Conscious Life Online Magazine Sep-Oct 2019 ed 60

*FREE ONLINE MAG *ISSUE 60 *SEP-OCT 2019

A Higher Consciousness Kinda Love

Becoming A Health Coach CBD Oil For Your Pets?

Declutter Your Life

Climate Change: Are We To Blame?

An End To Toxic Relationship Habits

Coping In The Midst of Chaos

Conscious Life Magazine

CONTENTS [

SELF DEVELOPMENT & PERSONAL GROWTH A HIGHER CONSCIOUSNESS KINDA LOVE CLEARING YOUR CLUTTER TOXIC RELATIONSHIP HABITS THAT YOU NEED TO STOP NOW

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NATURAL HEALTH & WELLNESS IS A CAREER IN HEALTH COACHING FOR YOU? ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT OZONE THERAPY WHAT YOU REALLY NEED TO KNOW ABOUT UV DAMAGE & SPF 7 NATURAL SLEEP AIDS THAT REALLY WORK WHEN GOOD CELLS GO BAD OUR SHARED HERITAGE: INDEGNOUS PLANTS

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CONSCIOUS HEALING A QUICK AND EASY DAILY ROUTINE TO DEVELOP YOUR SINGING/SPEAKING VOICE COPING THE MIDST OF CHAOS SOUTH AFRICA – THE SOLUTION?

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HEALTHY INTAKE SEAWEED THAT TASTES LIKE BACON – BUT TWICE AS HEALTHY IT’S ALL ABOUT ADZUKI RE:FRESHING GREEN SMOOTHIE PURIFICATION FOR PERFORMANCE

b CONSCIOUS BODY STARTING A FITNESS ROUTINE THAT WORKS FOR YOU 7 IDEAS FOR BURST TRAINING AT HOME

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CONTENTS H

GREEN LIVING CLIMATE CHANGE: ARE WE NOT TO BLAME? HOW BUILDINGS IN JOHANNESBURG COULD BENEFIT FROM GREEN ROOFS THE AMAZON’S TALLEST TREE JUST GOT 50% TALLER – AND SCIENTISTS DON’T KNOW HOW

_ ANIMAL WORLD THE HOT CBD TREND FOR PETS – RISKY OR A GODSEND?

P WORKSHOPS, COURSES & RETREATS DEFRAG YOUR BRAIN CHANGE YOUR LIFE – ACCESS BARS TRAINING UPCOMING RETREATS AT DHARMAGIRI SACRED MOUNTAIN RETREAT

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GETAWAYS, SHOWS & EVENTS SUNFLOWER FUND RIDE 4 HOPE, DENIM & DIAMONDS, CALENDAR GIRLS & MORE HOGSBACK FESTIVAL OF TREES AND PASSENGER LIVE IN SA

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

Cover Photo by Wesley Carvalho from Pexels

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Contributors Include

ABOUT US www.childoftheuniverse.co.za PUBLISHER 2Luni Media Articles from the late

EDITOR/OWNER Candida “Cj“ Matticks 087 802 6102 candida@childoftheuniverse.co.za

LOUISE L. HAY Author/Inspirational Speaker

MICHAEL HOWARD Mindshare

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

SIMON WING-LUN Founder: Unconditional Love Healing

DR CHRISTIANE NORTHRUP

Sales Linda Navon CREATIVE TEAM Designer & Creative Director Cj Matticks

DR JAMES MERCOLA

BRENT LINDEQUE The Good Things Guy

Content & Layout Assistant Linda Navon Digital Manager & Social Media Cj Matticks DISTRIBUTION & ACCOUNTS

HANNA KOK

WENDY YOUNG

BrainGym

Life Coach and Spiritual Counsellor

Lee Coulter lee@childoftheuniverse.co.za CONTACT NUMBERS TEL: 087 802 6102 011 026 2643 011 046 8737

FOLLOW US

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LINDA NAVON Deputy Editor

CJ MATTICKS Editor

Contributors Include

MARGI McALPINE

PENNI DU PLESSIS

Angel Connection School

Divine Space

MICHELLE LESKE

DR SHAVIT SACHS

Egypt Tour Goddess

Naturopath

TORSTEN A. LANGE Author, founder & director Reiki Academy London

VERONICA HAUPT Re-code Your Life

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.

TO SUBSCRIBE Subscription to Conscious Life Digital Magazine is free of charge. Simply send an email to subscribe@childoftheuniverse.co.za with the subject line: Subscribe Conscious Life Mag and we will email your mag to you monthly.

ISSUU APP Conscious Life Magazine is published on ISSUU. Please download the ISSUU app via the Android and Apple App Stores. It is free to use. Please follow us on there. www.issuu.com/2luni-media DISCLAIMER The views expressed in this publication are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the editor, advertisers or endorsers. While every effort has been made to ensure that the contents of this publication are both accurate and truthful, the publisher and editor accept no responsibility for inaccurate or misleading information that may be contained herein.

MEDIA & OTHER PARTNERS

Articles written by the late

SERGIO SALOTTO

HEATHER PICTON

Life Purpose Mentor

Founder ADHASA

DR AXE Doctor Of Natural Medicine, Chiropractor, Clinical Nutritionist And Author

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By Michelle L Geldenhuys

Why is it that we have developed into a society that either misuses and exploits the words “I love you” or are too damn afraid to say it?

On the one end of the scale we have people saying “I love you” and not fully engaging within themselves what that actually means. Saying “I love you if….”. I love you if you do this, or don’t do that, or change this, or give up that, or never do those things again, or if you marry me, or if you stay with me. All of this is not love it is ownership and control disguised as love. These methods of control stem from one’s own insecurities and fear of being alone.

And on the opposite end of the scale we have people utterly afraid to express love, even when they feel it. And I am not referring to romantic love, I am referring to LOVE. I am referring to universal love that is not confined to two people engaged in a sexual relationship. The problem today is people feel that expressing love can be taken the wrong way and seems to carry with it some kind of sexual subtext. People are afraid of expressing love for one another in fear of it being taken as a sexual advancement or implication of a desire for a romantic connection. Also there is a fear of exposing oneself and being rejected. Expressing love comes with a price, and that price is vulnerability, and vulnerability opens one up to anything…. Like being misunderstood or for the love expressed being unrequited. It is safer for some to keep those words locked in a dark dungeon cell deep down inside never to see the light of day.

What if I told you that love is who we are! It is the fabric of the universe upon which everything else is woven?

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It is the perfection that is the womb from which everything is born. It is our core energy, it is the light within us.

For all the parents out there who look at their baby for the first time, you are not thinking whether the baby is good or bad or what the baby has achieved, you just have this overwhelming feeling of perfection that you just can’t explain in words. That is love.

For two lovers lying next to one another staring into one another’s eyes, there are no thoughts of what you can or cannot get from this person or whether they are perfect or if you are perfect yet there is an overwhelming feeling of perfection in that moment… a moment you want to grasp and make last for an eternity. That is love.

For those adventurists who climb to the top of that mountain that has been calling you for so long and look over the valley lit in yellows and oranges and purples under the artistic grace of the sunset. You are not thinking about how gaudy those colours all are or how unevenly the trees are spaced down below… there is just an enrapturing feeling of utter perfection. That is love.

Suffice it to say…. Love is perfection! A profound admiration for the perfection of what is. Not something we want to change or control or mold to our own ideas of how things should be. Love is being in awe of what is.

Through my journey in this life I have grown into having a completely different relationship with love… which is a relationship all on its own and one everyone needs to work on and nurture.

I fall in love with so many people so often and I am no longer afraid of saying it. I fall in love with the perfection of what I see inside of others. I see people’s highest expressions even when they don’t yet see it themselves. I see the beauty and the magic underneath people’s masks.

I don’t say “I love you if…” I say “I love you because…”

Not “I love you if you would be less emotional”. But rather “I love you because you are emotional…. Because you are a passionate fire that shouldn’t shrink back because the world needs more of you!”

Not “I love you if you change”. But rather “I love you exactly as you are in your glorious perfect process of unfoldment”.

Not “I love you if you stay with me”. But rather “I love you because you are a free, because we all are and I don’t need to own you to love you.”

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Is this world ready for a love that says “I see you”. I see the beautiful you and I fucking love you!

A love that is not contingent upon what one can or cannot do for another. A love that is not measured by one’s ability to cooperate with a list of demands from another.

A love that says “I would like to give you guidance as I see you making the same mistakes as I did”…. “However I will love whether you take my council or not”, “whether you misunderstand me or not”, “whether you hate me for it or not”.

Is the world ready for a love with no expectations or conditions?

Is the world ready for a love that is fierce and passionate and not always beautiful but it will be real and it will be eternal?

Are we ready for a love that says “I will be there for you no matter what has happened on this stage play of life… the greatest play ever written”? Will we play our parts no matter what that may look like and still love one another?

When I say “I love you” I am saying “I love you beyond the character you are playing because I see your soul. I see yours because I see mine. I have been to the depths of pain and despair to learn to love the darkest parts of myself and peel off the layers of what I am not… to strip my ego of its many masks. I have dug deep to reveal my soul, to meet my soul, to find and love the true being that I am inside underneath all this other bullshit… And that is why I can see your being underneath all your bullshit. And it is beautiful. And you are perfect. And I love you.

In a world where it is so easy to say “I hate you”, to express hatred and anger and prejudice…

Why is it so difficult for us to say “I love you” to one another? Imagine what a game changer that would be on this planet?

Imagine seeing pure perfection in someone at the grocery store and going up to them and just saying “I love you”. They will most likely think you’re mad or a stalker.

Well I am putting a challenge out there for everyone who has read this. Regardless of how it will be taken, say ‘I love you’ to a handful of strangers and acquaintances over the next few days.

Someone you see something beautiful in, someone that displays a quality you admire or who has a kind heart that you are in awe of. Tell them you love them and ask them to pay it forward.

Let’s see if we can revive unconditional love in this world that is in desperate need of it.

Love heals. Love revives. Love inspires. Love wins… every time.

I love you.

All of you.

Just as you are.

Michelle L Geldenhuys

Conscious Life Magazine

About Michelle: Editor Cj: “I am honoured to call Michelle a dear friend of mine.

She radiates such beautiful light and love, that one cannot help but be drawn to her. Her posts always resonate so deeply with me and I know that many of you will find the same” Michelle: “Life is an incredible journey of pain and pleasure engaged in an infinite dance. Our ability to embrace both our light and dark determines the depth at which we will experience our lives.

I share my perspectives and my personal lessons for those who resonate with my journey to enjoy.”

Michelle’s Books: A Guide To Shadow Work A short and powerful 9 step guide to healing Kindle Edition Once again this incredible author highlights the importance of healing our pain that we carry.

Her first book "Evolution of a Battered Mind" described how she had learnt of the importance of healing through her experiences in life.

Now she has put together a brief but powerful 9 step guide that will help anyone on their path towards healing their inner trauma, or 'shadow’.

"I myself have been working with my own shadows for most of my life and can say with humbleness and pride that although there were times when my shadow completely overcame me, I have learnt to embrace every inch of what is me and I have found the key to liberation from the torment of this inner shadow. The ‘key’ to it all, that I have discovered through my journey, I have broken down into 9 separate parts.”

Click Here to Buy on Amazon Evolution of a battered mind: A true story of depression, addiction, sexuality and spiritual awakening Kindle Edition Reading this book may cause you to question your reality, question your comforts, question your addictions, question life.

Click Here to Buy on Amazon

This multi-faceted autobiography dives deep into the authors experiences of depression, addiction, coming to terms with her sexuality and subsequently her emergence into spiritual awakening. The mind can be our worst enemy.

Our inner demons torment and control us. This is a real, raw and uncensored journey to the depths of the soul, where darkness is embraced, and where healing begins.

Conscious Life Magazine

Photo by Samantha Gades on Unsplash

By Louise Hay, sourced from www.healyourlife.com

How long has it been since you cleaned out your closet? Most of us stuff our closets with clothing and paraphernalia that existed in our lives at one point or another—and many of these items have been entirely forgotten. In our society, clothing is fashion; therefore, it has a temporary reign in our lives. We add one thing after another, and then complain that there’s no more room in our closets. We add, but we forget to subtract as we add.

Our closets can be considered symbols of our minds. A cluttered closet could mean a cluttered mind. This same theory can apply to our dresser drawers (or even our desk drawers)—most especially the top drawer, and often the bottom drawer as well.

I recently moved, and this was a wonderful time to clean out those closets. A good exercise is to clean out a closet and while doing so, say to yourself: I am cleaning out the closets of my mind. Take everything out of the

closet. Examine each item and ask, “Is this item still useful?” Or, “Have I used this item in the last six months or year?” “Do I have to keep this worn item because I’m afraid I won’t be able to replace it?”

In order to make room for the new (whether it’s new clothes or new thoughts and ideas), we must release the old and the outworn.

This is true for physical items as well as mental ideas.

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I go through my closets every six months or so, and anything I know I won’t use again either gets sold or is sent to the thrift shops, or I give them away. It’s no longer useful to me and is taking up precious room. The sweater I was in love with three years ago is now a color I don’t care for. Do I want to keep it around on the chance that I may need it one day? Not at all! I’m well aware that I’ll always be able to buy a new sweater when I need to.

I grew up during the depression of the 1930s in extreme poverty. So it took me many years to realize and accept that I was the only person responsible in my world for my lack of prosperity.

Watch how you’re feeling while you’re cleaning out those closets this week. Are you doing it with joy and anticipation of the space you’re allowing in your life, or are you stuck in the mental system of “not having” and scoffing in disbelief that the abundance of the Universe is available to everyone, including you?

Affirm: The Ocean of Life is lavish with abundance. Whenever I need anything, I know that it will be provided.

Photo by Kara Eads on Unsplash

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Image by 晓强 付 from Pixabay

By Paula Quinsee

You may be sabotaging your relationships by how you are showing up and how you are creating your relationship space. Here are some toxic relationship habits you need to stop: Stop losing yourself and your identity in your relationships.

Many women, when they get in to a relationship make their partner their universe and focus.

They take care of their partner’s needs and the relationship with very little thought for themselves. Over time they give up their friends, stop doing things they used to do (e.g. sport, hobbies and interests) and become completely dependent on their partner for their happiness and needs. They lose their sense of self and their individuality. While you are a couple and should be doing things together to build your relationship and create an “us, we and ours”, it’s equally important to retain your individuality and relationship with self. Your partner cannot fulfil your every need and expecting them to only want to be with you 24/7 is unrealistic and unsustainable. It’s ok to have some “me” time and it’s ok to take a solo holiday with the girls/boys to recharge yourself and your relationship – provided you respect the boundaries of your relationship and you partners of course.

Keeping score Keeping score as to who is right and who is wrong all the time just gets you stuck in the blame game with very little room to move forward in your relationship. It’s important to be able to resolve conflict in a respectful way where both parties feel heard, acknowledged and able to find a middle ground. When you’re constantly trying to justify your thoughts, actions and behavior, it is emotionally draining and will result in a toxic spiral to divorce/break-up.

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Expectations Having high expectations, expecting our partners to read our mind or dropping hints instead our outright communicating where you’re at will only lead to frustration on both sides. If we have too high expectations, no one will ever match up to them – rather have realistic expectations that way you won’t constantly feel let down or disappointed when your partner does not attain your expectations. We are not mind readers and we do not do well at catching hints that are dripping with sarcasm – instead it just gets our back up and we end up becoming defensive and reactive. Communication is key in every relationship so rather focus your energy on developing your communication skills which will ensure you feel more connected and it goes a long way to building the intimacy.

Stop comparing your-self/your relationship As human beings have evolved, it has brought with it a sense of drive to constantly improve ourselves and our lifestyles. As a result of these inner ambitions, we constantly compare ourselves to others that we relate to and identify with to want, have, do and be more. Social media plays a huge role in today’s world where we live our lives through other people’s posts and what they are sharing. Of course this is unrealistic as many people only post the good things happening in their lives and very rarely when they are going through a tough time. This leaves us feeling unhappy about our present achievements and fulfilled ambitions as we often compare ourselves with someone who we perceive as being, having, or doing more than we are.

Comparing ourselves to others can happen in many ways such as our financial, emotional, social, or intellectual status. It can keep us unhappy about our own lives and lead to a sense of low selfworth, low self-esteem and much more. Comparing ourselves and our relationships with others shifts our focus away from the positive aspects of our own life, the risk being that we can become competitive, trying to ‘keep up with the Jonses’, demotivated and feeling like our life has no purpose. It also puts our partner in a place where we may have unrealistic expectations of them which will be seemingly impossible for them to live up to and this is unfair.

Every person, couple and relationship is unique so you are doing yourself a great injustice to compare any of the elements mentioned above to others. By comparing, we set unrealistic expectations for our relationships and our partners which often leaves us feeling disappointed and let down. It also keeps us focusing on the things our partner is not doing vs. all the things they are doing which we are potentially overlooking. This can lead us into a toxic space where we can become critical, fault-finding, blaming and shaming which can ultimately destroy what once was.

Focus on what is unique about your partner, what attracted you to them in the first place, identify the many different ways they show their love and appreciation for you, what are the things you do together that keeps you bonded, how are you evolving and growing together as a couple. If you are comparing your relationship to others ask yourself why, what is it that you feel is missing in your own relationship and what can you do to change this. Communication is key and it helps build the connection between the two of you. Focus your energy and attention inwards instead of outwards so that together you can create your version of what your ideal relationship should be like instead of comparing it to others who are not even walking the same path as you are.

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Stop settling Many single people constantly ask “where do they go to meet other single people”? They’ve moved on from the pub and club scene and have tried various online dating platforms with little success. That’s not to say that online dating platforms don’t work, there are many success stories that bear testimony to their success. Rather it’s a case of single people coming across as desperate and settle into a relationship for all the wrong reasons or end up going back to their Ex. There’s an age old saying “you broke up for a reason” and that reason will still be there should you decide to get back together. So if you do decide to get back with your Ex, understand the reasons why you are getting back together – is it because you both genuinely want to work on the relationship to resolve past issues and move forward together, is it because you are feeling lonely and going back to the familiar is better than being alone, you can’t bear the thought of your Ex being with someone else or you cannot accept the breakup and that person has moved on? Often we struggle more with accepting that that person is no longer a part of our life and we end up doubting or questioning our decision to break up in the first place.

It’s not a good idea to get back with your Ex when the relationship has been abusive in any way (i.e. physically, emotionally, sexually, verbally etc). Your personal safety and wellbeing comes first and in this case you are better off not being in a relationship of this nature. In some instances couples make mistakes and they don’t know how to work through situations they find themselves in, often resorting to breaking up as a way to try and cope with what they are experiencing (e.g constantly fighting over the same issues, jealousy, insecurities, cheating etc). In some instances these challenges can be overcome e.g. learning to communicate better with each other, going to couples therapy, resolving conflict in a mature way, making your relationship a priority, working together towards the same couples/relationship goals etc. In other instances the damage may just be too much to rekindle the romance e.g. cheating.

Social Media Stop living your relationship on social media. Yes it’s cute to constantly post pics of the two of you at every opportunity of the day but it’s also not real. We only post the good things that we want everyone to see but life is not one constant high. Life consists of both ups and downs and there are times when things don’t go our way, when you will disagree and not have the same likes. Instead invest your time and energy on your relationship and your partner, spend quality time together without the distraction of social media, do things together, plan couples goals, talk about stuff that matters to the two of you, and not what the rest of the world is doing. Your relationship is between the two of you not 6billion people – some things are not meant to be shared on social media.

Paula Quinsee is a Relationship Expert, Tedx speaker and author of self-help guides ‘Embracing Conflict’ and ‘Embracing No’. Paula works with individuals and organisations to cultivate healthy relationships in both their personal and professional arenas by focusing on emotional skills and personal growth and development. She regularly appears in the media and consulted to ‘Married at First Sight SA’ TV show.

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Photo by Melissa Belanger on Unsplash

Is A Career in Health Coaching For You?

By Health Coaches Academy Health Coaches work with clients to come up with their ‘new life’ plan one that will fully support their health goals with a clear vision for what they want.

So many people start out on a health or weight loss journey simply to become overwhelmed within a few weeks and go back to more familiar patterns. Most new year’s resolutions are broken within just 3 weeks and many studies show that up to 95% of people who try to change their diet and lose weight, regain it all, and more.

Quite simply, life gets in the way of even the best-laid health plans and goals. People today are stressed out, time poor, exhausted and far from feeling optimally well. And change can be very difficult....

What is Health Coaching?

People tolerate poor health; they often use food, alcohol, sugar, caffeine and other stimulants to keep themselves going, give themselves energy, calm themselves down, provide a reward and deal with difficult emotions; and when they try to change on their own or give all of these things up at once without support or a health strategy, they often fail within a few weeks.

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One study showed that only 14% of heart disease patients were able to stick to their health plans despite the urgency to do so.

As Health Coaches we are champions for the person they would like to become and the health goals they want and need, to achieve. We help them to create a version of themselves that can enjoy optimum health and energy with control over their health, and therefore their future.

Using a tried and tested psychological coaching approach (a formula we have developed and honed over 15 years..) we find the key to our client’s motivation to unlock their unique ability to transform their lives, with our support. It is quite simply the most rewarding career to be in today, within a fast-growing industry full of opportunity.

Health Coaches can set up practices in health centres, gyms and fitness centres, holistic and beauty therapy businesses and anywhere where there are people who want to improve their health; (and considering that 70% of people want to lose weight, 84% of people feel tired most of the time and 67% of people are stressed there are potential clients to be found everywhere and anywhere.

Health Coaches can work with corporates, run groups and run online programmes as well as seeing individual clients. Health Coaches can coach entire families.

What opportunities are there for Health Coaches?

As Health Coaching is so flexible, you can see clients from overseas and are not restricted to only seeing clients in your own country.

This gives you countless opportunities.

Photo by Brooke Lark on Unsplash

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Want to work with groups..?

When we first started seeing Health Coaching Clients in 2003, we ran several groups per week with numbers between 12 and 28 in each group. This was a great way to create a community of people supporting one another and we achieved stunning results with our Person-Centred Nutrition and Health Transformation Coaching approach.

What’s more, our clients maintained the results too and our coaching business grew from strength to strength.

Results from a study of 295 Zest clients: • • • • •

100% reported improvements in their health 95% lost weight & increased their energy levels 84% improved their concentration & had fewer cravings 73% reported lower stress levels / improved mood 100% enjoyed the experience

Helping people to transform their health, improve their lives and grow in confidence is one of the most rewarding careers you could possibly have. We have been working as Health Coaches since 2003 and we LOVE what we do. We have been training others to be Health Coaches in the UK since 2007 and this recognised Health Coaching Course is now available in South Africa too.

You can be one of the first SA trained and certified Health Coaches that can work internationally and be the owner of your own heart centred health and wellness business.

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by Anne Hahn, as published on www.clicks.co.za Ozone therapy is not about trying to restore the holes in the ozone layer, it's about tapping into the health benefits of this pure gas. Here's what you need to know.

Oxygen is needed by every cell in the body for oxidation – the process which breaks down toxins and destroys damaged cells so that they can be excreted in sweat and urine. The chemical formula for ozone is O3 which means it’s made up of three oxygen atoms instead of the two that make up the oxygen (O2) we find in the air we breathe.

Ozone is known as ‘activated oxygen’ because it not only has a detox effect, but is also able to kill micro-organisms such as yeasts (for example, candida that causes thrush), moulds and fungi (responsible for allergies), bacteria (which can cause infections) and viruses (ozone is effective against Epstein-Barr and cytomegalovirus, common in chronic fatigue syndrome). Ozone therapy is also used for inflammatory diseases including arthritis, and for improving circulation in heart conditions, stroke and diabetes.

How ozone therapy works Oxygen is passed through an ozone generator to produce ozone that can be administered as: • A sauna – ozonated steam is used as a detoxification process to stimulate circulation and boost the immune system. Your head stays outside the sauna cabinet because the ozone is absorbed through the skin and not breathed in.

• Injections – into muscles, veins or under the skin.

• Autohaemotherapy – this procedure involves taking 100-150ml of the patient’s blood into a sterile container, mixing it with ozone, then using an intravenous drip to return it to the patient’s bloodstream.

• Local treatment – ozone in a plastic bag is passed into the rectum, vagina or bladder to treat infections. Burns are treated by covering the area with a plastic hood containing ozone.

• Ozonated olive oil – used for dry skin, wrinkles, sunburn, cuts and bruises.

Hyperbaric therapy Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has been around for centuries. It involves the administration of oxygen in a pressurised container. This therapy is routinely used for deep-sea divers with ‘the bends’ (decompression sickness caused by coming to the surface too quickly). It has been found to have beneficial effects for conditions ranging from carbon monoxide poisoning (from inhaling exhaust fumes) to burns, skin grafts and wounds (such as diabetic foot ulcers). Healing is enhanced because oxygen gets to the affected area quickly and in high concentrations. The treatment involves going into a closed chamber in which the atmospheric pressure is increased.

The patient inhales 100-percent oxygen through a mask and is instructed to breathe the chamber air at intervals. The number and duration of treatments depend on the condition being treated.

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What You Really Need to Know About…

UV Damage & SPF

Article Courtesy of Dermalogica

Photo by Court Prather on Unsplash

When the sun is out we all love spending time out on a sunny day and although we understand the direct impact UV rays have on our skin, sun damage and sun burn does not just happen on holiday. We can no longer rely on only using our SPF when summer is here, daily defence tools will enhance skin protection and skin health.

This summer we want to celebrate your natural skin tone and focus on skin health through protection! A tan is a sign that your skin is trying to protect itself from the damage the sun is causing it – it’s certainly not a sign of good health. And any pink- or redness, even if your skin isn’t raw or blistered, is a clear sign that the genetic material (DNA) in skin cells has been damaged. This kind of damage can build up over time and cause skin cancer.

Did you know?

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2.

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You can’t feel UV rays – the heat from the sun comes from infrared rays, which can’t burn you. This is why people can still burn on cool days.

The UV rays are always strongest when the sun is highest in the sky, during the middle of the day.

Sunburn is skin damage and your body’s response to try to repair it – it’s a short-term warning for potential long-term DNA damage.

If you burn just once every 2 years, it can triple your risk of melanoma skin cancer.

A tan is a reaction to damage in skin cells when they are exposed to too much UV radiation.

There is no such thing as healthy tanning. A tan offers very little protection against the sun.

Using sunbeds can increase your risk of melanoma skin cancer by 16-20%.

Some UV rays can get through glass. So if you spend lots of time driving or sitting in a conservatory when the sun is strong, in the long-term you might be at risk of damage from UVA rays.

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True or false: ‘You can only burn in the middle of summer’ The sun can be strong enough to burn even if it doesn’t feel that warm, or it’s a cloudy day. The UV Index can tell you how strong the sun is where you are today, this information can be found on weather forecasts. If the UV index is low your risk of burning is low, this does not mean that your skin is not at risk for damage. This is why you should wear your SPF daily, even in winter or on cloudy days.

Sunbeds are a safer “tan” An individual’s risk of skin cancer is related to their lifetime of exposure to UV from the sun and artificial sources like tanning beds.

Know your SPF facts: 1.

SPF is a sunscreens ability to shield against UVB and delays sunburn.

2.

SPF measures the length of time the product prevents your skin from reddening. It is an indication of the level of protection a sunscreen could give to prevent burning.

3.

If it takes an average of 10 minutes for you to burn and you are wearing and SPF 50 you will have estimated 50 minutes of protection to burning, this does not protect against UVA

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A broad-spectrum sunscreen gives protection against UVA, look for the symbol

5.

No sunscreen gives 100% protection. SPF 15 = 94%, SPF 30 = 97% and SPF50 98%

Chemical versus physical SPF: • •

Chemical sunscreens: absorb UV rays and convert UV energy to heat Physical sunscreen: reflect or scatter UV, they are generally non-irritating

If you have sensitive skin choose a physical SPF. We recommend a personalised SPF prescription, visit your skin expert to make sure you use the correct SPF for your skin type, concerns and for the right protection.

Daily protection for all skin: • • •

SPF should be worn 365 days per year Your sun protection must include ingredients that will defend against free radical damage too, like antioxidants and vitamins SPF is part of your daily skincare routine, choosing a multifunctional moisturiser with SPF that also treats your skin conditions is key to healthy skin protection.

NB! Make sure you re-apply ENOUGH: 1 teaspoon = face, front and back of neck, include the ears 1 teaspoon for each arm 2 teaspoons for each leg 2 teaspoons for the front and back of your torso

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By Kyra Oliver courtesy of www.draxe.com

Our sleep is precious time that allows our bodies to heal and rejuvenate, and without enough sleep, our health suffers. That means we must find ways to get proper rest. Unfortunately, many people either can’t sleep or don’t get enough sleep, which is where natural sleep aids come in.

The amount of sleep needed each night varies, but for adults, getting at least seven hours every night is crucial to having a healthy mind and body. And when we don’t get enough sleep, our bodies aren’t the only things that suffer. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that a whopping 49.2 million people have trouble with focus due to lack of sleep, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administrationreported that millions nod off while driving! (1, 2) Luckily, this problem doesn’t have to continue. It’s all about making some lifestyle changes, like

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using the following safe, natural sleep aids and focusing on getting the sleep you need, in order to stay refreshed, alert and at your absolute best.

Natural Sleep Aids We have a natural sleep-wake cycle called circadian rhythm. By being in sync with that rhythm, we can easily improve our sleep.

A regular sleep/wake pattern helps you feel refreshed and ready for your day.

Having good sleep hygiene is crucial, such as avoiding stimulants like too much coffee to prevent caffeine overdose, and we’ve all been told to get those electronics far from the bedroom — both for better sleep and to avoid nomophobia.

Thankfully, good sleep hygiene combined with natural sleep aids can make all the difference in getting some body-craving restful sleep. Calcium, magnesium, valerian root and a few more I’ll talk about below all help to naturally put you to sleep.

1. Sleep-Promoting Foods It’s a well-known fact that having a heavy meal just before bed can cause you to have a poor night of rest, but did you know that there are some foods that could help you sleep better? That doesn’t mean you need to add calories necessarily or eat a huge meal right before bed, but it could mean that you can incorporate some of these foods into your dinner or as a small after-dinner snack.

Probably the most commonly known characteristic that can help through food is tryptophan — yes, that sleepiness from the Thanksgiving turkey is no joke. Tryptophan is an amino acid that can help the brain get into a relaxed state, similar to serotonin and melatonin. You can obtain tryptophan and serotonin from carbohydrates, particularly 100 percent whole grain oats, brown rice, corn or quinoa.

A study published in Sports Medicine out of France was conducted to help better understand ways to improve the sleep of elite soccer players given their chaotic schedules, late-night games and need for recovery through a good night of sleep. The study found that by consuming carbohydrates — such as honey and whole grain bread — and some forms of protein, especially those that contain serotonin-producing tryptophan like turkey, nuts and seeds, it helped promote restorative sleep. Even tryptophan-filled tart cherry juice, which also contains healing properties like antioxidants, could be a great option. (3) 2. Calcium for Relaxation Did you know that calcium has an affect on our sleep cycle? It’s true.

According to the European Neurology Journal, calcium levels are at their highest during our deep rapid eye movement (REM) sleep periods. What this means is that if you never get to the REM sleep phase or if it’s limited, it could be related to a calcium deficiency.

Researchers indicate that the calcium is important because it helps the cells in the brain use the tryptophan to create melatonin — a natural body-producing sleep aid. (4) A glass of warm goat’s milk kefir could do the trick by providing calcium and magnesium, both of which work best when consumed together.

3. Magnesium May Help You Get the Slumber You Need Now let’s roll into more about magnesium and how it can help with that your sleep state.

If you have trouble sleeping, it could be due to a magnesium deficiency.

Studies have shown that higher magnesium levels can help induce a deeper sleep, and as I noted, this is especially true when taken together with calcium for better absorption.

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Research from the Biochemistry and Neurophysiology Unit at the University of Geneva’s Department of Psychiatry indicate that higher levels of magnesium actually helped provide better, more consistent sleep since magnesium is a calming nutrient. In addition to the goat’s milk kefir, foods like spinach, pumpkin seeds and even dark chocolate can help since they’re loaded with magnesium. (5) Here are a few snacks to consume for getting a good night of sleep: (6) • Half a banana with a few almonds • Crackers with almond butter • Gluten-free oatmeal with honey and dark cherries • Small Ezekial wrap with turkey and cranberries • Small glass of warm goat’s milk kefir with turmeric and a dash of cinnamon • Chamomile, passion flower and valerian tea • Small glass of tart cherry juice 4. Essential Oils for Sleep It’s no secret that essential oils are a natural method for just about anything you can think of, and sleep is no different. Prescription medications can cause numerous side effects and make you feel jet-lagged upon waking, among other negative side effects. Essential oils, on the other hand, don’t cause these adverse reactions.

A study published in Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice was conducted with cancer patients, a common group that has serious issues with sleeping well, to better understand whether aromatherapy using essential oils could help provide some muchneeded healing shut-eye. Aromasticks were given to patients over a 13-week period. Of the participants, 94 percent reported using the aromasticks with 92 percent reporting that they would continue use. Bergamot oil and lavender oil, in addition to

sandalwood, frankincense and mandarin, were combined to create the useful sleepinducing blend. (7) 5. Passion Flower for Calming and Restful Sleep In my article about passion flower, you can see the numerous benefits, including calming and anti-anxiety effects. When we have anxiety, it can greatly affect how we sleep because you just cannot seem to turn the brain off — especially while you’re trying to rest. Passion flower can provide the calming effect needed to help stop that vicious circle of thought.

Clinical trials have shown that passion flower can reduce anxiety as effectively as the prescribed drug known as benzodiazepine oxazepam. A four-week, double-blind study of patients with generalized anxiety disorder compared passion flower to the common antianxiety drug. While the oxazepam worked a little faster, both were the same in terms of effectiveness — however, the passion flower did not cause problems with job performance, such drowsiness while on the job, unlike the oxazepam. (8) This shows that passion flower is one of the most powerful anti-anxiety natural sleep aids that doesn’t cause lingering tiredness the next day.

6. Valerian Root to Induce Sleep Valerian root is a plant with roots that contain many healing properties, in particular for a relaxation and sedative effects. It’s often found in combination with chamomile in a tea. By increasing the amount of gamma aminobutryic acid (GABA), it helps calm the nerve cells in the brain, resulting in a calming effect. GABA works by blocking brain signals that cause anxiety and that ongoing trickle effect that can come from it. This calming effect has made it a favorite natural remedy for anxiety too. (9)

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If you’re not fond of the tea, you can go with a capsule form that can be found at your local health food store.

7. St. John’s Wort May Help Provide Sleep Through Less Depression Depression is a common characteristic that can lead to lack of sleep. St John’s wort may be able to help.

More recent studies indicate that chemicals, such as hyperforin and adhyperforin, are found in St. John’s wort, acting as little messengers in the brain that drive mood and work as powerful antidepressants. (10) The National Sleep Foundation reports that insomnia is common among those who are depressed and notes that people with insomnia have a much higher risk of becoming depressed.

(11) Research from the Department of Psychology at the University of North Texas shows that depression may affect many aspects of sleep, from getting to sleep to staying asleep. By treating depression using St. John’s wort, you may be able to find that restful sleep your body and mind longs for.

(12)

How Much Sleep Do We Need?

It’s no secret that good sleep provides better function at work and home, along with even better fitness and athletic performance. The National Sleep Foundation released a poll taken in 2015 that clearly indicated quality of life is far better for those who had a good night of sleep of at least seven hours. (13, 14) The National Sleep Foundation recommends the following amount of sleep for varying age groups: (15) Newborns: 14–17 hours Infants: 12–15 hours Toddlers 11–14 hours Preschoolers 10–13 hours School-aged children: 9–11 hours Teens: 8–10 hours Adults: 7–9 hours Older adults: 7–8 hours

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Symptoms of Insomnia How do you know if you have a true case of insomnia? This may seem like a silly question, but it’s common that most people experience some form of insomnia, known as acute insomnia, without it truly being a chronic problem.

Insomnia is defined as difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep and is often considered chronic if it happens at least three nights per week for three months or longer. The question remains: How do you know if you have insomnia that requires treatment?

While sleeping pills can seem to be the perfect quick fix, you might be surprised to learn that there are numerous natural remedies for insomnia, with little to no side effects, that provide better sleep long term.

The National Sleep Foundation suggests these guidelines, which were derived from a physician group. If you have one or more of the following symptoms, you may need to seek some sort of treatment and take more natural sleep aids: (16) • • • • • • • • •

Difficulty falling asleep Difficulty staying asleep throughout the night Trouble getting back to sleep Waking up too early Not feeling refreshed after sleep (nonrestorative sleep) Feelings of fatigue, low energy or being always tired Struggles concentrating Mood swings, aggression and irritability Problems at work, school or in relationships

Problems with Sleeping Pills As I mentioned above, sleeping pills are a quick fix, but why use them if natural sleep aids can solve the problem better? It’s really

important that you take the time to understand why sleeping pills may not be the best idea.

They’re placed under a category called sedative hypnotics and include benzodiazepines and barbiturates. You’ve probably heard of the benzodiazepines, or psychotropic drugs, called Xanax, Valium, Ativan and Librium, which are also known as common anti-anxiety medications. Because they can induce drowsiness, they can help people sleep, but these drugs can be addictive too — and that’s not a good thing.

Barbiturates can cause a sedative state because they relax the central nervous system. These are more commonly called sleeping pills and usually the drug of choice for heavy sedation in anesthesia. There are also less powerful, yet still sleep-inducing, drugs that are over-the-counter prescriptions, such as Lunesta, Sonata and Ambien.

If you know me, you’re well aware that I always suggest a natural remedy over a synthetic option, and the reason is pretty clear. In the case of sleeping pills, they typically slow your breathing and may cause you to breath much more shallow than normal. This could be problematic, and even dangerous, for someone with asthma or other lung-related problems like COPD, a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease that makes it hard to breathe. Sleeping pills also commonly have numerous side effects, such as: (17) • Burning or tingling in the extremities, such as hands, arms, feet or legs • Changes in appetite • Gas, constipation and/or diarrhea • Dizziness and problems with balance • Drowsiness during the day • Dryness in the mouth or throat area • Headache • Heartburn • Difficulty doing common tasks the next day

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• • • • •

Trouble with memory Stomach pain Uncontrollable shaking of a part of the body Affected dreams Feelings of weakness

Recipes for Natural Sleep Aids There are several different ways you can create your own natural sleep aids. Start with the following recipe: Bedtime Kefir with Turmeric and Cinnamon INGREDIENTS: • 1 cup goat’s milk kefir • ½ teaspoon ground turmeric • Dash of cinnamon to taste • Dash of nutmeg to taste DIRECTIONS: • Place the kefir in a mug.

• Add the turmeric and blend well.

• Top with cinnamon and nutmeg.

• Sip before bedtime.

If you decide to warm the kefir, make sure you don’t boil it. Regardless, heating it causes loss of useful probiotics, but it won’t cause the loss of the natural sleep aids magnesium and calcium.

Here are a couple more recipes that double as natural sleep aids: Sleepy Tea Recipe and Chamomile Lavender Sleep Aid

Precautions with Natural Sleep Aids Always make sure you start with small amounts of any new food, herb or essential oil, as different people have different reactions to certain foods. If you notice anything unusually, stop the treatment immediately. Also, if you have been on prescription medication for sleep or any other medication, please consult your doctor first.

Final Thoughts on Natural Sleep Aids Sleep is a crucial part of our health and healing. Take it seriously, and seek out the help of a functional medicine practitioner if you can’t get your sleep under control.

Stay away from synthetics and stimulants, and try the following natural sleep aids instead: Tryptophan and serotonin foods; Calcium; Magnesium; Essential oils; Passion flower; Valerian root; St. John’s wort In addition, consider using a journal to track the results so you can better determine what works for you, and make sure you get a good night’s sleep every night. Your health depends on it.

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When Good Cells Go Bad Free radicals made simple

by Judy Beyer

Your body is a brilliant, and extraordinarily complex combination of molecules.

Trillions and trillions of them.

They’re the building blocks that make your body work, from your brain to your blood, from your inner organs to your skin. But what happens when they turn rogue?

The molecules in your body contain naturally paired electrons. Sometimes, those electrons split up, and the molecule with the remaining electron becomes dangerous – it wants to replace its missing part. A molecule that lacks an electron is called a free radical, and it will attack anything in its path to achieve its goal.

Free radicals are formed during your body’s everyday functions – digestion, converting blood sugar into energy, using oxygen, and helping to fight the effects of stress, inflammation, bacteria or viruses. When you’re young and healthy, your body deals with those free radicals easily.

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However, when you’re exposed to pollution, radiation, cigarette smoke, too much alcohol, or a host of other toxic elements, a larger quantity of free radicals is created. The hormones released by your body when you’re very stressed also produce free radicals. And those unbalanced free radicals on the prowl for a second electron may even steal electrons from healthy cells – thereby setting off a domino effect of damage. Free-radical damage causes premature ageing, and creates inflammation, which can lead to heart, lung, and gastrointestinal diseases, and some cancers. This process is called biological oxidation. Which brings us to…

The dark side of oxygen Here’s news that will leave you breathless: oxygen can be toxic. We need oxygen for life, of course, because every cell in your body requires oxygen to produce energy. But a small amount of the O2 you absorb can also form part of a damaging organism. Think of a cut apple. Leave it standing on a counter and the flesh will turn brown – that’s down to the presence of oxygen.

Like that apple, your body is affected by oxygen molecules that merge with other natural compounds to form oxygen-containing free radicals. Your body tries to keep these rogue molecules in check, but when levels rise too high, you experience a condition scientists call oxidative stress. We all experience some oxidative stress, but when it’s prolonged, it can damage your DNA and other important molecules in your body, and increase your risk of diseases that include cancer. That’s the reason you need antioxidants.

Antioxidants – the riot police Antioxidants are like little ninjas. They stop free radicals on their tracks by sacrificing or ‘donating’ their own electrons to feed the renegade molecules, but without turning into free radicals themselves. Basically, they render the marauding free radicals harmless. Antioxidants also destroy toxic metals in the body by literally ‘hugging’ them to block any chemical action taking place.

Where do you find antioxidants?

Your body produces its own antioxidant defenses to keep free radicals in check. But as your body ages, its natural antioxidant production slows down, so it’s important to top up your levels by eating a wide range of antioxidant-rich foods – especially lots of locally grown fresh organic fruit and vegetables.

Get fresh with your diet Fortunately, many foods, especially fresh fruits and vegetables, are bursting with phytochemicals that act as potent antioxidants. The best of these are berries, nuts and seeds, pomegranates, leafy greens such as cabbage, spinach and broccoli, green tea, and grains such as quinoa and barley. Spices and herbs such as allspice, cloves, turmeric, cinnamon, rosemary and origanum are also good sources of antioxidants.

But when choosing what’s for dinner, remember that antioxidants work best when combined.

So eat a wide range of foods rather than just lots of one.

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Here’s a short list of the most powerful antioxidant vitamins, minerals and other phytonutrients you’d do well to consume daily: •

• • • •

Beta-carotene supports vision, immunity, and overall health, and helps fight certain cancers.

It’s the pigment responsible for the red-orange colour in carrots, peppers, oranges, pumpkin, cayenne pepper, and other brightly coloured fruits, herbs and spices, and vegetables.

Vitamin C (citrus fruit, kiwi, guavas, salad peppers, chilli peppers, parsley and broccoli) helps prevent and treat heart disease, arthritis and some cancers.

Vitamin D builds bone, muscle, and immune system health. Find it in oily fish such as tuna and salmon, fortified foods such as Vitamin D-enriched dairy products and orange juice, beef liver, cheese and egg yolks.

Vitamin E helps ward off heart disease, dementia and cataracts. It protects cell membranes against oxidative damage. Olive oil is a good source, as are nuts, seeds, leafy greens and whole grains.

Polyphenols. These compounds found in soya, red wine, cranberries, blueberries, Brazil nuts, mint, turmeric, ginger, cayenne, black pepper, tea) help protect blood vessels from rupture or leakage, enhance the power of vitamin C, and fight inflammation.

Remember: Freshly harvested fruits and vegetables have a far more potent antioxidant content than those that have lain on supermarket shelves for a few days. So try to consume the majority of your fruits and vegetables raw and locally harvested.

Take supplements If you feel your diet may not be supplying the antioxidants you need for optimum health, take a good quality antioxidant vitamin supplement and other supplements that contain additional phytonutrients from herbs, plants and algae.

Reduce your intake of sugar and processed foods Sugar, and processed foods (which are high in preservatives, salts, saturated and trans fats) can lead to increased oxidative stress. They place stress on your body’s natural antioxidants, making them work harder to combat the bad stuff.

Exercise Yes, exercise can also help to increase your antioxidants. Although exercise is regarded as a form of stress and releases free radicals, short bursts of high-intensity exercise will help improve your body’s capacity to produce antioxidants to fight them. Keep it balanced though – excessive exercise can lead to increased oxidative stress and inflammation.

And the best news? Foods that are good for you are pretty delicious too. Pay attention to what you eat and how you treat your body, and you could live a long, healthy, and productive life.

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Sources: Arnarson, A. Antioxidants explained in simple terms.

Healthline.

July 2019. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/antio xidants-explained Gage, E.N. The lowdown on free radicals.

Real Simple, Aug 2014. https://www.realsimple.com/beautyfashion/skincare/lowdown-on-free-radicals Giada, Maria de Lourdes Reis. Food phenolic compounds: Main classes, sources and their antioxidant power. IntechOpen. May 2013. https://www.intechopen.com/books/oxidati ve-stress-and-chronic-degenerative-diseasesa-role-for-antioxidants/food-phenoliccompounds-main-classes-sources-and-theirantioxidant-power What are antioxidants and why do we need them.

Flora Force.

July 2014. https://www.floraforce.co.za/what-areantioxidants/

JUDY BEYER

Eternally curious about people and the planet, and the effect of each on the other, Judy has been in the publishing/writing/editing game for years.

Trying to walk her talk, she's a keen advocate of living and eating healthily, listening to our bodies, reconnecting with the environment, and taking time to experience Africa's wide spaces. Her time-out drugs of choice are reading, and knitting garments in rainbow colours.

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OUR SHARED HERITAGE; INDIGENOUS MEDICINAL PLANTS

By Down to Earth

It’s finally Spring in the southern hemisphere! And in South Africa we’re also celebrating Heritage Month in September.

While we celebrate our rich and varied cultural heritage, we also have the opportunity to appreciate the unique indigenous plant life that we share in our country. What better way to start the new season?

South Africa is the third most bio-diverse country in the world. Our treasured national plant, the king protea, and the unique looking strelitzia comes to mind as well-known and beautiful indigenous plants of South Africa. Just as impressive, is the wide range of medicinal plants in our region; plants that have been used by local cultures for over five centuries to treat and heal many common ailments.

Indigenous medicinal plants of Southern Africa The potency and healing properties in many of our indigenous plants have been recognised by international pharmacological, skincare and food industries. Extracts of these plants are found in many herbal medicines and skincare products. Needless to say, many of these plants are also found in our gardens and can be put to use!

Some of the better-known medicinal plants and some of their traditional uses include: • •

African ginger (Siphonochilus aethiopicus) has been used to relieve sinusitis and asthma, as well as reduce fevers associated with colds and influenza.

African potato (Hypoxis hemerocallidea) is used traditionally to assist with bladder and prostate problems, arthritis and skin conditions like psoriasis.

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• • • • • • • • •

African wormwood (Artemisia afra) is applied on acne and boils, and helps relieve stomach pain and fever.

Aloe ferox, also known as the bitter aloe, is used to treat sunburn and skin irritation, and as a laxative.

Buchu (Agathosma betulina) has been used to assist with digestive issues and is applied topically for wound healing.

Bulbinella (Bulbine frutescens), also known as burn jelly plant, is applied topically to relieve burns, bites and abrasion, and to treat infections.

Devil’s claw (Harpagophytum procumbens) is applied directly to the skin to treat sores, ulcers, boils and abscesses.

Honeybush tea (Cyclopia genistoides) is used as a restorative health tonic.

Hoodia gordonii, also known as Bushman’s hat, is used as an appetite suppressant.

Rooibos tea (Aspalathus linearis) is applied topically to treat eczema and is used as a health tonic.

Sutherlandia frutescens, also known as the cancer bush, is used to treat cancer, and a variety other ailments such as chicken pox, influenza and bladder complaints.

We would like to bring to your attention two indigenous medicinal plants, used in some of Down to Earth’s products.

African potato (Hypoxis hemerocallidea) African potato extract is used in our trusted African Potato Cream, as well as the Revive Cleanser and Revive Moisturiser.

It is a very hardy and drought resistant plant that grows in the summer rainfall regions of South Africa. It has bright yellow starshaped flowers and hairy straplike leaves.

Traditional healers have used it as a muthi to treat a variety of ailments such as diabetes, infections, bladder and prostate problems, and even epilepsy.

We use the extract for its potent anti-inflammatory properties. The active ingredient, hypoxoside, is extracted from the tuberous root which looks like a potato. It has very high phytosterol content that delivers the anti-inflammatory properties. The action is similar to cortisone which helps to soothe aches, pains and swelling, and can assist in the reversal of tissue damage. It also acts as powerful antioxidant which has an anti-ageing effect on the skin.

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Bulbinella (Bulbine frutescens) Bulbinella is used on our Refresh Cleanser and Refresh Moisturiser.

It is a common, drought-resistant succulent in many gardens. It has fleshy, jelly-like linear leaves and long flower stems with clusters of small, yellow or orange flowers.

Traditionally the gel from the leaves is applied to cuts, grazes, burns, acne, insect bites, blisters, rashes and chapped lips to help soothe and heal the area. It is also used to effectively prevent and treat infections. Bulbinella is one of the main active ingredients in our Refresh Skincare products precisely for these reasons. It reduces bacteria that causes acne, soothes itching and redness, and helps to accelerate repair of the skin barrier function.

By using Down to Earth products, you have access to these beneficial medicinal plants and also to a South African tradition that has been passed down through generations; to use the local plants to help heal and repair our bodies.

Image: emmacodd on Pixabay

Photo by: rhythmuswege on Pixabay

Image: Geralt on Pixabay

Photo by Dani Costelo on Unsplash

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A QUICK AND EASY DAILY ROUTINE TO DEVELOP YOUR SINGING/SPEAKING VOICE

Would you like to develop your singing voice through the wonder of your own energy centres.

Suitable for all singing ranges.

With this quick and easy instruction you will have a complete body work out which covers every Chakra in the body, and develops your singing/speaking voice at the same time in the comfort of your own home.

JOIN US FOR A MUSIC APPRECITATION AND PIANO RECITAL 4th Sunday of the month. .

0813022381 info@pianocompositionsrecitals.com

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By Penni du Plessis www.divinespace.co.za

When you look around you right now - we seem to be surrounded by chaos. From the hectic fires in many areas, including the burning and looting happening in South Africa, it can become easy to lose hope and get sucked into the collective anger.

There is an incredible amount of tension on the planet right now. So much abuse, anger, and a sense of futility on the planet and sometimes even in our own lives at present, and many of us wonder if we are in some was the cause of the abuse in our own lives.

If you are experiencing abuse in your own relationships, please please don’t take it personally and own it – instead take back your power and feel if being in this place is the best place for your growth and light right now. If not, maybe this is a catalyst for you to move on. Doing this will release your own tension and the energy around it.

The tension is going to get worse not easier, and it is absolutely your choice whether to be part of it, or whether you could be the eye of peace in the storm. Watching the news, taking about it and judging the actions of everyone (the instigators, police, politicians and even the animals burned in the fires) gives more energy to the story and fuels it. Is this what you want more of?

By disconnecting, and just being aware of your own sacred peaceful place and state of mind, gives the planet and even your body permission to change. Be kind to yourself without any expectations. You are the master of your universe and you carry a light within that can help others, but just being in their space. Your centeredness and peaceful countenance could plant

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seeds of light, hope and peace in others, just by you being in their presence. Let us become aware of the future together and what we can do to make our transition easier.

This month is about movement and achievement, so enjoy the busy time and be grateful for each opportunity that comes your way and above all pat yourself on the back for what you have achieved. This way you are constantly acknowledging it and in that way you will invite more.

Most of us have become more and more sensitive – does this sensitivity move you more into fear or love. Let go of the old fear-based systems and connect your vision with your heart. We are now creating much quicker than ever before, so be very aware of what you are focusing on and make sure that it is what you want more of. Focus on the things that light up your heart and bring you joy. And even more critical is to focus on what we love – a child, animal or even the pot plant. We are all part of each other, even though we don’t feel like it, especially in these times of separation, but just know that these chaotic times are temporary, and our natural state is that we are hard wired to care about each other. Making enemies or focusing on those that you feel are different to you, creates even more separation. If however you look for good in people, or on the planet – you will find it.

Open your heart and release all the restrictions and then you will begin to see the unity and spirit in each other. What are you looking for, what is your choice and where are you sending your love? Are you focusing on money, or the lack of money? If you focus on lack – you are feeding that energy and you will lack more. Rather pay the bills (those that you can) with joy and give thanks that you are completing a process – this could change your whole vibration towards money. The more we become aware of the game we are playing and how to play it, you will start to have fun with it in a way that you could never have dreamed of before.

As we evolve through the different stages of evolution – just like the seasons, our physical body changes too. The more we find the still point and lightness within, we then carry more of our spirit in our physical bodies. My beautiful Blue Light Matrix oil is amazing in helping you be still, peaceful, speaking your truth and quietening the busy mind.

And remember that in spirit terms there is no time - so even if it feels like this is taking forever to resolve. On the other side it will be like the blink of an eye.

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Egyptian Cartouche Cards Learn to make your life magical and mystical through Egyptian Cartouche Cards. It is a completely Unique and exciting new Oracle which expresses the essential features of those archetypal energies which were known and understood by the Ancient Egyptians. They represent the purest form of quintessential energy. These cards should not be confused with the Tarot cards. They are a set of 25 cards.

The uniqueness of this modality is each of the card will be attuned as this opens you to connect with these beautiful energies. The cards can be used for the following purposes.

1.Divination 2.Meditation 3.Can be carried as a Talisman 4.Healing ,Health and Self Healing.

To order, call Philomena, 081 707 5092 ABOUT PHILOMENA NATARAJAN I’m a Yoga Instructor by profession. Have been practicing yoga for the last 15 years and have been teaching for the last 11 years. I’m a Reiki GrandMaster.

I teach the following healing Modalities 1.USUI REIKI LEVEL I ,II,IIIA,IIIB 2.SEICHEM REIKI 3.IMARA REIKI 4.KUNDALINI REIKI 5.MAHA KALI SEICHEM REIKI 6.CRYSTAL THERAPY 7.EGYPTIAN CARTOUCHE 8.MAGNIFIED HEALING LEVEL I ,II,III 9.Golden Triangle Reiki 10.Shamballa Reiki Master.

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South Africa – The Solution?

By Margi McAlpine - Angel Connection It is really hard to be living in our beloved South Africa at this moment in time!

It seems as though everything is spiraling downward and no one is stepping up and grabbing it by the neck and saying “Enough! No further!!�

It feels like a heavy dark blanket of negativity and despair that is holding us down.

I understand the simmering anger amongst the ordinary men and women in the street and I truly understand the fear especially amongst women and children who are being targeted at this moment in time.

However what we need to remember especially when things are so dark is that we create more and more darkness when we allow the fear and anger to take over.

This is not the solution!!

The solution needs to start at grass roots because this is where all of this has begun.

Years ago the Mayor of New York started a movement where even the most petty of crimes was punished. If you littered you received a fine and community service, if you broke something you paid for it and received community service. In this way he turned the rampant crime statistics in his city around and started bringing back pride into the community and discipline.

Petty crimes lead to bigger crimes and the fact that there is no consequence for anything encourages it.

So if we want to bring our beautiful country to the point where it should be we as citizens need to start implementing the way we would and should live.

If each and every one of us made sure that we were living in light and integrity we could change things.

Stop spreading all the negative and destructive messages and videos that have been doing the rounds.

This does not assist with anything. It just creates more fear and anger which in turn creates more darkness and crime!

It is said that you get the Government that you deserve!

Are you one of those people who do not bother to vote or do not bother to complain to your local and national politicians when things are not right?

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Time now to stand in your power! Be lovingly assertive and hold people to account as they should be held. Public servants work for and are paid by the Public therefore they should be held to account by the Public. It is only in this way that the corruption and lack of integrity will stop!

Ensure that whatever you are doing is being done to the very best of your ability and then make sure that anyone else you are dealing with does the same. We do not have to put up with second best and just always expect that this is how it is now.

When things are done in a good and positive way always praise and say thank you for what has been done.

The Principalities are huge amazing Angels who are very high up in the Hierarchy of Angels.

They work with Cities, Municipalities and Governments so let’s call them in now and ask them to assist with the huge task that lies ahead.

Let’s also call on the mighty Archangel Michael to assist our law enforcement officers and to give them courage to work in integrity and light!

Remember that it is very important to ensure that you are doing your Grounding and Protection every morning and evening so that you are completely immune to the dark energies around you and that you always call in the Angels and Beings of Light to assist you and everyone around you.

It is time now to change things so let’s not get angry but let’s implement change always starting with ourselves!

Let’s make a difference because we can!!

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Seaweed That Tastes Like Bacon - But Twice as Healthy

By Dr Mercola

Dulse, a type of red seaweed with a chewy texture that's often used in dried, flaked form, has been harvested for centuries in Europe. But this sea vegetable, which typically grows along the Pacific and Atlantic coastlines, has remained in relative obscurity in the US – until now.

Researchers from Oregon State University (OSU) were on a mission to develop a new food source for abalone – sea snails that are popular cuisine in Asia. Dulse, rich in proteins, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, turned out to be perfect for this – but while growing the red plant, the researchers had an idea – why not feed dulse to people too?

It might have been a hard sell in the US, where seaweed is typically consumed only with sushi or miso soup… and, to a greater extent, by some of those in the vegan and vegetarian communities.

The strain of dulse being grown in Oregon, however, is unique. It's so unique that the research team is working on a marketing plan to develop a new line of seaweed-based specialty foods.

Oregon State researcher Chris Langdon explained:1 "This stuff is pretty amazing… When you fry it, which I have done, it tastes like bacon, not seaweed. And it's a pretty strong bacon flavor."

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Seaweed Can Take on a Meaty Flavor Due to Umami Seaweed that tastes naturally like bacon could draw in a whole new crowd of people looking to add nutrition and flavor to their diets.

While it may seem surprising that a sea vegetable could take on a meaty flavor, seaweed imparts a strong umami flavor into virtually any dish it touches.

It was more than 100 years ago when a Japanese chemist named Kikunae Ikeda discovered the secret that made dashi, a classic seaweed soup, so delicious. It was glutamic acid, which, in your body is often found as glutamate.

Ikeda called this new flavor "umami," which means "delicious" in Japanese, but it wasn't until 2002 that modern-day scientists confirmed umami to be a fifth taste, along with sweet, sour, bitter, and salty.

Most foods contain glutamate, although some more than others. Foods naturally high in glutamate include protein-rich meat, eggs, poultry, milk, cheese, and fish, along with sea vegetables, ripe tomatoes, and mushrooms.

Umami is valued for making foods taste better. When an umami-rich food like seaweed is added to soup stock, for instance, it makes the broth heartier, more "meaty," and more satisfying.

Is Bacon-Flavored Seaweed the Next Superfood?

Seaweed is an excellent source of iodine, vitamins, and minerals, provided it comes from clean, non-polluted waters. Various types of seaweed and brown algae also support detoxification and may also help prevent your body from absorbing heavy

metals and other environmental toxins.

Research also suggests that brown seaweed may help boost fat-burning in your body while dulse is said to have twice the nutritional value of kale and can contain up to 16 percent protein by dry weight.2 Needless to say, this patented bacon-flavored variety could easily take the superfood market by storm.

Research also suggests that brown seaweed may help boost fat-burning in your body while dulse is said to have twice the nutritional value of kale and can contain up to 16 percent protein by dry weight.2 Needless to say, this patented bacon-flavored variety could easily take the superfood market by storm.

Adding to its allure, Chris Langdon, an aquaculture researcher at OSU's Hatfield Marine Science Center, and colleagues have created a way to farm the seaweed, growing it in huge vats of cold seawater.

This cultured dulse grows faster than wild dulse, and the water could potentially be filtered to minimize the uptake of contaminants. Wild-grown dulse is expensive, selling for up to $90 a pound, but the farmed version is more affordable (not to mention could theoretically be made much more widely available).3

Bacon-Flavored Seaweed Salad Dressing and More May Soon Be on the Market‌ Langdon currently grows about 30 pounds of the bacon-flavored dulse strain a week, although he has plans to more than triple production. The researchers have also teamed up with OSU's Food Innovations Center in Portland, Oregon to explore ways to use dulse in cooking. As OSU reported:4 "[Jason Ball, a research chef at the Food

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Innovation Center in Portland]… is pushing the envelope, testing dulse veggie burgers, trail mix, and even dulse beer. Working directly with Langdon, Ball can experiment with different strains that have different flavors and attributes.

With fresh dulse, he's looking for a tender chewiness and slightly salty finish. 'Pan-fried,' he says, 'dulse can be light and crispy with a savory saltiness, like bacon.’”

tissues also absorb and use large amounts of iodine, including - Breasts - Salivary glands - Pancreas - Cerebral spinal fluid - Skin - Stomach - Brain - Thymus

About 14 prototype recipes have already been created using the unique dulse, including

Iodine deficiency, or insufficiency, in any of these tissues will lead to dysfunction of that tissue. Hence the following symptoms could provide clues that you're not getting enough iodine in your diet. For example, iodine deficiency in: • Salivary glands: inability to produce saliva, producing dry mouth • Skin: dry skin, and lack of sweating. Three to four weeks of iodine supplementation will typically reverse this symptom, allowing your body to sweat normally again • Brain: reduced alertness and lowered IQ • Muscles: nodules, scar tissue, pain, fibrosis, and fibromyalgia

salad dressing, sesame seed chips, and smoked dulse popcorn peanut brittle.

Seaweed's Iodine!

Claim

to

Fame?

Worldwide, it's thought that up to 40 percent of the population is at risk of iodine deficiency. In the US, however, agencies tend to say most people are iodine "sufficient," meaning they get enough of the nutrient from their diet.

This is controversial, though, as according to other sources, such as Dr. David Brownstein, who has been working with iodine for the last two decades, over 95 percent of the patients in his clinic are iodine deficient.

Dr. Jorge Flechas, MD also believes severe iodine deficiency is rampant and believes the current US daily recommended allowance (RDA) for iodine may be completely insufficient for overall physical health and prevention of diseases such as thyroid disease, fibromyalgia, and cancer.

Iodine is a vitally important nutrient that is detected in every organ and tissue. Along with being essential for healthy thyroid function and efficient metabolism, there is increasing evidence that low iodine is related to numerous diseases, including cancer. Other

Iodine actually induces apoptosis as well, meaning it causes cancer cells to self-destruct.

Dr. Flechas is adamant that absence of iodine in a cell is what causes cancer.

The jury is still out on whether iodine in supplemental form is safe (especially at higher doses). As an alternative, toxin-free sea vegetables (and spirulina), which are naturally iodine rich, are likely the ideal natural sources from which to obtain your iodine — as long as you make sure that these are harvested from uncontaminated waters.

Why Else Is Seaweed Good for You? Natural iodine aside, there are many other reasons to include sea vegetables in your diet

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as well. It's a rich source of potassium, calcium, and iron, for instance. Seaweed also contains alginic acid, which protects the plants from bacteria but has the action of binding to heavy metals when you eat them.

This means sea vegetables are natural detoxifiers.

There's even research showing a kelpcontaining diet helped lower levels of the sex hormone estradiol in rates, which suggests it may help lower the risk of estrogen-related cancers, such as breast cancer, in humans.5 In addition to the familiar nutrients like iron and vitamin C, seaweed also contains a number of unique vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that many Americans don't eat much of. As noted by the George Mateljan Foundation:6 "As part of their natural defense mechanisms, sea vegetables contain a variety of enzymes called haloperoxidases. These enzymes all require vanadium in order to function.

Although this mineral is not as well known as some of the other mineral nutrients, it appears to play a multi-faceted role in regulation of carbohydrate metabolism and blood sugar. … [V]anadium may help to increase our body's sensitivity to insulin by inhibiting a group of enzymes called protein tyrosine phosphatases.

It may also help us decrease our body's production of glucose and help us increase our body's ability to store starch in the form of glycogen… Recent research from India makes it clear that a variety of non-flavonoid and non-carotenoid antioxidant compounds are present in sea vegetables, including several different types of antioxidant alkaloids.

An increasing number of health benefits from sea vegetables are being explained by their fucoidan concent. Fucoidans are starch-like (polysaccharide) molecules, but they are unique in their complicated structure (which

involves a high degree of branching) and their sulfur content. Numerous studies have documented the anti-inflammatory benefits of fucoidans (sometimes referred to as sulfated polysaccharides)… The sulfated polysaccharides in sea vegetables also have anti-viral activity and… anticoagulant and antithrombotic properties that bring valuable cardiovascular benefits."

Creative Ways to Add More Sea Vegetables to Your Diet OSU's bacon-flavored dulse is not yet widely available, but there are many other seaweed varieties to try. Among them:7 • Hijiki: A stronger-flavored seaweed that grows in thick branches, which expand considerably when cooked.

• Nori: Often used to make sushi rolls, nori is deep purple or red but turns bright green when toasted. (Untoasted nori is best, nutritionally speaking.)

• Arame: Arame has feathery leaves and a sweeter flavor than some other varieties.

• Wakame: Found in miso soup, wakame is brown with delicate leaves and a mild, non-fishy flavor.

• Dulse: As mentioned, dulse has a chewy texture and is often used in dried or flaked form.

Try fresh sea vegetables as a salad or added to eggs, stir fries, and soup. The flaked form can be used as a seasoning in place of salt or added to smoothies. You can also add sea vegetables to your fermented vegetable recipe to increase the mineral, vitamin, and fiber content. You can add pieces of whole dulse or use flakes.

Wakame needs to be presoaked and diced into the desired size prior to using. As a reminder, choosing seaweed from nonpolluted waters is crucial, as these plants absorb the contents of the water in which

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they're grown. While this is part of what makes them so nutritious, it can also be their downfall if sourced from contaminated waters.

Further, seaweed that comes from large, industrial seaweed "farms" (often in Asia) may be machine harvested in ways that harm the environment. Look for seaweed sourced from nonpolluted waters that is harvested in a sustainable, environmentally friendly manner (such as hand harvested). Also check that your sea vegetables are processed using only sun drying or low-temperature air drying, not high heat that may damage nutrients.

Many suppliers also have their products routinely tested for chemicals, heavy metals and, after the nuclear disaster at Fukushima, Japan, radioactivity. By seeking out a supplier with high standards and ethics, you'll receive a true superfood without any risks of contamination or environmental harms.

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It’s All About Adzuki Article courtesy of Nature’s Choice www.natureschoice.co.za

The Adzuki bean is not very well known here in South Africa, in part, it’s due to the fact that it is widely grown in East Asia and the Himalayas. As some of us may know, legumes are loaded with antioxidants, and the adzuki beans are no exception. Just one cup of cooked beans provides 4.6 mg of iron (~25% RDI), 119.6 mg of magnesium (~30% RDI), 1.223 g of potassium (~25 % AI), 4.0 mg of zinc (~25% RDI) and 278 µg of folic acid (~70% RDI) The adzuki bean is a tiny, reddish-brown bean with a cream coloured seam and sweet, nutty flavour. It is particularly popular in Asian cooking, most often used for sweet dishes including soups, desserts and as a dim sum filling. Adzuki beans are regarded as the king of beans in Japan and are prized for their health-giving properties: reputedly benefitting the liver and the kidneys. In Japan and China adzuki beans are often cooked, puréed and mixed with sugar to make a chocolatey paste which is used to fill cakes and desserts.

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Health Benefits Fibre Like most bean varieties, adzuki beans are high in dietary fibre, one of the key elements of digestive health. Fibre stimulates peristaltic motion, moving food through the digestive tract and enabling the smooth intake of nutrients from food. Fibre also helps to eliminate constipation, and we all know that a healthy digestive system means you are much more likely to be healthy in general.

The dietary fibre in adzuki beans has a second purpose, regulating the activity of insulin receptors in the body to ensure that blood sugar levels remain normal. This can help prevent the onset of diabetes, or manage the symptoms and prevent those spikes and drops that are so dangerous for diabetes patients.

Folate, potassium, magnesium, and dietary fibre all combine into a powerful cardiovascular boost in adzuki beans. Dietary fibre helps to balance cholesterol levels, while potassium relaxes blood vessels and increases blood flow, thereby reducing blood pressure and strain on the heart.

This can help lower your chances of developing atherosclerosis, which means protecting you from heart attacks and strokes.

Protein There is a significant amount of protein in adzuki beans, which is a crucial element of our diet, particularly for vegetarians and vegans who don’t get protein from animal sources. Proteins break down into essential amino acids that our body needs to create new cells, tissues, and organs for both growth and repair. Foods like adzuki beans can also provide us with an energetic boost due to that high protein content.

Weight Management Many people in Asian countries and abroad turn to adzuki beans and other bean varieties for weight loss. The dietary fibre and protein content sates the appetite and makes you feel full, without contributing a sizable amount of calories. 115 grams of adzuki beans, 1/2 cup, is only equivalent to 150 calories, which means that you can get a whole lot of nutritive benefits without packing on any pounds.

Besides all these interesting facts, they are also incredibly delicious and very easy to prepare

Preparation: Soak beans overnight in water. Drain and simmer in water for an hour. Alternatively, pressure cook the soaked beans in 2 cups of water for 5-9 minutes at high pressure. If you don’t have time to soak the beans, pressure cook for 15-20 minutes.

If you are making a dish and want to retain the colour, shape and aroma of the bean, then you should not soak before cooking.

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Recipe: Zesty Adzuki Bean Salad Ingredients: • • • • • • • • • • • •

1 1/2 cup dried adzuki beans 1/4 teaspoon toasted sesame oil 3 tablespoons grapeseed oil 1 1/2 tablespoon finely chopped ginger 1/2 teaspoon finely chopped garlic 1 cup basil, finely chopped 2 tablespoons rice vinegar Pinch cayenne 1 tablespoon Soya sauce 2 tbsp lime juice 1 cup thinly sliced green onions 1 cup grated carrots

Method: • • •

Put beans in a large bowl, cover with water and set aside to let soak for 8 hours or overnight.

Drain beans and put in a large pot with 8 cups water or vegetable stock. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until tender, 45 to 60 minutes. Drain and rinse gently under cold water. Set aside to let cool completely.

Put oils, ginger, garlic, basil, vinegar, cayenne, tamari and lime juice into a large bowl and whisk to make a dressing. Add cooled beans, green onions and carrots and toss gently to combine.

Nutritional Info: Per Serving: 220 calories (60 from fat), 7g total fat, 0.5g saturated fat, 190mg sodium, 32g carbohydrates, (6 g dietary fibre, 3g sugar), 9g protein.

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RE:FRESHING GREEN SMOOTHIE From Green Monday – Recipe Credit: Re:Fresh. Photo: House Of Vizion

Ingredients

Method:

• • • • • •

•

1/2 avo 3 leaves of spinach 3 small cups of cold water 1 apple 1 banana 5 macadamia nuts

Blend all ingredients together in a blender until smooth

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Photo by Vegan Liftz from Pex

Purification for Performance

By Doc Marty

We've all heard about the latest greatest fad of the moment called 'detox'. Everyone seems to be in on it, everyone wants it and there are a lot of people willing to do a whole bunch of weird stuff to achieve it.

There is just so much information out there, who are we to believe?

As part of my journey to understand detoxification better I even subjected myself to a five-hours-per-day intensive sauna sweat lodge for a full 17 days! I've tried intravenous ozone, diets, pills, more sweating, Mongolian Sea Buckthorn Oil and a host of wonderfully prescribed treatments. Hell, the ozone even went rectally at one stage to boost liver absorption. I have tried it all and was willing to do anything to just feel better. The result of all this searching is that my business partner, and Neometa Detox orchestrator, Craig van Heerden and I have come up with a program that saves you from nonsense and drives detoxification and purification of the body using sound, scientific and validated approaches.

There really is a need for detoxification right now. The environment we live in has a host of novel toxic substances that we inevitably absorb, breath in, eat or drink. It has been shown that the food we eat has been exposed to 5kgs of herbicide yearly and is more processed and laced with artificial additives than ever before. Our soil is minerally depleted, our water supplies are rapidly filling with plastic bottles and our air has been mixed with gases from industry.

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Be cautious of the clickbait articles telling you that "detox is a myth", explaining that our bodies are coping marvelously, that homeopathy is a joke and so is natural medicine. Those websites often claim to be in the interest of the public but often tend to have a "take antibiotics when sick and you'll be just fine, diets don't matter" philosophy. Maybe that works for an acute population that have no willingness to be the best version of themselves. They're okay with needing 25 coffees, 120 cigarettes, 7 sleeping tablets, and 4 painkillers a week for that gouty ankle. The program we have developed is not for those people, it's aimed at people who just know they could do better. They feel like they're coping but want more, expect more, and know deep down that they aren't realizing their highest potential. It's so often that I see people at the gym doing the exact same workout as they were five years ago, sweating themselves to death, ruining their joints but yet, still have the same body composition as they did when they started. We like to think we can do everything on our own but when the results never manifest we blame the process. Detoxification of the human body is no different, just as a trainer and dietitian would guide you to achieve optimal results in a gym, a health coach is necessary to guide you through a detox protocol.

When we look into concepts currently breaking ground in the research, like fasting, timerestricted feeding, adequate nutrition, metabolic conditioning, juicing, sauna use, meditation, and more, there really is something amazing going on in healthcare right now. There is a movement towards actively participating in your own health journey and taking ownership of your inflammatory and toxic lifestyle. Craig and I have created a 7-day protocol that is achievable, coached, sustainable, up to date and packed with challenges and exercises to get your mind around a new way of living. We'll hold your hand for the whole process and guide you safely into a health journey that replenishes, cleanses and refreshes the body and mind. Starting 5th Oct with the first of two consecutive Saturday morning workshops we move into a new you, a spring clean if you will. Click on the application link below to see if you qualify. https://integratedhuman.typeform.com/to/OqbSoQ Pictured below: Neometa Detox Orchestrators Craig van Heerden and Doc Marty

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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.

I believed that if I wanted to make a noticeable change in my life and in Conscious Life Magazine

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 (unenjoyable) 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 in Exercises: • • •

Do set of squats or lunges while you cook dinner Try this 5-minute ab workout before bed Five these exercises at your desk 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.

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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!

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!

-----------------------------------------------------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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This is an example of a weekly workout plan that includes both strength/resistance training and burst training.

Legs 20 reps | Arms 15 reps | Chest/Back/Shoulders 12 reps

By Dr. Josh Axe, DC, DMN, CNS

You don’t need a gym membership. You don’t need fancy, expensive equipment. You don’t even have to leave your bedroom if you don’t want to! Burst training is a type of exercise that you can do anywhere, anytime.

It involves exercising at 90–100 percent of your maximum heart rate for 30–60 seconds, followed by 30–60 seconds of lower intensity exercise or resting.

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And it’s the most effective way to burn fat and lose weight. Studies have shown that people who do this type of burst or interval training lose SIX TIMES MORE FAT than people who do long distance cardio exercise.* And they exercise for HALF THE TIME! Here are some ideas to get you started. You can roll right out of bed in the morning and try any combination of these exercises. Pick a handful and burst for 10–20 minutes 3–5 times a week.

1. Run in place Keep your knees high and the speed fast. Make it really count!

2. Jumping Jacks This reminds me of my high school gym class days. But maybe they were onto something. See how many jumping jacks you can fit inside 30 seconds.

3. Squat pulses With your feet shoulder distance apart, squat low and move up and down slightly. Make sure your knees don’t come past your toes.

4. Jump rope Connect with your inner child and pick up a jump rope. Can you still double dutch?

5. Bike You can exercise in bursts either on a spin bike indoors or a bicycle outside. This is also a great exercise that can involve the whole family.

6. Swim Ok, so this one only works if you have a pool at your house. But if you don’t, you can swim in bursts anytime you’re at a lake, beach or community pool.

7. High jumps You don’t have to be Michael Jordan to get benefits from high jumping. Simply stand in place, reach your arms above your head and jump as fast you can for 30-60 seconds. *Results not typical, as regular exercise and proper nutrition are essential to achieving and maintaining your desired physique. Even using the same exact program of diet and exercise, be aware that individual results will vary.

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What's the big deal about my PVC yoga mat?

by Dominique Irwin of Earth Warrior Trying to get fitter, live cleaner and generally feel healthier? Ironically most yoga mats are made of polyvinyl chloride, or PVC; arguably the most toxic plastic in existence today.

What makes it so bad is its toxic and highly harmful ingredients which casually waft into the environment as well as our bodies during manufacture, use and disposal.

PVC’s main ingredients is chlorine which, when produced, releases harmful dioxins into the environment. Dioxins are known human carcinogens, linked to serious health problems such as cancer, reproductive, developmental and immune problems. In addition, PVC requires nasty additives, including heavy metals such as lead and phthalates.

You may have heard about phthalates or seen the word on labels. Phthalates (pronounced ‘tha-lates’) are a group of chemicals added to plastics to increase their pliability, transparency and durability. They are what make your yoga mat soft, flexible and grippy. That new car smell? Phthalates. New shower curtain smell? Phthalates.

Phthalates are known as ‘endocrine disruptors’ because they mimic the body’s hormones and are linked to liver and testicular cancer, reproductive problems, birth defects and learning disabilities. Phthalates are easily released into the environment because there are no covalent bonds between phthalates and the plastics in which they are mixed. We are exposed to pthalates when we get up-close and personal with our mats, breathing them in as they off-gas and by simple skin contact.

There is no safe way to destroy or even recycle yoga mats that contain PVC. When incinerated, PVC produces hydrogen chloride gas, that is extremely toxic to marine life, animals and of course humans. They are not biodegradable and when placed in landfills (many of which are unlined) they leach chemicals into soil and then eventually into ground and surface water.

Where to from here? Don’t worry, it’s not all doom and gloom! The good news is; alternatives exist for almost all uses of PVC. As consumers recognise the risks associated with PVC and increasingly opt for alternatives, we can start to replace and eventually phase out this poison plastic. By choosing PVC-free, it is possible to protect our health as well as the health of future generations and their planet.

Shop consciously friends. Choose PVC alternatives.

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Climate Change: Are We Not To Blame?

Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash

By Nathan Raaths – Mad Hatters Community – Group on Facebook

So many of us spend enormous amounts of energy arguing that we have not caused the destruction and devastation that is already upon us. The overwhelming majority of scientists say that we have caused climate change, the collapse of the insect's population, the extinction of millions of species, etc. Yet a large majority of people I talk to get upset and argue firstly that the climate shifts are natural, and secondly that the whole switching to green fuel and tech is a big money-making con. Some people even argue that species of animals have always been going extinct.

These arguments baffle me. They feel so lazy.

Regarding global warming been a scam. If that is true, then I say, "Please give them their money".

Let them make a fortune if it means we will switch to less toxic ways of sustaining ourselves. This argument is so toothless because if we don't make the switch those gas and oil giants that are in power continue to make a fortune in an industry secured by never-ending wars. I would much rather make someone rich in building solar panels.

I have no doubt we created climate change.

Even if we didn't, who gives a shit what caused it? Surely we can all see the world is dying rapidly. It does not matter what intellectual stance you take, we all have to respond the same.

With drastic action!

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The existing system must be revolutionized or torn down in the next ten years (we might already be too late). We are an endangered species avoiding action by locking in intellectual ego vanity. People will argue my points and miss the simplicity of what I am saying: supposed intellect has got us nowhere as a species. We need to reconnect and act. No one gives a shit what you or I think. Put your opinion down, it was given to you by some article anyway. Put your mental concepts and ideas down and take responsibility for how you treat the sacred mother beneath your feet.

We must simply act. This is the last window for action as a species. No one is going to be impressed by our intellectual debates when we as a species lie in ruin, simply because we became so arrogant that we thought we could live separate to nature. We are one with this planet, without nature even our mental health would become a pandemic.

It is time to reconnect, time to act.

Stop abusing plastic. Protect our oceans in every way. Secure our freshwater. Regenerate our forests. Protect all animals. Shut down toxic industries. STOP buying useless things we don't need!

It starts in your own home. You either vote for our demise or our redemption every time you swipe your card to buy a product. Consumerism is the disease that is raping the planet. They make this shit because you buy it. We have sold our mother for things.

I am done with arguments about climate change, Industrial Animal Farming, and consumerism.

Intellectual debates, fancy terms, and a healthy ego are not going to save us as a species. I just hear excuses. You all know what needs to be done. Every one of us does. Instead of arguing circles around those involved, at least admit that you are just not willing to change.

Many of us are ready to sacrifice any part of our old lifestyles if it means we can start to thrive as custodians of mother earth. If we can survive the next twenty years we will move into a golden age of man... if.

Photo by Bob Blob on Unsplash

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Image of roof tops in France by cocoparisienne from Pixabay

How buildings in Johannesburg could benefit from green roofs

By Anne Fitchett Associate Professor and Assistant Dean, University of the Witwatersrand, courtesy of www.theconversation.com September 8, 2019 10.11am SAST

There are about 500,000 square metres of green space in Chicago in the United States. Many of these are visible, not on the ground, but on building roofs across the city. Green roofs can be seen in a number of other cities around the world.

Green roofs are usually installed on flat roofs with vegetation planted in a growing medium on top of waterproofing, root barrier and cuspate sheeting. The sheeting retains moisture in between rainfall events or manual watering.

Research suggests that these roofs have a number of advantages. These include rainfall management by absorbing much of the rainwater for vegetation growth and the enhancement of biodiversity. They’re also a social amenity as a visual relief to the dominant concrete surfaces and some studies suggest there are psychological benefits for people overlooking such roofs.

Green roofs are also credited with attenuating extreme temperatures by keeping the rooms below the roof cool in summer and warm in winter.

We set out to study what benefits green roofs might bring to Johannesburg, a city in South Africa’s interior. There are a few buildings with green roofs in the inner city, but these are not common. Johannesburg’s climate – with high day time temperatures in summer and winter, as well as a distinctly seasonal summer rainfall – has not been previously researched to see whether its buildings might benefit from green roofs.

In our research, we focused on the improvement of comfort levels of rooms directly below the Conscious Life Magazine

roofs, since they are thought to act as insulators. We also explored the temperature moderation on the outer face of the roof. This could play a role in reducing the Urban Heat Island effect, a phenomenon that creates a bubble of warm air over a city that attracts rainfall over the city at the expense of the surrounding countryside.

Scale models We built three scale models: one of a vegetated roof, the other of a soil roof devoid of planting, and the third of a tile roof. These were fitted with heat sensors on the exterior and interior, which allowed us to explore the models’ thermal performance.

Four different methods of enclosure were used to simulate various walling conditions: no enclosure; low insulation walling to simulate informal dwellings; high insulation walling; and walling with a Perspex window to simulate a conventional dwelling. The maximum, minimum and mean temperatures for the upper and under sides of each roof were compared with each other and with the ambient temperature.

The scale models atop a building in Johannesburg. Anne Fitchett We carried out the research during the dry winter season, as this is when the highest variation in night to day temperatures are usually experienced, with a minimum of 0 degrees at night.

Exterior temperatures for the green roof closely matched ambient temperatures, suggesting that this roof type would help in minimising the Urban Heat Island effect. The soil roof returned the highest minimum temperatures, attributed to the dark colour of the soil that absorbs heat during the day. This roof gave the best thermal comfort levels at night; however, this roofing solution is Conscious Life Magazine

not recommended since the exterior maximum temperatures were considerably higher than the ambient temperature.

The plain tiled roof showed the greatest variation in temperature, both in the interior and on the external face.

The interior under the green roof had a minimal improvement on ambient temperatures. But it was well below the recommended minimum interior temperature of 19 °C promoted by national building standards.

Low-cost green housing solutions South Africa is a country that has a great need for affordable building. The inhabitants of these low-cost housing projects have few resources with which to improve their indoor climate, such as space heating and cooling. Moreover, most of South Africa’s energy is from non-renewable sources.

So it is important, from both an ecological and socio-economic stance, to develop low-cost housing solutions that are inherently comfortable and environmentally sustainable. The results of this study indicate that the use of vegetated roofs can provide one approach to affordable housing that mitigates the extremes of ambient temperature while offering the many other benefits claimed for green roofs.

Privashen Govender and Priya Vallabh, students in the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment at the University of the Witwatersrand, contributed to this article and the research it is based on.

Author: Anne Fitchett Associate Professor and Assistant Dean, University of the Witwatersrand Disclosure Statement: Anne Fitchett does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

Partners: University of the Witwatersrand provides support as a hosting partner of The Conversation AFRICA.

The Conversation is funded by the National Research Foundation, eight universities, including the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Rhodes University, Stellenbosch University and the Universities of Cape Town, Johannesburg, Kwa-Zulu Natal, Pretoria, and South Africa. It is hosted by the Universities of the Witwatersrand and Western Cape, the African Population and Health Research Centre and the Nigerian Academy of Science. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is a Strategic Partner. more

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The Amazon’s tallest tree just got 50% taller – and scientists don’t know how The Amazon’s new record-breaking tree. Tobias Jackson, Author provided

By Tobias Jackson and Sami Rifai courtesy of www.theconversation.com September 11, 2019 5.45pm SAST

Sometimes even the largest natural wonders can remain hidden from human view for centuries. The Amazon is a dense place, full of life with new species of flora and fauna being discovered every other day. Now, using the same technology that takes driverless cars from A to B, we – led by Eric Gorgens and Diego Armando da Silva, and along with colleagues from Brazil, Swansea, Oxford and Cambridge – have discovered the tallest tree in the rainforest.

At 88m tall, it dwarfs the previous record holders by almost 30m. And it’s not alone either. The Guiana Shield of north-eastern Amazonia, which accounts for nearly 9% of the world’s remaining tropical forests, may contain lots of these gigantic trees. With each one able to hold as much carbon as an average hectare of rainforest, our discovery means that the vast jungle may be a greater carbon sink than previously thought.

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We didn’t just stumble upon these trees while strolling in the forest. Between 2016 and 2018, Brazil’s National Institute for Space Research coordinated a project to laser scan large swaths of the Amazon. This project scanned 850 randomly distributed patches of forest, each 12km long and 300m wide. Seven of these patches contained evidence of trees taller than 80m. Most of them were located in the area surrounding the Jari river, a northern tributary of the Amazon.

Map of the journey showing waterfalls and landmarks. Black symbols are waterfalls, blue symbols secondary rivers and red star the target sites. Eric Gorgens, Author provided Even we were surprised by the mammoth tree heights that the scans reported, so we set out on a journey to confirm the findings with our own eyes, determine their species and, of course, climb them.

The journey We set off by boat from Laranjal do Jari in north-eastern Brazil, in humid 35℃ heat. The first Conscious Life Magazine

stage of our journey took us to the village of São Francisco do Iratapuru, a community who produce sustainable brazil nuts. The community provided four boats and 12 people to guide us up the river and through the dense and unforgiving forest.

Without their expert assistance we wouldn’t have cleared the hurdles that followed – the first of which was the Itacará waterfall. It took us all of the second day to haul the heavy wooden boats and all of our gear around over land carpeted with thick vegetation to avoid it.

Beyond Itacará, the river ranged from 300m wide and serene to 30m with rocks and rapids. We were relieved to see that someone had packed plenty of spare propellers for the outboard motors – by the end of the trip we had used every single one. At one point our propeller hit a submerged rock and snapped, leaving us without power or steering just as we were trying to force our way upstream through a section of rapids.

We crossed the equator on the third day and covered 70km, before spending most of the next day waist deep in the river, hauling the boats up through eight kilometres of rapids and rocks with ropes and hands.

Having travelled 240km in total, we finally arrived at base camp on the sixth day. Many of the tall trees were pretty close to the river, so we could visit them quite easily from our camp – although cutting through the dense undergrowth was such tough work that we didn’t have time to visit all of the target sites revealed by the laser data.

We spent the next few days collecting samples and taking measurements of the trees. The highlight was our climber, Fabiano, shooting straight up the trees to measure their height the old-fashioned way – by dangling a rope from the top.

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We found at least 15 giant trees, all of which were over 70m tall and some easily topping 80 m.

Surprisingly in this diverse tropical forest, all these trees were of the same species – Angelim vermelho (Dinizia excelsa). This species is common in the Amazon, often used for timber because of its strong, albeit smelly wood. Previously, hoever, it was thought to grow to only 60m.

We found at least 15 giant trees, all of which were over 70m tall and some easily topping 80 m.

Surprisingly in this diverse tropical forest, all these trees were of the same species – Angelim vermelho (Dinizia excelsa). This species is common in the Amazon, often used for timber because of its strong, albeit smelly wood. Previously, hoever, it was thought to grow to only 60m.

We don’t yet know how these trees managed to grow so much higher. As pioneer species – the first to grow into any new areas or gaps in vegetation – it’s possible that they took advantage of some past disturbance that cleared part of the forest, perhaps caused by a storm or by human habitation. The fact that they have survived so long and grown so tall must be at least in part thanks to their sheer remoteness from urban areas and industry.

Carbon colossus The laser scanning technology that has enabled this and other recent mammoth tree discoveries isn’t just a plaything for tree lovers. It allows scientists to map forest structure and carbon storage in amazing detail and at unprecedented scales, and so better assess their importance in the global carbon cycle. A number of projects are also collecting repeat data, which will allow us to monitor the changing health in vital forests like these.

In this case, our research suggests that the north-east of the Amazon could store far more carbon than previously thought. Each Angelim vermelho can store as many as 40 tonnes of carbon – that’s between 300 and 500 smaller trees, while occupying the space of only 20. And Conscious Life Magazine

although we only visited 15 trees, this was a small proportion of the trees the laser scanning data revealed, which was itself covered only a tiny proportion of the Guiana Shield. So, there are likely to be many more giant trees out there – and some may be even taller than our record-breaker.

In the current political climate, there are plenty of reasons to worry about the Amazon, but there is also still room for wonder. The fact that discoveries like these are still being made – even while parts of the forest are being destroyed by logging, burning and agricultural expansion – demonstrates how much there is still to learn about this amazing and mysterious ecosystem.

Sadly, it is likely that many unknown species in the Amazon will become extinct before we even discover them. We must do all we can to protect this majestic rainforest and the treasures – both known and undiscovered – it holds within.

Read more: Amazon fires: eight ways you can help stop the rainforest burning

University of Cambridge and University of Oxford provide funding as members of The Conversation UK.

The Conversation is funded by the National Research Foundation, eight universities, including the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Rhodes University, Stellenbosch University and the Universities of Cape Town, Johannesburg, Kwa-Zulu Natal, Pretoria, and South Africa. It is hosted by the Universities of the Witwatersrand and Western Cape, the African Population and Health Research Centre and the Nigerian Academy of Science. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is a Strategic Partner. more

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Sustainable Hemp Clothing Industrial hemp is the superstar of natural fibres and if you enjoy the smooth feel of soft fabric against your skin, you will love the comfort and style of hemp clothing. Ecofriendly hemp clothing is set to become the next big thing in the fashion industry and many experts believe it will eventually supersede cotton, linen and polyester completely.

This is inevitable owing to the many unique qualities that hemp clothing provides - and on a grander scale - industrial hemp is by far the most eco-friendly, sustainable fibreproducing plant on the planet!

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Filled with inspiring articles on the Montessori Method, bringing Montessori into the home; conscious parenting, conscious living, wellness, self improvement, fitness &more.

To Subscribe to the Child of the Universe Montessori Mag-nificence Parenting Online Magazine for Free, Click Here Your monthly free digital mag will be emailed to you* *by subscribing, you acknowledge that your email address and name will be added to the publishers of Conscious Life Magazine’s database. The publishers are, Vinloco Media & 2Luni Media. You will only receive your monthly magazine and, from time to time, mails related to Conscious Life Magazine and the Child of The Universe Parenting Magazines. You can unsubscribe at any time using the link in the mailer you receive.

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The Hot CBD Trend for Pets - Risky or a Godsend?

Analysis by Dr. Karen Shaw Becker Cannabidiol (CBD) products for dogs and cats are now flooding the market as more and more pet parents search for nontoxic remedies for pain and other conditions in their animal companions. There’s considerable confusion all around regarding what, exactly, cannabidiol is and does, and how it differs from medical marijuana, since knowledgeable pet owners realize that exposure to marijuana can be toxic for dogs and cats.

As an integrative practitioner, I feel it’s extremely important to clarify the confusion surrounding the CBD issue because I’ve found this herbal remedy to be incredibly beneficial for a multitude of different medical and behavioral issues in veterinary medicine. By identifying the misconceptions surrounding this plant extract I hope more pets will be provided the opportunity to experience the benefits of CBD. Conscious Life Magazine

Cannabidiol Primer CBD is a cannabinoid containing naturally occurring chemicals that act on the brain and body.

The oil is produced from the cannabis plant and has no psychoactive properties like the THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) found in marijuana. Since it’s considered to have a wider range of medical benefits than THC, it can be a win-win for pets.

CBD is extracted from cannabis plants and processed as an isolate or as a full-spectrum oil combined with other related cannabinoids. CBD oils made with full-spectrum extracts are thought to have superior therapeutic effects versus cannabidiol-only oil. There are two common strains of cannabis in use today — hemp and marijuana. Hemp is a cannabis plant that contains less than 0.3% of THC; marijuana has more than 0.3%. CBD products for pets are typically sourced from hemp.

Humans, dogs, cats and all creatures with a spinal column have an endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS was discovered fairly recently and named for the Cannabis sativa L. plant species due to the plant’s ability to dramatically affect it.

The job of the ECS is to regulate functions such as eating, sleeping, relaxing, protecting and forgetting by maintaining homeostasis via activators and receptors located in the central nervous system and immune system. Cannabinoids function as messengers for the ECS, and according to Bark magazine:

“… [T]heir effects depend on the receptors to which they bind. This is a very specific process; a receptor will only accept the particular compound for which it exists, and is unaffected by others.”1 Why Pet Parents and Caregivers Seek Out CBD Products Lynne Tingle, who founded the Milo Foundation, a pet adoption center and animal sanctuary, uses edible cannabis products and ointments with senior dogs for both health and behavioral problems. As Tingle told Fox Q13 News: “You just see a real difference in their spirit. They’re just not in pain, so they’re happier and they’re moving better … They just get a new lease on life.”2 The news outlet also spoke with the owners of a company that makes cannabis tinctures for treating pet anxiety, loss of appetite, pain and inflammation, diseases like cancer and glaucoma, and kidney and liver problems. Co-founder Alison Ettel said: “What we find is a lot of the animals are coming to us when there are no other options and pharmaceuticals haven’t worked for that animal. They’re at that last resort, and cannabis is really good for those types of situations.”

Dr. Rob Silver, a veterinarian and herbalist and my primary resource for all things CBD-related, explains that one of the most common applications for CBD is for anxiety and behavior issues in dogs. It seems to work very well at low dosages for hyper dogs.

Further, cannabinoids have a strong affinity for the brain and nervous tissue and are able to easily cross the blood-brain barrier. This makes them helpful for certain types of seizure disorders Conscious Life Magazine

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as well as applications like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Pain management is another area where CBD products shine, even in cases of cancer pain.

The New York Times described the case of a 12-year-old chow-shepherd mix who was diagnosed with bone cancer and unable to tolerate a prescription painkiller. His owner bought him a cannabis-based tincture, and within four months he was able to reduce his painkillers while moving “with some of his old swagger.”3 Dr. Silver also described a client with a dog who had osteosarcoma (bone cancer) and was in a great deal of pain. The owner decided to offer cannabinoids to his pet, and after just five days, the dog was able to begin putting weight on the leg with the tumor.

CBD Studies in Pets Recently at the Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Dr. Stephanie McGrath, who specializes in treating seizure disorders and inflammatory brain diseases in animals, completed a study of CBD for the treatment of epilepsy in dogs. Results of the study are scheduled for publication later this year. According to Bark magazine, one of the most important findings was that nearly 90% of dogs given CBD experienced a reduction in the frequency of seizures.

Another study recently completed at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine in collaboration with a manufacturer of CBD oil, concluded that 2 mg/kg of cannabidiol oil twice daily helped increase comfort and activity in dogs with osteoarthritis.4 The Canine Brief Pain Inventory score and the Hudson activity score were used to assess pain and lameness in the dogs, and the researchers observed that the results support anecdotal reports of CBD oil’s benefits. Veterinary assessments, the pain inventory and the activity score showed a significant reduction in pain and an increase in activity in the dogs who received CBD treatment.

The research team is currently conducting a similar trial with cats, and there are additional studies planned to evaluate the use of CBD oil in treating acute pain, behavior issues and during chemotherapy for pets with cancer.

Sources for CBD Products for Pets Dr. McGrath at Colorado State used a CBD product manufactured by Applied Basic Science Corporation, and vouches for its safety. She also recommends, if you’re already using a CBD product or are considering one, that you try to get a “Certificate of Analysis” which should show you how much THC is in the product (it should never be over 0.3%), how it’s made, and whether it’s organic and free of pesticides and other chemicals.

The Cornell researchers used CBD products made by ElleVet Sciences. Dr. Robert Silver also has a wealth of cannabis-related material and CBD products online at his Well-Pet Dispensary.

I think the most important thing to remember about CBD is that if you don’t think you see improvement with one brand, I recommend trying several others, as potency, strain, extraction technique and a variety of other factors ultimately impact the efficaciousness of the end product.

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Medicinal

CANNABIS  You don’t get high like “Recreational Cannabis”  Every plant contains a pain-killer, anti-inflammatory and helps to balance your blood pressure and cholesterol  Plus each plant has a benefit for a different part of your body Noone has ever died from Cannabis  Although it is known as Medicinal “Cannabis” it is really “Cannabinoids” that are extracted from the Cannabis plant  We can extract from several other plants but get the best variety from Cannabis plants  You are born with Cannabinoids in your body  Your body produces THC every day  CBD is a food supplement and on its own has little value  You need to add THC to activate the CBD - huge difference

Understanding Medicinal Cannabis Presentations Medicinal Cannabis is coming – we all know that. What we all need to know is the truth about this amazing plant and how we can work with it.

Dr Gallow will be holding 90 minute explanation presentations in all major centres over the next few weeks. For full details of dates and times please email editor@CannabisOilResearch.com

Dr Gallow is head of research at Cannabis Oil Research. She is registered with the HPCSA in Clinical Pathology as a Medical Scientist. Also a Registered Professional Natural Scientist with the SACNASP, an Ethno medicine Medical Practitioner with EPASA and is also a registered Dr with the ANHA. She holds 3 Masters Degrees. Medical Science (MMedSci), Public Health (MPH), Business Admin (MBA) and a PHD. She has also completed a Medical Cannabis accredited course with the University of Washington for Doctors. The Universities she obtained her degrees include Durban, Roehampton UK, Open University UK, Washington, UNISA and the MBA was affiliated with HARVARD University. To add to her educational profile Dr Gallow is also a qualified trainer, assessor and moderator with SETA and ETDP SAQA, as well as a Prince 2 Practitioner registered with APMG. Lastly Dr Gallow has completed the Dispensing of Medicines Diploma and is registered with the DOH.

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For a full list of events and to book a stay, please visit out page by clicking on our logo below:

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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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Monthly Online Free Parenting Magazine filled with inspiring articles on the conscious parenting, conscious living, wellness, self improvement, fitness &more.

To Subscribe to the Child of the Universe Positive Parenting Online Magazine for Free, Click Here Your monthly free digital mag will be emailed to you* *by subscribing, you acknowledge that your email address and name will be added to the publishers of Conscious Life Magazine’s database. The publishers are, Vinloco Media & 2Luni Media. You will only receive your monthly magazine and, from time to time, mails related to Conscious Life Magazine and the Child of The Universe Parenting Magazines. You can unsubscribe at any time using the link in the mailer you receive.

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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

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The Buddhist Retreat Centre, where people of all religions, and none, come to experience peace and tranquility.

How to Retreat The Buddhist Retreat Centre offers various types of retreats, ranging from those investigating Buddhist thought and philosophy, through to practice retreats where the emphasis is on meditation; as well as retreats featuring bird watching, cookery, drumming, pottery and photography. At first glance the latter might appear to be unrelated to Buddhism but even these retreats will contain some element of meditation, of mindful awareness, refracting the chosen subject matter through a Buddhist lens.

People from all walks of life come to these retreats with a variety of motivations and expectations. Perhaps they want to deepen their meditation practice, to take some time out from a hectic working life; to reflect on a tense domestic situation; to consider the trajectory of their lives; to make a decision about a way forward. Maybe they just want to learn how to take a good photograph. Each person will have a different reason for going on a retreat. Different paths will have led them to this place.

We all need to make an appointment with ourselves from time to time. To re-connect with who we are; to maintain balance; to recharge exhausted batteries. To make time to go on a retreat is a necessary and healthy step for anyone.

General Information The Centre has been established on an exquisite 125-hectare country estate near the village of Ixopo, KwaZuluNatal 90 kilometers south of Pietermaritzburg, one and a half hours’ drive from Durban.

Set in hilly grasslands amongst dams, indigenous bush and forests, it overlooks one of the great valleys in the Umkomaas river system. CNN featured the BRC as one of the ten finest retreat centres in the world. It was awarded Natural Heritage status by President Nelson Mandela in recognition of its success in establishing indigenous vegetation on the property and providing habitats for wildlife to return, including the endangered Blue Swallow. It is a birder’s paradise with more 160 species recorded.

Walks lead to many interesting sites and viewpoints on the property, including evidence that Bushman lived there and Voortrekkers and Settlers passed through. In 2000, the BRC facilitated the founding of Woza Moya, the community-based NGO, located in Ufafa valley. It continues to support the organisation in a variety of ways.

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Accommodation Fifty retreatants can be accommodated in single and twin-bedded rooms, en-suite cottages and thatched chalets overlooking the secluded valleys on the property – a short distance away from the dining room, office, library, studio and meditation hall.

The Centre is justly famous for its fine lacto-ovo vegetarian cuisine which is featured in its own bestselling recipe books, Quiet Food, The Cake the Buddha Ate and Plentiful: The Big Book Of Buddha Food. The BRC menu includes organically grown vegetables and farm-baked bread.

Observances The Retreat Centre offers a tranquil environment for the study and practice of philosophy, psychology, meditation and the arts associated with Buddhist culture. The Centre therefore encourages adherence to traditional Buddhist moral principles during retreats, such as respect for all forms of life and abstinence from alcoholic drinks and hallucinogenic drugs. Noble Silence is maintained from the last meditation at night until the first session after breakfast in the morning.

During some retreats, Noble Silence is maintained throughout. Pets are not allowed at the Centre. Only some retreats are suitable for children: please check with the Administrator.

Forthcoming Retreats: For full details of each retreat please go to the website page: http://www.brcixopo.co.za/retreats/detailed-list-ofretreats.html

Email: brcixopo@futurenet.co.za Tel: +27(0)39 834 1863 or 0878091687 Mobile: 082 579 3037 www.brcixopo.co.za

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The Beautiful Hopi Indian Labyrinth at Thirsty Falls Guest Farm

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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.

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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

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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

Hotel Hope Ministries is a fully registered South African non-profit organisation established with aim of ensuring that each and every child is brought up in a safe, happy and healthy home so that they can grow up and develop into responsible and positive adults. Although children are our main focus, we have a holistic approach to the problem of orphaned and abandoned children. We realise that we need to focus on the cause of the problem too and not only the symptoms. So we have projects to focus on assisting Mothers and Fathers, so that they can look after themselves and their children.

We group our projects under three focus areas: BABIES IN NEED Creating and supporting several small family style foster homes for orphaned and abandoned babies.

MOTHERS IN CRISIS Providing young mothers facing unplanned pregnancies with counselling, guidance and practical support.

SOCIAL ENTERPRISE Helping Mothers and Fathers to help themselves by providing jobs and skill development opportunities through our fundraising and trading projects.

As a fully registered South African charity we are registered with the following authorities: · Section 21 company without share capital - 2010/006792/08 · Non-Profit Organization (NPO) number – 084 289 · Public Benefit Organization (PBO) number – 930 034 387 Mission statement: To engage the local Church Worldwide to embrace its God given responsibility of taking care of destitute mothers and orphaned and abandoned children.

Vision statement: To see a full service (either ourselves or in partner with others) covering: •Children’s homes •Adoption advocacy •Mothers in crisis •Counselling centres •Training Academy •Charity shops / trading Conscious Life Magazine

Our fundraising model: We have a unique funding model in place where we are able to generate funds to cover 100% of our administrative costs through our Charity Shop(s) as well as the output of our carpentry workshop and sewing workshop. We are extremely committed to Social enterprise as it creates employment in South Africa, funds for the Charity, volunteering opportunities as well as a lowpriced outlet for customers from low-income groups. Furthermore we can assure donors that 100% of their support will directly benefit the children in our care as well as mothers in crisispregnancy situations.

Thank you to our donors and corporate sponsors: As an organisation we are incredibly blessed to have many active supporters, individuals and corporates, who make it possible for us to do what we do and to make a difference. People often comment that it must be difficult to work in our environment hearing sad stories all the time, and it is sometimes hard, but it is also so rewarding to see those stories turning into stories of hope and it is so inspiring and such a privilege to witness people, like our supporters, coming forward to help and to give so generously. There are amazing people out there in the world, click here to see who some of them are and how they have made a difference‌ Click here Our Sponsors:

DONATE FINANCIALLY Deposit or Electronic transfer directly into our account First National Bank Account name: Hotel Hope Account number: 62194003382 Branch: Melville, Johannesburg Branch code (sort code): 256505 Account type: Cheque account SWIFT code: FIRNZAJJ (For international deposits) Reference: Donation (your name) OTHER WAYS TO DONATE/HELP US Conscious Life Magazine

Dear Reader, Because of animal lovers like you, Humane Society International is working around the clock to fight the gruesome dog meat industry – to end it for good.

We’ve slammed the doors permanently on nine dog meat farms in South Korea and rescued more than 900 dogs. Not only that, but we’re lobbying hard for better laws throughout Asia to fight the cruelty, transition farmers out of the business of cruelty, and so much more.

Here is one transformation that we can't stop smiling about. Sophie was rescued just this year from a horrible life on a dog meat farm. Now, she is running free and playing in the grass, surrounded by the love of her forever family:

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This kind of ending never gets old, but so many other dogs still need you.

You can make a difference for dogs caught up in this brutal industry: Sign the dog meat pledge today.

With you by our side, we're committed to this huge fight against the dog meat trade. We’re closing farms and rescuing the animals; we’re raising public and political awareness of the cruelty involved; and we’re growing substantial support for a phase out and ban of South Korea’s dog meat farms. Become a part of the global campaign to end the dog meat trade—sign your name right now.

Thank you, for protecting animals from cruelty all across the globe.

Sincerely, Kitty Block President Humane Society International

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Who we are: The Monkey Helpline, started in 1995, is a volunteer group, based in Westville near Durban in KwaZulu-Natal, but operating throughout the province and also anywhere else in South Africa and abroad where our assistance and advice are requested.

Our team of dedicated rescuers and rescue assistants, veterinarians, educators, monitors, fund-raisers, administrative assistants and supporters is what makes this project the success that it is today.

Monkey Helpline is a registered NPO. 130-166 NPO What we do: As a team we devote our time to educating people about the reasons why the monkeys are here, why monkeys behave the way they do, the things people should do or not do when monkeys are around, and how to humanely keep monkeys away from those places where they are not welcome. Just knowing that monkeys will NOT attack and bite people, and that they DON’T carry rabies, is usually enough to change antagonism and fear into tolerance, and frequently into appreciation.

We also run a rescue operation and a “high care” unit. We rescue an average of three monkeys every two days, and their injuries range from wounds sustained during fights with other monkeys, dog bites, being run over by motor vehicles, electrocuted, snared, trapped or poisoned, shot with airguns (pellet/BB guns), catapults, paintball guns and firearms, as well as being caught or injured on razor-wire. Many are babies who are orphaned or injured when mother monkeys are attacked by dogs or other monkeys, or are severely injured or killed in human-related incidents.

Over eighty percent of the monkeys we rescue, irrespective of the reason why, have got air-gun pellets lodged in their bodies. Lead pellets cause terrible pain, suffering and a lingering death and no person, adult or child, should ever shoot monkeys, or any other animals, with an air-gun.

As the only dedicated monkey rescue project in KwaZulu-Natal, the Monkey Helpline is available to do rescues 24 hours a day, every day! On any given day we are treating ten or more monkeys in our home-based high care unit – frequently in excess of twenty monkeys! Once they have recovered from their injuries these monkeys are released back into their home territory, transferred to a rehabilitation facility or placed in a sanctuary.

Education is a vital tool in our hands and we distribute thousands of information leaflets, and visit many schools (at least two schools per week) to do educational talks about the monkeys. During 2009 we spoke to over 40 000 school learners and their teachers. We also do talks to many other interest groups such as police cadets, garden clubs, public service groups, conservation bodies, body corporates, etc. In addition, we advise farmers, businesses, hotels and casinos, housing and golfing estates, botanical gardens etc on the best ways to manage human/monkey “conflict”.

Monkey Helpline networks with a number of other Vervet-related individuals, groups, and general primate- and animal-care NGO’s.

NB. There is no charge for the services we offer, but donations towards the cost of running the project are welcome. Without your support we would not be able to change attitudes and legislation in favour of the monkeys nor would we be able to rescue the hundreds that we do every year and alleviate their suffering.

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

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