Innholdsfortegnelse for 15-Feb-2021 i Woman's Own

Standing in a red lacy bra and matching knickers, I posed with a whip in my hand. ‘That’s my girl,’ my mum Jessie-Jo, 53, said as I cracked the whip like a dominatrix, her face brimming with pride. Most daughters learn everything from their mothers: how to cook, clean, make friends and form relationships. But my mum has taught me so much more, and although our relationship might seem strange to some people, I owe everything to her. It was in June 2006, when I was six years old, that our lives seemed to change overnight. My mum, then 39, was a single mother, and although she worked long hours in a beauty salon to provide for me and my older brother, then seven, she struggled to make ends meet.…

Sitting on the hospital bed, my bottom lip began to tremble as I watched the expression on the doctor’s face changing and he started to speak. ‘The foetus has stopped developing,’ he said softly. ‘I’m so sorry.’ I’d been 12 weeks gone when I turned up at hospital for my scan that day – at least I’d thought I was. I’d spent three months imagining myself as a mum, showing off my smiling baby. But it turned out my baby had died weeks earlier, and I’d been walking around with a huge smile on my face, announcing the news to friends and family, oblivious. ‘I found the ordeal difficult to talk about’ When you first see your positive pregnancy test, its silent announcement brings a cacophony of emotions. And that…

For many illnesses and health complaints, conventional medicine is the best cure. But sometimes, alternative, natural remedies could be the answer. Here are some of the best ways of dealing with minor ailments, without popping pills. Hot flushes THE NATURAL ALTERNATIVE: BLACK COHOSH A herb used for medicinal purposes by Native Americans for hundreds of years, it stimulates oestrogen production to help reduce hot flushes and other symptoms, and research has shown it to be one of the most effective alternatives to HRT. Boots Menolieve Black Cohosh (£10 for 30, Boots) THE NATURAL ALTERNATIVE: REFLEXOLOGY Working on the trigger points in your feet, reflexology can treat all kinds of conditions. ‘Regular reflexology helps to balance hormones and stop surges which lead to hot flushes and other menopausal symptoms,’ says registered…

Have you heard about? Hope brings happiness New research* reveals being hopeful about the future helps you to feel more content and less likely to indulge in addictive behaviour such as gambling, drinking, overeating and drug taking. Hidden salt danger Some 75% of our daily salt intake comes from salt already added in packaged food – with bread products being the leading contributor in the UK.** Adults should eat no more than 6g of salt a day to stay healthy, so check labels when shopping. Boosting berries Blueberries, blackberries and elderberries are rich in antioxidants and may help to fight inflammation. ‘Frozen berries are cheaper than fresh, but provide the same health benefits, and are great in smoothies,’ says chef Natasha Corrett, working with Spatone. 42% of Brits aged 45-59…

A wrinkle in time During the first five years of menopause, skin loses 30% of its collagen. Couple this with dwindling calcium and zinc levels, which keep our skin nice and springy, and you’ll notice an acceleration in wrinkling and sagging. Give collagen levels a helping hand from within with The Beauty Chef Collagen Inner Beauty Boost, £29, feelunique.com – liquid collagen is more easily absorbed into the body than a pill equivalent, boosting moisture and elasticity so skin feels more buoyant. Topically, add a retinoid into your evening regime to increase cell turnover and collagen production. The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion, £8, Boots, reduces the appearance of wrinkles and reinstates elasticity. Red alert Eighty per cent of women will experience hot flushes during menopause, which can cause a red,…

Meatless Farm Meat Free Mince 400g (Sainsbury’s) TORTILLA-TOPPED CHILLI PIE Serves 4 You will need ✽ 1 chilli, finely chopped ✽ 2 garlic cloves, crushed ✽ 400g plant-based mince ✽ 500g jar tomato pasta sauce ✽ 300ml vegetable stock ✽ 400g can red kidney beans, drained ✽ 150g pack tortilla chips ✽ 50g grated Cheddar or vegan alternative ✽ ½ bunch spring onions, sliced How to do it 1 Heat 1tbsp oil in a large pan and cook the chilli, garlic and mince for 5 mins. 2 Add the sauce, stock and beans, and stir to mix. Bring to the boil, then reduce heat, cover and simmer for 20 mins, stirring occasionally. 3 Heat the grill to medium. Tip the mixture into a baking dish, scatter the tortilla chips over…

The luxury of a boutique break doesn’t have to come at a huge cost. We’ve scoured the country for the best affordable hotels, all at under £100 a night. So you can settle back into plush sheets with the knowledge that you’re giving both you and your bank account a rest. Laura Ashley Hotels, The Iliffe, Coventry This country hotel and all 17 of its luxury bedrooms has been decked out in classic Laura Ashley designs, showcasing an elegant and quintessentially British style. The effect is classically stylish, and undeniably luxe. Based in a mock-Tudor manor house and with full landscaped gardens, it feels like a hidden bubble, complete with all the comforts expected of a four-star hotel. Though renovated, the house’s history as a Victorian family home is still…

Lesley Manville When C4’s BAFTAnominated anthology I Am… returns for three new stories, the Mum and Harlots star will appear in the drama I Am Maria , in which she’ll play a woman in a long-term relationship who deals with dramatic and life-changing events. Rhys Ifans Look out for the Notting Hill star in the second series of Sky One drama Temple. He’ll play the dubious and unpredictable underworld fixer Gubby, as we return to the illegal ‘underground’ medical clinic run by surgeon Daniel Milton (Mark Strong).…

Aries 21 Mar – 20 Apr Take matters into your own hands and actively pursue your goals. Enchant your partner with romance, flowers and that bottle of bubbly you’ve been saving. Taurus 21 Apr – 20 May Self-assured and loyal, you bring out the best in your partner. You give good advice and offer thoughtful solutions. Treasure the intimate moments you share. Gemini 21 May – 20 Jun Make the most of social gatherings online, it’ll be a lot of fun. Remember, challenges in life make you stronger and have shaped the person you are today. Cancer 21 Jun – 22 Jul Doors are opening for you. Explore new ideas, think about everything you’d like to achieve, then steadily work towards them. There’s no rush to win the race. Leo…

RALF IN PARADISE! As the show celebrates 10 years on the box, and with two more series promised, Death in Paradise star Ralf Little (who plays Neville) has his own theory as to why it’s been such a huge hit. ‘What viewers really enjoy is the fact that every episode is wrapped up – it’s neat and tidy,’ he says. ‘That’s going to be really important to people. Because right now life is anything but neat and tidy.’ SUITS YOU, SIR! The glitter and spangle of Dancing on Ice has brightened our winter nights every Sunday, with John Barrowman’s jackets pulling focus. ‘These clothes make me happy,’ he says. ‘At the moment I am wearing PJs, everyone has been in their sweats, so it’s a good chance to lift your…

Lady C ‘Meghan could’ve done more’ As the Duke and Duchess of Sussex battle criticism a year after stepping down from royal duties, Lady Colin Campbell has insisted they would’ve had an easier life staying put. Speaking to Woman’s Own, the royal biographer has some strong words about how, like Princess Diana, the duchess could have done more. ‘If she had used her position to do good for people, instead of using it to make money for herself and her husband, she could have [been] one of the most revered people on Earth.’ While the Sussexes launched Archewell, a not-for-profit organisation designed to ‘uplift and unite communities’ at the end of last year, Lady C thinks the couple would have been able to do just as much good if…

Filming would usually be well under way by now, but ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent has unfortunately been cancelled for the first time in 14 years, owing to lockdown restrictions. And one person who’s gutted that the show’s producers couldn’t make Simon Cowell’s hit TV show work this year is Alesha Dixon. The BGT judge exclusively told Woman’s Own that getting back to work alongside David Walliams, Amanda Holden and Simon would have been a welcome break from homeschooling her seven-year-old daughter, Azura! Alesha, 42, has been busy juggling teaching her eldest with looking after her 17-month-old, Anaya, and tells us how she misses date nights with her husband, Azuka, and cocktails with her friends… Hi Alesha! What’s life in lockdown been like? I feel busier at home during lockdown than…

Fifth time lucky EH, PAMMIE? I hope history doesn’t repeat itself for the Baywatch star Pamela Anderson is looking forward to Valentine’s Day this year because the original and best Baywatch babe will be celebrating it with her fifth husband. Yes, that’s right, her FIFTH! Not sure about you, ladies, but in my world hubbies are like biscuits – tempting to stuff a whole pack, but one is really all you need. However, having seen pictures of 53-year-old Pammy’s hunky new man, 40-something Dan Hayhurst, I have to admit he was definitely worth a nibble. The pair fell in love during lockdown at her lakeside home on Vancouver Island, Canada, while he was working as her bodyguard. They wed on Christmas Eve, with Pamela in a beautiful 1940s satin slip…

Maintaining my bowel checks Q A few years ago, I had some bleeding from the back passage, and my doctor referred me to the hospital for tests. They found some polyps in my bowel and said that I would need a colonoscopy every five years to check they hadn’t recurred. But we moved to be closer to my daughter last month. How do I make sure I still get those tests? A You will need to register with a local NHS GP, and your medical records will follow you to that practice. Your new GP will then have access to the letters from your previous specialist. If you make an appointment for a phone call with your new practice, they can then refer you locally to have future colonoscopies. Confused…

He’s slept with over 100 women Q My partner had a reputation all through our teens and 20s and he has slept with hundreds of women. It never bothered me until we moved back home a year ago. Now whenever we’re out and meet someone, I ask if he’s slept with them. This started as a joke but now I can’t help but ask. Mostly he says yes, which is awful. Jacqui, 38, Essex A As you say this information that your partner has bedded many isn’t new, it’s only because it’s now right up in your face that it’s become real and painful. The first thing to do is to get out of the habit of asking him this question. All it does is rub salt in the wound…

Lockdowns, tiers, ever-changing rules and new strains of this globally disruptive virus have played havoc with our routines. We’re all spending more time at home, or a stone’s throw from it, and trying to find a way to mentally and physically cope with this new normal. As a writer, yoga teacher, mum to Zak, 14, and Lexi, six, and wife to Paul, 51, my days are busy, but with my usual social activities out, I found myself struggling to keep occupied in the evenings. And trying new things is the key to keeping the brain young, according to research. Hobbies involving crafts, exercise and learning are particularly beneficial to keep the grey matter in tip-top condition. So I set myself a challenge to try a brand-new hobby every week, and…

‘I couldn’t keep making excuses’ Michelle Roman, 35, lives in Leeds with her husband, Alistair, 34, and her two sons, Caelan, 13, and Myles, four. As my sons Caelan, then 12, and Myles, three, raced ahead of me on the way to the park, I struggled to keep up. ‘Catch us, Mummy,’ they chanted. Panting and wheezing, I grimaced through the pain coursing through my joints and I had to stop to rest on somebody’s garden wall. ‘Boys, slow down!’ I called, desperately trying to catch my breath. It was early 2020 and at 15st 9lb, I was on the big side for my 5ft 4in height. Deep down, I knew that my joints were struggling to cope and I felt so ashamed for letting myself get so big. The…

Devils, Sky Atlantic Patrick Dempsey heads the cast of this gripping 10-part thriller set in London. He plays bank CEO Dominic Morgan, mentor to Massimo Ruggeri (Alessandro Borghi), who’s on course for a big promotion – until he becomes embroiled in scandal and is accused of murder… Emma Willis: Delivering Babies in 2020, W Filmed during the first lockdown last year, this four-part series follows mother of three and fully qualified Maternity Care Assistant Emma as she meets parents-to-be whose birthing plans have been derailed by coronavirus, as they prepare to bring new life into the world. Behind Her Eyes, Netflix When single mother Louise (Simona Brown) has an affair with her psychiatrist boss David (Tom Bateman), her life takes a strange turn when she later befriends his wife Adele…

The EastEnders star says farewell to Albert Square after 15 years… Max Branning is off! What do you reckon you’ll miss most about him? It’s been life-changing. Amber was just a year old when I started and Buster wasn’t even born yet. It’s allowed us to do so much as a family. I’ll always be thankful to Max Branning and never thought I’d be there that long. It’s been fantastic fun. Now it’s time to let it all fall away and it’s going to take a long time. Not going back to work in January was weird, but change is good. I’m going to let the dust settle. I guess you weren’t able to have a leaving do from EastEnders ? Yeah, that was a bit strange – I sort…

‘Piers is aware he’s not everybody’s cup of tea’ ‘PM for PM?’ screamed the front page of a national newspaper – sparking a surprising campaign to replace Prime Minister Boris Johnson with none other than Piers Morgan. Though clearly tongue in cheek, Piers brought it up approximately every 30 seconds on that day’s Good Morning Britain and the paper itself later wondered whether or not they’d ‘created a monster’. But, even if the possibility of Piers, 55, running the country seems unlikely – for now, at least – there’s no denying he is a man who gets everyone talking. His fiery interviews with high-profile politicians during the COVID-19 pandemic have won over an army of new fans, and now it seems he could be considering a future away from ITV.…

Getting rid of my self-harm scars Q As a younger woman, I self-harmed. Very few people know anything about it as I always wear long sleeves to hide the scars on my arms. My niece is getting married in the Caribbean this year and I am very self-conscious. Is there anything that can be done? A Laser treatment helps to fade the discolouration of newer scars, but as yours are older, this is unlikely to help. Waterproof camouflage make-up can be matched to your skin tone by professionals. For more information, visit vitiligosociety.co.uk.…

1 WEAN YOURSELF OFF THEIR SOCIAL MEDIA. It’s easy to scroll through an ex’s feed and see what they are doing and who they are seeing. Don’t torture yourself with that over and over again. 2 PRACTICE MINDFULNESS. Download the Headspace App. This app (free on iOS and Android) helps you to stay focused in the moment and not spend all of your time thinking about the ‘what ifs.’ 3 REBUILD YOUR SELF-ESTEEM. Ask your best friends to remind you about all of your good traits and focus on goals that help you feel better about yourself and who you are.…

VITAMIN A Linked to levels of the hormones oestrogen and testosterone, as well as ovulation in fertile women. ‘In post-menopausal women, topical treatments that provide this vitamin can improve libido and intimate dryness when HRT is not recommended,’ says Rob. GINSENG This herbal remedy is frequently linked to libido, particularly in Chinese medicine. Ginseng is thought to improve both physical and mental energy, as well as stamina. ‘A study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine found that a daily dose of 3g of red ginseng improved sexual desire and function in menopausal women, compared with a placebo,’ says Rob. Try Healthspan Panax Ginseng 1,500mg (£11.95 for 120 tablets). BORON Boron is a mineral involved in sex hormone production. ‘One study found that post-menopausal women who took boron supplements increased…

Tropical pancake layer Serves 5 These colourful fruits are packed with vitamin C, fibre and minerals to help you to start the day right. You will need ✽ 60g plain flour ✽ 1tsp caster sugar ✽ 1 egg ✽ 150ml milk ✽ Oil, for frying For the filling ✽ 250g mascarpone ✽ Finely grated zest of 1 lime ✽ 1-2tbsp icing sugar ✽ ½ pineapple, cut into cubes ✽ 1 mango, cubed ✽ 2-3 kiwi fruit, sliced ✽ 2-3tbsp pomegranate seeds How to do it 1 To make the pancakes, sift the flour into a bowl, add a pinch of salt, stir in the sugar and make a well in the centre. Beat together the egg and milk in a jug, and gradually pour the liquid into the well, beating…

HAVE YOU HEARD? Three in 10 Brits never look at their credit score, while 26% are unaware of what factors contribute towards it, Experian has found. The research was commissioned to launch Experian Boost, a free service that gives people the opportunity to increase their credit score by sharing information about their regular spending. Visit experian.co.uk. IF YOU DO ONE THING THIS WEEK… CURB THE URGE One in five Brits spend more than half their spare cash for the month within 48 hours of being paid, research by Nationwide found. To avoid the temptation of splurging when you see the cash in your account, why not set up a standing order to transfer some of it to your savings? 3 things to do when buying home insurance When it comes…

There have already been lots of heartbreaking moments in It’s A Sin and there are plenty more to come when the C4 drama concludes this week. At the heart of the final episode are Ritchie Tozer (Olly Alexander) and his parents – Valerie (Keeley Hawes) and Clive (Shaun Dooley). ‘It’s a brave piece of work’ After spending years in the dark about their son’s sexuality, Ritchie’s mum and dad get a double shock, when they make a surprise visit to London and find him in hospital with an AIDS-related lymphoma. ‘Valerie and Clive are entirely removed from this life that their son is living and have to face up to a new reality,’ says Keeley. ‘All of a sudden, Valerie has to get her head around an awful lot of…

MOSTLY As Find motivation Failure is your motivator – you try not to let yourself fail, but if you do, you use it as an incentive to spur you on. You live by the saying ‘life is a marathon, not a sprint’ and you know you have far to go, so a slip up or two is natural. Keep it up, it’s a healthy way to cope. MOSTLY Bs Get angry Even the word ‘failure’ fills you with anger, and you see it as a dirty word. When you fail, you get angry and punish yourself or those around you, which isn’t healthy. Anger is a natural, human reaction but you need to choose your battles. Take a deep breath and move on – everyone fails, but you need to…

They say there’s nothing like the frame of a dame and Dame Helen Mirren is no exception. She’s back on the big screen this year reprising her role as Queenie in the ninth instalment of the Fast and Furious franchise. ‘I love a popcorn movie,’ she once told me after I asked her if she took the role to pay for a new kitchen. As for the stunts? ‘It’s not the falling down, it’s the getting back up,’ she said.…