Montessori Mag-nificence - Free Mag - August 2017 - ed 37

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CHILD OF THE UNIVERSE MONTESSORI MAG We strongly support and believe in the Maria Montessori Method of teaching and learning, and would like to see as many children as possible be fortunate enough to experience Montessori as a lifestyle.

We also believe in the ‘FIRST DO NO HARM’ principle and therefore select our content and advertisers accordingly.

We cover topics around Montessori teaching, learning, lifestyle – in the classroom and at home – and much more. We always include links to our articles and encourage you to follow them for loads of insightful Montessori literature. We include a mix of topics relevant to family life, health and well-being.

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ed’s letter Hello parents and teachers Wow, this last month has been a challenge of note – for the past 6 years July has been a very difficult month for me and my family as it includes the anniversary of the passing of my son, plus many other un-enjoyable dates.

So, bottom line is, I am exhausted, mentally and physically – and I hear from many of my friends and colleagues that they are feeling this overwhelming tiredness as well. We have been bouncing around ideas as to trying new high energy foods, changing routines, crying in our cars, screaming out the lyrics to your favourite songs, also in your cars when nobody can hear how off-key you are…. And many other forms of dealing with the stress.

Thankfully we are fast approaching Spring, and that makes my heart smile, just the thought of not being too cold to get up in the mornings.

Next edition we will be looking at the very serious issue of the stress our school kids are under with exams coming up – especially our matric students. I heard a shocking statistic on the radion earlier this evening about teen suicide so we will be passing on important information for parents and teachers to look out for.

On a happier note, there are many new projects, shows, outings and getaways coming up that we can enjoy in the lovely South African sun that we are so blessed with.

For now people, ‘vasbyt’ as they say in Afrikaans, the sun is on its way.

Thank you for all the letters of praise for our magazines from our readers, and please feel free to pass these mags on to your families and friends.

Much Love

Linda

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Regular contributing team & experts

DR MICHAEL DORER

TIM SELDIN

PAUL EPSTEIN

HEIDI VAN STADEN

SUSANNE VAN NIEKERK

KYM VAN STRAATEN

MARNIE CRAYCROFT

SHARON CALDWELL

JACQUELYN PRICE

JEANNE-MARIE PAYNEL

DR SHEFALI

LEANNE GRAY

contents

THE MONTESSORI METHOD

Journey of a Montessori Parent The necessary Foundation for Reading & Writing Matching Objects to Similar Cards Three ways to Reduce Stress Birth to Three Classroom Rules

BABIES & BEYOND

Invitation to Mommas Meet with Lisa Raleigh Child’s First 6 Years When to take your Toddler to the Dentist Coconut Baby Milk Recipe

EDUCATIONAL TOYS AND LEARNING EQUIPMENT Learning to Horse ride & Swim for all ages Games for Parents/Teachers to get kids excited: • Raising Kids Positively • Developing Healthy Children with The Magic Mat

PEACEFUL PARENTING

Understanding Self-Discipline Raising Strong Girls & Compassionate Boys

GREEN LIVING

Saving Energy, Fuel and Water

YUMMY TUMMY Cooking with Kids

ANIMAL WORLD

Know the status of your Pet’s Dental Health When a Pet Dies – Help your Kids to say Goodbye GOOD THINGS GUY – Animal Stories

OUT & ABOUT

Sugar Bay Holiday Camps Live Concerts & Barnyard Shows Markets & Eating Out

REACH OUT

CHOC – Children with Cancer Husky Romi Wolf Sanctuary

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Journey of a Montessori Parent

by Sveta Pais

The very first article I read that sold me on Montessori did not have the word “Montessori” anywhere in it. Seven years ago, when our first child was at the cusp of transitioning from baby to toddler, my husband and I walked into a Prospective Parent class at a local Montessori school. Until that evening we had understood Montessori to be an alternative method of education worth investigating. We walked out with several handouts, one of which was written by the founder of the school, Donna Bryant Goertz, and titled “Owner’s Manual for a Child.” It is written from the point of view of a child in the first plane of development and begins with these words, “Dear Parent, I want to be like you. I want to be just like you, but I want to become like you in my own way, in my own time, and by my own efforts. I want to watch you and imitate you”. I still possess my copy from that evening: creased, tear-stained, and printed on green paper.

At the time of my initial reading of “Owner’s Manual for a Child,” I had just (barely) survived my first year of motherhood. After having overcome the challenges of a baby turning up a month before the due date engraved in our minds, nursing difficulties and postpartum depression, our family of three had slowly and painstakingly started to find its rhythm. Yet, there was a deep chasm. It was a void of not knowing exactly what we were supposed to “do” with our child. Nothing I saw or heard in the way parents around me were raising their children seemed to resonate. Their enthusiastic “Good job!” sounded hollow; their homes overstimulated me even at 30 years of age; their children meandered from toy to battery-operated toy without any sense of purpose or satisfaction.

As I read “Owner’s Manual for a Child,” I felt every muscle in my body slowly start to relax; I could hear the words in the voice of my own child; I could sense the clutter of all the parenting jargon I’d encountered melt away. Through the green sheets of paper was a child so simply informing her parents of what she needed for her own self-development. The void was now filled with a vision.

A few months ago I asked a fellow Montessori parent and photographer to take pictures of our home to accompany an interview for a Montessori blog. As Emmet photographed, he commented, “I can’t believe you were ever anything other than a Montessori mom.” The words struck me with great poignancy. What if we had not found Montessori? Would we have eventually found our way as a family, or would we have carried on with a sense of being adrift in a world rife with parenting how to’s? Certainly there were many families who had started off their Montessori journey at the same time as we did, but sooner or later acclimatized to a more mainstream family culture. Conversely, as we reap its benefits, our commitment to Montessori keeps growing.

As I pondered the reasons our family has thrived at being quintessentially “Montessori,” I realized I could sum them up with six main tenets.

•

My husband and I have been aligned in our desire to understand and adapt to a Montessori way of being. Our date nights have been attending a parent education class at school followed by dinner, where we discuss what we have just learned. In seven years I can honestly say we’ve been to the movies twice. Life is (hopefully) long but the child-rearing phase of life goes by in a flash. There will be a catching-up-on-fine-films phase, some day.

“We are both so fortunate that within me I have a secret plan for my own way of being like you.”

•

We attended classes and practice using non-violent communication with each other and with our children. The models we use are Faber and Mazlish’s “How to Talk so Kids will Listen & Listen so Kids will Talk”, and Sandy Blackard’s “Say What You See”. Using this style of communication has been the biggest challenge in our parenting journey because it is so antithetical to our culture of origin. “Slow down when you speak. Let your words be few and wise.”

•

We discovered a style of parenting described as “authoritative.” I like to explain it as having firm boundaries, but with huge amounts of warmth. “Just get down to my level within a foot of my face, get my attention, and look into my eyes before you speak. Then let your words be few, firm, and respectful.”

•

We slowed life down. Way down. We have made the necessary adjustments to live on one income while our children are young. Young children move very slowly and we match their pace whether we are building legos, helping them get dressed, or involving them in getting dinner on the table. “I don’t want you to do it for me or rush me or feel sorry for me or praise me. Just be quiet and show me how to do it slowly, very slowly.”

•

We observe our children, and then adapt our home to match their needs. Our home is prepared in such a way that both our toddler and our eight-year-old can independently be fully contributing members of our family. Inside the house all the materials available to them are intentional and purposeful. The same holds true for the outdoors, to which our children have easy access. “Please take the pressure off both of us by creating my home environment so I can do my work of creating a human being and you can stick to your work of bringing one up.”

•

Our children’s access and exposure to screens is close to zero. “Owner’s Manual for a Child” was written before the advent of smartphones and tablet computers, but the same principles the author addresses hold true today. From our own experience of trying different things to see what works, we’ve found that screens take away from the richness of the real-life experiences we desire for our children. As I go about my daily life I see children in strollers on a beautiful day mesmerized by a phone but oblivious to the birds; at a concert staring at an iPad, eyes glossing over the instruments; enthralled by digital entertainment while foregoing the learning that will come from observing an older sibling’s gymnastics class. Such sightings, as well as other research, strengthens our resolve to protect our children from the desensitizing effects of technology. “TV makes me distracted, irritable, and uncooperative. The more I watch, the more I want to watch, so it creates issues between us. If you can’t say no to a daily TV viewing habit for me now, where is my example for developing the strength to say no to other bad habits later. Besides, the more I watch TV, the less I want to be like you.”

One may argue that these are just examples of a family culture that works for some, and has nothing to do with Montessori. But if you visit my children’s Montessori school you will see elements of every one of my six points in action. Consider, as an example, the greeting the children are received with at school. Each morning, every child is met with eye-contact, a firm handshake, and an authentic “Good morning.” Sometimes it takes a pause, and the adult gently saying, “May I see your eyes?” before the connection is made. It is in these interactions that I see all of our parenting at home being melded into school and creating a true partnership. How enriching and comforting for a child to experience consistency between school and home. How much more peace for the parent who glances at her child in the rear view mirror, walking into the environment where she spends most of her waking hours.

It would be remiss of me to leave the impression that our family life is smooth sailing a hundred percent of the time, because that is simply not true. On the days things are going awry I am tempted more than anyone to take the easy way out, and occasionally, I do. In many of those moments I recall the voices of my teachers, the ones who have worked tirelessly for decades so my children can have this Montessori life. I can hear Donna Bryant Goertz say, “There is pleasure, as well as pain, in the arduous path of worthy parenting.” I re-read “Owner’s Manual for a Child,” and these words are my greatest inspiration to pursue the arduous path: “I know my needs are great and many. I know I’m asking a lot of you, but you are all I’ve really got. I love you and I know you love me beyond reason or measure. If I can’t count on you, who can I count on?”

When it is all said and done, if we can’t give our own children our very best effort, who will?

By Leanne Gray

We don't often consider the importance of spoken language and the role it plays in learning to read and write. But the truth is, you can't write if you don't have something to say, and you can't read if you don't understand another person's spoken thoughts. Before you even consider things like the sound games, letter practice, or early readers, work on these four key conditions for a strong foundation in spoken language at home. (note: Some of this article is paraphrased from my AMI Language Album)

Build Self-Confidence If you've been following along here, you know that self-confidence is directly tied to functional independence and choice. Children who have the opportunity to contribute, to practice life skills, and go at their own pace to reach mastery build strong intrinsic motivation and confidence in their abilities

Once you've established a few opportunities for functional independence at home, you can focus more on mental and intellectual independence (what to say when greeting a guest, how to ask for more peas, how to wait for your turn to speak, etc). It's critical to follow the same model of self-paced practice with these grace and courtesy lessons, and never pressure your young child to act or say something in a social situation. ("What do you say?" "Say you're sorry!")

You can also help your child feel confident merely by the way you speak to her. Think about how you would have a conversation with a best friend who had just lost her job. You'd pay attention, make eye contact, show interest, and listen. It's the same with children. Get down to their level, repeat back what you hear so your child knows you are listening, ask questions, and speak respectfully. Learning to have a conversation is a skill that needs to be learned, just like riding a bike.

Offer Enriching Experiences To have something to say means that you have something to talk about. Something interesting, exciting, captivating, puzzling, or remarkable. By choosing experiences that are meaningful and enriching to your child, you create an environment for richer, deeper language development and conversations. You can talk about that red-bellied woodpecker you saw on the birch tree this morning, what might he have been eating? Or, offer your comment on all the kinds of apples you saw in the store yesterday, the colors, shapes, and smells.

When you can, offer your child a chance to choose these experiences, just like you would with independent activities. Quality children's books are an easy place to start, as are songs, poems, or spoken stories.

Use Enriching Vocabulary We use language to express ideas and concepts. When you learn a word, you are tying that idea to a set of spoken sounds and later a set of written symbols. So, the more words you know, the more concepts you can readily access. This is huge, especially for young children. Study after study finds that the more words you know by age 3, the more likely you are to have strong literacy skills throughout your life.

Thankfully, it's not difficult to teach vocabulary, as young children are eager to learn more words and absorb new ones from daily life. You can of course offer a few formal lessons to teach vocabulary, or use a set of flashcards, but the best way to teach vocabulary to young children is to use it in everyday conversations that matter.

“Would you care for some more golden butternut squash soup? I see you ate all that you had already” “Here, look! I see a katydid on this lilac bush. He's a bit camouflaged, can you see him too?”

“I prefer red to blue” (rather than “I like” )

Provide Opportunities for Expression Having a strong understanding of vocabulary and ideas to say won't matter if your child can't practice speaking about them. You can encourage this expression by listening of course, but also by asking questions, clarifying thoughts, and offering your own comments.

Remember, young children live in the moment, and so when they think of something to say, they can't wait and tell you later. It must be said right now! When possible, take the time to listen yourself, and offer opportunities for your child to speak, ask questions, and share ideas with others.

How are you encouraging spoken language in your home? Hop over to our Facebook group for parents and share your thoughts!

Matching Objects to Similar Cards

Your child’s first meeting with a dog may be a magical and memorable encounter. A wagging tail, a slobbery kiss and a wet nose may be among the features that accompany the dog’s furry coat to leave a lasting impression.

Aside from using your own language to introduce this new creature to your child, try a fun game of matching with a set of cards and some toys that replicate these items.

The activity will familiarize your child with the words needed to describe the objects and create a link between the two-dimensional world of familiar items and the pictures that go with them.

By asking your child to associate the picture with the toy or object, they will find the words needed to describe both. Watch their language skills take flight in the process!

By matching cards to real life objects your young child can now bridge the gap between their newly-discovered items and the proper vocabulary used to name them.

by Jeanne Marie Paynel: Voila Montessori

Child of the Universe Montessori Mag

BIRTH TO THREE from "The Joyful Child" Michael Olaf's Essential Montessori for Birth to Three Applying Montessori Philosophy as Parents Now that we are in our fifties and have over thirty years of parenting experience behind us, we would like to share the core of what we have learned: First of all each child is unique, and there can be no easy recipes for how to treat her. Intellectual recipe advice is abundant and contradictory in every area of the child's life.

The most important advice we can offer is from Dr. Montessori herself, to Follow the child. Her methods have always been based on direct observation of children, rather than from the intellect or in imitation of the philosophies of various social groups.

Our main goal at Michael Olaf is to help parents and teachers learn to observe children, to discover clues to their unique set of needs and patterns of development.

As we get to know our children at this deep level, we also get to know ourselves in a new way.

Another area of advice we would like to offer is to think of the whole family when creating a nurturing environment for growth. Balance yourself, balance your primary relationships and friendships, and the balance of the rest of the family will happen much more easily. As we learn to provide an environment, which calls forth the best in our children, we begin to discover ways to call forth the best in ourselves.

The Changing Environment As the child grows and changes, the environment will change to reflect his needs, not only the physical environment but in the intellectual, social, and emotional environments. The child constantly grows in independence and responsibility, and it is a challenge to keep up with this growth.

Parents who learn to observe their children will be able to tell if a toy is still appropriate, or if furniture is still of the correct size for the growing child. They will recognize when the child is ready for the next step in participation with the life and work of the family.

Adults who are trying to learn to be good parents are doing so because they care about others. No matter how much we all try to be perfect we must learn to be easy

on ourselves, to not waste time wishing we "had only known," but must learn to laugh, to pick up the pieces, and to begin again.

Those who know, have a responsibility to teach, and we hope that you will continue to learn, to enjoy your roles as caretakers of children, and to share your wisdom with others.

The Absorbent Mind Children in these early years literally absorb the life around them. We can never be too kind, too respectful, too wise, to be their role models. When they are not with us, we must have the highest standard of expectation for any adults with whom they spend time. The environment we create for our young children is the environment they are going to create for their children, and on, and on.

A Sense of Order In the first three years of life, children have a very strong sense of order - of both place and of time.

An infant can become very upset over things that we would not notice, for example the baby who cried the first time a man who was not her father came into the room because she had experienced many women and no other men than her father. Or the child who cried because an umbrella which he had seen many times closed was opened for the first time. A child may become disturbed because she is bathed after a meal when she had become accustomed to being bathed before a meal.

These children do not have any other motive than to try to make sense of the world, to create order. When the child figures out where everything belongs and how the day goes, he develops a feeling of security that allows him to go on to the next stage of development.

Wise parents recognize this stage and support the child's internal creation. They put thought into the arrangement of the environment, and into daily routines, being sure that something begun can continue to be done in that way.

Above all, they become good at putting themselves in the place of the child to try to understand what he is learning and to be able to respect his pace and needs.

If you would like to see more information on Montessori theory and practice from birth to age 12 and beyond, links to lectures, information on Montessori teacher training, books and other materials for the home and school, and more, go to: The Michael Olaf home page The text on this page is reprinted from several different versions of The Joyful Child, with permission of The Michael Olaf Company.

by Jeanne Marie Paynel: Voila Montessori

The first six years of life are known to be some of the most important ones, establishing the foundation for a healthy personality that will carry us through adulthood. When living with children, it is important to understand and anticipate their milestones during this critical time of their life. Voila Montessori guides you through each developmental stages and helps you know how you can best nurture your child in a positive and healthy manner at home.

Voila Montessori will help you determine some small easy changes that can be made in your home to nurture your child’s full potential during any stage. These coaching sessions are available from birth thru age six, they are ideal for any parent new or seasoned, as well as all caregivers.

Setting-up your child’s home

Choosing toys and activities

Family, Friends and Caregivers

Is Montessori right for you?

Positive Discipline at home

Toilet Independence

I am excited about our post today because this is our first Guest Post. Our very first guest author is Veronica Miller, from Reviews Academy. Her interests include getting to know people and helping them, reading, and writing (which got her into blogging). Outside of blogging, she does illustrations and takes classes to become a Graphic Designer.

I really liked working with her for today’s post because she has a passion for what she does and she’s very easy to work with. Without further ado, her post is below and we both hope you’d like it!

Newborns will usually have their first tooth around six months of age. Though it’s not permanent and will be replaced soon, their biting and chewing starts right there. From sucking their thumb to putting everything imaginable in their mouth, those first set of teeth function 24/7. Because the health of your baby is your primary concern, you should be careful about your precious little one’s oral health during this period.

So, how many parents start cleaning their baby’s teeth right away? Unfortunately, not enough.

Some parents teach them brushing only later in life but babies only depend on breast milk for a certain period of time. After that, you start feeding them solid food to give them the nutrients that they need and that’s when decay can start.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry says most toddlers get cavities and tooth decay from their bottles. Bottles make it easy for moms to pacify a crying baby but the problem is the sugar in milk. Sugar invites the bacteria and gives room to damage the gum and teeth. If left unnoticed, they can go deeper over time and become a health hazard.

Whatever the reason, it is a fact that even infants and toddler need their oral health monitored.

Some parents do not think their baby’s teeth need to be brushed or take their baby to the dentist because they are just going to fall out anyway. Nothing could be further from the truth; a child’s baby teeth are just as important as the adult teeth that are going to come in later. They can still have decay, cause gum disease and cause future dental problems if they are not taken care of.

Perhaps even more important is starting early to teach your child the value of brushing, flossing and taking care of their teeth. Teaching them to brush their teeth twice a day from a very young age is going to give them lifelong habits that will keep their oral health sound.

You can also help by preparing your child for the dentist. Tell them what to expect and make sure that you have brought their favorite toy or blanket, or any other item that will help them feel comfortable. Make sure to ask any questions you might have about your child’s oral health. There is never a dumb question and your dentist will be happy to educate you and show you what needs to be done to prevent future dental problems.

It is highly recommended to visit a dentist before the child turns one. They need a normal check up prior to their first birthday.

A dentist will examine their baby teeth, including their growth, look for cavities and analyze roots and gums. If it is chalky or has brown dots due to irregular brushing, the doctor cleans your child’s teeth and educates you on your child’s oral habits. He will suggest you use soft toothbrush and recommend toothpastes that are both healthy and liked by kids, encouraging them to brush twice a day. There are toothbrushes that are specifically made for infants, but in general, a very soft bristled toothbrush will do the job.

Finding a dentist will be your first task. Make sure that you choose a pediatric dentist – a dentist that works specifically with children.

A pediatric dentist has further training in the oral health of children and not only will they be able to recognize and treat problems that are common with children’s teeth, they will also know how to deal with children while they are in the dentist chair – because it can be a scary place to a little one.

Let your dentist know what you have been doing for your child’s oral health up until this point, any medical history that could be related to the teeth and what sort of diet your child eats.

When your dental visit has concluded and you know the current state of your child’s teeth and the immediate steps that you need to maintain or correct their oral health, it is time to think about the future. The first thing that you’ll want to do is find out when your child’s next appointment will be.

This will vary depending upon the child and the particular problems (or lack of them) that your child has. If there are oral health issues, your dentist may ask you to make an appointment sooner to ensure that the treatment is working and nothing else needs to be done. If there are no problems, your next visit will probably be in six months and every six months after that.

Dental health is always underrated. Some have dental phobia. Prevention is better than cure; so maintaining proper health would keep you from making hospital visits. A toddler needs your attention; teach the good habits as soon as they start learning things. Just because your child needs comfort doesn’t mean they need a bottle; this could start a habit which might be harder to correct later on. Use pacifiers which can pave the way for a better dental development; it is safer to use.

Avoid sugary liquids (at night time when the baby is about to sleep). Brush their teeth before they go to bed at night. If they are adamant and don’t cooperate, pamper them with stories and make the cleaning process entertaining and interesting. You shouldn’t only clean the teeth, clean the gum areas as well and completely wipe off the tongue to remove food particles caught inside. Flossing is recommended to prevent the harmful bacteria from spreading.

Primary teeth are going to fall out eventually but they are the foundation for strong adult teeth.

Oral care is essential as speech and appearance depend on it when they’re older, especially during the teenage years. There are a lot of cases when parents would take their kids to the dentist in order to correct the spaces between teeth and gum, fix chipped tooth, teeth stains and other imperfections, which might cost a lot. These can be avoided if we start good oral hygiene while they’re young.

So, in conclusion, take care of your toddler’s teeth before it’s too late.

Veronica is an enthusiastic blogger that writes for Reviews Academy. At RA, she reviews entire categories of products and not individual models in order to offer you a complete picture of all options available on the market. Her mission is to provide the readers with comprehensive and trustworthy opinions to help them make the perfect buying decision.

Coconut Milk Baby Formula Recipe

If there’s a situation where a baby is not getting breast-fed or there needs to be an additional supplementation, this is a great alternative.

It’s free of the chemicals and additives that are present in most formulas and full of nutrients every child needs to develop and grow.

But I want to be clear, breast feeding is by far the best option if possible.

Certain foods can increase lactation, starting with plain old water as many mothers are dehydrated and aren’t even aware of it. Even with adoption, there are cases, where mothers are able to start producing milk. Also, many new mothers struggle with getting their baby to latch properly, and the international La Leche League can possibly help, including finding a local lactation consultant.

The following table shows a comparison of the nutrients present in this coconut milk formula recipe versus that of breast milk. The numbers given are approximations. Again, this is not intended as a replacement for breast milk. You can also check out other homemade formulas to compare the nutrition facts to.

Coconut Milk Baby Formula Recipe Total Time: 5 minutes Serves: 1 Ingredients:          

2 cups canned coconut milk 1/2 cup coconut water 1 tbsp. collagen hydrosylate 3oz (6 Tbsp) water (depending on thickness of other ingredients you may need to change quantity 1/4 tsp unflavored cod liver oil 1/4 tsp nutritional yeast 2 crushed desiccated liver tablets 5 lactose tablets or 4 Tbsp maple syrup 1/4 teaspoon bifidobacterium infantis 1 Tbsp grass fed butter, melted

Directions: Combine all ingredients into bottle and mix well.

The Yard on Third wants to keep the passion in horse riding alive. We love horses as much as you do and want you to continue to love riding and caring for your horses.

We have seven beautiful and unique school horses for all age groups to enjoy our lessons. We promote the art of horsemanship and teach our riders to care for their horses, this includes everything from cleaning out a stable to jumping in your very first horse show. We also offer fun and exciting training shows that are open to the whole family to enjoy, these take place every two months. We also offer pony camps, outrides, outings and day clinics to all of our riders.

Join our mailing list to be sure you are up to date on the shows that take place at the Yard and come experience for yourself the passion and love that is radiating from our Yard, to our riders and especially to the horses.

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

Raising Kids Positively Raising Kids Positively is all about improving your relationship with your children, growing their emotional intelligence, and a balance of kind and firm discipline.

Psychologist Carol Surya makes this easy with her new website www.raisingkidspositively.com and three easy-to-use routes: a children’s self-esteem game, a conscious parenting book and workshops.

InnerMagic Perfect for today’s busy families, is a game to consciously spend more quality time together, without devices or distractions. Expertly designed for selfreflection, self-expression and empowerment, InnerMagic benefits include teaching emotional intelligence while also strengthening all areas of development as you play! Everyone loves it because it gets all players moving, thinking and speaking. Magically encouraging children to talk more easily, develop critical thinking and practice making healthy choices. Ideal for parents, grandparents and educators to play with 5 to 13 year olds.

Order yours today and be reminded of your inner potential. All information available on

www.raisingkidspositively.com Email : info@raisingkidspositively.com Phone: (044) 533-5655 Mobile:: 071 671 6337

The Magic of Mindfulness Author Carmen Clews has found a magical way to bring mindfulness into your home and school! “The Magic Mat and its little secret…” is a delightful children’s book (with free DVD animation) offering fun, physical stretching and calming techniques to develop happy, relaxed, loving and healthy children. Used as a story at bedtime, or done actively with the DVD at home or as a group activity in the classroom - with regular use the benefits are magical. Children relax more, improving in balance and co-ordination, as well as memory, focus, patience and selfcontrol. Readers (age 5 to 12) hop on board their very own Magic Mat, transforming them into animals with various beautiful qualities. Finally, they relax, discovering their own higher selves, learning to feel love, compassion and gratitude. Read what buyers say about this magical tool kit, visit the Facebook page, watch the video clip – or simply order yours today.

The Planting Seeds for Life Education Series, also by Carmen Clews, teaches mindfulness and positive values to children aged 10 to 14 years. Enchanting African stories guide the reader through group discussions, visualizations, songs and other learning activities all aimed at improving well-being. The book’s 25 “seeds”, each written as a lesson plan, include the essential life skills of making wise choices; improving communication; managing emotions; problem solving; forgiveness; positive thinking; self-reliance and environmental conservation. If only we’d all learned these skills at school.

Contact details : Website : www.magicmatsecret.com Email : carmen@magicmatsecret.com Video : http://vimeo.com/100388148 Magic Mat Seeds for Life

Understanding Self-Discipline It has been said that the only true discipline is self-discipline.

With self-discipline we take ownership of our own behavior.

We take responsibility for our lives.

by Maren Schmidt

As we discipline our children we might consider that our goals should include these objectives of helping our children take ownership of their behavior and responsibility for their lives.

Too often discipline is delivered as punishment that creates feelings of intimidation, humiliation or embarrassment. If we want our children to learn to own their behavior and take responsibility we need to find a way to encourage our children, not discourage our children.

The word discipline has its roots in the word ”disciple,” meaning ”pupil” in Latin. As parents we are the teachers, and our children are our students.

The relationship of teacher/student, parent/child and leader/disciple must be based on respect and trust. Our children must know that they can learn from us in a safe, secure and consistent environment, free from intimidation, humiliation and embarrassment. When we react in a crisisoriented manner trying to help our children learn to be responsible, respectful and resourceful, we often display the very behaviors that we wish to stop in our children.

If we are harsh in our reactions to situations, belittle our children or set arbitrary or inconsistent standards, our teaching can create an angry and frustrated response in our children, leading to distrust and disrespect.

Our challenge as leaders of our young disciples is to guide the whole child–body, mind, heart and spirit.

We must model the self-discipline, the vision, the passion and the conscience we wish our children to develop.

Any worthy challenge requires mindfulness and compassion for a successful end. We need to be mindful of our thoughts and our actions. Do our ideas and deeds lead our children to take ownership of their behavior and responsibility for their lives?

Can we bring our passion and our love to every aspect of this essential work of guiding our children?

Take a few minutes to think of the strengths of character you wish to instill in your children. How can you lead to those ends with selfdiscipline, vision, passion and conscience?

Positive psychologists have identified six types of core virtues that appear in all cultures–wisdom and knowledge, courage, humanity, justice, temperance and transcendence–comprised of twenty-four character strengths:

1. Wisdom and Knowledge: creativity, curiosity, open-mindedness, love of learning and 2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

perspective.

Courage: bravery, persistence, integrity and vitality.

Humanity: love, kindness and social intelligence.

Justice: citizenship, fairness and leadership.

Temperance: forgiveness and mercy, humility and modesty, prudence and self-regulation.

Transcendence: appreciation of beauty and excellence, gratitude, hope, humor and spirituality.

I encourage you to make a list of these twenty-four character strengths and brainstorm how you can help your children use these strengths to become responsible for their own behavior and their own lives using body, mind, heart and spirit. That is the nature of true self-discipline.

When a Pet Dies, How Can You Help Your Kids Say Goodbye?

Here’s the one security question I still can’t choose: “What was the name of your first pet?”

I was 13 that October, right around the time when the weather turns in Tennessee so that I needed a jacket before I left for school that morning. I ran back in to grab the old Patagonia off the hook when I heard the summons from my mother to check Amber’s food bowl before I left.

Amber, our golden retriever, the dog we drove over an hour to pick out of a brand new litter on a small farm outside of town, and who had been my sidekick for seven years. That dog was mine. I named her in the back of the minivan before we’d left the gravel drive of the farm, picking at random, because that’s how you name a dog when you’re six.

I was in a hurry when I checked her food, worrying about missing my ride and the Latin test I had later that day. But I sought her out, in her favorite lawn chair where she sat like a person with legs tucked under her, and I kissed the soft fur right between her eyes. And then I ran out the door.

And then Amber was gone. My parents took her to be “put down” while I was at school. I hadn’t known. Her bowl was gone when I came home.

They say “out of sight, out of mind,” but it’s not true. Out of sight is in the mind, locked and sealed with nowhere to go. Without a proper goodbye, I was always rounding corners, expecting Amber to be there. I was crying over hair shed on the couch and absently grabbing for a leash that wasn’t there to take her for a walk.

She’d had cancer. I knew she didn’t have long.

It was the right thing to do. But I never got my moment. I never got to look into her eyes and tell her that I loved her. In my mind, I’m still calling her in from the yard.

I won’t do that with my kids. As hard as it may be, I want them to have a proper goodbye when the time comes. I owe it to them and to their animals – their companions and sidekicks. Here are five ways I’m going to help them say farewell:

Prepare Our family dog is 12. She’s doing well, but I’ve noticed the gray in her muzzle and how long it takes her to stand up, like me unfolding myself from the car after a road trip. When the times comes that she can no longer maneuver herself down the back steps to the yard, when she is in too much pain to enjoy her life, we will sit the kids down and talk to them about how she is unable to do what she once did. How she is tired and ready to rest.

We will give them time to love on her and whisper the secrets in her twitching ear that they still have left to share.

Tell the truth I’m not going to say she “went to sleep” or “went to the farm.” That doesn’t help the grieving process, even though the words “she has died” makes my stomach plummet three

feet to the floor. They have to understand what happened to her, to wrap their little minds around the idea that things that have a beginning also an end. And then we will watch “All Dogs Go to Heaven”, because I’m going to need it.

Plan a memorial Letting children decide how to honor their pet is key. I kept Amber’s collar and tags in my hope chest along with handmade quilts and my favorite Indigo Girls album. We buried her in our backyard under the strawberry plants she always got to before we did. I want my kids to be able to choose how to honor our dog. Poems, speeches, favorite foods and walks, best memories and pictures are up for their choosing. It’s their goodbye, and they will be able to say it as they wish.

Feel the grief Saying goodbye to my grandfather at age 10 was easier than saying goodbye to my childhood dog. I remember feeling sad at his funeral, staring at a face that did not look real, but must be because everybody said so.

Perhaps it was because he lived eight states away and visits were annual. Perhaps it’s because he was already old when I met him. I did not know him in his puppy stage.

But with Amber, the grief laid me flat. Denial and anger were the heavy hitters. How could she be gone? I just fed her this morning? How could you take her without telling me?

Because of this, I will honor every stage of my children’s grief. As their mother, I will ride out every phase and weather the storm with them as best I can.

Moving on If acceptance is the last stage in the grieving process, getting a new pet is the reset button. But we’re not going to hurry. I don’t want a replacement pet. I want a pet who will not have to settle for second-best to a memory. I want my kids to understand that this new pet, whenever and whatever they choose, will not be a “do-over,” because no one can fill the place of the one that went before.

Once they have grieved enough to heal, then we will visit the farm or the shelter or the adoption center and let our hearts melt all over again at the new fuzzy faces.

Our pets love us with their whole hearts. It’s in their genetic make-up to take us as we are.

We owe them big for all they put up with in us. Because of that, it’s important to help our kids pay homage to them as best we can when their time comes to say goodbye.

I’m still going to need a lot of Kleenex and wine at the end of the day.

Jamie Sumner

Jamie Sumner is a writer for Parenting Special Needs Magazine. Her articles have also appeared in Tribe, Mamalode, Complex Child and Her View From Home. She is the author of the website, mom-gene.com where she writes with humor about infertility and special needs parenting. She lives in Nashville, Tennessee with her husband and three children.

By Leanne Gray

I like to consider myself a strong woman. But too often, I find myself saying something like "Oh, I can't do that" or apologizing for expressing my feelings and advocating for what I want. These cultural norms are enforced over and over until they sneak into our minds and jump out when you least expect it. We start assigning these roles to children before they are even born, so it takes a conscious effort to challenge and change them. But where to begin?

I spoke with Rikki, a mom who works to empower women everyday. Having two young sons herself, she works hard on challenging stereotypes, assumptions, and established ideas around gender roles in her home as well as at work.

Here's what she has to say about building strength, resolve, and self-confidence for your daughter and encouraging compassion, sensitivity, and humility for your son.

Tell us a bit about your work to empower women. What inspired you to do this?

I have been very fortunate to have wonderful mentors in my life who have encouraged me, and helped me to understand that advocating for myself, especially as a woman in a field that is typically male dominated, is very important. I have tried to do that same thing for other young women, in negotiating salaries, navigating challenging transitions, and exploring new careers.

Women are much better at advocating or negotiating for others than they are for themselves, so I encourage them to think about these decisions as if they were doing it for another person and that helps them to understand their own value and self worth.

What are some common hurdles you see in women's attitudes, mannerisms, and behaviors?

I try to be careful not to stereotype, or assume that all women have the same challenges or hurdles to overcome.

That said, there are patterns that I see, such as women doubting their own capabilities and underestimating their value to an organization, or team. Women tend to look at a list of job requirements and say, of these 10, I can do 6 well, so I probably shouldn't try for this job, whereas men look at that and say 6, out of 10 - I have got this!

I also think that women are afraid to come across too strong, so they will hold back on what they ask for, or frame it in a way that makes it seem like a question, not something that is required, or recommended.

Saving Energy On Refrigeration

By Craig Berman of Saving Energy

You don’t need a Windmill to reduce your power costs…just some smart thinking.

Ok, to start – let’s cover the basics of refrigeration. The fridge thermostat is set to the required temperature for the contents of the fridge. For example, we’ll use 5°Celcius as the set point. The fridge is switched on and starts to cool the AIR inside the fridge cabinet down. Once the AIR temperature reaches 5° , then the thermostat sensor relays the temperature data to the control system, which then shuts off the compressor.

In energy saving, there is a difference. Food or most products kept in a fridge will retain their temperature for longer periods than air – this is because of the difference in density between air and water. Since most products contain high levels of water – they keep their internal temperature much longer. SO- in the usual environment – YOU ARE WASTING VAST AMOUNTS OF ENERGY KEEPING THE AIR TEMPERATURE AT THE SET POINT!

In normal usage, as the fridge is opened and closed, the AIR inside the fridge will warm up, as when the door is opened the natural process is that cooler air from inside the fridge flows out and the warmer air outside the fridge flows in. This causes the air temperature inside the fridge to increase – the thermostat sensor then picks this up and causes the compressor to come on and cool the AIR temperature down again to the set point of 5°.

Rather focus on keeping the product temperature constant – this is saving energy.

The amount of energy used to re-gain the set point of 5° will depend on how high the Air temperature gets inside the cabinet. So, it will take more energy to cool the air from 12 to 5°, than from 8 to 5°. NOTICE – this is all about AIR temperature – Not product temperature.

Conscious Life Magazine

Saving Energy on Refrigeration – The Endo Cube / E Cube What is the ENDO CUBE / ECUBE ?- These 3 minutes could save you a fortune.

It’s simple – the less times your fridge starts up in an hour – the less energy it uses – the more money you save. The less times it starts up , the less time it works. The less it works, the fewer times it breaks down. Get it?

The Thermo Cube / ENDO Cube / E CUBE is a device that does exactly that. It changes the source of the temperature data from AIR to WATER (PRODUCT IN THE FRIDGE) – and so cuts the number of times your fridges start and stop in an hour.

That is SAVING ENERGY on Refrigeration.

Think of it like this – in your fridge is a block of cheese and a cucumber. You open the fridge door and take out the cheese. Leaving the door open – you cut some cheese for a sandwich. You make your sandwich, all the time leaving the fridge door open – it takes 5 minutes to make that sandwich. Having finished making the sandwich, you then put the cheese back in the fridge and close the door. In that 5 minutes has the AIR in the fridge warmed up? YES. Did the cucumber warm up? NO.NO. NO. So why does the fridge need to switch on ? To cool the air ? NO.NO.NO. IT DOESN’T have to switch on at all because the Cucumber (product in the fridge) HAS NOT WARMED UP!

Saving Energy on Refrigeration E CUBE Test Data:

The ECUBE represents the latest technology in Temperature Mimicking Sensors designed for saving energy on refrigeration in commercial and industrial refrigeration systems. The Key to this device is the specially formulated wax compound at the core of the ECUBE that simulates the core thermal properties of produce, meat, dairy, fruit, veg etc.

By providing the thermostat control system with temperature readings based on the product temperature inside the refrigerated space, rather than the fluctuating air temperature, the ECUBE allows for the refrigeration system to operate at superior efficiency , reducing the number of compressor starts per hour as well as the running time of those compressors.

This allows for Control System Optimisation (CSO) through an effective dampening system utilising the measurement of product temperature – as temperature is the core element of Control System management , the switch between measuring Air temperature (current system) and product temperature delivers unparalleled energy savings in both KWH and KVA, as well as reducing peak demand levels thus saving energy on refrigeration.

By reducing the compressor cycles , the ECUBE also delivers the reduced maintenance , fewer breakdowns , decreased repair costs and less wastage in product and efficiently delivers saving energy on refrigeration for your business. This is done by maintaining accurate temperature within the fridge and produce, the occurrence of widely fluctuating air temperature dynamics is reduced significantly and thereby prevents the evaporation and condensation cycles that occur within the core of the product under normal operational conditions.

Overall , the ECUBE has proved itself in a variety of test conditions and in each case delivered 15%-33% reduction in consumption – this clearly shows that the ECUBE is efficient at saving energy on refrigeration systems.

Combined with the reduction in wear and tear , breakdowns and wastage- the total saving could be reasonably increased by a further 10%-15%.

To see all test results & to find out more click here  Conscious Life Magazine

by Juan du Toit We decided to start a WATER WISE CAMPAIGN with advice and tips on how to save water, seeing as water has become a scarce resource in SA and we need to use it sparingly.

We made a list of 12 WATER SAVING TIPS to take care of your lawn during this dry spell  Remove no more than 1/3 the height of the grass for any one mowing. Keeping the grass slightly higher will increase shade on the soil, encourage deeper rooting and reduce evaporation. The added height shades the ground, slowing evaporation. Mowing shorter not only provides less protection for the ground, but it also allows quicker uptakes of water into the atmosphere.  Mow in the morning or early evening and not midday - to avoid burning grass.  Try mulching, even if you do not have a mulching mower. Let clippings remain on the lawn. Lawns tend to lose more water and nutrients through evaporation when clippings are removed.  Water thoroughly but infrequently to encourage deeper rooting, increase soil moisture reservoir and to reduce the number of weeds. Letting the grass be "thirsty" encourages deeper rooting.  Water early in the morning to reduce evaporation; it can reduce water usage up to 40%.  Fertilise only twice a year; mid-October and late February. Always use a slow release organic fertiliser. Lush lawns look great, but heavily fertilised lawns use more water and are more susceptible to drought stress.  Water only every 5 - 7 days (if no rain). A soaking rain can extend that period up to 10 -14 days.

Most people apply double the amount of water needed.  Do not water lawn on windy days; it increases transpiration and evaporation rates.  If you did not aerate your lawn in spring, consider doing so in the fall. Aeration creates small holes in the ground that allow water to soak deeper into the ground and help promote root growth.  If possible, use soak irrigation lines instead of pop-up heads. These can reduce water consumption up to 60%. If using pop-up heads, align heads to avoid paved surfaces or other non-targeted objects. Regularly check for leaks and install a rain gauge to prevent activation of the system during and just after a rainfall.  Increase organic matter; while this comes naturally to most organic gardeners, many don't realise the benefits of building humus in the soil. Organic matter absorbs many times its weight in water, which is then available for plant growth. It provides many advantages: clay soils with added organic matter will accept water more quickly, and organically amended sandy soils hold water longer and don't need to be watered as frequently. One of the easiest ways to build organic matter is to add Grass Factory & Eco Organic Compost that breaks down to humus. This has an incredible potential to hold moisture, nutrients and build soil health.  Keep the lawn mower blade sharp to make cleaner cuts that cause less water loss than cuts from dull mower blades.

MAR-APR 2017

Conscious Life Magazine

Conscious Life Magazine

We are all searching for ways in which to cut expenses. And petrol is a big expense in most households. One option in which you can save is to buy a more fuel-efficient vehicle. But that’s not an option for everyone.

So what if we, your trusted insurance advisors, tell you that we have 17 tips on how you can save fuel when you’re driving? Read on to drive more economically.

Vehicle examine • • • •

Ensure that your vehicle is serviced regularly.

Ensure that your tyre pressure is correct.

Don’t carry unnecessary weight in your vehicle.

Remove your roof rack from your vehicle, if you’re not using it.

Filling up • •

Fill up your vehicle when your tank is halfway empty.

Fill up your vehicle’s tank in the morning.

Driving • • • • • • •

Don’t rev your vehicle unnecessarily.

Stop driving aggressively.

Stop driving in the lower gears.

Don’t break too hard or too suddenly.

Do not speed.

Maintain a steady speed while driving, use cruise control if you can.

When driving slower than 75km/h, open your windows. If you’re driving faster than 75km/h, drive with the air con on.

Routes • • • •

Plan your route ahead of time to avoid unnecessary stops and trips or getting lost.

Try to run as many errands in one trip as possible.

Try to avoid traffic jams as much as possible.

Consider carpooling.

By implementing these small changes to your driving habits, you can ensure that your wallet won’t be hit so hard the next time there is a fuel price increase. If you do decide that it is time for a new vehicle, contact your Indwe advisor. Not only are we your trusted insurance advisors, but we’re also your partner for life. Visit www.indwe.co.za or phone 0860 13 13 14, for your unique insurance solution.

Conscious Life Magazine

Salsa Fresca

Ingredients • • • • • • • •

5 medium tomatoes cut into ½-inch pieces 1-2 jalapenos seeded and minced 2 garlic cloves minced ¼ medium red onion chopped 3tbsp fresh lime juice ½tsp salt ⅛tsp black pepper 1tbsp cilantro chopped

Instructions

In a bowl, gently stir together all the ingredients.

Berbere Spice Mix Berbere Spice Mix Berbere is a blend of spices used in Ethiopian cooking.

If you don’t have whole spices, you can use ground ones.

Ingredients

Instructions

• • • • • • •

Remove the seeds from the cardamom pod. Toast the cardamom, clove, allspice and fenugreek seeds in a dry skillet over medium-high heat, stirring until the spices become fragrant. Remove from the heat, let cool and grind in a mortar and pestle until fine. Stir in the ginger, nutmeg, and turmeric.

1whole cardamom pod 1whole clove 2whole allspice ⅛tsp whole fenugreek seeds ⅛tsp ground ginger ⅛tsp ground nutmeg ⅛tsp ground turmeric

Stovetop Pizza Stovetop Pizza These days, pizza is the favorite food of many children. Making your own pizza is a satisfying accomplishment. This delicious version uses fresh tomatoes and less cheese than most. You can bake these pizzas on cookie sheets in preheated 425 degree oven instead of cooking them on the stovetop.

Makes 3 10-inch pizzas.

Ingredients Pizza Dough • 1cup warm water • ½tsp baking yeast • 1tsp honey • ¾cup whole wheat flour • 1¾cups unbleached white flour • ½tsp baking powder • ½tsp salt Pizza Toppings • ¼cup shredded Parmesan cheese • ½cup grated mozzarella cheese • 5 Roma tomatoes, diced • ½ red bell pepper diced • 2tbsp chopped fresh basil leaves • ¼tsp salt • ⅛tsp freshly ground black pepper • 2tsp olive oil

Instructions Make the pizza dough In a medium bowl, combine the warm water and yeast. Let sit 2 to 3 minutes, until the yeast is dissolved. Stir in the honey and whole wheat flour. In a separate bowl, stir together the white flour, baking powder, and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the whole wheat mixture, stirring to form a rough dough. On a clean, lightly floured work surface, knead the dough for 1 to 2 minutes, until smooth.

Cover the dough and let it rise while you prepare the pizza toppings.

Prepare the pizza toppings In a small bowl, combine the cheeses. In another bowl, combine the tomatoes, bell peppers, basil, salt, pepper, and olive oil.

Make the pizzas Divide the dough to make 3 equal balls. On a clean, lightly floured work surface, roll each ball into a circle that is 10 inches in diameter. Heat a 12-inch skillet or griddle over medium high heat until it is hot. Transfer the rolled pizza crust to the skillet or griddle and cook for 3 to 5 minutes.

Turn the dough. Spread one third of the tomato mixture on top of the cooked side of the dough to make an even layer.

Top with ¼ cup of the cheese mixture. Cover the pan and continue to cook the pizza until the toppings are hot and the bottom of the crust is golden brown, about 5 to 8 minutes. Remove the pizza to a cutting board and cut into wedges to serve. Repeat this process to make 2 more pizzas.

Ed’s Book Review: Mila’s Meals The Beginning & the Basics A collection of nourishing wholefood recipes & food ideas for baby’s first year

by Catherine Barnhoorn CLICK TO ORDER NOW I remember the 1st time that I laid my eyes on this magnificent recipe book. I was in The Organic Emporium in Bryanston when I spotted it. I picked it up, paged through it & immediately knew I had to have it!

When we were approached by Catherine to review the book, I couldn’t have been more excited!

This book is gorgeous! Filled with over 100 delicious, healthy recipes that are free from gluten, sugar, dairy & additives. Everything that you need to help set your baby on the right track health wise, is in this book. It is great for the entire family too.

Now, I am not a mother – a have a 5 year old niece who visits me – but this book, I believe, is a must have for everyone! As a person who is striving to follow a healthier, gluten, sugar, dairy, allergen and additive free way of eating, I have found everything that I need in Mila’s Meals..

I love that Catherine has actually taken the time to help you become informed and aware when it comes to what we put into our bodies, and especially our babies bodies. She explains in detail what all the ingredients and additives on food labels really are, and what you should stay away from and why. How to identify the classes of additives and understanding why they are bad .

And that is just the tip of the iceberg! We go on a journey to discover: which is better, Raw or Cooked; explore Organic, Conventional & GMO; why you should eat Whole Foods vs Refined & Processed Foods, discovering & using natural taste enhancers; learning how to eat from the rainbow and much more.

For Mommies this book is a MUST HAVE! Catherine helps you unlearn infant food fallacies, know what nutrients to feed when, essential nutrients and where to find them and step by step yummy meals for each phase of baby’s first year and onwards.

PS: Careful reading this 500 page mammoth as you lay sleepily in bed… 

Conscious Life Magazine

Enter to WIN One Lucky Reader Will Win a Beautiful Copy of Mila’s Meals Recipe Book Free From Gluten, Sugar 7 Dairy

The only cookbook you’ll need for the first few years of your child’s life & the rest of the family!

Mila’s Meals: The Beginnings & The Basics is an award-winning collection of nourishing wholefood recipes and food ideas for baby’s first years (and the rest of the family too). Free from gluten, refined sugar, dairy and artificial additives.

Created, written and published by: Catherine Barnhoorn. Photography by: Alfred Lor Over 100 recipes from pureés to solids, ALL free from gluten, sugar and dairy – this is the only book you will need for the first few years of your ‘free-from’ child’s life.

Awarded four international book awards!: Gourmand ‘Best In The World’ Award – First Book Category; Next Generation Indie Book Award – Health/Wellness Category; Gourmand World Cookbook Award – Self-Published Category London Book Festival Award – Cookbook Category To Enter: 1. Email us at competitions@childoftheuniverse.co.za Subject: Mila’s Meals 2. Answer this Question: Where did our Editor 1st spot Mila’s Meals Cookbook? Hint – see her review 3. Elect 3 friends to receive Conscious Life Magazine for free by including their email addresses.

Terms & Conditions: The Competition Ends on the 30th of August 2017 at 12pm. The judge’s decision is final. The competition is not open to directors, agents, employees or consultants of Mila’s Meals or Conscious Life Magazine. The competition is not open to readers who reside outside of South Africa or those who have won a prize with us in the last 6 months.

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Conscious Life Magazine

Ensuring your Pet’s Dental Health Natural love…The autumn hat and lawn party was well underway, when I caught a glimpse of him. A flash of velvet black hair, but it was the unexpected locking of our eyes, emerald green, that made my heart beat just a tiny bit faster. I was mesmerized.

He gave me one last over-the shoulder look before disappearing in a little grove of betula albas shielding the manicured lawn and prize-winning rose garden from the path winding down to the river.

I slowly made my way through the throng of people, eyes nailed to the spot where I last saw him standing in case he reappeared, and entered the grove. Would it be rude of me to leave the party and wander of on my own in the hope of another opportunity to see him? It took only a split-second to settle my doubt.

Nobody seemed to have noticed that I had slipped away, and as I moved further into the grove and along the winding path to the river, the sounds and laughter of Annika’s autumn party became less and less audible until I could only hear my own footsteps and the distant humming of the river. Where did he go?

The path winded steeply downward and passing a thicket I slowed, and stopped. I was being watched, I could sense that, but I could not see him. I didn’t move a limb and only my eyes darted left and right looking for a clue in the denser bush. And then…there he was, crouching on a branch just a couple of centimetres of the ground, the most beautiful black velvet kitten in the whole world. I had found him!

Velvet is now nearly a year old and no longer flearidden and fending for himself. His coat has blossomed into a thick coat, inviting and soft to the touch. He frolics around the house and garden, chasing after butterflies in the meadows and fearlessly scaling the giant trees. His favourite pasttime? Napping with my daughter.

We take care of him NATURALLY, as we would with all our furry, (and some not so furry) clients.

“Good dental care is just as important for animals as it is for humans” One of the major areas of neglect in even the most caring of animal owners is the lack of proper ANIMAL DENTAL CARE. Good dental care is just as important for animals as it is for humans. Your pets ‘s oral health plays a major role in their whole body health. The lack of a good dental care program not only affects the mouth, but can lead to a variety of more serious health problems affecting the kidneys, heart and lungs. Good dental care can help your pet living a longer and healthier life.

When there is a lack of dental care, periodontal disease creeps in. This is defined as an infection of the tissue that surrounds the teeth. There are various stages/levels of periodontal disease, and a quick peek inside the mouth of your pet will tell you the status of his dental health. Periodontal disease starts out as plaque. Plaque is a bacterial film that attaches itself to the teeth, just as with humans. When the bacteria die they can be calcified by the calcium in the saliva, and forms calculus or tartar. This is a hard and uneven substance which allows for more accumulation of plaque on the teeth.

In the event that dental and gum disease had already started, a natural homoeopathic remedy can also go a long way to counter-act the disease. Eco-teeth is a registered homoeopathic product developed specifically for the treatment of animals with dental and gum problems, and we have seen significant results with both advanced gingivitis, and just using it as part of a routine oral dental programme.

“…we have seen significant results with advanced gingivitis…”

In the initial stages plaque is soft and brushing or chewing hard food and toys can dislodge it. However if left to spread, plaque can cause gingivitis, which is an inflammation of the gums, causing them to become swollen and red and bleeds readily.

If you allow the plaque and tartar to develop below the gum line, you will need professional cleaning by your vet. If the build-up continues to go untreated, then infection can form around the root of the tooth, and finally the tissue surrounding the tooth are destroyed, the bony socket holding the tooth erodes and the tooth becomes and loose. This is an excruciating process for your pet and he will not be able to feed.

“Be PROACTIVE, and use preventative dental care by brushing your pet’s teeth, and using a remedy to reduce the build-up of tartar” HOW TO AVOID IT • Check your pet’s teeth frequently • Brush your pets teeth regularly • Use a natural remedy that reduces the rate of tartar build-up • Have their teeth professionally cleaned by the vet should that be necessary Be PROACTIVE, and use preventative dental care by brushing your pet’s teeth, and using a remedy to reduce the build-up of tartar.

We do understand that pet owners do not always make the time to brush their pet’s teeth, and using a product that can assist in reducing the build-up of tartar becomes even more crucial. Be proactive with regards to dental care of your beloved pet and don’t wait until dental disease sets in.

This product can be utilized in different ways. Firstly you can place it in their drinking water every second day, to slow the build-up of tartar as part of a dedicated oral hygiene programme. It will also take care of smelly breath! Secondly you can squirt it into their mouth on a daily basis, for a period of time, should they already be experiencing some gum and dental disease. It has proved to have a significant effect on dental disease.

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

We lead increasingly busy lives. juggling work, family, personal issues and day-to-day general ‘stuff’. Our energy can feel unbalanced at any time even on the best of days and sometimes stressful situations can totally throw us out of sync. Holistic healing is a wonderful way of balancing your body mind and spirit.

Everything is made up of energy. When we are stressed or unbalanced, our entire environment is affected, including our family, pets and our living or working environment.

Our animal companions are highly sensitive beings. Their energy centres are easily thrown out of balance by negative energy in the home, i.e. noise, arguments, work stress, loss of a family member and even moving house, which can be extremely stressful for everyone involved. Reiki helps to balance our animal friends and give them a sense of calm and balance, helping them to stay healthy and relaxed, even in the most stressful of situations..

Our homes can also be affected by negativity, creating stagnant energies in our own living space. Space clearing, a specialised area of Feng Shui, can help to restore positive energy and movement into these stagnant areas, creating peace and calm – restoring the natural balance within your home, your sanctuary.

A three-part healing experience for you and your animal companions, cleansing all the negative energies within your home environment.

Ann-Marie Kelly Mobile: 082 579 9478 emailhealingconnexions14@gmail.com

MAR-APR 2017

Conscious Life Magazine

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

CHILDHOOD CANCER Awareness & Early Detection CHOC’s Awareness Programme It is estimated that currently less than half of children with cancer in South Africa are diagnosed, and many of those who are diagnosed are in advanced stage of illness. One of the reasons for this is a lack of awareness and knowledge in parts of the health system regarding the early warning signs of childhood cancer.

As a result, CHOC initiated an Awareness Programme to disseminate the early warning signs that the South African Childhood Cancer Study Group drew up.

The objectives of the programme include ensuring that all children with cancer in South Africa are diagnosed as early possible and that the early warning signs of childhood cancer are well known in all parts of the health system (including primary health care clinics and all hospitals).

Cancer Facts Cancer incidence Although childhood cancer is relatively rare, the incidence rate has been increasing. According to a 2014 report by the American Cancer Society, it is now estimated that one in 408 children worldwide will be diagnosed with cancer before the age of 15. Yet with early detection and treatment in paediatric oncology units, globally the survival rate can be as high as between 70% and 80%, with variance depending on the type of cancer.

Common childhood cancers Cancers in children tend to be different from those found in adults, most often occurring in the developing cells like bone marrow, blood, kidneys and nervous system tissues. Life-threatening blood disorders include aplastic anaemia, thalassaemia and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.

Despite being relatively rare, in Western countries childhood cancer is the second most common cause of death in children aged 5 to 14 years, after accidents, whilst in Africa it does not make it into the top 10 common causes.

According to the most recent South African Children’s Cancer Study Group (SACCSG) registry statistics, for 2009 to 2013, the five most common childhood cancers in South Africa are leukaemia, followed by lymphoma (tumours that begin in the lymph glands), then brain tumours, nephroblastomas, or Wilms tumours – cancer of the kidneys - and then soft tissue sarcomas, which are tumours that begin in the connective tissue.

The Saint Siluan Early Warning signs These early warning signs were drawn up by the South African Childhood Cancer Study Group and they have been adopted by the International Society of Paediatric Oncology. St Siluan was a monk who prayed for humanity ceaselessly.

If you detect any of the warning signs in your child please contact your nearest CHOC region contact your nearest treatment centre or SMS the name of your province to 34486, at a cost of R2. A CHOC representative will contact you shortly thereafter..

There is also a TOLL-FREE HELPLINE: 0800 333 555 that sisters and doctors at the primary healthcare clinics can call (hosted at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital) for advice on whether to refer the child for further investigation and to which unit. http://www.choc.org.za/regions.html

Keeping more than hope alive for nearly four decades

CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation was established in 1979 as a support group to parents of children with cancer, by parents of children with cancer. Having experienced the immense emotional and financial toll that cancer takes they recognised there is more than one victim in the family of the child with cancer.

Their aim was to ease the burden on parents facing the same journey by providing access to relevant, accurate information, as well as emotional and practical support.

From the onset CHOC provided support in the hospital wards, hence the name Children’s Haematology Oncology Clinics, or CHOC. Gradually parent groups were set up in other key centres, where the major state-funded academic hospitals are located and paediatric oncologists practice.

In 2000, these regional entities merged into a national organisation. CHOC now has a head office in Johannesburg, six regional offices, two branches, and 13 accommodation facilities close to treatment centres. With occupancy steadily increasing our budget for maintenance and running costs of the accommodation facilities in 2015 will amount to R7.132 million, with each facility costing over half a million and we have a total capacity of 66 030 bed nights per annum.

We do not receive funding from government but rely heavily on donations from caring corporates, individuals and parents of children with cancer. Funds raised are used to provide all-encompassing support – from direct practical help to the children and their families and those involved in the treatment – to necessary equipment.

Donate to CHOC The support of corporations and individuals is vital to the ongoing work of CHOC.

HUSKY ROMI WOLF SANCTUARY HuskyRomi is a non-profit organization providing a safe haven for abandoned and abused huskies and wolves in South Africa.

We provide a home to all huskies and wolves that can’t be kept as pets because of their complicated nature. Many of the animals arrive in a poor condition, some not even knowing what grass is. They are rehabilitated with loving care by Larry Paul. This website was started to provide support to the HuskyRomi project and to promote the protection of wolves and other wildlife. The sanctuary is open for the public to come and learn about wolves. We do appreciate donations and sponsorship for the buying of food, for veterinary bills and doing maintenance to the enclosures.

We currently take care of more than 200 huskies, wolves and hybrids in 54 enclosures.

Get Involved We are working towards getting a formal volunteer program off the ground at HuskyRomi. This is available to both local (South African) and international volunteers. Should anybody be interested to become a volunteer or to assist with the program please contact Larry on the number or email below.

Sponsorship and Donations Name a Wolf.

Should you wish to name a wolf, for instance in remembrance of a loved one or pet, you may arrange it with Larry. We just request that you then will be prepared to do a full monthly sponsorship of that wolf for a period of at least two years.

Get in Touch: Mobile: 071 679 5141 larry@huskyromi.co.za http://huskyromi.co.za/wp/

Conscious Life Magazine

Blue Sky News is a kids friendly newsletter (A3 folded to A4 full colour) distributing (personally by each franchisee) on a monthly basis to over 300 schools into school bags, in the Gauteng area.

We currently have franchises covering Midrand/Centurion/Fourways/Houghton/Sandton 40000 copies collectively.

If you interested in becoming part of our team OR if parents/kids/families are your target market & you would be interested in advertising with us OR would like to distribute or subscribe to our newsletters then check out our website www.blueskynews.co.za and/or Facebook page Contact susette@blueskynews.co.za for more info, we would love to hear from you!

with much appreciation to our advertisers, contributors, endorsers and our readers namaste