Innholdsfortegnelse for Monday, February 27, 2023 i Woman's Own

This week our brilliant columnist Dawn Neesom talks the language of lust – and it certainly had me gripped, because when it comes to sex – or at least sexual archetypes – it turns out we really are all animals (sorry, couldn’t resist). Turn to p14 to find out which one you are – and, perhaps even more interestingly, to discover if you and your partner are a good match. We’ve also got 20 bags under £20 on p16 (loving the leopard-print), 30-minute meals (p32; sign me up for sausage and spinach!) and must-have mascaras (p28) from £2.50. Plus everyone’s favourite, Peter Andre, spills the beans on romance, pampering and his most embarrassing moment on p8. Enjoy, and have a great week! The Woman’s Own Health & Beauty Special is…

He’s been a stalwart of the showbiz world for the past three decades, thanks to his singing career, reality show appearances and presenting gigs, but how well do we really know Peter Andre? The singer, who turns 50 this week, lives in Surrey with his wife Emily, 33, and their children Amelia, nine, and Theo, six. We sit down with the singer, who also shares older kids Junior, 17, and Princess, 15, with ex Katie Price, to see what makes him happiest. 1 Favourite item in my wardrobe… A hoodie. I know that sounds ridiculous but with all of the fancy things I’ve got, a nice hoodie just feels like comfort when I’m at home. I’ve got a few different black ones I love. I could wear them with…

Columnist YOUNG LOVE Titanic is often said to be one of the most romantic movies ever made, even though (spoiler alert) most people drown. It stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet as young, class-crossed lovers, and shot both of them to the mega stardom they still currently enjoy. Incredibly, James Cameron’s epic masterpiece is 25 years old this year and a new, remastered movie is due to be released. Whether it will capture the passion and rawness of the original is another matter. One person best not to ask is 48-year-old Leonardo’s alleged latest girlfriend, Eden Polani. At 19 years old, she wasn’t even a twinkle in her mum’s eye until six years after Titanic’s release. THE LANGUAGE OF LUST Are you sensual like a kitten? Or kinky like a…

Have you heard about? POTATOES MIGHT JUST HELP SAVE YOUR LIFE Not only are they a versatile root vegetable, spuds could also help fight cancer and reduce the side effects of existing treatments*. How? They contain glycoalkaloids – compounds rich in the Solanaceae plant family, which includes potatoes, tomatoes and aubergines. These have been shown to stop chemicals known to cause cancer from transforming into carcinogens in the body. Great excuse to pile on the plants! It worked for me Sarah Manners, 47, London ‘Due to a leg length discrepancy, a misaligned pelvis and scoliosis (curve of the spine), I had regular pain and muscle tension. Pilates helped me to transform my posture and reduce discomfort, which had a huge impact on my wellbeing and fitness levels. I now use…

I don’t like my sister Q My sister and I have never liked each other, so we have avoided each other for most of our adult life. Now our 82-year-old mother is sick and needs constant help from us. We try, but all we do is argue and shout when we are together, which upsets her. Help! A It’s very easy as adults to become children again when you enter your parents’ house, but it is time to call a truce. While you and your sister don’t get on, you are united in trying to help your mother. Talk to each other, and make your focus on her wellbeing, whether this means going to visit on different days or pretending to get on for your mum’s sake. I AM IN…

How old were you when you knew you were a girl or a boy? You’ve probably always known and for the trans community, it isn’t any different. A study found that 73% of transgender women and 78% of transgender men first experienced gender dysphoria (a mismatch between biological sex and gender identity) by age seven. Under current legislation in the UK, a person who wishes to legally change their gender must apply to a gender recognition panel and present a medical diagnosis of gender dysphoria. They must also be over 18 and have been living in their affirmed gender – the gender by which they wish to be known – for at least two years. But last year, Scotland passed legislation that would make the process easier. The Gender Recognition…

READER QUESTION Q I used to save my spare change in a jar and it really added up. But I hardly use cash any more. Is there a digital equivalent? A Your bank may be able to help. For example, if you bank with NatWest and use its Round Ups feature, it’ll ‘save your spare change’ from the everyday things you buy and put it into your savings account. So, if you pay for a £2.30 coffee with a debit card or contactless device, it’ll round the transaction up to the nearest pound (eg, £3) – and put the difference into your savings account. For more information and T&Cs visit natwest.com. Go green for less If you want to get stuff for free – and help keep items out of…

And… relax21-27 February 2023 ASK ALEX A‘WHAT IS MY HOROSCOPE TODAY?’ ARIES 21 Mar – 20 Apr Enjoy some you-time to ensure you feel up for the busy week ahead. A friend could have some amazing news. TAURUS 21 Apr – 20 May Being at one with nature will make you happy and take the weight off your shoulders. A partner will discuss saving money. GEMINI 21 May – 20 Jun With your ruling planet under the influence of Pisces, your big heart comes into play. Someone seeks your advice. CANCER 21 Jun – 22 Jul Everyone wants to spend time with you because you have such a wicked sense of humour. It’s nice to feel valued. LEO 23 Jul – 22 Aug You’re meant to be a mediator during…

MAKE ME CLEAN by Tina Baker (£14.99, HB, Profile Books) Is murder such a crime if it cleans up people’s lives? Maria is deadly serious about her job. She mops, sweeps and polishes for her clients, yes, but she also straightens out their troubles on the side. Take elderly Elsie, whose awful husband and nephew are desperate to get hold of her home. Or nightclub owner Mr Balogan, whose dreadful neighbours are ruining his luxurious new flat. Then there’s Brian, a sweet man bullied by a treacherous boss. As far as Maria’s concerned, there’s no harm in killing off a few bad eggs… A highly original and darkly humorous thriller. THE LOST GIRLS by Kate Hamer (£8.99, PB, Faber & Faber) The nightmare may be over, but the scars remain……

Sanjeev Bhaskar ‘I FELT SLIGHTLY LOST WITHOUT NICOLA!’ The actor on the return of Unforgotten… Following the shock death of DCI Cassie Stuart (Nicola Walker), grief-stricken DI Sunny Khan has a new boss when ITV1’s cold case drama returns for a fifth series. ‘It was weird not having Nicola there,’ says Sanjeev, who plays Sunny. ‘She’s a good friend so I felt slightly lost in the same way Sunny does. Cassie was more than a colleague, she was a friend and a confidante.’ Stepping into Cassie’s shoes is DCI Jessie James, played by Being Human star Sinéad Keenan. She’s determined to make a good first impression, but will she be able to live up to her predecessor? ‘IT WAS REALLY WEIRD!’ ‘Sinéad was in a similar position to Jessie, in…

Carefully folding a tea towel in four, meticulously ironing each crease as I went, it suddenly dawned on me. The iron paused mid-air and the words fell out of my mouth: ‘Oh God, I’m turning into my mum.’ It was November 2022, and the more I looked around, the more I saw it everywhere. The meal prep neatly stacked up in the fridge, carefully saved receipts from every purchase packed into my purse, even the irritation I felt at a coffee cup left out on the kitchen table by someone other than me. All the things that niggled my mum Cyntra, 72, were starting to niggle me too! ENDLESS TO-DO LISTS The realisation had come about three decades after a conversation I’d had with my mum as a teenager. As…

Harry’s TV HOSTING GIG! We never thought Prince Harry would follow in the footsteps of Paris Hilton and Kim Kardashian – and no, we don’t mean starring in his own reality show (yet). Since stepping down as a senior member of the Royal Family in 2020, dad-of-two Harry, 38, has not shied away from the limelight. With numerous TV appearances and interviews, he has quickly aligned himself to the world of showbiz – but could he now be in line for his biggest gig yet? The duke is said to have been in talks with producers at NBC to host an episode of Saturday Night Live before the release of his book in January. A source revealed, ‘SNL producers have been after Harry for a while. Everyone on the show…

£10 AND UNDER BAMBOO BRUSHES Upgrade your daily beauty routine. Make-up brush set, £6, Peacocks SELF-CARE RITUAL For dry or damp skin. Revolution Scalp & Body Massage Comb, £10, Asos EAR CANDY Also available in a silver finish, these sparklers are a steal. Earrings, £2.50, Primark LIGHT UP Great-value contemporary design for your home. Lamp, £6, Dunelm EVERYDAY ESSENTIAL Insulated to keep your drink hot when you’re on the go. Coffee cup, £6, Peacocks SOFT PASTELS With their calming effect, pastel tones are perfect for both indoor and outdoor accessories. Floral cushion, £10, printed cushions, £8 each, picnic blanket, £8, metal lantern, £8, all B&M NIGHT SHIFT Melt away all traces of make-up. Fresh Face Soothing Cleansing Balm, £8.99, barrym.com GET THE GLOW Lift your complexion. Revolution Highlight…

Want to feel spritely and active as you get older – maybe even hitting that major milestone birthday when the King sends you a card? It could be easier than you think, and you don’t need to go to the gym to get results. Small biohacks – tweaks that target all our body’s systems – could help. ‘Don’t just focus on fitness, but also address gut diversity, sleep quality, stress levels and social integration too,’ says neuroscientist Dr Julia Jones, author of F-Bomb: Longevity Made Easy*. Here’s how… 1 BE GRATEFUL A low-stress life is a longer one. High stress levels shorten life expectancy by 2.8 years**. ‘Daily gratitude journalling can help control stress chemicals,’ says Dr Jones. Try the ‘three good things’ exercise, suggests psychologist Miriam Akhtar.…

Sausage and spinach baked rice PREP TIME: 5 MINSCOOK TIME: 25 MINSCALS: 619 FAT: 35GSAT FAT: 12G CARBS: 54G SERVES 2-3 Gently-spiced rice and crispy sausages combine in this one-pot meal that really hits the spot after a busy day. YOU WILL NEED 2tbsp vegetable oil4 pork sausages1 onion, halved, peeled and roughly diced3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced10g fresh ginger, peeled and grated1tbsp garam masala200g spinach150g basmati rice1 chicken stock cube15g fresh dill, finely chopped100g creme fraiche HOW TO DO IT 1 Heat the oven to 180C Fan/Gas 6 and heat the oil in a large, ovenproof frying pan. Squeeze the sausage meat from the casings into the pan. Fry for 5-6 mins, until deep golden brown. 2 Add the onion, 2 garlic cloves, ginger and garam masala. Fry for…

Dipping a paintbrush into the pot of bright yellow paint, I handed it to the little girl sitting next to me and smiled as she splodged it on to the paper. ‘Beautiful,’ I said to her, pegging it up with the rest of the children’s artwork. It was 1983 and, at 16 years old, I’d just started a training scheme working with children at a local nursery. My school years had been chaotic and I’d left earlier in the year with no qualifications. Brought up by my grandparents, home life was tough, and homework and exams were never a priority. I was feeling lost, not knowing what to do with my life, so the nursery scheme had come at the perfect time. And it seemed that caring for others came…

Devon is a firm favourite with holidaymakers, but there are more reasons to visit than cream teas, golden beaches and lush green hills. The capital, Exeter, perched on the River Exe since Roman times, has breathtaking scenery, a vibrant culture and superb shopping. Plus, it’s the ideal size for exploring in a weekend. Here’s your to-do list when in town… 1 SEE STUNNING STAINED GLASS The Gothic cathedral, in the heart of the city, should be your first stop. Built in the 12th century, and free to visit, it has Norman towers, medieval stained glass, gilded carvings and soaring stone vaulting – all a reflection of the city’s important religious status in the Middle Ages. It’s also surrounded by historic buildings that survived Nazi bombing during the World War Two,…

PARIS HILTON Last month, Hilton hotel chain heiress Paris melted hearts when she shared a snap of her and a baby’s hand, as she revealed she’d welcomed her first child. The reality star, 42, captioned the post, ‘You are already loved beyond words,’ adding, ‘It’s always been my dream to be a mother... Our hearts are exploding with love for our baby boy.’ Paris has been open about her struggle to conceive naturally and told fans that she and husband Carter Reum – who wed in November 2021 – had begun IVF treatment during the pandemic. Thankfully, the wonders of science and an amazing surrogate have helped Paris’ dream come true. SARAH JESSICA PARKER After giving birth to son James in 2002, Sex and the City star Sarah and actor…

Real life from the heart The waiter lights the candle and I gaze into the eyes of my dinner date: the blue grey eyes with flecks of green that I’ve loved beyond measure for 16 years. At that moment, I think back to the first time we met, on a freezing cold January night. He arrived at almost midnight, ashen and silent, after a 48-hour labour that – fortunately – only one of us remembers. Sometimes it feels like yesterday. Sometimes it feels like a lifetime ago. Which in his case it was. ‘SECRETLY I WAS PLEASED THAT HE NEEDED ME’ I was terrified of losing him, back then. And now, 16 years later, I’m terrified I’m losing him again, this man-boy, with the square shoulders I hardly recognise and…

CASH HELP TO CARE Q My mum died suddenly last summer, and it has become increasingly obvious that my dad is not coping. My husband and I suggested he move in with us, but I now realise we underestimated how bad things were. I think I will have to give up work to care for him, which will be a struggle financially. Can we get any help? A Yes, you can apply on behalf of your father for something called Attendance Allowance. You can download an application form online at gov.uk/attendance-allowance, which will ask you questions about the things your father needs help with. There are two rates, £61.85 and £92.40 a week, depending on the level of care he needs. Steroid cream worry Q I lost my job in…

FROM £2.50 Into the dark If you’re searching for a blacker-than-black shade, look no further than Barry M Stormy Eyes High Intensity Mascara, £5.99, barrym.com. It’s the perfect way of intensifying eyeshadows, or ramping up a smoky eye. Brown is the new black Black can look too intense on some complexions. You can swap to a shade of brown, but if you still want the intensity of a black, try Rimmel Thrill Seeker Mascara in Black/Brown, £10.99, Superdrug. It’s the perfect in-between colour that still gives definition. Softer shade Choose a brown shade for those days where you want to look a bit more ‘done’, without going for a full-on make-up look. E.l.f. Lash It Loud Mascara in Deep Brown, £6, elfcosmetics.co.uk, is the ideal colour for everyday…

Next ECLECTIC BRIGHTS Give vintage pieces a fresh feel with pops of fuchsia pink and teal Aldi TRANQUIL TONES A muted colour palette of greys, blues and blacks creates the perfect bedroom…

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 of these Mr Men characters is known as Don Pupas in Spanish? The answer is the one missing from the grid. BUMPDIZZYGREEDYHAPPYJELLYLAZYMESSYMUDDLE NOSEYSILLYSMALLSNEEZETALLTICKLEUPPITY CROSSWORD Put your feet up and have a go at this old classic. ACROSS 7 Jodie _, starred in espionage series Killing Eve (5)8 Goes to live elsewhere (9)10 Ten-pound note, informally (6)11 Art of flying aircraft (8)12 French city (8)13 A native of Denmark (4)15 Reprimand (7)17 2021 sci-fi comedy film starring 7 Across, 28 Across,2 Down and 24 Down (4,3)20 Bathroom powder (4)22 Just-avoided collision (4,4)25 Hard grains…