Features
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My favorite baby brands (and they didn’t even pay me to say so)
So being a blogger and a mama, all at the same time, means that I often get to test and try out new products and services in a bid to, you know, let you guys know if the product/service is worth your while. When it comes to raising tiny human beings, I love checking out new things that can help to make my parenting journey easier/better. (Call me the Debora Patta of the baby world.)
BUT this is my fourth baby and I kinda know which products work (for me) by now. Also, I’m tired, you guys and I have the added pleasure of raising a 4 year old and a 2 year old as well. Time is not a luxury right now.
So I made the decision to not try anything new with our next baby, unless I’m not 100% convinced that the product I currently use is doing the job that I need it to do. (Or if I didn’t even know that you get a product that can do that! Like, if someone designed a machine that made me coffee and fed my child all at the same time, I’m totally not going to say no to that.)
So yes, when it comes to baby products, I have a bunch of favorites. They are pretty stock standard, and by that I mean that they are tried and trusted household faves! (I mean, I’m not going to win a Millennial Mom of the Year award for this.) But I’m here to be totally transparent, and in all honesty, these are the things you’ll find my Hubstopher searching the aisles for, when I send him on a frantic shopping expedition at 19:50 on a Sunday night.
These are the brands and products that I spend money on… the stuff that I reach for, no questions asked, without me needing to do Debora Patta styled research on them first. Can I share them with you? It’s a rhetorical question, Susan, I’m totally going to share my list with you. Here it is:
My favorite baby brands (and they didn’t even pay me to say so)
Bath time
When it comes to bath time, I have a whole series on this here blog, and I often try out new products on my other kids. But when it comes to my newborn I’m a little more fussy and I prefer to stick to what I know and love and that, without a doubt, has to be Johnson’s Baby! The Johnson’s Baby Newborn Top-To-Toe range was my go-to product when Jo was born. It made his (and my) skin so soft and I was inlove with the gorgeous scent. So I’m very keen on the new Johnson’s Baby Newborn Cotton Touch range. I mean, get this, the wash and lotion are made with real cotton, purposeful ingredients, and no parabens, phthalates or sulfates. And again, the scent: heavenly!
Disposable diapers
I’ve tried out a bunch of different disposable diapers over the past few years. Mind you, as my kids have grown, I’ve often opted for the cheaper options! (But that’s another blog post for another day). But when it comes to my newborn’s bum-bums, Huggies is my diaper of choice. You guys, I don’t know if I’m doing it wrong but the other big name in disposable diapers leaked a lot, when I tried it out on Kari and Jo. When we eventually transitioned to Huggies, we had a lot less leakages and we felt it to be a better fit. We also prefer the Huggies pull ups, compared to, well all the other pull ups. It’s a brand that just works for us. Oh and guys, the Huggies Gold New Baby diaper is designed to accommodate the umbilical chord and (get this) also has a special runny poo pocket at the back of the nappy, to help prevent little accidents.
Wet wipes
So you know the saying “wet wipes make the world go ’round”? Well, you probably don’t because I made it up, but that’s not my point. My point is that wet wipes make the world go ’round… AND a lot less stickier. If you take a stroll down the baby aisle in your local shopping center you’ll probably find a ton of wet wipes brands all promising to do the same thing. But, for price (because we go through the stuff like coffee at the office) and value, I’ve always preferred Cherubs. The value packs are really so cheap and I love that the newborn range has a clip-lid, is pH balanced and is alcohol and paraben free. Unlike other more cost-effective wet wipes, this wipe is still considerably thick and is soft enough to remove the make up from your face on a lazy night.
Bum creams
If you’re a mom and you don’t know about the wonder that is Sudocream, then come a little closer my sister, let me fill you in! This antiseptic healing cream soothes sore skin, treats nappy rash, eczema and acne. In fact, when Kari suffered from that terrible teething dribble that caused a rash on her chin and lower cheeks, good ol’ Sudocream (spread lightly) cleared it up after one application! When my baby’s bums are red, one application of Sudocream is enough to speed up healing. I keep a small tub of the stuff in my hand bag… it’s just that good! And don’t let the price scare you my friend. The beauty of it is that you’re not lathering it on… a thin layer of the cream is enough to immediately promote healing. I know!
Breast pumps
So we all know that Medela is like GOLD when you’re on that breastfeeding journey. Well, I’m just here to reiterate that yes, my Medela harmony manual and mini electric pumps are the only things that kept me sane when I had to pump in a locked bathroom stall the size of Harry Potter’s room under the stairs. Investing in a solid breast pump is a definite must if you plan to take this breastfeeding journey seriously. (BTW, did you know that you can actually hire one from Breastpumps and Beyond?) I doubt I would ever change my mind about the rewards of owning a Medela pump!
Nipple ointment
So, with the beautiful, wonderful miracle of breastfeeding, comes the toe-curling pain of cracked nipples. I mean, your nipps go through something similar to a World War, during those first few latches. My nipple ointment of choice has always been Lansinoh. I’ve often applied one pea sized dollop of Lansinoh to eina nipps and (I kid you not) felt immediate relief! That’s how good this stuff is. Also, I totally use it as a lip cream, for sore winter lips, as well. By the way the cream is 100% natural, with no additives, preservatives or parabens.
Baby feeding
As I’ve said over and over and over again (you know, like a 7de Laan Omnibus on a Sunday arvie) I’ve only ever used the Tommee Tippee brand on my kids. That’s because I choose to combine feed them (boob and bottle) and I’ve found that the Closer to Nature bottles are the best for this. The original extra wide teat is very “breast like”, which makes it easy for baby to latch on, as if he were breastfeeding. Tommee Tippee also has an excellent range of soothers, toddler safe cups and even tableware. It’s pretty much a one stop shop and I’m very much devoted to the brand and it’s products.So that’s my list of faves, and some of the stuff I’ll be stocking up on, while preparing for baby Williams to arrive. Do you have a list of faves? Share them in the comments section below!
Disclaimer: I’ve received press drops from a few if these AND other baby brands, in the past. But the ones mentioned in this article are the baby brands that I prefer when caring for my newborn. This post is not sponsored.
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Most quirky and popular baby names 2019
So I’m giving birth, like, tomorrow(ish), and we still haven’t decided on a name for baby. I mean, okay, we don’t even know what baby’s gender is, but even if we did, choosing a name has become the internal struggle within my marriage. We each have our favorites and both of us are not willing to budge. I mean, it’s pretty fun being stubborn right now.
While Googling name options the other day, I remembered a blog post that I had written in 2017, when I was preggers with Jo. In the post, I listed the hottest and weirdest baby name ideas of that season and kinda explained how we ended up naming our Jonah.
So, to motivate
meus, I thought to put together a similar list, hoping that one of the names will kindle a flame in both of our hearts, that will burn eternal. (I mean, I sound like an 80’s pop track, so surely you can smell my desperation right now.)Check out 2018/9’s most quirky and popular baby names:
Keeping it Kardashian
Apparently pop-fanatics are thankful to Mama Kris for starting the K-name trend. Fans of the hit reality show are opting for names that begin with the letter K, when choosing a name for their newborns. I mean, I could totally see myself doing this if both Hubstopher and I’s names had the same first letter. It’s a cool family tradition/trend, me thinks. But I’m not planning to keep it Kardashian, if you know what I mean.
Zoning in on the Zen
Because of the growing trend of, you know, being “super spiritual” and “enlightened” and stuff, people are now choosing names related to Eastern spirituality, ancient mythology and even natural world practices. Names like Peace, Rainbow and Sky are top on the list. The more deeply spiritual have opted for names such as Zen, Jupiter and Freya. Hmm… Kumbaya my Lord, Kumbaya.
Animal names
So the animal name trend is fairly new, and definitely unusual, but it’s a thing, you guys. I mean, how wild (pun intended) would it be to name your kid Bear, Birdie, Wren, Hawk, Drake, Fox or Otter. I can so picture me doing this and then telling people that kids are “a bunch of animals!” *ba dum dish!* You could be ‘Mama Bear’ literally.
N is for Neutral
With the rise of the non-binary trend, we find that millennial’s are opting for a more gender-neutral, un-stereotypical name, when naming their kids. Pretty much anything can be a name now a days… Story, Royal and Justice are top of the list! I personally love the names Gray or Riley. Other (more normal sounding) non-binary names include Finley, Parker and Bailey.
Netflix and chill?
For the most part we’ve all been hooked on some or other series or sitcom. Well, some people take their binge-watching commitment to the next level, by naming their kids after their favorite series character. I kid you not, Khaleesi! Grey’s Anatomy fans love the names Arizona, Amelia, Bailey and Zola. Game of Throne’s fans are naming their kids Tyrion, Daenerys and Arya. Other faves includes Luke (Modern Family), Axl (The Middle), Cyrus (Scandal) and Penny (The Big Bang Theory).
Gaming and naming
Video game names have opened up a whole new dimension of name ideas. Fortnite fans are naming their kids Garrison, Fable, Maverick, Rogue and even Bunny! Another fave is Xayah (League of Legends) and Noctis (Final Fantasy). I mean, how cool would it be to walk into Comic Con and introduce yourself as Kratos (God of War) or Corvo (Dishonoured).
Three letter names
Give your kid a head start by keeping his name down to three letters! Yup, the minimalist three-letter name is fast on the rise, with parents opting for ‘short and sweet’ first names such as Ida, Kit, Liv and Hal. I mean, it would totally be awesome (and easy) to teach a “Rex” how to spell his name, right? How’s that for efficiency!
So there you have it folks, some of the quirky and cool baby name trends for 2019. Which are your favorites? To be honest, none of these have struck a chord with me. And friends, at this point, we’re probably going to end up calling our child “Baby” for the rest of his/her life! (Which is actually very retro-meets-Dirty-Dancing.)
So will you help a sister out? Please share some baby name suggestions in the comments section below.
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Cocoa Life: How eating your fave chocolate is changing lives
You do know that chocolate really does grow on trees, right? Nope, I’m not selling Willy Wonka dreams here, my friends. The cocoa beans used to make your favourite chocolate grows on cacao trees – with more than 70% of the world’s cocoa grown by farmers in West Africa. (See why I love living in Africa?)
A few days ago we had the opportunity to sit down with Yaa Peprah Amekudzi, the inspirational Head of Cocoa Life Ghana, who explained that most of the cocoa farms, in West Africa, are family-owned. And, unfortunately, due to things like climate change, disease and lack of access to new farming methods, many of those farmers have seen their yields dwindling over the last few years.
Good Cocoa, Good Chocolate
Because of this, Cadbury has stepped up to the plate (the chocolate plate?), establishing the Cocoa Life Programme in 2012, which serves to improve the lives of farmers who are doing the important job of growing those “chocolate trees”. (my chocoholic pals – hollar!)
The Cocoa Life Programme directly contributes to sustainable farming and responsible sourcing, reaching more than 40,000 cocoa farmers in 450 communities across 17 districts in five regions of Ghana’s cocoa belt!
This means: the programme basically invests in community development, strengthening cocoa communities and inspiring the next generation of cocoa farmers. I love this so much!“Essentially, the aim of Cocoa Life is to ensure the cocoa that goes into Cadbury products is ‘made right’,” says Yaa.
“Making it right means tackling the complex challenges that cocoa farmers face by working hand-in-hand with the men and women who make their living from cocoa, focusing on where we can make a difference to transform the cocoa sector by inspiring lasting change, rooted in deep understanding, sector-wide collaboration and partnerships.”
According to Yaa, the programme touches on seven focus areas namely; child protection, community, environment, farming, livelihoods, women empowerment and youth development.
It also trains almost 150 000 farmers to grow cocoa more effectively. I mean, this includes so many things from identifying crop diseases to managing the soil and using chemicals responsibly. The new farming technology that these communities are introduced to helps to improve productivity and profitability.And you guys, it doesn’t end there. Cocoa Life also helps to provide female farm workers with the opportunity to set up small businesses, extending initiatives to microfinance schemes, village savings and loans.
To you it may be a delicious slab of chocolate. But to so many families, it is a source of income and when the cocoa season is on hold, these families need to find other ways to sustain their livelihood.So next time you pick up a slab of chocolate, check for the Cocoa Life stamp, which will be on all Cadbury Dairy Milk slabs from July 2019. And then give yourself a pat on the back for supporting farmers on our continent by simply purchasing product made from their farm yields.
More information about Cocoa Life and their initiatives around the world can be found on their website, www.cocoalife.com.
More about Yaa Peprah AmekudziYaa Peprah Amekudzi has been the country lead of Cocoa Life since its establishment 10 years ago when it was then known as the Cadbury Cocoa Partnership, forging strategic partnerships with government and non-governmental agencies to deliver the objectives of Cocoa Life. Starting with 100 communities in 7 districts, Yaa has expanded Cocoa Life to cover 450 communities in 17 districts within a period of 10 years, directly impacting 38,421 cocoa farmers and 415,464 community members of which 224,301 are young persons.
All the photos in this post were taken at the Mondelez International Cocoa Life Programme Bloggers Lunch, at No. 5 by Mantis, Summerstrand Port Elizabeth. The event was hosted by ECMeetUp. Photographer: Odette Johaar Photography
Disclaimer: This post was sponsored by ECMeetUp
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Turning a breech baby – is it possible?
Now, I would never claim to be an expert of anything (expert chicken pops eater – is that a thing?) but when it comes to giving birth, I kinda know what’s up. And with this being my fourth pregnancy, I had planned to give natural birth once again, as I had with all my other kids. I was mentally and emotionally prepared for it.
Until a trip to my OBGYN revealed that baby is most definitely still breech, and at 34 weeks we kinda have a 3 week window period to ensure that he/she moves into position for birth.
Freaking out? Nay, not I, kind Sir. (I mean, I usually speak like a Shakespearean character, nothing out of the ordinary here).
But I would obviously prefer to give birth the only way I know how, as opposed to a C-Sec. Also, given the lengthy healing period and the fact that I have many other children to care for, I would say that a C-Sec (though manageable, I’m sure) would throw a spanner in the works for me.
Anyways, so with that said, baby needs to get his/her little butt into position, so to speak. After talking it out with Hubstopher (who is chilled about it all, as per usual) I did what any normal, sane pregnant woman would do: I Googled (because who are you evens if you aren’t using the Internet to find the solution to your medical problems).
I found a few interesting tips on the interwebs and were more drawn to the ones that did not sound as if it would put my unborn child in danger (because duh). And then I thought, hey I should share these with my readers because even though some of it sounds ridiculous I’m sure there is another pregnant mom with a breech baby situation, scouring the internet for a blog post of this very nature. I’m here to serve. You’re welcome.
Anyways, here are 7 (naturalish) ways to possibly get your breech baby to turn:
1. All about the music
You guys, no jokes, but some websites say that you must put headphones on your pelvis (toward your pubic bone), while playing classical music, and baby will naturally gravitate towards it. Apparently 10 minutes, six to eight times per day will do the trick.2. The breech tilt
So apparently, if you lie on your back with hips slightly elevated and knees bent, you create more room in your belly and naturally coax baby to move into position. You should try this up to three times a day for atleast 10 minutes.3. Just keep swimming
So there are no hard facts but some say that swimming can be quite relaxing and therapeutic and can help to get baby to move into position, naturally.4. Be the light
You could use an amber or red light, moving it slowly from the top down towards your pubic bone, while you’re in a tilt position. This also supposedly coaxes baby into position for labour, since baby will follow the light.5. Forward-leaning inversion
So I read that rocking back and forth on your hands and knees or even doing some gentle pelvic rotations, for about 10 minutes before bedtime, can help to relax the pelvic muscles and increase the gravitational pull inside your uterus.6. Sweeten it up
Eat or drink something sweet (fruit included) and lie on your side with your hips positioned higher than your feet. The sugar rush will get baby moving and your body’s position will coax baby to get into that birthing position.7. Using cold
They say that placing something cold on your belly will encourage baby to move into the correct position. The cold will cause them to react and move and you could basically coax your little one into position, as they try to move away from the cold.So what do you think, friends? Interesting, right? Have you tried any of this at home? I’ve heard of other (more invasive) methods, which I am a bit wary about. Have you tried any of those? Please do share your experiences down below.
Resources:
Today’s Parents
Baby Centre
Parent24
Very Well Family -
Buy healthy and save? Yes, it is possible with Kimbino!
Sponsored – If you look at your budget every month, you will find that most of your money is spent on food. It is important, however, to take a look at what food items you are buying every month. Yes, we do spend a lot of money on food items, but how many of that is actually healthy for us? Now, more than ever, it is important to look at what we put into our bodies. As they say “you are what you eat”!
How can you be healthier?
There are many things you can implement to help yourself have a healthier life. Follow these five tips as a start:
- Drink enough water. Not everyone can drink eight glasses of water a day, but if you can get to five a day, that is a great start. Water cleanses your body and fills you up, so you don’t get hungry so often!
- Cook healthy. Find healthy products that are on special and buy them in bulk. This way, you can cook healthy dishes for longer periods, and for cheaper! Don’t you have time to cook every day? Prepare food for 2-3 days and put food in a bowl and store in the refrigerator. If you don’t have the right bowl at home, you’ll find great tips in the new Tupperware catalogue. In Tupperware catalogue you will find many great kitchen helpers.
- Take your vitamins. It is vital that you get the essential vitamins and minerals in every day. The best way to absorb your vitamins is through eating healthy, but if you struggle to find healthy food every day, supplements are great alternatives to the real deal.
- Exercise as much as possible! Try to do a 20-minute workout at least two to three times a week. Exercise keeps you fit and boosts endorphins, which make you feel really good.
- Get some sun. The sun keeps your bones healthy. That’s because your body produces vitamin D when exposed to the sun.
Eating healthy can be expensive
Many people choose the unhealthy option when it comes to food and drinks because it is often cheaper. However, it shouldn’t be. With an application like Kimbino, it is easier than ever to find specials on all the items you are looking for. Kimbino is an online platform that hosts special catalogues from many different retailers. This way, you can find discounts on all the products you are looking for.
Want to start living healthier? Simply search for the items you are looking for on Kimbino’s easy-to-use app or website, and find all the discount prices in one place. But remember, Kimbino doesn’t just offer food product catalogues, they have a variety of catalogues from many stores! Looking for specials from a specific shop, such as Makro? With Kimbino, you can find Makro specials with just a few clicks.
Save time, buy cheaper and live healthier!
Disclaimer: Post sponsored by Kimbono. All content supplied.
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Newborn checklist: My stripped down list of must-haves
When you’re a bit of a baby aficionado, like I am, you kinda know what’s up when it comes to baby stuff. I mean, the running joke is that my next baby’s entrance into the world will be so easy, that it’ll probably appear wearing a whole outfit, including matching beanie and socks. *insert crickets chirping*
But regardless of how, uhm, experienced you are at child rearing, preparing for a little bebe can seem very daunting especially when you eye those extravagantly long lists on the internet, put together by mothers who are – for lack of a better term – next level extra.
I mean, we’ve all been that “next level extra” mom. Aint nothing wrong with that… I mean, I kinda still am, sometimes. But truth be told, my fellow mamas, you actually need very little for baby’s first few days on earth. In fact, if you compare those (very long) lists with the amount of stuff that are very necessary, you’d be surprised at how minimal your baby list should actually be.
Now the only reason why this topic is coming up on my blog today is because I am tired. (Yes, this is the mantra of my life right now, bail a sister). And because I am tired, I haven’t even attempted to do any baby shopping for baby Williams arrival at the end of August. But, in my defense, I know that I only need these 7 things to get by during those first few weeks:
1. Onesies
I love little baby crawlers and onesies, especially for the first few months, because quite honestly you guys, no one is seeing that outfit underneath swaddle blankets. Snap crotch vests are life (I said that here, remember) and comfy crawlers and onesies are perfect for baby’s transition from womb to world. I stan a cute onesie, over a pair of 0-3 month skinny jeans, any day!2. Blankets
Talking about blankets, these are obvz a must. Swaddle sets are cool because it helps you to keep baby feeling safe and tucked in. (Remember, that’s what they experienced in the womb too). So a couple of swaddle blankets, some receiving blankets and a larger fleecy one is basically all I’ll get for my baby right now. I am also planning on using my The Gro Company baby sleeping bags, for safer sleep. (I literally aaacked when they sent me some! I’ll tell you all about it soon).3. Big ticket items
Stuff like your cot, your car seat and your sleep positioner (like this one) is super duper important. I also prefer having a bath seat (like this one), to help me to wash that little body without being a cluts. A good quality baby bag is also a must. Things like a play mat, a feeding chair and a Bumbo seat are great things, but I would probably only aim to get those things later on.
4. Breastfeeding gear
My Medela breast pumps, breast pads and nipple ointments are an absolute MUST! You guys, I switched to Medela, when Jo was born, and my life has never been the same again! (Indulge me as I over-dramatise this moment) Seriously though, Medela was so kind to send me their mini-electric pump and I am planning on getting a Harmony hand pump again, because it works so well for quick pumps. (The pic above was taken in a plane, you guys, I’m a gangsta-pumper).5. Nappies
Because, duh. Nappies and wet wipes are essential commodities, when you have a newborn. Stocking up on nappies and wipes are definitely a life goal, when you’re expecting a little one. You can totally use cloth nappies too (Simone wrote a very interesting article about it here). I must admit, the idea of cloth diapering, while being a working mom with a 2 year old and a 4 year old, totally overwhelms my spreadsheet brain. And yep, baby will be going to a day mother, so no help at home either. So I’ll probably kick it old school and stick to the Huggies I know and trust. Oh and the more wet wipes the merrier!
6. Bottles and pacifiers
I mean, if you plan to breastfeed, you may not want to invest in these just yet. In fact, besides for Jojo, none of my kids even took to pacifiers. But when it comes to bottles (because let’s face it, even if you exclusively breast feed, you may want to express milk and bottlefeed) I would definitely stick to the Tommee Tippee brand. The Closer To Nature range helped me to combo feed Kari and made the transition from boob to breast a bit easier for my girl. It’s a definite must-have for me. (Oh and duh, if you’re bottle feeding, you would want a top notch bottle cleaner, bottle rack and sterilizer).7. Toiletries
Top-to-toe wash and baby lotion is probably the only must-have on my toiletries list. I don’t use powders and oils on my little ones, just because I feel that their delicate skin doesn’t really need it. A solid bum cream is a must though – fans of Sudocream, hollar! (I never thought I would be a fan, of like, a bum cream, but here I am wanting to follow it on Instagram).So that’s my very doable list of baby goodies that I absolutely need to get, like, soon. My spreadsheet brain is also all about that forward thinking, so putting money onto a Baby City (or retailer of choice) gift card every month, during your pregnancy, is a great way to ensure that you have funds to buy those necessary items, once baby is here.
Disclaimer: This post was NOT sponsored by Baby City 🙂
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Easy peasy KOO Cape Malay curry homemade pie (can feed a family of very many people)
Friends, I’m not the best cook in the world. In fact, I’m downright unimpressive when it comes to kitchen stuff. (I just referred to cooking as “kitchen stuff”… point and case). So, when I find a recipe that is quick, easy and tastes delicious, best know that I’m going to brag about it on this here blog and basically make it whenever you invite me over for a bring and share.
At our blogger event, the kind people over at KOO gave us a hamper filled with some of their yummy tinned veggies and I knew I had to do something with it (I mean, besides for give them to a family member with the hint of “here, cook for us.”)
I was kinda excited because I spotted some of the new KOO iconic curry sauce flavours in the press drop. Dude, you need to check this out! KOO – the country’s fave canned food brand – introduced a range of curried mixed veggies to the shelf, in Durban Curry and Cape Malay Curry sauces! And believe me (because it’s food, I don’t joke about food) these flavors are legit! I mean, I had to try them out in a dish!I visited the KOO website for ideas and spotted an easy homemade pie recipe. I mean, it seemed simple enough. The recipe was for individual pies though, and as you know, my family (filled with very many people) are usually ravenous come supper time. So I decided to adapt the recipe a bit to make a large oven pie instead. I am absolutely, without a doubt, impressed with myself. Here’s my recipe:
Disclaimer: Now, friends, if you’re like me (a very undomesticated goddess who wonders why her husband hasn’t tried to trade her in for a Martha Stewart type) then this recipe is for you. It’s easy, doesn’t require any cooking skill at all (obviously) and is one of those quick meal ideas. If you’re looking for something a bit more fancier, look away, my friend. You will not find that here.
Easy peasy homemade pie (can feed a family of very many people)Ingredients:
1kg minced beef
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1 egg (beaten)
2 medium onions, chopped
3 cans (410g) KOO MIXED VEGETABLES in CAPE MALAY Curry Sauce
2 rolls of Puff Pastry
You can add cheese (I like it cheesy)
Fresh herbs to garnish if you’re that person. (I’m not that person)
Method:
Pre-heat the oven at 180 degrees C.In a large pot, brown your chopped onions (I usually add garlic and ginger, because that’s what my mother does) and eventually add in your mince. Season with some salt and pepper and cook until brown.
Add your KOO Cape Malay curried mixed veggies to the pot and allow to cook through. (You’re welcome to add salt and seasoning to taste, but I found that it needed very little to no extra salt… all the flavor is there already!) Allow your concoction to cool.Roll out one package of Puff Pastry and press into your oven dish, making sure it overlaps the sides nicely. (Please note, I definitely used Spray And Cook in my oven dish before I pressed my pastry in. Maybe you should too.) Stick your pastry into the oven for a couple of minutes. You want it to be a golden brown.
When it’s ready, remove from oven and scoop your cooled Cape Malay stew into the baked pastry base, adding the second (raw) layer of pastry on top, like a lid.
Brush egg on to the top of your pastry. Stick it in the oven and give yourself a high five because you just made a whole pie without using Google.
Bake for 15 to 20 minutes (or until it’s nice and golden).And that’s that. I wish I had more to share, or could tell you guys how I discovered an easy way to do something, but nope. It’s that plain and simple. I’ve never baked with a KOO product before and I must say, this experiment was pretty darn delish!
If you want to try out the original KOO Crusty Homemade Pie with Curried Mixed Vegetables recipe that this was adapted from you can find it here.The KOO curried mixed vegetable range, retailing for approximately R17.99, is available from retailers and supermarkets across the country. For meal inspiration and delicious recipes visit – www.koo.co.za.
Header image: KOO
Disclaimer: Also, KOO sent me this product to try out. -
How To Start a Blog in 2019
‘How To Start a Blog in 2019’ felt like the most legit title for this article since, you know, we have a bunch of resources available today that our forefather’s of yesteryear may not have had. (Toilet paper. Running water. Google. You know, important stuff.)
Truth be told though, starting a blog now a days is a bit like buying a camera and calling yourself a photographer – anyone can do it. It has become the hobby/part time job of choice and the thing is this: it’s pretty easy to catch the knack thereof, but you kinda need to be born with a certain je ne sais quoi for it, or else you’ll bore easily.
But, if you had to ask me (and so very many of you have asked me, hence this post) how to start a blog (in 2019) I would probably offer you these very simple tips.
(Disclaimer: I am by no means a professional anything (professional parent? is that a thing?) but these are some of the things I did when I started this very blog right here.)
Right, so first things first. What is a blog?
Well, I like to call my blog my online diary. But essentially it’s a website (usually a personal one) that contains a lot of written content (think: articles). Your blog can can be a resource of information, it can be a go to spot for tips and tricks or hey, it can simply be a place where you share your deepest thoughts. The cool thing is that it’s YOUR website and you can pretty much design it the way YOU want to. I think that this is the main benefit of having a blog… it’s a tad more personal than a business/news website because readers are able to link your face/personality to it.
How To Start a Blog in 2019:1. Decide on your blog niche. This means: figure out the type of topics your website will cover. There are a variety of options and you could pretty much have NO niche/genre and still be successful. But I’ve found that when you have identity, you kinda have vision… and when you have vision, you are more motivated to make a success of the thing.
2. Decide on your blog name. Remember that your blog name is, in essence, your website’s name/address. You would want to make it something that will be able to encompass you, as a brand. As I mentioned before, calling it “Single Girl in PE” is a cute idea, except that it may be limiting since you could actually get married and move out of PE one day. Choose a name that will still be relevant after a couple of years.
3. Choose a blogging platform. There are a variety of options (Blogger, Tumblr, Wix) but I’ve found that wordpress.com is the more popular and user friendly option. There are no start up costs, you don’t need to know coding and the themes make it really easy for you to get the look you want. However, keep in mind that because it’s a free option, you may be a bit limited on the design front AND your website will be owned by WordPress.
4. Create the blog. If you’ve decided on your blogging platform (step 3), all you have to do is register (duh). It’s pretty easy and straightforward. Once you’re registered you can choose your homepage layout, select a theme and create a free blog name domain.
Your blog name domain is the name of your website/URL. BUT it will be owned by WordPress, since it’s hosted on their web property. This means that your site will have the phrase “.wordpress” in its URL/address like so: www.girlintheworld.wordpress.com
You could totally roll with this free site (aka your wordpress hosted domain.) But if you wanted to go a bit more profesh (and get that “.wordpress” phrase out of your website address) you could purchase a domain. Buying your own domain is like paying for the space on the interwebs for your blog to live. Owning your domain kinda secures it and makes you look a bit more serious about what you’re doing. You can check out who the service providers are in your neck of the woods. I use Axxess. Other options include: Afrihost and MWeb.
(If you plan to not spend money on purchasing a domain, you can totally skip number 5.)
5. Buy your domain. (Clip note, you could do step 5 before step 4, I did it the other way around) Once you’ve purchased your domain, log into your domain’s admin panel (that means, go into your profile on the domain website). Okay, breathe girl, I know it looks overwhelming, but it’s not! Right, so most (if not all) of these websites will have a one-click option that will automatically instal your WordPress. Click on it, get that WordPress installed and then simply log into your WordPress using the details you’ve used in step 3 and Bob’s your uncle. Unless you really have an uncle named Bob… then you’ll have two uncles named Bob. Easy peasy lemon squeezy. For everything else there’s Google.
6. Appearance. You can now spend all of your days (okay maybe not ALL your days, but a large chunk of it, because this can get really interesting) designing and redesigning your website until you’re happy with it. Find a wide range of ready-to-use themes on WordPress under the Appearance>Themes option.
7. Plug-Ins. Instal plug-ins (that’s like apps) on your blog (under Plugins>Add New) that will help you to safe guard your website, help to track your readers behaviour and a bunch of other cool stuff. Plug-ins that I use include: Wordfence, Akismet Anti-spam, Jetpack and Yoast).
8. Blog, you blogger! Yep… you’re pretty much set up. Now you can start creating that quality content that the world needs to see! Remember that Google and Youtube is your best friend… you may feel as if you need to have an I.T. boffin by your side throughout this whole ordeal, but truth be told fam, my Hubstopher is an I.T. boffin and he literally did ZERO work on my website. I figured it all out myself and with the help of Google and Youtube. And friends, if I can do it, believe me, so can you.
Extra tip: A great idea would be to register social media accounts in your blog’s name. Hint: You would want to make the name similar across all accounts, making it easy for your readers to find you. Social media accounts, for your blog, is a great way to keep people informed with your latest posts. It is also a great way to build community with your readers and to see what people are interested in hearing about.
So there you have it. My very doable, very easy ‘How To Start a Blog in 2019’ guide. You’re welcome.
Other articles that can help you on this blogging journey:
Choosing a blog niche
Blog design
How to start a blog
More on ‘how to start a blog’A huge thank you to Odette of Confidently Insecure for reading through my post to check that I’m not a raving lunatic, giving you guys inaccurate information!
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‘The Little Generosity Shop’ is trading in your toys for chocolates!
Your kid’s have way to many toys. There, I said it. Whaaaat, mine do too. In fact, if you consider the vast number of children, in underprivileged areas, who probably don’t even own a decent pair of shoes on most days, I would say that our kids have a lot more going for them than a banging toy box.
The other day I
madeencouraged my kids to purge their toy box, in a bid to get them to, well, mainly have less crap in my house.But also, I want them to get into the habit of letting go of things that they don’t need, with the intention of teaching them about kindness and generosity. You don’t need to have a lot of moola to sow/invest into another person’s life. Heck, sometimes all you have is love and kindness.
But my point is that the lesson I wanted to teach didn’t involve having lots of stuff. Rather, it involves taking what is in their hands and passing it on to someone that could benefit from it. Often, it’s the smallest things that have the biggest impact.
This is one of the reasons why I love the Cadbury Dairy Milk’s The LIttle Generosity Shop initiative. Man, what a great idea! The Little Generosity Shop aims to bring a little joy to millions of orphaned children across South Africa) by passing on preloved toys, from your children, to them.
I mean, guys, these kids are not exposed to the frivolties that our kids are growing up with. Stuff like books, games and toys are a luxury to them! Healthy play is an important developmental tool for growing kids and I so appreciate that Cadbury Dairy Milk has seen the plight and have now taken it on themselves to collect as many toys as possible.And, I mean, if that is not reason enough to get involved, get this: when you donate your clean, unbroken, preloved toy to the shop, you receive Cadbury Dairy Milk chocolate! How’s that for a score?!
“Through ‘The Little Generosity Shop’, South Africans will have a platform to share the spirit of generosity,” says Lara Sidersky, Mondelez SA Category Lead for Chocolate. “And so, we are urging all South Africans to get together and get behind this wonderful initiative. Together we can all be more generous. Not just by giving a toy to a child in need, but every day, with each other.”
Nelson Mandela Bay, you can visit ‘The Little Generosity Shop’ this coming weekend (15 & 16 June) at Baywest Mall. The shop will be open during mall trading hours.
If you’re in other parts of the country, check out ‘The Little Generosity Shop’ at a shopping center near you:
- Johannesburg: Sandton City, Checkers Court (29 May – 17 June)
- Durban: Gateway Theatre of Shopping, Centre Court (25 June – 8 July)
- Cape Town: Canal Walk Shopping Centre, Centre Court (19 July – 5 August)
The mobile ‘Little Generosity Shop’ will also be visiting:
- Bloemfontein: Loch Logan (7, 8 & 9 June)
- Pretoria: Irene Village Mall (28, 29 & 30 June)
- Nelspruit: Riverside Mall (12, 13 & 14 July)
To find out how to share your generosity, visit www.cadburyglassandahalf.co.za and follow along on @CadburyDairyMilkSA on Facebook or @Cadbury_SA on Twitter and Instagram.
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Netflorist’s personalised lunchboxes made me geek out
When it comes to giving gifts, I’m the type who loves to make it personal. I mean, fancy expensive gifts are totally amazing, but those low-cost, well thought out ones are pretty spectacular too. There’s nothing more special than knowing that some brain juice went into putting a gift together.
And that’s why I spent like, two hours on Netflorist the other day. I mean, you can pretty much personalise almost anything on the online gifting website! My brain was short circuiting, you guys. There were just so many cool personalised gifting options… I needed to have them all! I mean, I didn’t have any specific reason as to why I was shopping for gifts. But I don’t need one, okay? That’s my story and I’m semi-sticking to it.
Anyways, there I was, innocently minding my own business while cyber window shopping and then I spotted an email from Netflorist in my inbox introducing me to the funky Netflorist personalised lunchboxes. I totally spazzed out, you guys. No seriously, I broke out in manic twitches because, get this, it’s a funky lunchbox AND it can be a cool gift idea AND it’s practical… score! My inner Martha Stewart started break-dancing while beat-boxing all at the same time.
A gazillion ideas popped into my head… I could do SO MUCH with a personalised lunchbox and none of these ideas have anything to do with lunch. Guys, if I had a personalised lunchbox, the world would be my oyster! Here’s what I would do with it:
These would make for an excellent alternative to a boring ol’ gift bag or wrapping paper. I would totally fill a personalised lunchbox with trinkets and keepsakes, for an extra quirky and thoughtful birthday/Christmas gift idea.
It would also double as a really cute festive treat box! Moms who put together “night before Christmas” gift boxes, how about filling one of these with all your favorite festive season snacks? Or how about a “Exams Prep Box” filled with energy gummies and snacks that will get your kid through those long study nights?
My kids would love a personalised lunchbox filled with cool gel markers, felt tip pens and colour in pencils! This would make for a cool “back to school” gift or, hey, if you’re simply looking to make your kid’s day! (Oh and Father’s Day gift idea anyone?)What you need to know
These personalised Netflorist lunchboxes come in a variety of different designs. You simply pick your design and type in the name of the person that the gift is intended for. I appreciate that it’s a sturdy Addis lunchbox, which means it’s BPA free.
The dimensions of the lunchbox is 20cm x 15cm x 6cm which is perfect for safely and neatly storing lunch and snacks for a typical school day.
Order your personalised lunchbox online from NetFlorist at only R129,95 and have it delivered nationwide.
Okay, real talk, and this is a serious question: what would you put into your personalised lunchbox?
Disclaimer: these lunchboxes were a gift from Netflorist. And yes, I’m legit crazy about them!
