Radiance - The Juice Cleanse Co.

How are you going to be enjoying your bank holiday? I don't know about you but we intend to get outside and enjoy the sunshine as much as possible. There's nothing like a long weekend + sun + delicious food + friends to bring us all together so we propose a picnic. Picnic food can always be a bit of a minefield of family share bags of crisps and sausage rolls so here are a few thing we like to prepare in advance to keep you nourished and satisfied.

Courgetti and Pesto

Served hot or cold courgetti is always a great option for anyone looking to pack the veg in, with a simple pesto sauce it's always a crowd pleaser for everyone to enjoy.

Hummus and crudites

Where would we be without hummus? What could be more simple, some chopped up carrots, cucumber and celery with some delicious hummus, We like this simple recipe from Jamie Olivier or there are some decent shop bought options out there too! Waitrose organic is particularly good.

Falafals

My second favourite hummus accompanyment, falafals are fun to make with but equally easy to buy and even easier to transport. This is one of my favourite falafal brands!

A good hearty salad

Salad is the ultimate warm weather food, fill a tupperwear up with all the great, salad leaves, roast sweet potatoes, some roast beetroot, spring onions and some dressing. What more could you want!

In the 7 years since we opened Radiance we've seen a huge number of successful cleanses where we're thrilled to hear that our clients truly feel so much better from the experience. However we also see a few of the small mistakes that we're sharing with you here. If you have any other questions, please ask us!

1. Caffeine withdrawal headache on day 1

Caffeine is a really strong, addictive substance for your body. Even if you only have one coffee per day, if you do that every day then trust us your body will notice when you cut it out. So the best thing to do is reduce your consumption gradually in the week or so leading up to your cleanse. Try to make sure you've had at least 2 days with no caffeine before you start the cleanse. If you still get a headache on day 1, have a small cup of green tea as that contains just enough caffeine to keep you on track. 

2. Drinking your juices sporadically

We supply a full daily schedule (together with pre and post cleanse guidance) as part of your cleanse. Although it's fine to adjust the suggested timings a bit to suit your personal schedule, it's important to keep drinking your juices regularly through the day. This keeps you feeling full and balanced and pre-empts any strong feelings of hunger that leave you unable to resist making inappropriate choices about food.

3. Not getting enough sleep

Time and time again we get feedback that people sleep much better than usual when on a cleanse. Make sure you maximise this benefit by going to bed early! A cleanse can make you feel more tired anyway, since you're leaving out the stimulants (such as coffee or chocolate) that we often rely on daily for an energy boost. So it's especially important to prioritse rest.

4. Going mad with your first breakfast post cleanse

You've finished your cleanse and are not surprisingly looking forward to your first solid meal. Pick something you enjoy, certainly, but don't go all out with a cooked breakfast and a cappucino. Your body will not thank you after serveral days of only liquids. The best approach is to start by eating little and often, beginning with easy-to-digest fresh fruit. Have a small bowl, then if you're still hungry an hour or so later have some more. Keep your eating light for the three days after your cleanse, and follow the post cleanse guidance that we'll provide you with.

5. Thinking that one cleanse is the end of the story

We highly recommend doing a cleanse with each change of seasons. It's worth scheduling your regular cleanses ahead of time to ensure you make time for yourself and prioritise your health.

Ice lollies are the perfect warm day refreshment and you would never know these were vegan and refined sugar free! Made with creamy cashew milk and summer berries, these will be enjoyed by all the family!

Ingredients

1 cup raw cashews (soaked overnight) (or alternatively we used Radiance Cashew Milk)
2 tbsp maple syrup 
2 tbsp coconut oil
1 cup mylk (ideally a thin almond mylk)
1 cup coconut flakes
1 cup raspberries
Pinch of salt

Directions

1. Add all the ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. 
2. Pour into moulds and insert wooden sticks
3. Place in the freezer overnight