Innholdsfortegnelse for 06-Apr-2021 i Woman's Weekly

Coping with pressure My mum was an energetic, passionate woman who loved life and threw herself into it; the Latin phrase, carpe diem, meaning ‘seize the day’, could have been written for her. It used to be thought that driven personalities, like Mum, were more at risk of high blood pressure, and sure enough, in later life she was diagnosed with hypertension. But she laughed when a home blood pressure monitor eventually revealed it was just ‘white coat’ syndrome, where our blood pressure goes up only when tested by a doctor! Hypertension is a dangerous condition, though, and we all need to check ours regularly – find out more on page 12.…

Jan Seddon, 1958 I was 14 and my dress was a mix of oranges, browns and cream – it was my absolute favourite. The photo was taken in my friend’s garden by her father. We are still in touch. ✢ 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.…

How much shampoo should I use? According to Adam Reed, UK editorial ambassador for L’Oréal Professionnel, the biggest mistake people make is using too much shampoo. ‘Usually we suggest around two teaspoons but it depends on factors such as hair type, length and lifestyle, so if you’re curious, speak to your stylist,’ says Adam. Like in the salon, get into the habit of a double shampoo. The first cleanse removes oil, dirt and product build-up, while the second rinses it all away so hair feels fresh and clean. Two shampoos means you can spread out the time between washes – kinder to your hair in the long run. ADAM LOVES ’ L’Oréal Professionnel Serie Expert Pure Resource Shampoo, £13.40, lookfantastic.com, is absolutely incredible and one I have been using for…

1 JAW OR CHEST A central crushing chest pain that can go to the left arm or jaw could be heart disease. If anyone has bad chest pain they should attend A&E. 2 DURING SEX Although it could be caused by many non-serious conditions, it can be a symptom of ovarian cancer, so should always be checked out. 3 LEG PAIN AFTER INACTIVITY A warm, red, swollen and painful calf could be deep vein thrombosis, especially if you’ve been on a long flight or immobile. Seek help urgently.…

MAINTAIN GOOD ORAL HYGIENE Brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss regularly. Mouthwash may help control plaque. GO FOR YEARLY DENTAL CHECK-UPS To give teeth a thorough clean, remove hardened plaque, and show you how to clean them to prevent future plaque build-up. MANAGE HIGH-RISK PROBLEMS Smokers, people with diabetes, immune disorders or poor nutrition are at risk of gum disease. Get your GP’s advice. TREATMENTS Persistent gum disease causes tooth loss. Treatments, like root planning or periodontal surgery, can help avoid this, and the need for dentures.…

COCONUT MACAROONS A cult classic, the humble macaroon is delightfully simple to make. These homemade ones are not too sweet and allow the coconut to take its rightful place centre stage. PER MACAROON  92 cals, 6g fat, 5g sat fat, 7g carbs MAKES 12 ✣1 egg white ✣45g (1½oz) caster sugar ✣1tsp almond extract ✣100g (3½oz) desiccated coconut ✣45g (1½oz) dark chocolate, melted 1 Heat the oven to 160C/ Gas 3. Whisk the egg white until just firm. Add the sugar and almond extract and whisk together. Fold in the coconut. 2 Spoon large walnut-sized blobs of the mixture onto a baking tray lined with baking parchment-and bake for 10-15 mins, until turning golden on top. Cool the macaroons on the tray. 3 Melt the chocolate in a bowl set…

POTTING ON Longer, lighter days mean that houseplants will be romping into growth, so check now if they need a bigger container. Telltale signs are roots coming out of drainage holes or, when gently lifted out of the pot, a tangle of thick, spiralling roots. Repot using fresh compost and a container that’s 3-5cm larger in diameter than the original pot. STARRY SPIRES Camassias produce striking flowery spires (30-120cm tall) in rich blues and creamy whites, from April through to June. These bulbous perennials look amazing in borders and containers. Happy in sun or dappled shade, they prefer moist but well-drained soil. Plant bulbs in autumn and, if left undisturbed, they’ll clump up to give you a bigger, better display in years to come.…

MEASUREMENTS All measurements are approximate and with blanket laid flat. Pink blanket: 80 x 75.5cm (31½ x 29¾in). Blue blanket: 70 x 70cm (27½ x 27½in). Cream blanket: 66 x 74cm (26 x 29in). MATERIALS Pink blanket: 2 x 100g (290m) balls of James C Brett Top Value DK (100% acrylic) in Pink (8421)*. Blue blanket: 2 x 100g (290m) balls of James C Brett Top Value DK (100% acrylic) in Blue (8418)*. Cream blanket: 2 x 100g (290m) balls of James C Brett Top Value DK (100% acrylic) in Cream (0844)*. All blankets: Pair of 4mm (No. 8) knitting needles. Yarn is available from theknittingnetwork.com TENSION Pink blanket: 25 stitches and 30 rows, to 10 x 10cm, over pattern, using 4mm needles. Blue and Cream blankets: 22 stitches and…

WE LOVE LETTERS Woman’s Weekly, 161 Marsh Wall, London E14 9AP. P.S. It really helps when you put your details in capitals. We do not return photos  (apart from You Wore It Well) so please do not send originals. EMAIL US  womansweeklypostbag @futurenet.com Tell us your full name, address and daytime phone number, please FANCY A CHAT?  Log on to facebook.com/ womansweekly We can’t wait to hear from you!…

Since being crowned winner of The Great British Bake Off in 2015, Nadiya Hussain has become a national treasure in the UK. Her hilarious facial expressions and unflappable attitude were just some of the reasons millions of viewers fell in love with her on the hit Channel 4 show back when it was on the BBC. Since stepping into the spotlight, Nadiya hasn’t looked back. She has penned several cookbooks, presented her own TV shows and was even assigned the coveted role of baking the Queen’s 90th birthday cake. But over the past year, like many of us, Nadiya has spent more time at home with her family thanks to the national lockdowns, and she tells us it has been a real roller coaster of emotions. ‘I’ve had really bad…

‘My world has opened up again’ Elspeth Gray is 56 and lives in Aylesbury. My golden retriever, Moby, stands in front of me and gives me a look. I put the kettle down and sit on the floor. Afterwards, I imagine how much pain I would have been in had Moby not warned me I was about to have a seizure. I’ve been suffering from non-epileptic attack disorder for 40 years, since I first experienced a seizure aged 19. I have about three a week. The seizures often leave me injured and utterly exhausted, but it was their unpredictability that affected me the most. Before Moby came along, I would never go out alone; I was afraid to travel, unable to work and dependent on others. I’ve lost count of…

…anything above 25% will be taxed as income. Whip out a large lump sum and it could push you into paying higher rates of tax, and land you with a chunky tax bill. (If smaller withdrawals are spread out over several years, you could pay less tax). Kay Ingram, from financial advisers LEBC Group, warns, ‘Taking money out of a pension pot and putting it in savings may make you ineligible for benefits including Universal Credit.’ Withdrawing more than 25% will slash how much you can pay into a pension in future, down from a maximum of £40,000 a year to £4,000, which could be important if you continue working. However, if you have smaller pensions, you can cash in up to three (each worth less than £10k), without affecting…

Symptoms such as stomach cramps, bloating, diarrhoea and constipation are caused by IBS, which tends to come and go over time, lasting days, weeks or months. The exact cause is unknown – possibly it’s linked to motility, where food passes through your gut too quickly or too slowly, oversensitive nerves in your gut, stress and a family history of IBS. Usually lifelong, it can be frustrating with a big impact on everyday life, but it’s not life-threatening. Although there’s no cure, lifestyle and dietary changes and medicines may help control symptoms. Main IBS symptoms include stomach pain or cramps, usually worse after eating and better after a poo; bloating, where your tummy feels uncomfortably swollen, and either diarrhoea where you need to poo suddenly, or constipation where you feel like…

I don’t want face-to-face counselling QI’ve been seeing a counsellor for the past six months and all my sessions have been online. I’m comfortable with this and they have helped me a lot. However, my therapist has now suggested that I come to see her face to face. I don’t want to and I’ve told her, but it feels like she’s pushing me to. I’m wondering if I should find someone else instead? Mary, Liverpool AI’m curious as to what are the reasons you don’t want to see her face to face? I realise that it will be different and wonder if you perhaps find it easier to talk to someone about your feelings when they’re somewhat distanced. I think it’s really important for you to talk to your counsellor…

When the Thompsons moved in next door to us, my mum went over to welcome them to the neighbourhood and happily reported back. ‘They’re really nice, Emma,’ she said, ‘And they’ve got a son, Andrew. He’s a year younger than you, but he’s very bright because he’s in the same form as you. I told his mum I was sure you’d be friends.’ ‘Mum! How could you?’ At 13, I didn’t want to be friends with anyone my mother approved of. Certainly not some clever little swot a year younger than me. I’d already noticed that he was chubby, had curly red hair and wore braces on his teeth, so I was sure we wouldn’t have a thing in common. But he spoke to me at the bus stop one…

Equine life Black Beauty was the handsome black horse with one white foot and a pretty white star on his forehead. Told from the animal’s perspective, the story relates a chequered life under various owners, both good and bad. Anna Sewell’s horrific description of the Victorian ‘bearing rein’, used to raise horses’ heads, helped abolish this cruel practice. True friend OK, she’s an arachnid rather than a mammal, but we love Charlotte none the less for that. This kindly, clever spider in EB White’s Charlotte’s Web devises a cunning plan to save Wilbur the pig from slaughter. Sadly, though, she cannot save herself. Exiled hero Iorek Byrnison, the armoured bear in Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy, has immense physical power. But when Lyra first meets him he is alone,…

YOU WILL NEED: 1 Sew one plain outer fabric piece to the top of each striped piece. Press the seams open, fuse the fleece to the wrong sides, then topstitch along either side of each seam. 2 Cut a 5cm square from each bottom corner of the outer and lining pieces. 3 Sew the outer pieces right sides together, leaving the top and the cut-out corners unsewn. Pull the corners open so that the side seams meet the base seam, and sew straight across to make the base square. Turn right side out. 4 Repeat to sew up and square the bottom corners of the lining pieces, but this time leave a turning gap of about 12.75cm in…

The Best Things by Mel Giedroyc (£12.99, HB Headline) As you’d expect from the popular comedian, Mel’s first work of fiction is brimming with hilarious scenes and one-liners. But it is also a redemptive book, and one of hope. We meet its protagonist, Sally Parker, at a time in her life when she’s wealthy – and due to that, has pressed the snooze button on her life. But what happens to an ordinary woman, wife and mum when the bottom falls out of her world? A warm, honest and humorous look at a family and what really matters in life. The World at My Feet by Catherine Isaac (£8.99, PB, Simon & Schuster) In Catherine Isaacs’ powerful new novel, we meet Harriet, a journalist trying to make a difference, and…

1 Prune figs Tend to fig trees by removing branches that are damaged or spoil the overall shape. Old, bare branches can be clipped back to 5cm long. 2 Deadhead pansies Nip off faded flowers from spring bedding plants, like pansies and primulas. With deadheading and proper care, pansies should bloom until early summer. 3 Sow your sweet peas Arrange supports in beds or pots and sow sweet pea seeds at the base. If you have autumn-grown plants, move them to their final position.…

CELINE, 54 Tell us about your look As I’ve got older, I’ve realised that investment pieces are key. I love this outfit from Baukjen – jacket, top and jeans – as they’re a sustainable brand. My shoes are M&S and bag Fiorelli. I’m also believe fashion knows no age. I think if it feels good, wear it! And the best bit of your body? My eyes. SARAH ROBINS, 39 Tell us about your look My dress is from Shein. It’s actually a strappy summer dress but I’ve layered it up for spring with a top from Zara, which I found in a charity shop. I love charity shops and like to mix things up with high street buys. I also love colours and am attracted to bold outfits ,as they…

With its cast of weird and wonderful characters, and bizarre goings-on, Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland was a sensation when it was published in 1865. Up to that point, children’s books had often been lecturing and moralising. Alice, with her nonsensical exploits down the rabbit hole, tur ned everything topsy-tur vy – and changed children’s literature forever. The author Born in 1832, Charles Dodgson (pen name Lewis Carroll) had a flair for entertaining children. As a boy, he would amuse his 10 brothers and sisters by inventing games and writing poetry. He was also gifted at maths, which eventually led him to becoming a lecturer at Christ Church College, Oxford. It was at Oxford that Charles – now the Reverend Dodgson – grew friendly with Lorina, Edith and Alice…

“Last year for my birthday, my husband bought me a T-shirt emblazoned with the words: I’m silently correcting your grammar. Which is funny because I wasn’t silent about correcting his grammar at all, or my family’s. I was the sort of person who couldn’t see a grocer’s sign advertising Apple’sandPear’swithout wincing. I suppose it’s because grammar was drummed into us at school, then later in the 90s I would shudder at text-speak.CU l8r? No you won’t. I decided I would hold the line, use full stops, put my apostrophes where they were supposed to be and resist the lure of emojis. ‘A grammar divide had opened’ Guess what happened next? I joined Twitter, and was overcome by a tide of lolz, OMGs and rofls. Respected public figures expressed themselves via…

PRAWN NOODLE STIR-FRY Sesame oil gives instant flavour, and is well worth adding to your storecupboard. SERVES 4 ✣4 nests of egg noodles ✣4tbsp sesame oil ✣1 chilli pepper, finely chopped ✣2cm (¾in) fresh ginger, finely chopped ✣6 spring onions, roughly chopped ✣1 pak choi, leaves separated ✣100g (3½oz) long-stem broccoli, halved lengthways ✣1 red pepper, finely sliced ✣2 carrots, ribboned with a vegetable peeler ✣2tsp tamari (or soy sauce) ✣Big handful sunflower seeds ✣300g (10oz) prawns, shelled ✣Handful of roughly chopped fresh coriander ✣Zest of 1 lime and juice of 2 limes 1 Place the noodles in a heatproof bowl, pour over boiling water and stir through. Leave for 4 mins, drain and set aside (if the noodles are ‘straight to wok’ you can leave out this part). 2…

My ‘go-to’ remedy That depends. When I was feeling very nauseous on chemo for my bowel cancer, that would be a combination of medications, salted Pringles and ginger nut biscuits! But a regular fail-safe – even in lockdown – is physical activity, walking outside in nature or working out to get those endorphins going! My favourite meal I’ve thought about this a lot as, pre-surgery for my cancer, when I knew I wasn’t going to eat any food for at least a week, I had a ‘last supper’ each time. While I thought I’d want my favourite food – Japanese (super tasty and healthy), I actually chose childhood comfort food – pasta and breaded chicken drowning in ketchup! Food is so much more than fuel, it’s social and comfort and…

✣ Watch a video guide from NHS dietitians at nhs.uk/conditions/ irritable-bowel-syndrome-ibs ✣ The IBS Network is the national charity for people with IBS, with useful online info as well as links to support groups near you; theibsnetwork.org ✣ Psychological therapies help, such as CBT. You can self-refer directly to an NHS psychological therapies service (Adult Improving Access to Psychological Therapies – IAPT programme) without a GP referral. ✣ Relaxation techniques and complementary therapies, such as hypnotherapy, yoga and reflexology, may offer symptom relief, as well as helping you to cope with fatigue.…

Sewell wrote Black Beauty to promote kindness towards horses. In 2007 Northern Lights was chosen as the all-time favourite Carnegie Medal winner (the annual literary award for books aimed at children or young adults), making it the ‘Carnegie of Carnegies’. Martel has said the name Richard Parker was inspired by three shipwreck stories, including one by Edgar Allan Poe. Charlotte lives on through her 514 baby spiders, as well as her numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren! On screen Hedwig is played by male owls, as they are smaller and have fewer dark spots.…

ARIES 21 Mar – 20 Apr It’s an important time to put energy into your wellbeing. Listen to your body. It will tell you what it needs. TAURUS 21 Apr – 21 May It’s time to make space in your life. Anything you are holding onto that no longer serves you has to go. Be ruthless! GEMINI 22 May – 21 Jun You may find something you lost this week, or someone from your past may return. CANCER 22 Jun – 23 Jul Financially, you may feel as though you are on a roller coaster. Think carefully about your needs and, if you can, give to someone who may be in need. LEO 24 Jul – 23 Aug This is a good time for putting attention and energy into your…

“We finished last week’s exciting adventure on something of a cliffhanger, although perhaps we should pause here to warn new readers that cliffs on this page are fully certified by the health and safety people as posing little danger. So please don’t expect any of the following: The plucky heroine dangling from an actual large cliff. The plucky heroine lowered into a river full of crocodiles by an evil mastermind. The plucky heroine telling James Bond in no uncertain terms to keep his ruddy hands to himself. No, we left off last week with Mr Dear still engaged in a punishing keep-fit regime, and my foot poised delicately over the bathroom scales. They treat me very kindly at Woman’s Weekly (unlike certain bathroom scales I could mention). You have only…