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Stimulating your baby
By occupational therapist Liz Senior of the Clamber Club.
E
arly stimulation really makes a difference! Did you know that at birth a baby’s brain contains virtually all the nerve cells it will ever have? Although before birth, your baby’s pattern of wiring has slowly started, many more brain connections need to be made. Experiences build these brain connections. We as parents need to find the time to cuddle, to talk to and to provide our infants with stimulating experiences. Research shows that rich experiences provide rich brains. The most important years in this regard are the first 3 years. When your baby is born, he can see and hear and respond to touch, but only dimly. The connections between the neurones are unclear and weak. Over the first four months of life, your baby’s brain explodes with new connections. Parents are the first and most important teachers. Experience is the architect of the brain, and this is where you as parents can play an essential role. How can we stimulate our babies? Focus on the senses The visual sense Giving baby plenty of things to look at helps him begin to learn and to recognise objects and people and improves his eyesight by exercising and strengthening the muscles needed for focusing. Look! • Provide baby with a variety of `looking’ objects. Black, white and red seem to be the colours that
•
•
young babies are most attracted to. Faces are an early object of focus. Use makeup to enhance facial features e.g. lipstick encourages easier focus. Use facial expression when commu nicating! Make mobiles and change them regularly:
The auditory sense Learning to identify noises and to notice what he is hearing will help your baby differentiate between sounds and to later imitate them. Talking to you baby significantly speeds up the process of learning new words. Most babies relate to soothing sounds, gentle talking, reading, music and higher pitched sounds. Vowel sounds are the first sounds that your baby will begin to imitate. Listen! • Make your own rattles with empty containers. Fill them with rice, pasta, beans sugar, sand, seeds, bot tle tops, paper clips or bells. • Practice locating sounds by speaking or making noises at different parts in the room. • NB! Be aware of constant noise (TV and radio). Your baby’s auditory system tends to shut down if it is bombarded. This doesn’t help his listening skills. So do make time for quiet times! The tactile sense Your baby will start learning about the world around him through his sense of touch right from birth. Encouraging feely experiences helps to make bodies and hands more controlled and discriminative. PAGE 11 www.survivalguide.co.za
Feel! • Give lots of hugs and cuddles. • Massage is good for both physical and emotional well being and is great for after bath time. It’s soothing, relaxing and makes your baby more aware of his body. • Put your baby on different textured surfaces. Sheepskin is a favourite for most babies. Towels, carpets and silky cloths all provide different sensa tions. It is ideal to put your baby on these surfaces with no clothes on, making sure that he is warm enough to do so. • Tickle and touch your baby’s body with a variety or different textures – tickle with a feather, shake on baby powder, wash legs and arms with a sponge or flannel, squeeze little hands and feet in play dough. Movement stimulation Tummy lying Remember to put your baby on his tummy as often as possible, as this position strengthens his neck and back muscles, and will prepare him for later sitting. Towards 3 months your baby will have better strength to push up and lift his head. At new born stage, put a rolled up towel under his chest, and gently push his pelvis down and backwards to help him lift his head. A mirror is also fun to use for baby to look into when in tummy lying position. Back lying It is also important to build up tummy muscle control. This will balance back muscle control which is essential for sitting later. Hold your baby under his shoulders and gradually pull him up slowly into sitting, encouraging him to bring his head forward. As he gets older, and develops more control, pull him up using his hands. Rolling This usually begins from back to side at around 3 months. Play on the floor with your baby, lying next to him with toys on either side and gently nudge him to roll over. Rolling is important in the development of balancing skills. Don’t forget to dance with your baby. Spinning, rocking and tipping all stimulate the vestibular system, important for later balance and sensory integration. Clamber Club runs a baby stimulation programme at franchises countrywide. Visit www.clamberclub.com or email headoffice@clamberclub.com for a franchise in your area.
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Green
Baby Tips
Part 4
By Joanne Austin, owner of Mother Nature Products
Try Natural Medicine and Remedies when Baby is Ill.
N
atural treatment of common ailments in babies is a wonderful, non-invasive way to heal your baby. These simple treatments can be given in conjunction with or in place of conventional medicines. However, if in doubt or if symptoms persist always consult with a professional.
Using natural medicines or remedies has environmental benefits as well because what we put into our bodies goes out as waste and then pollutes the eco system. Pollutants involved in the manufacture and distribution of pharmaceutical drugs are an environmental hazard. Mercury thermometers pollute the environment so use digital ones instead.
Illness
Treatment
Colds and snotty nose
• Use either camphor/ lavender/ eucalyptus/ peppermint oils mixed with a bit of olive oil as a chest rub. • Give baby a drink of a mixture of freshly squeezed orange or blackberry juice mixed with a bottle of boiled, cooled water as a vitamin C boost and rehydrate. • Add indigenous “Wilde Els” leaves to baby’s warm bath to unblock nasal passages. • Use sea water nose drops to loosen congested nasal passages.
Bruises/ Injuries/ Shock
• Arnica tablets or oil to assist the healing process.
Jaundice
• Breastfeeding will help. • Expose baby’s skin to UV sunrays (but not in a breeze or heat).
Colic
• If baby’s birth was traumatic then consult with an osteopath as a mis aligned spine may be the cause of the colic. • Look at breastfeeding mom’s diet for a potential cause of colic. • Give baby’s tummy a massage with soothing chamomile or mandarin essential oil blend. • Try gripe/ ginger/ fennel water. • Practice good burping techniques.
Teething
• An amber necklace for mild pain relief. • Oil of cloves from a pharmacy – rub this onto the gums.
Diarrhoea
• 1 Tablespoon of apple cider every hour. • If the cause is a viral infection then live yoghurt will help. • Add rooibos tea to a rehydrate solution and encourage drinking this every hour. Stop all milk during this period.
Constipation
• Try pureed apple or prune and yoghurt.
Sleeplessness
• Rule out any potential causes of discomfort then give baby a warm bath with aromatic lavender or mandarin essential oils and a massage. PAGE 15 www.survivalguide.co.za
New iN South AfricA Why it’s better than a rear-mounted seat interaction
with your child child has a better view easier/safer loading and unloading of your child better centre of gravity
similar construction to rear-mounted seats easy to install one adult can take multiple children for a bike rides
iBert Safe-T-Seat www.iBertsouthafrica.co.za PAGE 16 www.survivalguide.co.za
e iBertsouthafrica@telkomsa.net g 074 8991613
“The key to keeping your balance is knowing when you’ve lost it.”
Anonymous
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Give yourself permission to pause As a parent, the concept of ‘balanced eating’ may evoke images of you packing a colourful lunch box for your child brimming with goodness (hoping it will be consumed… ) or trying to prepare suppers that look like a pie diagram with the right amount of carbs, protein and fat on the plate. However, balanced eating refers to much more than the ‘what’ of eating, but also to when and how. It is healthy behaviours after all that contribute to optimal health and balance. One of the synonyms for ‘balanced’ is actually ‘sane’. With that in mind, let’s address some common eating behaviours experienced by busy parents and look at how to bring back some balance or if you like, some sanity into your eating! Of course these principles apply to the whole family…otherwise it would be ‘in’sane!
THE WHEN OF EATING… Irregular eating and/or undereating during the day: As adults we tend to focus on what NOT to eat, instead of actually making time TO eat. Eating regularly AND enough during the day can prevent what sometimes may feel like a bottomless hunger to munch from late afternoon until bed-time. Having an eating rhythm in place can further help to distinguish between real physical hunger and all the other needs that can trigger eating in the emotionally and physically draining day of a parent. Establish a rhythm that suits you best (such as eating something every 3-5 hours) is foundational to a balanced way of eating. PAGE 20 www.survivalguide.co.za
THE HOW OF EATING… Multitasking and eating on the go Ever had an experience where you ate something and could not remember eating it, and wanting more of it because you somehow weren’t ‘there’ when eating it? We eat while we breastfeed, drive, work and even while we talk and in the process often eat more than we intended without really feeling satisfied and ‘fed’. Give yourself ‘permission’ to pause and eat! The simple act of sitting down to a meal or snack can create some ‘breathing’ space from the demands of a screaming baby or a two-year old on a tantrum or the deadline at work. Even allowing a brief interruption from all the other tasks will increase the quality of your eating experience, your digestion and the level of satisfaction and satiety….all adding towards the goal of balanced eating to optimise your health.
THE WHAT OF EATING… Planning meals around everyone else’s ‘needs’ but yours You plan your day at work or what to buy for your child’s lunch box, but somehow you are out of plans when it comes to you. Perhaps it might help to think of you as another ‘child’ who needs care and nurturing. Plan your meals so that you enjoy it too. Instead of finishing half-eaten peanut butter sandwiches or pureed
and eat! By Carien Meyer
prunes actually plan to have something that satisfies your hunger and your taste buds. Afraid your children won’t eat it? They can only learn to eat new foods if they are exposed to them (often many times) and if they see you eating it. Ineffective ‘pick me ups’… Parents need ‘pick me ups’, no doubt! But so often the choices fluctuate between two extremes- either having quick fix coffees and vending machine items OR nibbling on bags of carrot sticks and low fat crackers waiting for the ‘aha’ moment. You may find a protein and carbohydrate combination, especially in the afternoon, satisfying both your appetite and stabilising your blood sugar levels to carry you through comfortably to your next meal. Mix and match some of the following protein and carbohydrate combinations until you find YOUR match:
Protein
Peanut butter Lean biltong Hummus Cheese Yoghurt Nuts
Carbohydrate
Whole-wheat or rye crackers Digestive biscuits Baby vegetables Fruit/fruit salad Dried fruit
essential. It is a case of do unto yourself as you want for your children. We can only model what we practice.
Background Carien Meyer is a mother of a busy toddler and pre-schooler. She is a registered dietician with a BSc and MSc degree in Nutrition and Dietetics and has worked in public and private sector as a dietician. She currently has a part-time private practice in Somerset-West and also works as clinical educator of UCT dietetic students. She has a special interest in the area of disordered eating.
Concluding remarks Including yourself in the caring process or eating (the when, how and what) is not selfish but
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Celebrate
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Party Planning and ideas
Planning a kid’s birthday party may seem like a stressful occasion but it doesn’t have to be. The first place to start when planning your child’s special day is with a party theme together with your budget. The theme will form the base for the party and tie it all together. Ask your child what they would like - do they have a favourite character (cartoon or TV), sport interest, hobby or dream that would make a fun party theme? From there, you can now create everything from deciding on the guest list, the party venue, invitations, activities etc. The harder options may be the planning of activities. Keeping the kids entertained & the parents relaxed is the key to a successful birthday celebration. When the kids are entertained then the parents will also enjoy the party without having to run around their children. Sometimes all children need is a sand pile & a jumping castle and this will keep them occupied for hours, other times especially for older children it may require a little more thought. The time of year the party is held also influences a great deal on the type of celebration you will have. We all know that the winter months are not very easy. The possibility of it being too cold and/or rainy for an outside party is highly likely. So, what do you do? There are quite a number of venues offering indoor party options. This is a great time to re-introduce those fantastic party games. Kidspartyvenues.co.za has many indoor & outdoor venues to choose from as well as various party providers & entertainers to make that special birthday celebration truly memorable!
Carmen Bakker Email: info@kidspartyvenues.co.za Website: www.kidspartyvenues.co.za
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Room
Self-Adhesive Height Measurer Wall Decals
Room
Self-Adhesive Chalkboard Wall Decals Dimension: 65cm x 48cm
Dimension: 65cm x 48cm x 2 pieces
Room
Self-Adhesive Wall Decals Dimension: 65cm x 48cm
Toby Tower Room Décor Are you looking for a new way to “spice up” your children’s rooms? Toby Tower has the solution! Toby Tower’s Room Décor can help you change your room decor at minimal cost. The range consists of 3 fun themes: Jungle, Transport and Garden Fairy. Each range has a wall sticker, black chalkboard and a height measurer. Visit www.tobytower.co.za to veiw our full range. Toby Tower is available at your local toystore and stationer.
consumer helpline
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online suppor t www.tobytower.co.za
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A Balanced Education - the Montessori Way by Fiona Metelerkamp (a Knysna Montessori parent)
A recent American study showed that Montessori schooling produces more mature, creative and socially adept children, who display a greater sense of justice and fairness, and interact in an emotionally positive way. What is a Montessori education? It is a method of education and a philosophy developed by Dr Maria Montessori based on her scientific observation of how children learn. From the outset it differs from traditional education as it places the child and learning at its core, and not the teacher and teaching. Montessori education is founded on the belief that children should be free to learn without restriction or criticism, and that each child’s individuality should be respected. How does it work? Dr Montessori identified specific learning periods for different age groups, periods in children’s development where they are particularly receptive to learning a specific skill or subject. She also observed that older children will spontaneously teach younger children, that they want to be looked up to as role models. So she divided classes into three year age groups, each group coinciding with a particular learning sensitivity, the age groups are 3 - 6; 6 - 9; 9 - 12; 12 - 15 and 15 - 18 years. In a Montessori class there is constant interaction and socialisation (not socialising) going on. The classroom is different too - it is a clean, ordered space arranged according to subject area and filled with Montessori equipment specially designed to lead children to grasp abstract concepts by making them a physical experience. For example a set of beads divided into units of 1, 10, 100 or 1000 is used to help young children understand the decimal system. With their hands they get a muscular impression of the difference between a unit of 1, 10, 100 and 1000 and after a while begin to see that the 1000 is just a lot of 100's joined together. An abstract concept made concrete by the Montessori emphasis on learning though all five senses. The role of the teacher or directress is to enable each child, to explain and demonstrate certain skills or subjects to them, using the equipment after which the child is free to examine and explore at his own time and pace. The Montessori child is free to move and choose activities, to work alone or with others, to evolve his own patterns and rhythms and discover his interests But the focus is on self-discipline and freedom through choice, children are not free to disturb or disrupt others or damage equipment. The directress is always available to respond to the needs of the learners, and gets to really know each child, understand their abilities and anxieties, and guide them towards independence and self-confidence. A Montessori education is a truly balanced approach that goes further than just getting a child through Matric - a Montessori education prepares a child for life.
Preparation for Life - from Toddler to Matric • registered independent school - I.E.B. Matric • team and individual sport including swimming - 25m pool • small classes - individual attention • nurtures self-confidence, self-discipline and respect for self and others
we have expanded our pre-school, and are accepting new students from the beginning of the 2nd term 044 382 3676 or 3825316 ∙ admissions@knysnamontessori.co.za PAGE 31 www.survivalguide.co.za
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Discipline
vs Diet
I
Written by Andalene Salvesen (International Parenting Coach and Author)
n my work as international parenting coach, I have found that the concerns from parents are quite universal. What parents do not seem to realize is that children do not have the wisdom to understand the connection between health and wellness. They want, what they want, and they want it NOW! As parents we have far more wisdom than they have and we have to keep the bigger picture in mind. You cannot give a child a choice when they do not understand the full implications of the choice.
Children need age appropriate choices like, ‘We are having eggs for breakfast. Would you like scrambled or boiled?’ or ‘Would you like your oats with cinnamon or without?’ Children do not know, like adults, that what you eat as a child lays a foundation for a healthy future. Good eating habits are established from a young age. From sitting at the table (with good manners!) to learning to eat a variety of foods because your body needs the nutrients from many sources, not just 2 minute noodles, bread and yoghurt.
‘
My child was hit at play school today. They should expel that child!
’
What you put in your mouth affects your mood, health and overall feeling of wellness. When children eat junk, at any age, they act out. We all know the mood swings after dreaded birthday parties! They are either on a sugar high or in floods of tears. As co-author of ‘Raising Happy Healthy Children’ (Struik Christian Media) written in conjunction with Clinical Nutritionist, Sally-Ann Creed, I have learned that disciplining a child when you feed them junk is impossible, nor can you get them to eat healthy food if they are not disciplined. The two go hand in hand. In my 8 years experience of doing home visits, I have seen many families with problems like sleeping, eating and tantrums. I have a two-fold approach: Discipline and diet! If your child has been a picky eater since transitioning from pureed foods to bitty foods, it could well be a sensory problem. Children with sensory issues will typically gag easily. I have often found they will not even put a cherry tomato to their mouth, or refuse to try mashed potatoes. But this is not the only way
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to diagnose sensory issues. These problems have to be dealt with through Occupational Therapists that specialize in Sensory Integration. This is not a discipline first approach.
‘
Julie has uncontrollable tantrums! We often don’t even know what kicks her off. Sometimes they can last for one hour.
’
However, if your child has not had these problems and has developed into a picky eater, it could be discipline related. Firm boundaries need to be put into place in all other areas before food issues are addressed. Once you are the parent in other areas, you are the parent when it comes to food. The boundaries then become clearly defined. The choice is clear: this is lunch/supper/snack etc. – ‘You do not have to eat it. But there is nothing else until the next meal’. No child that has been offered food has EVER died of hunger! If you are trying a new or ‘I don’t like it’ food, then place two bites of this on the plate with the instruction ‘You only have to take one bite, then you can have the rest of your food.’ How can you say you do not like peas, if you have never tasted peas?? So, one bite is the minimum requirement and then they can have their other favourite healthy food. There will be another bite on the plate IF they decide they actually like it and want to try again, which often is the case. Never place too much focus on the food, force feed or show your anxiety. Your child will sense this and hold you hostage. Encourage a child to stop eating when they have had enough, they do not have to finish everything on their plate as this can lead to unhealthy eating habits later.
‘
We have never been able to feed Ben any vegetables. All he wants to eat is yoghurt. He makes himself sick if we force him to try.
’
If you have a slow eater, ignore this while you relax and chat and eat your meal. Then, remind him that the mealtime is almost over. Set an alarm for say, another 5 minutes and remind him calmly that when the bell rings, the plates will be taken away. You will probably have to remove his plate once only and he will get the message!
Meal times should be a fun, sociable time and valuable for interaction and quality time. Relax, chat and show by example that healthy eating creates happy healthy people. Overall wellness also encompasses valuable use of time, exercise, fresh air and relationship building. Our modern day children have limited opportunities for this often due to too much screen time.
‘
I have to run around the room with a spoonful of food chasing her to get one mouthful in, unless I have the TV on to distract her.
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Screen time can be a wonderful babysitter but has its limitations. Where social interaction is concerned, eye contact and conversational skills are underdeveloped. What I call ‘Chill Time’ in my book replaces TV time. Chill time means, ‘Go play in your room till I call you’. It’s not a punishment; it’s a fun time alone in the bedroom or playroom or wherever mom decides. That is why time out should not be in the bedroom; it should be fun in there. This can be used successfully any time mom and/or dad needs it. This is especially effective when dad gets home and it’s a bit chaotic. Everyone can come and say hello with big excitement and big hugs, then he can call a ‘chill time’. This way he can spend individual time with each child, at their particular age level, in their own rooms. This is an excellent form of quality time. There are different reasons that make chill time an excellent form of relaxing: 1. 2.
3.
Mom gets some time for herself The child learns to initiate play, in other words he has to decide himself what to play with and not depend on numerous suggestions from mommy. He learns to make alternative plans, because if he comes out of chill time it will earn him a time out.
Raising children is not an easy task. As Dr James Dobson says: ‘Parenting is not for Cowards’. However it is the most rewarding job with long term benefits when taken on correctly. And remember being a good parent helps you in the long run because after all, your children are the ones that choose your old age home!
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a beautiful balanced being
Pancakes
you’ll flip over
About 20 pancakes
METHOD:
INGREDIENTS:
Sift the flour, salt and baking powder together. Make a well in the flour mixture and gradually add the water, sugar, egg, vinegar and oil to the flower mixture; beating continuously with a spoon / electric beater untill there are no more lumps.
3 cups (750 ml) flour 1/2 t (2.5 ml) salt 2 t (10 ml) baking powder 1 cup (250 ml) milk 3 cups (750 ml) water 2 T (30 ml) sugar 1 egg 1 T (15 ml) vinegar 2 T (30 ml) oil
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Stand for at least 30min before baking. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar or with your favourite filling!
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Your Words can Build Your Child’s Spirit! Written by Lizette van Huyssteen - Compiler of the Practica Program.
T
he words we choose to use when communicating with our loved ones have a profound impact on them and the atmosphere in your home. But sometimes it is difficult to know the ‘best’ way to phrase something, or how to give constructive criticism without hurting those we love. When it comes to our children, so much of our communication is in the form of giving instructions or direction, and this can be tricky, because we want to build our little ones up, instead of having them feel as though their efforts are not good enough. We also want to teach our children how to communicate in a caring and respectful way - and they are going to learn this from the way in which we talk to them day in and day out. With this in mind, it would be helpful to remember the following tips to encourage loving communication. In general communication with your child, remember the following two points: 1. Validate your child’s emotions “I understand you are frustrated, but we don’t hit other children,” rather than “Why did you hurt Johnny?” or “I know that your head must hurt after falling,” rather than “You’re a big boy, and big boys don’t cry.” 2. Avoid making negative statements “Can I help you get that?”, rather than “You’re too small to reach that”. It is unnecessary to mention anything to your child that is not encouraging.
When correcting your child, remember the following three points: 1. Make statements instead of giving instructions “We eat with our spoons”, rather than “I want you to use your spoon” or “We don’t take toys from other children”, rather than “Don’t take Johnny’s truck”. This kind of instruction is a neutral statement of the ‘how things are done in the world’ and not a judgement or demand. 2. Give reasons for your rules, rather than demand unquestioned obedience “Share your toys with your brother because he’d like to play too,” rather than “Share with your brother,” or “We don’t tease the other children because it makes them sad,” rather than “No teasing!” 3. Explain what to do instead of what not to do “Let’s tidy your toys,” rather than “Stop making a mess.” When giving your child directions or instructions, remember the following two points: 1. Be specific and share the details “Finish all your food please,” rather than “I want you to eat dinner nicely” or “I love the colours you used in your picture,” rather than “Pretty picture.” 2. Demonstrate what you’re trying to say “We hold our cup with both hands (demonstrate) so that we don’t spill”, rather than “Hold your cup nicely.” These tips, if applied, can make a real difference to the atmosphere and energy in your home and family building your child’s spirit along the way.
Practica is a comprehensive programme which offers parents more than 4000 age-appropriate games and activities to play with their child from birth to 7 years. These games focus specifically on the balanced development of all 50 skills needed for school readiness, while providing unlimited family fun times. The Programme is available in English and Afrikaans. To find out more about Practica or to hear how you can earn an extra income, please contact Vanessa on 021 9137376 or email us on info@practicakids.co.za or www.practicakids.co.za
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melissa page school of dance
Association of International Dance Teachers (A.I.D.T)
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Horses and Children
A Journey
Article by Christine Watt
T
he relationship of humans and horses has sustained the world again and again throughout the centuries. For over 6000 years horses were central to family life. It has only been in the last 100 years that motor cars, trucks and tractors have replaced the horse. In the past every child grew up knowing a horse, not just as a plaything but as a working animal that was absolutely necessary to everyday life, just as a car is to our modern lives. In acquiring the motor vehicles we have gained freedom of covering great distances at speed but this has been paid for with a huge price. Not only is our
planet becoming increasingly inhospitable to life but we have lost touch with life and living things. All our work is done mechanically these days. Children no longer build skills within themselves which keep them in touch with the great natural river that feeds all our souls. They play instead computer games and watch TV and their discontent grows. Many children suffer from attention deficit syndrome because they are no longer dealing and working with real things and living animals.
A hundred years ago a child would help its parents to groom and feed the horse before going to school. They would even ride the horse to school. That child would be better prepared to face life’s calamities than 2 Percheron Heavy Draft mares and 2 boys taken in the early 1900’s our children today. Their characters would be stronger. On a daily basis they would be facing animals much bigger than themselves with independent minds. My father always said that the horse is never wrong it is always the human’s fault, and bearing this in mind working with a horse one is forced to examine one’s own motives and mistakes and to seek the truth within one’s self. This is after all the greatest lesson anyone can give to any child.
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Horses make you grow. They teach a child to be moderate with their tempers, loving in their manners, courageous in their actions and truthful with themselves. A horse is one of the most noble and intelligent animals. A good trainer can teach a horse up to 450 different commands; dogs can learn up to 50 commands and oxen a mere 8 commands. A horse mirrors our emotions completely and reacts directly to fear with fear; anger with anger; love with love; trust with trust etc. The child wanting to interact with a horse has to become aware of themselves and their emotions and this leads to spiritual growth and balance in all that child’s dealings with that animal and eventually, in the world as a grownup, those invaluable lessons will come into play. There are very few working heavy draft horses left in the world today and they are amazing gentle giants which children of yesteryear were well acquainted with. Their natures being so placid they were the ideal horses to learn to ride on and to work with. Their survival is more important to our collective consciousness than we realize. They are our last link to a world that depended on horse power and not machines to feed people. When we lose them we are in danger of losing our humanity and becoming machines like the ones we use. Outeniqua Moon’s Heavy Draft PercheronBobby and his cart at Oom Jannie’s 80th birthday party
2 boys with the Outeniqua Moon Percheron Heavy Draft Foals
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Working towards becoming
a beautiful balanced being
By Jeanne Fourie-Hattingh
Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished. ~Lao Tzu
people, your family and yourself. Neglecting one area will have an influence on all the other areas. • A state of bodily equilibrium: Dr Candace Pert proved the mind-body connection from a scientific point of view in ‘Molecules of emotion, 1997’. she explains the biomolecular basis for our emotions and how our minds and feelings affect our health and well-being. The impact of the one on the other should never be underestimated. • Mental steadiness or emotional stability: Being consistent and stable is one of the biggest gifts to our children. • Habit of calm behaviour: It is not what we say, but how we say it. An angry tone leads to attack / defense – standing in the way of productive communication. • Balance also refers to remainder or rest of: What is really important in life? - And don’t sweat the balance.
Balance is the ultimate ideal – whether it is in one’s emotional and social life, bodily movement, fine art, accounting and even winemaking. Leading a balanced life is surely one of the most obvious strivings. And yet, why is it just that – a striving? Maybe we should try to unravel this elusive concept from a psychological viewpoint to guide us in our striving towards a balanced life. By living a balanced life we also help our children to grow into beautiful balanced beings. BALANce As A NouN: • Equal distribution of weight: This implies not only pulling your weight at work, in the house or with the kids. Distribute your weight equally between spending your mental energy on outside PAGE 48 www.survivalguide.co.za
• In winemaking balance is seen as the degree to which all the attributes of a wine are in harmony, with none either too prominent or deficient: What goes for the wine, goes for the soul. • In fine art balance refers to a composition or placement of elements of design in such a manner as to produce an aesthetically pleasing or harmoniously integrated whole: Focusing on the bigger picture might assist in becoming a harmoniously integrated whole person. Life, like art, is not about perfection. It is about how you arrange what you have. BALANce As A verB: • To bring to or hold in equilibrium: Living a balanced life does not happen to you – ‘if it is to be, it is up to me.’
• Poise: Poise refers to self-assurance, dignity, composure and good posture. Being poised is beautiful. Living a balanced life will illuminate the soul. • In accounting, balance is to settle by paying what remains due on an account: Settling matters decreases the baggage you have to carry. Pay your dues. • Balance can also mean to adjust accounts: By asking yourself if something / someone is good for you, you will be able to identify accounts to be adjusted. • Equalize or adjust: Don’t fight what you cannot change. • In dancing balance is to move in rhythm to and from: Dance more often– and never to someone else’s rhythm. We often say that if you want the truth, ask a child. Maybe there is also something we can take from the following nursery rhyme:
The best six doctors anywhere And no one can deny it Are sunshine, water, rest, and air Exercise and diet. These six will gladly you attend If only you are willing Your mind they’ll ease Your will they’ll mend And charge you not a shilling. Parenting is not for Cowards. However it is the most rewarding job with long term benefits when taken on correctly. And remember being a good parent helps you in the long run because after all, your children are the ones that choose your old age home! Jeanne Fourie-Hattingh is a psychologist and workshop facilitator in private practice in George. She has obtained Masters degrees in Early Childhood intervention, as well as Psychology and has a special interest in adolescent and women psychology. Most of all, she is a proud mother of two. Contact: 044 874 1241 / Email jeanne.fourie@gmail.com
PAGE 49 www.survivalguide.co.za
“And so taking the long way home through the market I slow my pace down. It doesn’t come naturally. My legs are programmed to trot briskly and my arms to pump up and down like pistons, but I force myself to stroll past the stalls and pavement cafes. To enjoy just being somewhere, rather than rushing from somewhere, to somewhere. Inhaling deep lungfuls of air, instead of my usual shallow breaths. I take a moment to just stop and look around me. And smile to myself. For the first time in a long time, I can, quite literally, smell the coffee.”
― Alexandra Potter
PAGE 50 www.survivalguide.co.za
Give a Little, Save a Lot. Curves is an effective 30 minute workout for women with all the support they need. Bring in a generous bag of non-perishable food to help people in need and we’ll return the favour by asking you to join Curves for FREE!
Bring in a bag of groceries - Join for FREE* *Food or cash donation required to a local charity determined by the club. Offer based on first visit enrolment, minimum 12 months debit order.New members only. Not valid with any other offer. Valid only at participating clubs from 1 - 31 March 2012. © 2012 Curves International Inc.
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PAGE 51 www.survivalguide.co.za
FLUGON
TM
Naturally the best against allergies, colds and flu.
Targets Infection associated with
Bronchitis Sinusitis Tonsillitis Ear & throat infections Colds Flu l
l
Symptom/factor
Allergies
l
l
Cold
l
Flu Sudden, within hours.
Onset
Sudden or slow.
Slow
Duration
Many weeks.
3-14 days
3-10 days
Fever
Never
Rare. Low grade.
Usual-high 37, 8 ยบC - 39 ยบC Lasts 3-4 days
Headache
Common
Rare, mild
Common,severe.
General aches & pains Fatigue, weakness Extreme exhaustion
Never
Slight
Usual, often severe.
Sometimes
Mild, if any.
Never
Never
Usual, can last up to 2-3 weeks Usual at beginning of illness.
Stuffy nose
Common
Common
Sometimes
Runny nose
Common
Common
Rare
Sneezing
Usual
Usual
Sometimes
Sore throat
Sometimes
Common (scratchy)
Sometimes
Chest discomfort
Never
Mild-moderate.
Common, can become severe.
Cough
Sometimes
Severe or hacking cough.
Dry
Appetite
Normal
Normal
Decreased
Itchy eyes
Common
Rare or never.
Rare or never.
Season
Peak spring & autumn
All year, peaking in winter.
Between May and July in SA.
Treatment
Antihistamines Decongestants Flugon
Antihistamines Decongestants Analgesic Flugon
Antiviral medicine refer to doctor. Flugon
Prevention
Avoid allergens (e.g. pollen, dust mites, mould, pets) Flugon for prevention
Wash hands, avoid close contact with anyone with a cold. Flugon for prevention
Annual vaccination, antiviral medicine. Flugon for prevention
Complications
Sinus infection, asthma.
Sinus congestion, asthma, Middle ear infection.
Bronchitis, pneumonia, can be life threatening.
Tara Pharmaceuticals (Pty.) Ltd. l www.flugon.com l www.tara.org.za l helpline: 086 111 8272 Flugon is available in Capsules, Syrup, Throat spray and Effervescent tablets. Flugon can be claimed back from most Medical Aid schemes. PAGE 52 www.survivalguide.co.za
Allergy and Poor School Performance Is there a link?
T
he Paediatric Allergies in America Survey recently delivered compelling evidence that children with allergic rhinitis experience substantially more physical, mental, social and emotional problems than children without allergies. This is because allergic rhinitis, besides causing those bothersome symptoms, also affects sleep and causes daytime fatigue, leading to inattention at school, irritability, mood disturbances and psychosocial problems. All this in turn contribute to poor school performance. In this survey, 40% of parents reported that their children’s allergic rhinitis interfered with their school performance, 30% reported a decrease in their children’s productivity at school and home and 28% reported that their children avoided daily activities because of their symptoms. In fact, children with allergic rhinitis were 3 – 4 times less likely to participate in outdoor activities compared to children without allergies. Scientists have further attempted to link allergies to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), the most common psychiatric condition affecting children today. What they found was that most children with ADHD are allergic and suffer from allergic rhinitis, including sleep disturbances. In some cases this could explain the cognitive dysfunction seen in ADHD, such as daytime fatigue, inattention, irritability and impulsiveness. Another study also demonstrated an independent association between ADHD and allergies, including eczema. The association is further strengthened by the observation that symptoms of ADHD worsen during the pollen season. Effective treatment of allergies can improve quality of life and school performance. However, suboptimal treatment is common, partly due to the side effects of the medication, which can worsen school performance even further. For example, oral decongestants may produce irritability and anxiety and some anti-histamines are known to cause sedation. Nasal decongestant sprays can have a rebound effect, i.e. cause a blocked nose instead of relieving it. Steroid nasal sprays can cause dryness of the lining of the nose and nosebleeds. Flugon is a clinically proven therapy that effectively prevents and treat allergies colds and Flu. Flugon is: Anti-inflammatory Anti-Bacterial Anti-Viral Immune boosting Non –Sedative Relieves nasal congestion and sinus pain.
PAGE 53 www.survivalguide.co.za
PAGE 54 www.survivalguide.co.za
Striving forbalanced Soil by Ryan Hermanson (Garden Goods CC)
T
here have been many strides made in gardening and farming alike in the past few decades. One key focus has been on how organic matter and micro-organisms affect the quality and balance of soil and how this in turn affects the plants ability to absorb nutrients from the soil. Zero-till farming methods are common practice nowadays, and ploughing your field is quickly becoming a thing of the past. The reason for this is because farmers have realized that ploughing the land destroys and disrupts microbes in the soil which affects future crops. Ploughing also exposes the earth below, which becomes a hardened layer that caps the soil when exposed to rain and other environmental factors. This makes it hard for water to penetrate the soil, and only about 40% to 50% of rain actually gets absorbed into the soil.
through the roof, which in turn helps your future crops. Organic matter also balances the pH of your soil which allows plants to absorb nutrients more readily. These practices can be used in gardening, let nature take it’s course, either by starting your own compost heap and feeding your plants regularly or even by raking your leaves and clippings onto your beds to create that important organic layer that will increase microbes and in turn the health of your soil! This is true gardening and farming... Understanding Soil :) www.gardengoods.co.za
In contrast if your soil has a layer of organic matter (such as when you let your crop rot away naturally after you’ve harvested) your soil will absorb almost 100% of rainwater, and your microbe levels will go
PAGE 55 www.survivalguide.co.za
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Flooring Solutions Garden Route
We Supply and Install All Flooring Laminate & Bamboo Flooring Tiles & Tiling Carpets & Luxury Wood Plank Vinyls Specialists in Cleaning & Sealing of Natural Stone Tiles Tel: 044 874 6610 Darren Drake: 082 410 1440 darren@gardenrouteeooring.co.za
www.gardenrouteeooring.co.za
/grrooring PAGE 56 www.survivalguide.co.za
Celebrate the happiness that friends are always giving, make every day a holiday and celebrate just living! Amanda Bradley
PAGE 57 www.survivalguide.co.za
Bread and other grain products
a nutritious and life sustaining super food! a nutritious and life sustaining super food!
By Johan Jacobs
B
read and other grain products have been used for centuries as a super staple food. However, unfortunately thousands of people have become totally intolerant to wheat and gluten, and therefore negative about bread and grain products. Grain with gluten in it has become a virtual swear word in health circles! Why did our predecessors have the privilege of happily enjoying bread and grain products for thousands of years with no adverse effects? GRAIN The whole grain is rich in vitamins, bio-available minerals, essential fatty acids, amino acids, enzymes, phytochemicals, antioxidants, carbohydrates and aromatic elements. Grains are extremely nutrient dense foods for its size. Grain seed can be seen as a condensed and sleeping plant. All the genes and nutrients are in it to reproduce a big plant. The big advantage over other foods is that grains can be stored for decades under the correct conditions. A grain kernel consists of three main components. The germ is the embryo or heart of the grain, from which a new plant sprouts. It contains all the substances or building blocks necessary to produce a complete plant, which explains its extraordinary nutritional richness. The germ contain; enzymes, amino acids, essential fatty acids, vitamins B1, B2 and B6, niacin and folates, vitamin E, which is a powerful antioxidant, minerals and more nutrients. Unfortunately the nutrients in the germ is fragile and oxidises rapidly (within a week) once milled and exposed to oxygen, this is the main reason why the germ usually gets removed in most commercial milling processes that needs shelf life. The outer bran is a tough six layered sheath that protects the inside of the grain kernel. It is rich in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. Most processed
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and refined grain products are stripped of its bran. Only a small percentage of the bran is later reintroduced into white flour. Bran acts as fibre in food and it is vitally important for gut health. The endosperm is the biggest part of the grain. Its colour is white. It is the condensed energy source for the shoot when it first begins to grow, until the plant can produce its own energy with its own solar panels, its leaves by using the process of photosynthesis. The endosperm is the part of the grain used to produce refined white flour (empty carbohydrates). White flour is used for food products such as white -bread, -pasta -pizza, -cakes, -rusks, -cookies and as a bulking agent in processed foods. TYPES OF GRAIN The most popular grains are amaranth, barley, buckwheat, corn, kamut, millet, oats, quinoa, rice varieties, rye, spelt, sorghum, teff and wheat. Methods of farming to produce grain have changed drastically in the last century in order to cope with the ever-increasing human population. These methodologies include genetically modiďŹ ed (GM) seed, mono crop, no crop rotation practices, pesticides, herbicides, chemical fertilisers and chemical grain storing preservatives. We recommend only using whole, natural, organic, non GM and unpreserved grains. PRODUCING FLOUR Today there are a number of different ways of producing flour. In the past, daily and fresh stone milling was the only method and it naturally ensured that the germ, bran and endosperm remained in the flour and were eaten as a fresh, healthy and unoxidised whole food. Today most milling processes, even some commercial stone millers use the process of de-germing to separate and to remove the
germ and the bran from the white flour in order to enhance shelf life. Âą 80 % 0f nutrients are lost during modern milling processes if the germ is removed. Thus our staple food and bread not only becomes devoid of nutrients but is difficult for the body to digest, since there are no fibre and enzymes to support good digestion. Not to mention the toxic trace elements of modern farming chemicals and food preservatives. THE SOLUTION If your family is one that regularly consumes bread, pasta, pizza and other grain products it may be an excellent idea to invest in your own home stone mill and organic living grains. A stone mill and a good supply of living and organic grain will not only ensure that you get optimum nutrition, without the loss of oxidised nutrients out of the food that you eat but also it will empower you to be self sufficient and your staple food will cost far less in the long run. Making your own bread, pizza and pasta when you have the right equipment is highly cost effective, quick, easy and super healthy.
To make your own bread you actually only need four ingredients: fresh organic grain, pure water, salt and yeast. For example, the cost of an organic, whole-food (500g), fresh loaf of bread (0.9 kg) comes to less than R6. It is surprising to note that one often finds that when previously wheat- or gluten-intolerant individuals start to enjoy freshly milled (same day), organic whole-grain wheat, that the intolerance disappears immediately and they gain the added benefits of losing weight while gaining vitality.
PAGE 59 www.survivalguide.co.za
The top t Did you know that the aromatic curry spices we use today all have medicinal uses? Spices like ginger, cloves, coriander and turmeric have served as medicines to mankind for thousands of years. Using spices to flavour our foods and make them taste delicious is proof indeed that medicine does not have to be such a bitter pill to swallow. Ironically, a sick person is usually told to stay away from curries and spicy foods. You may not agree with the doctor once you learn more about some of these spices. Please note that this information should not be used to diagnose, treat or cure a condition without the consent of your doctor. Seek advice if you are pregnant, epileptic and diabetic or have high blood pressure or a heart complaint. You are responsible for the health and safety of your family. GINGER Over 2000 years ago, the Chinese were using ginger to treat digestive and circulatory disorders. Today ginger capsules are used for stimulating the circulation, thinning blood and lowering cholesterol. As a cure for nausea, ginger includes motion sickness and morning sickness. Instead of taking a daily aspirin to thin the blood, ginger can be just as effective. It does not irritate the stomach lining or cause gastric bleeding, either. A few slices of fresh ginger can be added to food or to herb teas every day. Ginger has a warming action and is good for cold hands and feet. Externally, a hot ginger compress can be made for aching shoulders, menstrual pains or arthritic joints. CINNAMON Cinnamon is not only for pancakes, it is a very valuable remedy for diabetics! Certain active components of cinnamon bark can enhance the insulin sensitivity of people who are on insulin or other medications. Research based on taking 1/8 teaspoon of cinnamon daily at meals containing carbohydrates and sugars showed its effectiveness in lowering levels of glucose in the blood.
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Please notify your physician before embarking on your own trials with cinnamon. Your current prescription may have to be reduced, depending on how well you react to the cinnamon. CLOVES Cloves are a popular addition to mixed spice and a great favourite in baking. Cloves are one of the most effective and safest remedies we have for intestinal parasites. Simply add half a teaspoon of clove powder to a teaspoon of honey or molasses and take it at lunch, supper and bedtime for a few days. Reduce this dose to a tiny pinch for small children. Medicinally, whole cloves are a reliable standby for toothache. A drop of clove oil deadens the pain of toothache or mouth ulcers. Clove oil keeps most insects away and ants will not come near a line of clove oil that has been painted across a doorway. CHILLI It may come as a surprise, but a red hot chilli is one of the most effective cures we have for chronic asthma, bronchitis and an overload of mucous that makes breathing difficult. The active ingredient is a natural decongestant that expels mucous, opens the airways and facilitates breathing. The burning stimulates the respiratory system. The good news is that capsaicin, the hot component of the chilli, does not irritate the lining of the stomach and is therefore quite safe for stomach ulcers. Try drinking at least 10 to 20 drops of Tobasco sauce in a glass of water every day, or you can build up your pain threshold by eating a tiny piece of chilli with bread and cheese and increase this amount every day. You will notice a vast improvement in your breathing and will soon get used to the slight burn! TURMERIC Turmeric or Borrie is a very versatile spice whose warm and spicy overtones enliven our rice and curry dishes. Medicinally it is used both internally and externally. Turmeric is chiefly a liver remedy, especially for jaundice, dyspepsia, or weakness and fatigue. Traditionally moth-
ten healing spices By Sue Visser ers were given turmeric after they had their babies to build up their strength. It is easy to take large quantities of turmeric if you mix it with equal quantities of molasses or honey and a few drops of water. Take a teaspoon of this paste an hour before meals, with a cup of herb tea or boiling water. People also take it for coughs, colds and fevers. This paste can also be applied to: boils, rashes, eczema and scabies. CORIANDER The strong tasting coriander seeds have many medicinal uses that even date back as far as 3000 years ago. Coriander is used for: poor circulation, water retention, colic, diarrhoea, nausea, spasms, headaches, nervous tension, exhaustion and neuralgia. Coriander seeds can add their medicinal qualities and a distinctively refreshing and pungent flavour to herb tea, curries, chutney, pickles, bread, fish, soups and even marmalade or milk puddings. LIQUORICE Liquorice is 50 times sweeter than sugar. Apart from its sweetness, liquorice contains aldosterone, a hormone that balances sodium and potassium in the body. This helps to prevent dehydration, hence liquorice was given to soldiers before they marched through the desert. Liquorice also encourages the flow of saliva and it improves the fluidity of mucous, making it a popular remedy for sore throats and gastric ulcers. Liquorice is a great stress remedy as it enhances adrenal function, prevents hypoglycaemia and raises blood pressure. It also has oestrogen-like hormone effects, so ladies in need of extra oestrogen can help themselves to packets of liquorice in all its delicious forms. People with high blood pressure should not take liquorice. CARDAMOM In traditional Indian medicine, cardamom seeds are used as a cure for vomiting. The little seeds inside the pretty green pods are chewed repeatedly until the vomiting stops. Cardamom is also used to promote digestion and to reduce gas formation in the abdomen to pre-
vent bloating. In some regions it is a popular spice for women’s ailments: menstrual problems, headaches, water retention, depression and nausea. Cardamom adds a distinctive flavour to sweetmeats like nougat, cakes, milk desserts and almond biscuits. It can be ground up as a powder and is popular in coffee and tea, especially in the Middle East. MUSTARD Mustard can be used to jazz up your hotdogs and clear out your sinuses at the same time, depending on how strong you make it. Many years ago, a teaspoon of mustard was given to our pre-primary children as a punishment for swearing and it certainly seemed to cure their asthma! Mustard may arouse the nasal and mouth linings but it is extremely soothing to tired muscles, creaking joints and worn out, aching feet. A detoxifying bath can be made by: tipping two tablespoons of Epsom Salts and a tablespoon of mustard powder into the bath and running a stream of hot water onto it. This mixture helps to draw toxins out of the body whilst it soothes and relaxes you. Rinse off with cold or tepid water and for the final effect rub yourself briskly with a rough towel. NUTMEG Mace is the yellow stringy fruit that grows around the pip or dark brown seed we know as nutmeg. Both these spices are used as medicines and spices. Mace is also a component of self-defence sprays, so it is a valuable crime and dog deterrent! Nutmeg is a traditional remedy for diarrhoea, especially for children. A pinch of powder can be mixed with molasses and given alternately with mint or cardamom tea, three times a day, but consult a doctor if symptoms are serious and a fever is present. Nutmeg has a dulling effect on the nervous system and should not be taken in large quantities. Most people grate their nutmeg freshly, to capture the full aroma. Nature Fresh customer services: www.naturefresh.co.za
PAGE 61 www.survivalguide.co.za
LAST W ORD by Bev Milun
B
alance in the 21st Century . . . seriously?! In a day that never lasts long enough? In a world that keeps demanding more? And particularly as a parent . . . balance? Seriously?! What is balance exactly? I wanted to understand it: if I have a cup of tea that isn’t cold, is that balance? If I run a candle-lit bath, but get there with only two minutes of candle light remaining, is that balance? If I mean to exercise, but don’t, is that balance? If I aim to get eight hours sleep a night, but just about get five, is that balance? Doctors and life coaches keep telling us to find balance or die trying . . . that’s quite a sentence. I work long hours and I have big responsibilities . . . Financial or functional, running lives and homes is huge! Burn-out? Me? No way! The doctor said, Take at least 45 minutes a day to just ‘not’. Do breathing (I do that constantly!), meditation (I can’t sit-still!), tai-chi (I did my own version for a good two years!), exercise (who actually keeps that up?), make time for people you love (they don’t always have the time!), make time for things you love to do (I have permission to love to do stuff?)’, and the list continues . . . From a loving-of-yourself perspective, I thought balance sounded like a great idea. Attaining it? I wasn’t so sure it was an exact science, but I wanted to know why I wasn’t in ‘balance’. And then I realized: I had started to believe that I had no choice. I was missing moments and memories because I was chasing what I thought I ‘HAD’ to do. Are you? Do I need to work? Yes. Do I need to earn well? Yes. Do I need to eat? Yes. Do I need sufficient sleep? Yes. Two-for-two but do we pursue the first two and let the second two slide?
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The human body gets it! There is balance or there is out-of-whack. The first thing the body does is ‘everything it takes’ to restore correct balance to keep you strong. Why? It’s programmed that way. People with healthy minds pursue balance to thrive too. We have to do back-to-balance on purpose . . . Or we could keep borrowing resources from tomorrow . . . Look at how your energy is spread: are you investing or spending? Money or energy spent is gone, often on treats or tasks that serve no real purpose. Money or energy invested yields success and fuller feelings. Special time with family can be 15 minutes in a busy day; with the phone on silent, it’s cherished. With the phone on ‘the-world-won’t-rotate-unless-I’maccessible’, there’s nothing special about it. It’s the same if you play a game you love: stop, play, indulge yourself; then go back to ‘I’m ready to be counted on’. That’s balance. Balance doesn’t mean work 8 hours, play 8 hours. Balance is about ensuring you are doing what is essential, then what is necessary, and only if you have time, the rest. Often the rest is not priority, it’s side-tracking and keeps you from feeling full, successful and valuable. Balance is about being centered in your own world and being able to return to that position when you are pulled away. The first step to getting that right is making sure you know what is important vs what is essential. In business I always say, ‘The sale is important, the relationship is essential’ . . . in life, I think, it may be the same.
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PAGE 64 www.survivalguide.co.za