Innholdsfortegnelse for January 28, 2013 i Woman's Own

Is yours amazing or non-existent? Do your friends tell the truth about theirs, and how much do you reveal? Yes, I am talking about our sex lives. Recent reports state we’re either having the best sex ever, or none at all. So here at Woman’s Own we thought we’d ask you what really goes on, in our Love & Sex Survey. Complete it online and we’ll enter you into a prize draw to win a £1,100 weekend break. Log on now at womansown.co.uk/loveandsexsurvey or see more info on p23. And don’t worry – all your personal details remain secret! facebook.com/womansownmagazine twitter.com/womansown womansowneditor@ipcmedia.com 020 3148 6565…

NATALIE CASSIDY ‘My two-year-old pointed at the Mona Lisa in a book and said, “That’s you Mummy”.’ JASON DONOVAN ‘Staying in too many hotels. Last night I ended up in the cupboard while going for a wee.’ RETRO COOL 13,000 UK households still have a black and white TV. ON YOUR FEET Stand up for three hours a day and you could shed 8lb a year! DRESS UP Stylish Holly Willoughby’s frocks for Very were a huge Christmas hit. COFFEE’S OFF Just 35 per cent of us sip coffee first thing in the morning. Tea wins! SUPER MARKET WEEP Waitrose ditches Delia Smith from its TV ads. GO TO JAIL Monopoly is retiring a playing piece. Vote for a new one at facebook.com/monopoly.…

Back on my health kick January is always the longest month. The weather is miserable and those bills for Christmas start rolling in. Often all you want to do is hide under the duvet and comfort eat until the spring. We are now three tough weeks into the new year and this is when our resolutions start to fall by the wayside, so we need to give ourselves a bit of a shake. Those of you who are struggling to give up smoking, stick with it! I’ve never smoked, but I know from friends how difficult it is to quit, and also how rewarding it is when you succeed. You have much more energy and your skin and hair look so much better. You will also look younger as, along…

Samia Ghadie has been getting advice on how to win Dancing On Ice from her Corrie pal Denise Welch. Denise, who appeared on the skating show in 2011, revealed, ‘I gave my friend Samia a few tips on how to spin properly. She’s doing very well.’ The Loose Women star, 54, spent three years in Corrie, from 1997 to 2000 as Natalie Horrocks. Samia, who joined the ITV soap in 2000, could use a friend right now after being branded a home wrecker by furious fans amid speculation that she stole her pro skating partner Sylvain Longchambon from Hollyoaks actress Jennifer Metcalfe. Samia, 30, admitted the furore has ‘added a lot of pressure and worry’ as she tries to win the skating title. ‘I am not thick-skinned at all,’ Samia…

On my computer screen was the brightest picture of golden daffodils. It had been painted and put on Facebook by my friend Sarah Ezekiel and I was so proud. Not just because it was beautiful, but because of what it meant. Twelve years earlier, in April 2000, Sarah, then aged 34, was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND). It’s a terrible illness which destroys the nervous system, leaving muscles wasted and weak, but the mind intact. At the time, Sarah was married, had a daughter, Aviva, three, and was seven months pregnant. ‘When I first got my diagnosis I didn’t know much about the disease,’ Sarah later confided in me. ‘But I knew I wouldn’t be able to physically care for my children and that destroyed me.’ We had known…

Clean up Just 60 seconds is all you need for healthy, radiant skin, according to No7. On Wednesday the company launches Beautiful Skin Cleansing Brush, £25, a gadget that exfoliates and revives the complexion by massaging it. Eighty per cent of women said their skin felt super-clean and looked radiant after use. Clarisonic Mia, £120, clarisonic.co.uk, is a real beauty editors’ favourite. It uses sonic vibrations to get deep into pores, providing up to six times more make-up removal than cleansing by hand. Over time, skin looks younger and lines are minimised. 3 of the best Bargain dream creams ◆ FOR FIRMING Applied in gentle, upward strokes, Skin Wisdom Ultimate Lift Day Moisturiser SPF15, £7, Tesco, helps revitalise sagging skin – great for crepey necks. Seventy-eight per cent of testers…

EMMA RECOMMENDS Anxiety UK has a live chat service where you can speak to trained volunteers. Visitanxietyuk.org.uk She’s been having nightmares DEAR EMMA, My best friend’s mum killed herself and although it happened more than 20 years ago, my friend’s started having nightmares, in which those close to her die. She’s sleeping badly but won’t see her GP because she’s scared she’ll be told she has mental health problems. Fiona, 34, via email She may be suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Symptoms can emerge decades after a traumatic event. Your friend’s doctor can refer her to a specialist, but will need to know the full story, so I suggest you go along with her. WHY AM I ALWAYS SO CONGESTED? DEAR RADHA, My nose is always really blocked up.…

They’ve received a bashing over the years but, as leading experts now agree, carbohydrates are essential for your health and don’t affect your weight any more than any other food group. ‘They’re the body’s first choice for fuelling the brain and physical activity,’ says Ian MacDonald, professor of metabolic physiology at the University of Nottingham. To enjoy them and still lose weight, you’ll need to choose healthier carbs as well as keeping an eye on your portion sizes. Here are 10 of the best types to tuck into – and how much you should have. 10 Good carbs 1 PORRIDGE The oats in this warming breakfast help control blood cholesterol as well as keeping up your energy levels. SLIMLINE PORTION A 45g serving of oats 2 PASTA All types of…

When I reflect on my life with Pete, I have some wonderful memories. The way he’d give me that look and we would both fall about laughing. Other times we would sit so close and talk about our innermost thoughts. Then my mind flashes and I see him with a wild look on his face or slumped in the chair, his skin deathly white. I notice the fragility of his body, the haunted gaze of his eyes. A new beginning Pete, my husband, was hooked on heroin, caught in an addiction so destructive that it was like sharing him with an evil mistress. And yet I refused to give up on our marriage because to me it went deeper than reason, and it’s only by remembering him that I have…

THIS WEEK Alternatives to payday loans TOP CONSUMER ADVICE FROM DEBBI MARCO With the post-Christmas bills now waiting to be paid, we are all feeling the pinch. But should we ever apply for a ‘payday’ loan? First, these types of loan are meant to tide you over with a small sum of money – say £100 – for a short time until the next pay packet arrives. The loans provide money fast – it can be credited to your bank account within an hour – with few credit checks involved. The problems arise if you use the loans to cover larger basic bills and take up the ‘rollover’ facility that allows you to defer payment. This is loaded with astronomically high interest rates, up to 4,000 per cent, so debts…

My daughter Diane came through the door with a massive grin on her face. ‘Fancy climbing Mount Kenya with me?’ she said. It was to raise money for the charity Free The Children, which is dedicated to battling child exploitation, and she was doing it with the support of Virgin Atlantic, where she works as a revenue analyst. Shocked, I thought, ‘Could I climb a mountain?’ But at 61 I was in good shape and suddenly a huge sense of adventure kicked in. ‘Yes, I’ll do it,’ I said. At over 5,000m high, the mountain was daunting, especially as I have high blood pressure. But I was keen to do it, and so was my husband Barrie, now 61. The trip was a month away so I only had time…

1 Family ties Lapland BBC1, TBA Sue Johnston returns as harried Eileen Lewis in this new comedy series spin-off from 2011’s Christmas special. As head of the dysfunctional Lewis clan, Eileen struggles to find harmony in her life after the death of her husband Ted. Julie Graham (The Bletchley Circle), Dean Andrews (Ashes To Ashes) and Elizabeth Berrington (Stella) also star. 2 Royal welcome Hyde Park On Hudson Out 1 February Fans of The King’s Speech will enjoy this period drama set around King George VI’s pioneering visit to the United States in 1939 in order to enlist President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s help in the war effort. FDR (Bill Murray) is joined by his distant cousin – and sometime lover – Margaret (Laura Linney) to receive their royal guests (played…

VENICE – CLASSIC AND UNDISCOVERED Selected departures March to November 2013 When you arrive in Venice you will find that every painting, TV programme or photograph you have ever seen of this wonderful place is telling the truth – this is an extraordinary city! You cannot walk for more than a few minutes without admiring an amazing church, museum, famous restaurant or just a stunning view that you couldn’t get anywhere else. Fully escorted price includes: ◆ Return flights from London Heathrow, London Stansted, London Gatwick, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds Bradford, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Bristol or Dublin ◆ Four nights’ B&B in a four-star hotel situated on the Grand Canal ◆ A walking tour of Venice, probably the world’s most unique city ◆ Timed visits to St Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s…

Aries 21 Mar – 20 Apr Your talent now is for seeing the bigger picture. Other people are caught up in details, but you can focus on the greater gains involved in choosing to do some things and neglecting others. This just might get you into trouble for a minute on Sunday, but stick with it. ◆ For more call 0901 609 4780 Taurus 21 Apr – 20 May One area of your domestic life needs TLC. If you’re not sure what it is you will be by the weekend when it brings itself to your attention in a dramatic way. So tackle the things you do know about – fix that leaky boiler or talk with that teenager – before it goes off big time. ◆ For more call…

You could win like Diana Diana isn’t the only winner, there are hundreds every day. In the past year there have been 98,854 wins of £1,000 or more** When I have a bit of time to myself, there is nothing I like better than going on Woman’s Own Bingo to play a few games. It’s always good fun. Not only are the games really good, the banter with the other players always keeps me amused. I love it! On the day I won my first jackpot back in January, I hadn’t been online long. I’d headed straight to my favourite Bullion Bonanza slot game for a few spins when, almost immediately, all the gold bars lined up and the screen started flashing to say I’d won the jackpot of £4,700.…

It’s rare to find an actress in her fifties who doesn’t fret about finding more wrinkles or seeing the roles drying up. But Caroline Quentin, the 52-year-old star of Men Behaving Badly, Life Of Riley and Blue Murder, is one of that special breed. ‘Ageing is only positive for me,’ she says. ‘I know exactly who I am.’ With a career taking new and interesting turns, plus a happy home life, she smiles and adds, ‘Without wanting to sound sentimental, I’m really grateful for the life I have. I just think, “Hooray, I’m still here!” I’ve lost people who died far too young [including one of her sisters, Catherine]. But I can make a living, my family’s good, so I’m happy to get older. I’m having a nice time.’ ‘I’m…

On the spot with... Kate Garraway 1 Early bird or lie-in? I like getting up early, doing jobs and then feeling like I have the rest of the day. If I work at night I feel like Cinderella! 2 Spend or save? I never seem to save anything. I get very nervous about spending large amounts of cash. 3 Night in or night out? Night in, I’m afraid. I now tend to go big or go home. I have one spectacular blowout a month and the rest is curling up with a DVD. 4 Book or Kindle? Book. There’s something delicious about a physical book. 5 Skiing or sunbathing? I haven’t been skiing for years. I like diving and snorkelling – it’s lovely to be warm. 6 Ant or Dec?…

Don’t overdo the bronzer Wow! We almost didn’t recognise Strictly presenter Claudia Winkleman, 41, without her trademark bronzer, intense, kohl-rimmed eyes and Pepto-pink lipstick. We’ve decided she looks better baring her natural English-rose complexion. Let your skin shine Kylie Minogue, 44, reveals a naturally luminous complexion that doesn’t need a hint of foundation (jealous, us?!). We reckon she looks even better here without the layers of base, which can often look matte, dull and ageing if you apply it too thickly. Add a nice, healthy glow With just a hint of a warming tan (we’re hoping it’s fake!), Helen Mirren, 67, has swapped rosy cheeks for bare-faced chic. She might only be a few years away from 70, but she’s never looked better. Make the most of your own colouring…

Playing a trucker with a chequered past might not be the typical way an actress introduces herself to the nation, but it worked for Ruth Jones. Her role of Nessa in Gavin & Stacey made her one of the nation’s favourite stars. Now she’s back in a second series of her Sky1 comedy drama Stella, which she writes and produces with her husband, T V produce r David Peet. Ruth, 46, lives with him near Cardiff, and is stepmum to his kids Fiona, Louise and Alex. ON STAGE WITH ROB BRYDON IN 1984 ‘Rob was two years above me at school an d we did musicals together’ Oh-Bama! Ruth lost her cool when introduced to Barack Obama at a Downing Street reception. ‘He’d just been made president, so I did…

Carol’s wacky weight trick Carol McGiffin starts waging war on her weight as soon as she wakes up. ‘I like to start the day with two pints of warm water mixed with fresh orange juice,’ she tells Woman’s Own. Drinking warm water first thing in the morning is a popular way of kickstarting your metabolism, preparing your stomach for food, getting your digestion going and detoxing all at the same time. I don’t eat rubbish any more Weighing just under 11st, Carol believes dieting is about discipline. ‘You have to make the choice whether you really want to eat that unhealthy cream cake or be able to fit into your jeans,’ says the Loose Women star. ‘I generally eat well and I don’t eat rubbish any more. I eat what…

We’re either having sex like it’s going out of fashion, or we’re avoiding it like the plague! Helen Mirren reckons it’s overrated. Davina McCall says if a man hasn’t had sex for six months he’ll shop elsewhere. So who’s right? And how is it for you? This is your chance to reveal all in the Woman’s Own Love & Sex Survey. And, simply by taking part, you’ll be entered into our fantastic prize draw, in which one lucky couple will win an unforgettable weekend for two at the luxurious Gilpin Hotel & Lake House (the gilpin.co.uk) in the Lake District. The prize includes dinner (five courses and coffee with petits fours), bed & breakfast, plus a complimentary chauffeur to and from Gilpin restaurant (three AA rosette rated). You will also…

Surveying the bare kitchen cupboard, Jackie Monroe’s heart sank. A year ago, the shelves had been laden with food, the fridge stocked with meat and fresh vegetables. But now all the single mum had to feed herself and her two-year-old son, Johnny, was a tin of kidney beans, a few slices of bread and some pasta. Over the bitterly cold winter months Jackie has been forced to make a choice no mother should have to – between food shopping or keeping her home warm. She receives £820 a month in benefits plus a small income she makes from a selling craft goods. From that she pays £675 on rent for her two-bed flat, leaving her £145 to cover all her other costs. ‘It means I have just £10 a week…

1 Set challenges ‘Experts used to think that once you reached the age of 25 it was all downhill for the brain. But advances in neuroscience mean we now know that the brain has the capacity to form new connections throughout a lifetime,’ says Harley Street psychotherapist and coach Christine Webber (christinewebber.com). ‘The key is to get your brain working in a different way. If you iron with your right hand, use your left. If you love music, learn an instrument. This is especially good for the brain as it takes a lot of thinking power to translate the musical notes your eyes see on a page into the actions needed to play the notes. Do puzzles that will tax your brain, or learn a language. You’ll be toning up…

NOODLES Save 240 cals per serving Egg noodles can set you back 240 cals per 75g serving. Instead, try Sato Shouten Low Calorie Shirataki Yam Noodles (£1.85, from Asian supermarkets or japancentre.com), which contain 5 cals per 75g, or calorie-free Zero Noodles (£1.33, Holland & Barrett). MASHED POTATO Save 120 cals per serving You can swap buttery potato mash (200 cals for a 200g portion) for sweet potato. It’s healthier but has around the same calories per gram. For a low-cal option, mash 200g swede with a knob of butter (80 cals). To zing it up, add garlic or smoked paprika, or 1tsp Parmesan (20 cals). CHIPS Save 300 cals per serving Sometimes only fries will do, but at 380 cals for a 200g portion, they could ruin your diet.…

It’s FREE to join and it’s so easy to become a member Here’s what to do While you’re making the most of the January sales, make sure you’ve downloaded the Quidco app to your mobile. It pays you to shop – so not only can you save money on Quidco’s great deals, you’ll receive cash just for checking in! How it works Quidco app It’s the UK’s first app that pays you to check in. Save yourself £££s with personalised offers and deals on the go. The Quidco app lets you discover paid check-in deals, in-store cashback offers and voucher codes local to you. You’ll also be able to manage your Quidco account and shop at thousands of online retailers, such as play.com, Vodafone, Expedia, Argos and many more. How…

Mixed berry crisp SERVES 4 PREP TIME 15 MINS COOKING TIME 30 MINS YOU WILL NEED ◆ 400g pack frozen raspberries, redcurrants, blackcurrants and blackberries (there’s no need to defrost them) ◆ 4tsp creme de cassis (blackcurrant liqueur), optional ◆ 4tsp golden caster sugar ◆ 2tbsp thickening granules FOR THE TOPPING ◆ 60g butter ◆ 60g light muscovado sugar ◆ 60g plain flour ◆ 60g jumbo oats ◆ ½tsp cinnamon 1 Preheat the oven to 200°C/Gas 6. Divide the berries between 4 ovenproof cups. Spoon in the creme de cassis, if using, and sprinkle with the caster sugar and thickening granules. 2 Gently heat the butter and muscovado sugar in a pan, stirring, to melt the butter and dissolve the sugar. Spoon in the flour, oats and cinnamon. 3 Spoon…

The internet has completely revolutionised the way we stay connected with our friends and family. But are you demanding the most from your broadband provider? There are lots of tempting offers from broadband providers, but you may think it’s going to be a massive headache to switch. Well, not any more, because Sky Broadband Unlimited understands that switching from one company to another can be daunting and has come up with a solution – a special team dedicated to helping you through the switching process. Sky’s new Switch Squad will ensure that moving to Sky Broadband Unlimited is as easy as possible. And if you’re moving from BT or TalkTalk they’ll speak to your provider for you and keep you updated on where your order is. You can also keep…

MERYL STREEP AS MARGARET THATCHER – THE IRON LADY 2011 Meryl’s Oscar-winning portrayal of our former prime minister was always going to be a little controversial. But audiences agreed that her transformation, thanks to prosthetics and voice training, gave a strong impression of Maggie. MICHAEL SHEEN AS TONY BLAIR – THE QUEEN 2006 The Welsh actor has played ex-PM Tony Blair three times in his career, including in TV dramas The Deal (2003) and The Special Relationship (2010). However, it was his turn in this BAFTA-winning film that was the most poignant. GEORGE CLOONEY AS GOVERNOR MIKE MORRIS – THE IDES OF MARCH 2011 He’s the only fictitious politician to make our list. Gorgeous George gives a compelling portrayal of a wheeler-dealer statesman, who is eventually revealed as corrupt and…

CLUES & ARROWS Fill in the clues in the direction of the arrows. The shaded squares will reveal the hidden word or words WORD FIT To be in with a chance of winning the prize below, fit the words in the grid. The shaded squares reveal the hidden word(s). 3 LETTERS Dog Fan Get Sly Sop Tat 4 LETTERS Dose Icon Trug Yomp 5 LETTERS Bunch Kneel Sedan Trick 6 LETTERS Fatten Modify Sector Urgent Wooden 7 LETTERS Shelter Tedious Towards 8 LETTERS Seashore Soulless Tenacity 9 LETTERS Cornfield Eightsome Latecomer Shortness A case of French wine Woman’s Own has teamed up with French Wines With style to offer one winner a mixed case of six absolutely cracking wines, as selected by top UK experts and journalists! All the wines…

‘I bought new windows!’ Accounts assistant Virginia Moran, 53, from Lincolnshire, was stunned to win a total of £27, 517 on Bullion Bonanza The night I won the jackpot was strange and wonderful. I was sitting at home playing the Tiki Island slot game. I don’t usually put a lot of money on – I’m a single parent to Alex, who is 10 years old. But I kept winning entry into the bonus rounds of the game and my balance was going up. Soon it hit £300. I was ecstatic. I bought a few tickets for one of the bingo games then, while I was waiting for it to start, I decided to have a few goes on Bullion Bonanza. I spun the reels just three times and won another…

GET £35 OF BINGO FOR JUST £10 THAT’S 3,500 CHANCES TO WIN HOW TO CLAIM Join the fun at womansown-bingo.co.uk Deposit £10 with promo code WOE5 – and we’ll top it up to £35 Hurry, offer ends 28 February 2013 TERMS & CONDITIONS **£25 free Welcome Bonus for first deposit only, £10 deposit and 1p wager required. 250 per cent sign-up bonus for deposits of up to £100. You must enter the promo code when joining and accept the Welcome Bonus when depositing. Welcome offer ends 28 February 2012. Offer is correct at time of going to press. Operator reserves the right to cease or change the Welcome Bonus or any promotions. Subject to terms and conditions of the Operator, available at womansown-bingo.co.uk. Non-UK residents please see clause 3.2 for…

Monday Back from holiday in the US where she was earning her flight wings, Carol Vorderman has started the year on her usual contagiously sparkling form. She couldn’t wait to get going on her flying lessons Stateside in December. I reckon it’s only a matter of time before she has a 747 parked in her driveway, which would suit me down to the ground. As a dedicated trolley dolly on Carol Air I’d be set up with a job for life. ‘Chicken or beef, madam?’ Tuesday Filming the BBC drama Death In Paradise has been rather tough for its star Ben Miller. After all, having to spend six months of the year in the Caribbean can really take it out of a boy, as he told me when we caught…

JAYNIE ‘I think Davina McCall looks so much younger without any make-up on. Her skin is flawless, so she doesn’t need to wear it at all. She looks really healthy.’ JESSICA ‘I just can’t believe that Helen Mirren looks this amazing at 67. I hope I do when I’m her age! She hardly has any wrinkles and has a natural glow. She’s a great advert for make-up-free skin.’ CAROLE ‘Claudia Winkleman looks like a different person! I don’t think I’d be brave enough to go out without a bit of blusher – unless I looked like Kylie.’…

Dancing On Ice has thrown up plenty of juicy surprises this series, making it the most talked-about show on TV right now. There’s the tension between judges Jason Gardiner and Karen Barber, the ‘are they or aren’t they?’ romance between Samia Ghadie and her pro partner Sylvain Longchambon, plus the ongoing speculation about whether Christine Bleakley will be leaving. All these scandals gave its host Phillip Schofield, 50, plenty to talk about when quizzed recently. The married father of two daughters, Molly, 19 and Ruby, 17, also squirmed when his controversial encounter with David Cameron, in which Phil handed the prime minister a list of alleged paedophiles live on This Morning, was brought up. What’s your verdict on Karen and Jason’s feud? There’s a bit of friction, wouldn’t you say?…

Could you do a good deed every day for a year? It sounds easy, doesn’t it? All you have to do is help an elderly lady across the road, or take a delivery for a neighbour, and your work is done. That’s what I thought when I made a vow to do just that on 1 January 2011. I’d tried New Year’s resolutions before, to lose weight or go to the gym, but this time it was different. I’d always known I should be doing good because of the way I was brought up. My parents were keen volunteers – my mum, Veronica, 84, helped as a cleaner in a hospice, and then as a classroom assistant, and my dad, Frank, 79, visited the sick and did trolley rounds at…

French manis are back! This classic style is back but with a modern, colourful twist. ‘Apply two coats of Max Factor Glossfinity in Desert Sand, £5.99,’ explains Max Factor nail artist, Zarra Celik. ‘Using a small nail brush, paint an arch across the nail half way up the nail plate with Max Factor Glossfinity in Burgundy Crush, £5.99. Fill in the whole top half with this shade and finish with a top coat.’ Go for gels We really love the quick-drying, chip-proof two-week colour of gel manicures but they can be expensive. Cue the SensatioNail Gel Starter Kit, an at-home treatment available in 19 shades. At £69.99 it may seem fairly pricey but now the kit comes with everything you need for 10 treatments – LED lamp, three essential products,…

1 Keep the heat in. A third of heating is lost through the walls, so insulating them is the best way to save energy. Lagging your loft can save you a quarter of your home’s heating costs. 2 Replace your boiler. If your boiler is more than 15 years old consider switching to a new, energy efficient one, which could save up to a third on your annual heating bills. There are grants available to help cover the cost. 3 Don’t leave the heating on low. Contrary to popular belief, it’s not cheaper to leave your heating on a low setting all day. Set your timer so that it comes on morning and evening. 4 Don’t get in hot water. Your cylinder thermostat shouldn’t need to be higher than 60˚C.…

3 step fix... How to prevent cervical cancer ◆ GO TO THIS Smear tests can detect abnormal (pre-cancerous) cells, so make sure you attend your free screening. Early detection and treatment can prevent up to 75 per cent of cervical cancers developing. ◆ DO THIS Nearly 98 per cent of cases are caused by persistent infection from the human papillomavirus (HPV). To reduce your risk, always practise safe sex and try to lead as healthy a lifestyle as you can. ◆ QUIT THIS Smoking could almost double your risk. The chemicals are thought to damage the DNA of cervix cells. For more about Cervical Cancer Prevention Week (20-26 Jan), go to jostrust.org.uk It’s weird... but it works! If you’re struggling to stay on track with your diet and avoid temptation,…

Welch’s Grape Juice and Woman’s Own have teamed up to offer every reader a free grape juice from Welch’s new 100% Pure range. The 100% Pure Rosé Grape Juice includes a blend of white and red grapes for a wonderfully uplifting taste, just bursting with flavour. And the 100% Pure White Grape Juice is made using a luscious blend of the finest sun-ripened white grapes. Perfect for all the family, these two juices are the ideal refreshment to serve for any occasion. And, in addition, Welch’s 100% Pure Grape Juice contains absolutely no added sugar, colours or flavourings. For more information visit welchsjuice.co.uk or go to facebook.com/welchsuk How to claim Take this coupon to your nearest Tesco, Sainsbury’s or Asda by 31 March 2013. Participating stores only. TERMS AND CONDITIONS…

Save without spending Here are my top tips this week to ensure you’re making the most of your hard-earned cash 1 NEVER GIVE UP HOPE OF A SAVING If you’ve tried to cut costs by haggling with customer service teams and got nowhere, don’t despair. Sometimes call centres have weekly or monthly quotas of discounts they can give and if you try calling again in a week, they may have been reset. 2 DOWNLOAD FREE SOFTWARE Don’t spend a fortune adding pricy programmes to your computer. Visit Download.com for an impressive library of free software and games. 3 GET PAI D TO SWITCH BANKS First Direct and Halifax are offering up to £125 if you move current accounts. The new bank should also be able to switch your direct debits…

‘Dancing made me feel so sexy’ Speeding my way through the rocky desert with the wind in my hair and the sunshine on my face, I felt more alive than I had in a long time. ‘I should have done this 10 years ago!’ I squealed as thick clouds of dust trailed behind me. It was May 2011 and I was enjoying a quad-biking holiday in Egypt with my cousin Jeff, 57. Both single, we’d decided to book the action-packed trip on a whim and were having the time of our lives exploring the rocky crags and dunes of the glorious Egyptian desert. It was a far cry from how things were just a year earlier. Stuck in an unhappy marriage and about to turn 60, I’d felt life was…

Lying face down on the cold table, my heart was pounding. ‘Ready?’ a voice above me said, and I flinched slightly as I heard the buzz of the needle. ‘Ready,’ I replied, as the sharp point pressed into my skin. It was March 2010 and, at 50, I was having a tattoo inked across my back. But this was no token butterfly or pretty flower. I was having a scene from my favourite movie, Twilight, drawn from the nape of my neck to the base of my spine – four giant faces, plus an inset of a couple in a romantic embrace, all set in a woodland scene. I’d had my first tattoo aged 18, a Tudor rose etched on my left arm. Soon after, I’d got a bird in…

Best on a budget SPAIN Cut costs on the Costas! Spain’s economy is having a tough time, which means it plans to lure us to its traditional resorts on golden Med beaches with competitive prices. WHY GO It’s the perfect destination if all-inclusive’s not your thing. Eating out is affordable, with seafront restaurants offering good value set-price menus of local food. Look for vouchers handed out as flyers at the resorts or available in the tourist offices for days out and theme parks. WHEN’S BEST Great for spring sun – temperatures can reach the mid 20°Cs. ANYTHING NEW? Add affordable luxury with EasyJet’s packages to Spain’s Parador hotels, which are set in swanky or historic buildings. Malaga has two, from £244pp for four nights, see easyjet.com/holidays. BAG A DEAL Book…

Just for fun WORDSEARCH The answer is the one word missing from the grid BATH BICYCLE BROTHER CARPET CHOCOLATE CINEMA COFFEE CRUMPET FISH PAVEMENT RADIO RAIN SCHOOL SHAMPOO SHOE Just for fun SIMPLE SUDOKU To solve the puzzle each 3x2 box, each column and each row must contain the numbers 1 to 6 Challenge See if you can solve this in 5 minutes Just for fun MINI WORD ACROSS 1 Shade (4) 5 Follow orders (4) 6 Zane ___, Radio 1 DJ (4) 7 Not as much (4) DOWN 1 Charge (4) 2 Reed instrument (4) 3 Latest reports (4) 4 Holes in needles (4)…

As anyone who’s ever taken on a house renovation will tell you, living in a building site for months on end is no fun. When I moved in two years ago with my partner Sarah, the house was in a terrible state – the plaster was even falling off the walls. But we were determined to make it into a home we could be proud of. Doing it up has been a long and drawn-out process, as I’ve been taking on as much of the work as I can. I’ve turned my hand to everything from laying loft insulation to putting down laminate flooring. It’s been hard work, but the end is finally in sight – and that’s in a big part thanks to Woman’s Own Bingo. So very easy…

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