Innholdsfortegnelse for 10-Nov-2020 i Woman's Weekly

The original winter warmer For ancient rural societies, a winter celebration helped to drive away depression through the shortest days of the year. Around the fourth century AD, early Christians adopted this festival to celebrate the birth of Jesus – hence those folk memories of long-ago druids in our homes: holly, ivy and mistletoe. But in the midst of our present pandemic, have we ever had a greater need for a winter pick-me-up? So whether your celebration will be religious or secular, let’s truly embrace Christmas this year. And to get you in the festive mood, look out for our bumper Christmas issue next week, on sale for two weeks at £2.60.…

TAKING A BREAK You ask on your travel page where we spent our summer. We’ve made the most of it and managed to have two breaks, which have been great. It almost felt normal. We spent two nights at the Links Hotel in West Runton and felt very safe. Our other break was in our caravan in Kendal. All precautions were taken and we had a great time! We’ve also spent time in the garden, in garden centres or farm shops. It was much more enjoyable when the cafes opened and you could choose to eat inside or out. We also read a lot, did plenty of walking, and chatted a lot to friends and family via Skype. Lesley Spencer, by email…

“I was 26 when I first got together with my wife, Marjorie. I had been studying violin my whole life and I just didn’t notice the Beatles or the Rolling Stones like everyone else. I was very abnormal and so was my wife, who had been studying at university for what seemed like her whole life, due to having very religious parents. We just discovered everything a little bit later and we had a lot of catching up to do! So we decided to go through puberty together in about three weeks. We got our ears pierced – I got an earring in one ear and she got one in the other. The moral is, sometimes take a rest Once we entered a shop and both of us had long…

‘We trained for three weeks and passed our test – and she’s changed my life’ Kate Bosley doesn’t remember much about the accident that brought her on a journey and led her to the Guide Dogs. ‘I’m told I was in Tenerife in February 2013 with my husband, John, 58, and we’d gone for a bike ride,’ Kate says. It was at some point during the ride that Kate had fallen off her bike. It was a bad fall and she’d hit her head. ‘I’d been rushed to hospital, where I remained unconscious for three weeks,’ Kate says. ‘John told me that he’d asked the doctors whether I’d wake up with brain damage. They’d replied, “Sir, I’m afraid the question is whether Kate wakes up at all.”’ Thankfully, after 21…

1 Choose your subject Write what you know and care about – something that has meaning to you, which you can write about with real passion. It will show in your writing. Also think about your audience. What do they want to read? If it’s not their taste, it’ll never be published, no matter how well written. Topical subject matter is fine but can date quickly. Stick to broad themes that most people can relate to: love, loss, envy, fear and so on. 2 Set the scene and tone You’ll want to pique interest in both the tale and the telling of it, painting pictures in the mind. Write a compelling opening that will intrigue and draw your reader in. The first sentence is the hook – start ‘at the…

Psoriasis affects around 2% of the UK population, starting at any age, but most often adults under 35, men and women equally, with a tendency running in families. A long-term disorder featuring an increased production of skin cells, its cause isn’t fully understood but is thought to be related to the immune system. Normally, skin cells are replaced every three to four weeks, but in psoriasis, this occurs every three to seven days, resulting in a build-up of skin cells as psoriatic plaques. It usually involves periods when there may be no or mild symptoms, followed by times when symptoms are more severe. The severity varies between people. Most are only affected with small patches, which can be itchy or sore, and for some it’s just a minor irritation, but…

A A variety of physiology or lung function tests give the specialist information about your lungs, their condition and what may be wrong with them. These can usually be done in outpatients and many simply involve breathing into machinery. The commonest are the exhaled nitric oxide monitoring Test to look for signs of inflammation such as in asthma; spirometry and flow volume loops to measure lung capacity and stiffness, and gas transfer studies. You may also be asked to do a ‘six-minute walk’, where your symptoms are monitored along with your pulse and oxygen saturation, using a little device clipped to your finger. Other tests include blood sampling for allergy tests and blood gas assessments, bronchial reactivity tests, respiratory muscle strength assessments and diaphragm screening. Chest X-ray or CT scan…

I Lie in Wait by Amanda Brittany (£8.99, PB, HQ) A year after her sister, Lark, vanished in the Scottish Highlands, another girl’s disappearance from the same cottage sets Amelia Taylor’s mind racing. She’s sure the two events are connected, and even more convinced that both girls are alive. But the sinister events don’t stop there and, when Amelia is confronted with the heart-stopping truth, she may end up wishing she’d never pursued it at all. Eerie and dramatic, it’s a carefully crafted mystery. Three Women and a Boat by Anne Youngson (£14.99, HB, Transworld) The simple joys of narrowboat life are evident – meandering along canals choosing where to go, when you want to. But all is not quite as gentle for the three women in this uplifting story.…

ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL As more of us lock down, it’s a good time to enjoy this Channel 5 TV revival – available on My5. JANE AUSTEN For hundreds of years, Brits have rightly looked to Pride and Prejudice and the like for feel-good relaxation in tough times. A CUP OF TEA It may sound trite but as we discovered in World War Two, when things are grim, a simple cuppa can raise your spirits!…

KALINA VASILEVA, 43 Tell us about your look I love to look smart and always wear a hat. I have quite a collection – felt fedoras, trilbys, tweed caps and wool berets for winter, plus straw hats for summer. I found this one in Wallis a few years ago. My beige jacket is Debenhams, the scarf is from Monsoon and the trousers are from a Welsh boutique. I usually go for neutral shades, and add smart accessories and discreet jewellery. And the best bit of your body? My face and smile. NICKY SMART, 52 Tell us about your look I’m usually in my gym kit all day, as either I’m planning to get to the gym, or else I need to walk my dogs. I love a maxi dress and…

1 FLORAL FANCY Florals aren’t just for spring. This pretty, moody bloom print dress can be dressed up or down for any occasion. Dress, £18 , sizes 8-22, Nutmeg at Morrisons 2 SWEATER WEATHER A roll-neck is the perfect layering piece and a must-have for the colder months. Wear under dresses for added warmth. Sweater, £12.50 , sizes 6-22, F&F Clothing at Tesco 3 CHECK MATE Get the luxe look for less with this designer-inspired blouse. Perfect for day or night, it can be paired with denim or tailored trousers. Blouse, £18 , sizes 8-24, Tu Clothing at Sainsbury’s 4 DENIM DELIGHT This on-trend jeans style is super flattering – high-waisted to accentuate your waist and wide-legged to elongate the leg. Jeans, £18 , sizes 8-24, Tu Clothing at Sainsbury’s…

Every day, 250 people in the UK start to lose their sight. When someone loses their sight, Guide Dogs is there to make sure they don’t lose their freedom as well. Every penny donated will go towards helping Guide Dogs provide life-changing services for people with sight loss. Sponsor a gorgeous guide-dog puppy from just £1 a week, and watch them grow from a six-week-old bundle of fur to a fully qualified guide dog. It’s a great way to support Guide Dogs, and every puppy’s journey is unique. After 24 months of training, your puppy will give freedom and independence to someone with sight loss, giving you the chance to sponsor another new recruit! ✣ To donate, visit guidedogs.org.uk or call 0800 953 0113.…

MY HEALTHY LIFE Mandy Manners My go-to remedy A cup of decaf Earl Grey tea, and some peanut butter and banana on a fresh baguette. It fills me up, gives me a boost of nutrients, and the tea is like a hug in a mug. My favourite meal I love a big Greek salad with mounds of feta, olives, oregano and big beefsteak tomatoes. It always reminds me of a holiday I went on with my mum when I was 11, before I started secondary school. It was the first time I’d been on a plane and the whole trip felt exciting. I also love a Café Gourmand (well, I have tea), which you get in France. It’s a coffee with four or five mini cakes so you get to…

✢ Stress can be a major trigger, so consider reducing lifestyle- or work-related stresses. Look into relaxation methods such as mindfulness, meditation or yoga. ✢ Psoriasis slightly raises your risk of developing diabetes and heart disease, although it’s not understood why. So make sure you keep healthy with regular exercise and a healthy diet. ✢ As with any skin disease, self-esteem can be affected by visible lesions – it’s worth asking your GP about psychotherapies such as CBT. ✢ Ask your GP or specialist, or check out the Psoriasis Association for more help and advice and info on local support groups; psoriasis-association.org.uk…

It’s rude not to text back Q I have friends who take a very long time to answer a text and sometimes just don’t. It leaves me feeling annoyed or a bit rejected. In the end, I think it’s rather rude. It’s not hard to answer, so I don’t know why they do it. Just a few words is all it would take. Rachel, Leeds A I understand that for you not answering a text would be rude, but this isn’t the case for everyone. Many see texts as a means of communication, but not one that needs to be pursued immediately or that will lead to a longer, more meaningful conversation. If they have nothing extra to add, they won’t. It sounds as though you and your friends have…

GET SETS – AND GROW! There’s still time to plant overwintering onions and shallot sets (baby bulbs), and they’ll be ready to harvest a month or two earlier than ones sown in spring. Plant in free-draining soil (where they won’t rot in wet weather), with the pointy tip just breaking the surface of the soil. Cover with fleece or sticks to stop birds dislodging them. BLOOMING BOXES As the days darken, a window box or container bursting with cheery plants will spark joy. Go for a palette of three colours, including green, and cram in plants, as unlike summer bedding, they won’t grow to fill the gaps. Try a dwarf conifer to give height, trailing ivy, and lamium, winter-flowering pansies and primulas for colour.…

“It was Keats – or one of that crowd – who described autumn as the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness. That’s the trouble with poets. They just can’t seem to help looking on the bright side. The rest of us are feeling the cold, and wondering whether it’s time to get out the winter duvet. We’re noticing that the nights are drawing in, and some of us are complaining about the leaves that we will have to rake up. But not Mr Keats, oh no. He is blithely skipping about the countryside, poet’s leather-bound notebook in hand, gazing up at the trees and telling his chums ‘Oh, look at the mist!’ (jots down note in his book) and ‘Will you get a load of the mellow fruitfulness on that…

Margaret MacLeod, 1954, sent in by her daughter, Fiona Whiteford My mother on the right is wearing a Johnstons of Elgin Macleod tartan skirt made for her, with a blue corduroy jacket. She is with her sister, Catherine Williams. My mother was 23 in this photo – she is still beautiful at 89. ✣ 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 Tackle stress No matter how much you may love Christmas, all the extra shopping, cooking and navigating complicated family dynamics at this time of year can impact on your stress levels. And stress is one of the most common – though frequently overlooked – causes of back pain. ‘Tension causes lactic acid to build up and create knots in your largest muscles, especially those in your back,’ explains Sophia Kupse, a holistic therapist and founder of LT Therapy for back pain; themusclewhisperer.co.uk Try this ✢ Meditation ‘Just a few minutes of daily meditation will help clear out negative emotions, stopping stress and pain from building up,’ says Sophia. Google ‘meditation apps’ for a plethora of options. Or try free mindfulness sessions at oxfordmindfulness.org ✢ Sound therapy This is a…

GLUTEN-FREE HONEY RICOTTA CHEESECAKE WITH A WALNUT BISCUIT BASE This no-bake cheesecake is best made the night before, which is perfect if you’re entertaining! SERVES 12 ✣ 200g (7oz) gluten-free biscuits, we used Hobnobs ✣ 100g (3½oz) toasted walnuts ✣ 150g (5oz) unsalted butter, cubed For the filling: ✣ 350g (12oz) full-fat cream cheese ✣ 250g (9oz) ricotta ✣ 45g (1½oz) icing sugar ✣ 3tbsp honey, plus extra to serve ✣ 1tbsp vanilla extract For the decoration: (optional) ✣ 1-2 figs, cut into thin wedges ✣ 30g (1oz) pomegranate seeds ✣ 15g (½oz) toasted walnuts, chopped and coated in edible glitter You will need: ✣ 18cm (7in) springform cake tin, approx 7.5cm (3in) deep, greased and lined 1 In a food processor, blitz the biscuits and walnuts to fine breadcrumbs.…

WEAR THE RIGHT SHOES Choose wide shoes with a low heel and a soft sole. Or use bunion pads. Check out footwear at solebliss.com and vionicshoes.co.uk RELIEVE PAIN Try an ice pack on the affected area, or take paracetamol or ibuprofen to help ease any discomfort. If you are overweight, losing some weight can also help. CONSIDER SURGERY It’s not available on the NHS to improve how your feet look, but can be an option if bunion pain is stopping you doing normal activities. Your GP can help.…

1 DIET More green leafy veg, iron-fortified cereals and bread, meat and pulses. Less tea, coffee, dairy and foods containing phytic acid. 2 CONTACT YOUR GP Persistent bleeding – heavy periods, nosebleeds, haemorrhoids – can all lead to iron loss. Also, drugs causing bleeding, such as aspirin. 3 GET CHECKED FOR A DISORDER Gastritis or colitis and, less commonly, cancers of bowel or bladder lead to bleeding. Report this or unexplained pain. 4 COULD IT BE GENETIC? Genetic conditions can cause iron loss – coeliac disease, thalassaemia, sickle cell and other blood disorders. See your doctor.…

HOUSE A HEDGEHOG Make a home for hibernating hedgehogs, using bricks, dried leaves and wood (above). The Natural History Museum tells you how to make a hedgehog house at nhm.ac.uk PROTECT TUBERS Lift and store tender plants, including dahlias, cannas and tuberous begonias. In mild areas, it’s possible to protect them with a deep mulch. MOVE HOUSEPLANTS With lower light levels, some houseplants like being relocated to a brighter spot. Reduce watering as growth slows down.…

MEASUREMENTS To fit bust sizes 76-81 (86 -91) (97-102) (107-112) cm/ 30-32 (34-36) (38-40) (42-44) in. Actual measurements at lower edge 133 (146.5) (160) (173) cm/ 52¼ (57¾) (63) (68) in. Length 43 (45.5) (48) (50.5) cm/ 17 (18) (19) (19¾) in. MATERIALS 11 (13) (16) (18) 50g (75m) balls of Drops Nepal Uni Colour (65% wool, 35% alpaca) in Navy Blue (1709); 3 (3) 4) (4) balls in White (1101); 1 (1) (2) (2) balls in Red (3620). Pair of 4.5mm (No. 7) and 5mm (No. 6) circular knitting needles, 100-120cm long; stitch marker. Yarn is available from theknittingnetwork. TENSION 18 stitches and 25 rounds, to 10 x 10cm, over stocking stitch, using 5mm circular needle. ABBREVIATIONS St (s), stitch(es); k, knit; p, purl; ss, stocking st (k on…

ARIES 21 Mar – 20 Apr You may be experiencing some challenges. Stay firm and strong, and know that this will pass, and you will be wiser from it. TAURUS 21 Apr – 21 May This is a time of new beginnings and planting seeds. Someone may present you with a great opportunity. GEMINI 22 May – 21 Jun Your work is changing and so are you. Set new priorities in line with your values. An amazing offer may drop unexpectedly into your lap. CANCER 22 Jun – 23 Jul Now is a time for self-improvement. Anything that pushes you to grow, to learn, and to share more of yourself will be beneficial for you. LEO 24 Jul – 23 Aug Anything connected with learning and sharing ideas is under…