Innholdsfortegnelse for October 20, 2015 i Woman's Weekly

The rhythm of our year is woven through with the beat of reassuringly regular calendar events – New Year’s Eve, Easter, bank holidays, clocks going backward and forward, and Christmas. Then there are the occasions personal to us that mark the move through the months. One of those, that has become a highlight in my annual calendar, is the Women of the Year Lunch. Every year 400 remarkable women are nominated and invited to the lunch in recognition of their inspiring lives and achievements, and the contributions they have made to society and their communities. These are not only high-powered women at the top of their professions, although there are plenty of those. But there are just as many, if not more, ‘ordinary’ extraordinary women in the room. Women whose,…

We love letters Woman’s Weekly, 110 Southwark St, London SE1 0SU. PS. It really helps when you put your details in capitals We do not return photos (apart from ‘You Look Great!’) so please do not send originals Email us Womansweeklypostbag @timeinc.com  Tell us your full name, address and daytime phone number, please Fancy a chat? Log on to facebook.com/  womansweekly We can’t wait to hear from you! Important! All contributions to Woman’s Weekly must be original and NOT duplicated to other publications. £25 will be paid to the writer of the ‘Letter Of The Week’, and the ‘Good To Meet You’ contributor will receive a gift or similar as stated at time of publication of contribution, for all rights in each letter printed. The Editor reserves…

Catherine Pride, 52, Cherry Hinton Tell us about your look… I lived in the Caribbean for a long time so I really struggle with dressing for the cold weather. I try not to wear too much black, and I cycle, so I need clothes that are practical on a bike. I love shopping in charity shops, as you can pick up a really eclectic mix of things, and it helps a good cause at the same time. And the best bit of your body? My legs. Emma Rothwell, 42, Cambridge Tell us about your look… I like quite quirky things, but I’m a vicar so I wear clothes that are smart and presentable but relaxed for work. I wear a lot of dresses with my clergy…

For us, this is the year of landmark birthdays. My husband has just turned 80. So have many of our friends, and we’ve been helping each other mark this late-in-life rite of passage. Eightieth birthdays tend to be celebrated at lunchtime, as some of our age group are uneasy about driving at night. The parties vary from asking a few close friends and relations round for drinks to a full-blown, three-course, sit-down lunch in a marquee on the lawn, for a greatly extended family and a wide circle of friends of all ages. Each occasion has been immensely enjoyable and has provided a great chance to catch up with old friends and relations. Animated conversations start ‘Do you remember...’, ‘Whatever happened to..?’ and, ‘Are you still...’, this last phrase might…

BODYSUITS UNDERWEAR SETS BRIEFS STOCKISTS BHS 0845 411 6000; bhs.co.uk Charnos 0118 983 6000; charnos.co.uk Curvy Kate 0208 861 3111; curvykate.com Fantasie 01536 760 282; fantasie.com Fashion World 0345 071 9018; fashionworld.co.uk Figleaves 0844 493 2932; figleaves.com F+F 0845 075 5000; clothingattesco.com George 0500 100 055; george.com JD Williams 0871 231 2000; jdwilliams.co.uk Marisota 0871 984 6000; marisota.co.uk M&S 0845 302 1234; marksandspencer.com Miss Mary of Sweden 0203 608 7632; missmary.co.uk Naturana 0154 341 4441; naturana.co.uk Simply Be 0871 231 5000; simplybe.co.uk Yours Clothing 0844 820 4204; yoursclothing.co.uk…

Let the flavours mingle together gently in your slow cooker or oven until everything’s meltingly tender. Sweet Potato & Spinach Curry Serves 4 Calories: 422 Fat: 22g Saturated fat: 17g Carbohydrates: 50g Suitable for freezing 1tsp mustard seeds1tsp onion seeds1tsp coriander seeds1tsp cumin seeds400g can tomatoes400ml can coconut milk1tbsp groundnut oil1 onion, chopped1 chilli, deseeded and chopped,optional4 garlic cloves, crushed4 sweet potatoes, peeledand cubed400g (14oz) spinach, washedHandful of coriander leaves 150g natural yogurt4 mini naan breads 1 Heat the oven to 180°C or Gas Mark 4, if using. Dry-fry the mustard, onion, coriander and cumin seeds and cook for about 30 secs, until they begin to pop, but not brown. 2 Add to a blender or food processor with the canned tomatoes and coconut milk. Blitz until smooth and combined.…

Easy-peasy A Bit More Tricky Hard–ish Quite A Challenge MEASUREMENTS Approximately 34 x 144cm/13½ x 56½in. MATERIALS 2 x 100g (410m) balls of Sirdar Heart & Sole (75% wool, 25% nylon) in Mash Up (161). Size 3.00 crochet hook. TENSION 1 complete motif measures approximately 4.5cm in diameter. ABBREVIATIONS Ch, chain; dc, double crochet; st, stitch; slst, slip stitch. NOTE Yarn amounts are based on average requirements and are therefore approximate. Instruction in square brackets are worked as stated after 2nd bracket. First diagonal row FIRST MOTIF 1st round: With 3.00 hook, wind yarn round index finger of left hand to form a ring, insert hook in ring, yarn round hook and pull through, 1ch (does not count as a st), 6dc in ring, pull the end up tightly to…

Crinodendron Hookerianum ‘Ada Hoffman’ A lovely new cultivar, this medium-sized, evergreen shrub will stop you in your tracks. From May to July, ‘Ada Hoffman’ is decorated with masses of delicate, pale pink lantern like flowers, hence the common name the Chinese lantern tree. It’s easy to grow but difficult to forget. Height and spread, 3m. Supplied in 9cm pots. Buy the collection of 3 mixed plants and you’ll get £15 worth of Frittilaria with your purchase Cornus Canadensis Known as the creeping dogwood, it creates rhizomatous carpets of lush, green oval-shaped leaves that in spring display whorls of creamy white, sometimes pink, blushed flowers. Later in the year, the flowers are followed by red, fleshy berries and the finale arrives in winter when the green leaves turn autumnal shades of…

New Cancer Hope A new urine test could be a breakthrough in diagnosing pancreatic cancer. This cancer affects around 9,000 people a year but is usually diagnosed too late for effective treatment because symptoms are often absent or vague until the later stages. British researchers say the screening test, which detects three abnormal proteins, could be 90% accurate and dramatically boost survival rates. But they say a simple, inexpensive version may not be routinely available for some time. True Or False? Watch a ‘weepie' if you want to feel better. True, according to Dutch researchers, who say that having a good cry during a sad film can give us a mood boost from about 90 minutes after it finishes. A ‘Female Viagra’? A new drug that claims to improve sex…

I became interested in nutrition because, as a GP, I realised that many of my patients had health problems as a result of their poor diet. They ate junk food most of the week then wondered why they were overweight, bloated and depressed, with no sex drive. I started prescribing vitamins and minerals to supplement their diet and they perked up. Once some realised their eating habits were at fault, they began to improve their nutrition and their health improved. Evidence shows, for example, that each additional serving of fruit or veg you eat per day can reduce your risk of a heart attack by 4% and your risk of a stroke by up to 11%. I completed a master’s degree in nutritional medicine because, like most doctors, I received…

Q How do I start finding out about my family tree? As Christmas draws near, we often think about extended family. It can be sad remembering the ones who can’t be with us, but it makes us cherish the ones who are – and many of us find great excitement in discovering our ancestors. The first thing to do, before you even fire up your computer, is simply talk to your relatives about their family memories. It may surprise you how much they’re able to remember and how much information they have about grandparents, cousins and great-aunts. Take plenty of notes, and then head to your local library, family history society or record offices – all of which should be a quick internet search away. Experienced amateurs should be able…

You can’t do it, Om,” Abu hissed into the night air. “I will not let you. If they find you, they will kill you.” His hand stole into hers. He wanted to hold her here forever, safe behind the rock where they hid. “If I do not go, I will die anyway,” she whispered. Her eyes grew wider in the darkness. “Or worse.” “But you can’t go over the sea in one of those boats. They’re not seaworthy. If you stow away and the smugglers find you, they’ll tear you to shreds.” Om Nimr hugged her tiny chest. It was only just showing signs of maturing into curves. To be a desirable young woman in a war zone was too awful to contemplate. Digging her nails into her olive skin,…

Aries 21 March - 20 April This is a good time for making dreams come true, especially if they involve health and work. Being busy will keep temptation at bay. But you must be realistic about a close relationship. If a partner doesn’t support your plans, it’s time to talk. If you work together, you can achieve anything. For more, call 0901 609 2591* Leo 24 July - 23 August Do you think you should get more money for your work? You could ask for a pay rise or look for a better-paid position. It’s important to pursue your financial interests. You’re blessed with great communication skills. Use them to turn a set of lacklustre situations into golden opportunities. For more, call 0901 609 2595* Sagittarius 23 November - 21…

How do you like your tea? I like herbal teas – white tea and green matcha especially. But between filming sessions I like to keep it simple with a builder’s tea. Who would you most like to have a cup of tea with? A tea master I met while I was in Hong Kong. She opened my eyes to all sorts of wonderful tea and new flavours. What do you like to do with your time when you're not in the kitchen? I like playing tennis, scuba diving and sailing. I sail a small catamaran. I wish I could sail more often, but with my work schedule there isn’t always time. You can’t have everything. Tell us about your book, Kew On A Plate It’s a follow-up of…

As I was waiting for radiotherapy treatment a while ago, I noticed your piece on what to do and say when someone you care for has cancer [20 January issue]. When I read that the writer didn’t like receiving flowers because they reminded her she had cancer, I felt compelled to write. When I had treatment for breast cancer, many well-wishers sent cards and flowers, which gave me a warm sense of being enfolded by positive thoughts and prayers. Different people cope in different ways, and I wanted to share how glad I was for the flowers, which added colour to my life at a rather grey time. Helen Hillard, Teignmouth, Devon . We’re glad your loved ones’ kind gestures brought you such pleasure, Helen. We love to hear…

Keira Knightley ‘One of my cooking specialities is dal. I got the recipe from my mum, who learnt it back in the 1970s when she was a proper 1970s-style hippy. She’s given me lots of other recipes, but her dal is my favourite. It’s really good.’ Ian McKellen ‘I'm too indecisive to be a good cook. I can't even be certain of how to boil an egg! Do you put it in hot water or cold? Do you boil it for five minutes or maybe only four? Straight from the fridge or brought to room temperature? So many decisions! Ask me about gay rights and I know what I'm talking about, but egg boiling is too much for me.' Gemma Arterton ‘I love having people over for dinner. I’m a…

Where I’ve been... Kiftsgate Court Gardens, in Gloucestershire – one of my top five favourites of all English gardens (www.kiftsgate.co.uk). What I’ve seen... Basking sharks in the Inner Hebrides. Who I’ve met... Some amazing stallholders at our local farmers’ market. They all seem to love what they do. What I’ve bought...Yellow (yes, yellow) raspberry jam (see above). Delicious. Also great organic meat, fruit and veg, and local cheeses. And a big slice of coffee and walnut cake for elevenses.…

YOU WILL NEED • Pencil • Black card • Scissors • Glue • White card • Black photo frames Using the image as a guide, draw a spider, witch, tree and ‘Boo!’ onto black card with a pencil. Carefully cut around the spooky shapes with a pair of scissors. Then measure and cut the white card so that it fits inside the photo frames. Glue the black card cutouts to the white card and place inside the photo frames. Then hang or place somewhere suitably scary! TOP TIP! Try experimenting with orange, green or purple coloured card and frames to create an even more eerie look YOU WILL NEED • Pencil • Black card • Scissors • Glue dots or Blu-Tack Draw bats, birds and mice onto black card or…

1 A tape measure – or a piece of string! Keep your waist less than half your height to reduce heart disease risk. 2 Bathroom scales – calculate your Body Mass Index (BMI) by multiplying your height in metres by itself and dividing it by your weight in kilograms. Aim for a BMI of 18.5 to 24.9. 3 Home blood-pressure monitor (you can find recommendations at bhsoc. org ) – to check your BP is healthy or that any medication you are taking is effective. 4 Notebook – to record results, immunisations and when various health checks are due.…

Meeting someone new isn’t being disloyal Q I’m 57 and my husband died four years ago. I’d like to meet someone new, but, whenever I think about it, I feel disloyal to him, as we promised to only be with each other. We met when I was 17 and I’ve never made love with anyone else. I can’t imagine what that would be like. Fiona, Bristol A My hunch is that you made a promise to be together ‘till death do us part’ and sadly that has already happened. I wonder if your concerns about meeting someone new have got muddled with thoughts about being disloyal. Would he really want you to stay alone? You are, after all, a youngish woman with potentially many years ahead. Meeting someone else doesn’t…

I suppose this is as good a time as any to confess. You see, I have a secret addiction that has nothing to do with Tesco Finest éclairs, Butter Puff biscuits, and the moment when Hercule Poirot gathers everybody in the drawing room and reveals the identity of the murderer, not before he’s managed to annoy everybody else by going through the cast one by one and showing why they, too, might have done it. No, I suspect I am slightly addicted to the National Lottery. If you are a psychiatrist who happens to be reading this, please do not rush round. I use the word addiction here in the lightest possible way because I don’t buy a ticket every time, or even every week. What I mean by addiction…

Jewellery The value of precious metals has climbed sharply above historical levels, and traditional jewellery is becoming more popular than ever. This is certainly reflected in its value, as we can see from the following examples. Fig 1 is a Victorian garnet evening set composed of a brooch (centre), which can be attached to a necklace to form a pendant, and a pair of earrings. The intricacy of design and manufacture are to be admired as much today as they were in the past. Every tiny garnet is hand-cut, and still within the original fitted case. It would be worth between £300 and £500 at auction. Fig 2 is similarly impressive and is worth around the same amount because it has the same good features – quality, workmanship, attractiveness and…

Admire Strictlydresses at Woburn Abbey Is the iconic theme tune playing in your head yet? On until 1 November, this faaab-u-lous exhibition displays 16 beautiful dresses, as worn by previous Strictly stars. The scores are in – we give it 10 out of 10! For details, call 01525 290 333, or visit woburnabbey.co.uk Visit The London Chocolate Show Satisfy your sweet tooth at this wonderful celebration of all things chocolate! From 16-18 October, go mad for the brown stuff at Olympia in London, with stalls, chocolate workshops and demonstrations, including one from Bake Off winner Edd Kimber. To find out more, call 020 7385 1200, or visit thechocolateshow.co.uk Enjoy Circus City Festival Up to 31 October, Bristol will become circus central. Laugh out loud at shows that mix comedy, theatre…

Former Second World War pilot, Joy Lofthouse’s cosy flat in Cirencester is filled with memories of a remarkable life. There are model aircraft, countless awards and many photographs, old and new. There’s even a letter from Prince Harry on the hallway wall, in which he describes what a pleasure it was to meet her. ‘Oh, really, don’t look at that,’ she says when I point it out. ‘My daughter made me put it there – it seems a bit boastful to me.’ At the age of 92, Joy has every reason to be ‘a bit boastful’. She was, after all, one of 164 women – or ‘Attagirls’ – in the Air Transport Auxiliary, trained to fly planes between factories and military airfields to maintenance units across the country. As only…

Zoe groans as I chalk up the weather forecast on the specials board: ‘Spells of hilarious laughter blowing in by lunchtime’. “I doubt it,” she mutters, giving a slight nod of her hammer towards the mousey woman in the raincoat. Our mystery mousey customer has nursed one latte by the window for an hour. Has someone stood her up, or is she reluctant to go home? Well, let her sit. The cafe’s trade always winds down in winter, and an empty table won’t earn its keep. My purple-fringed assistant starts knocking another nail into the wall of my little log cabin. She’s hanging up one of her crazy patchwork panels for sale. All indigo, sapphire and violet. Pretty. In a sighing of damp raincoat, Mrs Mousey approaches the counter. “Excuse…

Deer-chaser features are a key element of my favourite Japanese meditation gardens, and are wonderful for creating an oriental feel. They are made from bamboo tubes that move on a pivot to tip water into a spill basin over a sunken circulating pond or reservoir. In winter, plants in front gardens can take a real battering when de-icing salt is washed into the soil and sprayed on to them. Salt-tolerant plants, such as escallonia, hippophae, tree lupins and olearia, are the solution – not concrete! Hedge and shrub prunings can all be rotted down to make compost. However, you must shred wood first and mix it with vegetable waste and grass clippings before putting it in the bin. Add a compost activator that contains nitrogen to get things started. Supplied…

Welcome to the world of ‘wearables’ – armbands, watches and other items containing on-board mini computers that can monitor our body functions and lifestyles. They are becoming increasingly sophisticated and popular. We can now set goals and track our progress, share our information with others, and/or use feedback and inbuilt ‘coaches’ to improve our performance. A simple step counter costs just a few pounds and I think everyone should wear one, even around the house, because it can tell you how far you’ve walked. Aim for 10,000 steps a day. Some brands measure your walking speed and estimate calorie usage, too. You may even want to try downloading the NHS ‘Couch to 5K’ running plan on to your smartphone – you could be achieving 5km runs in just nine weeks.…

Dear Keren I wrote to you a few weeks ago, as one of the letters on your page resonated with me and I wanted to be put in touch with the woman who wrote it. She lives near me and I think we’d have a lot in common. There was nothing but silence from you. I know some people in your role answer everyone, and wondered why you don’t. It seems very rude. Surely it’s good to be able to help people who are hurting and to share life experiences. Isn’t that what you do? Louisa, Cardiff A I understand your frustration about not receiving a reply and I’m sorry you think my behaviour is rude. We are very clear on the page about the limit of my role and…