Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 17, 2021 i New Idea

Though we may not have known him personally, the death of Prince Philip has led to an overall sense of losing someone we all knew and loved. Royal titles aside, behind palace walls the duke was a family man. A devoted husband, a dedicated father, a supportive grandfather and the sweetest great-grandpa. He was the “rock” of the royal family, the glue that kept everyone together (and on their toes). Now, as we reflect on and celebrate his storied life with our special tribute edition of New Idea, we also shed a tear for Her Majesty the Queen, his darling Lilibet, who has lost her faithful consort who remained by her side for more than 70 years. Farewell, Sir. You will be greatly missed.…

As her divorce from Brad Pitt rages on, it seems Angelina Jolie has finally found love – and this time it’s with a wild, party-loving DJ. The 45-year-old mum-of-six was spotted looking doe-eyed and loved-up on a date at a private party in Los Angeles with musician Diplo. The 42-year-old counts Madonna and Katy Perry among his exes. Looking a bit glazed over, but sporting a huge grin on her face, Ange was snapped behind a party-sized bag of chips in Diplo’s Instagram Story. Friends are over the moon about her new man, telling New Idea, “The kids think Diplo is God, so there’s no doubt they’ll approve – especially seeing their rigid mum loosen up a bit. It’s all been heartbreak and divorce and lockdowns for so long. No-one’s…

Under fire and torn to shreds – it’s hardly how Kath & Kim star Magda Szubanski would have anticipated spending her 60th birthday. Yet, new photos of the actress out in Melbourne show her day being anything but fun. Magda’s downcast appearance came after she was criticised for comparing a photograph of the Prime Minister Scott Morrison and his wife, Jenny, to the fictional religious extremist television show, The Handmaid’s Tale. The popular series is set in the fictional totalitarian nation of Gilead, where single women are kept as slaves to breed, and married women are subservient and do not work. “I genuinely thought this was a photoshopped Handmaid’s Tale meme. But no. It’s 21st century Aussie life,” she commented, referring to a photograph of the couple. Magda was subsequently…

Busy parents George and Amal Clooney might have thought guiding their twins through their terrible twos was rough on their marriage, but it’s nothing compared to the obstacles they’re currently facing this year. With Ella and Alexander now 3 and more energetic than ever, George and Amal – who are rumoured to be experiencing marital issues – are spending much of 2021 apart thanks to the actor’s upcoming filming schedule. As a result, New Idea has learnt Amal, 43, has reached breaking point. George’s new projects will see him take a 17-hour flight away from his family, to both Australia and Bali, where he’ll make Ticket to Paradise alongside his good friend Julia Roberts. Insiders close to the couple reveal Amal “is far from thrilled” by the situation, as it…

JAMES BEST SHERIFF ROSCO P. COLTRANE Sadly, James died in 2015. John remembers him as “hilarious, fun and highly intelligent, who loved doing crosswords and was a great artist”. CATHERINE BACH DAISY DUKE The screen beauty, famous for her ‘Daisy Dukes’ – those extra-short cut-off jeans – has a recurring role in TV’s The Young and the Restless. In 2010, Catherine’s second husband, Peter Lopez, committed suicide. SORRELL BOOKE BOSS HOGG Sorrell died in 1994. “He was a wonderful man. He secretly wore padding to bulk up his girth,” recalls John. TOM WOPAT LUKE DUKE The actor, singer and father-of-five is still busy working on stage and screen. His most recent role was in the 2020 TV crime thriller The Blacklist.…

Vegetable and Mint Souffle Omelettes Serves 2, Prep and Cook: 25 mins 3 eggs, separated 1 small zucchini, peeled into thin ribbons 1 bunch asparagus, sliced thinly 1 cup frozen broad beans, blanched, peeled ¹/³ cup small fresh mint leaves 2 tblsp extra virgin olive oil 1 tblsp lemon juice 4 Sesame Corn Thins Crumbled feta, to serve 1 Whisk egg whites in a large, clean, dry bowl until stiff peaks form (see tip). Lightly whisk egg yolks in a medium bowl. Using a large metal spoon, gently fold egg yolk into egg whites, taking care not to knock out too much air from the egg whites. 2 Lightly spray a large nonstick frying pan with cooking oil spray and heat over a medium heat. In batches, using ½ cup…

Early in their marriage, the then Princess Elizabeth pointedly took a sharp intake of breath as her husband drove through country lanes, with his uncle, Louis Mountbatten, in the back of the car. “Look, if you do that once more I will put you out of the car,” Philip shrieked. When they arrived at their destination, a shaken Mountbatten asked Elizabeth: “Why do you let him speak to you like that?” She replied: “Oh, but you heard what he said – and he meant it.” Royal biographer, Sarah Bradford, says: “The anecdote illustrates why their marriage was a success. Elizabeth is a traditionalist and, to her, the husband was head of the family, even when, as in her case, she was the heir to the throne.” Although he spent more…

Cheeky Monkeys Makes 12, Prep and Cook: 45 mins 430g pkt banana cake mix 400g tub salted caramel frosting 12 amaretti biscuits Black chocolate writing icing tube 24 Milk Choc Melts 24 candy eyes 1 Line a 12-hole muffin pan (/3-cup capacity) with paper cases. 2 Prepare cake mix according to packet directions. Reserve frosting sachet for another use. Spoon mixture evenly into paper cases. 3 Cook in a moderately slow oven (160C) for about 25 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Remove. Stand in pan for 5 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool. 4 Spread frosting evenly over top of cupcakes. Trim top of biscuits, to shape mouths. Using writing icing, pipe noses and mouths on biscuits. Arrange biscuits, melts and…

Made from corn (not rice), Corn Thins products are not only healthy, gluten free and with only 23 calories per slice, but they taste delicious, like popcorn squished into a crispbread slice (available from supermarkets, RRP $2). Also try Whole Grain Thins Ancient Grains (available from most Woolworths, RRP $2). These grains pop like corn, so they make a tasty crispbread with a mild grainy/nutty flavour for a quick, affordable and healthy snack anytime of the day. Visit cornthins.com for inspiring recipe ideas for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks… anytime!…

FOCUS This time-management app is great for structuring work and homework sessions. We love the Focus Sessions where you focus for 25 minutes, then take a short break to relax your mind– a method that maximises energy, stimulates creativity and promotes a sense of achievement. masterbuilders.io SPRIGGY This digital piggy bank allows you to manage pocket money by creating automatic payments or making one-off transfers. All funds are stored in the Parent Wallet that only you have access to. spriggy.com.au COZI This free family organiser does it all – you can track all appointments, activities and schedules, make a chores list, share shopping lists, and even plan weekly meals. cozi.com…

Q Where did the idea of a candle-making business come from? AIndiana really wanted to start her own business. After a few discussions, we realised we both loved candles and it would be something fun to do together. Q How has Indiana handled the responsibility? A She’s so proud of the finished products. She was worried that she wouldn’t have time to do her homework or other hobbies, too, but we worked around that. Q What have some of the challenges been? A The process is long and, in the beginning, she didn’t realise that. But we now have a process to get it done. She realised that making products she would buy herself made her more invested. Q What’s your advice to other mums? A Make sure they’re 100…

@CELESTEBARBER 7.8 MILLION FOLLOWERS If you haven’t already heard of the hilarious Celeste, do yourself a favour and hit follow. The comedian  (renowned for raising $51 million for the 2019-2020 Aussie bushfires) posts comparison pics and videos imitating favourite celebs that’s sure to have you in stitches. @BODYPOSIPANDA 1.3 MILLION FOLLOWERS Body positivity is a bandwagon we should all be on – and Megan Jayne Crabbe is one of the movement’s champions. “I’ve been embracing my belly rolls and celebrating my cellulite ever since [I found out about the body positivity movement], and trying to encourage you all to do the same,” she says. @BADDIEWINKLE 3.5 MILLION FOLLOWERS This is the grooviest granny you’ll ever see! Baddie Winkle (real name Helen Ruth Elam) is an unapologetic  92-year-old from Eastern Kentucky…

Were you ever spooked by an old wardrobe as a child? It’s said that wooden items can soak up negative energy over time. According to folklore, smoke from certain plants can not only cleanse objects, but people and places as well. White sage is commonly used for ‘smudging’, but dried rosemary, lavender and pine are also popular. Before starting, ensure that the area is safe and ventilated, because the smoke carrying negative energy needs an escape route – and don’t forget to check for smoke detectors. Once organised, light your ‘smudge stick’ over a bowl, then gently fan the smoke over yourself for protection. After that, waft the smoke in and around any items that need to be cleansed. It will be worth the effort!…

Topless, with just her long hair covering her breasts, Madonna had the whole world talking when she posted a racy Instagram snap on April 2 – yet it was the 62-year-old singer’s wrinkle-free, poreless, ageless face that had many questions being asked. “Filters and botox,” mused one commenter, while another suspected that “plastic surgery” had likely been involved. Now, US-based plastic surgeon Jeffrey Schmidt, who has not treated the star, insists that Madonna has “certainly [had] her lips augmented relative to her younger years … Her cheeks are fuller, likely due to fat transfers from other areas of the body, and her brows are in a youthful, elevated position, which may be due to a brow lift.” In addition, Schmidt says at some point Madonna has probably undergone a face…

It’s been seven years since Courteney Cox and her musician beau, Johnny McDaid, got engaged, and New Idea hears they’re finally feeling the itch – to take things to a whole new level! “They’re thinking of having a baby,” spills an LA-based insider, who says the actress will “most likely do things via surrogate”. Courteney, 56, and Johnny, 44, were forced to spend nine months apart after the Irish-born rocker got stuck in the UK in March, “and the separation made them realise the time is right to start a family”, explains the insider. The Friends alum, who shares daughter Coco, 16, with ex-hubby David Arquette, “would love to give her a sibling”, the insider adds. While the couple has been living separately, “Courteney is willing to spend more time…

Prince Philip, wartime naval hero and the Queen’s “beloved” husband for 73 years, died at the age of 99 – just two months shy of his 100th birthday. The longest-serving and oldest royal consort in British and Commonwealth history passed away peacefully at Windsor Castle on April 9. His daughter-in-law, Sophie, Countess of Wessex, revealed: “It was right for him. It was so gentle. It was just like somebody took him by the hand and off he went.” After dedicating his life to being by the Queen’s side, it was fitting then that Her Majesty was at the Duke of Edinburgh’s bedside during his final moments. “The Queen paid tribute to her husband saying he was her ‘strength and stay’ and that’s absolutely right,” explains royal author, Andrew Lownie. “She…

Beloved Home Alone child star Macaulay Culkin and his long-term partner, former Disney teen idol Brenda Song, welcomed a child of their own on April 5. In a statement, the couple revealed they’d named their baby boy, who weighed 3.12kg, Dakota Song Culkin. His first name is in honour of Macaulay’s late sister, who sadly died in 2008 at age 29. “We’re overjoyed,” Macaulay, 40, and Brenda, 33, exclaimed. The notoriously private couple were first linked in 2017, after reportedly meeting on the set of the comedy, Changeland.…

“THERE’S NO DENYING ADA HAS FOUND THE ONE IN ADAM” She’s currently enjoying her momentous return to the Dancing with the Stars: All Stars ballroom, but New Idea is told it’s not just the prospect of winning another mirror ball trophy that’s put a pep in Ada Nicodemou’s step! As Ada competes on the dance floor, tongues are wagging that she’s secretly planning on tying the knot with her long-term boyfriend, millionaire Adam Rigby! Rumours have swirled since Ada invited Adam, her mum Jenny and 8-year-old son Johnas – who she shares with ex-husband, Chrys Xipolitas – to her dance rehearsal, sparking rumours that her DWTS partner, Aric Yegudkin, is teaching the couple their wedding waltz! “Ada’s one of the only people to have had their family stop by,” dishes…

Charming”, “country” and “old school” – that’s how Married at First Sight’s Jake Edwards was described ahead of his TV debut. But in a bombshell interview with New Idea, his ex-fiancée, Paige McCuskey, claims he is anything but! Having dated for a little over four years, Paige says she was “shattered” when she uncovered Jake’s three-month affair with another woman, just two months short of their dream wedding. It was a moment Paige, 33, says left her emotionally wrecked and nearly broke. But as she explains in our exclusive chat, no pain has compared to watching Jake, also 33, walk down the aisle on the country’s most popular show, in a wedding she never got to have. When did you first discover that Jake was cheating? In September 2020. He…

Last month, John Herron should have been celebrating his precious daughter Courtney’s 27th birthday with her. Instead, the father-of-three watched helplessly as the man who confessed to brutally bludgeoning his eldest child to death was cleared of murder. Henry Hammond, 28, was homeless when he killed aspiring social worker Courtney with a tree branch, before hiding her body in Melbourne’s Royal Park very early on May 25, 2019. Courtney’s injuries were so severe, the mortician struggled to put her broken body back together before she was buried – leaving her family unable to see her to say their final farewells. But last month, Hammond was found not guilty of murder because of mental impairment, with the court ruling he was in the grips of a schizophrenic relapse. He was ordered…

Prince Philip once described himself as a “refugee husband”, and his nomadic childhood undoubtedly left a deep impression, shaping his attitudes and beliefs during a long and eventful life. When he married Princess Elizabeth in 1947, he was viewed with suspicion by the British establishment and was literally broke. So how did the penniless Prince of Greece, whose family fled their home when he was just 1, end up marrying our future Queen? Prince Philip was born on a kitchen table at the family villa, Mon Repos, on the Grecian island of Corfu on June 10, 1921. Yet, Greece’s royal family had no Greek blood, having been ‘imported’ from Denmark. In 1922, Philip’s father, Prince Andrew of Greece and Denmark – and younger brother of King Constantine – was tried…

Despite his 16 official tours to Australia with the Queen and four visits on his own, Prince Philip’s love affair with Australia truly began during World War II. After becoming a young naval officer cadet in 1939, he joined the ageing battleship HMS Ramillies as midshipman in 1940, escorting Australian and New Zealand troop ships to Suez in Egypt. While in England in 1942, the future Duke of Edinburgh met fellow naval officer and Australian, Mike Parker – and the pair were destined to become best friends. In May 1945, Philip spent three months in Melbourne while his ship at that time, the HMS Whelp, was being refitted. “PHILIP, WITH A GOLDEN BEARD, HIT FEMININE HEARTS, FIRST IN MELBOURNE AND THEN IN SYDNEY” Although he had secretly been seeing the…

SWIPE ON Mascara might be one of the oldest eye-opening tricks in the book, but there’s nothing dated about these high-tech formulas. Marc Jacobs Beauty At Lash’d Lifting & Volumising Mascara, $41, sephora.com.au A wavy-bristle wand sculpts lashes with each stroke to lengthen and curl, while the biotin peptide and provitamin B5 formula conditions lashes. Dior Diorshow Iconic Overcurl Mascara in Iconic Sequins, $56, sephora.com.au A layer of Dior’s sparkling top coat leaves lashes glossy, defined and shimmering in the best way possible. Maybelline Lash Sky High Mascara, $19.95, chemistwarehouse.com.au Like lash extensions in a tube, this vegan formula uses film-form fibres to stretch across each lash upwards and outwards. COLOUR ME PRETTY TAKE THE GUESSWORK OUT OF EYE SHADOW WITH CURATED SHADES FOR EVERY MOOD • YOU WANT… GROWN-UP…

PICK A THEME When planning a get-together, pick a theme for your styling. “This will inform your choices for the colour palette, the flowers, the mood lighting and even the food – ensuring a cohesive dinner party,” says interior stylist, Steve Cordony. FIND INSPIRATION When it comes to selecting a theme, Steve finds inspiration from Pinterest and Instagram, but also looks to movies and fashion collections. As for what’s currently trending? “Colour is huge in tablescaping at the moment. Think Italian Amalfi coast meets the Greek islands with stripes, masses of lemons and quirky, tapered candles,” says Steve. WATCH YOUR BUDGET When creating an on-trend table setting, there is no need to break the bank. Steve suggests simply looking around your home for what you already own. “Interesting objects, accessories…

While starting school is a huge milestone for any child, having the right bag is also a big step in developing their growing sense of independence. Nicole Haynes, who is the paediatric manager at Q Paediatrics Allsports and national paediatric chair of the Australian Physiotherapy Association, says the correct bag choice can help your child feel more self-sufficient, and improve their school experience. While all kids are different, try these helpful pointers when shopping for your child’s schoolbag. START SMALL Firstly, avoid anything that’s too big. “A backpack should sit on the centre of the back and hang lower than the child’s lower back,” explains Nicole. It’s also good to look at the straps. “Having wide and adjustable shoulder straps will assist in getting a more comfortable fit,” she says.…

ARIES MAR 21 – APR 20 There’s nothing wrong with being houseproud! Decorating projects could keep you busy as the weather cools. Crafty Rams might even brush up on their painting or tiling skills – and save a small fortune as a result. For entrepreneurial types, a sideline business could gather momentum – just be sure you’re fully prepared. LUCKY COLOURS: BLUE AND GREEN TAURUS APR 21 – MAY 21 Ready to take a stand? It’s time to speak up about an issue that’s been creating stress – either for yourself or someone close. People may be a tad shocked, but enough is enough. As the planets crowd into your chart’s central arena, the cosmos is not only expanding confidence, but stimulating that feisty Taurian streak, too. LUCKY SIGNS: LEO…

THE SWEETEST KID I gave some pocket money to my granddaughter to take to school for emergencies. I was confused when she came home the next day requesting more. “What was the emergency?” I asked. She looked a little sheepish when she replied, “I needed sweets, Nana – it was an emergency! I promise!” MICHELLE WURFEL, HILLCREST, SA. BURSTING WITH PRIDE Ever since I first saw Colin Firth in the BBC’s version of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, as Mr Darcy, I was mesmerised! And it’s an adoration that has long continued, so it’ll come as no surprise how thrilled I was seeing him feature in My Life in 10 Pictures. Pictured with his co-star Jennifer Ehle, and alongside his Bridget Jones co-star Renée Zellweger in another of my favourite…

As someone who travels the world regularly filming cooking shows, Adam Liaw has missed out on some pretty big moments in his kids’ lives. But the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic saw the former MasterChef winner keep his feet firmly planted on Australian soil last year – and he couldn’t be more grateful to spend time at home. “[My wife and I] were going over photographs of family over the years and there were birthdays I missed and things with my kids,” he tells New Idea. “But I have spent every single day with my kids for the last 18 months now, so I am very, very pleased with that.” Adam and his wife, Asami, share three children, Christopher, 6, Anna, 4, and Benji, 1, together. While Adam has been spending a…

Doris Day’s life is set to be told in a new limited TV series, with actress Kaley Cuoco playing the legendary screen icon. The Big Bang Theory star will take on the leading role, with an insider telling that playing Doris is “absolutely a dream job”. “Kaley has always wanted to star in a biopic, and Doris Day is right up her alley,” reveals the source. The new biopic will chronicle Doris’ career from her early music days to becoming a bona fide Hollywood star, as well as delving into her troubled marriages. “Kaley can’t wait to bring her story to life,” adds the source.…

Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga made beautiful music together in A Star Is Born, with their sizzling chemistry sparking relentless romance rumours – but it seems the duo’s relationship may have hit a sour note. Sources tell New Idea the singer is “upset” that Bradley didn’t cast her in his latest directing project, Maestro. Instead, he chose Promising Young Woman actress Carey Mulligan as his co-star for the biopic about legendary conductor Leonard Bernstein. “Gaga feels that a lot of the success of A Star Is Born was due to her A-list status and fan base,” dishes the source, “and that Bradley should recognise that.” While Gaga, who’s currently filming House of Gucci in Italy, understands that Carey might be a better fit for Maestro, the source says she “expects…

Prince Harry was charged with representing the Sussexes at the funeral, with heavily pregnant Meghan advised against flying by her doctors. While some reports suggest the Duchess of Sussex was happy to bow out “to avoid hogging attention”, our sources say she was waiting on tenterhooks for her husband to return. “She wasn’t thrilled about Harry being surrounded by his family again without her,” says a source. “Meghan doesn’t trust the family wouldn’t draw him back into their toxic institution while she wasn’t there to help him, plus she was super concerned about him walking behind Philip’s casket bringing back the trauma of him having to trail his own mother’s procession as a boy. To say she was anxious to have Harry home in California is a massive understatement.”…

Elle Macpherson appeared far from her usual glamorous self in an Instagram Story she shared last week (above), prompting a fresh wave of surgery speculation. In the pic, the supermodel-turned-health mogul, 57, was sporting what almost looked like black or heavy-lidded eyes in the post, as well as some very swollen lips. However, a long-time pal of Elle’s assures us that the mother-of-two is “perfectly fine” and hasn’t gone under the knife. “Elle looks half her age at any angle,” says the friend. “She doesn’t need surgery or any aesthetic help. This was probably just a case of a filter playing havoc with her eyeshadow ... It’s those vitamin infusions she does that keeps her so young.”…

He’s determined to get the rig sorted before the rings! Indeed, Russell Crowe is so ready to make things official with his girlfriend, Britney Theriot, that he’s preparing to get back into Gladiator shape before he gets down on bended knee! A source tells New Idea that the actor, 57 – who gained weight to portray the late Roger Ailes in 2019’s The Loudest Voice – has been staying active and following a strict diet ahead of popping the question to Britney. “Russell’s doing everything he can to knock off the kilos,” explains the insider. “He wants to walk up the aisle looking his best.” Dating a 30-year-old fitness buff has also been a motivating factor, adds the source. “Russell wants to be able to keep up with Britney and…

The close chemistry between Mission Impossible co-stars Tom Cruise and Rebecca Ferguson was on full display in a recent Instagram image posted by fellow actor, Simon Pegg. The Swedish actress, 37, was seen closely embracing Tom, 58, in bed – in what could only be described as an intimate hug. Insiders have previously revealed that Tom has long admired Rebecca, who he first met on the set of Mission Impossible in 2015. Yet sadly, the relationship never moved on beyond business, as the actress is married and shares daughter Sage, 2, with her husband, Rory.…

Together they’re one half of The Living Room, where they join Miguel Maestre and Dr Chris Brown to serve up expert advice on everything from renovating to pet care. But it’s hard for Amanda Keller and Barry Du Bois to consider their nine-year-long gig on the couch as ‘work’ when, in reality, it’s a total blast! From the minute the pair begin dishing on each other, it’s clear there’s no secret to their electric chemistry and quick-witted banter. And as Barry tells New Idea, his friendship with Amanda is simply unbreakable! “We’re similar and different in so many ways,” he explains. “We have been through the same sort of things over the years, from IVF to the loss of our mothers – we’re close in age and so we have…

He’s already the handsome host of The Living Room and I’m A Celebrity, but Dr Chris Brown could be adding another role to his jam-packed résumé – saviour of Studio 10! Network Ten’s breakfast program is currently hosted by Sarah Harris and Tristan MacManus, but struggles against its competitors Sunrise and Today when it comes to attracting regular viewers. Now, TV insiders tell New Idea that Chris, 42, is being eyed off to join Sarah and Tristan on the couch and “save the day”. “There’s been a high turnover of presenters there for years, and that has probably meant viewers are fed up with the constant changes,” claims a source, who adds that while Tristan, 38, is very charming, he “has hardly been a drawcard. He isn’t a household name…

John Schneider, the heart-throb from The Dukes of Hazzard, bursts into laughter when asked how he wound up starring on the hit ’80s TV comedy series. “[The] truth is I fibbed my way onto the show! The producers were looking for someone in the 24- to 30-year age range – they were after a [US] Southern-born actor who could genuinely play a country bumpkin,” recalls John. “I was 18 and originally from New York. So I turned up to the audition wearing a cowboy hat, toting a six-pack of beer and a killer Southern twang. I said I was from Snail Hill, Georgia, which doesn’t exist, and that I was a stunt driver, which wasn’t true. But I got the gig.” The handsome star, who set hearts racing with his…

An active lifestyle has always been extremely important for Yvette Kaleel. When she wasn’t spending her time DJing or helping out at her partner’s deli, she could be found at the basketball or tennis courts. But all that changed when Yvette turned 55 in 2018. Aware that both her mother and grandmother suffered from osteoporosis, she decided to get a bone density scan. ”YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT’S GOING TO HAPPEN IN LIFE” Despite her fit and healthy lifestyle, she too was at high risk of falls and fractures. Now, Yvette, from Botany, NSW, is encouraging others to have their bone density tested. “You never know what’s going to happen in life, so you’ve always got to be ahead of the curve for a better chance at a long life,” Yvette,…

Don’t let a jar of Dijon mustard go to waste. Try whisking together some Dijon mustard with chopped fresh parsley, eggs and garlic. Dip chicken or fish in flour, then into the Dijon mixture and coat in breadcrumbs, ready to pan-fry for a crispy, flavoursome crumb. Or even combine Dijon with mayonnaise and spread all over a whole chicken for the best roast chicken ever. You could also marinate chicken breast fillets in Dijon mustard, olive oil and crushed garlic before chargrilling, then serve with a squeeze of lemon juice – this is great on wraps.…

Grumpiness. It’s not overly harmful, just difficult to live with. That’s why every parent needs to be armed with a few tricks to break the cycle before it becomes a hurricane of tension. Parenting author Michelle Mitchell claims some tricks are so effective, you’ll be coming back to them time and time again. TRY USING ‘HIT-ANDRUN’ PRAISE First up, it helps to remember that they are probably feeling pretty down about themselves. They could be latching onto some fairly hefty negative thoughts, which are weighing them down. Teenage brains have a tendency to search for extreme negative thoughts. Deliberately (but strategically) affirming them can only be helpful. Try ‘hit-and-run’ praise – give your teen a compliment and then keep walking. The idea is to keep moving. Don’t stay around and…

Marlies and Jai Hobbs, authors of Financially Literate Youth, explain how you can keep your kids safe – and having fun! – while running their own business. The parent’s role We feel parents should encourage and support their children, but be careful not to push them into something they don’t genuinely enjoy or want to do. Focus on the lessons learnt and enjoying the process in making it happen, rather than the result of where the business goes or ends up. The challenges Time and energy required for getting a business started and operational can be too much for many adults. With school, homework, hobbies, friends and annoying their parents, kids have a busy schedule. Ensure you encourage them while keeping time frames realistic to not set them up for…

Oh, I wish I had her figure, I wish I had their job, I wish my relationship was as romantic as theirs. We’re all guilty of comparing ourselves to others in some way, shape or form and we know the destructive feelings that can come with it. You practically create for yourself unmet expectations on the spot. But it’s time to put a stop to these negative comparisons for the betterment of our mental health. So, how can we learn to be more appreciative of what we do have? THE SELF-LOVE JOURNEY Complete confidence and self-acceptance doesn’t come overnight – plus, we totally get that it’s unrealistic to think you’ll never have any self-conscious moments. Yet, what we can do is notice those moments where we’re perhaps tearing ourselves down…

READER Q&A Q My 16-year-old son is refusing to take school seriously and wants to leave (he has been diagnosed with ADHD). What sort of job can you see him doing? Or should I pressure him to finish school? A Your son’s chart is overflowing with energy! Sitting still would be tough for him, so I can understand his restlessness. Exacerbating things, Neptune has been triggering escapist tendencies for the past year, but reality is returning. With his Sun and Mars both in hardworking Taurus, he could excel in trades like carpentry, gardening or stonemasonry. Once he settles into a more physical lifestyle, he should thrive. Q Can you see me buying an investment property later this year? If so, should I do it alone or with my sister? A…

Raised in a family of eight children, Sarah Jessica Parker learnt something important early on: “Growing up in a big family taught me a lot of problem-solving, and how to share and compromise.” And when her family moved to New York City to help her Broadway dreams, that insight served SJP well as she struggled to land auditions. “There was great resistance to me for years,” she confessed, noting she “didn’t fit” the typical show business ideal of beauty. “I developed a really strong work ethic.” Eventually, all of Sarah’s hard work paid off handsomely as the actress, 56, has become a star, a fashion icon and a mother to three children.…

With body measurements like Barbie’s, you’d be forgiven for thinking it would be near impossible to emulate, but Aussie superstar Margot Robbie will be undergoing a strict diet plan ahead of her role as Mattel’s iconic doll in the upcoming self-titled film. “Breakfast is usually porridge, and during the morning I’ll have an immunity-boosting smoothie,” the actress recently revealed. “I’ll normally have a chicken salad for lunch, and for dinner I’ll tuck into a tuna steak with sweet potato,” she said of her regimented diet, noting that she is also obsessed with drinking green tea all day. Margot adds, “Throughout the day, I’ll sip on tea – I’ve been obsessed with it ever since I lived in the UK.”…

Mel Gibson believes so much in his 35-years-younger girlfriend, Rosalind Ross, that he’s putting his own cash into her movie career! “Mel legitimately believes in Rosalind as a filmmaker,” a source tells. “He’s spent the last year stitching together his global network of film financing partners to develop some of their projects.” But the Braveheart star isn’t entirely blinded by love. When they got together in 2014, Rosalind – who majored in English literature at Boston’s Emerson College – was a budding screenwriter hired by Mel’s production company to co-write a script. Still, says the source, “Mel is painfully aware of how all this looks from the outside, especially since he himself has committed to help fund Rosalind’s projects.” Now, the accomplished equestrian and mum to Mel’s ninth child, son…