Innholdsfortegnelse for 09-Nov-2021 i Woman's Weekly

Christmas is coming… As a child, I never liked Christmas cakes because I was only interested in the icing. As a younger adult, I didn’t like Christmas cakes because I was only interested in the filling. But since my wife and daughter have started making our own, I’ve finally seen the error of my ways! It turns out there are few nicer things to go with a cup of tea. If you feel the same, turn to page 22 for some perfect cake ideas. Look out for our fun-packed bumper Christmas issue next week, with everything you need to get you in the festive mood and prepare for a very special celebration. It’s on sale for two weeks, priced at £2.60. Editor geoffrey.palmer@futurenet.com…

Some days it can feel like there’s a war raging against your hair. The cold, dull days and woolly hats of winter can play havoc enough, without the added assault of raging hormones and the ageing process. Then there’s often an attack from harsh styling techniques and products. But there is a way to help revitalise your hair’s health and it starts with what you eat. ‘Hair follicle cells need a constant supply of protein and nutrients,’ says GP Dr Sarah Brewer. Which is why the quality of our hair is so susceptible to nutrient deficiency in particular. ‘As the hair follicle is a non-essential structure, nutrients are diverted from the hair in times of deficiency, which can lead to thinning,’ she explains. ‘A lack of vitamin C can lead…

‘I slowly found the strength to learn to trust people again’ Listening intently to an older lady opening up about her mental health struggles, Louise digs deep, using her own difficult experiences to offer support. Louise, now 49, has been volunteering for her local branch of Mind for just over a year. ‘The charity was there for me when I needed them most. It’s important to me to give back because no one should have to face a mental health problem alone,’ she says. ‘I was punched in the face and was used to his hands around my neck’ But Louise’s journey to happiness has been a tough one. ‘I think when I met John* about 20 years ago, he saw me as fun and easy-going. There were no warning…

Train your brain to help ignore TINNITUS Tinnitus is often ignored or misdiagnosed because it’s perceived differently by every patient. Some experience a ringing, while some hear more of a static-type sound. Others hear noises more like music or a constant droning. Permanent tinnitus can be debilitating and may have several triggers – poor mental health, an accident, a longterm illness or noise exposure. It can also be hereditary. Having a constant sound in your head can be depressing and causes a vicious circle, as poor mental health or stress can exacerbate symptoms. Equally, lots of people won’t associate mental wellbeing with a condition like tinnitus, so it can be easily missed, especially in children. Tinnitus can also indicate other health issues, such as high blood pressure. Speak to…

I wanted a granddaughter Q My daughter is having her second son. I’ve often said to my friends and family that I thought having a daughter made a woman’s life, as you can share so much. I really do believe it’s a special experience for a woman. My daughter knows I feel this. How do I help her to feel positive about having two boys? Tamara, Lincoln A I hope you don’t mind me saying this, but what a silly thing to say to people. I understand that having a daughter has been special for you, as I’m sure it is for all mothers of girls. But I think mothers would say the same about their sons. Some people will be delighted by single-sex families and others would rather a…

Craster to Dunstanburgh Castle Starting and ending in the picturesque fishing village of Craster, this gentle Northumberland amble is perfect for all abilities. Soak up stunning sea views as you trace a beachside trail to the ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle, a 14th-century fortress that can only be reached by foot. Continue your stroll to the pristine Embleton Bay, or turn back to Craster where The Jolly Fisherman pub awaits (thejollyfisherman craster.co.uk). This cosy old establishment is full of charm and serves up freshly caught local seafood including Lindisfarne oysters and crab soup. ✢ For a convenient hop home, book into Driftwood, an old fisherman’s cottage a stone’s throw from Craster harbour. Sleeps four for three nights from £365; cottages.com/cottages/ driftwood-13104 Distance: 2.6 miles Difficulty: Easy Beverley 20 A delightful romp…

✣Wintersweet (Chimonanthus praecox) is a classic scented shrub, with waxy, yellow flower cups that smell spicy and sweet. ✣ Witch hazel – yellow ‘Pallida’ and ‘Arnold Promise’ – are both strongly perfumed. ✣ Viburnum bodnantense has pom-pom-style flowers that decorate bare branches after the leaves have dropped. Dark-pink ‘Dawn’ is a long-time favourite, but ‘Charles Lamont’ (bright pink) and ‘Deben’ (white) pack a perfumed punch too. ✣ Top of the aroma tree has to be Daphne bholua ‘Jaqueline Postill’ – small, semi-evergreen and slow growing. Its apple-blossom pink flowers appear in January and suffuse every nook of the garden with rich, floral notes.…

Wildcats’ comeback Britain’s rarest mammal, the European wildcat, is set to return to English woodlands for the first time in over 200 years. The Wildwood Trust is fundraising for a conservation project that will reintroduce them to Kent and Devon. Work has already started on 10 specially built breeding enclosures. Each will house a pair of wildcats, whose kittens will be released into the surrounding woodlands when ready. Often mistaken for tabby cats, these elusive felines are heavier and have distinctive markings. Discover more about them and donate at wildwoodtrust.org FESTIVE FAIR For beautiful trinkets and handmade gifts, visit the Handmade at Christmas fair at the Bath House at Harlow Carr, Yorkshire. After a winter stroll in the stunning gardens, explore a glittering array of ceramics, glass art, jewellery and…

ORANGE AND WHISKY BUNDT WREATH This shapely, seasonal treat will prove a crowd-pleaser, and tastes as good as it looks. SERVES 20 PER SERVING 408 cals, 16g fat, 10g sat fat, 58g carbs For the cake: ✣350g (12oz) caster sugar ✣Zest of 3 large oranges ✣300g (10oz) unsalted butter ✣ 4 eggs ✣100g (3½oz) runny honey ✣300g (10oz) Greek yogurt ✣1tsp vanilla extract ✣450g (1lb) plain flour ✣2tsp baking powder For the syrup: ✣100ml (3½fl oz) orange juice ✣30g (1oz) sugar ✣ 2tbsp whisky For the decorations: ✣1 gingerbread recipe from the gingerbread family cake recipe on page 24 ✣Toasted flaked almonds ✣ Egg white ✣Cocoa powder and icing sugar, for dusting ✣Green fondant icing ✣Edible green lustre, optional ✣Red fondant icing For the icing: ✣ 4-5tbsp whisky ✣200g (7oz)…

Dementia affects more than 850,000 people in the UK – one in 14 people aged over 65, but can affect much younger people. There are 200 subtypes, and the four commonest are: Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, frontotemporal dementia and dementia with Lewy bodies, sometimes known as mixed dementia. Around 10% of young-onset dementias are due to genetic mutations such as frontotemporal dementias, rare varieties of Alzheimer’s and Huntington’s disease. Dementia damages nerve cells in the brain, preventing normal function. Symptoms vary greatly, but include memory problems, retaining new information, getting lost, forgetting names and misplacing things. Concentration levels, decision-making and motivation may all be affected. It’s common to repeat phrases or have difficulty finding words, making conversation difficult, affecting socialisation and confidence. Personality changes, anxiety and depression are also common.…

Chloe’s bottom stuck up in the air, her head in the washing machine. ‘Are you OK?’ asked Tanya as she stepped around her with her breakfast dishes. ‘I thought you had an early appointment.’ Chloe emerged, pulling out the clean, wet sheets, carefully examining them. Then she ran her fingers round the rubber seal of the door. ‘Oh, yes, I’ll have to be off in a minute,’ she replied, looking flustered. ‘I’ve lost my engagement ring. It must have slipped off in bed last night. I put my sheets in the wash before I realised. It must have got caught up in them.’ Tanya pulled a corner of the sheet to help Chloe shake it out. ‘What am I going to do? He gets annoyed if I don’t wear it,’…

THE STORY SO FAR: Ingrid’s father Bob has been in hospital for a week, after suffering a fall, but is due to be discharged the next day. For comfort, Ingrid buys a bottle of the expensive perfume she loves, and which had been worn by Rose, an elderly woman she’d met on the train. Walking on the beach, Ingrid is lost in thought about her life. When she reaches her favourite bench on the beach, near a striking blue house, she sits for a while, closes her eyes and mulls over the decisions she needs to make. Ingrid’s thoughts are interrupted by a familiar voice. Rose. Delighted to see her, the two sit and talk again, and Ingrid tells Rose that she’s been offered a work promotion she doesn’t want.…

Twenty-somethings aren’t the only ones taking the social media scene by storm. There’s been a surge of mature people taking to Instagram, YouTube and TikTok to share their passions and personalities – and they’ve been nicknamed ‘granfluencers’! Here are six women showing the youngsters how it’s done. The fitness and wellbeing guru Followers: 8,000; Instagram: @anniedeadman; Facebook and YouTube: Annie Deadman Training Annie Deadman, 61, first dipped her toe into social media 10 years ago. Helped by her daughter and god-daughter, she began by posting free workouts on Facebook. She now has more than 8,000 followers, and posts daily fitness tips, plus anecdotes about her life. ‘My followers don’t just want to hear about workouts and nutrition plans,’ explains Annie, ‘so I post things about my weekend or that are…

Many charities need extra help at this time of year, particularly in the wake of the pandemic. Whether you help feed the homeless, call an older person who’s facing Christmas alone or dress up as Santa’s helper at a hospice, there’s an opportunity for everyone. Crisis at Christmas For decades, Crisis has provided homeless people with hot meals, a safe place to sleep, company, and the support and advice they need to get back on their feet, especially during the festive season. There are plenty of ways you can help, with volunteering roles for doctors, musicians, cooks, good listeners and many more. ✣ crisis.org.uk/get-involved/volunteer Help someone in need The Samaritans offers a critical lifeline to those who are struggling to cope. Last year, its 24/7 phone line volunteers responded to…

We know that long periods of immobility predispose us to venous thromboembolism, such as DVT, but a very large American longitudinal study has found no evidence that people spending a lot of time watching television are at increased risk compared with other sedentary activities. As expected, those reporting high levels of physical activity showed a trend towards reduced venous thromboembolism risks, but there wasn’t any connection seen between TV viewing, physical activity and risk of DVT.…

I’d been seeing Sam for nearly a month before he told me he’d seen a ghost as a child. ‘Really?’ I said, pulling away from him on the sofa so I could look into his eyes. ‘So why haven’t you told me this before?’ ‘Because I didn’t know what you’d say,’ he replied with a shrug. ‘Other people have looked at me as if I’m mad when I’ve told them about her, so… well, I didn’t want you to think the same.’ ‘But I believe in ghosts, Sam!’ I said. ‘Yes, but I didn’t know that until we watched that film,’ he said, nodding at the television, which I’d just turned off. ‘And I was scared you’d go off me, Beth.’ ‘Oh, I’d never do that,’ I promised him as…

Aroma therapy Some of the sweetest and strongest perfume is produced by winter-flowering plants. While the aim is to attract hardy pollinators venturing out on mild days, gardeners benefit, too, as scent relaxes, calms and uplifts us – especially at this time of year, when spring feels a long way off. Grow perfumed plants in sheltered areas so the wind doesn’t disperse the fragrance, and by paths, doors and windows, so you can savour it as much as possible. Heady scents A winter-flowering climber will liven up a wall, fence or arch when everything else is looking drab. Honeysuckle (Lonicera x purpusii) ‘Winter beauty’ AGM blooms December to March and gives off an intoxicating perfume. Its creamy flowers are produced on bare stems that twine up to 2m, but pruning…

ARIES 21 Mar – 20 Apr This is a great week for making lists. Get your whizzing thoughts out of your head and onto paper. TAURUS 21 Apr – 21 May You may be going through a few changes to your financial situation. Trust your instincts and don’t overstretch yourself. GEMINI 22 May – 21 Jun Make sure you take time to rest, relax and recuperate. You’ve been very busy lately and it’s important to take good care of yourself. CANCER 22 Jun – 23 Jul Someone may challenge you this week. Make sure that you’re emotionally calm before you respond. LEO 24 Jul – 23 Aug You may meet someone new who will have a profound impact on you. This may be online or in person. VIRGO 24 Aug…