Cotu spring - Child of the Universe - Montessori Magazine

Keep-A-Breast Awareness & Support

The Honest Toddler in his ‘happy high heels’ SPRING 2013

Why we think Montessori is Best

www.childoftheuniverse.co.za

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WHY CHOOSE ORGANIC FABRICS? Organic fabric is sown, grown, harvested & processed through

carefully implemented and monitored phases, utilising crop rotation and beneficial insect predators to prevent and control disease, weed and pest problems in the growing stages, as well as safe cornstarches and peroxides in the processing phase. The use of genetically modified seeds, toxic insecticides, pesticides and fertilizers & chemical inputs such as formaldehyde, heavy metals, chlorine bleaches and sulphurs are strictly prohibited.

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Hello Friends In this edition we are taking ourselves out of the comfort zone of ‘baby steps’ and diving head first into the league of athletes, climbing the 100 000 Stairs of Hope.

The Sunflower Fund is hosting the Everest in a Day and a Half Challenge, which you can read about in the magazine. We are entering the challenge as a relay team under the name of Child of the Universe where we will represent the Montessori schools, and would really appreciate your support.

So, October has hit us and the Christmas decorations are out there in full force. The pressure is on to start shopping up a storm, filling those stockings and fulfilling the kids ‘wish-lists’. It’s also a great time to bring ‘Tinkerbell’ out of the closet, dust her off, and let her do her magic as the ‘behaviour enforcer’.

You will notice that we are carrying through the message of breast cancer awareness, even though we are at the end of October. We would like to keep up the momentum as we move into the month of November – horrors of horrors... “MOvember’. Do we really have to have our men looking like they should be wearing safari suits along with those bristly upper lips adornments?

Question? Is it a common thing in other people’s homes for things to always go missing?

Do you hear the same old “Where is...?’ or “I can’t find my...?’ Either the stress of the year is hitting us or my family has some sort of ‘WHEREISMY’ bug. If you have a solution to this dilemma, please let us know.

For now, keep smiling and remember, you are a Child of the Universe.

Love, Linda

LETTER FROM THE BOSS Hallo everyone, just to let you know that I will be off work for the next couple of weeks. I am taking it easy up in Tofo, Mozambique, with my Mum. It’s lovely up here, hot and slow, no rush like in Joburg. I have grown a lot since you last saw me and I am now talking quite a bit... I said a ‘bad word’ the other day and Mummy is trying to get me to say ‘FUN’ – I know what they are up to, but I will behave as I hear Tinkerbell is watching me! xoxoxo

montessori method

Montessori Supplier is the sole distributor in South Africa, of genuine Montessori educational material produced by Gonzagarredi. All materials are imported directly from Italy, and conform to the highest standards and specifications, as laid out by Maria Montessori.

Why Montessori?

Watch this video … it will take 5 minutes of your time, and you will know WHY! I was going to write a long article about why you should give your children the benefit of a Montessori education – a solid foundation in life… but this link saved me (and you) a stack of time…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GcgN0lEh5IA

Montessori Misconceptions The word Montessori is often used, but commonly misunderstood. The widespread misunderstanding is caused by a lack of information on Maria Montessori and her original work. a. Montessori is not an accelerated learning programme, though academic achievement is often a result due to the fact that the Montessori Method takes full advantage of the child’s desire to learn. It empowers the child to master skills at their own pace, thus building their self-esteem. b. Montessori is not disorganised or undisciplined. Some parents complain that Montessori allows too much freedom or not enough. This paradox can be explained by appreciation of the true meaning of liberty. The freedom given to the child is to do what is right, not what is wrong. Montessori did not believe in absolute freedom. In fact, she instructed her teachers to check the children whenever they displayed selfishness or lack of self-control. Freedom within the environment can only exist when rules are obeyed. c. Montessori is not rigid structured and disciplined. The order within the environment is not arbitrary, but is a response to the child’s need for structured experiences as he tries to make sense of the world around him. Everything in the room has a permanent place. The materials are arranged along the shelves in order of difficulty. Order in the environment helps the child to work independently without needing an adult’s assistance. The child knows how to select what is appropriate for his developmental level and personal needs.

The order of a Montessori classroom is not the structure of a conventional classroom. There are no assigned seats, no compulsory break period, and no graded placement of children by age.

d. Montessori children do adjust well to other school’s programmes. Obviously, how well a child adjusts will generally depend on the quality and latitude of the public or Independent school he/she enters. The child however, will be well equipped because of the desire to learn that has been fostered throughout his Montessori training.

An adjustment to Grade 1 is necessary for all children regardless of what preschool training they have received. Parents also have an influence on their child’s adjustment to public or other Independent schools. They should observe the new school and then prepare their child for any changes they have noticed (e.g. teacher at the front of the class, fixed seating and set timetable). e. Montessori herself, however, found that a concrete basis is needed at the beginning of the learning process. The development of the senses precedes that of superior intellectual activity. We can only give the child the power and the means for observation and these means are procured through education of the senses.

The child then teaches himself/herself (auto-education). Experience has shown that the child himself/herself will disregard the apparatus and work without it when he is ready to do so. f. Montessori does permit social development. In a Montessori school there are friendships and sharing. Children interact with each other and with the adults.

Because there is no artificially induced competition, the children learn to cooperate with each other. There is usually a three-year age grouping so that the youngest child may learn from older one. The respect which the directress shows towards each child is a model for the children to follow in learning to respect each other.

There are areas and activities provided for solitude and small and large group activities. However, no child is coerced into joining a group activity.

Kid-ease has now launched the world’s leading brand of Authentic Replicas, Safari Ltd, which are of museum quality, hand-painted and lead-free. The main product line, is Safari’s TOOB sets, which are beautifully packaged in relevant categories and include educational information for each of the 8 – 12 figurines in the set; an Educator’s dream! Kid-ease Montessori also offers a beautiful selection of nonfiction books told in an engaging style and illustrated with magical art.

We have expanded our classroom furniture selection by adding pigeon hole lockers, posture chairs and tables and hand-wash basins. We strive to continue offering a quality range of Montessori materials at affordable prices. We still supply schools with Stackable & Hygienic Kids Beds at the most competitive price on the market. Kid-ease has a strong focus on customer service which we achieve with our extensive stock-holding, online ordering, free delivery, volume discounts and flexible payment term; but most of all, by genuinely caring about our customers.

We look forward to being of service to you and trust that you will enjoy your experience with Kid-ease.

www.wonderkids.co.za

growing healthy kids

Back to nature at Sugar Bay

By Tarryn Grobler

In my many travels and through my great experiences in life, I have grown tremendously. As a person who is concerned about our planet and nature, as well as being vegetarian, I have become very concerned with how rapidly our world is changing. We live in a world that is ruled by technology, money and material things. Having four younger siblings, I see the pressure that is put onto children to have the latest cell phones, an X box or a Blu Ray television. They have been boxed into a plastic world with labels, finding joy in games that are violent or non-educational, only because their options to play outside or swing in the trees with their friends are slowly slipping away, it's not seen as “fun” anymore.

Recently, as freelance photographer at a Children holiday camp, I noticed a totally different holistic approach to children and their experiences at Sugar Bay. Leaving behind the hustle and bustle of the city, I found freedom, nature, and fresh air at Sugar Bay, I fell in love. This is a place where children are able to get back to their roots and connect with nature in a way they cannot in the city. There are endless choices of outdoor activities offered to them, where their independence starts to grow more as they make their own choices, and soon their own destinies. Their self-worth blossoms as they start doing things on their own, like making their beds, remembering their day bags, and the best part - when they achieve their goal in an activity. I've seen children trying over and over again to land a skate board kick flip, and being there to capture the moments when they finally land it. It is one of the most inspiring things to see, and to hear the overwhelming excitement in their voices as they scream out “YES!! I DID IT!” and that is what's important to them, that they did it.

After spending time with the children at Sugar Bay, I noticed an enormous emotional growth in each child, especially in my four siblings who had the opportunity to join one of the camps. They gained so much self confidence doing the activities they did, they got home and were so alive and more in tune with themselves and those around them. The children had the chance to be who they want to be, make new friends, and to not worry about criticism or failure. The values and principles at Sugar Bay allow the children to express themselves in a way they are unable to do in main stream schooling, or day to day life. It's a safe environment for children to emotionally challenge themselves, which builds character in them.

Sugar Bay enables children to learn more about the environment, to respect nature, and to keep their world clean. They recycle their plastic, tins, and paper, and the campers are taught to pick up litter whether it's theirs or not, as it's our environment. Sugar Bay promotes the three respects: to respect yourself, to respect others, and to respect the environment.

In this ever changing world, it is comforting to know that children can go to a place like Sugar Bay and get back to their roots, where they can grow into the beautiful people that they are, becoming more independent and blooming with self esteem.

Sugar Bay offers over 100 free choice activities every school holiday. Caters for children aged 7-17, high staff to child ratio (1:3), 24 hour supervision. Contact number 032 485 3778, email address – holidays@sugarbay.co.za

Teenagers and Personal Security Online Published May 7, 2013 By Parenting Today Staff In some ways, the internet is safer than “real life” socializing – after all, your teen is not outside on the street after dark; he or she is camped out in front of the computer in your own home. But the internet also poses certain dangers. Teens’ personal information can be obtained and their identities stolen, or they may become victims of cyber bullies. Following are some tips for personal security online for teenagers.

1. Make sure your teen only sends credit card information through secure sites. Check the URL to make sure. Many anti-virus software programs will detect insecure sites and warn you.

2. Think before your share. Teens are often reckless, and don’t really comprehend the potential consequences of their actions. Therefore, it’s a good idea to have clear guidelines as to what your teens can and can’t share, so your teen does not have to use his or her judgment each time he or she has something to share. Your rules could be as simple as no picture sharing unless Mom or Dad has seen the picture, or it could be more detailed, such as a list of things your teen is allowed to share online.

Another thing to keep in mind with regard to sharing photos is the issue of bullying. Your teenager should be aware that anyone could take that picture they’ve posted and use it to make fun of or otherwise defame them.

3. Remind your teen that the people on the other side of the screen are real people. In addition to being a victim of bullying, your teen could get “sucked in” to being a bully him or herself.

Social networking creates a certain distance between people, and sometimes that makes it easier to be mean.

4. The FBI warns that online sexual predators need to be taken seriously. Make sure your teen knows never to arrange a meeting between him/herself and someone he or she met online.

Sometimes teens feel invincible – “it won’t happen to me; I’m different” – and it’s important to keep a watchful eye on their meeting of new people online.

5. Playing games online leaves a “door” open to hackers, because ActiveX or JavaScript must be turned on to play the games. These need to be shut off after playing. Otherwise, they act as an opening for hackers.

6. One of the simplest things you can do is have the computer in a “public” or open area. Set it up where you can keep an eye on any internet browsing. Of course, many teens have mobile devices and laptops, so awareness of safety is still crucial.

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NEW AGE CHILDREN – INDIGOS AND CRYSTALS – AN EVOLUTIONARY PROCESS

by Tamar Dakes Botha (Founder of Beaming Kids)

Does your child get bored easily? Are they difficult to calm or settle? Do they need constant stimulation? If your answers to these questions are yes then your child may be an Indigo Child.

Is your child highly sensitive, yet easy going? Do they display unprecedented levels of kindness and compassion to the world?

Did they speak late in life? Do they have a fascination for rocks and crystals and a deep love of animals? If your answers to these questions are yes then your child may be a Crystal Child.

INDIGOS Indigos have warrior like spirits and are often confused with having ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) or ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). They are actually highly intelligent, possess huge amounts of energy and are here to usher us into a new world of integrity. They are called Indigos because they have lots of indigo blue in their auras. This is the colour of the 3 rd eye chakra which regulates clairvoyance and the ability to see visions and energy.

Indigos collective purpose is to break old systems that no longer serve us and squash governmental, educational, and legal systems that lack integrity. In order to do this they need tempers and tenacity. They can sense dishonesty, they know when they are being manipulated and are unable conform to dysfunctional situations at home. They cannot dissociate from their feelings and pretend that everything is okay – unless they are sedated or medicated. The truth is our children are super sensitive, highly intelligent beings and when they are medicated; they often lose their beautiful sensitivity, spiritual gifts and warrior like energy.

Indigo Children have been incarnating on the Earth for the last 100 years. The early Indigos were pioneers. After World War II, a significant number were born. They were the hippie generation in the 60’s and 70’s. In the 1970s a major wave of Indigos were born and from the 80’s to date they are coming through in very large numbers. So we now have three generations of Indigos, some who are in their late twenties and early thirties and who are about to take their place as leaders in the world. Indigos continued to be born up to about the year 2000, with increasing abilities and degrees of technological and creative sophistication.

CRYSTALS Crystal Children began to appear on the planet from about 2000, although some date them slightly earlier. They have large hypnotizing eyes that look straight into your soul and they are wise beyond their years. They are called Crystal children because their aura is opalescent with lots of rainbow colours in it. This generation of light workers are very telepathic and intuitive. These are extremely powerful children, whose main purpose is to take us to the next level in our evolution, and reveal to us our inner power and divinity. They still have tantrums but are easily forgiving. They function as a group consciousness rather than as individuals, and they live by the" Law of One" or “Unity Consciousness”. They are a powerful force for love and peace on the planet. They are often judged by the medical world as having speech problems or are labelled as Autistic.

Both Crystal and Indigo Children are highly sensitive with psychic abilities and important life purposes. These are a generation of children unlike any other we have seen before. They are here to heal our planet and it is their time.

They are totally receptive to their environment and are affected by their surroundings in profound ways. They are influenced by so many external factors such as; parental pressure, stress, peer pressure, school pressure, competitive sports, TV, videos, game consoles and other electronic devices, chemicals and pesticides in foods, bad eating and more. They should not be labelled or medicated.

Instead, we should be changing the way we do things; breaking old habits and finding ways to accommodate this new energy.

Parents and teachers need options; we need to make choices that work for us in our already busy lives. The choices we make as parents, teachers and caregivers will either assist them on their journey or make it more difficult.

AN EVOLUTIONARY PROCESS The exciting thing about these evolutionary developments, for ordinary people, is that the Indigo and Crystal beings bring these vibrations to the planet in order to share them with others. By their very presence, they assist others to move into these new vibrations and open up to their full potential as well. The journey from Indigo to Crystal is available for us all if we so choose. We already have higher levels of consciousness and are much more aware of our intuitive thoughts and feelings. Communication is becoming faster, more honest and more centred in love and compassion. We are growing in our psychic abilities and are more fascinated by the para-normal and extra terrestrial life than ever before.

Adult Indigos are now making the transition to Crystal Consciousness; a spiritual and physical transformation is taking place that facilitates this awakening. Those who were born without these qualities are accessing higher levels of consciousness and intuition through a process of their own hard work and the discipline of following a spiritual path.

As we evolve from 3rd dimensional beings into 4th and 5th dimensional, we find that we no longer have time or need for things such as fear, worry and victim dramas. We prefer to spend our time creating the kind of reality in which we will be happy and content. More human beings are being drawn to spiritually based careers and relationships that don’t serve us are being challenged or broken down. These are exciting and challenging times.

As we evolve, it is becoming easier to access both the material and spiritual realms. There is no longer any need for intense meditation, since the access to the spirit realm is immediate and evident. It is vitally important as we make the transition into awareness to remember we are human and remain well grounded in the material dimensions.

The whole point of the Transition is to bring "Heaven" to "Earth" and birth a culture of respect, peace, harmony and creativity.

WHAT CAN YOU DO FOR YOU AND YOUR CHILD TO FACILITATE A POSITIVE TRANSITION? Eat mainly raw foods or vegetairian diet Limit or cut out their sugar in-take Limit TV and video games Teach them positive self talk Spend time being a kid with your kids Be hands on Find out what interests them Encourage lots of physical activity Encourage lots of time outdoors, close to nature Enrol them in yoga Use soothing music to self calm Sing with our child and use sound effects Teach visualisation techniques Find your child’s best alert time Teach them relaxation techniques Use touch to calm them Help them get organized Be prepared and take care of yourself Teach your child to focus Teach them breathing techniques Distract them or give instructions in attention grabbing ways Remove allergens, chemicals, flavourants and colorants from their diet Use natural and logical consequences Use time out or the thinking chair in positive ways Give them immediate feedback Use positive reinforcement Consider family therapy (Imago or Play therapy) Give your child age-appropriate responsibilities Give them real life tasks to establish trust and responsibility Give them choices Help your child develop socially Have your child teach or help a younger child Have a positive image of your child

Calling all parents!

Let your children, aged from 7 – 15years, come experience fun in the sun in the heart of the Magaliesburg. Bushtrail Holiday Camp has a wide variety of sporting facilities. There are two fenced swimming pools, baseball, volley ball, table tennis, an obstacle course and lots of lawn for soccer and cricket. Other activities include walks in nature, cookouts and night walks, camp fires, story telling and lots more.

Friends made at camp are friends for life!

December dates: Camp 1 from 9 – 16 December & Camp 2 from 16 – 23 December 2012 Contact Liz or Billy on (014)577-1566 or 082 923 2739 E-mail: bushtrail@tiscali.co.za www.bushtrails.co.za

The mountain getaway that’s not faraway!

M A G A L I E S B E R G M O U N TA I N S

Only 1,5 hr from Johannesburg and 1 hr from Pretoria in the heart of the Magaliesberg Mountains. We have a reputation as one of the finest yet most affordable country hotels in its class in South Africa. Make Sparkling Waters Hotel and Spa your destination of choice today and experience unmatched, Home From Home hospitality for which you’ll come back time and again. Enjoy tranquil walks through the mountains and along the river followed by magnificent food and our music evenings on the verandah.

Sparkling Waters Hotel: Tel: (014) 535 0000/6 • Cell: 082 859 4036/7 • e-mail: info@sparklingwaters.co.za • www.sparklingwaters.co.za

2013 Finalist in the “Luxury Spa’s of the World” Award Program

A Champagne and Oyster experience awaits you at our award winning facility. The Spa is situated in the gardens of Sparkling Waters Hotel and housed in a 750m2 thatched pavilion overlooking the wooded area next to the Krom River. To compliment the very well equipped Salon the facilities include an Indoor Heated Pool, Jacuzzi’s, Sun Deck, Steam and Hydro Therapy Rooms, Gym and Sun Bed. In our Salon we offer a full range of treatments suitable for ladies and gents. Only products of the highest quality that are most suited to South African conditions are used.

Sparkling Health Spa: Tel: (014) 535 0019 • Cell: 078 525 1432 • e-mail: sparklingspa@mweb.co.za • www.sparklingwaters.co.za

The Original Eco Adventure

It’s fun & safe... Enjoy the Ride!

The Magaliesberg Canopy Tour takes you on an unimaginable 2,5 hour adventure through the Ysterhout kloof. Zig Zag between the rock faces of the kloof and experience the splendour of the 2,400 million year old Magaliesberg mountains!

There are 11 platforms, constructed high within the rock faces of the kloof, and joined by ten slides up to 140m long and 30m above the stream below.

Safety is paramount for the trained guides, keeping each group’s attention with interesting facts about the ancient mountain, surrounding ecology, bird and animal life. Refreshments during the tour and a light meal at Hadeda’s restaurant are included in the cost. Situated at the renowned Sparkling Waters Hotel & Spa, only 1.5hrs from Jhb and 1hr from Pretoria. Bookings essential.

Magaliesberg Canopy Tour: Tel: (014) 535 0150 • Cell: 079 492 0467 • e-mail: info@magaliescanopytour.co.za • www.magaliescanopytour.co.za

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ORGANIC FOOD: GOOD FOR THE EARTH, GOOD FOR YOU. Today many supermarket products, with their ever longer list of unpronounceable ingredients, bear only a passing resemblance to food as we historically know it. A toxic load of chemicals and potentially harmful preservatives, flavourants, colourants and additives are now commonplace in our food system; as are genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

Organic farming with its emphasis on the health of the soil, rejects the use of synthetic fertilisers and pesticides, and offers a real alternative to an industrialised farming system that is poisoning the planet with its exploitative and unsustainable practices.

Choosing organic food is not some trendy statement. It is a profound recognition that we need to change: for the sake of the environment, our health and our children’s future.

As consumers we have immense power. Let’s use it to build a better food system – one mouthful at a time.

Certified organic food has none of the nasties and more of the good stuff

What goes into a child's mind is just as important as what goes into his or her mouth!

by Lorraine Day, M.D. A child is diagnosed as having Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) when he is considered overactive, cannot pay attention and cannot sit still, ALL VERY subjective symptoms. ADD is diagnosed four times more frequently in boys because boys mature more slowly than girls and because boys are put in classes with girls of the same age, they appear to be hyperactive.

Irritability, anger and mental confusion may also be present so these children are then labelled as having a "Learning Disability." However, these symptoms are virtually identical to the symptoms of hypoglycaemia, low blood sugar caused by the up and down swings of insulin, resulting from eating too much refined sugar.

Attention Deficit Disorder and Ritalin have become almost synonymous. Up to 90% of children who are first diagnosed with ADD receive a prescription for Ritalin. There has been a 500% increase in the use of Ritalin alone since 1991.

Very few long-term studies have been done evaluating the success of amphetamine-type medication such as Ritalin, for ADD symptoms, and the few studies that do exist do not present a very encouraging picture.

For years, it was thought that children outgrew symptoms of ADD so they were treated with drugs.

However, this has been found NOT to be the case. Children do NOT outgrow ADD symptoms.

Children with ADD were more likely to fail subjects and dropped out of school more frequently. Fewer attended college.

The adverse reactions (side effects) for Ritalin include nervousness, insomnia, joint pains, fever, anorexia, nausea, dizziness, palpitations, headache, dyskinesia, drowsiness, increased blood pressure and pulse, rapid heart rate, angina, cardiac arrhythmias, abdominal pain, actual psychosis. The drug's side effects, according to vocal opponents of Ritalin, include: zombie-like behaviour, growth suppression, behaviour or thought disorders (exactly what it is supposed to treat) seizures, blurred vision, scalp hair loss, barking like a dog and babbling profanities.

The pharmaceutical manufacturers admit that they don't even know how it works. They're just experimenting...on your child!

Ritalin has effects similar to other stimulants including amphetamine, methamphetamine and cocaine.

There are 6 million prescriptions for Ritalin filled annually. The U.S. pharmacists distribute five times more Ritalin than the rest of the world combined.

Next: Does Ritalin Cause Cancer? Scientific studies on carcinogenicity were finally released in June 1993 revealing that feeding mice Ritalin, induced liver tumours including very rare and highly malignant cancers.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer suggests that if a chemical is proven to cause cancer in animals, it should be treated as if it were cancer causing in humans as well.

But the response by the FDA and the pharmaceutical company that makes Ritalin was predictable. The drug company wrote to 100,000 physicians informing them of the study showing that the drug caused cancer but said "It's not enough of a signal that we think kids should be taken off the drug." They reassured the doctors that Ritalin is believed to be "safe and effective" by the FDA. Does the public school system have the right to force parents to accept the drugging of their child? They do in America. But. It can also result in mood swings, depression, drug dependence and inclination for criminal activity.

Why would anyone give such a drug to any child?

The American Psychiatric Association describes a hyperactive child - the target child for this drug--as follows: "One who exhibits behaviour such as fidgeting, squirming, answering questions before being called on, difficulty playing quietly, engaging in physically dangerous activities or one who has difficulty following instructions." That sounds like a normal kid to me!

PREVENTION AND TREATMENT

The following steps are ways to help prevent ADD and ADHD and to reverse the factors that cause them: 1) Change the child's diet to all natural whole foods. This means fruit, grains and vegetables full of natural vitamins, minerals and enzymes.

2) Eliminate dairy products and other animal products because these contain hormones, pesticides, antibiotics and the diseases of the animal itself.

3) Eliminate caffeine, sugar and other sweets, processed food, MSG, aspartame (NutraSweet) and other sugar substitutes and any foods that contain preservatives, food dyes or other chemicals.

4) Eliminate eating at fast food restaurants as most of these apparently use MSG and preservatives, plus the food in many restaurants often contains less nutrition and many harmful chemicals.

5) Encourage the child to eat a lot of raw fruit and vegetables because they are full of health-producing enzymes, vitamins and minerals.

6) Drink water, and fresh homemade vegetable and homemade fruit juice. Eliminate soda pop, caffeinated beverages or milk from cows or any other animal. Rice Dream (rice milk) from your health food store is a reasonable substitute.

7) No white bread. Only whole grain bread, either home baked or from a health food store.

8) No white rice. Only whole grain brown rice and other whole grains.

9) No peanut butter: It contains aflatoxin, a fungus that causes cancer. Instead use Almond butter (It spreads like peanut butter and tastes just as good) from your health food store or other store. Also you can make home-made cashew nut butter.

10) Get proper rest. Children need a lot of rest and should go to be early.

11) Get proper exercise daily, outdoors in the fresh air and sunshine.

12) Eliminate TV watching. It is reported that children watch an average of 43 hours of TV per week, that's longer than the average adult work week. While watching, they rapidly become almost hypnotized. It has been shown scientifically that within minutes of beginning to watch TV, the brain changes from the alert brain waves (beta waves) to the hypnotic waves (alpha waves) where the judgment center of the brain is bypassed.

So the violence and decadence that the child sees, bypasses the judgment center in the brain and is implanted in the child's brain without any ability on the child's part to decide whether what they are seeing is right or wrong. The violence and decadence are accepted by the brain without any moral judgment being applied to it. It then becomes part of the child's permanent subconscious. What goes into a child's mind is just as important as what goes into his or her mouth!

Who to contact in South Africa: Head Office: Delta Park School, Blairgowrie, Randburg, Gauteng.

Tel: 011-888-7655 : Fax: 086-604-7124 eMail: info@ADHASA.co.za www.adhasa.co.za

Your food may not be giving you all you need‌ Our fruits and vegetables contain up to 30% less vitamins and minerals compared with 50 years ago!!

Without vitamins and minerals our bodies cannot function effectively. We become more susceptible to picking up infections and viruses. We lack energy. Are easily stressed, our ability to focus and concentrate suffer, and we basically lose our vitality for life. Our skin, hair and eyes even suffer.

Taken daily, Complivite and Complete Immune help to replace the vitamins, minerals and antioxidants we may be missing in our food. Assisting the body with overall health, vitality, energy, stress management, concentration and immune system support.

Ask for Complivite and Complete Immune at your Pharmacy. Formulated with high quality ingredients. Free from artificial colours, flavours, preservatives, wheat, gluten, lactose and corn.

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Celebrate, Screen and Educate The Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) is highlighting the importance of screening and early detection during October, as part of their Women’s Health campaign.

By making smart lifestyle choices and avoiding known carcinogens such as tobacco and alcohol, you not only improve your overall health, you also reduce your cancer risk.

“Some people have genes that make them more likely to develop breast cancer. The most common gene defects are found in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. These genes normally produce proteins that protect one from cancer. Women with one of the defects have up to an 80% chance of getting breast cancer during her life,” says Sue Janse van Rensburg, CANSA CEO and cancer survivor of nearly 30 years. Women who have a first line relative like, mother, sister, aunt that have been diagnosed with cancer, are generally more predisposed to this type of cancer.

CANSA encourages mothers and daughters to get screened regularly - visit one of the CANSA Care Centres for more information on screening and treatment of women’s cancers or visit www.cansa.org.za.

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among South African women, with 1 in 33* women being diagnosed.

CANSA’s Top Tips to reduce the cancer risk:       

Know your family history of breast cancer Eat smart and healthy - be cancer-smart when choosing, preparing and enjoying food. Avoid processed foods and include lots of fresh vegetables and fruits in your diet Exercise and manage stress - Live a balanced, active lifestyle. Exercise is essential for building immunity and strength. If you’re fit, managing your day to day responsibilities will be less stressful Avoid alcohol and tobacco - Limit the use of alcohol or avoid it completely and avoid the use of tobacco products Do monthly breast examinations, go for regular clinical breast examinations and symptom-free women should go for a mammogram at least every three years from age 35 - see Women’s Health Infographic and download Leaflets: Breast Cancer Go for regular Pap smears (screening test for early diagnosis of cervical cancer), at least every three years from age 25. See Women’s Health Infographic and download leaflets: Cervical Cancer.

Encourage your mother, daughter, sister and female friends to do the same.

CANSA also offer online support to cancer survivors via their new e-online iSurvivor programme, a first of its kind in the world, using short, weekly emails to guide cancer survivors along their journey and help survivors cope better – visit www.isurvivor.co.za

These gorgeous people were our winners on Bandana day. Thank you for supporting The Sunflower Fund and being such good sports and sending your photos in for our competition.

We will see you soon with your surprise hamper!

A tranquil experience of garden living A home-from-home destination set in a secure garden suburb. We offer guests a relaxed and stylish environment for short and long-term accommodation.

We are centrally located in a private, gated suburb of Lynnwood, which is the heartland of the old eastern suburbs of Pretoria. With easy access to highways, you are just minutes away from all major business locations, schools, universities, shopping centres and hospitals.

We offer 10 fully serviced luxurious en-suite rooms, all furnished and equipped to the highest standards. We provide superior quality living - ideal for those who aspire to privacy, space and tranquility.

Contact us on (012) 348-3449 or 083 399 3232 to make your reservation.

40 Farmers Folly Street Lynnwood Pretoria www.farmersfollyguesthouse.co.za

Who am I, what do I do for a living?

I am a Change Coach whose core focus is assisting individuals and small groups in the quest to Regener8 – to grow strong again and find a sense of purpose, whilst creating a new identity and personal vision. My passion is to help people in experiencing integrity, authenticity and to find their inner willingness to move forward and embrace a newfound confidence. My hands-on approach focuses on dealing with human potential and sustainable growth in personal transformation.

I am professional trained in Emotional, Psychological, Spiritual and Life Coaching, as well as in the Workshop Facilitation. I accept invitations to speak publically and welcome any opportunity to help you Relook Life, Relook You.

“There are two primary choices in life: to accept conditions as they exist, or Accept the responsibility to effect change.” – Jenny Schmal 8 Reasons – The start of my bi-weekly Rejener8 updates Rejener8 is about more than just life coaching and change facilitation. Rejener8 believes in the value of personal journeys, in finding the reason within yourself to change whatever it is that YOU need to change.

Our 8 reasons for change are:

Reason 1: Re:cover Anyone who has experienced a sense of loss – real or imagined – can heal from broken relationships, grief and past hurts as well as from physical issues relating to health.

Assuming that everyone reacts to a sense of loss in the same way would not only be incorrect but insensitive. For many, a sense of loss could be anything from everyday occurrences like not being able to remember where you parked your car at the local mall, ending a relationship, losing your job, or the sudden impact of losing someone you love. All these circumstances are life-changing events...

If you, or anyone you know, are looking for support – please contact me for an appointment!

The next Rejener8 Update will focus on Reason 2: Re:create.

Please visit www.rejener8.com to get an overview.

mom-me time

AFFIRMATIONS and THE LAW OF ATTRACTION

Imagine learning, doing and mastering the art of attracting to you that which you DO want instead of what you don’t want. Well, here is the good news….we all can. It’s a simple change in our internal and external dialogue. We really can be, do and have all we desire. We are habitually thinking and speaking in old patterns which generally aren’t working for us. We weren’t born with a negative way of thinking, we learnt this from the adults in our lives and we can un-do this now! As with a computer, it’s just a matter of reprogramming the software. Our new computer gives us exactly what we instruct it to do, so to will our lives change when we simply “up-grade” our thoughts and words. The old patterns that haven’t served us well can be changed to new life transforming ones.

WHAT IS AN AFFIRMATION? When I ask people this question they generally answer “It’s a positive statement” ….they are half correct. An affirmation is anything we say or think – negative or positive, and a lot of what we say and think is quite negative in general. This negative thinking and speaking does not create the good experiences we want for our lives. If we want to change our lives we have to change the way we think and the way we speak.

As we know only too well, our children follow our example and copy our way of speaking. If we speak mainly negatively they will learn this way of thinking and speaking too. This is not to make any parents feel guilty, for perhaps they are unaware of the power of their words. The beauty of this is we can all choose to change the way we think and speak at any given moment. As Louise Hay says “It’s only a thought and a thought can be changed”. We are the only thinkers in our head and only we choose every thought and word – there is no external force “making us speak negatively”. We simply have to make the choice of being aware of our thoughts, words and actions.

How would you like to teach your children a new way of thinking and speaking?

How nice would it be to see them achieving their goals, dreams and life purpose with the least amount of resistance? If you want to know what the internal dialogue of a person is, just look at their facial expression – if they are always scowling then you can be sure there is mostly negative dialogue taking place and this became their pattern a long time ago. Happy, successful people have learnt the power of positive affirmations as well as the law of attraction. These two go hand in hand.

WHAT IS THE LAW OF ATTRACTION? This is a Universal law. It is the same as the law of gravity. The law of gravity says if you jump from a building you are going to hit the ground. This is a Universal law whether we believe it or not. We cannot see it but we live it. It is the same with the Law of Attraction. The Law of Attraction states that what we give out, send out and speak out comes back to us – whether it be positive or negative. We get what we “ask” for whether we want it or not. If you plant a potato you will not reap a carrot, if you plant a packet of colourful seeds you won’t get a tree growing in their place. So it is with what we think, speak and do. If we are angry all the time we cannot have joy come up for us in our lives. If we are criticising ourselves and others we cannot expect loving compliments to come to us. BUT…..if we speak kind loving motivating words then this is what we will attract back to us. What is your internal and external dialogue like? Are you willing to become aware? Once we become aware we can then choice to make the positive changes in order to receive all the magnificence the Universe has for us.

Which feels better for you?.. I am useless, I am stupid, I don’t deserve OR I am capable of everything and anything, I am intelligent and love to learn, I deserve everything this beautiful life has to offer me, I am worthy. Can you see how a simple change will bring about HUGE results?

HOW DO I CREATE POSITIVE AFFIRMATIONS? We always make our affirmations Present tense, Personal, Powerful and Positive: I am (Personal / Present tense) intelligent and love to learn. (Powerful and Positive). If we say “I will be intelligent” this is not a correct affirmation as we are saying “one day” – it will always be “out of reach”, this is why we put it as it IS, not WILL BE – we are affirming that “it is already so”. In the beginning it may feel like a lie. Think of it as planting a seed. We plant a seed knowing with watering and nurturing it will become a flower – we don’t dig it up a few days after planting to check if it is growing. We just know. This is how our affirmations and the law of attraction work for us.

I easily change my internal and external dialogue to that which I want and deserve. Life is for me. I flow in the natural stream of abundance, joy, peace and love. All is well in my world!

Written by: Shirley Edmonds - Heal Your Life Teacher / Workshop Facilitator

‘Losing your identity’ The best thing that will ever happen to you The greatest thing happened to me on the 1st of August 2013! I became a MOM. I welcomed my gorgeous baby boy into this world at 8.26am, Nathan was placed on my chest and we stared at each other as though the world had come to a standstill. The theatre was still crawling with activity, the doctor stitching me back up from the caesarean, the anaesthetist checking my blood pressure, my partner taking a thousand pictures, hustle and bustle from all the nurses but my world had come to a complete halt. I stared at this little human who I had grown for 9 months in my own womb. It was the greatest accomplishment I had ever made, this was the moment I had been waiting for all my life and I thought I had it all planned out!

When I fell pregnant my partner and I thought we would never be happier, the topic of our baby took over our lives and we spent our time day dreaming about how he will look, who he will take after, what he will become and the usual things obsessed soon to be parents talk about. My partner and I are both very career driven and I prided myself in slipping into a business suit and signing a deal that would make my target for the next few months.

Pregnancy definitely wasn’t going to get in the way of that. Yes, I had to switch my tailored black slacks for maternity pants, and my Nine West high heels for pumps, but there was no stopping me! I was going to work till I went into labour, which was only predicted for the end of August. I had plenty of time to reach deadlines, plan my own baby shower, arrange our move into a bigger house, book one last romantic weekend away and of course, the best part of having a baby, doing up the nursery. Until I woke up one morning in every pregnant woman’s worst nightmare… a warm fluid soaked my pj’s and when I threw back the sheets I was lying in a pool of blood. Long story short, I had a rare placenta rupture that affects only 1% of women and I was put on total bed rest until my scheduled C-section on the 1st of August. All my planning went out the window, I lay in hospital and cancelled my elaborate shower for tea with close friends and family, left moving up to my partner, waved our weekend ‘goodbye’ and called work to explain my situation. I then made NEW work plans, I rescheduled my appointments to see clients after the baby's arrival, and spent the following weeks setting up even more appointments for after the birth, thinking I will need to catch up since I won’t be able to work for so long. The weeks dragged on until I was finally being wheeled into the theatre to meet my baby boy.

Once back at home, my life was soon turned upside down again. My original plan of being super mom and tending to all my work needs soon failed yet again when I was confronted with this little person who took up my every waking moment and even my sleeping moments! I stood in my new house in my new room with a list of things to do, still in my pj’s which had baby vomit on, and clients to contact, as Nathan started to cry to be fed again. I ran to his cot to lull him as soon as possible as his cry has a way of tearing my heart apart more than any ex-boyfriend was ever capable of, I made myself comfortable on my nursing chair and stared into those dark grey eyes again and realised that this is who I am now. This is my new identity, this is my new career, making this little boy live and knowing that he wouldn’t survive a day without me, made me realise that the money driven, career mad part of me has had to leave. I held in my arms more wealth and more riches than I ever could imagine, I had what I asked for my entire life.

That morning I once again contacted my clients and told them I would see them when I had time as I am having a love affair with a new man in my life that needs me more than they do and right now I need to be my new fulfilled identity…. A MOMMY!

extremely effective, safe and easy

remedies from the pegasus range for this year’s spring

the pegasus range has natural remedies to effectively treat all the ailments

spring-time brings. Hayfever remedies and calming for exams.

Find the appropriate pegasus remedy to use in the list below. hayfever 6c for itchy, streaming eyes and nose, sneezing and itchy palate

histamine 30c homeopathic anti-histamine for all allergies, incl. itching, non-specific skin rash, chicken pox, shingles.

Works well for animals with skin allergies.

For allergic sinus add sinus 30c.

Remedy does not cause drowsiness like anti-histamine drugs

bronchial relief 30c for tight chest due to cold & flu, asthma, croup, dry cough, or when hayfever moves to the lungs.

Helps to strengthen the lungs.

Use anti-virabac 200c if infected or muco drainol 30c instead for wet /phlegmy “stuck” coughs.

cold & flu 30c runny nose, sneezing, body aches, congestion, headache, it’s safe and effective for high blood pressure, pregnancy or anywhere cold & flu preparations are contra-indicated. Everyone can use this.

throat 200c for inflamed and infected throat. Contains homeopathic version of penicillin – no danger to penicillin allergic individuals.

calming for focus and calm when writing exams or giving a speech – will not cause drowsiness.

Workshops on Homeopathy

Empowering Mom’s and interested parties to practice safe and

effective medicine, and heal themselves and their families working with the natural healing ability of the body - Get together a party of 20 people or more and we will come and teach you this wonderful modality, and you can purchase a kit at discounted prices.

Contact us on 021 712 0324 or office@pegasuskits.com

HOMEOPATHY simple healing explained by Antonella I must first state here that Homeopathy is an incredibly effective and safe way to treat imbalances in a living being.

A lot of people think it doesn’t really work, is just quackery, a placebo or something that you can take when you are not feeling well, but you can always take drugs as a back-up.

The efficiency of correctly dosed homeopathic remedies has to be experienced to be believed – it is so wonderful!

When the correct dosing is followed, the effects are sometimes so quick and effective that one is left in wonder that more people don’t follow this healing and balancing modality.

My children of 28, 25 and 12 years old have never had a drug in their lives stronger than a mild painkiller! Through all their childhood illnesses, and under the care of a dedicated Homeopath and with the help of the Pegasus Bluebox Kit, they have survived some potentially fatal diseases and illnesses.

I am a cancer survivor, having been given barely six months to live in 1993, I chose to completely reject chemo or any allopathic treatment, went on a completely dedicated lifestyle change and homeopathic remedies, and am healthy and fit 20 years later!

Five months ago, I fell down some stairs and broke two ribs, fractured one and deflated my lungs. I could hardly breathe and was in intense pain. After going to the hospital three days later at my sister’s insistence, I was told that I have to have an op to inflate my lung.

I chose to stay home and manage my own healing.

After nursing myself with homeopathic remedies, yoga breathing and stretching exercises (an allopathic painkiller for only ten days,) and sitting in bed for five weeks with hardly any movement, I am now stronger than I have been in a long time.

With regard to Homeopathy being a placebo – that is impossible, as babies and animals respond extremely well and do not even know that they are being medicated.

You cannot overdose on homeopathic remedies, there are no side effects, and they will not react with allopathic drugs, so they can be taken simultaneously.

Homeopathy is a message to the body to prioritize a specific healing that you require.

I always give the analogy of your partner putting a little note into your purse to say "Buy Milk".

Whether the note is a tiny little purse-size one or a huge big poster, so long as you can read it, you will buy it when you go to the shops. However, if you find the note when you are at the shops and remember that there were two bottles of milk at the back of the fridge, you will not buy the milk, knowing that your partner obviously did not see them. Likewise, if there are many notes to buy milk in your purse you will just dispose of the excess ones, but still get the same message and that is how homeopathy works.

You are an intelligent being and each cell in your body has its own intelligence. Sometimes the body is just so busy with zillions of actions and interactions, that the balancing you want prioritized needs to be stressed a few times before the body will get the "message" and deal with it.

One takes the remedy as soon as the symptoms present themselves for quickest healing. When the symptoms are no longer showing, you stop dosing.

Do not finish the "course" or bottle, as with allopathic medicine.

It is as simple as that – give the body the correct message in a way that it can “read” it, remind it a few times until it responds, and then stop.

Perfect, wonderful wholeness.

Introducing the Make Up Spa Range Due to the ever increasing demand for natural cosmetics that are safe to use and healthy to apply regularly, we further our vision for a healthier and environmentally sustainable way of living. It is with this in mind that we now offer a brand new line of natural make up products in a full range known as Make Up Spa. The ingredients for all of our Make Up Spa products are derived from plants and flowers cultivated by organic sustainable agriculture that is certified by Ecocert (Ecocert certifies cosmetics, detergents, perfumes, and textiles). Our colourants are completely natural ensuring that they are delicate on the eyes, lips and face.

Our Make Up Spa range does not contain petroleum derivatives, synthetic perfumes or parabens.

To see more information on parabens, click here.

The Make Up Spa range includes a soft silky foundation, bronzer and compact powders that reflect radiance and balance skin tone. Our blushers are rich in Vitamin A & E to nourish and revitalize the skin and a creamy concealer to hide imperfections and illuminate skin. For your eyes the Make Up Spa range includes long lasting, non-flaky eye shadows in a wide range of colours, to compliment them eye pencils and mascara that does not contain tar. For lavish luscious lips, the range includes pearl and matt lipsticks in complimentary shades that suite all styles, in conjunction the Make Up Spa range includes lip liner pencils and lip gloss. For application convenience, the range includes 10 various make-up brushes.

Make Up Spa products contain only the best choice ingredients from nature and are free from petrochemical by-products and synthetic substances. Make Up Spa products are not tested on animals and the packaging is 100% compostable.

Tel: (021) 797-8246 Email: marketing@gentleapproach.co.za www.naturalmente.co.za

Will I Ever Become A Morning Person?

By Linda Navon

I am positive that being a night owl is a genetic condition. From my earliest memories, I recall my Dad winding the clock and setting the alarm, at promptly 10 o’clock every night… and off he would trundle to bed. This was ‘Mommy-time’ – time to play Canasta and eat Jungle Oats in the middle of the night - my mother NEVER went to bed before midnight so it’s no surprise that as we grew up we all followed in her footsteps.

Same with my kids - night owls. We are not sociable before the sun is well up in the sky (I would not go so far as to say we are unpleasant in the mornings… just a tad unresponsive.)

I don’t feel guilty about indulging in late mornings. Think about it, most of your life you HAVE to get up early, from the days of nursery school, then school for another 12 very long years… then you either study or start working… do the usual ‘whitepicket’ fence scenario – marry and have kids, and still have to be up to put your kids through school… flippit man… I REALLY don’t like the mornings.

Now that I am all grown up, done my bit with the kids and the corporate world, I am SO HAPPY to be working for myself, which means – I no longer have to see the sun coming up. My work day starts at a very reasonable hour, and since I don’t have to deal with people much, my best work is achieved during the deepest darkest hours of the night – into the wee hours of the morning. Oh, hang on… I DO see the sky lightening some mornings – that is my cue to shut down my laptop, read for a while and kip until the cats start yelling at me for brunch.

My dream home is on the west coast of Africa, Italy or Israel. I am going to sit out on my patio and catch the last rays as the sun sets real late. I loved Wales in the summer, strolling down to the beach at 9.30pm, the town alive with people enjoying the 5 days of summer! From the kitchen window of the family home we overlooked the Criccieth Castle to the sea… bliss. England after 36 months got the better of me, I wanted, needed and craved the sunshine and blue skies and made a quick trip to Terminal 1 and never went back.

I tried, I really tried, to become a morning person, as I was married to a British version of the adventurous ‘Camel Man’ who bounces out of bed before the birds fart, ready for gym, a hike or a mountain bike ride. Thank heavens he was very comfortable with his own company, as well as being far more capable than me in the kitchen – a room I choose to ignore, but that is a whole other story.

Personally, I don’t think it’s possible to change your internal clock without it having a long-term psychologically damaging effect on your mind, body and mood!

There are endless self-help articles on the net which may appeal to some of you – here is one of them. Good luck and let me know if it works but please don’t call me before 11:11am!

Make your Morning More Productive (By…. Someone on the Internet, sorry dude, I blotted the link out by mistake!)

Start your morning the night before Instead of cramming all of your morning tasks into the hour before you leave for work, plan ahead and do most things the night before. Lay out your clothes, pack lunch, set an automatic coffee maker, and pack your bag before you go to sleep. That way, you can feel more relaxed during your morning routine because you know everything is pretty much already done.

Turn off screens before bedtime While you might think that reading and writing emails right up until lights are out makes you better at your job, it could actually be causing you to get less sleep and therefore making you less productive throughout the day. Two-hour exposure to electronic devices with self-luminous “backlit” displays can suppress melatonin by 22 percent, which might lead to delayed bedtimes.

To ensure that you get more sleep at night, power down your devices earlier in the evening.

Don’t eat at least three hours before you lie down Health experts have long warned that eating before bed can cause weight gain, but did you know that it could also cause heartburn and digestive issues? Add to that the normal discomfort that comes with feeling full and you’re in for a less-than-restful night’s sleep. Aim to eat dinner no less than three hours before you go to bed so you have plenty of time to digest before turning in.

Fill your breakfast with protein Eating a healthy breakfast is essential to feeling energized in the morning. Try to incorporate a whole grain, protein, and fruit or vegetable to keep it completely balanced. Consider prepping your breakfast the night before so that there’s minimal work to do in the morning. If thinking about breakfast causes more stress than it’s worth, stick to a routine by eating the same thing each morning — that way, there’s no hassle and no surprises.

Yip, this all makes sense, to most people; however, I am sticking to my genetic patterning!

3.23am.

Right now I am at my most content, this is when I get most of my work done… research, reading, ad make-up and editing. There is always a plate of snackeroo’s close at hand, chocolate and cheese (I am trying to pick up weight, I only weigh 45kg, – little person with big mouth). My cat is curled up on my legs on the other side of my laptop and the neighbours are snoring peacefully, not that I would hear them as I have the headphones on, turned up real loud and tuned in to my fave radio station – Tuks Fm. I have to audio stream, as it’s a Pretoria based station. Its well worth the airtime as they play stuff that most other radio stations haven’t even heard of, plus they know me personally by now from my many requests – bless their little cotton socks. (107.2fm for those of you in the Pta catchment area, otherwise log on to their website – and IF IT’S TOO LOUD – YOU ARE TOO OLD! according to Barney Simon, yes he is still floating around somewhere on the airwaves).

I would love to hear your views on sleeping habits.

Yow, just yawned, humph, looks like I am getting an early night.

Good Morning/Goodnight!

TRUE INSPIRATION AN ACCOUNT OF A MOTHER’S LOVE AND DEVOTION & A ‘HIGH 5’ TO THE WILLPOWER OF ERIC Status Update

By Help Raise Traumatic Brain Injury Awareness Mother of 12 year TBI survivor celebrates her son's life: Today is the 12 year anniversary of the day our son at 7 weeks old suffered his TBI. Just wanted you to know how much I love your page and speak for a moment about my son Eric.

Were in the hospital again right now. He's sleeping so peacefully. I love him so much. He's the most amazing child and yea I am biased but that's cause he's mine. He's wild and crazy and polite and curious and honest to a fault. He gives the best bear hugs ever and will search to find something positive in every situation. Would he have been like this without the TBI and all the medical crap he's been through....? Who know but it doesn't matter. What matters is that he's here...

Today 12 years ago was the day everything changed. It was the day he started the fight of his life and he's still fighting for a sense of belonging and "normal" activities of daily living and just day to day activities.

They said we'd never get him off the vent. They said he wouldn't walk, or talk, or go to school with the "regular" kids. I can still remember the hallway, the lights and sounds and smell at Walter Reed when he stepped out of the gait trainer and walked to his Neurologist 27 steps without falling over. The Dr cried, we all cried. Strangers in the hallway cried because they knew something amazing and special was happening.

He never gives up and has taught us to never give up on him. He may struggle and learn differently, he may not be able to run with the kids and use the bathroom like others but he's here and he's fighting and he's the blessing that has made our life what it is today....

The impact he has on others that truly take the time to know him. To know about him and his struggles in amazing. To watch him interact with Lizzie is beautiful. Don't get me wrong.

They are brother and sister and they have their moments but his unconditional love for her and her unconditional love for him is beautiful. We try so hard to maintain a sense of normalcy when he's at appointment and hospitalized because its hard on her too but she "gets" so much at just 3 years old. When he can't walk any farther or has pain or is stuck in the bathroom she runs to him, holds his hand, sits on the stool in the bathroom and "reads" to him. It makes my heart so full.

So instead of feeling sad all day on the 12 year anniversary of the date I'm going to try and be happy, for all he's accomplished. For all the hope and joy he inspires and for all that he's taught me about unconditional love in the past 12 years. You are my sunshine Eric and I wouldn't change a thing. I will fight the world for you. One step at a time. I love you so much and all your Facebook family at Letter of Love for Eric love you too and are rooting for you buddy!! ~Erica

Baby Sideburns

By Karen Alpert

Can I make my son gay?

Okay, so this morning I’m trying to put my daughter’s hair up which is basically like trying to put the Tasmanian Devil’s hair into a ponytail when my two-year-old son walks up to me holding a hair band.

HOLDEN: Pony hair.

ME: Thanks Holden. Zoey, hold the F still.

Well, I didn’t use the F word out loud but I sure as hell said it in my head. Like 9,000 times.

HOLDEN: Pony hair Holden!

Wait, what? Lemme get this straight. My daughter who’s into princesses and unicorns and glitter and other shit that makes me want to barf wants nothing to do with a ponytail, but my son, the one with a penis and a scrotum and short hair is dying for one. WTF? I’ve always said I don’t care what my kids wear as long as it’s seasonally appropriate…

... so I put his hair up into the dinkiest little pointy ponytail you’ve ever seen. I mean I never really pictured my son wearing Pebbles' hairdo, but there's a lot of shit I didn't picture when I imagined what being a parent would be like. Anyways, we go out and about our day like this and then later we get home and what’s the first thing he does?

HOLDEN: This one.

And he hands me a Tinkerbell sippy cup. And then two hours later this.

HOLDEN: Put on.

And he’s holding a Cinderella dress.

And as he’s standing there looking oh-so-pretty all I can think is Dear God please don’t let my

husband walk through the door right now and see his SON modeling a princess gown, holding a fairy cup and wearing an updo. (door slamming)

HUBBY: Honey, I’m home!

Ruh-roh.

HUBBY: What the? We can’t let him dress like that.

ME: Why? HUBBY: Because what if it makes him gay?

ME: You can’t make someone gay.

Now the hubster and I have had this discussion many many times before and every time it sucks. Because I believe people are gay by nature. And he believes people are gay by nature

AND nurture.

HUBBY: But what if you can?

ME: You can’t.

HUBBY: But what if you can?

ME: You can’t.

HUBBY: But WHAT IF? ME: YOU CAN'T.

(insert giant awkward pause here because we realize we sound like children and there’s not much else to say)

ME: Besides he likes it. Let him be happy.

Because here’s the thing. I don’t care if my son is gay. I don’t care if he was born gay and I don’t care if he grows into someone who’s gay. And if I could make him gay, which I don’t think I can, I don’t really care if I accidentally do. Gay people are awesome. I mean not all of them because some of them are mean and they suck just like some straight people are mean and suck. But they don’t suck because they’re gay. Well, they suck something. But I digress.

Big time.

Alls I really care about is that my son grows up and is happy. And that he moves into the house next door to me and gives me lots and lots of grandbabies. I don’t really care whether he does this with Justine or Justin, Christina or Christopher, Lauren or Loren. Although who the F names their son Loren? I’m not sure I’d want them for in-laws.

Anyways, I guess there are times I think it would be better if he were straight because life might be easier, mayyyyybe. Or maybe not. He could be a straight kid who’s bullied constantly. Or a straight kid who’s socially awkward and can’t make friends. Or a straight kid who's a douchebag who shoves kids in lockers and trashcans and shit. I’d rather have a gay son who’s happy. But that’s just me. And I’m pretty sure my husband feels the same way even though we have these annoying discussions sometimes.

At this moment we look over at our son who’s standing there wearing three things—a princess dress, a ponytail, and a fairy sippy cup. Wait, no, four things— a princess dress, a ponytail, a fairy sippy cup and a big ass smile.

ME: You have to admit he does look cute.

HUBBY: And happy. ********************************************************************************** If you like this, please join my Facebook page and follow me on Twitter and buy my book that's coming out this October. It's called

I Heart my Little A-Holes...

... and it's funny as shit. Not that shit's funny. Well, it kinda is. Unless it's on my hand after I change a diaper. Then it's not funny at all.

**********************************************************************************

WILD WOMAN SISTERHOOD Written by Regina Brett

"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 50 lessons life taught me. It is the most requested column I've ever written. So here is the column -

1. Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

4. Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone. It’s more healing than crying alone.

8. It’s OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won’t screw up the present.

12. It’s OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don’t compare your life to others’. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn’t be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don’t worry; God never blinks.

16. Life is too short for long pity parties. Get busy living, or get busy dying.

17. You can get through anything if you stay put in today.

18. A writer writes. If you want to be a writer, write.

19. It’s never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don’t take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don’t save it for a special occasion.

Today is special.

22. Overprepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don’t wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: “In five years, will this matter?”

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone everything.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn’t do.

35. Whatever doesn’t kill you really does make you stronger.

36. Growing old beats the alternative – dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable.

38. Read the Psalms. They cover every human emotion.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else’s, we’d grab ours back.

41. Don’t audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

42. Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.

43. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

44. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

45. The best is yet to come.

46. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

47. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

48. If you don’t ask, you don’t get.

49. Yield.

50. Life isn’t tied with a bow, but it’s still a gift.

Model Picture: Iris Apfel

Prevent and Heal Allergies the Way Nature Intended Compiled by Natural Vibrance Micro-organisms live in and around us all the time – but do not always harm us or make us sick. Any stress (emotional, physical or mental) to our system creates the ideal conditions for germs to flourish. Stressors include toxicity, trauma, pathogens, mental and emotional factors (fear, anxiety, anger) electro and environmental pollution, poor nutrition, fast foods, sugar, heredity factors, poor living conditions, lack of sleep, excessive physical work and extreme environmental changes, which can all weaken the immune system. A weakened immune system makes one more susceptible to allergies.

Allergies can do just about anything to almost any part of the body. Common symptoms are runny nose, watery eyes, ear infections, sinusitis, tonsillitis, asthma, headaches, gastrointestinal problems, nausea, cramps, colitis, gas, constipation, menstrual disorders, hypoglycemia, emotional disturbances, skin rashes, hives, etc. When dealing with allergies, it is usually the result of a hyper-allergic system rather than a system with one or two allergies and this can usually be seen with a person who is allergic to one thing, only to develop more allergies to more things as time goes by.

Growth hormones and antibiotics in meat, medications, vaccinations, heavy metals, chlorinated water, household chemicals, moulds and funguses as well as processed foods in general can contribute to allergies for a number of different reasons. Most processed foods contain a variety of food colourings, flavours, preservatives, and other additives that can have a major impact.

If you currently suffer from persistent food allergies, this common inflammatory intolerance does not necessarily have to be a permanent scourge on your everyday health. New research confirms that food allergies can actually be eradicated entirely with the right nutritional protocol, mainly a dietary regimen of high doses of beneficial, probiotic bacteria. There is also evidence that probiotics may be helpful in preventing and treating allergic conditions. Specifically, studies have shown that giving probiotics to children lowers the risk of developing allergies.

Probiotics are the “good” bacteria that inhabit our gut and protect us from the “bad” bacteria (germs). Probiotics assure a healthy digestive system by building and maintaining colonies of robust intestinal flora throughout the intestinal tract. The one system that must function well first and foremost above all others if health is to be maintained or improved is our gut. One must be able to digest food and transport nutrients into the body from the gastrointestinal tract before life and health can be sustained.

Science has verified significant immune support functions of probiotics. They can stop influenza in its tracks, build resistance to urogenital infection, and generally boost overall immunity. Multi-strain probiotics will not only strengthen your immune system, they also have an enhanced ability to break down proteins for easy assimilation, help transport minerals and B-vitamins across the intestinal mucosa, synthesize several B-vitamins themselves, help maintain healthy cholesterol, create an unfriendly (acidic) environment for “bad” bacteria and yeast (candida), thereby reducing the number of unhealthful microbes and shrinking yeast colonies in the gut.

Researchers in Spain pointed out in a recent study that a growing body of research supports the notion that underlying bacterial imbalances are the true cause of inflammatory bowel disease. They published a study in the Swiss journal Digestive Diseases that discussed how probiotics may help alleviate the symptoms of, and perhaps even cure, inflammatory bowel disease in human patients.

The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology cites a 2012 study where an extensively hydrolyzed (i.e. broken down) cow’s milk formula was given to babies with a cow’s milk allergy. Some babies received the formula only, and others had the formula and a lactobacillus probiotic supplement. “With the probiotic there was a dramatic outgrowing of the cows milk allergy,” says Dr. Mack, a pediatric allergist, asthma and immunology specialist in Burlington, Ont.

Another study done by researchers in Italy found that mice induced with peanut allergies, when given high doses of eight different strains of live and synergistic lactic acid bacteria no longer suffered with inflammation when exposed to peanut products. Additionally, the probiotic blend was observed to help improve regulation of the mice's intestinal villi, which absorb nutrients, as well as their mesenteric lymph nodes, which aid the body in fighting off illness.

Other important immune factors are immunoglobulins, which are special proteins found in blood and other body fluids. Immunoglobulins, (a collective term for “antibodies,”) are specific immune proteins produced by the body in response to exposure to an antigen (germ). An antigen is any foreign substance that enters the body, (by ingestion, inhalation, or breaks in the skin) that causes an immune response. Antibodies (immunoglobulins) are specific to a given antigen. Immunoglobulin concentrations are a very important measure of immune system health. The more immunoglobulins you have in your bodily fluids (your humors), the more prepared you are to combat disease. To strengthen your immune system it is important to focus on boosting the immune fighters in the body to prevent allergens, bacteria and viruses from thriving.

Vitamin D also appears to serve multiple important functions for the immune system. It acts to stimulate the immune system against various infections, such as tuberculosis, and may help prevent such diseases and colon, prostate and breast cancer, as well as autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis and type 1 Diabetes Mellitus. Recent studies suggest that vitamin D plays an important role in the prevention of various allergic diseases, by activating certain regulatory immune cells that prevent the release of chemicals that cause and worsen allergic diseases.

“Vitamin D can modulate the immune system. How it does this is still not very clear. But what is evident, is that by having lower exposure and lower levels of vitamin D, we see more allergies,” says Dr Mack. A European analysis of the most current research on Vit D concluded that “Vitamin D can reduce ones risk of dying from ANY CAUSE”!

Allergic diseases of nearly all types, including asthma, allergic rhinitis, food allergies, eczema and even anaphylaxis have become much more common over the past few decades. This could be partially explained by the hygiene hypothesis, but some experts think that this is also related to vitamin D deficiency and an increase in vaccinations. Many studies suggest that vitamin D deficiency is extremely common; not necessarily to the degree that bone health is affected, but to the extent that the immune system is compromised increasing the risks of degenerative diseases such as cancers, Arthritis, autoimmune diseases, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease.

The reasons for widespread vitamin D deficiencies in various populations are not completely understood, but researchers think this is due to modern lifestyles that include more time spent indoors with less sunlight exposure, as well as the widespread use of sunscreen. These habits, along with the concern for ultraviolet radiation from sunlight (leading to skin cancers), have led to the decreased exposure and production of vitamin D in the skin of many people.

It appears that there is a relationship between low levels of vitamin D and the occurrence of allergic diseases. Anaphylaxis to various triggers (such as foods, medicines and insect stings) occurs at much higher rates in areas with less sun exposure (northern climates). Asthma, eczema and atopy have been associated with low vitamin D levels, particularly for people who have mutations in their vitamin D receptor genes.

Vitamin D supplementation given to pregnant women significantly reduced the occurrence of asthma and other allergic diseases in young children.

Therefore in order to boost the immune system and build up resistance to allergies it is vital to introduce probiotics, vitamin D3 and immunoglobulins into your supplement regime. This supplementation protocol builds up the body’s immunity allowing one to fight off allergens bacteria and viruses naturally rather than suppressing the symptoms with medications such as anti-histamines, asthma pumps, paracetamol, anti-inflammatories and antibiotics, which simply mask or temporarily relieve the symptoms and do more damage to the body in the long run without ever treating the cause.

Sources Barletta B, Rossi G, Schiavi E, Butteroni C, Corinti S, Boirivant M, Di Felice G. Probiotic VSL#3-induced TGF-β ameliorates food allergy inflammation in a mouse model of peanut sensitization through the induction of regulatory T cells in the gut mucosa. Department of Infectious, Parasitic and Immune-mediated Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.

Benson, Jonathan. Heal food allergy inflammation by taking high doses of probiotics: Research proven. www.naturalnews.com. Updated September 2013 More, Daniel, MD. Vitamin D Deficiency Causes Asthma and Allergies. About.com. Updated August 2009 MacLachlan, Amy. Vitamin D and probiotics may help prevent food allergies. Updated June, 28 2012. Originally published in ParentsCanada magazine, July 2012.

Nancy Elazab, MDa, Angelico Mendy, MD, MPHb, Janvier Gasana, MD, PhDc, Edgar R. Vieira, PhDd, Annabelle Quizon, MDa, and Erick Forno, MD, MPHe. Probiotic Administration in Early Life, Atopy, and Asthma: A Meta-analysis of Clinical Trials. 2013 Sans, Miquel. Probiotics for inflammatory bowel disease: a critical appraisal. Digestive diseases (Basel, Switzerland). 2009. Institution: IBD Unit, Gastroenterology Department, Hospital Clínic i Provincial/IDIBAPS, CIBER EHD, Barcelona, Spain. msans@clinic.ub.es

Dear Health Enthusiasts, For over 10 years, I have been in consultation with radio listeners to my broadcasts, and spend many hours on the internet, providing free, helpful advice. I have researched with many wonderful health professionals who have helped me compile my notes. I am now sharing these papers with you all, so you too can provide your customers, patients, friends and family with some simple, down-to-earth advice on how to get well.

Holistic Treatment? The Natural Health Industry claims to treat their customers holistically – this is an elusive term. Consumers look for products to buy off the shelf or online, to cure their ills. Fantastic things can happen and a lot of the money changes hands. What they spend can make them feel more comfortable with their symptoms, but if the underlying cause has not been accurately identified, it can become an expensive and futile pursuit. Other factors also affect your health and need to be eliminated, for instance, parasites. How about some free advice that can really help you to find the underlying cause of misery?

Nobody needs to pay for this! Visit our website, get involved with the various lists of symptoms, and determine how to improve your health.

Download your free copy of Yummy Yummy Good for my Tummy by clicking on this ‘delicious’ book here

Live Life – Love Life

TOTAL FAMILY HEALTH

A Healing sanctuary offering “full circle healing” Each person has such a unique set of life influences that it is illogical to think that there is a “one pill fits all” approach to healing. Each person has a particular way in which their metabolism is functioning, a different set of genetic influences, a different state of gut health, a different diet, different stresses, emotional influences, coping skills, relaxation time and type, sleep patterns, breathing patterns, toxin exposure etc…if you desire true healing, whose dictionary definition is “the return to normal functioning” then an individualised approach to healing needs to be taken.

At Health Haven, full circle healing means just that – we take you from wherever you are along the health path and help you correct the imbalanced influences that are creating and perpetuating the problem and set you along the path towards healing. At first the Homeopathic Doctor will assess you from a medical perspective. She also uses Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture, and is a graduate of Functional medicine, so uses a very broad assessment base in order to correctly assess and diagnose each individual. Blood tests and any other relevant assessments will be requested and followed up at the second consultation. If necessary, the dietician is then brought into the treatment phase, because every single illness and imbalance resolves at least 60% faster and easier with the correct diet for the individual. Again, this is not a “one size fits all” approach. With each person’s unique set of issues, a unique eating plan may need to be advised on. Once your diet and medications and treatment plan is agreed upon, what’s left is the therapeutic movement that is needed for the mechanics of your body to work properly – you know about those machines that you leave lying around for a while, when you don’t use them they start to rust and break…your body needs movement, it is an integral part of health, healing and balance. At Health Haven, we focus on small groups using specific therapeutic movement e.g. yoga So, if need be, a therapeutic movement program can be tailor made for your specific set of requirements, as each person’s physical ability is as unique as their case and therefore requires specific attention and an individual plan.

We also offer many other manner of supportive therapies that complete the individuals healing needs, from Kinesiology, Therapeutic Massage to Counselling or Psychology, so you will be able to talk through issues or set goals and an achievable path to change things and negative patterns.

To complete the circle of healing, healthy food choices and healthy chemical-free products for cleaning, kitchen & personal care are available and information on all as well as the dangers of chemical exposure.

Consultations are also available for Fertility & Reproductive Health, all general practice conditions, like colds and flus and tummy bugs as well as any manner of emotional or stress and anxiety issue. At Health Haven we offer “full circle healing”.

Seven Simple Surprises to Show Your Family You Care Jennie Lyon It can be too easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle and forget to take time out to celebrate our families. I like to keep my love for my family fresh on their minds by planning simple surprises throughout the year. These surprises don’t take a lot of planning or money, but they become the memories that my family will have forever, read on to check them out.

1. Secret Surprises There is just something so special about a secret; it can make a surprise that much better. I like to keep track of the upcoming events for our local area. Then, I plan a secret surprise around whatever is happening.

2. Dinner Date Surprise I plan my son’s appointments on the night that my husband works late. I do this for two reasons - first, I wouldn’t want to waste a night that the entire family has together at the doctor’s office. Second, I always follow an appointment up with a surprise dinner date. My son and I have a couple of restaurants that we only go to eat at together – never with anyone else.

3. Put a Twist on the Ordinary It’s amazing how a twist on an otherwise ordinary situation can make it extraordinary. If on a particular night, homework time is a major struggle, I’ll tell my son to grab his books and a blanket and we head outside to the grass. Simply getting outside and in a different environment immediately makes homework seen like no big deal.

4. It’s Adventure Time!

Sometimes it’s just fun to see what adventures lay on the road ahead. I like to take a bike ride or paddle boarding trip with in an area we haven’t been to before. We’ve come upon a secret beaches and parks, rode past a blue crab and paddled with manatees this way.

5. Surprise them with Silliness Life is too short to constantly take everything seriously. It’s important to take time to be silly with your family. Whether you have an impromptu dance party after dinner, or arrange breakfast into a silly face, it’s important to make life fun.

6. Friday Night Dinner Party It is fun to surprise my family and pick up all of the supplies for homemade pizza night. When the gooey pizzas come out of the oven, we like to sit at the dining room table to eat and play a board game.

7. It’s Just You and Me Regardless of how many children you have – spending one-on-one time with each of them is important. It doesn’t matter what activity you choose, part of the surprise is learning something new together; the other part is how working together on a project strengthens your bond.

Dr Alain Sanua Homeopath and Medical Doctor Dr Sanua qualified as a Medical Doctor in Belgium in 1982 He currently practices integrated Medicine combining: Homeopathy, Acupuncture, Nutritional Advice, Mineral and Vitamin supplementation, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Functional Medicine. Iridology and advanced laboratory testing are used as diagnostic tools.

Harmony within the digestive system (digestive enzymes, bile and stomach acids, intestinal permeability, and normal bacteria flora) is primordial in the prevention and cure of chronic disease.

He has a particular interest in treating persistent conditions (Irritable bowel syndrome, Headaches, Insulin Resistance, Chronic Fatigue, Allergies, Adrenal Exhaustion, Attention deficit disorders) as well as Hormonal Imbalances and its consequences: Endometriosis, PMT, Menstrual Disorders, Menopause, Osteoporosis, Acne and Thyroid problems.

Dr Sanua has a great experience in treating back and neck problems and combining, if necessary, spinal adjustment with acupuncture and mesotherapy.

Contact Numbers: Bryanston: (011) 463-1614 Dunkeld West: (011) 447-0525 Mobile: 083 227 1645

SARA’S STORY Sara had a pretty normal, healthy childhood. Her parents mostly were available and loving. She wasn't abused. She lived in a nice neighbourhood and had friends she really liked. She did well in school. You wouldn't expect her to need to know about Trauma Relief.

But Sara does have some trauma. Some early experiences are "stuck" in her primitive brain... and these hold her back and keep her from feeling as alive and connected as she wants to be as an adult.

Let's look at one of these little traumas...

When she was three, Sara was very excited about a painting she had made. The colors and energy of her painting made her feel very happy. She was so proud of her efforts and wanted to share it with Mommy.

She ran over to show her mother, who unbeknownst to Sara had just had a bad fight with Sara's father. "Mommy, Mommy, look at what I did!!" Sara's mother was normally encouraging, but on this day, she spoke sharply to Sara, and told her "Calm down, and stop making a big deal about everything! And look at the paint you got all over the floor!"

Sara's primitive brain reacted to her mother's words. She was not accustomed to an angry mother. This felt strange and frightening. The survival part of her brain knew that having a caring and loving mother was MUCH safer than an angry and frustrated one. Because Sara hadn't experienced this type of situation before, she was confused and unsure of herself. She didn't know what to do.

Her primitive brain went through its three options when safety is compromised: Flight, Fight, or Freeze. What would it be?

Flight: Where would she go? Who would protect her if she fled? She needed her mother and running away would make Mom even madder.

Fight: Not a good idea. Mom was already mad... and lots bigger! No way to win.

Freeze: No other choice! It's what we do when flight or fight are rejected by our primitive brain. So... Sara froze.

(Please note that Sara's mom didn't do anything terrible. She certainly didn't mean to hurt her child! And there may not have been obvious clues that her daughter was traumatized.)

Remember, what seems trivial or minor to an adult can seem life-threatening to a child. A child doesn't have the personal survival resources or understanding of human nature adults do, and children also have a lot less experience handling such emotionally charged situations.

Of course, not every child will deal with a given problem in the same way. The primitive brain's reaction is influenced by the child's stage of growth and development, and some children are more sensitive than others (which is okay...). On a different day, who knows... Sara might have shrugged it off, and it wouldn't have effected Sara's future much at all. But on this day, part of her became very frightened.

Because this situation was interpreted as a threat, Sara's primitive brain stored all the environmental clues it could: room temperature, the smell of dinner cooking, the lawn mower in the neighbours yard, what her mother was wearing... all were stored. Any emotions or prior activities that might have caused the "danger" were stored as well. What were some of those?

- She was painting.

- She was feeling happy and proud.

- She was excited about what she created.

- She wanted to share her creation with someone she loved.

- She ran.

- Her mother was scowling.

Now, not all traumas stay unresolved. If the person can discharge the trauma by shaking or running or fixing the problem, they unfreeze. They might also unfreeze if they talk can about it honestly and feel comforted and supported. And sometimes, over time, other experiences allow the trauma to resolve and the intensity to go away. (This is where the expression "Time heals all wounds" comes from. It's just not always true....)

When someone "unfreezes," it starts an evaluation process between the primitive brain and our "rational mind" (the cognitive brain). The cognitive brain decides what is relevant for well-being and discards the rest. In this case, it would probably decide that "mom scowling" might be something to stay away from, and that being careful not to drip paint all over is a good thing. Trauma resolved, and we go on with our lives with some new knowledge.

Let's go back to Sara. As a child, Sara stayed frozen. Because of that unresolved trauma, she's being affected by it as an adult. So let's look at what happened and how we might bring relief now...

Sara's mom didn't notice anything wrong... Sara was just really quiet. Because her mother needed to resolve the previous fight with her husband (and clean up the paint), she gave Sara a quick dinner in the kitchen and then put her to bed without the usual story. Feeling isolated and punished reinforced her fear of losing love and support. Her body wanted to cry and shake and sob to discharge the trauma... but of course, Big Girls Don't Cry. The primitive brain has the intelligence of a small dog. It does its best, but it doesn't have the same capabilities as the cognitive brain. As it is sorting through the "causes" of the "terrible thing," it latches onto the energy that felt most intense to Sara at the moment of trauma. She was creative and proud and excited. The primitive brain decides that was the cause of the dangerous problem.

Don't do that again!!!

Anytime Sara feels creative and full of energy, her primitive brain derails her... and will continue to do so until the trauma is discharged. Why? It isn't safe!

In its attempts to keep her safe at all costs, the primitive brain can use images stored in her memory bank. She might hear a derogatory voice yelling in her head, "Look at what you did!"

Or, she might find that she thinks she isn't capable, not smart enough to be creative, and she shouldn't enjoy it. After awhile, she learns to avoid those situations that make her feel bad. She does very well in school, but struggles in creative writing and art. She finds a job that is challenging and intellectual but doesn't require a lot of original self-expression. Overall, she is quite happy and fulfilled, but this fear does take some energy to avoid and sometimes she is a bit bored. She feels stifled for some inexplicable reason.

Let's not leave Sara there!

Life often has a way of bringing our deepest fears to our attention. Sara's best friend has always wanted to learn to draw. She begs Sara to sign up for a continuing education class with her after work. Sara feels very disinterested, even reluctant, but she finally gives in, while protesting that she can't draw at all! They head off to the first class together (with Sara dragging her feet the whole way).

Luckily, the artist teaching the class has a new way of helping people past their blocks. She starts each class out with some tapping on resistances people normally face. The tapping does seem to help Sara feel more calm and grounded when they draw, but she insists that her work is very poor. She is not enjoying herself.

Her doubts and fears are magnified when she tries to do anything more than mechanical copying.

At the beginning of the third class, the teacher has them tap on "I'm not very creative." She asks them to remember a time when they did feel creative. Sara immediately flashes to the "terrible time" when she was 3. She tries to dismiss it, but the thoughts keep coming up. Finally, when the teacher is walking around helping individuals, she asks her if the memory is important. Because of the intensity of the emotions around the memory, the teacher thinks it might be helpful to do some tapping specifically on this event.

After class, her teacher leads Sara through some tapping. "Even though I felt hurt and scared, I am a good person anyway." Some different aspects come up as they tap: fear that she disappointed or hurt her mother... the belief that she is excitable and has to always calm herself down... fear that being creative will make her so selfabsorbed that she won't pay attention to "more important things."

As they tap, Sara feels lighter and lighter... more hopeful and free.

After about 30 minutes, she feels fine when she tells the story of what happened. The trauma is unfrozen. The cognitive brain can start processing the information, and Sara can go on with her life with more vitality and confidence.

In fact, after tapping through that negative experience (and a few others), she now has more energy. Work is more fun, and she is noticing new ways she could expand her job-function. She's found herself laughing spontaneously and smiling at random moments. She's even started liking the drawing class! She feels closer to her friends and her husband.

As an added bonus, she has a new skill... Tapping... that she can use whenever she feels tense or stressed. She doesn't have to suffer with her fears and frustrations any more.

If you're interested in resolving childhood traumas for yourself, we encourage you to check out our Trauma Relief Center and specifically our Clearing Childhood Trauma e-book and our Childhood Trauma Relief Starter Set.

http://www.thrivingnow.com/trauma

Six Pack Abs Workout

3 Exercises That Work Your Abs and Other Muscles at the Same Time

If you want great-looking abs, you should perform a six-pack abs workout. Six pack abs are achieved in two ways. First, you have to lose excessive fat on your body; then, you have to work on building up your muscles. Two commitments that will help you get this way are daily exercise and watching your diet. Because fat hides your abs, in theory, you could have the most toned abs, but they won't appear if fat remains over them. For this reason, spot training does not work because you cannot lose fat from only one area of your body.

Instead, the road to six-pack abs lies in reducing fat from all over your body.

1. Cardio Workouts as Your Six Pack Abs Workout

Cardio workouts are the first exercise that you can use to work your abs and muscles at the same time. The reason is that cardio workouts are the first step in the process of developing six pack abs. Since spot training-the myth of burning fat in only one area of your body-is not possible, you must burn it from all over your body. Cardio workouts are the exercises that are perfectly designed to accomplish precisely that. Cardio workouts are best defined as exercises that increase the rate of your heart for a certain amount of time.

Some examples of such workouts are activities that are also fun to do, such as swimming, bicycling, running, rowing, dancing and simple jogging. Any of the aforementioned workouts should also work out your leg and arm muscles.

2. Weightlifting Your Way to Better Abs Lifting weights is another exercise that you can try as a six-pack abs workout. Getting more muscles onto your entire frame should be a goal if you truly want to show off your six-pack abs. When your body has more muscle, your body just burns off more calories, even

when it is resting. When your body burns off more calories, it burns off more fat. When more fat on your body is burned off, the greater the chances that your belly fat is burned off, too. This leads to your abs being more prominently displayed. Further, lifting weights is essential to counterbalance the effects of losing lots of calories, which you are aiming to do with your cardio workouts. If you don't lift weights while doing cardio workouts, then you might just lose even the muscles in your abs. Weightlifting exercises can involve working the muscles in your arms and legs in addition to your abs.

3. Reverse Crunch Another type of six-pack abs workout is the reverse crunch exercise. This consists of you lying on the ground on your back with your knees bent at a 90degree angle and your legs held together. You can also keep your hands at your side, or even behind your ears, whichever is more to your liking. Contract your abs as you concentrate on lifting up your hips in towards the rib cage. Take a breath in while you contract, and exhale as you go back to the starting position. This exercise also works on the muscles of your thighs.

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FitDay also offers a Dietician Service. Studies have shown that frequent dietary instruction from a Registered Dietician significantly increases participant’s weight loss over time. www.fitday.com

How to Get Your Kids to Love Quinoa Dress up this superfood with dried fruit and colorful veggies to make a killer salad that kids of any age will gobble up.

Quinoa is one of those wonder-foods that's so nutritious, it's garnered its own year. The United Nations dubbed 2013 the International Year of Quinoa in order to spur farmers around the world to take an interest in growing it in their home countries. Grown high in the Andes of South America, quinoa is one of very few plants that contains all the essential amino acids, making it a complete protein, and on top of being a healthy powerhouse, quinoa tastes good!

If your kids are leery of trying new foods, whip up this fruit-filled, colorful quinoa salad, which comes from KewlBites: 100 Nutritious, Delicious Family-Friendly Dishes, authored by child-actor-turned-chef, Reed Alexander.

Kewl Quinoa Yield: 6 to 8 servings

Ingredients: 1½ cups dry prewashed organic quinoa 1½ cups low-sodium vegetable broth 1½ cups water 15 to 25 spears fresh asparagus (depending on thickness), tough ends removed, sliced into 1 – 2 cm pieces ½ cup fresh kumquats, sliced into thin rings and all seeds removed ¼ cup toasted unsalted pumpkin seeds ¼ cup unsalted almonds, coarsely chopped ¼ cup minced fresh flat-leaf parsley 3 Tablespoons dried cranberries 3 Tablespoons golden raisins

Directions: 1. Combine the quinoa, broth, and water in a medium saucepan over high heat. Bring to a boil, cover, and reduce the heat to low. Simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, until the quinoa has just absorbed all of the liquid and is tender.

2. Remove from the heat, fluff with a fork, and transfer to a large, heatproof serving bowl. Set aside.

3. While the quinoa is cooking, coat a sauté pan with olive oil and set over medium heat. When the oil begins to shimmer, add the asparagus and season lightly with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until tender but still vibrantly green in color and not mushy in texture, 5 to 6 minutes.

4. To assemble the salad, add the asparagus, kumquats, pumpkin seeds, almonds, parsley, cranberries, and raisins to the cooked quinoa. Toss with a large spoon to combine. Drizzle in about 1 tablespoon olive oil and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Toss once again to completely distribute. Serve warm or chilled.

(Ed’s note: Quinoa – There are two alternative ways of pronouncing "quinoa": The first option is "kee-NO-wah" and the other is "KEENwah.")

Available here in SA at most supermarkets and health stores.

Order your copy of Kewl Bites from Amazon

High dose Vitamin C More fresh fruits & veggies Add Ginger, garlic, cayenne & honey Include Superfoods into your diet Choose Aurvedic & Homeopathic

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REACH OUT

The Sunflower Fund Everest in a Day and a Half Challenge 14th & 15th December 2013 The Sunflower Fund invites everyone to support this fundraising challenge and ‘Share a Little to Save a Life’.

Fundraising The Sunflower Fund’s Everest Team will be climbing 100 000 stairs in Johannesburg on the 14th & 15th December 2013 in order to raise money and awareness for The Sunflower Fund and giving hope to those fighting Leukaemia and other blood disorders. This is the equivalent height of Mount Everest 8,840 m (from sea level) which will involve a daunting 36 hours of stair climbing.

The course will be 200 reps (up and down) of the famous Westcliff stairs. The total distance will be approximately 100 km.

Each of the athletes will try to reach this target There is a great synergy between this challenge of climbing 100 000 stairs and the challenge that patients face when searching for their life-saving donor match.

For most patients the odds of finding their life saving match, within their ethnic group, is only 1 in 100 000.

It only takes two test tubes of blood to become a donor but R2000 to tissue type this blood sample at the required level, which is why fund raising is as essential as finding donors. All money raised will be used to PAY these test costs.

Please sponsor our athletes and assist them to save a life!

The Sunflower Fund is able to issue Section 18 (A) Tax Certificates (a Tax write off) to individuals and corporates for any cash donation.

Visit www.sunflowerfund.org.za for more information.

Please sponsor Linda &Candida, a mother and daughter relay team, climbing as CHILD OF THE UNIVERSE THANK YOU

EVEREST IN A DAY AND A HALF 100 000 STAIRS OF HOPE RELAY TEAM - LINDA & CANDIDA

ABOUT CO-SANC CO-SANC is a compassionate, no-kill scientifically run cat shelter and animal adoption centre. We DO NOT euthanaese, except in rare cases of terminal illness or incurable suffering. We charge R500 adoption fee, which includes sterilizing, vaccinating, deworming, testing for cat viruses, micro chipping and full health checks. This is all done on admission so we carry the costs upfront and the cats are ready for adoption immediately. The adoption fee ensures the commitment by the new owners.

WHAT WE DO Provide a compassionate, pro-life scientifically managed sanctuary.

Source all our animals from existing pro-life charities.

Pass every cat through a 12-point quarantine process before available.

Always take back any animal with one of our microchips WHAT WE DON’T DO Take in animals directly from the public.

Adopt out any unsterilized animals.

Spend money on admin/salaries. All staff work on a voluntary basis.

Adopt out animals to dangerous or unsuitable environments.

CONTACT DETAILS Melanie 084 958 8073 / Dr Shelagh Hahn 082 892 1269 / Chelsea 074 563 8654 Email: cosancats@yahoo.co.za Please adopt your next pet from us, or assist us with donations.

We thank you.

SHOUT is a movement that belongs to every South African who is committed and passionate about building a safer South Africa. We are committed to a safer South Africa by activating and accepting personal responsibility for our actions that will contribute to a better country by observing and respecting ourselves, one another and the law of the land.

We market and sell SHOUT merchandise in order to fund projects that will prevent crime and eliminate this scourge from society.

Following the murder of music legend Lucky Dube, musician Danny K and kwaito star Kabelo Mabalane felt that something needed to be done about the high level of violent crime in South Africa. SHOUT was born.

The first single "Shout" (originally by Tears for Fears) was recorded by South Africa's talented musicians, to give you, the citizens of South Africa, a mouthpiece to unite and eradicate all that is evil and associated with crime. SHOUT and all those involved in making it a reality, hope to encourage everyone in this country, regardless of race or creed to get involved at any level they are able in order to assist in driving this positive message home.

We love justice! We stand for peace! We love SA. Our mantra is "A better ME, a greater WE."

WATCH THE ‘SHOUT’ VIDEO ONLINE, AGAIN & AGAIN www.shoutsa.com

Positive Cycle Encouraging people to take part in the recovery of our Ecosystem Who or what is Positive Cycle?

We are a biodynamic agricultural training company with a proven record of accomplishment in Gauteng Province. Working together with some big names from the corporate arena like Deloitte and Touché and Carnival City we have encouraged, taught, supplied and motivated hundreds of people in peri urban Gauteng to not only grow their own food, but to profit from it too.

Schools, co operatives and private individuals have all profited by learning the tried and tested Positive Cycle biodynamic agricultural techniques. From pest control to compost manufacture and the ‘how to’ of healthy soil life, Positive Cycle covers every aspect of what any member of the public might need to learn to become a successful biodynamic farmer.

Positive Cycle, and all who work for the company, has a deep and abiding respect for nature and for the knowledge that makes our farms productive and profitable. Knowledge of how to work with natural processes, reaping the benefits without ruining the soil or poisoning the rich, diverse life made up of micro and macro organisms that create it.

We teach people very effective ways of growing high value crops without having to purchase chemical fertilisers and pesticides year after year. A Positive Cycle trained farmer knows how to extract the maximum value from the land in terms of harvests while returning the maximum value to the soil in terms of compost, anaerobic fermentation and the beneficial effects different plants have on the soil. This means that year by year, our soil improves and the sheer diversity of the growing environment we create ensures a stable and healthy environment in which to grow crops for years into the future.

Talk to us and share in the Positive Cycle our company is starting.

KEEP IT GREEN

Drop that water bottle! The latest plastic news sounds like it's straight out of a sci-fi movie!

Plastic is a great thing, when used responsibly for select purposes.

Unfortunately, that's not the path industry chose, and now we're faced with the reality that our country's careless use of plastic is making us—and other critters—ill, infertile, and full of questionable chemicals that don't always appear on the label. We ID the latest surprising ways plastic impacts your health—and how to avoid it. You're not going to believe the latest freaky plastic news …

6 Ways to Reuse Plastic Bags Pick up dog poop. No need to waste money buying special doggie-doo bags. Reuse your plastic produce, frozen veggie, or bread bags instead. Just be sure to flush Fido’s output down the toilet; tossing it in the trash could contaminate groundwater supplies near landfills.

Pad your next package. Protect valuable shipments with crumpled-up plastic bags, not foam packing peanuts. Include a note asking the recipient to do the same.

Reuse them for produce. Produce bags—the ones that you put your loose fruit and veggies in—are flimsier than regular plastic grocery bags, but can hold light items. That includes more produce, so toss them into your reusable grocery bags and bring them back to the market. If the bags get wet, hang them up to dry before storing them, to prevent mildew growth.

Keep homemade wipes inside them. If you have kids, or are just generally messy all by yourself, reuse small plastic bags, such as those that come wrapped around new electronics, to store a damp washcloth in your car. You’ll cut down on trash and save money by not buying wet wipes.

Protect your hands. Next time you have to clean the toilet and your rubber gloves have gone missing, wrap your hands in the plastic bag your toilet paper came in. Or use the last dregs of that roll of plastic cling wrap as cover if the phone rings while your hands are gunked-up from cleaning, cooking, or gardening.

Use them to collect beach trash. Probably the noblest use of all, use your trash to pick up someone else’s. During Ocean Conservancy’s 2007 International Coastal Cleanup, volunteers removed 6 million tons of trash from the world’s beaches, and eight of the 10 most common items they found were made from plastic. Keep a plastic bag on hand when you visit the beach and instigate your own volunteer cleanup. Also bring a bag or two if you go hiking, or even walking through your neighbourhood.

Suggestions from readers: When my children were still small I used the plastic bags to wrap up the soiled nappies, it cut down on the smell tremendously and I could toss the bag into the regular trash, instead of using those expensive disposable systems. I also reuse the plastic bags to make rope with by tying several bags together. This ‘rope’ is strong and can serve many purposes. When I'm finished with the rope, I can either reuse it or recycle it. Another way I reuse plastic bags is for lining the inside of my potted plants and decorative containers to prevent leaking. Several of my plants are inside wicker baskets, which are now protected from molding by using plastic lining. I also don’t have to worry about the plants leaking water in the house. The plastic bags can also be used as fillers for gift baskets, that way the gift items sit raised up from the bottom of the basket and the gifts are protected from moving and breaking. Lastly, I like to keep my expensive purses and handbags looking nice. I keep these in the thin clear plastic bags, plus I stuff them to keep their shape.

Make "plarn". Narrow strips can be cut either crosswise as loops or in a continuous strip. Connect loops as you would rubber bands to make a long strand. Either loops or strips can then be crocheted or knitted into a new reusable bag. Other thoughts: a foot wiper by the back door, or a kneeling mat for garden use.

Use your shopping bags to line your smaller dustbins – cheap and effective.

Drop off your used plastic bags at your local flea market, second hand bookshop or charity store – they are always in need of bags.

9 Eco-Friendly Ways to Green Your Kitchen How green is your kitchen? Does your kitchen have a huge positive or negative impact on the environment and health of your family? Since the kitchen is one of places that your family will spend the most time, consider giving it an easy and affordable green makeover in these 9 simple steps.

1. Get Cleaned Ditch the high-price, toxic-filled, environment killing-chemical laden cleaners the next time you do your grocery shopping. Instead, invest in a set of reusable spray bottles and 9 simple ingredients that will not only clean your bathroom, but your entire home.

2. Get ReUsed It is finally time to stop purchasing paper napkins and towels - they are wasteful and can only be used once. Instead, invest in a set of affordable organic cotton washcloths and towels that can be used over and over again. Not to mention, they are much more absorbent than paper.

3. Get Recycled If you aren't already recycling, why not? Either take all of your recyclables to the recycling bin in the garage or invest in a recycling center for your kitchen. It doesn't matter how you recycle, it just matters that you do.

4. Get Composted There are many great options available on the market now for all different types of composting needs. If you like in an apartment, townhouse or flat – get a composter. If you live in a neighbourhood - there is a composter for that. If you live in a rural, country area - there is a composter for that. So what are you waiting for?

5. Get Local When doing your food marketing consider going local -and by local I don't mean the closest grocery store. Instead, support your local community of farmers by shopping locally at your organic markets.

6. Get Bagged Are you still using paper or plastic? It's time to invest in a great set of reusable grocery bags. These do not need to be expensive, they only need to work and you have to remember to take them when you do your marketing.

7. Get Hydrated Stop purchasing bottled water - if you are concerned about the quality of your home's water, consider purchasing a water filtration system.

These may seem like the bigger investment - but overall you will save a ton of money over bottled water. Not to mention the Earth will thank you for not adding another water bottle to the landfill or recycling bin.

8. Get Braai-ing (Ed’s note: this Tip I re-wrote since we are South African’s – no explanation needed) With spring in the air, get outside and set up your braai area again – that is if you haven’t been using it all winter! Stock up on the wood, charcoal and firelighters, fill the fridge and make sure there are carrots – this is a GREEN article... Rugby, lapa, braai, friends and a ‘few’ frosties – Oh Yeah baby!

9. Go Organic You don't have to purchase everything organic, but I recommend spending your money on what is important to you. Think of it as voting with your wallet. Our hard-earned money goes towards supporting the products that we want in our grocery stores. Purchase as much as you can organic - if you can't afford a lot consider starting with produce, dairy and meats.

By Jennie Lyon - Sweet Greens

reading

Creativity is one one of the most powerful ways to stay connected to the light within our being. Our deepest Intuition works through our creative imagination in our subconscious mind. When we stay in sacred union with our creative Self we are empowered by the Spirit of Life. Nothing can dominate a soul who is linked directly with their Spirit.

The way to rise above the lower frequencies that are seeking control at this time is to make our life a creative act in service of the Awakening of Human Consciousness. When we surrender to the divine blueprint of our soul, we cannot help but to become High Priests and Priestesses of Life and Love. ~Shannon Port l Image by Native Love

Storytime - 6 to 9 year olds

LIFE UNDERGROUND

By Helen Hansen Have you ever wondered what life underground is like? I used to think about it all the time. All the ants and worms and bugs live there so surely there must be lots happening under the soil we walk on.

During the summer when I was eight years old we had lots of mole holes in our garden. My dad, who loved his garden, was furious about this. So he set about devising plans to rid our beautiful green lawn of the soil mounds scattered across it. And this is when my fascination with life underground began.

Late one sunny day just after the sun had set, my dad took all his weapons down into the garden. His weapons were the garden spade and fork. Then he started to dig where a heap of sand was piled up. In just a few minutes he had uncovered the most perfectly made tunnel. It was so big I could even fit my arm into it.

While dad continued digging up the garden determined to find the mole I was peering down one of the mole holes. I believed that there must be some truth in 'Alice in Wonderland' and even though this wasn't a rabbit hole, it was still a hole underground.

With torch in hand, I shone it inside and sat patiently waiting. I admit that I was expecting some sort of magic. Nothing happened for a long time. All I saw was lots of ants, pink and grey worms and a strange insect that looked slimy and Yuk! It was nearly dark when I felt it. I felt a rumble on the ground I was lying on. This is it, I thought. Looking across the lawn I saw the grass being lifted up at a good speed. Do you know that a mole can dig its way through fourteen metres of soil in just one hour. That's a lot of soil and a lot of digging.

Slowly and quietly I pulled my way along the ground until I was next to the moving soil. It was incredible to think that while I was lying so still on top of the grass some little creature was very busy at work down below.

Signalling to my dad with lots of waving of arms, I showed him where the mole was. Tiptoeing across the lawn he brought the fork and began lifting the grass in front of where the mole was about to dig next. Suddenly the movement stopped. The mole was quiet. Not for long. Either it had a large enough tunnel underground to turn around in or it was reversing but it was moving back along the way it had come.

My dad sped across to where the broken grass pathway started. This was where the moles tunnel must have begun.

Grabbing the spade he started digging furiously. The race was on. Or was it? The mole seemed to be quiet again.

I put my ear to the ground. Then I heard it, a slight movement towards my direction. Dad ran back to my side. The mole stopped. Dad stopped, out of breath. He needed a rest.

About one minute later we both couldn't believe it when a little head popped up at the other end of the tunnel. Perhaps the mole didn't realise that so much of its tunnel had been dug away. Or perhaps it had enough of playing hide-andseek.

For a good few seconds it just sat very still. This gave me enough time to get close to it and examine its tiny face with pointy nose and blind eyes. It also gave dad enough time to catch the mole, with safety gloves and put it in a box.

Dad and I walked across the road to the veld where we set the mole free into his new home.

"You can dig as much as you want here without being hunted," said dad.

That night and for many nights after I would lie in bed before drifting off to sleep and imagine what the little moles hole had looked like inside. Sometimes I dreamt that there was miniature furniture with velvet cushions and porcelain tea sets awaiting blackberry tea to enter its centre. Mostly I liked to imagine that the moles home was filled with sound activated devices. Being blind, it was much easier for him to just clap his hands for the music to play. Two claps would bring him juice in a cup, three claps would massage his back and four claps sent him zooming in an elevator to the top of his hole.

Who wouldn't want to be a mole, I thought. I know I would!

See you in December