Weigh-Less in Winterton

I've been the Weigh-Less Group Leader for Winterton and Champagne Valley since mid-October and have had several successes already. Two of my members have reached their goal weight and three more are in the running for getting there in the next month. Several others are a third of the way and halfway to their goal. 

 Weigh-Less has specific guidelines as to how you display your information at the venue

 My own success is displayed on a paneled board - as a Group Leader you have to be at your healthy goal weight

 I deliver a lecture after weighing each member privately 

 Explaining the first steps in the Weigh-Less filo (eating plan) 

 Two of my members show their 5kg weight loss awards 

 Kerry, whose successes has featured on Facebook, proudly shows her 23kg loss 

On Thursdays I have a second group for the week, to accommodate the ladies in Champagne Valley .

 Stella smiles beautifully while reading through the March pamphlet 

The members wait for the lecture in the Valley to start 

HAPPY THURSDAY TO YOU ALL !

Launched!

Regular readers of my blog may remember a few months back I posted about the various jobs I hold. This is called moonlighing although I don't only have a second job; due to the nature of my position managing an art and gift shop in a popular tourist and local shopping center, I'm able to execute these other tasks. 

I manage The Bunker, which many of you have seen me post about in my second blog and also most recently on Facebook Business. Thanks for liking and sharing these particular posts, which are ongoing. I appreciate that my holiday accommodation is being seen and shared all over the world. 

Recently I was approached by a Durban businessman who owns a large house in the Valley. He would like me to upgrade, promote and manage it for large groups. We're currently mailing each other to sort out the nuts and bolts of running such an establishment. I hope to get this off the ground in time for rental during the coming Christmas holidays. 

I have several lovely ladies who sell Avon skincare for me as well as selling to my own customers. 

I also do private typing and draw up CV's and resumes. 

This week I was launched as a Weigh-Less group leader. I'm attending a Weigh-Less workshop in Durban on Saturday and my launch groups will take place on Tuesday and Thursday next week. 

Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers that I may keep focused

 and have enough energy for all this! 

HAPPY FRIDAY TO YOU ALL ! 

Oyster Box weekend

Last Saturday morning Grant and I drove off from our home here in Marquard at 3.45am. We were on our way to visit Grant's mum in Durban. I'd booked us into a beautiful hotel on beach just north of Durban.

As we reached the Natal midlands, near where my brother lives and also where John, Debbie and children live when they're in South Africa, I took a photo of the sunrise.

Glorious sunrise over the Kwa-Zulu Natal Midlands last Saturday

Five kilometers down the road, we encountered what we thought was mist; but when it hadn't lifted by the time we'd we arrived at the old age home in Durban city center,  we realized we were in for a cold and wet weekend! 

 Cold weather in Kwa-Zulu Natal

Fortunately once we drove into the Oyster Box hotel forecourt (and the concierge offered to park the car after a porter had collected our luggage and wheeled it into the hotel), we entered  a beautifully warm and welcoming reception area.   

From the minute Grant checked us in, we received the five star treatment for which this hotel is famous

 While I snapped away at the stunning decor in the room, Grant searched for the rugby match on television! 

Each sea-facing room had its own balcony

The Durban North Lighthouse, which I remember from my childhood

Of course, I wanted to try High Tea, and although mum-in-law didn't want any, she sat with us while Grant and I sampled as much of the delicious cakes and savories as we dared! 

High tea at the Oyster Box

Calorific and yummy!

I found my favorite: Lemon Meringue Pie and added two other treats just for the sake of being adventurous! 

We eventually had had enough tea and cake and returned to our rooms. MIL's room was next door to ours: the hotel even gave Grant a card (key) which was interlinked with hers in case she locked herself in !  

I spent the next hour adding more photos on to MIL's digital photo frame while Grant watched the game. (I think it was SA vs Oz, which is always a highly excitable and very emotional experience for Springbok fans! ) 

Later I walked over to MIL's room and told her when we'd be ready to go down to dinner. Then I took a shower and dressed in as much bling as I could for the evening!

Grant had dressed and was watching the rugby match while I got ready for dinner

Before dinner we sat in the lounge which had a mirrored floor. Underneath people were having a private dinner in a wine cellar. We assumed that the ceiling of this cellar was one way glass! 

 The lounge with a mirrored floor!

 Grant and his 83 year-old mum, Pam

 Me and my mother-in-law

 Grant accompanying his mum back to her room after dinner

The next morning, after a lie-in, we got dressed, packed our cases, ready for the porter to collect later, and went down to breakfast. 

What an eye-opener.(I'm sorry I didn't take photos of the cold buffet which contained the high tea eats the day before!) 

There was smoked salmon, tuna pate in a form,  sliced smoked hock of ham, sliced salami and sliced beef. And a huge bowl of oysters on ice. The deli section contained muffins, scones, croissants, a large variety of health and fruit breads. There was every type of cereal you wanted. The fruit juice trolly nearby was laden with still or sparkling water. There was a choice of three freshly squeezed fruit juices and bottles of red and white sparkling wine !

 Breakfast at the Oyster Box

Inside the restaurant we were seated by the maitre d' who took our orders for hot beverages. While he was away a waitron asked what we'd like to eat. My mother-in-law asked for a cheese omelet, Grant asked for grilled smoked kippers (which wasn't on the menu but which the chef conjured up for him!) and I visited the buffet at the end of the dining room. There was such a huge selection of hot food. A chef stood by to make you any eggs you wanted and a lady next to him could cook you a pancake with the filling of your choice. I asked for an omelet and added sauteed, herb potatoes, grilled mushrooms and stewed tomatoes with rosemary. Yummy! 

As all good things have to come to an end, so did this experience. 

But the five star service never wavered. 

While Grant checked out of the hotel, the concierge once again took Grant's car keys and brought the car to the hotel entrance. The porter loaded our luggage into the boot and three men stood by to open our doors. *sigh* One could get used to this, could one not?

We can honestly say that we were cosseted and feted from the minute we arrived at the Oyster Box hotel until we left the grounds and drove off into the street beyond.

Back at the old age home, we carried MIL's case up to her room, I set up her newly loaded digital photoframe and we said goodbye to her. 

A wonderful weekend was had by all!     

Choices, choices!

Continuing with my resolution to resume a healthy lifestyle and eating regime again, every day I make a fresh, crisp salad to enjoy with my dinner.

Greek salad, above, is my alltime favourite. It's tasty, healthy and very satisfying.

Yesterday I attended the local garden club year-end function in a friend's cool and lush garden. We all had to take a gift: something edible. *sigh* Everyone placed their gifts in a basket on the lawn and each member chose a treat. I chose the packet of cookies (pictured right, above) which my sister-in-law had brought.

Last night before dinner, I placed my crisp, fresh Greek salad (telling myself that it is my favourite because it is so tasty and healthy, to boot) next to the festive-looking cookies and...

took a photo!

Then I had to make a choice...

Which one do you think I chose?

Five-a-Day (Vegetables)

It's been a while since I did a Lifestyle post. This week I browsed through my health magazines and found amazing information on the benefits of eating enough fruit and vegetables. Today I'm posting about vegetables and I'll do a post on the benefits of fruit later. (The photos are downloaded from the Internet - Debbie and Emily have just begun to plant up our small vegetable garden out back)

Delicious versatile vegetables and also part of your recommended five-a-day, like fruit, pack an awesome nutritional punch. Whether you steam them, boil them, roast them or bake them, every forkful adds colour and variety to a meal while delivering amazing health benefits.

If you want the ultimate feel-good factor, then pile your plate with vegetables. Not only are they high in antioxidants and phytonutrients, which neutralise the harmful free radicals that have been linked to cancer, but they also contain vitamins, flavanoids and fibre which have been shown to have a protective effect against coronary heart disease.

Best of all, they are a LIFESAVER if you're trying to lose weight. Vegetables contain similar nutrients to fruit but they have less sugar, and are also lower in kilojoules. Therefore they are a great way to help you feel full at mealtimes without pushing up your kilojoule intake.

Did you know?

Eating more vegetables and fruit is likely to have important health benefits including reducing your risk of developing stroke, cardiovascular disease, various types of cancers and other diseases.

All vegetables and fruit contain dietary fibre which has been shown to be a major contributing factor to loweing blood cholestrol as well as regulating bowel habits.

Vegetables and fruit lower oxidative stress (a prime factor in ageing) reduce disease risk and help maintain your body weight.

You can increase your vegetable and fruit intake by serving them in bright combinations, blending them into smoothies, or including them in cooked foods.

Source: http://www.discovery.co.za/

To carb or not to carb...

Whole wheat kernels as a carbohydrate accompaniment to Roasted Vegetables and Grilled Haloumi Cheese
Season with a dash of Balsamic vinegar if desired

A few months ago I posted about the many diet-friendly recipes I was placing on my blog. I had rejoined a weight loss club in August last year and achieved my goal weight by mid-September when my husband came home from Zambia. He stayed home until 4th March when his new contract, this time in the Sudan began. I then returned to my weekly weight loss classes and found that I’d maintained my weight during the six months I could not attend. The reason for this is that I do NOT follow a drastic diet of self-denial, starvation or gimmicks. The diet I follow with this weight loss club is a lifestyle and can be incorporated into every day life.

I ran the weight loss club in our town from 2000 – 2004. I handed over my group to a successful member of my team because I went up to Guinea to be with my husband and at the same time was employed by the gold mine company for three years. Many people achieved their goal weight in my group and have maintained their weight over the years. They applied the correct principles and today they are reaping the benefits. Those who used the group as a quick-fix and followed their own rules of starvation and special diets either never lost any significant weight or regained their weight and a bit more on top of that.

I regularly come across people (especially those in my age group) who are trying to lose weight. Some of them attended my weight loss classes and know the correct way to lose weight, yet now they try every imaginable weight loss gimmick on the market. They also follow the starvation diet or the cabbage soup diet or the apple vinegar diet...

Many of them (mainly men!) come and see me privately and ask me to help them lose weight again. Every time I go through the formula and plan with them and give them diet-friendly recipes and tips. (I’m not a group leader any longer, but I don't mind helping people) Yet when I show them that they have to incorporate enough carbohydrates into their daily eating plan, they immediately tell me that this food group makes them fat! So it’s back to square one with them; they leave here having forgotten everything I shared with them and they decide follow the latest fad diet published in that weeks’ magazine.

Carbohydrates (or starches) are a very important part of losing weight and maintaining that weight loss.. You need to eat five portions of carbohydrates per day. The secret is: WHAT carbohydrates can you eat? No use consuming a cream donut or a meat pie and expecting to lose weight. The ideal carbohydrates are made from unrefined products such as whole wheat, maize grits and rye flour, to name but a few.

In order to avoid boredom with my meals, I have a variety of carbohydrates which I enjoy with my vegetables, lentil stews and tomato and onion relishes. The list is endless: pastas, all types; couscous, wild and brown rice, polenta, coarsely ground maize meal, whole wheat kernels and quinoa, pronounced keen-wa and on which I have a post coming up.

In the vegetable realm you have sweet potato (similar to a yam), potatoes, amadumbe (also yam-like), whole kernel maize or baby corn or sweet corn, potato or baby potato and parsnips. These are just starches to be eaten at the midday or evening meal. I’m not even touching on the wide variety of healthy choices of carbohydrates in breakfast foods (cereals and porridges) or light lunch/snacks: breads and crackers.

So the bottom line is, enjoy a variety healthy carbohydrates daily. Take care to apportion them on your plate – between 50-70g, two to three heaped tablespoons or 1/3 cup when cooked.

Last weekend I cooked a portion of whole wheat kernels instead of the pita I normally have when enjoying my Roasted Vegetable and Grilled Halloumi Cheese.

What is whole wheat?
Modern wheat is descended from two ancient grains, Emmer and Einkorn. These early wheats hybridised with wild grasses to form spelt wheat and bread wheat. Spelt wheat is easier to hand thresh, so it was the more popular variety before the advent of mechanisation. Modern wheat is more suited to mechanisation because once the initial threshing is complete, no further processing is required.

What are the benefits of whole wheat kernels?
A nutty flavour and high nutrient density make it an excellent base for vegetarian meals as well as a substitute for rice.
It is cholesterol free
Low in fat
Slow release carbohydrate food
Excellent food source for diabetics, sportsmen and people on cholesterol lowering diets.
Very high in fibre
Sugar free
Preservative free

Cooking tips:
It needs to be soaked overnight to soften the grain. Then boil in enough salted water until soft and plumped up.

What are its uses?
Whole wheat kernels can be used in place of rice. It can also be sprouted by placing in a jar and covering with warm water. I have a bean sprouter and have sprouted these kernels with great success.

So I urge you. If you’re trying to follow a healthy eating plan, opt for a large variety of carbohydrates to enjoy with your meat and vegetables. You’ll be surprised how much energy you’ll have and how healthy you will feel. Just ensure you practice portion control and that your accompanying food is also low- fat, unrefined and sugar free.

Ideas to Reduce Stress in your Life - Part 2

Last week I did a post on de-stressing your life: Ideas to Reduce Stress in your Life (Part 1). Today I’m posting part 2 of that series and trust the you’ve already tried some of last weeks’ ideas and are feeling very relaxed.

Here goes...

1. Eat properly: Following a healthy diet will help keep you physically fit which will increase your energy levels.
2. Get physical: Along with point # 1 above, engage in an exercise that you enjoy and do it regularly. 45 minutes of spinning three times a week, will keep you fit, healthy and increase your energy levels. Alternatively, a brisk twenty – thirty minute walk every morning will also do wonders.
3. Get organized: Find a proper place for everything and replace everything in its proper place. If you don’t have to hunt for things when you need them, you will reduce your stress levels.
4. Write down thoughts and inspirations: If you think about a good idea, write it down. If you hear helpful ideas/inspirational talks, write them down so that you don’t forget them.
5. Find time to be alone: It’s good having people around but time alone enables you to recharge. Amalgamate this time with spending time with God. (point # 15 in last week’s list.)
6. Make friends with likeminded people: We all need encouragement in living up to the truths we hold dear in our lives. Being with people who share your values enhances this.
7. Keep favourite Bible verses readily available: Have cherished Bible Scriptures written down on a card or in a notebook and let them serve as a helpful reminders in stressful times.
8. Laugh: Mundane, everyday life can become disheartening. Take time to laugh. Maximise light-hearted moments.
9. Develop a forgiving attitude: Bitterness poisons your soul and can cause physical illness. Teach yourself to be more tolerant towards others.
10. Be kind to unkind/unfriendly people: They probably needed kindness the most.
11. Talk less, listen more: Be receptive to what others say; often you learn something useful but mainly you are allowing someone to unload a burden or share joy when you genuinely listen.
12. Remind yourself that you are not the General Manager of the Universe: Don’t try to do God’s job!
13. Remember your greatest ally: “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)

Source (in part and partly paraphrased): Every Home for Christ South Africa Newsletter January 2009

Ideas to Reduce Stress in your Life - Part 1

This is the first part of my second “How to...” posts. Last month I published “How to De-stress your Life” which was all about creating tidy surroundings in your home. (My post was about tidying my wardrobe and packing away the Christmas decorations in the New Year)

Today I’m posting points on how to reduce stress in your life. In order not to stress about getting these points workable in your life, take them one at a time, apply them and then move onto the next point.

1. Pray: Acknowledge your need for wisdom and guidance in your daily responsibilities.

2. Go to bed on time: When you’re feeling well-rested, your capacity for handling stress is greater.

3. Get up on time:early enough so that you can start the day unrushed.

4. Start saying “No”: Decline projects you feel are making you feel stressed and overloaded.

5. Delegate: Find the best person to do the job. It doesn’t always have to be you.

6. Simplify your life: Too many tasks demanding attention inevitably cause stress. (See #4)

7. Allow sufficient time to get to places: Over scheduling is another major producer of stress.

8. Pace yourself: Spread out big changes and challenging projects over time. Do not attempt too many difficult things at one time.

9. Take one day at a time: Do today’s work today and let tomorrow’s chores wait until tomorrow. “Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about its own things.” ( Matt 6:34a)

10. Separate worries from concerns: If a situation is a concern, find out what God would have you do and release the anxiety. If you cannot you cannot do anything about a situation, forget it.

11. Live within your budget: Do not spend money you cannot afford (watch those credit card purchases). Don’t buy things you cannot afford.

12. Have replacement items: Keep a duplicate car key in your wallet and leave a spare house key with a trusted neighbour.

13. Be consistent: As you lock your car (when out shopping) place your keys in a specific [zipped]compartment in your handbag/purse. When you’ve been handed back your credit card at a pay point, replace it in your purse/wallet.

14. Choose your words carefully: This single piece of advice can prevent an enormous amount of trouble. A good tip is to wait for two counts [seconds] and then reply or offer your opinion.

15. Nourish your spirit regularly: Designate a set time (preferably early in the morning) to spend time quietly waiting on God in prayer, praising Him and reading His Word. Have a Bible or spiritual reading matter readily available to peruse while standing in a queue or waiting for a meeting.

Source: (Used in part and partly paraphrased with permission) Every Home for Christ South Africa

How to De-stress Your Life

After Christmas, I check every ornament and string of lights. Any damaged items are fixed before being stored for another year

On Tuesday 6 January I dismantled the Christmas tree and took down the hanging decorations. Before storing them, I checked each ornament for damages. One Santa and one glass ball each had a loose attachment string which hubby subsequently glued. I tested the Christmas lights; all four strings were in perfect working order. I carefully placed everything in the box and with the tree I packed them in the spare room cupboard. Next Christmas, the grandchildren and I will take them out of storage and set them up for another festive season.

I place the decorations in a cardboard box and with the Christmas Tree,store it in a spare room cupboard for anther year

The next morning I decided to tidy my personal wardrobe which had become a little messy during the holidays. (I tend to scratch and toss to the back, dig under the pile of clothes, and push that out of the way. Anyone relate to this? Mmm...)

Shelf by shelf I removed the clothing items and placed them on my bed. I examined everything to see if any hooks, buttons, or clasps were damaged and fixed wherever necessary. Whenever I read women’s magazine articles which state you have to “de-clutter/de-stress/de-muddle your life by tidying your space, there is always an instruction to go through your clothes, cupboards, office drawers, kitchen shelves and THROW out anything you haven’t used in the last year. Well, I have clothing that I wore after my first son was born thirty five years ago! I keep thinking I’ll just keep this and maybe next winter / summer I’ll wear it. This week, I ruthlessly threw out everything – well, everything except the cheesecloth dress my mum bought for me on the Greek Isles in 1985, and the little black number I wore in the nineties and which is too big for me now. Perhaps next clean-out I’ll sever the ties to that bit of past history in my life. Everything I didn't use anymore, I placed on a pile for Emily. She checks through them and those that she or her daughter, Erica cannot wear, she sells in the township for a little extra cash.

Perfumed shelf-liners and fragrant sachets are an essential item in my wardrobe!

I line the shelves with perfumed shelf liners. Then I re-pack the shelves. I stack my casual tee-shirts and shorts together.(for home and gardening) Then I stack my good tee's with my denim knee pants and jeans. (for going to the shops, hairdresser or nail salon!) The lingerie resides with lacy camisoles and sleepwear. In between the latter, I place scented linen rolls and sachets. (I love a fragrances and these scented sachets and liners are a must in my wardrobe) My sports gear, towel and socks are on the top shelf. At the very bottom, I have a few lightweight pullovers, a lightweight track pants and some sports towels.

In the hanging section, I use colour coding. For instance I hang a pink camisole or blouse and beige pants on a pink hanger. A white pants and blue top goes onto a blue hanger. I have plastic double hangers for these combinations (see photo) but I have covered coat hangers for the knitwear and other tops which need a little more pampering. For example, a red knitted top goes onto a coat hanger covered in red. A white crochet jersey/cardigan goes onto a white hanger and so on. I don’t knit these coat hanger covers; I buy them from a pensioner who augments her meagre income in this manner. I buy the plastic double hangers from street vendors at traffic lights in the city. As can be seen in the photos, although I’m neat and tidy I’m not painfully so. I'm quite happy as long as things are in their right place, I’m able to see them at a glance and retrieve them without items spilling out onto the floor. I must admit, when I go back to my cupboards and see everything stacked/hung in an orderly fashion I feel a sense of contentment.


Now for my office...