Innholdsfortegnelse for January 2016 i The Australian Women's Weekly

THIS YEAR, I want to learn to ride a scooter. It might seem a bit late to take up a form of transport most people abandon in their late 20s, yet I am so irritated by cab drivers, bus routes and parking problems that I am prepared to risk the consequences of this slightly juvenile ambition. Besides, I am not planning to scoot across Sydney’s Anzac Bridge, but lately, I fantasise about never needing the assistance of a cab or a bus. To be fair, the bus system is perfectly adequate and on balance, I prefer public transport to a filthy cab or rude driver. Some days, however, a bus just doesn’t cut it. My friend, Anna, who in a past life held a very important job, booked herself into…

1 Be brave enough to try new labels and looks. Designers all have a unique way of shaping their clothes to create smooth forms for different body shapes. Sacha Drake uses clever tailoring and flattering shapes (above), and Anthea Crawford (opposite and previous page) is perfect. And Leona Edmiston is the Queen of Dresses – we love her signature wrap (overleaf). A good sign of a successful shoot for me is when the celebrity asks me where the clothes came from – and Julie did just that! 2 Be prepared to tailor your clothes and alter them to suit yourself. In a photo studio, stylists use bulldog clips and pins to make clothes fit, but you can’t walk around the street with a bulldog clip on your skirt. Take your…

WHEN LESLEY CRAWFORD walks in the room, heads turn. The extraordinary 61-year-old prides herself on her personal style and in turbans, colourful silks and vibrant cottons the Sydney fashionista looks as if she’s really enjoying herself. “I think it makes you feel better if you make a bit of an effort,” says Lesley. “It is my three-dimensional canvas. I guess it’s my form of creativity.” There’s no question Lesley lives and breathes fashion, the zanier the better. And as the Network Stylist for SBS, she reckons she has the best job in the world indulging her passion as she shops for her TV presenters. Every day, she feels like a kid in a fashion candy store, but Lesley admits the temptation to buy for herself is frequently too much to…

The number of adults dying of HIV/AIDS-related illnesses is so high in Lesotho that there are now not enough adults to care for the children. In 2004, Prince Seeiso took his friend Prince Harry to stay in the mountains and meet his people, and here, says Seeiso, “the dream of Sentebale was born: to give the often forgotten vulnerable children a chance ... a ray of hope for a better future”. 2004 On his gap year, Prince Harry first encountered the children of Lesotho. 2006 The Prince returned two years later to launch his charity, Sentebale. 2008 Harry gets his hands dirty helping to build the Thuso Centre. 2010 Prince Harry introduces Lesotho’s children to his brother, William. 2013 The Prince with students at the Kananelo School for the Deaf.…

WE’VE ALL HEARD the expression, “you are what you eat” and it couldn’t be more accurate. Your skin, hair and nails are largely influenced by what you put in your body. Chances are if you’re eating an unhealthy diet made up of foods that are processed, sugary or have high levels of saturated fat, it will show on the outside. According to Dr Libby Weaver, “beauty really is an inside job. When it comes to your physical health and beauty, the foundation stone is the way you nourish yourself through the food you choose,” she writes in her book Beauty From The Inside Out. “How many of us stop to consider that our outer layer is merely a reflection of inner processes, completely reliant on the health of the 50…

Hot oil danger Cooking with corn or sunflower vegetable oils releases toxic cancer-causing chemicals. Research has found that heating these vegetable oils leads to the release of very high concentrations of aldehydes, which have been linked to illnesses including cancer, heart disease and dementia. In contrast, heating butter, olive oil and coconut oil produce much lower levels of aldehydes. Q My baby is teething and has a sore mouth from dribbling and a rash on her chin. What is the best treatment please? L. C., WA. The rash is most likely due to skin irritation caused by the increased drooling. Wash it gently with warm water and a soft cloth, and pat it dry regularly throughout the day. Then apply a barrier cream. The ones I recommend are traditional remedies:…

Ratatouille salad SERVES 4-6 PREP AND COOK TIME 30 MINUTES 2 punnets (800g) tomato medley, halved1 medium (120g) zucchini, sliced intomatchsticks ½ medium (90g) red onion, sliced finely2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil ¼ cup (60ml) extra virgin olive oil, extra1 large (500g) eggplant, cut into 2cm dice2 cloves garlic ½ teaspoon dried Greek oregano1 large (350g) red capsicum, chopped finely2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar½ cup fresh oregano leaves 1 Arrange the tomatoes, zucchini and onion on a serving platter and season generously with sea salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper. Drizzle with the 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil and set to one side. This will allow the salt to draw juices out of the tomatoes and zucchini. 2 Heat the extra oil in a large non-stick frying…

Persian love cake SERVES 10 PREP AND COOK TIME 1 HOUR 10 MINUTES 3 cups (360g) almond meal (ground almonds) 1 cup (220g) brown sugar 1 cup (220g) raw sugar 125g butter, softened 2 eggs, beaten lighten 1 cup (280g) Greek-style yogurt 1 tablespoon freshly grated nutmeg pistachios and pomegranate arils, to serve 1 Preheat the oven to 180°C (160°C fan-forced). Grease and line a 23cm springform cake pan. 2 Combine almond meal and sugars in a large bowl; rub in butter with fingertips until mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Divide mixture in half; spoon one half into prepared cake pan and press evenly over base. 3 Add the eggs, yogurt and nutmeg to the remaining mixture; stir until combined. Pour over the prepared base and bake for about 1 hour…

1. Sittning glass vase, $9.99, from IKEA, ikea.com.au (store locations only). 2. Elly chair in Mountain Mist, $349, from Freedom, freedom.com.au. 3. Marine stripe towel, $59.90, from Citta Design, cittadesign.com. 4. Tile wool kilim, 152cm x 244cm, $349, from West Elm, westelm.com.au. 5. Batik square table lamp, $215.20, from Beacon Lighting, beaconlighting.com.au. 6. Atlantic bean bag with striped piping, $139, from Citta Design, as above. 7. L’Église clove, vanilla and musk candle, $69, from Maison Balzac, maisonbalzac.com. 8. Turquoise foot stool and side table, $250, from Orson & Blake, orsonandblake.com.au. 9. Strokes/Swish Swash linen quilt cover, $299 for Queen size, from Kip & Co, kipandco.net.au. 10. Zanzibar square blue cushion, $71, from Linen & Moore, linenandmoore.com.au.…

1. Dafni Hair Straightener See what more than 75 million people are talking about online, with the Dafni Hair Straightener. Simply brush through your hair for straight and smooth hair within minutes! Available only at Shaver Shop instore and online at shavershop.com.au. 2. The Wholesome Cook Refined sugar-free wholefood recipes from Martyna Angell, for the way we eat now. “The real food movement we’re all so passionate about will benefit from Martyna’s family-friendly, sensible and outright delicious contribution,” says I Quit Sugar’s Sarah Wilson. RRP $49.99. Available at all good bookstores and online at harlequinbooks.com.au. 3. Flash White Flash White contains concentrated brightening beads, which work their whitening, perfecting magic when blended into skin. In five seconds, Flash White will create a white filter effect on your skin for an…

THE WIDOW BY FIONA BARTON, RANDOM HOUSE. Novels that hitch the reader to a rollercoaster of interchanging narrators, each adding another layer to the plot as it twists, are certainly having a moment. The pitfalls are repetition and a plodding clunkiness, but in the case of Fiona Barton’s The Widow, the literary device is very effective. The British author’s debut crime thriller takes us behind the scenes of an investigation into the disappearance of a two-year-old girl, thought to have been snatched from her garden. The action flits between 2010 and 2006, when golden-haired Bella originally went missing, and is told from the perspectives of the wife of the main suspect, the detective on the case and a journalist desperate to nail an exclusive. As a newspaper reporter herself who…

BIG MAGIC BY ELIZABETH GILBERT, BLOOMSBURY. If you hold creative aspirations for 2016, I highly recommend you begin the year with a copy of Elizabeth Gilbert’s Big Magic. The author of international best-seller Eat Pray Love certainly knows a thing or two about success and in her latest book, Gilbert offers invaluable and generous advice for living a creative life. Reading Big Magic is a little like spending a couple of hours with a close girlfriend, one who has your back, won’t take any excuses and who really, really wants you to succeed at your chosen dream. Gilbert has a talent for straight talk. She demystifies the writing process and shoots down those small voices of self-doubt and fear. Rather than feeling tortured by our endeavours, Gilbert suggests we embrace…

The sun in Capricorn means all eyes and ears are pointed in your direction this month, as your public face, reputation, image or appearance attracts attention. The time has come to change the way people see you. In extreme cases, you may change your name or look. At the very least, you will want to experiment with your social media profile. Make allowances for reversals and delays with all this, as appointments may alter, people may change their plans, computers may not co-operate or you could change your mind. Aquarius Jan 21-Feb 19 January finds you hibernating, covering up secrets or playing an important role behind the scenes. This is nothing new, as since 2008 you have tended to spend summer alone, operating in the background or hiding confidential matters.…

PEARL OF WISDOM Life is like maths. Our memories and learning experiences all add up. J. CLANCY, FAIRFIELD, NSW. The winner of our Pearl of Wisdom this month wins a 12-month subscription to The Australian Women’s Weekly, valued at $83.40. From tears to happiness Collectively, a river was cried for Glenn, Holly and James McGrath, when their beloved Jane lost her battle with breast cancer. It was heartbreaking to see the sadness and devastation on their faces. Tears of happiness flowed when Sara entered their lives, bringing hope for the future and putting smiles on their faces. Sara had big shoes to fill and she has done this admirably, forming a close, happy relationship with both Holly and James, who have flourished into well-adjusted and happy young people.…

RENAE PLANT GREW up in the tiny bush town of Eumundi, Queensland, in the 1970s, which is another way of saying that her childhood was idyllic. “I never wore shoes,” Renae, 45, tells The Weekly. “We weren’t scared of anything. I have photographs of Dad holding a king brown snake. That was our upbringing.” Nobody in Eumundi went to crèche because why would they? Aussie kids had access to push bikes and muddy puddles, which were all anyone thought they needed to grow up curious and strong. There was certainly no Baby Yoga. “Things have definitely changed,” says Renae, laughing. “Most parents these days are working. They are worried about letting their children roam free, but they don’t want them sitting around bored.” Renae didn’t set out to plug that…

ASK ANY WOMAN whether there’s something she would like to change about her appearance, chances are the answer will be yes. Ask the frank and funny Jessica Rowe from Network Ten’s Studio 10 and she will tell you straight: “I would love to have boobs”. “But,” she adds, “a padded bra and chicken fillets – the type you stuff in your bra, not in the oven – can work magic.” Jessica, 45, has been a journalist and presenter on Australian TV for more than two decades and two things about her appearance have never changed – she has always had a cheeky pixie cut and she has always been slim. As such, Jessica was The Weekly’s first choice to talk about the vexed issue of skinny-shaming. Wait – skinny-shaming? Yes.…

As Crown Princess Mary and her family arrive to visit the Aussie side of the family, we took the opportunity to look at the last family photos of the close-knit royals taken just five months ago on their summer break in Denmark. This annual sojourn to Queen Margrethe’s Gråsten Palace shows just how much the children have grown, but also how happy they are playing together. It was back in 2011 when Mary and Frederik last brought their children to Australia, so a trip Down Under is well overdue. The family arrived in Perth early in December to see Mary’s brother, John, and they will later head to Tasmania for Christmas. Royal break Princess Josephine stole the show with her blue plaster cast when the family attended a guard parade…

JESINTA CAMPBELL It was the best of years and the worst of years for Jesinta Campbell. The model, TV presenter and social media sensation began 2015 in a flush of new love, celebrating her engagement to AFL’s all-conquering full-forward, Sydney Swans hero Lance “Buddy” Franklin. She hit a series of professional highs as well, continuing her work as a TV travel presenter and sending the internet into meltdown with a truly ab-tastic appearance on the David Jones catwalk. Yet it was her spirited defence of Buddy following his admission to a clinic for treatment of an ongoing mental health condition that really gave us a measure of the remarkable young woman Jesinta is. “I have fallen more in love with [Buddy] through this process,” she said at The Weekly’s Women…

Aerin Rose Oil, $80. Revitalise your skin and hair with a few drops of this luxurious oil. Charles Worthington Sunshine Protector Shampoo and Conditioner Takeaways, $5.99 each. Enriched with moringa seed oil, these minis will help restore moisture and shine to your locks. Art Deco Art Couture Nail Lacquers in Couture Begonia Bloom (right) and Couture Pink Water Lily, $19 each. These gorgeous shades are fast-drying and long-lasting. Bobbi Brown Luxe Lip Color in Pale Mauve, $52. There are 30 bold and nourishing lip shades in this range to suit all skin tones. Shiseido Festive Camellia Palette, $70. Create a variety of make-up looks with this silk-topped palette featuring six colours for the face and eyes. Philosophy Total Matteness Oil-free Mattifying Pore Eraser, 30ml, $50. Containing salicylic acid and bamboo…

1 Watercress is packed with skin-nourishing antioxidants and minerals. 2 Sweet potatoes not only provide a great source of slow-burning energy, but they have the super-ability to help smooth wrinkles. Sweet potatoes are naturally loaded with vitamin C, a nutrient that is essential in the production of collagen. 3 Garlic has the component allicin, which when digested in your body, reacts fast with free radicals. 4 Spinach contains folate, which positively affects cognitive function and mood, as well as antioxidant properties. 5 Eggs contain nine essential amino acids which supply nutrients that nourish your skin, hair and nails. 6 Walnuts are full of Omega-3s that assist with anti-inflammatory factors and they also contain the antioxidant compound of vitamin E. 7 Dark chocolate can lead to smoother and softer skin thanks…

Imagine waking up every morning to the sound of your alarm, excited and happy to be starting a new day. When you look in the mirror you admire your body. Everyone tells you how great you’re looking and asks what your secret is. Sound too good to be true? If you, like many other women, don’t feel this way, you may have a hormonal imbalance. Research has documented that over 40 per cent of women have an undiagnosed underactive thyroid gland. If you feel tired all the time, crave sugar, use alcohol and coffee to lift yourself, retain weight around your middle and feel the cold, you could be suffering from this problem. What Does Your Thyroid Do, and What Does This Mean For You? The thyroid gland is the…

Ham, mushroom and spinach spaghetti SERVES 4 PREP AND COOK TIME 30 MINUTES 400g spaghetti1/3 cup (80ml) extra virgin olive oil250g button mushrooms, sliced thinly2 cloves garlic, chopped finely200g leftover leg ham, sliced thinly½ cup (125ml) white wine4 green onions (green shallots),sliced finely50g baby spinach¼ cup (20g) freshly grated parmesan 1 Cook pasta in a large saucepan of well-salted water until al dente (about 2 minutes less than the packet instructions). 2 Heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil over high heat and cook the mushrooms until browned lightly. Add the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds or until fragrant. Add the ham to the pan and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the wine and bring to the boil; let it bubble for a couple of minutes until…

About fasting … WHERE DO GENES COME IN? There is no doubt our bodies are built to cope with periods of little or no food. In fact, one theory of why we struggle with our weight today is called the ‘thrifty gene hypothesis’. The theory goes that our ancestors – those who wasted little energy and conserved it well by preserving body fat in times of famine – survived to pass on their genes. Today, the ‘thrifty’ genes that kept our ancestors alive are making us fat because we live in an environment of abundant energy-dense food and do little exercise. So one way of looking at things is that integrating regular fasting into your life is just simulating the environment we evolved to survive in. DOES FASTING CAUSE ANY…

FOOD IS THE fuel of life, of great conversations and memorable moments – nourishing us through the knowledge of loving preparation, the anticipation of sharing a beautifully cooked meal and the pleasure of engaging all our senses as we eat. Since the launch of the Maggie Beer Foundation, I’ve learnt there are many things to consider when cooking for older people; one in particular being the decrease in appetite that can lead to malnutrition. My frittata and muffins are easy to prepare, perfect for a light lunch or nutritious snack. For more information and nutritious recipes, visit maggiebeerfoundation.org.au. Corn, bacon and kale mini muffins MAKES 30 PREP AND COOK TIME 45 MINUTES Kale is packed with antioxidants to help stave off free radical damage, linked to disease. 2 tablespoons extra…

Q I’m a complete novice when it comes to barbecuing – can you please shed some light on the basics of barbecue cooking? D. Johnson, via email. The backyard barbecue is an indispensable part of our summer lifestyle. When purchasing a barbecue, consider the amount of space you have and the fuel you prefer. Gas is clean, efficient and probably the most economical fuel. Electricity is convenient, especially for smaller indoor/outdoor barbecues. Solid fuel such as charcoal and heat beads (also called briquettes) is becoming more popular as it gives that much sought after smoky, char-grill taste, resulting in juicy, tender meats and seafood. COOKING METHODS Direct heat Food is cooked directly over the heat or burners with the hood open. It is used for searing and is best for…

1. Andes chair in birds print, $599, from Freedom, freedom.com.au. 2. Moroccan low storage baskets, $110 for set of three, from Citta Design, cittadesign.com. 3. Vintage buckets, $59 each, from Orson & Blake, orsonandblake.com.au. 4. Palace Garden rolling pin, $39.95, from Mozi, mozi.com.au. 5. Wedgwood Hibiscus square cushion, $69.95, from Wedgwood, wedgwoodbedlinen.com.au (stockists only) or David Jones, davidjones.com.au. 6. Organic bowls in Ocean Blue, $89 for set of three, from Orson & Blake, as above. 7. Feather ceramic storage canister, $34.95, from Mozi, as above. 8. Ribb table light in Natural, $169, from Freedom, as above. 9. Söndrum wall clock, $18.99, from IKEA, ikea.com.au (store locations only). 10. Citrus loaf pan, $45, from Williams-Sonoma, williams-sonoma.com.au.…

1. Ballantyne Butter Make everyday moments and special occasions brilliant with Ballantyne’s range of premium butter. 100% Australian made and family owned since 1929. Visit ballantyne.com.au. 2. Beneful Beneful Medleys are single serve pouches packed with tender meat, wholesome grains and vitamin-rich veggies, all wrapped up in a home-style gravy. Available in six delicious flavours for your four-legged friend. 3. Thomas Chipman Sweet Potato Chips Thomas Chipman® Sweet Potato Chips are great in salads and soups, but even better on their own. Every bag of these sublime sweet potato chips you buy helps support an Australian farmer. RRP $4.99. Available in the health food aisle at Coles and all good independent supermarkets. Visit chipman.com.au. 4. Bostik Blu-Tack The original, re-usable adhesive, Bostik Blu-Tack is Australian-made, non-toxic and has a variety…

MY COLLEAGUE APOLOGISED for being bossy. Then she went on to explain that she had decided to take my health into her own hands. No, she was not booking me into a spa. Instead, she was going to order all my meals from somewhere that delivers calorie-counted food to your door. What had brought this on? I need an aviation medical to fly a plane and the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) apparently takes a dim view of anyone with a Body Mass Index of more than 35. Mine is so far above 35 that I am too embarrassed to share it with you, but suffice it to say that I would have to lose 15kg to make the CAA happy. Fifteen kilograms? The last time I was 15kg lighter…

British author Fiona Barton was a senior writer at UK’s Daily Mail newspaper, news editor of UK broadsheet The Daily Telegraph and chief reporter at The Mail on Sunday, where she won Reporter of the Year. In 2008, she quit journalism to work as a volunteer in Sri Lanka. She now lives a quiet life in south-west France writing. The Widow is her first novel and immediately sparked a bidding war, with publishers pitching it as the next Gone Girl. It has already been sold in 22 territories around the world.…

THE MOON’S A BALLOON BY DAVID NEVIN, PENGUIN. This autobiography by the great English actor, David Niven, rambles backwards and forwards between his rather harrowing childhood in England, which was coloured by the loss of his father in World War I, to his own stint in the army in World War II, and then his stumbling – in a way – into acting in the English theatre and on to Hollywood, in the very early golden era of the first big studios. Reading it feels like you are at an intimate dinner party with him – the eloquent, hilarious and wry raconteur – seated next to you. He was such a debonair, talented and fascinating man, who’s sharply observed observations about his extraordinary, exotic and adventure-filled life have me laughing…

NOW THAT TEXTS and emails rule the world, the letterbox by our front gate sits empty. I have to remind myself to dust it occasionally, like the china cabinet and the mantelpiece. (Oh, who am I kidding? I never dust the china cabinet or the mantelpiece. That’s what ceiling fans are for.) A few days ago, I did find a proper envelope in the box, a course list from our local community college. “Nobody’s perfect! We could all use a little self-improvement!” I ran my finger down the list. Which would I choose? BACKYARD BEEKEEPING Okay, I guess, as long as it’s your backyard. CROCHETING FOR BEGINNERS This is for quiet people. I talk too much, which is why I was dropped from Knitting for Beginners in 2012. BLENDING TEA,…

LIFE IS TOO short not to drink the wine or eat the cheese. That is Julie Goodwin’s personal philosophy on dieting. “Food is part of the fabric of life,” says Julie, the 45-year-old former MasterChef champion, now one of the nation’s most popular cooks. “We all need food, but it’s more than just a necessity – it’s also about enjoyment and sharing, and relationships and the way we all interact with each other. It’s not just fuel. It’s an essential part of who we are and how we live our lives.” Julie Goodwin’s relationship with food has always been healthy. She has always loved food – the aromas, the tastes, the ambience and sense of intimacy it creates around a table. And, for the most part, food has loved her…

JANUARY. THE TREE is packed away, the rellies have gone and you’re still hacking away at the ham even though you’ve eaten nothing but pig and pickle sandwiches for weeks. A certain calm has returned to your home and your list of resolutions is stuck on the fridge behind an image of Michelle Bridges. Daily you resist the urge to stick drawing pins in that image of Michelle Bridges, knowing that you’ll still have fat knees and thick ankles even after a 52 week body transformation. The calm affords you the headspace to reflect on your haul of Christmas gifts. You’ve sorted the ones you can take back and the ones you can regift – all the candles, soap sets and those baskets filled with nuts and chocolates. Just make…

WHEN PRINCE Harry first visited the tiny landlocked kingdom of Lesotho, a southern African nation ravaged by AIDS and HIV, it sparked an almost elemental reaction. It was 2004 and 19-year-old Harry was on a gap year searching for direction in his life before he started in the army. “In the end, the thing that had the greatest impact on me was the two months I spent working in Lesotho,” Harry says now, looking back at his first encounter with the children he met, who would play a key role in his future. The original impetus behind that first eight-week stay in Lesotho was to follow in his mother’s footsteps. Harry’s media image was firmly fixed as the Party Prince, but in Lesotho, Diana’s youngest son found purpose. “I always…

WHITES AND NEUTRALS Editor’s picks Add to your outfit with these top picks ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK Editor’s picks Add to your outfit with these top picks IN THE NAVY Editor’s picks Add to your outfit with these top picks THE ’70s REVISITED Editor’s picks Add to your outfit with these top picks…

Choose two pairs of fabulous single vision glasses featuring cool characters like Elsa and Anna, from the $199 price range. Other kids’ styles include Disney and Marvel characters, Star Wars, Country Road and more. Specsavers’ range of kids’ glasses are specifically designed for small faces and come with a free SuperTough lens upgrade for kids under 16 because we know that younger wearers can be as active as some of their favourite characters#. Fitted and adjusted just for your child, each pair comes with a free, sturdy case.…

5 minutes WITH ASHLEY HART 1 My number one beauty tip is ... To wake up every morning with a big glass of warm water with lemon and to use natural skincare products that work with your skin. Our skin is our biggest organ, so what we put on it is very important. 2 When I travel, I always take... A hydrating oil and an eye cream to ensure my skin is as hydrated as it can be. My new favourites are Swisse Cranberry Antioxidant Facial Oil and Argan Anti-Ageing Eye Cream. 3 The most common beauty mistake women make is ... Not cleaning your face before bed. The build-up of dirt, grime and pollution throughout the day really needs to be removed so your skin can breathe and regenerate…

CHILDREN INHERIT ‘BAD’ CHOLESTEROL GENE Children of parents who have high cholesterol may carry the Familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) gene and should be tested between the ages of five and 10 years. “FH is one of the most common, potentially fatal inherited conditions that cause heart disease,” says Professor Gerald Watts of the University of Western Australia, who chairs the FH Australasia Network. “High levels of ‘bad’ cholesterol can run in families and the liver doesn’t remove enough cholesterol from your blood. This can cause coronary artery disease, often from an early age.” Most don’t seek help for mental illness New research has found that only 18 per cent of people regularly seek help when they are feeling stressed or down. The study was commissioned by Mental Health Australia to find…

Fruity popsicles MAKES 8 PREP AND COOK TIME 30 MINUTES (+ FREEZING TIME) ¼ cup (60ml) water¼ cup (55g) caster sugarflesh of 2 large (500g) mangoes2 tablespoons (40ml) lime juice375g Greek yogurt¾ cup (165g) caster sugar, extra 1 Combine water and sugar in a small saucepan; cook over medium-high heat, stirring, until sugar is dissolved. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside to cool. 2 Put the mango flesh, lime juice and cooled sugar syrup into a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. 3 Half fill eight popsicle moulds, (approximately ½ cup (125ml) capacity) with mango mixture. Freeze for 1-2 hours until just firm. Combine yogurt and extra caster sugar in a small bowl; stir until sugar is dissolved. Spoon mixture…

Win 1 of 3 premium drinks packs. For your chance to win, scan this page with the free viewa app and complete the online entry form as detailed. RED, WHITE OR SPARKLING, WE’VE FOUND THE PERFECT DROP TO DELIGHT YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY High-quality grapes and varietal expression make the Jacob’s Creek range a crowd-pleasing choice for lazy lunches and New Year brunches. Available in a range of red, white and sparkling varietals. For perfect pairings and recipes, visit jacobscreek.com/ourtable Competition closes at 12:01 (AEDST) on 1st January 2016. Open to Australian residents aged 18 years and over. Excluding NT residents. One entry permitted per person. For full terms and conditions go to www.gourmettraveller.com.au/competitions/giveshareenjoy-this-holiday-season/. Please see contents page for location of our privacy policy. If you do not…

SPICY CHEESE DAMPER Serves 6-8 Prep and cook time 35 minutes Preheat oven to 180°C (160°C fan-forced). Lightly grease a scone tray. Sift 3 cups self-raising flour and a pinch of salt together into a large bowl. Add 2 tablespoons Ballantyne Spreadable and rub in lightly using fingertips. Make a well in the centre of the flour. Pour in 1 cup milk all at once. Using a butter knife, mix quickly to a soft, sticky dough. Do not over-mix. Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface. Knead lightly. Halve and gently mould into rounds. Place rounds close together on prepared tray, edges touching. In a small bowl, mix ¼ cup Ballantyne Spreadable with 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard. Spread an even amount on top of each round. Sprinkle evenly with ½…

NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS (THE GREEN-FINGERED KIND)  On this day, January 1, 2016, I, Jackie French, being of fairly sound mind and jeans slightly stained at the knees from gardening, solemnly promise that: I will remember that mowing the lawn costs less than a gym membership and is an extremely good workout. I will do what I keep advising everyone else to do: mulch, mulch and, as soon as weeds peer up, mulch some more. I will remember that a one-metre potted tree may grow 20m tall and I will not plant it near the house where my husband has to clean its leaves out of the gutters. I will get around to ordering vegie and flower seeds well before planting-in-the-garden time and germinate them on a sunny windowsill, so I’m…

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THE GREAT SWINDLE BY PIERRE LEMAITRE, HACHETTE. Fighting in the trenches in World War I would be bad enough. Being buried alive just weeks before the armistice is incredibly unfortunate. Knowing that you’ve been killed by one of your own officers is just Albert Maillard’s kind of luck. And so starts The Great Swindle, an award-winning best-seller from France that pits a pair of injured soldiers against a nation more concerned for its heroic dead than those poor wounded souls who survived. Lemaitre writes with a big Gallic shrug; that wry French surrender in the face of corruption, greed and hopelessness. His villain is a sociopathic impoverished aristocrat who’s just the kind of fellow you just want to see getting found out. What’s clever about the book is you just…

SUFFRAGETTE This is not just another sedate period drama – far from it. Yes the settings, props and costumes are immaculate, but there’s a gritty soul to the drama, with many of the scenes boasting a contemporary reportage feel as the police brutally round up followers of suffragette leader Emmeline Pankhurst – a blink and you’ll miss it performance from Meryl Streep. Carey Mulligan (left) is mesmerising as Maud Watts, a diligent wife and mother who slaves at a laundry until she slowly sees the light to a better life through the women’s suffrage movement. She ends up sacrificing everything for the cause. Around the world – we are reminded – women are still fighting for the rights we now take for granted. Opens December 26. YOUTH Fred (Michael Caine),…

WHAT’S IN THE stars for 2016? Jupiter moves into Libra, the sign which rules equality and partnership, in September. Same-sex marriage will become law from that point on and, by 2017, Australia will be in the grip of wedding fever. Women will make tremendous gains in the final quarter of 2016 following changes at the top of politics and business. Equal pay for equal work is on the way by 2017. Now, read on to find out what is in store for you this year. Your zodiac flower  Specific flowers have qualities that relate to specific birth signs. There is no one flower for each sign, but here are the top five flowers to match your sign. ARIES Geranium, Honeysuckle, Thistle, Tiger Lily, Hollyhock. TAURUS Poppy, Rose, Foxglove, Daisy, Violet.…