Innovative gadgets for your fur-babiesWith technology taking over every aspect of our lives, it is no surprise that ‘smart’ gadgets have been developed for pets and pet owners.Over the years pet technology has evolved from automatic pet doors to current trendy items such as self-cleaning litter boxes, pet food launchers and a myriad of smart pet toys.Pet owners are investing in gadgets to make their lives easier and to keep their furry friends fed, safe and entertained.  Smart pet feeder with HD camera Stay connected and feed your pets wherever you are with this must-have device for busy pet parents. The food bucket has a capacity of seven litres which can provide up to ten meal portions a day. Set up the app on your mobile phone to regulate your pet’s mealtimes and feed them remotely. Say hello and communicate with your dogs and cats via the two-way intercom, watch a live feed and get alerted when your pet is close to...

Home-made dog biscuits Humans are not alone when it comes to loving the occasional treat or biscuit. To celebrate International Dog Day on 26 August, why not give your special fur-baby a tasty treat by cooking up a delicious home-made doggy biscuit?They can be made easily using a simple recipe and as few artificial ingredients as possible. Chef Matt Conquest says these tasty and chewy treats are good for all dogs, possibly even the fussy ones which, lucky for him, he doesn’t have.Bake up a batch and freeze a few to pull out when you need a good snack to reward your well-behaved canines. Ingredients (Makes 500g)325g whole wheat plain flour 1tsp baking powder 1 large egg 40g honey 240g water 250g of smooth 100% peanut butter (be sure it has no additives like Xylitol) MethodPre-heat your oven to 170 degrees. Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl. Dust your bench with some flour and tip out the dough onto the bench. Lightly knead the dough until smooth. ...

Welcome to another edition of our Resort Round-up. The crisp winter weather hasn’t stopped the Living Gems crew from having another active and adventurous month at our Living Gems communities. The Queensland weather hasn’t disappointed either, bringing with it a buzz to our resorts.Amber was full of activity, with some of the residents getting into the Christmas spirit early by celebrating Christmas in July. Thrive wonders if a turkey was on the menu and what Santa brought. There have also been some unexpected visitors at the resort. Marie Brightwell welcomed a baby butcherbird into her home, even sharing her breakfast with him!The local birds seem to be doing the resort rounds lately with Opal resident, Anne Cook, receiving a lovely visit in her home from a stunning kingfisher. Their colours are magnificent. Don’t we just love the wildlife at our resorts?Did we mention that the Amber veterans have been introducing some beginners to lawn bowls at their local green? Gary...

Friendships bloom in Paradise Ian and Cheryl Cope couldn’t be happier with the friendships they’ve made at Living Gems Pacific Paradise over-50s lifestyle resort. Just 15 months ago, the couple made the lifechanging decision to take the leap from Tin Can Bay to Pacific Paradise on the Sunshine Coast.“We moved because it’s so central to where our families live,” Cheryl says.“We spotted a villa and fell in love, then sold up and made the big move, but the biggest bonus is the friendships we’ve made.”Cheryl says her fellow residents are full of life and value friendship above all else. And with the majority still working full time, they like to play hard too.“We love socialising,” she says. “We have a bus that takes us on wine tasting adventures to local wineries, golfing days, book clubs, metal workshops, betting groups and there’s so many artists here.”This excites newly elected social president Phil Layton.“My wife Bev and I are the new kids on...

  Batch cooking for friends Batch cooking is all about creating easy, ready-to-eat meals, in volume. It is a time-saving and convenient approach perfect to serve for lastminute gatherings with friends.Batch cooking is as easy as doubling up the recipe and adjusting cook times. Place them in stackable storage containers, and label meals with details of dishes and dates cooked. Try Chef Matt Conquest’s simple, flavoursome braised chicken and chorizo bake. Ingredients Serves 66 whole chicken Maryland or 10 bone-in-skin-on chicken thighs 4 mild chorizo, cut in half lengthwise and cut into 1cm pieces 3 brown onions, cut into large pieces 1 tbsp garlic, chopped or crushed 2 red capsicum, cut into large wedges 1 large sweet potato, cut into 2-3cm cubes 2 x 400g jars tomato pasta sauce (garden veg or whatever flavours you like) 4 field mushrooms, cut into chunks 6 bay leaves 1 tbsp smoked paprika or sweet paprika 1 tbsp dried oregano or mixed herbs Oil and salt and pepper for seasoning MethodGet yourself a good size deep baking tray to...

Progressive dinners put friendships on the menuRecent studies reveal making good friendships are good for your health and a path to a longer life.A US research study in 2020 by the National Academies of Science revealed a link between loneliness and social isolation to serious health conditions. The study showed that loneliness is a growing public health issue. It indicated that there’s a 50 percent increased risk of dementia, a 29 percent increased risk of heart disease and a 32 percent increased risk of stroke for people who experience social isolation.Relationships Australia National Executive Officer Nick Tebbey said there was a rise in social isolation across the Australian community and that following critical events like retiring from work, moving into a lifestyle resort or retirement village can help.“Retirement villages could be good enablers for social connection because they often go above and beyond to create opportunities for people to connect, but it’s up to the individual to choose to participate,”...

The people you meetSo many fascinating people call Living Gems communities home, says Glenys Lowry, Sales Manager at Living Gems Caboolture Riverfront."I get to meet so many people from lots of different walks of life who want to upgrade their lifestyle at our resorts," she said."We have a lot of ex-service personnel and plenty of retired teachers in our ranks - not to mention carpenters, engineers... In fact, name a profession and there will be someone at Living Gems who could put their hand up."One of the things people want to know is whether they're going to fit into an over-50s lifestyle community."That's the great thing about Living Gems - you can be as active or as laid back as you wish," said Glenys."There is never any shortage of things to do - either enjoying the wonderful resort facilities or taking part in one of the many resident-organised events."I think the reason why so many people tell me that they've...

Diverse findings in new report on ageingA comprehensive national study of more than 2700 over-50s has revealed fascinating insights into the wants, needs, joys, and worries of older Australians.The study, the third undertaken by the Council on the Ageing (COTA), takes a deep dive into the minds and lives of more than nine million Australians over the age of 50.From quality of life, travel, employment and finances to housing, health and perceptions about the future, the research uncovers a mixed bag of trends and states of mind with major differences depending on respondents’ age, gender and where they live.Conducted at the end of 2022, after another year of living with COVID-19, together with increased cost-of-living pressures, the research reflected a cohort whose feelings about the future were less buoyant than in the first two studies.Living Gems Director of Sales and Marketing Andrew Coulter said the data showed increasing concern about the future, living costs, healthcare access and, for those in...

What a month for our Living Gems homeowners! While some resorts attended fabulous big-name performances, others welcomed new neighbours, expanded their vocal range, shared fine dining with friends, and even sailed across some of the seven seas.Firstly, Thrive wants to congratulate all new residents on their settlements over the past month. Welcome to Toowoomba Debra Buckley and Wayne and Ruth Dixon, and to Amber, we welcome Diana and Glen Maynard who have joined the Living Gems family. Although we would love to add photos of every settlement here, we can only include a small handful each month.Speaking of Toowoomba, several resident homes were involved in a progressive dinner. Pre-dinner drinks were served in one home, the entrée in the next home and so on. Bob and Glenda, nice work on the final dropin at your place for cigars for the gents and Baileys for the ladies. See page 12 for more information.Caboolture is in the news again too, with some...

Vertical gardens - the latest craze in the name of sustainabilityHelping the environment by becoming more sustainable, while remaining a practical gardener, has never been easier with vertical gardens. And the best part? You are contributing to the sustainability movement!Gardens usually grow outward along the ground. This is great when you have a large piece of land to work with, but you don’t have to sacrifice on your garden if you have limited room. With vertical gardens, trellis gardens and living walls becoming more fashionable in backyards, now is the perfect time to consider one for your home.Here’s eight reasons why you should plan yours. Grow more in less space Growing upwards saves space and provides extra garden room in small yards. Maze verticals are good to grow herbs in small spaces, and not only look great but also save ground space. Better circulation and exposure Plants receive better sunlight exposure and air circulation in vertical formations rather than clustered together on the ground. Less...

To celebrate World Environment Day on 5 June, Thrive is giving you the opportunity to make an environmental clean sweep in your kitchen with a chance to win a Go For Zero zero-waste cleaning pack. The pack includes:Bottle brush Scrubbing dish brush suitable for kitchens and bathrooms Long handle dish brush Replacement dish brush head Reclaimed wood soap holder to help make soap last longer 4-in-1 dish and laundry block (300g) with anti-bacterial and anti-fungal benefits that cleans dishes, clothes, surfaces and hands.All products are made from plant materials and can be used on multiple surfaces.To win, be the first to email [email protected] with ‘I want to be a hero’ in the subject line.The winner will be announced in the July edition of Thrive.