Innholdsfortegnelse for TAK2523 i Take 5

There’s Always Hope

Life kept knocking me down, then something amazing happened Kaedi Murray, 26. Chewing on my pen, I could feel beads of sweat forming on my forehead. Why is it so hot in here? I thought. It was May 2015 and, aged 16, I was sitting my Year 10 exams. But I was struggling to focus, after a recent bout of flu had really wiped me out. Over the next few days, I showed no improvement so I was sent for blood tests. They revealed abnormalities, so I was referred to hospital for further tests. Over the next few days, I was bounced around hospitals before blacking out in the back of an ambulance. When I came around, I was in a hospital bed with my mum, Helen, 37, sitting beside…

Get Sporty

WORKWEAR By adding an oversized shirt and masculine flats, this relaxed pant can switch into business mode in a flash. Its comfortable elastic waist and loose leg means you’ll be outfit repeating this all week! WEEKEND SPORT Comfort is key for early morning sporting commitments or maybe just the usual weekend errands. Go for a matching moment to feel polished and stylish with a simple tonal sneaker, and go handsfree with a cross-body bag. COCKTAIL HOUR Yes you can wear track pants out to drinks. Make a statement in a bold colour, then pair with a dressy top and pointed heel. Amp it up more with large hoop earrings and a clutch bag. WHEELS UP! Our Fashion Editor’s best travel tips! 1. PACKED TO PERFECTION Packing cubes are very popular,…

Held at Ransom

My community saved me, and now I want to give back Yodit A, 35, Melbourne, Vic. I shuffled into the hospital behind my mum, who handed my sister, Ariam, over to a nurse. “Please help her,” she begged. Ariam had a vomiting bug that Mum had been trying to treat with ginger and rue. “Why didn’t you bring her in sooner?” the nurse scolded her. “She could have died.” “I’m sorry,” Mum sobbed. It was 2001, I was 11, and we lived in Eritrea, Africa. My mum and dad always did their best for me and my five siblings, so I thought the nurse was being unfair. “It’s okay, Mummy. When I grow up, I’ll work in the hospital and kick that mean nurse out,” I said, setting my sights…

Side Hustlers

BUGS MEAN BUSINESS Steven Gill, 40, Cairns, Qld. I wiped sweat off of my brow. How’s it still so balmy in winter? I thought. It was June 2022, and I was working as a gardener at a luxury resort in Far North Queensland. I’d been gardening for 13 years in the tourism off-season and in the on-season, I worked as a tour guide in the Daintree Rainforest. I was always fascinated by the insects I’d come across in both jobs. I was also a Lego nerd, so, one day, I brought a large moth home in a container and took a photo of it next to a Lego man for scale. My mates loved the pictures so I kept taking photos of real Aussie critters in funny Lego settings, like…

Three Ways With Tinned Tomatoes

Pork shoulder ragu with fettuccine SERVES 6 PREP 20 MINS COOK 4 HOURS 15 MINS 1½ kg boneless pork shoulder 1 tbsp olive oil 20g butter 1 onion, chopped 2 cloves garlic, crushed ¼ bunch fresh oregano, tied with string 1 tsp fennel seeds, roughly crushed 1 tsp smoked paprika 1 cup red wine or beef stock 2 x 400g cans diced tomatoes 700g bottle tomato passata 1 bunch kale, trimmed, chopped Cooked fettuccine, grated parmesan, to serve 1 Season pork well. Heat oil and butter in a deep ovenproof frying pan over a high heat. Add pork. Cook for 6 mins, turning on all sides, until brown. Remove from pan. 2 Add onion and garlic to same oiled pan. Cook 2-3 mins. Stir in oregano, fennel and paprika. Cook…

Ex-hibition

Hi Take 5ers, I’ve entered a serious relationship with a man I simply adore. However, the more I stay at his place, the more I notice little mementos of his ex-wife. She’s in many of the family photos, some of her sanitary items are still in the bathroom, and a number of her paintings are still hanging on the walls. When I asked him to get rid of these reminders, he said it was a significant part of his life and he doesn’t want to pretend it didn’t happen. What should I do? Rebecca*, 55 You’re in a serious relationship with a guy who keeps his ex-wife’s sanitary items? Seriously weird. Irene Dowling You need to understand his needs. If you want to fight a ghost, you will lose him.…

Show Biz Showhomes

I’m using my dancing background to shine the spotlight on real estate Josh Horner, 45, Watanobbi, NSW. Laying in the foetal position on my bed in my childhood home, I felt completely deflated. “Tanja’s on the phone for you,” my mum Cherylynne’s voice came through my closed door. I sighed. “Okay,” I said, hauling myself upright. It was 2017, and I’d returned home to Watanobbi, NSW, from Los Angeles, US, feeling broken, both in spirit and financially. My whole life I’d worked as a professional dancer and had a glittering career that had taken me all around the world. I started dancing when I was six to help with my asthma and found I was good at it. Aged 16, I was selected for the Australian Ballet School and danced…

4 min

A Gift From Heaven

My late brother led me to Australia and love Aoife Butler, 30, Mudgee, NSW. Peering out of my window, I sighed at the familiar sight of heavy rain. If only I was in Australia with Matthew, I thought wistfully. It was 2013 and my eldest brother Matthew, 20, had moved from our home on the boarder of Wicklow and Wexford, Ireland, to Sydney on a working visa. He was constantly sending me pictures and updates of his time there, which would brighten up my day, as well as turning me green with envy. I wanted to visit but was at university studying to be a nurse, so didn’t have the funds or the time. “You should come and live here when you finish your degree,” Matthew said. “Some of my…

You’ve got Mail

When work messages mess with your mind Let’s pretend you’re answering an email at work. You’ve read your response twice, used the right combo of professional yet friendly language and checked who’s on the CC list. So why do you feel tense? “Email apnoea, also known as screen apnoea, is a phenomenon where individuals unconsciously hold their breath or breathe shallowly while reading or responding to emails or engaging with digital screens,” explains Nancy Sokarno, a psychologist from We Lysn. Unlike sleep apnoea, which is caused by airway obstruction, email apnoea is caused by good old-fashioned stress. “Linda Stone, a former executive at Microsoft, coined the term in 2008 after observing this behaviour in herself and others,” Nancy explains. UNDER PRESSURE Nancy says the real tension comes from the sheer…

3 min

Killed Over $40

Dad was only asking for his money back... Sarah Edney, 37. Music blared through my sister’s living room as we watched my little boy dance. Corey, two, was flailing his arms and wiggling his bum to the beat, leaving us all in stitches. Just then, my dad, Simon, 56, hopped up and joined in. “Come on, dance with us,” he grinned, wiggling his backside like his grandson. My sisters, our partners and our other kids roared with laughter. Dad was a larrikin and the ultimate joker. After our parents divorced when I was 14, I’d stayed with him, while my younger sisters Cheryl and Amy lived with Mum. We had a ball together, going for bike rides and swapping novels we’d read like it was our own exclusive book club.…

Clear and Confident

One Q+A product sells every 9 seconds globally! Do you have a hormonal teenager on your hands, or know one who needs a little help when it comes to their skin? The teen or tween years can be a tumultuous and confusing time, especially with the beauty world brimming with products aimed at Gen Z and Gen Alpha. From pesky breakouts to sensitivities, it’s important to take extra care with its delicate nature and avoid viral products. Founder and CEO, Shai Eisenman from Bubble Skincare – the Gen Z skincare brand of the moment – shares her top tips for managing teen skin dilemmas and what to avoid. Hint; keep it simple! What should a basic teen skincare routine look like? For younger skin, simple is smarter. You only need…

1 min

The Life Of Pie

Bolognese and cheesy potato gem skillet pie SERVES 6 PREP 10 MINS COOK 50 MINS 1kg beef mince 1 onion, peeled, quartered 1 stick celery, cut into 3cm lengths 2 carrots, cut into 3cm lengths 3 cloves garlic, peeled 1 tbsp dried oregano 2 tsp sugar 1 tbsp Vegemite 700g passata 600g frozen potato gems ¾ cup grated parmesan Rocket lettuce, to serve 1 Heat an oiled, 30cm flameproof pan over a high heat. Add beef. Cook, stirring to break up mince for 8 mins or until browned. Transfer to a bowl. 2 Meanwhile, place onion, celery, carrots and garlic in a food processor. Pulse until finely chopped. Return same oiled pan to medium-high heat. Add vegetable mix, oregano and sugar. Cook, stirring for 5 mins or until softened. 3…

Making A Splash

My niche hobby has me bubbling with joy Nicolette Marks, 34, Canberra, ACT. Slumped on the sofa, I started scrolling on my phone. It was the winter of 2017 and my best friend Jacob, 25, who I lived with, was getting on my nerves, and I on his. I need a hobby to get me out of the house, I thought. On Facebook, I came across a beginners’ course for underwater rugby. I’d never heard of the niche sport, but the ad included a brief explanation. Invented in Germany as a training exercise for divers, it gained appeal as a contact sport cushioned by water, and a means of developing teamwork through nonverbal communication. I’d always loved the water, so that Wednesday I went along. At the AIS indoor pool,…

Stars

JUNE 12-18 GEMINI May 22 -June 21 You get the chance to think differently this week. Whether your thoughts are stuck in the past or in old familiar patterns or, you’re thinking onwards and upwards – you do need to consider all of your options this week! ★ Decisions could change the path of home/work balance. CANCER June 22 – July 23 You might be starting to feel life get bigger as Jupiter prepares to enter your sign. On the one hand, you’ll want to set yourself up for as many opportunities as you can. While on the other, enjoy the quiet time while it lasts. ★ Meditation will be needed. LEO July 24 – Aug 23 When you think about it, the past 12 months have been pretty exciting…

3 min

Your letters

Belly laugh The letter about funny pet names (issue 15) reminded me of when I was a little kid and my dad let me name our new puppy. Poor Dad, a builder, spent the next 14 years taking his beloved cattle dog to job sites and having to explain to other tradies why its name was Belly Button! Natalie Dutton, Molonglo, ACT. WE PAY $100 FOR EACH LETTER PRINTED Team work Thank you Take 5 for our awesome prize. We have been buying the magazine and entering all the competitions for many years. My mum, Radmilla, and I are a tag-team when working out our answers. We will share our handy prize. Irene Elphick, Wurtulla, Qld. Junior doctor I’m usually the one to stay home with the kids when they’re…

Mother Of All Betrayals

I found my mum after 20 years – then caught her up to no good Taylor-Jane Wedge, 24. I stood at the bar, chatting with my fiancé, Dave, when a familiar face stopped me in my tracks. No way! Could it be? I thought, straining to get a better look. I kept staring until the woman finally came over to us. “Is everything okay?” she asked. “I keep feeling your eyes on me.” It was 2022, and I had been imagining this day ever since I found out I was adopted. “Are you Mandy O’Brien?” I asked. “Did you have a daughter named Taylor?” “Yes,” she replied softly. “But I lost her.” At 50, Dave was twice my age I shook my head, tears filling my eyes. “She’s right in…

6 min

Dating On A Deadline

How long should you wait to reply to a text? When should you introduce a potential partner to loved ones? There are so many parts to matters of the heart, but users on viral video platform TikTok are certain of one thing: if the person you’re seeing hasn’t asked you to be official within three months, they’re never going to do it. Also known as the ‘three-month rule’, this thinking is supposed to help you determine whether the person you’re seeing is just stringing you along. But is this method foolproof? WHAT IS THE THREE-MONTH RULE IN DATING? Those who have kindled a new flame should wait at least three months before defining the relationship (DTR). This rule is particularly effective for those who rush into a relationship in the…

Your tips

If you’re cooking with lemon juice, put the squeezed lemon halves aside and use them to clean your sink afterwards. Sharon Richards, Balga, WA. I keep baby wipes in multiple areas of the house and car so I can grab one quickly when I need it. Steph Roberts, Tamworth, NSW. Salt chicken before you freeze it. When it defrosts the salt tenderises it. Daphne Vincent, South Morang, Vic. If I’ve had a bad night’s sleep, I tell myself ‘I slept well’. Weirdly my brain often responds to this and I don’t feel quite so tired during the day. Angela Hoffman, West Auckland, NZ. My grandma taught me to dry roast my spices before I add them to meals as it brings out the flavours better. Carmel McGrath, Helensvale, Qld. Add…

Silvery Sights

I’m helping seniors experience more… starting with Mum and Dad Amy Gardner, 36, Newport, Vic. Walking behind my mum on the Geelong waterfront, I watched as she chatted to my daughters. “Look at the Ferris wheel,” she said to Eloise, four, and Daria, two. As a travel blogger and content creator, I’d been sent to Geelong to write about the region’s family friendly activities. My hubby, Stuart, 35, was away for work so I’d invited my mum Terrie, 71, to accompany me and the girls. After a ride on the Ferris wheel, we had lunch by the water and watched a show at the Performing Arts Centre. The blog was for families, but I’d had such fun with Mum, I wondered if something similar could be done for seniors, reviewing…

Apple-y Ever After

Apple & rhubarb sponge pudding SERVES 8 PREP 15 MINS COOK 1 HOUR 10 MINS 5 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, 2cm pieces 1 bunch rhubarb, trimmed, 5cm lengths 2 tbsp caster sugar, plus extra ¾ cup 3 eggs 1 tsp vanilla extract ¾ cup self-raising flour 1 tsp mixed spice Pouring custard, to serve 1 Lightly grease an ovenproof dish (8-cup capacity). 2 Combine apples and rhubarb in prepared dish. Sprinkle with sugar. Cover with foil. Cook in a 200°C preheated oven for 15-20 mins until fruit is almost tender. Cool. Reduce to 180°C. 3 Beat eggs and extra sugar in a small of electric mixer for 8-10 mins, until pale and thick. Beat in vanilla. 4 Sift flour and spice together over egg mixture. Fold gently through. Pour…

1 min

La Vie En Weekend

Paris is the kind of city that immediately charms you. Once you’re in the City of Lights, you’ll never want to leave. But with only a limited amount of time and so much to see, it’s hard to know where to start. Here’s the ultimate itinerary for three jam-packed days in Paris… DAY 1: Start the day by picking up a freshly baked croissant from a boulangerie (bakery), then head over to the iconic Eiffel Tower. Don’t go up it though – there are better vantage points in Paris! Cross the Seine to Trocadéro, which will give you clear views of the Eiffel Tower – perfect for capturing the ultimate holiday pic – then jump on the metro (the light green line), and take the train to Franklin D. Roosevelt…

4 min

Masthead

EDITORIAL Editorial Director Kate Kirsten, Editor Rachel Williams, Deputy Editor Kim Bonett, Art Director Fiona Parsons, Picture Editor Vanessa Mckenzie ARE MEDIA Chief Executive Officer Jane Huxley, Director of Sales Anna Quinn, Director of Content Sally Eagle, General Manager Entertainment Susan Armstrong, Commercial Brand Manager Jessica Ashworth, Director of Marketing Carly Bowra Subscription enquiries: Customer Service 136 116 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm AEST) International +61 2 9692 3535 Email magshop@magshop.com.au Website www.magshop.com.au Advertising enquiries: advertising@aremedia.com.au Published by Are Media Pty Limited (ABN 18 053 273 546), 54-58 Park Street, Sydney, NSW 2000. ©2024. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or part without prior written permission. Take5 is a registered trade mark of Are Media. Use of trademark strictly prohibited. Licensing Inquiries:www.contentshop.com.au / syndication@aremedia.com.au Printed by…