Pulse mag mid jan feb ' 15 true life, true beauty edition

Mid JAN/FEB 2015: R15.00 (VAT INCL.) (Also available Digitally on issuu.com)

Boost kids’ nutrition HOW TO BEAT CALORIE OVERLOAD IN 2015

Jolene STRAUSS MISS WORLD 2015

ISSN 2311-4819

Wrinklebusting skin care tips for boomer women

CEO Ashley Peters

Hi ALL,

The

I’m certain we all welcomed 2015 with open arms and are looking forward to a year filled with healthy living and plenty of positive tips to enrich our lives even more.

We wish everyone a Happy Valentines month in February 2015 and may their loved ones fill their day with abundant joy.

We feature our very own Rolene Strauss and tell you about her walk to success and what it took to get her to reach these new heights as the new Miss World.

Healthy living, financial tips, job interviews, diet changes, calorie overload, food cravings, home décor, fashion & love…..we have it ALL right here for you! So you can start 2015 off with a bang!

With 14yrs experience in the commercial clothing sector, entrepreneur, designer and merchandising consultant Genna-Wae Webster dreamed of restoring the glorious clothing manufacturing sector to make a difference in an already fragile industry. Read more in our fashion section.

For those planning a wedding, visit the Wedding Warehouse which is a one stop wholesale wedding supply shop at www.theweddingwarehouse.co.za for fantastic service and prices. Tell them I sent you! Also, if you planning to tie the knot soon, we have some great tips to consider before hiring a wedding photographer.

We also focus on some important aspects for our female readers which is healthy skin, wrinkle-busy\ting tips and simple at home beauty treatments to try.

Not forgetting our little ones, we share some great tips on how to boost their nutrition by creating balanced meals they will love and enjoy.

We are fast moving to a Digital Online edition which will put us in the forefront in Digital Magazine advertising in South Africa in years to come.

Visit our online digital editions by copying and pasting the following address in your browser : www.issuu.com and search for pulsemag.

Until next month…..

Ashley Peters editor@pulsemag.co.za Sms S.A: 072 907 2894 International: +27 72 907 2894

Puls e of t he Nat ion

EDITOR Ashley Peters JOURNALIST Sibusiso Kkwanazi PRODUCTION Sieraaj Allie Terri Allie MARKETING TBA SPECIALISED DISTRIBUTION Inhouse HEAD OFFICE 012 771 4597 011 051 5159 EMAIL ceo@pulsemag.co.za editor@pulsemag.co.za sales@pulsemag.co.za B-BBEE Contibutor: Level 3 B-BBEE PROCUREMENT LEVEL 110% WEBSITE www.pulsemag.co.za Copyright subsists in this publication. Any unauthorised use, reproduction, transmission of adaptation of the aforementioned or any part thereof in any manner, form or medium are acts of copyright infringement and makes the infringer liable for damages and/or prosecution.

Whilst every care is taken in the preparation of this magazine, the publishers cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of the information herein regarding articles & advertisements or any consequence arising from it.

The views and opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publication or the publisher.

N.B. All advertisers are responsible for the designing of their own advertisements & Pulse Mag will not be held responsible for any images, text or spelling errors that have occured or retrieved from the client or the internet.

The Proprietor & Publisher of Pulse Mag is Pulse Mag (Pty) Ltd.

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CONTENT S

Jan / Feb

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31

Jolene strauss: miss world 2015

MODERN MAN CAVE MUSTS

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4 STEPS TO A HAPPIER, HEALTHIER 2015

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ROMANTIC RENDEZVOUS

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BOOST KIDS’ NUTRITION

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COUNTDOWN TO 2015

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FANTASTIC FASHION IDEAS 5 FINANCIAL HABITS TO BEGIN IN THE NEW YEAR

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36 38

easy tip to help beat calorie-overloads

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What’s your Valentine’s Day personality?

10 questions to ask before hiring a wedding photographer

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42

5 job interview questions

4 small diet changes

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43

HAIR AND THE CITY

5 new year’s resolutions too simple to overlook

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S.A.M: SOUTH AFRICAN MADE

44

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swapping ingredients and habits for healthier living

HEALTHY RADIANT SKIN

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46

WRINKLE-BUSTING SKIN CARE TIPS

expert tips to curb food cravings

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47

AT-HOME BEAUTY TREATMENTS TO TRY

make your new house feel like home

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48

CREATING THE PERFECT CHEESE PLATTER 4

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Jolene

COVER STORY

STRAUSS MISS WORLD 2015

“South Africa, this is for you. I’m so proud of you and I’m proud to be your representative.” With these words, Rolene Strauss began her reign as Miss World 2014 on Sunday evening, 14 December.

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hat she is stunning is only one reason she has been crowned the most beautiful.

Her compassion and intelligence shine through and won over the judges and the public. In her interview for the pageant, she said: “ The fact [is] that we as humans don’t realise how much potential we have to do good, give and make things right.

How amazing would it be if we all realised our potential?”

She entered the Miss South Africa pageant and then Miss World because the pageants had evolved. They were no longer about women parading around in bikinis, but were about giving back. The pageants,

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she has said, were an opportunity to give back and make a difference.

Passionate about South Africa, our representative took lessons from the country she said gave her goose bumps whenever she thought of home. Talking about 20 years of democracy, she told a pageant interviewer: “We struggled through our obstacles, stood up after difficult times and gave hope to so many countries where equality is a struggle. This shows us that we are capable of great things and we are resilient.”

The beauty queen has followed her parents – her father is a doctor and her

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mother a former nurse – into medicine and she studies at their alma mater, the University of the Free State. In her hometown she was known as “Little Dr Strauss” because she always followed her father around.

Beyond growing up in a medical home, the miracle of her birth has given her a lifelong belief in the ability of medicine to change the world for the better. As she told the Miss South Africa organisers: “I am the University of the Free State’s first successful test tube baby. One of the greatest gifts anyone can receive is the gift of a healthy life. With my passion for giving, people and

Leon NeaL/AFP/Getty Images

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COVER STORY

health, I will be able to contribute to one of the most important things any country desires: health for all.”

Strauss follows in the high-heeled footsteps of Penny Coelen (1958) and Anneline Kriel (1974) as the pinnacle of beauty. Unlike the two previous winners, however, the brunette represents a democratic South Africa. She credits Nelson Mandela as the person most responsible for the freedoms she enjoys as a South African.

Another personal hero is the rector of her university, Professor Jonathan Jansen. He lives by a simple philosophy, Strauss has said – love what you do, stay humble and let the light shine on others. “He is one the most outspoken, down-to-earth, passionate, people’s persons I’ve met. He is not afraid to stand for what he believes in, he loves what he does and gives of himself to his students. I can testify that he wants the best for his students and supports them in all they do.”

“They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” A reading from Rolene Strauss’ favourite bible verse – Jeremiah 29:11.

(Image: Miss SA).

Strauss’s reign as Miss South Africa and now Miss World will be inspired by another beauty queen and former Miss South Africa, Jo Ann Strauss. She met the 2001 winner as a nine-yearold when she visited her home town of Volksrust. “She brought Miss South Africa to the people and is still making a change in the lives of others. She is the perfect example of a beautiful, strong woman who became Miss South Africa, went back to university, finished her studies and to this day is using all her opportunities since her crowning 13 years ago.”

Strauss lives the motto of the pageant – Beauty with a Purpose – and already has a history of humanitarian and charity work behind her. The judges agreed that this young South African woman perfectly embodied all that the pageant was about. One day another young South African girl may say of her, as she says of her hero, Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe: “She is a true inspiration of what a hard-working woman can achieve in South Africa.”

Source: Media Club South Africa www.mediaclubsouthafrica.com

LIFE ST YLE

Countdown to

New ideas to get your home ready for the new year

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he end of a year usually means one thing: endless resolutions. As you bid farewell to the holidays, it’s all about what you want to change, upgrade and do better. Health and well-being are always the first things that come to mind, but don’t overlook your home. In fact, sometimes it’s the first place to start - from a total overhaul to the simplest design changes. Those major or minor design decisions can really impact not only how you live, but also the health and happiness of you, your family and your home.

“As we move in to the New Year, it’s about embracing function but also creating a space that’s a strong reflection of the people who live there,” says Nate Berkus, renowned decorator, designer and artistic advisor to LG Studio. “Forget fleeting trends - 2015 is all about integrating thoughtful elements that have a lasting impact,” adds Berkus, who offers these tips:

Get organized The first thing, and maybe the most important, is to clean the house. Don’t underestimate how important that is, and what a difference it will make! Next, clean up the clutter. Getting rid of all the clutter, which has probably been piling up all year, will allow a room to really shine again.

It’s all about editing - throw out what no

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longer works to make room for things that are necessary to live well.

High tech, high touch Whether a gourmet chef or a total novice in the kitchen, take advantage of all the incredible high tech appliances out there.

I’m obsessed with the LG Studio double wall oven, which includes 100 auto-cook recipes built in to its one-touch activation control system. It makes cooking a cinch even for someone like me!

Brighten your outlook If there’s one easy change to make in a home, make it the lighting. Maybe it’s a pair of vintage lamps from the local flea market on the console that just pull the room together. Or perhaps it’s a pair of statement sconces in the bedroom or a pendant light in the entryway. When it comes to design tricks, lighting is one of them. It can change the whole feel of a room in an instant.

Changes that last Maybe 2015 is the year that you commit to that renovation. If thinking of a full kitchen remodel, I say go for it. It’s one of the best investments to make in the home. Reach for things that will feel timeless, now and in the future because

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replacing your stove, or wall tiles, or flooring the next year or even after 10 years, is not an option. When it comes to the appliances, go for matching stainless steel; they have a forever feel that will absolutely up the style factor of the kitchen. Every appliance in the kitchen needs to be very hardworking.

So, maybe it’s a large-capacity Frenchdoor refrigerator, like the one from the LG Studio suite of appliances. I particularly love the Door-in-Door feature, especially for a large family, as it has easy access to your favourite foods and more room for storage.

Be bold If you’re not able to take on a full kitchen renovation this year, don’t worry - it can be as simple as layering in some color.

Adding in a bold accessory is one of the easiest ways to change the look and feel of a room. I always encourage people to go with what they love, and if what you love is a gold ottoman, bright purple throw pillows or a dramatic piece of art, then I say go for it. Color is such a great way to add personality, and accent pieces are the best way to make a statement; if by summer it’s time for another refresh, those pieces are easy enough to change out.

the open toed bootie. They come in every colour, fabric and style, and can be found in just about any shoe store.

“Boots in general are a win-win.

Anything from ankle to thigh high in leather and snake skin with red and black leading will be a hit,” says Charlene Parsons, fashion director at Miami International University of Art & Design. If you want a break from boots, ballerina slippers can also carry you through the seasons.

Coats will be your pricier purchase, but it is your best buy of the season. “When it comes to coats and outer wear, take on texture, shearling and fur mixed with leather and in colour too,” Parsons says.

“Don’t be afraid to make your coat your fashion statement.”

Accessories are a must for winter wear and they also make great gifts as you can avoid guessing sizes. “Neck candy or big pieces of costume jewellery will be great.

You can use them with a jeans and t-shirts look or with a cocktail dress,” Warden says.

Parsons adds that the shopping bag and the shopping basket handbag looks are staples this season. And don’t forget about the back pack along with the hand painted bags and the jewelled clutch.

Fantastic Fashion ideas f o r h im and h e r t h is seas o n

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hether you are shopping for yourself, updating a loved one’s look, or wondering what to wear to a party in chilly temperatures, there are key items to look for when shopping this season that are sure to have you fashionably warm.

Fashion ideas for women “Bring in those dresses that have the lighter colours like pale pinks and light greens from the summer and then layer with your darker winter pieces,” says Sheila Warden, fashion director at The Art Institute of Ft. Lauderdale. “Sweaters and tweed jackets are hot right now and transition well from autumn through winter and are even

wearable in the spring.”

Tops and bottoms in the same print are en trend, and easy to wear, especially when hosting. “We don’t have time to over think what to wear. We’re too busy making sure everything else is right and just want to put on something we know is fashionable and will work,” Warden says.

There are also all kinds of jackets this season. Go for leather jackets, jackets with prints and your solid coloured jackets. Just remember that if you pick a jacket with a louder print, you’ll want to pick something not-so-exciting underneath.

Lastly for the shoe fanatics, don’t overlook one of the biggest hits this season,

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Fashion ideas for guys Sweaters and cardigans are coming back for men of all ages. “Charcoal colours, dusty grays and blacks are sure-win colours for any man’s closet,” Warden says.

En trend for men are dye sublimation socks with printed styles. “Young men are collecting socks and these printed socks will be a great addition to their select stash of trendy pieces,” Warden adds.

When considering tops, consider stripes instead of plaids but go for winter colours like burgundy.

Stick to wools for jacket pieces, cottons in shirts and tops, knits or double knits for sweaters and cardigans, fun jackets made of leather or faux fur and suede for the more laid back and a clean- cut gentleman.

Crushed velvet is great for a dress jacket or vest and it’s perfect for the holidays.

Boots and oxfords are the primary fall and winter shoe wear across the country.

Don’t be afraid to mix and match your oxfords with a more casual look and your boots with a more sophisticated look, but consider where you’re going and what you’ll be doing.

Scully hats and the beanie are coming back for men as well. Male handbags are also a trend that can serve a utilitarian purpose carrying items such as a laptop, wallet, pen and i-phone.

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LIFE ST YLE

financial fitness habits to begin in the

New Year

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hile many people focus on personal health goals in the new year, the beginning of the year is also a great time to check your financial fitness.

So how can you whip your finances into shape? South University College of Business, Virginia Beach faculty member Dr. Alan Harper says everyone should adopt these five financial habits in 2015:

put away 15 percent of your take-home income toward your retirement. Many retirement savings options are available, including 401(k)s, Roth IRAs and individual retirement accounts. It is important to do your homework before deciding on a longterm investment strategy so that you are aware of terms, conditions and any fees associated with your options.

Establish a budget Harper says the first step in taking control of your finances is to establish a budget. “It is extremely important to know how much money is coming in, where it’s going, and allocating it appropriately,” he says. “Having a budget allows you to gain a broader understanding of your spending habits.”

Make sure your budget includes allowances for food, clothing, fuel and even entertainment, Harper advises.

Manage your credit The beginning of the year is a perfect time to check your credit history, and to look for any mistakes on your credit report, Harper advises. Mistakes on your credit report can cost you large sums of money in interest rates, or even keep you from being approved for a loan.

“The law requires the three major credit reporting agencies to provide you with one free credit report a year,” Harper says. “Pull those reports and look for discrepancies. If you find one, file a dispute with the credit reporting agency and they will remove the item if it is incorrect.”

Harper also says to check your FICO score on the report, make sure you have an understanding of what the score means, and how to improve it if the score is low.

Start saving Your budget should also include money set aside for emergencies. Harper says the old rule-of-thumb that three month’s salary is enough to have in your bank account no longer applies in our current economy.

“We found in the last recession that people who lost their jobs tended to stay out of work much longer than three months,” he says. “You should have six months to a year’s worth of income in savings, just in case.”

Harper says you should also try to

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Shop smart Make it a priority to save money while you shop, Harper says. He encourages clipping coupons and says purchasing membership cards to discount stores can help you save

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money over time.

“Those stores will save you money in the long run on purchases like food, fuel, and even personal care items.”

Check your insurance Setting aside time at the beginning of the year to check your insurance policies can also save you money. Harper advises that you should review your auto, home and life insurance to make sure you have the proper coverage.

“You want to make sure you aren’t paying for coverage that you may no longer need, but you also want to make sure you have adequate coverage in case there is an accident or you need to make a claim,” he says.

Many companies also offer discounted rates if you hold multiple policies with them.

So, if your auto, home and life insurance policies are with different companies, you may want to explore the benefits of choosing just one company.

“It’s also important to make sure your life insurance policies are sufficient to protect your family from a financial crisis in the event that something happens to you,” Harper notes.

“Establishing a budget, saving, staying on top of credit and insurance, and shopping smart all take some work,” Harper points out. “But the rewards to your personal and household bottom line are well worth the effort.”

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LIFE ST YLE

What’s your Valentine’s Day personality?

How anyone can make the day special

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hether you’re a hopeless romantic or you don’t believe in Cupid at all, everyone celebrates Valentine’s Day in their own special way. From a fancy date or a girls’ night in, to a festive class party with the kids, there are activities and treats to suit every type of Valentine’s personality out there.

Which one are you?

The hopeless romantic Do you wear your heart on your sleeve? Do you look forward to Valentine’s Day every year as a time to celebrate the people you love? Then you are a hopeless romantic and you embrace everything that Valentine’s Day stands for. For you, the day should be filled with thoughtful gestures that come from the heart.

Start by sending messages to the special people in your life. For a significant other, you might text famous romantic

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quotes throughout the day to show your love. Then, skip the expensive flowers and get crafty by making Sweetheart Roses with HERSHEY’S KISSES chocolates, which come in special pink and red foils for the holiday. Simply wrap two KISSES chocolates in cellophane or plastic wrap to create a rosebud shape and then attach your creation to florist wire and wrap it in green florist tape. Add a little note saying how much you care for a finishing touch. This gift is a sweet treat and you won’t have to worry about it wilting.

Does your sweetheart have a sweet tooth? New HERSHEY’S KISSES Chocolate Truffle treats are the perfect gift for chocolate lovers.

The last-minute cupid If you are the person who waits until the commute home to swing by the store

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for your sweetie’s gift, you are a lastminute cupid. You like Valentine’s Day, but you are not known to plan ahead.

Fortunately, there’s no need to worry with a few quick and impressive ideas for special gifts.

To start, a handwritten card is always appreciated. Simply say what’s in your heart - you don’t have to be Shakespeare. When the words are your own, your loved one will know you genuinely care. Next, attach a gift that signifies all the sweet things in life - like the HERSHEY’S KISSES Heart Shaped Tin, packed with KISSES Milk Chocolates, which is guaranteed to make her swoon.

For more quick and fun Valentine Day’s ideas, visit www.CelebrateWithHersheys. com.

The Class parent In classrooms across the country, Valentine’s Day is a special time to

celebrate friendship at school. If you’re the class mom or dad, you know the class will be counting on you to help the kids get ready for this special day and prepare all the cards and goodies.

Help students celebrate their friends by having them make their own cards.

Use construction paper, ribbon, glitter and stickers to help your kids make customized cards for classmates. Then, add a sweet treat like JOLLY RANCHER Dippers that are sure to be a classroom favourite.

Parents can also start a new family tradition at home and show their kids how much they care by giving them Valentine’s Day baskets. Fill the basket with impressive treats such as HERSHEY’S KISSES Milk Chocolate Rose Cane.

The playful platonic If you think that Valentine’s Day is

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more fun spent with friends, then you have a playful platonic personality. You don’t need all the mushy over-the-top romanticism - you know the true loves of your life are your friends and you want to use this day to celebrate everything they mean to you.

For example, you might meet with your favourite buds for happy hour or spend the evening at home swapping manis and pedis with your best girlfriends. This is the perfect time to flip through some pictures and take a trip down memory lane. Make your home a festive oasis by filling a candy dish throughout the night with HERSHEY’S HUGS Candies in red, pink and silver foils.

No matter your Valentine’s Day personality, there are simple ways to make the day extra special. From yummy treats to sweet gestures, you’ll show the loved ones in your life you care - today and every day of the year.

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COVER LIFE STSTORY YLE

5 job interview

questions

you must

be prepared

to answer It's a competitive market for all types of jobs, from entry level on up. If you have an interview scheduled, make certain you're prepared for the questions you'll be asked.

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he first step is to do your homework, which includes researching the company, the industry and the job position you’re applying for, says Jodi Berkshire, assistant director of Career Services at The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale. No one can be prepared for every question an employer might ask, but you should be prepared with ways to gracefully answer categories of questions. Here are Berkshire’s top five job interview questions to anticipate:

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“Tell me about yourself.” Don’t mistake this one for an easy question. If you don’t carefully prepare your answer prior to the interview, it will show. Craft a short response that gives a thumbnail sketch of you professionally. This is a great place to insert some of your sterling qualities and accomplishments, and you should make sure that they dovetail with the requirements of the position for which you are interviewing. Be positive and enthusiastic, and whatever you do, don’t ramble.

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“What are your strengths?” “Why should we hire you?”

Here’s a simple way to prepare. Take a sheet of paper and fold it in half vertically. On one side list all the specific technical qualities that you possess. Look at the job description and consider each skill that is mentioned. For example, if the job

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description mentions software skills that are required and you have those skills, go ahead and list them. In the other column, list the personal qualities that you bring to the job. These could be things like punctuality, reliability, enthusiasm, work ethic, professionalism, etc. Again, take another look at the job description and anticipate what qualities that hiring manager would be looking for. Here is your chance to sell yourself. Don’t be afraid to let them know what a great addition you’ll be to their company.

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“What is your greatest weakness?” “How have you overcome it?” You have two good choices here. You can either choose a weakness that is really a strength to an employer (you become so engrossed in your work that you find it hard to take a break until the project is completed), or choose something that you had to master at the beginning of your career that would be an expected learning curve for any entry-level recent college grad (you didn’t really grasp project management in your first job and you had to make a deliberate effort to learn about time lines and time management). If you choose the second example, make sure that you stress how your performance increased once you mastered the missing skill.

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“...become comfortable with the idea of selling yourself, remember to smile.”

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“What do you know about our company?” “How did you hear about us?” Or, “Why do you want to work for us?” These are all variations on the same theme. The real question is: Did you do your homework? Any interviewer will expect that you have researched the company. That means that you should know their website inside and out. Have you Googled the company? Have you read any recent articles about them? If the only information you have to offer is what any person off the street who isn’t applying for the position knows, it shows that you don’t care enough and you’re not very thorough.

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“What would your past employer tell me about you?” Again, tread carefully. Do not under any circumstances say anything negative about any past employer. Settle on a few of your strongest qualities and concentrate on those that reflect your strong work ethic and professionalism. Here is another perfect opportunity to sell yourself, but once again, be careful not to ramble.

Once you’ve done your research, practiced answers to commonly asked questions and become comfortable with the idea of selling yourself, remember to smile. In most interview situations, the candidate who appears to be relaxed, confident (not arrogant) and enthusiastic usually has the best chance of being hired.

HAIR AND THE CIT Y drunk people who have two left hands when it comes to braiding). Follow fashion blindly because its fleeting do whatever blows your hair back. Its summer, anything goes….Try the sea wave curl (yes I coined the phrase) its free flowing slightly unkept and fun and sexy….

After a deep cleansing shampoo and an invigorating conditioner, apply gel to the entire length of hair (Dijonne high protective gel @Instyle Hair Co R150.00) ,take sections and twirl each section and pin in place, do the entire head OR alternatively make a ponytail and twist the entire section and pin into place .

Leave to dry and then remove pins. It’s perfect for summer and to convert to a sexy evening style pull it up into a high dishevelled ponytail.

Summer is your pass to do less, have more fun, relax, enjoy and soak up the sun. don’t forget your SPF 40 and hydrating hair balm (JOICO available @Instyle Hair Co R360,00) keep your skin moisturised and your hair hydrated.

Remember braid it. Wave it, ponytail it, but whatever you do don’t forget to hydrate it !!!!!

And that’s your summer style hair secret.

Summer Unkept and sexy F

or decades young girls have braided their hair for school, for Sunday church and for friends parties. Fish braids, sides braids, French braids but to name a few have adorned the heads of many school girls. The more intricate the braid the cooler the hair style.

The braid has now evolved decades later into the accessory of the modern conservator with an edge. Cocktail parties, dinner dates, girls night out have all one thing in common……yes besides alcohol… .a braid.

Celebrities may have posed in

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magazines and on the runway trying to give new meaning to your childhood staple, the braid, but it’s the school girls who started the trend along with Pocahontas so the credit has equally and justifiably been shared….

I for one believe that no self respecting woman over the age 30 should even contemplate wearing a braid, but then again who says fashion has a legal age?

Shelf life maybe but age? What age? Go ahead, get your fish braid done, try the new waterfall braid, create your own braid call it the hangover braid (that’s not for

Puls e Magazine

Contact us: Instyle Hair Co +27 12 374 4845 / +27 82 921 9767

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FA SHION

E

With 14yrs experience in the commercial clothing sector, entrepreneur, designer and merchandising consultant Genna-Wae Webster dreamed of restoring the glorious clothing manufacturing sector to make a difference in an already fragile industry.

arly in 2014 she launched SAMSouth African Made, a pop up store at Windermere Centre for three months. With the help of musician Shannon Hope, who happens to be very good at systems and administration, she tested the business model of the store.

The outlet is for local designers, artists and decor designers who only produce their ranges locally. The store’s core value is unwavering.

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At the end of a three month trial, the store closed temporarily in order to find a permanent spot for the store and all the designers under its umbrella. After several smaller stores were investigated, a beautiful 162M square space at the newly renovated Umhlanga Centre came to light. Under the management of Graham Mackenzie and his daughter Krystle Schabort, the centre has been given a new lease on life. In the heart of

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affluent Umhlanga, SAM-South African Made had found its new home.

Relaunching on the 31st July, over 200 people showed support for the new space and its 19 strong creatives.

Four months on, SAM - South African Made is now host to 36 creatives with more waiting in the wings to join the movement. Of these, four designers have now gravitated to providing manufacturing space for their newly

employed machinists as well as upgrading their rail space. Genna-Wae has committed herself to making this contribution to the local manufacturing industry and has drawn up a plan to open multiple stores nationwide over the coming 5 years.

Both stores were built from the ground up with assistance from close friends and family. Proving how many people supported Genna-Wae’s dream to restore SA made suppliers. As you will see the store has an eclectic feel and a lot of love and energy has been poured into making it a reality.

“I feel that creatives are seldom given the opportunity to get known. It doesn’t matter how hard they try, they are doomed from the get go. With more local manufacturers battling to compete with imported prices and only up to 35% of all stock in major retailers being produced locally, it is tough for designers to find jobs in their qualified fields. The only way we are going to make a difference in our industry, is if we take the situation into our own hands and open outlets.

We will house up 100 creatives per store.

Designers will have an online presence through our online shop and the united force that we will create through our social media platforms will help create the support for all designers belonging to our team of SAM-South African Made creatives. The idea is that designers will leave us to open their own space and, in the process, employ their own machinists thus creating mini factories. We do not limit the designers on who they can supply, although we do specify that their other outlets cannot be within a close proximity to our store. It just doesn’t make good business sense to allow that for us or the designers and their other outlets.

“Investing in people and uplifting them is so important to me.”

We also encourage our creatives to be active on social media in order to drive traffic to the store for themselves and their fellow creatives. It is clear that those who do not self promote have a poorer sell through, than those who do promote themselves on a consistent basis. We also stress that to draw attention to their brands and goods that they need to supply their own displays which will create a unique presence in the store, which is already filled with creative triggers everywhere you look. At the end of the day, I want what is best for them. It is possible to produce locally, you just need to have a good supply base. If that is not available to you, you create your own.”

Genna-Wae consults for Bad Girl and Gotcha Girl as a clothing merchandiser and designer and shares her factory

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FA SHION space with Steve Coombes so that they can support each other’s businesses. She employs 5 staff, 3 of them machinists, 1 cutter and 1 pattern maker. The two machinists were trained to be capable of handling delicate fabrics and complex styles.

As former bulk production machinists, Thebi and Christophina were not used to such intricate construction. Pam, the 3rd machinist was previously Genna’s domestic assistant and has been trained through all the processes of cutting, through to understanding patterns, and even sews complex things like swimwear on her own now. Minnie, Pam’s sister, previously worked at a kevlar factory and is the full time cutter but also chips in to get the stocks sewn if need be.

Lastly, Melissa is a self taught pattern maker and designer and has an eye for detail and quality. To refine her pattern knowledge, Genna-Wae sent her to Janie Mitchell to study Italian Dressmaking pattern skills. This is the team who produce beautiful lingerie for the likes of The Bedroom Boutique, sleepwear for Satin Candy and a multitude of complex novelty outfits for various promotional companies.

Genna-Wae also has her own clothing label called WaeWest and has been featured in MBFWJ through an opportunity created by the KZN Fashion Council. She has dressed the likes of Playboy Playmates, Khloe Terae and April

Eve, in her lingerie and dresses as well as local model and SA Playmate Yolande Malherbe in her swimwear range.

Shannon Hope has also recently been featured in Cosmopolitan’s December issue wearing one of WaeWest’s exclusive designs.

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Other brands in SAM-South African Made include : AzorA, Billy, Cookie Cutter, Tasha’s Closet, aFREAKa, Dragonfly Dreams, Pixie Creations, Fashion by Miss Rich, Miss Pretty, Sportissima, Lyall Gallo, Even Flow Decor, Princess Grace, Gee Love It, Spine, Indigo Clothing, Rehashed, Dirty Indigo, Natty Dread, Vicious Romantic, Zatara, Thrive, Daniella Hartman Art...

Our online store is scheduled to be live by the 12th of December, check it out www.samstoresa.co.za. Follow us on twitter and instagram with username handle samstoresa. We are also on Pinterest and Tumblr as Samstoresa.

We look forward to enlisting as many people we can to support our cause and encourage the restoration of local manufacturing in SA. Any queries can be emailed to genna@samstoresa.co.za and that includes any local creatives wanting to rent space from us to be a part of the SA Made movement.

“Investing in people and uplifting them is so important to me. I battled being a designer in an industry that can be all about ego. All I wanted to do was find a way to help people. Through SAMSouth African Made and my own factory I am finally starting to feel satisfied with my career path.

This is just the beginning though, and if you want to see what else we get up to, go like our Facebook page to stay in the loop :

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BE AUT Y

Healthy, radiant

Skin STARTS BELOW THE SURFACE

S

kin care is important for men and women of all ages. Not only does healthy skin help you look younger, but properly maintaining your skin also gives you a healthier overall appearance so you feel more confident.

Everyone wants to look good, whether it’s for a special event or just everyday living. People often talk about the need to eat right and exercise to improve overall health and beauty, but the focus on skin is often more about superficial appearance and not enough about the health of the skin. When skin is healthy at the most basic, cellular level, it gives you a beautiful glow.

Many people don’t understand that healthy skin starts way below the surface, it starts with your cells.

Unfortunately, aging slows down your

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skin cell renewal process, which can cause wrinkles, dark spots, dryness and loss of elasticity. It’s important to rejuvenate skin cells so they operate at their optimal level. A new product that addresses skin health at a cellular level is RENU 28, an all-natural skin gel.

It is designed to work with your body’s natural processes to revitalize your skin’s health and appearance by specifically targeting cells that have been damaged over time due to age and other factors.

Scientifically-formulated using ASEA’s patented Redox Signaling technology, RENU 28 helps heal and replenish damaged skin cells to keep your skin feeling moisturized for an enhanced, healthy appearance. It is also non comedogenic, hypoallergenic and preservative and paraben-free, so you

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won’t have to worry about what you are putting on your body.

As you improve the health and appearance of your skin, there’s a good chance you’ll take notice of the rest of your body. For example, you might dress differently to show off your beautiful, healthy-looking skin. You might want to start a new exercise program to tone your muscles underneath your skin to complete the new look. A part of optimal health includes good skin health, and that’s something you need to think about year-round, not just on special occasions or the holidays.

For more information, visit www.asea.net/whatwedo/renu28. aspx to learn more about making your skin more vibrant and healthy at the cellular level.

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BE AUT Y

Wrinkle-busting

skin care

tips for boomer women T

Use current trends as an inspiration and simply tweak or tone down the look, always keeping placement and blending in mind.

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ime brings plenty of changes, yet the desire to have healthy, goodlooking skin transcends age. While some skin-care tactics - sunscreen and moisturizing - apply to skin of any age, baby boomers need to update their skin care and makeup strategies to ensure their skin stays healthy and youthfullooking as long as possible.

“Fine lines, wrinkles and discoloration are only the most visible symptoms of aging skin,” says Anna De La Crus, a skincare expert for glo therapeutics.

“Others are less obvious but every bit as damaging. Dehydration, loss of elasticity and slower cell regeneration also affect skin health, and how good you look at any age.”

If you’re a baby boomer, it’s

important to update your skin care and makeup regimen to keep your skin healthy and looking its best. Here are four skin care secrets every boomer woman should know: It’s not the number of years, it’s how well you’ve cared for your skin during them.

Age causes certain changes in the skin; cell turnover and renewal slows down, skin cells become less adept at retaining moisture, and skin becomes more sensitive. Taking care of your skin throughout your life - moisturizing, exfoliating and using sunblock - can help skin stay healthier and more youthful longer.

“As we age, lifestyle habits start catching up to us, some of which have

“I advise women in their 50’s and 60’s to explore a clean, classic look,” says Janeena Billera.

been decades in the making before we see the visible proof,” says De La Cruz. “While it can seem as if a wrinkle appears overnight, there is no fountain of youth or instant cure.”

It’s also never too late to start taking better care of your skin, and it is possible to enhance skin health at any age. For wrinkles and fine lines, look for products that contain firming ingredients that will help stimulate collagen production, antioxidants to help protect against free radical damage, and smoothing ingredients to encourage cell renewal.

Your clothing and hair style have changed in the past 20 years, your skin care products should, too.

The moisturizer you used in your 20s

may not be a good fit for your skin’s needs when you’re in your 50s. Baby boomers should look for skin care and makeup products specifically designed to address common concerns of aging skin, such as wrinkles, fine lines and hyper pigmentation. The leading edge in addressing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines is phytostem technology.

Plant stem cells and firming active ingredients in the Cyto-luxe collection by glo therapeutics work to lift and tighten skin, as well as promote healthy cells and collagen production to reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Two new formulas, Vitamin C , which contains 20 percent L-ascorbic acid, and Hydration , address the top two causes of aging: sun damage and moisture loss. To learn more about this luxury line of 10 products, visit www.gloprofessional. com.

For boomer women concerned about hyper pigmentation, daily sunscreen should provide protection of 30 SPF or higher, and include ingredients that brighten and lighten skin, such as retinol and glycolic acid.

Update your diet to include the nutrients skin needs to age more gracefully.

Good nutrition is important throughout life. Healthful nutrition is

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good for overall health, and it can help improve the skin’s appearance. Vitamins A, C and D are vital for skin health, and topical applications of A and C are also good for the skin.

De La Cruz recommends boomer women stay on top of hydration by drinking lots of water. Incorporate plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, too especially those containing key vitamins.

Your look has matured and so should your makeup routine.

The wrong makeup application can actually amplify the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and pores. As skin matures, a “less is more” approach is often more flattering.

“I advise women in their 50’s and 60’sto explore a clean, classic look,” says Janeena Billera, National Makeup Artist for glo minerals. “To achieve this, use natural foundations that illuminate and hydrate the skin. Choose neutral shades of matte to satin eye shadows, apply eyeliner tight to the lashline, maintain well-groomed eyebrows and add a natural flush to the cheek.”

Finally, Billera advises, growing older doesn’t mean you have to give up being trendy and fun. “Use current trends as an inspiration and simply tweak or tone down the look, always keeping placement and blending in mind.”

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BE AUT Y

P

Saving money: At-home beauty treatments for your skin

ampering yourself with skin and beauty treatments is important, but going to the salon or buying expensive products are not always the most convenient - or wallet-friendly options.

In fact, 82 percent of women prefer to save than splurge each month on their beauty and skincare regimen, according to a recent study from Poshly Insights on behalf of ARM & HAMMER Baking Soda.

As an alternative, women can look to the following simple, do-ityourself solutions to care for their skin. It might surprise you how many beauty treatments you can create from ingredients you already have in your home.

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.Facial scrub - For smooth, radiant skin, combine three parts baking soda with one part warm water. Using your fingers, rub the mixture gently on your face in a circular motion to exfoliate

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skin and remove dead skin cells. Be careful to avoid your eye area. Rinse off with warm water and you’ll notice your skin feeling smooth and refreshed.

Bath soak - Help soothe skin irritations, bug bites or mild sunburn with a relaxing, long soak in the bathtub. Swirl one-half cup of ARM & HAMMER Baking Soda into warm water to help soften and soothe the skin and clean away any oils and perspiration that accumulated during the day.

Manicure and pedicure - Before painting your nails, give your hands and feet a little TLC with exfoliating treatments. For manicures, use a brush to scrub the nails and cuticles in a gentle, circular motion with baking soda.

Rinse clean with warm water and apply your favourite shade of nail polish. For pedicures, soak feet in a basin with a mixture of two tablespoons of ARM & HAMMER Baking Soda and warm water.

After your soak apply a scrub of three

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parts baking soda and one part water.

Rinse clean with warm water and follow with an application of a rich moisturizer and a warm towel foot wrap - your feet will feel smooth and clean. Finish the treatment by applying your favourite shade of polish to your toenails.

Hair care - Use baking soda to help remove residue that styling products leave behind for cleaner and more manageable hair. To achieve this, sprinkle a quarter-size amount of ARM & HAMMER Baking Soda into your palm along with your favourite shampoo. Wash as usual and rinse thoroughly. Just be careful to avoid the eye area when rinsing.

Avoid costly visits to the salon and expensive beauty products with gentle and simple at-home treatments. For even more fun, invite your friends over for a spa-themed get together and try out the tips above. To find more savings and solutions for you and your home, visit www.armandhammer.com/solutions

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FO OD

Fail-safe tricks for creating the perfect cheese platter

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our social calendar is packed to the brim with dinner parties, family activities and holiday festivities with loved ones. Whether you are hosting or attending as a guest, providing something delectable will always be a welcome addition to the celebration. Loved around the world, a scrumptious cheese platter is guaranteed to tempt everyone’s palate and be the perfect conversation starter.

Creating a delicious and interesting cheese platter is easier than you think if you make use of a few tips and tricks trusted by expert chefs. These four ideas will ensure your platter not only embodies the perfect array of cheeses but also showcases your personal taste and style.

The right varieties and correct amounts Confused about how many varieties of cheese to buy? And how much is needed for your size gathering? The goal is to give people a nice selection of cheeses to sample without overwhelming them; three to five cheeses typically will do the trick. A simple way to ensure a nice spread is to make selections based on the type of milk used to create the cheeses. For example, cow, sheep and goat’s milk all create very different kinds of cheeses, and knowing about these differences can help you make better choices when shopping. Prepare 4-6 ounces per person if cheese is the main food, and serve more or less depending on the time of day, whether other foods are served and the type of celebration. When in doubt, reference this handy online cheese calculator at www.dcicheeseco.com/party.

Add an aged-cheddar flight Do you love cheddar? You’re not alone, as it’s one of the most universally enjoyed cheese varieties. That’s why a flight of different cheddar cheeses is sure to capture your guests’

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attention while satisfying their hunger pangs. Try selecting three different cheddars for people to taste - odd numbers always present well on a plate. Black Creek’s premium cheddar cheeses made in Wisconsin are aged for nine months, two years or even three years, and they feature a rich, sharp flavour. Pre-cut the cheese into cubes and place the pieces on the platter, or you can allow guests to cut their own. Educate guests by adorning each cheese with a candle featuring the number of years that the cheese is aged.

Create a worldly theme Want a crowd-pleasing theme for your cheese plate? Create a “Tour of Europe” platter that will delight taste buds while letting guests try different cheese styles. Start with mild flavours, including French cheeses like brie and camembert that offer a soft texture. Next, guests can visit Italy when they sample Stella Italian-style cheeses like full-flavoured parmesan or rich, semi-sweet asiago. Finish with flavourful cheeses from Holland and Denmark, like extra-aged Gouda or nutty Edam. Add flags to your cheese offerings denoting each one’s nationality for the perfect finishing touch.

Accompaniments, preparation and presentation The sky is the limit when it comes to serving vessels. Go traditional with a wood cutting board or get creative by using marble tile or colourful vintage glass platters. Arrange cheeses artfully on the platter about an hour before guests arrive, as room-temperature cheese maximizes each variety’s flavour.

Finally, remember no plate is complete without a selection of garnishes like crackers, bread, fresh or dried fruit, nuts, olives and meats. Then sit back and watch as guests munch away and strike up conversation.

Puls e Magazine

man cave musts

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hether in a workshop, garden or garage, American men have always enjoyed their personal spaces. With the rise of flat-screen technology, having a “man cave” became an official home improvement trend. In fact, a 2013 survey by online retailer Newegg found that more than half of American homes now have a man cave. Now, after more than a decade of partying, man caves have matured.

Modern man caves go far beyond pricey audio-visual components, a refrigerator and a couple of worn-out recliners. Today, luxury and entertainment features share space with practical ones, and when perfectly balanced, create a room to meet a variety of needs - relaxation, fun, family time and even work.

If you’re ready to create a man cave in your home, or take your existing guy-centric space to the next level, here are a handful of upgrades sure to make your cave feel like a castle: Tech heaven A TV is a must for any man cave, but it’s no longer enough to simply have a huge flat screen and a remote control. To really be worthy of your man cave, whether plasma, LED or LCD, a flat screen should have all the latest bells and whistles, including Internet access, 3-D, high definition and a full-motion wall mount. Surround sound and satellite signal (for visual and audio content) are also musts.

Tech needs don’t stop with A/V requirements, however.

Creating a computer centre, complete with Wi-Fi, laptop and multiple screens, not only enhances gaming opportunities, it can allow your man cave to double as an office.

A refrigerator is a man cave staple, and plenty of high-tech versions are available for smaller spaces like a converted basement or garage. Add a wine or beer cooler, or even a humidor to round out your tech needs.

Liquid realities Man caves often wind up in a converted garage, finished basement or bonus room over the garage - scenarios that can make it difficult to incorporate running water into your plan. Cutting through the concrete floor of a garage or basement to install drainage can make adding a bathroom or wet bar cost-prohibitive, and it may be inconvenient to open drywall to add traditional plumbing to a bonus room.

Above-floor plumbing can make it easy and cost-effective to add waterdependent features that are both practical and luxurious. “If you want to add a bathroom or wet bar to a smaller space, or one with a concrete floor, above-floor plumbing overcomes many of the challenges created by traditional plumbing,” says Regis Saragosti, CEO of SFA Saniflo Inc., a manufacturer of abovefloor plumbing products.

Macerating systems for toilets (also known as up-flush plumbing) make it easy, cost-effective and quick to add a

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bathroom to a man cave. Drain pumps, often used for kitchens and sinks, are useful in creating a fully functional wet bar.

To learn more about above-floor plumbing and its applications, visit www.saniflo. com.

Thinking outside the cave walls The very concept of a man cave is about going your own way, but early iterations seemed to follow the same basic, fratstyle formula of sports-themed decor, cheap seating and high-priced tech toys.

Today, man caves are as individual as the men inhabiting them. Look for ways to personalize the space for your interests and needs.

Have a passion for working out but don’t always feel like having an audience or trekking to the gym? Include some fitness equipment in your man cave. Prefer to get some work done late at night and don’t want to keep the family up? Park a desk and PC in a convenient corner. Love golf but can’t stand pool? Ditch that mancave staple - a billiard table - and put in a mini putting green.

Finally, don’t overlook the fact that the king of the castle (or man cave) might want to invite his queen into the space.

In fact, 89 percent of the men surveyed

by Newegg said they would welcome a member of the opposite sex into their man cave. So be sure your man cave includes comfortable seating, dimmable lighting and a film collection that goes beyond sports and action flicks.

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LIFE ST YLE

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nother year is upon us, leaving plenty of time to reflect on what went well (and not so well) in 2014. Before you start outlining your self-improvement plan for 2015, consider this, only 8 percent of people who make new year's resolutions actually stick to them. Control the urge to recycle annual resolutions that you know you'll never keep. Instead, identify new opportunities to keep your body fresh and your mind focused. Here are four simple steps to a happier, healthier 2015.

Schedule a few "mental health days" We spend a lot of time at the office. And if you're clocking more than 10 hours a day, it's likely too much. Scientists often link overtime to everything from depression to cardiovascular issues. It's no secret that we all count down the days until that next holiday vacation or summer road trip. But why wait? Don't put off precious time away from the daily grind. Instead, avoid burnout by planning a few long weekends every year that help you recharge and refocus. Whether you're sleeping in and catching up on your DVR or connecting with old college roommates, a little R&R will do wonders for your morale.

Improve your indoor air quality Nine in 10 homeowners realize poor indoor air quality can contribute to certain health issues, yet only one-quarter are worried about the air quality in their homes, according to a national survey from Broan-NuTone and Kelton. With the majority of homeowners spending 90 percent of their time indoors, it's important to identify telltale signs of unhealthy air before they trigger health issues. If you're noticing foggy bathroom mirrors after showering or lingering food aromas after preparing meals, chances are your home isn't properly ventilated. Protect your home and your family by updating your range hood or installing a new bath fan.

Clean out your closets If you're like most, you're probably hanging on to one too many items that you've outgrown or no longer use. Free up hangers and closet space by taking inventory of any items you haven't

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worn in several months.

Holding on to jeans in the hopes you'll fit into them?

Donate them to someone who can wear them now and treat yourself to a new pair.

Stockpiling old bridesmaid dresses? Have them altered into the ideal cocktail dress.

Hoarding fashion jewellery and accessories that are no longer in style? Create a dress-up box for nieces, young cousins or students. Not only will you make more space for things you do need, de-cluttering creates feelings of happiness and accomplishment.

Try something new If "learn to cook" and "lose 10 pounds" have been on your todo list for years, it's probably time to mix things up a bit. Be more specific when outlining goals. For example, instead of focusing on weight loss, why not focus on new classes to try out? From cardio kickboxing to spin class to ZUMBA and yoga, there are endless opportunities to get your heart rate (and your spirits) up. Check out your local gym and pledge to try something new every quarter until something sticks.

As for cooking, turn it into a date night with your spouse by enrolling in a cooking class together. Or, buy a cookbook and take turns selecting new meals to prepare.

Keep in mind that you won't do yourself any favours by shrugging off goals or not planning in advance. Set up reminders and calendar invites to help keep you on track.

Better yet, outline at least one shared resolution and invite friends or family members to join in.

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Romantic rendezvous

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or girls’ night out, find the perfect look for Valentine’s Day

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hether you’ll be dining out with a new love, sharing a romantic dinner at home, or enjoying a night out with your besties, you’ll want to look great on Valentine’s Day. Creating just the right look doesn’t have to be overwhelming; a few simple tips, tricks, tools and techniques can help you wow your Valentine’s Day companion.

Your makeup will be the crowning touch to any outfit you choose. Start with the right tools, like the Lovely Looks set from EcoTools, a leader in eco-conscious beauty products that is best-known for its incredibly soft cosmetic brushes. The set features everything you need to create a complete look, including a foundation brush designed with pointed-tip bristles for precise coverage, a shadow brush for even, accurate application of color to the eyes, a flat eyeliner brush to define your eyes using your favourite liner, an angled blush brush to sweep color over cheeks, and a powder brush to set makeup for a long-lasting hold. Follow this step-by-step guide to create three great Valentine’s Day looks.

Romantic This Valentine’s Day, try cooking up a romantic dinner for two at home. Enjoy a nice meal and a bottle of bubbly without having to step out the door. For a night like this, think voluminous hair, flawless skin, flirty lashes and an irresistible glow.

Begin by creating a flawless base. Use your foundation brush to apply a BB cream or foundation over your entire face. Set using a powder brush to dust a light or translucent powder over your face.

For eyes, use soft colours in browns or beige to keep eyes looking natural. Using the shadow brush, apply a light taupe to your lids, and define the crease with a darker 34

brown shade using the same brush. Using the flat eyeliner brush, line lids with a soft black or dark brown hue, then use the brush to gently smudge the outer half to create a subtle, cat-eye effect.

Add a rosy pink blush to the apples of your cheeks using the angled blush brush for an alluring, feminine flush. Red is the color of romance, and when it comes to lips, it’s always a safe bet if you are looking to turn things up a notch. Line your lips with a dark cherry red and then fill in the entire lip with liner to ensure the color lasts. Layer a matching red lipstick over the liner to deepen the color. Finally, trace your Cupid’s Bow (the two curves on the upper lip) and the area just under your lower centre lip with a highlighter to create a plumping effect.

With the lightest shade, highlight your brow bone and inner corners of the eye to help open them up. Use your flat eyeliner brush and a black powder or gel liner to line both the upper and lower third of your lash line.

Complete your sultry eyes with several coats of mascara to both top and bottom lashes for extra drama.

Next, create the perfect backdrop for your stunning eyes with a full coverage foundation. Use the foundation brush to evenly apply and then set with a translucent power using the powder brush. Add bronzer just under your cheekbones with the angled blush brush, then add blush just above the bronzer and highlighter just above that to create a sculpted look.

Finish off with a neutral lip to not distract from your amazing eyes.

Sultry Ensure your date can’t take his eyes off of you by creating a sexy, smoky eye that’s sophisticated and smouldering. The effect works with any colour palette, so choose one that complements your wardrobe, your natural colouring and your sense of style. You can stick with traditional greys and blacks, play safe with neutrals or get daring with color, as long as you have three shades to work with.

Prep the eyelid with primer to ensure colour stays in place, then sweep your most neutral or lightest hue over the entire lid using the shadow brush. Use the tip of the same brush to contour the crease of your eyes with a color that’s a few shades darker than the lid color. With the flat eyeliner brush, apply the darkest shade around the outer edges of the eye and under the lower lash line to create a doe-eyed look. Blend all pigments together using the medium shade so that they fade into each other seamlessly.

Playful Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be all about romance. Girls just want to have fun and look good while doing it, and Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to celebrate friendships by going out with your girlfriends.

Try experimenting with colour for a playful, upbeat look. Begin with a good foundation applied with the foundation brush; then set it with the powder brush to prevent shine. The angled blush brush does double duty to define cheeks with a bronzer and blush combination. Create sky-high cheekbones by adding a shimmery highlighting hue to the tops of cheeks.

Make your facial features pop by filling in brows using the flat eyeliner brush. Using the shadow brush, cover your lids with a wash of shimmery bronze; then line lower lashes with a bright blue or green liner. Finish the look by adding two coats of mascara to create lush lashes, and add a simple wash of coral to make lips look inviting and kissable.

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Laca is the ONLY health and lifestyle bodysuit in the market that is durable and wearable over a long period of time. It contains a number of energy stone buttons that are retrieved from volcanic magma that have more than 70 trace elements which have the ability to silently vibrate at a rate of 299 000 times per second. They are situated along the abdomen/ bladder meridian, kidneys and lower back. (women’s wear have additional energy stone buttons situated in the breasts (bra) and ovary areas. The energy stone vibrations stimulate blood circulation, enhances colon movement which in turn alleviates constipation, assists with kidney and liver functions, alleviates menstrual pain, stimulates detoxification which clears blockages thus speeding up metabolism which in turn burns fat cells thus assisting with weight loss. It also helps with stroke and water retention.

All Laca suits are made up of breathable and flexible fibres that are woven into hexagonal shaped netting that is strong yet comfortable, keeping the body temperature constant. It’s easy to clean and maintain and is hypo-allergenic. All suits have several longitudinal memory braces made from alloy materials which are similar to those that dentists use in braces for teeth, thus aligning the spine and correcting the posture. Suits have infrared active materials similar to that which is found in theatres in hospitals which assist in combating infection and eliminating body odours.

Nobody is born with a perfect figure and as we age, muscle and skin tone sag and wrinkle due to the effect of gravity weighing the body down by 0.025cm annually and in turn one starts to develop unhealthy fat as well as ailments, aches and pains.

Laca has designed 3 pieces for a woman’s bodily needs which consists of a bra, vest and short pants. It provides natural breast enhancement, holds up sagging areas without applying pressure to the body, smoothes appearance and tone of the skin, burns fat cells, aligns the spine and posture comfortably.

Most women develop extra fat in the tummy region due to a cold uterus. The short pants keeps the uterus warm thus burning unwanted fat cells giving you a flatter, firmer tummy.

For men, Laca has a bodybuilding vest similar to that of the woman’s, also with the same functions as well as removing whats commonly known as the “pot belly”. All Laca suits help the body to break down proteins and vitamins which if not done can become poisonous and hazardous as it threatens the bodies immunity. It traps anything toxic before entering the body and can also help smokers and drinkers.

Lots of people have jobs that are deskbound and are unable to exercise regularly due to time constraints and demanding lifestyles. Nonetheless, the body still requires some form of exercise to combat stress. Laca is a exercise in a suit form. It literally fixes the body from the inside out. It maintains and improves your looks and health day by day, unlike diets that send you back to square one. It naturally prevents unwanted cravings and gives you a thirst for water which is necessary for the suit to flush out toxins in order for it to work.

All garments are clinically tested and medically approved and sold worldwide. It’s safe and durable for children of certain ages upward. Wear it under your garments for 8 to 10 hours daily and drink lots of water.

Then watch and feel the magic!!

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FITNE SS

Boost kids’ nutrition with tips on creating a balanced plate

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t’s no secret a wholesome diet helps keep kids healthy while giving them the energy and nutrients they need to concentrate and excel at school. Healthful meals and physical activity are essential for child growth and development and parents hold the key to proper nutrition for the entire family.

Fortunately, eating right doesn’t have to mean spending a lot of money or time in the kitchen. By relying on nutritious and convenient canned and frozen foods, in addition to fresh, any parent or caregiver can create quick, delicious, nutritious meals the whole family will love.

The best place to start when planning a healthy meal is to consider ingredients and portion sizes. MyPlate, the food graphic that replaced the food pyramid, is an easy guide. The graphic emphasizes building a plate with variety and appropriate portions of fruit, vegetables, grains, proteins and dairy.

Focus on fruits and vegetables: According to MyPlate, kids should be eating a variety of fruit and vegetables, with slightly more emphasis on colourful veggies.

Fortunately, there are many ways to enjoy these nutrient-packed foods. All forms of fruits and vegetables, whether they are canned, fresh, frozen, dried or 100-percent juice, count toward the recommended daily intake. Stock up on canned fruit and vegetables to save on prep time and keep nutritious foods at your fingertips yearround.

Vary your protein choices: It’s easy to default to chicken and beef when it comes to getting protein into meals. But variety is the spice of life, and a diet rich in different protein sources helps children expand their palate. Animal sources of protein include meat, poultry, seafood

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and eggs. Plant sources of protein include beans, peas, soy products, nuts and seeds. Experiment with main dishes made with canned beans, seafood or chicken, nutritious protein options that can be part of dinner on any busy school night. How much is enough? Most people ages 9 and older should eat 5 to 7 ounces of protein each day, recommends the USDA. One ounce of protein is equal to 1 ounce lean meat, poultry or seafood, one egg, 1/4 cup cooked beans or peas, 1/2 ounce nuts or seeds or 1 tablespoon of peanut butter.

Add whole grains: Bread, pasta, breakfast cereals and tortillas are just a few examples of grain products people eat often. Any food made from wheat, rice, oats, cornmeal or barley counts.

Strive to make whole-grain foods at least half of your family’s daily intake of grain by choosing whole-wheat bread and pasta or getting creative with unique sources like brown rice, barley or even canned hominy to add to soups and casseroles.

Don’t forget the dairy: As an alternative to plain milk, try offering other dairy options like yogurt and cheese.

Start the school day right with an energizing breakfast of whole grain cereal topped with low fat yogurt and canned fruit like peaches or Mandarin oranges; this will keep even the pickiest eaters satisfied until their lunchtime.

Listen to health experts: A recent survey of health professionals found that the vast majority of dieticians (95 percent) regularly rely on canned ingredients at home and agree canned foods are a great way to meet dietary goals. In fact, 9 out of 10 dieticians say they regularly recommend canned food to others. And while moms and dads are turning to canned ingredients because

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they are convenient, often less expensive than fresh and available year-round, the survey also found they still have a number of concerning misperceptions about canned food compared to dieticians. Check out an infographic at www.mealtime.org to learn more about what these nutrition experts already know.

Keep taste top-of-mind: If kids don’t like the taste of a food, they won’t eat it.

Be creative and prevent mealtime battles by adding vegetables to spaghetti or mixing them with their favourite casseroles and soups. Or try engaging kids in meal preparation or building their own plate with easy-to-make recipes like these Family Fiesta Tacos from Mealtime.org.

Family Fiesta Tacos from Mealtime.org

Ingredients: For the taco meat filling: 1 teaspoon vegetable oil 1/2 cup diced onion 1 pound extra-lean ground beef or ground turkey 1 can (4 ounces) diced, mild green chillies 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, no salt

added, drained 1/2 cup drained canned corn 1/2 cup drained and rinsed canned red kidney beans 1 teaspoon chilli powder 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper Salt, to taste (optional) For serving: Spray oil 8 (8-inch) whole-wheat flour tortillas, warm according to package directions 1/2 cup fancy, shredded Monterey jack cheese 1 cup finely shredded lettuce 1 cup diced avocados (optional) Preparation: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and sautĂŠ until lightly browned, stirring often, about 4 minutes. Add beef and cook until lightly browned, about 4 minutes. Add chillies, tomatoes, corn, beans, chilli powder, cumin and pepper and stir until heated through, about 3 minutes.

Season to taste with salt, if needed. Transfer to a serving bowl and keep warm.

To serve the original Family Fiesta Soft Tacos, plate up warm tortillas, dish up the cheese, lettuce, and avocado (if desired). Serve with taco meat filling.

Assemble and enjoy.

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HE ALTH

Easy tips to help beat calorieoverload this year

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id you make a New Year’s resolution to eat better this year? Or are you thinking you might need to make some lifestyle changes to get ready for the summer swimsuit season? Although it may seem like a daunting task, getting started on a weight management plan can be easy. A few simple expert tips can help you watch your calories so you can accomplish your healthy living goals.

From rich and calorie-filled menu items to family celebrations, it’s easy for healthy eating habits to get off-track this time of year.

This can be especially true following the holiday season which is filled with parties and holiday cookies. In fact, 49.2 percent of respondents in a recent survey from Sweet’N Low said they lost control of their usual eating habits during the festive holiday season.

If you’re looking for easy ways to skip some calories without skimping on the fun, Dr. Keri Peterson, a New York City-based practicing physician and medical expert who appears regularly on the Today Show, CNN and Good Morning America, offers these simple suggestions to help manage your calories: Watch your drinks: Do you know that some drinks contain as much as one-third of a dieter’s recommended daily caloric intake? Sugary, indulgent

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drinks may be in season but they are typically full of hidden calories. To get your sweet fix, replace the sugar in all your favorite drinks with a zero-calorie sweetener, such as Sweet’N Low. Your drink will be as sweet as you like it, but with fewer calories.

Bring a healthy dish to parties If you’re bringing a dish to a party, impress your friends with something that’s both delicious and lower in calories. When researching options, look for appetizer and dessert recipes that are “under 100 calories” so that you and your friends can skip the calorie-overload and instead, focus on enjoying the festivities.

Take a walk Don’t let the chilly temperatures of winter or the rains of spring put you in an exercise slump. If you can’t fit time for the gym into your schedule, take a quick walk around the block at lunch, park a little farther from the office or shopping mall entrance or wake up earlier and take a brisk walk before you conquer the day. You can burn about 150 calories during a 30-minute walk. As an added plus, exercise doesn’t just help you stick to your diet; it may also put you in a better mood.

Don’t sacrifice all the treats you love

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Is drinking a vanilla cappuccino on your way to work your favourite way to start the day? If you are watching your calories, be mindful that many popular coffee shops sweeten those drinks with high-calorie sugar or syrups. For example, a typical, 1-ounce serving of syrup has 12 grams (3 teaspoons) of sugar! On the other hand, completely abstaining from the treats you love can sidetrack the most faithful of dieters.

Rather than go unsatisfied, try reducing or cutting out the added sugar in your drinks by sweetening with a zero-calorie sweetener, instead. One great option is Sweet’N Low in the little pink packet. If you are making your own cappuccinos at home, try a lower-calorie Skinny Vanilla Cappuccino recipe at only 96 calories per serving. Another great option is a warm, soothingly-cool Thin-Minty Mochaccino (recipe below).

With only 70 calories per serving it is one of Dr. Peterson’s favourites. For more, lower-calorie recipe ideas, health tips or information to help you keep your diet on-track, visit www. sweetnlow.com.

No matter what, it’s important to live and maintain a happy and healthy lifestyle that works for you all year long.

For many people, just taking the first step toward healthier habits can be the hardest part.

“Starting small is OK, because even small steps are steps in the right direction,” Dr. Peterson advises. “Simply replacing the sugar in your daily coffee with a zero-calorie sweetener is an easy way to cut some calories from your usual diet and it can get you thinking about other ways to improve your health.”

Thin-Minty Mochaccino Recipe (makes 4 servings)

Ingredients: 1 1/4 cups hot, strong-brewed coffee 2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract 8 packets Sweet’N Low zero calorie sweetener 2 cups hot skim milk Directions: Whisk coffee, cocoa powder, peppermint extract and Sweet’N Low in heatproof container until well blended. Stir in milk. Pour into 4 mugs and enjoy!

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LIFE ST YLE

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our wedding will be one of the most memorable times of your life and no one can capture it better than a professional photographer. So how do you find the right one? As you begin the interview process, here are 10 questions to help you determine if you’ve found the best photographer for your wedding.

Does the photographer have a gallery of wedding images you can review?

Reviewing sample work allows you to see the photographer’s strengths and weaknesses - don’t fool yourself, every photographer has them. You’ll also be able to get an idea of their style. Are they formal with an eye for the perfect picture or do they love to capture the hidden moments when no one is looking? Look for images that you can see yourself in. Think of three words that describe you and share those with your photographer.

Every photographer has a style and reviewing their gallery can help you determine if theirs is right for you.

questions to ask before hiring your wedding photographer Some moments are simply too important to trust to a camera phone.

Will the photographer create a detailed shot list?

This list will ensure no important photo is missed during the commotion and excitement of the big day. You should be able to create that list together, add to the list leading up to the day and have a copy of that list the day of. Take an honest look at what images really matter and fill your photographer in on situations he or she might need to be aware of in order to prevent awkward moments, and to ensure that he or she can get the shots that matter most.

What kind of lighting will be used?

Whether you have an indoor or outdoor wedding, you’ll want to make sure your photographer has professional grade lighting equipment to deliver the images your wedding deserves.

Does the photographer have backup equipment?

You’ve prepared contingency plans for every other aspect of your wedding; your photographer should as well. A true professional photographer won’t miss your perfect shot because of a technology issue.

He or she will always bring one or two backup cameras, lenses,

What is the photographer’s working style?

Some photographers are orderly and operate like wedding planners.

Others prefer to sit back and let the events of the wedding unfold.

It’s important that you find someone who can understand and meet your expectations. Discuss this ahead of time and ask away, so that you understand how well the photographer’s working style matches your own.

Is the photographer available for an engagement session?

An engagement session does

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more than provide you with priceless images together before you get married. It’s also your first opportunity to work with your photographer and develop a relationship that will allow you to be completely at ease on your big day. Use this session to confirm if the photographer is indeed the right person to capture your wedding.

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flashes, additional lighting equipment, extra memory cards, and batteries.

Does the photographer have liability insurance?

Accidents happen at weddings and if one of your guests trips over your photographer’s light stand, it’s good to know you both are protected. Your reception venue may even ask the photographer to submit a certificate of liability ahead of time.

Will there be one photographer or two?

A second shooter increases the probability that no shot will be missed, especially if you are having a large wedding. If there will be two photographers, ask to meet them both to get a feel for their personalities and how well they might blend in on your big day.

What will happen to the images after your wedding?

Will your images be backed up to a hard drive or the cloud once processed? How long will your photographer

keep the images afterward? Will they be kept for a couple of years or dumped immediately? If you have any concerns about losing your photos, knowing what the photographer plans to do with your images after your wedding is important.

When will you get your photos?

No, you won’t get your pictures the day after; no photographer can deliver that quickly. It’s a good idea, though, to get a general idea of the timeline ahead of time. You might even be able to agree on getting a couple of images ready for social media use very quickly. But obtaining your photos will likely take several weeks. To help with the wait, some photographers will send you a sneak peak with a few images. Just ask ahead of time!

You won’t be able to see everything that happens during your wedding day. The right photographer will capture moments you never knew existed. To learn how you can find the perfect photographer for your wedding, visit ppa.com/weddingphotographer.

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HE ALTH

T

SMALL DIET CHANGES that CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE

he new year is a great time to start fresh. Many people commit to exercise more, stress less or make healthier food choices. Incorporating small, sustainable changes, versus dramatic, large-scale lifestyle shifts, can make it much easier to stick to your resolutions.

This year, instead of overhauling your entire diet, resolve to improve your health with simple tweaks to your everyday meal and snacking routine.

Eat the rainbow Adding more fruits and vegetables to your diet is an effortless way to boost your intake of vitamins, minerals and fibre. Try to eat one produce item from each color in the rainbow every day. For example, have blueberries in your breakfast oatmeal, a red apple for a snack, a spinach and radicchio salad with yellow peppers for lunch and sweet potatoes as part of dinner. You could also pack red bell peppers and carrots with creamy garlic hummus or a banana for a convenient pick-me-up between meals.

of the family with the new Vitamix S30, which features a portable blend-and-go container that becomes an instant travel cup. If you have a sweet tooth, try a red cherry smoothie, bursting with the flavours of cherry, strawberry and grapes. Or, blend in antioxidant-rich kale or other dark leafy greens for an extra serving of vegetables.

Choose healthy fats The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend getting most of the fat in your diet from unsaturated fats, which can be found in foods such as fish, nuts, seeds and certain types of oils. Monounsaturated fats, from sunflower oil, canola oil and avocado, and polyunsaturated fats, like soybean oil, walnuts and flax seed, are sometimes called “good fats” because they are hearthealthy and can help lower cholesterol.

Add these healthy fats into your meals, use

Make smart substitutions Another simple way to change your diet is to sub in healthier options. There are many ways to adapt recipes that will increase their nutritional content without sacrificing taste. Replace the typical carbohydrates with vegetables: try crispy, baked zucchini sticks in place of french fries or spaghetti squash instead of traditional pasta. Secretly swap ingredients for more wholesome alternatives in your favourite recipes, substitute Greek yogurt in place of full-fat sour cream in dips and sauces or make a cauliflower-based pizza crust, instead of a flour one, for a more nutritious version of a favourite comfort food. With the right preparation and seasonings, your family will never notice the difference.

When it comes to incorporating changes into your lifestyle, it’s important to start slowly and make realistic choices. Don’t be discouraged if you have minor setbacks.

With just a few modifications to your daily meals, you can achieve better health in the new year.

Red Cherry Smoothie

Adopt a smoothie regimen Another easy way to consume more fruits and vegetables - as well as other healthy ingredients like nut and soy milk, yogurt, chia or flax seeds - is to start your day with a nutrient-packed smoothie.

Smoothies can be a convenient, onthe-go, energy-boosting breakfast for adults and kids alike. Create personalized flavour combinations for every member

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avocado to cool spicy entrees, top salads with walnuts, sunflower or pumpkin seeds for an extra crunch and cook with canola or olive oil. Fats are essential for your body to function properly, so choose ones that taste great and provide energy and nutrients.

Ingredients: 1/2 cup (60 g) low-fat cherry yogurt 1 cup (76 g) fresh strawberries, quartered 2/3 cup (50 g) red grapes 1 cup (70 g) fresh cherries, pitted 1/2 cup (60 ml) cherry juice Directions: Place all ingredients into a mixer in the order listed and secure lid. Turn the dial to 1 and slowly increase speed to 10. Blend for 35 seconds or until desired consistency is reached.

Puls e Magazine

5 New Year’s resolutions too simple to overlook

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f you make New Year’s resolutions, you’re not alone.

Unfortunately, you’re also not alone if you break them, as only 8 percent of people are successful in achieving their resolution.

Why do so many people fail, and furthermore, what’s the secret to success?

“The start of a new year is not powerful enough to help you continue to make the best decisions,” says Dr. Chris Mohr, a fitness and nutritional expert who consults for television, print and radio outlets throughout the country. “People need to define their ‘why’ if they’re going to make a permanent change.”

If your reason for changing your life is for your mental and physical well-being, you understand your ‘why.’ But instead of selecting a huge resolution that will take months or years of dedication to achieve, why not focus on small things you can easily implement that will compound to have a dramatic effect?

“Start with one small change,” says Dr. Mohr. “You don’t have to wait for the right time, right date, right day, event, etc.

Start now and start small. Then work your way up with small, daily habits.” He recommends five, fail-safe goals that are surprisingly simple and will still have a big impact on your overall health and wellness: Include lean protein with every single meal Protein is an important part of balanced nutrition, but many people go without it, particularly for breakfast and lunch. Data suggests that 20-30 grams of protein daily helps you feel full and maintain muscle mass. While chicken, pork and lean beef are protein-rich foods, meat isn’t the only option. For example, a half cup of beans contains as much protein as 1 ounce of broiled steak. Other meat-free protein sources include soy, yogurt and eggs.

Make raw nuts your snack of choice When hunger pangs strike, it’s too easy to head to the vending machine or reach for pre-packaged sweets. To keep hunger at bay and give your body wholesome nutrients that truly satisfy, keep several jars of raw nuts nearby for snacking. Just one or two

handfuls of raw nuts a day can help control your caloric intake!

Almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, pecans - all are great options that will fill you up without the extra oil and salt, plus they keep your energy high.

Move more every day You don’t need to join a gym or make a dramatic fitness goal just resolve to move around more every day, particularly if you have a sedentary job. The average adult sits for 15 hours a day, not including sleeping! Take a walk over lunch, park in the back of the parking lot or opt for the stairs over the elevator; it all adds up when done daily. If you find yourself forgetting, set an alarm on your phone or computer to go off every two hours as a reminder to take a 10-minute move-and-groove break.

Take a Nordic Naturals omega-3 supplement Commit to taking one supplement in the new year: omega-3s.

People all across the world don’t get enough omega-3, and correcting this can drastically reduce the risk of disease and mortality. A Harvard study found up to 96,000 people in the United States die each year from insufficient omega-3 intake.

Omega-3 fats impact every single cell in the body and because they are essential fatty acids, they can’t be self-produced and must come from your diet. Select a pure omega-3 supplement like Nordic Naturals, which is produced without contaminants or impurities for superior quality.

Turn off electronics and tune into life Your health and wellness go beyond what you eat and how much you exercise. Modern life is busy, and it’s easy to get distracted by email and mobile devices. Resolve to turn off your electronics at least once a day to focus on two things: yourself and your loved ones. It’s easy to lose sight of what’s really important, like friends, kids, your spouse and even you. Take time every day to tune out of the electronic stimuli and focus on things you’re grateful for - perhaps quiet moments by yourself, belly laughs with your kids or a tender hug from your partner.

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FO OD

Swapping ingredients

and habits

for healthier

living

When it comes to cooking, you’re always on the lookout for new recipes, easy shortcuts and ways to make familiar recipes healthier without sacrificing the great taste. If you are a health-minded cook, here are some tips to get you started:

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Add colours to your foods - Colourful fruits and vegetables quickly decorate a traditional recipe and make food appear much more appetizing. Look for deep greens in spinach, vibrant reds in tomatoes and a rainbow of colours in peppers to add to your casseroles, lasagnes or meat dishes.

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Swap out the plate size - It may surprise you to learn serving meals on smaller plates encourages people to eat less food. So downsize your dinner plates and you might find your family eating the proper portions. You’ll also ensure they clean their plates!

Change your take-out menus to meal plans - If you have a stack of takeout menus in your home, replace them with recipes and a daily meal planner.

Having a planner will help you arrange a weekly grocery shopping list and save you time and money by limiting the number of nights you eat out.

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Flip the after-dinner routine Instead of settling down into the

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couch after dinner, jump start your digestion and take a family walk around the neighbourhood together. For healthy bodies, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends people work their way up to 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activities per week, which can include a brisk walk (at a 15-minute mile pace).

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Vary the ingredients - If you already have family-favourite recipes, look them over to see if there are ways to swap healthier ingredients in place of others. For example, corn oil can help lower LDL or “bad” cholesterol more than extra virgin olive oil, according to a recent study sponsored in part by ACH Food Companies, Inc. which sells Mazola(C) Corn Oil. The research found plant sterols, which are naturally present in corn oil, have heart healthy benefits such as preventing the absorption of cholesterol in the body. Corn oil contains more cholesterol-blocking plant sterols than other cooking oils, making it a healthier swap for your favourite recipes.

If you’re looking for a new delicious recipe that uses corn oil, check out this Kick’N Chicken recipe:

Kick’N Chicken with Mango Salsa

3 tablespoons minced red onion

Ingredients: 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (one pound total)

1 tablespoon fresh lemon or lime juice

2 tablespoons Weber Kick’N Chicken Seasoning 1/4 cup Mazola(C) Corn Oil 3 tablespoons fresh lemon or lime juice Mango Pepper Salsa 2 cups diced fresh mango, 1/4-inch dice 1 cup diced red bell pepper, 1/4-inch dice

1 tablespoon minced jalapeno pepper

2 tablespoons minced, fresh cilantro Salt and pepper to taste DIRECTIONS: Preheat grill to medium heat, or between 350 to 450 F. Trim excess fat from chicken, rinse and pat dry using paper towels.

If necessary, pound chicken to an even 1/2-inch thickness using a mallet, rolling pin or cast iron skillet (this will ensure the chicken cooks

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evenly). Place chicken into a 1-gallon size resealable plastic bag. Add seasoning, oil and lemon juice to the bag. Seal bag and turn to thoroughly coat chicken.

Grill chicken over direct high heat for 6 to 8 minutes. Turn chicken and continue to cook for 6 to 8 minutes until cooked through. Transfer cooked chicken to a serving plate.

Combine salsa ingredients in a bowl; stir and season to taste with salt and pepper. (Can be made up to 8 hours ahead and refrigerated until ready to serve.)

Top grilled chicken with mango salsa and serve immediately.

Recipe tip: Try slicing the chicken onto warm, low-fat tortillas, top with mango salsa and crumbled queso fresco cheese for delicious spicy chicken wraps.

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LIFE ST YLE

Expert tips to curb food cravings during times of stress

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o you reach for comfort foods or junk food when you’re stressed? You know you shouldn’t, but you probably feel you need something to help you during that intense period. With a few tips from culinary experts, you can cut the cravings and find healthy ways to manage nutrition during stressful times.

“In moments of stress, people tend to reach for foods they know, sometimes even favourite foods from childhood. It is certainly not a time when we choose to experiment,” says Chef Odette Smith-Ransome, chef instructor at The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of Pittsburgh.

If travelling, you may often search for a familiar restaurant or fast food place.

It’s easier to reach for food that you know because it provides a level of comfort to balance out the uncomfortable moments of stress, Smith-Ransome says.

Chef Christine Neugebauer of The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of Philadelphia, advises that when travelling, pack your own beverages. By doing this, you can choose water, green tea and non-sugary juices. She also warns against hotels’ continental breakfasts. Be

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careful what you choose, because a small meal like yogurt or an orange may be all you need. Choosing a smaller plate will also prevent you from filling up on extra calories.

It all comes down to food choices where stress and food are concerned. When stressed, you are more likely to make a quick, bad choice. “Make sure when you shop you buy healthier foods. So when you need something, that is what you are going to eat,” says Neugebauer.

“The vicious cycle of guilt regarding our eating habits steps in and worsens the current stress situation,” Smith-Ransome says. “Add guilt to the situation, and the stress levels increase - compounding the problem.”

Smith-Ransome warns that when stressed, one should stay away from caffeine and sugar. It’s easy to grab an energy drink or a candy bar because they’re accessible and in every convenience and drug store in America. Once the rush is gone from sugary, caffeine-packed foods, you’re facing a crash unless you continue to eat and drink to keep your body in the high.

Continuing to eat and drink these products will compound the situation even more because you then become sleep-deprived,

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which raises the levels of anxiety and slows you down.

The best way to attack bad eating choices during a moment of stress is to maintain your body and mind at equilibrium. Before an important interview, presentation or exam, try eating whole foods and complete meals, and forget about the bag of cookies. While these satiate the appetite at the moment, it certainly won’t keep your blood-sugar levels stable, making it difficult to cope with your initial problem: high stress.

Neugebauer recommends packing a snack or eating a healthy meal that will last, and small meals throughout the day keep you from getting hungry.

It takes 20 minutes for your stomach to communicate with your mind that you are full. Neugebauer emphasizes the importance of drinking water when gauging your hunger level. She says, “sometimes you think you’re hungry and you’re not. If you drink some water, then you may not be hungry anymore.” By making informed, careful food choices during times of stress, you can help ensure what you eat doesn’t add extra calories, fat and poor nutrition to your worries.

Home

HOME

Expert tips to make your new house feel like

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“Lighting plays a key role in any home,” Lindmier says. “Through lighting design you can highlight design and architectural features, create lighting which is more useful to the human eye, and work with natural light while keeping energy use to a minimum.”

ou know that moving into a new home can be one of life’s biggest stressors - the packing, the paperwork, the unpacking and of course finding the nearest coffee shop. Making your new house feel like your home can help alleviate some of this stress and provide a safe-haven for some much needed relaxation.

“Everyone has a different sense of what home is,” says Elizabeth Lindmier of The Art Institute of Colorado. So while the same aesthetic won’t work for everyone, she offers her top five tips to start you in the right direction.

Texture and textiles - Instead of having a bunch of hard surfaces, cozy up your home with something soft or textured.

This could be a blanket, curtains or area rugs. These items will also provide some acoustical value so noises aren’t echoing in an empty space.

Comfort - Have some place in your home where you can relax, recharge and feel at ease. “Make a space where you would like to spend time,” Lindmier says.

Colour - A monochromatic scheme with pops of colours can bring you into a place where you feel comfortable and

happy. “Do your research on color theory before painting any space,” says Lindmier.

“Different colours can spark different moods, emotions and even behaviour.

Discover what you’d like a given space to accomplish, and use colours as a tool to create such environment.”

Lighting - There should be aesthetically pleasing lighting. Look at the difference between warm and cool lighting colours to decide what helps achieve the look you want. Also consider task, ambient and accent lighting for your space.

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Clutter/stuff - “Less is more, but make it more meaningful,” says Lindmier.

Get rid of your clutter. When sitting in your space, make sure you can look around and adore the things you see.

“Mies van der Rohe’s old adage, ‘less is more,’ certainly holds true here,” says Jackie Barry, Interior Design instructor at The Art Institute of Houston - North.

“Select significant pieces of furniture and art to move. You don’t need to have or show everything you have all in one room.”

Barry also advises incorporating a concept called biophilic design, which recognizes the inherent need of humans to interact and affiliate with nature to achieve and maintain optimum health and well-being. “Bring the outside in; don’t neglect good views to the outside, accentuate them,” she says. “Let your garden and landscaping work for you on the inside. Connecting with nature can also have a calming and a comforting effect.”

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HE ALTH

FDA’s message to moms:

Eat more

seafood Your mother probably told you “fish is brain food.” Turns out she was right.

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he nutrients in seafood are vital to the brain development of young children, especially during pregnancy. Seafood is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for visual and cognitive development and help prevent coronary heart disease. And scientific studies show that pregnant women who eat three-to-four servings of seafood per week provide the greatest benefit to the IQ of their unborn children. That makes fish an expectant or nursing mom’s superfood and a healthy choice for the whole family.

Unfortunately, most people, especially pregnant or nursing women, haven’t gotten the message. Global health experts agree Americans are eating very low amounts of seafood - less than half a serving per week and low levels of consumption by children may be harming their brain development as well as preventing them from gaining the important health benefits of seafood.

According to the FDA’s 2014 report on the net effects of consuming fish, 95 percent of children in America are not reaching their full IQ potential because their moms did not consume enough fish during pregnancy. Ironically, one reason for this alarming trend is the set of guidelines the FDA released in 2004 to encourage women to eat more seafood. While the FDA recommended about three servings a week, it also cautioned against eating four rarely consumed species of fish because of the higher levels of mercury they may contain. The advice was intended to highlight the benefits of seafood and increase consumption by all Americans while mentioning the potential mercury risk for vulnerable groups.

Unfortunately, the FDA advisory ended up scaring Americans, especially pregnant women, away from one of the healthiest sources of protein and omega-3 fatty acids available.

Scientific studies over the past decade conclude that the real risk to pregnant and nursing women and their babies is eating too little seafood, causing them to miss out on the important benefits of fish.

And while some consumers are turning to omega-3 supplements instead, these supplements are more expensive and not as rich in nutrients as seafood itself.

Because of all this, the FDA is revising its guidelines to reflect current science and accomplish what the 2004 guidelines were supposed to do, which is increase seafood consumption amongst all Americans - especially pregnant women.

So how much seafood should you eat?

According to the FDA, consumers, including women who are

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pregnant or breastfeeding, should eat a minimum of two-to-three seafood meals a week. And eating a variety of seafood, from fresh fish to canned tuna, salmon and sardines, helps you enjoy its benefits of being low in calories, a healthy source of protein and a predominant dietary source of omega-3 fatty acids. For soon-tobe-moms, this recommended diet will help children’s brains grow and work properly, maximizing their IQ potential and receiving all the nutritional benefits of omega-3s. For people of all ages, eating seafood helps prevent heart disease, maintain brain health and is an important source of protein.

Consumers today can feel confident about their fish choices and boost their consumption to make up for a decade of missing out on the important nutrients and benefits of seafood. It’s time to do what mom told you, and put that brain food back into your family’s meal plans. You can start today with this easy, convenient and tasty tuna recipe.

Tuna Wrap Servings: 1-2 Ingredients: 1 pouch (5 ounces) albacore tuna in water, drained and chunked round (10 inch) spinach tortilla or your favourite flavour tortilla 3 slices tomato 1 thin slice of red onion 4 slices peeled zucchini (lengthwise slices using a vegetable peeler) 4 slices peeled cucumber (lengthwise slices using a vegetable peeler) 1 tablespoon artichoke spread or your favourite spread 2 cup mixed salad greens Directions: Place the tortilla on a plate and layer albacore tuna in the centre.

Add sliced tomatoes, red onions, zucchini and cucumber. Spoon on the artichoke spread and finish with mixed greens. To roll, fold in both sides and roll away from you to form a burrito. Cut in half and serve.

Special diet considerations: Low-calorie, low-sugar, kid-friendly, good source of protein and omega-3s.

Puls e Magazine

Restaurant in Sandton Official Launch 4th December 2014, Johannesburg, South Africa.

In many ways, the work of a critic is easy, we risk very little yet enjoy a position over those who offer up their work and themselves to our judgement.

We thrive on negative critism which is fun to write and read.

But the bitter truth we critics must face is that in the grand scheme of things, the average piece of junk is probably more meaningful than our critiscm designating it so.

There are also times when a critic truly risks something and that is in the discovery and defense of the new. The world is often unkind to new talent, new creations. The new needs friends.

On the 4th December 2014, I experienced something new, an extraordinary meal at an extraordinary venue. To say that both the meal and the venue have challenged my preconceptions about fine cooking and style is a gross understatement. They have rocked me to my core.

Dr Gwen Ramokgopa (ANC Deputy Chairperson, Gauteng and Deputy Minister Obed Bapela(Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs), cutting the ribbon with Mr Singh (Owner, The Royal India).

In the past I have made no secret of my disdain for certain restaurants taste of food in our country. Not everyone can become a great artist, but a great artist can come from anywhere.

Hence, it is difficult to imagine more humble origins than those of entrepreneur Mr Jagjit Singh, the owner of The Royal India Sandton who in my opinion serves nothing less than the finest food in Sandton and offers guests the most humblest hospitality with a touch of style and elegance.

Mr Singh officially opened the doors of The Royal India Sandton on December 4th, 2014 to a long queue of awaiting and enthusiastic friends, colleagues, officials and A-Listers.

VIP’s and distinguished guests enjoyed a evening of belly dancing and musical entertainment at the official launch of the Royal India Sandton on December 4th, 2014. Guests included Prof. Alfred Nevhutanda (Chairman of the National Lottery Board of South Africa), Mr Daya Govender (Director General – Department of Public Works of South Africa), various businesses in South Africa), Deputy Minister Obed Bapela, (Minister Department of Co-Operative Governance and Traditional Affairs), Mr Saul Gumede (CEO of Dijalo Properties Group) and Miss Nozipho Sangweni ( PRASA Black Empowerment Woman Partner and Dealmaker) to a name a few.

VIP guests included keynote speakers, Honourable Mayor Parks Tau (Mayor for the City of Johannesburg), Sponsorship addressees were Mr Randhir K Jaiswal (Indian Consulate General), Dr Gwen Ramogopa (Gauteng ANC Deputy Chairperson), Mr Xolani Qubeka (Black Business Council) and Mr Sipho Claassen (CATHSETA).

I will be returning to the Royal India Sandton for more.

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Puls e Magazine