Innholdsfortegnelse for September 2021 i Woman&Home Feel Good You

Welcome to Simply woman &home, where we have got that back-to-school feeling, full of exciting possibilities. In this issue, there’s something for all fabulous midlife women. Inspiring stories from those who have changed their lives for the better (p8), delicious recipes for each day of the month (p48) and advice for those of us approaching milestone birthdays when life’s road signs become trickier to navigate. We bring you our midlife personal stylists, tales of childhood and food from Raymond Blanc (p80) and we dream of travel bucket lists for a time when far-flung adventures can become possible again (p126). Perhaps you’re already appreciating this time of your life – and with more time and fewer responsibilities why wouldn’t you? But there’s always a tip or a nugget of wisdom that…

I’ve loved fashion for as long as I can remember and I’ve had my dream job for 44 years. I started my career at Jackie magazine as an assistant, then became a fashion editor, commissioning those fabulous illustrations and shooting covers and fashion. I even appeared on the covers myself. I studied fashion design in the 80s, and my collections sold in Joseph and Harvey Nichols. I’ve worked on some of the biggest-selling women’s magazines over the years and although I’m now 63 and a proud grandmother, I still love clothes. I’m very happy that the over-50s are having a ‘fashion moment’ and that older models appear in campaigns and in magazines. Anyone who knows me will testify that my wardrobe does not come from the ‘older aisles’. I’ve learned…

Once, not so long ago, when you reached a certain age, you were supposed to stop. Stop having fun, stop having sex and stop having great hair. If it was long you needed to cut it (past your shoulders was considered inappropriate, verging on immoral). And if it was short, it had to be sensible and sexless. Well, NO LONGER! Long hair is now an option. And a fabulous one. It’s swishy, it’s sexy, and it’s versatile – and incredibly flattering. Short hair is chic, sharp and can add an edge. You just need a style that suits you and your hair. ‘Extensions give me confidence and save time’ Charley Williams-Howitt, 43, Group Beauty Director I had really long, amazing hair up until I was about 16 years old, but…

‘When you cook, it should be an act of love,’ Raymond Blanc BEFORE WE BEGIN: 5 THINGS TO ASK YOURSELF Who in the house enjoys cooking? (Nobody said it had to be your job!) How often do we sit around the table together for dinner? Is my supermarket shop the same every week? Could we be more adventurous? Should we pay more for wine but drink it less often?…

Macaroni-topped mince You’ll find most of the ingredients for this hearty dish in your store cupboard and fridge. Serves 4 ✢ Ready in 1 hour 2tsp olive oil1 onion, chopped2 garlic cloves, crushed400g lamb mince400g can chopped tomatoes1tsp dried oregano1tbsp sun-dried tomato paste200g macaroni1 large egg150ml Greek yogurt60g cheddar, grated60g feta, crumbled YOU WILL ALSO NEED 4 small or 1 large ovenproof dish 1 Heat the oil in a large pan, add the onion and cook for a few mins to soften. Add the garlic and minced lamb, and fry for 10 mins, to brown it all over. 2 Stir in the tomatoes, oregano and sun-dried tomato paste, and cook for a further 10 mins until the meat is tender. 3 Heat the oven to 180C/Gas 4. Bring a large…

Aubergine caponata pasta A mouth-watering vegetarian dish packed with flavour for an easy supper. Serves 6 ✢ Ready in 3 hrs 10 mins 400g baby aubergines, quartered2 onions, chopped2 garlic cloves, crushed1 red chilli, thinly sliced2 x 400g cans tomatoes½ Knorr Vegetable Stock Pot2tbsp red wine vinegar30g black olives, chopped, plusextra to garnish30g capers, drained200g orzo (rice-shaped pasta)35g toasted pine nuts Handful of chopped parsley and oregano 1 Put the aubergines, onions, garlic, chilli, tomatoes, 1 x 400g can filled with water, the Stock Pot, vinegar, olives and capers into a slow cooker and cook on low for 3 hrs, or put them in a casserole dish with scrunched-up, wet greaseproof paper inside the lid. Cook in the oven on its lowest setting for 3 hrs. 2 Add the orzo,…

‘People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel,’ Maya Angelou BEFORE WE BEGIN: 5 THINGS TO ASK YOURSELF Who and what are you most grateful for? Do your closest people know that you love them? Are there bridges that need to be mended? What difficult decisions have you been avoiding? Have you given your health the attention it deserves?…

Change the argument It’s normal to argue; experts even suggest that it’s healthy! But you should always resolve conflicts with resolution. If you do argue, try to talk about the problem in a calm way. Tweaking your words can lead to a positive conclusion. Switch: ‘Why is our credit-card bill so huge?’ to ‘Can we talk about the credit-card bill? We need to work out a spending limit that suits us both.’ Worried you’re losing your temper? Explain that you’re going to leave the room and calm down before continuing. 5 WAYS TO ARGUE WELL 1 Respect their views: your other half is entitled to how they feel, even if you’re annoyed. 2 Prepare to compromise: nobody’s a winner if it comes to an argument. Sometimes, you have to give a…

Lifelong soul mates and childhood friends can be your rock in tough times, but don’t underestimate how important low-stakes friendships are to your wellbeing. A casual friend is someone who doesn’t demand too much time, energy or emotion from you. They’re an acquaintance, not a confidante, and they provide a feel-good boost each time you see them. 3 ways to nurture casual friendships TRY MICRO INTERACTIONS: The pandemic highlighted how much small interactions in our daily lives matter. A chat over the supermarket checkout or a chinwag with the postman can boost our mood, increase creativity and build resilience. BE OPEN: Having a wide circle of friendships and interactions opens us up to broader and more varied life experiences. Avoid making assumptions or judging others to give yourself the best…

Are you as flexible as your friends at yoga? Have you been putting off seeing the GP with niggles for years? Our midlife MOT plan combines health, fitness and mind tests to make sure you’re the best possible version of yourself now, which will benefit you in the years ahead. But don’t worry – if you don’t score as well as you would have liked, we’ve got plenty of tips and tricks to give you a boost both inside and out.…

BEGIN WITH YOUR ACTUAL AGE ∗ For every ‘A’ +1 ∗ For every ‘B’ +0 ∗ For every ‘C’ -1 ‘For optimum health, we should aim for a fitness age that is equal to or lower than our actual age,’ says wellness coach Michelle Brewster, founder of SupaChick (supachick.com). Here’s how to achieve it… SAME AGE OR YOUNGER Congratulations! Your regime is clearly working well. ‘High-level fitness is 80% diet and 20% training. Give yourself an extra boost by fuelling up with plenty of protein, good fats and complex carbohydrates,’ advises Michelle. ‘Challenge yourself. Set personal bests – and beat them – or enter an event. Keep your body supple by stretching before and after working out, and by using a foam roller to release taut muscles.’ + 1 TO…

‘Happiness is a place between too little and too much’ – Finnish proverb BEFORE WE BEGIN FIVE THINGS TO ASK YOURSELF Do you love your surroundings? Are your rooms filled with other people’s clutter? Is your home now too big for you? Can you afford to follow your dreams? Is there another adventure still to have?…

‘Oh, the places you’ll go!’– Dr Seuss BEFORE WE BEGIN: 5 THINGS TO ASK YOURSELF Where do you want to be in 10 years’ time? Are you ready (and equipped) for a new challenge? Have you ticked off your ambitions? Would you be happy (delighted!) to slow down? There’s a great big world out there – what’s really stopping you from exploring it?…

Midlife can be a time of opportunities as we rethink careers, consider new directions or plan for a retirement – enrolling on educational courses is a great way to update your skills, prepare for a new career or just re-energise your experience. It’s also a brilliant way to lift your confidence. Whether you want to earn a qualification, take a few classes or simply explore a new avenue, there’s plenty of opportunities available for mature students. And getting started is a lot less scary than it looks. WHERE CAN I STUDY? Figuring out where to study depends on your aspirations and your personal circumstances. Most universities will take mature student applications. The Open University is popular with older learners, thanks to its appealing flexibility, but other institutions are increasingly offering…

∗ COMMUNITY People are lovely. Instead of keeping us apart, lockdown and even isolation somehow brought us together, so continue to be kind. ∗ ME TIME We’ve had to slow down, which has meant time for self-care, or simply taking a breath. If you’re anxious, close your eyes, think of a happy place and breathe in deeply through your nose, counting to five; breathe out gently, again counting to five. A five-minute daily session is a great stress-buster. ∗ HUGS We all now appreciate the value of physical contact. Zoom chats will never replace a hug. Let’s not take one another for granted ever again. ∗ OUR NATION’S HIDDEN HEROES Remember, there’s no such thing as an unskilled worker – and we all need a bit of appreciation every once…

We’ve all had to learn to cope with change over the past 18 months. If there is anything the pandemic has taught us, it’s not just how capable we are at adapting, but an appreciation of the many things we can do. Making a fresh start can be a matter of surviving new circumstances, a liberating new idea or a small, fun, change like a new hairstyle, and everything that symbolises. Next time you ask yourself ‘Can I do that?’ take inspiration from novelist Margaret Leland who said: ‘As soon as you feel too old to do a thing, do it.’ DAWN FRENCH, 63 Think of our favourite comic and you think of her enviable, trademark dark glossy bob. Now, think again. Like many during lockdown, Dawn embraced the grey…

Dawn Gregory, 58, threw caution to the wind when, with no previous sailing experience, she bought a 36ft yacht. Now a qualified skipper, she lives in Uckfield with her husband Nigel, 65. It still amazes me to this day that I bought a yacht. I certainly never planned to. I hadn’t even sailed before. But I was at a stage when I wanted to try something new. I was 48, our children had left home, and although I still worked full-time as a qualified addictions counsellor, I felt lost at the weekends. My husband is sport mad and he’d spend many hours watching games on TV, but I felt I was just wasting time. On one of those weekends I took myself to Brighton Marina near where we live, and…

START WITH THE JEANS Find the right jeans style for you, and don’t jump on the latest trend. Stay away from jeans with a faded wash in the middle of the thighs, as that only adds inches. High-waisted styles tend to be more comfortable and give a better silhouette. You could try wide-legged styles, too – it’s nice to have a couple of great pairs in your wardrobe. It’s a ‘yes’ to double denim from me. Mix shades like black and blue, as shown here, and wear with pumps or trainers. Denim shirt, from £45, relaxed straight jeans, £65, pumps from £75, boden.co.uk COLOUR IT PINK Gorgeous blouses and tops will bring versatility to your wardrobe, paired with smart black cigarette trousers or jeans. I love the softness of pink…

A-list stylist Luke Hersheson gives the hairdresser’s low-down on going for the chop… ✢ Celebrate the hair type you’ve been given and enhance it. Curly, straight, wavy, wiry – your hairdresser is an expert so ask them what cut will work for you. ✢ Embracing change keeps your style fresh and interesting. It doesn’t have to be from long to short; a subtle tweak to your colour or adjusting where your parting lies can be just as impactful. ✢ Take in a picture and explain what you like about the style. Is it where the fringe falls, the texture, where the layers lie or the volume on top? ✢ The idea that long hair is feminine and short hair is for tomboys and older ladies is utter tosh. Hair can…

Spicy vegetable tagine Even the chickpeas in this recipe count as one of your 5-a-day. Serves 4 ✢ Ready in 45 mins 1tbsp olive oil2 onions, sliced2 garlic cloves, crushed2tbsp tomato puree2tbsp harissa paste4 carrots, peeled and halved lengthways3 parsnips, peeled and halved lengthways2 sweet potatoes, peeled and each cut into 4300g butternut squash,peeled, deseeded and cut into 2.5cm chunks600ml hot vegetable stock400g can chickpeas, drained400g can chopped tomatoes2tbsp chopped fresh coriander YOU WILL ALSO NEED a 2.5-litre(4-pint) flameproof casserole dish 1 Heat the oil in the casserole and fry the onions to soften but not brown. 2 Add the garlic, tomato puree and harissa paste and cook for 1 min. 3 Add the carrots, parsnips, sweet potatoes and butternut squash. Pour in the stock and season with salt and…

Chicken and chorizo paella A few cheat’s ingredients takes the hard work out of making paella. Serves 6 ✢ Ready in 45 mins, plus optional resting 4 chicken breasts, cut into chunks1tbsp chicken seasoning3tbsp olive oil2 red onions, chopped2 garlic cloves, crushed225g chorizo, sliced Juice of 1 lemon2 red peppers, deseeded cut into chunks2 x 175g packets saffron risotto rice (we used Riso Gallo Perfetto)1tsp sun-dried tomato paste3tbsp chives, chopped 1 Sprinkle the chicken with freshly ground black pepper and the seasoning and leave to develop, if you have time. When ready to cook, heat the oil in a large flameproof pan and fry the chicken for 5 mins to lightly brown. 2 Add the onions and cook for a few mins to soften. Stir in garlic and chorizo and…

Roast leg of lamb with sweet potato stuffing Juicy lamb is always a treat. Serving it boned and stuffed gives you even, attractive slices. Serves 6 ✢ Ready in 1hr 40 mins 500g sweet potatoes, peeled and roughly chopped1 can anchovies in oil, drained and finely chopped2 garlic cloves, crushed1tbsp finely chopped rosemary2½tbsp pine nuts, finely choppedA boned and butterflied leg of lamb (you can ask your butcher to do this), around 1.8kgOlive oil, for brushingButtered spring greens and newpotatoes, to serve YOU WILL ALSO NEED Some butcher’s string 1 Heat the oven to 220C/Gas 7. Bring the sweet potatoes to the boil in a pan of salted water; cook until tender. Drain and set aside to cool, before mashing. Blend the chopped anchovies with the garlic until smooth, mix…

In March 2020, Great Britain went into lockdown. The world was about to change. The coronavirus pandemic was here. Convenience vanished. Shopping for food became difficult. The culture of the sandwich at the office desk was no more. The shops that made sandwiches were closed, and offices with the desks were shut. Most of us stayed at home, though millions continued as ‘key workers’, and to them, we shall always be indebted. On my own, and in my flat in London, I would call my mum in France. A woman of less than five feet, she had never let her lack of height get in the way of a good meal. I think of her, a loveable, funny, little woman, quickly moving a chair from one cupboard to another in…

LIFT YOUR LEGS… TO TEST YOUR ARTERY HEALTH This test checks for peripheral arterial disease (PAD), where the arteries that supply the leg muscles become furred up and can cause high cholesterol, high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes. THE TEST Lie on your back on a bed and elevate both (bare) legs to a 45-degree angle on cushions. Hold them there for one minute, then quickly hang your legs down over the side of the bed at 90 degrees. If one or both of your feet or legs become much paler when elevated but take several minutes to return to their normal colour, or redden when hanging, you could have blocked arteries and need to see your doctor. HEALTH BOOST Exercise for 30 minutes a day, five days a…

We often think of spring as the season for tidying up the house, but September is a great time for decluttering your home from top to bottom. The kids are back at school, the teens are away at uni and, after a busy summer at home with the family, it’s time to banish the clutter and make a fresh start. If you’ve been working from home over the past few months, you may find you need to clear some space to make a more comfy home office area rather than trying to work in a messy makeshift space on the kitchen table. Being surrounded by clutter and chaos can leave you feeling anxious and stressed and, although knowing where to start can be a little daunting, once you get going,…

DID YOU KNOW? 9.61 million women were working full-time in 2020, and 5.88 million part-time. Women made up the majority of part-time employment (38%), compared to 13% of men*. Long gone are the days when women had one career their whole lives. Today, it’s normal for professionals to switch desks, moving up and down, through the glass ceiling and even sideways. Midlife is a chance for reinvention – an opportunity to step back and consider what’s important to you, and what you want to do next. If you’re feeling unfulfilled at work, have a think about what might suit you for the next stage of your life. You might want to improve your work-life balance, pursue a new career or ditch your job entirely. It’s increasingly common to turn a…

When 55-year-old Heather Kehoe’s youngest child set out for university, it was the push she needed for herself. ‘The flexibility of a part-time degree with the Open University felt like a small step towards reclaiming an identity outside my role as a wife and mother. After graduating with a 2:1, I then enrolled in a digital marketing course, before putting the skills I’d learnt to use launching heatherandhome, a Hampshirebased home interiors business. ‘It’s easy to lose a sense of yourself as a person when you start a family, but completing my degree reestablished my independent identity, and gave me the courage to start my creative online business. I’m loving my new busy lifestyle, and I’m excited about the future.’ BABY STEPS Dip your toes into mature learning with free…

∗ VOLUNTEERING From being a driver (taking people to appointments) or food bank coordinator to dog fostering and mentoring, volunteering is a great way to stay socially connected and maintain a sense of purpose. Use national volunteering database do-it.org to find a role that would suit you. It can also be a way of staying fit if you choose a physical role, such as conservation volunteering in your local park, woods or wetlands. Or join goodgym.org, where you walk, cycle or run around your local area to carry out community work, such as clearing gardens or helping an older person with household tasks. ∗ HOBBIES There’s endless choice. There are the more obvious ones, such as taking a ceramics course, but you could also learn to rock climb or scuba…

‘You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough’– Mae West BEFORE WE BEGIN: 5 THINGS TO ASK YOURSELF Am I making the most of this one life? Do I feel in control of what happens around me? Could I make things easier for myself and those I love? Have I tapped my potential? Am I really, truly happy?…

‘Fashion changes, but style endures’– Coco Chanel BEFORE WE BEGIN: 5 THINGS TO ASK YOURSELF How much me-time do I take? Is my wardrobe bulging with clothes I never wear? Has my hairstyle changed in the past 20 years? When did I last treat myself to skincare or make-up? Do I ever have days when I feel fabulous?…

TAILOR IT BLACK I’m a big fan of tailored black trousers that can be paired with flats and a tuxedo jacket for a very glam evening look. They will also work with a selection of tops – you could try them with a satin blouse or a silk leopard-print tee. They’ll never date, so are an absolute must-have. Cigarette trousers, £17.99, hm.com SOPHISTICATED STYLE A silk satin blouse will inject a bit of luxe into your evening look. Wear it with a suit, trousers or a pencil skirt. The price tag on this one is high, but you’ll wear it loads and it’s great to have something that will always make you look and feel 100% fabulous. Silk satin shirt, £110, purecollection.com HIDDEN LAYERS A camisole will come in handy…

Spicy chickpeas on naan bread A few simple ingredients make this meal a tasty alternative to standard beans on toast. Serves 2 ✢ Ready in 15 mins 227g can chopped tomatoes pinch of caraway seeds1tsp harissa paste400g can chickpeas in water, drained small handful fresh coriander, chopped with a few leaves reserved for garnish2 mini naan breads, toasted2tbsp low-fat natural yogurt½ red chilli, deseeded and chopped 1 Empty the tomatoes into a pan and add the caraway seeds, harissa paste and drained chickpeas. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 5 mins, stirring occasionally. 2 Stir in half the chopped fresh coriander then spoon over the warm naan breads. Top with the yogurt, chilli and the remaining coriander. Per serving: 330 cals, 6g fat, 1g…

Sriracha vegan hot dogs The ultimate fast food. These hot dogs have a spicy sauce to take them to the next level. Serves 6 ✢ Ready in 20 mins 1 red onion, sliced1 red, 1 orange and 1 yellow pepper, deseeded and sliced6 tofu hot dogs or other plant-based hot dogs6 vegan brioche-style hot-dog rollssweet mustard and ketchup for the spicy salsa: dash of sriracha hot sauce1 tomato, chopped1 stick celery, finely chopped200g ready-made tomato salsa 1 Heat the oil in a frying pan, add the red onion and a pinch of salt, and cook for 2-3 mins to soften. Add the peppers and cook for another 2-3 mins, until everything is soft. 2 To make the spicy salsa, stir the sriracha, tomato and celery through the ready-made tomato salsa.…

REDS A barbecue calls for a wine that’s big enough to cope with highly flavoured, marinated and smoky foods. This delivers juicy black fruits with hints of chocolate, and it’s as smooth as they come. Specially Selected Criollo Tannat, Uruguay, £6.99, 14%, Aldi The M&S Found range uncovers lesser-known grapes and wines. This smooth Greek red with its juicy black and red berries, a lick of red liquorice and herbs is just that – good with food or on its own. Found Xinomavro Mandilaria, £9.50, 13.5%, Marks & Spencer Yes, it’s Tuscan but not your classic chianti. Here, chianti grape sangiovese is blended with cabernet sauvignon for a full-bodied glassful of ripe plum and cherry flavours. It’s great with pizza or ragu, naturally. Taste the Difference Maremma Toscana, £10, 14.5%,…

Chicken braised with white wine and mustard Lapin à la moutarde is the dish of braised rabbit that brought a tear to my mother’s eye, and also made her smile. She’d cry because she loved the rabbit that went to make the meal she was eating. She’d smile because lapin à la moutarde – rabbit braised with mustard, white wine and tarragon – is magical. This technique of braising or one-pot cooking can be adapted to suit any meat, and has a wonderful sauce that is herby and gently acidic. As rabbits are kept as pets, I thought it best to share my recipe for chicken braised with white wine and Dijon mustard. Any of your favourite herbs and vegetables can be added. Serves 4-6 ✢ Prep 10 mins ✢…

Don’t lay blame. We can all point fingers when we’re hurt, but a much more productive solution is to talk about how you feel. Blame can feel like an attack, which leads to defensiveness. Nobody said it was easy! Pushing forwards with increased communication can feel awkward and forced, but the more you do it, the more natural it will feel. Stop banging the same drum Ever feel like you’re having the same argument again and again, without resolution? Being stuck in a rut when it comes to disagreements can make both of you feel isolated and resentful. There’s no easy solution; someone has to change their mind. A change of heart doesn’t have to mean ‘giving in’, though. If you’re stuck, consider the situation again and make a conscious…

BE HONEST: Understanding where you’re starting from gives you a better idea of how to fix your friendship. How did you end up here? ARE THERE ANY HURT FEELINGS? BE REALISTIC: Sometimes things simply aren’t able to be fixed. IT TAKES TWO TO TANGO: You might be keen to revive a friendship, but you both need to want it to work. If you’ve not spoken in a while, give them a call or send a text. No reply? They might not be interested. It’s important to accept their choices. CREATE NEW MEMORIES: It’s easy to slip into reminiscing about the past, but if you’ve struggled to keepin touch, it can be risky to dwell on the past. Reconnecting again When you reach out to an old mate through social media, it…

MOSTLY As THE OBSESSIVE You worry irrationally and obsess that the worst is going to happen. You can’t tolerate uncertainty and your anxiety gets the better of you. When you feel a worry coming on, write it down and go for a walk to clear your head. You’ll feel refreshed and more able to tackle it. MOSTLY BS THE AVOIDANT Instead of facing up to things, you shove them to the back of your mind and try to distract yourself – but the worries are like the elephant in the room and you can’t concentrate. Unfortunately, you never learn how to deal with worry healthily. You need to accept discomfort, and ‘be’ with your own thoughts. MOSTLY CS THE BACKGROUND FRETTER You know that worrying too much doesn’t make sense,…

Embrace the uncertainty of change Ever heard the phrase, ‘The certainty of misery is better than the misery of uncertainty?’ Deciding to change something feels scary because we fear the unknown. But when you accept that we have no idea what is going to happen each day, you then realise you cope with the unknown all the time. However challenging a period of change seems, it will eventually become familiar. Don’t fear the fear If you want to make a change but feel held back, make a list of your fears. Supposing you want a job change you might think, ‘I’ll never find someone else to employ me’, ‘I tried that before and I failed’, ‘I won’t be able to pay the mortgage’. Fear has lots of different voices –…

London-born EVE MENEZES CUNNINGHAM, 45, had never owned a garden before she made a life-changing move from a studio flat in Essex to the west coast of Ireland in 2019. Now, the Self Care Coaching founder and author of 365 Ways to Feel Better: Self-care Ideas for Embodied Wellbeing, can’t imagine life without mountains and sea on her doorstep. ‘I’ve always had an Irish passport, but I’d hardly ever visited and I didn’t have any family living there. I think a lot of people thought I was a bit delusional, but I followed my gut instinct. Having the sea and the mountains nearby were a priority. I made an offer on my house simply because from the doorstep you can see Croagh Patrick [mountain]. It was a big thing to move…