Cotu montessori november

*FREE DIGITAL MAG *ISSUE 29 *N0VEMBER 2016

Being Sun Smart & Water Wise

A New Dad shares his Anxiety with us

Meet the Rainbow Babies

Montessori-fy Your Home

ed’s letter Greetings Montessori Teachers, Parents, Grand Parents, family and friends ABOUT US www.childoftheuniverse.co.zaPUBLISH ER 2Luni Media EDITOR Linda Navon 071 346 8138 linda@childoftheuniverse.co.za OUR “Little Boss” Carmen Ché Jardim SUB-EDITORI & MARKETING MANAGER Cj Stott Matticks 082 900 1010 candida@childoftheuniverse.co.za NATIONAL SALES MANAGER Clinton Stebbing 076 657 4139 clinton@childoftheuniverse.co.za DISTRIBUTION & RESEARCH Lee Coulter CONTACT NUMBERS TEL: (011) 462-2900 0110 262 643 0110 468 737 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.

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November…. And counting the days just like the teachers, Aah, end of term and time for a holiday. Sadly many of you will be saying goodbye to your students as they graduate to ‘big school’, and many tears will be shed by the kids when they have to say goodbye to their beloved teachers…. But all good, that’s life as they say in the classics.

From our side we should be able to squeeze n another edition before school closes, and if you are a parent who received our magazine via the school, please pop onto our website and subscribe, it’s free, and you will always receive your mags, and they will still be full of relevant information even if your child has moved on to big school.

I would love some feedback from parents as to their options of where to place their childr5en once they have outgrown their montessori schools. I personally watched my two nieces when they were moved into ‘normal’ school and how long it took them to adapt. My sister eventually packed up and left for the UK and the girls are most happy there – they have even picked up the accent after a year – ever so proper!

As of the new year we will be doing country trips and visiting all the Montessori schools, or as many as possible. Part of the adventure is to introduce the schools to some new products and concepts, so we are looking forward to meeting you all.

Enjoy the November edition of Child of the Universe, keep your hats on, wear sun-block and drink lots of water. Now I sound just like my mother!

Till next month – be well xxxxxx Much Love

Linda

contributing team & experts

DR MICHAEL DORER Montessorian & Education Story Teller

KYM VAN STRAATEN

SHARON CALDWELL

HEIDI VAN STADEN

Consultant/Montessori Education

Director of MCSA Owner Montessori Academy

SAMAcon Chairperson Owner Randburg Montessori Campus

TIM SELDIN

JACKY PRICE

SUSANNE VAN NIEKERK

MARNIE CRAYCROFT

President of the Montessori Foundation

SAMA Immediate past President

Montessori Centre SA

Carrots are Orange

SINEAD HAMILL

KYLE PEARCH

MAREN SCHMIDT

JEANNE-MARIE PAYNEL

Rhyme Time Education

DIY Genius

All About Learning

Voila Montessori

CHRISTINE O’LEARY

ALISON GOPNIK

NICOLETTE ROUX

Ultimate Montessori Parent Guide

Professor of Psychology

Powerful Mothering

SARAH SCHERRER

contents Kiddies Educational Puppeteer Business for Sale THE MONTESSORI METHOD

Have you chosen your Montessori School for next year SAMA – Indexed member schools across SA Creating a Montessori environment at Home Is 1 Montessori Teacher per class enough?

TAKING MONTESSORI OUTSIDE It’s HOT – be Sun Smart

BABIES & BEYOND

A New Father shares his Anxieties with Us

A Date with a Meerkat?

Come Rain or Shine – Be Water-Wise Rainbow Babies

YUMMY TUMMY

All good Yummy recipes

ANIMAL WORLD

How do you know if your Pet is in pain?

Doggies and Kitties looking for loving homes….adopt, don’t buy

OUT & ABOUT

Shows, new restaurant and getaways Hope begins wit you – Kids with Leukaemia

SAMA MEMBER SCHOOLS & TRAINING CENTRES IN SOUTH AFRICA Eastern & Southern Cape KwaZulu Natal Limpopo Mpumalanga Namibia North Gauteng (PTA) South Gauteng (JHB) Western Cape Swaziland Seychelles SAMA TRAINING INSTITUTIONS

* Show Previews *

Suitable for Pre-Primary Schools & Grade 0 – 3 1) World Big, Me Small Gav, who is afraid to start Nursery School because he’s so small, gets a big surprise when he meets other colourful friends - some of whom are half his size!

Themes include: School, home, family, friends & pets; body image & self-esteem.

2) Four-Season-Trees Talking Tree tells his four-seasons story - to the delight of Fuzz & other furry creatures.

Themes covered: Seasons (Summer, Autumn, Winter, Spring); trees (seasonal changes, uses of wood & importance of tree preservation).

3) Simply Safe.

When naughty Baby Gnome is left in the care of Nanny, he gets up to lots of mischief...

Themes covered: Home safety (injuries, shocks, choking & suffocation); road safety (traffic, robots, stop signs & zebra crossings); school safety & water safety.

4) Water & Wind Rainbow Bob cycles around - from the ground, along rivers & into the sea, then up into the sky where the clouds fly, and down again with the rain.

Themes covered: Water cycle (rivers, the sea, vapour & clouds); weather conditions (sunny, windy, stormy); importance of water (cleaning, drinking, growth).

5) Big School Book Unless Gav & Mandla can find the missing letters from the alphabet tree, they won’t be able to write their story!

Themes covered: Introduction to Big School; books & libraries; numbers (time & sums); alphabet & punctuation.

6) Health & Hygiene When Ma & Pa monkey explore a trash heap, they learn about health & hygiene the hard way!

Themes covered: Bad eating habits & substance abuse; manners & general hygiene (dental care, sleep, exercise & sport).

7) Green Earth Two villains, Slick & Slime, pollute Pooie the dragon’s water, giving him serious indigestion!

Themes covered: Land pollution (littering), atmospheric pollution (smog), noise & water pollution (oil & trash); the environment; recycling; endangered animals.

8) Shapes, Colours & Sizes As Chimp shops for the perfect outfit for his Musical Extravaganza, he is thrilled to discover a world filled with wonderful shapes, colours & sizes!

Themes covered: Shapes (circle, square, triangle); colours (primary, secondary, shades); sizes (big & small, short & tall, wide & narrow); musical instruments & Rainbow Nation.

9) Space Travel Aldrin Starbuck & his dog - Roger Moonunit, go in search of treasure, and find themselves travelling in all kinds of amazing vehicles, including a Time Machine!

Themes covered: Transport (land, sea & air); Time (past, present & future), Outer Space (satellites, rockets, planets, moons & stars).

10) Easter Bunny’s Birthday Balloon!

It’s Easter Bunny’s Birthday again & Smartypants surprises her with the biggest balloon ever!

11) Caterpillar’s Christmas Dream When a green caterpillar falls in love with a beautiful, blue butterfly, he dreams of getting wings for Christmas...

* Commentary on Puppet Shows *           

“Fabulous shows!” (Greenpark Nursery School) “Fantastic shows!” (Pebbles Nursery School) “Wonderful, interactive & informative!” (St. Mary’s) “Excellent & most enjoyable!” (Maylill Nursery School) “Well done! Beautiful Props” (Little Owls Pre-Primary) “Very Colourful & Interactive” (Stepping Stones Pre-Primary) “Cheerful, colourful & exceptionally well carried over to kids!” (Karen’s Play) “Excellent visual-aids, super music & lots of energy!” (Ladybird Nursery School) “Children were entranced by wonderful puppets!” (Mouse House Nursery School) “Great fun! Educational, interactive & held children’s attention” (Crawford Preparatory) “Always so energetic & well performed. Kids love them” (Treasure Island Nursery. School)

* Inventory * What is included in the sale 1.

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+ 80 Beautiful Handmade / Imported Puppets. + 100x Props / Backdrops / Costumes. + 85x Original Songs (Written & Sung by JA & JRH Durno).

11x Pre-Recorded Scripts (on CD & Hard Drive, Typed Scripts included).

11x Handmade Storage Boxes (colourful, waterproof, washable & compact).

2-Part Puppet Stage & 2 Boxes (lightweight, black, waterproof & compact).

Full Sound-System (Amp, Lapel Microphone, Adaptors, Cables & all extras).

Lighting (Clip-on Black Lamp, Adaptors & Extension Cable).

• Training of Puppeteers will be available, at a pre-arranged additional fee, and on mutually convenient dates

* Contact * Visit our Puppet Page, & make friends to see more Puppets: https://www.facebook.com/gav.eldorado

Contact Jolanta on: Tel/Fax: (011)726-1919 Tel: (011)726-8128 Cell: 083 699 0382 SA Code: +27

How to Create a Montessori at Home Environment that Your Child Will Love

By Marnie

Preparing the environment is a key tenet of the Montessori method. If you are a parent, your environment is your home. So, you have your work cut out for you. Definitely a more difficult, or at least different, task than setting up a classroom. There are first steps to bringing Montessori into your home that will help. Once you’ve simplified your home, you’ll be in a much better position to implement Montessori at Home. This post includes a few simple ideas to bring Montessori into your home.

Montessori at Home Environment Montessori Playroom • •

•

Everything has a place. That phrase is my mantra. Plus, it makes life with a young child a lot easier (sort of).

Toy & Book Rotation is key. Every 3-4 weeks, take the time to rotate and even purge a few items.

Say goodbye to plastic and loud, annoying, distracting toys!

Montessori Bedroom • • • • • • • •

Give your child the freedom to decorate his room but encourage the less is more approach.

Provide a child’s sized laundry basket Place artwork (maybe even your child’s work) at the child’s eye level Accessible clothing with low shelves, rods, and hooks Relaxing lighting but don’t completely block out natural light Definitely make the space for your child with books and even a few toys. Keep it simple, though. Avoid clutter!

Calm and soothing colors Essential oil diffuser is a nice touch

Montessori Bathroom • •

Include a mirror at bath time so the child can truly acknowledge the difference between clean and dirty.

Make the bathroom accessible for kids with a Faucet Extender, Light Switch Extender, and Stools. One of my pet peeves as a parent is having to pick up my child to wash his hands. I do it because it is important but why not find a way to help the child help himself? Win. Win. There are ways to do this without having to reconstruct your adult sized bathroom.

Kids will relish in being able to wash hands and turn on/off the lights all by themselves.

Montessori Kitchen Using real dish ware and glasses is a tough transition for most of us parents. Using real kitchen utensils, glass cups, and plates is the way to go. Search goodwill for beautiful glasses and plates. You’ll find great deals! Furthermore, in the event, as children are learning grace & courtesy, an accident occurs you don’t feel too guilty about it. Montessori Services is a wonderful resource for kid sized kitchen, garden, and cleaning tools. Also, use visuals of real images in learning and routine charts.

Peace Corner One of my favorite simple way to integrate into your home is with a peace corner. This space is meant for observation in silence, to calm down or to simply be. So you can include a plant for caring and observing, a fish tank for watching, or simply a window for gazing at the wonders of the outdoors.

• •

Gather activities to encourage mindfulness in children is through journaling, meditation, deep breathing exercises, and yoga and place them in accessible areas of the home.

Consider a Cretan’s Labyrinth or ABC Yoga Cards in a basket.

Read this wonderful book called Nurturing the Spirit: In Non-Sectarian Classrooms. The author shares ideas about cultivating stillness that you can integrate into your home.

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By Maria Burke

This article contains affiliate links.

Is One Certified Teacher Enough in a Montessori Classroom?

My sister described her visit to meet a lead teacher and observe a classroom at a local Montessori school in search of a good spot for her daughter: “There were 25 kids in the class. It just seems too much. We want 12 kids max.”

As a Montessori trained teacher and parent, I had to take a deep breath before responding: “How many teachers were in the class?”

She paused for a moment, “There were 3 including two assistants and a lead teacher.”

Then I explained three key tenets of a Montessori classroom that make the teaching arrangement possible and effective: 1. Multi-age environment 2. Liberty within a Prepared Environment 3. Role of the teacher Although Montessori classrooms typically have 3 adults, the lead teacher is typically the only one with certification. This reality is somewhat shifting, however, as the demand becomes more apparent that every adult in the class should be trained to some extent in Montessori. There are Montessori assistant training programs that exist and the popularity is rising. You likely will see many schools begin to adopt this approach in the future.

When Maria Montessori designed her method, she emphasized the following:   

children interact and learn from their peers within a multi-age setting children interact with the carefully planned environment and the materials on the shelves with liberty after careful observation of the children and preparation of self, the teacher prepares the environment, customized to the children’s development and interests, in a way that invites the child to engage and want to learn

3 Reasons Why One Trained Lead Teacher Works in a Montessori Classroom # 1 – Montessori’s Multi-Age Setting Montessori classrooms consist of three-year age groupings at all levels. The oldest children have a firm grasp of the material in the environment. Therefore, they are able to give lessons to the younger students, thereby solidifying their knowledge. The youngest students see the older children as models, and as they progress through the cycle, they begin to look forward to their third year when they are able to be the models.

#2 – Montessori’s Prepared Environment Montessori’s carefully prepared environment gives children liberty to choose works that attract them. With that said, an important note is that Montessori designed the curriculum so that the materials on the shelf progress in a way that allows the child to move through the sequence easily and seamlessly based on observing and understanding the children within the environment. This liberty allows the teacher opportunity to observe more than intervene to guide the child.

#3 – The Role of the Teacher Montessori requires intensive teacher training. He or she must learn all aspects of the curriculum, the materials to use, and the lessons to give. In The Discovery of the Child, Montessori said, “A teacher must, therefore, be well acquainted with the material and keep it constantly before her mind. She must acquire a precise knowledge of the techniques that have been experimentally determined for the presentation of the material and for dealing with the child so that he is effectively guided� (151).

The role of the teacher is a critical component of the prepared environment. Through training, the teacher prepares herself in order to better prepare the environment for the children. She will know how to navigate the environment, how to lean into older children to give lessons (to aid in their own development of leadership, communication, and social skills), and how to observe effectively to create an engaging classroom for the children.

Therefore, the second (and often third) adult in the classroom assists the lead teacher with observation, helps children who might need redirection or a bit of guidance with the materials.

While the assistant is often not a fully certified Montessori teacher, their experience in the classroom is worth a great deal as far as child development, communicating with kids, and disciplinary approaches go. Plus, the mentorship offered by the lead teachers goes a long way in preparing the assistant.

Nienhuis Montessori materials Nienhuis Montessori materials meet the demands of Montessori education regarding spontaneous learning. Our high quality products enable children to become independent and critical thinkers.

Our products are based on Montessori education principles and stimulate children's desire to learn.

They promote imagination, increase insight and create a desire for quality. Children can develop without predetermined rules, but they do need individual guidance and supportive educational materials. We believe in personal growth and offer the necessary tools to support this.

Delicious Hamper of the awesomely healthy new My T Iced.

The latest creation from our friends at My T Chai, these iced teas are filled with goodness, delicious natural flavours to cool you down this Summer. We are hooked and we know that you and your friends will be too!!

To enter email your addresses and your phone number to my-t-iced@childoftheuniverse.co.za Subject: Subscribe. T’s & C’s: Only open to SA Residents, Competition Closes 10 November

What it Means to Play Safe in the Sun… It’s so important to know the dangers of exposure to the sun and also how to reduce the risk of skin cancer which is the result of skin cell damage that begins in the lower part of the epidermis (the top layer of the skin). At least 80% of sun-induced skin damage occurs before the age of 18 and only manifests later in life.

Reducing the Risk The good news is that the risk of skin cancer can be reduced by respecting the sun and following these tips: • Avoid direct sunlight between 10 am and 3 pm.

Stay in the shade or under an umbrella as much as possible • Wear protective clothing; wide brimmed hats and UV protective clothes / swimsuits • Wear sunglasses with a UV protection rating of minimum UV400 • Always apply sunscreen regularly (SPF of 20 – 50) according to skin type. Anyone can get skin cancer, regardless of race, age or sex. People with fair skin have a higher chance of getting skin cancer while dark-skinned people are still at risk.

• Avoid Sunbeds and Sunlamps • Spot-the-spot: Check your skin carefully every month (follow A, B, C, D, E rules) – find more info here…

Screening CANSA has five mole-mapping dermoscope devices called the FotoFinder used to examine moles and help reduce the risk. Every client with suspicious skin damage is referred for an intensive skin evaluation. Examinations are available at some CANSA Care Centres.

People with albinism are the most vulnerable for damage by ultraviolet radiation. CANSA successfully lobbied and helped to ensure that the government now supplies approved sunscreen (aligned to the CANSA Seal of Recognition standards) at adequate levels of supply at public hospitals.

Get to Know the Lingo…

Knowing your skin is important, but knowing what terms like SPF, UV, UPF and spot-the-spot means, is just as important – especially when it comes to staying safe in the sun.

• SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor, and is usually found on sunscreen bottles – it’s a measure of how well it protects your skin against UV rays and indicates how long you could spend in the sun before burning when protected by sunscreen, compared to when you have no sunscreen on. CANSA encourages the use of SPF 20-50 according to skin type.

• UV refers to ultraviolet light emitted by the sun.

UV rays have disruptive effects on skin cells, which cause sunburn, and can result in skin cancer.

• UPF is similar to the SPF indication on sunscreen, but UPF is usually found on clothing. It indicates the Ultraviolet Protection Factor of clothing, sunglasses and hats, to protect you against the UV rays of the sun.

• Spot-the-spot is a term to encourage you to do self-examinations on your skin. It’s important to keep a track of marks, moles and spots on your skin and to make note of any changes. Make sure to follow the ABCDE rules when doing these selfexams.

Skin Cancer Common in SA South Africa has the 2nd highest incidence of skin cancer in the world after Australia, as far as Caucasians are concerned.

Myths •

• • • •

The sun is only dangerous in summer or on a hot day Sunscreen will protect me completely from the harmful effects of the sun’s rays One or two cases of sunburn won’t result in skin cancer People with darker skins are not at risk for getting skin cancer Sunbeds are a safer alternate to obtain a tan

The Truth About Tanning There is no such thing as a healthy tan – even a sunless tan…

In recent years there has been a considerable increase in the use of sunless and self-tanning products such as sprays, mousses, gels, pills, nasal sprays & injections called Melanotan 1 and 11.

Melanotan 11 has serious side effects, and may induce malignant melanoma. CANSA warns against this product.

Tips: Sunscreen & Protective Garments

Although some self-tanning products contain sunscreen, it offers minimal ultraviolet radiation protection. It does not provide protection from the ultraviolet rays of the sun and CANSA strongly discourages individuals to use any form of tanning product.

With credit to TED-Ed. Original video at Why do we have to wear sunscreen – Kevin P. Boyd

FOLLOW THESE TIPS 1. Use an Effective Sunscreen

ONE OF THE GREAT SUNSCREENS TO TRY:

• We have raised our Seal of Recognition standards & requirements for sunscreens. In addition to current SA standards, as of 1 April 2013, sunscreens bearing our Seal need to comply with the European Colipa Standards.

• Our new CANSA Seal of Recognition logo (CSOR) appears on approved sunscreen products and is a guarantee that the manufacturers of these UV protective products have complied with CANSA’s strict set of criteria – see new logo to the right.

• See list of CANSA’s SunSmart Sunscreen Partners…

• Be sure to use a sunscreen with an SPF of between 20 and 50 & 30 and 50 for fair to very fair skin.

• Products usually expire two years after manufacture – don’t use a product that has been opened and used after a year has passed.

2. Apply Sunscreen Correctly • It’s important to know the best SPF for your skintype • Always apply sunscreen 20 minutes before you go outside and re-apply at least every two to three hours

3. Wear Protective Clothing • Wear sunglasses with a UV protection rating of UV400 • Wear protective clothing & swimsuits and thicklywoven fabric hats with wide brims – avoid caps where the neck & ears are exposed • Buy SunSmart garments & apparel… – look out for CANSA’s swing tags (right) & SunSmart Choice logo (top right) on clothing, hats & summer fun accessories.

Hey Gorgeous Gorgeously Natural Sunscreen R175 www.hey-gorgeous.co.za Or www.faithful-to-nature.co.za

Educate & Protect Children • Our youth should take special precaution when spending time in the sun – two blistering burns before the age of 18, can dramatically increase the risk of getting skin cancer later in life.

• Parents and schools need to play an increasingly important role in educating our youth re being SunSmart. Unfortunately a recent study shows that most schools are not SunSmart. Read more…

Article courtesy of CANSA

Tel: 0800 22 66 22

Bells - 1MM.240 Set of 13 pairs of movable brass bells that make up the chromatic scale starting with the middle C (do) as follows : a) 13 bells with natural wood bases b) 13 bells with decreasing diameters and black or white wooden bases to correspond to the piano keyboard; c) two wooden mallets for striking the bells; d) one wooden damper Mallet - 1MM.240.1 Individual wooden mallet for bells Damper - 1MM.240.2 Individual wooden damper for bells

CONTACT US Mobile: 082 644 6965 sales@montessorisupplier.co.za www.montessorisupplier.co.za

Bell Baseboard - 1MM.241 Set of two wooden boards with grey and white rectangular spaces corresponding to the bases of the bells

The Post-Partum Anxieties of Fatherhood: Confessions of an Introvert

by Jonathan Church

A man reflects on the difficulties of reconciling introversion with fatherhood.

In the hours and days after their first child is born, parents are deluged with copious felicitations from every kind of acquaintance. They receive cards and flowers and gifts. They happily share pictures via text with family and friends, and may also be inclined to dump pictures on social media, proudly displaying to the digital world a new citizen of the human race that they themselves have wrought.

They grin in acknowledgement at those who express commiseration with their lack of sleep, and take comfort in all manner of advice about post-partum hardships from doctors, parenting books, and online scarymommy.com articles.

Yet one thing that is surely among the more common occurrences but is nonetheless like an elephant in the room, not easily discussed or even openly acknowledged amid the feverish onslaught of felicitations and logistical obligations and rigid feeding schedules, is the threat of post-partum anxiety.

It is true that mental health professionals, obstetricians, and anyone with an inkling of the rigors of childrearing are acutely aware of the potential onset of post-partum depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), or the general disquiet that comes with being overwhelmed by an immense new responsibility that severely and immediately transforms one’s life as he once knew it. The basic competence with which he has managed his own personal affairs in life is suddenly thrown into doubt.

There is a dread that shocks the core of his self-esteem.

As a man who has been a father for less than two weeks, I have not experienced depression, OCD, or a loss of self-esteem. I do not doubt my competence, nor do I feel a debilitating sense of helplessness in the face of unforeseen adversity. Yet sure enough, I only became a father in the last two weeks, and already I feel like a failure. I don’t say this because I got careless and dropped my newborn daughter on the floor, or because I let her mother oversleep and miss a feeding, or because I was oblivious to her mother’s texts about going into labor while I was feasting and drinking with friends at happy hour, and only got home in time to drive her to the hospital and let her deliver at the door of the emergency room.

None of that happened. Nor has anything catastrophic or melodramatic come to pass. Nor do I feel besieged by guilt about not being rich enough to provide her with a lavish home and lifestyle like a Hollywood movie star, or because I did not secure a place in an elite preschool three or four years from now.

All the anxieties natural to an introvert—not having enough time to oneself, constantly being barraged by nagging spouses and children in need of attention, the delirium of too many sensations for too long a stretch of time— are beginning to emerge.

The reason I already feel like a failure is because I am an introvert, and as an introvert, I worry about my ability to address the enormous emotional responsibility of caring for a child. All the anxieties natural to an introvert—not having enough time to oneself, constantly being barraged by nagging spouses and children in need of attention, the delirium of too many sensations for too long a stretch of time—are beginning to emerge. It’s not that I fear the loss of my personal time and space, because an introvert will find his personal time and space like an animal in the wilderness will find his sustenance. Personal time and space, like grass for a cow, or sunlight for the plant, is a matter of survival, a matter of health, a matter of staying sane and at peace with life. But because I cannot run from my introversion and the reclusive demands to which it gives rise, I also cannot run from the fear that my child will eventually, when she grows older, mistake my introversion for neglect.

Introverts live their lives in a solipsistic bubble, the extent of which varies from a cool reserve to a complete withdrawal, meant to be regenerative but which can make an introvert seem like a misanthrope or a hermit or a narcissist. It’s never one or the other—cool reserve or complete withdrawal—but a range that can manifest in the same person at different times depending on an introvert’s current emotional state. At times, an introvert is simply content to sit quietly in a crowd and watch and listen. At other times, an introvert is so drained from social interaction that he can barely stand to be in the presence of other human beings, and runs to the nearest sanctuary he can find.

An introvert like myself can easily come across as selfish, anti-social, or narcissistic.

The more sensitive to external stimulation he is (I am on the more extreme end), the more selfish and anti-social and narcissistic he can appear. But his withdrawal is only a physiological response to overstimulation. While an introvert appears aloof and uncaring, people around him may not know that his retreat and withdrawal can make him feel sad, depressed, or inadequate. He desperately wishes he could convey that it isn’t a pure aversion to humanity that makes him aloof, but a temporary intolerance for external stimulation after a succession of sensations from the realm of human experience.

An introvert is like David Thoreau when he wrote: ‘I had three chairs in my house; one for solitude, two for friendship, three for society.’ There are only so many faces and voices he can encounter before the synaptic networks of his brain sputter and derail like a train that tries to go too fast on its rails.

Sure enough, our occasional frictions have spilled over into parenthood.

This predisposition can easily invite trouble in relationships. I have written elsewhere about difficulties in my relationships that stem in large part from being an introvert. This includes my fiancée, the mother of my child.

Sure enough, our occasional frictions have spilled over into parenthood. We have gotten testy with each other, sometimes to the point of name-calling and profanity, which means I have already broken a promise to myself never to incite hostility in the presence of my child like my father did (though a corollary benefit is I have gained an even deeper appreciation of my father’s own struggles with introversion in an era when the cultural awareness of mental health issues was perhaps not as advanced and inclusive as it is today, and qualities associated with introversion perhaps carried more of a stigma than it does today, some thirteen years after Jonathan Rauch wrote a well-received article in The Atlantic about ‘caring for your introvert’).

The occasional frictions between me and my fiancée as we adjust to parenthood are not solely a function of my introversion.

Some can be traced to the basic post-partum challenges alluded to above, like anxiety rooted in the intensity of her maternal instincts, which have her constantly on guard, in contrast to my more easygoing nature, which is not scrupulously on watch for every little thing that can go wrong with our child. She worries about things that I don’t, like whether I’m going to trip while holding the baby because my walk-around-the-house shoes are beat-up fifteen-year-old Nike Air Prestos with the soles falling off (what can I say, they are comfortable!). That disparity in the degree to which each of us worries about things erupts in disagreements about what should and should not be done to address each other’s parenting preferences. The disagreements can often manifest in prickly remarks that, as they accumulate over time, can boil over like a hot cauldron of resentment and contempt.

It’s just the sort of thing that can break down an introvert: the chronic accumulation of beckoning calls, needling jibes and barbs, and expressions of frustration and resentment. It has put me so much on edge at times that I have gotten short with her, finding myself running around too much for too long, feeling overwhelmed, like I was never going to be able to read a book again, or write an essay, or simply take time alone to think about and reflect on, for example, the experience of being a dad. One morning, in a moment of frustration, I blurted out: ‘I’m not trying to be a 24/7 call boy!’

Things were ‘under control.’

Then I sat down to read a paragraph in a book while I was waiting for my fiancée to finish getting ready before we left to go to a pediatrician appointment.

It wasn’t because I no longer wanted to care for my daughter or her mother. It wasn’t because I do not want to be there in times of need, or in cases of emergency. I said it precisely because I thought everything was going well. I was upset she did not share my belief that everything was going well. My daughter, fiancée, and I all had had a decent night of sleep. I had completed my morning chores, or at least the important ones. Things were ‘under control.’ Then I sat down to read a paragraph in a book while I was waiting for my fiancée to finish getting ready before we left to go to a pediatrician appointment. Maybe I can’t expect to have hours at a time to myself, but I can certainly try to steal a few minutes here, and a few minutes there, to read, to gather my thoughts, to take a deep breath.

My fiancée walked into my office. Thinking she caught me slacking, she chided me for delaying our trip to the pediatrician. She said it in a tone that made me feel like I should feel guilty for taking a moment to open up a book. It was apparent that we disagreed about what constitutes a situation that is ‘under control.’ As a result, I got the impression that she was never going to stop thinking of things to do, whereas I liked to do things piecemeal, a little bit at a time, according to a plan, whereby everything does not have to get done at once; tasks could be prioritized, completed incrementally, allowing for breaks, sleep, rest, conversation, and other activities associated with healthy living. We did not have to labor 24/7 like taskmasters preparing for war. I understand that in the general sense, the work never ends when raising a child. But I was striving to balance the need to get things done with the need to take breaks. Some kind of dynamic equilibrium was the goal. It was becoming clear, however, that she believed she was putting more into parenthood than I was. It was becoming a cause for nascent agitation, which then became cause for outright acrimony.

I wanted to communicate to her that I was merely attempting to establish an equilibrium.

Her view, however, was that we were only a week into this thing, and the round-the-clock priority was our child. She was right, but an introvert who has spent three days in a hospital constantly interrupted in the wee hours by doctors and nurses, and then five days constantly running around with little time to sit and work and think can get a little stir crazy. My outburst was the spontaneous combustion of a man who felt he had completed his chores for the time being and wanted to take a moment to himself, then felt a hot irritation run up under his skin when he felt she chided him not because there was a task left unfinished, but because he wasn’t doing something. This was a consideration that was extremely unwelcome to an introvert, because taking alone time is what an introvert must do if he is to remain sane. And he wants is to remain sane, not only for his own sake, but for his child’s sake, and the child’s mother’s sake. An introvert taking time to himself is no different than a patient who needs his pain medication, or a baby who needs to be fed if she is to stop crying.

The raw biological love that exists between a parent and child is one I have grown accustomed to in the last week

But it sounded terrible, like I was in denial about the responsibilities that lay before me. My fiancée was not unwarranted in the wicked stare she gave me. It did not make me feel good. She was confronting me with the possibility that I was failing my child (and her).

The raw biological love that exists between a parent and child is one I have grown accustomed to in the last week. To fail one’s child would be a terrible twist of fate, and I want to do what I can to avoid that fate. Was I already failing to do what I need to do to avoid that fate? It is a frightening question to ask, because I know the same tendencies will continue. I will forever be drawn to time alone, time to dwell in my thoughts, time to emotionally recuperate from the incessant stimuli of daily life in the society of family and the confines of domestic responsibility.

There are many introverts and others who may decide not to become parents in order to save themselves the trouble. I can understand their point of view. I have even thought to myself over the last week: what did I get myself into? Was I enamored with the idea of having a child but not the reality?

Yet for all the pitfalls, I have been amazed to realize what satisfaction I derive from being witness to my child as she urinates or defecates on the bassinet in the middle of changing a diaper, whose derriere and haunches must be wiped because she squirts mustard-colored poop every time she has a bowel movement, who needs to be burped, who darts her eyes left and right in intense curiosity as her cheeks lay skin to skin with my neck. Even when I am anxious to get back to a book I was reading, or a football game I was watching, or an essay I was writing, I cannot help but smile to myself in amusement and contentment that I get to watch her squirm around while I make sure she has a clean diaper. All of that is true despite the climactic protest that I would not be a 24/7 call boy.

Nothing can prepare or condition an introvert to find enjoyment in the constant interruptions of parenthood except the experience itself. Only the reality of when labor is announced by contractions, bleeding, and water breakage; the reality of driving to the hospital at midnight; the reality of the delivery room filled with masked physicians in aqua blue body suits, cool as ice as they manage the chaos of childbirth; the transformative moment when your child is handed to you, and you see your daughter enter into the world. Out of nowhere it seems, a newborn baby is handed to you. Like a cub out of the wild placed at your doorstep.

You learn a whole lexicon of new words: vernix, colostrum, merconium.

You witness the dedicated, serious medical attention, the shots, the weigh-in, the reflex check, the respiratory check, the heart rate check, the response to stimulation, and more tests. The cutting of the cord. The not-knowing-how-to-act. The wrenching pit in your stomach as it dawns on you this is for real. It’s all happening without even a decent night’s sleep. You’re in a daze, being introduced to all these new inventions of nature and nurture. And then there she is, a little alien creature. Your child.

Crying, squirming, kicking. You listen to the advice of the nurses. You pose for a picture. You look at her and cannot turn away. Then you endure three days in the hospital. You learn how to change diapers.

You learn how to swaddle, and how to put a child to sleep when she has the hiccups. You listen to lactation consultants help her mother figure out the mechanics of breastfeeding. Then, you leave the hospital and spot mosquitoes. You thrash at them before they have a chance to pounce on her, in this age of Zika. And finally, you arrive at home, and feel the urge to sing the ABCs, and read to her from infant books about Hansel and Gretel, or Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. You look forward to reliving the fairy tales of your own childhood, by retelling them to your own child.

In short, I have succumbed to the joys and toils of fatherhood. But that does not mean I am always happy. It does not mean I don’t feel the need to get away from it all. It does not mean that I don’t succumb to the emotional needs of introversion. It does not mean I do not worry, as the reclusive demands of introversion call me from within, I am destined to fail my child.

It’s all happening without even a decent night’s sleep.

You’re in a daze, being introduced to all these new inventions of nature and nurture.

My view is that parenting is an art, not a science.

I say this as one who is new to parenting, so I cannot claim to base this opinion on a lot of firsthand experience. It is an opinion derived from secondhand observations of how family, friends, and even strangers deal with their own children. It is derived from observations of how children interact with themselves, with each other, with adults, and with the world around them: their impressionability, their short attention spans, their susceptibility to peer pressure and marketing and cultural influences, their whimsical desires, their fits and starts, their profound need to believe that the adults who watch over them are safe, trustworthy, reliable, and interested in what they are doing with their lives, and what they are going to do with their lives. Finally, it is derived from the wisdom imparted to me by older folk whose experience with parenting now extends to being grandparents, and who invariably say that there is no standard approach or rule of thumb. Every parent must find his own way given the personality of his child and the dynamic of his own emotional constitution.

If parenting is an art, a child is a work of art.

Bringing it to life, i.e. raising a child, involves skill and talent and instinct and all the feeble attempts to apply what one reads in how-to books and websites. But as a work of art, children are also an obsession, a constant call to attention, a calling as profound and mesmerizing as Pygmalion’s sculpture, which was granted life by Aphrodite when its creator, the sculptor Pygmalion, gave it a kiss. Like Pygmalion’s creation, a child subsequently develops a mind and heart of its own.

Once granted life, what will the child think of the parent who raised her? These are the questions that haunt a parent, especially one who worries that his introversion will be mistaken for neglect. I can only hope my child comes to understand that the inner life to which I am so attached has made much room for contemplation of my love for her. It may seem like a haunted house from the outside, but inside there is a dark, silent cellar in which a great love is stored, hoping to be discovered when the child looks into the eyes of her parent and finds a mystery that fascinates her rather than a mystery that scares or repels her. That is the hope of a parent who is an introvert.

BELOW THE BELT

Looking after your bladder and kidneys

By Judy Beyer

Along with your liver, your kidneys and bladder are your body’s waste removal system. They eliminate waste products found in your cells and help get rid of toxins – not only toxins derived from food, pesticides or a contaminated environment, but also those caused by stress. So it makes sense to look after these organs holistically.

What are the most common problems affecting the bladder and kidneys?

•Incontinence, or the feeling that your bladder does not empty completely.

•Not being able to hold as much urine as you did before.

•A blocked urethra (the canal through which urine passes).

•Infections.

•Kidney stones •Blood in the urine.

When should you consult your healthcare practitioner?

•When you have a urinary tract infection (find the symptoms http://floraforce.co.za/urinary-tractinfection/ here).

•When you constantly feel the need to urinate.

•When you feel pain during urination.

•When there’s blood in the urine.

•When any of the above symptoms are accompanied by pains, chills, fever, vomiting and exhaustion.

Here are some tips to help keep your urinary tract happy: •Hydrate, but don’t overdo it. According to US nephrologist Dr James Simon, ‘Contrary to popular belief, no studies have proven over-hydration as an effective practice in enhancing kidney function.’

Drinking more than the recommended four to six glasses a day probably won’t help your kidneys do their job any better.

•Ditch the junk food and eat more healthily. Your kidneys can deal with a lot, says Dr Simon, ‘but most kidney problems arise out of other medical conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes.’ Prevent those conditions with healthy eating and the occasional detox (see below).

 Exercise regularly. Yes, we know – we talk about this all the time! The benefits of exercise go much, much further that simply toning your booty for the beach. Regular physical activity can also stave off high blood pressure. Again, don’t overdo it. Over-exertion can put a strain on your bladder and kidneys. Keep it sensible.  Use supplements and herbal remedies with care.  People tend to self-medicate when it comes to natural remedies. And there are always those who believe that a higher dosage of a remedy/vitamin is more beneficial than the prescribed dose. The truth is that excessive amounts of certain vitamins and herbal extracts can harm your kidneys. It’s always best to talk to your herbal practitioner before embarking on a course of natural remedies.  Quit smoking. Smoking can damage blood vessels, which decreases the flow of blood in the kidneys, inhibiting their ability to function. Smoking also increases the risk of high blood pressure and kidney cancer.  Do you take over-the-counter medications? ‘Common non-prescription pills like ibuprofen and naproxen (NSAIDs) can cause kidney damage if taken regularly over a prolonged period,’ Dr Simon says. Chat to your healthcare practitioner about monitoring your kidney function and finding alternative and healthier ways to control aches and pains.  Get regular screenings for kidney function. People diagnosed with high blood pressure or diabetes should have their kidneys screened regularly as part of routine care for those conditions.  Give your bladder and kidneys a rest every three days. Feel pale at the thought? There’s no need to worry. It’s not complex or demanding – simply a minor detox that’s guaranteed to make you feel chirpier. And for those of you prone to getting kidney stones, this simple cleanse will vastly reduce the chance of recurrence.

For just one day, eliminate these foods from your diet: coffee, alcohol, fizzy drinks, foods that are very high in protein, salt – all of which make your bladder and kidneys work twice as hard as they need to.

Instead, include these foods: fresh juices – anti-oxidant-containing blueberry, carrot (purifies the blood) and grape (a mineral-rich juice that helps eliminate uric acid); raw vegetables – asparagus (stimulates kidney function), spinach (a detoxifier), celery (a mineral-rich diuretic), beetroot (detoxes the kidneys) and white beans; herbs – nettle, dandelion (both diuretics), parsley (excellent for cleaning kidneys).  Improve your urinary system with Buchu – this indigenous herb acts as a bladder antiseptic, relieves irritation and inflammation, fights invasion by micro-organisms and prevents urine retention (it has a diuretic effect on your kidneys). Read more about buchu in our herb library and buy it online here.  Learn to relax. Stress is the silent killer, raising blood pressure and affecting your entire body.

There are many approaches to dealing with stress – we recommend that you consult your healthcare practitioner to find out which suits you best.

So, pay attention to your diet, get some exercise, breathe deeply and give your urinary system a dietary treat every few days. We wish your bladders and kidneys a long and healthy life!

Come rain or shine, it’s time to be water wise!

South Africa is enduring its worst drought in 23 years, and combined with late seasonal rains, persistent high temperatures and an increased demand on the system, Gauteng residents have been urged to use water responsibly.

The province has recently been in the grip of a heat wave, and with dam levels dropping and taps in some areas running dry, Rand Water recommended level two water restrictions be implemented. These include: -

No watering and irrigating gardens between 6am and 6pm No filling of swimming pools No using of hose pipes to wash cars, paved areas, etc.

Some reservoirs have run low or dry as water is being used by consumers faster than it can be pumped in. The high demand on water was due to the high temperatures experienced throughout Gauteng. Residents in some areas faced shortages, having to rely on tankers for their supply of water.

Even though the high temperatures have passed, and rain is predicted, the bulk water system in the province is still under severe pressure and water restrictions will remain in place until further notice. In the meantime, residents are being urged to change the way they use water.

To help save water at your home and work, here are a few water-saving tips:

-

Shower rather than bath Take shorter showers Fix leaking taps and toilets Install a water-saving toilet flush system Close taps when brushing teeth or shaving Don’t rinse dishes under running water Use a pool cover for pools Report leaks to your local municipality Where possible reuse water

It’s predicted that 2015 will be the hottest year in South Africa’s history, and with a scorching, dry summer forecast, the water supply interruptions could get worse. In this situation level three restrictions would be enforced, where water use would be limited to certain times of the day. Additionally, if residents or businesses are seen flouting the water restrictions, they could face heavy fines.

Many South Africans take it for granted that we can open a tap and get clean, running water.

However, in light of the severe weather conditions being experienced in the country, it’s up to every citizen to be responsible for their water usage, and to use this resource sparingly.

With volatile weather increasing in frequency, isn’t it time you protect yourself and the important things in your life?

Get the right cover for all your needs, by phoning 0860 13 13 14 and speaking to an Indwe Risk Services advisor today.

RAINBOW BABIES

A rainbow is a promise of sunshine after rain of calm after storms of joy after sadness of peace after pain of love after loss.

A rainbow baby is a baby born following loss. These mommas are just 6 out of the millions that experience pregnancy/infant loss every day. Some speak out. Some stay silent. Some have lost many. Some try for months or years. Some meet their sleeping angels.

All loved and never forgotten.

Photography Alex Bolen by Shutter Darling Photography, LLC

This recipe makes approximately 16 bit size square of coconut berry pieces.

Ingredients:

◾2 Cups Coconut Butter ◾2 Cups Berries (I used raspberries and cherries) ◾1/2 Cup Raw Honey ◾1/2 Teaspoon vanilla extract ◾1/2 Teaspoon Fresh Lemon Zest or 1 Drop Lemon Essential Oil ◾1 Tablespoon Maca Powder (Optional)

Instructions:

◾Melt coconut butter over medium low heat until it’s smooth and creamy. Turn off heat and set aside. ◾In a food processor mix coconut butter and berries together until smooth. ◾Add raw honey, vanilla extract, lemon and Maca powder if using. ◾Mix all the ingredients together and pour into a greased 20 x 20 cm pan. ◾Refrigerate for one hour or until the bars are cooled ◾Cut the bars into squares and serve. ◾Store in the refrigerator or freezer.

Smoothie Bowl – Berrydelicious!

One of my all time favourites. Perfect for a hot summers day or for those quick on the go mornings!

Ingredients: • • • • •

1 cup Mixed frozen berries 1 banana 1/2 cup of milk or coconut milk.

Whey protein or vegan protein powder 1 Tsp xylitol

Instructions: • Blend all of the above ingredients together • Scoop a spoon of Greek yoghurt/coconut cream into a bowl • Pour the smoothie around it, add a few nuts for a crunch element • Toss in some mint to garnish and sprinkle some poppy seeds for fun!

Enjoy

Super Fruity Summer Smoothie It’s been a very hot start to the summer season so I have welcomed more fruit into my life with open arms!!

Sometimes cooking doesn’t need to be about slaving over a hot stove or spending lots of time in the kitchen, but rather about putting together an array of all your favourite fruits into a delicious smoothie recipe.

Ingredients: • • • • •

Spoon of Buttanutt spreads (Macadamia) Raspberries 1 passion fruit h2cocosa coconut water or milk Spoon or two of yoghurt - add more if you would like

Instructions: • Blend all of the above ingredients together • And VOILA! A super healthy summer Smoothie!

Enjoy

Actress, Anji Woodley is no stranger to the lights, the cameras and the action. But what she really enjoys doing …. COOKING! For more info, follow Anji on social media:

Conscious Life Magazine

It’s about making a difference one meal at a time! Eat green! By pledging to eat plant-based meals every Monday you will be munching your way towards a healthier body, a more sustainable planet and a more conscientious approach to eating. Love your veg and they’ll love you back! Green Monday is a global initiative promoted by Humane Society International (HSI).

Watch this quick video explaining why you’re onto a good thing when you support GreenMondaySA.

Goodbye Blue Mondays! Start your week by pledging green! Get your friends, family and colleagues to get on board too.

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Sign Green Monday’s pledge to eat green every Monday and help save the planet

Bean Bunny Recipe Credit: Genya Gluckman for Green Monday SA

Ingredients: • • • • • • • • • • • • •

2 onions, chopped 2 cans of chopped tomatoes 1/2 can of tomato puree 4 baby marrows, sliced (optional) 1 punnet of button mushrooms (optional) 1 teaspoon (5ml) cayenne pepper 1 tablespoon (15ml) ground cumin 1 tablespoon (15ml) ground coriander 2 tablespoons (15ml) ground turmeric 1 tablespoons (15ml) of garam masala 2 cloves of garlic 2 tins of butter beans 2 loaves of bread, cut in half and hollowed

Photo credit: House of Vizion

Conscious Life Magazine

Instructions: • Heat oil in a pot.

• Add garlic, onions and all the spices and cook until onions are translucent.

• Add in baby marrows, button mushrooms and fry for 10 minutes.

• Add in 2 cans of chopped tomato and tomato puree.

• Put on a very low heat and let simmer for between 30 minutes and 2 hours.

• Add butter beans and cook for 5 more minutes.

• Fill each half of the loaf with the curry.

• ENJOY!

People have varying amounts of tolerance to pain and the same is true of their pets. Some dogs may yelp and cry at the least discomfort, whilst another my not limp on an injured leg until it’s extremely damaged. Cats are notorious for being stoic and not showing that they are in pain.

Knowing your pet and his habits and behaviour is often the trigger to realizing he is hurting. You need to know what is normal for your pet, to be able to tell what is abnormal for them.

The skill of observing with a critical eye can be learned by anyone, and it starts with a genuine love and interest in your pet, his behaviour, posture and habits.

Often the first sign of pain in a family pet is the feeling of the owner that “something isn’t right” There are symptoms to watch for but often the first sign of pain in a family pet is the feeling of the owner that “something isn’t right”. When that impression remains for several days, a trip to the vet for a checkup is a good idea.

Symptoms of Pain: Vocalizing Your dog may whine when he rises from a sitting position or yelp when he jumps down from a chair. He may whimper when you massage a shoulder or make moaning or groaning sounds when at rest.

Your cat’s purring may actually increase, or he may be meowing incessantly or differently. Panting is normal for dogs but constant panting in the absence of exercise or heat is unusual. Cats in pain may have a faster and more shallow breathing pattern than normal. They may also even pant.

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Posture Know your pet’s normal posture at rest, as well as his normal gait. Sometimes postural changes may be very obvious e.g. our dog may limp with one leg or may appear to walk in an awkward, hunched position holding his front end and back end at uneven heights, or your horse may stand with his head in a lowered position. (When he stands with his head lower than his knees, it should set-off major alarm bells). If you know your pet’s “body language” , it will be easier to see when there is a deviation from the normal pattern.

Level of Activity Owners accustomed to a pet who follows them from room to room may notice the animal staying in one place instead. The dog may lay down, get up, circle and lay down again repeatedly trying to find a comfortable position and may have difficulty getting up after laying down. Cats experiencing pain often move around less. But depending on what hurts, they may still move around the same amount, just differently. They may move with a limp, or go more slowly up or down the stairs. Horses may show a decrease in activity or be reluctant to move, or may lag behind the rest of the group.

“Cats in pain may have a faster and more shallow breathing pattern”

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“Your pet may avoid social contact, or growl or snap..”

Heart and Pulse Change Animals in pain will often have an increased heart/pulse rate. The rate often noticeably speeds up when the painful area is touched or moved. You can enrol in a pet’s first aid course, or ask your veterinarian or veterinary nurse to show you how to check and measure your pet’s pulse rate.

Behavioural Changes Your pet may avoid social contact, or growl or snap when you touch part of his body or manipulate a joint. He may withdraw from petting and be reluctant to participate in play activity. Some dogs may become more needy than usual and seem to be asking for constant attention.

Incessant licking, scratching or chewing of one part of the body is a visible indication of itching or pain and an increase in drooling is another sign of a problem.

Be aware of changes in your horse’s behaviour in his turn-out group. Very often bad behaviour in horses have been attributed to them having a nasty character, but these unwanted behaviour patterns – swishing of the tail if you pass to close to their hind quarter, bucking, or dropping of the shoulder may be due to the fact that they are in pain.

Cats in pain are more likely to bite and scratch. This is true even with their owners and other familiar people. This is particularly true when a person touches or moves the painful area, or if the cat anticipates you touching or moving the painful area.

Cat’s may have a decrease in self-grooming when ill, or may groom excessively in an area with a wound. If your cat suddenly hides under beds or in cupboards it is s sure sign that he is in pain. Should your cat start to urinate or defecate outside his litter box it may be a sign of back/joint pain. They will struggle to get in and out of the litter box and also with the posture needed to defecate, and as a result may become constipated.

Feeding changes Animals may lose their appetite when they are in pain or appear unusually tired or lethargic. Be aware of their feeding habits and pay attention to their feeding routine and changes to these routines. When they do go and eat and experience some pain in their mouth or the cause of their pain is related to their teeth, then they may drop food/water out of their mouth whilst eating/drinking.

Appearance Animals display facial expressions that their human companion recognize as part of the personality of their pet. A change in expression or physical appearance may be an indicator of a pet who is in pain.

Ears laid back may be unusual for the animal and a vacant stare that replaces the attentive look, or eyes that seem constantly tired and sleepy may be subtle clues of a joint that is aching or an injury that needs treatment.

Strained, tense nostrils, mouth and prominent chewing muscles, flattening of the horse’s profile, as well as tension seen above the eye area is a sure sign that your horse needs the vet or blacksmith or some dentistry.

Treatment for Pain Relief: Seek advice from your vet as soon as you notice your pet is in pain to determine the cause of pain. Prompt treatment can halt the progression of serious illness and relieve discomfort quickly.

Finding the cause of the discomfort can often lead to treatments with pet medicines that will control or even eliminate pain for the animal. Please do not self-medicate your pet. Many fatalities have occurred with caring pet owners medicating their pets with human medicine. You can cause your pet severe distress and even death by giving your pet medicine meant for human beings.

Natural Medicines: Eco-Vet has a portfolio of registered natural medicine designed for treating various painful conditions. EcoHeal is a must in your fist aid kit for pain and sudden onset injuries, while Eco-Joint has been created for the treatment of animals with acute and chronic joint strains associated with mainly soft tissue injuries.

May be effectively used before hard exercise to protect from work induced injuries. Is an effective remedy for use immediately after hard exercise as an aid to recovery. Eco-Arth is a natural remedy for the treatment of animals with chronic joint problems associated with degenerative disease, and had seen many animals regaining their mobility.

We love animals, NATURALLY Erika Bornman CEO-Eco-Vet www.ecovet.co.za

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