Wellness

Just Property Celebrates the Soul of St Francis Bay

A fresh and innovative gathering in St Francis Bay. Offering good food. Supporting a good cause. Providing an excuse to mingle on a week night … and did we mention the welcoming G&Ts on arrival?

Just Property’s Wellness Event earlier this month ticked all of our boxes and did not disappoint. We caught up with the creative force behind this occasion, Meg Holden, to get the full story.

What an incredible turn out at the Wellness Event in St Francis Bay! The evening was hosted and inspired by Just Property Lifestyle, in aid of Spay it Forward – and we managed to raise well over R8000. Megan

Spay it Forward’s team have successfully sterilised over 1600 cats and dogs since they opened their doors 4 years ago. Their aim is to “raise funds to enable the sterilisation of dogs, cats, strays, ferals and to assist pet owners living on a limited income”. Visit their book sale at the morning market each month, and in the village – contact Pauline Hardy (084 789 7801) or Carmen Stevens (082 775 0122) if you are keen to get involved.

DD: So what was the event all about?

Megan: This specific event was aimed at all of the newbies in town, and the community as a whole, to get to know how many activities are offered in SFB and its surrounds. We wanted to be able to identify all of the different clubs and associations – so that people can join in, make friends and have fun. In spite of the chilly evening the event was humming with well over 100 guests and speakers!

Megan: We would like to thank each volunteer who spoke about all the tremendous activities offered in our town. The crowd was blown away by how many clubs, societies etc there are available to join! Most of us who attended didn’t realise how much was going on in the area.

This is also just a reminder that many drops make an ocean. We are all part of this town and we can all contribute positively!

So now there really are no excuses to sit at home, unsure what to do … join the birding, cycling, knitting, running, bridge, friends, naughty nautical, rotary clubs, just to name a few! The best part is that at least 15 other clubs and associations couldn’t attend – so when we do this again, we will have a whole new array of even more initiatives to join or support. If you would like to get involved in the next event, and share your club or association, just drop us a line on +27 76 699 9866

Megan: We would like to say a huge thanks to Dr Lana Pepler from DeNude who spoke about the benefits of detoxing; Nick from 22 Eatery for his healthy cooking demo, Liza Lippstreau from Body Roll, Steph Arndt Ernstein from the St Francis Bay Running Club and last but not least, the incredible Pauline Hardy and her formidable team who do the most incredible work to spay cats and dogs in the Kouga Region.

Matt Davies supplied the crowd with his delicious venison burgers (they were a sell out!) and Fitch & Leedes kept the crowd hydrated with their delicious welcoming drinks.

Events don’t just happen – the organisers of this event, all of the members of the Just Property Lifestyle Team, worked relentlessly to ensure it ran smoothly.

by admin

Blossoming young minds & old souls

Although many of us would wish that “life is a bed of roses” (as in Christopher Marlowe’s poem), the truism that the thorns (or rather Bon Jovi’s “bed of nails”) will more likely impact and dominate our daily lives, our moods & actions, pervades. Looking after your mental health has never been so critical as in today’s highly pressurised and demanding society. It is a catchword, a mantra to repeat at the gym, a heartfelt query aimed at those who we care for.

The statistics make for terrifying reading. 1 in 5 adults in the USA, and almost as many here in SA, experience mental health disorders; those affected are almost twice as likely to develop cardio vascular & metabolic disease. And mental illness does not discriminate against age; a latest poll indicated 70% of South African children aged 15-24yrs needed help to improve their mental wellbeing, and in the USA, 3 million adolescents had thoughts of suicide (UNICEF; NAMI; SSM).

Help however, is at hand, in our own beautiful town, nogal! And whether you are feeling depressed, stressed, can’t sleep at night or just need a change in the pace and direction of you life’s path, please do read on about the Art of Living Foundation (AoL). We managed to chat to both Elizabeth Meiring and Susan Botha of AoL and Matt Davis, co-founder and coach at St Francis Bay United (SFBU). What lies ahead in the next few few paragraphs may well change your life – it has for one of us Daisies as well as the budding young soccer stars of SFBU….

DD: We heard that you are the inspiration behind bringing the AoL & its affiliated courses to St Francis Bay. Can you tell our readers a bit more about yourselves and the Foundation?

Elizabeth: In 2003, Elisabeth Rautenbach and Stella Platinga attended a lifestyle and spiritual festival in PE and was introduced to AoL. They learned to do bastrika (a breathing method), were intrigued and motivated to organise the first course in Kouga for 20 people.

During the next few years, some teachers came and stayed on Elisabeth’s farm (including me), taking Happiness Programs and Art Excel Courses (part of the AoL suite of courses) at Seavista Primary. The community would hold short kriya (breathing meditations) followups locally. We found the breathing techniques and knowledge were of great benefit and helped us gain a broader perspective on life. We were keen to make the courses available for the whole community – whether king or pauper, EVERYONE can benefit.

Susan: I am JBay born and bred, and had discovered AoL during my studies at University of Cape Town. I had been finding life tough and the AoL techniques and life-skills changed my perspective from struggling to light. I loved the idea of shifting from being passive in life to being part of the solution, so I came back to this area to share my experience with all who seek this for themselves. I have since taught several hundred adults and children from all walks of life including the general public, schools, youth leadership training programs and in prisons. In this volunteer role, I have driven many, many miles in an effort to leave no person behind between Gqeberha, JBay and St Francis Bay – where Stella and Eliabeth have continued to share the love all these years.

The Art of Living (AoL) Foundation is a happening. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, the founder, was quietly sharing spiritual knowledge and meditation, and the unique Sudarshan Kriya (SKY) that came to him after 10 days of deep silence, with people. And organically it has grown into a volunteer-based organisation in 180 countries with 35,000 teachers who have spread the benefits to millions across the globe.

A basic premise is that world peace starts from inner peace, and we strengthen society by strengthening the individuals within it.

DD: What do you think makes the AoL unique?

E & S: The depth! It’s like the ocean – you can gaze at it, paddle ankle deep, surf some waves, or deep dive – the choice is yours. We’ve tried many different modalities and practices and while they all have some merit they simply don’t have this depth … after a while you bottom out.

AoL shares authentic ancient yogi wisdom that has stood the test of time and is more relevant than ever in this modern era. There are many ‘life-hack’ fads based on one or other of the techniques … but none we’ve found has the whole vast deep package, backed with guidance from true masters. The amazing impact the founder, Sri Sri has had in the world is evidence that he walks the talk and works tirelessly yet joyfully to put a smile on everyone’s face. We are touched and inspired by his effective and selfless service.

DD: Can you describe in 3 words how has it impacted on your every-day life?

E & S: Empowering us to bring happiness to living versus waiting for life to line up and ‘make’ us happy. (not 3 words!)

DD: You are planning an Art of Happiness course later on this month – happiness can be elusive for many of us in these stressful times. How can this course help, what are its main aspects and most importantly, how can we sign up!

E & S: Nothing robs you of your happiness like stress – whatever the underlying reason. Yet we’re not taught at school or at home how to truly clear stress from our system. Many of us live in hope of circumstances or something outside of us to make us happy. But this makes us victims in life with the mind stuck in repetitive complaint, frustration or negativity. At some stage we realise …. its kinda like chewing very old tasteless chewing gum! Exhausting and yech. But how to stop?

The Happiness Program is experiential – you will feel a shift in just a weekend. You’ll leave not only feeling positive, calm and light, but also equipped with tools and a home practice to handle whatever life throws at you. The central technique is the unique Sudarshan Kriya (SKY). The results are backed by many peer reviewed studies now, but best is to trust your own experience.

Key benefits

Quickly & Effectively Reduce Stress with the power of your own breath. Soothe your physiology and come to a calm and positive state of mind. This has helped many with anxiety, depression and addiction too.

Build Resilience with mind mastery, so you won’t get bothered by issues that used to create frustration, impatience, worry and more.

Make Meditation Easier and Relax Deeper – Sudarshan Kriya brings your mind to a place where meditation happens with ease. Guided meditations and low impact gentle yoga allow you to experience your beauty within.

Most people say they Sleep Better, become Healthier, have Abundant Energy and Feel Great.

Learn more and register here for the next Happiness Program in St Francis

DD: What would you say has been your most impactful experience to date?

E & S: Watching people arrive looking tired and somewhat downtrodden by life, and in just a few days looking bright and fresh with a twinkle in their eye. People often say things like: “I feel like a weight has been lifted off me”. We’ve had many cases of people coming out of depression, self-loathing, suicidal ideation, and all manner of stress, anxiety and even middle-class-malaise. However they arrive, they always feel better at the end of a course, and with continued practice the benefits continue to grow and deepen. There is always a moment on every course we teach where we find ourselves shedding a quiet tear of wonder and gratitude at being able to be part of this movement of love.

DD: The AoL also offers really amazing programs for the youth, not just us older Daisies – what is available for our local children and how do you think they can benefit from taking part?

E & S: AoL offers some 52 programs for all people in all walks of life! Here in this area we offer courses for children and teens that are fun and light yet give them empowering life-skills that help them avoid many pitfalls and instead have an ‘unfair advantage’ as they grow into adulthood. We have free courses for people with no or low income and our paid courses are affordable and the funds go towards service projects. It’s the principle of ‘a stitch in time saves nine’. Giving children these outstanding life-skills early is possibly the biggest gift and best foundation they can receive.

DD: You (together with willing assistants, Stephen & Zelda) recently completed a 4-day workshop with a group of children from the St Francis Bay Sport for Youth Project (aka St Francis Bay United Football Club). How did that partnership arise?

E & S: Stella created the Community Umbrella forum so that all community workers could collaborate and support each other with resources. We were wanting to teach courses to children. Sri Sri encourages us to reach children, teens and youth. As the Dalai Lama said: “If every 8-year-old in the world is taught meditation, we will eliminate violence from the world within one generation.” Stella introduced us to Matt from St Francis Bay United Football Club, and he was curious to bring beneficial practices to his team.

DD: What do you hope the kids will take away from these 4 days?

E & S: That they feel empowered and know they have options about how they experience life going forward, regardless of the circumstances. That may sound a bit big … but we are sowing these seeds. Two of them wrote us a short note about the course:

“It took away all the stress I had before coming here and it also helped me to stay calm.” Sipho

“After learning about sugar I have reduced my sugar to only 5 teaspoons in the past days. The breathing, I have seen it helped me over the days.” Zozo

DD: Can you tell our readers more about the other work that you and your partners are doing, and plan to do, in our local Sea Vista community?

E & S: Yes! On 6-8 May we taught over 400 children from grade 3-7 at Sea Vista Primary, where the principal is a visionary legend. Stella and Susan have worked with the school consistently in smaller ways over time and built a relationship there. We’d love to teach the whole school annually, take followups with the children regularly, & teach adult courses for teachers and parents. Our bigger vision is to bring this program to ALL St Francis schools and their communities.

DD: So, how can we help? Do you need volunteers or donations – what can we do?

E & S: If you’ve not yet had a taste of the instant joy of being a volunteer doing service – we invite you to join us. The journey starts with attending the Happiness Program yourself. We’d love help to start :

a nature outing / hiking club for Sea Vista kids and money will be needed for basic gear, transport, and light refreshments on outings, and
an empowering movement for girls (could include sport but we’d like it to be broader). The Sea Vista boys have soccer and they need supporting too, but to get going with the girls we need local young women with leadership and facilitation skills and a passion for our young girls.

INTERESTED? FIND OUT MORE…..

This seven minute video gives a good sense of the Art of Living Foundation. The SA website provides info on local and online courses. Our service initiatives fall under AOL’s projects organisation the International Association for Human Values (IAHV) – website & facebook.

Sri Sri’s knowledge is best experienced through video, but again, come on a course and raise your energy so you can appreciate the subtleties and depth with your heart and not just your head. And we’ll point you to all the resources.

DD also chatted to Matt Davis for his feedback about the course. But first, a little background for those of you who haven’t yet heard of the amazing work he has done for over 100 St Francis Bay youth ….

Matt : Thanks, it actually all began in August 2019 when I started volunteering coaching some kids from Sea Vista. From there I noticed there was a need for youth soccer coaching in the community. William and Inga Brooks from Village Square then noticed us and started sponsoring kit and equipment to get us off the ground and that is what shaped the start of the project. The main objective was to keep the kids off the streets and bring them into a safe active environment where we could train and coach them soccer skills.

DD: Sport for Youth is not only about football though – you strive to achieve your mission of providing ‘a safe environment for the youth of Sea Vista Township and surrounding communities’ through life skills programmes and community projects – please tell us more.

Matt : Yeah, we started with football, which teaches kids a lot of life principles in itself but I always felt we had to bring in some other programs to gel with the sport. Currently we run a life skills and environmental awareness program every Thursday, before we start with practice. We are also actively involved with the Kromme EnviroTrust beach clean ups and whenever they need extra hands to make a difference to the environment. But we are always open to new collaborations for our boys to get involved in!

The boys really enjoyed it, especially some of the younger ones. They learned breath work, yoga and to just be peaceful in those moments of silence which is quite rare in the townships. The kids that finished the course were super stoked and had that sense of pride. Was good to see!!

DD: What inspired you to sign up with the AoL for your group?

Matt : I met Susan, who is really cool and she told me about the program. I thought it would be great for my boys to learn something new and the art of breathing seemed like a great opportunity.

DD: Did anything surprise you during the sessions and what were the main challenges, if any?

Matt: I feel just getting full commitment from the some of the kids and teenagers is always a challenge but those that came every day really enjoyed it and were happy when they got their certificate on the last day. I think even if you are getting the message across to 10 out of 30 kids then you doing a good job.

DD: Have you noticed any changes since completing the course – both on and off the soccer pitch?

Matt: We have been doing some breath work before games to focus and calm down and it seems to be working. We will definitely join another course in the future.

DD: Your organisation is going from strength to strength – what’s next?

Matt : Our aim to to become the best team in Kouga , we just finished 2nd in the top Kouga League so hopefully next season we can win it . We also really need to get our own facility so we can improve the standard of football in the community and run programs out of it for the youth. Its proving to be abit of a struggle but we will keep pushing till we get there.

DD: So, how can we help? Do you need volunteers or donations – what can we do?

Matt : We would love to have volunteers who are interested in soccer coaching or just helping out in any of our programs. We have recently introduced a monthly supporter subscription whereby you can donate a R100+ a month to our project. I would be glad to talk this through with whoever would be interested. You can also check out our website where you can find our newsletters (posted every 2 months).

by admin

Nadine's nutritious way of life

The countdown to the festive season is well underway, synonymous with mistletoe, mince pies and a multitude of calories. And if the post-season tightening of waistbands, coupled with the guilt of unobtainable New Year health plans sounds all too familiar, fear not, we have just the lady for you! Dune Daisies were lucky to chat with Nadine Lahana, dynamic health fundi and owner of Nadine Lahana Nutrition Coaching. She has just completed one of her Go Green Challenges; a sustainable, fun, interactive healthy eating course. Let’s find out more…….

DD: What inspires you about health and fitness and how long have you been involved in this realm?

Nadine: My inspiration now has evolved slightly from when I was a young mom raising a baby in Canada. I had experienced both mental and physical challenges as a result of an uneducated decision to go vegetarian. I then propelled myself into an industry with a desperate need to learn more about everything from movement mechanics to the fundamentals of foods. These days, what inspires me is the need to share the truth, to set the record straight about food and help (mostly women) develop better relationships with both food and themselves.

Knowledge is power and as long as we don’t have it, we are vulnerable to every fad that promises a “RAPID RESULT” or a “BRAND NEW YOU”.

We are ultimately sacrificing ourselves to diet culture, which inherently results in a loss of control. Each time we fail a diet (because it does not consider our own unique body or lifestyle limitations) we blame ourselves or our lack of willpower! In truth, it is the restriction of elimination that does not fit our unique lifestyle.

There is no one-size-fits-all!

DD: Can you please tell us a little bit about your workshops – who are they aimed at and what can your clients expect when they sign up?

Nadine: My workshops are aimed at anyone who has experienced the side effects of serial dieting. In the past, I hosted these workshops to a much wider audience online. Although it was exciting being a part of a global community, they lacked the intimacy of in-person contact. For this recent workshop, I changed things around and invited only 20 people into my home. Having a small group like this allows daily communication. We are all part of a WhatsApp community where we inspire each other daily with recipes and I am on hand to answer questions.

The participants are introduced to a lifestyle that includes 3 BIG words – Balance, Variety & Moderation. By learning about proper nutrition, (there is no Monday to Sunday Diet booklet), they are then armed with tools to formulate their own personal lifestyle plan. The workshop challenges each individual to create their own daily balanced meal plans, using their understanding that all macronutrients are vital to body processes and optimal wellness.

I share my simple formula for FAT-loss and vitality, my BYOG Fitness plan and we get hands on and messy with meal planning and prepping (pestos, dressings and some time saving hacks)! Not everyone is here for weight loss, however, I do dedicate a good portion to explaining the importance of understanding WEIGHT vs FAT loss.

DD: What do you love about hosting these workshops?

Nadine: I’ve always said that the power of the knowledge I have obtained through individual client challenges, and the dedicated research on each, has surpassed any certification on my wall! I absolutely love how everyone is swapping recipes, sharing emotions and ideas on our group and during our sessions. As I said, the participants are all attending for different reasons so the outcome will differ person to person. I can’t wait to hear from each of them at the end of this Challenge.

DD: What are your biggest challenges?

Nadine: Although I strongly believe that there is a solution for every barrier, one of the toughest barriers for me is dispelling the myths and misconceptions that have settled in through clever marketing and product pushing.

As Epidemiologist & Author, Tim Spector so aptly put it: “PROTEIN SELLS. FIBRE DOESN’T!”

The protein push has resulted in most people consuming twice their daily needs of protein and 95% of people are fibre deficient. This explains the focus on the unhealthy gut microbiome and sudden rise in digestive issues.

Another challenge would definitely be keeping motivation flowing through the plateau phase. Commonly, the start of any challenge is the best for focus and commitment. Once some glycogen stores are depleted, the body experiences “fight or flight” and prepares for survival. The body just wants to survive! This is where weigh scales can either make or break our day and we need to remind ourselves why we are committed to this lifestyle change. The questions are: What other choice do we have? Elimination? Starvation? Yo-yo gains and losses?

And finally, there’s budget & availability. It’s easy enough for a health professional to tell someone to eat half a ruby grapefruit for breakfast, a salad of sorrel & pine nuts for lunch and a herb encrusted fillet of Norwegian salmon on a bed of polento for supper, but the reality is that most cannot afford or do not have access to these ingredients!

DD: Can you share some success stories?

Nadine: You will have to check out my reviews on Social Media 🙂 I’m happy to say there are a lot of stories with happy endings! From clients in New York, London, Germany and Australia who had the choice of top personal trainers at their fingertips but continued to “Zoom” in to my little studio every week, claiming my method produces the best results, to my lovely locals who send me heart warming reviews telling me that “in all my years of serial dieting, this is the first time I feel in control!” I think the most rewarding are those who haven’t just noticed the losses but the immense gains!

“I have suffered from eating disorders since my early teens and well into my 30’s. I have always had a low self body image and struggled terribly with finding a way to eat that makes me happy. So the biggest lesson I have experienced from your go green has been to have a good relationship with food….wow this has made me think completely differently!!

Now knowing that I do not have to count calories all day long….meal prepping and making food look colourful and delicious and not sacrificing, but substituting.

It has sparked an excitement inside me…..and I cannot wait to enjoy the journey of change ahead of me. Thanks you so very much, you are an amazing role model for wanting to live a healthier and happier life.”

Niks G

One particular favourite story features my Mom. After being diagnosed with a multitude of ailments from gall stones to diverticulitis and hiatus hernia, she came with my dad to St Francis to live with us. After her diagnoses, she came into the kitchen and said “I’ll have what she’s having!” This meant I had the challenge of spending a lot more time in the kitchen than I would have liked (no, weirdly enough it’s not my favourite place to be), churning out plant based burgers and Buddha bowls, smoothies and transforming a palate accustomed to fatty cold meats, full English fry ups, daily sweet treats, goose fat and other sources of metabolic mayhem! By the time she left for France, she had lost 20kgs and gained a whole new way of eating. Sadly, having left it a little late, her new diet was born out of absolute necessity rather than choice.

When we subject our bodies to severe overload or restriction, it takes a toll on our organs and disrupts our second brain. When we severely restrict calories then return to normal eating, we discover the frustration of not being able to shift excess weight.

Why? Simply put, we have severed signaling from neurons to working parts and we are left with an inability to UTILIZE calories as efficiently as we once could. So inevitably, we STORE. I don’t want other people to experience this.

DD: Do you have any inspirational texts/people that motivate you?

Nadine: I am very motivated by anyone who has passion and pursues goals (it isn’t easy to stay focussed when life happens despite our plans!). I am ashamed to say that I have only just latched onto the world of Podcasts. I have always been so careful of who I tune into for research or simple listening pleasure – there is just SO much quackery out there. Everyone is a Health or Lifestyle Coach these days. I have a daily challenge updating my Social Media and managing a fast scroll past ‘6-pack wielding so-called Influencers’ feeding the public utter &*!$. However, I am so grateful to have found this handful of geniuses who have, in my ripe old(er) age, given me a boost of confidence.

Keep your ears out for:

✅ Dr Andrew Huberman of the Huberman Lab. A Neuroscientist and Podcaster.

✅ Dan Beuttner. Aside from Guiness record holding cyclist, Founder and Author of the Blue Zones. He sums it all up nicely in his Documentary- Live to 100!

✅ Tim Spector. Softly spoken Epidemiologist and founder of Zoe, a personalised nutrition company that works at the intersection of food, lifestyle and health.

DD: How can we sign up for your next workshop?

Nadine: You will have to follow me on Social Media to keep an eye out for dates of my upcoming 2024 Challenges.

INSTAGRAM:

https://www.instagram.com/nadine_lahana_health/?hl=en

FACEBOOK:

https://www.facebook.com/myJumpRoom/

DD: What do you love most about SFB?

Nadine: St Francis teaches you very quickly that downsizing is actually upgrading when it comes to your wellness. I love that my grown up children, who we once feared would suffer the boredom of village life, refuse to accept offers to go overseas for the holidays and explore, for fear of missing out on the St Francis vibe!

by admin

Navel worx - the only South African supplier of essential oil remedies for the navel.

Dune Daisies are excited to introduce you to another one of St Francis’ fabulous entrepreneurs, Cecielia Grant. A few years ago, she started a business called navel worx that makes Ayurvedic inspired blends of essential oils which are applied on the navel. Each blend is a remedy for range of specific ailments and has proven efficacy.

DD: How did you wind up living in St Francis Bay?

CC: I had been coming here on holidays to break away from the rush of Gauteng and then bought a unit at the port. St Francis was my holiday destination. My core business, although I currently do this to a lesser degree, is corporate incentive travel where I take groups overseas. In 2020, when travel suddenly died globally I started spending more and more time in St Francis and eventually decided to relocate.

DD: How did navel worx begin for you? What’s the story behind its inception?

CG: As I mentioned, I was in the travel industry and worked extensively abroad. On my trips, I enjoyed visiting various spas throughout the world as I found it a quick way to recover after a journey. Check into a spa and a day later you already feel better. It was in these spas that I was introduced to Ayurvedic medicines. The birth of my granddaughter in 2020 reminded me of the navel and the umbilical cord. I put these two ideas together, (Ayurvedic medicine and the navel) and started looking for a product that focused on essential oils for the navel. When I couldn’t find anything, I decided that this might be just the perfect niche for me.

DD: What a special beginning! Could you give our readers a little more information about the benefits of using essential oils in your navel and what navel worx does?

CG: The core lies in our recipes. There are ten of them and they are all based on Ayurvedic medicine. We use ancient recipes that have stood the test of time. Using navel oils is not a new idea and we did not come up with these blends, rather they are tried and tested Ayurvedic remedies used to treat certain ailments.

To create the most effective and potent product, we are very careful and mindful about how we source our oils. Each oil is of the highest quality possible, is 100% pure and produced under stringent conditions. To respect the recipes implicitly, we import these oils from all over the world. Unfortunately, there are no local oils that match any of the recipes yet.

DD: When we received our package from navel worx, we were blown away by the beauty and attention to detail in the presentation.

CG: We are working on having all our packaging being as natural as possible and to give back as much as we can. We really enjoy using local people to do things and even sending plantable packaging with seasonal seeds. Nowadays, people aren’t getting the shopping experience, so we are trying to stimulate the senses when you receive a navel worx order. Each package is individually scented based on the oils ordered.

DD: What would you say makes navel worx unique?

CG: The application of pure essential oils, that are not compromised in any way, in and around your navel makes navel worx special. There is not another South African brand that has created a product specifically for navel application.

It’s also about taking a moment for yourself. Every morning, I use RESTORE. I don’t leave the house without it as it feeds my skin from the inside. We should all do this as we spend money putting creams on our skin but that only treats the first three layers. The moment the cream is gone, our skin is dry again and we need to reapply it. We should feed our skin from the inside.

DD: Could you tell us a little more about the application process? Is there an ideal way to apply the oils?

CG: We have different ways of presenting our oils at a spa. A popular option is to include a navel ritual as an add on experience after a head massage. The experience begins by warming the belly button with a heated cloth and then applying a few drops of the oil in the navel. The scent of the oils is activated by the heat and a gentle massage. The main thing is that the skin around your navel absorbs all the oil. Essentially, you can do it any way that works for you. If you have a little roller and are feeling stressed out at work, reach for your CALM and rub it around your navel (making sure none gets on your clothing) and take a deep breath. You will feel better in moments.

It’s also a lovely ritual to have as a family. If you have a teenager that can’t study or focus, or they are nervous and restless, take a moment with them and apply some REST oil on their navel. This small ritual shows affection and is a way of communicating that you care.

Review from Glamour Magazine

DD: Navel worx has a unique product and the idea of navel oils might be quite foreign to many people. Who is your intended target audience?

CG: Honestly, the world! But more specifically, the Indian market is an easy audience for us as they are familiar with Ayurveda. They know what it’s all about. My current community is a difficult market, the Afrikaans boere seuns. To try and convince them that they should use a gentlemen’s oil and include it into a daily self-care routine is quite a hard sell. Their response is generally, “Really?”

But I do think every man should use it. A lot of people in my social circles are from farming communities or game lodges. At some point in their lives, almost all of them have been bitten by a tick. They don’t realize that even if you didn’t get tick bite fever, that little tick causes awful bacteria that grows and stays in your liver. So, as you age and carry on with your life, you have ailments and issues and have no idea what is causing them. Meanwhile, it’s these bacteria in your liver that are responsible. The myrrh and frankincense in our GENTLEMAN’s oil kills that bacteria. My uncles have been using this oil for a few years. I see them once or twice annually and they have said to me that they are not sure why, but they are feeling better. So, I ask if they are using the oils.

They respond with the usual “yes, yes, yes, we use it daily.”

They are not so spoilt that their wives to put it on for them, but they really seem to be feeling better than they have in years.

I always chuckle to myself after their visits as I have my range of oils in the guest bathroom, and I can tell that they have been trying them during their stay.

It’s really very similar to when you take vitamins or supplements. Why do we take them and why do we believe in them? This is like another thing we do to enhance our health and becomes part of our routine. It’s not a quick fix, but with regular use it will make a difference.

People who use IGNITE to slim down see differences in their measurements over time. As we get older, we tend to battle with hormonal issues and weight gain. IGNITE will help your body change to where your sugar cravings are less and the taste of sugar changes. Your digestive system will become more regular, and you’ll probably drink more water. It essentially kickstarts your metabolism.

DD: Cecielia, this almost sounds too easy. A friend of ours commented that if it’s that easy and all you must do is rub oil on your belly, then why aren’t we all doing it?

CG: The thing is that it not a quick fix. You are more likely to lose centimetres before you lose weight. Even in a week, you see a difference.

DD: Do you have any tips for people using navel oils for the first time, other than using it consistently?

CG: Do not to spoil your clothing. You don’t want to wear a beautiful nightie and have it stained with navel worx ginger oil. Make sure it is well absorbed before you put clothing against it.

Enjoy it. For some of the blends, you will only see a difference after continuous use. But others will show immediate results. CALM will calm you down and REST will put you to sleep. It definitely works. Our tummy oil, EASE, is wonderful if you feel bloated or have eaten something that is making you uncomfortable. You get quick results with these oils. Ultimately, using essential oils should be a way of life. It’s a part of your own self-care and loving yourself.

DD: The instructions on the card in the package say that you can’t use more than one oil at a time.

CG: Mixing the oils will disturb the balance of the remedy that you’re using. So, wait at least 12 hours before using a different remedy. I am 65 years old and worry about feeding my skin the way I should, so I use RESTORE as part of my daily routine. I also have rheumatoid arthritis. RELIEF is great for this and something I use every day. I don’t use any other medication at all and can still move everything!

There are also different ways to use the oils. For example, at Christmastime when I know there will be pudding and all kinds of other things that are delicious, but not great for you, I start using IGNITE to boost my metabolism. But I still never mix the remedies, just like you don’t drink tea and coffee together!

DD: Can you share any success stories?

CG: We have a lot. The easiest success was from our GENTLEMEN’s oil which eased the symptoms of gout for many men. I’ve also had people come back after using RELIEF saying it has cured their gout. IGNITE has also helped a lot of people shrink. Of course, weight gain from hormonal issues is one thing and takes longer to manage, but if your weight gain is caused by bad habits, IGNITE works quickly.

DD: Where are the oils sourced? You mentioned that you were working towards getting your packaging as sustainable as possible, we wondered whether all the oils are certified organic.

CG: I’m not quite there yet. I’d love to work towards that and be able to tell you exactly where the oil comes from. But, now, I’m buying from wholesalers. I still take the trouble to find out where the oil is produced because I wouldn’t want to use Canadian spruce oil, for example, that’s cut down a forest to harvest the trees.

The only problem with sourcing only organic oils is cost. For example, I’ve just bought Roman chamomile, which is very precious. It comes from France and costs R48,000 per litre. The moment it arrives in South Africa, I pay all the taxes which adds to the cost and makes it very pricey. For that reason, I use wholesalers who can tell me where it comes from. This way I know the farm but don’t buy directly from them. I would like to get there eventually though.

DD: Do you have you any tips for those wishing to start a business?

CG: Firstly, you must have a sense of humour and believe in the product that you are selling. Realise that you are going to learn a lot more than what you ever thought you knew. Sincerity is important and pays off eventually. Just persevere.

DD: Do you have a favourite oil?

CG: RESTORE is like my multi-vitamin and I use it every day. I also use RELIEF daily. Honestly, I use them all except GROW because it makes all your hair grow (not just the ones on your head).

DD: Do you have a 5-year plan?

CG: I don’t have an official strategy, but I would like to reach a lot of people and show them that nutrition and nature will get you a lot further than what chemicals will. We are so quick to reach for that sleeping tablet, yet it has all kinds of other negative effects on our on our being. We don’t consider for a moment that just maybe nature can help.

I’d also like navel worx to be at a point that were we can show that we are giving back to Mother Earth and showing respect.

DD: You have also mentioned that you are thinking of moving your factory to St Francis Bay. Is that still your plan?

CG: Currently it is in Pretoria, but I am submitting plans and then I will definitely move it here. Our factory is not huge, it’s just a space that has to be very clean – there cannot be any dust in it. The oils are very strong, and we cannot mix more than two recipes a day as it will affect us too badly. The oils need to be heated and vibrated and then they can be blended. There are only three of us in the factory and we must always wear masks.

by admin

Keen for a Dip?

For many of us, swimming in the ocean is something done at the height of summer, often to cool off after a spell of tanning. A brief, refreshing dip. There may even be some Dune Daisy readers brave enough to take it one step further, don a wetsuit, grab a board and ride the blue, peeling waves deeper offshore. But how many of you willingly and unwaveringly take to the ocean, day in and day out, come rain, shine, wind, fog (and everything in between), to cold water swim? To brave temperatures chilly enough to numb your extremities and make your teeth chatter? Well, if you do, you belong to a growing group of like-minded folk. Not extreme athletes, just regular people like you and me. People who get a physical and mental boost from taking time out in nature, immersing their bodies in the cold ocean, supporting their fellow ‘dippers’ and performing this invigorating and somewhat crazy ritual every day.

Interested? Think you are up for the challenge? Well, you are in luck, as St Francis Bay has its very own cold water dipping group, aptly named the ‘Naughty Nauticals’. And they are celebrating the upcoming Winter Solstice with a special early morning swim – find out more about them in the interview below with founding member Sandy Coffey, and take the plunge this Wednesday to honour the Solstice!

THE NAUGHTY NAUTICALS

It all began when my brother asked a simple question on Christmas Day 2020. He just said, “I don’t know why you are not swimming every day”. Right then and there I committed to getting into the water every day for a year. Rain, sun, wind, hail, lightning – whatever came my way. Of course, it was easy because it was summer, but by May, I was starting to realise that I had to dig deep. But it was too far into the year to give up, so I just carried on.

“Being a St Francis Bay local as opposed to a SFB holidaymaker are two vastly different things: As a non-local it can time to feel part of the community and find your “tribe”. Joining the Nauticals has made all the difference.”

Debbie Andrew

For 18 months, I swam alone. No one seemed remotely interested. Except for my friend Willem Bosman. He came to me after a dinner braai one day and said he wanted to “try it out”. It was winter, so I never thought he would. But he did. And he hasn’t missed a day since. Slowly he began bringing newcomers. And before we knew it, there was a committed bunch of ocean dippers. And that’s when we gave ourselves the name “Naughty Nauticals”. And even got T-shirts made for us! So that is how it all started. Today, it’s a robust, fun, brave group of interesting human beings.

We ocean dip (not to be confused with actual swimming training!) every morning at 7.30 am at Grannies Pool. Most stay for a warm-up coffee after the dip. Ages range from 16 to 85. There isn’t much of a routine. Whoever pitches up gets in and joins the fun. No pressure to stay in for any length of time. Whatever suits. No rules. Except that you have to get your hair wet!! There is a lot of talk about what the temperature of the water is. A LOT. So much so, that one of the dippers brings a thermometer to check!

I got to hear about Wim Hoff after about a year of my solo swims – and I did a whole lot of research. I wouldn’t consider us Wim Hoffers, rather, cold water immersion fans! There is so much research to back up the amazing effects of cold-water immersion – increased immune response, clearer minds, sharper responses, better sleep, and of course, daily discipline.

“I joined the crew after losing a bet with a mate – the best bet I ever lost. It has introduced me to a new group of mates and unique experiences. Even though not a regular at the moment, I always “catch on where I left off” with the bunch. Amazing way to start the day!”

Trevor Gascoyne

Personally, my body has gotten used to that cold water – on the odd occasion where I have been unable to swim because of work commitments, my body misses it. There is an addiction I can see happening! A good one.

The hardest part is definitely getting in. And there is no easy way. I find it best just to dive in, rather than go in slowly. Best part is 10 minutes after the swim. All the endorphins rush around your body and there is a beautiful sense of being alive. And of course, there is the ocean. I have learnt more about tides, wind, moon, sun and the ocean in these past three years than during my whole life.

We don’t really have any rituals, except if it’s someone’s birthday – then we stay for cake and coffee (thanks to Bruce’s Cafe for deliciousness!). And now we are planning our first Winter Solstice event. Anyone and everyone is welcome on the 21st June, 7.30 am. Come and be part of the fun!

If it’s your first dip, here is my advice: warm up your car beforehand; wear water shoes so your feet don’t get torn by the rocks, and bring a warm jacket to wear after. You will find it very uncomfortable for the first two minutes in the water, and then the magic happens. Your body gets used to it and realises there isn’t any actual danger and it starts to normalise. Don’t get out before that happens. And then, with curiosity, see how your day pans out. I’ll bet something good happens.

If I had to pick one word to sum up how I feel after my morning swim, it would be: ALIVE.

“It’s been a blessing to join the Nauticals. My first dip was a few days after I experienced a traumatic home robbery in Johannesburg. The early morning routine helped me to connect with my feelings and surroundings, the natural beauty of the area and the morning light, the joy and discomfort I felt as the curious otter circled us, the kindness, the humour, and discovering the stories and talents of my fellow immersers truly helped me heal.”

Gill Stern

“Last year I ended up in a coma for two weeks and in hospital for three months. I have always loved the sea but was concerned to go back to the water as I was paralysed on my left side. When Willem’s wife, Leanne told me about this group of swimmers, I was excited although afraid as I didn’t want to hinder the others, but oh my word, I was overwhelmed by the kindness, support, help and encouragement, and getting back into the water has helped me with my physical and mental well-being. I feel my healing process has accelerated and I have benefited greatly from both the swimmers and the ocean.”

Karen

“When Sandy Coffey invited me along to join her one day, in the middle of winter, I couldn’t resist. Primarily driven by the challenge it presented, I was also curious! That first swim is still vivid in my mind. I battled to breathe for the first 30 seconds but the sense of calm and accomplishment I felt as my body surrendered to the temperature was life changing. The rest is history. It is more than a year now and every day I crave the soothing feeling of cold water rushing over my skin as I take the plunge. It is that and the discipline it takes (together with the addictive pheromones my body exudes) that brings me back for a wonderful start to the day. Combine that with the daily changing beauty of the surroundings, the seagulls, the jumping fish, the odd inquisitive otter swimming with us, the enduring camaraderie and laughter we have in the water and the post dip coffee, being a Nautical is a no brainer!”

Willem Bosman

And if you find yourself further afield, fear not as there are cold water swimming groups in almost every bay and tidal pool around our coastline. Read on for the backstory on the Atlantic Waterbabies from Camps Bay in Cape Town. This intrepid group has been cold water swimming since 2015 and was even showcased on Carte Blanche!

DD: What motivated you to take the plunge?

Atlantic Waterbabies: Most of us had heard about the Wim Hof method and the various benefits of cold water swimming and were keen to try it out. The pressure from friends who were already hooked on it already was also a huge impact! The oldest member of the Waterbabies (Helen Boonzaier, 85yrs old) had so much FOMO when she saw our seemingly crazy bunch of people swimming in the freezing Atlantic that she just had to join!

DD: Tell us a little about your group

AW: We swim every morning at 7.30 am at the Camps Bay tidal pool or in the ocean, depending on the conditions and there can be anything between 5-20 swimmers at a time. Ages range from 30-85 years old and our backgrounds are as varied as the weather. Our only rule is that you immerse for a full 20 mins. We don’t follow the Wim Hof breathing method but do love the philosophy behind Cold Water Cryotherapy.

Some of us prep for the morning dip with some tea and crackers, or a morning meditation and writing ritual. Others set their alarm, get into auto-pilot mode, don’t think too much about what the weather conditions look like outside, and drive to the pool to meet the group.

DD: What motivates you to take the plunge every morning?

AW: There are so many reasons to keep dipping, including communing with the swimming crowd and chatting nonsense with each other; feeling the connection to the water and nature; the deep sense of peace; feeling the movement of the water, and of course the post-swim coffees and hot baths! The hardest parts are to take the first step of getting up in the cold, wet, dark winter months and to get past that moment of having to take off your warm fluffy robe and walk into the ocean.

Sink or Swim? Know your cold-water lingo

Wim Hof: Welcome to the Official Wim Hof Method Website

Cryotherapy: What Is Cryotherapy? A Guide to Cold Therapy | Everyday Health

Waterbabies on Instagram

https://instagram.com/atlantic_water_babies?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

https://instagram.com/coldwatersocialclub?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

DD: What changes, physically and emotionally have you noticed as a result of your morning swims?

AW: Apart from some members feeling years younger, there is no doubt that cold water swimming and the associated social interactions help to increase energy levels, boost the immune system and lighten emotional head space. The sense of comradeship and community, the coming together of like-minded people, has really become so important for our dippers and really has helped them through some very tough times. And for many, this seemingly simple ritual has provided the much-needed reason to get up in the morning – it really is the best way to start your day!

DD: Do you have any other rituals/ceremonies included as part of your group?

AW: We love it when a birthday comes around as we do a birthday circle in the water, singing and splashing and celebrating the birthday guy/gal. We also, of course, have our much-needed coffees post dip and we have had some wonderful swim gatherings on dry land; weekends away, nights at the opera etc. We have a sister group, The Mermaids, who swim after us (they get the sun!) and love to do full moon and Solstice swims.

DD: What advice would you give to someone interested in starting cold water swimming?

AW: All you need to do is try! The best thing to do is that once you have taken that first plunge, do it every morning for 6 days – then you will be hooked – your body and mind will demand more!

DD: And if you could sum up how you feel after your morning swim in one word, what would that word be?

AW: ALIVE, AMAZING, HAPPY, ENERGISED, RESET, FRESH, COLD

Well, fellow daisies, we are keen to give it a try and whether you are in St Francis Bay, Scarborough, Salt Rock or Syndey, why not take a dip into the ocean this Solstice? Celebrate the turn of the season with the pull of the waves. Immerse you body, free you mind and make a new friend or two. As Sandy so astutely said “if I can get into the ocean every day, then what else am I capable of doing?”

by admin

Ten things I wish I had known in high school - for our younger daisies!

A while back I was asked to speak at my old high school, and the thought of trying to find something relevant to say to a hall full of teenage girls was daunting. What on earth could I say that would be meaningful and uplifting for them? I think when you are fifteen you think that adults should have it all figured out. Of course, we know life doesn’t quite work like that and we learn as we go. But to tell a bunch of kids that hardly any of the adults really know what they are doing didn’t seem like a good idea. So, I outsourced my dilemma to my old schoolmates, asking them what they wish they had known when they were in high school and the following is a compilation of our thoughts.

No.1. There is life after school and lots of it.

Everyone remembers sitting at long school assemblies where some or other speaker tells you that these are the best days of your life and you should make the most of them. Over and over again, we heard the same message. But looking back, while there were definitely good times in high school, life got better and better after school. Each decade is richer than the last. There is something about learning to accept yourself as you get older, being able to put aside all the insecurities of your younger self. And at some point, you realise and accept that you are who you are; you can’t change how you look, how you feel and what you like. This is when the fun begins. You start wearing whatever you fancy or speaking your mind (knowing that it might not be well-received) and life gets better and richer.

No. 2. Marks and grades aren’t everything.

In the real world, you are not constantly tested upon factoids and getting an A+ isn’t necessarily always the best thing. Sure, your parents are happy when you get good marks, but I am positive they would be just as proud if they knew you had figured out how to manage your time well, knew and accepted your limitations, and learned to use your resources. These are skills you will need when you leave school. Nobody will ask you what you got for your maths exam in a job interview, but rather what skills you have – can you communicate effectively, can you problem solve?

These things are not taught in books, but rather through applying knowledge you have gained and using what you have. By no means am I advocating, just chilling out and doing nothing (I am sure teachers and parents would kill me for that) and make no mistake, there is no substitute for hard work. But rather, it is more important to enjoy the educational process. Ask questions, discuss and explore areas or things that fascinate you. Find something you love to do and really go for it! This could become a refuge for you later on in life.

Believe it or not, failure or disappointment can be the best thing to happen to you. At these dark points in your life when you feel like you have not succeeded or have not achieved what you set out to, you have the choice to either wallow in what ‘could have been’ or to see it as an opportunity to challenge yourself and adjust your mindset.

When I look back on my life and remember points of change, I remember them often being hard, but I learnt so much about myself and realised that it is not so much what happens to you, but rather how you choose to see the situation. This is how you build resilience – the ability to cope, even when things are tough. This is how you grow. Embrace failure and use it as a springboard to something even better.

No. 4. One size does NOT fit all.

There are many paths to success. You don’t have to do what everyone else is doing. In fact, some of the most successful people in the world did not follow a conventional path to success. There is always so much talk about going to university in high school. This may surprise you, but I really wish everyone didn’t go to university. There are so many different paths one can take to achieve one’s dreams. I am sure you have heard of Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, Henry Ford, Beyoncé, Walt Disney, Oprah Winfrey and Richard Branson. Can you guess what all of these people have in common? None of them graduated from university and some only found success later after doing something else first.

Don’t be afraid to break out of the mould (because more often than not, that mould is something you have cast yourself and it is your barrier to change).

CARTOON: CONNIE J. SUR

No. 5. Love yourself.

Just be yourself and accept who you are. You don’t have to fit in. You can be different and you are lovable, no matter how much you like to march to the beat of your own drum.

Someone once told me that you have to love yourself before anyone else can love you (obviously excluding parents, family members and besties). Loving yourself isn’t about vanity or arrogance. It’s about accepting who you are and being comfortable in your own skin. Nobody is perfect and no one has it all figured out. Even when it looks like they have everything together, most of us have our own insecurities. Your inner dialogue is so important. Watch the words that you speak to yourself because they will predict your future.

No. 6 Enjoy being a woman.

There has never been a better time to be a woman. There are more opportunities now for women than ever before. Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do something. You can achieve whatever you set your mind to doing, whether that is being a mechanic or surgeon. Being a confident and successful woman doesn’t mean you have to put aside feminity. Enjoy all that this can mean.

No. 6 Embrace being a man.

If there were ever a time when we needed strong men, it is now. As the world we know changes on a daily basis, we need men more than ever who are not afraid to stand up for what is right. Men who value integrity and are not afraid to voice their opinions without resorting to violence.

No. 7 Choose your friends wisely.

Surround yourself with people who build you up and don’t break you down. Your peers have a greater impact on you than you realize. Another good friend of mine who is a forensic psychologist explained to me how the group you identify with or the friends you hang out with as a teenager have even more influence on your actions than your parents do. So, choose your tribe wisely and be aware that they will shape who you become later on in life. These friends are gold. Treat them as such.

No. 8 Look forward.

All you have is now and we all need to protect our future. So, stop looking back and focusing on what has been. Look towards a positive future and be part of the change that needs to happen to make it what you want it to be. Be conscious of the world around you and know that the future is defined by your mindset.

In a world where you can be anything be kind

No. 10 Be kind. No exceptions.

My final point is probably the most important of all and if you don’t remember anything else, just remember this – you will never regret being kind and your kindness may have a greater impact than you will ever realise.

A few years ago, I was having a rough time. Nothing was going as planned, I had cancer and was feeling exhausted and deflated. On my way to radiation and then work, I stopped at the Starbucks drive-thru to get my caffeine fix for the morning. When I got to the window to pay, I was told that the car in front of me had paid for my coffee and wished me a happy day. It was not someone I knew or had had any contact with – yet this simple and random act of kindness touched me so deeply. The car was long gone and I would never know who it was, but I will never forget that moment and how it reminded me of all I had to be grateful for.

PS I have the Collegiate High School Class of ’91’ to thank for all these bits of advice, they continue to be a constant source of inspiration and support. This was taken from a speech I gave at the Founder’s Day of our 30th reunion. Sadly, COVID kept us apart that year, but what a privilege to be able to speak on their behalf. Thank you, Girls of the College.

by admin

Walking amongst the Daisies - The healing power of nature

Have you ever returned home after a walk on the beach feeling revitalised and bursting full of good cheer? And have you ever watched your kids (or fur babies) sleep ever so soundly after a good run in the park? Yes?

Well, did you realise that you were not simply taking the dog out for a walk or getting fit? You were also visiting mother nature’s medicine chest. One that offers a cornucopia of treatments for not only physical ailments, but anxiety, depression, learning disorders, fatigue … the list goes on.

We are all too aware of the widespread soul ‘sore-ness’ of ourselves, our friends and our communities. Often, a visit to the doctor is the first port of call. Medication, together with (hopefully) some kind of therapy is prescribed. Sometimes this works, most often not.

But how cool is this – doctors around the world have woken up to the fact that pharmaceutically based medication may not always be the answer (or the only one). Those in the know are actually prescribing time in nature as the medicine. Instead of taking the latest antidepressant, a daily walk into the forest or hiking on a nature trail is written on the doctor’s note. Patients in Canada, New Zealand, the UK and Japan have all enjoyed such ‘green prescriptions’. And the benefits of spending more time in nature are astounding, especially for kids.

It’s something that we have always intuitively known, but lost as society has further dissociated from nature. Well, Mother Nature is calling us back – and it’s time to heed her call.

The next time you are feeling tired and a bit cranky (and let’s face it, it happens to the best of us), grab your child, your dog, your bestie or even just your water bottle, and head outside. To the water’s edge, the sandy dune, the fynbos trail or even just to go stand under that gorgeous milk wood tree over there.

And take a moment. And another. And just breathe. And just listen. And just be.

I can guarantee that when you walk back inside your front door that you’ll feel better equipped to deal with what was next on your to-do list.

We really should update ‘mother knows best’ (personally I’m a fake it ‘till I make it kind of mum) to ‘Mother Nature knows best’. Because she really does.