Innholdsfortegnelse for 23-Feb-2021 i Woman's Weekly

Growing pains I’ve always loved the idea of living off the land – I read John Seymour’s famous book Self-Sufficiency from cover to cover as a teenager, and smiled at Richard Briers and Felicity Kendal’s attempts at cultivation and husbandry in The Good Life. Sadly, I think I’ve probably missed my chance, though, as serious smallholders require a good strong back for pulling potatoes and picking up their piglets, not the achy, aged version I seem to make do with these days. And, if I’m honest, my creaky knees have probably seen better days too. But that doesn’t stop me dreaming, so I just loved our ‘good life’ feature on page 20!…

NATALIE PIPE, 40 Tell us about your look I love the bold blue and orange in the print of this shirt dress from Next. Shirt dresses are so versatile – I can open the buttons and wear it as a long shirt over jeans, or add a jumper or my old Lipsy leather jacket with my white Converses on cooler days to create entirely different looks. And the best bit of your body? My legs. SUE HONORHILTON, 65 Tell us about your look My look is understated, unfussy separates you can dress up or down. I’m wearing a Mint Velvet coat, Anthropologie trousers, a White Stuff jumper and an Oliver Bonas bag with its fun leopard-print strap. And the best bit of your body? My curly hair. BEVERLEY BAKER-SIMMS, 58…

“My teddy bear Randolph is no more. Let me say straight off that I’ve never been a sentimental collector of soft toys, nor the kind of kid who sat exams with their lucky gonk on display. But years later, when I was living abroad and on my own, I won Randolph in a raffle. He came pre-christened with his moniker on a bow around his neck. To my surprise, we bonded immediately, possibly because he reminded me of an ex I’d left back in Blighty – large, fluffy, glassy-eyed, and rather strong and silent. ‘They’re naughty and noble’ Randolph accompanied me on further adventures and eventually, back to Blighty, and in the mysterious way of these things, he came to reside in the back of a wardrobe in a relative’s…

FILO FISH PIES These are a colourful twist on the traditional fish pie. SERVES 6 For the filling: ✣ 300ml (½pt) semi-skimmed milk ✣ 2 bay leaves ✣ 200g (7oz) hake, cut into chunks ✣ 150g (5oz) smoked haddock, cut into chunks ✣ 200g (7oz) salmon, cut into chunks ✣ 1 onion, finely chopped ✣ 2tbsp butter ✣ 2tbsp flour ✣ 1tsp English mustard ✣ 125g (4oz) peas ✣ 1 bunch of dill, chopped ✣ 4 cooked beetroot, cut into wedges ✣ Green salad and lemon wedges, to serve For the topping: ✣ 6 sheets of filo pastry ✣ 30g (1oz) butter, melted You will need: ✣ 6 ramekins or 1 large baking dish 1 Heat the oven to 180C/ Gas 4. For the filling, heat the milk and bay…

The eight herpes virus species include Herpes simplex type 1 (HSV-1) & 2 (HSV-2), Varicella-Zoster virus (VZV), Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Epstein Barr virus (EBV). HSV-1 is transmitted in saliva, causing cold sores, keratoconjunctivitis and encephalitis, while HSV-2 generally is transmitted sexually, causing genital herpes, neonatal encephalitis and aseptic meningitis. However, there is some crossover of types and both cause a rash called erythema multiforme. HSV-1 is commonest in children, causing fever, irritability and lip blisters, which heal spontaneously in two to three weeks. HSV-1 affecting the eye can be severe, with corneal ulcers, scarring, blindness and, rarely, encephalitis. HSV-2 causes recurrent painful genital blisters, fever and swollen glands, but can be carried asymptomatically around the cervix, urethra and prostate. Neonatal herpes is transmitted during vaginal delivery. HSV diagnosis is made…

I don’t want to take action Q My dog got into a fight with another dog, and its owner intervened and got bitten. Both dogs were on long leads, which I can see was a mistake. The other owner is asking me to have my dog put down. I honestly can’t see why I need to. She’s threatening to go to the police. Samantha, Worthing, West Sussex A It’s understandable that the other owner is feeling aggrieved, and it would be helpful for you to acknowledge this with them. I think it would also be helpful for you to take some professional advice before you make any decisions. You need to be completely sure that your dog is safe to be out and about, as you wouldn’t want this to…

Tapestry wool comes in skeins of 10m or hanks of 40m. When working your stitches, don’t cut the wool longer than 45cm, otherwise it may fray and tangle with the repeated pulls through the canvas. Canvas is available in different mesh gauges measured by the number of holes to the inch – the higher the count, the smaller the holes. This 10-count canvas has 10 holes per inch. If the tapestry wool does tangle, let it dangle with the needle at the bottom – the weight of the needle will unwind it.…

Difficulty level MEASUREMENTS Glasses case: Approx 7.5 x 18cm/3 x 7in. Purse: Approx 8.5 x 9.5cm/3¼ x 3¾in. Brooch: Approx 14cm/5½in across MATERIALS For all items: 1 x 100g (230m) ball of King Cole Bamboo Cotton DK (50% bamboo viscose, 50% cotton) in Green (533)*. Pair of 3.25mm (No. 10) knitting needles; size 3.5mm crochet hook; 1 button for purse; 1 brooch fastener or safety pin for flower; 8 x 15cm and 5 x 15cm pieces of stout cards and 1m of narrow green ribbon for pom-poms; 1 key ring. ABBREVIATIONS K, knit; p, purl; st(s), stitch(es); tog, together (work as many sts tog as stated); ch, chain; dc, double crochet; tr, treble crochet; slst, slip st; chsp, chain space; yrh, yarn round hook. NOTE Yarn amounts are based on…

Ruthless Women by Melanie Blake (£12.99, HB, Head of Zeus) Melanie Blake’s new page-turner sees us on location at the world’s most popular soap opera, Falcon Bay. But ratings are falling and new network owner Madeline Kane will do anything to get the show back on track. Only there are three ambitious women who are also trying to save the show and stay on top – and they’ll do anything to make that happen. With not one, but two shock twists, this thriller will keep you on your toes. The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot by Marianne Cronin (£14.99, HB, Transworld) You may need a hanky to hand with this exquisite story of friendship between 17-year-old Lenni and 83-year-old Margot. Lenni is living on the terminal ward and…

“A large man, wearing round glasses and a spotted handkerchief pulled over his mouth and nose, loomed into the charity shop a little while back. ‘Oh look,’ whispered my colleague Wendy. ‘Hasn’t the Milky Bar Kid let himself go?’ He was carrying two large boxes and appeared to be making heavy weather of it. ‘I’ve got some books,’ he said as he managed to squeeze into the shop. Just in case we hadn’t noticed the boxes. ‘Shall I put them down here?’ ‘That’s fine. What are they?’ Wendy asked. ‘They’re books,’ said the man, who I’d guess was in his late 50s. Wendy put on the smile she uses when talking to small children and police officers (don’t try this at home – it has never worked with police officers,…

Gill Gainer, 1968 Here is my 14-year-old self in a minidress with my dad, Bill, and sister, Marilyn, in her frilled dress and hat, at our cousin’s wedding. I think my dad was looking very proud of his teenage daughters. ✣ 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.…

DANDELION Packed with vitamins A, B, C and D, the young leaves are excellent in salads, and are a diuretic. ELDERBERRY Vitamin C-rich elderberries can be used in syrups and cordials to treat fevers, coughs and colds. PLANTAIN This leafy herb has anti-inflammatory properties to help soothe insect bites, hay fever and upset stomachs.…

✢ Avoidance is key, so keep away from anyone with known or possible infection, especially avoiding bodily fluid contact. Report symptoms early to reduce spread. ✢ Avoid triggers such as bright sunlight, dehydration, tiredness and stress, all of which make herpetic illness relapses more common. Use sunblock on your lips. ✢ Simple aciclovir cream is available from your pharmacy. Cold sore patches can be soothing and prevent spread. Don’t share flannels, towels or bedding. ✢ Vaccination helps – ask your GP about chickenpox vaccination if you’re immunocompromised or planning healthcare work. Take the shingles vaccine if you’re 70 or over.…

COCONUT AND ALMOND DAINTIES These cake fingers are so moreish you’ll be making them again and again! MAKES 12 ✣ 2 egg whites ✣ 45g (1½oz) caster sugar ✣ 60g (2oz) desiccated coconut ✣ 30g (1oz) ground rice or semolina ✣ 30g (1oz) ground almonds You will need: ✣ 15cm (6in) square tin, lined with baking paper 1 Heat the oven to 190C/ Gas 5. Whisk the egg whites in a large bowl until stiff. Fold in the sugar, then the coconut, ground rice (or semolina) and ground almonds. Mix together lightly – add a little milk if the mixture seems very stiff. 2 Spread the mixture in the tin. Bake for 10-15 mins. Take out of the oven and cut into fingers while still warm. PER SERVING 104 cals,…

WAFT INTO WINTER On a mild day, the citrusy-spicy scent of witch hazel will waft on the air for many metres. Enjoy these ribboned, pom-pom flowers in yellows, reds and oranges from December to March. Plant in a border among spring bulbs, or in a large container, in sun or light shade and neutral to acid soil. Try ‘Barmstedt Gold’, ‘Rubin’ and ‘Arnold Promise’. NATURAL PEST CONTROL Keep pests off your patch by picking or hosing them off, and encourage birds, ladybirds and ground beetles that feed on caterpillars, aphids and slugs. Opt for pest-resistant plants, too, such as lily ‘Defender Pink’, which is unbothered by red lily beetle. Garden to visit now At Hever Castle in Kent, over 90,000 single and double snowdrops combine to make a joyful snowdrop…

Brighten up the winter days with this charming counted cross-stitch kit on 14 count Aida. Everything is included to complete your picture: pre-sorted and carded stranded DMC cotton, needle, picture, chart and instructions. Simply call 01858 345108 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm), quoting code WW83 with credit card details, or send a cheque for £23.98 payable to Lyncroft Marketing Services, with your name and address to: WW83, PO Box 998, Aylesbury HP22 9LE.…

1 Don’t disturb compost Small mammals, frogs and insects all hibernate in compost over winter. To avoid disturbing or harming them, ensure you don’t turn your compost heap until April. 2 Help hungry hedgehogs In mild weather, hedgehogs emerge from hibernation early, so leave water and meaty dog food out for them overnight. But be sure to remove leftovers in the morning to deter flies. 3 Tame buddleias Pollinators love buddleia but it can get unruly, so cut it back to 30-60cm from the base, to keep at a manageable size. Don’t worry, it will still flower in summer.…

‘We realised how much waste we created’ Nicola Eckersley, 31, lives in Devon with husband Richard, 31, and their children, Willow, four, and Wren, one. Grabbing my keys, I stepped over the mound of recycling by the door of our Manchester flat. It was 2016 and my husband Richard and I were transitioning to an ecofriendly lifestyle, buying organic, plant-based food from an ethical cooperative and recycling as much as we could. But, with no proper recycling service, we were realising just how much waste we created. Richard was a professional footballer but wanted a fresh start. We searched online: ‘Where is the most eco-friendly place to live in the UK?’ Totnes, Devon, came up. Then we came across an article about a zero-waste shop in Berlin selling wholefoods, pulses…

MY HEALTHY LIFE Claire Maxted My go-to remedy After long, cold runs lately I’ve been enjoying Active Root Winter Warmer, a wonderful blend of ginger, cloves, cinnamon, coriander and nutmeg. You simply pour on boiling water, and I add fresh orange slices for some cold-preventing vitamin C. My favourite meal For the best recovery from a long run, I love smoked salmon creamy pasta with peas, asparagus and broccoli. It’s dead easy to make, the smoked salmon is so tasty and the pasta is lovely and filling. How I keep fit and healthy I run three times a week, maybe 25-30 miles total when not training for a long race, plus I do 30-45 minutes swimming and/or a one-to-two-hour bike ride. I enjoy 10-15 minutes of yoga most days to…

1 REST And be sure to elevate any painful part. This allows the tissues to recover while preventing swelling and pressure. 2 HOT OR COLD Apply mild heat or cold, for 10-minute sessions, or alternate both. Use a microwaveable pad, or a bag of frozen veg, tea-towel wrapped. 3 USE A GEL Try non-steroidal anti-inflammatory creams and gels containing ibuprofen or diclofenac, but only on normal, intact skin. 4 SKIN PATCHES Ones containing menthol, camphor and capsicum extract stimulate nerve sensors then desensitise them to provide an analgesic effect.…

Difficulty level MAKES FOUR COASTERS 1 Cut the plastic canvas into four 10cm square pieces, making sure to snip along the grid lines so you have finished edges. 2 Measure the canvas using a ruler to find the centre and use an air-erasable pen to draw a line along the horizontal and vertical grid lines. The drawn lines will help when you start to follow the chart (below, right). 3 Thread a single length of wool through the tapestry needle. Refer to the pattern chart (right) to start stitching in the centre of the canvas, working one feather pattern at a time: bring the needle to the right side, leaving a 3cm trailing end of wool. 4 Follow the pattern to create straight stitches in a feather shape, working from…

ARIES 21 Mar – 20 Apr This is a great week to make plans. Think ahead several months and then take baby steps towards your goals. TAURUS 21 Apr – 21 May Relationships are in the spotlight for you this week. Focus on honest interchanges and clear communication. GEMINI 22 May – 21 Jun Versatility and adaptability are your keywords. Train yourself to go with the flow and your week will unfold organically and easily. CANCER 22 Jun – 23 Jul Make loose plans and don’t be tempted to overcommit yourself. Rather say no than take on something you might not be able to fulfil. LEO 24 Jul – 23 Aug A range of opportunities and possibilities are unfolding this week. Keep an open mind and don’t close any doors.…