Innholdsfortegnelse for April 7, 2025 i Woman's Own

Our minds can be a bit busy at times, can’t they? Full of things to do and remember. On p22 our brilliant health team brings you expert advice on how to help lighten the mental load. I particularly love the idea of taking a ‘joy’ break, which is all about making time for pleasure – whatever that means to you. How great would it be if we all made a vow to prioritise joy even if just for five minutes a day? Whether that’s enjoying time with your favourite person or sitting outside and feeling the sun on your skin – because doing these things may even help us live longer! On p58 we have a real happy ending for you – writer Flic Everett shares how she uprooted her…

VERY SUPERSTITIOUS We all have them (even royals), but some are a lot stranger than others… Just how weird is Prince William? And this month he’s about to get even weirder. Which isn’t great news for the kids. In fact, George, Charlotte and Louis might want to consider avoiding their dad for the next few weeks. Especially when he’s watching telly. Because all that royal blood counts for nothing when it comes to the one thing pretty much all of us do at some point, even if we’d be wary of admitting it. You might even be doing it right now. We’re talking being superstitious. From touching wood to saying good morning to solo magpies, these are the often random things we do that we believe bring us luck. William’s…

Already scrubbed your home from top to bottom? A new season is the ideal time to give your head a refresh too. In the same way a messy house can hold you back, an overwhelmed brain can slow you down and ramp up stress levels. ‘Having a cluttered mind can be debilitating and leave us feeling unfocused and anxious,’ says lifestyle coach Irene Moore. Try these tips to help lighten your mental load. DO MORNING ‘BEDITATION’ Levels of the harmful stress hormone cortisol are at their highest during the first hour after we wake. But beditation – meditating in bed – can prevent you from feeling overwhelmed if your mind is whirring. ‘It requires little effort and can be done within moments of waking,’ says leadership coach Laurence Shorter. ✣…

Want to lose weight without depriving yourself of delicious flavours? The secret is to switch your calorific go-tos for healthier options that are quick and easy to make. Try these tasty and nutritious swap suggestions for breakfast, lunch and dinner during the week – and then have what you fancy on Saturday and Sunday. Breakfasts DID YOU KNOW? Having breakfast within an hour or two of waking is ideal to replenish glycogen stores and stabilise blood sugar levels, says Dr Naomi Newman-Beinart. This is particularly important if you’re prone to daytime tiredness or cravings. ✢ SWAP Blueberry muffin and full-fat latte (560 cals) ✢ FOR Slice of toasted fruit bread and skinny cappuccino (190 cals) Raisins in a fruit loaf count as one of your five-a-day. ✢ SWAP Crunchy Nut…

Creamy pan-fried gnocchi with peas PREP TIME: 10 MINS COOK TIME: 18 MINS CALS: 870 FAT: 47G SAT FAT: 24G CARBS: 88G SERVES 3 This tasty one-dish dinner comes together in a flash. YOU WILL NEED ½tbsp oil1 onion, chopped200g bacon lardons500g ready-made gnocchi150ml vegetable or chicken stock150ml double cream2tbsp chopped tarragon200g frozen peas HOW TO DO IT 1 Heat the oil in a large frying pan over a medium heat. Add the onion and fry for 5 mins, until softened and beginning to brown. Add the bacon and fry for 5 mins until golden and crisp. 2 Add the gnocchi to the pan and fry for 2-3 mins until starting to brown, then transfer to a plate and set aside. 3 Combine the stock and cream in a jug,…

As the hired van rounded a corner, I heard the tinkle of breaking glass from the back. ‘Oh no, what’s broken?’ I thought. In the front of the van, my two cats were angrily composing a new opera, and there was still another six hours to go before we reached my new home in the remote West Highlands and the beginning of my new life. ‘FRIENDS THOUGHT I’D LOST MY MIND’ That was nine years ago, and I’m still living here, in a tiny cottage between a loch and forest, with Andy – the man who is now my husband. I’m living proof that love really can change your entire life, even if it means living 15 miles from the nearest shop, and surviving without a dishwasher or shower for…

Paddy and Christine’s SHOCK BUST-UP Christine McGuinness is said to be furious after her estranged husband put their marital home, which they both still live in, on the market for £6.5 million. A close source has claimed that Paddy, 51, may have inflated the price so that the mansion doesn’t sell quickly, putting relations between the former couple at ‘an all-time low’. Christine’s friends fear that she will have to continue living with the presenter for the ‘foreseeable future’ as buyers will likely be put off by the cost of the house – a staggering £4.4 million more than they paid for it in 2020. An insider close to the family said, ‘It is so overpriced. The house is on for [so much] more than what they paid for it,…

LOOK SHARP Add polish to a simple jeans-and-tee look. Blazer, £35, sizes xs-xl, Primark ARM CANDY A warm-weather essential. Bag, £16, Tu at Sainsbury’s CLEAN BREAK Boosts radiance. Palmer’s Coconut Hydrate Facial Cleanser, £7.50, Tesco FLOWER POWER Statement studs for a glamorous finishing touch. Earrings, £12, Accessorize PLUMP YOUR POUT An instant hit of hydration. Ole Henriksen Glimmer Pout Preserve, £17, Boots SLING IT BACK Comfy flats in a hue that goes with everything. Shoes, £27.99, New Look SOAK IT UP Take some time out to relax in a Scandi-style bathroom. Diffuser, £23, Maeve lampshade, £32, and bath sheets, £22 each, all Dunelm RETRO RATTAN Add some 70s-inspired charm to your foliage. Plant stand, £15, B&M PUT TO BED Expensive-looking bedding without the price tag. Duvet set, £39.99, H&M POLO…

WHERE CAN I GET THE PILL? Q My GP insisted I come off my contraceptive pill and use a mini pill instead when I turned 50 this year. The switch has been fine, but the pharmacist has had supply issues with my repeat prescription. My GP prescribed an alternative, but that is out of stock, too. How can I get my contraceptive? A Visit your pharmacy to find out which mini pills they have available and take that list to your GP, who can prescribe the closest one to your original prescription. Alternatively, phone other chemists to see if they have your original one in stock. If your prescriptions are sent electronically, your GP can send them to a different chemist. Is swimming damaging my ears? Q A few years…

1 USING FACE WIPES Convenient? Yes. Good for skin? Not so much. Facial wipes can be a little aggressive, as they drag and pull. The worst offenders can dry out and irritate your skin too. Face wipes are brilliant for a weekend away, but they’re not a long-term cleansing solution. SKIN WIN: Choose a cleanser that caters to your skin type. A rich cream or balm like B. Rosehip Oil Melting Cleansing Balm, £9.99, Superdrug, melts away make-up while nourishing mature skin. If you like the fresh-clean feeling of wipes, try using your favourite cleanser with a muslin cloth or cleansing pads like MZ Skin Cleansing Pad Duo, £18, spacenk.com, to provide gentle exfoliation. 2 SKIPPING SUNSCREEN Wearing sunscreen is the best thing you can do for your…

Next SPRING REFRESH Welcome the season with these soft shades of pink and yellow inspired by blooming flowers Matalan COUNTRY KITCHEN A rustic take on sunny yellows and sage greens, add lots of florals for a fun look…

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 In the 2018 film Ocean’s 8, the heist team target the Toussaint, an example of what jewellery? The answer is the one missing from the grid. ANKLETBANGLEBEADSBRACELETBROOCHCHAINCHARMCHOKERNECKLACEPENDANTRINGSTUDTIARATIEPINWATCH CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Sign (6)4 Queer Eye for the __ Guy, 2003–2007 makeover TV series (8)10 Antonio __, TV chef (9)11 __ Tempah, rapper who recorded Written in the Stars and Not Letting Go (5)12 Jamie __, star of TV series Made in Chelsea (5)13 Put together (9)14 Jenna __, Doctor Who sidekick and star of TV series Victoria (7)16 Mixed __, 1994 Christmas film starring Steve…

Paris Hilton Heiress and businesswoman Paris had been open about longing to start a family with husband Carter Reum and she went through several rounds of IVF before having their children Phoenix, two, and London, one, with the help of a surrogate. ‘Surrogacy was a difficult decision to make,’ she said, explaining, ‘I would have loved that experience of growing the baby in your tummy and feeling the kicks and all of those exciting moments.’ Paris, 44, said that ‘life just feels so complete’ after welcoming the tots. KHLOÉ KARDASHIAN Reality star Khloé opted for surrogacy after doctors told her she’d be unlikely to carry a baby again after having her daughter True, now six, with her ex, Tristan Thompson. The star, 40, said she had ‘one of the world’s…

Holding my breath, I pressed myself against the floral wallpaper as I shuffled along the landing, wishing my blue and white Care Bear pyjamas would make me invisible. ‘Nearly there,’ I thought, as I slowly edged past Dad’s bedroom door. It was a cold morning in 1993, I was six, and silently heading towards the kitchen to have my breakfast before school. Only, I wasn’t as silent as I thought because then Dad’s voice boomed out. ‘Trisha, come in here,’ he called. Dread landed in the pit of my stomach, but with Dad’s foul temper, it was best to do as he said. I creaked open the door and trudged into his room. Dad was sprawled completely naked in the middle of the double bed and he patted the sheet…

Buy of the week Soothe irritated eyes with Optrex Moisturising Eye Drops (£5.49 for 10ml, Boots). Use two drops as needed to nourish and hydrate. THE TO-DO LIST EMBRACE WEEKEND WORKOUTS Exercising a couple of times a week can reduce your risk of heart attacks by 27%, found Massachusetts General Hospital. LIGHT A CANDLE Breathing in the sweet aroma of a vanilla candle can reduce sweet cravings, according to a study at St George’s Hospital in London. GET YOUR FEET REMEASURED Ageing can lead to changes, so you could be wearing the wrong size shoe, increasing your risk of blisters, bunions and corns. If you do one thing Spot cervical cancer Dismiss new symptoms? Knowing the changes to pay attention to is key to early diagnosis and intervention. 'Bleeding that…

He’s angry and bitter post diagnosis Q My husband is 57 and was made redundant last year. Since then, he’s had health problems that now need ongoing care. These issues have turned him from an easy-going man to someone who is depressed, angry and bitter. Anything can make him lose his temper. I’ve suggested he try counselling or see friends, but he refuses everything. A It’s clear your husband feels a deep sense of loss and frustration. These feelings often manifest as anger, which masks underlying fear. While it’s important to support your husband, his anger and behaviour should not come at the expense of your own wellbeing. You need to talk to your GP and ask them to intervene. The voice of an expert may well be what your…

Recently I was going through my wardrobe, decluttering to make room for new purchases, and I found my old Wrangler jacket. I last wore the denim piece two years ago on holiday in Ibiza, and it was too small for me then. But the jacket has been round the world with me for the past 20 years. I’ve taken it to Bali, China and Hawaii, so there was no way I could get rid of it because it held far too many memories. But would I be caught dead wearing it now? Not a chance! ‘I CRINGE WHEN I RECALL MY 80S OUTFITS’ My jacket got me thinking about all of the fashion choices I’ve made over the years -the good, the bad and the regretful. Every style hit or…

READER QUESTION Q Where is the best place to sell a wedding dress, and do you have any tips? A You’ll find specialist websites online such as stillwhite.com, where you can list your dress, although you’ll pay a one-off fee of £17 for its standard package. Investigate these sites and search for similar wedding dresses to yours to see how much they’re selling for and read reviews. Or you could try listing it for free on a website like preloved.co.uk. Go green for less Why not make your own products to do the spring-clean? You’ll find loads of inspiring ideas online – try sites like thesoapkitchen.co.uk/natural-cleaning for glass cleaners, disinfectants and for all-purpose cleaners*. 3 easy ways to... boost your mortgage chances You’ll want to do everything you can to…

1-7 April 2025 ARIES 21 Mar – 20 Apr With the Sun in your sign, you have new ideas about your working life, and this will continue for you over the coming months. Be clear about what you want. TAURUS 21 Apr – 20 May With the New Moon in your sign at the end of April, it is a prime time to create a practical plan for the coming months. Decide what you can change. GEMINI 21 May – 20 Jun You can spread yourself too thinly – beware of this. You can’t be all things to all people, so prioritise what you need and trust all will be taken care of. CANCER 21 Jun – 22 Jul After a couple of months with Mars in your sign you’ve…

THE BLACKBIRDS OF ST GILES by Lila Cain (£18.99, HB, Simon & Schuster) Having earned his freedom fighting in the American War of Independence, former slave Daniel arrives in London in 1782 with his sister Pearl. They are full of hope for a bright new beginning, finally free from the misery of the sugar plantation. But trouble awaits in this unfamiliar city. Daniel and Pearl must navigate the violence of a labyrinth of alleyways ruled by a ruthless underworld kingpin, Elias. With help from the brotherhood of Black men known as the Blackbirds of St Giles, can Daniel find the strength to overthrow Elias? A raw and deeply moving tale that explores love, power and freedom. THE NEW NEIGHBOURS by Claire Douglas (£16.99, HB, Penguin) When a respectable, retired couple…

Meera Syal ‘WHO WOULDN’T WANT TO BE ON BAKE OFF?’ The actor and writer puts her baking skills to the test… As The Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up To Cancer continues, another bunch of celebrities enter the tent, hoping to impress judges Paul Hollywood and Caroline Waldegrave with their bakes. Joining Meera Syal are Derry Girls star Tommy Tiernan, comedian Adam Buxton, and songwriter/musician Self Esteem. ‘I was thrilled to be asked,’ says Meera. ‘Everyone seems to have such a good time, as well as raising money for a fantastic cause. It’s a win-win, really. Who wouldn’t want to be on it?’ But the all-important question is, can she bake? ‘I make quite a few cakes,’ says Meera. ‘However, I’m aware that taking part in this might be…

REVEL’ING IN IT Celebrating the release of his album Revelations: Songs Boys Don’t Sing, with a tour of the same name, Craig Revel Horwood tells me he’ll be paying a poignant tribute to his late friends The Vivienne and Paul O’Grady. ‘They helped show me the way,’ he says. Craig had a glow on when we met, fresh from filming Dancing with the Stars in Oz, which is pre-recorded over three weeks, unlike Strictly. Pity the contestants. I could just about learn a couple of turns in that time. PIPES DREAM! Sticking with Strictly, Nikita Kuzmin is starring in his first solo tour, Midnight Dancer – a tale of toe-tapping, star-crossed lovers. As well as that, the star pro hopes to take on his biggest challenge to date in the…