Innholdsfortegnelse for Monday, May 22, 2023 i Woman's Own

Doing something out of your comfort zone can be a little scary, but Celia’s story on p58, about taking up ballroom dancing in her 50s, really made me smile. I love that she chanced doing something new – and that she fell in love with it. It’s a good reminder that life can be full of surprises, in the very best way. On p8 we’ve got Stacey Solomon’s crafty garden hacks – it’s more than just mowing the lawn – and on p32 we’ve got easy (and drool-worthy) pudding recipes. Each week I love reading the Woman’s Own Book Club (p50) – if you’re looking for some inspiration, it’s full of great recommendations. All you need now is a sunny beach to be reading them on – and an Aperol…

REJUVENATE WOODEN FURNITURE Transform a grubby old garden bench into the perfect perch with Stacey’s nifty method of getting garden furniture shining. The star couldn’t ‘believe the difference’ after taking her Kärcher pressure washer to one of her wooden benches. A quick pressure wash, some stain and seal, and your tatty old wooden furniture will look as good as new. GO GREEK Ahead of her wedding last summer, Stacey gave her pergola area a makeover by painting it white and bringing in swathes of bright pink flowers. ‘A little pergola wedding glow up,’ Stacey explained, adding that it was inspired by her Greek hen do where she ‘fell in love with the bougainvillea and all of the white walls and beautiful surroundings’. Teamed with a cosy-looking lounge set, cushions and…

UNHEALTHY BREAKFAST The husband always likes to include orange juice with his full English breakfast to be ‘healthy’. He’s semi-joking (I think) but now he might have to consider his sense of humour as former Chancellor George Osborne thinks the sugar tax on fizzy drinks should apply to fruit juices. Because evidently there’s nearly as much sugar in a glass of shop-bought orange juice as there is in a can of full-fat cola. Gulp. Not that I can be too smug because as a huge fan of oat milk I’m in trouble too. It seems that, unlike cow’s milk, it has way more other ingredients and spikes blood sugar. Double gulp. And you can stop feeling smug if you’ve swapped your sliced white bread for sourdough. Four out of five…

Have you heard about? EATING LATE MIGHT NOT MEAN WEIGHT GAIN Sitting down for dinner at 9pm? It’s not as bad for you as you’re led to believe, says new research*. The key is having a late breakfast the following day, ideally 11.30am or later. This is to create a 14-hour fasting window, which helps keep your metabolism healthy. Researchers also recommend waiting for two hours before going to bed to support digestion. It worked for me Davina Redvers, 47, from Sussex ‘I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) in 2005. I started experiencing chronic fatigue and extreme pain. I now take Well.Actually Vitamin D3+K2 Liposomal Liquid (£19 for 150ml, well-actually.co.uk) every morning. It has helped me regain my energy, and I can work into the afternoon without any pain.…

Health ask us He’s very demanding Q My husband is six years older than me, and at 64, he has become very demanding since he retired. I work full time as a teacher, yet he expects me to cook, shop, do all the laundry and look after him. I always feel stressed and find it hard to sleep, which is making it worse. He says I am always angry but doesn’t attempt to help. A You need to be clear with your husband about how his behaviour impacts you by talking to him honestly and setting clear boundaries. Doing this means standing your ground about what you are and are not willing to do. Start delegating tasks and setting up a new schedule that divides the workload. At the same…

READER QUESTION Q I’ve got loads of books that I would like to get rid of. How can I sell them? A You’ll find websites online, like ziffit.com, that buy books. To use it, just enter the book’s barcode and you’ll be told if they’ll accept it and how much you’ll get. The amounts offered vary. When I tried it I was offered 20p for an old paperback and £1.40 for a newish hardback. You’ll need to successfully add at least 10 items (or have a basket total of at least £5) to use the service and there’s no fee to send the books. Before using any book-buying website, always read reviews and T&Cs first. Go green for less If you’ve got old clothes that are damaged beyond repair, you…

16-22 May 2023 ARIES 21 Mar – 20 Apr The moon is in your sign on the 16th, helping you realise what you really want. Take the lead. Others will follow in time, so step up to the challenge. TAURUS 21 Apr – 20 May On 18 May, thanks to the moon in Taurus, you will find the courage to stand your ground on an important matter. Be clear about your boundaries, and don’t waiver. GEMINI 21 May – 20 Jun As the Sun moves into Gemini on 20 May, this ushers in a new beginning for you. Your energy will increase over the next few days, opening new doors. CANCER 21 Jun – 22 Jul This week, take time out to reflect on the year so far. Venus is…

THE CASSANDRA COMPLEX by Holly Smale (£14.99, Cornerstone, HB) What would you do if you could reverse your mistakes? Cassandra Penelope Dankworth has always struggled to fit in. But today has been particularly disastrous, even by her standards. First she is dumped by her boyfriend of four months, Will. Then her questionable people skills get her fired from her job in PR. But when she wakes up the next day to the exact same events, she realises she can travel in time. Could this gift be her chance to finally get lucky in love and her career? Or will it just provide infinite opportunities to mess things up? A hilarious, heartwarming read. BETWEEN US by Mhairi McFarlane (£8.99, HarperCollins, PB) On a weekend getaway, Roisin can’t wait to reunite with…

DRAWING A BLANC A night spent with mates Carol Vorderman and Sally Lindsay meant a dusty morning after, but it’s always a hoot to catch up with my pals. Sally’s delighted fans love her hit Channel 5 series The Madame Blanc Mysteries, although she hasn’t got a clue in real life when it comes to solving crimes. ‘I can’t sleuth for toffee,’ she tells me. ‘I leave it to the experts!’ IT’S THE SWEENEY! Ex-Brookside star Claire Sweeney is flying high in her new Corrie role as Tyrone’s biological mum, Cassie. ‘She’s had problems over the years. Tyrone was told his mum was dead, then I turn up,’ reveals Claire, who hits our screens in June after auditioning with Alan Halsall, who plays Tyrone. ‘He’s wonderful. Fabulously written dramatic scenes.…

Harry & Meghan WERE THEY BETRAYED? Relations between the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and the rest of the royals seem as tense as ever, but now it’s perhaps the Sussexes’ turn to feel betrayed. Despite deciding to ditch the UK for America and publicly air their grievances towards the Firm, the couple have remained close to Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice. Eugenie, 33, is thought to have visited the couple in their home in California and appeared in footage in their bombshell Netflix documentary. But is that relationship about to sour too? Prince Andrew’s daughters appear to have been rubbing shoulders with one of the couple’s enemies as they were spotted in a pub laughing with Piers Morgan, 58. Beatrice was seen leaning in to give the presenter a hug,…

THINK PINK Go up a size and wear as an oversized shacket. Shirt, £20, sizes xxs-xl, Primark HOT HAMPER Fill up with your favourite sandwiches and sweet treats. Picnic basket, £16, Habitat GO LARGE Make a statement with these oversized resin gems. Rings, £15.99 for two, Zara LIP SERVICE Leaves lips looking dewy. Makeup Revolution Pout Balm in Rose Shine, £4.99, Boots PRINT PERFECT Live life in full colour in this gorgeous midi. Dress, £23, sizes 8-20, Matalan IMPRESS YOUR GUESTS Set a simple yet sumptuous table with candles and gorgeous outdoor tableware. Plain plates, £5 for pack of four, fruit-print plates, £1.50 each, strawberry-shaped plate, £2.50, wine glasses, £2 each, black four-candle holder, £4, all B&M HANGOVER-FREE Bursting with fruity aromas. Clean G Rhubarb gin alternative, £16, clean.co LOVELY…

Practical pieces Never underestimate the power of a good pair of sunglasses or a stylish floppy hat to transform your look in an instant. Not only that, but both pieces are incredibly practical too, protecting your face from the sun’s harmful rays. Keep it classic in some universally flattering cat-eye sunglasses and a woven hat, guaranteed to go with everything. Sunglasses, £3.50, Primark; hat, £17.99, Stradivarius Becky Catwalk copies High street stalwarts H&M are fulfilling all my designer needs with their chic accessory collection that looks like it’s stepped straight off the catwalk. This tweed bag and sandal combo has an uncanny resemblance to more pricey designs and I’m in love. Embrace that ladylike style and pair with a sweet spring frock. Shoes, £29.99, and bag, £19.99, both H&M…

Health smart *MENTHOLATUM.CO.UK IF YOU HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT YOUR HEALTH, SEE YOUR GP We all know we need to get those steps in, but do you know why? ‘Walking 10,000 steps daily – around four to five miles – could help you live longer, according to research,’ says personal trainer Chris Ruxton, advisor to Deep Heat and Deep Freeze*. For every 2,000 you log, up to 10,000 a day, your risk of early death drops by between 8-11%, one study found. But when life gets busy, it’s far easier said than done, so here are some ideas to help you fit those extra steps into your day, every day. They’ll rack up in no time! 1 EMBRACE DETOURS Heading out? Rather than taking the shortcut, opt for the scenic route.…

TIP IF YOU DON’T HAVE GROUND ALMONDS USE 75G EXTRA OF PLAIN FLOUR INSTEAD, OR WHIZZ PISTACHIOS OR HAZELNUTS. Pear and chocolate self-saucing pudding SERVES 6 For a no-fuss sweet, this fruity chocolate dessert does the job. Pour the sauce before baking and let the pud do the work, magic! YOU WILL NEED 200g butter, melted, plus extra for greasing 300g golden caster sugar 4 medium eggs, beaten ½tsp almond extract 50g plain flour 25g ground almonds 50g cocoa powder 410g can pear halves in juice, drained and chopped into large chunks 30g roasted almonds, roughly chopped For the sauce: 100g light brown soft sugar 200ml boiling water 25g cocoa powder, sifted Ice cream to serve, optional You will need: Roughly 20x30cm shallow ovenproof dish, greased HOW TO DO IT…

I’m not saying my husband of 16 years and I are competitive but when he tells me he loves me, I always say, ‘I love you more,’ so that I win. Jon and I learnt early on after a couple of board games and sharing a few desserts that we were both competitive – each having to ‘win’ even when nothing is at stake, and since then we’ve done our best to keep the combative side of us well away from one another. We know we both like to compete, so we choose different areas to try and excel rather than end up in direct competition with one another. But a recent study from Australia pitted women against men in weight loss – an incredibly incendiary topic in even the…

Orlando often means one thing to the world and it starts with a D (you know the rest!). But there’s so much more to this impressive city… 1 WATCH A BASKETBALL GAME AT THE AMWAY CENTER Enjoy a delicious meal at Jernigan’s and watch the teams warm up while soaking in the atmosphere. After your pre-game dinner, watch Orlando’s most famous sports team, Orlando Magic, take on their opponents. Even if you don’t consider yourself a basketball fan, seeing the fast-paced, action-packed game live is a great way to spend an evening. Jam-packed with entertainment from start to finish, the remarkable atmosphere will leave you wanting to go again. 2 PADDLE AWAY Learn to master paddle boarding and take on Lake Ivanhoe with Epic Paddle Adventures. You’ll be taught by…

AMANDA HOLDEN In a discussion with her Heart Radio co-host Jamie Theakston about Brits’ preferences for which way they face in the shower, Amanda let slip that she and hubby Chris enjoy steamy shower romps. The star, 52, said, ‘When I first get in, I might go, “Oh yes, here it comes,” but then I think I turn around.’ Jamie clarified, ‘So, you’re facing towards the shower to begin with?’ and Amanda replied, ‘But only for sex.’ TESS DALY Her blonde locks are part of her signature style, so it’s surprising that Strictly’s Tess has a habit of eating her own hair. Over the years, the notoriously private star, 54, who shares two daughters with her husband, fellow TV presenter Vernon Kay, has revealed few snippets about her personal life.…

Real life in my experience My brow furrowed as I concentrated on moving my feet. ‘One, two, step,’ I muttered to myself. ‘Excuse me,’ a voice suddenly said, interrupting me. As I looked up, the woman in front of me with her trolley was grinning. ‘Can I just squeeze past you?’ Blushing, I gave her a smile, then stepped to one side. I’d done it again – found myself dancing down the aisles in the supermarket! It was February 2023 and I’d signed up to Bolton Hospice’s Strictly Learn to Dance competition. Now I was in the midst of lessons and it was taking over my life – in the best possible way. ‘THE GRAND FINALE WAS IN FRONT OF 750 PEOPLE’ NEW INSPIRATION Like most little girls, I’d gone…

It’s been more than three years since This Morning presenter Phillip Schofield came out as gay, after being married to wife Stephanie Lowe for 27 years. The couple have yet to formally divorce, but could now be the moment? A source close to the ITV star tells Woman’s Own that ‘we might see Phil start proceedings sooner rather than later’, adding, ‘Initially, they wanted to keep the status quo and be there for the girls. But now, they’ve proved they’re doing fine separately. Drawing a line under his marriage to Steph would offer Phil the chance to have a fresh start after a tricky few months for him.’ NO SHOWDOWN However, the couple – who remain a big part of each other’s lives – are likely to divorce quietly. Our…

IS THE OP SAFE? Q I have been on a waiting list for a hysterectomy for a couple of years. Twice I have been to the hospital for the operation and it has been cancelled. I have just received a new date and I have worked out that I will be on day two of my period. I’m having the operation because I have large fibroids, which are causing very heavy periods, so I know I will be bleeding heavily then. I am desperate to get this sorted. Do I need to postpone? A No. Women often worry about this, but your gynaecologist will be quite happy to operate while you are on your period – and if your periods are very heavy, I’m sure you would rather get this…

Soak & soften Start by soaking your feet in either a bath or bowl of warm water filled with a generous sprinkling of Westlab Recover Bath Salts, £7.50, Boots. Once dissolved in the water, they work to exfoliate and soften the rough skin on your soles. Leave to soak for 10 to 15 minutes to revive your feet. Buff & file Next, dry your feet thoroughly, then using the pumice from PS.. Pedicure Set, £6, Primark, begin to buff into your soles and around your ankles, making sure to not forget the underside of your toes too. Keep massaging with the pumice until all the stubborn hard skin has been removed and your soles are silky smooth. Cut & shape Making your toenails look their best is a top priority…

Fabulous fakeaways Next time you fancy a Chinese, try making your own. As well as being much cheaper, it’s often healthier, too! CRISPY DUCK PANCAKES (FROM £2.75 PER HEAD) 1 Heat the oven to 200C Fan/Gas 7. Mix 1tbsp five-spice powder with 1tbsp honey and spread all over 2 duck breasts. Put the duck breasts, skin-side down, in a cold heavy-based and oven-proof frying pan. 2 Heat up over a medium-high heat, then once starting to sizzle and the fats starts to render, turn the heat down a little and cook for around 5 mins, pressing them down until the skin starts to crisp up. Turn the breasts over and cook in the oven for another 10-15 mins until cooked through. 3 Remove the duck from the oven and slice/shred.…

Dunelm COUNTRY CALM Give this classic look a contemporary twist with grassy greens and clean whites Habitat GLOBAL WARMTH Bring vibrant terracottas and sunny yellows into your home for summer PRICES CORRECT AT TIME OF WRITING…

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 What drink does Marilyn Monroe’s Sugar Kane serve from a hot-water bottle in Some Like it Hot? The answer is missing from the grid below. ABSINTHEALECIDERGINHIGHBALLMANHATTANMEADPORTRUMSANGRIASHERRYTEQUILAVERMOUTHVODKAWINE CROSSWORD ACROSS 6 Dog lead (5) 7 Very hot (8) 10 Ill-fated ship (7) 11 Christmas dessert (4,3) 12 Mexican salamander (7) 13 Concealment of a crime (5-2) 14 Actor whose films include Predator 2, Angels in the Outfield and Jumanji: The Next Level (5,6) 19 Joker (7) 21 Raise to a higher standard or rank (7) 23 Like a table in form (7) 25 Delivery by parachute…

Suranne Jones ‘SHE’S VERY DIFFERENT TO MY OTHER CHARACTERS’ The star of Gentleman Jack and Vigil on her latest role… In ITV1’s drama Maryland, Suranne Jones plays down-to-earth mum-of-two Becca alongside Nurse Jackie star Eve Best as her career-focused sister Rosaline. Having grown apart while leading very different lives, they are reunited by the news that their mother Mary has been found dead on the Isle of Man. But when they go to bring their mum’s body home, there’s a further shock in store when they discover Mary was leading a double life. ‘Everything Becca knows about her mother and herself has been blown apart,’ Suranne says. ‘She feels very different to the other characters I’ve played recently, but I loved playing her.’ ‘I LOVED PLAYING HER!’ As the sisters…