Caffeination Guide

HIGH CAFFEINE CONTENT: Consume responsibly. Do not read this if you are pregnant, lactating or for persons sensitive to caffeine.

If you are a working person, especially in an office, there is a strong chance that you ingest caffeine. It pays your bills, puts food on the table and solves problems.

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There is always fake news flying around about how horrific coffee/ caffeine is for you. Chances are if you are reading this, you are that someone it got sent to. Ignore those people. You don't need that time of negativity in your life.

Eetrite 600ml French Press/ Plunger:

I bought this plunger on special at PnP. (Online at Takealot.com) I do already have a 6 cup one but since I'm the only one drinking it seems like a whole lot. This is a super ideal size to keep at work. It's enough to share with a work friend and not too much to drink all by yourself.

Life Hack: Light roast has more caffeine. This is also the ideal way to cold brew coffee.

Seattle Coffee Company's Double Short Latte:

There are a lot of little and big coffee houses/ shops but this is my tried and tested favourite. The Double short has the biggest bang for you buck and can also be ordered with soy milk. Bonus is that after the 10 cup you get a free coffee.

Life hack: They also have the best short bread among other food items.

McNabs Supercharge Energy Drink:

This is unlike any other energy drink on the market. It is delicious and it does not make me want to murder innocent people. With some drinks it's like the caffeine release is immediate. This has a slower release. It was even included in Fit Girl's Fit Kit.

It's vegan, no weird unidentifiable ingredients AND made in South Africa because it's owned by South Africans.

Life hack: This drink is also available in Lite BUT I have never seen any . . . 👽📐 Illuminati confirmed?

Zang Chocolate:

Because my husband knows I need to be caffeinated to be human, he actually picked this up at a petrol station for me. I had zero expectations. Wow wow wow. I love this! I need a strong start to the day and this came through for me. I though I would have to caffeinate later in the day but I don't think anyone would believe me if I told them I only started feeling tired at 16:00. YASSS I WANT MORE.

McNabs Supercharge Energy Shot:

 

Do you like that mass produced pink brand of syrup? I use to too. I don't feel like when I was drinking that that I was caffeinating responsibly. I was finishing 500ml bottles without blinking. I had to rehab myself. So instead I opted for a healthier, more measured option.

I especially use this to kick that afternoon slump. You know when 15:00 and your will to work wears thinner than your fake laugh at your boss' joke.

Available in 3 flavours but I only ever find Guarana Berry. (Who must I complain to? Still Illuminati? 👽📐)

CAUTION: Entering NON CAFFEINATED area

McNabs Supercharge Energy Tabs:

UHG more McNab's products?! Yes! This is the one company I feel okay to recommend every product. I feel like I needed items for energy without (DUN. DUN. DUUUUUUUUN!) caffeine. Some days and with some products, you can't layer caffeine. It makes you feel worse. This is why this product is great because unlike caffeine, it won't dehydrate you and helps with stress management because of all the B-Vitamins.

Freshpak Energising Rooibos and Ginseng Tea:

I had to use Dischem's Product Pic because I put my tea in a glass jar.

The only place online to buy is seems to be Dischem but I have bought at PnP and have seen at Checkers. I think the true secret of this tea lays in the ginkgo bioloba. This is a natural blood thinning agent. The theory is that blood carries more oxygen when it thinner making you feel more awake and alert. The last few times I had to be careful because of the dry weather my nose is more likely to bleed. Even after a cup of tea in the morning, it flows like a river and takes a while to stop. There are also warnings that if you do take Ginkgo Bioloba as a supplement (Vital has that kind of supplement marketed towards concentration) that you should not donate blood.

Now let's laugh in the face of people who says drinking water gives them energy.

é

That time I went to: The Soap Barn

I love Yankee Candles. The votive ones, jarred and even the Car Smart Scent Vent Clips. That got me thinking of some small scale candle making. So as we do, I Googled for raw products and Soap Barn popped up.

At first I was confused because I felt like this was some secret place that was kept from the world then I got angry when I found that this place was right under my nose! You literally pass it on the N3 Highway at Linksfield. I browsed the heck out of that website to make sure I'll get all the items. Since I found them I go in at least every six months.

The store looks basic but it is truly the Aladdin’s Cave for DIYers and hobbyists. You can buy single portions to bulk of raw items like fragrance, bicarb, Epsom Salt, clays, waxes to finished products like shampoo, bath bombs, lotion and soap. Even packaging and storage for finished items. This “basic” store can be genuinely overwhelming as the product possibilities are endless so I do suggest going on the website and browsing the recipes if you are not sure.

I have had multiple hauls from the store but here are a few repeat buys:

African Black Soap Pet shampoo:

What disturbed me about mainstream dog shampoo is that I had to wash my pets with soap that I have to wear gloves for. How is that safe? This bubbles up nice and rinses out with ease.

The African Black Soap range also has hand wash, shower 'gel' and shampoo, as wel as a solid soap for our not-so-millenials. I have bought a normal pet shampoo in between the black soap, but it dried out my pets' skin. I love this stuff. Add to cart 4 eva!

Pro Hack: I also add Tea Tree oil and in Mosquito time, Lemon Balm or Citronella, then re-poured it into their reusable pump bottle for easy use. (Also wastes less because it dispenses measured amounts rather than an endless stream) I wash two Amstaffs (mid sized dogs) weekly for 3 to 4 months with 500ml.

Shea Butter:

Now I know Black Girl Magic is about the mystic, beauty and strength of black women. But I bet if we reverse engineered Black Girl Magic, that a segment of it would be Shea Butter. It absorbs well and leaves skin with a glow. This winter is rough on my skin because I've been outside in the dry air more often. Also my feet become so dry i can litterally peel skin off my heels. TMI. I started dipping straight into my tub of Shea. It's expensive for the bigger 500ml tub but it will last longer than you think. It's heavy so you don't need a lot. NOW teach me more of your magic beautiful Black girls!

Pro Hack: I bought wind up lip balm tubes, melted some Shea and poured it. I'd like to think it work like those hip new type balm make up removers. It melts the make up off. I needed to remove a heavy liquid lip and it worked like a bawse.

Zinc Oxide:

The struggle with sunscreens for me was real. A few years ago, like, 5, I got a few red dots on my hand when I was on vacation. I chalked it up to stress. You know the type when you go away to relax and come back to triple the work because “It's-not-my-job”. That next year (exactly), after two days at the coast MY WHOLE BODY was covered in this rash. I was allergic to sunscreen.💀💀💀

For the next few years I had the worst time finding sunscreen. Then I decided to check out natural/ organic sunscreens and the prices shot up. It is double the money for an already expensive product.

When I saw this it just went straight into my basket and look at that price though. . . 👍👍

Pro Hack: Instead of mixing up a weird batch of a mixture of Shea and Coconut oil, mix it in with their Gel, Lotion or Aqueous cream Bases.

Bicarbonate of Soda:

I use this for a few applications. Here is my carpet powder. I also use it as a exfoliater, to remove build up of products in my hair, to stretch out washing powder. I use at least 1 kg a month so it's super economical for me to buy bulk.

Pro Hack: For stinging burns make a paste of bicarb and water and apply it on the burn. A few years ago I had a bad burn (I think it was close 3^rd degree) and today I can't even tell that I was burned. (images too graphic to post)

Candle Supplies:

This was my first haul here. AAW! That is why the clay is here as well as the balm tubes.

I wanted to make candles to use/ give as presents. The upfront starting price was a large amount but I still got more candles out of that than if I had to use that money to buy candles. I also made a healthier candle because I used soy wax.

The thing that really caught me out was the large fragrance range. From Almond, marshmallow to Watermelon and ylang-ylang. I wanted it all.

Pro Hack: Here is a website that works out fragrance loads. You're welcome.

Facial Mask Items:

If I had to have a 'True Life: Addicted to . . .', it would be face masks. I try and apply a mask at least once a week. I definitly can see the improvement in my skin, Break outs are more controlled and my skin looks more even. For the same price of a month's worth of clay masks, you could buy a bag of clay (Bentonite/ Kaolin/ English China) and few Essential oils (Lavender/Tea Tree/ Rosemary) and have masks for days.

Pro Hack: You can trend it up with some activated charcoal and because you are mixing it up yourself, it's fully customize-able to your skin's needs.

Containers:

I love the variety of containers available for finished products. From 500ml spray bottle to 2ml atomizer (I bought a few so I could decant some perfume for on the go in my handbag)

Pro Hack: Their packaging is super reusable. I like whipping up things and storing them in the tubs I bought them in.

Final Thought:

I feel like this shop is selling items anyone could make a business out of. A bath and body range.(I'm imagining with the Spa fragrance of Avo and cucumber or Bamboo) Candles. (Marshmallows or something weird like banana) Skincare. (Just add water mud masks or SLS & Paraben free face wash) House hold products. (Thinning out the Black Soap, add essential oils and use as a natural dish soap) Even cosmetics and fragrances. There are a million creative possiblities.

É's tips:

• WARNING!!! As with any new hobby, start up is a bit expensive but after that, you just buy as you use
  
• If you are looking into making candles, body butters and potions that require you to melt products. I suggest to buy a small pot and stirrers for your hobby. I lost a good pot to candle wax. 😢
• If you decide to use fragrances, be sure to work in a well ventilated area or else you will need to stop because headaches get real.
• International company, Yankee Candle, started with a guy who made a candle for this mom and people saw it and wanted one too.
• Hoelson Sisters Facial oils started with experimentation of basic oils.
• Lush started as a small business that made everything in-house.
• The Body Shop was started by Anita Roddick as income for her and her children

The Soap Barn Website and Facebook

That place is my jam. Go there.

é

The R30 product that will boost your Winter beauty routine: Hoelson Sisters Coconut Face Oil 7 ways.

I am super obsessed with Fruit and Veg Food lovers market. I probably fall out there every two weeks, get a Seattle Coffee Company Grande Soy Latte/ Cappuccino (They look out for us lack toast and tolerant basic bit*hes) and do a walk through. That's how I found that they stock Sumac and always contemplating getting Jelly belly jelly beans(Ice cream flavour). But in general everyone knows the drill: Buy the weekly deal (Winter it's a deal with butternut squash, onions and potatoes and summer the tomato, cucumbers and lettuce) Buy some delicious fresh baked good, buy spinach you'll never eat and go to the till. That's where this discovery was made, at the till.

Damn I love this stuff. The last 3 years are the time of the beauty oil. Many people get weird because they think of cooking oil like sunflower. How can your hair and skin improve by using something you fry food in? Others thing of sebum, the stuff that makes for dirty hair and oily face. Not the same.

You can buy a few loose essential oils and blend them but it is so costly. But why tho'? Helen Hoelson did that for you already. This it one of the products I was stocked about picking up at the till. Here is my take on using Hoelson Sisters Oils 7 ways:

Hair mask/ Oil

With the new bottle design that dispenses drops, just use 5-10 drops and apply to hair ends. Especially with dry Gauteng winters it makes my hair more manageable. When I use it as a mask I massage about a quarter of a bottle into my roots and comb it through with a wide tooth comb. Because it is a natural product there are no chemicals that can cause damage. So you can leave it in for 30 minutes or over night.

Enriching any cream.

Instead of buying a winter specific cream I drop a few drops of oil in my face or body cream.

Hand and cuticle treatment.

I filled a roller ball with some oil to keep close to easely apply some oil to my hands and nails. I haven't had hangnails in a while.

Assist in smoother aplication of foundation

Here is the video of Wayne Goss. It also moisturises and so plumps up skin.

Makeup remover

Rub about 10 drops on your face and maybe a bit more on your eyes. I wipe everything off with a tissue, I guess the right way is with cotton pads but meh.

Eyelash conditioner.

I cleaned an old mascara tube and filled it with oil. I apply to my lashes and brows at night.

Make a scub

For the face I add a bit of oil to some Bi-carb and for hands and feet I mix it with sugar or salt.

*Bonus tip: Use it for shaving. For the last year I've been using oil to shave and am yet to get a cut.

I am still to try the lemon/ peppermint and cinnamon/ tea tree ones but so far I finished two of the original Lavender Rosemary. Here is their Facebook page. (They even had a stall a Cosme Tokyo 2016. BOOM. That makes me proud.) Here and Here are more of this company's awesome story.

Have you seen these awesome oil mixes?

é

Now I'm Broke Haul

I this everyone gets to some point in the year were all your stuff runs out. As well as your emergency wares. It happened with my pantry in January. I always have quick standby meals but when they run out it's an issue to not cook 2 minute noodles (ramen to my other readers).

With me going through 2ndpuberty and some of my make-up/ beauty stock running low here is my haul I made that made the bank wonder “WTF u think u rich or wot?”:

Skin haul:

Skin Strategy Sheet masks:

Previous times purchased: Every time I've run out, so since 2015.

The cheapest masks all round. It's a bonus that they are sheet masks. It's easy to put on and doesn't have the mess of a traditional face mask. My loose draw Soothing and Calming Lavender mask was just R12.95. The BOTO Mask and serum was R89.95 for 6. (There are 2 others in the range and those two are awesome and cheap and are also available in loose draws or in a box set)

Bought at: Dischem. Online here

L'oréal Revitalift System:

Previous times purchased: First time.

I think I might have bought the range for more mature skin but I don't think it could do much damage. I've never heard anyone say “I bought cream for mature skin and IT MELTED MY FACE.” So I think it's safe. As I've become older I realise so is my whole body. Sad but true. As it changes I needed to change the products I use. And for some reason some companies think you roll in the big money so it costs more. Will see if IT is in fact worth it * mxm mxm* (Especially at R150 a pop

Bought at: Dischem. Online for day, night and eye or Takealot day and night. (No eye cream Takealot? Tsk tsk) Also at Clicks and Edgars or Red Square.

On a side note I now hate looking for these things online for the blog because now I see there is a day cream with SPF 30 at Clicks and Dischem. DAMN IT!

Garnier Micellar Water:

Previous times Purchased: None but I've always wanted some.

Pinterest has a suggested feed of pins that you might like. It sounds cool but they basically stalk your pins and push things of that interest. Through that I found an article (I think from Refinery 29) about how French women don't wash their faces with soap. Since then, it was like the universe told Garnier that I want Micellar water. A few month later PinkPeonies posted that it's now going to be available. Thanks Universe ;-)

Bought at: Dischem for R32.95 for 125ml. Online here. Also available at Clicks.

Beauty Haul:

Garnier BB Cream Oil free in Light:

Previous times Bought: This must be my 8^th time

This is my preferred, one and only and dare I say, this is my BAE. I bought this product in it's first form when it came out and this formula is the best. At first I though maybe this product is just great for me but I bought tubes for my sisters now they swears by this and I talked to another regular make up wearer who is also a repeat buyer who loves this product. This is a product I suggested for a first time make up wearer friend as it is so easy to apply and blend. She used the dark shade and looked like a unicorn. It evened out her dark spots and gave her and awesome glow.

Bought at: Dischem because it's the cheapest at R89.95. Can be bought basically EVERYWHERE. Clicks, Pick'n'Pay, Checkers.

Essence Coverstick in 01 Matt Sand:

Previous times bought: 3^rd time

2^nd puberty brings zits and adulting can leave bags under your eyes and I have that problem of red besides my nose. I'm not a real fan of that supper light concealer under the eyes. When I see it on some women it feels like the MUA was trying to hard and looks a bit not human. This shade blends with my BB Cream and looks seamless without the baked look. Even when I don't put on foundation, this stuff is good for spot covers.

Bought at: Dischem for R36.95. Online here. Available on Takealot and Clicks.

Essence Gel eye pencil Waterproof in Black Blaze:

Previous times bought: Like a vi-i-i-i-gin

I saw this in a review on a rando blog and decided to try it. At R41.95 its similar in price to some of the liquid liners and cheaper than some pot gel liners. We'll see how it goes because so far it was smooth going on to my hand and held on for a good while and didn't really move when I rubbed it.

Bought at: Dischem. Online here. I'm sure you can buy it at the bigger Clicks stores.

Catrice All Round Mascara in Ultra Black 010

Previous times bought: This is my 6^th tube

This is one of the cheapest drug store mascaras at R52.95 but what a kicker. I got so so many compliments on my lashes. Stupid but right. Every time they though they were fake or extensions. Nope it's just my cheap ass mascara being a boss. I always will love Maybeline's green and pink but TTYL for now.

Bought at Dischem. (Apparently it's not available online. NOT FOR YOU!)

Batiste Dry shampoo in Sassy and Daring Wild

Previous times bought: Once

With coloured hair I try to minimize washing it. I can go 3 to 4 days until things get weird. Some times it once or twice it gets weird by day 2. Or something comes up on day 3 and I can't wash it that morning. This stuff is the answer.

Bought at Clicks

Health Haul:

Nature's Choice Chia Seeds:

Previous times purchased: 3

Now this is the wonder seed the health world has been losing their minds to lately. I don't drink it every day or put it in smoothies and claim it ti give me energy. I see this more as a way to add nutrition to thing. Sometimes I make this to drink. I also like this pudding recipe. You won't believe how delicious it is. I add a teaspoon of seeds to yoghurt. It's super crunchy. I also like making a whole wheat wrap sandwich with peanut butter and banana and adding a sprinkle of chia.

Bought at Dischem. Also at any retailer with a Nature's Choice stand like Checkers, Pick'n'Pay and Clicks. (Also check Health Connection's Chia seeds)

Cellufresh Eye drops:

Previous times bought: 1

These are the drops that my optometrist previously prescribed me. And with second puberty there's weird allergies that creep up. Now I'm giving a pet away because I have a small allergy.

look at that camera fear face.

For the redness I just drop a few drops in my alien eye and it's better.

Bought at Dischem.

Zinplex Fruity-Veg Quick Fix Vitamin and Mineral Gel in Exotic Goji Berry and Citrus.

Previous times bought: less that 0

Now if you know me personally (and if you you didn't now you will) I am kind of addicted to energy things. The drinks, the syrups and now, the easiest, sachets. Most are under R7 and are real easy to ingest. I saw them and thought I would give them a try. Especially since there is no caffeine and no alcohol in it.

*After note: This stuff tastes like food. It's weird and I don't hate it.

Bough at Dischem. (it's by the usual suspects of energy sachets)

McNab's Supercharge

Thumbs up then you know it's good or that I have a problem

Previous times bought: Like 50.

No Caffeine. Come back here. I love you. You know that. Most mornings I need a kick in the ass to start functioning. Now I like products with a short ingredient list. Like the Micellar water or that there ingredients that tell me exactly what they are or were they are from as per the Zinplex with ingredients like honey and olive, grape and flax oil. Now McNab's is the best of both Short understandable list. No Alcohol, no fillers and no GMO. I have 5 to 6 sachets on hand and I don't feel as dependent on it every day as other energy supplements made me feel. I also like the company's vibe. Here is their website.

Bought at Dischem. Online here. Also at Clicks (Check out for the three for two deals), PicknPay and even when picking up bread and milk at the friendly Spar.

Bonus points if you also buy their Marula snack jellies.

Vital Vita-Slim

Previous times purchased: once

I don't in general buy slimming capsules. I believe the best fat burner is exercise and a healthy diet. I'm just taking these to get me over the plateau of holding weight. Besides don't you score points for using a product with Gacinia Cambogia because it's so in right now?

Bought at Dischem. Can also be bought at Checkers, Clicks and on Vital's website.

R10 Soap dispensers.

The cheapest of the haul. Now I kept saving hand wash bottles and decant my shampoo and conditioner in it.

I was tired of having heavy Tresemmé bottles in the shower. Half are upside down or slipping out of my hand. The other bonus is I started using less product because there isn't a lot of excess shampoo and conditioner coming out. I ought these because not all hand wash bottles are designed equally. And when you buy other soap dispensers they are usually made of something breakable. I don't want to drop a bottle and end up needing to get stitches. F*ck that sh*t. Showering, minding your own business and then you get stitched up because soap is slippery.

Honourable mentions to good products bought pre-haul:

Clicks Hair oil With Rosemary and Argan oil.

I love the V05 Miracle Oil but I don't see that product on the shelves and more. So I replaced it with this.

Hoelson Sisters Coconut Face oil inLavender and Rosemary.

Bought at Fruit and Veg Food Lovers market. I use it to boost up my creams or to remove heavy make up. I also use it as cuticle oil. I used it as a hair mask as well.

Oh So Heavenly Foot Spa Sleep on It Overnight Treatment

I have gross feet. If you want an awesome close miracle cream that can make you wear sandals the next day. Here is your instant satisfaction.

Zam-Buk Multi-purpose Herbal Body Cream

I was looking for a body cream without SLS and parabens. (Why is there a foaming agent in body cream?) Wooh here it is. (Bought mine at Spar but available at Clicks and Dischem)

AND THAT'S WHY I am stocked but broke

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7 Ways to Drink (more) Water

The first tip in weight loss and being healthy is always drinking water. I have mentioned it a lot of times in my posts. A lot of people just don't drink water. I know people who just don't. The only liquid they would consume is coffee and the odd time they would eat soup. Funny that the easiest way to start getting healthy is drinking water.

Now I could go on about how your brain needs water and how much water your body is made up of. How water is an appetite suppressant and helps with detoxifying your whole body But I'm sure there are plenty of other blogs that can tell you about that in detail with numbers. You can read it like your interested, pin it and forget about it. I want to give you physical tools to drink more of the good stuff.

Here are some awesome ways to start drinking:

1. Get a filter. A potable bottle one is better.
   
   
   

That means you can fill it up any where and have fresh clean water. You could buy a whole pallet of bottle water but I think it's super waste full because let's be honest, you aren't going to recycle that sh!t. That way you can also monitor how much you drink easier. Here at Takealot is a Brita filter water bottle or here at Dischem is an Addis Bobble.

2. Spice your water
   
   
   

That is the most annoying thing that people say: I don't like the taste of water. WTF kind of water are you drinking? Water by nature doesn't taste of anything. Literally spice up your water. Add a pinch of ginger or cinnamon. Some or other time you probably got a post on FB or scrolled across a pin about the heath properties of both spices

3. Add some lemon or lime
   
   
   

Again a Facebook and Pinterest favourite. Those weird listy blogs (the ones that you can see are just for Google Adsense money with stock photos.) There are huge testimonials about drinking hot lemon water in the morning. It was claimed to be the next kale. Beyonce probably does it as well. I'm not going to announce that I'm vegan but I like the way it tastes. It's also super cheap. Cheaper that berries and stuff

4. Get appy
   
   
   

Punny. Get an easy app to measure your intake. I've been using Aqualert. You put in your info like height, weight and activity level and it works out the amount you have to drink. I like to set the notification to remind me to drink. I also like that there are badges that you get for reaching targets.

5. Buy a water bottle
   
   
   

Have a cool container to drink out of is more motivation. It also means you don't have to get up as often to get water. When it's with you on your desk or work area you would drink more often. Make sure it is BPA free. Don't use an old juice bottle or soda bottle. It tends to have a gross taste after a while and is probably NOT BPA free.

6. Bubble water
   
   
   

Chia seeds are one of the new very old things (Other new old thing: Oats, Apple Cider Vinegar, Cocoa powder) It's been used by ancients and now its cool again. I read about it a lot and bought a (Very expensive. Like R40 for 100g) pack the other day. I love bubble tea so this was awesome. Here's the recipeI started with. I didn't want is to drink that much because then it would finish sooner so I take 2 teaspoons of seeds mix it with one small glass of water. Mix it up with a chop stick. Leave it for 10 minutes. Mix it up again with a squeeze of lemon juice and a small drizzle of honey. Leave for 5 minutes, mix it up again (the seeds get a little clumpy) and BOOM, Chia water bugs.

7. Drinking certain times will make drinking more water easier.

Drink when you wake up, before eating, before and after a bath/ shower and before bed. That is already 2 litres of water

That is my ways to drink water. I know some people like their water frozen and surrounded by alcohol or like drinking water to surprise their liver. Be kind to your body.

é