Innholdsfortegnelse for 4-Jan-2022 i Woman's Weekly

Warm and cosy The Danish word ‘hygge’ has been very fashionable in recent years, but it seems to me that our own word, ‘cosy’, means pretty much the same thing. Maybe for the on-trend and young, it doesn’t sound cool enough, and a tad old-fashioned, but sometimes these fashions are worth hanging on to. Older generations know a lot about the joys of hunkering down in a snug, contented home through the winter, and if there’s a month above all when we want our houses to be toasty and comforting, it has to be January. So while you’re curling up on the sofa as it darkens outside, why not tuck into our warming, cosy puddings on page 34?…

We love to hear what you’ve been up to, so do get in touch! A TRUE PINK LADY Having read your article Through Cancer and Beyond [12 October], I wanted to draw your attention to my daughter, Nicky Murphy. She was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer in December 2013. She underwent chemotherapy, surgery to remove two tumours, and radiotherapy. She wanted to support others, so she launched Pink Ladies Day, an annual event for women going through or having recently had treatment. It is a day of free pampering, with beauty therapists, hairdressers and masseurs, plus an information stall, and morning coffee, lunch and afternoon tea, all free. She and friends fundraise with a 5km walk, raffles and events. See her Facebook page ‘Pink Ladies Day’ for women in…

FREQUENT COLDS Vitamin D is essential for our immune system, so you may be more susceptible to colds if your levels are low. Good sources include oily fish, red meat and egg yolks. JOINT PAIN This can be a sign of inadequate levels, as your body needs this vitamin to absorb calcium for healthy joints and bones. Try to get sunshine on your unprotected skin. FATIGUE Not having enough vitamin D is linked to low mood and energy levels. Consider taking a supplement, such as Dr Vegan Vitamin D3, £6.75 for 30 capsules, drvegan.com…

A gust of wind whipped inside Jackie’s raincoat, inflating it like a cherry-red balloon. Laughing, she pulled it more tightly around her. ‘Gosh, it’s a wild one today!’ she said as a man hurrying past was almost swept off his feet. ‘Certainly is,’ he agreed. ‘I’m heading home. Got a tenner on a horse called An Ill Wind in the big race. Good omen, don’t you think?’ ‘Definitely. I hope you win.’ She looked at him quizzically. ‘Sorry, but aren’t you Amanda Lyle’s dad? She and I were friends growing up.’ ‘Jacqueline Hammond! Haven’t seen you in years.’ ‘I’ve just moved back to the area. My marriage broke up.’ ‘Ah, sorry to hear…’ The buffeting wind snatched his words away and she unlocked the car. ‘Jump in, Mr Lyle, I’m…

Cosy covering Herbaceous plants that hold onto their leaves all year round will boost beds, borders and containers. Those with deep-green leaves make a rich backdrop that allows winter bulbs, such as snowdrops and crocuses, to really pop. Other evergreens bring a warm glow, as the cold weather brings gorgeous tints of crimson, rust and purple to foliage. Not least, evergreens are leafy lifesavers, providing shelter for wildlife in the worst weather. Fantastic ferns For a sheltered site, the giant chain fern (Woodwardia fimbriata AGM*) looks impressive, especially in dappled woodland or by the edge of a pond, with fronds stretching to 1.5m. Hardy in most parts of the UK, it’s wise to protect the roots with a bark mulch over winter and to keep moist over summer. ✣ Add…

THE STORY SO FAR: England, 1803. After the death of their father, the Brooke sisters, Flora and Hester, become the wards of Miss Cilla Talbot. A year into their new lives, she takes them on a trip to Northumberland, hoping to help the youngest, Hester, who hasn’t settled. When they stop overnight in a coaching inn on the way, Hester meets Thomas Webster. There’s an instant attraction, which alarms Flora, but as they’re going their separate ways soon, she says nothing. They reach their destination – High Town on the River Tyne – the home of Gilbert Geoffreys. He’s a distant relative of Miss Cilla, but their close friendship vaguely puzzles Flora. However, it’s when Hester meets Thomas again, acting in a performance of Romeo and Juliet, that she begins…

LAUNDRY DAYS SMELLY WAX DROPS, £20 FOR SIX, CANDLE POT, £8, BOTH LOAF Super-sized tea lights with a fragrance of fresh cotton and sandalwood, and a crackle-glaze pot to hold them. HOTEL COLLECTION NO.3 POMEGRANATE CANDLE, £3.49, ALDI Almost as good as a luxury candle, without the price tag. Try the Lime, Basil & Mandarin one too. THE RITUAL OF JING, £19.90, RITUALS For a calming scent, opt for this soothing jujube and lotus candle, with an impressive 50-hour burn time.…

SMALL STEPS At this time of year we all want to wipe the slate clean and start afresh. Some aim high by signing up for Dry January, a new gym membership and probably the latest diet too. But that’s a mistake. ‘Doing too much, too soon, wears out your willpower muscle and sets us up for failure,’ says behaviour change expert Dr Heather McKee (drheathermckee.co.uk). ‘Habits are a complex mesh of behaviours – and you can’t resolve them all at once. You must work on untangling them one by one until the habit knot is sorted.’ So, begin with the habits that are easiest to change first, as research shows that these smaller, simpler actions become habitual more quickly. ‘Each time you accomplish a micro-change, you get a sense of…

Lots of women find they indulge a little more over the festive season and it sometimes prompts thoughts of cutting down, or even cutting out alcohol. But a recent survey by charity Drinkaware shows that our consumption of alcohol has actually increased since the pandemic began. Most of us know that alcohol can have a negative effect on our bodies and minds, but when a habit takes hold, it can be difficult to break. So it’s important to know that reducing our alcohol intake doesn’t have to be an entire life change unless we want it to be. And, if you’re planning on cutting back this January, having some strategies in your armoury will make it that bit easier. What’s bad about alcohol? In the short term, heavy consumption of…

Inflammation of the eyelid, such as blepharitis, can cause the openings of the tiny oil glands present along the edge of the eyelid to become blocked, producing a fluid-filled cyst called a chalazion (also called a Meibomian cyst). A chalazion is a common condition usually felt as a small lump just under the inner surface of the eyelid. The glands there make an oily fluid that lubricates the eye, but if a gland is blocked, the fluid can’t escape, causing swelling of the gland, which develops into a cyst. In a small proportion of people, the inflammation causes a nodule (granuloma) to form, a firm, more solid lump that takes longer to resolve. Chalazions are more common in people with blepharitis, or inflamed skin conditions such as rosacea and eczema.…

Am I too old for the world of work? Q I’m 68 and still working. I’ve had to do some training recently and I found myself really struggling. Everyone else seemed to get what was said, but I felt very lost and left behind. I wonder if I’m getting too old for this. Dianne, Tewksbury A It’s interesting how quickly older people assume that, when something is difficult, it’s to do with their age. I have two questions for you. Did you always understand everything in training when you were 20? My hunch is that over the years, there have been things you’ve had to work through later. Sometimes, it’s due to it being new and sometimes because the person was not a good trainer. I guess you didn’t say…

Big game There is nothing more incredible than seeing animals in the wild, and a safari is the best way to do it. Spot the big five – buffalo, elephant, leopard, lion and rhino – in Kenya’s Amboseli National Park against the backdrop of the picturesque Mount Kilimanjaro; take in the vast expanse of the beautiful Maasai Mara Game Reserve, and meet members of the colourful Maasai tribe; marvel at the Shetani Lava Flow in Tsavo West, where you might see hippo and crocodiles in the crystal clear Mzima Springs; and visit the museum in honour of Danish author Karen Blixen (Out of Africa) in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi. TRAVEL DETAILS Titan Travel offers a 9-day ‘Kenya Tracks and Trails’ tour from £2,699 per person, including 7 game drives; titantravel.co.uk Land…

It’s a lovely offer, I know, but it just doesn’t feel right,’ Sue sighed, stirring her coffee furiously in an attempt to avoid her friend’s glare. ‘Let me get this right,’ Beverley said slowly, dunking a biscuit into her tea. ‘You’re giving up a free round-the-world cruise – the trip of a lifetime – out of politeness?’ ‘That’s about the size of it, yes,’ she muttered. ‘Don’t get me wrong, I’m honoured to be asked. But shouldn’t you be going with your husband?’ ‘My husband is greasier than a weasel in a chip wrapper, who, should you need reminding, ran off with his gym instructor. Well, they’re welcome to each other. But they are not sailing off into the sunset on the cruise booked to mark our 30th wedding anniversary…

Frosty feast Don’t waste festive leftovers – use them to create a winter banquet for garden birds! Try sprinkling these snacks on a bird table to see which charming, chirpy visitors appear. Mild grated cheese and dried fruits make tasty treats for robins, blackbirds and song thrushes, while ripe or bruised apples and pears go down well with thrushes, tits and starlings. High-calorie options for winter warmth include finely chopped unsalted bacon rind and pastry made with real fats. Find more tips at rspb.org.uk WALRUS FROM SPACE Calling all nature lovers! The WWF and British Antarctic Survey are looking for volunteers to help search for walruses in satellite images taken from outer space. The vital research will help monitor walrus populations and protect this precious species. Find out more and…

‘I’m very anti-diets and I’m no saint. I do like my ice cream!’ Gaby Roslin has been brightening up our TV screens and airwaves for over 30 years, ever since she started on The Big Breakfast, with co-host Chris Evans. ‘I adore live television, it’s my passion. What I’d love to do is a daily live evening show that spreads joy and happiness, which is what we need right now. I just want to make people laugh and show that a woman of my age can still be completely mad!’ Gaby juggles her work for Virgin Radio and Radio 4, as well as regularly recording her successful That Gaby Roslin Podcast, with being a mum to two daughters, Libbi-Jack, 20, with ex-husband, musician Colin Peel, and Amelie, 15, with her…

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is said to affect around two million people in the UK. Dark early morning starts in the winter months can be a struggle. That’s because the body produces more melatonin (the sleep hormone) when it’s dark, so the lack of light to suppress and stop its production results in us feeling sluggish. Set yourself goals, opting to wake up during REM sleep or one minute earlier each day – slowly altering your alarm time will make it easier for your body to adjust. Or, consider buying a wake-up light. The soft white LED light can help tackle the symptoms of SAD by creating the perfect light intensity, triggering a chemical change in the brain responsible for lifting your mood. While it’s tempting to stay indoors, eat…

ARIES 21 Mar – 20 Apr This is a time of new beginnings for you, so be ready to step out and shine your light. Why not take a risk? This is exciting! TAURUS 21 Apr – 21 May You may be rethinking your financial situation – you have more options than you imagine. Be inventive and you’ll find new solutions. GEMINI 22 May – 21 Jun Your friendships are changing and growing. Give people time to catch up with you. CANCER 22 Jun – 23 Jul This is a creative time for you. An unexpected job or work opportunity could come your way. Stay open for a positive surprise. LEO 24 Jul – 23 Aug Your home is the focus of your attention. You may be considering a move,…