Innholdsfortegnelse for TAK2528 i Take 5

Just a heads up, there are some seriously jealousy-inducing travel stories this issue! There’s Lily’s on page 8, who has spent the last five years at sea with her boyfriend, Hayden. And then there’s Carolyn’s incredible story over the page. The super inspiring Aussie became the oldest woman to trek Everest base camp aged 80. She said it was never on her bucket list until she got the invite, and I feel the same. But after reading all about her adventure, I’m wondering if I need to add it to the list! I also love reading my stars and when Yasmin predicted a change in my career, I didn’t quite believe it. I’ve worked on real-life magazines for 20 years, and love Take 5, our stories and our readers so…

Lily Mercieca, 28, Airlie Beach, Qld. Sitting on the beach after a surf, my boyfriend, Hayden, looked at the ocean. “I want to live out there,” he said. “Me too,” I sighed. Hayden and I met in a nightclub in 2015 and were friends at first. Two years later, we became a couple. At the time, he worked in construction and I worked as a dancer. Having both grown up on the beach near Airlie Beach, we spent every spare moment by the ocean. In 2019, we packed up our lives and travelled up and down the east coast of Australia in a Toyota LandCruiser campervan that we called Shelly. But we often talked about buying a sailboat to live on. We wanted to explore reef breaks and remote islands.…

Are you struggling to keep up with the demands of work? Do you feel like your brain just doesn’t function the way it used to? Maybe you’re constantly feeling exhausted and overwhelmed? Or do you need a gazillion coffees to get you through your to-do list? Here are five signs your productivity is a problem and the deeper causes beneath them, according to functional medicine practitioner Filipa Bellette. 1 BRAIN FOG Brain fog is a common symptom that can occur when you’re burning the candle at both ends. Chronic stress at work can cause neurotransmitters (such as adrenaline, dopamine and serotonin) to deplete, which can result in neurological issues such as brain fog, lack of concentration, reduced mental clarity, and forgetfulness – all issues that will put your productivity in…

For many women, becoming a mother can dramatically shift how they feel about sex. Yet, there’s a common misconception that a woman’s desire, like her body, should simply bounce back after pregnancy. New research from sexual wellness brand Love honey shows that 69 per cent of Australian mums rate their libido as low, with 40 per cent saying their sex lives worsened after childbirth. More than 60 per cent cited ‘low body confidence’ as the main reason their desire for sex had diminished. Hormonal shifts also play a major role, as well as fluctuating emotions and a noticeable drop in energy levels. It’s time for us to pull back the covers on postpartum sex. TOUCHED OUT! Jaci Rogash, 39, Frankston South, Vic. As the second blue line crept into view…

Sour cherry kefir pie SERVES 8 FOR THE FILLING 1kg pitted sour cherries (fresh or frozen) 210g caster sugar 2 tbsp cornflour, mixed with 2 tbsp cold water FOR THE PASTRY 450g plain flour, sifted, plus extra for dusting 60g caster sugar Pinch of salt 300g cold unsalted butter, plus extra for greasing ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda 1 tsp white vinegar 1 tbsp kefir 1 tbsp water Egg wash (1 small egg beaten with a dash of milk) Soured cream, double cream or crème fraîche, to serve 1 Put the sour cherries and sugar in a large saucepan. Bring to the boil while stirring to dissolve the sugar, then reduce to a gentle simmer over a medium heat. After 5 minutes, increase the heat, add the cornflour slurry and…

Brittany Opetaia-Halls, 30, Brisbane, Qld. I burst through the front door, tears streaming down my face, and rushed to the computer. That’s it! No more boys! I typed to my friend on MSN Messenger. I was 15 and, fresh from a break-up, was determined to avoid any more boy drama. Then, a little green dot appeared next to Rajan’s name on the screen. He was in Year 11, a couple of years above me in school. Typing… it said. I barely knew him, but my heart fluttered. He was 188cm with Malaysian, Samoan, and Australian heritage. Soon, messages were flying back and forth between us and I realised we shared the same values. I quickly lifted my ban on boys, and before long we were a couple. When I was…

Carolyn Robinson, 80, Berry, NSW. My fellow Rotarian Ken stood up in front of the crowd. “I have a new fundraising idea,” he said, grinning. I smiled as I listened. I’d moved to Berry, NSW, from Sydney eight years before, after my husband, Ken, died. I wanted to be closer to my son James, his wife Isobel and my four wonderful grandkids. An active 79-year-old, I played golf three times a week, went for walks and had joined our local Rotary Club two years prior. Ken Hutt had done all sorts of stunts in the past to raise funds to eradicate polio around the world, so I was curious to hear what he had up his sleeve this time. “I’d like to arrange a group to trek to Everest Base…

Olivia Shelton, 50, Maroochydore, Qld. Strolling beside my neighbour, I listened as she spoke passionately about the environment. It was 2018, and my husband, Mark, 43, and I had lived next to Irma, 78, for 10 years. She often popped over to share baked goods or to invite me for a walk through the neighbourhood. Originally from Denmark, Irma was a retired nurse who loved sharing tips for recycling and saving money. “Did you know that when you take empty bottles and cans to a recycling depot you get 10 cents back for each one?” Irma asked. “So that’s why I’ve seen you getting around with bags of cans,” I laughed. In that moment, I spotted an empty Coke can lying on the grass. “There’s 10 cents!” I cried. We…

Red pepper pasta with cheesy garlic crumbs SERVES 4 PREP 10 MINS COOK 30 MINS ½ x 200g store bought garlic bread, torn 1 tsp lemon rind 2 tbsp shredded fresh basil, plus extra leaves to serve 400g rigatoni pasta 600g jar of red peppers, oil reserved 1 long red chilli, deseeded, coarsely chopped 3 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped 1/3 cup tomato paste 2 tsp fennel seeds 1 brown onion, diced 200g fresh mozzarella 1 Process garlic bread in a food processor until a coarse crumb. Transfer to a tray lined with baking paper. 2 Cook in a 220°C preheated oven for 1 0 mins or until golden. Remove from oven. Allow to cool slightly. Stir in lemon rind and basil. Set aside. 3 Cook pasta in a large saucepan…

Susan Brooks, 57, Bunbury, WA. The shop assistant brought out a pair of cream rollerskates with red wheels. It was 1980 and for my 12th birthday I’d asked for my first pair. Standing up in the skates, I felt a rush of adrenaline. “They’re perfect,” I said, beaming at my mum, Marilyn. Soon after, she took me to Glideaway in Perth, where I skated around a rink for the first time. While other kids were nervously clutching the handrails, I was smoothly gliding around the circuit. “Suzie, that was incredible,” Mum said, astonished. After that, she enrolled me in lessons at the Morley Rollerdrome where I learnt to jump, spin and twirl. Whenever I skated, the cares of the world would rush away, and I felt at peace. As I…

LIBRA Sept 24 -Oct 23 Your romantic life is under Saturn’s influence now. That means you may be in a relationship where you’re doing all the giving, or maybe you get so stretched you just decide you need something new. Patience is the key if you can manage it. ★ Don’t expect too many thank yous to come your way! CANCER June 22 -July 23 The way to overcome any work dramas at the moment is to buckle down but also think about what inspires you about what you’re doing professionally. Is the answer “absolutely nothing”? Then it might be time for something different. ★ See if you can get a new source of income. LEO July 24 – Aug 23 There’s good news coming; For Leos who work, your…

Katarzyna Bastek, 43. I found my partner, Suleman, in our bedroom. “Close your eyes and hold out your hand,” I told him. He looked confused but did as I asked. Gently, I placed the pregnancy test I’d just taken into his palm. “Open,” I said. His eyes fluttered open and locked onto the test. “Is this real?” he said, his face lighting up. I nodded, smiling, and he scooped me into his arms. It was 2012, and Suleman and I had been chatting online for two years, but we’d only met in person six months earlier. The pregnancy was unexpected, but I loved being a mother. I was already a proud mum to three boys. This would be Suleman’s first child. He got on well with my sons, so I…

Rhubarb & raisin bread & butter pudding SERVES 6 PREP 15 MINS COOK 30 MINS 6 thick slices raisin bread 50g butter, softened 3 stalks rhubarb, cut into 3cm pieces ¼ cup caster sugar ½ cup frozen raspberries 1½ cups milk 3 eggs ½ cup cream 1 tsp vanilla extract Icing sugar, pouring custard, to serve 1 Lightly grease an 8-cup casserole dish. 2 Spread each raisin bread slice with butter, then cut each into four triangles. Arrange bread slightly overlapping in the prepared dish. 3 In a small bowl, toss rhubarb with 1 tbsp caster sugar. Scatter rhubarb and raspberries over bread. 4 In a bowl, whisk milk, eggs, cream, vanilla and remaining caster sugar until combined. Strain through a fine sieve into a jug, then pour over bread…

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