Innholdsfortegnelse for 05-Mar-2019 i Woman's Weekly

I’ve written before about the wonderful singing of the choir at my local parish church, but personally, although I might attempt a burst of All Glory, Laud and Honour while in the shower, a public-spirited concern for the wellbeing of others precludes me from singing in public. It’s true, I’ve sung publicly when much younger, but only as an actor – and actors are forgiven their share of quirky singing, ever since Rex Harrison and more recently, Pierce Brosnan, made it allowed. However, I read on page 8 that singing can boost your memory, so as I’m rapidly becoming more scatterbrained than a forgetful goldfish, I think it’s time to extend my bathroom repertoire. It’s a mystery I think Geraldine Ryan is the new master of suspense! Don’t miss her…

Patricia Wood Tell us about your look… I love a classic, smart tailored look with a modern twist. My coat is from Zara. I was so impressed with the quality and value that I bought a camel coat for my husband from Zara menswear. My check trousers are from M&S. I liked the wide leg cut. My bag and scarf were presents and my husband bought my leather boots. He likes to buy things for me – amazingly they fitted! And the best bit of your body? Being tall and slim. You wore it well Valerie Lucas, 1951 Sent in by her daughter, Pauline Whitwell My dad took this photo of my mum standing outside their honeymoon bungalow. I love how smart and proud the new Mrs Lucas looks in…

To clean tile grout, mix bicarbonate of soda with white wine vinegar and work it in. Leave for 5-10 mins before washing away. Store your groceries and ingredients in containers. They will take up less space in your kitchen and make it look more organised. Add labels to avoid a mix up. If your TV is looking a little grubby, turn off the monitor and use a dry, soft cloth – the kind you would use to clean your glasses with – and gently wipe the screen.…

✿ Florence Nightingale (1820- 1910 The founder of modern nursing,  Florence found fame in the Crimean War, when she took over a staff of 38 women volunteer nurses, who she trained, to alleviate suffering. Her groundbreaking hygiene techniques reduced the death rate significantly and after the war, she started the first secular nursing school in the world, in London. ✿ Mary Seacole (1805-1881) Mary also helped wounded soldiers in the  Crimean War, setting up the British Hotel, which provided ‘a mess-table and comfortable quarters for sick and convalescent officers’. ✿ Elizabeth Blackwell (1821- 1910) Elizabeth, a British woman,  trained as a doctor in the United States and became, in 1858, the first woman on the Medical Register of the UK’s General Medical Council.…

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1 Eat smart  Have plenty of fruit, veg and fibre, and ration high fat/sugar foods. Restrict alcohol/ caffeine intake to recommended limits (nhs.uk) and salt to 6g daily. 2 Exercise Aim to do 150 minutes’ exercise a week (dancing, brisk walking, cycling, keep fit, etc). Make sure that you are slightly puffed but are still able to hold a conversation. 3 Stay trim  Try to keep your waist circumference below 80cm if you're a woman (or 94cm for men) to help protect against problems, such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes. 4 Monitor blood pressure Use a validated machine ( bihsoc.org/bp-monitors/ for-home-use ), go to NHS health checks and take advice.…

Am I too protective? Q My children are in their late 20s and still live at home. But I’m struggling to find a way to behave that suits them. They say I’m overprotective and ask too many questions. They especially don’t like me asking where they’re going. I’m curious, but mainly, I just want some idea in case something goes wrong. Annette, Brighton A How will knowing where they’re going help if there’s a problem while they’re out? Firstly, I know things can go wrong but it’s unlikely and, secondly, knowing won’t prevent it. I think this is a leftover behavioural pattern from when they were young. When kids are small, we need to take the necessary actions to be sure we’re looking after them. When they’re adults, we must…

Tranquil travellers Opened in 2014 by two Dutch conservationists who are passionate about nature, hundreds of colourful free-flying butterflies can be seen at Kuang Si Butterfly Park which is set among gently trickling streams, waterfalls and lush jungle gardens. Culture vultures Built in 1818, Wat Sisaket is Vientiane’s oldest surviving temple and filled with nearly 7,000 Buddha images made from wood, stone and bronze. Dating from the 16th to 19th Centuries, they sit and stand in 45 different positions which all have different symbolic meanings. Spirited adventurers Crossing Luang Prabang’s wibbly- wobbly bamboo bridge is the most atmospheric way to get a close-up view of the spot where the Nam Khan river meets the Mekong. The bridge is washed away each year when the river floods and rebuilt within a…

Enjoy home movies When it’s cold outside, snuggle up and watch your favourite film on DVD and Blu-ray Panasonic DVD-S500EB-K DVD Player, £29 With its USB port you can not only watch your favourite DVDs and listen to music with great sound quality, you can also view all your family snaps. Sony BDP-S3700 Smart Blu-Ray/DVD Player With Super Wi-Fi, £79 This device with Wi-Fi will play your favourite DVDs and it will connect you to viewing apps, such as Netflix (at a subscription fee), BBC iPlayer and your phone too. AKAI A51002 Compact DVD Player, £49.99 Small enough to fit in any room and the handy remote control makes for easy viewing. Compatible with MP3, USB and JPEGs so you can view your home movies and photos as well. Paint…

Happy motorist My four-year-old granddaughter Holly Jean loves her pink Fiat 500. It’s such a warm bright colour that it cheers the winter days! Mrs A Palmer, Warwick Look what I made My mum buys your magazine every week then passes it onto to me! I thought you’d might like to see her latest project. She’s a very talented lady and often doubts her capability! She’s made two of these sausage dogs for my sisters and I think they’re wonderful! Ann Jones, Yorkshire Happy in my own skin I couldn’t agree more with Hermione Norris saying ‘There’s something beautiful about women in their 50s’ [29 J an issue]. It redefines beauty not as a ‘moment captured in airbrushed imagery’ but the definition of a life shaped b y laughter and…

Cherry blossom The RHS has a beautiful new collection of homewares and  stationery. The range is inspired by the new entrance to RHS Garden Wisley. Open in spring, it welcomes visitors through an avenue of cherry trees. Pretty prints Leading artists have been commissioned by Art on the Underground to  create extraordinary prints and posters, exclusively available at London Transport Museum. ✿ ltmuseumshop.co.uk, prices from £35. Get cooking Focus on the recipe and keep the cookery book intact thanks to this charming engraved wooden stand. ✿ emmabridgewater.co.uk, £50.…

1 Join a choir and learn songs A study from the The International Journal of Social Research and Practice shows a link between music and enhanced memory. It’s thought that learning lyrics boosts levels of acetylcholine, which helps the brain to store memories and retain information. Learning a language is also one of the best ways to boost your recollection and reverse brain ageing, according to a study from the University of Edinburgh. 2 Keep dancing! Dancing is linked to a whopping 76% reduction in the likelihood of developing dementia, according to US researchers, who studied the link between leisure activities and dementia risk. Remembering steps and making split-second adjustments to movements stimulates the brain’s ability to make new connections between cells.…

I love cats, but am not currently owned by one. A while back, I put on hold my plan to replace the late-lamented Harris Bigg-Whisker (named in honour of the bloke who nearly married Jane Austen) after buying new furniture. Owning a slobber-free sofa for the first time in 20 years rather went to my head. But, soon enough, I’ve found myself sharing said sofa with next-door’s moocher mog Dave, a freeloading feline who calls round most evenings for a snooze and a cuddle before high-tailing it home for his dinner. His other favourite activities at mine are: licking all fixtures and fittings; knocking over anything not fixed and fitted; and romancing my furry slippers. As my mother says, I’m enjoying the benefits of ‘a part-time pet’ without the responsibilities…

Ice cream sundae berry pancake Make every day a sundae with this fabulously fun folded pancake! PER SERVING: 692 cals; 42g fat; 15g sat fat; 68g carbs SERVES 4 For the pancakes: ✿ 100g (3½oz) plain flour ✿ 2 eggs ✿ 300ml (10fl oz) milk ✿ Butter, for frying For the filling: ✿ 500ml (16fl oz) raspberry swirl ice cream (we love Kelly’s Cornish Parlour Berry Eton Mess ice cream) ✿ 200g (7oz) frozen mixed berries, defrosted ✿ 4tbsp pecans broken up, for sprinkling ✿ 8tbsp maple syrup 1 Put plain flour in a bowl and whisk with the eggs and milk to make a smooth batter, the consistency of double cream. 2 Heat a little butter in a 15cm (6in) non-stick pan. Pour in just enough mixture to cover…

Our skeletal (voluntary) muscles move our bodies; internally, ‘smooth’ (involuntary) muscles keep things moving inside our organs. Muscles are designed to contract (shorten) and relax, but sometimes they go into spasm, producing pain and acidic changes that can leave a lingering soreness. If they’re recurrent, cramps need checking out. Skeletal muscles Cramp often strikes during exercise, especially if we overdo it or move awkwardly, but leg/calf cramps can start suddenly in bed too. The shortened muscle produces intense, gripping pain and takes seconds or minutes to relax again. Night cramps are more common as we get older, if we’re pregnant, are dehydrated or have abnormal blood chemicals (such as sodium or magnesium), liver/kidney disease, or take medicines, including cholesterol-lowering statins, and some blood pressure treatments. Your GP may suggest blood…

✿ Ask your GP to rule out treatable causes. Quinine tablets are rarely prescribed nowadays. ✿ Reduce alcohol if it seems to be a trigger. Avoid dehydration and be active during the day. ✿ During an acute attack, try to stretch and firmly rub the affected muscle, walk on your heels, or straighten your leg and pull your toes towards you. ✿ Do calf stretches twice daily and before bed (search ‘calf stretches’ on nhs.uk). ✿ Sleep with your feet on a pillow or raise the foot of the bed.…

Counsellor Rachel Kelly, author of Singing in the Rain (£12.99, Short Books). MY GO-TO REMEDY Belly breathing. I love it because it roots me in the moment. So much of my anxiety is about worrying about the future or regretting the past. You can do this anytime. Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. Let the out breath be longer than the in breath: about five seconds in, eight seconds out. MY FAVOURITE MEAL I’m a huge believer in the power of food to boost mood, which is why I wrote a cookbook called The Happy Kitchen. One trick is to eat favourite dishes with a healthy twists, like my own chicken pie. Chicken is rich in protein, which helps balance sugar levels…

Q I’m fed up with people telling me I should be positive and happy. But if I start walking around smiling all the time, don’t I run the risk of forgetting the hard times and becoming detached from reality? My past has to inform my present and, when I think about it, I feel bad. I’m not sure I agree with what they’re saying but I know I could be more content than I am. Flora, London A I think what you’re asking is what’s the secret ingredient to making us happy? Being happy is a state we all want to achieve, although it’s one that alludes many of us. Put simply, it’s as easy as living in the present. I know that sounds a bit superficial but many of…

HOME & CRAFT EDITOR ESME A BIT MORE TRICKY This pretty, scrap-busting sewing machine cover is the perfect project to use up your fabric stash. YOU WILL NEED ✿ Cream cotton fabric (we used a 50 x150cm piece) ✿ Medium weight iron-on interfacing (we used a 50 x 150cm piece) ✿ Three 50 x 50cm patterned fabric scraps ✿ Bondaweb ✿ Matching thread ✿ Scissors ✿ Pins ✿ Sewing machine Time to make: 5 hours Stockist: Heavy cotton fabric, £8.99 per m, minervacrafts.com MEASURING AND CUTTING OUT 1 To work out the measurements of your sewing machine cover, first measure the height of your sewing machine and add 1.5cm. Then measure the width and add 3cm. Then measure the depth and add 3cm. From now on, when referring to the…

It had been a completely spur-of-the-moment thing. Megan and Sue were driving back from the airport, having collected their Aunty Liz, when they were diverted by roadworks. ‘Hey, do know where we’re near?’ Megan asked, grinning. ‘No..?’ said Sue enquiringly. ‘Time for a little trip down Memory Lane,’ said Megan. ‘Where’s Memory Lane?’ asked Aunty Liz from the back. ‘Northumberland Road.’ Sue gasped. ‘Number 17!’ ‘You got it!’ Megan smiled. Sue frowned. ‘Megan, are you sure you want to do this?’ ‘It’s time,’ said Megan, firmly. ‘It’s been, what, 10 years now?’ ‘But you were devastated.’ ‘Why? What happened?’ cried Aunty Liz. Megan frowned. ‘Nothing,’ she said, ‘absolutely nothing.’ ‘That was the problem,’ added Sue. As they drove down the road, it seemed as though they were in a time…

Mum in the Middle by Jane Wenham-Jones (£7.99, PB, HarperCollins) Ready to downsize, Tess buys a house in a lively town and decides to reclaim a little me-time after her children have flown the nest. But things don’t turn out quite as expected. Her offspring keep returning with bags of washing, her mother is struggling with dementia and she faces opposition from locals who don’t take kindly to Londoners moving in. Humorous, warm-hearted and full of charm – we loved it. Ruin Beach by Kate Rhodes (£7.99, PB, Simon & Schuster) Ben Kitto fans, our favourite policeman is back! As a lazy summer settles in on the Isles of Scilly, Ben finds himself craving excitement. Then the body of a professional diver is found, and more than a few islanders…

Aries 21 Mar – 20 Apr It’s a good time to bring peace and harmony into your relationships. Your counsel may be sought over an emotional issue. Taurus 21 Apr – 21 May You may have flashes of insight this week. Be prepared to note down all your good ideas. Gemini 22 May – 21 June Friends and social connections are highlighted. Time to get out and about and meet new people. Cancer 22 Jun – 23 Jul Your dreams are giving you powerful messages. A pressing problem may be solved this week. Leo 24 Jul – 23 Aug International travel is under positive aspects for you. Time to make plans and get packing! Virgo 24 Jul – 23 Aug Do you need to offer a compromise in a relationship?…

...Visit Gringotts Wizarding Bank Opening on Saturday 6 April, Warner Bros Studio Tour, London, will unveil its largest ever expansion, allowing visitors to walk through the Gringotts Wizarding bank, the Lestrange vault, and much more. ✿ Tickets on sale now from wbstudiotour.co.uk ...Book Rip It Up The ultimate Strictly boyband of dance has brought their spectacular show to London’s West End. Rip it Up – The 60’s hurls the decade into the 21st century, through an explosion of song, dance, acrobatics and amazing visuals. Featuring McFly’s Harry Judd, Olympic gymnast Louis Smith, JLS’s Aston Merrygold and The Wanted’s Jay McGuiness. ✿ Tickets available from ripituptheshow.com ...Watch The Aftermath Rachael Morgan (Keira Knightley) arrives in the ruins of post-war Hamburg, to be reunited with her husband Lewis (Jason Clarke), a British…

Midsomer Murders’ star Neil Dudgeon looks as if he’s undercover when we meet up with him to chat about his long-running detective drama, as he’s sporting a rather dashing beard. The jovial star admits that he stopped shaving during a weekend break some months ago and says with a grin, ‘It just grew on me…’ ‘I can imagine the show going on and on and on’ On screen, Neil is instantly recognisable as clean-shaven crime-solver DCI John Barnaby. Midsomer Murders – the everyday story of country folk killing each other with the likes of poisonous frogs, hat pins and wheels of cheese – is back for its 20th anniversary series and its popularity shows no signs of waning. One of ITV’s biggest exports, it’s been sold to 231…

Q I’m not a great wearer of make-up, but I’d love to perk up my complexion without wearing a full face or using anything too tricky. What would you recommend? A This is an easy one! My go-to for a fuss-free, fresh face is a cream blusher. Dab a little onto the tops of your cheekbones, blend and blot onto your lips, too. You won’t believe the difference! Try No7 Pop & Glow Cream Blush in Classic Rose, £10. If you’re willing to go that extra mile, add a slick of mascara to lengthen your lashes and define your eyes, too. That’s my Sunday makeup routine. Q How can I make my thin hair look thicker? A You need to try a combination of things. Scalp health is key –…

Sometimes meeting with obstruction and rejection, each of these impressive women eventually triumphed against all the odds to achieve recognition in their fields of medicine, science and healthcare. Double Nobel Prize winner Marie Curie (1867-1934) Polish-born Maria Sklodowska enrolled at the University of Paris in 1891 to study maths, chemistry and physics. Three years later, she was introduced to the scientist Pierre Curie and subsequently they married and worked together. In 1903, alongside another physicist, Henri Becquerei, Pierre and Marie won the Nobel Prize for Physics for their work on radiation – making Marie the first woman ever to win a Nobel Prize. Sadly, in 1906, Pierre died in a road accident. Marie was devastated, but continued working – and, in 1911, won a second Nobel Prize, this time for…

Post-natal depression affects nearly one in 20 men and may influence their daughters’ mental health as teenagers, according to new UK research. It’s not really surprising that depression in either parent can significantly affect the whole family’s wellbeing, but men may not be diagnosed and supported in the crucial early months and years. The NHS screens for post-natal depression in women; perhaps men should be screened too.…

1 They help you lose weight. Yes, really, because starchy food like pasta and rice are fibre-rich so fill you up and reduce calories, especially when eaten alongside protein. 2 They give you energy. Starchy carbs are our bodies and brains greatest fuel – they’re stored in our muscles as glycogen, an easy source of energy. 3 They keep you regular. Carbs are full of nutrients such as B vitamins and fibre – vital for a healthy bowel. Include brown/wholegrain varieties too, as they’re even more nutritious.…

WORRYING: MANAGE YOUR FEARS 0904 470 0716 CONCERNED ABOUT MEMORY LOSS? 0904 470 0717 WHEN YOUR CHILDREN LEAVE HOME 0904 470 0831 HOW TO COPE WITH AGEING PARENTS 0904 470 0719 COMING TO TERMS WITH LOSS AND GRIEF 0904 470 0804 HOW TO BANISH YOUR EMPTY FEELINGS 0904 470 0802 Users must be over 18. You must have the bill payer’s permission. Calls cost 65p per minute plus your network’s access charge. Each line lasts approx. seven minutes. Service provider: Spoke Ltd, 0333 202 3390…

MEASUREMENTS To fit sizes 81-86 (91-97) (102-107) cm/32-34 (36-38) (40-42) in. Actual measurements 97 (108) (120) cm/38¼ (42¾) (47¼) in. Side seam 34 (35) (36.5) cm/13½ (13¾) (14¼) in. Length to shoulder 54 (55) (57) cm/21¼ (21¾) (22½) in. Sleeve seam All sizes 38.5cm/15in. MATERIALS 6 (7) (7) 100g (145m) balls of Hayfield Chunky Tweed (74% acrylic, 20% wool, 6% viscose) in Turquoise (Berkley 193)*. Pair each of 6mm (No. 4) and 6.5mm (No. 3) knitting needles; stitch holders; 6 buttons. Yarn is available from the knittingnetwork.co.uk. TENSION 14 stitches and 19 rows, to 10 x 10cm, over stocking stitch, using 6.5mm needles. ABBREVIATIONS K, knit; p, purl; st(s), stitch(es); tog, together; dec, decrease 1 st (by working 2 sts tog); inc, increase 1 st (by working twice in same…

Frank Cottrell-Boyce, author of The Great Rocket Robbery ‘The Happy Lion by Louise Fatio and Roger Duvoisin, is a brilliant read. Mum took my brother and I to the library most days and read us this book about a happy lion who escapes from a tiny zoo. The pictures made me yearn to go to Paris. It was bliss cosying down with them in a corner of the library.’ Sibéal Pounder, author of Bad Mermaids Meet the Witches ‘Julián is a Mermaid by Jessica Love, was my favourite read. I adored this book and its celebration of acceptance and imagination. Love’s artwork is bursting with colour and style and is as fluid and flowing as the ocean.’ Alex T Smith, author of Claude: Best…

When’s your next diet club meeting?’ asked Clare, the youngest member of our charity shop team, over tea and biscuits one morning – or, to be more accurate, over tea. (Talking about dieting while working our way through a box of Crawford’s Teatime Varieties would be rather like having our cake and eating it – and then asking for more cake.) ‘I don’t know about next,’ I said. ‘We’ve not even had our first meeting yet. Everybody seems far too busy to lose weight. Why do you ask?’ ‘I wondered if I might come along,’ said Clare, inexplicably. ‘What…on…earth…for?’ In cold print, those four words do not really do justice to my expression of disbelief. To adapt a phrase I read somewhere, Clare is as slim as a bluebell –…