BLUE HILLS EQUESTRIAN ESTATE | DECEMBER 2019

FEATUR ES 18 26 29

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EQUESTRIAN

living

IS S UE 6 | D E C E M BE R 2 0 1 9

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contents ISSUE 6 | DECEMBER

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L E T T E R F RO M T HE E S TAT E M AN AG E R

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I M PO RTAN T I N F O RM AT I O N & CO N TACT S

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T U RN YO U R G ARDE N I N T O A BI RD O AS I S

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PU T I T I N YO U R DI ARY GOLD PERSPEX NAMES

HE ALT HY, HAPPY HABI T S

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W HAT ’ S N E W

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W E L CO M E T O BAL I 2020’ S HO T T E S T DE S T I N AT I O N

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PL AN N I N G A M E M O RABL E S TAYCAT I O N

HEALTHY, HAPPY MATT BLACK PLATES

S E T T I N G T HE T O N E F O R A M E RRY CHRI S T M AS

BLACK LINEN NAPKINS

habits Disclaimer: This e-Magazine is produced especially for residents/owners of Blue Hills Equestrian Estate to

provide updates and useful information. It is produced

Merry Christmas

BLACK TAPERED CANDLES CONTACT LEE FOR HELP ON STYLING THIS LOOK LEE@STYLEDBYLEEDESIGNS.COM WWW.STYLEDBYLEEDESIGNS.COM 063 865 8323

by K-Studio on behalf of Blue Hills Equestrian Estate

HOA. Although every effort is taken to ensure accuracy

of content, Blue Hills Equestrian Estate HOA and/or the Publisher, cannot be held liable for any inaccurate information, and may not agree with all opinions

By

expressed in this publication.

ew things can have a more powerful impact on your life than improving your daily habits.”

– James Clear, Atomic Habits Follow Us On

@KSDigitalPublishing abit is a behaviour that has been repeated enough es to become automatic. A mental shortcut learned m experience, if@ksdigitalpublishing you will. As behavioural scientist on Hreha shares, “Habits are, simply, reliable utions to recurring problems in our environment.”

tasks so you spend less time and energy switching between different types of activities. For example, you could batch together in-depth thinking or creative 3 ISSU E 6 • 20 19 work; responding to messages and e-mails; meetings; personal projects and administrative tasks. Once you’ve

ESTATE NEWS BLUE H I L L S E q u e strian Estate

From The

Estate Manager’s Desk A warm hello to all our homeowners.

As construction continues in the Estate, homeowners are requested to ensure that contractors are aware of the Rules of the Estate. There has been an amendment to the It’s hard to believe that there’s only 4 weeks Contractor’s Agreement that will affect all left before we cheer in 2020! All the best to contractors operating in the Estate. The Board those still busy writing exams, we hope that all of Directors have agreed that any contractor your hard work over the course of the year will found to be regularly (more than once) pay off with great results! transgressing the rules of the Estate, will be denied access into the Estate for a twenty-four There has been a lot of activity around the (24) hour period. The Contractor’s Agreement Estate. A number of construction stands have has been updated accordingly in this regard. made significant progress with their buildings, Contractors are urged to contact the Estate so we are looking forward to seeing more Manager should any special conditions completed homes and residents moving into arise that require a special arrangement, any the Estate in the New Year. failure to do this timeously will be viewed as a deliberate transgression.

Our landscaping company has been hard at work revamping the landscaping on Mopani As you prepare for the holiday season, you Road. We hope that you have noticed this are encouraged to be vigilant and take the and like the changes made. The muchnecessary precautionary measures for your awaited rains have arrived, and our gardens home, well-being and your possessions. are loving it! We request that stands clean the Should you wish to entrust your home in roads in front of their stands regularly as there the care of a third-party during the holiday is lots of debris visible on the roads. period, we encourage you to vet the person(s) worthiness with great care.

The robots on the corner of R55 and Mopani road has been installed and is now We are happy to advise that we have a new fully operational. It has made a significant Security Manager onsite from Thompson’s difference with regards to joining traffic on the Security. Elias Mohale is well experienced R55. in security and is looking forward to the challenge of managing the security within our beautiful estate. I’d like to welcome Elias to the 2019 • I SSUE 6 4

ESTATE NEWS BLUE H I LLS E qu e st r i a n E st a t e

Blues Hills Equestrian family and hope that he will get the full support of the residents and all parties concerned.

Current Stats Stands Sold 118 Available Stands 14 Total Stands 132 Percentage sold 89%

Building Stats Completed Stands 26 Under Construction 32 General consideration by all residents for each other will greatly assist in achieving a happy community and a pleasant environment.

Harmonious community living is only achieved when residents can use and enjoy their private property as well as the public areas of the Estate while not negatively impacting fellow residents.

Please be vigilant at all times and report any suspicions to the Office or to Security.

The Board and I would like to wish everyone a very happy and safe festive season and all the best for 2020.

Warm regards

Rashni Andhee-Shah

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ESTATE NEWS BLUE H I L L S E q u e strian Estate

IMPORTANT INFORMATION & CONTACTS

BLUE HILLS EQUESTRIAN ESTATE MANAGEMENT BODY

THE BOARD IS MADE UP OF: • • • • • • •

Andile Mtetwa Heather Bowes Jessica Hofmeyr John Frayne Nick Crow Obakeng Mathibe Ugesparan Govender

The Blue Hills Equestrian Estate management body has been developed to ensure that should you have a query or wish to address anything on the Estate, we have a team of individuals you can refer your concerns to. This Committee goes beyond our THE COMMITTEE IS SUPPORTED BY monthly Directors’ Meetings, and is instead aimed TRAFALGAR WHO ARE REPRESENTED BY: at ensuring that the running of this Estate is handled • Michael Schaefer / Director of Trafalgar with all due care.

• Shahiem Carr / Director of Trafalgar • Brendan Beech / Estate Portfolio Manager • Rashni Andhee-Shah / Estate Manager • Head office support Birdhaven

ESTATE MANAGER Rashni Andhee-Shah 010 109 0935 SALES MANAGER Musi Motsuenyane 082 806 1735 / musi@century.co.za SECURITY SITE MANAGER 076 771 9082/ 061 704 0111 Bluehills@thompsec.co.za EMERGENCY Eskom 086 0037 566 JHB Water 0860 562 874 Police 10111 Ambulance 10177 SPCA 011 265 9935 SNAKE CATCHER Mike 083 448 8854

2019 • I SSUE 6 6

BOOST YOUR BUSINESS & REACH YOUR TARGET

ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS IN OUR NEXT ISSUE e tobia@k-studio.co.za

ESTATE NEWS BLUE H I LLS E qu e st r i a n E st a t e

7 ISSU E 6 • 20 19

ESTATE NEWS BLUE H I L L S E q u e strian Estate

TURN YOUR GARDEN

into a bird oasis

Roughly 850 different bird species have been spotted across SA, and the great news is that we can attract a variety of these to our Estate and our gardens by giving them what they want: food, shelter and nesting sites.

Plant appetising shrubs and trees To encourage visits by diverse species, plant plants, shrubs and trees that offer natural food to diverse pallets like nectar-drinking, seed- and fruiteating birds.

Nectar: aloes, watsonias, lion’s ear, red-hot pokers, wachendorfia etc.

Seed: grasses, daisies etc.

Fruit: tree fuchsia, dune crow-berry Plant shrubs and trees for shelter and nesting Established indeginous trees like the acacia is a favourite among many birds seeking shelter or 2019 • I SSUE 6 8

a place to nest. While nesting boxes are a great attraction, it is far more rewarding to provide birds with natural nesting material to build their own.

Planting various types of grasses and shrubs in your garden not only make great nesting material but also offer additional shelter from the sun or cold.

Add a few bird feeders Bird feeders make your garden extra alluring.

Please do not put out old bread and cheap multiseed feed our birds need quality food. Make sure the bird feeders are positioned near cover and remember to sterilise bird feeders regularly to prevent any diseases being spread.

Install a bird bath A bird bath is the final piece to the puzzle. Install one in quiet area in your garden. Seed-eating birds need access to clean, fresh water and most birds enjoy a daily or weekly bath. To prevent a bird bath from becoming a breeding ground for mosquitoes,

GARDENING BLUE H I LLS E qu e st r i a n E st a t e

you have to replace water every few days and wash the bird bath every week.

Birds are nature’s own little “landscapers”. They pollinate plants, control bugs and reduce weeds by eating the seeds before they sprout.

They are a must for every garden. Make yours more inviting to them with the above tips and enjoy the show!

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ESTATE NEWS BLUE H I L L S E q u e strian Estate

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ESTATE NEWS BLUE H I LLS E qu e st r i a n E st a t e

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BOOK YOUR STAY +27 10 442 5800 | cro@aha.co.za | www.aha.co.za 11 ISSUA MEMBER E 6 • OF2019

HOTELS & LODGES

WHAT’S NEW BLUE H I L L S E q u e strian Estate

SETTING THE TONE FOR A Merry Christmas As we head closer to the most anticipated holiday of the year, it’s time to think about the year’s most important meal, and naturally,setting a memorable festive table to complement it.

Traditional Christmas decorations and table settings always make a festive impact. However, if you are looking to bring something new to the Christmas table, try some of these trends.

Colours

Metallics, whites, reds and greens are still very much the Christmas go-to colours, but we are excited about the addition of blue and black. Use as a complementary colour or opt to make one of these your centre-stage colour.

• Blue - From midnight blues to aquamarine, blue is invited to this year’s feast either subtly (in crockery or crackers) or in all its glory as the base colour to your summer Christmas table.

• Black - We love how black is making a statement this year. As a gun-metal to add some depth to a silvery-white palette or as the star of the show. Black tables and chairs, black underplates, plates and candle holders. It feels as if this colour should have been here all along.

Trending style: Cool Natural

Decor • Patterns: Dots (polka dots) and lines (herringbone) are clear Christmas favourites this year. Choose dotty runners, baubles with interesting embossed lines or napkins that combine the two.

• Figurines: The sparkly deer will be featuring on Christmas tables across the world. Invite it to your table to bring a bit of that American “white Christmas” charm to sunny SA. Lights: Christmas isn’t complete without lights (i.e. fairy lights). Add even more lights this year in a warm golden glow. Lighting overhead or near the Christmas table will add extra warmth.

2019 • I SSUE 6 1 2

The hottest style trend this year is a “natural” Christmas. Irrespective of where you are your local surrounds offer multiple items that can be foraged into an inspired look. Shells, pebbles and driftwood from the beach, bark, feathers and grass from the surrounding veld or acorns, leaves and seeds from the forest.

Wherever you are, walk around and bring nature to the table. This is a look that can be complemented by modern and Scandinavian decor and enhanced further by other natural elements such as wooden platters, grass underplates, wreaths etc.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas

GARDENING

BLUE H I LLS E qu e st r i a n E st a t e

GOLD CANDLSTICKS

MATT BLACK PLATES

GOLD PERSPEX NAMES

BLACK LINEN NAPKINS

BLACK TAPERED CANDLES CONTACT LEE FOR HELP ON STYLING THIS LOOK LEE@STYLEDBYLEEDESIGNS.COM WWW.STYLEDBYLEEDESIGNS.COM 063 865 8323

vintage blue glasses

navy napkins

silver candlesticks

Merry Christmas silver napkin rings

blue votives

silver underplates CONTACT LEE FOR HELP ON STYLING THIS LOOK ISSU L E E @ S T Y L E D B Y L E E13 DES I G N SE. C 6 O M• WWW.STYLEDBYLEEDESIGNS.COM 063 865 8323

2019

ESTATE NEWS BLUE H I L L S E q u e strian Estate

wood name tags

eucalyptus

LEE@STYLEDBYLEEDESIGNS.COM WWW.STYLEDBYLEEDESIGNS.COM 063 865 8323

2019 • I SSUE 6 1 4

white napkins

white pinecones

amber glassware

white candle holder

Merry Christmas

ESTATE NEWS BLUE H I LLS E qu e st r i a n E st a t e

15 ISSU E 6 • 2019

FOOD & EVENTS BLUE H I L L S E q u e strian Estate

PUT IT IN YOUR

DIARY Thursday 5 December The Irene Good Mood 14 December 2019, The Goldfish Outdoor Christmas Market Experience Montecasino will play host to the 6th The Irene Good Mood Christmas Market is HAPPENING and will take place on Thursday, 05 December from 17:00 - 22:00! Join us for our 10th night market, the Christmas edition, & indulge in delectable food and thirst-quenching drinks, arts and crafts, niche gift stalls, a gift wrapping station AND enjoy live entertainment. The Good Mood Christmas Market offers a place for you to spend quality time with family and friends whilst enjoying a relaxed and vibrant atmosphere, that will get you in the Festive spirit!

Goldfish Outdoor Experience that’s happened in Johannesburg and we cannot wait to feel the electrifying energy. A new venue means a new fresh look and feel with out of this world stage design, beautiful décor and pyro to wow the crowds. You can expect a full day out with food from over 20 of Joburgs best street food vendors, a full bar and a kiddies area where you can drop your little ones off.

A massive lineup that includes South Africas best bands and DJs includes December Streets, Easy Freak, Kyle Cassim, Ricardo Da Costa, MS Cosmo, Roger Goode and a whole lot more.

1 - 31 December, Jakaranda Children’s Home , Liggiefees. In an effort to become more sustainable we

host successful fundraising events. Our biggest annual event is our Liggiefees (Light Festival). From 1 to 31 December 2019, for the 10th consecutive year, visitors will be able to experience a magical display of the most Sunday 01- 31 December 2019 Festival of beautiful Christmas lights Lights Joburg Zoo in association with the City of Johannesburg entities; Joburg Theatre, City Parks and City Power are excited to announce the annual Joburg Zoo Festival of Lights featuring an enchanting collection of illuminated life-size animal characters featuring classical, harmonious entertainment, food and craft market for visitors to the Joburg Zoo Open from 7 – 10pm daily in the evenings except on Mondays, patrons can enjoy a tranquil walk in the Zoo on a designated lit route away from the animals under trees decorated in enchanting lights.

Tickets are available at R60 for kids 3 – 12 and R120 for kids 12+ and adults, Kids under 3 free entrance.

2019 • I SSUE 6 1 6

17 ISSU E 6 • 2019

HEALTHY, HAPPY

habits By

“Few things can have a more powerful impact on your life than improving your daily habits.”

– James Clear, Atomic Habits A habit is a behaviour that has been repeated enough times to become automatic. A mental shortcut learned from experience, if you will. As behavioural scientist Jason Hreha shares, “Habits are, simply, reliable solutions to recurring problems in our environment.”

The ultimate purpose of habits is to solve the problems of life with as little energy and effort as possible.

Contrary to popular belief, positive daily habits don’t restrict freedom – they create it.

It’s important to remember that small changes can appear to make no difference… until you cross a critical threshold.

The most powerful outcomes of any compounding process are delayed, and it pays to be patient.

We’ve round up some tried-and-tested positive habits for improving the quality of your day and life…

DO ONE THING AT A TIME “To do two things at once is to do neither.”

- Publilius Syrus We tend to think that we can increase our productivity by doing several things at once. Yet research shows that multitasking damages our output and efficiency. Trying to do more than one thing at once not only slows us down, but causes us to make more mistakes. We feel busier, but we are actually doing less, and doing it less well.

Studies at the Human Information Processing Laboratory at Vanderbilt University have shown that people doing two tasks simultaneously took up to 30 % longer and made twice as many errors as those who completed the same tasks in sequence. These findings have been replicated time and again by other scientists.

MASTER THE ART OF SINGLETASKING Webb suggests that you can work fewer hours, and less hard during those hours, by batching your tasks 2019 • I SSUE 6 1 8 grouping together similar more effectively.

Practise

tasks so you spend less time and energy switching between different types of activities. For example, you could batch together in-depth thinking or creative work; responding to messages and e-mails; meetings; personal projects and administrative tasks. Once you’ve batched your tasks, identify uninterrupted blocks of time for each. Turn off alerts to remove distractions, and take brief breaks to refresh your mind between the different task zones.

VISUALISE THE BEST POSSIBLE OUTCOME “Visualisation is daydreaming with a purpose.”

- Bo Bennett Research shows that everyone from surgeons and business executives to musicians and athletes can successfully use visualisation to focus and improve their performance. Scientists believe that we may experience real-world and imaginary actions in similar ways. Whether we hike up a mountain or only picture it, we activate many of the same neural networks paths of interconnected nerve cells that link what your body does to the brain impulses that control it.

Take a moment to visualise the most important part of your day going exactly as you hope. How will it look and feel? How will you look and feel?

MEDITATE “When you know that everything that is happening is only appearing on the screen of consciousness, and that you yourself are the screen on which it all appears, nothing can touch you, harm you or make you afraid.” – Annamalai Swami In addition to injecting spontaneous moments of mindfulness into your daily life, try a formal meditation practice to help foster a more direct experience of your own mind.

Meditation can be seen as a form of mental springcleaning. It rests and relaxes the mind, develops powers

of concentration and awareness, helps us deal with daily challenges with greater equanimity, and helps us to move through life more effectively and efficiently.

Meditation is fundamentally about attention. The meditator identifies what to watch, then observes it steadily throughout the meditation session. Anything can be the object of this watching. The sights, sounds and smells of the environment, the body, the breath and thoughts themselves are all popular ‘anchors of attention’.

There are countless different forms of meditation. Have fun exploring which resonates most with you.

MEDITATION TO BECOME CONSCIOUS OF THE MIND 1. Sit comfortably with your back upright, close your eyes and turn your attention to your thoughts. Don’t try to think of anything in particular. Just watch what arises.

2. Don’t attach to any of these thoughts – whether pleasant or unpleasant. Don’t interfere with or judge them. Simply watch them come and go, as you would a river flowing under a bridge.

3. Continue the meditation for five minutes, or longer if you wish.

BREATHE “Breath is the bridge which connects life to consciousness, which unites your body to your thoughts.” – Thich Nhat Hanh As highlighted by popular breathwork teacher Dan Brulé, breathing is the only system in the body that is both automatic and also under our control. It is “an invitation, an opportunity to take part in our own nature and evolution.”

There are details in the way you breathe that you have probably never observed and explored, and these can act as doorways that lead you to new and profound abilities. “Mastering the breath is a major skill if you want to become a high performing individual and enhance every aspect of your life,” shares Brulé.

According to medical doctor and Breathe (Jacana, 2018) author Dr. Ela Manga, OPTIMUM BREATHING is: OPEN AND FLOWING If you watch a sleeping baby, you will see how her breaths occur in a smooth and gentle rhythm, and are accompanied by a rise and fall of her belly.

ADAPTABLE Ideally, the breath adapts to our emotional state and environment in a way that supports our energy instead of depleting it. In times of high demand such as exercise, the breath deepens and the rate intensifies to meet the metabolic demands of the experience. Once the situation has been dealt with, the body should return to its resting state and the breathing should respond by softening and opening up to a natural gentle flow. Then the body’s selfregulating mechanisms remain intact and untainted by poor posture, stress, emotional baggage and negative thinking.

RIGHT UNDER THE NOSE The nose has the perfect architecture to facilitate the delivery of prepared air to the delicate tissue of the lungs. Its aerodynamic design spirals and slows down the inhaled air so that it has enough time to be filtered, warmed and humidified by the mucous membrane in the respiratory tract. Habitual and unconscious mouth breathing at rest is a dysfunctional pattern as this whole mechanism of nasal breathing is bypassed and one becomes susceptible to respiratory infections.

LOW AND SLOW A maximum healthy respiratory rate is between 10 and 14 breaths per minute at rest. Work on a breathing technique where you are consciously slowing your breath, imagining that you are breathing from and sending the breaths deep into the pelvis. Consciously training low and slow breathing will reset your breathing to a naturally slow rhythm.

CONSCIOUS BREATHING EXERCISE þ Sit comfortably, close your eyes and gently place your hands on your belly. þ Breathe in for a count of five seconds, and out for a count of five seconds. Spend some time settling into this rhythm, making it as smooth and steady as possible.

Inhale, 2, 3, 4, 5 Exhale, 2, 3, 4, 5 Inhale, 2, 3, 4, 5 Exhale, 2, 3, 4, 5 þ Repeat for five minutes, and observe how your body and mind feel when you gently open your eyes.

MOVE “True enjoyment comes from activity of the mind and exercise of the body; the two are ever united.” – Wilhelm Von Humboldt We were made to move. Many researches believe that humans, for most of our history, walked almost 25 km a day – hunting, gathering and escaping predators.

What happens when you take humans designed for almost constant movement and sit them in a chair in front of a computer for nine hours each day? Chronic pain, obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, depression, anxiety, insomnia and more.

Even moderate exercise - 30 minutes three times weekly - has tremendous health benefit. Research at Bristol University has shown exercise to boost people’s mood and motivation by 41 % and their ability to deal with stress by 27 %. It increases blood flow to the brain, and stimulates the release of the neurotransmitters dopamine, noradrenaline and serotonin, which serve to boost our interest, alertness and enjoyment.

AEROBIC EXERCISE This is movement that increases your heart rate and breathing. The word ‘aerobic’ means ‘with oxygen’, and during sustained aerobic exercise your body is able to increase its oxygen consumption to supply oxygen to 19 ISSU E 6 • 2019 the muscle cells.

Try some aerobic exercise: • Aerobics classes • Cycling • Cardio machines • Dancing • Jogging • Rowing • Swimming • Hiking Enjoy the benefits: • Reduced risk of heart disease, stroke, vascular disease and cancer • Elevated mood • Enhanced libido and sexual ability • Better sleep • More effective weight loss • Improvement in respiratory conditions STRENGTH TRAINING Strength building happens when you use your muscles to do a task that increases your strength over time. It’s particularly important as we age, as we progressively lose muscle mass and strength as the years tick on.

Try some strength training: • Squats • Sit-ups • Push-ups • Rope climbing • Weights • Super circuit Enjoy the benefits: • Increased metabolic rate • Enhanced sports performance • Development of core musculature • Improved bone density FLEXIBILITY AND BALANCE TRAINING This type of movement is vital to being and staying youthful, as both flexibility and balance tend to deteriorate with age.

Try some flexibility and strength training: • Yoga • Tai chi • Qigong • Dance Enjoy the benefits: • Improved performance in other athletic endeavours • Prevention of injury • Alleviation of chronic pain An ideal exercise plan includes some activity from each category, for example cycling, weight lifting and yoga.

EAT CLEAN The nutritional field is varied and vast, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach. We explore a few of the many different ways to clean up your diet elsewhere in this edition. For the purposes of our daily habits overview, here are a few foundational principles that • I SSUE 6 20 can serve2019 us all well…

BASIC CLEAN EATING GUIDELINES EAT þ Foods grown or raised without pesticides, hormones or antibiotics wherever possible. þ Nonorganic dairy and meat. þ Organic produce whenever possible, avoiding the nonorganic produce with the highest pesticide content. þ Five to ten servings of fruit and veg daily, with an emphasis on green, red and orange vegetables. Go crazy with the leafy greens! þ Protein with every meal.

AVOID ý Fast food restaurants, deep-fried foods, sweets and soft drinks ý Hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils (often found in margarine, crackers, crisps, packaged baked goods and bagged and boxed snacks) ý High-fructose corn syrup (present in most soft drinks and packaged desserts) ý Sweeteners such as saccharin, aspartame and sucralose ý Cane sugar ý White flour ý Processed foods, including commercially prepared and packaged foods with artificial flavours, colouring, preservatives, and salt and sugar

SA’s leading health retailer, Wellness Warehouse offers everything you need to live life well under one roof. Visit one of their 28 stores nationwide or shop online to stock up on quality health supplements, organic and natural beauty products, real foods, eco home products and natural baby care, all offered with personal service and a 360° approach to health.

www.wellnesswarehouse.com

ESTATE NEWS BLUE H I LLS E qu e st r i a n E st a t e

SOUTH DOWNS JUST GOT A WHOLE LOT HEALTHIER SA’s leading health retailer, Wellness Warehouse has just opened doors in South Downs.

The latest in 30 stores nationwide, Wellness Warehouse South Downs offers everything you need to live life well under one roof. Visit the exciting new outlet for anything from quality health supplements and organic and real foods to natural beauty products, eco home solutions and natural baby care - all offered with personalised service and a characteristic 360° approach to health.

Visit www.wellnesswarehouse.com for more information or to shop online.

EXCLUSIVE OPENING OFFER Present this voucher to GET R100 OFF when you spend R500 at Wellness Warehouse South Downs.

T’s & C’s: Offer available at Ballito Junction store only. Expires 29 February 2020.

HEALTH

FOOD

BEAUTY 21 ISSU E 6 • 2019

WHAT’S NEW BLUE H I L L S E q u e strian Estate

What’s new?

Rainwater Harvester

An innovative water storage solution: The Rainwater Harvester The rain season has officially kickedoff in Gauteng and we’ve been blessed with a number of great showers.

Unfortunately, this doesn’t mean that we should stop using water sparingly. All the usual water-saving tips and tactics apply.

has been drained from it, it can simply be Catching rainwater is still one of the most folded up and stowed away for a rainy effective and eco-friendly ways to water day (literally). gardens and fill up swimming pools.

While there are multiple water storage The Rainwater Harvester comes with tanks available on the market, most of all the attachments and fittings needed these are rather large, permanent and and its outflow nozzle connects easily to not that easy on the eyes. Until now... a hose or pump. The pillow can also be The Rainwater Harvester from Power Plastics is a revolutionary water storage harvester capable of capturing between 500 and 4000 litres. The Rainwater Harvester is made from a 600gsm PVC material that has been UV treated to allow for a lifespan of at least 5 years with no degradation of the material.From 1m x 2m in size, this pillow takes up little space when filled, and once the water 2019 • I SSUE 6 2 2

used to store borehole and grey water.

It has been calculated that one millimetre of rain on one square metre of roof yields one litre of water. In one wet season, this is a vast amount of water from an entirely natural and free resource!

The Harvester is simple to install and is supplied with clear instructions on how to assemble and attach the bag.

ESTATE NEWS BLUE H I LLS E qu e st r i a n E st a t e

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ESTATE NEWS BLUE H I L L S E q u e strian Estate

2019 • I SSUE 6 2 4

25 ISSU E 6 • 2019

TRAVEL

Welcome to Bali 2020’s hottest destination

BLUE H I L L S E q u e strian Estate

Every year, more South Africans fall in love with the sights, scents and flavours of Bali. The Island of the Gods offers luxury beachfront villas that won’t break the bank, incredible beaches and world-class surfing, but also ancient temples, artistic retreats and a spiritual sense of place.

Set foot on its shores and you will feel immediately at harmony with your surrounds. Bali is a perfect destination for self-reflection and tranquillity. When you’re done with getting your om on during a beachfront yoga practice, learn how to surf, go on a hike or simply relax at your resort pool or spa.

Whether you’re exploring the temples of Ubud and its surrounding rice fields or simply lazing on the beaches of exclusive Nusa Dua, laid-back Kuta or trendy Seminyak, there’s a slice of Bali for everyone.

Great for: • • • •

Family holidays Romantic getaways and honeymoons Spiritual and cultural journeys Beach adventures

Why we love Bali?

• • • • • • •

Affordable No visa required for South Africans Family-friendly Variety of resorts An Instagram paradise Welcoming people An adventure playground 2019 • I SSUE 6 2 6

TRAVEL BLUE H I LLS E qu e st r i a n E st a t e

Shop From inexpensive trinkets at Kuta Art Market to highend clothes and jewellery in Seminyak, Bali offers a great range of shopping options. Monkey Forest Road in Ubud boasts everything from boutique handicraft stalls to upmarket fashion outlets. Hire a car to visit the craftsmen villages in nearby Tegalalang and Batubulan. If you need a shipping container to get all your shopping home, this service is offered at many places in Bali!

Bali bucket list: Watch a traditional Balinese dance show Practise yoga on the beach Learn to surf Take a picture on a swing Seek inner peace at a temple Get pampered at a Balinese spa Climb up Mount Batur See the Tegalalang Rice Terraces at sunset Tuck into some street eats Stay

Want to discover Bali for yourself?

Bali contains a diverse range of places to stay.

From cheap ‘losmen’ bungalows and guesthouses to luxurious 5-star resorts, Bali accommodation offers Visit www.flightcentre.co.za for a wide range of packages and experiences. something for absolutely everyone.

If you’re backpacking your way around the island, then Kuta is an obvious first port of call, while nearby beach towns such as Seminyak and Nusa Dua offer more exclusivity. If you’re after a more culturally enlightening experience, head for the highlands around Ubud.

Eat Bali is a very multicultural dining destination, which means there’s plenty of dining options. Try seafood in Jimbaran, enjoy the beachside bars at Seminyak, or live lightly on health foods in Ubud. Street food in Bali is common and often includes the popular satay dish ‘Sate Lilit’ – a grilled dish of minced seafood served on a lemongrass stick. It’s also a great place to eat pork dishes such as ‘Babi Guling’ – a ceremonial dish of roast suckling pig served with rice.

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TRAVEL BLUE H I L L S E q u e strian Estate

Eat. Pray. Save.

DISCOVER BALI FOR LESS

EXPERIENCE THE BEST OF BALI WITH FLIGHT CENTRE From romantic retreats and quiet escapes to fun-filled family adventure our Travel Experts can find the perfect package at the perfect price.

BOOK A GREAT VALUE BALI PACKAGE TODAY

FEB – MAR TRAVEL

Kuta

Airfare + 7 nights from

11150

R

FEB – MAR TRAVEL

Tanjung Benoa

Airfare + 7 nights 4½-star

*

Stay at the Dewi Sri Hotel with breakfast daily.

Ex Dur from R12380 *, ex Cpt from R12050 *.

from

16050

R

*

Stay at the Grand Mirage Resort & Thalasso Spa with breakfast daily.

20-25% DISCOUNT AT SELECTED RESTAURANTS

Valid for travel on selected dates between 1 Feb – 14 Mar ‘20. Subject to availability

Ex Dur from R17290 *, ex Cpt from R16950 *.

Valid for travel on selected dates between 1 Feb – 14 Mar ‘20

0877 40 51 95 flightcentre.co.za

2019 • I SSUE 6 2 8

*Package & hotel prices are per person, based on double occupancy for total length of stay unless otherwise stated. Prices are subject to availability for select departure dates and subject to fluctuations. Prices are correct at advertising deadline 19 Nov '19 and can change without prior notification. Errors and omissions can occur. Prices quoted are on sale for a limited period unless otherwise specified or sold out prior. Some prices are based on payment by cash in store only. Group rates may differ and are available on request. tRefer to flightcentre.co.za for more information on our Lowest Price Guarantee. All flights, where included, are per person return from Johannesburg / Durban / Cape Town in economy class unless otherwise specified. Resort Credit/Added Value inclusions may vary per resort and are per room. Various tours may be age specific, depending on supplier. All savings are already included in advertised price. Please refer to flightcentre.co.za for more details.

LIFESTYLE BLUE H I LLS E qu e st r i a n E st a t e

Planning a memorable

STAYCATION

Staying home during the holidays isn’t the drag it might have been several years ago. These days there is even a trending name for it, and it is benefiting families across the country by allowing for: • More quality family time - During the week it’s busy at work and at school, and over weekends various social activities often tend to rob us of quality family time too. A holiday away often adds insult to injury.

A Staycation is a great occasion to spend quality time with each other.

• Other kinds of spoils - Any way you look at it, a holiday is expensive. The money saved can be used on something that can benefit the family in the year ahead like that kitchen revamp, new car or a swimming pool. You also have extra money to splurge on Staycation luxuries.

• Pets to join - A Staycation let’s the furry family members that usually have to stay behind join in on the fun.

• Added comfort - While there are some comforts we can live without during a breakaway, others, like the ensuite bathroom and complete kitchen are probably the ones you will miss the most. With a Staycation you can get the best of both worlds.

• A boost in the local economy - A Staycation is a great investment into the local grocers, restaurants and retail outlets. Something every business in the country needs at the moment.

• Creative planning- A Staycation can be as wild as you want it to be. Get the kids involved and make a list of exciting activities to do at home or while out and about.

Ideas for a spectacular Staycation: Be a tourist in your own town When was the last time you visited the Voortrekker Monument or the National Zoo? Be a tourist in your own town and enjoy Pretoria’s rich history and iconic places like:

• • • •

Melrose House Moreleta Kloof & Rietvlei Nature Reserves Pretoria Botanical Gardens The Union Buildings

Fun activities Fun activities and outings to pass the day can be found at your nearest mall, a short drive to Johannesburg and Krugersdorp or simply in your own home.

Here are some ideas: • Acrobranch • Happy Island Waterpark • Gold Reef City • BOUNCE Inc. Trampoline Park • Movies • Ice Skating • A Spa Day • Reading • Puzzles You can even make a big thing for dinner every other night by playing Come Dine With Me with other fellow Staycationers.

Make a day of it In the mood for something a little further afield, here are some ideas: • Take the train to Cullinan • Take a game drive in Dinokeng • Brunch in Parys or Hartbeespoort Dam • Visit the Cradle of Humankind We live in one of the most beautiful estates in the country. Make the most of what the Estate has to offer!

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