Innholdsfortegnelse for November 23, 2015 i Woman's Day

They say miracles only happen to those who believe in them, and never has there been such a living example than Sydney mum Lisa Baraki. As a gravely ill little six-year-old, Lisa was given just a one per cent chance of survival as she battled a rare kidney tumour. Then she met her fairy godmother, a stranger who quit her job as a businesswoman to become hospital volunteer “Fairy Sparkle”. From that day on, Fairy Sparkle has been by Lisa’s side as she beat the tumour, got married and against all medical odds became a mum. We bring you their incredible tale of friendship and hope (p40). We also catch up with another amazing survivor – the first Australian child to receive a liver transplant from an adult donor. Thirty…

Life was never going to be normal for Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s kids. Their parents are two of the most famous movie stars in the world, and the clan travels constantly as they film blockbusters. But according to three of their former nannies, Brad, 51, and 40-year-old Ange have a parenting style that’s even more unusual than you might’ve imagined. The nannies told Star magazine that Maddox, 14, Pax, 11, Zahara, 10, Shiloh, nine, and seven-year-old twins Knox and Vivienne live in a world where there’s no rules, no school and no bedtime. “Brad and Angie are very unconventional parents, to say the least” one nanny tells. “It’s like they’re living in a hippie commune most of the time, because Angie doesn’t believe in rules. She thinks it’s important…

When singer Gwen Stefani admitted her split from Gavin Rossdale earlier this year was “unexpected”, speculation was rife that he may be to blame. Now it’s been suggested by Us Weekly that Gavin, 50, was cheating on the No Doubt rocker with the couple’s nanny – and she’s an Aussie! Former Gold Coast local Mindy Mann was hired in 2008 to care for the couple’s three children – Kingston, nine, Zuma, seven, and Apollo, 20 months. According to the mag, Gwen confronted her husband about his relationship with Mindy when one of the other nannies allegedly discovered messages and nude photos on the family’s iPad. “It completely devastated her,” a source explained to the magazine of Gwen’s reaction. “This was done right under Gwen’s nose.” An Australian schoolmate of Mindy’s,…

Jessica Simpson turned heads in New York when she showed off her rock-hard abs, wearing a midriff while out on a date with husband Eric Johnson. Onlookers couldn’t help but wonder what had caused the three ridges on her stomach, with rumours it may be from liposuction. But Sydney plastic surgeon Dr Michael Miroshnik says, “Vertical and horizontal skin folds are common in individuals who have lost a dramatic amount of weight. It could simply be loose skin.” Jess, 35, lost 20kg on Weight Watchers after giving birth to Maxwell in 2012 and Ace in 2013.…

Magda Szubanski reckons losing weight can make you feel great – but only if you already feel good about who you are. “There’s this sort of myth that if you lose weight your problems are solved – and it’s not like that,” admits the former Jenny Craig ambassador, who has lost 36kg, dropping from 112kg to 85kg between 2009 and 2011. “Suddenly I was the hot one, and I was amazed that people were saying that,” says the 54-year-old. “It was quite an extraordinary experience and it unnerved me in some ways. Certainly a lot of pain and aches were solved, and health issues – but there are a whole lot of other issues you have to address.” Despite being one of Australia’s best-loved stars, the comedian says her schtick…

She’s been the subject of surgery rumours for years, and when Khloe Kardashian promoted her new book Strong Looks Better Naked in LA, her appearance garnered much attention. Rumours started to circulate online she may have had a nose job. Never one to hold her tongue, Khloe shut down speculation. “I haven’t had any fillers or done any plastic surgery. YET. LOL,” The Keeping up with the Kardashians star posted on her website. “I have an amazing makeup team. Their contour game is so on point I feel like I get a nose job every day – and I love it!” However, the reality star does admit that she’s a big fan of laser treatments. “I do lasers all the time – for skin unevenness, skin tightening, stretch marks, scars,…

He’s due to become a dad for the second time, and Aussie cricketer David Warner is making sure he spends plenty of quality time with adorable daughter Ivy Mae before her little sister arrives! The doting father, 29, took time out of his busy schedule to relax on the field with his 14-month-old, after he helped Australia win the first Test against New Zealand at the Gabba. The man of the match played with his cute little girl as fellow cricketer Nathan Lyon’s daughter Harper got in on the action, giving Ivy Mae a hug. She lapped up the time with her dad, but it’s not long before she’ll have to share him. In July David and his wife, former ironwoman Candice, 30, announced on social media that they were…

Salads for dinner That time of year has arrived, when you can knock together a quick base of fruit, veg, leaves or legumes, add a protein and call it a meal – salad days really are the best! Plus we’ve got the top rosé wines to try out, and fresh mango desserts you’ll adore. We can taste summer in the air… GRILLED PEACH SALAD WITH PROSCIUTTO & BLUE CHEESE SERVES 4 PREP 10 MINS COOK 10 MINS PER SERVE 2471kJ COST 1 half baguette, 5mm slices 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil 4 firm ripe peaches, stones removed, quartered 2 tbsp white wine vinegar 150g baby rocket 12 thin slices prosciutto, torn 100g blue cheese ¼ cup basil leaves ¼ cup toasted pecans 1 Preheat oven to hot, 200°C. Line an…

BAKING BRILLIANCE When baking with fruit and nuts, lightly dust them in the same flour used in the recipe before adding them to the mixture. This will ensure that they are distributed evenly. FESTIVE SNACKS Save money at Christmas time and make your own crackers to serve with dips. Simply spray 4 sheets Lebanese bread with oil, then sprinkle with 1 tablespoon zaatar. Bake at 180°C/200°C fan-forced for 5-10 minutes until golden. Cool, then break into pieces. HAM STORAGE Store leftover Christmas ham in a calico ham bag rinsed in 2 cups water and 1 tablespoon white vinegar. Repeat rinsing the ham bag every two to three days to keep ham fresh. TROPICAL TWIST Mangoes can be paired with sweet and savoury dishes or simply served solo! Look for mangoes…

Q I’m 45 and although I have loved I’ve not found the man I want to commit my life to, because very early on I decided not to have my own children. Will he come my way or am I destined to walk this life alone? Anonymous No, you won’t wind up alone – you’re destined to meet a man who has medium to dark-coloured hair and is an Earth star sign (i.e. Taurus, Virgo or Capricorn). You may have decided not to have any children of your own in this lifetime, but you will need to be open and accepting of the fact that he’s had children. However, the chemistry and special bond you share with your soulmate will be unbreakable. Be sure to accept all invitations to…

As the nerves start to kick in with auction day drawing near, The Block favourites Dean and Shay say they’ll still have plenty to celebrate on the big day – even if they don’t win any money. “We have a gorgeous little girl, Everly, who is two-and-a-half, but we’d love to have more children,” says Dean, 30, who hints the couple may be extending their family in the near future. “I think one more would be nice, but Shay’s trying to get two out of me! We’ll have to wait and see what happens.” “It’s amazing how much they add to your life,” adds Shay, 29. “We really hope we’ve done Everly proud on The Block.” But a growing brood won’t be the only thing keeping Dean and Shay busy…

When it comes to using both sides of her brain, actress Renee Lim has it covered. In between her filming commitments on Please Like Me alongside comedian Josh Thomas, the talented star works part-time as a doctor in a hospital’s emergency department. “I usually look after geriatrics and palliative care patients,” says Renee. “I wanted to be a doctor my whole life – it’s my first love.” Her career is challenging, to say the least. “During one of my first shifts a man died in my arms,” she remembers. “There was blood everywhere – it was very confronting.” Minutes into another shift, a psychiatric patient tried to stab her with a syringe. “He pulled it out and started threatening me with it – it was so scary,” she says. “Luckily,…

SARAH HYLAND Mega-bronzed, beaming and bedazzled, the Modern Family hottie has rarely looked this seductively grown-up! With her lips and nails painted in the most alluring shade of dark burgundy, Sarah’s provocatively plunging Jenny Packham dress is a delicious dream of divine decadence. Sideswept up-do is devilishly demure, don’t you think? ANDIE MACDOWELL Here comes the mane event! With her spectacular curls blown out into a ginormous waterfall, the long-time L’Oreal ambassador proves yet again she’s worth it. Understatedly chic in an asymmetrical wrap by Nicholas K, the staggeringly beautiful 57-year-old towers above the pack in her da-voom bejewelled strappy sandals. MOLLY SIMS Good golly, Miss Molly! Here’s an example of when the wrong makeup ruins a perfectly ordinary look. Draped in a bland and boring pleated shift, the actress…

Dated rock stars Claims she was INXS frontman Michael Hutchence’s “girl on the Gold Coast” in her twenties. Into free love She dated The Block producer Tim Wise (inset), but also says she likes to “share her love around”. Exposes herself She left her underwear at home at a Fashion Aid charity event in Melbourne, and flashed her private parts on stage. Shoots from the hip She body-shamed Whitney on The Block by telling her to “eat a burger”. Is a former glamour model Posed nude for Penthouse. Has a thing for adult toys Brought three to the Block. Flirts shamelessly Flirted with the show’s tradies to get ahead in the competition. Loves a drink Lost her licence over a DUI charge.…

It was the top-secret project she’d been working on for six months, and last week Carrie Bickmore was finally able to share it with the world. Using her position as host of The Project as a platform, the presenter choked back tears as she launched her brain cancer charity, Carrie’s Beanies 4 Brain Cancer, in memory of her late husband Greg Lange, who passed away five years ago after a 10-year battle with the illness. “We all know my motivation for doing this,” Carrie told viewers, adding that the idea to set up a foundation came about after her Logies speech in May. “While I feel like I’ve done a lot of talking about it, actions speak louder than words.” Aim for the stars The mum-of-two says she aims to…

The fast-track romance between Mariah Carey, 45, and James Packer, 48, is kicking up a gear. As well as moving in together months after they started dating, they’re planning a wedding – and a baby! “She’s got James wrapped around her finger, and they’re trying for a baby together,” a long-time friend reveals. “Mariah is desperate to get pregnant. She’s wanted another baby for months and James came along at the right time.” She’s even trying to speed up her divorce from America’s Got Talent host Nick Cannon, with whom she shares four-year-old twins Monroe and Moroccan. “Mariah wants the divorce finalised by Christmas so James can pop the question,” the friend says. “She’s even saying she wants to be a pregnant bride!”…

Little Tristan Saba won’t remember this, but there was a time when his parents didn’t have the energy to play with him. With John weighing 160kg and Sally 120kg, even small movements were a struggle. But now that the Sydney couple have shed a combined 77kg since July, they’re loving being active parents to their precious boy. “I’m actually enjoying him now – I can chase him around, pick him up and fall on the ground with him,” says John, who now weighs 109kg. “I used to be jealous of my brother-in-law because I’d see him playing with his kids on the ground, doing all kinds of manoeuvres, and I couldn’t even sit on the ground.” Wanting to set a good example for their son, John, 39, and Sally, 35,…

MANGO COCONUT ICEBLOCKS MAKES 4 PREP 10 MINS + FREEZING COST 1 cup vanilla ice-cream, softened ½ tsp coconut essence 1 mango, peeled, seeded, chopped 1 tbsp lemon juice 1 tbsp glucose syrup (see tip) 1 In a large jug, combine ice-cream and essence, mixing well. 2 In a blender, puree mango, lemon juice and glucose syrup until smooth. 3 Arrange four ½-cup iceblock moulds (see tip) on an angle, firmly wedged in a large dish. Pour 1 tbsp mango mixture into base of each mould. Freeze 1 hour or until set. Top with 1 tbsp ice-cream mixture. Freeze 1 hour or until set. 4 Repeat until filled, inserting wooden paddle-pop sticks halfway through and arranging moulds in an upright position for the final layer. Freeze 3 hours or overnight.…

When celebrity chef Nigella Lawson unveiled her new, slimmer figure earlier this month, we all assumed she must’ve hit the gym. But now she’s revealed her svelte body is all thanks to slow yoga, also known as Iyengar. What’s it all about? “Sloga” is set around the same poses as most other forms of yoga, but they’re taught at a slow pace so you can focus on the quality of each one. This can use up as many kilojoules as faster workouts – an hour-long session can burn over 1000kJ. “Yoga certainly makes you feel great – and you want to carry on feeling great,” Nigella says. “I just do a little bit in a very slow way – sometimes lying down.” Anita Phillips, a UK-based Iyengar teacher, explains, “The…

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…

AMANDA SAYS Alfie comes through and is very sure of himself. He describes himself as bossy and confident with no fear at all. He’s a tough little guy and challenges Debbie when he’s out of his cage. Usually rabbits are a little hesitant and wary of me, but not this guy. He lets Debbie know he doesn’t mind that his cage has been moved and is happy that it’s so warm at night for him. He also loves all the fresh food they give him since he dislikes any dry food. He loves his human brother as he’s very kind and spends a lot of time with him, and he loves his human dad because he feeds him lots of great food. Alfie has his own funny squeaky little language…

The show’s most competitive contestant Tim Dormer says he won’t be happy if he doesn’t beat rival Sophie Monk in this week’s Celebrity Apprentice finale. “I’m just too smart to be pinned down to get fired,” smirks Tim, who has gained a reputation for playing the game – and the other contestants – from the word go. “I want to win because I have proven myself to be worthy of the title, and I have learned and grown, despite being underestimated from the beginning.” Although the 2013 Big Brother winner insists he won’t be using any “dirty tactics” to be the last man standing, Tim, 30, says he won’t go down without a fight. “I don’t think any contestant has been called ‘manipulative’ more times than I have,” he says.…

Zoe Hendrix and Alex Garner met and fell in love on Married at First Sight. Now the Melbourne couple have their sights set on The Block, and are in talks with Nine to appear on the next season of the hit show! “I was lucky enough to visit the Block while they were filming earlier this year” says plumber Alex, 29. “It was really valuable to get that type of insight and see how it all works. Zoe and I have talked about it quite a bit, and we’d love to go on the show – it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. “We’ve expressed interest, so now we’ll have to wait and see what happens”…

Kendall spreads her wings! Kim Kardashian’s sister Kendall, 20, made her debut at the glitzy Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show last week, looking right at home on the runway. KENDALL JENNER The Kardashians’ younger sister made a bold and bright debut. ALESSANDRA AMBROSIO Veteran Angel Alessandra, 34, showed why she’s already walked in 14 Victoria’s Secret shows! GIGI HADID Kendall’s best friend Gigi, 20, also made her debut after auditioning three times. SELENA GOMEZ Pop star Selena, 23, performed her hit Me & My Girls . KRIS & CAITLYN JENNER The former couple put on a united front to support their daughter, Kendall. Sweet dreams, Woody! It looks like Woody mistook the Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2 Paris premiere for a slumber party! Leaving…

English singer Seal has opened up about his preference for the quiet life with Erica Packer, over his former high-profile existence with ex-wife Heidi Klum. “Showbiz parties weren’t something that I necessarily enjoyed,” he says. “It was only because of… Heidi.” The 52-year-old went on to say he wasn’t keen on their tradition of renewing their vows each year, either. “That was my ex-wife’s idea. It kind of turned into a circus, which I wasn’t terribly fond of.” Now that he’s dating James Packer’s ex-wife Erica, 38, Seal’s life is a lot quieter. “I’m in a happy relationship. You learn to keep the things that are precious to you out of the limelight.”…

BEC Now dating amateur boxer Dean Vee, Bec couldn’t be happier. “It must be love,” she posted on Instagram. HEATHER She can’t get enough of actor Andrew Steel: “He’s been really supportive of me, every step of the way.” TONY “Boy do I feel like the winner,” Tony captioned this snap on social media with girlfriend Sabrina.…

Samantha Porthouse wraps her arms tightly around her four-year-old daughter Jorja. By the time she was Jorja’s age she’d fought the hardest battle of her life, nearly dying due to the bile duct disease biliary atresia. At just 22 months, Samantha became the first child in Australia to receive a liver transplant from an adult donor. Samantha’s family waited an agonising 12 months for a child’s liver to become available. But when it seemed the toddler wouldn’t survive much longer, doctors were forced to pioneer the new procedure, which involved cutting an adult liver down to child-size. An Aussie first “I didn’t really understand what had happened until I was a young adult,” says the Hobart local, now 30. “As a child I had scars on my tummy. I remember…

IN ASSOCIATION WITH FROM THE WOMAN'S DAY FOOD DIRECTOR Christmas is our favourite time of the year, a time to gather with loved ones to share laughter, memories and delicious festive food. This year, we have everything you need to make it absolutely perfect. Our menu ideas make planning your day easy, right down to some amazingly simple but impressive desserts. So whether you enjoy cold Christmas fare with seafood and salads, or the more traditional glazed ham, roast turkey, pork and vegies, our recipes will help inspire you. Make sure you plan ahead and buy shelf stable products and drinks in advance to spread the cost. Use fresh seasonal ingredients in your menu, dress the table with flowers and baubles, and have a glass of bubbles ready when guests…

Nigella complements her yoga with a few healthy diet tweaks. But forget strict rules – this is all about cooking with lots of flavour to help curb cravings. “Depriving your body is not the way,” she says. “I love kale, and I’m an avocado obsessive. But life is about balance.” Here are a few of Nigella’s tasty menu ideas. BREAKFAST Mexican scrambled eggs with tomatoes and mushrooms. LUNCH Chicken, mango and chilli salad. DINNER Farro (a variety of wheat) risotto with mushrooms. “With farro, you feel you’re having the most indulgent food but it’s a wholegrain, so it’s healthy,” she says. “It gives a slow release of energy so you won’t feel that sense of white-carb fatigue.”…

THE SWEETEST GIFT! Handmade with love, this delicious, lightly spiced traditional gingerbread house is covered in a selection of sweet candy! Guaranteed to bring smiles to your Christmas celebration. Only available from Michel’s Patisserie. RRP $32.90. See michels.com.au POPPABLE CHOCS Tim Tam Chocolicious are poppable bite-size pieces combining delicious Tim Tam layers of crispy biscuit and a generous layer of cream, wrapped up in almost double the Tim Tam chocolate you love. The delicious fix that’s not too rich or too filling! WAXING AT HOME Veet Spawax is your new professional quality wax-warming kit that maintains the ideal temperature for salon-perfect smoothness at home. Try it now! Available at all leading supermarkets and pharmacies. Veet Spawax Stripless Wax Warming Kit, RRP $59.99; Veet Spawax Stripless Wax refills RRP $14.99. See…

1 LAGUNA BEACH IS NEARBY The famous Californian beach is a short 40-minute drive away and the ideal location for some serious celebrity spotting! 2 CATS ARE ON THE DISNEYLAND PAYROLL At night, a select group of cats, aka “mousers”, are employed to control the real-life mouse population. If you’re lucky, you will spot them lingering around on the hunt for their next meal. 3 GWEN’S A LOCAL Pop singer Gwen Stefani hails from Anaheim! Her band No Doubt formed there in high school back in the ’80s, and since going solo, she still loves performing in her hometown. 4 FROM SEA TO SKI You can surf in the morning then drive 90 minutes from Anaheim to Big Bear Lake, known for its amazing mountains and perfect skiing conditions. 5…

Scorpio OCT 24 – NOV 22 Nothing will be quite as it appears this month. Even your love life may take on a more secretive edge, although for couples, some naughtiness will spice things up. Escapist books and films should help you unwind, along with a spot of antiques shopping. Look out for a sentimental piece. Sagittarius NOV 23 – DEC 22 Dreaming of a more relaxed life? Reality tends to get in the way, but a few home improvements could make a big difference. With Neptune heightening your senses, beautiful sounds and smells should lift your mood. Even better, why not create a special space at home that’s just for you? Capricorn DEC 23 – JAN 20 With Mars lighting up your chart, an opportunity should…