A Smoothie A Day - Keeps the Grumpus Away!

A few years ago I made a resolution NOT to make anymore New Year's Resolutions.  I never stick to them, no matter how determined I might feel on the night after a couple (or lots) of cocktails!  But at the beginning of the year I do try to come up with a few things I want to change about the way I live.  One of the main changes this year was to JUICE JUICE JUICE!  And when that was over just get on up and juice some more!

There's so many health benefits to juices and smoothies, they're jam packed full of vitamins and minerals.  Plus the great thing is, if you make your own then you know exactly what you're putting into it.  Hello organic juicer and goodbye sugar junkie!

 There's  a lot of different ways you can go with juices and although there are tons of books out there all claiming to be the 'next best guide to your juicing essentials', it's really easy to do on your own too.  All you need to remember is why you are jucing - is it for health reasons or for the yummy factor?  That gives you a bit of direction to start with as then you know how fatty you're happy with your juice or smoothie being.

 Also keep in mind what your own body needs or is deficient in.  Juicing is a great way to get the vitamins and nutrients into your body that you're lacking.  I'm iron deficient so I tend to use a lot of spinach in mine.  If you want to find out more about the different properties and benefits of individual fruits and veggies go to Reboot With Jo and check out the really great list, you can even download and print out a FREE full colour guide and chart to show you the different benefits! 

Or just take a moment to think about what creates a nice flavour with your juices and don't forget to throw in some seeds or nuts.  Experiment and create in a free and organic way as your juicing grows alongside your confidence.

Good luck and have fun!  Namaste friends xxx

Homemade Valentine's Card - How to Make a Stencil Card

I decided to make a card with a difference this valentine's day.  I make one every year for Paul and I've done all sorts of cute collages and quirky drawings in the past.  So I tried to come up with something else this year and went for a Spring scene using natural stencils.  Here's how you can make one too!

 

Paint your card with the colour that you want to show through as the scenery.

 

Choose some plants and leaves to make the scenery stencils with, you can choose something from your garden or a nearby park.  Attach them to the card using blu tack as that way they'll stay on when you spray.

 

I used a gold spray paint as I like the colour and it symbolises luxury!  I found a butterfly (which died of natural causes) and used that in the scenery too.

 Once you take the plants, or whatever you chose, off the card the base colour will show through.  The objects come away really easily as well as the blu tack peels off so quickly.

I glued some dried, pressed flowers to mine in the end as well as I liked the added touch of collage colour.

Let me know what designs you come up with?