This one is for wine lovers.

A couple interesting facts about the yummy vino.

Top Producers

Which countries produce the most wine? Here's a list of the top 10:
1. Italy
2. France
3. Spain
4. United States
5. Argentina
6. Australia
7. South Africa
8. Germany
9. Chile
10. Portugal

To Age or Not to Age?

It is a common misconception that all wines improve with age. In fact, more than 90 percent of all wines should be consumed within one year. The three major collectibles that should age more than 10 years are: a great Châteaux of Bordeaux, the best producers of California Cabernet Sauvignon, and the finest producers of vintage port.

Use Your "Nose"

The term bouquet refers to the total scent of the wine. Aroma is the scent of the grapes. When wine tasters want to describe the bouquet and the aroma together, they use the term nose.

What Color Tells You

As white wines age, they gain color. Red wines, on the other hand, lose color as they age. To analyze your glass of wine, hold the glass on an angle in front of a white background, such as a napkin or tablecloth. White wines can range from a pale yellow-green to a brownish hue. Reds begin at purple and scale all the way to brown.

Drink to Your Health!

According to the U.S. Dietary Guidelines, there are 100 calories in a 5-ounce glass of wine (compared to 150 calories in a 12-ounce beer). Plus wine is a fat-free and cholesterol-free drink. 

Thank you www.delish.com for educating me a little bit further. 

5 Must do things when in South Beach, Miami..

1. The Palace

2. Ocean Drive

3. The Beach. Duh.

4. Shopping on Collins.

5. Walk down Lincoln.

What I learnt while not going to church.

I have not gone to church for 5 months!

-and before this "dry spell", as my friends & family knew, I was a "regular" church goer. You can decide what that means, because I'm not sure I know. 

I was/am considered as a "religious" person by my "non-chrisitian" friends. 

I was/am (probably) considered slightly "unruly" to some of my "Christian" friends. 

And! I am happy to be considered to be both. 

I often used to blog about my views on faith so I don't see why I should stop now. 

I left South Africa on the 30th of March. Traveled most of the time I've been away. Although I moved in to my Dad's place (based in England) I haven't spent enough time here to find a church that works for me or make a big group of friends, etc. 

-In the past 5 months I've met many people, majority of them not Christian. I loved that fact. And as humanly possible, I love them all! I met SUCH AMAZING people! With fantastic stories! And now most of them are really good friends of mine.
(NO INTOLERANCE AMONGST ANY OF US!)

-In the past 5 months I've taken part in what "religious" people refer to as "worldly" behaviour, i.e, drink, go to clubs, possible swear word or two? I've also been very happy to admit my mistakes. And I've met AWESOME people who've done the same. (NO HYPOCRISY AMONGST ANY OF US!) 

-In the past 5 months I've met LOVELY people with different morals and values to me, in no way was I tempted to look or treat them differently because of it. Neither were they going to treat me differently because I am a follower of Jesus.
(NO JUDGEMENT AMONGST ANYONE)

-In the past 5 months I met REAL people. Not to say prior to that the people I met weren't real. However, as I made a point of putting aside the make up and new outfit everyday, so did a bunch of other people do the same, it wasn't about what we looked like, or what family we came from, or what our religious background was, it was about having fun together, and treating everyone like family.
(NO ONE WAS SUPERFICIAL) 

Of course there are exceptions to the above points, there ALWAYS is, welcome to life! 

And in no way am I trying to blow my own trumpet by illustrating what some people may or may not do. 

This blog post is illustrating the "typical Christian stereotypes" BROKEN! 

Illustrating that a lot of Christians are NOT intolerant, hypocrites, judgemental, homophobic & superficial people. 

We are just people. With faith, hope and love. Like many other religions. 

Of course "judgement" swings both ways. The need to label people as "religious" or "unruly" is completely unnecessary and in no way the job of humans. We were designed to love each other, that's all. 

I love going to Church, my home church has incredible people and Sunday's there will be unforgettable.
I also love going out with friends, dancing, drinking wine & having fun even though they don't join me on Sundays. It doesn't really make a difference.

(all of this said, is my OPINION. So if you disagree, I respect that, and love it, how boring would life be if we all agreed on the same thing...)

This topic's fav quotes of mine: 

"Judging a person does NOT define who they are.. It defines who YOU are."  -unknown. 

Not what causes cancer, but ways we can avoid it.

Recently I've been incredibly interested in educating myself further about 'health'.
(As you may have seen from my last post.) However this post is less about calories more about cancer, and how to avoid it.

In past conversations, when people speak about the "causes of cancer," I was always very apathetic towards it. Many of my close family members have either had cancer, died of cancer or are busy fighting cancer. I was blocked off and unconcerned because my ignorant mind would say, "according to science everything in life can give you cancer, so who cares!"
I now see how completely unenlightened this response was.

From both my mom's side and my dad's side of the family, there is a strong trace of this "cancer gene". I refuse for it to effect me. Therefore, I've enlightened myself with not the copious amounts of evidence that causes cancer, but rather the various ways to stay healthy and avoid it.

Research has told the public that it's often an unhealthy lifestyle that causes it. So logically, the ways to avoid it would be to establish a healthy one.
The things we consume, food, drink, vitamins, exercise, etc are all part of our lifestyles. I've found a few foods that help keep us healthy and are "anti-cancer"

1. Seaweed and Other Sea Vegetables

They are rich in essential fatty-acids that help in fighting against the breast Cancer.

2. Sweet Potatoes

They hold several anti-cancer properties that protect cell from cancer causing chemicals.

3. Tomatoes

Contain an anti-oxidant, lycopene that attack the free radicals that trigger cancer in the body. Its consumption reduces the risk of developing mouth, prostrate, breast, colonrectal and pancreas cancer.

4. Soy Products

It helps in killing prostrate and breast cancerous cells. But, you need to take some precautions before considering include soy products in your diet.  Eating upto 4-to-5 ounces of soy a day is okay. Excessive consumption leads to hormonal imbalances that trigger cancer.

5. Red Wine

Red wine contains polyphenols even without alcohol. It is an antioxidant that prevents cancer. (Alcohol is toxic to the nervous system and liver, and also a class ‘A’ carcinogen that actually cause cancer.)

6. Papayas

It contains folic acids (folacin) that minimizes the chances of developing cervical cancer and also certain other cancers.

7. Grapes

Contain resveratol that destroys an enzyme that suppresses immune system and stimulate growth of cancerous cells.   It also contains ellagic acid that slows down growth of tumor.

8. Nuts

The antioxidants (campferol and quercetin) that nuts contain inhibit the growth of cancerous cells. In case you are allergic to the nuts-protein, then avoid taking nuts. Instead take selenium supplement.

9. Raspberries

Contain many minerals, vitamins and anthocynanins antioxidant that will protect you against cancer. According to a research raspberries possess more cancer inhibiting properties than strawberries and blueberries.

10. Mushrooms

Build the immune system of body and help the body to destroy cancerous cells. Recent studies in Japan have shown mushrooms as an adjunct to chemo-therapy.

11. Grapefruits

Are great in inhibiting the growth of breast cancer causing cells in vitro.

12. Flaxseeds

It contains lignans that act as an antioxidant to suppress or block cancerous changes. It is helpful particularly for treating heart illness and colon cancer.

Read about many more here. (Where I found the above photos and information.)


So these are the foods that should be on that shopping list! 

The ugly truth about 'Fast Food'

Share location: England. Current Season: Spring. Hot Topic: Summer bodies.

And instead of blogging about diets and gym routines I thought I'd share something everyone should be interested in, their health! The ugly truth about those quick and easy fast foods everyone loves having.

It's so much more than "fattening" and somehow it's the only aspect you consider when you're in line for your favourite Mc D's burger.
It's so much more than "I'll go for a run tomorrow."
It's about health & respecting your body.

1. HAIR IN FOOD 

In the course of a year, the average customer would consume about 12 hairs.
(Pubic hairs are included in this. Don't ask me how.

2. AMMONIA CLEANED MEAT 

The beef that is used in fast food stops have come from slaughterhouses. This beef is the trimming, can come from thousands of different cows, is very fatty, and comes from a place where bacteria could grow. FDA allows ammonia gas to be used to get rid of these toxins. 

(QUICK FACT: The global production of ammonia for 2012 is anticipated to be 198 million tonnes, a 35% increase over the estimated 2006 global output of 146.5 million tonnes.)

3. FRENCH FRIES 

Which I love, and wish I didn't. Most fast food places have been known to dip their fries in sugar because it adds crisp-ness.
So now we have high carb, oily, fatty AND sugary too. 

4. SALADS 

Are meant to be healthy and good for you, right? W R O N G 

Fast food places use anti-freeze to keep salads crisp for longer. Effects of anti-freeze, skin and eye irritation, find more here. 

• In 1972, we spent 3 billion a year on fast food - today we spend more than $110 billion
• McDonald's feeds more than 46 million people a day - more than the entire population of Spain
• You would have to walk for seven hours straight to burn off a Super Sized Coke, fry and Big Mac
• Diabetes will cut 17-27 years off your life
• McDonald's operates more than 30,000 restaurants in more then 100 countries on 6 continents

Calories in a McDonalds, big tasty: 804 kcal
Calories in McDs large fries: 486 kcal
Calories in McDs large Coca-Cola: 226 kcal
Calories in a Mcflurry: 327 kcal
Calories in a Milk Shake: 506 kcal

Thats brings you to a lovely total of 2349 kcal! YUCK!!!

Running, without stopping for an hour burns roughly 470kcal.
That's 5 hours straight on the treadmill before you burn off the above McDs meal.

Thinking twice before the big red M gets a visit from me again!

Alternative:

A friend for life, Happy Birthday.

Happy Birthday to a special friend <3 

It was the end of April in 1994 and a little girl was born. 

Her mother had a special friend who was also pregnant, due only a short month later.

I can only assume the mothers, as such good friends, 

hoped their first borns could be too. 

 On the 28th of May 1994 another little girl was born. 

And from that day, "April" & "May" were guaranteed to have a friend for life. 

To My dearest Tamara.  (Fallops)

Although we were infants in the start, we just had that mutual understanding and connection that no matter where in the world life might take us, we'd survive and sustain a beautiful friendship. 

6 935 days of friendship. 

6 935 days the world has been blessed with you. 

Stay true to yourself and I have no doubt that your combination of beauty & intelligence will carry on enchanting those around you for years to come.

Thank you for all our moments, from crunchies & cranberry-juice to dedicated Matric study partners. We made it through better than we thought.

Never let anyone tell you that you can't do it, becuase I feel you've proven yourself time and time again that you can. 

I love you very much. 

Let's travel sometime?  

Wise words from Dr.Seuss

Oh, the Places You'll Go!

by Dr. Seuss

Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You're off to Great Places!
You're off and away!

You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes
You can steer yourself
any direction you choose.
You're on your own.  And you know what you know.
And YOU are the guy who'll decide where to go.

You'll look up and down streets.  Look 'em over with care.
About some you will say, "I don't choose to go there."
With your head full of brains and your shoes full of feet,
you're too smart to go down any not-so-good street.

And you may not find any
you'll want to go down.
In that case, of course,
you'll head straight out of town.

It's opener there
in the wide open air.

Out there things can happen
and frequently do
to people as brainy
and footsy as you.

And when things start to happen,
don't worry.  Don't stew.
Just go right along.
You'll start happening too.

OH!
THE PLACES YOU'LL GO!

You'll be on your way up!
You'll be seeing great sights!
You'll join the high fliers
who soar to high heights.

You won't lag behind, because you'll have the speed.
You'll pass the whole gang and you'll soon take the lead.
Wherever you fly, you'll be the best of the best.
Wherever you go, you will top all the rest.

Except when you don't
Because, sometimes, you won't.

I'm sorry to say so
but, sadly, it's true
and Hang-ups
can happen to you.

You can get all hung up
in a prickle-ly perch.
And your gang will fly on.
You'll be left in a Lurch.

You'll come down from the Lurch
with an unpleasant bump.
And the chances are, then,
that you'll be in a Slump.

And when you're in a Slump,
you're not in for much fun.
Un-slumping yourself
is not easily done.

You will come to a place where the streets are not marked.
Some windows are lighted.  But mostly they're darked.
A place you could sprain both your elbow and chin!
Do you dare to stay out?  Do you dare to go in?
How much can you lose? How much can you win?

And IF you go in, should you turn left or right...
or right-and-three-quarters? Or, maybe, not quite?
Or go around back and sneak in from behind?
Simple it's not, I'm afraid you will find,
for a mind-maker-upper to make up his mind.

You can get so confused
that you'll start in to race
down long wiggled roads at a break-necking pace
and grind on for miles across weirdish wild space,
headed, I fear, toward a most useless place.
The Waiting Place...

...for people just waiting.
Waiting for a train to go
or a bus to come, or a plane to go
or the mail to come, or the rain to go
or the phone to ring, or the snow to snow
or waiting around for a Yes or a No
or waiting for their hair to grow.
Everyone is just waiting.

Waiting for the fish to bite
or waiting for wind to fly a kite
or waiting around for Friday night
or waiting, perhaps, for their Uncle Jake
or a pot to boil, or a Better Break
or a string of pearls, or a pair of pants
or a wig with curls, or Another Chance.
Everyone is just waiting.

NO!
That's not for you!

Somehow you'll escape
all that waiting and staying.
You'll find the bright places
where Boom Bands are playing.

With banner flip-flapping,
once more you'll ride high!
Ready for anything under the sky.
Ready because you're that kind of a guy!

Oh, the places you'll go! There is fun to be done!
There are points to be scored.  there are games to be won.
And the magical things you can do with that ball
will make you the winning-est winner of all.
Fame!  You'll be famous as famous can be,
with the whole wide world watching you win on TV.

Except when they don't.
Because, sometimes, they won't.

I'm afraid that some times
you'll play lonely games too.
Games you can't win
'cause you'll play against you.

All Alone!
Whether you like it or not,
Alone will be something
you'll be quite a lot.

And when you're alone, there's a very good chance
you'll meet things that scare you right out of your pants.
There are some, down the road between hither and yon,
that can scare you so much you won't want to go on.

But on you will go
though the weather be foul
On you will go
though your enemies prowl
On you will go
though the Hakken-Kraks howl
Onward up many
a frightening creek,
though your arms may get sore
and your sneakers may leak.

On and on you will hike
and I know you'll hike far
and face up to your problems
whatever they are.

You'll get mixed up, of course,
as you already know.
You'll get mixed up
with many strange birds as you go.
So be sure when you step.
Step with care and great tact
and remember that Life's
a Great Balancing Act.
Just never forget to be dexterous and deft.
And never mix up your right foot with your left.

And will you succeed?
Yes! You will, indeed!
(98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed.)

KID, YOU'LL MOVE MOUNTAINS!

So...
be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray
or Mordecai Ali Van Allen O'Shea,
you're off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting.
So...get on your way!
 

              

I was once a dedicated blogger.

Hello people who occasionally read my blog.
I apologies for not giving you much to read about the past 2 months. I seem to have lost a lot of the dedication I once had for blogging. Things have been busy, lots has changed and I just haven't made time for myself to sit down and do something that use to once make me so happy. So that's about to change.

Since no one in the world would be interested in reading a 10 page blog about the things I've done and learnt over the past 8 weeks, I thought a simple bullet update would suffice.

Things I've done since 30 March 2013:
(Largely summarised.) 

-Move from South Africa to England. (Left my mom also know as home.)
-Visit Falmouth, Cornwall, England.
-Visit London, England. Twice. Blessed.
-Visit Ibiza, Spain.
-Turn 19.
-Get accepted in to University. Hello September 2013.
-Grow up.
-Gain strength & courage.
-Miss home.

Things I've learnt since 30 March 2013:

-Flights are OFTEN delayed. Be prepared.
-I'm a cry baby.
-Everything is expensive. Find coupons.
-There's beauty in everything.
-South African meal portions are WAY too big.
-Do what makes YOU happy. (Or don't complain.)
-"The hand that gives, is the hand that gathers."
-Speak up. With respect.
-Be grateful.
-Make the most of every situations, especially the bad ones.
-Enjoy getting lost.
-Today is always over very quickly.
-Right now.
-Live LIGHT. Especially when you're on a gap year.
-Be serious when you're old.
-Follow your dreams, they know the way.
-Listen to more happy music.
-Observe children, and then learn from them.
- ie. Have faith. Laugh more.
-Find what inspires you and cling to it.
-Pray often. It helps.
-Leave pride behind.
-Learn new languages. After all, communication is key.

and most importantly, -Never be ashamed to tell the world how much you love your mother. She has done more for you than anyone else ever has, or will.

The farewell party's treats. 

Hello Big Ben. 

Ibiza with my Uncle, Aunt & Cousins. 

Celebrating my 19th Birthday at Alton Towers. 

"Because I'd rather have flowers in my hair than diamonds around my neck"

A thought for the day..

Granny's cake.

Lazy rainy Saturday mornings. Sound familiar?

Waking up,
listen to the rain,
make tea
and flop down on the couch.
Surf the TV till Cake Boss comes on and sit mesmerised with how such magnificent cakes could be made!

That's what happened to me this Saturday. Which then inspired my baking. Funny how that happens, hey?
Well, I used the inspired opportunity to try my Granny Beryl's chocolate cake recipe for the first time. Leap of faith as I move away from box cakes towards real, from scratch cake baking.

It was fun and many childhood memories flooded back of my mother and I baking together when I was a little tot. I'll always miss that.

The cake turned out well according to my friends. "Best cake I've ever tasted" -I'll pretend it could remotely be true.
I feel like I could possibly share the recipe with the blogging world, but then again, why would I give away such genius? Maybe some time in the future, but for right now, thank you Granny for such amazing chocolate cake..
Mommy and I miss you.

Tasty salmon ish lunch

My first official "gap year" recipe.

Tasty, very filling, cheap-ish, healthy, quick, mission free, salmon lunch.
That's how I'd describe it...

It's very healthy (however, if you're looking at losing weight, you might need to substitute a few of the ingredients.)

YOU NEED: 
Low GI health roll.
Tin of skinless/boneless salmon
Nonfat smooth cottage cheese
Sliced Cucumber
Lettuce
Salt & Pepper
Diced cheddar
Balsamic Vinegar

Just incase it's not straight forward: 
Cut your roll in half. Put it on a plate. If you like butter, spread that babe on!
Get bowl.
Open tin of salmon.
Put salmon in bowl.
Mix two table spoons of cottage cheese with salmon.
Pour a bit of balsamic vinegar in to the salmon-cheese mix. (nom nom nom...)
Slice cucumber. (about 5 or 6 slices) then place on the roll.
Take a few little pieces of lettuce, place on top of cucumber & roll.
Dish the salmon-cheese mix on top of the roll/cucumber/lettuce.
Grinned & sprinkle the S&P on your food.
Dice up a little bit of cheddar. Sprinkle it on top.

And just like that. Open sandwich of goodness.
Many ingredients are substitutible. Go cray-cray kids! It's your food!
This might just be how I like it...

Bon appetit!

If you follow Jesus... Read this!

I love to read, however, I'm the person that can only read about 4 chapters a day MAX and then need to put the book down... 

And I'm sure you can all guess what I'm about to type next?

This "way of reading" cycle of mine broke with one, incredibly captivating book.
And by incredible, I mean WHAT-THE-FLIP-NUT-HECK-A-DOO-DILL! incredible.
I read the whole book in two hours.

Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo... 

Official book description: Heaven Is for Real is the true story of the four-year old son of a small town Nebraska pastor who during emergency surgery slips from consciousness and enters heaven. He survives and begins talking about being able to look down and see the doctor operating and his dad praying in the waiting room. The family didn't know what to believe but soon the evidence was clear.
Colton said he met his miscarried sister, whom no one had told him about, and his great grandfather who died 30 years before Colton was born, then shared impossible-to-know details about each. He describes the horse that only Jesus could ride, about how "reaaally big" God and his chair are, and how the Holy Spirit "shoots down power" from heaven to help us.
Told by the father, but often in Colton's own words, the disarmingly simple message is heaven is a real place, Jesus really loves children, and be ready, there is a coming last battle.

Above: Colton and his parents. 

 Now, while I was reading this book a thought often crossed my mind: "Yoh! this sounds ridiculous, what scam!" but the further I read, the more faith I began to have, not only in that what I was reading was true and real but that there is indeed a heaven, a gigantic God and a Jesus that loves his children. It was so refreshing to read and had an incredible way to renew the strength of my faith.

I've always aimed to have a "child-like-faith" which is this book exactly.
I do feel a lot of debate could happen around this book, so I'm not saying everyone should read it, but if you've lost loved ones, have faith that there's eternal life, then read this because you'll LOVE it!

My favorite part of the book, in short summary version:
Colton's mom sees the most exceptional rainbow, breath taking and calls her family to come outside and have a look. When Colton gets to his mother and sees the rainbow he casually just says, "Cool. I prayed for that yesterday." and walks away.
CHILD LIKE FAITH.

Ask. Believe it's yours. And it will be.

Our God is a loving father, why wouldn't he want to answer your prayers?!

Colton's Jesus. 

The aftermath of a student holiday.

Yesterday, I spent 7 hours in an airport, doing nothing, waiting for my flight, why you ask? I originally booked for an evening flight however departure day arrived and it was better to leave early, so in hopeful spirits I arrived at the airport after my farewells and I attempted to move my flight to an earlier one. FAILED. "Sorry Miss, all our flights today are fully booked."

Anyway. I made the most of my time. Read books, made short films, ate wimpy breakfasts and Mug & Bean cheese cake... and then the worst of it happened. I woke up this morning suffering the aftermath of a "student holiday". You see, cheap food is often the carb/sugar/fat option. So either you don't eat and buy pretty things, or eat and don't buy anything pretty. If you're travelling with just girls, the first option works perfectly. Girls don't need food as often as let's say, boys.. And I've spent the last 4 days with a boy, and when he ate cheap, I ate cheap, you can see how only today this became a problem for me.

SO the solution: DETOX DETOX DETOX! Keepin' the bod' healthy yo!

Lemon Green Tea + Cinnamon + Honey (optional)

Nom nom nom.

Location: Hike up mountain. Day:4

Elsie's Peak. Views of False Bay, Fish Hoek, Simon's Town and Glencairn. And on a clear day you should be able to see the two oceans meet. 

About 90min walk. 2.5km.

No other words, "Just do it!"  

(Always one Instagram photo)

Unfit. Hike. Pain. Endurance. Reward.

Location: Cape Town/ Fish Hoek/ Simon's Town. Day: 3.

This morning I took an adventurous drive through Cape Town Harbour loading area (accidentally). My aim of course was getting to the V&A waterfront, however, the GPS had other ideas than just a city drive for my journey.  
Once a friendly security guard pointed me in the right direction I was a-for-away.. I then spent some time wandering around taking many pictures, watching beautiful people and sipped on a Vida-e latte of course. (South Africa's best coffee shop)

Fun Fact about the V&A: South Africa's most-visited destination, having the highest rate of foreign tourists of any attraction in the country

Historical Fact about the V&A: Prince Alfred, second son of Queen Victoria, began construction of the harbour in 1860. The first basin was named after himself, the second after his mother, hence the name.

I then met some old friends from school for lunch at the local bookstore's coffee shop.

I am now staying with my second-mommy's parents in Fish Hoek and my my my is this area beautiful! My view stretches from Simons town through to Kalk Bay, so basically the whole of False Bay.

I went to Simon's Town and what captured my attention most was Just Nuisance. The Navy Dog. His story a rather sweet one too.

Just Nuisance was the only dog ever to be officially enlisted in the Royal Navy. He was a Great Dane who between 1939 and 1944 served at HMSAfrikander, a Royal Navy shore establishment in Simon's Town, South Africa. He died in 1944 at the age of seven years and was buried with full military honours.

-Wikipedia. See for more information..


That evening I drove along the coast, stopping at points of interest to take pictures. If you have holiday in Cape Town planned, don't spend all your time in the city. 30min drive out of central Cape Town and you find even more wonders!

Must see spots:
-Brass Bell Restaurant.
-Simon's Town.
-Drive along the coast, Simons Town to Hout Bay, or even better, take a train ride. It's worth it!
-Chapmans Peak. (between Noordhoek and Hout Bay)