Friday 28 August 2015

Smart Snacking


When snacking throughout the day, it's important to choose the right snacks. I like to keep my snacks interesting and colorful, as well as healthy of course.

It's no secret that vegetables are good for you as they provide our bodies with vitamins, minerals, fiber, essential oils and phytonutrients (chemicals that help protect plants from germs, fungi, bugs etc). They are also very low in fat, calories and nasty additives. But did you know that cooking vegetables can destroy the essential nutrients and also kill vital enzymes in some vegetables? 

For example, cooking broccoli deactivates an enzyme that helps cleanse the liver of carcinogens, a substance that may cause cancer or promote cancer in living tissues. If you cook certain vegetables in water, you may also lose water-soluble vitamins such as vitamins B & C and folate. In saying this, some vegetables are more nutritionally beneficial when cooked, such as tomatoes and spinach. So it's worth doing your research on what vegetables are best eaten raw.

By eating raw vegetables, you not only gain more nutritional benefits, but it also helps with weight loss, hydration, energy levels as well as preventing cancer and heart disease. 

Today I have a mixed bag of raw vegetables - carrots, beans and red capsicum. I am a visual person, so if something looks bright and colourful I will be more drawn to it. If you want to mix it up a little and add some flavour and protein, trying having your raw vegetables with cottage cheese or a hummus dip.

Happy snacking everyone! 

Wednesday 26 August 2015

This sums it up


This pretty much sums up my motto and my main reason for starting a blog. If I can help support someone with their health hurdles or help them with their health and fitness goals, then I will have achieved my goal. 

Friday 21 August 2015

The Dreaded Haircut


So this is what I look like after a haircut. If there is one thing I hate more than baths, it's got to be haircuts! To get me into the place I either need to be dragged, which gets a lot of people laughing or I need to be picked up and taken in there. 

My mum always says to me "sorry buddy but I promise you will feel so much better after". How would you like it if you were put onto a table with your legs and head controlled by a pulley and people cutting and snipping around your private parts?? Not to mention people sticking things in your ears to pluck the hairs? Exactly, enough said! 

I do actually feel better for it after though. When I get home I run around the house barking "look how handsome I am, look how handsome I am". I'm not sure if my humans understand what I'm trying to say to them but it makes me feel good. Then the minute I get outside I roll around on the grass so I can get back to smelling like a dog instead of like a box of pot purri. Nobody likes going to the dog park smelling like a girl. 

Wednesday 19 August 2015

Healthy Cooking Oils. But Which Ones Are Best?

With so many cooking oil options out there, it's no wonder we end up confused and overwhelmed. I am certainly no expert on the cooking oil front, but through my own research, study and trial and error, here is my summary on some of the best healthy cooking oils.

In no particular order:


Sesame Oil - Rich in monounsaturated (healthy dietary fat) and polyunsaturated fats. The taste can be overpowering, so only a little oil is needed. Studies show that it helps lower cholesterol and may also lower blood pressure also.








Good quality Olive Oil - A major component of the Mediterranean diet, which is said to be the healthiest diet in the world. It's Easy to buy, affordable and cooks well at high heat









Grape Seed Oil - Good source of Vitamin E and essential fatty acids. It helps raise good cholesterol (HDL) and helps lower bad cholesterol (LDL). Beneficial for people who have diabetes. Cooks well at high heat.









Coconut Oil - A healthy form of saturated fat. Full of vitamin E, K & iron. Research also shows that coconut oil can help digestive issues such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome. It can also assist with weightless. Cooks well at high heat







Avocado Oil - Rich in vitamin E, omega-3 fats and can help lower cholesterol. It is an anti-inflammatory and also prevents damage to artery walls, which means it can lower the risk of heart disease. It also aids digestions. It also cooks well at high heat.




Monday 17 August 2015

I love my walkies!!!


I have to admit, I am one spoilt puppy. I get to go for walkies every morning and every afternoon. I know sometimes it's cold outside because my mum wears lots of layers. But no matter whether it's hot, cold, sunny or raining, I always get taken out for my walks. 

I always have people coming up to me and wanting to pat me which I don't mind. I just sit there and lap it up. Sometimes I do bark at big dogs if they get too close to my mum, but that's just me being protective while my dad isn't around! 

Although I do have a confession to make, German Shepard dogs and chocolate Labrador dogs really make me angry and I do snap at them. I was attacked by a big German Shepard dog when I was only a wee little fella, so now I think all Shepard dogs are out to kill me. As for my dislike for chocolate brown Labrador dogs, I'm not really sure where this one came from. But I'm a dog, so I don't really Need an explanation! 

Thanks for reading my blog. Be sure to stay tuned for more updates. 

Teddy

Wednesday 12 August 2015

Gluten Free Anzac Biscuits


These delicious gluten free Anzac Biscuits couldn't be any easier and they taste AMAZING!

What you will need:
- 125g butter, chopped
- 2 tablespoons of golden syrup
- 1 cup of gluten free self raising flour
- 1 cup quinoa flakes
- 1 cup desiccated coconut
- 1/2 cup flakes almonds
- 3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons of hot water

Directions:
Step 1: Preheat oven to 160 degrees Celcius fan forced. Line 2 baking trays with baking paper

Step 2: Place chopped butter and golden syrup in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring for 4 or 4 mins, or until melted

Step 3: Combine flour, quinoa flakes, coconut, almonds and sugar in a large bowl. Add butter mixture and hot water. Stir with  wooden spoon until well combined. Set aside for 5 mins.

Step 4: Roll the mixture into individual balls. Place on trays, 4cm apart. Flatten slightly with the back of a fork. Bake for 15 mins or until golden brown. When they come out of the oven they will be very soft. Don't fear, just let them cool down on the tray for 10 mins before transferring them to a wire rack to cool.

Monday 10 August 2015

Can we shake on it?


I like to think I'm a pretty well mannered kind of guy. My mum taught me how to shake hands and now I do it at every chance I get. More so when I know there is food around. But sometimes I will just walk up to mum or dad and offer them a hand shake. If anything, I get a few giggles out of it and there is no better sound than the sound of the human laugh. Hi five to that! 

Delicious breakfast smoothie


- 1 cup almond milk
- 1 sliced banana
- a couple of sliced strawberries
- 1 tablespoon of chia seeds
- a handful of goji berries

Blend, pour and enjoy! With the benefits of the super foods chia and goji berries, this is a great way to kick start the day! You can also add protein powder to stay fuller for longer. 

Sunday 9 August 2015

No bake, gluten free Nutella cheesecake


 

Guilty pleasure alert! This recipe, inspired by Nigella Lawson, definitely isn't a healthy one, but I do believe everything is good in moderation. This cheesecake is definitely one to do for that next birthday or special occasion.

It's best to use a springform cake tin to make it easier to remove and serve.

Base Ingredients:
- 250g of Gluten Free biscuits 
- 75g unsalted butter, softened

Filling Ingredients:
- 1x 400g jar of Nutella at room temperature
- 100g chopped toasted hazelnuts
- 500g Philadelphia cream cheese, original (the light ones won't set properly)
- 60g icing sugar (sifted)

Directions:

Step 1: line the bottom and sides of the cake tin with baking paper (makes it easier to remove)

Step 2: blend the biscuits, the softened butter and approx. 25g of the hazelnuts in a food processor until it binds together. 

Step 3: press the base mixture into the cake tin, evenly with the back of a spoon.  Place in the fridge to chill.

Step 4: beat the cream cheese and icing sugar together and then add the jar of Nutella until well combined.

Step 5: place the cream cheese and Nutella mix into the cake tin over the biscuit base. 

Step 6: blend the hazelnuts in a food processor for a few seconds to dice them up. Then scatter across the top of the cake. 

Step 7: place in fridge to set. Cake is best when left overnight, but if time is not on your side, allow at least 4 hours. To serve, use a wet knife. 

Enjoy! 





Health benefits of regular exercise


So, what are you waiting for? Get out there and exercise! 

My first time at the dog park


Oh check me out! This is a picture of my first time at a dog park. Boy did I have a blast. I ran around checking out all the different smells and I even managed to make a few friends, even though I was the smallest dog in the park. Then all of a sudden I came across what looked like a chocolate pool. I thought all my doggie wishes had come true so I decided to jump right in. Turns out, it wasn't a chocolate pool and my parents were far from impressed. But I managed to have a great time, even if it did result in me being banned from the dog park for the next week.

Introducing Teddy


Hi, my name is Teddy and yes I really am as soft and cuddly as a Teddy Bear. Sometimes I get called Ted, but this is only when I am in trouble. I was born on the 11th November 2012 and joined my human family at the end of December 2012.

I love going for walks, playing at the dog park and going for car rides. Nothing makes me happier than being around people. But I definitely do not like having a bath.

Follow my adventures to see what I get up to.

The Delicious Green Blast


Want a quick way to get a good dose of essential vitamins and nutrients? This green blast is not only delicious but is also a super healthy snack.

Guide (when using a blender such as the NutriBullet):

  • Fill half the cup with kale
  • The fill the remainder of the cup with apple, celery, pineapple & Goji Berries
  • Add some water and then blend
Yep, its THAT simple.