Innholdsfortegnelse for 4-Jul-2023 i Woman's Weekly

A true national treasure Incredibly, it was in 1943, at the height of the war, that Winston Churchill announced the government’s desire, after the publication of the Beveridge Report, to create a welfare state that would look after us ‘from the cradle to the grave’. Out of that ambition came our wonderful National Health Service and, like most Britons, I owe it so much, from the safe delivery of our three children, through the wonderful care it gave my parents as they moved towards the end of life, to the excellent treatment I myself have received over the years. This year the NHS is 75 years old. See our celebration of that on page 10.…

I’ve been fortunate enough to represent the UK twice in the Eurovision Song Contest. My first appearance was with the band Co-Co in 1978, in which we finished 11th place, but winning with Bucks Fizz and our hit, Making Your Mind Up, in 1981 is what you’ll most likely remember me for. Our skirt-rip moment was a gimmick, but it left the viewers wanting more, and that’s what the competition is all about. Unsurprisingly, I think the new rule that means you cannot re-enter the contest until five years have passed is a shame. If this had been the case when I was younger, I wouldn’t have been allowed to join Bucks Fizz, and what a change of fate that would have been! Having said that, I don’t think gender…

Chilli chicken nachos Simple to scale up if you’re serving a crowd, this relaxed supper is tasty and something a bit different from the norm. SERVES 4 PREP 5 mins COOK 35 mins ✱ 200g bag salted tortilla chips ✱ 400g tin black beans, drained and rinsed ✱ 175g cooked sweet chilli/Cajun chicken, shredded ✱ 200g tub fresh tomato salsa ✱ 150ml soured cream ✱ 100g grated mature Cheddar ✱ 2tbsp pickled sliced jalapeños ✱ 1 avocado, diced ✱ Fresh coriander leaves, to serve 1 Heat the oven to 170C Fan/Gas 5. Layer the tortilla chips, black beans, chicken, salsa, soured cream and most of the Cheddar into a large roasting tin. Cover the tin with foil and bake for 20 mins until warmed through. 2 Remove the…

ADVICE FROM OUR WOMAN’S WEEKLY DOCTOR The kidneys’ main role is filtering waste products from blood into urine. Waste product build-up (kidney failure) is life-threatening. The other treatment of end-stage kidney failure is dialysis. Your age isn’t a barrier to transplantation but ongoing infection, severe heart disease, cancer that’s spread or AIDS may be. Kidneys are either donated by living donors – you need only one kidney to survive and ideally, close relatives are more likely to share tissue type or blood group, reducing your rejection risk, or from people who have recently died, which has slightly lower chance of success. There may be a long wait for a kidney, as demand is far higher than donor numbers, especially from people of non-white ethnic origin, where kidney disease is more…

Honey nut milk lollies Sweet and moreish, these make a fun make-ahead dessert. MAKES 8 READY IN 25 mins, plus infusing and overnight freezing ✱ 100g honey nut cornflakes ✱ 600ml whole milk ✱ 300ml double cream ✱ 2tbsp golden syrup FOR THE COATING ✱ 150g white chocolate ✱ 1tbsp coconut oil ✱ 50g honey nut cornflakes, crushed YOU WILL NEED ✱ Ice lolly moulds and lolly sticks ✱ Baking tray lined with baking paper 1 Put the cereal and milk into a bowl and set aside to infuse for 1 hr. Strain the mixture through a fine sieve. Mix the cream and syrup into the milk. 2 Pour the mixture into the lolly moulds. Insert the sticks and transfer them to the freezer to set overnight. 3…

Difficulty level YOU WILL NEED ✱ 45x108cm gingham fabric ✱ 40x40cm patterned fabric ✱ Bondaweb ✱ Contrasting thread ✱ 42cm square cushion pad 1 From the gingham fabric, cut two 31.5x45cm rectangles and one 45cm square. Turn one of the long edges on each rectangle under by 1cm and then another 1cm. Pin and topstitch in a matching thread to secure the hemmed section. 2 On the reverse of the patterned fabric, fuse the Bondaweb, then draw a heart shape and cut out. Position in the centre of the cushion front and sew in place with a wide zigzag stitch. 3 Pin the cushion front and backs right sides together, with the two hemmed backs overlapped to form the opening. Sew all the way around the edge…

Difficulty level MEASUREMENTS Approximately 27cm high MATERIALS 1 x 50g (163m) ball of Emu Treasure DK (55% nylon, 45% acrylic) in each of Grass (507) and White (500), and a small amount of Navy (512)*. Pair of 3mm (No. 11) knitting needles; one 2.75mm (No. 12) knitting needle; washable toy stuffing; removable stitch markers or waste yarn. Yarn is available from theknittingnetwork.co.uk ABBREVIATIONS Beg, beginning; k, knit; p, purl; skpo, slip 1 st, k 1 st, pass slipped st over knitted st (to decrease); ss, stocking st (k on right side and p on wrong side); st(s), stitch(es); tog, together (work as many sts together as stated); up1, pick up loop lying between needles and work into the back of it; w&t, wrap and turn thus: bring yarn between needles…

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: breakfast food. Average = 10 More than 20 = well done 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 make a word. CLUE: A statement of the exact meaning of a word. Crossword Try the easy or cryptic clues, then rearrange the letters…

Do we want a free ticket to Legoland?’ asked Mr Dear absent-mindedly one morning. It is breakfast time and, believe it or not, this question is evidence of a crisis at Chateau Dear. ‘I don’t think so,’ I reply, gazing into the fridge and wondering why we have quite so much yogurt. ‘I’m not sure we’re the target audience. Why do you ask?’ ‘It’s on the cornflakes packet. How about Shrek’s Adventure instead?’ ‘What is Shrek’s Adventure, when it’s at home?’ Mr D pulls his glasses to the very end of his nose, and examines the cornflakes packet more closely. ‘It doesn’t really say. I’m assuming that it’s a place where you have adventures with Shrek, the film chap. Oh, there’s a trip to Warwick Castle on offer too. That…

WHAT A TITANIC TRIUMPH! Embark on an extraordinary voyage at Titanic: The Musical, touring theatres around the country right now. Focusing on the dreams and stories of real passengers aboard the ill-fated ship, this poignant, dramatic production features a highly acclaimed original music score. The UK tour continues at The Lowry in Salford from 4-8 July. ✱ Find tickets from £20 and more dates at titanicthemusical.co.uk Big birds bounce back The UK’s tallest bird is making a comeback from extinction, thanks to wetland conservation efforts. The common crane, which can reach up to 4ft tall with a 7ft wingspan, disappeared completely from the UK more than 500 years ago, but a recent survey shows their population now stands at around 71 breeding pairs. These secretive, elegant birds can be spotted…

‘I’ve seen how precious life is’ Lucy Bradford, 45, is an advanced clinical practitioner for older persons’ care in Suffolk. She has worked for the NHS since 1995. I always wanted to be a nurse. I remember visiting my great aunt in hospital and being fascinated by the nurses. I began my career at 15, with a Saturday job in a nursing home, before becoming a healthcare assistant. At the age of 19, I began my nursing studies, qualifying in 2000. Since then, I’ve done everything from 14 years in intensive care to joining a critical-care outreach programme. COVID-19 was a huge challenge – I went back to the ITU for four months. It was terrifying – like standing at the edge of the ocean and waiting for a tsunami…

1 MULTITASKING MIST Use this refreshing spritz as a cooling face mist and a make-up setting spray. It will hydrate, soothe and balance your complexion after a day in the sun. Spritz before and after applying your make-up for ultimate staying power. Revolution Pro Hydra Bright Dewy Face Mist, £8.99, revolutionbeauty.com 2 SENSITIVE SUN CREAM The perfect size for a weekend away, this sun cream promises UVA and UVB protection for face and body, as well as a non-sticky, hypoallergenic and water-resistant formula. Garnier Ambre Solaire Mini Sensitive Hyporallergenic Sun Protection Cream SPF 50, £6.50, Boots 3 MINIATURE MIST With gorgeous scents of fresh raspberry and floral orange blossom, not only is this body spray the perfect size for taking away with you, it smells so luxurious, you’ll be fooling…

The tide is turning on the way we think of weeds. As well as supporting our pollinators, they provide remedies for a variety of ailments, and can add new textures and flavours to cooking. Here are some of the UK’s top super-weeds, and why they deserve a place, however modest, in your garden. Yarrow Achillea millefolium The feathery leaves and multiple flower heads of yarrow have been used for centuries to heal wounds and stop bleeding. A muscle relaxant and mild sedative, yarrow is said to relieve menstrual cramps, and contains flavonoids that make it useful for treating digestive problems. DID YOU KNOW? ‘Achillea’ derives from Achilles, the warrior of Greek myth, said to have used the plant’s leaves to treat injured soldiers. Stinging nettles Urtica dioica Handled with care,…

Health I’m caught in the middle Q My extended family and I have very different values. They have at times made comments that could be seen as homophobic. My daughter is a lesbian and has just announced her engagement to her delightful partner. We’re very happy. She’s said she doesn’t want any of my siblings or my parents to come to the wedding. I don’t know how to tell them they aren’t invited. I’d like them there. Name and address withheld A It is not your wedding and, therefore, not your decision. You need to have a conversation with your daughter and explain that, with her permission, you’d like to share this wonderful event with your close family. Acknowledge that their views are different and that you would…

Take it to the top Like adding a feature wallpaper to a neutral room, climbers bring personality and style to a garden. Vertical growth means adding colour, shape and scent at height, leaving the smallest of footprints in the ground – a bonus when space is at a premium. Use climbers to make gorgeous focal points, to blanket boundaries or give privacy to an overlooked lawn or patio. Choose perennials for permanent planting or give fast-growing annuals a whirl for a seasonal splash. A vine romance Vigorous climbers can transform a garden in a wink, giving it a new look for summer. For tropical exuberance, the cup-and-saucer plant (Cobaea scandens) can go from 5cm to 5m in a few months. Native to Mexico, it will only survive the mildest of…

ARIES 21 MAR – 20 APR With positive thinking on a consistent basis, success will come to you in all areas of your life. This is your key to the door. TAURUS 21 APR – 21 MAY Don’t focus on the small stuff. It may be distracting you from what’s truly important. Pay attention to one project at a time and it will pay off. GEMINI 22 MAY – 21 JUN Your finances may need some restructuring. It’s crucial not to overextend yourself and to live within your means. CANCER 22 JUN – 23 JUL There are creative possibilities, including new relationships, on the horizon. Keep an open mind and heart and you’ll attract positive experiences. LEO 24 JUL – 23 AUG Connect with nature. It will bring you peace…

Letter of the week Dolled up Back in the early 70s, as a young mum I made many rag dolls from a pattern in Woman’s Weekly using scrap material from various sources. This doll, called Anna and made for my friend’s daughter, was dressed up in the kitchen curtain fabric! Anna has returned to me again for arm transplants plus the reverse of a stomach reduction; her third new dress and underwear too. Anna has travelled way across England and also attended university, and she seems happy at the prospect of a refurbishment. One problem is that although I still have the pattern, the instructions for the hairstyle have vanished. I wonder if anyone else has the pattern hiding in their cupboard? Jan Hearn, Mevagissey GREEN-FINGERED WISDOM As a keen…

Reality check Even if you manage to reverse type 2 diabetes, this will be a remission – not a cure. ‘You’ll have to work hard to keep it at bay and avoid serious complications such as heart disease, blindness and amputation,’ says Professor Roy Taylor, author of Life Without Diabetes. ‘But there’s plenty you can do to reduce your risk in the first place.’ ARE YOU SITTING (TOO) COMFORTABLY? Make an effort to move as often as you can. Even if you take the recommended 150 minutes of exercise in a week, your risk of type 2 is raised if you spend most of the remainder of your time at a desk or on a sofa. ‘Weight loss through diet reverses type 2 diabetes reliably, but exercise will help prevent…

3 WAYS TO... Fitter feet 1 KEEP THEM CLEAN Wash your feet regularly and use a foot scrub or pumice stone to gently remove dead skin and a foot cream to avoid dry skin. Try the new Fixology range at Boots, from £5.99 for 150ml. 2 KEEP THEM DRY Dry feet thoroughly after bathing, especially between the toes, using a separate towel. Dab them dry instead of rubbing them, and avoid shoes that make your feet hot and sweaty. 3 MOVE THEM REGULARLY Ankle rotations and toe raises will fight poor circulation, which can lead to blood clots and foot pain. Take a daily walk for at least 15 minutes to get the blood pumping to your feet and legs. NEWSFLASH Exercise linked to lower Parkinson’s risk in women Women…

3 OF THE BEST... Picnic plates STYLE TIPS 1 FURNITURE PLAN Refresh your seating for the summer by buying a new set or update your existing one. Consider adding colour using paint suitable for wood or metal outdoor furniture, or add lots of comfy seat pads for a more straightforward fix. 2 CENTRE OF ATTENTION Treat your outdoor table as you would your indoor one by placing a centrepiece on it. A vase of fresh flowers or beachcombed finds placed on a pretty metal tray would look attractive. 3 PERK UP A PATIO Liven up a plain patio with colour and interest by arranging collections of potted plants together. Look for planters in different sizes and on stilts, and fill with leafy foliage and grasses. 4 SETTING THE SCENE To…

Books Coming to Find You by Jane Corry (£8.99, PB, Penguin) Nancy is hiding a terrible truth. When a gruesome family murder is splashed across the newspapers, she flees the media frenzy and hides away at Tall Chimneys, a remote, rambling seaside property, which once belonged to her grandmother. But the old house has its own secrets and a chilling wartime legacy. Following two different timelines – one in 1940s England and the other in the present day – this gripping, emotional drama keeps you guessing right up to the end. The Villa by Ruth Kelly (£8.99, PB, Pan Macmillan) Who wouldn’t be tempted by the idea of love, fame and a prize pot that could change your life? The temptation is real, but for the contestants on The Villa,…