Innholdsfortegnelse for November 2020 i Woman & Home

When we plan and create an issue of woman&home, it’s a bit like customising your favourite recipe. While there is undoubtedly a tried-and-tested ‘formula’ to getting a successful mix, I like to innovate a little every month to keep our pages modern, relevant and interesting. During the creation of this issue, I took two weeks’ annual leave and headed off to Norfolk. And when I returned to my desk to write this letter and look at the pages laid out in my absence, I was gratified to see with fresh eyes that we have really ‘raised our game’ this month, by layering in even more inspiration than ever! So I can confidently say the November issue of woman&home really does have something for everyone. From uplifting, insightful articles to expert…

1. A bright future This four-week regime will balance a patchy complexion. Beauty Pie Superdose C Vitamin C Freeze Dried Ampoules, £100, beautypie.com 2. Draw the lines Bargain price, big claims – in just four weeks you’ll see younger-looking skin with fewer lines thanks to a potent punch of retinol. Nspa Expert Nightly Revitalising Retinol Capsules, £10 for 30, spaathome.co.uk 3. Quench your thirst For skin in need of a hydration hit, hyaluronic acid and ceramides work to lock moisture in. Elizabeth Arden Hyaluronic Acid Ceramide Capsules Hydra-Plumping Serum, £45 for 30, elizabetharden.co.uk 4. Get your vitamins The encapsulated pods keep the active ingredient retinol stable and potent. Expect brighter, smoother skin with baby bounce. ECooking Vitamin A Serum Capsules, £43 for 60, beautybay.com 5. Acid trip Each dose serves…

Captain Sir Tom Moore was the role model we didn’t know we needed in 2020. He aimed to raise £1,000 for the NHS by walking 100 lengths of his garden, but famously ended up raising £33 million and receiving a knighthood. He helped us all feel we have a part to play, and inspired countless others around the UK to raise hundreds of thousands of pounds for charity. Most people say their biggest role models are their parents or a particularly inspiring teacher at school, but we are all influenced by people we meet or are exposed to throughout our lives. In psychologist Fiona Murden’s new book, Mirror Thinking: How Role Models Make Us Human, she links role models to the brain’s mirror neuron. The mirror neuron fires even when…

Throughout my life, I have always been a ‘good girl’. I tried my hardest at everything I attempted and felt like I’d achieved something when it was acknowledged – first by my parents, then by my friends or boyfriends, then by my bosses and now by the wider world on social media. Every ‘like’ shoots straight into that part of my infant brain that craved a smiling ‘well done!’ when I crawled or pooped to order. Why are we so bad at accepting compliments? We like to think that we are better than all of that. That we are grownups now and we don’t need the approval of others in order to enjoy our achievements – but we do. And as adults, when we get a compliment, why are we…

I have written millions of words about my garden over the past 30 odd years but the subject matter has nearly always been plants and gardens, and how to grow, control and nurture them for maximum beauty or productivity. However, from a very early age I loved the countryside as much as any garden and was fascinated by the life that I saw all around me, whether that was trees, wild flowers, birds, insects or mammals. My sky is never empty. At dawn there may be just a lone crow beating a steady path north or at dusk, the curiously undulating, huge wings of a heron heading to roost in a willow above the ditch. Ducks in pairs race headlong and straight, and thin skeins of geese breast the morning…

In my 2017 live comedy show, I Could’ve Been an Astronaut , I looked at the idea that our life paths can be laid down in a thousand small ways before we are even walking and talking. I remember my primary school play, when I was cast as the jester without any meaningful consultation with me. As you can perhaps tell from my expression, I wasn’t best pleased. In some ways, and with the full benefit of hindsight, perhaps I got off lightly given that one boy was dressed as Jimmy Savile. One of my gripes was that all the other girls were wearing nice, mildly glamorous outfits, while I was in a pair of itchy and unflattering tights, holding inexplicably Surely my teachers could see the deeper and more…

Fashion must-haves you’ll want to give and receive Wardrobe wonders Beauty-full gifts Indulgent, pampering presents for luxury lovers Bold buys to create a colourful abode Home comforts Foodie favourites Gourmet gifts to suit every chef’s budget Modern gents Stylish gifts to show him you care Cool kids Toys and treats to keep little ones entertained Teen dreams The hard-to-please will be wowed with these Stocking fillers Fun for all the family…

After 25 years of writing about every new fashion must-have and essentially shopping for a living, my brain is an encyclopedia of clothes, shoes, bags and accessories. However, clichéd as it sounds, the inescapable truth is that fashion fades, but style lasts forever. And if I’m being honest it’s the simple day-to-day dressing tricks I’ve picked up along the way I value the most. They form the building blocks that have helped me feel more confident and make bolder fashion choices. I hate talking about ‘wardrobe mistakes’ because there’s no right or wrong when it comes to dressing, but when I stick to a certain formula, I’m less likely to buy things that hang in the back of my cupboard and never see the light of the day. The successes…

WHAT’S YOUR TYPE? When we talk about foundation, itʼs often categorised by coverage. But your base is the one make-up product that covers your entire face and sits there all day, so itʼs smarter to treat it like skincare and tailor your choice by skin type. Shade matching and how you apply are also key. Every product featured covers a full spectrum of skin tones and the expert-led guides to applying and buying, even if you can’t test in person, will ensure you find your perfect match. Oily-combination YOUR SKIN: Oily with larger pores. Hot flushes can dissolve make-up and cause shine. Prone to hormonal breakouts or clogged pores. YOUR FORMULA: Robust but not thick. Look for light to medium oil-free formulas with powders and primer to control shine. ✢…

This column is about encouraging women of any age to improve their health, fitness and strength. All of this inevitably leads to increases in confidence, self-esteem and mental health, plus the obvious physiological improvements such as improved body shape, hormone function and metabolism. The decreases can be seen in resting heart rate and the size of your trousers. We’re agreed on that, aren’t we? That said, there is nothing wrong with focusing on specific areas of your body, but you need to understand what works and what doesn’t. So I’m going to use my column as a pulpit and preach till I’m blue in the face because if there’s one question I get asked ALL the time, it’s this: ‘What exercises should I do to get rid of my wobbly…

While a healthy diet containing a wealth of nutrients can help fend off illness, there’s also a variety of supplements that will boost your immunity and keep you fighting fit. So what’s what? Healthspan medical director Dr Sarah Brewer reveals the supplements to take this winter. VITAMIN C ‘Vitamin C has an antiviral action by suppressing the activation of viral genes,’ says Dr Brewer. ‘Viruses can’t replicate inside human cells if high levels of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) are present.’ ✢ TRY Solgar Ester-C Plus, £12.38 for 1,000mg, solgar.co.uk VITAMIN D The sunshine vitamin could help to activate our hunter-killer immune cells, a type of white blood cell that washes out and destroys viruses and bacteria. ‘We can only make vitamin D when the UV index is greater than 3,’…

Q I’m 51 and started on HRT around six months ago – a mix of gel and tablets, which I take for two weeks each month. It’s stopped the flushes and sweats I was having, but a couple of weeks ago I had a bleed, like a heavy period. I wasn’t expecting this at all. Do I need to stop the HRT? A In a normal menstrual cycle, the ovaries produce oestrogen in the first two weeks, then around day 14 ovulation occurs and progesterone is produced as well. Levels of this usually peak a week after ovulation, then gradually fall, and when levels are low, the lack of progesterone stimulates shedding of the lining of the womb, so the next bleed occurs. The ‘cyclical’ HRT regime you are on…

Travel inspiration doesn’t come much more beautiful than a journey through Slovenia. The stunning medieval Bled Castle and lake is your starting point, before a climb through the fir forests takes you to the Pokljuka high plateau, where you can book a stay in welcoming, wooden mountain huts. Mount Triglav juts out of the landscape from every angle; it’s climbable, if you have the time and inclination. Or take the cable car up to the 5,026ft peak of Mount Vogel for a spectacular view of the Julian Alps before hopping on a bus for the trip back down to Lake Bled.…

✢ Choose neutral colours to complement original features such as wooden beams ✢ Use bold furnishings, but keep to no more than three key colours in open-plan areas ✢ Warm up wooden boards and stone floors with cosy rugs and kilims ✢ Invest in classic lighting in polished brass, pewter or matt black finishes…

Spiced lamb shoulder with punchy zhoug dressing Every now and then you try something new that blows your mind. I first tried zhoug when I was a guest judge on MasterChef in 2019. It was expertly paired with a beautifully cooked rack of lamb by a contestant called Amal Hassan. I couldn’t believe the flavour of this punchy green sauce, and once the show had aired I contacted Amal to beg her for the recipe. Luckily for me and for you, sharing is caring, so here’s my take on Amal’s fabulous dish. Serves 4 80g breadcrumbs 80g ready-to-eat dried apricots, chopped 1 heaped tbsp ras-el-hanout 1.3kg boned and rolled shoulder of lamb 1-2tbsp olive oil (slow cooker method only) 400ml water salt and pepper for the zhoug dressing: 1 bunch…

Sarah Perry Sarah Perry is the author of 2016’s The Essex Serpent. Her new book, Essex Girls, is part memoir, part defence and part celebration of the women  from her much maligned home county. I didn’t feel daunted when it came to writing a new book. The success of The Essex Serpent almost had the reverse effect, as I’d never expected such a large readership. People had been so welcoming of my idiosyncratic style and themes, I could continue in my own furrow. I am constantly struck by inspiration. I get a cold, tight sensation on my scalp when I have an idea. As for Essex Girls, I was asked to deliver the annual Harriet Martineau lecture at a literary festival. Martineau was a political radical and rather disliked. This…

TRUE CLASSIC GONE WITH THE WIND by Margaret Mitchell This is the book that made me a writer. I believe that, historically and racially, there’s a lot that’s not right with the book, but I remember as a 13-year-old reading it and thinking I could smell the leather burning. It was the first time I thought, ‘I could do that.’ I believed I could create something – that was a life-changing moment. MAGIC REALISM TURTLE MOON by Alice Hoffman Alice is my favourite writer. This book is one of her earliest, but it’s the book that made me a reader. After I finished university and I didn’t have to read books any more, this was the book I wanted to read. It made me fall in love with reading all…

Wherever you’re tuned in, you’ll enjoy these podcasts that won prizes at this year’s British Podcasts Awards. Something Rhymes with Purple This delightful podcast, hosted by Susie Dent and Gyles Brandreth, explores language in all its weird and wonderful ways. Episodes cover medical slang, pub names and which words will stick. Know a Covidiot, anyone? Acast, Apple Podcasts, TuneIn Dear Joan & Jericha Shrinking violets cover your ears – the prim ‘agony aunts’ (Julia Davis and Vicki Pepperdine) won’t solve your problems but they will make you laugh. With a new book now out called Why He Turns Away, it’s worth revisiting. Acast, Apple Podcasts, Spotify The Rough Guide to Everywhere Our wings may have been clipped for now but here’s a fabulous way to experience the quirks of far-flung…

‘In all cultures, women laugh more’ Women are each other’s human wonder bras – uplifting, supportive and making each other look bigger and better. Females together tend to strip off to our emotional underwear – and it’s a psychological striptease that reveals all. During these heart-to-hearts we laugh till our lips fall off. If a girlfriend’s being bullied by a boss, we’ll dismiss him or her as a worm, only taller. If a wife’s been dumped, we’ll chant ‘All Men are Ratbags and Evermore Shall Be; Unless They are George Clooney Who is Crumpet.’ Without that cathartic female camaraderie, I’d be curled up in a foetal ball, sobbing. Yes, my male friends are amusing but they tend to fire off one-liners. Women never tell set jokes. Our humour is confessional,…

Chef, author and TV presenter NADIYA HUSSAIN’s new cookbook, Nadiya Bakes, is out now. Turn to page 152 to enjoy her exclusive recipes for delicious sweet treats. What is your perfect  winter’s day? When the weather is ‘so winter’, we can’t leave the house. So we gather the cosiest blankets, make a delicious bowl of mash and top it with tomato soup and cheese, put on Star Wars and spend all day in one room! The only thing that will force us out of our bubble is if it snows, and it never really does. Comedian, mental health champion and author Ruby Wax has just published her latest book, And Now for the Good News… To the Future with Love, and explains her positive outlook on page 46. What is…

Add your pictures by hashtagging #womanandhomestreetstyle or email wandhstreetstyle@futurenet.com to join in.…

Golden Ball, Mustique Bought by Lord Glenconner in 1958, the Caribbean party island of Mustique has long attracted VIP guests, including royals and celebrities. The flashest of all was his week-long 50th birthday in 1976, culminating with the Golden Ball. With a backdrop that mimicked the ancient palace of Croesus, who was renowned for his great wealth, guests – including Princess Margaret and Mick Jagger – wore head-to-toe gold and danced by the torchlight. Monte-Carlo Centenary Ball Hélène Rochas hosted this blowout ball in 1966 at the Opéra de Monte-Carlo and guests dressed in sumptuous 19th century-inspired attire. Among the high society attendees were Prince Rainier III and Princess Grace of Monaco, who wore a voluminous blush-toned gown and the Coronation Tiara worn by the Empress Joséphine, first wife of…

Being the eldest child makes you the guinea pig. You’re the first one to do anything so you have to jump into the darkness, but I quite enjoy that. It’s like acting, you never know what is going to surprise you, so it’s been a good training ground. Having two younger siblings also made it easier to fly the nest and because you’re the ‘experiment’ if it goes wrong, you can always go back home. Living in the countryside expands your imagination. When I was six I moved from Immingham to a small Lincolnshire village called Goxhill, as my mum was tempted by the village life. The schools were smaller so the education you got was great and it was a safer place than a town to grow up. I…

To most people, the photograph of my mother and grandmother is simply a black-and-white image of a pretty young woman holding a baby. She has a half smile on her face as the child tries to wriggle free. But to me, it’s both heartbreaking and incredible. The baby, Evelyn, is my mum and the woman, Dora, my grandma. Mum never had the chance to see the photo, never even knew it existed. She died, aged 69, believing her mother had perished in a concentration camp. Mum couldn’t have dreamed that, across the Atlantic, Dora lived to be 71 years old, desperately searching for her lost baby all her life. But with one DNA test in March this year, I accidentally uncovered the truth. Without a date of birth, a name…

Did you have a career plan B? Honestly, it never once crossed my mind that I’d do anything other than be a footballer. It certainly wasn’t nepotism [Jamie’s dad is former football manager Harry]. Obviously, I got extra training that other kids didn’t but, if anything, it was harder because of who my dad was. That’s why I went to Tottenham Hotspur at 16 because I wanted to get away from being thought of as daddy’s boy. How did your dad and mum Sandra shape how you parent your kids? They were big on manners – please, thank you and being nice to people. I try to set the same examples. If my boys don’t say please and thank you, that’s not good enough. I encourage them to be respectful…

If you buy one thing this month INDULGE IN A BATHTIME TREAT Now pampering is more likely to be at home than in a spa, this is the time to embrace the calming, cocooning powers of a long soak in the tub. It may even be good for your mental health too, since a study found that women who opted for a bath over a shower for a fortnight felt more optimistic. Set the scene with some scented candles. Jo Malone Glowing Embers Ceramic Candle, £90, jomalone.co.uk, is the embodiment of a cosy night in. Upgrade your bubble bath with a few drops of Apothecary Calm Bath Oil, £6, marksandspencer.com, and inhale the sweet orange and clary sage aroma. Treat skin to a superior cleanse with Baylis & Harding Goodness…

BOBBI BROWN The iconic make-up artist turned self-care expert revolutionised the beauty industry with a more natural approach to beauty. After departing her eponymous cosmetics line in 2016, she again used this simple, pared-down idea to make the shift into wellness, with the launch of her beauty supplements EVOLUTION_18. Bobbi has written nine books, runs a blog, justBOBBI, and has even designed a boutique hotel, The George in New Jersey. We meet the woman with many talents. My happy place Westlab Epsom Salt, £14.99, lookfantastic.com I enjoy watching The Crown or soaking in an Epsom Salt bath. For a relaxing holiday, nothing beats the Bahamas with my family. My make-up must-have Glossier Cloud Paint, £15, glossier.com I love a cream blush – it’s quick, easy and brings a healthy flush…

✢ Co-enzyme Q10 This vitamin-like substance helps cells in the body to produce energy and there’s evidence it may help to prevent migraines. Co-enzyme Q10 200mg, £26.95, healthspan.co.uk ✢ Magnesium A magnesium deficiency is linked to an increase in migraines, so taking a supplement may help. Marine Magnesium, £6.99, togetherhealth.co.uk ✢ Feverfew This herb widens blood vessels to encourage a better blood flow to relieve tension. Try MigraHerb, £8.49 for 30 capsules, hollandandbarrett.com…

Have a think – you’re opening a cardboard box and you cut your finger. Do you (like me) instinctively put the wound in your mouth and, if so, is this really a good idea? In theory, it could be a bad idea, as the mouth is host to millions of bacteria, and though most are harmless as long as they stay in the mouth and there are no open wounds inside it, they can cause infections, such as inflamed gums. But on the plus side, your mouth also contains saliva, which contains the chemical histatin. This has antibacterial properties, but can also promote wound healing. And when you lick a wound, you can also remove any dirt that may be in it. So overall, licking your wounds can be a…

NORDIC NATURALS Our love affair with Scandi interiors isn’t coming to an end any time soon. But this season’s twist sees it taking a darker, slightly more moody edge, with touches of pebble grey, steel blue and darkest slate mixed in alongside the neutral tones, pale woods and weathered stone. Winter warmth comes from layering in plenty of extra texture, from woollens and weaves to faux furs and basketware. DESERT HUES This trend is all about soft, sandy colours and earthy, sun-baked tones, and is one to try if you have a north-facing room that’s on the chilly side. Texture is key to bringing these colours alive, whether woven rugs and kilims layered on floorboards, canework furniture and basketware, or smooth earthenware and terracotta. And don’t forget the pampas grass…

Help a hedgehog We’re all aware of how Bonfire Night can affect domestic animals, but its impact on wildlife is less well publicised. Fay Vass, Chief Executive of the British Hedgehog Preservation Society, explains, ‘A bonfire pile looks like a five-star hotel to a hedgehog. Perfect for hibernation – until we come along and set fire to it.’ Hedgehogs are now classed as vulnerable to extinction in the UK but a simple way to protect them ahead of 5 November, says Fay Vass, is to ‘carefully check the pile or, better still, move it to a new site just before lighting. This can literally save lives. ’If at any time you encounter a sick or injured hedgehog, place it in a high-sided box with an old jumper or towel for…

Tutti-frutti pavlova My earliest memory of these cakes was at the local Asian supermarket where they came wrapped in see-through plastic showing off their vibrant colours. Serves 8 • Ready in 1 hr 25 mins, plus cooling for the meringue: 4 medium egg whites 250g caster sugar 1tsp white vinegar 2tsp cornflour 1tsp vanilla extract butter, for lightly greasing the tray for the tutti-frutti cream: 350ml double cream 3tbsp icing sugar 1tbsp cornflour 100g glacé cherries, chopped 100g pistachios, roughly chopped 100g mixed peel for the decoration: 25g dark chocolate shavings 1 Preheat the oven to 150°C/Gas 2 and lightly grease a baking tray. 2 Using a pencil, trace around a 25cm plate onto baking paper and flip it over onto the greased baking tray. Make sure the paper sticks so…

HIDDEN MEANINGS THE ILLUSTRATED CHILD by Polly Crosby (£12.99, HB, HarperCollins) Romilly’s eccentric father is struggling with early onset dementia, but finds fame with a series of children’s books starring Romilly. Readers become convinced the beautiful illustrations contain a treasure map of secrets. In truth, the secrets are Romilly’s own devastating family history for her alone to unveil. A bewitching read, but be prepared for the story to darken. ROMANTIC READ THIS TIME NEXT YEAR by Sophie Cousens (£7.99, PB, Arrow) A refreshing take on the boy-meets-girl tale. Quinn and Minnie were born on New Year’s Eve in the same hospital, with only a minute between them. Yet it seems that minute makes all the difference as, 30 years later, they meet and discover their connection. Minnie is…

PINE by Francine Toon (Transworld) Lauren doesn’t know who to trust after a teenager is missing, and her mother’s disappearance continues to haunt her. Eerie and dark. THE HAUNTING OF ALMA FIELDING by Kate Summerscale (Bloomsbury) Following an investigation into the supernatural events in the author’s home – full of historical detail. A SPELL IN THE WILD by Alice Tarbuck (Hodder & Stoughton) Exploring the phenomenon of modern witchcraft, Tarbuck shows how to find magic around us. It’s an eye-opener. MAGIC LESSONS by Alice Hoffman (Simon & Schuster) Taught the ‘unnamed arts’ in 17th-century England, Maria will invoke the curse that haunts her family for generations. THE NESTING by CJ Cooke (HarperCollins) Having escaped to remote Norway, nanny Lexi's relief turns to fear as life…

Strictly Come Dancing Hosted again by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, the celebrity competition will be a shorter run and couples will have to adhere to social distancing guidelines. Can we expect the same glitz and glamour? BBC1 Brave New World Based on the novel by Aldous Huxley, this nine-part drama is set in a dystopian future where citizens appear to live in harmony. But is it all it seems? Starring Jessica Brown Findlay and Harry Lloyd. Sky One Honour Keeley Hawes stars in this real-life drama about the death of 20-year-old Banaz Mahmod, who was killed by her own family for falling in love with the wrong man. She plays DCI Caroline Goode, who brought Banaz’s killers to justice. ITV Riviera After an explosive climax to the second series,…

Rebecca In this adaptation of Daphne du Maurier’s classic novel, Lily James stars as the new wife of handsome widower Maxim de Winter (Armie Hammer), living in the shadow of her husband’s first wife, Rebecca. Netflix David Attenborough: a Life on our Planet The celebrated naturalist and broadcaster Sir David reflects on the defining moments of his lifetime, since he began broadcasting more than 60 years ago. Netflix Secret Society of Second-Born Royals After being sent to boarding school, rebellious teenage royal Sam and four other second-born royals discover they have unique super-human abilities in this fun one-off film. Disney+…

RETRO JOY I enjoyed Samira Ahmed’s article [September] about showing her children vintage TV shows and films. I will now be searching my dusty DVD collections, plus TV and streaming sites for old Ealing comedies and anything with Tony Hancock. During difficult times, a trip down memory lane is just what the doctor ordered. Melanie, by email NO CHOICE ✣ I have to challenge the reader [September] who wishes mask-wearing to be a personal choice. Wearing a mask poses huge challenges for me. I suffer horrible bouts of panic attacks and claustrophobia. I persevere for the sake of those I may help. My problems won’t kill me – however I won’t risk killing anyone else. Kathleen, by email ✣ Many who suffered with Covid or have lost loved ones would…

Jo Whiley has been there, done that and got the T-shirt when it comes to most things. As one of the coolest women in music broadcasting, Jo, 55, has been entertaining the nation since the early 90s – from hosting Top of the Pops to her own shows on BBC Radio 1 and now Radio 2. But at home in Northamptonshire, the mum of four – also known for being a gardening enthusiast – has a very different, more domesticated side. Her children are India, 28, Jude, 21, Cassius, 19, and 11-year-old Coco. The pandemic meant that, for the first time in a while, Jo and her husband Steve had all of them back under one roof. ‘I absolutely loved having them all here,’ says Jo. ‘It was a unique…

With fear of new waves of Covid-19 surging into society, the future of being able to hold loved ones close or giving a quick hug to welcome strangers is uncertain. ‘Other countries and cultures have different greetings, so it’s not the only way to welcome others and show affection,’ says Dr Arroll. ‘As humans, we are very adaptable. What feels awkward now, such as an elbow-to-elbow bump, could, in time, become part of our physical narrative. However, research shows that although something like a virtual hug may be a nice gesture, it’s unlikely to have the same psychological impact.’…

‘It’s an art to manipulate white-hot metal’ KATIE LATHAM, 48, is a blacksmith from Devon, where she works with her father in their family forge. I became a blacksmith the way it’s happened for centuries – by joining the family forge. I’d always been around it, and had picked up the skills of smithing the same way that my own 10-year-old is now being taught by his grandfather. But it wasn’t always obvious that I would follow in Dad’s footsteps. For years, I enjoyed a career in fashion retail. One day I might be in Manchester, the next, helping to design window displays in London’s Kensington and Knightsbridge. It was a world away from the forge. When it was time for my son to start school, I realised that I…

In a particularly challenging year, we are especially proud to celebrate the achievements of 10 fabulous women whose inspirational work pushes boundaries, broadens minds, changes lives and improves our world. Here they tell us what motivates them, who inspires them and their hopes for the future. CELEBRITY DOING GOOD Kate Humble, 51 Ambassador for international conservation charity, Zoological Society of London. What does this award mean to you? I was delighted, but accept on behalf of the entire team at ZSL, from the keepers who worked so hard to keep animals healthy in lockdown, to the individuals doing scientific research and working to combat the illegal wildlife trade. Which woman inspires you? Primatologist Jane Goodall, and Sylvia Earle, who has done remarkable work in marine conservation. They are from a…

Treat yourself Be savvy about when and where you get your hair cut, and trim loads off the bill. If you can, snap up cheaper appointments during weekdays rather than at busier lunchtimes and weekends. Check out treatwell.co.uk, Europe’s largest hair and beauty booking platform, to identify stylish savings at nearby salons. It has a filter so you can search for ‘smart discounts’ for off-peak and last-minute prices. Alternatively, see if your usual hairdresser offers a lower rate if you can fill any last-minute gaps due to cancellations. Prices for appointments booked on the day, or standby cuts, can be distinctly cheaper. THRIFTY TRICK Shrink the cost of Christmas shopping by taking advantage of discounts around Black Friday and Cyber Monday, on 27 and 30 November. Bronni Hughes, money blogger…

✢ Odacité Soap Free Shampoo Bar, £27, cultbeauty.co.uk Free from the stripping soaps that leave hair dry and tangled, this harnesses a nourishing cocktail of argan oil, coconut oil and cupuacu butter. ✢ Davines A Single Shampoo, £19, cultbeauty.co.uk The brand’s first carbon-neutral product, the formula is 98.2% biodegradable with 95% natural ingredients. ✢ Ethique Bar Minimum Unscented Solid Shampoo, £12, ethique.co.uk Great for delicate scalps and fragile hair, this fragrance-free bar is equivalent to three bottles of liquid shampoo.…

Louise Chunn, founder of therapy platform Welldoing Ltd (welldoing.org), says: To thine own self be true is Polonius’s advice for his son, in Shakespeare’s Hamlet , but it could be just as good a mantra for you to say to yourself in the mirror every morning. Although the roar of other people’s opinions – particularly on social media – might seem to insist that you fall into conformity over what you think, wear, eat, drink, say; the truth is we are only ever really ourselves when we ignore the reactions of the crowd. For most of us this isn’t possible all the time; we’re all prone to a little of the herd instinct and aware that people don’t want to stand out too far from others. But, for the essentials,…

If you have any of these burnout signs as a result of chronic stress, talk to your GP about getting some support: ✢ Feeling tired and drained most of the time, even when resting ✢ Waking up with a feeling of dread ✢ Overwhelming helplessness or feeling trapped ✢ Taking longer to get things done or procrastinating ✢ Comfort eating and/or binge drinking ✢ Mental exhaustion ✢ Feeling burdened by responsibilities and a lack of support ✢ Taking days off work ✢ Being increasingly negative, cynical and resentful ✢ Feeling like a failure ✢ Loss of motivation ✢ Becoming worried, depressed or irritable ✢ Sleep problems ✢ Having little time for family and relationships ✢ You’re often working in the evenings and over the weekend ✢ Developing physical symptoms including…

✢ Foods rich in unsaturated fats Such as vegetable oils, avocados and oily fish. ✢ Fruit and vegetables They can help reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke and some cancers. ✢ Nuts and seeds Their fibre content blocks some cholesterol from being absorbed into the bloodstream. ✢ Oats and barley They contain a fibre called beta glucan. This forms a gel, which binds cholesterol-rich bile acids in the intestines. ✢ Food with added sterols and stanols These plant chemicals block cholesterol from being absorbed. ✢ Soya Replace meat and full-fat dairy products with two to three servings of soya alternatives.…

I had typical teenage spots growing up, and as a young adult, which didn’t bother me too much. In my 30s, I came off the pill, and noticed there was a pattern to my skin problems. I’d have a bad flare-up the week before my period and then my skin was really clear for two weeks after. It gave me an insight into my natural cycle and a clear indication that my acne was hormone related; previously the pill controlled my hormones. But after I had my first child, my skin began to flare up dramatically, and had a devastating effect on my life. Taking selfies was my idea of hell My career in business and marketing was going well, but I had to appear confident. That was hard when…

DO YOU NEED ANTIBIOTICS – OR NOT? We’re now going into the winter months, when coughs, colds, sinusitis and earache become much more common. Though we’re aware that most colds are caused by viral infections, I still see a lot of patients who think they need antibiotics for sinusitis and earache. In fact, most of these, as well as coughs, are also caused by viruses, and that means that antibiotics, which only treat bacterial infections, don’t help. Not only that, but the more antibiotics we take, the more the bacteria change, and become resistant to them, so they really are best avoided if possible. A cold often gets better in less than a week. Some viral coughs and sinus infections can drag on for up to three weeks, but eventually…

ZERO-WASTE BATHROOMS Online beauty store Acala produces a range of sets that make it easier to reduce plastic packaging in your bathroom. The zero-waste dental care starter kit contains all you need to switch your teeth cleaning routine; acalaonline.com SWITCH AND SAVE Ditching single-use sanitary items in favour of a reusable menstrual cup just got even easier now Boots has its first own-brand range. They come in pre birth and post birth sizes, and pay for themselves in six months; boots.com BUTT NAKED Made from 100% organic bamboo, Naked Sprout toilet rolls contain zero bleach, zero chemicals and zero plastic. Each box provides a child in Kenya with safe water at school for a year; nakedsprout.uk…

CASTLE CAPERS THE WINDSOR KNOT by SJ Bennett (£12.99, HB, Bonnier Zaffre) The Queen of crime is actually, well, the Queen herself, in this warm and witty murder mystery. A guest is found dead in Windsor Castle, and Her Majesty wastes no time in investigating. Aided by her sparky young assistant, Rozie Oshodi, the Queen draws on her quick wits and life experience to unpick the mystery. Remaining loyally at her side, Prince Philip still has the power to set his Lilibet all of a quiver. A delightful and respectful tribute to Windsor’s canniest – and most discreet – amateur sleuth.…

‘After 25 years, you don’t really think about how you make the sausage’ Jodi Picoult has never shied away from tackling controversial issues. In 25 years of writing, she’s covered everything from organ donations to abortion and racism. In her new novel, The Book of Two Ways, she looks at death. Dawn, once an archaeologist, now a death doula, helps her clients navigate the passage between life and death. But she hasn’t given a lot of thought to her own death, or life. That is, until she survives a plane crash that makes her reflect on the path not taken. Jodi lives in New Hampshire, USA, and has three grown-up children. For me, a novel usually begins with me asking myself a question I can’t answer. In the case of…

THIS MONTH YOU’LL FIND ME Watching The Criterion Channel, which has a collection of classic films both modern and old. I love watching a spate of European, Japanese and modern Korean films. Reading Ants Among Elephants by Sujatha Gidla. The writer was a subway conductor in NYC and has written this extraordinary memoir about growing up in India as one of the caste of so-called ‘untouchables’. Listening to Great classical Indian sitar music, usually played by the late legendary Vilayat Khan. I go from his music to Anoushka Shankar, who composed music for my mini-series A Suitable Boy. She is a great sitar player, daughter of Ravi Shankar. When I’m cooking I listen to South African pianist Abdullah Ibrahim – music is key to great cooking and also don’t forget…

SAGITTARIUS 23 NOVEMBER – 22 DECEMBER Mid-November you’re dealing with something that’s been around since April. On the 22nd, the sun’s in Sagittarius and you’re sunnier yourself. Call 0905 789 4158* and choose weekly, monthly and yearly updates CAPRICORN 23 DECEMBER – 19 JANUARY A theme from April and June returns and can finally be sorted. It’s likely you’ve been adjusting to a whole new way of life and are now OK with it. Call 0905 789 4159* and choose weekly, monthly and yearly updates AQUARIUS 20 JANUARY – 19 FEBRUARY Neuroscientists say only 5% of our behaviour is driven by conscious thought Grasp what’s driving feelings (read: worries) and achieve something amazing. Call 0905 789 4160* and choose weekly, monthly and yearly updates PISCES 20 FEBRUARY – 20 MARCH…