Innholdsfortegnelse for 15-Aug-2023 i Woman's Weekly

Mellowing with age "One of the benefits of getting older is gaining more confidence. Too many of us, when young, were paralysed with nerves and overly anxious about what to say and do in the company of others. But as the years go by and we perhaps experience important things in life, like having children and raising a family, or building a career, luckily those sort of worries often become increasingly insignificant. Yet it’s always a surprise when people you think are supremely confident reveal that they too suffered insecurities when young. See our Alison Steadman interview on page 8, where she does just that."…

"My mother-in-law has a fabulous saying, ‘There may be snow on the roof, but the fire’s still burning.’ I’m 59, but I really don’t feel it. In my head, I feel like I’m somewhere between 28 and 32. Then I catch sight of myself in the mirror and think, ‘Good heavens, who is that!’ I like to fly the flag for the older woman. In Emmerdale, I play nurse Wendy Posner, who’s having an affair with Dr Liam Cavanagh, who is a good few years younger than her. There’s still more of an acceptance of an older man with a younger woman than the other way round, but why? If two people come together and there’s a connection, then so be it. I live with my two grown-up sons and,…

Roast squash and sweetcorn salad A hearty vegan salad that makes a mouth-watering main, but it could equally be dished up as a side with meat. SERVES 4 READY IN 40 mins ✱ 750g butternut squash, peeled and cut into 2cm slices✱ 2tbsp olive oil✱ 1 red onion, peeled and cut into wedges✱ 4 corn on the cob✱ 1½tsp chilli flakes✱ 1 vegetable stock cube✱ 120g giant couscous, rinsed in cold water FOR THE DRESSING ✱ 25g coriander, plus extra leaves to garnish✱ Juice 1 lime✱ 75ml olive oil✱ ¼tsp caster sugar 1 Heat the oven to 200C Fan/Gas 7. Put the squash on a baking tray and drizzle with 1tbsp oil and a pinch of salt. Cook for 15 mins, then add the onion wedges, corn on the cobs…

ADVICE FROM OUR WOMAN’S WEEKLY DOCTOR Urogenital atrophy is the combined vulvovaginal and urinary tract symptoms, most often caused by thinning and shrinking of the tissues of the vulva, vagina, urethra and bladder through oestrogen deficiency at the time of the menopause. Vaginal dryness symptoms include itching, irritation, discomfort and burning, leading to pain on intercourse (dyspareunia) and reduced libido. They also include pain on urination (dysuria), urinary frequency and urgency, and recurrent lower urinary tract infections. These symptoms may appear for the first time more than 10 years after the last menstrual period, but vaginal dryness tends to increase in severity with time since the menopause. The causes of vaginal dryness are usually related to hormonal changes from several reasons – as you go through the menopause, if you’re…

Craft Difficulty level YOU WILL NEED ✱ 40x50cm cotton canvas fabric✱ Matching thread✱ Hand sewing needle✱ Stuffing✱ Protractor✱ Ruler✱ Pencil and paper✱ Ribbon✱ Rice NOTE Sew with right sides together and 1cm seam allowances throughout 1 Make an equilateral triangle-shaped template as follows: Draw an 18cm straight line on your paper. At each end, use your protractor to measure and mark out a 60-degree angle. Draw lines along these markings, both of which should measure 18cm. Use this template to cut out four triangles from the canvas fabric, and also cut out a 18cm square piece. 2 Pair two triangles together and stitch along one edge. Press seams open and repeat for the second pair. Pin the stitched triangles together, sandwiching a loop of ribbon in the centre of two…

Difficulty level Instructions overleaf MEASUREMENTS Approximately 17.5cm/7in high. MATERIALS 2 x 50g (163m) balls of Emu Treasure DK (55% nylon, 45% acrylic) in Denim (508); 1 ball in each of Hot Pink (510), Baby Pink (505) and Soft Lemon (502) and a small amount in Grass (507)*. Pair of 3.75mm (No. 9) knitting needles; 3mm crochet hook. TENSION 21 stitches and 41 rows, to 10x10cm, over rib pattern, using 3.75mm needles. ABBREVIATIONS (UK TERMS) Ch, chain; dc, double crochet; k, knit; p, purl; slst, slip st; 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); tr, treble crochet. NOTE Yarn amounts are based on average requirements and are therefore approximate. Figures in square brackets are worked…

Word wise 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: ball game. Average = 15 More than 35 = 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: Unusual or exciting experiences. Crossword Try the easy or cryptic clues, then rearrange the letters in the shaded squares for…

FASHION ICONS Clothes can be works of art, and many great designers are represented in a dazzling new exhibition – Unpicking Couture – at the Manchester Art Gallery. From Elsa Schiaparelli’s 1937 velvet jacket to Paco Rabanne’s 1994 ruffled jumpsuit and cloak (above), this is fashion at its best. On until January 2025, it’s free. Visit manchesterartgallery.org Woodland wonders Hazel dormice are among the UK’s most appealing animals, with their golden coats and bright eyes, but like many native species, they have suffered a drastic decline in population. So it’s great news that the National Trust has partnered with the People’s Trust for Endangered Species, to reintroduce 38 of these tiny mammals into a secluded woodland at Calke Abbey, in Derbyshire. It’s hoped that they’ll re-establish a thriving dormouse population…

When the sun is shining, spending a day browsing exhibits in a hushed indoor setting might not be your first choice for a day out. But outdoor museums can be a unique and immersive experience, guaranteed to transport you to another time and place. Whether it’s buildings that have been painstakingly rebuilt stone by stone and filled with artefacts from a bygone era, or actors regaling visitors with long-ago stories, these attractions offer an exciting window into the past. Here are our picks, from traditional Highlands thatched cottages to a 1950s town in Durham and Tudor re-enactments in the Chilterns. Highland Folk Museum NEWTONMORE Located in Scotland’s stunning Cairngorms National Park, this fascinating museum charts the daily lives of Highland people from the 18th century to the present day.…

1 CITRUS BURST Combining the zingy aroma of lime blossom with calming aloe vera, this fast-absorbing gel-cream is all you need to refresh hot summer skin, not only leaving it looking and feeling nourished and soothed, but smelling delicious too. The Body Shop Zesty Lime Blossom Water-Gel Body Yogurt, £12, The Body Shop 2 FRAGRANT FOAM Uniting the moreish scents of aloe vera and ylangylang, this 99% natural origin shower gel is about as dreamy as it gets! Use it in the mornings for an invigorating wake-up call – it promises to transport you to sunnier climes and awaken your senses. Faith In Nature Aloe Vera Body Wash, £6, ocado.com 3 PEACHY POUT Bursting with the irresistible scent of peach, this nourishing lip balm is packed with skin-loving…

Our gardens wouldn’t exist without insects. But that doesn’t mean they’re all equally welcome. If pesky critters are dining out on your plants, call in some reinforcements. Encouraging predatory insects into your garden is a great way to deal with pests without resorting to chemicals, since the ‘good bugs’ eat the ‘bad bugs’. Time to roll out the red carpet for these VIPs (very important predators). Ladybirds Loved by gardeners and children alike, one ladybird can eat up to 5,000 aphids in its lifetime. That’s good news when you consider that there are more than 500 species of aphids in the UK, including greenfly and blackfly. Ladybirds are attracted to flat-topped flowers, such as fennel, cosmos and angelica, and they love a bug hotel. You can even purchase ladybirds and…

Can he really cope with the childcare? Q My father, who lives in New Zealand, is coming to stay with us for six weeks. I have three children and one is under two. He goes to nursery and the other two to school. I’ll take the first couple of weeks off when Dad’s here, but I’ll need to work for the rest of the time. He’s suggested he looks after my little one and does the school drop-off and pick-up so they won’t miss after-school club. He’s 78 and I don’t think he’s up to it. Jacinta, Leeds A It’s lovely that your father wants sounds like a lot for anyone and will be exhausting. You need to explain that to him and say you wouldn’t want…

Letter of the week New hobby to nurture I always enjoy reading Louise Midgley’s Nature Notes column, and love seeing the photos of the wildlife in her garden. This week, I was inspired by her photo of the ashy mining bees enjoying the nectar of the water dropwort. I’m no wildlife photographer but I was quite pleased with how my pictures turned out! It’s given me the confidence to continue snapping the nature in my own garden. Mrs Nicola Richardson, Withyham SERVICE MATTERS I was recently in a chain store to do a little retail therapy for myself. I found the staff quite rude, with no conversation with the customers. I didn’t get that friendly home feeling but after all is it not the customer that pays their wages every…

Why worry? ‘Bone is a living tissue that constantly regenerates,’ says nutritionist Kate Arthur*. ‘However, after the age of 30, there is more bone breakdown than formation, resulting in decreased density and strength. Menopause further accelerates bone loss due to hormonal fluctuations, leading to increased frailty.’ So, it’s important as we get older to be bone aware, to know how to protect and keep it strong, helping to prevent common conditions, such as osteoporosis, falls and hip fractures. HAVE EGGS ‘Eggs really do pack a nutritional punch, providing more than 10 different vitamins and minerals,’ says nutritionist Dr Carrie Ruxton. These include bone-boosting vitamin D and protein. They’re also great for building good muscle mass, which has a knock-on effect for stronger bones. CUT BACK ON BOOZE Too much alcohol…

‘My scar is a symbol of survival’ Harriet Kelsall, 52, is founder of Harriet Kelsall Bespoke Jewellery and lives in Cambridge with her 18-year-old son and 14-year-old daughter. I was born with a tiny leak in my heart valve, but never had any problems. Then, after my second child was born in 2009, I experienced a regularly racing heart. As a busy mum, I put it down to stress and tried to ignore it. But in 2012 I suddenly collapsed. I was rushed to hospital, where I was told I’d need life-saving surgery. Although the procedure was a success, I was left with a snaking red scar – I’ll never forget when I finally came home after two and a half weeks, expecting my children to rush into my arms.…

3 EARLY SIGNS OF... Parkinson’s 1 LOSING YOUR SENSE OF SMELL This can start years before other symptoms so it could be a useful early warning sign, but most of us (83%) were unaware of the symptom in a recent study*. 2 BLADDER/BOWEL PROBLEMS Tremors and stiffness are the most commonly known signs of Parkinson’s, but may only be seen in the later stages of the disease. An overactive bladder, particularly at night, can be an early indicator. 3 DEPRESSION OR ANXIETY If you have a sense of dread, constantly worry or have problems concentrating, see your GP. Sweating, pounding or racing heart, and feeling breathless and dizzy can also be signs. For support, contact the Parkinson’s UK charity hotline on 0808 800 0303 NEWSFLASH Daily multivitamin may slow cognitive…

1 SCATTER CUSHIONS Simply replacing some of your soft furnishings – cushions, curtains and throws – can really change the look of a room. It’s also a great way to try out different trends without committing to a huge makeover. Go for pieces with tassels and pom-poms for a boho look, choose brights for a vibrant scheme, or classic country emblems for a cottage feel – the options are endless. ✱ Cushions, from £12 each, both Wilko 2 REVAMP FURNITURE A quick lick of paint and some decorative flourishes will go a long way to transform old furniture. Beading, panelling and new handles can update cupboard doors in a flash. Why not try the latest rattan trend and glue cane webbing onto door fronts for a chic look? ✱ Cushion,…

For many years, the Netherlands was Britain’s enchanting ‘so close, yet so far’ neighbour: an architectural treasure providing old-world canal vistas that many found awkward to reach. But thanks to the Eurostar train service, it’s now barely three hours from London. And you’re not restricted to Amsterdam. Over a long weekend you can get to know calmer, less visited spots such as Leiden and Haarlem – each a quick transfer from Rotterdam’s Eurostar terminal, past windmills, slender church spires and fields of flowers. In summertime, even with tulip season over, the atmosphere is blooming perfection. Poetry in motion Leiden’s muurgedichten, or ‘wall poems’, have been popping up on the sides of old townhouses and boutiques for 30 years. And not only in Dutch: writers from Rimbaud to Pablo Neruda, and…

Books Fearless by Louise Minchin (£18.99, HB, Bloomsbury) Sexism in the workplace is what drove broadcast journalist Louise Minchin to track down 18 extraordinary women adventurers – to show us all what women can do. No stranger to feats of endurance herself, Louise has joined the women to freedive under ice in the pitch dark in Finland, to cycle across Argentina and play rugby in the rain. If you were ever looking for inspiration that will help you set that goal, it’s here. The Collected Regrets of Clover by Mikki Brammer (£14.99, HB, Penguin) Introverted and socially awkward Clover Brooks has withdrawn from normal life, forging a stronger connection with the dying than with the living. Working as a ‘death doula’, she cares for terminally ill patients, listening and talking…

Horoscopes ARIES 21 MAR – 20 APR There is light at the end of the tunnel. Although you’ve been experiencing some ups and downs, the trend is positive. TAURUS 21 APR – 21 MAY Remember to appreciate everything you already have in your life, then you’ll find that abundance flows from unexpected sources. GEMINI 22 MAY – 21 JUN It’s the time to bring out your playful inner child. You have a great sense of fun that magnetises others. CANCER 22 JUN – 23 JUL If something doesn’t feel right, trust that message. You know instinctively when to proceed and when to hold back. LEO 24 JUL – 23 AUG You may feel you’re at a crossroads. It’s time to act. Take a bold step forward – you’ll be glad…

You would think that decades of watching detective dramas on television had taught Mr Dear something, would you not? I am thinking particularly of the bit where a shot rings out and somebody dashes into the master bedroom, where they find the first corpse and a smoking gun beside them. And what do they do? They pick up the weapon – just as everybody else is arriving – and they become Suspect Number One. Just keep that image in mind. Last Tuesday, I went to have my hair done and Mr Dear said he’d come with me. ‘Really?’ I said. ‘What, to watch me getting my hair done?’ This is not as daft as it sounds. The sole rights to my hairstyle, such as it is, are owned by my…