To Thine Own Self Beetroot - 10 / 10 club - all welcome

[FrannyandZooey]

For anyone who wants a boost to their general health. The suggested goals are:

EAT 10 PORTIONS OF FRUIT AND VEGETABLES EVERY DAY - if you don't usually eat much fruit and veg I would build up gradually or you could upset your digestion.

DO (AT LEAST) 10 MINUTES OF EXERCISE EVERY DAY - can be yoga, stretching or something more energetic. The plan is that the idea of doing 10 minutes is not too daunting, and having started you may well find you want to do more.

There are no restrictions on what you eat so long as you get your 10 fruit and veg as well. The focus is not on weight loss but on improving our energy levels and hopefully our general mood and well-being. Sign up below and post here to tell us how you're getting on and how you are feeling.

Basic guidance on what constitutes a portion of fruit and veg here and you can download more detailed information by following the link at the very bottom of the page

Lullaby, that's the first thing you've said that I don't like the sound of, basil in a smoothie...

It's utterly delicious believe me

Basil smoothie???

Lullaby you have gone too far now, I suspect you of sneaking that one in to check we are really paying attention and not just going "mmm, Lullaby, basil smoothie, how scrumptious"

Sharon fruit is ok, I certainly wouldn't want to eat it every day but ds likes the novelty of it, and they were going cheap in the supermarket. They are a bit too cloyingly sweet in a way, and also make me nervous because you are meant to eat the whole fruit, not peel it, or take out the stone or seeds or anything. They seem too big to be able to just eat them whole, if that makes sense...

Am cured of smoothie fixation as of last night when I drank one that had been opened for too long.

Ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww...lionheart

You wimpy lot.....basil is lovely with lots of fruit....yum with grilled peaches.

I demand you get into the kitchen NOW...juice 6 carrots & an apple...blend with an avocado,juice of half a lemon & about 10 basil leaves.......heaven in a glass.

If you dont all love it....I'll eat my rather fetching new hat

ds loves it too

It certainly looked Innocent.

May try basil.

eww, they are horrible when they go off, lionhart, I opened one once and it fizzed!

lullabyloo- hmmm, I like fuit in my smoothie and veg on my plate I think. They have some weird and wonderful flavours in the juice shop but it's berrytastic for me every time!

Poor pickings so far today. Seven blueberries. There are three pears in the bowl and I can't fathom why I don't want to eat them. I normally love pears but I had a grainy one before and now the thought makes my toes curl. With my moods as well as odd eating habits the last few days I might be suspicious. Would have to be the immaculate conception however. Maybe it is the weather.

The Great Welly Fiasco - I love it!

Size 5 wellies are on the way to TT now, Avi if you are happy to donate your wellies to me that's great! I shall email with my address.

NQC - "it's just the old 'what on earth will I do with my life' chestnut" - yes, a bit of that going on here too... Hope you can pull yourself out of it soon.

Franny the Gruffalo's Child looks fab!

Oh yes, fruit & veg... not much to report yet actually

PS - I think it's great that this thread is over 100 posts long and it's only day 2!

Franny I can't do CATs and this isn't the best time to spend £5 to increase my feline capabilities, so my email is: [email protected] Would be grateful for advice.

LL, I think your smoothie sounds intriguingly divine. I'd try it if I had an avocado.

Have eaten ratatouille today. We have only had 25 apples from Riverford. Last time I counted we got through 38 in less than 5 days. I think I will have to hide some in cupboards.

Avi, I feel extremely every time you mention your boat. I have been most affected by the Arthur Ransome books recently.

chickpea & vegetable stew with brown rice for lunc....it's so chilly here

oh & mango granita.....yum

ds is demanding we make a cake for my birthday this weekend.....chocolate of course....so he can eat it

Eeughh! Hopefully the vodka killed the bugs.

update.......apple,grapes,cherries,some fruit smoothie concoction[bleurgh],tomatoes,peas,pear.

Minimal exercise o account of the toe.
yes!wagonwheels

A wagon wheel? (said in best Lady Bracknell tones). Talcy you are excused games. I have a note here from your mum.

Gruffalo's Child was excellent, really good fun. Lots of humour for the adults but without that sort of snarky "we can tell dirty jokes because the kids won't get it" kind of thing happening. Just different layers, really. 3 performers took on all the different parts! Young male actor drenched in sweat by the end after having been the snake, fox, owl and Gruffalo in turn.

Had a roasted veg sandwich for lunch, v nice

TooT will email you

Lullaby you have just about convinced me

Hello Tatties, lionheart, MrsC, Aviatrix

[looks sideways at MrsC's stomach in that annoying way people have when they think you might be up the duff]

I can't do Sharon fruit, the aftertaste is like ashes or something, gah. Maybe I had a bad one?

Oh, maybe you guys would know, is rambutan the giant weirdo spikey fruit? Should I buy one? They seem to be in season ... what would I do with it?

Today: - muesli (1)

• big glass of gazpatcho (tomatoes, celery, peppers, cucumber, garlic) (3)
• beetroot salad + sweet potato salad (2)
• several giant plates of giant salad (4) (lettuce, tomato, cucumber, peppers, broad beans)

I might have some fruit, but maybe not, stomach is dubious.

My nerves might be settling. But why does everyone want to ask me if I'm going back to work ever? WTF is up with that?

You can leave out garlic.

I have a thread on my gazpatcho, will dig ...

Here. Recipe is at start of thread.

Hello again after a few weeks of Very Unhealthy Eating.
Today I finally managed green pepper (still repeating on me), lettuce, kohlrabi, half a banana. I don't feel well but want my tea- what shall I have?

I can send someone some bits and pieces for toddler card making if they want? It was a bit of a passion of mine...and my dear boys did not particularly enjoy it

As far as calendula petals, I don't do precise quantities, Say a handful?

To crystalise, beat egg white
until firm but not stiff. Dip the petals in this and then into castor sugar on both sides (use tweezers). Dry in the lowest heat in a fan oven or in an airing cupboard until firm and dry to touch.

It's a ridiculous faff but I did it for a friend's dd's christening....looked lovely.

Or you could just make golden yellow coloured icing petals...

The chilli really helps.

Carrot cake recipe here.