Innholdsfortegnelse for February 2017 i The Australian Women's Weekly

There’s something amazing about Australian women. Sure, it’s hard to generalise about 12 million individuals who come from all corners of our wide brown land, but I think there are traits beyond the global female values of love, family and sisterhood that Aussie women share: a sense of humour in the face of challenges; a fierce loyalty to friends; pride in the value of honest hard work; a certain pragmatic, determined get-on-with-it stoicism in tough times. We have our faults, too, a reluctance to prioritise ourselves, a generous dose of stubbornness (my husband is no doubt nodding vigorously at this. It’s the flipside of determination, I say!) and, let’s face it, we could probably do a better job as a nation of celebrating our high-achieving sisters. What evidence do I…

It was clear from an early age that, one day, Robyn Lindholm would be famous. At 14, she was a rising star of Australian ice skating and appeared on the front page of the Victorian newspaper The Age, photographed in a sparkling sequinned outfit, spinning around the ice ready to launch into an axel jump. She went on to compete at the national ice-skating championships and was hand-chosen by the Olympic legends, Torvill and Dean, to perform alongside them in their sell-out Face The Music world tour. Yet it wouldn’t be the pretty blonde’s prowess on the ice that made her a household name. Instead, Robyn Lindholm’s name is forever etched in the history books as a murderer. She is accused of being a femme fatale, a ruthless seductress who…

Back by popular demand, the annual High Tea is the most decadent way to spend the day with friends. Located in the elegance of the Malvern Town Hall, enjoy a delicious High Tea menu designed by Peter Rowland Catering, as you revel in contemporary collections on the runway from DIIDA, Lisa Barron, Megan Park, Feathers, OnceWas, Leona Edmiston, Luxe Deluxe and Alannah Hill. WHEN: Saturday, March 4, 2017, at 11am and 2.30pm WHERE: Malvern Town Hall, Melbourne TICKETS: $95 BOOK NOW: ticketek.com.au/VAMFF MORE: For more information on Fashion Weekend, head to VAMFF.COM.AU…

Bodysuit Invest in an all-in-one bodysuit to streamline your shape from shoulder to thigh, as well as saving you the trouble of finding separates that work.. Shapewear: City Chic bodysuit, 14-22, $89.95, citychic.com.au. Outfit: Witchery jumpsuit, 4-16, $249.95, witchery.com.au. Mollini shoes, 36-42, $149.95, from Style Tread, styletread.com.au. Elk bangles, $38 each, elkaccessories.com.au. Seamless bra and shaping shorts A seamless bra will create smooth lines under a silk top. The shorts will support and lift your bottom, while slimming your thighs to create a flattering look. Shapewear: Lovable bra, 10DD-16E, $59.95, lovableonline.com. Simone Pérèle shorts, 1-5, $124.95, simone-perele.com.au. Outfit: Zara pants, XS-L, $119, (02) 9376 7600. Saba top, XXS-L, $129, saba.com.au. Elk necklace, $47, elkaccessories.com.au. Verali shoes, 5-10, $79.95, from Style Tread, styletread.com.au. Contouring slip A nude slip…

Misting up To hydrate and soothe parched, stressed skin and give it a glow, reach for the mist. 1. Elizabeth Arden Miracle Hydrating Mist, 100ml, $38. An invigorating and multi-purpose facial spray that hydrates, soothes and refreshes skin. 2. Cinch Face Cheat, 100ml, $39.95. Containing Superox-C, which is extracted from Australia’s Kakadu plum, this spray hydrates the skin and provides luminosity. 3. A’kin Hydrating Mist Toner, 150ml, $19.95. A pH-balanced toner infused with organic coconut water, green tea and chamomile to instantly cool and calm tired, stressed skin. Sun shields for your skin Ultraceuticals Ultra UV Protective Moisturiser SPF 50+ Mattifying, 100ml, $74. This broad spectrum, lightweight daily moisturiser is paraben free and offers protection for normal, dry or oily skin, is fast absorbing and hydrating. NIVEA Sun Protect &…

Q What advice can you give to mums who want healthy looking hair? A I’ve learned that no matter how crazy your days are, it’s so important to treat yourself. During the early years, you don’t get much time to yourself, but if you keep up healthy habits like drinking lots of water, eating the right foods and going for walks, your hair and skin will look great and you’ll feel better all over. Q What’s your number-one hair challenge? A I’ve always had problems with frizz. Going from the longer locks to a liberating mid-length bob has definitely improved that; it’s made my hair look and feel so much healthier. Pantene Sheer Volume Conditioner helps tame my hair and gives it some added shine and body. It’s my secret…

Bariatric surgery, or surgery to achieve weight loss by reducing the size of the stomach, is now being performed on obese children and adolescents. Surely this is an admission that the battle against childhood obesity is being lost? One in four Australian children is overweight or obese, so this is an epidemic. Children are suffering the consequences of obesity previously only seen in older adults, such as sleep apnoea, orthopaedic problems, high cholesterol, hypertension and diabetes. There are also the less obvious impacts of obesity, such as poor self-esteem, less involvement in physical activities and experiencing bullying and discrimination. More subtle, but no less important, are micro-nutrient deficiencies like iron, zinc and vitamins in children who do not eat a balanced diet containing plenty of fruit, vegetables and other whole…

Zucchini and quinoa slice with semi-dried tomatoes SERVES 8 PREP AND COOK TIME 40 MINUTES 5 eggs ½ cup (75g) self-raising flour 1 cup (250ml) milk 3 medium (350g) zucchini, grated coarsely 1 cup (120g) grated cheddar cheese ⅓ cup (70g) white quinoa, rinsed ¼ cup (35g) finely chopped semi-dried tomatoes ¼ cup coarsely chopped flat-leaf parsley leaves 1 Preheat oven to 200°C (180°C fan-forced). Grease and line a 17cm x 23cm shallow baking dish with baking paper. 2 In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs and flour, then gradually add the milk. Stir in the zucchini, cheddar, quinoa, tomatoes and parsley. Season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. 3 Pour the mixture into the prepared dish. Bake for 25 minutes or until golden brown and slightly…

The breezy and sub-tropical climate of Brisbane cast a spell on Caroline Novinc and her husband Mark Roderick almost two decades ago. As soon as they came across the area, they were keen to create a home within this slower-paced and idyllic landscape. In 2007 they stumbled on an old and neglected Queenslander in the inner city, begging for a restoration. “We fell in love with the house at first sight,” recalls Caroline. The couple bought it with a view of transforming it into a family home for their boys Jack, 12, Harry, eight, Charlie, seven, and Oscar, five. And pet labrador, Nellie. With the help of local architects, Caroline focused on functionality –a sanctuary that would withstand her frantic schedule as a busy mum. “Our mutual love of simple,…

MUSIC AND FREEDOM, by Zoe Morrison, Vintage. Alice grows up in country NSW, in a ramshackle farm surrounded by orange trees. A happy child of unhappy parents, she has a rare and marvellous gift for music, and at seven, wins a full scholarship to England’s Royal College of Music. It should be the first step to achieving her dream of becoming a concert pianist – and when she captures the interest of the handsome Edward, a brilliant Oxford economics professor, she seems on the brink of achieving all she could hope for. Yet things go terribly wrong for Alice; it’s painful to read the story of her unravelling as Edward’s vicious character emerges. Zoë Morrison is a musician and an authority on gender violence, melding her themes so skillfully it’s…

Maya Angelou, my wonderfully wise mother-sister-friend, once said, “When you know better, you do better.” Well, I thought I knew all there was to know about losing weight. Over the years, I’d interviewed every expert, I’d tried every diet. For one brief moment, back in 1988, it seemed like I’d found the secret: after a four-month liquid diet (which is a nice way of saying “fast”), I practically leapt onto the stage of my show to reveal my brand-new body in a pair of skinny minnie Calvin Klein jeans. To prove the point, I hauled out a little red wagon loaded with actual fat representing the pounds I’d starved myself to lose. And then – no pun intended – fell off the wagon. As, of course, I was bound to…

As young Anne Phelan climbed on board the train, she belted her cotton dress tight to conceal her shape. Her dad stood slumped on the platform waving goodbye, their fox terrier, Timmy, on a lead by his side. “Dad had tears cascading down,” says Anne. The much-loved Aussie actress was not yet a star, but a naïve teenager, seven months pregnant and travelling from her home in Melbourne to a convent in Adelaide to keep her secret safe. It was what you did in 1966, in the family way with nobody to marry. “At the time, I was a clerk at the railways, and in the back row of the chorus of Kismet. I was possibly in denial of being pregnant, and I don’t think I grasped what being pregnant…

You don’t even have time to read this. We get it. The Nissan Pathfinder is designed for people just like you. The Latch and GlideTM system means easy access to the third row. Seven adult-sized seats mean it’s harder for your kids to annoy each other. And three entertainment zones* mean you can tailor your distractions perfectly. Meanwhile, the 360o Around View® Monitor† makes parking troubles a thing of the past. So driving the Nissan Pathfinder is like having a little break really.…

For residents of the quiet, Central Coast NSW town of Warnervale, visiting a local bank in the late 1980s meant they could have been cashing their cheques with an Oscar-winning A-lister of the future. “I lived in Australia for a year when I was two weeks out of high school and worked 11 different odd jobs, including as an ANZ bank teller,” Matthew McConaughey – for it was he – tells The Weekly. Texas native Matthew, now 47, came to Australia in 1988 on a Rotary exchange program before going on to become one of Hollywood’s most versatile and gifted actors. “My life has been a pretty crazy ride so far,” he concedes. He’s not wrong. In the three decades since he fronted that bank counter, Matthew has worked almost…

The group’s top tips Find a common vision. Road test that vision. Rent a house together, even for a few months, before you sell up and commit. Know your housemates well. Communicate honestly (about everything from finances to food choices), listen sympathetically and don’t let problems fester. If you hit a rough patch, an impartial mediator might help iron it out. Aim for consensus. Take time to discuss issues until everyone is in agreement. If one person dissents, give them the power of veto, but ensure everyone understands that there are times for compromise and times to stand your ground. Consult a lawyer and create an exit agreement. Plan for death, ill health and divorce, and discuss with family and friends who might be affected. For more tips, read Heather’s…

When journalist Yalda Hakim lands in a country, she heads straight to a hair salon for a blow-dry. She might be in Libya, Iraq or Afghanistan and she could be there to tell the story of some of the world’s most vulnerable people, or even interview a president. Yalda’s not concerned with her hair though. Instead, the salon is an opportunity to get close to local women. “I get my hair done, they’re getting their hair done, they take off their head scarves and I suddenly see what’s going on under the scarves – peroxided blonde hair and incredible dazzling outfits,” she says. “Then they talk about everything from how they’re dealing with motherhood to marriage, but also politics and their place in society and what’s going on, and the…

“ I felt bad I wasn’t able to help. ” To most shoppers at the Warringah Mall food court, Kayla Itsines looks like any other 25-year-old – albeit an improbably toned and tanned one. Yet to the women and girls lining up to see her washboard abs in the flesh, the fitness guru is a demi-goddess. “I love her so much, she’s changed my life,” gushes Katie Lolas. “She’s so inspirational, she’s amazing,” agrees Lisa Dawson. As Kayla – sporting her signature ponytail and gym gear – poses gamely for photos, a middle-aged woman, spying my notebook, sidles up. “Who is that?” she asks and, when I tell her, mutters, “Never heard of her.” Unless you happen to be aged 16 to 28, are a health fanatic, or have become…

“I’ve learned all those clichés about grief are very true, the sadness hits you when you least expect it.” It’s the cruel unpredictability of grief that Ann Peacock struggles with. It might be a song, a moment or a scent that can instantly trigger a memory of her late mother and unleash a wave of emotion. “I was sitting in the car recently and a song came on the radio that made me think of some wonderful times we had on the Isle of Man, when Mummy was married to Robert Sangster,” she says, recalling how her mother would pile Ann and her sisters into her sports car and zoom off are diagnosed every year, with the lowest survival rate of any women’s cancer. When Mum was diagnosed, I didn’t…

“In her hands, she cradled the weapon of mass leaf destruction.” It started at 7.30 one Saturday morning, the distinctive hum of a leaf blower. It continued every weekend and I tried to ignore it by placing a pillow over my head and attempting to go back to sleep so I could return to dreams. Dreams of places where selfish neighbours didn’t blow their mess over for somebody else to deal with. It didn’t work, I couldn’t be placated and I found myself up and angry about this domestic disturbance. I’d make a coffee and wonder who was responsible? I was fixated on finding out who the enemy was within my enclave and why they’d pumped up the power tool? Whose dad had received one for Christmas and was now…

“ You don’t want to be rushing... with your heart rate and anxiety levels up. ” Cosmetic beauty treatments were once time-consuming procedures that required lengthy downtimes. Today, busy women are popping into the local clinic or salon in search of a quick beauty fix that will leave them looking fabulous in less than an hour. “There is a growing range of treatments available and no one treatment is right for everyone,” says Sydney dermatologist Dr John Sullivan. “It is good to do your own research, however a proper considered professional consultation is important.” Minor procedures during your lunch break can be effective, but Dr Sullivan warns against being misled or coerced into accepting a dodgy treatment if you’re time-poor or under financial pressure. “Signing up for a limited-time special…

My top hair tip is … Using dry shampoo to create texture and body on clean hair and also to refresh my roots if my scalp is feeling oily or weighed down. I love Pureology’s Fresh Approach Dry Shampoo as it has a satin finish and also extends the life of my colour. My daily skin routine involves … In the morning, cleansing, applying vitamin B serum and moisturising. Then before bed at night, I cleanse and apply a vitamin A serum, eye cream and moisturiser. When I travel, I always take … A quality moisturiser for my face and body. Aeroplane air can really dry out my skin, so it’s important to keep it hydrated. Nothing makes a woman more beautiful than … A smile. Feeling happy and confident…

1 Be a role model for your children by maintaining a healthy weight. 2 Do not use food, especially food high in fat or sugar, as a reward. 3 Urge your children to drink water, not juice or soft drinks. 4 Stick to three meals and two snacks a day, and avoid grazing. 5 Eat at the table with the television and other devices switched off. 6 Ban snacking in front of the TV or while doing homework. 7 Do not buy high-fat or high-sugar foods such as biscuits and lollies. 8 Limit fast food to no more than one meal a week.…

Julie’s Reuben sandwich SERVES 4 PREP TIME 20 MINUTES 2 medium baguettes butter, at room temperature 300g shaved corned beef 250g sauerkraut (see Julie’s tip) ¾ cup (225g) whole egg mayonnaise ¼ cup (70g) tomato sauce 1 tablespoon hot English mustard 2 tablespoons gherkin relish ½ small (75g) brown onion, very finely minced 4 slices Jarlsberg cheese 1 Thinly spread the bread with the butter. Divide the corned beef between the two baguettes. Top with the sauerkraut. 2 In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, tomato sauce, mustard, gherkin relish and onion. Divide the dressing between the baguettes, then top with the cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Secure baguettes with string and cut into pieces to serve. Not suitable to freeze or microwave. Julie’s tip Sauerkraut is fermented cabbage…

A severe restriction on carb intake is not advocated by most health professionals, but the reduction of energy-dense, nutrition-poor carbs is. These recipes reduce carbohydrate intake with a focus on using the best-quality foods, rather than cutting out carbs altogether – and this means staying away from highly processed grains, such as rice and pasta, and foods high in saturated fats and added sugars – which adds up to a healthier way of eating. What are carbs? Carbs, or carbohydrates, are macronutrients the body needs to function properly; the main macronutrients the body needs are carbohydrates, protein and fats. Important sources of carbohydrates are grains, vegetables and fruits (plant foods). As well as providing energy in the form of glucose (needed to fuel the body’s organs, tissues, brain and muscles),…

Treasured for centuries as a nerve stimulant, an aphrodisiac and a scent, vanilla is one of the world’s universally loved and versatile flavours. Vanilla beans are the long pod-like fruit of the vanilla planifolia (fragrans) orchid, the only orchid producing an edible product. On the vine, vanilla beans look like healthy green beans; when picked, they are flavourless, requiring a lengthy curing process to metamorphose into the slightly shrivelled, intoxicatingly pungent black pod with the volatile seeds bursting with that floral-sweet taste we know as vanilla. It is one of the world’s most popular dessert flavourings, but chefs are now also using it to give individuality to savoury sauces and dressings. Vanilla beans Look for moist and supple pods which are dark brown to black in colour. They should be…

Behind Her Eyes by Sarah Pinborough, HarperCollins. Edgy relationship thrillers are more than having a moment, they are now a thing with a name to boot – “domestic noir”. It all started with Gone Girl and The Girl On A Train and now the list is so long, publishers are going to have to subdivide the genre. The reason for the torrent is, no matter how dark, evil and twisted, these tales of love gone extremely wrong are flying off the bookshelves. Behind Her Eyes actually does create a new tributary, albeit based on some solid old-school thrill techniques, and you won’t be able to put it down, seriously, so buckle up! David Martin is a poor farm boy turned psychiatrist at an expensive London private clinic. His wife, Adele,…

1. Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel, 2009. WHAT: Mantel rewrites English history from 1527 to 1535 with Thomas Cromwell – as great a statesman as England has ever seen – as the hero. He escapes his drunken blacksmith father, but regarded as a low-born outsider – now with a direct line to King Henry VIII – is seen as unfit by the rest of court, other than his mentor, Cardinal Wolsey. WHY: This Booker-Prize-winning novel brings new passion to the Tudors. 2.I Claudius by Robert Graves, 1934. WHAT: Fictionalised biography of the Roman emperor, told as though it were an autobiography, from the long reign of Augustus to Tiberius, Caligula and Claudius himself. A stuttering Claudius tells us his own fascinating story, with an insider’s look at the multifarious plots…

Is it time to be thinking about my retirement? There’s never a bad time to plan for your future, but if you’re looking at your super balance and feeling nervous, there are steps you can take. TOP TIPS ON HOW TO MAKE YOUR SUPER LAST 1 Consider a transition-to-retirement strategy If you’re still working, a TTR strategy can help you ease into retirement by using some of your super as an income stream, which can also have tax benefits. 2 Rethink investment choices Whether you’re planning for or already in retirement, make sure your investments match your financial goals, personal time-frames and appetite for risk. 3 Maximise Centrelink entitlements The benefits you’re entitled to will affect how much super you need to draw on to supplement your income, so do…

Crown Princess Mary’s twins turn six The Danish royal family has celebrated its precocious youngest members with the release of new portraits of Princess Josephine and Prince Vincent for the twins’ sixth birthday. Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary were blessed with the arrival of the two tiniest royals on January 8, 2011. Josephine, who is younger by 26 minutes, has since proven a playful character, who often steals the limelight from her more reserved brother. The next family birthday celebration will be for Crown Princess Mary, who turns 45 on February 5. Meryl Streep hits out at Donald Trump When you’re Meryl Streep, you can say what you like and she did just that at the Golden Globes. Meryl spoke in defence of diversity and freedom of the…

As Isabel Andrews, a counsellor for adoption advocacy group Jigsaw, explains, each adoption involves five people – birth parents, adoptive parents and child – so adoption touches many lives. Isabel says it is vital to manage expectations before a reunion. “It’s not like it is on TV,” she says. “Some people just want information and medical history, and no contact. Others want an ongoing, life-long relationship.” She says 15 to 20 per cent of relinquishing mothers don’t have more babies, so some people are sad they don’t also find siblings. “Some people are shocked and upset to find the birth father’s name was never on the original birth certificate in that period, unless the mother was married,” she says. “Even if the mother wanted the name there, it just wasn’t…

Dear Tom and Lottie, These letters are for you. And these letters are also for people like you … and me. I want you to learn, to remember and to ultimately make up your own mind about life, about death … and about love. And I hope that these letters help in some small way. These letters are a collection of my thoughts and sometimes your own words, during the most difficult time of my life, and probably yours. They are also a collection of my feelings and my memories of your Mumma – Rebecca McGloughlin (09-08-1977 to 05-12-2014) – my wife, my soulmate, and my best friend for nearly 20 years. They are a collection of stories about how I grieve and have managed to parent at the same…

Her weekly exercise regimen consists of three 28-minute resistance workouts (focused on legs, arms and abs, and full body); two or three low-intensity cardio sessions (such as walking, swimming or cycling) for 30-45 minutes; and one rehabilitation session involving a 5-10 minute walk followed by stretching exercises. Her suggested meal plans are flexible and use food from all six food groups (grain; healthy fats; fruit; vegetables and legumes; dairy products; as well as lean meat, seafood, eggs and meat alternatives). While the portion sizes seem small, Kayla recommends eating three meals and two snacks a day. Below is a sample meal plan from her book: Breakfast: Chia Berry Yoghurt and Muesli Snack AM: Peachy Keen Smoothie (contains peach, banana, rolled oats) Lunch: Vegetarian Salad Wrap with Hummus Snack PM: Rice…

Show your support by purchasing and wearing a teal ribbon on Teal Ribbon Day, Wednesday, February 22. Teal ribbons are $2 from Chemmart Terry White Pharmacies nationally, Black Pepper stores and Ovarian Cancer Australia at ovariancancer.net.au/shop. According to Ovarian Cancer Australia, the four key symptoms of ovarian cancer are: Abdominal or pelvic pain Increased abdominal size or persistent abdominal bloating The need to urinate often or urgently Feeling full after eating a small amount.…

1 Do your own research first and don’t feel pressured to take advantage of a special or limited time offer. Be wary of claims or guarantees of satisfaction, absence of risk and no downtime. 2 Word of mouth and recommendations by family and friends can be very useful, but remember you may have a different problem or concerns to address. 3 Don’t rush into skincare treatments like dermal fillers or injections, fat removal, teeth whitening or brow tattooing without an initial consultation. Take your time to read and consider what was discussed to ensure the treatment is right for you. 4 Remember that, even in the best expert hands, complications can occasionally occur and follow-up and support should be available. Make sure you feel comfortable and confident in the professional…

“Having good hair is so important. It makes me feel great and ready to take on my day.” Natalie Bassingthwaighte gets goosebumps when she talks about her children, although she’s not afraid to tell it like it is. “Being a mum is amazing, and incredibly exhausting. You definitely become more patient — it’s a rocky, rewarding and enriching ride all at the same time.” For the savvy businesswoman, a dramatic haircut — switching from long, loose waves to a gorgeously textured and well conditioned mid-length bob then back to luscious long locks – has been key to allowing herself to feel empowered, regardless of what her schedule throws at her. “In a way, my hair is my armour. On days that I feel good about it, I feel more in…

Does the new test mean I can do away with that speculum vaginal examination? Sadly, no. The new test will sample the cervix using the same collecting procedure as the Pap smear, but instead of looking for changes in the cells it will be looking for the presence of cancer-causing types of HPV. What is HPV? HPV is human papillomavirus. Several types of this virus have been shown to be the cause of almost all cases of cervical cancer. HPV can also cause HPV-related throat cancer and anal cancer. It can be transmitted by vaginal, anal or oral sex with someone who carries the virus. I had the HPV vaccination when I was at school. Do I still need to have screening? If you had the HPV vaccine, you are…

Q My husband has been complaining that his left big toenail is ingrown. What causes it and are there any home remedies that we can try? J.K., NSW. Ingrowing toenails are very common and the condition usually affects the big toe. It can be caused by injury, incorrect nail trimming, or tight shoes. They are quite painful and he may need expert treatment by a podiatrist, to remove the ingrowing nail section under local anaesthetic. To prevent them, advise him to trim his nails straight across rather than rounding off the edges, so that the edge of the nail does not press into his skin, and he should wear comfortable, properly fitting shoes. Q I am 82 years old and I keep getting urinary tract infections. My doctor recommended cranberry…

Lamington sponge SERVES 8-10 PREP AND COOK TIME 40 MINUTES ⅓ cup (50g) cornflour ⅓ cup (50g) plain flour ⅓ cup (50g) self-raising flour 15g butter, melted 1 tablespoon boiling water 6 eggs 1 cup (220g) caster sugar 1 cup (250ml) thickened cream ½ cup (160g) raspberry jam 1 cup (80g) desiccated coconut CHOCOLATE ICING 40g dark chocolate, chopped finely ½ cup (125ml) water 1 cup (160g) pure icing sugar, sifted ½ cup (50g) cocoa, sifted 2 tablespoons milk 1 Preheat oven to 180°C (160°C fan-forced). Grease and line two x 22cm round cake pans; line bases with baking paper. 2 Sift cornflour, plain and self-raising flour together three times. Combine the melted butter and boiling water in a small cup. 3 Beat the eggs and sugar in a large…

When you start the food journey with your little one, we know you want to do it right, with food made using carefully selected quality ingredients that are, of course, delicious. We also know many Australian children don’t eat enough veggies, so by making them a major part of first tastes, it’s more likely your bub will grow up to be a happy veggie eater. Made with premium vegetables, Rafferty’s Garden’s Just Veggies range was developed specifically to help parents fill that first foods veggie gap. “First tastes are important and can help lay the foundations for future healthy eating” says Rafferty’s Garden nutritionist Karen Kingham. “Including a variety of veggie purees, together with iron-rich foods, dairy, fruit and grains, will ensure a good balance in baby’s first food repertoire…

SIGNAL LOSS, by Garry Disher, Text Publishing. It’s the kind of Australian gangland killing that’s so grubby and pseudo comical that it could almost be real. Two hitmen sent on a job from Double Bay to Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula botch things up so effectively that they never make it back to Sydney. And so on a “hot, wind-storming day” Inspector Hal Challis, looking “as if he’d summoned the wind and would ride it to the finish”, starts an investigation that will take on the community ice-crime epidemic, a spate of farm machinery thefts and the search for a missing child. His girlfriend, meanwhile, who is the head of the sex crimes unit, is hunting a serial rapist and keeping a wary eye on her sister’s new and slightly suspect boyfriend.…

“ A new sense of calm and joy settled on my father. ” I lived with the wonder of Prague my whole childhood. This faraway city of twinkling Baroque spires, classical music and refined coffee houses was the key to a corner of my father I rarely managed to reach. Dad was born in Prague in 1930. He left in uncertain times at the age of eight, sent to England by his parents “to escape Hitler”, or so he was told. Later, I discovered my grandparents paid British Baptist missionaries to smuggle Dad out of Czechoslovakia (as it was then). He was their only child and the threat of Nazi occupation was all they talked about with friends over sachertorte and coffee on Saturdays after synagogue. Dad rarely went to…

DOGS’ HOLIDAY Can’t bear to leave your pooch behind? Best Friend Holiday Retreat is a boutique holiday park specially designed for people holidaying with their dogs. The Gippsland park has cabins and camping or caravan sites, all individually fenced, plus spacious off-leash areas and dog-friendly play equipment. Visit bestfriend.net.au. WHEELY FUN A new Segway tour is a fun way to discover the charm of Fremantle, known as Perth’s port city. Keen guides will retell stories of Fremantle’s shipwrecks, famous pioneers and early settlers, while pointing out historic 19th century landmarks. Tour prices start from $89 per adult. Visit segwaytourswa.com.au. SUMMER ROMANCE After a romantic getaway? Balgownie Estate Vineyard Resort & Spa in Victoria’s Yarra Valley has a Summer Indulgence Package from $340 twin share, including one night’s stay in a…

LOVING It has all the tension and drama of a Cold War spy movie, but the only subterfuge Richard Loving (Joel Edgerton) and Mildred (Ruth Negga, both above) have committed is defying Virginia’s state ban on interracial marriage. Their battle for justice becomes a landmark in US civil- rights history. Superbly acted and utterly riveting. Opens March 9. xXx: THE RETURN OF XANDER CAGE Toni Collette (above) adds punch to the latest in the xXx series, playing a Secret Service agent tasked with luring Xander Cage (Vin Diesel) out of his cage to retrieve Pandora’s Box, a ghastly weapon that’s in the wrong hands. Fellow Australian Ruby Rose has a key role fighting the forces of evil alongside them. In cinemas now. HIDDEN FIGURES A tribute “to women who wear…

“By going guarantor, you increase your child’s borrowing capacity.” Young adults are finding it increasingly difficult to embrace the great Australian dream of home ownership. House price rises in our major cities are well and truly outpacing wages growth. Forty years ago, the proportion of median family income needed to meet average loan repayments was between 10 and 15 per cent. Now, according to the Real Estate Institute of Australia, that figure is more than 30 per cent – that’s with interest rates at record lows and it will grow as rates rise. Investment property pitfalls With most parents wanting to see their kids get ahead, it’s hardly surprising that a 2015 survey by REST Industry Super found that one in three retirees in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth and…

1. Fresh scents in the laundry Developed with world-famous fragrance houses, Fluffy Temptations Fabric Conditioners are the ultimate everyday indulgence. Every touch releases fresh scent so your laundry stays fragrant for up to 14 days. Surrender to blissful aromas with fine fragrances for your clothes. RRP $3.99, 500ml; RRP $6.99, 1 litre. 2. Flavoured coffee sensation For the ultimate indulgence for lovers of coffee with a sweeter taste comes Gloria Jean’s Coffees Caramel Indulgence, a full-bodied coffee infused with a delicious caramel flavour. Available in Roast, Ground and Caffitaly System Capsules. RRP $8.80, 200g ground coffee. Available from Woolworths. 3. Heal bruises fast Hirudoid Cream is clinically proven to speed up the healing process of bruises. Always read the label. Use only as directed. If symptoms persist, see your healthcare…

“Even though I iron tea towels and wash colours separately, I do have a wild side.” I’m a practical person. I never run out of tea or toilet paper and, after raising five kids, still get out of bed at 3am to check the porch light is off and the milk is back in the fridge. I iron tea towels. And singlets. For years, the family ignored my advice. They toppled out of mango trees, dated the wrong people, dislocated shoulders playing rugby and got parking fines. “Don’t ignore that ticket,” I’d warn. “Otherwise, you could spend the rest of your life behind bars!” The unopened envelope turned into a coaster for drippy coffee cups, then something to scribble shopping lists and telephone numbers on. In desperation, I paid…