Child of the universe positive parenting 19

PUBLISHER 2Luni Media EDITOR Linda Navon 071 346 8138 084 639 5568 OUR “Little Boss” Carmen Che Jardim SALES & MARKETING Cj Stott Matticks 082 900 1010 FREELANCE WRITER Arizona Quinn

ed’s letter Hello Festive Friends So as the year draws to a close we can hopefully all sit back, put our feet up and chill for a few days or weeks.

As you will see by the cover name, we have now launched a 3rd magazine which is specifically for parents who do not have children in Montessori schools . The content will be the same as the Montessori Edition, minus the section on Montessori schooling.

Since our last editions we have ‘adopted’ a little furr-baby, her name is Thembi-Child and she is an orphaned vervet monkey. She lives with Tracy Rowles from the Umsizi Umkomaas Vervet Rescue Centre. We have promoted her to taking charge of our PLAY TIME section of Child of the Universe.

DISTRIBUTION & RESEARCH Lee Coulter

Then, a week ago we got a donation of cat food from Royal Canin, which we distributed to various feeding programs and shelters for cats. I am sure they are most grateful to have full little tummies.

Thank you Royal Canin.

OFFICES Sonata Square Olivedale TEL: (011) 462-2900 0110 262 643

Whilst hunting down shelters we came across Pigs ‘n’ Paws and found out they have homed 150 unwanted pigs. These lucky piggies ended up in this shelter as people thought it was cute to have a pig as a pet, forgetting that they grow up. So we added another member to our team by ‘adopting’ a pig too, his name is Wilbur-Child and he is in charge of STORY TIME. You will meet him further on in the magazine.

FOR ADVERTISING PLEASE CALL Cj ON 082 900 1010 Email: candida@childoftheuniverse.co.za

It warms my heart to find that there are so many people out there who will give their last cent to care for, and feed abandoned animals. We would like to encourage you to offer them a little support.

DISCLAIMER The views expressed in this publication are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the editor, advertisers or endorsers. While every effort has been made to ensure that the contents of this publication are both accurate and truthful, the publisher and editor accept no responsibility for inaccurate or misleading information that may be contained herein.

As always, Lisa is motivating us to get fit and shape up for summer, plus she adds yummy healthy recipes for your enjoyment.

Paul from Vondis talks about feeding your cats a wholesome diet.

If you are a cat person, you will appreciate how fussy they can be, and pretty much rule any home they have chosen as their We wish you all a safe and fantastic holiday season, and will catch up with you again next year.

Enjoy the beach if you are headed for the coast, and remember your sunblock.

www.childoftheuniverse.co.za

MEDIA PARTNERS

Until the next edition, happy days!

Much love

Linda and Cj xXx

contents positive parenting

youth of the nation •

• Peaceful powerful parenting • Coping with festive family stress • A future without Epilepsy?

• Secure your financial future • A Bali haven in SA up for sale • Manifest your Dreams

play time

Train your Teen to Maintain Puberty Hygiene

festive season gift guide • • • • • •

Sugarbay Holiday Camps Yeesh!

A Window into a Child’s World Smart Heart Planx toys and games Yoga for Parents & Children

yummy tummy

• • • • • •

Estoril Books The Dreamcatcher Monate Chocolate Aekta Synergy Gifts DIY Gifts African Inspiration Cards

animal world • Wholesome Cat Diet • What to do if your Cat goes Missing

• Keep it healthy when eating out • Lisa’s yummy recipes

story time babies & beyond • • •

Healing Colours for Moms & Tots Swimming lessons – NB Bonding tips for Dad & Baby

• Hay House selection • The Boy & his Owl • Suggested Reading for Dads • Kidz2Kidz Reading Corner

hampers to give away • Lots of goodies • Subscribe to win

ADVERTISING SALES POSITION OFFERED – JANUARY CHILD OF THE UNIVERSE is expanding and looking for a wellspoken person who is VERY confident dealing with people on the phone. No client visits needed for this position. Must be computer literate .

You will be selling on 3 magazine titles which include: • Conscious Lifestyle • Montessori Edition • Positive Parenting Must have a passion for conscious living ,health and kids.

Basic salary offered, you will determine your commission potential, which is uncapped. Plenty of hand-picked leads to kick off with.http://www.childoftheuniverse.co.za Training on the magazines will be provided, with a view to you working from home once you are on track. You will need your own laptop and cell phone.

Our magazines are unique and very well received – so you will be unique and amazing as well – we are very informal, hard working and fun.

Call for a pre/tele-interview ONLY if you fit the profile.

Linda Editor/Owner 071 346 8138

positive parenting

PEACEFUL, POWERFUL PARENTING Holidays are a wonderful time to unwind, relax with family and spend quality time together. The more time we spend with our children the more opportunity there is for us to strengthen our bond and develop our relationship. Of course, relationships are work. Here is a list of the top 5 tips from Helen Hansen (ECD, D.Psych) to assist you to have a peaceful holiday with your young ones.

1. Use Affirming Language Say what you would like to see. Slowly carve out the ‘No’s’ and re-word your language so that it is affirmative. e.g.: “Mom can I go swim now?”

“You can swim when … you have put away your clothes/I come to the pool/when the sun has passed that tree”.

2. Make Eye Contact Children, of all ages, absorb information easier when there is eye contact. When we connect with our eyes we touch the child on a deeper level and so our words become powerful. e.g.: If a child is not listening to an instruction, go fairly close to his/her eye level and ask him to look you in the eyes if there is avoidance. Then, quietly, repeat the instruction. Ensure that your eyes are loving and not piercing.

3. Use Pleasing Tones Children respond more to sound than actual words. Sometimes parents can get into the tune of barking out orders yet we have an array of tones to choose from. Try changing your volume every now and again and notice if there is a different response. e.g.: One way to aid a change of tone is to change the pace of speech. Deep breathing helps to slow down fast talkers

4. Touch Humans are creatures of touch. When we are touched affectionately, with love and care, there is a chemical release of oxytocin. This chemical reaction boosts self-esteem, forms trust in relationships and even aids the immune system. e.g.: Give your child a foot rub before bed or on waking in the morning.

5. Be the Change you want to see If you are annoyed by a particular mannerism/behaviour trait of your child go out of your way to show how you do the opposite. You do not need to talk about it and bring the child’s conscious attention to it, let it be absorbed into the individual in a holistic way. This action will need to be repeated often throughout the day. e.g.: If your child has the habit of interrupting you >> Do not interrupt your child / partner / whoever is speaking. When your child speaks, when possible, stop and give full attention to what he/she is saying. If your child continues to interrupt you can use questions to join the dots, such as “Do you enjoy it when I listen to you?” “I like listening to you. I also like it when you listen to me. Can you listen to me now?”

INSPIRATIONAL PARENTING If you would like to take the art of peaceful, powerful parenting to the next level, consider the Inspirational Parenting E-Guide. This easy-to-use guide has step-by-step instructions with experiential exercises to assist you to put into action the principals of conscious parenting. It consists of a 109 page PDF and 60 minutes of audio, created to suit your lifestyle.

This parenting guide usually sells for R110 but for Child of the Universe readers it will be on special until the end of December at just R80. To order your copy with the discounted price email: info@helenhansen.co and sate you are a reader of COU magazine.

For more info on this guide visit: www.helenhansen.co/ipeg

Dealing with irritating family members this festive season…

By Hanna Kok sn’t it amazing how some people just know which buttons to push, and these people are often our family members. With the holiday season around the corner, we probably have to spend some time these button pushers. How can we ensure that we don’t explode?

If we want to enjoy our family time, it is vital that we learn to look at our situation from a different perspective. If we start looking at these irritating people as our reflection, we can do something about it. If we don’t like our reflection in the mirror, then all we have to do is change ourselves and our reflection will change automatically too.

Three Fingers Outcomes.

Pointing

Back

When we follow all the steps of the Three Finger Pointing Back, I guarantee at least one of the following outcomes: • The irritating people disappear gracefully out of my life, without having to shoot them • They change, • They don’t irritate me anymore or • I become effective in dealing with them If you want these outcomes it will be required that you eat some humble pie. Our ego doesn’t like that, especially if we are irritated.

The extra bonus of applying these Three Fingers Pointing Back, is that the outcome will reveal to us what our next step is in reaching your goals. I like to work with the principle that every person who comes into my life is Divinely sent. They have a message for me. Irritating people show me my sabotaging habits and how I can change them.

When I point fingers at the other person and their irritating behaviour, three fingers are pointing back at me. Certain people irritate me, because they remind me of how I treat myself (90% of the time) or others (10%). By changing this behaviour within myself, my reflection changes and my irritation levels with drop (drastically).

“Certain people irritate To get these results, me, because they we need to ask ourselves remind me of how a couple of questions.

I treat myself.”

Question 1: What makes this person so irritating to me?

• • • •

Do I feel this person(s): Is disrespectful of me Doesn’t listen to me Disrespects my boundaries

Question 2: How are they my mirror?

It is time to eat humble pie. The main reason we experience them as irritating is because they are our mirror. “I don’t do that to them!” you might think?

You are probably right. The painful truth is that most of the time they mirror us on how we treat ourselves. This is when we start to analyse: How disrespectful am I of myself?

How often have I not listened to my intuition?

How often do ignore our own boundaries or break the promises I made to myself?

Here are some examples: When we’ve made a mistake, we call ourselves stupid (or other things) (We are disrespectful of ourselves) We know it is in our best interest to stay at home and study, but we go out instead (We are not listening to our intuition.)

We tell ourselves we are going to exercise more, but we don’t. We tell ourselves we are going to eat differently, but we don’t (We ignore our own boundaries / we break the promises we made to ourselves)

Question 3 - How can we change ourselves?

For many of us it is easier to give others advice than ourselves. That is why I suggest we pretend to give the other person advice on how to change their irritating behaviour. Then the advice we follow ourselves.

After answering question 1, 2 and 3 and especially after following our own advice, we hardly ever have to speak to the other person about their irritation behaviour.

How will I reach my goals easier?

You now have identified the irritating behaviour in yourself. How will getting rid of this habit in yourself help you to reach your goals? I am sure that it will make a big difference in your life when you follow your own advice and change yourself first.

When should I apply The Three Fingers Pointing Back?

Every time someone irritates me, I need to apply the Three Fingers Pointing Back. However it is not always easy to do it in the moment. Our ego, cannot swallow that. So I suggest that once we have cooled down and we are in a quiet place, it is time to analyse the situation. The stronger the irritation we feel with the other person, the more we are doing the same, most likely to ourselves.

In Conclusion When we answer all the three questions and follow our own advice, our feelings towards the irritating people or situation changes by themselves, or the situation changes, or we know now how to handle it with a more humble attitude, because we now realise we are similar to the other (irritating) person.

Enjoy the Festive Season and that you may enjoy the people you spend this special time with. I will be with you again in the New Year.

Hanna is available for sessions to help you work through issues that may be affecting you. www.makealife.co.za Address: 14 Austin Road Phone: 082 856 6655.

Fax: 086 5188 225 Email: info@makealife.co.za

ADVERTORIAL

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The KD does not allow for the intake of a great variety of foods which means that the diet is inadequate of vitamins and minerals.

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References: 1.

World Health Organization. Media Centre. Epilepsy. Available from: [http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs999/en/].

2.

Epilepsy Foundation. Available from [http://www.epilepsy.com/learn/about-epilepsy-basics].

3.

Laxer KD, Trinka E, Hirsch LJ, Cendes F, Langfitt J, Delanty N, Resnick T, Benbadis S. The consequences of refractory epilepsy and its treatment. Epilepsy & Behaviour. 2014: 37; 59-70.

4.

Jung DE, Joshi SM, Berg AT. How do you Keto? Journal of Child Neurology. 2015: 30 (7); 868-873.

5.

Hallbrook T, SjĂ–lander A, Ă…mark P, Miranda M, Bjurulf B, Dahlin M. Effectiveness of the ketogenic diet used to treat resistant childhood epilepsy in Scandinavia. European Journal of Paediatric Neurology. 2015: 19; 29-36.

6.

Dupuis N, Curatolo N, Benoist J, Auvin S. Ketogenic diet exhibits anti-inflammatory properties. Epilepsia. 2015: 56(7); e95-e98.

7.

Choi S, DiSilvio B, Fernstrom MH, Fernstrom JD. Meal ingestion, amino acids and brain neurotransmitters: Effects of dietary protein source on serotonin and catecholamine synthesis rates. Physiology & Behaviour. 2009: 8; 156-162.

NATURE FRESH & CHILD OF THE UNIVERSE PROUDLY SUPPORT

ARCHANGEL GABRIEL AND MANIFESTING YOUR DREAMS WITH CLARIFICATION AND PURIFICATION So often you have dreams and desires that you want to bring into reality but they never seem to get any further than a farfetched dream! At this workshop Margi of Angel Connection will explore how lack of clarity and purification can affect the manifestation of your dreams and how to resolve this. She will share her vast experience with you and give you the tools to change yourself and your life and show you how to achieve your desires. She will also facilitate a powerful visualization bringing in Archangel Gabriel. This will assist you to lift your vibration and remove any blockages that are holding you back.

At this workshop you will learn about: •Clarity and Purification •How to manifest your dreams •Archangel Gabriel •Useful exercises to clear your blockages •Powerful visualization to shift your vibration

FACILITATOR: Margi McAlpine DATE: 7th February 2016 TIME: 10am to 1pm (morning session) and 2pm to 5pm (afternoon session) VENUE: Shanti Sanctuary, 2 Eddy Avenue Bedfordview Johannesburg (Please note this is a shoe free zone so bring socks or slippers to wear inside) INVESTMENT:R395 per person. Pensioners or full-time students R250 per person Tea, Coffee, light refreshments and notes included.

BECAUSE THIS IS A SMALLER VENUE THAN I NORMALLY USE THERE WILL BE A MORNING AND AFTERNOON SESSION TO ACCOMMODATE EVERYONE. PLEASE BOOK EARLY AS PLACES ARE LIMITED! BOOKINGS : Contact Margi on 082-563-7422 Email margi@angelconnection.co.za for more details and booking forms.

You can also pay via credit card.

Books, CD’s, Cards and other angelic items will be available. Credit card facilities and Snapscan are also available.

We will once again be collecting for the animals. Food, blankets or monetary donations will be gratefully accepted.

I WILL BE FACILITATING SOME ONE ON ONE SESSIONS IN JOHANNESBURG: 2nd, 3rd and 4th February 2016.

PLACES ARE LIMITED AND I ONLY HAVE A FEW SPACES LEFT SO IF YOU WOULD LIKE AN ANGEL READING OR COUNSELING PLEASE CONTACT ME SOON SO THAT YOU ARE NOT DISAPPOINTED!

ANGEL CONNECTION ALSO OFFERS: •Spiritual Teacher Training •Angel Readings •Telephonic/Skype Angel Readings •Reiki •Egyptian Healing •Spiritual Counselling •Past Life Regression.

MAKE ANGELS PART OF YOUR EVERYDAY LIFE!!

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Visit us at Shop 138, Balfour Mall, Highlands North Shop Online @ www.feelhealthy.co.za Tel & Fax: +27 11 786 9539 Cell: +27 76 225 2993 Email: info@feelhealthy.co.za

Call for 2016 seminars (021)913-2945

e-book: We are conditioned to think that conflict is a bad thing when in actual fact the uncomfortable feeling we are experiencing is telling us that there is something happening that is pushing us out of our comfort zone.

This is a good thing because it’s an opportunity to learn and grow, not only as a person but also for the benefit of those around us. Topics covered in this e-book are: •Relationships – every relationship has it’s challenges, learn how to manage them by identifying your fighting style.

•Life is about Choices – learn how to make better choices by identifying your motivation behind your options.

•Knowing what you Value – our thoughts, actions and behaviours are driven by our core values and belief systems, identify yours.

•Being in Control of your Life – learn how to get balance in your life by identifying where you are now

Click to buy online R79

•Courageous Conversations – learn 3 tools to help you when you need to have a difficult conversation

This e-book is filled with practical self help tools and exercises to help you develop better relationships, use effective communication skills, manage conflict, raise your emotional intelligence and help you navigate life.

•Evaluating your Relationships – determine the quality of the relationships in your life and whether it’s time to let go or change things

Five things you can do today to secure your financial future The decisions you make today regarding your personal finance and investments can determine your financial situation in a few years’ time. How can you make sure that your future will be stable and secure? Here are some key tips for your life-defining financial decisions.

1. Save Pursue a job with good benefits and make the most of them. Make sure you understand the tax benefits, the retirement benefits and the health insurance options if there are any. If you are in a relationship or are getting married, keep actively involved in the financial decisions. Also, understand the financial consequences of divorce and carefully protect your interests if you should leave a marriage.

And most importantly, save! Save as much as you can, as early as you can.

2. Pay off your debt Making smart decisions about debt can be more important than making smart investing decisions. Avoid accumulating credit-card debt and keep your credit record in the best possible shape to qualify for the lowest interest rates on your car and home loans.

Debt is one area where diversification is not your friend. Consolidating your debt on the lowest interest rate would be the best decision. If that is impossible, start by paying off the debt with the highest interest rate and work your way down to your debt with the lowest interest rate.

3. Buy property Buying a home is a decision that should not be taken lightly. In fact, a poor decision with regard to a home purchase can drastically alter your financial future. It might be best to wait with buying your first home until you are in your 30s. That way you can first build up savings and you are sure about where you want to live permanently. When you purchase a home before you’ve built other savings, your total financial asset portfolio is highly undiversified. And you don’t necessarily want to tie yourself to your current community. This can limit your future job opportunities to your current city.

4. Insure Insurance is a key aspect of financial security.

The type of insurance you need depends on your particular circumstances. The best insurance lesson is to insure against catastrophic losses, regardless of the probability. It is important to be prepared when it comes to your car, home and home contents insurance.

5. Understand risk One of the major impacts on your life is how you deal with risk. Would you rather work for a tried and proven company with a strong benefits package, a smaller start-up with great opportunities to buy stocks in the company or start your own business? The potential payoffs escalate as you take on more risk, but so do the possibilities for disaster. The same is true for investments. Make sure your risks are ageappropriate. If you're young, you can dust yourself off and start again. For people over 40, the ability to absorb losses diminishes as retirement nears or as responsibilities grow.

When making financial decisions, don’t be afraid to ask for guidance. Speak to an Indwe advisor today to get sound advice on your personal insurance. Make sure your future is secure by acting today.

yummy tummy

By Lisa Raleigh

The approaching holidays mean plenty of delicious – and typically indulgent – dinners. Here are some great tips to keep in mind when dining out during the festive season.

Halve Your Plate: • Whether it’s just a snack or you’re all sharing tapas at the dinner table, dish up your helping every time you eat.

• Picking food straight from a huge assortment of food options can distort your idea of portions.

Dishing up your helping helps you total the amount of food you’re taking in.

• If you don’t feel like healthifying your pizza or saying no to your favourite burger, simply halve your portion.

• Cutting your meal in two immediately and serving the adjusted portion with a side of roasted veggies and salad is a great way to enjoy your favourite meal without overloading on calories.

• As a general rule, your plate should be 50% veggies/salad, 20% carbs and 30% protein.

Look The Part:

Don’t drink your calories:

Plate Your Portion:

• If you’re on your way to a festive function, snack healthily beforehand. Arriving hungry to an indulgent dinner often means over-dishing and over-eating.

• Curbing a ravenous appetite beforehand with a piece of fruit or some raw nuts means a more rational approach to the dinner table.

• No matter how disciplined your eating is, drinking your calories will undo your hard work.

• Cocktails are a huge caloric expense, and normal alcoholic drinks range from between 110-220 calories a pop.

• If alcohol is a must at dinner time, factor it into your eating plan. Treat each unit as one carb allocation, and restrict your carbs both on the day and after the event for a more balanced intake.

• This goes for non-alcoholic drinks too! Soft drinks, iced teas and fizzy fruit juices are packed with nonnutritive calories. As a general rule, if it’s not alcoholic – stick to water.

Stock Up On Protein:

Skip The Extras

• Wearing something form-fitting is one of the easiest ways to make sure you don’t overindulge.

• Opt for clothes that are tight around the midsection and you’ll be more inclined to skip seconds.

Don’t Leave The House Hungry:

• Even if it hasn’t been prepared in the healthiest way, upping your usual ratio of protein to carbs at the dinner table means fewer calories and cravings overall.

• Meat proteins in particular take the body longer to digest, meaning you’ll eat less and be fuller for longer.

• There’s no need for bread or starters if you’re ordering a main meal.

• If starters are a must, order a starter for your main as well – chances are you’ll already be fuller than you realize.

• Two starters as a main is a great option in general, as the portions are usually significantly smaller and aren’t carb-heavy.

Get fussy:

Italian:

• Restaurants are becoming more and more sensitive to specialized orders. Ask if you can swap the starch for veggies, ask for the dressing on the side, and ask to take the cheese or basting off your burger.

• There is always going to be some indulgence with bread- and pasta-heavy Italian – this is all about portion size.

• Have a look at focaccias versus the pizzas – they’re often just as delicious and half the cheese and calories, as well as more fresh, raw toppings.

Adding extras like rocket and avo to your pizza can add some fresh nutrients as well.

• Go for pesto or tomato-based sauces versus creamy ones.

• Or order your favourite meal and just have a third of it, supplemented with salad or greens.

Mexican: • Mexican meals can be packed with beans and legumes, tomato salsa and guacamole.

• Skip the sour cream and the grated cheese and your meal could have some real nutritional value.

• Eat half the starch on the item you order, therefore doubling up on the toppings.

Moroccan: • Moroccan-style tapas can be great health-wise, as you can pick and choose every aspect of your meal.

• Opt for the high-protein and veggie options, try pass on anything crumbed or deep-fried.

• Limit sides of bread or chips.

Sushi and Thai food: • Sushi is a wonderful option: you’ve got steamed rice, seaweed, heart-healthy seafood and raw veggies.

• Skip the tempura prawn items and those with big blobs of mayonnaise on top. Make use of the low sodium soya sauce.

• Go crazy on the sashimi! Salmon is your best seafood option on the sushi menu, with tuna hot on its heels.

• Thai dishes can be highly nutritious as well – often packed with rice, egg and lots of veggies.

• Avoid any proteins labeled as ‘crispy’, and any ‘sweet’, ‘sticky’ or ‘plum’ sauces. Thai green curry is always a great option.

Greek: • This is one of the greatest options, as there are plenty of fresh vegetables, yoghurt and tapas on offer.

• Tapas options let you cut out unnecessary carbs and fried items – opt for pesto's, olives, veggie – and spinach items specifically – where possible.

• It’s hard to resist, but limit your intake of pastries.

Indian: • Stick to rice versus naan and rotis, which are usually made and basted with butter and ghee.

• Curry is always going to be calorie-heavy, so watch your portions. Either skip the carbs that accompany it or reduce your portion size.

• Avoid curries that are bulked up with potatoes as this means double carbs.

• Opt for poultry versus red meat, where the fattier cut of meat is usually used.

• Make use of the condiments that accompany curry, like sambals, pickled vegetables, yoghurt and coriander, for a nutrient boost.

Western: • This is one of your easiest menus to healthify, as it is typically a protein-based meal with your choice of side.

• Choose salad over chips – watch out for veggie options like butternut and creamed spinach, which can be just as calorie-dense as carbs.

• Burgers need not be a calorie-splurge. Skip the bun (or at least half of it) and fatty extras like cheese, sauce and bacon, rather opting for salad garnish, rocket and avo.

• http://www.lisaraleigh.co.za

www.lisaraleigh.co.za

By Lisa Raleigh

Caprese Egg Muffins Ingredients: (makes 10-12 depending on muffin tin size and egg size) 1 dozen eggs ½ teaspoon Himalayan rock salt Nonstick cooking spray, to coat pans 1 punnet fresh basil, sliced 1 punnet (250g) sliced rosa tomatoes, cut into quarters 1 tub basil pesto 300g block of grated SPAR mozzarella cheese

Method: • • • •

Preheat the oven to 190C. Crack eggs into a bowl. Whisk the eggs and salt together.

Grease a 12-cup muffin pan with spray. Divide basil, rosa tomatoes, and cheese between each muffin cup, then carefully pour eggs over tops until muffin tins are almost full (leave 1/4-inch space). Add a dollop of basil pesto to the top of each muffin Bake for 15-20 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in the center of a muffin comes out clean. The egg muffins will look like soufflé when they come out of the oven, but they will sink after a few minutes. Let them rest in the muffin tin for a few minutes before using a rubber spatula to carefully remove each muffin.

Consume immediately or let cool and transfer to a re-sealable plastic bag. Refrigerate for up to a week or freeze for a month.

Bai Char (Meaning fried rice in Khmer) Ingredients: (to serve 2 people) 1 T chia seeds 1 scoop vanilla protein powder 1 cup unsweetened almond milk 1 t stevia ¼ cup goji berries / fresh berries of your choice

Method: • Dry fry your sunflower seeds in a pan, tossing them often and watching very carefully – they can burn in moments!

• Once roasted, transfer to another bowl and add coconut oil to the pan, then lightly fry your veggies on a very hot heat • After a few minutes, add in the cooked rice, the soya sauce, fresh chilli, then stir further.

• Add in the roasted seeds.

• When suitably cooked, set aside • In another pan, fry your eggs to your liking in a little coconut oil.

• Whilst the eggs are frying pack your rice mixture tightly in a small breakfast bowl • Turn your larger serving bowl upside down over the smaller bowl and then invert so that the smaller bowl is now upside down on top of the larger serving bowl. Remove the bowl gently to make sure the dome shape is maintained.

• Gently place your fried egg on top of your dome.

• Serve with dried chilli flakes and slices of fresh lime • Add Himalayan rock salt to taste and – voila!

MOTHER LAUNCHES HER OWN READY-MADE FOOD COMPANY TO SUPPORT HER DAUGHTER’S GLUTEN INTOLERANCE My daughter was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis| Inflammatory Bowel Disease‫‏‬ last year. In our search to find a cure it was recommended by doctors that she cuts out all wheat from her diet.

The result of this was that my daughter was left with very little to eat. There is not an abundance of prepared READY made meals available in SA, which is very surprising as there are so many people that are gluten intolerant.

The only available gluten free products available are dry foods such as pastas and breads. Of course if you had to go buy these expensive products, you still have to cook the food.

Available at selected stores. See website

This lead me to develop my own company, hoping to help people like my daughter and inspire change in our own diets as well.

To your health!

Francisca Cell: 0829017744

…more from my website www.ihearthealthyfoods.com

play time

There are lots of piggies that you can sponsor too, for only R100 per month!

Meet Wilbur-Child.

He is in charge of Play Time.

We adopted him from Pigs ‘n’ Paws

a window into a child’s world Children express themselves through play. In order to better understand them, there is a revolutionary new board game that the whole family can play – and learn from.

Smart Heart®, a revolutionary board game developed by psychologists to encourage emotional expression in children, is set to change the way many children express themselves and interact with others.

The interactive game, which makes use of picture and word cards that children in identifying and communicating their feelings, aims to facilitate and foster mental and emotional health, while encouraging children to think for themselves and create solutions to their problems.

“Children express themselves through play,” explains counselling psychologist and founder Christine Kritzas, “and Smart Heart® gives them the tool to do so”.

“It offers parents a window into a child’s world,” adds co-founder, clinical psychologist Janet Bytheway, emphasising that the game is not only a tool for parents, but for occupational therapists, speech therapists, paediatricians, counsellors and other professionals dealing with children.

In looking for new, non-threatening ways to interact with children, the two psychologists developed a game for children between the ages of five and 13 that allows them to confront serious issues in a playful manner, creating a safe environment where they’re comfortable to speak about things that happen on the playground, in the classroom, with friends and at home.

“Society places such emphasis on intellectual and physical development,” says Kritzas, “putting pressure on children to score A-grades and make the first team in sport, but sometimes parents and teachers miss the importance of encouraging appropriate emotional expression. A child could possess the ability to score high grades and make the first team, but could fail to reach these achievements when his or her emotional maturity is not at the level that it should be.

HOW IT WORKS: As players move forward on the board, they land on one of three options: Talk-Talk™ cards: answering questions, e.g. What do you like about your school? Or: A girl is playing by herself at break time. How could you include her in your game?

I feel...when... ™cards: talking about a time when they felt the same feeling that is represented on the card, e.g. I feel embarrassed (or important, or tired etc.) when…

Pic-Tales™: describing or telling a story about the picture on the card, e.g. a picture of a baby’s pram with a bottle, dummy etc., or a cat staring into a mirror and seeing a lion in the reflection.

It is important to note that there is no right or wrong answer, only the experience as perceived by the person answering.

Janet Bytheway and Christine Kritzas are both practising psychologists at the Blaauwberg Therapy Centre in Cape Town.

www.smartheartboardgame.co.za

babies & beyond

How are you feeling with that new life growing inside of you?

Are you enjoying every moment,? This is one of the most amazing and special times of your life. A time when you are blessed with an abundance of love, compassion and angelic support as you nurture that special little angel inside of you.

Take time to drink in every memory, to talk and sing to your unborn child, to feel the joy building inside and around you. The tiny being is so very aware of every emotion and interaction you have, and this will affect their personalities as they come into life.

If you find you are too stressed and are struggling to cope right now, begin to change this as it will only be ten times worse when the baby arrives.

There are amazing natural supportive tools out there to help you during this time.

Penni of Divine Space has created a range of magical coloured Oils and Sprays that can help you cope with any situation. Each colour is a combination of natural plant and herb oils, with 7 essential oils, colour inclusions, crystal energy and sound vibrations. The result is a gentle healing pack of note that is used as either a body or bath oil. When absorbing the oils in the body they begin to help you regain balance and dissolve the issues that are creating hurdles in your life. The colours below are safe to use during pregnancy and are suggested as a support after the first trimester.

SUPPORTIVE PRODUCTS USED DURING PREGNANCY AND INFANCY • During pregnancy, anywhere after the first trimester and continued until birth: Rub the pink ‘’Light Matrix oil” on the tummy and blue ‘Light Matrix oil’ around the outer edge in a U shape – the blue symbolizes the support and strength of the father energy holding the loving compassionate mother energy. The combination is loving and supportive for both mother and child.

• During labour or trauma: rub or massage the Blue Light Matrix oil onto the tummy and legs to ease contractions and assist the birthing process. The blue is the rescue colour and is used for any pain or trauma in adults or children. It calms and soothes all muscle strain, as well as for cuts, bruises, burns, abrasions etc…

• On Mom – after the birth, to heal the birth trauma – use the orange ‘Oil of Transformation’ down mom’s left side every morning to re-seal the aura, then soak every evening in a bath with about 10 pumps of the blue ‘Oil of Transformation’ to ease and assist the healing and recuperation, while helping mom to relax. This should be repeated every day for at least a week, but preferably until the oils are finished. Orange in the morning and blue in the evening.

• During the birth and when baby comes home gently massage a tiny bit of the Mother Mary – ‘Divine Transformation’ Oil on them in the mornings and the blue Oil at night. You could use a few drops in the bathwater instead of directly on the body, or mix a couple of drops in Sweet Almond oil to make a wonderful massage oil.

Continue this for the first 2 or 3 years. Mother Mary is always present at a birth and welcomes the child in with infinite love and compassion. She brings in the gentle loving mother energy and the blue relaxes and calms the child, bringing in the supportive father aspect, and helping them to relax and sleep. The combination of the two colours bring a nice balance and helps the child to feel safe. They are definitely more manageable when using the colours.

• Use a combination of the Blue and Pink Light Matrix Oils on all children in a single parent home, or on children of divorced parents as one of the parents is missing and the 2 oils help to restore a sense of stability and balance in the child’s life. Inviting in both the masculine and feminine support. Other colours can be introduced from school going age.

• Support the energy by using the pink Angel Spray (Angelic wings of Love) when the baby, child or adult is uptight, anxious or irritable. The spray instantly calms aggression and brings in love. This affects everyone in the environment.

• Using the Pink Angel spray every evening at bed time – is really supportive. Invite the angel of protection into the space by spraying the child and room – then ask the child to feel their angel standing behind them. Ask the angel to wrap their soft wings around the child and to hold them safely like this all night. Brilliant to alleviate nightmares and to make the child feel safe and protected all night • When the child goes through the terrible twos and threes – begins to push boundaries, goes to play-school or has to re-adjust to a new environment – the green will assist with this adjustment. Green brings the heart into any situation and helps to establish boundaries while making them feel safe in the new space. This works for adults going through any change as well. Also excellent to ease chest colds.

• School going age: when children begin to learn their ABC’s and 123’s – the yellow will help them to grasp the new concepts. The yellow oil or spray will support them throughout their entire schooling career, helping them with concentration, focus and enabling the information to be absorbed. It is also beneficial to use before writing exams or tests as it calms the stress and fear and brings back the memories of what they have studied (all ages).

Article by Penni – www.divinespace.co.za Image by Ronnie Biccard

12 Ways for Dad to Bond with Baby Bonding with a newborn can be overwhelming, especially for dad. We've gathered a few fun ways for him to spend a little extra time with his little one •Cradle Baby Close

•Make Silly Faces

•When mom is breastfeeding baby she cuddles him close to her chest and baby has a perfect view into her eyes. When you are bottlefeeding him make sure to hold him in the same position, allowing your little one to gaze up at you.

•You can definitely be the funny guy. Start by just making silly faces that will make your baby glow with a smile. As your baby gets older try fun games like peekaboo.

•Take the Night Shift •If you aren't home during the day to help soothe baby's troubles, become the "rescuer of the night" when baby cries.

This will give you and baby precious alone time and give mom the chance to catch some extra zzz's. Be sure mom has left a few bottles in the fridge for late-night feedings.

•Soothe Her Tears •Even though it may be tempting to hand a crying baby back to Mom, take a try at soothing her tears (unless she's hungry, of course). Try singing to her, walking her around, gently rocking, or find the closest pacifier for her to suck on. She must learn that Mom isn't the only one who can give her what she needs.

•Take Him for a Walk •Babies love fresh air, so take your little bundle for a stroll around the block. Try using a sling or carrier instead of your stroller. This will keep baby close to you throughout the walk. Just be sure baby is slathered in sunscreen if it's hot outside and bundled up if it's a little chilly.

•Try a Baby Massage •Babies respond to touch, and a simple way to soothe and relax them is with a baby massage. When your baby is quiet and happy (you won't want to try it on a fussy baby) take 10 to 15 minutes to gently rub her legs, belly, arms, and neck.

•Special Play Time •Set aside time every night to play with your little guy. Make it part of his daily routine, so when you come home from work he expects his daddy time.

•Daddy Dance Party •Babies love music and they love to dance. Even when your baby is just a few months old you can start having dance parties. Turn on some music (or sing a special song) then sway around the room with baby. As your baby gets older you can help her stand and dance (a.k.a. bounce) till she is able to groove to her own moves.

•Take On Diaper Duty •You may want this to be a mommy-only task, but diaper duty is also a time to bond. Even though it may be a little smelly, you get to talk to her and make silly noises as she gets a fresh change.

•Be a Part of the Bedtime Routine •A consistent bedtime schedule is very important to helping your baby sleep through the night. Choose a part of the routine you want to be involved in like bath time. This will help baby understand that when Dad says its bath time, it's will be bedtime soon too.

Kaelin Zawilinski is a decorating lover, foodie wanna-be, preppy girl, loving wife, dog mom, and Editor of Better Homes and Gardens. For more super reading follow the link: www.bhg.com/better-homes-andgarden-magazine/

•Take a Sick Day •When your baby gets ill it's important for you to nurture him too -- so take a day off to stay home with baby. Try to go to healthy doctor checkups too, so you can hear from the doctor how he's developing and growing.

•Cleaning Time •Keep baby close by strapping on the carrier and toting him around while you help with household chores like vacuuming. Plus its two things mom loves: baby bonding with his daddy and help cleaning house.

youth of the nation

By Rebecca Meiser For about two days last summer, Diana (not her real name) was convinced she had a dead rodent in her home. The musky, acrid smell hit her every time she walked past her 13-year-old son’s doorway. She was gathering laundry, debating whether to call an exterminator, when she opened her son’s gym bag—and then promptly shut it. Turns out the Pepé Le Pew scent was not emanating from any animal, but rather from a pair of sweaty soccer socks that her son felt no need to wash. Ah, the sweet signs and smells of teenagedom. Not only does puberty trigger pimples and moodiness, it also activates the apocrine glands, the source of sweaty feet and armpits. Combined with the overgrowth of bacteria on your skin, the glands produce an odor that makes your once sweet, milky-smelling child reek like yogurt past its expiration date..-

“Once puberty hits, odor happens,” explains Dr. Ellen Rome, Head of the Center for Adolescent Medicine at Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital. “Puberty might hit quite young. You may have a 7 or 8year-old with foot smell and body odor.”

At the first whiff of this body change, Dr. Rome suggests taking your child on a field trip to the drug store for some deodorant. “Have them smell a bunch of deodorants until they find one with a smell they like,” Rome says. “Just like an adult woman will try on a few different perfumes to figure out whether it works for her, it may take a few misses until your teen finds a deodorant that feels right.” And if it seems like all the pre-teen boys you know smell a little bit like citrus candy mixed with mouthwash, there’s a reason for that, Dr. Rome says. Axe, the maker of male grooming products, including body sprays and deodorants, “has the corner on the market with teen boys.”

A parent’s job, Rome says, is to make sure the clothes make their way into the laundry basket before they really reek

This is not news to Tracy, in Cleveland, the mother of two teenage boys.

“With puberty came large doses of Axe body spray,” she laments. “They’d walk into the room with so much on that I could practically taste it. I once told one of my boys I couldn’t sit next to him at a meal because he had so much Axe on Unfortunately, some teenagers believe that body sprays are perfectly adequate substitutes for laundry detergent. “There’s this whole gradation of teen clothes,” Rome says. “There’s super clean, kind of clean, not really clean—but I want to wear it one more time.” A parent’s job, Rome says, is to make sure the clothes make their way into the laundry basket before they really reek. Teens, Rome says, often don’t notice—or don’t want to notice—things like sweat stains. But there are social stigmas attached to wearing soiled clothes, she says. “You don’t want your teen bullied or teased because of a lack of attention to hygiene.”

The good news is that the solution to most of these odor issues can be solved with a bar of soap and a tube of toothpaste Should you notice that mouthwash and wads of Juicy Fruit are doing nothing to mask your child’s bad breath, Rome urges you to make an appointment with the dentist pronto. “A kid with bad breath may have a mouth bacteria overgrowth that could lead to dental disease and heart disease in the future,” Rome explains. The best way to ensure that your teens implement these changes is to be open and honest with them about how puberty has changed their bodies and sweat glands, Rome says. “If you’re embarrassed, they’re embarrassed,” she explains. And if you’re a mother of a preteen boy, you might want to think about investing in some nose plugs for the next two to four years.

Courtesy of Your Teen Mag www.yourteenmag.com

Fourways Mall, Cresta Shopping Centre & Eastgate Shopping Centre www.estorilbooks.co.za

Secret Garden: An Inky Treasure Hunt & Colouring Book R325

Madam & Eve: Shed Happens R165

Enchanted Forest: An Inky Quest & Colouring Book R325

Where’s Zuma?

R155

What on Earth Am I Here For? Rick Warren R195

We Have Now Begun Our Descent Justice Malala R245

All Sorts of Salads Chantal Lascaris R235

Low Carb is Lekker Inè Reynierse R225

Durban Curry So Much of Flavour Clinton Friedman & Erica Platter R300

Shop G103, Fourways Mall, JHB, SA +27 11 465 9147, +27 11 467 6311

Lucky Cat Candle R250 Buddha Head Candle R300

Chakra Singing Bowls R320 each

Dream Catchers Left: R200 Middle: R550 Right: R480 Kapula, Local Sourced, Handmade Soy Candles 4 Aromatherapy Blended Varieties R100 each

Isis Statue R1350

Yankee Candles Large: R365 Small: R165

Thai Meditation Buddha’s Tea Light Candle Holders R650

Proudly South African, delicious, nutritious chocolate

83% Ecuador Cacao Bar, 83% Ecuador Cacao + Nibs Bar, 78% Ecuador Cacao Bar, Chilli Bar, Bonbon Bar, Coconut & Himalayan Sea Salt Bonbon Bar, Scotch Bonbon Bar Suggested Retail: 54g bars R50, 20g bars R22

Visit Website for Stockists: www.monatechocolate.co.za

Monate Hot Chocolate Elixir Sweetened with Xylitol Crystals or with Agave Crystals 250g pack @ R98

Chocolate Spreads: Monate Chocolate Pot: Cacao & Coconut Spread.

R70 Crunchy Peanut Butter & Chocolate R60

Laughing Buddha with Dragon: Prosperity & Protection R200

Laughing Buddha with Children: Luck with Starting Family R150

To order email Hema: aekta@discoverymail.co.za

Bonbon Truffles Flavours: Chilli, Peanut Butter, Scotch Whiskey, Coconut & Agave 2 @ R45

Praying Hands Welcome Plaque R200

Wish Jars: Collect your Wishes into One Space & Amplify your Dreams R25 each

Gypsey Rose Cotton Clothing Made in India

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Buddha Bags R350

Chandeliers R1500 – R3000

Cushion Covers R100

Kaftans R450

Bird Dresses R650

Artsy Mug

DIY Planter Box

Bean bags

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Laptop Case

Homemade Soap

Terrarium Kit

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Paper Lanterns

Play Dough

Heat Pack

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Bread in a Jar

Gold Chandelier

Tablet Holder

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WORDS OF LIGHT CARDS

BY CHRIS PAGE – AUTHOR OF “FROM FEAR TO FAITH” AND “LIFE IN YOUR HANDS” As an author and inspirational teacher Chris has a passion for motivating people to explore their ultimate potential under the banner of African Inspiration. Apart from publishing two books internationally, he is the creator of African Animal Inspiration cards and African Wisdom cards.

He has also produced an Inspiration Meditation CD and uses creative expression to help people to find their purpose.

His latest card set – WORDS OF LIGHT highlights 42 inspirational quotes by well-known authors and teachers placed over exquisite background photos of sunsets taken by himself.

It is the ideal gift for anyone who enjoys the power of words.

Price: R194 Wholesale price applies to orders of 5 sets and more.

To order his cards email: chris@chrispage.co.za For more information about Chris, go to www.chrispage.co.za.

Visit his Facebook page: Christopher Rory Page

Wishing you a wonderful safe festive season and may all your wishes and aspirations for 2016 come to fruition!!

animal world

http://1.usa.gov/1HzU46r

HOW TO WEAN YOUR CAT OVER ONTO A HEALTHY WHOLESOME DIET

The biggest danger facing our cats, nowadays, is renal failure

By Paul Jacobson from Vondis BLADDER DISORDERS, KIDNEY STONES, RENAL FAILURE, ARTHRITIS, SKIN ALLERGIES, OBESITY, DIABETES, CANCER – ARE JUST SOME OF THE POSSIBLE AILMENTS THAT WILL ARISE FROM FEEDING YOUR CATS INFERIOR, HIGH CARB, KIBBLE DIETS ”Nutrition is serious In my opinion the biggest danger facing our cats, health business. The nowadays, is renal failure. In the past, cats lived to a public is not well served ripe old age and died of a heart failure at 15 – 18 years. by exclusively feeding Now, cats are lucky if they make it until 10 years old. products from companies without any Cats are obligate carnivores and they retain and metabolize their liquid intake from their nutrition. Dry real commitment to kibble food has the exact opposite affect and rather health… or knowledge than hydrating our dear furry friends, actually of how to even achieve dehydrates them. Have you ever noticed what happens to kibble when dropped into water? The kibble absorbs that. Recent studies have all the water and puffs up double its size. That is what is shown processed foods happening to the insides of our cats (and dogs). to be a factor in increasing numbers of Cats have been observed, drinking water from the pets suffering from shower and toilet and certainly spend more time at cancer, arthritis, obesity, their water bowl than they should. The strange thing is, that if fed a wholesome real food diet, cats will seldom dental disease and heart be seen drinking. The high moisture levels in real food, disease”. Dr. Randy meat and veggies is sufficient to sustain their desired Wysong, DVM liquid intake

Those looking for a more scientific explanation as to renal failure in cats, with respect to feeding kibble diets, can refer to this: Acidification of the diet can destroy acid-sensitive micronutrients like vitamin K, biotin and B12. Acidification has been done for several years by pet food manufacturers to help control struvite crystal formation in the urine that becomes too alkaline when dogs and cats are fed high cereal diets. This can lead to the development of calculi/stones in the urinary tract that cause painful and even fatal urinary blockage. Such artificial alteration of the acidity/alkalinity of the animals’ food can cause metabolic acidosis and kidney failure. These are common emergencies, along with urinary retention, in veterinary practice. Acidification of pet foods also resulted in an increased incidence of calcium oxalate uroliths/stones.

THE ULTIMATE CHALLENGE – HOW TO WEAN YOUR CATS OVER Cat owners will confirm how different they are in terms of behaviour and diet and how challenging it is to change their dietary needs. With dogs, if they are presented with food that they don’t like, they may resist for a few days but they will eventually accept their new feed. But with cats, they may refuse until their bitter end.

“The sad truth is that prepared pet foods help provide patients for vets.” Dr. Ian Billinghurst, B.V.Sc.(Hons), BSc.Agr., Dip.Ed.

That said, cats can change their diets and they can be weaned over relatively easily. All that is required is patience, perseverance and “tricks of the trade”.

Here some suggested inclusions into your wholesome cat’s diet in order to enhance taste and desirability until the transition has taken place completely. This may take a week or weeks:

*Sardines * Tuna * chicken liver * Omega 3 fish oil * butter biltong * chicken broth and pieces * natural gravies

*

VONDI’S YUMMY CAT FOOD is a high moisture meat protein diet and contains chicken, mutton, healthy grains, eggs, cold pressed olive oil, veggies, freshly picked herbs, vitamin supplement and taurine.

Any cat food based on this recipe would be perfect for your cats. Changing your cats from kibble to wholesome food, as mentioned may take a bit of time. You can a portion your new cat and add to it your current kibble (although not desirable) as well as the tasties I had suggested.

Over time you will add less on the kibble and more of the wholesome diet until he/she is weaned over completely

Any cat food based on this recipe would be perfect for your cats. Changing your cats from kibble to wholesome food, as mentioned may take a bit of time. You can a portion your new cat and add to it your current kibble (although not desirable) as well as the tasties I had suggested.

Over time you will add less on the kibble and more of the wholesome diet until he/she is weaned over completely The effort is worth it, in order to enhance the well-being and longevity of your furry and cuddly friend

“The results of a clinical trial suggest that 74.7% of common diseases in dogs and 63% of common diseases in cats can be eliminated without medical intervention over a period of one year with proper diet modifications and an understanding of the healing process as exhibited through healing episodes.

Approaching disease from the perspective of health is the most powerful means of eliminating disease. Poor fuel makes for little momentum in life. The commercial food we are feeding’ is the disease we are treating – so treat on and on, curing one disease after another, again and again.”Dr. William Pollak, DVM

13 Tips for What to Do When Your Cat Goes Missing

Keep this list handy. If your cat ever disappears from your home, it can be a life-saver Have you ever had your cat go missing from your house? If so, you know how terrified and helpless this can make you feel. You don’t know if they’re simply hiding outside in the yard, gone exploring, or if they’ve encountered a predator.

Often, the first reaction is to go searching for your cat with no real plan of action.

We walk around the neighborhood (or drive) continually calling out our furry friend’s name. We find ourselves spending many hours searching areas and using methods that may not reunite them with us. For some, we simply choose to wait a couple of days to see if our cat returns home. This is perhaps the worst thing we can do. The longer a cat is gone, the further it could stray and the more danger the cat can encounter.

1. Make a sign

2. Where to post it

Create a laminated “lost pet” sign that contains the word “REWARD” at the top, a recent color photo of the animal in the center of the sign, and the phone number to contact if the animal is seen or found by someone.

It’s very important not to list any other details. Use a large enough sign that it can be seen by drivers in their cars. Laminating the sign will protect it from adverse weather conditions.

Post the sign around the neighborhood, at local veterinarian’s offices, at the county animal control shelter, and at local animal rescue shelters.

3. Don’t forget restaurants If you live in a major city with a lot of restaurants nearby, provide each restaurant with the “lost pet” sign or flier. After all, your cat will find food wherever it is convenient.

4. Contact your microchip company If your cat is micro-chipped, contact the company to ensure that they have your current information on file in case someone contacts them about finding your cat.

5. Visit shelters Visit the local county animal control shelter and local animal rescue shelters daily to see if your cat is there. The shelters have so many volunteers, employees, and staff on hand, on any given day, that unless you talk to each of them they may not know that you are looking for your missing cat. Also, if you search animal shelter websites for your missing cat, don’t narrow your search by a specific breed. Sometimes, if the person entering the information on the shelter’s website isn’t sure of the cat’s breed, they may list it incorrectly.

6. Target newspapers and websites Place a “lost pet” ad in your local newspaper, community notice boards and your local Vets. Include the same information that you have on the “lost pet” sign. Also, post it on social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter, if you have them. If not, perhaps a friend in the area does.

7. Check “found pet” ads Check “found pet” ads in the local newspaper, on local rescue shelter web sites, etc. Again (as stated in No. 5 above), don’t limit your search to a particular breed.

8. Hit the streets Canvass a three-block radius around your neighborhood from your home. It is important to knock on doors and talk to your neighbors so they are aware that your cat is missing. If they aren’t home, leave a flier. Unless you see your cat during your search, please do not call for them while you are searching your neighborhood. The reason for this is if they do happen to hear you, you would be gone by the time they get to where you were when you called for them.

Instead, either call for them from the front yard or backyard of your home or, if you do look for them by car, look silently.

Be sure to look up in the trees. The missing cat may have been chased up into a tree and is fearful to come down.

12. Don’t forget commuters and delivery drivers Provide a “lost pet” flier to drivers with regular routes in the area and ask them to contact you if they see your missing cat.

This includes mail carriers, trash collectors, school bus drivers, and delivery truck drivers.

13. Stay positive

9. Set a humane trap Set a humane cat trap in a safe area near the exterior of your home (e.g. front porch, deck, back porch) and cover the back and sides with a towel or blanket that has your scent or your cat’s scent on it. Check on the trap frequently throughout the night, but do it discretely, so as not to scare your cat away. Put a bowl of fresh soft cat food, tuna, or sardines and water in the enclosure to lure the cat in.

10. Contact homeowners’ associations If you live in a neighborhood that has a homeowner’s association, contact one of the board members and ask them to post your cat’s information on the neighborhood website and to send out an email to everyone in the neighborhood asking that you be called if someone sees your cat.

11. Keep going!

Actively keep searching for your lost cat no matter how much time has elapsed. Lost animals can turn up weeks, and sometimes months or years after they’ve been lost.

Maintain a positive attitude about the outcome of your search. Cats are very resourceful when it comes to finding food, water, and shelter. While it’s human nature to assume the worst has happened, don’t. Negative energy can block positive results.

Have you ever lost a cat? What did you do to get your pet back?

Let us know in the comments!

THEMBI-CHILD

Sponsor a furbaby and make a difference to LIFE!

Meet Thembi-Child, new addition to the team, adopted from Umsizi Umkomaas Vervet Rescue Centre. She is in charge of Story Time

story time

The Boy and His Owl There once was a young boy who grew up in, to say the least, a very magical place.

It held for him many, many wonders where his imagination could run free. He could become many things like a jaguar in the night, an eagle in flight, a warrior in the battle of his life, if he wanted to be.

When he became a man the growing pains were tough for him, reality was not his thing. The little boy lost became now memories past, reality had approached him way to fast. Now having grown, his future so unknown, he followed a path he did not write. A darker path into the night, lost in the darkness without a light. Then one day with the monsters inside, so many monsters he sat down one day, so broken inside. He started to think of memories past, the days of joy as a little boy.

The memories came and flooded his mind, he closed his eyes to what might he find? Into the darkness he did go, the monsters and demons began to show.

Wanting to run as fast as he could, run so fast back into the wood. There he found what he left behind, a little boy, they were two of a kind.

But the little boy was hiding as well, hiding in a fortress that he knew so well. They had built this fortress many years ago. Why are you hiding? he wanted to know.

Why are you still here why didn’t you go? The little boy he did not speak, yet he heard a voice say “I will tell you what you seek”.

An owl had been sitting on top of the fort, watching the little one so to give this report.

Werewolf's he’s afraid will devour him whole, Werewolf's? he began to say, there’s no such thing at the end of the day. People,people,people,are what he fears, people, people, people have you no ears.? The little boy is hiding from the reality he’s so unwilling to face; he was never prepared for the human race.

The owl it said, will be his guide, to all his future journeys deep inside. Now tell the little one he can go, and then I’ll tell you what you need to know.

Now many journeys has he taken inside, the little boy gone, with an owl by his side.

We find our spirit guide on our journeys deep inside.

Chiayaog Ahsin wawashkashi.

Borrowed with courtesy to Talking Stick.

Suggested reading for Dads CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE FATHER & DAUGHTER SOUL

by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen & Patty Aubery Celebrating every little girl’s childhood hero and the special dad and daughter bond! As usual, the Chicken Soup for the Soul series of books are so inspiring. This book celebrates the wonderful relationship from childhood, the trying years of adolescence, the poignance of leaving home and even the years when daughters often become caregivers.

BABA: MEN AND FATHERHOOD IN SOUTH AFRICA

By Linda Richter & Robert Morrell Baba: Men and Fatherhood in South Africa provides answers to some of the most difficult questions about fatherhood in South Africa. Who is a father?

What does it mean to be a father? Is it important for fathers to do more for children in a world that assumes that mothers take the primary parenting role? Do different people understand fatherhood in different ways? What evidence is there of new fatherhood styles emerging in South Africa?

Authors from a range of backgrounds and disciplines break new ground as they explore the centrality of fatherhood in the lives of men and in the experiences of children. They show how fathers involvement contributes to the well being of children. The authors argue that men can make a major contribution to the health of South African society by caring for children and producing a new generation of South Africans for whom men will be significant by their positive presence rather than by their absence or their abuse.

WHAT KIDS NEED MOST IN A DAD

By Tim Hansel What do kids really need in a dad? This book offers practical encouragement for the sacred and difficult privilege of fatherhood. It acknowledges that being a dad is demanding and challenging, yet reminds you that it’s an exciting adventure that’s well worth the effort.

It contains information that could potentially change your life, your relationship with your wife, and how you both influence and enjoy your children.

You’ll find an honest, realistic image of the truly successful dad as author Tim Hansel clears away the myths and misconceptions about fathering. He also reveals how you can be better prepared to accept the challenge of fathering, love your children for who they are, and develop a sense of what is really important in life.

Packed with creative ideas, positive principles and practical, time tested advice, What KIDS need most in a DAD will help you sharpen your skills and find new energy for becoming the kind of father your children depend on you to be.

BOUNDARIES WITH KIDS

By Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend What an amazing book. A little intimidating at times. Some of us might find the advice easier to follow than others, but even though the journey might be different, we are all heading for the same destination. We all want our kids to grow up and be successful and happy in their lives and future relationships. This book helps us as parents to raise our children to become strong, secure, healthy, responsible adults. It teaches them to take responsibility of their own actions and to develop their own character in a safe environment. A must read for parents with kids of all ages – its never to late to start.

Suggested websites for Dads www.greatdad.com www.parenting.com/dad www.singledad.com www.dadzclub.com

READING CORNERS Donor schools, corporates, and family’s are able to sponsor or donate towards a reading corner for a Grade R classroom to encourage a love of reading from a young age, thus improving the level of literacy at the foundation stage of learning

Sponsorship includes: A Kidz2Kidz designed lockup bookshelf Kidz2Kidz designed Peace bench Floor cushions Warm floor mat 60 new reading books including nonfiction and tri-lingual storybooks.

Sponsor a reading corner e-mail info@kidz2kidz.co.za for more information.

We also collect second hand children’s books to create a “take home library” of books for the children.

Our South African children’s charity accepts donations for the Reading Corners all year round..

Kidz2Kidz Projects Fax: 086 560 3994 General enquiries: info@kidz2kidz.co.za Volunteer enquiries: info@kidz2kidz.co.za

Enter and WIN!!

THIS ONE IS FOR MONTESSORI TEACHERS! ‌the game that gets kids talking See ad in front of mag

How to enter: The first 3 schools to contact us with parent emails will each win a Smart Heart Board Game. We sign non-disclosure agreements with all schools. Email linda@childoftheuniverse.co.za MY T CHAI ASSORTED TEA HAMPER VALUED AT R500 My T Chai is authentic masala chai, made simple. Based on ancient Indian and African traditions, the teas are a blend of natural flavour, health and enjoyment, free from additives and synthetic compounds.

A delicate balance of sweet and hot flavours in every cup are certain to tantalize your palette, stimulate your metabolism, soothe and relax, leaving you feeling at peace with yourself and the world. www.mytchai.com Available at leading stores throughout SA.

To enter Email us 5 friend’s email addresses and your phone number to: chai@childoftheuniverse.co.za Subject line: Subscribe

Subscribe and WIN!!

TEACHERS - BEAUTIFUL HAY HOUSE BOOK HAMPERS

PARENTS - BEAUTIFUL HAY HOUSE BOOK HAMPERS

To enter for either of these hampers, email 5 friend’s email addresses and your phone number to: hayhouse@childoftheuniverse.co.za Subject line: Subscribe : Teacher/Parent

With gratitude to our advertisers, contributors, endorsers and our readers Wishing you all well over the festive season namaste