It's a vegetarian life

Vegetarian lifestyle

It's amusing to hear people's response on being a vegetarian. It's as if they have to defend their own meat-eating lifestyle. I don't mind other people being meat-eaters. As far as I am concerned we are responsible for our own health and well-being. I used to be a meat-eater for half of my life, and I cannot impose my change of mind on anybody. The same with religion.

I am being a vegetarian for myself, my health and being kind to animals, our fellow living creatures on the planet. I would not be able to look back at my life, and say that I should have... One thing that I can tick off for life!

I am not struggling to be a vegetarian. There's always an option, and I have become used to take food along when I know there won't be much vegetarian options. I always have to shake my head when people ask about my protein intake. That is one of the most common responses, or queries. :-)

I have been building a Pinterest Board about all the come-backs about being vegetarian. It seems it is common. What don't you know about being vegetarian?

The first exams are here

Da face

To say that I am scared is an understatement. I am scared of Grade 4 exams. Grade 4 has been a culture shock, and we are still reeling.

Bring the family together with board games #PrimaGamesFest

Rummikub with a Twist

{WIN}

It's winter time, and more time for being indoors, and spending time with the family. Board games is a great way to spend quality (and quantity) time together. Miss Fine has been working on her life skills, and playing board games is a great way in helping her to manage the melt-downs. We can already see a marked improvement when we play board games together.  We will definitely be doing it more after the exams, but in the meantime it is also a great stress reliever when taking a break from studying. 

Here's how you can win Rummikub with a Twist, with extra Jokers to add more fun and skill to the game. As far as board games go, Rummikub is one of our favourites, as the rules are not that difficult, but you get more skilled with each game being played.

What would she do?

Gold Star

There are so many women who are inspiring, and who make's you question your own life - your existential existence. (Said with a wry smile.)  I know it's not good to put a person on a pedestal, as we are surely to be disappointed. But I find myself regularly asking myself: What will she do?

Wordless Wednesday #352 - Date night sunset watching

Meet the Fingerlings Baby Unicorns - WIN

She's Gigi, a  Fingerlings Baby Unicorn

There are new Fingerlings on the toy scene. We are playing with Gigi, the Fingerling Baby Unicorn who loves to grab onto things, especially your fingers. This smart pet responds to noise, motion and touch with special unicorn sounds. The sounds and the responses do differ, and it takes a while to learn all 40 animations. (She comes with a manual.)

Gigi has adorable blinking eyes and her head turns in response if you pet her, rock her to sleep or hold her upside down. You can blow her a kiss, and she will kiss you right back! You can also brush her soft rainbow mane and tail and she has a tiny horseshoe on her rump. She is a magical friend at your fingertips!

Fingerlings Baby Unicorn - she's so kissable

Miss Fine loves playing with her, and has made her her own house in a box, with bed and everything. I have to share it on Instagram, but here was the first meeting.

Meeting Gigi, a Fingerling Baby Unicorn for the first time. She’s a smart robot who responds uniquely. Look out for the blog post today to WIN one of your own@primatoys #FingerlingsBabyUnicorn#PrimaToys pic.twitter.com/rI1bYP5iTh

— Karen du Toit (@karentoittoit) May 21, 2018

Woodrock Sterilisation Clinic - a good news story!

 Co-founders Nicholas Meldau and Estelle Meldau cut the ribbon to open the Woodrock Sterlisation Clinic with Deborah Blane and the lovely Rosabella Catherine Merle Blane the 2nd from Schnauzer Friends South Africa.

We love to hear stories with a positive outcomes. Especially when there are animals involved. Woodrock Animal Rescue in Hennops River was able to the raise their goal of R1-million to build a state-of-the-art animal sterilisation clinic. It was a dream because their mission states that they are pro-life and want to better the lives of all the animals they rescue and take care of.

The celebration for the sterilisation clinic was held this past weekend. We could unfortunately not attend, but I send a few questions to the co-founders of the rescue centre, husband and wife team, Estelle and Nicholas Meldau. They unveiled the initiative that will go far in helping Woodrock to make a difference to the lives of so many animals. The centre works to educate the surrounding communities about pet care, health and sterilisation, as well as medically treating rescue animals.

Had a good laugh about the anecdotal stories, Woodrock... (see below)

Wordless Wednesday #351 - It's a box life

Kids Living now in Johannesburg as well

Kids Living Launch

Kids Living has opened up a shop Kramerville West. They started their first shop in 2008 in Cape Town, and they have a very successful online business.  Their vision is to create a better everyday lifestyle for people, specially focused on families.

The decor ideas and functional products are awesome. I tried to capture some of it on Friday to share it here.

Kids Living now in Joburg! 👍🏻👏🏻👌🏻@kidslivingshop #KidsLiving pic.twitter.com/nEdlD9CBbU

— Karen du Toit (@karentoittoit) May 11, 2018

Meat-free Monday win - Quinoa Salad

Quinoa salad with chickpeas

Mondays are the worst with trying to conjure up easy and filling dinner ideas. One of us comes late with a hungry Miss in tow. This past Monday it was my turn to make dinner. A friend of mine made this quinoa salad at a braai (barbecue) a while ago, and it is simply delicious. I did not have all the ingredients that the recipe suggested, but it worked just as fine.

Recipe for easy Quinoa Salad

The first time I saw your faces

Daughters

With Mother's Day coming up and having all the warm fuzzy feelings about being a mother, and having a Mom whom I only appreciate more and more... I feel blessed. I have signed up for the first time for the Mother's Day Connect on Sunday where groups of moms will visit new moms in hospitals. You can still sign up here: Embrace Mother's Day Connect. It's only an hour out of your day, and you can still be back with your family on Sunday.

I was very lucky to have support and family, and we could prepare for both our daughters. I can't imagine how scary it must be when you don't have that?

I can still remember how I felt when I first saw these precious faces.

10 ways to celebrate Star Wars Day and Roar for Change

#MayThe4thBeWithYou

May the fourth be with you!

Friday the 4th!#MayThe4BeWithYou#MayTheFourthBeWithYou#MayTheForceBeWithYouAlways#StarWarsDayCelebrations#PrincessLeiaOrgana#YodaStarWars #StarWarsNotebook #DisneyAfrica https://t.co/8tNNLkokie pic.twitter.com/dUSIeHTrKq

— Karen du Toit (@karentoittoit) May 4, 2018

It's no secret that we are huge Star Wars fans, and that we usually can't wait for a new movie release or anything that's got to do with the Star Wars Empire. Solo: A Star Wars Story is releasing on 25 May, and tickets sales are open. Happy dance!!

Today is Star Wars Day, and here's a few pointers on how to celebrate. (Thanks to Disney Africa who supplied these awesome ideas in my inbox)

14th Anniversary - we are still having fun together

"Love You to the Moon and Back"

Thank you, dear Hubby! There is nothing like an anniversary of taking stock of your relationship and of what is important. We celebrated our 14th yesterday. It really goes by too quick (*sic*). Life feels a bit harsh at this moment, but we can still go home to each other and our home, and slay life from our protective family nest.

WE are still having fun together (check the Instagram photos), and laughing together!