Living Our Sunshine with Susann Deysel
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Coronavirus Lockdown South Africa: Day 4

My car hasn’t left its parking bay since Friday (13 March). I miss picking up the kids from school and popping into the local Pick n Pay for yogurt or buying a pizza from Checkers. I miss standing in front of a shop shelf with rows and rows of chips (crisps) to choose from.

Without great solitude, no serious work is possible.

Pablo Picasso

I think of my clients that have client or customer facing businesses and I wish I could reassure them. I worry about the small businesses that cannot survive a month (or more) of not being able to go to markets. I worry about the economy.

I don’t want to go out. I don’t want to accept deliveries. I don’t want to order takeaways or sit down for a meal. I don’t want to go to the spa or have a haircut. I don’t want people to be near or around me. I simply just don’t want to risk catching the coronavirus.

If you’re lonely when you’re alone, you’re in bad company.

Jean-Paul Sartre

Unwilling participant in home-schooling experiment…

Day 1 I was optimistic and ready to home-school the kids – we painted, played with clay and had story time. Day 2 I only read them stories. Day 3 we had story time and played with balls. Day 4 we had a picnic and got exercise.

Alternative activities to school lessons:

Yes, my kids both have Barbie sunglasses and balls… and , and, and… Barbie is our favourite colour.
  • If you have an old digital camera or old phone with a nice-ish camera go on a walk and let your kid/s take photos. Teach them about focus, looking at different angles and light settings.
  • At-home workouts to keep the whole family fit – Your Family
  • Do yoga, stretch exercises, standing on tippy toes and one leg…
  • Go for a walk with a picnic at the end. They’ll love carrying the baskets and look forward to whatever treats you may have for them.
  • Pick flowers together, flat dry them in books and whip them out for a craft activity. Keep one flower out to show how it dries without being between pages of a book.
  • Do a craft a day with your kids. Pinterest is obviously the best resource on the planet, but you can also check out www.yourfamily.co.za/crafttypes/kids-craft.
  • Create a safari experience at home. Use all their animal soft toys and plastic toys and line them up. For an extra element, put boxes down to use as cars. You can even draw on headlights, doors and more…
  • Bake together!
  • Pitch a tent in the Livingroom and pretend you are on a camping trip.
  • Lots and lots of story time. Your read and they make up stories to tell you about what’s happening in the pictures.
  • Whip out a map and teach them about other countries, travel and maybe throw in a dish that goes with a country you are discussing.

Ok, that is it for day 4. I am off to bed soon and will start my day again at 10pm tonight. These Lockdown articles won’t be daily as I’ll bore you to tears.

The best thinking has been done in solitude.

Thomas A. Edison
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Childs Farm: Helping you and your loved ones stay safe

At Childs Farm we know that the way you wash your hands is SO important, especially when it comes to drying your hands and making sure you moisturise afterwards.

Which is why we put together a little guide to help you and your loved ones stay safe.

When?

⚽ After breaks & sports activities
🍽Before cooking & eating
🚸 On arrival at any childcare setting
🚾 After using the toilet
🤧 After coughing or sneezing
🏡 When you arrive and before you leave home

How?

✔Rub palms together
✔Rub back of hands and in-between fingers
✔Interlace fingers and wiggle them
✔ Rub back of fingers with palm of hand
✔Grab each thumb and rub up and down
✔ Make fist and rub opposite palm
✔ Rinse thoroughly
✔Dry hands completely
✔Apply moisturiser

Using What?

Warm water and soap!

Did you know that tea tree oil has natural antibacterial and antiviral properties?

Our Childs Farm grapefruit and organic tea tree oil moisturiser is ideal for preventing hands from drying out after every wash!

Childs Farm products are available at Baby City stores nationwide, selected Clicks, Pick ‘n Pay and Babies R Us stores, selected Checkers stores in Gauteng as well as www.takealot.com and www.babiesafrica.com.

RSP: R88.42 *RRP is at the sole discretion of the retailer.

#childsfarmsouthafrica #lovechildsfarm

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Coronavirus Lockdown South Africa: Day 1

My paranoia about the virus started the day I saw how it spread within China and then exploded in Europe/UK. I knew it was just a matter of time before it would reach Africa. Then the first Coronavirus patient was announced; The very next day hand sanitizers were sold out at multiple stores; Then more confirmed cases until today at 62.

The President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, only put measures in place with his speech last night at confirmed case number 61. We are now barred from a long list of countries. Our economy is going to feel a long-lasting pinch from the #socialdistance and loss of tourists.

gatherings of more than 100 people are now prohibited in SA, and borders are partially closed

I survived Day 1 of #socialdistance

We took the decision Friday already to be prepared for isolation, taking the kids out of school and letting the nanny stay at home with her own family. I don’t think I was prepared…

I planned water painting, clay play and even air dry clay activities, story time and even some outside play time with bubbles.

The kids are hooligans. One on one they behave, but add them around 1 table with paint and all hell breaks loose. Baby terrorised her sister by getting on the table, grabbing projects she was busy with and generally just being a mini a*hole. I don’t think I was made to be a home school mom.

Then they got tired… I finally had my first break at around 11:30 but it didn’t last long. Just after 12 both were asleep. I was exhausted, my clients were contacting me non-stop and I worked as much as I could. Finally I sat at my desk to answer a few emails.  Just before 1 I could barely keep my eyes open as I had worked from 3 in the morning to 6:20 and then husband left for work.

Tonight I’ll be working more. I’ll probably only get to bed at midnight just to be up by 3 again. Then take care of the kids until 1:30.

Wherever you are, with whomever you are, stay safe.

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6 Mins Read

WHAT IS ON SOUTH AFRICA’S PLATE?

According to the Indigo Wellness Index, South Africa is one of the unhealthiest nations in the world. This means that we are eating the wrong foods and our health is suffering.

Knorr would like to help South Africa move towards a better food future by providing stakeholders – government, NGO’s, industry, retailers, media and consumers – with information about how and what the nation is eating and how it impacts our health.

The Knorr purpose is to reinvent food for humanity in 3 ways: champion dietary diversity, more plant-based meals and more sustainable ways to grow and produce food.

In line with this purpose, and coupled with helping consumers make better food choices, Knorr commissioned Nielsen – a global measurement and data analytics company – to implement a study on Understanding the Eating Habits of the South African Population, in February 2020, among 1005 respondents aged 16 years and over, across South Africa.

The research objectives were multi-fold and included an understanding of the following:

• Composition of the plate across different meal occasions, demographics and regions.

• Attitudes towards food and the link to health.

• Impact and access to healthy food.

So, what exactly is on our plate?

The current South African plate has a large proportion of meat and starch but is lacking in vegetables.

The current plate consists of 41% starch and 26% meat with only 13% vegetables and the rest composed of fats and oils, dairy and legumes. This is consistent across all regions and demographics. Even kids living at home eat the same as their parents.

Breakfast generally has the largest proportion of starch, while dinner the largest amount of meat. Meat is eaten on average of 4 times per week, with poultry and red meat being the most popular. Starch is eaten 6 times a week, with bread, rice, potatoes and Mielie pap the most prevalent. Vegetable consumption is also 4 times a week, with cheaper fruits and vegetables consumed the most.

82% think that it has become easier to find healthy food within the past 5 years. But, only 52% think healthy food is affordable.

84% of South Africans are meat eaters, 14% are flexitarians, 2% are vegetarians, 0,3% are pescatarians and 0,1% are vegans.

How do we fix the plate of the nation?

The Eatwell plate composition as defined by the University of Cambridge and the NHS says that our plates should have the following 33% vegetables, 32% starch, 15% dairy, 12% meat and 8% fats and oils.

By making small changes to our plate, we can help shape the health of the nation. Whilst it is relevant to 58 million people, how each one of us changes our plate is personal, and this will have a positive ripple effect on our families and our communities. It all starts with small, delicious changes.

We are fortunate that we have a rich history of food and agriculture; we can learn from how our forefathers ate. Crops rooted in heritage can once again have a place on our plate. Many of these nutritional crops were identified in Knorr and WWF’s Future 50 Foods report, and include millet, cowpeas, bambara groundnut and mung beans, amongst others.

Chrislynn Ramdeo of Knorr explains, “we need to change the plate of our nation because as Winston Churchill once said: healthy citizens are the greatest asset a country can have. Knorr is encouraging South Africans to choose to eat better by championing dietary diversity and more plant- based meals. Knorr wants to make healthy eating more accessible for all.”

Notes to Editors:

Download the Understanding the Eating Habits of the South African Population report here: www.knorr.co.za

About Knorr

Knorr’s passion for better cooking and eating goes right back to the brand’s beginnings in 1838. Knorr is proud to be the 8th most chosen FMCG brand in the world (according to Kantar World Panel) and Unilever’s largest food brand, with a yearly sales value of over 4 billion Euros.

Knorr products are sold in nearly 90 countries around the world and its flavours are enjoyed by more than 2.8 billion people each year. The brand is committed to providing easy-to-prepare,

flavourful recipes for all diets and occasions, which it publishes on its website and on the back of its products.

Its purpose is to champion better ways to cook and eat for a more sustainable food future, believing that by sourcing its ingredients sustainably, food made with Knorr tastes better. That’s why Knorr grows its ingredients naturally, out there under the sun, in rich, fertile soils and with care for the environment.

Find out more at www.Knorr.com

About Nielsen

Nielsen Holdings plc (NYSE: NLSN) is a global measurement and data analytics company that provides the most complete and trusted view available of consumers and markets worldwide. Nielsen is divided into two business units. Nielsen Global Media, the arbiter of truth for media markets, provides media and advertising industries with unbiased and reliable metrics that create a shared understanding of the industry required for markets to function. Nielsen Global Connect provides consumer packaged goods manufacturers and retailers with accurate, actionable information and insights and a complete picture of the complex and changing marketplace that companies need to innovate and grow.

Our approach marries proprietary Nielsen data with other data sources to help clients around the world understand what’s happening now, what’s happening next, and how to best act on this knowledge. An S&P 500 company, Nielsen has operations in over 100 countries, covering more than 90% of the world’s population.

For more information, visit www.nielsen.com

About WWF

WWF is one of the world’s largest independent conservation organisations, active in nearly 100 countries. WWF’s supporters – more than five million of them worldwide – are helping to restore nature and to tackle the main causes of nature’s decline, particularly the food system and climate change. WWF is fighting to ensure a world with thriving habitats and species, and to change hearts and minds so it becomes unacceptable to overuse our planet’s resources.

Find out more at www.wwf.org.uk

#pressrelease

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Ceres new 200ml packaging for modern lifestyle convenience

Ceres, the innovative fruit-juice brand launched new packaging earlier in March 2020 to meet the changing demands of the South African consumer lifestyle.

Ceres has invested R 100 million into the SIG Combismile a packaging solution that is the first of its kind in the Middle East and Africa region (EMA).

The new carton has a  curved, modern shape which is easy to grip offering the consumer an easy and convenient  way to enjoy the product on the go.

Whether for travel or business, school lunch or homework, study break or a refreshing cool-down after a work-out at the gym, the new leak-proof Ceres 200ml is the perfect fit. “The easily recognisable package is designed to fit your lifestyle and is perfect to take with you wherever you go.” Says Beverly Wilson, Marketing Manager at Pioneer Foods.

Ceres Fruit Juices is committed to minimising and managing its environmental impact wherever possible, and so the  new 200ml CombiSmile juice pack is made from sustainable plant-based packaging and hence is one of the most environmentally friendly packaging solutions currently available. The packs are recyclable and the layered carton includes plastic and cardboard with an inner foil to prevent oxidation.

“While the packaging is new, you can be assured of the same quality product – a juice serving that is flavourful and delicious” says Neethling.

Neethling concludes, “We are really excited to introduce the new packaging and offer our consumers something that is fresh, modern and in line with the superior craftsmanship they have come to expect from Ceres juices .”

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BIOEFFECT’s EGF EYE SERUM, a powerful anti-ageing formula with EGF Cellular Activator

The Icelandic biotechnology skin care brand BIOEFFECT ® has a powerful anti-ageing EGF Eye Serum in its multi-award winning skin care line. The BIOEFFECT EGF EYE SERUM is a revitalizing formula specifically developed to target the delicate eye area. It contains a high concentration of EGF, a cellular activator which occurs naturally in human skin and turns on biological processes involved in the maintenance of healthy looking skin. BIOEFFECT is the only skin care brand in the world to boast EGF cellular activator made in plants, for higher efficacy and purity. The delicate eye area is shielded by some of the most vulnerable skin on the body. The skin around the eyes also bears the brunt of years of facial expressions. Combine that with environmental factors, sun exposure and genetics, and the eyes are one of the first places where volume, radiance and luminosity lose out to wrinkles, sagging and fine lines. This is why BIOEFFECT EGF EYE SERUM is an invigorating multi-tasker, specifically developed to target this area of concern. The refreshing, gel-like formulation immediately rebalances moisture levels around the eyes – leaving the skin looking radiant and firm– while providing long term, anti-ageing effect.

Double blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trials of the BIOEFFECT EGF EYE SERUM revealed that among 70% of participants there was an increase in collagen intensity at the eye area, 73% saw improved elasticity, and with 70% of users wrinkles diminished. 86% of participants in a user survey felt the BIOEFFECT EGF EYE SERUM provided a refreshed complexion.

Most eye creams come in jars or bottle packaging that are compromised by direct contact of the bulk of the formulation to the skin. The unique dispensing mechanism of BIOEFFECT EGF EYE SERUM maintains the integrity of the cellular activators inside, releasing the right dose needed for one application, and keeping the rest of the product free from exposure to the skin. The steel roller ball provides a soothing application of the serum and leaves the skin feeling refreshed and the eye area appearing brighter.

The BIOEFFECT skin care products are the culmination of more than 10 years of research by a pioneering biotechnology company in Iceland. The BIOEFFECT brand is the first to contain EGF made in plants. EGF is naturally forged in barley seeds grown in volcanic pumice and nourished with pure spring water in state-of-the-art greenhouses in Iceland. The green biotechnology ensures that the cellular activators included in the BIOEFFECT skin care products are more pure and stable than cellular activators produced in traditional production systems.

BIOEFFECT EGF Eye Serum, R990 is available from selected Placecol Skin Care Clinics nationally and online at placecol.com and Takealot.

#pressrelease

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PLACECOL PROUDLY CELEBRATES 40 YEARS OF BEAUTY AND WELLNESS SOLUTIONS IN 2020

Placecol, a much-loved and trusted South African skin care brand turns 40 in 2020!

To celebrate this wonderful milestone, Placecol is taking the time to reflect back by honouring and celebrating the momentous journey started by their founder Elma Mckenzie, as well as looking forward by celebrating their customers, employees and partners who are part of this beautiful journey.

Looking Back

It all started in 1980 when Elma Mckenzie, a qualified radiographer and beauty therapist) and her husband (a pharmacist and homeopath) began their dream of manufacturing their own cosmetic skin care range.  As Elma herself explained, in those days there were no cell-phones or email communication and she had to rely on long waits through the post and travel long distances to get the ingredients she needed and learn about new skin care technology that could be used in conjunction with her products.  In addition, she had to physically go on roadshows to get her product known to the market, all this while raising her 3 children. 

When Esna Colyn became CEO of Imbalie Beauty in 2010, she was passionate about taking the Placecol brand forward to even greater heights.  Her continued drive has led to Placecol’s ‘7 day Promise’ and commitment to creating award winning skin care products and high quality treatments, which incorporate safe and effective technology to deliver visible results for Placecol customers. “This is our way of making a positive change in the world through improvement and empowerment as well as increasing the esteem of all” says Esna Colyn.

Life begins at 40 – Looking Forward

As a company that truly cares about all people and their well-being, Placecol decided to celebrate beauty, confidence, love and the essence of life with their hero theme for the year of ‘40 Ways To Celebrate You’.

“We don’t always take as much care of ourselves as we deserve, so for our 40th year, this theme gives us the opportunity to continue empowering all and reminds us that we are all unique and that each of us is writing a beautiful life story” says Placecol group CEO, Esna Colyn.

The theme has been divided into 8 key categories: Self, Health, Spirit, Relationships, Family, Joy, Work and Purpose, which are the very essence of a well-balanced life, with 40 specific aspects to embrace and enjoy. These will be communicated during the year as part of a social media campaign and within Placecol skin care clinics nationwide.  In addition, there will be a birthday celebration within the Placecol skin care clinics during the year.

Innovation in the 40th year

With innovation being an ongoing focus, just as last year saw the launch of Placecol’s revolutionary Excellence range, this year Placecol will be launching two limited edition products as well as introducing an exciting new ‘solutions driven’ treatment which will be only revealed once the entire group has received training.  “The education of our employees remains the most important cornerstone of the Placecol’s ethos” says Lisa Leibov, the group’s Head of Education.

“Our team is extremely honoured to follow in the footsteps of Elma and our predecessors and to continue building on the legacy started from Elma’s humble beginnings and her dream in Ermelo.“ says Esna Colyn.

The Placecol Promise is to transform skin with visible results in just seven days. Placecol products are not tested on animals, are allergen and paraben free and can be purchased at any of our Placecol clinics nationwide, online at www.placecol.com or in selected Edgars outlets and pharmacies.

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Decadent Joburg: KCC La Vie en Rose

je vois la vie en rose

I couldn’t believe my luck when an invite for brunch arrived from KCC La Vie en Rose at Killarney Country Club…

As I sat down with the grey morning rolling over the lawn behind me, a harvest table caught my eye. The table was standing proud carrying what soon was to land on my plate. Side by side savoury and sweet complimented each other. It was a glorious sight on a rainy Joburg day.

I felt no need for pretentious manners and took a morsel from every dish once the pleasantries and introductions were done.

I wished the conversation would fade even further as I enjoyed bite after bite from the decadent harvest table. It was a melt-in-my-mouth moment and I wanted to savour every morsel of every bite. Staring across the table I smiled, their plates were piled high with treats from the harvest table too.

I wish I could describe every piece on my plate from that day, but I will stick to two. I will leave something for you to look forward to and discover on your own at KCC La Vie en Rose.

Lip-smacking excitement about a brunch

The cinnamon covered cannelloni gently gave a sigh each time my knife cut through its hollow centre. Every bite was just sweet and spicy enough not to overpower. It was a bit of homely decadence elevated – and definitely my favourite of the day.

Lightly toasted almond on a blanket of creamed cheese mixed with berries wrapped in a mini croissant – it was as good as it sounds on paper…

I’m going for “nog ‘n skeppie”!

If saying that I “cleaned” my plate from every last crumb is a testament to how much I enjoyed the meal, then believe me when I say I cleaned it twice!

Secret ingredient

I felt guilty just thinking about cramming all that deliciousness into my mouth in a few minutes while it must’ve taken hours to prepare in the kitchen.

They have secret ingredient hiding in the kitchen of course, an executive chef that is a co-owner of this delightful Johannesburg restaurant, Rony Muller. You can taste that great care and thought went into every dish served.

They have been in their current location for 4 years. This year in September they’ll celebrate 10 years of good food.

The way it should be

As I made my way towards the door, I looked at the patrons engaged in conversation, some with forks hovering between table and mouth, some slowly savouring the bite whilst listening to their companion. They all seemed to enjoy the ambiance KCC La Vie en Rose offers.

I can see myself for brunch with hubby or a high tea with my best friend inside or in the green garden. I could imagine La Vie En Rose by Edith Piaf playing in the background (sung by Michael Buble even) while working my way through the menu. That would be the perfect, thank you.

Get in touch to book your table

#hosted

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Wanderlusting wishes for my kids – Paris

In my heart I know, I will take my kids to all the beautiful places in the world.

I want to walk so many beautiful city streets with my kids; pop into the Louvre and point out that tiny Mona Lisa; stare out together over the beautiful city of Paris from the top of the Eiffel. I want to have a picnic in a park and teach them to say Bonjour! I want to show them gargoyles, how to take a public bus and sit with me next to the Seine drinking in the French artists’ passionate strokes.

I want my kids to grow up and know every part of their heritage. I want them to find out why they have short tempers, cute noses, beautiful blue eyes and why I can never get enough of cities like Paris, London, Dublin, Munich, Lucerne and Amsterdam.

I want to show my kids the world and prepare them for when I might not be there. I want to hear them gasp in disbelief at the beauty of a foreign place. I want to be the one that stands next to them the first time they can see over the counter and hand their passport in for a check. I want to be the one that snaps a picture of them etched against a beautiful bustling city.

I want them to one day say “remember that time we went to Paris with mom?”. I want to fill their minds with beautiful memories all over the world.

Want to read more about Paris? Here you go:

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