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South African Lifestyle Magazine for Women
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April / May 2014 SA: R34.95 (Vat Incl).
Mid July / August 2014 SA: R15.00 (VAT INCL)
ISSN 2311 - 4819
exclusive
young emerging african leaders
yvonne Kgame
CEO ASHLEY PETERS
EDITOR ASHLEY PETERS
JOURNALIST Sibusiso Kkwanazi
PRODUCTION RAJESH DEVJEE
MARKETING TBA
DISTRIBUTION ALLIED PUBLISHING SPECIALISED DISTRIBUTION INHOUSE
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Hi ALL,
With the winter months almost over we present our GREEN July/August 2014 edition.
We profile S.A’s very own two beautiful and passionate Young Emerging GREEN African Leaders in our Cover Feature. Not only are they passionate about the development and empowerment of women, children and gender equality, but also share with the world what we as South Africans are achieving in the fight against a sustainable environment now and in the future.
We interview SABC’s Yvonne Kgame. She tells us about her leadership role in educational broadcasting and the development of the SABC over the years. She also tells us about her personal life experiences. Read more about what makes this Business Executive tick.
Planning to get married soon or want to get in shape for that special day? Read more in our Lifestyle section on Pages 18 & 19 inside.
This month in our Health Section we showcase the Headache Clinic and give you more insight into what causes headaches and also about migraines linked to our children’s learning disabilities.
For our female readers, our Beauty Section covers great tips on how to pick high heeled shoes, investing in a healthy smile this summer as well as how to deal with dry skin.
Thousands of visitors from across the country flocked to Pietermaritzburg for the 2014 Golden Horse Sprint Race Day at Scottsville Racecourse which was held recently. Read more on Page 24 and check out the fabulous outfits.
For our foodies, The Classic India North Indian Cuisine, Barbeque and Sizzlers is a MUST do night on the town. Treat your family to a unique cuisine experience in the East of Johannesburg where you can expect top class service and taste. See Pages 38 & 39 inside.
In our Recipe Section, we bring you As South Africa as Biltong. South Africans take their biltong seriously and will argue about anything from who makes the best biltong, to the best cut of meat and the best way to make biltong.
We wish all our Muslim advertisers and readers a joyous Eid and also pray that all denominations worldwide take some form of action to end the suffering in Gaza and promote a just, lasting and sustainable peace between Israel and the Palestinians.
Good news for the future is that Pulse Mag has been undergoing a transition from a print platform to a digital platform for the past three months and is currently available FREE digitally. To view paste the following link in your browser http://issuu.com/pulsemagsa/docs/pulse_web_version_may_2014
This transition will put us in the forefront in Digital Magazine advertising in South Africa in years to come and not only save you the reader, but our advertisers money as well.
Until next month…..
Ashley Peters
Sms S.A: 072 907 2894
International: +27 72 907 2894
Page 4
Contents 24 FASHION FEATURE
08 Miss Earth
14 Yvonne Kgame Exclusive
18 Shedding for the Wedding 19 Affordable yet elegant Wedding themes
40 As South Africa As Biltong
22 Well-Heeled: Tips for picking high heels 23 Find the right tools to invest in a healthy smile 23 Dueling with dry skin? Why Honey is the Bees Kness head to toe
24 Thousands find their mojo at SA’s biggest spring event
38 Classic India
32 SA’s National Parks Explored
08 COVER FEATURE
14 INTERVIEW
18 LIFESTYLE
20 HEALTH
22 BEAUTY
24 FASHION FEATURE
32 TRAVEL WITH pULSE
38 RESTAURANT REVIEW
40 RECIpE
20 Changes in Estrogen linked to Migraines and Seaizures 20 Migraines linked to Teen learning disabilities
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South Africa’s Change Agent: Catherine Constantinides
Young Emerging African Leader l Social Entrepreneur l Humanitarian l Climate Activist l Business Mogul
Catherine Constantinides, SA’s Young Eco-Preneur, passionate Climate Activist, Urban Food Gardener and award winning young voice of the African Continent. The former Miss Earth South Africa is passionate about the development and empowerment of women, children and gender equality. She believes that as we uplift the girl child it is our duty to ensure we uplift the boy child too. Having travelled across the world to share her passion for sustainable community development Constantinides has her roots firmly entrenched in Africa. This young women has shared global platforms with Heads of State, Activists, International Business Moguls, Celebrities, Sports Stars and Freedom Fighters to name a few, voicing the opinion of the youth of Africa, ensuring that this is a voice that is taken seriously and a voice that is included as a key part of the global conversation in the development of Africa.
With more than a decade invested in educating, empowering and creating a much needed awareness around Climate Change, Sustainable Development, Agriculture, and Women Empowerment; Constantinides and her team work actively in schools, rural communities, consulting with government and the private sector not only in South Africa but across the continent. As a passionate African she believes that the challenges our people face across Africa, need to be addressed urgently in order to look at more sustainable ways to uplift and grow the continent, moving Africa forward with an increased skill and educational transfer and an aligned focus on the development of Africa’s agricultural sector and food security programmes. Constantinides is quoted as saying, “If we do not urgently address Climate Change and the affects we can already see taking place, including the displacement of people, water challenges, climate refugees and the food crisis, we further cripple the development of our individual countries and continent.”
The multi-award winning social entrepreneur and Earthling has found a niche and has certainly got industry, government and communities alike to stand up and listen. She is determined to make sure she sees action on the ground and will fight until her continent is one that is food secure, low carbon intensive, economically viable and prosperous, for people and planet. This Archbishop Tutu African Oxford Fellow strives for a world, that does not need us to fight for the environment we have, but for an earth where the environment is safe guarded and does not need protecting. @ChangeAgentSA @MissEarth_SA
Current Awards:
Top Woman in Business 2014
Premier Business Award Presented by the Department of Trade and Industry 2013
Mail and Guardian Greening the Future, Sudley Adams Memorial Award 2013
Enviropaedia Eco-Logic Youth Award 2013
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COVER
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Ella Bella is a Masters Graduate from the University of the Witwatersrand having received her Masters Degree in Dramatic Arts and Education. Ella Bella is the founder of Generation Earth and the educational officer of the Miss Earth South Africa leadership programme. Generation Earth is a South African-based youth driven environmental group initiating change from grassroots levels by the youth for the benefit of future generations and industries.
This outgoing, fun loving young woman has also been a spokesperson and active youth ambassador for the United Nations Environmental Youth Programme for the past four years. Having met some of the world’s most iconic individuals, like Nelson Mandela and Wangari Maathai, members of the royal family; HRH Prince Edward: the Earl of Wessex and HRH Princess Caroline of Hanova, Monaco and her son HRH Prince Andrea; to celebrities like Will Smith, Pharrell Williams, Lady Gaga, Jamie Fox, Emma Watson, Don Cheadle and Forest Whitaker, Ella Bella says she wants to meet many more influential people as, “this is a platform to share what we as the children of Africa are accomplishing.”
After being named one of the Mail and Guardian’s Most Influential Young People of 2012, Ella Bella is the founder of Generation Earth which was awarded the Greening the Future Award: The Sudley Adams Memorial Award for outstanding reach, innovation and sustainability among the youth of South Africa. Ella Bella is being recognised for the role she is playing among the youth in the sustainability and citizenship sphere, both in Africa and in the world. She was awarded the Rising Star Award for the Entrepreneur of the year for 2013 and is a recent recipient of the Lyceum Award for Entrepreneurship and Community Development for 2014. She was recently honoured by the South African Premier Business Awards this year for the Miss Earth South Africa Programme in the Young Entrepreneurship Category, an Enviropaedia Eco-Logic Award Recipient for 2012 this young dynamo is a passionate diehard environmentalist that leaves no stone unturned in the quest to change mind sets and behaviour. Her energy in inspiring people towards living a greener life is infectious. As one of the Al Gore Climate Reality International Leaders, Ella Bella aspires to educate and get the messages of Climate Change out to young people who she believes will be the agents of change in years to come. Her primary objective is to establish Generation Earth Councils across the world; her passion is to create a platform that allows for open dialogue, so that the youth can share their challenges and inspirations for the revolution that lies ahead of them.
Be The Change, The World Seeks!
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New Look
Assured Quality &Value
Decor & InteriorsHome Improvement Warehouse
Tel: 011 433 2006/7
Shop 1, Xavier Boulevard, Cnr. Xavier & N12, Winchester Hills, Johannesburg South, South Africa. email: [email protected] | website: www.newlookgroup.co.za
E & O.E. All prices include Vat Prices subject to change without prior notice Pictures are for illustration purposes only
Open 7 days a week, We Deliver!
Our annual Stationery Drive, is a project that is very rewarding and impactful, and has grown in numbers from 400 learners to over 10 thousand currently. I know that some of you were not able to contribute stationery, but to those of you that were able to support us, please know that your donation has been highly valued. Please be are aware of the impact and result of this amazing project. THANK YOU for supporting us. The Earth Team.
Acknowledgment of the donation received for our annual Miss Earth South Africa Stationery Drive 2014
The Miss Earth South Africa programme is focussed on developing young women; we do this through the vehicle of environmental education. In developing the knowledge and understanding of sustainability, consumerism and a shared responsibility and vision for all citizens, corporate business and government is key in developing environmental ambassadors that are not only inspired in changing their own behaviour but through the school programmes they are able to assist in changing the behavioural habits of young children too.
We initiate and run several programmes for the young ladies that have been selected into this leadership initiative from around South Africa. These programmes are socially and environmentally based. Every year we run a stationery drive in communities where learners start their schooling year with little or no stationery at all. We have taken this challenge on as one of our social projects as part of the Miss Earth programme. Your contribution our drive is appreciated and adds to the work we are able to do on the ground to help improve the lives of others.
We have managed to engage in 130 different schools with one or more of the above mentioned initiatives. We would like to acknowledge and thank you for being one of our contributors to making these programmes a success. Attached images are credited to Miss Earth South Africa Head Office.
Green Regards
Ella Bella
Miss Earth SA Project Coordinator
United Nations Youth Mentor for Southern Africa
Page 12 www.pulsemagsa.wix.com/pulsemagsa
MISS EA
RTH
www.smwatch.co.za
Matiwane Combined School welcome the Miss Earth SA Team
The MESA Team along with some of the Former Winners of the Miss Earth South Africa
Thobile, Nancy and Ashanti with the Principal of Diepsloot Primary
Nancy and Rowena from the Miss Earth SA team
Yvonne Kgame is a professional with twenty-eight years experience as a
leader and Senior Executive in Local and International print publishing and public broadcasting at the South Afri-
can Broadcasting Corporation (SABC). Yvonne is also a teacher, Chief Exam-
iner, mentor, inspirational speaker and researcher and is currently The Execu-tive: Innovations and Editorial Manager
of Local Content at the SABC.
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EXCL
USIVE
INTE
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During the period of South Africa’s transition to democracy, Yvonne provided insightful leadership in educational broadcasting. The collective work of her and the team she led has been recognised through 150 international and local awards, and the development
of strategic partnerships resulting in a number of co-productions. Among the most prestigious awards she has received are: the Peabody Award, the CBA Broadcasting Award for Outstanding Children’s programmes, and four awards in Italy including the Grand Jury Prize. She was nominated for a South African Feather Award in her personal capacity. She received an award from Images and Voices of Hope, an international organisation focusing on International Dialogues for Thought Leaders in Media – Journalism.
Following her successful leadership in education broadcasting, Yvonne head-ed up the SABC’s Content Hub, overseeing a broad spectrum of program-ming genres. At the apex of work in this role, she was overseeing the con-ceptualisation and broadcasting of more than 800 programmes. During this time her work was recognised through more than 80 local and international awards in just over two and a half years. Amongst these are: an Emmy Award of Recognition for Hosting the Semi-final round of the International Emmys; FEPACI (Pan African Federation of Filmmakers): a Recognition Award for services rendered. After her double stroke, Yvonne was appointed Executive Manager: Innovation and Editorial. In this role, she supports content houses across various media platforms which express, celebrate and affirm South African and African stories. Yvonne’s passion for weaving and positioning the African tapestry in a global context represents her quest for making Africa’s great stories widely known.
Yvonne’s academic qualifications include a Master of Arts (University of Stel-lenbosch, South Africa), a Materials Development Certificate (Thames Valley University, United Kingdom), Bachelor of Arts Hons (Wits University, South Africa, 1992), a Bachelor of Arts in Education (Honours) (Wits University), Bachelor of Arts with distinction in Education (UNISA, South Africa), a Senior Secondary Teachers Diploma (Soweto College). She has recently obtained a Certificate in Occupationally Directed Education & Training Development Practices – NQF 4 (Maccauvlei Learning Academy).
Yvonne has served as a board member of various international and nation-al boards, including: International Public Television; Basel Forum; Sithengi Board (International Film and TV Festival); Academy of Television, Arts and Sciences; Oscar Selection Committee; Chowac (Christ Haven of Workers Adult Literacy Centre) and Chief Examiner at the IEB. She has recently been appointed Chair of the Board of the International Association of Human Val-ues.
On a Personal level:
Being a career mom can cause serious damage to family relationships, ac-cording to senior SABC executive and heavyweight media professional Yvonne Kgame, who learnt her lessons the hard way.
“It was only when I was in the ICU that I realised how blessed I am to have family and wonderful friends around me,” said Kgame.
Six years ago Kgame suffered a double stroke and then found out that she had a massive tumour in her brain.
When medics told her that they could no longer help and that she should go home and spend her remaining time with family, Kgame refused to accept that what scientists label Glomus Jugalare Tumour, a rare illness which affects one out of 1.3 million people in the world annually, would take her life.
But through prayer and dramatically changing her lifestyle, Kgame has mi-raculously fought back to the point that the latest scan on her brain shows that the tumour has shrunk.
Kgame is now in good health, and has written her story Infinite Grace about her journey and talks publicly about how faith has brought about her healing.
Addressing her peers at a recent Microsoft Women in IT breakfast in Bryan-ston, Kgame had her audience spellbound as she described how her faith and being open to different prayer forms and meditation helped her recover. She also got the audience and Microsoft managing director Mteto Nyati dancing during her address on how she overcame adversity.
Yvonne Kgame
“The doctors said…go home and put things in place. Say everything you need to say to your husband, your sons. Put order in whatever life you have left.”
“The only thing I wanted was to go home and make peace with everything and everyone,” said Kgame, the former content hub boss now the executive in charge of innovation and edito-rial manager at the national broadcaster.
Far from succumbing to her condition, the stroke had left her face lopsided, caused her to struggle with balance and left her without hearing in her left ear, Kgame began a spiritual journey that has taken her from her Catholic upbringing to meditation with spiritualists from the East, such as Sri Swami Paramananda, an organisation called Art of Living and American Dr John Demartini. She has also taken up yoga.
“I realised then that I was not ready to go any-where, I belong here and felt that there is much for me to do.”
One of the things that shocked her most as a career mother was realised just how much she had neglected her children and husband. “I ac-cepted the fact that I was not available to my-self, let alone my husband and sons. Yet I was so committed to doing public service, what a contradiction,” she said.
“In my arrogance, I believed that in my profes-sional work no one could do things in the man-ner that I wanted them done, so I pushed myself harder and harder to do everything myself,” she said.
Yet during the illness, it was her family at home and the 106 staff members under her watch at the SABC who took time, to massage or pray with her while she lay in bed at home or in hos-pital.
“It was only when I was in the ICU that I realised how blessed I am to have worked with bosses that were not only interested in my performance but in my well-being and that they connected with me more deeply than just an SABC em-ployee.
“They came to visit me at the ICU immediately when they heard the news. I believe that they are my soul mates. When I needed them, they were there. I felt so encouraged and inspired to see them that I saw myself out of the ICU and back at the SABC,” she said.
Kgame said her sons used to beg her to watch them rugby and she could never make it be-cause of work commitments.
“It is my prayer and heartfelt wish, that moth-ers take the time to reflect on their situation so
that they can make it better for themselves, their children and families and not wait for a traumat-ic event to shake them into action.”
She received loud applause when she told the audience at the Microsoft breakfast how her condition has improved dramatically, even her hearing is back at 70-percent levels, and a re-cent MRI scan confirmed that the tumour had shrunk.
“One of the most important awakenings was the realisation that I had placed my career above my family and loved ones. I lived for my career. I gave everything to any role I was given and for this, I paid a heavy price.
“My children bore the brunt of this choice be-cause I was away from home on business trips for much of the time. I missed many of my chil-dren’s birthdays. I also missed watching the boys play sport and they were all such good sportsmen,” she said.
However, after her illness, family and times for her friends is a top priority. She even takes a lunch break, a far cry from when she would work from 8am until 8pm.
“I regret investing so much in my profession and so little in my family,” she added.
INTE
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Summer is often synonymous with wedding season. For most of us, wedding season means looking forward to drinking, dancing and cake. But for the bride (and groom), it means tightening, toning and trimming to get in shape before the big day.
Michelle McCormick, personal trainer at Life Time - The Healthy Way of Life Company knows the pressure brides and grooms often feel. She understands that all eyes are on the couple from the moment they walk down the aisle until the last dance of the night.
“When I work with brides and/or grooms-
to-be, I tell them it’s usually best to start thinking about their health and fitness goals about three months before the wedding day to allow plenty of time to set goals, establish a regular routine and adjust to a healthier diet,” says McCormick. “Crash diets or extreme exercise programs are not something I ever recommend given the risks for injury or illness before the big day.”
McCormick, who believes that shedding for the wedding is a great opportunity for the bride and groom to support each other, suggests a four-week plan broken up in increments.
Weeks one to four: Nutrition and exercise education
Focus on creating new and healthy habits. Nutrition is key when trying to lose weight, decrease body fat, or increase your overall health. Begin with a fitness program that incorporates weight training and cardio intervals. Start with two or three days of weight training, two or three days of cardio and one day of Pilates or Yoga. McCormick recommends couples lay out a nutrition plan that consists of carbohydrates, protein and healthy fats with each meal between 300 and 600 calories.
Carbs should mostly consist of fruits,
Shedding for the wedding
LIFES
TYLE
Saving money is always smart, but can it also be romantic? When it comes to your wedding day, spending less doesn’t mean you have to give up elegance and romance. It’s all about wise choices, setting priorities and selecting a theme that is the perfect marriage of elegance and budget mindedness.
“We’ve all heard how the cost of the average wedding increases every year, but it’s also easier than ever for savvy brides to save money and still have a smashing wedding,” says Tara Sikel, a wedding-planning expert with Ann’s Bridal Bargains. “Picking the right theme can go a long way toward making the most of your wedding budget. And the money you save on the ceremony can go toward something equally romantic and exciting, like the honeymoon or buying your first house together.”
Certain themes speak of romance and elegance, but can easily fit into a leaner budget. As you’re planning your budget-friendly wedding, consider one of these themes:
* Destination - Who wouldn’t love to say their vows on a tropical beach or on the lawn of an Irish castle? If going to the actual destination is beyond your budget, look for ways to recreate that location’s ambiance closer to home. Live near the shore? Potted palms, combed sand, an arch, bouquets of tropical-hued flowers and flickering torches can turn any beach into a tropical experience. Recreate the Irish countryside in a local park or your parents’ backyard with wildflower arrangements and decor in hues of emerald and cream. Whatever your special theme, you can set the tone
for your wedding by choosing destination wedding invitations that evoke the spirit of your destination.
* Rustic - Even the truest love can sometimes be complicated, which may explain the appeal of a simple rustic wedding theme. On your big day, everything should feel easy and natural, and a wedding of simple decor and natural themes can accomplish that. The outdoors make a perfect setting for rustic weddings, allowing you to use nature’s beauty as wedding decor. You can also bring the outdoors inside, decorating a banquet hall with natural touches. Replace pricy centrepieces with artfully arranged branches accented with sprays of wildflowers or traditionally rustic fruits such as apples, pears and peaches. Choose colours that evoke a country setting, like soft buttery yellows, gentle greens and rich browns.
* Vintage - Your mother’s beautiful, well-preserved wedding gown may be more than a money-saver - it can be the perfect centrepiece for a vintage wedding theme. One of the best things about a vintage theme is that it can pay homage to virtually any decade. A sparkly flapper-girl gown, pink and black table linens and some art deco accessories can recreate the roaring ‘20s. Salute the ‘50s with kitten heels and a full tulle skirt for you, and a skinny tie for your bridegroom. Depending on what decade you choose, you can find great decoration pieces and even bridal favours at second-hand shops and vintage stores. Or, raid your parents’ and grandparents’ attics to see what period treasures they may have stored and forgotten.
* Garden - Outdoor weddings are wonderful for spring and fall, but you can recreate a garden atmosphere at any time of year, indoors or out. If you’ll be saying your “I do’s” beneath the open sky, choose a setting with a striking, older tree and make it the backdrop for your vows. In warmer months, the tree’s natural greenery will create a lush, garden atmosphere. In autumn, dress up bare branches with strands of lights or paper lanterns. Indoors or out, renting lawn chairs for guests to sit on is not only an economical option, it’s a great way to underscore your garden theme. Instead of a pricey white runner or costly flowers, define the aisle with simple lanterns lit with candles. Floral wedding invitations are a versatile, beautiful way to announce your wedding’s garden theme.
“Elegance and romance can be achieved without breaking the bank,” Sikel says. “Choosing a budget-friendly theme can help ensure you’ll invest more creativity and less cash to achieve the wedding of your dreams.”
vegetables and complex carbs such as lima beans, squash, sweet potatoes and black eyed peas. Try to avoid simple carbs made with refined sugars such as candy, fruit juice, sodas and packaged foods.
Proteins should be lean and free of hormones and antibiotics whenever possible. Try chicken, almonds, turkey, fish, flank steak or even tofu. A good protein powder can also be used in the morning, throughout your day or after a workout to add protein to your diet.
Make sure to get monosaturated and polyunsaturated fats, known as “good fats” into your diet. These fats help increase your good cholesterol while lowering your bad cholesterol and boosting your immune system. Incorporate olive oil, sunflower oil, coconut milk, avocados, soybean oil or flaxseed oil to your recipes for a healthier meal.
Weeks five to eight: Creating momentum for your wedding day
In this phase, McCormick suggests
focusing on switching up exercise and cardiovascular routines. Working with a certified personal trainer might be a good step - or for those on a tight budget, group fitness classes are a great way to shake up a workout routine. Try personal training or group fitness one or two days every other week and continue with a healthy nutrition schedule.
“Remember, 80 percent of your success will be from your healthy food choices,” says McCormick.
Exercise should include one to two weight-training exercises per body part once or twice a week. Try to continually switch up the amount of weight and the number of repetitions to help stimulate change within your body. Continue this routine two to three days per week and add in another day of Pilates or Yoga. Focus on having three to five meals throughout the day.
Weeks nine to 12: Sleep, relax, and enjoy
In the final weeks before the wedding, it is important to continue the fitness and
nutrition routines you have developed over the last few months. However, a new focus on rest and relaxation is key as the big day approaches and life can start to feel a bit stressful. Try taking a Yoga class in the evenings to help you sleep better at night and use a sauna for 10 minutes at least three days a week. Remember, you can eat well and exercise perfectly but without sleep, stretching and resting, your adrenals have a higher chance of not functioning efficiently.
Exercise should consist of cardio coaching three to four days per week, weight training two to three days per week and Yoga or Pilates one to two days per week.
At the end of four weeks, brides and grooms will feel great and be ready to face the world as a married couple. “I get such joy seeing the progress brides and grooms-to-be make as they prepare for their big day and to live a healthy way of life forever,” says McCormick.
AffordAble yet elegAnt wedding themeS
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A recent study shows that dramatic changes in estrogen levels can be linked to migraines.
The study, conducted by the Institute of Psychiatric Research in New York states that “At times of life when estrogen levels change dramatically, such as puberty, post-partum or menopause, there are also dramatic changes in the nervous system”.
Dr. Elliot Shevel, Migraine Surgeon and Medical Director at The Headache Clinic concurs that the system of arteries and veins shown in this research link migraine pain to fluctuating hormone levels. “Estrogen works directly on the structures of the brain. The study has been able to show precisely the link between these changing estrogen levels and the central nervous system”.
“Breast Cancer inversely linked to migraines”
New data shows that women who suffer from migraines have a lower risk of breast cancer. The study was preformed at the Washington Hutchinson Centre. The multicenter study consisted of 4,568 breast cancer cases and 4,678 controls. One of the explanations for the inverse relationship is that migraine sufferers are less likely to use exogenous hormones such as oral contraceptives and other triggers such as alcohol.
“Obesity linked to migraines”
The American Headache Society’s peer reviewed medical journal known as ‘Headache’ has published a research paper highlighting the link between obesity and migraine. The results confirm that obese women are 47.3% more likely to suffer from headaches.
“9 Million Headache Sufferers in South Africa”
Headaches and migraines are far more common locally than you might think. Almost 16% of the South African population, or a staggering 9 million suffer from headaches.
“Despite this fact many people still overlook regular headaches as a serious health concern. As a society, we don’t pay enough attention to headaches and migraines and the impact it has on so many lives. Far too often it is considered to be something frivolous. Research further shows that figures are constant across all races, cultures and income groups. Migraines do not discriminate.” Says Dr. Shevel.
To find out more about non drug treatment for headaches and migraines, call 0861 678 911 or visit www.theheadacheclinic.net for free assistance.
For more information or to set up an interview with Dr. Shevel, please contact Jillian Coleman on 0861 678 911
“ChAngeS in eStrogen linked to migrAineS And SeizureS”
migrAineS linked to teen leArning diSAbilitieS
“Migraines becoming more common in adolescents”
According to a combined study by over ten international research facilities, headaches are becoming more prevalent amongst school children. Results show 66% to 71% of 12- to 15- year-olds having at least one headache every three months, and 33% to 40% having at least one per week on average.
Headache is often accompanied by other physical and/or emotional manifestations. The same study identified various factors - a dysfunctional family situation, the regular consumption of alcohol, caffeine ingestion, smoking, a low level of physical activity, physical or emotional abuse, bullying by peers, unfair treatment in school, and insufficient leisure time – can be individually linked to headache in children.“Learning Disabilities ADD linked to migraines”
Medical records of children and adolescents visiting pediatric neurology clinics were reviewed over a one year period. Among first time patients, 24% were formally diagnosed with learning disabilities, and a staggering 28% with ADHD.
Dr Elliot Shevel, Migraine Surgeon and Medical Director of The Headache Clinic since its inception in 1992 concurs, “Research shows poor to average academic performance are more common amongst children with headaches. We should look deeper at poor performance. It may be more complicated than a parent might
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HEALT
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think.”
“Missing class and migraines”
Another recent study suggests a staggering 30% of tertiary students suffer from headaches severe enough to miss class.
The Headache Impact Test (HIT-6) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale were used to measure the severity of Migraines in each student. Three hundred and forty four university students participated in this peer reviewed study.
From the sample, 30.8% (106 students) have missed class, and of those 8.7% (30 students) have had to seek emergency services.
To find out more about non drug treatment for children and adolescents suffering from headaches, call 0861 678 911 or visit www.theheadacheclinic.net
For more information or to set up an interview with Dr. Shevel, please contact Jillian Coleman on 0861 678 911 or [email protected]
Dr Elliot Shevel
Few relationships in a woman’s life are as love-hate as the one she has with her high heels. We love them because
they look great and make legs appear longer and leaner, helping petite women appear taller and tall women statuesque. The hate, however, comes when the pain begins.
High heels are the No. 1 culprit of foot pain for women. Nearly half of all women wear heels, and 71 percent of heel-wearers say those shoes hurt their feet.
“With many types of heels, like very high stilettos, foot pain is hard to avoid,” says Dr. Matthew G. Garoufalis, a podiatrist “But it is possible for women to find a happy mid-point between great looks and great pain.”
Here are some basic guidelines for choosing better-for-you heels:
* Nearly half of heel-owners admit to wearing heels 3 inches or higher. That height, however, shifts body weight forward and puts great pressure on
the ball of the foot and the toes. Avoid heels higher than 2 inches.
* A high stiletto with a pointy, closed toe is the worst type of shoe for your feet. Instead, choose heels with a generous toe box area and extra cushioning at the front of the shoe. A slight heel or wedge encourages your arch to lift.
* Consider wearing supportive shoes during your commute and changing into high heels after you arrive at the office. This will help minimize the time your feet spend in heels.
* Kitten heels are a good-looking, foot-friendly option for heel wearers. With a heel height typically less than 1 inch, kitten heels deliver a bit of height without the pressure that higher heels can cause.
* Be extra careful when wearing platforms or wedges, as these styles can compromise your balance and stability. Very high shoes may lead to ankle rolls and falls. Choose lower platforms and wedges that secure
with ankle straps.
* During warm weather, peep toes tempt women to show off pretty pedicures. Be aware, however, that peep toes can cause toes to slip forward or overlap, and may even push nail edges into skin, causing an ingrown toenail.
* If you experience persistent foot pain, see a podiatrist. Feet shouldn’t hurt all the time, and if they do it may indicate injury, irritation or illness.
Finally, even if you’re like the average woman and own nine pairs of high heels, don’t wear them every day. Daily heel-wearing can cause the Achilles tendon (the strong tendon at the back of your ankle) to shrink, increasing your risk of an injury while doing activities in flat shoes, including exercise.
“Treat heels like dessert,” Garoufalis says. “Don’t wear them all the time, just on special occasions.”
well-heeled: tipS for piCking high heelS thAt Are better for your feet
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BEAUTY
find the right toolS to inveSt in A heAlthy Smile
If you’re concerned about your oral health and looking to protect your physical and financial well-being, one of the easiest ways to do so is
to practice preventive care. Attending bi-annual dental checkups and making smart oral health decisions can help you spot a concern well before it becomes an expensive problem.
Despite the obvious benefits of adhering to preventive care, many people forget this simple routine and risk bigger expenses down the road. Here are some easy tips you can follow to invest in a healthy smile and protect your oral health.
* Get serious about flossing. Daily flossing is one of the most important things you can do to improve your oral health. Floss helps to get down into the crevices between the teeth. This is where plaque resides. Daily flossing helps you remove this plaque before it turns into tartar.
* Find the toothbrush that’s right for you. As the main tool for scrubbing and brushing away unwanted plaque, the toothbrush tends to do the heavy lifting. Most dentists today recommend using an electric toothbrush. This allows you to give your teeth a better cleaning in less time, and it ensures you are brushing with the appropriate pressure.
* What’s your toothpaste of choice? With so many kinds of toothpastes, personal preference plays a big factor. Toothpastes vary by flavour, whitening power and other additional features, so it really comes down to your brushing goals.
* Don’t forget the mouthwash. People tend to forget about this important last step in a mouth cleansing routine, but a recent Good Housekeeping study found that “More than 9 out of 10 respondents who are not currently mouth rinse users (93
percent) said they would use it if it could help improve their dental visits.” This rinse does more than just provide anti-tartar and anti-cavity benefits, it also helps to freshen breath, fights unwanted surface stains and strengthens weakened enamel.
* Your smile is affected by what you eat. There are many products on the market that that can help you whiten your smile, but you can also improve your pearly whites by making the right food choices. Eating strawberries, broccoli, apples and cauliflower, or drinking water and dairy products help to whiten your smile. Meanwhile, you should avoid drinking red wine, tea, coffee and cola, as these drinks can stain your teeth.
Maintaining good oral health doesn’t have to be hard. With the right tools and an established daily routine, you can ensure your minor oral health concerns don’t lead to major dentist bills in the future.
Honey is a powerful natural moisturizer and delivers a host of other health benefits for the skin, including antibacterial qualities that can help fight acne and antioxidants to slow skin’s aging. You can put honey to work for you with these head-to-toe tips:
* Face - Whether it’s the chapping effect of winter wind, the damage of summer sun or the moisture-draining quality of chlorinated pool water, your skin absorbs the challenges of every season. The skin of your face is particularly exposed and honey is a perfect facial moisturizer. It provides deep moisture but with a light feel that’s never greasy.
* Lips - Cracking and peeling lips, while often associated with winter, can actually occur at any time of the year. Many commercial lip balms rely on some form of petroleum or mineral oil, or have flavours that are strong and artificial. Honey is a natural, gentle and effective lip moisturizer, plus it tastes great.
* Body - As a body moisturizer, honey is deeply enriching for dry skin. If you dislike strong scents against your skin, honey imparts a soft, light aroma. Added to body wash, honey provides a natural, moisturizing cleansing effect.
* Hands and arms - From washing dishes to gripping a steering wheel in the hot sun, the skin on your hands and arms takes on a lot. Many routine daily activities can cause hands to become dry and chapped, an effect that makes hands look older, no matter what your age. Hands are constantly at work, so who wants to wait for a heavy, greasy moisturizer to absorb before you can get on with your day? Honey is an effective hand and arm moisturizer that won’t slow you down.
* Legs and feet - After your hands, no body part gets a harder workout than your feet. And while hands are free to breathe and move around throughout the day, your feet spend hours each day crammed inside shoes. At the end of the day, your feet deserve some pampering and honey is a great treat for tired toes. Moisturizers made with honey are gentle and soothing. Choose a honey-based moisturizer after shaving to avoid that unpleasant sting that some chemical based moisturizers can cause.
dueling with dry Skin? why honey iS the bee’S kneeS, heAd to toe
While winter gets the rap for being hard on skin, the truth is dry, itchy, flaky skin can occur in any season and all
over your body. When you’re looking for an effective, time-trusted treatment for dry skin, it’s hard to beat the moisturizing power of honey. No beauty ingredient has been around longer or provides more natural nourishment, head to toe.
In ancient times, honey was considered the “nectar of the gods,” and was traded like gold. Only the elite were wealthy enough to enjoy its skin-nourishing qualities. Today, products that contain honey are readily available on shelf and it’s easy to incorporate this wonder ingredient into your beauty regimen at any time of year.
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Thousands find their mojo at SA’s biggest sprint race event
Thousands of visitors from across the country flocked to Pietermaritzburg for the 2014 Golden Horse Sprint Race Day at Scottsville Racecourse which was held recently.
Held successfully since 1962 and with stake money of over R2-million, it is the country’s oldest and richest sprint race event. The prize money in the Golden Horse Sprint race this year was increased to R1 million. The Golden Horse Sprint Race Day is also the only event to feature four Grade One sprint races, with some of the country’s fastest sprinters competing – making it one of South Africa’s most anticipated sprint race events.
The event is staged annually by Golden Horse in conjunction with Gold Circle Racing. Situated in the lively, student orientated city of Pietermaritzburg, Tsogo Sun’s Golden Horse Casino is a premier entertainment and leisure destination in KwaZulu Natal, playing host to a myriad of events and shows throughout the year.
The sprint event this year attracted sponsorships from major brands including the City of Pietermaritzburg, Tourism KwaZulu-Natal, KZN Fashion Council, Nokia, Gold Circle Racing, East Coast Radio, KZN Eyethu and Mango Airlines.
As always, the event combined exhilarating racing, dramatic fashion and superlative entertainment by some of the country’s top artists. A platform for showcasing the work of local fashion designers, the Golden Horse Sprint Race Day included a Fashion Design Competition with over R100 000 worth of prizes won by local designers. The winner of the Best Young Designer Award, Kimberly Naidoo from the School of Fashion received a mentorship programme from Kisua. Other prizes included cash, hotel accommodation, a tablet, Vodacom packs, exclusive tickets to other horseracing events and more.
The theme for this year’s competition was “Glamorous Affair”. Designers were invited to step back to an era where dramatic, ground-sweeping dresses, regal gowns and the elegance of satin and lace were the order. The entries were magnificent.
Revelers were able to enjoy great food and entertainment throughout the day at the two specially-erected Marquee Villages, the Gagasi FM Marquee Village, which featured Gagasi FM DJs and the Escape Music Festival Marquee, which featured performances by the famous DJ KANT from Denmark. The Golden Horse Sprint Race Day 2014 culminated with an after party with top SA house band, Micasa, at the Golden Horse Conference Centre.
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FASH
ION FE
ATURE
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FASH
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ATURE
Sheffield Beach - 5 star accommodation
Perched on a hilltop with unrestricted 180º views of the Indian Ocean - you can see the security - it is walled, has an alarm, a walk in safe and direct access from the house to whales and dolphins playing in the surf, and almost touch Moses Mabhida stadium in the 2 double garages. Added features are staff accommodation, a manicured garden the distance! This prime residence has it all - 9 spacious bedrooms, 8 of them en suite and open parking for 20 vehicles. Suitable as holidy home or as permanent residence. and with sea views and a large study/office/games room. The unique entertainment This is a rare find and not to be missed!features will wow your guests: It boasts a large open plan kitchen, various living areas, a wine cellar and a rim flow pool with large wooden deck. The property has excellent Web:ENV40003 ZAR 9.8 million
.Gert Vorster Tel. +27(0)83 259 [email protected]
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EX
CLU
SIV
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MA
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….BY MUBEEN DAWOOD
Let your style define your personality!
Through the years hair styles have evolved into what has been defined as the most hair rais-ing experience of the century. Colour dipping has moved the colour industry into the new mil-lennium. David Beckham has single handedly transformed the heterosexual era into the metro sexual power flip. Women have become more conscious of their appearance so has men. Visit-ing a hair salon has become mandatory in today’s day and age to ensure a head to toe style rebirth.
Gone are the days when a hat paired with a Cha-nel handbag was all your needed to be noticed at the trendy Hot Spots, free flowing Kardashian tresses have become the Gucci in hair acces-sorizing.
This SPRING 2013 has embraced the plait and the ponytail and the sexy yet dishevelled bun. Low stylish plaits and ponytails with defined side parts make for interesting day and night look. (Its
all about versatility) you can wear them sleek or with a barely there curl. Low messy buns and knotted buns have related perfectly well off and on the runways this season and has manifested itself as the must have style of the season.
Men have had their fair share of what not to wear in and out of season….YES precisely it “THE MULLET” no self respecting man of style will be caught dead with the business in front and party at the back look unless you were a hillbilly who thinks that mullet was French for sexy>>>> THE BACK TO SCHOOL CUT for men have powered through the streets of New York city like a bull in a china shop and have left MEN in their 40”s look-ing boys in their 20’s with a sophisticated twist.
Easy tips for men to looks years younger: 1. The Matte Side-Part
Style: Classic.
Length: Short sides and medium length on top.
Suggested hair product : PASTE OR SCULPT FROM JOICO (AVAILABLE @ INSTYLE HAIR CO R 220)
Styling:
Brush damp hair into a side-part.
Blow-dry hair in the direction of the part, but blow the hair directly next to the part forward to make the volume of the style square.
Stop without drying hair completely and then work product into hair.
Brush the style into place AND your good to go.
AND THAT’S YOUR HAIR STYLE SECRET!
hAir And the City
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FASH
ION FE
ATURE
South Africa’s National Parks Frontier & Northern Cluster
The frontier cluster is located in the frontier regions of the Eastern Cape and includes a variety of habitats across the parks, ranging from Nama-Karoo, grassland, montane, forest, valley thicket, fynbos and coastline. Addo, Karoo, Camdeboo and Mountain Zebra National Parks fall in this cluster.
There’s more to Addo Elephant National Park than just elephants. Both a marine and bushveld park, it includes Bird Island, the seasonal home of uncountable breeding gannets. (Image: South African Tourism)
Addo Elephant National Park
Deep within the shadows of the dense bushveld of the Sundays River region of the Eastern Cape lies the Addo Elephant National Park. Originally proclaimed in 1931 with only 11 elephants, today this finely tuned ecosystem is sanctuary to over 450 of the animals - the densest elephant population on earth. Other wildlife includes the Cape buffalo, black rhino, a variety of antelope species, as well as the unique flightless dung beetle, found almost exclusively in Addo.
A unique combination of the Big Seven - elephant, rhino, lion, buffalo, leopard, whales and great white sharks - makes the park a major attraction, as does its rich heritage of archaeological and historical sites. The park also contains five of South Africa’s seven major vegetation zones.
Future plans include the proposed proclamation of a 120 000ha marine
reserve to include islands that are home to the world’s largest breeding populations of Cape gannets and second largest breeding population of African penguins. This reserve also incorporates the largest coastal dune field in the southern hemisphere.
Plans are being implemented to expand the 164 000-hectare Addo into a 360 000-hectare mega-park.
• Year proclaimed: 1931
• Current size: 1 642.3 square kilometres
• Province: Eastern Cape
Camdeboo National Park
Formed hundreds of millions of years ago, the Karoo is one of the great natural wonders of the world. Camdeboo National Park provides the visitor with insights into the unique landscape and ecosystem, not to mention awesome scenic beauty.
A unique feature of the 14 500ha park is its location, practically surrounding the historic town of Graaff-Reinet in the Eastern Cape.
Most of the park lies up against the foothills of the Sneeuberg range, with the Nqweba Dam within the park. At some places, dolerites form jointed pillars - the best examples of which are found in the Valley of Desolation where erosion of the softer sedimentary beds has left dolerite pillars which rise to heights of 90m to 120m.
• Year proclaimed: 2005
• Current size: 194 square kilometres
• Province: Eastern Cape
Karoo National Park
The Great Karoo is a vast and unforgiving landscape of which the Karoo National Park is but a small portion. Being the largest ecosystem
in South Africa, the Karoo is home to a fascinating diversity of life, all having adapted to survive in harsh conditions.
The Karoo National Park is dominated by the lofty Nuweveld Mountains and rolling plains, with a wide variety of wildlife. Many species have been relocated to their former ranges, such as black rhino and buffalo, as well as Cape mountain zebra. Over 20 breeding pairs of black eagle find sanctuary within the park. There is also a wide diversity of succulent plants and small reptiles.
The park has five species of tortoise, the highest density of species per equivalent area anywhere in the world. The Cape mountain zebra is well established in the park and visitors have the opportunity to compare its bold stripe pattern to that of the extinct quagga.
The springbok - the emblem of the park and present in high numbers - is a reminder of the once massive herds that crossed the Karoo on annual migration, leaving a trail of devastation.
The Klipspringer Mountain Pass not only provides visitors with spectacular views, but is also an example of civil engineering toil and precision.
• Year proclaimed: 1979
• Current size: 831.3 square kilometres
• Province: Western Cape
Zebras in the Mountain Zebra National Park.
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EXPL
ORE
Mountain Zebra National Park
The Mountain Zebra National Park, near Cradock in the Eastern Cape, is a conservation success story, saving the Mountain Zebra species from extinction. In 1937 when the park opened it had only six zebra on 1 712ha of land. These zebra didn’t survive but donations by local farmers ensured the species and the park continued. Today it boasts 370 zebra roaming in 28 412ha, kept company by black rhino, eland, black wildebeest, red hartebeest and Cape buffalo.
In the craggy heights of the park lurk grey rhebok. Caracal and cheetah are the predators of the park. Birds to look out for are the blue crane and Stanley’s bustard.
• Year proclaimed: 1937
• Current size: 284.1 square kilometres
• Province: Eastern Cape
The Northern cluster features savannah, thornveld or grasslands, located in the Northern Provinces of South Africa. Mountains are a feature of some. Golden Gate, Mapungubwe and Marakele fall into this cluster. Mapungubwe is also the location of another Unesco World Heritage Site.
The Sentinel rock formation is a landmark in the Golden Gate National Park, with its glowing sandstone clearly showing how the park got its name.
Golden Gate Highlands National Park
Nestled in the rolling foothills of the Maluti Mountains of the north eastern Free State lies the Golden Gate Highlands National Park.
The park derives its name from the brilliant shades of gold cast by the sun on the park’s sandstone cliffs.
This 11 600ha of unique environment is true highland habitat, providing home to a variety of mammals - black wildebeest, eland, blesbok, oribi, springbok and Burchell’s zebra - and birds, including the rare bearded vulture (lammergeier) and the equally rare bald ibis, which breed on the ledges in the sandstone cliffs.
• Year proclaimed: 1963
• Current size: 116.3 square kilometres
• Province: Free State
Mapungubwe National Park
Mapungubwe National Park in Limpopo is rich in biodiversity, great scenic beauty and the cultural importance of the archaeological treasures of Mapungubwe. From a hilltop on the northern edge of the park the visitor can view the confluence of the legendary Limpopo and Shashe Rivers, as well as two neighbouring countries: Botswana and Zimbabwe.
The park is the site where a developed African civilisation prospered between 1000 and 1290 AD. The area was already inhabited by a growing Iron Age community from 900 AD and became rich through trade with faraway places like Egypt, India and China. This is the place where archaeologists excavated the famous golden rhino and other evidence of a wealthy African kingdom.
Sandstone formations, mopane woodlands and unique riverine forest and baobab trees add to the experience. Impressive Khoi/San rock art shelters
have also been uncovered.
Elephant, giraffe, white rhino, eland, gemsbok and numerous other antelope species occur naturally in the area. Predators include lions, leopards and hyenas. Birds to tick off the list include the kori bustard, tropical boubou and Pel’s fishing owl.
• Year proclaimed: 1989
• Current size: 53.6 square kilometres
• Province: Limpopo
Marakele National Park
The Marakele National Park in the heart of the Waterberg Mountains in Limpopo, as its Tswana name suggests, has become a “place of sanctuary” for an impressive variety of wildlife due to its location in the transitional zone between the dry western and moister eastern regions of South Africa. Contrasting majestic mountain landscapes, grass-clad hills and deep valleys characterise the park.
Rare finds of yellowwood and cedar trees, five-metre high cycads and tree ferns, are some of the plant species found here. All the large game species from elephant and rhino to the big cats as well as an amazing variety of birds including what’s probably the largest colony of endangered Cape vultures (more than 800 breeding pairs) in the world, have settled here.
A narrow tar road takes visitors up to the top of the Waterberg massif, where the views and scenery are spectacular. From this height vultures soar past at close quarters.
Antelope species such as reedbuck, mountain reedbuck, eland and tsessebe can be found in the park.
• Year proclaimed: 1993
• Current size: 507.3 square kilometres
• Province: Limpopo
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South Africa has slowly been gaining a reputation as a bas-tion of food innovation and I don’t doubt that for a bit. I have
been dining in some of South Africa’s best-kept secrets for many years now and I must say it’s quite an experience. This so-called food revolution happening in South Africa has seen many of the coun-try’s best new restaurants sprouting up like mushrooms. For those of you search-ing for a culinary experience like no other, look no further than The Classic India.
Nestled close to the bustling North Rand Road that pepper the Eastrand’s trendy district in Gauteng, The Classic India North Indian Cuisine Restaurant, The Classic India Barbeque & The Classic India Sizzlers is the brainchild of Manish Gupta who grew up in India with a vision of presenting quality and unique fusion cuisine to South Africa.
The restaurants are located next to each other on the 1st Floor and is extremely overwhelming in the evening with an ar-ray of exterior lighting that would wel-come any diner with open arms. The in-terior will remind visitors of style, luxury and warmth, Cast Away-esque tropical paradise. The decor allows the simplistic beauty of the food to really shine, though beauty isn’t the only thing bringing people to The Classic India Group. The restau-rant buzzed with excited energy and was comfortably full with seemingly satisfied patrons.
We started with The Classic India Bar-beque Vegetarian Skewer Paneer Achari, which is essentially homemade cottage cheese marinated with pickle Masala
with the chefs secret recipe (which they make themselves) truly remarkable and a perfectly pre-cooked Kukkad Banjaara which is Chicken marinated in the chefs secret recipe. Here’s the most remarkable part, its semi pre-cooked, marinated with the secret recipe and placed on a skewer and you get to grill at your table to your browning requirement. Yes grill at your very table! My partner and I shared one order of each dish and with the accompa-nying sauces to complement the dishes, it certainly was a Classic taste to the pellet. We certainly could have shared a second order, though that is more a reflection on the otherworldly taste than the portion size.
For the main course, we decided to go with The Classic India Sizzlers Chicken with Lamb and fried eggs Combo. Now that’s certainly a mouthful. This meal was served on a hot sizzler plate which con-
sists of grilled chicken and lamb tossed with soya sauce, topped with fried eggs, mixed vegetables, rice, spaghetti, noodles and french fries. The dish was executed perfectly and the bright colours of the ingredients peeking through the sizzling steam made it a feast for the eyes as well as the stomach. I found it a bit too much for the eye, but I know a lot of people who would be willing to pay top money for a
dish like that. The servings were big and surprisingly at a very affordable price, which was well more than worth it. Cer-tainly money well spent.
For dessert, we went with the “best sell-er” (inside-info), a Sizzling Chocolate Brownie and did it live up to its name! A brownie cake with Vanilla ice cream in chocolate sauce topped with nuts was served warm and sizzling. Simply divine is all I can say.
Though I would love to be selfish and keep The Classic India Group of restau-rants all to myself, the work and service of Manager Mark Pereira and his team of dedicated chefs and staff is too good to stay hidden for long. Mark not only manages the restaurants, but also the Banqueting and Conferencing events. There’s no doubt, a table at The Clas-sic India will quickly become the hottest reservation in town.
When you tired of eating out, come HOME and visit the Fourways, Boks-burg and Bedfordview branches.
Classic India Barbeque & Sizzlers only at the Boksburg branch.
Bon appetite……..
A “Classically” Good Time,at The Classic India Barbeque & Sizzlers
1st Floor Key Largo Centre, Boksburg, Eastrand, Johannesburg
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RESTAURANT REVIEW
A “Classically” Good Time
1st Floor Key Largo Centre, Boksburg, Eastrand, Johannesburg
Fourways: Cedar Square Shopping Centre. Cnr Cedar Road & Fourways Boulevard. Johannesburg Tel: 011 467 7448 / 0463 Cell: 071 889 8142
Bedfordview: Key West Shopping Centre. Van Buuren Road. Johannesburg Tel: 011 455 3505 / 2931 Cell: 071 889 8140
BRANCHES:Boksburg: Key Largo Centre. Shop No 2501. Eastrand, Cnr North Rand Road & Trichardts Road Tel: 011 894 7323 / 8291 Cell: 071 889 8141
Dried mushrooms have a similiar texture to m e a t .
Biltong causes strong emotions among afficianados.. An internet search for “the best biltong” will give you 1.2 million results. Click on any of the forums and you enter a world of strong opinions and personal attacks. South Africans take their biltong seriously and will argue about anything from who makes the best biltong, to the best cut of meat and the best way to make biltong.
Some people like theirs “wet” – dried for less time, with a hint of blood. For Muslim and Jewish fans the blood has to completely drain from the meat in accordance with religious direction. There are arguments for the most basic traditional seasoning – salt, pepper, coriander and vinegar – over adding chilli. But whether you like it spicy or plain, the base ingredient has always been meat, in one form or the other – until now, that is.
Vegetarians have added a new dimension to the argument. Two companies produce biltong
made with vegetables and say their mushroom and brinjal biltong is as good any traditional product. Ariella Kaplan at O’My Goodness, a Plettenberg Bay raw food company, produces a mushroom biltong that can be bought plain or with added chilli. Peter Owen of By Nature, a Cape Town natural food company, has been having trouble keeping his brinjal biltong in stock.
Owen was drying between 300 kilograms and 500 kilograms of brinjal a week to satisfy his customer’s demand. “We’re all out now and we won’t be making any until the end of November when the new harvest is brought in,” he says.
Healthier choices
These vegetarian alternatives were born out of Owen and Kaplan embracing a healthier vegetarian lifestyle. For both the one thing they missed was biltong. Kaplan explains: “So many of the ‘healthy snacks’ are sweet, and I was really looking for something salty, and chewy, and well, biltong-y. So I got myself a dehydrator and starting experimenting. Many trials and many mushrooms later, a little magic was made.”
Brinjal and mushroom biltong are both made in the same way as traditional biltong: spices, marinade and drying. Both have the same chewy texture as meat, which make them the best options as vegetarian alternatives to meat.
Owen says he set himself constraints in line with his healthy lifestyle before he began experimenting. He does not use any sugar or chutney to cure the vegetable, instead he experimented with honey and apple cider. The brinjals are peeled and treated with Himalayan rock salt, then tenderized so that the marinade can soak into the bruises. “Brinjals have a meaty texture which is good. It can be tough and chewy and versatile, which makes it ideal.”
Customers say the vegetarian options are addictive and a healthier option to red meat biltong. Brinjals have proven to be a weight loss tool and can help you stop smoking. Mushrooms, among other benefits, can help you manage your weight and improve the functioning of your immune system. Owen says: “You can eat our biltong every day in season, and all it’s going to do is make you happy.”
Cured meat
Whatever your personal preference, traditional biltong starts off as thickly sliced strips of beef or venison, though there are also chicken, fish and game variants. Covered in spices and air dried, it is a culinary legacy of the Voortrekkers, the Dutch, French and German settlers who moved inland from the Cape Colony. During their trek, for sustenance, they air dried cuts of beef, usually rump. The climate made it necessary to find a way to cure
meat to preserve it.
Drying the meat, with salt, pepper and vinegar as preservatives, produced biltong. It was hard on the outside but retained the flavour of the meat on the inside. Claimed as a resourceful Voortrekker solution to a problem, biltong may be even older than that.
According to African folklore, migrating herdsmen draped strips of kudu and impala meat under their saddles. The chafing and the sweat from their horses would tenderize and flavour the meat as it dried. This, in turn, is similar to the Mongol borts (bour-tsi), the dried meat staple that allowed Genghis Khan and his army to remain mobile.
The people who make their own biltong protect their secret recipes fiercely. For some it requires marinating the meat overnight to turn raw meat into the South African delicacy. To others, the secret is in the mix of spices and herbs used in the curing of the strips of meat. But whatever the individual cook’s secret, it remains closely guarded.
Everyone has a recipe, and everyone thinks theirs is the best. Some South African biltong makers add Worcestershire sauce and brown sugar to keep it moist. Farouk Lawrence, technical consultant at Freddy Hirsch Spice Company, handles two to three queries from customers a day. Perfect biltong is down to personal taste, Lawrence says, but choosing the right cut of meat and drying it for the perfect amount of time is as important as any secret ingredient. “It’s usually the farmers who believe they have a secret ingredient and they keep it close to their chest.”
Biltong and wine pairing
Biltong has long been considered the perfect accompaniment to an afternoon of beer, braaiing and rugby. But it is slowly losing that image as winemakers and chefs embrace it as complementary to their wines and in their cooking. Stellenbosch Hills Winery, for example, runs an annual recipe contest to find a biltong recipe to supplement its wines. Worcester policeman Frik Crafford is the present champion. His marinade was judged the best match with Stellenbosch Hills Shiraz by a panel of food and wine experts.
In the kitchen, professionals and amateurs alike are using biltong in recipes for everything from salads to soup, the rich, intense taste enhancing old favourites. At Cassia restaurant on the Cape wine route, you can have a mushroom soup served with biltong cream and mosbolletjie croutons – mosbolletjie, an Afrikaans word, is best described as a sweet brioche made with grape juice. At the historic 1802 Bistro at the Oude Werf Hotel, you can enjoy a Voortrekker biltong salad, and at the Blue Water Cafe, you can try the safari pizza. Topped with springbok carpaccio, chicken, biltong, rocket, avocado and feta, it has been judged one of the best pizzas in the country.
As South African as biltongREC
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As South African as biltong
