Innholdsfortegnelse for 16-May-2022 i Woman's Own

It feels like we’re edging ever closer to summer, doesn’t it? Well, at least it does while I type, but no doubt, thanks to our Great British weather, it might well be raining by the time you read this! This time of year really makes me want to do things – read a new book (ideally by the poolside, see p54 for ideas), go on holiday (noticing a theme here – flip to p48 for some sunny inspiration), take on a new challenge. OK, this last one is more taxing than the others, but one reader has done just that – and there’s no way you could fail to be impressed. On p40, Simone Roberts shares how she feeds her family of eight (yes, eight!) for £25 a week, and…

‘THERE’S SUCH A LOVELY TEAM HERE’ Phillip Schofield is no ordinary 60-year-old, with his whippy hips and full head of hair, albeit silver. But as the dust settles on recent celebrations of both his milestone birthday and his almost 40-year career in television, perhaps Phil is considering taking a back seat after a spectacular innings in the showbiz world. After all, he has been co-hosting ITV’s This Morning for 20 years and, with his well-documented passion for food and wine – the veteran presenter has his own brand of wine with a self-titled label – Phil would be forgiven for wondering whether it’s time to have some fun and get away from the politics of daytime TV. ‘HE WOULD BE IN BIG DEMAND’ A source told Woman’s Own, ‘Phil would…

As my pen hovered over the sheet of paper, I didn’t quite know how to express exactly how I was feeling. But, at that moment in 1995, I was adamant about something - I wanted to die. In my bedroom, surrounded by posters of PJ and Duncan and my homework on my desk, I was writing a suicide note to my parents. I was just 12. ‘THINGS GOT TOO MUCH TO BEAR’ I had dealt with a lot leading up to that point. Throughout my childhood, although I had struggled to make friends, and while I desperately wanted to fit in, every day I found myself alone in the playground. When I started secondary school in September 1994, things only got worse. While I wasn’t outwardly bullied, I was excluded…

More than 5,000 parents are going to war with the Welsh government over plans to teach children as young as three about ‘sexual attraction’ and gender identity. They are suing the administration over the introduction of compulsory Relationships and Sexuality Education lessons that parents have no right to remove their child from. Dear Lord, we’ve put tiny tots through so much during the pandemic (remember hugging your granny will kill her?), can’t we, for once, let children barely out of nappies just be kids and enjoy their innocence?…

Do you eat on the go, grab whatever food is close to hand or simply skip meals? Some foods can be difficult to digest, so if you rush meals or don’t chew food properly, your digestive system struggles, which can lead to bloating, constipation and indigestion. This plan focuses on foods that are easy to digest, and provides a regular supply of good ‘probiotic’ bacteria to help speed up movement of food through your digestive tract. The meal suggestions are all calorie-controlled, nutritionally balanced and designed to help you lose weight without leaving you feeling hungry. WHAT TO DO Use our healthy eating ideas for breakfast, lunch and dinner – these are based on eating approximately 1,350 cals a day. Be strict Monday to Friday, then relax a little over…

SHOULD I ‘BOTHER’ MY BUSY GP? Q I have a mole on my arm, which I think may be getting bigger. My husband says I’m imagining it, but it is really playing on my mind. My daughter is a receptionist at our local surgery, so I know how stretched everyone is. Should I make an appointment, or would I be wasting their time? A Your GP will definitely want to know about a mole that may be changing. You could email a photograph in the first instance and your doctor can decide whether he needs to see you. I would also take a photograph of it alongside a tape measure and do this every month so that you have an objective measure of whether it is changing. Cancer diagnosis has…

1 SO DISHY For soap and shampoo bars, you may need to pick up a soap dish to stop them sliding around your sink.Etsy.com has some stylish, affordable options. 2 HANDY TO KNOW Solid skincare is usually concentrated so it can take some time to work it into the skin. Warm up the product in your hands before applying, to help it go on more smoothly and sink in better. 3 GREEN CHOICE Solid bars are eco-friendly as they use much less plastic packaging – or in some cases, none at all! This is brilliant as every year, eight million tonnes of plastic enters the oceans. The less single-use plastic we buy, the better. 4 ON THE GO Solid options are perfect for…

Mini apple crumbles SERVES 2 There’s nothing like a warm apple crumble to satisfy a sweet craving and these easy individual crumbles are a doddle to make. YOU WILL NEED For the filling: 1tbsp granulated sugar ¼tsp ground cinnamon (optional) 1 large apple, peeled, cored and cubed For the topping: 40g plain flour 3tbsp granulated sugar 3tbsp unsalted butter, cold and cubed HOW TO DO IT 1 Heat the oven to 180C/Gas 4. For the filling, mix together the sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl until combined, then add the chopped apple and toss until coated in the mixture. 2 In another small bowl, with your fingertips mix together the flour, sugar and butter for the topping, until combined and crumbly. 3 Spoon the apple mixture into 2 separate…

1 BE SAVVY ABOUT WHERE YOU FILL UP Make sure you search around for the best fuel prices. Which? found that petrol and diesel at supermarket pumps is typically a few pence cheaper per litre. It also found fuel is generally cheaper in towns and cities than in rural locations. You can search online for the cheapest petrol stations near you at petrolprices.com which covers over 8,000 petrol stations in the UK. 2 LIGHTEN THE LOAD The more weight you’re carrying in your car, the more fuel you’ll be using, so don’t lug around anything you don’t need in your boot. Also get rid of equipment such as roof and bike racks when not using them. As well as adding weight, they increase wind resistance, which also makes your car…

Joe Wicks ‘I WAS SO UPSET, CONFUSED AND LOST’ The fitness coach and MBE revisits his past in a new one-off documentary. In the first lockdown, fitness coach Joe Wicks gained national hero status with his free online PE workouts. ‘IT WAS REALLY TOUGH’ Many of the letters and messages he’s received have been from parents worried about the impact of their mental-health issues on their children, which strikes a chord. When Joe was a child, his mum suffered with OCD, anxiety and eating disorders, while his dad battled depression and heroin addiction. In Joe Wicks: Facing My Childhood, Joe sets out to discover how his parents’ problems affected him as a child and shaped him as an adult. ‘I remember being so upset, confused and lost. It was…

‘IT WAS STRESSFUL BECAUSE HE WAS JUST SO FULL-ON’ Jamie’s GOT A TEMPER! Jamie Oliver has long held the image of a cheeky chappie, but lockdown did funny things to us all and wife Jools, 47, has lifted the lid on what the TV chef is really like behind the scenes - admitting he would ‘lose his temper’ leaving her in tears. The Essex boy, 46, who rose to fame as The Naked Chef was forced to work from home during the pandemic, leaving Jools to act as Jamie’s stand-in camerawoman cum producer – and it all got a little bit too much for the pair, with Jamie getting ‘so moody’. ‘I don’t find any of Jamie’s outside work coming into the home life [stressful] apart from when we have…

COMPLETE PANTS So how do you fold your knickers? What do you mean you don’t? You utter slattern! Seriously, there’s a book out that instructs you how to fold your smalls to make them, er, smaller. Sophie Liard began sharing videos of herself folding clothes on TikTok two years ago and her space-saving, decluttering tips have started a whole new career. Now called The Folding Lady (I don’t make this up, honestly!) her brand-new book is flying off the (presumably incredibly well-organised) shelves. Sophie’s passion for folding began when she was 16 and working as a Saturday temp in a big London department store. A stint in the jeans department gave her the bug. Look, fair play to the lovely mum of two, but if I ever find the time…

Another one has just plopped through the letter box. And when you get to a certain age it’s no surprise really, is it? No, not another will writing service/Saga insurance offer – but the dreaded invite to a wedding vow renewal service. What is it with already wed people saying ‘I do’ all over again? Why? I mean, seriously, just why? Mostly, it’s folk who are on their second or even their third marriage already. ‘Ooh, it’s been three years,’ they’ll coo. ‘So we’d like to celebrate our everlasting love with you.’ Sorry, but vomit. Instantly I think (a) it’s already going belly up, (b) one of them has done something so wrong not even a limp bunch of garage flowers will do and (c) they’re just showing off. Or…

KEEP A DIARY ‘Write down all of your dreams (good and bad) as soon as you wake up. Processing those emotions in the stark light of day will get you acquainted with your inner workings, allowing you to better understand your nightly terrors.’ DEAL WITH STRESS ‘Avoid stressful situations, practise meditation and find a space for peace in your everyday routine, and you’ll be less likely to bring anxiety into your sleep time.’ EAT WELL AND EXERCISE ‘Have a balanced diet, drink water and exercise in the fresh air most days. Your body will be less stressed, so your mental state will be better in the evenings.’…

They say he’s cheated on me Q I’ve been with my partner for three years and we have a baby together. He used to sleep around, but he is different now, and I have always trusted him. This is a big deal for me as my ex-husband cheated on me for years. Now friends have dropped hints that my partner cheated at a stag do. I have asked him about it, and he denies it, but I am worried. What should I do? A Your partner is not your ex, and though you are right to be wary, you need to know the facts. Go back to your friends and ask them what happened. If they know something, they should tell you. Once you have this information, then talk to…

While women still remain the most likely victims of domestic violence at the hands of their partner, these roles can be - and often are - reversed. There are a shocking number of men living in fear of their partner. In fact, every year, one in three victims of domestic abuse is male – more than three quarters of a million men. Sadly, they often suffer in silence, cowed by embarrassment and shame. And, worryingly, more than one tenth of these men have considered taking their own life because of their partner’s abuse – a higher percentage than female victims. So, how can we help them? Woman’s Own speaks to a victim who felt too embarrassed to seek help when his wife turned violent against him. ✣ Nearly two thirds…

Too good to waste 3 surprising foods you can freeze 1 CHICKEN Who can be bothered to make stock on roast day – just freeze the stripped carcass and any leftover meat in an airtight bag for tasty soups and stews. 2 EGGS Lightly whisk whole eggs or leftover whites/yolks with a pinch of salt, then freeze, labelled with the date and number of eggs. Defrost and use in recipes. 3 ROCKET AND LEAFY GREENS Not using a whole bag of greens? Freeze veg such as spinach to add to casseroles and soups, and let them wilt down in the heat of the dish. Ditch the diet Ben & Jerry’s Rain-dough Cookie Dough Twist Ice Cream and Caramel Brownie Party Ice Cream, 465ml, £4.50 each, Iceland The…

THE SUMMER FAIR by Heidi Swain (£8.99, Simon & Schuster, PB) Beth couldn’t be happier with her job caring for the wonderful residents of the Edith Cavell Nursing Home, but her grotty houseshare is driving her up the wall. Sick of clearing up other people’s clutter, she jumps at the chance for a fresh start living in Nightingale Square. Her new housemate Eli is wonderfully tidy – as well as rather handsome – and the neighbourhood is really welcoming. Together, the locals raise funds for the care home, but when a local arts centre needs their help, Beth must face up to secrets from her past. Heidi Swain weaves a life-affirming story about the power of community. REGENCY TALE A LADY’S GUIDE TO FORTUNE-HUNTING by Sophie Irwin (£14.99, HarperCollins, HB)…

LA BONNE VILLE! Earl of Grantham Robert Crawley soaks up the rays as the family heads to the South of France in the new Downton flick. Star Hugh Bonneville tells me he insisted on the location. ‘I said, “I need a bit of warmth. I’ve been stuck at home for 18 months, so unless we go to the South of France I’m not doing it”,’ he jests, adding, ‘Sometimes I pooh-pooh what we do – is it really of any value? But actually I think to have a bit of solace and an escape isn’t a bad thing.’ So will there be a Downton Abbey 3? ‘So long as the stories remain fun and Julian keeps breathing we’ll be OK!’ UPSTAIRS, DOWNSTAIRS She plays Baroness Bagshaw in the film and…

Just last month Brooklyn Beckham, 23, and Nicola Peltz, 27, exchanged their vows at her family’s idyllic beachside estate with a glittering £3 million bash attended by such luminaries as Elizabeth Hurley, Gordon Ramsay and Venus and Serena Williams. The bride, who is the daughter of a billionaire, was a fairy-tale vision in a bespoke Valentino gown with a lace veil and described the wedding as ‘the most beautiful weekend of my life’. But behind the opulent veneer was there an undercurrent of tension mounting between the new blended families? And is there a frostiness between Victoria Beckham and her new daughter-in-law? A CHILL IN THE AIR? Eagle-eyed fans noted how Victoria, 48, who wore a show-stopping silver gown of her own design to the wedding, has been almost silent…

THE RIGHT STRIPES Choose bold stripes to stand out from the crowd. Top, £14, sizes 6-22, F&F Clothing SHADE PARADE Functional and beautiful. Lamp, £25, George Home BRUSH STROKES Create your own gallery wall. Small wall art with wooden edge, £8, Primark BEAUTY BOOST Apply under the eyes. Revolution 5% Caffeine and Hyaluronic Acid Serum, £6, Sainsbury’s SPOT ON Flattering for any figure. Trousers, £16, sizes 6-22, F&F Clothing PRIME TIME The perfect make-up base. Prep + Perfect Priming Hydrator, £3, Primark FOCAL POINT These small additions will elevate your home. Wall art, £30, black vase, £12, totem ornament, £18, tall woven vase, £25, all Matalan MONOCHROME HOME Update your sofa with an abstract print. Cushion cover, £6.99, H&M MUST-HAVE MULES Treat your feet to some comfort and style. Shoes,…

Just a couple of weeks to go before the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebration, where we’re treated to a four-day weekend. The late May bank holiday has been moved to Thursday 2 June while the actual Jubilee Day, Friday 3 June, is also an official national day off to party. It’s a lovely idea and a great way to celebrate a great woman. But, like Her Majesty, it’s a one-off. The calls that it become a regular event should be ignored. We already have too many and it just detracts from the specialness of this year. Plus can you imagine when, heaven forbid, we lose this amazing lady. How sad would every 3 June bank holiday make you feel?…

Flopping down into my chair, I could hear my tummy rumbling. It was summer 2010 and I was exhausted and hungry, yet I didn’t have the energy to heave myself up and into the kitchen to make dinner. So I slung off my shoes, sank back and jabbed at my phone to order a Chinese takeaway – egg fried rice, chow mein, prawn toast, chicken in sweet-and-sour sauce, and I’d treat myself to a few prawn crackers too. Swiping it out of the hands of the delivery driver seconds after he’d rung the doorbell, I drooled over the steaming foil packages. ‘THE GP SAID I WAS BORDERLINE DIABETIC’ Working full-time as a receptionist for the local council in south London and being a single mum to my children, Shamara, then…

Do you hate your midriff? You’re not alone – it’s right at the very top of the list of body parts we dislike the most, especially in summer. Wobbly tummies, muffin tops, love handles and middle-aged spread are the cause of much angst for many women at this time of year as the prospect of squeezing into a swimsuit or summer dress looms. Unfortunately, once you hit 40, any excess weight seems to make a beeline straight for your tummy. Our changing hormones are a big factor: declining levels of oestrogen and increased production of the stress hormone cortisol both direct fat to the very areas where you want it least. Loss of muscle tone, sluggish digestion and bloating, which are also common as you get older, only make matters…

✣ Avoid drinking too much liquid at mealtimes as it can hinder the digestion process – but drink water at other times (6-8 glasses a day). ✣ Cut back on salt – a high salt intake can contribute to water retention and bloating. ✣ Focus on fibre – 90% of women in the UK don’t get enough fibre in their diet, which is the main cause of a sluggish digestion and bloating. ✣ Stress and poor eating habits deplete good bacteria in the gut, which can lead to bloating. A probiotic yogurt daily may help to keep your digestive system happy and healthy.…

Shine-boosting shampoo I’ve tried lots of shampoo bars but Garnier Ultimate Blends Coco Aloe Vera Shampoo Bar, £3.99, Superdrug, is a favourite. It foams up really nicely without drying out hair, and it smells great too. Rub it into a lather then work it through your hair as you would a normal shampoo. Sarah Fuss-free foundation There’s lots to love about solid foundation sticks, but I especially like that you can pop them in your handbag for a quick touch-up on the go. Just swipe across your face and blend out with your fingertips. You can also blend with a brush if you prefer a more flawless finish. L’Oréal Paris Infallible Longwear Shaping Stick, £8.99, lookfantastic.com, feels incredibly lightweight and creamy and has impressive staying power. Stephanie Clever deodorant OK,…

Mark Brooks, Chairman of ManKind Initiative, a charity supporting male victims of domestic abuse, told Woman’s Own, ‘Many men simply don’t realise they are victims, and their friends, family or work colleagues aren’t always attuned to spotting the signs. ‘They can feel embarrassed and ashamed that it is happening to them. ‘Far too few men are getting support, even when help is available in their local area – often they are not told where it is available. Men can turn to their local domestic abuse service or call helplines like ours. We welcome calls from family and friends of victims, too. ‘We urge men to tell friends and family, and, if in danger, call the police. The police do take it seriously nowadays. ‘Men escape from domestic abuse every day.…

ARIES 21 Mar – 20 Apr A neighbour might get stuck when they have car trouble. You’re happy to give them a lift and pick them up after their shop. TAURUS 21 Apr – 20 May Holiday planning? There’s so many places that you want to visit, so make a list of possibilities – preferably with sightseeing. GEMINI 21 May – 20 Jun Been feeling anxious about physical activity? Give yourself a goal to aim for, and take a friend along for support. CANCER 21 Jun – 22 Jul You’re feeling in a playful mood – why not arrange a games evening with family and friends to bring people together? LEO 23 Jul – 22 Aug Someone asks for your advice on a project where your talents will be recognised.…