It’s hard to focus on eating well when the most exciting part of your day is moving from your couch to your fridge. And it’s even harder to stay active when you’re cooped up in a small space for long periods of time. Here are our top three ways of staying healthy during lockdown.

1. NOURISH TO FLOURISH

Ditch the colourants, additives and processed nasties by turning your attention to real food with real health benefits. Eating well shouldn’t feel restrictive, and fortunately, there are wonderful alternatives to your old favourites that come with all the added health benefits you need – it all comes down to making simple swaps.

B-well have created a deliciously nutritious reduced oil mayonnaise that it is bursting with flavour. With 47% less fat and heaps of omega-3, this is the perfect addition to any dish, and it’s vegan-friendly!

Bonus, it’s also so easy to ramp up the flavour of your favourite condiment so that you can use it for a whole host of dishes and treats. Check out our 4 flavoured mayonnaise recipes here.

2. MOVE IT, MOVE IT

The number of workouts available online is endless. Surf the internet for new ideas that will see you breaking into a healthy sweat in no time. Get your heart rate up with HIIT routines, strengthen your core and tone up with at-home pilates classes or work on your flexibility with some yoga. Want to up the ante, but don’t have weights available at home? You can get creative and fill you empty B-well mayo containers with water to use as dumbbells.

And remember that any kind of physical activity is good, so cleaning your home, dancing and stretching before are all great low-key options.

3. REMAIN SANE IN THE BRAIN

A massive part of keeping your mental health in check is about eating well and getting enough physical activity. If these two points aren’t being maintained, it can become easier for stress and anxiety to manifest.

Keep your blood sugar levels in check with a balanced diet and get those endorphins pumping with a good workout. B-well’s Reduced Oil Mayonnaise is packed with essential omega-3 fatty acids, which have been known to help ease the symptoms of anxiety and depression over time.

Avoid processed foods, caffeine and watching too many negative news stories, especially before bed or while you’re eating. You can also take the time to practice meditation, get in touch with your inner child by playing games, or just get creative in any way you know how. Setting goals and sticking to a daily routine is also highly recommended.

B-WELL is passionate about health and wellness and what better way to communicate this than by
creating a cookbook that aims at improving your immune system. This fun and informative cookbook will empower the entire family with its easy-to-follow guide in promoting effective immune response. Many recipes include a lot of these essential macronutrients, like Omega 3 & 6 which is packed in our B-well canola products.

Check out the B-WELL website here to find the cookbook or find them on Facebook or Instagram.

Words: Robyn Simpson
Photography: Courtesy images, Pexels

The post 3 ways to keep your mind and body healthy during lockdown appeared first on MyKitchen.

Ah, Valentine’s Day. You either love the romance, gifting and chocolates, or you absolutely despise the day. One thing’s for sure, no matter how you feel, there’s bound to be food involved! While you may not be the lovey-dovey type, there are still plenty of date ideas and all they take is some fresh ingredients and some time in the kitchen!

By Taryn Wilson

1. WINE & DINE

Heading out to fine establishment to enjoy a romantic meal with your other half may seem cliché but will still hold plenty of enjoyment (especially if the food is good). This route is slightly more extravagant, so you may want to add something small to give the date a personal touch. Make your own dessert to enjoy together at home after your meal for a sweet and intimate moment. Home-made Turkish delight will never fail!

2. PIZZA PICNIC

For something more casual, you can go for a simple treat with a scenic view. Enjoying a hot cheesy pizza on a rooftop or hill may be you and your partner’s preferred choice of ‘wining and dining’. The relaxed and peaceful setting will put you at ease and let you enjoy each other’s company in a special way. Also, did we mention that making your own pizza is amazing? There’s nothing like this ham, fig and Brie pizza.

3. A THEMED EVENING 

Forget the hearts and boxes of chocolates, be creative with dinner and opt for themed foods representing a common interest between you and your partner. You may both love superheroes and comics, or have a wicked taste for Halloween. Decorate your home and prep the meals in advance for a special and fun surprise. Not sure where to start? Try this Halloween-themed 3-course treat!

4. COOKING CLASS

Not only is it an indulgent time, but taking a cooking class with your other half is a fun and unique activity that you’ll both benefit from. The options are also endless – from sushi, decadent chocolate desserts and traditional African meals to wine-making, Asian cuisine and local treats with flair, you’re bound to find something you’ll both enjoy!

5. BRAAI NATION

Maybe you’d both rather skip the fancy and creative ideas and settle for something simple and cosy – a good old-fashioned braai! Enjoy a few drinks by the fireplace and make your favourite chops with a side salad and some braaied mealies for a lekker time. We recommend these pork chops with bacon jam and Cheddar for a sweet finish.

Image: Unsplash

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There’s nothing more exciting than the moment you and a loved one get to pull apart Christmas crackers and discover all the fun goodies inside! But why buy store crackers, which only give you a few sweets and a toy, when you can create your own custom DIY Christmas crackers filled with all your favourites?

By Taryn Wilson

WHAT YOU NEED

– Toilet rolls
– Sellotape
– Wrapping paper, cut into A4 pieces (the more festive the merrier!)
– Ribbon of your choice
– Cracker snaps (available from merrypak.co.za)
– Fillings of your choice

HOW TO DO IT

1. Place a toilet roll in the centre of one of your A4 pieces of wrapping paper, and use sellotape to keep it in place on the paper.
2. Put a cracker snap through the toilet roll, and tape it down on one side of the paper.
3. Roll the wrapping paper around the toilet roll lengthways, leaving the sides long.
4. Twist one side of the paper so that it is pinched by the end of the toilet roll, and tie it with ribbon.
5. Place all of your fillings inside the open section of the paper and toilet roll.
6. Repeat step 4 on the open side.

These are the perfect festive gifts for Christmas celebrations.

Image: blog.hobbycraft.co.uk

The post Make your own DIY Christmas crackers this year! appeared first on MyKitchen.

You can’t go wrong with a classic chicken pie, and we’re making sure it’s extra delicious by teaching you to make a classic white sauce (or a roux) from scratch!

SERVES 6 // COOKING TIME 1 hour 30 min

INGREDIENTS
For the roux
3 tbsp butter
2 tbsp flour
½ tsp mustard
1½ cups milk
For the chicken pie
4 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, grated
1 garlic clove, grated
4 chicken breasts
2 cups chicken stock
1 bay leaf
2 cloves
4 tbsp mayonnaise
40 sheets ready-made samoosa pastry
⅓ cup melted butter

METHOD
For the roux
1. Melt the butter in a pot. Remove from the heat and whisk in the flour and mustard.
2. Return to low heat. Gradually add the milk while whisking. Cook for about 6 minutes, until the roux thickens.
For the chicken pie
1. Heat the oil, and fry the onion and garlic until golden.
2. Add the chicken, stock, bay leaf and cloves. Boil for 10 minutes, until the chicken is cooked.
3. Remove the chicken from the pot and shred using s fork.
4. Strain the cooking liquid and cook until reduced. Add the roux, pulled chicken, mayonnaise, salt and pepper.
5. Preheat oven to 180°C.
6. Arrange 20 sheets of pastry diagonally across the base and up the sides of a baking tin.
7. Gently spoon in the filling.
8. Cut the remaining pastry sheets in half, lengthways. Use them to make a lattice design on top of the pie. Trim the edges.
9. Brush with melted butter and bake for 15 minutes. Turn up the heat to 200°C and bake for

Recipe & styling: Chiara Turilli
Photography: Andreas Eiselen//HMimages.co.za

The post Learn to make a classic roux with this Cape chicken pie appeared first on MyKitchen.

Get your heat-proof, sterilised jars at the ready because today we’re teaching you to make jam with any fruit right at home. What’s your favourite flavour?

WHAT YOU NEED

2 cups roughly chopped fruit of your choice
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup water
Zest and juice of 2 lemons

HOW TO DO IT

1. Mix all the ingredients and leave to rest for 10 minutes.
2. Preheat oven to 170°C.
3. Spread mixture on to a baking tray and bake for 30 minutes, giving it a stir every 10 minutes.
4. Transfer to sterilised jars and store in the fridge for later use.

Recipe: Chiara Turilli
Image: Unsplash

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If you’re like us, you’ve definitely thought about cornering off a small section of the garden and planting some of your favourite veggies and herbs to use for home-cooking. But maybe you just don’t have the time, or aren’t sure where to start. Well, it definitely doesn’t have to be difficult if you have the know-how and stick to efficient and simple plants.

By Taryn Wilson

These 5 herbs are popular options that you can grow in your garden (or even in jars on your kitchen windowsill) and will only need a few check-ins a week for watering and trims.

1. BASIL

Grow guide: Now is the best time to sow some basil seeds! You can start them off in a jar on a sunny windowsill, or wait until late spring to plant them directly in your garden. They will need a rich, well-drained soil to grow in.
Uses: Add this delicious spice to your soups, stews, pasta and sauces.

2. CORIANDER

Grow guide: Sow the seeds early on in spring and deep in good soil, with sun or partial shade.
Uses: Also known as dhanya, you can pick the leaves and use them in curries, soups or in savoury baked goods.

3. MINT

Grow guide: Plant your mint seedlings when they are around 10-15 cm tall in the soil 5 cm deep. Water well and allow for plenty of sun.
Uses: You can use mint leaves to brew tea or infuse it in water for fresh flavour.

4. PARSLEY

Grow guide: Parsley requires rich, moist soil and should be sown in mid-spring or midsummer.
In the beginning, you can plant it in a jar with plenty of sunlight.
Uses: Add it to soups, salads, meats and omelettes for along with seasoning or to garnish.

5. ROSEMARY

Grow guide: Start this herb off in a jar with sun or partial shade and well-draining soil. Don’t be concerned if it takes long to grow, as the germination pattern can often be erratic.
Uses: This herb is great for cooking with meats, as a garnish or in a stuffing.

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