Life in Balance issue 2

life in balance

your monthly green solution to natural & eco-friendly living ISSUE 2 December 0 8 /Januar y 0 9

02

news & innovations Arbour week, indigenous Xm a s t ree gui de, recycl i ng

04

design & living wo o dwo r k, pa per f ur ni t ure, re-usi ng a l i en t rees

06

travel succul ent So ekershof, M oza m bi que a dvent ure

08

food & wine o rga ni c m a r ket upda te, fest i ve t i ppl e

10

fashion & beauty sun sense ski n ca re, gi f t g ui de

13

wellness Yo ga Ni dra , osteo pa t hy, wo o d o i l s

14

art, books, dvds

e

Na ked ex hi bi t i o n, gi ve-away - the world according to Montsano

yo u c r o fr py e

w w w. lifeinbal an ce.co.za

02 news

welcome

Thank you to our wonderful readers and all of you who visited us at the Natural & Organic Product Exhibition: you made our launch edition a startling success!

Hot off the press is this second edition. Our theme is wood and we found carpenters and inventors working with wood and paper that will amaze you. It also draws our attention to wood, taken from precious trees that grew up in forests and the question is, are these forests sustainable? The issue of alien tree removal is a hot topic; those who want to keep trees no matter what argue their value for a host of reasons – not least that of effective CO2 absorption. However, if you have ever seen a black wattle population growing rampant on the banks of a river you may disagree. Then there are the purists who say the only trees we must have must be indigenous.

Whatever your opinion, enjoy the paper and our very best wishes for a 2009 that is eco-friendly and kind to our world.

PS. Many of you asked me what paper we used. Life in Balance is printed on 90% wood free paper – it meets all environmental criteria and is FSC accredited..

melissa@lifeinbalance.co.za

our contributors Richard Asher Golf-mad Capetonian, meat lover whose regular use of a bicycle gives him much-needed green credentials.

letters We received so many letters of congratulations and support – people out there are loving this paper and are inspired to share their triumphs in making changes to their lifestyles.

Recycling is actually as easy as ABC! We as a family are definitely making a difference to our precious environment. We have separate bins in the kitchen labelled: PLASTIC, PAPER, GLASS and TIN. Every Sunday after church, we take the separated recycling to the bins at the Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens, which is just around the corner.

Eleni, our six-year-old daughter, takes charge of placing the recycled items in each specified bin. She is still learning to read and who knows – perhaps the first words that she will learn will be plastic, paper, glass, tin? We are never too old, or young, to learn and we are proud that Eleni’s education has already started with recycling. Everybody can make a difference! Helga, Nick & Eleni Tsoumbris, Helderkruin, Roodepoort Great idea to have it as a broadsheet – a visible difference from the usual A4 magazines and makes the content newsworthy and fresh. The design and layout is great… reads well. Doesn’t talk down to readers. Keep it up! Hugh Tyrell, Green Edge, Mowbray I really like the mixed content that has been included – something for everyone! I am relatively new to all the organic products, so it was really nice to read about the diverse range of products available.

Wendy Steytler - Cape Town

talking event review garbage from Coffee Cups to Curtain Rails

Regardless of individual opinions on the merits or disadvantages of polystyrene, it’s a substance used in homes, offices, supermarkets, restaurants, almost everywhere, and found in many forms, from coffee cups and egg cartons to salad boxes and protective packaging. One aspect of its often bad reputation is perhaps that it has never been a high-profile target in recycling.

This is changing. Various manufacturers, consumer bodies and recycling organisations have joined forces to form the Polystyrene Packaging Council (PSPC) in South Africa in order to raise awareness of the product, its uses, the impact on the environment and, importantly, recycling, which produces items such as picture frames, cornices and curtain rods, to name a few.

There are established programmes in Gauteng and Cape Town, with KwaZuluNatal to follow soon. All you need to do is make sure your polystyrene waste is free of plastic film, loose parts or glued-on cardboard, and drop it off in the wire cages and bags at the Pikit Up drop-off sites.

Large volumes can be collected by arrangement, so if you’re in business or running a community project contact PSPC directly to discuss the options.

For further information and a list of drop-off points visit: www.polystyrenepackaging.co.za or contact Adri Spangenberg at 011 793 2658 or info@polystyrenepackaging.co.za

Cheral Kennedy, our gardening expert, is spiritually bound to the earth, nature and its energy. She extends her natural way of life into her Landscape Design business – Living Matter.

Linda Castle is a mother, farmer, writer, sustainability consultant, herbalist and on a mission to save the land she loves so much.

Johan Liebenberg is a Stanford resident and roving food and wine journalist contributing to award-winning magazines around the country.

Laura Twiggs is a recipient of five silver and one gold Mondi Magazine Awards, a Pica Award for Journalism, and is our arts writer.

Jackie Ivory is a world traveller and Yoga teacher who writes about Yoga Nidra for us.

Publisher: Michael Beatham 021 702 7640 michael@lifeinbalance.co.za

PRODUCTS EXHIBITION 2009

see you next year...

26 – 28 June 2009

Life in Balance newspaper launched at the Natural & Organic Products Exhibition to rousing aclaim. Here is what the organiser says about the success of this gathering.

Mainstream consumers are changing the way they live and do business. Environmentally aware, health conscious and ethics driven, they no longer accept the empty promises of slick marketing campaigns. Instead, they ask questions of themselves and business, understanding the need for a dramatic shift towards chemical-free, sustainable and environmentally aware lifestyles.

Obvious indicators include climate change, waste generation, prevalence of disease and allergies, burnout due to increasingly fast-paced lifestyles and the severe economic downturn.

The need for change is evident, and a 30% increase in visitors to this year’s Natural & Organic Products Exhibition in Cape Town is testament to the fact that South African consumers, too, are embracing a conscientious lifestyle and driving changes locally, with the result that businesses can no longer operate for profit to the exclusion of all else.

Even conventional retailers now include increasing numbers of natural and organic goods to cater for what is fast evolving into a profitable, mainstream industry, heralding a new age of wellness.

The Natural & Organic Products Exhibition 2009 will be staged at the Coca Cola Dome 26 – 28 June 2009. To be involved, contact SE Shows & Events on: 021 671 0935 or visit: www.naturalandorganic.co.za

Subscribe, it’s free! email michele@lifeinbalance.co.za.

For distribution please contact nicky@lifeinbalance.co.za

The Coca Cola Dome Johannesburg

Editor: Melissa Baird 021 702 7650 melissa@lifeinbalance.co.za Art director: Elinore de Lisle elinore@iafrica.com

december tip...

Marketing, advertising and distribution: Nicky Barber 021 702 7650 nicky@lifeinbalance.co.za

Rechargeable batteries do more than just help the environment by being recyclable; they save you a fortune in the long term. So this holiday season, be kind to the earth and your bank balance. Buy rechargeable.

Editorial assistant and subscriptions: Michele Beatham 076 270 6658 michele@lifeinbalance.co.za Production manager: Janine Weaver 021 702 7642 Printing: Tandym Print Distribution partners: Osumo, Naartjie, Wellness Warehouse, Ethical Co-Op, Bryanston Organic Market

We believe that deciding to be actively involved in South Africa’s original green industry event is one of the best decisions you can make for yourself, for your business and for tomorrow.

The Natural & Organic Products Exhibition provides the widest range of natural, organic products, services, information and practical advice for all your lifestyle, health and green business requirements! Dont miss it!

good for you, good for business, good for tomorrow

© Life in Balance is published 11 times a year by Green Publishing (Pty) Ltd, Miltons Way, 11 Bell Crescent, Westlake Business Park, 7945 Cape Town, South Africa Tel: 021 702 7640 Fax: 021 702 7657 All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without the prior written consent of the publishers is strictly prohibited. All prices correct at time of going to press, but subject to change. The publishers cannot accept responsibility for any unsolicited materials. It is assumed that any images taken from sources which are widely distributed, such as on the Internet, are in the public domain.

However, since such images are passed freely between sources such as websites, the original source is not always possible to trace. It is possible that copyrighted material has ended up being treated as public domain as a result.

If you see a graphic or image in this publication which is not public domain please contact Green Publishing.

Be part of the green revolution, please call SE Shows & Events for more information: 021 671 0935

www.naturalandorganic.co.za

PRODUCTS EXHIBITION 2009

november’s big question answered...

Last month we asked what you do with your bank cards and credit cards when they expire?

Heleen Niere answers: “I use old credit cards in my artworks. I work in mixed media and use mostly found objects and items meant for the trash-can to create my artworks.”

Creative thinking, Heleen!

global environment 03 One for a new life, one for a life lived

Our family had a tradition of planting a tree every time there was a new addition to the family and another when a family member departed this life. But one’s carbon footprint on this beautiful planet shows that two trees per person is not enough.

According to the World Watch Institute in its “Reforesting the Earth” paper, trees can absorb CO2 at the rate of about 6kg per tree, per year. They estimate that our planet needs at least 321 million acres of trees to restore and maintain soil and water resources, meet third-world wood-fuel needs and remove about 780 million tons of carbon annually from the atmosphere.

For every ton of new wood that grows, about 1.5 tons of CO2 is removed from the air and 1.07 tons of life-giving oxygen is produced.

arbour week South Africa – A whole lot greener after Arbour Week 2008

Arbour Week, celebrated in September every year, is without a doubt a week-long celebration that lives on long after the speeches and press releases have come to an end. Highlighting the importance of trees and the role they play in sustainable living encourages individuals, communities, business and government to participate in raising awareness and contributing to a greener South Africa, literally and figuratively.

This year, again, saw a number of stakeholders do their bit and we salute a few: ABSA embarked on a nationwide initiative wherein more than 100 schools across nine provinces received indigenous trees.

ABSA’s vision is to plant 1 000 000 trees by 2010.

This year trees were planted in a A Permaculture Food Garden on the grounds of the Mahlekisana Primary School in Welverdiend Village. Learners worked alongside 15 educators and six community members in a project that now serves as a shining example to other schools in the area.

PPC Cement, together with Food & Trees

for Africa, celebrated at the Zenzele Counselling Project in Fine Town by contributing 82 trees to schools in the area.

FTFA (Food & Trees for Africa), SAFCOL (South African Forestry Company) staff and the ARDCG (A Re Direng Caregivers) held a tree-planting ceremony in the food gardens at Moretele Clinic. The garden

grows food for malnourished learners and community members.

Konica Minolta South Africa planted 40 trees at Orange Farm and, in partnership with Food & Trees for Africa (FTFA), has committed to planting 4 100 trees before the end of 2009 in an effort to offset its carbon emissions.

Visit www.trees.co.za and click on CO2 calculator to work out your annual carbon footprint and plant some of these indigenous trees to balance it out. Remember that trees only reach their most productive stage of carbon storage at about 10 years.

Vepris lanceolata

green xmas

Innovate your approach to Xmas trees and use one of these ten indigeous trees instead of the pine or plastic versions you have been used to.

Harpephyllum caffrum: Wild plum, indeginous evergreen.

2008 Tree of the Year.

Acacia galpinii: Monkey thorn, indigenous semideciduous. 2009 Tree of the year.

Syzigium guineense: Wild pear, indigenous evergreen.

Podocarpus falcatus: Outeniqua yellowwood, indigenous evergreen. Makes good Xmas tree.

Curtissia dentata: Assegai tree, indigenous evergreen.

Acacia xanthophloea: Fever tree, indigenous semi-deciduous.

Tarconathus camphoratus: Wild camphor bush, indigenous evergreen.

Combretum erythrophyllum: River bush willow, indigenous deciduous.

Fantastic autumn colours.

Olea europea subs africana: Wild olive, hardy indigenous evergreen.

Acacia siberiana: Paperbark acacia, indigeous deciduous.

Vepris lanceolata (white ironwood): Evergreen, interesting foliage.

Celtis africana (white stinkwood): Deciduous, large tree.

Rhus lancea (karree): Evergreen, fast grower.

Dodonaea angustifolia (sand olive): Semi-evergreen, interesting foliage.

Olea europaea (wild olive): Evergreen, nice specimen tree.

Ilex mitis (Cape holly): Evergreen, large tree for shade.

Podalyria cayptrata (water blossom pea): Pretty flowers.

Sideroxylon inerme (white milkwood): Berries and flowers for birds and bees.

By Oliver Ryder from Just Trees. www.justtrees.co.za

By Cheral Kennedy of Living Matter Garden Styling and Design. www.livingmatter.co.za

Podalyria cayptrata

Innovations and Company News

We like to keep an eye on the big brands starting to do their bit for making the change towards business with ethical considerations firmly in place. These are a few that have taken our fancy.

Nature meets Nurture

Pangea Cosmetics (not yet available in South Africa) has taken their philosophy of responsible and sustainable practices a step further with plantable packaging: product boxes made using an innovative Zero Waste process with 100% post consumer paper and organic seeds such as sweet basil, amaranth and, for the festive season, a spruce tree. Simply slip off the label, soak the seed-embedded box in water for a minute, plant it in the earth and watch it grow! www.pangea.com

Faber-Castell pencils: Wood from Sustainable Forests

In line with the beginning of the school year in Argentina, German firm FABERCASTELL has launched a new line of products called EcoPencil, produced with 100% FSC certified wood from reforestation sources in Brazil. The EcoPencil’s commodity is wood from the “Arboris” project, a 10 thousand hectare reforested area in Minas Gerais (Brazil) that produces 20 cubic metres of wood every hour. The area, which used to be a sterile ground, is now also home to 307 species of native plants. According to the Argentine branch of the firm, the EcoPencil launch is actually a re-branding: “From this year on, the ‘pencil’ will no longer exist and will give place to the ‘EcoPencil.’ Only the right name for a product that has been produced for decades,” says its website.

The new eco-conscious name shows how concern over environmental issues is starting to grow in some Latin countries.

04 design

sitting on the sunday papers Another designer who believes in more than just reading the news is David Stovell.

Inspired by the piles of newspapers left outside shops on a Saturday night, he wondered whether the material life cycle of newspapers and magazines could be extended. The result: rolled newspaper furniture, each item of which can still be recycled at the end of its life. Detailed instructions are available for download at David’s site: www.stovelldesign.co.uk if you’d like to try creating your own. We’d love to see the results.

spinning the news Dutch artist Greetje van Tiem (www.greetjevantiem.nl) has elevated newspaper recycling to an art by hand spinning old papers into yarn. Newspaper is surprisingly strong, so it stands to reason that the yarn would be ideal for utilitarian projects such as those shown here. Green Upgrader has an excellent step-by-step tutorial at http://greenupgrader.com/2138/ handspun-recycled-newspaper-yarn for anyone wanting to try it themselves.

Do let us know if you try it out.

woodworkers

Douglas Carelse Scrolling Woodwork

Whether ornamental crosses, Christmas decorations and silhouettes, key racks, “woven” wooden baskets or mini clocks, it is clear that all that stands between Douglas Carelse and the stunning results of his now full-time hobby is his imagination; or yours, as commissions for his intricate scroll-work creations indicate, many of which make their way overseas.

Visit the Country Craft Market in Somerset West, visit countrycraftmarket.org/ stall076.html or phone: 021 905 1113 WOODBENDERS Bentwood Furniture

Timber is sourced from managed forests (certificates available). Shipping of raw timber has a smaller carbon footprint than importers bringing in fully assembled fur-

niture. The unique manufacturing process involves steaming the timber to bend it into shape. This results in the highly effective use of the timber with very little waste.

Why? Parts do not have to be cut out of raw planks to obtain the required shape.

The manufacturing process also results in fewer joins, which results in less glue and fittings being needed. Timber can be left raw (no varnish) to further enhance “greenfriendly principles”; alternatively a protective clear lacquer finish can be applied to let the natural beauty of the timber show through. Timber is a biodegradable product; obsolete items will not compromise the environment and can be recycled. www.woodbender.co.za Nico Bantjes Artistic Woodturning

Nico Bantjes’s passion for transforming discarded wood into functional art is, as he says, a way of extending the life of a beautiful gift of nature, paying homage to the spirit of the tree from whence it came and helping others, through his wonderful creations, to appreciate the natural beauty, warmth and character of wood.

Visit the Country Craft Market in Somerset West, visit countrycraftmarket.org/ stall036.html, email: nico@paragmed. co.za, call 021 913 0296 or 084 610 0026

rugged beauty Nature is truly at the heart of Maria Santana’s intriguing bespoke free-form furniture. Showcased at her new showroom in Cape Town, these unique, organic, sculptured pieces straddle the line between art and functionality. Polished on one side yet left in its natural, raw state on the other, they reflect the yin and the yang, that which we show the world and that within ourselves, the light and the shadow.

Maria Santana Design Gallery, Kloof Street, Cape Town.

Telephone 021 424 7067 or 083 629 2491 Email: info@mariasantana.co.za Web: www.mariasantana.co.za

living 05 how to rescue a bird If you happen to dislodge a nest during tree felling then consider how you can rescue any fledglings or injured birds.

1. Prepare a container. Place a clean, soft cloth with no strings or loops on the bottom of a cardboard box.

Make sure it has air holes.

2. Protect yourself. Wear gloves if possible because bird beaks and claws can be quite effective weapons even if the bird is young or sick.

3. Cover bird with a light sheet or towel.

4. Gently pick up the bird and put it into the prepared container.

5. Warm the bird if the weather is cold.

Put one end of the container on a heating pad set on low or fill an empty bottle with hot water, seal it tightly and wrap it in a cloth next to the bird.

6. Tape the box shut.

7. Note exactly where you found the bird.

This will be very important for release.

8. Keep the bird in a warm, dark, quiet place. Don’t give it food or water, don’t bother or handle it and keep young children and pets away.

9. Wash your hands and anything that was in contact with the bird.

10. Get the bird to a wildlife rehabilitator as soon as possible. If you are unable to get it help after a few hours, offer water in a small container.

Information supplied by Margi Brocklehurst from FreeMe Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre. Open 7 days a week 8am – 5pm. Tel: 011 807 6993.

Cell: 083 558 5658 Web: www.freemewildlife.org.za

the green solution: alien affair Part 2: By Linda Castle

I have a confession to make. I am involved in a long-term relationship with not one, but three individuals. All aliens, I’m afraid.

I can’t help myself, their roots go deep and the relationships go back to my childhood.

They are the syringa, the jacaranda and the oak. And I currently have one of each in my garden, all invoking bittersweet memories of childhood. Hanging upside down from my grandmother’s huge syringa tree, enveloped by the heady scent of its flowers, picnicking under jacarandas on a carpet of purple and curled up on the massive bough of an oak tree with a good book.

So my aliens are here to stay.

The others on the farm HAVE to go.

They are the ubiquitous black wattle, Port Jackson and the hakea. “Invaders” is a minor description for them. Given a chance they become overpowering despots, taking over any and every space. War has been declared and we have brought in our army.

A very small army, if truth be told, but very effective. They are a group of 11 Xhosa

Jazz Festivals, Wine Festivals, Theatre Festivals, Cheese Festivals… the list could probably go on and on.

While our country and our planet are groaning under the stresses of Climate Change, non-sustainable behaviours, economic depression, increasing poverty and one or two other similar minor challenges, we all do quite well eating, drinking and making merry as if there is no tomorrow. Or let’s re-phrase that – as if there is a tomorrow!

Have you ever stopped to wonder why there isn’t perhaps a Festival that offers time and space to explore these issues – and more – in a meaningful and challenging way?

Well there is! That’s exactly what freewheeling 2009 – The Future-Thinking Festival is about. We describe it as a celebration of conscious living and community, because while we approach the challenges with great seriousness, we also celebrate what’s possible in pooling good thinking as a vibrant, caring community.

Our first event, in February 2008, hosted 120 invited guests to 3 days of ‘learning, thinking, reflection, exploration, relaxation and

women from the local area and they do a magnificent job of clearing our land of this menace. And there are other small armies just like this one dotted all over the Overberg area working under the auspices and supervision of DEAT. This job provides the means to support many families in the area.

Our 11 women support 76 people among them, and this on only R60 per day. Something to really think about!

We also have a number of blue gums, many of them towering skyscrapers with long straight trunks. These are destined for the construction of various farm buildings and so will only be harvested when necessary.

We also don’t believe in simply ripping out every alien tree on the property. That would only leave us with big ugly open wounds in the ground that would erode at the first heavy rains. There is a programme in place to plant wonderful indigenous trees to replace those we take out, thus maintaining the green lung of the farm. It also maintains the habitat for the wildlife and bird life around.

fun’ at the sublimely beautiful Stanford Valley Guest Farm near Hermanus in the Western Cape.

One of the many glowing responses to that event was, “The Festival should be an annual event

Although aliens are an absolute menace living, they have many uses once harvested.

We make every effort, as part of our aim to live sustainably, to recycle and re-use everything, and this includes aliens. We currently have our staff weaving hurdles of various sizes out of the long thin branches. We have wonderful borders around our vegetable beds now. They also enclose our reed bed for the biodigester and, in February, they were used as shower and toilet enclosures for our tented village at our festival. Coppiced and burnt in a drum, they make wonderful charcoal to store for winter fuel. The smaller bits are shredded and chipped to become mulch and path coverings to maintain ground moisture. Now, as Christmas draws closer, the pliable branches are woven into wreaths and decorated with fynbos and pine cones.

The wonderful shapes of dried out twigs and branches become legs, arms and wings on angels, and the cut trees get whitewashed and hung with fairy lights as an updated, eco-friendly version of a Christmas tree.

Our aim this year is to have as “green” a Christmas as possible, difficult for me as after five years in the UK I love all the bells and whistles that go with a traditional Christmas.

I still love to receive and send Christmas cards, but am making sure they are handmade this year using recycled paper and cards. As a family we are going to be looking at how creative we can be with our gifts.

I went to the “Kamersvol Geskenke” event outside Franschhoek a few weeks ago. The theme for the stall holders was “reuse, recycle and reinvent” and WOW, there were some amazing and inspirational ideas. Judging by the continual ringing of the tills, I wasn’t the only one inspired to stock up on original gifts handmade with love. So don your creative caps and have a wonderful GREEN Christmas.

To get a clearer picture of exactly what’s on offer this time, visit our site at www.freewheeling.co.za, and you’ll see a line-up of over 40 different presentations, conversations, demos, performances and workshops that go way beyond dealing with the challenges listed at the top of this article.

Over and above ‘Green Issues and Sustainability’, we have ‘Wellness and Personal Growth’, ‘Land and Earth’, ‘Community, Education and Economics’, as well as ‘Creativity and Performing Arts’.

Interested? Well be sure to book now to take advantage of the Early Bird registration special, available till 31 October.

Freewheeling takes place from 12–15 February 2009. We look forward to seeing you there.

Oh and by the way – Jazz, Wine, Theatre, Cheese? We’ll have all that there as well!

For more information and to register for years to come!”

So now freewheeling 2009 is accelerating towards us, bringing with it a unique range of innovative contributions from progressive thinkers and do-ers, inspiring us to tackle the future now.

visit our website www.freewheeling.co.za or contact Jonathan Rands, tel 083 227 2377 email jonathan@freewheeling.co.za

freewheeling 12–15 February 2009 Stanford Valley Guest Farm

06 travel shift your ... e perspectiv

holiday fair As more and more people embrace the shift towards ethical living, the need to carry this philosophy into travel, whether for business or pleasure, is logical, although not necessarily as simple as it sounds.

With tourism being the world’s largest industry, the vast amount of information available can make seeking out ethical destinations overwhelming.

That’s where Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa, a non-profit organisation that promotes sustainable tourism development, comes in. FTTSA endorses establishments that meet stringent criteria such as fair wages, working conditions and operations, ethical business practice and respect for culture and the environment. And if you think it’s all basic amenities in the middle of nowhere, think again. www.fairtourismsa.org.za offers not only tips and guides to responsible travel, and links to tour operators and activities; it also showcases certified accommodation, from backpackers’ lodges to luxury tented accommodation in game and nature reserves to ultra chic urban hotels and guesthouses, in varying price ranges.

We all seek peace whilst on holiday, but by travelling responsibly, we get the added benefit of peace of mind, knowing that our hard-earned money is also contributing to the six principles of fair trade in tourism: fair share, democracy, respect, reliability, transparency and sustainability.

Happy ethical holidays to all our readers!

When last did you climb a tree? Usually reserved for children and perky cats, climbing a tree will stretch your limbs and give you a refreshing new perspective on the ground beneath your feet... call it a bird’s-eye view without needing wings.

Soekershof

By Michele Beatham

Ten kilometres east of Robertson, in Klaas Voogds West, is a haven of calm and relaxation. Soekershof Private Mazes and Gardens provides enchantment and entertainment for all ages, including local folklore, flower tastings, the largest succulent garden – around 2500 different species from all continents – in South Africa, a nursery, and unexpected surprises at every turn. Bring your own picnic and enjoy a feast in the gardens before moving on the next adventure.

Soekershof is the breeding place of the South African cactus trade (cactus pioneer

Marthinus Malherbe and his wife are buried in one of the gardens) and all plants are organically cultivated without the use of chemicals.

The 4km Klaas Voogds Maze distinguishes itself with visualised local folklore. Orientating beacons tower above the hedges and invite you to continuously find your next story or even make up your own, while finding the artefacts of a cycling Dutchman and a womanising German. You’ll leave with a smile on your face and a souvenir in your pocket. This is the ideal venue for family outings, weddings, film shoots, team building, night adventures, etc.

For more information, directions, entrance fees and opening times, visit www.soekershof.com or call 023 626 4134

travel 07

Mozambique Vilanculos coastal wildlife sanctuary... one of the top biodiversity hot spots of Africa. By Melissa Baird

Home to the last remaining dugongs on the planet, and endangered loggerhead and leatherback turtles, this sanctuary is situated along the Indian Ocean coast of the Inhambane province and forms the southernmost portion of the spectacular San Sabastião PeninsulaBazaruto Archipelago in Mozambique.

I had been to Mozambique before – to Bilene during the total solar eclipse of 2002 and then to Ponta do Ouro to swim with the bottlenose dolphins. My latest quest was to find a dugong. They still exist but apparently only about 300 of them and then who knows exactly as no-one I spoke to had actually seen a dugong unless it was starring in a nature film. Dugongs feed off the marine grasses that grow at the tide line which made them easy pickings for hunters. Apparently they are rather docile too, which didn’t help matters much.

As you fly over Vilanculos you will see the freshwater lakes splashed over the ground and you are welcomed into a tiny little tropical airport with a “fast-food” restaurant offering delicious Mozambican fare, mostly created with ingredients grown in the kitchen gardens around the airport. A devastating cyclone in 2007 pretty much wiped this place out and the slow redevelopment of the town is noticeable as you make your way to the sea by taxi along dusty potholed roads lined with the surviving coconut trees and gargantuan paw paw trees that drop fruit at your feet on a hot afternoon.

It was humid as I waited outside the airport for my transfer and I watched huge black ants busy themselves over the thick

green grass, transporting their larvae full of knowledge that it was to rain very soon.

A twenty-minute water taxi ride across the glistening turquoise Indian Ocean deposited me on the banks of Dugong Lodge which has been completely rebuilt after it was almost blown and washed away in the cyclone. The lodge is right on the shoreline and the tide goes in and out with a rhythm that reconnects you to the communication between the moon and the earth. The hermit crabs scuttle across the grainy sand. Looking at the sky I saw two yellow-billed kites swoop past. Later, as we took a dhow boat ride along the coastline, the white egrets perched themselves in the branches of the mangrove trees looking out to sea like patient sentries.

The lodge has solar power in the rooms and a generator that runs at specific times during the day for extra power. They are busy establishing kitchen gardens although a lot of the supplies still have to be brought in by boat from Vilanculos. The lodge is set within a 25 000-hectare sanctuary and 40% of this is fenced. It is the only commercial venture in the area and is part of the ecotourism initiative that must have low-density impact on the region. Dolphins and whales are common sights as well as shoals of tropical fish close to the shoreline. There is active conservation of all indigenous species, marine flora and fauna. The other major objective is the improvement of the social and economic standards of the local community through job creation; the building of a school and the building of a primary healthcare centre.

In the sanctuary you will find a kaleidoscope of wetlands, mangrove swamps, tiny islands that appear at low tide and coral reefs, salt marshes, freshwater lakes, tree and scrub forests on the coastal dunes, as well as patches of savannah and miombo woodlands. The average temperature of the sea is 25oC. The rain the ants foretold came on the second day. It was a “leave me alone” sort of day, the sort that is better to experience in paradise than in a grey city. The trees were bent over in disgust and the birds could not be heard. I wondered if it was a day to find the dugong but the boat wouldn’t go out in that weather and I had unfortunately run out of time to wait for a better day to explore.

So the dugong remains a mystery to me although I have read much about them now; they inspired mermaid myths and one can understand why – they are creatures of what was once an abundant and forgiving sea.

I could not explore the natural surrounds further but I could turn to the people around me. They were gentle and polite, amazed at our presence in what to them must have been a version of hell after the cyclone. Sometimes it is favourable to go to a place with no memory to it so it can all begin anew and stay as such in memory.

Outside Dugong Lodge’s main entrance there is a msasa tree that seems to know all about everything already. I went away alone but I find you always meet people to entertain and enliven you. The travelling companions included a couple on honeymoon from Italy, young doctors who had the manners of nobility about them. The Dugong Lodge staff were delightful, amusing, cheeky and knowledgeable about the region. Dylan, all of six years old and already an expert at mimicry, ran down the long deck as the boat was pulling out to sea to take me to the airport and my flight home. He was yelling at me: “I know why you are leaving,” he shouted, “it’s because the mozzies (mosquitos) bit you!” , because in the short time I was there I had become the landing pad for the entire mozzie population.

In reality though, I was leaving because of a print deadline. As I write this I am on another deadline and the words come out according to the time frame they have been given to live, like stories of birth and renewal and of life itself. I’m going back though, to find the dugong and rewrite the myth.

fact file To get to Vilanculos take a Pelican flight from OR Tambo airport. My experience with them was excellent – although be aware you can only take 15kg of luggage otherwise you will be charged for overweight baggage.

Pelican Air Services A subsidiary of Federal Air Tel: 011 973 3649 Fax: 011 973 2513 Email: daleen@pelicanair.co.za Web: www.pelicanair.co.za Visas will be issued on entry.

Forex at OR Tambo but they accept rands, dollars and meticais.

Dugong Lodge Central reservations: 012 470 5300 Email: reservations@legendlodges.co.za

travel snippet

On the radar: Coconut trees bring hope to Inhambane province

Inhambane province – in the south of Mozambique – is home to a plethora of coconut trees that have been sustaining the local population for decades. Prized for its flesh and oil, the coconut is now making headlines with its ability to link environmental preservation to economic activity and forest health. Coconut Oil Mozambique, a BOM community partner business, has trained just under 100 families in sustainable harvesting techniques giving them vital access to an economic framework to enable them to better support their families. www.bom-mozambique.com

08 food The incomparable pleasures of

farmers’ markets

By Johan Liebenberg

Markets in and around Cape Town

The Neighbourgoods Market at the Old Biscuit Mill on Saturdays from 9am – 2pm and Sundays from 10am to 3pm.

Porter Estate Produce Market, in Constantia Valley on Saturday mornings.

Observatory Night Market on Thursday evenings in the community centre.

The Elgin Valley Market on the N2 at Grabouw, the Hermanuspietersfontein Food & Wine Market in the Hemelen-Aarde Village and, also in Hermanus, in the beautiful Fernkloof Nature Reserve is the Fernkloof Market (on Saturdays).

Then there’s the Prince Albert Saturday Market, as well as the Harvest Time Farmers’ Market halfway between Knysna and Plettenberg Bay, and the Wild Oats Market in Sedgefield.

KwaZulu-Natal

Pietermaritzburg Farmers’ Market and the Shongweni Farmers’ Market, and the Karkloof Market, a lovely fresh produce market outside Howick.

In and around Gauteng

Farmers’ markets are springing up everywhere, creating a natural spectacle of vibrant colours and smells and sounds around them.

The fish is as fresh as the sea spray, the fruit and vegetables were harvested last night, and most of the goods are organic. This is not just a shopping experience; it is a great social event for all with live music at many of these venues while many serve breakfast and lunch and most feature delis that sell really delightful foods. Did I mention the smell of freshly baked126 bread, steam as 10:28 it’s taken from OSUMO x 182.5 FArising 30/9/08 Page 1 the oven? It’s all there – and it’s just great!

Composite

The Bryanston Organic Market – a great market, and one of the first markets to go organic and green and was established as early as 1976. There’s also alternative healing and medicines on offer.

Another great market is Irene Village Market outside Jan Smuts’s house on the outskirts of the village, held on the second and last Saturday of every month from 9am to 2pm. It’s about 40km outside of Johannesburg and combines art with fresh produce. Hazyview also has a nice market.

Parkview Organic Market, held on Saturday morning in Tyrone Avenue, Parkview, and soon-to-open Green Market in Pretoria’s botanical garden in Brummeria.

C M Y CM MY CY CMY K

foodie gifts Markets offer great ideas for innovative home-made gifts, which are always appreciated.

They are also much cheaper to make: a handmade, personalised card instead of a pricey shop bought one. Use recycled card (the thickness depends on you) and if you know the recipient’s predilections paste an appropriate photograph and a personalised message.

Fill a small, handmade basket with fresh fruit, nuts and herbs. A sprig of lavender and a card completes your gift hamper.

Or make your own vinegar.

I’ll be making herb-infused bottled vinegars as gifts this year. A great site with instructions for vinegars for meat, as well as for salads, is http://www.ehow.com/ how_ 4453680_make-herb-infusedvinegar-salads.html. Have fun!

Hot news from Nando’s

Go Wild in Woodstock

Fast food becomes a premium experience at Peri-Deli, with its organic, green and fresh approach and a fun emphasis on recycling.

Gourmet burgers, sandwiches, wraps, smoothies and fresh juices are made on site each day, while the cups are made of combustible cornstarch and all packaging from bagasse, a by-product of sugar production.

Messages on floors, walls, menu boards and staff uniforms highlight this commitment. “I used to be a coke bottle,” announces one employee’s shirt.

The Wild Trading Store is open on Saturday mornings, between 9am and 1:30pm. Visitors can amble in for a wide selection of fresh and non-perishable organic products and enjoy an organic coffee, tea, or freshly baked croissant while perusing the weekend papers.

Brad always prepares something delicious for brunch (think organic potjie or free-range Karoo boerewors rolls), which can be enjoyed with a couple of locally brewed beers or a good organic wine. You can even go home with a “Wild About Woodstock” t-shirt.

Peri-Deli’s fresh, organic experience is available at Discovery Health Building, Sandton; Broadacres Shopping Centre, Fourways and Rivonia Boulevard.

The Wild Trading Store, 34 Salisbury Street (cnr Fairview Ave), Woodstock Call 021 448 8109 or 084 448 1920 Visit: www.wildorganics.co.za or email: tara@wildorganics.co.za

wine 09

organic festive spirits Upland brandy

World-class Grappa

The character of Upland brandy is unmistakable: wafts of dried peaches and apricots, citrus and pineapple are topped by generous vanillas – giving it a depth and complexity of flavour that lingers on the palate, with a dry finish reminiscent of a great cognac. Nothing has been added to this world-class product, no colour, flavourants, sugar, not even water. 65% Alcohol – Pure Brandy.

The brandy is made in very limited quantities, hand selected from the finest of each year’s produce. Upland brandy is best when savoured neat after a meal, accompanied perhaps by coffee and dark chocolate.

This grappa is made in the typical Italian style; from the humble origins of the leftover skins and pips of full ripe grapes comes a spirit of great and distinctive character.

It explodes with flavour in the glass. Its intensely perfumed nose is balanced by a rich, raisin complexity on the palate, followed by a lingering aftertaste of nutty grassiness. It is good to use as a palate cleaner between courses, but may be enjoyed as an apéritif or as a digestive with coffee. As a sundowner, it is especially enjoyed for its clean, fresh taste.

It won the World’s Best Grappa at the Guldkorken International Competition in Stockholm. To order, info@organicwine.co.za

The optimism underlying

the bubbles

By Johan Liebenberg

Let’s face it: everyone should pop a bubbly at least once in their life. It’s one of those mysterious things. Once the cork pops life seems to begin afresh and with new vigour. Those effervescent bubbles are a fine metaphor for bubbling, surging life in all its glorious manifestations. And besides, everyone can enjoy it without knowing too much about wine. All you need to do is giggle and shriek as the bubbles tickle and tease your palate in the mayhem of good wishes, streamers and festive good cheer. Oh, by the way, the tinier the beads, the better the quality of the Cap Classique.

Just for the record: Cap Classique, or Méthode Cap Classique as it is correctly known, is made according to Méthode Champenoise – the way they make champagne in France. The other method – known as the Charmat process – entails the injection of carbon dioxide to produce those tingling bubbles. In South Africa, sparkling wines will usually carry a designation if they have been made according to the Méthode Cap Classique, a time-consuming and labour-intensive method compared with the Charmat method, so expect to pay a little more for the Cap Classique. But I am telling you things you know already, no?

There is another designation to look out for when deciding on which Cap Classique or sparkling wine you will be buying for the festive season. It is that word “organic”.

True, it has been used as a marketing tool, a buzz word and a “feel-good” word tossed about at pretentious dinner parties but that

does not in any way diminish the inherent value of the designation, or the, well, let’s just call it the striving towards something better, something more balanced in the world we live in. The list of organic Cap Classique and sparkling wines (Charmat method) is short.

First and foremost there is Bon Cap, wines from the Robertson area which, because of their lime-rich soil (like those of the Champagne region in France), are conducive to producing excellent Cap Classiques. They are fully accredited and their sparkling wines comprise a Cap Classique and Charmat. The classic grapes used for making champagne in France are Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, and these are also the varietals mostly used in South Africa, although Colombar is also used sometimes. Other labels to look out for are Avondale’s Cap Classique Brut, which was made from organically grown grapes, and Villiera Brut Natural 2005, which received 4½ stars from John Platter and was made solely from Chardonnay grapes. There are various organic accreditations, but all of the above wines are the result of healthy and balanced farm practices.

But thank goodness for new beginnings.

As in feng shui, you can get rid of the past and begin afresh. As we charge our flutes, we can forget the underlying seriousness of things, the state of the world economy, global warming and, as we raise our glasses in a toast, the effervescent Cap Classique swirling and hissing in our flutes, we offer each other the sweet smile of optimism.

hangover

cure

Both MILK THISTLE (right) and DANDELION are liver-boosting herbs.

The liver is the organ of detoxification and these herbs will help your body cope with the excesses that may be consumed this silly season. These herbs come in both liquid and tablet form and if taken before and after your festive occasion, help enormously with avoiding those unwanted hangover feelings. Also remember to try and pace your evening with glasses of water. By Andrea Jenkins, Nutritionist at Organic Living

10 fashion & beauty Simplicité

sun kissed Badger SPF30 Sunscreen Chemica-free 100% natural and rich in certified organic ingredients. Available at selected Dischem and Edgars stores. R200 Simply Aloe Sun Care SPF30 Provides very high protection to the skin, containing Aloe Ferox gel and Vitamin E. R75.

Tel: 021 510 4082.

what goes around comes around GIVE IT BAG makes the world a slightly better place in a very simple way: carrying a GIVE IT BAG supports South Africa since their designers donate 50% of their profit to needy people and social projects in the country.

The makers of GIVE IT BAG demonstrate how easy it is to shoulder some responsibility. Everything is produced locally.

The handcrafted GIVE IT BAGS are made from recycled rubble bags originally used to transport rice, flour, sugar, etc. that have travelled around the world and found their way to South Africa. Each bag is hand-picked, cleaned, cut and sewn by South Africans.

Their diverse origin and function make for a wide variety of designs and limited ranges.

But not just the makers of GIVE IT BAG should do good – related to the well-known five-digit numbers, every bag comes with a personal number to which the owner of the bag can post his own good deeds on the website.

Natraloe Sun Protection Cream Offers maximum protection against the ultraviolet rays of the sun, whilst moisturising and protecting the skin without clogging the pores.

R129. Tel: 021 671 0604. www.natraloe.co.za Simply Sun Stick SPF60 Very high UVB, which helps prevent signs of premature ageing. R65.

Tel: 021 510 4082.

Hemporium Bulbinella & Hemp After Sun Soothing and cooling aftersun lotion. Designed to repair and moisturise dry and damaged skin. R70.

Tel. 021 783 0173. www.faithfultonature.co.za Simply Aloe After Sun Soothing Gel Soothes and calms sensitive skin after excessive exposure to the sun. R69.

Tel: 021 510 4082.

Simply Sun SPF30 Sun Cream Intensive moisturising anti-ageing protection. R70.

Tel: 021 510 4082.

Elixir Sunscreen SPF15 Light, quick-drying, easily absorbed and leaves no residue. Contains lavender oil for effective protection from the sun, and is suitable for sensitive skin, children

and babies. R125.

Tel: 021 788 8321.

Badger Lip Balm SPF15 Chemical-free 100% natural and rich in certified organic ingredients. R45-R50.

Available at selected Dischem and Edgars stores.

Simplicité offers a boutique range of 40 nutritive skin solutions created with organic plant extracts, bush-flowers and aromatherapy essences, handmade by leading Australian naturopath and herbalist, David Lyons. Hydrating Floral Spritz R150.

Trevarno Lip Balm Lipstick This is a deeply creamy, moisturising lip balm with added Sun Protection Factor 15 to protect your lips all year round. Contains olive oil infused with healing comfrey and calendula. R79.

Tel: 021 783 0173. www.faithfultonature.co.za

lip service

Badger Bali Balm Soothing after-sun care, with cocoa and shea butters combined with olive oil and jojoba to make a light, soothing total body balm. R80.

Available at selected Dischem and Edgars stores.

Crabtree & Evelyn’s Garden Mint Soothing Lip Balm is an extra moisturising lip care blended with olive oil, beeswax and cooling peppermint oil, which helps to recondition and soothe dry lips. R110.

Available online at www.simplicite.co.za and at selected beauty salons and pharmacies

The website www.give-it-bag.com acts as a forum to inspire good deeds around the planet. Phone: 072 658 11 53 or email capetown@give-it-bag.com

Pure Beginnings Eco Living Eco Roll On Deodorants are available in Forest, Monsoon and Sahara and are perfect for men, women and teenagers. Free of aluminium, parabens, synthetic fragrances and animal products, this deodorant keeps you feeling and smelling fresh all day. An effective natural solution to body odour and ideal for persons suffering from skin irritations from conventional deodorants and antiperspirants.

Sahara: A blend of spices and oils with cinnamon overtones.

Forest: Revitalised with spearmint to keep you feeling fresh all day.

Monsoon: Overtones of geranium, ylang-ylang and patchouli to keep you feeling natural and relaxed.

Pure Beginnings Eco Living Eco Roll On Deodorants cost R85 each. For closest stockists please call Pure Beginnings on 031 764 4049 or email: info@purebeginnings.co.za

bambini

rare earth incense

The Bambini range has been created by Beautiful Earth Aromatherapy especially for toddlers by a registered aromatherapist, and their fragrance-free range can be used from birth. Bambini products contain only natural and organic essential oils that are safe for little people.

Completely natural and free from toxins, not tested on animal, no perfumes or artificial fragrances used. All packaging is derived from recycled paper, child labour not used and a vegan product. The oils and ingredients are harvested from reforested and local forest areas, indigenous herbs and flora-organic products without the need for certification.

Ayurvedic range: Ayurvedic incense requires a particular preparation process.

The base already contains essential oils from roots, bark-fruit and resins retained during the manufacturing process. The balanced composition of the final product aims at achieving a specific effect which embraces the knowledge of the principles of Ayurveda medicine, aromatherapy and the mechanisms which govern them. R35.

Mosqui range: Perfect for summer entertaining and camping. Repels flies and mosquitos. Smells beautiful. R35.

Beautiful Earth products are available at www.beautiful-earth.co.za or Wellness Warehouse. For more info call Janin on 083 441 9741 or email info@beautiful-earth.co.za

Photos: Warrick McLeod

pure beginnings

Available at Faitrhful to nature: www.faithful-to-nature.co.za.

For more info contact Beth on 084 606 0646 or visit www.rare-earth.co.za

fashion & beauty 11

body beautiful

Crabtree & Evelyn, an expert in naturally based formulas for over 30 years, launches some exciting additions to Natrurals – botanical body care with benefits. This collection of good-for-you beauty remedies is inspired by a natural, pure view of beauty, a philosophy shared by India Hicks in her book, Island Beauty. Natrurals is comprised of eclectic blends of botanical extracts, botanical oils and mineral complexes – free of parabens, mineral oil, colorants, sodium lauryl sulfate, or propylene glycol. This collection of 37 products contains efficacious levels of botanicals that work to nourish, tone, refine and purify the skin. Every formula is a unique cocktail of select botanicals that, when combined, deliver a greater benefit to your skin than the individual ingredients. For example, the Milk, Soy and Sugar synergy is nourishing, Olive, Avocado and Basil is conditioning, Mango Butter and Grapefruit is rejuvenating and Verbena and Sage is purifying.

In addition to enhanced benefits, these ingredient blends give each product a natural and refreshing fragrance. You won’t find a single floral note in the Natrurals range. Each non-gender-specific scent has been developed to work with the active ingredients to create mixes including Pink Grapefruit and Cucumber, Olive, Avocado and Basil, Clementine and Basil, Cocoa Butter, Cardamom and Nutmeg, Mint, Fennel and Ivy, Mango and Grapefruit, Verbena and Sage, Milk Soy and Sugar, and Pineapple and Ginger. These blends are compatible with one another and can be used in any combination to give you the benefits you desire.

Trevarno Cedarwood, Juniper & Pine Bath and Body Oil The refreshing and uplifting essential oils of cedarwood, juniper and pine have specially been blended into olive oil to leave you feeling inspired.

R209. Tel: 021 783 0173. www.faithfultonature.co.za

Contact 011 704 6096 or email info@crabtree-evelyn.co.za

Dermaphuzion™ Serum Anti-Cellulite Firming Gel Uses the latest technology

to directly break down cellulite fats thereby providing the highest rates available currently – 43% reduction of cellulite. R290.

Tel: John (082 780 2022), Larry (072 676 7141).

Hemptons Hemp & Mocha Java Sugar Body Scrub Fine ground coffee which has been combined with brown sugar, hemp butter, hemp seed oil, sweet al-

mond and jojoba oil. Particularly effective in reducing the appearance of cellulite.

R65. Tel: 021 783 0173. www.faithfultonature.co.za Rosa Organics Silhouette Firming Oil for Face and Body Silhouette is a remarkable extra firming body and face oil. It contains organic rosehip seed oil and coldpressed apricot kernel oil.

R450.

i i Give th “Cra nbalanc l b e awa y” in tree & E .co.za v the sub elyn ject line

Summer is on its way – and so hopefully this heralds long fun-filled afternoons with the kids on the beach! However, the sight of a small baby/toddler dragging a sodden disposable around really does detract from the natural beauty of the situation. Moreover, those of you who have ever had to change a disposable

“swim nappy” that doesn’t undo on the beach know that it is just not pretty! This does not happen in a Bio-Baba swim nappy.

Instead of simply getting a swim nappy, you have a diaper that will be able to keep in “the good stuff” in the pool/sea incredibly effectively as well as contain wetting whilst out of the water; most swim nappies do not have this advantage.

Do one more small thing for the earth this summer – choose a nappy that will not end up as just another bit of waste... keeping South Africa cleaner for generations to come.

All Bio-Baba nappy outers are made from incredibly durable UV- and water-resistant PUL in fun bright colours that are stain- and run-resistant.

For more information call 021 761 8982 or visit www.biobaba.co.za

Simply Oil Uniquely formulated, rich in botanicals and Vitamin E to help reduce the appearance of stretch marks, scars and uneven skin tone. R73.

Tel: 021 510 4082.

Crabtree & Evelyn Toning Shower & Bath Gel Formulated with nourishing botanical extracts to tone

Boys & Girls 0-10 years

CrabWe hav ea tre gift e & Eve up f hampe lyn or r nick To ent grabs er e y@li ma ! fei w

bio-baba nappy

Tel: 021 783 0173. www.faithfultonature.co.za

and condition skin.

R250. Tel: 011 704 6096. info@crabtree-evelyn. co.za Hemporium Finest Moisturiser Made with hemp seed and sandalwood oils, as well as jojoba with a base of beeswax and aloe, this easily absorbed moisturiser will protect and soften skin.

R78. Tel: 021 783 0173. www.faithfultonature.co.za

NEWBORN UNISEX

health food for your skin

TYGER VALLEY V&A WATERFRONT CAVENDISH SQ CANAL WALK SOMERSET MALL SANDTON EASTGATE CRESTA EPSOM DOWNS WOODLANDS BLVD MENLYN GATEWAY WESTWOOD WALMER PARK

The original name in fun clothing

12 gifts

goodies and gifts biowashball Every now and again there comes a product that seems to be too good to be true. This is not one of them, however, as it does exactly what it says on the box. You no longer need detergent to wash clothes, making it the only hypoallergenic, antibacterial, economical and environmentally friendly solution for washing machines and hand washing.

Enquiries: info@htp.co.za

puppy love While giving a pet as a gift is never a good idea, as many are doomed to become one of the 16 000 sick and needy animals rescued by the Animal Rescue Organisation each year, this doesn’t mean that pets cannot feature as gifts. The ideal alternative is a donation in the recipient’s name to the Animal Rescue Organisation, who provide essential health services to disadvantaged communities too.

These soaps are pure decadence, beneficial to both the face and body

Trevarno Organic Soap Collection includes: Organic Chamomile Soap, great for those with sensitive skin.

Organic Calendula Soap with wonderful healing and anti-inflammatory properties Organic Rose & Jojoba which is richly moisturising and rejuvenating.

Organic Lavender & Geranium Soap, a truly gorgeous-smelling bar of soap particularly good for inflamed skin, acne and eczema.

Organic Propolis Soap, great for cracked heels and broken skin.

R277 (350g).

A gift for the Domestic Goddess

Animals are gifts for life if you treat them well

all soaped up

Donation details: First National Bank Lansdowne Branch Code 203209, Acc 501 400 469 77 Email: aro@animalrescue.org.za Website: www.animalrescue.org.za Phone 021 396 5511 Fax 021 396 5514 Cheques to Animal Rescue Organisation, P.O. Box 14285, Kenwyn, 7790.

If you require a thank you letter, please email us at aro@animalrescue.org.za

township chic high-quality, environmentally friendly bags produced by selfemployed women in Khayelitsha

Since the beginning of the Township Patterns story, it has been a clear objective that the company would establish a powerful trade mark both in South Africa and on export markets in order to be able to support directly and durably the development of empowered production units in the townships of South Africa.

Today mainly bags and accessories are made out of hessian and cotton fabrics with unique designs. Products are sold through retail (Pick n Pay in South Africa) and distribution channels but also directly to large corporations and conference organisers in South Africa, Europe and North America.

For more info contact Audrey Touchard on 021 422 4828.

chocolate love The perfect natural gift set for chocolate lovers!

The Chocolate Love Gift Set includes: Hemptons Hemp & Chocolate Shower Gel with Cacao Wax Beads Hemptons Mocha Java & Hemp Sugar Hemptons Chocolate Orange Bath Syrup R226.

ecodiary The year-round gift!

Our new 2009 ecodiary, full of tips on how to make small changes that will make a big difference and have a positive impact on your environment. Printed on recycled “Reviva” paper, and with 5% of all revenue generated from ecodiary sales going to the WWF, it’s an ecochic gift with a conscience. R188 inc VAT. For more info, or to order, contact Nicky on 021 702 7641 or nicky@lifeinbalance.co.za

for him and her Treat yourself or a loved one with the aromatic hemp blends of the products in these magical gifts

Luxury Taryna gift set for her includes: Taryna Aphrodite Body Oil 50ml Taryna Harmony Bath Oil 50ml Taryna beautiful ultra bust & neck oil 50ml R580.

Luxury Trevarno gift set for him includes: Trevarno Shaving Soap 75g Trevarno Men’s Facial Moisturiser/ Aftershave Cream 30ml Trevarno Aftershave Oil Trevarno Cedarwood, Juniper and Pine Bath & Body Oil 100ml R670.

All these gift sets are certified by UK Organic Farmers and Growers Association. Available online from Faithful to Nature: www.faithful-to-nature.co.za. Call Robyn on 084 501 1667.

five 2009 We’ve got for grabs! up ecodiariesnter email

To e with “2009 lance.co.za bject line a b in fe li nicky@ the su iveaway” in ecodiary g

wellness 13

7 steps of yoga nidra: balancing mind & soul Part 2

1

By Jackie Ivory

Quieten the senses

Either lie down or sit with a straight back to enable your body to settle and so you can begin the process of internalising the senses to help bring the body and mind into a relaxed and receptive state.

The mind unchecked has the tendency to wander outwards so we use techniques such as awareness of the senses, body awareness and breath awareness to rein it in.

2

Sankalpa: your personal resolve

This is a short, positively worded statement repeated at the beginning and at the end of Yoga Nidra and is a very powerful aspect of the practice. Your resolve should describe your intent that reflects your highest aspiration. It may take some time for an individual to realise what their resolve is. The process of discovery need not be rushed. The resolve is a direct order from the conscious to the unconscious mind which makes it much more powerful than an affirmation that is made on a conscious level only. Once decided upon the resolve and the language used should not be changed, as it is the repetition of the same resolve in the subtly unconscious state that is so powerful. To quote Swami Satyananda: “Anything can fail you in life but not the resolve made in Yoga Nidra.” All faith and belief should be placed in the resolve to ensure its success. It is a seed that is planted and will surely grow.

3

Exploring consciousness

4

Conscious Breathing

5

Exploring opposites

Polarised feelings are explored in order to develop emotional relaxation and to harmonise the left and right sides of the brain.

This enables us to experience the extremes of emotions and to witness ourselves doing so.

It brings a greater sense of equanimity into our lives.

Often during this part of the practice people relive deep emotional experiences and are able to release them. A few examples of the opposites that are explored are sensations of weight and lightness, of heat and cold; pain and pleasure; hunger and satisfaction.

6

Visualisation

This enables one to cleanse the mind of toxic contents. Allegories, chakra visualisation and images of great universal significance all are used. These bring the contents of the unconscious mind to the surface to be released.

7

Externalisation

After repeating the Sankalpa or resolve, the student is then slowly and gently brought back into the physical world through the methods of breath and body awareness.

Yoga Nidra is practised at the Yoga Zone www.yogazone.co.za for more details

This is how you explore each part of your body with your mind, becoming aware of the body as a whole. This deepens the process of physical relaxation and builds awareness of the body. Often our minds are separated from our bodies due to too much mental activity. Through this practice we are able to focus on and experience any individual part of the body we choose just by thinking about it.

This is the final part of the physical relaxation process. We are now moving into the more subtle realms of consciousness.

A variety of breathing exercises can be used here, like alternate nostril breathing, navel breathing and ujjayi (deep yogic breathing). Counting the breaths is also commonly used to ensure the practitioner remains aware.

Sandalwood

Cinnamon

This gorgeous-smelling oil is great for treating skin conditions like acne, dry and cracked skin and has a positive effect on the respiratory system. It acts as a mood elevator and aids sleep. Great in incense, a room burner or used as part of a body oil.

The oil is used mainly to perfume food and beauty products like toothpaste, nasal spray and cough syrups. The leaf oil is one ingredient used to flavour Coca-Cola.

Alert

This oil is fantastic to use in a room burner or to burn in your office as it works to relieve stressrelated conditions by calming the mind. Rubbed into the skin as part of a body oil it helps to relieve arthritis and rheumatism. It is also used a lot in men’s fragrances.

By Richard Asher

I’m hardly likely to hit it off with someone who tells me to stay away from hamburger rolls and avoid coffee in the afternoons, but this man clearly knew his stuff. And he did go on to say that siestas were a good thing, which went some way towards his redemption. I was willing to give this a chance!

To me osteopathy has always been “something to do with skeletons” – that was about it. So I was a little surprised to find out that there’s much more to it than bone analysis.

My first appointment started with an indepth chat about diet and daily routines, and some medical questions that went beyond the world of rattling skeletons. Then came a basic nervous system test, which I was delighted to pass.

After that came some mobility tests and another alarming diagnosis that I’m hyper-mobile and the middle of my spine is reluctant to move. Then it was on to some

To book a treatment in Cape Town contact Guy Ashburner on 0741 184 184 or 021 715 9999. Visit www.osteogoodhealth.com for more details.

Celery, bok choy, rhubarb and many more look just like bones. These foods specifically target bone strength.

Bones are 23% sodium and these foods are 23% sodium.

If you don’t have enough sodium in your diet, the body pulls it from the bones, thus making them weak. These foods replenish the skeletal needs of the body.

wood essential oils

Cedarwood

Osteopathy

elaborate and quite physical twisting and stretching – complete with the odd chirostyle manipulation – in an effort to loosen me up. And last, but not least, a good old-fashioned chat about what we’d discovered in the last hour. I walked out armed with some revolutionary thoughts about posture, as well as some truly different exercises to what I’d been recommended before.

And so I learnt first-hand that osteopathy’s selling point is its all-round approach.

There’s a key belief in addressing the underlying causes of problems – whether they arise through lifestyle or elsewhere in the body – rather than thinking about symptoms too locally. My layman’s impression was that it takes the best bits of chiro and physio, then adds a little more besides. For a more detailed run-down of the osteo philosophy, though, check out the website below.

An oil that is no longer sustainable and that should not be used is that of the rosewood tree, being one that has been decimated through the felling of the Amazon rainforests. Brazil and Peru are the main producers of the rosewood tree.

It was used extensively in furniture making and was the main source of natural linalool, now produced synthetically.

Source: The Encyclopaedia of Essential Oils by Julia Lawless. ISBN 1-85230-311-5

14 art & books

naked: exploring the sacred Sisters artist Cathy Abraham and photographer Jenny Schneider’s collaborative works are a celebration of nature within and nature without. By Laura Twiggs “There is a way that nature speaks, that land speaks. Most of the time we are simply not patient enough, quiet enough, to pay attention to the story,” wrote Native American poet, academic and environmentalist Linda Hogan. It’s an ethos that is shared by sisters Cathy Abraham and Jenny Schneider, Cape Town-based artists who share a profound love of nature, a belief in its uplifting and healing powers, and a common understanding of the earth’s essential sacredness.

Nature photography runs parallel to the earth’s gradual loss of wild places. Through nature photography, vulnerable wild spaces are captured and held, “saved” in an image and spared from desecration. Schneider is mindful of this, but for her there is also a personal element in her choice of natural subject: the solidity and groundedness of earth, and

the mutable fluidity of water.

Primarily using a classic Hasselblad camera, Schneider produces images of superior quality and high definition, taking tremendous care when selecting exactly which images to shoot, and which prints to make available to Abraham. A rigorous and perfectionist photographer, Schneider captures glimpses of nature’s finer details in a meditative and selective ongoing process.

Her carefully chosen and sensitive blackand-white nature photographs are digitally printed onto canvas and subtly sepia-toned.

Out of and onto these images of rock, water and trees Abraham layers on multiple films of muted glazes, creating figures that merge diaphanously with their natural environment and become indissolubly part of the landscape. The glazed bodies

Naked comprises stripped (Cathy Abraham) and sacred (Cathy Abraham and Jenny Schneider), both with Mica Curitz in association with João Ferreira.

It is on until 20 December 2008, at João Ferreira Gallery, Cape Town.

meld with the bark and twisted tree forms, irreducibly part of them; elsewhere, they seamlessly waft through the very fabric of rock and sea water: the sinuous crack in a submerged rock is a human spine; the mottled skin of the figure is that of the lichen-encrusted, ever-changing sea bed.

Existing forms within gnarled, weathered wood are given ghostly forms, and the medium of glaze adds to the other-worldly, opaque quality. The effect is ethereal liberation, natural harmony, and a celebration of the psycho-spiritual dimension as being

on the shelf

closely tied to the body of the earth itself.

Filled with nuance and suggestion, embracing notions of light and dark in both metaphorical and aesthetic senses and employing the naked body as a vehicle through which to explore such themes as truth, courage, personal growth, honesty and intrinsic value, the body of work as a whole evokes a hidden transcendence, made possible through reflection, as well as openness and the embrace of the earth.

Poised between the actual and the ideal, ultimately merging and blending with their contexts in poignant suspension, the figures and images speak of loss, but also of fleeting connection and momentary embrace: the short-lived escape and transitory deliverance that the artists themselves are able to access only in the reflective ephemeral space of creation, or immersed in unbounded nature.

dvd review The World According to Monsanto Marie-Monique Robin’s long-awaited film explores Monsanto’s controversial past and highlights toxic products, misleading reports, pressure tactics, collusion and corruption, as they race to genetically engineer the world’s food supply, which profoundly threatens our health, environment and economy. This DVD will change the way you view corporations and their attempts to control the world. R150 excl. postage, from SafeAge; www.safeage.org, O21 447 8445 or safeage@mweb.co.za

win!

SafeAg e is giv ing one reader lu the ch ance to cky one of the mo own st imp docum ort Email y entaries of 2 ant 008. our na me to nick y@lifein and details balanc with “S e.co.z af DVD” in eAge Monsan a t the su bject li o ne.

pure indulgence, naturally...

Organic Home Rosamond Richardson.

Penguin Group.

ISBN 978-1-40532-661-2 This excellent paperback offers concise guidance on how to make easy, practical changes towards living more harmoniously, from waste management and energy to home cleaning, decorating, health and beauty, babies and pets. Included are a number of simple, inexpensive alternatives to chemically laden shop-bought items.

Earth Matters Consultant Editor David de Rothschild. Penguin Group.

ISBN 978-1-40531-888-4 A Dorling Kindersley book, Earth Matters takes younger readers on an ecological journey around the world, from polar ice, tropical forests, mountains and deserts to the depths of our oceans.

Beautifully illustrated with full-colour photographs and fascinating content, it would make a wonderful gift. This is a “cleaner, greener book”.

Further information at www.dk.com/madewithcare

Make It! Jane Bull. Penguin Group.

ISBN 978-1-40533-161-6 Just in time for the holidays, this colourful book is filled with activities to keep younger children busy while teaching them about recycling. Each of the four categories – Paper, Plastic, Metal and Fabric – offer a number of fun, easy-to-make projects, such as bubblewrap cushions, scrap paper pots, mobiles, rag weaving, cushions from old clothes and bobble-hat and glove friends.

The winners of our book give-aways from last issue are: Nikki Jackman with “Igniting Intuition” and Wendy Steytler with “The Healing Power of Water”

wrap yourself in

cocoon

Indulge yourself with Cocoon’s luxurious range of 100% mulberry silk-filled duvets, pillows and hand woven carpets.

luxury furnishings

Contact: t/f: 021 438 0550 • c: 084 234 5020 • info@cocoonbedding.com • www.cocoonbedding.com

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To advertise here email: nicky@lifeinbalance.co.za Tel: +27 21 702 7646 Fax: +27 21 702 7657 Mother Nature Products Mother Nature Products supplies a range of 100% natural bamboo/cotton blend shaped cloth nappies.

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021 871 1595 info@justtrees.co.za www.justtrees.co.za Faithful to Nature SA’s finest online organic and natural shop selling beauty, food, gifts and household products. 021 783 0173 support@faithful-to-nature.co.za www.faithful-to-nature.co.za Healthy Life The Professional Health Shop – for advice that will make a difference to your life.

021 421 5443 jjohns@mweb.co.za Organic Living Health and wholefood retailer.

Stockists of supplements, homeopathic herbals, beauty products, organic and natural food, green household and natural baby products.

021 794 1888 info@organicliving.co.za www.organicliving.co.za Honeyvale Herbs Natural Animal Healthcare – 100% pure and part-organic herbal health supplements for dogs, cats, birds and horses.

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011 704 6096 info@wholeearth.co.za www.wholeearth.co.za Postwink Sourcing and distributing quality recycling products for companies and organisations who want to make a difference and promote recycling in SA. 079 491 7615 info@postwink.co.za www.postwink.co.za E-clear 100% chlorine-free, bacteria-free, toxic-free freshwater pool system.

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Greenshift Eco-Consultants Providing sustainable solutions for business, lifestyle and design, environmental and energy auditing, eco business services (enviro policy, training and reporting), green retrofits and green design solutions for new developments, sustainable landscape design, environmental awareness and media.

021 790 9946/084 463 7781 greenshift@mweb.co.za www.greenshift.co.za Greenarch Architects Natural architecture.

084 503 6605 info@greenarch.co.za Greenhome Suppliers of biodegradable and compostable food packaging, with all products being made from natural and renewable resources.

021 671 6033 info@greenhome.co.za www.greenhome.co.za Good for the Ground Biodegradable and compostable film bags for home and commercial use.

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028 313 2054 caroline@biogrow.co.za www.biogrow.co.za Emma Jane Williams – Body Talk Practitioner Body Talk is a simple and effective therapy, resynchronising as nature intended.

082 826 6551 willa@iafrica.com Body & Soul Works Therapeutic aromatherapy, reflexology and healing.

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Oops!

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life in balance

your monthly green solution to natural & eco-friendly living

what’s happening?

5–6 December Sensation SA: the Green Experience. International electronic music festival to highlight and contribute to a sustainable and secure future.

Klein Dassenberg Road, Honeyvalle, Atlantis.

Further info: 079 180 8907, www.sensationsa.co.za, info@sensationsa.co.za 7 December Freshlyground at Kirstenbosch Gardens. Starts 5:30pm (gates open 3:30pm) Info: 021 799 8783/8620/8773 www.sanbi.org Ticket sales: 021 761 2866/ 799 8782 Online ticket sales: www.tunegum.com 13–14 December Baardskeerders Art Route.

A unique group of artists and crafters exhibiting their works in and around small, rustic village.

10am to 5pm. Further info and map at www.freewebs.com/ artroute/ or tel: 028 381 9636 or 083 444 2613 16 December Antique and Crafts Fair. Melrose House, 275 Jacob Marais St, Pretoria. 9am to 3pm. Antique dealers, crafters, tea and beer garden, live entertainment and more. Free entrance to the fair; guided tours of Melrose House offered at R9 for adults, R6 for learners.

Further info: 012 322 2805/ 0420, melrosehouse@tswane. gov.za, www.melrosehouse.co.za 17–21 December Simonstown Art Group Exhibition. Library (Community) Hall, St Georges Street. 10am to 5pm Further info: Venitia Eglington, 021 786 2300 21 December Just Jinjer at Kirstenbosch Gardens. See 7 Dec for contact details

family fun Western Cape Monkey Town. Somerset West, Tel: 021 858 1060 or www.monkeys.co.za Beachfront stroll and then Putt Putt.

Two courses of 18 holes each. Beach Road, Mouille Point, Tel: 021 434 4605

2009 is: The International Year of Astronomy The International Year of Natural Fibres The International Year of Reconciliation The Chinese Year of the Ox

28 December Seether – Shaun Morgan at Kirstenbosch.

See 7 Dec for contact details 4 January Plush at Kirstenbosch.

See 7 Dec for contact details 11 January Watershed at Kirstenbosch.

See 7 Dec for contact details 18 January Loyiso Bala and Friends at Kirstenbosch. See 7 Dec for contact details 26 January Prime Circle at Kirstenbosch.

See 7 Dec for contact details 1 February The Parlotones at Kirstenbosch.

See 7 Dec for contact details 6–8 February 2009 Up the Creek Music Festival.

For details of line-up, costs, directions, etc. contact www.upthecreek.co.za, enquiries@upthecreek.co.za or call Liezel at 021 510 0547 7 February Green Market: Recycled Art and Natural Living Market. Pretoria Botanical Gardens, promoting a greener lifestyle, from Arts and Crafts made from recycled materials, alternative-powered gadgets and green gardening to delicious natural and organic food and beverages. Further info: Melissa at 083 562 5249 or greenmelilly@gmail.com 8 February Arno Carstens at Kirstenbosch.

See 7 Dec for contact details

Cherry picking at Klondyke Cherry Farm, Ceres. Tel: 023 312 1521 www.cherryfarm. co.za. Season closes end December.

Gauteng Yeesh! offers slides, trampolines, jumping castle and play obstacles for under-12s.

Tel: 083 923 2306 www.yeesh.co.za Try your hand, or putter, at Adventure Golf, set in tranquil gardens with waterfalls and caves. www.adventuregolf.co.za Johannesburg Bunny Park invites young children to feed and interact with farmyard animals and bunnies. Tel: 011 422 3651

What’s happening this day, week, month or year...

1 December World Aids Day 5 December International Volunteer Day 11 December International Mountain Day 4 February International tacky email formatting day 6 February World Nude Day

22–23 December MCQP 2008. The theme this year is Lights! Camera! Action!

Further info: www.mcqp.co.za

KwaZulu-Natal Go dipping at the Candle Dipping Shop.

Nottingham Road, Tel: 033 266 6980 The Rainbow Puppet Theatre is the only permanent puppet theatre in South Africa.

December: The Christmas Rose; January: Red Riding Hood. Saturdays at 10am and 11:15am. Tel: Alison 021 783 2063 Go “mining” for treasures from as little as R11 at the world-famous Scratch Patch Mineral World. www.scratchpatch.co.za.

Acquaint the family with Durban’s most famous landmarks and buildings at Mini Town. It’s Durban, only smaller. 114 Snell Parade, Beachfront, Tel: 031 337 7892 Learn how to milk cows, feed and interact with farm animals, take a pony ride and have fun in the playground at Flag Farm in Ballito. Tel: 032 947 2018

“being green is easy�

Make 2009 a year of great change with the life in balance ecodiary... the only ecodiary that offers a resource guide full of tips on how to make small steps every day that will have a positive impact on your environment. Available now for R188 inc VAT, excluding postage.

The life in balance ecodiary is printed on 100% recycled and recyclable paper No trees were used to make these diaries 40% post-consumer waste 60% pre-consumer waste Reviva paper goes through no de-inking process (this reduces environmentally unfriendly toxic chemicals and bleaching agent by-products A portion of the sales from the Ecodiary will go to the WWF

To place you r order phone Nicky on 021 702 764 1 or email nicky@lifeinb alance. co.za