Craving those kiwi summer desserts but you're on a diet? We know Christmas has been and gone but we're still dreaming of those classic kiwi pavlovas. Now that Christmas is over we're trying to establish some balance in our diet again. It's important to enjoy yourself over Christmas, but equally important that you establish some normality and balance in your diet again once the silly season is over.
So what do you do when the pavlova craving hits? You make protein pavlovas! This protein meringue recipe goes perfectly with Clean Nutrition Vanilla Whey Protein and the end result can be enjoyed either alone for a guilt-free sweet treat, or within Yoghurt & Strawberry Protein Meringue Sandwiches! Let us know if you try it out or add anything else to it...
Clean Nutrition Mini Protein Pavlovas Ingredients:
* 4 large egg whites * 1 scoop Clean Nutrition Vanilla Whey Protein * 1 Tablespoon Stevia (sugar alternative) * 2-3 Drops of Vanilla Essence * 1/4 tsp Baking Powder
Method:
* Pre-heat your oven to 130 degrees C and add all of the ingredients into a bowl * Use an electric whisk on a high setting to whisk all of the ingredients together for 5-10 minutes until the mixtures looks fairly ‘stiff’ * Dollop the mixture on to a non-stick baking tray to make small meringues (leaving 2cm at least between them) * Bake for 20 minutes before turning the baking trays around and baking for a further 20 minutes on 100 degrees C * Turn off the oven and allow to cool for at least 1 hour before enjoying either on their own or as a dessert!
Get your Clean Nutrition Whey Protein from Sportsfuel Supplements Receive a Free Gift when you purchase this product & Free Shipping!
Deon Hales sits down with Sportsfuel to discuss all things football
By Abbie Younger & Chantal MacDonald
Who are you? What do you do? How did you get into what you are doing now?
I am Deon Hales, a young 22 year old. Currently a Football development officer for Northland Football club, overseeing coaching 13th-17th grade youth football. Prior to getting the role at Northland Football, I did a lot of volunteering during University while I got my community coaching qualification, and started coaching at my local club, then a Highschool Second XI team, which the team had a very successful year. Once I completed my double major in Human Performance and sport coaching at the University of Waikato at the end of 2022. I was tossing up between doing my Masters or getting straight into the workforce. So I emailed my old Northland Football coach to see if there was a potential opportunity to become a coach there, he was really keen to take me on board and develop me as a coach. Within the club, there has been a big focus on the role of developing football within the region, especially within the youth age group.
What is the most challenging aspect of your sport that people often underestimate?
The mental side of the game has to be the hardest. Fitness and technique can be improved with time but players can really struggle with their mental attitude. Players may struggle if they don't overcome those barriers, they may be less likely to succeed. People may not realise it but the level of detail in high level football is immense.
There's so much happening on the field, and it takes a really high level of skill and focus to comprehend what's going on and to plan ahead. That's what we're trying to teach here for the younger generation is how to build a strong mindset.
From a coaching perspective, it's the ability to remain 100% committed to everything, all the time. There may be six things going on and you have to have full commitment to all of them, so it can be difficult to juggle that. You're a manager as well, and especially with young kids, you have to find ways to communicate and work with them all individually and as a team, because what works for one doesn't necessarily work for the other. It's about creating an environment they all want to be in at the end of the day.
Is there anything you wish you knew at the beginning of your career that you know now?
You have to start somewhere and it's okay to make mistakes along the line; we're only human. Things may not always go to plan but you learn to step back and reflect and improve. Just being confident in my own abilities has been crucial.
What advice would you give other people wanting to get into your line of work?
You can't be in it for the money, money is an extra side bonus. The people that see it like that won't succeed. For coaching, I would happily work double time to succeed. You have to be willing to do a lot of volunteer work, but this doesn't guarantee that you deserve to be paid. You have to show ability and confidence before you can be paid to do what you love, especially within the sport industry, you have to have experience.
Are there any podcasts that you listen to that influence your coaching?
Coach Cast by England football
Christmas holidays can make it hard to stay on track with healthy eating and fitness. There’s always second helpings of food, afternoon naps, plenty of bubbly… So we’ve got 5 tips to help you enjoy a healthier Christmas that won’t sabotage your goals.
Meet Jess Coate, a fitness athlete, an IFBB (International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness) Pro, Online Trainer and a Professional Bodybuilder. This girl is more than a pretty face, she is strong and won a lot of titles not only in New Zealand but worldwide.
