Innholdsfortegnelse for Saturday, December 28, 2024 i Woman's Own

The world is a scary place at the moment, but on p30 we celebrate some truly amazing women who, this year, have helped remind us that there is hope out there. Whether it’s tireless campaigning, fighting against stigmas, defying expectations or being the epitome of compassion, these women have made the nation proud. If you have an incredible woman in your life – someone you’d like to rave about – as always, please drop me a line at kira.agass@futurenet.com. Shining a light on the good in the world is more important now than ever. I hope you’re having a brilliant – and relaxing (although, that really would be a miracle!) – Christmas break, full of friends, family and laughter. Enjoy, and have a great week! Woman’s Own Look Younger special…

ROBOTS TO THE RESCUE? AI helping victims of domestic abuse is surely a good thing It might be the season of goodwill, but sadly it’s also the time of year when the police disclose a rise in reports of domestic abuse incidents. Indeed, research has indicated that an estimated 15,000 children were exposed to violence in the home during the two-week festive period in 2020. The reasons are obvious: financial pressures, drinking more alcohol, the pursuit of that mythical ‘perfect’ Christmas and being under the same roof for a long period of time. Let’s be honest – even the most loving and laid-back people feel the pressure during this time of year. But help could be at hand from another unusual source… one that usually terrifies the life out of…

Spicy turkey soup SERVES 2-3 Inspired by a Mexican dish called pozole, this tasty broth is a winner with leftover turkey. PREP TIME: 5 MINS COOK TIME: 25 MINS CALS (FOR SERVES 3): 269 FAT: 14G SAT FAT: 3G CARBS: 5G YOU WILL NEED 2tbsp olive oil1 small red onion, chopped2 garlic cloves, chopped3tbsp ancho chilli paste(see tip)½tsp dried oregano300g leftover turkey meat, shredded500ml turkey or chicken stock To serve: Handful coriander, leaves pickedSoured cream or crème fraicheTortilla chips, crushed Lime wedges, for squeezingFinely sliced radishes andred chilli (optional) HOW TO DO IT 1 Heat the oil in a large saucepan and fry the onion and garlic for 8-10 mins until softened and beginning to colour. 2 Stir in the chilli paste and oregano and fry for 1 min, then…

Happy Christmas!’ grinned the receptionist, as I made my way through the turnstile, returning the greeting. I’d had a lovely morning at home soaking up the magic of Christmas with my son Luca, then 17 months, as he’d opened his presents. And we had a family-filled afternoon ahead, with dinner prepped by my mum Donna. But first, it was time to work up an appetite in the gym, where I spent the next hour lifting weights. Although it was Christmas Day 2012, it was busier than you’d imagine. This was my second year working up a sweat while others were indulging in festive treats, and I knew it wouldn’t be my last. I can’t think of a better way to spend Christmas morning than getting my muscles to burn. I…

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 The ostrich feathers on the Prince of Wales’ emblem are said to have been adopted from a ruler of which former territory? The answer is the placename below, missing from the grid. ANGORABOHEMIABOMBAYBURMACATHAYCEYLONFORMOSAGAUL NUMIDIAPEKINGPERSIASAIGONSIAMZAIREZANZIBAR CROSSWORD ACROSS 7 __ Winfrey, chat show star from 1986 to 2011 (5)8 Waterproof sheet (9)10, 20Ac & 18Dn. 2023 animated musical starring the voices of 13 Across, 27 Across, 5 Down, and 6 Down (6,4,8)11 Bedtime drink (8)12 Immediately (5,3)13 __ Kendrick, star of film Pitch Perfect and the TV series Love Life (4)15 Ornate artistic and musical style…

Coleen and Michael THE REAL REASON THEY SPLIT (AGAIN) Loose Women’s Coleen Nolan has called it quits with boyfriend Michael Jones, with Woman’s Own being told, ‘Coleen and Michael have always been on and off, even if they’ve only split publicly three times.’ So what went wrong? And is it over for good this time? A source close to the star, who turns 60 in March, tells us, ‘They try to make it work, but they’re from two completely different worlds.’ Our insider explains, ‘Michael is quite calm and while he has a good head on his shoulders, he’s very different to Coleen.’ They add, ‘He’s used to having a completely normal life, whereas Coleen has lived in showbiz since she was a child, becoming famous aged nine.’ Discussing the…

SHIMMER AND SHINE Team this mini with opaque tights. Dress, £30, sizes 8-24, George at Asda MAXIMUM COMFORT Your feet will thank you, trust us! Slippers, £68, Just Sheepskin STAR OF THE SHOW Make a statement with this perfect party clutch. Bag, £45, Next ALL THAT GLITTERS Make that mani sparkle. Glitter Effect Nail Paint in Raving Rose, £4.49, Barry M DISCO PANTS Comfy style with an elastic waist. Trousers, £48, sizes 10-32, simplybe.co.uk A FAMILY AFFAIR You can dress the whole gang at one-stop-shop Matalan. From left to right: Men’s polo top, £18, sizes xs-xxxl, boys’ jacket, £14, girls’ sequinned jacket, £24-£26, dress, £14-£18, silver sequinned dress, £18-£20, all sizes 7-16 years, cardigan, £24, trousers, £26, dress, £32, sizes 8-28, all FAUX REAL We love this cosy, fluffy cover-up.…

HAIR HANG-UPS Q Recently, I have noticed more hair in my hairbrush. And when I visited my hairdresser this week, she commented that my hair seemed thinner. She suggested I see my GP, but I feel a bit vain worrying my doctor with something like this when I know how busy they are. The shelves seem to be full of supplements for healthy skin and hair. Is there one that you would recommend? A Your GP would want to know about this, as thinning hair can be related to thyroid problems or low iron, both of which can be checked with a simple blood test. Normal iron levels are between 10 and 300, but I always advise a minimum level of 70 to anyone with thinning hair. Worried about my…

1 Double cleanse Ensuring your skin is clean and free from make-up will mean you get the most from your facial, so before you start your treatments, give your face a deep cleanse. Remove your mascara and foundation with a micellar water such as Bubble Magic Melt Micellar Milk, £15, Boots. Load up on a cotton pad and then swipe all over your face to lift away stubborn products. Next up, banish leftover make-up and deep down grime with a cleansing balm like B.Cleanse Rosehip Melting Cleansing Balm, £8.99, Superdrug. Massage onto dry skin and then rinse away with a hot flannel or muslin cloth to leave your cheeks clean and refreshed. 2 Exfoliate Buffing away dead skin will brighten and smooth your complexion and make it easier for the…

ARIES 21 Mar – 20 Apr You can create more of what you desire by acting on repeated ideas that have been coming to you recently. Find different ways to move beyond your comfort zone. TAURUS 21 Apr – 20 May With the Moon in your fellow Earth sign of Capricorn, you feel more able to slow down and recuperate once the festivities are over. TIme to give yourself a break. GEMINI 21 May – 20 Jun This is a time for new beginnings after the Full Moon in Gemini earlier in the month. Decide which plans to move forward with, and let go of the rest. CANCER 21 Jun – 22 Jul You love to be around family, and this time of year gives you the perfect opportunity. Try…

THE CHRISTMAS COTTAGE by Sarah Morgan (£9.99, PB, HarperCollins) Work is everything to Imogen. After all, keeping busy at all times helps her run from her past. While she is admired by everyone at her job, her professional exterior masks deep wounds. When Imogen makes a terrible mistake, she knows that something has to change. Given time off, she heads to the home of her favourite client, Dorothy. Cosied away in a cottage in the Cotswolds, Imogen feels herself beginning to unwind – until shadowy figures from the past return and threaten her new-found peace. Exploring forgiveness, second chances and fresh starts, this festive romance is an utter delight. MISS BEETON’S MURDER AGENCY by Josie Lloyd (£16.99, HB, HarperCollins) She may be the distant relative of household management guru Mrs…

Louise Minchin ‘BEING ON GLADIATORS IS A DREAM COME TRUE!’ The former BBC Breakfast presenter competes in a celeb edition of the show… When the hotly anticipated revival of 1990s sports game show Gladiators hit our screens last January, it became one of the most-watched series of 2024. Before it returns for a second run in the new year, a one-off celebrity version sees four famous faces taking on the mighty Lycraclad Gladiators. In the men’s event are TV presenter Joel Dommett up against comedian Rob Beckett, while it’s Ted Lasso star Ellie Taylor versus Louise Minchin in the women’s event. ‘I loved Gladiators,’ says Louise, 56. ‘It was entertaining, funny and terrifying. When I was invited to be on the show, it was a dream come true!’ After both…

Buy of the week Ease a tickly cough with Jakeman’s Honey & Lemon Lozenges (£1.45 for 160g, Boots). Blended with menthol to soothe your throat. THE TO-DO LIST CUDDLE UP Embracing a loved one releases oxytocin, which can help to lower blood pressure, says research published in the Behavioural Medicine journal. WORK YOUR ARMS People with strong arm muscles are 26% less likely to develop neurodegenerative diseases*. Try push-up exercises to build strength. LISTEN TO MUSIC Playing your most-loved song can help your medication work harder, says research**. It’s believed music has a stress-releasing effect. If you do one thing Ease the pain of piles Rich, festive food causing toilet trouble? Constipation and diarrhoea can increase pressure on the veins around the anus, leading to piles. Luckily, at-home remedies can…

He says our life is over Q Years ago, I had an affair and my husband recently found out, thanks to a former friend. It’s been a terrible time, and no matter how many times I say sorry my husband won’t listen. He says he’ll stay, but our life together is over, and I shouldn’t expect anything from him. How do I fix this? A Your husband is struggling, not only due to the affair but the years you kept quiet about it. This means the only thing you can do now is give him time and space. When he’s ready, be prepared to listen without becoming defensive, and focus on understanding his perspective before explaining your side. A relationship therapist could really help here, so contact Relate at relate.org.uk.…

Looking back, we can all name a number of women who’ve had a year to remember. The women who we might feel have made an impact, who’ve stood up and raised their voices, been influential and broken barriers. Whether they’ve pushed back against stigmas, made a change in society or spoken up for those who can’t, they’ve all made a difference in their own way. We reflect on just some of the amazing women who’ve made an impact in 2024… Alice Tai Twenty-five year old Alice Tai was born with club foot. Her swimming journey began at the age of eight, when she started taking lessons. Fast forward to 2016, Alice stood on the podium, winning a team gold and individual bronze medal at the Rio Paralympics, at a time during…

READER QUESTION Q Our home insurance policy is expiring soon. When is the cheapest time to renew it? A The average price of home insurance is at its cheapest 29 days before your renewal is due, at £189, according to research by Go. Compare Home Insurance. This is £38 less than the average cost of £227, paid by those who buy cover on their renewal day. Remember to investigate other ways to save on home insurance – see gocompare.com for hints and tips. Go green for less M&S has partnered with alterations experts SOJO to launch a clothing repair service. You can book a wide range of repairs online, ranging from zip replacements to invisible knitwear mending, with repairs costing from £5. There are more details at marksandspencer.sojo.uk. 3 easy…

RUTH LANGSFORD Following her break-up from her husband of 14 years, Eamonn Holmes, in May, Ruth is gearing up to spend her first Christmas single in over two decades. But it won’t be too different for the former This Morning star, who was quite used to spending the festive period without the GB News presenter. ‘Being apart for Christmas has never been a problem,’ Ruth, 64, previously said of their relationship. She explained, ‘I wouldn’t be going to [Eamonn’s native] Belfast this year, because I need to be with my mum,’ adding, ‘It’s about family for me.’ That’s the spirit, Ruth! FERN BRITTON TV presenter Fern split from her husband of 20 years, TV chef Phil Vickery, in 2020. And while she previously admitted, ‘I never thought this would happen,’…

A few years ago, I was out shopping with my husband Michael when a shop assistant made a comment about him getting a ‘nice present from his mum’. Instantly, I was mortified. The age gap between us is 23 years. To us it’s irrelevant but the same can’t always be said for others. I was 47, a single mum of two grown-up boys and living in Hong Kong when I met Michael. I was out with friends at a jazz club when the barman asked me to talk to this young man who’d just flown in from Washington, USA, and didn’t know anyone. I invited him to sit with us, thinking I’d set him up with my younger housemate, as he was only 25. He ended up coming to our…