Home/Women's Lifestyle/Your Family/August 2019/In This Issue
Your Family|August 2019Oh hello!This Women’s Month, we’ve been so inspired by the people we’ve met and interviewed. And however negative the news and the financial outlook may be at the moment, stories about women are always brimming with positivity and they hold such hope for the future that you can’t help feeling more optimistic. Sherie de Wet started an initiative in 2017 that helps more girls stay in school. Absentee levels during menstrual cycles is a sad reality in South Africa and beyond, and keeps our young girls from reaching their full potential. After travelling extensively throughout Africa and seeing the extent of the problem (read more about her experience on page 28), Sherie said ‘No more!’ and started a company to produce reusable pads – which tick the ecofriendly box, too. We…2 min
Your Family|August 2019STAR LETTERAs a grandmother of five girls and two boys (I call them my little queens and kings), I’m constantly searching for unusual and creative recipes to cook for them. I was so impressed with the Speckled Egg Fridge Cake in your April 2019 issue that I decided to put it to the test for Easter. Using my Tupperware gel ring gave the cake a different look with my very own twist. My grandchildren absolutely loved it, while other family members and friends all praised it and thought I was quite the genius! I’d like to thank Your Family for giving us delicious, but easy-to-make dishes (and making us look like professional chefs!). I also enjoy your informative articles. Please continue to provide even more easy ideas, especially the food, knitting…1 min
Your Family|August 2019OUTSIDE INWinter can make your home feel a tad dark and gloomy, so what better way to add some joy than by bringing the outdoors in? House plants work their quiet magic in a way that not only makes your home look beautiful, but also helps keep you healthier by improving the air quality. Add some eye-catching planters to bring cheer to any space.…1 min
Your Family|August 2019Make it simple…Moisturising rose bath milk Gift this moisturising rose bath milk to someone special, or make it as a treat for yourself. Knitted bath mat Supersize your knitting with this fun project and knit a bath mat in less than an hour! Sweet mustard sauce This healthier version of sweet mustard sauce contains no sugar, carbs, gluten or preservatives. Immune-boosting suppers Fight colds every day of the week with lemon, garlic, ginger, honey, turmeric and nuts – the tastiest way to good health! The good winter habits of healthy people Tools, tips and expert opinions to help you stay on top of your health. Your Family Magazine (South Africa) @yfmag @yfmag @yourfamilymagsa…1 min
Your Family|August 2019Beauty BY NATUREBeing in natural surroundings has been shown to reduce stress and increase calm. It also has health benefits, such as improving blood pressure, reducing heart rate, relieving muscle tension and diminishing the production of stress hormones. Incredibly, nature has even more to offer when it comes to beauty. We’ve gathered some of the most powerful beauty-boosters the earth has to offer, so incorporate a little of the environment into your beauty routine and enjoy the benefits of Mother Nature’s gifts. MIND YOUR BEESWAX, HONEY! We’ve been made increasingly aware of the importance of our little buzzing friends in recent years. Bees are crucial to our food supply: in fact, it’s been estimated that one-third of our food relies primarily on pollination by these insects. They also provide us with beeswax…5 min
Your Family|August 2019GIVING GIRLS a better lifeGrowing up in Germiston, Gauteng, I had a pretty decent childhood, in the sense that I had everything I needed. I was lucky enough to have parents who earned a stable income and were able to send me to good schools. My father’s a financial manager and when he saw that I had a keen grasp of figures, he suggested that I follow the same path and have a stable career and income. But my heart had always been set on teaching, because I wanted to demystify maths concepts for children, so that they could master it and build their own futures by having a wide range of study options. With maths in the bag, this would be much easier for them. I heeded my dad’s advice and studied accounting,…5 min
Your Family|August 2019SWITCH CAREERS in midlifeJulia Child wrote her first cookbook at 50, after working for the American secret intelligence, including the CIA, while Vera Wang worked as a journalist before becoming a renowned bridal gown designer at 40. Many people only find their true calling later in life. It may seem impossible to study or change careers while you have school fees, bonds and loans to pay off – but if you know you have the aptitude for something else and your heart’s set on doing it, making a shift could be highly lucrative. ‘It’s possible for older women to change careers even if they’re raising kids and juggling a full-time job. Many women have managed to do this and are living more fulfilled lives. Besides, making a career change in your 40s means…3 min
Your Family|August 2019HOW AFFORDABLE IS YOUR RELATIONSHIP?Whether you’re just starting out in a relationship or are into a more serious phase in your love life, you may not have considered the ways in which having a partner affects your budget. Auditing your relationship may seem like a romance-killer, but it’s essential to remain realistic about your budget. Palesa Tlholoe, Liberty Financial Advisor, often comes across couples and individuals who’ve gotten themselves into trouble by spending irresponsibly in relationships and has some advice to offer. surroundings could provide all the romance you need. PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE Finances often create major disputes in long-term relationships – in fact, money matters are the leading causes of divorce. Expensive, extravagant gestures of romance generally take a backseat, as saving for the future, investing to achieve financial security and budgeting…2 min
Your Family|August 2019HIGH STEAKSHOW TO FIRST UP: Allow the steak to warm to room temperature about 1 hour before cooking. Cooking it while cold will prevent heat from penetrating to the middle sufficiently. PAN: Heat a heavy-duty, thick-based frying pan or griddle pan on high until smoking hot. We recommend cast-iron pans, as they get really hot and retain heat excellently. Never overcrowd steaks in a pan, or the heat will drop and the steaks will steam, instead of searing. It’s best to cook one or two at a time. SEARING: Searing a steak until it gets a caramelised brown crust gives that delicious, charred, smoky flavour. Rub the steak with oil (choose one with a high smoking point, like sunflower or avocado oil) and season well with salt and ground black pepper.…3 min
Your Family|August 2019Simply ZOLA‘Add a tropical touch to any occasion with this cheery drink. When in season, I use fresh granadilla pulp, but out of season I use canned granadilla pulp. You can also replace the blueberries with any other type of berry.’ granadilla, pineapple and blueberry sparkler Serves 6 250ml blueberries 6 long toothpicks 90ml granadilla pulp (fresh or canned) 600ml pineapple juice 30ml per serving blueberry vodka (see tip) or plain vodka 750ml dry sparkling wine 1 Skewer a few blueberries onto the toothpicks, then freeze. These will serve as the ‘ice’ to keep the drinks chilled. 2 Lightly crush the remaining blueberries and divide among 6 serving glasses. To each glass add some granadilla pulp, pineapple juice and vodka. Mix well to combine. Top up each glass with sparkling wine…5 min
Your Family|August 2019Bliss ballsapple and pepita Makes 35 Takes 20 mins + refrigeration 250ml raw sliced almonds 200g pitted medjool dates, chopped 50g dried apple, coarsely chopped 310ml desiccated coconut 125ml pumpkin seeds about 10ml hot water 1 Process almonds until finely chopped. Add dates, dried apple, 60ml of the coconut and pumpkin seeds. Process until well combined. Add the water and process until the mixture comes together. 2 With damp hands, roll 10ml of mixture into balls. Roll balls in remaining coconut to coat. Place on an oven tray lined with baking paper. Refrigerate for 1 hour. NUTRITIONAL COUNT PER SERVING 6g total fat (3.3g saturated fat); 359kJ (86 calories); 6.1g carbohydrate; 1.5g protein; 0.5g fibre macadamia and fig Makes 30 Takes 20 mins + refrigeration 250ml macadamias 200g pitted medjool dates,…4 min
Your Family|August 2019FOOD NOTESJust our cup of tea! Earl Grey from Tetley – the world’s second-largest tea brand – is a classic blend of the brand’s full-bodied premium black tea, but with the subtle citrus flavour and aroma of bergamot. Its delicious, distinctive taste makes it the ideal cuppa for breakfast, high tea or whenever you need a reviving break. What’s more, there’s a variant for everyone in the Tetley range, from pure and flavoured green teas to the new lemon-flavoured black. Available at leading supermarkets, it comes in packs of 20 teabags for R13.99. Cappy ®-tal gains New from Coca-Cola and replacing its Just Juice offerings is Cappy® , a 100% fruit juice range in a wide variety of pack sizes and flavours, including Breakfast Blend, Tropical, Orange Mango, Apple, Orange and…3 min
Your Family|August 2019Is there a cure for brain fog?WHAT IS IT? What makes understanding this ailment more complex is that brain fog isn’t technically a medical condition at all, but rather a symptom of other conditions. It can last anything from minutes to years, making people feel disorientated, confused and generally mentally slower than they’re used to. If you’ve ever had a spate of entering rooms and forgetting why, going blank on the directions to a place you regularly drive to, or being uncharacteristically unable to focus, you may be experiencing this unpleasant symptom. Brain fog can be quite alarming, often leaving sufferers wondering whether they’re developing dementia or some other cognitive disorder, which isn’t necessarily the case. It usually manifests as: Confusion and disorientation. Difficulties with spatial awareness and information processing. The awareness that your faculties of…3 min
Your Family|August 2019GETTING TO GRIPS WITH GROWTH SPURTSIs your child always hungry? Are you buying them bigger clothes and shoes every six months? They may be going through a growth spurt. Prepare yourself emotionally and financially for the next two to three years, because growth spurts can last that long. They’re triggered by puberty, when there’s an increase in oestrogen for girls and testosterone for boys. On average, boys experience growth two years later than girls (so yes, men do mature more slowly than women). Here’s how to tell if your child’s going through a growth spurt: THEY RECENTLY STARTED PUBERTY Growth spurts are usually linked with puberty. Ninety-five percent of girls and 70% of boys reach peak height velocity, the period during which children grow the fastest, during this stage. For girls, this happens at about…2 min
Your Family|August 2019Dodging the divorce bulletIt’s normal and healthy for couples to be at loggerheads sometimes. While conflict can’t be avoided, you can prevent it from tearing you apart by being mindful of your arguing style. The gift of conflict is that it’s an opportunity to understand yourself and your partner better, and then grow from it. ‘Although it’s an unpleasant experience, arguing is actually a good way to find out how your partner feels about something and get to know their boundaries,’ says Michael. Understand, accept and be cognisant of each other’s different backgrounds: It’s only natural that you’ll have occasional disagreements in the way you both think and behave. Appreciate the things that make you different and find a way to use each other’s values to strengthen – rather than weaken – your…1 min
Your Family|August 2019MAD ABOUT PETSGET RID OF ANNOYING HAIRBALLS Cats love being clean and groom themselves regularly to keep their coats shiny and spotless. Cats’ tongues are covered with small, backward-pointing barbs, which means they can’t spit their hair out because it can’t move forward in their mouths. Instead, they swallow it – and hairballs are created in their stomachs, causing them to cough, gag and vomit the balls out of their systems. If this occurs often, your cat may suffer from fatigue, loss of appetite, constipation or diarrhoea. Here’s how to help your kitty prevent the build-up of hairballs: 1 GROOMING Brush their hair regularly; this helps remove loose fur and stimulates blood circulation. You can also take your cat for professional grooming and a haircut about twice a year, especially if it’s…3 min
Your Family|August 2019READY, steady, SOLD!Once upon a time, we hammered a ‘For Sale’ sign in the front yard and hastily made the kids’ beds to prepare our homes for show days. These days, there’s an industry of home staging experts and interior designers on hand to help sellers create the kind of homes buyers will fight over. But what if your budget doesn’t stretch that far? The good news is that there’s a lot you can do to get a buyer to fall in love with your home. WHAT IS HOME STAGING? Home staging is essentially a property marketing tool. A home stager will advise you on what changes to make to get your home sold in the desired time-frame for a satisfactory selling price. They’ll devise a plan that may involve redecorating, decluttering…3 min
Your Family|August 2019Show day smartsHaving decluttered and put away personal touches, make sure all the bedrooms are tidy and free of non-essential furniture and excess toys. Use lamps to brighten dark corners. Fill cracks in walls and wipe down all surfaces. Add fresh white flowers to the living room and use garden greenery in bathrooms (a delicious monster or banana palm leaf in a glass vase creates a fresh look without adding fuss). Ensure the lawn is mown and that weeds have been pulled from the garden, paving and elsewhere. Have your carpets professionally cleaned, especially if you have pets. They’ll smell great on show day. Make sure your windows are clean. Tidy your wardrobe and kitchen cupboards. Potential buyers will be scouring for storage space and overstuffed, messy cupboards give a bad impression.…1 min
Your Family|August 2019Seafood sensationquick and easy seafood curry Serves 6 Takes 35 mins 15ml olive oil 1 onion, chopped 1 garlic clove, peeled and minced ½ red chilli, seeded and finely chopped 5cm fresh ginger, peeled and grated 6g garam masala 1 x 400g tin whole peeled tomatoes, mashed with a fork in the juice 1 x 400g tin coconut cream 30g peanut butter pinch salt 400g fresh hake fillet, cut into 6 equal portions 350g West Coast half-shell mussels 500g large prawns, deveined, shell on small handful each fresh coriander and mint leaves, to garnish Manhattan Ice Tea, to serve 50g roasted peanuts, to serve 1 Heat the olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for about 5 minutes, until soft and translucent. Add…1 min
Your Family|August 2019DID YOU KNOW?38% of you opt for scenic road trips 22% while prefer the shortest possible route 67% of you prefer self-catering accommodation on holiday It’s the answers to these questions that help us tailormake our content just for you. So the more we know about you, the happier our family can be. 56% of you actually use savings to fund your holiday. Well done! It’s easy to get started. Simply email Analda, our Pulse community manager, at analda@opinionsolutions.co.za to join or sign up yourself. Download the Upinion app from Google Play or the App Store. Join the group by entering Pulse01 as the group code. You’ll receive a notification on your phone when there are questions for you. ANSWER THEM AND YOU’LL EARN POINTS THAT YOU CAN USE TO ENTER OUR…1 min
Your Family|August 2019READER OF THE MONTHRijke Coleman lives in Nelspruit with her family. She’s a Montessori pre-school teacher and has also started her own pre-school, Secret Garden, in her town. RIJKE’S FAVOURITE: …BOOK Anything by Jojo Moyes, as well as the entire Seven Sisters series by Lucinda Riley. …MOVIE Top Gun and Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. …RECIPE I make a killer malva pudding! …GUILTY PLEASURE Watching Netflix while relaxing in a bubble bath. …WAY TO DE-STRESS Spending time with my friends. WHAT’S GUARANTEED TO GET YOU IN A GOOD MOOD? Music is my instant mood-booster. HOW DO YOU SPEND FAMILY TIME? Friday nights are family movie nights. We eat popcorn, drink hot chocolate and snuggle under cosy blankets. IN HER FRIDGE, SHE’S NEVER WITHOUT cheese and eggs. I’m the mother of three forever-hungry boys,…1 min
Your Family|August 2019AT OUR TABLEGreat innovations in glass We really rate the new kitchen must-haves from Consol Glass. Not only is glass the best way to store food (being non-porous, non-toxic, odourless and stain-resistant), but it ticks the all-important ‘sustainable’ box. It’s also excellent value for money. Find these at The Consol Shop outlets in Woodmead, Stellenbosch and Cornubia Mall in KwaZulu-Natal. 10 YEARS YOUNG Polkadraai from Stellenbosch Hills has welcomed a new addition to its lineup to celebrate the range’s 10th birthday. The fresh, dry rosé is a good-looking companion to any light lunch menu: red berry, sweet melon and stone fruit notes make it a perfect pairing with pasta, chicken or prawns. Great value at R48 a bottle. SO YUMMY! Do your kids seem to snack all day? Now Woolies has even…2 min
Your Family|August 2019A three-night stay at aha Gateway HotelThe chic and eco-friendly aha Gateway Hotel in the heart of Umhlanga is the destination of choice for those in the know: attached to the Umhlanga Theatre of Shopping, it offers access to the buzz and bustle of the town’s many activities. The hotel boasts a gorgeous rooftop pool and bar where, after a long, hot day of shopping and sightseeing, sitting and sipping a cool co*cktail while watching the sun set over the horizon will make your pre-holiday stresses feel a million miles away. When it comes to comfort, you’re spoilt for choice, as the hotel offers 146 rooms, including inter-leading family rooms and junior suites, or superior rooms with an en-suite bathroom and balcony. There are also two rooms with wheelchair access. And when you’re hungry, step into…1 min
Your Family|August 2019Your five a daySothys Vitality Lotion, R365, contains grapefruit extract, which rids the skin of toxins and impurities. Dr Paw Paw Shea Butter Balm, R99, utilises shea butter’s soothing, moisturising properties to keep your lips, skin, cuticles and hair in great condition. SIX Vitamin Booster Oil, R654, contains coconut oil to condition, smooth and soften skin and prevent it from feeling dry. Team Dr Joseph Deep Purifying Serum, R865, uses papaya and carrot extracts for preventing signs of ageing and purifying the skin. Go online for 10 foods that naturally boost collagen.…1 min
Your Family|August 2019DID YOU KNOW?One woman uses around 700 pads every five years and about 11 000 tampons in her lifetime. Most of them end up in landfill, incinerated or polluting the world’s water systems. The plastic lining in pads can take up to 50 years to decompose. Disposable pads can contain harmful chemicals which can cause irritation, infections and rashes. These chemicals have also been associated with an increased risk of cancer, allergies, hormonal imbalances and reproductive health problems. Manufacturers, however, aren’t legally bound to disclose the ingredients they use in the pads.…1 min
Your Family|August 20197 WAYS TO MAKE IT WORKIt’s never easy juggling a full-time job, a family, a home and studying – but with the right commitment and a good strategy in place, you can make it work. As someone who changed careers herself, Zia offers the following tips: 1 Do thorough research before making any big changes: a different career may sound glamorous, but the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. Ask people in that industry what you need to know about employment prospects, average salaries and whether you can job-shadow them for a day or two. 2 Look at skills specifications on job advertisem*nts so that you know which ones you’re lacking. 3 Get involved: take advantage of your current company’s in-learning and development opportunities and build up your individual competence. 4 It’s critical…1 min
Your Family|August 2019WORK SMARTTHE (CHARMING) PSYCHOPATH When you hear the word ‘psychopath’, Ted Bundy and similar serial killers probably come to mind – but few psychopaths are that violent and the allure of corporate attracts this personality disorder in droves! According to a recent study by forensic psychologist Nathan Brooks, an astonishing one in five CEOs fit the criteria for psychopathy. ‘Typically, psychopaths create a lot of chaos and generally tend to play people off against each other,’ he explains. What defines a psychopath? Ruthlessness, superficial charm and perhaps the characteristic they’re best known for: a lack of conscience. Yet, despite these chilling qualities, psychopathy isn’t necessarily in itself a problem. According to Business Insider: ‘In a political leader, a few psychopathic traits may not be a bad thing: many of the traits…3 min
Your Family|August 2019Simple Suppersone-pot chilli mac and cheese Serves 4-6 Takes 30 mins MEAT-FREE MONDAYS! 15ml olive or avocado oil 1 onion, chopped 2 garlic cloves, crushed 15ml Cajun spice 10ml ground cumin 1L vegetable stock 400g tin chopped tomatoes ½ x 500g packet macaroni 410g tin cannellini beans, drained 410g tin red kidney beans, drained handful parsley, chopped 250ml Cheddar cheese, grated 1 Heat the oil in a large saucepan on high and sauté the onion. Add garlic, Cajun spice and cumin and fry for 1 minute. Season. 2 Add stock and tomatoes and bring to a boil. Add macaroni and cook for 8 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in the beans and heat for 5 minutes. 3 Remove from heat and mix through parsley. Scatter over Cheddar and serve immediately. creamy baked…3 min
Your Family|August 2019CHOC COOKIEScookie cupcakes Makes 12 Takes 45 mins + cooling ½ x 600g box vanilla cake premix (including ½ ingredients on packet) 176g packet chocolate sandwich cookies (like Oreos) FOR THE ICING 125ml cream cheese, at room temperature 30ml soft butter 5ml vanilla essence 500ml icing sugar 1 Preheat oven to 180°C. Line a standard cupcake tin with 12 paper cases. Prepare the cupcake mix according to packet instructions. Spoon a tablespoon of mixture into the paper cases. Top each with a choc cookie and fill with the remaining batter until ¾ full. Bake for about 20 minutes or until cooked when tested with a skewer. Cool. 2 For the icing, beat together cream cheese, butter and vanilla. Add icing sugar, 1 cup at a time. Blitz 3 choc cookies and…3 min
Your Family|August 2019BROWN BUTTER choc chip COOKIESMakes about 30 Takes 40 mins + cooling 250g butter 10ml vanilla essence 310ml brown sugar 2 eggs 375ml cake flour 125ml cocoa powder 3ml bicarbonate of soda 200g white chocolate, chopped pinch salt 1 Preheat oven to 180°C. Heat the butter on medium-high for about 8 minutes, until golden-brown. Remove from heat. Stir in the vanilla and sugar. Cool to room temperature. 2 Beat the eggs into the butter mixture. Stir in flour, cocoa and bicarb, until just combined. Fold in chocolate. 3 Roughly shape the dough into 30ml balls and place 5cm apart on baking paper-lined trays. Bake for about 6 minutes, until cooked on the outside, but soft on the inside (or about 8 minutes for a crisp cookie). Cool on trays. Store in an airtight container.…1 min
Your Family|August 2019It’s all about (IM) BALANCEToday, friends, we’re going to talk about a very important aspect of family life: balance. Let’s get started with a little illustrative exercise. Everyone join in. First, balance on one leg, lifting your free leg 10cm off the floor. Excellent. Get nice and stable. Breathe. Now lift the leg you’re standing on too. And voila! Look at you on your butt down there on the floor! My point, in case you missed it, is that balance is possible and, indeed, easy to achieve in certain limited and ideal conditions, but as soon as the system comes under pressure, it collapses in an undignified heap. We love the notion of balance in the same way we love all broad, positive, ill-definable concepts: justice. Mercy. Grace. Peace. Just typing those words actually…3 min
Your Family|August 2019GOOD - and good for youHealth by chocolate Finally, a way to justify those chocolate cravings! Everybody’s favourite treat is packed with antioxidants and natural healthy compounds called cocoa flavanols, which have a range of health benefits, according to research. These include: IMPROVING EYESIGHT Eating dark chocolate helps to improve low-contrast eyesight, which we need in order to see in dim light or bad weather. As with many of the benefits chocolate offers, it’s thought that this is due to its flavanols and antioxidants, which increase blood flow to the retina. LOWERING STRESS LEVELS A Swiss study found that people who usually experienced high levels of stress showed a significant reduction in stress hormones and other stress-related biochemical functions after consuming 40g of chocolate a day for two weeks. HELPING TO PREVENT STROKES Eating chocolate…5 min
Your Family|August 2019PARENTING NEWSStart them reading young Reading needs constant practice. Here are some easy books to get kids aged three to six into the reading habit: Scarface Claw is happily snoozing in the sun when his comfy spot starts to move – and he’s off on an unexpected adventure. With lots of rhythm and rhyming, Scarface Claw, Hold Tight!- by Lynley Dodd is perfect to practise reading aloud with your little one. R150 from good bookstores nationwide. In Angry Owl and His Tree (the third instalment of Kerryn Ponter’s Angry Owl series), everyone’s favourite night bird wakes to discover that the lovely leaves on his tree are changing colour and falling. At first he feels sad, but then he notices how all the other birds have fun with the crunchy leaves. Eventually,…5 min
Your Family|August 2019BOOST YOUR EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCEWhile IQ is a cognitive intelligence measurable through testing and gauged using a standardised scale, EQ refers to the ability to navigate, understand and manage our own and others’ emotions. It requires us to manoeuvre our way through complex interactions of knowledge and behaviour, and constantly adapt this understanding to new people, situations and circ*mstances. Ultimately, emotional intelligence strengthens both our sense of empathy and self-awareness, which are integral to relationships of every kind, as well as to our overall happiness and success. It’s considered by many to be a more valuable form of intelligence than IQ – research has shown that those with a higher EQ tend to do better in business and other areas of life, even compared with those with a higher IQ. AT WORK Most of…6 min
Your Family|August 2019On the shelf01 Using the pencil and tape measure, mark plywood into four shelf pieces measuring 1m x 40cm each, and two side panels measuring 1.8m x 40cm each. Carefully cut pieces using the jigsaw. With the offcuts, mark and cut two strips of plywood at 1.8m x 5mm each. (These will be used later for decoration.) 02 Using the pencil and tape measure, mark intervals along both edges of each side panel at 15cm, 65cm, 1.15m and 1.65m. Draw a line across the panel width to connect opposite markings. You should have four straight lines across the width of both panels. 03 Set the router to 10mm depth and route along each marked line. You’ll end up with four ‘grooves’ on each side panel – these will hold your shelf pieces.…1 min
Your Family|August 2019Decide on a budgetWith so much at stake, it’s worth setting aside a little money to get your home sold and avoid delays. But this doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Your budget may have to include essentials like: paint for exterior and interior (stick to neutrals: white, off-white and greys are best) off-site storage garden clean-ups and rubble removal bathroom and kitchen hardware updates Also budget for movable items (which you can take with you when you move): plants and pots accessories and soft furnishings…1 min
Your Family|August 2019THIS WEEKENDSHOW TIME! Liven up winter with a visit to the seventh FREE STATE WINE SHOW, where you’ll be able to sample more than 200 of the finest wines (all of which are also available to purchase) from over 40 wineries in every region in the country, connect with winemakers and their representatives, and also enjoy tasty food. The event makes a great date night and runs from 2-3 August at the Ilanga Estate Boutique Hotel, Lucas Steyn St, Heuwelsig in Bloemfontein. The times are 5-9pm. Tickets are R200 per night from: Webtickets.co.za and at the door, subject to availability. No under-18s are permitted. Visit: Freestatewineshow.co.zaIndulge your sweet tooth at the WINELANDS CHOCOLATE FESTIVAL, where you’ll find irresistible treats such as truffles, cakes, patisserie items and confectionery dipped, encased or made…7 min
Your Family|August 2019GET IN TOUCHThis month’s Star Letter will receive an Almost Zero hamper worth R2 300! Ready for something radiant and ravishing? The Almost Zero range, made by Van Loveren Family Vineyards, combines traditional winemaking methods with modern dealcoholisation techniques. The collection consists of a Wonderful White, as well as the newly added Ravishing Rosé and Radiant Red – all dry-ish in style. The mouthwatering Almost Zero range has received wide acclaim and comes highly recommended by fans and critics alike. The range is Banting-friendly, consists of less than 0.4% alcohol and contains only 71kJ per 100ml, making it ideal for those who want to reduce their alcohol consumption and watch their waistlines. It’s also suitable for non-drinkers and sports enthusiasts because it tastes like wine, but doesn’t have the after-effects. And it’s…1 min
Your Family|August 2019HOME UPDATEKids' haven If your kids’ rooms are due for a revamp, or you just want to add a little more fun and comfort to their space, there are loads of easy and affordable ways to go about it. Stacey Nel from linen expert Volpes offers tips for livening up children’s rooms START A MINI ART GALLERY Put up a large pinboard or paint a space on the wall allocated to the kids’ artwork. You can dress it up with colourful frames of various sizes, which can be swapped as often as they like for new additions. CLEAN UP CLUTTER Do a thorough clean-out of their possessions with them. Help them choose which toys and items they no longer want and put them aside for charity. They can then display the…1 min
Your Family|August 2019APPLE CINNAMON RUSKSMakes about 45 Takes 1 hr 15 mins + drying 500g packet self-raising flour 1kg granola 125ml brown sugar 375ml All Bran flakes 500ml dried apples, chopped 3ml salt 15ml baking powder 20ml ground cinnamon 160ml mixed seeds (like sunflower and linseeds) 2 eggs 500ml buttermilk 125ml sunflower oil 2 Granny Smith apples, grated 1 Preheat oven to 180°C. Grease a 27cm x 35cm oven dish with butter. Mix all the dry ingredients together and make a well in the centre. 2 Combine the wet ingredients and stir into the dry ingredients until a dough is formed. Spoon into the prepared pan and press evenly. Bake for about 45 minutes, or until a testing skewer comes out clean. Cool in the pan. 3 Turn out and slice into 9cm long…1 min
Your Family|August 2019GREY mattersFollow our top tips to pull off this neutral hue in several stylish ways… GO MONOCHROMATIC Since there’s a plethora of grey shades out there – from light to charcoal – wearing the colour from head to toe is simple and chic, so layer the textures and tones for an effortlessly elegant look. As a bonus, grey suits all skin tones and is flattering for all body shapes. TRENDY GREY WITH DENIMS Grey can be dressed up for any formal occasion, but works equally well with blue denims for a laid-back look. BRIGHTEN THE LOOK Nothing breaks up an all-grey outfit like a single pop of colour, whether it be a pair of purple shoes or a red purse. Grey goes with everything, so reach for your brightest, boldest accessories!…4 min
Your Family|August 2019BEAUTY UPDATEHOW TO FAKE DEWY SKIN When you age, it can seem as if the only time you see ‘dewy’ skin is when stepping out the shower! As the day wears on, your skin can look drier, and therefore older – especially during winter. You can achieve dewy, plump, radiant-looking skin by moisturising well to prepare your skin and reflecting light when it comes to applying make-up. But leave glittering and shimmering to the teens! 1 Use an illuminating moisturiser with ingredients that help boost radiance. These include: hyaluronic acid, vitamin C and alpha hydroxy acids. BEST BETS: Filorga Oxygen-Glow Super Perfecting Radiance Cream, R725 (with hyaluronic acid and nasturtium extract), Bioderma Pigmentbio Daily Care SPF50+, 40ml R359.99 (with vitamins C, E and LumiReveal™ technology) and REN Clean Skincare Radiance Glow…2 min
Your Family|August 2019BREAKING boundariesLEVELLING THE PLAYING FIELD TORN BETWEEN PURSUING MEDICINE OR SPORTS AS A TEENAGER, DR PHATHO ZONDI FINALLY FOUND THE PATH SHE’D BEEN LOOKING FOR AFTER HEARING A RADIO STATION INTERVIEW WITH PROF TIM NOAKES ‘I’ve always been fascinated by the human body, so I knew quite early on that I wanted to study medicine. On the other hand, I’ve also always loved all kinds of sport and I’ve participated in at least three of them since the age of six. I grew up in an active family where everyone – Baba, Mama, bhuti and sisi – was athletic in their own right, so sports medicine was a natural fit for me. But I only learnt about the actual discipline quite late in high school. As soon as I became aware…11 min
Your Family|August 2019Lovin’ spoonfulsHungarian paprika-spiced cauliflower soup In this soup (called karfiolleves in Magyar), cauliflower is traditionally cooked in a paprika broth. Roasting it first, however, gives the soup greater flavour. Nokedli are Hungarian mini dumplings on which are delicious fried in butter and scattered on top. Moroccan harira with saffron yoghurt Traditionally eaten to break the Muslim fast of Ramadan, harira contains everything needed to satisfy hunger, especially when topped with thick saffron yoghurt. Begin this recipe a day ahead to soak the chickpeas and drain the yoghurt. Cullen skink with wholemeal oat rolls and kale and lemon pesto This dish originates in Cullen on the Moray coast in north-east Scotland, although ours isn’t entirely traditional. While the wholemeal rolls are a take on Irish soda bread, they pair beautifully with the…9 min
Your Family|August 2019Get saucyBLUE CHEESE SAUCE Melt 30ml butter in a pan on medium heat. Stir in 15ml cake flour. Slowly add 160ml milk, while stirring. Bring to a simmer. Stir in 50g crumbled blue cheese. Cook until slightly thickened. Season. MUSHROOM SAUCE Heat a knob of butter on high and fry 250g sliced mushrooms until browned. Add 30ml brandy and 1 crushed garlic clove and cook for 1 minute. Add 250ml cream. Lower heat and simmer for about 5 minutes, until slightly reduced. Season. PEPPER SAUCE Melt 30ml butter on medium and sauté 15ml finely chopped onions. Add 60ml brandy and cook for 1 minute. Add 180ml beef stock and cook for about 3 minutes, until reduced by half. Add 125ml cream, 10ml crushed black pepper and 5ml green peppercorns in brine…1 min
Your Family|August 2019Sugar fixlittle banana coconut cakes Makes 24 Takes 40 mins 4 egg whites 60g butter, melted 80ml coconut sugar 160ml ground almonds 80ml wholemeal self-raising flour 80ml mashed over-ripe banana 125ml flaked coconut 3ml ground cinnamon 1 Preheat oven to 180°C. Grease two 12-hole (20ml) mini muffin pans. 2 Using a fork, lightly whisk the egg whites in a medium-sized bowl until combined. Add butter, coconut sugar, almonds and flour and stir until combined. Stir in banana. 3 Spoon mixture into holes. Top with flaked coconut. 4 Bake cakes for about 15 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into one centre comes out clean. Turn cakes, top-side up, onto a wire rack to cool. Serve sprinkled with ground cinnamon. NUTRITIONAL COUNT PER CAKE 4.5g total fat (2g saturated fat); 278kJ (66…1 min
Your Family|August 2019HEALTH NOWWhat’s in a yawn? A yawn could be more than just a sign of tiredness: it might be signalling something else, such as: A MIGRAINE ON THE WAY If you’re a migraine-sufferer, keep track of how much you’re yawning. Yawns have been identified as an early warning sign of an impending attack, so if you’re yawning, but don’t feel tired, consider taking preventative measures. Yawns usually precede the actual migraine by a few hours, so take advantage of the heads up and settle down to rest in a darkened area where the pain won’t be exacerbated, and keep your meds at hand. AN INDICATION OF A SERIOUS CONDITION Yawning is generally harmless, but there is such a thing as yawning too much. A vasovagal reaction, which occurs when the vagus…5 min
Your Family|August 2019KIDS’ HEALTHWHEN ARE HEAD INJURIES DANGEROUS? Because of their active lives – running around, playing contact sports, jumping, falling off swings, trees and jungle gyms – children are more prone to sustaining blows to the head. Many of these might seem minor, but how do you know when the injury requires a visit to the doctor? According to Dr Bianca Visser, an emergency medical practitioner at Netcare Unitas Hospital, there’s a common misconception that it’s only necessary to seek urgent medical attention if a child loses consciousness. However, she says, a blackout isn’t the only indication that a head injury is serious. ‘Children can have a severe concussion without losing consciousness. While some people have obvious symptoms after a blow to the head, such as passing out or being unable to…4 min
Your Family|August 2019DIVORCE PREDICTORS: 7 behaviours you need to stopJokingly criticising your partner, being sarcastic or even something as ‘innocent’ as eyeball-rolling may not be as harmless as you thought. Joburg-based couples counsellor and relationship therapist Michael Kallenbach explains how to stop these behaviours from driving you and your spouse apart. 1 LACK OF EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION In all his years of practice, Michael’s found that many couples don’t know how to communicate effectively, which can seriously undermine their relationships. ‘It’s important to tell your spouse what you’re thinking and how you’re feeling. It’s equally crucial to do it at an appropriate time,’ says Michael. Instead of bringing an issue up during the morning rush, rather wait till the end of the day, when the children are asleep or doing their homework and you’ve both settled down. Then have an…5 min
Your Family|August 20197 apps moms can’t do withoutWe all know that being a mom has its challenges, so why not accept a little technological help? These handy apps have all been designed to take a bit of pressure off and help busy parents streamline tasks, organise family life, and entertain and educate kids. 1 S’MORESUP S’moresUp helps make chores fun (yes, really!) and manageable with an easy-to-use reward system. Assign specific chores to specific kids from your profile and ascribe a ‘s’mores’ value to them. The value is entirely customisable –you can choose to reward any number of s’mores, depending on what you feel each chore deserves. The s’mores have no real-world value, so it’s up to you to decide what they equate to – perhaps every 10 s’mores might be equivalent to R1. However, s’mores needn’t…5 min
Your Family|August 2019ADD A Special touchwhite coffee mugs oil-based Sharpie markers (available from your local stationer, PNA or Takealot.com) 01 With Sharpie markers, it’s easy to give a personalised touch to a boring white mug, even if you don’t have artistic skills. Combine simple vertical lines with stylised polka dots or leaves. Copy your design across on the whole surface of each mug or only on their handles. 02 Once the drawing’s finished, allow the mugs to dry overnight, then place them in a cold oven and heat to 180°C. Let them bake for 30 minutes to set your design and make it washable. Let the mugs cool down in the oven. Only remove them once they’re completely cooled. 03 Hand-wash the mugs only. For dishwasher-proof results, use specialist ceramic markers like Hobbyline Porcelain Paint…1 min
Your Family|August 2019Worth notingContrary to what many people think, an empty house doesn’t look bigger. ‘The right furniture creates the illusion of space,’ says interior designer Judyta Hulme. What’s offputting is a house filled with clutter and too much furniture. The trend these days is towards minimalism, so consider decluttering and storing your excess furniture off-site for the duration of the viewing and selling process. Ask a friend whose home you admire to stop by and advise you on what to keep and what to store. You want to show off your home’s potential, but that can be hard to see if you’ve become accustomed to the way you’ve arranged your rooms.…1 min
Your Family|August 2019A taste of summertropika mocktail 500ml Tropika Tropical Juice 500ml Frankie’s Cloudy Lemonade grenadine a handful of ice orange slices, to garnish cherries, to garnish 1 Fill a glass three-thirds full with Tropika Tropical and ice. 2 Top up the remainder of the glass with Frankie’s Cloudy Lemonade. 3 Slowly pour grenadine over the juice. It will sink to the bottom and slowly rise to the top as you drink. 4 Add a few cherries to the drink and garnish with an orange slice. Serve and enjoy! There’s nothing smoother than Tropika, the delicious fruit juice and dairy blend. The fresh, cool taste will make you feel like you’re on a tropical island in no time!…1 min
