a tale of two drinks...

I am definitely not a health fanatic. I am generally pretty rubbish at getting the '5 a day' in, not because I eat junk instead, just because I often don't get/make time to eat at work and then when I get home I'm so famished I make something quick and carb loaded like toast or pasta or couscous... A bit disorganised really!

Anyway, some years ago I had a juicer and after a slightly sceptical start was a complete fan. I'm fairly ambivalent about all the health claims the juicing gurus make but I figure it definitely can't be bad for you and actually I just like the process of making and drinking fresh juice. I was also amazed at what you can stick in juice (that you'd never expect to want to drink! Broccoli stems??!!) that, in combination with a few other things tastes delicious! The motor on that juicer burnt out after about 3 years pretty regular use and over the last couple of years it has hardly seemed like the thing to get to the top of the 'can't live without' list.

So, imagine what a treat it was to get a brand spanking new, super dooper machine from my middle son and girlfriend for Christmas! An emergency trip to Sainsburys for fruit and veg on Boxing Day and I'm away again on the juicing wagon!

This was yesterdays fresh, frothy concoction...

Ok, so it may not look that appealing and I know green juices are not for everyone but honestly, it did taste delicious - apple, pear, lemon, spinach, broccoli, cucumber, celery and ginger; fresh, zingy and definitely wakes up your taste buds! Tom is a fan too, so I'm hoping between us we might get a few more vitamins in and you never know, I might even up my iron enough to not be anaemic for a bit!!

There's something about drinking juice that makes you 'feel' a bit healthier and inspired too! I had a real urge to go off for a good brisk walk after that! And it was such a beautiful bright day we headed up to the broads for a bit of a wander. Only that was less of a success! Tom wasn't really up for a good yomp and the paths were seriously muddy after all the wet weather, plus my hands got so cold and numb I couldn't actually work my camera to take photos! 

Which is where the 'other' drink comes in... on a cold day, a cosy pub looks so inviting and seemed just the place to nip in for lunch. I had a steaming bowl of creamy butternut squash soup, freshly baked bread rolls (still warm from the oven) and a salted caramel macaroon with the strongest, most welcome coffee...

If you were on the detoxing kick, I guess these two photos would be highly incompatible but for me? Well, I enjoyed them both and feel they sit side by side very well!

What's your poison??!!

S xx

t'was the night before Christmas...

The house is stuffed with too much junk - things to go into my new home (when I finally get a move in date!), things I should probably get rid of and parcels that probably contain more things I will need to find homes for!

But tonight, the presents are wrapped, the house is quiet and I was able to get away from work in time to have a quiet, candlelit meal with my youngest son...

...followed by a film together in front of the fire.

I'm not big on 'bling' really but I do love a bit of light and sparkle and there is just so much of it about at the moment to enjoy. I don't think I will ever tire of a Christmas tree and whether its the correct, environmentally friendly thing to do or not, for me it has to be the real thing...

After years of cats and children, who were guaranteed to wreck the tree and anything remotely fragile on it, now I have neither I have acquired some lovely glass decorations over the last few years. This one was given to me by a friend when I was first on my own and I really love it...

Even outside, as I arrived at work early one morning, the lights in the car park were making fairy lights of the raindrops...

I'm not good at winter; I hate being cold and I hate the short days but tonight it feels nice to be in the warm with the prospect of a day with my boys tomorrow, with food and laughter and a bit of anticipation in the unwrapping. Oh and maybe a little drop of something too.

Happy Christmas and very best wishes, hoping your day is lovely too. Cheers!

Sx