What is Neat Feat?

I have had a few blog readers ask me who and what is Neat Feat .They are a wonderful company that have helped me get my blog started with reviewing and trailing their products. Here is some information on them.

Neat Feat Products provides High Performance Foot and Body Care Toiletries for an active, healthy lifestyle. Developed by practising family physicians in Auckland, New Zealand, the Neat Feat range of sports toiletries has become a well established and well recognised brand in Australasia during the last decade.

 

Created in the sporting paradise of New Zealand - the home of All Black rugby, the Americas Cup and the most exciting action and adventure sports venues on Earth - Neat Feat Products are now exported to a total of 17 offshore markets. 

 

Starting with Neat Feat, the world's first roll-on antiperspirant deodorant for feet, the simple, convenient and effective solution for foot odour, the company has developed an innovative range of toiletry products, all of which are effective and exciting solutions to the most persistent of problems.

 

 Neat Feat Products Ltd is a New Zealand based company founded in 1993 and specialising in a unique range of Lifestyle and Leisure Sports Toiletries. It is the only company in the world who is developing a range of Sports Toiletries which have such wide appeal and specific application with regard to modern lifestyles. The product range is primarily foot care based with 4 key ranges making up the foot care offering. These are: 

• Personal Care
• Orthotics
• Footcare Gels
• Womens heel/shoe
• Zori Sandals
   

Neat Feat also has a range of bodycare products that mainly deal with sweat and perspiration issues. The products themselves are high performance toiletries and not medicines. Our products are currently being used by New Zealand sporting teams, the New Zealand Armed Forces and individual sporting athletes. 

 

The key to our success is innovation and we are committed to extending our range of unique and innovative products. We have been able to achieve this by adding several new products to the range each year.

 

www.neatfeat.com

Fat vs Sugar

I watched an extremely interesting show on SBS the other night where two doctors performed a study on whether fat or sugar was worse for you. As identical twins with identical genes they are ideally placed to test the impact of high fat and sugar diets. The findings were quite interesting. They were not allowed to either increase or decrease exercise , they had to continue exactly what they had been doing except one went on a high-fat diet with just 5 per cent carbs while the other had a super low-fat, high-carb regime.

Their gruelling month-long quest, detailed the rival metabolic impacts on both their minds and bodies and saw them both lose weight  The doctor who ate just carbs for the months lost 1 kg of body fat and blood sugar levels were normal and lost no muscle density. The doctor who ate just fat lost 3 kg, 2 kg of muscle density and 1kg of fat. His blood sugar levels were also higher. This was due to not having carbs/suagr so his body had stopped producing insulin because it has no sugar to deal with.

They also did the study feeding laboratory rats with either high-fat and high-sugar diets and this did little to change their daily habits or health, but supply them with chocolate, biscuits and cheesecake (a near 50-50 fat and sugar split) and behaviour changed radically.They ignored other foods for the cheesecake, going back to it regularly rather than gorging, and put on weight. Their self-regulation system, that naturally stopped them eating too much fat or sugar, effectively switched off.

This became their main source of calories. They gained massive amounts of weight, became sedentary, slept a lot and did not move around any more.It was found that the increased processed food was overriding the body’s natural hormones that regulate the bodies calorie intake by alerting the brain that the body has enough calories.

We are surrounded by pretty delicious, relatively affordable and palatable foods, and it has been found that people have to exert quite a level of dietary restraint if they are not going to sleepwalk into obesity.
 

They also found no one food is saint or sinner while modest lifestyle changes and balanced diet is really the way to a healthy lifestyle. Research over the last 10 years has given scientist great confidence to say that no single macro-nutrient diet reduction is the answer. Cutting out a single thing will not solve your weight loss problem. Faddish diets simply do not work very well.It is about building an environment in your life where you can eat healthy diet and get enough exercise.

 

If you find yourself following a fad diet you may find you need to change it within a few months as you rise and fall through weight loss.Processed foods are delicious and we tend to eat a lot of them so it may be a painful conclusion that we have to remove a bit of deliciousness from our lives but you can find healthy foods that are also as delicious.

 

 

 

Senior B

Most of us would have some elderly relatives in our families and know that unfortunately as you get older your body no longer is working the same as when you were younger. Neat Feat have developed a product that is similar as baby b but for adults who's bladder control is not what it used to be.

Neat 3B Senior B was developed by Doctors who wanted a product that prevented rash rather than an 'after the fact treatment' as are most of the rash creams on the market.

• Helps to prevent skin rash
• Neutralizes acidic urine
• Returns the skin to normal pH range
• Contains moisturizers and emollients
• Keeps skin soft and supple
• Inhibits the growth of fungi
• Non-prescription

A NON-PRESCRIPTION method of managing skin rash, it works by restoring the normal environment of the skin, so that rash cannot be sustained. It inhibits the growth of fungi that contributes to skin irritation. Neat 3B Senior B reduces excess moisture and promotes more natural pH balance for the skin.

Doctor-developed, Pharmacist-recommended!

www.neatfeat.com

Benefits of Strength Training for Women

I have women at the gym ask me how can I lift heavy weights, aren't you scared you are going to become big and bulky and look like a man. The answer is NO, the average women would have to live and breathe weights and also we do not contain enough testosterone unless you take supplement

My training during the week includes 2 PT session (Monday & Wednesday) Tuesday I do a double class Grit and Body attack and Saturday Body Attack. I have to drive 20 minutes to get to the gym I go to but I love the feeling of becoming fitter and stronger. Also I walk my dog everyday, either in the morning or the afternoon which ever fits best into my day.

The benefits of strength training for women incredible. Strength training has been overlooked as a viable weight loss method for way too long and also assists in everyday life.

Women are beginning to realize just how important a proper strength training routine is for their overall health.

Below are what I think are they top 10 benefits of weight training for women.

1) Increased Metabolic Rate - Here is one of the most important benefits of strength training for women. We all want to discover the secrets to weight loss… well here is the first secret! Strength training increases your metabolic rate by increasing the calories you burn on a daily basis even at rest. The more muscle you have the higher your metabolic rate the more body fat you will drop .

2) Increases and Restores Bone Density - Strength training prevents and fights osteoporosis. Read this information on how it can help to be prevented http://www.osteoporosis.org.au/about/about-osteoporosis/excercise/

3) Increased Lean Muscle Mass -  You will not get big and bulky by strength training! You simply do not have enough testosterone in your body. Yes, if you train for hours and hours and dedicate your life to becoming a bodybuilder you can bulk up.

But simply lifting weights as part of a regular strength training routine will not cause women to bulk up . Again the more lean muscle mass the more calories you will burn in a day. Muscle is a living organ and fat is just fat.

4) Injury Prevention - Strength training strengthens our muscles and tendons. The stronger we are the less chance of an injury. This is especially important as we grow older. The benefits of strength training for women and men is recommended for injury prevention.

5) Improved Balance - Especially important as we grow older. Strength training builds a strong foundation. Strengthening our legs and core section means an increase in overall balance and coordination.

6) Decreased Risk of Coronary Disease - Strength training can reduce your blood pressure. It can also decrease your cholesterol levels. These benefits of strength training for women alone are a great reason to begin your program today.

7) Aids in Rehabilitation and Recovery - Strengthening the muscles around our joints is one of the best ways to prevent and recover from an injury.

8) Enhanced Performance in Sports, Exercise and Life In General - The benefits of strength training for women all boil down to one point- a better overall quality of life. We can perform our favorite activities with more ease and less pain. We are able to increase our health and mental state from a regular strength training routine.

9) Aging Gracefully - With less falls and less injuries we are able to age gracefully. Our lean and toned bodies create a warm and strong persona. Strength training is a major factor in aging well. Enhancing our muscles and reducing body fat are prime ways to prevent sagging body parts too

10) Feeling Better and Looking Better - I don’t think it is much of a secret that we all want to look great. We are all searching for ways to look young. Strength training is a vital part of a fitness routine.

Strength training has been shown to increase our muscle tone, decrease body fat, and improve our everyday life. So don't be scared to push you body to the point where there is a little pain. Remember No pain, No gain (within reason of course)

Neat Feat 3B Baby B Cream Information Video

Take a look at this. If your baby suffers from Diaper/Nappy rash give this cream a go. It really works wonders and I have tried and tested it.

Inspirational cooking : Four Plates

I have hit that point with my cooking where I am getting bored and looking for inspiration. I want to start cooking some different meals as I am getting bored with cooking the same thing all the time. I want to keep it healthy but also different and interesting for my family.

This is where you meet the beautiful Bec . I met Bec at the gym I go to and she was always posting the most amazing dishes on Instagram which made me drool everyday (not good for the computer) She has now started a Facebook page called Four Plates which has an array of amazing meals and recipes.

Here is a bit of info about how her journey into food started:

My food journey began when I had my first child, Tate. Being a new mother, everything had to be fresh and healthy and, in the process, I started cleaning up my diet also.  I was the fussiest eater in my childhood (and my mum would vouch for this) so it seemed unbelievable to everybody who knew me that I started cooking and really experimenting with flavours and complicated techniques.

I have really blossomed since the birth of my second child, Harper, and we live by my 80/20 rule, 80% red wine....just kidding... 80% fresh, clean food and 20% for naughtiness. I have also become a bit of a fitness junkie and I visit the gym 4 times a week -  fitness and healthy food go hand-in-hand for me. My focus is on simple, healthy cooking and sometimes pushing my techniques to a new level.

So if you are looking for new ideas or just want to surprise your family with something new and tasty check out https://www.facebook.com/fourplates .You will be salivating everyday.

I Gotta Have That!!

I live in my Zori's. They are extremely comfortable and like you are floating on comfort.

Here is a video on Femme Gel

 

 

 

Health supplements

I was talking to a friend of mine at the gym about taking vitamin supplements to help boost your health and prevent you getting sick. I take a women's multi-vitamin and a immune support called Astra Forte everyday. Over the past 2 years I really haven't had any serious flus or colds and if I do get a cold it is generally short lived. My daughter also takes a multi-vitamin everyday and has not really caught anything serious either.

We have a pretty good diet including lots of fresh fruit and vegies but take the supplements to make sure we have a good dose of everything. What Astra Forte does is support the immune system. Astragalus root has a tradition of use in Chinese medicine as a general tonic and to support healthy immune function. It also may reduce the severity and duration of colds.

What health supplements do you take to help improve your health or prevent you from getting sick??

 

 

The Pain of High Heels

Every woman knows the pain you get in your feet when wearing high heels on a night out. I personally do not really wear high heels and when I do I suffer from pain under ball of my foot and struggle to walk the next day. I only wear them on special nights which really is not that often so I know if I am going to wear high heels (because they do make you look great) I know my feet are going to pay for it.

With my wedding and hens night I wore heels on both those nights. I had been given some Femme Gel Forefoot Insole's, which is a gel filled pad you stick to the front of your heel to give it cushioning so knowing they were both going to be big nights on my feet I thought I would give them a go. To my surprise the front of my foot had no pain and I was able to get up in the morning with out limping around with sore feet. I did end up with some blisters though so I will be researching a way to eliminate that as well.

Here is some information on the Gel insole

Neat Feat Femme Gel Forefoot insole is a double layered superior polymer gel, tailored to fit high heel and fashionable shoes. The insole has an adhesive backing so they can be placed firmly at the front of the shoe. These will ease the pressure on the front of the shoes reducing discomfort and protecting the pad of the foot.

They also do have a wide range of different gel insoles to help to make wearing high heels as comfortable as possible. Check out the Neat Feat website for the range. I personally am going to try some of the other products and maybe start wearing high heels more often. Also might be an excuse to go shoe shopping.

www.neatfeat.com

Benefit of kids playing outside

Yesterday afternoon I was out walking my dog and came across a group of abut 10 kids playing on a side street. They were laughing and riding their bikes up and down a hill and I realised that I had not seen this for a very long time. I actually could not recall the last time I had seen a group of kids playing in the street.

We are very lucky because we live on a avocado farm so my little girl is outside playing all the time usually playing with our dog or helping me to go feed the cattle or riding her bike around the house. It got me thinking do kids get the chance to go play and just have fun or is technology getting in the way.

I did some research and found some of the benefits of kids playing outside. Sending children outside to play may not only be healthier for them physically, but it may be better for them psychologically too. A research project called Child of Our Time produced by the BBC is tracking the growth of twenty-five children from the time they're born until they become adults. After reaching the midpoint of this study, they've made an important observation - children who play outside laugh more.
They say that laughter is the best medicine and this may hold true for kids too. Not only is laughter a stress reliever, but the physical movements involved with laughing gives the heart and lungs a workout. Laughter also stimulates the immune system to fight off colds and viruses that children are so susceptible too. If playing outside causes children to laugh more - it's something they need more of.

Children playing outside experience other health benefits as well. They're more likely to be adventurous and open to new experiences than a child who lives parked in front of the television set. Outdoor play fuels the imagination of children and teaches them how to be resourceful by creating their own entertainment. It also brings them closer to nature.

Of course there are also the more obvious health benefits of playing outside such as positive benefits on the heart and a reduction in the risk of certain diseases such as diabetes and obesity. Running and jumping builds stronger bones and muscles.

 The best source of vitamin D is the sun and when a child spends all his time indoors, his risk of developing a vitamin D deficiency is high - which could lead to health problems later in life.

Obviously, the benefits of playing outside are many; but the sad reality is that the time kids spend outdoors has dropped significantly over the past few decades. Now kids spend their time with fictional game characters instead of other children - and that lost time can never be replaced. Isn't it time to cut off the television set and give your child a chance to explore the great outdoors? Once you do, listen hard - and don't be surprised if you hear the sound of laughter.

Our Wedding

I'm back, Well we had the most perfect wedding. I mean everything went perfect not a single hiccup. Mind you I was very stressed before hand making sure that everything was organised. Also the dresses weren't ready until 2 days before the wedding and one of the bridesmaids dresses was very tight but it had to do cause we didn't have time to have them re altered.

The day was wonderful and full of people we loved and cared about. It was so lovely to have them all there to celebrate our love for each other and it made us realise how many special people we have in our lives. We had the most perfect weather as well. Then it was off on our honeymoon. We went to Hamilton Island and it was perfect too. Was very hard to come back to reality of not having a Pina colada at 2pm in the afternoon but its now time to get back to work and save up for out next adventure.