Innholdsfortegnelse for May 2021 i Australian Women’s Weekly NZ

It’s a simple six-letter word. It’s not glamorous or fashionable. It’s not shouty or bold. Yet simply thinking about it can create images of comfort and care alongside heart and home. It has been said that it is often the first and sometimes the last word to roll off our lips in life. It’s the word “mother” and more than 40,000 people in 102 countries voted it the most beautiful word in the English language. Freedom and liberty, peace and passion, renaissance and destiny are all right up there on the 70-strong list of favorites. Even twinkle and flip-flop get a look in, but none come anywhere close to toppling mother. There are many definitions for mother, but for me, it is best summed up by this… A mother is…

Toni Collette The Aussie actress is making her directorial debut! Toni and The Crown’s Nick Payne will write a screen adaptation of the novel Writers & Lovers. Serena Williams After auctioning off personal memorabilia, Serena gave all proceeds to the Black Dog Institute’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Lived Experience Centre. Kiritapu Allan The Labour MP has bravely opened up about her battle with stage three cervical cancer, urging other women not to skip smear tests.…

As I write this, it’s hard to take in that the last words Carla Zampatti said to me were: “I can’t wait to see our story in the magazine this month”. I was sitting two seats along from Carla at the opening night of Opera Australia’s La Traviata on Sydney Harbour. It was a beautiful balmy evening and we chattered happily about our joint love of Verdi, how thrilling it was to be out once more watching live opera and recollections of the wonderful day I had spent with The Weekly team at Carla’s home just before Christmas. This story had been in the works for many months as I wrangled the busy timetables of Carla, her daughters and her grandchildren for what would be an unusually personal article about…

On New Year’s Day this year, there was an attack in the high security women’s wing of Australia’s biggest prison. An inmate busted into a cell where another prisoner, with tired, hazel eyes and greying hair, was lying on her bunk, resting. After 18 years in protective custody, Kathleen Folbigg was being integrated in with the main population at the Clarence Correctional Centre, and some of her new cellmates were not happy about sharing their quarters with a convicted baby killer. The inmate seized Kathleen and beat her until she bled, warning that her friends would be targeted too if she didn’t leave. With bruises and a black eye, the 53-year-old was returned to protective custody, where her meagre freedoms were curtailed. “But I’m safe (as I can be). So…

Morning sunlight fills a bright and airy bedroom as a mobile phone’s celestial alarm marks the start of the day. A hand reaches out to tap it off with manicured fingernails that are shiny and pink. Then a dewy-skinned Jennifer Aniston bounces out of bed and stretches in her gently rumpled, white linen robe, before padding downstairs for ‘breakfast’. “Collagen supports our bodies from the inside out,” she says as she adds a hefty scoop of white powder to a pot of black coffee she has made from freshly ground beans. “When we feel supported from within, we feel our best.” Jen does some yoga. Runs on her treadmill. Decisively strikes a line out of a script with a pencil while sitting on a big soft rain cloud of a…

A form of apitherapy – the medical use of bee products, including honey and royal jelly – bee sting therapy is a sort of acupuncture using bee venom. Bee sting therapy is touted as a cure for inflammation and other ailments, and can be performed with acupuncture needles dipped in venom, or by using instruments that manoeuvre a live bee’s stinger directly into a patient’s skin. Evidence of its efficacy is patchy and conflicting. Some believe bee venom can be an effective anti-ageing agent. In 2018 a woman died in Spain after developing a severe reaction to the therapy which she was undergoing to “improve muscular contractures and stress”.…

Start with a few essentials From left: By Terry Baume de Rose, $101; Ethique Bliss Bar, $25; Pai The Light Fantastic Ceramide Face Oil, $101; Olay Luminous Niacinamide + Cica Super Serum, $48.99; Votary Brightening Hyaluronic Serum, $171 At the beginning of winter, gardeners have their work cut out for them. There is pruning and tidying to be done, not to mention bulb and bare-root planting. In fact, this time is so crucial that many spring problems can be traced back to how much you get done during these short days. The same is true for skin – formula swaps now will pave the way for a radiant spring. “There’s a lot to be said for the notion that ‘as your barrier goes, so goes the rest of your skin’,”…

Dermatologist Lisa Connelly answers commonly asked questions about retinol, vitamin C and hyaluronic acid used in anti-ageing skincare. In partnership with La Roche-Posay, she explains how effective they really are and how to introduce them to your daily skincare routine. As the Director of Integrative Dermatology in New Plymouth, Lisa is all about science and efficacy – not woo-woo promises. Is retinol effective? The short answer is yes. Retinol is a form of vitamin A. When it is applied to the skin it is converted to retinoic acid. Its active form retinol has a potent effect on the skin both on the surface and at a deeper level. On the epidermis (the outer layer of the skin) it stimulates cell renewal while in the dermis (second layer of the skin)…

No other meal has ever been under as much pressure to deliver as breakfast. Some of the following may sound familiar: Breakfast is the most important meal of the day … it stops you over-eating later. You may have heard this too: Skipping it reduces your resting metabolic rate and leads to weight gain. In the past few years many studies have shattered these myths. In fact, among the most compelling was a review published in The BMJ (British Medical Journal) suggesting all meals are, in fact, equal. Confirming what commonsense may have already told you: a croissant first thing is the same as one at 3pm. “There’s no running away from the importance of nutritious foods,” says Dr Jane Bowen. And while “one-size-fits-all” diet guidelines are a thing of…

Dried fruit brioche SERVES 6 TO 8 PREP AND COOK TIME 1 HOUR 20 MINUTES (+ RISING TIME) 100g dried pears, chopped finely 100g glacé fig, chopped finely 100g raisins 100g dried apricots, chopped finely ¼ cup (60ml) verjuice, warmed 25g fresh yeast 2½ tablespoons caster sugar ¼ cup (60ml) warm milk 3 cups (440g) plain flour 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon salt 5 free-range eggs, beaten lightly 250g unsalted butter, chopped, softened 1 egg, extra, for glazing 1 Place the dried fruit into a large mixing bowl, pour over the warm verjuice, set aside. 2 Combine the fresh yeast with a teaspoon of the sugar and warm milk; leave to rise to a froth for about 5-10 minutes depending on the air temperature. 3 In a stand mixer…

Cauliflower cheese with leek & fennel SERVES 4 PREP + COOK TIME 50 MINUTES 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1 large leek (500g), sliced thinly 1 large fennel (550g), sliced thinly 3 cloves garlic, crushed 50g butter ⅓ cup (50g) plain flour 2 cups (500ml) milk 1 cup (120g) grated vintage cheddar 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 1 tablespoon thyme leaves 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon rind 500g cauliflower florets ⅔ cup (160ml) pouring cream 1 cup (80g) finely grated parmesan 1 Preheat oven to 180°C (160°C fan-forced). Grease a 2-litre (8-cup) ovenproof dish; place on an oven tray. 2 Heat the oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add leek, fennel and garlic; cook, stirring, over medium-low heat, for 15 minutes or until very soft. Transfer mixture…

When it comes to changing needs, there is no room in the house that needs making over more than a kid’s bedroom. From tots to teens and all stages in between, a child’s room needs to not only look good but also function in an age-suitable way. It’s easy to get overwhelmed when redecorating, but the key to success is having a plan. Here we show you how to create a whole new look for your beloved. DAY 1 Clear & prepare Create a concept for the room using either a physical or digital mood board. Get your child’s input and find ways to include things they love. Clear out the room, then create three piles: keep, donate, recycle. Remove curtains and rails. Working with your ›keep” items, compile a…

The Last Bookshop by Emma Young, Fremantle Press Cait is the proprietor of a second-hand bookshop where you can hunt out everything from C.S. Lewis’ Narnia adventures to futuristic Margaret Atwood novels. Cait also provides a mobile library for the elderly pillars of the community, including her ex-nanny, who bequeathed her love of books onto her charge. After hours it’s just Cait and her cat, until “Mystery Shopper” James walks in and Cait can’t wait to put the CLOSED sign up. Emma Young’s knowledge of literature wafts through this story of love, loss and loneliness like a warm breeze, reminding us that stories can help heal. Other People’s Houses by Kelli Hawkins, HarperCollins In the 10 years since the death of her son, Kate’s grief has morphed into compulsive behaviour.…

Ask anyone, I’m hopeless at reapplying lippy – it’s there in the morning, but come afternoon, I’m taking the nude lip to literal levels. But that was until Revlon ColourStay Satin Ink Lipstick, $30, which lasts for 16 hours. Life-changing! If you’re having a good hair day, you can take on the world! I got my first GHD hair stylers in 2005 and they’re still going strong. To mark 20 years of this revolutionary tool, a special edition has been released, $350. This cult product needs no introduction. It was a fave when I was pregnant and I never stopped using it. Now there is an all-natural version, made from wonderful oils like rosehip, chia seed and chamomile, which still has the efficacy of the original. $42.99.…

In 1939, jazz singer Billie Holiday was handed a song that would change her life. Strange Fruit had been written two years earlier by Jewish poet Abel Meeropol and when Billie sang it to close her shows, the haunting lynching story of “black bodies swinging in the Southern breeze” shot her to fame – and put her firmly in the crosshairs of the FBI. This is the story told in new film The United States Vs. Billie Holiday, which is due to hit cinemas on April 22. According to civil rights activist Reverend Al Sharpton, while it was drug possession that would see Billie (played in the film by Oscar-nominated actress Andra Day) jailed in 1947, it was fear of the effect of Strange Fruit that made the crime agency…

There may not have been an official red carpet for the 2021 Screen Actors Guild Awards, but that didn’t stop celebrities going all out in the glamour stakes for the April 5 virtual ceremony. Nominees donned their best couture to watch the peer-voted awards, often seen as a predictor for the Oscars, from their own homes. Big winners on the night included Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom stars Viola Davis and the late Chadwick Boseman.…

“He has, quite simply, been my strength and stay all these years, and I, and his whole family, and this and many other countries, owe him a debt greater than he would ever claim, or we shall ever know.”– HM Queen Elizabeth II There have been a few moments in the past few years when the House of Windsor and people across Britain and the Commonwealth universally held their breath as Prince Philip tussled with potentially life-threatening illnesses, but the Queen’s unwavering consort seemed to be invincible. So when the news came of his death – even though this lion of a man had recently undergone heart surgery and was just two-months-and-a-day shy of his 100th birthday – the world was shocked, then terribly sad and overcome with an affection…

Urzila Carlson’s running late. She sends me a text from her Uber: “I’m on my way, so have mercy if I’m late, please.” She arrives on the doorstep a short time later in a flurry. “I thought, ‘I’ll have time to drop the kids off to school and daycare, then go home, get the dishes done and clean up,’ then I come to get in the car and … flat tyre.” Isn’t that just the way all working mums operate? We all try to cram just one extra thing in and our best-laid plans come unstuck by the unforeseen. Urzila has two children, a daughter and son, with her wife Julie. She guards their privacy fiercely. Right now, she’s operating in that window between their school drop-offs and pick-ups. What…

The cause of Laura’s death was listed as undetermined. Detective Senior Constable Bernard Ryan attended the hospital and questioned Kathleen and Craig. Listening devices were planted in their home. Craig found a journal that he said made him want to vomit. He delivered it to the police, who soon formed the view that Kathleen had systematically killed each of her children by smothering them. She was arrested and charged. Her now-notorious diary entries became a key part of the case against her. When she was trying to conceive Laura, Kathleen had written that she was feeling inadequate. “Feel as though it’s my fault. Think it’s deserved. After everything that’s happened. I suppose I deserve to never have kids again.” A few days later she made the comment: “Obviously I am…

A crystal elixir is water that has been near crystals. The trend rests on the premise crystals have healing powers and by passing water through crystals, you can “revitalise” the water and absorb the crystal’s powers. Crystal water bottles retail for between $60 and $100 and, according to one manufacturer, work best after being charged under a moonlit sky. There’s not a lot of research on the power of crystals, but one often-quoted study from the University of London found any sensation they cause could be put down to the power of suggestion, or the placebo effect. Also of concern, healing crystals are mined in Myanmar and the Democratic Republic of the Congo where mineral extraction is linked to “severe human-rights violations and environmental harm,” The Guardian reported.…

Suiting Black jeans Cosy woollens Crisp cotton Natural linen Little black dress Camel coat White shirt Knit dress…

Over summer, sun exposure affects our skin tone. I didn’t want a treatment that would lead to the kind of peeling that might terrify my partner, so a laser resurfacing treatment called Clear + Brilliant fit the bill. What is it: Often referred to as “baby Fraxel” because it uses the same technology (pulsating beams of light that exfoliate away layers of skin) with less intensity, the treatment promises to fade pigmentation, stimulate collagen and shrink pores in as little as one session, although a minimum of three treatments is recommended. How it feels: The treatment started with a full skin analysis, to assess my skin and what I wanted to achieve out of this process, as well as taking lots of pictures. This will help track my progress over…

“I felt like the last woman with any body hair left.”– Brooke It’s not really my fault. I arrived home in 2019 after 13 years in London. So, I’d spent a decade in tights and coats for 10 months of the year. The climate suited me … as did the little-to-no maintenance required below the neck. Upon returning home, I was caught out. With so much skin on show, I wasn’t in the habit of caring enough. Vigorous waving and hailing taxis became fraught, and I was constantly apologising to whoever was flashed with my pits. Not that there’s anything wrong with body hair … except that beauty directors are supposed to be soft, smooth creatures with the utmost respect for their beauty regimens and grooming. I was failing, dismally.…

Pork & fennel sausage lasagne SERVES 8 PREP + COOK TIME 1 HOUR 30 MINUTES (+ STANDING TIME) 400g silverbeet, leaves and stems separated ⅔ cup fresh sage leaves ⅓ cup (80ml) olive oil 1kg Italian-style pork and fennel sausages, skins removed 1 large onion (200g), chopped finely 2 cloves garlic, crushed 1 cup (250ml) dry white wine 2 x 400g cans diced tomatoes 750g smooth ricotta ¾ cup (180ml) pouring cream 1¾ cups (140g) finely grated parmesan 375g fresh lasagne sheets 1 Preheat oven to 180°C (160°C fan-forced). Lightly grease a 3.25-litre (13-cup) ovenproof dish. 2 Finely chop silverbeet stems and leaves. Finely chop half the sage. 3 Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large heavy-based saucepan over high heat. Add sausage meat, onion, garlic, silverbeet stems…

Bolognese … the eternal dish of comfort. No matter one’s age, this slow-cooked sauce of joy consistently unites us all in its rich and loving arms. As a child I dreamt of generous bowls of this on the table, but my mother had other (plant-based) plans in store for me. Sleepovers at friends’ homes were my moment to gluttonously eat the family staple, and so my love affair with this classic began. Everyone has their little secrets, passed down by their mothers and grandmothers, but how was I to find the insight into such perfection without guidance? The solution was simple – eat, eat, and eat some more! After some bowls full of revelation and others of sheer calorific disappointment, I’ve arrived at a recipe that will satisfy any appetite.…

Half Life by Jillian Cantor, Simon & Schuster Author Jillian Cantor says that Sliding Doors has long been one of her favourite movies, and her idea of applying the concept of ‘what if’ and exploring the outcome of ‘the road not taken ’ to the life of Marie Curie, the first woman to win the Nobel Prize and the first person to win it twice, is enthralling. Clearly Marie Curie did pretty well for herself. As a woman in the rigid patriarchal world of science she not only ignored the boundaries of her gender but made history with her groundbreaking discoveries, despite also being born in a country where women were denied a university education. It is the sacrifices that Curie made to reach those heights that are explored here…

Ash Mountain by Helen Fitzgerald, Affirm This gripping disaster thriller has already been picked up for screen adaptation. The Rose Code by Kate Quinn, HarperCollins Compelling fiction about three women working at UK’s Bletchley Park breaking German codes. House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas, Bloomsbury The first in Crescent City, an epic adult series from the dynamic bestselling fantasy author. The Soul of A Woman by Isabel Allende, Bloomsbury The brilliant Allende on what it means to be a woman, have control over your life and be loved. The Disappearance of Stephanie Mailer, by Joël Dicker, Hachette The unputdownable new thriller from the author of The Truth About The Harry Quebert Affair .…

You will already have an idea of me. There are enough of us dead girls out there. From a distance, so many of our stories look the same. That’s bound to happen when someone on the outside tells the story, speaks as if they knew us. They pick over our remains, craft characters from our ashes, and this is what the living get left with. Someone else’s impression of who we used to be. If I tell you my story. If I let you know what happened to me. Maybe you’ll see who I was. Who I am. Maybe you’ll like the truth of me better, and maybe you’ll wish this for every dead girl from now on. The chance to speak for herself, to be known for more than…

A portraiture project created by the Duchess of Cambridge to capture the trials and quiet triumphs of the COVID-19 pandemic has been turned into a book to raise money for much-needed mental health support. Through her Hold Still project, Kate invited people from all over the UK to submit portraits, saying, “I wanted to use the power of photography to create a lasting record of what we were all experiencing.” For MORE Featuring 100 curated images, Hold Still: A Portrait of Our Nation in 2020 ($49.99) is available to pre-order online now.…

Michael Crawford The original and arguably the best, winning a Tony Award for his Broadway performance. Gerard Butler Despite having no experience with musicals, the Scottish actor impressed in the 2004 film. Anthony Warlow The homegrown baritone took the lead in the 1990 Australian version before reprising the role from 2007 to 2009.…

Mother’s Day means… a day of appreciation for motherhood – which means lots of gifts! The best piece of parenting advice I’ve been given is… make sure you always wear fresh undies. The last time I cried was… today. I always cry when families give feedback about the service they received. Especially when they say, “My mother wouldn’t want it any other way.” It brings joy to my heart. My proudest achievement is… Having five sons. Being involved in the funeral business is… a blessing. The last photo I took on my phone was of… my husband’s latest purchase. It was some item that fits at the head of a vacuum to scrub floors. Cringe!…

Dear Mum, aka Betty Boo, As I write this, you’re probably in the family room back in Gisborne, whipping a weighted hula hoop around your waist while watching a recording of EastEnders. For 30 minutes, you don’t stop. The washing is already done, the garden is tended to, Dad’s breakfast and lunch are made, and a coffee date with an old friend is scheduled in before the grandkids arrive after school. At 74, you don’t – and won’t – stop. You’re strong, formidable and amazing. You’re an inspiration and I adore you. I was your baby, the last of four aged five and under. I don’t know how you did it. Cooking, cleaning, driving, paying, counselling, supporting, coaching … on repeat every day. You never stopped. But you never complained…

I opened my eyes, and there he was standing over me, just inches from my face. He was stroking my head, my hair; God, he was handsome. I wished he were someone who loved me instead of someone whose next words were, “You’re bleeding into your brain.” It was late September 2001. I was in the ER at the California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco. I asked Dr Handsome, “Will I lose my ability to speak?” He said it’s possible. I needed to call my mom and my sister. They needed to hear this from me while I could still tell them myself. I called my sister, Kelly. She was as she always is: the most magnificent person I know. Then I called my mom, a more difficult conversation…

Professor John Shine AC Australian Academy of Science President, Emeritus Professor, Garvan Institute of Medical Research. Professor Elizabeth Blackburn AC Nobel Laureate 2009, Professor Emerita University of California. Professor Fiona Stanley AC Australian of the Year 2003, Distinguished Research Professor University of Western Australia. Professor Peter Doherty AC Nobel Laureate 1996, Australian of the Year 1997. Professor Ian Frazer AC Australian of the Year 2006, International Life Award for Scientific Research 2007. Emeritus Professor Ian Chubb AC Former Chief Scientist for Australia, former Vice-Chancellor of ANU. Laureate Professor Ingrid Scheffer AO Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences President, Melbourne Laureate Professor. Anna-Maria Arabia Chief Executive of the Australian Academy of Science.…

Golden milk, also called a golden latte, contains turmeric, warmed milk and ingredients like pepper and cinnamon. It’s delicious and photogenic but becomes problematic when accompanied by claims it can boost immunity, “help your liver detoxify” and “offer protection from some types of cancer”. Golden milk’s supposed healing powers spring from a group of compounds in turmeric called curcuminoids. According to Dr Emma Beckett, human trials on curcumin use doses of up to 12 grams per day and since turmeric is only about three per cent curcumin, you have to eat “over 100 grams every day,” Dr Beckett says. Even if you're willing to ingest turmeric by the heaped tablespoon, “human trials have been inconclusive.”…

Throughout the years, magazine advertisements for the Barbizon Hotel emphasized this point: “OH! It’s great to be in NEW YORK … especially when you live at the Barbizon for Women”. The tagline was always the same, assuring in its tenacity: New York’s Most Exclusive Hotel Residence for Young Women. But magazine pieces also warned of the wolves, those men who roamed New York’s streets on the lookout for pretty, naive, young things, and the Barbizon promised both protection and sanctuary. Yet that wasn’t the only reason America’s young women wanted to stay there. Everyone knew the hotel was packed full with aspiring actresses, models, singers, artists, and writers, and some had already gone from aspiring to famous. Rita Hayworth had even posed for Life magazine in the hotel’s gymnasium, beside…

Jess is a former Women’s Weekly staffer and journalist, social media influencer and founder of website Project WomanKIND; Bree, a beach babe and surfer who hails from Noosa, travels the globe modelling and is the designer of her own swim label Code B; and Penelope is a former Byron Bay creative talent agent and owner of Homecoming Store, which curates bespoke products for home. Between them, the women have more than 30 years of modelling experience and years of friendship. In an industry that has been challenged in recent years, diversity and embracing individuality is the biggest trend right now. These three are not only influencers, they are making waves in the local market, appearing in major fashion brands’ campaigns. Seeing women graduating out of their 20s and being embraced…

Switch your primer If you’re a believer in priming (which extends the life of your base and keeps skin concerns like shine and dullness in check), switch to a luminous formula over a matte one throughout winter. Elizabeth Arden’s new primer has hydrating ingredients, as well as polymers that improve the finish of your foundation. TRY: Elizabeth Arden Flawless Start Hydrating Serum Primer, $64 Highlight skin with liquids Radiance is harder to achieve in winter. A liquid highlighter is an easy fix, giving skin a quick and natural-looking glow. Apply in the usual spots – brow bone, the high point of cheeks and a little down the nose. TRY: Mecca Max Liquid Light in Gold $29 Add moisture… constantly Spritzing is a great way to give skin a hit of…

Blood ties A unique brain protein measured in the blood could be used to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease decades before symptoms develop, according to Edith Cowan University (ECU) research. The protein in question (known as GFAP) is normally found in the brain, but is only released into the blood when the brain is damaged by early Alzheimer’s disease. In the future, this could mean faster, more affordable testing, and the ability for doctors to implement medication and lifestyle changes far earlier to delay the progression of the disease. try THIS Eat raw The idea isn’t new, says chef and restaurateur Julie Mitsios. “In fact, it may well be the oldest way of eating known to humankind.” The theory is simple: eating raw foods means enjoying them in their most pure, unaltered…

In the animated film Inside Out, the character named Sadness saves the day. This may be a story designed to teach children the importance of listening to their feelings, but there are many grown-ups who stand to benefit too – this writer included. “There is so much to be gained from the emotions we tend to shut down, like anger, envy or shame.”– Dr Sarah Woodhouse I’ve always prided myself on being an optimist, perhaps exacerbated by my husband’s propensity for what I like to call “dark-cloud thinking” (to be clear, I say this as a veiled insult at dinner parties and family gatherings). But it’s recently dawned on me that he’s got the right idea, and my insistence on blue-sky thinking at all times could actually be a kind…

Rigatoni, penne or farfalle would also work well in this recipe. We used a pre-packaged mix of mushrooms containing king brown, Swiss brown, oyster and enoki mushrooms. Smooth ricotta is sold in tubs in the refrigerated section of most supermarkets. This variety of ricotta achieves a smooth, creamy topping. Use chicken stock instead of white wine, if you prefer. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze in portion-sized airtight containers for up to 3 months. The slow-cooker lamb can also be cooked in the oven. Use a cast iron or other casserole dish that allows you to sear the lamb on the stove before placing in a 150°C (130°C fan-forced) oven for 3-4 hours until very tender. For a touch of freshness, serve with mixed…

Banana & cinnamon upside-down cake SERVES 10 PREP + COOK TIME 1 HOUR 10 MINUTES {+ COOLING & STANDING TIME} 2 cups {200g} walnuts 4 small ripe bananas {500g} 80g unsalted butter, melted ½ cup {110g} firmly packed brown sugar 3 eggs 1 cup {220g} caster sugar 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1¼ cup {185g} self-raising flour 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon ½ cup {125ml} buttermilk 125g unsalted butter, extra, melted 1 Preheat oven to 180°C (160°C fan-forced). Grease a 13cm x 23cm (inside top measurement) loaf pan; line base with baking paper, extending the paper 2cm over sides. 2 Spread walnuts on an oven tray; roast for 5 minutes or until nuts are fragrant and lightly golden. Cool. Pulse the walnuts in a food processor until a coarse meal forms. 3…

Jillian Cantor, 42, grew up in Pennsylvania where, she says, “I was a quiet kid, finding adventure in stories. As I got older, my love of reading fiction turned into a desire to write my own.” To date she has written 10 novels and now lives in Arizona with her husband and two sons. Jillian says Half Life’s Marie and Marya “both have a very intense drive to persevere in spite of all the obstacles they face. I feel a similar drive as a writer continually faced with rejection. I’m always pushing myself to keep going, keep writing.”…

Migrants by Issa Watanabe, Walker Pictures speak a thousand words in a book with no words. A rhino leads a cluster of displaced animals. A boat ride away, trees bear fruit. With A Little Kelp From Our Friends by Mathew Bate, Thames & Hudson A calming dive into the lifesaving world of seaweed. It can be used for food, fabric, even bricks for houses. Earth Matters by Carole Wilkinson, Wild Dog Practical book for kids worried about climate change. How to help – don’t take the bus, pedal or scooter! Delicate pastel illustrations from Hilary Cresp.…

Taurus Apr 22 - May 21 The Sun, Venus and Uranus in your sign at the start of May will send you sensible sensualists on a pleasure cruise. Not happening? Then make it! Indulge yourself with something beautiful and lavish to delight your body, heart and spirit, so you’re primed for the annual Taurus new moon on May 12, delivering a celestial birthday dose of economic and emotional grounding. While this powerful astral force is with you, write a list of the qualities you appreciate in yourself and others, plus everything you’re thankful for in your life, so Taurus new moon’s practical magic can magnetise more of it into your orbit. Gemini May 22 - Jun 22 While flirty Mercury and sociable Venus in Gemini have you eloquent and articulate,…

If I had to choose another career... I’d be a dog trainer. If I could star in anything, it would be... a Disney movie, hands down! I’d spend my last day on earth... making love. My go-to karaoke song is... Savage Garden’s Truly Madly Deeply . My favourite part of New Zealand is... Raglan. I feel most comfortable when I wear... a casual dress and no bra. My favourite meal to cook is... an Ethiopian feast. The greatest joy about what I do is... that I get to inspire people and help them feel less lonely. When I need to get some spark back into my soul, I... listen to Beyoncé. At the top of my bucket list is...  hiking the El Camino trail. The three words I’d use to…