homemade – Mabalingwe Nature Reserve Blog

Winter Comforts: Decadent Hot Chocolate Mug Cake

Posted on May 20, 2024

Indulge in the cosy warmth of winter with this easy-to-make hot chocolate mug cake. Perfect for those chilly evenings when you crave something sweet and comforting. In just a few minutes, you’ll have a delicious treat ready to enjoy by the fire.

Ingredients

– 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour

– 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

– 3 tablespoons granulated sugar

– 1/4 teaspoon baking powder

– 1/8 teaspoon salt

– 3 tablespoons milk

– 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

– 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

– Mini marshmallows (optional, for topping)

Instructions:

1. In a microwave-safe mug, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, and salt until well combined.

2. Stir in the milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract until the batter is smooth and no lumps remain.

3. Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, or until the cake has risen and set in the middle. Be careful not to overcook.

4. Let the mug cake cool for a minute before topping with mini marshmallows, if desired.

5. Grab a spoon and enjoy your warm and gooey hot chocolate mug cake!

*Tip: For an extra indulgent twist, top your mug cake with whipped cream or a drizzle of chocolate sauce.*

Ginger Turmeric Immunity-boosting Shot

Posted on May 13, 2022

Immunity-boosting shots are all the rage right now! They are a great way of getting the antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that you need to give your health a boost, and they are super easy to make. They are, however, quite pricey and with the cold and flu season upon us, there isn’t a better time to learn how to make your own at home.

Ginger Turmeric Immunity-boosting Shot

(makes up to 8 servings)

Ingredients

1 fresh, unpeeled ginger root (medium to large size), chopped
2 oranges, chopped with rind included
1 lime, juiced
½ turmeric
A pinch of black pepper
2 cups of filtered water

Equipment

A blender

Instructions

Add all the ingredients to the blender and blend until smooth
Using a fine-mesh sieve with a bowl underneath, pour the juice through the sieve to separate the pulp from the juice.
Transfer the juice from the bowl to a sealable jar or bottle. Store in the fridge for up to four days and enjoy the shots as you please (we recommend one 50-60ml shot a day.)

Tips:

Turmeric stains EVERYTHING except teeth. Make sure to keep a cloth or paper towel close to immediately clean up any spilled juice.
Save the leftover pulp and add it to other juices for an added flavour.

Enjoy!

Recipe credit: https://plantyou.com/

Mabalingwe’s Ultimate Homemade and Eco-Friendly Bug Repellents

Posted on March 1, 2017

Do you sometimes just feel the bushveld is calling and you must just go? The nature, the sunsets, the sounds, the wonderful memories that you have… with nature and the bushveld, come the cute and interesting “goggos”, bugs and a number of crawling and flying critters because naturally the bush is their domain. That however doesn’t mean you necessarily love and treasure the time spent with a fly, a mozzie or a spider in your room, kitchen, lounge and especially the bathroom. So we thought we would share our eco-friendly, homemade repellents with you – keeping the crawlies cosy in the bushes and you “snug-as-a-bug” in your Unit. And of course, you can use these remedies beyond the bushveld, in your own homes too.

Spider Repellent:

Did you know spiders abhor peppermint? Well, now you do. To keep the spiders happily outside, add ten to 15 drops of peppermint essential oil to a cup (250 ml) of water. Pop this into a spray bottle and spray on doorframes, windows, small cracks, ceilings and bathrooms, in your House/Chalet.

Ant Repellent:

Ants have a great sense of smell, but don’t like cinnamon, garlic and mint. If you have too many ants visiting you indoors, take a cinnamon stick, sliced clove of garlic and/or mint and place them in the problem areas (“blocking” their path); this will disperse their party and direct them back to the great outdoors. Keep doing this – the clever little ants will remember that your Chalet/Home isn’t the place to be.

General “Gogga”/Bug Spray:

Did you know that flies, mozzies, ticks and other creepy crawlies are not fans of basil? You can either invest in a basil plant/plant it all over your garden, or for a portable version … you can purchase basil essential oil, pour 20 drops and two cups of water into a spray bottle and TA-DA – your own bug repellent.

Anything Else?

Are there other ingredients that bugs in general, find unpleasant? Yes – eucalyptus, lavender, rosemary, citronella and bay leaves (in any form).

There you have it… Mabalingwe’s Ultimate Homemade Bug Repellents. Do you have any eco-friendly tips on how to keep the bugs at bay? Let us know in the comment section below!

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