Vegetarian - not difficult at all!

I have been a vegetarian for 8 months now! It has not been as difficult as I thought it would be!

I woke up on 2 January this year and decided that was the day I needed to change. I have been saying for most of my life that the day I have to kill for my food, is the day that I would become a vegetarian.
My family has been very supportive! Thanks, dear Hubby and kids! 

I have been a hypocrite for too long! What will I think of myself in my golden days when I have been living a lie for so long?

I would love to cut out eggs and cheese as well (Vegan), but for now I am happy that I have not eaten meat and fish for 8 months in a row!

I feel great! I feel healthy!
I am still struggling to not overeat on carbohydrates, but that has always been a problem. Not only now! :-) I see a dietician every two weeks, and she gives me great advice! I think I am her "off-the record" client, because I have not been losing weight for many months, but I always ask her not to "fire" me! Next time I will have lost some weight! Definitely!!

I take my mushroom with me when we go to a braai (barbecue), and Hubby also sometimes makes a brinjal over the fire. I do not like the over-processed vegetarian meals and "meats", and I don't think it is healthy at all!

I can make a mean curry bean dish by now (it gets spicier with each try), and have found the most wonderful spicy dishes on Google! Chilli, nutmeg, paprika, coriander, curry, mustard, cinnamon, garlic, black pepper, cayenne pepper, cumin... All of it works wonders with any type of of bean in the cupboard!

When we go to restaurants, I usually try the vegetarian options. I found the best vegetarian burger so far in Melville at Gravity on Saturday, but I will continue the search!

This has been a great adventure!

 

Disney Africa launched two new websites for parents and children

As a parent I am always keen to explore websites with information about parenting and everything to do with our children. It is even nicer when my child can explore with me through games and activities.

Disney Africa in collaboration with Discovery Vitaly launched two new websites in April:
Disney Baby Africa and Disney Healthy Living

baby.disneyafrica.com
"Creating magical moments from the beginning"

Disney Baby Africa is a great website for expecting and new parents with information and resources for the early years of raising their children. There are sections for "Getting Ready", "Dressing", "On-the-go", "Playtime", "Nursery" and "Milestones". The website also links up to Disney videos, games and activities for children.

[We just could not get the videos playing of the mini adventures with Winnie the Pooh and friends on the main page, not on my iPad and not on my PC. (?)]

http://www.disneyhealthyliving.co.za/
"Celebrating healthy and happy families"

Disney Healthy Living is an engaging website helping families to live more healthy with healthy eating habits and physical activity. There is a Did you know? section which covers the body, food and getting active. There is a Create and Play section, as well as a Recipe  section with healthy, easy and fun food suggestions. Perfect for the fussy eaters!

There's a couple of recipes I am definitely going to try, such as the sandwich sushi.
How ingenious is this?

Sandwich sushi

Both websites are worth checking out!

The final word from Christine Service, Senior Vice President and Country Manager for The Walt Disney Company Africa:

“One of Disney’s unique qualities is the strength of its emotional connection with families. This stems from the shared Disney experiences families have from their own childhood through to connecting with the characters and stories as adults and parents,” says  “The Disney Healthy Living and Disney Baby Africa websites celebrate, support and even inspire new magical family moments. We are thrilled to be collaborating with Discovery Vitality in bringing these online destinations to South Africa.”

Disclaimer: I received the following package from Disney Africa, which includes a Consol water bottle, a Discovery Vitality cellphone arm holder, a Naartjie bib and lovely baby socks. (Luckily I now have someone at work who had a baby recently who I can pass it onto)

Disney Africa launches Disney Baby Africa http://t.co/SqS9bAajGG AND Disney Healthy Living http://t.co/TegLwDtEKv pic.twitter.com/x5milG3z2v
— Karen du Toit (@karentoittoit) April 15, 2015

Coca-Cola into health awareness and movement

Coca-Cola Global commitments

No, Coke did not become healthy all of a sudden!
But, they are running a global health drive, and advocating moderation and a focus on exercise as one of the main fixers of today's obesity rates!

They are working with the medical profession as well as industry bodies, and looking to expand into the education sector as well.

I was intrigued when I was invited to a Coca-Cola Mommy Blogger workshop last week. What I was told was no new information, but it resonated with my own thoughts around health and fitness.

I am sitting too much, and our kids are not getting enough exercise... The electronic age has had a definitive negative impact on our health! It is a global pandemic!

Coca-Cola is reaching out to mommy bloggers, also in South Africa, to help raise awareness about how we change this. As moms we can make an impact in our kid's lives!

Dr Torres on the right

Dr Georgie Torres talked specifically about Exercise is medicine, and that studies have shown that if you only change your physical activity, it is possible to reverse most of our lifestyle diseases of today.

Coca-Cola is the first and founding remaining sponsors of this global initiative of
Exercise is medicine:

The initiative aims to:

1. Creates broad awareness: Exercise is indeed medicine!

2. Makes "level of physical activity" a standard vital sign question in each patient's visit.

3. Health care and physicians should become consistently effective in counselling about exercise.

4. Campaigns for policy changes in public and private sector - supports physical activity counselling and referrals in clinical settings.

5. There should be a perception among public and patients that their health care providers should and will ask about prescribed exercise

6. Physicians and health care providers should be physically active themselves!


It is worrying that a statistic of 80.3% is mentioned of children not meeting their physical activity levels.


Ideas or tips to reduce sitting times: (For us and our children)

(The point is in finding something that makes us happy when being active.)


- limit time watching TV and electronic games;

- remove TV and computers from bedroom;

- use a timer to keep track when using electronic devices;

- walk or cycle with children at least once a week;

- build activity into homework;

- think of fun things to do;

- important to be a role model;

- give child alternatives;

- give child a bike;

- active play equipment, such as trampolines


Yes, you can drink that Coke as part of a moderate diet!

Too much of it won't be good! As too much of anything is not good! (That we all know!)

I don't have a problem with drinking too much of Coke as I rarely have a sip, but I do have to keep tabs on myself with regards coffee, and eating too much sweets.
We all have our little vices that we need to keep in check!

It helps to know that increasing our activity can make a big difference in our health and that we can make a significant increase in our life span.


This video by Dr Mike Evans is a good reminder:

23 and 1/2 hours: What is the single best thing we can do for our health?


Also check out Coca-Cola's website on Health: The Beverage Institute for Health and Wellness - Southern Africa

The ultimate nightmare, or daymare should be more fitting!

Been there, done that, got the t-shirt....
Lice! 
And my head starts to itch already...

I have gone through it already with the first-born. The note in the school bag, the rush to the chemist, and the washing and the combing...
Later on we used to spray each time we washed the hair, and it kept the lice at bay...

But I am now feeling uncomfortable about it being too much pesticides... What with all the stuff we used to wash her hair with, and she sitting in the bath in it!
(Bad mother! I was working with the "best knowledge" I had at the time. I got the stuff at the chemist!)

So far we haven't had an episode with the Missy, and I hope it stays away!
I got an eco-friendly spray the other day at the hairdressers where Little Missy got her first haircut.
It doesn't smell very inviting, but hopefully it works!

The following guest post highlights the fact that it is nothing to be ashamed of, and it is just something that's need to be taken care of right away!


What to do When Your Child Gets Lice

The first thing you should do when your child comes home from school with lice or you get a phone call from another mom who tells you your child may have lice is not to panic!

Take a minute and think back to when you were a child. Do you remember your experience with lice? Chances are you do. Also remember children and lice go together like peanut butter and jelly, poor analogy probably but a very true one!

When your child gets lice consider it a milestone, one that will hopefully only happen once because let’s face it, lice are not much fun for your child or anyone they have come in contact with. Do not be embarrassed, almost every child has had or will get lice.

The first thing you need to do is check yourself, your spouse, and other children in the home to see if they too have lice. Then it is off to the drug store.Depending on how many of the family members have lice will depend on how many boxes of lice killing shampoo you need, buy one box per person.
Follow the instructions on the box and the lice should be gone with one treatment. Check your child again in 24 hours to make sure the lice are gone.

In the meantime, if your child has spent time with another child or you believe they may have picked the lice up at school or a birthday party you will need to make a few phone calls. Again do not be embarrassed just dial the number and talk to the school nurse or the parents of the other children.
In the event you child picked the lice up at school, the school nurse will go to your child’s class room or call the children down to the office and she/he will check the children to see if they too have the lice. 

If you think, your child picked the lice up from a party or friends you will want to call their parents and let them know. Chances are they already know. Just because you are the one making the phone call, does not mean your child gave the other children the lice. The same is true if a parent calls you, that does not mean their child started the lice-spreading event.It just means they are good parents, like you, and want to make sure you are aware of the situation. 

The next thing you need to do is fire up the washing machine. You will need to wash you child’s linens (lice crawl not fly or jump.) They could have crawled on to the bedding and not just the pillowcases.The same is true for any clothes your child has worn recently and towels and wash clothes. Use hot water and a good detergent and use the long cycle. Use hot to dry the lines and clothes as well.

The last thing you will need to do is replace all hairbrushes, combs and hair accessories your child may have worn prior to finding out about the lice. 


Tammy Mahan has been writing medical and health for over 20 years. Writing for Healthline.com allows her to share her medical knowledge with others.

Apps & More: The Best Tech Tools for Healthy New Year's Resolutions

A new year is a time of taking stock and trying anew to be the best you can be!

I realize that not all people want to make New Year's resolutions, and some say that it is pointless!

I find that it directs my thoughts and my actions and some of my goals I actually DO accomplish!

I don't sweat those I don't reach, and put it again on my new list. Or I take it off, when I feel that it does not serve me anymore!

Health and fitness are definitely staying on my list!

 

As we are way on holiday, a guest post is in order:

For a long time, people have been making New Year's resolutions about their health. Fortunately, a lot of people have recently been able to use technology to help them keep their resolutions. In fact, a concerned resolutionite can use technology to help keep track of any of their goals related to fitness or health. So, here are the five best tech tools to help you accomplish your New Year’s resolutions.

Wii Fit

Even though the Wii Fit is a video game console, it is a brilliant piece of fitness equipment. All over the world, people have started using the Wii Fit to get into shape. It's actually specifically designed for this goal, and when you start out with your Wii Fit, you can easily weigh yourself and check your BMI. Then, there are countless games built in to get started, such as tennis and bowling. Once you get the hang of it, you can buy from a selection of dozens of games that help you get in shape. You then can track your progress on a daily basis to see how you are doing. Basically, the Wii Fit is a great piece of technology for anyone wanting to work on their health and have fun.

Fitbit Smart Scale

So many people get caught up in losing weight, when in reality, they need to understand that body mass percentage is a more accurate indicator. The Fitbit Smart Scale is a powerful tool that measures the dieter’s body mass index and fat percentage. By knowing your body fat percentage, you will truly know how in or out of shape you are - your actual weight can be quite deceiving,

Basis Band

When making changes, it is important for an exerciser to monitor their progress. The Basis Band helps an exerciser monitor their progress by providing data on their heart rate, sleep patterns, and calories burnt. The idea is to wear the Basis Band 24/7, as the makers created the watch to be waterproof and lightweight. Anyone wanting to monitor their vitals should take a look at the Basis Band, as it can be a great tool.

Runtastic

Do you like to jog? It is important for all runners to measure their progress. Thanks to Runtastic, joggers now have an app that measures their calories burnt, how far and long they ran and more - at highly accurate levels. There are multiple versions available, including an app for both mountain biking and road biking, if that's more your style.

Spark Recipes

Anyone who wants to live well needs to plan their meals in advance. Spark Recipes lets users search and browse thousands of recipes. You can search based upon your available ingredients to come up with the perfect meal plan that's healthy, affordable and relatively easy to pursue.




Jenna Hayes writes about technology, self-help & health. Her most recent work helps readers find the best Masters in Health Administration Degrees in the US.

 

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Looking back, and looking ahead to 2013

2012 was a great year! It was the year of being sorted!

Sort of... ;-) (Life happens!!)

There was a lot of new beginnings...

We started out with a student going off to Varsity, and then having to deal with initiation stuff which seemed a lot orientation! I felt like I had failed my child, especially since it lasted for the whole year! Next year is definitely going to be much better for her with no more of these practices, which I totally abhor!

The toddler also started at a new pre-primary school, and we know we have made the right choice of moving her! She is extremely happy where she is, and can't wait for a new year with a new teacher in the Dinosaurs' class.

The toddler is four now, and sometimes she is still the toddler, and sometimes we see some of the little girl she is becoming!

I made a few new year's resolutions this year, and some were met. I lost a few kilograms, but next year I have to make serious plans for dieting and exercising. We are also now card carrying members of Virgin Active, and next year you will be seeing more of us there! (Yeees! Of course!)

Hubby went to Mauritius which left me a bit lot envious, but we got to spend some time at the coast as well. The toddler loved the sea this time around!

We definitely need to go on more holidays to recharge and to enjoy our beautiful country!
I did not get to go to Cape Town for a weekend, so it's on my vision board for next year again!
We have an upcoming holiday in Mpumalanga, and we can't wait!

I have studies as a major goal listed for 2013, and maybe this year I can complete my Masters with a longitudal study! (Putting it out there, Universe!!)

I loved loved my iPad this year, and a whole new world opened up to me because of the possibilities with regards the education value of iPads for children. (I am still thinking of taking it up at my child's school - there are ways to put it in every child's hand!)

It has not been a year of any major upheavals or problems in our lives! Yes, we are lucky!
Boring is sooooo good!

We had a near death-defying accident on the highway two weeks ago, and we got away with only a bumper that needs repairs! Yes, we are lucky!

Careerwise it seems we both will have to look into some changes... You know when you have reached the tipping point! When you need new challenges...
2013 seems like a good year for changes in our careers!

I am still working on my goals and visions for 2013.
I believe that it helps in steering us in a definite direction!

-----------


My best wishes for 2013! I hope all your dreams/goals come true!

What goals have you formulated for 2013?

Time for....

Sitting and dreaming next to water
Enjoying the sunsets
Getting out into nature
(Here at Rusty Hook)

Quality time with the Toddler

Gardening

Flowers and plants

Drives to new places
Playing

Braais (barbecues)

Salads and healthy eating
(My favourite salad at the moment: Cranberry & Spinach salad)

I love this time of the year!

Where's Powerwoman?

The person who has lots of go, and energy, and activism, and health, and believes in so many things...

It feels like I lost my edge. I have lost Powerwoman!

 It must be there somewhere, but how do I switch back on the Powerwoman button?

I know my mojo disappeared with lost sleep, and a crying baby... It still feels like I am reeling after a very traumatic incident! I don’t know how people do it baby after baby? (*Bowing!*)

I did some checking, but it is definitely not burnout. Most of the points mentioned here is not how I feel at the moment. I actually still love my work and my personal life. But I know I need to give more attention to my health!

The burnout checklist:

• Feel emotionally and physically exhausted all the time.
• Want to be left alone.
• Haven't got the energy or interest in the things you used to do.
• Feel sad for no apparent reason.
• You are irritable and snap at people.
• Get into conflicts.
• Use alcohol and/or drugs to feel better.
• Work hard but accomplish little.
• Dissatisfied with work.
• Feel frustrated with work.
• Don't have much to look forward to in work.
• Have trouble sleeping because of worrying about work.
• Worry about work during off hours.
• Feelings about work interfere with personal life.

I like the suggestions they have for coping with burnout. That I can definitely incorporate into my life more. Especially the spa experience! (Hint-hint!)

Coping with Burnout (Burnout checklist)

• If you are in a toxic work environment, you'd better get out of it asap.
• Take time off - go on vacation, use up your sick days.
• Decide what you are going to do and act on it.
• If possible, take early retirement.
• Make sure you are eating healthy.
• Get enough sleep.
• Spend some time with people who are positive.
• Get involved in a cause that is meaningful to you.
• Make sure you have an outlet for your emotions e.g. a pet.
• Spend some time each day in quiet meditation.
• Treat yourself to a spa experience.
• Plan your time so you are not always in a rush.
• Learn to laugh. 

Amen to all!

Any more ideas on how to switch back on Powerwoman?

Why I steal my toddler’s sweets

and I don’t feel guilty about it… I am doing her a huge favour!

We sometimes give in to the Whine in the shop for a sweet, and I try to help her pick the smallest/ healthiest (? If that is possible) sweet or crisp. Fridays is also Sweets Day at school, where they buy a sweetie bag for R5. It is one of the things that get the Toddler to school in a very bright mood! How can you say “No!” to that?

If at all possible, we do the disappearing trick with some of the sweets! She’s still happy with what she gets! (I hope it lasts for a while! Wink smile)
Or we eat when she’s not around!

I am saving her from large quantities of sugar!
I am saving her from refined foods!
I am saving her from all the extra additives, colourings, preservatives and junk that they put in sweets!

I am saving her one sweet at a time!

That why, whenever there is a sweet to hide or to magically disappear, I don’t have any quilt-ridden thoughts lingering…

I am doing what I am doing for the health of my child!
(Now I need someone to do the same for me! *Hint*)

Do you also “steal” your children’s sweets?

2011 – Here we come!

I feel in my bones that this is going to be a good year! We are going to make a few changes, and we are going to have lots of fun!

I saw a Twitter update of somebody (can’t remember who) saying that they do not believe people who say that they are always happy, and that everything always run smoothly! Of course, it’s not possible, and stuff sometimes does happen! But it is our own perception of things and our own decision of how to interpret life that makes us happy or not! I believe people who say that they are happy and that things are going well!

I have decided to be happy, and I will make changes to things that change my state of happiness. (I have done it before, such as making a change in my marital status: getting divorced, being single, and getting married again! *Winky smile*)

The toddler is a big girl now. I started making two ponies (see photo), and she doesn’t look like a baby anymore!  Hello, big girl! She is getting more independent by the day... It is entirely possible to start making changes in our lives, again. We can’t blame our little one for bad habits anymore... (Such as not sleeping, and eating junk because we are tired!)

CHANGES in 2011:

• Health wise – we need to start eating healthily again. (I can’t keep on faking health! It doesn’t work! Unfortunately - *wry smile*))

• EXERCISE! From today!  (Enough said. It is time for ACTION!)

• Mind – I am going to find something to study again. I am going to study something to do with social media and Web 3.0.

FUN IN 2011:

• We are going on regular holidays. Every quarter, at least!

• We are going on monthly weekend getaways.

• We are going to plan and spend time on family outings.

• I am going on more dates with Hubby! (Hint!)

• I am going to read more books! The stack next to my bed is LARGE!

• Exercise will be part of the fun! I used to enjoy going to the gym.

Hello 2011! You are going to be GREAT!  

I hope your year will be just as great!

What are your plans for 2011?

The toddler is 13 months & THE DIET starts today!

13 months today! She is waving to us with open arms, not the “come-here” hands of earlier. And she is able to get up by herself from the floor, and stand for a second or so. But that’s it! Walking without holding onto things, or the finger, is not yet an option…
At day care they move the babies to another class when they start walking. It worries me, because I think it is good for them to stay for a bit longer in the same class with the same caregiver. Mieka, take your time…
The frown is also a regular feature nowadays. I will try to get a photo. She frowns when she is unsure, or when we bother her. Utter cuteness! (Says the mom who thinks everything she does is cute, in any case!)

(Photo: Kwa Maritane: Another pointy finger)

I stood on the scale at the dietician this morning. It is one of those scales who gives you your whole history and where there’s no more bullshitting! It even gives you your metabolic age, but I am not going to divulge it. I feel too embarrassed about these huge details! The fake healthy until you are did not do the trick.
I have to eat better, and exercise!
I am stiff today for climbing stairs the day before yesterday (the second day is always the worst), and it’s a good reminder of the effort I will have to exert.
Unfortunately it doesn’t help to know all the health tips, but not to put it into practice… (Duh, Karen!)

Related posts by category:

Mieka: The personality of the toddler

The pointy finger and the crab creep


Health: Fake healthy until you are

Fake healthy until you are

Now that I have a young one in the world, and I am an older parent, I have to give more attention to my health. My youngest is 9 and half months, and I am 42 years of age. I want to be here for her as long as possible. I know this, but why on earth do I struggle so much to get it right? I know all the health rules. I am an avid fan of Mary-Ann Shearer, Patrick Holford, Deepak Chopra and Mike Geary. Two years back I got it right by not eating wheat, drinking milk or eating junk food. I am still drinking a lot of supplements. I slipped a bit when a natural doctor told me that my body is very acidic. And then the pregnancies happened…Most of the healthy habits caved to all the cravings. Toasted cheese and tomato sandwiches and yogi sips were a daily indulgence. Luckily I did not have a lot of space, so I could not eat that much. I only gained 10 kilograms, but now I have my space back, and I struggle to get back into the healthy eating and exercising routine. I still have one excuse: I am breastfeeding and can’t go on a strict diet… (sigh, but I know it’s not a good enough excuse).
The question is – how to get motivated again? Maybe I should give less attention to motivation, and just start doing it. I love the saying: Fake it until you make it! I will start faking a healthier me, until I am the healthy person I am.

My health plan: (Start with small steps):
The goal is to lose 1 kilogram a week, and getting fitter:
- Stop eating bread;
- Use Soya milk;
- Drinking only 1 cup of coffee a day;
- Only drink a glass of red wine over weekends;
- Exercise 3 times a week;
- Flossing every day – one health tip by The Doctors to live longer (that' not too difficult)

Do you have more easy tips for faking healthy?