Innholdsfortegnelse for 12-Jul-2022 i Woman's Weekly

I wonder whether, in 50 years time, doctors will look back on the present day and think, those people knew next to nothing about the human brain and how it works. We have two boys who are dyslexic and dyspraxic – now grown up, of course – but when they were tiny, one of their teachers was even still questioning if dyslexia really exists, so we’ve come a long way even in their lifetimes. But our society is still in the foothills of understanding about depression and what causes it, or whether, in fact, lots of us are on some sort of neurodivergent spectrum without realising it. Andrea’s story on page 20 raises that very issue.…

CelebratingBRITAIN Lavender is one of our most popular garden plants, with flowering spires infusing the air with fragrance. But not everyone realises it’s also a valuable crop in Britain. The Romans used it medicinally, applying it to wounds and sipping it to cure headaches, but these days it’s more of a prized ingredient in perfume and skincare, receiving royal approval when Yardley’s English Lavender scent was worn by the late Queen Mother and Queen Mary. Our queen still purchases its lavender products. Today, our lavender farms stretch across many UK regions. They’re at their busiest in July and August, when the fields are in full bloom and harvest begins, with many throwing open their gates to the public. We chat to two lavender farmers about the joys of…

Prep is key If you want an even tan that lasts, you need to exfoliate. Fake tan will naturally adhere to areas that have a build-up of dead skin, so don’t miss out this important step. You need to create a smooth canvas by sloughing off dead cells. Avoid any oil-based scrubs, as these can leave a film. Opt for an exfoliating mitt like Ameliorate Exfoliating Body Mitt, £10, lookfantastic.com, and a hydrating shower gel instead. BOTTOM TO TOP Always start your fake tan from the shins and work your way up. This way, you’re not bending over and folding your torso to reach down and your tummy tan won’t crease. But remember, just like your hands, take whatever is left on your mitt afterwards and wipe it over the…

Clothes swap Consider the one-year rule and put in a pile anything not worn for 12 months. Invite friends to do the same and to join you for an evening of swapping. Anything left over can go to a high-street charity shop, where you might even bag a bargain too. Charity shops and car boots are great places to buy, as you can see and feel the quality, try items on and say no there and then, rather than having to post it back. Renting is all the rage With the summer wedding season coming up, consider renting, rather than buying for that one-off occasion. It’s a great way to wear a designer outfit without the price tag. A dress could cost as little as £9 for 24 hours. Look…

I’m struggling with my son’s transition Q I thought I was open-minded and pro-choice about relationships, and have never seen myself as homophobic. My 21-year-old son has come to us to say he’s always wanted to be a woman. He has felt this for a long time, and didn’t tell us, as he didn’t want to hurt us. He‘s been seeing a counsellor and medics about this, and is embarking on the first steps to transition. I find myself being transphobic, which I never expected. I don’t want to lose him. Name and address withheld A I wonder if what you really are is anti his transition, and a bit shocked and surprised? I don’t expect it has changed your fundamental values and beliefs. This isn’t what you expected, so…

ROASTED AUBERGINE KITCHARI Packed with goodness, this nutritious dish is filling too. PER SERVING 350 cals, 4g fat, 0.5g sat fat, 56g carbs SERVES 4 ✣ 2 aubergines, cubed ✣200g (7oz) cherrytomatoes ✣Sunflower oil cookingspray ✣ 130g (4½oz) basmati rice ✣ 200g (7oz) red split lentils ✣ 1 onion, finely chopped ✣3cm (1¼in) piece rootginger, grated ✣ 2 garlic cloves, crushed ✣ 1tsp ground turmeric ✣ 2tsp garam masala ✣ 2tsp cumin seeds ✣ 1tsp black mustard seeds ✣1.25ltr (2pt) vegetable stock ✣200g (7oz) spinach leaves,chopped, plus extrato serve ✣Juice of 1 lemon, pluswedges, to serve ✣Low-fat natural yogurtand thinly sliced red chilli,to serve 1 Heat the oven to 200C/ Gas 6. Put the aubergine and cherry tomatoes onto a large baking tray, spritz with oil and roast for 20-25…

LENTIL SHEPHERD’S PIE This comforting dish will please everyone and keep all your tummies happy at the same time. PER SERVING 370 cals, 7g fat, 1g sat fat, 57g carbs SERVES 4 ✣ 1 large potato (skin on), cut into 2.5cm (1in) chunks ✣1 medium sweet potato (skin on), cut into cubes ✣ 2tbsp milk kefir yogurt ✣ 2tbsp olive oil ✣ 1 leek, cut into rounds ✣ 2 carrots (skin on), diced ✣ 2-3 garlic cloves, crushed ✣ 1tbsp dried thyme ✣1 small swede, peeled and cubed, cut into 2.5cm (1in) chunks ✣400g (14oz) can of green lentils, drained and rinsed ✣200ml (7fl oz) cold-pressed beetroot juice ✣ 400g (14oz) can of chopped tomatoes ✣200ml (7fl oz) vegetable stock ✣ 1tbsp tomato purée ✣1tbsp Worcestershire sauce (optional)…

1 Create a feature Your first attempt at papering? Stick to just one wall as a feature for a room. Make sure it’s clean, dry and any cracks have been filled; a troublesome wall may need lining. First, mark a vertical line in pencil about 50cm from the left-hand corner of your wall using a spirit level, to ensure you paper from a straight point. Use sharp scissors to trim paper, and a pasting brush and paste to hang it. ✣ Sandberg Faded Passion in Beige wallpaper, from £37.70 per roll, fashionwallpaper.co.uk 2 Try a wall mural Swap ditsy-print wallpaper for a large-scale artwork applied directly to a single wall. Choose big florals and botanicals in contemporary styles, like this wonderful leafy line drawing in a luxe gold finish. ✣…

BRIGHTER LATER Look ahead to autumn and plant bold groups of bulbs that bloom in September and October. Colchicums – also called autumn crocus or ‘naked ladies’, as the flowers appear before the leaves – can be planted in grass or under deciduous trees and shrubs, and they’ll flower every autumn for many years. Take your pick of varieties in shades of purple, pink and white, such as ‘Waterlily’ (rose-lavender) or ‘Album’ (pure white). IRIS REFRESH Now bearded irises have finished flowering, it’s time to split congested clumps to make new plants that will flower next year. Use a fork to gently lift the irises, taking care not to damage the roots. Then cut plump, healthy rhizomes from the end of the parent plant and throw away the woody centre…

Crochet MEASUREMENTS Approximately 138cm (54¼in) across top edge and 69cm (27¼in) deep at centre (after blocking). MATERIALS 5 x 50g (158m) balls of King Cole Giza Cotton Sorbet 4 ply (100% cotton) in Silver Blue (2478) and 1 ball in White (2190)*. A 3mm crochet hook. Yarn is available from theknittingnetwork.co.uk TENSION 24 tr and 14.5 rows, to 10 x 10cm, over pattern, using 3mm hook (after blocking). ABBREVIATIONS st(s), stitch(es); ch(s), chain(s); chsp(s), chain space(s); dc, double crochet; slst, slip stitch; tr, treble crochet. NOTE Stitch count includes the first 3ch of each row as 1 tr and 1 chsp, throughout. Both tr and chsps are counted as sts throughout. Yarn amounts are based on average requirements and are therefore approximate. Instructions in square brackets are worked as stated…

Wordwise You have 15 minutes to find as many words as possible using the letters in the grid. Each word must contain four or more letters, one of which must be the central square. No proper nouns, plurals or foreign words are allowed. There is one nine-letter word in the grid, for which the clue is: Police weapon. Average = 25 More than 45 = well done SUDOKU To solve this puzzle, fill in the grid so that each 3 x 3 box, each row and each column contains the numbers 1-9. LINKWORDS Fit 10 words into the grid so that each links with the end of the word on its left and the beginning of the one on the right. Then unscramble the letters in the shaded squares to…

My friend Wendy was once the country’s last remaining hippy. It’s true that she wasn’t the sort of hippy who renounced worldly goods, but she did her best to embrace the whole alternative lifestyle thing. In her case, the alternative lifestyle involved living in a large and comfortable farmhouse, keeping chickens and a goat named Frank, and growing her own vegetables. As regular readers will know, one day Wendy went to complain to her neighbour Iain about some fencing problems. Not long after, she moved into his modest stately pile. Wendy and I are now sitting in the garden of this modest stately pile, in a scene that could have been written by Julian Fellowes, the Downton Abbey chap. On a huge silver tray, there is a teapot in the…

PAINTED LADIES Incredibly, Painted Lady butterflies migrate to Britain all the way from the Mediterranean, peaking from May to July. SWIFTS Groups of these balletic flyers become more and more boisterous in July as their August migration draws nearer. MEADOWSWEET In damp spots, you might catch a whiff of marzipan this month. The scent is from this high-summer wildflower.…

ALICE CLARK, AGE? ‘I NEVER TELL!’ Tell us about your look This shirt dress is by Erdem. They have such a fabulous selection of prints. The mix of blue stripe and bright florals always feels so fresh and summery. I’ve teamed it with a low-heeled court shoe and a Joseph bag. And the best bit of your body? My waist. JULES SNOOK, 54 Tell us about your look I love wearing white. This ditsy-print midi dress was a recent buy from Warehouse. It’s such a cool, easy shape to wear. My straw bag was bought in Spain and my sandals are Next. They’re amazingly comfy. I also love adding statement earrings. These are from H&M. And the best bit of your body? My legs. CAROLINE BITHREY, 50 Tell us about…

Her schooldays, which should have been the happiest of her life, weren’t easy for Andrea Bell from Norfolk. She had always felt different but didn’t know why until a chance remark triggered a chain of events that unlocked the reason for the difficulties she’d experienced for decades. ‘At school I would forget what we’d been taught and I struggled to be able to recall the information that others did,’ explains Andrea, 48. ‘I also used to tip my chair back, balancing on two legs, which got me into trouble. I later discovered that this was my mind trying to help me concentrate.’ Andrea found herself being told off regularly for fidgeting. She struggled with short-term memory to the point that it made schoolwork really hard. Unfortunately, in all areas of…

My healthy life DR JULIE SMITH My go-to remedy There are lots of different techniques for specific feelings and situations but whatever I’m going through, spending time outdoors in nature or by the sea never fails to shift my emotional state. Since doing those things involves moving my body, I also get the mood-enhancing benefits of a brisk walk or a run at the same time. My favourite meal Breakfast is my little bit of me-time in between the school run and starting work. I love starting the day with my low-sugar granola, natural yogurt, and lots of nuts and berries. It tastes great but starting the day with a healthy meal really sets me up for the day too. How I stay fit and healthy I love to run…

The old saying goes that we are what we eat, and when it comes to our health, perhaps there’s a certain amount of truth in that. Changing our diet, often in quite small ways, can make a substantial difference to our wellbeing, whether it is by helping to lose a little bit of weight, maybe strengthen our heart or even to alleviate specific food intolerances. Of course, as with most things health-related, one can’t expect to get results overnight, but over a period of time, addressing our diet can show genuine improvements. So because of that we decided to create this mini magazine, packed with lots of great recipe ideas, all of which not only deliver wonderful flavours, but also, over time, real health benefits. With simple step-by-step instructions, we…

FILO PLUM AND CUSTARD TARTS Using filo is a lighter way to make a crispy base for roasted fruit and creamy-tasting custard filling. PER SERVING 132 cals, 3g fat, 1g sat fat, 20g carbs SERVES 4 ✣ 1 sheet filo pastry, cut in half ✣5 plums, halved and stoned ✣ 1tbsp clear honey ✣ Splash rosé wine (or white) ✣150ml (5fl oz) low-fatcustard ✣2tbsp low-fat naturalyogurt ✣ Dash of vanilla extract ✣ 1tbsp pistachios, toastedand chopped 1 Heat the oven to 200C/ Gas 6. Spritz the filo with spray oil, then lay each one at an angle in a 20cm (8in) tart tin. Bake for 2-3 mins, until golden brown and crisp. Let it set, then carefully remove and leave to cool. 2 Meanwhile, put the plum halves, cut side…

CHICKEN STIR-FRY WITH SATAY SAUCE With plenty of vegetables and protein, this is the perfect quick supper for two people – really good fast food. It could also be served with rice or noodles, if you like. The satay sauce is a cracker and the whole dish will thrill your taste buds. PER SERVING 510 cals, 22g fat, 4g sat fat, 23g carbs SERVES 2 ✣ 2 chicken breasts ✣ 1 heaped tsp cornflour ✣ 1tbsp rice wine vinegar ✣ 2tsp neutral-tasting oil ✣ 1 shallot, finely sliced ✣100g (3½oz) green cabbage, shredded ✣200g (7oz) asparagus spears, trimmed and cut into sections ✣100g (3½oz) mangetout, trimmed and sliced at an angle ✣100g (3½oz) baby corn, halved lengthways at an angle For the satay sauce: ✣100ml (3½fl oz) chicken or vegetable…

YOU WILL NEED ✣ White T-shirt ✣DMC embroidery thread in Light pink (957), Pink (602), Yellow (972), Orange (740), Orange red (606), Green (907) and Aqua (3845) ✣ Stabiliser fabric ✣ Erasable pen ✣ Embroidery hoop 1 Photocopy the pattern opposite to the size you want to stitch it – our template is slightly larger than the embroidery shown for clarity. It’s easy to reduce or enlarge to fill the exact space you want on a T-shirt. Now cut out a piece of stabiliser fabric that is slightly larger than the pattern. 2 Iron the shiny side of the stabiliser to the reverse of the T-shirt, over the area where you want to stitch (A). 3 Stretch the section you want to stitch in an embroidery hoop with the right…

The Love of My Life by Rosie Walsh (£14.99, HB, Pan Macmillan) Part love story and part mystery, this is an emotional read. Emma adores her husband Leo and daughter Ruby but when her husband starts pre-writing her obituary after she is diagnosed with cancer, he realises everything he knows about her may just be a lie. Emma wants to convince Leo she’s still the woman he fell in love with, but first she must tell him about the other love of her life. A moving story about the secrets we keep from one another and second chances. Truly, Darkly, Deeply by Victoria Selman (£14.99, HB, Quercus) When Matty comes into her mother’s life, Sophie is happy. Matty might be mysterious at times, but he’s fun, handsome, and is the…

She’s best known for her role as Beth Sutherland in Coronation Street, but in real life, actor Lisa George couldn’t be more different to her brash character. She’s open, funny and friendly. The 51-year-old has played troublemaker Beth since 2011 and says she feels lucky to work on such a great show. ‘I love being on Corrie. I had a bit of a break last year because I had to shield during COVID, due to having type 2 diabetes, so I wasn’t in it a lot. I’ve made up for it this year, though, and I’ve had some great scenes. I know everyone says it, but it is such a good place to work. I can’t believe I’ve been in it for over 10 years now. It’s flown by.’ Having…

I was once accused on a national radio station of being a ‘dotty old dog lady’. My crime? To have written in a newspaper article that I’d never wanted children, and loved my dogs. Of course, the presenter took that to mean I was leaving my life’s savings to them. But nothing could have been further from the truth. Deciding to be child-free – and my husband agreed – was nothing to do with owning pets. Dogs are not child substitutes. However, I have always enjoyed a passionate, lifelong love affair with dogs. Since marrying in 1972, my husband and I have been involved in many dog clubs and charities. Our preferred breeds are Old English and Polish Lowland sheepdogs. Within these breeds, we are part of an international community…

Dr GillAdvice from our Woman’s Weekly doctor Endometriosis affects women of any age, with significant life impact, but the cause isn’t understood. It occurs on the ovaries and fallopian tubes, abdominal wall and even, rarely, inside the bladder, bowel or lungs. During a period, this tissue bleeds, causing pain, sticky adhesions and cysts. Theories include genetics – it runs in families and affects some ethnic groups more than others – and retrograde menstruation. This is where the womb lining flows back up through the fallopian tubes, sticking to abdominal organs rather than through the vagina as a period. Other theories include immune disorders and endometrium cells spreading through the bloodstream or lymphatic system. It’s probably due to a combination of factors. Symptoms vary greatly, all usually worse during your period,…

GREEK-INSPIRED BEAN BURGERS Delicious stuffed into pitta bread or simply served with a big hearty salad, these burgers are a great meat-free option. Mixed beans are bursting with minerals and fibre, and low in saturated fat. They help improve your blood cholesterol and will keep you feeling fuller for longer, making them a good choice for lunch or dinner. PER SERVING 534 cals, 17.5g fat, 5g sat fat, 56g carbs SERVES 2 ✣ 1tbsp red wine vinegar ✣ 75g (2½oz) 0% fat Greekstyle natural yogurt orvegan alternative ✣ 2tbsp roughly choppedfresh mint ✣ ½ cucumber, finelydiced ✣ 2 wholemeal pitta breads,halved ✣ Bag mixed salad leaves,to serveFor the burgers: ✣ 1½tbsp olive oil ✣ 1 red onion, ½ dicedand ½ finely sliced ✣ 1 garlic clove, crushed ✣ 400g tin…

PROVENCAL-STYLE TART WITH SMOKED SALMON, CREME FRAICHE AND CHIVES This makes a delicious pastry that is easy to work with, doesn’t need to be rested, and can be topped with a creamy filling and whatever you have in the fridge. PER SERVING 371 cals, 31g fat, 9g sat fat, 3.2g carbs SERVES 6 For the pastry: ✣ 175g (6oz) ground almonds ✣30g (1oz) Parmesan cheese,finely grated ✣ ½tsp xanthan gum ✣ 1tsp baking powder ✣ ¼tsp salt ✣ 30g (1oz) butter or lard, softened ✣ 1 medium eggFor the filling: ✣150ml (5fl oz) soured cream orcreme fraîche ✣ 1 large egg ✣150g (5oz) smoked salmon,roughly torn ✣ Small handful finely sliced chives ✣ Large handful rocket leaves 1 Heat the oven to 220C/Gas 7 and cut 2 pieces of baking…

Vegan COCONUT AND PINEAPPLE ICE LOLLIES Healthier and cheaper than shop-bought, these are great hot-weather refreshers. PER SERVING 131 cals, 11g fat, 9g sat fat, 7g carbs MAKES 10 ✣ 400ml tin coconut milk ✣425g tin pineapple pieces in juice ✣ Zest and juice of 1 lime ✣ 90g (3oz) frozen raspberries For the decoration: ✣175g (6oz) vegan dark chocolate, broken into pieces ✣ 1tbsp coconut oil ✣3tbsp desiccated coconut, plus extra for sprinkling You will need: ✣10 ice lolly moulds and sticks 1 Put the coconut milk, pineapple pieces and their juice, lime zest and juice, and raspberries into a blender. Blitz until smooth then divide evenly between the moulds. Insert the sticks and freeze for 12 hrs. 2 Once set, remove from the moulds and return to the…

ARIES 21 Mar – 20 Apr It may seem as though things are not moving as quickly as you’d like. Trust that you are making progress. TAURUS 21 Apr – 21 May This is a week to appreciate the beauty all around you. Do whatever you can to make your environment more aesthetically pleasing. GEMINI 22 May – 21 Jun It’s time for action! Mars is urging you to move forward and you will be pleased with the end results. CANCER 22 Jun – 23 Jul You may be feeling more emotional now as you pick up on the energies around you. Quiet time alone will bring back the balance. LEO 24 Jul – 23 Aug Financially, this promises to be an excellent time for you. Follow all possible leads…