Innehållsförteckning för TAK2410 från Take 5

Unlock the power of peace through regular meditation Between the rising cost of living, the remnants of the pandemic and bad tidings lurking behind every news story, it’s undeniable that life has become a lot more stressful lately. But there are ways to find your own peace of mind in an otherwise hectic world – enter meditation. This fast and simple practice has proven effective in reducing stress, and best of all, it’s free! Meditation has been around for thousands of years, and can enhance both your physical and emotional wellbeing. It can bring about a sense of calm, peace and balance that is often missing from our busy modern lives. Here are five things you should do for a successful meditation session. 1 FIND A QUIET SETTING: While meditation…

We said ‘I do’ in the nude! Debra Bowe, 68, Sans Souci, NSW. Standing on the crowded beach, I glanced down self-consciously at my purple bikini. I’m standing out like a sore thumb, I thought. So, biting the bullet, I whipped it off! It was 2001, I was 45 and at a beach festival held by Kiata Country Club – a nudist community introduced to me by my dad, Frank, who was then 69. Growing up, I hadn’t known Dad was a nudist. I knew he was a country club member, but only when my sister and I were older did he reveal to us what kind of club it was. When he asked me to go along to meet his friends, I was curious as to what it was…

I’m with you. Seems like an old paedo! Although, I’d still meet him because I’d want to support my daughter. Louise Simons Dear Take 5ers, My 25-year-old daughter has a new boyfriend she’d like her father and I to meet. The problem is, we disapprove of him. He’s 50 – double her age and only two years younger than me. I’m worried she’ll distance herself from us if we don’t meet him, but I’m not sure I can pretend I’m okay with the relationship if we do. What should I do? Layla* 52. She’s an adult, she can make decisions on her own. Sometimes we have to let go of the dreams we have put in our minds for our children (grown or not) and let them do life their…

It was my granddaughter Jade’s fifth birthday and as we all settled down to eat a slice of birthday cake, she turned to her dad. “Do sharks like birthday cake?” she asked. “Nope, they only like meat!” her dad replied. Jade paused a moment then said, “What if they do, but no-one ever gave them any to find out?”You could have heard a pin drop as we all contemplated whether humans have done sharks a huge disservice by not offering them a slice of sponge! Veronica Bonetti, Elwood, Vic.…

I’d discovered I was having a baby – then two more appeared. What was going on? Deonna Fletcher, 26. With sore boobs and no sign of my period, I had no doubt that I was pregnant. “You ready?” I said to my partner, Antonio, 26, unwrapping a test. “Let’s do it,” he replied enthusiastically. We’d only been trying for a couple of months, but, moments later, we watched two lines appear. “I knew it, we’re having a baby!” I beamed. An early scan confirmed the pregnancy was viable. But at six weeks, while at my job as a hairstylist, I grabbed my stomach in pain. I’m having a miscarriage, I thought, panicking. At hospital, Antonio held my hand as I was given another scan. “The baby’s fine, but there’s another…

I copied Gran by riding our tractor on my big day Sophie Jonsson, 17, Evelyn, Qld. It was now or never. I needed to tell my boyfriend, Tom, my crazy idea! Our Year 12 formal was coming up and the last thing I wanted was to rock up in a shiny, souped-up car like everyone else. “What if we went on a tractor?” I blurted out. I’m from a farming family that’s been working the land for five generations, since 1935. I’ve lived on our farm my whole life, and today we grow potatoes, avocados and cotton. I love getting my hands dirty helping out, and Tom knew how important my heritage was to me. My gran Gail, 63, a total legend, had cruised into town on her wedding day…

Your story in issue 50 about Natasha and Jordan welcoming triplets reminded me of when my cousin, Marion, had triplets in 1966. She lived a few houses down from my family and we used to joke that we’d see her tummy walk past before we saw her! Back then, triplets were rare and Marion and her husband had to wait months for a three-seater pram to be shipped over from the UK. When the three girls were born, they caused quite a stir in the community and every year on their birthdays the local paper would turn up to take photos. Marion couldn’t go anywhere without being stopped repeatedly so people could fuss over the triplets. I hope Natasha and Jordan’s little ones bring them just as much joy. Karen…

No-one took my story seriously Wendy Davis, 74, Hobart, Tas. I was alone in my office, working on a report, when an unfamiliar male voice spoke. “Can I use the toilet?” he asked. I looked up to where he stood, by the door that lead to the hospital ward. Registering him as a Telecom worker – one of many who’d been around the hospital for weeks – I smiled and nodded. He walked behind me and then made his way into the utility room. A few seconds later, the toilet flushed. He made to leave, but then he stopped. “I dropped my pencil in the toilet,” he said. “Can I go and get it?” I thought it was a strange request but agreed. I started to realise he hadn’t been…

Yes, it is possible to eat healthily without going broke We’ve all walked down the aisle at the local supermarket in recent times, dismayed at how expensive everything has become. Many may think refined convenience foods are the only affordable way to eat these days, but according to Accredited Practising Dietitian Alicia Brown from the Master Menopause Australia program, eating healthily is still achievable. Here, Alicia shares her tips for keeping your diet and bank balance healthy. PLANNING PAYS OFF Nipping to the shops to grab a few things every night costs more. The solution? Plan your meals. “This will help you to create a shopping list of the foods you actually need, reducing impulse buying and helping to stretch ingredients further by using them across different meals,” she says.…

I recommend planting mint in a plastic pot and burying it in the garden. That will contain the roots so it doesn’t take over your garden (as mint often does!). Glenys Williams, Tuggerah, NSW. We had a jar of rainbow sprinkles spill on the floor while making fairy bread, but a lint roller picked it all up quickly. Kelly Nguyen, Canning Vale, WA. To clean the cup holders in your car, put a wet sock around a drinking glass and twist it into the cup holder to pick up grime. Carla Moroney, Albany, WA. I take lots of empty ziplock bags with me when I travel. They’re so useful when you’re packing to come home. Jodi Palmer, Eltham, Vic. If you push the zip right down, it locks in place…

Our girl spent five months trying to get back to us Karen Tucker, 68, Lameroo, SA. Driving through the New South Wales outback I checked the signposts. Seven hours to go, I sighed. It was May 2023, and my husband, Gary, 75, and I had spent the past four days showing our dogs at the Broken Hill dog show. Now, I was driving home with our 15 prized show dogs in the trailer, including some of our most expensive dogs, Baxter, our Chihuahua, and Mishka, our Tibetan spaniel, who had won best of breed. For safety, Gary was driving behind me, and my friend, Jo, was in front. Just then, as I travelled at 80km/h, I spotted a pothole. I carefully skirted around it, but suddenly, I was thrown against…

We recently started a bathroom renovation and when we opened up one of the walls, we found a note scrawled inside. Hi, we’re the Barnett family and we remodelled this bathroom in 1982. If you’re about to remodel it again we just have one question – what’s wrong with the way we did it? Signed Malcolm (Dad), Simone (Mum), Steven, Ryan and Melanie (the kids!), it read. If the family sees this, I’d just like to say thank you for the laugh! Sofi Lennox, Mount Isa, Qld. COMPILED BY SAMANTHA IRELAND…