Archive for November, 2011
What could be a more enjoyable way to spend a lazy Saturday or Sunday than visiting one of the many food markets that are to be found in the various suburbs of our Cape Town? Although there are a few old established markets; the modern trend is for lifestyle and food markets which attract a new breed of customer; those seeking good quality fresh home produce.
The Neighbourgoods market is situated in a historic Victorian era Biscuit factory warehouse just outside Cape Town city. This market is the largest of its type in Cape Town, and features more than 100 stalls which offer an almost bewildering range of home produce, artisan bakes, handmade cheeses, preserved meats, sausages, sushi and a wide variety of fine food and produce with the emphasis on fresh organic foods and locally produced specialties. To enhance the experience, there are wines on offer from boutique wine estates as well as micro-breweries to enjoy with your choice of things to eat. in order to be able to find parking, it is best to visit early. Location: The Old biscuit mill 373-375 Albert Street Woodstock, Cape Town every Saturday 9 am to 2 pm
The Earth Fair Market, Tokai has become the choice of those living in the Southern Suburbs of Cape Town. This market is much smaller, but the number and variety of stalls has been carefully chosen and limited by the organizer. On entry one has the beguiling choice of fresh vegetable or fruit juices as well as a choice specialty beers and wine from the rustic bar. There are plenty of tables and chairs and even bales of hay to can sit and enjoy a meal or a snack. There is no formality, and no one minds if you take an empty place at their table- you may even make new friends. There is a delectable range of home produced delicacies on offer, including a selection of tasty pies, farm cheeses, bbq meat and kebabs including specialty sausages, fresh and smoked fish, organic and farm fresh produce, artisan breads cakes and cookies, olives and preserves, gourmet pizza and crepes and even curries. Local friends and families enjoy gathering to share a meal or snack in an informal environment. At the bbq stall one may find the choice of Kudu burger or wildebeest kebab with apricots. There is plenty of safe parking and the market is always busy, but not too crowded. Location: South Palms center, (next to Builders Warehouse in Tokai Main Rd; Open Wednesdays 3-8 pm, and Saturdays 9am-2pm
Triangle Square market: Noordhoek/Sun Valley. This food market serves the so called “Deep South of the Cape Town peninsula. In the mall, protected from the wind and weather, one will find an enticing range of fresh and organic produce, freshly baked pies, cakes and cookies, rustic breads, delicious homemade filled pastas, olives and olive products including delicious Tapenade, smoked fish and pates, relishes and chutneys, and even a platter of Middle Eastern meze. This market is within strolling distance of our self-catering cottages, and we encourage our guests to enjoy the fine food and produce on offer. Location: Sun Valley Mall, Noordhoek; Saturdays from 9 am to 2 pm. Long Beach Mall, Noordhoek.
Kalk Bay Fresh Etc Market is a smaller market situated in a romantic double story community building, dating back to 1906. It has only about 25 stalls and has an attractive position overlooking the sea as well as a convenient, large parking lot. The range includes organic farm produce, preserves and fresh home products, and local specialties such as the spicy curries and Biryanis made popular by the Cape Malay community. The center’s spacious balcony offers a great opportunity to look out for whales in the bay opposite while enjoying your food and perhaps to make new friends. Even if the market is small, you will enjoy the wide range of restaurants, galleries and collectible shops that line the Victorian fronted main Road of Kalk Bay and you can easily be enticed to spend the day. Location: Community Centre, Kalk Bay, Cape Town; 3rd Sunday of every month from 10am to 3 pm
Simonstown Lifestyle Market at Southern Right hotel: This recently opened market offers arts, crafts, home bakes, produce, preserves and clothing, and is located behind the brightly painted Victorian hotel known as the Southern Right- after the whales frequent the shores of Cape Town during the winter and spring. Once you have done with the market, why not enjoy a meal of local fish or seafood on the hotel’s outdoor deck and enjoy the spectacular view of False Bay. Location Southern Right hotel and restaurant, just off main road, Simonstown, Saturdays 9:30 am to 3 pm
These markets continue to grow in popularity as people move away from mass produced foods, filled with preservatives, seeking organic and fresh produce. New markets are being announced to open at Solole Game reserve, Noordhoek and other locations, so the visitor on a Cape Town holiday will probably find an even greater selection than is set out in this article.
Putting the spark back in your marriage could deem one of the best things to do to improve on sex and communication which contributes to a healthy life. Many times marriages have become dreary and the sex mundane and both parties start looking at each like strangers and looking elsewhere.
There was a time when there was romancing, wining and dining, when the sex was earth scattering. There was no scheduling of sex, it was spontaneous and enjoyable. But, what happened? Now it is a routine, it feels like duty, where did the spark go?
Maybe children came into the picture and demand more of your time and take away your privacy and change your lifestyle. They pop into your room at the most inappropriate time without considering what is going on behind the doors. As they become older they learn not to just pop in but knock; now sex probably improved a bit. Not like it was before the kids came along because they still demanded a lot of your time.
Or, your job is time consuming and very taxing on your leisure time. You spend a lot of home time working on take ‘home’ projects from work, which does not leave a lot of time for relationships. The other person starts feeling neglected and begins pulling away.
The aim is to get the spark back so you can have that over all healthy life. Determine what the issues are in the relationship; come up with a plan to counteract those issues. If time is the problem, cut back on the amount of home time spent doing career work. Involve your partner more into the things you do, so they will see what interest you. Get to know your partner also, find out their new interests and volunteer to try it.
If it’s the children then, make a special time for each other, whether it’s a date night or a weekend away, just make it your time. Dinner and a movie will usually do the trick and time away to a weekend spa for a few days of relaxation and some much needed TLC.
It’s time to throw out the old baseball nightshirt and replace it with a sexy negligee that is eye catching. People just eating healthy, it is an overall process.
There is a compelling need for many of us to improve our eating habits but exactly what is a healthy diet and what is healthy food? We all need to focus on answering these questions because a massive 64% of people in the USA and 48% of people in Europe are overweight, with the rest of the world looking set to catch up soon. Our knowledge about the impact on our health from what we eat is constantly being updated. Being up to date on what is healthy food can be challenge but is worth it. New evidence now suggests that some foods can slow down the aging process. So you might be pleasantly surprised and encouraged to discover that the answer to the question – what is a healthy diet? – holds the key to both help you lose weight and slow down how quickly you develop wrinkles and show signs of aging! Before I answer the questions: What is healthy food? And what is a healthy diet? Here are a few more statistics to focus your mind and set the scene on why we should all be concerned about what we eat.
27% of Americans are classified as obese Obesity is responsible for 325,000 deaths every year Obesity costs tens of billions each year in treatment 750 million people worldwide are overweight Being overweight leads to premature aging, heart disease and diabetes.
If you need more encouragement than this, let me appeal to your vanity – according to the latest research you can age-proof your whole body if you eat smart, do some exercise and de-stress on a daily basis. Who doesn’t want to look and be younger and fitter?
What Is A Healthy Diet?
A healthy diet is based on knowing what is healthy food and healthy food is natural food not processed food. When thinking about what is a healthy diet, the other things to remember are that you need carbohydrates for energy but too many carbohydrates make you fat. You need proteins because they are the building blocks for your body and you need fresh fruits and vegetables because they provide essential vitamins, minerals and other substances that allow your body to function properly.
What Is Healthy Food?
Natural food is healthy food but not all foods are the same, some have greater health giving benefits than others. Recent research suggests that there are foods that have natural anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. These foods are beneficial in preventing age related illness such as heart disease, diabetes and premature wrinkles. When we are under stress, or undernourished, we produce invisible inflammation inside our bodies that contributes to early aging and age related ill-health. A healthy diet needs to be rich in naturally anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant foods. These include:
Oily fish – wild salmon, mackerel, sardines Seeds, nuts, beans, pulses Ginger, cinnamon, turmeric, garlic, avocado Brightly coloured fruits and vegetables – dark green, red, purple, orange and yellow fruits and vegetables
So what is a healthy diet and what is healthy food…again?
Pack your diet with oily fish, spinach, carrots, squash, kidney beans, red lentils, oranges, red grapes, blueberries, walnuts, almonds, pine kernels, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds… and you will be more likely to live a long and healthy life and look younger for longer.
Eat lots of sugary and processed foods, French fries, full fat dairy foods, white bread, pasta, rice and potatoes, drink lots of cola and coffee and you will most likely be one of the millions of people in the world that is overweight, with more wrinkles and with a much greater risk of getting heart disease and diabetes in later life, to mention but a few of the health problems associated with being overweight.