Category: lifestyle

Is exercise the miracle health cure we’ve been waiting for? According to a recent research paper by the UK National Health Service, the answer is most certainly yes! In fact, people who regularly exercise have up to a 35{c754d8f4a6af077a182a96e5a5e47e38ce50ff83c235579d09299c097124e52d} lower risk of coronary heart disease and stroke and up to a 50{c754d8f4a6af077a182a96e5a5e47e38ce50ff83c235579d09299c097124e52d} lower risk of type 2 diabetes – interesting, isn’t it? But what exactly does this mean, do we have to become gym junkies to really get the health benefits of exercise? Not according to HIF fitness guru, Brian Killian…

Need inspiration for dinner this evening? Why not try this delicious “Avocado & Prawn Salad" recipe by HIF health expert Susie Burrell. This mouthwatering dish combines prawns, avocado, celery and mixed leaves, topped off with a zingy homemade lime and passionfruit dressing!

Mmmmm biscotti…If, like us, you’re rather partial to this traditional Italian biscuit, you’ll love this “Cranberry & Almond Biscotti” recipe by HIF blogger Susie Burrell. These crunchy snacks are relatively low-cal and provide a light and tasty accompaniment to tea or coffee. Enjoy!

Keeping fit – choice, chore or challenge? Take a moment and really think about it. Are your workouts an exciting part of your routine, or simply something to tick off your checklist? Don’t worry if you answered the latter, you’re not the only one. In fact, our very own fitness guru Brian Killian detests the gym: “I hate going into gyms. Can’t stand it, running indoors overlooking a pool on a treadmill is not my idea of a good time. That’s just me; others love the comfort, the safety, the atmosphere of gyms, we are all different which is great. The point is, if you’re doing something physical you actually enjoy doing, the likelihood of you continuing is much higher than not&rdquo

For nutrition’s sake, don’t skip breakfast. Did you know that if you regularly bypass breakfast, you could be causing yourself to suffer later in the day as a result? This quick n easy brekky in a glass smashes together juicy berries (and/or bananas), chia seeds, fresh low fat milk, Greek yoghurt and a ½ teaspoon of vanilla essence – yum!

Are you ‘pouring’ on the pounds through liquid calories? According to Susie: “Sugar sweetened beverages including soft drinks, juices, cordials, vitamin waters, flavoured milks and of course alcohol have become a recipe for disaster for many when it comes to weight control. Not only are liquid calories easily over consumed, they are rarely compensated for and offer little nutritional value.” With so many drinks labeled ‘no sugar’, ‘zero calorie’ and ’low carb’ though, how can we really distinguish what is ‘healthy’ and what is simply clever marketing? In this post, Susie delves into the many liquids we consume on a daily basis and explains the nutritional value behind each of them.

How does a healthy detox soup sound? This recipe by HIF health expert Susie Burrell combines many healthy ingredients including finely chopped onions, leaks and celery with fresh tomatoes, carrots, pumpkin and steamed broccoli – yum!

Does your body need a detox? According to Susie: “Whilst there is no scientific evidence to confirm this, a detox does offer an opportunity to refocus and establish some clear diet and fat loss goals. Even better, it can also empower healthy choices, and if done correctly see a couple of kilograms fall off.” But what exactly does a healthy detox involve – is it simply cutting out processed foods and stimulants? In this post, Susie outlines her sample detox plan and offers her top 10 tips for a successful body cleanse.

Do you download lots of health & fitness apps? You’re not the only one, and there’s plenty to choose from! According Brian: “At least 40,000 apps are available to assist people in living a healthier lifestyle, with no fewer than 10,000 of them aimed at improving diet and fitness”… but are these apps actually helpful, and do they encourage good habits? In this post, Brian evaluates a recent research study conducted by the IMS institute for Healthcare Informatics and offers his opinion on the top five fitness apps in the marketplace.

Don’t worry, even our very own fitness guru Brian is a self-confessed fidget! But did you know that your constant need to move or fidget could be influencing your weight? In this post for our Healthy Lifestyle Blog, Brian discusses how a recent research study concluded that participants who fidgeted (or made small movements frequently made during the day) consumed an additional 350 calories per day! Brian also offers more information on how our modern day sedentary lifestyle is having detrimental effect on our health.

Every wondered what the average life span of a denture is? According to Dr Emma: “A lot depends on how many teeth are on the denture, what it is made out of, how it is held in place, how it is maintained, and the general condition of the rest of the mouth.” In this post, Dr Emma offers her advice on how long an average denture should function and answers a readers concern following an unpleasant dental experience.