Chia, acai and strawberry smoothie jar

I always laugh at myself come this time of year. The time of year when I go into a flat panic that I am not “summer” ready.

My tan is non-existent and I look more like a translucent desert gecko than a living, breathing human being.

Oh, and of course, the beach “bod” is never where I want it to be.

Winter has been good to me this year… almost too good.

If winter were a philanthropist, it might be first in line for a Nobel Prize or two.

The truth is I am very far from having the quintessential sun kissed, beach body complete with bespoke bikini.

I have however, taken up a new regime in order to get there.

The first step is to be kind and remind myself that there is no such thing as perfection.

The second step is to incorporate exercise into this daily mantra.  I have begun taking Pilates 3 times a week.

The third (and perhaps most effective catalyst of this new regime) is trying to eat healthier.

It all comes down to making better choices.

Rather than reaching for a packet of crisps - I reach for some fresh carrots and tasty hummus, which I whip up myself.

I have replaced the oh-so-indulgent milky latte’s with peppermint tea and a slice of lemon and to be honest? I’m enjoying the changes.

Naturally I haven’t mastered them but that’s okay, I can only take one step at a time anyway and the plan is to evolve into a healthier version of myself over time.

It’s more sustainable that way.

So, to all the women out there beating themselves up because they don’t look like a supernova in a two-piece, be kind to yourself.
Health is a journey, not a destination.

Of course any journey begins with a simple step, so get off the couch. Take a walk, go for a swim or get to that yoga class you have been promising yourself you were going to do.

This recipe is part of my healthy changes. Rather than toast and cheese for breakfast I include things like chia pudding. I make it with unsweetened almond milk and protein powder from a local super food brand called Wazoogles. Chia seeds are high in fibre, good for digestion and offer omega 3’s. Give it a whirl and try starting your day with this! 

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Serves: 2, cook time: 25 minutes 

Ingredients:

Chia Pudding:

• 4 tablespoon chia seeds
• 1 cup almond milk
• 2 teaspoon protein powder (I used Wazoogles)
• ½ teaspoon honey

Acai Smoothie Layer:

• 1 tablespoon acai powder (optional)
• 1 cup fresh strawberries
• 1 ripe banana
• 1 tablespoons almond butter (I used buttanut)
• 2 teaspoon unsweetened desiccated coconut
• 6 fresh mint leaves
• ¼ cup almond milk

Fruit Layer:

• Sliced strawberries and toasted coconut
• To Garnish: fresh berries, toasted coconut and mint leaves

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Instructions:

Add the chia seeds, almond milk and protein powder into a bowl, mix to combine and set aside for 20 minutes, until the seeds absorb all the liquid. Then add the honey and stir through. If you need to feed them with a little more almond milk do so. 

Add the smoothie ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth and creamy.

To assemble the jars add a layer of chia pudding, a layer of sliced strawberries and coconut and top with acai smoothie. Top the jar with fresh blueberries, raspberries and toasted coconut.

You can close the lids of the jar and set aside in the fridge over night or simply eat and enjoy right away! 

-Melissa 

Tilney Manor at Sanbona Wildlife Reserve

Picture the Klein Karoo 350 years ago. Its beauty awe inspiring with deep blue skies, glowing red rocks and succulents scattered across the land.  The big five (Lion, Leopard, Rhino, Elephant and Buffalo) roam free and are found thriving in a seemingly unforgiving landscape. Incredulously, this harsh environment that is classed as a semi arid desert has the ability to sustain South Africa’s greatest game.

Now, insert modern man. The farmer to be more accurate. In a nutshell? The beautiful animals disappeared and everything changed. 

It sounds like a rather sad story and in truth, man has a lot to answer for. I could discuss at length how we are destroying our planet but instead I am going to tell a tale of the glass half full. 
A reserve that is doing everything in their power to reintroduce animals that once roamed free in the Klein Karoo and restore balance and sustainability to a landscape all but denuded in the interest of human settlement and western progress. 

Sanbona wildlife reserve is one of the largest private game reserves in the world, covering roughly 54 000 hectares. It boasts several lodges on the farm and I stayed at Tilney Manor, more suited for a couples retreat. Tilney Manor is a beautiful house that dates back to the early 1900’s and is run by friendly staff.
The manor offers a rim flow pool, spa, outside showers on your patio and a view over the entire Karoo from your luxurious bedroom complete with fireplace to keep you warm in the winter.

The reserve is owned by the Caleo Foundation, in association with Shamwari Group an NPO with a clear vision to conserve both people and animals on an equal footing, since both feed off the success of the other in a well balanced symbiotic relationship. 
I grew up going to the bush further north. The landscape is thick, lush and green close to the Kruger National Park. The Klein Karoo is the opposite. I was aware that the reserve host the big five but I couldn’t quite picture it. How did these animals survive this climate? There aren’t many trees to offer the animals respite from the scorching sun and at night temperatures can plummet to well below zero. 
It is testament to the strength of the animals to not only survive but thrive in this habitat and I could not wait to go on safari and see them.

I was lucky enough to experience two game drives a day with an incredibly knowledgeable ranger, Chris, in one of the newly appointed safari vehicles which ensured a luxurious drive throughout the reserve.
Our first sighting was something I haven’t experienced before. Since the game vehicles are not allowed to venture off the road, we alighted and took to the bush on foot.
After walking for about 250 metres we were stopped and briefed on the animal we were about to see, *Insert keep calm here*
Amazingly, we were upon a female cheetah with a fresh kill, less than 20 meters away. I stood in awe of such a majestic animal. 

Every sighting was humbling to say the least. The reserve has 6 lions, 3 of which are white lions. White lions are a result of a recessive gene and are beyond magnificent to see in the wild. 
The Lions at Sanbona are some of the last remaining white lion left on planet earth that continue to hunt for themselves in the wild. 

With buffalo and an amazing elephant herd sighting to follow, we were spoilt. We experienced a safari by boat and caught sight of the reserves hippo pod.
Each afternoon drive was finished off with sundowners and a beautiful view. To stand in silence and take in the Klein Karoo was simply spectacular! I had to take a moment and just… breathe.  

The food is centered on traditional South African cuisine and meals are served outside on the patio (weather permitting).
We were treated to a traditional South African braai, which in my books you can never go wrong with! Sipping gin and tonics around the open fire we talked about our days of exciting sightings with other guests and gazed up at the milky way. 
The food is unpretentious and made with love. The Chef is local and is truly a man who puts his heart and soul into his food.
My favorite dish was the crispy pork belly with camembert and juicy fig, finished off with the perfect crème brulee.

Thinking back over the last two days of my time at Sanbona and the amazing animals I saw, I felt a sense of hope. Hope, that game reserves such as Sanbona and the wildlife conservation programs they are running - one day, the beautiful landscape will be restored to its former glory. 
Hope that one day we can truly view nature as it should be, with respect for all things great and small.

-Melissa 

*If you would like to donate and help raise awareness against poaching in South Africa then click here. EVERY cent helps. 

*This blog post was sponsored by Sanbona wildlife. All opinions are my own. 

Waterblommetjie bredie

Capetonians can experience four seasons in one day. In fact, if Cape Town is in the mood, possibly five. 
There is a local saying that goes “if you don’t like the weather, wait five minutes.” 

The up side of a moody city is that, although it is spring, you can easily end up with a cloudy cool day that demands a hearty meal that oozes comfort. (and offers the perfect excuse to laze on the couch, guilt-free). The down side; well… hapless, underprepared tourists caught in a quick-as-a-flash temperature plummet.

This recipe is exactly what the (cape) doctor ordered on days like this. It is a traditional South African dish made from flowers that grow around this time of the year in the lakes and dams. The flower is called the waterblommetjie (Afrikaans) with the direct translation meaning ‘little water flower’. It grows similar to a water lily and can be found at any good local farmers market. 

This dish combines a rich lamb stew and vegetables with the crowning ‘waterblommetjie’ as a fragrant element that ties all the flavors together beautifully. 

I am in love with it not only because it is insanely good, but is a great comfort food, and of course, who doesn’t love eating flowers? I mean you might as well be a unicorn! 

This dish is consciously seasonal and well worth the effort.

I must admit it was my first attempt at playing with a traditional South African recipe and I was blown away with the results.

In Afrikaans there is a perfect phrase to end off a perfect meal…magies vol en oogies toe.
Tummy is full and eyes are closing...

I couldn’t have said it better if I tried.

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Serves 6, cook time: 1 ½ hours
 

Ingredients:

• 1 kg lamb(knuckle or neck)
• Cake flour to dust meat.
• Olive oil
• 2 onions, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves
• 1 teaspoon coriander
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg
• 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
• 1 ½ cups lamb stock
• 2 tablespoons soya sauce
• 1.5 kg waterblommetjies
• 500 grams baby potatoes
• 1 ½ tins of apricots (save the rest for dessert!)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 lemon, zested 

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Instructions:

Dust meat with flour. Add a glug of olive oil to your casserole dish and bring to a high heat.

Brown the meat in batches until golden brown. Do not add it all at the same time as you wont get that perfect golden colour!

Add the onions and fry until soft. Add the garlic and fry for a further five minutes.

Add the coriander, nutmeg, cayenne pepper and fry for a further two minutes.

Add the lamb stock and make sure you deglaze the bottom of the pot to get all the flavour.  Add the soya sauce.

Close the lid and reduce the heat to a medium heat and let cook for 40 minutes.

Mix in half of the waterblommetjies and cook for a further 20 minutes.

Add the potatoes, apricots and the remaining waterblommetjies and cook for a further 30 minutes on a low-medium heat.

Add the lemon zest five minutes before serving.

Enjoy! 

Jarryds Eatery

I have an unquenchable thirst for travel. I don’t know if it is my constant involvement with the world of social media, following awe inspiring accounts or the fact that I have this insatiable appetite to try as many foods as possible. 

I can go down the rabbit hole that is Instagram for hours on end admiring the talented creatives that share their world of food from all over the world. 

One particular place that has piqued my interest to visit is Melbourne Australia. The restaurateurs, food photographers and bloggers coming out of that corner of the world are mind blowing and constantly feed my creative process. 

Aussies are constantly pushing boundaries with food and their unique cultural fusion of east meets west can be likened to an artists ever evolving muse.

Having said that, you can only imagine how happy I was to find Jarryds eatery in Sea Point. 

A spot owned by two Aussie brothers Jarryd and Ariel, who, not only take their food seriously but their coffee even more so. 

They have brought their food knowledge and inspiration right to our doorstep and with their attentive service and perfect coffee they have a recipe for success. 

The space is unassuming from the outside. Marked by a simple board bearing the name JARRYDS, you might miss this spot if you don’t know what you are looking for. 

The first thing that suggested I was about to experience something great was the interior. The space is minimal and elegant with a masculine touch of dark surfaces and wood. As you enter you are greeted by a bustling barista station and soft lighting that compliments the space. 

I usually visit Jarryds for their out of this world breakfasts. Scratch your South African scrambled eggs and bacon and welcome smashed Avo with corn fritters, poached eggs and banana bread with espresso butter and quinoa breakfasts bowls. 

On this occasion however, I decided to give their dinner and cocktail menu a go and I wasn’t disappointed. 

For those of you that have visited for breakfast, it's time you pop in for dinner. For those of you that haven't been as yet for either, best you do.

Jarryd's is open for dinner seating Tuesday-Sunday with the average spend of R250 per person depending on how many cocktails you decide to sip on. 

The menu is inspirational and reads as a what's hot on the international food scene with an Aussie brothers twist. It is unpretentious yet elevated bistro food that will leave you with a hankering for more.

I worked my way through the menu and explored all the flavours and influences. 

There are the stock standard crowd favourites, such as cheeseburgers (which are a must) and slow cooked juicy lamb shanks but then the quirkiness of Jarryds really starts to shine through and you'll find the less obvious pulled pork buns, beef tacos and vegetarian lasagne. 

The pork buns and the beef tacos are my personal favourite; the buns immediately took me on a journey to Asia. I closed my eyes and saw myself standing in a little eatery across the continents. I am all about ordering two starters and sharing them or having them both as a meal (why not.) You can clearly see that the Asian influence in Australia has resulted in a perfect symmetry in the dishes. The flavours are balanced and the meat is tender and juicy. It is about the little touches and the sesame crusted fresh lime to squeeze over the taco meat perfectly cuts the flavour and offers the dish its final touch in achieving a perfectly rounded flavour balance. I paired my food with a delightful Gin Fizz that had a little of New York in it. The tacos are soft and the beef is tender, lashed with sour cream and salsa - they had me at hello. 

The menu is constantly under scrutiny from the brothers, as they want to keep things fresh which is a major draw card. I love an evolving menu with new ideas that stops a regular spot from becoming mundane. The soft shell crab burger was something that I haven't experienced before and I could picture it being served at a beach spot in Bali. The crunch was perfect and the red cabbage it was served with offered that sublime freshness.

Jarryd and Ariel hold themselves to a high standard. If you want to be the best then you need to constantly push yourself on an international level to achieve it. With every bite I was experiencing a different cultural influence that they have made their own. With Indonesia, Mexico and New York under my taste belt where was I off to next? 

The perfect ending to my meal was something that appeared deceivingly close to a cappuccino, but turned out to be a light and airy hazelnut mousse, amoretti crumb, salted caramel ice cream and Italian meringue. Things are not always as they appear. I jetted off to Italy with the first mouthful and sharing with my partner wasn’t an option! 

The dessert left me with the realization that if you close your eyes and savour what you are eating at that very moment, you can find yourself anywhere in the world.

I was grateful to the eatery for that very experience as it somehow momentarily quenched my thirst for travel. After all who doesn’t want to see the world in one spot from the comfort of your own seat while enjoying utterly delicious food?

Wanderlust cured. For now.

-Melissa

*This blog post is sponsored by Jarryds all opinions are my own. 

The Hickory Shack

When last did you take a road trip? 
With spring in the air and blossoms showing their pretty faces in the country side, I recently took a shot left to Elgin. Just an hour outside of Cape Town, on the N2 over Sir Lowry's pass, the countryside changes rapidly and before long, you find yourself amidst mountaneous hills dotted with pine trees, waterfalls, rocky outcrops and lakes.
It is an exceptionally beautiful part of the country that plays host to a plethora of outdoor activities.

Did I mention the area is also rife with glorious apple orchids and vineyards?
I could not help but get lost on the farm roads and between the little dexter cows (you are going to have to google them) and the ducks waddling down the road, I was swept off my feet by Elgin. 
I had been threatening to take a trip to explore the area for the longest time, but it was only until I found a suitable gastronomic reason to put my procrastination to bed did I eventually "bust a (proverbial) move"
Whoever said food is not a grand motivator has obviously never been to The Hickory Shack.
Owned by Jay Haupt this spot is all about slow cooking Texas style. Their wildly talented pit master, Eugene nurses the pit flames like a new age alchemist to ensure the perfect, tender, juicy meat. From brisket and ribs to chicken wings and cowboy beans, I guarantee that your taste buds will never be the same.
It is a carnal, sensory and simplified space with emphasis on the quality of the meat, both in taste and ethics.

The atmosphere is as relaxed as your favourite pair of jeans with country blues playing in the background while the fire place crackles in in agreement. This is a place where you will get drawn into the slow lane and end up staying for a while.
The decor is beautiful with wood at every turn. I couldn't help but think it pays homage to the beautiful forest surroundings. 
The tables are generous in seating and definitely built for extended family style feasting. More is more at the Hickory Shack and I loved it. 
Now lets get down to business and talk food. It was absolutely phenominal. 
The meat is prepared with a Texas dry rub. No sauces or artificial flavours are added to their product. 

Locally sourced meat is smoked in a huge smoker for several hours prior to serving. The duration dependant on the cut and type of meat; namely chicken, brisket, ribs and pork with the brisket demanding the most attention at 30 hours.
The meat mains are accompanied with sides that are true to texas flavours. The cowboy beans are a labour of love and take 3 days to make. They contain brisket cut offs and their smokey flavour coupled with another side of buttermilk mash is what I would call a match made in heaven. 
They have a sweetcorn salad on offer and (my favourite) coleslaw which is prepared with vinegar, cut through the richness of the meat with such sweet perfection - I wondered how I would ever eat anything else again. 

Every side is a well thought out addition with a clear intention to compliment the meat perfectly. 
The average spend is around R250 per person including a beer or two.
I had to try the pomegranate cider which I highly recommend (and to be honest if I wasn't driving I would have had another five or ten)
So if you are wondering what to do this weekend - why not take a road trip and experience slow cooking at its finest! 
Just remember more is more so you will need an empty stomach and very big eyes.

-Melissa

*This blog post is sponsored by The Hickory Shack all opinions are my own.