LIVE SMART
TIPS, TOOLS AND GADGETS TO MAKE LIFE SIMPLER
In the interests of preserving the environment,
more and more people around the world are
reducing their reliance on plastics. India has
banned the use of all non-recyclable plastics, and
if you’ve always recycled, the next step is to bring
less plastic into your home in the first place.1
Instead of buying food in shrink-wrapped
plastic, opt to have it wrapped in paper, for
example at the deli counter. Choose paper
bags for bakery products instead of plastic.2
Choose glass jars over tins (the latter are
often lined with BPA-containing resins).3
Replace your family’s sippy cups and plastic
sports bottles with stainless steel versions.4
When you buy a new kettle or toaster, opt
for stainless steel replacements with minimal
plastic components.5
Take your own reusable coffee thermos to
your coffee shop, instead of using their paper
cups, which are often lined with plastic.6
Buy razors with replaceable blades instead
of disposables.7
Buy fewer processed and frozen meals.
Even those packaged in ‘cardboard’ have
a plastic coating.8
Buy matches instead of disposable
plastic lighters.The new Stylerush Ceramic Styler,
R1 800
This styler helps you create pencil
straight, wavy and curly looks. The
infrared technology actually heats
your hair from the inside, so curls
and waves last all day. The plate
cover is handy for travelling to
keep the plates clean.
This month we’re testing...
HANDLE WITH CARE
COMPILED BY BELINDA BURNS PHOTOS: FOTOLIA.COM AND SUPPLIEDCAN YOU WEAN YOURSELF
If you’re using a heat protectant on your hair
when using straighteners or tongs (and you
should be), it’s important to note that product
build-up on your tool can result in uneven
heating and incomplete straightening.
Clean your tools regularly by wiping them
down with a damp cloth (once the plates have
cooled). If there’s a lot of product build-up,
a wipe with rubbing alcohol should remove
any residue. Never scrub the plates as this will
damage their protective coating.Smartphones are helpful, entertaining, distracting
and addictive all at once, and health experts have
been urging us to take regular screen breaks for
years. A staggering two-thirds of people can’t pass
a waking hour without glancing at their phones. The
thought of a self-imposed phone ‘ban’ may fill you
with terror. What if you miss an important message?
Or a piece of breaking news? But here are just four
things that’ll happen when you stop compulsively
checking your phone...
YOU’LL THINK MORE CLEARLY It’s been proven you can’t do two things
at once – you’ll stop multitasking and focus on one thing at a time.
YOU’LL SLEEP BETTER Set up a family charging station in the
living room, as opposed to each bedroom, and everyone will get
better rest.
YOUR RELATIONSHIPS WITH YOUR SPOUSE AND CHILDREN WILL
BE BOOSTED No one will be competing with a phone for attention.
YOUR SAFETY ON THE ROAD WILL IMPROVE Over 50% of US road
accidents involve cellphone use, and you can bet our local stats aren’t
much better.
So how can you minimise the urge to check your phone? Incorporate some
new habits into your daily routine, such as:
Unfollowing people on social media you don’t really want to connect with.
Turning off your phone for an entire day on a Saturday or Sunday.
Turning off push notifications.
Leaving your phone at home if you’re going out with the family.8 shopping tips
off your phone? for a plastic-free home
WHY IT’S GREAT
We loved the 360° swivel feature, which
makes curls so much easier to achieve
without the cord snaking around your
arm. The 2.7m cord is convenient too.
VERDICT
You may need to keep an eye on the
LED to make sure it’s flashing because,
unlike some other stylers, there’s no
beep to let you know when it’s ready.30 yourfamily.co.za