Cotu conscious 17th

ISSUE 17 * OCTOBER 2015

SMILE with Danny K, Kabelo and Thuli Madonsela

Pure Powerful Reiki

Awakening the depth of Women’s Brilliance Official Media Partner Soulspace 2015

Letting Go of a Bad Relationship

PUBLISHER 2Luni Media

ed’s letter Greetings on this full moon eclipse, I hope you all enjoyed the amazement of its beauty.

EDITOR Linda Navon 071 346 8138 OUR “Little Boss” Carmen Che Jardim SALES & MARKETING Cj Stott Matticks 082 900 1010 FREELANCE WRITER Arizona Quinn DISTRIBUTION & RESEARCH Lee Coulter OFFICES Sonata Square Olivedale TEL: (011) 462-2900 0110 262 643 FOR ADVERTISING PLEASE CALL Cj ON 082 900 1010 Email: candida@childoftheuniverse.co.za

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.

Well done to our team for beating the pants off Samoa. Keep it up boys, we are all rooting for you.

We are very sad at the passing of Wayne Dyer, and in his honour and memory we have a lovely hamper of his books, CD’s and DVD’s to give away.

Most of our lives have been touched by his works.

In this edition we are proud to be featuring the SHOUT initiative and their new song and video SMILE! Read our feature story on Danny K and Kabelo, and please show your support.

We are also very chuffed to have Thuli Madonsela on one of our covers.

Lisa is a regular motivator to get your body into shape with eating and exercise programmes, easy to do at home.

Paul from Vondis will fill you in on a Vegan diet for your dogs. Now there is no excuse for our pets not to join us at the dinner table!

You will notice that this is a very ‘yellow’ issue, which is in celebration of SMILE, support for the Sunflower Fund and to welcome Summer into our lives. Out with the sunscreen and buy a Bandana for your heads please!

Child of the Universe is adopting a vervet monkey, so watch our facebook page, and we will introduce him/her in the next edition. We will post details on how you can also ‘adopt’ a furry baby.

Enjoy the world blossoming around you.

Until the next edition, happy days!

www.childoftheuniverse.co.za

Namaste Linda and Cj xXx

This is Lion, he supports everything that we do!

contents montessori

positive parenting • Parenting tips for the Montessori home • Yes you can – Montessori @ home

• Thank you for being you • A window into a child’s world • Teaching gratitude

daddy dynamics

SHOUT • Feature story on SHOUT Danny K • Kabelo • Thuli Madonsela • SMILE

reach out

• 12 ways for Dad to Bond with Baby

healthy living • Imagine • Meet the furry babies • Help Jordan hear

body mind & soul • • • •

Relationship workshops Pure Reiki Protect your energy Letting go of a bad relationship • Lead by example • Connect with yourself • Women’s brilliance

•

•

What’s the deal with sugar-free How to avoid getting arthritis

fitness & exercise Toning up in a hurry

by Lisa Raleigh

contents animal world Vegan diets for dogs

reading Hay House Reviews Wayne Dyer books

giveaways • •

Wayne Dyer hampers MyTchai hampers

ABOUT SHOUT SHOUT for a Safer South Africa was founded in 2007 by musicians Danny K and Kabelo Mabalane following the murder of Lucky Dube, as a registered Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) and BEE certified charity.

For Danny K, Lucky Dube’s untimely death was the last straw in the unrelenting effects and pressures of the crime epidemic in the country.

He joined forces with Kabelo to produce a remake of the 1984 Tears for Fears hit, “Shout”, spreading a strong anti-crime message with the help of a host of local musicians and celebrities. The track shattered all records and became the biggest full track download in South African music history, receiving the 2010 SAMA in recognition.

Since then, SHOUT has established itself as one of South Africa’s most recognisable and credible movements against crime and violence. At its core, it believes in active citizenship and playing a part in moving South Africa forward.

In 2012, SHOUT released its second song, “You’re the Voice”, once again with the help of local celebrities uniting for the campaign. The follow up was equally as successful as the previous campaign, again winning a SAMA for the biggest full track download and solidifying SHOUT as a crime-fighting NPO.

CLICK ON VIDEO SHOTS ABOVE TO VIEW ONLINE or go to www.shoutsa.com

SHOUT launched its third track on the 1st of September to the public, as it continues it’s fight against crime and violence in South Africa. SMILE is an original song written by Mi Casa and SHOUT co-founders, Kabelo and Danny K and produced by Danny K. It features a host of top local musicians, celebrities and influencers lending their talents to the track and accompanying music video. All funds raised from the download of the new song will go towards the building of SHOUT libraries across the country.

SMILE is available as a full track download.

SMS ‘Smile’ to 40388 to donate R20 and get the track!

SHOUT has been known for bringing South Africans together to play their part in moving the country forward since its launch in 2007. For the past eight years the organisation has been hard at work using the funds raised from its first two tracks, ‘Shout’ and ‘You’re the Voice’ to help fight crime by donating to a variety of crime-focused NGOs and initiatives. With the launch of what has been dubbed SHOUT 3, the focus now shifts to education.

The roll-out of the SHOUT libraries has already begun, with three having been built Soweto, Mitchells Plain and Phalaborwa. Danny K and Kabelo’s aim is to reach the most needy schools and communities and to ensure that the libraries are not only built, but also managed and stocked properly, with the children being taught the skills to use them appropriately.

“By reaching young kids and encouraging them to work hard at getting an education, they will be better equipped to live a successful and crimefree life,” says Danny K. “This is why we have decided to use the funds raised from downloads of SMILE to build libraries in primary schools across South Africa.”

It is this vision, along with the legacy of SHOUT that has seen South Africa’s best known personalities gather together for a third time to be part of SMILE. Musicians as diverse as Johnny Clegg, Cassper Nyovest and Hugh Masekela have been joined by the likes of Derek Watts and Thuli Madonsela to create what is set to become SHOUT’s most successful campaign yet.

“Our legacy of making a real difference in several different initiatives over the years speaks to our sustainability as an NPO and our commitment to fighting against violence and crime,” says Kabelo.

“As we begin the next chapter, we are confident that we will continue to make a real difference and make South Africa SMILE.”

ABOUT DANNY K

By Linda Navon

What can a person say about Danny K in a few short sentences?

The internet and social media have many stories to tell and loads of info on Danny K and his life.

Child of the Universe wanted to know a few things about Danny, so I made the call… I am not going to kid you, I was an equal mix of petrified and excited to speak to him! No idea why, as I have grown up with musicians and celebs, but there is something about Danny K and his mission that just hits a person between the eyes.

Like Danny’s mother and manager, Pam, he is a delight to speak to, completely down to earth and very open about answering my questions.

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE HE HAS EVER FACED AND HOW DID HE COPE? The passing of his younger brother in a helicopter accident 12 years ago. On dealing with the grief, he says you learn to live with it and ‘compartmentalize it’.

You keep on living and make the most of life, and keep the happy memories alive.

DOES HE REGRET GETTING INTO THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY Not at all, never. Danny K is able to use his talent and public profile to further the SHOUT initiative and be able to put something back into the community.

WHAT DOES HE HAVE ON HIS ‘BUCKET LIST’?

All travel related.

• His son, Jayden, was born on the 4th of July 2014 – Independence Day. He wants to take him to Disneyland for his birthday when he is old enough to enjoy it.

• He would like to take his wife, Lisa, to Paris again.

• He also wants to visit Tokyo.

WHAT DOES HE DO WHEN HE GETS SOME DOWNTIME? Ie WHAT ARE HIS GUILTY PLEASURES? Watching cheesy reality shows like Batchelorette, Amazing Race, ETC. He leaves the Kardashians to his wife. His fave series is Curb Your Enthusiasm.

WHAT ONE TRAIT/QUALITY WOULD HE LIKE TO INSTILL IN HIS? Morals – to be true Mensch! (a person of integrity and honour) & Kind… kindness is underrated these days.

THANK YOU DANNY K YOU MAKE US SMILE!

ABOUT KABELO MABALANE Kabelo Mabalane - better known by his fans as Bouga Luv, needs no introduction. He is an inspirational brand that has been in the music industry for the past 19 years and has made a notable mark on the South African music landscape as a living Kwaito legend.

With 10 SAMA award wins under his belt, Kabelo Mabalane’s talent speaks for itself.

Kabelo’s music career started in 1996 when he met high school friends Zwai Bala & Tokollo Tshabalala at St. Stithians to form the group TKZee. The group arrived on the Kwaito scene releasing singles “Take It Eezy” and then “Phalafala” which became a national anthem for the December holidays in 1996. “Shibobo” was yet another hit single released in 1998 featuring Benni McCarthy. This was at the height of soccer fever during the France World Cup for which South Africa had qualified. The single was produced by Zwai Bala and went on to become SA’s fastest and biggest selling single ever, reaching over 280 000 units with an unprecedented 100 000 units sold in the 1st month.

When Halloween hit the streets later that year, the album sold over 300 000 copies. The group raked in awards at the South African Music Awards (SAMAs), in 1999; they took home an unprecedented five awards for Best Kwaito Single, Best Kwaito Album, Best Single, Best Video and Best Duo or Group. TKZee scooped a SAMA in 2001 for best Kwaito Single for “Izinjazam”. TKZee Family’s Guz 2001 was a runaway success reaching triple Platinum status.

Kabelo has since released award winning albums, presented South African Music Awards and started his own record label - Faith Records.

He has opened shows for American world famous musicians such as JayZ, 50 Cent, Ja Rule and Rihanna. Kabelo won the 2004 Kora Award for the Best Southern African Male Artist. Along with his TKZee bandmates (Tokollo Tshabalala and Zwai Bala), Kabelo performed at the 2010 FIFA World Cup opening ceremony. Kabelo’s 8th solo album, Immortal Vol.2, featured tracks with the likes of Big Nuz “Impilo”; RealBlackPearl “IceCream Soda”; George Avakian “What You Need”; Hip Hop superstar AKA “Generation X2Y”; and an exciting up and coming Nigerian vocalist and producer called Kani “Samboro”. Immortal Vol. 2 is a worthy addition to Kabelo's illustrious solo catalogue that has seen him win a myriad of awards including an unprecedented 3 Best Kwaito Album SAMAs, a Channel O Award for Most Gifted Kwaito Video and a Kora Award for Best Southern African Male.

ABOUT THULI MADONSELA Advocate Thulisile (Thuli) Madonsela: Public Protector-RSA Thulisile Madonsela is South Africa's Public Protector. She is also a Human Rights Lawyer and Equality Expert. Madonsela is one of the 11 technical experts who helped the Constitutional Assembly draft the final constitution in 1994 and 1995. Previously, she was a member of a Task Team that prepared constitutional inputs for the Gauteng Province of the African National Congress. She presented the final document at the African National Congress' Gauteng Constitutional Conference in 1995.

“You know what they say – if you want something done, get a woman to do it.

We’re often most fearless at times when it is least expected. I am reminded of this whenever I come across the name of Public Protector Thuli Madonsela – softspoken and seemingly unassuming, she has revealed a heart of steel.

“Earlier this year, she dispelled the notion that national police commissioner Bheki Cele is untouchable by finding him guilty of improper conduct and misadministration regarding the controversial lease agreement for police headquarters in Pretoria. She also took on the minister of public works, Gwen Mahlangu-Nkabinde, for her involvement in the saga. And in April, she submitted a report to parliament on the failure of President Jacob Zuma and other cabinet ministers to declare their business interests.

“In a country where largely cynical citizens expect corrupt officials to, at best, get a slap on the wrist – and, at worst, be promoted – Thuli has shown that this needn’t be the case. With conviction, a passion for democracy and a refusal to be intimidated, one person can take on the most powerful – and win. By investigating corruption without fear or favour, Thuli has added much-needed credibility to the office of the public protector. And when it comes to her dedication to getting her job done, we should all find our own ways to follow her example.”

First published in O, The Oprah Magazine August 2011, The O Power List 2011 http://www.oprahmag.co.za/live-your-best-life/career/thuli-madonsela-the-powerof-conviction

reach out

“Look into my eyes and you will see the same expressions of pain, despair, hunger, happiness and love that other little babies feel”.

Many of us get hit by cars, shot with pellet guns and often watch our mothers die on the side of the road.

Luckily for some of us we are rescued and end up in the care of Tracy, who takes us to Aunty Dr Kerry Eason in Durban for our injuries. Tracy is an angel to us, she cares for us and makes us feel better – we love her.

We need all the same things that human babies need like bottles to feed us warm milk, blankets and other baby items.

Tracy Rowles This amazing woman dedicates all her time to the rescue and rehabilitation of vervet monkeys on the KZN coast, in and around the Umkomaas area. She is on call 24/7, caring for the injured babies and often the older monkeys. She sees the horror of what these animals go through when they are injured – she also feels the joy when her little monkeys get well again.

Its all about saving furry babies

Umsizi Umkomaas Vervet Rescue Centre

Watch Tommy get his balance!

CONTACT DETAILS Tracy Rowles Mobile: 072 883 5119 Email: tracymonkeylady@gmail.com www.umsizi.za.org

ADOPTING A BABA Would anyone like to be Tommy's Adoptive mommy and support his care and feedings. R200 per month and you get a certificate, visiting rights as well as tagged in all his photos and updates. He is our first orphan of the season this year and after a traumatic past he needs all the milk and spoils of nice toys and blankets to keep him a happy baba.

There will be lots more babies up for adoption.

An Invitation to a Baby Shower with a difference "You are cordially invited to Umsizi's Vervet Rescue's baby shower. We at Umsizi are throwing a baby shower to try get together all our needed items before the little ones start arriving so that we can offer, not only all our love and attention, but the best possible care and enrichment for these traumatized little souls.

With their mothers gone forever they need all the light and joy we can give and we need the your help to do that To donate your items you can deposit in our bank the amount chosen with a list of the items you want to see purchased. Any left over money will go towards monkey food of course. You may also drop off donations at Scottborough Vet or directly at Umsizi, just please phone Tracy to arrange before arriving.

You can follow our progress on facebook as to how the basket is filling up, and also meet our new babies.

Bank Details and a list of items and prices are below: Bank: FNB (non profit) Chq Acc No: 624 987 321 58 Branch Code: 250 655 Swift Code: FIRNZAJJ

Items Needed: Price list: Small Lactogen 1 R 160 Large Lactogen 1 R 280 Porridge small R 30 Porridge large R 60 Fluffy blankets R 50 Towels R40 Toys R 10 and up Wet wipes R 35 Bottles R 36 (Available at vet) Meds R50 and up

Thanks so much to all our supporters . Tracy is working really hard to make a difference for these guys - let’s help as much as we can!

JORDAN’S STORY AS TOLD BY HIS MOTHER ON FACEBOOK I am writing this as the words come out as I don’t know how to even approach but here it goes.

Since his birth his ...struggled with ear infections and pain full ears, could hardly put him down in the bed. He was up most of the time. From about 6 months old we started noticing that Jordan does not react to sound / rattle toys / when you speak to him. We immediately took him for a hearing test at the audiologist in Alberton. They weren’t able to get a proper reading as his ears were so full of fluid she referred us to an ENT Specialist Rose Acres. He found a huge piece (thick as BIC pen) of wax in his one ear and said that we should return within 3 weeks as that might have been the problem. We returned but his ears has worsen and he booked Jordan for grommets in May 2015 (Jordan was 8 months old at this stage).

We fully believed that Jordan reacted to rattle toys after the grommets but 2 weeks after the grommets his ears started draining for 3 weeks on end. With antibiotics given by the GP Dr. and drops for the ears the draining did not stop. It then just stopped by itself. A while after that we realized he is not responding to sound / toys and took him back to the ENT Specialist and Audiologist straight away. We weren’t happy and went for second opinion and this is how we met Dr. Mol who is currently his specialist and looking out for him. He did a few tests but Jordan did not react and he sent us to the Ear Institute in Pretoria for an ABR Test. This is where received the worst news of our lives…

Jordan is completely deaf and can’t hear.

Follow his story on Facebook – click here

2015 Look, feel, participate

You will have the opportunity to view exhibitions, listen to fascinating talks & participate in workshops & sacred ceremonies Experience An array of spiritual, healing, therapeutic & holistic modalities

Following on the success of Soulspace 2013, we are happy to announce a continuation of this inspiring festival in Soulspace 2015 A unique spiritual festival where practitioners working with creative healing energies will converge and share this gift. A space to explore the landscape of spirituality in a new era of conscious living, wellness and inner peace

3 & 4 October 2015 Where? Cabanga, Northriding, Jhb

Interact with Psychic practitioners, healers, shamans, therapists & many more Soulspace kids An enchanting space for our little ones to explore and enjoy Soulspace welcomes and encourages any form of self-expression

Info: Jean - 082 949 9449 - jean@soulspace.co.za | Tickets: www.quicket.co.za

The Child of the Universe free online Conscious Lifestyle Magazine is proud to be the media partner for Soulspace. To subscribe email: lifestylemag@childoftheuniverse.co.za with the subject: Subscribe

body mind & soul

FREE DELIVERY COUNTRY WIDE:

‌ and much more!

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

LEAD BY EXAMPLE

By Margi McAlpine So often so many sit with their arms folded, with a knowledgeable and disparaging air about them, and complain about what is happening around them and how terrible things are. What they do not realise is that to bring change about, we need to become part of the solution and not continue to be part of the problem.

If you want things to change then begin by changing what is happening in your world.

Words like peace, abundance, transparency and integrity are bandied around and yet many have no idea of what they actually mean and how to go about bringing this into their lives.

Before you point fingers at others take a step backwards and look at what is happening in your life.

How peaceful is your home environment? Do you live in a family where each and every member is treated with respect and consideration or do you live in a house where no one really cares about anyone else? Do you spend quality time together or do you really only share a roof over your head and no one actually cares what anyone else is doing or perhaps going through? Do you speak to each other with love and care or do you shout and scream to make your point heard? Do you merely tolerate certain members of your family group because they provide the finances to keep you going and you just expect that to happen each month, or do you show gratitude for what you are receiving and how difficult it might be for the providers to meet these demands each month?

By changing the little piece that is our world, we can start to change things on a greater level. If each and every one of us ensured that our world was peaceful, that we lived in abundance, consciousness and always worked with transparency and integrity, as well as respected everyone and everything, this world would change.

So begin with you. The only way to teach and change others is to lead by example.

Change your mind set which will change your energy and then spread that wonderful positive feeling to all around you by living who you truly are. Acknowledge that you are an amazing and Divine Being carrying the God Spark within you and then live your life as such!

be the change you want to see!

Workshops with ati2ud

RELATIONSHIP ROMANCE WORKSHOP

MAKING RELATIONSHIPS WORK

RELATIONSHIP DYNAMICS WORKSHOP

From relationships to romance and everything in between…

Over time the passion fades and our relationships become routine and boring, leaving us wondering if this is as good as it’s going to get? In this 3hr workshop we talk about how to revive your relationship and breathe new life and energy into it.

When we meet “the one” we expect a fairytale ending and that we will live happily ever after. What the fairytales don't talk about is how difficult relationships can be at times and what it takes to make one work for a lifetime. Get an in depth look & understanding into:

The Relationship Dynamics Workshop is aimed at both couples and individuals who want to get a better understanding of the relationship dynamics that happen between two people.

Keep the passion burning in your relationship What’s the difference between sex and intimacy The differences between men and women when it comes to the physical aspects of a relationship The signs of fading passion and why it fades over time

Workshop Details: Date: 26 Sept and 31 Oct 2015 Time: 14:00-17:00pm Venue: Gooderson FABZ Hotel, Lonehill Cost: R450pp

what it takes to make a relationship work how relationships end up in the danger zone how to bring a relationship back from what feels like the brink of despair learn effective communication techniques

Workshop Details: Date: 17 Oct 2015 Time: 09:00-17:00pm Venue: Bryanston Cost: R2500.00couple/R1400 single (incl refreshments, handouts & lunch)

Understand how our past/upbringing shapes our personality, beliefs and value systems Understand how our past/upbringing influences the type of partners we attract and types of relationships we forge Navigate the different phases of the Relationship Cycle that every relationship and couple experiences

Workshop Details: Date: 10 Oct 2015 Time: 14:00-17:00pm Venue: Gooderson FABZ Hotel, Lonehill Cost: R450pp

"A Message for My Child" I gave you life, but I cannot live it for you.

I can teach you things, but I cannot make you learn.

I can give you directions, but I cannot be there to lead you.

I can allow you freedom, but I cannot make you believe.

I can teach you right from wrong, but I cannot always decide for you.

I can buy you beautiful clothes, but i cannot make you beautiful inside.

I can offer you advice, but cannot accept it for you.

I can give you love, but I cannot force it upon you.

I can teach you to share, but I cannot make you unselfish.

I can teach you to respect, but I cannot force you to show honour.

I can advise you about friends, but cannot choose them for you.

I can tell you about drink, but cannot say NO for you.

I can warn you about drugs, but I cannot prevent you using them.

I can tell you about lofty goals, but I cannot achieve them for you.

I can teach you kindness, but I cannot force you to be gracious.

I can warn you about sins, but I cannot make your morals.

I can tell you how to live, but I cannot give you Eternal Life.

Author: Patrick Atkinson

Pure, Powerful and Profound

Reiki is a gentle and non-invasive, ancient, natural healing therapy, which does not cause pain or harm.

By Karen Lange and Debra Stevens Our entire universe “REI” is made up of energy and at a very basic level we are energy. The human life force energy or “KI” is an unseen energy stream that pours into the human energy field nourishing every part of the mind, body and soul. The word ‘REI’ has many different meanings but many believe it means soul or consciousness.

There are many different forms of Reiki, Each form of Reiki has its own methods and tools used to channel the healing universal energy and each form of Reiki has its own benefits. The two primary differentiations are Traditional Japanese Reiki (Eastern) and Western Reiki.

Usui/Tibetan Reiki and Usui Shiki Ryoho (the Usui System of Natural Healing) are the foundation of Western Reiki therapy systems and are a good place to start your journey along the path of healing. Many Reiki Practitioners in South Africa practice this form of Reiki, often combining it with other forms of Western and Japanese Reiki and other healing modalities.

The essence of Japanese or Eastern Reiki is simplicity and pure energy, creating balance and harmony; it is a fluid and beautiful therapy to experience.

The difference between Reiki and other modalities is that the Reiki student or practitioner undergoes a Reiki attunement process or Reiju which connects the student to this spiritual energy , making it possible for the Reiki student to effectively channel the human life force energy, Ki, facilitated by a shift in the student’s own energy blueprint.

What to Expect You may feel a number of sensations during your Reiki therapy, these could include heat, cold and tingling, you may even experience colour or sound. Sometimes you may feel nothing at all.

The outcome of each treatment is determined by your own personal needs and no two people will experience REIKI the same way. Some of the frequent experiences include: • Increased creativity energy and awareness • Emotions are more balanced and appropriate • Stress is managed better and easily released • Accelerated healing and release of toxins • Relief from pain and discomfort • Elevated sense of well being

How to Choose Reiki Practitioner With over 120 styles of Reiki and Energy Healing being touted out there it is appreciably difficult for anyone looking for a Reiki practitioner to know what to look out for.

A Reiki practitioner is required to take responsibility for giving their clients the best treatment they can offer whilst under their care, with consideration of the client’s medical condition and personal situation. A Reiki practitioner is also required to act with honesty and integrity, with the wellbeing of their client top of mind, at all times.

Firstly, do not be afraid to ask questions when you call the practitioner. In fact, a good practitioner should have a good of knowledge about the subject and a broad and varied knowledge of natural healing. If the answers to your questions are vague or forced then look elsewhere. It does not matter whether the practitioner claims to have practiced for 26 years or 6 months, if they do not know what they are doing, are poorly trained and inexperienced they cannot help you.

Most importantly trust your intuition. It does not matter how knowledgeable someone may seem, if you feel that something is not quite right for you; trust your instincts.

Reiki – Pure, Powerful and Profound The Reiki energy is intelligent working at every level of our being, body, mind and spirit. The body, mind and spirit are not independent of one another. They are intertwined. What affects one affects the others.

www.reikiassociation.co.za

Guidelines: When Choosing a Practitioner or Teacher Make sure the practitioner or teacher belongs to an accredited Reiki association and/or teaches an accredited course. The Reiki Association of Southern Africa can be contacted to confirm practitioner and teacher listings www.reikiassociation.co.za Initiate contact by telephone. Ensure the practitioner can readily answer any of your questions. If a Reiki practitioner cannot explain Reiki to you in a candid and understandable manner, they clearly do not understand it themselves.

Many online sites offer distant Reiki healing treatments or Reiki training/attunements. This can be misleading and detrimental to you and your wellbeing as you have no idea of what you are getting. Do you want to allow someone you have never met, who may, or may not be adequately trained in Reiki, to access to your energy field; or worse to teach you Reiki? It is important to receive healing or teaching from qualified and accredited practitioners and teachers in person.

Karen Lange is a Qualified Educator, Motivational Speaker, Reiki Master and Master Teacher since 1999 and Chairperson of The Reiki Association of Southern Africa. She is also the Karuna reiki practitioner representative for South Africa. She began her career as a school teacher in biological sciences. She left the teaching profession to follow her spiritual calling of empowerment teacher and spiritual councellor. Karen teaches Reiki, Crystal Healing, Inner Alchemy and facilitates Louise Hay empowerment workshops. She is the principal teacher at the Soul Healing Academy and also a talented exhibiting artist. She has designed courses that are taught countrywide. Karen has been on Television, Radio and written articles in numerous magazines.

Contact Karen 082 857 5999 or karen@reikiassociation.co.za

Debra Stevens is a Naturopath, Reiki Master and Master Teacher, Spiritual Healer and Spokesperson for the Reiki Association of South Africa. She has undertaken extensive research in this field and has published a number of papers, journals and articles and has participated on panels for the broadcast media. Debra has spent over 12 years dedicated to energy healing; she is the founder of the Energencia Wellness Centre in KZN and the Academic Director of The Energencia Academy. debra@energencia.co.za

10 Ways To Protect Your Energy

Let’s face it. Life can be draining From the moment we rise to the minute we fall back into bed, life is a series of demands on our time, our attention, our motivations and ultimately, our energy.

It’s sad to say, we don’t have to seek negativity, it finds us; remember, opposites attract!

If we find ourselves drained, there are a few simple steps we can take to regain our positive energy and keep it for good.

Get out and get some fresh air Walk, run, jog, swim! It doesn’t matter what it is. Do it every day – fill your lungs with air, it’s a free, natural antidepressant that’s abundantly available and will add joy and years to your life.

Get a hobby As strange as it may seem, doing nothing will wear you out. Empty space and empty time are draining on the body and soul. Fill your time with something you like to do. It’s rewarding, and at bedtime you’ll feel fulfilled and looking forward to doing it again tomorrow.

Stop and listen It’s up to us to try to figure out what’s draining our energy.

Find some quiet space and time without the demands of daily life to just observe what is going on around you. Set aside a few minutes each day where it is just you, no coffee, no magazines, no phone, no book, no distractions. Give yourself time to hear your thoughts. You may even want to create a daily meditation practice. Meditation is so beneficial in helping us maintain balance.

Find positivity Negative energy is draining and sadly, it’s all around us: negative people, places, and environments.

Find positive people and positive places to be. Positive people provide positive energy, and they will get the same from you, a classic win-win scenario. That hobby you started, is there a club or are there others who share your interests?

Find them!

Declutter Make a list Lists help keep you focused on your goals and keep you from straying too far.

Break your day down into bite-sized chunks and organize them a little bit better. For example, those bites you hate to take, the bitter, boring jobs – tackle them first. Do the jobs you like least early in the day when your energy and motivation is highest; that leaves the rest of the day for the stuff you enjoy, which feeds your energy levels when they tend to dip.

A clean and tidy space is a peaceful space, where you will better find the time for real relaxation. It has one or two other, less obvious benefits too. When we declutter, we often come across photographs and objects from happy times we had or spent with others – they always bring a smile to the face. That list you made earlier? Incorporate a decluttering schedule into it.

Eat better!

Learn to say No! We often agree on things we don’t want to do because it has become a pattern in our lives. Saying no is not hard to do, and it’s even easier if you practice. It’s not unusual to feel awkward and pretty awful right before you say “no.” But those feelings won’t last long because after, it’s not that a load will suddenly lift from your shoulders, it’s that a load won’t land on them; and that feels good. Think of it as ‘positive negativity.’

How we nourish our bodies has a direct impact on our energy. Adding whole foods and water while eliminating processed and sugary foods will help promote positive energy. It will affect our mood, how we move and how we feel.

Here’s a simple test, does your ‘crash’ come after lunch? It does for many people. As an experiment, change the type of food you eat for lunch. For example, if lunch is traditionally a sandwich, change to a salad. Experiment with your food choices and see how your body reacts.

Take a bath And not just any bath. Add some Epsom salts and essential oils. Not only will it help remove toxins from your body, but the process will help remove toxic energy and thoughts as well.

With gratitude to:

Go to bed You can’t maintain constant energy without some form of routine and your bedtime is a part of this. Create a nighttime routine that includes a full night of sleep and stick with it. Make sure and go to bed early enough so you can get up without having to set an alarm. Waking up naturally is a great way to protect your natural energy.

Like everything in life—it’s baby steps.

Try one, just one at a time. Make one tiny change in your life starting today.

These things are quickly habit forming and they simply feel good.

ARCHANGEL URIEL Archangel Uriel is the Angel of Peace and Harmony and he commands the Angels of Peace. He radiates peace, wisdom and strength. Call on him and his Angels to bring calmness to areas that are being ravaged by war and conflict.

He can also be called in to bring calmness into personal or family conflicts that can sometimes tear families apart. He is the Archangel who is in charge of the Solar Plexus Chakra where you hold your fears and anger which contributes to conflict situations arising.

Each morning request Archangel Uriel to stand powerfully in front of you. Ask him to pour his ruby light into your aura, filling you with the purple ray of wisdom and the gold ray of peace.

Ask him to put his shield of peace and harmony in front of your Solar Plexus which will remove all conflict from your life enabling you to live in tranquillity and harmony at all times.

There are thousands of Peace Angels waiting to come and do their work on earth.

Because the Law of the Universe prohibits them from helping until they are asked, they await our request, to take their wonderful healing energy to places of conflict and strife.

Don’t get caught up in the negativity that newspapers, radio and television create with their stories of conflict and strife. Put the whole issue in light and send Archangel Uriel and his Angels of Peace and Harmony to diffuse the situation.

Always send peace and harmony to the aggressor and the victim for both live in fear and it is fear that breeds aggression You cannot live in the light when fear is a part of your life. Sometimes it feels very scary when you are being asked to step into the unknown and go deep within yourself to access your amazing gifts and talents that each and every one of you are blessed with. Many were persecuted in previous life times because they used their talents and light and so you go into fear that the same might happen to you in this life time. You need to know that it is safe to be powerful in this life time and that the time to acknowledge and accept this is now, for the time is now!

Ask Archangel Uriel to help you break your mental and emotional chains to free you from your fears and fill you with courage.

When you are able to live in peace and have forgiven everyone including yourself, then you are able to stand in your full power as a Master with no chains or restrictions holding you back.

You are then able to live as the amazing and Divine Being that you truly are!

Angel light and blessings, Margi (Angel Connection)

By Penni from Divine Space

Do you know someone who stays in a bad or abusive relationship? What hooks them? The standard answer is that they don’t feel good enough about themselves. They don’t feel they deserve better, and they have a low sense of self worth.

While self esteem is certainly a factor, many of these people started out feeling much better about themselves than they do now.

Being constantly criticized, rejected, neglected, or abused eventually pays its toll. The low self-worth you see is not always the CAUSE of their being unable to leave, but the RESULT of having been treated this way. Once they feel low about themselves, they lose the strength to get out.

A traumatic bond is created when pain is inflicted into the attachment. This bond is stronger (just like epoxy glue is stronger than rubber cement) than a non-traumatic bond. The more traumatic the bond, the harder it is to get out.

There is another factor which really cements people to the abuser. The abuser, every once in a while, will give them what they need, i.e. “a pat on the arm” or saying “love you and I am so sorry for hurting you” or “bringing home a paycheck.”

But there is more to it.

They have become traumatically bonded.

You’d think it would work the other way – that if your partner made you feel secure, safe, and comfortable, you’d have a hard time leaving. But the irony is that many people feel freer to leave someone who has made them feel secure. Ever hear “nice guys finish last?”

But if they are made to feel chronically insecure, heart-sick, anxious, or hurt, they can get caught up in the drama of the abuse and locked into the dynamics of the relationship– especially if every once in a while, their partner gives them a little crumb of love – which is called intermittent reinforcement.

If you are in a traumatic bond, you not only suffer from your partner’s criticism, blame, betrayal, unreliability, or neglect, but you suffer from beating yourself up for allowing it to happen.

You feel guilty for not being able to leave. Your friends may get fed up with you for being so stuck and repeating the same stories over and over. Even your therapist loses patience. You feel judged. You feel weak. You feel ashamed of yourself.

"Why did you STAY?" comes the invariable question.

"Because I loved him," comes the equally invariable response.

Abuser tells Abused, "I love you," and these women continue to sell themselves out to hear the occasional utterance of three hollow words, meaning nothing to the abuser.

The more infrequently the “crumbs of love” are offered, the more hooked you are. You become conditioned, like a rat in the cage.

Penni’s suggestions on WHAT TO DO? The abused needs to begin building their confidence and focusing on the positive things in their lives instead of all the drama.

Do this by: 1.

Using the Orange Oil of Transformation to help strengthen your independence and move you out of co-dependency. This colour helps to heal the shock and trauma in the body and repairs the aura while doing so. Rub it on the body every morning, or even better pump about 25 pumps into your morning bath and soak for as long as you can.

2.

The Coral Oil of Transformation wraps you in the gentlest of loving and supportive energy and teaches you to put yourself first in life rather than supporting everyone else first and never giving yourself the time or energy for the things that could nurture YOU. It also eases your extreme sensitivity – use it every morning and evening.

3.

Regularly use the Pink Angel of Transformation spray around yourself and the room to calm your partner’s aggression, and invite a more loving response from him.

4.

Find a creative outlet that you love and set aside as much time as possible to enjoy it. Put all your heart and soul into the outlet and marvel at your creations – (thus focusing on something you love and that fulfills you, rather than the pain in your life).As you do this you are finding the joy in life again – and not constantly dwelling on what a victim you are.

5.

Begin to fill your life with fun and positive friends and outings, spending less time in the negative environment.

6.

Watch your thoughts and words, and be aware that whatever you focus on – is what builds and manifests. So stop telling people about how hard your life is. Focus on positivity and the blessings you have, rather than your dramas.

7.

Stop waiting for those crumbs of love from your partner. Learn self love and acceptance. Your partner is only mirroring your hidden beliefs about yourself. The more you love yourself the more his behaviour will change. Also the more you love and honour yourself, the less you will accept the put downs and abuse. You will then know that you deserve better and will begin demanding and expecting this in your life.

8.

I know this is all really hard to do on your own so ask for help, see a therapist, attend courses and support groups or read books which help to build your self-love, confidence and self esteem. This is the key to healing what you have attracted in your life. The Antaneea Technique therapy is especially supportive and I have seen so many people change their circumstances and their lives radically after having regular treatments.

Check out the therapists section www.divinespace.com.za

AWAKENING THE DEPTH OF WOMEN’S BRILLIANCE Consider this: Our souls are consistently attempting to move towards health. Just as our physical bodies do their very best to achieve and maintain homeostasis as well as to evolve into greater levels of health, so do our souls.

Either we’ve been there, are there or will be there: face-to-face with a life altering challenge.

Whether it is illness, death, job-loss, financial hardship, divorce, identity crisis or anything else, we all know the stomach dropping sensation of when lightening strikes and it’s time to reckon with life.

Not one of us is immune to these experiences and although that might make you feel like a doomsday cloud is hovering overhead, I want to propose some simple mindset shifts to support you now or in your next time of need.

This does not mean that if our souls are “healthy” we don’t face crisis, great challenge and difficulty in our lives, quite the contrary. Within every human there is an instinctual birthright to grow and evolve.

Hardships, as well as celebratory and joyful life events, are the very material with which our souls learn, develop and progress. In the process of facing rejection, loss, disappointment and insecurity we are all gifted with the fertile opportunity to become more intimate with ourselves, the people around us, and life itself.

When the going gets rough, however, almost all of us will begin to clamp down, retract and resist whatever we dislike, breaks our heart or feels unexplainable.

Although these are very natural and intelligent instincts, ultimately they insulate us from some of the most potent and opportune insights that have the potential to completely transform our lives.

JUST AS OUR BODIES EVOLVE INTO GREATER LEVELS OF HEALTH, SO DO OUR SOULS

As the legendary Carl Jung writes, “In all chaos there is a cosmos, in all disorder a secret order.” This does not mean that someone dear to you passing was “meant to be” or that you should “find the silver lining" in a horrific tragedy. In fact, both of these cultural norms are impulses that actually perpetuate a numbing to the very nature of human life.

2. Preserve at least 5-10 minutes a day for contemplating both the ease and the struggle in your life. These few minutes are a sacred time to focus on three things that you are grateful for, as well as three things that are challenging and that you wish were different. If things are particularly dark and scary in your life, your gratitude list might look something like this:

Instead, Jung’s words invite us to dig deeper, to go within and to ask for the support and understanding that we need to unearth the secret order that is beneath our biggest challenges.

1. Being able to breathe 2. Seeing the sun shine brightly 3. The friendly spark in a stranger’s eye

The secret order of things points toward how life is providing you with the perfect conditions to grow right now, even if they seem entirely disturbing and flawed, and exactly not what you want.

Here are Two Guidelines to support you on your journey: 1. Consider writing this question down somewhere you will see it everyday: How can I grow and evolve as a result of this experience? Although in the darkest moments, there will appear to be no answer to this question and you may even feel enraged at the thought of asking it, by allowing this contemplation to be at the forefront of your life in both big and small encounters, you are offering yourself a supportive view that continuously puts you back in the driver’s seat of your own life. This question has the capacity to offer refuge when nothing makes sense and you feel powerless in the hands of your life.

Be specific here so that you provide a powerful feedback loop for your body and soul to recognize that there is some light even in the greatest darkness. You may choose to write down your three items from each category in a journal or on a sticky note. Or, it might feel better to simply acknowledge each thing silently in a quiet meditation. Once you have identified your gratitudes and hardships, create a welcoming environment for them to inform, teach and guide the activities of your day.

Inherent in the privilege of human life, is that we will all face legitimate suffering. Making the decision to explore your view on hardship and choosing how you relate to difficulty offers you the gift of evolution and transformation. Do not ignore the knock on the door when soul comes to visit. These visits often come in the form of hardship and this is how our souls beg for our attention and care. When we have the courage to turn towards what most scares us, eventually the secret order of things will be revealed and you’ll be amazed at what you might find..

If you throw me to the wolves expect me to return leading the pack

Child of the Universe magazine

the Call

by Louis Franco

It is said: There is a far call, the Far Call of your Soul to Adventure. There are no ‘Chosen’ ones – ALL are called but few choose to hear the call …and even fewer choose to respond to the Call … and even fewer Dare to go all the way!

One day I approached my teacher and said: “I have been offering seminars for more than 10 years now. I find that most people make significant shifts in their life, but only one person in a hundred commits to go all the way.” He said: “Mmmm, you are doing better than me. I find only one in a thousand…”

Do you feel your Life seeping through your fingers?

Usually by the time you become interested in metaphysics or spirituality you have lived life: You may have had hopes, dreams, disappointments and losses; some euphoria and emotional pain; experienced some adrenaline-kicks drama in relationships; explored the excitement and emptiness of promiscuity; indulged in momentary happiness, depression or morbid masochism; struggled with abundance; experimented with wow or numbing drugs; you have seen the brutality and the beauty in the world around you; you start seeing patterns, patterns that repeat over and over; and in your heart you feel an intense RESTLESSNESS…

Are you suffering from ADS? We begin suffering from ADS (Adventure Deficiency Syndrome) when we have settled for a normal life. ADS leads to an acute restlessness in our heart urging us it is time for a change.

When we make the changes; we change our home, our city, our country, our work situation, our relationships… Sooner or later the restlessness comes back.

Our Restlessness is the far call of our Soul to the Adventure: The Adventure of Living a Life of Celebration, Love and Freedom. We yearn to become the musician in our life and sing our song. In your heart there is a song that is you… And it is waiting to be sung!

Stop the World – I want to get off!

Now you begin to secretly ask yourself: Is this really all there is to Life? What is my Life is about? Where am I going? I have strived to succeed in my work and my relationships. I have followed the suggestions and dictates of my family, friends and culture. Surely there must be more! If not, do I really want to be here? Stop the world…!?

You feel some urgency: You feel your youth, your vitality, life slipping through your fingers.

This is a major turning point. This secret yearning for ‘more’, felt as a restlessness in your heart, triggers an incomprehensible chain of events.

An Incomprehensible Chain of Events The search begins: Articles, movies, books, a Tell-a-Vision program, browsing the web, YouTube and conversations with close friends. This is the most dangerous time! Seekers never find – they seek and seek. Finders find! When you want to know; when you want to Find; when you have been asking for help; the Cosmic responds.

The Age of Consent In the 1990s during a deep mediation, I ‘heard’ this phrase like a booming voice in my head: “Humanity has reached the Age of Consent – The time of allegiance is over”. This concept was released into consciousness, and into the hearts and minds of humanity. We had entered the time where any allegiance, commitment or sacrifice to a system, teaching or guru was over. Any form of devout allegiance was now a betrayal and retarding of the glorious Being you were / are becoming. The balls were now completely in our court.

Has this path got a Heart?

Assess whether you are on the right path. Assess whether it is the right seminars or teachers for you by asking yourself: Has this path got a Heart?

Then listen to your heart…

The only purpose of a Teacher is to "Spur you on Mercilessly" to reach the level of consciousness where you don't need a Teacher...

A Warrior never meets an Adversary on the Adversary's Battleground.

The 3 greatest Adversaries within are: Procrastination, Indulgence and Complacency.

Fight the Good Fight for your Dreams!

Pitfalls on the Spiritual Road In my experience, the spiritual path is a Warrior Path. The pitfalls are there for you to fall into and be distracted or to use as tempering and gaining greater clarity. I suggest that warriors learn by facing adversaries and wielding their sword (…or by running away until another day). Our internal adversaries will often manifest as petty tyrants out in the world.

Petty tyrants are people in your life who put you in some stress or duress: They make you feel angry, insecure, cornered, depressed, anxious, paranoid, or they make you Rage! Once you have convincingly demonstrated your willingness to draw your sword. When you take a stand and face a petty tyrant you are ready for a higher resonance where: “The mightiest sword never leaves the scabbard”

There’s a threshold. Once you cross this threshold you can never go back…back to being an ordinary person, living an ordinary Life!

I have made it possible for many people to go through various Initiations over the last twenty plus years by offering seminars across a wide spectrum of consciousness and spiritual Mastery: The Initiation – to opening your heart, to Singing your Song, to the Cosmic Key and the Lost Word, to Telepathy and Empathy, to being the Healer, to being the Teacher, to the Free Child and Innocence, to the Cherubs, to the Law of Love, to your emotional contract, to your Ego Portraits, to your Life lesson, to your Life Mission, to the Dark Night of the Soul, to breaking free of your Secret Prison, to your magnetic power, to your Journey to wholeness resolving the Dark and the Light within you, to learning to play the game of control folly, to the Archetypes of the Book of Life, to the Immutable Triangle, to The Truth, to Your Truth, to Becoming who you Are, to…, to…

When I find myself too normal I do the best I can to live an ordinary life in an extraordinary way. Mostly though, I prefer living an extraordinary life in an ordinary way…

All my Love, Louis The Third Initiation

“Peace begins with me. The more peaceful I am inside, the more peace I have to share with others. World peace really does begin with me.”

—LOUISE HAY So many of you wonderful people are out there making a difference in the world or doing something to care for others in your own way. Too often, there are moments of exhaustion or forgetfulness of purpose.

Practicing getting in touch with our bountiful inner being allows us to continue to be filled with unconditional love. The strength that comes from this allows us to increase positive change in the world.

Through self-awareness and understanding of ourselves may we free our mind, body, and spirit. When we reciprocate love and truly come to love ourselves we nurture prosperity for all. When we re-enforce negative information and negative behavior or thought patterns we are allowing that negativity to spread and prosper, thus convincing our subconscious mind that we desire these things.

The Universe will support what you choose to believe about yourself and the world around you. Everything we say is an affirmation. In order to support others we must first look at ourselves. Release criticism and judgement. When we are ready to let go, it’s amazing how small or how great the circumstance changes in order to maintain harmony.

Consider this heart thought below as we spiritually grow: In the Aquarian Age we are learning to go within to find our savior. We are the power we are looking for. Each one of us is totally linked with the Universe and with Life. This world is our heaven on earth. I see a community of spiritually-minded souls who come together to share, grow and radiate their energies into the world—each one free to pursue his or her activity and drawn together to better fulfill each individual’s purpose. We live together harmoniously, lovingly, peacefully, expressing God in our lives and our living. We establish a world where the nurturing of soul growth is the most important activity, where this is the world of the individual.

There is ample time and opportunity for creative expression in whatever area we choose. There will be no labor and no concern for earning money. All that we need will be able to express through the powers within.

Education will be a process of remembering that which we already know and bring to conscious awareness.

There is no dis-ease, no poverty, no crime, and no deceit. The world of the future begins now, right here, with all of us. And so it is.

Life loves you, and so do I!

positive parenting

Le Maitre family

Letter from a Parent to her Son

Thank you for being you I taught my very inquisitive eldest son many years ago the mantra, ‘Thank you for being you, so that I can be me’.

It was in answer to his ever enquiring 5 year old mind, at the time he was constantly testing me for a definite definition of a defined event, experience and facts, his favourite was dinosaur lore. He would quiz me ad nauseam and always found fault with my explanation. I realised very quickly that he was simply using me as his mirror, or his sounding board as he worked through all the information that the universe was throwing at him, he was analysing, and his mind was creating his neural networks.

Many of the verbal articulations I was offering him was just not ringing true for him, it was as if he instinctively knew that he already had a broader understanding of certain things. I remember feeling overwhelmed at his constant questioning, and his combative need to win or be right.

So when he was hurt or angry by something that had happened at school, or when he felt misunderstood by me, I taught him the concept of just accepting everyone where they were at. I coined the phrase, ‘Thank you for being you, so that I can be me’. I was trying to make him understand that there is no wrong and no right; it is all just different perspectives. We are all unique and all perceptions are valid.

My little man was such a sensitive soul, who loved me so unconditionally he saw at times to excuse my desperately inadequate knowledge of dinosaurs and the universe and humoured me by parroting the phrase when the situation called for it. (although it was most often followed by an eye roll, for his crazy mother) :-) Little did I know at the time that I would use the mantra on a daily basis, and that he had taught me one of the most remarkable awareness skills. It’s become an automatic response to my ego’s constant need for commentary of life around me. Whenever I find the arbitrary mindless chatter, ‘hell that’s an ugly suit’, ‘wow what a beautiful smile’; ‘if you walk any slower we will both be in a graves before dawn’; ‘I need to remember to wash the curtains this weekend’; ‘wonder why I haven’t heard from my mom’. I find myself stopping the rambling after a few wayward observations, with ‘THANK YOU FOR BEING YOU, SO THAT I CAN BE ME’. Suddenly I am back in the NOW, I am accepting of all those sharing space with me and at peace in the NOW that the Universe is presenting me.

So today I would like to thank you for being you, so that I can be me. Thank you for being unique and an ever part of the intrinsic perception puzzle of our magnificent Universe.

Love and light Lauren-Lee P.S - Thank you Ke'gan xx

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

www.smartheartboardgame.co.za

Gratitude the cure for entitlement and materialism Promoting gratitude in our kids by: Hank Pellissier

How do you raise kids that don’t just say thank you but mean it too?

How do you fight the factors leading to entitled and materialistic children?

1. Think about the values that you are modeling as a parent. Research shows that when parents hold materialist values to be important, their children take on those values. If you spend your time working long hours, shopping a lot, watching television, talking about and making money, etc., you are modeling to your child that materialistic aims in life are important. The child will then imitate those values.

2. Reduce the extent to which your child is exposed to other materialistic models. Consider following the guidelines of the American Academy of Pediatrics: No screen time at all for children younger than 2, and less than 2 hours per day of screen usage for older children.

3. When your children do encounter advertisements, critique them. One study showed that when children see advertisements and adults make factual comments (such as “Those commercials are intended to sell.”) or evaluative comments (“That commercial is wrong; it doesn’t look like that.”), children’s desire for the products declines. A game kids are likely to enjoy is to hit mute when a commercial comes on and make up your own funny dialogue for the advertisement message.

4. Encourage healthier values in your children. Research on the human value system show that intrinsic values for personal growth (such as following your own interests and curiosity), affiliation (having good relationships) and community feeling (trying to make the world a better place) stand in conflict with materialistic values. By encouraging intrinsic values, materialistic values will decline.

daddy dynamics

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

•Make Silly Faces

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

connect with yourself everyday When you use this meditation you will experience: • • • • •

Internal calm and peace An immediate reduction of stress A sense of hope and possibility Deep connection with your heart An appreciation for your unique brilliance

I recommend listening to this meditation once a day, either in the morning before you get going for the day, or in the evening as a way to wind down.

Access your meditation by clicking the link below: Awakening Brilliance Meditation

With love and gratitude to:

Emma Teitel

healthy living

By Lisa Raleigh

With the world diving head first into the sugar-free craze, it’s a good idea to get to the bottom of WHY this trend has emerged, and to what extent we agree with the many options there are of implementing it. .

There may be many drastic diets out there, recommending everything from cutting out entire food groups to loading up on saturated fats, but what both the extreme and nonextreme varieties seem to agree on is this – refined sugar is the most damaging food for health (and weight-loss as a result).

In the mid-90s, a fat-free craze emerged, where manufacturers stripped their products of fat and replaced it with plenty of sugar so that the taste wasn’t compromised. Also, sugar production is growing even faster than sugar consumption, making it an extremely cheap and tasty (not to mention addictive) ingredient for manufacturers to use in foods. . As a result, sugar continues to sneak its way into tons of the foods we eat daily – even those deemed ‘healthy’ and created for the healthier target market.

Did you know refined sugar is a bigger contributor to obesity than not exercising at all? It is linked to some frightening ailments like: -

Insomnia Dizziness Allergies Yeast infections Manic depression Heart disease Hypertension Hair loss Pancreatic cancer ADD/ADHD Skin breakouts Tooth rot Obesity Ageing faster Increased cancer risk Type 2 diabetes

When we talk about sugar we’re mostly referring specifically to fructose. Sucrose (regular table sugar) is 50:50 fructose and glucose. It’s the fructose bit that’s been identified to be far more problematic, with serious impacts on our health that go beyond merely putting on weight.

There is nothing wrong with including fresh produce in your diet – fruit gets its bad rap when viewed collectively with all the other (more unhealthy) sugars we take in on a daily basis.

Fruit contains fructose, but the amount is relatively low (4 to 9 grams per serving) and it also has a whopper of nutrients: vitamins, antioxidants, potassium and fibre. These help slow the absorption of fruit sugar. As an overall verdict: moderation is key. As long as you’re steering clear of the many refined sugars that are contributing to our daily overdose, raw fruit should be an important feature as part of a healthy diet. Just be wary of your intake, and of which fruits are higher in sugar than others. Juicing needs to be done cautiously: it concentrates the sugar from a few fruits into one small glass – sugar overload! If you can’t imagine wolfing down three oranges in one sitting, you shouldn’t be squeezing them into a single serving of fresh juice.

Cutting back on refined sugar is a personal journey, and individuals may have different goals about just how sugar-free they would like to go. This is just a general guideline that can help you tend towards the healthier options where possible.

Eat it! low sugar fruits all berries, green apples, avocadoes fructose-free sweeteners stevia, xylitol, sucralose, rice malt syrup wholefoods foods as close to their natural state as possible, like fresh vegetables and lean mean cuts low GI complex carbohydrates sweet potato, rice, quinoa

Beat it! high sugar fruits mangoes, grapes, bananas, dried fruit, fruit juice fructose-based sweeteners . table sugar, agave nectar, maple syrup, all forms of honey processed foods fake foods with long ingredients lists, like readymade meals and processed meat

refined high GI carbohydrates potato chips, high sugar breakfast cereals, white pasta natural flavourants processed condiments Himalayan rock salt, all herbs and spices, . original versions of tomato sauce, mayonnaise, unprocessed tomato puree chutney, sweet chilli sauce Remember: When going sugar-free, the goal is to not only avoid refined sugar, but also the unhealthy cravings that accompany it. Even natural sweeteners will activate the body’s reward system – reinforcing the craving for sweet things. Use sugar alternatives sparingly!

Sugar is addictive. Sugar releases an opiate-like substance that activates the brain’s reward system. Studies have shown it to be more addictive than some narcotics.

Consuming refined sugar depletes the body of B vitamins. Vitamin B deficiency causes symptoms like heart palpitations, chronic fatigue, paranoia, anxiety, insomnia, poor concentration, indigestion, and cravings for more sugar.

Sugar makes the digestive system acidic, which leaches vitamins and minerals from the body, particularly calcium from bones and teeth. It also depletes potassium and magnesium, which are both essential for cardiac health.

Sugar is so quick absorbing, that the digestive system has to stop what it’s doing to tackle the overload. In this way, it suppresses the immune system and causes an overproduction of digestive enzymes. This, in turn, puts stress on the pancreas.

Sugar impairs liver function, which can lead to high blood pressure, skin issues and acne.

Sugar inhibits blood flow and affects aging, contributing to dental issues, increased wrinkles and dry, aged skin.

With many agreeing that following any one diet is less important than understanding nutrition and learning how to balance your own meals, it seems that the anti-sugar consensus applies to all. If you aren’t a fan of diets, don’t believe in cutting food groups and don’t yet feel confident to make drastic life changes – this is the one change you can make that is pretty straight forward – but will yield dramatic results!

Sugar- and Flour-Free Chocolate Brownies This is such an unexpected way to add healthy fibre and minerals to your sweet treat! Don’t tell your kids the secret ingredient – let them wonder!

Ingredients:

1 ¼ cups raw cacao nibs 1 can kidney beans, rinsed and drained ¼ cup raw cacao powder 2 eggs 1/3 cup coconut oil, melted ¼ t cinnamon 2 t vanilla extract ¼ t Himalayan rock salt ½ t baking powder 1 t instant coffee 1 T xylitol / granulated stevia

Directions:

Preheat oven to 180 degrees.

Line a baking dish with parchment paper.

Spray parchment paper with nonstick cooking spray.

Process all ingredients in a food processor until smooth.

Pour onto parchment paper in baking dish and smooth out batter to edges of dish.

Bake 30-35 minutes until a toothpick comes out perfectly clean.

Cool on wire rack for 10 minutes then remove by holding edges of parchment paper and lifting out.

Transfer onto a wire rack to cool before slicing on a cutting board.

Green Popsicles for Kids Sneak in some greens with this delicious recipe: your kids will be none the wiser.

Ingredients:

3 ripe bananas 1 medium pineapple 2 cups spinach 2 T chia seeds (optional – these simply improve the gelatinous texture of the lolly) Approx. 1 cup water

Directions:

Blend all ingredients, adding in water until you get your desired consistency, Pour into molds and freeze. Easy, huh!

Arthritis 10 ways to ward off joint disease 1. Lose weight – Excess weight around your abdomen, hips, rear end and thighs places unnecessary pressure on your joints.

With every step, your knees, ankles and hips take extra strain.

2.Exercise for at least one hour every week – It’s not vigorous exercise in your youth that causes arthritis in later years, but injury to your joints. In fact, exercising increases muscle strength, which in turn helps to support both your bones and joints.

3. Practicing yoga.

- Unlike high-impact aerobics, yoga strengthens your core, bones and joints without placing undue strain on the body.

Improve your strength with weights – Resistance training (using light weights, rubber exercise bands or your own body) may protect your joints against damage.

For example, knee bends improve thigh muscles and help reduce your chance of getting arthritis in the knees and hips.

People who suffer with arthritis also benefit from gentle exercise.

4.Don’t smoke – Smoking can double your risk of osteoarthritis, so say a group of researchers from the Karolinska Institute in Sweden. In their 2012 study of 34,000 women, even light smoking (up to seven cigarettes a day) directly increased the risk for developing arthritis.

5.Top up your vitamin D – Low levels of the ‘sunshine’ vitamin could trigger arthritis. Use supplements if you don’t get the opportunity to venture outdoors, and eat liver, oily fish and other seafoods.

6.Eat the red, orange, green and blue – These brightly coloured foods are generally packed with anti-oxidants, which nuke the free radical molecules that can play havoc with cartilage repair. A diet rich in red, yellow, green and blue fruits and vegetables can cut your risk of developing painful joints by 50 percent. Eat like the Mediterraneans, whose diet is low in red meat and dairy products and who have a 56 percent lower incidence of arthritis symptoms than people who consume lots of meat and milk products.

7.Increase your intake of omega-3 oils – Eating plenty of good-quality animal-based omega-3 fats helps alter the balance of the body’s chemistry to reduce inflammation.

8.Add turmeric – Research published in 2012 showed that curcumin, the active ingredient in the spice turmeric, has potent anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic properties. Turmeric and turmeric supplements were found to profound reduce joint inflammation and destruction. Try Flora Force Turmerynne™ – it’s excellent for pain relief.

9.Eliminate sugar – Sugar increases your insulin levels, which is the root cause of nearly all chronic disease. It can also impair your gut bacteria. Replacing fizzy cooldrinks with water is a good place to start.

10. Create a healthy gut – Fermented foods such as sauerkraut and yoghurt help to establish a healthy intestinal environment.

NOTE: There are many underlying conditions that can cause arthritis. Seek help from your healthcare practitioner to establish if and what kind of joint disease you have before embarking on any treatment or exercise plan.

By Werner Kerschbaumer for Flora Force www.floraforce.co.za

fitness

Have you neglected your gym routine all winter, now need to tone up in a hurry? Here are three tips and three moves to get you beach ready in no time.

Push yourself Choose quality over quantity. Make your time in the gym count by upping your intensity, replacing long, medium intensity workouts for short bursts of hard training. 20-30 minutes can be all it takes to really change your body, and you’ll spend less time waiting for equipment. Getting your heart rate up appropriately means you’ll burn calories after your workout as well.

Make your cardio count If cardio for you is usually a steady run or cycle, you need to switch things up. Skip the moderate intensity workout and include intervals of sprinting and recovery to get you into your fat-burning zone.

Uphill sprints are also great for added resistance. Including your upper body in your workout will also boost your overall calorie expenditure. Aerobics classes or rowing and elliptical machines will help you practice full-body cardio workouts.

Get heavy with the weights It’s hard to add much to our frames without heavy supplementation, so there is slim chance of the dreaded ‘bulking’. Building lean muscle takes up far less space than fat, and keeps our metabolism burning much higher. Build and maintain lean muscle by lifting heavy and aiming for failure by the end of your sets. For quick results, compound exercises are key. These are exercises that target more than one muscle group at once, and are responsible for greater calorie burns during sessions as well as increasing lean muscle tissue at a greater rate, meaning a faster metabolism overall. This is the best way to burn more calories in a shorter space of time.

Here are three killer compound moves to work the whole body. Aim for 3 sets of 10-15 reps of each move, include rests of 20-40 seconds between each set, and‌. Repeat!

Plank with row: Targets: core, arms, back Start in a plank position, holding onto a dumbbell in each hand. Rise into a push up, pause for a moment, then pull one arm back into a row.

Return to your starting position then repeat with opposite arm.

Lunge with press: Targets: quads, glutes, hamstrings, shoulders, arms Start with one foot behind the other and a dumbbell held at shoulder height in each hand. Sink into a lunge, hold for a moment, then rise back to your starting position, pushing your hands up into a press as you do so. Pause, then return to your starting position.

Squat with side reach: Targets: quads, glutes, hamstrings, core, chest, shoulders Stand with feet hip-width apart and dumbbells in each hand. Slowly sink into a squat, pause for a moment, then rise up. As you do, raise your arms up above your head and out to one side, swiveling your torso slightly as you do. Pause for a moment then return to your starting position and repeat, this time raising your arms to the opposite side.

Lisa Raleigh TV Personality, Author, Lifestyle and Wellness Expert www.lisaraleigh.co.za lisa@lisaraleigh.co.za www.facebook.com/LisaRaleighSAFacebook @LisaRaleighSA – Twitter LisaRaleighTV – Youtube

animal world

Vegan Diet “The Healthy Natural Alternative�

A VEGAN DIET FOR YOUR DOG – A FIRST IN SOUTH AFRICA Vegans and vegetarians are often faced with the dilemma of choosing the best diet to feed their companion canines, taking into consideration not only their own ethics, but also the best interests of the dog/s they are taking care of.

Fortunately, even though many people would assume that a dog couldn't possibly be fed a 100% vegan diet, nothing could be further from the truth!

Despite descending from wolves, the domestic dog is classified as an omnivore.

The classification in the Order Carnivora does not necessarily mean that a dog's diet must be restricted to meat.

Unlike an obligate carnivore, a dog is neither dependent on meat-specific protein nor a very high level of protein in order to fulfill its basic dietary requirements.

Dogs are able to healthily digest a variety of foods including vegetables and grains, and in fact dogs can consume a large proportion of these in their diet. In the wild, canines often eat available plants and fruits.

As a matter of interest, there is even one dog which could completely be a Vegetarian and that is the Chow Chow.

The Chow Chow originated in China (Tibet) where it was raised as a meat source for human consumption. Since the Chow Chow was used as a meat source for human consumption, it was fed a diet of grains and vegetables - to produce a tender marbled meat.

Vegan Diet Recipe and Nutritional Value

Some may still argue that a vegan diet for a dog is unnatural in some way, but its important to note that in nature dogs wouldn't eat anything like what is commonly found nowadays - in a can or in pellet form..

Vondis has always adopted scientific procedures to prepare the food and therefore, certain ingredients are left to simmer on a low heat and there are some that are included raw. This very special Vondi’s cooking process ensures maximum nutritional value and digestibility.

Most commercial pet food is made of very questionable meats, not fit for human consumption, that would otherwise be thrown away. These foods are filled with preservatives and other additives that, over time, can detriment the health of your pet. Indeed, studies conducted on pets fed commercial meat pet food reveal that diet-related complications can include "kidney, liver, heart, neurological, visual, neuromuscular and skin disease, bleeding disorders, birth defects, compromised immune system and infectious disease.“ So, not only is it possible to feed dogs a non-meat diet, it can also be very nutritious and balanced. In Europe, there are plenty of commercially available, healthy vegan diets. There is no reason why vegan / vegetarian pet lovers in our country shouldn't have the same choice.

For this reason Vondis Holistic Pet Nutrition has developed a well researched balanced Vegan diet, where you can be assured that your companion will receive all the correct nutrition and thus enable them to lead happier, healthier lives.

In presenting any nutritious meal for human or pet, meat or vegan, there are two important considerations. The cooking method which you use to prepare your food and the other is the quality and choice of ingredients.

In choosing the ingredients, we have utilized scientific and nutritional data to formulate a recipe that is totally balanced and nutritious and that will ensure a healthier and longer life.

Some of the ingredients include brown rice, millet, lentils, peas, barley, wheat germ, rolled oats, beetroot, butternut, sweet potato, carrots and a variety of freshly picked herbs. To ensure the perfect balance we also supplemented with calcium gluconate, zinc gluconate, taurine, yeast, lecithin, kelp, dandelion and vitamin c.

So, not only is it possible to feed dogs a non-meat diet, it can also be very nutritious and balanced. In fact, what started out as diet for moral and ethical reasons, has now be become popular for the treatment of ailments like skin disorders, arthritic problems and bladder disorders.

NOTE: Vondis Holistic Pet Nutrition non vegetarian meals include Beef, Chicken, Mutton, Ostrich and Special Chicken for Sensitive Skin.

reading

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

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

BABA: MEN AND FATHERHOOD IN SOUTH AFRICA

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

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

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

WHAT KIDS NEED MOST IN A DAD

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

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

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

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

BOUNDARIES WITH KIDS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

We find our spirit guide on our journeys deep inside.

Chiayaog Ahsin wawashkashi.

Borrowed with courtesy to Talking Stick.

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