Innholdsfortegnelse for 01-Jun-2021 i Woman's Weekly

Our lives have become very different in the past year. Most of us have changed the way we shop, travel and work. We’ve changed the way we take care of our health, too, and that’s set to continue, as we’re encouraged to look after ourselves better and adopt a lifestyle that keeps us both safe and healthy. A range of new technologies – in addition to improvements in existing tools – will enable us to become more active participants in the care of our own health. Here are the gadgets you need to know about. 1 A step counter Many phone apps and wearable devices now allow us to monitor and track key health factors, such as diet, drinking, smoking, sleep and exercise. Most of these also gently nudge us…

My Healthy Life AMANDA HARRIS My go-to remedy I like to drink hot water with lemon, honey and ginger. It’s not only soothing, but ginger is thought to be anti-inflammatory and helps to boost the immune system. I also try to get plenty of sleep to help my immunity and improve my energy levels. A cuddle with a loved one always helps too! My favourite meal Baked cod with spinach. It’s tasty and easily digestible. How I keep fit and healthy I get plenty of sleep – at least seven to eight hours a night. I walk regularly, and do Pilates and indoor cycling. I drink plenty of water, try to eat healthily and, most importantly, enjoy lots of laughter with my family and friends. My perfect day A…

There’s nothing like a nice cup of tea to help you put the world to rights, and for a real tonic, go herbal – it couldn’t be easier to grow your own. Whether in pots, window boxes or borders, herbs are attractive, easy-to-keep plants, and provide an array of tasty tisanes. Try these favourites… ZINGY LEMON For citrus flavours, stress-busting lemon balm or vibrant lemon verbena is a must. GROW Easy to cultivate from seed or propagate by placing a stem cutting in soil or water to root. BREW Add a few leaves to a mug or teapot and pour over hot water. Leave to infuse for 5 minutes before straining. MAGICAL MINT From pineapple to ginger, chocolate to grapefruit, there are more varieties of mint than there are types…

Whether they’re brightening a dull wall or bringing a touch of pizzazz to a doorway, these long-lasting displays are a summer must-have. Put them on display when all danger of frost has passed and, if well-cared for, they’ll still be looking lovely in October. Desirable designs Hanging baskets are as individual as the person making them. Fill them with a single plant, like Begonia ‘Apricot Shades Improved’ or Petunia ‘Night Sky’ (the world’s first speckled petunia), or mix things up with tried-and-tested combinations such as fuchsia, pelargonium, petunia and trailing lobelia, with long-stemmed Helichrysum petiolare to fill some of the space beneath. And for those who aren’t sure which plants to choose, you can buy colour-themed plug plant collections, ranging from moody mixes of purple and pink shades of ipomoea,…

BIRD FEEDER A lightweight feeder that suctions to the window, giving a close-up view of feathered visitors. Gothic arch window feeder, £18.99, RSPB BIRDBATH Keep this dish topped up with fresh water for birds to drink and bathe in. Round terracotta birdbath, £16, National Trust Shop WILD-FLOWER MIXES Grow nectar- and pollen-rich flowers that attract insects, or ones with seed heads to feed the birds. RHS Flowers for Insects and Flowers for Birds, £5.99 each (covers 20m2 ), Mr Fothergill’s COMPOST BIN A neat, tidy bin – but one that also gives access to wildlife, from bees to hedgehogs. Easy-load wooden compost bin, £47.99, primrose.co.uk…

Look on Instagram and you’ll see that #succulents has more than 11 million posts! It shows just how popular these photo-worthy, fleshy-leaved plants are right now. So, what’s the appeal? Well, they’re easy to care for, they bring interest to the tiniest spaces, and there are loads of fascinating leaf types and colours to choose from. Picture perfect For a showstopping display, try growing succulents in a wall-mounted frame. Experiment with different shapes and colours. You can buy living wall and succulent frames online, or check out YouTube to see how to do the job from scratch. HANDSOME HOUSELEEK Houseleeks – or ‘hens and chicks’ (Sempervivum soboliferum) – are tough and drought-tolerant, making them easy to grow in pots, troughs or old sinks, in rockeries – even in nooks in…

A melia had felt a yearning to visit the Monastero Santa Maria di Cortona since she was eight years old, when she had first looked through an old family photo album with her Italian grandmother. ‘That is my Uncle Domenico Lombardi,’ Gina had explained, pointing to a man in white robes. ‘He was ordained as a monk in the 1880s and became Abbot of the Monastery in 1908. His calling has always been a mystery to the family.’ From that moment, Amelia had been intrigued by her forgotten forebear. Now, it felt like the right time to make a pilgrimage to his home. The Monastery, perched on the hillside above Cortona, had been transformed into a small hotel. When she arrived, she went straight to her room. Flinging open the…

THE STORY SO FAR: Spring 1941. Sarah is training as a Land Girl away from home, and has left behind her parents, who seem worryingly unhappy. Meanwhile, there’s also unhappiness on the farm. One of the other Land Girls, Heather, is hiding a pregnancy. The other, Morag, knows about it and is convinced the father is an Italian civilian. Britain is at war with Italy as well as Germany, and Morag’s fiancé is away fighting the Italians. There has been no word about him. She can’t forgive Heather for going with the enemy, but confides in Sarah one night that she’s also jealous. She and her fiancé had decided to wait until they married. Later that same night, Sarah finds Heather heading over to the farmhouse and, concerned that she…

This week From us to you Enjoying the great outdoors and food for thought Mind your step Nothing beats glorious summer walks along sandy beaches, leafy forests or meadows studded with vibrant wild flowers. While exploring outdoors, mind where you step to help save Britain’s beautiful endangered birds. Rare species including curlew, little tern, nightjar and lapwing are ground-nesters, and in June many carefully camouflaged nests are filled with late broods of eggs and chicks ready to fledge. The RSPB recommends sticking to designated footpaths and keeping dogs on leads in breeding areas – find out more at rspb.org.uk CHIC ANTIQUES Vintage furnishings are on the up! Since the beginning of the year, Gumtree reports a 37% search increase for budget-friendly antiques and collectables, with many of us looking to…

‘I think there is a little bit of good and bad in everyone’ He’s famed for his iconic roles, including EastEnders’ evil Archie Mitchell and Gavin & Stacey’s voice of reason, Mick Shipman. But in the past 12 months, actor Larry Lamb has thrown himself into writing – and lockdown proved to be a blessing in disguise for him. ‘I started off in the UK and finished up in the Normandy countryside, where I have a house,’ he says, reflecting on the past year. ‘Surprisingly, I didn’t find lockdown lonely. I was writing a novel and so I needed solitude, to be honest. I can’t write when I’ve a life going on around me, so it fed into it well.’ The star bought a home in north-west France three decades…

CUT CAFFEINE And alcohol and smoking, says Sharon Copeland, optician at Feel Good Contacts, an online contacts supplier. Tiredness and stress can also be a cause. SEE YOUR GP… …if it lasts more than a week. ‘Although rare, twitching eyelids can be an early sign of brain and nervous system disorders,’ says Sharon. That includes MS and Bell’s Palsy. TREAT ALLERGIES A release of histamine can cause twitching, as can certain medications. Eye strain, often from staring at a screen for too long, can make things worse.…

Companion planting is a way of growing that uses plants to help each other flourish. In particular, mixing in flowers with crops helps to ward off pests and draw in pollinators, giving you healthier plants and bumper harvests. Try these pretty partnerships. Leafy support Using larger plants to protect or support smaller crops is a great way to boost veg production. Try growing beans up sunflowers or sweetcorn, using Jerusalem artichokes or runner beans as a windbreak for fragile crops, and growing lettuces beneath broccoli and kale for sun protection. SMELL OF SUCCESS Strong-smelling plants are a great way to disguise the scent of veg, so pests can’t find them. Add garlic and spring onions to a bed of carrots to deter carrot fly, and grow chives with salad crops…

1 FOLLOW THESE EASY STEPS FOR PLANTING: CHOOSE A BASKET Wire, wicker or rattan, or moulded plastic are popular choices, some of which come with planting holes for trailing plants. Add a liner to help conserve moisture – use old polythene bags, or ready-made jute or coconut fibre (coir) liners. 2 FILL WITH COMPOST Some companies sell bespoke composts with slow-release fertilisers and water-retaining gels, but it’s just as easy to put together your own using a peat-free multipurpose product. Avoid soil-based mixes, which can make the basket too heavy. 3 PLANT UP Allow one plant per inch (2.5cm) of the diameter of the basket, for instance, 12in (30cm) size would need 12 plants. Strong growers, such as fuchsias or pelargonium, need a little extra room. Allow 1in (2.5cm) of…

For many people, a midsummer garden is perfection, with sumptuous roses and clematis, fragrant sweet peas and cheery bedding. But there’s no need for the fun to stop there. With a little preparation, you can enjoy colour, form and fragrance through to October/ November, with plants that deliver a fabulous floral finale. Dazzling dahlias These floral divas come in a variety of forms, from pompoms and singles to blousy doubles and enchanting waterlily-style blooms. Colours range from white, such as the double-flowered dinner plate ‘Snowstorm’, through to pinks, purples, reds, oranges and yellows. Some, like ‘Bishop of Llandaff’, bring spectacular dark foliage to the party too. HOW TO GROW Plant tubers in pots or in the ground now, in soil that’s been enriched with organic matter. Slugs are partial to…

Waiting excitedly for the plush red curtain to rise in Catherine the Great’s private theatre, I wondered where the great Empress herself had sat. She built this intimate but opulent auditorium inside her Winter Palace in St Petersburg because she didn’t want to go out in the cold. And who could blame her wanting to avoid those bitter Russian winters? Luckily I’m here during the ‘White Nights’ of summer, when the city is bathed in a luminescent all-night glow that makes it look even more beautiful than it does under a dusting of snow. Must-sees Catherine the Great loved ballet so much she founded the Imperial Ballet Theatre in 1783. Seeing Swan Lake performed on the same stage as Anna Pavlova once danced is one of the highlights on this…

Rain lashed ferociously at the window. Lightning flashed. The thunder rumbled a few seconds later. Jane had turned the armchair to the window and was watching the storm, tapping her pen on her notepad. She was trying to think of the next line – actually the second line – of a short story, but her thoughts had veered into a creative cul-de-sac. ‘You should never start a story with a weather report,’ Larry said. And Jane flinched, not realising he had crept up behind her. She hadn’t heard him come back into the room. She hastily turned her pad over and sat upright. ‘You nearly gave me a heart attack.’ ‘Haven’t they even taught you the basics yet?’ ‘It wasn’t actually the start of a story.’ Although that was a…

ARIES 21 Mar – 20 Apr Be conscious of what you say this week. People around you may be extra sensitive and misinterpret your words. TAURUS 21 Apr – 21 May This is an excellent time to launch a project or business. You’re getting a boost of new energy from the stars. GEMINI 22 May – 21 Jun You may be feeling restless and a little bored. Give yourself a new challenge that will keep you occupied physically and mentally. CANCER 22 Jun – 23 Jul Your home and family are the focus of your attention. Making improvements to your environment is under positive aspects right now. LEO 24 Jul – 23 Aug Paying attention to your health will be beneficial for you this week. Your diet may need some…

Chanel Healthy Glow Bronzing Cream, £43, Boots They say A good bronzer will make skin look warm and healthy with little effort. This gel-cream is as light, blendable and natural-looking as they come. Use a kabuki brush to apply where the sun would naturally hit – over the cheeks, chin, forehead and down the nose. We say I’m obsessed with this bronzer. The pot is generous enough to dip a brush in and the mousse-like formula is easy to blend. It’s velvety but radiant, so the finish looks incredibly natural too. Sarah Cooper-White, group beauty director Milk Makeup Matte Bronzer, £23, cultbeauty.co.uk They say This matte bronzer is vegan-friendly, cruelty-free and completely devoid of nasty parabens. The stick offers maximum versatility – use it to bronze the whole face or…

Volunteering isn’t just good for the recipient. When we help others, our brain’s pleasure and reward centres light up, counteracting the effects of stress, anxiety and depression. With Volunteers’ Week running from 1-7 June, you’ll find lots of information and inspiration at volunteersweek.org to help you find a role for the cause closest to your heart. Whether you have two minutes, two hours or more to spare, here are some ideas to get you started. Puppy parent Help raise the next generation of assistance dogs by becoming a Puppy Parent with Canine Partners. Look after puppies from eight weeks to 14 months old (previous dog ownership not required). There are training sessions and online classes to help you teach the puppy how to behave, so retirees and those who work from…

Hay fever occurs when the body makes allergic antibodies (IgE) to substances such as pollen, house-dust mites or mould, known as allergens. It’s usually worse when it’s warm, humid and windy, when the pollen count is at its highest, but there’s variation depending on which plants or moulds you are allergic to. Grass pollen is the commonest allergen (May to July), but tree pollen (February to June), and weed pollen and mould spores (June to September) can also cause the allergic reaction. In perennial allergic rhinitis, the symptoms occur year-round, usually relating to indoor allergens, such as house-dust mites, pets or moulds. Symptoms include sneezing and coughing, blocked or runny nose, sore, itchy, red or watery eyes, itchy throat, mouth, nose and ears, reduced smell or taste, sinus pains, headache…

Have I been too tough on them? QI got into a habit during lockdown of not allowing my daughters to bring their toys and crafts out of their room. I couldn’t stand the mess. I’m now wondering if I’ve been too restrictive. Mary, Devon A From what you say, it sounds like you need order to feel comfortable and in control. While I don’t think this is ideal for any of you, I do understand that children make a mess and don’t tidy up after themselves. Even more important than bringing their toys out is for them to have your attention. If you’re happy to play with them in their rooms and allow them to be free in there, they’ll still feel you’re joining in and validating them. But, if…

ROMANTIC PRETTY PASTELS A dreamy, jumbled border of pillowy blooms in gentle pastel shades creates a traditional, country cottage-garden feel, even in the middle of a town or city. Perfect for a sunny spot or to light up a partly shaded border, a romantic pastel scheme can showcase beloved English border classics – think blowsy roses, towering hollyhocks and fragrant phlox in delicate, muted blues, sugary pinks and creamy yellows. This look is all about informality – avoid planting in straight lines or defined patterns and instead create loosely repeated, closely spaced groups, allowing them to cascade naturally over paths or lawns and weave through each other to add to the overall charm. A romantic border looks effortless but needs planning and maintenance. Self-sowers need reining in, perennials need periodic…

As we turn our attention to the veggie patch, consider adding something new to your repertoire, or even trying a new version of an old favourite. Here are 10 fantastic foods to grow. 1 Carrot The trusty carrot is a veggie garden mainstay, but did you know that carrots were not originally orange? The orange root we are so familiar with was the product of years of selective breeding by the Dutch, in tribute to William of Orange, and the craze stuck. For a more authentic carrot experience, seek out purple, white or yellow varieties. They have all the flavour, with more immune-boosting antioxidants, and they are just plain fun to grow. 2 Oca Love potatoes but struggle with blight? Consider trying oca instead, an ancient South American root crop.…

JUNE Plant out half-hardy and tender plants such as zinnia and cosmos, without fear of frost damage. Dot between perennials for contrasting tones, or create drifts for colourful displays. ✣ Prune spring-flowering deciduous shrubs, such as deutzia and philadelphus, to encourage bumper blooms next year. Cut back old stems as soon as the flowers have faded, to stimulate new shoots. There’s still time to grow French and runner beans – sow directly in fertile, moisture-retentive soil now and you’ll be able to harvest beans well into the autumn. For something unusual, try Lingua di Fuoco, a borlotti with red-speckled beans. ✣ Stake delphinium, dahlia and other tall or large-flowered perennials. The lush growth they put on makes them prone to collapse, so prop up before gravity takes its toll. ✣…

Our gardens take up more space than all our nature reserves put together – that’s about one million acres of land that could be used to help wildlife. And wildlife really needs our help – a third of British bees and hoverflies are in decline, and 70% of butterfly species are dropping in number. Insect-eating birds like the cuckoo, barn swallow, swift and house martin are becoming scarcer every year, while hedgehogs – once said to number 30 million in the British Isles – are now thought to have declined to just 500,000. The good news is that by making even small changes to the way we garden, we can dramatically improve the chances of our beleaguered wildlife. FEED THE BIRDS Feed the birds sunflower hearts, seed mixes, mealworms and…

Top 10 climbers Alack of space needn’t be a barrier to having plants in your life – the answer is to go up! Vertical gardening can transform a small backyard or patio into a verdant oasis, covering dull fences, walls and even drainpipes with lush greenery and fragrant flowers. Plus, when grown against house walls, climbers can surprisingly keep homes cooler in summer and warmer in winter. Read on for a round-up of the loveliest – and most reliable – climbers to grow. 1 JASMINE For the sweetest entrance, deck your front door with jasmine. With delicate, starry flowers, intense perfume and fine foliage, this is a plant that never fails to delight. Grow somewhere sunny and sheltered, where the perfume can hang in the air. TRY Common white jasmine…