Innholdsfortegnelse for Monday, April 17, 2023 i Woman's Own

The long weekend (and short weeks) are over, at least for a little bit, and I don’t know about you but I (or rather my liver!) need a bit of a break. If you fancy a health boost, take a look at p22 – you can’t beat a good walk out in the sunshine, preferably with a furry friend (and a pit stop for lunch), and it also has plenty of benefits including improving heart health and circulation, along with helping you stay, or get, trim! We’ve also got brilliant beauty buys (p28), speedy chicken dinners (p32) and, on p24, Dr Dawn Harper and agony aunt Anita Naik answer all your questions. Plus, on p45 we ask two readers whether they’d give up on marriage after divorce – which side…

When David and Victoria’s eldest son Brooklyn said ‘I do’ with wife Nicola this time last year, it looked as though a new era for Brand Beckham was on the horizon, as the famous family merged with American billionaires, the Peltzes. But it wasn’t long until the couple’s honeymoon bubble burst, and their first year of marriage has been far from blissful – so what’s happened since the £3 million nuptials? FAMILY FALL-OUTS Soon after the big day, rumours of a feud between Victoria, 48, and her daughter-in-law started to circulate. Posh and Becks reportedly felt put out after having little involvement in the wedding – which was held at Nicola’s family’s £76 million oceanfront Florida estate. Brooklyn, 24, later rocked the boat further by adding Nicola’s surname to his…

TIME FOR A BREW Coffee – how much is actually good for you? Most recently a study (in the New England Journal of Medicine, so they know their stuff) has tried to debunk some of the myths. It found that coffee could boost heart health as those drinking it tended to walk further. It does affect your sleep though, so avoid after lunch. Other experts say two to four cups is likely to decrease the risk of developing Alzheimer’s but more than six can increase it. It’s also associated with a lower risk of seven cancers including prostate, liver and breast, as well as type 2 diabetes, Parkinson’s and gout, largely because of its anti-inflammatory properties. So on balance, good news. But all the health benefits seem to be associated…

Have you heard about? SOCIALISING CAN EXTEND YOUR LIFESPAN Don’t get out much? You might be putting your health at risk, says new research*. Findings revealed that older people who socialised frequently had a significantly better chance of a longer life than those who socialised rarely or not at all. Scientists believe this is down to our loved ones helping to reduce stress, as well as encouraging us to be more active. It worked for me Ingrid Ord, 67, Warwick ‘We moved into our house last year and there was so much I wanted to do, but I realised that I was utterly exhausted, and I felt desperate. I started taking FutureYou Cambridge Magnesium+ (£14 for 28 capsules, futureyouhealth.com). Now, after a bit of a rest, I have more energy.…

Health ask us I meet awful men on dating apps Q I’m 50, divorced, and would like to meet someone but dating apps just pair me with men who either expect sex right away or are just awful and rude. One man I chatted to (aged 59) told me women like me should be grateful for attention, which hurt. Others send naked pictures. What do I do? A You’ve had lousy luck dating, but that doesn’t mean you should give up. The problem with apps is they make people think they can say and do anything they want. In life, 99% of them would behave better. Take a break from apps and try to meet someone by harnessing your interests, join clubs, put yourself in situations where you meet more…

It was an ordinary Tuesday in February 2015 when 15-year-old Shamima Begum and her friends Amira Abase, 15, and Kadiza Sultana, 16, told their parents they were going out for the day. Instead, the girls, described as straight A* students studying for GCSEs at Bethnal Green Academy, made their way to Gatwick Airport and boarded a plane to Turkey. By the time UK authorities realised what had happened, it was too late. The girls later entered Syria. It was believed they had travelled to Syria with the intention of joining Islamic State. Their concerned families made emotional pleas for them to get in touch. Shamima’s family couldn’t understand what had made the seemingly ordinary teenage girl become involved with a terrorist group. ‘She was into any normal teenage things,’ Shamima’s…

And… relax 11-17 April 2023 ASK ALEX A ‘WHAT IS MY HOROSCOPE TODAY?’ ARIES 21 Mar – 20 Apr With the new moon in your sign, it’s time to leave the past behind you and start a new chapter of your life. TAURUS 21 Apr – 20 May You’ll feel so much better after clearing out the loft or spare room. You might even find something you’d lost ages ago. GEMINI 21 May – 20 Jun You’re a chameleon who can adapt to every circumstance that arises. You usually achieve all of your personal goals. CANCER 21 Jun – 22 Jul Your family appreciates everything you do. Choose ways to help your neighbours, as well as volunteering for a charity. LEO 23 Jul – 22 Aug Indulge in a…

THE BIRTHDAY GIRL by Sarah Ward (£9.99, PB, Canelo) Can you find the Birthday Girl before she kills again? Former police detective Mallory takes on a job as a night manager of a boutique hotel. The Cloister is nestled on Eldey Island in Pembrokeshire, a stunning, desolate place where nothing much happens. Until one night, when a violent storm rolls in and a body is discovered. One of the guests is a notorious killer, dubbed The Birthday Girl after she murdered friends at her 11th birthday party. With three possible suspects at the hotel, Mallory begins a deadly race against time to identify the killer before it’s too late. A captivating, cut-throat read. HOMECOMING by Kate Morton (£20, HB, Pan Macmillan) On Christmas Eve, 1959, a local in the Adelaide…

Danny Dyer ‘IT’S A TERRIFYING BUT BRILLIANT EXPERIMENT’ The former EastEnders star hosts a new reality show… Could you live in total darkness for a week? A group of eight celebs are about to find out in a new reality series presented by Danny Dyer. The five-parter, which is being shown nightly on C4, sees ex-Gogglebox star Scarlett Moffatt join England football legend Paul Gascoigne, Love Island ’s Chloe Burrows, The Wanted singer Max George, The Sandman actor Donna Preston, comedian Chris McCausland and boxing legends Chris Eubank and Nicola Adams live together in a specially created blacked-out living space. ‘They have everything they need to survive, apart from light!’ says Danny. ‘And if they do have the mettle to last until the end, the group will vote for one…

Slipping into an elegant, purple floor-length gown, I took a deep breath. Could I really do this? It was September 2021 and, at 49 years old, I was preparing to go out on stage and compete for the crown in the Classic Miss British Isles beauty contest. But as I looked around at the other contestants, I couldn’t help but feel like an imposter. They were all so glamorous, and some had been entering beauty contests for years. To me, this was all brand new. ‘I AGREED TO HELP HER OUT’ As a teenager, I’d dreamed of becoming a model and, aged 15, got a few pictures taken so I could start building a portfolio. But I doubted myself. At 5ft 4in, I thought I was too short, and despite…

HIT THE SPOT Team with boots or trainers on those ‘nothing-to-wear’ days. Dress, £35, sizes xxs-xxl, Monki ROOM REFRESH An easy, low-maintenance way to inject a natural touch. Dried grasses in vase, £6, B&M ORANGE CRUSH Time for a mani makeover? Essie Nail Polish in Coconut for You, £7.99, Boots BLUE BOTTLE A simple, rustic design to set off a bunch of spring daffodils. Vase, £9, Primark LIGHTEN UP Set the ambience with this latticed candle holder. Lantern, £13, Flying Tiger SUNNY DELIGHT Embrace a laid-back look in boho blouses and denim shorts. Blouse, £55, shorts, £42, both sizes 6-24, belt, £29.50, necklace, £16, all Fatface RETRO GLAM Grab a 70s-style glow up. Eyeshadow Palette, £4 elfcosmetics.co.uk COOL CORAL A colour-pop bag will boost your mood and your outfit. Bag,…

High-street heroes If it’s your first foray into renting, Hirestreet is a good place to start. Stocking all your favourite high-street brands including M&S and more high-end designers, there’s heaps to choose from with one of the more inclusive size ranges too – from UK 4-24. The M&S Capsules collection even lets you rent an entire outfit, no effort required! M&S x Ghost dress, rent from £16, hirestreetuk.com Paula Experimental style Renting is the perfect opportunity to try new trends and experiment with your style, without making a long-term commitment. John Lewis & Partners has jumped on the rental bandwagon, hosting a range of John Lewis exclusives as well as new, contemporary brands, allowing you to discover new designers and lowering the risk of you turning up in the same…

Satay chicken skewers SERVES 4 The family will love these irresistible chicken skewers, covered in a creamy, nutty curry sauce. YOU WILL NEED 600g chicken breast fillets, cut into chunks4tbsp korma curry paste150g natural yogurt1tbsp sunflower oil1 onion, sliced165ml coconut milk25g flaked almonds200g basmati rice200g cooked green beans3tbsp mango chutneySmall bunch coriander, choppedPoppadoms, to serve (optional) You will need: Wooden or metal skewers HOW TO DO IT 1 Heat the grill to medium. Mix the chicken with 1tbsp curry paste and 2tbsp yogurt. Thread onto skewers and grill for 10-15 mins, turning until cooked through. 2 Heat the oil in a large pan and fry the onion until translucent. Stir in remaining curry paste and cook for 2 mins. Add coconut milk, remaining yogurt and the almonds. Simmer for 10…

Scrolling through pages of pregnancy advice online, I despaired. ‘There must be something we can do,’ I sighed to my partner Paul. ‘We’ll get there,’ he comforted. We’d met in 2016 and, desperate to be parents, had been trying for a baby for a year and a half. It was now 2019 and Paul and I were beginning to lose hope. Even though I seemed to get pregnant easily, maintaining those pregnancies was proving impossible. With every positive test, our excitement was tinged with worry. Over the years, I’d suffered three miscarriages, and we were devastated that we might never become parents. A few months later, Paul proposed and planning a wedding gave us both something to look forward to. Meanwhile, my doctor ran a series of tests to see…

The show has a revolving cast of some of the biggest female names on TV, and a spot on the Loose Women panel is coveted by many in the business. But could some of the show’s biggest names be about to walk away from the ITV stalwart lunchtime show for good? While rumours of fall-outs between co-stars are rife, this time the trouble at Loose Women seems to be over pay. The panel, which includes big names like Charlene White, Kaye Adams, Coleen Nolan, Ruth Langsford, Janet Street-Porter and Linda Robson, may well be in for a complete shake-up if the – as yet unnamed – stars make good on their promise to quit. FORCED TO DECIDE According to reports, some of the Loose ladies have been in disputes with…

Health ask us EARWAX MISERY Q I regularly need to have my ears syringed as I get a terrible build-up of wax. Recently, I’ve noticed that it’s getting worse. The last time I had my ears syringed was eight months ago and I’ve had to go again this week. Is there anything I can do to prevent this build-up? A This should work its way out naturally, but in some people the wax builds up. This is usually more common in men and in people who have lots of hair in the ear canal. Speak to your pharmacist about drops to soften the wax. If you use these twice a day, after a week or two the wax should fall out naturally – often at night when you’re lying down.…

Flexible foundation Looking for a flawless base that won’t look heavy? Sleek In Your Tone 24 Hour Foundation, £9.99, Boots, is long-wearing without drying out your complexion. It’s easy to build up the level of coverage to suit your skin, plus it’s available in 30 shades. Fuller flutter If you’re after a dramatic lash look, seek out Maybelline The Falsies Surreal Mascara, £11.99, Superdrug. The chunky brush gives impressive lift and volume with just one sweep. Prime time Primers allow your foundation to go on better and help it last longer. E.l.f Power Grip Primer + 4% Niacinamide, £10, Superdrug, keeps your make-up pristine all day and beyond. This new formulation contains skin-soothing niacinamide, as a bonus benefit. Plumper pout Some matte lipsticks can dry out your pout but that’s…

1 Be in the zone Create the feel of an outdoor room by zoning part of your outdoor space with an on-trend outdoor rug. Use it as a focal point and position your garden furniture around it, or add some floor cushions for extra comfort. Potted plants will finish off the look perfectly. Berlin indoor/outdoor rug, from £29.99, Wayfair 2 Clean up Give your barbecue or chimenea a good clean ready for summer. Rub away loose rust with wire wool, wipe clean with warm soapy water and leave to dry. Restore the finish with some specially formulated paint that will withstand high temperatures and protect from the elements. Rust-Oleum Stove and BBQ paint, £7.99, B&M (in Matt Black or Cast Iron finishes) 3 Add…

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 German word erzähler is which of these literary terms? The answer is the one missing from the grid. ACTIONCHARACTERCLICHECLIMAXHEROMOODMORALMOTIF NARRATORPLOTSETTINGSPEECHTHEMETWISTVILLAIN CROSSWORD ACROSS 7 Common garden pest (5)8 Recognition, consciousness (9)10 Agree (6)11 Slanting (8)12 Cars, for example (8)13 Gardening tools (4)15 _ Haddish, star of the films Keanu, The Oath and Like a Boss (7) 17 Pesticide-free (7)20 Doing word (4)22 Supervisor (8)25 Tye _, starred as Cyclops in X-Men: Dark Phoenix (8)26 GPS system (abbr.) (3,3)27 Apiarist (9)28 Willem _, star of the films The Lighthouse and Spider-Man (5) DOWN 1 Country…

Film RENFIELD Out in cinemas 14 April Nicolas Cage gets his teeth into playing Dracula in a fun comedy-actioner following the titular vampire minion (Nicholas Hoult) who wants to break with his toxic boss after centuries of bidding. Awkwafina is on hand for the wisecracks. Music ELLIE GOULDING Higher Than Heaven (Polydor), out now English singer-songwriter Ellie Goulding is back with her fifth studio album and first in three years, Higher Than Heaven. Featuring the likes of Big Sean, expect pop songs with heavy bass lines which, like all of Ellie’s songs, will no doubt become club anthems. Event THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL: UK TOUR Until 9 September 2023, multiple locations including Southampton, Leicester, Manchester and Cardiff. Tickets from £18 This musical extravaganza stars Pop Idol’s Gareth Gates (on selected dates)…