Innholdsfortegnelse for 05-Oct-2020 i Woman's Own

‘It’s tricky, there are a lot of people to consider’ It’s true that no-one knows what really goes on behind closed doors, and that’s certainly the case for TV stars Joe Swash and Stacey Solomon’s relationship. While on the surface they appear to be the perfect family, Joe has admitted that behind the scenes, things can get tough and he and Stacey, who share four sons between them, argue often. ‘It’s a constant minefield,’ he said. ‘Sometimes it falls apart at the seams really quickly.’ So how do they manage to make it work? BLENDED FAMILY BATTLES Joe, 38, and Stacey, 30, have been together for four years. Stacey already had two sons, Zachary, 12, and Leighton, eight, while Joe has son Harry, 13, from a previous relationship. Now they…

‘Steve and I are thinking about the future’ Wrenched from sleep, I saw smoke swirling around me. Realising the house was on fire, I leapt out of bed and ran through the thick, grey smog until I reached the safety of the garden, where I screamed for my sister, Catherine, 36. She appeared just moments later, only she didn’t seem to be scared, or like she was fleeing from flames. ‘It’s OK, there is no fire,’ she told me, stroking my hair. That’s when it really dawned on me, that I could no longer tell what was real or just in my head. ‘There’s nothing we can do,’ said the doctor My problems had started in June 2018 when, at 17 weeks pregnant, I was on my way to work…

Running has wrecked my feet! Q I took up running during lockdown. I am really enjoying it and am now running three or four times a week. I have lost a few pounds and feel so much better, but the toenails on my big toes look disgusting! I’m assuming it’s a fungal infection. Can I treat this myself? A Speak to your pharmacist who will advise you about anti-fungal nail lacquer that you can buy over the counter. Take your running shoes off as soon as you come in, stuff them with newspaper and put them somewhere dry. And avoid socks made of man-made fibres.…

Here are the top risk factors… 1 Menopause. Thanks to the drop in oestrogen, women’s natural protection against high blood pressure drops too, meaning their risk of heart disease increases greatly. 2 Family history. If you have a family history of heart disease you could be more at risk. 3 Diabetes. Having diabetes increases your risk of heart disease. If it’s genetic, it’s important to be aware, but if it’s a result of lifestyle it’s important to make changes,  such as losing weight. 4 Lifestyle. Genetics and menopause aside, if you don’t eat well and don’t get your heart pumping enough, you’ll increase your risk of heart problems. 3.5 million The number of women in the UK living with heart disease.…

1 DON’T CATASTROPHISE. In stressful times it’s always easier to imagine the worst possible scenario and focus all of your energy on that. Instead of concentrating on the what if, think about what’s happening right now in your life that’s real. 2 DOWNLOAD MINDFULNESS DAILY. This app (free on iOS and Android) helps you take a brief pause during the day to de-stress and unwind. It’ll help you to feel calmer and happier. 3 PRACTICE SELF-CARE. It’s a buzzword we hear all the time, but it’s one that matters. It means looking after yourself and prioritising your needs daily.…

‘She could still demolish a plate of chips’ Music blaring from the speakers, I did my best to be heard. ‘Are you ready to burn some calories?’ I yelled to my morning body sculpting class. Soon, we’re squatting, punching, lunging and jumping to the beat, but, as hard as my routine is, for my newest member it didn’t seem challenging enough. An hour later, as the studio emptied, I wiped the sweat from my brow and asked her how she’d found the class. ‘That was awesome, Mum! Can I come again tomorrow?’ she beamed. You see, this newest addition was my nine-year-old daughter, Lyza. From the age of five, Lyza had been a keen gymnast, and usually spent 15 hours a week with her coaches, perfecting tumbles and somersaults. But…

CHICKEN SATAY NOODLE SALAD Serves 2 You will need ✽ 100g wholewheat noodles ✽ 2tsp sunflower oil ✽ 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs ✽ 2tbsp curry powder ✽ 1tsp garam masala ✽ 2tbsp crunchy peanut butter ✽ 100ml chicken stock ✽ Juice of 1 lime ✽ Spring onions and cucumber strips, chopped toasted peanuts and lime wedges, to serve How to do it 1 Cook the noodles following the packet instructions, drain and run under cold water. Toss in 1tsp sunflower oil and set aside. 2 Rub the chicken with 1tbsp curry powder, the garam masala and remaining sunflower oil. Put on a grill tray and grill for 5 mins on each side until cooked through and the top is crispy. 3 Dry-fry the remaining curry powder in a small…

RADIOACTIVE Rosamund Pike stars as pioneering scientist Marie Curie in this biopic about her life and work, from her relationships with husband Pierre (Sam Riley) and lover Paul Langevin (Aneurin Barnard), to her scientific breakthroughs. The film also explores her legacies, including medical treatment and atomic warfare. GET DUKED! Troublesome Glaswegian teenagers Dean, Duncan and DJ Beatroot are sent on an orienteering expedition in the Scottish Highlands as part of the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme. After being teamed up with by-the-book lad Ian, they hit all sorts of troubles, including being chased by a masked aristocrat – Eddie Izzard! MISTRESSES Catch up with all four series of the US comedy drama starring Alyssa Milano, Yunjin Kim, Rochelle Aytes and Jes Macallan. It follows four female friends, Savi, Karen, April…

Aries 21 Mar – 20 Apr It may be time to take a back seat while others enjoy some good fortune and share their exciting news. An article you read in a magazine or online inspires you. Taurus 21 Apr – 20 May Now’s not the time to avoid the truth. You may also hear amazing news, but don’t rely on it until you hear it from the boss. You’re hardworking, so you deserve success. Gemini 21 May – 20 Jun Feeling creative, you may feel like putting together some sort of performance for a small group of friends or family. This could be quite entertaining for all involved. Cancer 21 Jun – 22 Jul Your generous and loving attitude to life rubs off on close friends. Ambitious, you feel…

It’s great to have the show back six nights a week… I’m a great believer in the entertainment industry. It feeds our souls, we’ve been telling stories for centuries, it’s our sustenance. It kept us going through lockdown. Hats off to all the key workers who are still taking us through this terrible time – and my praise is for them – but I think that, as entertainers, we play our part and the public appreciate that. Life in the Dales is suiting you a treat! I’m almost 41 years as an actor – still at it and still enjoying it. I’m 61 and I’ve never felt any different about my job from the day I left drama school. I still have the same energy and passion as I had…

‘I was so humiliated. It’s a room full of your peers’ Back in 2016, Sheridan Smith was making headlines for allegedly drinking and missing performances of the stage musical Funny Girl – in which she was playing the lead, Fanny Brice. One show had to be abandoned because of what the audience was told were ‘technical difficulties’, and Graham Norton joked about it at the BAFTAs that year, saying, ‘We’re all excited for a couple of drinks tonight. Or, as it’s known in theatrical circles, a few glasses of technical difficulties.’ And now, Sheridan, 39, who was dealing with the news of her father’s terminal cancer at the time, has confessed that she’d become addicted to anti-anxiety medication, and this joke at her expense led her to abruptly stop taking…

Loungewear Since we have all been at home a lot more, loungewear is now firmly on everyone’s radar. Knitted two-pieces are the most stylish way to relax in comfort, plus you can nip to the shops by pairing with trainers. TOP TIP For added warmth, layer over a beige, brown or dark grey wool coat. The roll-neck Classic, cosy and always on-trend, the humble roll-neck will see you through season after season. Shorter cropped styles skim hips without widening them, and you don’t have to worry about tucking in. TOP TIP Pair over a midi skirt or printed dress with ankle boots. The jumper If you lived in your Breton top all summer you’ll need a great striped alternative for the colder months. This thin knit is perfect for tucking…

‘I didn’t know much about my father’ Knocking on my hotel-room door on the last morning of our holiday in Italy, my big sister, Katrin, 50, surprised me with a biker jacket made of buttery-soft leather. ‘It’s your birthday present,’ she smiled. ‘You know I can’t resist getting my little sister gifts.’ Her smile grew wider as I put on the jacket and it fitted perfectly. It was true, she was always showering me and my four children with presents, and I pinched myself, thinking  how incredible she was – especially because six years ago Katrin had no idea that I even existed. I was born and raised in New York by a formidable mother – she'd immigrated to the US from the Ukraine in the 1970s and worked as…

‘High blood pressure is the silent killer’ Heart disease is twice as deadly as breast cancer in the UK, with 35,000 women being admitted to hospital with a heart attack every year. And it’s even more important to think about it as we get older, since the menopause can increase our risk of developing coronary heart disease (CVD). So, how do you make sure you look after your heart, and how can you tell if there’s a problem? We spoke to two experts to find out more… Stop smoking Stopping smoking is the single most important thing you can do for your heart health. ‘Our hearts and blood vessels are the hidden victims of smoking,’ says Lucy Martin, senior cardiac nurse for the British Heart Foundation. ‘Get in touch with…

Sadly, women often don’t get the same level of treatment when they’re having or have had a heart attack as men. ‘This is partly because people tend to think of heart attacks as happening to overweight middle-aged men,’ says Christopher. ‘Often women don’t realise that’s what’s happening so don’t seek help soon enough, but it’s also because even healthcare practitioners sometimes assume it’s something other than a heart attack.’ Look out for: ● Sudden chest pain or discomfort in your chest that doesn’t go away. It may feel like pressure, tightness or squeezing. ● Pain that spreads to your left or right arm or to your neck, jaw, back or stomach. ● Nausea, feeling sweaty, light-headed or short of breath.…

It worked for me Mel Johnson, 51, from Cardiff ‘During the menopause, I’ve had night sweats and struggled to get back to sleep after waking in the early hours. I’d start the day feeling exhausted, which affected my concentration and productivity. However, since taking Health & Her Natural Sleep Aid, £14.99, healthandher. com , my sleep has massively improved, and I have energy and drive again. I take one capsule before bed, and the blend of vitamins, minerals and herbs work their magic.’ 32% of Brits say money worries are their biggest cause of stress.* Buy of the week Struggling with hair loss or want to restore volume to your limp locks? Try Plantur 39 Phyto-Caffeine Shampoo, £9.75, Boots. It’s formulated with a complex that activates the hair roots to help…

Buy of the week Each tin of Hedgehog Mix has 20 seedballs made up of 30 seeds that will give you – and the hedgehogs in your life – a beautiful wildflower patch. £6, seedball.co.uk. Build a bug hotel Minibeasts work wonders in your garden, so think about welcoming them with a bug hotel. Autumn is a great time to do it, as that’s when insects, such as solitary bees and ladybirds, are looking for a snug place to hibernate. With a few basic materials, such as a wooden pallet, pinecones, straw and twigs, you can make a deluxe dwelling. Visit woodlandtrust.org.uk for details. Wonderful wallflowers Plant wallflowers now and their scent will fill the air and attract pollinators in early spring. The cheapest option is bare root bundles, though…

Spinach and rocket pesto roast chicken Serves 4 Stuffing the chicken with our leafy green pesto keeps it deliciously moist. You will need For the pesto ✽ 125g spinach ✽ 60g rocket ✽ 25g roasted cashew nuts ✽ 100ml olive oil ✽ 1 large garlic clove ✽ 25g pecorino cheese, grated ✽ ½ lemon, juiced For the chicken ✽ Whole chicken, approximately 1.5kg ✽ 3 cloves garlic, lightly crushed ✽ 1tsp olive oil To serve ✽ 200g baby new potatoes, halved ✽ 1 courgette, cut into discs ✽ 2 red onions, cut into wedges ✽ 1 small aubergine, cubed ✽ 1 red pepper, cut into wedges How to do it 1 Boil the kettle and place the spinach in a colander. Pour the hot water over the spinach to wilt…

HAVE YOU HEARD? Millions of people could be at risk of a fraud attack by failing to recognise common warning signs in emails and texts, warns TSB. The bank showed 2,000 UK adults 20 emails and texts from third parties such as banks and mobile phone providers; half were genuine and half were fraudulent. Just 18% correctly identified all 10 fraudulent messages. IF YOU DO ONE THING THIS WEEK… GET CASHBACK TopCashback has launched a free browser extension that makes it even easier to save money. When customers install it they’ll be alerted automatically to cashback offers and deals available at retailers when shopping online. Visit TopCashback. co.uk/browser-extension for info. 3 ways to build up your rainy day fund It’s more important than ever to have a pot of emergency…

Black History Month (BHM) was created as an opportunity for people to learn about something rarely taught in schools: the history of black people. What brought them to western shores, how horrifically they were treated, how hard they fought. It’s a past tightly intertwined with that of the UK and America, but while schools can teach black history, few do and, as recently as July, the government blocked calls for colonial and black British history to be part of the curriculum. It’s a history full of achievements and inspiration, with stories of incredible men and women who had to work significantly harder than white counterparts for a fraction of recognition – if any at all. Throughout the month, we commemorate those on the front lines of the movement, and educate…

Tin Star: Liverpool, Sky Atlantic In the third and final series of the thriller, Jack (Tim Roth), Angela (Genevieve O’Reilly) and daughter Anna (Abigail Lawrie) will leave the Canadian Rockies behind to return to the UK and confront the sinister truth they ran from 20 years earlier… Roald & Beatrix, SkyOne This heart-warming film is inspired by the true story of when a six-year-old Roald Dahl met his idol Beatrix Potter. Dawn French will play the creator of Peter Rabbit, Jemima Puddle-Duck and co, in a cast that also includes Jessica Hynes, Alison Steadman and Rob Brydon. Hudson & Rex, Alibi If you loved cop and canine films such as K-9 and Turner & Hooch , you’ll love this crime series starring John Reardon as Canadian cop Charlie Hudson who’s…

On the list of people you want by your side throughout pregnancy, I’m guessing your partner, and maybe mum, might be top. But this is what 2020 has given us – mums-to-be have had to endure the excitement – and potential heartache – of scans alone, and while their partner can be present during active labour and birth, women then have to recover on the postnatal ward alone. Coronavirus has stolen much from us, but forcing women to go through stages of pregnancy and birth without support has to be the cruellest of the cruel. Especially when the likes of Ross Kemp and Stacey Dooley were allowed to film in hospitals without anyone batting an eyelid. I’m not suggesting they weren’t careful but, and while I know my grasp of…

Travelling with my medication? Q I have had type 2 diabetes for many years, and it has become increasingly difficult to control my blood sugar levels. My specialist has started me on insulin injections and finally we seem to be on track. My partner and I are hoping to get away for some winter sunshine. Will I be able to travel with needles? A Yes. Keep all your medicines and the needles in their original packaging and ask your GP for a letter confirming that you need these needles to treat your diabetes. Always take enough medication to cover your trip plus a week or two extra to cover any delays. Check the rules with your airline, but I advise keeping medicines in your hand luggage wherever possible. Stress is…

I don’t have a work-life balance Q I have a stressful job in sales and it has left me feeling drained with constant headaches and anxiety. But I’m worried that if I leave, I won’t be able to get another job. My husband says I need to take a break as he can’t cope with my mood swings and even my manager has suggested I see someone. Samantha, 46, by email A You are showing real signs of burnout. This happens when the stress you are living with starts to overwhelm you and affect your health, relationships and even the way you feel about yourself. Listen to those around you and seek help from your GP before it gets any worse. If you prioritise your health, you will start to…

Toothbrush hygiene Colgate has found that 41% of UK adults only replace their toothbrush twice a year or less. ‘Brushing with damaged bristles can leave you with plaque accumulation and gum problems,’ says dental hygienist Hannah Young. Toothbrushes should also be switched after having a cold, cough, or fever. Healthy hydration Some 90% of Brits drink less than the recommended two litres of water a day, according to a survey by alkaline water brand Actiph. One in three suffers from daily thirst, and a fifth have reduced energy levels due to dehydration. Damage of sitting down Research by Mentholatum reveals that 57% of people are seated for four or more hours a day when working, causing back problems and poor posture. See mindyourbackuk.com.…

Sales of red meat fell by £185 million in 2019††† as more of us made the move towards a plant-based diet. But are we missing out? ‘There is evidence to say overconsumption of high fat, chargrilled or well-done meat is detrimental for health. On the other hand, red meat is highly nutritious, protein-rich and easily absorbed,’ says Katharine. ‘High in iron, zinc and selenium, it also contains vitamin B12 – only found in animal foods – that keeps nerves and blood cells healthy.’…

1 One of the first signs of spring, yellow, white and purple crocuses are always a welcome sight, so plant corms in borders, grass or pots now, around 15cm deep, 10-15cm apart. 2 Rake leaves from your lawn and store in bin bags to rot down into leafmould, which is good for adding structure to soil. Do this when they’re damp, so they’ll break down faster. 3 Check that your shed is secure and waterproof for storing garden furniture and tools. Paint with a preservative to protect the wood and reorganise inside if it’s cluttered.…

TICKLED PINK THE LAUGHING COW LIGHT (ASDA) Pop this special pink promotional pack in your trolley and help raise money for Asda’s Tickled Pink Breast Cancer Awareness campaign. For each pack sold, 20p will be donated to the charity – and it’s also on offer, so that’s a double tick. INDIAN FAKEAWAY CHARLIE BIGHAM’S SELECTED MEALS FOR 2 (SAINSBURY’S) A cut above your average ready-meal curry, Charlie Bigham’s are quality, fragrantly spiced and succulent. Choose from Chicken Jalfrezi, Chicken Tikka Masala and Paneer Tikka Masala, with Pilau Rice included. CAFFEINE HIT ARCTIC ICED COFFEE CAFÉ LATTE 1LTR (CO-OP) Get the coffee-shop iced-coffee experience at home whenever you want it with this new, larger 1ltr carton. Made with fresh milk, it’s deliciously thick, creamy and smooth-tasting, a refreshing pick-me-up drink any…

Zita Holbourne is a human-rights campaigner, trade-union and community activist, author, poet and visual artist. ‘Black history is world history. Civilisation began on the African continent, so it’s important to understand the vast history. Often, there’s focus on the enslavement of African people as if black history began then, but that isn’t the case. After the murder of George Floyd and global Black Lives Matter protests, the conversations around the legacies of colonialism and enslavement and how they led to institutional, systemic and everyday racism faced by black people, are crucial. There are many ways we can commemorate BHM during this pandemic. Organising events for the year ahead, sharing knowledge about unsung heroes, purchasing books by black authors, organising talks, screenings, readings, virtual exhibitions and performances, launching a strategy on…

MOSTLY As Teen at heart It’s safe to say that you haven’t quite grown up. You loved the student lifestyle and it shows! You’d choose a kebab after a night out over a dinner party any day, as you’re usually tight for money at the end of the month. Being a teenager was fun, but isn’t it time you started gaining your own independence? You can still be you, just more grown up. MOSTLY Bs Wild 20-something Everyone remembers their twenties for all sorts of reasons. You’re a loyal friend, always up for a mad night out and looking out for your pals. You don’t need to worry about ‘boring stuff’ like money or a relationship, but maybe you could take a couple of nights out to start planning your…