A guest post by Joy-Anne Goodenough.

I heard about Eslinah Magemgenene, a blind massage therapist, from two colleagues of mine at the Portfolio Collection offices in Newlands. Eslinah works from Sureslim Wellness Clinic on Dean Street, just 3 doors down from us. These two colleagues raved about Eslinah’s massages so much that I decided I just had to try her out for myself.

Eslinah’s hands are strong, her touch is sure and I could feel that she was present in the room and not on auto-pilot. She spoke seldom (which I always prefer) and in a soft almost-whisper. The room is simple and quite dark – of course Eslinah doesn’t need the light on and lying in the semi-dark was peaceful and almost womb-like. At the end of the massage it felt completely natural to have her hug me before I left.

I’ve been for a great many massages in the past 10 years, some excellent, some not that great, but Eslinah definitely has a special and unique style and touch and I literally left her care feeling lighter, more peaceful and 100% relaxed. And her rates are ridiculously low, so I was sure to give her a generous tip!

Eslinah agreed to have me come back and quiz her on her life, her loss of sight 15 years ago and how she has used her disability to create a career of caring for others through touch.

Joy-Anne Goodenough: Where do you come from Eslinah?

Eslinah Magemgenene: I can say for sure I am a Capetonian – I was born here and have lived in Cape Town my whole life.

JAG: Were you born blind?

EM: No. I lost my sight on 28 December 1992, 3 weeks after the birth of my second child. The cause was Glaucoma.

JAG: How did you come to terms with the loss of your sight? Did it take a long time before you reached a point of acceptance?

EM: To accept my blindness was not an easy thing. It helped me to meet other people with various disabilities. I joined the League of the Friends of the Blind in Grassy Park and they helped me with practical things; to learn Braille, to manage my life around the house, to cook as a blind person. This also helped me to accept my blindness.

JAG: Many people would wallow in self pity or think they cannot live a full life if they have a handicap but you have not done that. What gave you the inner strength to build a new future for yourself?

EM: I was born a strong and brave person. I have been through lots of drama and trauma in my life and that also made me strong. It’s not easy, but the fact remains, I have to move on. I am a little scared but I am not too scared. I can face the challenges of life.

JAG: What led you to massage and where did you train?

EM: When I was young I used to ‘massage’ my parents – we called it rubbing. I have creative hands and I learn quickly. I can do lots of things with my hands, like knitting. My hands, I can say, are blessed.

I got the opportunity to learn massage through a lady from the Western Cape Blind Association who had read about blind people learning to massage in a newspaper article. A group of 5 of us was selected – they watched us doing pottery and chose us because of how we used our hands. We studied at the School of Holistic Aromatherapy in Observatory. We studied aromatic plants, concentration and blending of aromatherapy oils as well as anatomy and physiology.

I passed Aromatherapy with 86% and Anatomy and Physiology with 88%. After that I began to work in 2001.

JAG: Have you had any negative experiences with clients?

EM: Not often. Sometimes a person comes in who is full of negative energy and I have to block myself from taking that in because I don’t want to pass it on to my other clients. I try to give them peace and love through my massage and to protect myself. Those people I can feel need love.

JAG: Having had many massages in my life time, I truly found my massage with you to be a genuinely healing experience on a number of levels. Do you think you were born with “healing hands” or are they something you’ve developed over time?

EM: Both. I think I have a gift of healing – I am a healer. I love my work and I feel that I am helping another human being. I heal with touch and I also can heal from listening and talking to some of my clients if they have come from a hard situation. They can hear about my life and it helps them.

There is so much sadness out there. People need to be touched. They can come in here blocked up and it can help them open up by sharing.

JAG: What does massage therapy give to you as the therapist?

EM: When I have a lot of work, I am filled with energy. When I don’t have enough work my energy level drops. I get inner strength the more I work. I love to be busy!

Massage Rates (subject to change):
Lymph Drainage OR Deep Tissue Massage – Back, neck, head & shoulders – 1 hour – R180
Lymph Drainage OR Deep Tissue Full Body Massage – 1.5 hours – R200
Bookings: 021 689 5126 OR sureslim@iafrica.com
Address: 43 Dean Street, Newlands

Interview & photographs by Joy-Anne Goodenough.

I was so looking forward to the Celebrate Life Festival last year – I’d even bought tickets in advance… and then I came down with an evil bug that put paid to that rather swiftly. But, fingers crossed, I’m fit as a fiddle and all set to check it out this time around and get down to the taxing business of spoiling my body, stretching my mind and feeding my soul.

The festival will be held at Michael Oak Waldorf School in Kenilworth (Marlow Road) this weekend (29-30 August ’09) from 10am to 5pm.  There are all kinds of workshops, talks, demos and films on the go throughout the two days, covering a wide variety of topics.

I particularly like the sound of the following:

• Mystical South America – Elizabeth Bardin (Talk) – Sat 10.30am
• Journey Of The Serpent Sensual Bliss Belly Dance Academy (Workshop) – Sat 3pm
• Sound Journey- Chris Tokalon (Talk) – Sun 10.30am
• The Power of Being Fully Human – Ramesh Ramkumar (Talk) – Sun 2.30pm
• Ancient Toolbox for Modern Times -Julia Tiffin(Talk) – Sun 3.30pm

The accent is on “all things natural, organic, eco-friendly and healthy”.  In addition to all the talks, there will also be ongoing events such as drumming, biodanza, tai-chi, a labyrinth and more. And, there’s an organic market, and a fantastic bunch of stallholders, selling everything from hands-on body-soothing treatments to organic goodies to plants, books and crystals.

Tickets for the festival cost R50 for a day, or R80 for a weekend pass. Children under 12 go free. Students and pensioners half price.  Book online, or buy your ticket at the door.

I LOVE this:  a new drink that embraces slow living and de-stressing, and is the very antithesis of highly caffeinated energy drinks like Red Bull.

Under the premise that caffeine-packed drinks tend to increase anxiety, Slow Cow contains theanine, chamomile, valerian, passiflora and other ingredients known for their calming effects. The beverage is meant to increase mental awareness while improving relaxation, without the post-hit dip that caffeine and other stimulants cause.

Slow Cow, whose tongue-in-cheek logo apparently did not amuse Red Bull, might have found a gap in a market saturated with energy drinks of every possible variety. It’s not the only beverage to position itself as a relaxation drink, mind you, (Drank is another), but Slow Cow gets our vote for best branding. Seems like a natural fit for spas, hotels, airlines—or anywhere else consumers could use a serving of relaxation.

(via Springwise.com)

It’s made in Canada, and of course it doesn’t make eco-sense for us to drink it here (what with shipping ‘n’ all) – so it’s unlikely I’ll get to try it myself.  Besides which, I’m certain there are plenty of locally produced, less-branded equivalents that have the same ‘calming effects’.  But, still, I think it’s a fantastic idea, don’t you?

Springwise.com, by the way, is a an incredible hub for showcasing the world’s best entrepreneurial ideas, many of which are happening in the ‘eco & sustainability‘ industry.  It’s well worth signing up for their weekly newsletter – the innovation going on out there is astonishing.

In the latest edition of Shared Earth (out now in selected CNA’s and Exclusive Books), in one of what has become a series of articles on farmers’ markets, I highlighted the Constantia Waldorf Market- one of my favourite markets in C ape Town.

Because of the nature of the article, which is a general sweep of several markets, in various locations around the country, I couldn’t spend too much time on individual stall holders, other than to highlight my favourite fresh produce (the focus) and make a few recommendations.

This means that sometimes I don’t get to focus on people who really are offering a fantastic service, above and beyond the confines of the market itself.

One of these people is Henrike of Natural Organic Life.  This busy lady not only runs a lovely stall at the Constantia market, but also provides an efficient online service for those who can’t get there on Friday mornings. Natural Organic Life stocks more than 450 natural and organic products – everything from organic flours and wheat/gluten-free products to eco-nappies, essential oils,  and earth-friendly household cleaning products.

Not only are her prices very good (generally below retail outlet level), but delivery costs are reasonable as well, ranging from R29 to R55 for post-office delivery (throughout South Africa) and from R35 to R85 for courier dispatch.

I really like that it is becoming easier and more affordable to live an eco-friendly natural life – and I believe in supporting individuals and small businesses like Natural Organic Life, and anyone else promoting an earth-friendly lifestyle (without making you pay through the nose for it)!

Visit www.naturalorganiclife.co.za to find out more, or to order a batch of natural and organic treats.

Between Friday the 20th and Sunday the 22nd of February, you’ll be able to wander the aisles of South Africa´s only exhibition and lifestyle event dedicated entirely to Women.

I stopped in last year, out of curiosity, and was rather pleased to see so many natural and organic products on display.

So, this year I decided to get the organisers to give me the scoop on what natural options will be on offer this time around…

And, I have 5 pairs of tickets to give away!  All you have to do is enter the draw using the form at the end of this post.  First 5 entries drawn randomly from a hat will win double-tickets to the event.

But first, the natural stuff:

Blue Sky Organics

13 years ago Liz Eglington found a dusty piece of abused farmland in the Klein Karoo and transformed it into the thriving organic farm it is today.  

It is a fantastic example of sustainable living and farming in harmony with Nature – and the fabulous Blue Sky Organics products are the tangible result. 

www.blueskyorganics.co.za

African Extracts

African Extracts is a range of skin and body products, containing natural Rooibos Extract from the Cedarberg Mountains, part of the Cape’s unique floral kingdom.

The Rooibos Extract is completely natural and pure, with no additives, preservatives or colourants.

www.africanextracts.com

Feel Good Health

Using Mother Nature’s guiding hand, Feelgood Health brings you over 300 natural remedies – consisting of herbal, homeopathic and aromatherapy products.

They also provide herbal and homeopathic remedies for pets.

www.feelgoodhealth.co.za

Nutri Herbal

Intaka Nutri (Pty) Ltd has launched a new range of 100% natural herbal teas into the South African market.

The Nutriherbal™ range consists of ten completely natural teas, each of which meets a specific weight-management (Piñuli™, Pu-erh™ and Celluli™), health (Cholestel™, Diabet™, Laxa™ and Ginkgo Biloba) or lifestyle (Mentha™, Tilo and Green) needs. 

www.nutriherbalwellbeing.com

Vondis Pet Nutrition

If you’ve started being more careful about what you’re putting into your own body, it might be time to think about what your pets are eating…

Vondis has been producing natural pet food for 14 years and is a registered nutritional pet food. Vondis is actively involved in educating the public on the benefits of natural diets for pets and a holistic approach when treating them.

www.vondis.co.za

Think! Shoes

Think! Shoes are not only beautiful to look at, they’re also produced under the strictest ecological standards. All materials used are bi-products, organic, vegetable dyed, right down to 99% pure cork and natural latex.

“From the cow grazing naturally in the pastures of Tuscany, to the transport, production and packaging, these shoes are designed to be in harmony with nature.”

But wait, there’s more:  each and every shoe is ergonomically designed and made in the age old tradition to shape to your foot – so they’re comfy too.

www.thinkshoes.co.za

eyeSlices

This one I’m going to have to see for myself… “The eyeSlices® Professional Range is an innovative creation from iSlicesTM – the natural essence of nature combined with bio-innovation to bring about an all-in-one solution to all common eye concerns.”

 It is manufactured through a natural & non-toxic process.

www.eyeslices.co.za

Nativa

Nativa is a registered pharmaceutical company that specialises in “scientifically based natural alternatives” for specific conditions.

“On show are a brand new weight management product New You and a Range of multi vitamins Go!“

Whilst I’m not quite sure what “scientifically based natural alternatives” means, precisely, I’m curious enough to go and find out!

www.nativa.co.za

WIN TICKETS!

So, as mentioned above, I’m giving away 5 double tickets to the Cape Town Women’s Show (20-22 February 2009 – CTICC).  To enter, all you need to do is fill in the form below, and send me your details.  First 5 correct entries randomly drawn will win tickets (to be collected at the CTICC).  Entries close midday Wednesday 18 Feb ’09.

Rocking The Daisies Festival.

3-5 October. Cloof Estate, Darling.

Our very own eco-friendly music festival, held out amongst the daisies on the West Coast, near Darling (and it might even stay sunny for a change). Party the weekend away to the sounds of awesome local bands as well as international star, Eagle Eye Cherry.

One of many green initiatives this year is that all of the festival’s take-away foods will be served up in Green Home’s biodegradable containers (complete with biodegradable cutlery, too!).

JOY Market.

Love Project shop, 55 Kloof Street Cape Town (opposite Lifestyles Centre). Saturday 4 October. 9am to 3pm.

A fun little market giving locals the opportunity to “support various community projects and meet the people who make a difference while enjoying festive food and family entertainment.” There’s plenty of good food, and some great crafts (like fabulous home-made soaps from Township Trades).

Holistic Lifestyle Fair

Observatory Recreation Centre, corner of Lower Main and Station Roads, Observatory. Sunday 5 October. 10-4pm.

This is one of my favourite monthly stops… a celebration of holistic living in its many and varied forms: from organic and exotic food to funky clothing and trendy décor; from therapeutic massage to life readings.

There’ll be over 160 colourful and creative traders showcasing their lifestyle goods and services indoors and outdoors at what is one of Cape Town’s most unique and oldest markets!

A special happening this weekend is that 4th October is World Animal Day, so visitors get free entry if they bring their (well-behaved) pets to the Fair on Sunday! Adults unaccompanied by a pet pay R8, under-16′s are free. Patrolled parking. For more info call 021 788-8088.

** Update:  this competition is now closed. Winners announced here. **

Unbelievably, it’s two years since Mother City Living came into being and started me down the road to good green living…

Since that very first post, way back in August 2006, I have become ever more passionate about things organic, products made-by-hand, festivals packed with good food and wine – and what was a hobby is swiftly becoming an obsession (the healthy kind, thankfully… I think!).

In celebration of this milestone, I’m having a big birthday giveaway!

Thanks to my generous sponsors Faithful to Nature, Shared Earth Magazine and The Hot Box Co, I was able to put together some very nice prizes indeed:

1st Prize

A hamper from Faithful to Nature containing natural and organic products worth R1,000!

This heavenly hamper includes Trevarno’s Rose & Jojoba Cleanser,  Rosewater & Camomile Skin Toner, Day Cream,  Organic Lavender & Geranium Soap,  and Rosehip & Cocoa-Butter Soap (mmmm…).

Faithful to Nature is my favourite source of natural and organic beauty products (seriously – that’s not just because of their generous prize!).  All of the products offered on their website are natural and earth-, people- and animal-friendly and don’t contain anything freaky like the ever-unpronounceable ‘Methylchlorpisothiazolinone‘.

2nd Prize

Three 12-month subscriptions to Shared Earth Magazine worth R360 each.

Shared Earth Magazine hits the shelves for the first time on the 1st of November this year, and will offer readers monthly doses of practical ideas for self-sufficiency and sustainable living (I can’t wait to get my first copy!)

Shared Earth is all about sharing the latest information on alternative energy solutions, green building options, news on green transportation, tips and tricks for organic gardening and ever so much more.

3rd Prize

An energy-saving Hot Box, the power-free cooker from The Hot Box Co, worth R250.

I raved about it not so long ago, and now I get to give one away!

The HOTBOX uses the principle of insulated cooking.  If you can keep the heat that is used to cook food, no replacement heat is necessary to complete the cooking process.

This kind of cooking is healthier, tastier, frees up your time, saves you money AND it allows you, as an individual, to make a significant contribution to the ensuing global effort to halt and reverse the rapid depletion of our resources.

Right, so if you wouldn’t mind getting your green paws on one of these fantabulous prizes, all you need to do is answer one easy question:

• At which old mill is the weekly Neighbour Goods Market held?  (here’s a hint).

Submit your answer here.

And feel free to spread the word…

The competition closes on Tuesday the 16th of September 2008, and winners will be drawn from a hat (or similarly shaped containment unit) shortly thereafter.

Good luck y’all!

Oh, and here’s the fine print (‘cos everyone needs some of that): One entry per person, please. Competition closes at midday on Tuesday 16 September 2008;  the draw will take place the following day and winners will be notified via email (if you’re worried you won’t get the mail, include a cellphone number in your entry – I won’t use it for any evil purposes, I promise).  Prizes may not be exchanged for cash. No correspondence will be entered into (I’ve always wanted to write that!).  Prizes will be delivered to winners by my lovely sponsors.  Anyone can enter (except my family!) but prizes will only be delivered to addresses within South Africa.

Well, I was quite impressed, actually.  The ‘Green Living area’ was off to one side, clearly marked, and had a good selection of eco-friendly indoor and outdoor homemaker’s solutions – everything from solar power to energy-saving LED lighting.

The people were enthusiastic and informative, for the most part, and I came away with the feeling that green is definitely going mainstream…

There was plenty to see… far too much to list it all here.  But I’ve put together what I saw as the highlights, and will list the rest below in less detail as a kind of reference of sorts.

Environmentally friendly paints

Pro Nature Paints – According to their brochure, these guys are South Africa’s ‘only manufacturer of truly eco-friendly and sustainable paint and wood finishes for interior and exterior applications’.

I quizzed them at length, and was impressed – their products are locally produced and are made from 100% natural ingredients, such as plant oils, beeswax and essential oils.  They gave me a free sample of their Wax Balm, which smells absolutely heavenly – definitely something I’ll be using on my wooden furniture in the future!

Keim Paints – German company that’s been manufacturing environmentally safe paints and plasters since the late 18oos.  They’re very proud of the quality of their products, and particularly of the fact that they’ve been doing the ‘green’ thing for over 200 years (before became fashionable to do so).

Eco-friendly heating / cooling

BioFires.  BioFires are non-toxic, smokeless, odourless and environmentally friendly fires that don’t require a flue.  All you have to do is assemble the thing, and light it, pretty much anywhere you like.

They’re beautiful, and they’re warm – but the fact that they’re powered by biofuels would give me pause.  Biofuels are a renewable source of plant-based energy, which is good, but when you start growing crops for fuel, rather than for food, there’s trouble a-brewing.

Then again, I have to wonder whether it’s better to have a wood- or coal-burning, smoke-emitting not-very-environmentally-friendly fire and boycott biofuels, or would burning a few litres of biofuel from time to time ultimately work out to be more earth-friendly?  (Ho hum, no one ever said being green would be easy…!)

Isotherm Thermal Insulation.  Roof insulation that’s ’100% people-friendly’ (safe to install, safe to live around) and is made from recycled PET bottles (sustainable, eco-friendly).  It’ll also save you energy, regulating the temperature of your home – warmer in winter, cooler in summer.

Eco-insulation.   Another form of eco-friendly ceiling insulation, this time in the form of recycled paper, ‘milled (cellulose) to optimum density’.  The product is fire-resistant, ‘unattractive’ to rodents and insects (not quite sure exactly why that is), non-toxic and non-allergenic.

Turbo Vent ‘Breezair’.   A nifty Australian-made cooling system that uses ‘energy efficient evaporative natural cooling’ to ventilate a home.  Fresh air is drawn through ‘finely honeycombed filter pads’ which not only filter out dust particles, pollen and other airborne contaminants, but also cool the air passing through them (water in the pads cools the air as it flows past).

The unit requires very little energy to run, can be run off solar power, and is incredibly quiet (they had one in operation at the expo, and I could barely hear it at all).

Energy-saving solutions

Ezy Light alternative lighting solutions.  A back-up when the power goes down, but also a great way to save energy by lighting your home with the minimum amount of electricity possible.  A neat system of 5 surprisingly bright LED lights are attached to a central control box.

Should the power go off, the lights automatically spring into action, but a bypass feature means you can choose to use them instead of your regular lighting, for any or all 5 light locations.  You can even run it off solar power.  And, because it has a light sensor, the unit won’t switch on unless it’s dark enough to require the additional light.

Zingaro – ‘The Solar Company’  Cape Town-based company offering solar and other renewable energy solutions (installation, sales and service).

Geyser Wise.  The replacement of a conventional thermostat with an electronic probe allows you to monitor the temperature of your geyser at all times – so you can figure out how best to save on energy and program the geyser accordingly.

Tecron Water Heating.  These guys (locally based) offer copper geysers which, they say, last longer and are completely recyclable (when they do eventually give up the ghost).  Copper is also, apparently, more environmentally friendly than other materials used for geysers, and is naturally ‘biostatic’ (inhibits bacteria growth).  Tecron also installs flatbed solar collectors.

Sonpower.  Solar water heating and solar electricity solutions.

Stiebel Eltron.  Not a very catchy name, but these guys offer ‘cost-effective green technology for domestic hot water and underfloor heating’.  I didn’t speak to them personally, but their blurb claims that ‘the heat pump replaces the energy inefficient geyser and saves 75% of your domestic hot water bill’ – which certainly sounds good.

Megasun Solar Water Heaters.   Produce a compact form of solar water heater.  Its size makes it more affordable for your average Joe, as does the fact that it requires neither installation costs, nor service and maintenance fees.  Their website isn’t ready (what’s with that?!) so if you’re interested in more info, drop me a line and I’ll forward their contact details to you.

Solartech.   ‘Smart energy made simple’.  Solar energy solutions to help you reduce your energy usage, and give you a lighter carbon footprint.

Tasol Solar.  Renewable energy solutions including solar hot water systems, wind power and photovoltaic installations.

Green interiors

Keystone Habitat.   Sustainable bamboo flooring options.  Bamboo is a fast-growing crop, and will grow on ‘uninhabitable terrain’, making it a renewable alternative to hard-wood and non-natural flooring.  It’s lovely to look at, too.

African Cork Suppliers.   A range of natural cork floor tiles (and other products) that offer health benefits such as natural insulation and anti-allergenic properties.  The cork comes all the way from Portugal (apparently, we can’t grow enough of it locally – the climate’s not right) – but because the trees don’t need to be cut down to be harvested, it’s a renewable resource.

Rotafurn.   One time when using hardwood is a good idea is when the trees it comes from are classified as ‘invasive aliens’.  Rota furniture is made from ‘exotic, high-density Eucalyptus hardwood’ – exceptionally thirsty trees which suck up a lot more water than our indigenous ecosystems can afford to lose.

In its second incarnation, the brunch is all about how we can go about living more ‘consciously’.

What does it really mean to ‘go green’, to be more environmentally friendly, why eat organic vegetables?  Can we as humans do anything to contribute to protecting ourselves and our environment?

Here’s what Conscious Living Events founder, Paula Janse van Rensburg, had to say about the event:

A lot of us just go about our lives doing the same things every day, buying the same products and blissfully unaware practice the same habits day in and day out.  There is no better time than now to live more consciously and help make a difference to our earth and leave a better place behind for our children.

We’re planning an inspiring morning for all our guests. We have knowledgeable and inspirational speakers like Chris Erasmus – Odyssey Magazine, Sue Visser – Health Researcher and owner of Nature Fresh Products, Ben Getz who helps people to set up sustainable gardens, Eric Mair – Capstone Renewables (Renewable Energy Consultants) as our main speakers. They will share their wisdom & experiences about living more consciously.

We make this day of learning as fun as possible. Each guest receives a Goodie bag (sponsored by Pick ‘n Pay) which will be filled with green products from various suppliers and brochures from all our speakers and sponsors. On the day we have lucky draws where guests can win various conscious prizes and get aways.

A ticket costs only R 140. This includes a vegetarian breakfast as well as entrance to Kirstenbosch gardens. After the breakfast guests can enjoy a stroll in the beautiful gardens while contemplating everything learned during the breakfast.

Sounds fabulous to me – very definitely my kind of shindig – and I’ve already booked!

The Conscious Living Brunch event takes place on the 6th of September, from 9am – 12 noon, at Silvertree Restaurant, Kirstenbosch.  Cost is R 140pp (includes a vegetarian breakfast and entrance to Kirstenbosch gardens).  To book your seat, please contact Paula on paula@puresoul.co.za or 082 789 5478.

In addition to visiting the ‘Green Living’ area at the Cape Homemakers’ Expo (28-31 August), you could also head to the Blue Route Mall in Tokai (this one’s free) for their ‘Green Expo’:

Blue Route Mall is hosting the Green Expo to be held on the 29 – 30 Aug. We would like to welcome all to experience a greener and more sustainable living. Starts 9:30 and ends at 4pm.

Our exhibitors are as follows;
Resin Roof tiles, Eeze Bikes, Eat Smart Organics, Eco Health, E-Cloth, E!ureka & E-Alliance, Soil for Life, Save our Seas, City of Cape Town, Solarhart, Biogrow, The Hot Box, Super Plants and Biowashball.

Claim your free tree on opening day! Display your till slip of R50+ at the Information Desk and receive a voucher to be redeemed at Super Plants for a Yellow Wood tree.

At the General Information stand there will be free giveaways….

Sounds like a good selection of exhibitors (I’d go just to see Soil for Life), and I’d be interested to see what the City of Cape Town has to say on matters eco-friendly…

The Blue Route Mall is located in Tokai, near the end of the M3 motorway (South Peninsula side).  The Green Expo will be held on 29 – 30 August 2008 between 9.30am and 4pm.

And the number of buy-this-or-you’ll-never-be-happy adverts contained in just one magazine can be quite staggering.

So, much like with television, I am very selective, and choose only the publications that, I feel, educate (or enlighten) me in some way, and are worth hanging on to for future reference (magazines like Natural Medicine, Biophile, Good Taste, and Getaway, for example).

Perhaps that’s elitist, but read-and-toss magazines just don’t do it for this green girl.

Anyway, so I am very excited about a new magazine that is going to hit the shelves this coming November.  I first heard about it through the green grapevine, and now it’s been officially announced.

It’s called Shared Earth, and every issue is going to be jam-packed with all the stuff I’m always waxing lyrical about:

Alternative Energy
The latest information on solar, wind, biodiesel, biogas and other renewable energy options available to South Africans.

Do It Yourself
Lots of plans, tips and techniques covering a wide range of useful projects.

Green Building
In-depth information on natural building methods including log, straw bale, adobe, earth-sheltered and cob homes; solar designs; energy-efficiency and more.

Green Transportation
Information on better ways to get around, including comprehensive vehicle buyer’s guides.

Farming and Smallholding
Expert advice for smallholders, including guides to farm machinery, outdoor power equipment and much more.

Nature and Environment
Inspiring articles that help readers enjoy, explore and protect the environment.

Organic Gardening
Comprehensive articles on the systems, methods, tips and benefits of growing organic fruits and vegetables including permaculture, no-till farming, composting, vermiculture, edible landscaping and so on.

Self-Sufficiency & Frugal Living
Tips and information to help you lead a happier, leaner life and become less reliant on others.

How cool is that?  And, the magazine will be printed in full colour on recycled paper. Now that is, most definitely, my cup of tea.

The first edition goes on sale this coming November at Exclusive Books, CNA and
other outlets across South Africa.  I can’t wait!

UPDATE: Unfortunately, Shared Earth is no longer publishing its magazine, owing to financial constraints.

Whilst a lot of it seems to be focused on beauty products that aren’t quite as natural as I’d like, there are a few good deals to be had, and it’s worth taking a looksee if you happen to be in the ‘hood.

Items on sale include luxury cotton towels, bath products of all shapes and sizes, skincare products, shampoos and conditioners (some of them hellishy pricey, even at sale prices!) and an assortment of plant pots.

The Wellness Warehouse has two stores in Cape Town, one in the Lifestyles Centre in Kloof St, Gardens, and the other in Cavendish Square, Claremont.