Innholdsfortegnelse for July 2018 i Your Family

Do you love or loathe winter? I enjoy it, especially in July and August when it’s properly cold. But there are challenges, especially when it comes to the wardrobe. Twice a year I haul two large crates out of the garage, and there’s a Serengeti-scale migration of clothes in and out. Out go the shorts, sandals and dresses, and in come the scarves, coats and jackets. But it’s far from an even swap. Winter clothes take up heaps more space than summer ones, and present another dilemma. While you get to cover up (great stuff if that summer body didn’t last all summer), adding on layers can make you look like you’ve piled on some winter padding. Which is why we laid down the challenge to our fashion stylist, Suzanne…

Macadamia MARVELS If you’re looking for a healthy, energy-boosting, filling snack, opt for macadamia nuts. They’re rich in monounsaturated fats, which can reduce the risk of heart disease by lowering bad cholesterol and blood pressure. They can also help fight disease, assist in weight loss, improve brain and gut health, and reduce chronic inflammation. Macadamia trees must be at least 7-10 years old to produce, and they’re one of the toughest nuts to crack, which is why they’re often more expensive than other nuts. Macadamias are delicious in brittles, cookies, cakes, pastries, spreads, ice creams and salads. The oil is delicious in salad dressings, and good for frying steaks or stir-fries as it has a high smoking point. Unshelled, the nuts can stay in your pantry for months. However,…

THERMAL UNDERWEAR. Look for fine thermals as well as very fine wool thermals to wear under your clothes. They don’t add bulk and keep you warm. A BERET OR OTHER SMALL HAT WILL KEEP YOUR HEAD WARM. Think about adding a scarf as an accessory, not as something you take off when you arrive at work, but as part of your outfit. CONCENTRATE ON COVERING AND KEEPING YOUR EXTREMITIES WARM. Keep your feet cosy in wool or heat-retaining socks and boots, and make sure you have a pair of gloves in your coat pocket. Hats, beanies and scarves help to stop heat from escaping around your neck and head. Best of all, they can make great fashion statements!…

Fragrance. Even if it’s the last ingredient on a product list, there’s no way of knowing which ingredients constitute that particular ‘fragrance’. Many are synthetically made and could cause a reaction in the skin. Lanolin and mineral oils Parabens and preservatives, like methylisothiazolinone Sulphates, like sodium laureth sulphate. These are mostly used in washes and cleansers, and create the frothy, foamy texture. However, they can really dry out and damage skin! Alcohol Essential oils. Because these are naturally derived, they can still act as an allergen, causing a reaction.…

I’ve always wanted to run and compete professionally in marathons. It’s been a dream embedded deep inside of me that never went away. But I always thought it was too late to start running because of my age. When I was in primary school I was a competent athlete in the 1 200m races, and as an adult I continued running for exercise and to keep fit. It was nothing major though; I’d run about 3-5km, three to four times a week. Then I’d go for months or even years without running. In 2015 Caroline Wostmann, who is now my KPMG teammate, won the Comrades Marathon. I heard about her inspiring story in 2016, and liked the fact that we were in the same age group. Seeing her achieve her…

Fat Secret If you’re into calorie counting, exercising or weight watching, the Fat Secret app is an ideal solution to document your journey. What we really love is the support of local supermarkets we’re most likely to buy groceries from, such as Woolworths, Pick n Pay, Spar and Checkers. You have access to recipes, and it can be used to track your calories burned. The home page shows food updates from the community if you ever need some motivation. At a quick glance you can see progress in a colour-coded graph under the Reports tab. The app is free on iOS and Android.…

Understand more about tax and learn how to get the most bang for your buck from the taxman with Daniel Baines’s new book, How to get a SARS Refund (Penguin Random House). This handy little book will teach you how to utilise South African tax laws to minimise your tax liability and maximise your refund from the South African Revenue Services (SARS). Topics covered in the book include the basics of understanding individual tax, deductions from taxable income and medical tax credits. R140, bookshops countrywide.…

WHAT IS A PERSONAL BRAND, AND WHY SHOULD YOU CARE? We usually think about brands in relation to the companies and products we have in our lives, but these days, like it or not, individuals have their own personal brands too. While the very idea may make you uneasy, you could be missing out on an opportunity if you’re not aware of what affects your brand (perhaps negatively) and if you don’t take some measure of control over it. Some awareness of how you may appear to others, particularly in the online space (on social media), may be all that’s needed, but taking a more active role in defining and marketing yourself online can mean substantial gains whether you’re job hunting, promoting your business or looking to network with the…

creamy chicken and leek pie FOR THE YOGHURT PASTRY 250g butter, cubed 750ml cake flour 125ml Bulgarian yoghurt 8ml salt FOR THE FILLING 45ml olive or avocado oil 6 chicken breasts, cut into 2cm cubes 3 leeks, halved, washed and thinly sliced 2 garlic cloves, crushed 45ml cake flour 310ml chicken stock 125ml sour cream 15ml soy sauce handful parsley, chopped 1 egg, lightly beaten 1 Preheat oven to 190°C. For the pastry, rub the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Add yoghurt and salt and stir until it comes together. Don’t overwork the dough. Cover with cling film and place in the fridge to rest for 30 minutes. 2 For the filling, heat the oil in a large frying pan on high and cook the…

pâte sucrée (sweet pastry) This is one of my all-time favourite doughs to work with. It has just the right level of sweetness, a great texture and tastes fantastic. Even baked into simple rounds and served as a biscuit it would taste great. It has a high ratio of fat to flour, so it needs to be kept cold when rolling out to avoid it becoming sticky. Makes enough for 2 large tarts or 12 individual tarts 1 vanilla pod or 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste 400g plain flour, plus extra for dusting 35g ground almonds 75g icing sugar pinch of salt 250g unsalted butter, diced and chilled 2 large egg yolks approx. 1 tablespoon ice-cold water Cut the vanilla pod, if using, in half and scrape out the seeds.…

LUNCHBOX WINNERS On-the-go and lunchbox snacks just got a whole lot easier and healthier thanks to the new Woolworths kids’ snack range. They’re portion-controlled, jam-packed with sweetness only from fruits, and contain no added preservatives or flavouring. Choose from Number-shaped Strawberry and Beetroot bites, Alphabet-shaped Pineapple and Carrot bites, and RAW Mini Strawberry Date Bites. R13.10 for 25g. IT’S A CELEBRATION Papillon bubbly celebrates its 30th birthday with new packaging and a new Papillon Chardonnay-Pinot Noir Brut Rosé. The range includes something for every taste, from dry to sweet and even alcohol-free. From R54.99 and R49.99 for alcohol-free. Dessert IN A MUG If you have a mug and a microwave, ‘baked’ desserts will be quick and easy with the new Moir’s Mug Cakes. Available in Rich Chocolate, Crème Caramel, and…

THE HIIT WINTER CIRCUIT Repeat each exercise for 30 seconds, followed by 30 seconds of rest, before moving on to the next exercise. BACKWARDS LUNGE Step backwards onto right leg and bend downwards into a lunge position. Come up to standing and repeat with left leg going backwards. STAR JUMPS MOUNTAIN CLIMBERS In a push-up position, bring opposite knee to opposite arm, alternating legs. SIDE PLANK Hold pose or raise top leg for alternate position. BURPEE Start with a push-up, then jump feet towards hands, finishing off movement by jumping up with arms raised. V HOLD Lying flat on your back, hands clasped behind your head, come up into a stomach crunch position with legs straightened, forming a ‘v’ shape with your body. Hold. BEGINNERS: 30 seconds of exercise followed…

JOBURG Playfit, a sports education company, has programmes that not only keep children active and healthy, but also boost their confidence and develop gross and fine motor skills, strength, flexibility, ball skills, balance and concentration, while building muscle tone. It’s all done through their collection of sports equipment and gym apparatus. Children aged 2-8 are introduced to major sports as well as Pilates, kickboxing, drumming and speed stacks. For more info, visit Playfit.co.za CAPE TOWN The Kids Gym offers fun activities that get children moving and reaching their personal best fitness goals. They address children’s specific needs, such as strength, balance, and postural control for kids with low muscle tone; coordination, core stability, and body awareness to address motor function delay; and obstacle and circuit training, release of excess energy,…

Have you privately mentioned a brilliant idea to a work colleague, which your co-worker then presented as theirs? Then because you don’t like clashing, you brushed it off as not such a big deal, even smiling and cheering them on with the rest of the room? The problem with keeping quiet the first time is that your colleague might take advantage of your passive reaction and do the same thing again in the future. You don’t necessarily have to confront your colleague during the meeting. However, at a later stage, once you’ve calmed down and worked out how you’ll approach the issue, ask them to have a private chat about what happened. Learn to analyse the situation first before deciding on an appropriate time to speak. Speaking too early, and…

Life is not an easy road to travel, no matter what your financial or personal situation is. There will always be hardships to navigate, traumatic experiences, or events that can leave you feeling utterly destitute, at the bottom of a deep dark hole you can barely peep out of. But how you handle these moments, how you let them affect your life and its direction, will ultimately determine whether or not you reach your life’s goals and purpose. It often seems that people quit so easily: at the first sign of hardship or adversity, limiting opportunities for future success. But if you look back on your life, how many setbacks or failed attempts turned out to be unexpected successes? It’s often through experience that we find our most growth. YOU…

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the range of items you need to store in your home’s gathering spots, look to these cohesive and clutter-free ideas. Books, magazines, office supplies and toys are cleverly tucked away without sacrificing style. From the lounge, dining room and bathroom to the children’s bedrooms, you can organise your shelves to fulfil both a functional and decorative purpose. Home office Don’t throw away those empty glass jars. The clear containers are a simple, uniform solution for small supplies like elastic bands, bulldog clips and cable ties. Woven baskets keep everything on open shelves carefully organised yet easily accessible. WOVEN BASKETS, from R350, Loads of Living HONEYCOMB WALL SHELF, R359.99, MRP Home GLASS JARS, from R25, Consol Glass FAMILY ORNAMENT, R399, MRP Home Bathroom Have you noticed…

2 x 50g MoYa Bamboo (4-ply) 14 x 10g MoYa Bamboo Tots (4-ply) 3.5mm crochet hook ABBREVIATIONS ch - chain dc - double crochet rep - repeat sk - skip sp - space st - stitch sts - stitches ttr - triple treble Ch 112 Row 1: COLOUR: TITANIUM Dc1 in each ch = 112dc sts. Row 2: COLOUR: TITANIUM Dc1 in each dc = 112dc sts. Row 3: COLOUR MOYA BAMBOO TOTS: JAMAICA Turning ch1, dc1 in 1st st, *sk 3 sts, ttr7 in 4th st, ch1* work * - *14 times = 14 shell clusters, sk3, dc1 in last st. Row 4: COLOUR: TITANIUM Dc1 in 1st st, dc1 in 7ttr of round 3, dc1 (over the ch1 between the clusters) in dc of round 2* rep from…

An Image in a Mirror by Ijangolet S Ogwang (Blackbird Books) is the story of sisters who are separated while young – one stays with their mom in Uganda, the other with their aunt in Joburg. They grow up in completely different worlds and meet up again at 22. It’s a beautifully written debut novel by a writer born in Kenya to Ugandan parents, who grew up in the Eastern Cape, and now works in Cape Town. We squeezed in a few questions… How do you keep so many balls in the air (entrepreneur, writer, analyst)? Lately I’ve been trying to harness my ability to do deep work by practising the art of being present. So when I’m at work fully devoting my mind to my role as an analyst…

Our fabulous fashion spread was shot at Shepstone Gardens in Houghton. A Herbert Baker home, Shepstone is one of the original Witwatersrand Ridge Houses commissioned by the Modderfontein Dynamite Factory at the turn of the 20th century. Built from local quartz, the venue boasts countless picture-perfect backdrops for weddings and other family occasions, and is a monument to the skills of the artisans, gardeners and stone craftsmen that have tended this treasured Joburg landmark for well over a century. For bookings, contact Shepstonegardens.co.za…

Winter layers are great as they allow you to add more elements to your outfit to create countless looks. It’s even better when layering is made effortless. Try these sweaters with attached shirt tails, collars and cuffs. What you get is a polished, layered look without adding any unnecessary volume.…

If you suffer from sensitive skin, opt for products with calming ingredients and those that are lipid-rich with skin barrier-repairing oils. These assist with reducing redness and inflammation. Vitamin E Bisabolol, extracted from camomile Aloe vera Calendula oil (can also appear as Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract on a label) Oatmeal. This makes an excellent natural exfoliator instead of using harsher ingredients, even apricot kernel, which can stress out the skin. Allantoin. Not only is this a skin soothing phytochemical, it helps with skin tissue regeneration and water retention. Salicylic acid and hyaluronic acid, which help keep the skin moisturised and hydrated.…

Lucia Mthiyane is a former school teacher whose natural culinary skills and passion for food led to her career path taking a 180-degree turn. She has since cooked her way to becoming a celebrity chef and KFC Taste Kitchen judge. Growing up in Umlazi, KZN, the vivacious chef’s childhood family home was always filled with hearty home-cooked meals. ‘My earliest and fondest memories of food are from my childhood days in Umlazi. Every Sunday the house would be filled with amazing aromas from my elder sisters’ cooking, and I would be their “assistant chef”. The menus would include their delicious roast chicken, the best I’ve ever tasted, served with rice and “seven colours” – a range of vegetables and salads, of course,’ she giggles. This created a love for good…

Comfort food Maas has been the staple diet of thousands of people for centuries, and remains a popular drink and addition to breakfast. Clover Amasi is free of preservatives and colourants, and is good for the digestive system too. It’s an ideal substitute for buttermilk, so can be used in baking, plus it’s tasty in soups, pasta, smoothies and dips. Store it in the fridge so that it’s ready to use when you decide on a quick bake for teatime. R19.99 for 1L, R29.99 for 2L. Perfect night’s sleep South Africans aren’t getting enough sleep! It seems we sleep for just 4-6 hours on average rather than the optimal 7-8 hours that’s recommended. A decent mattress can change this. The Simba Fusion mattress arrives in a compact box – just…

Manufacturers are always looking for ways to increase their prices without putting customers off their products. ‘Shrinkflation’ is a notorious tactic. It involves reducing the size or the number of portions of a product while keeping the packaging unchanged. Another devious method used by manufacturers is to increase cheaper ingredients or contents and use less of the more expensive materials. Consumers don’t usually notice these changes and end up paying the same amount for a smaller or lower quality product than they expected. Business and consumer journalist, Angelique Ruzicka offers a few tips to make sure you avoid shrinkflation trickery. Boycott. If you see your favourite brand of chocolate or crisps looking noticeably scrawnier than it used to, don’t buy it. Buy a competitor’s product or cut out the product…

Mistakes can happen at work, but often how we take responsibility is the single biggest factor that determines what happens next. In their book The CEO Next Door, Elena Botelho and Kim Powell (Penguin Random House, R340) isolate seven critical traits in the art of apology, which will open doors for you, instead of closing them for good. 1 BE PERSONAL: Don’t go into company spokesperson mode, however tempted you may be. Keep the apology personal, and take personal responsibility. 2 BE FOCUSED: Make it crystal clear that you know what went wrong, why, and what the implications are. 3 BE GENUINE: Your words and your tone need to convey sincerity. 4 MAKE NO EXCUSES: Shifting blame, minimising harm to wronged parties and trying to whitewash the situation should all…

‘Family is the warmth during cold moments’– Anonymous HEADACHES, MIGRAINES AND YOUR DIET Most of the energy you need to get through the day is generated by the carbohydrates you eat. Carbs are sugars, which your body converts to glucose before dispersing it via your blood. Glucose is especially vital for proper brain function – if your glucose level drops, your brain will be one of the first organs affected. This is a major risk for sufferers of hypoglycaemia, who have an abnormally low glucose (blood sugar) level. Poor eating habits can cause hypoglycaemia and can result in painful migraines and headaches, as well as other symptoms such as confusion, nausea, sweating and feeling faint. According to The Migraine Trust, hypoglycaemia develops when you aren’t consuming enough calories to allow…

CHECK YOUR SWIMMER’S TOENAILS If your kids are on the school swimming team or just love being in the water, you need to check their toenails regularly for fungus. Nail fungus, or onychomycosis, is less common in children than adults; nevertheless, it’s not unheard of. It affects adolescents more than younger kids and occurs more often on toenails than fingernails. Children who walk barefoot in public pools and shower rooms, whose feet sweat heavily, or who have reduced blood circulation are more susceptible. The condition may also be passed on from someone else in the home, for example through nail clippers. Signs of nail fungus infection: TEXTURE: nails become thickened and more brittle. DISCOLOURATION: nails develop a white and yellowish shade, sometimes even green or black. PAIN: surrounding skin may…

Even though all kids require a healthy and well-balanced diet, child athletes who are constantly active require extra energy and higher fluid intake. If your child is an avid sports player at school and participates regularly in sports days and matches, eating the right food can also help them perform better on the field. Pack them enough food to eat throughout the day as well as healthy pre- and post-game snacks. 1 FEED FOOD THAT FUELS: Good carbohydrates, such as low-GI foods and wholegrains, release energy slowly into the body, giving them enough energy to carry them through the school day and training on the sports field. Wholewheat bread, pasta and wraps, brown and lentil rice, wholegrain cereals and lots of fruits and vegetables in their lunchboxes will do the…

All out of ideas for kids’ lunchboxes? Make it less of a chore and more of a fun activity with some simple inspiration. Lunchbox Lifesavers is a clever Facebook platform that shares quick and easy ideas that are also healthy and nutritious. Designed to save you time, they also help you create visually appealing food your kids will look forward to (goodbye half-eaten sandwiches!). Ideas range from sandwich cut-outs to ‘banana dolphins’ and messages for the kids to find. Don’t be surprised if Dad wants a lunchbox too!…

Do you just let it slip every time your cousin borrows money from you and doesn’t pay it back on time? Or do you have a friend who makes judgemental remarks about how you’re raising your kids, but you just brush it off because you’re loathe to say something? You’re not doing yourself justice. ‘Speaking up at pivotal moments shows you’re in alignment with who and what you are,’ says life coach Nelene Flemming. ‘Not speaking our truth congruently in moments like these causes suppression of our feelings, which is unhealthy and destructive in the long run,’ she explains. Renardo Treurnich, clinical psychologist, agrees, adding that part of the process of expressing yourself requires you to be attuned to your needs to voice your opinion in the moment. ‘What I…

Disadvantages of not being assertive AT THE OFFICE: ‘Not being assertive in the workplace will have a negative effect on your performance and wellbeing,’ says Nelene. When you hold back, you can’t “tap into your greatest potential”.’ Your ideas and problem-solving suggestions might never be heard, resulting in your manager not recognising your capabilities. Consequences could include you losing out on a promotion you’ve been eyeing. FAMILY: Remaining silent in family relationships can result in conflict arising, says Nelene. If you avoid confronting your cousin about borrowing money they never pay back, this could create bitterness on your side and possibly result in you never being open to helping your cousin again, even in situations where they genuinely need you. FRIENDSHIPS: If you never confront your friend about those judgemental…

Ore is a dachshund who lives on the West Coast with his family. Even though he’s the oldest in the house, he’s the smallest dog. Ore shares space with a poodle, Labrador and Boerboel. He’s been voted the sweetest because he never complains about anything, just minds his own business and spends time doing what he loves most – eating! If you and your pets would like to be featured as our next ‘Pet selfie of the month’, send your selfie to nolwazid@caxton.co.za with ‘Pet selfie’ in the subject line. The photo must be at least 1MB in size.…

HOW TO JOIN Go to Yourfamily.co.za and sign up for the quilt-along on our home page. Everyone who signs up will receive a weekly email newsletter for the duration of the project. Each week you’ll receive step-by-step instructions. You can join the quilt-along at any time; you’ll receive instructions from the start, with new steps every week until you’ve completed the quilt. DURING THE COURSE OF THE QUILT-ALONG YOU WILL NEED: FABRIC 5 fat quarters (0.25m) in two colours (10 in total) 0.5m for binding 1.5m for backing 1.5M NEEDLE PUNCH BATTING The finished quilt measures 120cm x 100cm. For technical assistance email Jenny Smith at rayjenny@telkomsa.net…

6(7) hanks INSPIRE 100g 9mm knitting needles 10mm circular knitting needle row markers NB Garter stitch is used for the tension square using 10mm needles ORIGINAL GARMENT: XS-S ABBREVIATIONS beg – begin(ning) cont – continue dec – decrease inc – increase k – knit m1 (make 1 st) - pick up loop between last and next stitch, work into back loop rep – repeat R(W)SR - right (wrong) side row SKPO – skip 1, knit 1, pass slipped stitch over st(s) – stitch(es) tog – together GARMENT IS WORKED SIDEWAYS IN GARTER STITCH, WHERE EVERY ROW IS KNITTED. Beg at left sleeve, using 9mm needles, cast on 22(26)sts. Knit 4 rows, change to 10mm needles. Next row: K1, m1, k to last st, m1, k1. Knit 7 rows. Rep last…

Cheers to winter 10 hampers of Van Loveren reds worth R500 each Van Loveren Family Vineyards has an array of elegant red wines that are perfect for winter. Enjoy their unwooded River Red Shiraz/ Pinotage (the first red wine produced by this family owned winery) in front of a warm fire, or pair it with flavourful cheese and red meat dishes at your next dinner party. Van Loveren family vineyards has been voted the best child-friendly venue on a wine farm, and offers something for the entire family – from creative wine pairings (including a kids’ pairing) and cellar tours to lunch at Christina’s bistro, garden tours, birding and hiking. 10 lucky readers will receive 2 cases of Van Loveren reds, including the popular River Red. Visit Vanloveren.co.za, or follow…

The Language of Kindness: A nurse’s story by Christie Watson (Chatto & Windus) Based on Christie’s 20 years of experience as a nurse, The Language of Kindness shares stories about her unforgettable patients; hospitals, mental health units and neonatal units she has worked in; and the trauma of emergency rooms and oncology treatment. The author’s first novel, Tiny Sunbirds Far Away was written while she was still practising, and won the Costa First Novel Award. Written with compassion and understanding, her latest release is a reminder of the struggles faced by nurses worldwide. Day of the Dead by Nicci French (Michael Joseph) If you’re a fan of the Frieda Klein stories from this successful husband and wife writing team (they’ve written 18 books together!), you’ll enjoy this final reckoning. Day…

@home 0860 576 576 Accessorize 011 884 4644 Amatuli 011 440 5065 Be Inspired 081 439 8578 Boardmans 011 495 6000 Builders Warehouse 0860 284 533 Checkers 0800 010 709 Clicks 0860 254 257 Close Knit 082 498 1348 Consol Glass 0860 009 777 Contempo 011 402 5513 Cotton On 011 268 3700 Dicraft 082 458 4700 Die Werksmandjie 012 654 0388/999 6595 DionWired 010 592 9000 Dis-Chem 086 034 7243 Edgars 0860 112 442 Embo Handmade Hellopretty.co.za Exclusive Books 011 325 4298 Foschini 0860 104 764 Good Loops SA Goodloopssa.com H&M/H&M Home 0860 690 707 Hirsch’s 011 707 8000 Hobbido Craft 082 951 6121 Indaba Indaba-southafrica.co.za Jo Borkett 011 883 7240 Kismet Yarns 011 660 2569 Le Creuset 086 177 3321 Linen Drawer Linendrawer.co.za Loads of Living 011 884…

1 WHAT’S FOR DINNER? A Something you cooked on the weekend – there’s no time in the week to cook. B A creamy delicious pasta with a glass of red. C Steamed fish and stir-fry veggies. 2 YOUR DESK IS USUALLY: A A bit messy but everything has its place. B Full of chocolate. C Neat, tidy and everything in order. 3 YOUR DREAM CAREER WOULD BE: A A travel writer. B A food critic. C A personal trainer to the stars. 4 CHOOSE THE WORD THAT BEST DESCRIBES YOU: A Creative B Fun C Adventurous 5 DO YOU USE A DIARY? A Yes, but you don’t look at it because you know what you need to do. B No. That’s too much structure. C Yes, couldn’t live without it.…

Say hello to your winter soup collection Add these soups to your winter favourites – they taste like a million dollars, but definitely won’t break the bank! This cotton scarf is a quick Tunisian crochet project, ideal for beginners. Step out onto a comfy mat that runs the entire length of your bath – bliss! Your Family Magazine (South Africa) @yfmag @yfmag @yourfamilymagsa…

The belt over cardigan or belted jacket is great if you have a defined waist. Skinny jeans keep out the cold and add a touch of style when tucked into a pair of gorgeous boots. Layer multiple fine wool knits without having to worry about bulges. Even a puffer jacket can keep you warm without the bulk. When wearing a skirt or dress, look for wool or thermal opaque tights, and add a pair of knee-high boots. Pair slim leather trousers with the chunkiest of textured knits to offset their slimming effect. Wear a thermal vest underneath for extra warmth. Instead of adding volume with a heavy scarf, try layering a turtleneck under your favourite dress. Your arms and neck will be protected but you’ll still look sleek and stylish.…

pecan pie brownies FOR THE BROWNIES 180g butter 200g dark chocolate, chopped 250ml brown sugar 10ml vanilla essence pinch salt 3 eggs 180ml cake flour FOR THE PECAN PIE TOPPING 80ml golden syrup 125ml brown sugar 2 eggs 15ml vanilla essence 60g butter, melted 500ml pecan nuts 1 For the brownies, preheat oven to 180°C. Line a 23cm springform cake tin with baking paper. 2 Heat the butter and chocolate in the microwave for about 1 minute 30 seconds, stirring every 30 seconds until melted. Stir in the sugar. Add the vanilla, salt and eggs one at a time. Fold in the flour. Spread batter into the prepared pan and bake for 25 minutes. 3 For the topping, combine the syrup, sugar, eggs, vanilla and butter until smooth. Fold in…

fish burgers Defrost 600g fish medallions and blitz until finely chopped. Add 1 egg, 60ml cake flour, handful chopped parsley, 8ml chilli flakes (optional), 2 chopped spring onions, squeeze lemon juice, 3cm finely grated ginger and 2 crushed garlic cloves. Season. Shape into 6 balls and flatten on a baking paper lined tray. Drizzle with olive oil and bake at 200°C for about 25 minutes or until cooked. Serve on hamburger buns with tartar sauce, shredded lettuce, red onion slices, cucumber ribbons and rocket. fish au gratin Place 600g frozen fish fillets close together in a baking dish and pour over 410g tin hot cream of mushroom soup. Season. Bake at 200°C for about 15 minutes. Combine 375ml fresh breadcrumbs, 60ml finely grated pecorino, 50g melted butter and a handful…

‘In winter, we naturally start to crave comforting, warming foods,’ says Christine. ‘Mother Nature has come up with seasonal foods that benefit your body at this time of year and they’re exactly what your body requires to stay warm, give you comfort as well as boost your immune system with flu-fighting nutrients.’ While it’s ok to indulge in winter comfort food – and you should – keep a few things in mind to prevent winter weight gain: If comfort is what you’re after and starch and carbohydrates are calling, opt for sweet potatoes and winter vegetables. Moderation is key. While it’s ok to indulge in winter comfort food, don’t go over the top, and rather fill your plate with a majority of vegetables. Stay hydrated. In winter you tend to…

When you have a child, you know on some level that the small human you made is a separate person, but you don’t quite internalise it. You assume, perhaps unconsciously, that your children will be like you. Smaller versions of yourself or your partner, or, more likely, a mix of the two. They’ll have some of their own charming little idiosyncrasies thrown in, of course, but basically, they’ll have most of the same likes and dislikes, values and outlooks, your nose or Dad’s curly hair. This will inevitably turn out not to be the case. And it’s a shocker. We have a teenage son who is well over 6 feet (no, I don’t know what that is in centimetres. It’s tall, OK?) and skinny as a beanpole. He towers over…

‘As children explore through sensory materials, their senses send signals to the brain. This multisensory information strengthens neural pathways, develops cognitive skills, and improves language development, gross motor skills and social interaction. Cognitive skills are those we use when we solve problems and create novel ideas from current ones,’ says Dr Nadia Khan, specialist paediatrician. Sensory play has been described by many teachers as being the foundation of all skills children will use at school, including learning to read, write and solve maths and science problems. Sticky Fingers is a sensory play book featuring food recipes that can easily be prepared at home to entertain children. The ‘dishes’ are wonderfully stimulating and use slime and playdough. It includes 30 recipes, each with a full page, colour photograph. Unless otherwise stated,…

It’s important to remember you wouldn’t approach all situations in the same way. For example, how you raise an issue with a family member is different to conversation in the workplace. ‘You don’t kill a mosquito with a shotgun,’ says Renardo. ‘It’s all about context. But in the same breath, there aren’t specific textbook ways of addressing the various situations,’ he adds. ‘In football there are many ways of playing the game. Each coach believes in their own strategy and systems to achieve the desired results. Even in psychology there are so many schools of thought and approaches for the same process, that it becomes a question of what works best for the individual,’ he advises. This is where being in tune with your inner self comes in handy, as…

1 Always be honest with yourself and with the other person. 2 Your intention should be one of positive resolution; never play the blame game. 3 Choose your words wisely and be cognisant of their potential consequences. 4 Be open to engaging in a fruitful conversation with the other person; don’t attack them by bringing up personal or sensitive matters. 5 Remember that you can’t control people’s behaviour; be prepared for their reaction if they don’t think they’re in the wrong. Be in a neutral emotional state and never take it personally, as long as you’ve done what’s right.…

Dressing up your pet in party costumes can be fun and interesting, but it has the potential to be dangerous for children, warns Christine Kuch of the Roodepoort SPCA. Christine cautions that although playing dress-up with your pet can be lots of fun, it can also result in pets attacking and injuring children. ‘This is because pets can potentially react out of fear or discomfort when being dressed up in this way,’ she says. The SPCA has had a number of cases where pet owners have surrendered animals that have attacked and injured children. ‘Upon inspection, we find that the cause of the attack was because the animal was dressed up in a party costume. We understand that pet owners love to bond with their beloved furry friends and this…

200g Papatya Ribbon (Kismet Yarns) 7.5mm crochet hook ABBREVIATIONS dc – double crochet dcd – double crochet decrease ss – slip st st/s – st/sts Magic ring, chain 1 10dc into ring, join to first dc with ss, chain 1 [10dc]. Round 2: 2dc in each st, join to first dc with ss, chain 1 [20dc]. Round 3: 2dc in first st, then 1dc in next, repeat around, join to first dc with ss, chain 1 [30dc]. Round 4: Working in back loop only, 1dc in each st *don’t join to first dc, work in a continuous loop, use a st marker to keep track of your starting point [30dc]. Round 5: Working in both loops, 1dc in first 10 sts, dcd (tip: when doing a decrease on first st…

This pattern was created for African Expressions Inspire, a 100% mohair yarn classified as super chunky. If you use a different yarn, your end result will change both in terms of texture and size. If you’d like to use a different yarn, the wool you choose is important for sizing. Choose a wool that produces a 10cm x 10cm tension square when knitted in garter stitch, using 10 stitches over 18 rows. You may need to use smaller needles than the 9mm recommended to achieve this. Email yourfamily@caxton.co.za or call 011 889 0749 for further yarn substitution advice.…

Pay attention Life gets so busy that we often find ourselves multitasking and while that’s a useful time-saving skill in itself, it can sometimes cost you time. Picture this: you’re on an important work call and at the same time, you’re helping your kids get ready for school – chances are you weren’t listening to the information the caller was giving you 100%. You’ll probably have to call back or schedule a meeting at a later stage to get the full story, which you don’t really have the time for. Take those extra five minutes and give the person your undivided attention – it will save time in the long run. Pick up the phone These days we get so caught up in emails, texts and instant messages, but as…