Child of the Universe Montessori May ed 35 by 2Luni Media

ed’s letter Hello happy Montessorians and ‘Monstersorians’ ABOUT US www.childoftheuniverse.co.za PUBLISHER 2Luni Media EDITOR Linda Navon 071 346 8138 linda@childoftheuniverse.co.za OUR “Little Boss” Carmen Ché Jardim SUB-EDITOR & MARKETING MANAGER Cj Stott Matticks 082 900 1010 candida@childoftheuniverse.co.za DISTRIBUTION & RESEARCH Lee Coulter lee@childoftheuniverse.co.za

CONTACT NUMBERS TEL: (011) 462-2900 0110 262 643 0110 468 737 DISCLAIMER: The views expressed in this publication are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the editor, advertisers or endorsers. While every effort has been made to ensure that the contents of this publication are both accurate and truthful, the publisher and editor accept no responsibility for inaccurate or misleading information that may be contained herein.

MEDIA PARTNERS

With mid-year coming up, most of the long weekends behind us, thank goodness, and all our winter jammies unpacked, I hope this month’s magazine find you all well and getting ready for a couple of chilly months in your cozy homes. I would like to encourage you to take a look through your house and cupboards for old clothing and blankets that you no longer use – pack them in your car and either drop them off at a collection point, an orphanage or hand them out on the side of the road. Every night when I snuggle down in my warm bed I feel very sad for the many people who have no means of keeping warm, never mind putting food into their children’s tummies. It’s a very sad fact of life that there are people suffering when there are so many of us who could make a tiny difference – just do one little thing to make someone else’s life a little bit happier. I know I go on about this, but I do wish I had a magic wand and I could keep tummies full and people warm… amongst a whole bunch of other wishes! Recently I heard about a new game that the kids are playing on their tablets and phones, a game which apparently has caused children overseas to commit suicide – so please keep a careful eye on what your kids are subject to on the internet, and what games they are playing with their friends. Much Love

Linda

Regular contributing team & experts

DR MICHAEL DORER

TIM SELDIN

PAUL EPSTEIN

HEIDI VAN STADEN

SUSANNE VAN NIEKERK

KYM VAN STRAATEN

MARNIE CRAYCROFT

SHARON CALDWELL

JACQUELYN PRICE

JEANNE-MARIE PAYNEL

DR SHEFALI

LEANNE GRAY

contents THE MONTESSORI METHOD HOW TO OFFER REAL CHOIICE – EVEN WHEN THERE ISN’T ONE! THE CHILD’S NEED TO BELONG 7 LESSONS I LEARNED FROM CHILDREN PRIME YOUR CHILD WITH THE PRIMARY COLOURS EDUCATIONAL TOYS AND LEARNING EQUIPMENT A selection from various Suppliers PEACEFUL PARENTING WHAT IS TRUE LOVE POSITIVE DISCIPLINE – SETTING FIRM LIMITS LETTER FROM YOUR BABY HOW HUGS HEAL – HAVE YOU HAD A HUG TODAY? 10 ESSENTIAL FOR EVERY CAR CAN YUOU REINFORCE YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM? STORY AND PLAY TIME OUT & ABOUT SUGAR BAY KIDS CAMPS DISNEY ON ICE JOHNNY CLEGG THE FINAL JOURNEY TOUR BARNYARD SHOWS SWIMMING LESSONS YUMMY TUMMY COOKING WITH KIDS REACH OUT FUN EVENING AND FUND RAISING FOR LOGAN MULLER WE DO NO KILL UNWANTED ANIMALS CRACE ANIMAL SANCTUARY NEED YOUR HELP PREVENTING PET OVERPOPULATION SUNFLOWER FUND SUBSCRIBE TO OUR ONLINE FREE MAGAZINES AND WIN HAMPERS

By Leanne Gray

Today I'm sharing the secret of educators and parents everywhere. It's the art of offering choice, real choice. Choice is essential to developing independence, avoiding power struggles, building selfconfidence, and autonomy. But it's more than merely offering the power to choose; real choice involves creating a situation where choosing is actually possible. It's finding that balance between too many and too few options, and allowing your child to accept the consequences of their choice, good or bad.

Here's how it's done. The Limited Choice I love the idea of Wegmans. They have delicious food, lots of special things I can't get anywhere else, and I can cross almost everything off my list at once. But, every time I shop there, I feel sick to my stomach and walk out with a headache, exhausted. It's decision fatigue-- I spend all my energy deciding, weighing my options, comparing prices, trying to get the best kind of pasta sauce, the yogurt that is most healthy, and if I really do want those chocolate chip cookies (umm, yes.).

Our children will reach decision fatigue much faster than we do. It's not possible for children make a thoughtful decision with choices. Too many options is uncomfortable, paralyzing, and unfair to their developing mind. In offering choices to young children, we must keep them clear, short, and limited. I suggest two options for most children, three at the most.

These can't just be any two options, a real choice allows your child to actually decide what's happening next, and you will be happy with either outcome.

What's a Real Choice? Real choices are not things like “Would you hold my hand in this crowd?” or “Can you get ready for bed now?”. You can't honor a “no” with these questions. Before you offer a choice, consider the answers. Are they reasonable, safe, and acceptable for the space? If not, you need to reword your question. Try offering these choices instead:

When something happens: Would you like to brush your teeth before or after your bath?

Who does the action: You can put your shoes on yourself, or I can help you. Which would you like?

Where events take place: Shall we change your diaper here, or in the bathroom today?

The Power to Choose You child must own the choice, and have full autonomy in deciding. If you later override their decision, or “save” them from the results of the choice, you are undermining the whole process. A well-crafted choice also allows for reasonable consequences to occur which your child could handle. For example, choosing not to go to bed on time will result in unfair consequences for a young child, and so it's not a real choice. However, choosing to continue playing and not leaving enough time for a story before bed , while unpleasant, is quite reasonable, appropriate, and manageable. Learn more about offering real choices in our upcoming course, How to Raise a Human. Get on the wait list here.

The Child's Need To Belong By Maren Schmidt

We all need to feel like we belong. It goes without saying that the most important place we need to feel like we belong is in our families. From our foundational family relationships we build connection within our schools, our churches, our neighborhoods, our communities...and beyond. According to developmental psychologists Rudolf Dreikurs and Alfred Adler, a child’s behavior is directed towards getting the emotional connection of belonging. To realize this sense of belonging a child’s behavior is driven by four basic, yet unconscious, goals: • Contact • Power • Protection • Withdrawal

By Leanne Gray 1.

Slow down. You miss things when you move fast, talk, fast, act fast.

The everyday things are beautiful and amazing.

Life is silly and funny. If you don't think so, you're taking yourself too seriously.

Give it a minute and you'll feel better. It might hurt a lot right now, but it will hurt less soon.

Say it like it is. You'll get farther if you are honest, open and vulnerable.

Keep trying and you'll get it.

You can have fun anywhere with anyone with anything. See number 6 if you're having trouble.

Prime Your Child with the Primary Colors The “First Color Box” may look like an extremely simple and straightforward child’s activity, but that’s the point. It’s comprised of a plain wooden box with dual sets of primary color tablets stored inside, and nothing more. Maria Montessori was inspired to develop this helpful learning tool after she observed flat wooden spools wrapped in beautiful silk threads and appreciated how effectively they showcased each individual color separately. At a young age, children are just learning to understand the vast world of colors with their burgeoning visual senses. They have yet to find the language to learn what “blue” is versus “yellow” or “red.” The First Color Box isolates this activity without further distraction, by offering a simple visual matching game where they can become acquainted with the primary colors and confidently learn to discern between them. The materials do not pose further distractions, such as if they offered varying shapes or were mismatched in size. Once the child has mastered this set there are other color boxes they can progress toward. In the meantime, parents can further engage their child by asking them to find things around the house that match one of the colors they’ve just learned about — they’ll be proud to show you they can speak the language of colors!

The “First Color Box” is a great tool for your child to learn how to isolate red, yellow and blue. Find out how this simple activity assists with their rapidly-expanding visual and cognitive skills. by Jeanne Marie Paynel: Voila Montessori

Mindbending Brainteasers for Kids Mindbending Brainteasers for Kids Here are some brain teasing puzzles to bend your mind and challenge your brain cells. Try to figure them out on your own and have a fun sharing them with your friends. Reveal the answers for some Aha moments that will leave people begging for more. A boy was rushed to the hospital emergency room. The Emergency Room doctor in charge saw the boy and said, "I cannot operate on this boy. He is my son." But the doctor was not the boy's father. How could that be? The doctor was his mom An electric train is going 40 kms per hour north, the wind is blowing 60 kms per hour south. Which way is the train's smoke blowing? It isn't blowing smoke because electric trains don't blow smoke. There is a fire in a 12 story building. A man panics and jumps out of the window. How does he survive? He jumped out of the first floor window. A woman walked all day long and only moved two feet. How is this possible? Human beings only have two feet to walk with. There are eight chairs around a table. There is a mom, grandpa, sister, brother, aunt, grandma, uncle, another sister, another mom, another brother, a dad, a father-in-law, a mother-in-law, another dad and one more uncle. They're all seated comfortably. How is this possible with only eight chairs? The mom, grandma and mother-in-law are all one person. The mom, aunt, sister are all one person. The brother and uncle are one person. The Dad, father-in-law and grandpa are one person. The sisters are one person. The brothers are one person. The uncles are one person. The dads are one person. Total amount of people is 8.

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Raising Kids Positively Raising Kids Positively is all about improving your relationship with your children, growing their emotional intelligence, and a balance of kind and firm discipline. Psychologist Carol Surya makes this easy with her new website www.raisingkidspositively.com and three easy-to-use routes: a childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s self-esteem game, a conscious parenting book and workshops. InnerMagic Perfect for todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s busy families, is a game to consciously spend more quality time together, without devices or distractions. Expertly designed for selfreflection, self-expression and empowerment, InnerMagic benefits include teaching emotional intelligence while also strengthening all areas of development as you play! Everyone loves it because it gets all players moving, thinking and speaking. Magically encouraging children to talk more easily, develop critical thinking and practice making healthy choices. Ideal for parents, grandparents and educators to play with 5 to 13 year olds.

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

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

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By Dr Shefali

Love = Good Parenting? It’s Time to Rethink the Equation I can still hear my grandmother’s voice in my ear, gentle and assuring, “You are so sweet and loving, you are going to make the best parent in the world.” My chest swelled with pride, as I gullibly believed her promise. I am loving, I will make the best parent. Love = good parenting. And then I became a parent. And there – in those early years – exhausted beyond belief from lack of sleep and self-care – that all those loving feelings that I thought I had ample of, flew out the window.

Left behind, was the most un-motherly mother possible! I was angry, irritable and dare I say, resentful of the fact that I had to take care of a being that – on most days – I had no idea how to and no one was going to a) rescue me….ever b) there was no huge bonus salary at the end of the year and c) I wasn’t going to be awarded by her or my spouse that Parent of the Year award, because it seemed as if these endless hours of giving and more giving…was just something I was “supposed” to do.

It then dawned on me, “This love thing doesn’t last in times of exhaustion or cluelessness! I can have all the love in the world for my child, but it doesn’t keep me calm, loving or present. In fact, the more I believe I love my child, the more I want to scream at it when it doesn’t abide by my wishes.” And then the sober truth surfaced: All this love for my child, my spouse, everyone really, was all about me. ME, ME, ME. How they made ME feel. If they made ME feel good, competent and worthy, then I was fully in love. The moment they did not follow my commands and fill my needs I was resentful, childish, needy and of course, judgmental and controlling. So then what was the missing ingredient? I wondered. I thought love was the be-all and end-all.

Consciousness! That’s what it was. What does this mean exactly? •

The ability to be conscious of how my love was conditional – ouch, this awareness really hurts! After all, who wants to admit that they love someone because of how the other person makes them feel and has little do with how they feel about the other? We see this with our spouses and our children especially. On the days that they listen and follow our fantasy of them, we are our most gentle and patient. The moment they stray from our expectations and fantasies of them, everything comes crashing down. We manipulate, threaten and control — especially our children, who society says we have every right to. This is where our love becomes toxic.

•

The ability to be conscious of how – when threatened – other feelings rival that of love, and in many cases, devour love completely – most significantly, the rival emotion of fear. When we feel like our “love” is going unappreciated, or is not making the difference we thought it would make in the other person’s life, then we enter a state of helplessness and loss of control. This triggers a primal state of fear within us – a fear of our inadequacy and lack of agency. Once this fear is triggered, we can do only one of two things: avoid it by seeking refuge in unhealthy objects (booze, food, gossip, negative relationships) or control it through a raging temper tantrum. In these moments we realize that our love is threadbare and can be easily overtaken by other feelings triggered by fear.

•

The ability to be conscious that we need to develop an awareness that transcends emotions – this is a tricky one isn’t it? We have been told that our emotions lead us to our truth. I don’t believe this. I believe that our emotions lead us to blindly react to events and situations, which then take us further and further away from our truth. Instead, our feelings, and the pure and simple feeling of our feelings – something very few of us can really do – take us to our truth. Feeling our feelings does not mean complaining about them, venting them to others or wallowing in them. It means being aware that they emerge from a false self and are not our true self. Our true self is pure awareness. This realization leads us to develop a transcendent awareness that is higher and greater than our feelings – it is a state of presence that is able to stay constant no matter what we are feeling. It is a witnessing state of observance that allows the feelings to be felt in their pure form without the need to project or control these feelings in some way. This requires discipline and practice. This is what it means to be conscious — and when we are conscious, we are automatically loving, in fact, the most loving we can be, because we own our feelings and take care of themselves by ourselves, without needing the other to soothe them for us.

It is only when we are able to understand that love without consciousness is just another emotion, that we will desire to grow into a higher awareness. If we simply cling to the emotion of love for the sake of its name and idea, we will be lost in its capriciousness and prey to its conditions. When we rise to a state of awareness of our love – just as we do of our other emotions – then we are able to love ourselves and the other as they are – without expecting them to change or love us back in exactly the way we need them to. Our love for them no longer becomes about us. We are out of the equation. Now, we either choose to love the other person for who it is they are, or we don’t.

Now, love is about them – as they are …but of course, it is so about our ability to choose consciously.

So ultimately, our ability to love another, comes from our ability to be conscious of how we need to unconditionally love ourselves first. When we are able to meet our own needs, we are then able to love another fully and wholly.

When we love from a place of need, the love for the other is really about need, dependency and control. Examine your love for others from this lens. You may be surprised about its shallowness and conditionality. Don’t be disheartened. This is perhaps the path to a greater love: one that is tempered with consciousness.

Love with consciousness? Ah, now we are talking about true love. Dr Shefali can be contacted for Skype and phone sessions.

Positive Discipline

Setting Firm And Kind Limits To complement the Montessori method of self-discipline, Voila Montessori also uses the Positive Discipline method to encourage parents and caregivers to use a firm and kind approach, with the understanding that children need to be connected to be successful in learning social skills. The Positive Discipline Parenting and Classroom Management models are aimed at developing mutually respectful relationships. Positive Discipline teaches adults to employ kindness and firmness at the same time and is neither punitive nor permissive. The tools and concepts of Positive Discipline include: • • • • • •

Mutual respect: Adults model firmness by respecting themselves and the needs of the situation, and kindness by respecting the needs of the child. Identifying the belief behind the behavior: Effective discipline recognizes the reasons kids do what they do and works to change those beliefs, rather than merely attempting to change behavior. Effective communication and problem-solving skills Discipline that teaches which is neither permissive nor punitive Focusing on solutions instead of punishment Encouragement, instead of praise: Encouragement notices effort and improvement, not just success, and builds long-term self-esteem and empowerment. by Jeanne Marie Paynel: Voila Montessori

Letter From Your Baby Dear caregiver, I know you have the best intentions. When you take me to the park and “walk” me by the arms, sit me on the teeter-totter, or send me down the slide, you’re doing it because you want me to have fun. But here’s the thing: I am a baby. I am driven by developmental urges you can’t see. The things I want to do may seem slow and boring to you, but they are exciting and challenging to me. When you push me to do what you think is fun, you rob me of the opportunity to do what I know is necessary. Believe me, when I’m ready to walk, I will (and you won’t be able to stop me!). When I’m ready to sit on the teeter-totter, I will (and I won’t want to get off!). When I’m ready to go down the slide, I will (over and over and over again!). But right now, I want to crawl. Or stand. Or chew on a stick. As my friend Maria Montessori wrote:

“The most important [principle] is to respect all the reasonable forms of activity in which the child engages and try to understand them.” So, please respect me by backing off. Enjoy your latte. Bask in the sunshine. And let me do what I was born to do: become … myself.

With love,

Your Baby

How Hugs Heal Have You Had a Hug Today?

By Dr. Mercola

From the time you were born until the day you die, touch is an important part of your emotional and physical health. Infants deprived of touch grow up with developmental and cognitive delays, attachment disorders and higher risk of serious infections. On the other hand, premature infants who are held skin-to-skin exhibit better cognitive skills, are more resilient to stress and have more organized sleep patterns, even 10 years later. These early touch-based interventions demonstrate the need for touch in psychological regulation. The benefits of touch don’t diminish with age. The late Virginia Satir, psychotherapist and generally acknowledged as a pioneer in family therapy, spoke about the importance of touch and hugs as it relates to a person’s emotional health, saying:

“We need [four] hugs a day for survival. We need [eight] hugs a day for maintenance. We need 12 hugs a day for growth.”

The 10 things you need to have in your car Whether you’re driving a brand-new vehicle or a previously loved car with plenty of mileage, there are certain items that you should always have in your vehicle in case of an emergency. Here is a checklist of the top ten. Phone charger Keep a spare charger in your car for those moments when your phone’s battery is critically low and you need to call for emergency help.

Torch You can use the torch app on your phone but it will drain your battery, so keep a torch with spare batteries. It’s important if you’re stuck at night or need to look inside the bonnet or under the car.

Jumper cables Batteries can go flat, so keep jumper cables in your boot and make sure you know how to use them. You will, however, need to ask a Good Samaritan to help you start your car! Spare wheel If you have a puncture you’ll have to change your tyre, so it’s crucial that your spare is in good condition. Also check that you have a wrench and jack, and that you know how to change a tyre.

Tyre sealant In case you don’t know how to change your tyre or you need a quick solution, have an aerosol sealant so that you can temporarily plug the leak and get to the closest petrol station.

Owner’s manual Keep this in your cubbyhole as it has very useful information about how your car operates. It could help you identify and fix the problem to get you back on the road.

Reflective triangles By law you need to have a double-sided red reflective triangle in your vehicle. If you’ve broken down on the side of a public road, use it to warn other motorists.

First aid kit Having a basic kit in your car could save someone’s life. Check it regularly to ensure nothing has expired and replenish items after you’ve used them.

Tow rope If you’ve broken down and you need to be towed to the closest petrol station, a tow rope is an essential item to have.

Map You might have a GPS in your vehicle, but technology can sometimes let you down or you may be out of signal, so have a map book just in case you get lost. Article by Indwe Risk Services - Information sources: Santam, MiWay and Wheels24.

Your immune system – can you really reinforce it?

By Judy Beyers for Flora Force

In general, your immune system does a great job of defending you against disease-causing microorganisms. But sometimes it fails – a germ penetrates successfully and makes you sick. How do you build up your immune system? Or can’t you? Here’s the lowdown from the lab. What can you do to improve your immune system? The immune system is complex. It’s not a single entity. To function well, all its components must be in balance (much like your car’s engine). It’s so complex, in fact, that researchers have yet to understand its complete workings and how they’re affected by lifestyle. So the news from the lab is – further studies are needed. Don’t lose heart, say the scientists at Harvard Medical School. Lifestyle choices definitely impact on the immune system – those busy men in the lab are simply trying to discover how. ‘In the meantime, general healthy-living strategies are a good way to start giving your immune system the upper hand,’ the report advises. So, Dear Immune System, how can I help?

Type ‘Boost your immune system’ in the subject line of any search engine and you’ll be tripping over the information, from the wild to the useful. Some of it was compiled here at Flora Force, based on sound medical research. Immune system health is a topic we’re passionate about, naturally! We’ve extracted some of the very best advice to help you do the best for yours.

Choose a healthy lifestyle Every part of your body, including your immune system, works better if you: • • • • • • • • •

Don’t smoke. Eat lots of fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and less saturated fat. Exercise regularly. Maintain a healthy weight. Control your blood pressure. Drink alcohol in moderation. Get adequate sleep. Ward off infection by washing your hands regularly, cooking foods properly. Get regular medical screening tests for people in your age group and risk category.

Talking diet Like any fighting force, the immune system army marches on its stomach. Bad diet equals poor combat skills. There is some evidence that people whose diets lack micronutrients such as zinc, selenium, iron, copper, folic acid, and vitamins A, B6, C and E, have ‘altered’ immune responses. Research is ongoing…

So, until the facts are conclusive, what can you do? If you prefer white bread to wholegrain and you’re not a fan of veggies or fruit, your diet probably isn’t providing you with all your micronutrient needs. Please follow our simple dietary advice, and take a daily multivitamin and mineral supplement to keep yourself fighting fit. (And please choose fresh above fast foods!)

Herbs and other supplements The number of ‘immune boosters’ on shop shelves is overwhelming. Which can you trust? Demonstrating whether a herb, or any substance for that matter, can enhance immunity is, as yet, ‘a highly complicated matter,’ the report states. It’s an issue that must be approached with gravity. And we do…

Tried-and-trusted Flora Force Echi-MuneTM is an unadulterated, whole-herb remedy that combines echinacea with other herbs to support your immune system and help you recover quickly after illness. You can get Echi-MuneTM online from our online partner Faithful to Nature.

Age and your immune system As you get older, your immune system becomes less able to fight infections and diseases. While the real reason for this is unknown, there is a school of thought that suggests the thymus produces fewer infection-fighting T cells as we age; another asserts that our bone marrow becomes less efficient at producing the stem cells that give rise to the cells of the immune system. Our diet changes as we age – we tend to eat a smaller variety of foods. So it’s not unlikely that we end up lacking important micronutrients and trace minerals that are obtained from or supplemented by diet. Supplementation may be beneficial as we age.

Tried-and-trusted Flora Force Echi-MuneTM is an unadulterated, wholeherb remedy that combines echinacea with other herbs to support your immune system and help you recover quickly after illness. You can get Echi-MuneTM online from our online partner Faithful to Nature.

We recommend healthy eating and supplementing with Flora Force Gotu Kola. This pick-me-up helps support immune function and also improves memory. Get it from our online partner Faithful To Nature.

What about stress? It’s now widely recognised that the mind and body are interconnected. According to Harvard’s medical researchers, ‘A wide variety of maladies, including stomach upset, hives and even heart disease are linked to the effects of emotional stress.’

It’s difficult to pinpoint the relationship between stress and the immune system. What exactly is stress? One person’s stressful situation is another’s spur forward. And how accurately do you interpret the amount of stress your body is actually experiencing? Scientists can only measure bodily reactions that may reflect stress, such as a raised pulse (although that could also reflect other factors). At Harvard, ‘chronic stress, such as that caused by relationships with family, friends, and coworkers, or sustained challenges to perform well at one’s work,’ is under the microscope. Scientists are working to establish the effects, if any, of ongoing stress on the immune system. We know that stress can affect sleep, and that too little sleep increases your chance of succumbing to sickness. Our advice? Try to get your stress levels under control.

Contact Alain Cell: 076-917 1424 56 Hurleyvale Road Edenvale, Gauteng, South Africa

info@growingpros.co.za www.growingpros.co.za

Conscious Life Magazine MAY-JUNE 2017

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Dr. Shefali Tsabary is a international speaker, clinical psychologist and acclaimed author of the award-winning book "The Conscious Parent". She blends eastern mindfulness with western psychology integrating wisdom from both traditions. Her first book, "The Conscious Parent", has been endorsed by Oprah as one of the most profound books on parenting she has ever read. This book revolutionizes the parenting journey and allows us to transform our relationship with our children.

Presents

The Wonderful World of Disney on Ice Disney On Ice will return to South Africa in 2017 for the sixth time with The Wonderful World of Disney On Ice!. With tickets now available, families will be able to celebrate magic, spirit, and fun as an extraordinary lineup of Disney stories come to life in Johannesburg, Cape Town and, for the very first time, Durban! Ticketpro Dome, Johannesburg . 30 June – 9 July Durban’s ICC Arena . 13 July – 16 July GrandWest, Cape Town . 19 July – 23 July

Presented by Feld Entertainment Inc and leading local promoter, Showtime Management The Wonderful World of Disney On Ice! opens on Friday, 30 June 2017 at the Ticketpro Dome, Johannesburg and runs until Sunday, 09 July 2017. The production then moves to Durban’s ICC Arena from Thursday, 13 July to Sunday, 16 July and then to GrandWest, Cape Town from Wednesday, 19 July to Sunday, 23 July 2017. Tickets are on sale at Computicket.

Join Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy as they walk down memory lane and reawaken Disney moments that span generations. Dive deep into the East Australian Current with your favorite school of fish from Disney Pixar's Finding Dory when Dory, Nemo and Marlin set off on an adventure to discover the true meaning of family. Travel to the wintry world of Arendelle with Anna and Elsa and the hilarious snowman Olaf from Disney’s Frozen as they learn how powerful a love between sisters can be. Reach for your dreams with Rapunzel, as her determination illuminates her inner strength. Experience the beauty of Walt Disney’s first animated feature film, as Snow White creates her own happily ever after with the help of seven, new friends. Buzz and Woody will have you jumping out of your seat in a foot-stomping hoedown; Simba, Timon and Pumbaa prowl the Pride Lands of Africa; Jasmine, Aladdin and Genie show how friendship is fearless; and your favorite Disney Princesses take to the ice to showcase the courage and determination that led them to achieve their dreams. For the past six years South African audiences have been thrilled by the excitement of the various Disney On Ice shows. “Each year, the show is a completely different production and, based on the audience appreciation, we believe Disney On Ice is fast becoming a regular annual event on the South African winter events calendar,” says Tony Feldman from Showtime Management. “We are pleased to extend the 2017 Disney On Ice SA tour to share the magic of Disney On Ice in Durban for the first time.” The production concludes with a captivating parade of classic and modern Disney characters, bringing the production to a final culmination of excitement and adventure. With an extraordinary lineup of hit songs, memorable scenes and timeless characters, The Wonderful World of Disney On Ice has a story for every generation.

The Wonderful World of Disney On Ice is a not-to-be-missed family winter school holiday outing. Book now at Computicket by calling 0861 915 8000, visit www.computicket.com or your nearest Computicket service centre. Patrons are asked to please note that owing to safety regulations each person, irrespective of age (including babes in arms and children under two years) must have a purchased ticket. To discover more about Disney On Ice, log on to www.disneyonice.co.za or visit us on Facebook and YouTube.

Blue Sky News is a kids friendly newsletter (A3 folded to A4 full colour) distributing (personally by each franchisee) on a monthly basis to over 300 schools into school bags, in the Gauteng area. We currently have franchises covering Midrand/Centurion/Fourways/Houghton/Sandton 40000 copies collectively. If you interested in becoming part of our team OR if parents/kids/families are your target market & you would be interested in advertising with us OR would like to distribute or subscribe to our newsletters then check out our website www.blueskynews.co.za and/or Facebook page Contact susette@blueskynews.co.za for more info, we would love to hear from you!

Potato Pancakes Potato Pancakes Baking potatoes, often called russet or Idaho potatoes, make the best potato pancakes. Potato pancakes are a perfect example of how a few simple ingredients can make a satisfying breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Serves 4 - 6.

Ingredients • • • • • • • • •

3 baking potatoes Peeled (about 4½ cups grated potatoes) 1 green onion thinly sliced 2 eggs beaten ¾tsp salt ¾cup whole wheat flour ¼tsp freshly ground black pepper 1tbsp vegetable oil Additional vegetable oil for cooking 1cup sour cream (optional)

Instructions Grate peeled potatoes directly into a bowl of water. Transfer the grated potatoes into a colander and press them to squeeze out as much liquid as possible. In a bowl, mix together the eggs, salt, pepper, and vegetable oil. Add the flour, whisking to combine. Add the potatoes and sliced green onion and mix well. Heat a skillet over high heat. Spread a small amount of oil evenly over the surface. Spoon about 2 tablespoons of the potato mixture to form each potato pancake. Flatten the pancakes with a spatula and cook until dark golden brown on both sides and cooked through. Serve immediately topped with applesauce and sour cream, if using.

Salsa Fresca

Ingredients • • • • • • • •

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

Instructions

In a bowl, gently stir together all the ingredients.

Berbere Spice Mix Berbere Spice Mix Berbere is a blend of spices used in Ethiopian cooking. If you don’t have whole spices, you can use ground ones. Ingredients

Instructions

• • • • • • •

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

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

EVERY HOME NEEDS A LOVING PET! THERE ARE SO MANY BEAUTIFUL ANIMALS WAITING TO BE ADOPTED â&#x20AC;&#x201C; PLEASE REACH OUT! WE ALSO ENCOCURAGE YOU TO REACH INTO YOUR HEARTS FOR THOSE WHO ARE LESS FORTUNATE AND REALLY NEED OUR HELP.

Fundraising evening in Aid of Logan Muller Public Âˇ Hosted by Micro Miracle Foundation

Details 4 July at 19:00â&#x20AC;&#x201C;22:00

Parkers comedy & jive Montecasino, Montecasino Blvd, 2196 Johannesburg, Gauteng R160.00 per person and it includes: LAUGHTER IS THE BEST MEDICINE!! Come and enjoy the night with the best comedians. Free glass of champagne! Awesome gifts to win with the raffle tickets. Auctions. SMOKING LOUNGE INSIDE! Tequila sold at the bar for only R15.00! Menu is available. Email me and I'll forward it to you. All profits will go to our beneficiary Logan Muller with Microcephaly.

We are an animal sanctuary and we do not kill unwanted animals. Our aim is to provide a happy and safe lifetime home environment to abandoned and neglected animals. The sanctuary started in 2009 without any intention by the founder to move in an animal care direction. This is Janaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s story: I love animals. It has befallen upon me to currently care-take 17 dog and 41 cat strays on a farm in the Brits area in the North West Province. The animals move freely in and around my residence. But here's the rub - as a single parent to this motley collection, I am burdened with the ever increasing cost of food, basic care, vet bills and land rent. Love and affection, of course, is the one thing with no charge This menagerie collection of canines and felines had its start in 2009. Whilst working at a polypropylene bag manufacturer, I watched a forklift loading pallet containers of these bags. Hiding among these pallets were feral cat families. The sound and fury of this activity sent terrified mothers running away leaving behind their bewildered offspring. It proved impossible to re-unite the abandoned kittens with their mothers. So, it befell upon me to take them home rearing them with baby cat milk. Locally the story of my animal concern spread and I soon became the repository of discarded or stray dogs and cats. Even the local vet passed on unwanted animals. It seems it is my destiny to care for these castaways. The often undernourished and neglected state of these animals is an indictment of sometimes human indifference to their inarticulate suffering. Anyway, I nursed them back to health, sterilizing and vaccinated as appropriate.

They are more than animals â&#x20AC;&#x201C; they are my family.

PLEASE HELP!! We accept any donation gladly. Please upcycle some of your gently used household items instead of tossing them in the trash. Newspapers, towels, blankets, sponge, scraps of fabric, wool, t-shirts, plastic bags. If you do not have any of the abovementioned please donate whatever you do not need anymore. Friendly4animals are busy with plans to start a thrift store and we are also busy with a project that design and create arts and crafts out of odds and ends to sell. Items that we cannot use will be donated to other welfare organisations.

Grace-rescue, rehab, rehome or retirement of abused, abandoned, ill/elderly animals. We believe in eradication through education CAN I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION PLEASE!!!! đ&#x;&#x161;Ť đ&#x;&#x161;Ť đ&#x;&#x161;Ť đ&#x;&#x161;Ť đ&#x;&#x161;Ť đ&#x;&#x161;Ť đ&#x;&#x161;Ť đ&#x;&#x161;Ť đ&#x;&#x161;Ť đ&#x;&#x161;Ť đ&#x;&#x161;Ť đ&#x;&#x161;Ť đ&#x;&#x161;Ť đ&#x;&#x161;Ť The Police are now saying if you see a dog locked in a car in hot weather, take a picture of the dog and the car. If someone is with you, get them to bring up the weather for your area on their phone so you can screen shot the temp, then break the car window. This way, you will not be charged with criminal damage and it gives the police photo evidence to take the dog owners to court.

CONTACT DETAILS Call Caron: 072 844 0250 Email: info.gracesanctuary@gmail.com

CONTACT DETAILS: Email: feralcarefriends@gmail.com www.feralcarefriends.org.za

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