Monday Morning Health Kick

There are whole hosts of books devoted to the overwhelming health benefits of including more garlic in our diets (and yes, that includes kids). I’m no expert (or nutritionist), and doubtless you’re already well aware that garlic is a powerhouse ‘superfood’ if ever there was one.
But a combination of a heavy weekend (5 women on a raucous 40th birthday weekend – say no more..) along with a heads-up on the World’s Biggest Juice Detox is the main inspiration for this blog post (plus, if ever there was a month to extol the virtues of fresh juicing - without feeling like a pious arse – January is it).
Obviously you’ll need a fresh juicer for this. I swear by my @PhilipsUKshop Philips HR1861 Aluminum Whole Fruit Juicer – and I promise I’m not paid to promote these guys – though the fantastic Jason Vale (@juicemaster) is….
I can’t claim the strange but fantastic idea of adding garlic to a juice as my own. That concept first knocked on my brain-door a while back from the supremely talented Luke Holder at the beautiful @limewoodhotel, (post-spa treatment at Raw and Cured). Now I’ve googled a bit, I see it’s a concept that’s been around for years.
So yes, garlic in a juice. It works. Trust me. Just don’t go trying to snog anyone afterwards…

INGREDIENTS
2 large carrots
2 apples
1 clove garlic, peeled
Approx 1 tbsp fresh parsley

METHOD
Juice the carrots. Place the garlic and parsley on top of one of the apples then juice again, followed by the second apple. Serve over crushed ice (or not).

SIDE NOTE: Garlic's smell comes from allicin, and its this that releases its health-giving properties, inhibits bacterial growth and counteracts fungus / yeast infections. Therefore, don’t use odourless garlic pills. If they don't smell, they don’t work. As always, fresh is best : )