The food we eat and the way we prepare it is an integral part of the way we experience health and vitality. Cooking demonstrations with Daniel Jardim explore how we can improve our well-being by simply living in closer harmony with the seasons – through the food ingredients we select, the supplements we choose and the spirit in which we conduct our lives at different times of the year.

Daniel Jardim joined the Buddhist Retreat Centre in Ixopo in 2007, where he was the resident chef for several years. Prior to this he spent 10 years in the UK where he studied Holistic Nutrition. He became a vegetarian at an early age and explored vegetarian cooking over many years. While he was the chef in charge of the BRC kitchen, he introduced his recipes to the BRC menu, many of which are featured in the bestselling cookbook The Cake the Buddha Ate. Visitors to the Centre often gave him a standing ovation. He trained the women in the kitchen to become chefs in their own right. He is now teaches cookery workshops independently as well as at the BRC during which he encourages people to become holistically aware of the food they consume.

Daniel has a particular interest in cooking and eating according to the seasons. Although he is based in Johannesburg every few months he travels to KwaZulu-Natal so we are fortunate to be able to enjoy cooking demonstrations at venues in both Greytown and Hilton. This weekend he will take a close look at Winter.

Join Daniel as he demonstrates how to transform even the most simple, natural ingredients into mouth-watering vegetarian cuisine that bursts with colour and vitality. The Winter diet is the most nourishing and hearty of the year and the menu will focus on all of those delightful Winter favourites that help keep the body warmed and vital in cooler weather.

"Daniel embodies both great wisdom and enormous love in his offerings. Entrusting your wish for a healthy, balanced and nutritious life to Daniel may be the most joyful, rewarding and healing adventure of your life." - Gavin Harrison, author of 'In the Lap of the Buddha'

If you would like to be part of this weekend's cooking demonstration in Hilton on Saturday 30th June 2012 5:30pm to 9:30pm or if you would like to be part of the mailing list regarding future demonstrations, please contact Kim Ward 071 423 3468 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. The cost of a demonstration is R250 and includes tuition, recipes and tasters.

The Grade 4s at Laddsworth Primary School in Hilton recently concluded their Geography studies in the Social Sciences learning area by going on a tour of the world with a difference – with their taste buds.

Different groups of pupils researched countries from around the world, including each nation's national dress and food, and made posters about them. The programme culminated in a "Taste Tour" for which learners dressed up in the national dress of their country and then prepared dishes for other learners to taste.

Pictured here are some of the Grade 4s: Back row, (left to right): Andrew Beyrooti (Lebanon); Kelly Martin (Zimbabwe ); Rebecca Briscoe (Greece); Jordan van der Linde (Argentina); Jordyn Downs (Jordan); Georgia Harvey (Jamaica) and Emma Veness (China). Seated in front are: Callum Ross (India); Bianca Boshoff (Australia); Rebecca van der Merwe (Romania); Thato Thabethe (Kenya); and Paige Clendennen (Japan).

Gemma Adey and Georgi Borros have done our College and our Drama department proud by being selected from 181 Kwazulu-Natal high school pupils to perform in the Themi Venturas-directed musical, Legally Blonde, being staged at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre from July 3 to July 15.

The production is the twelfth annual Rainbow Young Performers' Project and will be hosted by the Performing Arts Network of South Africa, KZN, which is the civic umbrella for performing arts nationally.

The musical is a singing, dancing, feel-good show about a blonde, home-coming queen who refuses to conform to any stereotypes when her Harvard Law School-attending boyfriend dumps her for someone more intellectual and 'suitable'. Elle enters the Harvard Hall of Justice to prove him wrong...and the fun begins.

This is a show suitable for all ages; booking has opened at Computicket and we urge everyone in our community to support our stars by attending a performance of what is bound to be a theatrical delight.

News and image supplied by St Anne's Diocesan College in Hilton, KZN.

James McFadzean, a Grade 11 pupil at Grace College, won a bronze and silver medal in the South African Kimura Shukokai Karate Championship recently. "Well done, James!"

Congratulations to the boys who have been selected for the various KwaZulu-Natal Inland Hockey Teams who will be participating at the various Inter-provincial tournaments during the course of the holidays. We wish them well and all the very best for the various tournaments.

Pictured on the left are (L-R back) Ross Talmage, Jarryd Edy, Matt Holding, Campbell Caley, Julian Yeats, Mike Salgado, Daniel Cole, Gareth Obery, Ross Schreuder and in front, Eathan Bosch and Henry Pfaff.

News and image supplied by Hilton College.

Congratulations to the Hilton College boys who have gone through an exhausting series of rugby trials and have been selected for the various KwaZulu-Natal teams. We wish them well at their provincial weeks which will take place during the holidays.

Pictured on the left are Tristan Blewett (u16), Chris de Beer (U18), Sebastian Negri (u18), Cameron Wright (u18) and Nqobi Maseko(u18).

News and image supplied.

Grace College would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to Mr Greg Perrett who completed his LEAP (Learner Enhancing Advancement Program) challenge on Saturday, 2 June. He cycled a total of 1656 kilometres from Cape Town to Pietermaritzburg over a period of 9 days, to raise funds for the Grace College LEAP program. This is an amazing achievement, as Mr. Perrett cycled this challenging route completely unaided. A number of family, friends and curious onlookers met him at the Pietermaritzburg Town Hall to welcome him home. "Well done, Greg and THANK YOU!"

Pictured with Greg Perrett is Grace College Gr. 11 pupil, David Muller at the finish of the LEAP challenge.

News and image supplied.

At a certain time in life every parent faces the lull that accompanies children's increasing independence, Suzie Hilliar, the Head at Hilton Pre-Primary is in this transformative zone and has chosen to fill her extra time with an innovative hobby.

Regular forages to Hospice book shops and her resultant extensive book collection, combined with a passion for succulent plants birthed this adorable vintage styled concept of recycling books and plants. Recently a journalist spotted these desirable items when they were used as décor at a Rollin Vintage stand at the Essenwood Market in Durban, an article was penned and uploaded on a blog, shortly after Suzie began receiving orders.

This art form combines plants and old books to make living objects of beauty, wisely wrapping up recycling and nurturing the planet all together. Suzie plans to experiment with a variety of indigenous succulents. Well done Suzie, another original Hilton talent has been uncovered!

Hilton College meet Michaelhouse tomorrow and this time Rusty is firmly set up to support our local team! Check out his smart new kit when you pass Harcourts on Hilton Avenue.

Hilton College is proud to announce that Keaton Bottriell a Grade 9 pupil has been selected for the KwaZulu-Natal U 17 Strokeplay Championship which is to take place in Pretoria from 25-28 June. This is a fine achievement particularly since he is still only u15.

News and image supplied by Hilton College.

For all Hilton residents from the UK and others who have previously lived in London and hold fond memories, London by Night will be especially beautiful to enjoy.

Howick Hospice do invaluable work for the community and continue to be available by your kind support.

The Grade 10 Science pupils have been conducting research and performing experiments in preparation for the Hilton College Science Expo on Monday 6 June. During the expo boys present their results in the form of a poster, journal and experiment results. The boys are interviewed by two judges during their presentation. A few of the projects on show are:

boiling water through the use of a parabolic reflector
developing material to insulate a geyser
compound bow efficiency
Sound proofing materials

The top achievers at the Hilton College Expo will be selected to represent the school at the Provincial Eskom Science Expo in August.

Pictured below are Max Hogewind-Brits and Thabang.



Pictured below are Sabelo Xulu and Matt Barry                                                                          Pictured below are Baba Adejuyigbe and Mike Salgado

HiltonVillage.co.za launched Hilton Cares in September 2011 in a campaign aimed at encouraging Hilton residents to support local projects by putting our community first. We have a bold Logo, designed by Doreen Philip of DP Design as well as an exciting new project in the pipeline geared to helping one of the projects in our Hilton Cares category in the Directory at HiltonVillage.co.za.

There are many reasons to focus your charitable efforts locally; it is greener and leaves a smaller carbon footprint than traipsing across the world, it is moneywise, you stand to feel the benefit every day, your goodwill brings smiles to the faces you pass driving or walking and if you give aid in the form of time, money or old clothing to one of these projects you may just reduce the burden on one poor soul enough to bring them back from the edge of desperation, rescuing them from stealing to feed their children tonight.

Take a look at the projects featured in Hilton Cares and see if you can arrange to participate, contribute or plan ahead to be part of an inspiring effort on Mandela Day, the 18th July 2012 is around the corner. Make your 67 minutes productive where it counts the most and tell us about your plans to inspire other Hilton people.

Also if you are part of an effort working to uplift the Hilton community, including Sweetwaters, please contact us to be added to Hilton Cares.

Do you believe in Soulmates?

We didn't until we met ours. In Rawson Properties we have found a partner that is as forward thinking, technology driven and service orientated as we are while offering a national footprint, 30 years experience and all the support in the world.

We are proud to have been selected to open a Rawson Franchise in Hilton and look forward to serving you under our new banner.

Still located at our offices in the Quarry Shopping Centre, come and visit us with this letter and earn a free coffee at Jaxx, next door.

Call us on 033 343 4443 or visit www.rawson.co.za/hilton

No matter our colours, we will always have AVIDITY!

A slight drizzle didn't deter the thousand-plus mountain bikers who took part in the third annual Compendium MTB Derby this past Sunday.

The race proved to be a perfect test of mountain biking skill and fitness, with Andrew Hill winning with flying colours. The in-form Hill enjoyed a two and a half minute win over talented Luke Roberts.

The 47km event was run through Giba Gorge and then onto the Summerveld circuit and Hill managed to open a small lead over Roberts by the time the riders returned to the start at Shongweni after the first half of the course. From there it was a case of the two leaders time trialing against each other with Hill slowly extending his lead to take the win in a time of 1:53:11. Carl Calverly rode a steady race to claim third ahead of Warren Price and Justin Porteous.

In the battle of the two Jackies for the women's race, Jackie Church was a bit too strong for Jackie Moore and took the win in a time of 2:20:53, just less than five minutes ahead of Moore.

The weather played its part perfectly - a bit of rain overnight just dampened the course enough to make it fast but not muddy, while the clouds helped keep riders cool. Riders were able to test themselves on a course that provides plenty of single track and a fair sprinkling of hills to make sure the best prepared riders were able to shine.

Mountain bikers and runners are promised a weekend fuelled with top shelf events with the fourth event in the ROAG Series, The Lizzard Howick MTB Classic presented by Sappi and an all-time favourite family event, the Royal Drakensberg MTB Challenge.

The 2012 edition of the Lizzard Howick MTB Classic presented by Sappi, is in its 26th year, rolling out the tradition of challenging mountain biking routes and as the club phrases it, "Raw and Unplugged Mountain Biking!"

The Howick Mountain Bike Club, an affiliate of Amarider, has delivered two longer race routes, primarily traversing Sappi's plantations for those who thrive on challenging mountain biking with plenty of single track.

The 20km route, though much shorter, will still give you the full experience of Howick's renowned single track.
The 40km race, part of the new ROAG Series, is truly single track nirvana, with course designer Ken Pascoe, throwing as much of Howick's central single track into the route as possible. Having set out with this intention, jeep track sections allow for flow of cyclists and will reduce "single track congestion". Two large "Chicken Runs" later on route allow the weary bodies to make choices, which will be decisive in respect to who finishes ahead of whom. Older sections like Harry's, Fast Track and New Track will delight those familiar with the area, whilst new section like, Sheep's Pass, PuffAdder Pass and Dragon's Back will ensure no regular riders are too comfortable!

For the younger set, the 10km River route provides a challenging race, along the Umgeni river conservancy area. The event starts at Howick High School on June, 3.

Currently in line to win the R 20 000 ROAG Series Prize money is Carl Calverley in the overall men's category and Natalie Bergstrom in the women's category.

Falling over Saturday and Sunday, the Royal Drakensberg MTB Challenge offers mountain bikers of all ages an opportunity to participate in their MTB Gymkhana and Skills Challenge, Family Fun Ride, Family Fun Walk, Night Ride and Dinner and Night Ride only on Saturday, with a 15km Trail Run, 6km Fun Run, 45km Classic, 19km Intermediate and 10km Beginner races taking place on Sunday.

Sunday's 15km Trail Run follows a spectacular route in the foothills of the Drakensberg, offering boulder-hopping, river crossings and hill scrambles.

A motorbike escort will get you out of the forest in the The Alpine Heath 45km Classic, after which riders will take the quad trail and head down to Lizelle's Drifts. The category two 7km climb through Alpine Heath to Drifters Camp follows, however, riders will quickly be rewarded by the Nook Road Down Hill. The race promises riding down a waterfall, steep downhills, and 5km of rolling 4X4 track tucked beneath sandstone cliffs.

For more information or to enter online for both events, visit www.roag.co.za. Online entries close on May 31 for both events; however, both events allow you to enter on the day.