Juicing Retreat – Juicy Oasis, Portugal

Posted on 14/04/2014 by AnnaGoAnna

I believe in juicing.

Wow I never thought I’d actually say that out loud! All those of you who’ve been following me on twitter, Facebook or reading a few posts here will know that I’ve been ‘giving it a go’. However I NEVER expected that I’d be making the above statement after only a few months. If my Mother was alive, she’d probably refer to me as a ‘juicing crank’, say I’m turning into my Granny or juicing as a ‘fad’. If Tish and Kerry were still alive, we’d be crazily swapping recipes and learning about the benefits of each ingredient.

So armed with the experience of my recent 7 day juicing programme (and how I felt during and after the 7 days), I wanted to take it further. I wanted to understand more about how I can maintain the level of health gained, understand more about the nutrients, vitamins, minerals, pectin, etc etc that can be obtained via just juicing. Is it sustainable for longer periods. Indeed is it advisable for longer periods. Although I know with the lifestyle I lead that practically it isn’t possible but how can I incorporate it best into my lifestyle? As I’m about to enter the world of full-time employment again I also want to know that I can continue to do it and feel fabulous whilst working a full week.

I looked around at different programmes and read many articles and information. However I knew that I realistically needed to immerse myself in it, with the experts on hand, to fully understand it.

I then found Juicy Oasis in Portugal. A Yoga, Fitness and Juicing Retreat.

Fortunately there was a place sharing a room with a stranger in the Retreat in less than a month. Before I headed to the Retreat I wanted to make sure that I was prepared – mentally and physically. I read lots, continued to juice twice a day with one small healthy meal for dinner or lunch. Last week I also joined in with the Big Juice Spring Clean – a 5 day programme of juicing as a community – via Facebook and twitter, all participants can keep in touch and also watch daily videos from Jason Vale (The Juicemaster) about the daily juices.

My flight left early on Saturday morning. As I packed my bag with lots of sportswear, a couple of pairs of trainers, swimsuits and a tennis racquet, I contemplated slipping into the case an emergency supply of nuts (ooh how my tastebuds have changed since juicing – previously it would definitely have been chocolate). However I decided that the only person I’d be cheating would be myself and carefully put the packet of nuts back in the cupboard.

The cost of the Retreat isn’t small however is good value for money. The Juicy Oasis itself is wonderful 5* luxury. The property has been recently refurbished to a truly high standard. The furnishings carefully selected and feel luxurious. The price also includes (as well as the juices and supplements) a programme of activity that keeps you busy both in mind and body throughout the day. I reduced the cost slightly by being able to use my BA frequent flyer points for my flights to and from Portugal.

I was met at the airport and ushered into a minibus with another ‘Juice Retreatee’ for the 1.5hr transfer. The journey flew by as we chatted but not without noticing that the vista changed from City to country to beautiful wilderness. As we cross a bridge, our driver pointed out the Retreat nestling the other side of the river. Wonderful.

Milly, the lovely Retreat Manager, met us at the door, checked us in and after dropping our bags into our respective rooms, took us on a quick tour of the Retreat. Wow Wow Wow! I just knew instantly that I was going to love it here. AND the sun was shining.

It didn’t take us long to settle in, meet 2 others who were there for a 28 day programme (including my roommate, Sati), enjoy our first juice and then head off to the gym to work off the ‘flight legs’.

Throughout the week you are able to join in with any or all of the activities. For some it was an escape from a busy life with a detox. Others joined with every activity. Most however dipped in and out.

Below is a little video of the ‘daily activity boards’ to give you an idea of our itinerary.

As you can see the activities were varied and filled our days. You could choose what you joined in with or indeed opted out from. I tried everything. With the exception of the final day I did the early morning walk. Leaving the Retreat and seeing some of the beautiful vista outside was a morning jewel for us all.

I couldn’t get the hang of rebounding…. any of you who’ve done any aerobic-type classes with me, will know that my balance and coordination can leave other exercisers bashed and bruised. What I will say, is thank heavens for the post on the exercise platform that I was able to hang on to as I bounced off the rebounder!

We were extremely fortunate that Jason Vale (AKA The Juicemaster) was also at the Retreat for most of the week. Ordinarily people pay to be at the resort with Jason and hear first hand why he’s got the name the ‘Juicemaster’, listen to his story and see first hand the energy and enthusiasm he has for creating a healthier society. Truly blessed to have some of his time. Oooh and play some tennis with him – boy is he competitive!

The films each evening were yet more education into healthy eating and juicing. Obviously there has to be an element of objectively watching them as they’re filmed by advocates of juicing and perhaps not as two-sided as they could be. I certainly learnt an enormous amount from them though and indeed if every you needed the motivation and encouragement to truly join the Juicing Revolution, I’d recommend watching all the films.. in that order!

Another truly wonderful thing about Juicy Oasis Retreat is the Eden Spa! In the ground floor of the Retreat is a special place. The main spa room smells and feels relaxing. Just entering the space sort of puts a spell over you. There’s a small warm pool to lounge in. Beds to lounge on. And the most wonderful Cacoons.

I so wish I could afford to have one of these in my garden. Within minutes of lying down in a Cacoon with the gentle rocking motion created by your breathing, I was asleep. Amazing naps which were so refreshing and deep.

Also in the spa were treatment rooms offering a plethora of pampering, sports and detox treatments. During my week I took advantage of the spa for both pampering and detox purposes. I’ve never had a colonic, despite a number of friends trying to persuade me previously. Before I left for Portugal I read up about the health benefits of a colonic. I read comments and reviews about any pain/discomfort etc. I attended the colonic talk on my first day and this confirmed that I would ‘try’ out this treatment whilst I was there. I won’t lie, the first one was a little uncomfortable – although I realise that I was a little more tense than I needed to be! I won’t go into more details but suffice it to say that I ended up having three colonics during my week. The first two with coffee (hey I had to have some coffee during my week’s Retreat!) and the last with wheatgrass. It’s difficult to explain how I felt after a colonic except to say lighter and more energised. Perhaps too much information for many of you and I’ll leave my comment there but suffice it to say that I do recommend them and will have more (when I find a good practitioner).

I also had a reflexology treatment booked with an English lady call Aoife. Wonderful treatment. Absolutely blissful, relaxing and clearly this lady has magical hands. During this treatment I mentioned problems with my knee since my fall in Australia and that I’d noticed that Aoife offered Myofascial massages but that I understood her appointments to be fully booked this week. Kindly she offered to work for another hour on Thursday so that I could have treatment on my knee. Fascia is the soft tissue component of the connective tissue that provides support and protection for most structures within the human body, including muscle. Myofascial release is a soft tissue therapy for skeletal muscle immobility and pain massage.

It didn’t go unnoticed to me that Phyllodes is a soft tissue sarcoma that is within the connective tissue of the body either.

OMG Aoife really does have magic hands. For an hour she gently manipulated the skin, gently massaged and touched my legs. I can’t explain more about what she did except to say that whatever it was it felt fabulous. After the treatment I rushed upstairs to join everyone for soup i.e. ‘warm juice’. I suddenly stopped at the top of the stairs stock still as the reality dawned… no pain in my knee! For over a year I’d been unable to walk up steps and stairs without shooting pains. It’s gone. Totally. For the rest of the week I cautiously walked up and down stairs waiting for the pain to return.. so far it’s still missing! Wow – what a joy. Incredible. More information about UK practitioners here.

Finally I also indulged in a deep tissue massage. I hate touchy feely massages. If you’re going to massage, then get right in there1 Oh Boy she knew how to do that. Fantastically and skilfully manipulated and pummelled.

Juicy Oasis – Walk to Dornes – 10 April 2014

Group Photo at Juicy Oasis – FABULOUS NEW FRIENDS

As a solo traveller to the Juicy Oasis Retreat I was unsure who my fellow Retreatees would be. Shortly after arrival I realised that we’d have a ball all week. A grand mixture of people from Belgium, Germany, Ireland, Dubai, Spain and, of course, England. I’d not, however expected there to be four of us from within a square mile of my house!

We made up a mixed bunch of lovelies. Ranging in age, both men and women and, of course, levels of fitness and health. But what we definitely were also was supportive of one another. We had a jolly good giggle too! The daily schedule of activities meant that there were many times when we you busy doing something and seemed to only catch up with some others at juice times! Or me and my roommate at bedtime.

Oh and to answer the question that seems to be most asked about my Retreat. Did we just have juices? YES! As you can see from the programme they were spaced throughout the day. Varied in deliciousness. Full and balanced with nutrients and vitamins. As we were on the ‘Winter’ programme at the Retreat, our evening Juice was warm… i.e. Soup! On our departure day we were allowed to order food for lunch or takeaway for our journey…. every taste of my salad was an explosion in my mouth. Amazing how much I craved good healthy salad food.

So what did I ‘gain’ from doing the Juicy Oasis Retreat?

I strongly suspect that you’ll be seeking the answer to ‘how much did she loose’ question… I would too. However what I actually gained (and lost) was so very much more than that. Weight-loss is a by-product of the experience… a welcome one.. but not one that is anywhere near the top of my list.

My headaches are gone. At least I’ve not had one single headache/migrane since part way into my first 7 day juicing experience. There’s a part of me that is constantly checking that they’re still not there. Certainly there’s a part of me that’s celebrating that I wake up when my body wants to wake not when the ‘nighttime’ headache gets too bad to bear. Finally I’m able to think more clearly without the drumming in my skull. I don’t need to lie down in a darkened quiet room. I can read without feeling as if I’m looking through a windowpane in the rain. I’m also no longer popping prescription and non-prescription medication to find some relief from the continual headaches. Gosh if I’d known I could shift them with juicing months/years ago, I’d have done it in a heartbeat… Hmmm maybe I should tell the neurologist, Dr, MRI team etc how I shifted the headaches?

I no longer have shooting pains in my knee when walking up steps – thank you to the myofascial massage skills of Aoife.

My skin is glowing with health (and noticed by quite a few people).

My eyes are brighter and the whites truly white!

My teeth are whiter.

My energy levels are soooo much better than they were before. I now wake up earlier and have a list of active jobs to achieve each day that no longer seem ‘impossible’ to do.

My digestion has improved.

I feel lighter and less ‘clogged’.

I’m feeling ready to take on new activities. Looking for a bike. Joined a tennis league to accompany the tennis coaching sessions.

I work out how I can fit in a walk to the shops/friends/activities into my day rather than leaving it until the last minute and jumping into the car.

Oh and yes I did lose weight. 😉 2kg (4lb) lost – however given the exercise that I was doing on the programme and in the afternoons playing tennis, I wonder if some weight was gained in muscle! I did however take four measurements before I left (waist, bust, belly and thigh) – total lost was 28cm!

Would I recommend it? Would I go again? Hell yeah!

PS I think Jim Carrey’s clip on YouTube explains a lot. There’s a time to laugh, a time to cry, a time to live and a time to juice!

Juicing Update

Posted on 03/03/2014 by AnnaGoAnna

I can honestly say I’m loving the juices. Apart from the wheatgrass shot (only once so far) and quite clearly is an acquired taste, I’m finding all the juices really delicious. No really!

I’ve been surprised at how full I am on each day and wondered if I should reduce the quantity of fruit and veg I juice or even to skip one of the many daily juices. I called the ‘Juicemaster Hotline’ to ask and now understand even more about it. They suggested that if I was struggling with the volume then I should still do all the juices but reduce the content slightly. I hadn’t realised (blonde!) that each one is specifically chosen as it has certain ingredients and therefore benefits to be taken on that day and in that order. Make sense really but I’d not thought it through that far.

I have read the book from cover to cover. This is recommended as it gives you many motivational tips and tricks as well as dealing with many of the myths associated with juicing. Certainly for me, many of the things in the book (and other material) have made sense. For instance, I thought I’d be craving certain things. Or perhaps needing to use my teeth and chew! In reality it’s been ‘relatively’ easy to a) remind myself it’s only 7 days; b) I chose to do this and not doing it is failing; c) no-one is watching, except me – but how would I feel; and d) Chew a piece of carrot!

I also downloaded the App. This has been really useful as a reminder of what’s next and when + they have a great ‘shopping list’ feature that I know I’ll use when the 7 days is over but to continue juicing as ‘part’ of a healthier diet.

It’s not cheap to start out with this juicing and I guess you’ve got to be sure you’re going to continue with it (on some level) before making investments. I did do Day 1 only with a blender (no juicer) which meant blending everything and then straining it each time. I took such a lot of time, I needed to spend more time chopping and preparing the fruit and veg and the washing up of the sieve wasn’t great! By the end of Day 1, I’d ordered a new juicer to be delivered on Day 2 before midday! It was under £100 (with express delivery) and is so worth it. Firstly it’s quick and easy to juice and secondly, the parts are easy to clean and can be put in the dishwasher too!

On Saturday evening however I did have to ‘misbehave’ a little. For a very very long time, I’ve had a dinner in the diary, the menus had been chosen and I was committed to being there (as well as wanting to be there for my friend’s birthday). However although I made the decision that I would eat the dinner, I would only drink water and forego any G&Ts or wine with the meal. The dinner was delicious and I didn’t have a hangover on Sunday morning!

Day 4 now. I’ve done a little weigh-in and there’s a little weight lost but not a lot. Although to be fair I wasn’t really expecting a great deal at this point as I’ve taken on board such a lot of liquid and juice, only a few days in and also had dinner on Saturday! So any loss was good. What I have noticed is that my skin is definitely clearer and brighter. I’ve also (don’t quite me on this) noticed that there’s a curve or two appearing on my body. I may not have lost much weight at this stage but there’s definitely a reshaping going on and my clothes are fitting more comfortably.

Looking forward to the next few days and will update you then.

Here’s a of the juices so far… (honestly they are delish)

Menopause results

Posted on 31/01/2014 by AnnaGoAnna

I received a call today from the GP with the results of my blood test. She told me that the blood test showed that I wasn’t anywhere on the menopause spectrum. So that doesn’t explain the extreme headaches at all. A small part of me wanted it to be that (only a very small part) as it would explain them.

Anyway I was more than a little confused when I asked what next. Her reply was that we’d do the test again in a couple of months!

Surely if we keep taking the test every few months, eventually it will show that I’m menopausal – but does that explain my headaches???

I’m tired of it. Will head back to the GPs in a couple of months and in the meantime keep a diary of headaches and other symptoms so that I can pursue it further.

Dr and Hospital re headaches

Posted on 24/01/2014 by AnnaGoAnna

It’s no word of a lie that I’ve not been coping well with these headaches. I hadn’t realised how debilitating headaches could be until the past couple of years. At different times it’s all I can do is to close my eyes and lie-down. I’ve only had a couple of visual migranes in the past few months but find myself popping pills almost daily so that my headaches are quietened and I can get on with things.

I’m fed up though with being woken at 6am by my headache. A couple of neurofen and water and back to bed until the drugs start working. Usually a migraleve at lunchtime which wears off by late afternoon. Then something in the evening or at bedtime so I can go to sleep without my head banging.

I’m also conscious that taking this many pills isn’t great for me either… so I’m having days when I can rest up with my eyes closed!

So this morning I headed off to my GP. Just because the neurologist couldn’t find anything, doesn’t mean it isn’t stopping me from moving on. He said quite firmly that it must be menopausal but I’m not sure it is.. I don’t feel old enough for that, right? And if it is, does that mean that I’ve got to put up with headaches for years? I can’t do that.

My GP referred me today to the hospital for a blood test. Apparently one blood test can tell where I am within the menopausal spectrum. Why couldn’t this have been done before the neurologist?

Anyway, quick sharp up to the Queen Mary’s for a blood test. Results in by the end of the week.

Consultant results appt

Posted on 09/01/2014 by AnnaGoAnna

Visiting the Royal Marsden today. Always love that they have a wing named the ‘Wallace Wing’.

I’m loitering in the waiting room and it slowly empties… I’m still sat there. Eventually it was only myself and one other lady waiting to see a consultant. Even the receptionists had gone home!

My appointment was second to last… I waved at the other lady as I went in and we laughed!

My consultant was lovely. She said that there was nothing to worry about on either my chest x-ray nor the ultrasound results. I’m signed off from scans for another 6 months, whoohoo.

She asked about my general health and I mentioned the headaches. I told her that the neurologist had said it must be the menopause. Haha she asked instantly how young the male consultant was! Anyway after a brief conversation about them, about MRIs, symptoms and tests, she said I should head back to the GP to investigate further. She was adamant that it would be unusual at my age to be menopause related… but perhaps. Sadly I was asked again when Mum started her menopause – usually the pattern follows mother -> daughter. Sad because I don’t know and Sad because I can’t ask her.

Great news about the scans though.

Ultrasound and chest x-ray

Posted on 03/01/2014 by AnnaGoAnna

No matter how many times I do this, my ‘active monitoring’ scans are always anxiety making. Today is the six monthly ultrasound and chest x-ray.

Ultrasound – Quickly seen and the scans are looking OK (according to the lovely consultant).

Chest-xRay – In and out quickly. All done. Now to wait to see the sarcoma consultant with my results next week.

But that annoying little voice in my head is still saying ‘aha, the little calcifications didn’t show up on the ultrasound’! I only have a mammogram every year as the exposure to radiation needs also to be limited and the risks weighed up against everything else.

I’ll quiet that little voice – SHUT UP!

Colour in my life

Posted on 22/07/2013 by AnnaGoAnna

Until this week I’d not really connected anxiety and colour in my life. However, whilst I painted the final coat of colour to a garden shed I finally realised what I’ve been doing. As many of you know I’ve had bright red hair at different times. Often at times of anxiety such as the passing of a dear friend, Mum being ill and then at her passing. Since then my health has reflected in colourful hair or colour in my garden!

I figured you’ve got a number of my pictures with red hair in the header of this website. So here’s a few of the garden… the yellow shed having been painted whilst waiting for these latest results! Hey, I clearly need colour in my life during moments of anxiety…

PS Sheds were made by my brother’s company Bulldog Sheds & Fencing

PPS Paints were mixed and purchased from Crown Decorator Centre using Crown aluminium primer, Crown undercoat and Macpherson gloss (coloured accordingly).

Follow up appointment

Posted on 22/07/2013 by AnnaGoAnna

This morning I attended the breast cancer clinic for an appointment following my recent biopsy. As in the previous posting the pathology indicated that the ‘dots’ weren’t anything to worry about. However I felt that I needed to understand why they had ‘suddenly’ appeared (they weren’t on previous mammogram); what they really are; are they connected to the sporadic breast pain; and, of course, truly believe that they weren’t the start of something more sinister.

She explained that the dots were calcifications which are small spots of calcium salts. Calcifications develop naturally as breast tissue ages however can also form if there’s been an infection in or injury to, the breast. The concern though is that sometimes they form because of other changes in the breast such as a cyst or fibroadenoma or as an early sign of breast cancer. (Breast Cancer Care have a leaflet which explains in more detail – here)

Because of my history of malignant phyllodes (which initially biopsied as benign fibroadenoma) and of DCIS all of which were removed in 2009, there was a concern that these new dots may well be indicating something awry. Fortunately the pathology and consultants believe that these are purely calcium salt spots ie nothing to worry about. That said, they were keen to ensure that I continued with my regular check up regimen so that any changes will be picked up early.

Next screening scans are booked in for January 2014… Bubbles anyone?

Biopsy phone call

Posted on 19/07/2013 by AnnaGoAnna

What a caring service I’ve received at Royal Marsden already. This was continued this morning when one of the breast care nurses phoned to let me know the results of the pathology and to spare me another anxious weekend.

The pathology has indicated that the little dots are calcifications and are benign. With consultation with the breast cancer team they have also concluded that the horrid biopsy took out enough of the new ‘dots’ to be able to feel that they are all of a similar nature and therefore nothing to be concerned about. No surgery, no chemo and no radiotherapy. She also explained that as I was already being monitored on a 6 monthly basis because of my phyllodes sarcoma, they were satisfied that should the ‘dots’ do anything odd they would be picking it up early in any event. Great news.

I will, however, still be attending the follow up appointment on Monday in order to clarify in my mind why these ‘dots’ have appeared so quickly and reconfirm that all is OK.

Life lesson – I also realised today that I’m a creature of habit… when I am anxious or have stress in my life, I need colour… will post a picture of my newly colourful shed shortly!

Neurology results

Posted on 17/07/2013 by AnnaGoAnna

Some 7 months after my first neurology appointment, I’m back at the hospital to meet with my neurology consultant. I’ve received a letter in the interim advising that the MRI was clear – a huge relief that there’s no phyllodes loitering in my brain! But that didn’t explain why I was still having headaches – although less frequently.

My consultant was very chuffed that he’d also been able to pull my notes from the neurology department of a different hospital that I’d attended in 1991 with headaches and visual disturbances! I have to say that I’d not been hopeful that they’d even still exist however he said that this had been a huge help to see a pattern over 20 years! Well done consultant for finding them.

He confirmed that the MRI hadn’t shown anything untoward and the blood tests hadn’t shown anything awry either.

I told him that I have been following his advice of dissolving a dispersible aspirin under my tongue when I get a headache or visual disturbance. It does work however I was concerned that at times I needed to take these regularly.

His conclusion was that I was someone susceptible to migranes but whom didn’t have particular triggers.

His advice was to continue to take the odd aspirin when needed. However with a caveat; should the headaches get worse then I should return to him when he would probably be prescribed daily migrane medication. It was suggested that this ‘prescription’ should be taken with Dom Perignon – hehe he obviously knows my penchant for bubbles!