Innholdsfortegnelse for 23-May-2022 i Woman's Own

The cost-of-living crisis is playing on everyone’s minds at the moment, and we’ve been talking about it a lot in the office, as I’m sure you’ll have been with friends and family – after all, you’d have to be a millionaire to not be impacted by it (I just heard Del Boy in my head as I typed that!) With that in mind, this issue is full of great money-saving ideas – from at-home pedicures on p28 (just because we’re watching the pennies it doesn’t mean we have to give up on everything), value veggie meals from as little as 80p a portion on p32, supermarket deals (p35) and must-read money tips on p36 – including how to save on your energy bills. I’m always being told I spend too…

Bringing a child into the world is a privilege. I’ve spent 18 years working as a midwife, delivering thousands of babies, each life as precious as the last. And I was blessed to have two beautiful children of my own. Our home had always been filled with laughter and love, and while we didn’t have a lot of money, we had each other. My husband David, who I’d been with since I was 23, our daughter Lizzie, and our son, also David. ‘Love you, Mummy,’ my son David said every night before bed. Even as he got older, he still called me Mummy, and we stayed close as he grew into a remarkable young man. ‘HE GREW INTO A REMARKABLE YOUNG MAN’ He graduated from uni in September 2018, aged…

My life feels worthless QI feel like my life is over at 61. My kids have left home and I no longer work, so I don’t have a purpose. My husband and I don’t get on – though we pretend we do to others. I don’t want to admit what I have become, so I feel myself pushing close friends away. Even my daughters say I’m depressing to be around. What now? A Hiding your true self from everyone is why you feel so alone and down. You need to open up and tell your friends how sad and lost you feel right now. Let them comfort and support you through this. At the same time, see your GP, as there could be so many things behind how you feel,…

Shop smart No need to compromise on flavour! 1 TINNED TOMATOES Value brands look like a bargain at first glance but they contain more water, so you often need two tins. Instead, buy one can of better quality and top with water/stock. 2 OLIVE OIL Don’t waste it for frying, save it for drizzling on salads and pasta, where the flavour counts. Go for a basic veg oil or use a knob of butter for a tasty flavour. 3 CHICKEN Choose thighs instead of breasts – you get more meat for your money and they’re more flavoursome. Skin on, bone in is the best value and they cook beautifully in a tray bake. Ditch the diet Looking for a wallet-friendly family night in? M&S Pizza Meal Deal…

ARIES 21 Mar – 20 Apr You need to talk to a friend, and it will result in a trusted agreement. Your kind manner means you can resolve anything together. TAURUS 21 Apr – 20 May Nobody doubts your experience, but speak to friends for advice. Take it easy with family and wait until the time is right. GEMINI 21 May – 20 Jun You’re looking at a better-paid job or starting your own business. You’ll have more freedom to live the way you want. CANCER 21 Jun – 22 Jul Put other people’s needs first and you’ll do a lot of good. You’re always happiest if you can help someone in need. LEO 23 Jul – 22 Aug Off to the garden centre? You may be restyling part of…

Nicole’s CHANGING FACE It’s no secret that celebrities and surgery go hand in hand, but a recent pic on the set of new show Expats has left fans wondering if Nicole Kidman, 54, is the latest to go to extra lengths in an effort to push back the years. In the photo, posted to Instagram, the star sported an on-trend natural make-up look but her face appeared taut and puffy, with one fan writing, ‘Nicole what did you do with your face?!?!?!!!? It’s sad cuz you were beautiful,’ while another added, ‘You don’t look like you Nicole. Please stop.’ This isn’t the first time that the actor’s changing appearance has been called into question by fans. When her hit drama series The Undoing with Hugh Grant aired in 2020, fans…

Like most of the Loose Women ladies, Kaye Adams isn’t one to back away from a heated debate. And with her quick wit and fast tongue, she often out-argues her fellow panellists. But even though she and the others get along famously both on and off screen, she confesses that, often, certain panel members drive her completely nuts. ‘Like any friendship, there are people that you form really special bonds with, and there are people that sometimes you could throttle one minute and hug the next! ‘And if we’ve had a really heated discussion and I’ve been on the other side of a very polarised debate, I might not immediately say, “Let’s go for a drink,” after the show. But that will last all of 24 hours. Then we’re all…

America is about to make a catastrophic decision There’s a really irritating but hideously accurate saying about the USA that goes along the lines of: ‘When America sneezes, Europe catches a cold.’ Well, this time they’ve done more than snuffle into a hankie – they’ve gone down with full-blown double pneumonia, with a side of COVID. And guess who are the ones who are going to suffer once again. Yep, you and me. Women. God knows what we did in a previous life (actually, make that lives at this rate) to deserve such uncertain times for females, but the fact that our American chums have blown the abortion debate wide open in 2022 is stunning. Two weeks ago, a ‘first draft’ by the US Supreme Court that would undo 50…

If your food budget is struggling to cover the basics, it certainly won’t stretch to the superfoods aisle, but did you know that there are lots of equally nutritious foods that can be picked up for free from parks, hedgerows, fields and woodland near you? These wild and wonderful superfoods will keep your body, mind and wallet happy – and some of them are already rearing their heads in the spring sunshine. Swap APPLES FOR CRAB APPLES ‘The skin is full of gut-friendly pectin and is beneficial for detoxification,’ says nutritionist and foraging expert Caroline Sherlock from Eat Drink Live Well. ‘The darker the colour, the greater the anthocyanin level.’ HOW TO EAT ‘You can’t eat crab apples raw, but they make a delicious jelly to go with…

It’s not a fact that any of us want to dwell on, but one in two Brits born after 1960 will be diagnosed with some form of cancer during their lifetime*. Despite these sobering stats, a more positive report by the University of London reveals that with greater awareness and better treatment, premature cancer deaths could, in fact, be wiped out by 2050. Start building your defences now with these cornerstones of cancer prevention. 1 QUIT SMOKING ‘Smoking is linked to an increased risk of lung, head and neck, oesophagus, stomach, liver, breast, bowel, bladder, kidney and skin cancers,’ explains NHS consultant oncologist, Professor Robert Thomas. ‘As well as nicotine, carbon monoxide and tar, tobacco smoke contains more than 4,000 different chemicals, many of which are carcinogenic.’ It’s never too…

The origins of the regenerative technique stem from the 1990s, when researchers developed a method of turning an adult mammary-gland cell taken from a sheep into an embryo – leading to the creation of Dolly the cloned sheep. But a new improved method, called IPS, involved adding chemicals to adult cells for around 50 days. This resulted in genetic changes that turned the adult cells into stem cells. In both the Dolly and IPS techniques, the stem cells created the need to be regrown into the cells and tissues the patient requires. This has proved difficult, and, despite decades of effort, the use of stem cells to treat diseases is currently extremely limited. New research used the IPS technique on 53-year-old skin cells, and scientists were astonished to find that…

If you’re saving to buy your first home or for retirement, look at Lifetime Isas, which can be opened by anyone aged 18 to 39. You can put in up to £4,000 each year (until you’re 50) and the government will give you a 25% bonus of up to £1,000 a year on your savings. You need to have had the Isa open for at least 12 months to be able to use it towards your first home. Find a full guide at moneysaving expert.com. Top tip! With fuel being so expensive, could you save money with a supermarket home delivery rather than driving to do your shopping? To see if you can save, work out how much it’ll cost you to drive to the supermarket and compare that to…

Film THE ROAD DANCE Out 20 May During World War 1, a close-knit Hebridean community plan an al fresco dance, bringing the young folk together under the watchful eyes of the elders. For Kirsty (Hermione Corfield) the event changes her life, tragedy threatening her dream of emigrating to America with her love (Will Fletcher). Adapted from John MacKay’s bestseller. Music HANSON Child at Heart (3CG records), 20 May It’d be hard to talk about Hanson without mentioning their global hit MMMBop. But 25 years since the brothers stole the hearts of teenage girls everywhere, this catchy new gem does them justice. Featuring the smooth tones of middle brother Taylor, get ready to fall in love all over again. Event DIRTY DANCING IN CONCERT – UK TOUR 13 May until 29…

I’VE HAD MY CHIPS! If you’ve seen any of my appearances on The Chase, you’ll know I end up in a fast car home after the quick-fire round, falling foul of the chaser – you either know it or you don’t! So I leapt at the chance to play for charity on Celebrity Catchphrase with Stephen Mulhern. You can catch my turn with S Club 7’s Rachel Stevens and current king of the I’m a Celebrity jungle Danny Miller later this year. Turns out Mr Chips is a hard taskmaster and saying what you see is tougher than you think! THE LIKEABLE LADS Great to catch up with two of the Thomas brothers – former Corrie star Ryan and his brother Scott of Love Island fame. Their brother Adam has…

PETAL POWER Show off some shoulder in this pretty top. Top, £10, sizes 8-26, studio.co.uk PEDI READY Comfortable and colourful summer sandals. Shoes, £9.99, shoezone.com CITY STYLE Find the places to be. Wallpaper* City Guides, £9.95, phaidon.com SHERBET STRIPES Pack a pastel punch with these sweet lines. T-shirt, £7.50, sizes 6-24, M&S SPRING GREENS Brighten up interiors with these everlasting blooms. Faux flowers, £8, bmstores.co.uk FOCAL POINT Warm sunny days call for vibrant al fresco dining. Plates, £5 for pack of four, tumblers, £3 each, mug, £2.50, all bmstores.co.uk GLOW-GETTER Glide some sun-kissed shine on to your skin Bronzer, £8, Next HEADS ABOVE It’s all about the bucket hat this summer. Hat, £6.99, H&M SLIDE AWAY Your go-to, go-with-everything sandals. Shoes, £10, George at Asda LIME LOVING Rework retro gingham…

WHAT CAN I EAT TO BEAT GOUT? Q Recently, I was diagnosed with gout. This really surprised me as I never eat red meat and am teetotal. I have been put on some anti-inflammatory pills to ease the pain but am keen to reduce my chances of another attack, as I have never known pain like it! Are there other foods I should steer clear of? A Stay well hydrated to avoid further attacks – it’s important to make sure you’re drinking plenty. Keep an eye on the colour of your urine. It should be no darker than the colour of straw. If it is, you should increase your fluid intake. Other foods to limit include offal, seafood, fatty foods and sugary drinks and snacks. Overwhelmed by grief Q During…

1 SHOWER AND SAVE It might seem difficult to know where to cut energy use, but adapting your daily routine can give some easy wins. For instance, by sticking to a four-minute shower and by swapping one bath a week with a four-minute shower, you could save around £35 per person on your annual energy bills, according to Energy Saving Trust. Plus, by using less water you’ll also reduce your water bill if you’re on a water meter. 2 LITTLE SAVINGS ADD UP There are lots of small changes you can make that will add up over time. For example, switching off devices such as TVs, rather than keeping them on standby, saves an average of £55 a year on energy bills. Another way to save an average of £28…

After putting the finishing touches to a freshly baked cake, I rushed around, clearing away the ironing board and wiping down the surfaces. The dinner table was set and there was a roast in the oven. I had just enough time to whip off my pinny and apply fresh lippy before the front door swung open and my husband Phil walked in. ‘Something smells nice,’ he grinned. I smiled with satisfaction. My husband was happy. Job done! I’d spent all day cleaning, ironing and baking, but it wasn’t a special occasion, just a regular day at our home in Frinton, Essex. Phil and I have always been well-matched. He likes to come home to a clean and tidy house, and I have high standards when it comes to housework. Unlike…

SINISTER SECRETS DEAR LITTLE CORPSES  by Nicola Upson (£14.99, Faber & Faber, HB) September 1939, Suffolk. As the dark shadow of war looms over Europe, the rural town of Polstead is busy preparing for the arrival of 20 young evacuees. But when a rickety bus delivers the children, it’s clear that something has gone seriously wrong. There are far more arrivals than expected, including desperate mothers and babies. Local children are begrudgingly sent to stay with relatives to make space, including five-year-old Annie, who will spend the night at her grandmother’s. But when Annie disappears into thin air, a breathless race to find her reveals some sinister secrets among the villagers… NONFICTION FRONTLINE MIDWIFE: MY STORY OF SURVIVAL AND KEEPING OTHERS SAFE  by Anna Kent (£18.99, Bloomsbury, HB) Few can…

Dylan Llewellyn ‘I CAN’T WAIT FOR PEOPLE TO SEE IT!’ The Derry Girls star on his new comedy role… Based on the real-life experiences of comedian and author Jack Rooke, new C4 comedy Big Boys follows the unlikely friendship between two very different university students. ‘IT’S SUCH A SWEET STORY’ Best known as James in C4’s hit sitcom Derry Girls, Dylan plays closeted gay teen Jack, and Plebs star Jon Pointing is straight Danny. ‘The story starts with the loss of Jack’s father and it shows the bond that he has with his mum Peggy (Camille Coduri),’ explains Dylan. ‘They’re really close, but Jack wants to fly the nest and find himself, so that’s when he goes to university and has this adventure. ‘Danny’s the complete opposite of Jack, so…