Category: lifestyle

Morning vs evening cardio – which is better? According to Brian, “It’s easy to get caught up in this debate, with numerous studies giving weight to each side of the argument. But when you cut through all the chatter it comes down to the objective of your exercise – what do you want to achieve?” In his latest post for our Healthy Lifestyle Blog, Brian discusses a recent research study completed by Dr. Joseph Mercola, which suggests that people who exercise prior to breakfast lose more weight and also explains why consistency is his golden rule.

These delightfully sweet, crispy and spicy fritters are made of grated fresh beetroot and black beans. Serve them in a burger bun for one of the most satisfying veggie burgers you've had, or as proper 'fritters' with a low-fat sour cream dip.

Ever heard of quadriceps tendonitis? Sounds nasty – doesn’t it? Well, according to Physio Advisor: “Quadriceps tendonitis is a condition characterised by tissue damage and inflammation to the quadriceps tendon. It occurs at the quadriceps' attachment to the top of the knee cap causing pain in the front of the knee just above the knee cap. With this in mind, we posed this question from a Facebook follower to Brian. " I have quadriceps tendonitis, it has slowly come on and is worse in one knee than the other. There is no pain once I warm up, I could train all day. The problem is when my quads/upper knee are not warmed up. Is the treatment for this different to R.I.C.E

Do you suffer from back pain? According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics an estimated 1.8 million Australians have experienced back problems, with 70 – 90{c754d8f4a6af077a182a96e5a5e47e38ce50ff83c235579d09299c097124e52d} expected to suffer from lower back pain at some stage in their life. With statistics like this in mind, we asked our resident fitness guru for his advice – and of course he hasn’t disappointed. In this post, Brian explains why “prevention is always better than cure” and lists his top ten tips for a healthy back, including a bonus five minute video designed to help us strengthen and stretch the muscles, ligaments and tendons in our spines.

Love fish? Check out this tasty Asian Salmon Salad. This dish combines grilled salmon, mixed leaves, red capsicum, fresh avocado and cashew nuts, sprinkled with a zesty lime juice and sesame oil dressing. Within 30 minutes you've got yourself a quick and healthy evening meal crammed with texture and flavour. Plus, salmon is packed with Omega 3, vitamins, minerals and protein – what more could you ask for! 🙂

Would you know how to treat a soft tissue injury? Heat…ice…rest?! According to Brian: “There is often some confusion about the most appropriate first aid action with this type of injury. However, it is very important to get it right, as the treatment decided upon will greatly impact the length of time for recovery”. In this latest post, Brian defines what exactly soft tissue is, and also explains the appropriate course of action should you suffer from this type of injury.

Does winter = weight gain? Not necessarily… According to Susie: “Finding the right balance between warming winter meals and other over consuming stodgy, high fat foods can be challenging, but it is by no means impossible. We must be exceptionally mindful of poor habits that we often permit into our lives as soon as day light saving ends. Long evenings spent on the sofa with heavy food and a block of chocolate are generally not justified.” In this post, Susie explains why bulking up meals with plenty of vegetables is a good starting point, and also offers her advice on the most effective nutritional strategies to implement in order to prevent winter weight gain.

What causes veneer failure? According to Dr Emma: “Veneers are generally done to improve the look of someone's smile. They can be very effective at changing the shade, shape and size of the front teeth. Regrettably though, there’s also a number of reasons why veneers can fail, including debonding or fractures, discolouration, unfavourable gum response or even poor aesthetics. With this in mind, it’s important to know what options are available should veneer failure strike! In her latest post for our Healthy Lifestyle Blog, Dr Emma answers a reader’s concern by offering her advice on alternative treatment plans.

Have you ever visited the supermarket and stared in bewilderment at the vast array of oils available to purchase? There’s olive oil, canola oil, sunflower oil, rice bran oil, coconut oil, avocado oil, vegetable oil, sesame oil, peanut oil and even macadamia oil. But with so many choices on offer, how are we supposed to know which oils meet both our cooking and nutritional needs? Luckily we have Susie, on hand to offer her advice.

Are you a fan of crunches? According to Brian: “My pet hate is crunches, this type of exercise often just damages necks and does simply nothing for abdominal muscles. The reason being incorrect technique, people end up pulling up on their head, and straining the back of their neck – it’s completely ineffective.” Sound familiar? Don’t worry, we’ve been there too! 🙂 Luckily we have Brian on standby, to show us exactly how it’s done! In this post, Brian answers a reader’s concern by illustrating the correct techniques involved in an effective abdominal workout, which includes curls, planks, braces, oblique’s and lots more!

Do you suffer from afternoon hunger pangs or cravings? Don’t worry, we do too! Which is why we’ve asked our resident health and wellbeing expert Susie Burrell to suggest a healthy yet satisfying snack that caters for all types of dietary preferences. These awesome bites can be made quickly on a Sunday evening, and enjoyed as the perfect snack throughout the week – yum! 🙂