Innehållsförteckning för Issue 22, 2025 från that's life!

Nothing gets team tl! out of their seats faster than a sweet treat landing in our corner of the office. When some Arnott’s Scotch Fingers arrived on our ‘bickies and lollies shelf’ today, we made Usain Bolt look slow. There’s something so comforting about a cup of tea and a biscuit though, or a coffee if more of a caffeine kick is your thing – whether it’s for morning tea at work, a treat when guests come over, or an after-dinner snack on the lounge in front of the TV. And it’s a ritual that crosses the generations – and the world. ‘My gran and grandad always had Scotch Fingers on hand when I was little,’ Mari, who grew up in Scotland, told us. ‘No cup of tea was ever…

Eileen is raising awareness about her son’s condition Eileen Lamb, 35 Filling the sink with hot water, I reached for the sponge ready to wash our dishes. But as I picked up the yellow and green scourer, my heart sank as I took in the two bite marks on the edge. Not again, Charlie, I thought. I’d first noticed my son Charlie’s odd eating habits when he was aged five. I found him crouched over our dogs’ – golden retriever George and Yorkie Teddy – food bowls, wolfing down their kibble. ‘Charlie!’ I cried. ‘That’s not for you to eat.’ But I figured most kids had been inquisitive and eaten pet food before, so I didn’t think much of it. Diagnosed with autism at 22 months, Charlie had always been…

RICOTTA HOT CAKES WITH BLUEBERRIES MAKES 12 PREP & COOK 40 MINS 1 cup fresh ricotta cheese (225g), plus extra to serve ⅔ cup milk 3 eggs, separated 2 tbsp brown sugar 1 cup plain flour 1¼ tsp baking powder Fresh blueberries, and maple syrup, to serve 1 Whisk ricotta, milk and egg yolks in a large bowl. Add sugar, sifted flour and baking powder. Mix until just combined. 2 Beat egg whites in a small bowl with an electric mixer until firm peaks form. Fold whites into ricotta mixture in two batches. 3 Heat a large, non-stick frying pan over a medium heat. Spray with cooking oil. Add ¼ cup of the ricotta mixture. Repeat to make four hotcakes. Cook over a medium heat for about 3 mins, on…

Sue-Ellen and her siblings helped their parents on secret missions Sue-Ellen Doherty, 72, Brisbane, Qld Shh,’ my mum Joan, then 34, whispered as I nestled under my bed covers. ‘Goodnight,’ my dad Dudley, then 40, mimed, giving me a goodnight kiss. Then aged two, my big brother Mark, three, and I always had to be quiet and on our best behaviour. And we were never allowed to ask questions. It sounds like we grew up in a strict household, but the reality was much more complex. My parents were secret agents working for the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO). Dad, who’d served in World War II despite losing his leg in a traffic accident aged 14, was employed by the spy organisation in 1951. Soon after marrying Dad, Mum joined…

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…

WINNERS ARE GRINNERS Your pets Your family Your friends Your world WE PAY FOR EACH PHOTO USED My brother Keith, who plays the saxophone, recently turned 80. Here he is with his wife, Christine, and his magnificent cake made by his niece. Helen Savage, Airport West, Vic Kitty’s level of relaxation is something to be envious of. Jess Knox, Mount Austin, NSW My air fryer broke last night and today this prize arrived! I couldn’t be happier. Thanks that’s life! Sandi Villain, via email $50 CASH WHAT’S ODD? PUZZLE HOW TO WIN... This image has been taken from the film Set It Up. We have tinkered with the image and have added something that doesn’t appear in the original scene (8). Write which object doesn’t belong only on the entry…

PUMPKIN CAULI MEXICAN BAKE SERVES 6 PREP & COOK 1 HOUR 10 MINS 1kg whole butternut pumpkin, peeled, deseeded, cut into 3cm pieces ½ cauliflower (500g), cut into small florets 2 tsp Mexican chilli spice blend 2 tbsp olive oil ½ bunch fresh coriander 1 red onion, coarsely chopped 400g can diced tomatoes 375g jar Thick ‘N Chunky Salsa ½ x 285g jar roasted peppers, drained, chopped 125g can corn kernels, drained 4 jumbo tortillas (25cm) 2 cups grated Mexican cheese Sour cream, chopped avocado, sriracha sauce and lime wedges, to serve 1 Place pumpkin and cauliflower on a large oven tray lined with baking paper. Sprinkle over spice blend. Drizzle over oil. Season with salt. Toss to coat. 2 Cook in a hot oven (200°C) for about 25 mins,…

STRAWBERRY BRIOCHE PUDDING SERVES 8 PREP & COOK 1 HOUR 20 MINS ¼ cup raspberry jam 2 tsp vanilla extract 2 x 250g punnets strawberries, hulled, sliced 500g sliced brioche loaf 60g unsalted butter, softened 4 eggs 300ml tub thickened cream ¾ cup milk ½ cup caster sugar ½ cup flaked almonds, toasted Icing sugar mixture, to serve 1 Spray a 22cm springform pan (base measures 21cm) with oil. Place a large sheet of baking paper in pan, pressing it into base and side, allowing paper to overhang edges. Spray with oil. Place another sheet of baking paper in the opposite direction, pressing into base and side. 2 Combine jam, vanilla and ¼ cup hot water in a small jug. Press through a sieve into a large bowl to remove…

MONEY TIP Home painting projects can be expensive. You might be able to save a few dollars by asking at your hardware store’s paint counter if they have any ‘oops’ paints – colours that have been mixed incorrectly or left behind by customers who changed their minds. You may have to be flexible in your colour choices but, while doing a renovation project for a friend my husband, Shannon, was able to purchase ‘oops’ paint at half price, saving hundreds of dollars. With those kinds of savings, it’s worth taking a look! During the egg shortage caused by the bird flu outbreak, I went to three different supermarkets before finally finding a carton of organic free-range eggs at a market. At a cost of over $17, I can only assume…

Julie’s bub Victoria blisters when touched Julie Given, 34, Green Point, NSW Hi Victoria,’ I smiled tearily as my baby girl was placed on my chest. It was January 2024 and my partner Justin, 41, and I were overjoyed that our first baby had arrived safely following a long labour. To our shock, however, her face was covered in cuts. Initially it was thought to be from the trauma of her forceps and vacuum cup delivery, but her skin kept tearing, bleeding and then blistering every time she was touched. ‘We suspect Victoria has epidermolysis bullosa (EB), a severe genetic condition,’ the doctor said. ‘It’s a rare disease that causes fragile, blistering skin.’ Justin and I burst into tears. Neither of us had heard of the condition, and we had…

HAIR-RAISING FEAT Leila Noone, a 39-year-old circus performer, has broken a Guinness World Record – hanging by her hair from a tree for an astonishing 25 minutes and 11.3 seconds! She achieved this jaw-dropping feat in the stunning Redwood National and State Parks in California, beating a record that had stood since 2011. Leila, who’s also been a contestant on American Ninja Warrior, spent two years training for this moment. As she hung by just her ponytail, live acoustic music played and friends cheered her on with positive affirmations, creating a calm and uplifting vibe. A multi-talented artist, Leila also performs handstand archery, aerial acts, contortion, and Cyr wheel tricks with Cirque Vida in Austin, Texas. After the record attempt, Leila thanked her supporters on her Instagram, @leileinoone, calling the…

JAPANESE PORK PANCAKES MAKES 10 PREP & COOK 40 MINS 1 bunch baby pak choy (350g) 500g pork mince 3 cloves garlic, crushed 1 tbsp fresh ginger paste 1 chicken stock cube, crumbled 2 cups self-raising flour 4 eggs, lightly beaten 3 green spring onions, thinly sliced, plus extra to garnish Barbecue sauce and Kewpie mayonnaise, to serve 1 Trim pak choy stems. Rinse pak choy under cold water. Drain well. Pat dry. Cut crossways into thin slices. 2 Heat an oiled, large, non-stick frying pan over a high heat. Add pork, garlic and ginger. Cook, stirring to break up mince, for about 7 mins, or until browned. Transfer to a bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Cool slightly. 3 Dissolve stock cube in 1 cup hot water in a…

Mornings are a chance to set intentions, centre yourself, and welcome positive energy into your day. By weaving small, mindful rituals into your routine, you can transform your mornings into something truly magical. Here are six ways to start your day with purpose and joy. 1 Attitude of gratitude Before your feet hit the floor, take a deep breath and think of three things you’re grateful for. It could be as simple as the comfort of your bed, the scent of fresh air, or the promise of a new day. Gratitude shifts your mindset, reminding you of the abundance that is already present in your life. 2 Tea or coffee with intention As you stir your morning cuppa, infuse it with an intention for the day. Whisper or think of…