Innholdsfortegnelse for 20-Feb-2024 i Woman's Weekly

No place like home We live in an old tumbledown cottage, down a rough country lane in the back of beyond. For me, it’s a dream come true, but for many people, probably most, it would be impossibly annoying, and they’d far rather live in a nice, modern, draught-free home – which hasn’t had 300 years to collect problems – and in walking distance of some shops. So isn’t it great that different things appeal to different people? Life would be very dull if we all wanted the same. But while we love our home, we’d like a large kitchen – ours doesn’t even have room for a table – so we’re looking at ways to make it bigger. I read our feature on page 54 with great interest!…

Jewels Hogg, 54 Tell us about your look I enjoy wearing colour and love creating my own individual look. My coat is from New Look, the scarf is Monsoon and the sunglasses are Asos. My bright print jumper and jeans are both charity-shop buys. I tend to spend a bit more on shoes and bags (my loafers are from Office). My Prada bag is actually a hand-me-down from my sister – lucky me! What’s your favourite thing about yourself? I’m kind and also very expressive. Cathy Farthing, 69 Tell us about your look My faux-fur coat is from Joseph. It’s a few years old now but still feels gorgeous and very luxe. My jeans are from 7 For All Mankind, the boots are from LK Bennett and my bag is…

Every building tells a story and none more so than the historic sites around England, which bear witness to the heritage and history of our land. If these landmarks are in danger of neglect, decay or inappropriate use, they may make Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register, where grants and community projects come together to help save them. As the register celebrates its 25th year, we discover some of its successes. Victorian electricity substation London Lurking in the London suburb of Wimbledon sits what looks like a green postbox. It’s a Victorian electrical substation – one of the first of its kind to be installed in the country. It reduced electricity voltage to safer levels before being transferred to homes and businesses, and dates back to 1875. The Victorians loved…

When single mother Nic Davies’ children were 20 and 16, she believed she was finally getting her freedom back – but just a year after starting a relationship with her now-husband Adrian, she suddenly became a full-time stepmum to eight children. ‘The changes – emotional, mental and physical – were incredible and, at times, extremely hard,’ the 49-year-old from Lancashire, admits. ‘But I wouldn’t change my supersize family for the world.’ Nic was introduced to fellow single parent Adrian, now 56, through a mutual friend in late 2012. They started spending time together in a wider group, but as the months passed, their friendship developed. ‘I always knew that he had eight children and that he hadn’t been broken up from their mum for long. That’s probably why we remained…

‘Thanks to my daughter, I found my purpose’ Kate Hoyle, 59, is a clinical hypnotherapist, from north-west London, where she lives with her husband David, 60. They have two grown-up children, Nellie, 23, and Ethan, 20. Our daughter Nellie was diagnosed with clinical anxiety and depression when she was 12 years old. What followed were difficult years of school absence, physical illness, an eating disorder and the terror of what might happen. She had a lengthy wait to be seen by the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), and she was under the service for a long time. Every time I heard about a potential therapy or an intervention, I’d whisk her off to try it. None of it made much difference until she tried rapid transformational therapy when…

Cards, chocolates, a romantic meal for two – many of us observe the traditions associated with Valentine’s Day. We know it’s named after St Valentine, but were you aware there may have been three different Valentines that were sainted? St Valentine I The first St Valentine lived in Roman times and was somewhat rebellious. The Romans believed single men were better soldiers, resulting in Emperor Claudius II issuing a decree prohibiting young men from marrying. But a priest called Valentine defied this decree and continued to conduct marriages in secret. St Valentine II St Valentine II helped Christian soldiers to escape from Roman jails – until he was caught himself and sentenced to death. During his incarceration, he befriended his jailer, Asterious, who asked him to help his blind daughter…

ADVICE FROM OUR WOMAN’S WEEKLY DOCTOR The commonest cancer in the over-60s, its symptoms include blood in the urine, which is usually painless. Signs also include frequent or urgent need to pee and burning discomfort. Once spread, bone pain, pelvic pain, weight loss and leg swelling may occur. Most bladder cancers are linked to harmful substance exposure over many years. Chemicals in tobacco cause over a third of bladder cancers. Other risks include previous chemotherapy, long-standing urinary catheters, bladder stones and repeated infections. If you have blood in your urine, see your GP to discuss symptoms, family history and chemical exposure. They’ll send a urine sample for laboratory testing, do physical examinations and exclude the possibility of infections, kidney stones and prostate problems, which give similar symptoms. They’ll then refer…

I moved here from a three-bedroom house,’ says Abi. ‘It was time for me to free up some capital to travel and do some of the things that I really wanted to do. I’m a passionate skier, so plenty of skiing was top of my list. A flat was the obvious move, and I found one nearby with a reasonably sized garden, and a train station close by, and it had plenty of potential. Making plans The major issue with the flat was that the kitchen was plonked right in the middle, with a small living room on the other side of a wall. It made both rooms feel cramped, but at least the living room had a window and doors to the garden, while the kitchen just had a…

BABY BELLS If you’re drawn to dark, dusky blue shades, take a peek at Bellevalia pycnantha(H20-30cm). Looking like a grape hyacinth on steroids, this hardy bulb has tall stems topped with cone-shaped clusters of tiny bells, loaded with pollen, irresistible to pollinators. A colourful contender for spring pots, where its eye-catching blue flowers can be closely admired. GROWN WITH LOVE Send a truly romantic message on Valentine’s Day with a home-grown posy. For fragrance that will fill a room, use stems of Daphne bholua, which has tiny flowers in white, pink or purplish pink. Other scented stars include hyacinths and lily of the valley, teamed with evergreen rosemary. Or float hellebores in a shallow bowl of water. 3 OF THE BEST... Early daffodils ‘JET FIRE’ A weather-resistant daff in…

FLOWER girl This pretty, embroidered pinafore is the perfect outfit for spring TESTED BY US so they work for you MEASUREMENTS To fit ages 3-6 (6-9) (9-12) (12-24) (24-36) months. Actual chest 47 (49.5) (51.5) (55) (60)cm/18½ (19½) (20¼) (21¾) (23½)in. Side seam 21.5 (23) (24.5) (28) (32.5)cm/8½ (9) (9½) (11¼) (12¾)in. Length to shoulder 32.5 (35) (37.5) (43) (48.5) cm/12¾ (13¾) (14¾) (17) (19¼)in. MATERIALS 3 (3) (4) (5) (6) 50g (125m) balls of Scheepjes Catona (100% cotton) in Shocking Pink (114) and a small amount of cotton yarn in two contrasting colours for embroidery*. Pair of 3.25mm (No. 10) knitting needles; 3mm (No. 11) circular knitting needle; stitch holders; 2 cable needles; stitch markers; 4 small buttons. Yarn is available from theknittingnetwork.co.uk TENSION 26 stitches and 36 rows…

Books Every Smile You Fake by Dorothy Koomsom (£16.99, HB, Headline) When therapist Kez Lanyon finds a baby on the back seat of her car, along with a note asking her to take care of him, she’s pretty sure she knows who the mother is – after all, social media star Brandee had lived in her house before. With the note claiming Kez should not try to look for the mother as it will put her baby in danger, she faces a dilemma – look after the baby or help to save his mum, who she believes is in trouble too. It’s another fantastic emotional thriller from the author of The Ice Cream Girls and Tell Me Your Secret. The Book of Doors by Gareth Brown (£16.99, HB, Transworld) It’s…

There was a woman acting suspiciously in the charity shop the other day. In fact, she could not have been acting more suspiciously if she’d put on a mask and a striped top, and come through the door with a large bag marked Swag. I was serving a couple when I first noticed her. She was hovering about by our knitwear display, and she kept looking at me. I thought nothing of it at first, and flashed her a pleasant smile. She spent so much time hovering by the cardis and looking over at me that I actually asked if there was anything I could do. ‘Oh no,’ she said breezily, and in quite a posh voice too. ‘I’m just looking’. ‘She took a lilac top and stuffed it under…

T oday’s world is anything but calm. Stress bombards us, and if we don’t pause for a bit of peace, we risk becoming overwhelmed. Even the smallest moment of calm can transform your outlook. Whether you follow just one of these tips or many, you can find clarity every day – in just five minutes. In the morning Step into your morning from a place of calm. Your day may be full of challenges but you control the energy you bring to it. Five minutes spent centring yourself will benefit you and anyone who depends on you for the rest of the day. BODY SCAN When you wake, take a few moments to check in with your body. Close your eyes and mentally direct your attention to each part of…

CHECKED PRINT When wearing a checked trench coat, opt for simple and solid-coloured clothing underneath. This enables the coat to become the focal point of your outfit, without overwhelming it with too many patterns. SUPERMARKET STEAL Pick up this khaki double-breasted version while doing your food shop. Made from a lightweight fabric, it’s not as heavy or rigid as traditional styles, and so it’s perfect for wearing now with knitted layers underneath, before seeing you through into the warmer months of spring. SINGLE-BREASTED STYLE If you’re looking to invest more money than you would usually spend on a coat, choose a neutral colour such as beige, navy or black for a timeless and versatile style that won’t date. These colours are easy to pair with numerous outfits and can easily…

Tomato, Cheddar and pesto tart Ready-rolled puff pastry is the saviour of impromptu dinner parties: it creates a showstopper impression without taking too much time. SERVES 4-6 PREP 20 mins COOK 10-12 mins ✱ 320g pack ready-rolled puff pastry✱ 1tsp olive oil✱ ½ red onion or 1 shallot, finely chopped✱ 227g tin chopped tomatoes✱ 50g Genovese basil pesto✱ 40g Cheddar cheese, grated (shredded)✱ Handful of basil leaves, to serve 1 Heat the oven to 180C Fan/Gas 6. Unroll the puff pastry sheet and lay it on a non-stick baking tray. Score along each side of the pastry 3cm from the edge, so you have a scored rectangle just inside the pastry. Prick the inside of the rectangle all over with a fork. Bake in the hot oven for 10-15 mins…

Do you struggle to follow a conversation when you’re out in a group? Can’t hear properly when there’s music playing? Or just fed up with always having to ask others to repeat themselves? You’re not alone and shouldn’t feel embarrassed – problems tend to rise in middle age, with around 42% of people over 50 having some form of hearing loss*. But you could be making it worse without realising. Here are the triggers you need to know about – and what you can do to help preserve your hearing. 1 COTTON BUDS Using cotton buds to remove earwax can do more harm than good,’ says audiologist Katie Ogden from resound.com. ‘It can push earwax deeper into the ear, causing it to build up further inside the ear canal. In…

Struggling with healthy habits Q I’m wondering what I’m doing wrong. I know what I need to do to keep fit and healthy, but rarely keep to my plans. There are days when I really struggle to not overeat or drink, and others when it’s easy. I’m not sure what the difference is. Angela, Newcastle A It sounds like there are times when you’re self-sabotaging. We do this for a number of reasons. Often, we tell ourselves we can’t keep it up, then we promptly start proving it! The first step is to catch yourself with this negative self-talk and say stop. We also allow ourselves to get distracted when we’re emotionally triggered, tired or unwell – our resistance lowers and we give in to the easy option. Start to…

Roasted spring greens and lentil salad with preserved lemon dressing Making the most of the season’s wonderful winter greens, this is good served on its own for lunch or as an accompaniment to roast chicken at dinner. SERVES 4 PREP 15 mins COOK 30 mins, plus resting ✱ 600g trimmed winter greens, such as sprouts, broccoli and savoy cabbage✱ 3tbsp olive oil✱ 125g puy lentils, rinsed✱ 125g Greek yogurt✱ 1tbsp tahini paste✱ 1 small garlic clove, crushed FOR THE DRESSING ✱ 3tbsp extra virgin olive oil✱ 1tbsp runny honey✱ Juice ½ lemon✱ 1tbsp preserved lemon diced✱ 1tbsp chopped fresh coriander 1 Heat the oven to 180C Fan/Gas 6. Line a large roasting tin with baking paper. Slice or chop the vegetables as necessary, so they are roughly the same size.…

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: occupied. Average = 15 More than 25 = 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 make…

Letter of the week First-time grandma I thoroughly enjoyed your interview with Jenny Eclair in the 24 October 2023 issue. Her anecdotes about her grandson resonated with me as I too have recently become a first-time gran. Being a mum to three grown-up daughters who all have busy lives, I wasn’t expecting to become a grandma this year. My eldest daughter was devoted to her lovingly spoilt cockapoo, so it was a total surprise when she announced her pregnancy. Of course, since his arrival in January, her son Zeke has been the centre of attention and has brought nothing but pleasure to our whole family. Just like Jenny, I enjoy nothing more than being part of my gorgeous grandson’s life. Melanie Lodge, Mirfield GET IN TOUCH WE LOVE LETTERS Woman’s…

You don’t need to travel the world to discover temperate rainforests. Around a fifth of Britain was covered by rainforest in ancient times, estimates Guy Shrubsole, author of The Lost Rainforests of Britain, though less than 47,000 acres remain. Of these, a quarter are protected as sites of special scientific interest (SSSI). What makes a temperate rainforest? Moisture-laden air from the Atlantic Ocean drifts across the landscape, creating the climate a rainforest needs to flourish, and heavy rainfall sends waterfalls tumbling down boulder-strewn gorges. Many UK oak trees are gnarled by harsh weather conditions blowing in from the coast, unlike their cousins in forests further inland. VITAL PLANTS Our temperate rainforests are home to a host of plant life known as epiphytes. These are plants that grow on other plants…

There’s a reason people tell you to go for a walk when you’re feeling grumpy. One, it probably gets you out of the way, and two, they know it’s good for you. I have always enjoyed walking. If there was a bus that could get me from A to B in 15 minutes, but I could walk it in 45 minutes, I’d walk every time. When I was 15, I lived in Sunderland. The Lake District was only a couple of hours away and one weekend my uncle drove me there to go on a long walk. I was hooked. I thought, and still think, it’s one of the most beautiful places in the UK. Visiting the Lakes became an addiction. Every Sunday, we’d get up at 6.30am and be…

Neocell Super Collagen + Vitamin C & Biotin, £29.99 for 180 tablets (60 days), Superdrug They say These tablets serve up hydrolysed bovine collagen types 1 and 3, vitamin C and biotin to promote radiant, youthful skin, lubricate the joints, and encourage healthy hair and nail growth. We say The results didn’t happen overnight, but after a few months I started to notice the effects on my nails and hair in particular. They are much stronger and my hair breaks less. My skin has more of a glow now too. Rhiannon Derbyshire, senior beauty editor Prime Fifty Collagen+ Beauty, £48 for 28 sachets, futureyouhealth.com They say On top of collagen, this gel formulation includes vitamins, minerals and nutrients typically lacking in the over-50s. Contains 5,000mg of collagen peptides, which are…

Salted chocolate-chip cookies Gooey goodness, the combination of salt, chocolate and ground almonds make these easy-to-bake cookies extra moreish. MAKES 15 PREP 15 mins, plus chilling COOK 15 mins ✱ 100g unsalted butter, softened✱ 60g caster sugar✱ 60g soft light brown sugar✱ 1 medium free-range egg✱ 40g ground almonds✱ 120g self-raising flour✱ ½tsp flaked sea salt, plus extra for sprinkling✱ 100g dark chocolate, roughly chopped✱ 100g white chocolate, roughly chopped 1 Heat the oven to 160C Fan/ Gas 4. Cream the butter and both sugars until very pale and fluffy. Mix in the egg. Once smooth, fold in the remaining ingredients. Chill for 30 mins. 2 Break off walnut-sized pieces of dough and shape into balls. Arrange on a lined baking tray, spaced apart, then flatten slightly and sprinkle with…

3 WAYS TO... Up your protein 1 RETHINK BREAKFAST Many breakfast foods like cereal and toast are low in protein. Have eggs instead – they’re a great protein source. Or Greek yogurt with fruit and nuts – almonds in particular are high in protein. 2 EAT IT FIRST This will help you get enough for growth and repair of your body’s tissues, and healthy muscles and bones. It will also fill you up. Good sources include lean meat, fish, dairy, soya, beans, peas and lentils. 3 DRINK SMART Vievé Protein Water is infused with 20g collagen protein per bottle. Available in six refreshing flavours, it has no artificial flavours, colours or added sugar, and offers a quick protein boost while keeping you hydrated. NEWSFLASH Get appy A new app…

Code cracker What does US actor Reese Witherspoon collect? 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. Wordsearch A 2018 study found that the average person will stop looking for new what at the age of 30 years and six months? The answer is the one that’s missing from the grid. CARCLOTHESDIETDIRECTIONFASHIONSFRIENDS HOBBYHOLIDAYSHOUSE LOVEMUSICOPINIONSPHONESHOESSTYLES 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 and the numbers in the highlighted squares for the answer. Big…

It didn’t take long for my daughter to bring up her favourite subject. I’d only just cleared the table when she started. ‘We’re worried, Mum. We don’t like to think of you living in this house on your own. I wish you’d move in with us.’ ‘Thanks, Susan. I’m grateful for the offer, but…’ I waved a hand around my familiar living room, ‘I’ve lived here for more than 40 years. I’m not ready to leave.’ ‘But what if you had a fall?’ My son-in-law, who had hardly said a word since they arrived, sprang to life. ‘What you need is Alexa. She’d be such a boon.’ For a moment, I had no idea who he was talking about. ‘Sorry? Who’s Alexa?’ ‘It’s not actually a she,’ explained Simon. ‘Alexa…

Horoscopes ARIES 21 MAR – 20 APR Many fresh opportunities are surrounding you now. If you are prepared to step outside your comfort zone, you’ll be thrilled with the results. TAURUS 21 APR – 21 MAY You may be going through many big changes. Be patient and allow yourself some time to integrate. GEMINI 22 MAY – 21 JUN Don’t take everything too seriously or too personally. Do your best to keep a detached stance and you’ll maintain your inner calm. CANCER 22 JUN – 23 JUL Your finances may receive a boost this week. Gratitude is the key to abundance. See what you already have. LEO 24 JUL – 23 AUG Make sure you take time out for yourself. Much is happening and it’s crucial you include your own…