Innholdsfortegnelse for 23-Aug-2016 i Woman's Weekly

We know what a practical, can-do bunch you all are. The pictures of the makes you send us (please keep them coming – all the relevant details are on page 6) and the stories you tell us (ditto) are proof of that. But the experiences of the three women on page 14 show just how much you can achieve when you have vision, tenacity and determination, and aren’t willing to let inexperience and difficulties get in the way of reaching your goal. I’m sure there are times when you search for something you particularly want to buy that doesn’t seem to exist, or struggle with a situation for which you can see a perfectly sensible solution but no one else has… But I wonder how many of you would do…

Every Thursday, Maria Barrett (pictured right) meets with her friends for their weekly craft club. Named after the lady who founded the group, Kay’s Crafty Critters make something different every week – the only thing that stays the same is the tea and cake at the end of the session! One week, Kay had sent off for a craft kit for this doll from Woman’s Weekly, which she gave to Maria to try. It came out wonderfully. Well done, Maria. • Have you made something gorgeous? Well, don’t be shy – we want to see it!…

WW Senior Content Creator Natasha says, ‘Octopuses have a reputation as creepy creatures of the deep. But naturalist Sy Montgomery’s book will help you see them in a gentler light. She details the friendships she makes with four octopuses at New England Aquarium and the myriad personality types they have. She also shares the highs and lows of the aquarium workers. A charming and thought-provoking read.’ • The Soul Of An Octopus by Sy Montgomery (£8.99, Simon & Schuster UK) is out now Wicked Wit ‘Birthdays are nature’s way of telling us to eat more cake.’ Jo Brand, comedian…

Experience Proms Spectacular at Castle Howard, York Now in its 26th year, this enchanting evening of live classical music returns on 20 August. Relax to the dulcet strains of Welsh star Aled Jones, before heading over to the north lawn for the firework finale. For more details, call Ticketline on 0844 888 9991, or visit castlehoward.co.uk. Enjoy The Great British Food Festival Pretty Bowood House, in the heart of Wiltshire, will be opening its gates from 20 to 21 August for a weekend of foodie festivities, including a live demo from Bake Off winner Nadiya Hussain and foraging walks through the estate’s landscaped acres. To book, call 01925 479 140, or visit greatbritishfoodfestival.com. Join Sky Ride Liverpool Sky Ride’s free community cycle takes to the streets of Liverpool on 21…

Beef, Horseradish & Mushroom Burger Serves 4 Calories: 524 Fat: 28g Saturated fat: 7.5g Carbohydrates: 38g 1 Put the steak mince into a bowl with the onion and steak seasoning. Mix together well to thoroughly combine. 2 Divide the mixture into 4 and shape into 4 burger rounds, using a large, plain round cutter to help you get a good shape, if you like. Put on to a non-stick tray, cover and chill for 30 mins to firm up. 3 Heat a grill on high for 5 mins. Drizzle 1tbsp olive oil over the burgers. Grill for 10 mins. 4 Turn the burgers and add the mushrooms to the tray, drizzle over the rest of the oil. Cook…

Easy-peasy A Bit More Tricky Hard–ish Quite A Challenge YOU WILL NEED Bathroom set (soap dispenser, dish and toothbrush pot) Masking or frog tape Newspaper Metallic spray paint – we used bright gold and copper 1 Wash the pieces with soap and water, getting rid of any sticky residue left behind from labels or stickers. 2 Mask off a triangle or a strip across one of the pieces, using either masking tape or frog tape (which gives a cleaner line). Cover the rest of the item with newspaper, taping it in place. 3 Working in a well-ventilated area, cover your workspace with newspaper. Give the can a good shake for about 30 seconds, then, following the manufacturer’s instructions, spray on a thin coat of metallic paint. Angle the can…

Printed Patterns By Post Each patt ern will be print ed on A4 card and deliv ered to your door HOW TO ORDER Order By Phone Call 0800 024 1212* MasterCard, Visa or Maestro cardholders can order direct on this number quoting WW34. Lines are open Monday to Friday, 10am-4pm, but closed bank holidays. *Call charges from mobiles and non-BT landlines may vary. Fill In The Coupon Payment must be made by cheque, sent with the coupon to the address provided. TERMS AND CONDITIONS Subject to availability to readers in the UK. Offers cannot be used in conjunction with other promotions. Prices are correct at time of printing. All correspondence concerning this offer should be sent to: WW34 Knits For Kids Offer, WW Shop Customer Care, Blue Fin Building, Room…

Inflammation is a natural, life-supporting, healing response that occurs when the body reacts to an injury or illness; it’s what you feel when a scratch becomes swollen or your temperature rises. However, problems arise when inflammation becomes chronic, such as for those with autoimmune diseases – which means their immune system attacks parts of the body, causing chronic inflammation. While it’s essential to take prescribed medication for any condition, there are natural ways to help ease pain and even reduce your chances of developing some conditions. What is inflammation and when does it become a problem? Professor Anisur Rahman, UCL and Arthritis Research UK professor of rheumatology, explains, ‘Inflammation is actually a good thing; it’s the way in which our body deals with threats such as infection. If you were…

The Eye Adjustable Mosquito Repellent Wrist Band (£6, theye.co.uk ) is a natural alternative to insect repellent spray. The bracelets are injected with repellent formula and sealed to maximise their effectiveness and increase life span. Durable, waterproof and made with Citriodiol – a natural formulation derived from eucalyptus – they’re available in a variety of colours and sizes, and are dermatologically tested, too. If you usually... Add lettuce to sandwiches Try this instead... Add spinach Eating spinach every day can make your brain 11 years younger! Pensioners who ate it – along with other leafy greens – stayed sharper for longer, say researchers from Rush University in Chicago. It’s thought that vitamin K, folic acid and the natural colourings lutein and beta-carotene were behind the effects. Stressbuster…

•August: The Roman Baths by Torchlight (01225 477 785; romanbaths.co.uk) gives visitors the chance to explore the attraction by torchlight. Open until 10pm each evening. •First and last Sunday every month: The Bath VA Vintage & Antiques Markets (07711 900 095; vintageandantiques.co.uk) offers everything from food and toys to crafts and antiques. •18 August: Royal Horticultural Society Garden Tour And Lunch (01225 331 922; thebathpriory.co.uk). A guided walk around Bath Priory Hotel’s summer gardens and a three-course Michelin-starred lunch. Self-guided walks are also available. •9-18 September: The Jane Austen Festival (01225 443 000; jane austenfestivalbath.co.uk) is in its 16th year and celebrates everything about this famous English novelist. •Until 1 January 2019: A History Of Fashion In 100 Objects (01225 477 789; fashionmuseum.co.uk) spotlights fashion from the 1500s to present…

Every Kind Of Weather This was definitely one of those days when the weather couldn’t decide what it was doing. Sun? Cloud? Rain? How about all of the above? What A Cake! Another example of can-do cleverness. The maker of this brilliant birthday cake – which she created for a family member who’s a former fencing champion – is a complete amateur who’d never baked anything for anyone other than her own family. A new career beckons, methinks! Bags Of Bags These ingenious reusable, lightweight, washable shopping bags all roll up into the easily portable holder bag, which sticks with Velcro around your supermarket trolley handle. I can’t imagine using anything else for my weekly shop. For Trolley-Dolly details, see page 14. Thrilling Read Wouldn’t recommend my lovely friend Deborah…

‘I don’t want to lose our precious countryside’ How do you take your tea? I take Earl Grey brewed in a Teasmade, with a splash of milk from the cows on my organic farm in Wiltshire. Who would you most like to have a cup of tea with? My five children, who range in age from five to 25. We’re so rarely all together that it’s a real treat when it does happen. Why did you decide to work with Brita? I was sent a report by Brita revealing that the British public uses 7.7 billion plastic bottles of water each year, which seems unbelievable when you think that everyone has access to good, clean water from their kitchen taps. What impact is this having on our environment? It’s increasing…

Where I went Nerja, on Spain’s Costa del Sol, is the perfect spot for a short break. This small town has restaurants, sea views, beaches and one particular clothes shop with so many lovely things, at such good prices, that my bag was a lot heavier on the return journey! What I did I visited the famous Nerja Caves, with their enormously long stalactites. I don’t like small spaces but was fine because they’re vast and very well-lit. Tickets need to be bought in advance and are €10 (cuevadenerja.es). I also strolled along the Balcón de Europa, a horseshoe-shaped promenade, and enjoyed the scenic view. Where I stayed A friend’s apartment in the middle of town, so I was spoilt. But you can visit nerjatoday.com for accommodation. What I ate…

Aries 21 Mar – 20 Apr This week is great for getting organised. Do whatever you can to make space for something new to come into your life. Taurus 21 Apr – 21 May Children are important this week. And if you don’t have any, be sure to let out your inner child and have fun. Gemini 22 May – 21 Jun If you scatter yourself in too many directions, you’ll be frustrated. Focus your energy on one thing at a time. Cancer 22 Jun – 23 Jul A lucky break could be on the horizon. You may receive a bonus, a business opportunity or an amazing bargain. Leo 24 Jul – 23 Aug Negotiations are favoured this week. Don’t be afraid to ask for what you want and say…

Sport and swottery don’t really go together. An immersion in books tends to keep you away from outdoor activities, and even eating happens ‘al desko’. The only thing in my day likely to bring on a sweat usually involves the misuse of apostrophes. Not that I haven’t tried. I’ve had a go at lots of sports, with varying degrees of success. I was pretty good at sprinting 60 metres (the extra 40 always had me feeling humiliatingly nauseous), managed to put in a half-decent waterski (I stood up for five seconds) and turned out to be an ace at marbles. I realise I may be pushing the definition of ‘sport’ with that last one, but if darts count, then surely the game of taws and shooters also qualifies – not…

She sat at the bottom of the stairs and watched as time edged closer and closer to Linda leaving June stood in the middle of Linda’s bedroom. She felt like something unwanted, like one of those things that Linda was leaving behind. She felt as stripped out, as bare as the drawers, pulled open and not closed. The wardrobe doors were ajar. Clothes that Linda wasn’t taking hung like ghostly shadows in the depths of it. The windows were open as if to clear the air of everything that was to do with Linda: her deodorant, her perfume, her hairspray. The passing breeze picked at the curtains, nosy as neighbours. Linda said she could have what was left. It had sounded exciting but the really exciting things were going. All…

Top Trends Colour is creeping back into our bathrooms. Grey, taupe and blue walls, and patterned tiles are fashionable. Vanity units, his and hers basins and curved shapes are also having a moment. Look out for matte and marbled surfaces, big taps in rose gold or brass, as well as chrome, free-standing baths and walk-in showers with basic glass screens. Space-saving Solutions Lack of space doesn’t have to be a barrier to creating a relaxing retreat at home. You can buy compact, free-standing baths for a luxury hotel experience. Narrow, wall-hung basins, nifty shower enclosures and over-bath screens are all perfect for space-starved family bathrooms and en-suites. Latest Storage Solutions To achieve the ideal clutter-free environment, choose modular fitted and free-standing furniture supplemented with inexpensive racks and shelving to keep…

HOW TO ORDER Order By Phone Call 0800 024 1212* MasterCard, Visa or Maestro cardholders can order direct on this number quoting WW34. Lines open Monday-Friday 10am-4pm, but closed bank holidays. Fill In The Coupon Payment may be made by cheque, sent with the coupon to the address provided. TERMS AND CONDITIONS Subject to availability to readers in the UK. Offers cannot be used in conjunction with other promotions, prices are correct at time of printing. All correspondence concerning this offer should be sent to: WW34 Babies’ Knits Offer, Woman’s Weekly Customer Care, Blue Fin Building, Room 06-C06, 110 Southwark Street, London SE1 0SU. Items will be dispatched within 2-5 days once payment has cleared. You’ll be notified if a longer delay is expected. This offer ends 23 September 2016.*Call…

‘We shouldn’t be here. Maternity waiting rooms are part of our past’ Maternity Unit says the sign on the wall. As if we need reminding. I look around at the blue plastic chairs and the hopeful-faced girl with the bump at the far end of the row. She has an excited air about her and is whispering into the ear of the square-jawed man next to her. They are building a future together. A future which might not turn out the way they think. We could be any one of these expectant couples around us. But we’re not. We’re different. I feel a twinge. I’ve felt it a lot lately. Right in the lower part of my back. Just there. I think about asking my husband to massage it. Then…

Shiny, healthy hair is what most of us dream of – because when your hair looks good, you feel good. It’s a win-win situation! But when your hormones change during the menopause, your hair can too. You might notice thinning or even loss, and this may damage your confidence. More than three-quarters of women over 40 affected by hair loss admitted it had dented their self-esteem.* Thankfully, caffeine helps prevent this kind of hair loss. The Plantur 39 range of shampoos, tonic and conditioners, developed by Dr. Wolff-Research, contain a Phyto-Caffeine Complex, along with other nutrients, that help protect your hair. Here, the experts at Plantur 39 answer your questions. Q I'm 55 and my hair is receding. Why? Up until the menopause, a woman’s hair roots are protected by…

It's good to talk Q I divorced five years ago and have three teenage children. I met a guy who is also divorced, with two children, and we plan to move in together. The kids all seem to get on well and are happy. The f ly in the ointment is his parents. They’re in their seventies and have always been a strong inf luence. They don’t like me and the main reason, they say, is because I’m divorced – pretty rich when so is their son! I think he feels reluctant to move in given this hostility. We’re nearly 50 so it seems a bit much for him to still be listening to his parents. Hazel, Shropshire A Once a parent always a parent, as I’m sure you know!…

Our Experts Appliances Internet Digital Animals Finance/ consumer Legal This Week SARAH BEE is a social-media professional who answers your questions on the World Wide Web. Q How can I find support online? There are a large number of very supportive online communities where people can come together in order to exchange advice, offer their support and just find kindred spirits. Many of us feel isolated sometimes and as if no one knows what we’re going through – the internet can help so much with that. Many charities large and small have friendly, managed forums you can join as part of their websites, so they’re a good place to start reaching out to people who are dealing with some of the same life issues as you, and to find…

Lindy Southey, 64 Tell us about your look… I love easy, elegant separates. If something catches my eye but it’s not quite right, I’ll happily alter it to suit me. I got this monochrome print dress from BHS but it was too long, so I just cut a chunk off! My favourite place to shop is Phase Eight. This long cardi is from there. My trousers came from Bentalls and can be rolled up and fastened for a cropped style. I love anything that can be altered for a different look! And the best bit of your body? My neck. Luckily there aren’t too many wrinkles! YouWore It Well Flo, 1938 (sent in by daughter Margaret) ‘This is a photo of my mum, Flo, aged 23. She was at the…

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 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 newsletter. D 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…

With an even wider selection of our popular Fiction Writing Workshops, you really won’t want to miss out on how to write fiction, memoir or poetry in a fun, friendly and supportive atmosphere. Come and join in – there are lots of dates to choose from, so book your place now. Historical Novel Writing • Friday 16 September With Gaynor and Suzanne 10am MEET AND GREET, with tea and coffee 10.30am TALK What makes historical fiction different from the rest? 10.45am Your plot: openings; pace; subplots; patterns and mirrors; and flashbacks 11.30am BREAK for tea and coffee 11.45am EXERCISE Write the opening paragraph of your novel 1pm BREAK for lunch 2pm EXERCISE What makes a character? Whose story is it? The emotional stakes 3pm BREAK for tea and coffee 3.15pm…

Slip-resistant flip-flop bath treads will improve the safety of your bath or shower and make you smile, £8.50 for five, Roman At Home. The components of Seletti’s Submarino accessory set fit together with magnets to form a submarine shape, £52.50, Amara. Loogun is a battery-operated hand-held device that cleans the toilet using only a spray of clean water, with no contact needed, £34.99, Loogun. Why hide away your loo rolls when you can show them off on this sheep shelf, instead? £17.93, from Etsy.…

Knitting Editor Teresa This tonal striped blanket is worked in a daisy effect stitch. It’s easy to adjust the size by adding on multiples of three stitch to cast on stitches. The cushions are in three different sizes and are worked in the same stitch pattern to complete the set. • Easy-peasy • A Bit More Tricky • Hard–ish • Quite A Challenge MEASUREMENTS Throw: Approximately 65cm/ 25½in and 97cm/38¼in long. Cushion covers: Approximately 27 (32) (37) cm square/10¾ (12½) (14½) in. MATERIALS Throw: 5 x 50g (90m) balls of Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran (55% wool, 33% acrylic, 12% cashmere) in Heather (46), 4 balls in Mulberry (42) and 3 balls in Blackberry (55)*. Pair of 5mm (No.6) knitting needles. Cushion covers: 3 (4) (5) 50g (90m) balls of Debbie…

• You don’t need to spend a fortune on building a new patio – you can reuse scrap paving, tiles and bricks to make trendy crazy paving. The idea is to create an informal, haphazard appearance using a good range of sizes so that you have plenty of choice when fitting the pieces together. Lay them on sand and brush dry mortar in between for best results. • Collect seed heads from hardy annuals such as pot marigolds, love-in-a-mist and nasturtiums. Put them in labelled paper bags and hang them up in a warm, dry place for a few days to dry. Remove the seeds from the pods and pack them in a sealed container until ready for sowing. • Use rainwater laced with an acid fertiliser or iron sequestrine…

Our fingernails grow at around 3mm a month, but toenails can take up to a year to grow out. A healthy balanced diet usually provides all the mineral and vitamins they need, without the need for supplements, but how we look after them can affect our nails’ appearance. However, changes in their colour, shape or surface should be checked with your GP as they can be linked to a wide range of serious medical conditions and medication. Nail trauma Nails are made of keratin, a fibrous protein which can dry out, become brittle, soften or tear if we often have our hands in water, detergents or chemicals. Try cotton lining gloves when wearing rubber gloves and moisturising hands/nails daily, or ‘nail strengtheners’, from your pharmacy. Trauma to the growth plate…

‘Nutrition is important when you have cancer’ I’ve always been fascinated by biology – nutrition in particular – so, after studying at the University of Surrey, I became a Specialist Oncology (Cancer) Dietitian in 2011 and haven’t looked back. People don’t always think of diet and nutrition as being part of cancer care, but it’s actually a really important aspect of treatment. Food is vital to everyone’s life, and as some of the major side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy include a poor appetite, vomiting, constipation, diarrhoea and weight loss, nutrition becomes even more important when you have cancer. Trying to help people to be better nourished when they are experiencing side effects of cancer treatment can be quite difficult, but my job can also be extremely rewarding. I support…

Dear Keren I feel like I’m pulled in all different directions. I have two grown-up children living at home, one not currently working due to depression. I’m divorced. I have an elderly parent who needs a lot of help. I don’t live with my partner but I stay at his at weekends. I work full-time in a good job. I try to help everyone but have very little time for me. My phone is constantly ringing and I’m often glad to get to work! I’m also going through menopause and have a real lack of energy at times. Name and address withheld AI think many Woman’s Weekly readers will empathise with you. You’re a good example of the sandwich generation that’s true of so many baby boomers. It’s great to…

‘I hoped at least one dog would vaguely resemble its owner’ Because dukes, baronets, It girls and other assorted notables are in rather short supply down our way, the grandest social occasion of the year is the summer fete and dog show. For the past few years, this has been admirably organised by our neighbour Carolyn, on the grounds that she has a businesslike manner, and once – as she mistakenly mentioned at a meeting of the royal wedding party committee – organised a fete singlehanded when the rest of her team were laid low by man flu and an allergy to hard work. This year, she took on a co-organiser called Davey, who is notable for having a jaw so chiselled that it might have been designed by Michelangelo.…