Innholdsfortegnelse for February 2023 i Woman & Home

Some people find it easy to stay slim and even claim to fit into the same clothes they did when they were 20. Unfortunately, I am not one of them! The lure of the cheeseboard is always too much for me to resist. Which is why I’ll be following our special wellness plan on p105. It’s not that I don’t love myself, I just love myself a bit more with only one chin… But even if you don’t want to shed a few pounds, this fabulous special is still relevant, as it’s packed full of ideas for leading a healthier lifestyle, and our food section this month is all about healthy nutrition that’s still comforting and delicious (the healthy midweek meals on p122 are all under 550 calories per portion,…

COFFEE AND CREAM…

‘I WENT FROM AN EMPTY-NESTER TO A HAPPY-GO-LUCKY BACKPACKER’ Nine years ago, Janice Horton and her husband James, both now 63, gave up their home and jobs to see the world. In 2013, James and I made the decision to sell all we owned and choose a life of adventure. I haven’t had a moment’s regret. I’ve gone from being a typical mid-50s empty-nester to an adventurer who’s travelled the world twice over. We lived in a lovely home in Dumfries. I did the accounts for my husband’s small engineering company and dabbled in writing romantic novels. Our three sons were at university, and James and I started questioning our lives. We yearned to travel more. We’d always prioritised holidays over material things, and slowly, the idea of selling up…

1 Self-deprecation… it’s so last year I love to make art and recently reclaimed our adult daughter’s former bedroom to paint in. I used to mumble, ‘This is where I do a bit of doodling.’ ‘So it’s your studio?’ a friend asked. ‘That sounds a bit pretentious,’ I protested. But yes, actually – it is. I intend to own it, and use it as much as I can. 2 And so to bed… I like to retire to bed at 8pm occasionally – like a convalescing Victorian lady (without being ill), I cocoon myself in an otherwise empty bed, where I can spread out in a star shape, leaf through books and magazines and relish being alone. (Since COVID, my husband and I have both worked from home and are…

I treasure this photograph of me with my grandfather: it brings back my very first memories of being in nature, engulfed by things that grow. It was taken in 1950 – I was around a year old, and we were on his allotment, down by the river in Ilkley in the Yorkshire Dales. I have vivid memories of being there as a child, not least because I was captivated by the magic of the place, and the array of plants he grew. You can see the sweet peas climbing up the beanpoles, and there are Cadbury’s cocoa tin lids hanging from bits of string to frighten the sparrows off. ‘I loved hunting for blackberries on golden autumn afternoons’ I remember he had the classiest support for his blackberry bush for…

Earning PRAI the globally recognised title of the ‘Neck-Xperts’, PRAI Beauty’s Ageless Collection is a complete line-up of targeted skincare saviours for hard-to-treat areas such as the neck, decolletage and upper arm. PRAI also offers a variety of facial skincare solutions across three key ranges, helping to look after your skin from the first signs of ageing through to the changes menopause can bring and beyond. Containing real 24k gold along with other impressive ingredients, such as vitamin C and retinol, the fan-favourite 24k Gold Collection is ideal for those looking to tackle fine lines and wrinkles. Harnessing the properties of this precious metal, this collection works to reduce inflammation while boosting luminosity, giving your skin a gorgeous, dewy glow. If sagging and a loss of firmness is more of…

In fashion circles, this lovely sleeveless knit is now referred to as a sweater vest. But as someone who grew up in the 1970s, I still prefer to call it a tank top. I fondly remember wearing a snazzy teal blue and red striped version with my Oxford bags and cherry print blouse, back in the day, and more than 40 years later, the tank top remains an excellent layering piece. From Ali MacGraw in Love Story to Phoebe Waller-Bridge in the 2021 Harry Styles music video Treat People With Kindness, the sleeveless tank has enduring style. There are many ways you can wear a multitasking tank top. At this time of year, I’m quite partial to blending different fabrics together, hence the textured marl knit from Toast layered over…

Retinoids is the umbrella name for a group of chemicals, all derived from vitamin A. First used in the 80s to treat acne, skin experts noticed they had amazing skin-rejuvenating properties too. ‘Some of their benefits include smoother, plumper skin, unclogged pores and reduced pigmentation,’ says consultant dermatologist Dr Alia Ahmed, from GetHarley. Very potent retinoids, called tretinoin, are available on prescription from a dermatologist. Tretinoin has the speediest results but can make your skin red and sore when you start using it. There are lots of less potent retinoids in over-the-counter products. They are gentler on the skin and take longer to give results, but work in a similar way. Some can irritate your complexion a little when you start using them, so if you are new to retinoids,…

THIS MONTH ✢ Blood test confusion ✢ Gout ✢ HRT and dementia Q I thought gout was a condition from the times of Henry VIII, but our local GP says that my husband has it in his big toe. He has been given some medication, but isn’t gout something that only affects people who eat a lot of meat and drink port? A Gout is a type of arthritis, which can be extremely painful and causes inflammation in the joints. It affects about one in 100 people, and is more common in men. It is due to high levels of uric acid in the blood, which can crystallise and collect in a joint, leading to the attack of gout. It tends to cause severe pain in one joint, most commonly…

This month, lovely readers, I want positivity to radiate out of this column and envelop you all. We’ve enjoyed (or endured) the past few weeks – and now we want to get on with our New Year to-do lists. Along with book a holiday or eat more broccoli, you might have written down ‘get fitter’. Hurrah! In the wake of too much party food and tighter skirts, it’s great that motivation is high. And as it’s my dream to help midlife women make the best of themselves physically and emotionally, the following words are about caring for that lovely body as you start to move it more. Exercise benefits your health, sleep, mood, blood pressure, and defence against disease and cancers. It will tighten and strengthen muscles so your metabolic…

Prawn caponata pasta This classic Italian veggie stew makes a fab sauce for pasta. The addition of prawns keeps it lean, but filling and satisfying. Serves 4 • Prep 5 mins • Cook 30 mins 4tbsp olive oil1tbsp capers, drained2tbsp fresh breadcrumbs2 garlic cloves, grated2tsp dill, finely chopped1 large aubergine (approx 300g), cut into bite-size pieces1 large courgette (approx 300g), cut into half moons1 stick celery, sliced1tbsp tomato puree400g tin chopped tomatoes75g pitted Kalamata olives300g wholewheat penne150g raw, peeled king prawnsFresh basil leaves, to serve 1 Heat 1tbsp oil in a large frying pan. Once hot, fry the capers until golden, then transfer to kitchen paper. Add the breadcrumbs to the pan and fry until golden; set aside in the bowl. Fry the garlic until fragrant, then mix into the…

TONE ON TONE Tonal schemes: dos and don’ts ✢ Known as tonal or tone on tone, this type of scheme is the simplest of all the colour recipes you can use to decorate with, as it includes only different tones (both lighter and darker) of one particular colour. It’s a good place to start if you’re unsure. ✢ It’s all in the mix with a tonal scheme. Start with your primary colour, then add in darker tones and paler tints of the same colour to build your palette. Try not to use too many shades, as it will lessen the effect and can look jumbled. ✢ Tonal schemes are soothing on the eye, but can sometimes look bland if there is no contrast. Introducing different textures, patterns and finishes will…

1 CREATE A LIVING SANCTUARY Plants soften the lines of sanitaryware, many loving the humid environment. ‘Your bathroom is a functional space but that doesn’t mean you can’t incorporate some greenery into its decor,’ says Dobbies’ stylist, Rebecca Stanton. ‘Choose a few select plants to style alongside favourite spa products on a shelf, or beside candles on a bath board. Trailing Hedera and Tillandsia air plants will create a gorgeous zen look, and smaller plants and succulents look great without taking up too much space.’ Calathea ‘Wavestar’, £32.99, Phlebodium aureum ‘Blue Star’, £14.99, Cissus rhombifolia, £26.99, Tillandsia usneoides, £14.99, Calathea makoyana, £16.99, Hedera ‘White Variegated’, £4.99, glass bubble vase £29.99, stoneware vases, from £9.99, Meraki body wash, £18.99, body butter, £21.99, Aery candles, £25.99 each, all dobbies.com 2 TURN YOUR…

A PERILOUS JOURNEY River Sing Me Home by Eleanor Shearer (£18.99, HB, Headline) It’s Barbados 1834 and slavery has been abolished, but former slaves must work for another six years – for free! In an act of resistance, Rachel heads off through the Caribbean and South America in search of the five children taken from her. Powerful, moving and lyrical, it’s a compelling novel from a debut author who’s one to watch. ✢ Read our chat with Eleanor Shearer on page 169. SEEKING JUSTICE The Simple Truth by James Buckler (£14.99, HB, Transworld) When research scientist Maria Brennan is found dead, suicide is suspected. But newly qualified lawyer Lewis Miller, who is tasked with persuading her grieving mother to accept a sizeable cheque and sign a non-disclosure agreement, becomes suspicious.…

favourite reads NUANCED ROMANCE A Room with a View by E. M. Forster As a teenager, I took this book from my aunt’s library one summer. I thought I was reading a romcom! Years later, I recognised it as a classic of literature – so nuanced and thoughtful, rich with levels. It’s not just about the two central characters, Lucy and George, it’s about the treatment of women, the countryside and racism. There’s so much that’s gloriously slid in. NORMAL PEOPLE The Making of the English Working Class by E. P. Thompson E. P. Thompson was one of the wonderful 1950s Marxist historians who said the story that needs to be told is the story of working people. He was a man of such compassion and humour, and his history…

horoscopes PISCES 19 FEBRUARY – 20 MARCH Don’t get carried away this Valentine’s Day. Something lovely could be spoilt by getting your hopes up too high. The New Moon on the 20th heralds exciting times. Call 0905 789 4161* and choose weekly, monthly and yearly updates ARIES 21 MARCH – 19 APRIL Make the effort to apologise or clarify recent miscommunications. Especially if you blew up and said the wrong thing. Valentine’s Day looks to be saucy. Call 0905 789 4150* and choose weekly, monthly and yearly updates TAURUS 20 APRIL – 20 MAY There’s romantic potential with a friend. Already coupled up? The loveliest times are with girlfriends or another couple. You make a new friend late February. Call 0905 789 4151* and choose weekly, monthly and yearly updates…

ALAN TITCHMARSH MBE is a gardener, broadcaster, TV presenter, poet and novelist. On page 51, he talks fondly about his grandfather, who introduced him to gardening. What can’t you resist buying? Books. I have around 6,000 on all kinds of subjects, from art and architecture to interior design and biographies – new and old. I wrap the modern dust wrappers in cellophane and add my bookplate. It’s a job for a rainy day! Author JILL MANSELL has written more than 20 Sunday Times bestsellers, and her books have sold over 14 million copies worldwide. She shares her writing secrets on page 165. What can’t you resist buying? I’m obsessed with pink lipstick. Flamingo pink, sugar pink, fuchsia pink, raspberry pink, sunset pink… I love them all, wear them every day…

MOOD-BOOSTING LIPSTICKS…

Falling in love is like going to the doctor and being told that you need to put on weight. Being in love means floating so high above cloud nine, it’s a wonder air-traffic controllers don’t ask you to relay your position – which is probably half-naked in the restaurant cloakroom because you just can’t keep your hands off each other. Frank Sinatra croons that ‘love is lovelier the second time around’ – and many of my middle-aged pals are indeed falling in love again, which is great – but please don’t think the rest of us want to see it. ‘Puppy love’ is only cute when you are actually a puppy. There’s nothing more irksome than grown-ups acting like teenagers, with wrinkles instead of pimples. Two of my divorced friends,…

January 2020 The couple surprise the world by announcing they intend to quit as senior royals, become financially independent and spend more time in North America. It’s agreed they will step away as working royals and will forfeit their HRH titles. March 2020 The Sussexes attend their last official engagement, the annual Commonwealth Day service, before moving to a £11 million mansion in Montecito, California. April 2020 The couple announce the replacement of their Sussex Royal brand, a charitable foundation, Archewell, named after their son, Archie, and confirm they will no longer cooperate with parts of the British media. July 2020 Leaked court documents show Meghan claims she was ‘unprotected by the institution’ when stories were written about her and that she was ‘prohibited from defending herself’. August 2020 The…

What are you like first thing? Annoyingly cheery. I get straight out of bed and into the day. It probably drives people a bit mad but I am full of energy. What’s your worst habit? Sometimes I take my disposable contact lenses out and put them on my dressing table overnight and they turn into crispy little shards. I know it’s disgusting. If you’re home alone, what do you do? I will get into my pyjamas nice and early and watch Better Call Saul. I’ll get a lovely curry, possibly from Dishoom because they deliver now, which is just incredible. A nice pea and paneer dish. What makes you most happy? Being by the sea with the kids and dogs. Camber Sands during October half-term is perfect because it’s not…

If you’ve been tempted to skip pension payments to get through the current cost of living crisis, you’re not alone. Government data shows around 10% of people have already opted out of their workplace pension. And this figure could rise to around a third of workers, according to research from investment firm AJ Bell, while others are temporarily reducing their contributions. However, opting out of your pension won’t save as much as you think when you factor in losing tax relief and employer contributions. For example, a one-year break from contributing 8% of a £30,000 salary would save you £100 a month (or £1,200 a year) of your own money – but you’ll lose tax relief and employer contributions of £1,200, leaving you in reality £2,400 worse off, plus you’re…

Looking stylish has never been so easyfashion inspiration MOODY BLOOMS Chic and wearable, a maxi floral smock dress is a true classic that no wardrobe should be without. It’s super flattering and can be easily dressed up or down, making it a year-around essential. Want to make the most of your shape? Add a belt to cinch in your waist. THE PERFECT PAIR This season, the humble trench has been given a makeover with a longer length – just hitting the ankles and a loose, relaxed fit that’s perfect for layering. And instead of denim, why not try a needlecord jumpsuit, which is just as versatile, but more chic? THE GREAT COVER-UP A quilted coat is undeniably the most popular style on the high street this year. This version is…

A salon appointment can make such a difference to your day, so why not bag some me time for less at Saks? They’re offering woman&home readers’ first appointments for half price! Saks’ stylists and therapists love to celebrate who you are and how you take time at their salons to do what works for you. Whether it’s to change things up or for more of what you love already, they’ll welcome you in, find out where you’re at, and serve up hair and beauty to pep your step. Choose a new haircut or a fresh colour to bring out the eyes. Hair health is high on the agenda – nurturing coils and curls, and treatments for smoothness. Beauty choices deliver visible results, balance and glam, whether it’s facials, massages, nails,…

With more than four decades of experience in the hairdressing industry, Sam McKnight’s CV is as long as it is impressive. He’s worked on campaigns for Chanel, Tom Ford and Burberry, and was a long-time hairstylist for Princess Diana, after they met on a Vogue photoshoot. He’s hailed as the inventor of easy, undone ‘cool girl hair’, styling many of Kate Moss’ iconic looks. In 2017, he launched his own range of styling products, and is now a judge on E4’s The Big Blow Out – the Bake Off of the hair world. TOP TRICK Kate Moss has naturally fine, flat hair – so what she does to give her hair some volume is to dry it upside down, then pull it to the top of her head and…

Lose weight and keep it off, with the UK’s only complete weight-loss plan, combining delicious, delivered meals with expert support. The woman&home weight-loss plan by Jane Plan enables you to take back control of your eating habits with nutritionist-designed, chef-prepared meals, while enjoying expert advice and guidance, plus the support of a community of Jane Planners. We promise you simple changes that last and life skills that will change your relationship with food for good. EXCLUSIVE OFFER Save up to £90* with w&h SAVE £15 EVERY MONTH PLUS FREE STANDARD DELIVERY* Enter the code WPH0123 at janeplan.com or call 020 3489 4770 and start your journey today TERMS & CONDITIONS *Applies to all plans. Save up to £90 includes FREE standard delivery (worth £7.94 a month) on our 4-month plan.…

It’s that time of year again. After several months of indulgence you’ve switched your mindset and are now ready to make some positive changes. The next eight pages contain all the tips and tricks that will help you to slim down and shape up. In fact, by following our weight-loss guide, you could lose up to one stone in six weeks. This is an achievable goal, provided you stick to a plan of both healthy eating and frequent exercise, says personal trainer and nutrition coach Rachael Sacerdoti*. ‘In order to lose weight, you simply need to be in a calorie deficit.’ This means reducing your calorie intake and increasing the amount you move to burn more calories. To lose 14lb in under two months you’ll be aiming for a calorie…

Marmalade puddings Little puds of sweet joy, made lighter on fat by whisking eggs and sugar with buttermilk. Serves 6 • Prep 15 mins • Cook 35 mins 2 medium eggs80g caster sugar80g soft light brown sugar200g buttermilkZest and juice ½ orangeZest ½ lime½tsp allspice200g self-raising flour4tbsp bitter orange marmalade1tbsp agave syrup or honeyLow-fat custard, to serve You will need: 6 dariole moulds (155ml), non-stick or sprayed with low-calorie oil spray 1 Heat the oven to 160C Fan/Gas 4. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs and sugars until thick and creamy. On low speed, beat in the buttermilk, orange and lime zests, allspice and flour. 2 In a bowl, mix together the orange juice, marmalade and agave syrup, and divide the mixture between the dariole moulds. Then top…

Exciting ways to get away from it allwellness retreats TAICHI IN BAVARIA Encircled by densely forested Bavarian peaks, Schloss Elmau might not be a place where you’d expect to learn the ancient Chinese meditative arts of tai chi and qigong. But the luxe spa hotel offers expert tuition from Dr Imke König, who’ll school you in practices thought to improve flexibility, balance and wellbeing. You can also make the most of gourmet on-site restaurants, thermal treatment rooms and hikes through the epic surrounding nature. THE DETAIL Five-night retreats from £1,135pp, including B&B accommodation; schloss-elmau.de IMPROVE SLEEP IN DORSET You don’t need to dedicate a whole week to get a feel-good boost. At Careys Manor Hotel & SenSpa, you’ll get the twin benefits of soothing New Forest scenery and a good…

F ran Littlewood was a journalist and has an MA in Creative Writing. Amazing Grace Adams is her debut novel. In it, we meet Grace, a menopausal mum who abandons her car in the middle of a traffic jam and sets out on a rollercoaster of a journey across London. It is a story of life, marriage, parenthood, the ambush of age, being a woman, redemption and everything in between – and it’s brilliant. Fran lives in North London with her husband, and has three daughters. When it came to writing this book, I took inspiration from the other women in my life – my mum, sisters and friends – it felt like so many of us live with this simmering rage a lot of the time. There is so…

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen The interior designer, 57, lives in The Cotswolds with his wife Jackie, 58. WAKE UP I nearly always wake a minute before my 7am alarm. I’m that fool who jumps out of bed, whistles a merry tune and rushes downstairs to let the dogs out. My wife throws a pillow over her head. MORNING Running outside reminds me of school cross-country, so I do two miles on a treadmill listening to something empowering and racy like disco, then Tchaikovsky. Then I go back upstairs with a vat of tea to ease Jackie into the day. BREAKFAST My go-to is Greek yogurt and nuts. It’s rocket fuel and gets me most of the way through the afternoon if I’m filming and lunch is…

During a particularly tumultuous time for the royals, the new Princess of Wales has been the very essence of decorum and duty. For Kate, it has been a case of keep calm and carry on. After celebrating a traditional Christmas and New Year, the focus will be back firmly on her work. Just like the late Queen, she adopts a mantra of ‘never complain, never explain’, and doesn’t speak out on personal family matters. She lets her work do the talking, and has made early childhood and mental health two of her top priorities. Her activism has a new focus too, in Community Impact Days. These were launched in November, the first one taking place in Yorkshire and raising £350,000 for local mental health services. Kate and William want to…

GO DARK…

‘There was a time… I felt like I was too strong… [but] this body has enabled me to be the greatest player that I can be’ Serena Williams SERENA WILLIAMS She may have hung up her tennis racket, but Serena Williams still remains a powerful role model. The 41-year-old has shared, ‘You can be whatever size you are and you can be beautiful inside and out. We’re always told what’s beautiful, and what’s not, and that’s not right… There was a time when I didn’t feel incredibly comfortable about my body because I felt like I was too strong… [but] this body has enabled me to be the greatest player that I can be.’ CAROL VORDERMAN She possesses both beauty and brains, so Carol Vorderman knows better than to base…

The waiter lights the candle and I gaze into the eyes of my dinner date: the blue-grey eyes with flecks of green that I’ve loved beyond measure for 16 years. At that moment, I think back to the first time we met, on a freezing cold January night. He arrived at almost midnight, ashen and silent, after a 48-hour labour that – fortunately – only one of us remembers. Sometimes it feels like yesterday. Sometimes it feels like a lifetime ago. Which in his case it was. I was terrified of losing him, back then. And now, 16 years later, I’m terrified I’m losing him again, this man-boy, with the square shoulders I hardly recognise and the throaty voice and the bristles above his top lip. It’s often said about…

Having once embraced online dating with enthusiasm, reports suggest midlifers are tiring of it. It has its success stories – the divorced woman who met her match after stating on her profile ‘must have an Aga’ – yet for many, the search for a suitable partner on Tinder all too often results in a dispiriting, rejecting swipe left. One attractive divorcee in her 50s told me, ‘When I first tried internet dating, I was amazed by the number of guys in their 30s who wanted to hook up. It was flattering, but there’s no way I’d date anyone younger than my son. Maybe I was just unlucky, but the men my age seemed to be looking either for a much younger woman or a carer.’ At this stage of life,…

‘Making chocolates is my passion’ Brazilian-born Andrea Staggemeier, 49, gave up a career in banking IT to do something she loved. She now runs Bossa Nova, a luxury chocolate business, from her home in Newport, South Wales, with the help of her husband and their 18-year-old son. THE IDEA I’ve loved making Brazilian chocolate truffles since I was a child. It brings back happy memories of my mum, aunt, siblings and cousins making homemade chocolates around the kitchen table. In 2019, I took redundancy from my IT job – I was suffering from painful fibromyalgia and wanted to find something that I enjoyed doing that wasn’t stressful. With time on my hands, I decided to make some chocolates and try selling them at a local Christmas market. I was amazed…

SMART MOVES Whether you’re already a runner, looking to be more active, or simply want to make daily life a little more comfortable, we have your sportswear solutions covered. LADIES WHO LOUNGE Nothing beats a cosy day at home. Snuggle up in comfortable separates and luxurious fabrics that are stylish enough to be worn outside the house too. ALL SET Underwear shouldn’t be an afterthought. Good foundations will bring a mood and confidence boost – even if you’re the only person who sees them. SHAPE SHIFTERS An essential in every underwear drawer, there’s a whole host of smart solutions available, whatever the outfit or occasion.…

January gets a bad reputation – all doom, gloomy weather, and tightening our belts after the Christmas splurge. Instead, try to think of it as the ultimate time to hibernate. After weeks of being social during the festive period, this is the one month of the year when you can truly lock yourself away guilt-free and take ‘me time’ to the maximum. So what better excuse to treat yourself to the ultimate month of pampering? Whether your skin is looking lacklustre or you are after extra ways to unwind, these indulgent buys will help you feel relaxed and revitalised for the next month and beyond. Bath-time BLISS If you ask us, there’s nothing better than a long soak in a hot bath. But ensure you make the most of the…

Feeling low? It’s no wonder, thanks to the unsettling run of events last year that provoked feelings of worry, anxiety and sadness: the war in Ukraine, the passing of the Queen and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, to name a few. But the good news? It’s easier than you think to feel positive because it’s entirely possible to ‘think yourself happy’. Happiness comes from the ability to navigate life, says psychotherapist Owen O’Kane. ‘We can’t control what happens to us, but we can control how we respond and, even in difficult times, we can salvage something and still find contentment.’ Finding this balance is not only key for living a contented life, but also for staying healthy. ‘Happy people have better heart health, stronger immune function and suffer less chronic pain…

Sage your space New year, good vibes! The festive decs are back in the loft, you’ve given the place a long-overdue clean, so now’s the time to clear your home of any negative emotional energy too. It might sound woo-woo, but the traditional practice of burning sage – known as ‘smudging’ – is believed to energetically cleanse your space by removing bad auras and restoring balance and harmony. And that’s not all. Recent studies of the benefits of this wellness ritual have found that burning sage improves sleep and cognitive function, and purifies the air by removing airborne bacteria. Keen to try it? Buy a ready-made sage bundle or smudge sticks (try Psychic Sisters Sage Sticks, £6.95, hollandandbarrett.com), and walk from room to room wafting the smoke. Just remember to…

Find yourself reaching for a glass of red when you’re stressed? Or maybe your day doesn’t feel complete without a cold beer? If so, you’re not alone – 41% * of Brits say anxiety and stress are their most common reasons for drinking. But while alcohol can make you feel good in the short term – boosting your mood, helping you to relax – over time, it can lead to weight gain and premature ageing. Want to cut back? Here’s what to expect. 1 YOUR BODY WILL GO INTO DETOX ‘For frequent drinkers, feelings of anxiety, sweats and headaches are common when giving up,’ says nutrition expert Penny Weston**. ‘These usually occur within the first 24 hours after your last drink, but should stop after four to…

Limiting your food intake for set periods of time, known as intermittent fasting, is increasingly seen as an effective weight-loss method with added health benefits. ‘Fasting can be a useful way of dieting as it doesn’t involve too many rules or foods that you have to omit,’ says Healthspan nutritionist Rob Hobson. ‘Our bodies are equipped to go without food for stretches of time, so fasting might not be as difficult as you may think.’ Why fasting works Studies on intermittent fasting show promising results. ‘Research highlights the benefits that occur when the body is deprived of food. These include low levels of blood insulin – which promotes fat burning, increase in human growth hormone – which boosts fat burning and muscle gain, and the acceleration of cellular repair,’ says…

THE SOUP Chicken ribollita We’ve added chicken to this hearty Tuscan soup to make a filling weekend lunch with bags of flavour. Serve with extra warm crusty bread. Serves 6 • Prep 15 mins • Cook 30 mins, plus resting 3tbsp olive oil5 sprigs rosemary, plus extra to garnish1 onion, finely diced1 large carrot, scrubbed clean then finely diced2 sticks celery, finely diced2 garlic cloves, crushed2 x 400g tins plum tomatoes400g tin cannellini beans in water500ml chicken stock150g cavolo nero, thick stalks removed and shredded200g cooked chicken, chopped or shredded250g stale bread, preferablysourdough, torn into chunksPecorino or Parmesan, to serveZest 1 lemon2tbsp parsley, chopped 1 Heat the oil in a large casserole or saucepan (with a lid). Add the rosemary and let it sizzle in the hot oil for 5…

Spice up your life Cinnamon Kitchen’s new ‘at home’ range is now available from 450 Tesco stores nationwide. Created by Vivek Singh, executive chef of the Cinnamon Collection and a renowned cookbook author, the chilled range is based on dishes served in the acclaimed London restaurant. Main meals for one include Prawn Moilee, Lamb Rogan Josh and Butter Chicken, alongside showstopping centrepieces for two, such as Tandoori Chicken with Gunpowder Potatoes. There’s also a selection of Tiffin Boxes available, which include a main course and two sides, ideal for a cosy night in front of the telly. COCKTAIL & NIBBLE OF THE MONTH Sloe gin sour Makes 1: Put 50ml sloe gin, 30ml lemon juice, 10ml sugar syrup and 1 egg white into a cocktail shaker, and shake. Add a…

✢ Create a fresh feel by contrasting neutral white walls with clean, black lines throughout. ✢ Try painting doors and frames in darker shades to give them a more modern look. ✢ Select two or three colours for each room as a subtle nod to a broader palette throughout. ✢ Make a bright, uncluttered scheme feel cosy with warm velvet fabrics and woven textures. ✢ Frame spaces by pairing matching mirrors on either side of a sofa or statement table lamps at each end of a sideboard.…

As the granddaughter of immigrants who came to England with the Windrush generation, Eleanor Shearer was drawn to Caribbean history, and studied the legacy of slavery for her Masters in Politics at the University of Oxford. Her debut novel, River Sing Me Home, sees mother Rachel setting out on a dangerous journey to find the children who were taken from her. Eleanor lives between East London and Ramsgate, where she has a house with her partner. This book has been a long time coming. When I was 16 I went to an exhibition called Making Freedom, put on by The Windrush Foundation charity, which set out to reframe the way we talk about the abolition of slavery in the UK. A tiny plaque said, ‘After emancipation women put down their…