Innholdsfortegnelse for 07-Sep-2020 i Woman's Own

THE BYKER GROVE DAYS The TV duo found fame on Byker Grove many moons ago, with Ant playing PJ, and Dec Duncan, until their characters were axed in 1992. JUNGLE FEVER Who could forget how much fun the boys have presenting I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! They’ve hosted the show since 2002, with Ant temporarily replaced by Holly Willoughby in 2018 during his hiatus. POP SENSATIONS In 1994, the pair utilised their new-found popularity and released a song, Let’s Get Ready to Rhumble, as their alter-egos PJ and Duncan. The song even topped the charts 19 years later when it was re-released in 2013. FAMILY TIES As well as being the best of friends, Ant and Dec found out they were in fact distant blood-related cousins during…

When I used to live with my parents, I’d sneak through the door after having some filler and Mum would say, ‘What have you had done?’ I’d try to cover up my lips with my hand, but she’d make me show her. Every time, she’d look horrified by my ever-growing pout. ‘You look like a fish!’ she’d say to me. But I didn’t care, and still don’t. I’m addicted to having cosmetic procedures. It makes me feel sexier and more attractive. I spend around £1,000 a year on Botox and fillers in my lips, chin, jaw and cheeks – many of which Mum doesn’t even know about. I save up for them in a special account, aiming to put a little bit of money away each month. ‘I spend £1,000…

Has any celebrity had a worse 2020 than Madonna? Not content with waffling patronising guff about coronavirus from a bath full of rose petals, she doubled down by sharing cringey social media posts. She achieved a new low, though, by posting pictures of her 62nd birthday on holiday in Jamaica with her children and 26-year-old boyfriend. Puffing on a spliff, she held up a plate of marijuana and papers, while showing off nails painted with cannabis leaves. No problem with women of any age behaving as badly as they want, just please don’t turn yourself into a walking advert for drugs. Especially when you have eight-year-old twins. What’s your opinion? Tell Dawn on Twitter @DawnNeesom…

Condition has strange flare-ups Q I have Crohn’s disease. It hasn’t given me too much trouble until the past few months. I have developed a foul-smelling discharge from my vagina. It smells like poo. Could it be linked to the Crohn’s? A It could be. Crohn’s is an inflammatory bowel disease and it can be associated with the development of small tracks (fistulae) between the bowel and usually the skin around the bottom. These tunnels can also link into the vagina. See your GP, as you may need an operation to repair this.…

Rage bubbling up? Neil says: 1 BE AWARE ‘Notice what’s happening to your body – to your heart rate, blood flow and muscle tension – then what you’re thinking and feeling.’ 2 WAIT ‘Think whether a considered response would get a better outcome.’ 3 FOCUS ‘Breathe slowly with a longer out-breath than in-breath. Imagine the anger flowing out with your out-breath.’ 4 RELEASE ‘Relax your muscles.’ It can help to consciously release tension from top to toe. 5 MOVE ON ‘Focus on what you’d have liked to have happened in the situation instead.’…

1 DOWNLOAD AURA APP (IOS AND GOOGLE PLAY). Aura provides short and sweet personalised mindfulness, life coaching, stories, and music whenever you need to up your mood and feel better. 2 THINK ABOUT ALL THE THINGS THAT HAVE GONE WELL. Rather than look at what you haven’t got and past failures, celebrate all the good things in your life. Allow yourself to revel in your successes. 3 TEXT YOUR UPBEAT FRIENDS. Sometimes all you need is a reassuring message and laugh with a close friend. Choose the one who is your best cheerleader for a happiness boost.…

Easy sedums The perfect plant for novice gardeners, sun-loving sedums are popular with pollinating insects, thrive on poor soil and need very little attention. There are more than 400 species, which flower at different times from early summer to autumn. A particularly good choice just as summer flowers are fading is Sedum telephium ‘Purple Emperor’, which has chic burgundy foliage and panicles of ruby-red flowers that last well into autumn. A hardy perennial, it also has an RHS AGM for its garden performance. Priced from £7.99 at thompson-morgan.com. Buy of the week If you’re planting up pots, these environmentally friendly jute mulch mats are just the ticket. They help to retain moisture and keep weeds at bay. Available from chimneysheep.co.uk Perennial pick-me-ups Bring instant cheer to borders and patios with…

✽ Photographer £1,000 ✽ Suit £120 ✽ Dress £900 ✽ Dress alterations £230 ✽ Flowers £144.90 ✽ Registrar £280 ✽ Rings (including a new engagement ring) £3,350 ✽ Hotel/venue/meals/evening buffet/ bridal suite (25 daytime guests, 60 evening guests) £3,002 ✽ Shoes for Claire, James and Zia £550 ✽ Dress for Zia £20 ✽ Day invitations £5.99 ✽ Evening invitations £20 ✽ Tips: DJ, selfie mirror, camper van, dress alterations, make-up £110…

Genius: Aretha, National Geographic The life and legacy of legendary singer Aretha Franklin is told in this biopic series starring Emmy Award-winner Cynthia Erivo as the songstress who had huge hits from the 1960s onwards. The drama explores the Queen of Soul’s upbringing, musical genius, 75-million-record career and lasting influence. Ratched, Netflix This One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest prequel stars Sarah Paulson as the younger incarnation of Nurse Mildred Ratched (played by Louise Fletcher in the 1975 film) before she evolved into the sadistic tyrant at the Salem State Hospital. Set in 1947 at the beginning of a young Mildred’s mental health career, the series also stars Sharon Stone, Don Cheadle, Cynthia Nixon and Judy Davis. This Is Going To Hurt, BBC2 Ben Whishaw stars in this eight-part drama…

Look who’s back in Albert Square’s Queen Vic! How was your lockdown? The first few weeks, it felt like a bit of a holiday. But then, suddenly, reality hit and it was a bit scary because my elderly parents live with me, and they got a bit nervous. But we started to enjoy it, in the sense that there was no alarm clock. It’s good to be back at work, though, because, like a lot of people, I did find it difficult. And I can’t Zoom – anything technical, I just can’t get involved. I get the fear! It was scary when everything shut down so suddenly. It really was. Doing Secrets from the Square with Stacey Dooley was really great – it was weird because it was like a…

The jeans Ankle-cropped jeans are a great way to look and feel modern. The straight leg with a slight flare means that hips and thighs are balanced out, and darker denim is always more flattering. TOP TIP Wear high-waisted cropped jeans to elongate your legs. The top Soft denim tops are a fantastic wardrobe staple as they can easily be paired with printed or colourful bottoms. This square neck is flattering for larger busts and the puff sleeves will give you arm coverage without being clingy. TOP TIP Central buttons draw the eye to the middle giving a slimming effect. The dress A denim dress is the ultimate transitional piece that will easily take you from warmer to cooler weather. This dress is made from an environmentally friendly fabric that…

Curling up on the sofa with a cup of tea, I reached for the remote and put on a Japanese anime film. They were my son Chris’ favourite and we loved watching them together. But now, as I looked at the empty seat next to me, the tears soon came. It felt like an eternity since I’d last heard Chris’ gentle voice and saw his beautiful smile. My only child, Chris, was born in March 2000, and he brought me so much joy. An intelligent boy, Chris always had his head buried in a book. He was mature and loved to learn, asking for his first book about psychology in 2011, when he was just 11. His dad and I split up when Chris was 15, which wasn’t easy for…

Living with an angry partner? It’s not easy. ‘Keep in mind that very few people actually want to be aggressive,’ says Professor James, who suggests these strategies: • Encourage them to talk ‘Help them share their feelings instead of letting them disconnect from people.’ • Be open ‘A supportive attitude will help them develop an understanding of the damage their aggressive behaviour does.’ • Stay calm ‘Just listening can go a long way to helping defuse anger in others.’…

It worked for me Beth Richards, 43, from Somerset ‘I’ve always been quite disloyal when choosing face creams, mainly because I’ve never really settled on one I absolutely loved. Then a friend told me about Hemptouch Balancing Face Cream (£31, hemptouch.com/uk). It contains CBD oil to help to calm irritation and redness. My skin tone now looks amazing. I’ve had so many compliments since using it that I’d never use anything else now. I’d definitely recommend it.’ 37% of Brits say the absence of televised sport improved their relationship.** *PURESSENTIEL. **ONBUY.COM. IF YOU HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT YOUR HEALTH, SEE YOUR GP…

1 It’s time to get your lawn in good shape, so either lay turf or scatter seeds over bare patches – you’ll find special types for particular areas such as shady spots. 2 Deadhead plants in window boxes and hanging baskets as well as dahlias, penstemons and roses – it’s the best way to make sure they keep flowering into autumn. 3 Fancy a fruit garden? Strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and currants fare better if they’re planted in the dormant season, so plant before it gets too chilly.…

Baked chicken with kale and tomatoes Serves 4 This is a flavoursome and satisfying dinner, and it’s under 300 cals! You will need ✽ 800g pack chicken thighs ✽ 500g plum tomatoes ✽ 60g pitted green olives ✽ 150ml chicken stock ✽ 2tbsp sun-dried tomato paste ✽ 250g pack kale How to do it 1 Preheat the oven to 200C/Gas 6. 2 Place the thighs in a roasting tin with the tomatoes and olives. Mix the stock with tomato paste and pour over the chicken. Bake for 20 mins. 3 Meanwhile, cook the kale in boiling water for around 3 mins, then drain. Stir into the rest of the ingredients in the pan, and bake for a further 15 mins until the chicken is cooked throughout. PREP TIME 10 MINS…

Dr Sophie Ward, Programme Leader for Psychology at Arden University, says: ‘One possible explanation for the low level of violent crime committed by women is the social expectation that they’re born to nurture. Women are often rewarded for their ability to care, which may inhibit them from displaying violent behaviours. Other factors include a lack of strength and aggression, social control, and restricted access to criminal networks. Violent behaviour in women is seen as transgressive of gender, thus doubly deviant and more powerful. It leaves a long-lasting impression.’…

‘Would sporting heroes respond?’ Josie Dom, 49, is a children’s author. She lives in Halstead with her husband, Nic, 51, and their children, Oliver, 14, and Abigail, 11. ‘Did you know sloths are good swimmers?’ my daughter Abigail, 11, announced randomly while we were camping in our garden one night at the start of lockdown. ‘No, I didn’t,’ I smiled. It’d been Oliver’s and later Abigail’s love of my tales that first encouraged me to begin writing children’s stories in 2008. And, in the tent that evening, we began a lively debate over which animals would play which sport at the Olympics – especially as the Tokyo 2020 Games faced cancellation. Giraffes would be great at basketball, we agreed, giggling. Meanwhile, buffalo would be good at football, able to charge…

MOSTLY A Prefer porkies You really hate conflict and hurting anyone’s feelings, so you lie through your teeth to avoid it. Think about what you’d want from your friends, though, and try a little gentle honesty instead. You owe it to your friends to be truthful. MOSTLY B Prolific liar You may not be hurting anyone by telling white lies, but why are you lying? If you’re trying to protect yourself, think about what it might cost you if you get caught out. Even white lies can add up – and is being comfortable lying to people the greatest attribute to have? MOSTLY C Offensive truth-teller You prefer to tell the truth, which is great in principle, but you’re brutally honest and can be offensive. You might not even notice,…

In Ackley Bridge, Jo Joyner’s character is a headteacher who doesn’t want children. In reality, though, the 43-year-old actress was desperate to start a family, and tried for a long time with her husband of 13 years, Neil Madden. The couple eventually welcomed twins Edie and Fred, who are now 10, and, as Woman’s Own chats to her, it’s clear how grateful she is to be a mum. Jo, who played Tanya Branning on EastEnders on and off from 2006 to 2018, also opened up about her dear friend Dame Barbara Windsor, and how Barbara’s husband Scott Mitchell is doing, after he recently had to make the difficult decision to move her into a care home due to her advancing dementia. Lockdown is easing now, but how did you cope,…

When my youngest daughter, Rosie, 27, comes to our house for dinner, I’ll look at her across the table and snap, ‘Close your mouth while you’re eating!’ But she can’t. Her lips are so ridiculously big that she can’t do it. It breaks my heart because, to my eyes, my daughter has ruined her face and figure with her obsession with cosmetic surgery. Her breast implants are too big, and her skin is dangerously tanned after too many sunbed sessions. Now she’s talking about having a bum lift. I’m terrified that not only will she ruin her health and fall into debt, but she could die. Gorgeous little girl When I look back at her as a child, she was a naturally gorgeous little girl with a cheeky smile, olive…

Just when you thought it was safe to celebrate being a woman, there’s yet another thing we’re being blamed for – the looming crisis in our care homes. Yes, you read that right. Forget coronavirus, greedy home owners and a clueless government – the fact our residential homes will continue to be in such a state is all OUR FAULT! According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) women born in the 1960s are twice as likely to have no offspring as women born immediately after World War Two. The ONS just deals in cold statistics, it’s how these figures have been interpreted that is fury inducing. It’s been implied those of us who chose not to have children are selfish cows who’ll be relying so heavily on the care…

Finding an alternative to toenail removal Q My husband has had an infected ingrown toenail on his right big toe, which has required antibiotics three times this year. His doctor is suggesting that he has the nail completely removed. Is this really necessary? A Removing the nail is certainly one option, but if your husband isn’t keen, there are a couple of things he could try first. Make sure he cuts the nail straight across rather than shaping it, and ask him to allow the nail to grow out just beyond the pulp of the toe. After a bath, he could also place tiny pieces of cotton wool under the edges of the nail to encourage it to grow away from the soft tissue of the toe itself. Could back…

‘There’s usually an underlying trigger, such as stress, poor sleep, bad diet, alcohol or a reaction to medications,’ says Neil. ‘If it’s new, assess what has changed in your life. If you can change the triggers, then your moods swings may dissipate. If not, seek medical advice.’ Anger can also be a symptom of something more serious. ‘There could be an underlying medical issue, such as diabetes, thyroid-related disease, Parkinson’s or MS,’ adds Professor James.…

She says they don’t have sex any more Q My daughter-in-law and I are very close and she’s recently admitted that she and my son no longer have sex. She says she’s been unhappy for about a year and wants me to talk to him. I would be devastated if they separated, but my son is a very private person. I don’t want to risk our relationship by interfering. How can I help? Lisa, 65, Hants A Your daughter-in-law may be desperate for help, but it’s important to go with your gut feeling and not get involved in this. Instead, suggest to her that they see their GP to rule out any underlying conditions first. If everything is OK, they should consider counselling to help understand their problems. Visit relate.org.uk.…

Music boosts your brain Always wanted to learn an instrument? Now’s the time. ‘It triggers the formation of new brain cells,’ says neuroscientist Julia Jones. ‘The benefits are at their peak when you’re grappling with the new information.’ Sun and wind is a bad mix for skin ‘Strong winds can break down the skin’s defence barrier, making it vulnerable to UV rays,’ says pharmacist Pareena Patel from LloydsPharmacy. ‘The Met Office produces a UV forecast each day. Checking this can help show the risk of UV damage.’ Brits don’t eat greens Many adults in the UK still refuse to eat their greens. A study by Higgidy found the average Brit hadn’t eaten broccoli for more than a month. One in 20 people never eat any vegetables at all.…

With a mischievous, slightly nervous look on his face, my boyfriend of three years, James, then 30, handed me half a chocolate Easter egg filled with ice-cream. ‘Here you go,’ he chuckled, passing me a spoon. ‘Oh, wow!’ I grinned, ready to tuck in. Only, as I was about to dip my spoon in, I noticed something glimmering on top. Gasping, I pulled out a white-gold diamond ring and stared at James in shock. ‘Will you marry me?’ he laughed. I didn’t hesitate, wrapping my arms around him and smothering him in kisses as our seven-month-old daughter, Zia, looked up at us. ‘My heart sank at the cost of it all’ That was April 2015 and, as happy as I was browsing wedding magazines over the next few weeks, my…

Aberdeen Angus Beef Lean Mince 10% Fat 400g (Waitrose) MOROCCAN MINCED BEEF PIE Serves 4 You will need ✽ 400g pack lean minced beef ✽ 1 onion, chopped ✽ 4tsp harissa paste ✽ 400g can chickpeas, drained and rinsed ✽ 400g can chopped tomatoes ✽ 400ml hot beef stock ✽ 150g wholewheat couscous ✽ 14g pack coriander, chopped How to do it 1 Preheat the oven to 200C/Gas 6. Fry the beef and onion to brown. Add the harissa paste and cook for 1-2 mins. Stir in the chickpeas, tomatoes and 100ml stock, cover and cook for 5-6 mins. Transfer to an ovenproof serving dish. 2 Meanwhile, place the couscous in a bowl, add the remaining hot stock, cover and leave for 5 minutes. Fluff up with a fork and…

THE POLITICIAN, NETFLIX There are two seasons of this political comedy that mocks US elections and all who seek office. Payton Hobart (Ben Platt) tries to be elected student body president. Then he sets his sights on elected office in New York, where he tries to unseat scheming state senator Dede Standish (Judith Light). DESIGNATED SURVIVOR, NETFLIX All three series of this political thriller starring Kiefer Sutherland are available to binge. He plays Thomas Kirkman, an American politician who goes from being US secretary of housing and urban development to president of the United States after an explosion kills everyone ahead of him in the presidential line of succession. But as Kirkman is sworn in, he’s unaware that the attack is just the beginning of what’s…

Aries 21 Mar – 20 Apr Make time for a heart-to-heart with your partner and you’ll discover something important is on their mind. Enjoy an adventure and don’t dwell on the past. Taurus 21 Apr – 20 May Being enthusiastic about fresh ideas could see you reach new heights. Business plans will expand and you’ll be recognised for your innovative thinking. Gemini 21 May – 20 Jun You’re ever-changing like a chameleon in some ways and steadfast in others. There’s no mountain too high to climb and it’s the same with your ambitions. Cancer 21 Jun – 22 Jul Whether it’s house chores or important work projects, you’re feeling more focused. It’s great when a plan comes together and you see the results of your hard work. Leo 23 Jul…