Christmas Gift Guide – Educational Toys

Christmas Gift Guide – Educational Toys

Posted on by Rebecca

I have to be honest, my kids have A LOT of toys. The boys have all gone through phases of being obsessed with digger, trucks and cars to superheros and NERF guns, but the thing is, that’s exactly what it is. A phase, and soon I know those toys will be lying in the toy bin forgotten or not played with, like a sad tale from Toy Story.

That is one of the reasons why I am such a huge fan of educational, open-ended toys and sets. Play items that are designed to encourage imagination and creative play. Toys that teach and that can provide endless years of return play. Here is a list of SOME of my favourite educational toys this Festive Period.

From Top left to right:

  1. No educational wishlist is complete without some LEGO. The possibilities are absolutely endless and it is something that is enjoyed by all ages. I have to say this is the first year my kids REALLY got into LEGO, aged 5 and 6. Let me rephrase that, they didn’t just “get into it”, they are OBSESSED. From cars and cities, to forts and Superhero towers they will spend hours happily creating. I have one son who is a “rule follower”, he follows that instruction manual to the last detail, but struggles a little with more free play. I have another son who is the complete opposite. DO NOT give him a manual 🙂 He can take those bricks and turn them into anything his heart desires. It’s so incredible to watch.
  2. Safari Ltd from Timeless Toys – It’s no secret how much I adore making “mini worlds” for the boys. The reason for this is because it combines sensory play WITH learning. My eldest has moved on a little from “normal” sensory play, and buy using figurines and by creating “Mini Worlds” our adventure begins again! The toobs sets from Safari Ltd are my absolute go to. They are a great size and you can purchase any theme you life, from the lifecycle of a frog or butterfly, to “Amazon”, “Africa” or “Antarctica”. These make great stocking stuffers! From R250.

3. Double sided Alphabet Tracing Set from Harper and Sloane. This beautiful wooden alphabet tracing board is a great way for young children to practice their letter recognition, letter formation and writing skills. I love the fact that the board is double-sided with lowercase letters on the front and capital letters on the reverse, all too often only one case is focused on which causes problems when school starts. R525 .

4. Melissa and Doug lock board available from Eden Kids.This was the first “puzzle” that I ever bought for my eldest child, and it is still going strong 7 years later! Its my 18 month old favourite puzzle at the moment, everyday she pulls my arm and says “tome” for “come” and makes me sit with her to open up the latches and look at the animals. Its a classic, and if its baby’s first or second Christmas, this one is worth it!

5. GeoSafari Jr Talking Microscope – Ok this has been on my wish-list for YEARS and I still haven’t gotten around to getting one for the boys. It comes with 12 slides of commonly found insects to deepen your child’s love for learning and exploration.

6. Spelling Card Box from Shop Mums Palette – I adore this box set and wonder why I didn’t stumble across it sooner! Such a fun, creative way to assist spelling and matching and at an incredibly affordable price! R230

7. Logarithmic Montessori numbers available from Takealot.com . I love everything about this set. It has counting, matching, fine motor skills you name it. It is great for hand eye coordination and I think is going to be one of our newest additions to the playroom!

8. All in one kits from One Two Play – making life easier for parents all across the country! One Two Play creates pre-packed kits to make sensory play and exploration that much easier. From Dingo Digs to Swamp Adventures, you can buy a pre packed box with everything you need in it for some sensory fun. While you’re at it, add some of their story blocks to your cart for some super fun, open ended play.

9. Card Machine Till – A till is more then just a till – Its the beginning of an entrepreneurs journey, its endless hours of shopping, counting, learning. Its maths. I bought a cheap plastic one for the boys about 4 years ago, I didn’t particularly like it at the time but it was the best I could find and that thing is one of the MOST used toys in our house! Its gone with us to market days, the boys set up shop at home and try to resell me food I’ve bought just to try to increase their pocket money 🙂 A good quality till is an investment, a masterpiece, and this one from Timeless Toys is just beautiful.

10. Imagimags – When I saw Marie-Louise post about a South African brand of magnetic tiles I jumped for joy! We were gifted our magnetic tiles a few Christmases back from my aunt in the USA (and they are a lot cheaper there). I’ve been wanting to add to ours for ages as the kids genuinely play with them a few times a week. Imagimags are proudly South African and trust me 108 pieces is a fantastic amount and the hours of play would be endless! This would be a gift that keeps giving year after year!
108pc Magnetic Building Tiles Set R 1,599.00.

11. Mega Blocks Sustainable Forest Friends – these need a special mention, because these blocks are made from plant-based plastics, yep you read that right, a sugarcane based renewable raw material. Even their packaging is 100% recyclable and has FSC-certified packaging, made from both recycled and sustainably-grown materials. They are the perfect fit for little hands, and I love the fact that you have to “match up” the animals.
My 18 month old was able to comfortably stack and take apart the blocks with ease.

Orange Infused Creme Caramel

Orange Infused Creme Caramel

Posted on by Rebecca

An orange scented custard, floating in a sea of toffee coloured sauce, topped with a deep rich caramel. Learn how to make this smooth, creamy caramel and fall head over heels with the combination of flavours. This easy pressure cooker dessert is sure to wow your guests and bring a touch of flair to the Christmas table.

There are few things in life that are better then a really good Creme Caramel, or Creme Brulee and one of the things I have been enjoying the most in my Instant Pot is experimenting with these custard desserts. From my white chocolate “Pot du Creme” last year, to Creme Brulee and now this Orange Infused Creme Caramel, Instant Pot has really made preparing these decadent desserts an easy task.

Queue endless dessert options for gatherings… (post COVID of course).

Christmas time in our house always features oranges for some reason, whether its an orange at the end of your stocking, or dried oranges in garlands or potpourri, we have always featured citrus. When I was thinking of a unique take on the Creme Caramel, gently infusing it with orange just made sense.

The whole thing is cooked from start to finish in the Instant Pot. From the toffee coloured caramel to the orange infused milk. This is a great addition to any festive table and can be ready in under 30 minutes (with overnight refrigeration). This recipe is a keeper and one I will turn to time and time again!

Print Recipe

Orange Infused Creme Caramel

Creamy, orange infused Creme Caramel, made from start to finish in an Instant Pot. Wow your guests with this incredible simple, yet show stopping dessert this festive season.
Prep Time20 mins
Cook Time20 mins
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: French
Keyword: Creme Caramel, Custard Desserts, Instant Pot Creme Caramel, Instant Pot Flan, Orange Infused Creme Caramel
Servings: 5

Equipment

  • Pressure Cooker

Ingredients

For Caramel:

  • 3/4 cup (150g) white sugar
  • 80 ml water

For Custard:

  • 1 cup (250ml) full cream milk
  • 1 cup (250ml)  double thick cream 
  • 1/4 cup (50g) sugar 
  • 2 teaspoons (10ml) vanilla extract 
  • Zest of one orange
  • 3 large eggs, lightly beaten 
  • Pinch of salt
  • Summer Berries to top

Instructions

  • For the caramel: Switch on your Instant Pot and set to Sauté, wait until you see the "hot" display. Add the sugar and water and stir once to combine. Allow the sugar to caramelize and then gently swirl until everything is an even dark golden brown, careful not to burn it!  As soon as the golden colour has been achieved quickly remove the inner pot and carefully pour the caramel equally across your ramekins (you should get between 5 and 6). Allow the caramel syrup to cool.
  • Wash out your Inner Pot and once clean, set to Sauté once again. Heat up 1 cup (250ml) full cream milk and 1 cup (250ml) double thick cream. Add in your sugar, 2 tsp (10ml) vanilla extract, the orange zest and a pinch of salt to the warm milk. Stir until the sugar fully dissolves. Remove from the heat and strain through a sieve.
  • Beat 3 eggs in a medium bowl. You are going to temper the eggs, so slowly bring the eggs' temperature up by pouring the warm milk mixture in little by little. Continue to whisk as you pour the remaining milk, make sure you are slow in this step, you don't want to "cook" your eggs.  Pour the mixture in the caramel-filled ramekins through a strainer. Cover each ramekin tightly with foil. 
  • Into clean inner pit, pour 1 cup cold water. Insert the steamer rack and put the covered ramekins on the rack. Secure the lid and move the vent to Sealing Position. Set to Pressure Cook on High for 9 minutes then allow a Natural Release.  
  • Once the valve drops, open lid carefully, try to make sure no water falls onto the foil.  Remove ramekins from Instant Pot and aside to cool, then refrigerate overnight.  When ready to serve, dip your ramekins into a bowl of warm water to allow them to invert easily, flip onto a plate and serve with some mint, berries and a touch of orange!
Proudly South African Christmas Gift Guide

Proudly South African Christmas Gift Guide

Posted on by Rebecca

It’s that time of year again (I cant quite believe it), to round up some of my favourite finds for Kids this Festive Season. You are guaranteed to always find a focus on open-ended, educational toys up on my blog, with a few good old superheros chucked in (because, boys…..). This year I feel it’s even more important however, to focus on our beautiful array of talent here in South Africa. To support proudly South African entrepreneurs and my goodness, we have a huge amount of talent and creativity in our country.

I’ve divided my gift guide into 3 different articles this year, Local, educational and good old “off the shelf” items.

Lets Kick off with our Proudly South African Stuff:

From top left to right:

I’ve made no secret about my love for Thornewood treasures, we have the rainbow stackers, the rainbow peg dolls and next up on my wish list is the incredible rocker. The benefits of rockers are endless and in the pre-school years development is key! They are perfect for rainy days indoors and add in an extra element of fun to any play! From R1300

Dovetail Studio is another one of our favourites and Ang knows the way to my heart! This exquisite sensory table is sure to last a lifetime, but the best part is you can cover the basins to covert it into a functional table as well! R1890h

I feel like I’ve been a part of Charlie Loves Studio right from the start and the pieces just keep getting better and better. This Christmas these gorgeous “My twinkle tot” dolls need to be on your wishlist! R225.

I’m living my best “engineer” life with Stumped Toys, seriously these are the kind of gifts my dad would adore. They have a fantastic range of wooden toys, but my absolute favourite has to be the “Knock a Block” set. You can choose from a starter or bumper version depending on your budget and let your little builders create away! From R335

No Christmas would be complete without a customised stocking from the incredible “Little Banner Company”. No only are you supporting one of the nicest people I know, Claire’s creativity is endless. From bunting to tree decorations, check out her awesome selection. Customised Stockings start from R220.

Busy Books are my thing, I adore them, I really do appreciate the time and investment it takes to create them but my goodness some of them are super pricey. We have been loving our Hedgehog Busy Book from Mums Palette and it is the perfect addition to any holiday bag or trip and it’s the most affordable one I’ve seen! Busy Book from R550.

Calico Ceramics make the cutest DIY Painting Kits for children to paint and play. These would make the perfect stocking filler or table gift for Christmas Dinner (my mum always bought us little gifts for our side plates). R230

Imagine Play has the most beautiful range of open ended wooden toys, I found it impossible to choose just one. Top of my list are these “Village Dwelling” houses (R425) and these “Bright Roller” Sets (R950).

No gift list would be complete without these “Gem stackers” from Liv Bespoke. I’ve seen them all over instagram and I adore how they add in an extra element to traditional building blocks, that and they are just so pretty! At just R220 they are pretty on your pocket, and on your playroom shelf!

Imagine Play has the most beautiful range of open ended wooden toys, I found it impossible to choose just one. Top of my list are these “Village Dwelling” houses (R425) and these “Bright Roller” Sets (R950).

Land of Lark – Probably the most expensive item on my wishlist for the kids this year, but my gosh, would you just look at it! This Wooden “Pop-up Playhouse” is absolutely incredible. With all its gears and levers its such a great addition for any playroom. R3900 (Check out their Ndebele Birchwood house while you’re at it).

They also have the cutest range of play-mats in bonded leather which are great for messy play and crafts. My favourite is the Africa Play-Mat for hours of adventuring fun! R1980

That’s it for my South African round up! Stay tuned for the next 2 days for my educational and more commercial gift guides! I still cant get over the talent we have here in South Africa. Everyone goes on about “Nordic” designs etc, but honestly here in South Africa, the quality is incredible!

Support local this year and let’s rebuild our economy together!

Instant Pot Roast Lamb

Instant Pot Roast Lamb

Posted on by Rebecca

For many, lamb is considered a traditionally “Easter Dish” but in our house growing up, traditional Christmas meals comprised of anything from a stuffed Roast Chicken, a whole roasted fillet, or a fall off the bone tender leg of lamb.

Instant Pot has really changed the way I do holidays. Christmas days were traditionally spent with 4 or 5 adults in the kitchen, all fighting over kitchen counter space, with hours of prep work. In Africa, with Hot Christmases it was the absolute worst! What I love most about this recipe is that the prep work in minimal, giving you more time to spend with your loved ones over the holiday period, and less time in the kitchen. Order your leg of lamb de-boned from the butcher to allow it to fit comfortably into your instant pot. I like to keep it simple with the meat, pairing it with rosemary, garlic, thyme and some ground chilli flakes for a little kick.

Roll up the deboned leg of lamb and tie with string to keep its shape, then make little slits all over the lamb and stuff it with garlic slivers. Next, finely mince the rosemary, thyme and mix it with olive oil, salt and pepper. Rub a little oil over the lamb and rub the seasonings into it. Place whole crushed garlic cloves and sticks of rosemary into the centre of the meat. Allow to marinade for a minimum of 2 hours ( I like to leave it overnight).

Switch on your Instant Pot to the saute button and adjust the heat to high. Sear both sides of the lamb roast for about 4-5 minutes.  Hit the cancel button.

Remove the lamb and de-glaze your pot with about a cup of water. Return the lamb and cook for between 1 to 1 hour 15 minutes. I had a leg just over 1kg, so I cooked mine for roughly 55 minutes, but it’s important to allow for a full Natural Pressure Release. If you really want to brown your lamb before serving you can stick in under the grill for 5 minutes before serving.

Once you remove your delicious, juicy lamb, make a little cornflour slurry with cornflour and water and switch your pot back onto Saute mode. Throw in the cornflour mixture, and ass a knob of butter for the most delicious gravy.

Serve with honey glazed baby carrots, crispy roast potatoes, buttery green beans and a drizzle of mint sauce for a delicious English roast meal!

For more festive meal ideas check out this cranberry and orange roast chicken recipe!

Print Recipe

Festive Roast Lamb

A wonderfully tender, classic Roast Lamb which makes the perfect center dish for holiday special occasions. Cooked in your pressure cooker in under 2 hours, this delicious dish allows for less time in the kitchen, and more time with your loved ones.
Prep Time15 mins
Cook Time1 hr
20 mins
Total Time1 hr 35 mins

Equipment

  • Pressure Cooker
  • Instant Pot

Ingredients

  • 1 1-2 kg deboned leg of lamb
  • 10 cloves garlic
  • handful fresh rosemary
  • handful fresh thyme
  • 1/2 tsp red chilli flakes
  • salt and pepper
  • Olive Oil
  • 2 tsps Cornflour to create gravy

Instructions

  • Start by rolling up your de-boned lamb, if this has not already been done for you.
  • Cut slits into the meat and insert your garlic pods, I cut mine into half or thirds and evenly distributive throughout your meat. You can also shove in some rosemary sprigs.
  • In the center of the lamb insert 2 to 3 crushed garlic cloves and a few more sprigs of rosemary
  • Rub olive oil all over your meat and season with Salt, fresh black pepper and red chilli flakes and thyme.
  • Switch your IP onto Saute mode, throw in a knob of butter and a glug of olive oil. Brown your lamb evenly on both sides.
  • Remove lamb from the pot and deglaze with about 3/4 cup of water
  • Return back to the pot, put the lid on and switch to Pressure Cook, "high". Depending on the size of the meat select your cook time. For a 1kg I would recommend 50 minutes to 1 hour. For a 2kg I would probably suggest about 1 hour 15 minutes. Once cook time has completed allow pressure to release naturally. (approx 20 minutes).
  • Remove your lamb and allow to rest before carving (If you prefer a browner meat you can grill it for 5 minutes in the oven.
  • Whilst the meat is resting, create a cornflour slurry with about 2 teaspoons of cornflour and a little cold water to mix. Hit saute mode again and add the slurry to the remaining liquid and stir to mix up the most delicious gravy.
  • Serve with traditional crispy roast potatoes, sweet orange glazed baby carrots, green beans and spinach. Have some mint sauce on the side for a spectacular traditional English roast lamb !
Ring Security Camera Review

Ring Security Camera Review

Posted on by Rebecca

GET YOUR RING SECURITY CAMERA THIS BLACK FRIDAY!

Not a day goes by where the topic of Home security isn’t mentioned here in South Africa, and If you have been looking at installing a home security option, there is no better time to do it than right now. Thankfully, gone are the days of complicated and expensive home security systems. Ring arrived in SA earlier this year, and it has made life so much safer.

I’ve actually been blown away by the features of our Spotlight Camera. I receive an alert on my phone if there is any motion detected,  I can watch the kids swimming from my phone while I’m at work and I can even use the microphone feature to talk to them or shout at them if they are playing too rough! The Spotlight Camera also has a Siren feature that sets off an alarm of 110 decibels, enough to deter any unwanted guests. It has an incredible night vision camera and with the Spotlight Camera, the light shines on when it detects motion.

Ring Africa’s home security offerings utilize HD cameras that connect directly to your smartphone via the Ring App and they have a huge variety of options on hand depending on your needs, from a Doorbell Camera, an Indoor Stick up Cam, to the Spotlight Camera which I opted for. There are options for everyone and can be set up in less then 15 minutes. Ring is really putting the power of home security into the hands of homeowners.

There’s no better time to order yours.

Remember when I mentioned there is no better time to set up your home security? Well, RING has extended their Black Friday Deals for the entire month of November! This month you can literally save up to R1000 on various Ring devices, massive savings!

Some of the more notable Black Friday deals include:
Indoor Cam R999 (R500 saving);
Stick Up Cam Battery R1999 (R500 saving);
Door View Cam (Peephole Cam) R1999 (R1000 saving);
Spotlight Cam Battery R2999 (R1000 saving);
Spotlight Cam Wired R2999 (R1000 saving);
Floodlight Cam R4499 (R1000 saving).

Head on over to my Instagram to see some of the features in my stories or visit TAKEALOT for more information.

To take into consideration before you install yours:

They really do mean it when they say that all RING cameras can be installed in 15 minutes or less, I set up ours and installed it myself! The hardest part for us was deciding where to put it, we initially ordered the wired option, which I thought would be a better option, we wanted it out by our front gate and we have a plug point there, however, our WIFI didn’t reach that far. So, we brought it in a little closer where our WIFI DID reach, and then realized we didn’t have a plug point (should have gone with the battery version). Eventually we settled on our backyard, which worked out perfectly for us, we can keep an eye on the kids and the garden!

Ring Africa products are now officially available in South Africa through: – Takealot, Builders Warehouse, iStore, Incredible Connection and Leroy Merlin.

Disclaimer- This post was written in partnership with Ring South Africa, but all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

5 tips for cleaning and caring for your floors.

5 tips for cleaning and caring for your floors.

Posted on by Rebecca

I often get asked what products to use on different types of flooring. Laminate, tile, wood all require different care, and different homes have multiple types of flooring which might leave you, as a homeowner, asking yourself how you should maintain your floors and keep them looking new. Together with Handy Andy, I’ll be sharing a few tips to keep your floors in top shape.

Ammarah Chand, brand manager at Handy Andy, says “While the task of cleaning your floors may seem like the simplest one on your list, it is important to remember that different floors have their own set of cleaning needs that will help keep your floors looking sparkling clean.”

The best floor care comes from knowing the most effective way to clean and sanitize the kind of flooring you have which is why we have put together five tips that will help you start loving your floors again and most importantly- with only a few products.

  1. Get to know your floors: Find out what type of floor you are cleaning. How you clean laminate or vinyl flooring will differ to how you clean hardwood floors and tiles; knowing the floors you are dealing with helps make the decision of buying the right product even easier.
  2. Less is more: It’s pretty daunting to find a product that is just right for your floors, which may lead to you buying more products than you actually need. “Try to avoid using multiple products and stick to trusted cleaning products that can remove dirt, add shine and are suitable for multiple surfaces. I recommend using a floor cleaner that has germ killing properties such as the new Handy Andy Floor and All-purpose Cleaner which has the power of Domestos. This product has multiple benefits including removing tough dirt and grease, streak free shine, it kills germs, it’s suitable for multiple surfaces and leaves
    surfaces smelling fresh,” adds Chand.
  3. Choosing the right product for the right floor: When shopping for cleaning equipment and supplies, always check the manufacturer’s specifications to ensure that you are choosing the right product for your type of flooring. This is where usage instructions come in handy.
  4. Take care of them: Try to incorporate simple practices which will help you take care and protect your floors such as not pushing or dragging your furniture. Make use of; an area rug, furniture pads or furniture wheels.
  5. prep your floors well: “always remove any form of dirt or dust from your floors prior to cleaning them with a solution. Use a soft bristle broom to sweep any dirt from the surfaces well,” concludes Chand.

Thanks Handy Andy, for those top tips, always remember, when cleaning laminate or wood flooring to make sure your mop is damp and not wet, you don’t want to place a wet mop on any wooden surface. Happy cleaning and keep following for more top tips!

Milk Tart Flavoured Creme Brulee

Milk Tart Flavoured Creme Brulee

Posted on by Rebecca

Creme Brulee has never been quicker than this! Cooked in an Instant Pot Pressure Cooker, this uniquely South African flavoured Creme Brulee is silky, flavourful and oh so easy to make. No messy water baths in sight!

Milk Tart and Creme Brulee both have to be right up there in my top 5 desserts of all time. Creamy, delicious and sweet, for this heritage day I decided to combine my two favourite dishes. It’s easy enough to whip up as a weekday treat, or fancy enough to serve at a dinner party, this may just be the ultimate dessert.

I cooked up two batches, one on high pressure and one on low pressure and the results were good on both. If you prefer a slightly firmer custard then go with the high pressure option, if you want a thinner texture opt for the low pressure cook.

I instantly fell in love with this way of cooking brulee and will definitely be making it again! Recipe below, let me know your thoughts!

For a full video check out my Instagram page here.

Print Recipe

Milk Tart Flavoured Creme Brulee

Silky, smooth Creme Brulee with a uniquely South African twist
Prep Time10 mins
Cook Time13 mins
Total Time28 mins
Course: Dessert
Keyword: creme brulee, milk tart, milk tart creme brulee
Servings: 6 people

Equipment

  • Instant Pot
  • Pressure Cooker

Ingredients

  • 500 ml Heavy Cream
  • 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
  • 6 large Egg yolks
  • 2 sticks Cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp Nutmeg
  • Pinch Salt
  • 6 Tbsp Castor Sugar
  • Extra Castor Sugar for topping

Instructions

  • Using an electric beater, whisk up the egg yolks and castor sugar.
  • Bring the heavy cream, vanilla extract, cinnamon sticks and nutmeg up to a warm heat in a pot (DO NOT BOIL).
  • Temper the egg yolks and sugar by pouring a small amount of the warm cream mixture into the large mixing bowl. Mix well. Then, pour and the remaining cream mixture into the eggs.
  • Pour the cream mixture into 6 ramekins until about 3/4 full. Remove any air bubbles on the surface with a spoon. Wrap the ramekins tightly with foil.
  • Add 1 cup of water and steamer rack in your Instant Pot. Place the wrapped ramekins on steamer rack (4 at the bottom with 2 stacked on top).
  • Pressure Cook at Low Pressure for 13 minutes, and 15 minutes Natural Release.Then, release remaining pressure. IF you choose to go for a thicker brulee then Pressure Cook on HIGH for 7 minutes, with a NP release of 5 minutes.
  • Unwrap and refrigerate your brulee for a minimum of 4 hours, preferably overnight.
  • Before serving, sprinkle the remaining castor sugar over the top and use your blow torch to achieve that beautiful hard, crackled caramel top!
Instant Pot Ribs – Sticky Prego Flavour

Instant Pot Ribs – Sticky Prego Flavour

Posted on by Rebecca

Heritage Day is one of those Public Holiday’s that is Proudly South African. A day to celebrate all of the unique and mixed cultures we have in our Rainbow Nation. No other country in the world can claim to have so many national languages, so many different and unique cultures and such a fantastic array of food!

I asked over on Instagram if you could pick one meal unique to YOUR heritage, what would it be? Here are some of the fantastic answers.

  • Samp and Beans – Which I am proud to say I have tried and tested and actually LOVED in my Instant Pot
  • Chicken Curry – Another one I have successfully “crossed over” and now will only make in my instant pot, i’ll be sharing my favourite recipe soon!
  • Bunny Chow – Last year I did a lamb curry for Heritage Day, you could easily convert that and put it into your bread?
  • Khowse
  • Bobotie & rice
  • Lamb
  • Ribs
  • Koeksisters

So what did I choose to make for Heritage Day?

We adore a good set of ribs, our preference is without a doubt beef ribs. I find the flavour a little more “mild” in comparison to lamb and I love the amount of meat you get on the bone. I have NEVER tried to make them in my Instant Pot, my normally “braai” them but let’s face it, with temperatures soaring as they have been the last week, why not skip the “braai day” and just have a swim and spend the time with your family day?

The ribs were fall off the bone tender, and I finished them off under the grill for 5 minutes so they had that beautiful charred texture. I marinated these in a Prego style sauce and my husbands only complaint was that we didn’t have more ! Served up with mealies (also cooked in my IP), homemade coleslaw and some garlic bread, you couldn’t get more South African if you tried 🙂 Actually we could… For dessert I made a “milk tart” flavoured Crème Brulee, both are some of my ALL TIME favourite desserts, so why not try to combine them?

No dealing with messy water baths here, I steamed them in my Instant Pot and they cooked in 7 minutes! The only let down was I ran out of gas in my blowtorch (which I bought years ago in my Master Chef days, specifically for Brulees 🙂 ), so I had to grill them in the oven, so excuse the less then “Pintrest Worthy” picture, but hey, it was a family meal after all and it’s the taste that counts right? TRUST ME, if you are a fan of Milk Tart or Crème Brulee, you need to try this recipe !

Happy Heritage Day South Africa, may this day bring positivity and a united spirit in us all. Whatever meal you choose, cut down the time cooking, use your Instant Pot and enjoy the day with your family! Recipes below:

For a step by step video tutorial check out my Instagram Page here

Print Recipe

Instant Pot Ribs

Tender, fall off the bone, sticky ribs made in record time!
Prep Time10 mins
Cook Time22 mins
Total Time32 mins
Servings: 4 people

Equipment

  • Pressure Cooker

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup Steers Prego Sauce
  • 2 TBSP Steers Barbeque Sauce
  • 3 TBSP Tomato Sauce
  • 2 tsp Red Ginger Garlic Masala
  • 1 tsp Crushed Garlic
  • Salt and Pepper
  • 1/2 cup Apple Cider Vinegar For the steaming liquid

Instructions

  • Marinate your ribs in all of the above ingredients (except for the vinegar), Ideally for a minimum of 2 hours.
  • Put 1/2 cup water, 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar into the container and place the metal trivet on top.
  • Place the ribs on the trivet or steamer basket.
  • Place your lid on and make sure the vent is set to steaming.
  • Select pressure cook, make sure its on high pressure and set the timer for 22 minutes.
  • Natural pressure release for 10 minutes and then release the rest.
  • Baste your ribs with the remainder of the marinade and grill/broil for 5 minutes to give them that charred feeling.
  • Get messy and enjoy!
Why is saying goodbye to your childhood home so hard to do?

Why is saying goodbye to your childhood home so hard to do?

Posted on by Rebecca

After well over 3 decades we have said goodbye to my childhood home. I never knew that something like this could have such a big impact on my emotions, but the fact is, I’m sitting here typing this with tears in my eyes. This was always “home”. My parents moved across the globe a number of times for work, but home was always there. Whether we were renting it out or not, it was always ours. It was always there.

When I was just 3 years old my parents bought a plot of dusty land about 20 minutes outside of Gaborone. Rocky, dusty, and filled with thorn trees, it was the start of something amazing. We didn’t even have a telephone line there, our first “phone” was a radio phone!

As a young girl, it was nothing short of magical. I played outside to my hearts content, running around barefoot, making forts under thorn trees and growing our own vegetables. We had so much freedom, riding our bicycles down the newly tared road, chasing cattle and donkeys out of the garden and saving our pets from snakes (puff adders and cobras mainly). I started driving down those farm roads at 12 years old with my dad and eventually at 14 would take my mums car out by myself (don’t tell the cops).

My mum always had grand plans of building a thatch style “farm” house, so to begin with, they put up a pre fabricated house, as a temporary start. Of course, life happens and the garden was developed around the house. Extensions were built and pipes laid, and that “prefab” house still stands today.

As a grew into my teenage years, I wished that my parents lived in town like the “cool” kids, it would make it easier for friends to fetch us or come visit us, nights out in town would have been easier but I am so very glad they never did.

The plan was always for my brother, sister and I to each have a portion of the plot as we grew up, and I always somehow felt that I would “return home” and take over my mums business. Life had other plans, and I settled down in another country and my grand life plan never did happen, but perhaps that’s why I still took every opportunity to visit home whenever I could, because some small part of me still clings to that ideal.

Whenever the stress of “city” life and growing up became too much, I drove towards home. Letting the rolling hills and thorn trees ease my stress and ground me again, the older I get the more I yearn for home. I love taking my children to experience the magic I feel. My sons love their narnie and grandpa’s house and I’m so grateful for the times I have managed to share with my older boys. We have picked veggies, roasted marshmallows on an open fire, looked for snakes, gone horse riding, ridden their bikes in the dirt and taken them on the river. We have swum from morning till sunset and checked if the chickens had any eggs. They’ve napped in the hammock and gone “shoeless” for days, relishing in playing with the kitties. Hopefully they will remember.

To see my children searching for “chongololos” or chasing the chickens around the garden like I did fills my heart with so much joy. Taking them at the crack of dawn to go pick their own vegetables, or letting them ride their bikes unsupervised is something I can never do living here in Johannesburg, but it’s something I did every chance I got when we were home. Washing as much of the “city” out of them as I could. Now that’s never going to be the same. They can never again wake up for a 6 am swim (In Botswana you can literally jump into the pool at any time of day its so hot), it will never be “our pool” again.

But what I have also realised is home is where the heart is. In this period my parents have lived in 5 different cities across the world, including islands in the South Pacific and the Caribbean. Wherever I visited, wherever they are is “home”.
I know it was a necessary move. As my parents grow older and need to downsize, this is the first move in the few that will see them land up in the UK, but I guess I just wanted more time.  I wanted more time for my daughter to experience those things now. I wanted her toes to get all dusty and to take in the fresh “bush air”.

So as I say goodbye to our house for the past 3 decades, I realise it is just that. A house. It has a roof, a fireplace, a kitchen and a garden, It is two people that turned it in to a home. This house reflects the life and family my parents created together. The adventures and trials we have gone through together, and this home thrived because of them. So did I. I am always welcomed with open arms. I feel the most comfortable being me. I will always hold these memories and how they made me feel close to my heart. Memories of planting and selling vegetables to our local spar, spending Saturday mornings picking fresh spinach and radishes with my dad and rinsing them off in the swimming pool to taste. Building up bookshelves from scratch or redesigning my room for the 5th time. Having pool parties with my friends on the weekend or just driving around the farm roads blaring our favourite music to pass the time. This was the home that saw me through primary and secondary school, university and marriage. This was the home I brought all 3 of my children to as babies, to let Gogo Mary spoil them, as she spoilt me. This was the home that held first boyfriends and breakups, and staying up with friends until the sunrise and then trying to sneak back into the house. Weddings and family reunions, our house always had people in it, sitting under the lapa enjoying the cool of the shade.

So I may never drive down that gravel road again, the boys will never steal “chappies” from Mary’s shop again and I will miss seeing my mom’s garden bloom and flourish. I will miss walking into the house and seeing the familiar dark tiled floor or the cats water bowl in the kitchen, and It makes me sad. However, I also know that home is indeed where the heart is, and we will make new memories wherever my family goes.

Thank you Notwane, for giving me the most ideal childhood. For all the adventures and dramas, for all the love and warmth. I only hope that I can give my children the same freedom and sense of adventure that you gave me.

Favourite Cleaning Products Giveaway

Favourite Cleaning Products Giveaway

Posted on by Rebecca

To celebrate the beautiful milestone of hitting 6k on instagram, and all the fun we have had this year with organising and home hacks, I have been promising a giveaway of “a few of my favourite things”

Firstly, I do want to mention, I am a firm believer in multi-purpose products. I think my mother taught me that. She would literally clean the entire house off 4 or 5 products max. Of course, when I hit teenage years and discovered the wonders of certain cleaning products, she would always fight with me when shopping; I would throw in certain products and cleaners and she would always say “you’re wasting my money”. She did, however, have a very valid point, and one that has stuck with me. As much as I adore trying new things and new ways to clean, I will always return to a few old favourites. I think it’s important to emphasize, because otherwise, you can end up on spending thousands of Rands unnecessarily in the cleaning aisle.

Keeping your home clean and free of germs doesn’t have to be difficult. Its something we have all had to focus more on with this worldwide pandemic. Whether you’re cleaning up your bedroom, living room or kitchen there’s a handful of basic products (that you may already own!) that can help you get your home into tip top shape.

So, I have put together “a few of my favourite things giveaway” to celebrate the fun we have had over the past year, and all the extractor fans, silverware, and limescale we have cleaned along the way!

What’s in it?

Good old Vinegar and Bicarbonate – My old faithfuls

Yes, I know its not so exciting to include in a giveaway, BUT, as you can see from my article here, with these 2 bad boys, you can pretty much clean your entire house.

White Vinegar is brilliant for getting rid of bad odours, cutting grease and shining glass. I call it my “magic mist”. Just by using vinegar you can take something dull and lifeless and transform it and make it look clean and shiny. It doesn’t leave a waxy residue and lasts a lot longer. Surprisingly, if you use vinegar to clean, your home wont actually smell like vinegar :). We used to clean our windows with vinegar and newspaper. These days I keep one in a spray bottle to mist onto carpets, and furniture for a dustless and odourless result.

Bicarbonate of Soda – the all-time refresher and natural abrasive. You’ve seen me use it on my carpets, on my mattresses, in my washing machine and down my drain. I’ve used it to clean the oven and my grout and it is still often my first go to for anything that needs a pizzazz. Ever seen me polishing silver with it? You need to watch that video, its magic before your eyes 🙂

Addis Microfiber cloths

Whether you colour code are not, these beauties need to be in your cleaning cupboard. They are very absorbent; not only for dirt but for liquid. Used wet or dry they make the ideal cleaning cloth. They are also eco-friendly and can absorb a tremendous amount of liquid. So far Addis has been my favourite brand to find good quality cloths in.

Tip: You might want to buy these in bulk since you’ll be using them for everything!

Chemico Paste.

Another essential in my life, and together we have tackled extractor fans, rust, hard-water toilet stains and grout. This tiny, inexpensive “pot of pink gold” performs miracles before your eyes. It lasts for ages and if it does dry up you can just add a little water, it is something you want to keep in your household supplies. Have a look at all the different ways you can clean with your Chemico Paste here.

Omo Washing Powder/Liquid

I will be honest; we swap between the liquid and powder in my house. As much as I adore how “pretty” the capsules are, I don’t use them because they are not cost effective to me. Again, going back to “multipurpose”; I don’t only use my Omo washing powder to do the laundry, I use it for cleaning the outdoor tiles and the playroom playmats. It’s perfect for these because it foams up wonderfully and you can “scrub” with it. I always use the liquid on more delicate items.

Comfort Fabric Softener

This has been a more recent swap over for me. Up until recently I used another well known brand, but once I smelt comfort, I could never turn back 🙂 Initially I was worried about the stronger scent with a family of eczema sufferers, however we have had no issues at all with it, and wow the aroma that fills my home when I pop clothes into the dryer is incredible 🙂

Sunlight dishwashing liquid

A staple, across all households in South Africa. Since they launched the nature range last year, I have been a convert 🙂 Whether you buy the blue antibacterial or the softer “lemon” it doesn’t matter they are both beautiful (literally I love the packaging). Sunlight is another product in my home that gets used for everything, (both the traditional green bar and the dishwashing liquid), from washing the car to removing oil stains from clothes 🙂

Harpic

A multipurpose thick bleach second to none, and it is NOT just for the toilets. The more recently released “white and shine” baking soda range is a favourite with me and you can literally use it to clean both your tiles and your toilets 🙂 The formula provides excellent hygiene, eliminating E. Coli and Rotavirus.

Vim

I don’t think there is a day that goes by without using Vim in my house! A scouring powder I thankfully introduced my mum to as a teenager and one that she’s still using today too. If you have stainless steel pots and you don’t have vim, you are not living 🙂 We have owned our pots for well over 10 years and apart from one broken handle, they are literally still sparkling. Not to be used on non-stick, but I couldn’t have a cleaning giveaway without this staple.

Handy Andy

A bit like Vim, a product we are never without. I don’t think there is anything it can’t clean, from stove tops to floors and bathtubs. This multipurpose cleaning cream always stands in if we every run out of anything else. Fun fact, my husband once “burnt” the stainless-steel drains and plugs in our bathrooms when he poured a drain cleaner down them. They were literally all black and I tried everything (including my beloved bicarbonate and chemico paste), Handy Andy (with its ammonia, was the only thing that restored the plugs shine)

More specialised products

So those are my basics, items that you will always find in my kitchen cupboard. There are two areas in my house however, that I will always use specialised cleaning product for (sorry mum) – my kitchen and my bathroom (showers).

Astonish Cleaners

Recently launched into South Africa I have fallen in love with the Astonish range. From a curiosity point of view, I think I have tried everything from the range, but I do have some firm favourites. The range is extremely affordable (seriously, and the bottles are big) and they are all proudly cruelty free and vegan. There is still so much of this range that I want to try out but these are a few of my favourites:

The Anti-Bacterial Surface Cleaner is an absolute WINNER in my eyes, I LOVE the fact that it doesn’t actually smell of anything (I don’t want to spray my kitchen counters where I prepare food with strong smelling chemicals) and the size of the bottle is brilliant.

The Citrus Grove Kitchen Cleaner ; I love the soft citrus scent and it is fantastic for cutting through grease. I use this for my kitchen cupboards, everyday wipes on the stove and oven, and on my appliances to cut through that “sticky kitchen grease stuff”.

Window and Glass Cleaner ; I think like most South Africans, up until this year, I used another infamous blue window cleaner. I stumbled onto the Astonish from a curiosity point of view and love it. Used on mirrors or windows its streak free and doesn’t hold a strong smell.

Mr Sheen

Another range that has recently expanded its coverage in South Africa. We could always get a few things, but they have brought in a much more comprehensive range recently and I am loving it. I keep the Disinfectant Spray by the kitchen door and use it on all shoes, packages and school bags before they come in 🙂 I also use the Multi Purpose Surface Spray because I love the soft vanilla and lavender scent. It doesn’t leave “an oily residue” like some of the other furniture polish sprays so that makes me feel like it’s gentler 🙂

In my giveaway I am including the Daily Surface Spray– If I can’t find my Astonish Antibacterial, this is my go-to, especially on Kitchen counter tops. It is a daily disinfectant spray and claims to kill 99.9% of cold and flu viruses, something we ALL need right now 🙂

Dr Beckman

Oh, where do I begin – from the moment I tried out the miraculous “Colour & Dirt Collector Sheets” last year a love affair began. Seriously, if you haven’t seen how these sheets save my laundry, you need to go watch my home hacks highlight. It will change the way you wash 🙂 Since then I have trialled a number of their range, but my absolute top picks have to be the “Carpet Stain Remover”; this bottle and product is just so handy to nip out for any spot stains or treatment needed on fabrics. It is an incredible product to keep on hand if you still have upholstered car seats like me 🙂 The “Service It” Washing Machine cleaner is also fantastic. I typically do my monthly cleans with Washing Soda and Vinegar, but to use this every 3-4 months or so is a treat, it claims to remove 99.9% of all bacteria which puts my mind at ease. Made with Active Carbon, it acts like a magnet to all dirt and odours.

Scrub Daddy Sponges

Last but not least and another new addition to my cleaning cupboard, (and this giveaway), thanks to OneDayOnly.co.za are my “Scrub Daddy” Sponges, Typically you wouldn’t find these in my house because they are not readily available in South Africa. However, all the UK and USA cleaning “gurus” swear by them and I know so many “hinchers” in South Africa were dying to get their hands on this nifty little sponge. I have included two in my giveaway. A sponge is a sponge right? Not necessarily, Scrub Daddy is a “scratch-free sponge” that eliminates needing a different sponge for various uses. Its FlexTexture material allows it to change texture under different water temperatures — warm water makes it soft and perfect for wipe downs and washing dishes, while cold water stiffens it for tough pot and pan jobs. The smiley face makes it easy to hold and handle as you use it.

So there you have it – All of the products included in my favourite things giveaway and some of the items you will always find in my kitchen cupboard. To top it all off i have included one of my favourite IKEA “Variera” Boxes, which I store my cleaning products in, so you can jump on your organisation game like I have 🙂

All entries will be on my instagram page, so head on over to enter and follow me for more home hacks and tips !