Why you shouldn’t follow food trends.

Trends, especially food trends, are temperamental things. One moment they’re all the rage, everyone is doing it, and before you get the chance to think clearly, you are pulled along in the stream.

Therefore, many a business has failed because of food trends. They are based, in essence, on what’s cool, now. They are based on feelings. And mixing business and emotions is never a good idea…

Let’s take 2013: the year of the cupcake. Popular shows like 2 Broke Girls perfectly portray how cupcake-crazy everyone went. There were filled ones, dipped ones, funky ones with all kind of weird and wonderful flavors and toppings.

Quinoa was also big. And guess what? It’s most definitely NOT big anymore. Yes, it was a super-grain. Yes, it was awesome. Until it got so bloody expensive and sought after that the poor producers (it used to be their main source of food) couldn’t afford to eat it anymore!

Then came 2014: The year of the Cronut and all things ‘craft’ and ‘artisan’, flavor pearls and glorified molecular gastronomy. Weird foams and creams, vapors and powders.

It was also the year of slow food, local food and Umami.

Everyone went gluten-free.

And some of it, I think, will definitely stick.

Those don’t include the cronut (after many shops opened, made a quick buck and crashed) and fancy schmancy food.

People are going back to real food, so the slow and local food trends are hopefully here to stay.

However, because of Banting (the popular Tim Noakes diet, which is based on high fat, medium protein and low carb consumption) gaining popularity, I think the price and demand for gluten free foods will continue to rise (for now).

But who knows what will happen in a year or two?

Apparently, according to many online sources, the predicted trends for 2015 are charcoal (in everything from burgers to pills), seaweed and ‘toast’ as a flavor. Mmm…

My point is this: when it comes to food and business, think with your head, not with your heart. Stay honest and true to tried and tested things. Foolproof things. Don’t get sucked in by emotion, and end up making an absolute fool of yourself…

Why I’m thankful for my husband

I have to confess: I NEVER thought I would get married, let alone get married to a conservative, Catholic English boy. I thought I would grow old alone, one day sitting on the ‘stoep’ of the ‘ouetehuis’, smoking weed and drinking tea, with my blue and red curls bouncing in the wind.

Alright, I’m still wild and crazy, and might even end up with the weird hair, but overall, I’ve mellowed out quite a bit. And that, I have to honestly say, is thanks to my amazing husband.

Because I’m such a ‘free spirit’, I need someone to keep me grounded and logical when all I want to do is fly off into the imaginary world of hopes and dreams, of stupidity and mayhem. I needed a rock. And I was blessed with one.

No two people could be less alike, in my opinion, than me and my hubby. He always thinks logically; I always follow my heart. He hates it when I color my hair, wear make-up and paint my nails; I love it. He likes online games; I prefer books. He’s a homebody and introvert; I love people to bits (the crazier, the better!) He’s a lefty; I’m right-handed.

So why does it work? I believe it’s because we complement each other so well. When I need help with electronics, he patiently teaches and helps me. When a cake needs to be baked or a recipe modified, I help him. When we work in the kitchen, it’s like a dance. I do the things he finds difficult, and vice versa. When we make stir-fry, he handles the cooking, and I handle the sauce.

The most important thing I’ve personally learnt from my husband is to be more patient, and think things through before reacting. Also not to let others use my good heart to take advantage of me.

Love, and marriage, is something very special. Something that should be treasured and appreciated.

When you love someone you should not try to change them, but allow them to grow into your life, to complement you.

Yes, love could hurt, but how could you ever truly love someone without throwing caution to the wind and giving it a shot?

We all know that a wire that has been twisted together is a lot stronger than a single strand…