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Rising Through The Flames

I thought I’d be alone forever until Martyn came along… Charlene Lay, 33. Sitting on the school bus, I could feel a group of kids staring at me. “Hey, Scar Face!” one of them sneered. “Leave her alone!” my brother James, 14, barked back at him while I sat there silently. I felt humiliated, but I wasn’t shocked at all. At 12 years old, I was used to being called cruel names like Scar Face and Burnt B**ch by kids at my school. When I was two years old, James, four, and I were being babysat by a family friend while my parents were working. James had found some matches and accidentally set the house on fire. “Let’s climb up to the top bunk bed!” he instructed me as the…

All Dressed Up

Not all salad dressings are created equal. Some can significantly enhance the nutritional value of your salads. Depending on the dressing, they often contain healthy fats, which aid in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E, and K found in many vegetables. Additionally, dressings made with ingredientsnts like olive oil, vinegar, and herbs can add antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties to your salad bowl. Choosing the right dressing not only boosts flavour but also maximises the health benefits of your salad. Dietitian Susie Burrell shares the healthiest ways to spruce up your salads… EXTRA-VIRGIN OLIVE OIL Nutritionally you cannot go past extra-virgin olive oil as a salad dressing. Not only will it help the nutrients of your salad be absorbed, but it will bring out the taste of your…

Wonky And Worrying

My boob just kept getting bigger! Clare Renwick, 44. Staring at my naked frame in the bedroom mirror, I cupped my boobs and lifted them to become the plump, perky bosoms they’d once been. Then I dropped my hands and cringed as my breasts sagged over my ribs. They looked like tennis balls in a pair of socks. “My boobs used to be fabulous,” I sighed. It was January 1996 and I was 17 years old. Just 12 months earlier, I’d been slim with a pair of perky 10Ds. But then I fell pregnant and my boobs ballooned two sizes, along with the rest of me. Feeling too rotten to exercise, I put on 25kg. “You’re young,” friends assured me. “You’ll get your figure straight back.” After my daughter, Sasha,…

The Baby Faker

Sarah Dowson said goodbye to her husband, Thomas, before heading to her shift at a Chinese restaurant. She had a skip in her step, but it wasn’t at the thought of dishing up plates of sweet and sour chicken. She had a work crush, and couldn’t wait to see him. At 17, fellow waiter Joseph was a decade younger than Sarah, but that hadn’t stopped her fantasising about the teen. Soon, the mother-of-three made her move. She asked for his number and began texting him. The conversation soon became flirtatious. One night, Sarah seized her chance to take things even further. Some of the restaurant staff, including Sarah, went out after work to celebrate Joseph turning 18. As the festivities came to an end, Sarah and Joseph sneaked off to…

Budget-Bu$ting Dinners

Mexican rice & bean turkey bake SERVES 4 PREP 10 MINS + 30 MINS TO MARINATE COOK 30 MINS 400g turkey breast fillet, cut into 1.5cm-thick slices 1 tbsp vegetable or olive oil 2 long green onions, thinly sliced 1⁄3 bunch coriander, stalks chopped, leaves reserved 1 cup white long-grain rice 420g can red kidney beans, rinsed 35g sachet taco seasoning 2½ cups boiling water 2 large salt-reduced chicken stock cubes 50g tortilla strips 1 avocado, coarsely chopped Lime, to serve (optional) 1 Combine the turkey, oil, onion and coriander stalks in a shallow glass dish. Cover with plastic food wrap; chill for 30 mins to marinate. 2 Preheat oven to 180°C/160°C fan-forced. Combine rice, beans and taco seasoning in a large ovenproof frying pan. Pour in the boiling…

Off Limits

Hi Take 5ers, I split up with my husband three years ago and have been single since. Recently, while I was out, I ran into an ex-husband of a friend who was very flirty towards me and who I know is single. I’m thinking about asking this man out to see whether there might be a spark. But the problem is that although my friend and I aren’t all that close, we mix in the same friend group. She’s pretty protective of him even though they split 20 years ago, and she’s since remarried. I don’t think I should ask her permission, but she’s known for being quite awful if someone crosses her and, I suspect, would likely go off if she finds out we’ve been on a date without…

Masthead

EDITORIAL Editorial Director Kate Kirsten, Editor Rachel Williams, Deputy Editor Kim Bonett, Art Director Fiona Parsons, Picture Editor Vanessa Mckenzie ARE MEDIA Chief Executive Officer Jane Huxley, Director of Sales Andrew Cook, Director of Content Sally Eagle, General Manager Entertainment Susan Armstrong, Commercial Brand Manager Jessica Ashworth, Head of Consumer Marketing Louise Cankett 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 Affiliate enquiries: affilliate@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:…

Women Connected

Retirement was lonely until an ad opened new doors Sue Leone, 64, Kenwick, WA. Lying on the sofa, I flicked from channel to channel, before giving up and throwing the remote to one side. “I’m so bored,” I groaned. It was April 2023, and I’d recently quit working FIFO, after 11 years in various roles, to slow down and start living a normal life. Only, it was quickly losing its appeal. Later, my partner Matt, who still worked FIFO, called me and I vented my frustrations. “I’m on my own all day and it’s driving me crazy,” I said. Most of my friendships had been formed through work and I didn’t really know anyone outside it. “I need some female friends to go out with,” I told him. I just…

Chasing The Rainbow!

Veronica Merritt, 39. My eyes were glued to the newest episode of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. “Cowabunga,” I shouted imitating the orange turtle, Michelangelo. Something about colour-coded characters really appealed to me. Colours and patterns had a calming effect on me. This came in handy when I fell pregnant at 14, leaving me in complete shock. “What do you want to do?” the doctor asked me gently. After some thought, I decided I wanted to go ahead with the pregnancy. “I’ve always wanted a big family,” I told the doctor. I just hadn’t expected it to happen so quickly! My boyfriend didn’t want to be involved, but I was determined do it alone. In time, I gave birth to a little girl, Victoria. When the nurse passed her over to…

Escaping The Sect

A forced marriage couldn’t suppress who I am Sara Glass, 39. The crunching of glass echoed through the wedding hall. “Mazel tov!” our guests shouted. I was 19, and my marriage to the man before me, Yossi, 27, had been arranged. But as I walked down the aisle, the tears I shed weren’t of joy. “Please take my temptation away,” I prayed under my breath. Deep down I had a secret; I loved women. My family belonged to a strict Hasidic Jewish sect. Men had to avoid contact with unrelated females, and I wore full-length skirts and long sleeves, so as not to tempt them with my skin. But by 12, I began to see I was different to my friends. I didn’t get their desire to meet a boy…

Feline Good!

My assistance cat helps me to really live Boat, 63, Canberra, ACT. Reading through the PTSD questionnaire, a realisation dawned on me. “I’m a yes to every one of these,” I said to my colleague. It was July 2022, and I’d recently retired from my career in law enforcement. For 27 years, I’d worked on the Australian Border Force and had also served in the State Emergency Service. I’d been a first responder to some terrible tragedies over the years, including the Black Summer bushfires. To keep myself busy in retirement, I’d volunteered with an organisation that helped employers identify when their employees were showing signs of PTSD. Their questionnaire asked about symptoms, and I had almost all of them – flashbacks, nightmares, reclusive tendencies. Maybe I should do something…

Pack & Go

Middle Eastern lamb & chickpea salad SERVES 4 PREP 20 MINS COOK 1 HOUR 1kg boneless rolled lamb leg roast 1 tbsp harissa paste 1 tbsp olive oil, plus 1 tbsp extra 1kg butternut pumpkin, seeded, peeled, cubed 1½ cups chicken stock 1 cup pearl couscous 400g chickpeas, rinsed, drained 2 chargrilled capsicums, sliced 100g feta, crumbled ¼ cup currants ¼ cup pistachios, roughly chopped ¼ cup pomegranate seeds 2 cups mixed parsley, coriander, mint 2 tbsp lemon juice Lemon cheeks, to serve 1 Preheat oven to 180°C. Line an oven tray with baking paper. Place a small rack in a baking dish. 2 Rub lamb with harissa and olive oil. Season. Place in dish. Arrange pumpkin on tray. Drizzle with extra oil. Bake lamb 1 hour, adding pumpkin…

4 min

You won’t Define Me

No-one will stop me making a difference Kupakwashe Matangira, 23, Canberra, ACT. Walking into the classroom on my first day, I felt a mixture of nerves and excitement. My parents, Jacob and Stephania, had moved us from Zimbabwe to Australia the previous year to provide my sister, Tapiwa, 12, and me the best chance at life. Now, age six, I was keen to make new friends at my school in Edgeworth, NSW. “Your skin looks like poo!” one kid sneered. “And why do you have worms for hair?” Other kids approached, laughing as they pulled at my thick, curly locks. They think I’m different to them, I realised, troubled. Although I made good friends throughout primary school, I often felt ostracised because I was a girl of colour. But in…

Stars

VIRGO Aug 24 –Sept 23 A lunar eclipse will spotlight your Relationship Zone. There will be more of this to come in 2025. Pay attention to the shifting tides of your romantic life. Progress can be made. ★Don’t like what you see? Change your ways. SAGITTARIUS Nov 23 – Dec 22 Even if the world is pulling you in a variety of directions, it’s important to focus on your home life now. You’ve had your fair share of effort and toil in this area lately. It’s important to not give up. ★ Just as you’re beginning to wonder why, all will be revealed. PISCES Feb 20 –Mar 20 The road has been entirely uphill for around 18 months. There is still a while to go, but you’ll get a sense…

3 min

Your Letters

Laugh bomb WE PAY $100 FOR EACH LETTER PRINTED Recently, while waiting to see the doctor, his previous patient emerged and spoke to me and the woman sitting next to me. “Hello ladies, did you hear Mrs Fairy Bread passed away? It was a big funeral, hundreds and thousands were there,” he said. Then he went on his way laughing, leaving us stunned and smiling. It made my day! Cynthia Williamson, Bundaberg, Qld. Enriching lives Reading issue 28 I was deeply moved by the story of Anna Johnston and how her grandpa, Fred, inspired her to help improve engagement activities in nursing homes. I worked in aged care for 20 years before retiring in 2010, and now I volunteer. Many residents struggle with boredom, so I try to keep things…

A Mother’s Love

My son put me through hell, but I miss him every day Sher Wilson, 69 My eight-year-old son studied his cards, and a huge smile crossed his face. “Gin!” he announced, spreading them on the table. “Stop winning!” I laughed. It was 1985, and we’d just moved to Tokyo after I’d accepted a consultancy job. His dad and I split when Matthew was six months old, so it was just us. At first, Matthew loved Japan, but one day, he came home from school in tears with a black eye. “The other kids are bullying me,” he told me. My heart broke for him. I spoke to his teachers, but the bullying continued. Eventually, Matthew begged to go home. I agreed to let him go live with his dad, as…

Support System

Many of us aren’t aware that mental illness is Australia’s most common chronic health condition. Research by the Liptember Foundation shows that one in four women are facing a severe form of mental health disorder. While many can relate to this, mental health issues also have a way of going unnoticed. If someone close to you is struggling, being able to recognise the signs can place you in a better position to help. Psychologist Luke Foster co-founded the non-profit charity LIVIN in a bid to break the stigma of mental illness. By spreading the message that “it ain’t weak to speak”, LIVIN’s mission is to normalise discussions about mental health and to empower people to ask for help. WHAT TO LOOK FOR Luke says the signs may not always be…

3 min

Your Tips

A simple and free way to provide important nutrients for your garden is to use the water from steaming or boiling your vegetables (once the water has cooled). Catherine Brauer, Tenterfield, NSW. I switched from using dishwasher tablets to dishwasher powder. It’s much cheaper and goes so much further. Isabelle Weaver, Kyneton, Vic. To test if your oil is hot enough for frying, dip in a wooden chopstick. If the oil bubbles around the chopstick, you’re good to go! Maria Antonelli, Sunshine West, Vic. If you’re struggling to open a jar, put on rubber gloves for better grip. Mandy Woods, Carseldine, Qld. If your tortillas are all stuck together in the packet, microwave them for 10 seconds. The steam releases them so that they don’t break when you pull them…

‘I’ll Always Be With You’

When I met my dream man, I didn’t know he was terminal… Annabelle Wilson, 36, Melbourne, Vic. Glancing around the room, I locked eyes with a cool-looking guy. It was 2008, and as my friend’s party went on, I kept swapping glances with this handsome stranger. After dinner had been served, I heard a deep voice whisper in my ear. “Are you going to eat that?” he asked, pointing at the roast meat on my plate. Turning around, I saw the mystery man grinning at me. My heart skipped a beat. “Um, no, it’s all yours,” I responded playfully. “I’m Josh,” he said, sitting down for a chat. Josh was funny, kindhearted, and had a smile that lit up the room. We spent the rest of the evening talking but…

Berry delish!

Berry ice-cream sandwiches SERVES 12 PREP 20 MINS COOK 15 MINS + COOLING 120g butter, at room temperature 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar 1 egg, at room temperature 1¾ cups plain flour 1 tsp baking powder 1 cup dark chocolate bits, finely chopped 1 cup finely chopped unsalted peanuts 500ml boysenberry ice-cream 1 Preheat oven to 180°C/160°C fan-forced. Line 2 oven trays with baking paper. Using an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar in a large bowl until pale and creamy. Add egg; beat until combined. Sift combined flour and baking powder over butter mixture. Add the chocolate bits and peanuts; mix well. 2 Roll tablespoon quantities of cookie dough into 24 balls. Place on prepared trays, about 3cm apart for spreading; flatten slightly. Bake for 12 minutes…

1 min

Glamour in the Gulf

SEE THE SIGHTS STROLL THROUGH THE DUBAI MIRACLE GARDEN Entering the Dubai Miracle Garden was like walking into paradise! With more than 150 million flowers in full bloom, this 72,000 square metre garden is perfect for a photo opp. I could have easily spent all day wandering the grounds – and almost did! Get in early when buying your tickets because this is a sight you can’t miss. TOUR THE BURJ AL ARAB Nowhere does opulence like Dubai, and I got a taste of it firsthand with a tour inside the Burj Al Arab, the world’s most luxurious seven-star hotel. The tour showcased the grandeur of the suites, which each span two floors and feature plush carpets, breathtaking views and golden ceilings. Make sure to stop by the cafe for…

4 min