Innholdsfortegnelse for Monday, February 6, 2023 i Woman's Own

February is finally here and this issue is a bumper, with more of everything you love. We’ve got the best lingerie sets (to spice up your Valentine’s Day!), easy dinners from James Martin (good news, there’s potato in each one!), and if you’re feeling sluggish, don’t worry – on p36 you can find out how to get your energy back. But while it might only be the start of the year, 2023 so far has brought some frightening issues to light. On p58, we look at the crisis facing Britain’s most cherished institution, the NHS, and what can be done to save it. I still remember the opening ceremony of the 2012 Olympics and the pride we all felt watching the tribute to our National Health Service – I, for…

VANESSA BAUER Wes Nelson Reality star Wes split with fellow former Love Islander Megan Barton-Hanson reportedly over jealousy at the time he was spending with Dancing on Ice partner Vanessa in 2019. Though show runners-up Wes, 24, and Vanessa, 26, never confirmed a relationship, fans of the show were sure they’d seen the couple kiss during one routine. FRANKIE POULTNEY David Seaman Former England goalkeeper David, 59, and pro skater Frankie, 49, met during the 2008 live tour and hit it off. They went public with their relationship three months after David left his wife of 10 years. In 2015, they walked down the aisle, later teaming up as Pillar and Post in the 2022 series of The Masked Dancer. SYLVAIN LONGCHAMBON Jennifer Metcalfe, Samia Ghadie Pro Sylvain, 42, and…

FAREWELL TO JANUARY BLUES Wait, hold on. What just happened? Oh my God, shockingly it’s true… January has finished! You’ve survived the longest month in the history of, er, longest months. The basic laws of maths, space and time have never applied to the first month of the year. Officially, of course, it does only have 31 days, which each have 24 hours in them. So why does it always feel so damn l-o-n-g. Even if you haven’t spent it giving up everything that’s even remotely fun, it still drags. Maybe it’s because it’s either very cold or very wet, but always very dark. Money and clothes are both tight and the closest you get to the sun is watching Death in Paradise. But February is finally here, the days…

Have you heard about? WEIGHTED BLANKETS CAN BOOST SLEEP Struggle to drift off? Snuggle up under a weighted blanket, says new research*. Findings showed that compared to people using a normal blanket, those using a weighted one had higher levels of the sleep hormone melatonin. Scientists believe this is because the blankets put the nervous system into ‘rest’ mode, reducing stress and anxiety, which may be keeping you awake. It worked for me Beverley Rudd, 52, from West Yorkshire ‘I get a lot of tension in my shoulders and back – due to being a mum of two, working full time and going through the menopause. I’ve found the BetterYou Magnesium Bath Flakes (£10.95) to be a game changer for soothing my achey muscles and joints, and reducing menopausal fatigue.…

I feel hopeless about life Q This past year, I retired early (it was that or be pushed out). I am 63 and though I feel young and fit, retiring has made me feel hopeless about life. My job was everything to me and now, with nothing to do, I realise I have few friends and no interests. I feel I have more to give, but am bitter about all the mistakes I’ve made. What can I do? A There’s nothing like having too much time on your hands to make a person spiral into negative thinking and regret. What will help here is to find a new purpose that makes you happy. It could be to find interests you love, make new friends or do something you have never…

Pulled pork sliders PREP TIME: 20 MINS, PLUS MARINATINGCOOK TIME: 6-8 HRSCALS: 789 FAT: 33GSAT FAT: 10G CARBS: 75G SERVES 8 Make a big batch of this crowd-pleasing pulled pork and freeze in portions for easy meals in minutes! YOU WILL NEED 1kg boneless pork shoulder8 part-baked crusty baps1.2kg chunky chips500g coleslaw For the barbecue sauce: 2 garlic cloves, crushed8tbsp tomato ketchup4tbsp cider vinegar1tbsp Creole seasoning2tbsp paprika2tbsp dark muscovado sugar2tbsp Worcestershire sauce2tbsp Dijon mustard HOW TO DO IT 1 Stir together all the barbecue sauce ingredients with 300ml water in a dish. Add the pork and coat well in the sauce. Cover, chill and marinate for a couple of hours, or overnight. 2 Pour the pork and sauce into a slow cooker and put on the low heat…

And… relax 31 January-6 February 2023 ASK ALEXA‘WHAT IS MY HOROSCOPE TODAY?’ ARIES 21 Mar – 20 Apr A new pet could be on the cards. You might decide to rescue a cat or dog. If so, one needing extra care will win your heart. TAURUS 21 Apr – 20 May Plan a weekend away with friends. Look for somewhere close by where you can enjoy chatting while getting outside, too. GEMINI 21 May – 20 Jun As your ruling planet is in direct motion you might be asked to watch a neighbour’s house or pet. They’d do it for you. CANCER 21 Jun – 22 Jul Pour your energy into a new direction. The important thing is those around you, as you spend more time with loved ones. LEO…

EXILES by Jane Harper (£16.99, Pan Macmillan, HB) It’s been a year since Kim Gillespie disappeared. Leaving her baby alone in a pram, she melted into a throng of festival-goers one spring night, never to be seen again. Now, a year later, the missing mother’s absence is felt more keenly than ever at a gathering of her friends and family for a christening in the Marralee Valley. Although the lush southern Australian wine country is the picture of peace and tranquillity, long-held secrets lurk here. Among the guests is Australian federal police officer Aaron Falk. Intrigued by the unsolved mystery, he begins to uncover resentments and sinister truths… A breathless, searing thriller. ALL MY LOVE by Miranda Dickinson (£8.99, HarperCollins, PB) Although they work in the same office, Archie and…

Pamela Anderson ‘I WAS VERY HESITANT TO TELL MY STORY’ The Baywatch star on a new documentary about her life and loves… When Pam and Tommy was released on Disney+ last year, there were reports that Pamela Anderson was less than happy with the drama about her turbulent marriage to Tommy Lee. But in a new documentary, the actor shares her thoughts on the series, which was made without her backing, and, in her own words, recounts her relationship with the Mötley Crüe rocker. That’s just one chapter in the no-holds-barred film, though, as it tracks Pamela’s life and career, from her childhood in Canada to becoming an international sex symbol, actor, activist and mother. Much of the focus, however, is on her romantic relationships. ‘I HOPE IT INSPIRES PEOPLE’…

OH, SAILOR! Team your stripes with white denim for a fresh look. Jumper, £22.50, sizes 6-24, M&S FEEL APPEAL Relax against luxe velvet. Cushion, £12, Anyday at John Lewis & Partners CHUNKY SOLE Comfy, practical and a bargain buy. Boots, £23, Matalan EASY AS ABC Personalise your keys in style. Key ring, £4.50, Paperchase PRIME OF LIFE Smooths and reduces the appearance of large pores. Boutique primer, £4, Sainsbury’s FLOWERED UP Top, £42, jeans, £35, sizes 8-22, both Cotton Traders; shoes and bracelet, model’s own FOREVER CLASSIC Invest in a simple design that stands the test of time. Bag, £25, Accessorize TANK TIME Nail the layering look. Knitted tank, £9.99, sizes xs-xl, H&M STEAMING HOT Tea, coffee or hot choc – what’s your pleasure? Mug, £2, Waitrose HEAVEN SCENT Fragrance…

It’s been a busy six months for James Haskell, 37, and his wife, Chloe Madeley, 35. As well as welcoming their first child, daughter Bodhi, in August, they’ve also renovated a new house. The couple famously moved in with Chloe’s parents – TV legends Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan – during the building work, meaning James’ in-laws got to spend plenty of time with their granddaughter. So when Woman’s Own got the opportunity to catch up with former rugby player James as he released a new book, we couldn’t help but ask what it was like living with daytime telly royalty. Here, he tells us how he’s adapting to being a dad, life with Chloe and his thoughts on Prince Harry’s memoir. Hi James, how are you enjoying being a…

While we spend hours every week scrutinising our faces, we may not give a second thought to what our hands could tell us about our well-being. It’s time to pay them some attention. ‘At medical school, student doctors are taught to start any formal clinical examination by looking at the patient’s hands, as they can give so many clues as to what may be happening under the surface,’ says private GP Dr Judith Holmes. Here’s what to look out for… Stiff, painful joints Osteoarthritis could be the cause of painful lumps around the finger joints, but if they’re red and hot or the knuckles swell, you may have an inflammatory form of arthritis. ‘Other reasons for hand pain and stiffness could be gout (joint inflammation due to excess uric acid),…

Shun the shine If your skin type is combination like mine and you want a glow without looking shiny or oily, try Versed Dew Point Moisturizing Gel-Cream, £13.50, lookfantastic.com. The lightweight jelly texture hydrates without being greasy, while aloe-leaf juice and green tea help calm any redness and irritation for an even, juicy-looking complexion. Annie Smooth operator The king of all glow-boosting ingredients – vitamin C – is in plentiful supply in L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Clinical Pure 12% Vitamin C Serum, £29.99, Boots. This high-quality, potent formulation is worth those extra ££ as it gets to work fast on dull, uneven skin and also tackles large pores and fine lines too for a more radiant, smooth complexion after just a few weeks. Sarah Designed with multitasking in mind Revolution Pro…

As I leapt energetically at the front of my aerobics class, sweat poured off me. ‘Great work today, ladies!’ I beamed. It was August 2004 and my new aerobics business was going well. I’d started out four months earlier after a career change from my job in the public sector, and now I was leading nine classes per week. ‘And remember, 20 minutes of exercise a day – however you get it!’ I winked at my class. Aged 31, I was as active between the sheets with my partner as I was leading my aerobics class. But as I packed up my kit, I knew there would be none of that tonight. I had a sore throat and figuring I had a bug, I decided on a few early nights.…

After having our son Woody, we soon outgrew our two-bedroom terraced home in Linthwaite near Huddersfield. It was on a main road, but we wanted a semi or detached house on a quieter street with parking and a garden. While searching for properties online, I’d scrolled past this house a few times, but it was over budget. We took a chance and decided to view it. Although the decor was very beige, the big kitchen and garden clinched it. Having overpaid on our mortgage, we could stretch ourselves a little and our offer was accepted. STYLE WARS I’ve definitely got a bigger voice than Darryl when it comes to decorating ideas. He struggles to see a finished product, whereas I can. As a result, every room has been a battle…

ALASTAIR STEWART, 17 Model Penny is the mother of two sons as well as stepmum to husband Rod Stewart’s six older children. And while socialite Kimberly, 43, and singer Sean, 42 – from the rocker’s marriage to his first wife, Alana – hang around Hollywood, back in the UK Penny’s eldest son, Alastair, is following in her glamorous footsteps, having already modelled for luxury clothing brand Palm Angels. The campaign appeared on a billboard in Milan, prompting proud dad Rod to share the image on Instagram, quipping that his boy ‘wears it well’. LOUIS HEALY, 21, AND MATTY HEALY, 33 Denise Welch and her ex-husband, Benidorm actor Tim Healy, passed on their performing talents to both sons. Youngest lad Louis is a successful actor and followed his mother into soapland…

Cover story ‘COUNSELLING HAS HELPED ME A LOT’ Since splitting from logistics worker Michael Jones last spring, Coleen Nolan has been open about the fact she’s finding life alone tough, confessing, ‘It’s terrifying, especially when you’re older, to face life as a single person.’ The Loose Women star recently admitted that she’s still struggling to get over Michael – and that he could be ‘perfect’ for her. But now, a source close to Coleen tells Woman’s Own, ‘Coleen and Michael aren’t officially back together, but they are testing the waters.’ So could there be a reunion on the cards for these lovebirds? TRYING AGAIN? Michael ended their relationship after a year together because he ‘struggled with having such a public relationship,’ which left Coleen ‘embarrassed’ over being dumped, according to…

Walking into the flat’s hallway in my hazmat suit and protective mask, I saw blood splattered up the walls and bloody handprints all over the lounge. There had been a stabbing at the property, and it was obvious the victim had moved around before collapsing, leaving a gory trail to be cleaned in almost every room. It was like something you’d see in a horror movie – but all in a day’s work for me in my job as a crime scene cleaner. On that job, in February 2020, after checking my two colleagues’ hepatitis B vaccinations were up to date, so they weren’t at risk of catching it from blood at the scene, we worked as a team, tackling the contaminated areas with industrial-strength sanitiser sprayed through a fogging…

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Sitting on the floor, I watched adoringly as my son Theo, then two, played with his toys. With my newborn daughter Leah fast asleep in her Moses basket, I relished spending time playing with him. Only, as I tried to get up from the floor, I couldn’t. At 5ft 5in and over 17st, my bulk was just too much for me to move easily. ‘Help!’ I called to my husband Andrew, then 35. Striding over and seizing my hands, he hauled me to my feet and I breathlessly steadied myself and fell back on to the sofa. ‘This is getting ridiculous,’ I sighed. ‘I WAS TOO BIG TO MOVE’ EXTREME PAIN It was January 2018 and, at 32, I’d always been overweight. Even as a youngster, I’d been big and…

DO WE HAVE THE SAME CONDITION? Q When in her 40s, my mum was diagnosed with thin bones and has been on medication ever since. I mentioned this to my GP, so I had a bone scan, which showed I have osteopenia. Mum’s condition is osteoporosis. Are these the same thing? A The scan you have had is called a DEXA scan and it measures the density of your bones. Osteopenia means that your bones are showing signs of thinning. Osteoporosis is where the bones are so thin, there is increased risk of them breaking. It’s important you have enough calcium in your diet and you do regular weight-bearing exercise. Walking is perfect. For more information, visit theros.org.uk. Eyes are so sore Q I’m not sure if it’s my imagination,…

Sausage with Guinness-braised onions and mash PREP TIME: 5 MINSCOOK TIME: 35 MINSCALS: 1129 FAT: 77GSAT FAT: 38G CARBS: 72G SERVES 4 ‘Having just come back from a golf trip to Ireland with Brian Turner, John Williams and Galton Blackiston, I now realise what makes a good pint of Guinness,’ James says. ‘To be fair, Galton realised it too much! The last thing he would have wanted the day after was this dish put in front of him. Shame, as it tastes amazing.’ YOU WILL NEED 25g butter4 onions, peeled and halved400ml Guinness200ml beef stock25ml vegetable oil12 pork sausagessea salt and white pepper, freshly ground if possible For the mash: 100g butter100ml double cream1kg Maris Piper potatoes, peeled, boiled and put through a ricer HOW TO DO IT 1…

READER QUESTION Q I’d really like to find out how much an appliance costs to run. Where can I go to find out? A Try Sust-it’s calculator (sust-it.net/energy-calculator.php). Enter the appliance’s power consumption in watts (W) or kilowatts (kW) and how long you’re going to use it. For instance, my 1400W (1.4 kW) air fryer costs around 16p to use for 20 minutes. To find the appliance’s power consumption, look in the manual or search online (some may have power consumption labels on the bottom).** Go green for less If you’re putting your oven on, don’t just use it for one dinner. Save energy by planning ahead and using the other shelves to cook meals for future days, too. These can be kept in the fridge or freezer until…

CLUES & ARROWS Fill in the clues in the direction of the arrows. Puzzle solutions CROSSWORD CLUES & ARROWS SUDOKU WORDSEARCH Answer: KANGAROO WORDWISE Beds, behold, bled, blood, blooded, bloods, bode, boded, bold, booed, dhole, dodo, does, dole, doled, doodle, dose, dosed, dosh, eddo, held, hoed, hold, holed, hood, hooded, hoods, hosed, lode, oohed, shed, shod, shoed, shooed, sled, sold, soled. Answer: BLOODSHED Sudoku To solve the puzzle, each 3 x 3 box, each column and each row must contain the numbers 1 to 9. Wordsearch Which animal appears on the badge of Czech football team Bohemians Praha 1905? The answer is the one missing from the grid. BUDGIEDINGOECHIDNAEMUGALAHKANGAROOKOALAPLATYPUS POSSUMSHARKSKINKSNAKESPIDERWALLABYWOMBAT CROSSWORD Put your feet up and have a go at this old classic. ACROSS 6 _ Davis, actor whose films…

JACKIE ST CLAIR He’s been known to surround himself with beautiful women since he started working in the music industry in the late 70s. And one of Simon’s first known girlfriends was the stunning Page Three model Jackie St Clair, now 63. The pair didn’t go the distance, but remained firm friends and are often pictured smiling and chatting together at events. SINITTA Perhaps Simon’s most famous ex, Sinitta, 59, had an on-off romance with the music mogul for years. When they first met in the early 80s, singer Sinitta gave Simon one of his first big hits as a label manager and despite his other loves, Sinitta claimed their relationship was ‘never really over’ until the birth of Simon’s son, Eric, in 2014. LOUISE PAYNE They never actually confirmed…

Real life in my experience Lifting two dumb-bells above my head, I’ve never felt stronger, and I’m lifting heavier weights than most of the men in the gym. At 15st, I might not look like your average gym bunny or personal trainer, but I’m breaking the mould, and I refuse to listen to anyone who says I’m not ‘suited’ to the profession. After years of struggling, I’m now proud of my body. I’ve worked in the fitness industry for the last four years and now I manage an F45 studio, a fitness centre specialising in high-intensity group workouts, in Peckham, London. And while I feel great about my body - which is 7st 1lb of muscle mass! - it hasn’t always been that way. ‘I’M NOW PROUD OF MY BODY’…