Innholdsfortegnelse for March 2017 i Men's Health South Africa

My training buddy likes to chug concentrated coffee before our bike rides. Is it just a hipster fad or worth a shot (or two)? PHIL, SANDTON Believe it or not, there are performance benefits that make concentrated coffee worth stealing from the coffee shop poseurs. Because it’s concentrated, it boasts more caffeine per ml than the average cup (which might be why yourpal is pipping you to the post during yourSunday sportive). Plus, it’s sold in shot bottles that are easy to take on bike rides.But perhaps the best thing for weekend athletes is its lower acidity levels. “The slow extraction process means you get less acid in your cup, so it’s kinder on your stomach,” says First Sukpaiboon, barista-proprietor at Her Haggerston. Aficionados claim it’s smoother than other coffees,…

BUDGETEER The Schwinn Volare 1300 is easy on your wallet, but doesn’t feel like you’ve skimped on your investment. A lightweight frame, responsive brakes and handling that’s up there with the pricier models. R4 400, schwinnbikes.com MID-RANGE It’s a big leap from budget to riding with the big boys, but if you’re no longer a novice you want a bike that can measure up to your cycling chops. The Giant Propel Advanced 1 has sharp, stable handling and a light frame R35 400, giant-bicycles.com EXTRAVAGANT Upgrade from weekend warrior to titan of the tarmac with this steed. The Trek Speed Concept 7.5 was engineered with real-world aerodynamic data from pro riders. The result? This thing is fast. R64 999, treakbikes.com…

THE SWING / Stand 50cm logs on a stump. Bend your knees; if you’re right-handed, grip the end of the handle with your left, keeping your right hand near the head. Raise the tool overhead, aim at a crack, let your right hand slide down the handle and swing into the log. Stack your wood and let it stand for a year. – Charlie Blinn, Minnesota University Forest Resources THE RESULTS / Think making the cut isn’t worth the effort? Listen up: you’re missing out on some big benefits if you aren’t taking blade to bark. Depending on the intensity of your swings, you’ll burn upwards of 1 600 kJ per hour while you’re at the chopping block. Not just that, but if you make sure you follow the advice…

#1 Hogshead Illovo 198 Oxford Rd, Illovo You can’t beat washing down a stacked burger with a Hansa Pilsener. So, here’s the plan: rally the crew and hit up this spot, a shrine to the country’s best smoked meats. And these guys aren’t messing around. Every smouldering cut, from their ribs to their peri-peri half chicken is smoked for 14 hours in their own Southern-style BBQ smoker. Our pick: the thick-cut beef brisket is the definition of Southern hospitality. Plus, the Pilseners here are on tap, and served just how you like them: cold and generously. #2 Jolly Roger 6th St & 4th Ave, Parkhurst Pirates had a few good ideas. Namely, that there’s no problem in the world that can’t be solved with a fine ale and a warm…

1 / Silva Ranger MS Compass An old-school compass will get you home more reliably than any GPS tracker. You’ll need one that’s durable and field-tested. R313, loot.co.za 2 / Coghlan’s Emergency Blanket If you wind up stranded overnight, caught in a cold front, an emergency blanket will save your life. R29, takealot.co.za 3 / Klean Kanteen 27oz Classic Bottle Staying hydrated is the difference between an adventure and air rescue. This flask will keep your water cool and clean. R150, Cape Union Mart 4 / Satellite Phone Even if it’s just to have contact with rest of the world in an emergency, this is worth the price of the rental. R499, satelliterentals-sales.co.za satelliterentals-sales.co.za 5 / Victorinox Cadet This pocket knife…

Ask anyone, and they’ll tell you Arrie Rautenbach is one of the most driven and hardworking guys out there. For 20 years, the Chief Risk Officer at Absa channeled that energy through his work, climbing the career ladder and making big moves in the boardroom. But his health was suffering. Getting the edge in the industry meant waking up early, and never hitting pause. He was skipping meals, snacking for sugar-highs and feasting in the evening. The former Free State rugby player packed on the pounds, and before long found himself at his heaviest: 117kg. “The annual medical checks weren’t good,” he says. “I didn’t feel unhealthy, but every year there were more and more red marks.” For a man with competition running in his blood, his physical fall from…

Start on all fours with your knees a few inches apart and lower back naturally arched. Slowly push your hips back until you feel movement in your lower back, a sign that you’re losing that arch. Return to the start. Spread your knees wider and repeat. Keep going until you find the position that allows the deepest range of motion without any change in your lower back. Try it again with your feet angled out to see if you can go even deeper. Apply that position to your squat.…

STRONG LATS MAKE YOU LOOK AND LIFT like a superhero. PS: you might need new tees (with a giant S, to wear under your mild-mannered suits). 01 Neutral-Grip Pull-Up This joint-friendly move boosts shoulder mobility so you can safely lift overhead. DO IT Hang from the parallel- grip handles of a pull-up bar so your palms face each other. Pull your chest to the bar, keeping your body rigid. Then slowly lower yourself. Do three to five sets of three to five reps. 02 Dumbbell Bench Pullover Want to make a muscle grow? Stretch it out, put it under load. DO IT Rest your upper back on a bench, hips up, feet flat, and knees bent. Cup a dumbbell over your chest. Slowly lower it behind you. Pause; pull it…

What They Do Probiotics are live, beneficial bacteria, and your digestive system is rife with them. You know this because yoghurt companies won’t shut up about probiotics, and doctors often prescribe them for gurgling bowels. What you may not know is that these buggers can help you lose weight. According to a recent study review from China, people who consumed probiotics for at least eight weeks lost almost 900g more, on average, than those who didn’t. How They Work The throngs of bacteria in your gastrointestinal system mainly fall into two squads: Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes. Research suggests that overweight people tend to have more of the former, while in slim people the latter variety holds sway. The theory is that probiotics rebalance your gut ecology, which means you have less…

REFRESH THE AIR Does your kitchen smell like a KFC dumpster? Easy fix: pour a cup of water into your slow cooker and add two cinnamon sticks. Turn it on low. Soon it’ll smell like a Cinnabon store. Go ahead and do it in the living room, bedroom and bathroom too. REMOVE PAINT D’oh! Your DIY project left paint splatters on your hinges and knobs. Forget solvents: put a few drops of dish soap in the cooker, fill with H2O, add the hardware and cook on low overnight. Remove the stuff with tongs and rub away the paint. GROW FOOD If your slow cooker ever goes on the fritz, don’t toss the ceramic insert. This sturdy vessel is the perfect size for an indoor herb garden. Fill it with soil…

I WAS A massage therapist in Vancouver for 10 years and gave more than 10 000 rubdowns to every kind of client you could possibly imagine, from the bodybuilder twice my size who winced and pleaded for mercy to the doctor who was so calmly demanding that I needed a massage myself afterwards. Of course, every job has its share of characters, but I’ve always been surprised by the high rate of dissatisfaction with mas sage among male clients. Men often made appointments for help with injuries, pain, performance, recovery, stress or depression, but all too often they ended up leaving with lighter wallets and unhappy endings instead of relief from the problems they came in with. With massage therapy now a multimillion-dollar industry and chains such as Sorbet opening…

THE FASTEST WAY TO MAKE A GREAT impression with women may not require uttering a single word. “Biologically speaking, women are more influenced by how a man smells than how he looks or his social status,” says psychologist Rachel Herz, author of The Scent of Desire. Smells are processed through the amygdala and hippo-campus, Herz says – brain regions that are tied to emotion and memory. That’s why you might want to choose a fragrance she’s never smelled before. “If I find you attractive, it’s going to strengthen the positive association I have with that scent,” she says. Select your personality type on the next page, then heed the insights of our friends at Women’s Health to settle on a scent that suits you best.…

1 / At least once a month, tally up your income and spending, says Bruce McClary of the National Foundation for Credit Counselling. He uses pen and paper, but we like Buxfer (buxfer.com.) You can create your own categories and set limits that will alert you when you’re overspending. 2 / Don’t be “house poor.” If your home eats up more than 30% of your earnings, there’s not enough of an emergency cushion. Downsize to a smaller house, or a less expensive area. 3 / Prioritise credit card debt. The “ladder method” saves you the most. Pay off the card with the highest interest rate regardless of balance; then move down the ladder of interest rates until everything’s paid. 4 / Set up an emergency savings fund and aim to…

What’s the best SMS to send a woman after a hot one-night stand? migeul, pta “Free for dinner Friday?” Simple words can say a lot. You’re casually making it known that you’d like to see her again – and soon. That’s all she probably wants to hear after a passionate fling. She’ll peg you as a confident, stand-up guy who’s into more than just sex. I work 60-hour weeks and earn twice what my wife does. Do we really have to split the chores? alex, jhb I’m going to save you a lifetime of arguing: take that fat paycheck of yours, peel off a hundred bucks or so and call a cleaning service. The way you’re using maths to calculate who does what is bound to breed resentment. If you…

Men are three times more likely to die of unnatural causes than women. For men, the most common non-natural cause of death in 2014 was assault (12.9%), followed by transport accidents (12.1%). Alcohol is a prominent factor in violence and injuries, including interpersonal violence, domestic violence, sexual assault and road traffic injuries. Suicide accounts for approximately 10% of all non-natural deaths in SA, according to the MRC National Injury Mortality Surveillance (NIMSS). Rates here are “inordinately high”, says Professor Lourens Schlebusch, an international expert on stress and suicide and the author of Suicidal Behaviour in South Africa and Mind Shift: Stress Management and Your Health (University of Kwa-Zulu Natal Press). Most of the 8 000 South Africans who die by suicide each year are young men: studies have shown that…

Cristiano Ronaldo raked in $88 million – a cool R1.1 billion – in raw earnings and sponsorships last year, making him the highest-paid sportsman of 2016. But the athlete’s success isn’t just down to talent. A recent study conducted by University College London has shed new light on what prosperous people have in common. The clue? It might be their ability to maintain their composure when faced with uncertainty. The study asked 45 subjects to play a video game wherein they had to guess whether there was a snake under a set of rocks. If they flipped the pebble and found a serpent, they were given a small electric shock. The result? Subjects were least stressed when there was a zero or 100% chance of uncovering a hissing reptile, showing…

TUPPERWARE TAKES TIME. AND whether you’re running ultras, running late or just running the kids down to school, it’s easy to feel that you just don’t have enough of it. To the rescue of depleted glycogen stores everywhere, on the mountain, in the office and on the playground: raw bars come packed with easily absorbable nourishment that won’t spike your sugar levels and leave you crashed out on the conference table. These smart bars are designed to contain as much protein, low-GI carbs and healthy fats into one little wrapper as possible – and pack a powerful punch in the taste stakes as well. So whether you’re stuck for a school lunch, stalled at 50km or spacing out at 3pm, one of these in your back pocket will get you…

1 / You wear many hats, and very successfully too. How do you deal with first-day jitters of starting a new job? It’s like the first day of school all over again: once you get to know someone, find your way around – even if it’s just locating the bathroom – and get a sense of what you need to do, those jitters will start to disappear. In a week you won’t even feel like an outsider anymore. But don’t try fit in for the sake of fitting in. The best way to fit in is not fit in at all. I learnt early on that it doesn’t matter what industry you’re in, you won’t stand out and remain memorable if you’re copycatting the people around you. If anything, the…

CHAINRING TATTOO Basically the road cyclist’s tramp stamp. Be wary of your gait to avoid this embarrassing chain-grease mark. FIXIE A single-speed bike that’s good for the coffee run and showing off your new salvaged leather boots. BRAIN BUCKET A.k.a. a bicycling helmet. Wear one, or someone will be collecting your brains in a bucket. GRANNY GEAR The equivalent of a pensioner taking up two lanes of traffic – and the perfect gear for taking on monster climbs.…

NAME THEMBI NDHLOVU LOCATION DURBAN OCCUPATION DESKTOP ENGINEER CHALLENGE SMARTEN UP Blazer R1 400 D66 at Edgars Printed Shirt R450 Old Khaki Pocket Square R400 T.M. Lewin at Edgars Komono Watch R1 599 komonoshop.co.za Leather Belt R275 Old Khaki Slim-Fit Chinos R399 Woolworths Sneakers R799 H&M EDGARS 0860 692 274 H&M 021 826 7300 OLD KHAKI 021 464 5800 KOMONOSHOP.CO.ZA  WOOLWORTHS 0860 022 002 LOCATION HOUSE OF MACHINES STYLE TRAPS A/ A GOLFER IS ONLY WORKWEAR-APPROPRIATE IF IT FITS WELL B/ STAY AWAY FROM ANYTHING BAGGY – SLIM GUYS LOOK BEST IN A SLIM FIT C/ TROUSERS TOO LONG? TAKE ’EM TO A TAILOR DON’T WAIT FOR FEEDBACK ON your style game from colleagues – by then, a bad first impression will have taken hold. Instead, look for guidance from…

“The wild, world-famous bays and beaches of the 12 Apostles stack together as a postcard-perfect course that lets entrants see the coast from a whole new perspective.” ICE-CREAM HEADACHES. THE FIRST WORD OF THAT STATE- ment makes you think of creamy, tasty softserve, but it’s when paired with the second word, it loses all its innocence. These head pains hit you instantly when you hit cold water, and stick around until your body (and mind) adapts. I had my first proper double serving of brain freeze once I hit the frigid waters of Sandy Bay for the first swim of the Torpedo Swimrun, where the temps hovered around 9-degrees. SWIMRUN INVOLVES, AS THE NAME SUGGESTS, a lot of swimming and running. In a two-man team, without stoppages for transitions, you’re…

“Good leaders are judged by their ability to listen and connect – you can’t do either if your mind is cluttered.” HE’S THE CEO of a multimillion-rand, multi-award-winning property development company, yet the most important hour of his day is spent sweating it out with guys half his age. At 51, Paul Berman, head of Berman Bros. property development firm, is at the height of his game, both physically and professionally. And staying there, he says, requires a lot of time on the floor next to students and models. “The one thing I’ve learnt is that no matter how good a businessman you are, the physical aspect of your life is just as important as anything else when it comes to making a success of your life.” Paul joined younger…

STANDING DESK The average person sits for more than a third of the day, which promotes injury, ailments and disease. By standing for just one hour a day, you can negate those risks. R2 399, deskstand.co.za FOAM ROLLER Sure, it’s expensive – but it’s also your best weapon against stiffness and post-training DOMS. Excellent for myofascial release, warm-up and a speedier recovery. R3 999, hyperice.co.za STRETCHING APP Want to stretch but don’t know where to start? Romwod makes it super easy: sign up and get daily stretching routines right on your phone, laptop or tablet. R190/month, romwod.com…

1 / They Cut Blood Sugar People with diabetes who regularly took probiotics saw an average 16-point reduction in their fasting blood sugar, a Chinese study review found. That’s a lot. The theory is that probiotics may inhibit glucose absorption in your intestine, so less glucose ends up in circulation. That’s especially important for maintaining regular, stable blood glucose levels and avoiding dangerous spikes and plunges. 2 / They Calm You Down Stressed-out med students who sipped a Lactobacillus casei Shirota beverage daily had lower spikes in the stress hormone cortisol than those who swilled a placebo, a study from Japan found. Beneficial bacteria might quell gut-brain signals that activate cortisol- secreting glands. Find the strain in milk kefir, Amasi or probiotic beverages, such as Probio. (Search for stocks at…

SWEET RELIEF The slow, heat- free process makes cold-brews taste smoother and less bitter, obviating the need for milk and sugar. WELL- PRESERVED Your coffee is brewed properly, rather than simply by pouring hot espresso over ice: a watery grave for quality roasts. INSTANT FIX OK, so it takes time to make. But once prepped, your batch will keep for weeks. Decent joe, on demand. COST-SAVING Cold coffee is easier to carry around, so you don’t have to resort to pricey high-street chains.…

Swedish The original; it’s best for almost everyone, especially first-timers. Sports Basically Swedish but with deeper, faster strokes for a more invigorating experience. Deep Tissue Essentially, “strong”; try it if other styles feel too gentle. Relaxation The light, soft strokes are great for stress relief. Hot Stone Warm rocks are placed on the body for an indulgent spa treat. Trigger Point (or) Neuromuscular For stubborn aches and pains, it targets stiff spots in muscles and "releases" them. Myofascial Release This stretching/pulling of connective tissue, or fascia, is often strong; best if you need help stretching or have chronic pain. Medical It emphasises the health benefits of massage and is more like physical therapy; used for injury rehab or support during illness. Shiatsu Japan’s house style is an intense hybrid of…

REFILLABLE The eye-catching, environmentally-friendly bottle of Cartier’s L’Envol Refillable EDP is a capsule contained within a detachable glass dome. The capsule can be carried independently, making it a perfect lightweight travel option. 100ml R1 180 Edgars PERSONALISED With an engraved leather case and complimentary travel size spray, there is more to Atelier Colognes Silver Iris than smart marketing: these colognes are extremely long-lasting, as each contains 15-20% more essential oils. 200ml R5 500 Edgars BESPOKE Tailor your scent with a unique fragrance combining service, which allows you to create an olfactory signature by layering fragrances to create something new. In-store consultations will help you find something your own. 50ml R1 400 Jo Malone…

Read the statements and answer: strongly disagree (0), disagree (1), disagree a little (2), agree a little (3), agree (4), strongly agree (5). A People get rich by taking advantage of others. We can have love or money, but not both. Good people should not care about money. B More money will make me happier. Money buys freedom. Money would solve all my problems. C My self-worth equals my net worth. I won’t buy some thing (such as a car or a house) unless it’s new. Money is power. D People should work for their money and not be given financial handouts. Money should be saved, not spent. Always look for the best deal, even if it takes more time. The Categories If you score more than 9 in any…

RECOVER SUNDAY FOR PRO RUGBY PLAYERS, Sunday morning can feel like waking up after being in several car crashes. What’s more, they have to be ready to rumble again in six days. The day after a game, banged-up players start treatment, while the rest of the guys begin their recovery routine. For Bulls utility back Jesse Kriel, that routine starts with what he eats. “After a game I usually grab some protein, whether it’s in the form of a shake or good, old-fashioned healthy food,” he says. Rugby nutrition consultant Adrian Penzhorn approves. “Recovery should start as close to the final whistle as possible,” he says. “The day after a game, he should prioritise protein. A Sunday diet should be high in protein with plenty of veg and a moderate…

WADING THROUGH DEATH notification stats is a grim business. But it pays to know which conditions claim the most lives – especially when there’s a lot you can do to avoid ending up in a body bag. The numbers show there’s a year-by-year increase in the number of deaths due to preventable conditions such as hypertension, respiratory diseases and diabetes, and a drop in the proportion of communicable (infectious) diseases. Over the last few years, the gap between communicable (37%) and non-communicable (53%) diseases has widened; pointing to lifestyle as a massive indicator of your chances of a long and healthy life. The bottom line: sidestep those chips and that extra beer, get active, and keep an eye on your vitals. Your mom can thank us later. These are top…

A Group Run “The first thing I say is, ‘This is not a race,’ ” says Bart Yasso, who’s led 500-plus group runs for Runner’s World magazine. Talk, joke and push, but never crush. Then detail the course. This ensures everyone makes it back and keeps the herd from having to wait (and get frustrated). Your Kid’s Soccer Team Mix required skill drills with fun activities, and stop coaching when the game or practice ends. No drills in the backyard, no chalkboard at home. “Many kids of coaches grow to hate sports because practice never ends,” says John O’Sullivan of the Changing the Game Project. A Business Meeting Instead of asking for opinions, which people are usually tentative about giving, say what you think up front and then ask for…

The Sports Rival YOUR TACTIC Picture the process. He motivates your training and workouts, but on game day your rival is nothing but a distraction, says Ian Connole, director of the sport psychology programme at Kansas State. Refocus on the process for success, he says. Picture every step specifically, and then trust your body to do what it does best. The Saboteur YOUR TACTIC Keep a watchful eye. Beware the sneak attack, warns Hillary Anger Elfenbein, Ph.D., a professor of organisational behaviour at Washington University in St. Louis. Identifying allies is easy, but rivals may lie low to avoid reprisals. So gather a posse of allies who are in a position to keep a lookout and report any subterfuge back to you. The Jerk at Work YOUR TACTIC Misdirect him.…

1 / KILLER CORE After a workout, a sleeveless vest will give your guns room to fire, while keeping your vitals insulated. It’s also a weekend staple, when the weather can’t seem to make up it’s damn mind. Keep it slim, yet roomy enough to fit a few layers underneath. 2 / EYE ON THE BALL When it comes to sunnies, invest in versatile – look for frames that work equally well on the course and out for cocktails. The curved temples of these will ensure they stay put no matter how hard you swing for the fences. 3 / HEAD IN THE GAME Who says sports jackets have to be slick, stiff and synthetic? This textured knit hoodie, with its extra-roomy hood, works just as well when you’re warming…

Hot sauce has become a saviour of bland food. But turns out drowning your dinner plate duds and Tupperware-taste-tinged lunches in Sriracha might be doing more than just making that leftover rice palatable, for the third time. A new study suggests that two of its key ingredients make perfect partners when it comes to dousing your cancer risk. Researchers from Henan University in China found that a combination of capsaicin (the compound that gives chilli its kick) and 6-gingerol (a chemical in ginger) binds to cellular receptors related to tumour growth, curbing your odds of illness. Scientists fed cancer-prone mice either capsaicin, 6-gingerol or a mix of the two. While capsaicin had no preventative effect on its own, only half the mice fed 6- gingerol developed tumours. Best part? Just…

1 CORE VARIATION Clint always start his training sessions with a few sets of sit-ups. “They strengthen my core better than any other exercise,” he says. A strong core is important for one big reason: while your legs provide the most obvious source of power, your core muscles are the foundation from which all movement stems. Power up your sessions with variations such as planks, bicycles and mountain climbers. 2 SQUATS There’s a reason why any trainer worth their salt weaves squats into every workout. This compound lift powers up your legs, core and back: the holy trinity of what it takes to be an explosive cyclist. Clint always sets aside gym time to hit the rack and lift heavy. Seen a top rider go from zero to 100 to…

MAKING FIREWOOD WITH AXE AND aggression isn’t just about starting a braai with bravado. Going to the chopping block will also help boost testosterone and burn calories. Got your flannel shirt? Let’s go 1 / Stihl Forestry AX10 If you’re a blunt-force object kind of guy, use a maul. You’ll want what this one has: a 34-inch straight handle and 3kg of punch. Physics turn those numbers into power. Splitting braai wood is not precision work, and the steel collar saves the shaft when you miss. Sharpening optional. POA, stihl.co.za 2 / Gränsfors Large Splitting Axe Be careful swinging this hickory-handled Swedish beauty - you might sprout a beard and start using umlauts. At 70cm and about 2.2kg, it’s shorter and lighter than a maul. The blade is thin and…

I’m afraid of heights. How do I overcome this phobia, which is getting in the way of my adventurous spirit? You want to hear something crazy? Many trails don’t have a single vertigo-inducing climb. For example, Kilimanjaro, which extends almost 6 000m up to its peak, doesn’t have any overhangs along its main route. Do some research and find trails near you that are vertigo-friendly. Or better yet, start exposing yourself to your fears. To begin mastering your thinking, you’ll need to start pulling down the mental barriers that led to your phobia in the first place. I’ve always dreamt of summiting Kilimanjaro, but every time I get down to the planning stages I get cold feet. How do I muster the courage to scratch this one off my bucket…

The conventional notion that everyone should squat ass to grass is basically bullshit, McGill says. MY EXAM BEGAN THE moment I climbed out of my car and walked up the driveway – I just didn’t know it yet. Nor did I suspect that by the end of the day, I would learn that I’d been exercising wrong, that I had a semi-serious back injury and that most one-size-fits-all fitness recommendations are basically bullshit. All I knew was that after four decades of lifting, my workouts were no longer working. My squats were pathetic, my deadlift was dying, and – worst of all – my back felt sore and unstable. If anybody could help me recapture my weight-room mojo, it was Stuart McGill, who welcomed me into his home clinic. You…

PHILIPP HARTMAN AGE/HEIGHT 38/1.85m LOCATION Cape Town WEIGHT BEFORE 88.5kg AFTER 81.5kg TIME TO GOAL 8 months PHILIPP HARTMANN IS A fully-fledged waterman. The humble 37-year-old entrepreneur from Germany loves surfing, even though, in his own words, he’s an average surfer at best. After meeting him and listening to his story, we know there’s nothing average about him. Philipp’s journey started with a dream of surfing big waves – but he didn’t know how to go about achieving it. Thanks to a heavy work schedule and demanding family commitments in Germany, he’d become unfit and had missed 2015’s big wave season. He never wanted this to happen again. His plan for 2016 was simple: acquire the level of fitness needed to surf a particular big spot in Cape Town, called…

THE FIRST TIME I USED A SLOW COOKER, I thought I’d burn down my apartment. I didn’t trust the device – first patented during the 1930s – to cook my food, unsupervised, while I was at work. But later that evening, I arrived home to find not only my worldly possessions intact but the air fragrant with the savoury smell of a gently simmered creation I could enjoy for days. I’ve been a fan of the slow cooker ever since – and judging by its popularity, I’m not the only guy on board. No wonder, because slow-cooked meals trounce frozen dinners in terms of nutrition and flavor. And prep-it-and-forget-it cooking is perfect for people like me who love good food but hate standing over a stove. Hungry for more, I…

GOOD For breakfast choose the three-egg omelette with a slice of rye or wholewheat and added mushrooms, peppers and onion. This is a nice package of protein, fibre and fat in just over 2 500 kJ with 27g of protein. BETTER The Cajun Chicken and Avo Wrap is my pick of the wraps. High in protein, 37g, with a heart-healthy dose of unsaturated fat from the avo. Add the side salad if you feel the need. BEST Smoked Salmon Trout Salad is a nice moderate energy salad (only 1 600 kJ) with 20g each of protein, carbohydrates and fat. Plus, there are some omega-3 fats from the trout. This would be your best choice of main if you are eyeing a little treat, too.…

IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY, Tithonus was a Trojan prince granted everlasting life by Zeus, king of the gods, at the behest of the prince’s lover, Eos. Zeus reluctantly agreed, perhaps realising that Eos had made one grave error: she had forgotten to ask for everlasting youth. And so it came to pass that Tithonus aged and withered, but without the ultimate consolation of death. It’s a pertinent cautionary tale: who wants to live forever if life is not worth living? And, crucially, what good is longevity without health? Currently, in the West at least, we’re doing alright. We suffer less from disease and war than at any point in our history. We exercise (more). We eat well (mostly). And we realise that stubbing out the cigs and getting a good night’s…

Samsung Gear S3 Frontier One of the closest things you’ll ever get to a full-on phone on your wrist, the Frontier comes with built-in LTE, heart-rate monitor, Wi-Fi and GPS. Add an incredibly crisp screen and a 96-hour battery life, rechargeable via WiFi, and you’ll never stress about leaving your phone at home again. R6 499, incredible.co.za Apple Watch Series 2 The latest model may look familiar, but with welcome updates, it’s faster and more efficient than ever. For starters, this watch is water-resistant to 50 metres and has a built- in GPS. Apple’s new operating system launches apps instantly, and the watch tracks everything from your resting heart rate to your workouts. From R7 499, myistore.co.za WHEN HIGH-TECH timepieces like the Apple Watch and the Samsung Gear S2 first…

DID YOU LOSE TRACK OF THAT DREAM your parents had, the one you thought for sure you’d inherit? It’s still there, but now it’s buried under a huge pile of debt and debris caused by a tough economy, endless career stalls, a life on credit and the rising cost of living. Then there’s that loan your varsity gave you for graduation: the gift that keeps on taking. The damage done by the past decade to men across all income levels is shockingly broad and deep. Once, life on the edge meant dating an exchange student, listening to indie rock, and drinking single malts. Then came the economy meltdown of 2008, and suddenly the edge became the fastest-growing neighborhood in the country. Now, consumer confidence sits smack dab between neutral and…

I ONCE LIVED ABOVE A TATTOO SHOP IN LONDON. THEY WERE NICE ENOUGH PEOPLE, BUT ON Saturday nights, as I was settling down with a cuppa, things would get rather rowdy below. I put the shrieks, thumps and moans down to some late-night needling on someone with a particularly low pain threshold, but during one exceptionally vociferous session, I heard “Fred” scream: “Show me your p****!.” Putting the TV volume up and my head under a cushion did very little to dampen the sounds of their enthusiasm – and once you’ve heard your neighbour at their most, er, loose-tongued, you simply can’t unhear it. While I was being all Bridget Jones about the weekly orgy happening in my hood, and saving eggboxes to line my walls, it turns out I…

“We have seen from wellness data that when sleep duration or quality decreases, a player’s mood worsens and his stress levels increases,” says Stephan du Toit. “Even though players may struggle to sleep in the week after a game, it must be a priority.” Flank Jaco Kriel agrees: “For me, sleep is the best recovery tactic there is. I try to get eight hours of sleep every night, and if I have time I’ll sleep in the afternoon as well. I also like to cram in a power nap in the last few hours before a game.” Rossouw confirms that “sleep probably plays the biggest role in recovery. We recommend that the guys sleep between seven and 10 hours a night, and prioritise an early night over a late morning,…

Hypertension affects 42.2% of the population, 10.6% suffer from elevated blood glucose, and 34% have high cholesterol. But 80% of cardiovascular events can be prevented with healthy lifestyle changes. 1 IN 4 1 in 4 adults is obese and over half are overweight. Half of all adults are physically inactive. Contributing to our obseity problem is the increasing consumption of packaged foods high in calories, saturated fats, animal proteins, sugars and salt. Booze is the third most important risk factor contributing to non-communicable diseases, and it can also accelerate the progression of infectious diseases. Consumption among those who drink amounts to a staggering 27.1 litres per person per year.…

1. LAPTOPS According to a study published in the Journal of Fertility and Sterility in 2010, exposing your testicles to consistent and high heat can affect the quality and quantity of your sperm. Researchers at the State University of New York found that while perching your laptop on your lap could discourage sperm formation, moderate usage did not project enough heat to negatively affect your fertility. Keep your laptop lap sessions to a minimum and use a desk when you can. 2. CYCLING Worried that your stints in the saddle may be tanking your sperm count? While researchers at University College London found that the tight lycra in combination with seat pressure could lower sperm counts or result in abnormal sperm, technological advances in the development of saddles and cycling…

1 The Buzzer Sounds: You Win! When you’re the champ in any kind of competition, testosterone levels often quickly rise in your bloodstream, says Matthew Fuxjager, an assistant professor of biology at Wake Forest University. 2 Testosterone Hits Your Brain Experts hypothesise that a rise in testosterone feeds your noggin’s reward system. And an influx of T may equal more receptors in brain structures that feed competitiveness and social aggression. 3 Your Next Face-Off Additional T receptors are probably still hanging around in your head long after your victory, Fuxjager says. The effect? You’ll be more likely to aggressively repeat the steps that led to your last win.…

1 Vendors Doing the gardening or parked on the couch, you don’t want the burden of tracking down an ice-cold brewski or constructing a boerie roll. But dammit, you need one. There definitely ought to be a guy who walks around, night or day, carrying a tray of ales and snacks. Think of the possibilities: your morning meeting, weddings, funerals – nothing’s off limits. Everyone needs to snack. 2 Instant Replay We can’t even count the number of times roping in the third match official would be a big benefit. Did your mate just face plant after a few too many drinks? Call up the highlights reel the next morning and give him a match round-up he’d probably prefer to forget. Plus, think of the edge you’ll have in your…