Author: spiritedmama1 Page 5 of 36

I am more than just a Momblogger...
Join me on my journey of self discovery, finding myself and my purpose. Sharing my parenting woes, quirks and fails...
taking back my wellness and wanderlust lifestyle with kids in tow.

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Beatlemania on tour + WIN

By spiritedmama1

On May 7, 2019

In Entertainment, Music

Beatlemania On Tour @ Carnival City’s Mardi Gras Theatre, 3 – 19 May 2019, presented by Showtime Australia.

After enjoying successful tour runs in Durban and Cape Town last year, the world-famous Beatles tribute show, Beatlemania On Tour, returns to South Africa for yet another exciting stint of performances, this time at Carnival City in Gauteng this May.

Celebrating the biggest hits of the famous Fab Four from Liverpool in the United Kingdom, Beatlemania On Tour kicks off at Carnival City’s Mardi Gras Theatre on Friday 3 May. The show, which runs until Sunday 19 May, will deliver a true fan experience with rock ‘n roll classics and nostalgia live on stage every night.

Beatlemania On Tour brings a full cast of three Australian singers and one Scottish vocalist for the show’s first performing run in Boksburg – nine years after making its South African début in 2010.

Beatlemania on Tour

The cast includes the multi-talented singers Joe Kane (as Paul McCartney), Zac Coombs (as John Lennon), Brent McMullen (as George Harrison) and Ben Harper (as Ringo).

For the very first time, Boksburg audiences will experience a rocking musical concert experience, which includes state-of-the-art updates production and lighting, as well as a huge repertoire of replica Beatles costuming have also been made – all to relive to nostalgia and magic of the Beatlemania phenomenon that swept the globe during the 1960’s and 1970’s.

Fans can expect the cast to belt out some of the Fab Four’s biggest and most treasured hits from the 1960’s rock era will be performed live on stage –

The musical concert experience will see fans dancing and rocking to classic Beatles hits such as Can’t Buy Me Love, All My Loving, Please Please Me, I Wanna Hold Your Hand, She Loves You, Day Tripper, Nowhere Man, Help, Yellow Submarine, Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band and Hey Jude being performed throughout the two-hour musical experience,

Throughout the two-hour musical spectacular, the Beatlemania on Tour cast are set to perform all the songs in their original key and on replica Beatles instruments – with unseen attention to detail creating the sincerest Beatles sound around.

The show’s lead singer, Joe Kane is excited to perform in Boksburg for the first time and says the cast has a deep love for South African audiences.

“South African fans really love the music The Beatles and they come out and support our shows in big numbers on every tour we do in SA. We really had a blast in Cape Town last October and now we are super excited to perform in Boksburg for the very first time.”

Beatlemania on Tour

With previous sold-out shows across the US, Canada, Dubai, Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand under its belt, the production is one of the world’s finest Beatles tribute spectacular – a reputation that’s successfully upheld by Showtime Australia – a leader in the tribute show entertainment genre.

Producer, Director and CEO of The Showtime Australia Group, Johnny Van Grinsven, shares:

“This show focuses on the early years of the Beatles and their rise to stardom from the early days of Liverpool and in this musical concert, our cast will provide the best rock ‘n roll memories, live singing and performing on live instruments that will transport the audience to back in time to relive the memories as to why we all fell in love with The Fab Four. It’s a concert experience like no other and it’s a must see for all die-hard Beatles fans.”

Tickets range from R150 – R250 each.

For more details about the show visit: beatlemaniaontour.com

Connect with Beatlemania On Tour via their social media channels:

Instagram and Twitter: @BeatlemaniaTour

Facebook: www.facebook.com/beatlemaniaontour

I have 5 double tickets to the show on Friday 10 May 2019.

Want to win a set of tickets?

You can find the giveaway posts below:

Instagram: @spiritedmamablog

Twitter: @spirited_mama1

Spirited Mama

T’s & C’s

**Giveaway closes on Wednesday 8 May 2019 at midnight. Winners will be announced on Thursday 9 May 2019. Open to South African residents only.
Winners will be randomly selected.
No correspondence will be entered into once a winner is selected.
Winners will be announced on my social media accounts and notified via email.
I reserve the right to disqualify invalid entries. **

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Why MEAT FREE Mondays didn’t work for us + being flexitarian with Fry’s

By spiritedmama1

On March 25, 2019

In Food, Lifestyle, Wellness

*This is NOT a sponsored post! However, the products in my feature image was a gift from Fry’s Family Food Co when we attended their family braai day.*

Meat free Monday didn’t work

Meat free Monday never worked for us… The reason is very simple – Sunday leftovers 🙂 We grew up having a huge Sunday lunch with roast and curry and veg and and and… Was your family big on Sunday lunch? Even if it was just the household, consisting of four family members, there would still be enough food to feed an army. Long after Dude and I set up our home together, we carried on with this tradition. Even though it was just the TWO of us…

I soon grew tired of making a feast for two people and the pressure of racing home after the church service to get lunch ready by 12, no I lie we ate at 1pm in our house, was just too much! I opted to start a NEW tradition, and Sunday Dinner was born for us 🙂 Fast forward life and throw in two kids, who are ALWAYS hungry, and we are back to making Sunday Lunch. But on a smaller scale. Mama aint got time to slave for hours and my offspring devours hours of hard work within minutes!

A few years back we opted to go meat free during the Lent period. The shortened version according to Wikipedia – Lent is a solemn religious observance in the Christian liturgical calendar that begins on Ash Wednesday and ends approximately six weeks later, before Easter Sunday.

This was a major challenge because now we needed to find alternatives to meat! I’m NOT a big lover of red meat but my husband and kids are. The recent addition, currently two years old, definitely takes after his father here by being a meat eater.

And this is how we discovered Fry’s products

Now being new to this no meat eating schedule, it was challenging to make food that actually looked edible. My husband would look at a dish and say “where’s the meat?” I could live off veggies though! So for forty + days we ate meat free meals. Every Single Day. By the time the Lent period was done, my husband was at the end of his tether. Needless to say we have given up random things over the last couple of years. But having gone through that first meat free stint, I was hooked.

We’ve been using Fry’s products for a few years already. Man have they upped their game! They have new and interesting products. That Kasha, aka cereal, is life for my kids. Let’s not forget the ICE-CREAM. Go find it today!

I’ve tried to incorporate it into our weekly schedule. We tried Meat Free Monday! At first it worked, but after a while it was cramping our Sunday leftover style and we failed dismally. So I devised a plan. A trial for this Spirited Family. No meat on Tuesdays and Thursdays, if you can manage two days a week 🙂

Tuesdays and Thursdays are meat free days in our house. Even visitors have to adapt. Alternately, just bring your own food when you’re visiting if you don’t like our schedule.

So instead of conforming to societal norms…and you know how much I despise being put in a box- I created our norm. It doesn’t always work out but it is yielding magnificent results. For me though. I can feel my body perform optimally when it is being nourished. This might sound strange BUT my body doesn’t like me if I have too much red meat. I can have fish all the time, chicken in moderation because who in the world only eats chicken. So the combination of adding a little meat every now and then with all the meat free varieties available is working for me.

And there is a term for this lifestyle…I’m a FLEXITARIAN

My family indulges my lifestyle by simply eating what is on offer BUT these days they are loving the meals. One particular product, the Fry’s chicken style nuggets! I’ve had countless arguments over the fact that it IS a plant based nugget. There is NO chicken in there. It just tastes THAT good!

Have you tried the Fry’s chicken style nuggets?

On another note, the Fry’s products are very quick and easy to prepare. As we use them regularly, we’re experimenting with different cooking methods/adding sauces/condiments.

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Change your mindset…. It is NOT meat, so be open to new possibilities.

We are NOT vegetarian and neither are we vegan. We just made a conscious decision to incorporate small changes into our lifestyle to becoming a healthier family. A more plant based approach to a healthier lifestyle. We’ve made small changes and set some realistic goals.

Verdict from Dude – we’re moving in the right direction with our meat free meals.

Listen to your body! It knows what YOU need!

Spirited Mama

P.S. watch the video below if you want to find out how Fry’s Family Food Co came into existence.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYUSNkeSDqk

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Find your SPIRIT with Southern Comfort Black

By spiritedmama1

On March 20, 2019

In Food & drinks, Lifestyle

All-new Southern Comfort Black to Encompass the Spirit of New Orleans

Although I am a mom of two boys, I do enjoy a whisky or two every now and then 🙂 I’m not a big fan of adding mixers and sodas to my whisky. I prefer to have it on the rocks! Also, I watch my calorie intake 🙂

On Wednesday, 13 March 2018, the Really Great Brand Company announced the launch of their brand-new bold offering; Southern Comfort Black during a New Orleans inspired event at the Living Room – Maboneng’s plant-filled rooftop café. A diverse group of media were introduced to the new bold, robust whiskey-forward blend while experiencing the Spirit of the South through the sights, sounds and food delicacies of this exciting city.

Southern Comfort Black perfectly maintains the iconic flavours of Southern Comfort Original, but includes subtle spice and fruity accents, placing it in a league of its own.

In 1874, founder and legendary southerner M.W. Heron, created the first batch of his genuine smooth-drinking whiskey, blended with his very own fruits and spices. The original recipe is fitting for a whiskey that’s still deeply rooted in the local flavour and vibrant soul of one of the most unforgettable places in the world – New Orleans. Where there’s a party on every street, a story behind every door, and a mischievous smile inviting you to be part of it all.

“While our latest offering carries on the legacy of M.W. Heron, it also celebrates Sazerac master spirits blender Drew Mayville, who is responsible for this bolder profile,” says Southern Comfort Brand Manager, Grant de Jager. “Fittingly, the black label, truly takes the original Southern Comfort experience up a notch – for those of you who like their extra-smooth whiskey, extra bold!” he adds.

Best served with a variety of mixers, soda water or simply on the rocks, Southern Comfort Black is dark, mysterious and mostly – sophisticated. Available at all major retail stores, nationwide.

Do you drink whisky?

Are you willing to try some Southern Comfort Black?

Cheers!

Spirited Mama

Disclaimer: Pictures were supplied by Ronamo Media.

LiveLifeWell with Wellness Warehouse & One Messy Mama… part 9 + WIN

By spiritedmama1

On February 20, 2019

In Lifestyle, Wellness

**Disclaimer – Jacqui, from One Messy Mama received a gift card to purchase any item on her wish list from Wellness Warehouse. The views and opinions expressed are Jacqui’s own. Photo credit go to Jacqui, all images supplied by her 🙂 **

I decided to feature a series of Wellness posts to find out how other moms #LiveLifeWell The purpose of this series is to enlighten readers and show you how small changes can yield big results for you and your family too.

Part 9 – LiveLifeWell with Wellness Warehouse & One Messy Mama

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The Bester Family

1. The woman behind One Messy Mama – meet Jacqui Bester

I’m Jacqui, mom to 5 adorable and rambunctious children aged 8,7,6,4 and 1. I wake up each day in one hot mess, running between working full time, authoring my first children’s novel and trying to remember whether I should be packing a tennis racket, cricket bat or ballet pumps 🙂 I live by my colour coded calendar, surviving many #momfails and trying to make it all look normal in just a days work.

Life can become so hectic for all of us parents. That’s why I started my blog, One Messy Mama, because life is exactly that…Messy – on a good day 🙂 It’s normal too feel overwhelmed, exhausted and filled with the most incredible joy in just 5 minutes flat.

2. Why you choose to #livelifewell

I’m just going to be honest here, my one irritation about being a mom, is that I have to make 4 lunch boxes EVERY.MORNING. There is only so much creativity a mom can handle, whilst trying to make sure that what they are eating is nutritious and filling (have you seen how much boys eat?)

Nutritious food is paramount in the cognitive development and academic performance of our children. I choose to inspire my children to #livelifewell by providing lunch snacks that will give them the energy they need for the day, but also taste scrumptious. And yes, maybe sneaking in a few veggies in the process.

3. Share with us what you bought at Wellness Warehouse

I love baking and experimenting with different flavours. Wellness Warehouse has a wonderful variety of healthy products that can be added to muffins, granola bars, cookies and more. My children don’t have a clue that they might be eating an avocado muffin 🙂 They just keep running back for more.

My baking “go-to” list of essentials from WW include:

-Gluten Free Choc-Chip Muffin Mix (I sure don’t have time to start from scratch – muffin mixes are a quick alternative)

– Wheat and Gluten Free Chocolate Muffin Mix

– Organic Peanut Butter and Coconut Oats

– Sugar Free Granola

– Goji Berries

– Fruit & Nut Seed Mix

– Pine Nuts

– Raw Honey

With all these yummy ingredients, I plan to make the following and will be posting them on my blog.

– Avocado and Pine Nut Choc-Chip Muffins (Luckily my children are not allergic to nuts)

– Goji Berry Granola Bars

– Sweet Potato and Chocolate Muffins

– Coconut Oat Cookies

Let me just say, I don’t always get the healthy lunch box right. Sometimes I am in such a hurry that I grab the nearest packet of chips and hope for the best. Spending some time in the kitchen over a weekend and baking up a batch of goodies, helps me feel organised. I then know that on a busy morning, when my coffee is getting cold and I am fighting with a child that won’t put on their shoes or brush their teeth, that I won’t be scrambling for the chips, but rather a healthier food option.

Where to find Jacqui

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/onemessymama4/

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/onemessymama/

Twitter – https://twitter.com/onemessymama4

Pinterest – https://za.pinterest.com/onemessymama/

Blog – www.onemessymama.com

Win a R500 gift card with Wellness Warehouse & OneMessyMama. Follow the link below

Spirited Mama

T’s & C’s apply

In case you missed it:

Part 1 – LiveLifeWell with Wellness Warehouse & Spirited Mama

Part 2 – LiveLifeWell with Wellness Warehouse & High Heels and Fairy Tales

Part 3 – Back to school snacks to LiveLifeWell with Wellness Warehouse & Mammachef Jozi

Part 4 – Smoothie bowl to LiveLifeWell with Life’s A Treat & Wellness Warehouse

Part 5 – Treating yourself to LiveLifeWell with Wellness Warehouse & Mel’s Postbox

Part 6 – LiveLifeWell with Wellness Warehouse & Tonic and Tiaras

Part 7 – LiveLifeWell with Wellness Warehouse & The Non Adventures of A Stay-At-Home-Mum

Part 8 – Pomegranate Aloe Margarita to LiveLIfeWell with Whisky of the Week & Wellness Warehouse

This is the FINAL post in this series.

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Pomegranate Aloe Margarita to LiveLifeWell with Whisky of the Week & Wellness Warehouse…part 8 +WIN

By spiritedmama1

On February 13, 2019

In Lifestyle, Wellness

**Disclaimer – Jeannette, from Whisky of the Week received a gift card to purchase any item on her wish list from Wellness Warehouse. The views and opinions expressed are Jeannette’s own. Photo credit go to Jeannette, all images supplied by her 🙂 **

Part 8 – LiveLifeWell with Wellness Warehouse & Whisky of the Week

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Jeannette Wentzel

1. The woman behind Whisky of the Week – meet Jeannette Wentzel

After many years in Corporate, I became a SAHM when our daughter was about 3 years old. In the beginning, being at home was frustrating and I started the Whisky of the Week blog as a place where I can learn something new and keep my mind busy.

We have been collecting whisky for a couple of years and the Whisky of the Week blog allowed me a place to capture the notes of the whisky we tasted and a place to interact with grown-ups every now and again. Over the years, Whisky of the Week has evolved into a more creative space and now include cocktails, gin and rum reviews and food pairings.

2. Why you choose to #livelifewell

Being an active mom running after a little one, I wanted to stay as healthy as I can. And I believe that unhealthy food has a big impact on our health. However, I needed a healthy option that fits into our lifestyle. I also wanted to set good examples for my child on eating good healthy food and finding balance. Having fun with cocktails, but in a responsible (and healthy) manner.

On a Friday evening, we seldom cook dinner. We make a snack platter, that I pair with a glass of whisky, wine or a cocktail. It is an alternative to take away dinner on Friday and we sit outside on the patio to eat, chat and relax. It is a special family routine that we all look forward too.

I usually include cheese, crackers, condiments, biltong, nuts and olives. And this is where Wellness Warehouse is so great. They have a wide variety of healthy snack options. My husband likes wheat free snacks and I want low fat options. Getting interesting snacks from Wellness warehouse allows us to snack on fun food but with a perfect balance.

3. Share with us what you bought at Wellness Warehouse

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Totally Wild Pomegranate and Aloe juice – it is delicious and healthy and makes a great margarita cocktail – See recipe below

Fiorentini Bio Rice Snack in Rosemary – It is gluten free and not fried and perfect to accompany some soft cheese.

Eat Real Hummus Chips – They have no added sugar and are gluten free and suitable for vegans. Perfect to scoop up beetroot hummus with

Eat Real Lentil Chips in Tomato and Basil flavour – just delicious

Giant Roasted Peanuts – My hubbies’ favourite. He can munch on them the whole day.

Dry Roasted Pistachios – My daughters’ favourite – she loves finding the delicious nut inside the shell.

Japanese Rice Crackers – Brings a colourful note to the platter

Olyvenbosch Kalamata Olives – Snacking on olives with some cheese makes for a wonderful pairing with a glass of whisky or wine.

Che Gourmet Dan-Muji Korean Sweet Picked Radish for some colour and to add a bit of a zing.

Here are some wonderful juices and flavoured sparkling waters at Wellness Warehouse as well that works perfect in cocktails. That is just what I did this past Friday when I used the Pomegranate and Aloe Juice to make an easy, delicious (and not too unhealthy) Margarita.

Pomegranate Aloe Margarita

Makes 1 drink

Ingredients

150 ml Totally Wild Pomegranate And Aloe juice

50 ml Tequila

25 ml Cointreau or Triple Sec liqueur

Ice

Pomegranate seeds

Salt

How To make

Place salt on a small plate. Dip the rim of a glass into a bit of water and dip in salt (if desired). Add ice cubes to the glass.
Combine all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker, add some ice and shake. Then strain into the prepared glass. Garnish with some basil leaves and pomegranate seeds. Serve with some healthy snack options and sit back and relax.

Where to find Whisky of the Week

Facebook: Whisky of the Week

Twitter: @whiskyoftheweek

Instagram: Whisky of the Week

Blog : https://whiskyoftheweek.co.uk/

Win a R500 gift card with Wellness Warehouse & Whisky of the Week. Click HERE

Spirited Mama

T’s & C’s apply

In case you missed it:

Part 1 – LiveLifeWell with Wellness Warehouse & Spirited Mama

Part 2 – LiveLifeWell with Wellness Warehouse & High Heels and Fairy Tales

Part 3 – Back to school snacks to LiveLifeWell with Wellness Warehouse & Mammachef Jozi

Part 4 – Smoothie bowl to LiveLifeWell with Life’s A Treat & Wellness Warehouse

Part 5 – Treating yourself to LiveLifeWell with Wellness Warehouse & Mel’s Postbox

Part 6 – LiveLifeWell with Wellness Warehouse & Tonic and Tiaras

Part 7 – LiveLifeWell with Wellness Warehouse & The Non Adventures of a Stay-At-Home-Mum

NB! Remember to subscribe to my blog to catch the other parts and giveaways in this series.

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LiveLifeWell with Wellness Warehouse & The Non Adventures of A Stay-At-Home-Mum… part 7 + WIN

By spiritedmama1

On February 6, 2019

In Lifestyle, Wellness

**Disclaimer – Nadia, from The Non Adventures of A Stay-At-Home_Mum received a gift card to purchase any item on her wish list from Wellness Warehouse. The views and opinions expressed are Nadia’s own. Photo credit go to Nadia, all images supplied by her 🙂 **

Part 7 – LiveLifeWell with Wellness Warehouse & The Non Adventures of A Stay-At-Home-Mum

Nadia Gabriel

1. The woman behind The Non Adventures of A Stay-At-Home-Mum – meet Nadia Gabriel

I am a mum to two amazing little girls (5 & 2) and when I am not at their beck and call,I blog. Writing about my parenting journey helps me to process all the big feelings that come with this weighty position of Parent. At the same time, I am trying to balance my own individuality as a Woman with that of being a Mother. It’s not easy, but its definitely worth it.

2. Why you choose to #livelifewell

For me, Living Life Well means being more conscious and conscientious in my choices. In the case of this review, it meant choosing products that are both animal friendly AND safe for the environment while still fitting within the confines of my budget. As a mum, I like to teach by example and my kids and they notice and ask engaging questions when I use the grey water to water the garden. This started a conversation on bio degradable products and water saving. You will be surprised at how much your child picks up from you, both good and bad I guess! Haha!

3. Share with us what you bought at Wellness Warehouse

I chose 4 household products and one skin care product to test out. I just picked the one product for skin care because I have really sensitive skin and I’m always hesitant to try anything new.

First let me say that every single one of these products gets 10/10 for fragrance! Soooooo good!

Ok, back to the nitty gritty:

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* Auto Dishwashing Liquid (Citrus) – If you own a dishwasher then you NEED this bottle in your life! I had never used gel in my dishwasher before and when the instructions said ‘Add 5-10ml to your dishwashing machine dispenser‘ I rolled my eyes and thought ‘yeah right, as if that’s going to be enough’. It is ENOUGH! My dishes came out spotless and without any watermarks on the glasses. It is R70 for this bottle but at 10ml a wash, you’re getting FIFTY washes out of it. FIFTY!!! I’m going to come right out and say that this is the Best Find of 2019!

* Dishwashing Liquid (Lemongrass and Lime) – I wanted to love this product purely based on scent but at R56 a bottle it just isn’t value for money. The instructions on the bottle say ‘Add 5-10ml to a sink of hot water‘ which is entirely insufficient to clean my dishes. I ended up squirting the liquid onto a sponge and washing as per usual. I wouldn’t purchase this again.

* Multi Surface Cleaner (Lemon & Lime) – I am a little heart sore about this product because my helper broke the little clip that locks the nozzle into its open/close position and controls quantity. What this means is that every pump of the bottle now expels 2 or 3 times as much as it should. However, if you do not break the bottle then it is worth it. The bottle is R88 but I found that a little goes a long way in comparison to other surface cleaners. Your counters will also become incredibly sniff worthy.

* Air Freshener (Grapefruit) – We all know that air fresheners are meant to go in the bathroom but I can’t bear to leave mine there. I use it as a room (more like house) spray so that the whole place smells fresh and clean. This was R43 and I would buy it again. It is way better than any of the floral scents that really do not disguise anything…

(Side note – All the Wellness cleaning products are biodegradable which means you can use the grey water (dirty water) from washing dishes for example, to water the garden. Yay for saving the environment while also saving money!)

* Natures Gate Charcoal Body Scrub (Butter Mint) – Do you remember the Humbug sweet? Well you will literally smell like a delicious and smooth Humbug after this. First of all, I had zero issues in terms of skin sensitivity. Secondly, I have never felt so polished! You use the tiniest pea sized amount and massage it into your skin, one section at time. You will feel the difference as soon as you rinse off. Jarrod is also loving this scrub which is rather unfortunate because I wish it would last foreverrrrrr! This was R136 and I will buy it again in a heartbeat, though I’m keen to try the coconut next.

Where to find Nadia:

Facebook: @thenonadventuresofasahm

Instagram: @thenonadventuresofasahm

Blog: www.thenonadventuresofasahm.com

Twitter: @NonAdvOfAsahm

Win a R500 gift card with Wellness Warehouse & The Non Adventures of A Stay-At-Home-Mum. Follow the link below

Spirited Mama

T’s & C’s apply

In case you missed it:

Part 1 – LiveLifeWell with Wellness Warehouse & Spirited Mama

Part 2 – LiveLifeWell with Wellness Warehouse & High Heels and Fairy Tales

Part 3 – Back to school snacks to LiveLifeWell with Wellness Warehouse & Mammachef Jozi

Part 4 – Smoothie bowl to LiveLifeWell with Life’s A Treat & Wellness Warehouse

Part 5 – Treating yourself to LiveLifeWell with Wellness Warehouse & Mel’s Postbox

Part 6 – LiveLifeWell with Wellness Warehouse & Tonic and Tiaras

NB! Remember to subscribe to my blog to catch the other parts and giveaways in this series.

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Create YOUR LifeStyle space with Homemakers Expo + WIN

By spiritedmama1

On February 4, 2019

In Expos, Lifestyle

**Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post. However, the views and opinions expressed are my own. Some information was supplied by HomemakersOnline to give the reader an better understanding of what to expect. All images supplied by HomemakersOnline**

Create your LifeStyle space

If you are looking for some inspiration to create YOUR happy space, you need to visit the Homemakers Expo. It’s sort of a one stop shop for you to channel you inner creative or be a little “Martha Stewart” ish 🙂

The theme for the Johannesburg expo is “Raw Comfort”. Just saying that makes me want to strip the walls of paint and expose some brick. Goodness knows what is actually underneath all the layers as I highly doubt it’ll be the pretty red brick finishes you see in magazines. Nevertheless, the expo is there to help people like me find creative ways to bring your living spaces to life with fresh/funky/classic/vintage/trendy ideas.

My husband is always looking for innovative ways to liven up our living spaces at home and ways to create a family space to get us to spend more quality time together. Me, well… I google what I think would work in our home and the husband makes it happen.

Google will have to wait as the time has arrived where we literally get to ooh and ahh over beautifully created lifestyle spaces all under one roof. Whether you are looking to improve and/or upgrade your home for yourself or the buyers market, the Homemakers Expo is happening in Johannesburg and you don’t want to miss out on this.

Homemakers Expo guidance for a room makeover

The timing for this expo couldn’t have been any better. We’re at the point now where we need to convert Joshua’s room into a more “tween” friendly and possibly a bit further into the teens room. He’s quite easy going and knows what he likes and dislikes. I am very interested to hear his opinion and get an idea of what he would like for his room makeover. This expo is going to be an interesting one. Let’s just hope we can agree on some ideas.

Product transparency is also a growing trend; we shop with a higher conscience focusing on wellness and sustainability, wanting to know the person or story behind our purchase.

In keeping up with trends, I see more and more consumers moving towards a “this works for me and my lifestyle” in their lives and homes. I’ve never liked to be confined to societal norms and I don’t believe that there is a “one size fits all” mould. I thoroughly enjoy these types of expos as they incorporate a whole range of lifestyle ideas. There IS something for everyone. I am yet to meet someone who didn’t connect with anything at the expo.

So if you are stuck for ideas, they have their own ideas setup about what could work in a particular living space. What I enjoy most is having the experts right there to guide you and advise you on what to do/try/use.

Johannesburg HOMEMAKERS Expo

28 Feb – 3 March 2019 | Ticketpro Dome, Johannesburg

Show times: Thurs & Fri 10:00 – 19:00 | Sat & Sun 09:00 – 18:00
Entrance: R100 Adults, R60 Pensioners, R20 Scholars, Children under 12 – free

This year the Johannesburg HOMEMAKERS Expo brings you the stories and the best products in home improvement. The Expo is where you can come face-to-face with the craftspeople or knowledgeable experts who provide visitors with the best understanding of the product.

The show helps to expand dialogue between homeowners and suppliers also offering ways for you to see, touch, feel and compare products and services.

The 2019 theme of Raw Comfort, embraces perfect imperfections, and through various talks and demonstrations we will show you how to get in touch with a more organic world.

Here’s what you can look forward to when visiting the Homemakers Expo:

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The Tuis|Home Theatre
The ever popular tuis|home theatre is back with food, wine and DIY demonstrations. Join us for a fun filled programme that will leave you skilled and inspired!

Books and Banter Theatre
A first ever and exclusive to Johannesburg, HOMEMAKERS Expo will host a Wordsmith Theatre where Editor’s will gather in forum, where book publishers will sit amongst the writer and where we can comfortably look deeper into the lives and stories of everyday bloggers. Meet these book / digital heroes that we so often meet inside the books/tablets sitting on our bedsides.

Raw Workshops
The Raw workshop will bring a wealth of interesting demonstrations where craftsmen show off the beginnings of their product of trade. Find yourself at the heart of the development of manufacturing lines of products that we dream and plan to have in our homes.

Some of the raw products that you will get to know better in this theatre involve the making of steel creations, glass, wool and weaving and of course the ever popular medium of cement. Meet us in the Raw workshop where we will bring a refreshing showcase of how to work with concrete and how to use it in your décor. Proudly brought to you by World of Decorative Concrete.

For the Love of Concrete Art & Design Competition
Hosted in collaboration with World of Decorative Concrete

See big ideas brought to life in this selected exhibition of the top entries in For the Love of Concrete Art & Design Competition. Help raise funds for the charities supported by HOMEMAKERScare and take your favourite artwork home with you by placing a bid in the auction box on any of the four show days.

Young Designers Challenge
This challenge is made possible by Vermont Sales
The creative geniuses at the University of Johannesburg accepted the challenge to turn an existing power tool into a dual purpose machine. Their new hybrid tools could see a drill turn into a food processor. Visit the expo to experience the evolved multipurpose tools of the future.

Truly Artisan and Pets
Truly Artisan will once again not disappoint with the latest styles and buys for your home and pawesome family members.

D’Vine Life
Families, friends and food-loving fanatics can whet their appetites to their hearts’ content at the HOMEMAKERS Food Market. Delightful delicacies await those with a passion for varying cuisine!

Where to find Homemakers online #hmexpo
Twitter – @SAHomemakers

Facebook – www.facebook.com/HOMEMAKERSonline

Instagram – HOMEMAKERS_Expo

Want to WIN tickets to visit the HomeMakers Expo?

I have x10 double tickets up for grabs. You can enter via:

Instagram @spiritedmamablog
FaceBook @spiritedmama1
Twitter @spirited_mama1

Good luck!

Spirited Mama

T’s & C’s

**Competition closes Sunday 17 February 2019 at 23:59. Winners will be announced on my social media accounts by 22 February 2019.
Open to South African residents only.
Winners will be randomly selected.
No correspondence will be entered into once a winner is selected. I reserve the right to disqualify invalid entries. **

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Bottoms up with Pampers Baby Dry, Air Magic

By spiritedmama1

On January 31, 2019

In Parenting, Reviews

**Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post. The new Pampers Baby Dry nappies were sent to us to review. However, the views and opinions expressed are my own. **

We’ve always used Pampers nappies. My eldest son, now 9 years old, was raised on Pampers nappies. When we were preparing for our youngest son, he just turned 2 years, we knew that with juggling two kids there was no time for trial runs. We would stick to what we knew worked best when Joshua was a baby. There was no time for trial and error. We stocked up on Pampers nappies and I am happy to report that we still only use Pampers nappies.

Bottoms up with Pampers

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Noah sampling the new Pampers Baby Dry nappy

Featured here is my “bum model” or as he refers to himself “bum mondel” 🙂 First impression was that the nappy stayed put on a wriggly toddler, thanks to a new improved design for Anti-leakage barriers. A big plus is that the size we are currently using is the size we still use in the new nappy. It just fits the “bottom” better. My model couldn’t be phased as he is way to enticed with the new exterior finishes and points out which animals are displayed. Technically, you could be teaching your child whilst simply doing a nappy / diaper change. #parentingwin

Pampers introduces new ‘Baby Dry’ – the first and only nappy with 2 Air channels

Pampers is constantly developing new ways to bring the best possible nappies to parents and baby, which is why they are launching the new Pampers Baby-Dry #PampersAirMagic with “2 Air channels” to allow air flow directly to your baby’s bum, for breathable dryness. #PampersBabyDry has been specially designed to distribute wetness evenly from front the back across nappy and lock it away even better allowing your baby to enjoy up to 12 hours of dryness. Pampers nappies are thus less bulky and don’t sag, providing great fit and more freedom of movement for your baby.

In all our years of using Pampers, I’ve never had to worry about nappy rash, leaks or night changing caused by the nappy. I would literally put a nappy on after bath time, normally around 7pm. First nappy change is anywhere between 6am to sometimes 10 am.

As we all know these days as soon as a product is changed it no longer works as well as it used to. In fact, it very seldom performs better than it’s predecessor.

Pampers has established a new standard of excellence with the launch of #PampersAirMagic #PampersAirMagicMoment Air Channel in their Pampers Baby-Dry range.

I am here to tell you it works better than it’s previous version. No funny smell, no heavy nappy that my child is tripping over the weight of a full nappy; and a major bonus – even when there were soft poo’s the nappy worked better than I expected. This has been tried an tested with my bum model for round two of parenting.

No parent needs to be sleep deprived unnecessarily because of a “wet” nappy

Imagine you had to sleep with a wet bottom. I bet you’ll wake up too… The Air channels are designed for air to flow freely inside the nappy. The Air channels provide your baby with breathable dryness. And parents like you understand the importance of airflow directly to baby’s skin as hot and moist skin can cause rashes.

The innovation provides air channels directly to your baby’s bottom for breathable dryness which allows for an undisturbed night of sleep.

Premium Care vs Baby Dry Air Magic

Compared to the Pampers Premium Care we normally use, the new Baby Dry nappy is also soft and has the stretchy sides. I would like the sides to be a little longer though, to give the sticky part something extra to grip on. But after testing the Baby Dry, it seems to hold in place throughout wearing either way. Another plus is the Baby Dry comes up way more in the baby’s back than the Premium Care does.

PSA: New parents – You are going to need this extra coverage for those monster poops that run all the way up the baby’s back…TMI, but parents out there can back me on this!

At this stage, only the smaller sizes on the Baby Dry have the wetness indicator, whereas the Premium Care has the indicator on all sizes.

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Are you excited to try the new Pampers Baby Dry nappy?

Here’s what to look forward to with the new Pampers Baby Dry nappy:

Air channels – 2 Air-channels that ensure baby’s bottom is dry and less damp
Anti-Leakage Barriers – Provides great fit to help prevent leaks
Absorbent Micro Pearls – An inner layer with Micropearls that are able to absorb up to 30x of its own weight and help lock away wetness for up to 12 hours
Dry layer – Absorbs wetness and keeping it away from baby’s skin
Baby Lotion – Helps protect babies skin from rashes
New design – Our nappies also have new interior & exterior designs.
Wetness indicator on small sizes – Turns blue when the baby wets his nappy

The Pampers Baby Dry product name replaces the previous Active Baby Dry name. The new packing is clearly marked with the “Air Channels” symbol. There is a slight difference in the weight ranges so be sure to check that you purchase the correct size according to your baby’s weight. We still use size 5 and like I mentioned previously, the new Baby Dry fits the bottom better.

The nappies retail for around R230, across all major SA retailers. For now it’s only the sizes 4 – 6, but sizes 1-3 will also be introduced into the market in the coming months.

Bottoms up!

Spirited Mama

#PampersAirMagic

#PampersAirMagicMoment

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LiveLifeWell with Wellness Warehouse & Tonic and Tiaras… part 6 + WIN

By spiritedmama1

On January 30, 2019

In Lifestyle, Wellness

**Disclaimer – Chanene, from Tonic and Tiaras received a gift card to purchase any item on her wish list from Wellness Warehouse. The views and opinions expressed are Chanene’s own. Photo credit go to Chanene, all images supplied by her 🙂 **

Part 6 – LiveLifeWell with Wellness Warehouse & Tonic and Tiaras

Chanene, aka Ms Chanaynay and her girls

1. The woman behind Tonic and Tiaras – meet Chanene Ablett

My name is Chanene I am a mom of two who blogs over at Tonic and Tiaras. I love puns and in general love life. Whilst I do not always get it right I try hard. Whilst my family and some friends do not think I am that funny I think I am hilarious. J My coping mechanism is humour and I hope to be able to make to just one person smile a day.

My journey began when I realised that the term ‘wellness’ encompasses so many things. Wellness had never really been a priority of mine, but that all changed after I had children. Shortly after my girls came along, I had a health scare.

It was after the health scare when I first became interested in the Wellness arena. I had this need to find the perfect recipe of vitamins and food for myself, my children and my husband. Four different individuals but one solution. One that was hopefully not going to cost a fortune either.

There I was searching for answers, online of course. However, this, in fact, just gave me more questions, and the need for more answers.

2. Why you choose to #livelifewell

My Wellness quest begins with Wellness Warehouse.

In my wellness quest, the topics that I have researched on numerous occasions are food and vitamins. I believe that we need to supplement our nutrients as we cannot always go the organic and grass-fed vegetable route. My pitch to Wellness Warehouse was that I would use the voucher to sample some current trends in the health and wellness sector that could help my whole family simultaneously.

3. Share with us what you bought at Wellness Warehouse

Vitamin Nay-sayers

I would take my mission seriously as I did not want to pay for an expensive wee, as some people will eye roll when it comes to the subject of vitamins.

As my girls have grown older, they are not with me every second so the control of all things sweet and decadent is really in their 5 and 7 year-old hands. I struggle as a grown up when it comes to making the right choices so after some intense discussion with my lovely Wellness Warehouse representative, I chose the following products in my pursuit of what is new on the shelves and how it can help me and my family on our wellness journey.

Stop, deliberate and listen

After much deliberation, I went with the Collagen Complex from Nutrilife. Collagen was on my radar for a while and after reading FitLikeMummy’s post on her experience and then confirming with the Store manager, yip it’s still going strong. It’s still on top of the purchase list for most people entering their store. I chose the powder so that I can incorporate it into smoothies and cereals. From chatting around with others seeking wellness, one of the biggest success stories was shared with me by a fellow parent. She used it on her husband’s Rheumatoid Arthritis and has never looked back.

Snacks that are in store

With the rest of my spending I looked at what was currently trending on the snack food front for children and what was newish in store:

I opted for the Organic Corn Chips. This one was a no brainer cos I love me some nachos and if it’s organic I feel like what a mom win.

Frozen Organic Ice pockets. I am quite sad that I didn’t get myself one to taste test because there was no sharing with my girls.

We tried the Red Lentils Snack too. This is the puffed lentil chip. Whilst Miss K was not a fan, Miss T enjoyed them but in small quantities which for me helps as it also stops over-snacking.

Coconut chips were next. Did my girls and I enjoy them? Keep a lookout for my social media. The same to be said for the vegan biltong. Yes – that’s a real thing!

As for the sleep aid, I am still reviewing this. My oldest struggles a little and I want to try it out for myself before I give it to her.

The best find, and it really was a selfish one, was the Irene’s Gourmet Eastern Delight and the raw Kimchi. Due to struggling with my gut health I am always on the lookout in this department. With Kimchi popping up constantly in my research I was not letting this one get away. I love pickles and all things fermented so was this a winner! Yes, yes it was me for me.

Some extra trends I have embraced:

When I initially pitched, another trend was turmeric and green tea capsules. I currently take those two and haven’t stopped hence the reason for me not purchasing them on this trip.

I have been down the Kefir route and during this time I failed in getting my girls to drink it however I have many friends who have perfected the Kefir shot for themselves and their family. If Kefir is on your radar to try, they do stock it. One to the best hacks I was given on the kefir maintenance was to put it in a muslin cloth and then it’s a matter of just popping it into the next jar of fresh milk, instead of the constant cleaning and thinking.

Where to find Chanene:

Facebook: @TonicAndTiaras

Twitter: @mschanaynay

Instagram: @tonic_and_tiaras

Blog – www.tonicandtiaras.co.za

Win a R500 gift card with Wellness Warehouse & Tonic and Tiaras. Follow the link below

Spirited Mama

T’s & C’s apply

In case you missed it:

Part 1 – LiveLifeWell with Wellness Warehouse & Spirited Mama

Part 2 – LiveLifeWell with Wellness Warehouse & High Heels and Fairy Tales

Part 3 – Back to school snacks to LiveLifeWell with Wellness Warehouse & Mammachef Jozi

Part 4 – Smoothie bowl to LiveLifeWell with Life’s A Treat & Wellness Warehouse

Part 5 – Treating yourself to LiveLifeWell with Wellness Warehouse & Mel’s Postbox

NB! Remember to subscribe to my blog to catch the other parts and giveaways in this series.

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Treating yourself to Live Life Well with Wellness Warehouse & Mel’s Postbox… Part 5 + Win

By spiritedmama1

On January 23, 2019

In Lifestyle, Wellness

**Disclaimer – Melissa, from Mel’s Postbox, received a gift card to purchase any item on her wish list from Wellness Warehouse. The views and opinions expressed are Melissa’s own. Photo credit go to Melissa, all images supplied by her 🙂 **

Part 5 – LiveLifeWell with Wellness Warehouse & Mel’s Postbox

Melissa Javan

1. The woman behind Mel’s Postbox – meet Melissa

I’m Melissa Javan, a mom of a three year old girl and I’m married to a musician. Although I’m a Writer by trade and I do content marketing. As a hobby I blog about personal finance and motherhood. I started blogging when my baby was six months old, as a way to find myself again. In the process, I’ve learned how to live intentionally and I get the opportunity to talk to other moms (also bloggers) on things like health, parenthood and sisterhood.

2. Why you choose to #livelifewell

I found that I spend a lot of money on take outs while being at work. This was an unhealthy way of living, so I’ve decided to plan my lunches at home and bring lunch and snacks from home. I’m on a mission to become debt free so that I can save more money for my child’s future, for example.

I also want my little girl to eat healthy snacks (she’s forever asking for sweeties), that’s why I’m opting to finding healthier options.

My last reason is of course the fact that our health is our wealth. Husband works during the night and he’s always snacking too.

3. Share with us what you bought at Wellness Warehouse

I bought a lot of healthy snacks like quinoa chips (yummy), mixed nuts, dried fruit and snacks called nibbles. I’m a big chips lover, so the quinoa chips is a healthier version. It’s tasty and reminds me a little of popcorn too. Most of the other snacks are for my daughter and husband. My daughter loves asking for “sweeties”, then I give her dried fruit instead.

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Where to find Melissa:

Blog: www.melissajavan.co.za

Twitter: @melissa_nel

Instagram: @melissajavan

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MelsPostbox/

Win a R500 gift card with Wellness Warehouse & Mel’s Postbox. Follow the link below

Spirited Mama

T’s & C’s apply

In case you missed it:

Author: spiritedmama1 Page 5 of 36

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Meat free Monday didn’t work

And this is how we discovered Fry’s products

And there is a term for this lifestyle…I’m a FLEXITARIAN

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Part 9 – LiveLifeWell with Wellness Warehouse & One Messy Mama

Win a R500 gift card with Wellness Warehouse & OneMessyMama. Follow the link below

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Part 8 – LiveLifeWell with Wellness Warehouse & Whisky of the Week

Win a R500 gift card with Wellness Warehouse & Whisky of the Week. Click HERE

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Part 7 – LiveLifeWell with Wellness Warehouse & The Non Adventures of A Stay-At-Home-Mum

Win a R500 gift card with Wellness Warehouse & The Non Adventures of A Stay-At-Home-Mum. Follow the link below

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Create your LifeStyle space

Homemakers Expo guidance for a room makeover

Here’s what you can look forward to when visiting the Homemakers Expo:

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Bottoms up with Pampers

Pampers introduces new ‘Baby Dry’ – the first and only nappy with 2 Air channels

No parent needs to be sleep deprived unnecessarily because of a “wet” nappy

Premium Care vs Baby Dry Air Magic

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Part 6 – LiveLifeWell with Wellness Warehouse & Tonic and Tiaras

Win a R500 gift card with Wellness Warehouse & Tonic and Tiaras. Follow the link below

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Part 5 – LiveLifeWell with Wellness Warehouse & Mel’s Postbox

Win a R500 gift card with Wellness Warehouse & Mel’s Postbox. Follow the link below

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