Innholdsfortegnelse for May 2022 i The Australian Women's Weekly

It won’t surprise you to hear that a lot of planning and effort goes into creating our iconic Weekly covers. From assembling a crack team of hair and make-up artists, photographer, journalist and stylist, to conceptualising the mood of the shoot and securing the perfect location. Some cover stars like to be involved in every decision, while others prefer to leave it in the capable hands of The Weekly team. But there is one who always goes above and beyond with her generosity of time and her desire to create something beautiful and meaningful. I’m talking of course about this month’s cover star, the indomitable Dame Quentin Bryce. In 2018 we accompanied Quentin to the dusty outback town of Winton, where she happily mingled with locals and livestock. A year…

The hardest thing about acting is … believing the words you say. If I had to cook up a dream acting role it would be … a comedy about relationships. My friends would say I am … a total extrovert. My motto in life is … Today is what you will look back and think of as “the good old days”, so make sure you appreciate it as it’s happening. The last time I cried was … on set last week (in character!). The one thing that makes my blood boil is … cat calling. My secret talent is … pull ups! My greatest achievement is … my family.…

Will Smith may have been the name on everyone’s lips after the broadcast but it was the graciousness and glamour of other stars who will hopefully leave a more positive and lasting legacy. Stand-out amongst those is Lady Gaga who, while holding hands with wheelchair-bound Liza Minnelli, said, “I’ve got you,” when the former Oscar winner struggled with the teleprompter as the duo presented the Best Picture award. “I know,” Liza smiled.…

It was supposed to be the perfect way to kickstart the Platinum Jubilee celebrations in the Commonwealth: an eight-day Caribbean extravaganza starring the House of Windsor’s dream team, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Keen to shore up goodwill in the Caribbean and prove that the future of the monarchy was in safe hands, the royal couple’s glittering March tour of Belize, Jamaica and The Bahamas was choreographed to honour Her Majesty’s legacy with engagements inspired by previous tours made by the Queen and Prince Philip. But it was this very notion of harking back to a colonial past, which for these nations was blighted by the scourge of slavery, that ultimately proved the Cambridge duo’s challenge. For despite being treated like rock stars – with crowds clamouring to meet…

Richard James Dunbar Harris SC OAM (known as “Harry” to pretty much everyone except his dad, who called him Bert) is prepared to admit that if there was one time in his life when he was somewhat brave – at least for a few hours – it was this: “I was 15, and me and a mate, Sam, were on an open-water diving course,” Harry says. “We were in the Gulf of St Vincent, five or six kilometres off the South Australian coast with our instructor and two other students. It was around 5pm when it suddenly got very rough. We went down one wave, smashed into the back of the next and the boat flipped over, tipping us all into the ocean. “We managed to right it, but the…

Julie Goodwin wasn’t sure what to make of the text message. It was from her middle child, Tom, asking if she and his dad, Mick, would be in that night – he had something he needed to talk to them about. It felt ominous and her heart instantly sank. Mick was out, she replied, doing her best to keep the mood light. How about the following night? As soon as Mick walked through the front door that evening, Julie pounced. “I was like, right, let’s figure out all the things it could be and set our faces for it,” she recalls. “It could have been anything. Tom and [his partner], Crystal, having a baby was the easy one, everything else we thought of was worse.” Luck, as it happened, was…

“I had this feeling I was content I didn't have that drive to ruin my body every day on the way to my goals.” Serena Williams’ victory at the Australian Open in 2017 prompted the following (male) Tweet: Serena Williams won a Grand Slam while (eight weeks) pregnant so every man should probably shut up about everything forever. Quite. Battling morning sickness, fatigue, hormone surges, swollen breasts and a cardiovascular system struggling to divert blood supply to a second human is an endurance event by itself. To endure all this while beating the best in the world is phenomenal. And Serena is not the only phenomenal woman. Water polo Olympian Lea Yanitsas, for instance, won the Women’s Australian National Water Polo League while 15 weeks pregnant. “I only told my…

“Interestingly-shaped candles are a massive trend – think pyramid and orb shapes.” Get personal Think a beautiful set of wineglasses that can be engraved with your mum’s initials or a stylish jewellery box with a personalised message inside. Or, if you have little kids, a personalised storybook where the kids are the lead characters. Then Mum can read the book to them in the evening! Go local Australian-made products and small Australian businesses often have provenance and a story. Go for something thoughtful, that has a handmade nature to it, and has meaning for you. Buy for you When in doubt, ask “what would I love but never buy for myself?” A lovely stationery set, a unique cheeseboard, a candle or beautifully packaged eco cleaning products that are useful but…

One of Chrissie Swan’s early memories is watching her mum put on mascara before she headed out the door each day. “I’d think, ‘Why does she have to contort her mouth like that when she’s working on her eyelashes?’,” she laughs. But while she played with her mum’s Avon products and would eventually splash out on shocking green eyeliner as her own first purchase, the world of cosmetics wasn’t something Chrissie focused on much. However, becoming a public figure after her runner-up stint on Big Brother in 2003 meant she quickly had to learn. “I’ve never actually paid that much attention to how I’ve looked,” she tells The Weekly now. “I don’t know the first thing about doing my hair and makeup – I’ve had to learn how to do…

Rocket, fig and chickpea salad SERVES 4-6 PREP + COOK TIME 10 MINUTES 400g can chickpeas, drained, rinsed 400g can baby beetroot, drained, quartered 4 fresh figs, quartered 100g rocket leaves 75g mixed salad leaves 1/2 cup (70g) shelled pistachios 200g goat’s fetta, crumbled 70g bresaola, torn 100g croutons ¼ cup fresh parsley leaves DRESSING ⅓ cup (80ml) extra virgin olive oil 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar 1 teaspoon maple syrup 2 teaspoon Dijon mustard 1 Combine the chickpeas, beetroot, figs, rocket, salad leaves and pistachios in a large bowl. 2 DRESSING Place the ingredients in a small screw-top jar and shake to combine. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground pepper. Set aside until ready to serve. 3 To serve, top the salad with fetta, bresaola, croutons and…

Biriyani-style almond chicken SERVES 4 PREP TIME 15 MINUTES COOK TIME 4 HOURS 15 MINUTES ⅓ cup (80g) ghee or butter 1 large (300g) red onion, sliced thinly 1½ cups (300g) extra-long grain premium basmati rice (see Test Kitchen tip) 1 tablespoon garam masala 2 teaspoons ground coriander 1 teaspoon ground turmeric ½ teaspoon ground chilli powder 1 cinnamon stick 6 green cardamom pods, bruised ½ cup (70g) slivered almonds 6 small (600g) chicken thigh fillets, quartered ¾ cup (200g) Greek yoghurt, plus extra to serve 2 teaspoons freshly grated ginger 1 clove garlic, crushed ¾ cup (180ml) chicken stock ⅓ cup (50g) raisins tomato slices and coriander leaves, to serve 1 Melt ghee in a large frying pan over medium-high. Cook onion, covered, for 6 minutes or until soft.…

Baked sweet potatoes with tempeh bacon bits MAKES 6 PREP + COOK TIME 1 HOUR 25 MINUTES 6 small (1.5kg) orange sweet potatoes 425g canned kidney beans, drained, rinsed 1¼ cups (150g) coarsely grated strong cheddar 2 green onions, sliced thinly 200g cherry tomatoes, quartered, reserve a few uncut ¾ cup (180g) sour cream TEMPEH BACON BITS 300g marinated tempeh 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 2 teaspoons chipotle tabasco sauce 1 teaspoon smoked paprika 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 Preheat oven to 200°C (180°C fan-forced). Line an oven tray with baking paper. Place sweet potato on tray and bake for 1 hour 20 minutes or until tender. 2 TEMPEH BACON BITS Meanwhile, crumble tempeh into tiny pieces onto a lightly greased large oven tray. Drizzle with oil, tabasco, paprika…

New season kanzi The dense sweet flesh of a Kanzi apple naturally stays white for longer, making them idleal for grazing platters, salads and slicing for lunchboxes or snacks. Leaving the skin on is the healthiest way to eat them, as a lot of the goodness in apples (antioxidants, fibre and polyphenols) is found close to the skin. kanziapple . com/au Handy APPLIANCE Clever cuisine Say hello to the new Kenwood Cooking Chef XL, the mixer that can cook, too! Its induction heating technology allows you to control temperatures from 20°C to 180°C. This multi-tasking mixer can handle anything from tempering chocolate, to proving dough, to making a stir-fry. Precise cooking perfection. For more, head to kenwoodworld.com/en-au Cake festival Come and visit The Weekly’s cookbook team at the Cake Bake…

I have a pair of new jeans that leave blue dye on my hands and underwear. Can this be fixed? D. mathies, ooringal, Qld. Soak them overnight in a bucket of cold water with 1 cup white vinegar and 2 tablespoons salt, then wash inside out in the machine in cold water 2-3 times. On display Thread clip-style curtain rings onto a curtain rod or tension rod and use as a temporary gallery to display the kids’ artwork. Longer life Excess herbs? Use your air fryer to dry them for storage in a matter of minutes. Get mashed Use a potato masher to break up any lumps when browning minced meat – much more effective than a wooden spoon.…

Jessamine Chan was born in Arizona and grew up in Illinois. “I was an avid reader from a young age. Books helped me survive and make sense of a childhood that was sometimes very lonely,” she says. Jessamine began writing fiction aged 18 and says publishing this smart debut novel at the age of 43 has “been a long journey”. While it’s not an autobiography, “parts of Frida’s childhood, education, dating experiences, and aspects of being a first-generation Chinese-American daughter are drawn from my life. Many of the more tender moments between Frida and Harriet are inspired by my daughter’s infancy.”…

The Arc by Tory Henwood Hoen, Corvus Is there such a thing as a perfect match? A sophisticated, secretive dating service promises to find your one and only. Smart. Burnt Out by Victoria Brookman, HarperCollins Sharp debut about an author whose emotional rant on the news amid the bushfires goes viral, making her the darling of the climate movement. The Improbable Life Of Ricky Bird by Diane Connell, Simon & Schuster Meet Ricky Bird, who relies on the imaginary world she creates for brother Ollie to shut out the reality of their father’s abandonment and mother’s new boyfriend. The Competition by Katherine Collette, Text There’s $40,000 to be won in a national speaking competition. Enter a cast of misfits who all want or need to win. Endearing. Again, Rachel by…

Bonza spreads its wings Australia’s new low-cost airline, Bonza, hopes to pioneer a revival in regional aviation, shunning the big capital cities bar one (Melbourne) in its initial list of 17 destinations across the states. Of its 27 routes, 80 per cent are currently unserviced by airlines and 96 per cent are new to low-cost carriers. Bonza, due to start operating midyear (subject to regulatory approval), has chosen Sunshine Coast Airport as its home base and Melbourne Airport as second base. Other routes are: Albury, Avalon, Bundaberg, Cairns, Coffs Harbour, Gladstone, Mackay, Mildura, Newcastle, Port Macquarie, Rockhampton, Tamworth, Toowoomba Wellcamp, Townsville and the Whitsunday Coast. Expanding its fleet of five new Boeing 737 MAXs, Bonza plans to operate up to eight aircraft in its first year of operation, all decked…

Taurus April 22 - May 21 Sun, Uranus and a beautiful new moon all in Taurus on the first day of May promise a tasty array in the empire of the senses for your birthday month. It features some delightful surprises, along with others less welcome when Mercury reverses during week two, making it highly advisable to assume nothing, stay flexible and try not to do the stubborn thing. In late May, when pleasure planet Venus sashays into your sensual sign to remind us that life is, above all, a contact sport, why deny yourself the many joys of the material world? Gemini May 22 - Jun 22 This month’s Mercury in your sign finds the airwaves alive with the buzz of Gemini mouth music. So far, so fabulous. But…

“Kindness is one thing you can’t give away. It always comes back.” – GEORGE SKOLSKY Letter of the month Although I am a resident of the UK, I love The Australian Women’s Weekly. I saved my March copy to read during our long and exciting journey to Perth to meet my new grandson for the first time. We are now holidaying in a motorhome with quite a few miles to cover each day. Could be pretty boring for a little guy but as you can see, he is absorbed by the pages of The Weekly! via email. Special tribute Thank you for your fitting tribute to Shane Warne (AWW, April). Even though most of us have personally never known Shane, his incredible cricket talent, charisma, kindness, generosity and enjoyment of…

“I have given absolutely everything I can to this beautiful sport of tennis.”– Ash Barty Reigning Australian Open and Wimbledon champion, and World Number One, Ash Barty, shocked us all in March when she announced that she was hanging up her racquet. “I’m so grateful for everything tennis has given me – it’s given me all my dreams plus more,” she told her friend and former doubles partner, Casey Dellacqua. “I just know that I am absolutely – I am spent – I just know physically I have nothing more to give. And that to me is success. I have given absolutely everything I can to this beautiful sport of tennis.” The news, delivered on Instagram, was met with a mix of sadness and praise. “Ash Barty. Amazing tennis player…

Thismonth John and I celebrated our 41st anniversary. When I say anniversary, we have a Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell situation – we’ve never actually married. Why? Because as I say to John whenever he proposes: “I love you but let’s not rush into this.” We first met back in 1981 when we both had jobs in The Murray River Performing Group Clown Ensemble. That’s right folks! We were both clowns. I guess you could say it was love at first “honk honk”. From the get-go we knew we wanted to have kids and spend our lives together. What we didn’t know was that I would become a stand-up comedian and John would LOVE me talking about him onstage (yes, even the colonoscopy story – where John recently headed off…

The idea of ceremony has always been a central part of Aboriginal life, and it continues to be a source of inspiration for our artists and communities today. Having had the privilege of watching artists at work and talking to them about their work, I really do feel a sense of a channelling, of an energy that inhabits them; that the creation of their work is a spiritual thing, a ceremonial thing. All these works were commissioned especially for this show, and I asked the artists to respond to what the idea of ceremony means to them. I hope people will look at these works, appreciate the generosity of their vision and celebrate the fact that we live in a country that is home to the world’s oldest continual cultural…

Michelle Law and Jenny Phang Plenty of writer Michelle Law’s work features frank and hilarious accounts of her life, which makes you wonder: How does her mother, Jenny Phang, feel about appearing in print? Before The Weekly can pose the question, the conversation veers to a bawdy account of Michelle’s birth. The physician, Jenny announces proudly, was named Dr Dick. “Dr Dick delivered Michelle at 3am, so the hospital staff had to wake him up. Maybe he might be in the middle of sex?” She laughs, providing an answer. “Mum’s just a really funny person,” Michelle says. “I don’t think I realised until I got older that our mum’s particularly quirky and open-minded. She’ll joke about everything in a light-hearted manner. Because she’s been through so much in her life,…

The Princess Royal is famously pegged as the British monarchy’s hardest working royal because of the hundreds of engagements she carries out each year, so it came as no surprise that Her Royal Highness was the first member of the House of Windsor to fly out to Australian shores when border restrictions lifted. True to form, the three-day tour, followed by a hop over to Papua New Guinea to mark the Platinum Jubilee, was carried out at a frenetic pace. But with her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, by her side, the Queen’s only daughter was in her element reconnecting with a part of the world she tells me she has always loved. The Princess was ostensibly here for a working visit as patron of the Royal Agricultural Society…

“Mat was sweet … He suffered depression his whole life. Tried to kill himself twice.”– Natasha Darcy The pencil pines that line the winding, dirt driveway mean we can’t see the farmhouse, leaving us blind as to what awaits us at the end. My chest tightens as we edge closer. As a crime reporter, I’ve travelled to the cool and misty town of Walcha, just east of Tamworth in the NSW Northern Tablelands, to confront a so-called ‘black widow’. She is being investigated for the murder of her grazier boyfriend, Mathew Dunbar, not long after he made her the sole beneficiary of his multimillion-dollar sheep farm. While the farmer’s girlfriend claims it was a suicide, most of the town is convinced she played a role in his death and, two…

It’s the stage of your life to relax, without the daily grind and without commitments. A time to enjoy the spoils of what you’ve worked for decades to accumulate. To chase your unrealised dreams. To travel, to read, to spend time with friends and family. Well, that’s the plan anyway. But the reality is that retirement is a huge change in our lives and can be fraught with fears and worries. Life coach Rik Schnabel from Life Beyond Limits says you can expect to cycle through five emotional stages in your journey: planning, excitement, honeymoon and disenchantment, before finally landing on reorientation and stability. “Adjusting to retirement can take a while,” he explains. “There’s an emotional process that most people go through. At first, there’s a feeling of freedom. It’s…

Like running water, good friends and enough milk in the fridge, self-confidence is one of those things you take for granted until it’s gone. At which point, it can quickly and negatively impact your lifestyle and health. “We are talking about self-esteem when talking about self-confidence. This is knowing that we are enough, irrespective of whatever anyone else says of thinks of us,” says Diane Young, a psychotherapist and addiction and trauma specialist at South Pacific Private. As you slowly emerge from the past two years, with many of us having experienced isolation, increased domestic pressures and even job loss, you may notice your appetite for moving outside your comfort zone has diminished. Or that you’re overthinking everything. Or you just can’t shake the ‘blah’ feeling. These are all signs…

As babies, we crave the touch and reassurance of our caregivers. As mothers, we long for the feel of our baby’s skin next to our own. I still remember the hours spent feeding my daughters, their hands reaching up to grasp at mine – tiny fingers wrapping carefully around my own. In those early days, whether human or animal, touch is so important, an instant communication between mother and young. Perhaps, with dementia, we return to our animal instincts, intuitive contact taking on a greater importance to make us feel safe. As my daughters grew, so did their confidence. Those hands that once clutched tight to mine on the way to and from school now wanted to strike out on their own. There were still night-time hugs or cuddles when…

20-minute combination dumpling soup SERVES 4 PREP & COOK TIME 20 MINUTES 2.5 litres (10 cups) chicken stock 1 tablespoon soy sauce 1 teaspoon fish sauce 1 tablespoon finely shredded fresh ginger 12 frozen pork dumplings 400g cooked barbecued chicken breast meat 200g uncooked medium prawns, peeled, deveined, tails intact 100g fresh mixed mushrooms, sliced thinly 2 baby pak choy (300g), washed, trimmed, quartered 4 green onions, sliced thinly 1 fresh long red chilli, sliced thinly 1¼ cups (100g) bean sprouts ⅓ cup loosely packed fresh coriander leaves lime wedges, spicy chilli crisp, optional, for serving 1 Bring stock, sauces and ginger to the boil in a large saucepan. Add dumplings, simmer for 4 minutes. Add chicken and prawns, simmer, uncovered, about 5 minutes or until prawns change colour and…

Tempeh is made from fermented soybeans, giving a naturally nutty flavour, while tofu is made from condensed soy milk, which attributes its mild flavourless taste. We used tasty tempeh, available from major supermarkets and health food stores. For crisp tempeh bacon bits, do not line oven tray before baking. Tempeh bacon bits will keep in an airtight container for up to 1 week in the fridge and are great sprinkled over salads or on top of pizzas. Use real bacon if you prefer. Serve with a crisp cos lettuce salad dressed with extra virgin olive oil and sherry vinegar.…

If lily caterpillars are destroying your clivias, dust them with a good sprinkle of plain flour, then hose off after two days. When spraying weeds in your garden, add food colouring to the spray bottle so that you can see if you have missed any – leftover colour can be washed away when the weeds have died. P. Wilson, Old Beach, Taj Share your domestic secrets Send your handy hints or questions to: The Australian Women’s Weekly, GPO Box 4178, Sydney, NSW 2001, or email openline@aremedia.com.au. We pay $75 for the reader’s prize hint each month.…

As we move into the cooler months, the second episode of the new season of Selling Houses Australia provided the perfect opportunity to indulge my love of moody colours and cosy spaces. The moment I saw this tiny home in Jindabyne in the NSW Snowy Mountains, I knew exactly what it needed to be. Cluttered and unloved, this tiny former schoolhouse was hiding some beautiful features and a unique character. The look Mountain lodge style was our aim – a combination of dark, moody colours, aged timbers and textured fabrics to evoke romantic images of cosy nights in front of the fire. The plan A major declutter was the starting point, to clear out many of the collected artefacts. We retained just a few key pieces to keep the character…

The Plant Hunter by T.L. Mogford, Allen & Unwin A splendid adventure in the fantastical Victorian plant-hunters’ world, whose bold travel and oft frowned upon removal of species resulted in exotic displays in London’s hothouses. Prestigious plant nurseries, such as Josiah Piggott’s Plant Emporium in this tale, attracted the influential in droves. Our protagonist, Harry Compton, is a fine horticulturist, but chosen as one of the dandy salesmen in top hat and frock coat for his handsome face, which makes wealthy women swoon. But a plant-hunter’s dream is an expedition. Harry is left a rare Icicle Tree flower by opium-addicted botanist Lorcan Darke and a map of its location in China. Harry risks all for his specimen and a green-eyed, red-headed artist. The Maid by Nita Prose, HarperCollins Prepare to…

Midmorning, I heard the wheels of the carriage on the gravel outside. Just then, miraculously, things had gone quiet. The marchesina was sleeping peacefully. The midwife had gone into the dressing room to wash her face in the basin and tidy up her hair a little. I looked out the window and saw Dr Fratta stepping out of the carriage, and the marquis going to meet him. Had he called for the doctor without telling us, frightened by the screaming, or had the doctor come of his own accord? I saw them step through the French doors and into the parlour. I don’t know how the idea came to me, what guardian angel or wicked genie put it into my head. I ran over to the bed, dipped a cloth…

Royal TOUR Caribbean Kate The Duchess of Cambridge wore a kaleidoscope of colour in a wardrobe of bespoke gowns, vintage pieces, hot new brand names and high-street finds for a Caribbean tour in which the 40-year-old royal dazzled. Prince William and Catherine visited Belize, Jamaica and The Bahamas on the frenetic eight-day visit to mark The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and in the sultry Caribbean heat they were frequently treated like celebrities. Her Majesty also loaned jewellery to her daughter-in-law for the tour, including stud pearl earrings. “Our children, George, Charlotte and Louis, love being by the sea, so I hope they’ll be able to experience your clear waters and beautiful beaches before too long.” – Duchess of Cambridge Abdallah FA M I LY New life, new hope Two years after…

A first for the NT Domestic violence survivor Kate Worden is the Northern Territory’s first Minister for the Prevention of Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence. Schools for girls! Afghan women and girls bravely protested outside Kabul’s Education Ministry after the Taliban announced it would continue to ban girls’ secondary schooling. Lion’s share When Emily Bates won AFLW Best and Fairest, she thanked her whole Brisbane Lions team who had just mopped out her flood-ravaged house.…

As we wander through the subtropical rainforests of Springbrook National Park on Queensland’s Gold Coast, it’s impossible not to be awestruck by the sheer majesty of the scenery. These forests are living relics from the Jurassic Age and their 1800 million-year-old Hoop Pines, trunks scored with banded bark, emanate an ancient wisdom that reaches into your soul. For Dame Quentin Bryce, this is a place of renewal and wonder. She immerses herself in the unique aura of tranquillity that only nature can provide, and finds solace amid the giant mossy rocks, shimmering luminous fungi and dreamy tapestry of towering trees, bright green ferns, and hanging vines and lianas. Quentin, now 79, played here as a child, she and husband Michael brought their own five children to the cascading waterfalls, and…

An unstable job market through the pandemic, rising house prices and soaring bills have seen the well-laid retirement plans of many Australians blown out the window. “Debt is a big reality for many over-55s,” says Jacqui Schofield, executive director and co-founder of Boomer Home Loans, who adds that women often get a raw deal. “You might still have a little debt, even though your home is mainly paid off. Or you might not have enough in your super and savings to last you through the years.” With loans for those over 55 harder to secure, some consider selling the family home. “But that may not be the best financial decision given it’s your biggest asset, likely to go up in value, and also a very big part of people’s lives,”…

Pamper package Good sport The bold type Natural woman…

WHAT IT IS: This breakthrough energy treatment uses fluorescent light energy to stimulate skin at a cellular level, explains Dr Jan Knight of Intelligent Ageing in Neutral Bay, Sydney, noting that clinical studies have shown it can deliver a 400 per cent increase in collagen production and significantly reduce redness and breakouts. “For many of my patients, this treatment does rejuvenate skin, but perhaps more importantly, it takes away the redness and blotches as well, which rejuvenates skin.” HOW IT FEELS: An orange gel with chromospheres is smoothed onto the face, then safety eye shields are popped on and a dome-shaped lamp is moved into position. It’s bright (even with eyes covered) and feels warm and tingles a bit, but is tolerable. The whole thing lasts about 15 minutes. Afterwards,…

Doing things that spark joy, contentment and love will boost your happiness and self-confidence. Think of things that instantly lift your mood and aim to do at least one of them a week. Here are some ideas: • Listen to your favourite songs and dance around the house. • Go on an adventure. Visit a new place this weekend, explore a different street on your lunch break, or go somewhere that’s been on your list for a while. • Get creative! Paint, sing, draw, complete a puzzle, get in the garden, or make something for a friend or for your home. • Do some joyful movement, like a nature walk, hula hooping, or rollerblading. • Organise a fun active date with friends or family, such as going bowling, trampolining, mini-golf, or outdoor games.…

We all know that Mother Nature is a powerful chemist. But that doesn’t mean it’s always easy to harness the medicinal benefits lurking in our fridges and pantries. According to Sydney-based naturopath, herbalist and author Anthia Koullouros, one reason people often feel frustrated when they don’t feel the positive benefits is that quality and quantity matters. “There are many proven health benefits of herbs, however they only work if you’re having them in the right concentration for your body,” says Anthia, who has an apothecary, Apotheca By Anthia, where she creates tonics, supplements and tisanes (herbal infusions) to ensure the herbs have the desired effect. “It’s worth talking to a medicinal herbalist if you want to use these natural remedies to alleviate a health concern,” she says. Which is not…

My love of cooking undoubtedly stemmed from pure gluttony and my mother. I felt a deep sense of sadness as a child, not knowing my grandparents, but tangible objects remained from their lives. My grandmother’s baking books, full of handwritten notes, clippings and cake batter stains, were a comforting source of entertainment. One of my earliest memories is being buckled into my stroller with cakes and slices, lovingly prepared by my mother, piled on top to be delivered to local cafes. As I grew up, baking became a sanctuary for me. Although my mum and I don’t spend nearly enough time together in the kitchen these days, our reunions are always enriched by the sharing of food. Italian adventures travelling as a dynamic duo are some of my most treasured…

Autumn slablova SERVES 8 PREP + COOK TIME 2 HOURS (+ COOLING) 6 egg whites pinch of cream of tartar 1½ cups (330g) caster sugar 1 tablespoon cornflour 1½ teaspoons white vinegar 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract 1¾ cups (430ml) thickened cream ½ cup (125ml) pure pomegranate juice ¼ cup (90g) honey 6 figs, halved 4 plums (450g), cut into wedges 1 pomegranate (320g), seeds removed (see tip) 1 Preheat oven to 120°C (100°C fan-forced). Mark a 16cm x 32cm rectangle on baking paper; invert paper onto a lightly greased large oven tray. 2 Beat egg whites and cream of tartar in a medium bowl with an electric mixer until soft peaks form. With motor operating, gradually add sugar, beating after additions until sugar dissolves. Quickly fold in sifted cornflour,…

Soft salty pretzels MAKES 12 PREP + COOK TIME 1 HOUR (+ STANDING + COOLING) 2 cups (500ml) milk, warmed 1/3 cup (75g) firmly packed brown sugar 4 teaspoons (14g) dried yeast 4½ cups (675g) plain flour 2 teaspoons coarse cooking salt 60g butter, chopped, at room temperature ½ cup (140g) bicarbonate of soda 1 tablespoon sea salt flakes 1 tablespoon fennel seeds 1 tablespoon poppy seeds 1 tablespoon sesame seeds 1 Place milk and sugar in a medium bowl; sprinkle over yeast. Cover; stand in a warm place for 10 minutes or until frothy. 2 Stir in flour, salt and butter to make a soft, sticky dough. Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface; knead for 5 minutes or until smooth and elastic. Place dough in an oiled large…

DYSTOPIAN FICTION The School for Good Mothers by Jessamine Chan, Hutchinson Heinemann “We have your daughter.” So starts Jessamine Chan’s engrossing dystopian drama. Frida Liu is driving back from work when she picks up the message that summons her to the police station. It’s a call that would strike fear into the heart of any parent and for Frida kickstarts a terrifying spiral of repercussions. Quickly we discover that her 18-month-old daughter, Harriet, was found crying at home alone after a neighbour notified the police. Right from the get-go Frida is treated as a “bad mother” who has failed at the most basic of female requirements. That she was exhausted, working for a demanding boss while minding her daughter; that her husband, Gust, had left her for a younger woman;…

Meet The Family by John Yeoman, Walker With hilarious illustrations by Quentin Blake, roll up a family with a difference. Uncle Marvello and Auntie Shazam (Eric and Pam) are magicians. Baby Cedric can crawl up curtains, top of the wardrobe his favourite spot. The Tiny Explorers by Kat MacLeod, Thames & Hudson From the delicious imaginative artwork of MacLeod comes a journey under the daisies and the dandelion clocks, over the lily ponds collecting treasures – a glossy acorn, a juicy blueberry. How Was That Built? By Roma Agrawal, Bloomsbury Agrawal worked on London’s Shard, the tallest building in Western Europe. In this beautifully illustrated, cleverly worded book for curious minds, she explains the stories behind awesome structures.…

NSW Yass please! The Yass Valley, just north of the nation’s capital, is a destination in its own right. Its beautiful natural scenery includes the Brindabella Range, lakes and rivers, and many of the vineyards that are part the Canberra District wine region. Shiraz, riesling and cabernet sauvignon are the principal varieties. A visit to Last Stop Ambledown Brook bed and breakfast is mandatory. Perched on a hilltop, it operates out of three vintage train carriages and a 1929 Melbourne tram. Choose from two self-contained ensuite carriages – one Art Deco, the other 1950s-style – or a 1935 wooden first-class carriage. Equally splendid are the self-contained cottages at Tallagandra Hill Winery, where you can sit back on a private deck with a charcuterie platter and sip a local wine while…

There are so many cashback sites now available that the real trick to saving comes down to keeping an eye on which sites offer the best cashback deals. The other point worth noting is that cashbacks can be turned off just as fast as they can be turned on. Cashback deals on groceries from Coles or Woolworths, for example, can change frequently and, in times of high demand, be turned off temporarily. At the end of the day if you're prepared to compare and not overspend then it can pay to sign up to a few cashback platforms.…