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Readers response: What is one holy grail item you always pack on a holiday?

When it comes to packing for a holiday, everyone has that one special item that they make sure they have packed safely. Sometimes that one must-have thing can mean the difference between a good and bad holiday. We asked our readers what their holy grail travel item is, and the responses were overwhelming. Here's what they said. Wendy Parsons - Small fold-up umbrella. Antoinette Devlin - Definitely my phone and kindle. Lorraine Lenthall - Gym shoes. June Debono - My bunny called Dude. I'm a Grandma and he goes everywhere with me. A well travelled rabbit! Anita Thornton - My down pillow! Gail Morgan - Champagne sealer. Helen Holt - My crafts! Sewing, crocheting and knitting. Sue Perryman - Vegemite. Kathie Kirsop - Ear plugs because you never know who’s going to be your neighbour. Meg Hallissy - A sarong. Very versatile! Felicity Jill Murphy - A torch. I always pack a torch that has fresh batteries in it. Sue Bailey - Lots! Phone, charger, knee pillow, head pillow (chiro approved), folding foot stool. Chris Ballard - Comfy shoes. Carol Hanson - Lots of books. Juliet Vance - Everything I can think of. Image credits: Shutterstock

Travel Trouble

Doctor shares her holy grail tips for overcoming eye sensitivity

As the chill of winter sets in, many people find that their eyes become more sensitive and prone to dryness. This can be particularly challenging for those who already suffer from dry eye syndrome. Dr. Jacqueline Beltz is a leading Australian Ophthalmologist and the founder of <a href="https://www.okkiyo.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">OKKIYO</a>, a beauty brand that makes PRIORITEYES mascara for people with sensitive eyes. Dr Beltz has shared her insights into dry eye syndrome and how winter can exacerbate symptoms, also sharing her top tips for managing eye sensitivity during the colder months. Understanding Dry Eye Syndrome The surface of the eye is covered by a delicate layer of tears, essential for comfort, vision, protection, and nutrition. The tear film comprises two main layers: an outer lipid (oily) layer and an inner aqueous (watery) layer. The lipid layer, produced by oil glands in the eyelids, prevents tears from evaporating too quickly, while the aqueous layer, consisting of water, electrolytes, and proteins, spreads tears evenly across the eye and helps them adhere to the surface. When the balance of tear production, evaporation, absorption, and drainage is disrupted, it can lead to dry eye syndrome. Symptoms may include redness, irritation, a gritty sensation, tired eyes, itching, excessive watering, and fluctuating vision. In severe cases, dry eye can be painful and significantly impact daily life. How common is dry eye syndrome? Dry eye syndrome is a widespread issue, particularly among older adults. According to the Blue Mountains Eye Study, 57% of adults over the age of 50 experience some degree of dry eye. This condition is notably more prevalent in women, with higher rates observed compared to their male counterparts. The increased prevalence in women is often attributed to hormonal changes, particularly during and after menopause. A more recent study, Optometry Australia’s 2022 Vision index found that over 85% of Australians are estimated to have experienced dry eyes at some point in their lives. Of those affected, 55% say they only developed the condition following the beginning of the pandemic in 2020. They reported that almost 1 in 5 (18%) of people experience dry eye symptoms frequently. These statistics highlight the importance of understanding and managing dry eye, especially as we age. DEWS II Study and Treatment Approaches The DEWS II (Dry Eye Workshop II) study provides a comprehensive framework for understanding and treating dry eye syndrome. According to the study, dry eye is a multifactorial disease characterised by a loss of homeostasis (or balance) in the tear film, accompanied by eye symptoms. Factors such as tear film instability, hyperosmolarity (increased saltiness), inflammation, and neurosensory (altered feelings or sensations) abnormalities play significant roles. There are two primary types of dry eye: aqueous deficient and evaporative. Most individuals have a combination of both. Aqueous deficient dry eye occurs when there is insufficient production of the watery layer of tears, often due to aging, hormonal changes, or certain medications. Evaporative dry eye is typically caused by environmental factors or conditions affecting the lipid layer, such as meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). Winter's Impact on Dry Eyes Winter poses unique challenges for dry eye sufferers. Cold, dry air, indoor heating, and wind can all exacerbate symptoms. Here's how to combat these winter-specific issues: 1. Humidify Your Environment Indoor heating reduces humidity levels, leading to increased tear evaporation. Consider using a humidifier to maintain moisture in the air, especially in bedrooms and living spaces. This helps keep your eyes hydrated. 2. Protect Your Eyes Outdoors Cold winds can strip away the tear film. When outside, wear wraparound sunglasses to shield your eyes from the elements. This not only protects your eyes from the wind but also from UV rays, which can be strong even in winter. 3. Stay Hydrated Dehydration can worsen dry eye symptoms. Drink plenty of water throughout the day to maintain overall hydration, which supports healthy tear production. 4. Optimise Your Diet Certain foods can promote eye health. Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish like salmon and flaxseeds, have anti-inflammatory properties that can help manage dry eye symptoms. Incorporate these into your diet for added benefits. 5. Use a Warm Compress A warm compress can help improve the function of the meibomian glands, which produce the oily layer of the tear film. This is particularly helpful for those with meibomian gland dysfunction, or MGD. Gently apply a warm, damp cloth to your closed eyelids for 10-15 minutes, followed by a gentle massage of the eyelids to encourage oil secretion. It is important to avoid rubbing or compressing the eyeballs. 6. Use Over-the-Counter Lubricant Eye Drops Artificial tears can provide temporary relief by supplementing the natural tear film. Choose preservative-free options to avoid further irritation, and use them frequently. 7. Remember to have regular eye checks In Australia, Optometrists provide our primary eye health check ups. Dr Beltz recommends adults over the age of 40 see their optometrist once a year, but if you’re struggling with symptoms of dry eye in winter, an extra check up might help and your optometrist will be able to help you to come up with an individualised treatment plan. 8. Invest in Quality Eye Products For those who wear makeup, using products designed for sensitive eyes is crucial. <a href="https://www.okkiyo.com/products/protect-and-preserve-mascara" target="_blank" rel="noopener">PRIORITEYES</a> mascara by OKKIYO has been specifically formulated to be gentle on sensitive eyes, avoiding common irritants while providing excellent performance. Managing Dry Eye in Winter: A Recap Winter can be tough on our eyes, but with the right strategies, you can manage dry eye symptoms effectively. Maintain a humid environment, protect your eyes from cold winds, stay hydrated, and incorporate eye-healthy foods into your diet. Regularly use warm compresses and opt for gentle, high-quality eye products like PRIORITEYES mascara. Dry eye syndrome may be a common condition, but it doesn't have to dominate your life, especially during the harsh winter months. With these tips, you can keep your eyes comfortable and healthy all season long. For personalised advice and treatment, always consult with your eye care professional. Stay warm, stay hydrated and take care of your eyes this winter! Image credits: Shutterstock

Body

"Holy crap that's rude": Inflight act sparks outrage

A woman’s “selfish” act has sparked outrage online after a Reddit user shared a picture of her mid manicure on a three-hour flight. The Reddit user who posted the photo also claimed that the strong smell of nail polish remover filled the cabin and many other passengers had asked her to stop, but she refused. “The flight attendant asked her after four of us asked her to stop and she didn’t, because by the time the flight attendant got involved she was doing the top coat,” the Reddit user wrote. Initially, the Reddit user said they did “the British thing” by glaring at the back of the woman’s head and “tutting loudly” in hopes that she would put it away. But eventually the passenger had enough of the overpowering smell of acetone and asked a flight attendant to intervene. Many other travellers replied to the Reddit post condemning the woman’s actions. “My brain can’t comprehend this level of entitlement and selfishness,” wrote one user. I love doing my nails, but I would never do them in such an enclosed space where people can't escape the fumes. Holy crap that's rude,” commented another user. “I would have been SEETHING. Imagine if people near her had asthma,” wrote a third. “I detest the smell of acetone and other chemicals used for the process of finger nail decoration. Headache within seconds,” commented a fourth. “Happened on a flight I was on; a flight attendant came over and shut that down within a minute for degrading the air quality,” commented another traveller. Another user questioned whether nail polish was even allowed in cabin luggage. “How is nail polish and nail polish remover allowed on a carry on bag??? Both are highly flammable and both give off ridiculous amounts of fumes,” they commented. A few other Reddit users didn’t see a problem with it and wondered why it would bother other people. “I didn’t see the issue at first ... I think nail varnish smells lovely, I’m just now learning that most people do not share my opinion,” commented one user. “I still don’t personally see the big deal, but I’m not particularly sensitive to chemical scents,” commented another. Image: Reddit

Travel Trouble

Pilot’s holy grail tips to overcome your fear of flying

A US pilot has shared her five top tips to help nervous travellers ease their pre-flight anxiety. The 32-year-old captain said there are a few things passengers can do, such as picking the perfect time to fly and selecting your seat carefully, to make air travel a breeze. The Boeing 737 pilot who calls herself “Captain Morgan”, said anxious travellers should always book a seat in the front of the plane. “Try to sit more towards the front of the plane,” Morgan said in a TikTok video. “You’ll feel the effects of turbulence less if you sit over the wing or towards the front.” She also said that flying early in the morning is bound to make a flight easier. “There’s usually less turbulence and airports and airplanes are less crowded, which gives you more personal space,” she said. For solo travellers, Morgan suggested a no-brainer way to distract yourself in the air. “If you can’t fly with a family member or friend, have someone on the ground you can text. Most planes have free texting. You’ll have someone for moral support and they can distract you from flying,” she said. “You can turn your phone to Airplane Mode but turn on the Wi-Fi. Then you text over the Wi-Fi with either iMessage or WhatsApp for free.” Morgan said you can mentally prepare yourself for what to expect by “learning the sounds the plane makes”. “Familiarise yourself with the sounds of the airplane,” she said. “For example, when you’re getting close to landing at the airport, the thud you hear is usually just the landing gear coming down.” Morgan said her number one tip for anxious flyers is to “introduce yourself to the flight crew”. “If the flight attendants know you’re nervous, they can check on you more during the flight,” she said. “If you go talk to the pilots, they can tell you a bit more about the flight. For example, if we are expecting any turbulence. Just ask the flight attendant in the galley if you can meet and talk to the pilots. It might not be a long conversation but we can still chat.” She added, “More than likely we will give you a tour of the flight deck and answer all your questions.” Image credits: TikTok

Travel Tips

Professional cleaner shares her holy grail products

A professional cleaner has shared her holy grail products, revealing what she would never use to clean with and what she would use for alternatives. The 22-year-old cleaner and business owner hit the cleaning aisle of her local supermarket to suggest swapping out some popular products for “better results” and to make cleaning “simple, cost effective and less toxic”. She would never use products like Ajax Spray N' Wipe, Windex glass cleaner, Easy Off soap scum remover and White King two-in-one mould and soap scum remover. The cleaner, who owns <a href="https://www.spotoncleaningsydney.com/">Spot On Cleaning Sydney</a>, first suggested swapping Ajax Spray N' Wipe for Morning Fresh washing up liquid mixed with water. She said that mixing a small amount of dishwashing liquid with water would produce better results on commonly used surfaces. She also said the solution works better than Windex to get glass surfaces sparkling without the need to buy different products. Her next tip was to swap Easy Off soap scum spray for Bar Keepers Friend, which is a 'better alternative for built up soap scum and water stains'. The woman also recommended swapping out White King two-in-one mould and soap scum spray for Selleys rapid mould killer for better, longer lasting results. Her followers were thrilled with the cleaning hacks, with one person calling her a “life saver” after following her cleaning tips. Another follower said, 'Yes! Dishwashing liquid is literally so great for cleaning so many things. Surface cleaners only leave residue when not wiped off after spraying.” Despite the flood of praise, others were concerned that using dishwashing liquid won’t have the same germ-fighting results as sprays. “But dish liquid won't kill surface germs like surface spray?” one woman asked. However the cleaner assures her it “absolutely” will, “after all it is designed to clean dishes and kill bacteria,” she wrote. Image credits: TikTok

Home & Garden

Catriona Rowntree shares holy grail travel tips

After 25 years gallivanting around the world as the host of Getaway, Catriona Rowntree knows a thing or two about travelling. She has scoped out every corner of the globe from Canberra to Canada, and Sydney to Spain, with the 51-year-old veteran travel journalist sharing some of her holy grail tips to make travelling a breeze. Catriona sat down with <a href="https://www.nowtolove.com.au/celebrity/tv/catriona-rowntree-travel-hacks-75162">TV Week</a> to share her hacks on flying well, packing like an expert and planning your travel itinerary with ease. When it comes to curing jet-lag, she says it all comes down to where you’re heading. She said, “Use your phone to find out what the time is where you're going to and plan your sleep according to that. The day you leave, go for a walk, and try to get as much vitamin D as you can.” “When you land, repeat that. Don't fall asleep until after 8pm, don't nap during the day, and avoid leaving your phone by your bed (the blue light isn't your friend).” After being a seasoned luggage packer, Catriona said the answer to perfectly packed bags lies in preparation, as well as simple trial and error. She says, “I prep a week before I leave: I add, I subtract, take nothing that needs to be ironed, stuff socks into shoes, stick to three colours and add a fold-out bag (like a Longchamp) in case I do extra shopping.” When it comes to carry-on bags, Catriona has a list of essentials she will never leave behind. “Wet Ones, a Band-Aid, Lanolips, a moisture spritzer, hand sanitiser (Bondi Wash), emery board, Panadol and magnifying mirror (Change Skincare has a light-up one), she said.” “For [overseas], I do pack extra knickers, deodorant, Clarins' Beauty Flash Balm, socks and Cetaphil wipes. Anything to avoid the cabin loo.” Planning your itinerary carefully is key to any successful holiday, with Catriona saying the best way to find hidden gems is through social media. “Go to Instagram, hashtag where you're going, see what's popular, what they're wearing and what's respectful. Then look up the weather app to see what temperatures you're heading into. Boom, your phone is key,” she said. Image credits: Getty Images

Travel Tips

“Less is more”: Skin doctor shares her holy grail skincare routine

A skin and cosmetic doctor has shared her holy grail skincare routine that focuses on a “less is more” approach for more mature skin. Dr Imaan Joshi, 49, only began her foray into the complicated world of skincare when she was 42, and now had refined her routine to work in her favour. Dr Joshi only cleanses once each day, uses a handful of serums in the morning and puts on hyaluronic acid and retinol before bed. Chatting with <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/beauty/article-11300931/Skin-doctor-shares-products-uses-face-everyday.html">Femail</a>, she admitted she prefers the “wash and wear” approach to achieving healthy skin. “You don’t need 10 steps or whatever to get the job done if you use targeted personalised stuff for you and stop following fads and trends,” she said. “Most of my patients are busy with hectic lifestyles. Keeping it simple means they’re more likely to stick to their routines rather than skip it completely because it’s too hard.” She also says looking after your skin isn't about “looking younger”, but rather about looking healthier. “I think my skin looks better but the goal is never to look younger. I’m not trying to pass as younger, that’s an unintended consequence if it happens, not the goal,” she said. As well as her five minute a day routine in the mornings and evenings, Dr Joshi also likes to do monthly laser and chemical peels, and an 'anti-wrinkle' treatment every three or four months. She also likes to do micro needling or have a deep hydration done twice each year. While she admits these treatments, creams and clinic visits can “all add up”, she says it's important to invest in your skincare the same way you would your physical health. Image credits: Instagram

Beauty & Style

Random man rescues abandoned bride

A bride running 45 minutes late to her own wedding after having her own transport cancelled was rescued by a random passerby. Marksteen Adamson was on his way to a friend’s reunion when he spotted the bride looking confused in the middle of the streets of London. He thought it would be great to record her crossing the road in her wedding dress when he noticed her gesturing to him. It was then he realised that he could help the bride, her sister and her friend to get to the church that was only 10 minutes away. "Was driving through London traffic to visit friends for a reunion lunch in South East London when I stopped at a pedestrian crossing and saw a bride looking confused and flustered,” Adamson said in his <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@marksteenadamson/video/7121252884393594117?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7070374670839465473" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TikTok</a> video. "I started filming as I thought it would be a great shot seeing her cross the road in her full attire. Then she saw me and started walking towards me and gesturing. “It turns out that she and her bridesmaid and team had been trying to order Uber cabs but three cabs had canceled at the last minute and she was 45min late for church. “Everyone, most importantly her husband to be, were waiting at Holy Trinity Brompton for her to arrive. "She asked if I could give her and the group a lift, and so they jumped into my Land Rover and I drove her to church. “In our short time together we had lots of quick short conversations about everything and got to know each other a little better and new friendships were made.” Adamson eventually found out the bride’s name is Anastasia, her sister is Alexandra and their friend is Paul. He also said that she tried to get him to hurry up as she was “late for church”. “After I dropped her off I heard the sound of the organ ring out and knew everything was going to be alright. It was a beautiful sunny day.” Images: TikTok

Relationships

Holy renovation: unique church conversion wows viewers

A true one-of-a-kind church conversion is now for sale in the bright inner-Melbourne suburb of Fitzroy. The asking price sits between $5.7 million to $6.2 million. Situated in the heart of the cosmopolitan locale, just minutes away from some of Melbourne's most desirable bars, restaurants and cafes, this property is a unique offering. Part of a boutique living complex that utilises the structure and the grounds of a gorgeous bluestone church, the residence spans multiple levels. Boasting three bedrooms, three bathrooms, one off-street parking space on title and a total footprint of 443-square-metres, space, this property is a once in a life time find. Occupying the entire top floor of the church and benefitting from stunning beamed, vaulted ceilings and stained glass windows, the living, dining and kitchen area is minimalistic, tasteful and bright. However, best of all is that one entire side of the church's tiled roof has been replaced with large glass panels, creating a mesmerising window feature that soaks up and bathes the space in natural light. Walking through an aperture in the creative window display leads occupants to an expansive outdoor timber deck that provides sweeping views across rooftops toward Melbourne's CBD. While the architecturally designed space is unquestionably the abode's crowning glory, it doesn’t stop there with the rest of the stylish pad ensconced in solid wood panelling throughout. Other benefits include a generous master suite that occupies the entire first floor, an elevated loft and plenty of storage space. Images: Domain

Real Estate

The holy grail tips to ensure you never miss your flight

After years of Covid-19 lockdowns, travelling is finally back! However, if the scenes at Sydney Airport last week are anything to go by, some travellers have lulled themselves into a false sense of airport ease. The return of both international and domestic flights has come with long lines, confusion and general chaos, posing the very real risk of missing your flight. Sometimes arriving at the airport early just isn’t enough, so here are some holy grail tips and tricks to ensure you never arrive late at the gate again. Try to avoid checked baggage If you want to shave precious minutes off your time spent during check-in, this one is a no-brainer. Just using carry-on luggage is a sure fire way to ensure you can glide through check-in with ease. If checking in baggage is unavoidable, try to keep everything to just one bag, saving time on weighing and checking in. Check-in online before arriving at the gate By checking-in online, you are cutting out a huge chunk of time. Everything is already handled and all you need to do is print your ticket (you can save even more time by doing this at the self-service kiosk). Travel to the airport via public transport Seasoned travellers know that traffic always seems to be at its worst when you’re running late for a flight. Avoiding airport traffic by using public transport systems is a sure fire way to cut down your overall airport time. It’s always worth checking your city’s public transport system to see if there is a direct route to the airport. Tell staff you’re running late Airport staff understand that running late for a flight is a stressful experience, and are always available to help if you treat them with patience and kindness. By altering the staff that you’ve been held up, they can help by directing you to a faster line or taking you through a different security checkpoint. Weigh your luggage before you head to the airport If your checked luggage is a few kilos over the weight limit, you may be held up by having to pull out items at the last minute. Weighing your bags before you make your way to the airport will ensure there’s no unpleasant surprises or excess baggage fees. Keep all your documents in the same place You’ll need to show your passport and ticket multiple times during the airport check-in and boarding process. To avoid rummaging through bags to find these valuable documents, keep them all together in a little folder or special compartment in your bag for easy access. It’s also a good idea to print off all your documents, rather than relying on your phone. We all know airport Wi-Fi can be spotty at the best of times, so having physical copies will make things easier. Think about your outfit To avoid getting held up at security, keep your jewellery in your bag until you clear through the metal detector. Having to take necklaces, earrings and rings off at the last second will only hold you (and everyone behind you in line) up longer than you want. Also, wearing slip on shoes will cut back time if you have to take them off to go through security. Image credits: Getty Images

Travel Tips

‘Holy smoke, what am I doing here?’: Maker Andrew shares his experience

In the latest episode of Making It Australia, the remaining Makers were tasked with inventing a large-scale device to solve a common problem. After wowing the judges with his chicken-powered alarm clock, Andrew was the next Maker to leave the show. The metalworking extraordinaire sat down with OverSixty to tell us about his experiences on the show and what he has gone on to do since. O60: What was the highlight of being a Maker? The highlight of being a Maker was to live and work with an incredibly talented, inspiring group of people for a long period of time. That is something that doesn't happen often in your life, and [I have] very strong, warm memories of it. O60: What surprised you most about your Making It experience? What surprised me most, I don’t think I was as prepared as much as I should have been. When I got there and assessed myself against the abilities of the other competitors, I was a bit intimidated because these people not only were great artists but had skills in all these other areas. And I thought, ‘Holy smoke, what am I doing here?’ And I said to them I’m the Volkswagen that snuck into the BMW car park, and [I’m] gonna get found out real quick. But I lasted longer than I thought. O60: On the show, you mentioned that you were formerly a booby trap instructor for the army. How did you make the transition to crafting and metalwork? That was one of many skills, many qualifications I had in the army. I was a mine warfare and booby trap instructor. I taught a couple of courses in the area, but my main employment was working with army tanks. But I did [work as a] booby trap instructor as one of my extra qualifications. Well, I got out of the army after 20 years. And then, as a 40 year old, joined the shire as an apprentice diesel mechanic. And I learned a whole lot of new skills there that I didn't have: workshop procedures and how to do things safely and they put me on a welders course so now I had some skills. And coming off of a farm we had 100 years or more … [I] had access to all these materials. And I now had a welder in my hand. So … just one day, the wife said to me, ‘Why don’t you go up to the shed and do something creative?’ and I built this cow. And I didn't think it was real good. But I took it down [to display] and no-one shot a hole in it or pushed it over with their ute. And someone said take it to an art show. Anyway, I did that and it won first prize. I couldn't understand how it would do that, because I didn't think it was very good. But the judges were academics out of Sydney and they saw something in it. And they gave me a fistful of money and my name in the paper and I thought, ‘This is alright, I’ll have another crack at this’, and it just flowed from there. O60: What’s next for you after Making It? Well I’ve got two basically completed public artworks in my shed that I’ve got to deliver, one to Maroopna, in Victoria and one in Jinjili, up the hill. I'm currently working on a fruit bat for a private commission. Next week, I'm jumping on a bus as a tour guide, touring the various public artworks I have in the region … and I’ve got the microphone, and I’ll tell them all about the artworks as we go around the district. O60: Making It posed challenges that saw you use a whole range of different skills and techniques, has it changed how you have gone about your creative practice since leaving the show? I’m now more open to try different things, and maybe mix what I'm doing with something else. You get into something and you're comfortable with it, you tend to stick with it, especially if it’s successful. But now I'm open to thinking about change and different things to stay in front of the game. O60: Last but not least, if you had the chance, would you do it again? If I knew that certain logistic problems were sorted, I would. Otherwise no. It's a once in a lifetime, amazing experience and you'd never be able to duplicate it a second time because it was the wonder of getting under the lights, and going to the city, and I'm a country boy and I hate driving around the city and it’s all those events all tied together [that] made it a once-only, amazing thing. I don't think I'd get the buzz out of it a second time. <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CUMFJGZpWbO/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CUMFJGZpWbO/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by David Andrew Whitehead (@scrapartoz)</a> </div> </blockquote> With only five Makers remaining, Making It Australia returns next weekend for another crafty episode. Image: Making It Australia

Home & Garden

The secret to the Holy Grail of hot chips

<div class="copy"> Perfectly golden, crunchy on the outside but fluffy pearly white in the centre, the perfect hot chip is a thing of undeniable beauty. The Belgians and Dutch know a thing or two about chips, but we do pretty well too – except for pubs that put the schnitty on top of chips. When that plate hits the table you know you’re in for a disappointing time. A soggy, mushy mess, it’s a waste of everyone’s time and money and quite frankly heads should roll. “Texture plays a very important role in why we accept or reject food,” says <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.deakin.edu.au/about-deakin/people/gie-liem" target="_blank">Gie Liem</a> from <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.deakin.edu.au/exercise-nutrition-sciences/research/centre-for-advanced-sensory-science-cass" target="_blank">Deakin University’s Centre of Advanced Sensory Science</a>. Gie is a legend who decided to investigate the perfect hot chip. Someone had to. “This can be cultural, for example, <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.japan-talk.com/jt/new/neba-neba" target="_blank">some cultures like slimy food</a>, while in other cultures that might be a sign that the food is off." "But we find that crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside is one of the texture combinations that is universally liked, and this is a key characteristic of good hot chips.” <h3>Crunchy is the Goldilocks of food textures</h3> This preference of crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside went back to <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4163920/" target="_blank">evolutionary factors</a>, ensuring humans were able to identify the right food to eat. “A lot of fruit and vegetables are crunchy on the outside when ready for consumption. When they’re too hard to bite into it means they’re not quite ready to eat and when they’re too soft then that means they’re overripe." "So in that way ‘crunchy’ can be like the Goldilocks of food textures, it tells us something is just right.” However, Gie says all our senses play a part in how we perceive the texture of food. “<a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.livescience.com/60752-human-senses.html" target="_blank">Sight</a> and <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.livescience.com/60752-human-senses.html" target="_blank">taste</a> all play a big part, and so does hearing the crunch. We consume food every day without thinking much about it, but there is a whole lot of science behind what we choose and why,” he says. <h3>The recipe for hot chip success</h3> So, what is a scientist’s perfect chip recipe? You gotta go for fresh fries to get the perfect crunch says Gie. He advocates celebrity chef <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.sbs.com.au/food/recipes/heston-blumenthals-triple-cooked-chips" target="_blank">Heston Blumenthal’s thrice-cooked method</a>. “People seem to be getting more serious about their chips…use fresh potatoes and take the time to cook them properly.” “That means starting by cooking the cut potatoes in water and then thoroughly drying them out in the fridge. Then fry them first on a low temperature, let them dry out again, then fry them at a high temperature before serving immediately for that super-crunch.” For those who are contending with the crowds at oval tuckshops, Gie recommends keeping an eye out for a fresh batch before swooping in. “It’s best to eat chips as soon as they’re out of the fryer or the moisture on the inside will start to come out and make the chips soggy.” “At sporting events the food outlets will make a lot of chips and they can sit there for a while. So if it looks soggy then it is soggy, use all your senses.” <h3>The fraught question of sauces?</h3> Once you’ve got the crunch right, it’s now all about what you put on top, and that choice might be influenced by where you are. “Sauce seems to be a cultural thing. While tomato sauce is popular here and in the US, vinegar is much more popular in the UK, mayonnaise in France, Belgium and the Netherlands, while it’s curry sauce in Germany, or gravy and curds in Canada." “While some of these seem to align with what we know about taste science – for example vinegar provides something acidic to cut through the fatty fries – they can also be counter-intuitive. Pouring on vinegar is the fastest route to a soggy chip.” Image credit: Shutterstock This article was published for <a rel="noopener" href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/asc-edits/the-secret-to-the-holy-grail-of-hot-chips/" target="_blank">cosmosmagazine.com</a>. </div>

Food & Wine

"Holy guacamole!!": Today Extra host tries avocado hack that REALLY works

<div class="body_text redactor-styles redactor-in"> A DIY avocado hack that's gone viral on TikTok really works, according to Today Extra co-host Belinda Russell. The hack shows a really fast and smooth way to remove an avocado seed. "Holy guacamole!! Saw this hack a few months ago and I finally got to "avo-go" to see if it works. 🥑🤯" she captioned the video. "I saw this on TikTok about a month ago, and I haven't tried it out yet, so let's give this a go," the 43-year-old says in the beginning of the video as she picks up half of an avocado with a seed in it. <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CRghPGODpg0/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CRghPGODpg0/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Belinda Russell (@belinda.russell)</a> </div> </blockquote> According to Russell, instead of using a knife, you put your index finger and middle finger in a V-like shape under the seed while cupping the back of the avocado with your thumb. Once you apply pressure to the seed, it should "pop" out. Many were impressed that the hack actually worked and appreciated the how-to video (which broke down the "pop" of the seed in slow motion). "Oh my, where have you been all my life. I'd have 10 fingers otherwise", one commenter joked. </div>

Food & Wine

Stir-fried curry of beef with wild ginger, snake beans and holy basil

Transport your tastebuds to Asia with this delicious and flavoursome stir-fried curry of beef with wild ginger, snake beans and holy basil. Serves: 4 Ingredients: <ul> <li>2 tablespoons vegetable oil</li> <li>500 g beef fillet or similar, cut into stir fry strips</li> <li>3 tablespoons Prik King Curry paste</li> <li>3 tablespoons fish sauce</li> <li>2 tablespoons dark palm sugar</li> <li>2 tablespoons water</li> <li>6 kaffir lime leaves, roughly torn</li> <li>1–2 tablespoons wild ginger (krachai), shredded</li> <li>200 g snake beans, cut into 2½ cm lengths</li> <li>1 cup holy basil (or Thai or sweet basil)</li> <li>2 large red chillies, deseeded and julienned</li> <li>Steamed jasmine rice, to serve</li> </ul> Method: <ol> <li>Heat the oil until smoking then add up to half the beef fillet. Stir fry over high heat just until the meat starts to colour. Remove the beef to a plate and repeat for the rest of the beef making sure that the beef does not stew in its juices. Once all the beef is cooked, put back in the pan with the red curry paste.</li> <li>Add the fish sauce, palm sugar, water, lime leaves and wild ginger.</li> <li>Stir fry until the sugar and fish sauce combine.</li> <li>Add the snake beans, basil and red chilli. Stir fry briefly, about 30 seconds, until the basil wilts. Transfer to a serving plate and serve with steamed jasmine rice.</li> </ol> Tips: <ul> <li>When stir frying quality beef over 300 g, it is best to stir fry in 2 batches, rather than risk ‘stewing’ the meat in the juices that can come out of the beef if the pan is too crowded.</li> <li>In this recipe, substitute the snake beans with green beans if you wish.</li> <li>Krachai, or wild ginger, is also called ‘lesser galangal’ andsometimes called ‘kachai’. This member of the ginger familygives a subtle spicy flavour and works well with seafood. Ithas a light brown skin and yellow interior. It can be difficultto buy fresh, but you can buy it pickled in brine. The bestbrand is called ‘Cock’ imported from Thailand.</li> </ul> <img width="185" height="210" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/34543/spirit-house_frontcover_hr_185x210.jpg" alt="Spirit House _frontcover _HR (5)" style="float: right;"/> Recipe courtesy of Spirit House The Cookbook by Helen Brierty & Annette Fear, published by <a href="http://www.newhollandpublishers.com/" target="_blank">New Holland Publishers</a>, RRP $49.99, available from all good bookstores or online. Have you ordered your copy of the Over60 cookbook, The Way Mum Made It, yet? Featuring 175 delicious tried-and-true recipes from you, the Over60 community, and your favourites that have appeared on the Over60 website, <a href="https://shop.abc.net.au/products/way-mum-made-it-pbk" target="_blank">head to the abcshop.com.au to order your copy now</a>.

Food & Wine

You can stay in this Queensland “igloo”

You don’t need to travel to the snow to stay in an igloo, you can just rent Louise’s <a href="https://www.airbnb.com.au/?af=61160407&c=apac_au_over60_auhomepage" target="_blank">Airbnb</a> property in Trinity Beach, Queensland. Offering an unconventionally rounded roof, the apartment is newly renovated and only steps from the coast. Wake up to the crashing waves and have your morning coffee looking at one of Cairns most pristine beaches. The space offers light and bright colourings with all the space you need, including a fully equipped kitchen and laundry. Scroll through the gallery above to see all the quirky images, and see the full listing <a href="https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/4371528/?af=61160407&c=apac_au_over60_QLD_Igloo" target="_blank">here.</a> Have you stayed in a rather interesting Airbnb? Let us know the comments below. Related links: <a href="/travel/accommodation/2016/07/converted-bakery-in-kangaroo-valley/">Stay in a converted bakery in the heart of Kangaroo Valley</a> <a href="/travel/accommodation/2016/06/waminda-wildlife-sanctuary-bus/">Stay in a wildlife sanctuary bus with Airbnb</a> <a href="/travel/accommodation/2016/06/airbnb-bubble-in-the-woods/">Stay in a bubble in the woods</a>

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Stir-fried curry of beef with wild ginger, snake beans and holy basil

You can stay in this Queensland “igloo”

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