TAX Time

TAX

TIME

The season of tax time is upon us all in South Africa. For AIM independent distributors, it is an opportunity to make use of allowable tax deductions that are available for operating their businesses.

Keeping accurate records is really the most important component of claiming expenses and deductions. If you are new to this entrepreneurship with AIM, having these records organized and understood could help you to qualify for some tax advantages.

The more knowledgeable you are about taxes, the more you can do on your own. However, it’s always recommended to consult with your tax advisor.

Home-Based Business Tax Benefits

Given that most AIM business builders operate from their homes, there are a number of expenses that can be used as tax deductions. For example, the costs associated with advertising, business travel, literature and other sales tools might qualify. Designating a room that is used exclusively for business means a percentage of home expenses can potentially be used to reduce tax that is owed on your business income. Think of that business space in your home as being similar to a retail store or an external office used to conduct business, possibly allowing for a variety of permissible expenses.

Examples of expenses might include a percentage of: • rent or mortgage payments • telephone bills • internet costs • subscriptions • auto expenditures

Again, it is of utmost importance to keep records of receipts, phone calls, online time, commuting/travel logs, etc. related to operating your business. Being organized makes tax time easier to get through.

Children ’ s

HEALTH

Through NUTRITION

By Charlotte Meschede - Nutritionist

Ihave purposely titled this article “Children’s Health Through Nutrition” because there are many aspects to children’s health aside from nutrition, and in fact many parents will oversee or rate the level of parental care through a tick-box of vaccinations, doctor’s visits and education, without giving much priority to nutrition. It saddens and concerns me enormously when I see parents giving young children junk food on a regular or even continual basis. It is wrong on every level and in some countries (UK for example), giving junk food to infants and children as their main food intake is a common occurrence. There is some research that the increased intake of fast foods in early years has been shown to weaken natural immunity and contribute to nutrient deficiencies. In fact, in the last 20 years the incidence of type 2 diabetes in children has risen by approximately 4.8% increase PER YEAR in the United States. Even Type 1 in children has increased by 1.9% per year3. It has also been shown that these nutrient-deficient, calorie-dense fast foods can lead to behavioural problems, specifically hyperactivity. In addition, a diet that is loaded with sugar-laden drinks and refined and processed snacks, will cause a great fluctuation in blood sugar levels, which will also be reflected in lethargic and unsocial behaviour as children struggle to maintain energy levels and remain motivated to learn and take part in physical activities1 .

Let’s fix the problem

I am fully aware of the challenges that face young parents as they juggle work, home, school schedules and the ever-increasing burden of expenses. It’s simply not easy and many parents will resort to whatever is easy and cheap in order to feed the family. In addition, a substantial number of children have very specific likes and dislikes, so trying to please the whole family is simply not possible. However, I do urge you to consider the basics of nutrition in order to make sure your children get the nutrients required for normal health and development. These include: • Protein-rich foods such as meat, chicken, fish, eggs, dairy foods, legumes, nuts and seeds • Wholegrain foods for energy such as brown rice, whole grain bread and other grains • Fresh fruit and vegetables for energy, vitamins, minerals and trace elements (the more colour, the better) • Healthy fats to ensure normal cognitive (brain) functioning and development such as avocados, olive oil, fatty fish, raw nuts and raw seeds

• Sufficient fibre in the diet – usually provided by wholegrain foods, but sometimes this is not sufficient and supplements are required to facilitate efficient bowel action

In the chaos of all that goes on even in the most organised household,

nutritional requirements may not be met. I set aside some ‘non-negotiables’ in my own home, that ensured that the basic nutrient requirements were met. I think the following ideas may have some value:

• A serving of AIM BarleyLife and/ or AIM RediBeets in the morning with breakfast • A breakfast of at least 2 of these foods: oat porridge, whole grain bread, eggs, avocado, cottage cheese, hummus, fresh fruit and/or yoghurt • Some exercise every day, even if they didn’t like sport • Protein-rich food with at least 2 meals a day • A minimum of 3 vegetables every day–the more colour the better

As I say, these were NONNEGOTIABLE in my home! If these rules were not followed, there was NO TV, play-dates or any other ‘treat’.

AIM has introduced products over the years which really do facilitate a healthier diet in our offspring. AIM Cocoa LeafGreens was a product designed to camouflage the taste of the BarleyLife and many children prefer this taste to the regular product. In addition, cocoa powder has many benefits. It is rich in many nutritious phytochemicals and can contribute to immune health, and provide essential nutrients such as iron, zinc and selenium2 .

A couple of other AIM products which also have some benefit in specific needs for children should be mentioned here. Deficiencies or increased requirements for some nutrients may arise due to various circumstances such as the development of congenital or acquired conditions. In situations like these it may be pertinent to supplement with products like AIM Fit ’n Fiber to help naturally increase the fibre content of food, which in turn enables the gut and colon to function efficiently. I have seen so many young children with chronic constipation during the course of my clinical career. This occurs particularly in families whose diet is highly refined and few or no vegetables and fruit are eaten, let alone whole grains like whole wheat bread, brown rice and starchy vegetables like sweet potatoes. If a child does not eat any dairy products or other foods containing calcium, like green vegetables, beans, nuts and seeds, then CalciAIM powder can be used to supplement this mineral However, it is not recommended for children under the age of 4 years and even then, I would recommend that all attempts are made to introduce food sources of this valuable mineral before reaching for a supplement.

Once again, I reiterate that there is nothing like food to fulfil the nutritional needs of adults and children alike. However, there are few ideal situations as none of us claim to live in ‘Pleasantville’ where everything is perfect. So, we need to make adjustments as needed. Basic information on children’s nutrition is critical, but not necessarily well understood. Making a few small changes in eating plans can make a big difference. Never give up trying and if you explain to your children the value of foods, then you empower them to make healthy choices. Don’t dictate, rather educate!

References

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2664919/ 2. https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-cocoa-powder 3. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/research/reports/children-diabetes