Wednesday, 15 July 2015

Over 50's Weights Workout & Education


Did you know:
  Weights training is your  
  best weapon against ageing!  

What: NEW CLASS - Held on the gym floor
When: 10.30 am • First 2 Friday’s of the month (starts 7 August)
Cost: Free to all Dolphins Health Precinct Members

What's covered:
  • Learn about the benefits of weight training 
  • Positive influence on bone density and posture 
  • Feel stronger and look younger 
  • Change your body shape 
  • Burn calories while you sleep 
  • Uncover the myths about weights training 
  • Find out if your technique is creating chronic imbalances 
  • Did you know breathing incorrectly while training weakens the pelvic floor?
! Bookings are required, please register at reception.

Monday, 13 July 2015

Cute Photos of Dreamcatcher Making!


Making Dreamcatchers in the
Dinky Dolphins Crèche School Holiday Activity
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 
The munchkins that participated in the Dinky Dolphins Crèche Bunnings workshop activity were in for a treat with colourful dreamcatcher making! Everyone seemed to really enjoy themselves and the results were very impressive!

Friday, 10 July 2015

Chorizo & Chicken Meatball Minestrone Recipe




This chicken meatball minestrone gets great flavour from the chorizo sausage.

Serves: 6
Time to prep: 30 minutes
Time to cook: 30 minutes

Ingredients
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 chorizo sausage, finely chopped
  • 1 small fennel bulb, finely chopped
  • 1 carrot, peeled, finely chopped
  • 1 celery stick, finely chopped
  • 1 green zucchini, finely chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • 1.5L (6 cups) chicken stock
  • 400g can diced tomatoes
  • 500g chicken mince
  • 1 teaspoon ground fennel
  • 2 teaspoons finely grated lemon rind
  • 150g (2/3 cup) dried risoni pasta
  • 60g baby spinach leaves
  • 1/2 cup coarsely chopped flat-leaf parsley
  • 70g (1 cup) finely grated Parmesan

Method
  • Heat the oil in large saucepan over medium heat. Add the chorizo and cook, stirring, for 5 minutes or until browned. Use a slotted spoon to transfer to a bowl.
  • Add the fennel, carrot, celery, zucchini and half the garlic to the pan. Cook, stirring, for 5 minutes or until fennel softens. Return chorizo to the pan with chicken stock and tomatoes. Bring to the boil. Reduce heat to low and cook, loosely covered, for 15 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, combine the chicken mince, ground fennel and half the lemon rind in a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper.
  • Add the risoni to the stock mixture. Drop teaspoons full of chicken mixture into the soup mixture. Cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes or until risoni is al dente. Add spinach and stir to combine. Remove from heat.
  • Combine parsley, remaining garlic and remaining lemon rind in a small bowl.
  • Ladle soup among serving bowls. Sprinkle with parmesan and parsley mixture. Serve immediately.

Wednesday, 8 July 2015

Well Done Teneka!

Mixed Pairs - 2nd Placing
Tim Perry and Teneka Hyndman

We want to say a big congratulations to Dolphins Health Precinct Personal Trainer Teneka Hyndman on her recent result from the INBA/PNBA World Championships in Dubai. Teneka placed 3rd in PRO Figure, and 2nd in Mixed Pairs with PNBA Bodybuilder Tim Perry.

Click here for more info and to view Teneka's Facebook page.

Monday, 6 July 2015

Guys - Stuck on Pull-Ups? Re-think Your Form!

By Michael Easter

You've been doing them the same way for years. That's why you never improve. Take a lesson from a Russian strongman, and you'll finally pass our bar exam.

Everything you know about pull-up form might not be the best way to mastering the timeless strength indicator.

The ability to pull your body to the bar (repeatedly) proves that you're a man who can truly pull his own weight—not someone who just dabbles in fitness. And for years, three points have governed proper form: Keep your body straight from shoulders to knees, bring your chest to the bar, and squeeze your shoulder blades. Now a Russian trainer is questioning those cues, asking if there's really only one way to do a pull-up.

"Traditional pull-ups work great as a corrective exercise to improve posture," says Pavel Tsatsouline, cofounder of StrongFirst.com. "But they're not conducive to exerting the greatest amount of strength." If that's your goal, you'd do better to emulate a gymnast. "They're the strongest people in the world for their body weight," says Tsatsouline. "If you watch how they pull themselves up, you'll see they use a 'hollow' body position: They're concave, like a C, and their shoulders are a bit hunched."

A "hollow pull-up" not only engages more muscles—including your glutes, hams, and other powerhouses along your "posterior chain"—but also forces your lats and abs to work together, increasing stability, says Men's Healthtraining advisor Bill Hartman. Your job: Do both moves.


1. The Classic Pull-up
Grab the bar using an overhand grip that's slightly beyond shoulder width. Hang at arm's length with your knees bent and your ankles crossed behind you (a position known as a dead hang). Your body should remain straight from shoulders to knees for the entire movement. Bring your chest to the bar, pulling your upper arms down forcefully and squeezing your shoulder blades (pretend you're trying to pinch something between them). It helps if you imagine that you're pulling the bar to your chest instead of your chest to the bar. Pause, and then lower yourself back to a dead hang.


2. The Hollow Pull-up
Grab the bar using an overhand grip that's hip-width to shoulder-width apart. Hang at arm's length, pointing your legs slightly in front of you to form a wide C. Now press your thighs together and brace your abs; your body should remain rigid for the entire movement. As you pull yourself up, imagine that you're pressing down on the top of the bar, and focus on bringing your belly button up; both steps will help engage your lats and core and boost stability. Look straight ahead and pull until your neck or upper chest touches the bar. Sink in your chest slightly rather than expanding it. Lower yourself.

Friday, 3 July 2015

Vegan Caramel Slice Recipe




Experience the guiltless pleasure of this vegan, low calorie classic dessert.

Makes: 24
Time to cook: 20 minutes

Equipment
  • 16 x 26cm (base measurement) slice pan
Ingredients
  • 90g (1 cup) rolled oats
  • 30g almonds, roasted
  • 60g fresh dates, pitted, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons coconut oil
  • 2 tablespoons light coconut milk
  • 1 tablespoon rice malt syrup
  • Sea salt flakes, to serve (optional)
Caramel filling
  • 145g (1 cup) cashews
  • 200g fresh dates, pitted, chopped
  • 60ml (1/4 cup) light coconut milk
  • 2 tablespoons coconut oil
  • 2 tablespoons rice malt syrup
  • Pinch sea salt flakes
Chocolate topping
  • 50g (1/2 cup) raw cacao powder, sieved
  • 80ml (1/3 cup) coconut oil
  • 150ml rice malt syrup

Method
  • For the filling, place the cashews in a glass or ceramic bowl and cover with cold water. Stand for 2 hours. Drain well.
  • Preheat oven to 180C/160C fan forced. Line a baking tray with baking paper. Grease and line the base and sides of a 16 x 26cm (base measurement) slice pan. Spread oats over prepared tray. Bake, stirring halfway, for 6 minutes or until golden and aromatic. Process oats and almonds until coarsely chopped. Add dates, oil, milk and rice malt syrup. Process until a sticky mixture forms. Press into prepared pan. Bake for 8 minutes or until firm. Cool completely.
  • Process the cashews until finely chopped. Add the dates and coconut milk. Process well, scraping the sides occasionally, until well combined. Add the oil, rice malt syrup and salt. Process until smooth. Spread over prepared base. Use a spatula to smooth the surface. Place in the freezer for 1 hour or until firm.
  • For the chocolate topping, place all the ingredients in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water (don’t let the bowl touch water). Cook, stirring constantly, for 4 minutes or until mixture thickens and comes together. Pour over filling. Smooth the surface. Place in the fridge for 6 hours or overnight to set. Use a sharp knife to cut into 24 squares. Sprinkle with sea salt, if using.

Wednesday, 1 July 2015

Chlorella: An immunity boosting superfood


By Sally O'Neill

Contains key vitamins, antioxidants, minerals, proteins & essential amino acids.

Chlorella, a single-cell green algae, has been used in medicine for hundreds of years and has long been a popular nutritional supplement in Asia. 

It's increasing popularity on in health circles on Australian shores lead us to take a closer look at its reported benefits.

Background
Chlorella is said to be one of the most nutritionally dense foods found in nature. Discovered in the late 19th Century, it’s a type of algae that grows only in fresh water.

This marine superfood contains an abundance of key vitamins, antioxidants, minerals, proteins, essential amino acids and essential fatty acids, and is also reported to contain high concentrations of iron, B-complex vitamins, and chlorophyll, which have potent detoxification properties.

Where it’s found
Most of the chlorella available in Australia is grown in the freshwater lakes of Japan or Taiwan. It is harvested and processed into tablets, liquid extracts or powders for dietary supplementation.

Health Benefits
Aside from its popularity as a supplement for general wellbeing, its abundance of nutrients are specifically utilised for:

  • Detoxification: Chlorella has become known for promoting detoxification in the body. It is said to assist with cancer prevention due to its ability to cleanse the body of toxins and heavy metals. Following the Fukushima disaster in Japan, it was also widely used to help those affected by the radioactive fallout to detox their bodies of toxic chemicals.
  • Protection against disease: Supporters state that chlorella supplements increase the level of albumin in the body. Albumin is a protein normally present in the bloodstream, and chlorella advocates claim it protects against diseases such as cancer, diabetes, arthritis, AIDS, pancreatitis, cirrhosis, hepatitis, anaemia, and multiple sclerosis.
  • Immunity: Chlorella contains a compound called ‘chlorella growth factor’, which has been shown in research to promote normal cell growth and boost the immune system. It’s commonly used to supplement diets of those regularly suffering from colds and flu. In addition, chlorella has been credited with improving digestion, enhancing mental clarity, and promoting a healthy pH balance in body tissue. While more evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of chlorella for these uses, its nutrients may help those who have low levels of certain vitamins or minerals.

Sources and dosage
Chlorella is available in tablets, liquid extracts, and as a powder. Some herbalists recommend two to three grams per day (approximately one teaspoon), though higher doses may be suggested for detoxification.

Chlorella is widely available for purchase online, or through health food and supplements stores. It can be taken alone, with water, mixed into baked goods, or used as an addition to smoothies.

Top Tips
Chlorella products can vary significantly depending on the way the ‘crop’ used to make the supplements was cultivated, harvested and processed, so be sure to read the nutritional label.
Some people taking chlorella may experience diarrhoea, nausea, gas and stomach cramping, especially in the first week of use. Introduce it to your diet gradually to avoid unpleasant side effects.

Disclaimer
It’s important to note that self-treating a chronic condition with chlorella may have serious consequences. If you’re considering the use of this or any other nutritional supplement in the treatment of a chronic condition, consult your primary care provider.