A quick and easy fix can be extremely appealing, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. This morning I was reading about "neophilia" or our fascination with new and novel ideas and how it applies to nutrition. It is this love for a new and novel idea that sometimes compels us to try ridiculous fad diets and products such as green kale smoothies and paleo diets.

The My Health for Life program maintains that lifestyle change can have a huge impact on our future health. Healthy changes are best taken in small manageable steps in a supportive environment. If you live on the Brisbane Southside, you may contact Susan Phillips, dietitian and qualified My Health for Life facilitator for a free health assessment.

Have you struggled in the past with achieving diet changes and sticking to a commitment to a healthier you? Often life just gets in the way of our plans. Don't feel disheartened. This is a normal part of life. To help you with your journey Susan is holding free group courses with My Health for Life in conjunction with Diabetes Australia. The purpose of these groups is to reduce your risk of developing chronic or lifestyle related diseases such as diabetes, stroke, heart disease and kidney disease. Susan has groups organised in Acacia Ridge and Browns Plains.

Dietitians provide expert advice on food and nutrition to suit the needs of all people. A good time to see a dietitian is when you experience a change in your health status, a new diagnosis or your lifestyle changes. A dietitian is qualified to provide a diet prescription to suit your personal needs. There are many reasons you may benefit from seeing a dietitian.

As we near the end of Dry July it is timely to reflect on our drinking habits. Responsible drinking means balancing your enjoyment of alcohol with the potential harm that alcohol can cause. Choosing no more than 2 standard drinks per day reduces your risk of alcohol related harm. How does your drinking add up? Here are some tips for managing your drinking behaviours.

I chopped up a pile of vegetables including onion, carrot, leek, celery, broccoli, swede and parsnip. I placed these in my slow cooker with a lamb shank, a good handful of soup mix (barley & split peas) and fresh herbs such as rosemary, bay leaf, thyme and sage. Lamb & Barley Soup is on the menu for dinner tonight.

Eating family meals at home has social, economic and health benefits. If you are looking for some inspiration, look no further, as I share my favourite family meals with you. My first recipe idea is an Italian fish dish called Pesce all' Italiana. This is a good way to introduce fish to reluctant eaters!

Do you struggle with willpower when it comes to weight loss? If you answered yes, you are not alone. This is a common difficulty when it comes to weight loss. The problem is that willpower is a finite resource. We usually start the day well, but as the demands and pressure placed upon us over the day builds up our supply of willpower dwindles. Psychologists have discovered that it is far easier to focus on making changes to habits rather than depending on willpower. Here are some simple habits that can help you achieve your weight loss goals

During Australia's Healthy Weight Week 2017 the focus is on enjoying more home cooked meals. Why? Increasingly, studies are showing that purchasing meals, both takeaway and restaurant foods, away home from is associated with more weight gain. The solution is eating more meals at home. Unfortunately in our busy lifestyles lack of time and energy are often the barrier to cooking meals at home. But the good news is that throwing together a healthy meal is as simple as one, two, three.

To celebrate Australia's Healthy Weight Week 2017, during the month of February, I have decided to share some of my family's favourite recipes. My first dish is a Mediterranean inspired fish dish which is tasty and likely to satisfy even those reluctant fish eaters. Mediterranean Fish with Tomato & Zucchini