Innholdsfortegnelse for 17-Oct-2022 i Woman's Own

When it comes to food, there always seems to be two camps – those who prefer savoury snacks and those with a sweet tooth. I’m firmly in the former – you can’t beat a crisp – but I still love a bit of chocolate after a meal. I’ve never really contemplated needing to cut down on sugar but the feature on p24 has given me food for thought (pun intended!). We should be having no more than 30g of free sugar a day – so that means pretty much a Mars Bar or Snickers is your lot! If you want to make some simple changes in just seven days, then the expert advice is exactly what you’ve been looking for. They’re not difficult to stick to either, I promise! Let…

Graham Norton, 59, has been a fixture of our TV screens for 25 years as the king of chat. He hosts Eurovision and a Virgin Radio show, is a judge on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, and is about to publish his fourth novel, Forever Home. Earlier this year, Graham married his partner, Jono McLeod, a filmmaker, and the pair live in London’s Docklands. 1 Reality show Strictly Come Dancing . I feel they get the entertainment level just right – the show is exciting and can be thrilling. I like how they tackle the issue of representation with a light touch, with same-sex couples, disabled dancers and Rose Ayling-Ellis [who’s deaf]. Shows like that can have a real impact on people’s lives. 2 Item in your wardrobe A vintage red…

LOO TROUBLES A Mumsnet user has complained that her Spanish holiday hotel room had gaps all around the frosted-glass ensuite bathroom door, and that she felt too ‘uncomfortable’ to use the loo with her husband in the room. Now, if you don’t know Mumsnet, it’s an internet forum for people to debate all kinds of stuff. And, naturally, it always kicks off. Some of those responding couldn’t believe she was embarrassed to have a pee within earshot of her own husband – a man she presumably has sex with. Others agreed it was indeed ‘awkward’. I’m in the former camp, though I have to admit there are some lines. Doing a number two while your other half cleans their teeth? Doing anything involving a sanitary product while he’s in the…

Have you heard about? DIET FIZZY DRINKS CAN CAUSE VISION LOSS While we’re often led to believe that diet carbonated drinks are better for us, research* suggests otherwise. In fact, scientists found that drinking more than four cans of it a week may cause proliferative diabetic retinopathy – a complication of diabetes that affects the eyes. If left untreated this condition can lead to permanent vision loss. Try to cut down to just one can a week. It worked for me Darlaine Honey, 61, Surrey ‘After being diagnosed with breast cancer and having a double mastectomy, I felt quite sore post-operation. But after seeing the exercise videos suggested as part of the We Are Undefeatable’s Move To Your Mood campaign (free, weareundefeatable.co.uk), I was motivated to start swimming again. This…

I am a terrible mother Q Five months ago, I had an emergency caesarean. I haven’t been coping since. My three-year-old is a calm child but my baby cries all the time, won’t settle, and I feel myself not liking him. I know I am a terrible mother and hate myself for saying that. I keep trying to prove that I can do it myself. A When one child is in a challenging stage, it’s normal to feel closer to your easier child. This does not mean you are a terrible mother. It simply means you need help. Don’t underestimate how your feelings may be affected by the difficult birth. Speak to your health visitor and GP about your anxiety. Give yourself time to get used to having two children…

And… relax ASK ALEX A‘WHAT IS MY HOROSCOPE TODAY?’ 11-17 October 2022 ARIES 21 Mar – 20 Apr Focusing on creative activities you may find sharing your ideas rewarding. It’s a good time to explore your family tree. TAURUS 21 Apr – 20 May You deal with any obstacles with expertise this week. Children have good intentions, but ensure they have all the details. GEMINI 21 May – 20 Jun Past opportunities may resurface. Make any adjustments necessary to improve your wellbeing. Try some new activities. CANCER 21 Jun – 22 Jul Setting clear boundaries is a must as you’re on the cusp of change. Be open to your unconscious thoughts. LEO 23 Jul – 22 Aug Time spent enjoying cultural events stimulates your creative side. Tackle chores and try…

NEVER FORGET YOU by Fiona Lucas (£8.99, HarperCollins, PB) One summer’s day Ben and Lili meet by chance and fall wildly in love. They agree to see each other again the following July – but only one of them keeps their promise. Five years on, Ben is racked with regrets. How could he ruin his chance at love? Would he ever redeem himself? The answer lies in the arrival of a bewildered newcomer in town. Alice has no recollection of how she got there. But Ben spots one curious clue: a silver bee necklace shimmering on Alice’s neck. The exact same one he bought for Lili years ago… Written with tenderness and wisdom, this treasure of a novel explores second chances. THE GIRL WHO DARED TO DREAM by Diney Costeloe…

Ewan McGregor & Ethan Hawke ‘THIS IS A STORY OF HEALING’ The Hollywood actors star in a new road movie Ewan McGregor and Ethan Hawke star in Raymond & Ray, which follows two brothers as they travel to their father’s funeral and discover a few things about love, life and themselves along the way. When mild-mannered businessman Raymond visits his charismatic, trouble-rousing half-brother, Ray, to break the news that their dad has died, it marks the start of a chaotic, poignant and enlightening journey for the siblings. On the surface, they are going to pay their respects, but they also have feelings of anger and resentment. ‘It’s a story of healing, of how you move forward in your life, even when there’s still pain,’ says Ewan, who plays Raymond. ‘They…

Dog walk Stick to wardrobe staples for a timeless off-duty look that will see you through many brisk autumnal walks. Lightweight and stylish, a shacket is a handy layering tool for those in-between weather days. TOP TIP ‘Mom’ jeans are universally flattering TOP TIP Tan accessories always look expensive Dinner date Add a 70s boho vibe to your outfit with a sweet paisley print, a fresh change from classic florals. Incredibly versatile, dress up with heels for an evening event and swap for chunky boots during the daytime. Pub Give floaty skirts a wintry spin and team with your favourite knits. Collared jumpers are having a moment, adding interest to the basic camel jumper. Finish with loafers for a masculine edge. TOP TIP Half-tuck into your skirt for added structure…

Meals not complete without a dessert? Can’t enjoy your cuppa without a side helping of biscuits? Despite us knowing that sugar is bad for our health – causing side effects such as weight gain and tooth decay, as well as increasing our risk for chronic illnesses like type 2 diabetes – it’s still one of the hardest things for us to give up. And it’s not just in your favourite confectionery – it’s hidden in hundreds of seemingly savoury and healthy foods, too. But, fear not – with these simple tips and tricks you can cut your sugar intake and improve your overall health. TUESDAY Fill up on fibre Feeling hungry? That’s your cravings talking. If you eat a lot of sugar, it can alter hunger and fullness cues, making…

Four-ingredient cornflake-crusted cod goujons SERVES 3 Why cornflakes? As corn is a hard grain, it makes the coating super-crunchy when fried – more than batter or breadcrumbs! YOU WILL NEED 5tbsp cornflour 1tsp salt ½tsp white or black pepper 2 medium eggs 140g gluten-free cornflakes 2 skinless cod fillets, sliced into strips approx 2.5cm wide and 10cm long Vegetable oil, for frying To serve: Chips and mushy peas (optional) 1 Mix the cornflour, salt and pepper together and spread out on a large dinner plate. Beat the eggs in a medium bowl. Tip the cornflakes into a large bowl, then use both hands to crush them for 30 secs; ensure no whole cornflakes are left or they won’t stick to the fish. 2 Dredge half of the fish in the…

Losing a close family member is shattering, but when my mother Lillian died in 1998, I was hit not only by grief but by immense sadness at the fact that her life had ended as it had begun, with her living in an institution. ‘SHE NEVER KNEW WHY SHE WAS ABANDONED’ Mum was diagnosed with an aggressive form of Alzheimer’s aged 59. With Dad no longer able to look after her, she spent her last four years in a care home. This mirrored a childhood that saw her brought up in a children’s home from aged around four. Small wonder that when she finally had a family of her own, she dedicated herself to being the best possible parent and wife. Mum was kind, caring and fun-loving. She adored music…

He’s not been shy about sharing his health battles over the past few years, but Eamonn Holmes has had fans worrying over his wellbeing in recent weeks. The GB News star’s health seems to have taken a turn for the worse, with his pain getting so bad that he’s had to undergo an operation. The 62-year-old took to Twitter to express his constant pain, thanks to continuing issues with his back. At 1.30am one morning, the father of four tweeted, ‘Hello all my chronic pain sufferers. I know it’s not much help but it does help a little, I feel, to know we are not alone,’ before adding, ‘Therefore, from time to time, I make these posts so some of you can share stories and just talk to someone who…

As I shovelled a slice of cheese pizza into my mouth, I was already reaching for a handful of chips dripping in salt and vinegar. When I’d finished with the pizza, my stomach was telling me to stop – but I couldn’t. I pulled a veggie burger out of its wrapper and munched every morsel until I felt sick, washing it down with sugary fizzy drink. The nausea was overwhelming – and so was the guilt. You see, when it came to food, I couldn’t fight the urge to binge, even if it made me unwell. And it wasn’t just food. I’ve spent most of my life battling that urge, that addiction – from food to alcohol to drugs. I might not look like one but I’m living proof that…

Gazing at my newborn son, swaddled in a blanket in his pram, I felt overwhelmed by a storm of emotions – love and joy colliding with grief and disbelief. This would be my one and only walk with Orion – my first baby – because 10 days earlier, in April 2021, he had been stillborn. My husband Gary, 39, an electrician, and I had been allowed to bring him home so we could spend time together and introduce him to family and friends, before we had to say goodbye forever. But even in that heartbreaking moment, as I pushed his pram through a local park, I was determined to treasure this bittersweet memory. ‘I REALISED THE BABY HADN’T BEEN KICKING’ Orion was conceived by IVF in July 2020. It was…

THYROID TEST CONFUSION Q Last week, I had a series of blood tests. I subsequently received a text asking me to make an appointment to speak to my GP as my thyroid is underactive. I’m going next week, but when I checked my results online my TSH was above normal range. I don’t understand. A A routine thyroid blood test is to measure levels of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). This is the hormone produced by a gland in the brain to drive the thyroid. It works on a feedback mechanism, so if the thyroid is faltering, the pituitary gland produces more TSH in an attempt to boost the thyroid. Hence an apparently high result means the thyroid is underactive. IS IT TOO LATE TO GO TO A&E? Q My husband’s…

Pain-free facelift By accentuating the tops of your cheekbones, you will create the illusion they are higher and more prominent, which can help detract from a double chin or jowls. Try a liquid highlighter, which is easier to buff into the skin for a natural effect. We love Barry M Fresh Face Luminiser, £4.99, Boots. Apply a few dots above your cheekbones and pat in with your fingers. Elongating waves Styling your hair so it bends and sits on your cheekbones will help your face look longer and slimmer. Spritz Charles Worthington Volume & Bounce Texturising Spray, £6.99, Boots, after blow-drying and use your fingers to rub it in. It will give hair a bit more grit, which will then make it easier to bend round your curling tong into…

1 Time to tidy A tidy home creates a tidy mind, so set yourself small, achievable goals – working room by room – to tackle the clutter and detox your home. Make a pile to donate, recycle and to be thrown away. Once you’ve done this for each space it will be easier to see what you do have and the solutions you need to be able to tidy them away quickly and neatly at the end of each day. 2 Blitz the bathroom Don’t let out-of-date medicines and half-used bottles take up all the space in your bathroom cabinet. Stackable, clear storage boxes help make the most of taller shelves and allow you to see exactly what is where. Orthex SmartStore compact clear storage boxes,…

CLUES & ARROWS Fill in the clues in the direction of the arrows. Sudoku To solve the puzzle, each 3 x 3 box, each column and each row must contain the numbers 1 to 9. Wordsearch Which UK prime minister was widely referred to as the ‘Grand Old Man’? The answer is the one missing from the grid. ATTLEEBLAIRBROWNCAMERONCHURCHILLEDENGLADSTONEHEATHJOHNSONMAJORMAYPEELPITTTHATCHERWILSON CROSSWORD Put your feet up and have a go at this old classic. ACROSS 1 The _, 2020 film with 11 Across, 15 Across, 21 Across, 23 Down & 25 Down (6)4 Confidential (4-4)10 Inscription on a tomb (7)11 Anthony _, Welsh actor who has two Oscars (7)12 Second Greek letter (4)13 From time to time (10)15 Olivia _, actor (6)16 Luggage (7)20 Makes very angry (7)21 Mark _, co-creator of…

Film EMILY Out on 14 October What might have inspired Emily Bronte to write Wuthering Heights? As a rebellious girl who walks the Yorkshire moors, Bronte (Emma Mackey) is thrown by the arrival of a handsome curate (Oliver Jackson-Cohen) to her father’s parsonage. Expect gorgeous landscapes and bodice-busting passion. Music RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS Return Of The Dream Canteen (Warner Records) Out 14 October The Chili Peppers have been busy! Hot on the heels of their April release Unlimited Love, the band that brought us classics such as Californication release their second album this year. And, like all its predecessors, Return Of The Dream Canteen will leave fans happy. Event ROBBIE WILLIAMS XXV – UK TOUR Until 29 October, Multiple venues nationwide. Tickets from £62.50 Robbie Williams is touring to…

WEDDED MISS? Emmerdale marks 50 years with a wedding and a big storm, as Kim marries Will – or does she? ‘Well, it is soap world,’ teases my pal Claire King, who I first met in 1993. ‘How can that be when we are only 40?’ she winks. Kim makes her entrance on a horse, but unlike some actors, Claire knows how to straddle a filly. ‘I do, but I’m riding side saddle. I’m not used to that. I ride as a jockey.’ No Lady Godiva moment? ‘No. The whole country will be pleased to hear that!’ DING-DONG IN THE DALES Organising Kim’s nuptials is Priya, aka Fiona Wade. ‘I was at the 40th. It was really special. But I never want to do a live episode again, that was…