Innholdsfortegnelse for Monday, September 09, 2024 i Woman's Own

Short on time but want to feel better in your shorts? Is there a last-minute beach holiday you want to prep for? Or have you overindulged on patatas bravas and tinto de verano, and want to do some damage control? (Or maybe that’s just me?!) On p26 we’ve got the get-fit guide you’re after – a workout challenge that only takes two weeks and will have you feeling fitter and stronger quicker than you can say, ‘Squat!’ The mag is packed full of must-reads (as always!) and, on p38, three readers tell us about coming to a crossroads in life and what they did next. Change is often daunting but these women are happier than ever with no regrets. They’ve grabbed life with both hands – now that’s a mantra…

Columnist QUEEN OF THE COUGARS Marking her recent birthday, Madonna is at it again with her latest lover Now, correct me if I’m wrong, but Madonna’s famous song was Like a Virgin, wasn’t it? Not I Like a Virgin? Easy to get confused, however, given that to celebrate her 66th birthday the pop icon unveiled her latest lover – a 28-year-old Jamaican football coach. Naturally he’s as fit as a fiddle, very easy on the eye and seems to treat her like a queen. He’s also just a few months older than Ms Ciccone’s daughter, Lourdes (who turns 28 next month), and the right age to be besties with her 24-year-old son Rocco. ‘MOST OF US OLD BIRDS DON’T HAVE A PRAYER’ Look, fair play to any pensioner who has…

Whether you ‘vacayed’ or ‘staycayed’, the warmer months can be an expensive time. With soaring inflation and the cost of ‘cheaper’ stay-at-home holidays doubling in price since 2022*, it’s no wonder summertime has left many of us out of pocket and – consequently – stressed out. ‘The end of summer is a notoriously difficult time, because we face the real and emotional consequences of having spent more money than usual,’ says financial psychotherapist Vicky Reynal (bacp.co.uk), author of Money On Your Mind**. ‘Holidays, day trips, extra childcare, socialising – even this short period of increased spending can lead to anxiety over finances, which can then have a detrimental effect on mental and physical health.’ Sounds familiar? Watch out for the symptoms and find out how to soothe them –…

TIP STORE IN A SEALED CONTAINER FOR UP TO 4 DAYS. Hazelnut spread-stuffed cookies PREP: 15 MINS, PLUS FREEZING/CHILLING COOK: 15 MINS CALS: 303 FAT: 15G SAT FAT: 8G CARBS: 38G MAKES 6 A hidden layer of gooey chocolate spread takes these simple biscuits to the next level. YOU WILL NEED 100g chocolate hazelnut spread60g unsalted butter, melted75g light brown sugar1 large egg yolk1tbsp whole milk½tsp vanilla bean paste125g plain flour ¼tsp baking powder¼tsp bicarbonate of soda¼tsp fine saltFlaked sea salt, for sprinkling (optional) HOW TO DO IT 1 Scoop 6tbsp of the chocolate spread on to a plate lined with baking paper. Freeze for at least 1 hr. 2 In a mixing bowl, combine together the melted butter and sugar. Set aside to cool slightly, then add the egg…

‘I didn’t want to live with regrets’ Tina Lipfriend, 61, lives in London. I remember sitting down at the kitchen table with a piece of paper and writing on it, ‘What the hell do I do now?’ It was February 2020 and six months earlier I’d been diagnosed with breast cancer, spinning my whole life out of control as I’d undergone months of invasive chemotherapy, causing me to lose my hair and feel horrendous. I needed to give myself something to focus on. FRESH START Pre-diagnosis, at 57, I helped out at a food bank and ran a local reading group while raising my two daughters. I was happy, but fighting cancer taught me how short life is. I’d always wanted to work for myself and didn’t want to live…

GREAT SCOTT! I can’t get enough of Celebrity Race Across the World, so it was great to catch up with pal Scott Mills and his husband Sam to hear their tales. Scott may have missed his coffee and Sam his EastEnders fix but it truly turned out to be the adventure of a lifetime. So what next for the intrepid couple, who got spliced after they filmed the show – a holiday? ‘Somewhere hot!’ Scott tells me. And with pool service, I reckon. THE BOLTON WANDERER! I got a frank confession from Paddy McGuinness when he popped into GMB. ‘I don’t know what I’m here to talk about,’ he joked. He was plugging his episode of Who Do You Think You Are? but little wonder he needed reminding – he’s…

Sitting up in his bed, our son Benedict, then two, looked at the pictures as my husband Adam read his bedtime story. ‘When the baby arrives, Pirate Pete will be a big brother…’ Adam, then 39, read. Benedict smiled excitedly every time we read this book. ‘Do you think you’re going to have a brother or a sister?’ I asked him. ‘A sister!’ he always replied. It was March 2019 and since finding out we were expecting our second child Adam and I were so happy that our family would soon be complete. The 12- and 20-week scans went well, and we decided to keep the baby’s gender a surprise. We decorated the nursery with Dumbo wallpaper and bought tiny babygrows. And we read the Pirate Pete book every night…

Health ask us CAN I STOP TAKING STEROIDS? Q I have type 2 diabetes and work hard to keep my sugar levels under control. I was recently diagnosed with polymyalgia rheumatica, causing pain in my hips and shoulders, and was started on steroids. The pain has gone now but I have gained weight and my sugar levels are high. I think I’d rather live with the pain. Can I stop the steroids? A If you have been on steroids for more than a few weeks, your adrenal glands will have stopped producing their usual hormones, so you would need to taper down slowly to allow the adrenal glands to catch up. Stopping abruptly is dangerous. Speak to your GP who will advise on how to reduce your dose. Lump worry…

3 fruity tips …to make the most of summer berries FREEZER FILLER They have a short shelf life but berries freeze well and can be used straight from the freezer in baking or whizzing into smoothies. Spread out on a lined baking tray and open-freeze. Once hard, transfer to a freezer bag. FORAGE FOR FREE Submerge freshly picked berries in a sink of water then mix in a couple of tablespoons of salt to entice out any grubs. Rinse then dry well and eat or freeze. STAY FRESH Make your haul last longer by soaking any soft-skinned fruits in a mild vinegar solution (1 part distilled vinegar/3 parts water) for 5 mins to kill the bacteria on the skin. Drain, rinse and dry well before storing in the fridge. Free…

1 Hang a gallery wall Give a plain white wall a makeover with a set of cohesive prints in matching frames. Take the hard work out of pairing artworks by buying a ready-made set. Hang in grid fashion for a neat look, or stagger for a laid-back feel. 2 Switch up soft furnishings Updating the rug, cushions and throws will have an uplifting effect without breaking the bank. Why not do a seasonal swap, with a hero cushion and throw combo, plus a vibrant design for summer and a cosy, textured style for the colder months? 3 Add some greenery Plants are a great way to bring a hit of vibrancy to a room without committing to a swathe of colour on your walls or in your…

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 gardening items is also a type of muting device for a brass instrument? The answer is the one missing from the grid. BARROW BUCKETCANDIBBLE FORK GLOVES HOEHOSE KNEELERLAWNMOWERRAKESHEARS SHOVEL TROWEL WELLIES CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Deport (6)4 Burrowing African mammal (8)10 Beyond control (3,2,4) 11 Jane _, star of films Barbarella and Monster in Law (5) 12 Church singers (5)13 Italian raw meat appetiser (9) 14 Tool (7)16 _ Garcia, star of films Father of the Bride and Words on Bathroom Walls (4)19 Pilgrimage to Mecca (4)21 Validate (7)24 Gurney (9)25 Emblem…

Film BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE In cinemas 6 September Still haunted by her past and the mischievous demon Beetlejuice, Lydia’s life is turned upside down once again when her teenage daughter accidentally opens up the portal to the afterlife. Starring Winona Ryder, Jenna Ortega (Wednesday, Scream VI) and Catherine O’Hara. Music PARIS HILTON Infinite Icon (11:11 Media), out 6 September Almost 20 years after she released her first album, Paris, the American heiress and socialite is back with her second. Executively produced by Australian singer-songwriter Sia, Infinite Icon will feature a reimagined version of the hit single Stars are Blind, alongside new music. UK Tour WAR HORSE From 5 September to 8 November 2025, in venues UK-wide, tickets from £15 Michael Morpurgo’s much-loved novel is being brought to a stage near you…

KATIE PRICE AND PRINCESS ANDRE Mother-daughter duo Katie and Princess treated themselves to these whipped delights during a day out at the park. THE PRINCE AND PRINCESS OF WALES Even our future king and queen, Wills and Kate, like to indulge in a delicious, icy treat from time to time. NEIL PATRICK HARRIS American actor Neil and his partner David were definitely popular with their kids, Harper and Gideon, on this warm day! DAME JUDI DENCH AND QUEEN CAMILLA Now there’s a photo you never thought you’d see! If showbiz royalty and the royal have anything in common, it’s their great taste in chilled desserts. KIM KARDASHIAN It’s no scoop to say reality star Kim has a passion for ice cream, so you’ll regularly find her with one in hand.…

Stepping into my house, I flicked off my shoes, taking in the smell of pizza, the sound of lively chatter coming from the kitchen. ‘Hungry, Mum?’ my son Ty’relle, 20, asked, lifting a pizza from the oven, ready to slice for his friends. ‘No, I’m fine,’ I smiled, grabbing a glass of water and leaving them to it. Minutes later, I heard a tap on my bedroom door. ‘Sure I can’t get you anything?’ Ty’relle asked. ‘Just a hug,’ I told him. He beamed, threw his arms around me, then headed back to his friends. I suffered from diabetes and Ty’relle worried about me. As I got ready for bed, I thought proudly about how my eldest son looked after everyone, cooked dinner for his mates and doted on his…

Buy of the week Filter disruptive noise with Quiet 2 Plus Loop Earplugs (£29.95, loopearplugs. com). The double-stacked ear tips will give you extra peace. THE TO-DO LIST DONATE It’s Second Hand September, so to help people as well as the planet, Oxfam is encouraging us to donate clothing and buy second-hand for 30 days. EAT BROCCOLI Packed with vitamin K, this veg could boost lung health, as those with low levels of this vitamin are 44% more likely to have asthma**. SCENT YOUR CAR Prone to road rage? A peppermint car freshener could boost alertness and feelings of calm, say Northumbria University researchers. If you do one thing Wash your water bottle They might be a great way to stay on top of hydration, but how often are you…

Health ask us He controls her money Q I’ve long suspected that my sister’s partner is controlling. When she comes over, he tells her how long she can stay. When I see them together, he picks on her constantly, and she’s always apologising and making excuses for him. Recently, I was shocked to find that he controls all her finances, even though she works, and she has to ask for money. What can I do? A If something doesn’t seem right in a relationship, it probably isn’t. Your sister’s partner is undoubtedly showing coercive control behaviours and undermining her confidence. Getting her to recognise his tactics is a crucial step towards breaking free of him, so offer her as much support as possible, ensuring she knows she always has somewhere…

READER QUESTION Q We had our mortgage offer approved but the house we were buying fell through. How long do they last for? A Mortgage offers are usually valid for three to six months but it depends on the lender. Bear in mind that the starting date of the offer can vary. For example, some lenders may use the date you applied, while others will start the clock on the date the mortgage offer was issued. Go green for less Fed up of plastic packaging? Why not check if there’s a ‘zero waste’ store near you? These let you take in your own containers and fill them with food such as rice and pulses and you pay for the items you buy by weight. 3 easy ways to... avoid pension…

And… relax ARIES 21 Mar – 20 Apr While you like to live life at a fast pace, sometimes you need to slow down and smell the roses. Now is one of those times, so enjoy this present moment. TAURUS 21 Apr – 20 May You are known for your perseverance, but life has been testing you lately. Know that you have the inner resources to get the results you truly want. GEMINI 21 May – 20 Jun Jupiter in your sign is boosting your self-confidence and luck. Do take advantage of the exciting new beginnings on offer to you and make the most of them. CANCER 21 Jun – 22 Jul Mars moves into your sign in early September, giving you the energy and motivation to make a change.…

MIDNIGHT IN VIENNA by Jane Thynne (£20, HB, Quercus) As the dark shadow of World War Two looms over Britain, heartbroken Stella Fry returns home from Vienna where she has been working for a Jewish family. Seeking a new start, she replies to an advertisement from Hubert Newman, a renowned writer. But no sooner has she taken on the job of typing up his latest manuscript than she discovers that Hubert has died suddenly under mysterious circumstances. Even more perplexing is the dedication in his manuscript: ‘To Stella, spotter of mistakes.’ Drawn into the investigations of surveillance expert Harry Fox, Stella realises there are dark and dangerous forces at play in this atmospheric thriller. THE STORY SPINNER by Barbara Erskine (£20, HB, HarperCollins) It’s 382AD and in the land of…

Monica Galetti & Rob Rinder ‘WE’VE BEEN VERY LUCKY’ The duo explore more extraordinary hotels… Chef Monica Galetti and barrister and TV presenter Rob Rinder are back with a new series of Amazing Hotels: Life Beyond the Lobby, which follows the pair as they clock in at eight fabulous hotels from around the globe. Once again they will take their positions alongside the staff to uncover the meticulous level of detail that is required to pull off impeccable service. ‘I have worked at the top end of hospitality for over 25 years, so I know what it takes to deliver excellence, day in, day out,’ says Monica, who’s also a judge on BBC1’s MasterChef: The Professionals. In the first episode, Monica and Rob head to the Shanghai Wonderland in China,…

Dishing up a heap of seafood pasta, I poured the wine and croaked, ‘Enjoy.’ Then I watched my godfather tuck into the meal I’d made from scratch while I sat in the corner and sucked on an ice cube under a blanket. I was in my 30s and had horrendous tonsillitis. I could barely swallow water, hence the ice cubes. I was on a course of antibiotics, couldn’t eat and longed to be in bed, but did that stop me making a three-course dinner for my visiting godfather? No way! Because I am a people pleaser. GLUTTON FOR DRUDGERY I’ve always been this way. When teachers dished out homework and other kids groaned, I relished the chance to do my best and seek approval. At school, I was the first…