With longer, warmer days, spring is the perfect time to revamp your fitness routine. And with World Heart Day falling on 29 September, you have an extra incentive to improve your cardiovascular fitness.“Cardiovascular exercise is a cornerstone of maintaining health and vitality, especially as we embrace an active lifestyle at Living Gems,” says experienced personal trainer Josh Kristenson.Here are his tips to make the most of your fitness using facilities both inside your Living Gems gym or out in the wider community. Treadmills Walking or jogging on the treadmill is a fantastic way to boost your cardiovascular health. Start with a brisk walk and gradually increase the intensity as your fitness improves. For those seeking a more challenging workout, interval training —alternating between high and low intensity — can significantly enhance your endurance and burn more calories. Exercise bikes Cycling is a low-impact exercise that's gentle on the joints, making it perfect for all fitness levels. Our exercise bikes offer a range of settings,...

Pretty as a picture! Living Gems’ popular photo competition returns for 2024.We’re looking for creative photographs that showcase why the Living Gems lifestyle is simply lifechanging.They can be terrific travel destinations, wonderful wildlife photography or fabulous times with friends. Entries open to all Living Gems homeowners.The best photograph each month will be featured on the back page of Thrive magazine as well as on Living Gems’ Facebook page.Get snapping! The competition will run until 1 November 2024. Submissions should be sent to [email protected] June Photo Winner Jay sent us this evocative photograph of the old rail bridge just outside of Tenterfield in New South Wales. This heritage-listed bridge was built in 1888, inspired by Cornish viaducts designed by renowned British engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel, who is best known for the Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol.Guidelines for submitting your photosPhotos must be:Be taken by you Be at least 2MB in size Include the location of the photograph, along with any interesting information...

  Beef up your winter menu As the winter chill sets in, there’s nothing quite like cosying up with your loved ones over a comforting, hearty meal.Chef Matt Conquest says his One Pot Baked Beef and Barbecue Beans recipe is the perfect solution. The dish is not only simple to whip up but packs a healthy punch, delivering a satisfying kick of spices to tantalise your taste buds. Best of all, using just one pot saves on the washing up too! Ingredients 400 g beef mince 1 medium onion, diced 1 green capsicum, diced 1 tsp herb and garlic seasoning 4 slices bacon, chopped and pan cooked until crisp 1 can beans, Matt recommends a Mexican three-bean mix ½ cup barbecue sauce 1 tbsp Mexican spice or USA-style spice mix(serves 2) MethodPreheat oven to 180 degrees C. In a heavy bottom, oven-safe pot (like a Dutch oven) over medium heat, add ground beef, onion, capsicum, garlic seasoning. Cook until the mince is browned. Drain the excess liquid. Add cooked bacon crumbles,...

Fresh and savoury treat perfect for autumn As the cool of autumn starts to feel its way in, there’s nothing quite as comforting as a light yet satisfying meal such as San Choy Bau lettuce wraps, according to Chef Matt Conquest.“A delightful fusion of textures and flavours these delicious Chinese lettuce wraps promise to invigorate your taste buds,” he said.This recipe combines the freshness of crisp lettuce with a savoury filling, creating a dish that’s perfect for a chilly evening. Whether you’re looking for a quick and light dinner option or a flavourful appetizer, this easy-to-make dish is sure to become a favourite. Ingredients For the mince filling1 tbsp vegetable oil 1 onion, finely chopped 2 garlic cloves, minced 250g chicken mince 1 carrot, finely diced or grated 1 red capsicum, finely diced 1/4 cup water chestnuts, finely chopped 2 tbsp soy sauce 1 tbsp oyster sauce 1 tbsp hoisin sauce 1 tsp sesame oil Salt and pepper to taste 1 long red chilli, sliced (optional) 2 spring onions, thinly sliced (for garnish) 2 tbsp chopped peanuts...

Pretty as a picture! Living Gems’ popular photo competition returns for 2024.We’re looking for creative photographs that showcase why the Living Gems lifestyle is simply lifechanging.They can be terrific travel destinations, wonderful wildlife photography or fabulous times with friends. Entries open to all Living Gems homeowners.The best photograph each month will be featured on the back page of Thrive magazine as well as on Living Gems’ Facebook page.Get snapping! The competition will run until 1 November 2024. Submissions should be sent to [email protected] May Photo Winner Sandy Gillis reports that wildlife make a regular appearance at Living Gems Maleny. “I’m not sure why this pair of Tawny Frogmouths decided against sitting in a tree, but I was happy to photograph them when the homeowners invited me over for a look.”Guidelines for submitting your photosPhotos must be:Be taken by you Be at least 2MB in size Include the location of the photograph, along with any interesting information about the destination.

How many hands make light workThere’s a saying that ‘volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart’. On behalf of Living Gems, we’d like to thank all volunteers who so selflessly donate their time to help events run smoothly.Ahead of National Volunteer Week, which runs between May 20-26, we spoke to a few volunteers at Sapphire by Living Gems where resident photographer Allan Kajewski said there was always a strong contingent of generous homeowners ready to lend a hand.“Residents of Sapphire are fun-loving people, and we have so many volunteers doing jobs from setting up for functions to organising events. We have two hard-working committees – our homeowners and social committees. All volunteers do a wonderful job,” he said.Roy and Margaret Koplick are volunteers who will this year celebrate their 20th year of living at Sapphire, along with their 60th wedding anniversary.The couple has volunteered ever since moving in, wearing a range of different hats –...

Pretty as a picture! Living Gems’ popular photo competition returns for 2024.We’re looking for creative photographs that showcase why the Living Gems lifestyle is simply lifechanging.They can be terrific travel destinations, wonderful wildlife photography or fabulous times with friends. Entries open to all Living Gems homeowners.The best photograph each month will be featured on the back page of Thrive magazine as well as on Living Gems’ Facebook page.Get snapping! The competition will run until 1 November 2024. Submissions should be sent to [email protected] April Photo Winner With a rainbow this vibrant, the pot of gold surely can’t be too far away. Phil Parker from Opal by Living Gems took this photo at the resort in leafy Logan Village.Guidelines for submitting your photosPhotos must be:Be taken by you Be at least 2MB in size Include the location of the photograph, along with any interesting information about the destination.