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OUR planet, our health. That's the overarching theme of World Health Day on 7 April. Something we need to consider as we make our food choices is the ability of plants to protect and refresh the earth as they grow. Mushrooms, extraordinarily, are able to restore soil and many eco-scientists…
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AUTUMN is making itself felt in Cape Town this week, so combine two of the best things in the world - pizza and gin - for a cosy dinner at home...and keep it low carb to boot. KETO MUSHROOM PIZZA Makes 1 large pizza Ingredients Dough: 90g almond flour/ground almonds 125g…
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ALL things considered, this was a most well behaved enterprise on our part; those "things" including bottomless, but not entirely endless (there is a cut-off time), bubbly. The potential for horns being given, and wheels coming off is plainly evident, but it turns out we maintained our composure and…
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TO attend a carefully thought out luncheon - or dinner party - is a singular pleasure for the fortunate guest. There is much planning to be done to perfectly execute such a gathering. One must consider the guest list and the seating plan. The food, obviously, must be memorable; the accompanying…
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A QUESTION that is sometimes asked is, "Can you forgive bad service if the food and location is superb?" That's more likely to be possible than the other way around; no matter how amazing your server is, if the food is awful, well that's it pretty much ruined. Thing is, service should not be…
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CLOS MALVERNE Wine Estate in Devon Valley, Stellenbosch is offering a fabulous Lifestyle Package all the way through to September 22. It normally runs from April to September but as tourism gets on the road to recovery, this special deal should have you packing your bags as soon as possible. For…
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LAST weekend's rain in Cape Town gave us a hint of what we can look forward to in the next few months.  This coming Sunday, March 20, is the autumn equinox after which the days draw in and darkness lingers longer. With the cooler weather, thoughts turn to comfort food; South African Mushroom…
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IT'S surprisingly easy to woo me, if you wish to shower me with gifts. I like books, records, wine, free rein at a nursery with a healthy bank card, and sushi. Salmon roses in particular. I don't mind a bunch of stargazer lilies (still closed) but will take a platter of salmon roses over a bouquet…
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THE swimming pool at Die Laan 2 is not for the delicate swimmer, as I found out early that Saturday. And by delicate, I mean the person who eases themselves slowly and cautiously into the water. It was a sweltering weekend in Stellenbosch, hot, humid, windy; a contrast between the chilled air…
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THERE once was a bull named Jonathan, who lived at Le Pommier, on the Helshoogte Road in the Banhoek Valley between Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. Jonathan was rather wilful and would frequently break out of his accommodations and into the vineyards - but only one in particular: the Malbec. There he…
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