Innholdsfortegnelse for 3-Jan-2023 i Woman's Weekly

There’s a wood next to where we live, but as we’re in the back of beyond, no one really goes into it, apart from me and my dog. In fact, it’s a sort of doggie heaven, full of wildlife and interesting scents – he rushes around with his nose to the ground and, if he’s lucky, flushes out the odd pheasant, which then takes off in a fit of indignant squawks. Mossy, long-fallen trees litter the ground between ferns, and in the spring the wood is a riot of bluebells. But from the autumn there are different blooms to be seen – an explosion of mysterious fungi, feeding on all the timber. So I was especially fascinated by our feature on page 10.…

Letter of the week WHAT A DEAL My 88-year-old mum, Eileen, was recently sorting through a drawer of papers and came across this advert that she saved from your magazine. I wonder when it was from? Mum laughingly asked me whether I thought the offer was still available. She had intended to place an order but unfortunately at the time she couldn’t afford to spend £1.50, which seems incredible now. Heather Russell, by email Garden innovation Here is my back garden fence, where I drew an 8ft whale. To add the full sea-scene effect I got a half mannequin from a charity shop, stuck on a wig and made a tail. I put the tail on a doll and made a fish tail for her too. My seaside garden is…

Winter may feel like a time when much of the natural world is in hibernation, but the next time you set off on a park or woodland walk, look out for the many varieties of fungi. While the majority appear during autumn, these fascinating life forms can be found all year round – even when the weather is cold. Velvet Shank Flammulina velutipes Velvet Shank fungi are typically found growing in dense groups on the dead and diseased wood stumps of beech, oak, elm and ash throughout winter. Despite their delicate appearance, this hardy fungus effortlessly resists winter frosts. Velvet Shank has glossy, orange caps, hence its Latin name Flammulina (flame coloured), which radiate a golden glow when the ground is drained of its usual colour. Variable Oysterlings Crepidotus variabilis…

VITAMIN BOOST The cold weather calls for reinforcements, and Q+A Skin Vitamin A.C.E, £9, Holland & Barrett, is a rejuvenating mask that warms up as it hits the skin, for an extra-special treat. HAIR HEALER If your locks could use some TLC, OGX Hydrate & Repair Extra Strength Mask, £7.99, lookfantastic.com, is just the thing. A little goes a long way to create softer, nourished and luscious-looking hair. SLEEP SAVIOUR If you’re struggling to drift off, a scented pillow spray can work wonders. Feather & Down Sweet Dreams Pillow Spray, £7, Boots, is blended with restful chamomile and lavender. SOAKING SALTS Epsom salts can be a godsend for achy joints, and Westlab Zen Bathing Salts, £3.99, lookfantastic.com, has neroli and cedarwood scents for a relaxing aroma in your bath. CREATE…

COWBOY BEANS You can’t beat this recipe in the comfort food stakes. Add a poached egg on top for extra sauciness. PER SERVING233 cals, 4g fat, 0.5g sat fat, 32g carbs SERVES 4PREP 15 MINSCOOK 20 MINS ✣ 1tbsp sunflower oil ✣ 2 red onions, finely diced ✣ 2tsp smoked paprika ✣ 2 garlic cloves, crushed ✣2 x 400g tins cannellini beans, drained and rinsed ✣ 2 bay leaves ✣ 1tbsp thyme leaves ✣ 400g tin chopped tomatoes ✣ 1-2tbsp barbecue sauce ✣ 1tbsp brown sauce ✣Sourdough, toasted, or a jacket potato, to serve ✣ Parsley leaves 1 Heat the oil in a pan and fry the onions until soft. Stir in the smoked paprika and cook for 30 secs before adding the garlic. Cook for 1 min, stirring continuously.…

Advice from our Woman’s Weekly doctor Skin abscesses are tender, warm swellings surrounded by a red area. They occur anywhere, commonly in your armpits or groin, around the anus, vagina (Bartholin’s gland abscess), the base of the spine (pilonidal abscess), or around a tooth (dental abscess). Obstruction in sweat or oil (sebaceous) glands, hair follicles or a pre-existing cyst can trigger an abscess (boil). When the normal skin barrier is broken, from trauma or inflammation, bacteria enter the skin, and the abscess forms as your body’s white cell defences fight the germs. In the centre, pus forms containing dead cells, bacteria and other debris. This area grows, creating tension under the skin and further surrounding inflammation, causing pain. Those with weakened immune systems get abscesses more often or more severely,…

TESTED BY US so they work for you Difficulty level YOU WILL NEED ✣ Cork board ✣ Craft knife ✣ Ruler ✣ Cutting board ✣ Spray mount ✣ Scraps of wallpaper 1 Trim down the cork board into three panels measuring 25x50cm each, using the craft knife, cutting board and ruler. 2 Apply spray mount to the cork board and place the wallpaper pieces on top, carefully smoothing out any air bubbles and allow to dry. 3 Flip the boards over with paper side down and trim away the excess paper using the ruler and craft knife. To display, hang the trio in a row. Use one design for all three boards, or try different prints in the same colours.…

Knitting TESTED BY US so they work for you Difficulty level MEASUREMENTS To fit ages 0-3 (3-6) (6-9) (9-12) months. Actual chest measurements 48 (52) (57) (61) cm/19 (20½) (22½) (24) in. Side seam 12 (14) (15) (16) cm/4¾ (5½) (6) (6¼) in. Length to shoulder 21 (24) (26) (28) cm/8¼ (9½) (10¼) (11) in. Sleeve seam 13 (15) (17) (19) cm/5 (6) (6¾) (7½) in. MATERIALS 3 (3) (3) (4) 50g (163m) balls of Emu Treasure DK (55% nylon, 45% acrylic) in Denim (508)*. Pair of 3.25mm (No. 10) and 4mm (No. 8) needles; stitch holders; stitch markers; 2 buttons. Yarn is available from theknittingnetwork.co.uk TENSION 22 stitches and 44 rows, to 10 x 10cm, over garter stitch, using 4mm needles. ABBREVIATIONS K, knit; p, purl; st(s), stitch(es); tog,…

ARIES 21 Mar – 20 Apr Your life is going in a new direction. Welcome the changes with open arms – it’s what you’ve been waiting for. TAURUS 21 Apr – 21 May Your relationships are in the spotlight, with many opportunities to bring upliftment and inspiration. Be kind and you’ll deepen your connections. GEMINI 22 May – 21 Jun This is the perfect week to start learning a new skill or for perfecting something that you have been working on for a while now. CANCER 22 Jun – 23 Jul It’s time to step out and to take more of a risk. You cannot play it safe all the time. Go on, be a bit braver! It will be worth your while. LEO 24 Jul – 23 Aug Your…

RECYCLED FABRIC Superstretch leggings made from 70% recycled polyester. Available in three colours. £8, sizes xs-xl, Primark SUPPORTIVE SCULPTING Designed to hug and support with high-compression fabric. A flattering high-waist style in a jazzy pattern. £25, sizes 6-22, Next SWEAT WICKING Made from Anti-odour high-tech fabric, these are ultra stretchy with a side pocket. £65, sizes s-xxl, Under Armour at jdwilliams.co.uk…

STEFANIA DENNERLEIN, 56 Tell us about your look I love investing in designer pieces. My blouse and trousers are both Valentino, and my oversized jacket is by Zadig & Voltaire. This slouchy, tailored look is very me and so comfortable to wear. I also love a colour clash. What’s your favourite thing about yourself? My shoulders and back. LISA HANNER, 49 Tell us about your look Today it’s a layered look in muted colours – which I love – with a bomber jacket from Ugg Outlet and a faux-leather skirt that I found on eBay. My grey cardi is secondhand, worn over a vest from M&S. My Clarks ankle boots are another eBay find and my bag is from Coach Outlet. I do like to source a bargain! What’s your…

The Blue Zones are five global destinations that have been identified by writer Dan Buettner as having an unusual number of people living much longer than average – often past the age of 100. And these residents enjoy supercharged wellbeing well into older age too. It turns out that what they eat is key – and it’s based on a Mediterranean diet. ‘The diet is largely plant-based,’ explains GP Dr Sarah Brewer. ‘It combines relatively large amounts of vegetables, fruit, olive oil, fish, garlic, wholegrains, beans, nuts, seeds, bread and potatoes, a relatively low intake of red meat and a moderate consumption of red wine. It does not include large portions of pizza or pasta!’ And the beauty of it? ‘It’s relatively easy to start getting the health benefits,’ says…

FOR A LOOK THAT’S MORE CHIC THAN SPORTY, WEAR LEGGINGS WITH RELAXED PIECES LIKE OVERSIZED SHIRTS AND WARM KNITWEAR Flattering high-rise style WRAP UP IN A COSY CAPE. THIS ELEGANT LAYER CAN ALSO BE WORN OVER A COAT, OR TEAM WITH A KNITTED SKIRT AND CASHMERE JUMPER FOR THE ULTIMATE IN LUXURY Available in 13 colours AVOID RESTRICTIVE WAISTBANDS WITH A KNITTED DRESS – AND KEEP FEET TOASTY INDOORS IN A PAIR OF EXTRA-THICK SOCKS Buttonless design for a relaxed fit WHEN BUYING KNITTED TROUSERS, OPT FOR WIDE-LEG FITS TO AVOID THE FABRIC STRETCHING AT THE KNEES 100% sheepskin lining…

My business is struggling Q I have a physio practice and I employ two members of staff. I’m struggling to make ends meet. We have constant cancellations from people with COVID-19 or flu, which I fully understand. We also have those who don’t cancel, and come in and infect us. I know this is ‘business as usual’, but I could do with some government support. Daniella, Cambridge A The pandemic was really tough on small businesses. The government was very generous when COVID was threatening the NHS and they were asking people not to go out, but, as you know, taxpayers can’t afford to continue to offer financial support indefinitely, and normal life has to resume. Most clients understandably cancel when unwell. I wonder if you have a cancellation fee?…

Grey begone A winter garden doesn’t have to be all muted browns and greys: you can instil some blazing colour and interest with a whole host of plants. They include small trees with shimmering bark, shrubs with brilliant stems and scented flowers that radiate perfume on sunny, crisp days. Place them where they can be seen from the house and where the low slant of winter sun captures them in a golden spotlight. Smouldering stems Dogwoods (cornus) are medium-sized deciduous shrubs that top the list for winter wow. The magic starts after their leaves have dropped, when their slim vertical stems in flaming orange, yellow and red glow like a toasty bonfire. They look sensational planted in a group or against an evergreen backdrop. Try crimson ‘Sibirica’, multi-toned ‘Midwinter Fire’…

The Gardener’s Almanac by Alan Titchmarsh (£14.99, HB, Hodder & Stoughton) A dip-into treasury that’s packed with musings, poetry, garden reminders and nature-inspired ephemera. You’ll discover fascinating snippets, like the most expensive single snowdrop bulb sold for £1,390 in 2015. It includes the tree, bird, fruit, flower and gardener of the month. And when you’ve tackled your gardening to-do list, you can put your feet up and relax with one of Alan’s music and book suggestions Just delightful! A History of Britain in Just a Minute by Gyles Brandreth (£16.99, HB, Ebury Publishing) Want to learn more about the history of Britain, but are short on time? This genius book – based on the popular Radio 4 show on which Gyles Brandreth is a star performer – will regale you…

Fern Britton is wearing a gorgeous sparkler. It looks like a giant diamond and it catches the light as she gesticulates during our chat. Interestingly, Fern is wearing it on her wedding ring finger. Wait, does it mean Fern has some surprise news to share about developments in her personal life?! When I ask, she laughs. ‘I was in Turkey a couple of weeks ago,’ says Fern. ‘My [late] father’s partner Jane, had rung me up and said, “Darling, we’re going to Istanbul.” And I got this ring for 50 quid in the bazaar. I just thought, “I want something sparkly on my hand.” It doesn’t stand for anybody or anything, it’s just for me. It looks pretty good, doesn’t it?’ It certainly does, and it feels like it’s saying…

Ever since I appeared on Blue Peter when I was a rhythmic gymnast, aged 15, I had wanted to work in TV. It was a light-bulb moment but I had no idea how to do that. At Durham University, I was studying Law but I started working for a radio station, which I loved doing. I read the news to start off with, then I started sitting in for other presenters. As I left university, I got a job co-hosting the breakfast show. While I was doing that job I got some work in TV. It was a series called Gabbing with Gabby on a show called Tonight on Tyne Tees. At the end of each interview, we would take the celebrity to the restaurant of their choice and they…

My cataracts were really starting to affect my life. I love reading, but I was struggling with it. I have two grandchildren who regularly sleep over and, one evening, the youngest, who’s seven, asked me to read him a bedtime story. I just couldn’t see well enough. That’s when I knew I needed to get my vision checked out properly. My optician recommended cataract surgery and I knew I had to do it, as my failing sight was having such an impact. I love football and I’m an Aston Villa supporter, but before my surgery, every player had a shadow, so it looked like there were 44 players on the pitch instead of 22. I couldn’t read the team names or the score, and was constantly asking my partner what…

My mother was a great one for sayings that very nearly made sense. ‘You’ve always been a dreamer, Rosemary,’ she said. ‘If your head wasn’t screwed on, it’d probably fall off.’ She was also a great one for sayings that didn’t seem to make any sense at all. ‘Close enough is as good as a halfpenny’. That one was particularly baffling. Another one was, ‘It’s the early worm that laughs longest.’ That was so obviously mixed-up that we began to think she was making them up deliberately. I wouldn’t have put it past her. I thought of my mother’s accusation when I was walking past the park the other day, daydreaming and thinking about cream buns. More specifically, how many years it had been since I last had one of…