Innholdsfortegnelse for April 2021 i Woman & Home

Welcome to the April issue! This month sees the launch of our 2021 Amazing Women Awards, celebrating all those fabulous women who inspire us in so many ways – as entrepreneurs or role models in business, by having adventures and raising money for charity or by being vital community heroines. This year, with the incredible healthcare professionals and tireless key workers giving their all for the rest of us, there will be more than ever to choose from – and you get your say when it comes to nominating and voting for heroines from each of five regions. Find out more on page 62. To be honest, after the 12 months we’ve just had (and are still going through), I think we all deserve a pat on the back. We…

1. Body with bounce This lightweight, hydrating mousse offers flexible hold, with no stickiness. Davines This Is A Volume Boosting Mousse, £20, libertylondon.com 2. Plumping powder Massage in to give hair amazing body, and get an extra day out of your style. Bumble and Bumble Bb Prêtà-powder, £10 for 14g, bumbleandbumble.co.uk 3. Protein power Strength and volume are restored with this styling spray formulated with a keratin protein. Virtue Volumizing Primer, £34, spacenk.com 4. Root lift For unbeatable lift, prep with a volumising root spray before you blow-dry. Oribe Maximista Thickening Spray, £33, selfridges.com 5. Supersize me Bring fullness to limp hair while you cleanse. Champo Volumising Shampoo, £18, champohaircare.com 6. Max volume Don’t weigh down fine hair with heavy conditioner – nourish it with a lightweight formula. IGK Hair…

As women, we tend to be conditioned to put others’ needs first, and rarely think about what we want. Changing that can be tricky if you’ve always deferred to others, but once you work out what you want your life to look like, it’s easier to start asserting your own choices. Life coach Nancy Levin says that if you want better relationships, along with the freedom to be your true self, you must learn to set boundaries. Here’s how to start. NANCY LEVIN is a life coach and the author of several books, including Setting Boundaries Will Set You Free (Hay House Publishers). AMISHA GHADIALI is an intuitive therapist, host of The Future is Beautiful podcast and author of the book Intuition (DK). 1 LISTEN TO YOUR INTUITION Therapist…

I was thrilled when my daughter told me she was expecting her first child, excited about the idea of getting to know this brand-new small person. We drank champagne. Well, I did. Then my son-in-law said, ‘Hello Granny.’ Who, what, where? I was just getting my head around my daughter becoming a mother, and now this. We’re encouraged to ask ourselves if we’re ready for parenthood. But no one ever asks if you feel ready to be a grandparent. ‘No one asks if you feel ready to be a grandparent’ Grandchildren, so the Swedish saying goes, are ‘life’s dessert’. And who doesn’t like dessert, especially one that only makes other people put on weight? But what if you’re still busy munching your way through the main course? Grandmother, Granny, Grandma,…

A few years ago, before leaving on a business trip, I slipped a note under my husband’s pillow, a little something for him to ponder while I was away. The note read, ‘I cannot live in our home any more. We have to move.’ ‘I love the search for new digs, the packing up and decluttering of all that I own’ To you, good reader, this probably sounds like a capricious, diva-like demand. But hear me out. The seagulls are to blame. These birds are my nemeses. I used to love the way they wheeled and dipped through the sky, their white feathers lit by the sun. Their plaintive cries remind me of days at the beach, with buckets, spades and sandcastles. But seagulls are tricksters. Con artists, the lot…

I struggled during my school years because bullies mocked my appearance, but I definitely emerged stronger. I was born with a lazy eyelid, a condition I didn’t know was ‘ptosis’ until I started doing interviews and journalists told me. At my all-girls’ school, the mean girls were savage. My right eyelid would flicker because of a problem with the muscle and they’d say, ‘Why are you winking at me?’ I’m a woman’s woman and I like to think that girls are more supportive of one another now. My eye never deterred me from singing. I believe my unique look gave me an edge. In interviews, I’d say, ‘Yes, I’ve got a lazy eyelid, but I wear an eye patch and I feel really empowered.’ It felt nice to be different…

Like most of us, when I’m happy, my stress levels are lower, I’m calmer, I have a more optimistic outlook, and I’m better able to cope with any bad stuff that life throws my way. But until about two years ago, I didn’t give the benefits of happiness much thought; I certainly didn’t actively go in search of happiness. I was either feeling happy or I wasn’t. That changed after I came across a TED Talk by Sebastian Terry, an Australian man who, after the tragic death of a friend, took stock of his own life and realised that he wasn’t happy. He immediately wrote a list of 100 things that he hoped would bring him closer to happiness. It seems to be working out well for him; not only…

When I resolved to go plastic free for a month, I never expected to end up elbow deep in my dustbin. Yet doing a ‘bin audit’ – when you check what plastic waste you throw away – is a great way to discover which single-use plastics your family use most. Plastic is essentially indestructible, which means, for example, that every plastic toothbrush you’ve ever used still exists. Distressing programmes, such as Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s Hugh’s War on Waste and David Attenborough’s Blue Planet II have both highlighted the resulting environmental damage. Last summer, and the summer before, I did my own small bit to avoid expanding our world’s mountains of plastic pollution. I took part in the Plastic Free July campaign – a global challenge each year where millions of people…

Idon’t remember this picture being taken – I was only two or three. It’s hard to tell. But it’s nice to think back, remember my childhood and know how happy I would have been at that time, clutching my mother’s hand as we posed. I’m dressed smartly, not in my play clothes, so perhaps we were on our way out somewhere. Whenever I look at this image, I always note how well set up the shot is, which makes me think it was my father behind the camera. He had a fine eye when it came to taking photos, and I know he’d have been thinking about the angles and the height, and a way of capturing little Candy – after all, he was a part of the family too…

We’re thrilled to launch our search for the Amazing Women Awards 2021. It’s a chance to discover and celebrate the incredible women aged 50 and above who make a difference to the lives of so many others. From business leaders and celebrities to community heroes, we love hearing their stories. We will be presenting five regional reader-nominated awards, so tell us about your amazing friend, sister, colleague or acquaintance who deserves a shout-out. In a year that has been so challenging, it’s a wonderful opportunity for you to shine a light on the unsung heroines in your lives and communities. Last year’s winners included Adele Sewell, who turned her own battle against ovarian cancer into an opportunity to fundraise for other women affected by the disease; Naomi Sesay, who promotes…

your fi nances Need to know The clock is ticking down until the end of the tax year, and the chance to stash cash where any interest and growth is tax-free. You have until 5 April to use this year’s individual savings account (ISA) allowance and salt away up to £20,000 in savings, investments or a combination of both. Take advantage of tax relief on pensions. Most taxpayers can pay up to 100% of their earnings into a pension, max £40,000 a year, and nab tax relief on top, plus any employer contributions. A basic-rate taxpayer putting £80 into a pension will get £20 added in tax relief. Pop up to £9,000 a year into a Junior ISA for a child under 18. Older offspring may appreciate up to £4,000…

CASUAL JUMPSUIT An all-in-one can be daunting, but we predict it will become a favourite outfit. ✢ This pink jumpsuit is not only comfortable but flattering too. Layer over a T-shirt and roll up the sleeves for a relaxed look. Jumpsuit, £65, sizes 6-22, whitestuff.com; T-shirt, £39, sizes xs-l, winserlondon.com; trainers, £85, frenchconnection.com The perfect denim jacket and everyday handbag. Jacket, £95, sizes xs-l, frenchconnection.com; bag, £215, russellandbromley.co.uk SMOCK FROCK Counteract the loose fit of a midi dress by using a fitted denim jacket, like the one pictured left, to pull in the billowing fabric. Showing off a little leg will help too. ✢ Plus, a floral print is a fail-safe way of brightening your wardrobe every year! Dress, £149, sizes 6-18, baukjen.com; boots, £149, mintvelvet.co.uk Jewellery worn throughout: Pearl…

Body care has come a long way from fruity shower gels and homemade sugar scrubs, with active ingredients now a common element in our everyday creams and lotions. But don’t worry, we’re not about to set you off on a seven-step daily ritual. ‘Taking care of your skin from the neck down is just as important as it is for the face, but it doesn’t have to be as complicated,’ says Paula Begoun, founder of Paula’s Choice. Initiating a few simple steps will not only change the way your body looks, but also how you feel about it. Start with the basics CLEANSE Unless you’ve worked up a sweat, our skin doesn’t need vigorous cleaning. Using too much cleanser, particularly one that strips the skin, can cause more harm than…

1 BEST FOR DRYNESS Lancôme Hydra Zen Anti-Stress Glow Liquid Moisturiser, £39, johnlewis.com If your skin feels tight and uncomfortable, it’s most likely dehydrated and in need of revitalisation. This moisturiser may be light in consistency but it’s heavy on results, protecting against stress aggressors and strengthening the skin’s barrier, for a complexion that looks fresher and brighter, and feels more supple. 2 BEST FOR COMPLEXION ZEN Patchology FlashMasque Soothe 5 Minute Sheet Mask, £28 for four, patchology.co.uk Packed with natural anti-inflammatories, this mimics the aloe vera plant to de-puff irritated skin and calm redness on contact. Pop on, sit back and reap the benefits long after your five-minute mask moment is up. 3 BEST FOR CALMING This Works Stress Check Face Oil, £40, feelunique.com Skin can unapologetically reveal the…

What do your readings mean? ✢ mmHg Blood pressure is measured in millimetres of mercury. ✢ 140/90mmHg or over – high blood pressure Your risk of serious health problems goes up. ✢ 120/80mmHg to 140/90mmHg – pre-high blood pressure/high-normal blood pressure Your blood pressure is higher than it should be. ✢ 90/60mmHg to 120/80mmHg – ideal blood pressure A normal, healthy blood pressure. ✢ 90/60mmHg or lower – low blood pressure Not usually a problem, but if you have symptoms, this may be a sign of another health problem.…

✢ SPINACH is high in iron ✢ COLLARD GREENS provides calcium and fibre ✢ CABBAGE is a good source of vitamin C ✢ ROMAINE LETTUCE is full of potassium ✢ BEETROOT GREENS leaves are delicious and nutritious when cooked ✢ KALE is a rich source of vitamin K ✢ WATERCRESS has a high antioxidant content ✢ ROCKET is a nutrient-dense leaf that will supercharge salads ✢ BOK CHOY is an excellent source of vitamin C ✢ SWISS CHARD contains free-radical fighting carotenoids and flavonoids…

Despite me handwashing, distancing and staying at home, I caught COVID-19 in April 2020 when picking up a prescription from a pharmacy. At first, I blamed tiredness, as I’d been working hard. Then, in the early hours of one morning, I woke not being able to breathe. As the infection developed, I had pain around my heart and lungs. My glands were so swollen they closed my throat when I slept, causing me to wake with a gasping jolt. I had to breathe slow and low into my diaphragm to get air. I had the insidious Covid cough, unbelievable full-body fatigue, a headache resembling a terrible hangover, dizziness and shivering, sunburn-like pain under the skin, abdominal pain with diarrhoea, and everything tasted of tinfoil. There was also a constant shortness…

Q I had a Mirena fitted three years ago and, ever since then, I’ve hardly had any periods, which in a way has been bliss, as they were so heavy. But now I’m 50, and I’m getting a few hot flushes, so I’d quite like to know where I am in terms of the menopause. Should I have the coil removed? A The Mirena intrauterine device has a core of progesterone, which is slowly released over five years, and has the effect of thinning the womb lining. This can lead to a dramatic reduction in menstrual blood loss, and some women have no periods at all. Though this can be an advantage for many, especially as periods can be erratic and very heavy in the time leading up to menopause,…

What’s better than coming in from the cold to a steaming mug of hot chocolate? This isn’t the time to worry about the waistline, say our Test Kitchen chefs. Think quality. Opt for organic whole milk, or even Jersey, and the best-quality cocoa powder. Pastry chefs will tell you Valrhona is the best – find it on amazon.co.uk. Otherwise, we rate Cadbury Bournville, which is low carb. In a metal pan, add 1tbsp water per serving and bring to a simmer before whisking in the cocoa (1tbsp per person), then the milk (220ml), a few pieces of dark chocolate and granulated sugar to taste. Finish off with your favourite toppings.…

FRESHEN UP A FIREPLACE Turn an empty fireplace into a focal point by filling it with greenery. Mix plants of different sizes and leaf shape, potted in ceramic planters and woven baskets. Position taller plants at the back to create height, with shorter ones at the front, filling gaps with smaller pots. ✢ Try plants that are happy in indirect light, such as fiddle-leaf and rubber plants. MAKE A HANGING GARDEN Brighten up a dreary spot by creating a wall of trailing greenery. Use a curtain pole to hang your plants, securing it with a bracket at either end and slotting the planters on, or using hooks to hang. Go for a mix of planters in macramé and basket weave for an eclectic look, and hang at staggered heights to…

Asparagus quiche This quiche not only looks impressive – we can assure you that it tastes just as good! Serves 10 • Ready in 1hr 40 mins, plus chilling for the Parmesan pastry: 50g Parmesan cheese, grated, plus a little extra, to garnish 225g plain flour 140g cold unsalted butter, diced for the filling: 3 free-range eggs 175ml double cream 150g fine asparagus, blanched and cooled 125g Gruye`re cheese, grated you will need: a 20cm tart tin, lightly buttered; greaseproof paper; baking beans 1 Heat the oven to 200C/Gas 6. Rub the Parmesan, flour, butter and a pinch of salt together to resemble breadcrumbs. Add 4tbsp ice water and bring together to form a dough. Wrap in cling film and chill for 30 mins in the fridge. 2 Roll out the…

Catherine wrote her first book under the pseudonym Jane Costello and her subsequent books were all bestsellers. You Me Everything was her first under the name Catherine Isaac, which was chosen as a Richard & Judy Book Club pick. Her latest novel, The World at My Feet , is about the transforming power of love. Sometimes I find ideas bubble away for years; others arrive when you’re least expecting them. The idea for The World at My Feet came while I was researching a completely different book. I plan my novels out in advance, but know it will change once I begin. It’s a messy process but I’m resigned to it! Although I write about difficult themes, I make sure there’s as much for a reader to smile about. I…

POLITICAL INSIGHT A PROMISED LAND by Barack Obama I recently interviewed Obama about this book. It’s a fascinating read about how he became a senator, and the first four years of his presidency, and gives a real insight into the man’s soul, his mind, into how politics work, and who really has the power. You meet the staff of the White House too – gardeners and butlers who’ve been there for years. SEEING THE FUTURE CASSANDRA SPEAKS by Elizabeth Lesser This feminist book explores the myth of a beautiful woman who is cursed by Apollo. He gives her the power to see the future, but nobody will believe her or hear her voice. That’s the curse of women – we know better, yet our voices are ignored. What would happen…

Faye sat by the window of the hotel lounge, nursing a large gin and tonic. Her table was booked for 8pm, which meant 20 more minutes of sitting here pretending she was perfectly happy to be on her own, in this room full of laughing groups and smiling couples. Normally, it didn’t bother her, but sometimes, like this evening, she could have done with a bit of company. A taxi drew up outside and a couple in their 50s climbed out. The man, a rather pompous-looking fellow, was dressed in a fawn-coloured suit. The woman wore a beautiful bohemian-style dress with white trainers. Faye peered out of the window. Something about her was strangely familiar. Faye took a sip of her ice-cold gin just as the woman turned to face…

TAURUS 21 APRIL – 21 MAY April comes alive on the 19th when the Taurus sun makes four planets onside, promising excitement. Communication is well-starred and love looks lovely. Call 0905 789 4151* and choose weekly, monthly and yearly updates GEMINI 22 MAY – 22 JUNE Fiery Mars is in Gemini until the 22nd. Super busy, don’t run around like a headless chicken. On the 17th, you might blow your top. Watch stress levels. Call 0905 789 4152* and choose weekly, monthly and yearly updates CANCER 23 JUNE – 23 JULY April’s start is packed with happenings, some hair-raising, some heart-warming. The 27th‘s full moon brings out aspects of a situation you weren’t aware of. Call 0905 789 4153* and choose weekly, monthly and yearly updates LEO 24 JULY –…

‘I’m sorry to report I’m as ignorant as ever’ Every spring I contract Listeria – a desperate urge to write to-do lists. After the long winter lockdown, the first whiff of daffodils snaps me into an energetic mood of self-improvement. This year’s list read like this: 1 Be more creative in bed… And by that I do not mean knitting while watching Newsnight. 2 Don’t drink so much wine while cooking that when you greet your guests they can hear you sloshing. 3 Give up drinking. 4 Take up Pilates and get a pelvic floor a bloke can go and trampoline off. 5 Admit the dimmer switch is not a beauty aid, and groom. 6 Be better informed. After a long hibernation watching Netflix, my brain is so atrophied I…

MARIKA COBBOLD was born into a family of writers. Determined not to follow in their footsteps but powerless against what was known as the family curse, she became a novelist. We love her take on granny guilt on p27. Which home improvement has brought you the most happiness? In my dreams, it’s a conservatory. Alas, planning regs don’t allow for such alterations to our listed home, so I’ll pick our newly built window seats where I sit and gaze out across the street. Serial homebuyer JANE CHRISTMAS has written five memoirs, including Open House: A Life in Thirty-Two Moves. Since moving from Canada to England 10 years ago, she has already moved four times, which she writes about on p36. Which home improvement has brought you the most happiness? If…

@rupertandmummy, 37, adds shape to her flattering shirt dress with a tie belt @_sarahchuck, 44, does double denim the right way with wide-leg jeans and a hip-length jacket @silkd5, 51, updates her outerwear with a colour-pop shacket, perfect for spring layering @mimilabesa, 34, oozes elegance in a silky dress and square-toed heels in timeless, muted tones @monia_loves, 41, shows the stomper boot is going nowhere by pairing them with jewel-toned trousers @fashion_junkie1, 36, proves a bold patterned co-ord looks blooming brilliant with an oversized neutral clutch bag @hillhousevintage, 51, pairs her floral frock with white pumps for a fresh daytime look @emilyjanejohnston, 41, brightens up her wardrobe with a neon-pink knit and stylish statement earrings Add your pictures by hashtagging #womanandhomestreetstyle or email wandhstreetstyle@futurenet.com to join in.…

Why did you start the podcast, Thanks A Million? It started as a passion project. Gratitude is the one thing that can change the way I feel quickly and dramatically. I thought if I did a podcast around it, then I’ll have to practise it. I wanted to explore the power of gratitude with other people. Sometimes it seems like some people have it all sorted, but when you drill it down, we’re all the same and we need to remind ourselves that the little things are the big things, really. My greatest fear is having forgotten to live life. Have you struggled with slowing down in the past? I’ve spent an awful lot of time with my focus being on work and striving to tick things off a list…

‘The childhoods we share may set the pattern for adult tensions’ Blood may be thicker than water. But while families do often provide us with the long-lasting support and security that many other relationships don’t, they can also create the most long-lasting hurt. Sibling relationships in particular can wound us deeply. The childhoods we share, with all those daily sibling irritations, anxieties and rivalries, can set the pattern for adult tensions. And yes, we may love our brothers and sisters, but we know them so well that it’s all too easy to take them for granted. Plus, even if we want to erase our siblings from our lives as we can do with friends or partners, other family ties and commitments make it almost impossible to break completely. Whether we…

✢ SCENTED CANDLES I decided to always burn a scented candle in my office when I’m writing (this habit has now got out of hand and there are candles all over the house). ✢ FRESH BLOOMS I vowed to buy some every couple of weeks. This small happy thing led to me attending a floristry course, so now I take pleasure from arranging them too. Other tangible things, such as new stationery, perfume or simply a punnet of raspberries can all make me happy. ✢ CINEMA Some of my most vivid childhood memories are of sneaking snacks into our local cinema to watch a matinee. Before lockdown it was back on the agenda as a monthly treat. ✢ CONNECTING WITH FRIENDS When work gets hectic, my social life is always…

These awards celebrate the amazing women in our communities. Whether it’s your friend, a relation, your co-worker or your boss, these are the women who make our world a better place, from caring for others, to protecting our countryside or animals, to going the extra mile for charity. We’re looking for three nominees from each of the following regions: ✢ Scotland and Northern Ireland ✢ North East, North West and Yorkshire ✢ Wales and West Midlands ✢ East Midlands and East Anglia ✢ South West and South East JUST GO TO  womanandhome.com/awardnominationsYou will need your nominee’s permission, plus a photo of them, and tell us in 250 words or less why they deserve to win. DEADLINE TO ENTER 30 April 2021 Who will you nominate?…

Now there’s no need to ask friends travelling from the US to make a Sephora detour as insider-obsessed beauty imports have finally made it across the pond. When Drunk Elephant launched in the UK, there was a sadness that the glow-inducing, pore-minimising exfoliator, T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial, was not in the line-up, but now it is (£67, cultbeauty. co.uk). Expensive, yes, but try it once and the results speak for themselves. Trust us. We can also treat skin to a facial with celeb favourite Kate Somerville’s iconic Goat Milk Moisturizing Cleanser, £32, kate somerville.co.uk, and recharge tired complexions with Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask, £42, cultbeauty.co.uk. And for brows that look fuller, more shapely and groomed, try Glossier’s flexible pomade Brow Boy, £14, glossier.com…

MODERN HANDHELD Small but mighty, these smart and structured bags are roomy enough for all the essentials. ELEGANT SLINGBACK Give the classic slingback a new-season spin and go for colour that boosts your mood. LUXE LOAFER The perfect addition to your skinny jeans or cigarette trousers, the modern loafer is sleek, polished and, best of all, comfortable! CROSS BODY COOL Pretty and practical, this hands-free hero offers a fresh update that is guaranteed to go with everything.…

1 REMEMBER YOUR HANDS After a year of continually washing and sanitising, it’s never been more important to look after our hands. Seek lotions that contain skin-loving ingredients, such as shea butter, which helps aid moisture levels and combat the drying effect of water. OUAI Hand Crème, £19, modesens.com , is a newly launched hand balm that uses coconut oil and shea butter to hydrate hands on the go. 2 FOCUS ON YOUR DECOLLETAGE This delicate area is vulnerable to damage and, with a widespread addiction to technology, we are now deepening the chance of wrinkles by constantly looking down at our devices. Always take your moisturisers down to your chest, and look for lotions that include retinol to aid cell renewal and help lift the skin. SkinCeuticals…

EAT WITH THE SEASONS Jane Clarke is a dietitian and founder of nourishbyjaneclarke.com One of the joys of springtime is the shift from winter’s comfort foods to a fresher palette of ingredients. See if you can spot these foods on your next shop. ✣ Breakfast boost Forced rhubarb is a brilliant source of vitamin C and fibre. Poach it in orange juice with a vanilla pod and a little sugar, and enjoy for breakfast with a slick of protein-rich Vanilla Nourish Drink. ✣ Lunchtime livener Purple sprouting broccoli packs a nutrient punch with vitamins A and C, iron, folic acid, calcium and fibre. Steam it until just tender, then toss it into a salad of vegetables, herbs, leaves and protein – lentils or feta squares are delicious. ✣ Dinner’s superpower…

✢ Enjoy some form of physical activity every day, even if it’s just walking to the shops. ✢ Do at least 150 minutes’ moderate intensity activity a week. Moderate activity raises your heart rate, makes you breathe faster, feel warmer and break out in a slight sweat. As your blood pressure goes down you can progress to more vigorous intensity activity, for 75 minutes a week. ✢ Eat a healthy diet with lots of fruit and vegetables. Aim for 10 portions of 80g each a day. ✢ Cut down on alcohol. ✢ Lose weight, if you’re overweight. Consult a dietitian or join a slimming club if you need help with this. ✢ Quit smoking. Try the Smokefree National Helpline on 0300 123 1044. ✢ Get enough sleep. Most adults need…

As the days get longer, people will soon be pressing the button on their ‘2021-let’s- get-fitter’ projects. A more apt name might be ‘Let’s-make-thebest-version-of-ourselves-becauseoh-my-God-we-don’t-want-anotheryear-like-2020’, but that doesn’t really roll off the tongue. Before we dig out the yoga mat and stuff our faces with kale, let’s look at a list of 10 common beliefs that may have become a little… hmm, how shall I say it… worn around the edges. 1 ‘Carbs are bad’ Carbohydrates, encompassing a wide range of food types, get bad press because we lump them all together. View with caution cheap, sugary foods (our go-to giver of comfort and joy)! The good stuff (oats, wholegrains, potatoes, rice, pasta, sweet potatoes, bread, beans, lentils, fruit, vegetables) feed our brains and muscles. 2 ‘I have a boring diet…

Yes, the yolk of eggs does contain cholesterol, so you should limit the number of eggs you eat. But it’s now known that the cholesterol in foods has a much smaller effect on the level of both total cholesterol and harmful LDL cholesterol than the saturated fatty acids found in foods such as butter and fatty meat, and eggs are actually low in saturated fat. So now the advice is that as long as you eat a balanced, varied diet, there is no limit on how many eggs you should eat – though those who have an inherited tendency to very high cholesterol levels (about 1 in 500 people in the UK) should limit intake to no more than four a week. Sadly, for chocolate eggs it’s a different story,…

Green homes worth more The greener your home, the greater its value. Every property sold is measured in an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), with ratings from A down to G. A study by Compare the Market revealed that homes rated A or B were worth 6% more than those rated D. On a house otherwise valued at £255,000, this 6% difference could mean an extra £15,300 – so investments like insulation might pay off financially as well as environmentally. Wildlife women Broadcaster and biologist Liz Bonnin is the first woman to be president of The Wildlife Trusts. And biologist Gillian Burke, who co-hosts the BBC’s Spring, Autumn and Winterwatch, is the new vice president. Known for documentaries including Drowning in Plastic and Blue Planet Live, Bonnin is spearheading the charity’s…

Rhubarb meringue pie The ideal dessert, this pretty-in-pink meringue can be made a day ahead with minimal fuss. Serves 12 • Ready in 55 mins, plus chilling for the pastry: 300g plain flour 100g icing sugar zest of 1 orange 175g unsalted butter, plus extra for greasing 2 large egg yolks 2tbsp orange juice for the rhubarb filling: 450ml apple and rhubarb juice (we used Cawston Press) 80g cornflour 180g caster sugar 120g butter, cubed 4 large egg yolks 1tsp natural pink food colouring for the Italian meringue topping: 4 large egg whites 220g caster sugar you will need: 25cm flan tin – ours is 3cm deep; baking parchment and baking beans; digital thermometer; blowtorch, optional 1 For the pastry, sift the flour and icing sugar together, then mix through the…

Trofie with pesto, potatoes and green beans This Ligurian classic originates from Genoa, the home of pesto. Trofie pasta can be difficult to find, but the chewy texture makes such a difference. Serves 4 • Ready in 35 mins 8 new potatoes, peeled and very finely sliced on a mandoline 150g fine green beans, topped, tailed and halved 500g trofie sea salt and freshly ground black pepper for the pesto: 1 small garlic clove 100g basil leaves, roughly chopped 75g pine nuts 75g Parmesan, finely grated, plus extra to serve 150ml olive oil 1 First, make the pesto. Using a pestle and mortar, crush the garlic with a good pinch of sea salt to fine paste. Add the basil leaves and crush until they become a pulp. Add the pine nuts…

SPIES AND SUSPENSE THE ROSE CODE by Kate Quinn (£14.99, HB, HarperCollins) It’s 1940 when three women are recruited to work at Bletchley Park – the top-secret home of the codebreakers. Osla, the socialite – once beau of Prince Philip – ambitious Mab and smart Beth are friends until a betrayal tears them apart. Years later, they’re brought together to crack one last code. Weaving together the lives of real-life and fictional characters, Quinn’s storytelling paints a vivid picture. HEARTBREAKER BRIGHT BURNING THINGS by Lisa Harding (£14.99, HB, Bloomsbury) With four-year-old son, Tommy, and a dog to look after, former actress and alcohol-dependent Sonya is struggling and alone. She loves her son but her erratic and chaotic life reaches a crisis point, and Harding takes us inside Sonya’s…

A RESPECTABLE TRADE by Philippa Gregory is a disturbing read that transports you to 18th-century Bristol and the docks where it’s based. Mandy Denye, Devon At the moment I am reading MISS BENSON’S BEETLE by Rachel Joyce, about two women on an adventure. I’m enjoying it so much. Mel McEvansoneya, Norfolk I recently picked up BIG STONE GAP by Adriana Trigiani, set in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia – a big-hearted story about small-town life. Denise Adams, Northants DAUGHTERS OF NIGHT by Laura Shepherd-Robinson brings Georgian London and its dirty secrets to life. A contender for my book of 2021. Katharine Riordan, Herts…

The Irregulars Set in Victorian London, this series follows a gang of delinquent teens who are manipulated into solving crimes for sinister Doctor Watson (Royce Pierreson) and his mysterious partner Sherlock (Henry Lloyd-Hughes). Netflix The Falcon and The Winter Solider Marvel characters Falcon, aka Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie), and Winter Soldier, aka Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), team up in this series, which is set after Avengers: Endgame . Disney+ NOSE Following François Demachy, Christian Dior’s perfume creator and ‘nose’, this documentary gives an insight into how the company’s famous perfumes are made, and where the ingredients are sourced. Amazon Prime Video…

HONEST APPROACH I felt Sam Baker’s piece on the menopause [February] puts further pressure on women. Most can’t either ‘throw themselves into our work’ or ‘do our own thing’. We need advice on how to have conversations with our employers around how the symptoms (brain fog!) can cause a dip in performance. And how to have conversations with our family so they aren’t worried their mum is becoming an alien, and rather recognise when they might need to support her by, I don’t know, putting the bins out or getting the dinner on? Let’s apply a ‘real world’ lens to us women. Catherine SHORT SHRIFT I enjoy Annie Deadman’s down-to-earth approach to fitness. However, I have a dachshund and he would be offended by Annie’s description of walking a dachshund…

Want results faster? New research shows there might just be a way to get what you want even quicker than 66 days. How? With mini celebrations for each small achievement. ‘Even if it’s a tiny step forward – such as drinking one glass of water or getting through half a day without checking your Facebook, if you celebrate it in some way, the habit is more likely to stick more quickly,’ says Heather. ‘This is because, by acknowledging that we’ve done something good, dopamine is released in the brain, which makes us feel good about it. The brain associates that feeling with the action we’ve just done, and wants to do it again. So you’re retraining your brain to associate that new habit with pleasure.’ So whatever the achievement is,…

‘I’ve got the filthiest – and the best – job on the force’ Suzanne Crossley, 50, is a sergeant in Northumbria Police’s Marine and Specialist Search Team. She lives with her husband Ken, a retired police officer, and their son Ryan, 16. Much of my team’s work involves underwater searches for missing people and, sadly, the past 12 months have kept us very busy. The majority of people we search for are older but, during the pandemic, we’ve seen an increase in younger fatalities. When you have children yourself, it really brings the pain home, and we do everything that we can to bring the loved one back to their family. I manage a team of 10 divers and technicians, in which I am the only woman. We cover a…

‘My husband rolls his eyes when a box arrives with yet more plants!’ Our passion for plant-hunting took off in Victorian times, when plant collectors were like the Indiana Joneses of the botanical world, journeying to far-flung corners of the globe on quests to bring home new plant species. Among these horticultural hunters was the trailblazing artist Marianne North, who, in 1871, embarked on several solo expeditions to countries such as Brazil and Borneo, to paint more than 900 plant species. Today’s plant hunters are just as passionate, but they track down elusive specimens via plant swaps and specialist nurseries, keeping often-rare specimens in spare rooms and conservatories. These women all have National Plant Collections and are saving plant species that will be invaluable for future generations to enjoy. ADDICTED…

✢ KEEP COMMUNICATING Engaged in your individual lives, you may speak less than before, or on a more surface level. Instead, schedule regular one-to-one calls, emails or Zoom, where you can share thoughts and feelings. ✢ UPDATE OFTEN All of us change over our lifetime – and keep changing. It’s common to lose track, even with siblings whom you feel close to. Keep swapping notes so that you always know where you are both at. ✢ SWAP EXPECTATIONS What are you and your siblings’ ideas of family duty – to each other, and to your parents? On an ongoing basis? Or in a crisis, like redundancy, illness or bereavement? What are family members expected to do? ✢ TOLERATE DIFFERENCES As children, you likely shared a common culture and beliefs, but…

✢ Teabags, usually sealed with polyethylene ✢ Stickers on loose fruit and veg ✢ Cigarette butts ✢ Glitter ✢ Balloons ✢ Chewing gum ✢ ‘Flushable’ wet wipes ✢ Most tampons and sanitary towels ✢ Paper coffee cups, with a plastic lining ✢ Jar lids, lined with plastisol ✢ Drinks cans, often lined with epoxy ✢ Tin cans, with Bisphenol A (BPA) lining ✢ Tetra Pak cartons ✢ Clothing from man-made fibres, such as nylon, polyester, acrylic and microfi bre fl eece…

FRIENDS Some will listen, others cry with you, some will pick you up… true friends will be invaluable. FAMILY Seeing your loved ones grow is a privilege. Enjoy it. TOUCH When it’s safe, hug your loved ones, link arms, hold hands, embrace as much and as often as you can. FRESH AIR It’s invigorating, and a walk in the open air is great for your mental health. YOUR BODY Love it, look after it and above all listen to it. If it’s telling you something’s not right then don’t ignore the signs. Push for answers until you’re heard. LAUGHTER It holds such power and can help you through. Try to ‘find the funny’ in things. HUMANITY Kindness, patience and community spirit are the qualities that make life worth living.…

MINT ✢ A soft green is instantly calming and will inject some serenity into your wardrobe. ✢ If this top-to-toe candy colour is a leap for you, mix the hue with warm tans and beige for a light, fresh take. Look for masculine shapes, like this oversized blazer, which will toughen up the trend LILAC ✢ Some shy away from lavender for fear it looks saccharine, but this season you can wear it with confidence. ✢ Choose modern silhouettes, such as wide-leg trousers and smock dresses, to elevate the look. Try tucking in a navy T-shirt to add some depth to your outfit LEMON ✢ Yellow is in the spotlight this season and will boost your mood in no time. ✢ Start off with accessories to ease the colour into…

As you know, I’m all for an easy style hack and this is one every woman should have in her repertoire. For reasons I don’t fully understand, wearing one shade head to toe emanates sartorial confidence. It can make an outfit look luxurious and elegant in an effortlessly chic way. Referred to as tonal dressing, it not only looks expensive, it also tricks the eyes into seeing a streamline of colour, creating a slimming effect. Got your attention? Thought so. But before you run to your wardrobe and grab a blouse, skirt and jacket all in the same colour, here are some things to think about. While wearing one hue is the name of the game, to create interest, what you want is a combination of similar shades in complementary…

1 GLASS LIPS A rosebud pout is an enduring and supremely flattering lip look. It has undergone a sheer and shiny makeover this season, embodying our current obsession for all things healthy and glowing. This is good news for lips, given that a high-shine finish helps to reflect more light, creating the illusion of a plumper, fuller pout. But forget the sticky and slippery connotations of lip glosses in the past. The new and improved versions promise a veil of colour with nourishing ingredients that care for and treat lips. MAC Powerglass Plumping Lipgloss, £19, asos.com, for instance, delivers youth-boosting benefits with a tingly, hyaluronic acid formula that increases volume and fills liplines. Lip oils give all the glow of a gloss without the tackiness, with added health benefits. e.l.f.…

1 Eyebrow lift Place your two index fingers under the eyebrows. Very slowly, close your eyes and hold for 10 seconds. Repeat twice more. You should feel shaking in the upper part of your eyelids. RESULT Lifts and tones the eyebrow area, and avoids the development of hooded eyes. 2 The lip tuck Tuck your lips in and allow your lip corners to move up, then use your index fingers to smooth out any lines in the area. Hold the position. Keep lifting the lip corners and release and repeat a few times. RESULT Tones cheek and mouth muscles. 3 The ‘V’ Put both middle fingers between the brows. Apply pressure to the outer corners of eyes with your index fingers. Look up and move the lower eyelids upwards, making…

DIVERTICULAR DISEASE AND DIVERTICULITIS – IS THERE A DIFFERENCE? In diverticular disease, small pouches develop from the inside lining of gut, usually in the lower part of the large intestine. The chance of this happening increases with age, and nearly half of all people have diverticula by the age of 50, rising to 70% by the age of 80. Though many people with diverticular disease have no symptoms, they can cause intermittent lower abdominal discomfort, bloating, diarrhoea, constipation or passing mucus with stools. If faeces are trapped inside a diverticula, it can become inflamed and infected, causing more severe pain, and a fever, often with nausea and blood in the stools, a condition known as diverticulitis. About one in five people with diverticular disease develop a bout of diverticulitis at…

DAIRY-FREE DELIGHTS Buying vegan sweet treats just got easier. Coming in flavours such as Peanut Caramel Cahoots and Chunky Chocolate, Prodigy bars use ethically sourced raw organic cacao nibs as the key ingredient, and contain less sugar than mainstream alternatives. The plastic-free wrappers are compostable too; prodigysnacks.com OVER AND UNDER Pantee is an underwear brand with a mission: to tackle fashion waste head-on by saving materials from landfill. How? By using deadstock T-shirts to create sustainable and stylish bras and pants. The result is upcycled garments that are soft on the skin and gentle on the planet; pantee.co.uk OCEAN’S MILLION Help tackle the problem of single-use plastic packaging by buying an Ocean Bottle. The stylish reusable bottles are made from ocean plastic and each purchase funds the collection of 1,000…

EVOCATIVE MYSTERY THE LAMPLIGHTERS by Emma Stonex (£14.99, HB, Pan Macmillan) Set in Cornwall in the winter of 1972, three lighthouse keepers seemingly vanish from a locked tower 15 miles out to sea during a storm. But what really happened? Inspired by a real story, this beautifully written novel alternates between the narratives of the men in the lighthouse and those of their wives and girlfriends left behind, as a novelist sets out to uncover the truth. This mystery has it all, including an eerily accurate insight into relationships and marriage, and a haunting look at love, loss and guilt. We loved it.…

‘My first novel, The House of the Spirits, was an exercise in nostalgia’ Born in Peru and raised in Chile, Isabel Allende is the world’s most widely read Spanish-language author. Her books have sold more than 74 million copies worldwide, including The House of the Spirits and A Long Petal of the Sea. Her latest book is a feminist memoir, The Soul of a Woman. Isabel lives in California with her husband and two dogs. I began writing as a journalist for a controversial magazine called Paula in Chile in the late 60s. We discussed essential topics for women that no other publication would touch upon – our bodies, domestic violence, abortion, divorce – you name it. We got a lot of aggression from conservative politicians and from Chilean society…