Celebrate every moment

Our time on this earth is sacred, and we should celebrate every moment. 

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We cook and complain that it's a waste of time, when we should be pouring our love into making that food.  

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We work and believe it's a divine curse, when we should be using our skills to bring pleasure and to spread the energy of the Mother. 

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Honest-to-goodness South African home-made Apricot Jam! Made by my dear friend Elizabeth  

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Camera Kodak EasyShare C195

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Winter is dead

She turned to the sunlight and shook her yellow head... and whispered to her neighbour, "Winter is dead”.
- A A Milne

Doors open

when you feel good about yourself

when you set yourself free

 when you start listening to yourself

doors open when you start living in the NOW.

(some of the door handles in my home)

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Do what you love

Nothing is of more importance than our mental and physical health - if you're not well, you are of no use to those around you. In fact, you might be a burden.

I have this special little corner set up in my dining room where I can disappear into my own little world, doing the things I love - journaling, sketching, making notes of new birds visiting my garden and where I keep some seeds ready for sowing. Here I often also plan my week, it seems to bring order to my life and reminds me to not fill my day with too many things and to leave some moments for just being quiet...

Doing what you love is one of the most important steps to mental and physical health. It has been proven scientifically that people that feel passionate about, and enjoy, what they're doing, live a longer, happier and healthier life than someone who struggles to get up in the morning because they hate their job, or what they're doing.

Put a spring in your walk, get your skin glowing and exude vibrancy - by doing what you love! And if you want to make a difference in the world, the single most important thing you can do is consciously and deliberately choose to do work that you are passionate about.

When you follow your bliss, it seems like the rest of the world orchestrates things so that your life is easy. It becomes effortless.

If you don't know WHAT it is you'd love to do, get some answers here at 'How to find what you love to do'. 

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Green tip #11 How to store Basil

Basil leaves are renowned for their medicinal properties as well as for their culinary properties. Basil is a rich source of nutrients and is a great addition to a variety of dishes.

Whether harvesting your own home-grown basil or wanting to store market or store bought fresh basil, knowing how to best store it will ensure that it remains in top condition for longer. Since basil has a high water content and is delicate, it cannot be dried like many other herbs, as it will turn black and lose its flamboyance (flavor). It will also turn black if chopped or bruised and exposed to air. Fortunately, freezing basil is an ideal option.

Store in water away from direct sunlight. If you don't want to freeze the basil, whether it's home-grown or purchased, you can keep it fresh for up to two weeks by placing the branches in a vase and keeping them on the counter out of the sun. This method is ideal when you're likely to be using it frequently for cooking throughout the following week or so.

• It's recommended that you keep the basil close to your cooking preparation area to make it easier to remember to make use of it.

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Coffee with a conscience

W&N watercolour on Amedeo 200gsm

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The next time you're ordering your favourite morning cappuccino, spare a thought for the planet. Here's why.

Most of us are aware of climate change, but don’t always understand its far-reaching effects. Woolworths set out to change this when it undertook an expedition to Kilimanjaro in January.

"Climate change is one of the four pillars of our Good Business Journey," explains Woolworths Good Business Journey manager, Justin Smith. "Global warming results in increasing average air and ocean temperatures, and melting snow and ice. In Africa, Kilimanjaro’s melting ice cap is one of the most visible indicators of global warming."

The aim of the expedition, which was led and filmed by respected guide Sean Wisedale, was to raise awareness of climate change and its effect on coffee farmers in Tanzania – the farmers who grow the organic coffee Woolworths sells in its cafés.

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Smith explains: "Kilimanjaro's melting ice cap is directly threatening Tanzania's coffee farmers, who are reliant on the glacier melt for water. These organic farmers grow their coffee under the shady forest canopies on the slopes of the mountain, which means that once the ice disappears, there will be less water for their crops."

Climatologist and 50:50 presenter Simon Gear joined the expedition, along with South African Champion Barista, Ishan Natalie, and a team of passionate coffee and environmental enthusiasts. When the team reached the summit, they used water from the melting glacier to make a symbolic iced coffee drink.

The drink – minus the glacier water – was launched in Woolworths Cafés on 18 January 2011. It costs R16.
Taken from "Woolworths TasteMag"

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A mystery wrapped in brown,
A fragile enigma,
Enveloping the senses,
With the earthy steam
Of a bean.
The mind wrapped in warmth,
The essence of dark roast,
Heating from within,
The senses thrill,
With every lingering
Sniff of the aroma
In the mug
- by Drew K.

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Finger Nails and Coconut oil

A couple of weeks ago I noticed that my finger nails had vertical ridges on them (running from the base of the nail to the tip). Upon Googling this, I found that the main cause is ageing, dryness and also possibly bad circulation. I was worried that it might be an indication of ill health, but not so. Horizontal ridges, on the other hand, are connected to damage of the nail, like a sharp blow, as well as health issues.

I doubt that it is bad circulation, I do get a fair bit of exercise (at least my hands do!), And the dryness could be caused by gardening, I don't often wear gloves, who can dig in the soil with gloves on? And the ageing I can actually do nothing about!

I did some research and found various oils that can be used as a treatment and one suggestion was Jojoba oil or any other natural oil. However, I'm a fairly in-a-hurry kind of person, so not having any Jojoba in stock, I raided my bathroom cabinet and found some Coconut Oil. Coconut oil tends to solidify under 24°C (76°F), so mine was in solid form (it's winter here in South Africa), which is useful for scooping out of the bottle with the back-end of a teaspoon as one just needs a small amount.

I started massaging my nails, cuticles and the base of the nail with the Coconut oil and within a couple of days there was a marked improvement (now, if only I could stop biting them!). Studies on Coconut oil also show that it improves the moisture and lipid content of the skin so I started extending massaging up to my hands and I have found that it gets absorbed into the skin very quickly, not leaving any oily residue for long.

I've been doing the treatment daily for about 2 weeks now and I'll keep it up for another 6 weeks and then report back (roundabouts the 6th October 2013). Unfortunately I never took any pictures of my nails before starting the treatment, I was in such a hurry to get it going! Hopefully I've have some pics for the up-date.

Coconut oil is one of the best natural nutrients for your hair. It is an excellent conditioner and helps the re-growth process of damaged hair. For years now I treat my scalp and hair once a month to a good massage of coconut oil, leaving it on for a couple of minutes before giving it a good rinse. For use on hair I melt the solidified Coconut oil by standing the bottle in a container filled with hot water.

Further research on the benefit of coconut oil on the skin revealed that it is comparable to that of mineral oil. Fortunately, unlike mineral oil, there is no chance of having any adverse side effects on the skin from the application of coconut oil. Coconut oil therefore is a safe solution for preventing dryness and flaking of skin. It also delays the appearance of wrinkles and sagging of skin which normally accompany aging and lightens age spots when rubbed directly on the skin.

Coconut oil also helps in treating various skin problems including psoriasis, dermatitis, eczema and other skin infections. For that exact reason, coconut oil forms the base ingredient of various body care products like soaps, lotions, and creams that are used for skin care. Coconut oil also helps in preventing premature aging and degenerative diseases due to its well-known antioxidant properties. It has also been proven to be effective as a sunscreen, blocking about 20% of the sun’s ultraviolet rays.

More benefits of Coconut Oil

101 Uses for Coconut Oil

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Die Vlakte

Ek slaap in die rus van die eeue gesus,
ongesien, ongehoord,
en dof en loom in my sonnedroom,
ongewek, ongestoord.
Tot die yl-bloue bande van die ver-verre rande
skuif my breedte uit,
wyd-kringend aan die puur al-omwelwend asuur
wat my swyend omsluit.

Jong aarde se stoot het my boesem ontbloot
bo die diep van die meer;
en volswanger van lewe 't oor die waat're geswewe
die gees van die Heer.
Uit die woelende nag van haar jeugdige krag
brag die aarde voort
Lewiatansgeslagte, geweldig van kragte -
storm-ontruk aan haar skoot.
Diep in my gesteente berg ek hul gebeente -
die geheim van hul lewe en lot;
maar gewek uit die sode herleef uit die dode,
na die ewig hernuwingsgebod,
die van d' verlede in vorme van d' hede,
in eindeloos komme en gaan;
wat die dood my vertrou 't, ek bewaar dit as goud,
en geen grein sal 'k verlore laat gaan.

As die son oor my vloer in die more kom loer,
en die dou van my lippe kom kus,
dan kyk ek net stom met 'n glimlag om
en ek lê maar weer stil in my rus.
Hog bowe die kim op sy troon geklim,
is hy heer van lewe en dood;
na wil of luim gee hy, skraal of ruim,
verderf of lewensbrood.

Uit die gloeiende sfeer brand hy wreed op my neer,
tot my naaktheid kraak en skroei,
en my koorsige asem in bewende wasem
al hygend my bors ontvloei.
In sy skadetjie rond om sy stam op die grond
staat 'n eensame doringboom,
soos die Stilte op haar troon, met dorings gekroon,
wat roerloos die eeue verdroom.
Geen drop vir die dors aan my stofdroë bors:
my kinders versmag en beswyk,
en die stowwe staan soos hul trek en gaan
om my skrale dis te ontwyk.

Soos 'n vlokkie skuim uit die sfere se ruim
kom 'n wolkie aangesweef,
maar hy groei in die blou tot 'n stapelbou
van marmer wat krul en leef -
kolossaal monument op sy swart fondament,
waar die bliksem in brul en beef.
En o, met my is die windjies bly:
hul spring uit die stof orent
en wals en draai in dwarrelswaai
oor my vloer, van ent tot ent:
die gras skud hul wakker om same te jakker,
tot hy opspring uit sy kooi
en soos mane en sterte van jaende perde
sy stingels golf en gooi.

Met dof-sware plof, soos koeels in die stof,
kom die eerste drupples neer,
tot dit ruis alom soos deur die gebrom
en gekraak van die donderweer.
Met kloue vooruit om te gryp en te buit
jaag 'n haelwolk langs verby,
soos 'n perde-kommande wat dreun oor die lande
vertrap en gesel hy-
en sy lyke-kleed sien ek ver en breed
in die awendson gesprei.

Stil in die duister le 'k so en luister
hoe die spruite gesels en lag;
maar bowe die pak van my wolkedak
het die maan al lank gewag:
nou breek en skeur hy 'n baan daardeur
om te deel in my vreug benede;
hy sprei die waas van sy romig-blou gaas-
en ek lag so stil-tevrede.
Plek op plek, soos die wolke trek,
sweef die skaduwees onder mee,
soos eilande wyd oor die waat're verspreid
op die boesem van die grote see.
Met 'n afskeidskus gaan die maan ook ter rus,
en ek wag op die daeraad-
so skoon en so mooi soos 'n fris jong nooi
wat lag in haar bruidsgewaad.

Oor die bulte se rug slaat die gloed in die lug
van die brande wat ver-weg kwyn,
en doringbome fluister in rooi skemerduister
van gevare wat kom of verdwyn.
Uit slote en plas, uit die geurende gras,
styg 'n danklied op ten hemel;
en dis net of ek hoor hoe die kriekies se koor
weergalm uit die sterre gewemel,
waar wêrelde gaan op hul stille baan
tot die einde van ruimte en tyd.
So, groots en klaar, staat Gods tempel daar,
wyd - in sy majesteit.

- Jan F.E. Celliers

Enjoy...

... the simple things in life

An African pot filled with seed pods and a Pheasant feather - treasures found in nature. 

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Coffee prayer

W&N watercolour on Amedeo 200gsm watercolour paper

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Caffeine is my shepherd;
I shall not doze.
It maketh me to wake in green pastures,
It leadeth me beyond the sleeping masses.
It restoreth my buzz,
It leadeth me in the paths of consciousness
for it's name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of
the shadow of addiction,
I will fear no Equal
for thou art with me;
Thy cream and thy sugar
they comfort me.
Thou preparest a carafe before me
in the presence of Thy Starbucks,
Thou anointest my day with pep;
My cup runneth over.
Surely richness and taste
shall follow me all the days of my life:
and I will dwell in the house of Mocha forever.
Amen! Amen! Amen!
- Author Unknown

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Blissful collecting

Joseph Campbell said, “If you do follow your bliss you put yourself on a kind of track that has been there all the while, waiting for you, and the life that you ought to be living is the one you are living. Follow your bliss and don’t be afraid, and doors will open where you didn’t know they were going to be.” 

Following your bliss means different things to different people - for some it means spending more of their weekends and time off doing what they love, for some it is playing with their grand-children and for others climbing Kilimanjaro. What we all need is our own personal recipe for bliss. 

One blissful past-time for me is collecting - Collecting feathers, old vintage glass and glass bottles, things found in nature, antique silver, crystals - Collecting the Moments... one by one...

Vintage glass bottles and two new cough mixture bottles, just because they're pretty...

Antique glass and silver... a cut-glass cruet set, cut-glass perfume bottle, cut-glass glass dish, silver and enamel hair brush set, to the far left an antique silver chain mail purse, small gold hand mirror inlaid with turquoise beads and on the left, a 1901 silver star pendant with inlaid seed pearls 

Vintage and antique silver cutlery, some with bone handles, some with mother-of-pearl 

Vintage cutlery with bone handles

A small part of my crystal collection   

things found in nature - seed pods and some Impala dung... 

A collection of vintage brass locks, animal skulls and insect exoskeletons

So, "Nothing is more important than reconnecting with your bliss. Nothing is as rich. Nothing is more real." 
- Deepak Chopra

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Green Tip #10 How to Cook Asparagus

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Asparagus, one of my favourite vegetables and I just LOVE it with pasta! In fact, I love it with anything.

Asparagus is best when bought in season as they lose flavour and crispness within days after being harvested. 

If the ends are woody, cut or snap them off and gently peel the harder skin of each spear off using a vegetable peeler or sharp knife. 

Make bundles - as much as you can hold in a hand - and tie them together at the top and towards the bottom with some string or an elastic band. 

Steam the asparagus over boiling water for a couple of minutes - they will be done when you can easily stick a sharp knife into the woody ends. 

They should be firm, not floppy, and a bright green.
(From Woolworths "TasteMag")

Asparagus, raw or cooked, is OK to feed your chickens, but is not usually a favourite. 

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Simple living - what does it mean?

Is the measure of a simple life how small your home is? Whether or not you have a yard? Whether or not you have money?

Living a simple life doesn't mean giving up all or any of your luxuries. It doesn't mean you have to live like a pauper and not enjoy art, books and travel or living in a beautiful, big home. It doesn't mean living in a small, cramped space. It doesn't mean that, if you have money, you must give it all away in order to "live the simple life."

Living simply is a state of mind. To me living a simple life simply means not having UNNECESSARY, not-beautiful or not-useful stuff in my life. It means cutting out useless, time-consuming activities that serve no purpose.

It doesn't mean doing nothing. It could even mean taking on extra activities, like planting your own vegetable garden, free of hormones, insecticides and pesticides and reducing your carbon footprint on our planet. Living simply means living with purpose, on purpose and being passionate about life.

Any time that is not spent on loving what you're doing is waste.

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Craving greenery

For the longest while now I've been craving green, leafy food - green vegetables have always been my favourite above carrots, pumpkin, beetroot and most of the 'red' vegetables (the only thing I DON'T eat is green peppers!), so I'm always on the look-out for tasty ways to prepare the greenery. I love preparing simple and easy meals, nothing too elaborate for me, and I found this steamed green beans recipe at the Woolworths TasteMagsite. As it also has broccoli in it, it has turned out to be one of my favourites.

I know that cravings are a way of your body letting you know where to get some vitamin or mineral that it is lacking and leafy green veggies are full of vital nutrients like Beta Carotene, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, B complex, Folic Acid, Iron, and Calcium. Seems like my body is missing a lot of vitamins...

STEAMED GREEN BEANS WITH CRISPY SAGE BUTTER

Recipe by: Abigail Donnelly

Serves: 6 - 8

Dietary considerations: Low carb

Category:Vegetarian / Easy / Great value / Quick

Prep time: 5 minutes

Cooking time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:
700 g green beans, trimmed
460 g tender broccoli stems
150 g salted butter
1 bunch sage, leaves picked
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Cooking instructions:

Cook the beans and broccoli in salted boiling water for 2 minutes, or until tender. Drain and refresh under running cold water. Set aside.

Place the butter in a frying pan over a medium heat and stir until melted. Add the sage leaves and gently cook for 3 to 4 minutes, until crispy. Add the beans, broccoli, sea salt and pepper, and toss to heat through.

Arrange on a plate and spoon over the sage butter to serve.

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Everything should be made as simple as possible

Green tip #9 - Honey and Lemon

Drink warm water mixed with honey and  lemon juice. It will bring you in shape and clear your body and skin.

"The medicinal value of the lemon is as follows: It is an antiseptic, or is an agent that prevents sepsis [the presence of pathogenic bacteria] or putrefaction [decomposition of tissue]. It is also anti-scorbutic, a term meaning a remedy which will prevent disease and assist in cleansing the system of impurities."

 Due to the digestive qualities of lemon juice, symptoms of indigestion such as heartburn, bloating and belching are relieved. By drinking lemon juice regularly, the bowels are aided in eliminating waste more efficiently thus controlling constipation and diarrhoea.

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