Child of the Universe Montessori Mag Feb 2020

*FREE ONLINE MAG *FEBRUARY 2020

SENSITIVE PERIODS: SENSORY DEVELOPMENT

EFFECTIVE MONTESSORI PARENT EDUCATION

A Window into a Child’s World

ADORABLE BABY LEARNING FACTS

Weaning your cat onto a healthy diet

ABOUT US

www.childoftheuniverse.co.za PUBLISHER 2Luni Media EDITOR Linda Navon linda@childoftheuniverse.co.za

SALES & MARKETING MANAGER Cj Matticks CREATIVE TEAM Designer & Creative Director Linda Navon Content & Layout Assistant Arizona Quinn Digital Manager & Social Media Cj Matticks DISTRIBUTION & ACCOUNTS Lee Coulter lee@childoftheuniverse.co.za

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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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DISCLAIMER The views expressed in this publication are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the editor, advertisers or endorsers. While every effort has been made to ensure that the contents of this publication are both accurate and truthful, the publisher and editor accept no responsibility for inaccurate or misleading information that may be contained herein.

contents

What is a Soul Contract?

Simply put, it’s an agreement your soul made before you were born.

by Lindsay Curtis

This ‘agreement’ includes all of the lessons you have chosen to experience in this lifetime as well as the encounters and relationships you agreed to have with other souls. A soul contract includes physical and spiritual experiences that involve karma, your talents, goals and life purpose. It also outlines your struggles, challenges and strengths.

Soul contracts intricately weave our experiences together to create the teaching tools in our lifetimes.

We agree who our parents will be. Now, I know some of you are thinking, “Ummm…I did not choose those parents. No way, no how.” I’m pretty sure ya did. Erin Pavlina writes on that topic here: Picking our Parents and Our Life Circumstances.

In addition, we agree on who our friends will be, whom we’ll marry, who our children will be, what kind of jobs we’ll have. We agree on what types of experiences we’ll go through and the adversity we’ll endure. You get the idea. All of these contracts are put in place in order for us to have the opportunity to learn and grow on a soul level.

Knowing you have a soul contract helps you understand that what you have experienced so far has been chosen by you on a soul level.

Being aware of your soul contract opens your eyes to your strengths and helps you fulfill your life purpose. It can also identify any limitations, fears and negative aspects of your life so that you can release them, heal them and live a more fulfilling life.

But how do you know what your soul contract is?

A soul contract reading can help. It’s a way to channel powerful, accurate and in-depth information. Every chart and reading is unique to each individual – no two are the same.

You may want a soul contract reading if:  You feel stuck and want clarity about your life situation  You want to seek confirmation that you’re on the right track  You find yourself at a crossroads in life  You have choices to make and could use some guidance  You want to understand your life more deeply

What are the Benefits of having a Soul Contract Reading?

It can help to: ◾Provide a sense of direction in your life ◾Shed some light on your life purpose & goals ◾Highlight your talents and strengths and show you how to maximize them ◾Help you make informed choices ◾Provide insights as to why you are the way you are ◾Give you a deep understanding of your life ◾Understand your relationships ◾Empower you

My name's Lindsay.

I'm a spiritual intuitive, empath and Reiki practitioner. Armed with intuition and a desire to help others grow, I write the articles on The Daily Awe to do just that.

REDUCE THE APPEARANCE OF ACNE SCARS NATURALLY

By Down to Earth

As if acne isn’t bad enough, some of us are left with acne scars afterwards.

It is said that acne affects 80% of people at some time in their life. It is not only a teenage problem; adult acne is common too.

Why do we get acne?

Although the exact cause of acne in each individual varies and is fairly unknown, contributing factors are hormones, clogged pores and bacteria.

Simply put, acne can be described as inflamed or infected oil glands. Sebum (oil) secreted by your skin’s sebaceous glands and dead skin clogs pores, and results in dreaded acne.

Furthermore, there are other factors that can aggravate the condition. Stress, environmental pollutants, certain steroid medications and oily or unsuitable skincare products can cause flareups and make your acne worse.

What causes acne scars?

There are many forms of acne that could be categorised as follows:

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Non-inflamed acne Minor pimples such as whiteheads and blackheads fall within the non-inflamed category. These don’t leave lasting acne scars.

Inflamed acne Inflamed acne includes papules that are pink, tender bumps and pustules that are red, tender bumps with puss on top. Nodules are larger, more painful and feel like they are situated deep in the skin. Lastly, cysts are the most severe form of inflamed acne. They are deep, painful and filled with puss.

These types of acne can leave scars, skin discolouration and blemishes, with cystic acne being the major culprit. Scarring happens when the skin pore becomes inflamed as a result of infection and/or clogging. The pore swells to a point where the follicle walls rupture.

In some instances, the rupture is close to the skin’s surface and able to heal quickly. Where the follicle rupture is deep and skin tissue is destroyed, the scarring will be more severe.

What you can do about your acne scars The key to reducing scars is to treat them as soon as they appear. Older scars are harder to treat.

In a previous blogpost called How To Heal Scars Faster, we describe in detail how the skin heals and the steps to take to minimise scarring during the wound healing process. We recommend you read it.

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We now give you some effective ways to reduce your acne scars and blemishes, easily and naturally: Gentle skin care Be very gentle with healing skin and scars. Avoid further damage and the possibility of leaving permanent marks. Don’t pick or fiddle with your skin. After your morning and evening skincare routine, let your skin get on with regenerating and don’t interrupt the process.

Tee Tree oil Tea tree oil is a popular remedy for people with acne-prone skin and rightly so. As a powerful antiseptic, it has long been used as a remedy for bacterial skin infections. If you have wounds caused by acne, it is important to keep the wounds clean and encourage healing to minimise scars. Tea tree oil will reduce redness and inflammation, and prevent further breakouts.

You can simply mix a few drops of tea tree oil with your cleanser, or use our Clear Skin Gel. It is a soothing and purifying antimicrobial gel, with tea tree oil, to help keep bacteria away and allow the skin to heal.

Stick to a healthy diet Eat healthy food. Foods rich in vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids will help strengthen your skin and provide the needed nutrients to produce new skin cells during the healing process.

If your skin is tired or sluggish, scars and blemishes won’t heal optimally and your skin’s immunity can be compromised. Furthermore, a deficiency in zinc, vitamin C and essential fatty acids can leave your skin vulnerable to breakouts and blemishes. And remember to keep hydrated by drinking lot of water.

Gentle exfoliating After your skin has healed, you can help fade your scars by exfoliating regularly with a nonirritating, environmentally-safe and very gentle exfoliator. It will help you achieve an even and smooth skin. Exfoliating helps lift off dead skin and promotes new growth. Never over-exfoliate though!

Aloe Vera Aloe vera is known as the “medicinal” aloe. Applying the fresh gel extract directly to your acne scars will soften skin and provide a potent combination of vitamins and minerals to help reduce scars and fade blemishes.

No fresh aloe available? No problem. Our Revive Moisturiser contains a high concentration of aloe vera to help accelerate new skin formation. Aloe vera also absorbs easily and draws the beneficial qualities of other ingredients in with it. Read our blogpost called Aloe Penetrates Skin Four Times Faster Than Water… So What?, to find out more.

Coconut oil To improve the appearance of scars and blemishes, your skin needs moisture. Coconut oil is a highly nourishing skin-food and is a good skin conditioner. The high concentration of fatty acids in coconut oil reduces inflammation and encourages skin repair. The vitamin E content, a potent antioxidant, helps to protect the skin from free radical damage. Antimicrobial properties helps to protect the skin against further infections.

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If the oil is too heavy for your skin, wash it off after about 30 minutes with a natural cleanser.

Another option is to use our Revive Moisturiser as a facial cream for day and night, or the African Potato Cream on your body. Both products contain an effective amount of coconut oil to help heal scars and blemishes.

What else to keep in mind?

Remember, acne scars and blemishes can be avoided by taking steps to reduce acne in the first place. Acne, in most instances, is an internal problem that is expressed externally. Healthy lifestyle choices, such as an anti-inflammatory and nutritious diet, exercise and hydrating regularly can help reduce flare-ups. Furthermore, having a clean pillowcase and cellphone will help keep the acne at bay and prevent it from spreading or getting worse.

Image By: https://unsplash.com/@kohlun2000

If your acne scars and blemishes are severe, we recommend you consult a holistic health practitioner who can help you navigate the safe use of natural products versus medications and treatments such as laser therapy. They will also be able to advise you on implementing lifestyle habits to improve skin health and accelerate skin cell regeneration.

Conscious Life Magazine

Why We Love The Cherubs Eco Cotton Range In a sentence: Because it is as gentle to the earth as it is to your skin.

Made from 100% pure cotton, the Cherubs Cotton range is soft, absorbent and gentle enough for everyday beauty care.

What Cherubs has to say about two of the products in the range: The Cherubs ECO Cotton range includes biodegradable ECOtton Rounds and ECOtton Buds.

Cherubs ECOtton Buds Cherubs ECOtton Buds have a unique stem that is paper based and are therefore biodegradable caring for the environment.

Cherubs ECOtton Rounds Cherubs ECOtton Rounds are made from only 100% pure cotton & and are naturally soft, absorbent and gentle.

Ideal for Baby & Adult use & will not leave unwanted fibre on your skin.

Cherubs ECOtton Rounds are biodegradable and therefore care for the environment.

Conscious Life Magazine

Discover 3 Parent Education Options How many of us have been guilty of subscribing to the “red pencil mentality?” You know, when we focus on the homework mistakes rather than on what’s correct? Probably most of us; because it’s human nature.

However, focusing on our kids’ mistakes or the wrong answers can be a big source of homework power struggles.

Let’s put ourselves in their shoes. What happens when someone points out our mistakes? It makes us feel judged. The same goes for kids. When we focus on what they got wrong, they feel judged and discouraged, which makes the situation ripe for eye rolls and power struggles.

To turn the tables, let’s retire the red pencil.

Try these tips instead: 1. Begin homework time by focusing on the effort.

Rather than pointing out what’s wrong, notice progress and improvements. Encourage persistence. These strategies will go a long way towards diffusing power struggles and will keep the next homework time from becoming a battleground.

2. Comment first on the correct answers.

Your kids will feel encouraged when you point out what they did well. When you do find a mistake, don’t slide into critical mode. Stay encouraging and ask, “What did you learn from this answer that you got right that might help you solve this one?” That not only keeps them from feeling defensive, it also encourages them to think about problems creatively and see them as opportunities to learn. That’s is a great reminder for all of us.

3. Encourage mistakes!

Mistakes are part of the learning curve, and part of what helps find innovative, new ways of doing things. Mistakes are something to be celebrated, not red-lined.

What do you say we retire the red pencil? I encourage you to adopt a new mindset when it comes to your kids’ homework and test mistakes. Not only will you avoid a power struggle or two, but you’ll also find your kids are more likely to try new things and take risks in their learning. When that happens, you begin to foster a sense of discovery and innovation that will take them so much further in life than any red line ever would.

History is filled with stories of mistakes that turn out to be brilliant inventions or positive turns in the road for people. Celebrate them, and your kid for trying their best and persevering! It’s a game-changer!

Final Thoughts I get it. Homework battles can be frustrating, but try these 3 steps and you’ll be amazed at how encouraged and empowered your children feel. Once you solve the homework issues, don’t be surprised if other issues arise – sibling rivalry, backtalk, defiance – that’s often how it goes with parenting.

If you’d like to learn how to get your kids to listen without nagging, reminding or yelling, I’d love for you to join me for a FREE ONLINE CLASS.

COMMON WRITING PROBLEMS You may see some common symptoms in writing. They are listed as follows: 1. Writing events out of sequence 2. Run-on sentences 3. No spacing between words or inappropriately spaced 4. No or little use of punctuation 5. Frequent spelling errors From my experience as a teacher, students become engrossed in learning to read and understand each word. They are perplexed as to why their written essays, book reports, journal entries need to be so neat and perfect— essentially following the rules of grammar.

As a teacher, I start with basic understanding and practice of grammar. We usually work on one aspect at a time. For example, capitalization, we discuss the rules of capitalization; I point out words in their reading books that are capitalized and when writing that is the only rule I require them to adhere to. We do this until they have mastered capitalization. Then we start the task of learning a new rule such as punctuation.

Writing Apps In my classroom and with my children at home, I like to integrate technology when it benefits the child or enhances their lessons from school.

There are many great apps out there, but I will highlight a few.

I like the ABC Writing app. It provides the student the opportunity to write words and letters.

Additionally, the child can hear the word spelled letter by letter and the entire word. Like most apps, it’s colorful with music and different color pens to write with.

I love for my students with Dyslexia or any learning disability to use Toontastic (a free app).

This app allows a student to create their own cartoons. The app helps the child go through the whole writing organization process, writing, and publishing of their cartoon.

As a teacher and mom, I know it's important to celebrate the small milestones with your child with Dyslexia. Start out simple and slow. Continue adding more skills as they master each step.

Starting slow and building on successes is just ONE of the important principles behind the Learning Success System. If you'd like to help your child with this get the Learning Success System Now!

More than just reading problems Many think dyslexia is just about reading problems. It is isn’t. It also about learning and thinking differently. Students with dyslexia tend to be literal in their speech or interpretation of the world around them – especially instructions.

Karey Hope, founder of Dyslexia Victoria Online, says that in this kind of situation, it’s best to be specific with your instructions.

“If you find your child does not understand what you are saying or asking then maybe you could try to be more complete and clear with your words or ask the child what they think you meant so you can correct what they have confused.

“I believe practice of this type of clarity with words will help to avoid misunderstanding that can be beneficial in any situation with anyone.”

Children with dyslexia are not stupid

by Claire Coleman You’d probably describe the majority of your friends as kind and supportive people who make you feel happy. But if you’re anything like the rest of us, you’ll also have a few you might call friends, but actually make you feel quite the opposite.

You can’t necessarily spell out why, but somehow you always come away from their company feeling anxious, paranoid or as if you’ve given a lot of yourself and they’ve given nothing in return. You feel as if you’ve been bled dry. Why? Because your friend is an emotional vampire.

That’s the name that Albert J. Bernstein, the clinical psychologist, gives to people who appear bright, talented or charismatic on the surface, but who, once they’ve won you over, drain your emotional energy.

In an exclusive adaptation from his new book, we show you how to spot four types of emotional vampire, and how to defend yourself against them.

Selfish, controlling, paranoid – and they’ll drain the life out of you

CONTROL FREAK VAMPIRES HOW TO RECOGNIZE THEM: This type of vampire is always immaculately dressed and ridiculously organized. There’s no such thing as a simple decision with them; the positives and negatives of every option have to be weighed up and analyzed, but once the decision is made, it’s made, and there’s no changing their mind.

HOW THEY LURE YOU IN: Control freaks can be loyal friends. If they’ve promised you something, you can be sure they’ll deliver.

Their attention to detail can be irritating, but it’s frequently something that will save you time and money.

HOW THEY DRAIN YOU: They’re perfectionists with a clear moral code and expect other people to behave in the same way — if you don’t, their disappointment is apparent. Though they’d never intentionally hurt anyone, anything that threatens their sense of being in charge will prompt what can be a hurtful reaction.

You might think you’ve been thoughtful by picking a restaurant for dinner, but the control freak will make you feel as if you’ve picked the wrong one and taken over, purely because she didn’t have the chance to research all the options first.

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF For all their flaws, the world would fall apart without control freaks — they’re the ones who get things done, so in a lot of ways it’s easier to let them get on with it. Accept that you will never do things as well as they would have, but always tell them when they’ve upset you. Because they see things in black and white, if you can tell them why you’re hurt, and explain how to avoid the same situation in the future, they can learn from this.

PARANOID VAMPIRES HOW TO RECOGNIZE THEM: Quick to take offense, and with the ability to hold a grudge for an inordinate amount of time, the paranoid vampire can make a mountain out of even the smallest molehill. Things never just happen to them, in their eyes they’ve always been picked on. With the paranoid, everything is personal and nothing is taken at face value. Tell them you like their dress and they’ll read that as you don’t like their shoes.

HOW THEY LURE YOU IN: While they can be suspicious of almost everything, paranoids are fiercely protective of their family and of one or two close friends. Their penchant for saying to people’s faces what the rest of us would only say behind their backs can be uncomfortable, but it’s actually quite refreshing sometimes.

HOW THEY DRAIN YOU: Paranoids abide by concrete rules they believe everyone else should live by, too. Their eyes are peeled for any evidence of transgressions, and they’ll usually find it.

They’re incapable of forgiving and forgetting — if you once told them in passing that your husband cheated on his first girlfriend, they’ll always believe he’s a serial adulterer and will look for anything that confirms this. They’re also jaw-droppingly honest, so never ask for their opinion unless you’re prepared for the brutal truth.

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF: If you have anything to hide at all, a paranoid will find it. The only way you can protect yourself is by being scrupulously honest with them — even the tiniest of white lies will prove their theory that you’ve been deceiving them all along.

PARTY VAMPIRES HOW TO RECOGNIZE THEM: They are always the ones who want to drink more, stay up later and go that step further than everyone else. They’re impulsive, happy-go-lucky types who have no qualms about lying to get what they want.

HOW THEY LURE YOU IN: They’re charming, good company and fun. They are who you’d like to be if you didn’t have responsibilities or a conscience.

They say the things you think, but would never dare say, and have an aura of cool that makes you feel special if you’re picked to spend time with them.

HOW THEY DRAIN YOU: They’re only there for the good times. You might think you’ve got plans together, but if a more exciting prospect comes along, you’ll be ditched.

While a party vampire will get the evening started, don’t expect her to help clear up — or foot the bill.

They can be financially irresponsible, goad you into doing things you didn’t really want to do, and their child-like approach to life means they don’t want to hear about your problems — if you’re not in the mood for socializing, you’re of no interest.

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF: Enjoy the good times, but don’t expect anything more. Don’t get drawn into doing anything you feel uncomfortable doing, and for goodness sake, hide your wallet.

ME, ME, ME VAMPIRES HOW TO RECOGNIZE THEM: While they’re undoubtedly very successful people, the me, me, me vampire not only knows this, but is at great pains to make sure you know this, too.

Within minutes of meeting them, you’ll be all too aware of their achievements and probably of where they live — and knowing the right people is very important to them.

HOW THEY LURE YOU IN: They try hard to impress, so you can easily think you’re important to them.

They can be incredibly charismatic. Some of the most successful people in the world are me, me, me vampires.

They genuinely are talented individuals and it’s easy to admire them from afar. It’s not until we’re close up that we realize how inconsiderate they really are.

HOW THEY DRAIN YOU: If they’re not talking about themselves, they’re probably not going to be interested in the conversation.

The only way you’re of interest to them is if you can massage their ego, make them look good or help them achieve their next goal.

They might feign empathy when they want something, which is why they make great politicians.

But they lack genuine warmth.

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF: If you want anything from them, strike a bargain where they get something, but only when they’ve done what you want. Their self-interest is the only thing that motivates them.

LENTIL & POTATO CURRY

In Celebration of World Food Day (See previous article) From AGT FOODS

Ingredients

Method:

• • • • • • • • •

1.

• • • • •

1 tsp oil 1 onion, chopped 2 carrots, sliced 1 tsp mustard seeds 2cm fresh ginger, peeled and grated 1 tsp chilli powder 1 tsp ground coriander pinch turmeric 6 tbsp fresh coriander, leaves and finely chopped stalks 200g chopped tomatoes 2 tbsp tomato purée 125g lentils 600ml vegetable stock 900g potatoes, peeled and cubed

2.

3.

Heat the oil in a pan. Add the onion and fry for 2-3 minutes. Add the mustard seeds, ginger, chilli powder, coriander, turmeric and fresh coriander and continue to fry for 1 minute.

Add the tomatoes, tomato puree, carrot and lentils to the pan and pour over the stock. Bring to the boil, reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 25 minutes or until the lentils are almost tender.

Stir in the potatoes and continue to cook for 10-15 minutes until tender. Enjoy!

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RISOTTO DE ROMAR From Green Monday

Ingredients • • • • • • • • • • • • •

3.

2 tablespoons oil, for frying the mushrooms and baby marrow 4.

600 grams canned mushrooms, drained 250 grams fresh baby marrow, sliced 2 onions, finely chopped 5.

2 teaspoons crushed garlic 4 tablespoons oil, for frying the onions 6.

800 grams arborio rice 15 grams fresh parsley, chopped 120 ml lemon juice 50 grams vegetable stock powder 3 liters water 120 grams frozen corn 100 grams frozen peas 7.

Method: 1.

2.

Fry mushrooms in a pan with a bit of oil.

8.

Add lemon juice and salt, pepper and put aside.

9.

Fry baby marrow in a pan with a bit of oil.

Add a squeeze lemon juice and salt and put aside.

In a pot/pan lightly sauté onions and garlic in 4 tablespoons of oil, until soft, do not allow to brown.

Once soft, add arborio rice. Stir the rice around so that all the grains are coated in oil.

Dissolve 2 heaped tablespoons of veg stock in a litre of warm water.

Now begin to add the veg stock liquid.

About 500ml at a time. As half the liquid absorbs, add more liquid. When the litre of stock is finished, continue to add plain water, 500 ml at a time. In total, you should end up adding about 3 litres of liquid to fully cooking the rice.

To keep the rice from sticking to the bottom of the pot always keep enough water in the pot and stir regularly. Always stir clockwise.

When the rice is cooked, add the corn, peas, baby marrow and mushrooms.

Now add the parsley and lemon juice and mix in.

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The Best Brains Require Good Nutrition

by Maren Schmidt Are our children getting the right kinds of food for maximum brain development and health? Most parents believe their children are getting adequate nutrition, but data shows otherwise.

Peeking into a few lunch boxes gives some indications and insights into the issue. Recent research is showing that a high level of highfructose sugar contributes to obesity and Type 2 diabetes in children.

High blood sugar levels affect the function of the hippocampus, the part of the brain that helps organize memory.

Children need a diet of complex carbohydrates versus a diet of sugar and foods that have a high glycemic index such as potatoes, white rice, white flour and white sugar. Data shows that 25 percent of children under the age of six eat French fried potatoes every day. One nutritionist recommends avoiding any food that’s white because those foods act like sugar to the brain.

Current research is showing that certain diseases and conditions have their roots in poor childhood nutrition. For example, the low intake of calcium rich foods–milk, cheese, broccoli, spinach and other green leafy vegetables–during the first 18 years of life may predispose women to osteoporosis.

Fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains take longer to digest but offer important nutrition that may not be found in the empty calories from the refined carbohydrates in soda and processed foods. For the young child under age six, certain foods should be avoided, and perhaps we all should avoid them. Two big two no-no’s seem to be sodas and foods that list sugar in the first five ingredients.

For sodas, their sugar content is too high, and the active ingredients in soda work against bone development. Soda drink consumption has risen to over 60 gallons per person annually in the United States. In a study of teenage boys, ages 13 to 18, about 60 percent reported drinking two sodas or more per day, with over 95 percent reporting that they drank soda regularly. In teenagers, over 25 percent of daily calories may be from sodas. The teenage habits begin before the age of six.

Water is the best liquid for our children to drink as effective brain growth and functioning is dependent on the brain being well hydrated, since the brain is over 90 percent water.

The second no-no: foods that list sugar as one of the first five ingredients include breakfast cereals, breakfast toaster pastries and more. High sugar consumption is linked to tooth decay, obesity, diabetes, heart disease and other ailments. Serve fresh fruit and vegetables and whole grains to satisfy a sweet tooth.

Make sure that a child’s diet provides adequate protein. Too much protein can be as bad as too little, but inadequate protein affects brain development and overall health.

Children from one to three years need about 1,300 calories per day with 16 grams of protein. Four- to six-year-olds need about 1,800 calories per day with 24 grams of protein. Seven- to ten-year-olds require around 2,000 calories with 28 grams of protein.

Common protein-rich foods include milk, soy milk, eggs, cheese, yogurt, peanut butter, lean meats, fish, poultry, beans, tofu, lentils, grains, nuts and seeds.

Another nutritionist recommends only shopping the perimeter of your grocery store, as all the nutritious and fresh food is there, and you won’t be tempted by all the fancy packaged processed food in the center aisles.

As my Granddad used to say, pay the grocer or pay the doctor. Yes, I’d much rather spend my money on blueberries than meeting my medical insurance deductible. It tastes so much better, and my brain loves it.

Green Monday’s Black Bean & Sweet Potato Burrito Serves 8

Photo credit: Ken Botts Recipe credit: HSUS

Image Courtesy of Gourmet Mum

Ingredients: • 8 Flour tortilla • 2 Cups Black beans • 2 Cups Sweet potatoes cooked tender, cut into small cubes • ½ Teaspoon Cumin • ½ Cup Red bell pepper (diced small) • ½ Cup Green bell pepper (diced small) • 1 Tablespoon Fresh garlic • 1 Tablespoon Chili powder • 1 Cup Red onion (diced small)

Directions: • Sweat onions, garlic and peppers in a pan.

• Add black beans, sweet potatoes, cumin, and chili powder.

• To serve, portion ½ cup on each tortilla and roll up..

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Green Monday’s Carrot Cake Best shared with loved ones

Recipe credit: Laura, Beauty Without Cruelty Photo credit: My Darling Vegan

Ingredients: • 3 tsp Orgran No Egg mixed with 6 tbsp water until frothy • 3/4 cup oil • 3/4 cup soy milk • 1/2 cup sugar • 2 cups flour • 2 tsp ground cinnamon • 2 tsp baking powder • 1/2 tsp salt • 1 can crushed pineapple in syrup, undrained • 2 cups grated carrot • 1 cup sultanas • 1 cup chopped pecan nuts

• Gradually beat dry ingredients into wet mixture.

• Add pineapple, sultanas, nuts, and carrot and mix well.

• Pour into a large greased baking tin.

• Bake at 180 degrees in a preheated oven for 60 minutes.

• Test with a toothpick in the centre - if it doesn't come out clean, bake for a while longer (make sure you didn't just poke a sultana) • Optional: Ice with white icing sugar or coconut whipped cream once cool and top with extra chopped pecans.

Directions: • Beat no-egg, sugar, soya milk and oil together until well mixed.

• Combine flour, cinnamon, baking powder and salt.

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

Help us Fight the Dog Meat Trade URGENT: Our Animal Rescue Team has identified a dog meat farm in South Korea where more than 170 dogs are in desperate need of help. Please make an urgent donation to help us rescue these dogs and save them from a brutal death.

Stolen from the streets, shoved into trucks, locked in cages. Then slaughtered and sold to be eaten. This is the horrifying fate of the millions of dogs caught up in Asia’s dog meat trade.

Please join the fight to shut down this brutal industry for good. With your help, we’ll shut down farms in South Korea, assist farmers as they transition to more humane livelihoods, support our local Chinese partners in intercepting dog meat traders’ trucks, fund the care of confiscated and rescued animals and lobby for better laws throughout Asia.

You can help stop this cruelty. Please give today.

Act Now Please fill out the form (link) to add your name to the petition calling for vital legal protection for cats and dogs in South Korea.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Conscious Life Magazine

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

At Operation Smile we believe every child suffering from cleft lip or cleft palate deserves exceptional surgical care.

EVERY 3 MINUTES, a child is born with a cleft lip or cleft palate and may suffer from torments, malnourishment and difficulty with speech.

How you can help A child’s cleft lip or cleft palate can be repaired for as little as R5500 and in as few as 45 minutes, but your gift is more than a surgery. All of our supporters give renewed hope to children and families around the world.

The Company's Garden 19 Queen Victoria St, 8001 Cape Town, Western Cape 10h00 – 14h00 Operation Smile South Africa Building 17, 103/104, Waverley Office Park 5 Wyecroft Rd, Observatory 7925 (+27) 021 447 3608 infosa@operationsmile.org NPO number 083-117 NPO

Help us bring hope to girls without and choices to those with none.

Founded in 2000 by Khanyisile Motsa, and run under her diligent care ever, Home of Hope for Girls is an autonomous, self-started initiative to provide real care for exploited, trafficked and abused children in the city of Johannesburg.

It is more than just a residential shelter; it is a loving home where dignity is restored, the past is healed and the girls are given the tools to take control of their futures. Home of Hope also reaches out to the community offering the most vulnerable members support, practical help and a lifeline.

The Background to Home of Hope An estimated 10,000 children are prostitutes in Johannesburg and this figure is increasing.

When Khanyisile Motsa relocated to Hillbrow she was shocked to observe girls as young as nine working as prostitutes and selling drugs on the streets at night. The truth about these forgotten children is: • • • • • •

Child Prostitute. Photo by Tseliso Monaheng

Criminals pay agents to recruit children They usually target often orphans or/and those from very disadvantaged rural communities Victims are trafficked or seduced to leave with lies about a life in the city Their IDs are frequently taken from them to make escape and identification difficult Their IDs are often sold on the black market ‘Owned’ by their exploiters they are prostituted, abused, made to sell drugs

Email: info@hopehome.org.za Mam Khanyi: 073 250 2086 Telephone: 011 614 0861 Conscious Life Magazine

Call 012 430 7775 Lines open 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday

Save the Children believes every child deserves a future. In South Africa and around the world, we work every day to give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. When crisis strikes, and children are most vulnerable, we are always among the first to respond and the last to leave. We ensure children’s unique needs are met and their voices are heard. We deliver lasting results for millions of children, including those hardest to reach. We do whatever it takes for children – every day and in times of crisis – transforming their lives and the future we share.

We need your help to ensure that no child is left behind.

In a tough funding environment, we have ensured we have multiple avenues of funding and are proud to have 11,000 generous individual donors contributing monthly. We will continue to be innovative in securing funding to enable us to reach more children and will work on increasing unrestricted and consistent funding streams.

You can help us make a difference. Even just by becoming aware of our work by reading our annual report.

To download and read the full annual report, click here.

Help us do whatever it takes to save the children.

Thank You Gugulethu Ndebele CEO

www.savethechildren.org.za Conscious Life Magazine

PAWS R US (SA) is looking for INVESTORS – help us BUILD THE DREAM of our “HAPPY PLACE”!

After 6 years in animal welfare/rescue, PAWS R US (SA) has moved into the LINBER KENNELS facility out in the Tarlton area, JHB. It is time to spread our wings, create a permanent home, and contribute more effectively to both the cause and effects linked to animal welfare/rescue in SA. Our dream is to build the LINBER KENNELS facility into a top-notch rescue, rehabilitation and rehoming haven for rescue dogs. We also want to establish a home-base for our EDUCATION campaigns, so that we can work with the youth in returning to the core value of COMPASSION and RESPECT for Self and All Life.

To make this dream a reality, we need to BUY the LINBER KENNELS site. And to get that done, we need to find INVESTORS and PARTNERS who want to contribute to something greater than themselves, and help make a real, immediate and practical difference in a world that has lost its way.

The PAWS R US (SA) TRUST has been created as a legal entity – and we now look to spread the net open wide and “go on the hunt” for kindred spirits who want to help build something GOOD. We need INVESTORS of the HEART and MIND – those who want to protect the vulnerable, educate the youth of tomorrow, and know that their investment has directly uplifted lives and communities.

CONTACT: For all enquiries and details related to this search for INVESTORS, and the implications for each INVESTOR within the Trust, please email us on woof@pawsrus.co.za

Conscious Life Magazine

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