Radiance - The Juice Cleanse Co.

It's Meat Free Week from the 23rd-29th March and we think it's the perfect opportunity to embrace trying out some new veggie recipes.  Whether you're vegetarian or not there are so many amazing recipes to try and vegetarian food has come a long way from the old perceptions of boring brown rice and lentils.  It's time to see veggie food for the amazingly colourful and innovative option that it's now become.  

I thought we'd start the week by name checking some of our favourite recipe books and blogs:

David and Luise Frenkiel created one of the most incredibly lust-worthy food blogs around, Green Kitchen Stories, and they now have two cookbooks as well.  Great recipes with stunning photography.

Sarah Britton is another food blogger we love with her blog My New Roots.  Again her photography is exceptional and we love her ethos.  Her cook book is launching in April.  

Ella Woodward's blog and book Deliciously Ella are an amazing source of inspiration.

Yotam Ottolenghi is an incredible chef and we love his books, Plenty and Plenty More. 

Our friend Julie Montagu, known as 'the Flexi Foodie' just released her first cook book, Superfoods. Lots of inspiration for squeezing in some healthy food into a busy life. 

Rose Elliott is a long-term champion of vegetarian cooking - she has many books, but her Best Of Rose Elliott The Ultimate Vegetarian Collection is a great edit of all her recipes.

For raw food inspiration we love Raw Food Real World by Matthew Kenney and Sarma Melngailis, The Unbakery by Megan May and also Tanya Maher's website, Better Raw.

We hope this gives you a bit of inspiration. Stay tuned for some meat free recipes during the week. 

We recently caught up with Jane Gottschalk co-founder of JAX Coco and mother of 5 children 

What is your personal recipe for staying healthy?

Trying to get enough sleep, regular and varied exercise and plenty of hydration.

Do you have any health regimes or rituals that you consider a must-do?

I try to balance the PH levels of my body by making sure I have a regular intake of alkalizing foods and drinks. I always start the day with warm water and freshly squeezed lemon juice followed by plenty of (JAX) coconut water throughout the day.

Exercise and keeping fit is key to a busy lifestyle and proper hydration is an essential partner to this. I try and get out to do some form of exercise after the children leave for school at 7am. We are lucky to live near a beach and hills which have great hiking trails so I take the dogs and loose myself in nature and thought before the madness of the day kicks in.

A power fruit and vegetable juice with a base of coconut water to replenish the body’s essential electrolytes and powders such as linseed and flaxseed is the perfect breakfast along with an espresso with a teaspoon of coconut oil to boost metabolism.

How do you find all-important 'me time' while raising 5 children?

It's about creating conscious pockets of decompression. For me, this is based around animals, in particular my dogs. Animal therapy is the best way to release stress and pressure in any form. I take them to the beach, on long walks or just sit with them in the garden. Life now is revolved so much around our mobile devices and being constantly in virtual contact with others which is both essential for work and in some respects keeping in contact with friends at home when living in a different country and sharing our different experiences.

There are certain times in the day that I switch everything off and focus on being present in the moment, pausing to reflect and clear my head after work and before the kids come home. These are invaluable moments and go a long way to filling up the energy reserves.

Which 3 things would we always find in your fridge?

JAX coconut water, a decent white Burgundy and some homemade green vegetable soup for when I’m on the go.

How does juicing fit into your diet and do you have a favourite juice combination?

I have to be alert, energetic and able to juggle many balls at the same time on a daily basis with a limited amount of sleep. Eating poorly or conveniently just makes me sluggish, tired and unable to function so I have had to change my diet completely. I rely on juices packed full of nutrients and added powders which fill me up and coconut water throughout the day.

My favourite juice combination (albeit not the tastiest) is a combination of coconut water, celery, spinach, coriander, ginger, apple with lemon to taste. I also add boosters such as  linseed, chia seeds and flaxseed.

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As well as their delicious range of coconut waters, JAX now also offer an amazing certified organic coconut oil. We love JAX as they are the only coconut brand to own their own plantation, giving them complete control over the entire production process. 

I met Papillon when we started Radiance and she is completely irrepressible.  Resolutely positive and super high energy we love hanging out with her.  I have also trained with her and know she is a tough task master but a brilliant motivator.  She left the city to set up a fitness business, Liberte Fitness, and is now coaching people on how to take the leap and pursue their dreams.  We caught up with her to hear how she did it and what keeps her on motivated. 

What made you make the leap from working in the city to working for yourself?

I couldn’t figure out how to live healthily on my terms fulfilling my life to the maximum whilst in an office environment. The decision was a no brainer but it was far from a quick exit strategy. I worked for a start up Hedge Fund whilst starting my own business for 2 years, commuting 4 hours daily, sacrificing holidays from my day job to get my business off the ground. Every penny I earned in my day job funded my start up. I’ve always been determined & driven choosing to do my degree at night school whilst working as a Compliance Analyst by day. Now I coach corporate women on how to find their passion, package it up into the right business model & live their healthy lifestyle away from a desk.

How do you suggest people stay healthy when working in a busy corporate environment?

It’s tough, but stand as much as possible & try to limit sitting down for large amounts of time, definitely walk round, take the stairs never the lift or escalators. Try to get a fitbit watch to track your steps & set a daily challenge for movement. Swap coffee for a green juice & make sure your desk drawers are full of nuts, seeds, organic nut butters & fruit. Get outside during your lunch break even just for a quick walk, make sure you don’t sit slumped over your desk having lunch. Drink at least 2 litres of water a day & most importantly, have a positive mindset, it overrides everything.

How do you manage to balance running your own business with staying healthily?

This is pretty easy for me as my health is non negotiable, money or work doesn’t come before it. Without my health I have nothing so it’s my top priority. To maximise my day, I train daily at 6am. I’m showered with protein shake at 8am ready to start my day. Try to exercise before you get distracted with anything as it’s virtually impossible to walk away from work when you’ve started your day. Harness the huge endorphin rush to help you get through the day on a high. Training before work will also ensure you make better nutrition choices so you don’t undo your hard work & you’ll sleep like a baby by the end of the day.

Do you have a favourite type of exercise and where's your favourite place to work out?

Anyone trying to get hold of me knows I can be found in Barry’s Bootcamp in Euston, it’s my second home. My one true favourite exercise class in London. Nothing I’ve tried even comes close to the experience. I love the staff, have met countless friends & have been motivated by many a stranger when sprinting at 12.5 miles an hour. 

What helps keep you motivated?  

Always hang out or follow people more successful, cleverer & wealthier than you, they will raise your game & make you strive outside your comfort zone. I’m a big Seneca fan - (I knew A level Classics would serve a purpose) & I love the Dalai Lama.

Who do you follow on social media that you find inspiring?

Richard Branson, Michelle Mone, Tony Robbins. 

What's your favourite juice recipe?

Anything green beyond a doubt. I love a green juice, anything with kiwi, apple, courgette, lime, spirulina & spinach. I made that recipe up but I make it every day.

If Papillon has inspired you and you'd like to chat to her about making your own leap she has offered all Radiance clients a free strategy session to help you discover your passion and dream lifestyle. Please get in touch via her website, www.papillonluck.com.