Innholdsfortegnelse for Christmas 2018 i Better Homes and Gardens Australia

From the topmost star to the prettily wrapped presents under the tree, use your BHG Christmas paper to create a wonderland of seasonal decos, cards and gifts. Part traditional, part woodland fantasy, the four different paper designs can be mixed and matched or used alone. But the more the merrier, we say – start with that idea and you can’t go wrong! Yule be wonderful 1 Create our cover star tree! Use your free paper to make the star topper and a gorgeous combo of whimsical decos. Then add store-bought baubles, including tiny mushrooms, wooden snowflakes, golden pine cones and the odd deer for a little woodland magic. Instructions on page 188 That’s a wrap! 2 Pile gorgeous gift boxes on an ottoman and the floor in front for an…

Light seafood menu Drinks • Tropical pineapple and peach punch Starter • Smoked salmon platter Side • Tomato, melon and prosciutto salad Mains • Grilled prawns with sweet corn and caramelised coconut dressing • Whole baked snapper with miso, lime and herbs Desserts • Summer roasted plum trifle • Caramelised pineapple, mango and coconut pavlova nothing says Aussie Christmas quite like being outside on the deck, enjoying the summer breeze and feasting on a sensational spread of Aussie seafood, then finishing on a dessert featuring fruity summer show-stopping favourites. TROPICAL PINEAPPLE AND PEACH PUNCH Preparation time 10 minsCooking time nilServes 8 ¼ large ripe pineapple, peeled, diced into 1cm cubes3 fresh ripe peaches, stones removed, diced into 1cm cubes80ml peach iced tea flavoured cordial565g can lychees in light syrupJuice of…

Classic feast WITH ROASTS AND FRUIT CAKE RED McW 660 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Don’t be afraid of bolder reds in summer – they can pay off in spades. This menu suits this medium-bodied cab sav down to the ground! Lashings of silky cassis and blood plum flavours will bring to life the proteins, while the spice and dark chocolate will reward generously with the fruit elements and richer aspects of the meal. WHITE McW 660 Reserve Chardonnay The most versatile grape in the vineyard is also an all-rounder at your table! This chardonnay is a cool-climate style, so the bright citrus and peach flavours are perfect to cut through the richness in the meal while celebrating the elegance of the white meats. PS, to get the best out of this…

Blue Velvet My SEASON TREND TONI HYNES, BEAUTY EDITOR, NEW IDEA “This is such a gorgeous pairing of soft blue and silver” KitchenAid Attachments FLAT BEATER tackles anything from biscuits to breads. DOUGH HOOK mixes and kneads any type of dough. WIRE WHISK makes light work of egg whites. New KitchenAid Blue Velvet range. Kettle (5KEK1722AVB) $239; Mixer (5KSM150PSAVB) $879; 2-Slice Toaster (5AKMT223VB) $239; 4-Slice Toaster (5AKMT423VB) $289, also available. Other colours available. All other items are stylist’s own. Find the recipe for the Peaches and Panna Cotta Cream Meringue Stack online at hn.com.au/blog/recipes/ Mint & cork My SEASON TREND SALLY NOLAN, LIFESTYLE DIRECTOR, NEW IDEA “This combination brings a Scandi vibe into your kitchen” Morphy Richards Aspect Cork Range in Mint. 4-SliceToaster (240015) $169; Kettle (100015) $159. Also available…

the delight is in the detail when it comes to gardens. So with the summer entertaining season here, give vent to your creative flair and create a few charming scenes using recycled items in clever, colourful ways. You’ll bring a big smile to the face of your Christmas visitors and, even better, you’ll get to enjoy the creations all year round – just swap over the flowers when needed! 1 Easy step-by-steps to your PALLET PLANTER STEPS Give a pallet a paint job and use it to grow blooms and show off cut flowers from your garden (or the florist’s, shhh). Search online trading sites for pallets to buy – you may even get them for free! Gather your supplies • MDF • Timber pallet • Glass jars • Plants…

simple home-made Christmas gifts make a refreshing change from store-bought goods, plus you know that you’re giving something unique. These hand-painted pots are super easy to make and call for only basic materials and supplies. Take your pick from these two styles, or make a few of each – the building block for both is the classic vase-shaped terracotta pot, which you can pick up at any nursery. This year, give from the heart – not the store. i FOR PROJECT SUPPLIES, SEE STOCKISTS PAGE STEPS SANTA POTS Gather your supplies • Small terracotta pot• Pot sealer• Red acrylic paint• Black acrylic paint• Copper tape You’ll also need Paintbrushes: drop sheet; painter’s tape; scissors FOR YOU TO NOTE Save money by using sample pots of acrylic paint. Here’s how STEP…

elfin charm Looking for a cute gift for garden-loving friends or relatives? Try this idea, using small potted conifers dressed up with a red bow and an elf’s hat – they’ll definitely bring a smile to anyone you give them to! Just sit plastic-potted conifers inside small metal buckets or something similar – there’s no need to re-pot the plants. KEY TO CLIMATE ZONES In each issue we give ideas, tips and planting advice for different climate zones, so it’s important to find the zone number for your area. Naturally, there will be cooler, warmer, wetter and drier areas in each zone, so ask a horticulturist at your local nursery which zone best matches your conditions. gifts for gardeners • Native beehouse • Hand trolley for moving tools and fertilisers…

BRÛLÉED BRIOCHE WITH EGGNOG CUSTARD AND BERRIES Preparation time 20 minsCooking time 30 minsServes 8 500ml milk500ml cream, 35% fat1 vanilla bean, cut finely on an angle1 strip of orange rind150g coconut sugar, plus extra 150g6 Tbsp cornflour½ tsp ground clove¼ tsp nutmeg, finely grated2 tsp ground cinnamon6 free-range egg yolks60ml brandy60g hazelnuts, peeled, lightly toasted, roughly chopped2 heaped Tbsp hemp seeds80-100ml maple syrup½ tsp sea-salt flakes1 loaf unsliced brioche, stale, cut into 2-3cm slices150g butter, chopped, at room temperature200ml raspberry jam, or you can use your favourite fruit jam (see Super simple roasted raspberry jam recipe, right)250g raspberries, to garnish STEP 1 Preheat oven to 180°C fanforced (200°C conventional). Put milk, cream, vanilla and orange rind in a saucepan over a low heat. Bring to the barest simmer. Don’t…

Shanghai-style Chinese food is colourful and delicious. Take your homecooked Shanghai dishes to the next level with the authentic flavours of Lee Kum Kee soy and oyster sauces. QUALITY IN EVERY DROP Lee Kum Kee follows traditional fermentation methods and uses only the finest ingredients with strict quality control to ensure every drop meets the highest standards. CLASSIC SHANGHAI STIR-FRIED NOODLES 500g egg noodle150g pork loin, cut into strips150g cabbage, sliced60g brown onion, sliced60g Shiitake mushroom, sliced40g mixed capsicum, sliced10g fresh chilli, sliced1 tsp minced garlic2 tbsp oil PORK MARINADE SAUCE: 1 tsp Lee Kum Kee Premium Soy Sauce¼ tsp Lee Kum Kee Pure Sesame Oil½ tsp Cornstarch¼ tsp Lee Kum Kee Chicken Bouillon Powder½ tsp sugarWhite pepper to taste SAUCE MIX: 1 Tbsp Lee Kum Kee Premium Soy Sauce2…

bring a bit of the northern hemisphere Christmas experience Down Under and into your home with these projects. With snow-dusted fir trees, twinkling lights, forest creatures and a traditional snowman, you’ll create classic scenes of Chrissy charm. The sock figures are a fun one to do with the kids, while the domes are a wonderful way to indulge your craft bug. Enjoy! WOODLAND SCENE Design your own dome art. Choose figurines to suit the dome size, then create your scene with moss, mini trees and animals, and anything else you like! STEPS Gather your supplies •Moss runner•Glass dome with base•Bottlebrush trees•LED bud lights•Pebbles•Reindeer and doe figurines•Artificial moss•Washi tape•Metallic cord You’ll also need Marker pen; scissors; glue dots Here’s how STEP 1 Place moss runner on base, put dome on top…

CHRISTMAS TREE STAR Gather your supplies •BHG Christmas papers in two designs•Green floristry wire•Craft glue•Pencil•Ruler•Scissors•Double-sided tape•Stapler•Sticky tape Christmas tree star Here’s how STEP 1 Glue 2 sheets of paper together to create double-sided paper. STEP 2 Diagonally fold a 13.5cm square sheet of paper twice, to create a triangle. STEP 3 Draw 3 evenly spaced lines, parallel to long side, across triangle. STEP 4 Starting at the open edge of the triangle, cut along each of the lines, stopping about 1cm short of the folded edge. STEP 5 Open out the cut paper triangle. Using double-sided tape to secure them, bring up and overlap the tips of the centre square. STEP 6 Turn the paper over, overlap and stick together the tips of the second square. STEP 7 Turn the…

soft and cuddly, these cute dollies will pull at your heartstrings – so much so you might want to keep them for yourself rather than gift them. Made of inexpensive calico and with plain and print fabrics for their dresses and stockings, you’ll find you can whip them up quite quickly. Simple embroidery takes care of their facial features while different hairstyles set them apart from each other. PS, lovin’ their long lashes! free PROJECT SHEET So it’s easy for you to follow, we’ve put the step-by-step instructions for a rag doll on a project sheet. This project sheet also includes a complete list of the materials you’ll need to do the job. To get your free project sheet, visit bhgshop.com.au/projectsheets and download it – it’s super-simple and you’ll have…

menu The classic Drinks • Champagne cocktail Starters • Mini beef wellingtons • Garlic, lime and honey chicken with Sriracha mayonnaise Entree • Pork belly with black pepper cherry caramel Main • Cranberry and herb roast lamb with mulled wine gravy Desserts • Dark chocolate and coffee tart with fruit cake ice-cream Something sweet • Raspberry, pistachio and lemon friands Give your table old-world glamour with glowing candlelight, metallic accents and iconic Christmas greenery such as holly and snowdusted fir trees. Then serve up pork belly and roast lamb, instead of the usual ham and turkey, for a tasty twist on more traditional fare. CHAMPAGNE COCKTAIL Preparation time 10 mins plus 6 hours freezingCooking time nilServes 8 ½ x 125g punnet blueberries½ x 125g punnet raspberries½ mango, finely diced80ml cognac750ml…

THIS CHRISTMAS, WHETHER YOU BAKE, FRY, DRIZZLE OR ROAST, USE A HIGH-QUALITY AUSTRALIAN EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL FOR THE BEST RESULTS EVERY TIME Australian Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) consistently ranks among the best in the world. The quicker the oil is cold pressed after being harvested from the tree, the fresher the oil, the higher the quality and the healthier it is. Australian EVOO is fresher than imported oil as it lands on our shelves sooner. Look for the Australian certified symbol which ensures the oils meet the high industry standards, and you only have the best Australian EVOO. “Our mission is to produce the world’s best Extra Virgin Olive Oil”ROB MCGAVIN, CO-OWNER & CEO, COBRAM ESTATE BAKED HAM WITH BLOOD ORANGE MARMALADE Preparation time: 30 minsCooking time: 50…

whip up a memorable Christmas with a combination of beautiful decorations and easy makes in colours and themes to suit each and every one of you. Pick your fave scheme and carry it throughout your home, even to the outside. Happy crafting! 1 White and right. Vivid honeycomb decos and a snowwhite tree make it festive, jolly and bright. i FOR SHOPPING DETAILS, SEE STOCKISTS PAGE 2 Bring fun to the table by adding colourful Christmas decorations to its centre for a show-stopping display. Personalise each place setting, creating name tags with letter stickers. For instructions, visit spotlightstores.com 3 Start as you mean to finish and make the front door spectacular. Whip up this impressive large bauble wreath and matching Christmassy word in smaller baubles. Instructions on page 196 4…

old hardwood fence palings may look like they’re only good for firewood, but under the rough exterior is beautiful timber that’s just waiting to shine. The best bit is, you can usually find them for free! Search online trading sites or check with a local fencer and you’re away! 1 Nothing says summer like a bowl of citrus and pineapples! Complete the relaxed feel with white tableware and chairs. 2 You don’t get character like this with new timber! Keeping the shape of the old fence palings gives a hint of their former life. 3 Chunky timber legs and exposed galvanised fixings complement the recycled palings of the tabletop and add an industrial edge to your outdoor space. 4 Need a new outdoor table? Using materials destined for the tip,…

this year, our TV presenters celebrate by enjoying some good old-fashioned outdoor fun – decorating the tree, hanging homemade bunting, making easy decorations, playing backyard games and sharing stories about their favourite episodes. And, of course, Ed and Karen whip up a picnic of delicious festive fare (for recipes, see pages 130 and 140). So go ahead, make your own merry memories with these great ideas. This Christmas enjoy the simple pleasures with the people you love 1 Give paper chains a makeover with jute webbing and check ribbon in red and white. 2 Tartan-up a whitepainted tin with a band of red hessian and a tartan fabric bow. 3 Make your own simple table decorations. You can whisk these hessian trees up in no time. 4 Straw stars! The…

PEAR AND HONEY-GLAZED HAM Preparation time 10 minsCooking time 1½ hoursServes 10 1.6–2.4kg easy carve leg ham850ml pear juice2 cinnamon sticks2 star anise4 cloves2 cardamom pods, cracked200g honey2 Tbsp lime marmalade1 Tbsp apple cider vinegarHandful of gum leaves (optional) ALL YOUR INGREDIENTS AVAILABLE AT WOOLWORTHS STEP 1 Preheat a lidded barbecue to medium heat. Use a sharp knife to score fine parallel lines 1cm apart at a 45° angle across ham skin. Put in a large roasting pan. Add 500ml water and cook with the lid down for 30 minutes. STEP 2 Meanwhile, put pear juice and spices in a saucepan over high heat and boil rapidly for 15 minutes, or until reduced to 100ml. Add honey, marmalade and vinegar, and boil for a further 10 minutes or until syrupy.…

One of the great joys of Christmas is bringing the family together around the table. At Woolworths you’ll find everything you need to create a feast the whole family will love, from nibbles to pudding and everything in between. Award-winning ham A beautiful Christmas ham always draws an appreciative crowd, so check out Woolworths’ award-winning half leg of ham, naturally woodsmoked for a richer flavour. Glaze like a chef For a gorgeous glaze packed with traditional festive flavours, the Woolworths variety of glazes in Sweet Cherry, Spiced Apple and Golden Maple get golden results with less fuss. Easy entertaining Christmas entertaining is deliciously simple with a generous platter of Bertocchi Sopressa Salami, Woolworths Brie, mixed olives and crackers to share. SWEET FINISH The decadent Gold Christmas Pudding range from Woolworths…

MAKE IT DELICIOUS The clever added steam function of the Bosch Pyrolytic oven adds bursts of moisture to make your roast crispy and scrumptious on the outside, and juicy on the inside. Whether you’re reheating dishes, proving dough, baking or roasting, the added steam function will enhance your cooking. Simply set the oven to add steam automatically or do it manually to control the intensity. BE MEASURED Cooking the perfect Christmas turkey is easy with the Bosch PerfectRoast meat probe. There’s no need to constantly check if your meat is ready, as your oven will turn off on its own. COOK MORE, CLEAN LESS At last, someone in the house who enjoys cleaning! The pyrolytic self-cleaning function heats up to 480°C to burn off grease and food residue without using…

the festive season provides more than its share of opportunities to royally stick your foot in it. We’re not talking about using the wrong knife and fork or sipping your soup funny. But navigating potentially tricky interpersonal situations? That’s a different story! How do you handle an errant relative with grace and good humour? And that not-quiteright gift from hubby? Or the selfie-addicted friend whose phone is surgically attached to her hand? Ugh. Sometimes you catch more flies with honey, and sometimes a more direct approach is called for. Which to use when? Ah, that’s the question! Here, we tackle a bunch of modern-day etiquette dilemmas using a bit of both! Q My bestie’s significant other is an obnoxious know-it-all with political opinions to match. I’m hosting a Chrissy do.…

on the western side of the Blue Mountains in New South Wales is the town of Oberon. Think spectacular cool-climate gardens – including the celebrated Mayfield Garden – incredible scenery, fossicking for all manner of treasures and awe-inspiring natural caves. It’s easy to see why Oberon is a fantastic road trip destination. Here’s where to go. WANDER THROUGH MAYFIELD GARDEN It took passion and true grit to transform bare paddocks into Mayfield Garden. Inspired by their European travels, owners Garrick and Evelyn Hawkins began planting and landscaping in the 1990s, and the result is ‘bloomin’ magical’. New display The Valley of the Five Ponds features cascading water linking the waterholes, while the Camellia Walk has mobility-friendly pathways that let everyone enjoy the gardens. There’s also a cafe with a farm-totable…

STEPS JUMP FOR JOY Gather your supplies •MDF craftwood 17 x 1.5cm letters, J, O, Y•Jolly & Joy small bauble pack in Jolly Bright x 3•Hot-glue gun and glue sticks Here’s how STEP 1 Assemble supplies. STEP 2 Snip cord hanger off each bauble. Remove caps, if desired. Working with 1 letter at a time, place baubles on it, moving them around until you’re happy with the colour order and arrangement. Ensure letters stand upright or lie flat. Hot glue baubles in place. STEP 3 Repeat Step 2 for all letters. Hang or display, as desired. STEPS CANDLE CENTREPIECE Gather your supplies •Wooden tray with blackboard in White•White acrylic paint•Paintbrush•Dry floral foam bricks x 2•Silver ferns x 12•Various poinsettia, berry and apple/gift picks x 7•Candles in glass votive x 2…

FRESH PICK Cobram Estate harvests and cold presses its olives within six hours to ensure maximum freshness and great taste. Whether you bake, fry, drizzle or roast, choose Cobram Estate and use it every day. Visit cobramestate.com.au. ALLERGY FACE ALERT! The visible signs of hayfever allergies, such as watery eyes, red nose and puffy face, can impact the way we look and feel. ZYRTEC® provides fast, powerful, 24-hour relief from hayfever allergy symptoms, so you can get on with your day. *Always read the label. Use only as directed. If symptoms persist see your healthcare professional. ASMI29477-0918 THE GIFT THAT'S MADE TO SHARE This 18-piece Ferrero Rocher cube makes a beautiful gift or a stunning home entertainer. Showing off the unique Ferrero Rocher with its clear packaging, it is a…

YOUR SHOPPING DIRECTORY Adairs 1300 783 005, adairs.com.au Annie Sloan anniesloan.com Batiste batistehair.com.au Bed Bath N’ Table bedbathntable.com.au Best Pets Gift Card bestgiftcards.com.au/pets BHG Shop bhgshop.com.au Biotraka biotraka.com Bosch Australia bosch-pt.com.au Bunnings bunnings.com.au Catit Selected pet stores Cedar and Stone cedarandstone.com.au Charlotte Tilbury charlottetilbury.com Chippendale Restorations chippendalerestorations.com.au Country Road countryroad.com.au Crabtree and Evelyn crabtree-evelyn.com.au Cristal d’Arques cristaldarquesparis.com/au/ David Jones davidjones.com DMK dannemking.com.au Domayne domayne.com.au Domestic Textile domestictextile.com.au Down to the Woods downtothewoods.com.au Easycraft easycraft.com.au Enjo enjo.com.au Ferrero Rocher ferrero.com.au Focus On focusonfurniture.com.au FitBark fitbark.com/store-au Freedom freedom.com.au Furbo shopau.furbo.com Ginger & Me gingerandme.com Hugo Boss myer.com.au, davidjones.com Hunter hunterlab.com.au IKEA ikea.com.au Ishka ishka.com.au Jurlique jurlique.com.au Kmart kmart.com.au Koch & Co 1300 555 624, koch.com.au La Mia Perla myer.com.au LinenMe linenme.com Luna foreo.com LUX Platters @luxplatters, 0418 213 851 Maison Saine maison-saine.com.au…

What would Christmas be without wrapping paper? Oh, oh, oh, very little. Christmas wrap says the season is here! It makes for wide-eyed expectations of what is inside any pressie. And it presents an exquisite collection of bright colours, patterns and merry wishes under the tree, on cards, around the house and in stockings! Chrissy paper? It’s vital to creating wonderful festivities. Whether it’s a $2 roll for 10 metres or an expensive small glam sheet for around $6, selecting a style and theme for the year – colourful, pale, geometric, floral, festive, cool as, and coordinates everywhere – it’s as important for gift giving as the gift itself. Because with your creativity, a little time, a special ribbon and embellishment here and there, you can turn any gift, big,…

Vegetarian menu Drinks • Blood orange, lime and passionfruit mojitos Starter • Feta and oregano stuffed cherry tomatoes Sides • Tomato, haloumi and pomegranate salad • Beetroot and orange salad Mains • Roasted carrot and red onion risotto with sherry currants • Vegetable roast with stuffing Desserts • Mini vegan Christmas puddings • Raspberry Aperol mousse with cranberry jelly Something sweet • Chocolate peppermint triangles fruit and veg never looked – or tasted – so festive! Colourful and zesty, this menu offers the flavours of the Mediterranean, including juicy tomatoes and oranges, aromatic herbs and lots of yummy cheeses! BLOOD ORANGE, LIME AND PASSIONFRUIT MOJITOS Preparation time 10 minsCooking time nilServes 8 125ml white rum½ cup mint leaves, plus extra sprigs to garnish2 limes, cut into thin wedges, plus extra…

prepare your home to sparkle and enchant this Christmas with a sackful of chic and inspirational ideas. Go for luxe with new-look blues and the glow of gold, bring on glamour with soft pinks and fairy lights aplenty, or stay serene with nature’s greens. It’s time to bring on the merriment! festive & green 1, 2 Eucalyptus is a classic country colour. You can make it more contemporary by mixing in smart stripes (the rug), touches of smooth olive, zesty lime and white (the baubles) and accents of gold, champagne and brass. PS, lovin’ the wreath hand-decorated with retro cars, baubles and clip-on birds (opposite). “Nature’s neutral, green works with grained timbers and a whole spectrum of other neutrals – whites, creams and greys – for contrast” 3 They don’t…

When Denise and Adam put in a pool as part of their renovation, they knew how they didn’t want to go about it. “We liked the wide board look, but needed a robust, rot-resistant product that could tolerate poolside conditions,” says Adam. “I’ve seen timber decks fail in under five years and we didn’t want to risk that.” Instead, they chose HardieDeck™ for its durability. “I have a background in sustainability so I look for products with longer lifespans, and HardieDeck delivers on that.” EASY DOES IT The installation of Adam and Denise’s deck was surprisingly painless. “The install time is definitely faster due to the board width and the actual fixture system,” says Adam. ”This created a distinct saving in both install time and labour costs.” Between the deck’s…

Are you hanging for that great Macca’s® taste, but with a fresh new twist? Check out the new and improved McWrap range at McDonald’s, available in three delicious flavours. THE CLASSIC BEEF McWRAP Enjoy juicy 100% Aussie Beef with crunchy lettuce, tomato, caramelised onion, Macca’s Classic Cheese and a tangy signature sauce wrapped in a wholemeal tortilla. THE SPICY CHICKEN McWRAP Spice up your life with our delicious spicy sauce, 100% Aussie chicken breast fillet (crispy or grilled) and a mix of leafy greens and crunchy slaw wrapped in a wholemeal tortilla. THE CHICKEN CAESAR McWRAP Hail Caesar! You’ll love the caesar dressing, parmesan cheese, crispy bacon, 100% Aussie chicken breast fillet (crispy or grilled) topped with extra lettuce and wrapped in a wholemeal tortilla. FIND OUT MORE AT MCDONALDS.COM.AU…

they say hunger is the best sauce, but you’ll say it’s a tie between oyster and soy once you make these recipes! Inspired by Shanghai cuisine, these pork party starters use authentic ingredients for a marvellous mouthfeel and fabulous flavour. SHANGHAI STICKY BRAISED PORK BELLY Preparation time 15 minsCooking time 50 minsServes 12 1kg boneless pork belly, skin on2 Tbsp caster sugar1 Tbsp water, plus extra 700ml2 Tbsp vegetable oil2 green shallots, roughly chopped, plus extra thinly sliced into lengths to garnish2 Tbsp thinly sliced matchsticks of fresh ginger2 star anise1 cinnamon stickSliced red chilli, to garnishCoriander leaves, to garnish SEASONING 3 Tbsp Lee Kum Kee Premium Soy Sauce2 Tbsp Lee Kum Kee Premium Dark Soy Sauce1 tsp Lee Kum Kee Panda Brand Oyster Sauce3 Tbsp Shaoxing wine STEP 1…

fish cakes for lunch or a snack at work and school are one of the healthiest options around. For these muffins you use pre-cooked wild salmon, but you can opt for any cooked seafood you like, or replace it with any type of mince to make a yummy patty. Served with salad and mayo, the muffins also make a great light dinner. WILD SALMON MUFFINS Preparation time 20 minsCooking time 25 minsMakes 12 Coconut oil or good-quality animal fat, to grease, plus extra 1 Tbsp½ red onion, finely chopped½ red capsicum, deseeded and finely chopped5 free-range eggs, lightly beaten415g can or jar wild pink or red salmon, drained1 Tbsp coconut flour2 Tbsp finely chopped curly or flat-leaf parsley leaves1 handful baby spinach leaves, chopped (you can also use silverbeet, kale…

Happy campers The Real Richness Report has found people who go on caravan and camping trips are happier, more satisfied, optimistic and more energised than non-campers. But not only can these trips make you happier, they also give you the opportunity to connect with yourself and your feelings. Taking a break and removing yourself from the stressors of work has multiple benefits – it’s time to enjoy the simplicity of nature. no sweat Hemp is one of nature’s most versatile plants and Sativa Organic Hemp Skincare has drawn on its benefits to create a range of natural skin and hair care products. Combined with other nutrient-rich botanicals, the products will make your skin, hair and even your underarms, happy. Try Spirit and Bliss Deodorant, $11.95, available from sativaskincare.com. ALLERGY FACE…

Tartan-up vase Spray-paint a clean tin white. Let dry. Wrap a strip of hessian (with frayed top and bottom edges) around it and hot glue in place. Tie a strip of tartan fabric (with frayed edges) around the hessian. JUTE AND RIBBON CHAIN GARLAND Gather your supplies 25mm-wide jute webbing; 22mm-wide Christmas ribbon; hot-glue gun Here’s how STEP 1 Cut a series of 16cm lengths of jute webbing and an equal number of pieces of ribbon. STEP 2 Run a line of hot glue down the centre of each jute strip and adhere a piece of ribbon. STEP 3 Apply hot glue to one end of a strip, overlap ends and press to form a circle, making sure ribbon is on the outside of the circle. STEP 4 Loop the…

The wish list The best gift you can give your pet is your time and attention. But it doesn’t hurt to spoil them at Christmas! Here are a few great gift ideas for your adorable fur ball. Innovative pet tech products are the latest trend. Choose gadgets such as GPS-powered fitness/activity trackers (FitBark or Biotraka), interactive ball throwers, automatic feeders, remote Wi-Fi pet cameras (Petcube, Petzi or Furbo) or microchip-reading cat litter boxes and pet doors (Sure Petcare’s microchip/app-controlled pet doors). How about a selfwarming Cuddle Bed from PetLife or the interactive Catit Senses Super Roller Circuit toy to bust your feline’s boredom? A stocking filled with homemade treats would be a yummy surprise. Scroll through numerous pet-friendly recipes online or check out VetShopAustralia’s Book of Treats which features 25…