Now to Love

On the first day of every January, I rev myself up for the year ahead by resolving to be happier, healthier, wiser, slimmer, kinder, thriftier, more patient, more caring, more understanding, more selfless, more generous, more charitable, spend more and more time with my family … basically more of everything. And while I’m lying on […]

For ages. 5 years + Materials Pencils with erasers attached feathers tacky craft glue narrow sequined trim (available in haberdashery departments) small plastic eyes Step 1 Remove eraser from the end of the pencil. Squeeze glue into this hole and push the end of the feather into the glue and hold in place or rest […]

For ages. 4 years + Materials Coloured cardboard white paper pencil safety scissors craft glue felt pens Step 1 Enlarge our animal templates on a photocopier to the desired size. Trace and cut out to form patterns for your bookmarks. Step 2 Trace the patterns onto the cardboard in the colours of your choice and […]

For ages. 8 years + Materials Small wooden beads beading wire (available at selected craft outlets and beading stores) key ring attachment (available at craft stores) Step 1 Cut a length of beading wire about 20cm long. Using the pliers, form a 1cm wide coil in one end of the wire. Step 2 Thread 36 […]

Young children love small, inexpensive novelty items that they can buy with their own money – this trio of decorated pencils is just the sort of thing (and they’d also make perfect little prizes in a lucky dip). To make the Pompom Pencils spread the end of a new pencil with craft glue and wrap […]

Improve your longevity by eating what’s possibly the healthiest diet in the world. On some small islands of Japan called Okinawa you’ll find more centenarians than anywhere else in the world. But what’s most surprising is that they’re not just old, they’re incredibly healthy. In fact, scientific studies of elderly Okinawans have found they have […]

It’s easy to be confused about exactly how much a serving is. Here’s an easy guide to what one serving equals. Vegetables: 1 cup of raw, leafy vegetables or 1/2 cup of other vegetables, cooked or chopped raw. Fruits: 1/2 cup of chopped, cooked or canned fruit; 1 medium apple, banana or orange; 3/4 cup […]

1. Spice up your meals. You’ll eat less. 2. Bulk up your salads. Chop vegetables into bigger pieces instead of shredding or slicing. You’ll chew more and eat less. 3.Drink water before your meal to decrease your appetite. 4.Try a juice spritzer, instead of juice. Just mix half of your favourite juice with water or […]

With SUE MILLER who wrote The World Below, which features in the Reading Room in this The Australian Women’s Weekly this month. Q The difficulty of maintaining a good marriage is a theme in The World Below and other books of yours and obviously is a problem for many women nowadays? A There have been […]

For a unique yet festive Christmas decoration, make a gorgeous wreath. Hang one on the door, or make a few and hang them on the walls or around the garden. They’ll be the talk of the season! Materials 1 x wreath base (available from craft supply stores) 1 x hot glue gun 1 x hot […]