Innholdsfortegnelse for Winter 2018 i Pick Me Up! Special

The bond between sisters can be a remarkable one – and even more so when they are twins. Natalie and Leanne (pg22) have been inseparable since birth, so it’s not surprising that they went into labour on the same day, too! Sadly, when the sibling bond is broken, it can be devastating. But Sarah (pg16) found an extraordinary way of celebrating the life of her sister Emma – even though it meant facing temperatures of -25C. This month we’re sharing the difficult journey Lisa has been on with her daughter (pg36). After finally falling pregnant with her daughter Jenna, she was devastated when she was born with cancer – but Lisa’s brave girl would amaze them all. Karen (pg18) wants you all to act after reading what happened in her…

Dressed in fleecy layers and thick thermals, I gritted my teeth to fight off the cold. After trekking for nine long days, I’d hiked 60km and 5,360 metres up from sea level, finally reaching the base camp of Mount Everest. I was exhausted. But, despite how tired I was, I couldn’t help but smile. ‘We made it!’ I cheered to my fellow climbers. But really, it shouldn’t have been me standing on that mountain. It should have been my sister, Emma, enjoying this moment. This was her dream, not mine. But, standing here looking out onto the stunning scenery, I could only hope that I’d done her proud. Just two years younger than me, Emma and I had always been close. Growing up, we spent all our time together, playing…

CURLING, SKATING AND SANTA – OH MY! It's all happening at the Lee Valley White Water Centre this winter. Head to London's 2012 Olympic legacy venue from 1 December to 6 January for a range of fun seasonal activities for the whole family. Get into the Christmas spirit on the venue's ice rink, this year introducing four ice curling lanes for you to get a taste of the winter Olympic sport. And for those wanting to pick up a few last-minute stocking fillers, a Christmas market will be open on 15 and 16 December. Of course, no festive day out would be complete without a visit to Santa's Grotto - take the kids to meet the man himself. They'll also receive a free gift! • See website for price details. • www.gowhitewater.co.uk…

Poor mental health affects half of UK employees, according to a survey by the mental health charity Mind. Poor relationships with line managers and workload have the biggest negative impact on employees' mental health, closely followed by poor relationships with colleagues. Despite this, only half of those with problems have talked to their employers about it. The charity has created an online resource for employers, with advice and training that workplaces can use to improve wellbeing. Go to www.mentalhealthatwork.org.uk.…

Calm your carb cravings The cold season ignites our cravings for comfort foods. Why? After consuming these treats, your serotonin levels rise, making your brain think you're happier. As the day wears on, your carb cravings get stronger. To counter this, try eating a protein-packed breakfast to keep your energy levels up. If you're still craving carbs later on, be sure to have low-fat and healthy snacks on hand. Spice up your life Onions, garlic, ginger and coriander are the perfect items to add flavour to your dishes. Not only do they make food taste great, but they also improve immune function during the winter. Turmeric in particular helps to combat a number of conditions, including heart disease, and it acts as a powerful antioxidant, too. Cook with mushrooms There…

A trendy pub is selling possibly the country's most expensive draft pint – that costs an astonishing £22.50. The Craft Beer Co, which has bars across the UK, sells pints of Speedway Stout for five times the cost of an average beer. But drinkers do get a bit more bang for their buck, because the US-brewed stout is 12% ABV. Per millilitre, the stout works out as more expensive than a bottle of luxury Belvedere vodka – which costs £45 each. A barman in the chain's Old Street pub said that the beer, which they are happy pouring as a third of a pint for £7.50, is pricey because of the ingredients. The beer, which is made in California by San Diego-based AleSmith Brewing Company, contains Blue Mountain Coffee from…

The Fakeaway Manual, £22.99, www.haynes.com For those who love to entertain, the book contains over 60 recipes to make takeaways at home. Joe’s 30 Minute Meals: 100 Quick and Healthy Recipes, £10, www.amazon.co.uk More than a hundred recipes that prove you don’t need loads of time to cook great food. MOB Kitchen: Feed 4 or more for under £10, £4.99, www.amazon.co.uk Ben Lebus proves that anyone can make delicious and easy dishes, all on a budget. Prue: My All-Time Favourite Recipes, £7.99, www.amazon.co.uk The legend Prue guides you through all her favourites, from simple suppers to dinner party showstoppers. Victory in the Kitchen Imperial War Museums (IWM), £6.99, www.iwmshop.org.uk A fascinating collection of recipes from the Second World War, showing…

Dashing about again on the school run, I hurried through the alley. Overgrown, with trees and bushes hanging overhead, it was like being in the jungle! It was April last year, and just like any other Wednesday. After dropping the kids at school, I popped round to see my granddad Ken, 87. Only, as he chatted away, I couldn’t concentrate. I had a strange itch in my right ear that just wouldn’t budge. Sticking my finger inside, I wiggled it around. ‘What’s up with you, love?’ my granddad asked. Then the itch stopped. That’s better, I thought. There was something crawling in my ear But, as we sat down for a cup of tea, it came back. It felt as if something was crawling around inside my ear… ‘Your ear’s…

Fibroids are non-cancerous growths that develop in or around the womb. Many women have fibroids and don't realise, as they don't cause any symptoms. If this is the case, no treatment is needed. If you do have symptoms, such as back pain or heavy periods, your doctor may prescribe medication to help you with these, or to shrink the fibroids. Women with fibroids can usually still conceive. A hysterectomy is usually only needed in cases where the patient has particularly large fibroids or severe bleeding.…

Gladys Ricart, 39, had dated Agustin Garcia, 49, for six years before they split. Gladys soon fell in love again, while Garcia obsessively stalked his ex. On September 26, 1999, Gladys was due to get married. Wearing her white lace dress, she posed for last minute photos at home and had just handed her bridesmaids their bouquets when Garcia arrived with a handgun. He shot her three times. The murder was caught on camera by the videographer. Garcia was sentenced to life. Every year since Gladys' murder, women take part in a 'Bride's March' in her honour. They wear wedding dresses to raise awareness of domestic violence.…

Making memories Over half of Brits bring back souvenirs from a short break, spending an estimated £75 million a year. And the most popular holiday keepsake? Fridge magnets! New research from Flybe, Europe’s largest regional airline ( flybe.com ), revealed that over 75 percent of people aged 18 to 34 bought at least one souvenir per trip, with Londoners sending more postcards than any other region. Other popular mementos include sweets, key rings, and hotel toiletries. The best excuse A survey by sunshine.co.uk  reveals that 22 percent of British travellers have made up a silly excuse for nearly missing their flight. A woman flying from Bristol to Gran Canaria told airport staff that she’d been watching The Lion King while getting ready to go,…

Tears streaming down my cheeks, I felt utterly heartbroken. It was September 2016, and I’d just had a miscarriage. My husband Kevin, 33, was devastated, too. ‘We’ll try again,’ he soothed. We’d been desperately trying for a baby for the last six years. Tests showed that we were both fertile. So in the end, we opted for ICSI treatment through the NHS. Similar to IVF, it involves injecting sperm directly into the egg. I went for my third ICSI attempt at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Glasgow in February 2017. And in early March, a pregnancy test came back positive. ‘Here we go again!’ I smiled nervously to Kevin. Happily, after a 17-hour labour, little Aoife arrived on 2 November, weighing 7lb 10oz. ‘She’s really here!’ I sobbed. She was beautiful.…

Gritting my teeth, I winced in pain as the doctor pushed my arm back into place. The bone had come out of its socket, leaving me in agony. But while most people would think this was due to a serious injury, like a car crash or a bad fall down the stairs, it was caused by simply lifting up the kettle… As strange as it sounds, this was normal for me. My whole life, I’d been in and out of the hospital getting my joints put back together after another minor injury. I first noticed that something wasn’t right when I was a teenager. My bones pop out of their sockets My joints had become painful and weak, and I was always twisting my ankles or injuring my knees. ‘It’s…

Sitting in the middle of the living room in his special bed, our bearded dragon was king of the house. My husband Adam,35, had put Top Gear on, and our lizard was watching it intently. ‘I think Wallace is enjoying it more than you are!’I laughed. We’d bought Wallace in April 2016 from our local Pets At Home store. I’d never been a big fan of reptiles, but four years earlier, Adam had begged me to let him buy a bearded dragon for his 30th birthday. ‘Go on then,’I sighed, after months of nagging. So Adam bought his ideal pet and called him Biggie, after the rapper Biggie Smalls. I was a bit nervous of the little scaly creature at first, but after a few days, seeing him grinning at…

Popping his head out of my handbag, little Cookie looked at the scenery. ‘We’re almost there,’I said, soothingly. It was a sunny, lazy bank holiday Monday last August. Me and Cookie, my new Chiweenie puppy – a cross between a Chihuahua and a dachshund – were driving to see Patrick, an old family friend. He lived a few streets away with his partner and son and I was looking forward to catching up with him. ‘Come in!’Patrick beamed, as we arrived. His son was upstairs in his room with his girlfriend. Patrick and I wandered into the kitchen, but just as we sat down for a cuppa, there was a knock at the door. Rolling his eyes, Patrick went off to see who it was. Alone in the kitchen, I…

Cassis Daiquiri ● White Rum ● Cassis ● Lime juice Add 50ml white rum, 25ml cassis and 15ml lime juice to a shaker filled with ice. Shake well and strain into a coupette. Garnish with mint. Espresso Martini ● Coffee liqueur ● Vodka ● Espresso coffee Pour 25ml coffee liqueur, 25ml vodka and 25ml espresso coffee into a shaker filled with ice. Shake and strain into a martini glass. Negroni Sbagliato ● Campari ● Red vermouth ● Chilled Prosecco Pour 25ml Campari, 25ml red vermouth and 25ml chilled Prosecco into a Champagne flute. Garnish with an orange twist. Elderflower Spritz ● Sparkling wine ● Elderflower liqueur ● Sparkling water Fill a Collins glass with ice. Add 60ml sparkling wine, 40ml elderflower liqueur and top with sparkling water. Stir and garnish…

1 Warm yourself first It’s easier to change your body temperature than the room temperature. Instead of turning up the heat, put on another layer of clothing. 2 Layer with thermals Invest in a few high-quality thermal pieces to wear under your clothes. A good thermal shirt and a pair of thermal leggings will keep you nice and warm. 3 Double your drapes Adding another layer of curtains makes a big difference in keeping the cold out. Black-out curtains work particularly well, as they provide better insulation. 4 Bubble wrap your windows Poorly insulated windows are a major culprit for heat loss. Adding a layer of bubble wrap to your windows as an insulating layer can work wonders. 5 Flip your fan Ceiling fans turn clockwise, pushing cold air down…

TOUCHING TRIBUTE To mark the 100-year anniversary of the First World War, Southern Rail, in partnership with The Royal British Legion, has installed commemoration soldier silhouettes at 19 stations across the Arun Valley region in the south of England. Working with community groups and schools, activities will be taking place across the station network – enjoy art exhibitions, musical recitals, historical photo displays, church services, as well as formal commemoration events with veterans and their families. Participating stations include Appledore, Rye, Chichester, Lewes, Christs’ Hospital, Pulborough, Billingshurst, Arundel, Ford, Bosham, Angmering, Worthing, Lancing, Salfords, Hove, Newhaven Town, Three Bridges, and Bexhill. ALL HAIL THE FACIAL FUZZ! Bowel Cancer UK are asking men to take part in their Decembeard campaign. Fellas will clean shave on 30 Nov and raise vital funds…

Every year, Dogs Trust, the UK's biggest dog charity, takes around 3,400 calls in the 30 days following Christmas from new owners wanting to give up their dog – that's over 100 calls a day. Some of the most popular reasons people hand back unwanted dogs include realising they were 'cat' people, the dog being too big, too fluffy, or not cuddly enough, or the dog scaring other pets, such as a goldfish. As we approach the festive season, Dogs Trust asks people to remember their famous slogan: 'A dog is for life, not just for Christmas,' and think about the pros and cons of having a puppy before getting one for Christmas. Visit www.dogstrust.org.uk .…

Am I being a mug? I forgave my husband when I found out he’d had a one night stand – and now he’s done it again. Everyone is telling me I should leave him, but I want to make my marriage work. Should I try one last time? Bethany, Nottingham YES  Pick Me Up! reader Olivia from Basingstoke says: You want to forgive him – it’s other people telling you not to, and you mustn’t feel pressured by them. If you can get through this and learn to trust him again, your marriage could be stronger than ever. But you must lay down more ground rules, as he clearly didn’t get the message the last time. This can’t happen again. He must prove that he deserves to be trusted again,…

Nervously pacing back and forth in my bathroom, I glanced at the plastic stick which was balanced on the side of the sink. ‘One more minute to wait,’ I sighed, checking my watch. My husband Antony, 40, and I had been trying for a baby for the last couple of years, but after suffering the heartbreak of a miscarriage, I was anxious. Then, when two feint little blue lines appeared on the pregnancy test, I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. After letting the news sink in for a few seconds, I ran to my bedroom and grabbed my phone – shaking as I dialled Anthony’s number. After a few rings, he picked up. ‘I’m pregnant,’ I whispered. The line went silent. I waited for Antony to speak, but…

Hearing the front door slam one afternoon, I knew my eight-year-old son Marcus was trudging in. ‘How was school?’ I called. ‘Mum, I learnt something really interesting today,’ he said very seriously, plonking his bag down. ‘Go on then?’ I said, kissing the top of his head. ‘Sometimes, when mummies and daddies have a special cuddle, this can make a baby,’ Marcus said very matter-of-factly. ‘That’s very good,’ I replied, trying not to laugh. My partner David, 41, and I had been told by Marcus’ school that his year would be having the birds and bees talk soon, so I’d been expecting this. It was a good thing that he’d learnt the basics, too, because, a few weeks later, I had some news. Sitting Marcus down at the table, I…

Tugging on the starter rope, the chainsaw in my hand roared to life. ‘Heads up!’ I called out to my colleagues as the powerful machinery sliced through the tree branch like butter. With just ropes and a harness keeping me in place, and climbing to dizzying heights, this certainly wasn’t a job for the faint-hearted. But I’d been working as a tree surgeon for 15 years. I was the most experienced on the team, scaling back a tree at a primary school in Hammersmith. And, at 60ft tall and 40ft wide, this tree was a beast. It was shedding its branches onto the playground below, and the teachers were worried about the kids getting hurt. The saw smashed into my throat I had four children of my own – Kyle,…

THEY SAY: Discover the new Impulse Body Mists range. Available in a variety of unique fragrances, just pop the top and spray where you want, when you want. The compact 150ml bottle is ideal for any handbag. YOU SAY: 'I really like the burnt marshmallow and leather jacket fragrance – it's cosy with spicy pink pepper, gooey marshmallow and vanilla. Great to use after a shower.' Mia, Essex WE SAY: We love the sweet smell of the burnt marshmallow, and the floral scent of the purple petals and smoky sky fragrance, complete with jasmine and white gardenia. Perfect for party season!…

PARTY TIME 1. Matte lipstick in shade Flame On, £3, George at ASDA Ink with attitude. This intense colour concentration, ultra-chic matte finish and flawless wear is ideal for party season. Comes with a precise arrow applicator for a smooth matte effect in just one stroke, creating inked lips that last. 2. Vintage & Co Fabrics & Flowers gel perfume, £5, Daisy Park The gel formula melts onto the skin, unveiling notes of orange blossom, sweet birch and gardenia blended with jasmine and rose on a base of coconut, peach and amber. The perfect size for your handbag, it’s ideal for your next Christmas party. 3. Autograph TAN gradual tan glow boosting droplets serum, £12.50, M&S Give your tan a boost with this self-tan serum, the perfect way to achieve…