Innholdsfortegnelse for 28-Sep-2021 i Woman's Weekly

There’s something extraordinary about forests. Maybe it’s a combination of their inherent mystery, hiding a wealth of secret places in their deep woods, plus the Hansel and Gretel-inspired fear of what lies within that we all inherited from childhood fairy tales, together with our much more recent understanding of how much they contribute in the fight against climate change. But whatever the reason, entering a forest is always exciting, and while we’ve many more ancient trees in this country than the rest of Europe, sadly, we have far fewer forests. However there are still plenty to visit – find out more on page 38.…

1 Sow green manures Improve the fertility and structure of soil in uncultivated areas of your garden by sowing green manures, such as mustard, clover and ryegrass. 2 Plant broad beans Sow hardy varieties of broad beans, such as ‘Aquadulce Claudia’, to enjoy an early crop next May. Place them 5cm deep, leaving 20cm between each seed. 3 Divide perennials Split herbaceous perennials, such as delphiniums, geraniums and miscanthus. This will keep them healthy and ensure that they come back for many years to come.…

✣ Don’t use pesticides. Healthy plants, given conditions they can thrive in, will withstand pests better. ✣ Bees often have to travel long distances to find nectar, so provide pit stops for hardworking bees. This could be a brick with holes in it, or a shop-bought bee hotel. ✣ Bees need water to drink – a shallow dish with pebbles in, filled with rainwater, is ideal. ✣ Plant a variety of bee-friendly shrubs, flowers and herbs with year-round interest, including pussy willow (spring), lavender (summer), abelia (autumn), and snowdrops and hellebores (winter). ✣ The colours that attract the most bees are blue, purple, violet, white and yellow. ✣ An easy – and delicious – way to help the British honeybee is to buy the fruits of its labour: support beekeepers…

WHAT I’VE SEEN I’m enjoying watching travel programmes, getting inspiration for when the world opens up again. WHERE I’VE BEEN In a hotel room in Sydney, quarantining for two weeks. WHO I’VE MET My mum, for the first time in 18 months due to COVID-19. Needless to say, I hugged her until my arms fell off. WHAT I’VE BOUGHT A poncho. I know what you’re thinking – only about seven females in the world look good in a poncho. But it’s so warm and cosy.…

‘I had a light-bulb moment following my accident’ ‘Dog training changes lives for the better’ Niki French, 52, is the CEO of Pup Talk, a dog-training business, and lives with her boyfriend Ash, 51, in Twickenham. I heard a loud screech and suddenly I was lying on tarmac, my bike a tangled mess beside me. It was August 2014, and I’d been hit by a car while cycling to my job as a sales and marketing director in London. Lying there – bloodied but with nothing broken – I told paramedics I didn’t want to go to A&E. My bruises faded and I was soon back at work. But after a short time I developed pain in my shoulders and, worryingly, problems with my memory. I’d forget colleagues’ names and…

Secondary analysis of data from a large randomised trial of aspirin looked at cognitive function in relation to the use of statins. Over five years of observation, no associations, either positive or negative, emerged between statin use and dementia, mild cognitive impairment, or changes in cognitive function scoring. Sub-group analyses after dividing statins into hydrophilic and lipophilic categories revealed no associations either. This is reassuring for those taking statins to reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease.…

In 47 years I have been on only one blind date. It was a humiliating experience that left me scarred for life. I was 15 and fancied a boy in my class called Robert. He was far too good-looking to be interested in me – a short, plump girl. So I was stunned when my classmate Tracy asked if I wanted to make up a foursome on a blind date to the cinema with her and her boyfriend, and her boyfriend’s mate – who just happened to be my crush, Robert! I spent ages getting ready. But when I arrived at the cinema, there was no Tracy, no date. At school the next day I realised, hearing the sniggers from Tracy and her friends, that I had been the butt…

Many actresses blanche at the thought of getting older and book an appointment with the cosmetic surgeon the minute they hit 40. Not Emilia Fox. The star of Silent Witness says she’s thrilled to be 47. ‘I am an older woman!’ says Emilia, laughing, in an exclusive chat. ‘We should be grateful for ageing in so many ways and yet the world conspires to make us think that it’s not a good thing. It’s a wonderful thing. We have experienced more and learnt more, and I think that we should celebrate it more.’ Hear, hear! It has to be said that Emilia wears her years well, with tousled blonde hair, make-up that flatters her English rose complexion, and a healthy sense of humour. At the same time, she isn’t shy…

Sleep right Aim for seven to eight hours sleep each night. Sleep is crucial for keeping us calm, says nutritionist Martina Della Vedova. ‘Anxiety and sleep are closely related. If we don’t get enough sleep, we can find it harder to adapt to challenging situations. When we can’t cope as efficiently with stress, it can be harder to have a good night’s rest.’ Food swap Swap rice or pasta for quinoa, a good source of magnesium and B vitamins. ‘These are needed to produce anti-anxiety brain chemicals such as GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid),’ says nutritional therapist Henrietta Norton. Let’s dance Dancing has long been seen as beneficial to your health – the physical activity benefits your cardiovascular system, and remembering the steps and making those split-second adjustments to your movements stimulates…

Grief is a complex mix of lots of different feelings. The task of grief is a normal adaptive process of coming to terms with the reality of the death of someone important to you. And it’s not something you can do alone. Pain is the agent of change. It’s by allowing ourselves to feel the pain of grief and getting the support we need that, over time, we incrementally adjust to this new reality. The love and support of others is crucial. It’s the relationship with others, and the love and connection that helps us through. Give yourself time to grieve and remember. The love you have for the person you have lost never dies, it’s just the relationship you have with them that changes. We talk about ‘continuing bonds’…

Glenbranter, Argyll Forest Park, Scotland For a mixture of towering broad-leaved trees, including ancient oaks and conifers that showcase all the wonderful colours of autumn, Glenbranter is one of the jewels of Argyll Forest Park. Trails include the 3.6km Waterfall Trail up the Allt Robuic gorge, where you’ll see waterfalls cloaked by native oakwoods. And there’s a wildlife hide for spotting red squirrels, roe deer, woodpeckers and crossbills. The 3.62km Glen Eck Trail also climbs high above Glenbranter, giving superb views over the glen and across to Beinn Bheula and Beinn Mhòr mountains. Look out for ravens and buzzards. ✣Entrance free; forestryandland.gov.scot Haldon Forest Park, Devon Autumn is an excellent time to see butterflies, as they stock up on nectar to prepare themselves for hibernation. And at Haldon, a 3,500-acre…

While her mum and Aunt Gretchen chatted in low voices about the doctor’s recent visit, Heidi sat delicately holding her grandmother’s hand. She was painting Nan’s nails Cosmic Silver. ‘I like it,’ Nan said. ‘It matches my hair.’ She tried to lean forward in her chair, but didn’t have the strength. Heidi lifted her head and grinned. ‘I knew you would. Mum made me bring Peach Mist as well, just in case, but I knew you’d rather have silver.’ Nan smiled at her. It was a vague sort of smile, as if she didn’t quite follow what Heidi was saying, but she appreciated the kind intent. ‘She wasn’t sure where she was when she woke up yesterday,’ Aunt Gretchen was telling Heidi’s mum, Mary. ‘She seems better now, but she’s…

THE STORY SO FAR: Louise and her husband Ross are just about getting by after Louise lost her job. Then Louise attends an interview in Kelthorpe, a half-hour train journey from her home. On her way back to the station, she’s shocked to receive a text telling her she didn’t get the job. Buying a consolation bar of chocolate in a newsagent’s, Louise is comforted by an elderly man, who gives her a scratchcard and tells her his name is Ted. Back home, Louise scratches the card – and wins £50,000! She returns to Kelthorpe to track down Ted, drawing a blank. She and Ross agree to wait six weeks and intensify the search before claiming the money. Meanwhile, she’s noticed an empty shop unit in a nearby village, and…

Hurray for ospreys! Ospreys are making a comeback. This summer, the 200th osprey chick fledged in England and Wales, thanks to a groundbreaking conservation project from the Wildlife Trusts. These birds of prey were extinct in both countries for over 150 years, until the Rutland Osprey Project reintroduced them to the skies. Celebrating its 25th anniversary, the female chick fledged in July. To find out more visit wildlifetrusts.org DAZZLING DISPLAY Vibrant, towering sculptures of carefully balanced spheres will light up the Yorkshire Sculpture Park as part of Annie Morris’ new exhibition, When a Happy Thing Falls. Other works include intricate thread paintings and a monumental bronze sculpture. It’s on at The Weston Gallery until 6 February 2022. Book ahead at ysp.org.uk DID YOU KNOW? The Virgin Money London Marathon on…

We tend to think these busy pollinators just provide us with honey , but in fact, they’re to thank for much of the food we eat. These little insects have a huge impact – they’re vital for life on ear th, contributing around £690 million to the UK economy through their pollination. Without them, it would cost UK far mers £1.8 billion a year to pollinate our crops. But numbers are declining; habitat loss means food and shelter is harder to come by , and the use of pesticides can be poisonous, as well as decimating their food sources. The exper ts at compostdirect.com reveal y to the help many boost initiatives taking place across the countr our bees… Newcastle cuts down on mowing Newcastle City Council has taken an innovative…

Clarkson’s Farm, The Crown and Game of Thrones: popular TV shows with one thing in common – they’re all available on streaming services, rather than traditional channels. However, with so many options to choose from, it can feel overwhelming getting started. What do I need to stream? Streaming TV means that you’re viewing it over an internet connection, using a web browser or an app, rather than watching something broadcast through the air, via your TV aerial. So you’ll need a reasonably fast internet connection to prevent ‘buffering’ (which can cause freezing). Streaming can be standard definition, high definition (HD) or ultra-high definition (Ultra HD). For non-HD services, a minimum required broadband speed ranges from 0.9-3 Mbps (Megabytes per second), depending on the service, while for HD you’ll need to…

The predominant endometrial cancer symptom is vaginal bleeding that’s unusual, such as postmenopausally, or, if you’re premenopausal, very heavy periods or bleeding between periods. While there are other less serious causes of abnormal bleeding, see your GP as soon as possible if you experience any. Less common symptoms include lower abdominal pain, pain during sex, pain in the back, legs or pelvis, nausea or loss of appetite, and tiredness. The doctor will ask you about your symptoms, offer an internal examination and refer you to a specialist if necessary for further tests to rule out serious causes. In endometrial cancer, the endometrial cells of the womb lining grow abnormally. We don’t know exactly what causes it, but your risk increases as you age. Further risks include high oestrogen levels associated…

A Fibroids are non-cancerous growths developing in or around the uterus, made up of muscle and fibrous tissue, and they vary in size – they’re also known as uterine myomas or leiomyomas. They affect around one in three women, most often aged 30 to 50, and are commoner in African-Caribbean women. They are possibly linked to the female hormone oestrogen made by the ovaries in the reproductive years, when levels are at their highest. They shrink when oestrogen levels drop postmenopausally. Fibroids occur more often in overweight/obese women, as body fat increases oestrogen production. Women who’ve had children have a lower risk. They don’t need to be treated if they’re not causing symptoms, and they’ll often shrink and disappear without treatment, particularly after menopause. If you have symptomatic fibroids, your…