DAY 1 OF MY JUICE / SOUP CLEANSE WITH SCHKINNY MANINNY

Today I embarked on a journey of a juice and soup cleanse from Schkinny Maninny. My motivation was to detox my system and get fit and healthy. I combined this juice cleanse with a new exercise regime of Pilates - the type with the weight training machines to get me out of comfort zone of hot Pilates.

I am all about detoxing and even created my own 5 Day Detox that you can read up about here. So when this opportunity came up I thought HELL YES! I love trying new things and am always looking for ways to improve upon my health so saw this as the perfect opportunity. Also as someone with a business lifestyle I saw the amazing convenience of having 6 bottles of juice/soup delivered to your door each morning. 

Here is a recap of Day 1 of my juice cleanse -

So it’s pretty simple but let’s take a quick look at the logistics of this detox! Your juices/soups are delivered to your door and with your first delivery comes a few extra goodies like tea bags, some seeds and a bath soak. You have 6 bottles there to drink throughout the day whenever you please, there are no set times but there is a set order of how you should drink them so follow the numbering system.

The first day I thought that I would be absolutely starving only having liquids but let’s just say that I was fuller than ever! I definitely couldn’t finish all that was in the 500ml soups or fruity juices but I got every last drop out of the veggie juices – it’s just what my body was craving. The total caloric intake of the juice/soup cleanse is around 1700 calories. It is really balanced with around 60g of protein and 40g of fat. It’s probably a little more fat than I would normally have which I definitely think it why my body didn’t want the full amount of the high nut soups.

MORNING

I started out with the veggie juice which was a delicious spinach, cucumber, apple, kiwi fruit and parsley concoction called Schkinny Leap Frog. This one was amazing and although it tasted healthy it was also delicious. Next was Schkinny Pine Grapple which was a pineapple, carrot, celery, ginger and apple based juice that tasted AMAZING!

LUNCH / AFTERNOON

The Schkinny Carrot, Cashew and Ginger soup was good but not my favourite mainly because it was a bit too sweet for me. I snacked on the next one before heading to Pilates. It was the Schkinny Fruit Punch which was really fruit heavy with lots of sweet fruits and some mint. This one tasted okay but I do prefer vegetable based juices.

DINNER/DESSERT

For dinner was the Schkinny Rockin Tomato Soup which contained tomatoes, chickpeas, rocket and celery. For a nightcap was the Schkinny Sleep Well made up of almonds, brazil nuts, cinnamon and dates – this was divine as you can imagine from these yummy ingredients!

If anything I think you just miss chewing and the act of eating but you certainly are not hungry.

So that’s day 1 of my juice cleanse wrapped up! Let me know if you have any questions over on social media @JordyCannon.

 

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START THE DAY RIGHT WITH THIS DETOX DRINK

When it comes to routines, we all have them. Whether or not they are good or bad for you is a another question. So what I propose is switching your daily coffee with this daily detox drink and seeing how you feel. Check out the Jordy's Fitness 5 Day Detox for more tips and recipes like this here!

Want a drink that is full of energy and life to increase blood flow, boost your metabolism and improve overall health? Then try this! Packed with nutrients from ginger, cinnamon and apple cider vinegar washed down with freshly juiced carrot full of minerals this is a sure winner.

Ingredients

- Fresh ginger

- 1 tbsp cinnamon 

- 1 freshly juiced carrot

- Apple cider vinegar  

Method 

1. Juice the carrot and ginger into a glass

2. Top up with apple cider vinegar

3. Mix in some cinnamon 

Give this a go and let me know what you think! Reach out on social media with your thoughts, my username is @JordyCannon on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

Check out the Jordy's Fitness 5 Day Detox for more tips and recipes like this here!

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MY GUILTY PLEASURE / PB BANANA SANDWICH

It's pretty clear that peanut butter goes with banana like a match made in heaven so when it comes to clean eating it is impossible to avoid the classic PB and banana sandwich. But is it all bad? Not really!

I am of the opinion that treating yourself often is the way to keep on track and continue with your health lifestyle so having a PB and banana sandwich every once in a while is not bad at all.

I have a few tips that make this delicious treat a bit healthier and can definitely ease the guilt of something so decadent. 

The bread

I love using wholemeal bread because it is a flavour I prefer but also a lot healthier for you than starch white bread. It is the healthier option but tastes just as delicious if not even better. For a crispier sandwich shell I like to toast my bread first and then assemble using the peanut butter and banana.

The peanut butter

Look for the options presented in your local supermarket and you are sure to find some amazing health alternatives to sugar and salt loaded peanut butter. I often look for the most natural options which is the highest formulation of peanuts with limited additives. Look for no added salt or sugar for better options. 

The banana

Well this one doesn't even have to be discussed because banana is a fruit that is amazing for you. Loaded with potassium and minerals this sweet and delicious fruit will have you feeling fuller for longer and also give you a boost of fiber. I like to load my sandwich with as much banana as I can so that it packs it with the nutrient dense fruit and fills me up. 

Those are my tips for an amazing peanut butter banana sandwich that you shouldn't feel guilty about! 

Thanks for reading!

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Q&A - TIGERNUTS (TERRA FIRMA FOODS)

When I saw a press release for Tigernuts grace my inbox I was immediately intrigued. Any sort of health food I am all about learning more about so I decided to contact the owner and get some questions answered so that I could better understand for myself then share the knowledge with you all!

In this Q&A we are interviewing the founders Elizabeth and Penny Sattle. We talk about Tigernuts the brand and the food as well as health in general.


Where did the inspiration for Tigernuts come from? 
Biz actually came across Tigernuts during one of her work trips to the US (she owns a marketing and communications business also and does a lot of work in international markets).. We have both been passionate about health for a very long time and decided that Tigernuts needed to be bought to Australia and it would be a really great project for us to work on together.

Can you explain a little bit about to origin of Tigernuts and what exactly they are? 
Tigernuts are actually not nuts, but tiny tubers (root vegetables). Tigernuts were originally cultivated in Northern Africa, and are one of the world’s oldest sources of nutrition. A recent study by Oxford University actually indicates that Tigernuts made up around 80% of Nutcracker Man’s diet between 2.4 and 1.4 million years ago ! Tigernuts have long been used as a food source, and in traditional medicine for early civilizations including the Chinese and Persians. They were one of the earliest domesticated crops, and have even been found in the tombs of Egyptian Pharaohs. The Persians were so fond of Tigernuts that during the Middle Ages, after their expansion across the north of Africa, they introduced the root vegetable to Europe and the Mediterranean.

What is it that makes Tigernuts such a nutritious thing to eat, even considered a superfood? 
There are so many things! They are gluten, dairy and nut free. They are also Paleo and Auto Immune friendly. The small tubers are very high in fibre and the #1 natural source of resistant starch. Resistant starch is a prebiotic starch that acts much like insoluble fibre. Resistant starch is not digested in the stomach or small intestine; instead it is passed through to the colon where it acts as food for our bodies friendly gut bacteria (probiotics). Furthermore, Tigernuts contain digestive enzymes like catalase, lipase and amylase. The enzymes combines with Tigernuts’ resistant starch and fibre content aids digestive health, improves insulin sensitivity, lowers blood sugar levels and helps to counteract issues of the bowels. Tigernuts are high in good fats, primarily oleic acid – the good fat found in olive oil and avocado. In fact, the composition of Tigernut Oil is almost identical in composition to olive oil. Tigernuts are also rich in vitamins and minerals including phosphorous, potassium, calcium, magnesium, copper, manganese, iron and vitamins E and C.

It’s obvious with Tigernuts that health is a priority, what are the main reasons you would urge someone to consider healthier snacks such as this? 
Tigernuts are great because they have a natural sweetness so they can help you curb that sugar craving without ruining the diet! The high fibre and resistant starch content of Tigernuts also means that they keep you fuller for longer. Tigernuts are quite chewy, which means you have to chew them (obviously) but it also makes them harder to overeat. They are also a great nut-free alternative to nut flours that tend to be provided as gluten free alternatives.

Tigernuts has seen much success, what do you see happening next? Are there any upcoming projects or plans to expand in different directions? 
Well we have only been launched a few weeks, but the feedback so far has been amazing. We do have some other products that we are working on at the moment, but that’s top secret info so if I tell you I would have to kill you….(joking!) we will definitely keep you posted though :)

A huge thank you to Terra Firma Foods and Tigernuts for being part of this healthy discussion.

If you want to check out some of the previous Q&A's on Jordy's Fitness you can check out that section of the blog here.

Thanks for reading!

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SHERPARD'S PIE - VEGAN VERSION

Being vegan doesn't mean you have to give up the things you used to eat with meat and dairy in it, well actually that is what it technically means but what I'm saying is that you can vegan-ise it! Most recipes can be made to remove all animal products perfect if you are vegan or like to eat vegan alternatives every now and again. 

I have been making this recipe for years and always bust it out in the cooler weather but let's be real I eat this year round. It is so filling and satisfying you won't believe how simple the ingredient list is. 

Ingredients

3 larg potatoes

1 onion

1 can crushed tomatoes 

1 packet tofu or veggie mince

Salt, Pepper and Herbs 

Method

- Wash and peel the potatoes then cut them into small squares. Put these in boiling water on the stove until par boiled because we want them to finish the cooking process later on in the oven. Once they are finished you can drain and roughly mash them. 

- Take your tofu and squish it up with your hands to make something a bit thicker than a cottage cheese consistency. Otherwise if you are using some mock mince then you can prepare this instead.  

- Into a large deep frying pan add some oil, the crushed tomatoes, tofu, herbs and spices.

- Into a deep ceramic or glass dish add in the crushed tomato and tofu mince mixture. 

- Add on top your mashed potato then pop it in the oven for about 30-45 minutes on 180 degrees Celsius.

- Take your Sephard's pie out once it starts browning on top, cut up and serve.  

Both versions with tofu or mock mince are delicious - you could even have a mixture of both. 

Thanks for reading!

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VEGETARIAN VEGETABLE WONTON RECIPE

I absolutely love all types of Asian food and a particular favourite is dumpling, wontons, gyozas and anything along those lines. 

I love them so much that I go through stages where I want to eat them all the time but going out to a restaurant for them everytime I crave them isn't practical. So I often find myself making my own and have come to find a recipe I really like for them.

It is actually really simple and easy but a little bit time consuming when it comes to assembling them and waiting for each to cook. I personally think the trouble is well worth it for the end results (which are delicious).  

Ingredients:
1 pkt Soft Tofu
1 pkt Wonton Wrappers
2 Carrots
1 Onion
1 Egg (optional)

Method:

1. It's time to get your hands dirty - take your soft tofu and squish it up in a bowl so that it has the consistency of cottage cheese. Grate your carrot and finely dice your onion. You could add in some shallots instead of or as well as the onion for some colour, texture and added flavour. Add all of your ingredients into a bowl and season with salt, pepper and any desired spices.

2. Take your wont wrappers and they them out onto a plate or board. Proceed to dampen the outside rim of the wonton wrapper squares, place your mixture inside them and wrap it up to scrunch at the top.

3. Now it's time to steam them so add some oil to the base of your steamer and gentle place your wontons on. Close the lid and leave to steam for around 7 minutes.

4. Once tender, gently remove them from the steamer and place them on a plate with damp cloths so that they stay moist and warm.

There you have it - delicious resteraunt quality wontons/dumplings in the comfort of your own home with creative freedom to fill them with whatever you want. 

Thanks for reading!

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TOFU PARCELS - QUICK AND EASY VEGAN RECIPE

You want to nourish your body and fill it with amazing vegan fuel but you have come home exhausted after a crazy day at work? Sounding familiar..I know it sure happens to me so this quick and easy recipe keeps me eating vegan and healthy without having to try hard or cook for hours.

I mean a lot of vegan meals are super simple and quick to pull together but this one takes a matter of minutes then you throw it in the oven!

What you will need:

1 pkt Tofu (I like using this plain organic one)

1 Red Onion

2 Tomatoes

Pine Nuts

Salt + Pepper

The process is easy
1. Cut up all of your tofu, onion and tomato into small bite sized pieces.
2. Place your mixture into small portion sizes inside of aluminium foil.
3. Add pine nuts, salt and pepper to season then wrap them up.
4. Put them in the oven for around 20 minutes on around 180 degrees Celsius.

These are on the lighter side of a dinner so they make a perfect snack or nutritious meal when you aren't feeling like eating much. They are extremely delicious and leave you really satisfied.

Thanks for reading!

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FITNESS INSTAGRAM ACCOUNTS TO FOLLOW

There is nothing better than scrolling through your Instagram feed for a little motivation and it is definitely the social media I turn to for fitness inspiration.

I have rounded up my four favourite Instagram accounts with gorgeous gals and incredible healthy food.

@reneesomerfield is an Aussie model with an incredible body. She is a vegan and really passionate about animal rights and global issues which I really admire. I love seeing a beautiful girl being even more beautiful inside and she is certainly inspirational when it comes to leading a healthy cruelty free lifestyle. 

@ellie_gonsalves is a Brissy model currently living in LA so not only do I love her showing us some snaps from the city but she also shares her workouts and food. She is serious #bodygoals and an all round stunning girl. Ellie is also a vegan like Renee so that is another huge reason I follow her.

@alexisren is as cute as a button and great fitspo because she is incredibly fit. I love her natural beauty, fashion sense and constant adventure which she documents on her Instagram.

@niomismart is incredibly inspirational, having turned from fully fledged meat eating into vegan practically overnight. She is the most creative person I know with her meals and whips up the most delicious vegan versions of everything. The English beauty definitely gives me some food inspiration and I love following her travel adventures as well.

Those are four accounts I really enjoy on Instagram because they get me inspired about veganism, travel, life and fitness. I would highly recommend following them and I hope you enjoy their content as much as I do!

Thanks for reading!

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3 EASY WAYS TO LOSE WEIGHT AND BE HEALTHIER

Losing weight and being healthy doesn't have to be hard and these three tips prove that! All it requires is a shift in your attitude and a little bit of thought into your daily actions. Follow these three steps and you will see a boost in your nutrition and will be on the way to a healthy lean lifestyle.

Start your day with a smoothie
Whether you normally skip breakfast or opt for sugary cereal. - start your day right with a cup full of fruit, veggies and nutrition. Not only will it give you so much energy that will last throughout the day but it means you most likely won't need coffee - goodbye caffeine dependence! I would definitely recommend my healthy breakfast protein smoothie, you can watch the recipe video below or click here.

Swap soft drink for water
If you normally have a can of Coke with your lunch, swap it for water. It doesn't have to be boring because you can infuse it with citrus or fruits. It is truly appalling how much sugar are in soft drinks and you really shouldn't be fueling your body with it. I have heard some incredible stories of dropping weight once quitting soft drink and I absolutely believe it.

Drink your daily dose of veggies
A cup of spirulina may be absolutely disgusting (believe me, I understand) it immediately boosts your body with a hit of nutrients, vitamins and minerals. If this is too much for you then simply replace iceberg lettuce with kale in your salads, it has a much higher nutritional value.

Yes that is how easy these three tips are! Things you can start incorporating into your routine starting tomorrow, or even today.

Thanks for reading!

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SWEET POTATO AND CARAMELISED ONION BURGERS

If you are a vegan or even vegetarian then you would know how sometimes salad wraps and burgers get boring and you need something a bit new and different to fill you up.

One of my favourite things to make is sweet potato and in this burger form you get all the nutrients and benefits of the complex carb while it is still filling and delicious.

Ingredients
500g Sweet potato
1 tbsp. garlic
2 small onions
4 tbsp. olive oil
Breadcrumbs
All purpose flour
Salt + Pepper
Parsley
Salad to serve

Method
1. Peel and cut up the sweet potato then leave to cook in boiling water (add a dash of salt).
2. Add 2tbsp of olive oil to the frying pan and place in your diced onions. Leave to simmer until browned.
3. Once your sweet potatoes are soft and tender, mash them up then add in your onion and seasonings.
4. Place the mixture in the freezer to cool down for about 10 minutes. Then roll handfuls of mixture into patties, dipping them into your flour and breadcrumb mixture before placing them on a sheet of baking paper.
5. Place them in the fridge for at least an hour to set.
6. When you are ready to cook them, place 2 tbsp. of olive oil in a pan and leave to cook for 3-5 minutes on each side with medium heat.
7. Serve on a wrap or bread roll with all of your favourite salads.



I hope you have enjoyed this recipe! It's a quick and easy weekend lunch or week day dinner. The best part is that you can freeze the leftover patties and then fry them up once you are ready to eat them, maybe on days when you can't be bothered cooking!

Thanks for reading!

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THE ULTIMATE VEGAN SALAD

Eating vegan, you end up having a lot of salads and vegetables but this is a salad that is a bit more exciting and incorporates a delicious mixture of ingredients.

 

Seriously, it's one of the best salads I have ever tasted and so I find myself making it at least a few times a week. It's light and refreshing while still being filling and hearty.

 

Ingredients

1/4 Pomegranate

1 Apple

1 Green Oak Lettuce

1/4 Salad Onion
Vegan Fake Chicken Fillets

 

You know the drill guys, just toss it all together. With that being said though, there are some tips!

- Fry up the vegan chicken fillets in a frying pan with some oil until golden and brown.

- Slice the apples paper thin so that the apple flavour isn't too overwhelming.

- Toss with a salad dressing of your choice if you want an added element.

- Add kale for some added nutrition.

 

Thanks for reading!

 

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CREAMY MUSHROOM PASTA - VEGAN

 

It's easy to think that being vegan means missing out on rich and creamy foods but if this recipe is any indication, you can pretty much make anything vegan. This is a recipe for my creamy mushroom pasta; a decadent and bowl licking good mixture that has the same texture as cream filled and cheesy alternatives. Read on for this magic recipe that you will be hooked on.

Ingredients
1 large onion
2 Garlic cloves
3 extra-large mushrooms

1 can coconut cream

Vegetable Stock

Salt and pepper
Spaghetti pasta



Method- Dice the onion and mince the garlic then leave to sauté with olive oil in a hot skillet.

- Add the mushrooms and keep stirring mixture until simmering then add vegetable stock to taste.

- Heat up the coconut cream in a saucepan then add it to the mushroom mixture.

- Season to taste and leave to reduce.

- Serve on bed of pasta.

 

That's all there is to it, quite simple really. Give this one a go next time you are craving a naughty cheat meal because it is delicious, filling and above all - completely VEGAN!

 

Thanks for reading!

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CAULIFLOWER RICE RECIPE

If you have been on the search for a rice replacement in meals, cauliflower is an unlikely option but actually very effective.

 

This a recipe showing how to turn a cauliflower into cauliflower rice and all you will need is a grater, saucepan and maybe some seasonings. 

 

Making for the perfect low carb rice replacement.  

Ingredients:

Cauliflower

Seasonings

Vegetables to serve:

Zucchini

Mushroom

Snowpeas

Asparagus

Method:
1. Take your 1 whole cauliflower and cut it into 4 sections
2. Use a grater to grate each section into a bowl.
3. Place the cauliflower into a pot of boiling water with seasonings and leave to simmer until tender.
4. In the meantime, place your veggies in a steamer to place over the top of your rice so they can cook at the same time.
5. Once the cauliflower is tender, drain the mixture and fluff it up with a fork.
6. Serve with vegetables.

This is definitely an unexpected meal favourite but the cauliflower is surprisingly grain like and a much lighter alternative to normal white rice.

 

Thanks for reading!



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MY GO-TO EVERYDAY SALAD

It's a super simple and quick recipe that makes it perfect for everyday. The ingredients aren't fussy or complicated so you are bound to have these items in the salad compartment of your fridge.

 

My favourite salad as of late is a mixture of ;

Hummus

Cos lettuce

Baby Tomatoes

Shallots

Cucumber
Bean Sprouts

Nothing crazy or special but I thought that I would share since I always love trying out new and different salad combinations. Hopefully this gave you some inspiration for yours! 

 

Thanks for reading!



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FRUIT ICE BLOCKS / POPSICLES RECIPE

 

Summer may technically be over but for most of us Aussies living in more Northern atmospheres such as Queensland, we aren't going to be seeing the cooler weather for some time now. So why not enjoy the tail end of Summer with some delicious fruit popsicles?!

Ingredients

Your favourite fruits

Fruit juice or water

Popsicle sticks

Ice block mould

 

Method

Select your favourite fruits and cop them up into bite sized pieces.

Add them into your ice block mould and fill to the top with fruit juice or water.

Place a popsicle stick in the centre of your ice block and place in the freezer for at least 3 hours.

 

Give it a go next weekend to cool down while also getting some fruit into your diet. Everyone will love these; from adults to even kids. The best part is that they keep in the freezer really well so you can make up a massive batch then you are fully stocked for a couple of weeks.

 

Thanks for reading!



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VEGAN MEXICAN TORTILLA BAKE

If you love Mexican food then this will be a dream come true because it's all the goodness of nachos and burritos, without the mess since you can eat it with a fork.

 

As always, I have customised this recipe to be completely vegan and that means no cheese! Well, no dairy cheese anyway. Also mushrooms are the meat replacement but vegan mince is always a great alternative too.

 

Ingredients

- Packet to tortillas

- 3 lrg Mushrooms

- 2 medium onions

- 2 thin shallots

- 1 can Mixed Beans  

- 1 can Corn

- 1 can Crushed Tomatoes

- Salt, Pepper, Chilli Powder and Seasonings

- Vegan Cheese to top 

- Olive Oil (Garlic Infused)

 

Method

- Finely dice onion and brown in saucepan with olive oil.

- Then add in the beans, corn and shallots to slightly brown.

- Pour the crushed tomatoes into the mixture and leave to simmer for 5 minutes.

- Add in the mushrooms to slightly cook down.

- Season with salt, pepper, chilli powder and anything else you want (I add garlic salt and Vegeta vegetable stock).

- Line your round baking dish with some olive oil and place a tortilla down, then some mixture, then another tortilla and repeat this process until all mixture is gone.

- Top with a tortilla and some vegan cheese then put it into the oven to bake for about 30 minutes.

- Serve with guacamole or eat by itself.

 

Try it out, you will likely fall in love.

 

Thanks for reading!



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