On Saturday morning, we awoke to more load shedding – for my international readers – our power is being cut every day for a few hours at a time. Various areas get cut at different times to relieve the grid crisis. It’s beyond frustrating, but I’m not going to complain about it, since that gets us nowhere. Instead I’m going to take the opportunity to switch off (literally) and do things that don’t require technology and electricity. You can read about my load shedding moments here.

Socrates and I couldn’t even make a cappuccino or cup of tea respectively, so we headed out to family owned, Martins Bakery. Since moving to Cape Town and creating a life for myself down here, it’s been very easy to get caught up in life, in a routine and the busier I’ve become, the more I’ve stopped exploring the city that is still so new to me. I really want to change that!

Ever since, Sox and I have been Banting, you don’t really hear us saying we’re going to a bakery all that often, but Martins Bakery is a little different.

We headed over to 43 Main Road, Diep River and found Martin’s Bakery, sadly in darkness. They were having load shedding in their area too. As we walked in, we were greeted by Teresa, who is one of the owners and wife of John Martin’s who created this bakery in 1983. Originally it was the “Steurhof Cafe” established in 1970 by his father, Flemino Martins.

Teresa told us about the load shedding, but assured us that the bakery and coffee shop was equipped and everything was full steam ahead. She did say she was sorry they couldn’t play any of the music they normally have playing, but there was still such a lovely, homely energy to the place.

As I walked through the bakery and into the coffee shop area, it reminded me so much of those European bakeries. The delicious smell of warm, freshly baked bread and the sweetness from the cakes, cookies, croissants and pastries.

I also noticed the rather large Gluten Free and Carb Free selections. They are Banting friendly, which is right up our alley and we were thrilled.

We ordered our coffees and Sox ordered the full Banting breakfast, whilst I ordered the Banting Shepherds Pie with cauliflower mash topping and side salad. Salivating.

As the steaming cups of coffee and cappuccino arrived, we both started feeling a little more human and I couldn’t wait to whip my camera out and start snapping away.

I was so impressed that our food arrived quite quickly, even though we were told it might take a little longer because of the power being out.

Here is Sox’s Banting Breakfast – it also comes with thick slices of the carb free bread (not photographed.)

Here’s my Shepherds pie with cauliflower mash on top, with a fresh side salad. It was absolutely delicious and I knew it was 100% Banting, when I got half way through and felt really full.

This is Sox’s face when I told him he’s not allowed to eat yet, until I photograph the food. Doesn’t he look impressed? Haha.

After we finished our incredibly tasty meals, we set out to truly explore the bakery.

Everything is so beautifully and decadently displayed. Every bread you can think of, grinning gingerbread men, huge cookies, sweet pastries, fresh fudge and the various cakes, either wrapped in blown up bags or in pretty polka dot boxes, that reminded me of a little home industry back home. There were so many nostalgic moments and smells that brought back happy memories.

It was awesome to see all the Stollen’s (pronounced Sh-taw-lin; a Swiss German cake) and Liebkuchen (Swiss German biscuits) that are synonymous with Christmas, at the very entrance. It always make me think of my family.

Besides the delicious baked goods and impressive menu at the coffee shop, they have a wonderful selection of products for sale too. Preservatives, jams, wheat and gluten free products and so much more. I could spend hours just looking at all the goodies.

Let’s move onto the Banting section… All sugar free and carb free. White chocolate and berry cheesecakes, carrot cakes with cream cheese icing, delicious muffins, Banting Christmas cakes and mince pies, almond and pear tarts and more.

We took the carrot cake and mince pies home and we also bought ready made cauliflower pizza bases.

The mince pie was absolute perfection. Just sweet enough with all the right Christmassy spices and flavours. Heaven. The carrot cake was delicious too and we gobbled it up so fast, that I didn’t even get a chance to photograph it.

Martin’s Bakery is definitely a place you have to visit. If you are following the Banting lifestyle, you’ll love it! Check out their website: http://www.martinsbakery.co.za.

Their trading hours are Monday – Friday from 07h00 – 17h30, Saturday 07h00 – 16h00 and Sunday 08h00 – 14h00.

I can’t wait to go back!