Innholdsfortegnelse for February 2025 i Woman's Weekly Living Series

“How we fuel our bodies is crucial for good health – and we’ve really got you covered in this issue when it comes to cooking up a storm in the kitchen. We’ve got recipes for packing in your five-a-day (p20), bakes with benefits (p62), and delicious and filling low-calorie pasta dishes (p38) and bean feasts (p52) for added protein and fibre. We also investigate whether cutting back on red meat would benefit your wellbeing (p18). And, if you’d like to shed some winter weight, we’ve got an eating plan (p12) based around your store-cupboard favourites which can save you money as well as lose you pounds. Tuck in and feel fantastic…”…

There’s something quite formidable about Sandi Toksvig. From dealing with trolls early on in her career when she came out as gay to ‘walking away from the biggest pay cheque of my life’ – hosting The Great British Bake Off – because she no longer enjoyed it, the star is unashamedly herself and is a force to be reckoned with. At 66, the comedian, presenter and writer refuses to be sidelined. While she admits, ‘It’s unusual at my age to still be on television,’ Sandi maintains, ‘I’m a pensioner and I don’t want to be dismissed.’ She adds, ‘I think feisty old ladies are the backbone of society.’ So, what steps does she take to ensure that she carries on entertaining us long into the future? In her 50s, the…

Base: Matte A velvety-matte finish is great for those with oily and combination skin who want to pare down shine. This type of formula tends to be longer-lasting, and prevents foundation from slipping and sliding so that even an oily T-zone remains beautifully finished after a few hours’ wear. For an even, airbrush-smooth complexion, try Too Faced Born This Way Soft Matte Oil Control Foundation, £38, Boots. Or there’s Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Foundation, £8.99, Superdrug, absorbs oil with flexible micro-powders, which keeps it feeling light. Base: Sheer If you’re blessed with beautiful skin or just looking for light coverage to even things out, reach for a sheer skin tint, which benefits from hydrating and often anti-ageing ingredients that keep the formula flexible so they won’t settle into…

Why exercise? Don’t fancy exercising because the weather is colder? You’re not alone. Nearly half of us (48%) quit all exercise in the winter, according to a recent survey*. It found that we spend 42% more time sedentary now than in the summer, and a staggering 882 hours on the sofa! ‘Staying active improves both mental and physical health, while also reducing your risk of developing life-threatening illnesses or having a fall that results in injury,’ says consultant orthopaedic surgeon Dr Carlos Cobiella**. But you don’t need to clock up hours working out or splash out on a pricey gym membership to reap the health benefits. Just build a bit of activity into your day. Chosen well and age appropriate, it will keep you fit and healthy. And consider taking…

Leg ulcers usually develop on the inside of the leg, between the knee and the ankle. Venous leg ulcers are the most common, causing 60% of cases, affecting one in 500 people in the UK, more commonly with age. They can develop after a minor injury, with persistently high pressure in the leg veins weakening the skin. Symptoms include pain, itching and swelling. There may be discoloured or hardened skin around the ulcer, with a foul-smelling discharge. See your GP if you think that you have a leg ulcer, as it will need specialist treatment to help healing. Your GP will examine your leg and may carry out additional tests to rule out other conditions. You’re more at risk of developing one if you previously had deep-vein thrombosis (DVT), or…

Q I keep getting boils. Where is the bug coming from? A Boils are inflamed, hard and painful lumps filled with pus, usually arising from an infected hair follicle. Most boils are caused by the bacterium staphylococcus aureus, including MRSA. This bacterium may be carried unknowingly by the patient. Small boils will usually drain spontaneously after application of moist heat; larger ones may need incision and drainage, plus intravenous antibiotics. If boils are recurrent, it’s important to try to find the source. Swabs of the patient’s nose should be taken to test for staphylococcus if recurrent boils are in the facial area, but if they are more extensive, swabs should also be taken from the bottom, groin, armpit and navel. If confirmed, you should be prescribed treatment to clear it, and be…

Chocolate, beetroot and stem ginger brownies Beetroot contains antioxidants and potassium, which can help lower blood pressure. MAKES 14 PREP 20 mins COOK 30 mins ✱ 200g unsalted butter, plus extra for greasing✱ 200g 70% dark chocolate, broken into pieces✱ 125g light muscovado sugar✱ 125g caster sugar✱ 4 medium free-range eggs✱ 150g self-raising flour✱ 1tbsp cocoa powder✱ 200g cooked beetroot, peeled and grated✱ 5 knobs stem ginger, finely chopped✱ Icing sugar, to dust (optional) You will need: ✱ 20cm square tin, greased and lined 1 Heat the oven to 140C Fan/Gas 3. Put the butter and chocolate into a heatproof bowl over a pan of simmering water. Heat gently, stirring until both have melted. Set aside to cool slightly. 2 In a large bowl, beat the sugars with the egg until light and…

Things have never looked so promising in the fight against cancer – from advances in spotting and treating it, to what science shows us is best to lower our risk of getting it. There are around 167,000 deaths from cancer each year in the UK*, with 40% of new cases diagnosed at an early stage** (by Stages 1 or 2), improving the chances of successful treatment. The NHS has set targets that, by 2028, 75% of cancers will be diagnosed by Stages 1 and 2 of the disease, and that an extra 55,000 people per year will survive for at least five years after diagnosis. One diagnostic tool that could contribute is a test that can spot 50 cancer types before symptoms appear. The Galleri test, produced by the US…

DIY dye If you have light or greying eyebrows, bring them back to life by using an at-home dye kit. They’re simple to use, last for six weeks and take less than 15 minutes to apply. We like Kiss Brow Tint Kit, £10, Boots. Just choose your preferred shade and follow the steps on the instructions. Always remember to leave it on for slightly less time than suggested, so the colour isn’t too strong. And our top tip is to use Vaseline, £1.79, Superdrug, around your brows to prevent staining your skin. Encourage growth Do your brows look sparse? Help them grow with Catrice Caffeine Kick Lash & Brow Serum, £4.99, justmylook.com, applied daily. This hard-working serum contains ingredients like caffeine, panthenol and a peptide that feed healthy follicles for…

Spicy chorizo and prawn pasta Transform a handful of ingredients into this rich pasta dish. SERVES 4 PREP 10 mins COOK 10 mins ✱ 300g spaghetti✱ 120g chorizo pieces✱ 200g raw king prawns✱ 350ml cherry tomato pasta sauce✱ Small handful parsley, chopped 1 Cook the spaghetti according to the packet instructions, and once al dente, drain and set aside for later. 2 Meanwhile, dry-fry the chorizo pieces in a large frying pan until they begin to crisp. Add the king prawns and cook for 1-2 mins on each side. Pour over the tomato pasta sauce and 150ml water (rinse out the jar with the water first). 3 Add the drained pasta to the pan along with half the parsley and toss thoroughly until covered with the sauce and heated through.…

For... mid-life Falling testosterone levels can trigger a range of symptoms, including mood changes, memory and concentration issues, low energy levels, sleeplessness, reduced strength and muscle mass and decreased libido. This supplement includes a blend of vitamins, minerals and botanicals designed to help support the male menopause. Health & Him Andropause 40+ Testosterone Support, £21.99/60 capsules, Holland & Barrett For... prostate health Keep on top of his prostate health with this finger-prick at-home test. ` It gives results in five minutes, measuring the level of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and helping screen for prostate issues such as cancer, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostatitis. Newfoundland Prostate Health Test, £12.99, newfoundland.io For... comfort If you must buy socks, make them sports socks – with colour and comfort in mind! These ones from…

Chicken and pearl barley orzotto This makes a great alternative to white risotto rice. It’s full of fibre to help you reach the recommended 30g a day. SERVES 4 PREP 20 mins COOK 40 mins ✱ 2tbsp light olive oil✱ 50g butter✱ 2 shallots, peeled and sliced✱ 4-6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs, chopped into chunks✱ 250g chestnut mushrooms, halved or quartered✱ 1 garlic clove, crushed✱ 2tbsp thyme, chopped✱ 300g pearl barley✱ 300ml white wine✱ 2 chicken stock cubes✱ 2tbsp grated Parmesan, plus shavings for garnish 1 Heat the oil and half of the butter in a pan. Cook the shallots for 5 mins, then add the chicken, mushrooms, garlic and thyme and cook for a further 5 mins. Add the pearl barley and mix well. 2 Pour in the wine and simmer until…

DO NOURISH £9.99, Do Books This empowering guide will help you build a personalised eating plan for resilience and long-term good health. It’s chock-full of achievable ideas for making small adjustments to your diet with a meaningful impact on your metabolism, from registered nutritional therapist Sarah Bayliss. HOW TO EASE YOUR ANXIETY £12.99, Vie Books A beautifully designed guide to help you calm your mind, ease your worries and quieten your thoughts. It includes tips and kind advice, for tuning out negative thinking, adopting healthy coping strategies and finding mental tranquillity. THE BLACKBIRD’S SONG £14.99, New River With this, you can learn to boost your wellbeing by reconnecting with the great outdoors. This book explores the benefits of nature, from bird watching and foraging to taking an ‘urban safari’, with…

Saag channa masala A source of prebiotics, leeks are great for feeding your healthy gut bacteria. SERVES 4 PREP 5 mins COOK 20 mins ✱ 2tbsp vegetable oil✱ 1tsp each cumin seeds, mustard seeds✱ 1tsp each chilli flakes, ground coriander, turmeric✱ 2 leeks, washed and sliced✱ 3 garlic cloves, sliced✱ 1 thumb-size piece ginger, grated✱ 6 tomatoes, chopped✱ 400g tin chickpeas, drained✱ 100ml coconut cream✱ 200g spinach, chopped up roughly 1 Heat the oil in a large frying pan over a medium heat. Add the cumin and mustard seeds. When they start to pop, add the remaining spices. Stir for a few seconds, then add the leeks. Fry for around 6 mins until soft and browning. 2 Add the garlic and ginger, and stir for another few minutes, then add…

1 BREATHABLE BASE This lightweight skin tint ticks so many beauty boxes. Not only is it vegan and fragrance-free but it works to blur imperfections, even skin tone and texture, and deeply hydrate. It’s available in 12 shades. Rimmel London Kind & Free Skin Tint Moisturising Foundation, £9.99, Boots 2 GENTLE GEL Calming, hydrating, less plumping and softening, this gel-based face cream does it all. The vegan formula contains a soothing mix of niacinamide and green tea, which instantly reduces redness and inflammation, as well as being deeply hydrating. BYOMA Moisturizing Gel Cream, £11.99, Boots 3 LENGTHENED LASHES The curved, spiral brush with this mascara separates and defines each strand to create volumised and magnified lashes in seconds. The cruelty-free and vegan formula will give you an impressive flutter from…

Clambering across giant boulders, up a steep scree path, Jen Lowthrop stood on the top of Scafell Pike in the Lake District and could barely see due to the fog in front of her. ‘Suddenly, the clouds lifted and I had 360-degree views over the mountains and lakes below, and I thought, “That’s what this walking thing is all about,”’ the 39-year-old says. Twelve months earlier, Jen struggled to walk up a steep hill without getting out of breath, let alone Scafell Pike, England’s highest mountain. After a serious car accident, a skiing accident and breaking her wrist while ice skating, she had suffered pain in her back, shoulders, hips and knees for years. Nothing was diagnosed, but the pain wouldn’t go away and she was desperate to do something…