Innholdsfortegnelse for Monday, January 2, 2023 i Woman's Own

It’s that in-between bit of time where we lose track of what day it is and can’t remember when we ate anything that wasn’t turkey or a Quality Street. Don’t worry, we’re here to get you through it! On p26 our Chrimbo limbo quiz will help uncover what your festive choices really say about you. And, if you’re stuck for ideas on what to do with your leftovers, on p32 we’ve got just the recipes you need. Plus, if you’ve had enough of Christmas films, we’ve plenty of real-life stories to keep you captivated. It’s also that time when we ponder what’s next. If you’re looking for inspiration, on p38 we meet three women who took a leap of faith and changed their lives for the better. Their stories pepped…

REACH FOR THE STARS It’s that time again, people – ‘horoscope year ahead’ time. When you can’t move for astrological predictions based on your birthday. And while I know that not everyone born during the same four/five weeks as me can share the same characteristics or future, I still like to read them. Plus, I seriously recognise a fellow Sagittarius when I meet one. No, really I do. We bond. Horoscopes are particularly important when we’re struggling. Don’t ask me why, but you do glance at them more then, don’t you? And who hasn’t cast an eye over the mating rating of star signs of themselves and their partner. Evidently me and the husband are very compatible, sharing a sense of passion and love of life. Sex is also ‘guaranteed…

Have you heard about? CALORIE LABELS DON’T MAKE YOU EAT LESS Do you check the nutrition info on your favourite treats? Think a high-calorie count will stop you from giving into temptation? Well, it won’t, according to new research*. During the study, scientists analysed whether the amount of exercise needed to burn off calories of certain foods would put people off. Findings showed that the labels made no difference to daily calorie intake. It worked for me Zannie Abbott, 47, from West Sussex ‘I experienced neck stiffness and pain following surgery for a prolapsed disc, which made it difficult to sleep. I now use a Groove Pillow (£29.95, groovepillows.co.uk). The contoured groove in its memory foam provides support, so I have less pain and can sleep easier. I wake up…

Addicted to the excitement Q I am a 47-year-old woman who has been married for 26 years. My kids are grown, and my husband is a workaholic who works away a lot. A year ago, I started an affair with a man I used to work with after we reconnected on Facebook. I have a happy marriage, but am addicted to the physical side of things with him. I hate lying but feel trapped. A You say you have a happy marriage, but it sounds as if there are issues you aren’t facing, such as being lonely and having a husband who works away all the time. If you love your husband, end the affair and work on your marriage. If you don’t, eventually something will happen and things will…

Ringing in the new year, many of us are asking ourselves how we can make positive changes to our lives – and for some, that means banishing the booze. Dry January has become increasingly popular, with over 130,000 people taking part in 2022. But the teetotal trend is spreading past a one-month challenge. After two years in lockdown, where we saw a surge in alcohol consumption, we’re now seeing a gradual decline in drinking. This is particularly common in younger generations, with 16- to 25-year-olds, or Gen Z, now most likely to be teetotal. In fact, 26% of those aged 16 to 24 don’t drink at all. One mother and her Gen Z daughter talk to Woman’s Own about their drinking habits. ‘There’s nothing better than a chilled glass of…

READER QUESTION Q My grown-up child is moving back home. I’d like to ask for a contribution towards bills and wondered if other parents do this? A You are not alone in wanting help. Over half of parents living with adult children say their children pay rent for their bed and board, while a quarter contribute in other ways, such as paying for food or other bills.* Of those who collect rent from their children, the monthly average received is £197. But 28% of these parents feel the amount they receive is too little. Go green for less Slow cookers are energy efficient and a great way to cook winter-warming recipes, such as curries and stews. Find some tasty slow-cooker recipes, including veggie ones, at goodto.com. 3 easy ways to...…

And… relax 28 December 2022-2 January 2023 ASK ALEXA‘WHAT IS MY HOROSCOPE TODAY?’ ARIES 21 Mar – 20 Apr You’re determined to regain your power and make progress in your life and career. Dream big, don’t let anyone hold you back! TAURUS 21 Apr – 20 May A few carefully chosen words can bring about change as 2023 begins. You love being around outgoing people. GEMINI 21 May – 20 Jun Pay attention to how much downtime time you need with the full moon in Cancer. Don’t spread yourself thin. CANCER 21 Jun – 22 Jul Reminiscing with family will bring back happy memories. Calling an older relative might fill in any gaps. You’ll love what you learn. LEO 23 Jul – 22 Aug A great idea will fly, even…

FULL OF HEART A MOTHER’S CHRISTMAS WISH by Glenda Young (£7.99, PB, Headline) Emma Devaney has driven her mother to distraction with her headstrong ways. Following a scandalous affair in her Irish home town, the feisty young woman is packed off to England in utter disgrace. But Emma’s new life in the coal mining village of Ryhope gets off to a tricky start. Seeking comfort in an unfamiliar new world, she trusts the wrong person and falls pregnant. Determined to make a life for herself and her unborn child, Emma throws herself into work at her aunt’s pub, The Forester’s Arms. There she grows close with the tight-knit villagers, even catching the attention of a local farmer. This heartwarming tale celebrates the power of friendship and community. DID YOU MISS?…

Standing at the bar with my new flatmate on the first night of Freshers’ Week, I got the barman’s attention. ‘Bottle of lager and a glass please,’ I said, and at that moment, my flatmate burst out laughing. ‘Glass!’ she said. Only, our poles-apart accents meant we’d said it in a very different way – and all these years later, I’d still tell her and anyone else who asked, it’s definitely ’gl-ass’, not ‘glars!’ ‘MY ACCENT IS PART OF ME, PART OF MY IDENTITY’ Back then, I was 19 and I’d just moved from my home in Blackpool to a university down south – and didn’t I know it. I was surrounded by southerners constantly arguing with me that it’s ‘barth’ and ‘gra-rss’. Erm no, it’s ba-th and gra-ss!’ While…

The dress In a gorgeous standout shade of orange, this high-neck midi dress is a great addition to any wardrobe. Effortless to throw on, it features a built-in belt to pull in your middle and highlight your waist. When it comes to accessorising, stick to neutral tones like tan and gold and let the dress be the star of the show. TOP TIP When the weather warms up, swap ankle boots for strappy heels. Total outfit cost £46 The jumper Teaming jeans with a bright knit is a simple way to inject bold colours that you may not usually wear into your everyday attire. This bargain buy is made from a cashmere-like material, feels super soft, and is available in three colourways. Lightweight jumpers are ideal for layering and…

A healthier, happier 2023 might include ditching the ‘thing’ that no longer benefits you. But whether that’s stopping smoking, boozing or eating meat, the first steps can feel tough. ‘Things we want to give up are often addictive and our bodies may be dependent on them,’ says health and wellbeing coach Claire Davis*. ‘This means going through a “detox” period with uncomfortable side effects.’ The good news? Benefits are just around the corner. Here’s what to expect when you’re ready to quit. FEEL GOOD IN 5 DAYS Binning booze More than 200 diseases are associated with drinking in excess, says Dr Sadie Boniface from the Institute of Alcohol Studies. ‘Hangovers get worse with age, plus there are strong links between alcohol and depression.’ WHAT TO EXPECT If you’ve been drinking…

Stuffing and root vegetable hash SERVES 4 This makes a delicious quick and easy breakfast for Boxing Day. PREP TIME: 5 MINSCOOK TIME: 20 MINS CALS: 813 FAT: 45G SAT FAT: 10.5G CARBS: 23G YOU WILL NEED 500g roasted root veg (potatoes, carrots, parsnips), mashed300g leftover cooked veg (sliced sprouts, peas, cabbage), mashed400g leftover cooked stuffing or sausages, roughly chopped2tsp fresh thyme, leaves pickedZest of 1 lemon½tsp smoked paprikaPinch of chilli flakes2 eggs, beaten, plus 4 to serve3tbsp olive oil6 vine tomatoes, halved HOW TO DO IT 1 Heat the grill to high. Mix together all the veg with the stuffing, thyme, lemon zest, paprika, chilli flakes and beaten egg. Season well. 2 Heat 2tbsp oil in a large frying pan and fry the hash for 5 mins…

‘I followed my dad’s parting advice’ Julie Britton, 50, runs dog grooming business the Mutts Nutts ltd and lives in Newdigate, Surrey, with her partner Jason, 50. Three years ago my life felt like it was crumbling. I was dealing with the devastating loss of my dad after his battle with dementia, my marriage had fallen apart and my daughter Samantha, 27, had contracted life-threatening meningitis. As a single mum, I felt sad, lonely and scared and all I could do was wish and hope that Samantha would survive. Thankfully, she did, but coming so close to losing her had shown me how terrifyingly short life can be. I had been working hard at my gardening business for 20 years and had always enjoyed it, but it never felt like…

The Detox Barn, Suffolk Curling up by a roaring open fire in a cosy barn conversion in Suffolk sounds like a dream weekend away, right? And you can make it a slimming break, too, when you opt for one of the Gavin Sisters’ three-night detox retreats. Via delicious plant-based meals, gentle yoga, walks in the countryside and time for reflection, the two supportive sisters, Lauretta and Sharon, will help you to find the reset you’re seeking. BOOK IT: Three-night retreats from £395pp, gavinsisters.co.uk GI Jane Bootcamp, Kent Sometimes all we need is a bit of motivation to get us back into healthy habits, and a weekend break at GI Jane in Bexleyheath can be the push you need to getting active again. Don’t feel intimidated by the word ‘bootcamp’ –…

From Brookside to the West End, we’re used to seeing Claire Sweeney wow both on-screen and on the stage. The 51-year-old, who shares son Jaxon, eight, with an ex partner, lives in London. 1 Favourite item in your wardrobe… I’ve just got a new Donna Ida black denim jumpsuit and I love it. I went to a concert recently and wore a pair of low chunky boots with it, but I know I could go out for dinner with it and wear high heels. I’ve got a few of her jumpsuits and I just think they are great to dress up or dress down. 2 Reality show… I’m obsessed with I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! I did the very first celebrity reality show, Celebrity Big…

As retirement approaches, many women look to immerse themselves in new hobbies. New friendships are made, new activities attempted, and a new enjoyment gained from joining in. Three women from Kent wanted to kick up their heels and go dancing, and to exercise their vocal cords, so they signed up to local musical groups. But one by one they were targeted by a man who appeared to be a champion of the community - but in fact, town crier Jack Wahlberg was a sexual predator. Here, the friends tell Woman’s Own how they brought a sex offender to justice. ‘I was terrified he was going to rape me’ Frances Beaumont, 79, is a retired occupational therapist. I was 72, divorced, with two grown-up children when I joined the Kent Country…

CAN I HAVE MY JABS? Q I’m 64 and have recently been diagnosed with hypertrophic olivary degeneration. I have been invited for my flu and booster COVID-19 jabs next week. Is it OK to have them? I had them last year. A Hypertrophic olivary degeneration is a rare condition caused by degeneration in the part of the brain that connects to the spinal cord. There have been reports of nerve damage following vaccination, but a causal relationship between vaccine and nerve damage has not been proven. It would be advisable for you to have the jabs, but you will be under the care of a neurologist following this diagnosis and it would be worth double-checking with them. Why do I always feel so sleepy? Q At the start of November,…

The problem Thinning hair THE SOLUTION: Treat your scalp. Hair can start to thin for a number of reasons, including hormones and stress. The Inkey List Caffeine Stimulating Scalp Treatment, £14.99, Boots, gets your scalp into the best condition for growth and uses an ingredient called Redensyl to stimulate hair follicles. Meanwhile, follow Rose Byrne and ask your hairdresser to blend some lighter tones through your hair to create the illusion of fullness. The problem Dry hair THE SOLUTION: Upgrade your conditioner. Winter left your hair without moisture? Double down on hydration by following your normal mask or conditioner with a leave-in conditioner. Pattern Leave-In Conditioner, £25, Boots, is packed with natural oils to leave your hair as healthy as Naomie Harris’. The problem Overworked hair THE SOLUTION: Restore and…

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 The Bay of Kotor can be found off which body of water? The answer is the one missing from the grid. ADRIATICAEGEANARABIANARALBALIBALTICBLACKCARIBBEAN CASPIANDEADIONIANIRISHNORTHREDTASMAN CROSSWORD Put your feet up and have a go at this old classic. ACROSS 7 _ Mirren, star of 2006 film The Queen (5) 8 Friction-reducing substance (9) 10 Clothes or garments (6) 11 Copies the actions of (8) 12 Capital of Hawaii (8) 13 & 3 Down: _ & _ 9, 2021 action sequel starring 7 Across, 20 Across, 22 Across, 25 Across, 26 Across and 27 Across (4,7) 15…

Film I WANNA DANCE WITH SOMEBODY In cinemas now The late Whitney Houston gets the biopic treatment as Master Of None star Naomi Ackie steps into the shoes of the ’80s songstress. Charting her rise from shy gospel singer to stadium siren, I Wanna Dance… co-stars Stanley Tucci as her producer, Clive Davis, and promises a jukebox soundtrack of toe-tappers. Music SAM RYDER’S ALL STAR NEW YEAR’S EVE BBC One, 31 December, time TBA Bringing his year of Eurovision and global success to a close, Sam Ryder hosts the party of all parties to ring in the New Year. The singer says, ‘I can’t think of a better way to round off 2022 than singing some of my favourite songs with some very special guests. And I’m so excited to…

Matthew Macfadyen ‘IT’S HILARIOUS, SAD AND BIZARRE’ The actor on new ITV1 drama Stonehouse… In 1974, MP John Stonehouse left a pile of clothes on a Miami beach and swam out to sea, intent on faking his own death. It was presumed that he had drowned or been eaten by sharks, but he was found alive and well in Australia. Matthew Macfadyen plays the politician in the new three-part drama Stonehouse, which reveals how money problems, a secret life as a spy and an illicit affair drove him to fake his death and plan a new life Down Under. ‘John was charismatic, personable and a shining light in the Labour Party,’ says Matthew. ‘But then the wheels started to come off.’ ‘WORKING WITH KEELEY WAS LOVELY’ Matthew’s real-life wife, Keeley…