Monday 30 September 2013

Baby & Me - Picnic by the Pool (Monthly parent and baby picnic gathering)


Join us for our 

 MONTHLY PARENT & BABY 
PICNIC GATHERING 
Join us once a month for a casual picnic get-together in the relaxing surroundings of the sunny grassed area next to Dolphins Health Precinct Aquatic Centre. 

We will be offering interesting and informative monthly guest speakers as well as workshops. 

Light refreshments will be served. 


STARTING 11th OCTOBER

DETAILS:
Date: Second Friday of every month 
Time: 1pm - 3pm 
Location: Grassed area next to DHP Pool 
Cost: $10 
Inclusions: Sandwiches & juice or tea/coffee 

 ALL ARE WELCOME!

Friday 27 September 2013

Pan-fried gnocchi with mushrooms & sage butter Recipe

Photography by Steve Brown

Six simple ingredients and 30 minutes is all it takes to make this super-tasty main meal.

Serves: 4
Time to prep: 10 minutes
Time to cook: 20 minutes

Ingredients
  • 1 x 500g pkt Golden Pasta Potato Gnocchi
  • 150g butter
  • 250g Swiss brown mushrooms, thinly sliced
  • 2 garlic cloves, halved
  • 1/3 cup fresh sage leaves
  • Shaved parmesan, to serve

Method
  • Cook the gnocchi in a large saucepan of salted boiling water following packet directions or until tender. Drain.
  • Meanwhile, heat one-third of the butter in a frying pan over medium heat until foaming. Add the mushroom and garlic, and cook, stirring, for 5 minutes or until soft. Transfer to a heatproof bowl. Remove the garlic and discard.
  • Wipe the frying pan clean with paper towel. Heat the remaining butter in pan over medium heat until foaming. Add the gnocchi and sage and cook, stirring, for 5-8 minutes or until the gnocchi and butter are golden and the sage is crisp.
  • Use a slotted spoon to transfer the mushroom to the gnocchi mixture. Cook, stirring, for 1-2 minutes or until heated through.
  • Divide the gnocchi mixture among serving bowls. Top with parmesan. Serve.

Wednesday 25 September 2013

A great success: Beautiful You Cancer Charity Spin-A-Thon


Some of the Spin-a-thon Team

Amanda and Debbie (founder of Beautiful You Cancer Charity)

Out of a passionate plea from Amanda Mensforth Fitness Instructor at Dolphins Health Precinct to help women and their families that are living with cancer. Her vision of a spin-a-thon with a cause was developed. 

Focusing around the charity Beautiful You. “Beautiful You” is a program that focuses on helping women and their families living with cancer. Their aim is to provide practical, financial or emotional support. Wanting to help families lead a normal life and trying to make a difference no matter how small. 

Through her passion and enthusiasm Amanda rallied her team, and then called in friends, canvassed local businesses and rallied teams on Facebook turning Saturday 21st into a wonderful success. Dolphins Health Precinct donated the room and facilities for the day, local shops and businesses donated prizes, gave donations and the teams donated their sponsored energy. It was amazing to see the joy and passion that comes from giving, the smiles on everyone’s faces showed on the day. 

The days' effort is still being collated but from the quick calculation on the day it has exceeded expectations (approx. $6000). Well done to Amanda and the teams and thank you to all who donated their time, money and prizes to this wonderful cause. 

Every dollar donated does make a difference. If you would like to donate to this wonderful charity please go to this link www.beautiful-you.com.au.

Monday 23 September 2013

NEW FORMAT - Adult Swim Classes


We've had a great response to our Adult Swim Classes on Tuesday nights. We have decided to break the group into two to create a more tailored experience to our Members current capabilities.

Tuesday nights | Beginner & Advanced Classes 

LAP SWIMMER | 6pm - 7pm 
  • Technique, stroke correction and development 
  • Techniques and tips for beginners to tackle triathlon enticers or open water events
ADULT SWIM SQUAD | 6.30pm - 7.30pm
  • Stroke correction and strength 
  • Endurance and fitness training 
  • Sport specific training for triathlons and open water 

Only $15 per class. For more information, please see Dolphins Health Precinct reception. 

Friday 20 September 2013

Healthy Snack Recipe: Muesli scones

Photography by Ben Dearnley
With the addition of toasted muesli, these scones make an ideal mid-morning snack.

Serves: 16

Ingredients
  • 2 cups self-raising flour
  • 1/2 cup plain flour
  • 1 tablespoon caster sugar
  • 30g butter, chilled, chopped
  • 3/4 cup milk
  • 3/4 cup toasted muesli
  • butter and honey, to serve

Method
  • Preheat oven to 250°C. Lightly grease a 19cm square (base) cake pan.
  • Sift flours and sugar into a large bowl. Add butter. Using fingertips, rub butter into flour until mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Add milk. Using a flat-bladed knife, stir to form a soft dough, adding more milk if necessary. Turn dough onto a lightly-floured surface. Add muesli. Knead gently until dough comes together.
  • Cut dough in half. Shape 1 half of dough into a 2cm-thick round. Using a 5cm scone cutter or glass, cut rounds from dough. Repeat with dough scraps. Place scones in prepared pan. Repeat with remaining dough and dough scraps.
  • Bake scones for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden. Serve with butter and honey.

Wednesday 18 September 2013

REMINDER: Buy Your Tickets for School Holiday Fun!


Dinky Dolphins Activities for September School Holidays 
(Sep 23rd – Oct 4th) 


Week One

Mini Chefs Cooking Classes
Thursday 26th September | 9.30am - 11.30am (Duration 2 hrs)

The children will dress up like mini chefs and get to experience hands on cooking. They will get to make their own individual pizzas with all the choices being their own before getting creative 

And designing their own charlotte cake. From spatulas to spoons this event will not be forgotten with their own yummy lunch prepared and a happy snap shot and Chef Outfit to take home. 

$10 first child ($8 each sibling) 


Sports Carnival Fun Day 
Friday 27th September | 9.30am - 11.30am (Duration 2 hrs)

Games and activities will be prepared for example egg and spoon races, potato sack races, relays, parachute play etc. 

$6 first child ($4 each sibling) 



Week Two 


Wildlife Meet, Greet + Interact Show 
Tuesday 1st October | 10am (Duration 1 hr)

The children will get to meet, interact and learn about 12-15 different native animals. Getting up close and personal with these animals is a rare occasion so very exciting for the children. 

The children’s curiosity about the native animals will be made alive as they come face to face with Possums, bandicoots and small kangaroos. Along with some reptiles snakes, lizards and crocodiles. 

$10 first child ($8 each sibling) 


Wet & Wild Day + Jumping Water Slide
Friday 4th October | 9.30am - 11.30am (Duration 2 hrs)

Different games and fun events will be prepared such as sponge throwing, blow up pools, flipper races, thong throwing, water balloons, sprinkler, slip and slide 

$10 first child ($8 each sibling)  



Combo Ticket price 
All 4 events for $32 

All ticket holders from all events go in the draw to 
 SEE PEPPA PIG LIVE!!

Monday 16 September 2013

10 Week Challenge - Starting VERY Soon!


DHP 10 WEEK CHALLENGE
STARTS 30 SEPTEMBER!

30th September to 9th December 2013

Weekly information sessions: (1 x per week)
Introduction| Group fitness sessions
Nutritionist| Supplement education 

Documented weigh-ins:
Week 1, week 4, week 8 and week 10 

Shopping tour:
1 tour at the start of the challenge 

ONLY $99

TAKE THE CHALLENGE!

Friday 13 September 2013

No-cream Carbonara Recipe

Photography by Ben Dearnley
Finally a tasty carbonara sauce without the addition of cream.

Serves: 4

Ingredients
  • 400g farfalle (bow-tie) pasta
  • 3 eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1/2 cup grated parmesan
  • 1 tsp olive oil
  • 100g pancetta (or rindless bacon), chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup roughly chopped chives
  • 1 cup torn flat-leaf parsley leaves

Method
  • Cook the pasta in a large saucepan of boiling salted water according to packet instructions.
  • Meanwhile, combine the eggs and grated parmesan in a bowl. Season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.
  • Heat the olive oil in a deep frypan over medium-high heat. Add the chopped pancetta and fry for about 2-3 minutes until crisp. Reduce the heat to low, wait a few seconds for the frypan to cool a little (this will ensure the garlic doesn't burn), then add the chopped garlic.
  • Cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the drained farfalle to the frypan and toss to coat.
  • Remove from the heat, stir the egg mixture into the farfalle, then continue stirring for 1 minute to coat all the pasta, and to ensure the egg mixture stays smooth and creamy and doesn't scramble.
  • Add the chopped chives and torn flat-leaf parsley leaves and serve immediately.

Wednesday 11 September 2013

Drowning Prevention Day - A Must...


21st September | 7.30am start 

INCLUDES: 
• Recreational CPR 
• Drowning Prevention Guest Speaker from AUSTSWIM  
• Tips on how to make your home safe 
• How you can utilise everyday items to save a life 
• Very limited spots available so get in quick! 

Only $5

Monday 9 September 2013

Improve with Adult Swim Classes


Dolphins Health Precinct
Adult Swim Classes

Do you want to improve your technique through drills as well as stoke correction? Improve your fitness and endurance in swimming as well as training in triathlon and ocean swimming? The DHP Adult Swim Classes will offer all this and is suitable for all levels from novice to advanced.

Every Tuesday night at 6.30pm (60 minutes) 

Only $15 per class.

Friday 6 September 2013

Kids Healthy Meal: Mini spinach, feta and mushroom gozleme

Photography by Cath Muscat

Fire up the barbecue, then let the kids look after the cooking with this easy vegetarian gozleme recipe.

Serves: 8
Time to cook: 40 minutes

Ingredients
  • 2/3 cup warm water
  • 2 teaspoons (7g sachet) instant dry yeast
  • 1/2 teaspoon caster sugar
  • 1 1/2 cups plain flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1 green onion, thinly sliced
  • 200g button mushrooms, thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons currants
  • 100g baby spinach
  • 50g feta, crumbled
  • 50g tasty cheese, grated
  • Lemon wedges, to serve

Method
  • Combine warm water, yeast, and sugar in a jug. Whisk with a fork to dissolve yeast. Stand in a warm place for 10 minutes or until frothy.
  • Sift flour and salt into a large bowl. Add yeast mixture and 2 teaspoons olive oil. Mix to form a soft dough. Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface. Knead for 5 minutes or until elastic. Place in a lightly greased bowl. Cover with plastic wrap. Stand in a warm place for 20 minutes or until dough doubles in size.
  • Meanwhile, heat 2 teaspoons olive oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add onion. Cook, stirring, for 1 minute or until softened. Add mushroom. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 3 to 4 minutes or until softened. Add currants and spinach. Cook for 1 minute or until spinach has just wilted. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat. Transfer mixture to a sieve placed over a bowl to drain excess liquid. Cool for 10 minutes.
  • Divide dough into 8 equal portions. Roll 1 piece dough into a 10cm x 15cm rectangle. Combine feta and cheese in a small bowl. Place one-eighth spinach mixture over one half of rectangle. Top with cheese mixture. Fold dough over to enclose filling. Press edges together to seal. Repeat with remaining dough, spinach mixture and cheese mixture.
  • Preheat a barbecue plate on medium-high heat. Brush one side of each gozleme with half the remaining oil. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes or until base is golden. Brush uncooked side with remaining oil. Turn over. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes or until golden and crisp. Transfer gozleme to plates. Cut in half. Serve with lemon wedges.

Wednesday 4 September 2013

Suitable Exercise at Your Own Pace - Over 50's


Don't know about you but I still feel like I did when I was in my 20s. It’s just when I look in the mirror reality hits back. For some of us, it’s when you start to play with the grandkids and the following day you can’t move or playing with them is just not an option any more. That’s when your body reminds you that you are not as young as you used to be. So is this it? Is this what we are happy to live with? We are old and we have to act old? No, I say, stepping down from my soap box and getting a little less dramatic. I work with chronically ill people with chronic heart and lung disease and I can tell you now we all benefit from regular exercise.

Whether it’s a knee, hip replacement, chronic disease or you just haven’t moved for a while, you can and will benefit from regular exercise. Now I am not suggesting a marathon nor am I saying to get those footy shorts or netball skirt out from mothballs. I’m suggesting exercise suitable for you at a pace you can manage and slowly improve on. Yes, you do have to consult your doctor first, but once you have the all clear there is a plethora of choices in fitness classes and programs you can choose from nowadays. So for those of you who have fitness facilities at work start today not Monday, today. Engage a personal trainer, walk in the pool or on the treadmill. Ten minutes of exercise today was more than what you did yesterday.

Most of you will be goal-orientated so set a goal i.e.; (an easy one first) to be able to walk up the stairs without having to talk in sign language when I reach the top. Work out with a friend and motivate each other. Make a challenge at work or with a group of friends to be fitter, healthier and slimmer. Celebrate the positives - “dropped two sizes in clothing” etc These challenges work as a starter but for any long-term fitness program to work it has to be maintained. Remember, to put more quality in your life it’s a fulltime commitment. For those who are saying I can’t because I have chronic back problems, joint replacements etc., my answer is yes, you can.

There are so many exercise choices you can access nowadays. Ask your doctor for advice on the nearest Heartmoves, Lungs in Action, Vietnam Vets, Lift for Life program near you. So what are you waiting for? There are places to see, golf ranges to play and life to be lived. As the Nike brand says, Just do it! Dolphins Health Precinct has a wide variety of classes suitable for over 50s. Call in for information today.

Monday 2 September 2013

Congratulations to Amy!



*** A BIG Congratulations to DHP's Amy Hipwood ***

Amy was recently awarded Queensland's AUSTSWIM Teacher of Adults Award and has shown such passion, dedication and care in her teaching.

A few highlights from Amy's award submission:

Amy has immersed herself into the aquatic industry wholeheartedly, continually seeking out ways to further her already impressive knowledge on swimming and water safety. Amy’s passion is teaching, whether it’s teaching teachers or teaching her Adults. Below is the list of educational courses/conferences that Amy has attended in just this past year alone: 

  • MATES presenter training
  • TAI course Presenter Training
  • NSW & QLD Splashout conference at Kingscliffe
  • Dolphins PD Development and Implement
  • Adult Trainee Presenter
  • TCS Trainee Presenter

Amy is a valuable asset to Dolphins. She shows a dedication to the program and a sincere passion for water safety and swimming in the community, making her a great leader not only at Dolphins, but in her field. 

Testimonial from Nicole Morton (Current LTS Instructor and Student of Amy’s at Dolphins) 
“Amy has such a wonderful way with people. Her knowledge of teaching is amazing! She has helped me understand the mechanics of swimming, making me a better teacher myself”