Wellington Wine Walk

Wellington Wine Walk

 

A three or four day hiking trail through the beautiful Wellington valley in the Winelands of the Western Cape , 75 km from Cape Town, South Africa – takes you through indigenous fynbos, vineyards, orchards and olive groves. Its a fun filled few days of hiking with a difference.  Walking is at an easy pace while you can enjoy the scenery, learn about the history and culture of the area from local guides and still fit in wine tasting, olive tasting .

This is a photo journal that I made for my friends who joined us on the walk. Continue Reading

June 18, 2014
Chicken Berry salad

Healthy Chicken Berry Salad with Peppadews

Healthy, simple and super quick to make – this Chicken Berry salad with Peppadews is my standard lunchtime salad.  Tender chicken breasts cooked in coconut oil on the griddle and tossed over fresh lettuce greens, peppadews and seasonal berries , make for an all round nutritious meal. Continue Reading

June 10, 2014
Strawberry cupcakes

Strawberries and Buttercream Cupcakes

These are best ever strawberry cupcakes and buttercream . I made these for Michelle’s kitchen tea and I honestly think these are the nicest cupcakes I have ever tasted.  They are soft and fruity and topped with a strawberry flavoured buttercream.  Try making them with other fruit for a cupcake with a difference. I love them with raspberries, my favourite fruit.

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June 3, 2014
Caprese salad tartles

Caprese salad Phyllo Tartlets

 

I just love these tiny little Caprese salad Phyllo tartlets.  They are just a mouthful, and are the perfect size canape for cocktail parties. Try and make them as small as possible , so that you can pop the whole tartlet in your mouth at once. Continue Reading

May 28, 2014
Michelle's bridal shower

Bridal Shower for Michelle

 

Michelle had her bridal shower this weekend, after already being spoilt last week at a stunning brunch in Johannesburg organised by Suzy for all her friends who couldn’t make the trip down to Durban for her Bachelorette Evening. Continue Reading

May 21, 2014
Santa monica farmers market

Santa Monica Farmers Market California

The Santa Monica Farmers Market is the largest grower-only certified Farmers Market in Southern California. It is the go-to Farmers Market held on Wednesdays and Saturdays in Downtown Santa Monica, California, where you can buy local produce direct from the farms. Continue Reading

May 13, 2014
Chocolate tea cakes

Paul Hollywood’s Chocolate Marshmallow Teacakes

After watching “The Great British Bake Off”  I was desperate to make Paul Hollywood’s Chocolate Marshmallow teacakes. They reminded me so much of the ones we used to eat when I was a child.  The only problem was that I couldn’t find the silicone moulds in South Africa.  On a recent trip to Johannesburg I eventually managed to source a mini half dome silicone mould.  Although these teacakes were really quite difficult to make because the moulds were so tiny, they were well worth the effort, and I think I prefer the idea of a small teacake, as they are very decadant and rich. Continue Reading

May 13, 2014
6 super foods loaded with vitamin C

6 Superfoods loaded with Vitamin C by Nutritionist Kelly Thomas

 

Vitamin C is the most popular supplement in the world and for good reason – it’s essential for human nutrition. While most other animals can manufacture their own vitamin C, the human body does not have that luxury. For most of us, citrus is our go-to source of vitamin C. Oranges in particular contain, on average, 85mg of vitamin C.  But there are a number of other plant-based foods that are richer sources of this essential nutrient.

Here are my top 6: Continue Reading

May 5, 2014
Robertson Valley South Africa

The Robertson Valley

 

My favourite destination in the Cape is the Robertson Wine Valley, only 90 minutes drive from Cape Town on the popular Route 62.  The Robertson Wine Valley nestling between the Langeberg and Riviersonderend Mountain ranges, is home to 47 wineries from Ashton, Bonnievale, McGregor and Robertson, and cultivates world class wines.  It is widely regarded as one of South Africa’s premier wine destinations.  The valley is just perfect for those loving scenic drives along flower-fringed roads leading you along the Breede River to beautiful Wine, Olive and Lavender Farms. Continue Reading

April 27, 2014
Wild Mushroom pasta

Pasta with Wild Mushrooms

I am having a bit of a mushroom fix at the moment.  I recently spent some time on a friends game farm, and making sure to keep near the house so that I wouldn’t get shot by a professional hunter, or attacked by a lone sable, I took my macro lens and headed out to see what was underfoot.  Its amazing what you see when you look down.  The tiniest insects and flowers become a kaleidoscope of colors once captured with the macro lens…. and then there are mushrooms.  Who would have thought… pushing up through the hard dry dirt roads and hiding under trees, they seem to appear out of nowhere.

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April 17, 2014