Innholdsfortegnelse for November 2015 i The Australian Women's Weekly

MY IDEA OF cooking involves a slice of sourdough, a semi-ripened avocado, cracked pepper and lemon juice. It’s super quick, absolutely delicious and nutritionally better than most other fast food options. I also keep a packet of raw almonds in the cupboard, which I find stave off any unwarranted fears of malnutrition. It’s not that I don’t like cooking, it’s just that it is not high on my list of things to do with my spare time. That was not always the case. Growing up on a farm, I was taught to cook by my mother, who insists that I am perfectly able to cook, but for reasons she can’t fully explain choose not to. You see, when I was very small, we had shearers come to the property half…

THERE CAN’T BE many red-blooded Australian women who didn’t read Fifty Shades Of Grey, so who is ready for the sequel? Not what happened next for the virgin and her billionaire boyfriend. This is what happened next for the Australian mum and her Texan friends who published the book in the first place. Maybe you heard they made a million dollars? That’s not quite right. They actually made US$39 million and counting, so they all went out to celebrate. Kidding! That would be the Hollywood ending. In real life, they ended up in court, fighting over the cash. Interested to know who came out on top? Well, the trial took place in Texas, so strap yourself down for the ride is wild. ASK ANY BOOKLOVER, “who is E.L. James?”, and…

Best for a BIG BUST Prints & paisleys LOOK FOR STYLES WITH UNDERWIRING OR THICKER STRAPS FOR EXTRA SUPPORT Best for TUMMY CONTROL Solid colour RUCHING AND PANELLING AROUND THE TUMMY AREA ARE BOTH FLATTERING AND COMFORTABLE Best for an ATHLETIC BODY SHAPE Black and white A HIGH NECK AND INSET ARM HOLES WILL ACCENTUATE YOUR SHOULDERS – ALSO LOOK FOR CLEAN SLEEK LINES Best for SHORT LEGS Monochrome prints A HIGH-WAISTED BIKINI BOTTOM BALANCES YOUR PROPORTIONS AND CREATES THE ILLUSION OF LONGER LEGS MASTECTOMY SWIMSUIT NOTE  Specially designed mastectomy swimsuits feature elastic under-bands, higher cut underarms for extra support and specially designed pockets with soft moulded cups. Keep an eye out for swimwear that offers the same design features, but is not advertised specifically as mastectomy.…

Fast fashion Sometimes fashion can be just too fast forward, even for the most dedicated of followers. “The new season” seems to be rotating at an alarming rate and if the new “new season” reminds you of an old season that didn’t work for you at all the first time, then this is the time to take a deep breath and let it pass you by. Feel smug that it won’t last long and you’ve managed to maintain an even keel. Wait a few more months and something will turn up to excite and stimulate. Casual bride Q I am so excited that my daughter is getting married at last. She insists that it will be very casual, late afternoon on the sand dunes. I can’t help my controlling traditionalist…

Revitanail Triple Strength in Pomegranate, $14.95. The popular Revitanail formula now comes in five new shades, including this divine pink polish. Palm Beach Collection Organic Body Bar in Vintage Gardenia, $14.95. Fresh gardenia, verbena and Italian bergamot make up this heavenly bar. Shu Uemura Cream Eye Shadow in P Beige, $42. This shimmery neutral colour is one of six pastel shades and perfect for spring. Jimmy Choo Illicit Eau De Parfum, 100ml, $145. Rose, jasmine, ginger and sandalwood intertwine in this flirty fragrance. Elizabeth Arden Limited Edition Beautiful Color Eye Shadow Quad in Golden Opulence, $50. Create a bold eye with this majestic palette that features four beautiful shades. QVS 3-Way In-Style Maxi Buffer in Vintage Romance, $7.29. This pretty nail file and buffer ensures healthy nail growth and shine.…

HOW DOES IT WORK? STEP ONE: Go to priceline.com.au and click on the Health Tracker to set up your account. STEP TWO: Answer a series of health and lifestyle questions to determine your unique health score. You can even compare your score with others in your age range. STEP THREE: Get access to Meal and Activity Planners that are built to help you improve your score and give your health the boost it deserves. STEP FOUR: Take good health even further by choosing one of four 12-week programs targeted at weight management, sleep, stress and healthy ageing. Over 32,000 women completed the Health Tracker with an average health score of 68/100 nationally** EAT RIGHT MEAL PLANNER GET STARTED: Written and endorsed by nutritionists, the Priceline Pharmacy Meal Planner takes into…

ORAL CONTRACEPTION PROTECTS AGAINST WOMB CANCER The oral contraception pill has been found to provide a substantial level of long-term protection against endometrial (womb) cancer, according to new research. Published in The Lancet Oncology, the research looked at data from 27,276 women with endometrial cancer and 115,743 without endometrial cancer from 36 studies from Australia, North America, Europe, South Africa and Asia. The findings show that the risk of developing endometrial cancer decreases by about a quarter for every five years that oral contraceptives have been taken. Stand for a smaller waist A University of Queensland study has found that spending an extra two hours a day standing could improve your waistline, blood sugar and cholesterol levels. “To get our results, we gave activity monitors to more than 780 men…

You have five Steps from which to choose your Plan, with or without conventional food. Each week your Consultant will weigh and measure you and give advice on how to follow the Plan. On reaching your goal weight you are taken through two Steps known as Stabilisation and Maintenance and given strategies on how to overcome your bad habits for good and how to eat healthily, to help you manage your weight long term. Most Consultants lost their weight the same way, so understand the difficulties you face – and because of this, they will help you complete your weight loss journey successfully.…

Pan-fried whiting with pomegranate salad SERVES 2 PREP AND COOK TIME 30 MINUTES Everyone seems to have a preferred method of removing the arils (fleshy red seeds) from pomegranates, but I think this method is the easiest and most fun. Slice the pomegranate in half and place both halves in a large snaplock bag. Give the pomegranate halves a squeeze to loosen the arils, then seal the bag. Using a wooden spoon, give the rounded skin of the pomegranate several firm smacks – this should dislodge the arils. If not, give the rounds a firmer squeeze and then repeat the process. Pour the juice and arils into a bowl and remove any of the white pith. 35g (¼ cup) plain flour50g (¼ cup) instant polenta½ teaspoon sumac¼ teaspoon ground white…

Lettuce adds crunch and flavour to meals Buy Look for bright leaves without any sign of wilting Store Wrapped in damp paper towel in the crisper section of the fridge Prepare Rinse and gently dry using paper towel or in a salad spinner. Serve leaves whole or torn. TIP Refresh your salad leaves by simply plunging into a bowl of iced water for 5 minutes. Drain and dry well, then toss the leaves through your favourite salad. Visit woolworths.com.au…

BANANA BREAD Serves 8. Prep and cook time 1 hour. 125g Ballantyne Spreadable ¾ cup (165g) brown sugar2 eggs1½ cups (225g) self-raising flour1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon¼ teaspoon bi-carbonate of soda¾ cup mashed over-ripe banana½ cup (140g) natural Greek-styleyogurtBallantyne Spreadable, extra, andhoney, to serve 1 Preheat oven to 180°C (160°C fan-forced). Grease and line the base and two long sides of an 11cm x 20cm (inside top measurement) loaf pan. 2 Beat butter and sugar in an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, and beat until just combined. Fold in the combined flour, cinnamon and soda, then banana and yogurt. 3 Spread mixture into prepared pan and bake for 45 minutes or until cooked when tested. Stand for 20 minutes before turning, top side up,…

BUTTERY STEAK SANDWICH Serves 4 Prep 15 mins Cook 20 mins Preheat a lightly oiled barbecue plate or large frying pan on high. In a small bowl, mix 1/3 cup Lurpak Spreadable, 2 crushed garlic cloves and a few drops of Tabasco together. Season to taste. Cook 2 sliced onions on barbecue plate with a little more Lurpack for 8-10 minutes, until golden and tender. Remove from heat. Cover to keep warm. Fry 4 eggs in oiled egg rings on same flat plate, until just set. Set aside. Meanwhile, cook 4 beef schnitzels for 1-2 minutes on each side, until cooked to taste. Toast 8 thick slices ciabiatta bread on both sides on the barbecue or in a toaster. Spread liberally with prepared garlic butter. Top half the toast slices…

MRS MONEYPENNY is Heather McGregor, a businesswoman who has been a columnist in UK’s Financial Times for over 15 years. She is the author of several books, including Careers Advice For Ambitious Women (Penguin). You can follow her on Twitter (@mrsmoneypennyft), or send her an email at mrsmoneypenny@ft.com. HAVE I TAUGHT my children appropriate table manners? This will be one thing under the spotlight when my mother-in-law visits from Australia this month. She is coming to Europe so that she can embark on a mother-and-son holiday with Mr M, cruising the eastern Mediterranean for 17 days on the Queen Elizabeth. I, on the other hand, am remaining in the UK with my full-time job, three adult children still at home, two unruly labradors and a garden that threatens to be…

THE JAPANESE LOVER BY ISABEL ALLENDE, SIMON & SCHUSTER. From The House of Spirits to My Invented Country, Isabel Allende is known for her soulful tales of displaced people, often based on her own family’s experiences in Chile. In The Japanese Lover, the award-winning author brings us another multi-generational saga, this time inspired by a friend’s story. “I was walking in the streets of New York with a friend and she mentioned that her mother, who was 80 years old, had had a Japanese gardener for 40 years, who was her best friend. That was the seed for the novel. I was interested in love, passion, ageing, memory and death,” Allende tells The Weekly. What transpires is a serious of intense, intertwined and beautifully drawn love stories that stretch from…

THE HEART GOES LAST BY MARGARET ATWOOD, BLOOMSBURY. There’s a certain kind of thrill that comes with holding the new Margaret Atwood in your hands. Queen of the dystopian tale, her latest novel explores a plausible near-future set in a world post-economic collapse. Charmaine and Stan are living out of their car, surviving on tips and evading violent gangs, when they see an advert for the Positron Project, a social experiment offering jobs and a comfortable home in return for spending every second month in prison, carrying out work for the Project. At first it seems like a manageable trade, but as their personal liberties are eroded and the work they are required to do becomes increasingly dubious, they begin to wonder what price they might have paid for their…

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I WAS MAKING A cup of tea when I noticed the kitchen scissors were missing from the knife rack. I love those scissors. I gave the Man of the House (MOTH) a hard stare. He didn’t know we owned scissors. Then I remembered I’d used them to cut some wrapping paper so I trotted to the dining room to see if they were there. On the way, I noticed an electricity bill on the table and detoured to the study to put it in the “too hard” file, where I saw an email on the computer from an old friend. The tag read “there’s a new man in my life”. Of course, I had to sit down and write back straightaway. Dear Sue, How old is this guy? Make sure…

Hubby at home I read with interest How To Cope When Your Husband Retires (WW, Oct). I had three years at home doing my own “thing” before my husband finished working. I have been finding the whole experience of both of us at home difficult at times. It has only been nine months and as time goes on, I must admit, it is becoming easier. I actually felt more comfortable about my personal journey after reading Ingrid Pyne’s report on the perils of Retired Husband Syndrome. It made me realise that I am not alone, I am not selfish and that it is a time of discovery and change for both my husband and me. D. BOWDEN, ROSEBUD, VIC. Inspired by Rosie The extract from Rosie Batty and…

WOMEN OF THE FUTURE AWARDS It was the invitation that Australia’s A-list couldn’t refuse – a dinner to celebrate the next generation of incredible young women. The Weekly’s Women of the Future Awards at the Art Gallery of NSW was an event at which politicians from both sides rubbed shoulders with celebrities, the inspirational likes of Turia Pitt and Denise Morcombe, plus Dame Quentin Bryce and Ros Packer, to name just a few. Lucy Turnbull, on just day eight as First Lady, was an honoured guest. WOMEN OF THE FUTURE AWARDS Peta Credlin had just had the biggest week of her life, but she agreed to fulfil a long-standing commitment to speak with Jesinta Campbell and Annabel Crabb at The Weekly’s awards.…

THERE’S NO DENYING the ick factor – most of us would rather nail our fingers to a wall than learn the nitty-gritty of our mother’s sexual shenanigans, especially with our father. Yet a love life goes way beyond the bedroom – and it’s the deeper facets of our mother’s sexuality that intrigue so many of us. In an ongoing online study, hundreds of women have told therapist Joyce McFadden the kinds of questions they’d like to ask their mums: did she love anyone else as much as my father? Why did she stay with Dad? Has she ever regretted getting married? “They want to know what makes their mothers tick,” explains Joyce, author of Your Daughter’s Bedroom: Insights for Raising Confident Women. “They want to know how love works. Knowing…

WHEN, AT 7.34AM on 20 March 1983, Barbara Barnes descended the aeroplane steps in Alice Springs with a nine-month-old Prince William in her arms, she was making history. Not only was the baby Prince the youngest ever royal to visit Australia, his mother, Princess Diana, had shattered royal protocol not only by insisting on bringing baby William on this, her first overseas royal tour, but also by ensuring the whole family travelled together on the same plane. Back in 1954, when the Queen first visited Australia, she had sailed away on the Royal Yacht leaving a distraught three-year-old Charles behind. Her Majesty was Australia’s new Queen, duty called and it would have been unthinkable in those days for the monarch to cross the world with her young children in tow.…

A LITTLE BOOST GOES A LONG WAY As 92% of women agree SUPERSTART helps repair the look and feel of the skin* , while 95% also agree that SUPERSTART boosts the effectiveness of their skincare products** . For great results, it is as easy as applying a pearl-sized amount to the face in the morning and evening prior to your favourite serum or moisturiser. Hello plumper, smoother skin. Introducing the latest arrival in the search for eternal youth, Elizabeth Arden SUPERSTART Skin Renewal Booster. Not only does it work to help boost the natural defenses of your skin, and its ability to renew itself, it also optimises the efficacy of your entire skincare regimen. Developed in partnership with Signum Dermalogix, a leading biotech company, SUPERSTART Skin Renewal Booster works holistically…

5 WITH minutes ANNA BAMFORD The actress and ModelCo ambassador reveals her beauty secrets. 1 My number one beauty secret is … strangely enough, olive oil! It’s actually my mum’s secret. I use it on my hair and my body. It is so hydrating, inexpensive and effective! 2 I always travel with … cleansing wipes and moisturiser. A long flight can really dehydrate your skin so it’s important to keep it looking and feeling fresh. 3 Nothing makes a woman more beautiful than … feeling confident. A favourite quote of mine is, “Nothing makes a woman more beautiful than the belief that she is beautiful”, by Sophia Loren. If you’re happy and confident within yourself it shows on the outside and there’s nothing more beautiful than that. 4 My daily…

FASTFACT = 4 grams of sugar SUGAR IS LURKING everywhere we look. The corner-store milkshake. Lunchbox muesli bars. Secretly stashed inside breakfast cereals. And it’s even hiding in places we think are healthy – like “low-fat yogurt” which often contains more sugar and kilojoules than regular yogurt. Accredited Practising Dietitian Melanie McGrice says that liquid kilojoules are one of the biggest problems for kids. “The 2007 Australian National Children’s Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey found 47 per cent of children consumed sugar-sweetened beverages [including energy drinks] every day.” So much sugar can increase the risk of dental cavities, while other studies link soft drinks to diabetes, Melanie says. One study from the University of Colorado of 4528 adults found 2.5 sugary drinks per day elevated blood pressure. Sugar is also…

Q I get little white flecks on my fingernails and a friend said it is poor nutrition, but I eat well. Please have you got any advice? F.F., Qld. White spots on nails are common and harmless. There is a myth that they are related to zinc or calcium levels but they do not relate to any specific nutritional excess or deficiency. Sometimes they can appear after a nail injury. Q I have what looks like a bunion on my big toe and it is getting sore, rubbing on my shoes. Can it be cut out? S.W., Vic. A bunion is the common name for hallux valgus. They form over many years when the joint at the base of the big toe moves out of place, causing the big toe…

Minis for maximum pleasure Mini cakes and puddings are a great alternative to our full-size versions. They also make great gifts. Small Christmas cakes can be baked in large (Texas) muffin pans. Bake at 120°C (100°C fan-forced) for up to 1½ hours to cook. For mini puddings, follow the instructions, but boil for 2 hours. These little cakes and puddings will not develop a lovely dark colour as they have not endured long slow baking, but they will taste just as delicious. To enhance the colour, you can use dark brown sugar or a little Parisian essence (available from supermarkets). The Weekly’s all-time favourite Christmas cake PREP AND COOK TIME 5-6 HOURS (+ COOLING TIME) 21/3 cups (375g) sultanas 21/3 cups (375g) chopped raisins ¾ cup (125g) dried currants ½…

THE FOOD IN this book is what I’ve been cooking for myself and, although the impetus was to seek out food that made me feel physically strong, I have always believed that food you cook for yourself is essentially good for you. This is not just because real ingredients are better for you than fake foods, but because the act of cooking for yourself is a supremely positive act, an act of kindness. As I progressed, this book became fused with the joyful realities of making a new home. It makes me smile to see the colours of my kitchen and the house I have created around myself reflected in the colours of this book. It also tells the broader story of how I live: how I feed my friends…

CHICKEN, PRAWN & MANGO SALAD SERVES 4 PREP AND COOK TIME 40 MINS The soft green of butter lettuce and the red-purple and green leaves of the mignonette complement each other beautifully. Never dress these lettuces until ready to serve to prevent them from going soggy. 1 tablespoon Woolworths SelectVegetable Oil2 small chicken breast fillets12 green prawns, peeled, tails on1 small bunch butter or mignonette lettuce2 mangoes, seeded, peeled, sliced1 bunch mint, leaves picked1 cucumber, halved lengthways, sliced1 red capsicum, seeded, thinly sliced½ red onion, finely sliced¼ cup Woolworths Select Cashew &Macadamia Mix, chopped DRESSING ¼ cup lime juice, plus wedges to serve2 tablespoons fish sauce2 tablespoons finely grated palm sugar1 bird’s eye chilli, finely chopped 1 In a large frying pan, heat the oil on high (or use a…

DIY advent Christmas tree MATERIALS Timber slats – you can have these cut at your local hardware store Hammer Nails Paint Paint brush Paper bags Envelopes Cards Pins Ribbon Decorations Treats and trinkets STEPS 1 Take your pre-cut pieces of timber and lay 2 them flat. Paint each slat and leave to dry. Take your painted timber slats and arrange them to form a tree – from the largest slat at the bottom to the smallest at the top. 3 Nail each slat onto a back vertical slat 4 – this will support the tree. Once the tree is secure, space out 24 pins in equal spaces so that the entire tree is covered. 5 Using a stamp, stencil or free-hand, paint 6 a number from 1 to 24 above…

THE GREAT ROSE QUIZ Are dark red roses the most fragrant? No, though dark red Papa Meilland, Guinea and Mr Lincoln are strong contenders. Orange-red Fragrant Cloud, deep pink Secret and many others rival them, or even surpass them. Do all roses have thorns? Rose thorns are curved – they tear your flesh, not just prick it. Luckily, there are a lot of thornless or nearly thornless roses to choose from: white and yellow Banksia roses, Crepuscule, Renae, the heritage Zéphirine Drouhin, the ever popular Iceberg and Pink Iceberg, and many of the glorious David Austin roses. Can I grow roses in a tropical garden? Yes – but only with much care. You need to choose varieties that tolerate not just the heat, but humidity. Try above-ground beds for better…

PATTI’S DAY LOOKS LIKE THIS… 8am: Patti starts her day with breakfast at home with hubby Bert and granddaughter Lola, before dropping Lola off at kindergarten. Spending time with Lola is one of Patti’s favourite things and she relishes having the chance to do so. 10am: Back at home, Patti enjoys a cup of tea while catching up on a few emails and paying the dreaded household bills. 11am: Patti hops in the car and heads off to the hairdressers. For over 30 years Patti has been visiting Edward Beale hairdressing for a little bit of pampering; it’s her ‘me time’. 12pm: As a special treat, Patti takes grandkids Sam, Eva and Lola to see The Wiggles. The kids wiggle their way through their favourite songs. 6pm: Back at home…

THE DRESSMAKER BY ROSALIE HAM, DUFFY & SNELLGROVE. It’s the 1950s and Dungatar is a tiny town full of small minds. Cast out as a child, Tilly Dunnage is back and is now a Paris trained dressmaker with a vengeful plan. But she keeps her true intentions to herself as she turns the town’s matrons into some of the best dressed women in the world. The Dressmaker is an Australian satirical gothic romantic tragedy, and I’m pretty sure that makes it a true original. First published in 2000, it’s been reissued to coincide with the release of the movie, which stars Kate Winslet and Liam Hemsworth. The film has a lot to live up to. Somehow Rosalie Ham has crafted a farce that is genuinely moving, an unlikely but thoroughly…

Scorpio Oct 24-Nov 22 Wider changes to the Australian economy, world share markets and big business are having a domino effect and you have decisions to make. Take your time and seek trusted professional advice. What takes place near the 25th will shape your 2016 bank, taxation, investment, rental or mortgage situation. The position you are in with your children, or with a serious lover, also requires thought. Unless you contain and control what is going on, life will be chaotic in March 2016. This strongly applies to love triangles or harem situations, so be aware of it. Sagittarius Nov 23-Dec 21 Your career, unpaid work or university life requires time and energy, but will reward you with your best karma in 12 years. Three women who are remarkably different,…

THE LAST THING my grandmother did before she died was have her hair set. She did it every week. My Pop would drop her off at the salon in the Statesman and then he’d go to the nail bar – the local hardware store. It was his time and the salon was hers. It was not negotiable. We knew not to call on a Wednesday morning. My nan prided herself on her appearance so it was only fitting that her ticker stopped ticking only minutes after the last coating of hairspray had been applied on her locks. Sadly, this was one can of spray that didn’t help her stay. I don’t know if it was my desire to re-connect with her or if it’s because I’m the only woman in…

SARAH FERGUSON is one of Australian journalism’s most feared reporters, a woman capable of challenging the Treasurer on national television or going undercover to investigate people smugglers, rogue militias or exposing the cruelty of the live beef export trade. How surprising is it then to discover that the woman sitting across from me in our cafe booth has trouble navigating her own laptop computer. “Shit,” she says, as I sit down. “Do you know anything about hard drives? I’ve lost my script. If I don’t find it right now, I’ll be thinking about it for the next hour. I won’t be able to concentrate. You know what I mean?” Certainly. The idea that something you’ve put your soul into has suddenly gone poof! is a frightening one, especially if you…

It’s the time of year when you dust off last summer’s staples and realise your wardrobe needs an update. And where better to find inspiration for your new fashion favourites than Target? From cute shifts to chic casuals, the Target range includes all the hottest trends of the season and at affordable prices. The answer’s clear – get dressed this summer with Target! Who says you need to spend a lot on the latest styles? These fashion-forward dresses are affordable and totally on trend. Shift SENSE Whether it’s crisp lace or a bold print, shift dresses adapt to suit any occasion. Team classic white with strappy heels for drinks with the girls, go monochrome for date night, or choose simple stripes for a backyard barbecue. Chambray CHIC Lightweight,…

IN THE SMALL town of Avène, in southern France, thermal spring water is used to treat burn scars and chronic diseases like eczema and psoriasis at a hydrotherapy centre. The healing properties of the water, which has a unique micro-flora, was discovered in 1736. Centuries later in 1975, the Pierre Fabre group, owned by French pharmacist Pierre Fabre, acquired the hydrotherapy centre, which had fallen into disuse. Today, it is flourishing. Still owned by Pierre Fabre, now a global company with an annual turnover of more than $3.3 billion, it accommodates about 2800 patients a year. About 50 of those patients are Australian. The treatments range from spring water baths and showers to skin compresses. According to Marie-Ange Martincic, the director of the Avène Hydrotherapy Center, the treatments on offer…

In 2015, Runway Weekend launched as a stand-alone fashion and style event supported by Australia’s best-loved magazine brands, including The Australian Women’s Weekly, ELLE Australia, Harper’s BAZAAR, NW, Cosmopolitan, OK!, Shop Til You Drop, Woman’s Day, Cleo and Dolly. Taking place at the Overseas Passenger Terminal, Sydney, on August 29th & 30th, guests were treated to back-to-back runway shows and live fashion and beauty activations. Highlights included the “Brighter, Bolder, More Intense” runway show sponsored by Revlon, with the looks being led by Revlon’s make-up director Melanie Burnicle. Cosmopolitan’s Fashion Director Nicole Adolphe and Beauty Editor Sarah Macrae took to the stage to introduce a selection of game-changing looks from Australia’s leading designers, plus songstress Samantha Jade performed a selection of hit songs after the parade, including her hit single…

I am 47 years old, married with two young adult daughters and have been overweight all my life. While I didn’t suffer any health issues, I had a family history of heart disease and diabetes that took the lives of both my parents. Being obese, I knew it was only a matter of time before it would be my turn. I always blamed my weight on a number of issues, including financial stress, children, and more recently the deaths of both my parents. These left major emotional holes in my world that were easily filled with food. I had tried so many diets over the years and knew what to eat to be healthy - but could never maintain my weight long term. Interestingly, it was at a time when…

FOOD IS A language. Within its rolling landscape of dialects and exotic tongues, so many things can be said. In my accidental second career as the host of a political cooking show, I take dessert to the homes of politicians, and the message of the dessert is clear, or I hope it is: “I come in peace.” ... But the best things ever said by food are conveyed in quiet tones, between friends and family, when the message is so much more than just, “Here’s a casserole.” It’s “I care enough about you to spend a bit of time making something delicious that you can eat.” Hummingbird-ish cake MAKES 1 X 20CM CAKE At last, a cake that doesn’t need fancy mixers or processors, just a big bowl and a…

Special fried rice SERVES 4 PREP AND COOK TIME 45 MINUTES This is just beautiful as a meal on its own, or as an accompaniment to the other main meals featured. 2 cups jasmine rice4 rashers bacon, sliced thinly2 lap cheong sausages, thinly sliced(see Julie’s note)1/2 cup peanut or vegetable oil2 garlic cloves, finely chopped or crushed1 medium brown onion, diced2 eggs1 cup frozen baby peas, defrosted100g cooked shelled school prawns100g barbecue pork, thinly sliced1 teaspoon Chinese five-spice1/2 cup light soy sauce1/2 bunch shallots, thinly sliced diagonally1/2 cup crispy fried shallots (see Julie’s note) 1 Place the rice in a tightly lidded microwave-safe container with 3 cups of water. Cook on high for 18 minutes. When it is cooked, tip the rice out onto a tray and allow to cool.…

Q Many recipes call for green papaya or green mango. Are they a different fruit from the ones we normally see in the greengrocer or supermarket? Carolyn Moore, via email No, the green fruit are simply unripe. Green papaya and mango are both used, usually coarsely grated or shredded finely in long strips, in many Thai and Vietnamese salads. They are available from some selected greengrocers and almost every Asian supermarket that also sells fresh produce. Look for green papayas that are very firm with bright slightly shiny skin, a sign that it is freshly picked. It’s important that they are totally unripe – the flesh should be light green, almost white. It has a firm crunchy texture and is not sweet. It acts as a sponge to absorb the…

WHILE I WAS in Tasmania I heard about a remote island which lies unspoilt in the heart of the D’Entrecasteaux Channel, between mainland Tasmania and Bruny Island. I became completely obsessed with the rugged allure of the island. Late one night I received an email saying, “Hi Kara, We own a small island called Satellite Island and I thought you might like to visit us.” You know when things feel right and you just click with people? Well, this is how it was with the Alstergrens. We had a raging first night together, with plenty of laughter, wine and music, and buckets of mussels, fresh abalone and crayfish, all collected from the ancient rock shelf which circles the island. The next day I found myself waving my new friends off…

The Masters Visit the Art Gallery of NSW until February 14 to see one of the most significant collections of European old master paintings ever seen in Australia. The Greats: masterpieces from the National Galleries of Scotland includes works by Botticelli (pictured), Rembrandt and Monet among 70 drawing and paintings, spanning a period of 400 years from the Renaissance to Impressionism. Visit artgallery.nsw.gov.au. WHAT’S NORMAL ANYWAY? Rachael Beck and Brendan Hanson (pictured) are set to star in the Black Swan State Theatre Company’s production of the rock musical Next to Normal, from November 7 to 22. Diana Goodman (Beck) wants her husband (Hanson) and their children to get along like one big happy family. Yet in their seemingly perfect neighbourhood they’re anything but normal. For tickets, visit bsstc.com.au. At the…

THE POWER OF NOW BY ECKHART TOLLE, HACHETTE. The Power Of Now saw me into a new chapter of my life. It spoke to me as if it had been written especially for me, like Eckhart Tolle had been watching my life unfold! It resonated so strongly with me that it was clear I was so ready for his teachings. You know when something seems very obvious, but you don’t actually see it until it is pointed out? This book was a real game changer and I can’t imagine where I would be mentally if I had not picked it up. It focuses on methods to help one live mindfully and lessen the noise of the voices in your head that can dictate different moods and emotions and distract from…

1 Royal Caribbean’s 5497-passenger Harmony of the Seas launches in May 2016 and will be the biggest cruise ship in the world. Its facilities include 20 dining options and three multi-storey waterslides. On a seven-day round-trip from Barcelona departing June 26, prices start from $1754 for a 13.8sqm Interior, $2840 for a 16.7sqm Ocean View, $2840 for a 21.5sqm Balcony and $4310 for a 34.1sqm Suite/Deluxe. 2 Cunard’s grand, 2014-passenger Queen Victoria, which launched in 2007, is sailing from Southampton to Civitavecchia (for Rome) on a nine-night itinerary departing June 23. Prices start at $1779 for a 14.1sqm Inside cabin; $2019 for a 16.7sqm Ocean View; $2379 for a 21.2sqm Balcony; $4349 for a 31.1sqm Princess Grill suite; and $5269 for a 47sqm Queens Grill suite. 3 Celebrity Cruises’ 2850-passenger…

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1. Sherwin-Williams Master the art of room-to-room harmony with Sherwin-Williams, one of the world’s most trusted paint brands. Introducing 16 Colour Collections, with palettes designed to coordinate throughout your home. Available at Masters. 2. Vetalogica Vetalogica’s Dog VitaRapid Skin and Coat Treats and Cat VitaRapid Skin and Shedding Treats are the world’s first fast-acting treats for dogs and cats. With chicken and duck meat, these Australian-made and owned Vetalogica products can be purchased from pet specialty stores nationwide. Visit vetalogica.com.au for details. 3. Swisse Swisse Women’s and Men’s Ultivite are premium formulas with ingredients based on scientific evidence to support energy levels, relief of fatigue, general wellbeing and vitality. *Aztec Sales Data: MAT 9/08/15. Always read the label. Use only as directed. 4. Twinings Invigorate the senses and welcome the…