Smoothies or juices are the perfect meal replacement when you are on the go and don’t have time to whip up a meal, especially many of us who run hotels, states Sean Granger, GM of Granny Mouse Country House & Spa.

Smoothies are made from whole foods and are thicker drinks that are blended, whilst juices are the extracts of liquids from fruits and veggies. Both pack a healthy nutritious hit and it really depends on what you prefer.

Smoothies, generally with the blend of whole foods, contain all the nutrients as nothing is discarded. One generally adds yoghurt, a protein powder, or any protein and fat such as avocado, ginger, mint, or matcha (green tea which contains antioxidants). When having a smoothie it also makes you feel fuller for longer just as you would if you had a solid meal.

Vegetables are not for everyone, and while some people love them, others really don’t and will go for weeks or days without having healthy veg in their diet, so having a juice fills that gap. Even a small portion can provide the nutrient equivalent of several servings of fruits and veggies.

You can add things like beetroot, carrots and spinach, and mix with fruits to give it that sweetness.

Just remember both have their pros and cons and you need to take in what your body needs and is right for you.

Strawberry Green Goddess Smoothie

Try this tasty breakfast smoothie to start your day, pairing sweet fruit with nutritious spinach and avocado for a dose of calcium, vitamin C, folate and fibre

Ingredients

• 160g ripe strawberries, hulled
• 160g baby spinach
• 1 small avocado, halved and the flesh scooped out
• 150ml pot bio yogurt
• 2 small oranges, juiced, plus ½ tsp finely grated zest

Method

1. Place all the ingredients in a blender and whizz until completely smooth.
2. If it’s a little thick, add a drop of chilled water then blitz again.
3. Pour into glasses and drink straight away.

Because Christmas in South Africa usually means cooking up a storm in a hot kitchen at the height of summer, many of us don’t get to enjoy a Christmas holiday and are left completely burnt out with frayed nerves!

This year, why don’t you lose the stress and put the jolly back into Christmas by heading to the beautiful Midlands and a culinary delight accompanied by award-winning wine from the Granny Mouse top wine cellar.

Whether you’re planning a short stayover, or just coming for the day, Granny Mouse Country House & Spa is just 90 minutes from Durban and a friendly neighbour of Pietermaritzburg, right in the heart of Balgowan on the Midlands Meander route.

This year, the culinary artists at the Mouse House have created a casual bistro choice Christmas lunch menu.

To get the taste buds all in a jingle, there will be welcome drinks on arrival from 11am, and then that’s when the Christmas celebrations can really begin.

The menu kicks off with the following starters: peri-peri chicken livers, in a creamy peri-peri

chipolata sauce with marinated red peppers topped with sambals & served with toasted ciabatta; duck phyllo rolls (confit shredded duck, mixed with fresh coriander & peanuts, wrapped in phyllo pastry served with Asian slaw & nước chấm sauce served with veg & a side of your choice); camembert (panko crumbed camembert served with caramelized red onion, honey roasted nuts & seeds, cinnamon & star anise syrup & toasted ciabatta) or moules mariniere (classic French style mussels cooked with white wine & garlic finished with fresh cream & parsley served with brioche bun.

There is a large, scrumptious selection of mains; mushroom salad (deep fried mushrooms with feta, mixed peppers, croutons, olives, mixed greens, and a fresh tangy lemon vinaigrette); butternut gnocchi (roast butternut cream, cherry tomatoes, toasted pumpkin seeds, pine nuts, caramelized red onion, red peppers, sundried tomato & Danish feta); prawn aglio olio (sauté prawns flashed with white wine, lemon juice & zest, onion, garlic, leek, cherry tomato, fresh herbs finished with a drizzle of olive oil) or kingklip (served with a choice of two sides).

The grills for the meat eaters are on point with a 200g fillet, 21-day aged sirloin, lamb chops or chicken schnitzel. The sides offered are chips, mustard and leek mash, roast veggies, side salad and an assortment of sauces being pepper, cheese, mushroom or garlic and herb.

For the sweet tooth, and what a way to wrap up a fabulous feast with family and friends, is a trio chocolate mousse (with an espresso sorbet/granita & brûlée banana); churros (with chocolate sauce, pumpkin spice caramel and crushed Oreos); strawberry & Pimm’s Eton Mess (with strawberry citrus Swiss roll, pavlova, Pimm’s whipped cream, strawberry coulis and fresh strawberries), or an ice cream trio with a splash of alcohol.

Every year, Christmas bookings come in rapidly. So, for more information, or to reserve your place, contact Veronica on 033 234 4071 or email banqueting@grannymouse.co.za. Bookings close on 15^th December. Please don’t forget to go through all the Ts & Cs regarding deposits, kiddies’ menus, allergies, etc.

The perfect gift this Christmas will be to allow the Granny Mouse Country House & Spa team to take care of you, your family & friends!