Innholdsfortegnelse for November 30, 2012 i Woman's Own

This week, I want to highlight a very controversial issue – The Christmas Diet. Words that in my opinion should never be seen together! However, there is a way to watch your weight while you party this season – just swap your food. On page 36, our nutritionist and diet expert, Angela Dowden, reveals how to still enjoy festive treats without piling on the pounds. From clever Christmas lunch tips and tasty pud tricks to that all-important glass of bubbly, now you can indulge and stay slim. Hurray! facebook.com/womansownmagazine twitter.com/womansown womansowneditor@ipcmedia.com 020 3148 6565 This week! Now we’re ONLINE! From party hair ideas to festive fashion from the high street, gifts for all the family, money-saving tips and recipes – join us now at womansown.co.uk for the best Christmas ever!…

Proud of my pal Bernie Bernie Nolan is one of the bravest women I know. As well as battling breast cancer since her diagnosis in 2010, she’s also helped to save countless lives by encouraging women to go for mammograms and see their doctors if they notice changes in their breasts. After she appeared on my show recently, many women called us to say their cancer had been detected early and that they were going to be fine, all thanks to Bernie. I spoke to her often during the tough time when she was undergoing treatment and I rejoiced when she was declared cancer-free two years ago. So it was with great sadness that I learned her cancer was back. Bernie had been on the show just a few weeks…

The real reason I tried for Britain’s Got Talent instead of The X Factor was to meet Piers Morgan. I’d thought, ‘He looks a bit of alright.’ Mind you, Simon Cowell’s alright, too! I look back now at that audition in 2009 and have a good laugh. I was in a doily for a dress, I had a mad hairdo, black tights and white shoes. You’d laugh as well, wouldn’t you? I hadn’t told anyone I was going to the audition. I had to get six buses and when I got there I had to wait from 9.30 in the morning until 7.30 at night before I finally went on. When I saw people on their feet and heard the applause, I was worried I wouldn’t be able to keep…

From £ 16 Chiffon THE TUNIC Sheer sleeves are a great way to conceal wobbly upper arms. Team with eye-catching metallic trousers. THE BLOUSE A floaty top instantly adds evening elegance. Embellished collars and cuffs are a top trend too. Lace THE DRESS A clever illusion style will create enviable curves. Here, the lace side panels and cinched-in waist add a sexy twist to the look. THE BAG And if you don’t want to wear lace, this box bag is the perfect finishing touch to your party outfit. Pleather THE TROUSERS Be daring and go for ‘pleather’ – that’s plastic, not leather! Team with a feminine top and a pair of killer heels to make a statement. THE JACKET The biker is a must-have this winter. Whether it’s worn with…

3 of the best Youth-boosting bases FOR LINES Clinique Repairwear Laser Focus All-Smooth Make-Up SPF15, £27, softens lines with quick-fix plumpers, while damage caused by UV rays is reversed with skin-repairing ingredients. FOR UNEVEN SKINTONE Bourjois 1,2,3 Perfect Foundation, £10.99, combines three colourcorrecting pigments to balance out dark circles, dull skin and redness. FOR PROTECTION Revlon Age Defying with DNA Advantage Cream Makeup, £13.99, defends against DNA damage with SPF20, while vitamins soften skin. Reader rated SALLYANNE GOOCH, 35, FROM SUFFOLK ‘My party season must-have is Collection Extreme 24 Hour Felt Tip Liner, £2.99. The pen is easy to use and gives a cleaner line than gel or kohl, creating a classic flick that wings out and lifts the eye.’ Stocking filler Steamcream, £12.50, John Lewis, is a real cult…

Stay happy Harley Street psychotherapist Christine Webber (christinewebber.com) believes that enjoying Christmas is down to two things – mindset and planning. Here’s how… BAN THE P-WORD As soon as those words ‘perfect Christmas’ are uttered, stress levels rocket. It may be perfect for loved ones, but you’ll have run yourself so ragged you won’t enjoy it and may end up ill. Instead, aim for a really good Christmas. You’ll not only feel the pressure lift, but you’ll have a lot more fun in the build-up and on the big day. MAKE A LIST We women are terrible at asking for help – don’t be this year. Draw up a list of all the chores and delegate to family and guests. It’s vital to be specific, e.g., one person makes drinks,…

As I carefully fold the wrapping paper around the presents, I feel like Father Christmas. There’s a Disney princess outfit for one little girl, an iPad for a little boy. I imagine these children and their smiling faces. Their joy is a gift that money can’t buy, a happy memory for a loved one to treasure forever. For both these children are very ill and I, more than anyone, know how important it is to make special memories. Because I was once just like their parents, facing the unimaginable horror of a son battling for life. Every child is treasured, but none more so than my son, Joss. My husband Nigel, 47, and I had finally conceived after 18 months of fertility treatment. Joss was born on 22 June 2000,…

Festive cushions Save Bring some seasonal Scandi style to any sofa – and even get change from a tenner! Tesco, £8.97 Splurge Or push the boat out with this little number. Reindeers and Christmas trees – what’s not to love? Debenhams, £25 3 of the best Wow wreaths Deck out your doorstep with this 6ft garland with white and red berries, £9.97, 18in traditional wreath with red LED lights, £24.96, and wrap, £1.46 for 4m, all Tesco (above). Reader rated LAURA DONOVAN, 32, FROM LONDON ‘I love this time of year and will find any excuse to decorate a tree – even a miniature one to brighten up my desk at work! This one from M&S does the job – all my colleagues are jealous!’ Cute covers! This knitted bobble…

Opening the front door in my dressing gown and slippers, I looked down the street and my heart sank. Everything I could see, from the houses and cars to the treetops, was covered in a thick white blanket of snow. It was almost 3ft deep in places. ‘Oh no…’ I said to my mum, Monica, 63, as she peered anxiously over my shoulder. Stranded Any other time, I’d have loved it but it was 3 December 2010 – my wedding day! ‘What are we going to do?’ I said to Mum. Most of the roads round our home in Worksop, Notts, were cut off by snow. How was everyone supposed to get to the church? When my fiancé, Alex, 35, had proposed in May 2010, I’d asked for a winter…

FAULT LINE BY ROBERT GODDARD (£7.99, TRANSWORLD) This compelling thriller was ‘full of astonishing twists and dramatic turns’, according to Richard. Judy thought protagonist Jonathan was ‘lovable and instinctively wise’ as he drew us into his life and his connection to the family business. THE GUILTY ONE BY LISA BALLANTYNE (£6.99, LITTLE BROWN) ‘To say Daniel Hunter had a damaged childhood would be an understatement,’ said Judy about the lead character, who defends a young boy accused of murder. ‘One of the most readable, emotionally intense novels of the year,’ said Richard. TOP PICK THE SNOW CHILD BY EOWYN IVEY (£7.99, HEADLINE) We loved this fairytale-like odyssey that follows a couple as they move to the wilderness of Alaska to help deal with their grief after losing a child. ‘A…

My son Daniel is getting married at the end of this year and I was determined not to look overweight in the photos. The problem was I’ve always found it so hard to resist cakes. And, although I cook healthy meals, I’ll eat everything on my plate whether I’m hungry or not. What bothers me is the effect on my health. My knees play up and I often feel lethargic – I know my weight is a factor in both. I also want to be able to buy nice clothes – I’ve relied on black trousers and T-shirts to cover up my figure. Second chance As soon as my son told me he was getting married, I turned to my husband, Martyn, and said, ‘Right, we’re going on a diet!’…

On the spot with Tom Ellis The Secret Of Crickley Hall’s Tom Ellis, 33, has two girls with wife Tamzin Outhwaite 1 Phone or text? A phone chat is the best way to put myself across. 2 Flats or heels? Flats. After a night in heels women complain about their feet. I’m not talking about my wife, of course. 3 Online or supermarket? Supermarket. I like to check the sell-by dates on food. 4 Cash or card? Card. I’m always finding random fivers in pockets of clothes that I haven’t worn for ages. 5 Cocktail or wine? I’ll have a nice glass of red, please. 6 Blonde or brunette? Blonde, obviously. 7 Salad or steak? I don’t eat much red meat. I eat chicken. I’m a breast man. 8 Bath…

How’s this for a CV: comedy icon, actor, Britain’s Got Talent judge, charity hero, writer, and with a model wife. David Walliams has certainly packed a lot into his 41 years. Next week sees David in a movie version of Great Expectations, then comes ‘the biggest gig of my life’, as he hosts the 100th Royal Variety Performance. At Christmas, Hugh Bonneville stars in the TV version of David ’s kids’ book, Mr Stink, and his autobiography, Camp David, will fill many a stocking. But, despite his success, David feels insecure and has tried to take his own life several times. ‘I hate being on my own,’ he says. ‘I think dark thoughts.’ Clearly, there’s more to David than spouting catchphrases and wearing a dress! t in my life,’ says…

Sitting down to dinner on Christmas Day, your table probably groans under the weight of all the food laid out. It’s the same in my house, but while most of you will have had to rush around the supermarkets, breaking your backs carrying bags stuffed full of chocolates and cakes, puddings and potatoes, and racking up huge bills, I haven’t had to set foot in the shops – or spend a single penny! Jealous? Well you might be until I tell you exactly how I get all this food. In fact, then you might even recoil in horror… Growing up in a family of five, I was taught to be careful with money from an early age. My father would grow his own vegetables and my mum dressed us in…

Lindsay, who is a married mum-of-three, works as a trained counsellor for troubled teenagers. She joined our online diet club in February this year after her weight had crept above 13st. ‘I’d been telling myself I’d lose weight for years, but never did anything about it,’ says Lindsay. ‘When I discovered this diet, I had to go for it.’ Now she’s down to a size 12 and looking for an LBD for the party season. Get the right style Fashion Editor Fiona Reardon explains how to change your look in four steps JEAN GENIUS To celebrate Lindsay’s slimline silhouette, I persuaded her to try a pair of on-trend metallic jeans. The stretchy fabric means they are easy to wear and a sequinned top that just covers her bottom finished this…

As she finished off cooking the roast turkey, Rebecca Coggins asked her children to lay the table for Christmas dinner. ‘Don’t forget to set a place for your Auntie Natalie,’ she told them. But as everyone sat down to eat, Natalie Putt’s knife and fork remained untouched. She has not been seen since she vanished on a trip to the shops in September 2003. The seemingly happy 17-year-old failed to return to her home in Dudley, West Midlands, and in spite of an extensive search by the police, no trace of her has ever been found. ‘It just doesn’t make sense to any of us,’ says her half-sister, Rebecca, 35. ‘She walked out that day and simply never came back.’ Each Christmas Rebecca buys extra food in case Natalie turns…

3 step fix... sore eyes DO THIS Spray on Dry Eyes Eye Mist (£11.49 for 10ml, Boots). It will refresh tired eyes and is safe to apply even if you are wearing make-up or have contact lenses. Spritz twice on to closed lids. TRY THIS Dry Eye Gel (£6.95 for 15ml, skinshop.co.uk) features the plant extract cardiospermum, which contains a natural anti-inflammatory to calm red or itchy party eyes. Apply all around the eyes and on the lids. MAKE THIS Soak two teabags in hot water, drain, cool, then chill in the fridge. Place one on each eyelid and relax for 10 minutes. Stop the clock A tomato-rich diet could reduce stroke risk by 55 per cent. That’s because they contain the antioxidant lycopene, which helps keep arteries clear. Or…

SAVE £ money with Woman’s Own We’ve teamed up with Quidco to bring you fantastic deals in store and online. Join now to save £££s and earn cashback It’s FR EE to join and it’s so easy to become a member Here’s how it works Browse Join Quidco for free and browse their thousands of retailers and offers Shop Click through from Quidco to the retailer and buy online as normal Save When you make a purchase you will get cashback into your Quidco account. You can then withdraw this from your bank or Paypal account to spend (or save!) as you wish There are so many ways to save online and in store, too. And with fantastic retailers like Jessops, Evans, BHS, ACHICA and The Body Shop offering great…

Banger platter with mustard mash and mini fish and chips SERVES 10 PREP TIME 15 MINS COOKING TIME 55-60 MINS YOU WILL NEED FOR THE SAUSAGES ◆ 185g chipolata sausages ◆ 200g cocktail sausages ◆ 200g Cumberland sausages ◆ 1-2tbsp clear honey FOR THE MASH ◆ 450g King Edward potatoes ◆ 40g butter ◆ 50ml whipping cream ◆ 2tbsp milk ◆ 1tbsp wholegrain mustard ◆ Cranberry sauce, to serve FOR THE MINI FISH AND CHIPS ◆ 400g Desiree potatoes, peeled ◆ Olive oil for drizzling ◆ 250g breaded scampi ◆ 250g breaded scampi ◆ Mushy peas and lemon wedges, to serve 1 Preheat the oven to 200°C/Gas 6. Layer all the sausages in a roasting tin, drizzle with honey and cook for 15-20 mins. Remove from the oven and set…

‘I wanted to spare others the pain’ My three-year-old son, Stewart, woke with a temperature. It was January 2010, and I guessed he’d picked up a cold. ‘Let’s keep an eye on you,’ I said, giving him a cuddle. But in every other way, Stewart seemed fine, eating his dinner and watching TV with his big brother, Sean, 10. By bedtime, his temperature had gone down a little, too. ‘Can I sleep with you tonight, Mummy?’ he said, as I got him into his pyjamas. I’d split with his dad and Stewart liked to snuggle up with me. ‘Alright,’ I said, thinking that after a night’s sleep he’d be better. But, at 4am, I was woken by Stewart thrashing about in his sleep. Then he stopped and, to my horror,…

Indulge in some SWEET SHOPPING York Cocoa House (yorkcocoa house.co.uk) is a Mecca for chocoholics. Stock up on festive gifts or take part in a workshop (from £3.50) with owner Sophie Jewett to learn how to whip up your own lollipops, truffles and bars. You get to take home your handiwork too – an ideal present for loved ones, if you can resist tucking in… Now that you have well and truly developed an appetite for Christmas shopping, check out Coney Street for your favourite high-street brands or explore the Stonegate area for high-end fashion and quirky independent stores. Parliament Square hosts frequent seasonal markets too. For gifts, crafts and the very best in local farm produce, all set against a backdrop of carol singers, visit the St Nicholas Fayre,…

An inspiration to all the family My mum Elizabeth has raised four children, helped look after eight grandchildren and has always put us first. Last year, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. After a mastectomy, chemo and radiotherapy, she came out the other side. Even during treatment, she was thinking about her family and how we were coping. She even managed to laugh when her wig blew off and I had to chase it down the street. She’s an inspiration to all her family. Julie Brown, Sunderland WIN a bunch of f lowers Our star letter will win this striking Winter Lady In Red bouquet of exotic flowers in a vase, worth £49.90, courtesy of iflorist.co.uk Value for money! The 8 October issue of Woman’s Own was worth its weight in…

Christmas crackers Tailored cut Choose a hip-length style like TV cook Nigella Lawson, 52. She keeps it buttoned up to make the most of her svelte new shape. Flattering fabric BGT judge Amanda Holden, 41, shows off her petite figure in this skilfully draped dress. The gentle ruching at the waist creates curves. Better belted Kate Middleton, 30, is effortlessly chic. Using a wide leather belt to cinch in her coat adds shape to her athletic figure. Try M&S for a similar look. Peplum perfect This frock is fabulous on Carol Vorderman, 51. The fitted skirt streamlines the hips while the flared design accentuates her trim waist. Clever detail Hollywood star Kate Beckinsale, 39, fools onlookers with her oversized bow, which appears to give her curvier hips and a smaller…

Lisa Riley says that stepping on to the Strictly merry-goround has made her feel like a princess. ‘It has been beyond anything I could imagine,’ she says. ‘It’s been phenomenal. I feel like Kate Middleton must have felt at her wedding. The scabby girl done good. I can’t get over it.’ Lisa and I first met in the mid-'90s when she was on Emmerdale and I was dispatched on an assignment for GMTV to catch up with the Dingles. We hit it off immediately. Now 36, she says, ‘You’ve known me for years, Richard. I’ve not changed.’ And she’s right. I’ve always been drawn to Lisa’s warmth, wit and energy and I knew she was tailormade for Strictly. But her emergence as one of this series’ leading lights has surprised…

Nominate A FRIEND RECEIVE £50 EACH All mums worry about their children. I know I did with my daughter, Lynette, when she was growing up. Only I thought that phase would pass once she’d left school and started work. Well, I couldn’t have been more wrong! Although Lynette, 48, sees her heroic adventures as nothing more than part of her working life, I know she’s gone far above and beyond what’s expected of her. My daughter isn’t a firefighter or paramedic, but she wouldn’t look out of place in a Superwoman outfit... Suspect package Lynette trained as a chef but was put off by the unsociable hours so, in 1992, a friend suggested she join the UK Border Agency. She soon climbed the ranks, dealing with immigration and asylum cases, before becoming…

Don’t stress out We often feel under pressure at this time of year, which raises cortisol levels causing spots and, in the long-term, wrinkles. But don’t panic – let these buys take the strain. Neutrogena Visibly Clear Spot Stress Control Hydrating Spot Treatment, £4.99 This lightweight moisturiser soothes and relieves stressed skin while it unblocks pores. Stress-Fix Body Lotion, £27, aveda.co.uk Hydrates the body as it calms with a chillout cocktail of lavender and sage. Estée Lauder Stress Relief Eye Mask, £26 for 10 A 10-minute treat for puffy, sore eyes, this contains anti-anxiety ingredients to relax and revitalise tired skin. Festive DIY facial Woken up looking baggy? The solution is at your fingertips. ‘Puffiness can be a sign of dehydration or a sluggish lymphatic system,’ says facialist to the…

EMMA RECOMMENDS Dark days getting you down? Top up your vitamin D with Better You DLux spray (£6.95 , health food stores) DR RADHA RECOMMENDS Moodgym.anu.edu.au for cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), to ward off depression or anxiety Will my kids want to live with him? DEAR EMMA, My husband left me for someone else. I’ve never said a bad word about him to our daughters, but now I’m worried they’ll prefer to go and live with him, as he has money and a big house, and buys them anything they want. Penny, 51, Bolton You’ve given your girls something invaluable by not involving them in a painful divorce. Most children value gifts from the heart over material goods. I feel that if you keep on loving and supporting your daughters…

Christmas lunch SWAP 2 small sausage meat stuffing balls (108 cals) FOR 2 small Paxo-style dried stuffing balls (56 cals) SAVE 52 cals Healthy bonus You’ll cut out 2.5g of saturated fat – or around 12 per cent of your daily recommended limit. SWAP 4 mini pigs in blankets (190 cals) FOR 2 rashers crispy streaky bacon (90 cals) SAVE 100 cals Healthy bonus You’ll reduce salt and saturated fat intake. SWAP 2tbsp brandy butter (167 cals) FOR 2tbsp brandy cream (110 cals) SAVE 57 cals Healthy bonus As well as being lower in calories and fat, brandy cream has less sugar. Party tipples SWAP 50ml Baileys (164 cals) FOR 50ml advocaat (112 cals) SAVE 52 cals Healthy bonus You can turn advocaat into a more substantial drink by adding…

Read this before you buy kids’ presents Best techie toys Stuart Grant of toy retailer The Entertainer picks his top gadget gifts to buy the kids this Christmas With so much choice, it can be hard deciding what to treat the children or grandchildren to. Kindles, iPads and smartphones are high on adults’ festive wish lists, and it’s no surprise that tech-based toys are must-haves for kids too. Even preschoolers learn early on how to use a touch screen, a games console control or keypad. The best advice when buying for children is don’t underestimate their technical knowledge and do your shopping early on, as the really popular toys are well known for selling out. LEAPPAD2, £89.99 In a nutshell This updated children’s tablet will be a sure-fire hit. The…

30 minute recipe Christmassy cranberry tarts MAKES 6 TARTS PREP TIME 5 MINS COOKING TIME 25 MINS 1 First, mix 2tbsp flour with 2tsp custard powder, then beat 1 egg with 50g golden caster sugar. Gently combine the two mixes before bringing 200ml milk, 50ml double cream, 1 vanilla pod and the zest of 1 orange to the boil. Whisk into the egg mix for 5 mins. 2 Bring the mix to the boil again in a clean pan, keep stirring and beating to get it smooth. Then leave to cool. Spread a layer of the mix into 6 sweet tartlet cases. 3 Next, neatly cover the surface of each pastry tartlet with 250g fresh cranberries. Now heat 4tbsp apricot jam with 2tbsp water, sieve to make a smooth liquid,…

1 Eye candy alert! Magic Mike Out 26 November Take The Full Monty, add a splash of Hollywood glam and a sprinkling of hunks, and you get this stripping story. Channing Tatum (The Vow, Dear John) plays Mike, who’s fed up with his job as a dancer at the raunchy Xquisite club, where boss Dallas (Matthew McConaughey) takes advantage of his young employees. But you’re not buying this DVD for the plot, are you? 2 Just magical Dancing On Ice: The Tour 2012 Out 26 November It’s not long till Torvill and Dean are back on our screens with another batch of celebrities. But if you’re a fan of the ice-skating duo, curl up with a cup of tea and revisit this year’s tour on DVD. Win! We have 10…

Aries 21 Mar – 20 Apr What would be the biggest achievement you can imagine for yourself right now? Whether it involves moving a career mountain or getting your son or daughter up for school, this is a supreme time for tackling that goal and getting a gold star for it. Actions will reap huge rewards. ◆ For more call 0901 609 4780 Taurus 21 Apr – 20 May When The Beatles sang All You Need Is Love, sensible Taureans might have argued they were being a tad optimistic, as love doesn’t pay the rent. This week, romance is there for the taking if you want it. But, on Tuesday, a certain someone also helps out in a practical way. ◆ For more call 0901 609 4781 Gemini 21 May…

As I settle down to my new life in the jungle, I will reflect on the terrible and amazing things that have happened to me over the past year. In August, my mum, Rita, died. She was 75. We were so close. Me, my two sisters, Debbie and Tina, and cousin Jackie were sleeping on mattresses on the hospice floor when the nurse woke us at 2.30am to tell us she had gone. We were disorientated. We were like, ‘Who’s gone?’ When we realised, we were so upset, we were howling. During her life, she’d had three heart attacks, skin cancer and a hysterectomy, but she was such a strong woman. She would have been very proud of me in I’m A Celeb. She’d have been pulling my leg, saying,…