Innholdsfortegnelse for 11-May-2021 i Woman's Weekly

Easy like Sunday morning I’ve always loved the idea of brunch. When the breakfast/lunch combo was first invented in the 19th century, it was suggested that by eliminating the need to get up early on Sunday, brunch would ‘make life brighter for Saturday-night carousers’. Well, we’ve long ago delegated the onerous task of Saturday-night carousing to our children’s generation, but the idea of a leisurely, extended meal shared with family or friends, which eases you out of the morning into the mainstream of a Sunday, still seems wonderfully civilised. If you feel the same, have a look at page 22 for some rather delicious recipe ideas.…

1 Prune lavender Trim old lavender flowers, removing around an inch from this year’s growth. This will keep your plant healthy for longer and ensure plenty of flowers. 2 Clip evergreens After checking carefully for bird nests, clip back evergreen hedges. You can pop the clippings into a compost bin if they aren’t too woody. 3 Maintain your greenhouse When the sun is shining and the weather is warm, open greenhouse doors and vents, and pour a little water on the floor to increase humidity.…

KAREN PETERSAMPHLETT, 44 Tell us about your look I love colour – the bolder and brighter, the better! I usually pair bright colours with black to tone them down, but this time I decided to colourblock with hot pink and red. This outfit is from Coast. I’m wearing wide-leg trousers, which are really flattering! And the best bit of your body? My hair. KAREN KIRKENDALL, 53 Tell us about your look I love pleated midi skirts. People seem to shy away from pleats, but I find them flattering, especially on a pear shape like me. This skirt is from Boden. My favourite way to wear it is with trainers, a white T-shirt and a denim jacket. It’s fun to come up with outfit ideas – here I’ve teamed my skirt…

Back pain IS IT NORMAL? ‘The most common issues with the back are in over 55s, and are a result of wear and tear; sciatica and osteoarthritis are prime examples,’ explains consultant neurosurgeon Bhupal Chitnavis. ‘Usually, back pain is localised, fluctuates in severity, and comes and goes, with episodes lasting a few weeks at most.’ Obesity, smoking and excessive exercise are also common causes. WHEN IS IT SERIOUS? ‘If a pain lasts longer than six weeks, is getting worse or you have weakness or numbness (and have another condition, like osteoporosis), see your doctor,’ advises Mr Chitnavis. ‘Generally, analgesics and lifestyle changes advised by a specialist can help improve back pain – but it’s key to seek help before it begins to significantly affect your life.’ Learn more from HCA…

Sammy Bishop, 31, lives in Edinburgh and is the founder of Paraffle embroidery kits. I was a few years into my PhD when I taught myself to embroider so I could make a gift for my mum. I needed something to take my mind off my workload. I enjoyed it so much, and it began to dawn on me that maybe I didn’t want to go into academia after all. Embroidery was more instantly rewarding. After a few months making gifts for family and friends, I launched Paraffle, an old Scots word which means ‘embroidery’ or ‘ostentatious display’. I set up an Etsy page in April 2017, selling designs and kits. I slowly built an Instagram following, then, two years later, the Martha Stewart website featured my flamingo design and…

Latest health solutions for your mind and body Baking with Mum helps us COPE WITH HER DEMENTIA Enomwoyi Damali lives in Lewisham, London, with mum, Pearl, 87, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2014 Baking has always been an important part of our family life. Mum’s grandmother owned a cake shop in Trinidad, where she baked on the premises to sell to the men working on the oil fields. Mum spent a lot of time with her, learning to bake. When she came to this country in 1963, she brought her baking skills with her. Every Saturday was baking day in our house. I have happy memories as a child of sitting on the floor at Mum’s knee, watching her whip butter and sugar in an earthenware bowl on her…

✢Avoid dehydration. You may be advised to drink up to three litres of clear fluid throughout the day until the stones have cleared. Limit salt intake. ✢Tap water is best, plus some tea and coffee, or add fresh lemon juice to water, but avoid fizzy drinks, especially when it’s hot or if exercising. ✢If your pee is dark, it means you’re not drinking enough. It should be pale – the darker it is, the more concentrated it is. ✢Discuss your kidney function with your GP, especially if you have underlying conditions such as gout, high blood pressure or diabetes, which may also affect it.…

Q The Government has done an amazing job of rolling out the vaccination programme. However, life is not back to normal as there are still quite a lot of restrictions. I find myself worrying that they don’t really believe that the vaccines will get us out of this horrible situation. It still feels pretty scary and unknown. Before this started, we used to know where we stood – and that was so much more comfortable. Muriel, Greenwich AI understand that you’re concerned and, as you say, it’s all shrouded in mystery, as this hasn’t happened before in our lifetime. If you think of life before COVID-19, through realistic and not rose-coloured spectacles, you’ll remember that there have always been uncertainties. Just look at terrorism, wars and civil unrest. The way…

High-rise haven A balcony garden can be delightful – an aerial oasis providing privacy, colour and scent, as well as food. There are challenges – from lugging bags of compost up flights of stairs to finding plants that can handle wind, sun or shade cast by other buildings. There may be weight restrictions to consider too. But with a little effort, you can soon enjoy your own slice of high-rise plant heaven. Sheltering shrubs A handsome potted shrub will help filter wind, noise and traffic fumes, as well as giving shade and shelter to other plants. Choose slow-growers, such as the drought-resistant mountain pine, Pinus mugo, a tough evergreen with a maximum height of 1.5m, or the dwarf version (Nana) which grows to 1m. Plant in a lightweight container made…

“‘I’m really discovering myself,’ said Mrs Beasley, as we walked through the woods together. ‘I am finally beginning to find out who I really am.’ The dog snorted at this, and frankly I could not have put it better myself. Mrs B, who is stepping down as the manageress of our small charity shop, seems to have had a complete personality transplant over lockdown. She has taken up painting, and turns out to have rather a talent for it. She has also been writing poetry, for which she has slightly less of a talent. She has taken up yoga and meditation, and is wondering whether she might become a vegan. ‘I have started eating a lot more vegetables,’ she explained in that serious voice that some people adopt when they…

COLD COMFORT FARM Wonderfully witty, Stella Gibbons’ hilarious comic novel with a wildly far-fetched plot will have you in stitches. IF ONLY THEY COULD TALK The first of James Herriot’s fictionalised tales of life as a Yorkshire vet, which became a hit TV series. THE FAIRACRE FESTIVAL It’s said the hardest thing to do is write simple stories. Miss Read (in real life Dora Saint) does it brilliantly and enjoyably.…

An idyllic scene While visiting family in Tiverton, Devon, we came across this perfect picture. The horse that pulls The Great Western canal boat was resting under a shady tree, having his lunch. Katie Gooding, Tidworth, Wiltshire Look what I made I always look for the craft articles but usually lack the skills to produce anything. So I was pleased to find I could follow the bunny knitting pattern and I enjoyed knitting this cute bunny in just four days! I added a pom-pom for a tail. Great for Easter! Kath Todd, Northampton Paws for thought Here’s our much-loved Labrador, Willoughby, having a break from reading your magazine! He always sits right beside me while I’m reading it. Corrinne Richardson, Studley, Warwickshire ✣Got a pet pic that makes you smile?…

Like many people working in the creative arts industries, choreographer Arlene Phillips’ life is completely different compared to just over a year ago. ‘I’ve seen more of my partner since the first lockdown than I have in the entire 36 years we’ve been together!’ she laughs, talking of Angus Ion, who she’s been living with in the Herefordshire countryside. Prior to the pandemic, choreographer Arlene, 77, explains how for ‘as long as she can remember’, she only tended to be at home on Sundays – with her work always keeping her busy in theatres or travelling the world. But with the shows she was working on not happening in 2020, Arlene admits the past 14 months have been a ‘shock to the system’, though she’s now had her COVID-19 vaccines…

“About two years ago, I was asked to go to a very sophisticated, rather chic, series of homes for the elderly. They wanted someone to go round, welcome residents, say hello and do a performance. There were four different homes that I went to, with a variety of themes, and the focus at one of the homes was musicals. So I went there. I went into the main hall and all these people were there sitting around. The piano played and people started to sing all those wonderful old-time songs, with me standing in the middle. ‘Nurses were on the floor laughing’ There was a woman on the front row, who was just sitting there. She wasn’t smiling, she wasn’t laughing, she wasn’t singing. So I smiled at her and…

SMOKED SALMON WITH PEA AND DILL FRITTERS A dreamy flavour and colour mix, these fritters will become a favourite! SERVES 4 ✣3 organic eggs ✣50ml (2fl oz) whole milk ✣100g (3½oz) gluten-free oats ✣1tsp gluten-free baking powder ✣15g (½oz) dill, plus extra to serve ✣3 spring onions, washed, trimmed and cut into chunks ✣200g (7oz) frozen petits pois ✣1tsp unsalted butter ✣200g (7oz) smoked salmon ✣Tzatziki dip and lemon wedges 1 In a food processor, blitz together the eggs, milk, oats, baking powder and dill with ¼tsp sea salt and a grind of black pepper. Once the mixture is smooth, add the spring onions and blitz again. 2 Put the petits pois in a bowl and pour over boiling water to thaw them. Drain them, add to the mixture and…

MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO DO ‘Whatever you’re trying to avoid, ie wine or chocolate, make sure it’s not accessible,’ says Harley Street psychologist Professor Margareta James. REPLACE IT WITH A HEALTHY HABIT ‘The brain establishes habits quickly. It doesn’t discriminate between good and bad ones,’ says Prof James. So ensure any you have you want to keep. TAKE TINY STEPS ‘Start small and build momentum,’ advises Prof James. Break big challenges into small achievable chunks. Expect hiccups along the way but don’t let them stop you trying.…

MOUTHWASH Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and try antimicrobial mouthwash, but do not use toothpaste containing sodium lauryl sulphate. EAT SMART Eat softer foods, and drink cool drinks through a straw. Avoid very hot or acidic drinks such as fruit juice, or very spicy, salty or acidic food. PAINKILLERS Ask your pharmacist about soluble painkilling tablets or mouthwash, gel or spray, corticosteroid lozenges or a salt (saline) mouthwash. GET IT CHECKED If it lasts for more than three weeks, keeps returning, bleeds, grows bigger or is near the back of your throat, get it checked.…

BLUEBERRY SWIRL PAVLOVA To make this extra special, we’ve added a swirl of blueberry to the meringue base for a marbled effect. SERVES 6 ✣100g (3½oz) frozen blueberries ✣ 1tsp cinnamon ✣ 2tsp cornflour ✣45g (1½oz) pistachios, chopped ✣4 large egg whites ✣200g (7oz) caster sugar ✣200ml (7fl oz) double cream ✣150ml (¼ pint) natural yogurt ✣1tbsp icing sugar ✣1tsp vanilla essence ✣2 peaches, plums or nectarines, cut into wedges ✣A little lemon juice, optional ✣150g (5oz) fresh blueberries 1 Heat the oven to 160C/ Gas 3. Put the frozen blueberries into a pan with the cinnamon and half the cornflour. Mix over a low heat, allowing the blueberries to defrost. Bring up to a boil and mix to crush the berries. Set aside to cool. 2 Meanwhile, put the…

ARIES 21 Mar – 20 Apr It’s a good time for focusing on your finances and for drawing up a plan. New possibilities are in the air. TAURUS 21 Apr – 21 May You may be considering a change of environment. Trust your intuition and allow yourself to be guided. GEMINI 22 May – 21 Jun This is an excellent time for creating new networks and social connections. You could make lifelong friends. CANCER 22 Jun – 23 Jul Your creativity needs to be expressed. Whatever you enjoy doing, don’t put it off until tomorrow, do something today. You’ll be glad you did. LEO 24 Jul – 23 Aug Open your heart and reach out to someone who may need you. You have a natural generosity that can alter someone’s…

MUST-READS It was so interesting to read about the women who write books for children [9 March]. I volunteer in the literacy support section of our local senior school, helping pupils with mild dyslexia, or those who just haven’t grasped the principles of reading. They tend to like books with the same characters, so one book is very much like the last. That is where Enid Blyton was so good with the St Clare’s, The Famous Five and Malory Towers series, among others. You just had to read the next book as they were so good. Barbara Thomas, West Sussex…

F or almost two centuries, the RNLI has been saving lives at sea – but it wouldn’t be possible scenes. without This some , incredible fundraising behind the year the Ladies’ Lifeboat Guild (LLG) celebrates its 100th birthday – it’s a stor y with tragic beginnings, and the work continues, thanks to the women shaking those collecting tins. Who created the LLG? In 1886, Marion Macara witnessed the RNLI’s worst-ever lifeboat disaster, when 27 men died during a gale off the Lancashire coast. The disaster made widows of 16 women and left 50 children fatherless, so Marion organised the first Lifeboat Saturday to help them. The event was a huge success, raising £5,000 – about £250,000 in today’s money – for the families of the St Anne’s and Southport crews.…

WHERE I’VE BEEN Mainly luxuriating at my home in Hackney. WHO I’VE MET Dame Joan Collins for lunch. She’s terrific. Like everyone, she hasn’t liked the lockdown, as she’s felt restricted, but she doesn’t let herself get down. She’s very optimistic. WHAT I’VE BOUGHT It’s random, but I bought cans of Heinz baked beans for a few of my friends with their names on as gifts! WHAT I’VE SEEN This amazing drama called ZeroZeroZero on Sky.…

Those embarrassing ‘forgetful moments’ might be pretty familiar, especially if you’re aged 50-plus. But, interestingly, they occurred in our 30s too – we just didn’t worry about them as much then! The good news is it’s possible to stay sharp, especially if you build up good habits and stick to them. There’s plenty you can do to help your memory – from chatting to eating chocolate… Have a chinwag Next time your neighbour says hello, stop and chat – it might help your memory. ‘Individuals who are more socially engaged have a lower risk of cognitive decline,’ says Professor James Goodwin of the Brain Health Network and author of Supercharge Your Brain. Loneliness is a risk factor for dementia, so keep in touch with friends, join local groups and connect…

Coping with KIDNEY STONES These develop in the kidney or the ureter and can block urine flow The kidneys remove waste products from the blood to expel in urine. Kidney stones form if there are high levels of waste chemicals, which crystallise, forming stones. These are more likely if you don’t drink enough fluid and become dehydrated. Kidney stones vary in shape and size, from tiny sand-like grains to golf-ball size. Main types are calcium stones (most common), struvite stones (usually after an infection), and uric acid stones (linked to high blood uric acid). Recurrent kidney stones are more common if you’ve had previous stones, if you eat a high-protein/low-fibre diet, are inactive, have a family history of kidney stones, or have had urinary infections. Certain medicines increase the…

I lost both my parents to COVID-19 Q In January, my parents, who were in their 90s, both died. They were living at home with a carer who gave them COVID-19. I know it wasn’t her fault but I’m really angry and feel the only thing that would make it better would be for her to apologise to us for killing them. My children say I can’t talk like that but it’s true. Name and address withheld AI have to say I’m with your children. Killing someone usually has an intention to do so or, in the case of an accident, evidence of lack of attention. I’m sure it was not the carer’s wish to intentionally harm your parents. I’m also sure the carer is feeling very sad about it.…

YOU WILL NEED ✣Patterned or plain fabric ✣ Scrap fabric ✣Contrasting sewing thread ✣ Small scissors ✣Fray check (optional) 1 With your sewing machine set to a scallop edging stitch, sew a couple of practice rows on your piece of scrap fabric. This will help to determine what stitch length and width you’d prefer to use. 2 Stitch all the edges of the napkin fabric, turning the fabric gently at the corners to create a curve. Tie off any loose threads. Make sure you have enough sewing thread on your spool and bobbin, as this technique uses a lot of thread. 3 Using a small and sharp pair of scissors, trim away the excess fabric around the edge of the napkin. Cut as close to the stitches as you can…

MEASUREMENTS Approximately 77cm/30¼in wide and 98cm/38½in long. MATERIALS 2 x 400g (817m) balls of Stylecraft Special Aran with Wool (20% wool, 80% acrylic) in Soft Mint (3979)*. Pair of 5mm (No 6) knitting needles; cable needle. TENSION 18 stitches and 24 rows, to 10 x 10cm, over stocking stitch, using 5mm needles. ABBREVIATIONS St(s), stitch(es); k, knit; p, purl; k1b or p1b, k1 or p1 through back of loop; up1, pick up loop lying between needles and k in back of it (to increase 1 st); tog, together (work as many sts as stated together); mb, make bobble thus: work k1, p1, k1, p1 and k1 all in next st, turn, p5, turn, pass 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th sts, one at a time, over 1st st, k this st…

An Act of Love by Carol Drinkwater (£7.99, PB, Penguin) Carol Drinkwater returns with a poignant new novel about the power of first love and courage in our darkest hours. Sara and her parents are forced to flee war-ravaged Poland and find happiness in a beautiful but dilapidated house in the French Alps. But as the enemy closes in, a shadow falls over the bliss of summer – and Sara’s blossoming romance is interrupted before it can truly begin. A moving story of love, friendship and bravery that simply races along. Love in Five Acts by Daniela Krien (£14.99, HB, Quercus) A bestseller in Germany, this exquisite portrait of the lives of five women is utterly captivating. Each chapter is devoted to one woman – her hopes, loves and losses…