A breakfast your whole heart & family will love!

Apple pancakes with berries and ricotta

Ingredients

2 large eggs1 cup buttermilk2 teaspoons honey1 1/4 cups self raising flour1 small apple, peeled and gratedCanola oil spray125g reduced fat ricotta1 tablespoon icing sugar125g punnet berries of your choice (see Tips)1 tablespoon maple syrup, to serveLook for the Heart Foundation Tick.Tick highlights healthier choices when comparing similar products.

Method

1. Whisk eggs with buttermilk and honey.

2. Sift flour into a large bowl, add buttermilk mixture and whisk to product a smooth batter. Stir in grated apple.

3. Grease a heated non-stick frying pan with cooking spray, pour in 1/4 cup of batter and spread to make a 12cm pancake.

4. Cook over medium heat until bubbles appear on the surface. Turn pancake and cook other side until golden. Remove from pan and keep warm. Repeat with remaining batter.

5. Mix ricotta and icing sugar until smooth. Serve pancakes with ricotta mix, berries and a tablespoon of maple syrup.

Tips:

If you cannot find nice fresh berries, just thaw some frozen ones instead.

Apple pancakes can be cooked several hours ahead. Keep in an airtight container in a cool place and warm the pancakes in the microwave just before serving.

(original recipe published on the Heart Foundation Australia)

A cute kitten or puppy can make your heart melt, but did you know that owning a pet may actually be good for your heart too? It can actually reduce your risk of heart disease.

Of all types of pets, dogs may be your best bet for heart health (sorry cat people!), but simply being a pet owner won't magically change your heart health for the better – there's a little more to it than that.

Read on to discover what the research really says and find out all the reasons why your heart loves your pet in more ways than one.

DOG MAKE YOU MOVE

A major risk factor for heart disease is having low levels of physical activity. Many research studies have found that owning a dog can give you the boost (or wet-nosed nudge) you need to get off the couch and move more.

One Australian study found that dog owners had significantly higher levels of physical activity and walked 40 minutes more per week than those who didn't own a dog.

In fact, the dog owners in this study were 57% more likely to meet the recommended levels of physical activity than those without a furry four-legged friend.

A Canadian study backs up these results, finding that dog owners walk an average of 5 hours a week compared with only 2.75 hours per week for non-dog owners. That's quite a big difference – almost double the time!

The key factor at play, say the Canadian researchers, is the care and responsibility that comes with owning a dog. But is it all down to duty and commitment, or are there other reasons behind this difference in behaviour?

Research from Western Australia looked at people who had recently acquired a dog and found the main driver of change was perhaps deeper than having to do a daily chore.

The researchers found that owning a dog may increase your level of physical activity by changing the way you think and feel about physical activity (such as walking your dog around the block), making you more likely to actually do it. They also found that dogs give their owners the motivation and social support for getting outdoors and getting active.

PETS PROVIDE WEIGHT LOSS SUPPORT

Obesity is another major risk factor for heart disease, and while the research results are mixed on whether dog owners are more likely to be a healthier weight that non-dog owners, there's a good argument to support the link; not only do pets increase your levels of physical activity, pets can also provide their owners with social support – and social support is one of the most powerful predictors of weight loss and behaviour change.

Pets may increase the likelihood of success in weight loss plans or programs by providing both encouragement and motivation. It's also been noted that some pets may actually reduce the barriers that can stop people from exercising or engaging in physical activity in the first place; for example, concerns of neighbourhood safety or lack of confidence.

So not only do pets make us move more, it can also feel like they are cheering us on from the sidelines when we do, and that can make a big difference when it comes to being a healthy weight and having a healthy heart.

CONNECTING THE DOTS

We all know that a pet can be the most loyal best friend, a companion for life and are often considered a member of the family. This connection can be important in combatting loneliness, stress, depression and anxiety, which, as it turns out, are risk factors for heart disease.

Our mental and emotional health matters when it comes to heart health. Pets encourage us to take care of them, which helps us to take better care of ourselves. The research shows that any kind of pet can improve feelings of loneliness and that pet ownership is linked to eating a healthier diet with more vegetables and having more regular mealtimes.

TAKE THE PRESSURE DOWN

Having high blood pressure and unhealthy levels of blood fats puts extra strain on your heart and health, making you more at risk of heart disease. Research has found that pet owners may fare better in these important measures of heart health.

An Australian study of nearly 6000 participants found that those who were pet owners had significantly lower systolic blood pressures (the first number in the blood pressure reading) than non-pet owners, as well as healthier levels of blood fats.

Interestingly, the researchers also noted that the pet owners in this group were significantly more physically active than non-pet owners – which in itself can also lead to healthier blood pressure and blood fats.

THE REAL REASON

Despite the fact that we all want a quick fix (and a cute puppy), going out and buying a dog isn't actually going to reduce your risk of heart disease. Experts agree it's most likely the physical activity that comes with owning the dog that is the main factor at work here.

And guess what? Whether or not you have a pet, there's nothing to stop you from reaching the recommended amounts of weekly physical activity and leading a healthier life – but owning a pet might just make it more fun!

Published with the permission of Jean Hailes for Women’s Health

www.jeanhailes.org.au

The healthiest amount of coffee and some surprising health benefits

This article is coming to you thanks to the comforting sips of a cup (or two) of the magical liquid, coffee. Many of the Hawthorne Clinic team aren't ashamed to admit their daily ritual of the morning coffee run, and the chance to say a hello to their best friend/barista as they head in to start their working day.

Every coffee lover will admit, however, that at some point they have pondered the questions; how do I know if this brown bean is good for me and how much is too much? Well, the results are in.

With more than two billion cups of coffee consumed around the world every day, the sound of coffee lovers sighs of relief can be heard following the results of recent findings. "Coffee consumption was more often associated with benefit than harm."1.

According to the October 2017 review, even drinking three to four cups of coffee in a day won't hurt you (insert visual of coffee bean confetti being thrown in celebration).

The umbrella review (research that combines previous meta-analyses to give a high-level summary), was conducted by researchers at the University of Southampton and University of Edinburgh, looking at more than 200 meta-analyses of different health outcomes associated with coffee consumption. Because different studies use different cup sizes and brew strengths, the three-or-four-cup recommendation is a rough estimate.

BENEFITS OF A BREW

The review also found specific examples of coffees surprising health benefits. A daily coffee habit of three or four cups was associated with a lower risk of heart disease and other incredible benefits.

Drinking coffee was suggested as being associated with a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, gallstones, renal stones, gout, some types of cancer, Parkinson's disease, depression, Alzheimer's disease. Coffee was also a factor when it comes to lowering the risk of liver cancer and liver disease.

The largest benefit was associated with drinking three or four cups, however, being coffee's biggest supporter and drinking even more than that wasn't found to be problematic. Extra cups of coffee weren't found to be harmful, but the benefits were just less pronounced.

TAKEAWAYS

Whether you're a coffee consumer or not, taking a teaspoon of common sense with these finding is advised. Pay attention to how your body reacts to coffee and note that this review is not suggesting that you increase your coffee intake in order to obtain these suggested health benefits.

Pregnant women continue to be advised to limit their caffeine intake, with a guideline of 200 milligrams a day or roughly one small cup of coffee.

For advice and guidance on any specific coffee-related health questions, please speak to your GP.

Sources:

http://www.bmj.com/content/359/bmj.j5024?utm_source=TrendMD&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=TBMJ_UK_TrendMD-0

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2017/jul/10/coffee-cuts-risk-of-dying-from-stroke-and-heart-disease-study-suggests

A heavy chest sensation, numbness in the arms and a sick, sweaty feeling? These sound like the warning signs of a potential heart attack, wouldn't you agree? Along with these more commonly known heart attack warning signs, other symptoms of a heart attack may not be what you think.

No two heart attacks are the same and someone who has already had a heart attack may experience different symptoms a second time around. A heart attack does not always have to be sudden, it can come on slowly, with only mild discomfort.

Knowing the symptoms and what action to take in these situations can help to reduce damage to the heart and potentially save lives.

READ THE SIGNS

Chest painFeeling sick / nauseousArm PainJaw or Back PainFeeling Sweaty (cold sweat)Choking SensationSwollen AnklesExtreme FatigueIrregular heartbeatFeeling dizzy or light-headedFeeling short of breath

The Australia Heart Foundation has put together a free heart attack information sheet outlining the warning signs of a heart attack and what you can do in that situation.