In this issue we have a great article about the plastic bag, often called the ‘national flower’ here in South Africa! I realised when I was reading it that the whole culture of plastic, and bags in particular, mirror so perfectly the state we have got ourselves into.

We humans are certainly living at a defining moment in our history. Moreover this critical moment is being shaped by forces not generally foreseen.

Convenient, flimsy, costly, cynical, manipulative, wasteful, deadly… We’ll never forget the plastic bag!

My father was the Chief Justice in Botswana in the late sixties and early seventies and I remember walking into his chambers, as a young woman, and being concerned for the anxiety that was etched on his face. I asked if something was wrong and he showed me the court document he had on the desk in front of him.

The 5,000-year-old life science of Ayurveda still holds the power to mesmerize the world. International interest has led to a truly universal application of Ayurveda and its capacity to alleviate suffering worldwide.

13 lucky reasons to buy your veggies from a farmer’s market or your local organic shop…

By the time you reach the final page of this book you will understand its title and the fact that pediatric medicine is one of the worst things that ever happened in the world of babies and young children.

Delicious recipes from Cape Town’s leading organic deli.

The Genius Lab is a “playground for exploring the genius around you and inspiring the genius within you”, says Claire Janisch.

Lerato is a bright, pretty girl who consistently wins prizes at school for her academic progress. Like most of her fellow students, however, she comes from a very impoverished background. Her mother is unemployed and Lerato manages because of help from family members who are all in similar circumstances.

Ever since CHD (coronary heart disease) moved into first place as a major killer in the West, scientists have once again been busy concocting and testing prevention theories. In the absence of an understanding of the cause, the risk factor concept has been involved to deal with the problem: the main risk factors identified being smoking, high blood pressure, raised serum cholesterol, diabetes etc.

At the end of a recent music session with 6-7 year olds, I took out my flute and played some slow, improvised melodies in a minor key (known as a sad key). I asked how they felt after listening to this music.

I am a vegetarian. I am also an atheist and a feminist. But of the three philosophies which largely inform my thinking and determine my conduct, it is my decision not to eat wobbly-kneed calves and squint-eyed pigs which has got me into the most trouble.

The concept of a natural, diet for our pets is no new revelation. Our parents, grandparents and great grandparents, certainly would have fed our pets some delicious and nutritious meals from left overs from the table.

Save water and increase production with a new way of gardening.

The 1950’s race to be the first with a polio vaccine was led by Jonas Salk and Albert Sabin. Both designed polio vaccines intended to make people immune by exposing them to millions of polio virus. Both would be administered in multiple doses to several hundred million children.

Is the ‘poliovirus’ the cause of infantile paralysis/polio? Or is it an ancient and harmless companion of the human race?

It is the beginning of a journey and we are excited at the prospect. We hope you’ll join us in our search for truth and justice, so we can embrace our gift of free-will fully empowered.

Covering more than two-thirds of the Earth’s surface, the oceans were once thought to be an inexhaustible resource, too vast to be damaged by the actions of humans. We now know differently.

A spotlight has recently been shone on the South African Navy’s underwater explosions in False Bay during the peak of the whale season. The Navy believes that the official Southern Right whale season runs from August to November but recent studies show that it is somewhat longer than this.

In many ancient cultures the cow is sacred and so is her milk. The Hindus for instance believe that the cow is so sacred that they are allowed to roam free in the countryside.

How do we know global warming is real? Who is responsible, and how can it be addressed? This article summarizes what is known (and some of the prevalent misconceptions) regarding this critical environmental problem.

As our bodies get poisonous and sick, so do our thoughts. It can’t be ignored any longer: the overload of toxic synthetic chemicals is slowly poisoning our planet and those who live on her. We ALL need to educate ourselves and take action if we are going to survive.

Millions of cows, pigs, sheep, and goats are slaughtered for their skins every year. They are castrated, branded, dehorned and have their tails docked without anaesthetics.

Edible landscaping offers an alternative to conventional residential landscapes that are designed solely for ornamental purposes.

Most gardeners have long understood the value of this rich, dark, earthy material in improving the soil and creating a healthy environment for plants.