Weeks, later months, down the line, they still didn’t find what causes the anemia, which apparently can only be caused by blood loss. The only other thing discovered after I have requested an additional blood test, was that my ferritin count was extremely low at 3 and I needed to up that. I’m on iron supplements of 150mg to 800mg per day and managed to double the ferritin count.

So, next time you feel a bit under the weather – have it checked out!

Taking my challenge one day at a time! Soon I will be walking my 5km hikes again! What a ride the past 17 months had been!!

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I have a lot of things that I want to do, but wants doesn’t necessarily happen over night. So, lets look at a few goals.

• That UK / France trip – here I have two challenges, but more about that later.
• Writing my Final Tax Practitioners exam before the end of the year.
• Challenging myself to journal every day, even if it is just a few words.
• Focus on my health issues which currently is cramping my style a bit
• There is a lot more than these, but lets focus on the immediate future.

Today is the first day of challenging myself to journal everyday for the next 125 days. Let’s see if I can keep up with myself.

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What is #shoot4purpose all about?

This initiative is a healing process for women who have faced some sort of trauma that they struggle to overcome. The first morning that I arrived I checked every one out. Most of us was a bit reserved, but by the end of Week 3 there was a closeness, a sisterhood amongst everyone. Even a bit of a brotherhood with the guys. On each of the days there was always a visitor or two who joined in with the group. The one day it was Hein, our Fujifilm sponsor, and some guy (can’t remember his name) who has met the organizers before on one of the cohorts and joined in because he supports the cause. Some of the ladies that was part of previous groups, also joined in. A clear sign: once part of a cohort, always part of a cohort!

Does it work?

The amazing thing about #shoot4purpose is that one can see each week how the participants grew in confidence, how they get excited about the photo moments. Even the one who doesn’t do people, actually did quite well . . . with the people in the group. I am amazed by how everyone’s photographic skills has developed over the past 4 weeks . . . and now we are doing our 5th and last week this coming Saturday. I’m already wondering what the heck will I do the Saturday after this one.

What have I learnt this passed few weeks?

Everything is not always what it looks like on the surface.

When I joined the group it was clear that the organizers and advisors are all seemingly from the same / similar cultural background. The amazing thing is . . . in true ubuntu style #shoot4purpose is open to everyone no matter your cultural background.

The only ‘equalizer’ here is that we all are part of #shoot4purpose for a purpose of healing from something. As I looked at each woman in the group and see how they flourished, grown in the past few weeks, I’m sad to think that we will not see each other every week anymore, but I will surely go back to visit #shoot4purpose on one of their cohorts again.

What did we do?

We took photos with the most amazing Fujifilm cameras, sponsored for use by Hein from Fujifilm South Africa. I totally fell in love with Fujifilm cameras, but photography is a really expensive hobby if your not making a living with it.

Oh yes, and we took black and white photos. Something I had to adapt to as I love bright colors. I had to learn to look at things differently and it is amazing how one’s perspective changes when you suddenly look at a black and white world. It is amazing how the whole image changes when you look at it differently, what pops out once you take the distractive brightness away.

Here is a bit of a comparison between color photographs and black and white photographs.

What happened to me?

If you know me well enough, you know that I don’t do photos as I don’t like seeing myself on photos and these past few weeks I had to deal with being on photos that other people took and that it was spread all over social media!! I absolutely HATE photos of myself. I hate what I see. What I can say, though, it surely looks much better in black and white!! 🙂

This coming weekend will be our last Saturday of going out taking pictures in this group – cohort 9. It’s kind of a sad thing, but new friendships have started and I hope that sometime in the future we will all go out on a street photography date again and catch up!

Que Sera, Sera!

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As I grow in age, I value women who are over forty most of all. Here are just a few reasons why: A woman over forty will never wake you in the middle of the night to ask, “What are you thinking?” She doesn’t care what you think.

If a woman over forty doesn’t want to watch the game, she doesn’t sit around whining about it. She does something she wants to do. And, it’s usually something more interesting.

A woman over forty knows herself well enough to be assured in who she is, what she is, what she wants and from whom. Few women past the age of forty give a hoot what you might think about her or what she’s doing.

Women over forty are dignified. They seldom have a screaming match with you at the opera or in the middle of an expensive restaurant. Of course, if you deserve it, they won’t hesitate to shoot you, if they think they can get away with it.

Older women are generous with praise, often undeserved. They know what it’s like to be unappreciated.

A woman over forty has the self-assurance to introduce you to her women friends. A younger woman with a man will often ignore even her best friend because she doesn’t trust the guy with other women. Women over forty couldn’t care less if you’re attracted to her friends because she knows her friends won’t betray her.

Women get psychic as they age. You never have to confess your sins to a woman over forty. They always know.

A woman over forty looks good wearing bright red lipstick. This is not true of younger women. Once you get past a wrinkle or two, a woman over forty is far sexier than her younger counterpart.

Older women are forthright and honest. They’ll tell you right off if you are a jerk, if you are acting like one! You don’t ever have to wonder where you stand with her.

Yes, we praise women over forty for a multitude of reasons. Unfortunately, it’s not reciprocal. For every stunning, smart, well-coiffed hot woman of forty-plus, there is a bald, paunchy relic in yellow pants making a fool of himself with some twenty-two-year-old waitress.

Ladies, I apologize. For all those men who say, “Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free,” here’s an update for you. Now 80 percent of women are against marriage, why? Because women realize it’s not worth buying an entire pig, just to get a little sausage.

Photo credit: The world wide web

Andrew Aitken Rooney (January 14, 1919 – November 4, 2011) was an American radio and television writer who was best known for his weekly broadcast “A Few Minutes with Andy Rooney”, a part of the CBS News program 60 Minutes from 1978 to 2011. His final regular appearance on 60 Minutes aired on October 2, 2011; he died a month later at the age of 92.

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We originally planned to go to Israel in November 2020. Then Covid-19 hit the world and suddenly nothing was the same anymore. We had to get used to a new normal and now the trip to Israel seems like something that will never happen. Then we thought we might go during 2021, but no!! By the time that we could start planning the trip for September 2022, we have already felt like burst balloons as the one minute we get excited and the next nothing . . . again!

Finances was a big issue and all I could do was pray and ask the Lord to make a way for me. One morning I received a message from someone on LinkedIn who asked if a certain domain belonged to me? Yes, why? Long story short, he wanted to buy my domain. At first I didn’t want to and later I realised that I hardly ever write on that blog and the guy wanted the domain for a really good cause.

I prayed about it and asked the Lord if it was meant for me to go to Israel that the amount that he offered should pay my air ticket to Israel. So, when he contacted me again and asked me what revenue I earned from this blog, I told him he knew I made nothing . . . He asked me what I wanted as everybody has some dream holiday or something like a boat cruise. I said I have always dreamt of going to Israel and that there is a tour coming up. He offered me an amount and it covered my air ticket. WOW, thank you, Lord.

So, I sold a dream to buy a dream. At some stage I was still wondering if I was doing the right thing and I found a little note book where I wrote about 25 years ago about my dream to blog and that the name of the blog should be “take a break” . . . I had my answer as my Father always answers in such a way that you just know what you need to know!

So, I copied the old blog to my new domain and guess what? I barely blogged ever since . . . again!

But here I am . . . knowing there is a thing that is going to happen in my life . . . and I call it 180 degrees. Now I have to write about it as I am trying to figure out what next, otherwise I will not be obedient to share about the goodness of the Lord.

In the meantime . . . as I had to make payments towards the trip and the monies is not in my account, it was just amazing how the Lord provided in various and unexpected ways as the time passed.

The moral of the story is . . . Trust and know that when you ask and it is meant to be, He is Jehovah Jireh – the Lord, my Provider.

You just got to believe it!

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A month ago it was my 52nd birthday. I don’t just celebrate my birthday on the day . . . I have a birthday month!! The Saturday after my birthday was a special day, as I have spent the day on top of Table Mountain with a good friend who is also an October baby.

I truly am blessed to still be in good health and have realized how lucky I am to still be alive as I have lost a few friends to cancer, etc. during the past few months. It really breaks my heart to think of all the firsts their families have to deal with, like birthdays and Christmas coming up.

I have a few things that I still want to do of which some is already in the pipeline for the near future. My first TO DO item was a pottery class last night. It is very relaxing, but does not fit in with my “can’t wait-attitude”. I like things to happen quick and effortlessly. Anyway, here is a few photos of my first attempt, but as soon as the booked classes are done, so is pottery. Next, please.

My second last pottery class was this past Monday and I attempted some more items, which will be finished off on the last Monday of November. I like these ones, but the process is really testing my patience as all these items still needs to be baked and glazed and I will only receive the completed items next year after the schools has started.

There is reason behind my madness for trying out new things. I call it . . . 180 degrees. More about 180 degrees as I explore al my new options. Sit back and enjoy the ride with me …

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In the meantime, I didn’t want to loose hundreds of posts and decided why not create a website with my name and just transfer all the Woordkuns / Word art scribbles here, give it a new refreshing look and a brand new name: vat ‘n blaaskans met Surene / take a break with Surene.

And here we are: I still have a place where I can post my scribbles which I don’t really care whether it’s liked by others or not. I started taking up photography as a hobby and will most definitely have a dedicated spot for my photos and hopefully I will soon blog about my travels to Israel and Spain. I hope to do the Camino de Santiago within the next two years. Israel is much sooner on the calendar.

Maybe you like our new look, maybe not … BUT do enjoy the read if there is anything that tickles your fancy!

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About just over a month ago I attended a book discussion at a local library. Someone walked up to me and said something like “you look great, but your profile picture sucks”! Ouch! At the time I wasn’t sure if I should consider it a compliment or not? Afterwards, I realised it was actually a compliment! Being a plane Jane, hardly wearing makeup and with no hairdo skills, it surely was a compliment.

I posted something on my Facebook page and said something like: I think I need makeover! Who will sponsor me? In a flash there was a hairdresser and before I knew what was going on she organised a photographer, a nail technician and a make up artist. I even had clothes sponsored for the photo session.

My only requirement was that I had to easily duplicate what they do: be able to do my make up the same, as well as do my hair easily – I have hair as difficult as my attitude! It felt absolutely great to be spoiled by everyone.

Thank you to all my SPONSORS. This makeover could not have happened without you girls! You all ROCK! I still think you should work on a package for the occasional makeovers! It is so good for one’s self confidence.

Carien from The CaveMan Cut for the fabulous color, botox treatment and hair cut!

Angelique from Angelic Beauty for my beautiful make up!

Luzanne from Inge Myburgh Studio for my gorgeous acrylic gel overlay in my favorite blue!

Mandy from Frozen Perfect Photography for my amazing photos. You just knew how to make me feel at ease. Thank you.

Kyla, all the way in the West Coast, from The Lash Flash … Lash Bar and Beauty Parlour for my beautiful lashes and powder brows. I’ll take a drive to the West Coast again for your professional service!

Seline from Seline’s Boutique for the beautiful outfits for our photo shoot!! It is so difficult to choose clothes when you are budget restricted, because you just want everything!

Here is some photos of the process and the end result … I think the photos speak for itself! I had a great day and the change is so good!

All these lovely outfits is from Seline’s Boutique in Joostenbergvlakte. I already purchased one of these items, and am looking forward to some more shopping.

This is not the last of the makeover … keep watching this space for more to come in the next few months!

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How do you know with what to start?

At Stodels in Bellville, Western Cape, you can find all the vegetable and herb seedlings you need for each season.

Now is the time to sow beetroot, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, onions and a few more. Follow the link below to read more.

READ MORE: What to plant in March in the Western Cape?

Follow the link above to find out wat you can plant & sow, how to feed it, what mulch you need and how to neaten up your garden.

What if you don’t have a big garden?

Planter boxes can be used or anything that you can plant in. People living in flats use smaller containers and make use of their balconies. If you want to do it, you will find a way.

One of my favorite plants are nasturtiums … it is an annual plant, but they are also self-seeding. What I love about nasturtiums is that the flowers are edible. You can actually eat the whole plant. It has a peppery, almost mustardy taste. My friend, Marinda, always puts nasturtium in our salads. I just love it. The seedpods can be pickled as well and used like capers. What a versatile plant to have in your garden.

They also share some FRESH IDEAS on waterwise gardening, when to water your garden, container gardening, collecting grey water and rainwater-harvesting.

READ MORE: NASTURTIUM

If you are from the Northern Suburbs of Cape Town contact Colin Lee on 082 856 4578 for a solution for Collecting Grey Water or Rainwater Harvesting

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From the moment we walked into The Penthouse we enjoyed sheer luxury. I still can’t decide what the best part of The Penthouse was, but for now I will go with the glorious views we enjoyed.

The Penthouse is perfectly located right on the beach offering its visitors the perfect setting to enjoy the breathtaking view from the enclosed balcony while sipping on your favorite drink.

Read more HERE

The Penthouse has two beautiful bedrooms and two bathrooms. The main bedroom has direct access to the sundeck. The sundeck provides direct access to the beach as well. The second bedroom with two single beds has its own en suite bathroom with a shower.

The unit has a fully equipped kitchen if you want to prepare your own meals, a dining area and a very comfortable lounge area with a television and full DSTV.  With enough to do and wanting to be out and about, we never put the TV on … there was no need for it!

The view from the Penthouse is breathtaking – any time of the day. My favorite part of the day, however, will always be the sunsets.  

Enjoy Paternoster by taking a leisurely stroll along the beach. Some of the restaurants are also within walking distance from The Penthouse. There are plenty to do in Paternoster as you can visit some of the many restaurants, the At Botha Art Gallery or any of the nearby towns. Some activities to enjoy is kayaking with Kayaking Paternoster or the WOWeBikes.

The Baywatch Villa Collection consists of the 4 star Baywatch Guest House, The Penthouse, The Villa and The Cottage.

CONTACT THE BAYWATCH COLLECTION ON: info@baywatchvilla.co.za, 083 6759332 or 022 752 2039 and visit their website: www.baywatchvilla.co.za

Paternoster is truly a little taste of heaven on earth.

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I am thankful that my God is El Roi and that He sees me in times when I thought He didn’t. God came through for me in so many ways this year that I am still amazed by His grace.  I might not have received a solution for all situations, but the message was clear to wait or even when I was wondering if I was going in the right direction, He would give me a message through someone indicating whether I should move forward or not.

I am thankful for my gorgeous son, Sean. A young man of whom I get prouder each day as he plans his life ahead running two jobs. Although for a lot of people it might look as if he only lives for the now, I know that he is already working way ahead into his future. If I had a tenth of this young man’s determination and drive, I would have reached a lot of my recent goals a lot quicker! You rock, baby!! You are making me a proud Mamsie!

I am thankful that amidst a really challenging Covid-19 pandemic, the company I work for are kept busy with contracts – big and small, while a lot of small businesses closed shop during the past 21 months.

I am thankful that amidst a challenging pandemic I had the privilege of having enough freelance work. Those who know what this is about, knows it is my happy place!

I am thankful that each of my private bookkeeping clients is still operating even if they had to scale down a bit. I even gained an extra client or two this year.

I am thankful that my loved ones are still all healthy and strong amidst the Covid-19 pandemic and that I only lost two close friends, of which one was more like my brother.

I am thankful for good health. Being 51 in a family with comorbidities I am extremely lucky that despite being a bit overweight, I am on no chronic medication!! I raise a Hallelujah to that!!

I am thankful for a year with 365 new opportunities to choose happiness, success and positivity. I wish to see new opportunities to write about and to reach a level of success that will allow me to fulfill the last big dream I have for my life.  

I am thankful for new friendships that have a positive impact on my life without even knowing it.

I am thankful that I could replace my car this year with a cute nippy little red Spark. The red energy suits me perfectly!

I am thankful that for the past 14 months I could take regular break a ways to the West Coast of South Africa. I just love it … the ample opportunity to either visit beloved friends or spend time on my own and recharge!

I am thankful that I am able to still learn and keep busy with not one, but four courses which all will allow me to live my dream one done.

I am thankful that the Lord has laid a new business idea in me … something that I will be sure to develop in 2022 so that I can realise my dream to move to the West Coast. If I’m going to wait for a job opportunity to arise, I will wait a really long time.

I am thankful that the plan for my house is already drawn in my head, and I will have it done professionally soon.

I am thankful for the rain today … for me it is always an indication of growth and prosperity.

I am thankful to be alive, to have discovered a zillion muscles I forgot I had while dancing the night away out of 2021 into 2022.

May we all be as thankful about our 2022 as I am about 2021!

Cheers!!

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I’ve made a decision in my life that will cause a huge change for me and this poem came up again to remind me to remember not to dance so fast anymore. The slow down and smell the roses.

Slow Dance

Have you ever watched kids
On a merry-go-round?

Or listened to the rain
Slapping the ground?

Ever followed a butterfly’s erratic flight?
Or gazed at the sun into the fading night?

You better slow down
Don’t dance so fast.

Time is short.
The music won’t last.

Do you run through each day
On the fly?

When you ask: How are you?
Do you hear the reply?

When the day is done,
Do you lie in your bed

With the next hundred chores
Running through your head?

You’d better slow down.
Don’t dance so fast.

Time is short.
The music won’t last.

Ever told your child,
We’ll do it tomorrow?

And in your haste,
Not see his sorrow?

Ever lost touch,
Let a good friendship die

Cause you never had time
To call and say, “Hi”?

You’d better slow down
Don’t dance so fast.

Time is short.
The music won’t last.

When you run so fast to get somewhere
You miss half the fun of getting there.

When you worry and hurry through the day,
It is like an unopened gift thrown away.

Life is not a race.
Do take it slower.

Hear the music
Before the song is over.

https://www.facebook.com/Woordkuns

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But here I am with 46 days left of 2022, of which I can deduct about 14 – 20 days that I won’t be home, leaving me with max 26 days to actually declutter. So, where will I start? Probably with my craft supplies and my books, which for me is a really sad thing to do, but looking into moving to a smaller space in the next year or so, I need to get rid of some stuff.

Like doing some decluttering!  Have a look at Home Storage Solutions 101 Facebook page challenging people to do their Declutter in 365 days challenge. It is quite daunting to look at the whole 365 days at once, maybe just focus on a month or if you’re anything like me … on a week at a time.

Today I will let my thoughts go to how I want to do this decluttering. Being ADD and a bit OCD, I must be careful that I don’t spend too much time on planning and nothing on doing it.

Do you need to declutter too? What is your declutter goal?

The post Declutter – again? appeared first on Vat 'n blaaskans / Take a break.

It is 599 since lockdown was announced in South Africa.

It is 318 days since the start of 2021.

And there are only 47 days left until 2022!

… and I realised – today is 599 days since lockdown started.

• What impact did lockdown have on your life during the last 5990 days?
• What are you planning to do for the next 47 days (46 since today is almost over) before the start of 2022?
• What are you planning for 2022?

I have decided to quit doing all the things that doesn’t bring me any joy or if it does not add value to my life.

I was sitting in the office starting my sentence with “I have resigned …” and before I could complete the sentence, my colleague said: WTF? She thought I resigned my job, but I only resigned something that took so much of my energy that each time my phone rang and it was somebody from that project, I sighed deeply and felt as if all my energy was drained from me! Now the phone can ring and I gladly sort things out, because I know they won’t be stealing my joy for much longer.

The next thing is to sit down with all the things that I do or, at least, want to do every day / week / month:

• Full-time job – not negotiable
• Part-time job for publishers – not negotiable
• Part-time bookkeeping and other admin clients – partly negotiable
• Hobbies – a lot of decision-making as to which hobbies stay and which goes
• Studies – not negotiable
• Needlework group – we already discussed less time
• Various NGO’s – definitely negotiable
• CWAA – Cape Women’s Agricultural Association – negotiable
• Reading & watching movies – not negotiable on the books, but maybe negotiable on movies
• Socialising with friends and family – I need to plan quality time as this should be non-negotiable
• Church & Bible Study – not negotiable
• Walking (prepping for part of the Camino de Santiago – 300km over 3 to 4 weeks) – not negotiable, but I need a proper strategy for preparation to 2023 / 2024.
• Bible School – not negotiable, but I need to plan my time better
• Writing school, blogging, etc. – need a better strategy and better time management, as this is also not negotiable
• Me-time! – not negotiable

The sad part is that I have 46 days to decide what stays and what goes. Certain stuff like job and church is non-negotiable, some are partly negotiable and others fully negotiable.  And once I have decided what stays, I have to plan my diary properly to make sure that I allocate enough time to all that I feel is adding value to my life.

One thing I have already started … since September 2020 I have been taking ME-TIME on a regular basis by going away for weekends, either visiting friends in tranquil Aurora, West Coast or staying at gorgeous spots in the West Coast on my own … taking much needed recharging time!

So, watch this space – in 46 days I would have made up my mind as to what stays and what goes. 😊

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I WISH YOU ENOUGH

Recently I overheard a father and daughter in their last moments together at the airport. They had announced the departure.

Standing near the security gate, they hugged and the father said, ‘I love you, and I wish you enough.’

The daughter replied, ‘Dad, our life together has been more than enough. Your love is all I ever needed. I wish you enough, too, Dad.’

They kissed and the daughter left. The Father walked over to the window where I was seated. Standing there I could see he wanted and needed to cry. I tried not to intrude on his privacy, but he welcomed me in by asking, ‘Did you ever say good-bye to someone knowing it would be forever?’

‘Yes, I have,’ I replied. ‘Forgive me for asking, but why is this a forever good-bye?’..

‘I am old, and she lives so far away. I have challenges ahead and the reality is – the next trip back will be for my funeral,’ he said.

‘When you were saying good-bye, I heard you say, ‘I wish you enough..’ May I ask what that means?’

He began to smile. ‘That’s a wish that has been handed down from other generations. My parents used to say it to everyone…’ He paused a moment
and looked up as if trying to remember it in detail, and he smiled even more. ‘When we said, ‘I wish you enough,’ we were wanting the other person to have a life filled with just enough good things to sustain them.’ Then turning toward me, he shared the following as if he were reciting it from memory.

I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright no matter how gray the day may appear.

I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun even more.
I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive and everlasting.

I wish you enough pain so that even the smallest of joys in life may appear bigger.

I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.

I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye.

He then began to cry and walked away.

They say it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them; but then an entire life to forget them.

TAKE TIME TO LIVE….

I WISH YOU ENOUGH.

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I normally do not need a reason to buy yarn, but I always have to hide it in my car’s trunk until I can take it into the house without any explanations. My son loves telling me I can open my own yarn shop with all the yarn I have. He should not be with me when I walk past a yarn shop as he pulls me away saying I don’t need any as I have more than I will be able to use in a lifetime.

I love to crochet and have completed quite a few blankets the last few years. I made one for my son in charcoal, silver grey, white and a dash of red with the normal granny square pattern and it took me 5 years to complete. I get bored quickly and have various projects going on at the same time … thus taking years to finish!

What is yarn bombing?

Yarn bombing is a form of street art that involves wrapping yarn around regular street items. It was created to reclaim and personalize sterile public places. In South Africa people love to yarn bomb trees or lamp poles.

READ MORE HERE

How is National I Love Yarn Day celebrated?

Normally ladies would get together in public places where they either knit or crochet, while enjoying drinks and eats and admiring others yarn creations.

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WHY DO WE NEED A NATIONAL PLUS SIZE APPRECIATION DAY

1. National Plus Size Appreciation Day boosts body confidence and raise awareness to be a Body Positive Person (I still struggle with that one). Most of us are a little insecure about our appearance. Having a dedicated day helps men and women with a little more to love to remember that they are much more than just a body.
2. For years, fashion ads only featured extremely slim models and women always tried to match that by dieting constantly. Thankfully, within the past few years, plus-sized models have been making an appearance and are sought after to advertise the clothes that are worn by about half the population.
3. Regardless of your body size, everyone can celebrate the day. Let’s work to end body shaming, and instead celebrate all of the different shapes and sizes that human bodies come in. Because once even I was a size 6 and so was many other Plus Sizers.

What we need is Plus Sizers to remember that they do not have to compare themselves to anyone else! Each one of us are unique. And the skinny ones should remember: That once upon a time the Plus Sizers was skinny too. The wheel turns each and every day!

And although there is not much that I can do about my size right now, I embrace my life and my health!

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In Afrikaans it is called good ol” “sousboontjies”, which I might add: as from childhood I never ate, but these are yummy!! 🤭

The recipe

Traditional South African recipe for Sousbone, or sweet and sour beans in sauce.

Ingredients
1 cup dried sugar beans
water
1 tablespoon corn flour (to thicken sauce)
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon vinegar
1/2 – 1 teaspoon salt
White pepper to taste

How to
Sort through the beans to remove any discoloured or damaged beans and small pebbles.
Rinse the beans and soak overnight in tap water.

Drain the beans and rinse well.

Cover beans with water in a saucepan and simmer slowly until the beans are soft. This will take at least 2 hours, but might take longer. Add more boiling water if necessary to keep the beans moist.

To thicken the sauce, mix a tablespoon flour or corn flour and a little water into a smooth paste, stir into the beans.

Add vinegar, sugar and salt and simmer for another 10 minutes.

It can be served warm, or bottled for future use.

This recipe and photo is from the Rainbow Cooking website, where you will find a collection of mostly South African recipes, both traditional and modern.

“The only real stumbling block is fear of failure. In cooking you’ve got to have a what-the-hell attitude.”

Julia Child

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October 1st is International Coffee Day – a sad day indeed for me, because as much as I love coffee, I can not drink the 6 to 8 cups a day that I am used to. Coffee makes the daily journey into thousands of households all across the globe and is around for over 600 years. Coffee can be presented in many ways: drinks, candies, medicine and was even used as currency right in the beginning. Coffee can energize you, and as a favorite winter drink it warms you up. It can keep you awake and you can spend hours chatting away with friends while sipping on a delicious cup of coffee.

This piece I quote directly from the National Today Website as I can not rewrite this any better : “According to historical records, Coffee is originally from Ethiopia, and its discovery in Africa comes with an interesting story. Around the 700s AD, a herd of goats started acting strangely, almost as if they were dancing. Their owner, Kaldi, discovered that they were eating a sort of red bean and concluded that was the cause of their behavior. Kaldi decided to share his findings with a monk who required something that could help him to stay awake all night as he prayed; but another story claims that the monk refused and threw the beans into the fire and the pleasing aroma that came from it was just wonderful.”

READ MORE on the History of International Coffee Day

But, doesn’t coffee has side effects?

Like everything in life with a too much added to it, caffeine has side effects. As a stimulant for the central nervous system, caffeine could produce anxiety, rapid heart rate, and insomnia.

Can I get addicted to caffeine?

Well, repeated consumption of caffeine can lead to tolerance. This will lead to the need of more caffeine to get the same effect. When you take too little caffeine for your system, you will start to get withdrawal symptoms, which in my case is terrible headaches. To get rid of the headaches, you need more coffee and so the vicious circle continuous.

You will remember in my very first sentence I have mentioned I can not have as much coffee as before. Well, nowadays I get nauseous from the first cup of the day. I have switched to decaf coffee, but that is pure torture! One can not punish yourself like that. It is a decent cup of coffee or … nothing!

Coffee for me represents having a great time reading, spending with friends and watching movies and lo and behold … work!!

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