Special family issue * Summer 2014
WHEELS
Buyers’ guide
MOM’S BEST TAXIS WELLNESS
Know the signs of bullying FOOD
Delicious, nutritious school lunches
5budget family
TRAVEL
getaways WELLNESS How to keep your family healthy
MONEY Plan for your kids’ education
GARDEN Propagating plants
win PRIZES UP TO
R105 000
editor’s letter
Welcome to your sneak peek at the Summer issue of reality. You’ll see there’s something fresh and different about it – we’ve given the magazine a summer makeover, brightened it up a bit, and brought it in line with current trends. We hope you’ll enjoy it. This special family issue is full of ideas for the summer holidays. We’ve suggested our pick of great family holiday destinations; there’s DIY wrapping paper, so get out those crayons so the kids can colour in the shapes; and, for something a little naughty, we have a feature on procreating – in this case, procreating plants, and the advice is on how to grow plants from cuttings. There’s loads more, so dip in now; soon your magazine will be waiting in your postbox, to give you the full story. Happy reading, and happy holidays.
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R E A L I T Y SUMMER 2014
Look out for these icons throughout the magazine!
inside 4 TRAVEL
Budget family spots 6 WHEELS
Mom’s best taxis 8 WELLNESS
Family matters 9 MONEY
Save for your kids’ education 10 FOOD
Playtime on a plate 12 GARDEN
Plants for free 13 HOME
It’s a wrap!
14 SPECIAL OFFERS 16 ON THE WEB
win exclusive to Reality members
Win the wedding of your dreams at Rhebokskloof Wine Estate, or the opportunity to renew your vows or celebrate a special anniversary.
competition Reality and Rhebokskloof Wine Estate are offering one lucky couple a wedding, or a chance to renew their vows. The happy couple will get a fully catered reception for 150 guests, including a delectable set menu and sparkling wine*. It’s easy to enter – simply like Reality and Rhebokskloof on Facebook, click on the competition image on the Reality Facebook page, and complete the entry form to win this amazing reception, valued at R65 000! Winners may also enter on behalf of family members – so if you have a daughter, son or mom and dad you’d like to surprise, you can. The lucky couple will be able to choose any date between 1 April 2014 and 31 August 2014, subject to venue availability. CLICK HERE TO ENTER! The closing date for the competition is 31 January 2014. NOTE: Images are purely for illustrative purposes; for more information and competition terms of use*, visit www.reality.co.za for more information.
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SUMMER 2014 R E A L I T Y
Hip hip…
HOLIDAY 4
R E A L I T Y SUMMER 2014
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…
travel
AY!
Haul out the buckets and spades, hiking boots, bikes and binoculars, and make some special memories for the family album this summer. Catherine Hofmeyr selects five great family holidays.
USE YOUR REALITY BENEFIT Reality Travel can arrange trips to any of these destinations (including accommodation, flights, car hire and more) – to log a request, call 08 22 33 5000 or click here.
1. E xplore Mpumalanga’s Panorama Route 2. Hike the Whale Trail 3. G o farming in the Magaliesberg 4. H ave tea and scones on the Hibiscus Coast 5. G et active on the Garden Route
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SUMMER 2014 R E A L I T Y
To soccer… and beyond The school run needn’t be done in disguise – as James Edge explains, there are plenty of kid-approved, mom-ready vehicles available on the SA market that will turn the school avenue into a catwalk.
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R E A L I T Y SUMMER 2014
HOW TO BU
Choosing a car decade schlepp taken lightly. S
1. Seats, please how many frien you be expected to answer these worst-case scen empty seats. Tw ous… no matte
2. All aboard. H out of the car? W to reach in and without slipping out of the car an floor; this is a bi shouldn’t mind. lies in how ‘fling parking lots… w
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wheels
UY RIGHT
r you’re going to spend the next ping around in all day shouldn’t be So follow these five easy steps:
e. You may have 2.5 children, but nds do they have? And how often will d to lift-club? Only you will be able e questions; but as a rule, buy for the nario – you’ll always find a way to fill wo-kids-per-space is just too dangerer how short the trip.
How easy is it to get the kids in and With baby seats, you need to be able out, carrying two sacks of potatoes, g a disc. Don’t be shy to take the seat nd experiment on the showroom ig purchase, and the salesperson really . With older children, the challenge gable’ the doors are, especially in when the only available spot is next
to a Maserati! The sliding doors on certain MPVs are face-savers of note. 3. It’s not just about you. Yes, this is your new car, and the bulk of the time spent in it will be yours. But it’s the kids’ car as well (as is everything else you’ve ever held dear), so let them be a part of the decisionmaking process. Storage compartments that they can reach from their seats, and even DVD screens in the back of the front headrests, could make your time in the car way less stressful in the long run. 4. Safety first. This is almost a moot point, as it’s quite difficult to find a major manufacturer whose cars don’t match, or beat, the various international safety standards. We do suggest that ABS (virtually standard these days, but some cost-cutters do drop it) is a bare minimum, and most models have the option of some form of stability/ traction control that will help when it’s raining and the kids are screaming. Airbags are also more or less standard now, but bear them in mind when comparing rival vehicles.
USE YOUR REALITY BENEFIT Contact Reality Wheels on 08 22 33 5000
for the best price on your next family car; the Reality agents can also assist with vehicle financing and insurance. Click here for vehicle deals. www.reality.co.za
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SUMMER 2014 R E A L I T Y
wellness
Family matters When a serious illness runs in the family, it’s worth heeding the warning signs. Catherine Eden suggests a five-step plan to improve your chances of staying well. 1. Make a medical family tree 2. Research the cause of the family illness 3. Assess your risk 4. Get yourself in shape 5. If necessary, take specific action USE YOUR REALITY BENEFIT Save up to 20% at Virgin Active or Planet Fitness gyms – call 0860 732 548/9.
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R E A L I T Y SUMMER 2014
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money
Plan for your kids’
EDUCATION
Education isn’t cheap; but if you start early and get it right, your children will never look back.
USE YOUR REALITY BENEFIT Get educational
assistance for your children with your Reality Dial-A-Teacher benefit – call 08 22 33 5000.
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How on earth can anybody afford to educate their children, when the financial burden is so huge? The key, according to Bennie Wessels, savings product development actuary for Sanlam Personal Finance, is to start saving as early as possible. How early? “You should probably start thinking about it at birth,” explains Wessels, “but the reality is that people rarely start saving at birth; either because they can’t afford it (due to all the other new expenses of having a baby in the house), or they don’t realise how much tertiary education costs, and they think there are still many years ahead before they have to start worrying about tertiary education.”
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SUMMER 2014 R E A L I T Y
Playtime on a plate Whether it’s lunchbox ideas you need or after-school snacks you’re making, Katelyn Williams suggests getting your kids into the kitchen to help.
Mini boerewors burgers with sweetpotato chips
Cocktail pita breads make the perfect mini-burger buns for little fingers. Here, I’ve used boerewors, which is already flavoured and seasoned, to create the mini patties. And the secret to crispy sweet-potato chips? Cornstarch!
tip
This is a great way of using up leftovers; roast chicken, bolognaise mince or roasted vegetables also work a treat.
Cheap-cheap chicken pies CHEAP-CHEAP CHICKEN PIES
GET MORE ONLINE Struggling to find
cooking inspiration? You don’t have to wait until your next reality magazine for new recipes – click here for new recipes every week.
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R E A L I T Y SUMMER 2014
These little pies are a super-easy and affordable after-school lunch. Also, they use no unhealthy pastry, as the crust is made from bread. Let the kids help out by assembling the pies and creating their own unique flavours.
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taste
MINI BOEREWORS BURGERS WITH SWEET POTATO CHIPS
tip Swop out the boerewors for chicken sausage
or mini chicken fillets, then top with some grilled pineapple and a swirl of mayonnaise.
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SUMMER 2014 R E A L I T Y
garden
Plants
FOR FREE
USE YOUR REALITY BENEFIT Keep
You don’t need to spend a fortune to have a beautiful garden. Marion Whitehead gives the lowdown on how to propagate your own plants easily.
your garden in tip-top shape with a selection of garden tools and accessories from the Reality Shop – click here for great prices.
TWO HANDY HINTS FOR PLANT PROPAGATION • A bit of innovative recycling will prevent your new cuttings from drying out. Make a mini-hothouse by cutting the bottom off a clear plastic bottle and popping the top half over the cutting for the first few weeks. If it gets too steamy inside, simply unscrew the cap on the top. • Always make more slips than you think you’ll need. They might not all take; but if they do, you’ll have enough to give away or swop with gardener friends, perpetuating the cycle of gardening generosity.
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R E A L I T Y SUMMER 2014
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home
It’s a
wrap! Each family has its own festive-season traditions, repeated and enjoyed year after year. In 2013, why not create some brand-new ones by getting your children involved in the giftwrapping process. Here are four easy ways to turn wrapping paper into a family art project:
GET MORE ONLINE For this festive season, reality magazine has designed a unique wrapping paper for your kids to colour in and enjoy. You can download a large A3 black-and-white version of this design at www.reality.co.za/articles.
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1. Using stamps 2. Using recycled newspapers 3. Using your children’s artworks 4. Using home-made ‘confetti’
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SUMMER 2014 R E A L I T Y
Special offers
For these offers and more, call Reality on 08 22 33 5000 or visit www.reality.co.za/special-offers.
Travel save R583
CARIBBEAN CRUISE SPEND SEVEN NIGHTS ON THE OASIS OF THE SEAS, DEPARTING FROM FLORIDA…
save R586
INDIAN EXTRAVAGANZA A SIX-NIGHT HOLIDAY IN INDIA’S GOLDEN TRIANGLE, INCLUDING FLIGHTS
R11 083 pp
INCLUDES: Return transfers, all
meals and entertainment on board, port charges, gratuities and taxes. Accommodation in an inside cabin. Visits Haiti, Jamaica and Mexico. VALID: 1 February to 8 February 2014
R11 096 pps (ex Jhb)
INCLUDES: Return flights from
Johannesburg, Cape Town or Durban, six nights in three-star hotel accommodation (can be upgraded to four-star hotel), sightseeing tours in Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, and English guide. VALID: 1 October 2013 to 4 December 2013; 4 January 2014 to 31 March 2014
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R E A L I T Y SUMMER 2014
NATURE-LOVERS’ SPECIAL A FOUR-NIGHT STAY IN THE WATERBERG GAME PARK
R4 126 (sleeps four)
INCLUDES: One-bedroom unit sleeps two
adults and two children under 12. Waterberg is famous for quality game-viewing in a malaria-free area. VALID: Until February 2014
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special offers
Wheels
TOYOTA HILUX D-4D 4X4 DOUBLE CAB (AUTOMATIC)
Tough as nails; solid as a rock – the hardworking Hilux loves adventure. The front grille and rounded front bumper create a sporty, raring-to-go look. In order to keep your Hilux in great shape for the long haul, the body is rust-resistant. Rich and energetic metallic colours add just the right finishing touch.
Normal price: R460 300
OUR PRICE: From R423 476 Saving: R36 824
Find more great special offers online. Click here.
Connect
PRICE: R6 499 On a prepaid option * While stocks last
SAMSUNG GALAXY NOTE 10.1 3G + WIFI 16GB
• Unique S-Pen features • Handwriting and shape recognition • Superior quadcore 1.4GHz processor • Expandable memory up to 64GB
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SUMMER 2014 R E A L I T Y
on the web
REALITY AT YOUR FINGERTIPS sanlamreality.mobi
Reality is now as mobile as your phone, thanks to the new mobi site.
DVDS
Get two DVDs for only R75 – including registered postage during the festive season (offer available from 25 November 2013 to 31 December 2013). View the list of DVDs and make payment via a secure server.
DINING
Select two venues from more than 600 qualifying restaurants. Select your first and second choice, then book using the menu available. Once the process is complete, an SMS or email will be sent to confirm your reservation. Exclusive to Reality+ and Reality Health members.
COMPUTICKET This Reality benefit enables all Reality+ and Reality Health members to buy a ticket on Computicket up to R300, and receive a second ticket to the same show free.
MOVIES
• Reality Standard and Reality+ Gym members get any 2D movie tickets at only R30 for two. • Reality+ and Reality Health members get any 2D movie tickets at only R30 for two, and any 3D tickets at only R60 for two.
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R E A L I T Y SUMMER 2014
@ SanlamReality sanlamreality