Innholdsfortegnelse for 21-Jan-2020 i Woman's Weekly

A taste of Scotland I’ve long had a soft spot for Burns Night – though, in truth, any event that combines Scotch whisky with an oaty savoury pudding would be a winner with me, even before we got to the poetry. While I concede that a haggis doesn’t strike the most aesthetic pose on a plate, from the moment I first tasted one (with chips, I guiltily admit, from an Edinburgh fried-fish shop), I was smitten. But for those who don’t share my love for the great chieftain o’ the puddin-race, though still fancy celebrating Robert Burns’ memory with food, look out for our sweet Scottish puds on page 34. And discover more about the great poet on page 10.…

Jose Hatch, 1960 This is me and my husband Laurie on our wedding day. I designed my dress and my mother made it. I bought the satin fabric from a department store in Regent’s Street, London. Sadly, my husband died 11 months later. ✣ We’d love to see how great you looked in any era up to and including the 1980s. Please send a good-quality photo with your name, address and daytime phone number clearly written on the back, to: Fashion Dept, Woman’s Weekly, 161 Marsh Wall, London E14 9AP. Photos will be returned.…

✣ Burns boosts the Scottish economy to the tune of approximately £150 million every year. In 2009, on the 250th anniversary of Burns’ birth, £9m of haggis was sold in the UK. ✣ The Robert Burns museum in Alloway is the second-most visited UK writer’s museum (only Shakespeare’s in Stratford-upon-Avon beats it). ✣ Burns has more statues dedicated to him than any other non-religious figure, part from Queen Victoria and Christopher Columbus. There are 14 in the USA – one in New York’s Central Park. ✣ Despite his success, at the time of his death Robert Burns worth was only valued at £1.…

“If you had told me 10 years ago that I would have released eight albums, travelled the world and was about to embark on my fourth tour, I would have thought you were having a carry-on. Most people will remember me for walking onto that Britain’s Got Talent stage, with wild hair, looking like I’d got dressed in the dark, and everyone expecting a joke audition. Then I sang, and in that moment I symbolised the old adage ‘never judge a book by its cover’. I never want this to end I didn’t expect the turn of events that happened. Over the years leading up to that audition, I’d entered into many local competitions and never won, always came second. So while I had hoped for the best when I…

‘I find it very therapeutic’ Mia Hansson, 45, lives in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, with partner, Eddie, 48, and stepson, Tom, 26 My grandmother taught me to cross-stitch when I was young. I had a natural talent for it. Over the years, I took on more complex work, such as re-enactment costumes and items for museums. But when I became a full-time carer for my stepson, Tom, who has cerebral palsy, I wanted a bigger project, something to work on while at home with him. ‘What’s bigger than the Bayeux Tapestry?’ I thought. So I began a replica. I did my research, as I wanted my version to be as authentic as possible. I’ve tried my best to find threads as close to the original seven colours used, and I’m working on…

1 Check for January sales Most airlines hold these, just like other retailers. They’re often advertised in newspapers, on TV or on posters, but it also pays to check the airlines’ websites, as well as their Twitter and Facebook feeds. Airlines that often have sales include British Airways (ba.com), Emirates (emirates. com), Norwegian (norwegian.com) and Ryanair (ryanair.com). 2 Know when to book Research from flight finders Opodo* (opodo.com) found that, on average, Sunday is the cheapest day of the week to book your flight. For short-haul domestic flights, it pays to book around 50 days in advance; for long-haul flights to the US, the best prices are found by booking 31-36 days in advance; and for flights to Asia, it’s 26-30 days in advance. 3 Download specialist apps Secret Flying…

This is not just a UK problem, nor is it just Brexit related. There is a worldwide shortage of many medications, with supply variation in each country for different reasons. In the UK, over 900 medications have had supply problems over the past few years, for a variety of reasons. From some contraceptives and HRT, to serious shortages of certain blood pressure medications, diuretics and epilepsy medications, pharmacists are having difficulty obtaining enough for patients. The causes There are many background causes. Firstly, manufacturing, a complex process for most drugs, is regularly affected by problems with supply of ingredients or even difficulties for the producer in getting hold of the base substance they are held together by. Curiously, pigs are still used for the economic production of a blood-thinning medicine…

A Fibromyalgia is poorly understood and hard to diagnose. And it’s certainly worse if you’re stressed. But that doesn’t mean it’s just in your mind. There is emerging evidence that there are changes going on that we previously haven’t been able to test for. A recent German study of people with the condition showed widespread abnormal small nerve fibre function in the skin and the cornea of the eye. The severity of people’s symptoms correlated well to the degree of dermal nerve damage. Management is still based around analgesia, rest and exercise programmes, with general advice including a healthy diet, limiting alcohol, not smoking and weight management. Psychotherapy, CBT and relaxation techniques may be helpful. For some, medications, including antidepressants and certain anticonvulsants, offer relief.…

DUNDEE CAKE Dundee cake is the queen of fruitcakes, thanks to its distinctive crown of almonds. PER SLICE 275 cals, 8g fat, 3g sat fat, 69g carbs SERVES 12 ✣ 175g (6oz) butter ✣ 150g (5oz) soft brown sugar ✣ 1tsp black treacle ✣ Finely grated zest of 1 orange and ½ lemon ✣ 30g (1oz) ground almonds ✣ 4 large eggs, beaten ✣ 250g (9oz) plain flour ✣ 1tsp baking powder ✣ 350g (12oz) sultanas ✣ 30g (1oz) blanched almonds, split You will need: ✣ 18cm (7in) round deep cake tin, lined with baking parchment 1 Heat the oven to 140C/ Gas 1. Cream the butter and sugar until light. Beat in the treacle, citrus zests and ground almonds. Add the eggs a little at a time, beating well…

CHILLI TIME Sow chilli peppers now, and they’ll have ample time to ripen over summer. Fill a pot with compost and sow seeds thinly about 5mm deep. Gently spray with water, then cover with a plastic bag, held in place with an elastic band. Put somewhere warm (an airing cupboard is perfect) and, when the seeds emerge, remove the plastic and move to a sunny windowsill. Tweet treat Birds such as blue tits will soon be searching for nesting sites, so entice them into your garden with a bird box. You can make a fine avian abode with the RSPB’s free downloadable plan (rspb.org.uk), or try a Bird Nest Kit, made in forestry-approved larch, that comes with a bag of sheep’s wool for nest lining. £15 from chimneysheep.com…

ARIES 21 Mar – 20 Apr You may be rethinking or restructuring your work and career. This is a good time for starting a new project. TAURUS 21 Apr – 21 May You might be working behind the scenes. If you can be patient and consistent, all your hard work will pay off. GEMINI 22 May – 21 Jun This is a good time to put energy into your health and wellbeing. Pay attention to what your body is telling you and you’ll feel stronger. CANCER 22 Jun – 23 Jul Before you agree to further responsibilities, think very carefully. You need time for yourself – make it a priority. LEO 24 Jul – 23 Aug Creatively you are coming into a powerful phase. You can be artistic in so…

‘The responsibility of not wanting to get it wrong means you try a bit harder’ In the 23 years Fay Ripley has starred in Cold Feet , her character Jenny Gifford has been through many trials and tribulations. But Fay reveals that playing Jenny this time around has been her biggest challenge to date. In the upcoming series, Jenny has just finished her treatment for breast cancer, and Fay, 53, explains how she felt a duty to tell the story accurately – especially as her stepmother has the disease in real life. Struggling to hold back the tears, Fay says, ‘She’s in recovery and if I even talk about it, I’ll cry, because she’s so incredibly sweet about it. ‘She’s fine, she’s good, but she rings me after every episode…

Have you dodged the worst of the lurgies this winter? Or do you pick up every bug going? You can give your immune system a chance to fight back with simple changes to your diet and lifestyle. One of the simplest is getting enough sleep. Aim for seven to eight hours a night, says Woman’s Weekly GP Dr Gill Jenkins. ‘Sleep deprivation decreases production of protective immune proteins called cytokines and infection-fighting antibodies and cells, making you more prone to inflammation, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.’ Another is eating breakfast within an hour of waking. Avoiding blood-sugar highs and lows helps fight inflammation, says nutritional therapist Yvonne Bishop-Weston (optimumnutritionists.com). ‘Eat every four hours if you can and have protein with every meal.’ AVOID ANTIBIOTICS Overuse of antibiotics destroys your gut’s beneficial…

SWEET POTATO CURRY A beautifully spiced veggie curry that’s rich in antioxidants. PER SERVING 514 cals, 22g fat, 13g sat fat, 60g carbs SERVES 4 ✣ 800g (1lb 12oz) sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks ✣ 2tbsp sunflower oil ✣ 1tbsp black mustard seeds ✣ 3 red chillies, sliced lengthways ✣ 2 onions, sliced ✣ 1bsp garam masala ✣ 500g (1lb 2oz) large tomatoes, peeled and quartered ✣ 500ml (16fl oz) natural yogurt ✣ 75g (2½oz) desiccated coconut ✣ 100g (3½oz) spinach ✣ coriander and lime, to serve 1 Put the sweet potatoes on a non-metallic plate and microwave on high for 5 mins, or steam them for 5-8 mins. Heat the oil in a pan and fry the mustard seeds and chillies until the seeds begin to pop.…

Time to rethink your diet at MENOPAUSE? The menopause can play havoc with your waistline. I work with a lot of women going through it – they’ve managed to maintain their weight throughout their lives, then the menopause hits… During this time it’s more important than ever to eat a nutrient-dense diet to help your body cope with such big hormonal changes. Eat lots of fresh veg, and moderate portions of low-sugar fruit. Good-quality protein is crucial, as are healthy fats such as omega-3s, to keep skin supple. To avoid placing additional demands on your body, limit processed and sugary foods, refined carbohydrates and alcohol. One of the biggest problems I see in menopausal women is sleep, and alcohol can make it worse – it ’s not conducive to…

1 RELAXATION Mindfulness, deep breathing and yoga may help. You can buy relaxation recordings or find therapy support online, or see a psychotherapist. 2 MUSIC Don’t live in total silence. Make sure there’s gentle background music or other sounds, but avoid very loud music as this will worsen things. 3 SOUND THERAPY Buy a sound-therapy system to block out the audible symptoms of tinnitus, using pillow speakers and headphones for a good night’s sleep. 4 SEE YOUR DOCTOR To have your ears checked and discuss medication. Look at the British Tinnitus Association website for ideas that have helped others.…

FORCE RHUBARB Harvest slender, pink rhubarb stems 2–3 weeks early by covering the crown with straw, then topping with an upturned bucket or bin to cut out light. PLANT OUT FORCED BULBS Give spent indoor bulbs a second life: after flowering, store in a shed or garage till spring, then plant in the ground with a handful of fertiliser. HYDRATE HOUSEPLANTS Combat desert-dry air (thanks, central heating!) – spritz plants with a mister, and stand them on pebble-filled saucers topped up with water.…

TESTED BY US  so they work for you Difficulty level MEASUREMENTS To fit shoe sizes: 4-5 (5-6). MATERIALS 3 x 50g (104m) balls of King Cole Merino Blend DK (100% pure new wool superwash) in Teal (Adriatic 1985). Size 3.5mm and 4mm hooks. Yarn is available from theknittingnetwork.co.uk. TENSION 18 stitches and 10 rows, to 10x10cm, over treble, using 4mm hook. ABBREVIATIONS Ch, chain; dc, double crochet; st(s), stitch(es); tr, treble crochet; chsp, chain space; tr2tog, without making the last wrap of each, work 2tr, yarn round hook and pull it through all 3 loops on hook; cl, cluster (make the stated number of stitches without making the last wrap of each, yarn round hook and pull it through all loops on the hook); slst, slip stitch. NOTE Yarn amounts…

Who Did You Tell? by Lesley Kara (£12.99, HB, Transworld) Following on from her bestselling crime debut thriller The Rumour comes the twisty new novel we’ve been waiting for from Lesley Kara. Recovering alcoholic Astrid is trying to turn her life around, regularly attending AA meetings in a quiet seaside town. Only Astrid has a past that’s not so easily forgotten. Someone knows exactly what she is running from, and they won’t stop until they get their revenge. Lesley Kara deals sensitively with the complicated issue of alcohol abuse in this gripping mystery. The Telephone Box Library by Rachael Lucas (£7.99, PB, Pan Macmillan) Who wouldn’t want to escape to the picturesque Cotswolds? Lucy certainly does. Taking a sabbatical from her job as a history teacher, she moves to a…

JULIA TOWNSEND, 56 Tell us about your look I found this smart coat at River Island. My trousers are from H&M, my ankle boots are Dune and my bag is Mulberry – it was a Christmas present to myself last year. My gloves are M&S and my scarf is Mint Velvet, one of my favourite brands. And the best bit of your body? My small waist. I’m just learning to accentuate it! KIMBERLEY WATSON, 60 Tell us about your look I love to mix things up! My coat is by Jeremy Scott at TK Maxx, and my trousers are by Paul Smith – my friend found them for just £10. My floaty top is from M&S, I think my scarf was from Primark, and I found my shoes in a…

What better way to brighten a winter’s night than to gather friends for haggis, poetry and a wee dram? On 25 January each year – the anniversary of Robert Burns’ birth – we celebrate Burns Night. The first Burns Night was held in July 1801 by nine of his closest friends to mark the fifth anniversary of his death. The event was a resounding success and became a lively, annual Scottish event that’s celebrated to this day. Who was Robert Burns? Fondly known as Rabbie, Burns was born in 1759 in Alloway, Ayrshire. The son of tenant farmers and one of seven children, he grew up working hard on the farm. Despite the family’s poverty, Burns’ father recognised the value of education and encouraged his children to read and write.…

✣ Oily fish ‘Their omega-3 fatty acids are naturally anti-inflammatory,’ says Harley Street nutritional therapist Yvonne Bishop-Weston. Non-fishy sources include walnuts, and flax, chia and hemp seeds. ✣ Yogurt The ‘good’ bacteria in yogurt (probiotics) feed your immune-boosting gut microbiome, and are believed to help restore the balance of gut bacteria after it has been affected by illness or antibiotic treatment. ✣ Turmeric A great anti-inflammatory, turmeric is best eaten with a pinch of pepper. ‘Piperine, an active ingredient in black pepper, has been found to be a “bio-enhancer”, which makes turmeric more medicinally beneficial,’ says Rachel Landon, author of Superherbs (£12.99, Piatkus). ‘Otherwise it can be assimilated poorly by the body and eliminated quickly.’ ✣ Red or green peppers Their vitamin C content is key for immunity, thanks to…

TOP TOOLS You can apply foundation with your fingers, a sponge or a brush. If you like full coverage, opt for a brush – apply a small amount of foundation to your face and simply buff out. The Real Techniques Custom Complexion Brush, £9.95, is a 3-in-1 make-up brush featuring an adjustable slider spectrum to deliver varying levels of definition. If you prefer a sponge, try Beauty Blender, £17, for build-able coverage and a flawless result that lasts all day. Wet your sponge before using it, it allows for even distribution. Flawless foundation If you like sheer coverage that’s super hydrating and packed with a cocktail of skin boosting ingredients, try No7 HydraLuminous Moisturising Foundation, £15. For something a little more long lasting we recommend Estée Lauder Double Wear, £27,…

✣ Order well in advance for your next supply of regular medicines in case they take time to source. But don’t stockpile. It makes the problem worse. ✣ Liaise with your GP and pharmacist about what other options could be substituted. There are usually several medications in each ‘family’, and an alternative may be in better supply. ✣ Make sure your doctor prescribes ‘generically’ – by the chemical name. Branded drugs are dearer and it may be harder to ensure availability. ✣ Your doctor should review all your medicines at least yearly. Don’t order repeats if you’ve stopped using certain medicines, just tell the doctor why.…

Can I sit in on my daughter’s therapy? Q My 15-year-old daughter has been very moody and we thought she was depressed. The GP suggested she had some therapy. The therapist wants to see her on her own. I feel uncomfortable about this, and I think I should be there. Janet, London A What are you worried about? Is there something you don’t want the therapist to know? The therapist will have assessed the situation and will have decided it’s better for the two of them to talk together alone. That said, it may be useful for you to have a chat with the therapist with your daughter there so you can talk about the situation from your viewpoint. Your daughter can then see you’re part of the situation and…

Tested by us so they work for you Difficulty level YOU WILL NEED ✣ Bedside table – we found ours in a local Emmaus charity shop ✣ Sandpaper and cork sanding block ✣ Wood filler and filler knife ✣ Furniture primer ✣ Chalk paint ✣ Découpage paper ✣ Matte finish Mod Podge ✣ Decorative drawer knob ✣ Cloth ✣ Ruler and pencil ✣ Paintbrush ✣ PVA glue ✣ Pin or skewer STOCKISTS: Violet Macaroon chalky finish furniture paint, £5 for 125ml, Rust-Oleum. Botanical gift wrap - Summer Garden by Catherine Lewis Design, £2.50 per sheet, notonthehighstreet.com Glass rod drawer knob, £3.95, Graham & Green. Mod Podge, £5 for 236ml, Hobbycraft. 1 Remove the old knob and drawers from the bedside table. Using some sandpaper and a sanding block, remove any…

“A hush has descended over Dear Towers. The sounds of a man attempting to play Snooker Loopy by Chas & Dave on the piano are entirely absent. Neither is there anybody practising – if that’s the right word – My Old Man Said Follow the Van on the ukulele. The contents of the shed are enjoying a few days of untroubled peace. Cans of three-in-one oil and WD-40 are dozing gently. As far as the electric drill is concerned, God is in his heaven and all is well with the world. Mr Dear, you see, is absent from the premises and enjoying what he still refers to as a boys’ weekend. He’s somewhere in Yorkshire, probably wondering who is going to cook his dinner. There are five of them, all…