Innholdsfortegnelse for 05-Oct-2021 i Woman's Weekly

The food of love Perhaps because my mum was evacuated to the countryside during the war, she always knew the value of good food – which was ever-present at our childhood mealtimes. But that same war had the opposite effect for many in the generation immediately after hers – the dull, flavourless diet that came with rationing left many with a lack of enthusiasm to cook, leading to a loss of skills, and perhaps also the rise in popularity of ready meals and takeaways. In some ways, we are still rediscovering our great national cuisine, and the importance of good food for our health. For great ideas on healthier eating, see page 12.…

World Animal Day Support the spectacular species living on our doorsteps this World Animal Day on 4 October. Creating a ‘wild corner’ in your garden is a great way to combat habitat loss. It could have nettles where butterflies can lay eggs, or a log pile for insects. Visit worldanimalday.org.uk CAN YOU BE A CANAL PAL? Who doesn’t love a walk along one of our canal towpaths? To help focus on ways to support our precious inland waterways, the Canal & River Trust is asking the public to immerse themselves in the sounds and sights of their local canal, and share their findings in a 10-minute Sense in Nature survey at canalrivertrust.org.uk DID YOU KNOW? Only one bird species can truly fly backwards – the hummingbird. The tiny, brilliantly coloured…

Graham Norton admits he’s feeling broody. The king of chat hasn’t been gripped by a sudden desire to adopt a little one and start changing nappies at the age of 58. But he is deadly serious about the overwhelming urge to get another dog. ‘I love it when a chat show sofa takes on a life of its own’ Graham’s beloved pooches – Madge, a terrier, and Bailey, a labradoodle – were his constant companions for more than a decade. He talked about them in interviews, and they travelled with him between his homes in London, New York and County Cork in Ireland. But both have gone to that great kennel in the sky – Madge at Christmas 2019 and Bailey in July 2020. ‘It was horrible to lose them…

Grow your own sprouts Tiny young broccoli sprouts make a great addition to salads, stir-fries and sandwich fillings, and are thought to contain at least 10 times the antioxidants of mature broccoli. ‘They’re one of the best sources of a plant chemical called glucosinolate. Your gut microbiome helps to convert this into sulforaphane – an antioxidant linked to a decreased risk of cancer and heart disease,’ says Dr Rossi. Experiment with herbs A single portion of fruit or veg is 80g, says Judy. ‘Aim for five of these, then at least five mini portions of herbs daily to add variety to your diet. For example, you’ll get eight different plant foods by adding parsley, oregano, mint and basil to a dressing for a salad of watercress, sliced oranges, beetroot and…

1 TIED UP A chic neck scarf gives maximum mileage per wear. It can also be worn as a head scarf or tied to the handle of your bag. Scarf, £7.50, F&F Clothing at Tesco 2 WILD SIDE The smaller size of this animal print makes it perfect for petites, plus the wrap-style front and peplum hem add curves in all the right places. Top, £14, sizes 8-24, George at Asda 3 FROCK STAR If you’re after a dress to stand the test of time, look no further. This classic will see you through every season with ease. Dress, £16, sizes 8-24, Nutmeg at Morrisons 4 JUMP TO IT A throw-on-and-go jumpsuit makes autumn dressing a breeze. This belted style is ideal for those wanting to create more of a…

1 EAT THREE MEALS A DAY ‘It’ll help reduce insulin spikes,’ says nutritionist Adrienne Benjamin. The NHS recommends no more than seven teaspoons of sugar a day. 2 HAVE EGG ON TOAST FOR BREAKFAST ‘Eating a well-balanced meal early in the day can help to keep you full for longer,’ says Adrienne. 3 HAVE A SMALL SNACK Fruit is good because contains fibre and helps satisfy your sugar craving, says Adrienne. ‘But it should be eaten with some protein or fat.’…

CLARKSON’S FARM Last week, we explained how to stream TV shows. On Amazon Prime, see how farming changed Jeremy Clarkson’s life. THE QUEEN’S GAMBIT On Netflix, this US drama is a compelling tale of a challenged little girl with a gift for chess who becomes an adult star. HIS DARK MATERIALS There are so many brilliant series on BBC iPlayer, and if you missed this when first broadcast, it’s well worth watching.…

1 SUPER SHINE In the US, one bottle of L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths 8 Second Wonder Water, £9.99, is sold every minute. And we’re not surprised, given that this magic conditioning water works in just a few seconds to repair damage, detangle knots, restore silkiness and inject some serious shine. Splash it on your lengths of hair after shampooing, leave for eight seconds, then rinse. 2 MAGIC MANI Whether you’re in the salon or at home, a manicure is an enjoyable but time-consuming process. Avon Pro Colour 60 Second Nail Polish in Twinkle in Time, £3, avon.uk.com, will slash that time considerably, thanks to its smooth, streak-free formula, which dries in a minute. Plus, the wide brush means you need fewer strokes to cover the nail. 3…

The thyroid gland produces hormones to regulate the body’s metabolism, called triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). Many bodily functions slow down if there are inadequate hormones. There is no way of preventing an underactive thyroid. Most are caused by the immune system attacking the thyroid gland (such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis), or by thyroid damage occurring during treatments for overactive thyroid or thyroid cancer. Worldwide, insufficient dietary iodine is common (the body needs iodine to make thyroxine), but in the UK is rarer. Some medications are implicated, including lithium, amiodarone and interferons. It’s commoner in women, can occur in children, and as some babies are born with it, all UK newborns are screened with a blood test at five days old. Symptoms include tiredness, weight gain, depression, memory problems, dry skin…

My heart sank when I realised that somebody in the village had uncovered my secret. I’d had to move away from the place I’d lived in before because of all the stares and mutterings, and I really didn’t want to up sticks again. But it looked as if I was left with no choice when everybody turned around to look at me in the village store. Up until then, I’d always been greeted with friendly grins and pleasantries, but it was all so different that day. Christina was obviously embarrassed when I walked over to the counter to pay for my goods. She turned an unflattering shade of red, and didn’t say anything to me other than the words needed to serve me, and I was sure I heard her…

THE STORY SO FAR: Louise Semple has been out of work for months when she bumps into a stranger outside a shop. The man, called Ted, notices her downcast expression and gives her a scratch card, hoping to cheer her up. He says he believes in passing on good luck. When Louise scratches the card back home, she wins £50,000! After talking it over with husband Ross, Louise decides to seek out Ted to share her good fortune, setting a deadline of six weeks. But while she waits, Louise is drawn to an empty shop in a nearby village. She’s always been a passionate baker. What if she followed her dream to open a bakery-cafe? The landlord needs a quick decision on the vacant shop. Louise takes the plunge. ‘Lucky…

ARIES 21 Mar – 20 Apr Health and wellbeing need to be your priority this week. Whatever you do to nurture yourself will be worthwhile. TAURUS 21 Apr – 21 May It’s time to re-examine your values. Where is your money and time going? Look carefully and you’ll see what matters most. GEMINI 22 May – 21 Jun Family and home may take up a great deal of energy this week. Make sure you create clear boundaries, or you may be run off your feet. CANCER 22 Jun – 23 Jul Relationships may need more of your attention. Are you truly appreciating those in your life? Time to act and to share your gratitude. LEO 24 Jul – 23 Aug Financially, you may be experiencing changes. As well as taking…

Shirley Ballas With five decades in the business, the Head Judge says, ‘You have to have a steel spine. You won’t last five minutes if you don’t.’ Craig Revel Horwood The acid-tongued judge we love to boo. ‘Like watching a stork struck by lightning,’ he told tall radio DJ Jeremy Vine. Motsi Mabuse The sister of dancer Oti bubbles over with enthusiasm. ‘Girl,’ she told Michelle Visage, ‘you were cheeky, you were chilly, you were hot!’ Anton du Beke He has danced in every series and is now replacing Bruno Tonioli on the judges’ panel. ‘Anton is Mr Strictly,’ says Bruno.…

WHERE I’VE BEEN To Lincolnshire and its glorious beaches. Who needs Marbella? WHAT I’VE BOUGHT Endless ice creams and candy floss. See above. WHO I’VE MET The owner of some great escape rooms in Cleethorpes. If you’ve never tried an escape room, give one a go. WHAT I’VE SEEN The most beautiful woodlands near Louth. I am a dendrophile (tree-lover), and love the Japanese ethos of ‘forest bathing’. It’s so good for the soul.…

With her arms folded firmly and her face red with anger, Tracy’s granddaughter, Alice*, 10, stamped her feet under the restaurant table. ‘I want to go home,’ she demanded, before slumping into a sulky heap in her chair. It was nothing new for Tracy and her husband, Phil*, 65, but even so, it was deeply embarrassing. ‘We were surrounded by couples in their 50s and 60s like us, only none of them were dealing with a child having a massive tantrum over the menu,’ Tracy says. ‘I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of envy for them enjoying a peaceful Sunday lunch. “They’ll probably go home for a lovely nap after this too”, I sighed to Phil.’ ‘No such luck for us,’ Phil chuckled ruefully. As Alice calmed down, Tracy…

I was working in a contact centre when I started getting crippling abdominal pain, which caused me to have lots of time off work. I started painting furniture to fill my time and give me something to focus on while I was ill. It helped my mental health immensely. It was a distraction and a chance to focus my mind on something positive. I was diagnosed with endometriosis – a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows in other places, such as the ovaries and fallopian tubes. I had an operation, which meant more time off work. I couldn’t lift heavy furniture while I was recovering, so I started painting jars and bottles instead. I posted one on Facebook and had such a great reaction that…

People with a history of migraine are over twice as likely as those without migraine to have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), according to a meta-analysis/systematic review of 11 studies of 28,336 people with migraine and 1,535,758 without. Researchers suggest mechanisms for this could include imbalanced intestinal bacterial populations (dysbiosis), changes in serotonin/ 5-HT levels, or risk factors for both IBS and migraine, such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and fibromyalgia.…

Does my son need help grieving? Q My 16-year-old daughter died a year ago. This year, her 13-year-old brother made a cake with a candle for her birthday and wanted us all to sing Happy Birthday. We went along with this but it was so sad. Is this normal behaviour? Name and address withheld A Yes, this is very normal and is part of the grieving process. It’s only been one year since he lost his precious sister. Many families continue to recognise deceased family members’ birthdays in different ways for years to come. I’m sure he, like you, is struggling with this enormous loss. He may not need professional help but he will need to feel he can share his grief openly with you. Her good deed makes me…

As I stand on Boston Common, the leaves on the trees are a breathtaking display of crimson, orange and yellow. Along with the dramatic red-leaving maple trees fringing the park, this is autumn writ large – and, to my mind, the best time of year to visit this beautiful city. Boston has a rich history, and following the two-and-a-half-mile Freedom Trail (thefreedomtrail.org) will take you via more than a dozen historical sites as it traces its path through the city. I admire the string gold-domed Massachusetts State House, which stands grandly on Beacon Hill. And as I follow the trail, I come to the red-bricked Old South Meeting House – the site of many key events in the run-up to the American Revolution. Dining out While the history is captivating,…

Penny, there’s a new guy at work and he’s unattached and good-looking, and I think you need to meet him, OK?’ ‘Like I needed to meet that computer programmer of yours who tried to explain Bitcoin to me for three hours? I know you mean well, Margie, but no thanks.’ Her flatmate didn’t give up. ‘But we need to do something about the drought in your social life, girl,’ she insisted. ‘And going clubbing doesn’t count. It’s too noisy to speak to anyone in those places, and you never make any sort of connection.’ ‘I don’t go there to connect. I go to enjoy the dancing. Although you’re right, I’ve never met anyone there that I fancied.’ ‘So please give Andrew a chance. Let me give him your phone number.…