Innholdsfortegnelse for March 17, 2025 i Woman's Own

I’m always amazed by the incredible women who share their stories so openly with us all. We are so grateful to everyone who chooses to become part of the Woman’s Own family (sounds a bit naff, but I mean it), and this week we have yet more brilliant, brave women willing to let us all into a part of their lives. Suzan on p12 shares what it’s really like looking for love in these modern times. On p18 there’s Lesley, who did something truly selfless, and in the process saved her son-in-law’s life. Lisa is on p30 and her humour in the face of heartbreaking diagnosis is inspirational. Gemma (p38) is doing vital work, raising awareness about a dangerous menace on our streets. And on p58 Jo shares the advice…

They’ve been together for almost a decade and share six children between them, so it would be expected that Stacey Solomon and Joe Swash have their fair share of domestic issues. But Stacey has now confessed that her idea of self-care is not speaking a word to her husband. Revealing how their evenings often pan out, Stacey, 35, said, ‘Joe and I will sit on the sofa and not talk to each other and watch some mind-numbing TV. That’s self-care for us.’ And with Joe, 43, admitting he’s ‘scared’ of upsetting Stacey and that it’s ‘difficult’ bringing up their kids, is there trouble brewing at Pickle Cottage? House wars Stacey is well-loved for her organisational skills. After her Instagram series Tap to Tidy at Pickle Cottage took off, she released…

TAT’S A PAIN Twenty eight per cent of British people have at least one tattoo, according to a YouGov survey last year, but other research suggests one in seven have regrets. Which is why more of us are turning to laser removal – with sessions costing anything from £60 to £500. One clinic in London quotes £4,080 for the complete removal of tattoos larger than an iPhone. And the process can be more painful than having the tattoo to begin with. So, is ink falling out of fashion? Experts don’t think so, just that trends have changed with finer needles and designs. American comedian Pete Davidson, 31, made headlines recently by appearing shirtless in an ad campaign with no sign of his once heavily tattooed chest. The cost was reckoned…

Did you know that approximately half of all women over the age of 50 will break a bone? The statistic might sound scary, but it’s because our skeleton becomes naturally weaker during and after the menopause. ‘In fact, women over the age of 45 will spend more days in hospital due to osteoporosis than they will for type 2 diabetes, heart attacks or breast cancer,’ says nutritionist Dr Emma Derbyshire. The good news? Reducing your risk of an A&E visit is much easier than you think. Try ticking off our bone-boosting tips for a fortnight. You’ll have tons more energy, and will improve your balance and coordination, too. Eat right Your diet can have a big impact on bone health… DRINK MILK ■ A large glass of semi-skimmed milk is…

Sticky aubergine noodles SERVES 1 You won’t miss meat in this fakeaway. PREP 7 MINS COOK 20 MINS CALS: 461 FAT: 13.4G SAT FAT: 1.8G CARBS: 70G YOU WILL NEED 1 aubergine (about 250g) 1 garlic clove, finely sliced 1tbsp unsalted roasted peanuts 1tbsp sweet chilli sauce 1 pak choi, quartered lengthways 150g straight-to-wok udon noodles 4 spring onions, finely sliced ½ fresh red chilli, finely sliced 1tbsp crunchy peanut and sesame chilli oil 1tbsp balsamic vinegar ½ little gem lettuce, leaves separated 2 sprigs mint or coriander, leaves picked You will need: A 1-drawer air fryer HOW TO DO IT 1 Slice the aubergine lengthways 1cm thick, then across into 1cm-wide strips. Scatter the aubergine into the air fryer drawer and cook for 15 mins at 200C, shaking halfway.…

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 football club nicknames is also the official name of the oldest football club in Uruguay, founded in Montevideo in 1891? The answer is the one missing from the grid. ALBION BLADES BLUES FOREST FOXES GUNNERS HATTERS MAGPIES OWLS REDS ROBINS SAINTS SWANS TIGERS TOFFEES CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 The Last __, 1976 Robert De Niro film based on an F. Scott Fitzgerald novel (6) 4 Pain caused by a compressed nerve in the lower back (8) 10 2004 Franz Ferdinand single (7) 11 2024 spy film starring 31 Across, 2 Down, 9…

Film MICKEY 17 In cinemas 7 March Wanting to get off Earth, Mickey Barnes (Robert Pattinson) signs up to be a disposable employee where if one iteration dies, a copy is created. After one of his ‘multiples’, Mickey 17, survives a mission, he must go head to head with version 18. But who will come out on top? Tour SABRINA CARPENTER: SHORT ‘N SWEET TOUR Until 14 March 2025, multiple locations including London, Birmingham and Glasgow After months in the charts, pop sensation Sabrina Carpenter is touring the UK to perform some of her biggest hits, including Espresso, Please Please Please and Juno. Be prepared for a fun evening and, of course, a little Nonsense. Event GLASGOW INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FESTIVAL From 12 to 30 March 2025, multiple venues across Glasgow…

Siobhan Finneran ‘YOU’LL BE HOOKED IN A FEW MINUTES!’ The Happy Valley and Benidorm star on new drama Protection… Set in the high-stakes world of witness protection, this six-part thriller stars Siobhan Finneran as DI Liz Nyles, who’s juggling her demanding job with a challenging family life. ‘She’s in her 50s, has a teenage daughter and is a full-time carer for her dad,’ says Siobhan. ‘She’s gone from being a regular detective to working in a unit called Protected Persons so she can spend more time at home – it’s a different ballgame to normal policing.’ Liz is scrupulous about the security of her witnesses, particularly the high-risk criminal turned informant Jimmy McLennan (Kris Hitchen), who is about to testify against Eddie Crowther (Alec Newman), the head of a major…

James ‘I STILL LOVE CHLOE’ It’s been over a year since Chloe Madeley and James Haskell shocked fans by announcing they’d called time on their marriage after five years. But in a new interview, the former rugby union player has opened up about his enduring ‘love’ for the personal trainer, who he shares daughter Bodhi, two, with. ‘Chloe is an amazing woman, extremely talented, she’s made me a much better person, being with her, [even though] now we’re separated,’ he said. James added, ‘I still love Chloe,’ before explaining the reason behind their shock split. ‘You separate essentially because you want to make sure your daughter has the best possible life… The honest answer is we didn’t get on and that’s why we separated. There’s no, like, malicious stuff.’ He…

TIMELESS DENIM Your go-with-everything weekend cover-up. Jacket, £55, sizes xs-xl, Anyday at John Lewis SUSTAINABLE STYLE Made from 100% recycled plastic bottles. Laptop case, £26.95, kindbag.co RAINDROPS A colourful update on the shape of the moment. Earrings, £12.50, M&S STRIPE IT LUCKY On-trend interior stripes at a snip of the price. Lamp, £14, George at Asda SPORTS CHIC Layer over a white shirt. Knitted vest, £45, sizes xs-xxl, Next OCEAN BLUES Make joggers a weekend outfit with an open denim shirt. Shirt, £65, sweatshirt, £42.50, joggers, £49.50, sizes 6-24, trainers, £49, all FatFace MINDFUL MATCHA The best way to drink your greens. Mug, £6, Primark PALE NOTES Don’t you step on my blue suede… Trainers, £35.99, New Look PILLOW TALK Switch up your sofa style. Cushion cover, £9.99, H&M POUR…

MY RASH IS DRIVING ME CRAZY Q I have an itchy rash on my stomach. My GP prescribed some steroid cream, which I thought was helping, but I wake at night having scratched so badly that sometimes I have made myself bleed. I don’t seem to be able to break the cycle. A When you scratch an itchy rash, you may get temporary relief – but the act of scratching releases histamine, which then makes the itching worse and you develop an ‘itch-scratch cycle’. Try cutting your fingernails very short and wearing cotton mitts at night, and take an antihistamine before bed. If you are still struggling, your GP can prescribe something stronger. Can I double my meds? Q Last year, I was started on an antidepressant called sertraline by…

Batch it! Use these handy tips to build up a stash of ready-to-cook meals, saving you time and energy… 1 BULK BUY While you have all the ingredients out, make two times the recipe and freeze one for another day. Hearty, time-consuming dishes such as fish pie and bolognese work well. 2 DOUBLE DUTY Prep meals together that have the same main ingredient, like burgers and meatballs. Add mustard and Worcestershire sauce for burgers, and diced onion, egg and Italian seasoning to make meatballs. Freeze in portions and defrost as needed. 3 COOK SMART If you’ve got the oven on and waiting for a dish to cook, why not bake potatoes alongside it for easy lunches during the week? You can vary the toppings to keep things interesting. Ditch the…

ARIES 21 Mar – 20 Apr An innovator and leader, it’s time to use these skills in your working life. If you feel the need to study again, it would be a good time to start. TAURUS 21 Apr – 20 May Known for your tact, you dislike being involved in conflicts. However, the current situation is testing you, and you may need to assert yourself more. GEMINI 21 May – 20 Jun If you feel like you need a change, take a day trip to somewhere new to fulfil your restless nature. Just making some small tweaks will create a positive shift. CANCER 21 Jun – 22 Jul You may feel like you’re under much obligation right now, but, rest assured, this sense of overwhelm will pass. Stay focused…

STORY OF MY LIFE by Lucy Score (£9.99, PB, Hodder & Stoughton) Things are not looking up for Hazel. After receiving an ultimatum from her publisher, who is threatening to let her go if she doesn’t finish her book on time, she knows something has to change. Forced to move out of her Upper East Side apartment, Hazel makes a rash decision: buying a house in the countryside of Pennsylvania. After all, won’t a fresh start in a small town provide the inspiration she needs to write something incredible? Unfortunately the town she has chosen has seen better days. Luckily, the attractive but grumpy contractor Cam is a welcome distraction! A sizzling romantic comedy. THE LAST LETTERS FROM VILLA CLARA by Sarah Steele (£15.99, PB, Headline) 1939. As the shadow…

IN THE SWING OF THINGS Away from the ballroom, Strictly’s Anton Du Beke enjoys a hole in one, as he reveals in his new podcast Putt & Strut. ‘I had an immediate love affair with golf and have loved it ever since,’ says the nation’s favourite judge, who’s currently touring with his new show Anton Du Beke At The Musicals. ‘It really is a journey through the magic of the musical, as many numbers as we can cram into a couple of hours,’ he says. ‘I have a wonderful section from My Fair Lady and it’s so beautiful.’ COME WHAT MAYS New Disney+ hit A Thousand Blows, set in 1880s London, has packed a punch with viewers, so it’s good news that series two is already in the can. Daniel…

When it comes to challenges, Jane McDonald has had more than most. In 2002, when her career was at an all-time high, the star ‘lost absolutely everything’ when her marriage to second husband Henrik Brixen – who was also her manager – ended and she realised she had no money to show for her glittering career. ‘One minute you’re golden, the next you lose everything,’ Jane, 61, reflects. ‘I’M A PHOENIX RISING FROM THE ASHES’ Thankfully, her hard work saw the singer get back to the top. But just when things were looking up again, Jane’s life changed forever when she lost her beloved mum, Jean, in 2018, and fiancé Ed three years later. ‘The two guiding lights in my life were Ed and my mother, and I suppose losing…

Looking over at my handsome date as he scanned our dinner bill, I watched his face crumple in shock, and then his eyes glazed over in a way I’d come to recognise over the years. ‘I BELIEVE MY LOVE IS OUT THERE SOMEWHERE’ I stifled a sigh of disappointment as, sure enough, he patted his jacket pocket like he’d lost something, and then his jeans, and a familiar, uncomfortable silence followed. ‘I must have left my wallet at home,’ he coughed. Rolling my eyes, I grabbed my phone and tapped it on the card reader. ‘No problem,’ I said, forcing a smile and getting up to leave. We said our goodbyes with an awkward hug. Before my taxi had even arrived, I’d pinged him the email I reserved for my…

Buy of the week Enjoy a fizzy soda? Switch to Fhirst (£22.80 for 12 x 330ml cans, fhirst.com). Packed with prebiotics and probiotics to support your gut health. HEALTH MATHS 3 steps to keep feet healthy + CLEAN BETWEEN TOES + TAKE NOTE OF PEELING AND OPEN SORES + APPLY FOOT CREAM AFTER WASHING = Reduced risk of fungal infections and sore, cracking heels. If you do one thing Quit your smoking habit Are you among the 11.9%* of people in the UK who still smoke? Help is out there if you wish to stop. Cigarettes are highly addictive and a hard habit to quit, but within just 24 hours of stopping smoking, blood pressure and oxygen levels begin to stabilise, and within weeks, lung function starts to improve, says…

He’s manipulating me Q I’m 43 and have been with my partner for seven years. Lately, I feel undermined by him. I saw flirty texts between him and a woman he works with. When I asked him about it, he told me I was imagining things and being needy. I’m right to be worried, but he makes me feel like I am making it up. A This is a form of manipulation known as gaslighting, where a person tries to make another person doubt their memory and feelings. As you have discovered over time, this erodes your confidence, and leaves you feeling helpless. The first step here is to trust in yourself. If something feels wrong, it likely is. Don’t let his attempts to confuse you override this. Second, get…

Driving home with my best friend Karin, then 56, in September 2022, we laughed non-stop, like we always did when we got together. Friends for more than a decade, we shared the same dark, quirky sense of humour and our raucous conversations were punctuated with rude in-jokes and mock insults. ‘MY FINGERTIPS TRACED OVER SOMETHING’ While I’d run my own soft furnishings business for 15 years, in my spare time I worked as a paranormal investigator alongside Karin, showing people around historic buildings. If I wasn’t with Karin, I was with my husband Simon, then 49, and son Harrison, 16, visiting my daughter Rachael, 26, at her home an hour’s drive away from where we lived in Bath. In my 40s, life was busy. A few days after seeing Karin,…

READER QUESTION Q I’ve heard some people talk about ‘ghost broking’. What does it mean? A Ghost brokers are fraudsters who pretend to be genuine insurance brokers in order to sell invalid or fake car insurance. A staggering 30% of drivers aged 17-25 have bought insurance from ghost brokers on social media, research by Aviva found. Buying from a ghost broker means you’ll be driving without insurance, which is illegal, and could lead to a fine, penalty points on your licence or your car being seized. Find more info at aviva.com. Go green for less Don’t just use your oven to cook a meal at a time. Make the most of the energy it uses by cooking food for future days too. I’ll often roast a tray of peppers to…

As my birthday approached in October 2024, I had to double-check which year we were in. I just couldn’t believe I was turning 40. Happily married to Blair, 43, with two gorgeous boys Seth, 10, and Evan, seven, I’d felt like I would forever be in my 30s, but as the big day approached I realised that, apart from a crunching knee, wobbly tummy, and the rising cost of Sauvignon Blanc, I didn’t have much to complain about. Nevertheless, hitting your next decade does force you to stop and reflect. I’m not sure I believe in regrets but, now that I’m older and wiser, there are definitely a few words of advice I’d share with my younger self. SET UP SECURITY FOR YOUR TOY MARKET Jo, look alive. Your parents…