Innholdsfortegnelse for 11-Jan-2022 i Woman's Weekly

Made from memories In the old days, people mainly used crafting skills to make things they couldn’t afford to buy. But isn’t there something much more emotionally significant about a handmade object, especially if it’s a gift? For example, my wife collected scraps of fabric over the years from our children’s worn-out clothes, old shirts of mine and other pieces she liked, and later turned them into a patchwork quilt. My daughter loved it so much she took it with her to university, and now my son’s asked if he can have one too. Could a shop-bought quilt compete with that? If you fancy trying patchwork, too, have a look at our instructions on page 42.…

Trees are amazing – not only do they look beautiful year round, but they also lock up carbon, cool cities and nur ture wildlife across the world. Adrian Houston, who has spent four years capturing their beauty through power ful photos and inspiring stories, shares some favourites with us. THE WOOD WIDE WEB  Thanks to a vast network of underground fungi, trees can send each other messages and swap nutrients through their roots. Older ‘mother’ trees can even send sugars to feed their young saplings. Highlands survivor As the only native pine in the UK, the Scots pine provides a natural habitat that benefits rare species and local wildlife. This Scots pine has spent 400 years growing, clinging to a steep scree face on the north side of Glen Alladale…

My healthy life TALLY RYE Tally Rye is a personal trainer and fitness instructor My fail-safe remedy A good night’s sleep does wonders for my mental and physical health, and so prioritising a good sleep routine is really important for me. My favourite meal Lebanese or Middle Eastern-inspired food, specifically those that involve lots of sharing plates, as I love trying a variety of foods and different dishes on the menu. Ideally the meal would include a good houmous, aubergine, pumpkin and other veg seasoned with amazing flavours and spices, along with some delicious fish. These types of meals are great to share with friends. Enjoying good food together is one of my favourite ways to socialise. How I stay fit and healthy When it comes to exercise, I’ve…

I’m caught in middle of family drama Q My sister and husband have adopted a child. He’s older and is struggling with life, but he’s not what my parents would have hoped for in a grandson. They have made it clear they don’t want him at their house. I’m caught in the middle. Name and address withheld A This is their problem and not yours. I know you’re involved, but they need to sort it out between them. I expect your sister feels very hurt by their reaction and she also wants to protect her son. Your parents are having to come to terms with something that they haven’t chosen. It wasn’t, in all fairness, their choice to make. Both sides need to find a way to talk to each…

Famed for its 5,000 ‘wild’ ponies, which roam the landscape freely, the New Forest boasts what is believed to be the highest concentration of ancient trees in Western Europe. Every autumn, around 600 pigs are released into the forest to snaffle up green acorns and other nuts that are poisonous to ponies. This ancient practice, known as pannage, plays a vital part in the forest ecosystem, and this is the only remaining place in the UK where you can witness it. It’s an impressive sight. Beautiful villages The New Forest is made up of quaint villages scattered all around, connected by a web of walking and cycling trails. Beaulieu, home to the National Motor Museum, Palace House and Beaulieu Abbey, is a great place to explore. Hire bikes (newforestactivities.co.uk) and…

ARIES 21 Mar – 20 Apr It promises to be a busy week. Preserve your energy and pace yourself so you’ll be able to keep up. TAURUS 21 Apr – 21 May Your relationships are under positive stars this week. It’s a good time for creating harmony and peace, even in a challenging situation. GEMINI 22 May – 21 Jun Trust your instincts. If you’re not sure about something, wait until you are. Give yourself permission to take things slowly. CANCER 22 Jun – 23 Jul Learn, study and share important information right now. Your excitement will rub off on others around you. LEO 24 Jul – 23 Aug You may receive some good news financially. Stay open to new possibilities that might come along. VIRGO 24 Aug – 23…

Coastal gem With its stunning landscapes, historic highlights and artistic appeal, it’s no wonder Kent’s Heritage Coast has just been voted one of the best regions to visit in the world by Lonely Planet. The area ranked fourth in its prestigious Best in Travel list, thanks to its commitment to sustainable tourism initiatives. These include plans for a nature-rich biosphere reserve, and regeneration projects across Dover and artsy Folkestone. Find out more at lonelyplanet.com/articles/best-in-travel-2022 EPIC THRILLER Can you crack The Da Vinci Code? A new theatre adaptation follows Professor Robert Langdon and cryptologist Sophie Neveu as they race to solve riddles linked to a brutal murder. If they fail, an earth-shattering secret will be lost to history. Catch the UK tour, with Danny John-Jules as Sir Leigh Teabing, at Nottingham’s…

Have you recently been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes? Or have you been living with it for years? You’re not alone. In the past 25 years, the number of people diagnosed with the condition has more than doubled in the UK, from 1.4 million to 3.5 million, and this is expected to rise to 5 million by 2025. And these figures don’t include those living with prediabetes, a precursor to diabetes, which is now affecting more than one-in-three British adults. What is it? Our body’s blood-sugar levels are controlled by a complex hormonal mix, including insulin, which is produced by the pancreas. ‘When food is digested, entering the bloodstream, insulin moves glucose out of the blood and into cells, for use as energy, but in diabetes, your body can’t do…

One single-member household in the UK uses an average of 142 litres of water a day*. Fortunately, there are many ways to save water, which will help lower your water bill as well as your environmental impact. How do you pay for your water? Consider having a water meter fitted if you live on your own or with just one other, as you will save. However, some older houses and flats, which share a water supply, may not be able to have one. So if you can’t, ask if you can be billed on an ‘assessed’ basis, where you’ll be charged according to the number of bedrooms you have. Visit savewater savemoney.co.uk to find out if you’re eligible for free water-saving gadgets, or contact your water company directly to see…

MOVE MORE Building activity into your day can be so effective, reducing your risk of illness and chronic pain. Keep tabs on your step count with a fitness tracker. BUILD MUSCLE ‘Strength training is essential for increasing bone density and muscle mass, which is important as we age,’ says Joanna Dase, fitness expert from Curves Gym. DRINK MORE Water, that is! Hydration is key to keeping your energy levels high, improving your digestion and preventing headaches.…

Solar exposure guidelines for vitamin D synthesis, published 30 years ago, need revising after new research from King’s College. Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) on skin is the most important source of vitamin D, essential for healthy bone development and maintenance, but can also cause skin damage. Calculating potential risks and benefits from sunlight isn’t as simple as previously thought. Updated guidelines will balance the trade-off between benefits, including vitamin D synthesis, versus risks of sunburn and skin cancer.…

There are more than 140 miles of tracks and footpaths to explore, with easy-to-follow walking routes, short strolls and long-distance trails. Synonymous with this part of the country, you won’t be able to go far without seeing a New Forest pony while out walking, as they roam free. This area is great for people who prefer a flatter walk. Beginner’s walk The 7km circular route through Keyhaven Marshes, along part of the Solent Way, takes you through a nature reserve, and offers great views of Hurst Castle, the Isle of Wight and the Needles. Advanced walk Try the Buckland Rings Trail, a 17km walk from the village of Brockenhurst through Roydon Woods Nature Reserve, over Setley Plain and onto Buckland Rings, the site of a former Iron Age hill fort…

Use this stitch to sew two folded edges together to create a finished seam. Working from right to left, bring the needle out through one folded edge. For the first stitch and each following stitch, slip the needle through the fold of the opposite edge about 6mm along; bring the needle out and draw the thread through. Continue to slip the needle and thread through the opposing folded edges until the seam is closed. Pull the thread taut and the stitches should disappear, pulling the fabrics together to form a seam.…

Considering she is a self-confessed ‘grumpy old woman’, Jenny Eclair is in great spirits, in the middle of a nationwide tour. She couldn’t be happier to be back on the road after the craziness of the past year and a half. ‘The first half of the show is about struggling with the idea of turning 60 and resisting it, and then the second half is about embracing 60 and finding out about all the perks because there are quite a lot,’ explains Jenny, who turned 60 in March 2020, just as the first wave of COVID-19 hit. ‘It’s also about turning 60 during a pandemic that picks on the over-60s. It felt a bit like “Happy Birthday, welcome to your higher-risk age category”.’ What does Jenny feel are the main…

Diabetes portion plate, £8.99, diabetes.org.uk Portion control is one of the keys when it comes to losing weight. This 10-inch plate will show you what a healthy-portioned meal should look like. Life without Diabetes, £9.99, Short Books Understand and help reverse your diabetes with this definitive guide from diabetes guru Prof Roy Taylor, including tried-and-tested recipes. Fitbit Charge 5, £169, Currys Regular exercise is essential for a healthy life. Keep tabs on your step count with Fitbit’s newest fitness tracker, which can also monitor your heart, sleep and stress. Kinetik Wellbeing Blood Glucose Monitoring System, £24.99, Argos Monitor your blood glucose levels with this clinically validated device, which gives easy, fast results.…

Recurrent infections are common, especially urinary infections and cellulitis. On seeing your GP with a recurrent infection, they’ll consider whether any chronic conditions affect your response to infection, particularly diabetes. There are also rarer conditions that affect immunity – such as primary and secondary immunodeficiency disorders. Primary immunodeficiency disorder (PID) covers over 130 disorders resulting from immune-system function defects with increased infection susceptibility, which can present at any age. PIDs include disorders of adaptive immunity (such as T-cell, B-cell, combined immunodeficiencies), and innate immunity (such as phagocyte and complement disorders). The tests There are no screening tests for PID, although in recurrent bacterial infection, blood immunoglobulins may be measured. But a range of diagnostic blood tests and treatments are available depending on what your doctor thinks the suspected specific immune-system…

Anna walked through the staff entrance of the Starlight supermarket in anticipation of her evening shift on the wines and spirits aisle. Her head was bent and her curtain of shiny brown hair covered the forlorn expression on her face. A month ago, if someone had told her she would be stacking shelves to make ends meet, she would have laughed. A month ago, she was happily married, with her future spread before her. She was hoping her recently acquired Open University degree in business and management would lead to her dream of becoming a wedding planner. Ironic then that her own marriage had fallen apart so suddenly when her husband left her for a 22-year-old work colleague. As she pushed a heavy trolley laden with boxes of wine down…

Sitting next to Gary in the front of their old pick-up, Angela was feeling decidedly queasy as they stop-started in the snarled-up lunchtime traffic. It was market day and she was heading for a rendezvous she’d anticipated for weeks with both dread and excitement. Her stomach lurched as they drew up sharply at the town-centre traffic lights, and she pulled down the sun visor for the umpteenth time to check her carefully applied make-up and newly blow-dried bob. ‘You’re fine, sweetheart. You don’t need to keep looking,’ smiled Gary as he slowly eased into a parking space. ‘Perhaps this isn’t a good idea after all,’ muttered Angela with an anxious frown at her reflection. ‘No. It’s by far the best way to get into town. The bus takes forever,’ observed…

THE STORY SO FAR: England, 1803. Flora and Hester Brooke are the wards of Cilla Talbot, who has taken them on a trip to the Northumberland coast. It’s only a year since they lost their father and Hester is unable to find happiness in her new life. Stopping overnight, at a coaching inn, they meet Thomas Webster, an actor. Hester’s besotted and somehow contrives more meetings once at their final destination. This worries Flora but loyalty keeps her quiet. Cilla’s cousin, Gilbert Geoffreys, has given her the use of his house during their stay. Flora is intrigued by their close friendship, wondering why they aren’t married. When Hester and Thomas decide to elope and ask Flora for help, she refuses. Hester runs away that same day. Miss Cilla, distracted by…