Innholdsfortegnelse for 25-Apr-2017 i Woman's Weekly

My oldest friend lives in Cornwall. Like me, she has always worked and has her own successful marketing business. But a conversation between us last week highlighted the differences in our working days and environments. She had just finished a week’s job for a client that had involved her having to be in their offices from nine to five each day. Although she is more than used to putting in long hours, for someone whose usual working location is a room in her home and who will take off for a walk on the moor or along the coastal path whenever she pleases, or stop off on her way from a meeting for a coffee with a friend, the discipline of a structured office day was, in her words, ‘exhausting…

‘Sundays usually end up with dancing in my kitchen • Fashion consultant and TV presenter Gok Wan, 42, found fame showing us How To Look Good Naked. He has a clothes collection at Sainsbury’s and gives style tips on This Morning. How do you take your tea? I love a nice bucket of tea in the afternoon with milk and one sweetener. Who would you most like to have a cup of tea with? The men’s team of the University of Warwick Boat Club. To discuss, er, rowing. They send me their charity calendar each year. What's been your most surreal celebrity moment? Meeting the actress Sarah Jessica Parker when I hosted the red carpet at both of the Sex And The City movie premieres. It was so great to…

Where I went The city widely known as the uncrowned capital of the north. What I did I went for a girly weekend with my mum, sister and best friend. We spent an indulgent few hours looking around the shops with plenty of stop-offs for tea and cake, before visiting the excellent Andy Warhol exhibition at The Whitworth Art Gallery. Next day we headed out of the city centre towards the Trafford Centre. I’m getting married next year so we went to The National Wedding Show at EventCity. We saw live bands, watched a fashion show and drank plenty of Prosecco! Where I stayed The Radisson Blu hotel is located in Manchester’s historic Free Trade Hall (radissonblu-edwardian.com/ manchester). Just moments from the cathedral, you’re a stone’s throw away from all…

Aries 21 Mar - 20 Apr Your mind is in excellent shape this week and you may come up with amazing, inspirational ideas. Taurus 21 Apr - 21 May You have the Midas touch right now, if you believe it. Financially, some new opportunities are opening up. Gemini 22 May - 21 Jun Relationships are in the spotlight with opportunities for meeting exciting people. Try to go to new places. Cancer 22 Jun - 23 Jul You may be weighed down by responsibilities. Maybe it’s time to let go completely to make way for the new. Leo 24 Jul - 23 Aug The aspects show a busy week ahead. Make sure you take time out to relax, rest and enjoy the fruits of your labour. Virgo 24 Aug - 23…

When he arrived, that’s what he noticed – the grandfather clock To stop thinking about it. That’s what Walter wants. For the truth to go away and let him sleep. Only for nights now he’s done nothing but think about it, when he thought he’d forgotten. And the more he does think, the more he knows he killed his mother. “You’re keeping me awake with all your tossing and turning,” Harry grumbles. Walter tries to turn over quietly, only his bedsprings creak, they groan, they crunch and twang. There’s a snuffle from one of the other beds. He hopes he’s not keeping the whole room awake. “What’s wrong with you, anyway?” Harry again. “Nothing.” Another creak and groan. “It’s prob’ly with being decorated. The paint smell.” Bedsprings twang. “It’s not…

Knitting Editor, Teresa Who knew that robots could be so cuddly? This pair of pals are made mainly in stocking stitch, each with a tummy control panel and 3D buttons. MEASUREMENTS 13cm/5in tall, excluding antenna. MATERIALS For the set: 1 x 50g (142m) ball of Wendy Mode DK (50% wool, 50% acrylic) in each of Sky (267), Rhubarb (268) and Whisper White (201)*. Small amounts in each of Orange, Yellow, Light Pink, Green, Purple, Red and Turquoise. Pair of 2¾mm (No.12) knitting needles; toy stuffing; 4 x 5.5cm diameter stiff card discs; 2 pairs of small safety eyes. ABBREVIATIONS K, knit; p, purl; st, stitch; tog, together; inc, increase (by working twice into same st); dec, decrease; ss, stocking st (k on right side and p on wrong side). NOTE…

Put piles of moss raked from the lawn and pet or human hair in net bags to hang in trees for birds to use as nesting material. Feed rose bushes with a high-potash rose fertiliser and gently hoe in around the plants. Cover strawberry plants with cloches to encourage earlier flowering and fruiting. Now’s a good time to start a new lawn from seed. Remove weeds, then rake and level and make sure the soil is moist before sowing. Bearded iris is a harmonious combination of bicolour blue and yellow blooms. Just when you think this stunning iris has done its thing for the season, it will reward you with a second wave of blooms later in the summer. Great for getting that cottage-garden look in your borders. Height: 75cm…

Personalising End-Of-Life Care Doctors and other healthcare staff should ask patients nearing their last days and weeks about their spiritual and religious preferences, as well as their cultural and health needs, so they feel they have choice and control, according to NICE, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. It says that their care plans (place and type of care) should be reviewed regularly, and involve the people who are important to them. True Or False? Man flu is worse than woman flu. False, according to one US biologist who says women’s hormones trigger a stronger inflammatory response to infection, which produces more intense symptoms, but a quicker recovery. Flex Your Muscle To Beat Knee Arthritis Weak thigh muscles increase women’s risk of developing knee osteoarthritis, especially if we’re…

Do your research first before job-hunting Q I’m looking for a part-time income to top up my pension. I’ve searched online but I’m sceptical about some of the opportunities on offer. I have a computer with internet access. Any help on this matter would be gratefully received. Susan, address withheld A Before you start to apply for a job, I think it’s worth asking yourself the following questions: 1 What do I want to do? 2 What am I good at? 3 What am I hoping to achieve from working – just money or something else? 4 How many hours do I want to work? 5 Where do I want to work? Once you know what you’re looking for, you’ll be best placed to decide if what’s on offer suits…

Our Experts • Appliances • Internet • Digital • Animals • Finance/ consumer • Legal This Week CAROLINE RODRIGUES is a home economist and interiors writer. She answers your questions on home appliances. Floor Steamers Q Why are steam mops so popular? No need for a mop and bucket – these streamlined steam cleaners will get the kitchen floor spotless in no time at all. The mop will heat up quickly, producing steam from an on-board water tank in the handle. One of the more innovative models is Shark’s Klik n’ Flip Steam Pocket Smartronic Mop, £149.99, from Lakeland, with three settings and automatic electronic steam control. The pad can be flipped to use the reverse side, and a button flicks the mop head open, ready to slide on a…

Sky Light Talking of Cornwall (see my letter), it’s always special to go there, but even more so when it treats me to a dusk sky like this one. That’s what I mean about stress busting (see my letter again). Smarties... ...with your tea? These little glasses of chocolate delights appeared with our pot of tea at All Bar One. Obviously I scoffed all mine. Well, it would have been rude not to! Supermarket Stationery I’m always a sucker for stationery and Sainsbury’s has a modern new range with an eye-catching metallic design that includes a notebook, planner pad, sticky notes, to-do lists and greetings cards. The Ethereal Geo range starts at £2 and is in store and online at sainsburys.co.uk. Future Stars I did a talk for journalism students…

Audrey Simmonds, over 65! Tell us about your look… I do like to look smart and coordinated. My coat and bag are from Primark and my sweater is M&S. I like a splash of colour, like this scarf which I bought from Principles some time ago. My trousers are Eastex. I love good shoes. These are by Russell & Bromley. And the best bit of your body? Maybe my hair. Tracy Ariss, 52 Tell us about your look I love dresses with opaque tights and boots when it’s chilly. It’s so easy and feminine. This dress is from Asda and the faux-fur gilet is Gap. My boots are M&S and the bag is Calvin Klein. And the best bit of your body? My eyes and bottom! Caoimhe Sheehan,…

Help! Many recipes mention thickening granules as an ingredient. What are they? I can’t seem to find them here in Melbourne. Can you suggest a substitute? If I use cornflour to thicken things, it often ends up like wallpaper paste! Any ideas? Georgia Rickard, Melbourne, Australia Don’t Worry Thickening granules are colourless and flavourless, so can be sprinkled into soups or casseroles. You can also use gravy granules for savoury things. Or mix 1tbsp cornflour with 2tbsp cold water to make a paste and stir into 300ml ( 1/2pt) hot liquid, heat until thick and smooth. • Got a burning cookery question? A problem shared is a problem solved when you ask our perfectly seasoned kitchen team…

‘Some people were against casting me in Ashes To Ashes ’ Based on the real-life boyhood experiences of conservationist Gerald Durrell – whose book, My Family and Other Animals, told of his unconventional upbringing on a Greek island in the 1930s – The Durrells In Corfu features ‘Gerry’ as an animal-mad child. But, once again, the drama really centres around Gerry’s mother, Louisa – played by Keeley – and his siblings. It’s a thousand miles from Corfu when I meet Keeley in London, both as the crow (or EasyJet) flies and with regard to the weather outside, which is miserably cold and grey. She’s dressed elegantly in black and a pair of very sensible-looking brogues. ‘They’re my Rome shoes,’ she explains. ‘My husband and I went to Rome…

My children can’t believe it. When I describe my teen life with no mobile, no social media, no Snapchat – nothing in fact, other than my parents’ house phone to arrange my fledgling social life – they’re visibly shocked. Such deprivation is unimaginable. They feel quite sorry for poor old Mum. As well as a bit appalled that I must be so old that I lived in the Dark Ages. Yet, you know what? I think those of us who grew up before all that progress are the lucky ones. I’m thankful there was no social media around to document my inevitable mistakes. In those tricky years I didn’t have the torture of social media. When I was dumped by my first boyfriend at age 15 under the clock at…

National Enterprise Network (nationalenterprisenetwork.org) and Women in Enterprise (greatbusiness.gov.uk) offer support, advice, training and mentoring. The Food Standards Agency (food.gov.uk) has guides to legal and food safety issues for food companies. Bread & Butter 2017 (breadandbutterfest.com) is a two-day ‘boot camp’, on 6-7 October, offering advice on every aspect of building a food business, and the chance to meet retailers. They also run monthly networking nights in London, and a Facebook group, The FoodHub, where small food firms share tips.…

STOCKISTSBoden 0330 333 000; boden.co.uk Closet 020 8983 7534; closetlondon.com H&M 0344 736 9000; hm.com Hobbs 020 3095 3939; hobbs.co.uk House of Fraser 0845 602 1073; houseoffraser.co.uk J.Crew 0808 234 3686; jcrew.com/uk New Look 0344 499 6690; newlook.com Next 0333 777 8000; next.co.uk Oasis oasis-stores.com Tu at Sainsbury's 0800 636 262; tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk Zalando 0800 472 5995; zalando.co.uk…

Menu Devilled Eggs & Crab BBQ Chicken With Sweet MustardSauce Bean & Sweet Potato Cakes Hoppin’ John Rice & Beans Collard Greens Deep-Pan Molten Salted Caramel Cookie Starter Devilled Eggs & Crab FOR THE SAUCE: FOR THE DEVILLED EGGS: FOR THE DEVILLED CRAB: 1 To make the sauce, put the egg yolks, mustard powder, Worcestershire and Tabasco sauces and cream in a heatproof bowl, set over a pan of barely simmering water. Whisk constantly until thick and the whisk leaves a trail. Add the lemon juice. 2 For the devilled eggs, boil the eggs for 6-7 mins, drain and run under cold water. 3 Peel, halve and spoon out the yolks. Chop the yolks and mix…

Gran might have been wrong. Maybe man did land on the moon Gran never believed man had landed on the moon. Even though we’d seen it on the telly back in 1969, she was having none of it. “They couldn’t have gone so far,” was all she said, and I used to smile when all the conspiracy theories came out years later. “Australia? You’re going to Australia?” I stared at my only daughter. This was the last thing I’d expected. “Chill, Mum,” said Rachel. “It isn’t the other side of the world.” I sighed. Geography was never her strong point, but even I thought she was more clued-up than that. “I mean, you know what I mean,” she continued. “The world’s smaller nowadays, less than 24 hours and you’re there.…

Being late for something and running out of time are most likely to cause us stress Even happy things such as relationships, birthdays and Christmas are among the highest stress triggers Whether it’s work or money worries or a delayed train, the average adult spends two hours and 11 minutes of every day feeling stressed. A recent survey revealed that being late for something and running out of time are most likely to cause us stress, followed by getting stuck in traffic and health issues (for family as well as yourself). But, even happy things – such as relationships, birthdays and Christmas – rank among the highest stress triggers. Now, experts are warning that prolonged stress (that panicky ‘can’t cope’ feeling we get when under pressure) – caused by ‘fight…

When Rosemary mentioned that her optician and other people in her life had retired, leaving her bereft (7 March), her sentiments resonated with me. Recently, in the space of a few weeks, my chiropodist, dentist and village pharmacist all retired. We’ve been seeing our dentist for over 30 years; he looked after the teeth of our three boys since they were toddlers and they are now in their thirties! We shared a mutual love of animals, so we used to talk about our respective cats. The new young dentist is very nice, but I don’t think we could ‘talk cats’! I feel like I’ve lost good friends. Elaine Wadhams, Teynham, Kent • Thank you for telling us your story, Elaine. We love to hear from you, so do get in…

We love letters Woman’s Weekly, 161 Marsh Wall, London E14 9AP. PS: It really helps when you put your details in capitals We do not return photos (apart from ‘You Wore It Well’) 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! If you’d like updates on wonderful project ideas, video tutorials and all the news about our upcoming craft workshops, it’s simple to subscribe to the Woman’s Weekly news letter. •› The sign-up box is easy to find on the home page of our website. Just pop in your email address. womansweekly.com Important! All contributions to Woman’s Weekly must…

Watch Their Finest Based on Lissa Evans’ novel, Their Finest is a comedy-drama set in the Second World War. A British film crew attempts to boost morale by making a propaganda film. Bill Nighy’s hilarious performance is worth the ticket price alone. •› At cinemas nationwide from 21 April. Enjoy The Festival Of Vintage Based at York Racecourse, the Festival Of Vintage is a fun and nostalgic weekend. There are three large halls of vintage shopping – including fashion, homeware and furniture – alongside ‘Make Do and Mend’ workshops. Tickets cost £12. •› Visit festivalofvintage.co.uk Visit Harrogate Flower Show Take home the latest design ideas at this annual event. From 20-23 April, it features gardening trends, live entertainment and the biggest exhibition by florists in the country. •› For tickets,…

Try our two patchwork projects using either scraps or charm packs. The runner is easier, the bag is one for the more experienced sewer. Craft & Home Editor, Esme Table Runner Time to make: 2 hours YOU WILL NEED 42 square Moda charm pack or fabric scraps cut into 12.5 x 12.5cm squares 55 x 150cm backing fabric 55 x 150cm cotton batting Matching sewing thread Cutting mat Rotary cutter Quilter’s ruler Sewing needle 1 Spread out the charm pack squares and, using our image as a guide, position the pieces into the shape of the runner. 2 Pin and sew one row at a time, stitching the squares together with right sides facing and 5mm seam allowances. Press the seams open. Repeat until every row of charm squares has…

We don’t usually notice the butterfly-shaped thyroid gland at the front of our necks. But it’s the body’s pacemaker, producing thyroid hormone (thyroxine) to regulate the activity of every body cell - so it makes more thyroxine if we don’t have enough, and switches off when there is enough. Thyroid problems are common, can run in families and are often linked to immune disorders such as diabetes. Rare causes include disorders of the brain’s pituitary and hypothalamus glands which monitor and regulate thyroxine and other hormones. Hypothyroidism An underactive thyroid affects up to one in 50 women and one in 500 men, but there may be five times as many who have ‘subclinical’ (undetected) hypothyroidism. It’s more common from midlife onwards, but can also be congenital or develop in pregnancy…

‘Gut bacteria is the centre of good health’ I became interested in nutrition after a ‘burnout’ almost 10 years ago. I woke up one day and I couldn’t move my neck. My upper spine was rigid. X-rays and MRI scans showed no physical neck or spine damage and I was prescribed antidepressants and painkillers without any real diagnosis. The experience prompted me to stand back from my busy life as a journalist with a young family and look at how I was living. I realised I was eating junk – posh junk such as ready meals and shop-bought sandwiches at my desk, plus masses of caffeine and alcohol – and sugar. Also I wasn’t moving much or ever relaxing with friends and family. I junked my beige diet, and the…

‘Did you know there’s a man hiding in your wardrobe?’ The scene is set. The characters are in place, and all that remains is for the audience to rustle their bags of Maltesers and say to their neighbours, ‘What scene? What characters? What on earth is she on about now? Here, let me have a look at the programme.’ Let me explain. If you’ve been kind enough to pop by over the past couple of weeks, you’ll know that Mrs Beasley, the manager of our charity shop, has been having something of a personal crisis. She is a divorcee whose ex-husband normally lives in France. He is back in the area for a week or two and wants to visit the former marital home, which is in the custody of…