Innholdsfortegnelse for 22-Mar-2022 i Woman's Weekly

HELEN DAVID, 57 Tell us about your look My coat is from Joules, the tank top is M&S, my shirt is Boden and the jeans are from Gap. My bag is Ralph Lauren and the boots are by Dune. I’d say my style is classic with the occasional nod to a trend, such as my frilled shirt. I think when you reach a certain age you know what suits you. And the best bit of your body? I’m pretty much in proportion, which makes shopping easier. JUDY PAINTER, 67 Tell us about your look I love to wear modern, easy shapes that are relaxed and comfortable. My khaki quilted coat is from & Other Stories, and the long, oversized knit is by Arket. The jeans are by Toast – my…

CRUNCHY CAULIFLOWER, PEA AND HERB SALAD We’ve used two varieties of cauliflower in this tasty recipe. SERVES 6 ✣ ½ small white cauliflower ✣ ½ romanesco cauliflower ✣1tsp fennel seeds ✣1tsp caraway seeds ✣ 1tbsp honey ✣Zest and juice of 1 orange ✣5tbsp olive oil ✣1 green chilli, deseeded and finely chopped ✣150g (5oz) peas, defrosted ✣3 spring onions, thinly sliced ✣2 large handfuls mixed fresh herb leaves, such as mint, flat-leaf parsley and dill sprigs 1 Break the cauliflowers into florets, then slice them as thinly as you can. Place in a large bowl and season with salt and pepper. 2 Put the fennel and caraway seeds in a small frying pan over a low-medium heat and toast, stirring, for 30 secs. Add the honey and stir for another…

✢Dressings and bandages: Hydrocolloid gel dressings encourage new skin cell growth; alginate dressings made from seaweed containing sodium and calcium speed up healing. ✢Creams/ointments: Help speed healing processes and prevent further tissue damage. Dietary supplements, such as protein, zinc and vitamin C, may accelerate wound healing. ✢Debridement: Removes dead tissue and stimulates healing using dressings, paste, mechanical cleansing, irrigation water jets, ultrasound, laser and surgical debridement with scalpels/forceps. ✢Maggot therapy: Special larvae feed on dead, infected tissue without touching healthy tissue, and safely stimulate the healing process.…

Hello, and a warm welcome to Woman’s Weekly Healthy Spring Special – 32 pages dedicated to helping you emerge from winter in the best possible shape, looking and feeling fit and fantastic. All it takes is a little know-how – what to eat, and what to do to stay happy and healthy – and we’ve unearthed the top expert advice to show you the way. It’s simple really, just a few well-placed habits and you’ll have your best spring ever. And don’t forget that if you have a medical problem, you should always seek help from your GP.…

1 KEEP MOVING Regular exercise, such as a daily walk, and avoiding sitting throughout the day, is one of the best ways to help avoid back pain – and to help fix a bad back. Resist the temptation to take to your bed – it’s outdated advice if you’ve hurt your back and will only make the pain worse. 2 SIMPLY STRETCH Yoga and Pilates are great for improving flexibility and building your core, says fitness expert Natalie Simmonds (uk.vaha.com). ‘When the muscles around your spine are strong, it’s easier to lift and carry things, one of the most common ways people injure their backs.’ 3 SIT SMART When you do sit – don’t slouch! ‘It puts your back under extreme pressure and is a common cause of back pain,’…

✣ Choose one breakfast, one lunch and one dinner every day. Feel free to repeat meals you enjoy. You’ll find more ideas at slimmingworld.co.uk or slimmingworld.ie ✣ Free Food is at the heart of Food Optimising. Foods that are free include fruit, veg, pasta, rice, potatoes, pulses, lean meat (and some plant-based proteins, eg, Quorn), fat-free dairy, fish and poultry. These foods are relatively low in energy density (calories) and highly satiating, allowing you to satisfy your appetite and feel fuller for longer without having to count, weigh or measure. Base your meals around Free Food (printed in bold) and, to make meals tasty, stock your cupboard with herbs, low-calorie cooking spray, oil-free tomato purée, seasoning, soy sauce, spices and stock cubes, most of which can be used freely to…

PICK-ME-UP SYRUP ✢ 150ml gin or vodka ✢ 10g oregano ✢ 10g thyme ✢ 10g turmeric ✢ 10g ginger Combine ingredients in a jar and leave for two to three weeks, shaking the jar daily to mix. Strain the mix and add 300ml honey. Store in the fridge for up to three months, and take 1tsp a day straight from the spoon or diluted in warm water. ‘The alcohol will be diluted,’ explains Sebastian. ‘You’re only taking 1tsp a day, and our bodies are used to alcohol because of the fermented fruits we used to eat. If you don’t want to use alcohol, replace it with glycerine.’…

Our early-morning swims are wonderful However dark, however chilly, at 6am most Wednesday mornings, Helen Davis, 51, will pull up at Dead Man’s Corner – a beauty spot on the River Cam – to join her swimming buddies Kate, 47, and Jo, 57. ‘We’re all keen swimmers and met at the swimming pool, training with our local triathlon club,’ says Helen, a sports psychologist from Cambridge. ‘When the pool had to close for the first COVID-19 lockdown, we moved to the river – and even though we’re now back to our usual pool training, we still get together for weekly river dips. ‘It’s fantastic having ducks quacking at our feet’ ‘Despite its rather ominous name, Dead Man’s Corner is an ideal spot for swimming, and even has a ladder into…

My husband Andy and I chose this house because of its character and location, as well as its potential to become a lovely family home,’ says Maddie. ’It was ideal for raising our daughters, Lilia and Rosabelle, but we knew that it would take a lot of hard work to turn it into our dream home. We added a loft conversion and an extension, which created a lovely open-plan kitchen and living space,’ she says. ‘The family bathroom was at the bottom of the list. It was shabby and outdated, but when we discovered that water was seeping through cracked floor tiles and staining the ceiling below, we realised that it was a job that really needed doing.’ New look ‘As well as updating the fittings, I had three main…

GROW WILD Tempted to turn a border/lawn into a meadow? It’s time to order your seed and prepare the soil. Annual meadows, which need cutting and resowing each year, can be sown in fertile soil in March/April, but perennial meadows do better on poor soil. There is a wide range of meadow seed, so ensure whatever you choose suits your soil and aspect, and that it is from a British source. WHEELY GOOD Shifting patio pots can be back-breaking, especially when you have a collection. To avoid aches, some of the Elho range of recycled plastic pots have hidden wheels, so they’re easy to move around to catch the sun or bring to the fore. Some pots also have a hidden water reservoir – handy for forgetful or busy gardeners.…

ARIES 21 Mar – 20 Apr This is a great time to widen your social circle. Meeting people will be stimulating and exciting for you. TAURUS 21 Apr – 21 May Think carefully about your needs and wants. If you work strategically, it won’t be as hard. Life can be easier if you make it so. GEMINI 22 May – 21 Jun You need some more variety in your life. You may decide to study something new or develop an existing skill. CANCER 22 Jun – 23 Jul Your work may be changing dramatically. Don’t hang onto the old. It’s time for something new and more exhilarating. LEO 24 Jul – 23 Aug Your needs are important. Often, you’re giving to those around you without thinking about yourself. This is…

Christine Donne, 1968 This photo was taken when I took part in a sales campaign for the Mini at the local car sales showroom, where I worked. I made identical wrap-style miniskirts in red wool with blue braid trim for myself and my colleagues. The rest of the staff thought we were very daring to wear such short skirts! ✢ We’d love to see how great you looked in any era up to and including the 1980s. Please send a good-quality photo with your name, address and daytime phone number clearly written on the back, to: Fashion Dept, Woman’s Weekly, Future plc, 121-141 Westbourne Terrace, London W2 6JR. Photos will be returned.…

For body and soul Ramp up the eco-friendliness of your in-shower routine by swapping out a plastic bottle of body wash for Ethique Sweet Orange & Vanilla Solid Crème Bodywash, £11, ethique.co.uk. This plastic-free alternative to traditional shower gels lathers up to a rich foamy texture and keeps limbs clean and comfy. After a steamy shower, slather yourself in Weleda Skin Food Body Butter, £19.75, holland andbarrett.com . This ultra-rich cream is free from parabens and completely vegan – plus, it turns dry, cracked skin silky soft. If you’re looking for a targeted treatment aimed at sagging skin around the neck, give The Organic Pharmacy Neck & Chest Firming Lotion, £55, theorganicpharmacy.com, a go. Sustainably sourced hibiscus extract and echinacea work to tone the skin, improving the look of loose…

1 A WARM FLANNEL Applying damp heat to the area adds moisture, eases discomfort, increases blood flow and relaxes muscle spasms. Eye drops can help. 2 GET LIGHTING RIGHT Watch TV in soft lighting. Read with the light behind you, pointed toward the page. When looking at a digital screen, adjust brightness and contrast. 3 TRY ‘PALMING’ Cup the palms of your hands over closed eyes, without pressure, for 5-10 minutes, to relax your eyes. Blink 15 times a minute while doing this. 4 BE DIGITAL SMART Ensure your screen is at arm’s length, slightly below eye level. Adjust the text size. Try anti-blue light glasses, and take regular breaks.…

STAY PRESENT There’s nothing you can do to change whatever happened yesterday – and it’s pointless worrying about what is yet to come, says Susie Pearl, psychologist and author of The Art of Creativity  (£14.99, Orion). ‘If you can stay in the moment, everything will feel much more manageable.’ PUT YOUR PHONE AWAY We waste too much time scrolling through bad news and negative social media, says Joanne Mallon, life coach and author of How to Find Joy in Five Minutes a Day (£8.99, Summersdale). ‘Decide on a time to check your phone – ideally avoiding first thing in the morning and last thing at night, when it can ruin your day or get in the way of your sleep.’ You can also control the kind of news you read,…

Feeling fatigued and frazzled? We all have the odd sleepless night, but if your rest is regularly disrupted, it can become a more serious issue. ‘If poor sleep is untreated it can impact on long-term health,’ warns Rob Hobson, author of The Art of Sleeping. Research shows that regularly skimping on sleep increases the risk of conditions such as stroke, heart disease, diabetes, obesity and dementia. Luckily, if you’re sleeping too little, or too much, there are ways to get things back on track. TAKE THE TEST 1 How many hours do you sleep each night? A Four to five B Eight or more C Five to six D Seven to eight 2 What’s your relationship with sleep? A My sleep patterns bother me B Complicated, I’ve never been a…

✣ Trim all visible fat off meats and remove skin from poultry. ✣ If you feel hungry between meals, snack on Free Food. For the best weight loss, reach for fruit or veg first. Fruit and veg that are lowest in energy density are called Speed Free Food. ✣ For extra health benefits and filling power, choose wholegrains, such as wholewheat pasta or wholegrain rice. ✣ Aim to have between 6 and 8 drinks a day – water, sugar-free drinks, tea and coffee. Note any milk needs to come from your allowance. ✣ The most successful slimmers join a group or online programme for shared support, inspiration and motivation.…

Best for All weather Wax jackets are a firm favourite with walkers and no wonder – they keep the warmth in, and the wind and rain out. This knee-length option has deep pockets for all your walking extras, and a generous hood for when the heavens open. Best for Cold snaps Spring weather can be changeable, so be prepared with this ultra-affordable fleece. It’s lightweight enough to fit easily into your rucksack but warm enough to keep you toasty if the temperature drops, or after a workout. The pile fabric is designed to trap air, which acts as a natural insulator. Best for Beating blisters Nothing can spoil a country walk as swiftly and brutally as a blister. So protect your feet with these double-layer socks, which reduce friction. They’re…

If you want to boost your wellbeing, timing is everything. ‘Whether it’s having a set bedtime, or knowing exactly when you’ll eat your lunch, there’s plenty of evidence to suggest that doing certain things at certain times of the day can be better for us,’ says health behaviour change specialist Dr Heather McKee (drheathermckee.co.uk). ‘Creating a routine that works for you is key, but adding structure with time-based cues can help you to reach your health goals. Times act as a trigger to take action, and with daily repetition you’re more likely to create long-lasting change.’ Time to explore these benefits. 6am Rise & shine Crack-of-dawn starts are the benchmark for productivity but being an early bird can improve your health too. Scientists at Bristol University found women…

MINT AND LEMON DRIZZLE CAKE A classic lemon drizzle has the perfect balance of sweet and sharp, and a soft, buttery crumb drenched in lemony syrup. This version is still all of those things but with some extra fragrance from fresh mint. PER SERVING (BASED ON 10 SERVINGS) 425 cals, 19g fat, 11g sat fat, 59g carbs SERVES 8-10 ✣200g (7oz) unsalted butter, plus extra for greasing ✣250g (9oz) caster sugar ✣10g (¼oz) fresh mint leaves, plus extra to decorate ✣Finely grated zest of 2 lemons ✣ 3 eggs ✣270g (9½oz) plain flour ✣1½tsp baking powder ✣ ¼tsp salt ✣ 2tbsp milk For the syrup: ✣50g (1¾oz) caster sugar ✣Juice of 2 lemons ✣3 fresh mint leaves For the frosting: ✣70g (2½oz) icing sugar ✣2-3tbsp lemon juice 1 Preheat the…

MEASUREMENT Approximately 31 x 38cm/12¼ x 15in. MATERIALS 2 x 100g (295m) balls of Stylecraft Special DK (100% acrylic) in Cloud Blue (1019); 1 ball in each of Green (Cypress 1824), Pink (Fondant 1241), White (1001), Yellow (Citron 1263) and Violet (Grape 1067)*. Pair each of 3.5mm and 4mm knitting needles; set of four 4mm double-pointed knitting needles; pair of sew-on bag handles; stitch marker; 0.5m of lining fabric with matching sewing needle and thread (optional). Yarn is available from theknittingnetwork.co.uk TENSION 22 stitches and 30 rows, to 10 x 10cm, over pattern, using 4mm needles. ABBREVIATIONS K, knit; p, purl; st(s), stitch(es); sl, slip; tog, together; inc, increase (by working twice into same st); dec, decrease; psso, pass sl st over; skpo, (sl1 knitwise, k1, psso); yrn, yarn forward…

One Night on the Island by Josie Silver (£7.99, PB, Penguin) Imagine staying in an all-expenses-paid luxury cabin on a remote Irish island –and all you have to do is write an article about ‘marrying yourself’. Magazine columnist, Cleo, assumes she’ll spend some time alone, rethinking her life choices. But she discovers her cabin has been double-booked and, with a storm fast approaching, she reluctantly shares it with Mack, a dejected photographer. Is it possible that from frosty beginnings a life-changing bond will develop from simple truths spoken in the dark? The Exhibitionist by Charlotte Mendelson (£16.99, HB, Pan Macmillan) The extraordinary story of a family seemingly dominated by an egotistical father is this award-winning novelist’s latest book. As the Hanrahan family gather for a new exhibition of their father…

Where I read mine We are lucky enough to come to this gorgeous spot, the Isle of Rona, in the Inner Hebrides, occasionally. Here is our visitor this morning, having a look in the window. I never tire of seeing them! Irene Macaskill, Portree, Isle of Skye Stunning sunset This beautiful photo was taken on my daily walk over the fields. Isn’t it a beautiful sunset? Claire Marie Ferris, Warwickshire Paws for thought I have attached a photo of Scooby, whose Aunty Gwen is an avid Woman’s Weekly reader, and it would thrill her to see him in the magazine. Scooby would like to say thank you to Aunty Gwen for all the love and biscuits! Elizabeth Ritchie, Thornthwaite ✣Got a pet pic that makes you smile? We can give…

On-screen, she plays Abi Webster in Coronation Street, who’s battled drug addiction, lost her son to a hate crime, seen her marriage crumble after a one-night stand, and most recently gone into labour at the side of the road without even knowing she was pregnant. Perhaps it’s no wonder then that in real life, actor Sally Carman is dreaming of living like Tom and Barbara from The Good Life, with nothing more than a crowing cockerel to shatter the peace! Sally says, ‘I’d like to be self-sufficient and have an allotment and grow my own fruit and veg, and not rely on anyone else. I’d also like to get chickens and, when I’m older, I’d love to have donkeys and maybe a goat, and take in dogs! Perhaps we’d have…

This week’s columnist: TV builder Tommy Walsh “I have always been a glass-half-full type of person and I always like to look for the positives in life but if it weren’t for my youngest daughter, Charlotte, and a bet she had, I may never have ended up working in TV! Twenty-five years ago, I was asked to do a pilot episode for Ground Force with Alan Titchmarsh and Charlie Dimmock, but I was happy working in the building business, and I was reluctant to do so. I got home one evening and Charlotte, who was then eight years old, announced, ‘Dad, you have to be on the telly.’ ‘I do feel lucky. I’ve got a job I love’ When I asked her why, she replied, ‘You have to because I…

‘I finally found the courage to do what I love’ Gillian Redin, 63, is the founder of Lovingabag, and lives in Loughton, Essex. I’ve always loved sewing, but I never had the confidence to do it full-time. My nana Rose taught me how to crochet when I was 10, and I made a blanket that I’ve still got today. After leaving school, I qualified as a hairdresser and then worked as a teaching assistant for 18 years – if there was anything arty going on, I was always in the thick of it. When COVID-19 struck, I had to shield for medical reasons. Although I was clinically vulnerable, I’m not one to give in. When I saw a post on Facebook calling on people to donate scrubs bags to the…

1 DO IT WITH A FRIEND Having an exercise buddy is a great way to form a habit and keep motivated. ‘You’ll both be accountable for each other, and feel responsible for turning up and completing a workout together,’ says Joanna Dase, fitness expert at Curves International. 2 AIM FOR LITTLE AND OFTEN Exercise habits often break because we aim to do too much. ‘Staying fit isn’t about being in the gym for hours on end,’ says Joanna, ‘it’s about staying within your own ability.’ Build movement into your day. 3 REWARD YOURSELF Ideally not with a packet of biscuits! Perhaps a spa appointment or cinema visit after a certain number of steps. ‘Positive reinforcements can turn a chore into fun,’ says Joanna. ‘It can make a difference to your…

What a two-year period it’s been. We’ve been on emergency mode for much of it but now the pandemic appears to be retreating, it’s time to take stock of our health – and get it back on track. Research suggests that many of us have found comfort in food – a third of us gained between one and two stone during lockdown, according to a recent report*. Many of us are drinking more, feeling more stressed, and experiencing more back pain and sleep problems. Our immune systems have taken a battering and need a reboot. It all sounds like a tall order but it needn’t be, says clinical nutritionist Suzie Sawyer. ‘Simple strategies can make a difference to immune support, such as eating a healthy diet, using the right supplements…

With spring in the air, there’s no better time to start your weight-loss journey to feeling fabulous and stepping into your best summer yet. Shift the pounds with this flexible eating plan devised for us by Slimming World. It’s based on Food Optimising, the scientific principle of how a food’s nutrient content and energy density affects how full you feel, so you lose weight without ever feeling hungry. BREAKFASTS Choose 1, all serve 1 BERRY BIX ✣ Top 2 wholewheat biscuits with milk (from your allowance), fat-free natural yogurt and fresh or frozen and defrosted berries. SPINACH OMELETTE ✣ Wilt some spinach in a non-stick frying pan sprayed with low-calorie cooking spray, then pour in 2-3 beaten eggs and cook until set. ✣ Add 40g reduced-fat Cheddar cheese, fold over,…

ELDER for colds and flu The berries, flowers, leaves and bark of the elder tree have been used as medicine and tonics for centuries. The most common is Sambucus nigra, known as European or black elder. ‘It’s great for respiratory tract infections,’ says herbalist Sebastian Pole. ‘It’s good at soothing a cough or irritation in the lungs.’ It can help shift stubborn catarrh and mucus. Elderberries themselves are anti-inflammatory and antiviral, and are a rich source of immune-supporting vitamin C, as well as powerful antioxidants, anthocyanins and flavonoids. TRY... Nature’s Way Sambucus Immune Support Gummies, £15.99 for 60, Holland & Barrett ROSEMARY for cognitive function This fragrant herb – and tasty accompaniment to lamb – is great at improving memory and focus. Research from Northumbria University found that people aged…

Q WHAT’S THE BEST WAY TO MANAGE CONSTIPATION? A Constipation is common, causing infrequent, hard stools, excessive straining, abdominal discomfort or bloating, but is generally self-manageable. The elderly may show confusion, functional decline, nausea and loss of appetite. Ensure a good fluid intake, a diet with veg and pulses, and take plenty of regular exercise. Then if needed, start with bulk-forming laxatives, containing fibre, such as psyllium or ispaghula husk, which work by increasing the ‘bulk’ or weight of poo to stimulate your bowel. If stools remain hard, add or change to an osmotic laxative, such as macrogol or lactulose, which draws water from the rest of the body into your bowel, making it easier to pass. Other poo-softening laxatives, like docusate, may help. If the response is inadequate, a…

“You need to lose weight,’ said my sister Deb, who is kind like that. A few years ago I would have noted that people in glass houses should be very careful when discussing excess stones. However, it must be admitted that being slightly overweight is a thing of the past for Deb. She has been going to the gym. So instead I said, ‘Yes, yes I know. I’ve tried to lose a bit of weight in the past but I just don’t have the willpower.’ ‘You could start by eating less cake,’ said my daughter Rachel, who is also kind like that. ‘And ease up on the biscuits.’ ‘I like cake,’ I said, wondering if I could have another chocolate digestive without anybody noticing. Until then it had been a…