VIDEO SPECIAL - Get to Know the Team!

Here's a short video compilation we have put together showing a little of each of our member's lives. We had some fun filming just how passionate we are about the interests we write about on this blog.

Summer Snacks!

This coming summer, the heat is meant to set in. Keeping cool is definitely one of the struggles, particularly living in the north-western suburbs of Sydney. I am going to create a list of foods that will assist you in keeping cool and staying healthy (for the most part.)

Fruit:

Mangoes – These fabulous fruits are surprisingly coming into season nice and early. They have been available at Woolworths and Coles for weeks already and its only spring! They are in season, fresh and are guaranteed to keep you nice and cool while maintaining a healthy diet. They are available for approximately $2.90 each.

Nectarines & Peaches – These are both summer fruits that are taking a little longer to ripen and be more available and accessible on local supermarket shelves. However, when these fruits are in season they are a perfect addition to your summer diet. 

Some other options of fruit that have a high water content which are guaranteed  to keep you cool include: Watermelon, Cucumber, Apples, Grapefruits and strawberries - all of which contain a 90% water content. http://www.onegreenplanet.org/natural-health/stay-hydrated-this-summer-by-eating-these-foods/

To further the fruit theme, smoothies can be made from fresh fruit by adding either:

Milk, water and/or ice. It is a great, healthy way to cool down.

Ice blocks: 

Whether they be homemade or store bought, ice blocks are a perfect way to cool down in the hot summer heat. I would recommend water based ice blocks like ‘Super dupers” that take 24hrs to freeze but are a quick and easy snack. They can be bought at Coles for $5.79 for a pack of 24.

Salads:

Fresh salads are a great meal accompaniment that can keep you cool and maintain a healthy diet. You can be premade salads from Coles with options such as;

- Caesar Salad

- Asian Salad

- Garden Salad

Alternatively you can collect fresh ingredients to create your own.

There are many other options to keep cool, however these are just a few suggestions.

General Saving Tips For Your Closet

In a world where binging is the new black (Netflix, I'm looking at you), it's easy to go a little crazy when everything is so accessible and doesn't even necessarily require you to get out of your bed. I'm guilty of it myself sometimes, but one of the easiest ways to save money in regards to your wardrobe, and in general, is definitely to avoid impulsive buys, particularly when it comes to online shopping. Hide your credit/debit card if you have to! 
It can be hard to resist, but you're bank account/long term savings plan will thank you for it later. 

When you're physically shopping and see something you love, there's often a thought process that if you don't get it now, then you'll never get it and then you'll regret not making the purchase. To this I would recommend that if you at least make sure you try whatever it is on first! Think about whether you'll realistically wear something in reality, and what else you will wear it with. Think about the quality of the product to - whether it will last. 

If you insist on buying something that's designer, it's a good idea to opt for small things like accessories instead of spending (even more of) a fortune on that brand. 

Finally, don't be afraid to rent or hire outfits for special occasions like a university formal or ball. There are some great ones on Instagram like @rentadressau or @hiringwardrobe. That way, you can wear what may be your dream dress or brand without spending a fortune on something you might only wear once!

Healthy Morning Habits: Nourish Yourself

The amount of time, effort and money you spend on this post’s topic is completely up to you. By planning your meals in advance and researching ingredients and recipes, you can create affordable and healthy meals that help you be at your best. In any case, eating healthier now will certainly save you money on healthcare down the line. Read my post “Why We Shouldn’t Cut Corners On Health”.

Benefits of eating well balanced breakfast: 

• Studies suggest eating a nutritious breakfast helps prevent heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and metabolic syndromes.
• Having a well balanced breakfast also makes you less likely to snack on unhealthy, high-calorie food midmorning. 
• Eating at home in the morning means you have more control over what goes into your meal, so you can put as much effort as you like into making breakfast healthy.

Top left, clockwise: Oatmeal with chia seeds and maple syrup; vegan cheese and tomato on high-protein toast; quinoa flakes, banana and chia seeds; multi-seed mix, coconut yoghurt and mango.

What makes a nourishing breakfast: Complex carbs, protein and good fats. It is also important to get enough fibre in your diet, high fibre breakfast foods are a great way to start. All of these components (macronutrients) keep you fuller for longer and help your energy levels stay solid until lunchtime. Aim for a well-balanced meal that is roughly 50% complex carbs, 30% good fats and 20% lean protein. 

Some examples of well-balanced meals can be found here, here and here.

Steering clear of processed foods and going for “whole foods” (whole grains, fruit, vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes) is crucial for optimal health. Why not take care of part of your daily food and nutrient requirements — add some banana to your oatmeal, have some baby spinach with your eggs or sprinkle some chia seeds onto your toast?

Not too much sugar in morning: Junky breakfast products such as pastries and sugary spreads are an obvious no-no. Also, watch out for sneaky sugar in popular cereals that are often marketed as “healthy”. Too much sugar causes your blood glucose levels to spike which can lead to feeling tired, moody, anxious, confused, weak, hungry and craving more sugar (idiopathic postprandial syndrome or reactive hypoglycaemia).

Don’t eat what you can’t stomach: Although for many people breakfast IS the most important meal of the day, some (adult) bodies do not need to “break the fast” first thing in the morning. Some function better when they do not eat until midmorning or even lunchtime. It is all about listening to your body’s needs because it knows better than anyone what is going to make it healthy. 

If you are someone who feels better eating later in the day it can be tempting to go for processed snacks (pastries, “healthy” sugar-loaded muesli bars etc) because they are easily available at work or uni. I suggest using the time in the morning that others would spend making and eating breakfast to prepare a nutritious meal to take with you. 

Save time, prep beforehand: For people short on time in the morning, look for recipes that you can prepare or make completely the night before such as overnight oats or chia pudding.

How to do a squat

Squats are a type of exercise that can be done at home without any sort of equipment. Squats work out the body and core muscles, they also help to shape the thighs and buttocks.  Squats also improves the blood circulation, posture and also digestion. 

This exercise focuses on the lower part of the body and works out quadriceps, calf, abdominals, spine and many more. 

Steps
1. Stand tall with your feet apart and your arms down beside
2. Start to lower your back as far as you are pushing your hips and bending your knees and pushing your body weight into your heels
3. Make sure you lower into the squat and your arms will start to raise out in front of you for balance
4. Keep a neutral spine at all times and never let your knees go over your toes
5. The lower body should be parallel with the floor and your chest should be lifted at all times.
6. Pause then lift back up in a controlled movement to the starting position
7. Repeat steps 1-6 at least 10 times


 

Chromecast – Turn Any TV into a Smart TV!

Chromecast is Google’s cheap streaming stick helping you cut cords with cable providers, and make the most of your Netflix subscription.

The Chromecast will allow you to “cast” content such as Netflix or YouTube directly to your TV.  There are a range of apps that can be downloaded to your phone that will work with the Chromecast, including a variety of games.  This means that any TV can become a “smart” internet connected TV.

The Chromecast is a very small dongle to fit into the back of a TV.

Chromecast also has the option of streaming content in a web browser.  This means that any video that can be watched in Google Chrome on the computer can be seamlessly streamed, whether or not the specific webpage supports it or not (such as Echo360).  This also works for pages in full screen.

The Chromecast can plug into the back of any TV with an HDMI port.  You then control it with your Android phone or tablet, iPhone/iPad, or PC/Mac. 

The Chromecast's main screen dynamically scrolls through spectacular photos from the internet or from your personal collection.

The Chromecast retails for $50 which I believe to be an absolute bargain considering how useful it is and how well it works.

The Chromecast’s ease of use, its simplicity in setting up, its reliability and its cheap asking price makes it a great little gadget to have.  Because it is relatively cheap, it also makes a great gift.

Article by James Dimarco.

U Bar

Cost: Aprox $10 - $30 per person 
Where: Macquarie University
Opening Hours: 12:00 - 8:00 Monday to Wednesday, 12:00 - 2:00am Thursday and 12:00 - 9:00 Friday
Website: http://www.mq.edu.au/on_campus/food_and_shopping/food_and_drink/ubar/

Sitting on top of The Hub at Macquarie University lies the crowd favourite U Bar. With plenty of indoor and outdoor space to spread out it is the perfect spot to hang out with friends. It's open all throughout the week, so you can pop in for a drink between lectures, celebrate after the exam period  or even start your next group 'study' project here.

Drinks here are extremely affordable with wine, spirits and beer all under $8 a glass but you can't go past the cocktail jugs at only $18.  If you are feeling a bit peckish U Bar has a great pizza menu so you can grab a slice in between pool shots.

Each weekday has a different activity including Trivia, bingo and lawn bowls not to mention happy hour on Friday afternoons. The U Bar themed dress up nights add to the fun atmosphere with togas, ugly sweaters and Halloween costumes everywhere.

So pop in between class or if you are coming home on the northern line jump off a few stops earlier and stop off for a drink on your way home.