Innholdsfortegnelse for 21-Feb-2023 i Woman's Weekly

Yesterday’s joys and hates The foods we ate in childhood inspired such passion, didn’t they? The things we hated, and things we loved. Personally I couldn’t bear Spam, and from the moment I could organise my own meals, it vanished from my diet, never to be tasted again. But a friend of ours eats it lovingly to this day. Weirdly, though, the similar tinned mealtime staple from my youth, corned beef, remains a great favourite. To my dying day, I’ll maintain that corned beef hash is one of the great dishes of the culinary world. However, the fondest food memory from my own childhood is pancakes. And if you still love them too, don’t miss page 26. 3 of the best... UK regional foods HOG’S PUDDING We should celebrate our…

JENNY JAY, 71 Tell us about your look My green teddy coat is from Zara, last season. I wear whatever I like and usually add some colour, as outfits can look a bit drab otherwise. Underneath, I’m wearing a pair of tailored grey wool trousers, and a grey and cream colour-block knit that I’ve had for a while. My boots are Russell & Bromley and my tan bag is by Mulberry. What’s your favourite thing about yourself? My enjoyment of gardening. SOPHIE ROSS, 30 Tell us about your look I love a knitted dress in winter. They’re so cosy and comfy – and also very practical at the moment, as I’m pregnant. This black dress is by Object. I’ve teamed it with my tan leather jacket (a gift bought ages…

Our late Queen was no slave to fashion fads; her style was as stable as her 70-year reign itself. And there’s no doubt she would certainly approve of the ladies of the Royal Family in the post-Elizabeth II age – as they all look fabulous! Smart and stately Camilla, Queen Consort She says she has a ‘profound sense of being at home in the countryside’, and before her marriage to the then Prince Charles in 2005, Camilla looked happiest in jeans and a baggy sweater, make-up-free. Not any more! Now she’s at the right hand of the King, dressing with a more regal air is what people expect to see. Her mother-in-law was inimitable in every way, so the Queen Consort has cleverly taken her lead, with elegant hats and…

Being awarded the Blue Cross Medal is an honour bestowed on one very special four-legged friend every year, chosen by a panel of judges and awarded to a pet who has done something inspirational, saved a life or changed one. In 2022, the year of the Blue Cross’ 125th anniversary, the privilege was given to an Alaskan Malamute called Storm, who not only saved the lives of other pets, but provided care and support to his owners when they needed it most. It was 2010 when Karen and Phillip Crosby welcomed Storm into their lives. ‘Phillip sat in the litter pen waiting to see which dog would come to him. That’s how we got Storm – he chose us,’ Karen smiles. Storm was just six weeks old when he met…

‘I’m living out my teenage dreams!’ Sue Smith, 57, a childminder, lives in Cambridgeshire with her husband Graham, 58, and their daughter Lara, 22. I hold up my newly tattooed wrist. ‘Look! It’s Gary’s signature,’ I grin. But my husband Graham just rolls his eyes. I’ve been a Take That fan from the start, but back in 1989, when the group formed, I was a young wife, then a mother, and missed out on seeing the band. In 1996, when they split, I assumed I’d missed my chance, so when they reformed in 2006, I was thrilled. Finally, in 2011, I saw them live on their Progress tour at London’s O2 Arena, dragging my daughter Lara, then 11, with me. Since then, I’ve been obsessed – sleeping outside venues with…

Advice from our Woman’s Weekly doctor Disability and stroke A large international study reports that, in the long run, the likelihood of disability after a transient ischaemic attack (TIA) or a minor ischaemic stroke is surprisingly high. By five years of follow-up, 20% of patients had some level of disability. Regular physical activity, particularly if maintained before the vascular event, was strongly protective. Yet another reason to try to be active, not sedentary, generally leading a healthy lifestyle with walking, dancing, cycling or swimming. GENETICS OF HEIGHT Studies of identical and fraternal twins have shown that height is largely genetically determined. It’s taken so long to realise this because there are so many genes involved. A collaborative endeavour that combined data from 300 studies identified 12,111 genetic variants linked with…

Code Cracker Ocean’s 8 star Dakota Fanning appeared in which 2006 film based on a novel featuring a spider and a pig? To find out, solve the puzzle… Fill in the grid. Each letter of the alphabet has been replaced by a number from 1 to 26. When you’ve completed the grid, the shaded squares will spell out the two-word answer. We’ve given you five letters to start you off. EXTRA! You’ll find the answers on page 55 WORDSEARCH According to a 2018 survey, 93% of Snapchat users posted a picture of their what? The answer is the one missing from the grid. BACK DOORBEDROOMBOYFRIENDBROTHERCARCATCOMPUTERDINNERDOGDRINKLAWNPHONESHOESSPOUSEWARDROBE SUDOKU To solve the puzzle, each 3 x 3 box, each row and each column must contain the numbers 1 to 9. Solve the puzzle…

Gardening Early promise While it’s still nippy outside, spring bulbs – like crocus, iris, scilla and daffodils – are shrugging off the cold and responding to the lengthening days by shooting up and putting out flowers. These eager plants are telling us that spring is on its way and sunny days are coming close behind – yes, really! Grow glorious crowds of these bulbs wherever you can for bursts of cheery colour, uplifting wafts of scent, and as a buffet for winter-starved insects. Little gems Jewel-like winter irises emerge in a shock of colour against drab winter landscapes. ‘Harmony’ is rich violet-blue with splashes of gold on the lower petals, while ‘Katherine’s Gold’ is pale lemon with splashes of yellow and dabs of blue. Neither grow taller than 15cm and,…

Difficulty level MEASUREMENTS Pot holder 1 Approximately 21 x 20cm/8¼ x 8in. Pot holder 2 Approximately 19 x 20cm/7½ x 8in. MATERIALS Pot holder 1 (pictured top): 1 x 50g (85m) ball of Sumatra cotton yarn by Rauma (100% cotton) in each of White (3003), Navy (3062), Teal (3017), Mustard (3077) and Red (3052). Pot holder 2: 1 x 50g (85m) ball of Sumatra cotton yarn by Rauma (100% cotton) in each of Navy (3062), Teal (3017), Mustard (3077) and Red (3052). For both: A circular 4.5mm (No. 7) circular needle of length 40cm; optional 4.5mm crochet hook for edge; stitch markers. TENSION 19 stitches and 22 rows, to 10 x 10cm, over pattern, using 4.5mm needles. ABBREVIATIONS K, knit; st(s), stitch(es); ch, chain; dc, double crochet; sl st, slip…

ARIES 21 Mar – 20 Apr Set your priorities out in advance. That way you’ll make best use of your time and achieve something. TAURUS 21 Apr – 21 May Although everything around you may be unpredictable, try to find ways to establish stability within yourself. GEMINI 22 May – 21 Jun It’s a time for learning how to enjoy every moment of your life. Appreciate the little things that money can’t buy. CANCER 22 Jun – 23 Jul You may be thinking of moving home or changing your environment in some way. This is the time to do repairs and renovations. LEO 24 Jul – 23 Aug Balance is your keyword this week. Do your best not to go to extremes. Finding the middle ground will bring you peace…

As any woman will tell you, and at no extra charge, men have no staying power. Nowhere has this been more obvious than at our little charity shop. One moment a male volunteer is putting his coffee mug in the cupboard in the back room and establishing his biscuit preference. The next thing we know, he’s hopping from foot to foot and explaining that he can’t come in for the next few years as he’s been invited to lunch with an old school friend. We have had a few successes, of course, but I am overlooking all of these for comic effect. Even Mr Dear hasn’t proved as reliable as regular readers might expect. The last time he was here, he bunked off halfway through his second week to paint…

Dame Prue Leith is a poster girl for growing old with gusto. She’s shown us all that there’s no need to slow down in our sunset years. Prue got married again in her 70s, and landed her plum role as judge on The Great British Bake Off at 77. But incredibly, she is now embarking on her first-ever theatre tour at the age of 82, telling scandalous and amusing stories about her life and career. The age-defying Prue says it’s all down to one character quirk. ‘I just don’t know how to say “no”,’ she laughs. She says the idea for the tour came up when a producer who works on Joanna Lumley’s stage shows suggested Prue do one too. ‘I forgot about the suggestion, then I watched Paul Hollywood…

KEEP THINGS CHIC AND POLISHED BY STICKING TO A TONAL COLOUR PALETTE GET TWO LOOKS IN ONE – THIS PINK COAT TURNS INSIDE OUT TO REVEAL A CREAM BORG FABRIC THIS LIGHTWEIGHT VERSION IS GREAT FOR LAYERING WITHOUT ADDING BULK FOR AN EASY, RELAXED LOOK, TEAM A BOMBER STYLE WITH A SMART MIDI DRESS…

CLASSIC CREPE RECIPE Whether you’re topping these with lemon and sugar or cheese and ham, this recipe is perfect. MAKES 12 PREP 5 MINS, PLUS RESTING COOK 15 MINS ✣ 260g plain flour ✣ 4 eggs ✣ 400ml whole milk ✣ 160ml cold water ✣ 50g unsalted butter, melted and cooled, plus extra for the pan You will need: ✣ 22cm non-stick frying pan 1 Sift the flour into a bowl with a pinch of salt. Mix the eggs, milk and water together and gradually add to the flour, while stirring with a balloon whisk. Once smooth, mix in the melted butter. Set aside for 30 mins. 2 Heat a little butter in the frying pan over a medium-high heat, so that the pancakes cook but don’t smoke. Add a…

A healthy lifestyle isn’t just about eating vegetables or getting enough exercise. It’s about living meaningful and fulfilling lives that are in balance with four wellbeing pillars. Here’s how. Move ✣ Embed what fits Exercise doesn’t just mean working out or going to the gym. It can be the kind of exercise already weaved into your lifestyle, like walking. Incorporate movement into activities you would be doing anyway and make exercise feel less like a chore and more like a natural part of daily life. ✣ Follow joy When exercise is done in the right spirit it will make us feel stronger, more confident and more energetic. Some days you might want to sweat and feel exhausted, while others you may want to exercise in peace and quiet. It doesn’t…

My grandchildren really tire me out Q My grandchildren are three and five, and love having sleepovers at our place. We’re in our mid-70s and we find one night as much as we can cope with. My daughter says they want to stay over for a weekend. I don’t want to say no but it’s too much. Sandra, Whitby A As we get older and become aware of our limitations, it can be hard to accept these and share them with others. As parents, we often try to hide these signs from our children so they don’t know, but the result is they then ask us for things we can’t do. Being open and honest is essential in a good relationship. Explain to your daughter that you love having the…

Difficulty level YOU WILL NEED ✣ Access to a photocopier ✣ Tracing paper and pencil ✣ 75 x 50cm rectangle of camel-coloured cuddle plush fabric ✣ 35 x 25cm rectangle of caramel 60mm shagpile faux fur ✣ 10 x 10cm rectangle of cream cotton fabric ✣ 6 x 6cm square of black felt fabric ✣ 30cm of 112cm-wide blue cotton fabric ✣ Black stranded cotton embroidery thread ✣ 25cm of 8mm-wide elastic ✣ 4 x 1cm rectangle of sew-in Velcro ✣ Three 6mm white buttons ✣ Matching sewing threads ✣ Toy filling ✣ Bodkin or safety pin Stockists: Cuddle plush fabric 75 x 50cm rectangle, £5.50, Billow Fabrics; billowfabrics.co.uk. 35 x 25cm rectangle of 60mm shagpile faux fur, £3.60, Mohair Bear Making Supplies; mohairbearmakingsupplies.co.uk. Bella Solids fabric in Blue Raspberry,…

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: Cooking room or shop. 6 = average. More than 12 = 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. YOU CAN WORK IT OUT... 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…

From you to us Letter of the week PRICKLY GARDEN FRIENDS I read your article Almost time for bed [1 November 2022] with interest, especially the advice about hedgehogs. While living in the countryside I regularly had little prickly visitors but, since moving to a larger village 10 years ago, I noticed I had not seen a single hedgehog. After reading your article, I started looking under the garden shed for any signs of life. And I found a hedgehog! I’m now very careful not to let our dog near the shed so he doesn’t disturb the hibernating hedgehog who my family have named Hazel. Attached is a photo of Hazel – it was the one time she did get disturbed and she made it as far as our gate!…

O ver the years, Britain has brought more than its fair share of memorable musicals to the stage. Here are just a few must-see shows currently on at West End theatres and around the UK. The Phantom of the Opera With lavish sets and costumes, and well-known songs, such as The Music of the Night, Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber’s blockbuster musical is set in the Paris Opera, where a mysterious masked genius becomes obsessed with a beautiful soprano. Since it opened in the West End in 1986, the show has played to more than 140 million people, in 33 countries, and grossed almost £5 billion. In April, the curtain finally comes down on the Broadway production after a record-breaking 35-year run. ✣ For West End details, visit uk.thephantomoftheopera.com Mamma Mia!…

I was born in Abruzzo, southern Italy, the youngest of nine. My mum was 45 and after an eight-year gap, my parents never hesitated in telling me I was a mistake! Mum would cook twice a day and if my sister, seven brothers and I didn’t come to the table, we’d miss our slot and go hungry. We didn’t have much money, but Dad was a farmer, so we ate from the land. With no gas or electricity, the house would be full of the aroma of food slow-cooking in a pot on the open fire – duck ragu, herby chicken with mushrooms… Dad made his own wine, which he thought was the best, but it was definitely only fit for cooking with. When I was 11, we moved to…

Why do I need a retinoid? Retinoids were initially used as a treatment for acne before experts noticed welcome side effects in tackling lines, sagging skin and hyperpigmentation. Retinoids reboot your skin’s collagen production, prompting it to replenish its stocks of this skin-plumping protein. They also speed up cell turnover, whisking away the dull, blemished outer layer of your complexion to reveal the fresher, radiant skin beneath. It’s your go-to for a perkier, lifted complexion. What are retinoids? Retinoids are a family of ingredients, all derived from vitamin A. At the top of the family tree is retinoic acid. This is a high-grade retinoid that’s only available on prescription from a dermatologist. It’s tough on the skin and can cause redness and flaking. Retinal is next, a less punchy derivative…

CHICKEN AND KIMCHI NOODLE SOUP Eke out another meal from your Sunday roast with this spicy and comforting soup pot, perfect for chilly evenings when you’re short on time. SERVES 4 PREP 10 MINS COOK 15 MINS ✣ 4 medium free-range eggs ✣ 2tbsp sesame oil ✣200-300g leftover roast chicken, roughly shredded ✣6 spring onions, thinly sliced, plus extra to serve ✣5cm piece ginger, peeled, finely chopped ✣ 3 garlic cloves, finely sliced ✣200g roughly chopped kimchi, plus about 80ml kimchi juice ✣1.2ltr reduced-sodium chicken stock ✣ 100ml reduced-salt soy sauce ✣250g leafy Asian greens, larger leaves roughly chopped (we used choy sum and pak choi) ✣150g frozen edamame beans, or use garden peas ✣200g dried udon or ramen noodles ✣Sesame seeds, to serve (optional) 1 Cook the eggs in…

My healthy life CHERYL RICKMAN My go-to remedy A gratitude walk in nature. This never fails to make my heart and my head feel good, as it combines three positive energy boosters: the act of noticing and savouring what I’m grateful for – there’s always something, even on difficult days; physical movement in fresh air, and the mental and physical health benefits that walking in nature provides. My favourite meal I’m not the best cook so quick, easy, nutritious meals appeal. I love Buddha bowls (a blend of grains, greens, protein, and raw, roasted and pickled veg). My favourite includes roast chicken, sweet potato, brown rice, red cabbage, sauerkraut, radish, carrot, watercress, and a tahini and maple syrup sauce. I’m also partial to homemade Fiorentina pizza, or poached egg and…

GREY BEGONE Chase away gloomy winter skies with Japanese apricot (Prunus mume) ‘Beni-chidori’. Deep pink cups of almond-scented flowers appear on bare branches in late February to early March, and hold fast for up to four weeks. With a maximum height of 2.5m, this petite tree is comfortable in a container. Keep it somewhere sunny and sheltered to protect the glorious early blossoms from frost. FANTASTIC FERN For a lush houseplant that looks striking all year round, try the architectural staghorn fern (Platycerium bifurcatum). It has deeply forked fronds and looks good trailing from a hanging basket. Grow in bright but indirect light and a warm (12C minimum), humid environment away from draughts. Mist frequently and feed March to October. 3 of the best... spring woodlanders SOLOMON’S SEAL ‘BETBERG’ Dark…

Difficulty level MEASUREMENTS To fit bust 82-87 (92-97) (102-107) (112-117) (122-127) cm/32-34 (36-38) (40-42) (44-46) (48-50) in. Actual measurements 99 (110) (121.5) (133) (144) cm/39 (43¼) (47¾) (52½) (56¾) in. Length to shoulder 53 (55) (57) (59) (61) cm/21 (21¾) (22½) (23¼) (24) in. Side seam 33 (34) (35) (36) (37) cm/13 (13¼) (13¾) (14¼) (14½) in. Sleeve seam 35cm/13¾in. MATERIALS 5 (6) (6) (7) (7) 100g (155m) balls of King Cole Timeless Chunky (90% acrylic, 10% alpaca) in Rosebud (2915)*. Pair each of 5mm (No. 6), 5.5mm (No. 5) and 6mm (No. 4) knitting needles; stitch holders. Yarn is available from theknittingnetwork.co.uk TENSION 14 stitches and 20 rows, to 10 x 10cm, over stocking stitch, using 6mm needles. ABBREVIATIONS K, knit; p, purl; skpo, slip 1 st, k 1…

Looking Out For Love by Sophia Money-Coutts (£8.99, PB, HarperCollins) Stella Shakespeare is 32 and feels like she’s going nowhere fast. Dumped by her boyfriend, and cut off from the bank of dad, she decides that what she really wants is to find love – the all-consuming type. Enter tall, handsome Fitz, who sweeps her off her feet. He seems to be everything. But, has she been looking for love in all the wrong places? In this life-affirming story, with all the challenges thrown at Stella, will she learn what’s truly important? The Garnett Girls by Georgina Moore (£14.99, HB, HarperCollins) Set on the charming Isle of Wight comes this wistful tale of three sisters and their mother Margo, whose voracious appetite for life is tangible. Daughters Rachel, Imogen and…