I Need a Juicer!!

Savvy and I have talked several times about getting a juicer.  Actually, what we have really talked about was how to steal the one at the Real Foods Market in town.  But receiving the book, Green Smoothies by Fern Green (a little suspicious of the name), has definitely reinforced the need for a juicer.

Subtitled "Recipes for Smoothies, Juices, Nut Milk and Tonics to Detox, Lose Weight, and Promote Whole-Body Health", this book packs a lot of information in a small package.

While it contains almost as many juice recipes as it does smoothies, it reinforces my need for a juicer.    There is a brief intro on the difference between blenders and juicers which leads to a picture and paragraph section on the different 'greens' and their benefits.  Followed by a brief description of tips for a juice detox, it leads into a two day spread on the plan and what juices and smoothies you would be drinking that day.

Then the book gets into the 'meat' of the subject, so to speak.  Each recipe takes up two pages.  The left hand side shows the ingredients required laid out very nicely.  The opposite page shows a picture of a bottle of the juice or smoothie and lists it's benefits and uses.  One thing I really like is each recipe title also has under it whether it is a sweet juice/smoothie or a savory one.  I like the heads-up as what to expect before I drink it. Each recipe makes enough for 2-3 servings or a full day of nothing but that specific juice or smoothie. 

What did surprise me in reading through the recipes for the smoothies were there is no yogurt or milk added to them.  They are all strictly the fruit or vegetable with an occasional nut or seed added, along with a bit of water perhaps.

This little book is so appealing, even Texter, with her aversion to veggies and smoothies, is interested in some, along with the juices.  And they would be good for her to take to school to drink during the day.

So while awaiting the arrival of the Juicer Fairy, we will be making some of the smoothies. In the meantime, I will prepare myself a Banana Tonic which is suppose to give my body a sense of calm.  All I need is some mint, a banana and some romaine lettuce.

Trim Healthy Mama Cookbook

Reviewing a cookbook while alternately putting on and taking off a sweater or blankets due to chills or dashes to the bathroom might not be the best of times.  But the Trim Healthy Mama Cookbook showed up on my doorstep right at a time when Texter and I were reading the Trim Healthy Mama Plan book and were thinking new year and all the usual goals and plans for better eating and weight loss.

First, let me say this is a substantial book.  512 pages filled with recipes and pictures.  Something you can use to at least keep the door open on a windy day.

Secondly, both Pearl and Serene (they encourage informality) have disclaimers in the opening pages you don't need to purchase their products to be successful on their plan, including the initial book, but as they say, it helps.  Balancing your "S" and "E" is necessary to the plan and you need some grounding in that area.

Third, integral collagen, 'gluccie', dronks, gelatin and pristine whey protein!  What!  Most of the recipes contain some, if not, all of the above.  And while you can fix the recipes without them, I got tired of having to tick off things I wasn't going to buy and leave out of recipes.  

There are some recipes which don't have what I refer to as the 'extras'.  The Cajun Cream Chicken is simple to prepare and looks really good, even using less fat cream cheese.  Cilantro Lime-Burst Chicken and Bangin' Ranch Drums I have also pulled out to make at some future date.  And they do have a whole section on crockpot meals and one-skillet dinners.

While this might not become a go-to cookbook and I find Weight Watchers easier to use because they don't have any special ingredients, per se, in their cookbooks, this isn't without merit.  However, I find planning menus hard enough without trying to balance my "S" and "E" meals.

But right now, chicken noodle soup out of a red and white can is all that sounds good to me.

NOTE: I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.