Mum's Mail Pietermaritzburg and Midlands December 2018 / January 2019

mum’s m@il

Life’s Little Toolbox

PMB & Midlands • Dec 2018/Jan 2019

Issue 145

Wishing you a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Meet our cover star cutie Juan-Pierre aka JP!

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In this issue...

Everyday Life

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Read our Editor’s festive message, meet our handsome Cover Star, find silly season tips from a mom and hear wonderful feedback from our readers plus find out how you too can be in with a chance to WIN 10 x movie tickets and a Chateau Gateaux cake!

Healthy Life/Beautiful Life

8-11

Find info on SunSmart Skin Cancer Awareness Month, read about a natural weight loss programme and find handy nail care tips.

Kids’ Life

12-15

Read about the latest Ben 10 gadgets and toys (great Christmas gift ideas) and learn how to make a DIY Gingerbread Folk kit to give to someone special.

The Mum’s Mail Team

Editor: Victoria Arthur • editor@mumsmail.com • 031 - 573 1731 (ext 5) Operations Director: Andrew Arthur • andrew@mumsmail.com • 031 - 573 1731 Sub-Editor: Sarah Mackintosh • sarah@mumsmail.com • 072 384 9553 • Enquiries: Natalie Wilcox • 031 - 573 1731 (ext 1) Advertising Sales: Bev Delew • bev@mumsmail.com • 071 276 0926, Anisha Singh • anisha@mumsmail.com • 083 710 9485 Designer: Wendy Offer Model: Juan-Pierre Bruce de Bruin • Photographer: Candice McDonald • candice@webcandy.co.za

GRADES 1 - 12

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

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Editor’s Life

The Silly Season is Here!

And just like that it is already the end of the year and the Christmas festivities begin.

Christmas decorations are up everywhere you look, 2018 is nearly behind us and the New Year is just a few weeks away…! Wow, this year really has flown by for me – I say it every year but this year it seemed to go even quicker! Especially the middle few months – they are just a blur for me! Is it related to getting older? I hope that you have lots of fun planned over the holidays, celebrating with family and friends. That’s what I love about the Christmas holidays – most people have time off work so you really do get to spend time with your loved ones. In my view, there should be much less emphasis on giving gifts and more about treasuring special friends and family and just enjoying being with them.

I am off to the UK again with the hubby and kids to visit both of our families and friends, so am really looking forward to Christmas.

We have an 80th birthday, an 18th birthday and a 1st birthday to celebrate, so it really will be a special time of family celebrations.

With next year in our sights, we have already started to plan the 6th PMB Ladies Breakfast in association with The Sunflower Fund, which will be held in April 2019 - so watch this space for more info…!

Have a wonderful festive season. I wish love, peace and joy to you and your family. Safe travels!

Victoria xxx

The Mum’s Mail office closes for a few weeks and we are all looking forward to a nice break after another VERY busy year!

Meet the Cover Star Our adorable cover star this month is Juan-Pierre Bruce de Bruin (aka JP).

His mom Jessica is a personal assistant, and his dad Barend is a farm manager. The family lives on a farm in Dargle - in the Midlands of KwaZulu Natal.

out on things, so he dislikes daytime naps!

His favourite activity is swimming and bath time - JP absolutely adores water; a true water baby. As a family they enjoy nothing better than spending time together and being outdoors, enjoying the Midlands.

“Being a mom has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life and I look forward to every new day and seeing what JP does next. My advice to parents is to “JP is our rainbow baby and his personality cherish each day, the days are long but the is so happy, bright, and cheerful - he totally months are short!” says Jessica. loves the camera and always has a smile ready,” says his mom. “He’s a real model first “Our family has been through thick and thin baby. He loves his family, playing with his two together which has made us very close. I am cousins (Carliya and Cheyton), people and so grateful that JP has been born into such animals and has the ability to make anyone a loving and caring environment, which is smile. He is always willing to try new food, shining through in his bubbly personality. but his ultimate favourite is avo - he has fun Altogether JP is such a blessing to us all!” concludes Jessica. squishing it all over the place!”

According to Jessica, he doesn’t like to miss www.mumsmail.com

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Written by Sarah Mackintosh

Everyday Life

Readers’ Feedback Competition We have an amazing competition for you!

How would you like to WIN 10 CineCentre movie tickets? All you need to do to enter is send us feedback on companies and services that you found through Mum’s Mail! Here are some of the amazing responses we have had so far.

I so enjoy receiving your mail with all the interesting articles and adverts in it. Jean Davy.

It has become a monthly delight to receive my Mum’s Mail from my child’s school.

Planning for kids activities has become hassle free - as many at times l get to see what’s happening at the museum and when. My friends have also benefited as am able to share contacts like for hospitals and places offering swimming lessons. This month am excited about CJ Cleaning as for some time now l have been looking for recommendations for someone to clean my carpet! Mum’s Mail rocks! Egnes Kandiye.

I am totally in awe of this amazing magazine and I always look out for it. I loved being part of the amazing event - Queen of the Desert High Tea, it was such a phenomenal, outstanding event. I always make myself available for the many events by the Sunflower Fund. I love the magazine for its information and recipes - it has a bit if everything for me to enjoy. Thanks Mum’s Mail for being part of my life. Nicole Naicker.

RELEASE DATE 14 December

The Grinch 3D

Elliot the Littlest Reindeer

RELEASE DATE 21 December

RELEASE DATE 25 December

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The winning comment is from Egnes Kandiye, who will receive 10 Cine Centre movie tickets plus a Chateau Gateaux cake! Send your feedback to editor@mumsmail.comto stand a chance to WIN too! www.mumsmail.com

RELEASE DATE 7 December

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Everyday Life

Silly Season Tips

Silly season has arrived in genuine SA style - hot as all heck! In the hopes of some youthful pearls of wisdom on the silliness of the season, I reveal my column topic to the household teen. Between giant bites of chicken roti and gulps of orange squash he asks what the silly season is. (Err... What exactly do they teach in schools these days?)

Without listening for the answer, his worthy advice is to lay off the drugs. “Silly Season,” I interrupt, “is the period leading up to Christmas when folks wind down for the year and start partying and buying...” “Ok, he quips through a last mouthful of roti, “Don’t lay off the drugs then...” I see he’s not going to be much help. So from my own meagre arsenal of Silly Season tips then... social media is probably best avoided at this time of year. An old chestnut, you may think, but anyone who’s anyone is sure to have begun posting pictures of their Yuletide handiwork, and in 35°C weather, who really feels like schlepping a massive tree from the garage, untangling a plethora of hastily-stored lights, or being poked in the eye by an errant branch?

Personally, I sing the praises of minimalism: a branch, a vase, hand-beaded stars, et voila, you’ve helped a bloke feed his family, avoided contributing to the world’s growing landfills and painlessly erected a “tree” in under 5 minutes. Come New Year, just chuck the branch on the braai and you never have to worry about storage.

As for buying gifts; our droll teen might once have been appeased with a sackful of cheap bow-and-arrows and the like, but these days, the celebration of Christ’s birth has less of the makings of a fairy tale and is more like being on the set of Jerry Maguire...

“Show me the money!” Not a keen shopper, this suits me just fine, but if you still have littlies, a top shopping tip is to avoid all pressies with foreign instructions which may require assembly. Actually, my top tip is to scrap stressful shopping altogether. Rather scrape together the dough to go somewhere meaningful. Give yourselves a break and

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spend a day or two communing as a family.

For the first time ever in 2017, I did not cook and clean like a woman possessed, rearrange furniture and decor, or swear under my breath at the slackers avoiding enlistment to help perform said tasks. Instead, we escaped reality. The boys chortled like Santa in his sleigh as they manoeuvred a golf cart at alarming speed from one hole to the next, hacking their way cluelessly around the golf course, whilst I contemplated my blessings alongside a tranquil river. Later, we savoured a hotel-cooked lunch and one another’s presence, pulling crackers that someone else had bought and making memories to soften the sting of a rough year.

Here’s hoping you too will be able to unlearn the art of being a control freak this silly season and instead make special memories you’ll want to unwrap in the future.

Written by Janine Magree.

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Everyday Life/Healthy Life

Holiday Activities for Kids While going out to places during the holidays is great fun, it can get very expensive during the long summer break. Here is a fun activity to try at home that won’t cost a cent. You could try this in the pool, at the beach, or in a river or pond.

Explore with an underwater viewer Paddling in rock pools or a shallow sea is far more interesting if you can see below the surface. If you don’t have goggles and a snorkel, why not create your own underwater viewer instead?

to smooth it or simply put duct tape around all the edges to cover any sharp bits.

Hold the bottle sideways and submerge the bottom section in the water. You can then look through the hole to see the wonders below. As always, when you are near water, take a grown-up with you.

Take an empty two-litre plastic soda bottle and remove the lid so you can squeeze it flat, then use a pair of craft scissors to cut a slit about 10cm from the bottom. Now re-inflate the bottle, replace the lid and use your scissors to cut from that slit to form a rectangular opening about 20cm up the bottle and 10cm along the top and bottom.

You can rub down the edge with sandpaper

Source: 101 Things for Kids to do Outside

by Dawn Isaac.

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Healthy Life

Throw Shade at Skin Cancer this Summer

It’s getting hotter, and CANSA encourages the public to be SunSmarter, and throw shade at skin cancer this summer. South Africa is ranked as a leading outdoor adventure destination with glorious weather conditions, beautiful beaches and bushveld, and yet ironically it also has one of the highest monitored ultra violet levels globally.

This results in the country’s population having one of the highest skin cancer rates in the world.

Each year during the hot summer months, CANSA steps up its skin cancer awareness communication through its SunSmart Campaign, to remind South Africans of the dangers of over-exposure to the sun.

Running from mid-November to January, the campaign includes beach, workplace and school activations, as well as sharing education online on CANSA’s platforms.

during summer, as skin cancer remains one of the most common cancers. South Africa has the second highest incidence of skin cancer in the world after Australia, and in particular one of the highest incidences of melanoma worldwide, as far as Caucasians are concerned.

Just one blistering sunburn in childhood or adolescence more than doubles a person’s chances of developing melanoma later in life. Children should not be getting sunburned at any age, especially since there are a range of very effective sun protection methods that can be used. Minimise time outside during summer when UV levels are at their strongest – between 10am and 3pm. Parents and guardians need to be extra vigilant about sun protection for their infants and toddlers at all times.

For more information about how to protect CANSA reminds all South Africans to be your family from the harmful effects of the SunSmart throughout the year and especially sun, visit www.cansa.org.za.

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Healthy Life

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Beautiful Life

Nail Care Tips to Try at Home

When it comes to taking care of your nails, getting a manicure is not the only option. In fact, you must take care of your nails on a daily basis. Here are some simple tricks and tips that will help you do so. Take a look.

Keep your fingernails dry and clean All problems start with germs and bacteria.

You must make sure that there is no scope for them to breed. Clean your nails regularly and make sure you dry them after washing.

This prevents dirt and bacteria from accumulating under your nails.

Use a moisturiser Dryness and flakiness are as bad for your nails as they are for your skin. Nails are very delicate and tend to break off easily.

Moisturise them to make them strong.

Trim regularly Similar to how trimming your hair regularly is good for its health, the same goes for your

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Apply a base coat for protection A base coat forms a protective layer and prevents your nails from getting discoloured and stained. It also makes the polish look better on your nails. Applying it thick on your nails will enhance the colour of your nail polish. So, the next time you decide to paint your nails, do not skip applying a base coat – because it is worth it!

Wear Gloves for Protection Most of your detergents contain chemicals and will cause harm to your nails when they come into contact with them. A simple solution is to wear gloves and happily go about your chores without worrying about your nails.

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Kids’ Life

Enjoy Endless Fun with Ben 10

Ben 10 is still at the top of the favourites list in terms of boy’s toys. Benjamin Tennyson moonlights as Ben 10, a superhero with special powers that he discovered from a young age when his signature Omnitrix device miraculously attached itself to his wrist. The Ben 10 range features all the alien figurines in various sizes and movement capabilities. Each figurine is uniquely sculpted and highly detailed, which will delight Ben 10 fans. There are also exciting playsets including the Ben 10 Alien Creation Chamber and the Alien Vehicle with figure.

With Ben 10 it is always hero time!

Alien Creation Chamber Ben Tennyson uses his Omnitrix to transform into 10 different aliens. But with the Alien Creation Chamber, kids can create an endless variety of them. The set includes

four alien figures - Grey Matter, Four Arms, Heatblast and Wildvine. Children can create their own alien by putting various figurine parts together in the creation chamber.

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Ben 10 toys are ideal for boys aged four years and older. The products are available at toy stores and retailers.

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Kids’ Life

DIY Gingerbread Folk

This clever kit makes a great gift for a keen cook who loves to bake. Pack up the ingredients into a fancy jar, then attach a cookie cutter and instructions on how to make these delicious gingerbread treats.

For the kit you will need: • Spoon • Clean paper • 200g plain flour • 1 tsp ground ginger • 1 tsp mixed spice • 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda • 100g dark brown sugar • 100g icing sugar • Plastic bag filled with candy-coated sweets for decoration • Plastic bag for the icing sugar • Ribbon • Gingerbread cookie cutter and card tag (with instructions on reverse)

Get cooking: Heat the oven to 180°C. In a mixing bowl, add the butter, egg and syrup. Beat together with a wooden spoon until creamy.

Add the dry ingredients from the jar (except the sweets and icing sugar) and mix together well. Use your hands to make the mixture into a ball. Wrap in cling film and leave in the fridge for 30 mins.

Roll out the mixture to 5mm thickness.

Cut out the cookies and place them on a baking tray. Put in the oven and cook for 15 mins. Take out and allow to cool on a rack.

Decorate with icing and sweets.

For the icing: Put the icing sugar into a small bowl and add some lemon juice. Mix together and add a little water if too stiff. Put in a piping bag ready to decorate.

Tie a red ribbon around the neck of the jar How to fill the jar: and attach the instructions and cookie cutter Spoon in the flour and bicarbonate of soda, – and you have a wonderful homemade gift using a funnel made from paper. for someone special!

Add sugar, then spice. Press each layer down with the back of a spoon.

Add a bag of icing sugar. This way the icing sugar won’t get mixed up with the other ingredients.

Pop in a bag of sweets to decorate the biscuit, and screw on the lid.

Instructions: Write the instructions on the piece of card and attach it to the jar: How to cook your cookies: Makes 18 gingerbread folk.

You will also need: • 100g butter, softened • 1 egg • 2 tbsp golden syrup • For the icing: lemon juice • Equipment: mixing bowl, wooden spoon, cling film, rolling pin, baking tray, small bowl, cooling rack, piping bag www.mumsmail.com

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Source: Crafty Gifts by Jane Bull.

Kids’ Life

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