Conscious Life Free Online Mag - August 2018 - Ed 48

*FREE ONLINE MAG *ISSUE 48 *AUGUST 2018

Conscious Life Magazine

CONTENTS WHAT IS TRUE SELF LOVE?

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SELF DEVELOPMENT & PERSONAL GROWTH UNCONDITIONAL LOVE & ALIGNMENT IN RELATIONSHIP

WHY PEOPLE WHO TAKE NAPS ARE MORE PRODUCTIVE BODY WISDOM: FEELING AT HOME IN YOUR BODY 8 SIGNS THEY ARE YOUR TRUE FRIEND FOR LIFE

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NATURAL HEALTH & WELLNESS CURING ACNE NATURALLY - IS IT REALLY POSSIBLE? HOW TO DETOX HEAVY METALS TO HELP END EXHAUSTION AND CHRONIC FATIGUE WHAT IS ACUPUNCTURE? HOW TO PROTECT YOUR SKIN DURING COLD CONDITIONS

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CONSCIOUS HEALING LIVING WHO YOU ARE HOW WE CAN ALL DO OUR PART THIS SUNFLOWER DAY MUSIC THERAPY – IT CAN LITERALLY HEAL YOUR BRAIN INSIGHT THROUGH COLOUR

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HEALTHY INTAKE TWO EASY-TO-MAKE PROBIOTIC DRINKS THAT HEAL THE GUT TOP 20 MOST UNDER RATED HERBS PLANT BASED PANCAKES PROTEIN PACKED PESTO PASTA

b CONSCIOUS BODY STARTING A FITNESS ROUTINE THAT WORKS FOR YOU YOGA STARTER WORKSHOPS EASE INTO SPRING YOGA RETREAT

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GREEN LIVING 5 EASY UPCYCLING IDEAS FOR HOME AND GARDEN

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CONTENTS _ ANIMAL WORLD THE BIG C AND OUR PETS

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WORKSHOPS, COURSES & RETREATS FIRST AID COURSES THE JOY OF SACRED GEOMETRY

THE JOY OF CRYSTALS ALIGNING WITH THE LAW OF ABUNDANCE MAGIC OF COLOUR CREATIVE HARMONY – MOSAIC, FABRIC PAINTING, BEADING COURSE

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GETAWAYS, SHOWS & EVENTS SHOWS, GETAWAYS; AND MORE, PLUS COMIC CON COMING TO SA FOR THE 1ST TIME!,

_ REACH OUT REACH OUT & HELP: DESERVING CHARITIES AND CAUSES NEEDING YOUR HELP

Contributing Team & Experts

ABOUT US www.childoftheuniverse.co.za PUBLISHER 2Luni Media EDITOR/OWNER Candida “Cj“ Matticks 087 802 6102 candida@childoftheuniverse.co.za

LISA RALEIGH Fitness & Nutritional Expert

Articles from the late

LOUISE L. HAY Author/Inspirational Speaker

Copy Editor Linda Navon SALES & MARKETING Sales & Marketing Manager Cj Matticks

HANNA KOK BrainGym

DR CHRISTIANE NORTHRUP

Sales Linda Navon CREATIVE TEAM Designer & Creative Director Cj Matticks Content & Layout Assistant Linda Navon

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BRENT LINDEQUE The Good Things Guy

Author & Motivator

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Lee Coulter lee@childoftheuniverse.co.za

Articles written by the late

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Author, founder & director Reiki Academy London

LINDA NAVON

CJ MATTICKS

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Contributing Team & Experts WHAT WE ARE ABOUT We believe in the ‘FIRST DO NO HARM’ principle and we select our content and advertisers accordingly. Our focus is on conscious lifestyle.

We cover topics around natural health & wellness: body, mind & spirit; conscious living for a cleaner planet, healthy recipes and fitness.

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Angel Connection School

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Dearest Conscious Life Friends Hello!! Happy Women’s Month to all the magnificent gals who read Conscious Life Magazine. We want you to know that you’re awesome, just for being you!!

This Women’s Month, I would like to invite all of us, men included, to reconnect with and learn to really respect and love ourselves.

It is so vital to our wellbeing and to our relationship with ourselves and others. How can we expect to really give love to and show respect for another, if we cant first give it to ourselves?

I have been pondering true self love for the past few weeks. How do I show myself love and respect? I mean, I love myself and have for most of my life, and I realised this month that this love has at times been somewhat conditional. For instance, I show myself love and care, and my self-talk is positive and encouraging when I am working productively and properly managing my time. However, when I fall into procrastination and my motivation drops, I tend to come down quite hard on myself.

When I read Simon’s article “Unconditional Love and Alignment in Relationship” (page 16), it struck a chord deep within. I pondered the idea of approaching and treating myself with the same care, love and respect that I would show to my soul mate. Would I break him down in the times when he was not his best self? If he was dissatisfied with himself?

Of course not! Why would I ever want to do that? I would show him unconditional love, encouragement and support by being there

for him to talk to, and help where I could. So I tried this approach on myself and you know what?? It works wonders!!

Another aspect of self love that I discovered, is the value of healthy self discipline. My inner child tends to rebel my own authority when it comes to self discipline. This has at times led to a pattern of procrastination followed by reprimand and eventual completion of the task at the 13th hour, leaving me exhausted and unhappy with myself. I was invited, by a friend, to try self discipline in a loving, caring, encouraging way, much like a loving parent with their little child. And you know what?? It works!!

Self discipline is an important aspect of self love – it is a demonstration of deep respect for yourself and your personal needs and goals. It also enables you to better balance life and create time for self care, fun and recharging.

This brings me to another aspect of self love, self care. It is so important to regularly take time to pamper yourself, do that which makes you truly happy, and rest. It revitalises you, energises your mind and allows it the space to be creative. I have found that this is often when my best ideas are born. It will also help you to be more productive. Most importantly, it leads to happiness and in turn positively affects your relationship with others.

I encourage you to take time to reflect on the ways that you can love and respect yourself unconditionally. Then, starting today, make a commitment to yourself to do so. Trust me, Conscious Life Magazine

you will be glad that you did.

We have great articles in this month’s issue to help you with this exciting endeavor: Simon Wing Lun talks more about the value of unconditional self love and how vital it is for true alignment with your partner. Wendy Young From Wise Living helps us understand what it is to really feel at home in our bodies. We learn from Dan Scotti how taking naps during the work day can help us with our productivity ; and much more. So sit back with your favourite hot drink and enjoy this month’s mag.

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By Simon Wing-Lun

When you love someone unconditionally, you will love them forever.

For when you do truly love someone that much, you see there's no reason you could ever stop loving them. Love does not mean being physically together though. Love means being true to oneself, and going wherever that truth may take you.

What creates physical togetherness is alignment. Alignment in the physical, emotional and energetic gifts of your soul.

My partner Lora and I spend so much time together, and expect to be co-creating together for the majority of our lifespans because of the level of alignment between us. In a sense, we love many people and all people as unconditionally as we love each other. We see the divine beauty in everyone. But it’s the level of alignment between us that creates the nature of our relationship.

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You can’t force or fake alignment, or more simply put, relationship compatibility. But you open to greater and greater alignment in all your relationships through unconditional selflove.

This is why self-love is vital. In fact it is the foundation to creating truly fulfilling alignment in relationship.

What unconditional self-love does is create alignment between your inner and outer selves. Between your spiritual and physical selves. Between what you feel inside, and what you show and express to the world. This is why self-love is vital. In fact it is the foundation to creating truly fulfilling alignment in relationship.

Lora and I could be deeply compatible on the core level of who we are, but if we didn’t love ourselves enough to let it show, we would never have found each other. Or we would have seen each other, but only seen the layers of fear covering up what we were looking for.

Yet because we’d loved ourselves enough to let our insides shine out, and released enough conditions on how we can love others, we were able to recognise the alignment that was there between us in all the ways we knew were important.

Prior to meeting, we both had a significant period in our lives where we deeply met much of our core patterns of conditional love in relationship. I had a period of very deep emotional healing and self-love following a relationship break-up. Lora had a huge purge of many of her old relationship patterns during psychosis.

So when we met, we had become a match for the sort of partner our souls were looking for.

Within a few months we were basically spending 24/7 together, not out of reliance or

because it's something either of us even thought we'd want, it was just the natural result of the alignment we created within.

We didn’t come together with the mind-set of needing a partner. Neither of us felt we needed a relationship to be fulfilled, successful or happy at that point in our lives.

The level of love and alignment between us simply showed us that life had something in store for our partnership in some way much greater than we’d been imagining.

So for those looking to create more alignment in their relationships, or connect with ‘the perfect partner’ for them, we always say, “Love yourself more unconditionally.”

It’s the answer. It’s the key.

Unconditional love creates the alignment you desire in relationship, within yourself, and will always magnetise you to the exact and perfect relationships which reflect what you feel about yourself inside.

If there’s more love you want from outside… it means there’s more love to be found for yourself.

If there’s more love you want from outside, more love you want from people, it means there’s more love to be found for yourself. It may be more love for your physical self, your emotional self, or your spiritual self. Yet whatever it may be, let that journey of love's discovery be a blessing rather than a curse.

It’s actually not better to have a physical relationship than not. It’s only a different way of experiencing love.

When you love yourself deeply and unconditionally, the love you want will always be there in your relationships, For the nature of all relationships is simply to reflect the exact patterning of love that is who you are.

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And when you truly trust in love, and let it take over your life and relationships, you know nothing can ever go wrong. Nothing can ever be wrong. For the nature of love is only to grow, to expand through every moment into a greater and greater revelation of truth that we are all beautiful, all one, and can never be separated anyway.

About Simon Wing-Lun Simon Wing-Lun is the founder of Unconditional Love Healing, and Director of The Leela Centre for Love & Freedom in Sydney Australia. Together with his partner Lora they teach and practice deep emotional healing, helping people release old emotional blocks & trauma, and open to unconditional love, joy & happiness. Helping people love themselves, and open to unconditional love in relationship is one of their specialties. For more info visit: www.unconditional-love.com

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by Dan Scotti A lot of companies are now encouraging naps.

That’s a direct quote from Michael Breus, clinical psychologist and sleep specialist whose research might catch you napping on the benefits of light sleep throughout your workday.

According to Breus, a 25- to 30-minute nap during your work day can help you feel energized and alert for more sustained periods, and companies are buying into it.

As Breus explains: Google and AOL, among many others, are beginning to accommodate their sleepy workforces with special “sleep rooms.”

These rooms designed solely to be napped in are becoming increasingly available to employees, not because of the notion that “employees are lazy,” but on behalf of a

recent surge in scientific data linking naps with productivity.

I, for one, have always been a major proponent of “workplace napping.”

It’s been that way ever since I saw George Costanza sneak a pillow to the office so he could sleep under his desk. I mean, for a young snoozer like myself, he revolutionized the game. Come to think of it, Costanza really paved the way.

By the time I got to high school, I was hitting Conscious Life Magazine

naps in the back of class with more regularity than I was the books. No joke. It was 11th grade — I remember distinctly.

I was playing football (yes, tackle football), chasing honeys, experimenting recreationally with marijuana and alcohol — you know, typical high-school-dude sh*t – so, naturally, I was perpetually tired.

In order to catch up on some much needed sleep, I started napping for like 20 minutes in the back of my Spanish class. I figured of all the classes for me to nap in, why not opt for the one that’s spoken entirely in language I can’t really understand?

It worked great, or so I thought, until my parents met with my Spanish teacher for one of those dreaded parent-teacher conferences. When my parents got home, following the meeting, they were mortified.

OMG, Dan. WE DIDN’T RAISE YOU TO SLEEP IN CLASS. THAT’S DISRESPECTFUL. YADA, YADA, YADA. I mean, I didn’t intend for any disrespect. I was just tired, and napping made me less tired. It was rather simple arithmetic. I wasn’t trying to curve my teacher in the slightest.

Anyways, after my parents met with my Spanish teacher a SECOND time, during the follow-up meeting a few weeks later, they returned home with a much different disposition. They were glowing.

DAN. NOW, THAT’S THE SON I RAISED. YOUR TEACHER SAID YOU DIDN’T FALL ASLEEP ONCE SINCE LAST MEETING. MUCHAS GRACIAS. WE’RE SO PROUD. YADA, YADA, YADA. Little did they know that I was still sleeping.

Oh, I was sleeping, all right. Arguably with

even more vigor. But, wait, here’s the best part: Ironically, like a day or two after that first meeting, it was Daylight’s Savings Time, so the clocks fell behind an hour.

My body clock had been so trained to nap at the same time, every f*cking day, that my circadian rhythms were conditioned to falling asleep for like 20 minutes at 12:35 pm. While the clocks’ might’ve gotten moved back, my body clock certainly didn’t get the memo, and thankfully so.

Instead of napping in Spanish class, I now fell asleep exactly ONE hour earlier, during chemistry (the period before). Sadly, THIS issue didn’t get resolved until second semester, in the spring, when the clocks ultimately “sprung ahead.”

Needless to say, I’ve been advocating the end of nap-shaming long before Michael Breus – although I probably would’ve benefitted from one of those sleep rooms.

Regardless, I’m overjoyed with the recent onslaught of research in our favor.

In a recent article by Teresa Meek of Forbes, more light has been shed on the perks of shuteye during the workday. I recommend you check it out before checking out entirely.

Naps will settle your worktime nerves.

Once again, the key to all our problems seemingly comes down to our good friend cortisol. Cortisol is essentially the stress hormone, which, yeah, explains why I write about it so frequently.

Anyways, according to Mandy Oaklander of Prevention, napping for only 15 minutes during the workday can cut your cortisol levels in half! Didn’t get a great night of sleep before the day of a big presentation, and now you’re starting to get butterflies in your Conscious Life Magazine

stomach? Try sneaking a quick nap in during lunch. You’ll feel less stressed as soon as you wake up — just don’t forget to set your alarm.

Naps prevent “worker burnout” According to ABC News, Harvard researchers proved the existence of “worker burnout,” or the decrease in productivity of an employee as the day wears on.

To gauge the impact of napping on worker burnout, these Harvard researchers conducted a study incorporating naps in between intervals of labor.

Findings showed that a 30-minute nap improved the productivity of workers immediately after the nap – and a onehour nap could actually boost performance well into the latter stages of the workday.

Just make sure you don’t nap TOO long.

It’s important to pay attention to the length of your midday naps. In the case of dozing off during the workday, less is more.

While you might think opting for a double lunch provides the perfect scenario for a “double dose of NyQuil”– so you can come back utterly rejuvenated for your afternoon work – think again.

According to Breus, optimal nap durations are between 25-30 minutes. If you sleep for longer than 30 minutes, make sure you complete a full sleep cycle, which is 90 minutes. If not, you’ll find yourself waking up groggier than you were before the nap.

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By Wendy Young

Awareness of our body and its wisdom is an empowering ability that we are all born with. However, as we grow into adulthood, we tend to lose connection with its messages. This innate ability becomes blocked by childhood conditioning, limiting beliefs and selfperceptions, and the residue of past traumas.

When we learn how to deepen our connection with our body, which is a powerful form of intuition, we access clarity and inner knowing quickly and easily in stressful situations. Tapping into our full body presence is how we awaken our creative potential; and how we cultivate greater ease and joy as we navigate our inner and outer worlds.

Listening to the spontaneous signals that our body sends throughout the day – gut feelings, tugs at our heart, tense neck and shoulders – sounds like a simple practice. As a species, we’ve been doing it for millennia. Early humans depended on this full `body wisdom in an instinctual way.

However, most of us are cut off from our body wisdom.

We shut out physical and emotional sensations – all feeling – due to past traumas.

Limiting beliefs about ourselves and our bodies colour our perceptions about what our body is trying to tell us.

We are also distracted by our environment — the fast pace of life, our digital gadgets and the unsettling state of the world.

Our reactions to body sensations can be overly vigilant because our mind may be thinking that what is happening now is similar to a past traumatic event.

This locks us out of the current moment and leaves us vulnerable because we can’t accurately sense what the rest of our body is telling us.

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Unfortunately, if we can’t feel presentmoment sensations, we are relating through old patterns of fear, shame or doubt.

Learning how to feel and listen to the full range of body sensations nurtures our relationship with our self and with others.

This deeper sense of connection flows over into our connection with all of Life — heightening our sense of belonging and growing a trust in our self and others.

Listening more closely to what our body needs, physical and mental/emotional healing happens.

When we return home to feeling our body again and again, we access the nourishing flow of life force energy within and around us. We open more expansively to all of Life and our unique gifts flow through and from us into the world. Accessing our most valuable resource – our body – cultivates trust, presence and freedom.

How do you feel and sense your body right now? What is the relationship like that you have with your body? Can you hear your body wisdom?

If you feel called to deepen in your body wisdom, I offer 1-1 transpersonal somatic counselling sessions to explore past traumas, conditioned beliefs and present life challenges. It is a therapy that makes the connection between mind, body and the interconnectedness of Life. I work directly with your nervous system to facilitate a process of healing and awakening from personal and collective wounding.

Email wendy@wise-living.co.za to book a session.

Remember to return home to your body, feeling it in the chair and on the ground, feeling any sensations and receiving its messages.

With love, Wendy

8 Signs They Are Your True Friend for Life

By Maria Magallanes As we go throughout our lives, we encounter all sorts of people. Some of them pass through momentarily while others linger. Oftentimes even our best friends from childhood drift away while others become a part of your unofficial family. What makes a friendship withstand the test of time?

You’re both vulnerable While it makes sense that vulnerability is an essential part of forming a relationship, the friends that stay with us forever are those who are able to reciprocate when we share parts of ourselves. An article by Psychology Today quotes Beverley Fehr – an author and sociologist at the University of Winnipeg – when she states that “The transition from acquaintanceship to friendship is typically characterized by an increase in both the breadth and depth of self-disclosure … One person takes the risk of disclosing personal information and then ‘tests’ whether the other reciprocates” (Karbo, 2006). Friendships that last require both parties to put their hearts on the line.

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You’ve established emotional intimacy Part of being a best friend is knowing that you have someone who accepts you and won’t judge you for your mistakes and failures. You can tell each other about your fears and imperfections because you have established trust and closeness. Sometimes you just need an understanding shoulder to cry on without explanation – a friend who knows your heart isn’t likely to leave anytime soon.

You make time for each other Maintaining interaction is important in building and keeping meaningful relationships. If you find that you and your best friend are hundreds or thousands of miles away, yet you still manage to call or text each other, you will likely both remain friends for the long haul. Studies show that distance doesn’t matter as long as your interaction remains intact.

Positive vibes Quality is better than quantity when it comes to best friends. As you get older and your lives get busier, it’s not likely that you’ll be able to see each other as often as you did when you first became friends. When you do get together, it’s important that you both feel positive about the experience. “At the end of the day, the intimacy that makes a friendship thrive must be an enjoyable one, for the more rewarding a friendship, the more we feel good about it, the more we’re willing to expend the energy it takes to keep it alive” (Karbo, 2006).

You’re brutally honest The friendships that survive the stresses of life and change are those built on authenticity. In both good times and bad, a lasting friendship consists of two people who are willing to express how they are feeling openly and compassionately. Whether it’s a question of fashion or constructive criticism, your best friend is not afraid to tell it how it is.

You show appreciation Just as in any relationship, it’s important to show appreciation to the ones you care about. Not only does it reinforce that the other person is important to you, studies suggest that when we are generous towards a person, we value them more than those who are generous towards us.

True friends know the significance of appreciating one another.

You repair rifts early on The key to staying friends for a long time is recognizing that you’re only human. Forever friends aren’t afraid to be the first one to say “I’m sorry” when someone has messed up. They are quick to forgive and also quick to repair and talk about anything that could pose a threat to your friendship.

The bottom line is, it takes two to tango. If you want a friendship that will last a lifetime, incorporate these attitudes into your relationships. Be the friend you want to be and you will make fulfilling relationships for the rest of your life.

Sources: Firestone, D. L. (2013, January 22). 5 Ways to Maintain Lifelong Friendships. Retrieved February 2018, from Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/compassion-matters/201301/5-ways-maintain-lifelong-friendships Karbo, K. (2006, November 1). Friendship: The Laws of Attraction. Retrieved from Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200611/friendship-the-laws-attraction

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Curing Acne Naturally Is It Really Possible?

by Nina Geraghty for BaoCare

Acne vulgaris, the term for a group of skin conditions that causes most acne symptoms, is the 8th most common disease in the world affecting more than 633 million people globally. It’s a long-term skin disease which occurs when hair follicles are clogged with dead skin cells and sebum and primarily affects skin with a relatively high number of oil glands ie: the face, upper chest and back.

You know you have acne if you have any of the following symptoms: • blackheads or whiteheads (also known as comedones) occur when debris gets trapped in the follicle • pimples (papules and pustules - the technical name for pimples) which cause small or medium sized bumps on the skin that are round, red and don’t always have a visible “head”) • cysts or nodules which are inflamed • excessively oily skin • scarring from squeezing or scratching acne pimples.

There are different types of acne: • non-inflammatory acne (whiteheads, blackheads but not cysts or nodules) • inflammatory acne – usually caused by infections due to excessive growth of the bacterium Propionibacterium acnes.

• cystic acne (also called nodulocystic acne (an intense form of acne that results in large inflamed cysts and nodules) The main causes of acne are thought to be: • inflammation and infection of the sebaceous glands of the skin as a result of clogged pores, caused by excess oil Conscious Life Magazine

• •

production and dead skin cells.

Bacterial overgrowth of Propionibacterium acnes.

Hormone fluctuations or imbalances which is why acne is most often seen in teens and young adults, especially women experiencing PMS, irregular periods, pregnancy, early menopause, and other hormonal conditions such as poly-cystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).

Treatment of Acne Conventional methods of dealing with acne include prescription medications such as Acutane, antibiotics, birth control pills and heavy-duty skin cleansers with Benzoyl peroxide and Salicyclic acid. All of these can have unwanted side effects, with the cleansers also having a strong drying effect on the skin.

If conventional methods have been unsuccessful, we encourage you to consider taking a natural approach to healing acne.

There’s promising evidence that natural solutions can be extremely effective.

Acne Skin Care Let’s look at a 4-step skin care routine with some suggestions that may surprise you.

replacing the dirty oil with beneficial ones extracted from natural botanicals, vegetables and fruit that heal, protect and nourish your skin. When done properly and consistently, the OCM (Oil Cleansing Method) can clear the skin from issues like oily skin, dry skin, sensitive skin, blackheads, whiteheads and other problems caused by mild to moderate acne– while leaving your skin healthy, balanced and properly moisturized.’

See Wellness Mama’s excellent article on how to use OCM with botanical oils for acne here.

2. Toning Apple cider vinegar can be used externally for cystic acne. Dab a Q-tip in raw apple cider vinegar and then onto your cysts. This should be done twice a day. You can also make a 50/50 dilution of water to apple cider vinegar and use it as a toner.

For this to be effective, you need to use raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar that includes the ‘mother’. The ‘mother’ is the substance which ferments the apple cider into vinegar and comprises beneficial healing bacteria, enzymes and acids. It is the ‘mother’ which gives raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar its characteristic cloudy appearance.

3. Topical Tips 1. Cleansing To suggest cleansing with oils seems counterintuitive given that acne is often associated with an over-production of sebum. However, even Acne.org promotes the idea persuasively, explaining it this way: ‘Fact: Oil dissolves oil. One of the most basic principles of chemistry is that “like dissolves like.” The best way to dissolve a non-polar solvent like sebum/oil, is by using another non-polar solvent similar in composition: Other oils. By using the right oils, you can cleanse your pores of dirt and bacteria naturally, gently and effectively, while

Lavender essential oil can be applied to acne cysts with a q-tip several times a day. Most people can tolerate lavender essential oil neat (without diluting) If you find the oil to be too strong, dilute it with some coconut oil or castor oil first.

Tea tree essential oil can be a very powerful all natural remedy for acne, as it is antibacterial. To apply it, mix a small amount (5 to 10 drops) in a 1/4 cup water. Dip a cotton ball into the mixture and apply it to your skin. You can reapply throughout the day or leave it on under your makeup Conscious Life Magazine

Raw,unfiltered honey can be used topically for cystic acne a couple of times a day. Honey is a wonderful "medicine" because of its strong antiseptic and antibacterial effects.

Moisturise!

Contrary to popular belief, acne-prone skin still needs to be moisturised. It’s well established that acne can only heal if the skin is sufficiently hydrated. However, great care needs to be taken in choosing a moisturiser that won’t irritate and further inflame already traumatised skin.

Baobab oil This nourishing amber-gold oil is cold pressed from the seeds of the baobab fruit pod. It’s a rare, naturally light oil which doesn’t clog pores and absorbs rapidly without leaving a greasy residue. Baobab oil has a unique fatty acid profile with exceptional quantities of Omega 6 and 9, helping to retain moisture and regenerate new skin cells. It’s also particularly recommended for healing scar tissue.

Linoleic acid is a natural component of sebum and plays a significant role in strengthening the lipid barrier of the epidermis and normalising skin metabolism. Applying it to problem skin can result in improved sebaceous gland function and the prevention of acne formation. A recent study on baobab oil shows that it has high levels of linoleic acid making it an excellent therapeutic choice for acne.

Coconut Oil Coconut oil can be an excellent moisturizer for acne-prone skin. A study found that lauric acid found in coconut oil demonstrates the strongest bacterial activity against acne caused by bacteria.

Rosehip oil Rosehip oil is full of essential fatty acids (80 percent omegas 3 and 6), which work exceptionally well to calm and soothe skin, while also helping treat scars and uneven skin tone.

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Evening Primrose Oil Acne-prone skin is deficient in linoleic acid and it is this deficiency which triggers pore-clogging and leads to acne and breakouts. Clogged pores are a perfect environment for bacterial growth which leads to inflammation. Evening Primrose oil contains exceptionally high levels of linoleic acid making it an excellent product for helping to resolve acne.

Ultimately, as the acne project says, curing acne is not a product, it’s a process. Everybody’s experience with acne is different and there isn’t a single solution that works for everyone. It’s likely, however, that at least one of the solutions we’ve proposed above could turn out to be exactly what you need. Experiment with what works best for you – acne can be cured naturally!

References: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18456568 https://wellnessmama.com/26504/natural-remedies-acne/ https://draxe.com/home-remedies-for-acne/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acne https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/eat-your-way-fabulous-skin https://www.faithful-to-nature.co.za/blog/natural-solutions-for-problem-skin/ http://www.clearskinforever.net/aloe-acne-does-aloe-really-help-acne/ http://theacneproject.com/best-moisturizers-for-acne-prone-skin/ file:///C:/Users/Nina/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/INetCache/Content.Outlook/16A0SAGY/Komane%20et%20al% 202017%20Beauty%20in%20Baobab%20a%20pilot%20study%20of%20the%20safety%20and%20efficacy%20of%20Adan sonia%20digitata%20seed%20oil.pdf https://www.healthyskinglows.com/prevent-breakouts-future-acne/ http://www.minimalistbeauty.com/oils-specifically-for-acne-prone-skin/

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How to Detox Heavy Metals to Help End Exhaustion and Chronic Fatigue

By Dr Mercola

Detoxification is an important aspect of optimal health, but can be quite confusing, not to mention risky if done incorrectly. Wendy Myers, a functional diagnostic nutritionist, founder of MyersDetox.com and author of "Limitless Energy: How to Detox Toxic Metals to End Exhaustion and Chronic Fatigue," is a treasure trove of information on this topic.

One key component many fail to take into consideration when detoxing is their exposure to nonnative electromagnetic fields (EMFs) and microwave radiation from cell phones and Wi-Fi routers. Unless you address these exposures, your detoxification capacity may be impeded. In other words, your body may not be able to excrete heavy metals as efficiently as it would otherwise, due to the interference caused by EMFs.

EMFs Hinder Detoxification As explained by Myers, when you have heavy metals in your body, you tend to attract EMFs to your body. EMFs in turn impact your body's metabolism and functioning — and its ability to effectively eliminate toxins and heavy metals.

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"That is one of the things I work with," Myers says. "Identifying and trying to reduce EMF in [my clients'] environment, so they can improve their body's ability to function generally and to detox.“

Aluminium, which is very prevalent in our environment, including the air we breathe, thanks to geoengineering. Aluminium is also found in many vaccines, and is used in water treatment plants to separate out sediments.

Antiperspirants, aluminium cans, foil and cookware are other common sources of exposure.

In my book, "Fat for Fuel: A Revolutionary Diet to Combat Cancer, Boost Brain Power and Increase Your Energy," I detail a program to improve your mitochondrial function, and reducing your toxic burden is an important part of the equation. Your mitochondria will suffer as long as you bombard your body with EMF. In fact, EMF exposure itself is intrinsically a mitochondrial poison.

Aluminium poisons enzymes that transport nutrients into your mitochondria, impeding their ability to produce energy. "When you remove aluminium and other mitochondrial poisons, we see a dramatic uptake in people's energy levels, even people who are chronically fatigued or bedridden from their fatigue," Myers says. "Within a year or so, they are able to start functioning again just from detoxing these metals"

Professor Emeritus Martin Pall wrote an excellent paper explaining one of the primary mechanisms of harm from exposure to microwave radiation from cell phones. It is related to voltage-gated calcium channels.

EMFs impact these calcium channels that release calcium into the cell.

Calcium causes nitric oxide release and combines with superoxide, thereby creating perioxinitrate, which is a massive producer of hydroxyl free radicals, the most destructive free radical known. Regular exposure to EMFs can actually poison your cells more than ionizing radiation from X-rays.

Common Metals That Wreak Havoc With Your Mitochondrial Function Fatigue is a widespread problem today. "In doing my research, I was trying to figure out what is making us so tired," Myers says.

Eventually, she discovered a treasure trove of mitochondrial research and studies showing how various metals impact the mitochondria's ability to produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the energy currency in your body.

Metals that are particularly detrimental to mitochondrial function include:

Arsenic, found in antibiotics fed to conventionally-raised chickens and eggs, is another. To avoid arsenic, eat organic, pastured eggs and chicken. Rice is another common source, and Myers recommends avoiding brown rice for this reason. Other sources include wine, apple juice and drinking water

Tin affects your mitochondria a bit differently.

The membrane of your mitochondria needs to have a certain charge to function properly. Tin dispels that charge, effectively handicapping the mitochondria. According to Myers, many have surprisingly high levels of tin in their bodies Thallium, a gasoline additive, is a common air pollutant thanks to smog and car exhaust fumes. Thallium is added to gasoline for the same reason lead used to be added — to reduce knocking and improve engine performance. Lead was successfully removed from gasoline after public outcry, but now they add thallium instead. Few are aware of this, or understand its health effects, but thallium is a major factor in chronic fatigue Conscious Life Magazine

How to Test for Heavy Metals There are a number of different ways to test for heavy metals, including hair, urine and stool. Certain metals, such as thallium, show up best in a urine dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) challenge test. DMSA is a chelating agent that can be administered either orally or intravenously. When taken together with a synergistic agent like glycine, it binds to the metals in your body, forcing them out through your stool and urine.

Myers typically starts out doing a hair mineral analysis. It's easy to do, relatively inexpensive and provides a significant amount of information. Ideally, you'll want to do all three — hair, stool and urine tests — as no one test is perfect. Some metals come out in hair, others in urine and/or stool. Cadmium, for example, comes out in stool, so a stool test will be the most accurate.

"A lot of people have cadmium toxicity, so it's very important to measure that," Myers says. "A lot of people have mercury fillings, so we'll see a lot of silver from those amalgams coming out in the stool as well. Those kill gut bacteria and cause gut dysbiosis … Other metals prefer to be excreted in the hair.

That's why I'd like to use all those different tests."

No One Is Exempt From Heavy Metal Toxicity I did a heavy metal analysis on hair, urine and stool, and despite leading a fairly clean lifestyle, I had every single one of these heavy metals in my body. So, I'm currently doing Myers' detoxification program myself. While some believe detoxification is unnecessary and view such recommendations with

suspicion, I believe accumulation of toxins is an unfortunate artifact of living in the 21st century.

You're continually exposed, so not only might you need to go through an aggressive detoxification program, but then you need to have some form of maintenance program to keep up with the continuous exposures.

"Yes, that's my main message to people," Myers says. "You should think of detox as a lifestyle, not something that you're doing for 30 days, six months or even a year. It's just something that you incorporate into your healthy lifestyle. We'll talk about some of the supplements and detox protocols that you can do to facilitate that …

I'm always surprised that my healthiest clients, like yourself, have a lot of metals coming out. Your body is working really well.

You're very healthy, so your body is able to excrete these metals much better than someone who is sick … or their detox organs aren't functioning very well. But no one is exempt. Everyone has toxic metals in their body that we want to tend to if we plan to live a long, healthy, energetic and disease-free life."

Indeed, because I lead such a healthy lifestyle, I thought I was somewhat immune to this kind of toxicity. I now suspect my arrogant ignorance of EMF exposure sabotaged my body's ability to excrete these toxins. Now, I'm extremely diligent about avoiding EMF exposures, and I believe it's having a positive effect.

Unfortunately, virtually no one, not even most detox experts, understand the EMF issue. I'm trying to change that by starting a dialogue about it. Because you can implement all of these detox strategies, but if you don't radically reduce your EMF exposure, you're merely spinning your wheels, investing time, energy and resources while limiting any Conscious Life Magazine

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potential benefit.

volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Near- Versus Far-Infrared Saunas

"The near-infrared LEDs are something that have been available in the last few years.

There are amazing companies making products like these, the near-infrared and red LED combo products that you can add to your near-infrared bulb sauna or far-infrared sauna. That's the way that I would go if you're looking for that maximum detox effect.“

Saunas are an excellent detoxification tool, and Myers is one of the few clinicians who actually understands the difference between regular infrared saunas, which use far-infrared and the near-infrared. Far-infrared helps accelerate removal of toxins through sweat, but near-infrared, in the range of 830 to 850 nanometers (nm) is especially important for improving mitochondrial function.

Delivering near-infrared light to the compromised mitochondria synthesizes gene transcription factors that trigger cellular repair. So, ideally, you'll want to use a fullspectrum sauna. At present, those are hard to find, but you can modify your far-infrared sauna by adding a near-infrared light in the 830 to 850 nm range to it. Myers explains: "Infrared saunas are one of the best ways to detox your body. I recommend them to all my clients … [T]he most common sauna is a farinfrared sauna … I'm a big fan of near-infrared saunas also.

There are near-infrared bulbs saunas, which are fine for detoxification, but you want to add more concentrated near-infrared energy.

You can do that with near-infrared light emitting diodes (LEDs). The best detox combo is a far-infrared sauna with a near-infrared LED and a red LED panel inside of it. That's the best combo."

Other Sauna Considerations Another important consideration when looking for an infrared sauna is to make sure it's a low-EMF version, as many will emit very high amounts of extra-low frequency EMFs. So, look for manufacturer specifications on EMF emissions.

As a general recommendation, avoid the really cheap ones made in China. In addition to EMFs, many of those made with inexpensive materials contain glue and particle board that emit

Sauna Recommendations for Detoxification Contraindications for sauna use include having a pacemaker or metal implants in your body, as they may be heated by the infrared rays. Most people with metal pins in their body will not experience any problems, but it's something to be mindful of. Saunas are also generally contraindicated for children under the age of 7.

"Their temperature regulation system doesn't quite work well enough, so I would not have a child use an infrared sauna," Myers says. "As far as how to use a sauna, I recommend people do them three to five days a week, starting with about five to 10 minutes.

If you're really, really ill, you'd want to start with a low amount and then slowly work your way up; like maybe each week add a couple of minutes to your sessions. You ought to do what works for you. It doesn't matter what I say or what I recommend. I want you to listen to your body and do what works for you. If you start to feel nauseated, lightheaded or unwell in any way, it's time to get out of the sauna.“ Dry brushing your skin prior to the sauna is also helpful as it will get your lymph moving.

Then, as soon as you get out of the sauna, be sure to shower right away. The last thing you want is for those excreted toxins to dry out on your body after you've sweated them out.

I will typically jump into my pool right Conscious Life Magazine

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afterward. The water being a cool mid-40s in the winter to 80s in the summer, it gives me the added advantage of cold thermogenesis in the winter, but also helps remove the toxins excreted through the skin in my sweat. Also be sure to use some kind of binder when detoxing in a sauna. You need something to mop up all the toxins mobilized from your tissues to keep them from your vital organs.

The Importance of Magnesium Myers also has an online program called "Mineral Power," which focuses on replenishing minerals lost during the detoxification process.

"There's always a cost to any kind of detox protocol you do," Myers says... But the benefits far outweigh the cost. We're willing to sacrifice some minerals for the benefits. But there are other minerals, like magnesium, which 80 percent of people are estimated to be deficient in. Magnesium is incredibly important to facilitate all of your body's enzymatic processes, your metabolism … including facilitating detoxification.“ Earlier I mentioned the importance of avoiding EMF as it affects your voltage-gated calcium channels. In studies on calcium channel blockers, researchers discovered these medications mitigated and nearly eliminated the EMF effects. Now, magnesium is a calcium channel blocker, which means that not only will magnesium help your detoxification process if you're deficient, but it may also remediate some of the inevitable EMF exposure we're all subject to.

"I can't tell you how many clients have told me that they just started taking magnesium alone and they start feeling better within a week or so," Myers notes. "I had the same experience when I did my first hair tissue mineral analysis a long time ago. I started taking magnesium. I couldn't believe how much better I was feeling. I had to become a practitioner and tell

more people about this, about the importance of minerals.“

The Importance of Zinc Zinc is another important mineral required for detoxification. Minerals help push out metals, as many metals bind to receptors that would normally be occupied by minerals. When you're deficient, metals can easily take the minerals' rightful place. Zinc helps push out cadmium, a metal that causes more cancers than all of the other metals combined. Myers explains:

"This is why cigarette smokers get cancer. It's why my dad got esophageal cancer. He smoked for 40 years … [Y]ou get cadmium from cigarettes … our environment [air] … shellfish and fish. It's not only mercury that's in fish. It's cadmium as well. Cadmium interferes when DNA copies. When a cell multiplies or divides, cadmium interferes in the DNA copying properly, so you get this mutated cell.

We have about 100 million cancer cells in our body at any one time. But if your immune system is malfunctioning, say it's damaged by metals, EMF or it's nutrient-deficient or just doesn't have the energy to function, that's when that mutated cell caused by cadmium will be allowed to grow and manifest into a tumor, be it malignant or benign. That's the mechanism by which cadmium causes cancer.“ Cadmium is also a significant contributor to hardening of the arteries. If you are zinc deficient, your body is forced to accumulate cadmium to repair the arteries. However, cadmium is hard and brittle, so when it Conscious Life Magazine

deposits into your arteries, it reduces the arteries' ability to expand and to contract, thereby contributing to high blood pressure and heart disease.

This is also the mechanism by which smoking leads to heart disease. The good news is you can reverse this process by taking proactive steps to remove cadmium from your system. It is a slow, long process, however.

Other Important Minerals Other important minerals include: Selenium. Most people have insufficient levels of selenium, and you need this mineral to repair chromosome damage. Selenium is also needed for the conversion of thyroid hormone, from T4 to T3. You need it to make glutathione in your body — a master antioxidant made by your liver that is important for heavy metal detoxification.

Selenium also prevents viral replication, and helps detoxify arsenic, beryllium, cadmium, mercury and silver. The daily recommended dose is 200 micrograms (mcg) per day.

Potassium, while not a primary detox mineral, does help push out thallium.

Iodine can also be beneficial. Thyroid disease is extremely common, especially in those drinking fluoridated water, as fluoride displaces iodine. Chlorine and bromine also displaces iodine, and they too are added to your water supply and/or food. Iodine helps push out halogens that compete with iodine uptake in the thyroid. To facilitate detoxification of halogens, you will need to take much higher amounts of iodine than typically recommended for general health.

All these supplements are classified as Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS), so there are no toxicity concerns. One exception is selenium. You do not want to take excessive amounts of it, and it has a very low therapeutic ratio. So, don't take more than the recommended 200 mcg per day. More is not better in this case.

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What is Acupuncture?

By Dr Lynda Thompson

The overall aim of acupuncture treatment is to help restore the body’s equilibrium and trigger the natural healing process. Although acupuncture in South Africa, has only been governed since 2002 by the Allied Health Professions Council of South Africa, traditional acupuncture is a healthcare system based on ancient Chinese principles, which date back thousands of years. It looks at illness and pain as signs that the body’s equilibrium is out of balance. There can be many reasons for this more commonly; emotional and physical stress, poor diet, infection and injury.

The doctor uses subtle diagnostic techniques that have been developed and refined for centuries. The focus is on the individual patient, not their illness, and all the symptoms are seen in relation to each other.

There is increasing evidence from Western scientific research demonstrating the effectiveness of acupuncture in treating a variety of conditions. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has endorsed acupuncture in the successful treatment of over 300 different diseases (WHO (2003) Acupuncture: Review and Analysis of Reports on Controlled Clinical Trials) and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence in the United Kingdom (NICE) provides guidelines for acupuncture use as well as providing access to studies on acupuncture.

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How does it work?

Doctors of Chinese medicine and acupuncture believe that the body’s energy they call “qi” flows in channels. When there is imbalance in the body’s energy this causes illness and pain.

By inserting ultra-fine sterile needles into specific points, the doctor seeks to re-establish the energy flow and restore balance and trigger the body’s natural healing process.

Much research has been done to understand how acupuncture works in conventional medicine for example Zhang et al. (2014) Mechanisms of Acupuncture – Electroacupuncture on Persistent Pain. Anesthesiology 120 (2): 482 – 503.

What should I wear for my appointment?

The most commonly used acupuncture points are located on the lower arms and legs, so we advise you to wear clothing that allows easy access to these areas. Privacy will be provided if there is a need for further access.

What happens at an appointment?

During your first visit to the rooms the doctor needs to gain a thorough understanding of your main complaint and your general health and lifestyle. You will be asked questions about your current symptoms and your medical history, as well as general questions such as your sleeping pattern, appetite and digestion and emotional well being. Women are also asked about their menstrual cycle and any past pregnancies.

Some questions may appear unrelated to your condition, but the information provides a more complete picture of your health. The doctor will also take your pulse and examine your tongue and examine areas of discomfort.

Based on all this information, the doctor will make a diagnosis and formulate a treatment plan.

This may include lifestyle and dietary advice, herbs as well as acupuncture.

The doctor will use ultra-fine sterile needles to stimulate specific points on your body. These points are not necessarily close to where you experience pain or discomfort. For example, if you suffer from headaches, needles may be used in your hand.

Are there any side effects of acupuncture?

Most people find acupuncture relaxing and often feel calm after a treatment. You may feel a little tired or sleepy, so should take this into account if you are planning to drive or use heavy machinery straight after your treatment. The doctor will give you information on this prior to your treatment.

lynda@lyndathompson.co.za +27 21 250 0205 Conscious Life Magazine

By Down To Earth Warm clothes protect your body from the effects of winter. What protects your skin?

When the temperature drops, humidity tends to drop with it and your skin dehydrates. Dehydrated skin becomes vulnerable to flaking and cracking, especially the hands and face. You need to give your skin a defence against the elements.

The good news is that you can tackle most winter skin problems with the simple act of regular moisturising. We explore how it can help prevent and assist with some common winter skin conditions.

The sensitive area around the nose Does the skin around your nose become irritated during winter?

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The winter months may bring on a runny nose and constant wiping can cause red and flaky skin. In severe cases an inflammatory rash can develop. It is important to keep the thin skin around the nose clean and hygienic, as well as moisturised.

Clear Skin Gel is the perfect solution to treat broken and damaged skin around the nose. It is a soothing and purifying antimicrobial gel and uses a blend of healing plant extracts to calm inflammation while moisturising the skin.

Cold sores Has winter weather triggered cold cores?

Winter is tough on the lips. Protect your lips from getting chapped and potentially infected by applying a moisturising balm. In severe weather conditions, cover your lips with a scarf.

If you experience a cold sore outbreak, use Clear Skin Gel to disinfect the affected area and to moisturise the skin. It will help accelerate healing and reduce further outbreaks.

Read our blog post, Self-conscious about those persistent cold sores? to learn more.

Shaving rash Does your skin become sensitive after shaving, especially in winter?

Folliculitis is an inflammation of hair follicles that is generally caused by shaving and which is more likely to occur in winter. Dry winter skin can provoke an irritation of the hair follicles.

Keep skin moisturised to help soothe sensitivities and prevent further irritation.

African Potato Cream is a hydrating antiinflammatory cream which helps to reduce dryness and inflamed skin.

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Cracked skin from hand washing Keeping hands clean is one of the most effective ways to stop the spread of germs and stay healthy during winter. It does however leave the hands vulnerable to drying out and cracked skin.

To prevent this, use a gentle soap and warm (not hot) water. Then moisturise to protect your skin from drying out and to keep it healthy. Our African Potato Cream is a deep penetrating, protective balm, perfect for dry winter hands.

Dry skin from soaking in the bath During winter a great way to end the day is with a warm bath. It promotes relaxation. You can add some soothing essential oils like lavender or bath salts to enhance the experience. However, soaking in the bath strips away your skin’s protective barrier of natural oils. So remember to moisturise afterwards and to make it part of your bath-routine.

African Potato Cream is an ultra moisturising and nourishing balm, that absorbs fast without leaving an oily residue. Perfect for the winter months when you layer clothes over your skin.

There are of course more ways to prevent dry winter skin which we explore in our blog post, Dry skin culprits and saviours.

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ADVERTORIAL

Private Health Care for Emergency Treatment As South African’s, one of the biggest risks we face every day while commuting to and from work is vehicle accidents.

What many people don’t know is that in 2015, the Road Traffic Management Corporation reported 832 431 road traffic crashes. 6% of these incidents were considered to be major or fatal accidents.

This amounted to 278 620 people injured on our roads in that year. That’s almost 800 people per day!

According to report published by the Institute of Race Relations (IRR), out of South Africa’s population of over 54 million people, only 17.4% are covered by a South African medical scheme. This means that only 9.5 million South Africans have access to private medical care while more than 44 million don’t.

In the report, it was stated that “Private quality healthcare roughly refers to easy access to general practitioners (GPs), dentists and medication. Having access to adequate medical cover can drastically improve the quality of life and life expectancy of a person. The leading barrier to private healthcare in South Africa continues to be the price. The millions of South Africans living without medical cover put increasing pressure on the public health system.”

The same principle applies to injuries sustained from road accidents in S.A. While it’s generally not something that we like to dwell on, the truth of the matter is that being treated in a private hospital following a motor vehicle accident has significant benefits which could save your life. Patients admitted following a motor vehicle accident have little or no delay in being treated and benefit from personalised care and treatment. Better facilities also generally mean that the recovery time is quicker.

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AccidentANGELS™ was established in 2010, with the view of providing affordable access to private healthcare, following a motor vehicle accident. A main member pays just R149 per month and he or she receives guaranteed access to private medical care.

Included in this membership is the transport cost in an ER24 emergency ambulance to the nearest private hospital.

When our members join us they receive an accidentANGELS™ MasterCard® which is activated on notification of an incident.

Members are given access of up to R10 000 for out-patient care, which is treatment in the emergency room at the private hospital.

This benefit is immediate because our member simply swipes the MasterCard® at the hospital to pay for treatment.

If the car accident injuries are serious enough to require in-patient admittance into hospital, accidentANGELS™ provide up to R200 000 paid to the hospital for treatment. A R1 million benefit is also available at a main member fee of R259 per month.

Members are also protected if they are travelling in public transport or even while walking as pedestrians on our roads. This means that the accidentANGELS™ benefit is not limited to people that drive a car.

One of our members was involved in an early morning accident where a car drove into the side of her car. This is what she had to say: “It was just another weekday morning, when out of nowhere a car drove into mine.

Thanks to accidentANGELS™, I was able to go to a private hospital straight away.

It was 8am and I was driving to work on a road close to my home. Suddenly, another driver who had skipped a stop street crashed into the side of my car. I injured my right shoulder quite badly and I had a concussion, but I was still able to phone for an ambulance.

When I first bought my car, the accidentANGELS™ benefit was offered to me and I’m relieved that I decided to join. The accessibility and availability of their staff and services are great and they helped me tremendously.

I really got the sense that the accidentANGELS™ staff truly cared about my well-being. All their interactions with me had a personal touch and they treated me with genuine empathy, and this is one of the reasons why I would recommend this benefit to all my friends.”

If you’d like to know more about us and what we do, click here or visit our website. www.accidentangels.co.za

accidentANGELS™ also assist our members with the submission and management of any valid claims against the Road Accident Fund (RAF). Claims made against the RAF can take as long as 3 years to be resolved, so this service ensures that the claim receives the right focus and attention. Funds that are paid out are paid back to the member, less any medical expenses incurred as a result of the accident. There are no fees deducted from the proceeds before funds are paid to our member.

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LIVING WHO YOU ARE

by Margi McAlpine You are therefore each and every one of you, a Spiritual Being and yet most of you cannot understand the concept of this and many spend most of their lives trying to become more spiritual or looking to find their spirituality. The answer to all of this is actually very simple. The way you become Spiritual is simply to become yourself and to reconnect to your inner essence which is the very core of your being. For that is how you were born; an amazing and Divine Being filled with eternal spirituality and unconditional love and light.

You are born with a Divine Light that shines from within and as you are conditioned by the circumstances and people around you so that light becomes dimmer and dimmer and the immense longing from the Soul to return to that state of purity and honour begins. The older you get and the less childlike you become the harsher the pain of separation from God gets.

As you get older you fill your life with material and physical things hoping to fill that big black hole within you and in that way to still the actual physical ache that it creates.

You start to realise that no matter how much

Each and every one of you is created in God’s image and therefore carries the God Spark within you. You are therefore part of God which then makes you co-creator with God which therefore makes you one with God. shopping you do or how much travelling you do or how good your relationships are or how much money you make, nothing takes away that pain or fills the big black hole within you.

It is only when you realise that this is the Soul’s way of telling you that it is time to discover exactly why and what your Divine Life Path is that you can start to find out how to rectify the situation so that you can live as you were born to live; in perfect harmony and at one with Source.

To change your life for the better you need to allow the grace of Source to once more connect to you. It is only through the grace of the Divine that you are able to know the right path. Your sense of inner knowing leads you to the Light and you are united with the Source of all goodness, love, and creativity.

This connection to Source starts to bring in harmony, serenity, and tranquillity. In this state, you are then able to understand exactly what is needed to bring about these important changes.

It is only through the miracle of pure unconditional love and total forgiveness first of yourself and then of others that you are Conscious Life Magazine

brought alive. You are then able to release all pain and tension and allow yourself to celebrate your uniqueness with joy and gratitude.

You allow love to be the centre of your life by putting aside all judgment and forgiving unconditionally. The power of this love enfolds and protects you. Divine mercy gives you the grace to be compassionate and accepting. Your Soul is then able to rest in the truth that your Being is eternal and as you allow love into your Being it remains in your Soul forever.

Wisdom comes from the depths of your experiences and you are then able to offer your gifts and talents to others making the Universe a better place for all by spreading light and love which empowers and enlightens others. In this way you are able to help light up the planet one person at a time and in this way Mother Earth can also be healed for it is only when each and every one is able to be lit up and attain their Ascension process that Mother Earth can also be lit up and be able to go into Ascension.

Your faith is then so strong and you know that joy and true happiness is yours now and forever as your Soul sings praises and glorifies the Source of all life and you rest in the peace of Divine Love!

Workshop The Fear Factor with Archangel Uriel (Johannesburg) I will be presenting a workshop on Fear on 25th or 26th of August 2018.

I will also be facilitating some one on one sessions on the 23rd and 24th August.

These are filling up very quickly and there are only a couple of spaces left so please book your private session soon!

VENUE: Shanti Sanctuary, 2 Eddy Avenue Bedfordview Johannesburg 082-563-7422 or email margi@angelconnection.co.za

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Conscious Life Magazine

Bone Marrow Stem Cell Donation and Leukaemia Awareness Month is commemorated annually from 15 August to 15 October. With very little focus and fanfare around this very important topic, The Sunflower Fund is calling out the hero in all South Africans. The fight against leukaemia and other blood diseases is all about you, your family, friends, peers and the community. You can do something to make a difference to patients needing a blood stem cell transplant. The action is simple: Purchase your TOPE (Tube of Hope) and celebrate Sunflower Day. A TOPE is an appealing, trendy and multi-purpose accessory which can be worn as a headband, mask, scarf, cap or arm band. TOPES will be available for R30 each at Pick n Pay stores across the country, selected independent pharmacies or online at Zando during August and September 2018. “We are very excited about this year’s design, which comes in six vibrant colours, with an introduction of a grey option and inspired by a message of hope” says Alana James, CEO at The Sunflower Fund. “We hope to see everyone wearing their TOPE on Sunflower Day in support of our patients and survivors and to raise awareness about the very important and urgent topic of blood stem cell donation.”

The theme of this year’s campaign is ‘There is a hero is all of us’. The campaign aims to draw people out of slacktivism and get them mobilised and engaged around a simple action. Just choosing to do something for someone else and expecting nothing in return brings out the hero in all of us!

“To see our TOPES being worn with pride is not just an honour for us, but a salute to our survivors, our fighters and our memories of loved ones; it is a show of support, a statement of HOPE.” James continued.

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The Sunflower Fund will again be running their school’s competition. “Youngsters across SA are able to play their part by helping us to raise funds and awareness about the need to recruit donors for stem cell donation” added James. “I love our Sunflower Day campaign; the social media engagement and the support from our partners, patients and communities is truly inspiring but most importantly, it also serves as a reminder to the nation of one of our very critical goals: to ensure that South Africa has an ethnically diverse source of potential blood stem cell donors, who are committed to help save lives”, she added.

Blood diseases are no respecter of age, gender or race and the patients impacted cover a broad age spectrum and all race groups. Funds raised will offer the hope of life to patients in need of a life-saving blood stem cell transplant. All monies raised goes towards recruiting donors to The Sunflower Fund’s blood stem cell registry. “We once again, aim to sell 200 000 TOPES and encourage both our loyal and new supporters to rally together and get on board to help us reach our goal,” James concluded.

You can further support the campaign, by downloading collateral for posters and social media from The Sunflower Fund’s website.

You can also help The Fund with financial contributions to assist the fundraising efforts for the tissue-typing test costs and the patient support fund. Visit www.sunflowerfund.org.za to make a quick and easy cash donation. For more information or to register please contact The Sunflower Fund on toll-free number: 0800 12 10 82.

About The Sunflower Fund: The Sunflower Fund is a donor recruitment centre and stem cell registry that is part of a global network, dedicated to creating awareness about blood diseases and stem cell donation, recruiting blood stem cell donors and maintaining a registry of committed donors.

The Sunflower Fund pays for the cost of the tissue-type testing. This is fundamental to saving the lives of South Africans who need a stem cell transplant. The chance of finding a matching donor is 1 in 100,000 – and as ethnic origin plays a significant role in the search for a donor, South Africa’s rainbow nation is at a distinct disadvantage, requiring a large pool of prospective donors.

Should you wish to become a donor, support one of the fundraising projects or make a financial contribution, please contact The Sunflower Fund on toll-free number: 0800 12 10 82. Visit www.sunflowerfund.org.za to learn more or look out for the DONATE button to make a cash donation via the website.

Conscious Life Magazine

Conscious Life Magazine

In March 2006, U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant Benjamin Tourtelot was leading an Australian rappel training exercise in Hawaii. Due to an equipment malfunction, he fell headfirst from a helicopter to the landing zone 110 feet below.

As well as sustaining a shattered skull, two broken arms, and a severed optic nerve, he lost his pituitary gland and a significant portion of the right frontal lobe of his brain.

Tourtelot was in a coma for three and a half weeks.

“They told my wife, who was pregnant, and my mom, ‘Zero chance of survival,’” he explains.

“They said, ‘You need to go in there and just be with him until he passes so that you can have those memories, because he will not come out of this.’”

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After stunning his loved ones by emerging from the coma, Tourtelot spent four and a half months in an intensive care unit.

The accident left him legally blind and suffering from a catastrophic brain injury. With cerebrospinal fluid filling the spaces where pieces of his brain used to be, he found himself in unbearable pain.

Photo: Benjamin Tourtelot (center). Via: Benjamin To

“I used to just lie in bed and pray for death, because the only time I didn’t feel pain was if I was asleep,” he notes. “I would go weeks without sleeping, and I would just sit there and stare at the ceiling. I used to yell at doctors: ‘Fix the pain or take my life.’”

In 2009, while living at a residential facility for neurological rehabilitation, Tourtelot began working with a music therapist in the hopes of recovering some of his coordination. In the process, he found an unexpected source of temporary pain relief.

“People would think that maybe listening to music would exacerbate headaches, migraines, but actually, it can help to distract away from that pain, [because] your brain can’t process those two things at once,” says Tourtelot’s music therapist, Rebecca Vaudreuil, Ed.M., MT-BC, who is a part of the San Diego-based music therapy center Resounding Joy. “When your brain is processing music, the whole brain is [involved]. If you’re playing, it’s even more so, because you have the physicality now.”

She adds that making music with other people adds to the social engagement. This involves many parts of the brain, including the primary motor cortex responsible for movement planning, the cerebral cortex and hippocampus, which support cognition and memory, and the cerebellum, which is connected to attention and coordination.

“Music elicits the formation of strong associations and memory activation in listeners, which prompts response from parts of the limbic system — brain structures located on top of the brainstem and buried under the cortex,” she offers. “[The limbic system] is involved in identifying and processing emotions and motivations related to survival, such as fear, anger and pleasure.”

Vaudreuil also notes that neuroplasticity — the brain’s capacity to create new neural pathways— plays an important role in music therapy.

“The brain is able to rewire [not only] if there is actual physical damage to the brain, but if there is any kind of emotional blockage as well, where the brain is protecting itself by saying, ‘We’re not going to think about this or tap into this emotional center,’” she explains.

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The therapist adds that songwriting is especially useful in this respect. “It really acts as a catalyst to be able to do advanced types of [therapeutic] work,” she offers. “With songwriting, sometimes you’re expressing and communicating a lot of inner thoughts and feelings that you don’t share verbally.”

As noted in the works of neurologist/author Oliver Sacks and in films like The Music Never Stopped and Alive Inside: A Story of Music & Memory, scientists are discovering that musicrelated memories are stored in a different area of the brain than other kinds of memories.

Vaudreuil witnessed this phenomenon when she began writing songs with Tourtelot in music therapy sessions.

“What I saw right away was that he would have everything that he wrote in a session memorized by the end of that session,” she states. “So it really helped his working memory; it helped his short-term memory.”

Tourtelot is able to sing many of his songs from memory. “I started testing this the third or fourth year,” Vaudreuil recalls. “He has them all committed to memory.”

This is especially notable in light of the extent to which Tourtelot’s traumatic brain injury has compromised his memory.

“Ben will sometimes forget: we’ll say, ‘Okay, [let’s do a Skype session at] 5:30 today,’” Vaudreuil says. “He’ll [say,] ‘Remind me. Call me a half hour before,’ because the short-term memory is really affected.”

Tourtelot laughingly chimes in, “I’ll be on the phone with her, and she’ll say, ‘Five minutes.’ I’m like, ‘I’ll be there.’ I’ll get off the phone and start doing something, and ten minutes later, she’s like, ‘What are you doing?’”

Vaudreuil and Tourtelot have written approximately 20 songs together. Tourtelot says these songs have helped him form an “unbreakable bond” with his 9-year-old daughter, who is the inspiration for many of his lyrics.

Along with composing music as a means of strengthening his memory and cognitive capacities, Tourtelot is currently learning to play ukulele to improve his coordination.

He and Vaudreuil have also compiled what the latter refers to as a “prescription playlist — about 65 songs that are associated to every mood he has: ‘If you’re having a sad day, start here and end here. If you’re angry, start with this playlist, and it will take you through a journey.’”

According to Vaudreuil, music therapy can enhance and interface with other forms of rehabilitation related to speech, cognition, motor skills, and coordination.

“Even with the drum kit, you’re using both legs and your upper and lower extremities, so you’re fully physically engaged,” she says. “So it works a lot with different disciplines together.”

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Since beginning this therapy, Tourtelot has performed his music at the aforementioned neurological rehabilitation center as well as at music therapy conferences, fundraisers, art shows, concerts, and other events.

He has also volunteered as a music therapy assistant at a center for developmental disabilities, where his training as a military instructor served him well.

“His leadership qualities really came out when he was assisting in music therapy sessions, especially the ones with other service members, because he had that initial camaraderie, and people understood what he went through,” Vaudreuil offers.

Tourtelot credits Vaudreuil with saving his life. “Before I met her, I never came out of my room except to eat, and that was rarely,” he says.

“I was dying. Whether the doctors wanted to believe it or not, I was dying, and she brought me back to life with music. Now I am light as air on my feet. I’m happy as can be. I’m able to live; I’m able to have a life; I’m able to talk to you right now.”

Much like his comments about the positive impact that Vaudreuil has had on his life, the lyrics of Tourtelot’s song “God’s Gift” are surprisingly tender for the words of a tough retired Marine:

What happens in life is an amazing thing.

It brings joy; it brings love; it makes me want to sing.

Music created a new perspective for me to see, Like new eyes in this journey of selfdiscovery.

Helen Elizabeth Williams is the owner of DreamcatcherReality.com, where she is a staff writer.

Her passions are: spirituality, meditation and polo. She adores all animals, but horses have a special place in her heart. She loves the diversity of our cultures, the beauty of simple people and the harmony of Mother Nature. ♥ Conscious Life Magazine

Insight Through Colour

By Penni from Divine Space This month, I would love to chat to you about a modality that is truly close to my heart and has been for many years. I am constantly blown away by how insightful a colour reading can be.

This is not a psychic reading, but is more about what the client is ready and willing to hear, and this is determined by their own selection of colours.

To do a reading, I take the person into a gentle relaxation of the mind and body and then guide them to select 9 different bottles from my display. They would choose from the Light Matrix range, Angelic oils – called the Angels of Illumination and the Angel sprays. Each item is displayed in both 50ml sizes and 15ml sizes, and each has it’s own unique message and way of supporting the person.

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When choosing, the client has no idea what they are or what they represent – they are simply attracted to either the colour or the energy vibration. They could select the larger bottles or the mini sizes, and it all tells a story.

When similar colours are chosen within the reading – this too gives insight in determining both what they may be going through in relation to the colour, as well as how they will deal with it in different aspects of their life.

Each of the 9 bottles represents a different part of their reality, and the colour associated with it will be a signpost that indicates whether they are mastering the issue, or have a blockage in relation to it. The size of the bottle chosen also lets us know whether they are already working through the issue themselves, or perhaps is an indication of how they may be blocking their potential or what could come to them in the future, and in this case we would work through their deservability issues.

The reading is multi-faceted, and multilayered, and when you really understand colour – you can begin to see how the messages in the colours unfold – bringing deeper insights.

The clients are always amazed by the accuracy of the reading.

This is a counselling opportunity and the more willing they are to contribute and share, the deeper we are able to go.

This is my favorite way of connecting with new clients, as it gives us both plenty time to connect, and for me to get to know them on a very deep level. It also gives them the opportunity of sharing their story, so I can know which is the best way to support them going forward. It is so seldom that people are able to truly open their hearts and souls and talk to someone who is impartial with no judgment, bias or agenda.

The best thing about this session, is that we are not only uncovering the hidden secrets and awakening their true potential, but also prescribing their remedy at the same time.

They would take 1 or 2 of the bottles home with them and when using the oils daily on their body, it begins to address and balance the underlying emotional issues they have been unwilling to address.

By gently supporting the body in this way – it releases the emotions and very often eases physical symptoms at the same time. (I believe that most physical ailments have an emotional cause).

I have had the most wonderful reactions to both the readings and the use of the products, please take some time to read a few of them in the testimonial section.

I manufacture all these products myself, and make sure that I am in a good space and my energy is completely clear and bright when making them. This is a huge responsibility, as I know that if I am going through issues these would be infused in the products, and I would be taking responsibility for this. Working with the new 5th dimensional energy has been amazing, and I can feel this new lighter energy being captured within the essences. Anyone using them would benefit and be supported in letting go of the heaviness of the past with a willingness to step into the new dimension.

I would love to share this insightful way of working with you. I teach this modality called The Magic of Colour once a year, and the next course is happening in August. Would you like to include this in your healing practice, or even just for your own personal understanding of the psychological meanings of colour and how they affect you physically, emotionally and mentally. You can then make different choices in your own or your family’s lives? Come and play, or come for a colour reading and let’s change your perception and what you are willing to attract in your life.

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Two Easy-to-Make Probiotic Drinks That Heal the Gut

By Anna Hunt – Waking Times As I’ve recently written an article, How to Turn Milk Into Healthy Probiotic Medicine, that discussed the body’s need for beneficial bacteria in order to maintain healthy gut flora. Yogurt is probably the most popular probiotic rich food, although making it at home does require precision and time. To add to the options of making yogurt or kefir, there are other probiotic recipes that are a bit simpler and do not require the use of dairy. This article will focus on two of my favorite probiotic drinks: kvass and Kombucha. Both have origins in Eastern Europe and Asia, are a simple to make, and are a low-calorie way to increase your daily probiotic intake.

Even if you don’t have time to prepare some of the more complicated probiotic foods, such as sauerkraut or pickles, or if you don’t want to consume dairy, you might find that preparing these two probiotic drinks is extremely easy and offers a great alternative to the more complicated recipes or expensive supplements.

Kvass Kvass is a fermented drink traditionally made out of beets and originating in Russia. You can make kvass out of fruits or a mix of fruits and veggies. Some combinations that work the best include: apple, pear and orange; beet and apple; beet and orange; carrot, pear and ginger; carrot and apple; and apple and fresh cranberries.

Tools – One quart-size jar with lid; and stirring spoon.

Ingredients – Washed and chopped fruits and veggies, enough to fill about 1/3 to 1/2 of the jar; 1 tablespoon of raw honey; and filtered water.

Process – Place fruits and veggies and raw honey into the jar, and then fill with filtered water, leaving about 1 inch of empty space at the top. You may want to stir a few times to evenly distribute the honey. Tighten the lid and set at room temperature. The kvass will take 3-5 days to ferment, depending on the temperature in your house and the type of fruits and veggies that you use. After 2-3 days, you will need to check the lid every day to ensure there’s pressure and you can’t push the center of the lid down. After 3-5 days of fermenting, you can open the jar and smell or taste the drink. It should be tangy, but not rancid. Store your kvass in the fridge for up to 7 days.

Resources: Kvass: History, Health Benefits, & Recipes for the Russian Bread Drink by Dan Woodske Conscious Life Magazine

Kombucha Tea Kombucha tea is made from green, black or white tea that is fermented for at least one week with sugar and its fungal SCOBY culture. Kombucha has been consumed for over 2000 years all over the world and has been extensively studied and used medicinally in Russia, Germany, China and many other places. It is naturally carbonated and is purported to have a host of healing properties, including balancing the body’s pH and improving the beneficial bacteria profile.

Kombucha is easy and very economical to make because it only requires you to purchase one kombucha mushroom, called SCOBY (symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast), which can be bought online. The SCOBY will replicate itself every month so you can pass it on to friends. Even though kombucha tea is made using sweetened tea, most of the sugar ferments out, therefore very little remains in the finished drink.

Tools – Gallon size glass jar (or pitcher); and a coffee filter or thin cloth and a rubber band to fasten it to the jar.

Ingredients – Brewed green, black or white tea (use about 8-10 small tea bags per 1 gallon of water); 1 cup of organic raw sugar per 1 gallon of tea (do not use honey); a SCOBY culture; and a 1/2 cup of liquid from a previous batch or store bought kombucha.

Process – Start by preparing the sweet tea, and then let it cool to room temperature. Hot tea will kill your SCOBY. Pour your cooled tea into a glass jar, leaving over 1 inch of free space at the top.

Then pour in 1/2 a cup of the liquid kombucha and gently place the SCOBY at the top.

Make sure your hands are clean when handling the SCOBY. It should float on top, but if it does not, let it sink and leave it alone. Cover the jar with cloth or coffee filter and fasten it with a rubber band. Leave the jar in a warm place in your kitchen – ideally 70-75 degrees Fahrenheit – and let sit for about 7 days. Try the kombucha by sliding in a straw under the SCOBY and taking a drink. It should taste tart but still slightly sweet. You can store in the refrigerator in jars with airtight lids for at least 2 weeks.

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Resources: Organic Kombucha Scoby – Live Culture Kombucha Home Brew Kit Kombucha Tea by Pro Natura Kombucha Revolution: 75 Recipes for Homemade Brews, Fixers, Elixirs, and Mixers by Stephen Lee

by Janice Taylor

When you think of cooking, what herbs come to mind? Rosemary, Basil, Oregano, Peppermint, and Sage? Perhaps Lavender, Thyme, and Tarragon make your list as well. There is a long list of common kitchen herbs which are staples in the lives of most natural living enthusiasts.

We grow them for their medicinal properties or to use as flavoring in our favorite dishes. But there is much more to the world of herbs than just these everyday constituents. A wealth of lesser-known botanicals with incredible health benefits, interesting flavors, beautiful foliage, and intriguing aromas exist in the world, just waiting for the avid herbalist to cultivate and appreciate them.

The following are 20 of the most under-rated healing herbs which might just feel right at home in your garden.

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1. Agrimony Agrimony, or Agrimonia are a genus of over a dozen species of herb in the Rosaceae family (alongside such favorites as the rose, apple tree, almond, and strawberry.) This herb has been historically revered as a natural remedy for ailments of the eyes, even owing its name to the Greek word Argemone, meaning ‘plant that heals the eye.’ Agrimony has also been used for such things as healing of wounds and other skin conditions, treatment of cough and sore throat, to ease gastrointestinal discomfort, and as a sleep aid.

Agrimony is best enjoyed as a tea.. You can grown your own.

2. Alfalfa Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) is commonly used as livestock fodder due to its high protein content and rich mineral content, but the herb has many benefits to offer human as well. Alfalfa is excellent for treatment of severe nausea such as that caused by morning sickness. Its also an effective natural remedy for ailments of the urinary tract such as kidney stones and urinary tract infections. Alfalfa is excellent for flushing toxins from the liver and gastrointestinal tracts. It is also known to help lower cholesterol. Finally, alfalfa may help to speed up physical recovery after an illness due to its high concentration of nutrients.

Grow your own alfalfa from seed.

3. Aniseed Aniseed (Pimpinella anisum) is similar in flavor to star anise, fennel, and liquorice. The herb is incredibly effective for improving digestion, reducing flatulence, and easing nausea.

Aniseed is also known to increase milk supply in breastfeeding women. It may be used to quell anxiety, as well as to ease cold symptoms like cough, congestion, and sore throat.

Grow this lovely flowering herb in your garden

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4. Cardamom

5. Catmint

Cardamom are a group of several species of flowering plants in the ginger family, Zingiberaceae. As an herbal remedy, cardamom helps to protect the gastrointestinal tract, cleanse the blood of bad cholesterol, improve circulation, and even prevent the development some forms of cancer. Cardamom is antimicrobial, making it effective against periodontal disease and urinary tract infections. The herb is a natural antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-spasmodic. Cardamom is also known to improve the health and function of the male sexual organs.

Aside from its many health benefits, cardamom also has an incredible floral aroma and taste which have earned it the title “Queen of Spices” throughout much of Asia.

Cardamom is a tropical plant and can be difficult to grow. Still, experienced or adventurous gardeners may want to give it a go.

A close relative of peppermint, spearmint, and lemon balm, Catmint (Nepeta cataria, also commonly known as catnip) is best known for the stimulating effect which the herb has on felines. However, this “cat cannabis” has more to offer to us humans than it does to felines. Catmint tea can help to relieve cold symptoms like sore throat, sinus pressure, and headache.

It is also effective for reduction of fever, as the herb induces sweating. Drink catmint tea as a digestive aid to help to calm gastrointestinal upset, reduce flatulence, and ease stomach aches. Catnip may also be applied to wounds to help stop bleeding or reduce swelling.

Catmint is super easy to grow (as with most mints) from seed and produces beautiful purple flowers in the spring which will attract pollinating insects like bees and butterflies to your garden.

6. Sweet Cicely Sweet Cicely (Myrrhis odorata) – also known as Garden Myrrh or Spanish Chervil – is edible from roots to flowers with a flavor much like anise and liquorice. Cicely may be used as a natural low-glycemic sweetener and the seeds are sweet enough to be enjoyed by themselves as an incredibly health dessert or treat, but that alone wouldn’t be enough to add the herb to our list.

Sweet cicely can also be used to treat hypertension and anxiety, ease coughing, calm the stomach, and detoxify the urinary tract.

As if all of that weren’t enough, sweet cicely is another herb that’s easy to grow from seed (though it doesn’t do well in pots.)

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7. Red Clover Red Clover (Trifolium pratense) is one of the most popular and well-known among the 245 known species in the genus. While some consider this delightful little flower to be a weed and others use it only as fodder for livestock, red clover is also an extremely useful herb.

Red clover blossom tea makes an effective herbal remedy for cold symptoms like cough and congestion. Red clover is also great for detoxifying the body and the blood.

8. Coriander The name Coriander is often used to refer only to the seeds of the popular herb Coriandrum sativum; however in this case, we’re interested in the entire plant. Coriander seeds are known to stimulate the pancreas to produce insulin which results in more balanced blood-sugar. Coriander seeds have a similar effect on blood-lipid levels, aiding the liver in balancing and improving overall cholesterol levels. Coriander seeds are also naturally antibiotic against some food-borne pathogens – salmonella being one of them.

Coriander leaves – commonly known as Cilantro – are full of fiber and nutrients, most notably vitamins A and K. Cilantro is also high in anti-oxidants and minerals such as potassium, iron, and magnesium. Not bad for a tasty little herb!

Grow your own Coriandrum sativum this spring to enjoy the benefits of both seeds and fresh leaves.

9. Feverfew Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) has a name that practically stands up and says, “Hi there! I’m medicinal.” While the herb has a long history of use around the world and its health benefits are extremely well-documented, most people have never heard of it. Feverfew is a powerful anti-inflammatory, able to reduce pain and swelling associated with arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and headaches. Feverfew is one of only a small handful of effective natural remedies for migraine headaches. The herb is also useful for reducing general pain and body aches, as well as for calming tension and anxiety.

Feverfew is also available as a loose dried herb, herbal tea, and as a supplement.

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10. Greenthread Also called Navajo Tea, Plains Tea, or Coyote Plant; Greenthread are any of the flowering herbs of the genus Thelesperma (in the Asteraceae family.) This lovely daisy-like herb is a potent diuretic, as well as an anti-inflammatory which has been used by Native Americans for hundreds of years as a detoxifying herbal tea. Greenthread is still one of the best natural remedies for infections of the urinary tract and for soothing gastrointestinal distress.

Greenthread grows very easily from seed.

11. Hyssop One of the oldest known medicinal herbs, Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis) is closely related to marjoram and oregano. Much like its herbal cousins, Hyssop is a potent anti-microbial herb, great for cleansing the body of harmful bacteria such as those which cause respiratory infections and skin conditions like acne. Hyssop may also be used to combat strep, influenza, and many fungal infections.

Grow your own Hyssop and enjoy not only the herbs health benefits, but also its gorgeous purple blossoms.

You can also find Hyssop in dried loose form and as an herbal supplement.

12. Lovage A member of the carrot family, Lovage (Levisticum officinale) is actually the sole species of its own genus. This herb has a wonderful flavor somewhere between celery, aniseed, and lemon, making it a joy to cook with. Additionally, lovage is a digestive aid which can help to reduce flatulence, sooth indigestion, as well as to cleanse the gastrointestinal and urinary tracts. Lovage is known for its ability to soothe a sore throat and ease the pain of stomach ulcers. Adding lovage to your bath may help to reduce pain and discomfort from inflammatory skin conditions.

With its thick dark foliage and Lovage makes a lush and beautiful addition to any garden. You can also drink Lovage Root Tea to enjoy the health benefits of this wonderful herb.

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13. Marigold Marigolds (Calendula officinalis) are intensely popular as ornamental flowering plants, but they’re also extremely useful herbs! Marigold is one of the more effective herbal remedies for many inflammatory skin conditions like acne, eczema, and allergic rashes. The herb may be used to safely and naturally lower fevers, reduce swelling of joints or other damaged tissue, ease headaches, and block histamines which cause allergy symptoms. Marigold is also known to improve circulation and possibly to prevent the development of tumors. Many people also use an herbal hair rinse made from Calendula flowers to naturally cover premature greying and nourish the scalp.

14. Sweet Marjoram While closely related to Oregano, Sweet Marjoram (Origanum majorana) has it’s own set of unique health benefits. Delicious and delicate sweet marjoram is the perfect complement to vegetable dishes and soups, as well as pork and chicken. It is also a powerfully anti-microbial herb and digestive aid. As with many other leafy green herbs, sweet marjoram is packed with nutrients and anti-oxidants like vitamins A, C, and K, iron, potassium, calcium, zinc, magnesium and manganese.

Sweet marjoram is very easy to grow from seed.

15. Parsley

Parsley (Petroselinum crispum) may seem rather common to be found on our list, however this is one seriously under-rated herb. Parsley is so incredibly healthy that using it as nothing more than a pretty garnish then tossing it in the trash bin afterward is almost criminal! Parsley is one of the riches sources of vitamin K which is great for improving skin health and promotes faster healing of skin ailments. Parsley is also an excellent source of vitamin C and iron which strengthen the immune and circulatory systems. Parsley is powerfully antioxidant, helps to detoxify all of the body’s systems, and improves digestion and nutrient absorption.

As if all of that weren’t enough, parsley makes you smell good.

While it is fairly common knowledge that eating parsley after a meal freshens the breath; less well-known is that consuming this herb on a regular basis actually causes the body to produce a cleaner and more alluring natural scent.

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16. Stevia Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana) is becoming more and more wellknown as a calorie-free sweetener. However, few people are aware of the many health benefits of this amazing plant. In South America where Stevia redaudiana originates, the herb is not only used to sweeten food, but also as a treatment for burns, indigestion, and colic. Research on the herb has shown that Stevia may be an effective natural remedy for hypertension and may actually lower blood sugar when eaten as a sugar substitute.

While Stevia rebaudiana is a tropical plant and not particularly easy to grow, seeds are available to order here for the avid herbalist.

17. Tansy While Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) is considered an invasive weed in many parts of the world, when grown in in a controlled environment this pretty flowering herb makes a useful addition to the garden as live Tansy is a powerful organic repellant against pests like potato beetles, flies, ants, and mosquitoes.

On a similar note, rubbing fresh tansy leaves on the skin is a more effective at repelling stinging and biting insects than most chemical bug sprays!

The herb is also useful for eliminating parasitic worms, though Tansy may be toxic in large enough quantities.

18. Sweet Violet Sweet Violet (Viola odorata) is another herb which is betterknown as an ornamental flowering plant, but these pretty purple flowers aren’t just for show. Sweet violet may be brewed into a syrup which is one of the best natural remedies for cold and flu symptoms. Sweet violet tea is also a powerful pain reliever for headaches, muscle soreness, and other body aches.

It can be used as a relaxant and sleep aid. The herb also has a diuretic effect to help detoxify the body.

Finally, the beautiful flowers of the sweet violet plant may be sprinkled onto salads to add interest and a sweet aroma.

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19. Winter Savory Winter Savory (Satureja montana) is not only edible and quite tasty, the herb is also effective for reducing pain and irritation from bug bites and bee stings. In fact, winter savory is one of the best herbs for the job as it is also antiseptic and will help to ward off infection of these and other wounds. Drink winter savory tea to help soothe a sore throat. The herb is also useful for easing upset stomach and indigestion, reducing flatulence, and as a remedy for diarrhea.

20. Yarrow Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is an ancient herbal remedy, its first recorded use dating back to Greece around 1000 BC. It is also one of the best herbs for boosting the immune system before and during cold and flu season. It is also great for soothing symptoms if you already have a cold. Yarrow is antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and astringent. Drinking a tea made from the herb can aid digestion and soothe an upset stomach. The essential oil of Achillea millefolium may be applied to skin conditions like eczema to reduce pain, itching, and swelling. Add yarrow to boiling water and inhale the steam or enjoy a cup of yarrow tea to clear up congestion and help control coughing. Grow your own yarrow from seed.

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Plant Based Pancakes

Photo & Recipe: Pieter Kotze Ingredients – Serves 2

Method

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3 cups Cake Flour 3 ½ cups of water Pinch of sea salt 1 levelled teaspoon of bicarb soda 1 levelled teaspoon of baking powder 2 tablespoons of Vinegar ¼ cup of vegetable oil

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Sift dry ingredients together.

Mix wet ingredients together Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and fold in.

Add a drop of oil to a Crêpe Pan. Use a soup spoon to had a batch of pancake mixture to the pan.

Cook until ends curl up and flip over to other side.

Sprinkle cinnamon in the middle, roll up and enjoy.

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Protein-Packed Pesto Pasta

By Liz Moody Ingredients – Serves 2

Method

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4 cups dried pasta of choice 2 cups raw, shelled pumpkin seeds ⅓ cup hulled hemp hearts Juice and zest of 2 lemons ¾ teaspoon salt + an additional ¼ teaspoon 4 packed cups spinach 1 cup olive oil 6 cloves raw garlic, peeled with ends chopped off 2 tablespoons raw honey

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Add a generous amount of salt (a small palmful) to a large pot of water. Boil, and cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente.

Heat a small saucepan over low heat; add pumpkin seeds and hemp hearts and toast, tossing occasionally, until fragrant and just beginning to become golden brown, about 3 minutes. Let cool and put ½ cup of seed mixture in food processor.

Pulse with lemon zest and ¼ teaspoon salt; remove from food processor and set aside.

Pulse together olive oil, greens, remaining seed mixture, lemon juice, garlic, honey, and ¾ teaspoon salt until a smooth sauce forms (a bit of texture is totally fine).

Toss pasta with pesto sauce until generously coated. Top with crushed nuts and zest mixture and serve immediately.

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By Katie Dunlop, NSCA-CPT

You wouldn’t know it by looking at me today, but 6 years ago I was living a completely unhealthy lifestyle. For years I’d struggled with my weight and had no understanding of how to live a healthy, balanced life. I just wanted to lose weight and lose it fast, so I took extreme measures, trying every fad diet and insane exercise program out there, only to end up back where I started — or even worse off.

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I believed that if I wanted to make a noticeable change in my life and in my body, it had to be drastic. I thought getting fit meant I had to hate every second of every workout and hope that it would pay off eventually. I endured hours at the gym, meal after meal of bland, boring food and a constant internal battle just to finally feel “normal.”

Well, six years and 45 pounds later, I can tell you I was SO wrong…

If you’re looking to finally get fit or just live a healthier life overall, creating a new fitness routine is the necessary first step — but it’s also the hardest part for most people. And whether you’re a student, a busy mom or a successful entrepreneur, finding time to work out can feel like one more (unenjoyably) thing you need to add to your to-do list. And, like I did, you probably feel that if you’re ever going get in shape you need exercise for hours at a time, doing repetitive exercises and boring cardio.

The good news is that starting a new fitness routine is much easier than you think. You don’t have to sacrifice hours of your precious time in order to see results.

In fact, spending just a few minutes each day getting your sweat on will relieve stress, increase energy and help you feel stronger and more motivated to take on life’s toughest challenges.

How to Start a New Fitness Routine My business Love Sweat Fitness is all about sharing workouts that are FUN, fast and super effective. No matter what anyone says, there is no magic bullet or secret workout must do in order to get results. It truly comes down to finding activities you enjoy doing and sticking with them — and if you don’t enjoy your workout, you won’t stick with it. The goal is to

also find things that you can do consistently over time that challenge you, but also allow you to feel confidant in doing so.

Even if you only have five minutes to work out, it IS worth it! Following are some easy ways to add exercises into your day, and once you start to feel and see the impact those five minutes are having, you’ll easily want to make it 10 or 20. This will make setting (and achieving!) your goals that much easier, and you’ll also be more motivated to find and follow the get-fit plan that’s right for you!

Easy Ways to Add Exercise to Your Day •

Do sets of squats or lunges while you cook dinner

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Try this 5-minute ab workout before bed

•

These great exercises at your desk are a whirl

Setting Your Goals While it’s important to have big goals that you will achieve over time, creating smaller goals is even more motivational. Those small goals are what keep you going and allow you to enjoy the journey. Put together a list with your No. 1 goal at the top, followed by a bunch of smaller goals below.

For example, if your big goal is to lose 20 pounds, your smaller goals would include: working out five times each week, consistently; doing a sugar detox; replacing all the junk food in your cabinets with healthy nutritious snacks; and cutting down on cocktails.

Having smaller goals that help you achieve your big ones will give you reasons to celebrate along the way, which gives you motivation to keep going!

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Finding a plan that’s right for you Goals are great, but having a plan will keep you motivated to make those goals happen! The Love Sweat Fitness Hot Body Sweat Guide & Meal Plan takes all the guess work out of improving your lifestyle. With 30-minute at-home workouts and delicious daily meals all laid out, you can’t go wrong!

I created the Hot Body Guides to make it easy for anyone to work out at any time, anywhere.

The guides are simple, straightforward and perfect for anyone who wants to create a healthier lifestyle, see results and still enjoy life.

Having gone through my own 45-pound weight loss transformation, I know that if you to truly create a lifestyle change, you need to find workouts and meals that work for YOU! The best exercises in the world won’t make a difference if you don’t do them.

So if you’re ready to dive into a new, healthier version of you, write down your goals, have a plan and remember: Good things come to those who sweat!

About Katie: Katie Dunlop is a Certified Personal Trainer, group fitness instructor and entrepreneur based in Orange County, California. She is the creator of Love Sweat Fitness, a health and fitness community that inspires women around the world to find their happy, healthy hot body! The LSF YouTube channel has over 9.5 million views and 220,000+ subscribers.

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Yoga Starter Workshops Saturday 25 August 9.00 to 10.30 am for 5 Consecutive weeks – at Emmarentia Botanical Gardens, JHB Get started on your yoga journey and join this 5 week series of workshops designed to (re)learn all the fundamental yoga poses and elements of a Vinyasa flow class During this series you will build your strength, flexibility, mental focus and general understanding of the foundational yoga poses so that you will be ready to join any regular yoga session or to continue in your home practice During the five weeks we will focus on the following elements: Week 1: Sun Salutations and variations Week 2: Standing poses and balance Week 3: Hips and Shoulders Week 4: Backward Bends and Twists Week 5: Forward Bends and Inversions

COST: R600 per person Conscious Life Magazine

Ease into Spring Yoga Retreat

21-24 September 2018 / Groot Marico Join Steven Heyman and Lucy Draper-Clarke for a long weekend of yoga, mindfulness and outdoor adventure in the Groot Marico District, 250km from Johannesburg.

We will stay at the Tara Rokpa Centre, a retreat centre known for its pristine environment, unpolluted air and fantastic night sky. It lies in a wooded valley, bounded by perennial streams and surrounded by rolling hills. (www.tararokpacentre.co.za) Activities: Yoga (3-4 sessions daily), trip to die Oog, hike to the waterfall, campfire. The yoga is accessible for all levels, and there will the choice of two workshops – inversions or compassion practices, to suit all participants.

Cost: Twin/double rooms with shared bathroom: R3500 For more info and to book, contact Steven at info@yogaworks.co.za Conscious Life Magazine

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Article and Images by Green Inspiration, courtesy of Greenpop

The web provides us with many fun and easy upcycling ideas. So why is it that we tend to buy new stuff, when we require something for our home or garden? The answer is simple: It’s tempting, because making a purchase is quick and convenient. However, people who want to live more consciously and are ready for slowing down, increasingly do practice upcycling. But what does upcycling mean exactly?

At its core, it intends to give objects which have turned obsolete for us, a new purpose.

Instead of throwing them out, we modify them so they have a function in the household again. This is a great way to actually interact with our possessions and consider their life cycle, as well as the potential waste we produce. Seeking advice, from platforms like Pinterest and tutorials on YouTube, can be a good inspiration and guidance once you have picked an upcycling project that you want to tackle.

Are you keen on activating your arts and crafts skills? Here are some easy upcycling ideas to get you started.

“Not all obsolete objects have to be thrown away. Often there are great ways to upcycle them and give them a new purpose.”

1. Upcycling your wardrobe No matter how well we consider our style, and how much effort we put into finding the perfect timeless pieces, there will come a time where we have to say goodbye to some of them, as our shape changes, or when we truly don’t like them any longer. Of course, selling clothing items on a flea market or giving them away are good alternatives, to just throwing them out. Nevertheless, with a little bit of creativity, we can often alter old clothes in a way that makes us love them Conscious Life Magazine

again or even give them new purpose so that they facilitate our daily grind.

Easy upcycling ideas to adjust and improve items in our favour are either sewing on some extras from other used fabrics or cutting parts of it off and changing the objects shape.

Adding extras : Attach tassels, a racing stripe or laces to an old jeans to give it new life.

2. Upcycled Decoration We spend a good amount of money on making our homes cosy spaces, which are to reflect us as the people we want to be. A sustainable and low budget alternative, to purchasing deco items, is creating your own decoration from obsolete things that a household naturally produces over time.

Do you have books you don’t read anymore, bits and pieces of gift wrapping paper or the newspaper from last week? Craft a bunch of paper roses!

Waste, which barely any household can circumvent, is light bulbs. But why dispose them when there are so many beautiful ideas how to upcycle? One inventive trick, to keep the bulb within its field of illuminating our home, is to craft a chandelier. If that is too much of an effort, there are many more options, to repurpose light bulbs. For instance, they look nicely delicate as hanging vases.

Roses made of paper

A light bulb chandelier.

Removing: Cut an old shirt into an off-theshoulder top.

When actually repurposing a piece, it is stripped of its initial function and after transformation, it serves a new purpose. This way clothing items can become accessories such as bags or earrings, or even act as a storage item in the house.

Create your own little hanging garden!

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3. Repurposing things for your garden Part of what drives upcycling activities is the wish to live a more sufficient and minimalist lifestyle. As mentioned in the previous post on downsizing, old plastic bottles pose a great opportunity to create helpful objects in and around the garden. In our nursery, we use Eco-Bricks, plastic bottles tightly packed with non-recyclable material, to support our staggered vegetable beds. Moreover, in our EcoEducation Workshops, we teach students how they can make seedling trays and hydroponic systems which save water from old plastic bottles.

Hydroponic-system from plastic bottles.

Seedling trays from plastic bottles.

If your job or something else requires you to be on the road a lot, chances are, your carbon footprint reflects that. Although reducing the kilometres you drive might be impossible, you can be mindful with the used tires that you will have to replace every once in a while. An easy suggestion, on repurposing tires for your garden, is to make them a flower bed. For those who want to go a little bigger, designing a mailbox from a used tire is also a great statement.

A Mailbox from a repurposed tire.

4. Surprising kitchen hacks Packaging is probably the biggest environmental issue, which the kitchen faces. Shopping at big supermarket chains entails a lot of plastic wrapped groceries, and therefore fills the kitchen bins rapidly. A way to reduce plastic waste, and practice upcycling, is to keep all glass or other containers which can be potentially reused.

Those can be employed for zero-waste shopping at a local store or a farmers market.

Not only do they save you a lot of plastic, but they also look much prettier and personalized than commercial packaging.

Another thing to ask is, if we really need a knife holder? If it is something you don’t want to miss, why not just take some cookbooks and tie them together with a rope or rubber band and tuck the knifes in there?

Old tires serving as flower beds.

Using Glass Containers to Store Groceries

An inventive knife to holder.

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5. Clever furniture To create extra storage for our belongings, it is not always necessary to go to the furniture store and purchase a ready-made cupboard or closet, when there is building material in the garage or the attic, waiting to be repurposed. Unused ladders can be coloured and transformed into beautiful and functional clothing hangers. Admittedly, not everyone has a spare broken piano at home, but if you see one being thrown away, don’t hesitate to step in and rescue it! Turning a piano upside down can make an amazing book shelf which contributes to an extra fine art vibe at your home.

Design your own clothing hanger!

Express yourself with unconventional furniture.

Furthermore, we can rethink, if furniture always has to be made of wood. Eco-Building takes upcycling furniture to the next level. What if we can use the waste we produce to build something entirely new? This is exactly what we plan on doing during our Eden Festival of Action. Apart from re-greening the Garden Route, where fires have destroyed a lot of the indigenous vegetation, we aim to build 3 benches at under-resourced sites out of eco-bricks to brighten spaces and spread awareness about waste management.

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The planet is in danger of being destroyed by our greatest threat, ourselves!!!! It’s up to all of us to ensure we do not destroy the environment in which we live and the future environment in which our children will live.

Recycling is as simple as separating home waste and educating our children to do the same.

If we all take this step, it will make a huge difference to our environment and ensure that the various recyclables are recycled and disposed of in the correct manner or sent to the correct facilities for re-use. Recycling is a great way to save our natural resources and even generate energy.

At ECOmonkey they are taking the first important step to try and minimise harmful waste left in our environment, by working with communities to clean up our surroundings, namely local parks and streams to create a clean environment and further creating employment opportunities through this initiative.

Earth Probiotic help you to recycle your food waste into food for the soil with their Bokashi Recycling Kits.

Working together, these two companies do a great job in helping to ensure the health of the planet. Let them help you do the same…

WE MAKE A DIFFERENCE… DO YOU???

Let's take the 1st step in creating a cleaner environment & ensuring our children have a brighter, cleaner future...

WE COLLECT YOUR RECYCLING & CREATE EMPLOYMENT: We collect & deliver the materials to various, community recycling projects we support, the materials are sorted & the income goes directly to the community members involved.

WHO DO WE SERVICE? Households, flats, townhouse complexes, estates, office complexes, industrial companies & shopping centres. Ensuring recyclables are processed correctly & don’t end up on unsightly, dirty & negatively impacting land fill sites.

www.ecomonkey.co.za

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According to AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association), 50% of deaths in pets (over the age of 10) can be contributed to cancer, and dogs are more cancer prone than cats. Cancer occurs when seemingly normal cells start to run rogue.

Feline cancer however tends to be more aggressive than those in dogs, and owners also seem to do less for treating their cats than their dogs.

Ever stopped to think how second-hand cigarette smoke, insecticides, pesticides and household chemicals increase their risk factors? What about their refined diet and exposure to additives, preservatives, colourants and flavouring agents in their food? Just like their human counter-parts, animals can also get cancer from various environmental pollutants. Pollution, infectious organisms, electronic waves, contaminants and preservatives strain the body’s defenses. This is partly why many animals seem to suffer from more and more problems.

This is where Eco-Vet’s Eco-Immune can play an important role. Eco-Immune assists in improving the ability of the animal’s body to improve its resistance to disease. If puppies and kittens are given the treatment from an

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early age it helps them grow up with higher resistance to viral diseases. Boosting the immune system and give them a great start: much like a flue shot.

There are certain cancers that are commonly found in pets that one would just as likely find in humans e.g. lymphomas, melanomas and bone cancers.

Typical cancer in Cats • Feline Leukemia and the Feline Leukemia Virus It may cause various blood disorders, and may lead to a state of immune deficiency that hinders a cat's ability to protect itself against other secondary infections • Squamous Cell Carcinoma A malignant tumor of the squamous epithelial cells.

This tumor is more common in cats than dogs. Risk of nasal tumors is increased through exposure to inhaled chemicals including indoor use of coal, cigarettes, and air fresheners.

• Feline Mammary Cancer The third most occurring tumor in cats.

Typical cancer in Dogs • Canine Transmissible Venereal Tumor These living cancer cells are usually spread during mating. These tumors are usually associated with the external genitalia of both male and female dogs.

• Canine Osteosarcoma Malignant cancer of the bone • Canine Hemangiosarcoma Malignant tumor of the cells that line blood vessels.

Occurs most frequently in large breeds, especially German Shepherds, Labrador and Golden retrievers.

• Cutaneous Mast Cell Tumors Most commonly reported skin tumor in dogs Typical cancer in Horses • Melanoma Mainly occur in horse with a grey colouring.

• Sarcoids A sarcoid is a tumor "like a sarcoma.”

However where sarcomas are generally malignant, Sarcoids tends to be benign.

Resembles a wart

Some of the main positive factors of colostrum are the following scientifically established areas of interest: Anti-viral. Herpes virus in the cat responds well to supplementation with colostrum and its associated lysine content.

The high levels of IgA are of great value in those breeds; including many of the shepherds, that are known to be commonly affected by auto-immune or immune mediated conditions.

Anti-aging properties that are of immense value in the aging animal.

Anti-allergic conditions associated with skin problems.

Immune boosting effects for all animals affected by any kind of chronic bacterial infections.

Its anti-cancer properties have been well established in a number of clinical conditions.

REMEMBER: Early detection of cancer drastically increases the treatment success rate. Visit your vet!!

Erika Bornman CEO-Eco-Vet www.ecovet.co.za

Natural medicine has an important part to play in dealing with cancer in animals, however it is important not to overload the system through our good, but often misguided intentions. Eco-Vet Colostrum plays an important role in cancer treatment, and the combination of Eco-Immune and Colostrum is often integral in the treatment protocol, and has proved to be very effective in dealing with inter-alia feline aids.

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The aim of Safe-Train Consulting (PTY) Ltd is to provide quality training and educational programmes to the individual as well as corporate institutions.

This training institution is committed and dedicated to render a comprehensive, effective and professional quality educational service with trained, competent staff and relevant equipment to facilitate learners to be part of health care and minimize loss of life as far as humanly possible. We offer both in class training as well as onsite training depending on the client’s specific requirements.

Safe-Train Consulting (PTY) ltd instructors are registered with the Resus Council of South-Africa to offer training and education which falls under the American Heart Association recognised by the Health Professions Counsel of South Africa.

COURSES OFFERED 1. First aid course for parents 2. First aid course for Au Pairs For more courses please see our website.

We also design first aid courses on request, if there is a group op people that want to learn something in a particular setting. We then offer attendance first aid courses (almost like a workshop).

Contact: :082 926 5585 safetrainconsulting@gmail.com www.safetrain.co.za Conscious Life Magazine

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Reconnect with Spirit

Rediscover your Life Force Restore Balance

PSYCHIC MEDIUM As a Psychic Medium, I am able to connect with spirit guides, where I receive messages about a clients past, present and future. These messages may be beneficial to help bring clarity

on their lives and where be leading.

Many of the messages have received for my have been healing on levels.

it may that I clients many

REIKI A quantity that is almost impossible to define! Energy can never be created or destroyed, only converted from one form to another. Among the familiar forms are heat energy, energy of motion, electrical energy, and sound energy.

Reiki is a form of energy healing. This form of healing helps to maintain balance within, mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually.

Reiki is a form or spiritual or energy healing. It helps open up and remove blockages

within the system. Each system within our bodies is intimately connected to the seven major charkas.

Reiki will help remove these blockages and restore balance.

Contact Damian Wood Email: damian@woodswellness.co.za Mobile: 082 863 8842 www.woodswellness.co.za Conscious Life Magazine

Welcome To The Angel Connection School of Africa The Angel Connection School of Africa, established as a non-profit organisation, for the highest good of all, will incorporate all forms of Spirituality continuing with the basic teachings of Angels, Ascension, Atlantis etc. which we all know to be Universal.

The teachings of various modalities will however, be enhanced by adding the specific requirements of our culture and ethnicity, whilst retaining flexibility.

The mission statement of the school is:“To Light up Africa so that Africa can Light up the World”

A Letter From The School Principal – Margi McAlpine

Angel Connection Day

Meditations

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Let’s Be Creative Together Mosaic / Fabric Painting / Beading R 400 / R 300 / R 200 Or if you have a project you are busy with and would like to join in with the day R 150 Mosaic Projects available – Heart, Butterfly, Mirror, Cupcake, Cross, Words e.g.: Joy, Love • All standard tiles included in the price • Speciality tiles will be available for purchase Fabric Painting Many different templates

Beading Wooden and classic glass seed beads Date: 1 September 2018 | Time: 10am to 2pm | Venue: Fourways TO BOOK: Contact Tanya on 084 922 2112 or tanya.viljoen24@gmail.com Please note: RSVP and payment required by the 29 August 2018, For planning purposes please incl. required project Conscious Life Magazine

FIND & BOOK ECO-FRIENDLY ACCOMMODATION IN SOUTH AFRICA lovetostay.co.za is your green heart guide to eco-friendly accommodation throughout beautiful South Africa. We partner with all kinds of accommodation establishments that operate in an eco-friendly, sustainable and responsible way. So whether you opt for a luxury boutique hotel or rustic tree house, you can feel good knowing your holiday supports a place that serves the environment and community in a positive way. To help you make these good choices, we are committed to growing a wonderful selection of urban and country, luxury and rustic green accommodation options where you will love to stay!

Search for your next green getaway on www.lovetostay.co.za by location or type; the Check Availability & Book Online green button will enable you to check real-time availability, make a booking & secure online payment through the Nightsbridge booking system at no extra charge.

WHAT IS ECO-FRIENDLY ACCOMMODATION? Eco-friendly accommodation is defined as a lodging establishment with structural features that minimize the impact and footprint on the environment; as well as well as those that follow green living, sustainability and eco-friendly practices.

WHAT ARE GREEN HEARTS? Look out for the Green Hearts Seal of each establishment. We are proud to showcase all of our members and love to highlight their specific efforts to protect and conserve the environment. Seals display between 1-5 Green Hearts as awarded to them for their positive Green Acts. Here`s more info!

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TAP DOGS

Coming to Cape Town and Johannesburg in August 2018 – Presented by 947, CapeTalk and Channel 24

“TAP DOGS” SET TO ELECTRIFY THE WORLD WITH A 2018-19 INTERNATIONAL TOUR South Africa, 26th March 2018: Australia’s most successful theatrical export, Dein Perry’s TAP DOGS, is coming to South Africa for a strictly limited season starting in Cape Town on 22nd August at the Grand Arena, GrandWest followed by Johannesburg on 29th August at Montecasino.

Tickets available from www.bigconcerts.co.za and Computicket from 9am on Monday 26th March 2018.

The global dance sensation has appeared in over 330 cities, and 37 countries and 12 million people have now been dazzled by the energy and imagination of these unique performers.

Dein Perry’s TAP DOGS continues to take the world by storm and it set to tap, beat and dance its way through 2018 and 2019. Now it’s South Africa’s turn to experience the award-winning show that has been described as "Part theatre, part dance, part rock concert and part construction site!” BBC UK. Dein Perry’s TAP DOGS features high-energy dance, theatrical performance and live music performed by a cast of six dancers and two musicians who will bring the steel works to life in a fast paced, unstoppable spectacular that is the perfect show for anyone from 8-80.

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The winner of over 15 international awards including an Olivier Award (UK), an Obie Award (New York) and a Pegasus Award (Spoleto Festival in Italy), Dein Perry’s TAP DOGS is a 75-minute show combining the strength and power of workmen with the precision and talent of tap dancing.

Whether they are in water, upside-down or jumping through scaffolding, the “Tap Dogs” have been performing to the beat of their own drum since their world premiere at the Sydney Theatre Festival in January 1995. Success quickly followed with seasons in London, New York, Tokyo, Paris, Berlin and many other cities. A worldwide television audience of over 3.4 billion saw 1,000 Tap Dogs performing in the Opening Ceremony of the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

Produced by Broadway Entertainment Group, created by Oliver Award-winning choreographer Dein Perry, Dein Perry’s TAP DOGS was originally directed and designed by Nigel Triffitt, with music by Andrew Wilkie and lighting by Gavin Norris.

Dein Perry’s TAP DOGS will play at: Cape Town Venue: Grand Arena, GrandWest From 22nd August 2018 Price: R215 – R360 *Up to 50% off all off-peak performances.

Johannesburg Venue: Montecasino From 29th August 2018 Price: R310 – R410 *Up to 50% off all off-peak performances.

Media enquiries, please contact: Dionne Domyan (Johannesburg, and National publicity) +27 (0) 833261776, prwork@iafrica.com Gwen Ironsi (Cape Town Publicity) +27 (0) 72 656 1906 gwen@pamberi-communications.co.za For more information please visit www.tapdogs.co.uk

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COMIC CON COMES TO AFRICA 14 -16 September 2018 at the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit & International Convention Centre Reed Exhibitions Africa and, ReedPOP have partnered with VS Gaming on a South African first and will be bringing Comic Con to South Africa.

Comic Con Africa will showcase comic books and science fiction/fantasy related film, series and similar popular arts.

The exhibition will also feature a large range of pop culture and entertainment jkhbbbbbbkjhkjh elements in animation, toys, gadgets, clothing, anime, manga, collectible card games, video games, webcomics, and fantasy novels and an Artists' Alley, where comic artists can sign autographs and sell or do free sketches.

Superhero or sidekick – there will be exciting activations to enjoy that include professional gaming tournaments and activations, cosplay competitions, and new movie and series promotions. Comic Con Africa visitors can also enjoy international and local celebrity panel discussions, seminars, workshops and autograph sessions.

“ReedPOP has always stayed true to its core beliefs of always putting the fans first, creating killer events and being as transparent and authentic as possible. We try our hardest to bring massive amounts of fun and excitement to the lives of our audience by creating content and experiences that are original, exciting, memorable and exceptionally awesome. So, we are very excited for this new launch into Africa.”

“We are also very excited to be partnering with VS Gaming to bring this world-renowned convention to South Africa. Comic Con Africa is a fantastic opportunity to promote this growing industry on the continent,” says Carol Weaving, MD of Reed Exhibitions Africa.

On the strategic alignment with Comic Con Africa, Lenushka Parannath, spokesperson of VS Gaming shared, “VS Gaming has been at the forefront of a couple of firsts, last year we successfully hosted the largest e-football Festival in Africa and now we’re the first to be involved in Comic Con to Africa.”

Parannath continues, “We always aspire to bring gaming to life in a way that has never been experienced before and what better way to do that in 2018 than to align with Comic Con Africa. We are looking forward to hosting this incredible global brand for a 3-day out-of-this-world experience.”

ReedPOP has many global entertainment brands in its stable, including Comic Con New York, Star Wars Celebration (Lucas film), TwitchCon (Twitch) and PAX (Penny Arcade), and in collaboration with Reed Exhibitions Africa, will set the stage for Comic Con Africa - a first of its kind - to join the international league of epic comic book and industry enthusiast conventions.

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The Antbear Drakensberg Lodge is a thatched, whitewashed lodge built high on a natural platform overlooking the Bushman's River and Giants Castle.

Antbear Drakensberg Lodge offers various Drakensberg accommodation options in en suite double rooms, luxury suites, family units and also boasts a luxury cave too.

Antbear Drakensberg Lodge is one of those smaller intimate kind places which has been lovingly put together. The natural setting of the accommodation is stunning and we have managed to encase all this beauty with an atmosphere of comfort and ease.

The cottages are smartly appointed and individually designed and the fact that we are a small place makes for an intimate and personal accommodation experience. Each of the accommodation units are different and are decorated with uniquely eccentric and artistic wooden furniture.

It is a bit off the beaten track and is more of an insider tip than just another bed and breakfast. We cater for small intimate groups and never have more than 45 guests at a time. It's a laid back, lovingly cared for kind of place where you feel a sense of happiness and peace. Honeymoon stays turn into anniversary commemorations just as guests become friends. Even foreign tourists return for a second and third taste.

Attractions Drakensburg Hiking Trails Bushman Rock Art Giant’s Castle Kamberg Weenen Game Reserve Royal Natal National Park Drakensburg Boys Choir

Horse Trails Injasuti Nature Reserve Monks Cowl Natal Midlands Tugela Falls Sani Pass Fly Fishing

Retreats The Antbear Drakensberg Lodge is the ideal retreat venue where we can provide all the services and accommodation for your retreat. Situated 4 hours from Johannesburg and 2 hours from Durban with easy access from the N3 Antbear Lodge is easy to get to but has the feeling of being far from the madding crowd. This wonderful place for group retreats offers spectacular views, vast spaces, wild winds, rain, sunshine, clouds and rainbows and in all of this – silence and peace.

Retreat groups can book the whole lodge for their exclusive use.

The Lodge can accommodate 44 persons in 15 separate accommodation units Antbear Drakensberg Lodge has a spacious dining room with a wood-burning fireplace, a comfortable lounge with a fireplace and spectacular views, a breakaway meeting room, a large veranda and a large meeting room for retreat, team building or training activities. We provide excellent meals and will fit our menu to your expectations.

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Because food is an important part of your stay Meals are part of the real surprises that the Antbear Lodge has to offer where home grown cooking is part of the deal. We like to use our own home grown organic vegetables and if we haven’t got, then we lean heavily on those local providers with similar attitudes to our own. Conny and Andrew both like cooking and are up to changing just about anything to suit tastes or philosophies. Our cooking experience is in part a journal, a record of events and memories expressed in recipes. In the course of our travels we have filed away many recipes and with them images of people and places and their lives. How food tastes has much to do with the associations we make and if you would like to hear the tales of our meals we would love to tell them.

Sustainable & responsible tourism is our social responsibility and what we do to give something back to our community and environment We believe in sustainable tourism and social responsibility. We live is a spectacularly beautiful place called the Drakensberg and our standard of living here is exceptional.

But around us lie contrasts of poverty and lack of development. If we are to keep our way of life then it surely follows that we must do everything in our power to contribute to the upliftment and prosperity of this rural area. We believe that the future of South Africa is linked to the prosperity of the people, and that upliftment is linked to education. And as such we have chosen to support our local primary school called Vulakani Primary School.

Pet friendly accommodation Drakensberg One of the few pet-friendly places in the Drakensberg. Beautiful, vast views of the Drakensberg with plenty of ground for my dogs to roam. Walk for hours.

Your dogs will be happy with lots of dams to swim in and horses to discover. One of the accommodation units at Antbear Lodge is fenced in so its really easy to leave your dog behind if you would like to explore some of the sights where pets are not that welcome. If country life is for you and you would love to take your pet with you then Antbear Lodge is a great accommodation choice. Your hosts will advise you on all the activities available. Antbear Lodge prides itself on being both family-friendly and petfriendly.

CONTACT Mobile 076 441 2362 Email: reservations@antbear.co.za Web: www.antbear.co.za

Conscious Life Magazine

Conscious Life Magazine

EVERY HOME NEEDS A LOVING PET! THERE ARE SO MANY BEAUTIFUL ANIMALS WAITING TO BE ADOPTED – PLEASE REACH OUT! WE ALSO ENCOCURAGE YOU TO REACH INTO YOUR HEARTS FOR THOSE WHO ARE LESS FORTUNATE AND REALLY NEED OUR HELP.

Conscious Life Magazine

Help us Fight the Dog Meat Trade URGENT: Our Animal Rescue Team has identified a dog meat farm in South Korea where more than 170 dogs are in desperate need of help. Please make an urgent donation to help us rescue these dogs and save them from a brutal death.

Stolen from the streets, shoved into trucks, locked in cages. Then slaughtered and sold to be eaten. This is the horrifying fate of the millions of dogs caught up in Asia’s dog meat trade.

Please join the fight to shut down this brutal industry for good. With your help, we’ll shut down farms in South Korea, assist farmers as they transition to more humane livelihoods, support our local Chinese partners in intercepting dog meat traders’ trucks, fund the care of confiscated and rescued animals and lobby for better laws throughout Asia.

You can help stop this cruelty. Please give today.

Act Now Please fill out the form (link) to add your name to the petition calling for vital legal protection for cats and dogs in South Korea.

Conscious Life Magazine

Help us bring hope to girls without and choices to those with none.

Founded in 2000 by Khanyisile Motsa, and run under her diligent care ever, Home of Hope for Girls is an autonomous, self-started initiative to provide real care for exploited, trafficked and abused children in the city of Johannesburg.

It is more than just a residential shelter; it is a loving home where dignity is restored, the past is healed and the girls are given the tools to take control of their futures. Home of Hope also reaches out to the community offering the most vulnerable members support, practical help and a lifeline.

The Background to Home of Hope An estimated 10,000 children are prostitutes in Johannesburg and this figure is increasing.

When Khanyisile Motsa relocated to Hillbrow she was shocked to observe girls as young as nine working as prostitutes and selling drugs on the streets at night. The truth about these forgotten children is: • • • • • •

Child Prostitute. Photo by Tseliso Monaheng

Criminals pay agents to recruit children They usually target often orphans or/and those from very disadvantaged rural communities Victims are trafficked or seduced to leave with lies about a life in the city Their IDs are frequently taken from them to make escape and identification difficult Their IDs are often sold on the black market ‘Owned’ by their exploiters they are prostituted, abused, made to sell drugs

Email: info@hopehome.org.za Mam Khanyi: 073 250 2086 Telephone: 011 614 0861 Conscious Life Magazine

PAWS R US (SA) is looking for INVESTORS – help us BUILD THE DREAM of our “HAPPY PLACE”!

After 6 years in animal welfare/rescue, PAWS R US (SA) has moved into the LINBER KENNELS facility out in the Tarlton area, JHB. It is time to spread our wings, create a permanent home, and contribute more effectively to both the cause and effects linked to animal welfare/rescue in SA. Our dream is to build the LINBER KENNELS facility into a top-notch rescue, rehabilitation and rehoming haven for rescue dogs. We also want to establish a home-base for our EDUCATION campaigns, so that we can work with the youth in returning to the core value of COMPASSION and RESPECT for Self and All Life.

To make this dream a reality, we need to BUY the LINBER KENNELS site. And to get that done, we need to find INVESTORS and PARTNERS who want to contribute to something greater than themselves, and help make a real, immediate and practical difference in a world that has lost its way.

The PAWS R US (SA) TRUST has been created as a legal entity – and we now look to spread the net open wide and “go on the hunt” for kindred spirits who want to help build something GOOD. We need INVESTORS of the HEART and MIND – those who want to protect the vulnerable, educate the youth of tomorrow, and know that their investment has directly uplifted lives and communities.

CONTACT: For all enquiries and details related to this search for INVESTORS, and the implications for each INVESTOR within the Trust, please email us on woof@pawsrus.co.za

Conscious Life Magazine

Call 012 430 7775 Lines open 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday

Save the Children believes every child deserves a future. In South Africa and around the world, we work every day to give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. When crisis strikes, and children are most vulnerable, we are always among the first to respond and the last to leave. We ensure children’s unique needs are met and their voices are heard. We deliver lasting results for millions of children, including those hardest to reach. We do whatever it takes for children – every day and in times of crisis – transforming their lives and the future we share.

We need your help to ensure that no child is left behind.

In a tough funding environment, we have ensured we have multiple avenues of funding and are proud to have 11,000 generous individual donors contributing monthly. We will continue to be innovative in securing funding to enable us to reach more children and will work on increasing unrestricted and consistent funding streams.

You can help us make a difference. Even just by becoming aware of our work by reading our annual report.

To download and read the full annual report, click here.

Help us do whatever it takes to save the children.

Thank You Gugulethu Ndebele CEO

www.savethechildren.org.za Conscious Life Magazine

With much appreciation to our advertisers, contributors, endorsers and of course, our readers Namaste

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