Innehållsförteckning för Issue 4 från EcoBalance Lifestyle

It’s amazing to think that we are already heading into another season, lockdown is in it’s first year and that a quarter of the year has somehow flashed by. Covid-19 is still a concern as it continues to ravage health, economies and the freedom to be free which is causing a tremendous strain on every level. Whilst we deal with the pandemic, there is the harsh reality of the damage that is caused by fake news/conspiracy theories what is truth. We take a look at this in our “What’s in word” article on page 23. Working from home is a reality for many. We take a look at lovely “home office decor ideas” that are easily achieved on page 116. We all love to travel and local travel is something…

Mavala Mini Colours is the best choice in matching up to this years Pantone’s Colour of the year trend is Lemon Drop, Moon Grey & Austin. “Yellow always looks magnificent on darker skin tones and grey is a colour that best suites fair skin. If you are feeling daring try a mix and match of both yellow and grey” says Janine Karels of Mavala SA. Available at Clicks, Dis-Chem and Woolworths. The Lulu Top can we worn in two ways with it’s puffy and playful sleeves. Pair it with the Dahlia skirt for the perfect summer outfit. Fabric: 55% hemp and 45% cotton. Available at www.hemplove.co.za The Pipe planter has an integrated drip tray. It's suitable for both indoor and outdoor use with a choice of short or tall and an optional trellis.…

The term 'fake news' is the broad term used to describe articles that are intentionally misleading and can be proven to be false. It is often presented in such a convincing manner and intentionally manipulates a person's take on real facts, events, and statements. But why has 'fake news' become such 'big news'? It is because fake news in its modern form is different from the historical forms of journalistic nonsense of the past - the speed at which it is spread, and the magnitude of its influence makes it that much more dangerous. Many people now get news from social media sites and networks and often it can be difficult to tell whether stories are credible or not. Information overload and a general lack of understanding about how the…

EBL: TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF. Stephanie: I did my schooling in Cape Town and then studied Politics at the University of Edinburgh. After that I did two diplomas one in Business Management from WITS and the other in Production Management for Film & Television in London. I worked for a while in the TV Industry but realised it was not for me and then ended up doing social media management and marketing. I just could not find ‘my thin’ until I landed a job working for Faithful to Nature as a copywriter where I was exposed to the idea of sustainability and doing good. I realised this was what I wanted to do - promote sustainability and work with brands that promote that way of life. EBL: WHAT…

(Not) A piece of cake! is an e-book recently written and published by 19-year-old Capetonian, Hannah Altmann. It gives readers a glimpse into her struggle with Anorexia, an eating disorder, unfortunately, all too common amongst young girls in today's society. “Eating disorders are not as superficial as wanting to look a certain way, being more attractive or desirable. They are a coping mechanism for the real stresses and issues in someone's life. It's a lot easier to say “I'm fat” or “I'm gaining weight” than it is to say “I might be alive but I don't feel like it, I feel lost and alone, so it only feels right for my body to appear that way too,” explains Hannah. “Eating disorders are just physical manifestations of issues that are occurring…

GARDENERS CAN REALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE. Being aware of your best water usage is the place to start. There are various ways to conserve water and to use water to the best advantage Firstly plant your vegetables together that have the same watering requirements. When you establish your vegetable planting area, make provision for water retaining commodities for example an olla. This is a terracotta pot that is buried in the ground and filled with water that seeps through the walls of the vessel gradually, keeping the surrounding soil fed with sufficient water without any extra water running off and also preventing evaporation from the surface of the soil. Another very useful device is the Eco-Smart Waterer, which can be placed in a pot, container or directly in the ground,…

Only the finest spices/ingredients are used in all of Spice and All Things Nice products. They are hand made and contain no preservatives, additives or added sugar. The product categories include Balti, Indian, Cape Malay, Thai, Moroccan and Middle Eastern cuisines. The range is vegan, also with a gluten-free option and is kosher certified. Available at www.spice.co.za…

By Spice and All Things Nice SERVES 4 WHAT YOU NEED: • 1 red onion (chopped finely)• 2 tbsn oil• 200g Spice and All Things Nice Dhal Curry mix• 1 chicken or vegetable stock cube (½ cup boiling water)• 1 tomato (chopped)• Fresh coriander• 1 tin coconut milk WHAT TO DO: • Heat oil in a pot.• Add the onion and fry until golden brown.• Add the Spice and All Things Nice Dhal Curry mix, tomatoes and chicken stock, cook for a further 3 minutes.• Add the coconut milk and another • a cup of water.• Cook gently on low until lentils are tender (about 30 mins).• Garnish with fresh coriander.• Serve with Spice And All Things Nice Basmati rice and a fresh green salad. Enjoy!…

My Money Saving Inspiration A totally up-cycled home office. Painted air bricks are great to put things in, between the bricks old shelving was used this added more space to create interest. Old wooden side tables that was heading to the dump was saved and have been painted, topped with a wooden piece of wood cover wrapped with wrapping paper with a touch of white paint to dull the print. An awful blue felt pin board covered in material. A collage of beautiful pictures and quotes from old magazines glued and varnished on the back of an old bookcase adds a little interest.…

According to Educational Psychologist Robert Thomas-Stark, when considering the merits of contact teaching and online schooling, it is important to ask, “What is school supposed to be?” School has more of a role than just academics. It is about making friends, learning how to deal with conflict, developing life skills, having experiences, and making memories,” says Thomas-Stark. “It is not just about learning.” He adds that although there was already a huge focus on academic results, Covid has further magnified this, most likely because the home-schooling concept is focused primarily on academics. 'Proper' home-schooling should not be confused or compared to what we have experienced in the last year, which has been more of a virtual school (in the case of live teaching where lessons were taught in real time)…

WHAT YOU NEED • A4 or A3 White paper• Crayons, coloured pencils or khoki pen WHAT TO DO • Draw your picture and colour or create an outline drawing which can be coloured in later.• Laminate your picture.…

We've all heard news reports of how, during lockdown, skies in big cities around the world turned blue as air pollution diminished, waterways cleared up and wild birds benefited from humans staying home. People drew closer, too, as humans re-evaluated their priorities and discovered a profound need to connect, making space in their hearts for each other. Positive stories such as these gave hope in a world where COVID-19 was wreaking havoc on people's lives and countries' economies. Here in South Africa it was no different - among the din of coronavirus havoc, amazing things were quietly starting to take shape, too. Read on below for some of the wonderful, and surprising trends to have come out of last year. TREND 1: YOU GOT TO OVERTAKE THE JONESES One of…

1. TAKE A CLOSER LOOK Check the source of the story, do you recognise the website? Is it a credible/reliable source? If you are unfamiliar with the site, look in the about section or find out more information about the author. 2. LOOK BEYOND THE HEADLINE Check the entire article, many fake news stories and conspiracy theories use sensationalist or shocking headlines to grab attention. 3. CHECK OTHER SOURCES Are other reputable news/media outlets reporting on the story? Are there any sources in the story? If so, check they are reliable or if they even exist. 4. CHECK THE FACTS Stories with false information often contain incorrect dates or altered timelines. It is also a good idea to check when the article was published, is it current or an old…

Marc Anthony Hair & Scalp Detox Instant Cooling Scalp Treatment provides instant cooling relief for a dry and irritated scalp. This scalp treatment contains peppermint oil and witch hazel, which leaves your scalp feeling refreshed. Available at Dischem, Clicks, Woolworths, Checkers Hyper, Takealot, PicknPay, Spar, Makro and www.sunpac.co.za The Perfect Hairline Repair is a nourishing growth serum that promotes hair growth and a healthy scalp. This hairline repair spray contains coconut and grapeseed oils, which deliver moisture to your scalp and hair. Available at Clicks, for a list of stockist visit www.theperfecthair.co.za Beaucience Shampoo works towards protecting the hair with the use of mild, gentle, naturally derived cleansing agents. The hair is left cleansed yet silky. It contains a blend of surfactants including a special protein one derived from collagen - that stabilises…

EBL: TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF? Emma: I am Emma Stam, a 21-year old small business owner, currently living in Knysna, South Africa. A previous interior design student with a love for all things simple, stylish and fabulous. EBL: WHAT MADE YOU START YOUR BUSINESS, WAS IT A LIGHT BULB MOMENT OR DID YOU SEE A GAP IN THE MARKET PLACE? Emma: The starting of Sunny Spot was somewhat of an evolution. It all started with me wanting to design something easy, stylish and comfortable for our deck. And so our outdoor lounger was born. All of our friends who visited us fell in love with them and enquired about ordering them. Inspired by the reaction of those around me, I decided to form a little business during my December holidays. I adored…

Many people believe that if they pay for their water they can use it in any way they wish. And if they have a borehole, well then, it's their water anyway, so why shouldn't they use as much as they want. The fact is, it has nothing to do with whether you can afford it – thousands and thousands of litres of pure drinking water are being squandered on a daily basis by those who appear to be environmentally unconscious. Being Water Wise doesn't mean you don't have to have any water features in your garden. Or have a garden just filled up with succulents or other Waterwise plants. So it's not all doom and gloom on the greening front. It's all about being clever with the way you use…

JOJO, 1000 liter Slimline Water Tank made with the best food-grade, quality virgin LLDPE UV-resistant and is BPA-free. Available from www.leroymerlin.co.za Eco-Smart Watering Systemis a popular watering option that is ideal to incorporate in your water wise garden. It’s drip control system makes for an easily managed “saving and water wise” garden. Available from www.soughtafterseedlings.co.za Olla is an unglazed clay pot that gets buried in your garden promoting deep watering and dense root growth that facilitates more efficient nutrient and water uptake. Available from www.soughtafterseedlings.co.za…

By Spice and All Things Nice SERVES 4 WHAT YOU NEED: • Tbsp of olive oil• 2 teaspoons Spice and All Things Nice Korma Curry blend• 1 large onion (finely chopped)• 2 celery sticks (finely chopped)• 1 large carrot (finely chopped)• Few sprigs of thyme• 1 litre vegetable/chicken or fish stock• 250 ml cream• 200 g prawns• 200 g hake• 2 large potatoes (chopped)• Fennel for garnish WHAT TO DO: • Fry the onion, garlic and Spice and All Things Nice Korma curry blend in the olive oil until the onions are translucent (about 5 minutes).• Add the celery, carrots, thyme, potato and stock and bring to a simmer. Once simmering turn onto a low heat and cook for about 15-20 minutes until the vegetables are very soft.• Add the prawns, hake…

By Spice and All Things Nice SERVES 4 WHAT YOU NEED: • 2 tbsp oil• 500 g beef fillet or beef strips• 3 tspn Spice and All Things Nice Massaman Curry mix• 1 tbsp fish stock• Fresh coriander• 1 tin coconut milk• 1 sweet potato – chopped• 1 normal potato – chopped• ½ a red pepper – chopped• Peanuts – roughly ground WHAT TO DO: • Heat oil in a large pot.• Add the beef and brown on both sides.• Add the Spice and All Things Nice Massaman Curry paste, potato and red pepper.• Cook for a further 3 minutes.• Add the coconut milk and 1 cup of water with the fish sauce.• Cook gently on low until meat is tender (about 2 hours).• Garnish with fresh coriander and peanuts.• Serve with Spice…

CONTAINERS Every working space should have a selection of containers to keep things neat, tidy and helping to reduce clutter. By putting your office supplies into containers it will give an uncluttered look and feel. Invest in containers and have fun finding the right look, there is a huge array of container options available is amazing, starting with boxes, bamboo, baskets, glass, tin and be on the look out for recyclable plastic Glass jars make for a wonderful storage unit to put those items that you can never find such as paperclips, it makes it easy to see at a quick glance. GOING UP Take advantage of your vertical space as this gives you so much opportunity to be creative and is the perfect space saver. Hanging a pegboard is…

ECD operators are largely NPOs and microsocial enterprises – mostly owned and run by communities. Many operate in a quasi-informal manner providing a service that is needs-based, especially in poor communities. These ECDs have limited resources and cash flow. As the new school year begins, some centres have worked hard to be able to reopen their doors and meet COVID-compliant restrictions. However, many still lack the necessary educational resources and personal protective equipment. “About 30 percent of ECD centres did not reopen after June 2020 due to their inability to comply adequately to COVID regulations and unfortunately, have remained closed,” says Leonard Saul, Chief Executive Officer SA Congress for ECD. Parents usually rely on these centres, so that they can return to work and remain economically active and provide for…

WHAT YOU NEED • 3 quarter cup of butter (125g), softened• 1 cup of brown sugar• Half a cup of peanut butter• 1 egg• 1 and a half cups of cake flour• 4ml of bicarbonate of soda• 2,5ml of salt• Half a cup of rolled oats HOW TO MAKE • In a food processor, blitz the butter, sugar and peanut butter together. • Then add the egg and all the remaining dry ingredients and mix again until well combined. Roll your cookie dough into a ball, cover and refrigerate. This will just firm it up a bit and make it easier to work with. • After half an hour, take the batter out of the fridge and flour your surface and hands. Roll into small balls and then flatten them…

offUgo reading glasses by David Green Eyewear. As technology advances, we all continue to use blue-light emitting screens indiscriminately, knowing that it may be affecting our eye-health and sleep… The good news is, with offUgo Blue Block readers by David Green Eyewear, you can now use your phone, computer, tablet, and TV with confidence. offUgo reading glasses, designed in Cape Town, have been developed to selectively block this blue light source, which can cause eye fatigue and strain. Plus, you'll look stylish while receiving relief and comfort. They even have a lens for people with 20-20 vision. Choose from a variety of colours and four designs, to suit any face: half, oval, rectangle and round, with a petite model for smaller faces. Want to see what they look like on you? For more information, visit…

SUMMERTIME Who does not love a bit of summer sun? It rejuvenates the body and the soul, however just as your skin is vulnerable to damage from the sun's harsh rays, so is your hair. That healthy sun-streaked look is great, but it can also leave your hair frazzled, frizzy and fried. Combine this with wind, salt and chlorine and the results can be disastrous. The sun weakens the hair's protein structures, dehydrates it, and reduces elasticity so that it breaks more easily. A hat is the best protection for your hair, but it may not always be practical to wear a hat. Look out for products that contain sunscreen - there are effective hairsprays, leave-in conditioners and treatment products that contain sunscreen. Chlorine and salt water can ravage your…

Over the past few years, plastic waste has become a major environmental concern owing to its harmful effects on marine life as well as human and other land animals. Product packaging is believed to be responsible for around 42% of the total global plastic waste. As a result, manufacturers, are looking to avoid plastic packaging, especially in cosmetics product packaging. This has created a growing market for packaging-free or reduced packaging shampoo bars. Whilst the concept may seem fairly novel, based on the fact that traditional shampoos and conditioners have dominated the market, shampoo and conditioning bars have always been popular with backpackers and minimalist travellers due to the fact that they are easy to use and take up much less space than bottles. Most shampoo bars contain vegetable oils…

My journey with grief became a roller coaster blur, it started the minute I received her video that she couldn't 'carry on anymore'. None of us are ever prepared for the death of a child, we somehow prepare ourselves for the day when our parents die and then that is traumatic in itself. So, when suicide came knocking on my door, me the person who always had an opinion about it, it became my reality as I had to look at it head-on in all its ugliness. Yes, I was “that person” who had an opinion about suicide. I spoke about it quite openly “How can anyone do it, when so many sick people are so desperate to live?” I never thought afterall it would happen in my immediate circle,…

Unless you're buying raw denim, your jeans have likely undergone a finishing process. It's the last but most crucial step in denim production, giving jeans a broken-in look and feel from day one. Unfortunately, finished denim uses a lot of water. Levi's® is changing that with its sustainability programs. Recycle and Reuse Standard supports improved water treatment. This guideline applies to all finishing facilities in compliance with the Global Effluent Requirement (GER) to recycle or reuse effluent water as a full or partial replacement of freshwater in the facility. The Recycle and Reuse standard states that facilities must adhere to the Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDCH) wastewater guidelines and recycle over 20% of the manufacturing water, leaving drinking water unaffected. Levi's® have introduced 20 Water<LessTM finishing techniques worldwide that…

Do away with long thin strips of lawn between beds and paving. They are difficult to maintain and water. Numerous small pots could be replaced by a few large ones to create a bolder statement. Replace many single plants with a single bed with all the plants that can be further enhanced by planting a ground cover. This also reduces edge trimming. For those people that don’t have enough space for a dedicated vegetable garden, try mixing vegetables such as lettuce, carrots, cabbage, green pepper, brinjal and marrows with your flowers. Having pebbles or bark mulch under trees where leaves fall down makes for daily cleaning, so why not try a shade loving groundcover such as Ivy, Houtinia, Tulbaghia violacea or Ophiopogon. In large gardens allow the bulk of the…

EBL: PLEASE SHARE WITH OUR READERS A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF? Gillian: I started my business 17 years ago in my mum’s kitchen in Newlands. I studied a business degree but was always interested in food and nutrition. My business was born out of my passion for food, health and business. My parents brought us up to believe that we could achieve anything we set our minds on! EBL: WHAT MADE YOU START YOUR BUSINESS, WAS IT A LIGHT BULB MOMENT? Gillian: It was definitely a light bulb moment. Just a strong sense of I need to follow my heart and be master of my own destiny. Weirdly a strong pull towards spices – almost an epiphany. EBL: WHAT’S THE STORY BEHIND THE BRAND? Gillian: There is a wonderful story behind the brand. I…

By Spice and All Things Nice SERVES 4-6 WHAT YOU NEED: • 4 chicken fillets/chicken pieces• 1 large onion• 2 garlic cloves (finely chopped)• 1 tin tomato paste• 250 ml plain yoghurt• 250 ml cream• Spice And all Things Nice Basmati rice• 2 tbsp oil• 3 tsp of Spice And All Things Nice Balti curry paste• 1 chicken stock cube (½ cup boiling water)• Fresh coriander• ¼ cup of flaked almonds (lightly toasted) WHAT TO DO: • Pre-cook 4 chicken fillets/chicken pieces.• Heat oil.• Add onion and garlic cloves and saute until golden brown.• Add Spice and All Things Nice Balti curry paste, chicken stock, tomato paste.• Cook for further 3 minutes. • Add yoghurt and cream and simmer for 3 minutes.• Add pre-cooked chicken and continue to simmer for 2 minutes.;• Add…

By Spice and All Things Nice Almonds eat them raw, roasted or toasted, these versatile tree-nuts are home to protein, fibre, manganese, Vitamin E and Omega 3 & 6 fatty acids, making them handy in any dish… anytime, anywhere. This is a lovely refreshing family conscious dessert that'll knock your socks off. WHAT YOU NEED: • ¼ of a fresh mango (cut into cubes)• 1 - 2 large chewy meringue (broken up)• Tablespoon of double cream yoghurt• 2 Tablespoons of whisked cream• 1 teaspoon dessicated coconut• Spice and All things Nice flaked almonds (toasted)• A little icing sugar WHAT TO DO: This is an easy dessert to make, it’s all about the layers and the messier the better. Every mouthful is an adventure. • Break the meringue’s into bite size…

The following tips will help transform your home space into an ergonomic workspace: SEPARATE WORK AND HOME Though tricky when working from, focus on creating a space that is separate to your home life where possible. If working from the dining table or similar, then use a token to mark that area as a designated 'workspace'. When I first started my company I worked from a desk in my bedroom, using a briefcase as a token. When it was open next to me, I was 'at work'. It's important to create a sign that says to you and those around you – “I'm in work mode now”. Put on a work jacket, wear your watch, have your laptop open–anything that makes it meaningful for you! CREATE A COMFORTABLE SPACE Most…

EBL: SHARE A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF. Wendren Setzer (WS): I originally started in textile design and went into the design industry at first, but didn't find it challenging or inspiring. I found it quite hard to get a job, and when I did, the job was very 9 to 5, clocking in and clocking out, and not really what I wanted to do with my life. I learnt a lot from this experience and made some great connections that I still rely on today. My company, Wren, produces a contemporary range of hand-crafted paper lifestyle accessories. Reclaimed cement bag paper is fused with fabric for strength, and treated to become water resistant without losing it's tactile honesty. This is an innovation that has been highly successful and which has led to…

THE ESSENTIAL COLLECTION by Stock Collectables are designed in Amsterdam and handmade in Cape Town. Clean lines and unisex designs result in timeless pieces that form the essentials for your little ones capsule wardrobe. Created to love and last beyond the seasons. It is a fair fashion brand, meaning that Stock Collectables takes good care of the people who work for them and sources 100% quality cotton (Oekotex Certified). ‘We strongly believe we have to be more kind to each other and the earth.’ The essential dress…

WHAT YOU NEED • 1 cup softened butter• 450g light brown sugar• 2 teaspoons vanilla essence• 1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda• ½ teaspoon salt• 2 eggs• 3 cups cake flour (400g)• 200g chocolate chips (you can use a mixture of white and milk chocolate chips) HOW TO MAKE • Preheat your oven to 160°C. • Cream together the butter and sugar using an electric mixer and then add the eggs one by one. • Add the rest of the ingredients, reserving the chocolate chips, and continue to blend. Once you have a smooth, creamy mixture, mix in the chocolate chips by hand. • There are a couple of ways to make your cookies. • Either divide the mixture in half and roll it into two long cylinders, making sure the…

Mountains, in particular, are home to some of the rarest species, which have adapted to the high altitudes and, in many cases, are found nowhere else on the planet. On Table Mountain alone there are more than 2 200 different plant species, some of which date back to over 60 million years ago. “Apart from the magnificent view from the top, Table Mountain's flora and fauna attracts scores of nature lovers from all walks of life - from professionals to academics and students all the way to ordinary people who all feel an affinity with this natural wonder. With the mountain's amazing biodiversity, including several variants of our national flower, it is probably one of the most photographed landmarks in the world,” says Wahida Parker, Managing Director at Table Mountain…