Innholdsfortegnelse for Monday, November 25, 2024 i Woman's Own

Cooking is not my forte – I find it impossible to keep to the timings while juggling all the stirring/making/throwing in the oven. In fact, I’m regularly teased for being so awful at it. That’s why I was thrilled when our brilliant food team suggested some delicious – and surprisingly easy – festive treats that require absolutely zero baking and yet make you look as though you’re a cooking star. Turn to p32 and you’ll see what I mean! On p22 find out if you’re doing enough to look after your teeth and gums (forget I just mentioned all those sweet treats above!) and how to protect your smile. Plus, on p10, we’ve got red-hot festive buys you’ll love – so, what’s on your wish list? Enjoy, and have a…

GIRL POWER An age-old debate is still coming up Can women have it all? Bit of a shocker we even need to talk about this in 2024 – but the short answer is no, isn’t it? We may have burnt our bras in the 1970s, but that spark, which was supposed to set a bonfire to inequality, turned out to be a bit of a damp squib. Reminded of this when some dinosaur politician remarked that a woman with kids would be more ‘distracted’ at work than a man with a young family. ‘ALL ANY OF US CAN DO IS FIGHT FOR EQUALITY’ This got everyone’s knickers in a twist but, sorry, he has a point. And the statistics back him up. When it comes to the care of children…

Buy of the week Boost your vitamin D levels on the go with BetterYou D3000+K2 Oral Spray (£10.95 for 12ml, betteryou.com), to support healthy bones and immunity. THE TO-DO LIST HAVE SEX 45-year-old women who are having sex weekly have a 28% lower chance of entering menopause compared with those who aren’t, found research**. BEANS OVER BACON Switching processed meats for plant-based alternatives can help reduce your risk of dementia, found Harvard University. POSITIVE HUMOUR Making yourself the target of jokes in a good-natured way is linked to body appreciation and less emotional eating***. If you do one thing Recognise prediabetes Over five million UK adults are living with prediabetes – a warning of type 2 diabetes. As we head towards the festive season and all of those sugary temptations,…

Health ask us He takes me for granted Q Is it unreasonable to expect my husband to be loving and attentive after 30 years? He always wants me to be around to cook lunch and dinner and watch TV with him despite the fact that he hardly speaks to me. When I go out he acts like I’ve left him and he seems surprised that I’m unhappy. I can’t go on like this. A Often, couples struggle to meet each other’s expectations because they are in some way unrealistic. After 30 years together it’s likely your definitions of being loving and attentive differ and this is why he’s surprised when you say you are unhappy. Talk to him and be honest about your expectations so you can work out what…

Pouring gravy over a mountain of roast potatoes, stuffing, pigs in blankets and thick slices of turkey, my mouth watered. I didn’t waste much time, tucking straight in and eating every morsel, washing down my Christmas feast with some fizzy orange pop. ‘That was delicious,’ I smiled to my then partner, my stomach bulging, the waistband of my jeans snug. It was Christmas Day 2011, and I was doing exactly what the rest of the nation was doing – overindulging. The trouble was, it wasn’t just during the festive season that I found myself eating to excess. After suffering nausea and chest pains earlier in the year, I’d been diagnosed with vasculitis, an autoimmune disease causing poor blood flow to organ tissues. It was life-threatening and incurable. ‘You’ll have to…

19-25 November 2024 ARIES 21 Mar – 20 Apr You may feel inspired to contact someone from your past. Before you do so, try to consider the implications and whether it’s the best course of action. TAURUS 21 Apr – 20 May Your need for security can sometimes overshadow your desire for adventure. It’s time to try to balance both by finding a middle ground. GEMINI 21 May – 20 Jun It’s a time of rest and reflection, as a lot has been happening in your life. Notice what is flowing and what is taking up more energy, to see a clear path. CANCER 21 Jun – 22 Jul The Moon in your sign on 19 November helps you to nurture yourself and others a little more. Make this your…

THE SECRET OF THE BRIGHTON HOUSE by Cathy Hayward (£8.99, PB, amazon.co.uk) Joanne’s mother died in childbirth. At least, that’s what she has always been led to believe. Until one day, while rooting through a box of mementos, she finds something curious among the baby clothes – a photograph of her birth mother holding a newborn. As it becomes clear that her father has been lying to her for years, Joanne struggles to understand why. Now pregnant herself, Joanne is haunted by visions of her mother. Bit by bit, she begins to piece together the dark family history that has been kept a secret throughout her life. A disturbing and addictive story. ICE TOWN by Will Dean (£20, HB, Hodder & Stoughton) A mountain tunnel is the only way into…

It’s time to deck the halls with an expensive, yet effortlessly elegant, Scandi-themed Norway spruce. Or perhaps a glittering Douglas fir, dressed with carefully selected Venetian glass baubles and lights. Real or artificial, Christmas trees have come a long way since the days of tinsel and foil angels. These days, it’s all about making a statement with a simple-yet-striking scheme. Unfortunately, this is one aspect of adulting I have yet to achieve. My partner and I inherited our Christmas tree 17 years ago, when we moved into our first house. It was December and I was eight months pregnant with our first baby, so getting a tree wasn’t high on my list of priorities. But, as luck would have it, the previous owners had left an artificial one in the…

Ruth’s MAN BAN! It’s been six months since she announced her separation from husband of 14 years Eamonn Holmes, but it seems Ruth Langsford has no plans to move on – unlike the GB News star who has been flaunting his relationship with younger woman Katie Alexander, 42. When quizzed on whether Ruth was her new wing woman and if the pair had any single nights out planned, pal and former This Morning co-star Vanessa Feltz told Woman’s Own, ‘I don’t know if either of us can be bothered.’ She added, ‘We’d probably rather go out together and have a laugh and leave men out of it.’ Since the shock split, Ruth has remained tight-lipped on the breakdown of her marriage to Eamonn, instead throwing herself into work at Loose…

The dress Sequins are a statement on their own, so opt for minimal accessories when wearing a coloured, sequinned dress. Balance with neutral or metallic heels and a bag, rather than pairing with other embellishments or colours. This will keep the focus on your frock and make it stand out without any fussy distractions. Total outfit cost £39.99 TOP TIP Use the self-tie belt to cinch in the waist and create an hourglass shape. The jacket This statement jacket can be dressed up over a fancy frock or down with some wide-leg jeans – just avoid rips in the denim to keep it feeling polished. The bow lace-up detail gives it a high-end finish that looks more designer than high street. Layer over a black camisole if you…

From the cold weather to eating not-so-healthy foods, the winter months can play havoc with our oral health. So, to ensure your teeth and gums stay strong and sparkling, there’s no better time to give your cleaning and flossing routine a little overhaul. Here’s how to improve your hygiene habits and sort out dental dilemmas – for good. TEETH STAINING ‘Dark coloured liquids such as tea, coffee and red wine contain tannins that leave stains on your teeth,’ says dentist Vanessa Creaven, founder of Spotlight Oral Care. SORT IT ✣ Investing in a good quality whitening toothpaste is an easy way to get a brighter smile. Look out for ones that contain active ingredients like sodium monofluorophosphate. It’s clinically proven to lift deep stains and whiten teeth. Try Colgate Max…

From lugging heavy bags to being sedentary on the sofa, our day-to-day actions impact our bodies. Over 60%* of Brits experience neck and back pain at least once a month, but uncomfortable niggles can often be improved through small changes to how we sit, stand and move. Adjusting your posture is also a way to feel more energised, says women’s health physiotherapist Claire Cook**, who reveals, ‘When people stoop and slouch, it really adds on the years.’ Fix posture complaints with our expert tips. Tech neck Glued to your phone? Hunching over it can cause neck pressure. ‘Tech neck is the forward-leaning head position that leads to symptoms such as headaches, neck and shoulder pain,’ says osteopath Avni Trivedi of avni-touch.com. ‘The skull is designed to be balanced on the…

Christmas pudding cake pops READY IN: 30 MINS, PLUS SETTINGPER SERVINGCALS: 200 FAT: 9GSAT FAT: 6G CARBS: 30G MAKES 20 You can add a splash of Baileys for extra cheer – or leave it out for a family-friendly treat. YOU WILL NEED 3 Madeira cakes, approx 250g each, or use up leftover cake300g white chocolate, melted, plus 50g white chocolate melted and cooled slightly80ml Baileys, optional150g dark chocolate, melted Shop-bought edible holly, to decorate (optional) You will need: Pop sticks, plus a piece of foam or polystyrene (optional) HOW TO DO IT 1 Whizz the cake in a food processor to fine crumbs. Tip into a large bowl and add the 300g melted white chocolate and the Baileys, if using. Mix well, to a dough-like consistency. 2 Roll into walnut-sized…

As my grandad Ron, then 66, slid the batteries into my new Tamagotchi toy, I beamed as it came to life. ‘See how long you can keep him alive,’ he smiled. It was Christmas Day 2006 and my parents Karen, then 41, and Mike, 43, were busy in the kitchen while my grandad, my dad’s dad, who I called Grampa, sat with me, then 13, and my brother Adam, 17, in the living room. Grampa came over every Christmas mid-morning and we showed him all of the presents we’d got. Then the tradition was to wander to the cemetery to lay a wreath for our Grandma Mary, known as Mayo. She had died of cancer two years earlier, in 2004, and Grampa always shed tears as he laid the wreath…

Health ask us CAN I TAKE MELATONIN? Q I have to travel abroad quite a lot for my new job. A friend who is a long-haul flight attendant says she uses melatonin to combat jet lag. I spoke to my GP about this and was told melatonin is only available on the NHS when recommended by a specialist. My friend says that I can buy melatonin over the counter in America next time I go there. What do you think? A Melatonin is a hormone produced by the brain in response to darkness, in order to promote sleep. It is thought to be generally safe for short-term use, but can cause problems with mental health. Check out nhs.uk/medicines/melatonin for more information. Help! My bug bites aren’t healing Q I recently…

How does anxiety affect your complexion? While it’s supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year, the combination of shopping, cooking, planning and endless to-do lists in the lead-up to Christmas can take its toll on your physical and mental health. According to a recent study, over 24% of women in the UK deal with daily stress, and in the run-up to the season, four in 10 Brits claim that they struggle with the festive pressures. When we feel anxious, our bodies release stress hormones including adrenaline and cortisol as a natural energy boost, but when we feel worried over a longer period, these hormones can have a negative effect on our body. For example, higher cortisol levels can break down collagen, trigger the overproduction of oils and…

Don’t waste it! Use these handy tips to help reduce what you throw away… LEFTOVERS Use up the meat from your Sunday roast in stews, pies or sandwiches throughout the week. Leftover roasted vegetables could make a tasty frittata or soup. CHECK THE LABEL When picking up items, look for the longest best before or use-by dates. This will keep your food fresh for as long as possible. FAB FREEZER Batch cooking meals is really time and cost-effective. If foods are getting close to their use-by dates, freeze and eat them at a later date. Ditch the diet TREAT YOURSELF TREAT Indulge in an Italian-inspired evening at home. With a Tesco Clubcard you can save £2.75 on delicious Pizza Express pizzas such as the American with Pepperoni or BBQ Chicken…

Scandi neutrals Festive folk Candy cane…

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 By which of these names is the Catalina goldfish more commonly known? The answer is the one missing from the grid. BOURBONCOOKIEDIGESTIVEDROPEMPIRE FORKGARIBALDIGINGERHOBNOBJAFFAMARIENICEOREORICH TEAVIENNESE CROSSWORD ACROSS 7 Vanessa _, Oscar nominee for the 2020 drama film Pieces of a Woman (5) 8 Actor who rose to fame as the star of the 1983 coming-of-age teen comedy film Risky Business (3,6) 10 Relating to cattle (6) 11 Not to mention (3,5) 12 Eye expert (8) 13 Rip (4) 15 Extreme pains (7) 17 _ Ferguson, actress whose films include The Greatest Showman and Dune (7)…

Film GLADIATOR II In cinemas now After his home is conquered by tyrannical co-emperors Caracalla and Geta, noble Lucius is forced to enter the Colosseum. Will he find the strength to return the glory of Rome to its people? Starring Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington and Pedro Pascal. Music DOLLY PARTON AND FAMILY Smoky Mountain DNA – Family, Faith and Fables (Owepar Entertainment), out now Country legend Dolly Parton releases a new highly anticipated album that explores her rich family history. Featuring vocals from various talented members of Dolly’s immediate and extended family, spanning generations. Event SKATE AT SOMERSET HOUSE Until 12 January, Somerset House, London, tickets from £10 What better way to kick off the festive season than with a glide (or wobble!) on the ice? After showing off your…

FINDING FAME These days she’s best known for being one of Loose Women’s longest-standing panellists, but Nadia Sawalha first rose to fame as an actor. After small roles in the OXO Cube adverts and The Bill, the star got her big break in 1997 when she joined EastEnders. Nadia’s character, Annie Palmer, was described as a ‘verbal Miss Whiplash’ who ‘tore strips off anyone who crosses her’. Nadia starred in the show for 168 episodes before leaving the soap in 1999. LETTING LOOSE After quitting EastEnders, Nadia made a name for herself in the world of daytime TV, joining Loose Women at its inception in 1999. She starred on the show until 2002, when she had her first child Maddie, before making a comeback in 2013. Over the years, Nadia’s…

Lindsay Lohan ‘I’M EXCITED FOR PEOPLE TO SEE THIS MOVIE’ The Mean Girls and Freaky Friday star on her new Christmas romcom… ‘I DEFINITELY WANT TO BRANCH OUT’ Bumping into an ex-boyfriend can be awkward, but what if you found yourself having to spend the festive season under the same roof as them? That’s the premise of Our Little Secret, starring Lindsay Lohan as Avery, who agrees to spend Christmas with boyfriend Cameron (Jon Rudnitsky), only to learn that her ex Logan (Ian Harding) will also be there because he’s dating her beau’s sister Cassie (Katie Baker). ‘I love this movie,’ says Lindsay. ‘I had a great time filming it. I’m really excited for people to see it.’ Cameron and Cassie’s mum Erica (Kristin Chenoweth) isn’t the most welcoming of…