Mum's Mail Durban - May 2020

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Issue 178 | Durban | May 2020 | FREE


CONTENTS

Everyday Life 3

From The Editor’s Desk...

10

Family Financial Coaching

4

When and How to Wash your Hands

12

How to Work from Home Without

6

Meet the Cover Stars

Losing your Mind

6

Readers’ Life

14

Book Reviews by Bargain Books

7

Stem Cell Donors Needed

16

The Single Moms’ Guide To

8

Boredom Busting Activities for Teens

Financial Empowerment

HOME LIFE

20

Drifoam Carpet and Upholstery

18

Cleaners

Traditional Scottish Shortbread

HEALTHY LIFE/BEAUTIFUL LIFE 22

Time To Put The Cigarettes Down

32

No Diet Day

24

Visiting A Dentist During The

34

Rejuvenate Your Skin

Covid-19 Pandemic

35

Bring Your Sexy Back

26

Covid-19 and its Effect on

36

Lockdown Hair Care Tips

the Eyes!

38

How To Discuss Coronavirus

28

Move for Health Day

With My Child

30-31

Diy Beauty at Home

educated LIFE 40

The Teacher’s Spirit

48

Disciplining with Heart

42-43

Supporting Your Teen during

50

Online Resources for

Lockdown

Continued Learning

44-45 Be An Empowered And Proactive

52-53

How to Cope With and Make a

Parent During Lockdown

Success of Online Schooling

46-47

Navigating Learning at Home

54

Sunset Ridge Farm

with the ADHD Child

55

Homemade Sidewalk Chalk

kids’ LIFE 56-57

Cooking with Kids

60

Pamper your Mom at Home

58

Making Your Child’s Birthday

the Mother’s Day

Special During Lockdown

61

DIY Mother’s Day Gift Ideas

59

Microwave Chocolate Cake

The Mum’s Mail Team

Editor: Sarah Mackintosh • sarah@mumsmail.com • Enquiries: 031 - 714 4700 Accounts: meghan@mumsmail.com • Designer: Wendy Offer Advertising Sales: Bev Delew • bev@mumsmail.com | Anisha Singh • anisha@mumsmail.com Cover Photographer: Tilanie Grote Photography, info@tilaniegrote.co.za, 066 248 1751 Printed sponsored by

, a division of Novus Holdings

DISCLAIMER: Neither the Publisher, Printer or Editor can be held responsible for damages or consequences of any omissions or errors, as every care is taken to ensure the accuracy of the information in Mum’s Mail. We do not guarantee the performance or quality of service of any of the advertisers in this magazine. No part of Mum’s Mail magazine may be reproduced without the written consent of the Editor.

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From The Editor’s Desk...

We are well into our second month of lockdown and I don’t know how much more I can take!

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ow on earth can I be expected to work a full-time job AND be a full-time housekeeper and teacher?? Let alone find time to exercise and cook healthy meals… Sound familiar? Never fear, you are not alone! We are all going through this together and it WILL end one day… There is light at the end of the tunnel. The secret is to remain as positive as you can - even when you are not feeling it, just fake it until you make it! This is especially relevant if you have kids - they need to know that you are in control and you have got this! I know, it’s easier said than done…

add in some depression or anxiety (or both) and it’s even harder. But remember, help is at hand – if you are struggling, reach out to those you know there are also plenty of free resources online to help you and your kids. Visit our website to find some of these resources. Remember, there is no such thing as a perfect parent and we’e all doing our best! As long as your children feel loved and secure, you’re doing a great job! Our children crave our time and attention, and that is the best gift we can give them. As frustrating as this lockdown has been for me as a working mom, it really has taught me the value of slowing down and enjoying the small things with my family. I hope that this edition of Mum’s Mail will break the monotony of lockdown for you – we have some great parenting and educational advice, Mother’s Day ideas, a wonderful DIY beauty feature, health advice, ideas for kids, competitions and more! Take a few moments out of your day to put your feet up, enjoy a cup of tea or coffee, and read our May Mother’s Day issue. Happy Mother’s Day to all the super moms out there! Sarah xxx

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When and How to Wash your Hands

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entres for Disease Control and Prevention (www.cdc.gov) offers advice on when and how you should wash your hands to stay healthy.

Handwashing is one of the best ways to protect yourself and your family from getting sick.

Washing hands can keep you healthy and prevent the spread of respiratory and diarrheal infections from one person to the next.

• After using the toilet • After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet • After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing • After touching an animal, animal feed, or animal waste • After handling pet food or pet treats • After touching garbage During the COVID-19 pandemic, you should also clean hands: • After you have been in a public place and touched an item or surface that may be frequently touched by other people, such as door handles, tables, gas pumps, shopping carts, or electronic cashier registers/ screens, etc. • Before touching your eyes, nose, or mouth because that’s how germs can enter our bodies.

How Germs Spread

Germs can spread from other people or surfaces when you:

• Touch your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. • Prepare or eat food and drinks with unwashed hands. • Touch a contaminated surface or objects. • Blow your nose, cough, or sneeze into hands and then touch other people’s hands or common objects.

Key Times to Wash Hands

You can help yourself and your loved ones stay healthy by washing your hands often, especially during these key times when you are likely to get and spread germs: • Before, during, and after preparing food • Before eating food • Before and after caring for someone at home who is sick with vomiting or diarrhoea • Before and after treating a cut or wound

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Wash Your Hands the Right Way

Washing your hands is easy, and it’s one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of germs. Clean hands can stop germs from spreading

from one person to another and throughout an entire community - from your home and workplace to childcare facilities and hospitals.

Follow these five steps every time.

1. Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap. 2. Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Wash the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and scrub under your nails. 3. Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end, twice.

Use Hand Sanitizer When You Can’t Use Soap and Water

You can use an alcoholbased hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol, if soap and water are not available. Sanitisers can quickly reduce the number of germs on hands in many situations. However, sanitisers do not get rid of all types of germs, so should only be used in addition to soap and water where possible.

Try GermStop Gel Hand Sanitiser – visit www.gmpharm.co.za for more information.


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Meet the Cover Stars Our cover stars are gorgeous mother-daughter duo, Malungi and Ndalo Mbhele from Umlazi.

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alungi is a legislative editor working for Parliament of the Republic of South Africa in the Bills Office. This entails editing and preparing Bills until they are passed into law and become Acts of the Republic of South Africa. Ndalo, who will be turning nine in September, is a vibrant little girl who loves people. She sings, dances, and is an excellent storyteller - she loves reading and making up stories. She plays hockey at school, as well as taking ballet and drama classes. She does very well in languages. “We love going for long drives and having picnics as a family. We love baking and cooking and we have recently discovered gardening during this lockdown period. We have planted flowers, carrots, cabbages and spinach,” says Malungi. What have you planned for Mother’s Day? This Mother’s Day, Malungi says they are

I

Readers’ Life

would like to thank you for the great work and a great magazine. Your emails have kept me going during this lockdown and assisted me by giving me tips and hints for enhancing my parenting skills - and for that I am saying thank you, and carry on with the wonderful job! Lerato Rampai. Thank you for the mails and all the available educational online resources. Hope is a truly unique human condition - one which

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looking forward to a lazy day at home, and baking will definitely be on the agenda, as well as a scrumptious three-course meal! Any advice you have for new moms out there? “It’s the greatest blessing on earth, savour every moment. It comes naturally and therefore there is no need for panic or anxiety. Keep a baby book for all the memories, your child will appreciate it when they are older. Write letters to your baby as early as from birth to give to them when they are older.” What do you love about being a mom? “I love being responsible for this little person who will someday grow into a woman and have a significant impact on the world. I am always in awe at how the innocence of a child can remind you of the most important things in life. I love the unconditional love they give,” concludes Malungi. By Sarah Mackintosh.

EVERYDAY LIFE WWW.MUMSMAIL.COM

we must always strive to hold onto. I believe our lives as we knew them will not be the same for a very long time, but it is up to us to survive and make the best of this and hopefully grow. Linzi Johnson. Keep up the awesome work. Mum’s Mail! I look forward to the magazine every month and it helped me with finding a doctor for my kids and with party planning ideas. It really is a mini toolbox for us moms and

dads – actually, for everyone. Veerasha Maharaj. Thank you Mum’s Mail for an amazing and valuable magazine. I really find it extremely interesting, informative and very professional. Thank you for keeping us updated on the latest happenings, tastiest recipes, fun getaways and much more. I look forward to reading the next edition with anticipation. Julius Naidoo. Send your feedback to sarah@mumsmail.com


Stem Cell Donors Needed The Sunflower Fund is dedicated to the fight against blood cancer and other blood disorders by helping patients find their matching donor for a life-saving stem cell transplant.

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he COVID-19 crisis presents an enormous challenge in this regard, by limiting the ability to go out and recruit donors. Even during the current crisis, patients still depend on blood stem cell donations every day in order to survive. Every 35 seconds someone somewhere in the world is diagnosed with blood cancer. For many of them a blood stem cell donation from a matching donor is their only chance of survival. The Sunflower Fund encourages everyone that is able to, to register as a potential blood stem cell donor now and to provide hope for patients worldwide. In accordance with government’s requirements to limit the opportunities for the

spread of the Covid-19 virus, The Sunflower Fund has postponed all planned drives and events for the registration of new blood stem cell donors as well as fundraising events scheduled to take place up until the end of May. This includes all drives on behalf of patients as well as drives at schools, universities, companies and sports clubs. To become a donor, or motivate others to register, The Sunflower Fund has the option of telephonic registration by calling 0800 12 10 82 or WhatsApp 074 7150 212. It’s really that simple. You can start the process of saving a life from the comfort and safety of your home. Visit www.sunflowerfund.org.

WWW.MUMSMAIL.COM EVERYDAY LIFE

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Boredom Busting Activities for Teens

It’s not easy being a teenager. It’s just as tough being a parent to one too. Your little one’s not so little anymore.

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ot kiddies games for them? That’s lame, mom. Adult responsibilities? Ugh. Like, no thanks. They’re at that (sometimes) unbearable age of inbetween, which is tough. Especially when they’re stuck indoors. And bored. To cut down on the constant chorus of ‘I’mmm Sooo Borrred’, MRP Sport helped us put together a few suggestions on how to keep your teen occupied during lockdown: Get up and active: No extra-murals and no leaving the house are bound to take their toll on the more active and outdoorsy of teens. Getting them moving will not only have time flying, but it’ll also expend a lot of pent up energy and frustration. Jam out to their (and your) favourite hits, get dancing and get working out together. A great place to start: MRP Sport’s #KeepMovingInMaxed workout videos on Instagram (@ mrpsport). These quick and easy home workout guides will blast calories, get those endorphins pumping and make for some great bonding time too. Learn something new: So maybe your teen has

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a talent they’re yet to discover. Help them unearth it. They might be the next Queen of Crochet or the Duke of Ukuleles. Unearth any tools you might have laying around to get them started. You’ll be surprised at what you might find: a forgotten pair of knitting needles maybe, a dusty guitar… we all have those unfinished hobbies that have fallen by the wayside. Now’s the perfect time for your teen to take them up again. With a world of online tutorials at their fingertips, anything is possible. Make a DIY music video: Every teen has a favourite song. And if they’re lucky, their own cellphone, too. Get them to film, direct, edit and create a music video to their current favourite song. A time-busting bonus: throw a choreographed dance into the mix and you’ll have your teen busy for hours. Room for improvement: Every teen’s bedroom is their sanctuary – their pride and joy. Encourage them to go for a room refresh. This might be a deep clean, redecorating or simply just moving their bedroom furniture around. The change is as good as a holiday.

Go to a gallery: From the Uffizi to the Tate, plenty of the world’s most renowned art galleries and museums have made their collections accessible with free virtual tours. This allows anyone (with online access) the chance to visit these exhibitions without even leaving the comfort of their couch. Simply Google ‘Arts & Culture Collections’, and make it a day of culture. In this together: We’re all feeling a little cooped up, and with that, comes its frustrations and impatience. Use this rare time at home to bond with your teen and create something together. Brainstorm some DIY or home improvement projects for you and your teen to take on as a team. Not only is this a productive way to kill time, but it will also leave you with something to be proud of. Parents, no matter how you’re choosing to make the most of this time with your family, don’t forget: there’s no pressure on anyone to be creative at a time like this. But if you do get a moment of creativity with your teen, we’d love to see! Share your pics, tag @mumsmail and @mrpsport, and share your inspiration!


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Family Financial Coaching The word “family” has been around since the fifteenth century, and while it still contains six letters, the definition and composition of ‘family’ has changed a lot in the 21st century.

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ut some things haven’t changed. Parents everywhere still do whatever it takes to provide for their family. Supporting the household is a top priority and financial decisions (good or bad) still get made consciously or unconsciously. The Old Mutual Family Financial Coaching series wants to address the money worries you may have. It tries to demystify and simplify personal financial matters for you by being relevant and constructive. To start you on your journey towards family financial wellness, let’s take a closer look at budgeting for you and your family. With the close proximity of our families during the COVID-19 lockdown, we’re learning a lot of things about them and about ourselves. We’re picking up things that we think we should be better at, like maintaining balance, staying fit, eating healthy and discovering new things that we can do together. At the same time, it’s essential to keep our finances healthy by including budgeting in the mix. And what will really help us achieve success, is to include the kids in

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setting a family budget. You may ask why it’s important to get the kids involved in setting the family budget. Because when everyone is on board and agrees with the reasoning behind the budget, co-operation will be so much easier. Getting the ‘buy in’ Failing to get ‘buy in’ from your children means that they will constantly ask for things that are not necessary or that you cannot afford simply because they don’t know how money works. One of the ways to get ‘buy in’ from your children is to incentivise their behaviour. Letting them earn cash for extra chores can help them understand the value of money, especially when they use it to pay for personal items like data or games. Family goal setting 1. Set a family goal, like a holiday that you all take after lockdown and allocate an appropriate amount of money to it. 2. Work out how much you need to pay for the trip. 3. Set a date for the holiday. Once that is done, you can find the places in the family budget where you can save some money. Right now the

grocery bill is probably the one thing that is growing for most families. Food and snacks that were bought before lockdown have dwindled and everyone wants more. Food is essential, but maybe not the snacks. Set the amount that is available to spend on groceries and stick to that. This is what you can achieve by doing this: • You would have created a healthy chat about finances in your home • You will have something to look forward to after all this is over. Hope for the future is great medicine for the human mind. For many, family budgeting will be a new experience. Approach it with a positive attitude and a willingness to learn. Your kids may surprise you by teaching you a thing or two about saving money. Try 22Seven (www.22seven.com), our easy to use, free budgeting tool to get you started.

Visit www.oldmutual.co.za/personal/ find-advisor to speak to an accredited Old Mutual financial adviser about family financial wellness. Old Mutual Life Assurance Company (South Africa) Limited is a Licensed Financial Services Provider


YOUR FAMILY’S JOURNEY TO FINANCIAL SUCCESS STARTS NOW You deserve to see your family’s dreams come to life, to reap the benefits of your income and enjoy what you’re working towards.

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175 YEARS OF DOING GREAT THINGS Old Mutual Life Assurance Company (SA) Ltd is a licensed FSP.

WWW.MUMSMAIL.COM EVERYDAY LIFE

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How to Work from Home Without Losing your Mind A nationwide shutdown has be imposed on South Africa for more than a month now.

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ost South Africans have been working from home, only leaving home for essential products and services. For those working from home, you’ll have to be your own ‘general manager’. Losing focus or burning out is likely to happen if you don’t follow a set routine. Janine Tozer, General Manager of Endless Horizons Boutique Hotel, Umhlanga shares some tips on how to stay on schedule during this trying time. Get ready for the day. Do not, I repeat, DO NOT work in your pyjamas. Chances are, you’ll end up dosing off on the couch or binge-watching murder documentaries on Netflix. Get up, meditate, exercise, take a shower, put on some work clothes and have a wholesome breakfast. Now that S U LTA N & C O you’ll be working • Attorneys ATTORNEYS | TAX PLANNING | FINANCIAL SOLUTIONS from home, you • tAx plAnning • finAnciAl won’t be wearing solutions your normal everyNazrana Sultan day attire. Try not Financial Planner (PGDFP) Attorney (LLB) (LLM) to wear something 031 819 7868 / 072 291 2972 2 Ncondo Place, Ridgeside you’d sleep in. This is Umhlanga Rocks naz@sultaninc.co.za a great way to trick www.sultaninc.co.za

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your body into being more productive and set the tone for the working day ahead. Clear your space. Create boundaries between work and your personal life. Don’t do things you wouldn’t normally be doing in an office environment, such as working from the couch or on your bed. It can be challenging if you have children, so it’s probably best to work in a quiet space away from all distractions. When you’re done working, put your work away in a designated space and leave it there and go into another space. Walking meeting. If you have conference call meetings that don’t require you to sit at the desk or in front of the computer for you to take, get up and walk around the house or garden. This is not only great for your muscles, but also for your overall well-being. Maintain regular working hours. Set a daily schedule and stick to it when you can. Give yourself a tea time break, as well as a lunch time break just as you would working from the office. Stay positive! “Working from home isn’t as bad as some would make it out to be. These tips will help you maintain productivity and overall well-being,” Tozer concludes.

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Book Reviews by Bargain Books Mum’s Mail has a R2000 Bargain Books vouchers to give away. For children PEPPA LOVES YOGA by Peppa Pig. It is a very busy day at Peppa and George’s playgroup, but they have a very special visitor coming in the afternoon. Miss Rabbit is going to teach the children how to calm down and relax with yoga. The children love learning all the different positions... and the parents love picking up their calm children. YOGA FOR GIRAFFES by Carly Tod Yoga? For giraffes? Written and illustrated by Cape Town native, Carly Tod, this is the story of Sindile the giraffe who, while strolling through his game park home, discovers a human yoga class and decides that he too will master this interesting skill. Only thing is, it takes considerably more imagination for giraffes to pull off those poses. But Sindile will not be discouraged. With a little extra creativity and effort, anything is possible. THE CREATURE CHOIR by David Walliams. It is a very busy day at Peppa and George’s playgroup, but they have a very special visitor coming in the afternoon. Miss Rabbit is going to teach the children how to calm down and relax with yoga. The children love learning all the different positions... and the parents love picking up their calm children. FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM by J.K. Rowling. Newt Scamander’s sumptuous compendium of magical beasts has delighted generations of wizarding readers. This magnificent full colour illustrated edition featuring artwork by Olivia Lomenech Gill, both wizards and Muggles will continue to explore the wild wonders of the wizarding world compiled by the famed Magizoologist. A must-read and magical companion to the Harry Potter stories.

Contact: Bianca Noel-Barham, Bargain Books, 021 706 1461, bianca@bargainbooks.co.za, www.bargainbooks.co.za. Follow them on FB: Bargain Books SA and Instagram - @bargainbookssa.

WIN WIN WIN Mum’s Mail has a R2000 Bargain Books vouchers to give away! Visit www.mumsmail.com to enter. 14

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The Single Moms’ Guide To Financial Empowerment As a single mom, you have a lot on your plate. From remembering your children’s schedules to ensuring they have everything they need for school every day, to catering for their food requirements - it’s no wonder that you often feel exhausted.

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nd then of course there’s the financial strain of looking after your family, often just on one salary. This can be really overwhelming at times and a huge source of stress. Here are a few ways to take control and own your financial freedom. Get financially savvy As a mother, you should think of yourself as the financial manager of your family’s wealth. After all, your money is how you provide for your children, so knowing your way around the financial side of things is really important. Some ways to get financially savvy include: • Ask for advice - speak to a financial adviser, ask knowledgeable friends, or find a financial role model. • Learn the lingo - there’s nothing more empowering than education. Learn what financial terms mean and what their implications are. • Read a book or two there are many useful financial books out there from financial advisers, other single moms and generally

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financially savvy people. There’s bound to be a few books you can relate to and learn from. Budget, budget, budget Having a budget will help you plan better. You’ll be able to see at a glance what money is coming in, what your expenses are and where you can cut back. A budget will help you stay clear of debt because you’ll be able to see upfront what money you have available to you once you’ve paid off your expenses. It’s really important to try and save between 10 and 15 percent of your salary every month, so do what you can to work that into your budget. Protect your children’s future by protecting your assets and income Taking out life insurance can help you make provision for the costs of raising and educating your children should something happen to you and you are unable to support your children financially due to illness, injury or death. When considering life insurance, think about your cover in terms of

both your income needs (to cover your living expenses) and asset needs protection (to pay off debt and secure your major assets). It’s best you speak to a financial adviser about finding an insurance product that enables you to tailor your cover to your specific needs, and will allow you convert your cover should one of your needs fall away Invest When you’re ready, consider investing some of your savings. It’s best to speak to a financial adviser to assist you with finding a portfolio that will work for you and your children’s needs. Once again, it’s a good idea to seek financial advice and consider things such as what you will invest in, for how long, what will give you the best returns and most importantly, what you are investing for. In the end, it’s all about getting your money to work harder for you by empowering yourself with knowledge and taking charge of your family’s wealth. By Schalk Malan, Brightrock CEO.


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Handy, practical size – that’s so it fits into Mom’s handbag and Dad’s cubbyhole for any emergency. Rates start from less than R10 a day – that’s less than a cappuccino from your fave coffee shop. Over 400 satisfied advertisers every month – wow, so many happy campers, don’t you want to join the club too? Exceptional shelf life – our directory & mag won’t end up at the bottom of the parrot’s cage unlike some other print media. The most comprehensive and established free guide for the whole family (est. 2003) – the best things in life are freeeee! Extensive, targeted distribution to LSM 7 – 10 – yes we’re choosy as to who gets their hands on our fab directory & mag. 15 000 Directories printed every six months – wow! 72 000 Magazines printed monthly (35 000 for Durban, 22 000 for PMB/Midlands & 15 000 for East Rand) – that’s a huge print run. Free design of your advert – so many free things, yay! Printed and online advertising options, as well as a weekly e-mail newsletter – so many options…something for everyone.

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Traditional Scottish Shortbread We tried this recipe a few times, and it turned out great every time.

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his should take around 10 minutes of preparation, and 30 minutes of cooking time. Ingredients • 200 grams of unsalted butter (cut into small cubes) • 100 grams of sugar (plus extra for sprinkling) • 300 grams of plain flour (sifted) Method Preheat your over to 160 degrees Celsius, or 140C for a fan oven, or Gas mark 3. Line a tray with baking paper. Mix together the butter and sugar. You can either get your hands dirty for this, or you can use an electric whisk! Mix together until it’s smooth. Gently add the flour, and continue to mix until it’s all been added. Be careful not to work the flour too much, or your shortbread will not be crumbly. Use your hands to squeeze the mix into a ball of dough. Gently roll out the dough to about a quarter of an inch thick. Add flour to your work surface to prevent the dough from sticking. Cut into shape using a cutter or with a knife. Transfer the biscuits onto the baking tray, and place in the fridge to cool for 15 minutes. You can alternatively roll your dough into a thick sausage shape, and after cooling for 15 minutes in the fridge, it can be sliced into round biscuits using

a knife. Sprinkle each biscuit with a small pinch of sugar, and bake for between 15 and 20 minutes, until golden brown. Transfer the biscuits to a wire rack, and leave to cool. Source: www.scottishnews.org.

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Drifoam Carpet and Upholstery Cleaners DRIFOAM is OPEN! And ready to clean your beautiful home and office!

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ockdown has been ‘hard wearing’ on our interiors. Trust DRIFOAM. We care about YOU, and we care about your carpets and furniture. Some DIY Tips: • Always vacuum your carpets. Fine particles of sand are actually very sharp, and settle at the base of your carpets. As the carpet fibres move backwards and forwards from foot traffic, these particles sever the threads at the base which is destructive. • Bicarb and water is the best short-term cleaning solution for spills on carpets and upholstery. Accidents Happen! We love our fur-babes

too, but not the pong of the piddle left on the rug! A thorough wash with our specialised solutions to rinse away the urine is an ESSENTIAL service Drifoam offers. Cleaning Professionals: Dirty marks on the carpet can be so annoying! And cleaning the offending spot is irresistible. However, using a soapy substance will result in a sticky, dirtier patch later on. Washing and rinsing a rug is a gruelling task. Drifoam has a workshop equipped with state-of-the-art tools to support you. Wet carpets can quickly succumb to bad odours, unhealthy mould and black spots. Drifoam’s unique imported high-tech centrifuge spins the carpet, dispelling over 90% of the water. As a result, drying time is accelerated – problem solved! Drifoam’s services include: • All loose rug cleaning, including Orientals and Persians • Fitted carpet cleaning • Upholstery cleaning • Repairs to loose rugs (re-fringing and overlocking) • Leather cleaning • Mattress cleaning

Contact Drifoam today on 031 563 0026, 083 463 3376, hello@drifoam.co.za or visit www.drifoam.co.za.

We get it, dirty happens. We’re here to CLEAN leaving family fun to you! 031 563 0026 • admin@drifoam.co.za www.drifoam.co.za 20

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SECUREHOME®

DURBAN CONTROL YOUR HOME ON THE GO. Call us on 086 12 12 100 or visit adt.co.za *Ts & Cs apply.

EXOTICRETE

EXOTIC CONCRETE PAVERS

BENEFITS OF EXOTIC INTERLOCKING CONCRETE PAVERS:

• Extremely durable, can handle the weight of heavy vehicles without cracking. • Natural water drainage with built in spacing between pavers. • Non slip, textured surface. • Special coated surface prevents stains that can easily occur from oil leaks, spills or tyres. • Low maintenance. Simply sweep, or wash the surface with water to remove any marks. • Easy to remove & replace for earthworks, pipework etc. without damages & wastage. • Add Beauty & Value to your home.

For more information contact 084 786 1555 or visit www.exoticrete.co.za

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Time To Put The Cigarettes Down The unprecedented lockdown has had an effect on us both physically and mentally by taking away many of our freedoms, which we previously took for granted.

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here is an added stress for people who are unable to get their cigarettes due to the strict rules put in place by the government. This is of course due to the addictive nature of nicotine. Nicotine addiction creates such a dependency on cigarettes and other tobacco that the restriction and ban on the sales of such has caused many to feel and go through withdrawal symptoms, as well as increase in headaches, anger and frustration. As May is AntiTobacco month, it is therefore the opportune time to reflect on this and to finally “kick” the habit. Instead of running back to our vices, we can use this as a motivation to keep clean, and to stop smoking all together.

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As you are probably aware, COVID-19 is a respiratory illness ranging from mild to severe forms. The more severe forms are commonly seen in those who have chronic diseases, more so in chronic lung diseases. Therefore by continuing to smoke you put yourself at a much higher risk of developing serious complications from the disease and potentially death. The lockdown may have slowed the curve but it certainly won’t eradicate the virus and that is why we need to do everything within our control to make sure our health is the best it can be if and when we become infected. It is easier said than done and that’s why it is important to know that you are not alone in this issue, and help can be found via your doctor. There are medications, as well as psychological and hypnotic methods to help relieve the symptoms of withdrawal from tobacco. So let’s take the opportunity and time that the lockdown has given us, to improve our health so that on the other side we can live a healthier and longer life.

By Dr Laura Troskie, www.umhlangagp.net.


R100 Child Dental Checkup FLORIDA ROAD DENTAL

Ph: (065) 571 7010 233 Florida road Durban.

Dr Paul Darby-Wade DENTIST

BChD (Stell), MFGDP, Dip Imp. Dent. RCS (UK)

111 Adelaide Tambo Drive

(cnr Beachway & Kensington), Durban North

031 - 564 2491 www.good-dentist.co.za

Special Services: • Bleaching • Nervous Patients • Children • Cosmetic Treatment • Same Day Crowns • Implants FASTBRACES Fast, Easy, Safe and Affordable

“A mother is your first friend, your best friend, your forever friend.” — Unknown “When you are looking at your mother, you are looking at the purest love you will ever know.” — Charley Benetto “There is no role in life that is more essential than that of motherhood.” — Elder M. Russell Ballard

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Visiting A Dentist During The Covid-19 Pandemic As a family dentist practicing from home, the Covid-19 Pandemic has been a life changing experience.

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uring the first two weeks of lockdown we had limited PPEs and very limited guidelines on infection control protocols under these threatening circumstances, hence I made the call to work alone, safeguarding both my patients and my staff. Procedures were limited to emergencies only and telemedicine practices When PPEs became more available, my staff returned. A far more structured protocol according to SADA guidelines is now being followed. At Dental Tranquility, we pledge to always put our patients’ safety first.

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The following measures are put in place according to the SADA guidelines: • Telephonic screening according to a Covid-19 questionnaire • Patient flow limited to a single patient at a time, directly from their car - no waiting room time • All patients enter masked, hands sanitised and with shoe covers or barefoot. • Preliminary mouth rinses before all treatment • All staff donned with appropriate PPEs • Sanitising of work surfaces and autoclaving of instruments before and after every patient. Level 4 regulations allow

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us to include emergencies as well as treatments to stop disease processes that may have a detrimental effect on the future of the patient’s teeth or general health. This does not include any treatment that is deemed elective, such as cosmetic procedures or implant procedures that can be deferred to reduce cross-contamination of our clinicians and patients. Our practice is contracted in to all medical aids and we will maintain this for as long as possible. I am happy and grateful to report that all our patients thus far have been very understanding of all our screening and infection control protocols and have been very compliant in terms of diagnosis and the limitations on treatment options. For the future we will keep abreast of all available precautionary measures and implement wherever possible. I am confident that as a nation, harmoniously united with a positive attitude, we will rise above this pandemic and emerge even stronger. By Dr Ravena Naidoo, Dental Tranquility, www.dentaltranquility.co.za.


DO YOU SUFFER FROM

BREAST CANCER?

TALK TO A SURVIVOR! WE ARE HERE AS A SUPPORT FOR YOU REACH FOR RECOVERY BREAST CANCER SUPPORT GROUP

072 248 0008

Dr Kathryn Carr MBChB (UCT) DCH (SA)

General PraCtitioner Special interest in Child Health

031 573 1185

drkathcarr@gmail.com

33 Beachway, Durban north

BDS DIP ODON ORTHODONTICS, DIP ODONT PAEDODONTICS (UWC) BDS PR. 5445965

7 Portland Drive, Umhlanga Rocks Tel & Fax: (031) 561 4906 Cell: 082 572 3718 / 079 697 3479 e-mail: ravena@dentaltranquility.co.za www.dentaltranquility.co.za Contracted in to Medical Aid and a Carecross Service Provider

Fun filled, friendly environment. Wheel chair friendly.

women for women’s health Obstetrics & Gynaecology

Dr Navashree Dhaver

specialist Obstetrician and Gynaecologist

• Management of pregnancy & high risk pregnancy • Natural & Caeserean sections • Infertility • Contraception & family planning • Management of abnormal uterine bleeding • Treatment of PCOS & Endometriosis • Management of fibroids • Gynaecological surgery • Laparoscopic (key hole) surgery • Cancer screening & treatment of pre cancerous conditions • Aesthetic Gynaecology.

Contact 031 701 1319 / 031 582 5468 or 031 202 7088 • dhaverfem@gmail.com

UMhLaNGa hOsPITaL Suite 402, Umhlanga Medical Centre, 323 Umhlanga Rocks Drive, Umhlanga sT aUGUsTINe’s hOsPITaL Chelmsford Medical Centre No. 1, 107 JB Marks Road, Glenwood

Where wom come fi en rst

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Covid-19 and its Effect on the Eyes! Torga Optical Cornubia Mall and Ballito Junction Explains Covid19 and its Effect on the Eyes!

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ur eyes might play an important role in the spread and prevention of the coronavirus outbreak. For example, a physician believes he may have contracted the coronavirus while not wearing eye protection when treating patients. Medical officials, though, say while this is possible, it is unlikely. To cut your personal risk of contracting the new coronavirus, avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands. It is the mucous membranes that are most susceptible to transmission of the virus. What is coronavirus? Reports of a new coronavirus (also referred to as COVID-19) emerged in late December 2019 in Wuhan, China. Coronaviruses are a group of common viruses.

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Some affect only animals, while others also affect people. COVID-19 can trigger ailments like a common cold, to more serious conditions like bronchitis and pneumonia. How is the new coronavirus related to your eyes? Patients who have contracted the new coronavirus may have ocular symptoms. Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the membrane covering the eyeball. It is often referred to as “pink eye.” Conjunctivitis often presents as an infected/red, “wet and weepy” eye. Viral conjunctivitis is known to present with upper respiratory infections (like colds, flus, etc.) and may be a symptom of the COVID-19 virus. IF YOU’RE NOT FEELING WELL... Call your family doctor. If you suspect you may

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have conjunctivitis, call your optometrist. It is suggested that patients do not present to medical or eye care facilities without a prior phone call to help to decrease the possible spread of the virus. The relationship between the transmission of the coronavirus and your eyes is complicated. What are the symptoms of the new coronavirus? Symptoms of COVID-19 include a mild to severe respiratory illness accompanied by a fever, cough and breathing problems, according to the World Health Organization . Other symptoms include runny nose, sore throat and a headache. Symptoms normally show up two to 14 days after someone has been exposed to the virus. At Torga Optical Cornubia Mall and Ballito Junction, we are taking the highest measures to ensure that you are in a safe and sanitised environment, and that your appointment is a comfortable experience.

Torga Optical Cornubia Mall: 031 5021658 Torga Optical Ballito Junction: 032 9461416/7


Dr JorDan Sagathavan Pr. No. 0131164

B.Ch.D, PPD(Ortho)(UWC)

DEntaL SUrgEon SpEciaL intErESt in orthoDonticS

other Services: • Tooth Whitening • Crowns • Bridges • Implants • General Dentistry

Contracted to Medical Aid 031 572 7252/1 (56 Armstrong Ave, opp. La Lucia Mall) 031 402 1408/403 5222 (Chatsworth) It’s TORGA’s REAL Spectacle Spectacle Savings

KIDS PROMOTION YOUR GRADE IS YOUR DISCOUNT We offer all kids a discount on their frame corresponding to their grade. Don’t believe us? Come in and ask!

Umhlanga General and Aesthetic Practitioners

Drs. Ferreira, Van Heukelum, Troskie & Broughton

ADHD – Paediatrics – Weight Loss Gynaecology – Depression Mole Excision – Energy Drips Botox – Fillers – Peels Umhlanga Hospital Medical Centre 031 582 5303/1 • www.umhlangagp.net Discovery Preferred Provider

The South African

Callanetics Programme • Lengthen & Strengthen • Tighten & Tone • Correcting posture • Safe during pregnancy, rehabilition after injury, back & neck problems New: professionals can now earn CPD points for completing our teachers training course. 011 795 3311 info@ctasa.org.za www.ctasa.org.za

DR DANIELLE ARMSTRONG MBChB (UCT)

GENERAL PRACTITIONER Special Interest in Child Health 116 Florida Road, Morningside T: 031 312 2126

drdaniellearmstrong@gmail.com

BALLITO Entrance 3, level 6,Ballito Junction, Leonora Drive 032 946 1416 ballito@torgaoptical.co.za CORNUBIA Shop U08,Cornubia Shopping Mall, eThekwini 031 502 1658 cornubia@torgaoptical.co.za

TORGA OPTICAL www.torgaoptical.co.za

* Terms and conditions Apply

FATHIMA TIMOL

AUDIOLOGISTS AND SPEECH THERAPISTS

Hearing Care and Speech Therapy for the Family

We provide a comprehensive and holistic hearing care and speech therapy service for all age ranges from babies to the elderly. • Dyslexia assessments & therapy • Online speech therapy & audiology consultations

MORNINGSIDE Unit B, 324 Florida Road, Morningside MUSGRAVE MEDICAL CENTRE 2nd Floor, Musgrave Medical Centre, 35 Musgrave Road, Musgrave, Durban

031 303 7798 | www.earstalk.com WWW.MUMSMAIL.COM HEALTHY LIFE/BEAUTIFUL LIFE

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Move for Health Day A World Health Organization initiative Move For Health Day falls on 10 May each year; it’s aim being to promote physical activity, which is, as we all know, essential for good health and well-being.

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oing to the gym, playing sport and dedicating time to exercise frequently is the ideal. However, when you have a never ending to do list, exercise may be last on your list of priorities. Or perhaps the thought of breaking out a sweat makes you want to eat an entire slab of chocolate out of pure depression. Below is a list of things that you can incorporate into your day that will add bursts of activity to tasks that you are doing already. Every bit helps! Ideas to move more Combine physical activity with tasks that you already do every day. When you are doing grocery shopping, throw

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in some strength training by lifting heavier items like flour and cases of milk a few times before you put it in your trolley. (ignore the weird looks you may get – you’re building biceps!). While waiting in the queue, balance on one foot for a few seconds, then swop to the other. Gradually build up the length of time you can balance on each foot. When you go somewhere, park as far away from the entrance as possible and walk briskly through the car park. Bonus poimts if you are wearing heals – hello calf muscles! Instead of calling or emailing a colleague at work, take a brisk walk to

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their desk. Download an app to track the number of steps you do per day. This will help motivate you reach and then exceed your daily steps target, getting you to move more. Take the stairs whenever you can. While talking on the phone, stand up and do a few leg raises to strengthen the muscles in your legs. Pop in your head phones so you are hands free and make circles with your outstretched arms. Do a few squats and lunges. While waiting for the kettle to boil, do a few wall push-ups or calf stretches. Walk or jog on the spot, do yoga or lift weights while you are watching TV. Be the VIP at your very own dance party. Turn up your favourite playlist and let your hair down!. It’ll only take about eight songs for you to get moving for half an hour. Date night or girls night out don’t have to be spent at the movies or sitting in a restaurant. Why not play a round of mini golf to get your body moving?

By Khurshid Guffar.


DR R SINGH

SPECIALIST DERMATOLOGIST 100 Ridge Road, Musgrave, Durban | Tel:031 208 0694/5/6 www.dermdoctor.co.za | www.midlandslaserclinic.co.za DEBIT / CREDIT / EDCON CARDS ACCEPTED

FEMININE REJUVENATION INTIMALASE LASER FOR FEMININE REJUVENATION

• • • • • •

Solution for relaxation syndrome Photo-thermal tightening Minimally invasive, incisionless Walk in / walk out procedure Safe, quick & easy High success rate & patient satisfaction

INCONTILASE

STRESS URINARY INCONTNENCE LASER TREATMENT • Solution for mild & moderate stress & mixed incontinence • Photo thermal tightening of urethral & anterior bladder wall region • Incisionless, minimally invasive • Walk in /Walk out procedure • Safe, quick & easy with high success rate

BLEACHING A procedure to lighten darkened skin in genital areas.

WE OFFER THE FOLLOWING SERVICES: General Dermatology, Cosmetic Dermatology, Mole Mapping, Skin Cancer Treatment (PDT), Dermatological Surgery, Ultra Violet Therapy, Botox / Fillers, Dr R.S Skincare Range, Snorelase, Laser Liposuction, Intimalase, Incontilase, Liquid face lift BRANCHES AT: • 48 Braid Street, Scottsville, PMB | Tel:033 342 5406 / 9052 • Shop 25, Liberty Midlands Mall, 50 Sanctuary Road, PMB (next to Planet Fitness) | Tel:033 342 4859 / 4886 Email: rsingh@worldonline.co.za WWW.MUMSMAIL.COM HEALTHY LIFE/BEAUTIFUL LIFE 29


Diy Beauty at Home YOU DON’T NEED HARSH CHEMICALS TO BE A NATURAL BEAUTY. HERE ARE SOME GREAT DIY BEAUTY AT HOME IDEAS FOR YOU TO TRY.

Homemade Shampoo This shampoo is great for normal hair, or as a base to add your own scents. Basic Shampoo Ingredients: • 1/4 cup distilled water • 1/4 cup liquid Castile Soap – unscented or scented • 1/2 teaspoon jojoba, grapeseed, or other light vegetable oil • Flip Cap Bottles or Foaming Bottles to dispense Mix together all the ingredients. Store in a bottle. Shake before use. This mixture isn’t as thick as commercial shampoos - you’ll need to just tilt the bottle over your head to get it out. I am really impressed with how much lather I get from it though! Source: www.instructables.com

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Homemade Face Mask with Oatmeal If you’re looking for a quick pick-me-up that will leave you feeling and looking better, give yourself an oatmeal facial. Combine 1/2 a cup hot - not boiling water and a 1/3 cup oatmeal. After the water and oatmeal have settled for two or three minutes, mix in two tablespoons plain yogurt, two tablespoons honey, and one small egg white. Apply a thin layer of the mask to your face, and let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes. Then rinse with warm water. (Be sure to place a metal or plastic strainer in your sink to avoid clogging the drain with the granules.) Source: www.readersdigest.ca


Homemade Lotion Recipe MAKE SMOOTH, LUXURIOUS LOTION AT HOME WITH ALMOND OIL, COCONUT OIL, BEESWAX, AND OPTIONAL ESSENTIAL OILS. Ingredients • ½ cup almond oil (or jojoba oil, or any other liquid oil) • ¼ cup coconut oil • ¼ cup beeswax • 1 tsp vitamin E oil (optional) • 2 TBSP shea butter (or cocoa butter, optional) • Essential oils (optional) • Vanilla extract (optional) Instructions Combine the almond oil, coconut oil, beeswax, and shea or cocoa butter if using, in a double boiler or a glass bowl on top of a simmering pan of water. Stir occasionally as the ingredients melt. When all ingredients are completely melted, add the vitamin E oil and any essential oils

or scents like vanilla or geranium. Pour into a glass jar or tin for storage. Small mason jars work perfectly for this. Note: This lotion will not pump well in a lotion pump! Use as you would regular lotion. This lotion is ultra-moisturising and more oily than water-based lotions so you won’t need to use as much. It also has a longer shelf life than some homemade lotion recipes since all ingredients are already shelf stable and no water is added. Use within six months for best moisturising benefits. A little goes a long way! This lotion is incredibly nourishing and is also great for diaper rash on baby, for eczema, and for preventing stretch marks. Source: www.wellnessmama.com.

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No Diet Day Drop that sugar free, carb free, joy free green smoothie, the 6 of May is International No Diet Day! Yes, you heard right – No Diet Day!

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ounded in 1992 by Mary Evans Young who, after seeing two tragic diet-related incidents, decided “enough is enough” and started the British anti-diet campaign called Diet Breakers. What started as a picnic in her living room, INND has now become a global movement. The day is all about embracing those love handles and flabby bits and accepting the body that you have. It is about putting an end to fat shaming, weight obsession and discrimination. So join the No Diet Day movement by recognizing that your body is beautiful just the way it is. If you are on a strict diet, give yourself the day off and listen to, respect and respond to your body’s unique hunger and satiety needs. With that in mind, we’re sharing our favourite microwave mug recipes with you. Super easy to make and totally indulgent. Enjoy! Chocolate Peanut Butter Mug Cake Ingredients • 3 tablespoons flour • 2 tablespoons sugar • 1 1/2 tablespoons cocoa powder • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder • pinch of salt • 3 tablespoons milk • 1 1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil • 1 tablespoon peanut butter

Subscribe to our newsletter on www.mumsmail.com

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Method In a large mug, whisk together (with a small whisk or large fork) flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt. Add the milk, vegetable oil and peanut butter. Whisk until it is smooth. Cook in the microwave on high for one minute and 10 seconds. This recipe will rise a lot and then deflate. Serve immediately! Flourless Chocolate Cake Ingredients • 1 medium overripe banana • 2 tablespoons nut butter of your choice (almond is particularly yum!) • 2 tablespoons cocoa powder • 2 - 3 tablespoons chocolate chips Method Grease a mug. In a blender, add all ingredients, except the chocolate chips and blend until you have a smooth batter. Mix in chocolate chips, reserving a few for the top. Microwave for one minute. Sprinkle the remaining chocolate chips on top. *since all microwaves are different cooking time may vary. Be careful not to over bake these cakes – this will result in a hard texture. To see if your cake is done, test with a toothpick, make sure it comes out clean.

By Khurshid Guffar.


DR.ML

CHETTIAR

pediatrician

FC Paed (SA) (2014), DCH (UKZN) (2011), MB ChB Natal (2006), MMED (PAEDS)

SPECIALISING IN: • Acute & Chronic childhood Illnesses/Conditions • Neonatal Intensive Care • Neonatology & Newborn Attendance • Paediatric Intensive Care • Vaccinations Admission rights at Life Westville Hospital, Netcare Parklands, Netcare St Augustine Hospital & Shifa Hospital Call: 031 301 3377 or 031 301 3907 7th Floor Suite 704 Durdoc Centre, 460 Anton Lembede Street, Durban Sessional Suites at Suite 208 Westville Hospital

STANDARD IMMUNE BOOSTER:

A modified Meyers cocktail. This IV drip is packed with vitamins, minerals & electrolytes & includes a high dose of vitamin C to help your body function at its best!

THE IMMUNE “SUPER” BOOST:

Our newest IV Drip with a proprietary mix of additional antioxidants, vitamins, minerals & immune modulators.

DRIP SPECIAL - BOTH FOR R1600 Please note: Allow an hour for this IV Contact us to book your appointment Terms & conditions apply.

“Love yourself enough to live a heathy lifestyle”

Dr Leon Ehlers Dr Kayla Andrew

6 Lagoon Drive, The Pearls Mall, 4th Level, Shop 2 and 3, Umhlanga Rocks 087 806 8700 | 087 807 8017 office@aestheticoptions.co.za www.aestheticoptions.co.za

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Rejuvenate Your Skin You absolutely deserve to look your age, but how soon you start fighting ageing is completely your choice. Some start opting for various anti-ageing or skin rejuvenation treatments at a young age.

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his is simply because they not only want to halt ageing, but also wish to save their skin from discoloration, dullness and other kinds of irregularities. These days, extremely sophisticated and high-end skin rejuvenation techniques are being developed all over the world. The best part of these techniques is that most of them do not require you to go under the knife! An increasing amount of non-surgical products and procedures aim to reduce the effects of time and sun exposure. It’s often said that our lives are written on our faces... But if you feel like doing a little editing, erasing a few lines, softening a deep furrow, or evening out some patchy spots - Institute of Aesthetic Options Umhlanga is the an-

swer. You can reduce skin irregularities more effectively than you might realise is possible by using some of the latest skin rejuvenation treatments. The top reasons people seek the latest skin rejuvenation treatments include wanting a more even skin tone, to reduce acne, acne scars and sun spots, to refine the skins texture for a more radiant looking skin appearance, to smooth the skin, to reduce lines and wrinkles, and to generate collagen for a tighter- feeling, healthier looking skin over the entire face. At Institute of Aesthetic Options we believe that every journey with us will be a delightful one... By Dr Leon Ehlers.

BOOK YOUR TREATMENT NOW AT OUR SPECIAL RATES TO ENJOY AFTER LOCKDOWN! RF LASER TREATMENT – Non-invasive and affordable. Excellent results for aging, acne, pigmentation & body shaping. • Eyes – R250 per session • Full Face – R600 per session • Full arms/tummy/full legs – R500 per session

BOOK A PACKAGE OF 6 SESSIONS & GET 20% OFF. JETT PLASMA PEN – Non-invasive, short downtime, affordable, long-lasting results. Eyelid & eye bag correction, Lines, Wrinkles, Face & Neck Life, Active Acne, Improves appearance of scars & Stretch Marks, Pigmentation, Sunspots, Xanthelasma, Warts

GET 20% OFF YOUR NEXT TREATMENT

Dr Leon Ehlers Dr Kayla Andrew

“Be your own kind of beautiful”

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6 Lagoon Drive, The Pearls Mall, 4th Level, Shop 2 and 3, Umhlanga Rocks 087 806 8700 | 087 807 8017 office@aestheticoptions.co.za www.aestheticoptions.co.za


Bring Your Sexy Back Female intimate wellness is an important aspect of a woman’s overall health. Intimate issues also effect one’s psychological health and play an important role in relationships.

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s women’s sexual health has been brought to the foreground of the medical world in recent years, so have the treatment options available. Childbirth, menopause and the natural ageing process can affect sexual wellness. A popular procedure performed at Institute of Aesthetic Options for women is the V-shot. It may be something you have heard of by another name - the O-shot®. It is an all-natural, minimally invasive procedure that can rejuvenate and revitalise vaginal and clitoral function. The results of the procedure may be evident within days and the regenerative changes improve over the subsequent months. The V-shot can also be combined with further regenerative procedures such

as the Alma Femi-lift laser. Results our patients have reported include: • Increased libido • Increased lubrication • More frequent and stronger orgasms • Decreased bladder leakage • Improvement in pain When patients come to the clinic for a Vshot they consult with the doctor, who goes through the details of the procedure and reviews your medical history. The whole process takes approximately one hour. There is no down time and you can get back to your normal activities that same day. The V-shot is a non-surgical, natural procedure that is safe and quick. The results can really change your life! By Dr Kayla Andrew (MBChB).

DR LEON EHLERS

CERTIFICATION AESTHETIC GYNAECOLOGY REJUVENATE YOUR FEMININITY O-Shot V-Shot P-Shot for men Laser treatments for FEMI-LIFT LASER® Stress Urinary Incontinence (Weak Bladder) Rejuvenation & Lubrication Tightening Reconstruction (e.g. Labia Plasty) General Gynaecology e.g. HRT & pap smear

Dr Leon Ehlers Dr Kayla Andrew

“Be your own kind of beautiful”

6 Lagoon Drive, The Pearls Mall, 4th Level, Shop 2 and 3, Umhlanga Rocks 087 806 8700 | 087 807 8017 office@aestheticoptions.co.za www.aestheticoptions.co.za

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Lockdown Hair Care Tips HERE ARE SOME TIPS TO HELP YOU MAKE THE BEST OF THIS QUARANTINE PHASE WITH PROPER HAIR CARE.

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ot Oil Treatment A hot oil treatment gives you healthy hair by stimulating hair follicles and of course, providing hydration. You can find plenty of DIY hot oil hair treatments online. Shampoo Is Not Enough Remember, using shampoo is not enough even if you use paraben free products. Shampoo takes away the moisture from your hair - use a nourishing hair mask right after rinsing off your shampoo. Avoid natural hair conditioners like raw egg,

curd or any citric food. Say Yes To Hair Serum Serum helps to prevent your hair from getting that strange frizz. Other than that, it gives you tanglefree, smooth and shiny hair instantly. A Big No to Blow Drying As you are home, using a hair dryer or any other hair

styling tools like straightener, curler, gel, setting spray etc., should be avoided. Give your scalp and hair a complete detox during lockdown. Avoid Wet Combing When our movement wasn’t restricted, we used to comb/brush our hair in a hurry to go out. That is not a good idea. You should give your hair some time to dry naturally, and then gently comb or brush your hair. For more information on PowerGro, a hair growth supplement, visit www.gmpharm.co.za.

OUR SERVICES INCLUDE: • Fully functional dispensary with Over the Counter & Prescription medication. • Cash & Medical Aid customers welcome • FREE delivery service • Fully functional clinic • Hire of Surgical Equipment e.g. Wheelchairs, Nebulisers & Crutches. • Front shop offers a selection of vitamins, toiletries, First Aid, & gifting products. OUR OPERATINg HOURS FOR LEVEL 4 OR PHASE 4 WILL REMAIN: Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm & Saturday 9am to 1pm. Sundays & public holidays are closed. Shop 9A Park Boulevard Centre, 11 Brownsdrift Road, Umgeni Park | Pr: 0715298 Tel 031 563 0345/7 | Whatsapp: 031 563 0347 |Fax 031 563 9622 | brownsdriftpharmacy@ion.co.za

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How To Discuss Coronavirus With My Child H

e/She is now housebound and unable to go to school or socialise with friends and extended family. Mum and Dad may no longer go out to work but may be working from home instead or are perhaps unable to work at all. People go out in masks and there is a sombre, anticipatory atmosphere in the air. Even very young children who don’t have words to describe this will be aware that something is not right from the change in routine, the hushed adult conversations and the general sense of anxiety that abounds. Your school age child is likely to have some information about the Coronavirus, either from prior discussion at school, from friends or from snippets he/she has heard on the news or from adult conversation. What does your child know about the Coronavirus and is this information correct? Given the impact of this pandemic on your child’s life and the potential anxiety it can cause, it is important to discuss the Coronavirus with them and to address any concerns or misconceptions they might have by providing reassurance and factual information. There are some won-

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Coronavirus has changed your child’s world, perhaps forever in some ways. derful, free downloadable resources from which to start this conversation. Two free online books (available in pdf) which are particularly useful are Coronavirus: A book for Children by Elizabeth Jenner, Kate Wilson & Nia Roberts and illustrated by Axel Scheffler (illustrator of the Gruffalo) https://nosycrow.com/ blog/released-today-freeinformation-book-explaining-coronavirus-childrenillustrated-gruffalo-illustrator-axel-scheffler and Dave the Dog is Worried about Coronavirus. A Nurse Dotty book by Molly Watts https:// nursedottybooks.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/davethe-dog-coronavirus-1-1. pdf. These books aim to give information to children in a friendly, factual way to help reduce anxiety and misconceptions about the Coronavirus. A good place to start discussing Coronavirus is to ask your child what they already know about the virus. This is a useful way to clarify any false information they might have been told.

Your child might have questions about what they have heard or read; try to answer these honestly and tailor your answers to your child’s age. Younger children generally just need a simple answer in basic language, don’t give them more detail than they can process. Older children might need more detail on specifics like how the virus is spread, what the symptoms are or even how we think the virus originated. Try to provide as much information as your child needs to understand it and if you don’t know the answer, be honest about that too. There is a lot we don’t yet know about this virus. Keep the conversation open and let your children know that you will update them when you have more information and that they can come back to you with questions at any time. Wendy Corfe is a counselling psychologist in private practice in Hilton. She has three children of her own and lives on a farm in the Dargle area. She loves working with families in order to assist them in achieving optimal functioning and particularly enjoys doing play therapy with children to help them process and heal from the life challenges they may encounter.

You can read the full article on www.mumsmail.com.


COVID-19 COVID-19(Coronavirus) (Coronavirus) GeneralInformation Information General

What are the signs hat areand thesymptoms? signs

nd symptoms? Reported symptoms include: Fever – 38°C or higher

Dry cough ed symptoms include:

Trouble breathing Sore throat or higher

r – 38°C cough ble breathing throat

FEVER

How is COVID-19 diagnosed?

How is COVID-19 diagnosed? COVID-19 is diagnosed by a laboratory test, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) molecular test, on a respiratory tract sample. Samples are collected from the nose and throat. A blood sample may be

COVID-19 taken. is diagnosed by a laboratory test, polymerase chain reactio (PCR) molecular test, on a respiratory tract sample. Please present yourself for testing if you have an acute respiratory illness

with a sudden onset of atfrom least one the following symptoms: cough, Samples are collected the of nose and throat. A blood sample may sore throat, shortness of breath or a fever of 38°C or higher. taken.

Please present yourself for testing if you have an acute respiratory with a sudden onset of at least one of the following symptoms: cou sore throat, shortness of breath or a fever of 38°C or higher.

SORE THROAT

SHORTNESS OF BREATH

COUGH

How to reduce the general risk of spreading acute respiratory infections like COVID-19 and other viruses such as seasonal influenza SHORTNESS EVER SORE THROAT COUGH OF BREATH Cover your cough or sneeze with a flexed elbow or tissues. Throw the tissues in a bin. Do not cover your cough or sneeze with your hands or cough or sneeze in to open air.

Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

Maintain a distance of at least 1 to 2 metres when interacting with other persons.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with your hands.

How to reduce the general risk of spreading acute respiratory ections like COVID-19 and other viruses such as seasonal influen Cover your cough or sneeze with a flexed elbow or tissues. Throw the tissues in a bin. Do not cover your yourwith handsyour oftenhands with soap cough orWash sneeze or warm water for at least 20 cough orand sneeze to and open air.are not seconds. Ifin soap water available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser.

Source: Department of Health; National Institute of Communicable Diseases

Maintain a distance of at least 1 to 2 metres when interacting with other persons.

Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Stay home when you are sick and try to keep your distance from others.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with your hands. WWW.MUMSMAIL.COM EDUCATED LIFE

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The Teacher’s Spirit There is nothing like a pandemic to turn your world upside down.

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s teachers, this “new world order” has highlighted one factor – we may live in the digital world, but we are far from digital citizens. And I am not just referring to the teachers; the learners have demonstrated they are digital natives in name only. This journey has been like searching for a black cat in dark room; especially when there is no cat – everyone is fumbling around, just hoping not to bump into anything. Overnight many of us went from teachers with years of experience, to once again being first year teach-

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ers. We had the content, we had the knowledge and we knew how to engage a class of eager learners, but we had no idea how to make this relevant in a digital space. This has meant learning to embrace the chaos. After hours of preparation we have had to become comfortable exposing our vulnerability as we built up the courage to experiment – only to be left with the last-minute thoughts of “How do I look on camera?” The challenges have at times seemed insurmountable. At the end of each day, we reflect on

what has worked and what needs to be improved upon for tomorrow, all the while searching for a way to ease the fears of our learners… from a distance. Despite all of this, I am so proud of my colleagues. They have stepped up with a renewed excitement, smashing through the barriers and challenging their assumptions about teaching and learning. I think for many, this has presented an opportunity to rethink what they do and open themselves to a world that can only make them better educators. The skills they have learned will not be lost, and when life returns to normal, they will be different teachers.

By Tamryn Collins, Marketing Manager at Oakridge College, www.oakridge.co.za.


WORKING TOGETHER TO GIVE YOU THE EDGE

Oakridge College is a small co-educational high school set in a dynamic learning environment where class sizes of approximately 12 to 14 learners ensures that teachers are able to give individual attention to the learners. Oakridge College focuses on the growth of the individual and provides an environment which helps learners acquire basic skills, knowledge, attitudes and values which assist them to function in society.

APPLICATIONS FOR 2020 AND 2021 ARE OPEN 063 228 3494 | 031 563 2221 applications@oakridge.co.za | www.oakridge.co.za 22 Mackeurtan Avenue, Durban North EDUCATED LIFE WWW.MUMSMAIL.COM

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Supporting Your Teen during Lockdown LOCKDOWN CAN BE A VERY DIFFICULT TIME FOR TEENS AS THEY ARE IN THE PROCESS OF TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHO THEY ARE BY SEEKING INDEPENDENCE FROM THE FAMILY AND BY TRYING OUT DIFFERENT BEHAVIOURS AND ATTITUDES WHICH THEY MIGHT LATER ADOPT OR DISCARD.

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his experimentation often occurs within their peer group where they receive acceptance, validation and a sense of belonging. While the family still plays a very important role in teens’ lives, it is the peer group which becomes the mirror in which they can see themselves. Being cut off from one’s peer group, particularly with uncertainty about how long this will last for, can leave some teens feeling isolated, frustrated and despondent. If you notice that your teen is battling, here are a few tips to help them cope: Name feelings If teens can identity what emotions they are feeling, they will have a better chance of working out what to do about them: • Ask your teen how they are coping and whether they are struggling with anything.

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• They might say something like they feel as though they “aren’t doing anything with their life”, they “need to get out,” they “need to see people their own age”. • Empathise with your teen’s feelings and try to help them label the emotions they are feeling (frustration, anger, sadness, loneliness, hopelessness). Labelling emotions will help teens recognise the emotion when they experience it again. Coping Most teens have not yet developed a range of coping strategies so will probably need support in identifying what they can do to cope in the situation. • If your teen is feeling frustrated because they need to see people their own age, you could brainstorm together what might help the situation. • Although your teen won’t physically be able to interact with friends, organising a Whatsapp video call a couple of times a week with friends might help them feel more connected. • Relaxing the rules (for now) and allowing more time for your teen to connect with friends via Skype, Zoom or interactive gaming might also be helpful for them. • Some boys seem to struggle with being isolated at home more than girls as girls’ ways of relating to their peer group involves manoeuvres for intimacy via sharing which is easily done over the phone or via Whatsapp and can be with a single friend. Boys tend to connect by posturing, “disses” (witty insults) and practical jokes within a group of friends which is not as easy to achieve


remotely. • Depending on the emotion being experienced, teens might also benefit from listening to music, watching a movie, doing a deep relaxation exercise (available as free downloads), having a walk or doing something creative. • Teens need to develop a toolbox of coping activities and strategies which they can dip into and choose from when experiencing different challenging emotions. Cognitive strategies How we think about a situation can also influence our coping. Below are some cognitive coping skills which we can help teens learn. • Circle of control. Teens need to learn that they can only control themselves and their own reaction to situations. Identifying what they can control and what they have no power over can sometimes be a relief as they can stop wasting energy feeling negative and trying to change a situation or the behaviour of others. • Acceptance. Studies have shown that when people experience situations which they have no power to change, acceptance is a useful coping strategy and decreases feelings of hopelessness and depression. • Gratitude. Acceptance can also lead to identifying positive aspects of the situation and to being grateful for these. Asking your teen to focus on things s/he is grateful for each day can improve coping. • Comparison. Research shows that we often need to compare our situation to others who are worse off in order to experience gratitude. Discussing the experiences of those less fortunate with your teen might help him/her put his/her own experience into perspective. • Reframing. Instead of describing oneself as “stuck at home,” a teen might be asked to think of the Lockdown as “safe at home.” Given that there is a lot we don’t know about this virus and that disturbing reports are emerging from other countries about

young people without underlying conditions becoming very ill from the virus, this might help your teen view their situation differently. • Difficult situations call for flexibility and creativity. Lockdown can be an opportunity to develop new skills and to improve oneself. Challenge your teen to try something new and to use this time productively. This could be anything from taking free, online tours of famous museums, learning a new language to starting a workout programme. Routine It is essential that your teen remains in a routine. This provides structure to the day and is the foundation into which all other activities can be fitted. Teens who do not have a routine can soon feel purposeless and anchorless which will affect their motivation to do anything including school tasks. • Keep bedtime and wake-up times regular. • Exercise for 30-60 minutes a day. This is a crucial part of coping, providing an opportunity for teens to shake off daily stresses and to experience a sense of achievement, thereby boosting self-esteem. • Regular exercise has been shown to enhance mood, increase energy levels and to improve sleep quality. • Build chores into your teen’s routine. Helping out with household chores can help your teen feel productive and useful. Having chores also makes leisure time feel more valuable. Lockdown can be a time of personal growth and self-discovery for teens. If, with your support, they can learn new coping skills and can find a purpose, they can emerge from it with increased self-reliance, self-esteem and confidence which will bolster them in their identity formation. If your teen’s symptoms do not improve with the above strategies or if you are concerned, please contact a mental health professional for specific advice and support. By Wendy Corfe, counselling psychologist.

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Be An Empowered And Proactive Parent During Lockdown with parents having to suddenly take on many roles in the home environment, including home-schooling their children, stress levels are on the increase

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here is an overload of responsibilities for parents, who are trying to take on the role of a teacher, nanny, house keeper and still continue with business/ work from home. You might not feel in control of your parenting skills right now, but you need to understand that you are doing the best you can with the resources available to you. First things first, ditch the guilt you may feel for not being a good enough parent during this time because, honestly speaking, there is no parent out there that is perfect at everything. We all experience an overwhelming tide of emotions when under pressure and the side effects are impatience,

Breathe and take their work in your stride. • Have incentives to get cooperation - the ‘first work then play’ rule always works. Have a treat or reward in mind as motivation to complete all tasks for the day. • Get creative - your home is not a school, so you can teach them concepts in creative ways and get them to use their imagination. You can also use recycled items around the home for art and craft activities • Involve them in some of your chores - teach them responsibility and life skills, like gardening, washing the car, packing their clothes and items away and helping you in the kitchen with

anger and frustration - unfortunately our children are impacted the most by our frame of mind. Here are some tips for parents on how to cope better with their children during lockdown: • Get more organised and create structure - draw up a schedule for yourself and a timetable for the day for your children the night before. Having a good routine in place helps to foster their inner security and safety; children thrive when they know what you expect next. • Plan activities and create a balance - yes, you are not a teacher, so include fun activities and games alongside their school work.

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some baking or by letting them garnish the dishes you have cooked. • Spend time outdoors - staying cooped up indoors can drive everyone crazy. Do physical exercises with them in the garden to burn off some of that extra energy. Schedule a picnic once all work is complete. • Make time for story time - read daily to your children before bedtime - it aids with their development and helps you spend quality time unwinding with them. • Reassure and comfort your children - remind them that they are safe and are going to be fine and that the world is a safe place. Help them to understand that lockdown is a temporary phase and they will return to school and play with their friends soon. • Use this time to teach good values - show them that kindness and respect starts at home with their siblings and household. Be the role model of patience and compassion through being more mindful of your own behaviour and language.

• Teach them to practise gratitude – help them remain positive by making them aware of how fortunate they are to have a safe and comfortable home and to be in good health, compared to the poor and sickly. Start up a daily gratitude list with them to practice gratitude and not take what they have for granted. So, dear parents, use this time productively with your children to do things with them that you never get time to do. You can have a positive impact on your children during this time by empowering yourself with tools that will help you cultivate a positive mind-set. Your attitude will have a ripple effect on your children. Create memories with your children that will last a lifetime, connect and bond with them as you will never get these years back!

By Farah Manjoo, Female & Kids Empowerment Coach: www. baraaqahealinganctuary.co.za.

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Navigating Learning at Home with the ADHD Child

“Navigating learning at home is hard. Navigating learning at home with a child with ADHD… is Everest,” writes Emma Wijnberg, and occupational therapist based in Pietermaritzburg.

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lthough no ADHD child is the same, and there really is no recipe for success, there are some strategies that you can try to implement, to assist with attention, as well as YOUR own sanity. The fact that so much of the learning at home is reliant on screens, already puts the child with ADHD at a disadvantage. Although these kiddies are very often attracted to screens, the blue LED light is NOT the ADHD brain’s friend, and will negatively impact on many performance areas. Try to limit screen use as much as you can. Don’t allow screens for at least an hour before bed. Although

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your child will still sleep, the chemicals released in the brain because of the screens, prevent them from experiencing the stage of sleep that is the most restful for the brain. The majority of children with attentional difficulties also struggle with sensory processing. Sensory processing is the unconscious organisation of our senses for use. Our sensory input is received in lots of different parts of our brain, which are responsible for different functions, from emotions, to coordination, to sleep! This means that the sensory input a child gets, and their individual way of processing it, is going to have


a direct influence on their mood, attention, alertness and functional ability. It is helpful to be aware of your child’s individual sensory processing pattern, so that you can intentionally provide the RIGHT sensory input, to put them in a space for optimum learning. Diet is very important for the ADHD brain. Research has shown us that refined carbohydrates and colorants have a negative effect on behaviour and attention in the ADHD child. Research has also shown that fatty acids, protein and probiotics have a positive effect on attentional ability and emotional regulation. With the correct diet, we can influence the behaviour in the ADHD child quite significantly. Children who struggle with sensory processing, very often struggle with unpredictability. This very often applies to the ADHD child. In an effort to try and gain some degree of control over an unpredictable environment, the ADHD child may use behaviours such as defiance, avoidance, being

bossy or even destructive. The child needs to KNOW that YOU are in control. That you have GOT this. Because if they know this, they feel safe, and don’t have the need to gain control over their environment in negative behavioural ways. Most often though, when given consistent, unwavering boundaries, they stop rebelling, and behaviour, after some time, becomes more manageable. ADHD children often struggle with Auditory Processing and function better when given visual cues that they can refer back to. A Visual Schedule is a helpful tool to help them to stay on task, feel organised and achieve goals. It is useful to plan the day with your child in the morning. Lastly - be gentle on YOURSELF, and focus on connecting with your child. Do what you can, when you can. Lower your expectations. You are first and foremost a parent, not a teacher By Emma Wijnberg, Occupational Therapist, www.littlelivesoccupationaltherapy.com.

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Disciplining with Heart Carol Surya, psychologist and author, writes about a kind and loving approach to disciplining our children, and the rewards thereof.

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ouldn’t it be great to shout at our kids less, while actually getting them to co-operate more? Instead of constantly nagging and feeling frustrated, when we discipline with heart, something magical happens With less effort, we achieve more! It’s an approach that relates to your child’s (as well as your own) feelings, while speaking clearly and firmly about what’s expected at the same time. It starts with training ourselves not to lose our cool and lash out with punishment. Instead, focus on taking three deep breaths and remembering that when we’re disciplining our kids, we’re actually teaching them what’s expected. Seen this way, we can easily understand why shouting, threats and smacks aren’t good ways to discipline, because they don’t teach anything of value. In fact, our kids are actually learning that it’s okay to shout, threaten, or smack others, because that’s how we’re handling them. Whether we like it or not, our children learn everything from us. How we discipline affects what our kids learn about

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controlling feelings, handling arguments and difficult situations. So it’s really worthwhile to take a moment to calm down first and to think about what we’d like to them to learn when we discipline them. For example, if Jo keeps leaving his shoes on the floor, our discipline comment could teach (remind) him that “shoes aren’t for the floor, shoes are for wearing or keeping in the cupboard”. If we’re harsh, threatening and overly demanding, getting their cooperation is less likely.

Top tips for disciplining with heart:

• Focus on the relationship - speak in ways that maintain your connection (not worsening it) • Keep calm - take deep breaths before you speak; the way you say things is key • Speak softer and move closer - this grabs attention, gains co-operation and helps sensitive ones • Guide instead of forcing - manipulation isn’t needed Rather state clearly what’s expected. • Be respectful and encouraging - by viewing them as worthy and deserving • Be consistent - explaining what’s expected and

maintaining it this way all the time • Be fair, logical and simple - so there’s no need for them to back chat or to try to get out of it • Be both kind and firm acknowledge their feelings, give consequences AND follow through • Offer choices - let them decide the way in which they get it done, which teaches responsibility • Encourage capacity building - teach them to use their personal power in constructive ways • Build them up - using words like “nice listening”, “thanks for helping” which acknowledges efforts. Last but not least, remember that discipline is a learning process (for us and our children), involving plenty of showing, explaining, attempts, corrections and practice before anyone really learns anything. So be patient with yourself (and them) and watch how disciplining with heart can transform your home and your family life.

Visit www.raisingkidspositively.com or Facebook, Instagram and YouTube: @raisingkidspositively for more information and to find out about Carol’s free parenting webinars.


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Online Resources for Continued Learning PARENTS ARE NATURALLY CONCERNED AND PERHAPS EVEN ANXIOUS ABOUT THE IMPACT THAT SCHOOL CLOSURES WILL HAVE ON THEIR CHILDREN’S EDUCATIONAL PROGRESS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

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hile many schools and dedicated teachers across the country have committed to continuing lessons online for learners in primary and high school, parents looking for additional peace of mind can find it online. Thanks to the wealth of educational material available online - from apps to YouTube lessons and more - parents can help to minimise the disruption caused by school closures, ensuring their child takes advantage of every learning avenue available to them through digital platforms. “With the help of an unlimited, reliable, super-fast fibre connection at home, learners and their parents can minimise the disruption brought about in the wake of COVID-19, and make the most of this time,” says Lianne Williams, mother of two and head of Marketing at Vuma. Here are a few resources to consider and introduce to your children while at home. Free subscription services Many apps, educational products and services are offering free access to their platforms due to school closures. One of these includes Audible (www.audible.com), an audiobook service that has made hundreds of books, podcasts and learning materials free to stream on desktops, laptops, mobile phones and tablets throughout this time – no logins or payment information required. Students can access study guides on a

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number of subjects, including English set work such as poetry and literature, as well as language studies. Interactive e-learning There are many e-learning platforms that have been made available for learners from Grade R to matric, including Vodacom e-school, a learning site dedicated to ensuring learners are able to continue their classroom lessons at home. The site offers access to interactive online lessons, assessments and even practice mock exams designed to keep learners from falling behind in the work. Parents can teach their children to access the platform here - www.vodacom-cleverly.vodacom. mytopdog.co.za/ - for free. Time management A major concern for parents is effective time management when it comes to how their children manage their days of learning while at home. Parents can find a range of organisation and time management tools online that support them and their children to schedule time for study, learning, practical work, play and rest.

Visit www.vumatel.co.za for more information.


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How to Cope With and Make a Success of Online Schooling Lockdown has brought numerous changes to our lives. For many parents who are already struggling with working from home, the increase in domestic chores and family stress, managing online schooling can feel like the final straw.

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ere are some tips to help you and your child cope with and succeed at online schooling. Get organised • Print a copy of your child’s timetable and display it where it will be easily visible. • Spend some time on Sunday evening going through the work that has been set for the week. • Teachers will often post weekly resources and assignments. Check with your child that they know how to access files, to complete and submit assignments online and how to ask questions on these platforms. • Sit with your child and work through the coming week’s timetable, checking that they know where each resource is, that teaching videos or YouTube clips open and that they are aware of assignments. This helps your child to prepare mentally for what they will be doing for the week. • High school children are generally fine to work their way through their daily timetable independently. • Primary school children might need you to recap on

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tasks they need to complete. • Pre-primary children will need a more hands-on approach. This might mean planning ahead so that you can spend a quick 20 minutes introducing the activity, completing the teaching and then leave them to complete the work Routine For online school to work, it has to be treated like real school thus sticking to a good routine is essential. • Wake your child at the same time each morning and encourage them to get dressed, eat breakfast and wash before school starts. • Ensure that your child is also getting enough sleep and is eating healthily. • Follow your child’s timetable regarding play and lunch breaks as well as lesson durations. This timetable will be familiar to your child and will provide structure, predictability and comfort. • When it is time for your child to have a play/lunch/ end of school break, make sure that they leave the room (and the screen) they have been working in and get outside if possible.

Exercise Try to build exercise routine. If you think about how much activity your child usually participates in, you’ll see the potential for lack of activity that the lockdown can cause. • For younger children starting a game of “Simon Says”, “Mr Wolf What’s the Time?”, “Tag” or “Stuck in the Mud,” can be a great way to encourage them to let off some steam. • If you can’t break at the same time and need your child to run around independently, leave out skipping ropes, Hula Hoops and chalked out Hopscotch squares during breaks. Planning a family obstacle course for them and/or the dogs to complete is also lots of fun. • There are lots of workouts, yoga and dance fitness tutorials available online for there to be something which will suit everyone’s taste. Try to ensure your child gets exercise every day or at least three times a week for 30 to 60 minutes per session. Many teenagers


will probably already be motivated to stay in shape. Support Online school is about children working independently and parents supporting them. It is not about parents teaching children their lessons all day. • Set your child up with the work they have been given and leave them to get on with it, with the understanding that if they need assistance, they can call you. • If you find that your child is constantly needing your support, ask yourself whether this is a confidence or attention seeking issue or whether the work really is unmanageable. • If you find that the work is too complicated, then contact your child’s teacher. Remember teachers are also new to online schooling and are trying their best. Feedback on how activities are working for your child will help them. • If you have the time, go through your child’s timetable with them in the afternoon and check that

he/she has completed all work and whether there were any issues. • If work hasn’t been submitted online, it will be useful for your child if you mark it with them and give them feedback thereby validating his/her efforts. You might find that high school age children become demotivated or overwhelmed by having to constantly read, understand and complete tasks independently within given times. Should they hit snags, listen, empathise and ask what they can do to sort it out. They often aren’t asking you to solve the problem, they are just wanting a bit of empathy and acknowledgement that it is difficult for them. Express how proud you are of them, all the valuable life skills they are learning from this process. Life Skills • It is hard to switch from being in a busy classroom where you are told when and how to do it to now having to motivate yourself

to work alone every day, manage your own time and to solve problems independently where previously you put your hand up and received direction. • Engaging in this process is teaching your child the valuable skills of self-discipline, time management, independence and problem solving which will be used for the rest of his/her life. • Support your child in developing these life skills by putting the structure in place and by giving lots of encouragement, praise and empathy. • Forgive yourself and your child for days that don’t go according to plan. At the end of the day, we can all only do our best and that is enough for now. Wendy Corfe is a counselling psychologist in private practice in Hilton, KZN. She has three children of her own and lives on a farm in the Dargle. She loves working with families in order to assist them in achieving optimal functioning and particularly enjoys doing play therapy with children to help them process and heal from the life challenges they may encounter.

Swimming lessons •LEARN TO SWIM

•STROKE DEVELOPMENT

•PARENT & BABY/ TODDLER CLASSES

Kirsten - 079 496 1513 kirsten@swimfundi.co.za • www.swimfundi.co.za 24 Longwoods Drive, Durban North (Pool - Salt Chlorinated, Heated & Enclosed )

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Sunset Ridge Farm Nestled a stone’s throw away from the picturesque Valley of 1000 Hills route and along the iconic Comrades Marathon route, SUNSET RIDGE FARM is the ideal farm venue for your next picnic, reunion, family function, school excursion or corporate event.

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es, this unique, clean and healthy venue caters for all ages and personalities For the little ones you will find a jungle gym, pony rides, mini go-karts, jumping castle, a mini obstacle course, zip line and scooter track. For the older and more adventurous there is horse riding, archery, paintball target shooting, human foosball, quad bike rides, an obstacle course, trails etc. There is also an animal farm, mini golf, a trampoline and of course ample picnic spaces. You are also welcome to bring along a braai (enquire about their terms and conditions regarding braais). The venue also has salaah facilities and Halaal food is available at the café. Treat your taste buds to the unique and buttery taste of a 100% pure 150g Wagyu beef burger! Their mouth-watering menu caters for all ages and palates. Sunset Ridge Farm also has function venues for hire, offers school excursions, corporate team building and meetings. There are various catering options available making it the ideal “walk in, walk out” set up. The farm is just 30 minutes from Durban

and only 15 minutes from Pietermaritzburg. Follow them on Facebook & Instagram to keep up to date about when they will be reopening after lockdown has ended. Contact them on 082 786 1145.

081 013 7338 www.lime-light.co.za Stores in DBN/PMB/CT Nationwide home delivery as well

• Every detail matters • Make your little one feel like a special Princess • Individually handmade princess dresses • Perfect gift • School dress up parties • Birthday parties • Sizes from 1 to 9 years old • In business for 16 years • Contact for fitting advice and dress styles

Lots of wholesome fun for the whole family! We’re barely 30 minutes from Durban & 15 minutes from PMB. Ample parking available. Braai’s welcome (t&c’s apply). Come & spend the day with us!

Come & enjoy the outdoors HORSE RIDING, QUAD BIKES, MINI GO KARTS, ARCHERY, PAINTBALL, OBSTACLE with us after COURSE, MINI GOLF, HUMAN FOOZBALL, JUMPING CASTLE, JUNGLE GYM & MORE! lockdown! D113, Camperdown | 082 786 1145 | Location Pin: Sunset Ridge Farm Camperdown 54

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Homemade Sidewalk Chalk The world is our canvas – or at least our driveway is! Our kids enjoy tracing their body, creating never-ending hopscotch boards and playing our homemade game of chalk triangle.

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ome of the best chalk we have is homemade! Toddlers prefer the chunky stick. Homemade chalk can be customised for colour and colour intensity. We think the brighter and more layers of colour, the better! This activity makes sidewalk chalk from scratch. Make extra – your kids will love to give these sticks to their friends as gifts! Materials: • Disposable bowls and spoons/wooden sticks for mixing • ½ a cup of corn starch • Water • 455g of plaster of paris (once lockdown is over you can get this from most hardware stores/chemists) • Multiple colours of tempura paint • Empty toilet paper rolls • Rubber bands • Wax paper Instructions: Use disposable bowls to mix in and plastic spoons or wooden stir sticks that you can throw away. Because you are using plaster of paris, you do not want to wash anything because it will clog your drain. Small children should not be involved in the first step and we recommend it be done outside. Mix the corn starch and water first. Then add the plaster of paris slowly while continuing to stir. It will be the consistency of pancake batter. Once mixed, separate into smaller containers and add the desired tempura paint colour and mix. Libe the empty toilet rolls with wax paper (both inside the tube and underneath where the tube will stand. Spoon the coloured mixture into the lined toilet paper tubes. If you use a rubber band to bunch a group of rolls

together, it will make it easier to keep them standing upright. Let the sticks dry fully, roughly 24 to 48 hours, before removing the paper tubes and heading to the driveway. Modification for younger kids: Younger kids can direct the colour coordination and work as an assistant, going and getting things as needed. Modification for older kids: Have your older kids layer the colours inside each tube to create rainbow sticks. As you draw a line on the sidewalk, it will change colours! WARNING: Do not allow your children to touch the wet plaster with their bare hands, as it can cause burns. Throw away any unused plaster. Do not rinse out the containers in the house, because the plaster can solidify inside the pipes. Source: 101 Kids Activities that are the Bestest, Funnest Ever! By Holly Homer and Rachel Miller. WWW.MUMSMAIL.COM KIDS’ LIFE/PARTY LIFE

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Cooking with Kids

Spaghetti & Meatballs with Hidden Veg Sauce Teach children how to make this pasta supper - it’s a tasty family meal packed with nutrients Ingredients For the meatballs • 300g good quality pork sausage (about 4 large or 8 chipolatas) • 500g lean beef mince • 1 small onion, coarsely grated • 1 carrot, finely grated • 1 tbsp dried oregano • 50g parmesan, finely grated, plus extra to serve • 1 medium egg • 1 tbsp olive oil For the tomato sauce • 1 tbsp olive oil • 1 courgette, coarsely grated • 3 garlic cloves, finely grated • 1 tbsp tomato purée • Pinch caster sugar • Splash red wine vinegar • 2 x 400g tins chopped tomato To serve • Cooked spaghetti

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Method Children: Squeeze all the sausage meat out of the sausage skins into a large bowl and add the mince. Tip all the rest of the meatball ingredients, except the olive oil, into the bowl and season with black pepper then squish everything together through your hands until completely mixed. Keep an eye on younger children to make sure they don’t taste any of the raw mix. Children: Roll the meatball mix into walnut-sized balls and place them on a plate – this is a job children as young as two can help with and a great job to help teach older children basic division. Grown-ups: While the children are rolling the meatballs make the sauce. Heat the oil in a large saucepan. Add the courgette and garlic and cook for 5 minutes until soft and mushy. Stir in the tomato puree, sugar and vinegar leave for one min then tip in the tomatoes and simmer for 5 minutes. If your children like courgettes then you can leave the sauce chunky. But if, like mine, they hate courgettes then blitz the sauce with a hand blender – either way continue to simmer sauce gently while you cook the meatballs. If your child is confident with heat, from 7+ they can cook the sauce with supervision. Grown-ups: Heat the oil in a large frying pan and, working in batches, brown the meatballs on all sides then pop them into the sauce – continue to simmer the sauce for 15 minutes, stirring very gently until the meatballs are cooked through. Serve with cooked spaghetti, extra grated parmesan and a few torn basil leaves your child has picked and torn. Recipe from bbcgoodfood.com.


Melt the chocolate in the microwave in 30 second bursts (stirring after each blast) then pour into a mug. Dip the end piece of each banana pop in the chocolate then sprinkle over the hundreds and thousands. The chocolate should set pretty much instantaneously, but you can keep them in the freezer until you want to serve them for up to one week. Recipe from bbcgoodfood.com.

Frozen Banana Lollies Make for kids and big kids, too! These banana lollies with chocolate, hundreds and thousands and strawberries are great for a party or after-school treat Ingredients • 2 bananas • 4 large strawberries • 100g natural yogurt • 200g dark chocolate • 1 tbsp hundreds and thousands You will also need: • 4 wooden lolly sticks Method Peel the bananas and trim off the very ends if you’d like them neater. Then chop them each into four equal-sized chunks. Thread a strawberry onto each lolly stick first, then push on the pieces of banana. When all your banana pops are made lay them on a baking tray and put in the freezer, uncovered, for one hour. Put the yogurt into a tall glass or jug then dip each banana pop into the yogurt to coat (avoiding the strawberries), then place back onto the tray to refreeze until set.

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Making Your Child’s Birthday Special During Lockdown We’ve seen many posts on Facebook, from parents looking for different ways to entertain their kiddies, or make their child’s birthday special during lockdown.

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s parties are not currently an option, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Big Top Entertainment has come up with a novel plan to bring their Magic and Circus Show to you digitally. Tom the Clown will personalise a 30-minute video show for your child, and they will send you a link to download and watch it on your own computer, phone or tablet at home. This interactive, downloadable children’s show includes magic, juggling, unicycling and comedy. Your child will have loads of fun as they participate in the magic and circus tricks, and they will just love it when Tom the Clown uses their OWN NAME during the colourful show. You’ll even enjoy watching it too! And as it’s downloadable, your child can watch it time and time again. So if you are looking for a fun way to entertain your kids at home, or it’s your little one’s birthday during lockdown, then this show is definitely for you. It’s also a perfect gift for friends and family, when you can’t just pop to the shop to buy a present. “As we are a small family run business, with entertainment our only source of CHERRY tHE Clown Funtastic Fun For All

“Pinocchio” d one @ Rhumbelow stP o P 25 to 28 March FB: Cherry the clown aka Adi Paxton

031 - 201 2515 or 031 - 201 2613 or 083 725 0925 adipax01@gmail.com www.cherryco.co.za

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income, we are hoping that these shows will support our family through this difficult time, as well as spread smiles and laughter to the littlest members of our community.” Check out the trailer on their new website: www.bigtopentertainment.co.za. To order, or receive more information, email info@bigtop.co.za or WhatsApp 081 456 0703 or follow them on Facebook: @BigTopEntertainmentDurban.

WIN! WIN! WIN! Mum’s Mail has two Personalised, Downloadable Magic and Circus Shows to give away, currently valued up to R250 each. Visit www.mumsmail.com to enter. PERSONALISED, INTERACTIVE, DOWNLOADABLE MAGIC AND CIRCUS SHOW Perfect for kiddies with birthdays during lockdown. • Tom the Clown • Magic • Juggling • Unicycle • Comedy Optional Happy Birthday song & interactive candle blowing LIMITED SPECIAL OFFER FROM R200 081 456 0703 | info@bigtop.co.za www.bigtopentertainment.co.za

KIDS BIRTHDAY PARTIES The Durban Ice Arena offers three fun-filled kids birthday party packages for you to choose from, which are guaranteed to make your party the talk of the town! 031 332 4597 • marketing@durbanicearena.co.za www.durbanicearena.co.za | 81 Somtseu Rd, North Beach, Durban


Microwave Chocolate Cake Ingredients • 100ml sunflower oil, plus extra for pan • 175g caster sugar • 140g plain flour • 3 tbsp cocoa • 3 tsp baking powder • 2 large eggs • 1 tsp vanilla essence • Chocolate sprinkles, to serve For the chocolate ganache • 100g dark chocolate, broken into pieces • 5 tbsp double cream Method Grease a 22cm silicone microwaveable cake pan with a little oil and place a circle of baking parchment in the bottom. We used a glass casserole dish. Mix the sugar, flour, cocoa and baking powder in a bowl. In a jug, whisk the oil, eggs, vanilla and 100ml hot water until combined. Add the liquid ingredients to the dry ingredients and

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mix thoroughly until you have a lump-free batter. Pour the mixture into the cake pan and gently tap to pop any air bubbles. Cover with cling film. Microwave on full power (800 watts) for 7 minutes. Remove and check if the cake is cooked by poking a skewer into the middle: if it comes out clean, the cake is ready. Allow the cake to stand for 5 minutes, then remove the cling film and turn out onto a cooling rack. For the ganache, melt the chocolate on half power (600 watts) for approximately two minutes, stirring every 30 secs until melted. Add the cream and mix thoroughly until smooth and glossy. Once the cake is cool, spread over the ganache and scatter with the sprinkles. The cake will keep for up to three days in an airtight container.

Source: www.bbcgoodfood.com.

Fun, interactive, online shows to entertain your kids!

Tel: 031 463 2752 or 082 459 1797 • https://ricotheclown.co.za

Themed cakes & cupcakes for all occasions Candy Floss, Popcorn, Slush Puppies & Sour Cotton Candy pre-packed for all occasions! Birthday Parties, School Markets, Fundraisers, Corporate Events, Flea Markets, Fetes, Community and Social Functions

076 913 7855 | 060 949 1325 kandyman@telkomsa.net www.kandyman.co.za

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Contact Avisha: avishamaharaj09@gmail.com Cell: 065 892 5297

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Since we’re most likely to still be in lockdown this Mother’s Day, why not spoil your mom with some pampering at home?

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ive her a relaxing foot soak with a glass of wine or a cuppa, followed by a therapeutic foot scrub. Finish up with a luxurious foot massage. Try these DIY recipes – you should have most of these ingredients at home already!

Foot Soaks

Green Tea, Lemon and Honey Ingredients: Hot water, three bags green tea, half a lemon, and three tablespoons of raw honey Prepare your basin of hot water, and place the tea bags in the water to steep for five minutes (or until the water’s temperature is cool enough for your feet). Re-

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move the tea bags, squeeze in the lemon juice, and add honey into the basin. Soak your mom’s feet in this solution for 20 to 25 minutes, then pat dry. Adding a few slices of lemon or orange can be a nice touch too! Chamomile Tea, Lavender and Honey Ingredients: Hot water, six chamomile tea bags, half a cup of Epsom salt, 10 drops of lavender essential oil, and three tablespoons of raw honey. Prepare your basin of hot water, and let the tea bags steep for five minutes. Remove tea bags, and add the Epsom salt, lavender oil, and honey. Soak your feet for twenty minutes, then

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pat dry. Chamomile has certain anti-inflammatory properties which helps to moisturise feet and heal dry and damaged skin.

Foot Scrub

Tea Tree, Olive and Sea Salt Ingredients: Handful of sea salt, two tablespoons of olive oil, and 5-10 drops of tea tree oil. A tantalising combination of earthy scents! Grab a handful of sea salt, and throw it into a bowl. Add two tablespoons of olive oil, then mix in a few drops of tea tree or peppermint oil. Mix these ingredients into a paste, and scrub all over your feet and lower


leg. Rinse with warm water. Rosemary, Rose petals and Sugar Ingredients: A few sprigs of rosemary, petals of 1 rose, 1/2 a cup of brown sugar, one tablespoon sesame oil. To prepare this foot scrub, use a mortar and pestle to grind together the rosemary and rose petals - don’t overdo it, you want the texture to

be rough. Mix the pounded ingredients with your sugar, then add in the sesame oil to form a paste. Give your feet a good scrub, and rinse with warm water. Coconut, Peppermint and Sea Salt Ingredients: Three tablespoons of pure coconut oil, 1/2 a cup of salt, 10 drops of peppermint essential oil.

Mix the salt, coconut oil and peppermint oil to form a paste. Rub all over feet and lower leg, then rinse with warm water. The nourishing properties of the coconut oil combined with the exfoliation of the salt makes this scrub an amazing remedy for dry feet.

Source: about.spud.com.

DIY Bath Tea

Passion Tea Sugar Scrub

DIY Passion Tea Sugar Scrub – a citrus tea infused sugar scrub made with jojoba oil to exfoliate and moisturise dry skin. Ingredients • 1 cup granulated sugar • 2 bags passion tea (or any fruit-infused herbal tea) • ¼ to ½ cup jojoba oil • 10 drops orange essential oil Instructions Combine two tea bags into a small bowl with sugar. Add a couple of drops of pink food colouring (optional). Mix in 10 drops of orange essential oil and jojoba oil. Store in an airtight container. Source: www.apumpkinandaprincess.com.

A calming and skin nourishing bath tea recipe made with Epsom salt and dried flowers. Ingredients • 1 cup Epsom salt • ½ cup each of dried roses, lavender, calendula, cornflowers & chamomile • 3 to 5 drops essential oil Instructions Mix 3 to 5 drops of essential oil with 1 cup Epsom salt. Pour about three tablespoons of Epsom salt inside a small bag (or until the bag is filled halfway). Use organza, muslin, or real tea bags. Layer a heaped tablespoon of lavender, calendula, chamomile, cornflowers and roses. Knot bag closed and store in an airtight jar until ready to use. To enjoy the herbal bath tea, drop one bag into bath water or hang under running water. Source: www.apumpkinandaprincess.com. WWW.MUMSMAIL.COM KIDS’ LIFE/PARTY LIFE

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