Indholdsfortegnelse for Issue 27, 2025 i that's life!

Those of us who celebrate Christmas in July are in for a treat this week in our that’s food! pages (page 19.) We’ve got a recipe for some divine parmesan and garlic roast potatoes and slow-cooker Christmas pud. In fact, I think I’ll be saving them for the real deal in December, too. I’ve always felt Christmas in July is a fun idea. While Christmas is the highlight of lots of our summers, tucking into glazed ham, tasty salads and pavlovas in the sunshine, I do like the idea of brightening up the dark evenings and colder air of the winter months with some fairy lights, silly sweatshirts and warming mulled wine. It’s also a nice excuse to get together as a family or even have a ‘friendmas’ with your…

Monzir was preparing for a family gathering when he became a human fireball Monzir Hamdin, 29, Fairfield, NSW Wiping a bead of sweat from my forehead, I gulped down some cold water. Now to clean this up, I thought. It was September 2023 and, after a night of intense rain, I’d spent the morning cutting branches from overgrown trees in the backyard. My partner, Janelle, then 28, and I had been visiting her grandparents’ home when I’d offered to clear up their yard ahead of a family gathering happening later that day. Sweeping the wet branches into a pile, I wondered how I was going to dispose of them quick and easily. That’s when I spotted the big woodfire pizza oven. Trained chefs, Janelle and I had appeared on the…

Megan and her identical twin sister Mikayla were born with albinism Megan Washington, 26 Running around the playground with my twin Mikayla, we then sat down to have lunch. Aged six, as we munched our sandwiches, I couldn’t help but notice the sea of children staring. Why are they looking at us funny? I wondered. ‘Are you both adopted?’ some kids teased. ‘It’s not polite to stare and whisper,’ Mikayla, my rock, said. She always stood up for us. In kindergarten, it was the first time I truly realised that my twin and I were different from others. Born with albinism, a genetic condition, we lack melanin pigment in our skin as well as in our eyes and hair. As melanin also plays a role in eye function, our vision…

MEXICAN TACO PIES MAKES 8 PREP & COOK 50 MINS 500g beef mince 1 small onion, finely chopped 30g sachet taco seasoning 5 x 25cm super soft wraps 300g jar Mexican salsa 2 cups grated Perfect Mexican cheese (200g) Sour cream, chopped avocado, to serve 1 Heat an oiled, large non-stick frying pan over a medium-high heat. Add beef and onion. Cook, stirring to break up mince, for about 7 mins, or until browned. Add seasoning. Cook, stirring, for 1 min. Stir in ½ cup water. Bring to a boil. Cook for 2 mins, or until slightly thickened. Remove from heat. 2 Spray a 4-hole (¼-cup capacity) pie maker with oil. Using pie maker cutters or round cookie cutters, cut eight 10.5cm rounds, eight 9.5cm rounds and eight 6.5cm rounds…

KILLER NAN When Dallas Kellis’ first wife, Louise, passed away, the couple had notched up 41 years of married life. So it caused quite a stir among family and friends when he remarried just two years later, aged 71. Dallas’ new bride raised eyebrows too. Unlike Dallas, who was considered outgoing and fit for his age, Margaret, then 76, relied on an electric wheelchair, and didn’t seem at all friendly. She’d been married three times before, and had outlived all her husbands. Still, having first dated in their 20s, perhaps the spark had been rekindled. ‘They didn’t date very long before they got married. Because it’s like, you’re older, why wait? You never know when it’s going to be your last day,’ Margaret’s granddaughter Candace said, on the documentary Snapped.…

SNOOZE CONTROL You’ve had a few late nights and now you’re paying the price. Thankfully, it is possible to catch up on lost sleep, reducing your ‘sleep debt’. Try to sleep a couple of extra hours on weekend mornings, or work in some naps during the day until you’ve caught up. Unfortunately, chronic sleep debt is harder to recover from, so if you’re constantly losing sleep, it’s a lot harder to catch up. Your best bet is to establish a consistent sleep routine, aiming for seven to nine hours of quality zzzs per night. 30 This percentage of adults globally suffer insomnia at any time. Did you know? You’ve probably heard about the power of positive thinking, but you may have no idea just how powerful it can be. Thinking…

THE PUFFER Balance out the bulk up top by pairing puffers with slim silhouettes on the bottom – leggings, fitted knits, or miniskirts and tights. Cinch the waist if the cut allows, or choose a cropped version to emphasise your shape. Keep your look sporty with sneakers, or dress it up with sleek hair, boots and a luxe crossbody bag. THE TRENCH Belt a trench to define your waist, or leave it open for a relaxed vibe. Layer over trousers and a shirt for polish, or a tee, jeans and sneakers for off-duty. Try unexpected colours, leather finishes or cropped styles to modernise this classic. THE LONGLINE A longline woollen coat is a wardrobe staple and pairs with anything. Whether you’re in a turtleneck and leather pants or a cosy…

Your pets Your family Your friends Your world WE PAY FOR EACH PHOTO USED My new grand-furbaby Murphy just wants to go out to play. Elizabeth Mather, Taree, NSW Getting to meet the Happy Days actor Henry Winkler with my son Jonathan was definitely a bucket list moment. Anna Besz, Rostrevor, SA I ♥ THAT’S LIFE! Relaxing on my South Pacific cruise with my that’s life! mag. Des Pulvenis, via email $50 CASH WHAT’S ODD? PUZZLE HOW TO WIN... This image has been taken from the film Gladiator II. We tinkered with the image and have added something that doesn’t appear in the original scene (7). Write which object doesn’t belong only on the entry coupon and you could be a winner. Turn to entry coupon (p50) to enter! My…

CHRISTMAS STUFFING CASSEROLE SERVES 6-8PREP & COOK 1 HOUR 35 MINS 200g streaky bacon, chopped 1 brown onion, finely chopped 1 tsp dried mixed herbs 400g sourdough bread, cut into  3-4cm pieces  ⅓ cup chopped walnuts  ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley  1 tblsp chopped fresh sage leaves  6 eggs  1¼ cups milk 300ml tub thickened cream  1 tsp finely grated lemon rind  1½ cups perfect pizza cheese 1 Grease an ovenproof dish (10-cup capacity).  2 Heat an oiled, medium non-stick frying pan over a medium-high heat. Add bacon, onion and mixed herbs. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 7 mins, or until onion is soft.  3 Place bread in prepared dish. Scatter over bacon, onion, walnuts, parsley and sage.  4 Whisk eggs, milk, cream and lemon rind in large jug.…

STICKY PECAN PIE PUDDING SERVES 8 PREP & COOK 2 HOURS Melted butter, for greasing 1 cup whole pecans (120g), toasted 125g butter, chopped ½ cup firmly packed brown sugar ¼ cup golden syrup ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda 2 eggs, lightly beaten 1⅔ cups self-raising flour ½ cup Greek-style yoghurt Vanilla ice-cream, to serve SAUCE 1 cup golden syrup 50g butter, chopped 2 tbsp cornflour 1 Grease a metal pudding steamer (8-cup capacity) with melted butter. Line the base with baking paper. 2 Coarsely chop ½ cup of the pecans. Sprinkle over base of prepared steamer. Finely chop the remaining pecans and set aside. 3 Place butter, sugar, golden syrup and 2 tblsps water in a medium saucepan over a medium heat. Stir until butter is melted. Bring to…

EDITORIAL Editorial Director Kate Kirsten, Editor Sarah Firth, Deputy Editor Beth Young, Art Director Darren Monaghan, Picture Editor Holly Campbell 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. ©2025. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or part without prior written permission. that’s life! is a registered trade mark of Are Media. Use of trademark strictly prohibited. Licensing Inquiries: www.contentshop.com.au / syndication@aremedia.com.au…

Essential oils have been used for centuries for their therapeutic and aromatic properties. Aside from that, they are fun to use and can make your home smell lovely! If you’re new to the world of essential oils, building a starter kit with versatile and widely used oils is a great first step. Here are six oils for a beginner’s set, along with their benefits and uses. Lavender The calming companion Lavender essential oil is often considered the most versatile oil. Known for its calming and relaxing properties, its scent can help reduce stress and anxiety, and promote better sleep. A few drops of lavender oil in a diffuser or on your pillow can create a peaceful atmosphere. It is also excellent for skincare, as it has soothing properties, making it…

The mag with heart Joshua’s selfless mum, Louise, gave her son the ultimate gift Joshua Wilson, 29, Melbourne, Vic R ubbing sleep from my eyes, I rolled over in bed. ‘I’ll get her,’ I mumbled sleepily to my husband, Dean, 37. With our daughter Riley’s cry ringing out through the baby monitor, we’d had plenty of sleepless nights since her arrival in April this year. Looking down at her sweet face as I pulled her into my arms for a cuddle, I smiled. I’d happily never sleep again to experience the joy of becoming a dad, I thought. Our journey to parenthood was three years in the making. Dean and I met close to a decade ago and began dating soon after. We both always knew we wanted to have…

HUNGRY ELEPHANT Shop owner Kamploy Kakaew’s slow day changed when a particularly large customer ventured in to ransack his shelves – a hungry elephant! The ravenous male pachyderm named Plai Biang Lek, was caught on CCTV wandering into the store having walked there from Thailand’s Khao Yai National Park. The cheeky jumbo snacked on nine bags of rice crackers, a sandwich, and some dried bananas, leaving a trail of destruction in his wake. ‘I… tried to shoo it away. I told it… Go away, go on but it didn’t listen,’ stunned Kamploy said. Shop workers eventually managed to usher the giant rascal out on to the street. But the elephant left with a doggy bag of more snacks stashed firmly in his trunk. Make-up QUEEN Having an interest in theatre…

SPICED PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE WITH TOFFEE PECAN TOPPING SERVES 12 PREP & COOK 1 HOUR 30 MINS 250g packet Butternut Snap Cookie 70g butter, melted 1 tsp mixed spice FILLING 2 x 250g packets cream cheese, chopped ¾ cup firmly packed brown sugar 3 eggs 1 cup pureed, cooked pumpkin (250g) ½ cup thickened cream ¼ cup custard powder TOPPING 75g butter, chopped ⅓ cup golden syrup ⅓ cup firmly packed brown sugar ¾ cup pecans, toasted, coarsely chopped 1 Invert base of a 22cm round springform pan (base measuring 21cm). Grease and line base and side with baking paper. Place on an oven tray. 2 Process cookies in a food processor until finely crushed. Add butter and ½ tsp mixed spice. Process until combined. Press over base of pan. Refrigerate…

TOP TIPS We’re using all kinds of methods to save money on our grocery bills. Research done by ING found that people who stop their extra midweek supermarket visit can save $1159 a year. One in four of us have cut back on our meat consumption to save money, and a whopping nine in 10 shoppers are saving $315 a year just by purchasing items marked down because they’re approaching expiry. Have you got any money-saving tips to share? We’d love to hear them! Hobbling across the car park to meet my friend, Shanon, I winced. The pain I’d been feeling in my left knee for the past two weeks was getting worse. ‘How did you hurt it?’ Shanon asked, concerned. ‘I didn’t. I’m just getting old and could lose…

With shocking symptoms, Ania struggled to get a diagnosis Ania Stepien, 41, Sydney, NSW What’s happening?’ I cried, gazing in the mirror. In just three months, I’d gained 30 kilos, ballooning from a size six to a 14. My face was swollen and covered in sores, and I felt an unrelenting fatigue. I’d just returned to Sydney from Nauru, where I had been running a program for underage asylum seekers. Had I caught a tropical disease? I wondered. Panicked, in January 2015 I visited my GP. Shocked by my appearance, he referred me to various specialists – a dermatologist, a tropical disease expert, and an immunologist. But every test came back normal. Desperate, I saw more doctors, only to be given antidepressants and diet pills. Then, nine months later, my…