Innholdsfortegnelse for 27-Mar-2018 i Woman's Weekly

Travelling around the globe brings me such pleasure. I write this having just hopped off a flight from Vilnius in Lithuania. I spent the weekend there with my two closest friends exploring the city, chatting to the locals and soaking up as much culture as I could. The three of us always have a holiday in March and this tradition has led us from the hottest reaches of Vietnam to the thermal spas in Budapest. Going away with these friends is something I always look forward to – we catch up in a way that’s impossible to do when surrounded by the hustle and bustle of our everyday lives, and it cements our friendship with shared memories. I can’t wait to book our next adventure together, although we’re not sure…

How do you like your tea? English breakfast tea, no sugar – I used to try to have it without milk, but now I have to have a drop of milk in it. What's your favourite biscuit to dunk? I’d have a Hobnob or a ginger nut – but no dunking. I can’t stand dunking. If someone’s going to have soup, I put up the menu as a dunking shield. I can’t stand all that sog! Who would you like to have a cup of tea with? Lots of people… I’d like to have a cup of tea with Barry Cryer – he’s a wonderful comic and writer. Who do you most admire? My son. It’s a bit sickly, but look how he’s turned out. You never know with children.…

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 latest about our upcoming craft workshops, it’s simple to subscribe to the Woman’s Weekly newsletter. • 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 be original and NOT…

‘I have actually bumped into a couple of ghosts in my time… There’s lots of things that can’t be explained’ As actress Sophie Thompson walks on to the Coronation Street set, her excitement is abundantly clear. The star might have made her debut as curious clairvoyant Rosemary last week, but that hasn’t stopped her inner fan girl from making regular appearances, quietly looking around as if she can’t quite believe her luck. Eyes wide, the 56-year-old tells us, ‘I feel like I’ve won some sort of prize! My first day was in the salon with Sue [Nicholls, who plays Audrey] and I was so happy. We both got quite giggly and I was thinking, “Oh God, I’ve only just arrived and I’m being rubbish and unprofessional!” ‘I was very excited…

‘I didn’t realise the disappointment she must have felt – and anger’ Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson: supposedly the greatest love story of the 20th century. A grand passion that saw a man choose desire over duty and give up the crown to be with the woman he loved. A romance that caused a constitutional crisis, which altered the course of history. But according to a new biography, the grand passion wasn’t grand at all. At least not for the bride. It now seems that Wallis Simpson was in love with another man. What’s more, he was the only man she ever loved. Biographer Andrew Morton’s explosive portrait draws on never-before-seen diaries, secret letters and previously unheard testimony from those involved and their families. His chief revelation in Wallis in…

Knitting Editor Teresa Making this pair of bunny pals is the perfect project for Easter. The duo are made using double crochet, while simple increases and decreases are worked to create shape. There’s even a miniature carrot to make as a treat for the bunnies! MEASUREMENTS 18cm/7in in length (excluding tail). MATERIALS 1 x 100g (295m) ball of Stylecraft Special DK (100% acrylic) in each of White (1001), Black (1002), Camel (1420) and Orange (Spice 1711); small amount of Green (Kelly Green 1826)*. Size 4mm crochet hook; removable stitch marker; pair of 9mm toy safety eyes per rabbit; washable toy stuffing. Yarn from theknittingnetwork.co.uk. TENSION Tension is not critical for this project. ABBREVIATIONS Ch, chain; st(s), stitch(es); dc, double crochet; dc2tog, dc 2 sts together (to decrease 1 st) thus:…

Three times as many women as men die in the first year after a heart attack, according to UK/Swedish researchers. They say we’re less likely to seek and get crucial early diagnostic tests and treatment, due to the idea that coronary heart disease (CHD) typically strikes overweight, stressed middle-aged men. But when women get equivalent treatment, their survival rate increases dramatically. Almost 200 people die from heart attacks each day in the UK, although around 70% of people now survive a heart attack. But UK women are twice as likely to die from CHD as breast cancer, and 2.3 million people are living with the disease. And although the research focused on 2003 to 2013, gender inequality persists. What is CHD? In CHD/coronary artery disease, the arteries supplying heart muscles…

‘What is restorative yoga?’ I came to restorative yoga later in life but I’ve always been a yoga fan. I started practising it aged 18, when I was at university studying dance. I ended up pursuing that rather than the dance, and went to India and Thailand to train. Back then, I was more interested in teaching faster types of yoga, such as vinyasa, but the beauty of restorative yoga is that it’s suitable for everyone – if you can breathe, you can do it! All the poses in restorative yoga are floor-based and you use props (I use a rolled-up towel) to support your body. You hold the poses for about five minutes, working mindfully to ‘scan’ your body, mentally identifying sensations and areas of tension – all without…

Our Experts • Appliances • Internet • Digital • Animals • Finance/ consumer • Legal This Week: CHRIS PARTRIDGE is a digital expert and writer. He’ll answer your questions on anything from computers to mobiles. Car Safety Q How can I use my mobile in the car legally and safely? Many drivers use their mobiles in the car to make hands-free calls, as a satnav or as a music player. But many experts say that the best advice for mobile car use is ‘not at all’. Although it is still legal to use a hands-free phone while driving, recent scientific studies show that talking on the phone while driving, even hands-free, is a serious distraction. What’s more, the more important the call, the more distracting it is – research at…

• Warm and welcoming, orange is the colour of joy – it’s nature’s own antidepressant! For a good display on your patio in time for summer, plant orange blooms in terracotta pots and spice them up with purple or blue flowers, or use them to temper trendier white or lime-green colour schemes. • Chilli peppers grow in similar conditions to tomatoes and, with plenty of sun, watering and regular feeding, can also be grown in pots outdoors on a sheltered patio once all risk of frost has passed. Start seeds indoors now to give them a long season, to ensure ripe fruits before the days shorten and cooler weather conditions arrive. • If you want to grow bamboo canes, choose a clump-forming variety of bamboo that will only send up…

MAGGIE NEALE Buy yet more yarn and knit away my problems and fears! JUNE BROWN Depends on the weather! If it’s good, I work in the garden. If it’s bad, it’s a mug of tea, a blanket and a good book or Woman’s Weekly . KIRSTY WELCH I take myself on a walk, taking in the beautiful countryside. A dose of fresh air always seems to lift the mood. SHARON BENNETT I enjoy lots of lovely snuggles with my pet schnauzer Hetty!…

Explore National Theatre Posters Curated by design critic and writer Rick Poynor, this exhibition at the National Theatre’s Wolfson Gallery in London showcases poster design at the NT from the 60s to present day. You can see original designs by a multitude of artists, tracing the changes in process, design and function. The exhibition, which ends 31 March, is accompanied by a series of talks, including a tour with Rick Poynor. Entry is free. • nationaltheatre.org.uk Enjoy York Literature Festival A wide variety of book readings, literary talks and events are taking place across York. Ending 26 March, presentations include The Butchering Art, by medical historian Dr Lindsey Fitzharris, above, who charts the evolution of surgery. • yorkliteraturefestival.co.uk Book Garsington Opera Garsington Opera has a wonderful line-up of four productions…

‘My Tears Give Me Hope’ Helen Barness, 47, from Essex As I carefully open the box, I realise there are tears in my eyes. Kept in the loft for almost my entire life, my mother’s wedding dress – in its lustrous ivory silk – is once more exposed to the light. I close my eyes, but I can’t see her face… My parents died in a plane crash when I was three. They’d been travelling to France to see a rugby match when their plane came down near Orly on 3 March 1974. I was raised by my paternal grandparents and, despite the tragedy, had a wonderful childhood. Although most people have some early childhood memories, I can’t recall my parents at all. My mother’s wedding dress was passed to…

Hydration Tonic Coconut Water With Lime, Ginger And Cardamom This is thirst-quenching, revitalising, nourishing, and helps sweat out nasty toxins. Coconut water is rich in electrolytes, which means it helps replenish minerals such as potassium, salts and fluids – perfect for helping an exhausted liver and restoring dehydrated, tired-looking skin. Its cooling properties help calm anxious thoughts, too. Makes 1 serving Ready in 5 minutes INGREDIENTS METHOD In a frying pan, set over a medium heat, dry-toast the cardamom until it becomes fragrant. In a pestle and mortar, grind the cardamom and ginger to a paste. Mix all the ingredients together in a glass and chill before serving. Winter Tea One-Pot Wonder This is a quick recipe to pull out when you feel a cold coming…

Mushroom And Watercress Polenta A creamy, cheesy, satisfying dish, packed with flavour. SERVES 6-8 1 Preheat oven to 200C/Gas 6. Toss mushrooms with 40g butter and thyme, season and roast for 10 mins. For the polenta, heat milk, reduce heat and add polenta, whisking continuously. Simmer for 20-30 mins. 2 Remove from the heat and stir through the Parmesan, remaining butter and mushrooms. Top with watercress to serve. PER SERVING: 409-307 calories, 25-18.5g fat, 15-11.5g saturated fat, 31-23g carbohydrates Slow-Roasted Lamb With Preserved Lemons And Pickled Radishes Lamb shoulder is a great cut for feeding a crowd on a budget, and the delicious juices give the potatoes and fennel a superb flavour boost. SERVES 10…

Double Trouble? Osteoarthritis may have two genetically different disease patterns, according to UK researchers who analysed knee cartilage and found two groups of biomarkers (signature chemicals). This could explain why treatment response varies between patients, and could lead to therapies tailored to each group. True Or False? Older women who do more housework report better health. True, according to international researchers, but only if they sleep between seven and eight hours a night. Perhaps healthy older women who sleep well simply have more energy! Food Allergies And Babies Babies under the age of six months shouldn’t be given hen’s eggs, peanuts or other foods commonly linked to allergies, according to a report from the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition and the Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products…

Think of what bothers you about his ex Q My new partner still meets up with an ex, and I find this very difficult. They spent a lot of time together when he was first divorced. He says that if there was anything between them still, it would’ve happened then, and it didn’t. I don’t know how to talk about this without sounding controlling. Daphne, Winchester A Ask yourself if you mind him seeing any of his other friends. If not, try to think what it is that bothers you about the ex. Are you worried he might go back to her even though he’s said he wouldn’t – and didn’t when he could have? If that’s the case, then no amount of you telling him will stop him. What…

Carrying on with my filmic references, overnight train travel always seems so romantic in the movies: butler service, gorgeous cabins and a certain air of mystique in the lounge car, where assignations may be taking place over a G&T! So I was very excited about travelling on the Caledonian Sleeper, also affectionately known as The Deerstalker – an overnight service from London through to either Fort William, Aberdeen or Inverness – and an extremely civilised way to cover all those miles up to the farthest reaches of Scotland. Our train left London King’s Cross at 9.15pm, but you can board from 8.30pm to get settled before the train sets off. The cabins are compact, but there’s a sink in each and a complimentary washbag. A light breakfast is served to…

The story so far: When CHRISTOPHER MATHERS disappears from a Manchester shopping centre at Christmas, he’s 2 years, 7 months old. ‘THE WOMAN', as police call the mysterious female who takes him, is never seen again, and neither is he. Six years later, a young girl, KAZ, is kicked out of her home after her antisocial behaviour becomes too much for her parents. Scared and alone, the teenager vows not to give up on herself, her schooling or her ambition to become a journalist. On the isolated east coast of Norfolk, single mum INGRID is raising her son ADAM alone. Theirs is a life of love, fun, food and dogs, much of it lived outside on the sand dunes and clifftops. But, beneath the outward happiness, Ingrid is inwardly consumed…

Eric is almost certainly the dullest man in the known universe ‘I suppose,’ said Mr Dear as he passed by the door to the spare bedroom, ‘you’ll be telling your readers about my adventures with the broken brake light on the car?’ ‘Haha! Yes, of course,’ I lied through my teeth. And with a bare face. I came to writing rather late in life, and one of the things I’ve noticed is that family and friends are never short of good ideas. ‘I tripped over the dog at the salon the other day,’ Brassy Barbara told me a few weeks ago. ‘You ought to put that on your page. It was hilarious!’ Barbara, consider it done. Readers, she tripped over the dog. Apparently, it was hilarious. Honestly, did this sort…

Ali Penfold, 58 Tell us about your look… I love a statement coat – it really makes an outfit. I spotted this one last autumn in H&M. It’s a brilliant colour. My leather skirt is also H&M. I think it works best with black opaque tights and long boots. These are suede (I love a touch of luxe!) and were in the sale at an independent boutique. I think coordinated colours look polished. My jumper is M&S and my scarf is from a market stall. I like a smart bag and this is another great buy from H&M! And the best bit of your body? My legs. Barbara Laird, 61 Tell us about your look… My sweater and boots are from New Look, my trousers are H&M, and I bought…

Aries 21 Mar - 20 Apr A good week for meeting up with friends. There are interesting subjects to discuss! Taurus 21 Apr - 21 May Your spiritual growth is in the spotlight once again. Pursue the things that bring meaning to your life. Gemini 22 May - 21 Jun Relationships are positively starred. Listen carefully to what’s being said and trust your instincts. Cancer 22 Jun - 23 Jul If you’re thinking about changing your home in any way, this is a good week for upgrades of any kind. Leo 24 Jul - 23 Aug Creativity is strongly aspected this week. What makes your heart sing? Make sure you do at least one joyful thing daily. Virgo 24 Aug - 23 Sept You are your own worst critic. It’s…

Willpower is a myth. A controversial statement perhaps, but I’ll say it again: willpower is a myth, and you can stop worrying right now about whether or not you have it. There. I bet I’ve made your day now. In truth, we all have free will – although some of us may find that hard to believe. I mean, who is that gremlin that seems to take over and drive us to do things that masquerade as being against our will? Did I really polish off that tub of ice cream the very night before my Weight Watchers weigh-in? As Oscar Wilde so famously said, ‘I can resist anything except temptation.’ Many people find it baffling that they can be extremely determined in some areas of life and very wobbly…

Spring signals the end of a long, cold winter. Warmer weather and sunshine is on the horizon, as well as spring bulbs bursting to life. There’s no better mood-lifter than seeing the daffodils, tulips and crocus beginning to bloom. But spring flowers don’t just look beautiful and smell wonderful – they’re also powerful beauty boosters and can have amazing benefits for your skin. ‘Plants support us on every level, starting with the air we breathe,’ says aromatherapist, acupuncturist and wellbeing expert Annee de Mamiel, who blends seasonal oils to help balance both the skin and the mind as the seasons change. ‘Flower essences allow us to connect with nature, helping to dispel stress and tension, nourish the skin and bring us back to a centred place. I find they help…

Easy-Peasy 1 hour YOU WILL NEED Cricut Maker or cutting mat and craft knife Pencil and scissors Green, orange and white paper Square kraft card blanks A6 white card blanks PVA glue Green twine Hot glue gun 1 If using a Cricut Maker, set up the machine with your computer and follow the manufacturer’s instructions to cut out one large bunny rabbit on a piece of green paper. Select a carrot shape and cut out one large carrot on orange paper. 2 Alternatively, use our photograph to trace off a bunny and transfer to green paper. Cut out on a cutting mat with a craft knife. Draw one large carrot on orange paper and cut out. 3 Cut out a small circle of white paper for the bunny’s bobtail, and…

You may already be aware that breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK. But did you know one in three women affected are 70 or over? In fact, the older you are, the more likely you are to get breast cancer. So as a GP, I’ve always urged my patients to be breast aware. Being over 70 certainly doesn’t mean you’re ‘past it’, in terms of your cancer risk. The good news is that early diagnosis gives the best possible chance of a good outcome. So what are the signs and symptoms of breast cancer we should all be looking out for? Know your own body The most important thing is to get to know your breasts, and to understand how they look and feel normally. By…

Dear Keren My husband was made redundant, and, although I work, his was the main income. He’s looked for work, but hasn’t been successful. We’re both anxious about our financial situation, and it’s making us very tense with each other. We’re spending less and less time together, just at a point when we could be together more. I’m angry with him as there are less-well-paid jobs out there that he won’t take – but he just says I don’t understand. Name and address withheld Over the years, every relationship will be tested by external factors that add tensions and stress. At times like this, we tend to behave less well. We often become childlike in our responses and find it hard to behave rationally. We also tend to blame our…