Category: lifestyle

This delicious gluten free, vegetarian salad consists of crispy halloumi on a bed of honey balsamic spinach, scattered with tart sundried tomatoes and dressed with minty lemon yoghurt. So easy to make and meat-eaters – you really won't miss the meat!

Perfect for a snack or pre-dinner appetiser, the recipes combined char-grilled fresh crusty bread topped with lemony low-fat ricotta and sticky slow-roasted baby tomatoes.

Ever suffered a muscle cramp? We’ve all been there – snug in bed, deep in slumber, blissfully dreaming – when suddenly a muscle contracts, an intense and immediate pain is realised, and suddenly you’re at the mercy of a mystery attacker. But what exactly is a muscle cramp and more importantly, what causes it to happen? In this post Brian Killian discusses the major contributors of muscle cramps and the scientific theory behind it.

According to Susie Burrell, “The issue with alcohol and weight control is that as the body identifies alcohol as a toxin, it processes it before other nutrients which in turn means that any food consumed with the alcohol, fatty food in particular, are more likely to be stored. The good news, however, is that if we were to drink a glass of wine occasionally or sip on a spirit over an hour there would be no issue at all.” In this post for our Healthy Lifestyle Blog, Susie discusses the effects of alcohol on our bodies and explains why it is possible to strike a balance between enjoyment, health and weight control when it comes to alcohol consumption.

Need ideas for a post workout snack? Why not try this ‘Stuffed Capsicum’ dish by HIF health expert Susie Burrell. Combining extra lean mince, capsicums, onion, garlic, zucchini, mushrooms, carrot and tinned tomatoes, this recipe is the perfect option for a high protein, low carb meal.

Ever considered going veggie? According to Susie Burrell, “An observable increase in the availability of vegetarian and more specifically vegan options at both the local supermarket and restaurants would suggest that the popularity of vegetarian eating is continuing to grow.” But we’re curious – from a health perspective, does a vegetarian diet deprive the body of any key nutrients? In this post for our Healthy Lifestyle Blog, Susie delves into both the pros and cons of being a vegetarian, and explains why incorporating a meat-free meal into your weekly planner is a sensible option.

In a seafood kinda mood? Why not try this scrumptious ‘Grilled Swordfish with Thai Dressing’ provided by Susie Burrell. It’s the perfect option for a healthy, wholesome and nutritious evening meal.

Seafood – friend or foe? Love it or hate it, seafood boasts an array of beneficial nutrients including protein, omega 3 fats, vitamin A, vitamin D, zinc, iodine and iron. But what if seafood doesn’t agree with your palate? Are there other foods which offer similar nutritional values? That’s a question we received from a concerned Facebook fan recently…

Have you ever detoxed? According to Susie, “The term ‘detox’ has become very popular in recent years. For many it gives a chance to refocus and establish clear diet and fast loss goals, for others the aim is to drop a few extra kilos.” But what impact does a detox have on our bodies? In this post for our Healthy Lifestyle Blog, Susie answers a reader’s concern by explaining how an overly restrictive detox can impact our metabolic rate, and offers her advice on how to complete a healthy yet effective detox.

Is your child a thumb sucker? According to Dr Emma, “Thumb sucking is a natural reflex for babies to allow them to feed. The good news is that most children will stop themselves between the ages of 2-4 yrs old, however the bad news is that 15-40{c754d8f4a6af077a182a96e5a5e47e38ce50ff83c235579d09299c097124e52d} will continue with some sort of sucking habit, be it fingers, thumbs or a dummy.” So what options are available to parents concerned by their child’s sucking habit?” In her latest post, Dr Emma answers a reader’s concerns regarding her daughter’s sucking problem, and offers her advice on alternative techniques to combat it.

Should you exercise on an empty stomach? According to Susie, “This is an extremely common question and the answer isn’t a simple yes or no”. In her latest post, Susie answers a readers concern regarding her morning workout and explains why the importance of food intake (pre-workout) differs depending on the type of exercise undertaken.