Innholdsfortegnelse for Monday, May 20, 2024 i Woman's Own

Get me to a beach! We’ve had raging storms, had to wear winter coats in May and seen just a glimmer of sun, so it’s high time we all headed for warmer climes – or at least that’s what I’m daydreaming about. On p44, discover bargain holiday deals to book now – I can almost taste the tinto de verano! Still, I’m keeping my hopes up that summer might actually be on its way here too, and, with this in mind, on p40 we’ve got a beginner’s guide to gardening – remember growing your own tomatoes as a kid? Time to flex those green fingers! Plus, on p22, find out how to get back on the workout wagon – and back on track – in just seven days. I’m on…

Much-loved by her fans for being so open and honest, Stacey Solomon is one of the most relatable celebs. And while many may think she has an idyllic life – a loving husband in Joe Swash, five beautiful children and a successful career – Stacey, 34, has opened up about how it’s exactly these things that make her anxiety worse. ‘The more you grow, the more you care about it,’ she said. ‘I don’t think the pressure eases up at all, in fact it builds.’ Feeling anxious Stacey’s anxiety began when she gave birth to her eldest son Zachary in 2008. Just 18 at the time, Stacey recalled how she suddenly realised her mortality when she became a mum, explaining, ‘I was a kid, I didn’t feel my own mortality,…

BEST AND WORST BREAKS With spring well and truly sprung it really does feel like summer is around the corner, doesn’t it? And with perfect timing, a group of experts have compiled a list of Britain’s best (and worst!) cities for breaks based on 25 factors, from green space, listed buildings to crime rates. The list was topped by Bath, swiftly followed by nearby Wells and Bristol. London sneaked in at 11, while Liverpool and Manchester were 19 and 20 respectively. Carlisle, the capital of Cumbria and gateway to Scotland was bottom out of 69 cities. Peculiarly, not much seems to have changed since the poet Keats wrote of Carlisle: ‘The whole art of yawning might have been learned there’. Ouch! WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE NEW SMOKING LAW?…

Have you heard about? TAKE A DEEP BREATH TO BEAT RAGE Vent when you’re angry? It might feel good during the moment, but you could be doing more harm than good, according to research by Ohio State University. Findings showed that any activity that increased stirring up emotions in the body – such as ranting – continued negative feelings, whereas anger-decreasing activities, such as deep breathing, yoga and meditation, helped people to get over their issues quicker. Search YouTube for on-the-go mindfulness exercises. It worked for me Judith Woods, 77, from Essex ‘After having a knee replacement in 2019 due to chronic osteoarthritis, I was finding it hard to walk without pain. I now use Actimas B&C Joint Rub (£12.95 for 100ml, actimas.co.uk). It contains frankincense and myrrh, which research…

Health ask us I’m grieving for my mum Q I’m 63 years old, and my mother passed away 25 years ago. At the time I had three small children and it was so sudden that I just got on with life. I’m now coming to the age she was when she died and I feel so guilty that I didn’t grieve for her properly. I cry for no reason and generally feel low. I feel foolish for dragging up the past like this after so long, so I haven’t told my family. A Years ago, circumstances made it too hard for you to grieve properly for your mum, so now that you’re approaching the age she was when she passed away, it’s natural that she’s on your mind. What will…

Inappropriate teacher-pupil relationships have always made for scandalous soap storylines, but what happens when fiction becomes a reality? Schools are meant to be a safe space, so teachers are the last people parents expect to prey on their children. Recently, former Fareham teacher Nicholas Brooks was jailed for offences that took place between 2008 and 2011, after his victim approached police in 2020. And the affairs of female teachers have also been making the headlines. The Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 2000, which came into force in January 2001, made it illegal for a teacher to have sexual relations with any pupil under the age of 18, even if the relationship is consensual. It can be a difficult crime to uncover – pupils often don’t understand they are victims and…

READER QUESTION Q I’ve been given a gift card that I doubt I’ll ever use. Are there any ways I can sell it? A You’ll find websites that offer to buy gift cards, like cardyard.co.uk and cards2cash.co.uk, although you won’t get the full value of your gift card. So could you sell it to a friend instead, either for the full amount or for a small discount? If you do want to sell it online, always read the website’s T&Cs and reviews first. And remember, the majority of gift cards have expiry dates so check – and act fast! Go green for less The campaign Love Food Hate Waste is asking people to buy fruit and veg loose so they only buy the amount they need and reduce food waste…

ARIES 21 Mar – 20 Apr Is it high time to break free from an old habit that is no longer serving you? Reflect on developing a healthier routine and stick with your new daily discipline. TAURUS 21 Apr – 20 May With the Sun and Mercury in Taurus, the way you talk to others puts them at ease. This is a gift and will be most helpful to those close to you. GEMINI 21 May – 20 Jun At times your mind can be so busy you don’t know which voice to listen to. If you have inner conflict regarding your career, take time out to gain clarity. CANCER 21 Jun – 22 Jul Spring is your best time of year, and you’re coming into your own now. Notice…

THE GIANT ON THE SKYLINE by Clover Stroud (£18.99, HB, Transworld) Clover adores her home in the idyllic countryside near the Oxfordshire Ridgeway. But she also loves her husband, Pete, who works in Washington DC. To be able to live together as a family would mean uprooting Clover and the younger children’s entire lives for a new beginning. While setting out across the beautiful landscape around her, learning about its history and communities, Clover reflects on the true meaning of home and why it is so hard for her to leave. This raw, honest and poignant memoir paints a vivid picture of an ancient landscape, while exploring family, connection and where we find a sense of belonging. THIS SUMMER WILL BE DIFFERENT by Carley Fortune (£8.99, PB, Penguin) Resisting temptation…

Denise’s STALKER HELL Denise Welch has revealed that she’s moved out of her home after a stalking ordeal. The Loose Women star was targeted by Toraq Wyngard, who started a blaze on her driveway, causing £4,285 of damage, and later vandalised her garden gate, scrawling the words ‘witch’ and ‘pimp’ in marker pen. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Denise, 65, confirmed she has now left the £800,000 Cheshire home she shared with husband Lincoln Townley, 51. In a message to her former broadband company, she wrote, ‘For two weeks I’ve tried via your system to cancel my service. Every time it says someone will contact me. They haven’t. I don’t want to pay for a service I no longer need as we’ve moved.’ After the incidents, Wyngard, 64, pleaded guilty…

ORANGE ZEST Pair with sliders or cowboy boots. Dress, £20, sizes 8-22, Nutmeg at Morrisons LOOKING GOOD Makes a sweet gift. Compact mirror, £9, carolinegardner.com HOOP-LA Update your mini hoops to this pretty enamel style. Earrings, £28, Hush GET IN LINE Chink chink! Homemade lemonade is calling. Glass jug, £8, Primark BATHING BEAUTY We’re loving this retro print. Swimsuit, £28, sizes 8-18, John Lewis & Partners POOL PARTY Inject a splash of colour to your garden or patio. Cushions ,£14 each, tumblers, £8 for four, picnic bag, £12, towel, £5, all Matalan; lounger, plate and umbrella, all stylist’s own WOVEN WONDER Add some pizzazz to any summer dress. Bag, £48, busbyandfox.com STYLISH DINING Brighten up mealtimes. Round seat cushions, £9.99 for two, H&M SCRUB-A-DUB-DUB For super-soft skin. Exfoliating mitt, £6.50,…

Short jacket Finishing just at the waist, a cropped jacket is incredibly flattering and won’t swamp smaller frames. This trench style is bang on trend and the leather-look finish gives it a cool edge. A fresh change from the classic biker, the cream hue means it’ll go with everything from dresses to jeans. Striped shirt When in doubt, go for a vertical stripe to trick the eye into adding height. A striped shirt is a key player in any capsule wardrobe and can be worn on its own or layered over tees and swimwear. If you go for an oversized fit, balance proportions with more form-fitting pieces or wear with leggings. Highwaisted skirt Help elongate your legs by opting for skirts and trousers with a high waist. This drapey midi…

The start of spring should signify blue skies and longer days, but for millions of Brits it also means streaming noses, stuffy sinuses and itchy, stinging eyes. Yes, hay fever symptoms can be pretty miserable. To stop it putting a dampener on your fun, we reveal how you can swerve the pollen and ease symptoms, without putting a dent in your budget. WEAR SUNGLASSES Wrap-around shades are perfect for protecting your eyes from flying pollen, says hay fever expert Max Wiseberg. Wear a cap for extra coverage, too. KEEP WINDOWS SHUT Close windows and doors throughout the day, says wellness expert Samantha Greener from Simply Supplements. ‘This will stop the pollen from getting inside your home and affecting you.’ PLAN YOUR WALK ‘Seasonal allergies from pollen tend to worsen at…

Lamb steaks with crispy potatoes SERVES 4 A Sunday-worthy ‘roast’ that’s easy enough for midweek dinners. PREP TIME: 10 MINSCOOK TIME: 30 MINSCALS: 458 FAT: 25GSAT FAT: 7G CARBS: 34G YOU WILL NEED 1kg new potatoes, halved300g Tenderstem broccoli2tbsp olive oil4 x 125g lean lamb steaks For the dressing: 50ml olive oilBunch leafy herbs – we used basil, mint and parsleyZest and juice 1 lemon½tsp Dijon mustard HOW TO DO IT 1 Add the potatoes to a large pan of boiling water and cook for 10-15 mins until tender. Add the broccoli 3 mins before the end, then drain. 2 Whizz the dressing ingredients in a food processor until you have a chunky sauce. Add a splash of water if it needs loosening. 3 Put 1tbsp oil in a large…

I was in the supermarket recently, queuing to pay for my trolley-load of food, when I spied the woman in front of me loading the conveyor belt with a colourful array of good stuff – tomatoes, peppers, cabbage, apples, fresh chicken breasts… I suddenly felt rather ashamed of my own haul which included a multipack of crisps, chocolate breakfast cereals and my sons’ favourite, curly fries. My husband and I both work full-time – me as a writer – while juggling looking after our sons Rory, 11, and Seb, seven, so when it comes to meals it is easier to opt for something you can pop in the microwave or oven than it is to make it from scratch. And we are not alone. Recent research shows consumers eat more…

DENISE WELCH Kris Jenner or Denise Welch? In recent years, former Corrie actor Denise, 64, has become synonymous with her spiky platinum ’do but, in 2017, the daytime TV star sported the same style in a mahogany hue. KOURTNEY KARDASHIAN The Kardashian clan are renowned for their long, deliciously dark locks. But oldest sister Kourtney, 45, decided to switch things up last year. The reality star looked almost unrecognisable when she debuted her short, icy blonde hair in a move that divided her fans. REESE WITHERSPOON She may be... ahem, legally blonde, but even Hollywood royalty Reese has rocked a brunette barnet from time to time. But all the evidence suggests that the actor, 48, will always return to her signature sunshine shade. MARGOT ROBBIE These days she may be…

From reality star to telly regular, the last decade has seen Josie Gibson transform from a contestant on Big Brother to the woman on everyone’s lips (and screens). Her stint on I’m a Celebrity... in November and time at the helm of This Morning following the exits of Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby cemented the bubbly Bristolian’s place in the nation’s heart and now it seems there is no stopping her. But while she may be a hit with viewers, earlier this year Josie, 39, was reportedly ‘snubbed’ from presenting on the ITV daytime show on a full-time basis, leaving her ‘gutted and hurt’ – something she insists is untrue – admitting, ‘I’ve [already] got my dream gig.’ We find out what’s next for Josie, as she shuts down those…

Sitting on patio chairs in our friends’ garden, my husband Wayne and I chatted away, enjoying a Saturday night of socialising. It was 2021 and Tom* and Laura* had invited us over. After a busy week working at my dog grooming business, a few relaxing drinks was just what I needed. Plus, with Mother’s Day coming up the next day, I knew my three kids would bring me breakfast in bed as they always did and let me have a nice lie-in. I couldn’t wait. We were having a great time watching the sun begin to set, but feeling a chill in the air, Laura pulled out her favourite glass kerosene lamp for some light and warmth. That’s when everything changed. The second she lit it, there was an ear-splitting…

Health ask us MEDS MAKE ME FAT! Q For several months, I have been on steroids to treat polymyalgia rheumatica and have put on over a stone in weight. This is really getting me down, to the point I think I would rather live with the pain of my condition. Is it safe to stop the steroids for a month or so while I tackle my weight? A Taking steroids for more than three weeks suppresses the natural steroid production in your adrenal glands, so stopping abruptly is dangerous as your body would be unable to produce essential hormones. You will need to taper the dose down slowly to allow your adrenal glands to recover. See your GP, who can advise if this is appropriate and, if so, how quickly…

Make it last! Your food will go further with these handy tips BANANAS If you find that bananas ripen too quickly, wrap the stems in cling film. This helps slow the ripening process and gives you more time to enjoy them. WINE If you haven’t finished a bottle, freeze the leftovers in an ice cube tray. This makes perfect portions of wine to add to your next bolognese or chilli. SALAD Don’t be tempted to rinse salad leaves straight away. Instead, line an airtight plastic container with kitchen roll, place the leaves on top, then cover with more kitchen roll and seal shut. Rinse them just before you’re ready to eat them – this will help the leaves to stay crisp for longer. Ditch the diet Movie nights just got…

Having a lush garden to soak up the sun in is a great way to enjoy summer, especially if it’s filled with colour, fragrance and wildlife. However, if you’re not a keen gardener, the idea of getting started can feel a bit overwhelming. That’s why we’ve come up with eight easy steps to get you on your way so you’ll soon be reaping the rewards of home-grown produce and turning seeds into beautiful blooms… 1 GET TO KNOW YOUR GARDEN Start by learning a few very important details about your outside space. Is it north or south-facing for example? What soil do you have, is acidic or alkaline? Once you’ve established this, you can look at researching the best flowers and shrubs to plant in sunny or shady spots to…

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 cup used to be awarded annually to the winning greyhound at the UK’s now-defunct biggest hare-coursing event? The answer is the one missing from the grid. BROOKLYNCHAPELFORTHHUMBERINCAIRONLONDONORESUND RIALTOSEVERNTOWERTRENTTYNEVIZCAYAWATERLOO CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Turrets (6)4 Capital of Australia (8)10 Watering device (9)11 Jean _, star of TV series Mare of Easttown (5)12 Conditions (5)13 Shove around (9)14 2023 movie starring11 Across, 19 Across,22 Down and 25 Down (7)16 Finishes (4)19 Brad _, star of the film Twelve Monkeys (4)21 Expanse of land (7)24 2007 romantic drama starring Keira Knightley and James McAvoy (9)25 Pale (5)26…

Vicky McClure ‘I DON’T KNOW WHY I GET DRAWN TO THESE CHARACTERS’ The Line of Duty and Trigger Point star on her latest role… Based on the bestselling book by Sarah Pinborough, six-part thriller Insomnia stars Vicky McClure as Emma Averill, a successful family lawyer, who’s happily married with two kids. But as her 40th birthday nears, Emma starts struggling to sleep, which is worrying because the same thing happened to her mum, who ended up having a violent psychotic breakdown when she turned 40. Emma’s husband, Robert (Tom Cullen), puts the issue down to her angst about the big 4-0, but having been warned by her mum that she had the same ‘bad blood’ and would suffer a similar fate, she’s terrified about what the future holds for her.…