Innholdsfortegnelse for Monday, May 29, 2023 i Woman's Own

This week it’s a bumper issue – with more of everything you love, including real life. I love Angie’s story on p44 about a simple change that made life so much better – taking up pole fitness! It can be so easy just to plod along, but I’m always inspired by people who take the plunge and try something new. My friend and I booked a class once and didn’t end up going (the Aperols the night before might have played a part), but reading Angie’s story has made me vow to give it another go – it’s the summer of being brave! Are you a sofa dozer? If so, on p28 find out what’s stealing your energy. And on p36, the pizza and pasta diet has certainly got my…

A MEATY PROBLEM Dr Sarmed Sami, a consultant gastroenterologist, says there are five types of food and drink he’d never consume. Curious? Here goes: Processed meats. They are high in saturated fats and often contain additives linked to colorectal cancer. High-fat dairy. Saturated fat takes longer to digest, which can lead to indigestion and reflux. Deep-fried foods. These can overload bile production, causing bloating, nausea and cramping. Sugary drinks, including fruit juice. They cause weight gain and trigger inflammation, which can lead to Crohn’s or irritable bowel syndrome. Ready meals. They’re usually ultra processed, with lots of added sugar, salt, fat, chemicals and preservatives. You’re basically eating a chemical experiment associated with heart disease, type 2 diabetes, depression, asthma, IBS and cancer. Er, pass the stick of celery. TIME TO…

The jacket A utility-style jacket is the easiest way to tap into the safari trend. Team with wide, fluid trousers to give it a sporty edge. Pull in the drawstring to highlight your waist or throw it on over a dress or printed midi skirt. Khaki is a versatile shade and suits every skin tone – treat it as a neutral and pair with everything from pastels to bright colours. TOP TIP Button up and try wearing this lightweight jacket as a smart top. The dress Widen your search for safari prints. As well as leopard and zebra, look for tribal prints and embroidery for a more subtle nod to the trend. This bold swirling aztec pattern draws the eye to skim over your curves, while the wrap V-neck is…

Have you heard about? WEAK HAND-GRIP COULD SIGNAL POOR HEALTH Struggle to open jars? You might have underlying health conditions, says research*. During the study, patients’ grip was measured by squeezing a dynamometer – a tool used to measure force – twice with each hand. Findings showed that just a slightly below average grip strength meant a higher risk of death. Leading an active lifestyle and eating a balanced diet can help improve strength and overall health. It worked for me Gail Walters, 50, Hampshire ‘I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure in 2021. I now use the Biscuit Pet Care app (free, iOS and Android), which rewards dog owners for caring for their pet, such as walking them. You can then spend your points at…

Health ask us He wants us to try new sexual things Q I’ve been married for 20 years, and my husband and I are in our 50s. We have sex a few times a month, and I’ve always felt it was good. Now my husband wants us to try more in our sex life, but hearing what he likes makes me feel as though he’s been pretending all these years. A Your husband’s suggestions don’t mean everything was a lie before, but just that he’d like to try something new. Sex, like other aspects of a relationship, will evolve, so try not to see it as a criticism, but more that he trusts and loves you enough to want to try out new ideas. That said, having an honest discussion…

Want to lose weight in time for summer without feeling deprived? It’s perfectly possible to shed surplus pounds without denying yourself carbs. What’s more, you’ll probably find it easier when you don’t feel the cravings that often come from cutting out foods you love. And with your favourite carbs still on the menu, your energy levels are less likely to flag. Win-win! HOW IT WORKS Our healthy diet is calorie controlled (to a max of 1,500 calories a day) to achieve the sustained weight loss you need, but it also contains modest portions of carbohydrate foods (including one or two sweet treats) to satisfy your carb cravings. You’ll be eating healthier slow-releasing carbs, including wholegrains – a good source of energy-releasing B vitamins and magnesium – plus they’re beneficial to…

Chucking some chips in the oven, I sighed. It was 2011, and I was making dinner for my husband and two sons, Romeo, then nine, and Florio, seven. It was the same dull routine, as usual. Pick the kids up from school, have dinner, tidy up, then get ready for bed. I loved my kids, but ‘mum life’ wasn’t exactly exciting. ‘I DIDN’T EAT HEALTHILY AND RARELY EXERCISED’ Before settling down, I’d lived a glamorous lifestyle, working in the luxury car industry, going on dates to fancy restaurants and driving a swanky sports car. But that had long been replaced by a people carrier. As for romance, my husband and I were stuck in a bit of a rut. ‘How was work?’ I asked him while I cooked dinner. ‘Fine,’…

Rhubarb and custard creams MAKES 10-12 Good old custard powder provides a delicate crumbly texture and bags of flavour. YOU WILL NEED 275g salted butter, softened200g plain flour200g icing sugar30g custard powder50g rhubarb jam (or any other flavour) You will need: 2 piping bags, large star nozzle, 2 x baking trays lined with baking paper (make sure they fit in the fridge!) HOW TO DO IT 1 With an electric mixer, beat 200g of the butter in a large bowl until soft and silky. Sift over the flour, 50g icing sugar and the custard powder. Mix to combine. Add 1tbsp water to bring the mixture together to make a soft dough. Put the nozzle into one of the piping bags and spoon in the dough. 2 Pipe 4cm…

READER QUESTION Q At my son’s nursery I’ve heard people mention the Healthy Start scheme. What is it? A The scheme provides help to buy healthy food like fruit, vegetables and milk if you’re more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under four, providing you’re eligible to use the scheme. You’ll be sent a Healthy Start card to use in some UK shops; money will be added to it every four weeks. You’ll get £4.25 a week or £8.50 a week depending on the age of your child. For more info visit healthystart.nhs.uk. In Scotland it’s a different scheme; find info on Best Start Foods at mygov.scot. Go green for less Claim 10% off your first order of beauty, hair and skincare products at Counter Culture by signing…

THE END OF THE GAME by Holly Watt (£16.99, Bloomsbury, HB) Telling the truth might just cost you your life… Star reporter Casey Benedict is invited to the races by an old colleague. It’s supposed to be fun, a pleasant distraction from the threats on her life following the last major story she broke. But danger has a way of finding Casey. When she intervenes to save a man’s life at the racecourse, she is thrown head first into her next investigation – the dark underworld of match fixing. A hunt across the globe ensues as Casey tracks down a criminal controlling the ruthless gangs. This raw, unflinching thriller packs a heart-stopping twist. PSYCHE AND EROS by Luna McNamara (£16.99, Orion, HB) Psyche is no ordinary mortal. Born into royalty,…

Alan Carr ‘EXPECT LOTS OF GIGGLES!’ The comedian on a new comedy about his early life… ‘OLIVER IS AMAZING AS ME!’ Everyone’s favourite Chatty Man is venturing into sitcom territory. Alan Carr’s teamed up with Simon Carlyle, who created BBC2 comedy Two Doors Down, to write Changing Ends, which is based on his experiences of growing up as a gay teenager in 1980s Northampton, when his dad Graham was the manager of a fourth-division football team. Shaun Dooley plays Graham in the six-parter alongside West End star Nancy Sullivan as Alan’s mum Christine, while Alan appears as his older self. But who plays the star in his younger years? Last year, Alan launched a search for young actors for the role. Almost 500 audition tapes were sent in from boys…

Stacey BABY NUMBER 6? She may have only given birth to her fifth child, Belle, four months ago, but will that stop Stacey Solomon from planning baby number six? The 33-year-old – who shares Belle along with Rex, four, and Rose, 20 months, with hubby Joe Swash, 41, as well as Zachary, 15, and Leighton, 11, from previous relationships – admits that she loves being a mum: ‘I can’t believe I’m lucky enough to say I’m a mum of five. I love being a mum so much like I genuinely love it.’ Now a source tells Woman’s Own, ‘We all remember when we first met Stacey, a young teenage mum auditioning for The X Factor. She’s always been open and proud of being a young mum – and still…

ALL IN ONE A simple, easy breezy summer look. Playsuit, £25, sizes 6-22, F&F AND RELAX Let the lovely lavender scent calm your mind. Candle, £9.99, TK Maxx FLORAL FANCY Will elevate even your most casual outfit. Earrings, £9.99, parfois.com LIGHT THE WAY This table lamp will make a stylish addition to any home. Lamp, £20, Dunelm GREAT LENGTHS This season it’s all about the longer-length midi. Skirt, £45.99, xxs-xxl, Mango TIMELESS TEXTURE This gorgeous bouclé jacket is a statement piece on its own, so keep the rest of your outfit simple and accessories to a minimum. Jacket, £62, T-shirt, £14, jeans, £34, all sizes 8-22, Cotton Traders; sunglasses and jewellery, stylist’s own GREEN EYED Earn extra style points with this ombre design. Sunglasses, £28, Oliver Bonas SUNSHINE SHOPPER Throw…

The last time we caught up with Kaye Adams, the Loose Women anchor was worrying about turning 60. In fact, the star revealed that she would often lie about her age. However, after hitting the milestone last December, she’s now feeling pretty confident about her new decade and is even planning on making some major life changes as a result. Speaking exclusively to Woman’s Own, Kaye reveals, ‘I started a podcast called How To Be 60 and it has actually been enormously helpful. It’s good to be thoughtful about your life as it’s easy just to drift and keep on doing what you’re doing, whether you’re enjoying it or not, because it becomes comfortable.’ ‘I DON’T WANT WORK TO DEFINE ME ANY MORE’ NEW MINDSET The star, who shares daughters…

Waiting for the doctor in the hospital consulting room, I felt numb. I knew what was coming, yet a tiny part of me hoped I was mistaken. Then the oncologist walked in and said, ‘It's not good news,’ shattering all the hope I had left. He explained the breast cancer I thought I’d been cured of 10 years earlier had been lurking in my body all along, and a potato-sized tumour had taken root in my sternum bone. I had stage-four breast cancer – it was treatable but incurable. I’d gone into the room alone to try to protect my partner Mark, and was dreading telling him – we’d only been together just over a year. After I came out, we sat on a bench and I broke the news.…

From social media posts pointing out relationship ‘red flags’ to stars like Rihanna and Stacey Solomon opening up about their past experiences of domestic abuse, it seems awareness has never been more prevalent. But according to new research, domestic abuse against women is on the rise, and most shocking is the increase in the over-60s, with a 90% rise since 2017. Domestic abuse is often associated with younger couples, but why? Data on domestic abuse and the over-75s has only been gathered in England and Wales since 2021, and only in the over-59s since 2018, which may indicate how many cases were and still are going unreported. Hopefully, with greater recognition that older people can be just as susceptible to abuse, more help can be given to those who…

Tuna quesadillas SERVES 2 A Mexican-inspired toastie that’s quick to prepare and cheap to make. YOU WILL NEED 160g tin tuna, in olive oil, drained Juice of 1 lime50g sweetcorn, drainedHandful of coriander, chopped1-2tbsp chipotle or Tabasco sauce2 roasted red peppers, drained from jar, sliced3tbsp grated Cheddar2 large tortilla wraps1 avocado, quartered, stone removed1 tomato, deseeded, diced2 spring onions, sliced100g bag rocket salad HOW TO DO IT 1 In a bowl, mix the tuna, 1tsp lime juice, sweetcorn, most of the coriander, chipotle sauce, sliced peppers, Cheddar and some freshly ground black pepper. 2 Heat a non-stick pan over a medium heat and add in a tortilla. Spoon over the tuna mixture and top with the other tortilla, as a lid. Cook for 2 mins. 3 Meanwhile, for…

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 empire underwent a period of reform and modernisation known as Tanzimat? The answer is the one missing from the grid. AZTECBELGIANBRITISHDUTCHFRENCHINCAMALIMAYA MONGOLOTTOMANQINGROMANRUSSIANSAFAVIDSPANISH CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Boil water in this (6) 4 _ Cumberbatch, star of the 2021 western film The Power of the Dog (8) 10 Spider-Man: _, 2021 superhero film starring 4 Across, 14 Across, 21 Across, 9 Down, 22 Down and 25 Down (2,3,4) 11 Therefore (5) 12 Fragment (5) 13 Suggests (9) 14 Actor who starred in the 2021 sci-fi epic film Dune (7) 16 Small pointed missile (4) 19…

Film THE LITTLE MERMAID The classic Disney animation gets a live-action remake. Halle Bailey plays the mermaid who falls for a human prince and asks Ursula, the sea witch (Melissa McCarthy) to grant her legs. It’s out in cinemas on 30 May. NIGHT OUT: HARRY STYLES: LOVE ON TOUR 22 May until 21 June 2023. Multiple locations including London, Edinburgh and Cardiff. Tickets from £57.50 Join Harry Styles as he sings and dances his way around the UK, promising you a truly unforgettable night. Performing best-selling hits including As It Was and Watermelon Sugar and even One Direction’s What Makes You Beautiful, you’re in for a ‘Golden’ evening – and that’s without his glitzy Gucci get-ups! EVENT DISNEY100 THE CONCERT: UK TOUR 31 May until 8 June 2023. Multiple locations…

RING BLING Many women dream about the ring that will one day sparkle on the fourth finger of their left hand, but in the world of Victoria Beckham, why have one rock when you could have 15? Since their engagement in 1998 – when David popped the question with a ‘modest’ £65,000 three-carat marquise-cut diamond ring – the former footballer has upgraded the bling on Posh’s finger many times. The collection, which comprises ruby, sapphire and yellow diamond rings, is thought to be worth £8.9 million, with at least one worth £2 million alone. Have they never heard the phrase less is more? BAGS OF CASH Anyone who knows a thing or two about designer goods knows that a Hermès Birkin is one of the most coveted handbags of all…

Top telly FRAMED WITH A DAME A coronation lunch with Dame Joan Collins was a hoot – and the titbits on the side proved tastier than the food. After we toasted the new King and Queen, Joan teased me about a possible biopic about her and her late sister and best-selling author Jackie. But who does Joan think could play her if the film goes ahead? None other than ex-Bond girl Gemma Arterton! EDUCATING RITA After her surprise return to EastEnders, Rita Simons is gearing up for a career change – at least on the side. The star tells me she’s diving into the world of cosmetics, ‘I’m training in aesthetics,’ she says. Which means she may well be my new best friend judging from the glow she has on…

RADIO After starting out at BBC Essex, Dermot got his big radio break in 2001 at London’s indie rock station Xfm and soon gained plenty of fans. In 2004 he was swooped up by BBC Radio 2, where he has remained, hosting variations of his weekend shows, including Dermot’s Saturday Club, ever since. BIG BROTHER’S LITTLE BROTHER C4 signed Dermot up in the late ’90s, first as a runner, working behind the scenes on Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins’ Light Lunch, before he went on to host the channel’s youth strand T4 and Big Brother’s companion show. THE X FACTOR Then came the job he’s arguably most famous for: The X Factor. From entertaining the audience with his dancing to winding Simon Cowell up and comforting nervous contestants, it was…

Slip skirt Update your summer wardrobe with a bias-cut skirt in a graphic print. Don’t be afraid of this figure-skimming style, just make sure your underwear is smooth and not too tight, to avoid unsightly lumps and bumps. Wear with a basic white T-shirt and add a relaxed blazer over the top to give the outfit a smarter feel. This length works best with a low heel or wedges. Set and match Made from the same fabric, this shirt and trouser combo will give you all the style points of a jumpsuit along with the flexibility of separates. Ideal for taking on holiday, you can create multiple outfits from the ensemble and the crinkle fabric is perfect for packing. Wear the shirt tucked in at the front to define your…

Peeling back the layers of PPE – apron, gloves, mask, face shield, goggles – I breathed a sigh of relief. Another stressful day was over. I couldn’t wait to get home, have a shower, put my feet up and crack open a bottle of wine. It was January 2021 and for the last year, I’d been working as a mental health social worker in A&E during the pandemic. As well as the challenging 12-hour shifts, I saw patients who were lonely, vulnerable and feeling trapped at home. I did my best but all of us on the front line were struggling, stressed and emotional. NO RESISTANCE Constantly being gifted cake, chocolates and biscuits by well-meaning members of the public and being sent free food from local restaurants was very much…

TICK TERROR Q My family and I have just returned from a walking break in Scotland and this morning I noticed a tick on my lower leg. I’ve looked online and there’s lots of conflicting advice as to how to safely remove it. I have a friend who is suffering badly with Lyme disease, so I’m desperate to do this correctly. What is your advice? A Clean the skin around the tick with an alcohol rub or soap and water and then use pointed tweezers. Squeeze the head of the tick with the tweezers as close to the skin as possible and gently pull upwards. Don’t be tempted to twist the tweezers. Once removed, clean the area again. Could a delay put me at risk? Q Several months ago, I…

FROM £2.99 Hot coral Don’t be intimidated by this fiery hue. It’s actually flattering on lots of skin tones, especially if, like Emily Blunt, you have tan or warmer tones in your skin. Team it with bronze make-up for a really summery look, perfect for holidays. The pigmented finish of 3ina The Lipstick in 241, £13.99, 3ina.com will keep your lips looking great for hours. Bubblegum pink A pop of pink on the lips is always fun and adds a youthful edge to your make-up choices. To keep things fresh just follow Lucy Liu’s lead and make sure that the rest of your look is kept simple – dewy skin, lashings of mascara and a swipe of lippy. The pink hue of Collection Cosmetics Hydrating Lipstick in Cupcake…

Beef and chickpea tagine SERVES 4 This freezes well, so make a big batch and stash some away or make our tasty pasties. YOU WILL NEED 1tbsp olive oil1 onion, chopped3 celery sticks, chopped3 carrots, chopped750g stewing beef, cut into chunks1tbsp harissa paste1tsp each ground cumin and coriander150g dried apricots, chopped200ml hot beef stock560g bottle passata400g tin chickpeas, rinsed and drained260g jar roasted peppers, choppedZest of 1 lemonHandful flat-leaf parsley, choppedHandful cashew nutsCouscous or rice, to serve HOW TO DO IT 1 Heat the oil in a large frying pan. Add the onion, celery and carrots, and cook for 5 mins. Add the beef and cook for 5 mins until brown. 2 Stir in the harissa, cumin and coriander, cook for 1 min, then add the apricots and…

£20 OR LESS…

And… relax 23-29 May 2023 ARIES 21 Mar – 20 Apr You can take it easy now that Jupiter has moved out of your sign. The pace will calm, giving you time to reflect on the events of the past few months. TAURUS 21 Apr – 20 May With the expansive planet Jupiter settling in for a few months now, this is lucky for you. So embrace all the positive new opportunities that will be coming your way! GEMINI 21 May – 20 Jun With the Sun in your sign for three weeks, focus on your most important goals in life and reflect on any intentions you set yourself at the start of the year. CANCER 21 Jun – 22 Jul Venus in your sign helps you to attract good…

PRINCESS CHARLOTTE New snaps to celebrate her eighth birthday showed Princess Charlotte looking more and more like her mum, the Princess of Wales. It seems the second child of the Prince and Princess of Wales takes after her mum in her sporting abilities too, with Kate recently revealing, ‘Charlotte is really into gymnastics, she’s doing cartwheels, handstands, everything. It’s so good for their basic skills of balance and coordination.’ PRINCE GEORGE Our future King is looking so grown-up. Prince George, who’ll turn 10 in July, is beginning to have a larger role within the Firm, too, and acted as one of his grandfather’s four Pages of Honour at the coronation. PRINCE LOUIS His cheeky antics at last year’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations had us all in hysterics, but how much more…

Snuggling up to my partner Dean, 65, under the duvet, we are both out of breath. After seven years together, our sex life is as great as ever. But as Dean begins to doze off, I untangle myself from him and quietly creep out of the bedroom and down the hall to my own room. I love Dean, but there’s no way I’m sleeping next to him. I need my own space. In fact, sleep divorcing him two years ago was the best thing I ever did, and it’s done wonders to spice up our relationship. When Dean and I first met in April 2016, I fell for him quickly. I was recently widowed after being married for 35 years, but I’d got used to sleeping alone. After meeting at…