Innehållsförteckning för TAK2347 från Take 5

I stood back with my hands on my hips, admiring my new barn. “I can’t believe how good it looks,” I said to my animal keeper, John. “The builders have done an amazing job,” he agreed. It was 2016 and I’d started up a dog adoption charity on a farm I’d bought. I’d also bought some land from the farmer across the road to create a sanctuary for rescued farm animals, which is where the barn sat. To bring in some income to fund the sanctuary, I’d also turned the loft area into accommodation to rent out to guests. Excited to get my venture started, I jumped in my Mini and drove to a nearby pig farm, knowing there would be some pigs in need of my help. Luckily, the…

For something that affects half the population, menopause remains a strangely mysterious condition and there’s a lot we’re still learning… IT STARTS WITH PERIMENOPAUSE Many common ‘meno’ symptoms can actually be attributed to perimenopause. “Perimenopause is the time leading up to the last menstrual period,” Dr Sneha Wadhwani, national clinical director of Evoca Women’s Health explains. During this time, women often start experiencing hot flushes, mood swings, irregular periods and other common signs often associated with the change. Perimenopause usually starts in women in their 40s and takes around four to six years, but it can last anywhere from a few months to a decade. MENOPAUSE TAKES ONE DAY The actual menopause process is very brief – it’s simply the moment that your period stops. “Once you go through an…

It’s much easier to peel ginger if you use the edge of a teaspoon to scrape it off. I recommend it! Keep a bag of marshmallows in the freezer. They’re cool and soft to apply to any injuries kids get playing. Instead of buying new shoes, I get my old ones resoled and buy new laces. It saves money and is better for the planet. Before I cut up chicken for stir-fries, I put it in the freezer for 15 minutes. It’s so much easier to slice that way. I put my fridge’s shelves and drawers in the dishwasher every now and then to give them a really good clean. Orange peels are great for starting seeds. Put a hole in the bottom, fill it with soil, a bit of…

From its incredible marine life and famous markets, to its variety of top-notch eateries and Indigenous influences – there’s plenty to see and do in Darwin. We’ve rounded up some of the best… LITTLE MISS KOREA Backing onto Graffiti Laneway is one of Darwin’s trendiest eateries. Celebrity chef Chung Jae Lee opened Little Miss Korea in 2015, offering a modern take on Korean food and a nod to the Asian fusion delicacies that the Territorians love. Here, you can devour an à la carte menu of traditional dishes, DIY Korean barbecue, and delicious martinis. READYTO ROAM Make the most of a 7-night stay in Darwin with sightseeing, meals at Hotel Darwin and Stokes Hill Wharf and discovering Darwin’s extensive history at the RFDS Tourist Facility. From $839 pp twin share.…

The smile faded from my face as my 10-year-old daughter, Shivani, came through the door in tears. “What’s wrong?” I asked her. “One of my classmates is autistic and the other kids keep leaving her out,” she said. It warmed my heart to know my girl was such a kind and sensitive soul. Next morning, she found me and her father, Prakashan, 45, in the kitchen. “I’d like to do something to support children with autism,” she told me. “That’s a lovely idea,” I said. She decided to do some fundraising for Autism WA. “Why don’t you host an art exhibition and sell your paintings,” I suggested. Shivani had been painting regularly for the past few years and had developed an amazing talent. “Great idea,” she said, beaming. Over the…

Zero sugar, fat free, low carb and all natural – a lot of labels may sound healthy but that doesn’t mean they always live up to their promises. If you find the messaging confusing (and let’s face it, most of us do), there are a few simple ways to cut through the spin. Nutritionist Lyndi Cohen explains… CHECK THE HEALTH STAR RATING This easy-to-interpret symbol can be found on the front label of many foods. “The Health Star Rating is a simple way to quickly assess the health status of a food,” Lyndi explains. “Foods are given a rating out of five based on nutrients like protein, fibre, sodium, saturated fat and energy. The more stars a product scores, the better!” LOOK AT THE ORDER OF INGREDIENTS Ever wondered how…

Hi Take 5ers, I’ve been dating my boyfriend for six months and everything has been going perfectly. But when I suggested we go away to the country for a weekend he freaked out and told me he doesn’t like to visit the country because that was where he was abducted by aliens as a child. This crazy story is so unlike him and anything he’s ever said that I don’t know whether to believe him or not. What should I do? Ellen*. Are YOU in a tricky situation? Why not write in and let our readers help you out. We’ll pay $50 for every question printed. Our contact details are on page 73. If everything has been as perfect as you say, for him to disclose something so personal that…

Zipping around the sun-soaked roads of Denpasar, Bali, on a moped, I clung to the waist of my sister Vicki. “Watch out,” I cried, as pedestrians meandered onto the road. “Don’t worry, I’ve got this,” she chuckled. Vicki, 46, moved to Bali in 2014, where she became a mentor in an alcohol and drug rehab centre. I’d remained on the Gold Coast, Qld, where we’d grown up, working as a children’s entertainer, and living with my partner. My sister was funny and generous and I missed her like crazy, so a year after she’d moved, I went to visit her. She knew all the best beaches and off-thebeaten-track restaurants. After that, I’d visit her every couple of years. Then in July 2021, Vicki texted with terrible news. She’d been diagnosed…

Looking through the camera’s viewfinder, I pressed the shutter button. Later, I showed my teacher the photos I’d taken. “Very good, Melina,” he said. “Always make sure your photos tell a story.” I was 15 and had been doing an internship. Those words always stuck with me, even after I moved from Germany to Australia in January 2019, aged 23. I dreamt of having my own exhibition of my photos with important stories to tell, but what story? Then, in November 2020, I was working for a marketing company on the Gold Coast, when one of my friends, a colleague, came up to me. “I’m moving into my new place this weekend,” she said. “Can you help me move my stuff from storage?” “Sure,” I said. “Where do you live?”…

The door slammed closed. “Hey darl,” I called. “I’m in here.” I was in the kitchen making bolognese. The onions had just started to brown so I added in the beef mince. “What do you want for your birthday?” my hubby Dan asked as he sat down at the kitchen table. I thought about it for a while as I stirred in some chopped tomatoes. “Well, there is something…” I said. I desperately needed a new laptop, but I knew they were expensive. Times were tough, and it felt cheeky to even ask. “Go on,” he urged. “What I’d really like is a lappy,” I said coyly. I glanced over at him. He had raised his eyebrows in surprise. Then he puffed out his cheeks. “Well, I’m sure that can…