Innholdsfortegnelse for 29 January 2018 i New Idea

When it comes to the kitchen, cooking is definitely something my husband and I should not do together. Whether it be arguing over baking or roasting, whether there’s enough salt or even how to stack the dishwasher – we are polar opposites! And don’t even get me started on our ongoing debates about keeping tomato sauce in the fridge or pantry (fridge!) and whether use-by dates should be ignored (absolutely not!). So it’s with awe that I tune in to MKR every year to watch couples compete in the kitchen together, knowing that my hubby and I would last two minutes on the show! This week, we introduce you to all the fabulous contestants on this year’s show, which promises to be a cracker! Turn to page 37 for all…

It’s the marriage split that’s rocked the palace, and left even the most hardened and experienced of royal commentators shocked and lost for words. But while news revealing the surprise break-up between Tom Parker Bowles and his wife of 12 years Sara has stunned the royal family, it’s the catastrophic effect the split has had on his mum Camilla, 70, that’s caused the most shockwaves. Quick to release a statement revealing that she and husband Prince Charles, 69, were ‘deeply saddened’ by Tom and Sara’s separation, sources close to the duchess confirm that she is now using the break-up news to re-evaluate her own marriage. ‘Tom and Sara married just a few months after Camilla and Charles, so it’s understandable that it’s really hit home for the duchess,’ says the…

After months of anticipation, Lisa Wilkinson is about to make her debut behind The Project desk – and she’s starting to feel the pressure! Causing a national sensation when she left her hosting role on the Today show late last year amid failed contract negotiations, the much-loved media star is throwing everything she has at her new role at Channel Ten. ‘It was a privilege to be part of the Today show team for more than a decade,’ says Lisa of her career change. ‘I leave behind wonderful experiences and cherished friendships. But it was time to set myself some new challenges.’ But with new challenges come high expectations, with sources revealing that even a seasoned professional such as Lisa, 58, isn’t immune to feeling some…

Separated from his long-term partner and suffering from crippling back pain, music guru Ian ‘Molly’ Meldrum is finally starting to feel his age. Worried friends say the former Countdown host, who celebrates his 75th birthday on January 29, is struggling to stay upbeat in the face of heartbreak and failing health. ‘He does his best to be positive, but he’s not the same old Molly,’ says a source close to Australia’s favourite music critic, who is lucky to be alive after three serious falls. ‘He is in constant agony and, although he has lots of mates around to help, his life seems more chaotic than ever.’ Fans were shocked when Molly arrived in a wheelchair for the Australian Music Vault launch in Melbourne last December. Although he managed to stand…

It’s a cliche straight out of a movie script. A heartbroken 20-something sitting on the sofa looking forlorn and surrounded by pizza boxes. For Kirsty Simmons it was more real than she cares to remember. After going through a break-up at 22, she was that girl every night. ‘I turned to food for comfort,’ she admits to New Idea. ‘The more I ate, the more I craved.’ The once-healthy childcare worker went from 60kg to 117kg. ‘I kept trying to diet, but nothing worked,’ she says. ‘I was borderline diabetic and a specialist told me I should consider surgery.’ Initially it seemed too drastic, but after another diet failed, Kirsty couldn’t face wasting more of her life battling her size. ‘I hardly went out, I couldn’t look at myself in…

Pizza Dampers Serves 4, Prep 15 mins, Cook 14 mins 1½ cups self-raising flour 2 tsps dried Italian herbs 1 tsp baking powder ½ tsp table salt 50g cold butter, chopped 100g sliced pepperoni, finely chopped ²/ ³ cup grated pizza cheese ½ cup milk 2 tblsps olive oil Tomato chutney, to serve 1 Combine flour, herbs, baking powder and salt in a large bowl. Rub in butter with your fingertips until fine crumbs form. Stir in pepperoni and cheese. 2 Make a well in the centre. Add milk. Stir with a flat-bladed knife until mixture just comes together. Gently knead in bowl until mixture forms a soft dough. 3 Divide dough into eight equal portions. Shape into 8cm round discs (2cm thick). Brush both sides with oil. 4 Heat…

MONDAY Quick Beef and Mushroom Pasta Serves 4, Prep 10 mins, Cook 10 mins 375g small pasta curls 500g beef mince 1 red capsicum, finely chopped 200g punnet sliced Swiss brown mushrooms 785g jar tomato, onion and garlic pasta sauce 2 cups grated tasty cheese ½ cup chopped fresh parsley 1 Cook pasta in a large stockpot of boiling, salted water until tender. Drain, reserving ½ cup cooking water. Return pasta to stockpot. Cover to keep warm. 2 Meanwhile, heat an oiled, large frying pan over a high heat. Add beef. Cook, stirring with a wooden spoon to break up mince, for about 5 minutes, or until browned. Add capsicum and mushrooms, stirring for about 2 minutes, or until capsicum is tender. 3 Add sauce and reserved cooking water. Bring…

SCRUB UP Start with a clean base. Exfoliating is key to removing unwanted dead skin cells, while deeply cleansing skin. Once a week is ample for dry skin, and twice a week for oily or combination skin. You will start to notice creams and serums becoming more effective on clean, new skin. A Innoxa Renew Anti-Ageing Exfoliator, $17.95, innoxa.com.au . B Paula’s Choice Clear Regular Strength Anti-Redness Exfoliating Solution with 2% Salicylic Acid, $35, paulaschoice.com.au . C Salt by Hendrix Lip Buff Argan Oil Lip Exfoliator, $19.95, saltbyhendrix.com.au . RED ALERT If your skin is on the sensitive side and redness is an issue, avoid hair, skin and make-up products that contain any traces of alcohol and perfume. These ingredients can…

FIRST IMPRESSIONS REALLY DO COUNT The judgements interviewers make about you at first glance are likely to influence their thinking throughout the interview, so those initial moments are important. Michelle Gibbings, change leadership and career expert, and author of Step Up: How To Build Your Influence At Work (michellegibbings.com) has a surefire four-point strategy for making a good first impression. ‘Smile – be engaging and friendly, offer a firm handshake but not an iron grip, dress neatly and professionally, and always be on time for the interview,’ she says. DO YOUR RESEARCH It’s a given that employers prefer to hire people with a sincere desire to work for them. ‘They want people who understand their business and want to be a part of enabling success,’ says Karen Gately, a leadership…

Located in Canada’s far west, the Yukon is renowned for its unrivalled year-round nature experiences, but nothing’s quite as spectacular as a Yukon winter. With average January temperatures of -18C, clear skies and plenty of snow, the scene is set for an enchanting, icy adventure. One of the territory’s major drawcards is the aurora borealis, aka the northern lights, which appear when solar particles enter the earth’s atmosphere and react with its magnetic field – illuminating the night sky like dancing watercolours. And in the Yukon, you can see this incredible natural wonder in a few unexpected ways... FLY INTO THE AURORA Air North recently held their first Aurora 360 flightseeing trip over the Yukon, taking passengers up into the aurora’s oval for all-round views of the phenomenon. The flight…

ARIES MAR 21 – APR 20 A surprise meeting this week will be full of promise. Unusual possibilities will also emerge as it unfolds. A challenging debate will be a forum for different ideas. There will be much to learn, points to concede and issues where your experience speaks for you. A sentimental get-together will be a joy for the heart, and a friendly invitation will expand your social circle. A burst of fun spending will go through funds. LUCKY NUMBERS: 12, 14, 37 TAURUS APR 21 – MAY 21 A surprise turn of events will spark a change of game-plan with an ambitious career or personal undertaking. Unexpected information will offer new options with a challenging financial or business endeavour and a ‘deep and meaningful’ exchange will be an…

‘PEAS’ HELP My MM brother-in-law wanted to plant some seeds (peas). I asked if he was going to sprout them first, keeping them moist between a paper towel.MM responded, ‘What do I use? Tinned peas, or frozen peas?’ J. LYNNE, FORSTER, NSW. DUMPED My MM and I noticed an enormous container parked outside our home. I said to MM: ‘Why park in front of someone’s house when there are spaces a few metres down?’ MM replied: ‘Maybe the truck broke down?’ I said, ‘The truck’s not even there.’ CHRIS WALTON, HIGH WYCOMBE, WA. MESSY AND PROUD MM is just naturally untidy. His office is always a mess. He commented: ‘Organised people are just too lazy to look for things.’ S. WILLIAMS, TATURA, VIC. RED CARPET I commented to an MM…

Q My husband retired about six months ago and, much as I love him, I’m finding it hard having him around the house all the time. I’m used to doing my own hobbies and going out for coffee with friends but now he wants to come with me. How do I encourage him to go out and do his own thing? MARIANNE, VIA EMAIL. A When my darling father retired my mother was frantic her life would be turned upside down. She need not have worried. He became an adult student at the University of Melbourne, played bowls, worked with Legacy, loved reading hardbacks and regularly took his wayward pooch to obedience classes. Your husband is bored. He needs to find an interest. Is he into sport? A bowling club…

JESSICA’S NEW MAN Jessica Marais sure has something to smile about these days – it looks like The Wrong Girl star has found her Mr Right! The actress was spotted attending Nova’s Red Room Sam Smith event with handsome Sydney photographer Jake Holly. Looking at ease with curly-haired Jake, Jess, 32, wrapped her arms around her rumoured new beau as they posed on the red carpet together. The Daily Telegraph reports the pair continued their PDA in the audience, with Jessica seen ‘cosying up to her date in the crowd’. However, the Love Child actress – who shares five-year-old daughter Scout with former partner James Stewart – stayed mum when asked about her new relationship with Jake – who has…

THE DUCHESS OF CAMBRIDGE had a busy day opening a children’s medical centre in London, before swapping her heels for sneakers to participate in the Wimbledon Junior Tennis Initiative. Meanwhile, speaking with a young girl and her mum at a religious education award ceremony last week, Queen Elizabeth let slip that two-year-old Princess Charlotte bosses around her big brother, four-year-old Prince George! THE CRITICS’ CHOICE MOVIE AWARDS MARGOT ROBBIE couldn’t hide her joy at winning Best Actress in a comedy for her performance in I, Tonya. And it was no surprise when REESE WITHERSPOON and NICOLE KIDMAN took out several wins for their TV series Big Little Lies . KALEY CUOCO AND MAYIM BIALIK MADE A BIG BANG AT THE AWARDS! GOLDIE HAWN…

ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT An ex-cop has claimed that a teenager came close to assassinating the Queen during a royal visit to New Zealand back in 1981 – but the government covered it up! Christopher John Lewis, 17, joined the cheering crowds in Dunedin to see the monarch. Armed with a rifle, he shot at the Queen when she stepped out of her vehicle. While it was a close call, Queen Elizabeth wasn’t harmed and the crowd were unaware of the incident, so the parade continued as scheduled. THE QUEEN FIRES HER BRA-FITTER What happens in the palace, usually stays in the palace – but it seems that isn’t always the case. Queen Elizabeth has fired her official lingerie fitter, June Keaton, after she published a tell-all book detailing her work with…

Tziporah Malkah has been making the most of summer on the beach at Port Elliot, where she lives with partner Guy Vasey. Sporting a black one-piece swimsuit, the curvy 44-year-old beauty happily leapt into the waves during a sandy stroll with Guy near their home in the seaside town, south of Adelaide. ‘Guy and I love being in Port Elliot together. I mean it’s just gorgeous, living by the sea and swimming at the beach on hot summer days,’ the I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! star enthused recently. The two looked the picture of happiness, strolling hand in hand along the shore close to their seaside home on the Fleurieu Peninsula. These scenes of contented togetherness are a far cry from late last month, when Tziporah’s fans…

Hollywood rivals Angelina Jolie and Jennifer Aniston are at each other’s throats once again – but this time it isn’t over Brad Pitt. The A-list stars are reportedly fighting tooth and nail to gain the attention of one of Hollywood’s most powerful men, Netflix executive Ted Sarandos. Jen was spotted schmoozing up to the high-flying TV exec – who’s in charge of the network’s new content – at the Golden Globe Awards recently, while Ange didn’t let him leave her side at the recent Critics’ Choice Movie Awards. It’s believed that both actresses are ‘desperate to resurrect their careers in 2018’ and believe starring in a top Netflix drama is the way to go. ‘In the space of a few weeks, Ted has suddenly become the luckiest man in Hollywood,’…

As summer temperatures soared, MasterChef host George Calombaris and former Neighbours star Madeleine West kept cool by taking a dip at Byron’s Belongil Beach. They were joined by George’s wife Natalie Tricarico, and Madeleine’s hubby and MasterChef regular Shannon Bennett for a fun-filled family vacay. George and Shannon, who are currently gearing up to film season 10 of MasterChef, lapped up the sun. The longtime friends – who have eight children between them – certainly had their hands full as they brought all the kids along for a family beach day. The celebrity chefs swapped their chopping boards for surfboards and hit the waves, before George and Madeleine frolicked in the water with their kids. Of course, all eyes were on Madeleine, who showed off her incredible bikini bod in…

‘HIS PROFILE SAID HE LIKED POETRY AND BOOKS, AND I FELL FOR HIS CHARMING SMILE...’ April 2017 was the month that changed Emma Pickett’s life forever. The 33-year-old care assistant had separated from her partner and while browsing the website writeaprisoner.com, she decided to offer her friendship to an inmate. ‘Writing to a prisoner was something I had seen other people do. I had friends who had done it,’ Emma tells New Idea. ‘I am not a judgemental person. ‘I was just looking through profiles, but nobody was really jumping out at me. Then I saw Justin’s page.’ Justin Erskine, 30, is serving life in prison in the United States for first-degree murder and will never be released. He was found guilty for his role in the brutal killing of…

Frozen Pavlova Ice-Cream Serves 8, Prep 25 mins 600ml tub thickened cream 1 tsp vanilla bean paste 395g can sweetened condensed milk 2 tblsps fresh passionfruit pulp 100g packet mini meringue drops, coarsely chopped 250g punnet fresh strawberries 125g punnet fresh raspberries Extra fresh passionfruit pulp, to decorate 1 Invert the base of a 20cm springform pan (base measuring 18cm). Grease and line base and side with baking paper, extending paper 3cm above the pan edge. 2 Beat cream and vanilla in a large bowl of an electric mixer until firm peaks form. 3 Fold in condensed milk and passionfruit pulp. Fold through half the meringues. Pour mixture into prepared pan. Sprinkle with remaining meringues. Cover. Freeze overnight, or until firm. 4 To serve, remove ice-cream from pan. Transfer to…

NEW IDEA MAKE IT TONIGHT Cajun Pork with Black Bean Rice Serves 4, Prep 15 mins, Cook 8 mins 2 tblsps olive oil 2 tblsps Cajun seasoning 8 x 100g pork loin steaks Salt and pepper, to taste BLACK BEAN RICE 450g packet microwaveable long grain white rice 1 tblsp olive oil 1 red onion, finely chopped 1 red capsicum, finely chopped 400g can black beans, drained, rinsed ½ cup frozen peas and corn ½ cup coarsely chopped fresh coriander 1 Combine oil and 1½ tblsps of the seasoning in a large bowl. Add pork. Season with salt and pepper. Toss to coat. 2 Heat a large, non-stick frying pan over a medium to high heat. Add pork in two batches. Cook for about 2 minutes on each side, or…

Between work and family commitments, it’s easy to forget about going for a doctor’s check-up. However, according to Dr Sandra Cabot from the Australian Women’s Health Advisory Service, the best way to avoid illness is by taking control of your own wellbeing. Dr Cabot suggests scheduling in the following tests in advance and making sure you know which check-ups you need, as well as getting to know your family history – as genetics play a big role in health. ‘Remember you’re not bulletproof!’ she says. ‘The greatest healer is the self – so take charge and be proactive.’ CERVICAL CANCER Guidelines on cervical cancer screening recently changed – the new test is recommended every five years for women aged 25 to 74, who have been sexually active at least once.…

Imagine what it must be like to be a teacher. Many of us are disparaging about their long holidays and short working days, but how many of us appreciate the patience, dedication and passion required to be a teacher? There has never been more pressure on our teachers, and you only have to stand at the school gate to realise the level of parental expectation on these hardworking professionals. So how can you build a great relationship with your child’s teacher to ensure they, you and your child have a great year? DON’T GOSSIP Never critique the teacher in front of your child. You may not warm to your child’s teacher, but it’s not fair on your child or the teacher to undermine their authority by being negative. If you…

Q My dad passed away the day after my son’s birthday two years ago. We hadn’t spoken for three years. Is he still mad at me? He never met my children or my husband. Has he met them now? Was he at my wedding? Does he approve and like – even love – my husband? I have so many questions. Angie, via email. A Angie, that’s very sad. It’s important for you to address why you weren’t talking to your dad. Was it his doing? Or did you choose distance? Unfortunately, you can’t get that time back for a do-over, but you can have a new relationship with your dad. A spiritual one. Your dad can see you and your family make memories. He no longer carries anger, bitterness, or…

PAID CHURCH LEAVE While in church, a little girl was getting restless and whispered very loudly: ‘Mummy if we give the money now can we go home early?’ DANIELLE HAYES, WODONGA, VIC. LIVELY TALKING Attempting to stimulate my grandson’s imagination, I asked him: ‘If you could spend a day talking to any person, living or dead, who would you choose?’ After pausing he replied: ‘The living one.’ S. WILLIAMS, TATURA, VIC. PENCIL IT IN My daughter is always coming up with excuses. This morning when I asked her where her homework was, she replied: ‘It’s still in my pencil.’ M. WURFEL, HILLCREST, SA. HEIGHT OF CHATTER Recently, I was explaining to my six-year-old granddaughter that despite being a tall, well-built nan now, I had been a very tiny baby, much…

TIME’S UP! I am really shocked to read about Craig McLachlan’s alleged sexual misconduct (NI Jan 22). He has always come across as a larrikin full of fun. I’ve loved The Doctor Blake Mysteries and was looking forward to its return. But I am glad to see women will not have to take harassment any more. In my younger days as a teen working in an office, we had to put up with things and never complain. Good on you, ladies! Hopefully this will stop any future predators. ANNE SKERMAN, CHAMPION LAKES, WA. A NEW START I couldn’t believe that Channel Nine paid Karl Stefanovic so much more than Lisa Wilkinson, as she was an excellent co-host of the Today show and…

ELLE AND FLYNN When Elle’s handsome son Flynn isn’t hobnobbing with royalty (he’s good friends with Princess Olympia of Greece), he’s busy training to be a pilot! MADONNA AND LOURDES Lourdes is turning out to be just as rebellious as her mama – the 21-year-old caused a stir when she showed off her unshaven armpits on Instagram. ARNIE AND PATRICK SCHWARZENEGGER Patrick is fast becoming a star in his own right. The 24-year-old hunk recently presented at the Critics’ Choice Awards and is currently starring in TV miniseries The Long Road Home . PAMELA AND SONS It was a proud moment for Pamela last week as both the former Baywatch star’s sons, Brandon Thomas and Dylan Jagger, walked the runway for Dolce &…

Hitting rock bottom in recent years after a string of setbacks, Grant Denyer has revealed he and wife Chezzi have managed to put the va-voom back into their marriage. Speaking candidly while on-air for his new gig on 2DayFM’s Breakfast With Em, Grant & Ed the dad-of-two revealed that disconnecting from the world has played a key part in reconnecting with his wife of almost eight years. Explaining to his co-hosts that they had only just connected the internet to their Bathurst farm after three years, 40-year-old Grant couldn’t stop raving about the benefits of their internet-free existence. ‘You sleep better, 100 per cent better, because you are not scrolling like a poker machine at 11pm at night on your phone in bed,’ he said. ‘All of a sudden, you…

He’s the handsome Perth fireman who fought for the heart of Georgia Love on The Bachelorette in 2016 and while Cameron Cranley didn’t get the girl he won hearts across Australia. Now, in a twist set to shock fans of the Channel Ten reality dating show, rumours are swirling the 27-year-old has been given a second chance at love after being offered the highly coveted role of the Bachelor. And in yet another bombshell, rumour has it that it’s going to be a family affair as he is bringing his hot younger brother Kyle along for the ride, making history as the first ever double Bachelors. ‘The two brothers are practically inseparable anyway,’ says our spy. ‘They have a great friendship, are always socialising together, making…

Summer Fruit Sour Cream Cake Serves 8-10, Prep 15 mins, Cook 35 mins 150g unsalted butter, chopped, at room temperature ¾ cup caster sugar 3 eggs, at room temperature 300ml carton sour cream 1½ cups self-raising flour 2 yellow peaches, halved, stones removed, cut into thin wedges 3 plums, halved, stones removed, cut into thin wedges VANILLA SYRUP ½ cup water ¼ cup caster sugar 1 tsp vanilla bean paste TOPPING 140g tub spreadable cream cheese 300ml tub thickened cream 2 tblsps icing sugar mixture 1 Grease a 19cm x 30cm lamington pan. Line base and sides with baking paper, extending paper 4cm above pan edges. 2 Beat butter and sugar in a small bowl of an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time,…

MIRANDA KERR KORA ORGANICS Model mum Miranda is the forerunner when it comes to promoting the benefits of oils on hair and skin. Her line of skincare is a testament to her devotion to clean living and organic products. Balancing Rose Mist, $39.95. Rose & Noni Daily Hand Cream, $39.95. JESSICA HART LUMA Victoria’s Secret model Jessica launched her own line in 2014, and has since released a new drop of illuminating face treats – perfect for the make-up minimalist and Aussie beach girl. Illuminating Highlighter, $26.95. On The Glow Highlighter Stick, $29.95. ZOE FOSTER BLAKE GO-TO Who better to buy beauty from than beauty expert herself, Zoe Foster Blake. Zoe’s line of cosmetics and skincare gets bigger by the day, including Bro-To for all the modern men in your…

HOT TIP!  You can tint tile paint to any paint colour. Simply pick up your tin of white tile paint from the shelf in any major hardware store and go to the paint mixing station. The staff there will tint your tile paint to whatever colour you want. Renovating queen Cherie Barber shares her secrets on how to refresh a dated bathroom on a budget – in one weekend! The botox of the bathroom revamp world is tile paint. You can buy this in small cans from any major hardware store. Make sure you use tile paint in conjunction with primer, an undercoat that helps tile paint bind to your tiles. Specialty paints like this can save you $1000 straight off the bat, because it means you don’t have to…

Dear Anh, Your hands lend themselves to the very industrious fire type. Some key elements of this type have been tempered by the slender tips on your fingers. While you may be a hard and reliable worker who sees projects to completion, you will have days when the emotional aspects of your sensitive nature make this harder. Your family hand denotes issues with mental health and other head-related issues. High blood pressure, strokes and depression would be something to keep a watch out for in the older generations. Your life-line has the separation and overlapping marks usually found on the hands of people who migrate to another country, or choose to live abroad for some time. There is a strong marriage relationship mark on the hand and you will stay…

LOSING THE PLOT Forget all the accolades and reviews, Hugh Jackman says his wife Deborra-lee Furness staying awake during one of his movies ‘is the greatest endorsement’. So, how does Hugh know if he’s on track to win an Oscar? If Deborra snoozes, he loses! FANCY PANTS Have you got wayward children? Here’s a top tip for bonding with your kids from Hugh Grant: ‘It’s always amusing to put your underpants on your head.’ Genius! That will keep them smiling and undie control every time. TEEN TRAUMA They’re only eight, but Sarah Jessica Parker’s already worried about twins Tabitha and Marion becoming teenagers. ‘I’m afraid they’re going to plot against me!’ said the star. At this rate, she’s going to be stressed in the city for 12 years! STRIPPED BACK…