Innholdsfortegnelse for December 2019 i Woman & Home

We’ve really enjoyed creating this special festive edition for you. The entire w&h team have worked tirelessly since July (yes, really) to bring you the very best of this magical time of year. My ambition was to create an issue that reflects the wide range of emotions we all experience at Christmas. From the uplifting tales of enduring friendship on page 64, to the challenges this season holds for so many in Bryony Gordon’s compelling depression memoir on page 76. Christmas for me is about finding unusual and affordable presents for my family. I love to watch their faces as they open them, and hopefully see their surprise and delight. If you’re still looking for some gift inspiration, I’ve rounded up some of my favourites, all priced under £50, from…

WE GIVE EACH OTHER PERMISSION TO LAUGH AGAIN JANNINE SILVER, 46, lives in Midgham, Berkshire, with her cat, Pijui. Her husband Howie, a technical director for BP, passed away at the start of the year. This year was supposed to be the one Howie and I started an exciting new chapter. In August 2018, he retired and we bought a motorhome that we named Aggy. We planned to travel all over Europe, starting in France, where we intended to spend New Year’s Eve. We never made it to France. Howie, then 57, went to sleep on Boxing Day and never woke up. I found him unresponsive in the morning. Howie was a Type 1 diabetic but it was well controlled until that night when he fell into a diabetic coma.…

To celebrate the launch of their new clinically proven and certified organic skincare collection, Neal’s Yard Remedies is offering woman&home readers a free Sensitive Comfort + Hydrate Micellar Cleanser worth £28 when you buy the Sensitive Restore + Smooth Serum and Sensitive Replenish + Balance Moisturiser, plus an exclusive 15% off all other products*. Specially formulated to allow skin to breathe, Neal’s Yard Remedies’ certified organic Sensitive collection provides pure, gentle and effective relief for dry, sensitive and reactive skin to help your skin look and feel its beautiful best. ✢ Dermatologically tested and approved ✢ Fragrance-free ✢ Alcohol-free ‘Light, soothing and effective. My skin hasn’t looked this good in years.’ Lorna, consumer trial participant for Sensitive Replenish + Balance Moisturiser PLUS RECEIVE 15% OFF ALL OTHER PRODUCTS** Excludes Sensitive…

Don’t forget to give yourself a little treat this festive season – add one of these shiny new fragrances to your wish list. Each boasts a unique blend of notes that set them apart from the usual ‘floral’, ‘citrus’ and ‘powdery’ fragrance categories. Yves Saint Laurent Libre, £78 for 50ml, walks the line between masculine and feminine, matching sweet floral notes with a cool hit of lavender. The heady Byredo Slow Dance Eau de Parfum, £110 for 50ml, is both honeyed and smoky, and if you make a point of avoiding girly scents you’ll be enchanted by this one. Banana Republic’s Linen Vetiver, £55 for 75ml, offers light doses of bergamot and water jasmine to create a fresh, comforting scent that’s perfect for everyday wear. The floral notes of Le…

1 The powerful vapours of this natural decongestant will help to clear a blocked nose. Olbas Oil, from £4.45, olbas.co.uk 2 Take a daily dose of this for antiviral benefits. Manuka Honey 70 MGO, £65, manukadoctor.co.uk 3 A drink to soothe headaches and muscles. A Vogel Echinaforce Echinacea Hot Drink with Elderberry, £6.95, hollandandbarrett.com 4 Supports a healthy immune system. Orange Effervescent Vitamin C, £6.95, healthspan.co.uk 5 For cold and flu germ-busting on the go. Cuticura Moisture Advanced Protect Hand Gel, £2, Boots…

Back in May, the World Health Organization officially recognised burnout as a medical condition, which is good news, seeing as 21% of Brits say they feel ‘burnt out’ most days**. ‘Burnout is the inability to cope with the pressures of modern life but symptoms stay the same over a long period of time,’ says nutritionist Rosie Millen, aka Miss Nutritionist. You could experience loss of appetite, dizzy spells, complete exhaustion and even lower back pain (around the adrenal glands). ‘The adrenal glands work extra hard to deal with stress but, over time, they simply won’t be able to handle the volume of it. This means they function less efficiently, which results in a wealth of fatigue-based symptoms,’ says Rosie. Unsure you have it? Then you probably don’t. ‘When you have…

THIS MONTH... Avoiding menopause weight gain • Christmas triggering anxiety • Mixing alcohol with medication Q For the past six months or so, I’ve been a bit tense and anxious, and on a short fuse, especially with my family. Now that I’m planning for Christmas, it’s getting worse, and after a couple of bad rows with my husband I need to do something. But what? A Your symptoms fit in with generalised anxiety disorder, or GAD. Our moods are controlled by several different chemicals in the brain, such as serotonin and noradrenaline, and a slight imbalance of these can lead not only to depression but also other mental health disorders, such as constant anxiety. GAD is thought to affect at least one in 20 adults in the UK, and is twice as…

Gluten-free figgy pudding We’ve made our traditional Christmas pudding gluten free, for everyone to enjoy. Makes 2 puddings (serves 8) • Ready in 4 hrs, plus soaking 500g mixed dried fruit 200ml brandy, plus extra for flaming 50g flaked almonds 270g pack soft dried figs, chopped 200g pack candied peel 100g dark glacé cherries, halved zest and juice of 2 oranges 1 apple, peeled and grated 6 eggs 200g pack shredded suet 1tbsp ground mixed spice 250g dark muscovado sugar 250g gluten-free bread, made into crumbs 175g gluten-free flour redcurrants and holly, to decorate double cream, to serve you will need: 2 x 1.2 litre pudding basins, each with a circle of paper at the bottom and greased; string 1 Put the dried fruit in a large non-metallic bowl, pour over…

CLOVER CLUB This cocktail is a lovely combination of gin, lemon and raspberries, plus the dry vermouth adds a layer of complexity and the egg white contributes a delicious creamy mouthfeel. The Clover Club has been around since the late 19th century and there are plenty of recipes out there. For all our drinks, we use fresh fruit wherever we can and this drink certainly benefits from delicious fresh raspberries. However, do taste them first as they can be quite acidic and you may need a touch more sugar syrup to help balance this out. 35ml gin – Bombay Sapphire 15ml dry vermouth – Noilly Prat Original Dry 25ml lemon juice 25ml egg white 17.5ml sugar syrup 4 raspberries glassware: coupette garnish: 1 raspberry Add all the ingredients to the…

The woman&home Diet by Jane Plan is the diet delivery service that provides you with meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner – plus snacks – all ready-prepared for you. We know what it’s like not to feel confident in what you’re wearing, which is why we’re here to help – and with a great money-off offer. Choose a plan that suits your weight-loss needs PLUS! WOMAN&HOME DIET SUPPORTS YOU ALL THE WAY with weekly email and telephone support to help you keep on track SIGN UP NOW & SAVE £25 Use the code WHP1219 at janeplan.com or call 020 3489 4770 *Prices quoted for the first month of the plan include £25 introductory discount. Not combinable with any other code. Post and packaging charges may apply. Offer operated by and…

BOOK OF THE MONTH The Tenth Muse by Catherine Chung (Little Brown) Katherine has always felt like an outsider in her community, both as the child of an interracial relationship and as a gifted mathematician. Guiding the reader deftly through her family history, Katherine’s own life becomes the ultimate puzzle as discoveries lead her to examine who she really is. A truly spellbinding read. LOVE ACROSS THE AGES The Stationery Shop of Tehran by Marjan Kamali (Simon & Schuster) Amid the political upheaval of 1950s Iran, Roya and Bahman find each other in the comfort of a stationery shop. Following a whirlwind romance they are to be married, but on the eve of their wedding, a violent coup d’état means Bahman never arrives. Remarkably, 60 years later, fate…

The Crown Olivia Colman takes over as Queen Elizabeth II for this third series that stretches from the 1960s to 1977. Tobias Menzies now plays Prince Philip, with Helena Bonham Carter as Princess Margaret and Jason Watkins plays pipe-smoking Prime Minister Harold Wilson. Netflix The King Head back to the 15th century as Timothée Chalamet plays Hal, the reluctant heir to the English throne, who’s turned his back on royal life. But when his father dies, Hal is crowned King Henry V. Look out for Robert Pattinson and Lily-Rose Depp. Netflix The Irishman There are Hollywood stars aplenty in this one-off post-war Mafia saga that looks at the disappearance of union boss Jimmy Hoffa (Al Pacino). Robert De Niro plays real-life character Frank Sheeran. Also stars Joe Pesci, Anna Paquin…

I love almost everything about skiing. The gloriously huge breakfasts and reasons to eat fondue. A winter stay in a hotel with all the bed-making and pillow-plumping that entails. The majestic mountains and the sparkling snowscapes. Sun on your face and blue sky overhead. ‘It’s a real pleasure to slide through the quiet forest and the twinkling snowscapes’ The only bit I’m not so keen on is… well, the skiing. All that rushing into slushy boot rooms, clomping around in uncomfortable boots, lugging ungainly skis and poles for miles to the piste, and then hurtling down slopes trying not to break your neck, while French toddlers overtake you, laughing and spraying snow in your face. I have long dreamed of a ski holiday without the skiing, but it never seemed…

EIGHT DAYS HALF BOARD FROM ONLY £1,079 PER PERSON* Selected departures April to October 2020 Over the past two millennia, empires have left indelible marks on Croatia. A fascinating blend of exotic history, Mediterranean ambience and natural beauty has made this a must-visit destination. Dubrovnik, with its famous marble-paved, pedestrianised main street, is a treasure, while the Dalmatian coastline is as dramatic as any in Europe. Steep limestone cliffs plunge into sapphire-blue waters, and just offshore, the Adriatic is studded with islands. Some tiny, some large; some inhabited, some not – but all are beautiful. Every location we visit on this tour is simply stunning. These landscapes cry out to be explored, offering visitors a blend of compelling scenery and engrossing places on a journey back in time. Your itinerary…

KATHY LETTE has written 14 novels, including Puberty Blues and How to Kill Your Husband (and Other Handy Household Hints). Her latest is Best Laid Plans. She writes a letter to Father Christmas on p44. Your favourite Christmas tradition? For my large and loving Australian family, sun worship is a religion. Christmas Day starts with a surf and a sunbathe, then a poolside barbecue. We also kick- start lunch with a vineyard’s worth of Champagne. Why should Rudolph be the only one with a red nose? Author KATIE FFORDE has been a porter in an auction house, tried pottery, refurbished furniture and been on a Ray Mears survival course. She believes falling in love is the best thing in the world, and she wants all her characters to experience it,…

Sophisticated SPARKLE Highlight your assets and play down problem areas with clever placing of sequins. For all-over shimmer, a shift dress in sequin fabric will skim over the stomach – go a size up for a more relaxed fit. STYLE TIP Try a longline blazer if you prefer to cover your hips The cold SHOULDER Flash a little flesh with off-the-shoulder styles that reveal a toned top half while keeping your arms covered. Or try the asymmetric sleeve trend – your exposed arm will appear longer, creating a clean line from your neck to your wrist. STYLE TIP Sheer fabrics show just a hint of skin Undercover ARMS Disguise and flatter upper arms with fluted sleeves that fall just above the elbow. Creating a cape-like effect, they won’t cling or…

A DECEMBER DATE JULIA MOWBRAY, 45, lives in Newcastle with son Max, 10, while Matthew Williams, 45, is dad to Gracie, 11, and son Gabe, eight. They met last Christmas through online dating. Last Christmas was the loneliest of my life. Following my divorce, I had spent a year on the dating scene and I was exhausted and disillusioned. I must have gone on over 100 dates during that time and had given up on the idea of ever meeting anyone with whom to have a meaningful, lasting relationship – let alone a man with whom I could plan my future. I’d tried all the online dating sites but there was never any chemistry and some of the dates were disastrous: there was the date who took me out to…

With the party season fast approaching, woman&home has teamed up with Hobbs to bring you an exclusive 20%* discount this November. Master the art of dressing up with the new season collection. From hand-painted prints to opulent fabrics and contemporary silhouettes, you’ll be inspired for all your Christmas and festive season outfits. HOW TO REDEEM Simply visit hobbs.com and use code WH20 at checkout or show this page in store. TERMS & CONDITIONS *20% discount available on full-priced purchases from 1-30 November 2019. Valid at participating stores, exclusions apply. To see the full terms and conditions, visit hobbs.com/terms…

Feel body confident When you’ve been hibernating in layers for months, suddenly baring your legs, or any flesh at all, can be daunting. Paleness, veins, bruises and mottled skin can all be disguised with good self-tan. The night before your event, apply Coco & Eve Sunny Honey Bali Bronzing Foam, £29.90, with the Soft Velvet Mitt, £12. Wash it off after two hours, go to bed clean and smelling like tropical fruit, then wake up with a light, healthy glow. If you don’t have time for gradual tanning, body make-up can be applied in minutes, then washed off with soapy water when the party’s over. The most reliable, realistic and transfer-proof are Vita Liberata Body Blur, £29.95, and Alleven Colour Shield, £38. Fake a glow It’s tempting to compensate for…

Cheese isn’t necessarily the health demon we often think it is. ‘Despite its negative reputation, cheese has many crucial nutrients,’ says nutrition consultant Sana Khan. Here are some of the reasons to say yes to cheese. Cheese and weight loss ‘Softer cheeses like cottage cheese are low in fat and have a substantial amount of protein,’ says Sana. Protein is both satiating and stabilises blood sugar levels. ‘By balancing them, insulin production is minimised, supporting healthy weight management,’ she adds. Feta, halloumi, cottage cheese and quark are best. Good for your gut Thanks to strains of good bacteria, aged and blue cheeses enrich your gut flora. ‘There is evidence that fermented cheeses contain probiotics,’ says Sana. These help immunity, digestion and vitamin production. The best ones to pick are Gouda,…

Busy lives mean everyone feels exhausted at times. But when the feeling is constant, it could be fatigue you’re experiencing, which has the potential to be a lot more damaging. ‘Fatigue could be a sign of a medical issue, such as depression, and can impair daily life,’ says GP Dr Riccardo Di Cuffa. Here’s how to tell the difference to get the right help… ✢ SLEEPY VS FATIGUED ‘Being fatigued is not the same as feeling sleepy,’ says Stephanie Romiszewski, sleep physiologist. ‘Being sleepy at the right times is actually good for you.’ The easiest way to tell if you’re fatigued is to see if you actually need to sleep. ‘Ask yourself if you’re able to nod off right now,’ says Stephanie. ‘If you can’t, you may have fatigue, which…

1 Practise self-care. ‘Ensure you’re having enough sleep, rest, exercise and nutrients in your diet, and check whether you’re drinking too much alcohol or caffeine,’ says Dr Goyal. Although 50% of Brits turn to unhealthy foods to make themselves feel better**, choose broccoli, kale, spinach, watercress and rocket – they’re all packed with iron, which can help combat tiredness. 2 Get outside for a walk. ‘Improve how you use your day. A good quality wake time will build up a strong sense of sleepiness,’ says Stephanie. Plus, a regular sleep routine can help. ‘Our bodies need consistency,’ she adds. 3 Try a herbal cure. A South Korean study found panax ginseng helps aid fatigue. We like Potter’s Herbals Energise Tonic, £16.20, amazon.co.uk…

1 STOCK UP ON STOCKING PRESENTS Pick up small presents all year, from offers and sales, to avoid stockings that cost an arm and a leg. For fun presents at small prices, scan shops such as Flying Tiger, The Works and Poundland. 2 LOVE YOUR LEFTOVERS Cut food waste by planning meals to use leftovers, from gammon sandwiches to turkey curry and quiche with leftover Stilton. Can’t face the extra food? Get it in the freezer fast, to enjoy at a later date. No point chucking fivers in the bin. 3 POP TO THE PANTO POST-CHRISTMAS Spread the festive fun with cut-price theatre tickets in January and early February, during Official London Theatre’s New Year Sale. Discount tickets for top London shows go on sale in early December at £10,…

Miso prawn skewers We’ve left these prawns with heads on here, but you can cut the heads off when peeling the legs and skin. Makes 12 or 24 • Ready in 8 mins, plus marinating 12 tiger or 24 medium-sized prawns, peeled but tails left intact juice of ½ lemon 3tbsp white miso paste 2tbsp olive oil lime wedges and chopped spring onions or chives, to serve (optional) you will need: skewers 1 Mix the prawns with the lemon juice and miso paste, and refrigerate for 30 mins, to marinate. 2 Skewer each prawn and place on a baking tray. Drizzle with oil and grill for 3-4 mins a side until charred and cooked through. Serve with lime wedges, and spring onions or chives, if you like. Per skewer: Cals 27,…

CHRISTMAS BREAKFAST These delicious offerings kick off the big day in style IRRESISTIBLE PANETTONE STYLE CRANBERRY BOULE £1.90, CO-OP This wonderful sourdough fancy loaf is perfect for a less sweet option that hits all the festive notes. Delicious as a simple starter for your Christmas meal. TASTE THE DIFFERENCE ORANGE AND APRICOT PANETTONE £9, Sainsbury’s Packed with peel, this golden, light panettone really impressed our testers with its delightful flavour. EXTRA SPECIAL RUM & RAISIN PANETTONE, £5.50 Asda Forget Christmas breakfast, we could eat this one for breakfast all year round. Amazing rich flavour with a kick of rum and a lovely light, fluffy texture. SEAFOOD STARTERS Whether it’s a traditional starter or for a party, these are fab options PISHED FISH SOZZLED SANTA SMOKED SALMON £6.95 for 100g,…

SILVER SERVICE Jazz up simple tableware by adding touches of shimmering silver. Beaded place mats, £38 for 2; single row cord napkins, £25 for 4; bud vases, £12 each; mercury orb tea lights, £10 each; mercury etched tea light holders, from £6 each, all The White Company FRESH FOLIAGE Go for a stunning fresh, floral piece to take pride of place on the dining table. Woodland antique table wreath, from £115, The Real Flower Company CENTRE STAGE Arrange pretty glass baubles and some string lights on a cake stand to pop in the middle of your table. Hampton dinnerware, from £4 for a tea plate; metallic place mats, £15 for 4; all M&S. Bowsley cake stand, £30, Neptune GLITTERING GOLDS Choose an all-gold scheme for the most glamorous of tables,…

Journalist and author Dawn O’Porter’s latest novel, So Lucky (HarperCollins) is a relatable take on the struggle for perfection and a journey to  accepting who we truly are. I treat writing as a nine-to-five job. My children are in school and daycare, and what I can’t achieve in those hours doesn’t happen. Some days it’s hard to switch on my creative brain, but – like any other working parent – I have to go to work and get on with it. The book I sit down to write is never the one I end up with. I have toyed with plotting but it doesn’t work for me. I think it’s my journalist roots poking through. If I get a sniff of something exciting I have to follow it. I like…

His Dark Materials This adaptation of the cult fantasy trilogy by Phillip Pullman follows a 12-year-old heroine Lyra (Dafne Keen) who goes on a dangerous journey of discovery with her animal ‘daemon’ Pantalaimon. James McAvoy also stars. BBC One Sticks and Stones In this three-part drama, Killing Eve’s  Ken Nwosu stars as Thomas Benson, a team leader who one day freezes during a crucial pitch and is bullied by his team. Ben Miller and Gwilym Lee also star. ITV The War of The Worlds George and Amy (Rafe Spall and Eleanor Tomlinson) find themselves battling for survival after Earth is invaded by aliens in this adaptation of HG Wells’ classic sci-fi novel. BBC One The Trial of Christine Keeler Set in the 1960s, this drama shows the true story of…

FINDING PEACE I read with great sadness your article by Stephanie Nimmo on losing both her husband and young daughter [September issue]. It certainly put my life and its dramas into perspective. I hope very much that she will find peace and happiness. Carol, by email EVERY MOMENT COUNTS I wanted to thank the three women in When Every Moment Counts [October issue]. I am nearly one year into my chemotherapy treatment for bowel cancer. I too am looking at a prolonging of life, as opposed to being care-free. To know that other w&h readers are going through the same dark times helps me still feel part of life. Thank you for helping me feel positive about my unknown future. Yours gratefully, Jackie, by email CARE AT ANY PRICE? A…

THE CARTIER DIAMOND Richard Burton to Elizabeth Taylor It’s no secret that Elizabeth Taylor loved jewellery, as her on-off husband Richard Burton could attest. So, when Richard heard news that a flawless pear-cut diamond weighing 68 carats was up for auction at Christie’s, he knew he had to have it. Unfortunately, he was outbid and flew into a rage. Demanding his lawyer contact Cartier, he finally bought it for $1.1 million in 1969. Soon after, Elizabeth decided it was too big for a ring and had it made into a necklace. A CALIFORNIAN VINEYARD From David Beckham to Victoria Said to have developed an appreciation for fine wine while living in Spain, David Beckham – known for buying his wife lavish gifts – outdid himself when he bought Victoria not…

When two divorced people fall in love and remarry, it’s a beautiful thing. For them. Ex-spouses are more likely to throw rotten eggs than confetti and, no matter how sensitively handled, children whose lives have already been upended will inevitably feel torn. When my husband Jonathan and I got together, we agreed we had more baggage than the hold of a Boeing 747. Imagine trying to wrap all that up in shiny red paper at Christmas. With six children between us, from mid-twenties to eight, Jonathan and I had visions of a willow tree embracing our newly blended super brood under its branches. How naive. Reeling after our first Christmas ‘together’, I was more in the mood for chopping down that tree and using it for firewood. That year was…

After the all-out glamour and glitz of the big day, Boxing Day can feel like an anticlimax, which is why a brisk walk can be the perfect antidote. It’s the quickest way to get some fresh air and flushed cheeks, whether you are going for a stroll around the local park, an uplifting power walk in the countryside or even a meander about town. Wherever you go, chances are you’d still like to do it with a dash of seasonal style. These key pieces will help you nail your Boxing Day look. There are cosy cover-ups to keep winter chills at bay, as well as chic and feminine pieces that mean that when you get to your destination – a lunch, the village pub, a meeting with friends or just…

THE SHAPE For short nails, go for a neat squoval (a square top with oval sides) that’s less likely to snag. Long nails require more TLC, so use a strengthener or fake it for party season with acrylic tips. Ballerina-shaped nails are on trend – you need long nails to file at the sides into an almond shape before creating a straight line across the tip. THE KIT Preparation is key to keep nails healthy underneath your polish. Try these pro-worthy buys… ✢ Nars Base Coat, £16 Creates a stain-free base and extends colour staying power. ✢ Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat, £9.50 Speeds up drying, leaving a hard-wearing, high-gloss finish. ✢ Sally Hansen Vitamin E Nail & Cuticle Oil, £6.95 Massage in a drop daily to soften cuticles…

1 No one needs 12 lipsticks, just a single perfect one, and this refillable Lip Tint in Lover’s Choice, £35, from Scandi eco brand Kjaer Weis is just that. The jojoba oil-infused balm goes on sheer and subtle, but layers up to a very sophisticated party red. 2 The price could politely be described as ‘luxe’ but from its intricately designed, velvet-wrapped compact to the finely milled pearl infused shadows and tiny, perfect Japanese-made brushes, Clé De Peau Beauté Kimono Eye Colour Quad, £71, will earn its keep on permanent dressing table duty. 3 Studio 54 for NARS Hustle Cheek Palette, £36, brings a touch of 70s glamour to any make-up bag. This brand excels at blushers, and every shade here is flattering and long-lasting, with a pretty, soft-focus sheen.…

It’s that time of year again, when the common cold makes an unwelcome appearance. But why does this ailment strike now? ‘Generally, we don’t get more viruses because we’re exposed to colder temperatures, but because we spend more time indoors with people who pass on their germs,’ says Dr Riccardo Di Cuffa (your-doctor.co.uk). Most winter colds are a nuisance rather than dangerous, but they can still make us feel dreadful. Here’s how to fight them. Immunity vs infection ‘There are over 200 cold viruses and most of us will catch at least one or two colds every year, but rarely the same virus twice,’ says Dr Peter Henderson*. ‘Once the cold ends, your body has then built up immunity, which will protect you from catching the same virus again,’ he…

Dr Di Cuffa shares his advice… ✢ ANAEMIA The most common symptom of all types of anaemia is fatigue. This might be caused because your body doesn’t have enough red blood cells to carry oxygen around the body. ✢ UNDERACTIVE THYROID This could lead to fatigue as the thyroid does not produce enough hormone T4 (thyroxine). ✢ DIABETES Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes may cause fatigue due to inflammation. Low sugars can reduce energy levels to the cells. ✢ HEART FAILURE If the body struggles to pump oxygen around the body efficiently, the cells in the body won’t produce energy efficiently. ✢ SEVERE FOOD INTOLERANCES AND ALLERGIES Coeliac disease, for example, is where the small intestine becomes inflamed and unable to absorb nutrients, leaving you fatigued.…

Winter might spike concerns for our wellbeing: the cooler, drier weather, the lack of immune-boosting vitamin D and closer contact with people indoors (we spend less than an hour outside during winter*) mean it’s party time for germs. But it’s possible to boost your health this season without overhauling your lifestyle. Here, the experts reveal their winter wellness tricks. 1 BEAT THE BLOAT Feeling sluggish? Try these: Bananas – the soluble fibres help relieve constipation. Ginger – soothes gut muscles. Yogurt (with live cultures) – increases ‘good’ bacteria in your gut, aiding digestion. Cucumber – this contains a flavonoid antioxidant that’s said to reduce gut swelling. 2 Wash your hands Reduce the risk of catching a cold this winter by 45% just by scrubbing those mitts. Lather…

We’ve been listening to your comments about how you’d like to see more women like you in our magazines, and we want to change the way women are portrayed – but we can’t do this without your help. If you’d like to be styled by our experts for our fashion pages, or model the most wearable make-up and hairstyles, then send us some pictures today. Help us to empower women through our pages and make a real difference, stop being invisible and get noticed for all the right reasons! Get involved now! LINDA DAVISON, 72 My name is Linda and I’m 72 years young. I work for Boots three days a week as a customer sales advisor, which I love. I have a twin sister – we are very close…

Ever dreamed of seeing wildlife in its natural habitat, dining under the stars or going off the beaten track without worrying about taking a wrong turn? Planning a big holiday, packed with everything you want to do and see, can be a balancing act. Which is why, when she wanted to enjoy an authentic safari holiday, Barbara Hirst, a geneticist and a biologist, decided to book her break with Travelsphere. ‘When I was at university, I studied cheetahs, so part of the reason for my trip was to see them in the wild,’ she explains. ‘One day, our guide David found a mother with her four cubs, and later in the trip we were lucky enough to see another one in the Masai Mara just after a kill. They were…

STYLE TIP Blue and gold is a great scheme to take you right through to your New Year’s Eve celebrations too – just add some helium-filled gold balloons tied with ribbon for an instant party vibe. MIDNIGHT GLAMOUR This rich and luxurious look pairs glittering golds with inky blues and navy, for a touch of decadence and plenty of drama. Create a sophisticated statement with metallic decorations and accessories, and plenty of candles for a cosy, yet moody glow. MAIN PICTURE EVE OF ELEGANCE Monterey 7ft pre-lit premium artificial tree, £225; decorations, from £3 each; wire and glass lantern, £12, all Homebase 1 DECADENT DINING Gunnison porcelain dinner plates in silver, £50 for 4; side plates in silver, £45 for 4; bowls in silver, £50 for…

1 Roaring Girls (The Forgotten Feminists of British History) by Holly Kyte (HQ) The extraordinary stories of nine inspiring women across history and their legacies. 2 A Woman In The Polar Night by Christiane Ritter (Pushkin Press) A beautiful account of one woman’s decision to spend a year living in the Arctic wilderness. 3 Degrees of Guilt by HS Chandler (Trapeze) Maria Bloxham may have confessed to the attempted murder of her husband, but there is more to her tale than first meets the eye. 4 Cilka’s Journey by Heather Morris (Zaffre) This poignant sequel to The Tattooist of Auschwitz sees Cilka Klein endure Auschwitz, only to be imprisoned once again. 5 The Grace Year by Kim Liggett (Del Rey) A thought-provoking read about an oppressive society where young…

Watching Fleabag. Late to the party, I know. I love its dark, sly humour and oh my God, the priest. ‘Kneel!’ Reading Under the Camelthorn Tree, a memoir by Kate Nicholls about raising five children among the lions in Botswana. It’s an unflinching look at anthropology, feminism, motherhood and sexual violence and its secondary victims. Listening to Big Bad by Giggs. I love everything he does – his humour, the total genius of the line Sh*t’s Madagascar, When the monkeys made a poo scatter in the song Baby. It makes me laugh every time. Eating at The Wild Strawberry Café in Buckinghamshire. It’s a restaurant on a picking farm, in a yurt, surrounded by fields. Katy Brill, the owner, is a brilliant chef. Learning to Speak Greek. It’s such a…

1 CHRISTMAS AT BLENHEIM PALACE COTSWOLDS, OXFORDSHIRE A spectacular light trail will illuminate the landscape at the UNESCO World Heritage Site at Blenheim from 22 November-1 January 2020. Highlights include a dynamic illuminated waterfall, a scented fire garden, a glimmering snowdrop walk and a towering tunnel of 100,000 lights, while a multicoloured aerial light show will fill the sky with dancing bands of colour. Inside, a new Alice in the Palace experience will take over the State Rooms of Britain’s greatest palace, inspired by Lewis Carroll’s classic tale. Admission from £18; blenheimpalace.com While you’re there Visit the craft stalls, choir concerts and Christmas-themed workshops. Stay For real Cotswolds charm, The Feathers in Woodstock has doubles from £145 per night; feathers.co.uk 2 MOUSEHOLE HARBOUR LIGHTS CORNWALL Every winter, the Cornish fishing…

8 DAYS HALF-BOARD FROM ONLY £699 PER PERSON* Selected departures April to October 2020 This tour is a wonderful blend of some of the finest sights in northern Italy. First, Lake Garda, where waves lap gently on the shingle shoreline, with the snow-capped Dolomite Mountains in the background. Then Venice, a unique city full of cultural delights such as the Doge’s Palace, St Mark’s Basilica and the Grand Canal. Finally, Verona, one of the most romantic cities you’ll ever find, and the setting for Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet . The price includes ✢ Classic or Undiscovered guided tour of Venice ✢ A day exploring Lake Garda, on land and by boat ✢ Classic or Undiscovered guided tour of Verona ✢ Visit a local vineyard, with a guided tour of the…

8 DAYS FROM ONLY £1,299 PER PERSON* Selected departures May to October 2020 Welcome aboard your first-class river cruise ship, your luxury floating hotel for the next seven nights. From the exceptional full-board cuisine to the luxurious cabins and suites, you’ll very soon relax as we journey south from Cologne through the Rhine Valley to magnificent Switzerland. Your itinerary DAY 1 ARRIVAL IN COLOGNE Fly to Düsseldorf or Cologne, or take the Eurostar to Brussels and transfer by coach to the ship. DAY 2 KOBLENZ Spend the morning at leisure on board, enjoying the spectacular river scenery before arriving in Koblenz; explore this Roman city and waterfront. DAY 3 RHINE GORGE AND RUDESHEIM Cruise through the world-famous and dramatic Rhine Gorge before arriving in Rüdesheim, renowned as a wine area,…

✢ Exploring medieval Koblenz ✢ A visit to Rüdesheim, centre of the Rhineland wine trade ✢ Cruising through the Rhine Gorge ✢ An evening in Speyer ✢ A guided tour of Strasbourg ✢ Visiting the old walled town of Breisach ✢ A tour of the Black Forest and lakeside town of Titisee ✢ A tour of some of the finest Swiss Alpine scenery – the Jungfrau and Eiger mountains, and the lakeside town of Lucerne ✢ All meals on board, from dinner on your day of arrival until breakfast on your day of departure, including welcome cocktails and dinner, plus the Captain’s Dinner ✢ Return flights from a selection of regional airports or standard class seat on Eurostar from London St Pancras International and TGV ✢ Seven nights on board…

Star sign of the month SAGITTARIUS 23 NOVEMBER – 22 DECEMBER  For the past year Jupiter in Sagittarius has super-sized everything. He’ll have made good things stupendous. And the not good really hurt. But now it’s time to shine, so get out there and shimmy. YOUR MONTHS AHEAD Jupiter in your money zone sees opportunities to get more of the folding stuff. Wobbly self-confidence? Now is a brilliant time to boost it. Call 0905 789 4158* and choose weekly, monthly and yearly updates. CAPRICORN 23 DECEMBER – 19 JANUARY After the year you’ve had, you could do with a break. Here it is. On the 3rd Jupiter brings a whole year of opportunities. Call 0905 789 4159* and choose weekly, monthly and yearly updates. AQUARIUS 20 JANUARY – 19 FEBRUARY…

Ant, 39, lives in Chelmsford, Essex, with his wife Emilie and their four children. He also has a son, Oakley, from his previous relationship. My career I left school at the age of 16 to join the Royal Engineers. I spent 15 years in the Armed Forces, so for a large chunk of my life being in the military was my career and I loved it. But my life took a massive turn in 2015 when the first episode of SAS: Who Dares Wins aired on Channel 4. I never imagined that it would propel me into the media space that I’m now living in, but it is so interesting and new for me. I always say that I feel most comfortable when I’m uncomfortable – so as long as…