Innholdsfortegnelse for August 2020 i Australian Women’s Weekly NZ

In the words of Dorothea Mackellar, I love a sunburnt country, but over the years I’ve also learned to respect it and even fear it. Like many Aussies of my vintage, I have vivid memories of childhood sunburn so severe it felt like my skin had shrunk, followed by rounds of calamine lotion and then the inevitable reptilian peeling of skin. It was a reflection of endless summer days in the pool and holidays on the beach, an Aussie rite of passage. Leap forward to the present day and, like so many others, I now have family members and friends who have had to have chunks of flesh removed as a result of skin cancer. I am paranoid about my daughter’s alabaster skin, a gift from her English father. She…

Vale Vera Lynn ONE OF BRITAIN’s best-loved entertainers, Dame Vera Lynn will be remembered as the voice of hope. Born in 1917, Vera left school at 11 to pursue singing. By the time she was 22, she had sold more than a million records. During World War II, she entertained front-line troops in India and Egypt, where she earned the nickname “Forces’ Sweetheart”. She found fame again in 2009 as the UK’s oldest chart-topper, aged 92, when her Very Best Of album hit number one. Dame Vera Lynn died on June 18, aged 103. PM’s cakewalk NZ Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern loves The Weekly’s Children’s Birthday Cake Book. Last year, she whipped up a rabbit for daughter Neve’s first birthday. This year, she baked a piano from its pages. Sport…

2020 HAS SEEN a massive escalation in calls for help to Share the Dignity, the charity that supplies free sanitary items to women and girls in need. “We started the year with the bushfires,” says founder Rochelle Courtenay. “We have 5000 volunteers, who we call sheroes and heroes, and they were working all through January to make sure that people who had lost everything in the fires wouldn’t go without those very basic essentials. But that meant that our stock was completely emptied by the bushfires – we had nothing left.” The charity was counting on its March Dignity Drive to replenish. During Share the Dignity’s annual drives, bins are provided in Woolworths stores, and shoppers are encouraged to buy extra sanitary items to donate. People are generous, and in…

Ben Fordham is old school. At 43, he might be the young gun on the highest-rating radio show in the land, but there’s something about him that reminds you of your dad, or your neighbour’s dad, or one of those universal dad characters on sitcoms you watched as a kid. It’s 7am on a Saturday morning, and Ben and his five-year-old son Freddy have been up for hours. They’ve just rolled back in the door after helping a mate who owns a cafe to unpack crates of milk, and they’ve been rewarded with a double espresso (for Ben) and warm-from-the-oven almond croissants. “I like giving the kids an understanding of hard work,” says the man who this month stepped into veteran breakfast broadcaster Alan Jones’s spot on Sydney radio station…

There’s something impressively contemporary about The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Following the yellow brick road, the path to a better life through troubled times, could be a metaphor for coping with the coronavirus pandemic; while the concept of overcoming issues of self-worth via an anxiety-ridden cowardly lion, a tin woodman who can’t feel, and a mindless scarecrow, goes to the heart of mental health issues crippling our youth. Add to this the ethos of celebrating difference, not to mention a climate-rocking tornado and it all feels very now! So, it came as quite a shock to me to discover that the original book that conjured up that gaudy yellow brick road of unquenchable optimism celebrates its 120th birthday this year. And that those famous Oz quotes including “I’ve got a…

Charismatic, charming and dapper, the Prince of Wales (who became Edward VIII and then the Duke of Windsor) caused debutantes to go weak at the knees at the thought of meeting him. His combination of boyish vulnerability and glamour made him immensely popular and an icon of the age. If Edward appeared in a loud checked jacket, half the young men across the country would copy him, thinking that it would make them equally irresistible to women. The frenzy that surrounded him was captured in a popular song of the era: “I’ve danced with a man, who’s danced with a girl, who’s danced with the Prince of Wales.” When the abdication crisis occurred in 1936, it was widely believed that Edward was suffering from an almost pathological obsession with the…

It’s a terrifying fact: when you break down the figures, Australia ranks among the worst carbon offenders in the world. Per capita we pump out more than double the carbon emissions of China, and three times more than the UK and US. Craig Reucassel – the man who three years ago declared a ‘war on waste’ – is bringing our attention to climate change in a new three-part ABC doco, Fight For Planet A. “Waste issues are still important,” Craig stresses, “but while putting a plastic bag into the ocean has one effect, when it comes to climate change, it’s less visible, even though the consequences are far bigger.” The energy we use, the landfill we create (and the land we clear), our overall diet and the way we travel…

Trash to treasure Have an unwanted pasta maker? An old couch? Formerly loved toys? Craig suggests putting good-quality items on Gumtree for free, rather than waiting for a council clean-up. “You’ll be amazed by people who go, ‘Oh, I’ve always wanted one of those!’” he says. Make a call Unsure how to dispose of something sustainably? “Planet Ark will tell you where to go in your area if you want to get rid of paint or phones, or whatever you’re wondering about,” Craig says. Rethink online shopping Tend to buy five options, only to return the four less desirable ones? You’re not only adding to your transport carbon footprint; it’s been estimated that up to 80 per cent of fast-fashion returns end up in landfill. Think before you press ‘add…

Roasted tomato soup with broccoli pesto SERVES 4 PREP AND COOK TIME 1 HOUR 1kg ripe tomatoes, quartered 3 cloves garlic, unpeeled 3 sprigs fresh thyme 1 medium (150g) brown onion, chopped ½ teaspoon sea salt flakes ¼ cup (60ml) extra virgin olive oil 3 cups (750ml) chicken stock 1 tablespoon pine nuts, toasted baby basil leaves, to serve BROCCOLI PESTO 100g broccoli, chopped 1 clove garlic, crushed 2 tablespoons pine nuts, toasted 2 tablespoons grated parmesan 2 tablespoons chopped basil leaves ⅓ cup (80ml) olive oil 1 Preheat oven to 220°C (200°C fan-forced). Place tomatoes, garlic, thyme and onion in a baking dish; sprinkle with salt flakes, season with freshly ground black pepper. Drizzle with oil; toss to coat tomatoes. Roast for 30 minutes or until tomatoes are very…

Literary fiction The Pull of the Stars by Emma Donoghue, Pan Macmillan It’s 1918 and as this tender novel opens, nurse Julia Power is turning 30. The war is inching to a close but another battle is filling its shoes and though Julia should be celebrating her milestone birthday, instead we find her working on the maternity ward in an overburdened hospital in Dublin. The ward is actually a converted supply room renamed “Maternity/Fever”; here pregnant women who have contracted Spanish Flu are treated in isolation. These women and their babies are at high-risk, mortality a new daily reality. “The spectre had a dozen names: the great flu, khaki flu, blue flu, black flu, the grippe, or the grip ... (That word always made me think…

Romantic comedy SEX AND VANITY by Kevin Kwan, Penguin Kevin Kwan’s Crazy Rich Asians trilogy was a whirlwind bestseller with a hit movie to match and I suspect Sex and Vanity will no doubt reach similar heights. Based – loosely – on E.M. Forster’s A Room with a View, our protagonist is the over-privileged Lucie Tang Churchill, who as the novel opens is 19 and holidaying on the island of Capri. Lucie is a “hapa” – half Chinese, half American – and on her first morning in Capri meets George Zao, a handsome Chinese-Australian surfer. Even though she claims to abhor him, they have a brief fling. Then when years later the two meet again, it is clear Lucie is again attracted to George, only now she is engaged.…

After a boozy dinner party, Freya, Jamie and their husbands indulge in a moment of daring between consenting adults, swapping partners for one night only. But their reckless fling has consequences beyond anything the couples could have imagined. Here we join them on the night when everything changed. Jamie I didn’t puke. Nor did I sleep. When I closed my eyes, colours danced behind my eyelids. When I opened them, the furniture swayed and moved. It wasn’t a terrible experience, but it wasn’t enjoyable, either. It just was, and I had to ride it out. And then, when I felt some semblance of my normal self, I could return to the party. I could have been alone in the darkened guest room for a few hours or a few minutes…

READER’S PRIZE HINT When making pizza or bread in cooler months and the dough is slow to rise, I fill a hot water bottle and sit the basin on it – works like a dream. C. Bridge, Primbee, NSW. Portion control For perfectly portioned soups, pour homemade soup into recyclable paper cups and freeze them. Store the cups in zip-lock bags, then pop out as needed into a mug or bowl and reheat in the microwave. Healing touch If constant washing or sanitising has made your hands dry and sore, moisturise them nightly with sorbolene or a heavy-duty hand cream and wear cotton gloves to bed. Skirting the issue Turn a skirt inside out before clipping it to the hanger, to avoid visible clip marks along the top. Flower power…

There’s something about baking that brings joy and comfort to each of us. There is great satisfaction in making your own food and sharing it with others. We make cakes and other baked treats to celebrate special occasions, family events and to give as gifts. We hope these recipes become treasured favourites in your family. At The Australian Women’s Weekly Test Kitchen we believe that successful baking starts with a triple-tested recipe and superior quality flour and sugar; that’s why we prefer White Wings flour and baking mixes and CSR sugar in all our recipes.…

Revisit a classic: The anniversary of The Wizard of Oz has me yearning to hit the yellow brick road again (page 58). Brighten up: Time to peel off the UGG boots and dip my toe back in the beauty pool (page 112). Experiment in the kitchen: Who knew you could create a mouth-watering cheesecake in your slow cooker! Yes please (page 138). Go greener: It’s time ‘doing my bit for the planet’ worked its way back up my list of priorities (page 100).…

WEDDING BELLS AT SUNRISE Congratulations to Sunrise co-host Sam Armytage, who showed off this stunning sparkler to announce her engagement to Richard Lavender. THIRTY CANDLES Happy 30th birthday to Margot Robbie. With two Oscar nominations already under her belt, we can’t wait to see what the next decade brings for the Aussie star. ENDURING LOVE Nicole Kidman marked her 14th wedding anniversary with Keith Urban by posting this beautiful photograph, simply captioned “Us”. In return, Keith posted, “I feel like your boyfriend in ALL the right ways!!!!”…

Pinned to the dressing table opposite the bed where the irreverent Holly Warland lives her life is a piece of paper that reminds her to breathe. Her bed is the adjustable type you’d see in a hospice but otherwise we could be in the room of any young cat-loving Queensland woman. The almost-doctor and one-time aspiring dancer had the potential to achieve anything. But her childhood dreams were snatched away when a letter congratulating her for being accepted into the Australian Academy of Dance arrived around the same time as a diagnosis that would rob her of everything. That determined 11-year-old girl, whose family nickname was tripsy-wigglebottom, interpreted the “muscular” in her muscular dystrophy (MD) as meaning she simply wouldn’t be as strong as everyone else. “I wanted to be…

Shaun Micallef has had a chequered history with alcohol. The TV comedian and father of three hasn’t touched a drop for more than three decades – ever since he stood up his then fiancée, and she (and her mother) subsequently found him asleep outside an Adelaide bar. The one-time two-pot-screamer says he just “wasn’t very good at it”, and perhaps it’s genetic: his great-great-grandfather hit the headlines a century ago after accidentally setting himself alight on the way home from the pub. So when his sons – Joseph, 22, Gabriel, 20, and Elias, 17 – started to edge towards legal drinking age, Shaun felt an increasing need to understand Australia’s seeming obsession with alcohol. It’s what he has publicly credited as inspiration for his new ABC documentary series, Shaun Micallef’s…

Stuffed capsicums MAKES 6 PREP AND COOK TIME 1 HOUR 10 MINUTES 1¾ cups (430ml) vegetable stock 2 cups (400g) couscous 2 tablespoons drained sun-dried tomato oil ⅓ cup (50g) coarsely chopped sun-dried tomatoes 1 large red onion (300g), chopped finely 1 tablespoon dried oregano ⅓ cup (60g) pitted Kalamata olives, halved 250g cherry truss tomatoes, halved 1 medium lemon (140g) 6 large mixed colour capsicums (2kg) ⅓ cup (65g) pepitas (pumpkin seed kernels), toasted ½ cup fresh oregano sprigs, to serve (optional) BASIL & ROCKET YOGHURT 2 cups (40g) fresh basil leaves 1 cup (15g) baby rocket ¾ cup (210g) Greek-style yoghurt 1 Preheat oven to 200°C (180°C fan-forced). Line two roasting pans with baking paper. 2 Place stock in a medium saucepan; bring to the boil, add couscous.…

Curried beef pot pies SERVES 4 PREP AND COOK TIME 9 HOURS 1kg beef chuck steak ¼ cup (35g) plain flour 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 2 tablespoons curry powder 1 large (200g) onion, chopped coarsely 2 cloves garlic, chopped 400g can diced tomatoes ½ cup (125ml) beef stock 400g can chickpeas, drained, rinsed 120g baby spinach leaves ¼ cup (80g) mango chutney 4 sheets puff pastry, thawed 1 egg, beaten lightly 2 teaspoons cumin seeds ½ teaspoon sea salt flakes 1 Trim beef and cut into 4cm pieces; place in a large bowl. Add flour and season well with salt and pepper. Toss beef in flour to coat. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large frying pan, cook half the beef until browned. Repeat with remaining oil and…

Emma Donoghue was born in Dublin, the youngest of eight. “We’re a very bookish family,” she says. “I had lots of time and space to read, daydream and write.” She moved to England at 20 to go to Cambridge University, and then to Canada at 28 “for love”. In Ontario she has two children with partner Chris. Emma’s 2010 novel Room was a finalist for the Man Booker and adapted into a movie. She says finding topics to write about is not a problem. “I get seized by ideas; there’s something compulsive about this need I feel to tell certain stories.” And after becoming a mother, her storytelling changed. “Virtually everything I’ve written since 2010 has had intense and interesting relationships between adults and children in it.”…

“We can be resentful of our age or we can be grateful for having attained it.” – WILLIAM ARTHUR WARD D. K. K. Munasinghe, Mount Cotton, Qld LETTER of the MONTH An article I read has brought up memories of abuse that I have hidden for so many years (The Devil Inside, AWW, July). It broke my heart, for I know exactly what she was feeling and experiencing. Many females have experienced abuse and yet we hide it, because we think we are to blame for our partners’ moods. If more women come forward to talk about it, we can help others. Name and address withheld GRACEFUL MONARCH Thank you, Juliet Rieden, for the excellent article about our gracious Queen (Secrets of her Reign, AWW, July). While Her Majesty was…

It feels strange to meet up with Deborah Hutton and not be greeted by her usual smile. But smiles are not possible at the moment. Deborah’s face is a swollen, dull yellow on one side, strained and painful with a Band-Aid stretching from her nose down her cheek. The dressing covers a gaudy wound and as we settle down to talk about her unexpected cancer surgery she can’t help but shield her lip with her hand, an involuntary protection instinct. When I ask what her face looks like underneath the dressing, Deb pulls out her phone and shows me a photo taken a couple of days ago by the nurse before she removed the stitches too numerous to count. It’s a raw, arresting shot revealing a meandering oval-shaped angry scar…

It’s customary these days for celebrities to tout the joys of ageing – to claim that a newfound comfort in one’s skin more than compensates for creeping decrepitude – but Jane Hall isn’t having it. Try posing next to your nubile 17-year-old daughter, she jokes, and you’ll feel every one of your 49 years. “You’ve never felt worse!” she says. “I just keep hiding my old elbows and trying to keep my chins up. I can’t believe I’m nearly 50. I mean, spewing! How did that happen? It’s awful!” No wonder she blitzed it for years on breakfast radio. Funny, candid and self-deprecating, Jane is great company and, with 35 years under her showbiz belt, the consummate professional. On an idyllic autumn day in the gardens of Melbourne’s historic Como…

The double doors swing wide open. In walks Hillary Rodham Clinton, 5ft 5in tall and full of energy. It’s just days before coronavirus will lock down Europe and America, making such personal encounters all but impossible. She greets me with a firm handshake – one that’s gripped thousands of voters’ hands in her time. “Hi! Nice to see you!” she cries, flashing a bright smile as her eyes glint Democratic blue. She’s sincere, welcoming. We’re in a suite at the Adlon, the famous Berlin hotel where Michael Jackson once dangled his child out of the window. In the corner, Huma Abedin, Hillary’s personal aide and close friend, sits tapping on her phone. Security stands outside. Protection is something the former First Lady is used to. “I’ve had it for so…

It was the early 1940s and Lena Horne was breaking new ground for black performers by signing a long-term contract with major Hollywood studio MGM. However, in the midst of an era where much of America operated under some form of segregation, Lena’s trajectory to Hollywood star wasn’t without its struggles. Born in 1917 in Brooklyn, New York, Lena was the daughter of professional gambler Edwin and actress Edna. Her parents separated when she was young and she spent her early years living with her grandmother Cora Calhoun Horne, one of the first black suffragettes and an early campaigner for the rights of African-Americans. At 16, Lena’s mother landed her a job in the chorus at Harlem’s Cotton Club, where black performers entertained a strictly white audience. It was not…

Buy local The less distance our goods have to travel, the lower the carbon footprint. Buy from your local market and ask questions of your butcher and fishmonger about the provenance of what you are purchasing – and how sustainably the trader is run. Eat seasonally Buying fresh asparagus in January? There’s next to no chance this was grown in Oz, meaning it likely came via plane. “Tinned vegies made overseas are better than having fresh veg flown,” says Craig. A meaty substitute Beef and lamb may be tasty, but they are among our biggest carbon offenders. Craig insists you don’t need to turn vegetarian to make a difference. “Chicken has a much lower carbon footprint,” he says, as do meats such as kangaroo, pork and duck. Community solution A…

SWAP: Clingfilm for beeswax wraps Reusable and environmentally safe, they add style to the kitchen, too! Buzzee wraps, from $24.95, Victoria’s Basement SWAP: Plastic for bamboo toothbrushes Bamboo proves a great alternative to hard-to-recycle plastic. Bamkiki bamboo toothbrush, from $12.90 (set of two), bamkiki.com.au SWAP: Leather for vegan trainers Worn by the style set for years, these trainers are a hot commodity while also being good for the planet. Vega trainers, $200, theiconic.com.au SWAP: Chemical cleaners for organic products Keep things clean with products that are also doing their bit for the environment. Saba Organics Multipurpose cleaner Lemon Blast, $12 SWAP: Plastic cutlery for the real stuff Carry a portable set in your bag or desk drawer for eating lunch on the go. Retro Kitchen cutlery set, $29.95, floraandfauna.com.au…

Banish bad thoughts Negative thinking may not just be linked to depression and anxiety – now researchers believe it may increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, too. A study by University College London and published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia found repetitive negative thinking in people aged over 55 was linked to cognitive decline, as well as harmful brain proteins. While depression and anxiety in mid-life and old age are known risks, the study also implicated negative thought patterns over long periods of time. Studies into psychological tools, such as mindfulness or meditation, could show a reduced risk. Save the date! Incredibly, one in five Australians currently live with chronic pain. It’s an invisible illness which comes with plenty of doubt and stigma, and National Pain Week – launching on July…

Chicken and green olive tray bake SERVES 4 PREP AND COOK TIME 1 HOUR 35 MINUTES 12 (1.8kg) chicken drumsticks 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil ½ tsp ground white pepper 1 medium lemon 4 fresh rosemary sprigs 750g baby potatoes 6 cloves garlic, bruised 2 teaspoons sumac 250g truss cherry tomatoes ½ cup (75g) Sicilian green olives ½ cup (40g) flaked almonds, toasted ½ cup fresh oregano leaves 1 Preheat oven to 180°C (160°C fan-forced). 2 Place chicken, oil and pepper in a large bowl. Season with salt; toss until well coated. 3 Finely grate rind of half the lemon into a small bowl. Peel remaining rind thickly from lemon with a sharp knife so no white pith remains; discard. Thinly slice lemon; remove seeds. 4 Line a large…

She’s apples Kanzi apples were born by crossing a sweet and juicy Royal Gala with a tangy Braeburn. With their dense juicy flesh, they are perfect for baking, slicing and snacking. And the flesh doesn’t oxidise as quickly as other varieties, making them lunch-box perfect. More at kanziapple.com BAKING BASICS In the Test Kitchen, we keep both White Wings self-raising and White Wings plain flour on hand in our pantry – but if you’re short on space or only have plain, you can make it into self-raising flour by adding 2 teaspoons of baking powder to every 1 cup of plain flour. Sift together well before using. See whitewings.com.au Tropical sweetness CSR Unrefined Coconut Sugar retains the nutrients found in coconut blossom nectar. It’s a perfect alternative to white, raw…

The easing of Australian social and travel restrictions has come at an ideal time for Michelle Lang, who is thrilled that this year’s Stuck In The Middle – at Merimbula on the NSW Sapphire Coast from September 2-9 – can go ahead. “It’s the best antidote for cabin fever. We’re all going to bust out, hit the road, head south and have a great time!” she says. “This one has turned into such an anticipated event to get to after we’ve been so restricted for so long. The ladies are so happy to have something to look forward to ... I think that’s what helped us all get through. That and Zoom camp-fire chats. I couldn’t be more elated as an event organiser.” As well as whale watching cruises and…

Murder BURIED by Lynda la Plante, Allen & Unwin This is the first in a new crime series from the creator of Prime Suspect and while it’s not as edgy in its characterisation, the twists and turns are vintage La Plante. Detective Constable Jack Warr is hot, charming and aimless. He moved to London with his girlfriend Maggie for her career but has little ambition to rise up the ranks. Then when a corpse is found in a burned out cottage with a heap of banknotes linked to a decades-old train robbery, Jack finally hits his stride. Accused THE SILENCE by Susan Allott, Harper Collins It’s the middle of the night in 1997 and Isla Green is fast asleep in her flat in London when the phone rings.…

6+ PERSISTENCE by Zanni Louise, Five Mile A powerful book about not giving up, whether it be learning to ride a bike without wheels or reading. And if you do then you have the skills to be kind to others. “Persistence helps your heart grow, so you can look after the world, yourself and each other.” Fabulous illustrations. 4-7 MABEL AND THE MOUNTAIN by Kim Hillyard, Penguin “A story about believing in yourself.” Mabel is a fly, smaller than your smallest fingernail, but has a big bucket list – to climb a mountain, host a dinner party and make friends with a shark. Conceding that goats are better suited for mountains, Mabel amends her plans: climb a tree, eat dinner, make friends with a sheep! 4-9 THE BATTLE…

Mini lumberjack cakes MAKES 9 PREP AND COOK TIME 1 HOUR 45 MINUTES (+ STANDING AND COOLING TIME) 2 large (400g) apples, peeled, cored, chopped finely 1 cup (150g) finely chopped pitted dried dates 1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda 1 cup (250ml) boiling water 125g butter, softened 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup (220g) CSR Dark Brown Sugar 1 egg 1½ cups (225g) White Wings Plain Flour COCONUT TOPPING 2 egg whites ½ cup (110g) CSR Caster Sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 2½ cups (190g) shredded coconut 1 Preheat oven to 180°C (160°C fan-forced). Grease 9 holes of 2x6 hole (¾ cup/ 180ml) Texas muffin pan. Cut 18x1 cm wide, 15cm wide strips of baking paper and lay in a cross pattern in the base of each tin, extending the…

Candy castle SERVES 16 PREP AND COOK TIME 1 HOUR 30 MINUTES (+ COOLING TIME) This cake is inspired by the original version published in the The Weekly’s famous Children’s Birthday Cake Book. We’ve made it even more simple to make by using White Wings Rich Chocolate Cake mix and CSR Vanilla Buttercream Icing mix. 2 x 535g packets White Wings Rich Chocolate Cake mix 3 x 250g packets CSR All Natural Vanilla Buttercream Icing mix 4 ice cream cones 1 empty matchbox assorted sweets 1 ice-cream wafer toothpicks 1 Preheat the heat oven according to packet instructions. 2 Make cakes together according to directions on the packet. Spoon one quarter of combined mixture into a greased 25cm x 8cm bar tin; spoon remaining mixture into greased deep 20cm square…