summer is the perfect time to sit back, relax and enjoy a glass of something delicious (filled with plenty of ice, of course!). try these…

The healthy mojito

juicy ingredients:

1 lime (peeled), 2 handfuls fresh mint leaves, 4 handfuls green seedless grapes, 1 small handful crushed ice cubes

Now we all know that the classic Mojito consists of five key ingredients: white rum, sugar, lime juice, sparkling water and mint. Yet in this juice-inspired virgin alternative, you can sip this delicious summertime classic knowing there’s nothing but pure health and goodness in your glass.

Juicy Instructions:

Line the inside of a tall glass with a handful of mint leaves and line with crushed ice. Put the grapes into your juicer with the lime and a handful of mint. Turn your juicer on and push the ingredients through. Pour slowly into your glass, garnish with a lime wedge and some mint leaves and serve with a straw. Pure perfection!

Best Served…

In a Mojito glass, under a shady palm tree on a perfect stretch of white sand, chilling and reading up on some literature, to add that little touch of sophistication!

Anyone for tennis?

Juicy ingredients:

400g fresh strawberries, 1/2 pineapple (peeled), 4 tablespoons live yoghurt or soya yogurt, 1 handful ice

Although Wimbledon has been and gone (and taken with it the wonderful summer weather, it seems!) there is always a lot of love for this sport during this particular season. This gorgeous little recipe can help you reminisce on some fantastic times with the obligatory Wimbledon special – strawberries and cream. Of course, this is a much healthier version, so check it out and ‘serve’ yourself this tennis-inspired treat…

Juicy Instructions:

Pack the strawberries into the chute before you turn on the machine. Juice on the slowest setting and push through slowly to extract as much juice as possible. Juice the pineapple on a faster setting. Place half of the juice into a tall glass, add two tablespoons of yogurt, top up with the juice and add the rest of the yoghurt. Swirl with a spoon, sip and enjoy!

The summer slimmer

juicy ingredients:

2 apples (pink ladies), 1/4 medium cucumber, 1 stick celery, 3cm raw, ginger root, 1 small handful ice cubes

Simply swapping your usual breakfast for this delicious Summer Slimmer for just one week will help see some impressive results, just in time for the season’s slightly skimpier wardrobe…

Juicy Instructions:

Put the apples into the juicer’s chute, follow with the other ingredients and juice the lot! Pour over ice.

Best Served…

On a hot summer’s day with plenty of refreshing ice. Relax in your favourite recliner, laze on your sun lounger or simply get down to basics and stretch out on the gorgeous green grass and watch the world pass by as you sip this cool, refreshing drink.

You can find these recipes in the funky fresh juice book; which has recently been updated to bring you some refreshing new creations! to check it out, please visit: www.juicemaster.com

And now for something a little bit different from bestfit columnist, Jason Vale…

Heard of rebounding, the act of bouncing on a mini trampoline? I love it! Unlike regular trampolining, the aim isn’t to bounce high or perform gymnastic tricks – but to perform a series of small, controlled movements. You can even bounce, jog or dance on a rebounder – the decision is entirely up to the user! “Rebounding is great for reducing body fat, firming the legs as well as strengthening muscles. It’s also brilliant for increasing agility and improving balance.

“Rebounding for 20 minutes (of moderate intensity) burns a higher amount of calories (approximately 100 more calories) than jogging and produces similar heart rate levels. There is also less impact on the bones and joints compared to running. At Juicy Oasis, my retreat in Portugal (www.juicyoasis.com), I host many rebounding classes and it is often the most popular among my guests. Even complete beginners are trying out the more advanced moves after just a few days!”

Who

“Anyone and everyone can get into rebounding. Most rebounders come with stabilisers, which can help beginners. Many people choose this option when they are rebounding as part of a course of physiotherapy, too.”

Getting started

“One of the best things about rebounding is that it’s easy to start. I always recommend starting slowly and perfecting your technique, then building from 2-5-minute sessions to 2-30-minute sessions. Once you’re used to the jumping, you can throw in twisting at the waist, jogging and slightly higher jumps. My new Bounce Fit app has plenty of videos to help, which is suitable for all fitness levels: www.juicemaster.com/bounce-fit-app.

“It’s also important to wear comfortable clothing, but not anything too ‘loose’ so you don’t catch anything on the springs. To prevent slipping, comfortable shoes or grip socks are a must.”

What should I look for when buying a rebounder?

“If you’re serious about getting into rebounding for fitness, a good quality rebounder is a must. One top tip would be to go for a stable six-leg design, which is much more stable than some of the four-leg models available. If you’re looking for easy storage, try getting a rebounder with screwable or foldable legs. Many rebounders can be generally folded to make them easy to transport. Another tip would be to ensure the rebounder has a good, solid spring or bungee system to help support your joints, plus making sure a non-slip mat is included for safety.”

to find out more, please visit: www.juicemaster.com