Innholdsfortegnelse for 19-Apr-2016 i Woman's Weekly

This week I share with you the results of a recent survey. However, I have to admit, it’s not the kind of carefully conducted, scientifically rigorous survey we quote in our features. Actually, it would probably be more honest to call it a straw poll. Which roughly translated means I asked the WW team what one thing they’d change about their other halves. In the interests of transparency and fairness, I would say they all had to think a while before answering (which either means their beloveds are impressively free of annoying habits, or they’re too loyal/kind to reveal what they are), but pushed a little, one admitted to finding their loved one’s habit of straightening the furniture a tad irritating, while another said their other half was a stickler…

Growing up, food blogger Karen S Burns-Booth was raised on a hearty diet of Northumbrian grub all grown in the rambling countryside surrounding her family’s old stone cottage. Every day, milk was delivered in urns fresh from the farmer, and weekends were spent foraging hazelnuts, wild herbs and garlic with her grandmother. Years later, and inspired by these fond memories, Karen decided to start her own food blog, specialising in rustic recipes using seasonal produce. The result is Lavender and Lovage, and what a treat it is. Try the Slow Cooker Boston Baked Beans for a delicious take on a warming classic.…

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…

Joanne West 78, Rochester Tell us about your look… I love classic clothes and I wear smart trousers. I like to be coordinated so I’ll often match my jacket to my accessories, as you can see. My favourite brand is Planet, as it’s so well made – I think you get what you pay for with clothes. The jacket I’m wearing is from there and I’ve had the boots for years – I wish I’d bought two pairs when I had the chance! And the best bit of your body? My boobs. Rasia Naidoo 40, Gants Hill Tell us about your look… I’d say my style was smart casual. I love grey but I do like nice floral prints too. I love shopping – so much…

If the person or place is within Greater London, the scheme is overseen by English Heritage ( www.english-heritage.org.uk/ visit/blue-plaques ). Suitable candidates must have… • Been dead for 20 years • Been considered eminent by a majority of members of their own profession or have made an outstanding contribution to human welfare or happiness • Lived or worked in that building in London for a significant period in time or for a time of importance within their life and work • And they must be a name recognisable to the well-informed passer-by. Roughly a third of proposals are approved in principle and put on a shortlist. If the nomination isn’t approved, they can only be proposed again after 10 years has gone by. Blue plaques can…

‘Most of us would like to change our partners, even if only in a small way’ Don’t go changing to try and please me’ sang Billy Joel, ‘I love you just the way you are.’ On the face of it, it’s a beautiful song, full of love and acceptance. But wait a moment. Think about what those words really mean, apply them to real-life marriage – and you might start to think there’s some dangerous nonsense being suggested. Of course, it’s wonderful to love somebody with all their faults. On the other hand, change is an essential part of life. What’s so wrong with wanting to tweak the character and habits of somebody you love… just a bit? Is it a mistake to whisper, ‘You know, if you just did…

‘What stories do you have, mate?’ The skull grinned, holding on to the secrets of a life once lived Ryan scraped gently at the earth that stuck to the skeleton. A therapeutic task, Jen would say. She’d been OK about them having another weekend apart. To be honest, he’d been a bit of an idiot to live with just lately. She deserved a break from the tension he carried. It clung to him like an overstuffed rucksack. Sometimes it was so heavy he thought it would break him. Today, he could cope. He shifted and hauled himself up. Stretched his arms behind his head and arched his back. It was incredible how physical this work was, even though it was mostly sitting on the ground. It was not even as…

Longer days and warmer weather are tempting us all back outside to enjoy the gorgeous colours and scents of spring flowers – and to see just how much work is needed to get the garden in shape for the growing season. And while there will be plenty of jobs to keep you busy, you don’t want anything to hold you back from digging, planting and pruning – least of all worrying about bladder weakness. It’s just one of those things, and is experienced by up to half of us.* But with the upgraded TENA Lady Pants Discreet, you can feel completely secure about getting on with the things you love to do, knowing you have Triple Protection from leaks, odour and moisture. Soft and comfortable For ultimate confidence and security,…

Girls Aran Jumper Knitting Pattern, £2.99 To fit chest sizes: 56-61, 66-71, 76-81 cm/22-24, 26-28, 30-32 in Guernsey Jumper Boys Knitting Pattern, £2.99 To fit ages: 3, 4, 5, 6 years Childrens Dress Knitting Patterns, £2.99 To fit ages: 1½, 2, 3, 4 years Boys Cardigan With Pockets Knitting Pattern, £2.99 To fit ages: 3-4, 4-5, 5-6 years Lace Top Girls Knitting Pattern, £2.99 To fit ages 2-3, 4-5, 6-7 years Boys Hoodie Knitting Pattern, £2.99 To fit chest sizes: 56-61, 66-71, 76-81 cm/22-24, 26-28, 30-32 in Striped Cardigan Girls Knitting Pattern, £2.99 To fit chest sizes: 56, 61, 66 cm/ 22, 24, 26 in Printed Patterns By Post Each pattern will be print ed on A4 card and delivered to your door HOW TO ORDER Order By Phone Call…

Go Lower People at high risk because they already have diabetes, kidney disease or other circulatory diseases are likely to benefit from more intensive treatment for high blood pressure, according to international researchers. Their analysis of multiple research trials has linked more intensive treatment to a reduced risk of heart attacks, strokes and other complications, although it can also increase side effects, such as falls triggered by very low readings. True Or False? Doing housework makes older people feel happier. True, according to US researchers, who say that being physically active, which includes doing housework, improves elderly people’s physical and psychological wellbeing. Cancer Progress Cancer death rates have fallen by almost a 10th in the past 10 years, according to new figures from Cancer Research UK. Sadly, the total number…

General Questions What's the aim of the trial and how will it help people? Who’s funding the trial? What treatment will I get if I don't take part? How long is the trial expected to last, and how long will I have to participate? How long will it be before the results of the trial are known? What will happen if I stop the trial treatment or leave before it ends? Personal Questions How much of my time will be needed? What extra tests or appointments will I have? Will I need to take time off work? Will I need extra help from family or friends? Will the costs of my travel to take part in the trial be covered? If the trial is testing a new drug, will I…

It’s not too late to make changes Q I’m 63 and watched myself walking past a shop window a few weeks ago. I was horrified by my posture. I hadn’t realised I’d become so bowed and stooped. I have to admit, I’ve not done much to help my body stay supple. But I can’t bear the thought of slowly deteriorating and becoming frail and infirm. Ellen, Bath A Being ‘horrified’ is a good first step to making changes. It may feel uncomfortable, but if you choose, this can be the start of you becoming fitter. We can’t turn the clock back but we can make vast improvements in our physical strength and deportment. If you start to exercise, you’ll affect the ageing process positively. Many local councils and Age UK…

Where I went Playa Blanca. It’s one of the most popular resorts in the south of Lanzarote – the fourth largest of the Canary Islands, which are off the coast of West Africa. What I did Not a lot! But that was the point. Year-round sun and an abundance of beaches make Lanzarote the perfect fly-and-flop spot. The most demanding activity of my week was chasing my newspaper along the beach – it can get a bit windy at times. Where I stayed Hotel THB Tropical Island – a village of apartments, each with a balcony or terrace, about a 10-minute walk from the beach and town centre. My two teens tried out most of the complex’s 14 pools – and both outdoor hot tubs. What I ate Plenty of…

Q I spend most of the day at my computer – is it bad for my health? Physical activity is essential for a healthy heart and blood pressure, and staring fixedly at a screen can be bad for the eyes. So taking regular breaks to stand up, move about and refocus the eyes is essential. Luckily, a smartphone could be your best friend in your struggle to stay fit, as it can run a selection of apps that prompt you when it is time to get up and exercise. The simplest apps are just timers that nag you every 20 minutes or so. More sophisticated ones add suggestions for mini workouts that can be easily performed at your desk. Q Will a new desk make a difference? I have been…

Aries 21 March - 20 April You may have to change plans suddenly due to unforeseen circumstances. Beware of cutting corners, it will only undermine your prospects and create resentment among your peers. Instead, demonstrate that you’re someone who plays by the rules. For more, call 0901 609 2591* Taurus 21 April - 21 May A rival will try to undermine your professional reputation. Don’t get defensive if someone questions your actions - you have everything you need to back up your decisions. Keep calm and you’ll put an end to any doubts. It’s a good idea to have a contingency fund for expenses. For more, call 0901 609 2592* Gemini 22 May - 21 June It might be necessary to revisit a relationship issue that seemed resolved but has…

‘The last thing we want is energy and new ideas’ I want you to be a tree – imagine yourself waving in the wind. Your branches are swaying and your leaves are fluttering.’ Our drama club has a new director and I’m afraid she’s not making a good first impression. I was 11 when someone last asked me to be a tree. I thought it was a silly idea back then and the intervening decades have not changed my opinion. Still, one doesn’t like to be rude. ‘What sort of tree?’ wonders Brian, who runs the best butcher’s shop in the district, which was perhaps what made him such a chilling Sweeney Todd last year. ‘You must choose your own tree,’ says Suzie, the new director in question. ‘Are you…

‘Jacques Cousteau was my unusual pin-up at nine’ Leanne Best How do you take your tea? I actually don’t like tea. I only drink it if I’m in shock or feeling travel-sick. Who would you most like to have a cuppa with? My grandad, Eddie. He passed away a few years ago and I miss him loads. What did you want to be when you were little? A marine biologist. I was obsessed with wildlife documentaries and had Jacques Cousteau on my wall – an unusual pin-up when you’re nine. I was a geeky kid! Who'd be your fantasy co-star? Julie Walters. She’s so full of humour and warmth, but can also play tragedy. She makes it look effortless. What can we expect for the WI in the return of…

Oh, no! I recently saw your recipe for a gluten-free crusty loaf in the 8 March issue, which included 1tsp of malt vinegar. However, this is processed from malt, which contains gluten. This is a serious error. Maggie Conway, Devon Oops! Malt vinegar can be included in the diet for people with coeliac disease. Due to the fermentation process involved, the finished product only contains a trace amount of gluten, well below safe levels. However, substitute cider, white wine, rice, or sherry vinegar, if you prefer. Please note that we did recommend sprinkling a baking tray with semolina, prior to cooking our gluten-free pizza. This is an error – sorry – we recommend using polenta instead. Got a burning cookery question? A problem shared is a problem solved when you…

‘Serious matters strike home more strongly if they’re lightly touched on’ Once upon a time, we used to have to fill in one word on our passport to describe our occupation. So what would that word be for Virginia McKenna, much-loved leading lady of a string of hit films? She doesn’t hesitate. ‘I’d put ‘Campaigner’,’ she says, smiling serenely. ‘Much more important,’ she adds, ‘than ‘Actress’.’ At 84, she has an ageless beauty. She’s wearing trousers with a pretty floral blouse, and a silk scarf tied loosely around her neck. Her blonde hair is cut to her jawline, but brushed off her face, revealing those killer cheekbones, which are just about to be showcased in her latest film, Golden Years. It’s a gentle tale of a group of OAPs who…

I’ve been touring a new stand-up show recently and one of the routines that really hits home involves my octogenarian mother and her reluctant relationship with technology. Even a simple throwaway line, such as, ‘There is a level of tension that can only be reached by introducing an 86-year-old woman to the internet’, receives a howl of anguished recognition from my fifty-something female audience, most of whom are currently slaves to their elderly parents’ IT problems. Of course, not all proper oldies (ie. those above 80) are computer illiterate, it’s just that many, my mother included, decided years ago that computers and the web were just a passing fad. Twenty years on, my mother has reluctantly caved in to the fact that the internet is here to stay, installed broadband…

Lemon Drizzle & Poppy Seed Muffins Makes 12 Calories: 270 Fat: 9.5g Saturated fat: 2g Carbohydrates: 40g TO FINISH: 1 Heat the oven to 200°C or Gas Mark 6. 2 In a large jug, combine the oil, eggs, yogurt, lemon zest and juice. Mix together with a fork. 3 Put the flour, bicarbonate of soda, poppy seeds and sugar into another large bowl. 4 Pour in the wet ingredients and gently stir together until just combined. Do not over-mix. 5 Use an ice-cream scoop to divide the mixture between the muffin cases. Bake for 20 mins, until well risen and a cocktail stick inserted into the centre comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack. Remove a…

MEET OUR TUTORS Tina Egleton: Woman’s Weekly’s Technical Knitting Editor has over 40 years’ experience. She’s designed many of our knitting patterns and is an expert tutor. Freddie Patmore: Our knitting assistant has been crocheting since she was a child. She’s gone on to become a designer and loves teaching our workshops. Monika Cobel: Our newest member of the team has a calm and patient nature, making her an excellent tutor. She’s now begun designing for Woman’s Weekly. How To Design Your Own Knitted Cardigan – £69 per person Friday 15 April, 10am-4.30pm For confident knitters and budding designers with some knowledge of knitting: Learn how to work out a pattern for a simple stocking-stitch cardigan in double-knitting yarn with Tina. You will need…

The tiny details of each other’s lives, as they unfold, will either draw them together, or pull them apart The tune is familiar: a Burt Bacharach waltz. Certain notes get lost on the breeze rustling through the leaves. The car doors are open; the stereo is on. She’d be cursing the owner if they passed by her in town, music blaring. But this is different. The music is gentle and unintrusive. And there’s no one else around to hear. She’d been surprised at his choice of destination; it has stirred memories. But he isn’t to know. It does make her wonder, though – can this work, with him? Not John, him? She stumbles across the grass; he stops her falling, but when they dance her steps are confident; his more…

‘Reflexologists look at the person as a whole’ I became interested in reflexology 27 years ago while on maternity leave. My friend, a trainee reflexologist, asked if she could treat me as a case study. While working on my feet, she began asking really pertinent questions about my health and correctly pinpointed that I was experiencing tightness and tension in my neck and shoulders. Because I worked in information technology, I’d always had a very analytical mind and this had me fascinated and intrigued. She explained the basic principles of reflexology that every part of the body is represented in the feet and by working on precise ‘reflex points’, practitioners are able to instigate healing within the body. The treatment made such an impression on me that I eventually decided…

Dear Keren I’m struggling to come to terms with the loss of my daughter and granddaughter. They’re not dead – they just went out of my life. They’re the only family I have but the relationship broke down four years ago. It all went wrong after the tragic death of my son, who was murdered 21 years ago. I had counselling for several years, but my daughter couldn’t cope with my emotional problems and stopped me seeing my granddaughter. So I went to court. I only did so to see my lovely granddaughter, but my daughter told the court she was in debt and I’d caused her financial problems, which isn’t true. I’ve since tried to contact her through every means but had no reply. I’d like a fresh start…

THE STORY SO FAR LENKA and her eight-year-old daughter, BESS, are living in a Gypsy camp in Norwood in South London, a handful of years after the Great Plague of London. MARGARET, the queen of the Norwood Gypsies and the best fortune teller in the country, has been kind to take them in after the events of last year left them seeking shelter. Bess speaks to no one, not even to her mother, and is tormented by nightmares of the death of Lenka’s violent husband. Lenka believes she killed him and fears that Margaret will find this out through her second sight. One night, Bess breaks her silence in a nightmare, crying out that it was she who killed Lenka’s husband, not Lenka herself. For the first time in her…

See Despite The Falling Snow Drama and romance abound in this Cold War thriller about a Russian spy (Rebecca Ferguson) who falls for her target after she’s been sent to steal his secrets for the Americans. Based on the bestselling book by Shamim Sarif, it also stars Charles Dance and is out on 15 April. Admire Maria Merian’s Butterflies In 1699, German artist Maria Merian went on a scientific expedition to South America, where she painted images of butterflies, while exploring the life cycle of insects. These will be on display at The Queen’s Gallery in Buckingham Palace (from 15 April to 9 October). For more details, call 0303 123 7301 or visit royal collection.org.uk Set sail Down The River Avon A replica of the ship that John Cabot sailed…

How interesting it was to read Antony Penrose’s thoughts on his mother, Lee Miller in the feature ‘I Realised I Didn’t Know My Mother At All’ [23 February 2016]. After such a sad time growing up with the effects of her alcoholism, it must have been comforting to find out years later the reasons behind her behaviour. [Antony discovered, posthumously, that his mother had suffered from post-traumatic stress after being a war photographer – she was one of only four US official war correspondents in the Second World War, followed the US army into Normandy and documented the concentration camps of Buchenwald and Dachau.] Lee Miller was such a brave lady, and I’m so glad Antony discovered the truth. Marion Marriner, Woodbridge, Suffolk We certainly found it a compelling story…

It’s In The Bag Fold a piece of 45 x 20cm cotton fabric in half lengthways, right sides facing. Pin down each side and machine-stitch, starting your seam 4cm down from the top edges and using a 1cm seam allowance. Turn your bag right side out. Press in the seam allowances at the open sections at the top of each side. Turn down 1cm followed by 1.5cm to the wrong side at the top front section of the bag. Pin and machine-stitch close to the lower fold. Machine topstitch 0.5cm down from the top edge. Repeat for the back of the bag. Take two 45cm lengths of narrow ribbon, and attach a safety pin to one end of each. Thread through the channels at the front and back of the…

Where I’ve been…Travelling all over the country doing my show, How To Be A Middle-Aged Woman (Without Going Insane). On a rare day off I nipped to Dulwich Picture Gallery to see paintings by Nikolai Astrup. What I’ve seen… Miles of motorway. But I use an app on my iPad to ‘draw’ trees as I get driven to the next gig. Who I’ve met… My tour manager for breakfast and, of course, brilliant audiences. What I’ve bought… A great deal of packaged motorway service station sandwiches, but also some treats, including a very nice scarf from the John Smedley mill shop as we passed by Matlock, in Derbyshire, on the way to yet another gig.…

FOR BLUSHER… MUA F6 Blusher & Contouring Brush, £3, muastore.co.uk The angled head hugs the hollows of your cheekbones to sculpt beautiful bone structure, whether you’re using blusher or bronzer. Use the tip to swirl colour over the apples of your cheeks, then sweep upwards towards the hairline. FOR EYELINER… Zoeva 317 Wing Liner, £7.80, zoeva-shop.de Load up the slanted tip with gel liner or a dark eyeshadow and glide across the upper lashline. Flick up at the outer corner if feline eyes are your thing. FOR POWDER… Barry M Powder Brush, £5.99, barrym.com Set your make-up by gently swirling powder over the face. The rounded shape hugs the contours of your T-zone to pare down shine with ease. FOR A SMOKEY EYE… Clinique…

Home Editor, Emily Easy-peasy A Bit More Tricky Hard–ish Quite A Challenge YOU WILL NEED 70 x 50cm of 40-count Newcastle pearl grey linen, £12.95; 30cm embroidery hoop, £3.15; stranded cotton embroidery thread, 77p per skein, all Sew and So (0800 013 0150; sewandso.co.uk ) Preparing the design Enlarge the template (overleaf) to 150% on a photocopier. Trace off the solid and broken lines and dots on to the centre of the fabric, securing the tracing paper in place with masking tape. Lay the fabric right side up centrally on top of the inner ring of the hoop. Loosen the tension screw on the outer ring and press it over the inner…

Easy-peasy A Bit More Tricky Hard–ish Quite A Challenge MEASUREMENTS To fit ages 3-4 (5-6) (7-8) (9-10) years. Actual measurements 63 (69.5) (72) (76) cm/25 (27¼) (28¼) (30) in. Side seam 37.5 (41) (46.5) (51.5) cm/ 14¾ (16) (18¼) (20¼) in. Length to shoulder 52.5 (56) (63) (69) cm/20½ (22) (24¾) (27) in. Sleeve seam 10 (11) (12) (14) cm/ 4 (4¼) (4¾) (5½) in. MATERIALS 7 (8) (8) (9) 50g (125m) balls of Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino (55% wool, 33% acrylic, 12% cashmere) in Light Blue (202)*. Pair of 2¾mm (No.12) and 3¼mm (No.10) knitting needles; 4 buttons. TENSION 25 stitches and 34 rows, to 10 x 10cm, over stocking stitch, and 27 stitches and 38 rows, to 10 x 10cm, over bodice pattern, using 3¼mm needles. ABBREVIATIONS K,…

• When buying shrubs from the garden centre look for a bushy, even habit, good-coloured foliage, few protruding roots, weed-free pots and sales beds with informative labels. • You can turn a rotten tree stump covered with moss and lichen into a showpiece by covering it with ivy and chiselling out planting pockets to plant delicate spring flowers. • Create an instant topiary. Sit a spiral frame in a large pot and train mature ivy around the support. Tie the trailing shoots in loosely with twine and weave the longest shoots around the frame so the wire is hidden.…

Asperger syndrome affects up to one person in 200, and is a high-functioning form of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a lifelong condition that affects the way people interact with the world. The cause isn’t known, but it’s thought to be a brain developmental disorder caused by genetic and environmental factors; it affects more boys than girls. AS effects Unlike autism itself, which is usually diagnosed in early childhood, many people with Asperger syndrome (AS) outwardly cope well, and may have above-average intelligence, and/or reach adulthood before it’s recognised.AS causes difficulties or learning disabilities that affect social interaction, communication and imagination, often leading to misunderstandings. For example, people with AS may not be able to ‘read’ other people’s signals, including gestures, expressions, body language, tone of voice, or choice of words…

In 1997, at 49, Carole Smith was diagnosed with breast cancer. She now runs a breast cancer support group, which includes a clinical nurse specialist, at Queen Margaret Hospital in Dunfermline. ‘I knew the lump was probably breast cancer, but I was too scared to go to my GP for months. By then it was 7cm, so I needed a full mastectomy, then radiotherapy and chemo. Tests showed it was ‘fed’ by oestrogen, so I was asked to take part in the ATAC trial and take either the anti-oestrogen drug, tamoxifen, a new one called Arimidex (anastrozole), or both. I said yes as there were no ‘dummy’ pills, I’d get extra monitoring, and because it’s thanks to patients taking part in trials that cancers can be controlled or cured. There…