So today I’ve got a couple fun things for you, but we’ll start off with my very first juicing experience!
My cousin is moving and getting married (so rude… leaving me) but while cleaning out her apartment she gave me her juicer! (as well as a life-time supply of brita filters and Energy Gels – she’s a runner as well). Personally, I’d rather have my cousin, but the juicer is cool too.
The juicer is Breville’s Juice Fountain Compact. It was pretty simple to operate, although I’m pretty sure I’ll have to work on my skills…
My kitchen looked like I’d just mowed the lawn. Things got a little crazy.
My only complaints about the model are 1) things flew up out of the chute before I had a chance to put the food pusher in the top and 2) there were lots of parts to pull apart and clean. Not super when you don’t have a dishwasher, but not horrible. I did enjoy that it sounded like I was flying a space ship or something when I turned it on! Haha it had an intimidating whirring sound.
My first attempt at juicing included basically whatever I had, which included kale, spinach, 1 lemon and 1/2 a large cucumber.
Although it was a bit lemony for me, I actually really liked this! And yes, I held my breath for a second before taking the first sip. I mean, come on, its green.
I’ll definitely be having fun experimenting with this in the future!
Next up, a book review! This month’s book for Julie’s Book Club is The Fault in Our Stars by John Green:
The Fault in Our Stars is narrated by Hazel, a sixteen year old cancer patient. Hazel stopped attending school due to her treatments and isolates herself in her family home, knowing that her cancer will be terminal. Her parents force her to attend a support group where she meets and eventually falls in love with Augustus Walters (“Gus”), another cancer patient. Hazel and Gus become very close quickly, although their relationship makes her realize that she’s afraid of anyone getting to close because she knows she’ll just leave them in pain when she passes away.
One thing that I enjoyed about this book is that it doesn’t sugar-coat cancer, it’s descriptive in everything that Hazel has to deal with, however it does so in a somewhat humorous way. Also, you become so invested in the characters that, although the cancer consumes their lives, you see them beyond their illness and watch them learn about themselves, one another, and to love. It’s interesting to read a love-story that you know is doomed from the beginning, but I think part of the reason people enjoy this book so much is because it teaches you to embrace the life that you have now and enjoy each day, rather than focus on what you may or may not have in the future.
I highly recommend reading this book if you get the chance. It went by fairly quickly for me, and although the topic seems depressing, it had a really great message and left me feeling satisfied and very glad that I picked up the book.
Have you read this book? What did you think?
What do you think about books that deal with the “sad” parts of life?
Have you ever tried or made your own green juice?
Wow, your juice is very green!!! I love juicing, haven’t had the probelm of greens flying around though…. Thanks for the book recommendation, I need a new book vacay later this month and I am def going to pick this one up!
they just flew back out of the tunnel thing! Maybe I just need practice…
I loved this book! It was incredibly sad but, like you said, it had a great message and was uplifting at the same time. I love how you got to see the way Hazel recognized her parents’ love and sacrifice for her.
Honestly, I love books that talk about things I can relate to that are sad. I think it sometimes gives perspective to remember how far I’ve come after a sad event. It also is healing in some ways to remember that everyone has sad things happen to them, not just me, and we can respond in a lot of ways that sometimes aren’t so healthy.
Very well said, sometimes it’s good to read about something sad, but real, especially when so realistic!
I just finished this book. I loved it, even though the tears were flowing at the end. I think its good to remember that life can be very hard but you still can find joy in the hard times.
I totally agree!
That is some very green juice. I’m ok throwing a handful of spinach into my smoothies, but actual green juice still intimidates me.
I’ve been hearing great things about that book! I might have to look for it.
Haha it intimidated me but I really liked it! And the book was great, you should look out for it!
I’ve never made green juice before, but we have a juicer at home that I’ve used to make carrot juice. My brother loves homemade apple/orange juice, and my mom likes to add a little beet to whatever juice she makes!
You should try adding some spinach or kale in for extra nutrients!
I read the book too and enjoyed it. I was hesitant because it was such a sad premise but I agree with you, it didn’t sugar coat it. But made it real and showed real feelings that people have, good book choice
I was the same – I was nervous that it would just be sad but I’m so glad I read it!
[…] Peace, Love and Oats […]
I’ve been wanting to read The Fault in our Stars – looks like I’m going to have to try it! I’m still a little apprehensive about the whole juicing thing…
You should definitely find the book! And as for juicing, start simple. I tried once juice from a juice place and thought it was awful, turns out I don’t like celery in it!
I used to make green juice every weekend but haven’t in so long, probably cause my juicer needs a serious clean! I have been having my green smoothies of course 😉
I think I’ll have to do it on the weekends too, it’s too much every morning!
Inheriting a juicer is the best. I want one but I really don’t want to pay for one. Someday! It does really look like you mowed a lawn in your kitchen though :).
That book has been on my list of goodreads books to-read for a while and I’ve heard such great things about it! I like books that depict life like it is and don’t sugar coat things but I also don’t like to spend my free time reading books that are so depressing that I start to feel down about my own life (our book club book did this to me!). It sounds like The Fault in Our Stars isn’t like that though so I should definitely go ahead and read it!
Haha it smelled like I mowed my law a bit too! And you MUST read this book! I’d let you borrow mine but I left it in CO.
Ive not heard of this book. Thanks for sharing it. happy reading 🙂
It was really good – highly recommended!
That book seems a little too depressing for me. Not to say I wouldn’t read it though..
You really should. It’s really good – read Julie’s review on it (PB Fingers), she did a better job than I did with describing it.
Kels, it isn’t depressing! Read it.
God. I LOVE that book. Like so much. Everyone should read it! It IS NOT DEPRESSING!!
Haha I think the general consensus is that everyone loves it!