Innholdsfortegnelse for 04-Jan-2021 i Woman's Own

SHERIDAN SMITH One of our favourite TV stars, Sheridan Smith, is back on our screens this week in her first presenting role. The BBC prime-time show Pooch Perfect is a dog grooming competition and is a paw-fect fit for Sheridan, who owns six dogs herself. The star, 39, has said, ‘To combine my love of dogs with a brand-new job presenting for the BBC was a match made in heaven! I’m used to being on set with lots of actors. This time, I can’t wait to hang out all day with dozens of dogs. It is literally my dream job!’ ● Pooch Perfect starts on BBC1 this week Remember, you can download Woman’s Own from the App Store or Google Play Store direct to your smartphone or tablet…

Back in the summer of 2012, I met Ted Danson of Cheers fame, hosting a Q&A with the star who was in town with his wife Mary Steenburgen. What a class act and, like me, he’s a tequila fan, so we kicked off the interview with a shot… and a few top-ups as the evening went on. The rest of the night is a blur, but this pic at least proves that we actually met! HAPPY NEW YEAR! After her star turn on GMB on Christmas Day, Katherine Jenkins is ready to ring in 2021 with a well-deserved rest. ‘It’s been a crazy year. I think, as an artist, it’s been a challenge to find ways of getting your music out there,’ she says. ‘With all the Facebook concerts and…

Fashionable florals are a must for any wardrobe, as Rachel proved during an appearance on Good Morning Britain. This gorgeous number from Hope & Ivy had viewers gushing over the feminine frills and plunging neckline, while a pop of soft-pink lipstick pulled out the colour of the print perfectly. The Countdown queen became fashion royalty when she stepped out in this showstopping floor-length frock. Rachel teamed the nude glittering gown with chic wavy hair and a burgundy lipstick to deepen the look. With just a simple clutch bag, this custom-made dress accentuated all her curves, and certainly had the wow factor. Rachel revealed it was her Strictly Come Dancing husband, Pasha, who bought her this gorgeous coat – and what great taste he has. Her simple top-to-toe black outfit got…

Yoga Stretch your way into the new season with a sports bra and leggings set. Opt for a muted colour and give this fast-drying co-ord, made from recycled polyester, a try. TOP TIP Don’t forget to stay hydrated while you exercise. At-home workout Look for an exercise outfit that can be worn just as easily for the supermarket run to get more for your money. A supportive sports bra will keep everything in place, but layer over a loose-fitting T-shirt for extra coverage. TOP TIP High-waisted leggings are both flattering and functional. Running Whether you happen to be a seasoned runner or beginning the Couch to 5k app, every athlete knows that a practical and stylish kit is the key to success. A fitted half-zip top is great for a…

Unable to open my mouth wide any more! Q For a while now I have noticed a grinding sound when I am eating. It didn’t bother me until it started hurting as well, then when I went to eat an apple the other day, I couldn’t open my mouth wide enough to take a bite. What is going on? A You may have a condition called temporomandibular joint dysfunction, which is often linked to teeth grinding and stress. Try not to open your mouth wider than to allow two fingers between your teeth. Simple painkillers like paracetamol or ibuprofen should ease the pain and heat or ice packs held against the jaw may also help. If you are stressed, you will also need to address this. COVID-19 has left me…

BREAKFAST: Scrambled eggs and spinach LUNCH: Smoked salmon and spinach with olive oil and mayonnaise DINNER: Brie and salami served with lettuce and avocado and 70g macadamia nuts BREAKFAST: Frittata with veg LUNCH: Avocado, bacon and goat’s cheese salad with leaves DINNER: Stir-fry with tofu or beef BREAKFAST: Keto pancakes (these are made by mixing eggs, cottage cheese and pysllium husk powder or coconut flour instead of wheat flour) LUNCH: Poached eggs, olives and prosciutto DINNER: Pork chops with green beans and garlic butter SNACKS: Handful of nuts or olives…

Have you heard about? Eggs help weight loss They are high in protein, low in calories and fill you up – and two new international studies have confirmed that eating eggs can help overweight and obese adults to lose weight, particularly older age groups. Probiotics can help vaginal health Wearing winter tights and workout leggings can cause thrush – a common yeast infection. ‘I would recommend taking a probiotic to support vaginal health,’ says gut microbiologist Dr Kate Stephens. Try OptiBac For Women (£18.99, optibacprobiotics.com). Age brings confidence We feel the happiest in our skin as we get older. Over 55s are the age group least likely to feel self-conscious about their body, according to research by New Nordic. 74% of women think the menopause is still not openly talked…

✱ In October, a 10-year-old girl from Merseyside had seven centimetres of intestine removed during life-saving surgery after swallowing 15 magnetic balls. Advertised as an ‘educational’ toy by a third-party seller, the tiny balls fused together in the youngster’s intestines, perforating her bowel. ✱ A three-year-old boy from Northern Ireland had part of his intestine removed after swallowing 29 magnetic balls. Belfast hospital said 19 children aged between two and 14 needed treatment for magnet ingestion in 2019. ✱ In separate incidents, two boys, aged 14 and four, were almost blinded after being shot in the eye by gel blaster guns, also known as water-ball or hydro-blaster guns. The four-year-old was shot in the left eye with a gel ball at close range and suffered a tear to his cornea…

When it comes to doing something new, it can feel a little alien to step outside our comfort zones, but as we creep into 2021, what better opportunity is there? Every 1 January, millions of people make promises to overhaul their diets or pick up a new passion – and one huge trend in recent years is ‘going vegan’. Demand for meat-free food in the UK increased by 987% in 2017*. In 2020, a whopping 62% of adults in the UK had purchased plant milk**, while vegans and vegetarians look set to make up a quarter of the British population in 2025.*** Here, Woman’s Own speaks to two women who reveal how their own foray into veganism – initially to benefit their own lifestyle and health – actually led to…

1 Death in Paradise, BBC1 The sun-soaked drama is back for its tenth anniversary series with DI Neville Parker (Ralf Little) dealing with more baffling murders on the Caribbean island of Saint Marie. This time he’s got the assistance of returning fan favourite DS Florence Cassell (Joséphine Jobert). 2 The Voice UK, ITV Pop star Anne-Marie joins Sir Tom Jones, will.i.am and Olly Murs in the big red swivel chairs as the singing competition returns. This time, the talent search includes a new twist called ‘The Block’. Emma Willis hosts as per. 3 The Great New Year Bake Off, C4 Noel Fielding and Matt Lucas host another festive special, which sees 2014 winner Nancy, 2018 champion Rahul, and Helena and Henry from 2019 return to the Bake Off tent for…

Why Denise’s plans are on ice this New Year! We did Strictly together back in 2012 – how does Dancing on Ice compare? The commitment to it is the same – it takes over your life. You live, breathe and eat the dance. The practising and training is longer because of the safety. It’s shorter days because it’s too cold on the ice. But I’ve never skated a day before in my life, so I started from scratch. Have you lost your ‘corona belt’ as they call it? It must be great for weight loss. Oh yes, that has well and truly gone! It’s all buns and tums. Just being on ice, it’s all about core strength, so it’s different. It’s not about flashy moves. It’s about staying up and…

What are your first memories of presenting alongside each other? SUSANNA: A blur of words, noise and trying to get a word in. He came in – he would say like a super tornado, I describe it more like a mini hurricane – and nothing has ever been the same again. PIERS: The look of utter terror when I veered completely off-script after about 10 seconds. I think that was the moment Susanna realised her calm, safe, organised life was never going to be the same again. Was there a light-bulb moment when you both realised the pair of you would make such a winning combination? SUSANNA: When it was two o’clock in the morning and we were still knocking back shots in a bar in Soho. PIERS: Yes, it…

Usually, going into a new year, there are the same old words and phrases you never want to hear again. In no particular order these include, ‘More turkey anyone?’, ‘Did you keep the receipt?’, ‘I’m never drinking again’, ‘Your new year, new you, diet and exercise plan’ and ‘divorce lawyer’. Obviously, this time round it’s all a bit different. Rather than being relieved to kick the relatives out (even the annoying ones), we’ve missed spending time surrounded by extended family, and who knows when we’ll be allowed to get together again. ‘Certain words should be banished forever’ Even the chore of taking the Christmas decorations down is harder than usual. Because who hasn’t got used to cheery fairy lights sparkling away in the corner on grey winter days? And the…

Why am I bleeding after menopause? Q I went through the menopause in my late 40s and I realise I had a very easy time of it. My periods became a bit unpredictable for a year and then just stopped. The other morning, I woke to find I had started a period after six years. It was quite heavy for three days and then stopped. Do I need to see my doctor? A This is what we call a post-menopausal bleed and your GP will want to examine you and will probably arrange an ultrasound. They may also refer you to a gynaecologist for a hysteroscopy.…

She’s too young and naive to be pregnant Q My daughter is 24 years old and is living with a man who lies and cheats on her. If this wasn’t bad enough, he recently got another woman pregnant. I want her to see he’s destroying her life, but she won’t listen. Instead, when I last visited, she told me she is trying to get pregnant too. I don’t know how to help her. Karen, 53, Chelmsford A Sadly people won’t listen when they don’t want to hear what you’re saying. Your daughter knows you are right, but as you say, she doesn’t want to accept the truth. As scared as you are for her, there’s nothing you can do right now. But the time will come when she sees the…

There’s no better way to look instantly more youthful than with some make-up trickery. An illuminating under-eye concealer helps to cover up dark circles and adds radiance to tired skin. We love L’Oréal Paris True Match Eye-Cream In a Concealer, £9.99 (superdrug.com), which is a lightweight concealer and a plumping, hydrating eye cream in one, containing hyaluronic acid, ideal for typically dry areas such as underneath the eyes. Choose a shade lighter than your skin tone to brighten the area more effectively. A shimmery highlighter such as Barry M Liquid Chrome Highlighter Drops in ‘Liquid Fortune’, £6.99 (barrym. com), dabbed along the tops of the cheekbones deflects from tired eyes.…

Creamy turkey and ham gratin Serves 8 This comforting bake doesn’t contain many vegetables so it’s best served with steamed greens as a light side dish. You will need ✽ 1tbsp olive oil ✽ 2 large leeks, sliced ✽ 250g button mushrooms, halved or thickly sliced ✽ 500g leftover turkey meat, shredded or cut into chunks ✽ 250g thick-cut ham, roughly chopped ✽ 50g butter ✽ 2tbsp plain flour ✽ 200ml dry white wine ✽ 200ml chicken stock ✽ 100ml double cream ✽ Bunch tarragon, roughly chopped ✽ 2tsp Dijon mustard ✽ 50g white breadcrumbs ✽ Few sprigs parsley, finely chopped ✽ 1tbsp olive oil How to do it 1 Heat oven to 190C/Gas 5. Heat the oil in a large frying pan, add the leeks and mushrooms to the…

Paola Dyboski-Bryant, 51, runs Dr Zigs Extraordinary Bubbles and lives in Snowdonia. I started my business nearly 10 years ago from my kitchen table. The spark of an idea first formed as I watched my son Ziggy, then 18 months, in fits of giggles whenever he was around bubbles. Now we manufacture a line of giant-bubble toys sold worldwide from our factory in Wales. Sustainability is at the heart of my business, and our bubble mixes are eco-friendly, low plastic, biodegradable and free from palm oil. However, we’re competing in a toy market that’s traditionally centred around plastic, shipped by the container load from the Far East and sold at super-cheap wholesale prices. It’s mass production at its best – or, rather, worst! We can’t compete on price – only…

Netflix drama Pieces of a Woman tells the story of Boston couple Martha (Vanessa Kirby) and Sean (Shia LaBeouf) who are on the verge of welcoming their first child into the world when their baby dies during the home birth. ‘We had this huge responsibility’ The trauma reveals cracks in the Carsons’ marriage, so as Martha grieves for her newborn baby girl, she also has to work through her fractured relationship with her husband. But as Martha grapples with the fallout of her devastating loss and becomes increasingly isolated from her family, she also has to deal with the pain of going to court to face the midwife, Eve Woodward (Molly Parker), who’s accused of criminal negligence. ‘This is a subject that’s really hard to talk about,’ says Vanessa, who…

MOSTLY As Braveheart! You’re full of resilience and don’t let anything get in the way of performing acts of bravery. You have nothing to lose, so you think you may as well take a deep breath and address the situation immediately. Nothing good comes from waiting it out or ignoring it altogether. MOSTLY Bs Brave…ish! You’re brave up to a point. You hesitate about whether you need to act or not, and this sometimes works and things settle down. But, by leaving a situation to stew, what are you doing for your anxiety or well-being? Waiting for things to get worse makes it harder to address when you finally work up the courage. MOSTLY Cs All bark, no bite! There’s a fine line between showing you’re courageous enough to nip…

PIERS POTBOILER! Piers Morgan’s Wake Up book has been a constant on The Sunday Times Bestsellers List since it was published, but is there a Good Morning Britain tell-all sizzler in the works? ‘Possibly,’ he tells me. ‘It would be a very funny book… Especially if I was to reveal the real Richard Arnold to the world in all his outrageous off-camera glory.’ My lawyers are watching… SHELF LIFE Shopping With Keith Lemon is must-see TV for me, as he probes the big names while they put their hands in their pockets in their favourite boutiques. ‘You get a better interview when you’re walking about in the real world,’ he tells me. ‘I think of myself as a budget Louis Theroux.’ The price is right for me!…

‘I’VE BORROWED FROM MATES’ Shane Richie was hugely entertaining in the I’m a Celebrity castle, and he’s admitted the reason he agreed to take part was because he was struggling financially, due to a cancelled tour and TV series. Speaking about the pandemic before heading to Wales, the 56-year-old actor confessed, ‘I’m literally skint. You save money for a rainy day, but you don’t expect the rainy day to last six months.’ He added, ‘Thankfully, I’ve been able to borrow money from mates, my family and the bank. My wife is now very happy we can finally pay off the credit card.’ ‘HONESTLY, PAYING THE MORTGAGE HAS KEPT ME AWAKE’ She’s one half of the comedy duo French and Saunders, and has starred in some of the country’s biggest TV…

Online safety programme Thinkuknow found 42% of parents share photos of their children online. It advises that you consider: YOUR PRIVACY SETTINGS Anyone who can see a photo can screenshot and share it. WHAT ELSE ARE YOU SHARING? Many cameras and apps tag posts and photos with ‘metadata’, which can include identifying information. OWNERSHIP When you share a photo, you license the network to use and reproduce an image and to license it for use by third parties. DIGITAL TATTOO Every publicly accessible image or comment featuring your child adds to their public footprint, which can follow them into the future.…

As I scrolled through a dozen long, jargon-filled emails, my phone’s high-pitched ringtone echoed through the room. ‘Argh!’ I winced, putting my hands on my head and feeling the pulsing ache. It was summer 2016, and this headache would not pass. I’d been feeling unwell for a while, but blamed the orthodontic work I’d had to straighten my teeth the year before for putting pressure on my head and jaw. It was either that or the endless stream of emails, meetings and phone calls involved in my divorce from my ex, Patrick. ‘I couldn’t function, couldn’t look after Max’ Our split after 13 years together was amicable, but the complex paperwork meant I was constantly stressed and often worried about our son Max, then three, and making sure he was…

You’ve probably heard of a ketogenic diet – or keto diet for short — but do you know exactly what it is? Essentially, it’s cutting down on carbs to help your body reach a state of ketosis – which is when your body starts burning fat for fuel instead of glucose, and starts to make ketones, which eliminate toxins from the body. This process happens quicker when we fast – which, according to American physician Dr Joseph Mercola, is essential for optimum health. ‘Fasting gives your body a chance to heal and regenerate, as well as detoxify, and the greatest benefits come when your body has been fasting for at least 12 hours – but the longer the better,’ he says. For example, if you had dinner at 7pm, you…

1 IMPROVE YOUR SELF-TALK. This has an important effect on your confidence. Catch yourself when you are thinking negatively and replace the thought with something strong and positive. 2 LIVE IN THE NOW. Stop worrying about what’s going to happen tomorrow – or what happened yesterday. Staying in the present will make you feel stronger and more in control. 3 DOWNLOAD THE BOOST YOUR SELF CONFIDENCE APP. This app (free on android) talks you through all the ways to feel more confident as well as showing you techniques to help you feel stronger day-by-day.…

Think it’s trickier now to stay slim than it was in your 20s? Sadly, you’re right. But you can still turn things around if you discover what’s derailing your diet. ‘Yes, it’s harder to lose weight after 50,’ says nutritionist Dr Marilyn Glenville, author of Natural Alternatives to Dieting (Natural Health Publications). ‘As we get older, we naturally lose muscle, making it harder to burn fat, and this causes our metabolism to slow down.’ So, with a healthy weight also essential for lowering your risk of arthritis, heart disease and diabetes, take our quiz to find out what’s stopping you from slimming. THE QUIZ Q1 How well do you sleep? A I used to sleep well, but now I wake during the night B Very well C It takes me…

Katrina Phillips, Chief Executive of the Child Accident Prevention Trust (CAPT) says: ‘Parents assume that, if they can buy a toy, it must be safe. It’s frightening to learn that, if they buy a toy online, their child may be at risk of serious injury from powerful magnets or accessible coin cell batteries. Sadly, it’s too easy for unscrupulous companies to profit from the cover of online marketplaces, selling toys that don’t meet the high standards reputable manufacturers work to.’…

John Simm The Life on Mars actor stars in new ITV crime drama Grace , which is based on the bestselling novels by Peter James. He plays DS Roy Grace, a hard-working Brighton-based detective whose unorthodox police methods put his hard-fought career in jeopardy… Katie McGlynn In Stand Up and Deliver on C4, the former Corrie actor is among the five famous faces attempting to do stand-up comedy. Other stars flexing their funny bones include Love Island’s Curtis Pritchard and Happy Mondays frontman Shaun Ryder.…

Aries 21 Mar – 20 Apr You’re feeling active and courageous, so why not take up a new sport or artistic challenge or maybe overhaul the house. It’s bound to be an outstanding success. Taurus 21 Apr – 20 May A financial situation has been resolved and you’re looking for a new career. Keep your eyes peeled for the next opportunity, as it won’t be so easy to spot. Gemini 21 May – 20 Jun You crave variety, so try something new, whether it’s cookery, art or writing poetry, as long as it is mentally stimulating. Give yourself something to talk about. Cancer 21 Jun – 22 Jul Don’t feel so cautious when trying new things. You’ve had plenty of time to think about a dish you’d like to try…