Conscious Life Magazine Sept 2016

ed’s letter ABOUT US www.childoftheuniverse.co.za PUBLISHER 2Luni Media EDITOR/OWNER Linda Navon 071 346 8138 linda@childoftheuniverse.co.za OUR “Little Boss” Carmen Ché Jardim SUB–EDITOR, NATIONAL SALES & MARKETING Cj Stott Matticks 082 900 1010 candida@childoftheuniverse.co.za NATIONAL ADVERTISING SALES Clint Stebbing 076 657 4139 clinton@childoftheuniverse.co.za DISTRIBUTION & RESEARCH Lee Coulter WRITER Dani Jardim dani@childoftheuniverse.co.za

Hello Conscious Life friends

Is powering our team

Shew, we are creating magazines so fast at the moment that it seems we will be needing a good long holiday soon. We absolutely love what we do, and are a happy team, especially when it comes to inviting someone as awesome as Brent Lindeque to grace our cover and he finds the time in his busy schedule to attend to us. Thank you Brent – I think we will find you a PA for a Festive Season pressie.

As you have all probably heard on the news, we are in for another cold spell. We jumped from Winter into the middle of Summer, and now we backtrack again into our warm woolies.

This edition is filled with a variety of stories and interesting articles. We have tried to keep it lighthearted, since we have The Good Things Guy on the cover, and he sure likes to report on happy stuff.

CONTACT NUMBERS TEL: (011) 462-2900 0110 262 643 0110 468 737

If you have been wondering about leaving South Africa please read the article on ‘Should I stay or Should I Go… it is sure to make you think twice.

DISCLAIMER: The views expressed in this publication are

Right up front in the magazine are details on how to enter the competition to win a round of golf with the legendary Gary Player – that should get all you golfers hitting balls at the driving range. I am considering begging to drive one of the caddy carts just to be able to follow Gary around the golf course! LOL

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

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Enjoy Sunflower Day on the 16th, get your Topes now from your closest Pick ‘n Pay and see how may ways you can wear it.

Friday is Full Moon… let’s hear a big HOWL from all of you who are affected by the Moon, plus it’s going to be an eclipse! Enjoy.

So my friends, please take care and remember that no matter what happens, there really is a ‘divine plan’ and you need to TRUST the process.

With much Love

Linda

Contributing Team & Experts

LISA RALEIGH

LOUISE L. HAY

MARGI McALPINE

PENNI DU PLESSIS

Fitness & Nutritional Expert

Author/Inspirational Speaker

Angel Connection School

Divine Space

HANNA KOK

HEATHER PICTON

MICHELLE LESKE

DAMIAN WOOD

Founder ADHASA

Egypt Tour Goddess

Reiki & Psychic Medium

LAUREN CORLETT

ANTHONY WILLIAM

JUDY BEYER Flora Force Writer

BrainGym

ALANA JAMES CEO Sunflower Fund

PR Sunflower Fund

Medical Medium

ROSIE MOTENE

SERGIO SALOTTO

VERONICA HAUPT

NICK ORTNER

African Goddess

Crysalid Coach

Re-code Your Life

Tapping Solutions

LINDA NAVON Editor/Owner

Cj MATTICKS Sub-Editor & Marketing

CLINT STEBBING National Sales

NICOLE MATTICKS DTP Intern

Win a chance to play golf with the legendary

Gary Player World golfing legend Gary Player, also known as the Black Knight, is going green in support of WWF on 9 November 2016.

The Black Knight will play a round of golf with the winners of a competition to raise funds for WWF South Africa.... and he will step out in full green golfing attire for the day.

Gary Player will be hosting this fundraising event in memory of his late brother and conservation icon Dr Ian Player, whose legacy includes bringing the southern white rhino in KwaZulu-Natal back from the brink of extinction.

The WWF Gary Goes Green competition offers eight lucky winners the chance to play nine holes with the Black Knight at the Gary Player-designed Lost City Golf Course, Sun City, on Wednesday 9 November 2016.

Player will assist the winners with their golfing style, give pro golfing tips, and host the winners to lunch at the Crocodile Lounge at the Lost City Golf Course.

Tickets are R500 each. Four winners will each be offered two places at the event. Names will be drawn on Wednesday 29 September 2016.

To enter call Rochelle Trout at WWF South Africa on 021 657 6612 or purchase a ticket.

For the terms and conditions of the competition, see www.wwf.org.za/gpcterms

Words of Wisdom & Inspiration RELEASE When we allow ourselves to release the emotional attachment to certain outcomes, we open up a new route for ourselves and, instead, find a route to freedom. We begin to tap into our highest potential by finding a route that allows us to think clearly, one that gives us more clarity. We discover a route that allows us to feel undisturbed in our search toward success.

We learn to let things be how they are instead of creating ideals in our minds of how we think things should be. And we learn to trust that we are where we are supposed to be. After all, trust and faith are the most fundamental components to our success.

Detaching emotionally from the outcome of our desires does not mean we lose the desire itself. The key is to hold on to our intention.

Our intentions push us to reach our desires.

But it is our emotional attachments that get in the way.

We can apply this to all aspects of our lives.

We can detach from the perceptions others hold of us and from the security of controlling what is coming our way or the way we think our lives are supposed to go. Because the reality is, we cannot control any of this. With trust and the ability to separate from our attachment to expected outcomes, we can live the successful lives we all desire.

"Let us realise that engagement and detachment aren't the opposite ~ the more engaged we become, the more detached we will have to be."

~Deepak Chopra

PAIN When there has been too much pain, we often forget that we have the built in capacity to move through it to another state. God gave us tears to be cried, God gave us the capacity to express our anger, God gave us a vast range of emotional devices that, when healthily unleashed and expressed, can both clear the toxicity out of us, but also lead us to any lesson or experience of self-love living at the heart of them. In our authentic vulnerability lies our greatest power- the power to re-open our hearts after loss and disappointment. This is seldom recognized or appreciated in the world out there, but it’s the truth. This idea that feeling the pain gives power to those who have hurt us is completely wrong. Feeling the pain is an act of self-empowerment and the only way to make a break from the prison of repressed emotions, to make a break for inner freedom.

~ Jeff Brown

CREATE YOUR OWN REALITY By paying attention to the way you feel, and then choosing thoughts that feel the very best, you are managing your own vibration, which means you are controlling your own point of attraction — which means you are creating your own reality. It's such a wonderful thing to realize that you can create your own reality without sticking your nose in everybody else's, and that the less attention you give to everybody else's reality, the purer your vibration is going to be — and the more you are going to be pleased with what comes to you.

~Abraham

LIFE CYCLES AND PATTERNS Do you ever step back and observe patterns in your life; cycles that occur over and over? an example is going through the same things in relationships? Being with different people, but things always end up being the same, or just the same partner but repetitive issues keep coming up.

Some of these people give up, some get stuck in a vicious cycle of their own making, and others don’t even realize that they are basically chasing their tail, repeating the same situation over and over.

“What we call chaos is just patterns we haven’t recognized. What we call random is just patterns we can’t decipher.” ~Chuck Palahniuk “Life repeats itself mindlessly - unless you become mindful, it will go on repeating like a wheel. That's why Buddhists call it the wheel of life and death, the wheel of time. It moves like a wheel: birth is followed by death, death is followed by birth; love is followed by hate, hate is followed by love; success is followed by failure, failure is followed by success.

Just see! If you can watch just for a few days, you will see a pattern emerging, a wheel pattern. One day, a fine morning, you are feeling so good and so happy, and another day you are so dull, so dead that you start thinking of committing suicide. And just the other day you were so full of life, so blissful that you were feeling thankful to God, that you were in a mood of deep gratefulness, and today there is great complaint and you don't see the point why one should go on living.... And it goes on and on, but you don't see the pattern. Once you see the pattern, you can get out of it.”

~Osho

Should I stay or should I go?

A love letter to South Africa by a mother who just won’t go South Africa. Land of majestic mountains and rolling plateaus. A country with breathtaking beaches and scorching deserts. Birth place of Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu and Jock of the Bushveld. We should be proud and delighted to call ourselves South African citizens.

Yet, if you read any paper or scroll down anyone’s Facebook newsfeed these days there seems to be an overwhelming sense of doom. We are bombarded by crime, xenophobia, corruption, Nkandla, E-tolls and yet another Afrikaans hit with the word “baby” repeated 79 times.

Looking back over the past months I think something shifted somewhere in the past year. Somewhere between university strikes and JZ laughing in our faces, a nation is being plunged into a darkness that has nothing to do with Eskom load shedding.

Even the most positive among us are getting more worried by the day.

The way things are going now, is it even worth building a future here? And more importantly: is there a future here for the next generation, I wondered. So I did what we do if we have any question in this day and age: I Googled it. “Why do we stay in South Africa?”

The world wide web has a plethora of heart-warming South-Africa-is-awesome-lists mostly involving the first heart transplant and the fact that the ‘Kreepy Krawly’ was invented by two guys from Randburg. Do these things restore my pride? Am I reassured that this is a country where I want to raise my children? I must admit, not really. If we have to go back to Dr Barnard shifting boundaries in 1967 to find some national pride, then we have a huge problem.

So I turned off my laptop (the battery was running low anyway and we were in the midst of stage two load shedding) and asked myself the question.

Why do I still want to be here? Why do I want my children to grow up here?

I have lived, studied and worked abroad and I have a fair idea of how our daily lives compare to those in other countries. I have walked home alone safely at 3 in the morning in Edinburgh and slept with an unlocked front door in the French countryside and I can honestly tell you that these are not the things I yearn for my kids to experience in life.

No. Africa has some more substantial opportunities I would rather expose my children to.

It is an awesome place to learn In South Africa we have access to a huge variety of schooling options. At a tertiary level, the University of South Africa is a pioneer of distance education and is the largest correspondence university in the world with more than 300 000 students. Eleven of South Africa’s 23 universities rank in the top 7% of the 20 000 registered universities worldwide, and seven are in the top 3% according to the QS Survey which involves 60 000 academics and 30 000 business executives worldwide. The current turmoil on campuses countrywide does not change the fact that we have some of the best facilities and programmes in the world.

But the tests I hope my kids excel in have nothing to do with textbooks and everything to do with joy, tolerance and empathy. Where else in the world are our children exposed to so many languages, cultures and opinions. I want them to learn to stand up for their own values without forcing their beliefs on others. I want them to learn about other’s cultures and history and take the best of everything they learn to create their own vision for the future. I want my kids to be adaptable, inventive and open-minded and our beautiful rainbow nation gives them the opportunity to practise these skills every single day.

It is an awesome place to get active Not only do we have amongst the highest ranked rugby and cricket sides in the world, but we have top sportsmen in almost every other sport including, surfing, golf, athletics, sailing and swimming. South Africa is home to the world’s largest cycle race (the Cape Argus Cycle Race), the world’s largest open water swim (the Midmar Mile) and the world’s largest marathon (the Comrades Marathon).

In this beautiful country of ours my kids have world class opportunities to be part of a team and to learn about pushing themselves to their limit and do their absolute best. They will learn how to handle it when you lose and even more importantly, how to win gracefully. I want my kids to play outside, run, jump and fall. Most of all I want them to learn to get up again. Every time. As we South Africans do.

It is an awesome place to experience nature As we arrived home one evening a few weeks ago I heard my 7-year-old tell her sister “Let’s go play outside, the sun does not load shed.” South Africa has deserts, mountains, escarpments, plateaus, grasslands, bush, wetlands and subtropical forests. Our winters are toasty compared to many other countries and our summers are breath-taking. I want my kids to breathe the sultry air of Kwazulu Natal and to listen to a crackling fire on a balmy lowveld evening. I want them to gaze over the majesty of the Drakensberg and I want them to experience the splendor of a Highveld thunderstorm. According to the UK’s National Physical Laboratory, Cape Town has the fifth bluest sky in the world. I don’t know about you but I want to raise my children under the 5th bluest sky in the world.

So I’ve established that South Africa is the place I want to raise my kids… but what’s in it for me?

It is an awesome place to quench your thirst!

South Africa has the longest wine route in the world.

Our wines are world renowned and for good reason.

Furthermore South African Breweries rank as the second largest brewing company in the world. It supplies up to 50% of China’s beer and it purchased USA based Millers Brewery in 2003. Finally, scientific studies from South Africa and Japan corroborate findings of potent antioxidants in an indigenous herb tea from the Cape region of South Africa. Yes, you’ve guessed it… rooibos is caffeine-free and it shows antimutagenic, anti-carcinogenic, anti-inflammatory and anti-viral activity. In English: it’s very, very good for you.

Ok, put down the wine/rooibos and let’s get back to the kids. There is one more reason why I refuse to go and raise them anywhere else.

It is the place with the most awesome people in the world Two of the world’s most profoundly compassionate philosophies come from South Africa – Ubuntu (the belief in a universal bond of sharing that connects all humanity) and Satyagraha: Gandhi’s notion of passive resistance which he developed while living in South Africa. Our people are some of the most courageous in the world. Deborah Patta said in a recent speech we as South Africans “manage to draw on deep reservoirs of courage when faced with difficult situations.”

I also love how we don’t take ourselves too seriously. We can laugh at ourselves and are allowed to laugh at ourselves because we actually have one of the most liberal constitutions in the world. South African media ranks 42nd out of 180 countries in the Worldwide Press Freedom Index 2014, higher than France, Italy, Spain, Portugal and all of the other BRICS countries.

Yes, we’ve got problems. Big deal. We are South Africans. We’ve come through every version of oppression before and beat it every time.

Together. Those of us that have been here for 2000 years, those of us that have been here for 300 years and those of us who have been here for 5 years are all a part of what makes us so incredibly dynamic, resourceful and resilient.

Even the most positive amongst us get disheartened sometimes by the long road our country still has to walk but the important thing is not to influence our children and raise frustrated entitled kids.

Surround them with love, laughter and Ubuntu.

Let’s guide them to learn from our mistakes and work hard, along with the rest of their generation to ensure an even brighter future under the 5th bluest sky in the world.

Possibly, most important of all: we are an incredibly compassionate nation.

We laugh together and celebrate together but when the time comes we also grieve with each other and pull together in our thousands to support a cause we feel passionate about. Just like any family we bicker and we disagree. But when it is most needed we open our hearts and often our wallets to those who need it most.

Our people have survived through so much and have so much wisdom to share. I want my children to grow up surrounded by this wisdom.

Article with courtesy of:

A LOVE LETTER TO SOUTH AFRICA WRITTEN BY SUSAN Susan is a thirty-something mother of three, manager of four and wife of one.

She juggles all these responsibilities with her professional interest in red wine. Possibly she juggles all these responsibilities because of her professional interest in red wine.

Conscious Life Magazine

Conscious Life Magazine

Random Acts of Kindness with

BRENT LINDEQUE

GETTING TO KNOW BRENT Who has been the biggest influence on your life?

My parents definitely… they instilled their values & morals in me & I am thankful to have had such incredible human beings to look up to…

What was the most challenging situation you have faced in your life?

The day my father died. He contracted Malaria while on holiday in Mozambique & passed away the day after being diagnosed. It was so sudden… so over-whelming… there was no time to process that I had lost my greatest love & one of my biggest supporters.

How did you deal with it? And what advice do you have for others?

I’m not exactly sure how long it took or when it happened… but I made a conscious decision to live every day as if it was my last in honour of my dad.

He lived life to the fullest & treated every day like a miracle. I made the decision that I would do the same.

How do you look after your own health?

I go to gym 3 or 4 times a week. Ride my off-road & on-road bikes once a week. Drink loads of water every day & eat super healthy 99% of the time.

Do you take supplements?

I take a multivitamin, vitamin B complex & extra vitamin c every morning.

What exercise do you do?

A mixture between cardio (running, cycling), yoga & weights.

What stresses do you face and how do you handle them?

I literally have 4 different jobs… every day.

I balance my radio show & some TV work, MC & motivational talks, writing & editing for www.goodthingsguy.com, & my events & activations agency (Chaos Theory) every day.

On average, I receive around 150 emails a day which all need to be attended too…

I’m up at 5am every morning & get to bed at around 11pm, so balancing is a huge stress.

The way I do that is by balancing. I prioritise everything that needs to happen & try get to as much done as I can in a day… And I don't beat myself up about it, if I cant either :) I also book time off in my diary for gym, family & friends… my down time where work doesn’t matter.

What's the least healthy thing you do?

TV… I absolutely love it. Sitting on the couch is my getaway but I could literally spend a whole Sunday watching series without even feeling guilty :) What's the best advice anybody ever gave you?

If you want to do something, whatever that something is… helping the homeless, going to gym, quitting smoking or finding a new job… then do it.

Go & do it. Action it.

Where is your favourite place?

Absolutely favourite… everywhere. Travelling is so important. It shows us where we can go… but more so, reminds us where we’re from.

How do you chill?

TV time. Movies & series. :) Has a book left a mark on you?

A Million Little Pieces by - James Frey. His writing is so intense & his depiction of his story is amazing. Also… he made it through his ordeal by thinking outside of the box.

What are you reading now?

Harry Potter & The Cursed Child… cause who isn't a Potter fan?

What is your ideal paradise?

An island… with a book… and a cocktail… and friends… and family…

What is one thing people would be surprised to learn about you?

I tried to enter Survivor twice & never got in. It’s one of the things I would love to be part of… from a psychological point of view & an endurance test If you could have dinner with one person, who would that be?

My gran… the wisest woman I ever knew.

What's the craziest thing you've ever done?

Bungee jumped off Bloukrans… by choice If you had one day left to live, what would you do?

I would spend it with my friends… the entire day. Every single one of them.

What's your secret fear?

(LOL won’t be a secret after this!! This guy is the best at keeping secrets :)

The home of everything good... the things that really matter!

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Get your daily dose of good news, inspiring stories, pictures, videos and more!

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Visit us for much more content at www.goodthingsguy.com

BRENT LINDEQUE Brent Lindeque pioneered the #ChangeOneThing movement which went viral internationally. Its a simple premise that YOU have the power to change everything.

Host of a radio show called "The Good Stuff" on CliffCentral, face of a couple of really good charities, MC for good causes & an all round good guy. I’m a guy, I’m involved, I’m a rebel, I tweet sometimes, I sing in the shower. I’m passionate about life & I’m thankful I’m alive. I’m exploring, I have no idea where this life is gonna take me but I know I’m excited!

I have a few companies, am heavily involved in charity, MC for fun & love being on radio.

Modern family, entrepreneur, determined dreamer & primal optimist.       

Radio Host on CliffCentral.

Public Speaker.

Mcee.

Change Maker.

Thought Leader.

Face of a couple of really good charities.

Advocate for good.

Gender Equality the struggle continues

Lisa Holloway Photography

By Sergio Salotto

If women are and always have been superior to men, why do we have a patriarchal social system?

“Why are women disempowered and discriminated against?”

To find the answer – and solution – to these questions, we need to be asking and addressing different questions to the customary reasons and justifications we have addressed to date.

Because clearly, these have not produced the desired, or, required results. Otherwise, the struggle by women to achieve equality would have ended ages ago.

The type of questions that need to be addressed are, for example, WHY do men feel the need to have control and power over women; WHY do they need to be superior, abusive and patriarchal?

What makes the simple action of men recognising women as equal so insurmountable? Do we really know? And if we do, what are the blockages that we are not willing to address that are preventing change?

For example, what if we may need to re-asses our beliefs and question whether God truly has a gender; is it really male as described, depicted and taught by religious philosophies? What if God was female (likely to be more logical); or, of NO gender? What effect or how would that change our patriarchal beliefs and systems?

What if God did not truly intend man to rule over woman; how would that affect our femalemale ideologies?

These are certainly difficult, if not unthinkable, questions and possibilities to have to think about. But unless we are willing to explore and question these possibilities with an open mind and the willingness of (perhaps) being wrong – if need be – about our beliefs, it will be impossible to ever overcome our man-made prejudices for patriarchal “supremacy”.

Focusing on introducing criteria, rules and structures as mechanisms for bringing about change will only prolong the challenges and structures of disparity. What is required is to address the question of WHY we continue to deem it necessary to uphold patriarchy. And that requires a willingness to “look” beyond the generally accepted reasons and justifications for patriarchy.

Such a process is likely force men and women alike, to have to face up to and confront some challenging realities about the “sacred” beliefs and ideologies they are holding on to. And many people are likely to find it extremely difficult, if not impossible, to face and come to terms with.

Are we truly willing to face this for the sake of gender parity?

Achieving gender equality is seen and considered to be a complex situation. But is it really? What is so difficult about unconditionally accepting one another as equal? Would that not automatically resolve the situation without having to implement criteria, rules, structures and mechanisms?

The questions to be addressed by men and the required responsibility they need to accept is, however, only one side of the coin.

The other side of the coin is the role women have played ... or did not play. They too need to accept responsibility – not to be interpreted or considered as blame – that they have always had the freedom and power not to allow themselves to be the objects for “use and abuse.” And like the men, they too must look at WHY they allowed themselves to become as such. (e.g. Rosa Parks fought racial segregation, which is also a form of patriarchal supremacy, by making the decision not to allow herself to be put down.)

From the very beginning, women had the choice, and power, not to allow themselves to be discriminated against; to refute being part of polygamous relationships/marriages; prohibit marriage of young girls/daughters following a first menstrual cycle; refuse arranged marriages; separate from abusive partners and relationships; not be in work, sports, social environments with men where they are not considered equal.

Historically, and presently, women have held leadership positions over nations, society and business. For example: sovereign Queens, heads of state, CEOs and business owners such as: Margaret Thatcher, Golda Meir, Indira Gandhi, Angela Merkel, Benazir Bhutto, Thuli Madonsela, Nicky Newton-King (JSE), Virginia Rometty (IBM) and many others. Positions that enabled them to end patriarchy and introduce full gender parity. (Michelle Obama? OPRAH?)

The adopted strategy of working towards reversing patriarchy through a “system” of women empowerment as an entitlement and control – a matriarchal system – could result in the replacement of one “monster” with another.

Would that really be conducive to creating a healthy, homogenous environment of mutually respectful genders free of any form of disparity and inequality? Perhaps not.

Let’s be real, man and woman are an integral part of the whole called Life. Each require the other for human procreation. One would not be here without the other. Let’s stop playing gender control games of kidding ourselves that we can do without our opposite gender – that’s just self-righteous control and foolishness.

Why did these women not change the system of patriarchy; why did they allow patriarchy to continue to prevail over them? These are fundamental questions that need to be addressed and for which responsibility must be accepted if we really want to end patriarchy.

Whilst celebrations of International Women's Day (IWD) and South Africa’s National Women’s Day have brought about some progress, these have not really brought us very far towards completely ending gender disparity for all women in the world. Women still find it necessary to monitor and remain vigilant about gender parity in the “boardroom” (workplace), on the sports field, at home, and society in general.

Except for the destructive man-made ideological patriarchal system we have instituted, there is no other reason why both genders cannot accept one another as being unconditionally equal with each having been physiologically “designed” to perform certain gender-specific roles in life, for the continuance of our specie?

Disparity and separation can only result in one outcome – our self-destruction. Is this what we really want?

Are YOU willing to make the change?

SENSITIVE PEOPLE Sensitive people are the most genuine and honest people you will ever meet.

There is nothing they won’t tell you about themselves if they trust your kindness.

However, the moment you betray them, reject them or devalue them, they become the worse type of person. Unfortunately, they end up hurting themselves in the long run.

They don’t want to hurt other people. It is against their very nature. They want to make amends and undo the wrong they did.

Their life is a wave of highs and lows. They live with guilt and constant pain over unresolved situations and misunderstandings. They are tortured souls that are not able to live with hatred or being hated.

This type of person needs the most love anyone can give them because their soul has been constantly bruised by others.

However, despite the tragedy of what they have to go through in life, they remain the most compassionate people worth knowing, and the ones that often become activists for the broken hearted, forgotten and the misunderstood.

They are angels with broken wings that only fly when loved. ~Shannon L. Alder art: Sonja De Graaf

ADULT ADHD Finding the Right job

By Heather Picton

aving the right job can have you looking forward to going to work every day, and meeting each challenge with excitement and determination Unfortunately that’s often not the case especially for people with ADHD and for many its “same old…but different!’

It’s the same challenges, the same struggles, just different people, and different places. The problem often starts in childhood.

Very often it’s the on-going criticism and rejection that causes most of the damage, rather than the symptoms of ADHD.

Too much criticism

Genuine Excuses

ADHD difficulties are often first recognised when children start their formal education and struggle to fit in. School can make or break a child with ADHD, and for many its twelve (or thirteen) long years during which they struggle to keep up with their class and are constantly under attack.

People with ADHD often have poor organisation skills which makes life even more difficult. They are criticised by the teacher, their classmates, siblings and parents. Later on it’s their employers, their managers, their partners. To make it even more frustrating, they often know that they are brighter than most of those around them – as least they had once thought so!

The on-going degradation is devastating! Too many students with ADHD eventually leave school, crushed and with very low self-confidence; then they go into their career with glass ceilings and into unsatisfying lives of under-achievement.

Difficulties

or

Elaborate

ADHD is characterized by a pattern of behaviour, present in multiple settings (e.g. work and home), that can affect performance in social, educational or work areas.

Symptoms such as failure to pay close attention to details, difficulty organising tasks and activities, excessive talking, fidgeting, or an inability to remain seated in appropriate situations, all fall under the categories of inattention, impulsivity and/or hyperactivity. It is a diagnosable condition.

Unwrap your Biggest Problem to find your Greatest Gift Not understanding why you struggle so much, makes life far more difficult. Thankfully we learnt a lot about ADHD and, with help and determination, many of the difficulties can be overcome.

Ironically the same symptoms that caused a whole lot of problems when you were young, might well become your greatest gifts in your adult years… …even if you haven’t yet recognised them.

For example, if you’ve always been very talkative maybe you should investigate becoming a speaker, a trainer, a mediator etc. Just stop to think about our talk show hosts and how many of them may have ADHD? How might the ADHD be helping them? Could it be that they’re able to talk about anything and everything and make it sound interesting. It also means they have to be on their toes and up to date on what’s going on in many different topics – perfect for the ADHD if they’re going to be bored with focusing on just one thing. In addition they usually love the excitement of the challenge.

People with ADHD often struggle with inattention and find it difficult to concentrate. However if they are doing something they really enjoy, they are often able to hyper-focus and stay involved in a project for hours without seeming to need any kind of break at all. Long after everyone else has crashed out, they’re still on top of it and making good progress.

People with ADHD are usually distractible – the flipside of this ‘difficulty’ is that they can be highly aware of anything and everything in their environment. These are the same people who would probably be excellent at scouting or detecting faults in any system. They’re also the people who could be very capable detectives – in their own small business, or on the international scene.

Bear in mind that not all people with ADHD are the same, nor do they have exactly the same set of symptoms. In addition, the symptoms affect some people more than others. This means that two people diagnosed with ADHD could be so different that you struggle to see any similarities.

If you are an adult with ADHD, it’s important for you to have a career that is built on your strengths and that you are doing things that both interest and excite you.

This can go a long way to providing job satisfaction and success.

In addition, it’s really worth your while to get rid of childhood emotional-related baggage which could be holding you up. Also have a good look at your current lifestyle and ensure you’re eating real food. It’s also a good idea to spend some time working on weaknesses that are impeding your progress.

Taking us into the future People with ADHD often have phenomenal thought patterns – they think differently, spark innovation and have often changed the path of nations, sometimes the world.

These amazing talents can be vital when companies seek new ways to handle the many challenges of the 21st century.

Do you feel that you’re a failure as a mother?

Do you dread waking up to another morning of arguing and fighting with your ADHD child?

Here’s how you put yourself back in the driver’s seat and help your ADHD children deal with challenges that often cause lifelong heartache for them.

Heather Picton’s unique book helps you to understand your ADHD children’s difficulties, as well as gives answers and tools which help the whole family. It will also help your children grow up with their self-esteem intact.

Everyone benefits.

Get started immediately – order your book now by clicking the link www.amzn.com/B00CX89HBA You’d be most welcome to leave a review explaining how this Amazon Kindle book has helped you.

Linda Lee GRIEF AND TRAUMA COUNCELLING Balancing your Life Mobile:: 084 639 5568 Email: linda.lee7897@gmail.com

By Paula Quinsee How many times have you said yes or committed to something and later regretted it?

And then find yourself looking for every excuse in the book to get out

of said commitment….

We dread it as D day draws nearer where we are meant to be at the event or engagement we’ve committed to or to deliver on a task we said we would do. We find ourselves leaving things to the absolute last minute, trying to avoid it in every way possible ending up feeling stressed or running around like a headless chicken.

Why do we do this to ourselves?

Usually it is because we fear letting people down or disappointing them, when in fact we end up letting ourselves down for not standing firm and speaking our truth.

Now there’s nothing wrong with being the nice guy and wanting to help others but when it comes at your own expense, you’re going to end up in trouble sooner or later.

We take on every request that comes our way whether its work related, to do with our kids or even family situations and before you know it we are so busy we don’t have time to blink. Then we get stressed and frustrated because we’re not getting to all things we’ve said yes to, and we drive ourselves ragged trying to cope with the pressure we’ve placed on ourselves to meet everyone else’s needs except our own….

Being ‘busy’ gives us a sense of identity and importance, that we are needed and wanted which talks to our very essence.

On a deeper level we all crave a similar thing, to be loved and accepted, and being wanted or needed by others (even at the price of self) fulfills this desire. As a result, we allow our personal boundaries to be compromised in the process.

Sound familiar?

You are a ‘yes man’, a people pleaser.

Running yourself ragged is only going to lead to a wave of emotions ranging from frustration, anger, resentment, unhappiness to possibly even illness as your body tries to cope with the pressure of it all.

So what can you do about this situation?

1.First of all you need to take in a deep breath. Breathing helps to regulate the central nervous system and calms us down.

2.Next, get a piece of paper and write down all the tasks or commitments you need to complete and by when.

3.Now prioritize them according to importance (0-low – 10-high), date needed by and what resource you need to help you complete the tasks (e.g. your bookkeeper needs to help you complete your tax return).

4.Now, go make yourself a cup of tea and take a walk around the garden for at least 10 minutes, then come back to your list.

Often when we are under pressure we find ourselves feeling overwhelmed and unsure of where to start, leaving us with a sense of inadequacy or procrastinating putting ourselves under more pressure and so the cycle continues.

Right now that you’ve had your tea and cleared your mind, let’s tackle the list one by one.

Look at the tasks that you have prioritized as a high priority (anything above a 6) and review them. Are they really a 6 and above or can some actually be ranked a lower priority?

5.Of those tasks you are confident need to be ranked high, what resources do you need in order to complete the tasks, what needs to happen for you to get the resources you need and by when?

Create an action list for these tasks.

6. Anything ranked a 3 – 6 is considered a low priority. This is usually something we want to do yet the motivation to do it is low, so we need to ask ourselves how badly do we want to do this task? More often than not the answer involves a ‘should, must or have to’. A should, must or have to’ is born from expectations we perceive others have of us when in actual fact it is the expectations we have placed on ourselves.

7. Anything below a 3 is stuff that has been on your list for so long that it no longer warrants your attention. Delete it.

Take it off the list. Do it now.

8. Time for another tea break and a walk around the garden for another 10 minutes.

If you’re not used to tackling tasks like this you are possibly feeling a little guilty, maybe even doubting the ranking on some of the tasks on your list. Take in another deep breath and let it go.

Know that all is well in this moment.

9.Now go back to the items ranked a 3 – 6. Look at them again, Are there any items here that you can say no to? In other words it’s those items you feel you should but deep down if you are completely honest with yourself, you know you don’t want to do them. Got any like that? Right – say no to them and cross them off your list. Do it. Now. 10.Once you have done that, focus on completing the tasks you have ranked 6 and above by acquiring the resources you need in order to complete the tasks within the required timeframe.

11.Congratulations! You’ve officially broken free of the shackles that have been wearing you down. Now you just need to keep the momentum going and not fall back into the same trap again.

Learning to say NO! Learning to say no is a liberating exercise; it gives you a sense of being control of your life vs. your life running away with you.

The more you listen to your gut as to whether you really want to commit to a task or engagement, the more you will be speaking your truth and living your real essence.

The hardest part about learning to say no is the first time you do it; from then on it gets easier.

It also allows new opportunities to come into your space because you have cleared out all the baggage that was standing in the way before.

Go forth and go free to be you and to do the things you want to do in your life and not what you think everyone else wants from you.

www.ati2ud.com

What are our eyes telling us?

By Hanna Kok or many of us, our eyes are the most important sense, so if they don’t function properly we are immediately affected by it. People often look for solutions to take the symptoms away (e.g. wearing glasses if we can’t see clearly or using eye drops for dry eyes), but if we take some time to find out what they are telling us, many of the symptoms will correct themselves.

We might need to add eye exercises and make sure we feed our eyes properly, to ensure optimal eye health.

Our state of mind affects our muscles and much of our eye function is controlled by muscles. We use muscles to focus and to enable us to move our eyes smoothly across a page or look in all directions. So let’s look at some of the symptoms people experience and what they are telling us.

If we have eye trouble, our eyes are telling us that we don’t like what we are seeing in our life. The following information is inspired by Louise L. Hay’s book, Heal your Body. I also have added knowledge I have learnt as a Brain Gym® practitioner and trainer.

In this article I am just mentioning some of the most common eye conditions.

Short sightedness.

This means that we can see close, but not far. It is as if our eyes don’t want to look at our future. I remember when my son was 7 years old, I was going to change his school, because the current school wasn’t working for him. Within a few days after having discussed this decision with him, I noticed that he was holding his book very close to his face. He had become short-sighted. We talked about the changes that were lying ahead and within a few days his eyes normalised. More than 10 years later and his vision is still excellent.

Farsightedness Many people in their forties start to wear reading glasses, because they struggle to see up close. We accept this as a fact of getting older. But this is also the time where we “We re-evaluate our are half-way our life, lives and we might not we re-evaluate our lives and we might like what we see.” not like what we see.

It is very important that we address this and make the necessary changes, so that our eye-sight can improve again.

Doing eye exercises, eating a healthy diet which includes the vitamins and minerals our eyes need, and ADDRESSING the emotional issues, all aid in eye health and reversing much of the deterioration. I personally work hard on keeping my eyes healthy, because I don’t want to deal with the hassles for constantly looking for reading glasses.

Dry Eyes According to Louis L. Hay, dry eyes are angry eyes.

What is going on in our life that we are angry about?

It is so important that we address these issues. At this stage our anger affect our eyes, but if we don’t deal with the issue, the symptoms will escalate over time.

Being angry robs us from our happiness in this present moment, so if we want to be happy, we will benefit from taking a little bit of time to identify the issue and deal with it.

Dyslexia and other problems with reading When people struggle with reading, it is often linked to the inability of the eyes to smoothly track from side to side with both eyes working as a team. It could indicate that we don’t know how to deal with things that are moving or forever changing. We rather stop the world, so that we can analyse it.

Doing eye exercises and also balancing the eyes in Brain Gym consultations or Theta Healing TM can reverse many of the symptoms.

What can you do to listen to your eyes?

Our eyes are valuable, so why not spend some time to communicate with them to find out what they are telling us? Let’s start with asking ourselves “What is going on in my life, that I don’t want to see?”

If we cannot see what is causing the imbalance in our eyes, there is a lovely writing exercise we can use. It can be used for any area of our life that we want to function better. It is the technique we use to write with both hands.

We start with getting quiet and we can ask the Creator of All That Is to guide us. Then we take our pen in our normal writing hand and ask the Creator “What is going on what are our eyes are in my life, that I telling us.

don’t want to see?”

Then we put our pen in our other hand and write down whatever comes to mind. If the answer is not clear, we put the pen in our writing hand again and ask the next question. We continue writing with both hands, until we have some clear and practical answers.

Hanna is available for sessions to help you work through issues that may be affecting your eye-sight and much more. Contact her via her website or using the details below www.makealife.co.za Address: Phone: Fax: Email:

14 Austin Road 082 856 6655.

086 5188 225 info@makealife.co.za

We know what we’re planning

By Peter Olyott, CEO Indwe Broker Holdings

South Africa has been operating for the past two years as the Southern and Central Financial Services sector for the SADC region and the broader BRICS grouping. With some inspired plans and initiatives, South Africa has managed to attract both new investments in financial services and the accompanying investment in Fintech to support this new and rapidly growing market.

The sector has seen growth of more than 12% per annum over this period and some analysts predict this will reach 15% for this year.

Post Retail Distribution Review (RDR) the South African financial services sector has moved with lightning speed to embrace the opportunities technology and big data has brought about. Probably the biggest improvements have seen a notable move towards making the buying process less painful and less time-consuming, but with more information enabling clients to be far better informed when making their decisions. This also improved the claims process, making it more personalised and the experience a lot more like the sales person promised. One client mentioned to me that this was the first time the money came back into his bank account almost as quickly as the monthly premiums left it!

What else has happened? Well, convergence is well and truly on its way. From life insurance through to car and household insurance and from healthcare (in its broadest sense) to investments and savings, today’s financial advisors are able to provide a holistic view to each client. This allows clients to benchmark their own total financial services portfolio against the norm for the current circumstances. Best practice, if one can call it that! What’s even better is that after the initial sale, the cost of a combined portfolio reduces each year as the marketing and servicing costs are shared amongst the different products. Short-term insurance is no longer limited to monthly or annual deals but deals can be structured over 5 years with multiple payment options resulting in lower costs of motor and household insurance.

For newcomers to car and household insurance, the use of telematics and mobile wallets has introduced ‘Pay as u go’ and ‘Pay4 what u need’ insurances. For the young and up-coming insurance buyers, insurance can be purchased on a weekly basis and cover can be changed as their needs dictate without having to complete a laborious manual process.

With medical advancements occurring so rapidly, five-year life insurance policies with a cash back benefit have become the norm, allowing consumers to use these flexible-term policies to serve multiple purposes. More flexibility to structure health insurance and medical aid products has allowed clients to optimise their health care spending resulting in more people having access to quality healthcare.

On the company front, Risk Portfolio Shares (RPS) have become the new investment rage. Insurers are packaging their risk portfolios and are able to trade with other insurers and non-insurer investment houses, providing them with better-balanced portfolios and natural hedges enabling them to deliver more consistent returns for shareholders and policyholders. Those insurers who have achieved sound risk acceptance practices and consumer fairness claim processes have attracted the most attention from these investors.

Consumers, even those with little or no experience or understanding of financial services, are able to access multiple sites which provide online information and examples of each product, providing the key risk rating issues which affect acceptance, underwriting and claims. They are able to populate their own risk profile information once and instead of long telephone calls and burning ears, they are able to submit their risk profile information to obtain multiple quotes on multiple products with confirmation calls now reduced to less than five minutes. Google has finally launched the much-anticipated consumer-owned ‘Single View of Me’ software, which allows consumers to safely store, create and build their individualised risk profiles across their whole financial services portfolios.

What players in the industry have realised is that the consumer requires multiple ways of interacting with their organisations without being dictated to in terms of which processes require specific channels. So most forward thinking businesses allow their clients to move between an online, mobile, or personal interface or by phone, depending on the circumstances, and utilising multiple data sources. Insurers are able to profile most clients without the client having to provide the information.

What’s been really impressive, though, is how the financial services sector finally managed to crack the uninsured and entry-level markets (and make money!) employing some rather unconventional approaches to creating an integrated biosphere in which low cost, high benefit products can exist.

Of course, none of this would have been possible without the support and encouragement of the regulators and the central and provincial governments.

Financial Services Sector – the place to be in 2021!

Treatments for allergies 10 all natural options to relieve allergies Spring is here. Yay! Or not, if you’re one of the millions for whom spring means itchy, watery eyes, sneezing and a streaming nose. Help is at hand – we bring you 10 allnatural treatments for allergies.

By Judy Beyer The change of seasons can be a mixed blessing. Spring and autumn may be beautiful, but they’re treacherous if all that pollen and dust in the air trigger soggy misery. Many over-the-counter remedies clear your head but leave you feeling lethargic. So what’s the natural alternative?

Well, the truth is that there are no silver-bullet natural treatments for allergies. But if you want to keep your symptoms to a minimum now and into the future, these lifestyle changes offer the healthiest and most natural long-term solutions to your wheezes.

Try our 10 all-natural treatments for allergies – and let us know what works for you:  Apple cider vinegar is one of the age-old treatments for allergies. It’s said to help reduce mucus production and cleanse the lymphatic system. You need to use it consistently. Mix one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, one tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice and ½ tablespoon raw honey – drink three times a day.  Rinse your sinuses. Get a neti pot (available online or from large pharmacies and health shops).

This teapot-shaped vessel basically flushes out your sinuses with a salt-water mixture. ‘Rinsing the nose with saline solution is similar to using saline eye drops to rinse out pollen,’ says Dr Steven Osborne, a medical officer in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health. Use a pre-made saline rinse or make your own by dissolving 1 teaspoon of Himalayan or sea salt in a litre of boiled distilled water. Once cool, decant into the neti pot and pour through one nostril, letting the liquid drain out the other. A word of warning from the Mayo Clinic: if you use tap water, make sure to boil it for a few minutes before using it. And clean the pot properly – bacteria in tap water can cause infections.  Local honey.. There’s little scientific evidence to back this one, but many people who have used local honey to immunise their bodies against seasonal allergies swear by its effectiveness. There are no side effects (unless you are allergic to bees, of course), so take a teaspoonful twice a day to relieve symptoms. (Remember that young children should not have raw honey.) Check with your healthcare practitioner beforehand.  Shut the windows and turn on the aircon. Create a barrier between you and the outdoors.

According to Dr Myngoc Nguyen of the Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in the US, ‘Using an air conditioner in your car can cut the amount of pollen you breathe by as much as 30 per cent.’

 Balance your gut bacteria. Allergies are caused by an imbalance in the immune system that causes the body to experience extreme reactions to certain stimuli. Research from the US has linked the presence of ‘good’ bacteria in the gut with reduced allergic reactions. So make sure your diet is varied, with lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, and fermented foods and drinks such as kombucha and kefir. And take a good-quality probiotic capsule.  Drink green tea. A Japanese study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry revealed that the anti-oxidant EGCG (methylated epigallocatechin gallate) in green tea blocks the production of histamine and reduces the production of immunoglobulin E, both of which trigger allergy symptoms.  Take quercetin. This anti-oxidant, found in many fruits and vegetables, has an antiinflammatory effect that helps quell allergic symptoms. A Japanese study found that taking quercetin daily for eight weeks significantly reduced itching and irritation of the eyes in people with pollen allergies.  Up your intake of fish oil. Research published in the American Review of Respiratory Diseases found that the omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil, which are potent antiinflammatories, reduced the symptoms of asthmatics who were sensitive to pollen. Fish oil lowers the levels of leukotriene's, chemicals that prompt allergic reactions.  Change your clothes. One of the really simple treatments for allergies is to prevent pollen spreading in your home by changing your clothes and shoes after venturing outside during allergy season. Pet fur carries pollen too, so keep dogs and cats as clean as possible.  Take a good-quality allergy fighter. Many over-the-counter allergy remedies make you sleepy. Flora Force AllergoTM combines allnatural ingredients that may help reduce allergic irritation and inflammation of the mucous membranes without making you nod off at your desk. It’s one of our favourite goto products for allergies.

We wish you a sneeze-free spring!

For just one day, eliminate these foods from your diet: coffee, alcohol, fizzy drinks, foods that are very high in protein, salt – all of which make your bladder and kidneys work twice as hard as they need to.

Instead, include these foods: fresh juices – antioxidant-containing blueberry, carrot (purifies the blood) and grape (a mineral-rich juice that helps eliminate uric acid); raw vegetables – asparagus (stimulates kidney function), spinach (a detoxifier), celery (a mineral-rich diuretic), beetroot (detoxes the kidneys) and white beans; herbs – nettle, dandelion (both diuretics), parsley (excellent for cleaning kidneys).

Improve your urinary system with Buchu – this indigenous herb acts as a bladder antiseptic, relieves irritation and inflammation, fights invasion by micro-organisms and prevents urine retention (it has a diuretic effect on your kidneys). Read more about buchu in our herb library and buy it online here.

Learn to relax. Stress is the silent killer, raising blood pressure and affecting your entire body.

There are many approaches to dealing with stress – we recommend that you consult your healthcare practitioner to find out which suits you best.

So, pay attention to your diet, get some exercise, breathe deeply and give your urinary system a dietary treat every few days. We wish your bladders and kidneys a long and healthy life!

By Lisa Raleigh In just two short weeks, winter for much of the country has almost become a distant, chilly memory, and soon we’ll be able to embrace the early mornings and warm sunshine that SA is so famous for! If you feel the pillowy effects of hibernating a little more than anticipated, here are some of my tips to shrug off the chillier season.

Detox Let go of bad winter habits with a nutrient-rich cleanse. Our bodies naturally preserve more energy in the cold, and with lower activity levels this can mean more fat storage. Skip the caffeine, wheat, refined foods, sugar, salt, red meat and fizzy drinks. In addition to prepping your body for summer exposure, you’re going to boost your energy levels exponentially too.

Eat Your Greens

Conscious Life Magazine

Whilst this should be the norm year round, chances are you’ve been leaning towards denser, warmer foods to get you through winter. Since spring demands a boost in energy, boost your diet accordingly with more dark, leafy greens for concentrated vitamins K, C, E and many B vitamins, and minerals. Funny how warmer weather lets us encourage colder foods! Say yes to the return of fresh, nutrient-dense salads; a favourite tip of mine is to juice your vegetables for a powerhouse of nutrients in one cup.

Cut out (or realistically – down) the night cap Many of us are privy to a glass of wine or two before bed. If this is you, reconsider your habits as spring approaches by reducing your intake or saving it for the weekend. In can contribute significantly to sleep deprivation and dehydration – two things you don’t want to be tackling in spring.

Eat in season The foods that are fresh and in season are the ones you should be eating for maximum benefit in each season. If it flourishes in spring, it should be included in your spring diet. It’s hard to be a veggie expert and be selective at the supermarket when everything is on offer – hit your local farmer’s market, where the fresh produce is rightly limited to what Mother Nature has on offer this season.

Boost your brain and body first thing in the morning Shake your body out of sluggish winter sleep and get moving as you wake up. A brisk walk will do the trick, but if that’s too much to ask so early on in the day, practice inverted yoga poses like the ‘downward dog’, or even some light stretching and jumping jacks. A pleasant alternative is to invest in a mini-rebounder for 5 minutes of bouncing each morning. This will wake up both body and mind, kick-start your metabolism and awaken your body before eating – it is such an underrated activity!

Drink up Hydration is no less important in the chillier season, yet many of us drink far less water than necessary in winter months. With hotter weather on the way, hydration is a must: make sure you are meeting your minimum needs of 250mls water for every 10kgs of body weight, replenishing your body and skin for spring.

Warm up to the outdoors

Turn in early If you’ve been doing all your socializing at night, make an effort to swap dinner dates for lunches and even an early morning workout. Making sure your nights are freed up for earlier dinners, down time and an earlier bed time is great for preparing for the early morning wakeups of spring and summer.

For many of us, winter means too much time indoors, not enough vitamin D and lower energy levels. Make the most of the warmer weather – before it gets too hot – and step outside as often as you can. A ten minute walk between 11am-3.30pm is all it takes to replenish precious vitamin D levels – calibrating your mood and energy accordingly.

Get intense Very often, spring sneaks up on you, leaving you with less time than you thought to get fit. If that’s the case, make every workout count. Switch to compound exercises over isolated ones to torch more calories during strength workouts. Shake up a steady-state cardio routine with interval training, and include bursts of 1-minute sprints followed by 3-minute recoveries help you burn fat rather than carbohydrates – your precious energy supplies. This type of HIIT training – in both cardio and strength – is known for getting the fastest results in the shortest space of time.

Wake up to natural light Sunlight is a powerful natural signal that can shift your circadian rhythms from drowsy to alert, whether you’re sleep-deprived or not. Skip the block out curtains and wake up to natural light, and you’ll rise more easily with the onset of spring.

Conscious Life Magazine

Probiotics have become the #1 go-to source for immune system support and for good reason: Probiotics support your immune health where it really counts – in your gut.

But, did you know that the bacteria in your gut also influence your overall health – physical, mental, and emotional?* The microorganisms that reside in your gastrointestinal tract act as natural controls on your body weight, energy, and nutrition.* That’s what makes foods with probiotics so valuable. The healthy bacteria that exist naturally in probiotic foods can actually alter your gut’s microorganisms or your gut flora, making it more beneficial to your health and well being.* In fact, “reseeding” your gut with probiotic – or fermented – foods may be one of the most important steps you can take for your health!* Why Foods with Probiotics Can Be Even Better Than Taking a Pill Turning to foods for nourishing your gut with beneficial or “good” bacteria isn’t anything new. Long before refrigeration and other forms of food preservation were available, people got large quantities of good bacteria – or probiotics – straight from their diet in the form of fermented or cultured foods.

Luckily, many of those foods remain popular today and provide significant amounts of natural probiotics. Just one spoonful of certain fermented foods can provide trillions of beneficial bacteria, far more than you could ever get in a probiotic supplement.

To help you get started, I’ve created a list of 11 of the most popular probiotic foods:

Probiotic Foods List: 11 Super Healthy Probiotic Foods Fermented vegetables Sauerkraut Kimchi Pickles Lassi Yogurt Kefir Natto Miso soup Tempeh Kombucha tea**

CONTINUE READING HERE FOR VIDEO CLIP, RECIPES AND MORE

BELOW THE BELT

Looking after your bladder and kidneys

By Judy Beyer

Along with your liver, your kidneys and bladder are your body’s waste removal system. They eliminate waste products found in your cells and help get rid of toxins – not only toxins derived from food, pesticides or a contaminated environment, but also those caused by stress. So it makes sense to look after these organs holistically.

What are the most common problems affecting the bladder and kidneys?

•Incontinence, or the feeling that your bladder does not empty completely.

•Not being able to hold as much urine as you did before.

•A blocked urethra (the canal through which urine passes).

•Infections.

•Kidney stones •Blood in the urine.

When should you consult your healthcare practitioner?

•When you have a urinary tract infection (find the symptoms http://floraforce.co.za/urinary-tractinfection/ here).

•When you constantly feel the need to urinate.

•When you feel pain during urination.

•When there’s blood in the urine.

•When any of the above symptoms are accompanied by pains, chills, fever, vomiting and exhaustion.

Here are some tips to help keep your urinary tract happy: •Hydrate, but don’t overdo it. According to US nephrologist Dr James Simon, ‘Contrary to popular belief, no studies have proven over-hydration as an effective practice in enhancing kidney function.’

Drinking more than the recommended four to six glasses a day probably won’t help your kidneys do their job any better.

•Ditch the junk food and eat more healthily. Your kidneys can deal with a lot, says Dr Simon, ‘but most kidney problems arise out of other medical conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes.’ Prevent those conditions with healthy eating and the occasional detox (see below).

 Exercise regularly. Yes, we know – we talk about this all the time! The benefits of exercise go much, much further that simply toning your booty for the beach. Regular physical activity can also stave off high blood pressure. Again, don’t overdo it.

Over-exertion can put a strain on your bladder and kidneys. Keep it sensible.  Use supplements and herbal remedies with care.  People tend to self-medicate when it comes to natural remedies. And there are always those who believe that a higher dosage of a remedy/vitamin is more beneficial than the prescribed dose. The truth is that excessive amounts of certain vitamins and herbal extracts can harm your kidneys. It’s always best to talk to your herbal practitioner before embarking on a course of natural remedies.  Quit smoking. Smoking can damage blood vessels, which decreases the flow of blood in the kidneys, inhibiting their ability to function. Smoking also increases the risk of high blood pressure and kidney cancer.  Do you take over-the-counter medications?

‘Common non-prescription pills like ibuprofen and naproxen (NSAIDs) can cause kidney damage if taken regularly over a prolonged period,’ Dr Simon says. Chat to your healthcare practitioner about monitoring your kidney function and finding alternative and healthier ways to control aches and pains.  Get regular screenings for kidney function.

People diagnosed with high blood pressure or diabetes should have their kidneys screened regularly as part of routine care for those conditions.  Give your bladder and kidneys a rest every three days. Feel pale at the thought?

There’s no need to worry. It’s not complex or demanding – simply a minor detox that’s guaranteed to make you feel chirpier. And for those of you prone to getting kidney stones, this simple cleanse will vastly reduce the chance of recurrence.

Peanut Buttery Biscuits Ingredients: • • • • • • • • •

½ cup almond flour ¼ cup xylitol ½ t baking soda ½ t Himalayan rock salt 1 egg ¼ t cinnamon ¼ t ground cloves 1/3 cup unsweetened peanut butter 1 t vanilla extract

Method: • • • • • •

Preheat the oven to 180°C. In a large mixing bowl, combine almond flour, xylitol, baking soda and salt together.

In a separate bowl, beat the egg, peanut butter and vanilla together.

Combine the wet and dry ingredients until thoroughly mixed then roll into balls – approximately 8-10.

Lay the balls out on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, lightly flattening each one down with a fork.

Bake for 10-12 minutes, then allow biscuits to cool and harden.

Blueberry Muffins Ingredients: • 1 cup fresh blueberries • ¾ cup cake flour (can be substituted with wheat free cake flour) • ½ cup unsweetened apple purée • 2 T xylitol • Pinch of Himalayan rock salt • 1 t baking powder • 1 t cinnamon • Just under ¼ cup coconut/olive oil • 1 egg • ¼ cup milk of your choice

Instructions: • • • •

Preheat your oven to 180° Celsius.

Mix all ingredients apart from the blueberries in a bowl then gently stir them in.

Spray a muffin tin with non-stick spray then pour in the mixture.

Bake for 25-30 minutes or until cooked through. Allow to cool before serving.

Conscious Life Magazine

Actress, Anji Woodley is no stranger to the lights, the cameras and the action. But what she really enjoys doing …. COOKING!

Pumpkin & Ricotta Gnocchi Ingredients: • 150 grams diced pumpkin , heat till soft • 250 grams (1 small tub)ricotta cheese • 1/2 cup coconut flour

• 2 tsp phsyllum husk powder • 1 egg yolk

Instructions: • • • • • • • • • •

Drained the ricotta and squeeze out any moisture through a cheese cloth or thin dish towel Let it drain in a sieve Blend pumpkin with a bit of melted butter and salt and pepper Beat egg yolk ,add pumpkin & ricotta , mix till well combined then add coconut flour and phsyllum husk.

You are welcome to add more salt and pepper to taste.

Get a pot on the boil and spoon small amounts of the mixture into the boiling water , one at a time so they don't stick. Once the gnocchi floats to the top gently place on a paper towel to drain Once gnocchi is cool , gently fry in a pan of butter and thyme till gnocchi is golden.

Flash fry some sugar snap peas and asparagus Serve hot with a drizzle olive oil and grated parmesan and crushed pecan nuts.

Bon Appetite!

By Tad Wanveer, L.M.B.T., C.S.T.-D

A primary focus of CranioSacral Therapy is to gently lessen the body’s connective tissue strain and decrease meningeal stress. CranioSacral Therapy is based partly on the theory that certain light-touch manual techniques can help relieve cell stress and improve health by enhancing the form and balance of the connective tissue matrix, in particular connective tissue layers surrounding the brain and spinal cord.

Enhanced brain form enables brain cells to work at their optimal level, which may improve molecular production, movement, use and clearance throughout the brain, leading to enhanced brain function and improved brain health. Because an emphasis of CranioSacral Therapy is on facilitating correction of the whole-body connective tissue matrix, it can be used for a wide range of conditions, including:

Chronic pain.

Lessening tissue stress that may be causing pain signals can help address the site of injury or strain. Reducing spinal cord and sensory ganglia adverse strain related to compromised tissue can aid recovery from pain, because sensory ganglia and spinal cord stress can maintain pain perception even when the cause has improved.

Neurodegenerative disorders.

Decreasing the brain’s connective tissue container strain can improve brain form. This seems to boost cerebrospinal fluid movement, which may optimize brain cleansing of harmful substances. Harmful buildup of substances, such as toxins related to chemical exposure, in the brain may contribute in part to diseases of neurodegeneration such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.

Brain issues related to inflammation.

Some theories pose that brain inflammation may be part of the cause of autism spectrum disorders, attention issues, hyperactivity, sensory processing disorder, anxiety, sleep disorders, headache, migraine and post-concussion syndrome. Correction may be enhanced by addressing the following: reducing brain inflammation by lessening brain stress that exists in response to connective tissue strain; optimizing drainage of interstitial fluid and enhancing the flow of cerebrospinal fluid throughout the brain; and helping the brain flush itself of irritating or disorganizing substances, which may help the brain calm and organize most efficiently.

Spinal column or nerve problems.

Some of these problems include scoliosis, herniated disc, nerve root entrapment, spondylolisthesis and sciatica. Correcting connective tissue restrictive patterns of the musculoskeletal system in order to lessen adverse strain of bony structures or nerve sheaths may lessen structural imbalance or distortion that may cause issues. Improving the patterning of the connective tissue layers encasing the spinal cord and nerve roots in order to decrease adverse neurological stress related to the area of difficulty can help correct bone- or nerverelated conditions.

Autonomic nervous system disorders.

High blood pressure, dizziness, lightheadedness and constipation are some of the issues related to autonomic nervous system distress. Lessening soft tissue strain in order to decrease disturbing neurological signaling within autonomic pathways can help enhance autonomic signaling. Decreasing brain and spinal cord irritation in areas related to regulating autonomic nervous system function can improve autonomic integration and signaling.

Eye problems.

Conditions such as astigmatism, blurry vision, double vision, dry eyes or strabismus may be aided by lessening stress of connective tissue layers encasing the eyes, covering the optic nerves, enveloping the eye motor nerves or disturbing vision processing areas.

Tad Wanveer, L.M.B.T., C.S.T.-D. (www.carycentercst.com ), is a diplomat certified in CranioSacral Therapy; a certified Upledger CranioSacral Therapy instructor; originator of a new class, CranioSacral Therapy Touching the Brain 1; creator of an animated DVD set, In Motion; and author of Brain Stars: Glia Illuminating CranioSacral Therapy.

healing benefits of cucumbers Cucumbers are a highly alkalinizing and hydrating food that are rich in nutrients such as vitamins A, C, K, magnesium, silicon, and potassium.

Cucumbers are also packed with antioxidants and enzymes such as erepsin which helps to digest proteins and destroy parasites and tapeworms.

The high chlorophyll and lignan content in the cucumber skin makes it a great anti-cancer food and can be particularly helpful in reducing the risk of estrogen related cancers such as breast, uterus, prostate, and ovarian cancer. The high fiber content of cucumbers makes it an excellent remedy for constipation by adding bulk and hydration directly to the colon.

Cucumbers are also one of the best natural diuretics around, aiding in the excretion of wastes through the kidneys and helping to dissolve uric acid accumulations such as kidney and bladder stones. They have wonderful anti-inflammatory benefits which can significantly benefit autoimmune and neurological disorders. It can also help to diminish swelling and puffiness underneath the eyes when applied externally.

Cucumbers also benefit teeth and gums as the fiber and nutrients help to massage the gums and remove bad bacteria from the teeth. Their high silica content promotes strong and healthy hair and nails which has earned them the reputation for centuries as being a “beautifying� food. Fresh cucumber juice has the ability to cleanse and detox the entire body as well as help to alleviate digestive problems such as gastritis, acidity, heartburn, indigestion, and ulcers.

It is also an ideal way to properly hydrate the body since it is contains beneficial electrolytes that have the ability to bring nutrients and hydration deep into the cells and tissues making it far more effective than water alone. Fresh cucumber juice is also an excellent remedy for bringing down a fever in children and the convalescent. 8-16oz fresh cucumber juice can rehydrate the body quickly and efficiently.

Learn more about which foods can heal and restore your body in my new book, click here http://bit.ly/MM-book www.medicalmedium.com

bone strengthening exercise

Conscious Life Magazine

Ancient and Modern Applications of Energy Medicine Therapeutic touching practices and crystal tools seem as old as records of history.

Certain sensitive therapeutic touch practitioners, like many psychics, seem to see energy patterns (or auras) around and through people from which susceptibility to disease can be diagnosed. The gaps in energy patterns, the degrees of density and the colors emitted from the body together provide diagnostic information. Bandaiding gaps in energy patterns, 'tonifying' the energy's overall density and balancing the field that emanates from them are therapeutic methods used to manipulate forces and fields that stimulate a healing process.

Initially, these beliefs and claims appear metaphysical. But research in biological science and environmental medicine is beginning to explain the influence of field effects, bio-electrical processes and biological hypersensitivity upon human health.

The use of electrical current to stimulate wound healing and bone regeneration is stirring the medical community with its successes and implications. Researchers find small doses of electrical current that mimic the electrical potential from the wound or bone can stimulate its healing. Others find that imposing an electrical field to a recently amputated limb, say in a frog, can lead to appreciable regeneration where slower regeneration would normally occur. The significance of this research is that it begins to show the special curative value of changing electrical fields within an organism to influence biochemical and physiological function. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/

Introductory Course in Spiritual Awareness and Meditation “WE CREATE OUR OWN JOURNEY … MOMENT BY MOMENT”

Trained in Social Work, Transpersonal Psychology, Hypnosis and Metaphysics, practices as a Transpersonal Therapist, Consciousness, Awareness and Meditation Teacher.

Facilitated by Dr Desré Coertze, based on the neuro-science of meditation and spiritual awakening, this course is uniquely designed to assist beginners and those interested in deepening their spiritual journey and spiritual awakening.

Upcoming Courses: Saturdays 9 am – 11 am 1 October 2016 – 27 November 2016 (Maximum 10 students)

Tuesdays 10 am – 12pm 4 October 2016 – 29 November 2016 (Maximum 10 students)

Participation: R900 p.p.

INQUIRIES and REGISTRATION Mobile: 083 271 0224 Email: lifebetweenlives@webmail.co.za Venue: Boksburg. Ekurhuleni. Gauteng.

MORE INFO

REGISTRATION ESSENTIAL FIRST COME FIRST SERVED.

Dear Readers Have you thought about starting a meditation practice? I began meditating many years ago using a mantra. This can be an Indian Sanskrit word like ‘Om’ or ‘Hu’, or a soothing word such as love or peace.

Before I learned how to meditate daily, I was so uptight and frightened at the time. And every time I meditated I would get a headache.

This lasted for three weeks. As my body and mind began to relax, perhaps for the first time in my life, the headaches went away. I have been meditating ever since, and I have attended many classes over the years. They each offer a slightly different method of meditation. All methods have benefits, although they may not be right for you.

Many people try to start a daily meditation practice, but they never get started because they think that there are rules to follow or they worry they are not doing it right. There is no right way to meditate. And there are so many wonderful benefits to it. We become calmer, we think more clearly and make better decisions and our stress levels decrease tremendously. Meditation love and supports you each day and is also where we can manifest miracles in our lives.

At least once a day I sit quietly, breathe deeply and go within to connect with that deep, inner, unchanging part of myself. Here resides wisdom and knowledge. Meditating is a joy for me as I connect with my inner place of tranquility. I always come back to the present moment refreshed and renewed and ready for the rest of my day.

You can start with a simple 5 minutes in the morning or in the evening, whichever works best for you. I have various meditation audios if you feel more comfortable having some guidance. So many people come up to me and tell me that they “go to sleep with me” every night; this makes me smile. I love bringing ease into people’s lives.

Let’s affirm: The serenity and safety I seek is already within me.

Reconnect with Spirit

Rediscover your Life Force

Restore Balance

PSYCHIC MEDIUM As a Psychic Medium, I am able to connect with spirit guides, where I receive messages about a clients past, present and future. These messages may be beneficial to help bring clarity

on their lives and where be leading.

Many of the messages have received for my have been healing on levels.

it may that I clients many

REIKI A quantity that is almost impossible to define! Energy can never be created or destroyed, only converted from one form to another. Among the familiar forms are heat energy, energy of motion, electrical energy, and sound energy.

Reiki is a form of energy healing. This form of healing helps to maintain balance within, mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually.

Reiki is a form or spiritual or energy healing. It helps open up and remove blockages

within the system. Each system within our bodies is intimately connected to the seven major charkas.

Reiki will help remove these blockages and restore balance.

Contact Damian Wood Email: damian@woodswellness.co.za Mobile: 082 863 8842

FEAR

By Damian Wood

Have you ever watched horse racing? Have you noticed the blinkers on the horses’ eyes?

The horse is dashing at speed, and only in one direction, the direction that the jockey is directing the horse to go.

Fear, in many ways, is the “small” jockey on our backs. Ever noticed how you, the “horse”, are three times the size of the jockey. But, strangely enough, we are so terrified of the jockey that we just continue to run, with blinkers, in one direction. We don’t even question as to why we have these blinkers on in the first place. Where did they come from and who put them there?

With so many readings and healings that I have done, I have noticed that peoples’ biggest obstacle in their lives is fear. Fear of loss, fear of pain, fear of being alone, fear of the unknown and fear of their inner potential. Yes…… potential.

People are so afraid of what they are capable of that it makes them ill. It is so hard to believe, but I see it on a constant basis.

Fear of loss, fear of pain, fear of being alone, fear of the unknown and fear of their inner potential.

Yes…… potential. People are so afraid of what they are capable of that it makes them ill. It is so hard to believe, but I see it on a constant basis.

Imagine the horse just kicked the jockey off its back, ripped off the blinkers and ran to the meadows. It would be free and powerful. The horse doesn’t, as it is afraid.

Afraid of what?!

We are afraid that we will fail. We are afraid that we will disappoint, we are afraid of what people will think, we are afraid of the unknown.

I enjoy telling my clients that if they were on their death beds, and they looked back at what they could have achieved, would it not have been better to try than not have tried at all.

In my experience with doing healings, fear represents itself in many of my clients in the heart chakra. I have also noticed how the whole body may tense up as fear sets in. During meditation, focus on your breathing, still the mind and release your fear out to the universe.

Let the universe take care of your fear and relax. Focus on a stream of bright white light entering into your heart chakra and again, breathe and relax.

Kick the little “jockey” off your broad back and run at your own pace and most importantly, don’t forget to look left and right.

What can you forgive yourself for?

Feel it in your body, give it an intensity on a scale from 0-10 (that way you can measure your results!) and do some simple tapping on it: “Even though I ______(fill in the blank with your issue, and try to be as specific as possible), I love, accept and forgive myself.�

Tap through all the points, repeating this same statement until you find peace in your body.

Do this for even 60 seconds, and watch your day transform.

(if you're new to tapping, learn the basics here) I know there's at least ONE thing you've been beating yourself up about.

Do a little tapping and let it go now!

With much love,

Nick

Nick Ortner -NY Times Best-Selling Author of "The Tapping Solution" -Executive Producer of the documentary film "The Tapping Solution" and all 8 annual Tapping World Summits, attended by over 1 million people around the world.

"The Tapping Solution" is a ground-breaking book and film exploring Tapping, a combination of Ancient Chinese Acupressure and Modern Psychology that provides startling results.

Learn More at http://www.thetappingsolution.com

By Penni from Divine Space

Did you know that all the experiences we go through in life have been stored in this wonderful multi leveled computer called the BODY. And this amazing tool we have created operates according to the programs we have stored in it. Our responses to everything in life are governed by this.

The reason for this is that we choose certain experiences in life in order to learn and to grow.

This usually happens on a subconscious level and we are not consciously aware of them, which makes life so much more complicated.

An example of this is could be seen if we feel that we have been rejected in any way as a child.

Often it is not the case, but is simply our immature way of perceiving the experience. For instance; if at a very young age your parents went on holiday without you. If you felt abandoned by them, you may then hold abandonment or rejection issues in your cells and create relationships that fail or even set up a body that you reject, thereby rejecting yourself.

The repetitive pattern is simply your soul pointing out the unfinished business that needs to be remembered and addressed.

Our Soul is amazing and constantly gives us opportunities to heal past issues. The lessons don’t have to be hectic, as long as you notice the signs and have the courage to work through them.

Not just ignoring them as you continue with your stressful lives, burying the lessons. The more you ignore them, the stronger and harder the lessons until you eventually get the message.

Now because we are also such creative beings, there are many, many layers to this phenomenon. Who knows why we have chosen to look as we do, or to have the physical ailments we do, I certainly don’t have all the answers, as our reasons are all so unique. All I know is that it is time we stopped being so hard on ourselves. Think twice next time you criticize or reject yourself. Take responsibility for this amazing creation, is exactly as YOU made it. When you learn you love and accept yourself – you will receive love and acceptance from others.

If we are so powerful that we could create this living machine of note, then surely we can just as powerfully change it? Sure, absolutely, in theory….. The trick here is to remember why we created it the way we did. How is it supporting us in our healing and growth, what secrets and mysteries are hidden beneath all those layers…..

An amazing therapy called Antaneea Technique is one tool which helps you to uncover what it is we have stored and why. During the gentle loving massage the experienced therapist is able to read the body to help the client unlock the memories of past unreleased trauma. Almost like connecting the dots from our current experiences to the past stored stuff that instigated the cycle.

The body will only reveal what the person is ready and willing to deal with – never bringing up more than can be dealt with at any given time.

During this wonderfully relaxing therapy 12 different coloured oils are used while the body is massaged 3 times. The first sequence of colours supports the physical body, the second supports the emotional body and the third connects with the higher self or spirit body. Once this process is complete sound vibrations are used to awaken the cells and bring light into the body. The combination of colour and sound creates an amazing shift and realigns the person with their soul path.

This is not always a comfortable experience, as often we keep in our comfort zones because it is safe to be there. However I have found that more and more people are no longer accepting lives that do not support them. So, if you are one of those and are ready to break out of the mould – try this new experience – you won’t regret it.

It will assist you in uncovering and letting go of all the old negative patterns you have hidden, so that you are more in control of your lives, your destiny and can reprogram this amazing body to do anything you like. Re-birthing a new you.

LEAD BY EXAMPLE

Divine Space

By Margi McAlpine

So often so many sit with their arms folded, with a knowledgeable and disparaging air about them, and complain about what is happening around them and how terrible things are. What they do not realise is that to bring change about, we need to become part of the solution and not continue to be part of the problem.

If you want things to change then begin by changing what is happening in your world. Words like peace, abundance, transparency and integrity are bandied around and yet many have no idea of what they actually mean and how to go about bringing this into their lives.

Before you point fingers at others take a step backwards and look at what is happening in your life.

How peaceful is your home environment? Do you live in a family where each and every member is treated with respect and consideration or do you live in a house where no one really cares about anyone else? Do you spend quality time together or do you really only share a roof over your head and no one actually cares what anyone else is doing or perhaps going through?

Do you speak to each other with love and care or do you shout and scream to make your point heard? Do you merely tolerate certain members of your family group because they provide the finances to keep you going and you just expect that to happen each month, or do you show gratitude for what you are receiving and how difficult it might be for the providers to meet these demands each month?

By changing the little piece that is our world, we can start to change things on a greater level. If each and every one of us ensured that our world was peaceful, that we lived in abundance, consciousness and always worked with transparency and integrity, as well as respected everyone and everything, this world would change.

So begin with you. The only way to teach and change others is to lead by example.

Change your mind set which will change your energy and then spread that wonderful positive feeling to all around you by living who you truly are. Acknowledge that you are an amazing and Divine Being carrying the God Spark within you and then live your life as such!

be the change you want to see!

PROFILE

Margi McAlpine – Our Angel Woman Margi McAlpine is an experienced Spiritual Workshop Facilitator, Principal and Founder of The Angel Connection School of Africa, Master Teacher, Reiki Master, Spiritual Counselor, Angel Card Reader, Egyptian Healing Practitioner and Past Life Regression Practitioner. She has appeared on national television on Spirit Sundae, 3Talk, The Blue Couch and Free Spirit. She has also been interviewed on numerous radio shows and written articles for various magazines as well as being in demand as a public speaker. She facilitates Spiritual workshops throughout South

Why Angels?

People around the world are searching for something to fill the void in their empty lives. Grasping for material things, and the satisfaction that provides, is very short lived. Orthodox religions are not providing what they are searching for, and so they look to “alternative” teachings to fill the gap.

Angels help many of them to find their spiritual path. Angels are simple, well known and loved beings that everyone can understand and work with. No one feels threatened by Angels, and the fact that Angels appear in every known religion, from the Eastern philosophies to Christianity and Judaism, makes them easily acceptable.

Angels are the one thing we all have in common. READ MORE

Welcome Baby Daniel

CLICK HERE

Congrats to our Margi from Angel Connection on the birth of her grandson, Daniel Grant.

Love to the proud parents, Alexandra & Alistair .

with Penni du Plessis Divine Space

TURQUOISE

The name turquoise means ‘Turkish Stone’. It is a blend of the colours blue and green and it is unique as it calms and invigorates at the same time. It is a refreshing colour that is associated with wisdom, friendship, joy, intuition and loyalty.

It radiates peace and serenity and it heightens levels of creativity and sensitivity. It can help us to build our self-esteem and to love ourselves which in turn supports our ability to love others unconditionally.

Turquoise modulates and neutralises excesses, relieves stress and brings us back to our center.

Lighter shades of turquoise promote inner harmony and peace and darker, richer tones bring considerable power and flexibility. They counter intolerance and let us adapt to new ideas and environments.

Promotes: resilience

Cleansing,

healing,

sharing

and

Positive aspects include assisting with problemsolving abilities and enhanced communication skills. It also encourages a person to remain attentive to his surroundings and accordingly express his views and opinions. It is also good to nurture love and care amongst partners.

Negative aspects include being self-centered and shutting out other people in favour

DECORATING WITH TURQUOISE Turquoise can evoke a sense of a calm ocean with a crystal clear sky meeting the ocean on the horizon. It adds a beautiful touch to just about any space. It can be used successfully in any room, and invites tranquility and ‘beach house’ feel.

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Create a colourful welcome to your home by making your entry stand out with a fresh coat of aqua-hued paint. A lively striped turquoise rug and co-ordinating planters at your front door can complete your home’s charming appeal.

Add a splash of this colour to your patio by dressing up old white wicker chairs with a coat of glossy turquoise paint for an instantly perfect beachfront perch.

Or reverse it by painting the chairs a neutral colour and then add strong turquoise cushions.

I LOVE this shade in a bedroom, and there are so many different tones that you can play with – from the lighter almost duck egg colour to deeper turquoise. White walls and curtains with accents of this colour are calming and can be changed with ease every season if you wish.

Add simple accessories such as a turquoise lamp shade, scatter cushions, picture frames for example or in an office or study a turquoise notebook or pen holder.

HEALING WITH TURQUOISE Turquoise has healing and calming properties that affect the mind and the body. It is a powerful cleanser and can be used to improve the circulation and healing effect of energy.

Physically this colour positively affects exhaustion, depression or panic attacks. It encourages inner healing through its ability to create emotional balance and stability.

It can also assist with migraines and headaches.

It can assist with healing for speech disorders and stammering and it can help to calm hyperactive or hypersensitive people.

WEARING TURQUOISE • • •

Wearing turquoise helps restore depleted vitality and lifts sagging spirits.

Wearing a turquoise ring can enhance the communication skills of the wearer.

Wearing turquoise assists and influences your leadership skills when it comes to managing staff. It can create and support a more proactive way of dealing with your employees.

Use the Turquoise Oil of Transformation to assist with blockages when working with computers or cell phones.

It helps to heal trauma from the past and assists you to get in touch with your true feelings. It stimulates the immune system for better functioning.

Rub around the heart and upper back twice a day or use at least 10 drops in your bath. www.divinespace.co.za

Conscious Life Magazine

By Guylin van den Berg We have all come across the lumo coloured lycra bandits pedalling bikes around the neighbourhood. They call it the new golf. Maybe you have been thinking about taking up cycling? Where to go, what to buy and the costs involved? Having ridden a bike for 12 years, I am here to shed some light and help you speed up the process of becoming an expert on the trails.

Getting Started You need a Bike: • Depending on your budget, you have the option of a new bike or a great second hand option. There are many brands available at your local bike shop and we recommend sticking to the trusted brands of bikes as they will offer the back up and service in terms of possible warranty issues and so forth. The second hand option is also great for picking up bargains and these bikes can be found on sites such as bikehub.co.za and OLX. • Look for a great frame with lower spec parts instead of a cheaper frame with high spec parts as parts can be upgraded at a lower value than what an upgraded frame will cost.

• We always recommend looking at buying a mountain bike, as it allows for both on the road riding and off road riding.

How to get started: • Make sure that you have all the necessary gear to keep you safe. NEVER try to save money on a helmet. It is the only piece of equipment protecting your head.

Conscious Life Magazine

• Start with a goal race in mind. There are many local races to choose from, so choose the distance that you know is realistic to your ability.

• Start riding a few times a week until you can comfortably ride an hour or two within your limits.

The Gear you will need: • Quality helmet • Reliable bicycle • Tubeless tyres • Specific tyres which are filled with a liquid instead of a tube which is much better for preventing punctures.

• Hand pump • Plugs and tool • Needed for plugging holes in the tyre which are too big for the liquid sealant to fill • Speedometer • To measure distance and time so you can progressively ride further and longer and keep track of riding.

• Quality phone pouch • For cell phone and money • Multi tool • Affordable riding shorts

Conscious Life Magazine

Tips & Tricks • The more you ride, the more confident you become.

• Start slowly and progressively increase distance and time spent cycling.

• Enjoy it • Join a group of similar riders • Practise skills: • Riding up kerbs • Corners • Figure of 8’s • Choose 3 areas to improve and work on them before moving to the next 3 areas • Remember to eat and drink

Places to start mountain biking: We have great facilities to choose from throughout South Africa and most cater for the all-important cappuccino after the ride. Most of these facilities offer shower areas, clean toilets and areas where kids can safely play.

Johannesburg • Northern Farms • PWC bike park • Modderfontein • Avianto Pretoria • The big red barn • Rosemary hill • Buffelsdrift • Wolwespruit (more advanced rider) The trick about mountain biking is to just start.

Once you have started then you can assess individually how far you want to take your fitness, skills, racing results and so forth.

It is a beautiful sport irrespective of what bike you ride or how fast you are. I look forward to seeing you all out on the trails. Please keep an eye out for my upcoming articles where I will be focusing on more in-depth topics about mountain biking. If you have any more question, please do not hesitate to ask me and my team at Azzuri Cycling.

Email: guylin@azzuricycling.com.

ConsciousLife LifeMagazine Magazine Conscious

Food Garden Prep for Spring While many standard garden vegetables can not be planted outside or started from seed until the soil is fully warmed and the threat of frost is past, a variety of other cool season spring crops can be started right now, giving you a jump start on the gardening season and putting food on your plate long before the summer vegetables come in.

These spring vegetables, all of which can be easily planted from seed, are all great choices for an early garden, and are usually foolproof enough to grow so that even the most beginning gardeners can reap a good harvest.

1. Spinach Fresh baby spinach, which is one of my favorite greens to eat, is also fairly quick to sprout and grow in a spring garden, and can be remarkably frost-resistant, especially when grown under cover. There are a lot of varieties of spinach, most of which can be categorized by being either savoy and semi-savoy (which tend to have crinkled or curly crisp leaves), or smooth-leaf (with flatter leaves and a softer texture), and I recommend growing several varieties to see which ones work best for your soil and location, as well as which ones you prefer the taste of.

For early spring greens, I like to grow them close together and harvest the leaves when they're still small, which can be as short as three weeks from planting, depending on the variety and the weather. Spinach is also a great plant for the fall garden, as it can be covered with mulch and will often overwinter that way for early spring harvest.

2. Chard This beet relative is another excellent spring vegetable that is easy to grow from seed, and can be eaten fresh or cooked (or tossed into a smoothie for a drinkable salad). I plant my chard closer than the seed packet instructions recommend, and then harvest the crowded ones as baby greens when I thin the beds. Chard comes in a variety of colors and sizes and textures, although most of the color tends to be in the thick stems, with the leaves being mostly green. Growing some red and white and yellow chard along with the traditional green chard can add some color to spring salads while also livening up the look of the garden. Some varieties of chard can be harvested as baby greens in about 25 days, with the leaves taking about twice that long to get to full size.

3. Lettuce While lettuce can be grown into the full sized heads that most of us are used to from the grocery store, I've found that growing it just for baby greens is not only quicker and easier, but will provide a near-constant supply of salad greens from spring until well into summer. I like to use mixed lettuce seed (sometimes called mesclun mix), and instead of sowing the seeds farther apart, as is recommended for head lettuce, I sow them very close together in each row, which will yield a solid row of lettuce leaves that is easy to harvest, and which can be cut repeatedly throughout the season. Lettuce comes in a number of colors and leaf shapes, not just the standard green romaine, red and green leaf lettuce, and butterhead varieties, so growing mixed baby greens gives you a wide variety of textures and colors for salads. Baby greens can be harvested in a couple of weeks, and by planting successions of seeds every week or two, you can have a constant supply of greens for the kitchen.

4. Radishes Radishes are one of the fastest vegetables you can grow, aside from the various greens, as many varieties are ready to be harvested in as little as three weeks. Radishes are great for interplanting with lettuce or other spring greens, and can help to naturally thin those crops as the radishes get harvested. Many of us are only familiar with the round red or pink and white radishes often sold in grocery stores, but they come in a lot of different colors, shapes, and sizes, and can be spicy or sweet, depending on the variety. Radishes are a great crop for kids to help grow, as the seeds are large enough for small children to help plant, and because they're quick to mature and easy to pull from the ground, can be perfect for impatient gardeners as well.

5. Kale Kale, while quite possibly being the veggie people most love to hate, is another excellent spring vegetable that is easy to grow from seed, and because it can be harvested as a baby green and as full-sized leaves, can provide a lot of food from a little effort. Whether you like to eat it raw as part of your salad or in your smoothies, or you prefer it steamed or stir-fried in a main dish, kale can be a great green addition to any diet. Kale can be dense and crinkly, such as "dinosaur" kale, or flatter and more ruffle-y, such as the red Russian varieties, and is often sweeter as a baby green in the spring, and then again late in fall after the first frost. I've been able to harvest baby kale leaves in as little as three weeks, with full-sized leaves maturing in anywhere from 40 to 60 days, depending on the variety.

6. Peas Snow peas, and other pod peas, are another great spring vegetable that kids tend to love. The seeds are big enough for children to plant, and I haven't met a kid yet who didn't love to go searching in the garden for peas to harvest and eat right there. Shelling peas and snap peas tend to take a bit longer, but they're also a big hit with kids, many of whom will scarf them down fresh from the pod and yet never eat a cooked pea (and to be honest, I don't care for cooked peas either). Peas take anywhere from 50 to 65 days to mature, depending on the variety, and can grow either as vines or as 'bushes', so they lend themselves equally well to both trellising and growing in regular garden beds. For best germination rates, pea seeds should be soaked in water overnight before planting them. http://www.treehugger.com/living/

Recycling/Upcycling to create Décor Recycling means turning waste into reusable and useful items.

Recycling is a MUST in today’s world where so much waste is created every single day.

This should only be a matter of choice and attitude towards protecting and enriching the environment we live in.

Upcycling is a particular form of recycling which involves turning the waste material, glass bottles, into a new and interesting product.

When considering what to do with unwanted items or materials, consider whether upcycling the items or recycling them in another fashion would be most beneficial to your budget and the environment.

Using Creativity in Upcycling Upcycling projects involve creative ways of using old products and materials. Such projects can serve as an engaging way to teach children about green living or as a fun hobby for adults.

Recycle used glass bottles by turning them into attractive accessories or household accents that make inexpensive but unique gifts. Each item can be transformed by hand into its new form. From glass bottles into candle holders, vases, drinking glasses, containers, chimes and many more.

The Three R’s of Sustainability Reduce, Reuse & Recycle Recycling is not a new idea.

It has been a common practice for most of human history. When resources were scarce people recycled, not to go green but out of necessity.

Today, recycling follows the philosophy that used items can still be useful and/or provide useful materials to be turned into a reusable product or to be refurbished for reuse.

Upcycling aligns with this philosophy but takes it a step further, asserting that items made from recycled materials can be even more desirable than the original, yet discarded, products.

We live in a world where many things are mass produced. However, more and more people are beginning to embrace things that are made by hand in small quantities and are therefore unique.

One Man’s Waste can be another Man’s Treasure Every day people are finding new ways to create items made out of recyclable waste, such as filling them with fairy lights in all colours, giving an empty bottle a new way to shine beautifully

Conscious Life Magazine

NEW RELEASE

By Lilith White THE TRUE STORY OF A WOMAN POSSESSED BY MORE THAN A DESIRE TO FIND HER SOUL MATE In this non-fiction memoir, Lilith White takes you on a journey of compelling self-disclosure as she navigates through relationships, searches for a higher purpose and delves into the less explored territories of what lies beyond our limited perceptions of this physical, three dimensional, world we live in…

When Lilith, a young mother of two, finds herself devastated and alone after the suicide of her husband, her natural assumption is that she will be free to love again, but destiny has other ideas…

As she begins to suspect that ‘things are not as they seem’, a visit to an African Shaman leads her into the realm of some very unexplained, mystical events... Encounters with the afterlife, reincarnation flash backs and out of body experiences, as she searches for a holistic partnership that seems impossible to find.

When she begins asking thought-provoking existential questions, her philosophy of ‘we create our own reality’ is challenged to the core. She is about to discover the depths of the human spirit and how far she will really have to go in the pursuit of happiness and spiritual freedom….

INTERVIEW WITH LILITH WHITE ABOUT THE WRITING OF THE OTHER SIDE OF MY REFLECTION Lilith White was born and raised in South Africa. When she picked up a pen at age thirteen and wrote her first love poem, she knew she was destined to be a writer. From that moment onwards she spent all her time staring out of classroom windows, writing poetry. She started writing a ‘fantasy novel’ at age eighteen but like so many other books which she began with gusto, she never completed it. She says she still has it in a box somewhere and will one day finish it for her grand children.

A few years after the suicide of her husband, and father of her children, she felt compelled to tell her story. And so began a twelve year journey of writing her creative non-fiction memoir, The Other Side of my Reflection, originally entitled Break On Through to the Other Side.

“Writing is not a choice for me,” says Lilith, “It is a gift that flows naturally. This book had a momentum its own. I would sometimes write deep into the night, without noticing the time. I completely lost myself in it. Not completing it was never an option. Whenever I took a break from it, there was always something nudging me to go back and give it a new breath of life. It was unstoppable, like the ebb and flow of the ocean.”

“Finally putting my story ‘out there’, after all the long hours and years of dedication, is the most exciting, yet scary, adventure I have ever been on. I have shared so many universal questions. It is not only about my own life experiences.

Anybody who has ever felt struggle, grief or heart break, will relate to it.”

Lilith is working on her second creative non-fiction memoir ,but when I ask her if she finally found her soul mate companion, she just smiles and says, “Now that would be telling!” If it’s anything like The Other Side of my Reflection, which had me completely mesmerised, I can’t wait to read it!

I first read the rough manuscript of Lilith’s book, about 3 years ago, and couldn’t put it down. Since then she has edited the book, fine-tuned it to the minutest detail, and I was presented with the printed version of the book a short while ago. Last week I picked it up and re-read it, non-stop, it is seriously UN-PUT-DOWNABLE! Inspirational, blatantly honest, spiritually groundbreaking, heart-wrenching yet at times hilarious...a great read that will have you glued to its pages, from the opening chapter, to the very end.

Lilith has an amazing knack of bringing the reader into the picture as if you were inside her head. This book will make you laugh, cry, cringe and want to die for her pain. However there is much joy in it and will definitely challenge some of your beliefs about this life and the hereafter.

By Linda Navon – Editor of Conscious Life & Child of the Universe Magazines AVAILABLE ON KINDLE WORLDWIDE:: TYPE TITILE IN TO ORDER AND DOWNLOAD. TO ORDER HARD COPY CLICK ON AMAZON LOGO

Join My Live 90 Minute Webinar on "Foods That Heal EBV" As a gift for your support, when you pre-order my upcoming book Life-Changing Foods: Save Yourself and the Ones You Love with the Hidden Healing Powers of Fruits & Vegetables before September 1st, you'll also get Free Live Access to my new 90 minute webinar "Foods That Heal Epstein Barr Virus", and new PDF "Healing Recipes For EBV".

Click the orange button below to sign up for the webinar today!

*Pre-ordered your copy already? You can also access the live webinar by clicking the button above.

Don't miss this special opportunity to learn more about one of the biggest causes of mystery illness: Epstein-Barr virus. In this 90 minute webinar, I'll reveal the truth about EBV and how it's causing an untold amount of suffering for millions of people worldwide. I'll also share the top foods and tools for healing from chronic illness caused by Epstein-Barr virus.

If you or someone you know suffers with illnesses like Hypothyroidism and other thyroid disorders, Fibromyalgia, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Chronic Fatigue syndrome, Multiple Sclerosis, Lupus, Lyme disease, Menopause, Perimenopause, Vertigo, Tinnitus, and much more, you will want to join me for this comprehensive webinar.

You'll also receive my new PDF "Foods That Heal EBV" after the webinar with a collection of delicious and vibrant recipes that support healing from EBV, and are also quick and easy to make. Delight your taste buds and your body with recipes like Wild Blueberry Coconut Popsicle's, Avocado Grapefruit Salad, Sweet & Spicy Mango Salsa, Potato & Herb Salad, and Sweet Potato Soup.

The Antbear Drakensberg Lodge is a thatched, whitewashed lodge built high on a natural platform overlooking the Bushman's River and Giants Castle.

Antbear Drakensberg Lodge offers various Drakensberg accommodation options in en suite double rooms, luxury suites, family units and also boasts a luxury cave too.

Antbear Drakensberg Lodge is one of those smaller intimate kind places which has been lovingly put together. The natural setting of the accommodation is stunning and we have managed to encase all this beauty with an atmosphere of comfort and ease.

The cottages are smartly appointed and individually designed and the fact that we are a small place makes for an intimate and personal accommodation experience. Each of the accommodation units are different and are decorated with uniquely eccentric and artistic wooden furniture.

It is a bit off the beaten track and is more of an insider tip than just another bed and breakfast. We cater for small intimate groups and never have more than 45 guests at a time. It's a laid back, lovingly cared for kind of place where you feel a sense of happiness and peace. Honeymoon stays turn into anniversary commemorations just as guests become friends. Even foreign tourists return for a second and third taste.

Attractions Drakensburg Hiking Trails Bushman Rock Art Giant’s Castle Kamberg Weenen Game Reserve Royal Natal National Park Drakensburg Boys Choir

Horse Trails Injasuti Nature Reserve Monks Cowl Natal Midlands Tugela Falls Sani Pass Fly Fishing

Retreats The Antbear Drakensberg Lodge is the ideal retreat venue where we can provide all the services and accommodation for your retreat. Situated 4 hours from Johannesburg and 2 hours from Durban with easy access from the N3 Antbear Lodge is easy to get to but has the feeling of being far from the madding crowd. This wonderful place for group retreats offers spectacular views, vast spaces, wild winds, rain, sunshine, clouds and rainbows and in all of this – silence and peace.

Retreat groups can book the whole lodge for their exclusive use.

The Lodge can accommodate 44 persons in 15 separate accommodation units Antbear Drakensberg Lodge has a spacious dining room with a wood-burning fireplace, a comfortable lounge with a fireplace and spectacular views, a breakaway meeting room, a large veranda and a large meeting room for retreat, team building or training activities. We provide excellent meals and will fit our menu to your expectations.

Because food is an important part of your stay Meals are part of the real surprises that the Antbear Lodge has to offer where home grown cooking is part of the deal. We like to use our own home grown organic vegetables and if we haven’t got, then we lean heavily on those local providers with similar attitudes to our own. Conny and Andrew both like cooking and are up to changing just about anything to suit tastes or philosophies. Our cooking experience is in part a journal, a record of events and memories expressed in recipes. In the course of our travels we have filed away many recipes and with them images of people and places and their lives. How food tastes has much to do with the associations we make and if you would like to hear the tales of our meals we would love to tell them.

Sustainable & responsible tourism is our social responsibility and what we do to give something back to our community and environment We believe in sustainable tourism and social responsibility. We live is a spectacularly beautiful place called the Drakensberg and our standard of living here is exceptional.

But around us lie contrasts of poverty and lack of development. If we are to keep our way of life then it surely follows that we must do everything in our power to contribute to the upliftment and prosperity of this rural area. We believe that the future of South Africa is linked to the prosperity of the people, and that upliftment is linked to education. And as such we have chosen to support our local primary school called Vulakani Primary School.

Pet friendly accommodation Drakensberg One of the few pet-friendly places in the Drakensberg. Beautiful, vast views of the Drakensberg with plenty of ground for my dogs to roam. Walk for hours.

Your dogs will be happy with lots of dams to swim in and horses to discover. One of the accommodation units at Antbear Lodge is fenced in so its really easy to leave your dog behind if you would like to explore some of the sights where pets are not that welcome. If country life is for you and you would love to take your pet with you then Antbear Lodge is a great accommodation choice. Your hosts will advise you on all the activities available. Antbear Lodge prides itself on being both family-friendly and petfriendly.

CONTACT Mobile Phone: Email: Web:

076 441 2362 (036) 352-3142 reservations@antbear.co.za www.antbear.co.za

Reawakening the Goddess The Goddess is the Holy Grail As a Feminine Being she manifests the Divine Masculine’s Creation.

The Masculine and Feminine are dependent on one another to bring the creation into manifestation. There cannot be one without the other.

The Divine created Love, which is what we are, however the events in our lives and the way we choose to live our lives at present, creates a block for this flow of Love and manifests as fear.

In order for this Love to become Manifest here on our Beloved Planet Earth, we, as the Holy Grail, need to empty our cups, of everything that is holding us back and blocking our Feminine Essence.

The nature of the Goddess is soft, open hearted, surrendered, an empty cup, and ready to receive and then overflow.

How do we become the Goddess? How do we balance our Masculine Energy? How do we create Heaven on Earth?

Firstly we need to identify in ourselves, everything that is not Love and transmute it. Anything that is not love is fear and that is going against the natural flow of the Goddess.

“Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it.”

- Rumi

In order to transmute anything that is not love, it is necessary to enter into a place of stillness, quiet your mind, and examine within your body the places that are holding onto fear, anxiety, anger, illness, negativity, and a sense of lack. You may be holding a lot of this negative energy, or only a little. But the point is that you have the desire and the ability to start emptying your cup, so that it can hold more and more Love. The more you empty, the easier it will become, since you will be holding and attracting more Light from the very beginning.

It is never too late to ask yourself, “Am I ready to change the life I am living? Am I ready to change within?� Even if a single day in your life is the same as the day before, it surely is a pity.

At every moment and with each new breath, one should be renewed and renewed again.

There is only one-way to be born into a new life: to die before death.� The Forty Rules of Love" by Elif Shafak

"When you are inspired by some great purpose, some extraordinary project, all your thoughts break their bonds; your mind transcends limitations, your consciousness expands in every direction, and you find yourself in a new, great and wonderful world.

Dormant forces, faculties and talents become alive, and you discover yourself to be a greater person by far than you ever dreamed yourself to be."

Pant Anjali Yoga (c.200 BC) Sutras

Ancient Egyptians believed that at the time of death, the heart of the deceased was weighed against a feather. If the heart was found to be lighter than the feather, then that soul could ascend, and be free of incarnation. In order for the heart to be lighter than the feather, it had to be pure. There were to be no obstructions to love. The Ancient Egyptians spent their lives revering life, living in joy, celebrating with family and friends, and also working on keeping their hearts pure and light as feathers.

On the Goddess Tour to Egypt, we will be doing this work. We will be emptying our Holy Grail of anything that is blocking Love. The Goddesses, Isis, Hatchepsut, Hathor, Sekhmet, Magdalene and Mother Mary will assist us.

The Temples are Holy Energy centers where we will set our intention to remove obstacles, and the energy in them will be of great assistance.

Sitting between the paws of the Sphinx and setting our intention again, will heighten our healing.

If you have the desire to start your journey of emptying your Holy Grail, in order for it to be filled with Divine Love, do join me. I would be honoured to have your Presence. May we have hearts as light as feathers, may we be the ones consciously creating a new earth, free of fear and filled with Love.

“If you want to strengthen your faith, you will need to soften inside.

For your faith to be rock solid, your heart needs to be as soft as a feather. Through an illness, accident, loss or fright, one way or another, we are all faced with incidents that teach us how to become less selfish and judgmental and more compassionate and generous. Yet some of us learn the lesson and manage to become milder, while some others end up becoming even harsher than before…”

If you would like to take the bold step in recalling the Goddess within, join me on this magnificent tour to Egypt.

We will call in the Goddesses for assistance. We will invite our Feminine Selves back and we will be transformed. Strong, beautiful women, deigned to lead our society back to a place of Love rather than Ego. This is our calling.

Join me if you dare to be the Goddess.

Contact: Michelle Leske Phone: +2782 378 5859 Email: leskemichelle47@gmail.com

The Sunflower Fund 2016 Annual Banquet The much anticipated Sunflower Fund Annual Banquet will take place on 12 November at the Hilton Sandton.

This year get ready to be whisked away on a stunning Bollywood inspired journey. You will be fully immersed in the culture from the designer cocktails upon arrival, through to a modern Bollywood 3 course meal and dancers that will take your breath away. Your evening will be a definite unforgettable experience.

To ensure that you do not miss out on this amazing charity event, Book Your Tickets Now! R1000per person or R10 000per table of 10, to book contact Takalani Ramaphosa on 011 781 4200 or takalani@sunflowerfund.org.za, all guests in attendance will receive a gift, kindly sponsored by Amrod.

The Sunflower Fund banquet is a great networking opportunity for you and your clients or execs, a chance to take a step back and enjoy an entertaining evening. This is also a platform to expose your brand to a number of corporates and influencers through sponsorship or donations. Should you wish to be a part of this event contact shelby@sunflowerfund.org.za Phone (011) 781 4200.

We look forward to spending this fabulous evening with you.

OUR OBJECTIVE Since its inception, The Sunflower Fund has been building the SABMR by educating and recruiting bone marrow stem cell donors so that patients diagnosed with leukaemia and other life-threatening blood disorders can find their life saving donor match, in order to undergo a bone marrow stem cell transplant. There were only 800 donors on the Registry in 1999. Currently, the Registry stands at just over 72 000.

The Sunflower Fund is the only organisation in South Africa and one of two in Africa that educates and recruits healthy, committed and caring bone marrow stem cell donors and pays for their tissue typing.

The probability of finding a match within your ethnic group are 1:100 000, which means in South Africa we need to recruit 100 000 of each of the four prominent ethnic groups – Black, Coloured, Indian and White- 400 000 in order to have a registry that is demographically representative of South Africa.

FIND & BOOK ECO-FRIENDLY ACCOMMODATION IN SOUTH AFRICA lovetostay.co.za is your green heart guide to eco-friendly accommodation throughout beautiful South Africa. We partner with all kinds of accommodation establishments that operate in an eco-friendly, sustainable and responsible way. So whether you opt for a luxury boutique hotel or rustic tree house, you can feel good knowing your holiday supports a place that serves the environment and community in a positive way. To help you make these good choices, we are committed to growing a wonderful selection of urban and country, luxury and rustic green accommodation options where you will love to stay!

Search for your next green getaway on www.lovetostay.co.za by location or type; the Check Availability & Book Online green button will enable you to check real-time availability, make a booking & secure online payment through the Nightsbridge booking system at no extra charge.

WHAT IS ECO-FRIENDLY ACCOMMODATION? Eco-friendly accommodation is defined as a lodging establishment with structural features that minimize the impact and footprint on the environment; as well as well as those that follow green living, sustainability and eco-friendly practices.

WHAT ARE GREEN HEARTS? Look out for the Green Hearts Seal of each establishment. We are proud to showcase all of our members and love to highlight their specific efforts to protect and conserve the environment. Seals display between 1-5 Green Hearts as awarded to them for their positive Green Acts. Here`s more info!

With stunning views of the Indian Ocean, surrounded by indigenous coastal vegetation, Pumula Beach Hotel makes an ideal venue for relaxing, stress free holidays, romantic retreats, family fun, weddings and conferences.

Telephone: 039 684 6717 E-Mail:

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Conscious Life Magazine

ANGEL-BABY ANTONIO The miracle baby that cheated death This is the story of Antonio, the little fighter who doctor’s said had a 15% chance of survival. He brings joy and hope to other parents.

Mommy Carmen is 34 years old (her 1st child) and daddy Frank is 36 years old (his 2nd child). They never imagined that he would blossom as he has, and initially sent out requests for prayers for Antonio. The little man had other ideas about life, and has fought very hard to get to this point where he is finally able to go home.

However, the hospital bills are tremendous and we are hoping that you will find it in your hearts to help this little boy and his beautiful family to raise funds to cover his medical costs, which will be ongoing.

Antonio Cecil Ramalhao was born 05/05/2016 at 35 weeks gestation. He weighed a feathery 1.7 kg at birth.

He had feeding problems from the start as his parents noticed he would vomit up his feeds, cry in pain and his little tummy would run. Doctors in the NNICU where he was born chalked it up to Acid Reflux and Colic. After two weeks in the NNICU he was allowed to come home where he spent a total of five days with us before being admitted back. Doctors again treated him for Acid Reflux and Colic and released him back to us after a week in their care. We had him for a little over a day and noticed he was not feeding properly, was still vomiting and in pain, and his tummy was still running.

He was admitted to a different hospital this time, where he was diagnosed with NEC (Necrotizing Enterocolitis) and fighting for his little life. He was also diagnosed with Refeeding Syndrome, which in itself is a life threatening disorder. He was pumped with antibiotics in an attempt to save his intestines but after a few days of no improvement it was decided that we would need to call a surgeon.

His X-rays and Ultrasounds revealed no perforations of the intestine but his mother had a feeling that they were possibly perforated and asked the Paediatrician to involve the surgeon.

With Dad and brother Michael

Seth Foundation was founded on the 01st December 2012 by Nicole Natalie Vermaak mommy of Seth which drowned in an empty pool that had accumulated rain water in the deep end.

Nicole has made it a life mission to promote safety awareness and assist with the less fortunate children of South Africa.

Seth Foundation is a foundation that promotes child safety and offers support to families that are going through a loss of a child (in any event).

The foundation is based in South Africa.

So many of our children are in harms way due to parents not knowing about safety. First Aid Training as well as Fire Training is a must for any parent, child minder or family member who are in contact with children.

Drowning in South Africa is the 2nd highest cause of death of children, the highest cause is road accidents. So many children who have had near drowning's are left with disabilities.

ANTONIO’S CAUSE IS SUPPORTED BY NICOLE FROM SETH FOUNDATION IN HONOUR AND MEMORY OF HER SON, SETH, WHO DROWNED.

Professor Beale was contacted to come in and perform the surgery. Upon going inside Antonio’s little abdomen it was discovered that his small intestine had indeed perforated and was gangrenous. The surgery Professor Beale performed was a lifesaving one and he removed the rotten portion of Antonio’s intestine.

Antonio made it through the operation with Sepsis which had to be treated vigorously with antibiotics. He had a second surgery once he had recovered from the infection, to create a stoma so that the rest of his bowels could heal and recuperate. He was fitted with an ileostomy bag but soon suffered a second bout of Sepsis.

His platelets dropped dangerously low and we didn’t know if our boy would make it. We called in our Priest Father Thomas to come and baptize our boy. We have been overwhelmed by the response we received from family, friends and perfect strangers. Church groups added our son to their prayers lists. We believe that all these prayers along with Father Thomas’s blessings were heard and our little star has defied death many times over.

To date our boy Antonio has survived: •

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Twin Pregnancy Mom’s Gestational Diabetes and Preeclampsia Severe intrauterine growth restriction Born Premature at 35 weeks NEC (perforated intestines) Refeeding Syndrome / Dehydration and electrolyte imbalances Three Surgeries Three Sepsis infections of: Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Enterococcus Faecium Klebsiella Pneumonia Fungal sepsis Feeding intolerance GI bleeding and low platelet count Low Haemoglobin levels Blood transfusions and platelet transfusions Severe malnourishment and extreme weight loss

Antonio has come a long way since that day two months ago. He has faced so many adversities in his little three month life, adversities that would have killed any adult.

Antonio’s Story is testament to the power of God, Faith and Prayer. To great surgeons, Paediatricians and nurses, and also to parents who never gave up on their little angel.

Antonio is our brave little fighter, and we are honoured to be his parents. Through his story, he has taught many people that no matter how tough life gets, no matter how many times you are knocked down, that you can get back up and keep fighting.

We want other parents out there who are going through a similar experience to take this story as one of hope. To realise that no matter how many odds are stacked against their little ones, there is always a fighting chance.

There is a short fall of R120,000.00 so far.

BANKING DETAILS C.Boxall Capitec Edenvale Acc No:1320214655 Branch Code: 470010

ALANA JAMES CEO

LETTER FROM THE CEO

Sarah Norman, Marc Lottering, Alana James

Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, Reverend Canon Mpho Tutu van Furth, Alana James, Christopher and Caitlyn James

Have you ever been so moved by someone's story that you have goosebumps all over, an ear-to-ear smile and on the verge of tears – all at the same time? I think that is a conservative description of my state of being when I met Sarah Norman. Sarah had her stem cell transplant in 2005 and her story is one of courage and hope. To read her story click here.

The best part, is that at the end of every day, even the toughest days when the news and stories of our patients bring our office to tears; even then, we see the hope, we see the purpose of work, we are there to bring the hope of life to someone's child, someone's parent, someone's friend – and every day we strive to increase the circle of hope.

If I have to choose my greatest achievement this year – it is realising that #iamhope and that we play a part in our communities who are creating hope.

Alana James Alana@sunflowerfund.org.za

HOPE BEGINS WITH YOU

Conscious Life Magazine

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

Conscious Life Magazine