The Happy Juicer & Simply Plant Based UK with Gayle Robson

04/01/2020

Lesson 3: Mason Jars and Shot Glasses? - What do I really need to buy?

I love photos of juices in Mason Jars and have some gorgeous mini masons for ginger shots. But when it comes to what you need to buy just invest in a good juicer, a high quality nut bag, a high speed blender and a decent size jug with a lid. It’s also nice to have some storage containers if you want to take juices out with you - I love the ones with space for ice in the middle. Clear bottles are best if you want people to ask you what the heck you’re drinking. (Be prepared for some weird responses such as - that’s got too much sugar, where’s the fibre?, id rather (fill in the blank) than drink pond scum etc - all whilst downing a can of aspartame within any irony). Opaque if you don’t want to share your life choices with t***s. 😉

If you want bulk bottles or shots cups with lids check out Party Plastics - www.partyplastics.co.uk they have lots of options that are environmentally friendly and safe. I use special ziploc bags which I buy in bulk from America for my kids ice lollies but you can also buy smaller packs off Lakeland’s website or ive seen some similar options on amazon.

You don’t need to spend lots. But if you do decide to sell your juices to friends etc please make sure you understand the strict food standards involved around juicing and raw foods.

Any questions about sourcing your products, just ask.

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02/01/2020

Lesson 2 : Kids and juicing - my friends were always surprised when their kids showed an interest in trying juicing. Even the Pickiest of kids suddenly enjoyed sipping on spinach loaded green and carrot laden orange juices. Top tips - Add ice as most kids prefer them really cold. Texture sensitive kids prefer them as ice lollies.

The skill to getting kids to try juices is to get them involved in the juicing process. A group of friends together will encourage others to try new things. Go to the shops and pick fruit they might like. Start with fruit they know such as oranges (remove the peel), apples, pineapples so they connect the fruit to the juice. Put this into taster cups and then gradually add juiced lemon, carrots, cucumbers, spinach or ginger in small increments and do taste tests and ask them to rate them from favourite to least.

My kids will juice our families juices and lollies if I prep the fruit and veg. Tonight I chopped up 1 lemon (skin off), 3 large carrots, 4 apples and a whole cucumber and asked my 10 year old to take over. My son finds this sooo much fun to make. His favourite which we make in bulk as it goes fast in our house is 1 pineapple, 1 lemon (skin off) 6-8 carrots, 3 oranges (peeled) and a knuckle of ginger (this ones great for colds).

Any questions about kids juices just ask.

01/01/2020

Lesson 1: Juicers. Where to bloomin start?!

It is said that the best juicer is the one youre going to use the most! Don’t fool yourself that there is one thats easier to clean they are all a big old pain in the arse to scrub (non are self cleaning no matter what is advertised), so if cleaning puts you off - buy your juice from a juicer who’ll clean their own! 😉 or suck it up and invest in a good scrubbing brush and some Milton sterilising tabs (that’s a top tip).

Let’s see if I can make this less boring.

1. A centrifugal juicer works at high speed forcing fruit and veg against a spinning metal blade and squeezing it through a mesh filter. It’s good if you want to drink your juice straight away as the juices don’t have a lengthy shelf life. There are some nice ones on the juice master website.

2/3/4 are all cold pressed/ masticating juicers. That means that they slowly chew the fruit and veg using a strong gear called an auger to squeeze the juice from the produce. Prep time is longer (stringy produce such as celery and pineapple needs to be cut into smaller pieces) and the juices take longer to make but the lack of heat produces juices that last longer and are considered to be of higher quality. They are also better for juicing leafy greens.

3. Horizontal Masticating Juicers are slower but can juice a wider range of soft fruits, leafy vegetables and wheatgrass plus some create nut butters. If you are a regular juicer it’s worth the extra.

4. This is a twin gear masticating juicer and is what I use as a juicer to produce high yield and excellent quality cold pressed juices that last for up to 72 hours. It is commercial grade and pricey but worth the investment if you want to produce bulk quantities of juice.

What??? where’s the blender/ ninja/ vitamin? These are NOT juicers, they are smoothie makers. They do not seperate the juice from the pulp. I do use these to make juice blends (juice plus an avocado/banana/flaxseed/honey or turmeric) as these cannot be juiced. If you want to make smoothies. I suggest juicing first and freezing into ice cubes to add to a smoothie as required, because it’s hard to squeeze enough nutrients into a smoothie and it’s healthier than the milk/cartoon juice or expensive coconut waters that are usually added to a smoothie plus it keeps the smoothies cold.

I prefer juices, they are clean, light and energising but I’m happy to show how to make juice based smoothies.

I could go on as there’s books and books on this stuff. Any questions about juicers, just ask.

30/07/2016

Creating beautiful things in the early hours this morning....

11/04/2016

Fancy trying meditation for the first time? It is a great way to manage stress/anxiety/depression or for those who just want to be able to manage life a bit better.

A new class is starting tonight at Holmes Chapel Library.

Discover Meditation – Runs from Monday 11th April 2016 for 5 weeks up to and including Monday 16th May 2016 (no class on bank holiday – 2nd May). £5 donation. 7:30-9pm.

03/03/2016

Sore Throat? Quick Tip!

Honey has long been used as a sore-throat remedy. It has antibacterial properties and also acts as a hypertonic osmotic, which means that it draws water out of inflamed tissue. This reduces swelling and discomfort. Add 2–3 teaspoons to a cup of hot water or herbal tea, or take it straight of the spoon.

Try and stick to raw organic or manuka for best results (Please note this is not advised for Under 12 month old).

01/03/2016

OMG this horrible cold/cough and chest lurgy going around sandbach, holmes chapel surrounding cheshire areas is knocking everyone out (Man Flu/Child flu Alert!......mums you're fine, suck it up (juicewise) you have people to look after..... ;-) )! Late night juicing for last minute orders for Wellness shots, flu fighter juice and turmeric capsules for the adults. Flu fighter ice pops and pineapple juice for the kids. Let me know if anyone would like anything made fresh for them this week. PM me and i'll confirm prices!

Quick Tip! For those kiddie coughs! Juice a pineapple, if you have a nutri bullet, then blend with water and sieve the juice. Pineapples in recent studies have shown to be 5x more effective than cough syrups, without the awful chemicals.

Also could you share this post please, word of mouth has been the most successful way to get The Happy Juicer message out to our local area! Thank you for your support, I'm so happy to hear your positive experiences.

18/02/2016

Picky eaters? Worried that they are missing out on essential nutrients because they won't touch fruit or veg?

These ice lollies have been taste tested by parents who have picky eaters and we have received the thumbs up from them all! Spinach/Celery/ Cucumber/ Carrots/ Beetroot/avocado! Delicately blended with pineapple oranges apples and Antioxidant rich berries. These ice lollies taste delicious and are jam packed with good stuff freshly made for your kids! £1.50 each.

Order yours today by calling or emailing The Happy Juicer at [email protected] or 01270 765128!

18/02/2016

Fight those chesty cold and flu symptoms with natural powerful wellness shots and flu fighter juices. Call or email The Happy Juicer on 01270 765128 info@thehappyjuicer for delivery this weekend! Also available as ice lollies for kids for colds, coughs and sore throats.

12/02/2016

Are your kids suffering from colds, coughs and sore throats at the moment? Perhaps they wont eat anything healthy, which is exactly what their immune system needs right now! The Happy Juicer is really happy to now offer a range of fruit and veg ice lollies for your freezer.

We have three options to begin - The Flu Fighter lolly is perfect for those with symptoms of a cold, and great for sore throats and coughs (Did you know that pineapple juice is 500% more effective at helping you to stop coughing than cough syrup?). Plus it tastes veggielicious.

The Happy Green Pop is full of green goodness, with the taste of apple and pineapple, but with the addition of spinach, celery, cucumber, lime and avocado. Plus the Beet Berrylicious which is a sweet tasty treat, full of berry flavour and the benefit of beet juice.

I'll be adding new flavours for allergy season and some healthy options for the summer. All made fresh with nothing artificial added and with BPA free sleeves! Compare with the ingredients on other frozen lollies! Feedback from the adults and kiddos that have tasted these have been BRILLIANT! Order yours today for just £1.50 each!

08/02/2016

Oh my goodness I have officially achieved the impossible. My eldest (who is the pickiest eater in the world) is currently devouring his 3rd veggie lolly! First the Flu fighter ice lolly (perfect for lowering temps when you have a cold and for soothing those sore throats) and unbelievably for him my Happy Green Juice Lolly. I actually had to step away I was so emotional when he told me he loved it, thats one heck of a recommendation for me. No more hiding any greens in his food, hes already asked for his fourth! (Pineapple/apple/celery/cucumber/spinach and lemon). Just working on costings now..........Happy Dance!