Archive for June, 2011

Catch Merle from Jozikids.co.za on Jacaranda FM every Sunday morning, to find out what to do with your kids and families today and in the week ahead.

If you haven’t discovered it yet, Jozikids.co.za is the most up to date and detailed resource for parents in the Gauteng region to find what you need including events, activities, venues and lessons.

Let’s see what we’ve got for you today and the week ahead.

I want to start with new children’s theatre productions that started this week in Jo burg

Alice in Wonderland at the People’s Theatre, in Braamfontein,
Oliver Twist at the National Children’s Theatre, in Parktown and
Romeo and Juliet performed by the South African Ballet Theatre at the Mandela Theatre, Jhb, June 7-19. For Grade 10 learners studying Romeo and Juliet as a set work book, there is a  special (shortened) performance on June 14th at a cost of only R50.

Another musical for the whole family is 60s Summer of Love Barnyard, Boksburg, on until Jul 10. Where you can take your kids to hear music from The Beatles, The Mammas and The Pappas, Jimi Hendrix, Creedence Clear Water Revival, Janis Joplin, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young and many more

Then there’s Youth Day on Thursday and once again we have loads on offer for you.

If you want to support a charity -
Chocolate Festival for School of the Blind, Melville

If you want to see animals
Bird Garden at Montecasino, Fourways
Crocodile Feeding at Croc City Crocodile Farm, Fourways
Elephant Sanctuary open days, Hartbeespoort
Lory Park Zoo open days, President Park

How about some action
Compu-Kart Raceway go- karting, Edenvale East Rand/Ekurhuleni
Go-karting in Menlo Park Pretoria
Zwartkops Quad Centre Centurion, Jun 16

Or if the weather remains so cold you may want to find an indoor playground
Play Days at Oki Doki, Linden,
Jimmy Jungles indoor play area, Randburg,
Jungle Rumble indoor playground, Mulbarton

Here’s wishing everyone a wonderful day and I’ll be back with Amor next Sunday with ideas of what you can do with your kids and families.

Well that’s it from me. Remember you can find more ideas of what to do with your family in the Gauteng region on Jozikids.co.za

Recipes supplied by  Richard Rust , a fabulous, 5 star trained, gourmet chef. He has cooked for, amongst others, British royalty, Woolworths and written for Taste magazine. His company Gourmet Gurus caters for children’s parties; lunch boxes; private/corporate functions and dinner parties.

Wonderful soup for cold wintry days. For a vegetarian option replace the bacon with feta and the chicken stock with vegetable stock. You can also make this a low fat (almost fat free) by removing the bacon and replacing the butter with a drop of oil. This soup is also great for freezing and keeps for 4 days in the fridge.

Serves 4
Preparation Time:  10minutes + soaking overnight of peas
Cooking Time:  45minutes
Ingredients:

10gm butter
2 small onion, peeled and finely diced
4 tbsp Marrow, diced
4 tbsp leeks, finely sliced
4 tbsp spring onion, finely sliced
600ml water
100gm split peas, soaked overnight and rinsed
2 medium potato, peeled and diced
Small pinch fine black pepper
2 tsp chicken stock
2 tsp maizena mixed with 2tbsp water
200gm streaky bacon, chopped and cooked

Method:

supplied by Rosina Mello, mother of 2 gorgeous children, housekeeper and cook always in search of wonderful new recipes

Lentils are  full of protein and fiber making them a best bet for healthy eating. Here’s a soup that is ideal for those cold wintery days that serves as a meal for your family. You can leave out the sausages if you prefer it meatless but don’t leave out the balsamic vinegar which gives it a very special delicious flavour.

I cook this recipe in a pressure cooker which makes it quick and easy but if you don’t have one, use the alternative times provided.

Ingredients

1 large onion
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
¾ cup brown lentils
4 cups chicken stock or both
445g can tomatoes, chopped, reserving liquid
1 tablespoons light brown sugar
1 bay leaf
¼ teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes or ground paprika
3 medium stalks celery, diced
1 medium red bell pepper, cored and diced
300g smoked garlic sausage or other any other sausage, cut into ¼ inch thick  slices
Salt and freshly grounded black pepper to taste
2 to 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

Directions

by Jodene Shaer, passionate advocate for taking responsibility for your own life, your happiness and most importantly your choice.  Co-owner of a company called Lifeology and runs a blog called Project Me

With each changing of the season I treat my friends to the Pagan history of the Southern Hemisphere festivals and that pumpkin soup is traditional for Samhain which we now know as Halloween. It is also the time when apples are harvested and that is why the combination is so special.

Enjoy … It really is that yummy!

Ingredients

salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Catch Merle from Jozikids.co.za on Jacaranda every Sunday morning, to find out what to do with your kids and families today and in the week ahead.

This week we want to tell you about markets that are open today

For those of you into a holistic alternative lifestyle, there’s the Body Mind Soul  Holistic Fayre at Edenvale community centre on Sunday until 3pm. A full day of holistic fun and entertainment for people interested in complementary health, alternative healing, holistic lifestyle, physical well being. Various free talks and demonstrations lined up on the day, including a Live Crossing-Over Session welcome

Then there’s the blu Bird Wholefood Market every Sunday til 2pm in Birnam, Joburg, Find fresh produce, seasonal organic fruit, vegetables & raw honey. Bio detergents. Someone who will plant trees on your behalf to offset your carbon footprints called GROWATREE. Every stall offers you a taste of flavours, from cheeses, pates, sauces and more. We are known as the united flavours of nations. For kids, there are earthworms and seeds to grow their own trees plus children chefs selling their own produce, every Sunday

Fare on the Square at Irene Village Mall on every last Sunday, the entire mall is transformed into a bustling marketplace for Fare on the Square, where the choice goods on offer include organic fare, creative crafts and plenty of family entertainment..

Last week I mentioned the JSO (Junior) Concerto of the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra taking place at Linder Auditorium at 3pm today. The same concert will be taking place next Saturday at the Musaion Auditorium in Lynwood Pretoria. Young girls between the ages of 10 and 14 playing classical music.

Then there’s the Outdoor Adventure & Travel Expo at Inanda Country Base, Kyalami, Jun 10-12. From Caravans to trailers, outdoor gear and accessories, travel and much more. Daily Entertainment, big screen tv’s for rugby enthusiasts, pony and dog demos, good food and wine tastings and  so much to do for the kids with Hunting Hound,  Guide Dog and Boarder Collie demos, funky goods for kids to buy and lots of fun activities to enjoy.

Here’s wishing everyone a wonderful day and I’ll be back with Merle from Jozikids next Sunday with ideas of what you can do with your kids next week.

Well that’s it from me. Remember you can find more ideas of what to do with your family in the Gauteng region on Jozikids.co.za