Optistart Blog

Setting Goals
Remember to set SMART goals!!S – specific, significant, stretchingM – measurable, meaningful, motivationalA – agreed upon, attainable, achievable, acceptable, action-orientedR – realistic, relevant, reasonable, rewarding, results-orientedT – time-based, time-bound, timely, tangible, trackableOnce you’ve worked out what you want make sure you write them down!! They should be present tense, positive and specific statements such as “I run 2 hours every […]

Apple & Cinnamon Muffins
Cooking Time: 30 minutes (preparation time 15 minutes) – Serves 12 Ingredients · Oil Spray · 2 ¼ cups wholemeal self-raising flour · 2 teaspoons cinnamon · ¾ cup sultanas · 2 apples, peeled and grated · 2 tablespoons reduced fat margarine, melted · 1 ¼ cups reduced fat milk · 4 tablespoons honey · […]

Balance
Balance is another quality that depends on several aspects of our nervous system. These are the reasons we check posture and balance so frequently in the practice. Good balance is dependent on function of our various systems: – vestibular – visual – spinal We call this the S.E.E. principle. (Spine, Ears, Eyes). You will notice […]

Motor milestones – ages 1-6
The development of a baby and child’s movements is referred to as Gross motor development. These movements occur in predictable and sequential patterns, which we refer to ask gross motor milestones. Development occurs in a top to bottom fashion with initial primitive reflexes progressing to postural reflexes, then finally full goal orientated and purposeful movements. […]

Fruity Christmas Tree Recipe
Here’s a great idea for a healthy Christmas desert. Enjoy! Method: 1. To create the tree’s internal structure, cut slices from apple ends, so it sits flat on a round board. 2. Carve out a 3cm-deep hole in apple wide enough to fit carrot top. Don’t carve all the way through. 3. Sit the carrot […]

The Importance of Sleep
Why is sleep important? Sleep is an important physiological process which allows our body to rest and recover. It’s not a time of inactivity however! When an infant, child or adult is sleeping the brain is in fact very busy, with activity particularly involving higher cortical functions, and some studies state that brain is […]