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In the mag – May 7, 2007

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On-Sale Monday April 30, 2007

  • Reese dumps Jake

Reese Witherspoon has dumped Jake Gyllenhaal after just two months.

  • Alec and Kim’s new custody crisis

  • Alec Baldwin has blamed his ex-wife Kim Basinger for leaking to the public an angry voicemail message he left for their 11-year-old daughter Ireland, during which he called her a “rude, thoughtless little pig”.

Plus: Alec Baldwin’s divorce psychosis

  • Camilla Parker Bowles’ son sticks the knife in

  • In this interview with Woman’s Day, Tom tells how he was much more interested in getting drunk and chasing birds than his mum’s affair with Prince Charles, how he still likes to treat himself to a McDonald’s cheeseburger every now and then, and the upcoming arrival of his first baby in October with his wife Sara.

  • 11-year-old sex change: ‘I was Tim, now I’m Kim’

  • In this week’s issue of Woman’s Day, we reveal how Kim, the world’s youngest sex-change patient, is now looking forward to the day she has the gender reassignment operation that will change her from male to female.

  • Adam Hills: ‘I’m no sex symbol’

  • Adam Hills is renowned as the Mr Nice Guy of Australian comedy. Men think he’s a bloke they’d like to have a beer with, while women simply want to have his babies.

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Princess Mary’s new baby joy – meet ‘Little Pigen’

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Princess Mary and Prince Frederik glowed with pride as they introduced their beautiful baby girl to the world last week.

Their tiny daughter arrived two weeks early on April 21, weighing a healthy 3.35kg.

“She’s been very good for her mother. Only up once a night,” said Mary, as she showed off her daughter. “I breastfeed her … and she has a very good appetite!”

For the full story and more gorgeous pics, see this week’s issue of Woman’s Day (on-sale April 30).

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A fiery affair

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Raymond and I were teenage sweethearts but we drifted apart and over the years I heard that he got saddled to a young country girl at 24. As for me, I was making a successful and exciting career.

Our paths met again at a corporate function and although looking a little tired for 27, to my eyes he was as hot as ever. We got along like a house on fire and I could sense he was also drawn to me. I pursued him shamelessly over the coming weeks and eventually he relented. It seemed that the fire and excitement I brought into his domesticated, mortgage-burdened life helped him experience some of the light-hearted fun of his youth and he got a completely new lease on life.

At another function six months later I met his wife Sally. Try as I might to avoid her, she naively took an instant liking to me, issuing a stream of invitations to visit her. I eventually agreed and although I was highly uncomfortable at first, over time I developed a real affection for her and no longer thought of her as merely some kind of sweet and innocent backwater girl, which she certainly was, but also as a woman of intelligence, generosity and strength. I saw the home she had created, her adorable children and how much Raymond doted upon her. I began to feel absolutely sickened with myself. Raymond, too, was maturing and coming to realise how childish he had been and that it was time to grow up before he lost everything that mattered. We ended our affair amicably a few months later, vowing never to let Sally know how we had betrayed her. My relationship with them both turned into a true and lasting friendship.

But tragedy ended their marriage after 15 years. Sally called me one night, sobbing that Raymond had been killed in a car accident. I immediately went to her and we cried together for hours. As her family lived far away, she had no one to help her, so I offered to stay for a few days. Aside from needing emotional support, it soon became apparent Sally didn’t have a clue as to the family’s financial and legal matters, as Raymond had taken all that upon himself. I said that I would look into all their papers and help sort things out, which would allow her to attend to her children.

One afternoon, when Sally had taken the children out, I came across some papers I never would have believed still existed — sexy love letters I had written to Raymond more than 10 years ago! Raymond must simply have forgotten about them. I was highly ashamed and became panicky. I had to get rid of them, and fast, as Sally would be back any minute. Sally was meticulously tidy so I neither dared hide them nor throw them into the rubbish. Without thinking, I ran downstairs to the kitchen and threw them into the stainless steel sink. I snatched the cigarette lighter from my handbag and began burning them. Things went fine for a minute or two, until the last letters sent a flame that leaped up into Sally’s filmy kitchen curtains. The whole lot caught fire instantly. I yanked the curtains off their rod and into the sink, burning my hands. I ran water all over them and managed to put those flames out, but parts of the window frame had also caught fire. I was desperately trying to pat the small flames out with my burnt hands when Sally walked in, pushed me aside, threw open a fire blanket and quenched the flames. She raced me to the bathroom and gave me first aid, before calling an ambulance. Before it came, I insisted on going back into the kitchen ostensibly to look over the damage with Sally but really to ensure that not a trace of a letter remained. Thankfully, that was the case.

I told Sally I had been smoking and apologised profusely, promising to pay for all damages. She wasn’t in the least concerned about her property, only about me. It had been an exceedingly close call, both for Sally’s house and for her memories of Raymond. I ultimately got burned for my behaviour, and deservedly so, but I am so thankful that Sally didn’t.

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Married or single: who’s healthier?

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Can marriage make you healthier?

According to the latest research, getting hitched improves your physical and mental health — if you’re a man, that is. In a study from the University of California which was published in the journal Cancer, researchers found that, compared with single guys, married men described themselves as enjoying better psychological and physical health and being more optimistic about their lives. The study also found that married men who had serious illnesses like prostate cancer recuperated more quickly and claimed to experience less pain and stress during their treatment. One of the study’s authors, Dr John Gore, explains: “From paying bills to eating better to going out more, life is less stressful when you’re in a happy and productive partnership.” Men with partners were also less likely to have unhealthy habits, such as smoking, drinking too much or eating too many fatty foods because, says Gore, “they’ve got someone in their corner who’s looking out for them.” Divorced or widowed men, on the other hand, ate fewer vegetables and more fried foods, drank more alcohol and had double the risk of suicide.

Are you planning to get hitched or is your relationship on the rocks? Check out this great online relationship guide.

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A cleaner, greener home

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Energy-saving lighting

Want to make your home more environmentally friendly? Here are our top 10 tips for energy-efficiency.

  1. Check your insulation

Proper insulation will keep you warmer in winter and cooler in summer. Choose biodegradable cellulose or wool instead of fibreglass or polyester. In winter, place draught strips around doors and hang close-fitting curtains over windows. Install awnings, eaves or blinds to block strong summer sun. For more ideas, visitwww.energysmart.com.au.

  1. Buy energy-efficient appliancesEnergyrating.gov.auwill tell you how many kilowatts per hour or year your appliances use. For example, combination units like CD-DVD players use less energy. Switch off appliances at the wall when they’re not in use. Hang clothes on a line instead of using a drier; this can cut greenhouse gases by about 3kg per load.

  2. Consider converting to solar power

Government rebates are available to people who use renewable energy systems: visitwww.ata.org.auandwww.anzses.orgto learn more.

  1. Replace standard bulbs with compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs)

These last 10 times longer and use 75 percent less energy. Avoid fittings requiring multiple bulbs.

  1. Maximise natural light

Put work areas near windows and install skylights or tubes in dark, poky spots.

  1. Put solar-powered lights along paths and driveways

Solar-powered lights don’t cost a thing to run.

  1. Take shorter showers

Fix leaking taps immediately. Never run a washing machine or dishwasher unless it’s fully loaded. Don’t use hot water if you can use cold.

  1. Update your hot water system

If you’re updating your hot water system, gas or solar are cheaper alternatives and produce half the greenhouse gas of electricity from coal-powered stations.

  1. Install at least one rainwater tank

New designs include flexible plastic tanks that can fit in tiny spots, such as under floors and decks.

  1. Buy water-using appliances with star or AAA rating labels

The more stars or As your washers have, the better. Visitwww.wsaa.asn.aufor more information. Install water-saving shower heads and tap flow regulators. A dual flush toilet cistern will reduce water use by one third. Most water authorities offer rebates for buying these devices.

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Walk those sneezes away

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Walking, a great way to keep fit

We all know that regular physical activity has a long list of benefits — enhanced flexibility, strength and energy levels, healthy weight management, improved blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol levels, better sleep patterns and decreased risk of lifestyle diseases. While researchers have always believed that fit people are also well people, there was little research on this available until recently.

Common cold and exercise

In a new, large randomised clinical trial published in the American Journal of Medicine, researchers found some evidence to support the view that regular exercise helps keep the sniffles at bay. The study on postmenopausal women showed that those who undertook regular moderate exercise (such as brisk walking) had about half the risks of getting colds as those who didn’t exercise.

While this is great news and more reason to get up and keep going in the colder months, researchers are quick to point out the limitations of the study, including differences in self-reporting cold, flu and respiratory symptoms.

Boost your immunity

As well as talking to your GP about a flu vaccination, you can also help ward off winter bugs by building strong immunity through the right diet. Go for these known immune-boosting foods:

  • Yogurts with abc cultures or probiotics

  • Three to four lean red meat meals a week for iron and zinc

  • Two fish meals a week, especially oily fish, with omegas or foods fortified with DHA omega 3

  • Adequate, but not megadoses, of vitamin C from kiwifruit, oranges, tangelos, berries and juices.

And last but not least, don’t forget the power of sleep. When you rest and recharge your body, you give your immune system a better fighting chance.

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Lifestyle tips to beat osteoporosis

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Milk, a great calcium builder

Bone up on calcium

The key to healthy bone habits is to ensure you’re getting your daily requirements of bone-building nutrients such as calcium. Most adults need 1000mg of calcium each day (roughly three to four dairy serves), with an additional 300mg for men over 70, women post-menopause and adolescents having growth spurts. Dairy products are an excellent source of calcium as they are convenient, offer many other important nutrients and contain easily absorbable calcium. The Australian Dietary Guidelines now recommend reduced-fat varieties for most people over the age of two as they contain less saturated fat and have higher amounts of calcium. If you are lactose intolerant, vegan or don’t like dairy products, there are many other good sources of calcium available, such as calcium-fortified soy, the edible bones in fish, green leafy vegetables and, to a lesser extent, some nuts and seeds.

Get enough vitamin D

The other nutrient important for strong bones is vitamin D, which helps the body absorb calcium. Vitamin D is found in egg yolks, saltwater fish, butter, margarine and fortified foods — especially dairy products like some milk and yogurt. But the best source is sunlight, so try to get a little outdoor exercise each day.

Keep a healthy weight

Pressure to be thin often leads to excessive dieting and eating disorders. This often results in a loss of menstruation and a diet lacking in calcium. Aim to be a healthy weight and if your menstruation ceases, see a doctor.

Exercise right

Exercise helps keep bones strong and reduces the chance of injury. Weight-bearing exercises (such as jumping, skipping, aerobics or netball) and strength-training exercises (such as pump or circuit classes) are the best types of exercise for strong bones. It is good to do a variety of exercises so that stress is placed on a variety of bones and muscles, for example, tennis players have more bone strength in their dominant arm.

Watch the calcium sappers

Too much salt (sodium), caffeine and alcohol are associated with decreased bone density and increased risk of bone fractures. Too much sodium in the diet can cause calcium to be excreted from the body, so it is important to choose low salt foods to help protect your bones. High alcohol, caffeine and cola/soft drink intake have also been associated with lower bone mineral density.

For great tasting recipes and more information on maximising your wellbeing, pick up a copy of the Women’s Weekly Cookbook — Wellbeing: Healthy Eating — Foods that Fight Back.

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Coping with treat cravings in winter

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Candy cravings

Do you find yourself craving comfort foods, especially sweet treats such as puddings, desserts and hot chocolate, in the colder winter months? While there’s no need to deprive yourself completely of enjoyable foods, you need a smart strategy to get through winter without any unwanted baggage. Here are some tips:

Control those portions

Sorry to have to be the one to break the news, but there is more than one serve in a pack of Tim Tams! Research has revealed that the portion or size of a package of food is a factor in how much damage you do when succumbing to that craving. Dr Barbara Rolls, a US nutrition researcher based at Pennsylvania State University, has widely studied this finding. In one study, participants were asked to pour out how many M&Ms they would eat while watching a movie. Those in the study selected about twice as much from a jumbo pack as from a small pack, resulting in a 1000-kilojoule difference in their intakes.

The best approach is to go for individually packaged, portion-controlled sweet treats or diet desserts. Even though larger packs can be more economical, research has revealed that you may end up eating 40-50 percent more. If you prefer to buy large packs, dispense them into smaller portions when you get home.

Portion-packed choccy choices:

Kit Kat 2 wafers (435kJ); Caramello Koala (410kJ); Bounty Fun Size (385kJ); Cadbury Freddo Frog (264kJ).

Make-it-last sweet treats:

Chupa Chup or Tic Tacs to suck slowly; or a Hot Jarrah Choc O Lait Drink to sip and sip and sip.

Delicious diet desserts:

Nestle Diet Creme Caramel (315kJ); Nestle Diet Trifle Flavoured Custard (278kJ); Weight Watchers Lemon Sponge Pudding (629kJ); Weight Watchers Divine Vanilla Ice Cream Cones (575kJ).

Hide them away

Research published in the June 2005 edition of Appetite journal investigated the old saying ‘out of sight, out of mind’ when it comes to food cues and cravings. Food cues include aromas like the wafting smell of freshly baked bread or catching a glimpse of that huge chocolate Magnum ice-cream on a bus ad. The results of the research confirmed that exposure to food cues reliably elicited strong cravings. Find a pantry hideaway for all your sweet treats to ensure they’re not staring at you every time you open the door — and when you bake a dessert for the family, make just enough for a sensible portion for all with no leftovers!

Keep moving

As well as a little more comfort eating, the winter kilo creep is also due to a general drop in physical activity. If you want to bake your pud and eat it too, you need to keep moving. Instead of facing a cold, wet, dark morning walk, move it indoors and invest in a gym membership, fitness DVDs, a treadmill or classes at your local pool.

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May on the Road Train

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Jeanne from Revlon works her makeover magic

Look out for the Road Train this month as we visit towns in Tasmania, Victoria and South Australia.

Capital day

On Sunday, March 11, we joined the Celebrate Canberra Festival to say “Happy Birthday!” to our nation’s capital. Highlights included Test Kitchen Director Pamela Clark’s impressive recipes and a fashion parade featuring the latest looks and accessories from Sussan, hosted by The Weekly’s executive style director, Jane de Teliga. The crowd got some great tips from gardening expert Jackie French on how to keep gardens looking lush during drought and Dr Helen Zorbas was there with an important message from the National Breast Cancer Centre. A spectacular performance by Cirque du Soleil was a perfect end to a fun day.

What’s on

Community spirit

At every town we visit, not only does the Commonwealth Bank offer financial workshops, but its Community Spirit initiative makes a donation to a local community group, based on the amount of tokens an audience member collects from the giant Community Spirit inflatable booth at the Road Train. So come and support your local group — the more tokens collected, the larger the donation!

Welcome aboard!

Hobart, Wednesday, May 2

10am-2pm: Come and see The Australian Women’s Weekly Test Kitchen in action.

Launceston, Friday, May 4

Join us at Agfest, organised by the Rural Youth Organisation of Tasmania. The Today show will cross live to Steve Jacobs on the Road Train from 6am to 9am. From 9am to 4pm there are cooking demonstrations by The Weekly, a fashion parade by Sussan, makeovers by Revlon and live entertainment.

Mornington, Friday, May 11

10am-1pm: The Road Train rolls into town for a morning of fun activities, including Revlon makeovers.

Geelong, Sunday, May 13

10am-2pm: The Road Train invites along mums and their families for a special morning of pampering.

Apollo Bay, Tuesday, May 15

10am-1pm: Don’t miss the Road Train in Apollo Bay on the Great Ocean Road.

Warrnambool, Friday, May 18

10am-1pm: The Road Train brings the pages of The Weekly to life with food demonstrations and Revlon makeovers.

Mount Gambier, Sunday, May 20

10am-2pm: The Cave Gardens host a day of community spirit and local produce.

Murray Bridge, Tuesday, May 22

10am-1pm: On the banks of Australia’s most famous river, Murray Bridge hosts a morning of activities on the Road Train.

Victor Harbor, Thursday, May 24

9am-3pm: Join us to celebrate The Cancer Council’s Biggest Morning Tea. The day will feature beauty and cooking demonstrations by The Weekly team, a Sussan fashion parade and make-up advice from Revlon.

Barossa Valley, Saturday, May 26

7.30am-9.30am: Come and see us for a feast of fine foods at the Barossa Farmers Market, Angaston.

Clare, Monday, May 28

Berri, Wednesday, May 30

For more details on locations and times, visit our website at www.aww.com.au/roadtrain or email [email protected]

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How to get the best pastry

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Apple pie

Question

I have a recipe that asks me to “blind bake” my pastry. What is blind baking?

Answer

Blind baking is a cooking term to describe baking sweet or savoury pie shells or pastry cases before the filling is added. If a filling does not need to be baked or is very wet, it may be necessary to “blind bake” the unfilled shell. Blind baking ensures that the pastry doesn’t become soggy and unpleasant to eat after adding and/or baking the filling.

To blind bake, ease the pastry into a pan or dish, place on an oven tray; line the pastry with baking paper then fill with dried beans, uncooked rice or “baking beans” (also called pie weights). Bake according to the recipe’s directions, then cool before adding the filling.

Pics: Rob Shaw/bauersyndication.com.au

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