Read because... 10 ways we can do our share

#ReadBecause

National Book Week is celebrating it's tenth year next week from 2 - 8 September. It's a reminder to all of us to pay attention to one of the most liberating activities we can do for ourselves, and especially our kids. If we can't read, we can't learn, and if we can't learn, it has major implications for the rest of our lives. Reading is an issue in our country. Parents don't read to their kids, and there is not enough access to books and resources.

“The lack of reading interest in our country needs our collective awakening, each one of us must take responsibility to encourage people to read,” says Elitha van der Sandt, CEO, SABDC. “National Book Week provides that platform, a week-long celebration where all South Africans can play their part to promote reading and making books available to those around them. We encourage all corporates, leaders across political lines, parents, teachers,community members, brothers and sisters to celebrate stories, reading and books. It is a human right, and an inexpensive way to transform and move our country forward.”

Cyril Ramaphosa reading quote

What can we do to start reading more?

Me-No-Pause

Karen with a SnapChat filter 

What a strange word: Menopause. ME NO PAUSE. I just love it!

There is still the slightly negative connotation to it! And that it should be kept under wraps. To be suffered in silence! WHY? It signals a next stage in your life. It is to be celebrated, just as a first period transports you into being a woman.

Writing stories for children - Hollard makes it easy with Instastory Books

Hollard InstaStory Book

Always wanted to write a children's story book? There's a really easy way using social media on Instagram. Hollard in partnership with NGO Kago Ya Bana have come up with an ingenious programme available to all to produce story books for young children. You can write and produce your own story book now!

Using Social Media to create Social Good

We have a country where most of our children do not have access to books, and they can't read for meaning in any language. The opportunity to learn is severely compromised. The initiative by Hollard is creating and collecting a new library of original InstaStoryBooks for kids. They are calling on people to create stories in the form of 9 Instagram Story frames, that they convert into foldable books.

Letibalm - still a firm favourite in our house

Letibalm Nose and Lip repair (Tegan Smith Photography)

Letibalm is the only balm that cares for the lips, nose and skin in-between. It's a firm favourite in our house. This past winter (yes, the winter is already forgotten here) we battled some colds and flu, and now it is hay fever season again. We can not survive runny noses without Letibalm.

I have found a new use for Letibalm as well. I wish I had known about it sooner, because I could have saved myself a lot of inflamed outbreaks on my face. Letibalm also has a new addition as well, a Letibalm Junior Nose and Lips repair fluid with a soothing strawberry flavour.

Absolute best winter essentials!Everybody is sick and sniffling which makes Letibalm a firm favourite in our house#Gift @ivohealtsa 🙏#Letibalm#LetibalmNoseAndLipRepair#WintersEssentials#WinterMustHaves#BlogDrop#HandBagEssentials#SABlogger #SA… https://t.co/Tg0ZsjZsPs pic.twitter.com/vRb40P5h6I

— Karen du Toit (@karentoittoit) June 27, 2019

We keep our Letibalm repair creams in different places to always have it on hand.

Little Live Wrapples - the cutest pets from Prima Toys

Wrapples

The cutest furry best friend, a Little Live Wrapples, made it's way to us via a blog drop from Prima Toys. We love them, as they are interactive and great for fun. We think it is a magical toy for special people on their birthdays or the upcoming festive season. Yes, it's that time of the year again! Yay!

We are listing a few reasons why we think Wrapples are such a great toy.

The Warrior Project addresses Domestic Violence

The Warrior Project logo

WOMEN-LED COLLABORATION TO TACKLE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Domestic violence is a topic that is very near to my heart. The Warrior Project is live and free and available to those in need in South Africa.

The Warrior Project

• Providing victims with access to information and resources
• Established by Yvonne Wakefield (also founder of Caveat Legal), in collaboration with LawForAll and SweepSouth

Avo Tacos with Chunky Salsa - Disney Cookabout recipe

Disney Cookabout Season 3 Avo Tacos with Chunky Salsa recipe

Disney Cookabout Season 3 is in full swing on Disney Channel 303. There is nothing we love more than watching cooking shows. For me the focus is on the "watching", but luckily I have a husband and hopefully a daughter who likes cooking a bit more. When I cook, I want it to be easy and fresh. We had the opportunity to prepare a Biltong and Avo Tacos with Chunky Salsa recipe at the recent launch of Disney Cookabout. Because I am a vegetarian, I did not include the biltong in my version.

This recipe is from the Disney Cookabout launch, but I am allowed to share. It is so tasty and so easy to make. The most preparation is in the cutting and measurement of ingredients.