Geelong's Gym

I think it’s fair to say, most of us would like to guarantee a long life… as long as we know it is going to be a quality one!  So I thought I’d share a few simple strategies which can add years of good living to your future:

1. Drink at least five 250ml glasses of water a day - drink this amount and you’re 54% less likely to suffer a fatal heart attack than those who drink two glasses or less every day.
2. Laugh! - 15 minutes of laughter a day can improve blood flow to your heart by 50%.
3. Say NO to sugary cereals – yep, all they do is raise insulin and C-reactive protein levels plus lower good cholesterol – all things which boost your odds of developing heart disease.  Try Weet-Bix instead.
4. Say YES to chocolate – don’t get carried away, we’re not recommending a block a day.  But eating four grams of cocoa a day halves the risk of dying from heart disease.
5. Burn 4600 kilojoules a week – exercising regularly prevents the accumulation of visceral adipose tissue, belly fat which causes arterial inflammation and hypertension.
6. Set yourself a three drink limit – having a little discipline in your drinking could prevent a stroke.
7. Be positive - constant worrying and negative thinking can shorten your life by up to 16 years.
8. Eat Berries – cranberries, blueberries, strawberries and raspberries are loaded with antioxidants, which can prevent strokes, keep you mentally sharp and ward of cancer.
9. Use Vinegar on your salad - eating it before a high-carb meal (such as pasta) slows the absorption of carbs into your bloodstream, which prevents the spikes in blood sugar and insulin that signal your body to store fat.
10. Light a Jasmine scented candle before bed – even for just one minute before going to bed causes people to fall asleep faster, toss and turn less and feel more refreshed in the morning.  On a side note, jasmine is also an aphrodisiac for men and women.

Oh, and here’s one more tip I just couldn’t resist… stay off the toilet during severe storms.  If lightening hits within 20 metres of your house, not only can it jump through phone and electrical lines, but it can also run through the plumbing!

Information in this post was sourced from Men’s Health Magazine.

Sometimes it feels like you have to cut out all the good stuff to maintain a healthy eating plan.  But this doesn’t always have to be the case.  Today, I thought I’d share a recipe I stumbled across which is delicious but also full of antioxidants…

Berry Ricotta Pancakes

2 cups Self-raising Flour

Strawberries make a delicious variation - I'm salivating just looking at this picture!

2 teaspoons Sugar

3 Eggs, lightly beaten

1 3/4 cups Milk

50 grams Butter, melted

1 punnet Raspberries

250 gram Ricotta

Toasted Flaked Almonds, for serving

Maple Syrup, for drizzling

Icing Sugar, for dusting

1.  Place flour and sugar in a bowl.  Whisk eggs and milk together and add to dry ingredients with melted butter; mix until smooth.  Fold in half the raspberries.

2.  Pour 1/4 cup batter into a heated non-stick frypan, swirl 1 teaspoon of Ricotta through the mixture.  Cook until bubble form, turn and cook until golden.  Repeat with remaining mixture.

3.  Serve pancake stacks, dolloped with remaining Ricotta, raspberries and almonds.  Drizzle with maple syrup and a dusting of icing sugar.

Note: Blueberries, strawberries or a mixed berry selection make a great variation.

Enjoy!!

Just when you think you’ve got it all figured out, new research pops up to change the way you should eat, drink and cook.  Let’s take a look at some of the old thinking and what the latest is…

• 

  Yes it’s true, you now have permission to chew!

  Eating Fat Makes You Fat.  The Mayo Clinic in the US has found people who increased their intake of monounsaturated fats actually lost weight without decreasing their kilojoules.  Plus, olive oil, nuts, olives and avocados reduce stomach fat.

• Chewing Gum Makes You Hungrier, So You Eat More.  Not so.  A study has found people who chew gym for an hour a day are more likely to eat less kilojoules at lunch, feel less hungry during the day and use 5% more kilojoules.
• Room Temperature Water Is Best For Rehydrating.  A new study says to keep it chilled.  According to Dr Jason Lee, cold water could be the most direct way to reduce core body temperature, therefore taking you longer to heat up and slow down.
• After A Tough Workout Take Nurofen To Offset Soreness.  Popping anti-inflammatories actually reduces production of the chemicals needed for muscle growth and repair.
• Steaming Is The Best Way To Cook Vegies.  These days, the microwave does a much better job of retaining the most recovery-boosting antioxidants.  Put your vegies in a bowl with a small amount of water and cook for 2-3 minutes.

This information was sourced from Australian Women’s Health magazine.