Innholdsfortegnelse for 21-Feb-2022 i Woman's Own

Making any change – whether it’s big or small – can be daunting, that’s why people put it off. (Or at least that’s why I do!) You convince yourself that you’ll do it – whatever it may be – on Monday, or next week or month, or that maybe you don’t need to do it at all. It’s easy to think it’s simply too late, but if you’ve fallen into that trap, turn to p26. Our brilliant health team explains why change is good and how it can have huge benefits. If you’re not looking for self-improvement, but rather want to make some sensible changes to your home, on p40 we’ve got 10 ways to turn your trash into treasure. We might be a nation of hoarders, but clearing out…

IT’S TIME WE EMBRACED NATURAL BEAUTY Trends change so much, it’s impossible to keep up Good news at last, girls! The year 2022 will see the end of fake, Instagrammed beauty and bodies where everything from your hair to your boobs via your teeth and bum have to be perfect, if not borrowed from someone else entirely. ‘BYE-BYE FILLERS AND HELLO SELF-LOVE’ This is the prediction of top cosmetic surgeons, who have done a study of our different shapes and ideals of feminine attractiveness since the 1900s. Evidently, in a reaction to the Barbie Doll plastic fantastic of Love Island and the Kardashians, we are set to return to a more natural beauty – one that takes into account body positivity and both physical and mental health. So bye-bye fillers and…

EAT AND COOK WITH COCONUT OIL ‘This is a good fat that won’t make you fat – it helps to increase your metabolism and give you energy.’ HAVE THE RIGHT BREAKFAST ‘Include protein, such as eggs or natural yogurt, as this will help stabilise your blood sugar until lunchtime. Or make a quick protein shake with some almond milk and a good-quality protein powder. Easy to take with you, filling and nutritious.’ MINIMISE EXPOSURE TO TOXINS ‘Filter your water, switch cleaning and laundry products to natural brands and get rid of “fake smells” in your home, such as scented candles and air fresheners.’…

I’M WORRIED IT’S DEMENTIA Q My parents had been living in Spain since they retired and we hadn’t seen them since before the pandemic. Sadly, my mum lost her battle with cancer a couple of months ago and Dad wasn’t coping so came to live with us. I’m worried about his memory. Initially I put it down to the stress of losing Mum and moving, but I think it is more than that. How do I get this tested? A You need to register your dad with a local GP and make him an appointment. The GP will do a ‘mini mental state examination’. This involves a series of standard questions assessing memory. If the score suggests there is a problem, the doctor will refer to a memory clinic. Why…

The perimenopause and menopause are a natural part of ageing, but can be an extremely unsettling and worrying time. Symptoms vary hugely, as does their severity. There are over 30 recognised symptoms of menopause, including excessive sweating, hot flushes, mood swings, fatigue, weight gain, lack of concentration, decreased libido, painful sex and vaginal dryness. Many women suffer in silence with common menopausal symptoms because they are either too embarrassed to speak to their doctor, or, when they do, they are met with a lack of understanding. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy with treatments like O-Shot, where your vagina is injected with your body’s own PRP, have shown to have a positive result in treating atrophy (thinning, drying and inflammation of vaginal walls) as well as incontinence, while hyaluronic-acid injections and localised…

HISTORIC INTEREST SUSPENSE THRILLER TELL ME YOUR LIES by Kate Ruby (£8.99, Simon & Schuster, PB) Burying the truth has become second nature to Lily, who will stop at nothing to protect her seemingly perfect family. So when her troubled middle child Rachel descends from party lover to potential addict, Lily is swift to act. Therapist Amber has a glowing reputation, and proves to be the lifeline that Rachel desperately needs. But how many family secrets will Lily allow her daughter to spill? And is Amber’s influence really all that innocent, or is the renowned healer concealing a hidden agenda of her own? Tension builds to fever pitch as the truth unravels in this addictive read. I, MONA LISA by Natasha Solomons (£14.99, Transworld, HB) Discover the shocking stories of…

EASTENDERS Whitney and Kheerat are still trying to prove that Gray killed Chantelle. Hoping to put the wind up Gray and get a confession out of him, Kheerat’s created an email account in Chantelle’s name and has been sending him copies of her posts on a domestic abuse forum. Whit’s worried Kheerat’s gone too far and tells him to steer clear of Gray, but after a desperate call from Gray, Kheerat rushes to meet him, believing he can get him to confess. Unfortunately, it doesn’t go the way that Kheerat hopes, because he and Gray come to blows, which leaves one life in the balance……

Opening Facebook, I saw that I had a notification. It was August 2014 and I’d been nominated for the Ice Bucket Challenge, the viral trend where people would film themselves pouring icy water over their heads, donate to a motor-neurone disease charity and then tag five friends to do their own. ‘These are getting a bit boring now,’ I said to my daughter Phoebe, then aged nine. But I reasoned it was for a good cause, so I decided to give it a go. Besides, I had an idea. After Phoebe filmed me in the garden as I tipped water over myself and left the bucket on my head, she paused the video. Then I scrambled upstairs to dye my hair with a box of hair colour I’d found in…

Posh & Becks BABY NUMBER 5? They’ve overcome cheating rumours, moving abroad and time apart, but family life has always been at the heart of the Beckhams’ relationship. And, while they already have quite the brood (Brooklyn, 22, Romeo, 19, Cruz, 16, and Harper Seven, 10), could Posh and Becks be thinking about adding to their clan? Judging by their public displays of affection on social media – whether it’s VB sharing a photo of Becks’ bum or David teasing his wife for being grumpy – the pair seem more in love than ever. Not bad for a couple who’ve been married for nearly 23 years. Back in 2015, Victoria, 47, said she didn’t want another child, but David, 46, has made no secret of his desire for a…

As of last summer, you could buy some forms of contraceptive pill over the counter and this year it’s being extended to HRT. While, in theory, this is good news, I’m not entirely sure that I wouldn’t want my doctor’s advice first. Any hormone treatment, no matter what your age, comes with risks. Each year around 1.5 million middle-aged women experience unpleasant post-menopausal symptoms, and this change has been brought about by a long-running campaign. So now we look at our menfolk. Is it time they could get testosterone treatments (TRT) over the counter too? TRT is currently prescribed on the NHS, but is subject to a postcode lottery (again!). Yes, there are  risks, as there are with HRT, but if we are trusted to analyse the risks, shouldn’t the men be too?…

I want to know why he cheated QI have been with my fiancé for seven years and have just found out that he’s been cheating on me with my cousin, who is now pregnant. I have kicked him out, but I love him. He’s had a hard family life, but I know he’s a good person underneath. How can I help him? A It’s not a question of ‘Why did he do this?’ or ‘How can you help him?’, but more ‘Why do you want him back?’. He may have had a hard upbringing, but that doesn’t take away the fact he cheated and betrayed you with a family member. Before you start to think about him, think about your needs and what will help you get over this. MY…

Voluminous pony ‘It can be quite overwhelming to style thick hair,’ says Lisa. ‘But by sweeping it back into a pony it still looks bouncy and full. The most flattering spot to position your pony is the point where the back of your head is at its widest. To add a pro touch, leave one strand of hair out and bind it round your hairband, secure with grips and finish with a shine spray.’ L’Oréal Paris Elnett Precious Oil, £4.99, Superdrug, is an industry favourite. Hit the waves ‘When your hair isn’t completely straight but isn’t curly either, you have the best of both worlds,’ says Lisa. ‘Work with your natural shape to create the most amazing bends in the hair using a straightener. Take a section of hair, clamp…

CHOOSE CHIPS Properchips Sharing Bags, 85g, selected flavours (Asda) These lentil chips pack a punch of flavour and are perfectly designed for scooping up your favourite dips. Flavours in this offer include Barbecue, Sour Cream & Chive, Sea Salt, and Sweet Sriracha Chilli. LOVELY LUNCH Higgidy Spinach and Red Pepper Quiche, 400g (Sainsbury’s) Seeded spelt shortcrust pastry, a spinach and free-range egg filling with a hint of nutmeg, hand-topped with Greek feta and roasted red peppers. Enjoy this with salad or veg. Offer available on selected quiches in the range including Smoked English Bacon (400g) and Roasted Tomato & Pesto (400g). PICK A PIE Pork Farms 4 Branston Pickle-Topped Mini Pork Pies (Asda) With crisp pastry and a tangy layer of Branston pickle topping, these succulent pies are flavour-packed snacks…

ARIES 21 Mar – 20 Apr You might be thinking of treating your partner to a trip. You can make the future better by treating yourself and others. LIBRA 23 Sep – 23 Oct You will feel eager to get out and enjoy time with friends. Tend to any overlooked personal wellbeing and make a plan. SCORPIO 24 Oct – 22 Nov Are you feeling out of balance or not getting enough sleep? Listening to meditation or trying hypnotherapy will help you. TAURUS 21 Apr – 20 May Starting a new hobby may fuel your creativity. Also, if you have a musical instrument stashed away, haul it out. GEMINI 21 May – 20 Jun The new moon in watery Pisces might fuel your curious side. Look out for some evening…

THE REAL DIRTY DANCING, E4  Ten famous faces – including TV presenter Anthea Turner, Blue singer Lee Ryan and Hollyoaks star Chelsea Healey – put their dancing skills to the test in this new reality series based on the much-loved 1987 film. At a lakeside resort just like Kellerman’s, in pairs the celebs will take part in a series of challenges and routines, with the top couple attempting the iconic lift performed by Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey in the film! Keith Lemon and Ashley Roberts host.…

We have to ask – how do you look so young? The main thing is I sleep a lot and I have a nap in the afternoon if I can. I don’t eat a lot of sugar or processed foods unless I’m feeling really lazy. Hot yoga has changed everything for me and I do it regularly, three or four times a week. Oral vitamin D3 drops are my little bottle of happiness and my go-to, and I think if you’re smiling and feeling good, it shows. What else cheers you up? If I feel miserable I think of balmy days on a beach and it puts me in a better mood. I also have a mantra for life which is, ‘Don’t get bitter, get better.’ If something bad ever…

❉ Bio&Me Gut-Loving Granola, Low Sugar, £3.69/360g, Ocado.com. Packed with 15 fruit, vegetables, wholegrains, legumes, nuts and seeds, this prebiotic granola has been created to give your biome the diversity to help it thrive. ❉ Yeo Valley Organic Kefir, £1.50/350g, Sainsbury’s. Kefir is said to contain probiotics for a happier  gut. What’s more, 100g contains only 64 calories. ❉ Perkier Active Culture Bars Madagascan Vanilla & Dark Chocolate, £2.70/3 bars, Morrisons. These contain billions of active cultures with a protective shell, so they reach your gut alive. Each bar has 5g of prebiotic chicory fibre. ❉ Lemon, Yuzu & Ginger , £1.90/250ml, Waitrose. A drink containing Japanese knotweed, to help gut issues.…

1 PUSH YOURSELF OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE. Doing new activities and trying new things is one of the best ways to distract yourself from a break-up and move forward in your life. 2 CLEAR OUT PHYSICAL REMINDERS. Photographs, memories, items you owned together are all reminders you don’t need. Pack them away if you can’t bring yourself to throw them out. 3 DOWNLOAD RX BREAKUP. This app gets you through your break-up one day at a time. The 30-day guide has exercises that help you monitor your feelings, look back at the past with clarity, and plan future actions. Free to download on iOS and android.…

Brazilian-style sweet potato and black bean stew SERVES 2 Serve over brown rice with a dollop of yogurt and sweet citrusy tomato and orange salsa. It’s meat-free but full of flavour and comfort. PREP TIME: 10 MINS COOK TIME: 20 MINS SKILL LEVEL: EASY CALS: 647 FAT: 5G SAT FAT: 2G CARBS: 116G YOU WILL NEED 130g brown rice 1tsp vegetable oil 1 red onion, half peeled and cut into wedges, the other half finely diced 1 medium sweet potato, peeled and chopped into bite-sized chunks 2tsp ground cumin 2tsp smoked paprika 1 red pepper, deseeded and cut into strips 400g can black beans, drained and rinsed 1 red chilli, deseeded and finely chopped 200g passata 11g vegetable stock powder 1 tomato, roughly chopped 1 orange, peeled and half roughly…

‘I dated Clare’s ex!’ Sarah Finley, 40, is a freelance journalist. She lives in London. As our 40th birthday approached and my twin sister Clare and I started to discuss our celebrations, talks turned to our guest lists. ‘I’ve invited about 80 people to my party,’ Clare said. I turned to her, trying to hide my shock. How did she even know that many people?! Panicking, I started to devise a way to bump up my guest list of 35 – I certainly didn’t want her party to be better than mine! As identical twins, we’ve always been close, discussing details of the boys and boy bands we liked, and sharing jobs, friends and holidays – but, of course, our close relationship meant there was a lot of sibling rivalry.…

Isla Fisher ‘IT’S ABOUT HOW SCARY IT IS TO FALL IN LOVE’ The soap star turned Hollywood actor on her latest role… In Wolf Like Me, Isla Fisher stars as columnist Mary, who doles out romantic advice despite having no love life of her own, but as the six-part comedy drama unfolds it’s soon revealed why. ‘I LOVE A LOVE STORY!’ ‘Mary has this secret that prevents her from connecting to people,’ says Isla, who found fame in Australian soap Home and Away. ‘She lives through other people.’ Set in Adelaide, South Australia, the action focuses on widowed dad Gary (Josh Gad), who meets Mary after she crashes her Jeep into his car after running a red light. The pair end up going on a date, but it’s cut short…

DAME IN THE FRAME Catching up with Dame Arlene Phillips for the first time since she starred in I’m A Celeb. ‘The cold and lack of food didn’t bother me,’ the spirited 78-year-old told me. Would she turn back time? Not a chance! It’s onwards and upwards for the dame as she teams up with Oti Mabuse to bring The Cher Show to the stage in April at Leicester’s Curve Theatre. Fabulous! IS THERE ANYONE THERE?! Pal Debbie McGee is honing her drama skills playing it straight on stage for the first time in chiller thriller The House on Cold Hill at the iconic Mill Theatre in Sonning – playing a psychic! So is she a believer? ‘No,’ she tells me. ‘But I have had strange encounters. Magicians always want…