Quickies for Breakfast

Its always a challenge to find something tasty, nutritious, gluten & dairy free AND quick for brekky! The Mojettes are fans of quinoa porridge and found this fantastic recipe in the new release Quirky Cooking book from Jo Whitton & Thermomix.

600g almond or non dairy milk

50g quinoa flakes

50g chia seeds

1-2 tbsp raw honey

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 tbsp mesquite powder – optional

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How To Avoid Injuries When Working Out

To exercise or to follow a fitness routine is almost always a positive experience. We say “almost” because there can be occasions when something goes wrong, and the most common issue that can arise when people exercise is that they injure themselves. It is “injure themselves” to differentiate from contact sports where an opponent might hurt you.

Returning to scenarios when the injury is self-inflicted, the truth is that most of those injuries could be avoided. Invariably, the reason the injury has occurred is something the individual has forgotten or chosen not to do that would otherwise ensure that they exercise safely.

Avoiding injuries is so important because they can prevent you from exercising correctly, in the best-case scenario, for a few days, and in the worst cases, for several months. All that time you are not exercising, whilst your health may not necessarily be suffering, your overall fitness is declining. So, here are some ways to ensure that you avoid injury when exercising and working out.

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7 Awesome Features Of Virtual Darts That Make It A Must-Play Game

Virtual darts, or augmented darts as some call them, are yet another way in which modern state-of-the-art technology is combined with what is otherwise a simple game and turned into a fun activity that people love to participate in. It works by displaying a real dart board but instead of throwing a dart with a metal point and then going up to the board to see what you have scored, you throw a virtual dart, and the system displays your score.

What this has created is an additional way in which sports and leisure centres can enhance how their patrons can enjoy themselves. This includes families, friends, and even corporate bonding events. Regardless of who or why it is being played, virtual darts have several awesome features, and here are seven of the best ones.

#1 – Multiple Game Options

The first awesome feature of virtual darts is that it has a versatile array of different games that can be played. These games will differ depending on what venue you are playing but wherever that is, it makes it far more interesting than having to play to normal darts rules. The variety of games is likely to be increasing as virtual darts become even more popular.

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How Aerobic Exercise Could Prevent Alzheimer’s

Looking after your health, particularly as you age, is going to offer all kinds of benefits. You’re going to look at your best, feel at your best, and have more energy to carry on doing the things you love. However, did you know that aerobic exercises could aid the memory part of your brain and reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s or dementia? What is Alzheimer’s Disease? Alzheimer’s disease is a brain disorder that’s both progressive and irreversible. It destroys your ability to think and even erases your memories. It also makes it challenging to carry out simple tasks. Out of all dementia types, Alzheimer’s is the most common. What Do We Know About Exercise and Alzheimer’s? What we know so far is that exercise and focusing on fitness can have an impact on your Alzheimer’s risk. A Rush University Medical Center study, among many others, showed that remaining fit and active allowed people to keep more of their cognitive functions, than those who didn’t partake in regular exercise. Even if those people had biomarkers of dementia, they showed signs of better memory and cognitive skills, as well. What About Aerobic Exercise? According to the latest research in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, aerobic exercise can slow down the shrinkage of the memory part of the brain known as the hippocampus.

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What Group Fitness Does for Your Motivation

How often do you egg yourself on, motivating yourself to run faster, walk a little further, or do a few more press-ups? If the answer is “not very often,” then it’s similar to many other people trying to get fit and healthy on their own as well. Motivation is hard to find if you aren’t involved in a group fitness class. But, what does motivation mean, and what does having it do for you?

Helps You Lose Weight

If you are looking to not only get fit but lose weight, then putting your training shoes on and being a part of a group fitness session can help. While running around the block and eating healthy on your own will also be beneficial, group fitness classes such as spin cycles, track running, BodyBalance and BodyAttack can accelerate the process. You are surrounded by others on the same journey as you, so you’re able to be motivated by their progress to get the same results for yourself.

Stay on The Bandwagon

If sweet treats and deep-fried food is your downfall, then you may struggle to keep your hands off it. However, that small voice in the back of your mind often tells you “you just went for that big run, you deserve that custard square”. In reality, you are undoing all that hard work. If you are a part of a group fitness class, however, you want others to see your success, and you don’t want to fall behind in your weight loss and fitness goals. You are more likely to stay on the bandwagon as a result.

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Common Misconceptions About Laser Eye Surgery

If you have ever thought about laser eye surgery from insighteye.com.au, you may have stumbled across some information on the internet that scared you. It might have even scared you to the point of not wanting to consider the surgery anymore!

However, not everything you read on the internet is accurate. We’re here to debunk some of the more common misconceptions about laser eye surgery.

Laser Eye Surgery Hurts

It doesn’t. Most people who undertake any form of laser eye surgery say they either feel nothing or just minor pressure. Before the procedure, you may also be given numbing eye drops to ensure the entire procedure is as painless as possible.

Healing From Laser Eye Surgery Takes Ages

You will never be 100 percent after any surgery, but the recovery period for laser surgery is remarkably quick. Within 24 hours, you can almost be back to your regular daily routine. 

Your eye specialist will advise you about any short-term changes you may need to make, such as not driving for 24 hours and not reading or watching TV immediately after the procedure. 

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I’m sick! What’s the best vitamin C for me?

Vitamin C has long been the go-to to prevent colds and flu and support your immune system. Consuming foods rich in vitamin C will go a long way to boosting your immunity through the winter months. The best forms of vitamin C are found in oranges, red and green capsicum, kale, brussel sprouts, broccoli, guava and kiwi fruit. However, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) the average Australian is not consuming adequate amounts of fruits and vegetables with only 49.8% aged 18 years and over meeting the guidelines for recommended daily serves of fruit (2 or more) and vegetables (5 or more). Taking vitamin C supplements may support you in times when you are not eating enough fruit and vegetables.

Vitamin C is known as ascorbic acid. There are also two other types of ascorbic acids called mineral ascorbates: sodium ascorbate and calcium ascorbate. These mineral salts are less acidic than vitamin C and can be good to use if you are prone to stomach upsets which are exacerbated by vitamin C. Caution should be taken when using these mineral ascorbates so check with your general practitioner if the recommended dietary intakes of sodium ascorbate or calcium ascorbate are right for you.

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7 Best Practices For The Design Of Your Personal Fitness Website

If it is time for your personal fitness business to have a new website then there are many factors that you need to consider if it has any chance of being a success in  growing your business online. If we were to list them all they would fill the page, however, the website design specialists at www.slinkywebdesign.com.au advise that if you follow these 7 core best practices of website design then it is almost certain to be a website that achieves its aims.

Keep The Design As Simple As Possible

The last thing you want in the mind of any visitors to your website is confusion so the aim should be to make your website clean and simple. This should still allow you to have the design matching your branding, however, making pages over-complicated with excessive graphics, too much text, unnecessary links, and too many calls to action, must be avoided.

Ensure The Website Is Easy To Navigate

Your website may have many pages, and just as you want clear directions if you are in a strange city, the same principle applies to anyone who visits your website. You should have a menu bar on each page so visitors can easily move from one page to the next and back again if they wish to, and a ‘Home’ button should be visible at all times.

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Classic Australian Dishes for Guests

Entertaining friends and family can be quite exciting. You get to read different recipes, stock up on wine, and get creative with food. What better way to spend your free time?

The problem is, coming up with classic dishes that everyone loves is not always easy. However, when it comes to traditional Australian dishes, some stand out from the crowd. Some of these options below are bound to be favourites with all your guests.

Meat Pies

If you’re not that creative in the kitchen, but need to feed a lot of people, then you can’t go wrong with meat pies. It’s true that in Australia, meat pies are small pies you pick up from your local bakery or service station. In saying that, you can create family-sized ones with a twist.

Add vegetables, a delicious homemade gravy, and a delectable puff pastry. Meat pies also have a lot of room for error, so even if you don’t make it perfect, it’s still bound to be a crowd favourite.

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Why Using Ball Stop Netting Should Be One Of Your Sporting Goals

We are sure many of you reading this participate in one or more sports, and maybe if you are young enough, still dream of becoming a sporting superstar. Even if you are at an age where that possibility has passed you by, you may still wish to practice your skills in the garden, and this is where ball stop netting can become invaluable.

Sports nets are often the forgotten piece of equipment but if you think about it, they are often essential. They may not cause the same debate as to which golf clubs hit the longest, which cricket bat is the easiest to hit sixes, or which soccer boot provides the best surface to control a shot, but sports netting does warrant special attention.

Obviously, at certain levels of sport, the net is part and parcel of the game. In tennis, many an Australian Open title has been won when an opponent has hit a return into the net, and for football fans there can be no better feeling than when your team’s star forward  hits the ball into the back of the net. However, not all sports netting is used at elite levels.

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Five Tips for Dealing With the Mental Health Impacts of Unlawful Termination

Working through an unlawful termination or any similar experience can be a very emotional, draining experience. In most cases, legal action will be required to resolve such issues. Although this might seem like a daunting task, it’s one that’s nearly always worth pursuing.

But before you throw yourself off the deep end, make sure that you’re equipped with the appropriate strategies to maintain a positive state of mind. To help you out, we’ve put together the following list of our top five tips for dealing with the mental health impacts of unlawful termination. These include:

  1. Look After Your Body

Physical and mental health are very closely linked, and neglecting one can have huge impacts on the other. It’s therefore extremely important to look after your body and stay healthy when you’re working through a mentally difficult situation.

  • Make sure you eat well.
  • Avoid sugary and other junk foods.
  • Drink enough water every day.
  • Stop or minimise your cigarette and alcohol consumption.
  • Get plenty of sleep.

As you can probably imagine, your body will thank you as well if you start taking care of your physical health.

  1. Take Up a Hobby

Creative outlets are a great way to get rid of built-up stress and anxiety. If you find yourself overthinking things, worrying too much and simply getting worked up over nothing, it could be time to take a step back and relax for a while.

One of the best ways to do this is to take up a new hobby. Consider something like art, music, swimming or anything else which could free your mind, even if only for a few hours.

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Sleep Dentistry and Your Care Options

The dental experts at Joondalup City Dental tell us that at least 85 percent of the Australian population feels some fear or anxiety about going to the dentist. After all, it can be scary for some people to have a dentist poking and prodding around their mouth. While some fear is rational, it can verge on a phobia for others. The very thought of a dentist clinic can make some people become a ball of nerves.

If your phobia is stopping you from taking care of your oral health, then sleep dentistry might be something you could consider. Talk to your dentist about your options, and read on to find out more.

Sleep Dentistry Option 1: Gas – Nitrous Oxide

One of the most common forms of sleep or sedation dentistry is nitrous oxide gas. The gas doesn’t put you to sleep, but it makes you feel more relaxed. This option is particularly helpful for anyone who feels a little bit anxious or fearful of the dentist, but not to the extent of it becoming a significant problem. The gas also wears off quickly after the procedure.

Sleep Dentistry Option 2: Oral Sedatives

Oral sedatives can be an excellent option for anyone fearful or anxious about the dentist but know it’s crucial for their oral health. You can take the sedative an hour before you go, then remain relaxed throughout your procedure. You’re awake, but your nerves are at ease, and you may also feel sleepy.

 

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Getting Your Life Back on Track After Drug Rehab

In 2016, a staggering number of individuals, totalling over 62 million, grappled with drug use disorders. However, it’s important to note that this figure doesn’t even account for alcohol, which is another equally detrimental substance. Recognizing that millions of people battle addiction daily underscores the significance of seeking guidance on rebuilding your life after successfully completing drug rehabilitation at Sivana Rehab.

It’s easy to feel lost, at a loss, and unsure of what your next step is once you leave the comfort and routine of drug rehab. However, aside from the incredible support you get from counselling programmes, you can also do things for yourself, such as the ones below.

Get Into Activities and Programmes 

Once you leave rehab, it can feel like you’re left to your own devices – even if you’re not. Most drug rehab facilities offer excellent support and reintegration programmes to ensure you’re not left to fall into the comfortable grips of addiction once more. However, you may also like to help yourself by joining activities that can be pretty fulfilling.

Make New Friends

Friends are essential to your life, but you need to say goodbye to those who led you down the wrong path. Drug-taking friends are not a good influence, especially as you may not be strong enough to say no to drugs when you’re fresh from rehab. As soon as you get home, vow to cut those ties and start new ones with a better circle.

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Key Ingredients for Effective and Organic Anti-Aging

The variety of anti-ageing products on the market can be confusing and often overwhelming, with many products promising many different things. However, when it comes to the most natural solutions for anti-ageing such as organic skin care products, there are key ingredients which can help you to understand how effective naturally-grown products can be. The next time you search for anti-ageing organic skin care products, look out for the following.

Algae Extract

Algae extract features in many anti-ageing organic skin care products for a number of reasons. Not only does it hydrate your skin, nourishing it and moisturising it in the process, but it’s packed full of vitamins and minerals as well. Such is its efficacy in organic skin care products that people often refer to it as the ocean’s most potent secret. Within it are vitamins A, B, C, and E, as well as amino acids and proteins. If you find it in any organic skin care products, you are bound to notice a difference in how soft and supple your skin feels.

Argireline

Argireline is one of the most necessary ingredients in any anti-ageing cream, and it’s known as Botox in a jar. It’s non-toxic, safe, and features in many Cosmetic Science studies as well. In a study of 10 women, a noticeable wrinkle reduction of 17 percent was evident after only 15 days. The best part is, it fits in the realm of being suitable for organic skin care products.

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Stop Damaging your Jewellery with These Tips

When you decide to visit a jewellery store and purchase new jewellery for yourself or a loved one, it’s not a decision you make lightly. Instead, you get plenty of advice and help from a jeweller, as well as investing a significant amount of money in an item that will last you a lifetime.

However, like most things, you can damage jewellery – even unintentionally. If you want to reduce the risk so you can keep your precious possessions in tip-top condition, pay attention to these tips below.

Don’t Wear it in Water

As most jewellers will tell you, wearing your jewellery in water can have a range of consequences – depending on the water. If you wear it in a swimming pool or spa pool, the chlorine can weaken settings while discolouring and damaging metals. What’s more, if your jewellery has gemstones, it can ruin the polish and finish. Salt water can also be harmful. As soon as you decide it’s time for a swim, take off all your jewellery and leave them at home – they will be safer there anyway.

Keep it Out of Sunlight

Australia knows how to put on a decent summer, which can be great for your tan but not so great for your jewellery. According to many jewellers, direct sunlight can bleach materials, plastics, and natural elements. To avoid the risk of damaging your rings, necklaces, and other items, don’t store them in direct sunlight.

Be Careful What You Put on Your Hands

Whether you’re gardening in bare hands or are applying lotion or sprays, be wary of what you have on your fingers. Any cream or dirt can get into the crevices of your jewellery which can be damaging. Soil is also very abrasive, while lotions can leave sticky film residue over your diamonds, making them look dull and drab.

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What is the Best Fitness Apparel?

Getting fit and staying fit can take a considerable amount of effort and motivation. However, did you know your clothing can play a part in the effectiveness of your routine as well? Contrary to popular belief, heading out in your ratty old t-shirt and shorts is not going to spell a decent workout. In fact, you’re bound to come home sweaty, uncomfortable, irritated, and vowing never to wear those clothes again. Here’s how you can choose the best fitness apparel for a better workout experience.

Breathability

During your workout, you’re bound to work up a decent sweat. That is, after all, the purpose. However, the last thing you want is for that sweat to soak into your clothing, making you wet, uncomfortable, and a little bit smelly. Instead of wearing a casual tee for your workout, you need to instead purchase clothing that breathes and has wicking abilities.

Most retail shops that sell activewear have a special section for such clothing, featuring lycra and polyester blends. Not only are these fabric types perfect for accentuating your curves and being comfortable and freeing to wear, but they can wick away moisture as well. Even when you find yourself sweating heavily, lycra clothing dries far quicker than cotton.

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Banish Eye Bags for Good

A lack of sleep can do more to us than just make us tired and irritable. We can also look like we haven’t had enough sleep either. When the bags under your eyes are so big they now look like suitcases, and you don’t have time to nap them away, then consider any of these natural remedies below. Removing the evidence of no sleep is not as hard as you may think.

Cucumber

You see it in the movies all the time – someone in a white dressing gown with a green or white face mask, and those signature cucumber slices over their eyes. There’s a reason this method of undereye bag treatment is so popular; it’s because it works. If you don’t want to subject your skin to toxic creams, lotions, and potions, reach for the cucumber and experience pure relief.

Cucumbers are packed full of anti-inflammatory properties, and as a result, you benefit from reduced swelling, puffiness and droopiness around your eyes. Just cut two slices of cucumber straight from the fridge, put them on your eyes, and relax for half an hour. When you take them off, you’ll be amazed at the results.

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5 Steps to Running a Marathon

One of the best ways in which to get motivated and improve your fitness is by aiming towards a goal. Rather than focus on something generic like “lose weight” or “get fit”, you can instead set your sights on something more specific such as completing a marathon.

Whether you’ve decided you’ll run or walk or complete a full or half marathon, here are some helpful fitness tips to prepare you for the journey ahead. You are sure to find reaching the goal is that much sweeter when you know how much effort you’ve put into preparation.

  1. Give Yourself Plenty of Time

Complete fitness is not something that happens overnight. You don’t go from being able to walk as far as 100 metres without getting puffed one day, to being able to run 42 kilometres the next. Therefore, if you’re looking to complete a marathon and you’re only just beginning, you want to give yourself at least a year. It may even take longer if you’re new to the entire world of fitness.

  1. Find a Suitable Event

Once you know that you want to improve your fitness, get healthy, and eventually complete a marathon, it’s not a bad idea to start hunting for suitable events. Often, marathons and charity runs take place on the same day or week every year. Find one that you feel might tick all the boxes, then write it down. That is the date you want to be able to reach your goal by.

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Benefits of Outdoor Play

In recent years, the digital age has caused kids to gravitate from the treehouse to the tablet – even in some child care facilities. While computers and technology have their place in children’s play and education, it shouldn’t replace the more fundamental components of it – such as getting outside and enjoying the fresh air.

Of course, many parents want to protect their children from the dangers of climbing trees and riding bicycles on concrete, but outdoor play can be more beneficial than it is dangerous. If you’re not yet convinced that getting back to basics with outdoor play is the best idea, here are a few of the many benefits.

It Allows Them to Get Creative

With most indoor play, children are bound by what specific activities require them to do. For example, puzzle pieces must go in one place, and children must play games on tablet devices in one set way to win. However, with outdoor play, there’s no “set” approach. The world is their oyster, giving them the opportunity to create their own fun and entertainment in the way they see fit. The big tree can become a pirate ship or a castle, and the grass can be hot lava or vast oceans. Creativity has no bounds when you’re outside playing – be it at home or in a child care facility.

It’s Good for Their Health

It’s never good for anyone to remain cooped up inside all day, and children are no exception. There are so many health benefits associated with outdoor play, which is why it’s such a significant part of child care routines. When children are outside, they are more likely to run around. Inside, running is often not allowed due to the many obstacles. Running around outside helps them to burn off energy, remain fit, and benefit from strong, healthy bones. What’s more, they are getting a healthy dose of Vitamin D. Just remember to slip, slop, slap, and wrap during those warmer months.

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What Oral Health Means for Overall Health

Contrary to popular belief, forgetting to go to the dentist, brush or floss regularly or take care of your teeth doesn’t just affect your mouth. While you do suffer from more decay and infections and a higher risk of gum disease, your entire body can also suffer.

New research continually shows a strong connection between your oral health habits and your body’s overall health. Suppose you see your dentist regularly and keep a consistent and regular brushing schedule. In that case, you may be able to prevent or reduce the risk of severe health issues such as strokes, heart attacks, and even premature labor if you’re pregnant. If you have diabetes, poor oral health can even spell complications. Believe it or not, a saliva swab can tell doctors and dentists like Dental O So Gentle much about your overall health.

How Your Oral Health Affects Your Overall Health

Your mouth is a haven for bacteria. At any one time, around 500 species of bacteria call your mouth, teeth, and gums home. While your saliva plays a significant part in keeping your mouth healthy, it’s flossing and brushing that brings it home.

Without a brush or floss to remove food and keep your teeth clean, plaque begins to build up in your gumline. Eventually, it can create gingivitis which may then lead to a more severe condition known as periodontitis. If you have gum disease and then brush and floss, you’re at risk of allowing bacteria to enter your bloodstream. While your immune system is reasonably capable of combating nasty germs, there is a chance you can develop another infection in your body. If another disease or condition weakens your immune system, you are more at risk.

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