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Recipe: Eggplant Lasagne Boats

Recipe: Eggplant Lasagne Boats

by Renate Engelbrecht | Jun 15, 2023 | FEATURED POST 1, FOOD

While I enjoy the beauty and the magic that comes with gardening, I was not blessed with green fingers. My husband, Wikus certainly got his mom’s green fingers, though and luckily he loves gardening. In fact, he recently started growing all kinds of vegetables and...

Recent Posts

  • New Balance Celebrates Its Annual Grey Days With Exciting Launches and Activations
  • Groot Phesantekraal Launches a Collection of Innovative Wine Cocktails
  • WIN with SUITCASE & CHARDONNAY and Neethlingshof
  • Blaauwklippen: A Heritage Estate’s Legacy and Wines of Resilience
  • Raising Gentle Humans: Teaching Kids Compassion, Kindness and Sensitivity

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Wine farms are not always just about wine. At @ver Wine farms are not always just about wine. At @vergenoegd_low_wine_estate is about so much more! Here, it's about the senses and it starts where the heart is: home. 

Vergenoegd Löw has a way of making you feel at home from the start. Their accommodation is cozy and comfy and whilst elegant and luxurious, it's also humble and true to its heritage. Staying here allows you to slow down and immerse yourself in the estate's aromas and flavours... From the rosemary planted between the vines to roosterkoek on the grill.

In addition, Chef @michellepirietheron brings memories from home onto the plate too, allowing you to taste not only the terroir through wine and cuisine, but also a bit of South African nostalgia. 

Add to that all the experiences to be had - from the brand-new winter menu at @geuwels to the new Farm Tea and the unique, non-alcoholic version of their indigenous tasting experience - and you'd never want to leave. 

Listen to the latest SUITCASE & CHARDONNAY podcast episode to learn more about these experiences. Available on Youatube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever else you listen to your podcasts. 

#vergenoegdlöw #winelands #SouthAfricanHeritage
GREY DAYS | New Balance recently announced their a GREY DAYS | New Balance recently announced their annual Grey Days celebration - a month-long tribute to the brand's signature colour, honouring its heritage and brand evolution. With it comes a range of special edition products, immersive experiences and stories that honour the unique and timeless influence of grey. 

This year's Grey Days collection features key product offerings across lifestyle, performance, Numeric and kids ranges, some of which have already been launched and others still to come. 

WHAT YOU CAN LOOK FORWARD TO: 

15 May: The ABZORB 2000 AND ABZORB  5030 launch. Both models offer a progressive approach to New Balance's exploration of 2000s-era running influences and transform ABZORB technology into a signature visual design statement. 

22 May: The ABZORB 1890 launch. Introduced earlier this year, the ABZORB 1890 draws on the brand's heritage DNA while offering a playful exploration and representation of visible tech. 

Check out the Grey Days collection in New Balance stores nationwide, on NewBalance co.za and select retailers throughout the month of May. 

#newbalance #greydays #southafrica #running #gifted @newbalance @newbalancelifestyle @newbalancerunning
NEW PODCAST EPISODE | Step into the evolving world NEW PODCAST EPISODE | Step into the evolving world of Vergenoegd Löw as I return to this remarkable wine estate to uncover its newest culinary and sensory experiences. From the beautifully reimagined winter menu at Geuwels Restaurant to an indigenous non-alcoholic tasting experience that celebrates South Africa’s botanical heritage, this episode is a journey through flavour, storytelling and thoughtful hospitality.

Find the video podcast episode on YouTube and Spotify, with the audio version available wherever else you listen to your podcasts. Here's the link to YouTube:

https://youtu.be/PpnMwMyPecQ?si=YcW4_ypPC9y2crWA

@vergenoegd_low_wine_estate
Step into one of Africa’s most fascinating and une Step into one of Africa’s most fascinating and unexpected wildlife experiences at @victoriafallssafarilodge. 

In this episode of the SUITCASE & CHARDONNAY podcast, I sit down with the custodian behind the iconic Vulture Culture experience at the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge - a conservation-led initiative that has become one of Zimbabwe’s most unique attractions.

Often misunderstood, vultures play a vital role in maintaining ecological balance. From up close, at the renowned 'vulture restaurant,' we explore how these incredible birds are protected, why their survival matters, and how tourism can support meaningful conservation.

In this episode:

The story behind the Vulture Culture experience
Why vultures are essential to Africa’s ecosystems
How conservation and tourism intersect
What it’s really like to witness a vulture feeding up close

Find the link to the video podcast here: 

https://youtu.be/wvFOY2N4TTI?si=9etCZH9wgy-l-m5h

#vultures #safari #zimbabwe #victoriafalls
WIN WITH SUITCASE & CHARDONNAY AND NEETHLINGSHOF! WIN WITH SUITCASE & CHARDONNAY AND NEETHLINGSHOF!

Following the recent podcast episode featuring winemaker, @mikaengelbrecht , I am happy to announce an exciting competition where you can WIN with SUITCASE & CHARDONNAY and Neethlingshof! 

WHAT YOU CAN WIN: 
-	A mixed box of Neethlingshof wines from the Short Story Collection which Mika and I talk about in the podcast episode. 
-	A voucher for a tasting experience for two at Neethlingshof's Tasting Centre, redeemable within one year after winning. 

HOW TO ENTER: 
-	Make sure you follow both @suitcaseandchardonnay and @neethlingshof
-	Tag 3 wine-loving friends
-	Comment below and tell us which wine varietal is your favourite.
- BONUS Entry: Subscribe to the weekly SUITCASE & CHARDONNAY newsletter via www.suitcaseandchardonnay.co.za

*This competition is valid for South African residents only and closes at midnight on Thursday, 28 May 2026. The winner will be announced on social media on Friday, 29 May 2026. Ts & Cs Apply. 

Haven’t listened to this wine podcast episode yet? Find it on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever else you listen to your podcasts.

#win #competition #wine
Motherhood is special. What a privilege to have be Motherhood is special. What a privilege to have been given the opportunity to teach two little humans the importance of kindness and compassion in a world where things move so fast. 

On the SUITCASE & CHARDONNAY blog, I recently shared a post about raising gentle humans and how important the soft skills of noticing are. I also share some tips on how we as parents (and mothers) can teach our children these valuable life skills, encouraging them to be kind in a world that's often not. 

Here's the link if you'd like to have a read: 

https://www.suitcaseandchardonnay.co.za/raising-gentle-humans-teaching-kids-compassion-kindness-and-sensitivity/ 

#kindness #compassion #kids #mothersday
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