Innholdsfortegnelse for January 2023 i Pick Me Up! Special

Perfect pups! Here are my two beautiful boys, Eddie and Bertie, after a long winter walk. We got them as pups, and they have been inseparable ever since. Mollie, Slough Little donkey Here is my daughter saying hello to this cheeky chap at our local donkey sanctuary. Despite the pouring rain we had a great time! I think she made the best of friends with this lovely boy. Joyce, Middlesborough Snug as a bug Here is my lovely dog Grace getting cosy on my favourite blanket after a muddy walk in the rain. It’s a good job she’s so cute! Andy, Devon Puppy love Here is my cat, Fred, and dog, Dave, watching the rain. Definitely not deadly enemies, they are best friends – if anything they’re united against the rain.…

What links The Twilight star Kristen Stewart with Hollywood superstar Richard Gere? To find out, solve the crossword then read down the letters in the shaded squares to find the four-word answer. ACROSS 1 Leafy, green vegetable (7) 5 Vandalous thug (8) 9 Huge, enormous (4) 13 Soup serving spoon (5) 14 Photo taken from a very short range (5-2) 15 Brutal, cruel (7) 16 Write in capital letters (5) 17 Bent down, as if to be knighted (5) 18 Brand of popular sportswear (6) 20 River or sea mammal (5) 21 Portable source of electric power (7) 23 Fairy-tale giant (4) 26 Optical glass (4) 27 Place for rearing plants (7) 30 Revolved in a pulsating way (7) 34 Letters taken by plane (7) 36 Repeat from memory (6)…

International Executive Coach of the Year and confidence & human behaviour expert, Jo Emerson, answers your questions. Jo’s new email course can help you build confidence – visit jo-emerson.com. Grab her book, Flying for Beginners, on Amazon. Find Jo on Instagram: @jo_emerson_ Am I jumping the gun? I really hoped that my partner would propose this year, he had been dropping hints about it all, which made me really excited. I’m 37 and really want to be married, should I bring it up? Gemma, Aberdeen YES Pick Me Up! reader Anne from Rye says: If you want to find out more then I think that you should – but you will have to be clever about it as you could end up spoiling something special. If you can, try to bring up the…

Scientists at the National University in Singapore have created a new gadget that allows them to transmit what sense over the internet. Solve the puzzle and read the highlighted letters from top to bottom to get the answer. ACROSS 1 Ache in a pulsating way (5) 5 Reverential fear (3) 6 Michaelmas daisy (5) 8 Our planet (5) DOWN 1 Afternoon meal (3) 2 Common rodent (3) 3 Be in arrears (3) 4 Parking place for a boat (5) 7 Small ocean (3) Your answer ________________________________ Answers on page 61 Crossword Page 34 Answer: TASTE…

INSTANT + APPOINTMENT  With Dr Deborah Lee, from Dr Fox Online Pharmacy (doctorfox.co.uk) School blues Q Now the new school term is looming, my son has become withdrawn and moody, and worried about going back to school. Could he be depressed? Helen, Yorkshire A In a recent school survey, an incredible 76% of children had symptoms of depression. Not wanting to go to school can be a sign of depression, and you are right to be concerned. Have you noticed any other signs, such as not wanting to join in with things, seeming sad, and/or eating or sleeping more or less than usual? Try and get him to talk. Find time to share an activity together and use this opportunity to ask open-ended questions. Ask what he would like to talk about, ensure…

Universal Letter Writing Week begins on 8 January – try this new hobby for yourself!…

January special Goodbye 2022 – hello 2023! While the celebrations of Christmas are over, don’t let the January blues creep in – instead it’s time to welcome in the new year with a bang! And let that positivity continue into January once the countdown is over. There’s no time to waste – and that’s something that Debbie and her hubby know all too well (pg8). After Mark walked into the bar looking like Superman actor Christopher Reeve, it was clear that he was going to be a superhero character that Debbie needed in her life. After tying the knot, they were met with devastating news. But just like their wedding song, they live by one saying – nothing is gonna stop us now! And that same courage was expressed by…

Popping to the sandwich shop on my lunch break, I ordered a cheese roll, a bag of crisps and a fizzy drink. ‘Oh, and throw the cake of the day in there, too,’ I laughed to the cashier. This was just standard practice during my lunch break, so the staff behind the till knew me well. With two girls – Abigail, 17, and Jessica, 14 – a full-time job and my husband, Stewart, 48, I had my hands full. So, I always opted for convenience over health – it was just easier. Only, I hadn’t always been this way. Before the girls, I had a fairly healthy diet. However, when I fell pregnant with Abigail, I just decided ‘sod it’. ‘If I’m eating for two, I may as well go…

Indulge this January with this delicious chocolate mousse dessert crafted by Costa Coffee. This recipe is sure to be a family favourite, adding a little luxury to dreary winter nights. YOU WILL NEED: ◻ 200g 70% dark chocolate◻ 2 tsp Costa Coffee Instant Coffee◻ 3 large eggs (separated)◻ 240g caster sugar◻ 300g cherries◻ Juice and zest 1 orange◻ 150ml double cream◻ 1 tsp vanilla paste◻ 6 cherries◻ Orange zest TO MAKE: 1. Add 125ml of boiling water to the instant coffee and stir until combined. Heat the chocolate and coffee in a glass bowl over a pan of boiling water until the chocolate is fully melted. Add the three egg yolks to the melted chocolate and coffee mixture and stir until combined. 2. Use a stand mixer or electric hand…

I knew Truffles was special from the moment I first saw her in September 2017. A teeny stray kitten, she’d been found sheltering in the car park of a church in Pennsylvania. I had to give her a home. What I couldn’t have guessed was that this little ball of fluff had a big purr-sonality! Nervous at first, if anyone tried to pick her up, she’d growl, sounding more like a lion than a kitty. But luckily she soon trusted me, my husband, Eric, 57, and our grown-up kids. As she settled, I noticed Truffles was super smart, quickly learning to sit and high five. So, I did a bit of research. ‘Apparently cats can be taught tricks,’ I told Eric. So, I taught her to fist bump, and jump…

Rushing up the stairs after school, I quickly shoved a load of dirty washing in the machine. Cracking on with homework and chatting to my friends, I soon forgot about it… Only to hear my mum, Jan, shout up the stairs a few hours later. ‘Who’s left their washing in the machine?’ she called. ‘Don’t forget to hang it up!’ Begrudgingly, I walked back down and hauled the load of washing up the stairs. ‘It’s not the fairies who clean, you know,’ my mum said, jokingly. Although at the time, I saw it as an annoying task, I didn’t realise that with something as simple as doing my laundry, my mum was setting me up for my future. She always kept a tidy home, and as me, my brother and…

SWEET TREATS We all know sugar is bad for your teeth, which means sometimes we need to avoid the sweet treats we love.  But there are certain sugary snacks that are actually surprisingly good for your teeth (spoiler alert – one of them is chocolate!) So if you’ve got a sweet tooth, don’t despair – Dr Khaled Kasem, chief orthodontist at Impress, reveals the best sugary food for your gnashers… Dark chocolate Eat all the dark chocolate you want! It might come as a surprise for a dentist to be encouraging you to eat chocolate, however dark chocolate is known to have many health benefits – and preventing tooth decay is just one of them. Not only this, but it also helps to fight the bacteria that causes the sugar…

Will you try Veganuary this month?…

The January blues will be sure to hit all of us in full force – but did you know that we can use our wardrobe to battle that down in the dumps mood?! Nick Drewe, trend specialist at WeThrift, has shared his thoughts on the latest movement – dopamine dressing, meaning if we wear clothes that make us happy, that our mood will be lifted, too! Try it for yourself and dress how you mean to go on… It’s in the details If it’s true that you can send messages with the way you dress, why not start out with a positive one? This can be done through personalising your fashion choices with various accessories. This adds more character and depth to your wardrobe, which in turn makes you happier…

Aries March 21st - April 20th So, family think they know what’s best for you, but you haven’t really been 100% honest about what you want. Would their advice be the same if they knew what was going on behind closed doors? Between the 11th and 20th the stars bring understanding. Use this timing to admit what and who you really want. Those you think will be most unsupportive are set to pleasantly surprise you, if you do my friend. Plans of travel bring about a life change that you’ve waited a decade for. This is your time! Ring now to hear more. Taurus April 21st - May 21st The full moon on the 6th reveals who you can trust and who has been making promises they cannot keep. You…

Finding Nemo Here is my wife trying to spot fish at Bristol Aquarium. Finding Nemo is her favourite film, and as a birthday treat, I took her to meet him. We had the best day! Michael, Portishead January equals a fresh start! What’s a New Year’s resolution? A to-do list… for the first week of January. The beauty of nature Here are some gorgeous stone statues I found while out on a walk. I was in the middle of the woods. It must have taken the artist hours to stack all the stones. Maybe it was someone a bit more magical… like a fairy or woodland sprite. Misty, Wexford Theatre fun I love watching shows, and recently visited the Wales Millennium Centre to watch Grandmother’s Closet. It was amazing, and now…

Plonk! I love a nice, cold glass of wine after work. To keep my vino extra cold I like to freeze grapes and add them to the glass. This way my wine stays chilled without being watered down by any ice cubes. Delicious! Chanel, Luton Health kick Since I swapped out my morning cup of coffee for a green tea, I found I have so much more energy. Its a much healthier lifestyle choice, and I don’t miss coffee at all. Sinead, Sligo Clip it To keep my wires neat and tidy, I use a claw clip to hold them in place. This means my wires don't tangle, and I get the appliance I need without having to weed through lots of different wires. Tim, Warrington Boiling point To stop…

This month… WINTER WEDDINGS With many couples engaged over Christmas, we may head into January unsure how to plan a wedding. Women’s clothing brand Dune, offers their top tips for the modern bride. Please visit: dunelondon.com 1 Do you have to wear a white wedding dress? It’s time to ditch the white wedding dress and come back to the OG wedding gown – a colourful attire that sparks joy and can be worn again. 2 What season is best to get married? If you wish to save on the cost, getting married during the low season, between November and April, is your best bet. Wedding venues, alongside suppliers, photographers, and even hairdressers, will have cheaper rates. You might have to make a few compromises on the wedding venue due to…

Changing out of my uniform, I let out a yawn. ‘I’ll see you tomorrow,’ my colleague smiled. ‘Yeah, see you then,’ I replied, wiping sleep from my eyes. It was 1 October 2019, and I’d just finished an exhausting 48-hour shift as a trainee nurse at the Royal Berkshire Hospital. Growing up in Leitrim, Ireland, I’d always dreamed of becoming a nurse. I loved the idea of being able to help people for a living. My parents, Patricia, 51, and Damian, 52, were chuffed with the idea, but worried, too. ‘Being a nurse is not an easy job,’ Mum said. Of course, she was right, but I had my heart set on it. And thankfully, after lots of hard work, I secured a place to study nursing in Reading, starting…

Whether you’re a korma queen or love to feel fire on your tongue, it’s no secret that spicy food has seen a boom in recent years. But why is chili on the rise and can adding a little heat to your meals actually have a bigger benefit? It looks like you may need some milk at the ready! DID YOU KNOW? Capsaicin is the chemical that gives chilies their heat and it’s found in the seeds of the pepper. However, some people have a receptor on their tongue called TRPV1 that cannot handle this chemical – that’s why some people are more sensitive to spicy food, it’s due to science after all! The Scoville Scale Did you know that chilies actually have their very own filing system?  Invented in 1912…

Why should we help? Fiona Jenkins, gardening expert at myjobquote.co.uk, says: ‘Many of our wildlife species are on the decline, especially animals such as hedgehogs, voles and shrews. ‘Residential gardens make up 29.5% of the total space in Britain’s urban areas – they’re havens for many species. ‘Not only do birds and mammals help to increase our connection with nature and improve mental health, but they also help control pests in an eco-friendly way.’ Beasty bingo How many of these critters can you spot in your garden? Invite them in! Start preparing for spring now, and help our pollinators out with these lovely garden buys from Coopers of Stortford… • Please visit: coopersofstortford.co.uk Create a haven So how can you look after all creatures great and small that make their…

Take a walk on the wild side with these home buys…

Picking up the colourful mini bricks, I helped my son Kylan, nine, follow all the instructions in his little LEGO book. ‘It’s looking good!’ I told him. ‘We’re almost done, Dad!’ Kylan said, admiring his latest wonderful, LEGO masterpiece. Kylan is mechanically minded and, instead of buying pre-assembled LEGO like most kids, he loves to follow instructions and even make his own cool creations from scratch. When we aren’t out on day trips to the zoo or seaside, or on outdoor walks, we’re watching LEGO movies on the sofa and building mini construction sites out of lots of colourful blocks. It’s just the two of us at home, and I’m lucky that we’re really close. In December 2019, we were planning to decorate Kylan’s room. He wanted it to be…

REAL CRIME Jeff made a tragic snap decision… It was date night for Jeffrey and Kathleen West and the couple had exchanged affectionate messages as they’d planned their evening. The pair, known as Jeff and Kat, had been married for 14 years but they still had time and passion in their relationship. They had matching tattoos on their wrists that read ‘4life’ and they would often sign off their messages with ‘12345’, which meant ‘I love you for life,’ or ‘123’ meaning ‘I love you’. Jeff and Kat had met back in 2004 and had married in Las Vegas the same year. They then had a 12-year-old daughter and lived in Alabama. Jeff was a security guard on a college campus, and he had also served 21 years in the…

Looking in the mirror, I adjusted the cowboy hat on my head. Now I look the part, I thought to myself, smiling at my reflection. I’d come with a friend on the holiday of a lifetime to Texas, and I wanted to fully immerse myself in the country and western culture in the cowboy capital of the world. Having grown up with horses at home in Kent, I really wanted to do the whole cowgirl thing properly. We planned to travel around the whole state – landing on US turf back in June 2016, we visited Austin and Fort Worth before heading to a traditional southern ranch in Bandera. The Mayan Dude Ranch was everything I’d hoped it would be. One evening, I was sat in the on-site saloon, sipping…

GENERAL KNOWLEDGE 1 In what year was the Chernobyl disaster? a 1985 b 1986 c 1989 2 Sofia is the capital of which country? a Romania b Estonia c Bulgaria 3 What’s the plural of moose? a Mooses b Moose c Shoal 4 Vanilla comes from what flower? a Honeysuckle b Orchid c Lily 5 How old do you have to be to stand for US president? a 35 b 18 c 42 SHOWBIZ 6 What does Gemma Collins call her alter-ego? a Gemma C b The GC c The diva 7 What is Lady Gaga’s first name? a Sophie b Sienna c Stefani 8 Who won Dancing on Ice in 2020? a Stacey Solomon b Ashley Roberts c Joe Swash 9 What brand designed Bella Hadid’s spray-on dress? a…