Health - Urban Remedy Cleanse

So the last post I did was about me starting the Urban Remedy Cleanse. I didn't die, I didn't fall off the face of the Earth. It's just the last day of the cleanse was one of my best friend's birthdays, so since then I've been a bit busy. As Roxy has just finished her cleanse I thought I better jump in quick and write up my cleanse experience so she can get her two cents in now.

So... What were the juices like?
The first thing that attracted me to the cleanse was not that I wanted to cleanse my insides and feel new again, it was that I wanted to spend three days drinking juice! I'm a bit of a juice nut, and I'm always on the look out for new tasty juices to try. Juice #1 was perhaps a little strong for me, but I still enjoyed it. It was probably the celery but it was a bit of a vegetable overload. But at the same time I felt so clean and healthy drinking it that it always managed to make me smile inside and out. Juice #2 was my absolute favourite. Pineapple, mint and apple. I wish I could find this one on my supermarket shelves, but instead I think I'm going to have to invent my own substitute. I didn't have too many opinions about juice #3 and juice#4, their main components were carrot and beetroot respectively.  I love beetroot, but at times it could become a bit too sweet, and the carrot one just reminded me of normal V8 juice so that was tasty enough. Juice #5 scared me a bit. Lemon, water and cayenne pepper. I loved it. I was worried it would be too watered down, but the amount of lemon was just right and the cayenne pepper added a bonus oomph to it that gave it a bit more of a kick but also helped warm you up a bit (which was something I desperately needed!). Lastly finishing off with juice #6 was a great way to end the day. It was thicker than the other juices, with blended cashews and coconut it was almost like eating a meal! It was delicious and I would happily sip away at it while my housemate munched away at her dinner.

So... Were you ready to eat your own hand by the end of it?
NOT AT ALL! Surprisingly I wasn't hungry at all throughout the cleanse! The juices are all fairly thick and you almost feel like you're eating when you gulp them down. Obviously there isn't any chewing involved but you swish it around and it's a bit like having a meal. I was satisfied the whole time, but that's not to say I wasn't craving things! Suddenly food felt like this holy grail, I didn't need it but I wanted it. If I can give one tip for anyone doing the cleanse, don't watch Masterchef! I didn't miss any other restrictions like no coffee or no alcohol. I recently cut back the amount of alcohol I drink by a lot, and so I can't say I was reaching for the bottle by the end of it, and I also don't drink coffee so I had no problems with that. I felt satisfied the whole time, but I can tell you having a picnic with friends while they pass around birthday cake and you sip on your juice is a real test of willpower.

So... How did you feel?
Even before I started the cleanse I was pumped full of energy! I made sure I got a good nights' sleep the night before and I jumped out of bed full of excitement to crack open my first juice. I was feeling pretty flash through the whole day, buzzing with energy. By about 8:00 I was always a bit sleepy so I made sure I got to bed early and always woke up with a buzz. I also felt empty, not in that horrible soul wrenching longing way, but like if I jumped into the air I would float down like a feather. I felt like I could do anything because I was just so clean and healthy! It was a great feeling! I loved being on the cleanse and I love giving it a try. At the end of it the hardest thing wasn't the not eating or trying to get to bed early, it was dealing with other people's reactions. By the end of it I was sick of people giving me that look saying "oh you know this is just one of those fad diets?"

It isn't a fad diet. It's not a diet. I probably got more nutrients through those juices than I would get on any normal day even if I tried to eat super healthily. I felt great and I wasn't just starving myself for three days. Roxy asked me if I would do the cleanse again and my answer was: maybe.

If you've seen my other blog at all you'd know that I'm planning a massive trip in 2012, and a smaller one in 2011. As I am shocking at saving money I really need to put all of my efforts into that so forking out almost $200 for three days of not eating heavinly juice drinking, is very unlikely. I'm glad I gave it a go though because it made me feel fantastic and it made me feel like finally I was giving my body a much deserved break.

Over to you Roxy!

Food - Urban Remedy Clense

I wasn't sure what to call this post. After all, food isn't really the right word considering I wont actually be eating anything for the next three days. In fact, this is what my fridge looks like:

I'm doing the Urban Remedy cleanse after reading about Yas' experience with it on Primped. Basically I'll be spending 3 days drinking a lot of juice and giving my body a break from all of the other stuff it's eating all the time. I've tried a detox before. In fact me and Roxy did one together one. It Summer and it was before either of us had jobs and we were bored so we went on one of those 10 day detoxes where you drink something that tastes like mud, take foul smelling tablets and cook food that consists mainly of steamed fish and cabbage (okay I must admit that fish and cabbage are two of my favourite foods!) You can imagine that we weren't impressed with it. We lasted about 6 days (if that) and half way through that we even stopped taking the tablets. 

I like that Urban Remedy is different from that. For starters the juices look amazing! The cleanses last either 1, 3 or 5 days (although I think we can only get the 3 day cleanse in Adelaide). They aren't ridiculous expecting you to fast or change your eating habits to something ridiculous for 10 or 14 days like some detoxes do. Urban Remedy also isn't about weight loss and it doesn't pretend to be. They give no promises about losing weight, even though it is a possibility, it's just about getting some good healthy stuff running through your body. 

I shouldn't talk too much about it now as I haven't even started, but expect some updates once the juices begin!

Things - Thermomix/BIMBY

Okay, here is promised blog about the Thermomix (the amazing kitchen appliance that I mentioned in my last blog) which is also known, more affectionately as, the Bimby. How cute.


So the Bimby is fabulous. Apparently it is the most advanced kitchen applicance on the market today and is without rival - and I've got one (well, my mum has one which is just as good. Right?). Oh look, here it is in all of its glory:



Honestly, the Bimby is sensational. It cooks, kneads, pulverises and mills (all grains, wheat, barley and what not), minces, whips, crushes (ice and with the addition of fresh fruit, it makes sorbet which is todiefor), and steams (yummi vegies, fish whatevz!). The bimby makes me amazing bread, gorgeous dips, pasta, risotto, cake mixes, ice cream. Well, I could rant on forever and if you're not impressed now I don't know what classifies as impressive?!
Unfortunately, these machines are not cheap. But, they are really an investiment - especially if you're into all natural, no preservative cooking.
The Bimby is perfect for a new, young couple who are setting up there kitchen. Oh, what lovely thoughts to end this blog on.
What do you think?
You like?
Hmmm, I think I'll go make some dips for lunch now...
Jealous?!

Rundle Adventures - Clothes and Coffee

Okay, so, it's my mum's 50th this coming weekend. That's right, the big 5-0. Half a century. Wow... So I guess you're all thinking 'sweet big party'... Well no. Mum's not into big celebrations centered around her so we're just going out for dinner at this beautiful restaurant down in McLaren Vale called Oscars. If you're keen for a fine wine and dining experience McLaren Vale is filled with cute places... But more on that later on. Let's get to the point already... Which is the two 'Essentail C's' - Clothes and Coffee... Yippee!

Earlier today I thought, 'right I'm going out for a lovely dinner this coming weekend what will I need?' Hmmm, I definitely heard the tiny little devil hovering above my ear whispering... What was she saying? 'Mess'? No. 'Test'? No. Ohhhh, dress! Duh. I totally need to go spend money (that I don't necessarly have) on a new dress for my mothers 50th birthday dinner. So, this is exactly what happened. I dragged darling Tash from our lecture/tutorial this afternoon (FYI, a lecture hosted by the nicest, cutest lecturer ever) towards my all time favourite clothing store Kookai.

I found the (purple) dress I wanted in about five seconds flat so there was no problem there, until one of the hot retail assistants pointed out to me that there was infact three colours; purble, black and red. I gasped, Tash rolled her eyes. I wanted the red one, didn't I? Well, after trying the red one on, then the purple again, I settled on the red. I think it looks nice. Unfortunatly not as nice and the grey version looks on this stunning model:

Dont be fooled, the balck skirt does not come with the dress, I'll just be wearing it plain with some accessories. Maybe I'll upload a pic of the red one with me in it... well, that's a big maybe.

So, visit Kookai. It's awesome. Then go to Gloria Jeans Coffees and buy a 'Very Vanilla Chiller with a shot of hazelnut syrup'. That's what we did anyway because everyone knows that after a good shopping experience, you're worn out and need some extra energy... Well that, and, it just tastes so damn good!

Before I go, just a quick comment about Tash's Burp post: a Burp wrap without guacomole is like a meat pie without sauce. Poor form Burp, Poor form.

Ciao!