garden & home george www.georgeherald.com A Christmas ambience Part of Christmas is creating a festive e holiday atmosphere in our homes.. m Decorations needn’t be bought from a store. Be creative and use avai-lable materials such as fabric, wood,, pine cones, candles, buttons, paperr g and leaves. The activity of making decorations add to the fun. Make an edible wrea th from marshmallows. Photo: pre tzelcrisps.com Hang the message of love in your Ha home. Available at the Outeniqua Fa ers’ Market, George. Farm hts with string lig corative balls lushome.com de e ad m nd Ha o: stic look. Phot make for a ru Recycle wine corks into a wreath. Photo: drinknectar.com A pretty alternative for the conventional Christmas tree. Photo: homedit. com 48 Group Editors Holiday Guide - Garden Route and Karoo GO101902_CL !"##$%&'((( GO0105745_MC Use w wooden letters to decorate your Availa patio and garden able at the Oute . niqua Farmers’ Market, George . Thursday 12 December, 2013 george garden & home www.georgeherald.com Don’t lose out during the holiday clean-up Many people get their homes ready for the holidays Ahead of the stream of family and friends visiting during this period, for some this means just a major clean-up; for others it could mean minor renovations such as painting and repairs. No matter how big or small your festive plans may be, you cannot forget safety and security in and around your home. “There are some practical safety measures that can be implemented in this regard,” says Martin Kriel, managing director of ADT Security East Coast Region. “If you are expecting a delivery or workmen at your home, contact the companies before-hand to find out what time you can expect them, how many of their staff will be coming and who the supervisor is that will accompany them.” He suggested that when the workmen do arrive, ask for the supervisor and if there is any doubt about their identity, contact the employer again. “If unfamiliar individuals are going to work inside your home, be sure to lock away any valuables that are small enough to fit into a pocket or backpack, or that would not be easily missed if they were to disappear. The same goes for car and house keys. If you have guard dogs, don’t lock them away while workmen are on your premises. Have a family member keep them aside when the contractors are moving in and out of your home, but let the workmen be aware that they are there.” easy GADGETS FOR entertainment &RPPHUFLDO&ORVH Commercial Close Mission Road, 0LVVLRQ5RDG George, (behind Stiles) *HRUJH EHKLQG6WLOHV Tel: 083 412 8515 [email protected] Fresh lemon juice for lamb chops in a flash with the Chef’n Freshforce citrus juicer. Available at Kloppers, George. The one-plate Snappy Chef Stove is a must-have in every home. It can be built-in or used as a free standing, portable stove, which may come in handy when you entertain outdoors. It saves you at least 50 per cent on electricity, is extremely safe to use and also saves up to 64 per cent on cooking time. Also available with double plates. Get them at Third Generation, George. Thursday 12 December, 2013 Group Editors Holiday Guide - Garden Route and Karoo Keep it simply stylish Handy basting brush from Chef’n. Available at Kloppers, George. Live style naturally A Jamie Oliver apron and glove for the braai master. Available at Kloppers, George. ůŝĨĞƐƚǇůĞΛƚŚĞŚĂƵƐ͘ĐŽ͘ǌĂ www.terraceliving.co.za 1DWXUDOVWRQHFHUDPLFSRUFHODLQJODVVFXVWRPZDOODQGÀRRUWLOHV The Weber One Touch Premium charcoal braai aai makes braaiing a breeze. It is weather-proof and extremely durable. The fire and rust-resistant lid and bowl are made from steel and are porcelain enamel mel coated inside and out. Available at Kloppers, George. ge. George: t. 044 871 3222 @: [email protected] Mosselbay: t. 044 695 1800 @: [email protected] s l a c o L e Th GO105583_LO In the Garden Route, entertaining outdoors is the way to go. Here are a few helpful gadgets and appliances to help you do just that. 49 home & garden george www.georgeherald.com Plastics for Africa Something for everyone Plastics for Africa was founded in 1988 by Mario Jacobs as a “out of garage” distribution company. In the last 20 years the company has moved from this small start to a multi-branch organisation, with branches in Montague Gardens, Somerset West, Tokai and now also in George. It is only through perseverance and hard work that the company is what it is today. Plastics for Africa boasts a team of dedicated and friendly staff, a huge range of products that go beyond the plastic border and that encompass a huge selection of goods from stationary to sports equipment. An entry on the consumer website, www.hellopeter.com bear eloquent testimony to Plastics for Africa’s winning recipe: “Over the past week we have been Find Plastics for Africa George on the corner of Mission Road and Commercial Close. GPS Coordinates: S33° 57? 50.38’; E 22° 28? 35.54’ to buy containers 2-3 times. The first person who my husband and I both noticed was the Security guard. A warm greeting on entering. While walking around the store he brought me a basket (that I initially thought I wouldn’t need), and immediately made himself available to help with carrying and packing items into the car. He even engaged in conversation with my 10-year-old son. While just looking at containers, we were asked by a staff member if they could be of assistance. When we stopped someone who was pushing a trolley of goods elsewhere, he immediately stopped what he was doing, and assisted us in a most pleasant and efficient way! Such an amazing attitude guys .... Well done, see you again soon!” 1. Selected S ellectted dA ADDIS DDIS S products ON SPECIAL at all Plastics for Over 4500 different stock items in our domestic, industrial, catering, toy and outdoor departments. ts. Africa stores. Something for everyone • OPEN TO THE PUBLIC • Storage solutions for - Home, office, industry, school, off-road more.. ad and much more Tel: 044 871 5630 • Cnr. mission & Commercial Close • www.plasticsforafrica.com 50 Group Editors Holiday Guide - Garden Route and Karoo GO0105608_MC Thursday 12 December, 2013 george garden & home www.georgeherald.com Turn nightmares into Falling asleep may seem like an impossible dream when you’re awake at three in the morning, but good sleep is more under your control than you might think. Bedroom and mattress A quiet, dark, and cool environment can help promote sound slumber. Lower the volume of outside noise with earplugs or a ‘white noise’ appliance. Use heavy curtains, blackout shades, or an eye mask to block light, a powerful cue that tells the brain that it’s time to wake up. Keep the temperature comfortably cool and the room well ventilated. And make sure your bedroom is equipped with a comfortable mattress and pillows. Remember that most mattresses wear out after ten years. Keeping computers, TVs, and work materials out of the room will strengthen the mental association between your bedroom and sleep. Pre-sleep routine Light reading before bed is a good way to prepare yourself for sleep. Ease the transition from wake time to sleep time with a period of relaxing activities an hour or so before bed. Take a bath, read a book, or practice relaxation exercises. Avoid stressful, stimulating activities. If you tend to take your problems to bed, try writing them down - and then putting them aside. Truly tired Struggling to fall sleep just leads to frustration. If you’re not asleep after 20 minutes, get out of bed, go to another room, and do something relaxing, like reading or listening to music until you are tired enough to sleep. No clock-watching Staring at a clock in your bedroom, either when you are trying to fall asleep or when you wake in the middle of the night, can actually increase stress, making it harder to fall asleep. Turn your clock’s face away from you. And if you wake up in the middle of the night and can’t get back to sleep in about 20 minutes, get up and engage in a quiet, restful activity such as reading or listening to music. And keep the lights dim; bright light can stimulate your internal clock. When your eyelids are drooping and you are ready to sleep, return to bed. Take a good nap or sleep your heart out during the ho lidays. Use light to your advantage Natural light keeps your internal clock on a healthy sleep-wake cycle. So let in the light first thing in the morning and get out of the office for a sun break during the day. Internal clock Having a regular sleep schedule helps to ensure better quality and consistent sleep. Going to bed and waking up at the same time each day sets the body’s ‘internal clock’ to expect sleep at a certain time night after night. Nap early Many people make naps a regular part of their day. However, for those who find falling asleep or staying asleep through the night problematic, afternoon napping may be one of the culprits. If you must nap, it’s better to keep it short and before 17:00. Lighten up Finish dinner several hours before bedtime and avoid foods that cause indigestion. If you get hungry at night, snack on foods that (in your experience) won’t disturb your sleep, perhaps dairy foods and carbohydrates. Fluid intake Drink enough fluid at night to keep from waking up thirsty - but not so much and so close to bedtime that you will be awakened by the need for a trip to the bathroom. Exercise early Exercise can help you fall asleep faster and sleep more soundly - as long as it’s done at the right time. Professional help If your sleep difficulties don’t improve through good sleep hygiene, you may want to consult your physician or a sleep specialist. GO105344_DG Following healthy sleep habits can make the difference between restlessness and restful slumber. Researchers have identified a variety of practices and habits known as ‘sleep hygiene’ - that can help anyone maximise the hours they spend sleeping. Here are simple tips for making the sleep of your dreams a nightly reality: Avoid chemicals As any coffee lover knows, caffeine is a stimulant that can keep you awake. So avoid caffeine (found in coffee, tea, chocolate, cola, and some pain relievers) for four to six hours before bedtime. Similarly, smokers should refrain from using tobacco products too close to bedtime. Although alcohol may help bring on sleep, after a few hours it acts as a stimulant, increasing the number of awakenings and generally decreasing the quality of sleep later in the night. It is therefore best to limit alcohol consumption to one to two drinks per day, or less, and to avoid drinking within three hours of bedtime. NOW OPEN! NOW OPEN! TEL: 044 873 0808 Kidiess Home-Store offers you incredible prices on a huge selection of designer living sourced from around the globe. Part We’re celebrating a new beginning with discount on selected merchandise and that you need to make everyday life a little more special. KIDS EAT FREE Specia Promo l tions MOAN FREE MONDAYS ONE CHILD PER PARENT EATS FREE, WHEN A MAIN MEAL IS ORDERED. WWW.PRIMI-WORLD.COM PRIMIWORLD @PRIMIWORLD Tel: 044 873 0830 PRIMI PIATTI, CALEDON SQUARE, CNR YORK & DAVIDSON, GEORGE I TEL: 044 873 0845 MONDAYS ONLY. * Terms and Conditions Apply. Child must order from the PODS menu. CORNER YORK AND DAVIDSON STREETS | GEORGE Thursday 12 December, 2013 Group Editors Holiday Guide - Garden Route and Karoo 51 garden & home george www.georgeherald.com Geared for outdoor entertaining. Photo: homeimprovementpages.com.au Outdoor living spaces for summer The unbeatable climate of the Garden Route allows us to do much of our socialising and entertaining during the December holidays outdoors. For that, an inviting outdoor space is needed that is geared towards the comfort of your guests, but also a place where you can put your feet up and relax. It must be practical at the same time for ease of entertaining. Here are some furniture ideas from suppliers in George. Keep cool under a stylish outdoor umbrella from Third Generation, George. Elegant and comfortable. Outdoor furni ture from Kloppers, George. able Modern and chic. This lounge set is avail at Kloppers, George. Fleas at the seaside Comfort Through Technology www.stiebel-eltron.co We specialize in hot water, heat pumps and solar the sole importers of Stiebel Eltron renewable equipment. We wish all our present and prospective clients a Merry Christmas and a prosperous GO105568_DG New Year [email protected] www.kvacontrol.co.za 044 850 1188 52 The constant threat of fleas is far more pronounced at the coast than inland and many pet owners living along the coast may find themselves at a loss when it comes to fighting what often seems to be an ‘uphill battle’ against these home invaders. The reason for the unwavering activities of flfleas eas at the coast can be contributed to a number of factors including the higher rainfall, humidity levels and temperatures throughout the year, dense coastal shrub and the presence of beach sand - creating the perfect haven for fleas to operate all year round. Fleas very rarely jump from one pet to another, as is often thought. Instead they are ‘picked up’ from infested flea environments and hosts. Vervet monkeys and other wildlife in the dense coastal vegetation are excellent hosts to these parasites. The infested host may leave flea eggs behind, which eventually hatch only to seek out a new breeding ground... your family pet. The hazards caused by fleas can be detrimental to both to pets and pet owners, often resulting in the following: Hair loss in dogs and cats due to intense itching and scratching caused by the flea infestation; Flea Allergy Dermatitis - an unpleasant skin condition caused by an allergy to the flea’s saliva; Tapeworm - a harmful parasite found in the small intestine of dogs; Anemia in young dogs and cats due to the large amount of blood loss caused by the blood-sucking parasites. Families who live at the coast with their pets spend more time outdoors, making it important to be on the lookout and treat for fleas on a continuous basis to prevent the invasion of these seaside critters. Group Editors Holiday Guide - Garden Route and Karoo Helpful hints for effective tick and flea prevention Be aware of signs that could indicate a flea problem, for example, if they’re scratching more than usual. Check your pets for both fleas and ticks on a regular basis. Check for fleas by running a flea comb through your pet’s coat, making sure the comb touches the skin below, or place a white paper towel beneath your pet and rub your hands across its fur. If black specks gather on the comb or fall on the paper towel, it may be flea dirt. Keep your pets’ environment clean. Vacuum frequently where your pets like to lounge, especially carpets and soft coverings. Don’t forget the inside of your car! Regularly wash your pets’ beds, blankets, toys and other soft items in 60°C water. Prevention is better than cure. The female flea can lay up to 46 eggs per day and these will hatch within one to 10 days. Giving your pets the very best will not only reward their love and loyalty, but is also the most cost-effective and efficient solution. Just one pipette of Frontline® Plus, applied only once every four weeks, provides highly effective protection against fleas and ticks. For more information about the dangers of fleas and how to protect your pets and your family throughout the year, visit www.frontlineplus. co.za or call 0860 MERIAL 0860 637425. Thursday 12 December, 2013