Innholdsfortegnelse for FEBRUARY 2018 i Essentials South Africa

Could an expert change your life? Probably, yes, but if you don’t have the time, what then? Not to worry, the brilliant Essentials team has done most of the life-changing hard work for you. In this issue we’ve put together the expert advice that you might need for just about everything. Want to wake up with more energy (p35), lose weight (p62), spend less time cooking (p70) and cleaning (p90), or tackle your debt problem (p94)? Maybe you’ve got a specific goal in mind and need a little extra motivation reaching it, like the inspiring women featured on p28: there’s Anele, who consulted a life coach to improve her happiness, Janine, whose gym coach helped her get fit, and Daniyel, who said that the business coach she worked with not…

FOREVER FLORALS WITCHERY LIMITED EDITION Florals are here to stay, and they're no longer exclusively just for flowing summer dresses, either. Whether you’re into big, bold tropical foliage, dark moody blooms, or dainty micro-flowers, every summer wardrobe needs at least one floral-printed item. With beautiful floral appliqué blouses, statement floral kimonos and more, there really is something in Witchery's resort-inspired collection for every taste and occasion. Floral kimono, available at selected Woolworths stores. IF YOU ONLY BUY 1 THING... Aussie brand Cotton On has partnered with Superbalist to bring you budget-friendly runway looks. As soon as products are launched Down Under, they'll be immediately available to buy from Superbalist – so no more waiting months for them to reach stores. It's a two thumbs up from us! Top, R229; skirt,…

The waist trimmer Want to disguise a fuller tummy? A dress with strategically placed ruching or draping will shave centimetres off your waist – and send your confidence skyrocketing! The showstopper Want a dress to impress? Then look no further. A halterneck with an empire line flatters pear and hourglass figures, and flowy fabric won’t cling. The big illusion Fake your way to the perfect hourglass figure – a bodycon dress with lace side panelling will do all the hard work for you! The miracle worker The classic fit-and-flare: it’s the one dress that flatters every shape. It cinches you in at the narrowest part of your waist, skims over hips and shows off your collarbones. The all-over slimmer A loose-fit shift in wearable black will conceal and reveal where…

“It was a relief to have someone to talk to – I even burst into tears” ‘ I felt completely lost before I saw a life coach’ Anele Mda, 39, is the MD of a tyre-repair business. She lives in Faerie Glen and has two sons and two daughters. I’ve always thought of myself as an ambitious, energetic person. Whether it was in my role as a mother, wife or employee, I always gave it my all. But a few years ago I found I wasn’t that person anymore. It was as if my drive had evaporated and what was left behind was a tired, overwhelmed and complacent version of my former self. I was a senior manager at Prasa at the time, and, while I wasn’t unhappy in my…

UNDONE HAIR THE LOOK: You can heave a sigh of relief: the glossy blow-dry is so last year. It’s time to make the most of your natural kinks and quirks. THE ROUTINE: Spritz texture spray into dry hair then massage at the roots to create volume, says celeb hair stylist Luke Anthony. Take medium sections of hair and gently backcomb them. Wrap large sections of hair loosely around a hair wand (or curling tong), then allow to cool thoroughly once released before brushing out. PRO TIP: As a finishing touch, Luke says to take a small section of hair at the front of your hairline and ruffle it up with your fingers before loosely braiding. When you come to the end of the braid tease the ends – the plait…

Regular facials are so much more than an indulgence, says celebrity beautician Michaella Bolder, the hands behind Helen Mirren and Salma Hayek’s beautiful faces. ‘They are crucial in maintaining the quality and health of our skin and complexion.’ Getting touchy-feely with your skin helps boost circulation (and increased blood flow stimulates the production of collagen, ladies!), it eases tension, brightens skin, and even means that your products get absorbed better. Oily, mature, dry – whatever your skin type, there’s a specialised face treatment that can result in smoother, younger-looking skin. Here, Michaella reveals her four easy steps for an at-home facial that’s just as good as what you’d get in a salon. Step-by-step guide to the best home facial * STEP 1 Apply your cleanser to dry skin (you can…

VEGETABLE CURRY SERVES 8 READY IN 1 HR 1 tbsp sunflower oil 1 red onion, chopped 2 garlic cloves, crushed 1cm root ginger, peeled and grated 2 red chillies, deseeded and chopped 400g cook-in curry sauce 400g tinned chopped tomatoes 650g butternut, cubed 1 cauliflower, broken into florets 200g frozen peas 2 tbsp fresh coriander leaves 1 Heat the oil in a large flameproof casserole dish. Fry the onion for 5 min to soften, then add the garlic, ginger, and chilli; cook for 1 min. 2 Pour in the cook-in curry sauce and the tinned tomatoes. Fill the tin with warm water and pour into the dish. 3 Add the butternut and cauliflower, season, stir to combine. Cover and simmer gently for 30 min, until the vegetables are tender. Stir…

LEMON RICOTTA CHEESECAKE SERVES 10 READY IN 1 HR 25 MIN For the base 150g shortbread biscuits 50g unsalted butter, melted For the filling 1kg ricotta cheese Zest of 3 lemons, plus the juice of 2 4 large eggs 3 tbsp lemon curd 2-3 tbsp stevia sweetener 40g cornflour 250g raspberries, to decorate ½ tsp icing sugar, to dust 1 Crush the biscuits in a plastic bag with a rolling pin. Mix in the melted butter and use to line the base of an oiled 20cm round springform tin. Press the mixture down, then chill. 2 Heat the oven to 170°C. Put all the filling ingredients in a food processor and whizz until smooth. Pour into the tin, smooth the top, and set on a baking sheet. 3 Cook on…

FUNKY TAPE Arrange different strips of washi tape to mark out a geometric pattern across white textured card. Don't forget to fold the edges of the washi tape around the back of the card before trimming them to size. To start For each of these projects you will need: A simple photo frame, plus a piece of thick cardboard cut to the size of your frame (we used 33cm x 24cm). CRAYON ART Print out the letter you want to create on the paper, making sure it’s the right size for your frame. Using a scalpel and a cutting board, cut the crayons to size (some you can leave whole). Glue the crayons to the paper, and the paper to a piece of backing board, before placing inside the frame.…

WHO TO FOLLOW Kick-start your year by following this inspirational MasterChef SA winner turned TV personality… Kamini Pather is now a food writer and hosts her own food-travel show on Netflix called Girl Eat World. If you want to see motivating workout pictures and delicious food snaps, then give her a follow @kaminipather We asked you... WHAT'S YOUR NEW YEAR RESOLUTION FOR 2018? 2018 is going to be a big year for me, with lots of changes. My resolution is just to try and do my best to survive the year! – Claire Sebastião I am investing in myself more next year – this year was my year of YES; 2018 is the year of NO to anything that doesn’t add value to my life – Adila Jallal Raw diet…

Meditation… It helps me to de-stress, remain mindful, and stay sane! Music… Growing up, my mom made sure there was always music playing in our house. Listening to the right song helps me celebrate the good days, and gets me through the tough ones. Coconut oil… I use it daily to moisturise my hair and skin, and also to remove my make-up. Daily affirmations… I make a point of reminding myself every day that I have the power to achieve my dreams and that I’m more resilient than I think I am.…

ADD SOME FUN With children it’s all about visuals: if it looks fun to eat… yip, you guessed it, chances are they’ll eat it. So instead of plain old ham sandwiches, flatten out the bread as thin as you can, put the ham on top, and roll it up and cut into rounds like sushi. You can even add mayo to it; for some fun factor, include a pair of chopsticks in their lunchbox. EASY TO PACK Your kids need food to keep them going, and they need it to taste good too – but most of us don’t have hours to prepare school lunches. The answer? An everyday lunchbox must-have is the snack-size 100g Clover Classic Yoghurt. It’s creamy and tasty, and it’s a source of 10 essential vitamins.…

“There are five official love languages, but I’ve always thought of food as the sixth” Before she was Chef Nti, Nthabiseng had a life outside of the spotlight. She studied auditing for a year and then marketing, before heading up South African Airways’ corporate social investment. Nti decided early on that the nine-to-five life was just not for her so she started Era Clean, a facilities management business. She also pursued her love for fashion and opened three Bello Couture clothing stores in Joburg. In 2014 she closed both businesses and sold off everything she owned to start from scratch as a chef in Los Angeles. Back in SA, while studying towards a diploma in culinary arts at the International Hotel School in Sunninghill, she started her blog, PS I…

Off the cuff Flared cuffs make a statement and can also have a slimming effect – win-win! Wear them with embellished loafers for a twist on a traditional look. All in the details The A-line fit and colour-blocking detail make this skirt a winner for almost every body shape – buy one now and you’ll wear it forever! Feminine touch Pair relaxed-fit culottes with a floral blazer for a softer take on the masculine-tailoring trend. Dare to bare Who says work wear has to be boring? Pair statement items like a bold cold-shoulder top with simple black pants to make it office appropriate. Check it out Pack a fashion punch with a checked pants suit – comfy kitten heels are the perfect day-to-night finishing touch. Luxe look Add a glamourous…

“Everything up until then was a roller coaster, and I didn’t want it to stop just yet” I’ve always been the type of person who acts first and asks for permission later, so my parents weren’t entirely surprised when I ran off with my second husband-to-be and got hitched in Clarens. When my first marriage ended in 2009, I was adamant I’d never fall in love again – it was a traumatic event that left me broken and on medication to deal with my depression and anxiety. My ex and I got married when I was 26 and we went the whole nine yards when it came to the wedding – I even had a string quartet. We’d invited loads of guests to share in our special day, but all…

“ I was offered the opportunity of a lifetime – I wasn’t going to let my health hold me back from my dreams ” “ I used to struggle through deadlines while also fighting infections – but now it’s ” ‘ Being diagnosed with lupus gave me the courage I needed to take risks and do more with my life’ Fashion designer and stylist Rina Chunga Kutama, 28, lives with her husband Dimo in Melville. She owns and runs Rich Factory, an African- inspired fashion design company. After finishing matric in 2006, I took a gap year and that’s when my mom taught me to sew. My love for the craft was definitely immediate: I knew from the moment I first picked up a needle and thread that I was…

It’s a new year, full of things yet to happen. Perhaps a new job is on the horizon or you want to look after yourself better this year. After all, you and your body deserve only the best in 2018. The Cambridge Weight Plan has been helping people lose weight, and keep it off, for more than 30 years. It offers a range of weight-loss programmes and replacement meals, which are flexible enough to fit in with your lifestyle, along with the one-to-one support of your very own Cambridge Weight Plan consultant. The delicious replacement meals contain all the vitamins and minerals that you need for balanced nutrition and healthy weight loss. Every meal is super quick and easy to prepare, and will keep you feeling satisfied and energised throughout…

Did you know that about 50% of chronic medication is not taken as prescribed? That’s quite a frightening stat, but we’re all guilty of it from time to time. From swigging on cough mixture and taking extra pain pills to help nip that cold in the bud, to ditching the last couple of antibiotics because we feel better, our health can suffer seriously as a result. So we’ve spoken to experts to help clear up some major pill-popping misconceptions... DON’T TAKE TOO MANY PAINKILLERS Taking painkillers and cold medicines containing the same ingredients could lead to side effects and overdosing, warns pharmacist Angela Chalmers. ‘Too much paracetamol, for instance, saturates the liver enzymes preventing them from functioning and can result in permanent damage and even death,’ she says. Always read…

MINTED RACK OF LAMB SERVES 2-3 READY IN 1 HR 1 rack of lamb1 tbsp avocado oil2 tbsp freshly chopped mint1 tbsp balsamic vinegar For the mint sauce 4 tbsp balsamic vinegar1 tbsp honey1-2 tbsp freshly chopped mint 1 Heat the oven to 200°C. Use a sharp knife to cut slashes through the fat in the lamb skin. Place it, skin-side down, in a pan on the stove and heat until the oil starts to run out of the fat. Press down well on the lamb to sear the fat side of it, then turn it over and cook for 1-2 min to brown the other side. Remove the lamb from the pan. 2 Mix together the oil, mint and balsamic vinegar and spread it over the fat of the…

1. THE FASHIONISTA’S PICK Apple Watch Series 3, from R5 899; myistore.co.za With its customisable wrist strap and quintessential Apple design, wearables don’t come much prettier than the Series 3 Watch. It sports many of the last Series 2’s features, like GPS and being swimproof, but it also has an altimeter that will track the incline on your running route. Plus, you can answer calls or even send messages while your phone’s in your gym locker. 2. THE BUDGET BUY Dofit HR Fitness Tracker, R599; incredible.co.za The Dofit Fitness Tracker is a great way to begin your fitness journey without breaking the bank. Check your step count or heart rate throughout the day by tapping the screen. You can also monitor your progress and change your…

Virgo 23 AUGUST – 22 SEPTEMBER You might need to be the supportive partner or best friend when someone close goes through a painful experience. If they’re snapping at you, it’s because their feelings are deeply hurt. A hug and a little understanding goes a long, long way. Libra 23 SEPTEMBER – 22 OCTOBER Some development or relationship feels unexpectedly painful and you’re wondering why. The answer lies in an old wound that a present situation is mirroring. Tackle it in a different way to whatever method you’ve used in the past and see a major change. Scorpio 23 OCTOBER – 21 NOVEMBER The course of true love – or the job of parenting – may not be running smoothly, but a burst of energy will enable you to get…

KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE Always ask your guests about any allergies or dietary requirements before you plan your menu. It’s a great way to make your guests feel welcomed. Not to mention you never want to find out on the day and have to make a special arrangement at the last minute. KEEP IT SIMPLE I love cooking, but I don’t like to spend hours slaving away over a hot stove while I’m missing out on all the fun of having guests over. My golden rule is: never cook anything that takes longer than 40 minutes. I’m a huge fan of Mediterranean cooking, so I’ll often do something light like a salad packed full of goodness and then add some fish – it’s definitely the easiest and quickest protein to cook,…

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CHOKE ON THIS I’d been out of the dating scene for four years when I said yes to an invitation from a guy I really liked. During the date I sneezed while eating the spaghetti, and a saucy noodle shot half way out of my nose while the other half remained in my throat. It made me gag loudly and the whole restaurant was staring at us. My date laughed uncontrollably and we’re still together! KILOJOULE COUNTER I went on a first date with a personal trainer last year and all he spoke about during the first 15 minutes of our date was exactly how many kilojoules and grams of fat there was in everything on the menu. When our food arrived, he started telling me how many squats and…

EVERYONE'S TALKING ABOUT... Finding your perfect shade of foundation If you have darker skin, you'll know how frustrating it can be to visit a make-up counter in search of a perfect foundation match, only to be told that none of the products available blend with your skin tone, let alone suit your skin type. But now you can breathe a sigh of relief, as the experts at Lancôme have come to your rescue, adding 26 new inclusive shades to their Teint Idole Ultra Wear collection. Not only will you find your best match, but the range has a formula that stays put for 24 hours and is shine free. Best of all, a little goes a long way. What more could you ask for? From R535 each. SAVE OR SPLURGE…

Hands up if you’d like fuller lashes? We thought so. Not all of us were blessed with a natural set of Bambi-esque eyelashes, with factors like genetics, nutrition, and even hormones causing them to get thinner the older we get, but the good news is that it’s easy enough to fake it. 1 LINE AWAY Here’s a low-effort way to fake fuller lashes: before applying two coats of your favourite mascara, line the waterline of your upper lid using a black or charcoal gel eyeliner. The darker base of your lashes will instantly make them look longer and denser. 2 MASTER YOUR MASCARA If you’ve ever had your make-up done by a pro, you’ll notice that they wiggle the wand from side to side and from base to tip while…

3 WAYS TO SHARPEN YOUR MIND You exercise to keep your body fit, so it makes sense that you should do the same for your brain. Try these tips to boost your grey matter SLEEP ON YOUR SIDE  Recent studies show it's the best position to let the brain's glymphatic system get rid of cellular 'brain waste', like amyloid and tau proteins – a build-up of which has been linked to Alzheimer's. 'Sleeping on your side helps to flush out toxins and improve blood flow around the brain,' explains Dr Marilyn Glenville, a nutritionist specialising in women's health. LOOK AFTER YOUR GUMS  'Gum disease has been linked to a six-fold increase in the rate of cognitive decline in people in the early stages of Alzheimer's,' says Dr Glenville. TRAIN YOUR…

What’s so good about them? Blueberries are a great source of vitamins K and C and are high in fibre, manganese, and antioxidants. Research shows that antioxidants show promise in maintaining brain health, and that they possibly protect against certain diseases like cancer. Blueberries, like other deep red and purple foods, contain a flavonoid called anthocyanin. This not only gives blueberries their vivid colour, but also contributes to their many health benefits, such as reducing blood pressure and inflammation – small studies show they can possibly help improve your memory, too. Blueberries add beautiful colour to your dishes, and they pack a great nutritional punch – plus they’re low in kilojoules! Easy ideas with blueberries Blueberry smoothie Blend 50g frozen blueberries, half a banana, 2 tsp flaxseeds, 200ml coconut water,…

The start of the year can call for a refresh, including updating your home decor. But it’s also a time of year when we’re all feeling a bit cash-strapped, especially after the holidays. Don’t despair, you can still give your home a revamp. Just follow these thrifty tips and tricks – no expensive decorators or a budget-blowing shopping list required! PUT ON A FLOOR SHOW Spruce up bare wooden floorboards that are past their best with a paint treatment – a whitewash effect will let the grain of the wood show through to give a worn, weathered finish. Add a bespoke decorative touch by using a large-format stencil and black spray paint. Much cheaper than putting in new flooring! SMALL DETAILS MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE You don’t need to give…

The Death Of Her BY DEBBIE HOWELLS (PAN MACMILLAN) A woman is found badly assaulted in a field in Cornwall. When she regains consciousness, she can’t remember much – not even her own name – but she knows that her daughter, Angel, was with her before the attack. When her picture is shown on the news, Charlotte recognises the woman as Jen, an acquaintance from her school days. Charlotte tells police that a young girl named Leah Danning once went missing from Jen’s care years ago and was never found. Did Jen really have a child with her on the day of the attack, or is Angel a figment of her imagination? A haunting psychological thriller. Last Stop Tokyo BY JAMES BUCKLER (TRANSWORLD PUBLISHERS) Alex Malloy, an English teacher now…

After performing in my first musical at school at the age of 16, I had my heart set on becoming an actor. I had an amazing English teacher, Mr Van Strijp, who took it upon himself to start drama as an extramural. He encouraged us to find our own creative outlets and express ourselves. His passion helped me find my love for singing and the piano. Every character I play is different, but the process to ‘become’ another person is the same. I always develop a ‘character bible’ for each person I play: I map out the journey that they take during the story, and I do a lot of research into their background; I try to fully understand each of them. Landing the part of Celie in The Color…