Innholdsfortegnelse for 04-Feb-2020 i Woman's Weekly

Something for nothing I love a forage – hunting in hedgerows and woods for plants or berries to eat, and each year our family works its way through a glorious cache of frozen blackberries, picked on autumnal expeditions. There’s also nothing more delicious than freshly picked wild mushrooms – though you need to know what you’re looking for – but unlike the berries they rarely escape the frying pan for more than a couple of hours in our house. It’s curiously satisfying coming across healthy produce for nothing, so if you too fancy an outing to the hedgerows in search of food – or remedies – take a look at our feature on page 10.…

This is my lovely mum on the street where she lived in Widnes, Cheshire. She looks so smart in her best clothes and I love the fact that there is a street game going on behind her! ✣ 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.…

1 Get moving Many digestion problems are lifestyle related – the key one being inactivity. Exercise aids digestion by helping food move through your digestive system, preventing bloating and constipation, says GP Dr Gill Jenkins. ‘A daily walk has been shown to improve bowel motility and reduce constipation, as well as being generally good for most bodily functions.’ 2 See your GP We often struggle on without seeing a doctor despite an estimated 40% of us having at least one digestive symptom at any one time, according to Dr Anton Emmanuel, consultant gastroenterologist at London’s University College Hospital. But our GP could have some helpful advice and should always be consulted if you’re experiencing a change in bowel habits such as regular constipation or diarrhoea, are bloated for weeks, or…

The average menstrual cycle lasts 28 days, which will include, at the end, the actual bleed, usually lasting between three to five days. However, there is great variation for every individual, and each month can be different. It’s not unusual for periods to be as frequent as every 21 days or only to occur every 35 or even 40 days. This may just be your ‘normal’ and does not mean there is a problem. Even if your usually regular period occurs irregularly for one or two months, it’s unlikely to be anything serious. Finding the cause There are many causes of irregular periods, including physical or psychological ill health, stress, excessive exercise, extreme weight loss or gain, or when taking certain medications, including all types of hormonal contraception. Periods are…

1 SOAK YOUR FEET Put them in warm water three times a day for a few days to soften the nail and skin around the toenail and reduce pressure. 2 AVOID TIGHT SHOES Wear wide, comfortable shoes with more room for your toes, or choose sandals, to reduce the pressure on the soft pad at the end of the toe. 3 LEAVE IT Leave the toenail to grow out and, when you do cut it, cut straight across. If there is pus leaking, see your GP for possible antibiotics. 4 SEE A PODIATRIST Chronic ingrowing toenails may need referral to a podiatrist to cut away part or even all of the nail under local anaesthetic.…

PRETTY BELLS The lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis) is a great plant for a shady corner. In the right spot, it forms a carpet of lush foliage with strongly scented, delicate white flower bells in May. Buy bare-rooted plants now to grow in pots, ready for planting out when it’s warmer. Remember to soak the roots for 30 minutes, then plant with the tip just above the surface. Winter calories Help garden birds survive winter by making them a high-calorie fat ball. In a bowl, mix up bird seed (include maize, sunflower seeds and peanut granules) with softened lard or suet. Take a pine cone and squish the mix under the scales; or spread the mix over knotted string. Tie to a branch and enjoy watching the feasting birds.…

MEASUREMENTS Cushion: 46cm/18in square to fit a 45cm cushion pad. MATERIALS Bobble-and-rib cushion: 3 x 100g (138m) balls of King Cole Chunky Tweed (72% acrylic, 25% wool, 3% viscose) in Mustard (Benbecula 1093)*. Basket-weave cushion: 3 x 100g (138m) balls of King Cole Chunky Tweed (72% acrylic, 25% wool, 3% viscose) in Blue (Orkney 1076)*. For each project: Pair of 5.5mm (No.5) knitting needles; 45cm square cushion pad; 7 buttons; removable stitch markers or contrast thread. Yarn is available from theknittingnetwork.co.uk. TENSION 15 stitches and 17.5 rows, to 10x10cm, over bobble-and-rib pattern; 14 stitches and 25 rows, to 10x10cm, over basket-weave pattern, using 5.5mm needles. ABBREVIATIONS St(s), stitch(es); k, knit; p, purl; tog, together (decrease, by working as many sts together as stated); mb, make bobble thus: work [k1, p1,…

“There’s a common misconception if you have a link to classical music that you’re listening to Tchaikovsky all day. Or that I’m driving around in my Jag, with a monocle in my right eye, smoking a cigar singing the tune to Mozart’s Serenade in G Major in the fast lane on the motorway. ‘I’ve never been one for playing it safe’ But I set up different playlists depending on how I feel at the time. If the kids are in the car, it’s pop music or whatever they’re listening to, like Dua Lipa, Maroon 5 and Mabel. With the brother-in-law, it’s always 80s favourites and if I’m driving Mum around I go for classical music. When my wife’s in the car I go straight for relaxing tunes – I never…

As Jenna Carlin’s newborn baby girl, Ava, lay sleeping in her arms, she couldn’t take her eyes off her little face. It was December 2015, and like most parents, Jenna and her fiance, Matt, both 31, thought their daughter was the most beautiful baby in the world. ‘But it was as I was taking in every detail that I noticed something about her head didn’t look quite right,’ Jenna says. ‘It looked out of shape, a bit squashed.’ After pointing it out to their midwife, Jenna and Matt were told that it was probably a result of the way Ava had been lying in the womb and that it would even out over time. ‘Her condition could leave her brain damaged’ ‘We took Ava home later that day and introduced…

✣ ‘It’s all about setting goals,’ says Marie. ‘This could include anything from starting a small side business to renting out spare rooms. Many side hustles can be run in your spare time outside work and are a useful buffer in case of job loss.’ ✣ A number of books have been written on the subject of FIRE. Try Your Money or Your Life by Vicki Robin and Joe Dominguez, and Playing with FIRE by Scott Rieckens. ✣ Listen to the financial independence podcast FIRE Drill, available on Apple and Google. ✣ Search for information online – two useful websites are: mrmoney mustache.com and theescapeartist.me…

Do I take her back? Q I run a local gym and have a number of young personal trainers who work for me. One of the most popular left a few months ago as she said she could earn more elsewhere. I don’t make enough money to increase salaries. Her friend, who also works with me, told me that she isn’t happy where she is and would like to come back. I’m not sure I can trust her not to do this again. I know the clients would be delighted to see her. Melissa, Nottingham A Take a step back and think of this from your employee’s perspective. She left because she needed more money. My hunch is she didn’t think about the work conditions and assumed, as she’s young,…

PLANT BULBS ‘IN THE GREEN’ Woodland-loving plants, including winter aconite (above), snowdrops and bluebells, grow better when planted in active growth, just after flowering. WINKLE OUT WEEDS If it’s mild, spend 10 minutes pulling out weeds. Keeping on top of them now means you’ll be one step ahead when the garden romps into growth. INDOOR SCENT Cut a few stems of winter-flowering shrubs, such as honeysuckle and daphne, pop them in a vase and wait for their scent to fill the room.…

CAROLINE McCAIG, 47 Tell us about your look My faux fur coat is from Topshop. I’m really into creams, caramels and beiges at the moment, and loved the colour. My jumper is from Zara – my favourite store – and my black jeans and boots are also Topshop buys. My bag was a gift. And the best bit of your body? My smile. SANDY CRAWLEY, 73 Tell us about your look I don’t think you can beat a good tailored coat in winter. I bought this one in M&S – it fits me perfectly and I thought the colour was fabulous. Underneath I’ve kept things quite simple with a white top and a pair of black trousers by Jaeger. My shoes are Clarks and are very comfy, and my bag…

For centuries, hedgerows were invaluable to our ancestors. In every medieval village, a wise woman or man would have known where to find the right plant to fortify, heal or protect people from illness. Even today, you can still bring home a free harvest to cure minor ailments and make a few tasty treats, so get your wellies on and see what you can find. Only gather plants when you’re sure it’s allowed (it’s illegal to pick flowers in parks and community gardens) and when you’re absolutely sure they are the correct species. If in doubt, avoid! Be careful to choose plants that are out of the way of dogs, cats and other animals. Nettle We usually give stinging nettles a wide berth, but they are incredibly useful and full…

WHERE I’VE BEEN I spent a delightful afternoon at the National Railway Museum in York. WHAT I’VE BOUGHT Sportswear. When I’m not performing, I spend 99% of my time in a tracksuit top, shorts and trainers. WHO I’VE MET Fans who turned out to see us perform in the North West for our charity concert in aid of Global radio’s Make Some Noise campaign. WHAT I’VE SEEN I was totally overwhelmed by all the birthday wishes I received towards the end of last year. Almost 1,000 fans sent messages.…

When my menopause hit it was like wading through mud. I was totally exhausted, with dreadful brain fog, hot flushes, repeated water infections and overwhelming anxiety. My doctor said blood tests showed I wasn’t going through the menopause and prescribed antidepressants. I knew it was my hormones, so I didn’t take them. A year later, a return GP trip confirmed what I already knew – it was the menopause. I’d always dreamed of being an actress, and in my 40s I did acting and comedy workshops. I created this pub landlady character, Dolly, who had no filter. I did a stand-up routine incorporating a bit of my experience of the menopause. Then I wrote a whole show based on it, adding in other characters. I performed it at a wellbeing…

✣ Keep a diary of at least three months, noting your bleeds, including start and end dates, heaviness, flooding or clots, pain and any premenstrual symptoms. ✣ Note other lifestyle and medical problems including diet, weight, stress, alcohol intake, medication use and any illness, as all can affect your cycle. ✣ See your doctor to discuss any investigations and medication that may make periods lighter or regular, such as the combined contraceptive pill. ✣ There is rarely a serious cause, but sometimes an ovarian scan is useful, or blood tests such as hormone levels, blood count and iron studies.…

CRANBERRY AND OAT COOKIES These are a brilliant way of using up any leftover dried fruits and oats we all have lurking in the back of the cupboard. With filling oats, they’re healthier than your average shop-bought biscuit. MAKES 14 LARGE COOKIES ✣ 150g (5oz) dried cranberries ✣ 2tbsp orange juice ✣ 140g (4½oz) salted butter, cubed ✣ 175g (6oz) self-raising flour ✣ 100g (3½oz) large rolled oats ✣ 175g (6oz) light muscovado sugar ✣ ½tsp ground cinnamon ✣ ½tsp nutmeg ✣ 45g (1½oz) pecans, roughly smashed ✣ 1 large egg You will need: ✣ 2 large baking trays lined with baking parchment 1 Heat the oven to 180C/Gas 4. Soak the cranberries in a bowl with the orange juice. In a large bowl, use your hands to rub the…

NOTE: Omit the tassels and chest strap if making the llama for a small child. YOU WILL NEED  Finished size: 31x26cm ✣ Access to a photocopier ✣ Tracing paper and pencil ✣ 50x35cm rectangle ( ⅛ m) of cream curly 15mm pile fur fabric ✣ 50x35cm rectangle ( ⅛ m) of ivory 3mm mini long pile minky style fabric ✣ 35x25cm rectangle (1/16m) of beige 3mm mini long pile minky style fabric ✣ Two 9mm black toy safety eyes ✣ Pink stranded cotton embroidery thread ✣ 16x7.5cm rectangle of pink felt ✣ 40cm of 1.8cm-wide patterned ribbon ✣ 90cm of navy 8mm-wide lace trim ✣ Five pairs of 3cm tassels ✣ Matching sewing threads ✣ Toy filling SUPPLIER: Curly cream matinee pile faux-fur fabric, £6 for ⅛ m, ivory 3mm…

ARIES 21 Mar – 20 Apr You can accomplish a great deal this week if you put your mind to it. Set yourself clear goals and you’ll most likely achieve them all. TAURUS 21 Apr – 21 May It will be important to express your emotions this week. Music, dance or any kind of movement will help. GEMINI 22 May – 21 Jun This is a wonderful time for going on a trip or planning a holiday. You may decide to learn a new language. CANCER 22 Jun – 23 Jul Relationships are in the spotlight for you this week. An existing connection can blossom and you may meet someone new. LEO 24 Jul – 23 Aug You may receive some good news about a job situation. It could be…

American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins (£14.99, HB, Tinder Press) This powerful story explores the dangerous journey taken by people trying to cross illegally from Mexico to the US. A mother and son flee their home after a cartel massacre, becoming migrants on the run. Their journey is as emotional and harrowing as you’d expect. As they ride La Bestia (the train that heads to the US) and come into contact with cartel members, the heart-stopping moments keep coming. A novel about what a mother will do for her child – anything. Haven’t They Grown by Sophie Hannah (£16.99, HB, Hodder & Stoughton) If you like your mysteries extremely twisty, this could be for you. The story starts with Beth driving her son to an away football match. Knowing that her…

“You join me at a table for two at The Nice Little French Place On The Bypass, and the evening is not going entirely well. If you’ve been following what, for want of a better word, we must call the plot, you’ll remember that Mr Dear is enjoying a chaps’ weekend in a country cottage. As we speak, he’s probably on his third helping of pudding. When Mr D and his chums push the boat out, it’s usually the Queen Mary. Meanwhile, back at Dear Towers, I accepted a dinner invitation from an old flame called Graham, who keeps reigniting in the most unusual places (the yogurt aisle at Tesco, the little café in the park). I had earlier turned down the chance of Graham by candlelight, but was suddenly…