Little Footprints Planet

Teach Your Kids About Recycling Common Items

2010-08-20T03:19:00.000-07:00

There are heaps of cost-effective techniques where you and your household will be able to help the planet by recycling everywhere around the household. No matter if it' s attending a freecycle organization which invites folks to avoid landfill by being able to share their unwanted products free of charge or merely re-using gift paper there surely are a lot of things that you and your household are able to do to make the most of those objects which you currently have throughout your home.

Should you look around you will typically find virtually 100's of ways by which it is possible to recycle & reuse products anywhere around your household for a great number of purposes. To name some it is possible to make your own Pot Pourri by taking advantage of roses out of your back yard, re-use butcher's paper for the childrens drawing, make use of an empty pump bottle for dishing out vegetable oil & re-use your paper which you recieve from Christmas and birthday presents.

It' s extremely significant to a great deal of consumers nowadays to aspire to live as environmentally friendly as possible. They want to control the magnitude of the impact that they've on the planet's environment by preserving mother nature's valuable natural resources. They can do such a thing by cutting down on the quantity of water & power that they waste everyday. A substantial amount of households also choose to construct their own compost pile out of corrugated iron and wooden stakes and henceforth toss their household green rubbish in to it and as a result have the ability to utilise it as fertiliser for their very own vegetable garden.

By doing all of these techniques you will definitely be assisting to rescue the planet by cutting down on the quantity you will discard into landfill and as well as leaving a decreased carbon footprint with a smaller amount of greenhouse gas emissions out of your home. An additional reward is that you' ll notice that you can easily save money at home by cutting down your family's energy bills and simultaneously the total that you are required to fork out on household articles the next time that you go shopping.

By Rueben

Kite Making

2010-08-18T04:15:00.000-07:00

Flying a kite is good exercise and loads of fun (even in the event you don`t get the kite up within the air). As an alternative of going out and buying a kite, make one instead. You`ll need material (or very sturdy paper), robust glue, two wooden dowels and string.

To start, lay the 2 dowels in a cross position and use a few of the string to lash the sticks collectively into that position. You`ll do that by weaving the string out and in of the dowels. Once the dowels are secure, put glue on the string and leave it to dry. Once this is finished you should have a strong body to your kite.

The next step is to create a body around your dowels utilizing the string. To make sure the string doesn`t slip, cut a small notch at the end of every dowel. Starting at one finish, wrap the string across the dowel where the notch is after which carry the string to the following dowel while protecting the string taut wrap it across the next dowel. Proceed till string is connecting all 4 dowels. Once more, put dabs of glue on the string where it meets the dowels and leave to dry.

When you completed body is dry, lay your cloth on the kite body and minimize it with an further one inch on all sounds to wrap around the frame. Use glue to secure the material around the kite frame.

The last step is to attach the string to the kite. You will need to make what is known as a bridle by attaching the string to the kite frame in two areas (they need to be on reverse sides) in a loop formation. Then connect the string you`ll use to fly the kite to the bridle.

By Mandy Romano

Reward Charts Can Help Children To Behave More Appropriatel

2010-08-11T02:02:00.000-07:00

A contemporary parents work may be difficult. Careers are always confronting different recommendations and opinions. The alternatives can be overpowering, from physical punishment, to getting rid of rights, to utilizing reward charts. So how do us parents shape decent behaviors while not hurting our children?

Various care-givers will slap their youngsters, but this is thought to be undesirable. Which is proper. Smacking might produce resentment and unhappy for our children, and while it might provide short term outcomes, it will not work in the long run.

Stopping wayward behavior by moving your youngsters to a calm spot may assist if used at the appropriate moment. This strategy of time-out allows kid`s to calm down and gather control, and end the disobedient behavior.

You may also remove belongings and privileges. This strategy is particularly valuable if the possession is related to the behavior.

Bear in mind also that kids will thoroughly watch and model how those nearest to them behave, so it is overriding that parents show a significant example.

Another strategy to think about is to use positive reinforcement for good behavior. The objective is for our kid`s to go through a positive effect to their good behaviors.

One of the finest methods to motivate appropriate deeds is using reward charts for youngsters. Kids get rewarded for their suitable deeds, along with loads of reassurance and praise. Logically when utilizing reward charts for children you might offer practically whatever thing that will be attractive for your youngster. The enticement might be a small toy or it may well be spending time with Mom.

Truthfully you can find a lot of arguments why implementing children`s reward chart will be practical for moms and dads. By way of example they may be put into use for almost any kind of circumstance, reward charts can facilitate children to work toward arriving at positive goals, reward charts can also really encourage children to make an effort on improving their conduct, a reward chart also can really help children to become proud in his or her`s efforts, and in addition reward charts for kids will often help to permit parents to interact favorably with their little ones.

Using reward charts will assist as an incentive for youngsters to aspire for their reward charts targets. It`s important that we draw attention to the decent deeds that our kid`s demonstrate and not just the naughty, and utilizing reward charts might help us observe these agreeable behaviors.

By erikqvozsm

Advice For Teething Infants

2010-08-11T01:34:00.000-07:00

One of the most painful times experienced by babies is when they are already starting to grow their teeth. Even a single sprout of a tooth can bring unbearable pain for babies. What`s more, this is the time when they drool a lot, bite, and experience diarrhea bouts - all because of teething. If your baby experiences any of these symptoms, follow the tips below to keep your baby comfortable and fuss-free.

Drooling. If your child suddenly starts drooling, one of the reasons for this is that he or she is already starting to teeth. And because of this, the more your baby is prone to drooling rashes. Although drooling is normal every time your baby teethes, this can be uncomfortable for your baby as it develops into rashes around the mouth area. At times, it would show as red, blotchy patches of skin, and at other times, it manifests as dry, scaly skin. This happens when the drooling rash is at its worst stage.

Getting a drool rash is normal and should not cause any other physical manifestation that can hurt your baby`s sensitive skin. No treatments are necessary, but if you want you don`t want any discomfort for the baby, there is nothing much to do except gently wiping the drool with a clean, soft cloth when your baby produces excess saliva. In worst cases, the only cream that you can apply to the rash is petroleum jelly

Biting. When a tooth is about to come out, the area where it will sprout out becomes swollen and itchy. Thus, your baby always feels the need to rub the swollen gums against something - which makes it look like the baby is "biting". But the real reason for such an action is to relieve him or her of that itchy feeling. It can also be painful, thus, your baby acts irritably or at times, inconsolable.

To relieve your baby of the pain, you may opt to give him or her cold water or Popsicle to help numb your baby`s gums. You may also give your baby a "teether" or any soft, rubbery material that he or she can chew on. Just ensure that the teether won`t split if the baby chews on it too hard.

Another teething treat for babies is the teether biscuits. Not only do these biscuits relieve pain, they are delicious as well. Just learn to regulate the amount of biscuits you give your baby, otherwise, it could lead to another teething problem, that is, tooth decay.

Diarrhea. Teething is usually accompanied by diarrhea bouts that is why you need to ensure that your baby is well-hydrated always. Feed him or her mashed bananas or apples that are sure ways to make cure diarrhea.

Teething is indeed a painful experience for your baby and ensuring he or she is relaxed and happy will at least help lessen the discomfort that teething brings.

By Amy Chan

Simple Advice For Children Hair Care

2010-08-06T03:36:00.000-07:00

Washing a toddler's hair isn't difficult but there are specific things you have to keep in mind. You should always use a shampoo that is gentle and not going to burn their eyes. Specific shampoo and body wash for kids is the best thing to use since they are formulated to suit their needs. Both them should be very easy if it is accidentally washed in to their eyes. Since they are so young, you probably only need to wash their hair once every two days.

However, once they are eating solids you might find you need to wash their hair on a daily basis because they will tend to smear food on their heads. Alternatively, to achieve a clean head with less intervention between washings with shampoo, a clean damp washcloth will be sufficient for babies who are bald or have very short hair.

African American babies with bold and curly hairs often have dry hair. It is better to have their hair washed a couple of times a week since it is so dry. There are even specific shampoos designed for African babies. Moisturizers are added to these shampoos to help their hair retain moisture and not dry out so quickly.

Bathing often becomes a challenge because children do not like their head submerged in water. You can give them baby goggles or a water visor to help prevent water from splashing their face and eyes.

Brushing hair is pretty harsh so you need to wait for the hair to dry on its own. If you decide to brush it while it is wet then you need to make sure that you are careful because the scalp and hairs are very delicate. A baby brush should be good for children up to the age of 5.

I wouldn't recommend that you use conditioner on their scalp or hair because it won't be of benefit to them. If you do want to use one, you will have to find one that is made for children.

No matter what you do with their head, you should always be gentle because they are very delicate beings.

by Cory Sanders

Great Tips for Parenting Teenagers - by Byron Jonas

2010-07-27T05:26:00.000-07:00

When you first bring your baby home from the hospital, you may find yourself dreaming of a time when your children are growing up. Family dinners around the kitchen table, vacations on sandy beaches, and getting ready for their first school dance. You may have overlooked some of the tougher parts of parenting, but these tips for parenting teenagers can make things a lot easier for you!

Gaining independence is an important part of growing up for your teenager. The teen years are the time when they will first begin to discover a sense of self and begin to figure out who they are as a person. Allow your child to do more things on their own once they become a teenager. Even though it may be hard for you to let go of your precious little one, you must remember that they are no longer the helpless little child you once held in your arms.

It can be very tempting at times to argue about the things that your teenager does, but try to remember to pick your battles. Although you may not like the thought of your child going around with pink or blue hair, take a deep breath and remember that these things are only temporary and are most likely just part of a phase. Spend your energy on the things that truly matter such as grades in school, and drugs or alcohol.

If you notice that your teenager is spending time around other children that you are not familiar with, it can be a great idea to invite these friends over to your home so that you can get a feel for them. This will show your teenager that you are interested in their life and the people that they choose to associate with.

Although most people would like to think that their children do not experiment with drugs or alcohol, this is not always the case. Give your child what is called a "no questions asked pass" when it comes to certain situations.

At teenage parties, there may be some kids that might be drinking. If you child needs a ride home from someone who has been drinking, they may not tell you because they are afraid of being punished by you for being honest. By giving your child the pass, they will take the safe option and contact you for a ride.

When parenting your teenager try to be a great role model in everything that you do. Show your child how to behave by your own activities, and there is a good chance that they will grow up to be responsible, well rounded adults.

Things You May Need When Going Home With A New Baby - By Byron Jonas

2010-07-27T04:43:00.000-07:00

Some first time parents find themselves a little scared when it comes time to go home with a new baby. They will start to worry that when they arrive home they may not know how to take care of their new baby`s needs properly. They may worry that they wont know what the baby`s cries are for. These are all needless fears because once you are home with your new baby you will know just what your baby needs and it will be wonderful.

There are some things you must do to prepare for baby`s arrival. You should have the baby`s nursery ready months in advance so that you are not stressing out over getting it done in time. You also want to be sure that you have plenty of baby necessities such as bottles, diapers, wipes, lotion, diaper rash cream, and the list goes on and on.

Your new baby is going to need many things when they come home so it is important that you have these things ready before your arrival. It would be very inconvenient to have to leave to go buy the things your baby needs as soon as you get home with the baby. You will also have to be prepared to have many visitors wanting to see and hold the baby. It may be wise to ask your friends and family to come by at different times so that your baby and yourself do not get too overwhelmed.

You should also be prepared before your due date to have all the things you and the baby will need for when you come home. You should pack a bag for yourself but you also want to make sure to pack things that the baby will need. You will most certainly need a car seat for the trip home.

You should pack an outfit for your baby to wear home. Just to be sure you might want to pack two different outfits because your baby may be bigger or smaller than you predicted. You want to make sure the outfit will fit for the trip home.

If you plan to use a pacifier you will want to bring one of them with you for the trip home as well as a few diapers and wipes. It is a good idea to pack a diaper bag full of things you may need for the trip home.

Fun Things To Do With Your New Baby

2010-07-23T02:32:00.000-07:00

Having a new baby in your household can be a lot of fun, though at times it can seem overwhelming. Spending time with your new addition can be a great way for the two of you to bond. Also, the time that you spend together can help mold your child. There are many different things that you can do with your new baby that can help increase their motor skills and learning abilities.

Reading books is a wonderful way to spend some time with your child at any age. Children love to see the colorful pictures in books, even though they are unable to identify the words that are written on the pages.

It has been proven before that the more words that are spoken to a child in the first few months, the stronger the language skills of the child will become as they age. By reading to your child, you can give them a great advantage in life!

Singing silly and playful songs to your child can be very soothing for both you and your loved one. There are many different classic lullabies that you can choose to sing, or if you are the creative type you can try changing the words to the song or coming up with your own new songs entirely!

Spending time playing with your baby every day is very important. Although more families than ever have both parents working these days, try to set aside time in your schedule just for you and your child. Playing with the baby will help your baby to learn things quickly.

Mirrors that are child safe, and any toys that make noise, such as rattles are a lot of fun your babies. They will enjoy seeing what they look like in the mirror. Watch as your baby stares and learns to make new faces at him or herself while checking out the reflection cheerfully. It can be just as much fun for you to watch the baby as it is for the baby to play!

Having a desktop or laptop computer at home that can go online is a great benefit when it comes to choose activities. There are many different websites that are dedicated to finding activities for children of all ages.

The more time that you spend with your new baby, the greater the bond will be between the two of you. You will learn a lot of things about each other before long!

What parents should know about probiotics

2010-07-05T00:30:00.000-07:00

Has you child recently had a course of antibiotic? Is he or she under a lot of stress? Does you child feel excessively tired? Does your child suffer frequent colds or flues? If so, perhaps you should consider supplementing his/her diet with probiotics.

What are probiotic bacteria?

Usually when we think about bacteria we associate them with having detrimental effects on our health, causing numerous problems or diseases. But in fact, only a relatively small group of bacteria is responsible for inducing pathogenic conditions, while the remaining ones either remain neutral (saprophytic) or can even be beneficial to our health. Probiotic bacteria belong to the second group.

Probiotics are naturally occurring intestinal bacteria with numerous beneficial properties. There are two main groups of these bacteria: Lactobacillus, inhabiting the small intestine andBifidobacterium, residing in the large intestine (the colon).

The term “probiotic” microorganisms is based on the Greek expression“ pro bios”, meaning “for life”.

Currently, probiotic supplements are defined as: “Live microorganisms, indigenous to the human intestinal tract, which, when consumed in adequate amounts, improve the intestinal microbial balance and positively affect the functioning of the human intestinal tract and general health”.

What are the properties of probiotic bacteria?

Probiotics bacteria have an impressive number of health-promoting characteristics, the most important being:

To maintain a correct microbial balance in the human intestines;
To kill a large number of disease-causing bacteria, yeasts and viruses;
To stop diarrhoea and constipation;
To suppress inflammation of the epithelial tissue lining the internal wall of the intestines;
To maintain the integrity and functionality of the intestinal mucosa;
To stimulate (and control) the functions of the human immune system;
To produce a number of vitamins;
To alleviate the symptoms of lactose intolerance;
To improve the absorption of some nutrients;
To inactivate mutagens (substances inducing mutations) and carcinogens (substances inducing cancer);
To prevent some forms of colon cancer;
To lower the serum cholesterol level;
To prevent and treat some forms of food allergies;
To decrease flatulence.

The characteristics listed above have been confirmed in more than 180 clinical trials. No adverse effects were reported in any of the 7 526 subjects studied during the period from 1961 to 1998.

So, Do you suspect their immune systems are at a physical low? Maybe it’s time to add probiotics to their diet

Our skin and the mucosal surfaces of the nose, mouth and digestive tract, as well as certain parts of the urogenital tract, are covered by myriads of microorganisms, which although they compete for nutrients and space, live more or less in harmony with each other and with us. The highest number of bacteria and other microbes is found in the gut, particularly in the colon, where we “carry” on average 1,5 kg of pure bacteria, comprising about 500 different species.

The intact surfaces of our skin and mucosal membranes, as well as the correctly functioning immune system, do not allow this microflora to enter our bloodstream or internal organs. Such a “peaceful” and mutually beneficial coexistence between microorganisms and the host (the human body) is called symbiosis. It is mutually beneficial because we feed them and in turn they protect us (to a degree) from the invasion of harmful bacteria, viruses or fungi. An important group among the symbiotic microorganisms is a group of intestinal bacteria referred to as probiotic bacteria.

Until recently, the benefits associated with probiotic bacteria were considered predominantly with regard to their application for the treatment of various gastro-intestinal disorders. However, the results obtained in a number of recent clinical trials aimed at investigating the therapeutic role of probiotic bacteria in non-intestinal infectious/pathological conditions significantly altered this perception. The additional beneficial effects of probiotics are currently believed to include effects on the urogenital tract where these bacteria (or preparations based on them) have been found to restore the natural balance of the local microflora and possibly prevent the entry of a range of pathogens. It has been established that probiotic bacteria administered as oral or vaginal preparations are able to colonize the vaginal epithelium. Once established on the vaginal epithelium, probiotic microorganisms can prevent and inhibit infections within the urogenital tract. Their prophylactic effects are no longer questioned. Furthermore, on the basis of the evidence accumulated in a number of clinical trials in which the extent of their therapeutic potential has been evaluated, it appears that probiotics could provide a safe and convenient means to reduce recurrences of vaginosis, vaginitis and lower urinary tract infections – frequent problems for women.

How do probiotic bacteria suppress/control the pathogenic microflora?

One of the most effective mechanisms through which probiotic bacteria maintain our health and exert beneficial effects is their ability to prevent the invasion and/or control the growth of pathogenic bacteria. They achieve this control through:

The in situ production of various anti-microbial substances (lactic, acetic and butyric acids, hydrogen peroxide) and the production of a range of antibiotic-like compounds called bacteriocins (e.g. lactocin, acidocin);
Their ability to compete for space (competing for the receptor-binding sites on the intestinal and vaginal epithelium);
Their ability to compete for nutrients;
Their ability to adhere to epithelial cells, as well as to secrete compounds that prevent the adhesion of pathogens.

Through these mechanisms and if present in appropriate numbers, probiotic bacteria are able not only to prevent or limit the entry of intestinal and other pathogens (vaginal, urogenital), but also to control the growth of microbes in the human digestive tract and on other mucosal surfaces.

How do we acquire probiotic bacteria?

Following its development under completely sterile conditions in the mother’s womb, the newborn infant has to confront the highly contaminated and infected environment in which we all live. How does the infant deal with this harsh reality?

The skin, mouth and the digestive tract of the newborn are rapidly colonized by millions of microorganisms originating from the mother’s birth canal*), from her skin, as well as from the air and the hospital personnel.

Not all bacteria that come into contact with the infant will be able to colonize its body and a number of factors, such as the infant’s general health, his or her genetics and the degree of immunological protection conferred by the mother, will play an important role in determining the degree of such colonization. It has been established that, in general, microorganisms from the mother have a better chance of becoming firmly established within the infant’s body than those originating from the environment. Furthermore, those that are initially established remain there for much longer that those acquired at a later stage. So it follows that if they are present in the mother’s body, beneficial bacteria can be transferred to the infant. Once they have established themselves there, they not only give the infant initial protection against many diseases, but can also contribute to its future health. It has also been established in a number of clinical trials and other scientifically conducted investigations that that the most beneficial bacterium for infants is Bifidobacterium infantis.

How do infants benefit from probiotic bacteria?

Probiotic bacteria have been found to benefit infants in a number of ways, including:

Prevention and treatment of various types of diarrhoea;
Prevention of gastric and urogenital infections with various pathogenic bacteria, viruses and yeasts;
Treatment of nappy rash;
Prevention and treatment of some food allergies and some digestive disorders, e.g. colic;
Maturation of the mucosal immune system and stimulation of cellular and antibody-based immune reactions;
Reduction in lactose intolerance;
Improvement in nutrient digestion;
Improvement in the absorption of various nutrients, particularly of minerals such as calcium;
Increase in the infant’s appetite.

Probiotic bacteria restore and maintain the correct microbial balance in the mouth, digestive system and parts of the urogenital tract of infants, particularly after antibiotic therapy.

Why do our probiotic bacteria sometimes disappear?

The extensive use of antibiotics, stress, incorrect diet, an unhealthy lifestyle and the frequent use of cortisone all lead to the loss of these beneficial bacteria. Their depletion or disappearance upsets the delicate balance between the various groups of microbial flora within the human body and can result in a number of disturbances of the digestive system (diarrhoea, constipation, spastic colon, flatulence, etc.) and/or the overgrowth of Candida albicans (oral or vaginal thrush).

How can we replenish our probiotic bacteria?

By far the easiest and most effective way of replenishing our probiotic bacteria and restoring the microbial balance in various parts of our bodies is by using probiotic supplements. The commercially available preparations are usually based on the use of lyophilised (dried from the frozen state) bacteria and come in a variety of forms: tablets, capsules and/or pessaries. Depending on the degree of the acid- and bile-resistance of the probiotic strains, entero-coating or micro-encapsulation of the probiotic bacteria can be applied.

Potential users should focus on two main aspects:

The composition of the preparation, i.e. does the supplement contain “true” probiotic bacteria or mainly the lactic acid bacteria used in the dairy industry?
The guaranteed number of viable bacteria/not the number established at the time of production.

By using probiotic supplements, particularly after antibiotic therapy, we can restore the necessary microbial balance and prevent a large number of intestinal and other problems.

Author’s details: Ela Johannsen (MSc Microbiol., Lodz, Poland; PhD Microbiol., Rhodes University, Grahamstown)

Address: 45, Idol Road, Lynnwood Glen, Pretoria, 0081)

e-mail address: bioflora@lantic.net elaj@lantic

___________________________________________________

*) In Caesarean deliveries, the colonization of the infant’s digestive system with the protective microflora originating from the mother does not take place. In these cases, the infant should receive supplementation with a suitable probiotic preparation as soon as possible.

Probiotic preparations are nutritional supplements based on live, lyophilized microorganisms, originating from human indigenous intestinal microflora. When administered in adequate doses, they improve the microbial balance in the digestive tract, positively affect the functioning of this tract, stimulate the immune system and have beneficial effects on general human health.

Bacterial strains selected for manufacturing probiotic preparations should fulfill a number of requirements. They:

should be of human origin;
should be safe, i.e. should not be pathogenic or virulent;
should not be capable of transferring antibiotic resistance or drug resistance to pathogens;
should be able to colonize the human intestinal tract, i.e. be resistant to gastric acid and bile, and be capable of adhering to and multiplying on the intestinal mucosal surfaces;
should be able to control and/or inhibit the growth of pathogens by producing a variety of anti-microbial substances (lactic, acetic, and butyric acids, hydrogen peroxide, bacteriocins), and by competing for nutrients and space;
should be able to stimulate the immune system.

The probiotic preparations themselves should have the correct composition of the required bacteria, with viable counts in the range of 10⁸ to 10⁹per dose.

In healthy individuals, two groups of naturally occurring bacteria are responsible for maintaining a “correct” microbial balance and keeping pathogens under control. These are:Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. The first group resides mainly in the small intestine and the second in the colon. These bacteria usually maintain the beneficial microbial balance through the mechanisms listed under point v) above.

Although nature provided us with these beneficial indigenous bacteria, they are frequently depleted or even disappear completely from our intestines and mucosal membranes due to:

excessive and prolonged stress;
overuse of antibiotics;
long-term use of hormonal preparations;
long-term use of corticosteroids;
incorrect diet, e.g. a diet low in fruit and vegetables;
impaired peristalsis;
general nutritional deficiencies;
a suppressed or deficient immune system;
the process of aging.

Lack of the appropriate microbial balance can easily lead to a number of intestinal disorders (e.g. diarrhoea, constipation, some inflammatory bowel diseases) and other disorders, most commonly oral and vaginal thrush. In order to restore the impaired microbial balance, supplementation with suitable probiotic preparations is necessary.

The prophylactic and therapeutic properties of probiotic preparations have been confirmed in numerous clinical trials (currently over 200). These properties include the ability to:

i) normalize bowel functions by correcting both constipation and various types of diarrhoea;

ii) suppress pathogenic microflora, i.e., bacteria, viruses and the overgrowth of yeasts such as Candida albicans;

decrease flatulence and abdominal distension;
decrease lactose intolerance;

neutralize carcinogens and if permanently present in the colon, may prevent cancer of the colon;

enhance the functions of the immune system;
reduce the blood cholesterol level;
enhance the absorption of nutrients (minerals);
prevent and correct some food allergies;
help in the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases;
correct some disorders of the urogenital tract;
produce vitamins of the B-group.

On the basis of the above, it can be concluded that probiotic preparations offer a natural and effective method of restoring and maintaining HUMAN HEALTH

_______________________________________________

*) From a Greek expression “pro bios”, meaning: for life.

Author’s details: Ela Johannsen (MSc Microbiol., Lodz, Poland;

PhD Microbiol., Rhodes University, Grahamstown)

Address: 45 Idol Road, Lynnwood Glen, Pretoria, 0081

e-mail address: elaj@lantic.net

______________________

Special feature

The good guys

Are your kids constantly feeling tired? Do you suspect their immune systems are at a physical low? Maybe it’s time to add probiotics to their diet

AUTHOR: Shereen Suckerman

DATE: 28th April

ISSUE: August

APPROVAL NEEDED: NO

TITLE: The good guys

SECTION: Special Feature

WORD COUNT: 2427

Probiotics has become one of the latest buzzwords in the healthcare industry, and an increased number of parents have begun to realise the potential health benefits it has for their children. Although people have enjoyed the benefits of probiotics throughout history, by eating yoghurt and other diary products, only now with the advancements of medical technology has it become possible to harness the goodness of probiotics to make it available, in high doses, in our food as well as in supplemental form. Here’s why probiotics are one of the most necessary forms of supplementation your children can take.

What are probiotics?

Probiotics are quite simply good bacteria, that can be administered into the body, in order to protect it from harmful bacteria. Every person has up to 500 different species of bacteria in their gut. And, a small part of the 100 trillion bacterial cells in our body are in fact the good bacteria that every person needs in order to fight off infection and disease, which is caused by harmful micro organisms. Good and bad bacteria as well as other microbes are in constant competition with each other for space and nutrients in the digestive system. There is only a limited supply of nutrients in your body, and by consuming probiotics you will ensure that there is an increased chance that the good guys will utilise these substrates (food by-products) and survive, thereby improving your health. Good bacteria will thus be stimulated to grow on the internal walls of the small intestine and the colon while bad bacteria will have no space to grow. It will ensure that our bodies, and the bodies of our children, are protected from invasion by harmful disease causing bacteria (pathogens) and viruses.

There are different strains of bacteria such as Lactobacillus, which looks after your small intestine and Bifidobacterium, which looks after your colon (Bifidobacterium infantis has been established, through various clinical trials, as the most beneficial strain of bacterium for babies). If there is not enough of the ‘good stuff’ in your digestive system, the bad micro organisms will take control of both of your intestines which can lead to a host of minor side-effects such as diarrhoea, constipation, allergies, poor digestion and gas, and eventually more serious illnesses and diseases.

“Why does my child need good bacteria? Isn’t bacteria supposed to be bad for you?”

While many parents cringe at the idea of their children eating food with harmful additives, there is no need for you to worry when you see the word probiotics listed on the packaging of your children’s food. Medical studies show that giving probiotics to your kids, whether in supplemental form or in their food results in them enjoying a host of health benefits, ranging from the treatment of lactose intolerance and diarrhoea to treatment following antibiotic therapy. A newborn is, in fact, born totally sterile and will acquire his first dose of bacteria as he passes through his mom’s birth canal. Secondary sources of bacteria will come from his moms’ skin, as well as his immediate hospital environment. The first bacteria that baby is exposed to is generally of the harmful sort, and this needs to be counteracted with probiotics. Gradually as he becomes more exposed to the outside world, he will come into contact with other forms of bacteria which are vitally important in building his immune system.

In a twist of irony, as a result of increased sterile environments, urbanised children do not come into contact with enough bad and good bacteria and are not afforded the opportunity to build-up their immune systems. The reason why bad bacteria are needed, is because pathogens stimulate the immune response to produce more white blood cells, which is important to fight infections and combat disease. Certain forms of bacteria will also become more aggressive and resistant as they have survived the many disinfectants used in hospitals. This results in a more aggressive attack, by these ‘Super-Bugs,’ on a child’s immune system. As a child gets older he will also be exposed to factors such as unhealthy lifestyles, antibiotics and junk food, which will affect the balance of the good and bad bacteria in his intestinal tract (see the box, ‘Helping young bodies’). Sterile environments and unhealthy lifestyles will thus contribute to a greater need for probiotics.

According to Johannesburg GP Dr Farrel Tobiansky, many parents should give probiotics to their children not only after a course of antibiotics or a bout of flu, but on a regular day-to-day basis. Taking probiotics during winter is especially important, as it is the time of year when the occurrence of colds and flu climax and most people are at a low-ebb, physically. Children can get their daily dose of probiotics from food sources such as probiotic yoghurts, juices, cereals, infant feeds as well as from supplements, which are available at leading pharmacies and health shops nationwide.

In a nutshell, good bacteria help to break down toxins, replenishing the cells in the lining of the colon. Probiotics also help to break down the lactose in dairy products and therefore allow the digestive tract to absorb more simple diary sugars. This is especially helpful to children who are allergic to dairy products. Probiotics can help to treat children with Candida albicans. Candida is a yeast infection which can multiply and develop into vaginal and oral thrush, commonly found in children. It occurs as the result of an imbalance between good and bad bacteria, usually after a course of antibiotics. Probiotics such as Lactobacillus acidophilus help to reduce the occurrence of Candida by recolonising the gut with populations of good bacteria, and thus boosting the immune system and reducing the chance of contracting this fungal infection. A study conducted by Dr Berry Fitzsimmons into the inhibition of Candida albicansby Lactobacillus acidophilus has shown that hydrogen peroxide, which is produced by probiotic bacteria, can have a strong inhibitory effect on Candida albicans’ overgrowth.

Evidence supporting the consumption of probiotics

Nobel Prize laureate, Dr Eli Metchnikoff, first discovered the benefits of probiotics. Dr Metchnikoff noted that Bulgarian peasants had particularly long life-spans, and attributed this to the fact that they all consumed vast quantities of fermented yoghurt. Studies found that the key strain of bacterium in the yoghurt was Lactobacillus acidophilus, which is able to produce lactic acid. He theorised that these good strains of bacteria could protect the body and digestive tract against harmful micro-organisms.

Heather Picton of ADHASA (Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Association of South Africa) believes that it is important for children with ADD to take probiotics in order to combat the effects of antibiotics, which they take in greater amounts compared to non-ADD children. She says, “We all know that the consumption of antibiotics, and the average eating lifestyle of children, does not help to re-establish the friendly bacteria. So, assistance in the form of probiotics is necessary, especially for children with ADD. I have seen how ADD children are frequently accused of feigning tummy aches to avoid going to school. After changing their eating lifestyle, and having a course of probiotics (sometimes two), their tummy aches, smelly breath and winds disappear.”

Dr Tobiansky says that probiotics have been shown to reduce the frequency and severity of diarrhoea – an inflammation of the intestinal tract by bad bacteria - by increasing the number of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, which are one of the first good bacteria that a mother passes onto her baby during birth. A study by the Institut Rosell has noted that Bifidobacteria are present in higher concentration in a breast-fed infant’s faecal microflora than in a non-breast fed infant. ‘It is also well known that the risk of diarrhoea is lower if newborns are exclusively breastfed, as apposed to being fed with infant formulas.’

A study conducted by Weizman et al, published in Pediatrics, the official publication of the American Academy of Paediatrics, has shown that children who are given the probiotic strainsLactobacillus reuteri ATCC 55730 or Bifidobacterium lactis Bb are less likely to suffer from ‘crèche syndrome’ - a host of illnesses that children contract from each other at nursery school. In this study, both probiotic strains showed a decrease in illness symptoms like fever and diarrhoea, whilst the group on Lactobacillus reuteri ATCC 55730 had fewer clinics visits, less absenteeism from crèche and less antibiotics prescribed. In another study, children aged between six and 36 months, who were hospitalised with diarrhoea, were split into two groups. One group received a probiotic called Lactobacillus reuteri and the other a placebo - both groups also received an oral rehydration solution, essential for anyone with diarrhoea. By the second day of the study, the recovery rate of the probiotic group far surpassed the rate of the group only taking ORS and the placebo. Probiotics as a preventative treatment, along with ORS - oral rehydration solution (this is very important to prevent dehydration, which is fatal to many children who are not able to replace lost fluids), are important for children with diarrhoea.

In her article, Putting Good Bacteria to Work (www.nytimes.com), Jane E Brophy lists some of the benefits of good bacteria. These are “controlling food and skin allergies in children, bacterial vaginosis and premature labour in pregnant women, inflammatory bowel disease, recurrent ear infections and dental caries.” In the article, Brophy also discusses a study done in Finland where researchers administered the probiotic Lactobacillus GG to pregnant woman and their babies, who were considered high risk for developing allergies following six months after their birth. The study showed that by the time the children were two, the probiotic had cut the incidence of eczema in half. A Japanese study at the University of Hiroshima, published in the International Journal of Food Microbiology, has shown that Lactobacillus reuteri ATCC 55730 kills the main bug in the mouth that causes tooth decay. This may help to prevent tooth decay and future visits to the dentist!

G.P, Dr Kim Teversham, gives some important points about probiotics

1. Health benefits are species and strain specific. You cannot infer the benefits of one probiotic strain to another. For example, to draw an analogy, we know that brown wholewheat bread has proven health benefits over its white unrefined counterpart, so don’t just buy any bread, buy one that has proven health benefits.

2. Stomach acid is designed to kill bacteria. If the probiotic is sensitive to acid, the best way to get it to the intestine is either by megadoses (such as Combi 15 ) or by encapsulating it in an acid resistant capsule (Probiflora). Other strains have been shown to be able to live in the stomach acid and so do not need acid protection and can therefore work from the mouth (against thrush), all the way down the intestine.

3. Many products on the market in SA contain combinations of probiotics. The benefits of these combinations should be proven by clinical studies. If you add paracetamol, asprin and codeine, you need to prove that it is better than either one alone.

Box

Helping young bodies

The hygiene hypothesis theory has shown that sterile environments may have a negative effect on babies and children who are not exposed to any allergens and bacteria, and whose bodies haven’t had the chance to build-up a natural resistance. These ‘protected’ kids usually have more allergies and are more allergy-prone than children who have been exposed to bacteria found in the garden and the home. Dr Tobiansky emphasises how vital probiotics are, to children who need to build-up their immune systems so that they can fight off diseases, illnesses and allergies. He says that having a strong immune system will prevent allergy reactions to allergens from developing. It’s also a well-known fact that children do not consume enough fruits and vegetables in their diet, which has also resulted in their bodies not being strong enough to fight off infection. These young bodies naturally need a helping hand when it comes to building up a strong immune system and probiotics will definitely do the trick!

Box

A guide to help you find the right probiotic

1. Is the strain identified clearly?

Vague statements about AB cultures or good bacteria are not enough. The label should show a reference number from the American Type Culture Collection, egg. Lactobacillus reuteriATCC 55730, or other recognised culture collections.

2. Does it contain the right number of bacteria?

The scientific literature states that probiotics must deliver 108‹ to power of 8› (100 million) colony forming units (cfu) per daily dose to be effective. This is one area where a supplement is markedly superior to food sources such as yoghurt, since you can’t always be sure that the amount you’re eating is giving you a specific quantity of bacteria. In many cases the probiotic introduced into various types of food are dead due to being exposed to acids (present in yoghurt), and coming into contact with the oxygen in the air and moisture.

3. Can it survive in the stomach?

The stomach is a most unwelcoming place for all bacteria. Only robust probiotic bacterial strains are able to survive their passage to the stomach. It needs to be able to survive in the digestive tract where the acidity falls to as low as pH 2. Bifidobacterium are particularly sensitive to acid, so you will need a very high cfu of this particular strain in any probiotic. Probiotic strains must likewise be able to survive the exposure to bile in the digestive tract.

4. Does it have a good, proven safety record and shelf life?

The best probiotics will have provided doctors and pharmacies with validated scientific information that shows their efficacy and shelf life. One is assured of a very long shelf life with probiotic supplements, which come in capsule/tablet form. This is because the live bacteria are freeze-dried into a powder form and will become fully functional only on contact with water and nutrients.

Source: Thebe Pharmaceuticals

Quote:

“The benefits of probiotics in gut health are driving customers demand. And growth in probiotic sales is expected to reach 197 billion euros in 2007! “(Datamonitor)

With thanks to Dr F. Tobiansky, Dr K. Teversham, Dr Ela Johannsen, Mrs Heather Picton, Probiflora and Paula Wilson from Reuteri for their help in the compilation of this article.

Autism is an extremely prevalent condition, but what is it?

2010-07-01T04:00:00.000-07:00

WHAT IS AUTISM?
Autism is a lifelong, complex condition that occurs as a result of disordered brain growth, structure and development. Autism is believed to stem from a genetic predisposition triggered by environmental factors and affects 4-5 times more boys than girls. There are a vast number of ways that a person can manifert their autism and as a result this condition is now more often referred to as “Autism Spectrum Disorders” (ASD).

TYPES OF AUTISM
In broad terms, there are 2 main “types” of autism on the spectrum; “Kanner/Classic Autism” where in addition to the autism, there is also intellectual impairment. Statistically, it is consider that 76% of people with autism have “Kanner/Classic” Autism (i.e also have intellectual impairments in varying degrees), where as 24% of people with autism do not have any intellectual impairments, nor speech delay in early childhood years and these people are classified as having “Asperger Syndrome”, displaying a “normal” or more than often, above average intellectual ability.

TRIAD OF IMPAIRMENTS
Regardless of the manifestation of autism, ALL people on this spectrum, are affected in different degrees, by the “Triad of Impairments” that causes a disturbance in quality of development in the following areas:-

Language and Communication. 40% of people with “Kanner/Classic autism” never speak nor fully understand verbal communication. People with Asperger Syndrome with seemingly fluent speech will have areas of their communicative abilities that are adversely affected; for instance an extreme difficulty in reading non-verbal communication such as facial expressions, body language etc.
Social Interaction. For a person with autism, the area of the brain that enables us to understand other people's emotions and feelings is altered and thus a person with autism cannot fully understand the complexity of the thoughts of people around them and the resulting social interactions. This can result in people with autism reacting “differently”, thus confusing those around them who do not know the extensive ramifications of autism.
Imagination and Creative Play. A person with autism usually becomes trapped by rigid thought patterns and behaviours. In addition, despite good intellectual abilities, there is still an inability to understand the abstract concepts and the day-to-day jargon we regularly use flippantly in conversation, such as “It is Raining Cats and Dogs”, “Throw the baby out with the bathwater”, “I nearly died laughing” …….

RED FLAGS FOR POSSIBLE AUTISM IN A YOUNG CHILD (Taken from Autism Ontario - Durham Region).

No babbling by 11 months of age
No simple gestures by 12 months (e.g., waving bye-bye)
No single words by 16 months
No 2-word phrases by 24 months (noun + verb – e.g., “baby sleeping”)
No response when name is called, causing concern about hearing
Loss of any language or social skills at any age
Rarely makes eye contact when interacting with people
Does not play peek-a-boo
Doesn't point to show things he/she is interested in
Rarely smiles socially
More interested in looking at objects than at people's faces
Prefers to play alone
Doesn't make attempts to get parent's attention; doesn't follow/look when someone is pointing at something
Seems to be “in his/her own world”
Odd or repetitive ways of moving fingers or hands
Oversensitive to certain textures, sounds or lights
Lack of interest in toys, or plays with them in an unusual way (e.g., lining up, spinning, opening/closing parts rather than using the toy as a whole)
Compulsions or rituals (has to perform activities in a special way or certain sequence; is prone to tantrums if rituals are interrupted)
Preoccupations with unusual interests, such as light switches, doors, fans, wheels
Unusual fears
Doesn't respond to parent's attempts to play, even if relaxed
Avoids or ignores other children when they approach

Being Together

2010-06-30T01:56:00.000-07:00

Reflecting on how so many families have punishing daily schedules, it came to me that perhaps the danger lies in the compartmentalizing of each task in order to 'get through' all that has to be done. I wonder whether it would feel better if there was more 'going alongside' one another – more of a tolerable muddle, if you know what I mean. I am the first one to understand that order is a means of hanging onto one's sanity. It is what we use to keep chaos at bay, our inner turmoil as much as the outer. But it can create its own stress, and what is more worrisome, it can deflect, big time, from the pleasure of “being together”.

Particularly when so much of the day is spent apart, it might help if we consciously made our goal 'BEING TOGETHER' rather than 'GETTING THROUGH', although one would get through at the same time, more-or-less. If something has to give, let it rather be perfection than allowing ourselves to lose out on a relaxed atmosphere..

I am not suggesting putting tasks aside or on hold. Nor am I suggesting making play yet another task. We have to eat and be clean, to be able to find stuff and to be prepared for the next day. What I am advocating is doing the task with the child alongside - either encouraged to playfully participate or allowed to play on his/her own initiative nearby. Yes, even under foot. Believe it or not, it can be quite tolerable when everyone is happy much of the time..

So, instead of gritting our teeth and clamping our lips while we swing swiftly into action, either silently or issuing instructions left and right – we decide to deliberately adopt a free and easy manner while doing what has to be done with DIALOGUE. Not about what still has to be done, or about what has happened during the day (that can up later) but about what I (the adult) am doing in the present and what you (the child) are playing at the same time. Children live in the NOW and we can either be there with them or miss out. Worse, we can unintentionally pull them out of the now which leaves them feeling nowhere at all.

Dialogue can be very companionable – either as a background murmur that is soothing, or as a sharing of thoughts, ideas, feelings, skills and humour related to the task at hand. My toddler nearly fell over laughing at how I responded with an 'u-u-u-u' when she took a glass bottle out of the fridge and I leapt to put it back. The emphasis turned out to be on the funny noise not the risk of breakage although that point was made as the same time.

Warmth, fun and laughter come through while we work if we allow it. We don't even have to concoct any of it, it is there anyway waiting to be given priority.

So, Moms, as tempting as it is, save Barney for when you are out. Let home be about being together. You might find that the atmosphere that planned muddle promotes, has the opposite effect. Instead of instructions and obstructions, the children could flow in and out of where you are toiling away and you could get your feet free after all. As well as some enjoyment that you much deserve as reward for the work that is so unremittingly required.

Joan Eastwood, former Parent Centre Counsellor

"Your Time Our Time"

2010-06-29T03:51:00.001-07:00

How often do we find articles in Womens Magazines urging Women and Mums to have some ‘ME TIME’ - but what is ‘ME TIME’ and why do we feel guilty when we have ‘ME TIME’…

If we strive to have ‘me time’, why aren’t we encouraging this in our children, especially in this hurly-burly life we seem to lead where the electronic age of cell phones, emails, playstations, DVDs has overwhelmed us and our families and we are on a constant roller coaster and hurtling towards burn-out! We need to stress that having ‘me-time’ / ‘quiet time’ is such a positive factor in our lives and definitely not a negative one.
It is almost as though we cannot cope without instant results, being instantly in contact with everyone constantly and with a cellphone attached to our ear and laptop hanging from our hips – what message are we conveying to children… We cannot socialize children to be in constant contact with their peers, to be fiddling with buttons whether it is on a cellphone or remote and to be in an agitated and fraught state. We need to be setting the example to centre ourselves and take a deep breath, to spend some quiet time catching up with ourselves and to create an atmosphere of peace and tranquility in the house so that children and adults alike can spend some time on their own just….contemplating…reflecting….planning their week…preparing…getting in touch with themselves and their feelings… How often don’t we as adults have a light bulb moment at a time like this when we are able to think out of the box ?

It may be helpful to have a “cue in the family” or “family tradition” and one can start with children at an early age - “Mom and/or Dad are having quiet time and so are you and your brother/sister “ . Bedroom doors can be ajar with little ones and as the need for privacy increases in the pre- and teenage years, doors can be closed ( preferably not locked for safety reasons) and this should be respected. Initially quiet time can be simultaneous for family members, but as children grow up, the chance of this decreases but nevertheless , privacy is respected as it has become a norm within the family.

A time is likely to come when parents will be introducing rules in homes with the intrusive sms and cell phone rings….

From my experience children who are able to their enjoy their own company often become self reliant and self sufficient and are learning a valuable life skill and coping mechanism.

Moms often feel socially inadequate if they are not organizing playdates very regularly and they feel pressurized to involve children in every extramural that they can do and other activities organized for children., but children do need to know how to amuse and entertain themselves. An elderly lady recently commented to me how different her life would have been had she not done a lot of handwork, arts and crafts and reading etc over the years – as now she is widowed and has so much time on her hands which could have caused great loneliness but instead she keeps herself busy and stimulated and had made many friends through this – it was great food for thought as children are often not encouraged to do activities on their own such as just described above and yet their lives could be so enriched. Imagine children preserving happy memories through scrapbooking and thinking about their life while they are doing this and having a great sense of accomplishment producing the scrapbook…or making pretty cards for friends and family members’ birthdays.. these activities can always be done in quiet times at home and in the privacy of their own rooms if necessary. Engendering a love of books and reading will go a long way in helping children to enjoy spending time on their own and getting involved in the particular book they are reading and will enrich their lives considerably. Many adults find reading a great source of comfort especially during stressful times – they can lose themselves in the story. The same can be said for listening to some forms of music quietly.

Children can be encouraged to journal - this can be a very therapeutic exercise to keep a diary and jot down some of the things that have happened during the day and to reflect on this from time to time – they can include their goals, their hopes and their dreams and can look back on their journal to plot their progress in achieving these. Re-reading journals can be great fun.

What about encouraging baking or making a dessert once a week – and sharing some of the baked goods with an elderly neighbour with whom the child can spend a few minutes each week – this would be so meaningful to the neighbour and can encourager a sense of community and empathy for others in the child.

I have found that children often enjoy a little patch of their own in the garden – especially if they can plant and tend some vegetables that can be used in the home at mealtimes.

Children need to be aware that they should consider others such as neighbours, grandparents, aunts and uncles and not to become self centred by continually wanting to be involved in organized activities, not to mention the cost of these. Children over indulged with activities may have skewed expectations often taking too much for granted - they do not learn to be committed to a particular extramural or two and to persevere with those.

Parents also have to make boundaries so that they are not at the beck and call of their child for transporting them here there and everywhere in order for them to constantly be with others – children have to learn that they cannot constantly be demanding and that they have to respect their parents and their need to be still and quiet and to just be around at home gathering their thoughts!

MARGARET DAVISON, CO-ORDINATOR OF MOMS AND MOMS-TO-BE- GROUP ,THE PARENT CENTRE

Saving Water and Electricity by cutting out Detergents

2010-06-29T03:09:00.000-07:00

The Star Business Report
Renewable Energy
Saving Water and Electricity by cutting out Detergents

In recent years, the environment has taken center stage in the global economy, with some experts suggesting that even in South Africa it will soon come to rival black economic empowerment as a business prerogative.

Marietjie Lacomme of Biowash SA, says: “According to a report by Dr Peter Dingle, a toxicologist, most laundry detergents are produced entirely from petrochemicals or coal and contain a high percentage of ingredients that are either toxins or have an indirect detrimental effect on the environment. An average laundry detergent composition includes 15-25 percent synthetic surfactant, 30-40 percent condensed phosphate and five percent anti-corrosive silicate.

“Within these basic categories is a broad range of toxic chemicals that can cause an increase in weight, a decrease in white blood cells (shown in rats) and the promotion of tumor activity in mice. For instance, phenol, sodium nitrate, ethanol, sulphuric acid and caustic soda are all common detergent ingredients that are either toxic or combine to create toxic compounds,” says Lacomme.

Of course, people don't consume detergents, but these waste products are released to our waterways as seemingly innocuous substances where they break down into nonylphenol, an oestrogen-like substance. The water is then used (after recycling) for cooking and drinking.

“These types of chemicals have been named synthetic or foreign oestrogens, xenoestrogens or endocrine disrupters. Because they are so similar in structure to the oestrogen produced by our bodies, our cells will receive xenoestrogens and try to make use of them. Although similar to oestrogen in structure, they are synthetic compounds and have many unwanted and unpleasant side effects. Once introduced into our bodies they can alter our hormonal activity, disrupting our normal reproductive functioning.

The more common side effects of detergent residues in clothes and linen are skin irritation such as rashes, itchiness and inflammation, explains Lacomme, and these originate both from direct contact with detergents, and inhalation of vapours from liquid detergents.

“These chemicals is destructive to the living organisms in our rivers, oceans and harmful to all living beings including plant life, in one way or another.”

Growing awareness of the impact of chemical toxins has become one of the more global phenomenon of recent times.

“People have for some time now realised the effects of harsh chemicals on the environment and the human body. This awareness is in its early stages in South Africa, where we still have a lot of education to do,” she says.

This awareness has been responded to by the business community through the development of natural, eco-friendly products such as Biowashball, which allows for a healthy laundry without the use of consumable detergent. It replaces the use of detergent and softener of your washing machine.

Lacomme says that by buying such products as Biowashball, the consumer contributes to savings on our: groundwater system, river and oceans from chemical pollution; the reduction of landfill waste (through less packaging); being able to recycle your water from your washing machine; using less water because the washing programme can be reduced, as there is no foam or detergent to rinse out; saving your skin and health from allergies including asthma and sinus problems; electricity, as Biowashball is equally effective in cold water.

“In addition, your clothes last much longer because there are no chemicals destroying the fibres of your laundry or bleach that fades the colours of your clothing. Furthermore, Biowashball saves money as it lasts for 1,000 washes, and therefore cost only 48 cents per wash or R14 per month to do your laundry.

“With the current environmental and economic crisis, demand for value-for-money products like Biowashball is rising. Our clients are generally people with a high environmental and health consciousness, but also people from drought-stricken areas. We currently have more than 10,000 clients in South Africa alone.

“I'm positive that with the combined effort of companies like Biowash Southern Africa, we can reduce the use of chemicals by up to 60% within the next 10 years. If we don't we are heading in the wrong direction, a future of no return, with water being our biggest problem,” says Lacomme.

Mommy Clowns

2010-06-21T02:10:00.000-07:00

Clowns these days don't necessarily wear funny hats, striped clothing, shoes that are too big, braces to hold up their big pants or have their faces painted. Any Mom can take a look in the mirror and see for herself. These days juggling, entertaining and doing silly things isn't just for clowns, there really isn't too much difference between a mom and a clown at the end of the day. Their jobs are very similar. I look at myself and while a clown juggles balls or bowling pins, I juggle making breakfast while preparing break for my boys at the same time, not to mention making sure that child number two has taken his medication and child number one has his kit for sports that day. All the while, I have our baby literally getting under my feet chanting “tea, tea??”

A clown is paid to entertain and make people laugh by doing silly things. Moms have to entertain and do silly things too – but they don't get paid for it. Well, not in monetary value anyway. When my oldest son came home with his results from writing his first exams and told me that he got 70%, I was so proud of him and thrilled to see his own satisfaction in doing so well. The day my middle son brought home the “merit” badge for being the best behaved in his class all week I couldn't believe it and was elated, because for an ADHD child, this is a serious achievement. The baby in the family is 18 months old and when he - yes I have three boys – split all the water out of the humidifier, onto the wooden flooring while investigating what this machine is, he came to me and in his own words babbled off something, when I didn't understand what he meant, I ask him to “show me” – and off we went to his room where I saw what he was trying to tell me. No amount of money could ever replace the “show” that we live every day.

Amongst all the mothering and teaching and disciplining, I have my own embroidery business to run. I'm privileged to have both my office and “factory” at home. There are times when neither the office nor the factory sees me because my boys need me more. I think the true juggling happens when there's a good balance between “mother time” and “career woman” time. It's a work in progress for me and I often have disputes within myself as to which one needs me more, which one will benefit everyone more. The answer to this is always my boys. What's the point of being a working-from-home Mom when I'm more focused on working than being a Mom? The juggling continues when school is over and homework begins, the show gets better when baby doesn't feel like having an afternoon kip, that's when Mom walks the tight rope and juggles at the same time!! By the time homework is over, it's time to get dinner on the go, feed the dogs, run the bath, set the table, feed the baby, and so the show goes on…

To all the Moms out there who juggle motherhood, house-keeper, wife, taxi driver and business owner – God didn't give us all this because he wanted more clowns in the world, he gave all this to us because he needs a bigger audience for all the wonder his children provide. And don't forget that when things do get tougher and days shorter while you're walking the tight rope too, there's always a safety chord so when you do fall, you'll bounce right back up. Don't ever loose your sense of humor or how necessary your role is in the circus of our lives as Mothers.

Written by Tracy Tuckett, mother of three and business owner.

More Magic...

2010-06-21T01:28:00.000-07:00

The things that add magic to your children's lives are the ones that give them space and freedom to exercise their own imaginations. They already have quite enough that restricts and hems in their minds. When people say, "Childhood doesn`t last as long as it used to", what they mean is, "The magic doesn`t last as long as it used to". So here are some of the best things for helping your children keep the magic for as long as possible:

dress up boxes, costumes, make-believe games
empty cardboard boxes, sticks, bits of string, and other assorted objects that can be endlessly adapted
picnics(jam sandwiches will do fine - the food doesn`t have to be important)
open spaces - woods, beaches, parks, hills
water - lakes, rivers, streams, the sea, or even just a hosepipe
myths and legends
surprises
trips to the theatre
fantasy movies
holiday and day trips
exploring and little adventures
bedtime stories
stories you make up yourself

Sensory Intelligence for 21st Century Parents

2010-06-10T02:24:00.000-07:00

Sensory intelligence is the insight and awareness of the primitive sensory wiring of our brains and the effect it has on every day living. How we interpret and interact with the world is the product of sensory filtering through the senses. We see, hear, smell, taste, touch and move and respond accordingly. It is a primitive and unconscious process that occurs uniquely for all of us based on your genetic coding, mixed with how we were brought up.

The reality is that what you see, hear, smell, touch, taste or move is not necessarily what your child, spouse or friend will hear, smell, touch, taste or move. Due to their unique genetic sensory coding they might be sensitive to a particular sound that you don’t even notice. Our sensory tolerance levels occurs across all sensory systems and will determine what we are sensitive to and would thus tend to avoid versus what we are not registering well and thus seek out.

Some children may thrive in a busy and noisy environment, while others will do better in a quiet, tranquil environment. Some may need multiple sensory stimulation, while others have a low threshold when it comes to sensory input and may very well feel overwhelmed and become irritable with too much going on around them. It is therefore very important for parents to be able to see and experience the world through their children’s individual eyes and unique senses. Sensory intelligence is having the ability to understand your children’s sensory needs and being able to make the necessary adjustments to their surroundings and interactions.

The Sensory Tree™ - a unique and easy way to understand sensory profiles:

Annemarie Lombard designed the Sensory Tree to describe and demystify people’s sensory profiles.

Sensation seekers have high thresholds, their systems take longer to respond and they are more oblivious to sensory stimuli. They are like the leaves of a tree. They grow, change color, move in the wind and attract the butterflies and birds. They can adapt to sunlight, rain, wind and whatever nature (the world) throws at them. Sensation seekers, like the leaves, are always ready for something new and unpredictable. They need activity, variety, novelty and enjoy change. They are a visible sign that the tree (family) is growing.

Children who are sensation seekers will most probably enjoy contact sports. They will thrive on all the excitement at a party and are likely to beg parents to take them to an amusement park or other busy areas. Though this may be good for children with growing, developing brains, parents should be careful not to expose leaf children to too many activities and crowds too often.

Bear in mind that children’s nervous and sensory systems are immature and that they cannot control them as well as adults may do. You could easily allow the child to go into sensory overload and then be confronted with unpredictable and uncontrolled behavior. Parents need to enforce structure, discipline and routine which will help the child to manage his world. Following rules and respecting boundaries are often difficult for leaf children and parents need to make a special effort to teach them these important life skills.

Sensation avoiders have low thresholds, their systems respond very quickly and intensely to sensory input, therefore they are sensitive to environmental sensory stimuli. They are like the anchoring, roots of the tree. They prefer a comfortable, quiet and cozy environment. They need more quiet space and clear, predictable expectations. Like the roots, they are solid, steadfast and provide structure, predictability and are the foundation that is crucial to maintain growth and prevent the tree (family) from toppling over.

Children who are sensation avoiders will tend to respond negatively to too many activities, crowds, clutter and noise. They may not want to go to large, busy gatherings. They often prefer small gatherings and thrive on one-to-one contact. They will prefer to stay at home, watch television and usually enjoys computers as it is a more solitary activity. Outdoor sport and activities will probably lean towards playing cricket in the garden, riding a bike or going for walks with the parent. They often prefer solo sport such as biking, rowing, tennis, hiking, etc.

“Root” children potentially avoid things such as new clothing, cutting nails, washing hair and brushing teeth, etc. Gently encourage your root child to participate in more sensory stimulating activities. This will help him or her to cope better with the normal sensory demands of life as a child, as well as later in life. Be aware not to be too pushy, because you could send the child over the edge which could leave you with negative and uncontrollable results.

Normal thresholds children are like the trunks of the tree and not affected by sensory stimuli. They are neither sensitive nor seeking sensory input.

The tree therefore resembles the midway (the trunks) and the two extremes (low threshold, sensitive and avoider roots) and (high thresholds, seeking leaves). This is a continuum and all of us as well as our children can be plotted somewhere on this continuum. Your sensory profile will determine your comfort sensory zone. When at the extremes too often too intensely it can create conflict, stress and difficulty in school, with relationships and activities. Some children when affected severely by their sensory profiles, often the sensory defensive child, who are extremely sensitive, individual therapy by a sensory integrative occupational therapist will be imperative. However, for the remainder of us, when identifying your sensory needs and stressors, it can assist us as parents to create the best environment and activities for ourselves and our children.

Sensory characteristics

Some of the characteristics of sensation seekers and sensation avoiders are resembled below. This is a guideline only. How children react to their sensory profiles will be dependent on their home, school, culture and physical environment. Parents should be vigilant and notice the sensory properties of activities and environment to determine for what the child is either sensitive or seeking out.

Characteristics of sensation seeking children

Active, fidgety, on-the-go, excitable, loud, noisy
Continuously engaging, hyperactive, impulsive
Take excessive risks, poor regards to safety
Constantly moving, touching, biting/mouthing objects
Chew on pencils, toys, clothes
Bump, crash, tackle – enjoy hard physical contact
Move and explore continuously
Creative, energetic
Need more supervision, safety awareness and strict boundaries

When the above symptoms (together with other indicators) are present excessively and impact on the child’s learning and development, it is described as SPD (sensory processing disorder). These children are often diagnosed as ADHD (attention deficit disorder). Research do show strong similarities between sensory processing disorder and SPD and then require specialised intervention.

Characteristics of sensation avoiding children

Emotionally reactive, sensitive, can be anxious
Resistant to change, reliant on structure and rigid rituals
Hyper vigilant: always scan environment and very intuitive and detail orientated
Withdraw from stimuli and/or people
Only tolerate limited clothing and/or foods
Refuse messy activities
Withdraw from touch/cuddles
Can be aggressive and demanding

When the above symptoms (together with other indicators) are present excessively and impact on the child’s learning and development, it is also described as SPD (sensory processing disorder), and in this format sensory defensiveness. Defensiveness can occur in only one system (i.e. touch, but also in various other sensory systems).

The sensory intelligent tips to reduce sensory overload and resulted stress for our children: (Sensation avoiding children are more prone to sensory overload, thus the strategies more based around their needs)

Quiet time and spaces are crucial for this child. They need more time on a regular basis to recharge their batteries. Creating a “womb” space in their bedrooms is a very good strategy. They can use these spaces independently when they are feeling overloaded. It is however very important to stress it as a time-out strategy and not a time-out discipline imposed by the parent! This prepares them for the next activity.
Planning and preparation are crucial. When they are prepared in advance they can create internal dialogue for themselves to prepare and get ready. Limit spur of the moment outings and surprises as they prefer predictability and structure. They want to know what, where and how things going to happen.
Tactile sensitive children are fussy when it comes to clothing textures. It really does create immense discomfort and sometimes even pain for them. It distracts them continuously and kind of “takes over” the brain so that they get irritated very quickly. Be considerate to their needs when you buy new clothing; choose textures wisely with them present. Do encourage new clothing items, but don’t force it upon them. It is just not worth it! Also washing garments a few times before wearing helps.
Big gatherings like birthday parties, crowds or concerts are often sensory over stimulating. Their systems just cannot tune out all the background sensory information and resultedly they get overloaded and experience stress and discomfort.
With movement sensitivity, often car sickness can present itself. Let the child chew on biltong, an apple, carrot or gum as it can be self-regulatory and reduce car sickness. Movement sensitivity will also impact his choice of sport. Movement like running or biking will be more tolerable than gymnastics. Increased head movements and upside down movements such as in gymnastics overload the movement system quickly.
Bright lights and people moving around as often seen in shopping malls can overload the visual system. Shopping malls can be noisy, contributing to auditory overload. Being touched and bumped by people flares up the sensory nervous system that is sensitive for touch.
Twenty first century parenting is difficult. Demands and influences are escalating and we are continuously being judged by the norms of our society. It is sometimes very difficult for parents to step out or even think out of this mould. We need to do that to nurture our kids optimally without reducing discipline and boundaries. I believe when we understand our children’s stressors and needs on a sensory, emotional and cognitive level, we can prepare them for the life ahead.
Sensory inputs that are calming are: deep, firm, touch pressure; slow, rhythmic movement, heavy work against resistance; soft, gentle colors and lighting; warm, smooth and sweet tastes and lavender and chamomile smells. When your child is in overload use them.
Sensory input that are alerting are: light touch; loud, intense rock music; bright lights, colors and clutter; fast, irregular movement; cold, sour, spicy and minty tastes and mint and citrus smells. Use them when your child needs stimulation and “waking” up.
When the system reaches shutdown it always is an unproductive state but often necessary in order to recharge. It’s like having a power failure; your systems switch off due to shortage/overload somewhere. Sleep at night is our system’s in-build power recharge system and very necessary. Our children (especially the roots) need to sleep well at night.
Knowing and anticipating our needs as well as our children’s needs reduce overload and conflict. It also is often in contrast to our own needs. Selecting activities based on their potential to either overload or stimulate our children are crucial and imperative for positive parenting.

Basic principles when parenting roots (low threshold/sensitive children) or leaves (high threshold/sensation seeking children):

Some general ideas to keep your child in sync, depending on their sensory preferences:

Parenting a leaf (high threshold, sensation seekers)

Be creative and find interesting activities for your child to do
Run / walk / move with your child
Add variety and novelty on a regular basis
Use colors and textures extensively
Identify interesting and fun projects in and around the house
Identify and provide creative outlets
Instill a sense of safety and caution
Don’t allow chaos and clutter
Don’t restrict movement activities
Don’t allow destructive energy
Talk (more) and have fun with your child

Parenting a root (low threshold, sensory sensitive and avoiders)

Honor the child’s need for space and time out
Create a hide-away quiet space and use this when your child is overwrought, unmanageable or emotional and teach him to use it as a valuable coping strategy
Structure time-out daily
Prepare the child prior to new activities / situations
Create structure and routine
Use calming sensory input such as soft music and lighting, etc
Don’t over-expose your child to large group activities
Give fewer and quiet instruction
Talk (whisper) and have fun with your child

The 7 basic keys to sensory intelligent interventions

Reduce sensory overload, we need to limit extra input and create safe, predictable environment for our children at home and in our communities
Choose your school and activities for your child wisely and consider their sensory needs
Always have quiet-time or womb spaces at home
Limit TV and passive play
Engage and talk to your children about their needs, stressors and fears
Incorporate sensory diets for your child: daily/weekly activities that will help them grow and stimulate them through the senses
Teach them to self-regulate; help them identify what calms them and what puts them into overload

Sensory Regulation for School Children

Research has shown that children today have major problems with concentration in the classroom, because they are forced to accumulate information and learn in a passive state. Most children today are stuck behind a computer or a TV screen. They do not move enough and are no longer involved in physical outdoor play. To crown it all physical education has been terminated in most schools. Our society is raising an overweight, unfit and passive generation.

Children need to move. It is through movement that their brains grow and develop and movement is one of the strongest means to help with sensory self-regulation. Movement should be incorporated in classrooms as well as at home. Children need to be physically active in order to concentrate, learn and grow mentally, as well as physically.

When we as adults are stuck behind a computer and feel our concentration slipping, that we are getting tired and losing focus, what do we do? We get up and move out of our chairs, make a cup of coffee or do something physical for our bodies and minds to start focusing again. Then we wonder why children don’t want to sit still in classrooms. Like ours, their brains are also crying out for help in the movement department.

The old command “sit still and pay attention” needs to change. Most children can either sit still or pay attention – one excludes the other. Children need to move to get sensory-motor input in order to focus and pay attention. When the body falls asleep the brain is bound to follow.

Get your children away from passive entertainment like computers and TV’s which require one sense only – sight! Get children moving and move with them. The principle of self-regulation through the senses is a powerful tool!

Remember that Primary School children still have developing minds and are probably not capable of regulating their own sensory input and needs. It is therefore up to the adults in their lives to assist them in achieving self regulation. Children need to be stimulated in order to develop their minds and personalities.

Conclusion

The concept of sensory intelligence is based on the sensory integration theory developed in the 1960’s which was applied to children with developmental or learning difficulties. Yet every child’s senses are a gateway through which information from the outside world is processed and relayed to the brain and this in turn triggers the child’s response to its environment.

On a sensory level we as parents are responsible for the stimulation of our children for optimal growth and development. When we know our children’s sensory needs, we are better equipped to optimize their learning environment without under- or over-stimulating them – both extremes may be detrimental to their development. If we strive and work towards providing a balanced environment, we can raise children with a strong self-image and confidence – contributing to their becoming happy, positive, and successful individuals.

Development Stimulation - Is intelligence fixed at birth?

2010-05-20T03:07:00.000-07:00

Developmental Stimulation:

Is intelligence fixed at birth?
There has been a general debate since the 18th Century as to whether human intelligence is the product of generic attributes only, or if it is affected by stimuli and experiences. Scientists now agree that there can be no doubt that there are real differences in children’s inborn intellectual capacity from the beginning,(after all, we can’t all be Einstein!!) there is however clear evidence that there is nothing fixed or permanent about IQ! It is certain that in the early stages of life, enormous changes to IQ can be made by Developmental and Environmental stimulation. Babies need a stimulating environment in order to grow and develop mentally and physically to their peak potential. Intelligence is NOT fixed at birth; early stimulation has an immensely powerful effect on intellectual development. A baby who is left in a carrycot or playpen or carried on the back for most of the day will never develop to their full potential. A lack of stimulation can have a devastating effect on development. A baby needs to be given direct attention, spoken to and played with in order to develop and learn. A stimulating environment is food for brain growth! The brain, more than any other organ is where experience becomes flesh!

You can fill a house with toys, but if you don’t help and encourage them to play and show them how to play with the toys, then having the toys is no good.

The infants brain at birth has virtually all the nerve cells it will ever have, but the pattern of wiring has not at that point been established. The information the infant receives through his senses results in neural activity, and connections are made. The first three years are a time that the completion of neural circuts in the brain need appropriate stimulation. This stimulation is critical in shaping future development, and sadly, deprivation of stimulation in these years has an irreversible effect on intelligence as experienced in the tragic outcomes of the Romanian orphans!!

HOW CAN I HELP DEVELOP MY BABIES BRAIN?

Play, fun, exploration and experiences are what lead to learning and brain development in children.
Play can roughly be divided into 4 main categories, although they overlap and dominate playtimes to different degrees as the child develops, and get older. The adult needs to encourage all of these types of play.

Investigative Play:
Babies start off by investigating things through shaking, banging and tasting them in an attempt to find out the basic properties of objects eg size, shape and texture. As their intellectual capacity increases, their investigation become more complex, and they begin to become interested in how things work and how they relate to one another and form concepts such as bigger/smaller, in/on/under. They also learn about cause and effect through investigation, trial and error. eg ‘if I hit this peg with the hammer, it disappears into the hole, and if I miss and hit my thumb, it hurts!’
Toys to promote investigative play:
Rough and smooth objects
Big and small objects
Noisy toys, bottles filled with rice etc.
Pull-along toys or a can on a string
Boxes and tins with lids that they can open and close.
Water and things that float/sink
Shape sorter etc.
Manipulative Play:

As their skills in manipulation increase through increasing control over their bodies, hey will need toys to promote their dexterity, motor skills and co-ordination and control over the use of their muscles and fingers, etc. Toys to promote manipulative play help develop the child’s fine motor skills, and helps develop analytical thinking.

Toys to promote manipulative play:
Stacking rings
Blocks
Stacking cups
Play dough and shape cutters, etc
Paper and crayons
Large soft ball/ beanbag
Peg board and hammer
Representative or Pretend Play:

Very simple symbolic or pretend play develops from around a year old. The toddler may hug a teddy, push a dolly in a pram, or push a car making a ‘brrr’ sound.
Pretend play is play in which pretend objects are used to represent other objects, thus using them as symbols. This is critical to children’s intellectual development. It is the precursor to the ability to think through problems in abstract and find creative solutions to them. The ability to use the imagination creatively helps in every aspect of life. Einstein once said: “Imagination is more important than knowledge.”
Pretend play reflects the intellectual capacity of being able to represent something symbolically.
By the age of 15 months he should start using objects which are less similar to the real ones eg a box as a dolls bed or a matchbox pushed along like a car. As they get older, pretend play and investigative play tends to dominate playtimes and they also start to enjoy mimicry.

Toys to promote pretend play:
Soft animals and dolls
Farmyard set
Tea-set
Doll pram
Toy telephone
Cars/trains
Wooden vehicles
Dolls brush/comb
Tins / boxes
Puppets
Interactive Play

Play involving actions with other people or children are enormously important in intellectual and emotional development. Interactive games involving turn-taking are very important. Activities like taking turns to drop balls into a bucket; fit shapes into a shape sorter and, throwing games all lend themselves well to turn-taking.

Learning takes place through a combination of these types of play, and the process of learning is greatly accelerated if an adult firstly provides the appropriate toys, objects or stimuli, and secondly, encourages play through interaction either with themselves or with other children.

Learning is most likely to occur when:
The child is praised for their achievements.

He is given freedom to explore.

The adult displays confidence in his abilities.

The adult accepts some mess.

The child in interacted with e.g. spoken to, read to, told stories.

The child is allowed time for free-play.

The child is allowed contact with other children.

The child is encouraged to explore and play make believe.

EDUCARE offers developmental stimulation courses to assist Moms, Nursery School teachers and Au-Pairs to help their child develop to their full intellectual and creative potential

2010-05-17T01:20:00.000-07:00

Just about every magazine today is offering tips on how to live a more “eco-friendly” lifestyle and you can hardly open a newspaper without a reference to the impact of global warming. Even our Finance Minister, Trevor Manuel, has been heard uttering the word “green” when it comes to the national budget. So, it should come as no surprise that that consumer demand for a biodegradable alternative to plastic is becoming hard to ignore. Outside of South Africa, supermarket chains like Sainsburys, Wal-Mart and Marks & Spencers already have products on their shelves in biodegradable packaging. In Europe alone the consumption of biodegradable plastics or, bioplastics as they are often referred to, in 2003 doubled from 2001, with a consumption of 40, 000 tons per annum. According to a leading website in the food production industry, it has been predicted that that the bioplastics market will grow by 20% per year.

Catherine Morris, Managing Director of Green Home, the first company to distribute a complete range of biodegradable food containers in South Africa, says that progress in bio-technology has led to the development of biodegradable alternatives which look and feel exactly like conventional packaging. Morris says: “The environmental impact between the two, however, is enormous”. Conventional packaging like polystyrene products are petroleum-based which is a limited resource and takes up to hundreds of years to degrade. According to Morris, the production of these plastics is highly toxic, and incineration carries the added danger of releasing toxic fumes into the atmosphere which poses a threat not only to the environment, but also personal health. The alternatives, on the other hand, are made from natural and renewable plant resources such as corn, sugar, wood or soya, and have a significantly lower environmental impact during manufacture. More importantly, unlike petroleum-based products, these biodegrade into water, CO2 and compost in a matter of weeks. “In South Africa, landfill waste has increased between 12 and 14% in two years. We need to reduce our waste production. And where we have to use disposable packaging, it needs to be compostable and made from renewable resources.” says Morris.

However, there have been concerns over the impact that the growing demand for biofuel and bioplastics will have on water supply, deforestation and soil erosion. Many critics have warned that the move towards using food crops likes maize, soya and potatoe starch would encourage unsustainable, mono-crop agriculture which has already had a devastating effect on the land. The counter-argument has been that the introduction of bioplastics (as well as biofuel) has to be accompanied by a sustainable approach to farming practices. “Crop rotation and other forms of sustainable agriculture, like Permaculture are options in the move towards replacing oil with renewable forms of energy – but the government needs to come to the party”, says John Pistorius of Bioman Energy, a leading manufacturer of biodiesel processors in the country.

In South Africa, the bioplastics industry could potentially revitalize a struggling agricultural industry as more and more farmers are finding it difficult to turn their land into profit. “There is so much undeveloped land in the country”, says, Pistorius, “the government should be supporting the agricultural sector from the point of view of developing farmers”. A larger South African agricultural economy would inevitably secure better government protection of the agricultural sector and provide much needed employment – especially in the rural areas. Here, in South Africa, desertification is a greater concern than deforestation, and is often a direct result of unsustainable and abandoned farming practices. A revived agricultural economy has the potential to slow down and even reverse this process.

Arguably, the most pressing concern has to do with the way in which the demand for biofuel (and now bioplastics) has pushed up the price of food products like corn and wheat. Corn is already at its highest level in a decade on the Chicago Board of Trade and growing demand for biofuel might increase prices even further. However, it would seem that internationally, there is a growing certainty that the world has enough agricultural resources for both food and fuel and that, if managed correctly, there is room for biofuel / bioplastic production as well as food security. The European Commission has issued a mandatory biofuel target of 10 percent of all vehicle fuels by 2020 – a level that officials say will not discourage farmers from growing crops for food. In the United States, industry officials claim that they will be able to produce enough corn in coming years to meet the domestic demand for food and ethanol, in addition to meeting its export obligations. Ultimately, using food crops like corn to replace fuel is regarded as an interim measure to solving the fuel crisis. “W need to experiment; it’s a new field, the shortest cut has been the food crop - just to get the ball rolling - then we need to look around for other options.” Says Pistorius who is also investigating alternatives like algae. “Algae is definitely something we’re going to be exploring. We need to get further down the road but we need to do something in the interim.”

In South Africa, provided the market is prepared for these adjustments, a higher selling price of agricultural produce is exactly what local farmers have been desperate for. A higher selling price means greater profitability in the agricultural sector, thereby raising employment levels, curbing desertification and putting more money back into sustainable land use practices, as well as providing a greater food supply. This will require government involvement, planning and protection. Clearly, it is not going to be an easy task to wean ourselves off our dependency on oil but the reality is, do we really have a choice?

Site/Service Description

2010-04-26T00:51:00.000-07:00

Little Footprints Planet, a comprehensive Online Directory and resource portal that provides information to parents about anything and everything to do with children, from prenatal planning, through pregnancy and childbirth, and babies and toddlers, to teens.

The Online Directory includes information about support groups, events, products, services and references and ideas relating to raising and caring for happy, well-balanced children. As a parent, you have probably already realized the huge responsibility you have for the new life you have created, and have also probably realized that no one ever taught you how to be a good parent, or where to go to find the answers to your questions! Well, this is the place to be.

We are constantly adding new ideas and information to our site and Directory, and provide regular articles and newsletters to help responsible parents find the information and things they need, and find the answers to questions and also to meet with other similar-minded parents.

We hope that your parenting journey will be both enjoyable and adventurous and that the information that you will find on our site will help you to improve that experience.
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