Woman’s Day Fashion Editor Olivia Waugh solves your fashion dilemas.
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When I first left home, I moved from my little country town to the busy excitement of Sydney. Living at home had been a sheltered and easy life but I couldn’t resist the lure of the big smoke.
It didn’t take me long to adapt from scrounging every cent as a student to living the high life of a career girl. I quickly worked out that if I wanted to get ahead at the company where I worked, I had to look good and designer gear was worth every cent. Within months I was in real financial trouble. I couldn’t resist the trendy little designer boutiques and spent up big. I maxed out my credit cards and some weeks couldn’t even come up with my rent money.
One afternoon after buying some gorgeous shoes (with cash, because my cards were all full), I realised at the train station that I couldn’t pay my fare. Desperate, I looked around at the other commuters and started making a commotion that my purse had been stolen. It was amazing. People looked at my fancy make-up and designer clothes and instantly believed me. Everyone was so generous, handing over cash to help me out with my train ride — I ended up with money to spare.
I’m a smart girl and it didn’t take long for me to realise that this was money for jam. I started making it my habit to hop off at the different stations on my route home — making sure I didn’t use the same location too often — and starting up my stolen purse routine. No-one ever seemed to recognise me and so many of the young guys were really generous. I started being able to pay off my card without having to cut back on designer purchases. I felt absolutely no guilt about my deception.
I’d been running the scam for about six months and it was still going amazingly well. Once again I’d just started telling everyone about my missing purse when a really gorgeous guy came up and told everyone he would handle it. Fear ran through me when he flashed a badge and announced he was a plainclothes policeman. Terrified I’d been caught, all I could think about was the shame of being sacked from my job and going home with a criminal record. Luckily for me, the policeman, Trent, had no idea what I was up to. He merely gave me a lift to his station and had me fill out an incident report.
The scare was enough to stop my deceptive ways. Even more of an incentive — Trent and I started going out together! We’re now married and he loves telling people how we would never have met if it weren’t for a pickpocket. I could never tell him what I was really up to that day.
Picture posed by model.
Every week Dr Chris Brown answers your pet questions — submit your own or browse our archives.
With one in four women and one in six men estimated to suffer an osteoporotic fracture later in life, it’s no surprise that there’s quite a bit of research focusing on this major disease. When it comes to osteoporosis prevention, we all know that calcium counts. And these days research is targeting not only how to get enough calcium, but also how to maximise its absorption.
Build bones
Although most people think of osteoporosis as an elderly disease, its origins lie way back in early childhood. The amount of bone that is gained during growth, known as peak bone mass, is believed to be one of the most important determinants of future fracture risk — that’s why a healthy lifestyle is vital throughout childhood. Contrary to popular belief, bone is an active organ that undergoes constant change via the process of remodelling — resorption (breakdown of bone) and deposition of calcium into newly deposited bone (bone formation) — so daily calcium intake is vital throughout life. As well as getting enough dietary calcium, you also need to make sure that the calcium gets to your bones. Other important bone builders include an adequate amount of vitamin D and a strong regimen of weight bearing and strength training exercises.
Cola, the new calcium sapper
We know that there are several ways that calcium absorption can be affected, including the amount of calcium in a meal and presence of substances like phytates and oxalates. A high sodium (salt) diet can also cause increased urinary calcium loss, but more studies are needed to assess the detrimental effect on bone. Then there is the new research on cola drinks and brittle bones. The link between high soft drink consumption and poor bone health has been previously established. We know that people who drink a lot of soft drinks tend to have a low intake of milk and calcium, but that’s not the complete picture. It seems that cola drinks in particular contain a number of substances, namely caffeine, phosphoric acid and high fructose corn syrup, which can all potentially interfere with calcium absorption. Research has clearly shown that bone density dropped with increasing cola intake.
There seems to be no end to the power of daily dairy in your diet. Milk, cheese and yogurt have been shown to offer a range of health benefits — from osteoporosis prevention to helping you lose more fat on a weight-loss plan — but the latest news has got the fitness industry grinning.
Whey protein builds muscle
Australian research has confirmed earlier work that shows dairy protein provides a specific advantage to muscles during strength training. It seems that whey protein in milk is more effective in stimulating amino acid intake and net protein deposition in muscle when compared with soy protein.
Increased muscle strength
One of the recent studies at Victoria University involved 13 male recreational body builders. The subjects taking the whey supplement for 10 weeks showed markedly increased measures of lean body mass, a fall in fat mass and, most importantly, increased muscle strength when compared with the control group. The second study at Deakin University looked at non body builders and found it advantageous to include more whey protein in the diet for both young and older men.
Down at the dairy
With so many more advantages of eating dairy — such as the bone-building vitamin D and immune-boosting probiotics found in yogurt — it certainly pays to go for at least three to four serves a day. To cut the fat and still eat your whey, go for these top choices:
Fruity skim milk smoothie
Vitamin-boosted drinking yogurt
Low-fat iced coffee or flavoured milk
Fruit salad with natural yogurt and crushed pistachios
Skinny tzatziki dip
Ricotta cheese (one of the best source of whey)
Whether you succumb to a virus or fight it off depends on how strong your immune system is. Here’s how you can improve your odds.
Exercise Exercise increases the circulation of lymph (fluid providing oxygen and nutrients to cells), macrophages (cells which eat invading germs), and T-cell lymphocytes (which produce antibodies that kill viruses).
Relax Stress produces excess corticosteroid hormones that compromise your body’s germ-fighting ability. Listen to soothing music, or learn visualisation, where you imagine the body fighting illness. A hypnotherapist can teach you — contact The Australian Traditional Medicine Society at [email protected].
Avoid toxins Nicotine in cigarette smoke harms the mucous membranes and cilia (small hairs) in the nose that block invading organisms. Fried food is high in free radicals (harmful molecules that damage cells). Excess alcohol depletes the body of protective nutrients like zinc and vitamin C.
Watch your diet Eat at least 5 portions of fruit and vegetables daily, and choose foods rich in these immune-enhancing nutrients:
Vitamin C — citrus fruits, red and green capsicums, kiwifruit, spinach, broccoli
Beta-carotene — orange fruit and veg (e.g. dried apricots, carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkin), green leafy vegetables
Zinc — pumpkin seeds, seafood, lean meat, nuts, whole grains
Vitamin A — liver, dairy products, oily fish (e.g. herrings and sardines)
B-group vitamins — wholegrain bread, pasta, cereal. B vitamins particularly critical to immune health include folic acid (green leafy vegetables), and vitamin B12 (liver, fish, eggs, and brewer’s yeast).
Add nutritional insurance Vitamin C won’t prevent a cold, but it will ease symptoms; take in a multivitamin formula or a single dose. Sucking zinc lozenges reduces a cold’s severity and duration; at the first sign, suck 1 lozenge (15-25 mg) every 2 to 3 hours. Eat yogurt with live cultures: it stimulates the production of an infection-fighting substance called gamma-interferon.
Get herbal help Echinacea stimulates production of both white blood cells and T-cells. Garlic has antibacterial and antiviral properties and is a good source of the antioxidant selenium, while shiitake mushrooms — used for centuries in Chinese medicine — contain an immune-stimulating substance called lentinan. Take a supplement or add the dried mushrooms to soups. Other useful herbs include liquorice (supports adrenal function), and elderberry (has antiviral properties).
Put up a good fight Don’t forget the practical things you can do to avoid viruses and infection. Wash your hands frequently (viruses can live on skin for hours); open windows and doors (good ventilation flushes out germs), and dispose of used tissues immediately.
If your cholesterol or blood pressure readings are high or borderline, you may want to try supplements before jumping on the pharmaceutical bandwagon. Many show promise in treating heart disease, are less expensive than drugs, and cause fewer side effects. Here are the top four heart-healing supplements:
Fish oil If you have heart disease, getting a beneficial dose of omega-3 fatty acids through diet alone can be difficult. For best results, choose a supplement with two key omega-3s: EPA and DHA. Dosage: 1500mg, twice daily.
Co-enzyme Q10 Every cell needs CoQ10 for energy; without it, the body loses steam. CoQ10 is especially important for anyone taking a statin, because the cholesterol-making enzyme that statins inhibit is also responsible for producing the body’s natural supply of CoQ10. Dosage: up to 300mg daily.
Magnesium Nicknamed ‘nature’s calcium-channel blocker’ because it keeps calcium from penetrating heart cells and making it work harder. Magnesium also promotes muscle relaxation and slows blood clotting. Dosage: up to 800mg daily.
Garlic Antioxidant-rich garlic makes blood platelets more slippery and therefore less likely to form clots that cause heart attack or stroke. Dosage: up to 900mg daily. Note: Garlic has natural blood-thinning properties, so if you’re already taking blood thinners, talk to your doctor before using it.
Istanbul: tale of two cities
More than any other city, Istanbul is an intoxicating blend of East and West. Straddling two continents, its ancient centre lies in Europe, while its eastern suburbs are in Asia. It’s a place with so much history that visitors can take in 2000 years on a stroll around the metropolis.
Here, Roman ruins, Byzantine churches, medieval towers, mosques and the world’s grandest bazaar lie in a magnificent clutter close to the Hippodrome, where great chariot races once clattered around this paved arena.
Byzantium, as it was called in its first incarnation, rose shortly after the Roman Emperor Constantine made it his new capital as the power of ancient Rome crumbled in the west. It ruled supreme for a millennium before being sacked by the Ottoman Sultan Mehmet II in 1453.
Mehmet converted the world’s grandest and most venerated church, Hagia Sophia, into a mosque. Today, it is a museum and, besides the Pantheon in Rome, is one of the most spectacular ancient buildings left still in use in the world. Istanbul is a destination that demands more than a short stop-over; a weekend is barely adequate, four to five days is better.
With its spectacular ancient buildings, vibrant food and fashion scene, extraordinary Grand Bazaar and lodgings that meet all budgets, Istanbul will dazzle the most jaded traveller. Here are some tips on what to see and do:
+ Walk around the Sultanahmet, the ancient centre where you must visit Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Mehmet Pasa Mosque, Topkapi Palace (the sultans’ lodgings and gardens, and where you can see the fabulous crown jewels of the Ottoman sultans), the Archaeology Museum, Suleymaniye Mosque, the Grand Bazaar (a vast labyrinth of shops and stalls), the Hippodrome and the ancient underground reservoir known as the Basilica Cistern.
+ Take a boat tour along the shores of the Bosphorous, past Ottoman palaces and medieval crusader castles to the Black Sea.
+ Stay at one of the inexpensive hotels on the slopes behind Sultanahmet, overlooking the Sea of Marmara.
+ Join the locals for a chic dinner overlooking the Golden Horn at Lucca, Cevdet Pass Cad 51/B, Bebek (tel: + 90 212 257 1255) or have an inexpensive mezze plate
and Turkish coffee at a traditional cafe.
+ Visit one of the many hammams (Turkish baths) and have the massage of a lifetime after soaking on the marble slabs of the steam room.
Tips on visiting Gallipoli
+ Gallipoli is a strenuous destination. Unless you are moderately fit or can make special arrangements, it may be too difficult. There are long walks to the Anzac Day service at Anzac Cove and the later service at Lone Pine. Many hours are spent in the cold and leaving the site can involve up to an eight-hour wait before your bus can pick you up.
+ Facilities are limited. There is no food or drink available until you reach Lone Pine, where you can buy tea and deliciously fresh göaut;zleme (hot sandwiches) from stalls. Toilet facilities barely cope with the crowds and queues can stretch for half a kilometre. Wandering off into the scrub can be dangerous — there are trenches everywhere.
+ It is best to book accommodation as close to Gallipoli as possible to avoid long, tiring journeys on top of a very long night and day. Canakkale, on the Asian side of the Dardanelles, has a wide range of places to stay, but fills up quickly. The choice is limited at Eceabat.
+ Most people join tour groups, either booked in Australia or Istanbul. It is possible to set off solo, but that’s generally discouraged by both Turkish and Australian authorities.
+ Above all, take a ground sheet, warm clothing (even a blanket if you can carry it), a torch and, if possible, a thermos of hot soup. If you like, leave behind what you won’t need for the rest of your trip. The locals are glad of the offerings.
After Gallipoli
Visit the famous ruins at Troy where excavations have revealed nine ancient cities, built one on top of the other. Perhaps spend a night or two at Assos, an exquisitely beautiful little coastal village with waterfront restaurants and blazing fires for cold evenings. Meander on to Bergama to see the ancient ruins of Pergamum and, if you can, move on to Selcuk to see the magnificent ancient site of Ephesus, the first and greatest city of Asia Minor.
Travel essentials
Fly Singapore Airlines (tel: 13 10 11; www.singaporeair.com.au) has multiple flights daily to Singapore from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth, or daily from Adelaide, with five weekly convenient and direct connections to Istanbul.
TourInsight Vacations (www.insightvacations.com.au) has a 15-day Treasures of Turkey Anzac Day tour, departure from Istanbul April 13 (from $2060 per person, twin share, land only), that pays a special visit to Anzac Cove for the Anzac Day ceremonies. Insight also provides a 15-day Treasures of Turkey tour without the Anzac component (from $1899 per person, twin share). Both tours visit Istanbul, Bursa, Ankara, Cappadocia, Konya, Antalya, Pamukkale, Kusadasi, Izmir and Canakkale, Göaut;reme, Aspendos, Perge, Ephesus, Troy and Pergamon.
This month, the Road Train travels across Victoria, where we’ll clown around with doctors and take part in an Australian festival tradition.
Love is in the air
The Road Train was in Parkes, NSW, on Valentine’s Day to find love all around — and it wasn’t just for the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll during the Elvis Festival held there each January. Norma and Barry Garment renewed their wedding vows with the help of Elvis-impersonating celebrant Robert Steel. On another stop on the Road Train’s journey, The Weekly’s food team cooked up a storm in Mudgee, NSW, with the help of TV handyman Scott Cam.
Clown Doctors
The Clown Doctors use doses of humour to brighten the lives of sick and distressed children in hospitals. Clown Doctors bring laughter and fun to children during painful procedures, in the emergency room or in the wards. Smile Day on April 1 is the Clown Doctors’ major fundraising event and they’ll be joining the Road Train in Wangaratta. So come along and show your support.
The Clown Doctors will help us celebrate Smile Day from 11am to 3pm.
Paul Costa, one of the most popular country music artists from the Road Train launch in Tamworth, is joining us for the next two weeks. See him live from 10am-1pm.
10am to 1pm.
Join us from 9am to 4pm for Family Day at Lake Weeroona and take part in Australia’s oldest festival, the Bendigo Easter Festival.
Before the running of the Stawell Gift, catch all the fun and action on the Road Train between 11am and 2pm.
Don’t miss award-winning singer Paul Costa performing on the Road Train from 10am to 1pm. He’ll brighten up your day.
From 10am to 1pm, The Australian Women’s Weekly Test Kitchen will be hotting up with cooking demonstrations.
Take some time out for yourself with beauty makeovers on the Road Train, between 10am and 1pm.
10am to 1pm.
From 10am to 1pm, catch up on the latest recipes from The Australian Women’s Weekly Test Kitchen.
10am to 1pm.
10am to 1pm.
10am to 1pm.For more details on locations and times, visit our website at www.aww.com.au/roadtrain or email [email protected]
For more details on locations and times, visit our website at www.aww.com.au/roadtrain or email [email protected]
