Has that much time gone by????

Oh boy! Long time no blog. Have been a bit busy and also sadly, got busted at work for too much time on internet. So time to pull back the reins a bit and now have to blog of a night time, to which I have very limited time (I NEED MY SLEEP). So bare with me as my blogs may just have to wait till weekends now. Bummer.

What have I been up to the last couple of weeks. Well training, eating, sleeping, training, eating and sleeping…………………..and very little movement towards my BEHAG. I am now about 7kg behind my forecast weight, so time to crack a whip or two. Although training is not the problem, food is, it needs to be tightened a lot more. I have been playing around with food under coaches instructions and definitely have discovered that I may just be wheat intolerant. My emotions didn’t seem to play up much since starting on a new pattern, except for one night, but I felt that coming on and wrote to coach about it. But instead of it continuing through for several days, it was all good the next morning. Got to love that.

You know, I do believe emotions do play a lot with the way you travel in your quest of body fat eradication. I often and I really mean often get quite down on myself about the very very very very slow process of losing that body size. Especially when you train so hard and eat pretty clean most of the time. Always in deficit to my daily BMR with food intake and exercise taken. I often wonder what people think of me at the gym, they do see me working so hard at it but I never seem to change shape! I know it is all in my head and as most of you would have experienced at one time or another, it is really hard to control sometimes. It is bit like a Ferris wheel – one minute your on top and then one minute your on the bottom. The hardest part of the journey is that you can see yourself getting negative on yourself but you can’t stop yourself from doing it, no matter how many times you say to yourself – it is all part of the journey and the journey is obviously a long slow one. I AM WILLING TO SEE HOW AND WHERE I NEED TO CHANGE! ALL IS WELL, AND EVEN BETTER THINGS ARE COMING MY WAY!

I have noticed my body has actually changed shape though. I am carrying more around my middle torso, but more in front than all the way round. Yuckkyy, I am looking like my relatives! Damn, genetic pre-disposition just sucks! But makes me all the more determined to get into it harder, only recovery time now is taking a little longer – I am sorer longer, my feet hurt longer and the reduction is taking longer! Pooohheeeyy! It can only get better yeah????

But with all that being said, I still get up at 4.30am in the morning, go to the gym, slog it out for 90 odd minutes, measure and eat my food – keeping it as clean and as natural as possible, avoid all processed stuff possible day in and day out. Enjoying training – love weights and getting into some really good cardio sessions of late. Been doing some real doosey leg workouts, like the GBC training and a Tready/Bike/Lunge triple play (ow!).

Now this part is for LJ, if she reads this. Honey, it really doesn’t matter what the ex is up to. You have got to remember it is your life and who gives a rats arse about what she does and thinks. You need to concentrate on keeping you happy, your man happy and generally making life more simpler for you. From all accounts, I think she is so insanely jealous of you, that the only way she can get back at you is to talk about your health issues to other people, putting you down. What you need to do is show her that you are not phased by her silly belittling actions. I know it is really hard to do, but you are already on the right track about not caring if she reads what you write. Remember, this is your blog, not hers! The reason we blog is because we want to put our journey down on paper and BUT we have to not worry about what others think about what you are doing otherwise don’t blog it. Remember, a blog is a public domain unless you make it private.

Now on another note, Work has been crazy mad, but still in the back of my mind I do worry about the loss of income. So I have started a little venture on my own and atm it is a bit of a secret, just waiting to see if it will take off. It is doing one of the things I love to do. Sorry for being so secretive but all will be revealed as soon as the settling in and processing phase has begun.

Farout, do you realize it is the end of March already and the next round of competitions start in 8 weeks time. Getting excited, as I will be seeing so many people I know up on stage competing……………..I won’t know who to yell for! Coach will definitely get one of the loudest yells.

Well had better sign off and get on with work. I sort of cheated with this blog. I wrote it in word then logged on to the blog and just copy paste it. Hehehehe! I can still blog but not online.

Have a fantastic day.

Ciao!

Explanation!

To explain my last post, what I am trying to say that underneath the cover is a spectacular site..................it is just the waiting for that site to come through that is the hardest journey of all. Most of all, I am a person who likes things to happen fast and now, and I can honestly tell you that my journey to my BEHAG has been the most taxing on my mental state.



You know getting the exercise and food right is part of the journey, but when you have that down pat to a 95% accuracy point, and a very slow result for it, it is certainly very taxing on the emotions. Now no, i am not down and out at all, in fact i am very very excited and happy atm. My emotions are quite high and is outwardly shown too. Got to gym this morning, all bouncy like and expended a good amount of energy in a spin class. But you know what, because I am on such a high, i think I could have done a few more. I truly love feeling like this.

"What you choose to see within from now on will appear in your external world. Since your mind can neither mirror nor construct reality, the new images and affirmations will replace the old and create a new reality. " So my new mantra is coming along nicely.

Had two small drops over the last couple of days, seeing me again at a new low. But these are very small drops..................the big one has to hit soon. I have also started taking Maca Root.

WHAT IS IT?

Maca is a dehydrated, cruciferous root vegetable, and not a drug. It is a benign, medicinal food which has been in use for 10,000 years, possibly more, and has had ample time to be judged effective. Today, dried Maca roots are ground to powder and sold in drug stores in capsules as a medicine and food supplement to increase physical stamina and fertility. (Well, I don't need the last one.......that would be last thing I need). But it does help with the following:

BENEFITS OF MACA

Menopausal symptoms: hot flashes, tender breasts, sleeplessness and emotional upsets, "brain fog", vaginal dryness.

Osteoporosis: significant bone rebuilding, improvement in bone density.

Energy booster: Balances the endocrine system - thyroid, pituitary and adrenal glands.

Male impotence

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Period problems: Pain, PMS, flooding and/or scant flow

American and Peruvian doctors have brought this extraordinary remedy to the attention of the Western world. Once in a decade a remedy used by native peoples for thousands of years comes to our attention and it seemed so important to health that we wonder how we ever got along without it. Maca is that kind of supplement. Now women have an alternative to hormone replacement therapy drugs. Maca works in an entirely different and more satisfactory way for most women than phytoestrogen herbs like black cohosh and liquorice root. And men, too, find that maca can counteract the difficulties they may experience in maintaining good sexual relationships as they age, due to a general slowing down in the output of the endocrine glands.

For me, it is for the first issue. I have a friend who is going through the same issues as I am atm, only she is 4 years older than me, and she was put onto Maca Root. Since taking it, her whole system has come back into a normal four week cycle and no hot flushes or night sweats. So I thought I would read up on it and give it a try. That is not to say that it will work for me, but if you don't give it a go, you will never never know!

Food has been 100% planned, logged and eaten. I have always eaten a lot of veges, but my intake has increased a little as we are trying to find that right balance (without bread).
Exercise: This is been pretty basic, time taken up on weight days with prep work on stabilisers before doing more compound work. A steady state cardio after every weight session and a couple of spin sessions a week.
Emotions: As posted above, all on a pretty big high, all in a very good place.
Recovery: Still doing homework on under armpit injury - but feeling much much better and so is the tennis elbow - now that I know how to get at the trigger points to ease the pain. hasn't stopped me with weights, maybe just made me back off on the heavy weights. I have some very sore abdominals atm, sorri coach, I did a little more on them than prescribed. And I did my CPR re-access today with a bunch of construction boys..........funny, my abs are hurting so much! hehehe!

Well best be going, so have a great day!

Ciao!

And................

This is what my life feels like atm.

Ciao!

Madly catching up!

Hey Hey

Still madly catching up, and sadly I can not longer spend as much time at work on th e internet, as I have been pinged for spending some quality time on the net. My fault though as I will log in and often just leave it open all day. So time to step away from the net, so it will take me a little longer to catch up with everything, but no worries, I will get there.

Slept in this morning, head was very thick and fuzzy. So no gym time.

Food: Not planned but well chosen and logged. A little under in veges but that was because I was unprepared for today. Better choices for tomorrow, most food already prepared and ready to go.
Training: Nothing today. Call it a recovery day
Emotions: All good, in fact the best so far after spending time with my parents. They are seriously a lot of work and more times than none I walk away quite emotionally drained and feeling belittled. But as I told coach went away with a game plan and it played out well.
Recovery: My arches on my feet were a little tender from running on Saturday, so I wore my sports shoes all weekend during the day.

Well a short a sweet post tonight as I have CK and forum to catch up.

Ciao!

Just some yabba

Heroes!

Peter Gibbon, author of "A Call to Heroism: Renewing America's Vision of Greatness". "It's unthinking admiration. Whereas 'hero' comes to us from the Greek word meaning half-god and half-human."

Real heroes have three attributes, he says. The first is extraordinary achievement — they have to do something incredible. The second is bravery or courage, which can be physical or moral.

"And the third attribute, which all heroes have, is character or greatness of soul," he says. And the more of these three qualities you have, the greater the hero you are."

I have my heroes............and they are people whose blogs I follow. They have amongst themselves many of the attributes listed above. The Coach, for her extrodinary achievements and character. I would recommend her as coach to anyone and everyone, but not to take precious time away from clients who need her. People like Carolyn and Tara who have made an amazing journey and an awesome mentor. Shelley for her totally no nonsense character (I think of Wonderwoman character best depicts her). I just love reading her posts every morning. Shame that something has upset her to make it private now. Lia and Rae, for their strength in light of their horrible year that has gone by. Selina, Deb, Nicole, Magda, Shar, Steph, Frankie, Em............. ohhhh I can't just keeping listing them all. So just saying all the bloggers on my list are obviously people who I admire and follow their journeys, journals and mumblings because it inspires, encourages and incites me to do better at my quest of the "BEHAG".

Well I had a good start to the weekend with food and training. Did boot camp again Saturday morning, and this time I wore my heart rate monitor to gauge what I get up to. Lots of running, boxing, suicide runs, tyre pulling, pushups, situps, squats.......oh you know the drill, anyways, my max heart rate was 215 and minimum was 132 bpm. for 109 minutes. then I had an omelette afterwards, did some shopping then proceeded to go down to Tenterfield to the "Bavarian Oktoberfest"


Saturday night had a knackwurst, sauerkraut and pretzel. I know, not on the menu..............but hey when in Rome!!!!!! Becks, Becks and more Becks!!!!!!!!!!!!! Actually, no I did not have some Becks, but everyone else did! Me,it was water water water. Dancing and listening to a real Bavarian Oompapa Band just to put you in the mood. Tenterfield went all out and decorated the great hall to look and feel like a real Fest Haus in Germany. There were many men in their 'Lederhoosen' and women in their 'Derndel' - traditional dress. for men it was leather long shorts with bib and brace. Women a dark dress with a fullish skirt to knee with a embroidered bodice and mock apron. I am sure you have all seen pictures before. This is my heritage, so I introduced my hubby to Beer Fest. Sunday a leisure day spent with friends on way home who have purchased a farm at Goomburra..........a running creek right at their back door, breeding Lowlines, a miniture cow (cute too). So happy for them, they are doing what they wanted to do. Now at home reporting, about to go and log in CK what has been eaten over weekend. Have a good week.

ciao!

Oh Pulease!

Never got to get to blog yesterday so I am doing two days in a row. So here goes.:

Thursday:

scale drop again...............a whole 100gms! Whoopde frickin doo! But hey it is a loss regardless of the amount.

Food: 100% planned and logged
Training: Cardio
Emotion: All good, the world totally rocks
Recovery: all good, a few tiny niggles but no underarm injury .............Wahoo! Did I tell I just love Louise, what a great sports therapist!! Thanks coach!

Friday:

Arrghhhhh! Lying Lying hounds.................I did not! scale up 300gms. Nooooooooooooooooo! I asked for another drop! Maybe I should have greased the springs a little better! Bah!

Food: 100% planned and logged
Training: weights and then 20min walk
Emotion: Hate metal monsters but on top of the world.
Recovery: legs are a little tight but all good.

I am sitting here with my legs up on a ottoman, watching the Wedding Singer with Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore. Gosh, anyone remember all those songs from the 80's. The Cure, Billy Idol, Boy George. Me, I was totally into Billy, I even used to practise doing the curled lip when singing. and the big hair, fluro clothes ..... yada yada yada............Oh my gosh I am getting old.

Okay, time to go. Talk to you all soon. Have a great weekend.

Ciao!

And that's how it is done!

Well today just rocks!

Food planned, eaten and logged. All good food. Water on target

BMR: 1733
Food: 1459

Training: Cardio Cardio Cardio! Did steady state on 4 machines at 75% perception. Left the gym absolutey dripping wet. Was asked on way of gym did I do some high intensity stuff..............nuh uh! just have this awesome cooling system within this weird body.
Emotions: The world rocks atm!
Physical: Wow is all I can say. My under armpit injury feels like it is not there except for the reminder of the bruising left by the pressure point release by physiotherapist. Can I say I just love her to death.............she has made my gym time so much easier.
Recovery: Legs were a little sluggish on xtrainer, but then I did have it at a level 10 and trying to maintain rpm at 65-70. But all good on other machines. Elbow played up twice today, but got into pressure points as shown by Louise and pain goes away and all is good. Did my tennis ball homework on my under armpit pressure point - that was a little painful as the area is still bruised from therapist yesterday.

Now why does the world rock. Well over the weekend, my metal monster spikes almost equated to a 3kg increase (all doms and fluid - thats a fact)and I have a theory and note this is only a theory, about my body not liking the heat. I love the feeling of heat and don't mind it but it may appear that my body has different ideas. Now I work in airconditioning, drive an aircoonditioned car and go to an airconditioned gym, so weekdays I remain pretty cool throughout the day and arrive home early evenings when it is cooler. But on weekends, I do exercise outside in heat, clean house in heat, garden in heat and seem to spike almost every weekend. Sorry got off the story there, What I am trying to say, in 2 days I have dropped 3kg and brought me to my new all time low. Wahoo! Lets keep this cycle going I say!

Ciao!

Quinoa - a super food?

Quinoa

Quinoa (keen-wa) has been consumed for thousands of years in South America. Its small nutritious seeds resemble millet and is very versatile to a variety of cooking styles, inviting seasonings from mild to wild. Compared with other grains and some vegetables, quinoa is higher in protein, calcium, B vitamins and iron. It's also packed with lysine and other healthy amino acids and is gluten-free, making it easy to digest.

Quinoa flour, ground from whole seeds, has a delicate nutty flavor. A gluten-free product, it is suitable for anyone afflicted by wheat allergies.

Quinoa can be eaten as hot breakfast cereal; an infant cereal; a rice replacement; a nutritional thickener for soups, chili and stew; in salads, casseroles and desserts; and more.

You can see here the exceptional nutritional value of quinoa: Quinoa/1/2 cup dry

Calories 318
Total fat (g) 4.9
Saturated fat (g) 0.5
Monounsaturated fat (g) 1.3
Polyunsaturated fat (g) 2
Dietary fiber (g) 5
Protein (g) 11
Carbohydrate (g) 59
Cholesterol (mg) 0
Sodium (mg) 18
Riboflavin (mg) 0.3
Vitamin E (mg) 4.1
Copper (mg) 0.7
Iron (mg) 7.9
Magnesium (mg) 179
Manganese (mg) 1.9
Phosphorus (mg) 349
Potassium (mg) 629
Zinc (mg) 2.8



The Top-Secret Superfood
Packed with protein, loaded with fiber, and older than Peru, quinoa is one of the most nutritious foods on the planet
By: Matt Goulding

Francisco Pizarro might have known a thing or two about New World conquest, but he would have made a lousy nutritionist. After toppling the Incan empire in 1532, the Spanish conquistador filled his ships with potatoes and corn--destining them to become major players in the European diet--while leaving a third crop to wither. Turns out, the fields Pizarro neglected to harvest were filled with the world's most nutritious grain: quinoa [pronounced KEEN-wah].



"Quinoa is a true wonder food," says Daniel Fairbanks, Ph.D., a professor of plant and animal science at Brigham Young University. "It has about twice the protein of regular cereal grains, fewer carbohydrates, and even a dose of healthy fats." Plus, it's considered a "complete" protein, which means that, like meat, eggs, and dairy, it packs all of the essential amino acids your body needs to build muscle.



Unfortunately, not much has changed in the almost 500 years since Pizarro pillaged the Incas. More than ever, nutritionally inferior foods, such as corn, potatoes, rice, and wheat--especially the refined versions--fill our plates, while quinoa gathers dust on grocery-store shelves. And that's a shame, because besides being great for you, quinoa is the rare culinary triple threat: delicious, easy to prepare, and ultraver-satile. Ready to harness the full power of this superfood? Here's everything you need to know to make it a staple at breakfast, lunch, and dinner.




The User's Guide to Quinoa
Quinoa has an addictive nutty flavor, cooks up quicker than rice, and can be used to make pilafs, risottos, salads, soups, and even desserts. The downside: Few men know where to find it, let alone how to prepare it. Typically, you can locate quinoa in the rice aisle or the health-food section of your grocery store. You can also stock up at edenfoods.com.



As for preparation, the simplest way is to cook quinoa like pasta: Fill a large pot or saucepan with water, and bring it to a boil. Add just about any amount of quinoa, turn the heat to low, and cook until tender, about 20 minutes. Drain the water and allow the quinoa to cool.



Cook up a big batch and store it in Tupperware in your refrigerator, and you'll have a ready-to-eat side dish--like rice or pasta--that goes with just about any meal. (To warm, microwave it for 60 seconds.) Or you can be far more creative. For instance, quinoa can be used to...



Power up your breakfast: Combine a cup of cooked quinoa with 1/2 cup milk and 1/2 cup frozen blueberries, and microwave for 60 seconds. This makes a great alternative to oatmeal.



Redefine dessert: In a blender, puree two very ripe bananas with 2 cups whole milk. Combine the mix with 2 cups cooked quinoa, 1/2 cup raisins, a tablespoon of sugar, and a teaspoon of cinnamon, and simmer for 10 minutes. If you're celebrating, add a glug of dark rum at the last second. Creamy and sweet, it's a healthier version of rice pudding.

Check in Time!

Wahoo! Rockin it today!
woke up this morning ready to walk on the clouds.
Food: planned, eaten 100% and logged

BMR: 1803cals
Food: 1448cals

Training: Weights 50mins and 30 mins steady treadmill
Emotions: In a very good place, the world is pretty fantastic atm.
Physical: That is feeling good too. I had the same niggling this morning but coach put me onto a great sports physio and after seeing her just once, my underarm pit injury is the best it has felt in several months. FANTASTIC! I have some pressure point exercises to do every night with a tennisball. It feels so great.



It appears my injurt is internal rotator cuff, but not a drastic injury...........phew! It appears that my interal cuff muscles are very tight and as a result all the surrounding muscles are affected as well. This is why the pain is not localised but travelling in the armpit area. So I am to have some serious pressure point work done with homework inbetween with a tennis ball for more pressure point releases. All I can say is thank goodness. I had a horrible suspicion that it may have been a tear. Now that injury as been identified, there are 2 more to go......knee and foot. The beauty of this wonderful discovery is that I do not have stop training in anyway at all.

Talk again soon

Ciao!
xx

Updates

Saturday all good - did bootcamp, cleaned house, gardened and visited naturopath. Food on target - perhaps ate 1 too many pieces of bread. Scale had a spike in morning.
Sunday - wanted to sleepin but didn't, cleaned a little, veged around, had several little cat naps. scale had another spike in morning. Food on target.

Monday



Woke up this morning feeling a little off and swollen, so decided to have another day of recovery. Scale another spike - all spikes were quite large, but did not the head get carried away.
Food: On target and as planned. Fully logged.
BMR 1855
Food 1443
Training: recovery - no training
Emotion: good, in a healthy place
Physical: Not so good, injuries are just giving me curry. I have made an appointment to see a sports physio tomorrow - coach actually put me on to her. Will be interested to see what I have actually injured.

So heres looking at a drop tomorro morning and another gold star day.

Ciao!

Kangaroo - One of the best protein source.

Amazing Nutrition Facts

If you’re looking for a family-friendly meat that packs a nutritious punch, then look no further than kangaroo meat. It gets the thumbs up on a wide variety of nutrition fronts, with the key highlights for kangaroo meat being:
• It has an energy (kilojoule) content that stacks up well against other lean red meats
• It is a terrific source of high-quality protein
• It is low in fat, with less than 2% fat
• It contains low levels of ‘undesirable’ saturated fats
• It is a source of heart-friendly omega-3’s
• It contains CLA, which has antioxidant properties and may help reduce body fat in humans
• It is a particularly rich source of the minerals iron and zinc
• It is an important source of several B-group vitamins, namely riboflavin, niacin, Vitamin B6 and Vitamin B12
• It has the Heart Foundation Tick of Approval*
Let’s take a look in a little more detail at what this versatile, tasty and nutritious game meat has to offer.
Energy content
As they say, the Aussie kangaroo is a lean, mean, fighting machine. These animals are super active and graze on natural foliage which produces a lean, high quality game meat.

A 150g serve of kangaroo fillet or steak typically provides 643 kilojoules (that’s 153 calories). Let’s put this into perspective. For an average adult needing 8700 kilojoules a day, a 150g serve of kangaroo fillet or rump provides just over 7% of daily energy needs. That leaves 93% of kilojoules to come from other nutritious foods.

The energy content of kangaroo meat stacks up well against other trimmed and lean red meats – take a look:
Energy (kilojoules) per 100g of raw meat
Kangaroo fillet 1 Lean beef fillet 2 Trim lamb steak 2
429 kilojoules 608 kilojoules 582 kilojoules

Protein
When it comes to high-quality protein, kangaroo meat goes to top of the list. A 150g serve of kangaroo fillet provides an average adult with 66% of their daily protein needs3. The best part is that the high-quality protein found in kangaroo meat comes with lots of taste and enjoyment.
Fat
It’s a fact – with less than 2% fat, kangaroo meat is a champion lean meat. Even when stacked up against lean beef, trim lamb and lean, skinless chicken breast, kangaroo meat comes out trumps (see the table below).



Fat content per 100g of raw meat

Total Fat Sat Fat Tran Fat Poly Fat Mono Fat
Kangaroo fillet or steak 1.3g .3g .1g .4g .5g
Lean Beef fillet 6.3 2.4 .3 .6 2.5
Leam Beef Rump 4.6 1.7 .2 .4 1.9
Trim Lamb Steak 5.8 2.0 .3 .6 2.3
Lean Chicken Breast 1.6 .5 n/a .3 .7

To visualise the total amount of fat in a 100g portion of kangaroo meat, picture a metric teaspoon. Now fill one quarter of that teaspoon with margarine. That’s how little fat there typically is in a portion of kangaroo meat – next to nix!

The good news doesn’t stop with the amount of fat in kangaroo, but also the type of fat. Kangaroo meat contains low levels of ‘undesirable’ saturated fats and proportionally higher amounts of ‘desirable’ unsaturated fats, namely monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. Unsaturated fats help to maintain heart health, so eating kangaroo meat is a welcome addition to the family dinner table.

The low total fat and saturated fat content of kangaroo meat should be good news to the ears of all Australians, including health-conscious consumers and those striving to look after their heart health.
Omega-3’s
Most people associate omega-3 fats with fish. It may come as a surprise that kangaroo meat is also a source of these heart-friendly, polyunsaturated fats.

A lab analysis1 carried out on Macro Meats kangaroo meat products confirmed our meats contain omega-3's, specifically ‘long-chain omega-3 fatty acids’ which help support heart health and wellbeing. Kangaroo fillet and steak, for example, contains 74mg of long-chain omega-3’s per 100g of raw meat. Women typically need around 90mg of long-chain omega-3 fats per day and men 160mg per day4. So kangaroo meat is certainly a worthy contributor to omega-3 intakes.

For more detailed information on omega-3 content of our kangaroo meat products, go to the ‘Product Nutrition Information’ section of this website and refer to ‘Table 3’.
Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA)
CLA is a ‘desirable’ fat found in kangaroo meat which deserves a special mention. Research shows CLA has antioxidant properties and may help reduce body fat in humans5, which is good news to those watching their waistline.

The CLA content of kangaroo was first brought to light in 2004, when a PhD student sponsored by the University of Western Australia and CSIRO found that the meat of kangaroo has valuable amounts of CLA when compared to that of other commonly eaten meats6. More recently, 80 samples of four different kangaroo meat cuts were analysed from animals taken at two geographical locations. The average CLA content for all samples was 11.7mg CLA/100g meat7.

The CLA present in other red meats (e.g. beef, veal, lamb and mutton), is mostly present in the fat component, but it is also present in the muscle meat: between 10mg and 46mg CLA/100g of raw meat8. Regularly eating lean meat, including kangaroo meat, as part of a healthy, balanced diet is a sure fire way to boost CLA levels in the diet.
Iron
The creators of ‘Popeye the Sailor’ should have made Popeye tuck into a meal of kangaroo meat to boost iron and energy reserves before helping to save the day. Iron is essential for energy production and it helps transport oxygen around the body. This ‘must-have’ mineral also plays a key role in brain development9.

Kangaroo meat is a particularly rich source of iron. In fact, a 150g serve of kangaroo steak or fillet1 provides 55% of the recommended dietary intake (RDI) for iron. In other words, more than half of an average adult’s daily iron needs will be met when they enjoy a 150g serve of kangaroo meat.

So household food preparers take heed - when it comes to iron, adding kangaroo meat to your weekly shopping list and menu is one way to help keep your family on top of the iron stakes. Soon the whole household will be jumping out of their skin and hopping mad for more!
Zinc
When you think zinc, you probably think of the iconic Australian white stuff that is applied to your nose to keep the powerful sunrays at bay. The type of zinc being referred to here is dietary zinc – a mineral that’s essential for growth, wound healing and a strong immune system.

The good news is kangaroo meat is a good source of this important mineral. Indeed, a 150g serve of kangaroo meat2 provides over a quarter (28%) of the recommended dietary intake (RDI) for zinc. The other good news is that zinc found in animal foods, like red meat and seafood, is better absorbed than the iron from plant foods10. So when it comes to adding some ‘zing’ in your immune system and healing ability, a meal of kangaroo meat should be top of mind.
B-Group vitamins
Kangaroo meat is an important source of several B-group vitamins, namely riboflavin, niacin, Vitamin B6 and Vitamin B12. For example, a 150g serve of kangaroo loin fillet2 typically provides:
• 36% of the Recommended Dietary Intake (RDI) for riboflavin. Riboflavin is primarily involved in energy production and supports vision and skin11.
• 63% of the RDI for niacin. Niacin helps to release energy from carbohydrates and fat and also supports the digestive and nervous systems11.
• 80% of the RDI for Vitamin B6. This vitamin is needed for protein and carbohydrate metabolism. It also helps to manufacture red blood cells and regulate certain hormones11.
• Over 100% of the RDI for Vitamin B12. It helps to break down fats and proteins to produce energy. Vitamin B12 also plays a role to produce red blood cells and helps to maintain normal nervous system functions11.
If you need more convincing on the nutrition credentials of kangaroo meat, then wait, there’s more!
National Heart Foundation Tick of Approval
It’s heartening to know that the Heart Foundation’s Tick of Approval* has been granted to a variety of Macro Meats kangaroo products, including our:
• Kangaroo Steak
• Kangaroo Fillets
• Kanga Bangas (sausages)
• Kangaroo Mince
• Diced Kangaroo Meat
Our kangaroo meats pass the strict nutritional criteria set by the Heart Foundation and we are pleased to display the nutritional stamp of approval on-pack. Next time you go shopping, look out for our meats displaying the red and white Tick.

References:

1. Macro Meats independent nutritional analysis, performed by AgriQuality, July 2006.
2. NUTTAB, 2006 (and MLA ‘Nutrient Composition Data’ for trans fatty acids).
3. Foods Standards Code 1.2.8. Protein reference value for percentage Daily Intakes. Food Standards Australia New Zealand. Sourced Jan, 2009.
4. Department of Health and Ageing. Nutrient Reference Values for Australia and New Zealand. Executive Summary. Canberra: Commonwealth of Australia, 2006.
5. Whigham LD, Watras AC and Schoeller DA. Efficacy on conjucated linoleic acid for reducing fat mass: a meta-analysis in humans’. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, May 2007; Vol 85, No 5, 1203-1211.
6. CSIRO Livestock Industries, Media Release: Kangaroo meat – health secret revealed. http://www.csiro.au/files/mediarelease/mr2004/kangaroofat.htm
7. Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation. Nutritional Composition of Kangaroo Meat – Fat Content and Lipid Composition, Nov 2008. (RIRDC Publication No. 08/142).
8. Droulez V, Williams P, Levy G et al. Nutrient composition of Australian red meat 2002. 2. Fatty acid profile. Food Australia 2006; 58: 335-341.
9. Beard J. Iron Deficiency Alters Brain Development and Functioning. The Journal of Nutrition. May 2003; 133:1468S-1472S.
10. Samman S. Zinc. Nutrition & Dietetics 2007; 64 (Suppl. 4):S131-S134.
11. Vitamin B. The Better Health Channel, May 2008. http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/