Friday 19 December 2014

Christmas Berry Trifle - Recipe


Sorted out your Christmas dessert yet? You can't go past this berry nice trifle.

Serves: 10
Time to prep: 20 minutes
Time to cook: 5 minutes

Ingredients
  • 200g (about 16) savoiardi (sponge finger biscuits)
  • 2 x 9g pkts Aeroplane JellyLite raspberry-flavoured low-joule jelly crystals
  • 1 teaspoon rosewater essence
  • 80g unsalted pistachio kernels
  • 4 x 150g ctns Fruche Vanilla Creme 99 per cent fat-free fromage frais
  • 500g fresh or thawed frozen mixed summer fruit (such as strawberries, raspberries, blueberries or cherries)
  • 2 teaspoons icing sugar mixture

Method
  • Break the biscuits into large pieces. Arrange over the base of a 2L (8-cup) capacity serving dish.
  • Prepare the jelly following packet directions. Stir in the rosewater essence. Carefully pour the jelly mixture over the biscuits. Cover with plastic wrap and place in the fridge for 4 hours or until the jelly is set.
  • Meanwhile, place the pistachios in a frying pan over medium heat. Cook, stirring, for 3-5 minutes or until lightly toasted. Set aside to cool slightly. Coarsely chop.
  • Spoon the fromage frais over the jelly. Top with the mixed summer fruit.
  • Sprinkle with pistachios and dust with icing sugar to serve.

Wednesday 17 December 2014

January 2015 Intensives (Learn to Swim)

January 12 - 16

Intensives are great if your child is trying to gain a particular skill, go up a level, get over a fear or get to know a new instructor/environment.

Get your little ones prepared for Summer.

Cost:
5 Days: $65.00
3 Days: $40.50

To book or for more information:
please see Dolphins Health Precinct Reception.

Monday 15 December 2014

Xmas & New Year Trading and Group Fitness Hours




Please see the above images for our trading hours over the Christmas and New Year period as well as the Group Fitness timetable.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask one of our friendly staff members at DHP Reception. 

Friday 12 December 2014

Healthy Xmas Entree - Prawns & Asparagus with Basil Aioli


Barbecued prawns are a healthy favourite for an Aussie Chrissy lunch, and taste great when topped with a zesty creamy dressing.

Serves: 10
Time to prep: 20 minutes
Time to cook: 10 minutes

Equipment
  • You'll need to soak 40 bamboo skewers in water for 15 minutes.
Ingredients
  • 1.5kg (about 40) medium green prawns, peeled leaving tails intact, deveined
  • 5 bunches asparagus, woody ends trimmed
  • 2 lemons, rind finely grated, juiced
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Olive oil spray
  • Small basil leaves, to serve
Basil aioli
  • 170g (2/3 cup) 97 per cent fat-free mayonnaise
  • 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
  • 2 garlic cloves, crushed
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil

Method
  • Place the prawns and asparagus in separate shallow glass or ceramic dishes. Whisk together the lemon rind, lemon juice and oil in a jug. Season with pepper. Divide among the dishes. Toss to coat. Cover and place in the fridge for 1-4 hours to marinate.
  • Meanwhile, to make the basil aioli, combine the mayonnaise, lemon juice, garlic and basil in a bowl. Season with pepper. For a thinner consistency, if desired, gradually add 1-2 tablespoons cold water, whisking until smooth and well combined.
  • Drain the prawns. Thread, tail-end first, onto the skewers.
  • Drain the asparagus. Preheat a chargrill or barbecue grill on high. Spray the prawns and asparagus with olive oil spray to lightly grease. Cook the prawns and asparagus on grill, turning once, for 5-6 minutes or until the prawns change colour and the asparagus is bright green and tender crisp.
  • Divide the asparagus and prawn skewers among serving plates. Season with pepper. Drizzle over the basil aioli and top with the basil leaves to serve.

Wednesday 10 December 2014

2015 - Term 1 Learn to Swim


New Year - New Term for Dolphins Learn to Swim - starting January 19 2015. Enrol your little ones now to join the Dolphins Learn to Swim program and prepare your loved ones for  Summer - in our Award Winning Swim Centre.


*** WIN! ***
Pay your full Term 1 2015 fees upfront to go into the draw
to win Term 2 2015 FOR FREE!

For more information or to enrol in the Dolphins Learn to Swim term, please see Dolphins Health Precinct reception.

Monday 8 December 2014

Xmas Activities for Your Kids


Christmas Snow Globes
16/12/14 | 9.30am - 11.30am

Come to Santa’s Elves creative workshop, where you’ll get to make your own magical snow globe. From shiny materials, glitter and glowing stars your snow globe no doubt will shine for Santa to see on Christmas Eve.
Ticket price: $8

Slip N' Slide It's Summertime
19/12/14 | 10.00am – 12.00pm 

School's out and the festive season is here… let’s celebrate in a summery way. With snags on the BBQ and a giant slip N slide you’ll be sure to have a fantastic time!
Ticket price: $10

COMBO TICKET PRICE
$15 First Child
$13 Second Child


For more information or to purchase tickets, please see Dinky Dolphins Creche.

Friday 5 December 2014

Raw Chocolate Peanut Brownies - Recipe


Reward yourself with these better-for-you Raw chocolate peanut brownies.

Makes: 16
Time to prep: 30 minutes
Time to cook: 5 minutes

Ingredients
  • 90g (3/4 cup) walnut halves
  • 1 tablespoon chia seeds
  • 30g (1/4 cup) cacao powder
  • 85g (1/2 cup) seedless raisins
  • 150g fresh dates, pitted
  • 30g 85% dark chocolate, chopped
Peanut layer
  • 50g (1/2 cup) rolled oats
  • 100g (2/3 cup) unsalted peanuts
  • 90g (1/3 cup) peanut butter
  • 200g fresh dates, pitted
Method
  • Line a 19cm square (base measurement) baking tin with baking paper allowing the paper to overhang to opposite sides to form handles.
  • Place the walnuts, chia seeds and cacao in a food processor. Process until finely chopped. Add the raisins, process until well combined. With the motor running, start adding the dates a few at a time, until all the dates are added and mixture starts to come together. Use clean hands to bring together completely. Press mixture into prepared tin, smoothing surface with the back of a spoon. Chill until firm.
  • Meanwhile, place oats and peanuts in a food processor. Add peanut butter, process until combined. With the motor running, start adding the dates a few at a time, until all the dates are added and mixture starts to come together. Use clean hands to bring together completely. Press mixture on top of chocolate layer, smoothing surface with the back of a spoon. Chill until firm.
  • Place chocolate in a small bowl over a saucepan of gently simmering water, ensuring base of bowl does not touch water. Cook stirring until melted and smooth. Drizzle the melted chocolate over the top of the brownie. Refrigerate until set. Remove brownie from tin using paper handles. Trim edges and cut into 16 squares.

Wednesday 3 December 2014

Gratitude: A Powerful Fat Loss Tool


By DR. BROOKE KALANICK

Gratitude is powerful. Gratitude is the antidote to complaining and bad attitudes. So, why do we only talk about it sometimes and not year-round?

We're busy, we're cynical and we're overwhelmed. Even our healthy lifestyles can create pressure when we're worrying about eating clean healthy foods and trying to find time to work out, and also worrying that we're not spending enough time with loved ones. All of that is stressful. And when we can't pull it all off every day, we feel bad. We feel disappointed in our lack of superhuman abilities to do it all.

Gratitude makes it easier to do what you need to do.
I always say, "It's hard to make good choices when you feel bad." Going to the gym and eating a salad can feel like a lot work when you're stressed, frustrated, sad or agitated. Doing those same things is effortless when you're feeling good.

Gratitude can be a shortcut to feeling good. You don't have to wait until all things improve, you can be grateful right now.

What's more, gratitude can make it easier to achieve your fat loss goals.

Gratitude can truly be a shortcut for staying positive and happy with one's self, both of which have been shown to aid in the weight loss process. A 2005 Swedish study, showed that participants in a cognitive-therapy treatment program — which encourages positive responses — not only lost more weight than those who didn't, but also kept it off. Additionally, a 2003 study published in the Journal of The American Dietetic Association, found that when using methods to increase their belief in their ability to reach their goals, participants' eating habits improved and so did their weight loss.

Gratitude gives you perspective. I've been known to freak out about how to balance work and family commitments while still sticking to my fitness and workout goals. Gratitude pulls me out of the over-scheduled crazy-making moment and helps me see what's really important. It helps me see which workout and food options are available and be thankful for them — even if they aren't the "perfect kale salad from Whole Foods" and my favorite workout at my favorite gym.

Will simply being grateful help you drop five pounds?
Not overnight, but yes, it will. The key to any successful body change endeavor is consistency. You want the weight loss secret? There it is. Keep doing the right things over and over again, consistently.

The problem is that you get bored or busy. You start skipping workouts and you start making more and more concessions with your nutrition and sleep goals.

Consistency is a battle worth fighting, and an attitude of gratitude is a powerful weapon.

3 tips for getting more gratitude into your life
1. At the end of the day before you go to bed and first thing when you wake up in the morning, jot a few quick items in a "gratitude journal." Simply write down five things you're grateful for. This is truly life changing, and it amazes me how you can still find five things even on the worst days.

2. For many of you, after you write these 5 things in your gratitude journal, you'll feel great for at least 10 minutes. But then the stress of the day might creep in and you may lose your positive feeling. If this is happening to you, set an alarm on your phone or computer for a few different times throughout the day.

When the alarm goes off, you don't even always need to write down five things you are grateful for, but rather just take a few seconds to acknowledge in your mind that you are grateful for these things. This will be a catalyst for positivity! It takes just seconds, but this deliberate practice throughout the day will lower your stress and get you more familiar with the feeling of begin grounded in gratitude. Soon you won't need it as often.

3. And finally, if you're stuck in a moment of stress or frustration, forget the schedule and stop, drop and be grateful. This is a tool you can use anywhere.

– Brooke

Dr Brooke Kalanick, ND, MS, LAc is a naturopathic doctor and graduate of Bastyr University - the leader in natural medicine education, research and the training of holistically minded primary care providers. Dr Brooke specialises in PCOS and Hashimoto's hypothyroidism helping these fat loss resistant women feel, look and be better. Her knowledge of both conventional and alternative medicine helps her give patients back the control of their body, their hormones and their life. As a woman and mother who shares these struggles, she helps the women she works with live the adage: between perfect and giving up, there's better.

Monday 1 December 2014

Reminder: Date Night

Dinky Dolphins Creche parents can spend some lovin’ time together by enjoying dinner whilst your munchkins are looked after by us! 
Parents Date Night is now extended!
(From 5pm to 7.30pm Monday to Thursday Evenings.) 
You’ll need to register your child/children at Dinky Dolphins Crèche in advance. You can then simply drop them off and treat yourself to dinner at our Leagues Club Bistro or Koopa Café. 

Times and age requirements vary so bookings are essential.