Are you struggling to find the time to follow a specific diet? The truth is, you don’t have to rearrange your entire kitchen or cut out food groups to lose weight and feel great. These simple diet tips will help you make every day nutrient-rich foods a regular part of your diet, so that you stay in the best possible health, and reduce your chances of chronic diseases. Diet tips to live by 1. Focus on a plant-based diet We don’t need to completely cut out animal foods, but plant foods should be at the centre of our diet if…
These Festive Waffles turn classic waffles into playful holiday treats — perfect for Christmas breakfasts, brunches or festive gatherings. Crispy, golden waffles are cut into quarters and transformed into waffle pops on sticks, then dipped in rich milk chocolate, white chocolate, or gooey caramel and scattered with dried cranberries, candy stars, and crunchy pretzels. Fun to make and even more fun to eat! Also See: Blueberry waffles with banana and maple bacon https://www.foodandhome.co.za/recipes/blueberry-waffles-banana-maple-bacon
Bush Whisper Expeditions – SA Tourism company launches new glitter liqueur to add sparkle to 2025 Festive Season celebrations South Africa’s drinks landscape is set to shimmer this festive season with the debut of Lady Eclipse, a proudly South African chocolate–orange glitter liqueur crafted to bring indulgence, elegance, and a touch of sparkle to every celebration. Locally produced by Joburg Distilling, Lady Eclipse blends velvety dark chocolate with bright orange citrus, creating a rich and luxurious flavour profile that is both vibrant and smooth. The addition of edible shimmer elevates every pour, making it a standout festive drink for gifting, entertaining, and…
This meringue and gingerbread wreath is a festive centrepiece with a playful twist. Crisp, cloud-light meringue and spiced gingerbread come together in a celebratory ring, filled with scoops of fig and raspberry ice cream for a cool, fruity contrast. It’s a dessert that looks special yet feels wonderfully relaxed – perfect for holiday tables where sharing, lingering and a little indulgence are all part of the plan. ALSO SEE: Milk chocolate, hazelnut and rosemary brioche wreath
Whether you’re a pro or novice, it’s good to keep calm and grounded with highlights from the collective hosting bible. Hosting over the festive season is typically equal parts exciting and exhausting. Whether you adore blooms and foliage, lean towards the creative and sentimental or simply can’t delve deep enough into the world of gastronomy; moments (or whole days) of overwhelm are pretty much a standard part of the experience. It doesn’t help that we tend to over-promise, overthink and get lost in the haze of wanting to be the perfect host. For some the pressure piles at the mere thought of a nit-picking loved one,…
What if I told you that some of your favourite foods are secretly working overtime to help you burn calories? That’s right—certain foods can boost your metabolism and help you shed those extra calories without even trying! These calorie-burning foods do more than taste great, and with the help of health publications, we explain which snacks and meals can give your metabolism a natural boost. 1. Guacamole According to the Eat This, Not That publication, avocados are rich in vitamin B6, which fights the cortisol stress hormone and belly fat, while providing monounsaturated fat, which may prevent belly fat distribution. “This…
Bring everyone together with this indulgent Toasted s’mores cake — a dreamy twist on the classic campfire treat. Gooey layers of marshmallow, rich chocolate ganache and buttery cake combine for a slice that tastes just like nostalgia. Perfect for sharing (and torching those marshmallows on top)! Also See: Traditional European Christmas recipe: Toscakaka (caramel almond cake) https://www.foodandhome.co.za/recipes/traditional-european-christmas-recipe-toscakaka-caramel-almond-cake
For many families, the festive season is a time of celebration. But for veterinarians, it’s one of the busiest and most stressful periods of the year. Emergency animal hospitals around the world report dramatic spikes in cases over the year-end holidays, with many linked directly to festive foods, decorations, and routine disruptions. Cats and dogs are exposed to a completely different environment during the holidays,” explains Dr Karien Brink from Hill’s Pet Nutrition. “There are rich foods, tempting decorations, new visitors, travel, and stress. All of these increase the risk of serious, but preventable, emergencies.” Here’s what vets see most…
There’s something about the festive season that calls for baking. The oven’s on, the house smells warm and buttery, and there’s always a tin of something sweet within reach. That’s what makes a cookie swap such a lovely way to gather before the rush really hits. It’s relaxed, joyful and everyone leaves with more than they arrived with. If you’ve never hosted one before, don’t overthink it. A cookie swap is simply friends, good company and a table filled with homemade treats. Try this recipe: 2-min choc chip cookies Keep the guest list small Eight people is the sweet spot. It gives you a good mix of bakes without becoming overwhelming. Ask each guest to bring the…
BBC Lifestyle (DStv channel 174) is your festive co-host with inspiration from celebrity chefs including Jamie Oliver, Nadiya Hussain and Nigella Lawson Friendsmas is all about good people, good vibes, and unforgettable food and this year, BBC Studios Africa is your festive co-host with a menu that brings the magic of the season straight to your table. Inspired by the mouthwatering recipes featured across BBC Lifestyle’s festive programming, from globally renowned chefs Jamie Oliver, Nadiya Hussain and Nigella Lawson, we’ve crafted the ultimate Friendsmas spread that’s big on flavour, easy to pull off, and perfect for gathering your favourite people.…
Mira debuts in Sandton, offering a refined, multi-sensory Mozambican-Portuguese dining experience Mira, Sandton’s most anticipated new restaurant, has officially opened a 200-seater Mozambican-Portuguese dining destination where old-world craftsmanship, multisensory design, and contemporary sophistication converge. Designed for corporate leaders, international travellers, lifestyle-focused diners, and those who value quiet luxury, Mira offers a new kind of intimacy in Sandton, refined, transportive, softly spectacular. Founded by hospitality partners Luke Dakers, Ben Stanger, and industry stalwart George Sinovich, Mira is the meeting point of legacy and modernity: “old money energy” refined through youthful ambition. The name itself embodies this interplay: chosen after countless iterations,…
Cadbury once again invites South Africans to take time this festive season to reflect on the year that’s been. It’s an opportunity to acknowledge those around you who have made the year special. To add to the season, Cadbury introduces its limited-edition festive range. Featuring four chocolate slabs, in a variety of flavours, each with a ‘thank you’ message – turning feelings of gratitude into memorable gestures of appreciation. Look out for two NEW delicious flavours, Cadbury Dream Wholenut and Cadbury Dream OREO. Festive favourites like Cadbury Dairy Milk Butterscotch & Crushed Almonds, Cadbury Dairy Milk Gingerbread and Cadbury Whispers…
The pastry world is entering a renaissance defined by creativity, comfort and curiosity, and nowhere is this more evident than in the rise of hybrid baking trends that continue to evolve at a dizzying pace. What began as croissant-inspired experimentation has now moved far beyond the cronut era and into a global appetite for mashups that merge technique, tradition and pure indulgence. From Paris to Toronto, bakers are doubling down on unexpected creations that have transcended gimmick status to become mainstream staples. Read more: 4 ways to use a roll of puff pastry: sweet & savoury style One of the most headline-grabbing examples appeared on National Donut Day, when Philadelphia Cream Cheese unveiled the bonut – an…
The recipe for the cactus pear syrup comes courtesy of Graham Isaacson of Blue Water Café in Cape Town. You could buy ready-made syrup at delis and farm stalls but it usually contains a fair amount of colouring. Here, you still get that rosy hue, but with all the goodness.
With the festive season practically knocking at the door, there’s no doubt that you and your loved ones are gearing up to cook and bake festive feasts to outshine last year’s. And as with many festive recipes, a splash of brandy or full-bodied red wine is at the top of the list. However, for whatever reason, you might not want to add a splash of vodka or vermouth this year, and are looking for suitable alternatives (or if any). That’s where we come in. Cue alternatives and practical tips that help you enjoy traditional festive flavours without the alcohol. Do…














