gem lettuce, handful spinach, 1 banana, 1 cup frozen raspberries, 1 tbs cacao powder, 1 cup water

4)      carrot cake smoothie

5)      2 cups lambs lettuce, ½ cup cucumber, 1 apple, 1 banana, pinch cinnamon, 1tsp maca powder, 1 cup

6)      1 large cup frozen strawberries, 2 cups spinach, ½ tsp fresh ginger, 1 large cup water (tasted odd)

7)      1 cup fresh mango, 1 ½ cup mixed greens, 1 cup water

8)      1 cup mango, 1 cup apple, 1 cup lambs lettuce, 3 romain lettuce leaves, half an avocado, 1tbs maca powder, 2 cup water, ½ cup apple juice

9)      1 cup spinach, 3 leaves romain lettuce, 1 stick celery, 1 apple, 1 banana, ¾ cup water

10)   1 cup spinach, 5 basil leaves, ½ cup blueberrys, 1 tbs cashew butter, 1 tsp maca powder, 1 tsp carob powder, 1 cup water, 6 dates (tasted horrible)

11)   1 cup mango, 1 large cup spinach, ¼ cup cucumber, ¼ cup orange juice, 1 cup water, 4 large fresh mint leaves (best flavour)

12)   1.5 cups spinach, 1tsp coconut oil, 1tsp maca powder, 2 tsp cacoa powder, 1 tsp super greens powder, ½ cup blueberries, ¼ cup strawberries (based on this shake)

13)   1 orange peeled, ½ mango, 1 scoop hemp protein powder, 1 tbs ground flax or chia, 2 cups mixed greens, ½-1 cup water (hemp powder was gritty- see note below)

Key things I discovered:

Using red berries turns the smoothie a sludgey dark colour, using banana/apple/mango keeps it a lighter green  colour. If using berries (Particularly blue berries) add cacao/carob so that it looks chocolatey and not sludgy.

Celery and cucumber  and mint leaves were refreshing additions.

Fresh mango is my favourite fruit mixer, fresh is much better than frozen as it has a sweeter stringer taste.

Apple makes the smoothie a bit frothy, not my preference as it isless smooth than banana/mango on its own.

Fruits with a high soluble fibre content work best at creating a smooth consistency. Use mango, peach kiwi or banana.

Really cold smoothies make the taste of the greens much less noticeable

I had a play with combining proteins, fats and superfood powders in my shakes. The protein just didn’t work for me as I found it gritty. I have since had an idea of a simply recipe that would provide for the fats and proteins separately so the smoothie can be drunk in its pure and simple state. More on that to come!

So the ‘Citrus Mango Cooler’ has become my ultimate smoothie combination:

1 cup mango, 1 large cup spinach, ¼ cup cucumber, ¼ cup orange juice, 1 cup water, 4 large fresh mint leaves (mint is optional but extra refreshing)

This is also great frozen and then served as a granita…more on that to come too!

So am I going to keep it up? Well I have a few more experiments up my sleeve…. I wouldn’t necessarily continue with a daily smoothie in its current form, partly due to cost since that amount or organic fruits and veg consumed each day soon adds up! I will keep you posted. 

In the mean time if you are not already a Green Smoothie convert…give it a try and find out you own favourite combinations. What have you got to loose?

For tips and info on recipe measurement conversions, ingredients, substitutions and the methods behind how I do things.... check out my 'baking tips' tab at the top of the page.