Innholdsfortegnelse for 7th Oct 2025 i Woman's Weekly

The muffin span “When I was a boy, I loved muffins (and my whole family still does). But back then, the word only meant flat roundels of savoury bread which you tore apart with your fingers to create a bumpy inside and toasted, before covering with lashings of butter (additional honey, jam, marmalade, Marmite or even peanut butter is also allowed). But while such teatime treats are still very much with us, muffins can now also mean those delicious, flavoured sweet bakes that resemble a cupcake on steroids. Originating in America (although like many things from the US, it may have a long-forgotten British back story), they have also become a favourite. See page 34.”…

“I’m having a little holiday break after finishing my latest book. My husband Karl buys a celebratory bottle of champagne, we have a glass, put a fork in it and stick it in the fridge – we’re not big drinkers! It’s a ‘tear in the eye’ moment to go to a bookshop and see it on the shelves. It’s wonderful when you’ve written that last word. The Vampire of Whitby is out now, and Most Haunted Hotels next year. ‘I’ve gone completely garden-centre mad!’ Recently, we filmed some great paranormal activity for Most Haunted at the Manchester Museum of Transport. And we’re going to Dorchester Prison. Karl investigated it with our events company, Most Haunted Experience – you choose a location and join us on a ghost hunt. After one…

3 CALMING... Paint colours 1 MINT GREEN ‘Looking at plants or greenery after a long, stressful day can help you feel calmer and more relaxed,’ says painting and decorating expert Pat Gilham at myjobquote.co.uk. ‘Mint brings a fresh and natural feel in a softer and calmer tone.’ 2 IVORY AND BEIGE ‘These shades are a timeless classic,’ says Pat. The blank canvas effect can declutter and refresh our minds, as well as adding a hue to the starkness of plain white and bringing warmth to lift your mood. 3 LIGHT BLUE ‘The airy vibe of this shade will make any room feel more comfortable,’ says Pat, ‘and it can create a soft and soothing ambience to help you fall asleep more easily.’ NEWSFLASH Using a hearing aid can reduce your…

1 CHOOSE CLEVER FURNITURE If you’re looking for a new sofa but worry it will take up too much room, look for a design with built-in storage. The side shelving on this sofa reveals the perfect place to store remote controls and magazines, and keep the usual coffee-table clutter out of sight. * Wyatt shelf two-seater sofa, £899, Next 2 DECLUTTER YOUR HALLWAY Beware turning this area into a dumping ground for muddy boots and kids’ school bags. A compact shoe storage rack like this one is ideal for small hallways – it offers an additional surface for placing post, keys or something more decorative. * Bournemouth shoe storage rack, £65, Habitat 3 FIND A SMART SOLUTION If you have a tricky-shaped room to get storage for and standard-sized furniture…

STYLE EXPLOSION The Blitz Club in London was a music and fashion phenomenon at the heart of the New Romantics era from 1979 to 1981, helping to launch the careers of Boy George, Spandau Ballet, Marilyn and Visage. A new exhibition at The Design Museum celebrates the Blitz’s influence on fashion and design. Until 29 March 2026; tickets at designmuseum.org. Celebrating seals In Norfolk, West Wales and other UK coastal areas, grey seals are hauling themselves on to the land. The females are ready to give birth, while males battle each other for the right to mate. Baby grey seals are born with fluffy white fur, and suckle on their mothers’ fat-rich milk for at least three weeks. The mums go back to sea for food, so it’s vital not…

Legendary politician Sir Winston Churchill once said, ‘The gin and tonic drink has saved more Englishmen’s lives, and minds, than all the doctors in the Empire.’ It’s not clear whether he was serious or joking, but with International Gin and Tonic Day on 19 October, we’re taking the opportunity to raise a glass to our distilleries. FOREST DISTILLERY Macclesfield, Cheshire In 2014, Lindsay and Karl Bond started distilling tiny batches of spirit at their kitchen table, using berries, mosses and ferns that had been foraged from Macclesfield Forest by their six-year-old daughter Harriet. Word quickly spread. Now based at the historic Cat & Fiddle in the Peak District, Forest Distillery produces ultra-premium gin, whisky and rum – all crafted by hand in small batches. Still independent, the small but growing…

1 CHILD’S PLAY Bubble baths are the ultimate treat – and one geared towards children is a safe bet for sensitive skin, since the ingredients are tailored to delicate skin. Childs Farm Sweet Orange Bubble Bath, £5, amazon.co.uk, is formulated to be gentle on the skin and is enriched with vitamin E to keep skin hydrated for up to 12 hours. 2 OH, HONEY! Laura Mercier Ambre Vanille Honey Bath, £47, John Lewis, is the ultimate cocooning formula, with skincare-inspired ingredients that nourish skin. Twirl a trickle under running water, and immerse your body and senses in the sweet-scented, conditioning foam that locks in moisture. A little goes a long way. 3 SUPER SALTS Epsom salts replenish magnesium levels, which helps produce serotonin, a chemical in the brain that creates…

Nearly-storecupboard lentil soup A hearty soup, the lentils will boost your fibre intake. SERVES 8 PREP 15 mins COOK 40 mins ✱ 1tbsp oil✱2 medium onions, chopped✱ 200g smoked lean bacon, chopped✱ 300g red lentils✱ 2 x 400g tins chopped tomatoes FOR THE CROUTONS ✱4 chunky slices of bread, cut into small pieces✱ 2tbsp olive oil✱ 1tbsp fresh rosemary, finely chopped 1 Heat the oil in a large pan and fry the onions until soft. Mix in the bacon, to sizzle until cooked through. Add the lentils, tomatoes and 800ml water, and season. Bring to the boil, then reduce to a simmer until the lentils are tender – for about 40 mins. Whizz with a stick blender. 2 For the croutons, toss the pieces of bread in the oil and…

Coping with TAKING MULTIPLE PILLS Increasingly, many meds are used to manage chronic illness, but interactions become complex As we age, it’s not unusual to take 10 or more different daily medications to prevent or manage diseases, including hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, heart disease, reflux, arthritis, bowel disorders and asthma. The more you take, the higher the risk of interactions with other long-term drugs, and with short courses, such as antibiotics or painkillers, over-the-counter medication, such as vitamins, minerals, alternative or herbal therapies, nicotine and with certain foods, and caffeine drinks and alcohol. When taking prescription meds, always follow the recommended guidelines. Drug interactions can have serious side effects. When prescribing, your doctor will be aware through their training of the risks of different drug interactions, plus the computer system they use will…

Blueberry and oat The juicy berries give a burst of flavour to these all-in-one muffins. MAKES 12 PREP 15 mins COOK 20 mins ✱ 100g self-raising white flour✱ 100g self-raising brown flour✱ ½tsp bicarbonate of soda✱ ½tsp baking powder✱ 90g oats, plus 1tbsp for topping✱ 60g golden caster sugar✱ 180g pack fresh blueberries✱ 2 medium free-range eggs✱ 284ml soured cream✱ 6tbsp runny honey✱ 6tbsp sunflower oil YOU WILL NEED ✱ 12-hole muffin tin, lined with paper cases 1 Heat the oven to 160C Fan/ Gas 4. Combine both flours, the bicarbonate of soda, baking powder, oats and sugar in a mixing bowl. Finally, add the blueberries. 2 Beat the eggs with the soured cream, honey and oil. Add the mixture to the dry ingredients and gently fold together, stirring until…

Difficulty level YOU WILL NEED ✱ Cotton fabric scraps ✱ Matching sewing thread ✱ Quilter’s ruler ✱ Rotary cutter ✱ Cutting mat ✱ 2.5x25cm medium-weight fusible interlining ✱ Key-ring hardware 1 Cut the scraps into strips, measuring 6.5cm wide and 4.5-7cm long. Sew the strips together along the matching sides, with a 1cm seam allowance, until you have a 28cm length. Use the rotary cutter to trim the piece to 26cm long. 2 Position the interlining on the wrong side of the patchwork piece, 5mm from one of the long sides and both short sides. Press to fuse in place. 3 Fold the strip in half lengthways with right sides together, and sew along the long side, 5mm from the edge. Turn right sides out and press. Zig-zag stitch across…

Difficulty level MEASUREMENTS To fit chest 46 (51) (56) (61) (66)cm/18 (20) (22) (24) (26)in. Actual measurements 49 (54.5) (60) (63.5) (69)cm/19½ (21½) (23½) (25) (27)in. Side seam 13 (14) (19) (20) (25)cm/5 (5½) (7½) (8) (10)in. Length to shoulder 26 (28) (34) (36) (42)cm/10¼ (11) (13½) (14) (16½)in. MATERIALS 1 (2) (2) (2) (2) 50g (165m) ball(s) of Sirdar Snuggly DK (55% nylon, 45% acrylic) in Light Navy (224)*. Pair each of 4mm (No. 8) and 3.25mm (No. 10) knitting needles; stitch holder; safety pin. Yarn is available from theknittingnetwork.co.uk. TENSION 22 stitches and 28 rows, to 10x10cm over stocking stitch, using 4mm needles. ABBREVIATIONS Dec, decrease 1 st (by working k2tog on a k row and p2tog on a p row); k, knit; p, purl; ss, stocking stitch…

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: Animal disease. 25 = average. More than 45 = 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 punctuation mark. Crossword Try the straight or cryptic clues, then rearrange the letters in the shaded squares for the answer.…

ARIES 21 MAR – 20 APR Many changes are happening all around you. The key to navigating them is to stay calm. Solitude and peaceful activities will help keep your equilibrium. TAURUS 21 APR – 21 MAY Financially, you may be making some important decisions. Do your best to simplify your situation to make progress. GEMINI 22 MAY – 21 JUN It’s time to open up your mind to new possibilities. All kinds of creative solutions could be at your fingertips. CANCER 22 JUN – 23 JUL Your inner voice is always broadcasting messages to ease your path. Stillness and practising gratitude will all help clarify this valuable information. LEO 24 JUL – 23 AUG Focus on the great progress you’ve made. Encourage your inner child to come out and…

Letter of the week Return to Conwy What memories your lovely recent Conwy article [15 July issue] brought back. In 1943 I was evacuated to Rhyl and my then-landlady took me to Conwy for the day. I was awed by the castle and fascinated by the UK’s smallest house! (Alas I couldn’t fit in it now, as I did aged eight.) My school lessons included Welsh, and I can still count to 10 and use some phrases. By the time I returned home to Essex at the war’s end, my Welsh accent was very evident. All these years later (and many miles), I have never forgotten the majestic sight of Conwy Castle in all its glory at the river’s edge. Thank you for the reminder and memories. Shirley Stewart, Victoria,…

THE TROUSERS This versatile pair is as wearable as your go-to blue jeans. Look for a biscuity-toned hue and team with neutrals for a chic and effortless get-up. THE JUMPSUIT A rich berry-toned all-in-one needs minimal styling. Break up the block colour with a stripy tee underneath and use the self-tie belt to highlight your waist. THE JACKET Much like your trusty denim version, a cord cover-up can give dressier pieces a cool and casual spin. Stick to creams and earthy hues to ensure versatility. THE SKIRT An A-line shape is flattering and feminine, and the corduroy texture gives it an autumnal feel. Keep your top half tucked in to create shape and definition.…

What’s changed between us? Q My daughter has just had her first child. She and I are very close, and I helped her with setting up the nursery, getting equipment and so on. The baby is now three months old and my daughter is keeping me at arm’s length. She doesn’t want me or her father involved in most things and talks about ‘her family’ as though we aren’t part of it. I find it very hurtful. Liz, Milton Keynes A Your daughter is creating her nuclear family and, understandably, wants to do this with her partner. Relationships change over the years and people take on different roles. Your daughter is in a different place. Take a moment and think back to when you had your own family and how you were in relation to your parents. The…

Heartbeats: A Memoir by Björn Borg (£25, HB, Little, Brown) Björn Borg’s sudden retirement at the age of 26 shocked the tennis world, as well as the army of fans, who were drawn not only by his brilliant tennis but his amazing good looks and cool persona. With 11 Grand Slam wins and five consecutive Wimbledon titles, along with his riveting rivalry with John McEnroe, it seemed bizarre to give it all up. But in this candid memoir, he shares the life experiences that shaped him, and his complicated relationship with fame. A compelling insight. How to Hold Someone in Your Heart by Mizuki Tsujimura (£14.99, PB, Transworld) Exploring the delicate balance between life and the afterlife, Ayumi, a young man with special powers, is able to reunite the living…

“The man on the doorstep had the look of a young Harrison Ford, which in my view is something to be encouraged in men. ‘You’d better come in quickly,’ I said. ‘This is the third time you’ve been here this week, and the neighbours will be twitching their curtains any minute. Especially with my husband being out and everything.’ Harrison – or Pete, as he’s more accurately known – looked rather embarrassed. ‘It was Mr Dear who called me in the first place,’ he said. ‘That’s true,’ I said, ‘but he’s managed to be out every time you visit – it’s almost as if he’s trying to avoid paying your bill.’ Pete has come to fix our dishwasher – and before we continue with the story, let’s pause to pay…