Pravani Pillay’s Story

My story

by Pravani Pillay

A warm hello - having been born and raised in a traditional Indian South African home, I grew up with the practice of certain Hindu teachings but never really understood the origin of it, nor the meaning and intent behind it. It is only much later in adulthood, that the craziness of modern-day life led me on a path to seeking alternate, holistic coping mechanisms to the daily stresses in my life. Having experienced a deep connection to Ayurveda & Buddhism practices, I decided to start my journey of learning more about the ancient wisdom and have tried to find ways to incorporate small aspects of these teachings into my daily life to enable me to be more present in it. I have felt the many benefits in small changes, such as incorporating a few minutes of meditation and breathwork into my day. By being intentional about my daily self-care practices I have had in my own life, such as decreasing my overall stress and truly bringing about a newfound sense of joy as I choose to remain present in each moment and fill my heart with kindness. These moments of being still have allowed me to connect to ‘me’ and who I am, resonate with my purpose in life and has given me the chance to find my centre in our fast-paced environment. I hope that by incorporating small changes in your life to intentionally pause and connect with who you are, by taking time to be kind to yourself, those around you (people, animals, and nature), by taking time to truly experience the little wonders of life with a loving heart we can bring a little more kindness into our beautiful world.

Our name, CITTARA: Inspired by the beauty and deep meaning of the Sanskrit language, Cittara is derived from the words ‘Citta’ meaning ‘mind’, ‘heart’ and ‘consciousness’. Citta is often explained as ‘heart-mind’ as it is the consciousness of both thoughts and emotions. Whereas ‘Ra’ connotes with light and radiance. Our Motto: Make time in your day to Be Still Be Kind Be Present It is easy to feel lost in today’s fast-paced environment of constant stress and fleeting moments. It is not until we take an intentional moment from the hustle to pause and be still and really connect the mind, body & spirit, that we start to really see the simple beauty in that moment by being present.

We carry a beautiful range of positive energy and protection jewellery, meditation tools and selfcare products to support you in your self-love and mindfulness rituals. Taking inspiration from the ancient wisdom, our beautiful range of products will inspire, encourage, and enhance your journey towards happiness, positive energy, radiant beauty and overall well-being from within. Our intentions create our reality – Deepak Chopra

Let candle magic and this beautiful crystal infused scented soy candles from Cittara help your intentions flow…. Crystal candles are candles that are infused with the healing energies of crystals. This creates a candle that harnesses the healing powers of crystals to help you manifest your intentions quicker. These powerful manifestation tools are beautiful to look at and will make the perfect addition to your home décor or meditation space. To use first determine the intention you wish to manifest using your selected crystal candle. Light your candle and focus your attention on the flame, sending your intention into the light and infusing it with your soul’s energy. The candle flame illuminates the infused intention and carries it into the Universe when extinguished. Crystals hold powerful healing energies, as we connect to the crystal and its strength, it allows us to align and connect to this healing power. You can remove the crystal/s that were infused in your candle once the flame is extinguished and carry them with you as a reminder of the intention you set.

Our Love & Healing candle containing the gentle, calming energy of rose quartz will be a powerful manifestation tool for unconditional love, forgiveness, comfort and emotional healing. + Contains a rose quartz heart shaped crystal & wooden wick in a matte purple glass jar with wooden lid. + Scent: Floral + Notes: hyacinth, plum, violet leaf, pink rose, geranium, carnation, peony, violet Our Serenity candle infused with amethyst crystals will bring peace and tranquillity to your space, reduce stress and anxiety and help you activate your intuitive powers to be more attuned to your inner guidance and intuition. + Contains two raw amethyst crystals & a cotton wick in a matte black glass jar with wooden lid. + Scent: Amber and sandalwood + Notes: citrus, fir wood, lavender, clove, violet, amber, sandalwood, ambergris

Our Prosperity candle is infused with citrine crystals to help you manifest more abundance and prosperity and will leave you feeling uplifted, optimistic, and energised, it will enhance mental clarity and bring more creativity and inspiration into your life. + Contains two raw citrine crystals & a cotton wick in a matte white glass jar with wooden lid. + Scent: Patchouli twisto + Notes: sweet orange, violet leaves, rose, iris, patchouli, ambergris

Price: Each 200 g candle is R390 To order: Contact us on WhatsApp 0833060769 (Nationwide courier available) Instagram/Facebook: cittara_online

SNACK TIME "the inbetweeners"

by Elize Fisher

We love snacking, even when we follow a healthy lifestyle, and there are plenty of health-conscious options available. Keep snacks to a minimum. Find out why you snack between meals. You may not be eating the right kinds of food to keep you full until the next meal. Perhaps your meals are too small. Eating a meal that will leave you full is better than developing a cycle in which you eat too little at mealtimes and then snack on foods high in calories but low in nutritional value. Snack on foods that will contribute to a balanced, healthy diet and in small to moderate portions. Snacks that are almost Carb-free • Cherry tomatoes, carrots, cucumber, or celery sticks with low cottage cheese • Small handful unsalted raw nuts or seeds • Olives • Avocado or guacamole dip with veggies like cucumber, celery, or tomatoes • Biltong snap sticks • Small piece of low-fat cheese

Snacks with less than 10g of Carbs • Wholewheat crackers topped with low-fat cottage cheese, cheese, or peanut butter • ¼ cup (60ml) fresh berries • Small unsweetened yoghurt • Cheese and fruit skewers: combine cheese with grapes, strawberries, or any seasonal fruit • Cheese and veggie skewers: combine pieces of cucumber, tomato, or mushrooms with cheese • Homemade popcorn seasoned with a pinch of salt and dried herbs

Snacks with 10-20g of Carbs • 1 small apple or orange • 1 cup (250ml) homemade vegetable soup • 2 rice cakes with 1 tbsp (15ml) crunchy peanut butter • ½ a wholewheat sandwich, spread with low-fat cottage cheese and filled with tuna or left-over chicken, lettuce, and cucumber • 3-4 wholewheat crackers with low-fat cheese • 1 cup (250ml) milk or low-fat unsweetened yoghurt • 1 boiled egg with 3-4 wholewheat crackers

Snacks with 20-30g pf Carbs • 1 small bran muffin (preferably low GI and homemade) • Cereal bar (check label for carb, sugar, salt, and fat content) • ½ cup (125ml) low-fat unsweetened yoghurt with banana or berries • Wholewheat sandwich with slices of tomato, cucumber, and avocado with a drizzle of lemon juice and black pepper