Juice Juice Baby - The Juice Smith, Cobham - What's all the fuss about?

In May of this year I gave birth to baby number two, Hector. When I had Charlie my first born, the days that followed his birth were filled with lazy mornings, silky hot chocolates and sumptuious home made cakes all of which were a delight on my lips but they did nothing for my waist line. I've never hidden the fact that I have always struggled with my weight and that I only need to gaze at a Toffee Crisp for me to instantly put two pounds on. However despite being far more careful this time round (with my first pregnancy I put on nearly four stone) this pregnancy I still ended up with a two stone gain and now find myself with wanting to lose two and a half stone to get back to my wedding weight. 

I have rejoined Slimming World and will keep you updated with my progress as I go along and given that I've tried all the diets, this is the only one that really is a lifestyle change. It works for me and my family and I love it. 

There have in the press been lots of new fad diets floating around from the Cambridge diet to the 5:2 diet all of which seem like far too much hard work, but what if there was a way in which I could supplement my new healthy lifestyle with minimal effort and abundant health benefits? Well I was intrigued so I visited The Juice Smith an upmarket new juice and lifestyle bar in Cobham. Here I met The Juice Smith himself Richard Smith. 

Above: The Juice Smith, Oakdene Parade, Cobham, Surrey

Above: Richard Smith, owner and founder of The Juice Smith

The Juice Smith launched in 2013 after Richard contracted gastritis after taking a work out supplement for training. He discovered juicing as a supplement to a more healthy and balanced diet and teamed with his background in health and fitness and the art of cold pressed juicing he launched 'The Juice Smith'. 

The juice bar has been fully renovated and immediately upon entering you can't help but feel instantly healthier. The clean lines, mirrored walls and immaculate white glossy surfaces all add to the clinical and health conscious feel about the place. Ample seating and a convenient grab and go fridge means that one can either sit in and enjoy a juice or equally grab one in-between errands. The Juice Smith also sells an array of salad and sweet treats to tempt you with too, the majority being raw and vegan.

Richard recommended that I take one of each of their signature juices. A relatively small selection of juices given the endless combinations that one could achieve at home with a Nutribullet or Jason Vale Juicer, however, it meant I was able to quickly establish which juice would be best suited to me. 

First up was the "Fountain of Youth",  combining cucumber, spinach, green apple, celery, romaine, mint and ginger. One of their more popular juices it claims to give me clear skin and bright eyes, something I am in desperate need for with a four month old! Despite its green colouring being off putting to me, the taste was refreshing and left my palate feeling clean, however, given my sweet tooth not sure it was quite THE one for me.

Above: The Fountain of Youth (cucumber, spinach, green apple, celery, romaine,

 mint and ginger)

Next up was the "purple one" as my Mum and I named it. The Ruby Remedy blends beets, apple, carrot, lime, cucumber and ginger. A strong smelling juice and it's obvious that cucumber is present and despite tasting mainly of beets there is an after taste of cucumber which is more pleasant than it is off-putting. The benefits claim to aid in the digestive system and help to protect your cells and enzymes from environmental stress. I wasn't a huge fan of this one but Mum seemed to guzzle away, but then she has a much more savoury palate then myself. 

Above: Ruby Remedy (beets, apple, carrot, lime, cucumber and ginger)

And finally my personal favourite! I was immediately drawn to its gorgeous sunshine colour glaring at me from the ice cold glass fronted double fridge doors. The California Sun is bright yellow in colour and contains green apple, lemon, ginger and turmeric. As soon as you open the bottle your hit with the warmth of the ginger and once a sip is taken the zing of the lemons comes through beautifully. It's claims of aiding digestion, detoxing and improving my complexion means that if I had to choose this would be the one for me hands down, that and the fact that I adore the sharpness of the flavour of lemon!

Above: California Sun (green apple, lemon, ginger and turmeric)

Ok, so here's the downside. Honestly, its not cheap. At £7.50 per 420ml bottle (yes you heard me right £7.50 a bottle) you have to really have to want to partake in the benefits of juicing to be splashing the cash on these everyday. That said, I really did love the California Sun a lot and as soon as the bottle had finished I wanted another one. I'm not saying that I could justify one ever day after all my cupboards are busting with numerous gadgets from mixers to smoothie makers, blenders to my Nutribullet. So given that I am an all or nothing kind of girl, if I was to want one daily instead of buying one at The Juice Smith I would insist on buying the best juicer and the most organic vegetables and fruit around and after I had done all of that and the initial outlay I think I would be likely to sack it all off as the fad would wear off. Therefore in conclusion, I love the concept. I love the way the shop and its interior instantly made me feel healthier, I literally skipped out the shop and down the High Street to my meeting and that was before I had even tried one. I won't say that I will be buying one daily, however, as a once a week treat I think that £7.50 is well worth it and I would highly recommend you putting that extra bottle of Sauvignon Blanc back on the shelf and head to The Juice Smith for a bottle of California Sun and all of its added health benefits. It's gonna be a huge hit in Cobham. Fact. 

Thanks to Richard and all of his team at The Juice Smith and I wish them the best of luck for this new venture. 

Big love, 

This Surrey Mummy x