Innehållsförteckning för TAK2531 från Take 5

I feel like it’s long been said that some people share looks or personality with their pets and I’m starting to believe it. One of my friends is small, athletic and cute as a button but can snap if someone rubs her the wrong way. She introduced me to her new dog, a small, slender Chihuahua. When Trixie crawled into my arms, I was delighted at her friendly nature. But when I scratched her behind her ears, she nipped my fingers. I’d clearly rubbed her the wrong way! “She’s just like you!” I laughed to my mate. Other friends, a couple, are both short in stature but very strong and have hearts of gold. They’re the proud owners of a staffy who doesn’t have an aggressive bone in her body.…

Being told I look like my girls is the biggest compliment of all! Valentina Volante, 22, Melbourne, Vic Swishing side to side in front of the mirror, I couldn’t stop grinning. I felt fabulous. “Mummy, come look at my outfit!” I called. It was 2009, I was six years old and strutting around in Mum’s dressing gown, pink ugg boots, oversized sunnies and smudged pink lipstick. My mum, Edwina, appeared in the doorway, her eyes lighting up. “You look positively glamorous, darling,” she said, smiling. Mum always had a bold sense of style – think leopard print, red lipstick and sky-high heels – and she encouraged me to express myself however I liked. But while I felt confident at home, school was a different story altogether. Growing up in Kyneton,…

A simple household chore set my girl’s eyes on fire Jodi Lowe, 34, Perth, WA. I opened the front door and dropped our bags in the hallway. “Mum’s going to quickly put some washing on,” I told my little girl as she followed me in from the garage. “I’ll come help, Mummy,” she chirped. Her sweet voice made me smile. Luca, four, was my little shadow. Cheeky, smart and curious, she loved helping me out. It was a Sunday afternoon in March this year, and we’d just returned home from a birthday party. I’m a single mum and with the weekend drawing to a close, I was keen to knock off a few chores before dinner. In our narrow laundry room, I started tossing clothes into the washing machine while…

Peach & passionfruit self-saucing pudding SERVES 6 PREP 20 MINS COOK 1 HOUR Melted butter, for greasing 825g can peach slices in juice 170g can passionfruit pulp in syrup 1⁄3 cup firmly packed brown sugar 1 tbsp cornflour Icing sugar, whipped cream, to serve CAKE TOPPING 1½ cups self-raising flour 2⁄3 cup caster sugar ½ cup milk 75g butter, melted 2 tbsp golden syrup 1 egg 1 Grease a deep ovenproof dish (10-cup capacity) with melted butter. Drain peaches reserving ½ cup of juice. Spread peaches and half the passionfruit pulp over base of dish. 2 CAKE TOPPING Combine flour and sugar in a large bowl. Whisk remaining ingredients in a medium jug until combined. Add to flour mixture. Stir until combined. Spread over fruit. 3 Combine brown sugar with…

EDITORIAL Editorial Director Kate Kirsten, Acting Editor Kim Bonett, Acting Deputy Editor Natasha Todd, 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 /…

Heaven sent On my birthday recently I asked my late mum to send me a sign. Straight after I said that out loud I was pouring water into a bottle and spilled some – this was the result. I definitely think I got my sign from Mum! Sylvia Berger, Penguin, Tas. WE PAY $100 FOR EACH LETTER PRINTED Ooh la la! My hubby, Andrew, was flicking through my copy of Take 5 when he saw your story on what to do if you find yourself in Paris for a few days (issue 23). “We’re going to Paris for your birthday next weekend!” he announced with determination. He refused to elaborate, but we don’t have passports so I knew we weren’t literally getting on a plane. Instead, Andrew took me on…

We were broken – but not beyond repair Suzie De Jonge, 62, Cobram, Vic. Sitting across from my therapist, I let out a heavy sigh. “Honestly?” I asked. She nodded gently. “In that case, not great,” I admitted. It was 2019, and she’d just asked how things were going with my husband, Stuart, 57. I felt the weight of our 15-year relationship hanging in the air between us. We’d met when I was 39, thanks to a blind double date organised by a friend and her partner. At the time, I was a single mum to my nine-year-old daughter, Alex, and hadn’t dated in years. I’d been focused on motherhood and healing from past heartbreaks. But that night, Stuart’s wit and dry humour instantly drew me in. We connected over…

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One-pan lemon & olive chicken SERVES 4 PREP 5 MINS COOK 25 MINS 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil 500g skinless, boneless chicken thighs ½ tsp salt ¼ tsp black pepper 1 tbsp garlic-infused olive oil 1 cup low-FODMAP chicken stock 1 tsp dried chives 1 tsp dried oregano ¼ cup milk of your choice ½ lemon, sliced into 5mm thick rounds 1 tbsp soft brown sugar ¼ cup whole green olives ¼ tsp ground cumin 1½ tbsp cornflour mixed with ¼ cup cold water Cooked quinoa, to serve Fresh flat-leaf parsley, to garnish 1 Preheat oven to 180˚C. Heat oil in a deep, ovenproof frying pan over medium–high heat and brown chicken with salt and pepper. 2 Once browned, add all other ingredients, except quinoa and parsley, to pan and…

I thought I could trust her with my little bub Gemma Collinge, 41. My partner, Allen, looked at me, stunned. “It’s positive,” he said softly. We both stared down at the pregnancy test, struggling to process it. We’d only been dating a few months. I already had two teenage girls from a previous relationship, and Allen had three sons and a daughter. Another baby wasn’t part of the plan. “I’ve gotten rid of all the baby stuff,” I mumbled. But that initial surprise quickly turned to joy. When our son, Harlow, was born, our whole family fell in love with him. He was the happiest, most contented little bub, always smiling, always babbling. As my maternity leave came to an end, I started looking for childcare. A colleague recommended a…

As we age, so do our bones. That’s why it’s important to ensure you are giving your body the adequate vitamins and minerals needed to maintain the function of your body as a whole, and support bone health. Vitamin D is particularly important for calcium and phosphorus absorption and metabolism – which is vital for bone health. In fact, studies have shown that an adequate intake of vitamin D is essential for things such as bone development, skeletal health, healthy muscles and teeth, and regulating the body’s immune system. WHAT HAPPENS IF WE DON’T GET ENOUGH VITAMIN D? If your body doesn’t get enough vitamin D, you can be at risk of developing weak, brittle bones. Without vitamin D, our bodies are unable to effectively absorb calcium, which is essential…

I’m raising the next generation of thrifters Hannah Klose, 44, Brisbane, Qld. Getting lifted out of my car seat, I was hit with a foul stench. “Ew! It stinks,” I said. It was 1986, I was five years old, and my parents, John and Jan, had brought me to the rubbish tip to find items for our home. “This is stunning,” Mum said, admiring a weathered dining table. “A bit of work and it’ll be perfect,” my dad agreed. My parents loved upcycling as it saved cash and helped the environment. In my teenage years, I felt embarrassed when Mum dragged me to op shops. “They only have old lady clothes,” I once huffed. “Could an old lady rock this?” Mum said, handing me a blue sun dress to try…

Indian pappadum nachos SERVES 4 PREP 15 MINS COOK 20 MINS 1 red onion, ½ sliced, ½ finely chopped 2 tsp grated ginger 1 clove garlic, crushed 500g beef mince 400g can chickpeas, drained, rinsed 2 tbsp korma curry paste 400g can diced tomatoes 75g pack mini pappadums 1 Lebanese cucumber, finely chopped 1⁄3 cup Greek-style yoghurt ¼ cup mango chutney ½ cup Bhuja Original Snack mix Fresh coriander leaves, to serve 1 Heat an oiled, large frying pan over a high heat. Add sliced onion, ginger and garlic. Cook for 3-4 mins, until lightly coloured. 2 Add mince. Cook, stirring to break up mince for 5-6 mins or until browned. Stir in chickpeas and curry paste. Cook 1-2 mins until chickpeas are lightly toasted. 3 Stir in diced tomatoes.…

LEO July24 -Aug 23 Just as Mercury retrograde ends in Leo, you have a Full Moon in your Love Zone. So, life should start to make a little bit more sense, but it really is time to turn the corner in one important relationship. ★ Don’t blow up partnerships you deep-down want forever. VIRGO Aug 24 – Sept 23 If you have money issues, this is a week to work on them. Try and think of where they came from. Try and process them under the full moon. There’s a lot of room for arguing about cash or values this week, so don’t be too picky. ★ Discretion is recommended. LIBRA Sept 24 -Oct 23 The astrology is really intense as the planet of anger, Mars, moves through your sign…