One of the questions I am asked most often is why vegetables make up approximately 60% of my plate at breakfast, lunch and dinner. The answer goes back many years to when I was searching for ways to improve my health and support my body after being diagnosed with Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis and a stomach ulcer. During that journey, I came across the concept of metabolic or oxidizer types, as described by Mardeen Stoltz in Barefoot Secrets. According to this theory, pe

In Afrikaans culture, we jokingly refer to it as “rys, vleis en aartappels” - the kind of hearty farm-style comfort food many people believe fills our plates every day. Large portions of meat, potatoes, rice, sweet pumpkin, rich gravies, and heavy Sunday lunches are often what people imagine when they think of farm life. While there is certainly a place for comfort food, our reality on the farm looks very different. Healthy eating is not something we do occasionally. It is pa

Some of my friends and family are still amazed that you can eat something like my version of a koeksister or lemon tart, something that feels completely naughty, and still live a healthy lifestyle. And this is coming from someone who used to be ill constantly. When people visit us on the farm, there is almost always something homemade to eat. The latest thing I made was peanut butter balls that honestly looked like Ferrero Rocher chocolates, except mine were made without glut

One habit that has made a remarkable difference in my digestion, energy levels and body composition is how I time my water intake around meals. I stop drinking water approximately 30 minutes before eating, and after a meal I wait about 2½ hours before drinking again. This approach aligns with principles discussed in the book Barefoot Secrets by Mardeen Stoltz, where mindful digestion and proper food combining are explored as important foundations for overall wellness. Persona

I never thought twice about using the microwave… until earlier this year. A friend mentioned that fast, high-heat cooking can reduce the nutrients in your food, and it was the first time I actually paused and paid attention. So I started reheating my meals with steam instead - and honestly, it feels different. Gentler. Cleaner. Closer to how the food was meant to be enjoyed. Just to be clear: microwaves don’t destroy everything, but they can reduce some heat-sensitive nutrien