Kisua

There is a new quirky online shopping destination: Kisua. Kisua hasn't exactly launched yet- it is opening its online doors at the beginning of October, but waiting for this site is (fingers crossed) going to be totally worth it. The new online retail shop is going to be stocking the greatest talent from Africa; That means new designers, bold prints and a colourful take on dressing. * eee * Just check out their Tumblr to see their mood board and the kind of treat we are in for.

Just imagine this pop of colour with a big winter coat and high booties for a spraky winter outfit?! I'm sure this site and its clothes are going to brighten up the grey British winter.

Bring on October. 

The African Super Food: Baobab

Predominantly, when we think of ‘super foods’ we automatically think antioxidants. We think of exotic fruit and vegetables like blueberries, avocados or the acaii berry- and rightly so, but very few of us would think of baobab. Say hello to the new super-food of 2013: Baobab. When I saw new, I don’t really mean new because this fruit has been around for donkeys years. It is Africa’s well-kept secret for improved health, beauty and vitality. 

Baobab is a tree grown in fifteen different countries in the African continent. Without having heard of baobab, you may recognise the tree, as it boasts quite a distinctive look: an extremely fat tall trunk and short branches arched towards the sun. Like everything in nature, there is reason for this: The trunk is fat and tall because it stores the water it collects in the rainy season. This water is then used to produce the baobab fruit on the end of its sky-facing branches, in the dry season. Because the tree provides when no others do, the baobab tree has been dubbed ‘the tree of life’. 

A super food is called so because it is extremely nutrition dense. That means lots of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals to keep you in your prime. Baobab has an oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) of 24,300. This is over twice the amount of antioxidants per gram compared to goji berries, blueberries, and pomegranates combined (Aduna). For you, reader, I will break down baobab’s nutritional content, in the hopes to educate you further and convince you to adopt the super food. 

Skin 

· Baobab contains lots of vitamin C, which protects our skin from oxidative stress. 

· The high levels of antioxidants help protect our skin from damage caused by free radicals. 

· Vitamin C contributes to restoring our vitamin E levels and collagen production (anti-aging benefits). Vitamin E is the vitamin that gives us strong long nails, shiny flowing locks and glowing skin. 

Stress 

· Potassium is present in Baobab, which helps maintain a normal blood pressure. 

· Vitamin B contributes to a healthy hormone balance in the brain, helping to combat depression. 

Digestion and Metabolism 

· A lot of people suffer from poor digestion. Baobab is high in calcium, which helps our digestive enzymes do their thing. 

· Baobab is almost 50% fibre, helping us detoxify and maintain healthy bowels. 

Energy 

· Vitamins B1 (Thiamin), B6 and C are all present in baobab, which aid the process of converting our calories into energy. 

· Vitamin C enables you to absorb the iron you ate in your red meat. With iron comes energy. 

Immunity 

· As you know, baobab is high in vitamin C, which is what your immune system practically runs on. 

So where do you get this baobab stuff? 

Like the acaii berry, baobab is generally eaten as a supplement in a powder form. This powder is added to all sorts of food, but most popularly, your morning smoothie. You can get Baobab powder from: 

Aduna

Wholefoods Online

Holland andBarrett

So, reader, have I convinced you?

Portrait by Greg Lourens

Introducing the Artist Greg Lourens.  I was lucky enough to meet, work with and become friends with Greg.  Greg's artwork is not just a striking portrait of his chosen subject.  His work reflects the person; their personality, mood, traits, their inner feelings.  How does he do this?  

From working with Greg and being one of his subjects I know that it is what Greg gives his subjects, that creates such unique and great pieces of work.  He gives you time, reassurance, confidence and forces you to understand yourself that much better. 

To create the portrait you see above, Greg and I did two photo-shoots.  The first photo-shoot commenced with Greg's explaining what drew him to me as a subject, in addition to his objectives for the drawing.  Greg pointed out the process of creating his art could be seen as a journey- a journey we would take together.  

The photo-shoot was different to my expectations and to anything else I had really done.  Because Greg's aim was to capture 'me' and not any facade, the shoot forced me to reflect on myself.  When I normally have a camera pointing at me my instant reaction would be to smile- to put up the facade of being happy. With no facade and just looking into the camera, I was forced to access my real feelings and mood. The only other parallel I can draw with the experience is meditating at the end of a yoga class- but meditate properly.  You go within yourself and time goes very quickly.  Throughout both photo-shoots Greg would ask me 'what are you feeling?' Both photo-shoots told me a lot about myself that I didn't really know.

After each photo-shoot Greg and I met up over coffee and discussed which ones we liked, wondered what was going through my head at the time of each shot.  Its strange to say but you think your pulling a blank face but actually there is a lot of emotion in each shot. 

The photo we both liked a lot was the one that Greg chose to draw,  A month later and the portrait was done.  It is a strange thing seeing your face blown up on a wall.  What strikes me about Greg's work is the amazing detail he renders, but ultimately it is how he captures the personality. I can see myself in that portrait.  I am so flattered and honoured to have worked with Greg.  Not only a wonderful artist but a wise and caring man. I believe he will go far.

More of Greg's work:

See more of Gregs work here