We’ve put together some of our favourite recipes that meet the requirements for the Whole30 programme!
Whole30 Recipe Inspiration
What is Whole30?
You’ve most likely heard the term Whole30 by now and may even know someone who’s risen to the challenge. Created by a pair of nutritionists in 2009, it’s a month-long program that involves eliminating the most common craving-inducing, blood sugar disrupting, gut-damaging, inflammatory food groups from your diet.
Translation? No sugar, alcohol, grains, dairy, legumes (and plenty of other fine print) for a month. Sounds intense, right? But it can be done!
Unlike other diets, the focus of Whole30 is to identify intolerances that you may not have realized were negatively affecting your health. And it goes beyond just the food you eat; it’s also about resetting your habits & emotional relationship with food.
THE RULES.
YES. Eat Real Food
Eat meat, seafood, and eggs; vegetables and fruit; natural fats; and herbs, spices, and seasonings. Eat foods with a simple or recognizable list of ingredients, or no ingredients at all because they’re whole and unprocessed.
For a full list of what you CAN eat, have a look here.
No. Avoid for 30 Days
- No added sugar (real/artificial). This includes maple syrup, honey, agave, date syrup etc.
- No alcohol. In any form, not even for cooking. (and ideally no tobacco)
- No grains. This includes (but is not limited to) wheat, rye, barley, oats, corn, rice, millet, bulgur, sorghum, sprouted grains, and all gluten-free pseudo-cereals like quinoa, amaranth, and buckwheat.
- No legumes. This includes beans of all kinds, peas, chickpeas, lentils, and peanuts. No peanut butter, either. This also includes all forms of soy: soy sauce, miso, tofu, tempeh, edamame, and soy lecithin.
- No dairy. This includes cow, goat, or sheep’s milk products like milk, cream, cheese, kefir, yogurt, sour cream, ice cream, or frozen yogurt.
- No MSG, carrageenan or sulphites.
- No junk foods or treats with “approved ingredients”. Even if the ingredients are technically compliant, these are the same foods that got you into health-and-craving trouble in the first place—and a pancake is still a pancake, even if it’s made with coconut flour.
- Do not step on the scale or take any body measurements for 30 days. If you focus only on body composition, you’ll overlook all of the other dramatic, lifelong benefits this plan has to offer.
THE FINE PRINT
These foods are exceptions to the rule, and are allowed during your Whole30.
- Ghee or clarified butter. These are the only source of dairy allowed. Plain old butter is NOT allowed, as you may be sensitive to the milk proteins found in non-clarified butter.
- Fruit juice. Some products or recipes will include fruit juice as a stand-alone ingredient or natural sweetener, which is fine for the purposes of the Whole30.
- Certain legumes. Green beans, sugar snap peas, and snow peas are allowed.
- Vinegar and botanical extracts. Most vinegar (including white, red wine, balsamic, apple cider, and rice) and alcohol-based botanical extracts (like vanilla, lemon, or lavender) are allowed. (Just not malt-based vinegar or extracts, which will be clearly labeled as such, as they contain gluten.)
- Coconut aminos. All brands of coconut aminos (a brewed and naturally fermented soy sauce substitute) are acceptable, even if you see the words “coconut nectar” or “coconut syrup” in their ingredient list.
- Salt. Did you know that all iodized table salt contains sugar? Sugar (often in the form of dextrose) is chemically essential to keep the potassium iodide from oxidizing and being lost. Because all restaurants and pre-packaged foods contain salt, salt is an exception to our “no added sugar” rule.
Your only job during the Whole30 is to focus on making good food choices. You don’t need to weigh or measure, count calories, restrict calories, or purchase everything organic or grass-fed. Your only job is to stick to the Whole30 rules for 30 straight days… no cheats, no slips, no “special occasions.”
It’s only 30 days. It’s for you.
Buying Right: How to Read Nutritional Labels
Food labels can be very confusing and tricky to understand. We often don’t have time during our weekly grocery shop to work out what each item’s nutritional label is telling us. Knowing how to read a nutritional label is far more important than you give it credit for. This is a “how-to” in knowing what key things to look out for, as a means to assist you in making the best choice, and essentially making your shop for healthy food a whole lot easier.
NUTRITIONAL CLAIMS:
Source of fibre: means the food contains at least 2g of fiber per serving.
High source of fibre: means the food contains at least 4g of fiber per serving.
Low fat: means the food contains no more than 3g fat per serving.
Reduced in Calories: means the product contains 25% less energy (Calories) than the original food it is replicating.
Light: means the product is either reduced in fat or reduced in Calories.
Cholesterol-free: means the product contains less than 2mg cholesterol per serving size and is also low in saturated and trans fat.
4 Unusual Tricks For Sticking to Your Health and Fitness Resolutions
Winter Blues: How to Survive Cabin Fever
The sun is rising later, setting earlier, and it’s gotten too cold to leave the house unless it’s absolutely necessary. It’s completely understandable if you find yourself in a little bit of a funk, being cooped up at home. Though there are the little pleasures that make the chilly season a little easier to bear, a crackling fire and a hot cup of cocoa isn’t going to remedy the claustrophobia you feel. Let’s take a moment to talk about cabin fever and the few ways we can combat the discomfiture of winter.
CABIN FEVER
Cabin fever is a euphemism for the restless and irritable feeling some get when they’ve been indoors for too long. Some might be triggered because they need a change in scenery while others have a reaction to a lack of Vitamin D usually received from exposure to natural sunlight. And while cabin fever might not be considered a medical disorder, Seasonal Affect Disorder (SAD) certainly is. This is why it’s incredibly important that you don’t underestimate what you are feeling.
Symptoms include irritability, low mood and energy levels, fatigue, restlessness, excessive or little sleep (disturbed sleeping patterns), social isolation, trouble concentrating, increased or decreased appetite (altered eating patterns).
Note: You know yourself well enough to gauge your ‘normal’ behaviour. Once you start acting out of character for more than just a day or two, it’s fair to assume something might be up. Booking an appointment with your GP might not be absolutely necessary, but talking to someone — possibly a friend or loved one if not a counsellor or therapist — is a good idea. There is absolutely no shame in admitting you’re having a tough time. You’ll often find that the more honest you are with yourself and what you’re feeling, the easier it’ll be to deal with.
HOW CAN WE TREAT CABIN FEVER?
The negative temperature makes leaving the house more punishment than anything else. While I tend to stay indoors, hosting dinner parties and game nights reminds me that I can still have fun despite the weather. Appealing to friends who, like you, don’t want to venture out into the cold will be much easier with a warm pot of mulled wine as a bargaining chip.
If your cabin fever merely needs a change of scenery why not consider taking a sunny holiday? Kwazulu-Natal is South Africa’s secret site of endless summer. Book a flight, and within an hour or two (depending on where you’re flying from), you can be dipping your toes in the warm Indian Ocean. The balmy weather, sublime sunshine, and tropical – often spicy – food will lift your mood, making you feel renewed for when you decide to return home.
When you’re feeling low, it’s important to be mindful of the bigger picture. Not only will setting goals help you feel more in control of the cabin fever, but having a project is a great distraction. Whether you choose to get a headstart on spring cleaning or task yourself with knitting a quilt for next winter, if you keep yourself busy you’ll have less time and energy to feel frustrated about being indoors.
REFERENCES:
https://www.verywellmind.com/cabin-fever-fear-of-isolation-2671734
https://www.erieinsurance.com/blog/ways-to-beat-cabin-fever
Maximise Your Post-Exercise Recovery
Recovery after exercise is essential for your muscles and tissues to repair the microtears they sustain during exercise and become stronger. Muscles need anywhere between 24 to 48 hours to repair and rebuild, but you can speed up this process by implementing recovery strategies.
GET YOUR NUTRIENTS
Proper nutrition is essential for recovery. Protein sources are made up of amino acids, which are the building block of cells, tissues, enzymes and hormones. Protein is thus essential for the rebuilding of muscles post-exercise. Carbohydrates are the primary source of energy for muscles. Consuming carbohydrates during recovery is important for replenishing the body’s glycogen stores. A post-workout protein shake is a quick and easy way to get these essential nutrients in.
GET SUFFICIENT SLEEP
The primary purpose of sleep is to induce a state of recovery in the body. Muscle building hormone concentrations increase during sleep, which assists with rebuilding muscles after exercise. Insufficient sleep decreases the activity of these growth hormones and as a result, reduces muscle recovery.
CREATE YOUR OWN CONTRACT TEMPERATURE THERAPY CHAMBER
A great way to soothe achy muscles is to alternate between hot and cold temperatures. When showering, alternate the water between as hot as you can handle for 20 – 30 seconds and then as cold as you can handle for 20 – 30 seconds. The contrasting temperatures create an external pumping of the blood bringing fresh blood and nutrients to the muscles for quicker recovery.
HAVE AN EPSOM SALT BATH
Not only does a hot bath post-workout make you feel relaxed and calm, it also aids with circulation, ridding the muscles of toxins. The hot temperatures from the water pull toxins to the surface of the skin and as the temperatures of the water start to cool down, toxins flow out of the body. Adding Epsom Salts to the bath is especially beneficial in alleviating soreness. Chemically, Epsom salt is magnesium sulfate, which in salt form pulls excess water and metabolite build-up away from the injured tissues and in turn reduces swelling.
MASSAGE IT OUT
Evidence shows that massaging muscles reduces the production of cytokines, which play a critical role in inflammation. Massage also stimulates the mitochondria, which are the powerhouses of the cell essential for cell function and repair. The combination of these two things helps the muscles to repair from muscle damage. Try using a massage oil for an extra aromatherapy experience.
Top 5 Superfoods For Mothers
From the moment of conception, your body is changing. It is a 9-month-long journey that doesn’t end there. Birth is akin to a marathon and breastfeeding, especially long term breastfeeding (and the World Health Organisation, WHO, recommends at least 2 years) is akin to being a super-athlete! It should come as no surprise then that super-moms need super fuel in order to shine.
Moms have Super-Powers
Oxytocin is the hormone released when you reach orgasm. It is known as the love or bliss hormone. It is also present during childbirth, as well as every time you breastfeed. Consider yourself in a perpetual state of after-glow when you are breastfeeding. It’s the hormonal super-power we are gifted as mom’s to counterbalance the sleepless nights and consistent energy demands of motherhood. It is no wonder moms (even tired ones) have an unmistakable radiant glow about them. The demands of growing your baby and then the continued demands of nourishing your baby from your breast are all-too-often overlooked. You’re burning hundreds of calories and you’re doing it multiple times a day.
If you think about it in that way, mamas are super-athletes and as all good super-athletes know: you have to take in top quality nutrients if you want to functional optimally on a daily basis!
TOP 5 SUPERFOODS TO SUPER-FUEL YOUR SUPER-MAMA
My baby is just over a year and these have been my Top 5 go-to superfoods to keep me feeling strong, energized and happy throughout pregnancy, birth, post-partum and the first year.
Organic Spirulina with no trace metals
I start my day off with 500ml of water and 10-15 spirulina tablets.
The importance of hydration and protein requirements throughout the pregnancy, post-partum and breastfeeding years cannot be overemphasized.
I like to make sure I get off to a great start so I’ve made it a habit to get at least 500ml of water in straight away along with my spirulina protein boost. If you start your day off with high quality, absorbable protein such as spirulina it helps to curbs sugar cravings. Whilst you need to keep your calorie intake high for good milk production, if you want to protect your waistline it’s best to avoid the sugary-treats. Whether you are pregnant or breastfeeding you are growing a baby so you need good quality protein.
The Green Alkaliser
The Green Alkaliser is a combination of wheatgrass, barley grass, moringa, baobab and hemp protein powders. I love the it and chase my spirulina intake with a glass of this energising super-fuel. I take 1-2 T either plain in water or juice. The green powders are excellent for alkalising and energising the body, providing the body with a broad spectrum mineral base from which to draw upon, as well as baobab for good calcium and prebiotics, plus more readily absorbable protein in the form of hemp protein powder.
Super Chia
For breakfast I have Super Chia with hemp milk. Not only is Super Chia loaded with 8 different superfoods giving you a wide range of vitamins and minerals essential to growing a healthy baby including protein, calcium and those important omega 3’s; but it has one extra special feature that tops all the rest and is essential for busy super-moms: it takes less than 5 minutes to prepare! All you do is add water or your favourite nut/seed milk to your Super Chia. Stir until well mixed and wait 5 minutes to thicken.
Organic Hemp Seeds
Organic Hemp seeds are probably the most versatile of all the superfoods; I eat and I use them daily. Growing a baby and breastfeeding a baby requires a lot of good fats – ie. essential fatty acids or EFA’s which hemp seeds provide . It contains omega 3 and 6 EFA’s in a unique, near perfect ratio for human nutritional needs. They contain all 20 known amino acids and contain 30% pure digestible protein as well as being a good source of lecithin which supports hormone balancing and
building baby’s brain, as well as being the essential antidote to Mom’s ‘baby brain’ fuzz. I usually make a hemp milk and pour it over my Super Chia or use it as a base for smoothies. I often make a savoury hemp sauce and pour it over veggies or as a salad dressing.
Super Berries
Berries are low in sugar and high in antioxidants providing the perfect energy boost when you need it. Antioxidants help keep you looking and feeling young so you can keep up with your lively little ones. My favourites are Soaring Free Superfoods Goji Berries , Golden Berries and the new Berry Delight Super Shake. I generally snack on gojis and golden berries whenever I need a pick-me-up during the day, and I love making a Berry Delight smoothie to enjoy with my family in the mid afternoon, to keep us going till dinner. The pure delicious zing of strawberries, raspberries and acai powders awaken the senses just when you need it most.
Read the full article to find out more about TOP TIPS for recharging as a breastfeeding mama & what superfoods are best for your little one.
Superfoods Defined: An in depth Q&A with Peter & Beryn on the brand, the concept & the lifestyle
Tracking Your Fitness Progress
At halfway through the year it means you’re entering month six of the health and fitness goal you set your mind on at the start of the year. When embarking on a weight loss journey it’s relatively easy to track your progress. You can weigh yourself, compare pictures of yourself between months and assess the way your clothes fit. When it comes to tracking fitness progress, however, this can sometimes be a little more complicated with different activities requiring different measurement approaches. Here are a few of my favourite, free fitness tracking apps:
STRENGTH TRAINING
Keeping track of the amount of weight you have lifted is the simplest and most effective way to know if you’re getting stronger. The body adapts to exercise quite easily so it is important to keep your muscles challenged through changing up the exercises you are performing and increasing the amount of weight you lift.
HeavySet is a workout tracker for strength training. It allows you to enter the exercises you complete in your workout with the number of reps, sets, and weight for each exercise. The App automatically produces user-friendly progress charts, which show you your volume, reps, sets and weight progression over time.
FitBod, similarly to HeavySet, allows you to enter information pertaining to your workout to track your progress over time. In addition, it has the functionally to capture basic information on any muscle fatigue you may be experiencing and based on this, recommends a workout for the day. FitBod aims to be both a log book and a trainer.
ENDURANCE TRAINING
Development of the GPS has made tracking outdoor endurance exercise an App developers dream, and to date, there are multiple Android and iOS compatible Apps to track your endurance activity.
Runtastic uses GPS to track your running, walking and cycling routes. Using this information, it creates detailed graphs of your progress. An advantage to this App is that it also has the ability to track indoor treadmill and stationary cycling activity. The goal setting feature on this App is what makes it my favourite. It allows you to set a running or cycling goal and tracks your progress towards achieving it.
MapMyFitness provides you with feedback on your workouts to assist you in progressing and improving. The App allows you to track both endurance and strength-based workouts and allows you to save routes and workouts to refer back to later. This feature makes it very efficient to use and enables you to directly compare your progress when completing an identical workout.
TEST YOURSELF ONCE A MONTH
Testing yourself once a month is a good way to assess how much you have progressed in that month. If endurance exercise is your main focus, complete a specific route or predetermined distance once a month aiming to go as fast as possible. Your improvement in fitness can be measured by how much faster you complete the route. If strength exercise is your main focus, complete the exact same set of exercises at a specific time point each month aiming to lift as heavy as you can safely lift with good form. Compare the weight you are able to lift to the previous month.
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Top Health Tips For Men
I wouldn’t say that health tips are one of the most common conversations amongst guys. ‘Jack, what’s the condition of your prostate?’ Is something I’ve never heard around a braai. Thankfully, this ostrich-like tendency to avoid topics of health and wellness is on the wane. More and more men are visiting their doctors for routine health checks, taking symptoms seriously and living a healthy lifestyle. Hopefully, this ends up improving our life expectancy, which is five years less than women. But there are further steps we can take to ensure we’re as healthy as can be;
1. Find a Good Practitioner
Many men don’t report problems to their doctors that affect them, due to fear of judgement or embarrassment. The older you get the more issues you’re likely to face so find a practitioner (allopathic or alternative) you’re comfortable with and can openly discuss all aspects of your health, from your mental state to your sexual function to your overall wellness.
2. Get Regular Check-ups
Just because you feel healthy doesn’t mean you’re off the hook. Going to your health care provider for regular checkups might just save your life. Be sure to check your cholesterol and blood pressure. If they’re not within normal ranges, follow your practitioner’s advice. And don’t ignore things like dark stools, vision loss, difficulty urinating or chest pain.
3. Eat For Your Heart Health
The bad news is that heart disease is one of the leading causes for death in men. The good news is that it’s one of the health issues we know how to influence with diet. You can give your heart some TLC by doing three things. Firstly, eat a rainbow of fresh fruits and vegetables daily. Secondly, eliminate ‘empty’ foods from your diet. White carbohydrates like pasta and rice are a great place to start cutting out, and switching to whole grain versions of these products may not be as painful as you think. And lastly, cut out trans-fats and boost your intake of healthy fats like avocados, nuts, and wild-caught salmon that contain compounds that may help to improve blood lipids and provide anti-inflammatory benefits.
4. Maintain Your Weight
Hate to say it fellas but the battle of the bulge matters. Maintaining a healthy weight is one of the best things you can do for yourself. You’ll look better, feel better and reduce your risk of heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and other major killers. I know this is easier said than done, but if you follow the eating tips above, you’ll be well on your way.
5. Check Your Prostate
Guys, the latexed finger is your friend. As you grow older, the prostate gland enters a growth spurt of sorts. This can result in new symptoms such as more frequent night-time urinating. This could be caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia, and there are lots of treatment options available. But it could be more serious so it’s important your prostate is monitored as you grow older. Any symptoms such as urgency or incontinence should be reported to your practitioner, who can take it from there and offer you reassurance and treatment guidance if needed.
6. Keep Your Eye on the Ball(s)
If an enlarging prostate should be the concern of an older man, the condition of your testicles is where it’s at for the younger man. Surprisingly, most cases of testicular cancer occur in young men between 20-39 years. Making a habit of checking your testicles (perhaps following a shower) regularly can help you to spot any unusual lumps or bumps that should be investigated. Things to look out for are any unusual rashes, lumps or redness, pain when peeing, or discharge from the tip of the penis.
7. Get Moving
The good news is that research shows that just 30 minutes a day of moderate exercise can help improve your health. Taking a walk, jogging, swimming and mowing the lawn all count.
8. Take it Easy on the Alcohol
I know, I know, these inconvenient truths are coming in hard and fast. Meeting up with friends for a couple of drinks at the end of a long day or week can be a great way to relax. But many men fall into the trap of consuming far too much alcohol in one sitting, without realising the long term effects of their binge drinking. Strive for moderation.
9. Maintain Your Sexual Function
Most cases of erectile dysfunction have an underlying physical cause. The main cause is lack of blood flow to the area in question, which can be a result of physical illnesses such as diabetes or heart disease. This is why it’s so important to grit your teeth and raise this distressing issue with your practitioner, who will be well versed in dealing with problems like these. Seeking professional help for this issue can potentially identify serious underlying conditions that you may not know you have, and restore your sexual function into the bargain, so you’re a winner all round!
10. Mind Your Mind
Did you know men are four times more likely to commit suicide than women, which is thought to be due to under-diagnosed depression? Mood disorders such as depression and anxiety are rife amongst men, and if ignored can have devastating consequences on your quality of life. Sometimes, men who feel that they have no one to turn to cope with their feelings by drinking too much, overeating, developing a short temper, or engaging in risky behaviours. If you’re feeling low, for whatever reason, reach out – there’s lots of non-judgemental and experienced help available.
11. Prioritize Sleep
Sleep deprivation runs rampant in our on-the-go society, yet it’s one of the easiest ways to promote good health. Try to get at least seven hours. That’s not something you should compromise on. The effects of sleep deprivation are many and varied, and running a sleep deficit has a direct impact on your ability to focus and concentrate on tasks, your mood and your physical health.
12. Maintain Close Relationships
Everything is connected. Having close ties with others is key to maintaining good mental health, which is key to having good physical health. Phone a friend, take up those invitations and don’t be afraid to open yourself up to new friendships at any stage of your life. The bond of friendship, with a close partner or buddies, has a hard-to-measure benefit in your life.
13. Safety First
Whether it’s pulling out the lawn mower, going for a bike ride or moving some furniture, safety is key. And remember, lift with your legs boys!
14. Learn to Manage Stress
Many men define themselves by their careers, which can raise stress levels. Over time, stress can take a toll on your emotional and physical health. Notice early warning signs of stress, such as irritability, tension in your shoulders and neck, grinding your teeth or clenching your hands into fists, and find healthy ways to de-stress (for example; exercise, meditation or massage).
15. Maintain Mental Fitness
Practice mental exercises, like puzzles and reading, and take steps to learn new things. These activities have been shown to prevent Alzheimer’s and maintain brain function.
16. Live a Little
Take time every day to do something you enjoy. Spend time with friends, play sports, work with your hands, play music, read, make art or cook. And limit screen time. Try to have more face to face time with family and friends.
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The Hemp Report
On 18 September, 2018 the South African Constitutional Court ruled the private use of marijuana legal. This gave many Rastafarians and weed smokers a reason to rejoice, but it left a lot of citizens scratching their heads too.
For many, the ‘holy herb’ and hemp are one and the same – they have been for many years, so what will the new law change, really? I’m hoping to give you some clarity. We wouldn’t want consumers with discriminating tastes to accidentally buy a product they weren’t bargaining for.
What is Hemp?
Hemp is the non-hallucinogenic strain of the cannabis sativa plant. To the untrained eye, hemp bears a striking resemblance to its debaucherous cousin. But it is the lighter shade, the thinner leaves, and the taller height that sets it apart. Hemp is one of the fastest growing plants in the world, making it the perfect material to utilise on an industrial and commercial scale.
Can I get high from Hemp?
Absolutely not. While marijuana is made up of 15% – 40% Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is the compound with psychoactive properties, hemp contains less than one percent.
How can I use it?
While hemp has trace amounts of THC in it, it is rich in Cannabidol (CBD). We’ve seen the emergence of, and growing popularity in CBD products since the legalisation of marijuana. Hemp oil, or the more concentrated CBD oil have proven to offer effective pain relief, combat anxiety and depression, aid digestion, fight cancer-forming cells, reduce the risk of diabetes, treat sleep issues and has anti-seizure properties too.
But many people have been using hemp in many ways for many years:
Hempcreate or Hemplime is a non-toxic building material made up of hemp hurds, lime and sand. Its origin is up for debate as cannabis has been outlawed and decriminalised several times across the entire globe.
The sturdy substitute is easier to use than regular concrete, but don’t be fooled by the biodegradable materials used to produce hempcrete bricks. Any structure you build today will still be sitting pretty 100 years from now if you so wish. Knock it down and you won’t have to worry about the rubble loitering as nature’s elements will get to work breaking down the material.
Hemp has also been woven into wearable clothing and usable accessories. Hydrating moisturizers and face masks have been made hemp, as it contains high levels of essential Fatty Acids (EFA’s) that get to work evening out your wrinkles.
The seeds from this versatile plant contain 31.6g protein per 100g. They are also a great source of vitamin E, potassium, sodium, magnesium, iron and calcium. Eat them raw, cooked or roasted for a healthy dose of amino acid that will protect your heart. Women who suffer from menstrual cramps or symptoms of menopause can look forward to the Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) in hemp seeds that alleviate your hormonal issues.
Hemp Trailblazers
Before the legalisation law was passed, there was a stigma associated with hemp products and anyone dealing with hemp. Thankfully the government has made an effort to chip away at those terrible misconceptions. The department of health and agriculture has issued permits for a group of farmers in Newcastle, KZN, to cultivate 1,000ha of hemp, making it the world’s largest licensed commercial cannabis sativa farm.
If you’re based in Cape Town, you may have heard of the coffee overs infusing their love of java with their desire to preserve their bodies. For R280 you can get 250g of CBD-infused ground coffee or roasted beans to enjoy at home. The Canna Coffee family produce an organic blend that makes you more energetic and focused, while reducing your stress levels. ‘No more coffee shakes’ they promise.
And while the felines enjoy catnip, your canine might bark a little more enthusiastically for hemp-infused dog biscuits developed by Noordhoek-based company From The Barkery. Each packet comes with 15 biscuits that contain 5mg of CBD, so you needn’t worry that you’re giving your furry friend anything he can’t handle. Even From The Barkery founder, Ceri Phillips, shares that she was inspired to make the treat when her own dig was diagnosed with a lung tumour.
The verdict
Though it seems like investing in a few hemp products is a no-brainer, I would always advise you do your research before purchasing and using a product for the first time. If you can, consult a medical professional to ease your mind.
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Losing My Hair Was The Best Thing That Happened To Me
My name is Katrien and I am the new CEO of Faithful to Nature. My team have encouraged me to share my story with you, in the hope that its uplifts and inspires those that are feeling challenged in anyway.
Growing up in an Afrikaans, conservative society it was impressed upon me from a very early age that getting married and having children was of the utmost importance. It appeared this was only achievable as a girl if you were Barbie pretty and
very thin. Like many girls I grew up with body, food and self-esteem issues. I was always competitive, trying my whole life to be a better version of myself and to be the best. It’s exhausting. You never really reach a stage of contentment. Once you achieve one goal you just reach further.
After many years of working on this, at the age of 34 I reached I point where finally I felt pretty. I had Botox, fillers and hair extensions, and I was very hungry.
What I didn’t realise, even though I always tried to be a good person at heart and kind to those around me, is that I was testing myself badly.
I never measured myself by the standards I had for others. I measured myself against a different crazy set of standards whereby only my appearance, performance and my great career counted. My heart and my mind were left undervalued and uncared for – especially after years of working 12-14 hours days. It was hectic, working 14 hours a day and squeezing lash fills and gym in between.
When It All Fell Out
At the age of 38, I was working in London as head of brand for Vodafone UK. I was very proud of what I had achieved, but moving to a new country all alone and having to perform at your max and look your best was becoming incredibly stressful. At the end of my time at Vodafone I started getting very tired, I used to always wake up early, like 5am, pray, run and then work a 12-hour day. I couldn’t do it anymore. I was exhausted all the time.
My hair started thinning, I had lesions(sores) on my head and in my ears. But I could still hide it, so I carried on. In the space of 6 months, it all finally caught up with me – all my hair had fallen out and I was covered in sores from my scalp down to mid-waist. I looked sick, tired and disgusting.
Then I was made redundant at Vodafone. What followed was the most traumatic 2 years of my life. Stuck in the UK not being able to work, waiting 18 months for a VISA that didn’t come. I ran out of money, I lost everything, including my hair, any self-esteem I had left, and sadly many friends. When you struggle and suffer, sadly friends sometimes think this is contagious, so they step away. I also became super sensitive and was in complete victim mode, so I also made some mistakes. I was in a very (very) bad place. Everything I had built my life on was gone.
Growing From Strength To Strength
Fast forward to returning to South Africa, needing to look for a job. Most of the sores had cleared, so I was OK to do interviews with a wig and lots of makeup. I saw the opening at Faithful to Nature and applied. I remember looking at Robyn (founder of FTN) on social media and I made the gut choice to go wigless – completely bald by now – for the interview with her. I just knew she would appreciate the authenticity. I was extremely grateful that I got this position.
When you lose everything, you are forced into introspection. You are forced into humility, authenticity and appreciation. For much of my journey I looked at my past, fabulous (although at times very superficial) life, and longed for the days where I had beautiful long hair, was thin and had a great wardrobe all propped up with Botox, lashes and hair extensions. I started to realise how wrong my approach to self-worth was.
At Faithful to Nature, I wore my wig in the beginning, scared of not being accepted. One afternoon after a long week, I just took the wig off, it was itching and hot and irritated the remaining sores on my scalp. A colleague said, “You look beautiful without your wig” and then another and another. Everyone started giving me advice on products and treatments. In about a week of internal struggle, I showed up at the office, walked into the warehouse with no wig. The staff started clapping.
What a very special moment, one I will treasure for the rest of my life. The joy I found in authenticity. They appreciated WHO I was, not WHAT I was. I have never put the wig back on.
I started using products from Faithful to Nature, such as Fire Tonic, turmeric tablets, collagen, shea butter, and CDB oil to name a few. My health started improving significantly. In January this year I did veganuary and my skin and health improved even further.
At the end of February, I was finally diagnosed correctly with Lupus which is an auto immune disease. The reason eating vegan made me healthier is that meat based products are like poison when you suffer from an auto immune disease. CBD oil has been proven to even alleviate symptoms of AIDS and cancer, so not strange that it improved my health significantly. I also have a heart condition and suffer from very bad circulation, something the CBD also fixed – no more swollen feet or bags under my eyes!
I now use conventional medicine in addition to all the wonderful natural products. My skin has cleared completely, and my hair is slowly growing back. I have gained weight from the conventional medicine and it bothers me, but I would rather be healthy than thin.
The strange thing is – I’m almost sad to get my hair back. It allowed me to be vulnerable in a way I am naturally not. It also allows you to see if others are sincere. I could not have dreamt for a job that would have supported my journey to self-discovery of authenticity, truth and health any better than FTN has. What a privilege. I am grateful every day for the struggles I have had, and I can look back and know that even though it has been unimaginably tough, I am all the better for it.