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We celeberate Heritage Day soon and the weather has just picked up to make for a perfect day to be enjoyed throughout South Africa.  This also means that many of us will be out and about on 24 September looking for the perfect place to throw a boerie on the grill. Let’s get into some excellent braai ideas for summer.

As unique as we all are in our melting pot of culture, there are a few things we all do the same. That is a good braai, bbq or chesanyama. We all follow the basic rules. Snacks, entertainment, sports and the flickering of the flame as we prep our food  for the break of the year. We celebrate braai day with these tips.

The Hardware

First things first. What type of braai are you looking to use? What do you find most comfortable and most efficient for your style of braaing? Decide whether you want to keep it traditional with wood fires or if you are going with a fast-heating gas braai. Maybe you want both options. See what suppliers can offer and choose what’s right for you.

If you are going away for Heritage Day, you may have to find a good spot to get your braai on. Many day-visit areas offer proper built-in braai structures that can handle a big family’s food and more.

Pro Braaier Talk

There are a few braai tips to take into consideration when braaing. Basic things like when to turn the meat is something some people are not well versed on.

Wors or sausage is always the first thing to place on the fire. Sausage is followed by ribs and chops. Many experts say you should leave the steak for last. Make sure you heap your hot coals under the steak to make sure it’s suitably hot to get that steak sizzling.

Having herbs and lemon by your side is always a good idea. Rosemary and Thyme are wonderful herbs to use with your braai meats and vegetables. Lemon helps to tenderise your meat and keep it juicy. One of our top braai ideas? Make sure to marinate your meat the night before for finger-licking good food.

Top Braai Spots

This list is endless so we chose a few our favourites around the country. If you are staying in the city or at home, we must declare that a home braai is by far one of the best. You don’t have to go anywhere!

If you are looking for something close, consider the botanical gardens or even the zoo. They all have lovely braai amenities. Just make sure you bring everything along that you may need.

Beach braais, if permitted, are also a favourite. The smell of the braai, with sea, sun and laughter is enough to soothe any soul.

Most hiking trails around South Africa also offer great braai amenities. Choose a spot in the shade and close to a pool or natural water reserve. Braai masters get hot beyond the coals and a quick, refreshing dip is in order.

Favorites to Braai

South Africans love to braai specific food. In other place of the world, sausage and burger patties are the order of the day. Not in South Africa! Anything and everything is suitable for the braai. Be it meat, veggies, fish or bread. It is all suitable for the braai grid.

Braaing can be a tedious process because it takes long to get the meat where you want it. Some meats can take 40 minutes to braai and others can take a quick 20 minutes.

Braaibroodtjies (bread grilled on the fire with a filling) is always a winner. Meat and veggie sosaties come in a close second with boerewors (sausage), chops and steak in quick pursuit. Side dishes include fresh salads, iconic pasta salads and pap.

If you merely take these few points into consideration, you can be your very own braai master.

Find more braai ideas here.

Find a braai installer near you!

A blue, sparkling pool can be the most welcoming respite in summer. Designers and artists alike have started to paint colourful pools in fun patterns to make them even more welcoming. Not only that, but we are seeing more pools tiled in different colours too. Beautiful mosaics have burst onto the scene and we are all here for it.   

The skillset involved is intricate and detailed – especially when it comes to painting a pool floor with steps and curves. Someone skilled in visual arts or design should be able to assist you.  

Artwork by Alex Proba courtesy of Dezeen

Graphic Hand-Painted Pools  

Designer Alex Proba hand-paints swimming pools with graphic murals, including the pools of two Palm Springs houses and a mural on the deck of a public pool on Manhattan’s Roosevelt Island. These three designs showcase Proba‘s signature shapes and playful use of colour. In South Africa, the trend has also caught on. Ettiene Hanekom Interiors recently did a pool for a client in Cape Town which made headlines.  

Pool and wall muralist duo from 13 Colours however, offers a bespoke range of designs to choose from. With a new collection that dropped recently, the team with a visual arts background and over 30 years of combined experience in fine art painting, offer clients a beautiful range to not only paint your pool floor but the walls, floors and ceilings of pretty much anything you can imagine.  

Mosaics and Tiled Pools  

Mosaic pools are classic and make you feel like you are officially on holiday. From geometrics and Moroccan inspired designs to pebbles and multicolored mosaic patterns, the options are endless if you are considering this. There are however a few cons when using tiled mosaics in a pool.   

Mosaic by Florida Pool Patio

Pool Spa advises “Often white or calcium deposits build up on the mosaics. Whatever the cause – be it efflorescence from the grouting or a calcium issue in the water, it is not easy to rectify without throwing off the pH balance of the whole pool.  The expansion and contraction of the pool from the weight of the water can cause the grout to loosen and the tiles to loosen in turn, and even fall off.  Be aware that direct and indirect sun bouncing off the tiles can cause a blinding effect. No one wants to go swimming if you can’t see. This aspect is especially a concern when glass mosaics are chosen”.  

 Get creative with your pool and get more ideas here. 

Party season is upon us. Spring is almost here and then it’s summer and all the festivities begin. With more of us vaccinated, it will be possible for you to wine and dine with your friends once again, in the comfort of your own home.  One room we don’t always spend a lot of time on decorating is our dining room. That is mainly because it is the room we use least. Many families enjoy their meals in the kitchen, in front of the TV or even in their rooms or studies.

Round, Curvy and Oval Tables  

Don’t be a square. Choosing round or oval tables look great and add a touch of class to your dining room. Curved tables can also be designed per request giving your dining room a sensual appeal. Round or oval tables have made a comeback and can easily seat 6- 12 people comfortably – depending on the size.  

Banquettes  

Nothing beats a cool diner feel in your dining area. Designing your space with a banquette, or booth seats as some may refer to them, offers a lot of range for creativity to play with materials and textures. This will be a custom design and you will have to approach an interior designer to get it designed and made unless your DIY skills are excellent! From cosy nooks to banquettes that extend from kitchens into dining spaces, they are stylish and a sure way to keep your guests comfortable.  

Host Chairs  

by dienlanhsapa.com

Totally cool. While some interior decorators and designers have played with the idea of non-matching chairs in the dining area, some are also calling for big, bold host chairs. Keeping two seats with an extra added flair is a stylish way to give your dining space the cool factor it deserves.   

Elongated Chandeliers  

Linear and elongated chandeliers are chic and easily provide light for the full length of a rectangle table. Dimmers are a must around the dinner table for you to light a few candles and get the dinner party ambience just right.   

Unordinary Sideboards  

Your silver cutlery and porcelain plates need to go somewhere. Sideboards are usually sold with dining sets and are a storage place for all your dining decorations and utensils. From decorating to designing your sideboard, you need to think about how functional it will be in the space provided.  

Around this time of year, many of us feel compelled to be kind to our bodies. Whether it is taking up a new hobby, joining the gym, going for a dance class or just eating a detoxing meal, we need to boost our energy levels some way or the other. 

We share a few of our favourite and yummy detoxing meals to give you the lift you need to get out of your winter slump.   

Energy Booster 

Starting the day off well is always a good idea. A good boost from detoxing foods can last an entire day.   

Acai Breakfast Bowl by Hello Glow  

Ingredients  

• 2 ripe bananas  
• 2 tbsp acai powder  
• 1/2 cup almond milk  
• 2 tsp coconut oil  
• 2 tsp bee pollen  
• 1 tbsp almond butter  
• To garnish: chia seeds crushed almonds, coconut flakes, bee pollen, acai berries  

Method  

1. Add all the ingredients into the blender and pulse to obtain a creamy mixture.  
2. Distribute evenly into the serving bowls, top with chia seeds, pollen, coconut flakes, pollen and berries, and serve.  
3. Freeze any leftovers in an ice cube tray and add to future smoothies  

Vitamin and Mineral Rich  

A detoxing, energy salad is the call of the day if you need a quick energy boost. Choosing ingredients that are high in vitamins and minerals will give you that half-day pick up you need. This detox salad will do just that.  

Detox Salad by Detox Insta  

Ingredients  

Dressing  

• 3/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice  
• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil  
• 1 to 1 1/2-inch knob of fresh ginger, to taste  
• 1 clove garlic  
• 2 tablespoons raw honey  

Salad  

• 4 cups shredded cabbage (green, purple, or both)  
• 1 large carrot, shredded  
• A handful of fresh flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped  
• 1/2 avocado, sliced  
• 2 tablespoons raisins  

Method  

1. To prepare the dressing, combine all of the ingredients in a blender, starting with just 1-inch of fresh ginger, and blend until smooth. Add more ginger to taste, if desired, and set aside.  
2. To prepare the salad, toss together the cabbage, carrots, and parsley in a large bowl and top with the sliced avocado and raisins.  
3. Top the assembled salad with 3 to 4 tablespoons of the lemon-ginger dressing and let it marinate for 5 to 10 minutes before serving. Store leftover dressing in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.  

A Sweet Tooth  

Choosing the healthy version of a favourite treat can be dull and boring, but these no-bake dark chocolate cookies and something else. No guilt when eating too many of them and your body will thank you for pumping it full of ingredients to detox.  

No-Bake Dark Chocolate Cookies by Paleo Hacks  

Tools  

•  Double boiler  
•  Sheet pan  
•  Parchment paper  

Ingredients  

•  1 ½ cups raw cacao paste  
•  ¼ t sea salt  
•  1 T coconut oil  
•  2 T raw walnuts, chopped  
•  2 T raw almonds, chopped  
•  2 T raw pecans, chopped  
•  2 T goji berries  
•  2 T lemon rind  

Method  

1. Melt the raw cacao, salt and coconut oil in a double boiler and stir until smooth.  
2.  Cover a sheet pan with parchment paper.  
3.  Drop ⅛ cup of the cacao mixture onto the parchment paper to make 8 cookies.  
4.  Sprinkle each chocolate with chopped nuts, goji berries and lemon rind.  
5.  Place in the refrigerator for 10 minutes to set and enjoy! 

A story of an orchid by Yvette Lamusse

Six years ago, a close friend’s daughter got married. It was the most beautiful wedding with orchids everywhere! I was one of the lucky guests who was offered to take an orchid home from the wedding. That when my love affair with orchids started!  

I remember every time I walked past it – I couldn’t stop admiring this beautiful plant. In the mornings I would have a cup of coffee on the patio, just so that I could say hello to my orchid! Six Years later – the orchid is still alive. Every year around August it starts blooming and I know that Chris and Kylie’s wedding anniversary is coming up. Every year with their anniversary, I send a photo to my friend to update her on how the orchid is doing! This year will be no different!  

I think for their 10th wedding anniversary – I might give the orchid back to them because orchids can easily grow up to 22 years! In the Singapore Botanic Garden, a cluster of tiger orchids has been growing in the same spot for the past 154 years. It’s believed to be one of the oldest orchid plants in the world. But, let’s just get to 10 years…   

Hooked for Life

After my first white phalaenopsis, I became like a little child in a candy store – I needed to have every colour orchid I could find. I would walk into every random Woolworths – just to see what colour orchids they had!  Over the past six years, I have collected a variety of colours in phalaenopsis orchids of which only one has died. Caring for them became my hobby and I thought I should share some of my tips with you.  

I do not pretend to be a super horticultural guru – but I can help you save your dehydrated orchid – and with a little bit of love and care, they will flower again, and again, and again.  

A big warning sign of dehydration is that the leaves are droopy and shrivelled and can bend upwards. Phalaenopsis leaves should be quite firm – and you shouldn’t be able to bend them. White-grey roots (it’s the first sign that your orchid needs water, and it can be used as a signal to determine whether your orchid needs watering) Wrinkled roots? Time to take action!   

Get Started

Firstly, unpot the orchid and remove as much mulch or pot medium as you can. If there is a root ball – get rid of it!  

Take your plant to the basin and rinse the root system well. Doing this will hydrate the roots again. White or whitish-green roots are a good sign. Those are the viable roots you want to keep.

 Disinfect your clippers with alcohol before you start clipping.  Take your clippers and cut off any papery roots. While you are busy with the clippers, cut off any old flower stalks. Remember to clip just above the node – this way if there is any infection creeping in – the node will stop the infection from progressing.  

If any of the leaves are damaged – cut those off also. A Clever trick is to cut the leaf in half – then when you get to the stalk – it’s easier to tear it off the stalk. If you leave old leaves around the stalk it could cause rotting – so try to remove as much of the damaged leaves as you can!  

Phalaenopsis usually have a lot of aerial roots. Do not cut them off – and remember when you finally repot your orchid – not to cover the aerial roots in the mulch – they must stay outside!   

Tea Time

Now it’s time to quench its thirst with a good cup of black tea!  Place an ordinary teabag in a jar with filtered water and let it soak for about 5 minutes. It doesn’t have to be a super-strong solution.  Place your orchid’s roots in the teabag solution and let it stay in the jar with tea water for the entire day. At night – remove your orchid from the tea water and let the roots dry outside the jar. The next morning place the orchid’s roots back in the jar with tea water. The tea water solution is rich in tannic acid – this sends a signal to the root system that it is time to grow.  

Sometimes if I see the need to do it more than a few days – I even do a water solution with one drop of nitrosol in the water instead of the tea. That’s my personal recipe. Few days tea, few days nitrosol.   

Stick with this process of repeating wet and dry cycles for a few days, maybe a week or so – and you will see a huge difference in the leaves and roots. The roots turn from white to green and the leaves will become stiff.  

Now you can re-pot your orchid using orchid mix, bark or my favourite – hazelnut shells. Do not use normal potting soil! In nature, most orchids grow in the air – not in soil – airflow is important to their roots. It prevents root rot. That’s a topic for another day. Just remember to not leave the roots in water.   

Watering Care

To water my orchids – I take them to the basin and let the water run over the mulch slowly for a minute or so and I make sure the water doesn’t touch the flowers and leaves! I then leave it on the basin for a few minutes to drain properly – and then return it to its vase. If the leaves become dusty, I give them a quick wipe with a moist cloth.   

Orchids love bright spaces, but not direct sunlight – had to learn that one the hard way! Sunlight damages the leaves and leaves horrible burn marks on them. You eventually will need to cut those leaves off.  

When the flowers start to wilt from your new orchid after a month or three, it doesn’t mean you must give up on your orchid! Phalaenopsis do go through a resting period after blooming where they become dormant and it seems like the leaves go dull and flatten out. But there is still a lot of life in your orchid and if you care for it during this dormant time, keep it hydrated, it will reward you with even more blooms the second time around.  

My first orchid from Kylie & Chris’s wedding six years ago:

Find more gardening advice here.  

Food that warms the body and the soul is always a good idea. We are in the middle of winter and if you’re feeling like us, some inspiration in the kitchen could not come at better time. We share the perfect winter lunch recipes to warm up the whole family. 

Chicken Hot and Sour Soup with Pumpkin by Jamie Oliver 

This is a Jamie Oliver favourite, which makes it pretty easy to make with easy-to-find ingredients. Jamie suggests fresh thyme leaves for this recipe! 

Ingredients 

• 1kg pumpkin 
• 6 free-range chicken thighs, skin off, bone out 
• Groundnut oil (Conola, avocado or olive oil will do as well) 
• 2.5cm piece of ginger 
• 2 cloves of garlic 
• 3 fresh red chillies 
• 1 stick of lemongrass 
• 3 lime leaves 
• 600ml organic chicken stock 
• 1 x 400g tin of light coconut milk 
• 150g oyster mushrooms 
• 2 limes 
• 1 bunch of fresh Thai basil (30g) 
• 2 tablespoons fish sauce 
• 1 tablespoon palm sugar or soft brown sugar 

Method 

1. Trim and peel the pumpkin, cut in half lengthways, then scoop out and discard the seeds. Chop the pumpkin and chicken thighs into 3cm chunks. 
2. Drizzle 1 tablespoon of oil into a large pan over a medium heat, add the chicken and cook for 5 minutes or until golden, stirring regularly. 
3. Peel and finely grate the ginger and garlic. Finely slice two of the chillies and bash the lemongrass with the back of a knife. Stir into the pan, then toss in the lime leaves. Cook everything for a further 2 minutes, or until the ginger and garlic has softened, stirring regularly. 

Lentil and Ricotta Lasagna by Taste 

A delicious lasagna is the ultimate comfort food. Extra, creamy and grilled cheese is the best part. This simple vegetarian lasagna is the perfect addition to the sustainable home and is eqaully – if not tastier and healthier than the meat additions is some lasagna recipes. 

Ingredients 

• 2 tsp olive oil 
• 1 large onion, finely chopped 
• 1 carrot, peeled, finely diced 
• 2 sticks celery, finely diced 
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed 
• 150g button mushrooms, sliced 
• 2 tbsp tomato paste 
• 400g tin chopped tomatoes 
• 400g tin brown lentils, rinsed and drained 
• 60g All-Bran Original 
• 450g fresh low-fat ricotta 
• 1 egg 
• 25g (1/4 cup) finely grated parmesan 
• 125ml (1/2 cup) reduced-fat milk 
• 3 fresh lasagne sheets 

Method 

1. Heat the oil in a large heavy based pan over a medium heat. Add the onion, carrot and celery, cook stirring occasionally for 6-8 minutes or until vegetables are softened. Add garlic and mushrooms, cook stirring for 3 minutes more. 
2. Add the tomato paste, cook stirring for 2 minutes, add the tomatoes, 125ml (1/2 cup) water and the lentils. Cook stirring occasionally for 5 minutes. Add All-Bran Original, simmer for a further 5 minutes or until sauce thickens. Remove and set aside. 
3. Preheat oven to 180°C or 160°C fan forced, lightly spray a 2 litre (8 cup) capacity oven proof baking dish with oil. Place the ricotta, egg, parmesan and milk in a food processor and process until smooth. 
4. To assemble the lasagne, spread 2/3 cup of the lentil mixture over the base of the prepared dish. Top with 1 lasagne sheet, cutting to fit if necessary. Top with half the remaining lentil mixture, then 1/3 of the ricotta mixture. Repeat with another lasagna sheet, the remaining lentils and 1/3 of the ricotta. Finish with a third lasagna sheet, and spread evenly with the final ricotta mixture. 
5. Bake in the preheated oven for 30–40 minutes or until top is golden and bubbling. Let the lasagna sit for 5 minutes before cutting. Serve garnished with fresh basil or baby rocket leaves if desired. 

Salted Caramel Apple Galette by Sally’s Baking Addiction 

In Sally’s own words “From scratch salted caramel apple galette is as delicious and impressive as pie, but half the work! This easy fall dessert is complete with homemade pie crust and a drizzle of salted caramel. Serve with a scoop of ice cream for the ultimate indulgence! 

Ingredients 

• 1 and 1/2 cups (188g) all-purpose flour (spoon & leveled), plus more for work surface 
• 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar 
• 1/4 teaspoon salt 
• 1/2 cup (115g; 1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cubed
• 1/4 cup (60ml) ice cold water

Filling and Topping 

• 2 – 3 large apples, peeled and sliced into slices (about 4–5 cups slices) 
• 1/4 cup (50g) packed light or dark brown sugar 
• 1 and 1/2 Tablespoons (12g) all-purpose flour 
• 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice (to prevent apple browning) 
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg 
• salted caramel sauce 
• egg wash: 1 large egg beaten with 1 Tablespoon milk 
• optional: 1/3 cup (40g) Diamond of California chopped walnuts 

 Find more winter-warmer recipes.

Choosing the right window treatments for your home is a crucial part of your home’s final interior attraction. Each window treatment has its charms, and it also depends on your personal style and budget to finally decide on what timeless trend you want to incorporate.  Every home calls for a different look – and sometimes some rooms also require a specific look and feel that may differ from the rest of your home. For example, shutters may work well in a study but drapes will be more appropriate in a bedroom. There are no rules and we share our favourite window treatment trends.   

Roman Blinds and Roller Shades  

Roman blinds are a timeless choice. The options here are endless. Choose fabrics and textiles that are good quality and long-lasting. The up and down of Roman blinds can cause wear-and-tear leaving you to replace them more often than not. This is the perfect option if a tailored window dressing look is your thing.   

Roller shades are still as sleek-looking and contemporary as ever. Also sometimes known as solar shades, they are perfect for blocking out the sun. Some rooms can be very bright during the day and the option of keeping the room cooler and less overexposed by the sunlight can have a soothing effect on your space.   

Solar shades, specifically, are made from an open weave material specifically designed to filter and manage solar heat gain, glare, and harmful UV rays. This will also help protect your furniture that may be exposed to harsh sunlight during the day.   

Roller shades on the other hand are available in materials from light-filtering translucent fabrics, to more opaque room darkening fabrics for blackout shades. The shades also come in an array of colours, many more colour options than solar shades. Roller shades also have more textures and patterns.  

Shutters   

Shutters are aesthetically pleasing and a great privacy solution – especially if you are able to afford the investment. Shutters are versatile and can be tailored to fit almost any window space. This allows for a custom fit you cannot match with store-bought blinds. Shutters are built to last for many years. The sturdiness of shutters means they’ll see many long years of use thanks to their high standard of design and installation. 

Curtains and Drapes  

The words curtains and drapes are often used interchangeably but they are different. Wayfair explains in detail “Curtains are sold in pairs or by panel, and are installed over blinds or shades. They hang from curtain rods, extend to the windowsill or floor, and are typically made from lighter fabrics, but can be room darkening or even blackout. Drapes are made from thicker fabrics and are lined to block out more light. They are also more formal in aesthetic and extend to, or even puddle at the floor”.  

Curtains and drapes can look timeless and stylish if hung correctly and neatly. High-level curtains and drapes that touch the edge of your ceiling instantly make a room look bigger.  One of the best ways to incorporate these treatments into your design scheme is to have them custom made for every room. Custom curtains offer a great selection of benefits, making them well worth the investment.  

Smart Windows  

The convenience of being able to open and close our blinds while sitting on the couch is top standard. Technology allows this little luxury and High-tech touches with home automation are on the rise because of their convenience and safety. Cordless blinds and shades are quickly becoming standard not only aesthetically, but also for safety purposes. The cords of blinds have been a safety concern for parents and pet owners for many years.   

Find the best window treatment professional to get the job done for you!