Innholdsfortegnelse for July 2019 i Pick Me Up! Special

Quick thinking can be life changing. It was exactly what Gemma needed when she found herself trapped in a terrifying predicament (pg22). Thankfully, she had a hero she could rely on – turns out teens being glued to screens can be a good thing! Being spontaneous can also be a lot of fun, as Tracy found out when she discovered true love between Betty and Colin (pg49). Who doesn’t love a doggy wedding? We love animals and couldn’t help but share their special powers with you (pg12) as well as the clever ways you can bring them into your home (pg53). We are humbled by the bravery of Lucy (pg6), who has chosen to speak out about the betrayal she suffered at the hands of an uncle she adored. Sarah…

Waddling awkwardly behind the bar, my back ached and my feet were throbbing. Seven months pregnant with my second child, I was ready for my shift of pulling pints to end. But then a familiar face appeared and all my aches melted away. ‘Come sit down for a minute,’ he smiled, pulling out a chair. ‘Thanks, love,’ I said, easing myself down. It was 2002, and Daniel Dare, 37, and I were working for the same river cruise company. He was a captain, and I was working behind the bar. I was single but already pregnant when we’d met that summer, so I hadn’t exactly expected romance to blossom between us. But now it had, everything was slotting into place. Daniel looked after me and doted on my 18-month-old daughter…

A single mum who lost her intestine to a life-threatening condition has become Britain's first national beauty pageant winner – with an ileostomy bag. Model Rachael Kin, 29, was hospitalised for six weeks and had her large bowel removed after getting ulcerative colitis – an inflammation of the colon. Since having surgery, she has faced discrimination due to her appearance and felt isolated for a long time. But after winning the title, she wants to become a role model for other people with the condition. ‘I hope to inspire anybody struggling with body confidence issues,' she said. ‘If I can help to prevent one person from going through what I did mentally, then that for me is the real crown.' Rachael was training for the London Marathon when she was…

My mum Lesley, 58, sounded breathless with excitement. ‘Hurry!’ she gabbled down the phone, ‘I think Indy’s going into labour’ It was 16 September 2017, and I’d finished my HR job for the day. ‘I’m on my way!’ I beamed. Only I didn’t head to the hospital. The moment it rolled his way he was hooked I rushed straight home to the family farm where I lived with Mum and my dad Tony 60. You see, Indy was an American miniature horse! Running into the stable, I called the vet, as Indy seemed to be having a difficult labour. We also had a British miniature called Rabbit and a Welsh pony called Gemma. ‘If it’s a boy, we can’t keep it,’ Dad had warned. ‘It wouldn’t be a good idea.’…

This month... STAYING SAFE COOKING BBQS Flogas (www.flogas.co.uk), providers of gas for BBQ's, shares advice on staying safe when cooking alfresco. 1 Defrost Always defrost your BBQ food overnight in a fridge, rather than leaving it to defrost at room temperature. 2 Raw and cooked foods Ensure that any raw foods are kept separate to food that is ready to eat. Cross-contamination occurs when raw food touches surfaces and can lead to food poisoning. 3 Wash hands Always wash hands in hot soapy water before and after handling food to reduce the risk of cross-contamination. 4 Clean Clean any utensils, plates and chopping boards before and after cooking. Don’t wash any raw meat as splashing water contains harmful bacteria that could spread to your food preparation…

JAMMIE DODGERS JAM AND YOGHURT SNACKS, £1.39, TESCO. Under 100 calories, these new snacks from Jammie Dodger, have all of the flavour but less of the guilt. The shortcake biscuits are packed with their signature raspberry jam and a new yoghurt filling. TETLEY COLD INFUSIONS STRAWBERRY AND WATERMELON, £2.49, ASDA. Brand new to the fruit infusions range, strawberry and watermelon gives a glass of water a refreshing twist. Just drop an infusion into water and leave to infuse and fill with flavour. GALAXY DARKER MILK, £1.39, ALL MAJOR SUPERMARKETS Galaxy has blended its signature smooth taste, with the bold flavour of dark chocolate to create a new range of darker than milk chocolate. The range includes darker milk and roasted hazelnut. TILDA SUMMERY RICE SALAD, £1.59, ALL MAJOR SUPERMARKETS. New…

A stabbing pain in my stomach startled me awake. Screaming out in agony, I grabbed my husband Tom, 28, beside me in bed. ‘I need to go to hospital,’ I gasped in excruciating pain. He took one look at me doubled over.‘I’ll call an ambulance,’ he panicked. I glanced at the clock. 2am. ‘They won’t be here for a while,’ Tom said. Winded by another painful blow, I knew I couldn’t wait that long. Green gunk was inside me It was February 2012, and the first time I’d felt like this. Tom drove me to A&E, where I was ushered into a cubicle. The doctors ran blood tests. ‘We suspect you’ve got appendicitis,’ the doctor explained. The next day, I had surgery to remove my appendix. Only, once I came…

As huge arms wrapped around me, I was warm, safe and cosy. ‘How’s that for you?’ I asked.‘I feel so at ease,’ my cuddle partner said, softly nuzzling into my neck. It was lovely… Even though the man wrapped up in a hug with me wasn’t a boyfriend, partner or even somebody I knew… In fact, we’d just met. It was February 2018, my first-ever day as a professional cuddler, where I charged £60 an hour for people to embrace me. Strictly platonic, through the website cuddlist.com , I offered my services of spooning, hugging and snuggling. But the cuddled person has to be fully-clothed and agree to all my terms stipulated on the website. It wasn’t until August 2017, that I was aware professional cuddling even existed… Back then, I…

Perched on the sofa, I remembered the worried look on my parent’s faces. Then, the tears streaming down their cheeks. ‘You’re adopted,’ Dad explained, gently. I was only 7, but I understood what that meant. Though a shock, it didn’t change anything. I was their daughter. I remained close as ever to my dad John, then 46. My adoptive mum Norah had died, but I treasured Dad’s new wife, my step-mum Peggy, then 50. Still, it didn’t stop me wondering about my birth mum as I grew up. Was I anything like her? But, reluctant to hurt my parents, I buried my feelings. I married Kenneth, 20, in 1975, and fell pregnant within two years. Sadly, our first baby, also Kenneth, died from multiple health problems. Devastated, I instantly thought…

According to a new survey by Tetra, four in five Brits claim to feel under pressure every day, and almost half of us think work is to blame. Lack of sleep, feeling run down and general health are the top three things we suffer from when we feel anxious, and with the nation's favourite stress relievers often being alcohol and comfort eating, we need to find new ways to get rid of our work-related worries. Tips to help calm your work life include cleaning your workspace, giving yourself regular breaks, and introducing calming influences, such as leaving work, at work!…

The facts Across the UK, 13 million people are affected by hay fever and that figure is set to rise. The condition is at its worse from March to September when warm, humid and windy weather makes the pollen count reach its highest. It’s an allergic reaction to plant pollen, and often leaves sufferers sneezing, coughing, with a runny nose, itchy eyes and a headache. Asthma can make the condition worse and people who suffer from both can be short of breath and have a tight feeling in their chest. Types of hay fever There are two different types of hay fever. Seasonal hay fever and perennial hay fever. The seasonal type only happens at certain times of the year, when plants pollinate. In the spring sufferers are allergic to…

Standing in front of the mirror, there was only one part of my body I could focus on. My stomach. And I have to say that it wasn’t a pretty sight. It all started way back in 1994, when I’d needed an emergency caesarean while delivering my eldest son, Jan-Michael. My next three babies meant three more caesareans. After that, I was diagnosed with endometriosis, where the lining of the womb starts to grow on other organs. It meant that I needed to undergo two bowel surgeries and eventually, a hysterectomy. I’d also had surgeries to remove my appendix and ovaries. Shocking, I know. My poor tummy had been opened and closed more times than I even dare to remember. Unsurprisingly, the four C-sections left a large scar just under…

Throwing my arms wide, I reached out to my cat, Erik, for a cuddle. But instead of nuzzling up to me, poor Erik dashed off in terror. ‘Oh you poor thing,' I sighed. Needless to say, Erik had a rough start to life. Taken away from his mum at an early age, he became poorly. And what's more, he was meant to be a she! Back in 2017, my husband Malcom, 60, and I had found the perfect 12-week-old kitten online. ‘We'll call her Portia,' I smiled. ‘She's gorgeous,' my daughter Imogen, 16, said. Only, when Malcolm brought her home, she was tiny. ‘There's no way she's 12 weeks,' I frowned. A quick inspection revealed she was actually much younger – and was a he! The fraudsters selling him had…

Bathroom antics Get your kids to throw away empty loo rolls by making it impossible for them to wee before they do! Violet Webb, Cardiff Top beauty hack A handy tip I learnt from my mum - apply loose powder with a damp beauty blender. It sets foundation without drying out your skin. Miranda Lowe, Glasgow Clever decoy Hide your cash and debit cards in a sanitary bag when going away. No one is going to steal that out of your bag! Jackie Kelley, Poole Floral fresh Make flowers last longer by storing them in the fridge overnight when you first get them. Annie Hoffman, Truro Beach attire When going on a beach holiday, pack a sarong instead of a beach towel. They work just as well to dry you…

Out in the dusty desert of Iraq, swamped underneath my heavy Air Force uniform, the last thing I was thinking about back in 2004 was love. But when a convoy drove through our region, it brought with it someone who would change my life forever. ‘I’ll need to see some identification,’ I smiled to the handsome, blond man, so dashing in his uniform. Chris Small, 32, his ID tag read. As I filled out his paperwork, I felt Chris’ eyes on me, and I instantly blushed. Luckily, he had the gift of the gab, and my nerves dissapeared. I thought we'd be together forever ‘Don’t suppose you saw last night’s Liverpool game then?’ he joked. Oh no, I thought. He’s a Liverpool fan... But I soon put that minor issue…

Drinking cheap When travelling on a budget, every penny counts. Researchers at MyBaggage (MyBaggage. com), have put together the world’s first beer index, which shows the typical cost of a pint abroad. The cheapest pint of beer can be found in Vietnam, with a typical pint costing the equivalent of just 74p. However, if you’re looking for something a little closer to home, Romania, Hungary and Czech Republic are the runners up, with prices equivalating less than £1.30. So, whether you are seeking sun, sea, sand, snow, sights or cities the price of booze is a great way to gauge how expensive a destination is. Perfect packing Packing for a holiday is generally a very stressful task. Fitting everything in whilst sticking to the baggage allowance, often feels like an…

Reading through my young daughter Terneesha’s school report, I beamed with pride. From the moment she had set foot in the classroom, she’d thrived in her lessons. I knew she would. She’d always been bright, chatting away by the time she was one. Back at home, she’d rattle off all the names of her friends and tell me how much she enjoyed going to school. Aged just seven, she still loved her toys, too. Conjuring up stories with her favourite princess Lego characters, she’d disappear into a dream world for hours. I’d often catch her singing her little heart out to Disney classics. Last June, her favourite Disney movie - which kept changing – was Big Hero 6. Mother's instinct told me it was something more It was during that…

When the normal function of the digestive tract is disrupted, there are two surgical procedures doctors can do: an ileostomy or a colostomy. They both involve wearing a pouch to remove waste, which needs to be emptied multiple times a day. A colostomy is an operation with the large intestine, while an ileostomy is done to bring the end of the small intestine to the surface of the abdomen. Colostomy UK provides support and advice to anyone experiencing stoma surgery.Visit www.colostomyuk.org.…

Lying on their fluffy beanbag, paws entwined, my dachshunds Betty and Colin, were the picture of doggy domestic bliss. ‘Look at them!’ I chuckled to my hubby Jason, 49. ‘So adorable,’ Jason smiled. It was definitely love at first sight when I’d introduced Betty to Colin last March. Now 7 months later, they were inseparable, had such fun chasing each other on the beach, then curling up together for a snooze in their dog bed. We even held a hen party! A few days later, Jason and I took our sausage dogs for a bite to eat at the local dog café. ‘Their puppies would be gorgeous,’ I gushed, watching Betty and Colin canoodle over a bowl of gravy bones. ‘They’d need to get married first,’ Jason joked. ‘Sounds like…

Cook in bulk. It’s always a better deal to buy a bigger batch from the supermarket. You can also freeze a lot of it so nothing goes to waste. Let the supermarket decide your meal plan. Don’t go in with a list of meals you need to buy for. Instead, see what’s on offer that day and plan your meals around that. Bulk out your meals with vegetables. Finely chop onions, carrots and celery and cook them in with your meat. You end up using less meat, and it’s a lot healthier, too.…

GOLDEN GODDESS 1. Solait limited edition Express Mousse, £5.99, Superdrug The answer to all your summer prayers. This quick drying mousse can be washed off in just 60 minutes, giving you an effortlessly natural tan that smells like tropical coconut. 2. Sun Believable Highlight Me Bronzing Shimmer, £12.50, LD Boutique Packed with golden shimmer, you’ll be glowing this summer. Apply all over or on top of foundation, for a popping bronze highlight that’s sure to impress. 3. Milani Baked Bronzer, £11, Beauty Bay Created with its home heritage of Milan in mind, this Baked Bronzer is the perfect summer staple. The finely milled formula of this bronzer makes it easy to apply and gives you a streak-free golden glow. 4. George Cosmetics, four shade eyeshadow palette in natural, £3, Asda…

This adventurous Jack Russell loves nothing more than the feel of the wind in her fur as she travels on her owner’s Triumph motorbike - dressed in a dinky denim biker jacket. One-year-old Cookie belongs to avid motorbike enthusiast Dave Hall, 40, and his partner Deborah O’Neill, 29. With their other dog, Mojo, a Northern Inuit, getting a bit elderly, the couple decided that if they were to get another dog, it would need to be a smaller breed - so opted for a Jack Russell. The couple, who met through their love of motorbikes and soon discovered they shared a love of dogs, too, never imagined at the time that their pooch would soon be whizzing round Scotland on the back of Dave’s Triumph Rocket 3, with a 2300…

Waving from the window, I watched as my uncle, Ian Stephens, 53, drove away. I’d just turned 17 and, like every year since I was born, he’d made a special trip to see me – bringing presents and birthday cake. He lived in Bristol, almost 100 miles away, but he always made the effort to visit. And when he couldn’t make the journey, he was always on the other end of the phone, to offer advice and support. Ian and I had always been close. My dad’s brother-in-law, he’d come to the hospital for cuddles just hours after I was born. That moment had created a lifelong bond. I looked up to him and respected his opinion. And when I met my boyfriend Brandon in 2016, I couldn’t wait for…

Fitness first Keeping you fit is perhaps one of the most obvious benefits of owning a pet. From walking your dog to riding your horse, pets can help us all be a little more active, and in some cases, help us lose weight. Dogs are especially helpful when it comes to fitness, with dog owners being more likely to meet the recommended daily level of physical activity. Research by the University of Missouri in the US has even suggested that dog owners are more likely to have lower cholesterol due to those daily walks! Purr-fect health And it’s not just dogs that should be getting all the credit - cats can be beneficial to our health too. Scientists have found that owning a cat can help to reduce your risk…

Thai style whole roasted chicken Serves 4 1 chicken (about 1.5kg) 3 tsp grapeseed oil 80ml chicken stock 60ml apple juice 60ml light soy sauce 1 tbsp dark soy sauce 1cm cube of grated ginger 1 garlic clove, crushed 1 tsp white pepper 4 spring onions, washed and trimmed Steamed rice to serve METHOD: 1. Preheat oven to 200°C. Place the chicken in a roasting dish and brush with oil. Combine stock, apple juice, soy sauces, ginger, garlic and pepper in a bowl. Stir and pour over chicken and add spring onions. 2. Place the dish in the oven for 55-60 minutes, basting occasionally. Check the chicken is cooked by piercing the skin with a fork, if the juices run clear the chickens cooked. 3. Remove from the oven and…

Should I just walk away before it's too late? I’ve just started dating a man who lost his girlfriend five years ago in a car accident. I really like him but he talks about her all the time and I feel like second best. Should I stop the relationship before I get hurt? Grace, London YES Pick Me Up! reader Helen from Bristol says: It seems like he isn’t ready to move on. It’s great that he can talk openly, but he also needs to remember that you’re his new girlfriend and you should be his priority! Sometimes you need to put yourself first, and if you’re really worried about getting hurt maybe it’s best to end things now NO Pick Me Up! reader Jo from Reading says: You need…

As I pegged the last items on the washing line, I turned to watch my kids playing on the swing set. ‘Mummy, come and push us,’ my eldest son Pepper, five, yelled. ‘I’m coming,’ I replied. It was a beautiful day in my home town of Sherman, Texas. Even towards the end of September, the sun was still shining and it was so warm. I was in the garden with my three children, Pepper, Parsley, four, and Sage, two. My husband Blake, 28, was inside the house. We had a nice big front garden where the children could play, and it led onto a closed off driveway that stretched on for about 35ft. It was the perfect place for our kids to run around. ‘Higher,’ giggled Sage, as I pushed…

Throughout the summer, SSAFA are asking the Great British public to do what they do best – sit down and have a natter over a good cuppa. Like a brew, SSAFA is there to connect, comfort, and support our Armed Forces and their families, many of whom are in desperate need for a safe place to talk in their hour of need. The Big Brew Up campaign raises the valuable donations and awareness in order for them to continue to do this. Visit www.ssafa.org.uk/ bigbrewup, or donate £5 by texting BREW to 70085.…

Painful feeding Q I’ve been trying to breast feed my son but it hurts so much while he’s feeding and after and I’m wondering if I’m doing something wrong? Belle, London A If your nipples are cracked and sore I highly recommend the Rite-Aid Hydrogel Breast Discs (www. healthcare4all.co.uk) which are soothing and help heal the cracks. They  are a dressing that is simply applied to the affected nipple and healing occurs within hours. Your son may have a tongue-tie which should be checked by the midwife. Some tongue-ties are discovered in hospital but some are more difficult to diagnose. It's also possible that you have mastitis which is an inflammation caused by a build-up of breast milk and can lead to infection, which you would need to discuss with…

FOLLOW THE POSITIVITY It's not always easy to feel confident about your appearance. Unrealistic beauty standards are everywhere we turn and it's hard to live up to the expectation. But a growing number of women are choosing to ignore those ridiculous standards and are setting new ones of their own! Body positive Instagram accounts are on the up and aim to inspire women to feel happier in their own skin. Bryony Gordan (@bryonygordan) has over 100k followers and her Insta is a breath of fresh air. She's not afraid to upload non-photoshopped snaps, and you might remember her for running a marathon in her undies. Other accounts to follow include, @gracefvictory and @calliethorpe, who are both trying to redefine the way we see beauty. PET GROOMING MADE EASY! You might…

Whether it was through stunning photos on social media, or with heartfelt words on her own website, Karina Vetrano wasn’t afraid to express herself. The New Yorker loved to travel and party with friends, and perfectly posed pictures of the 30-year-old gave her followers a glimpse into an enviable lifestyle. But there was so much more to Karina than just beauty. She shared personal thoughts about her life online to help others, and her work as a speech pathologist for children with autism was an example of how she loved to give back. Karina was beautiful both inside and out. As well as being strong in mind, Karina was strong in body. Growing up, she’d had surgery on her legs and doctors warned that she might never run, but she…