Innholdsfortegnelse for 26-Jan-2016 i Woman's Weekly

Picking up on the healthy eating theme of my letter last week, there is one sort of food that has remained a favourite in my repertoire from when I was a child and my mum used to make it for me and my siblings. My girls loved it when they lived at home, and since I no longer have to cook a big meal for them every night, it’s become something I make more and more regularly. It’s nutritious, endlessly varied, simple and quick to make, freezes well (and can often be reheated from frozen, making it the ideal midweek meal when you can’t be bothered to cook from scratch) and can be made just as easily for meat eaters, vegetarians and other food-intolerance sufferers alike. Wondering what this superfood…

‘Never make a decision when you’re hungry’ Nigella Lawson How do you like your tea? Very strong, with enough milk, but not too milky. It has to be Typhoo or it’s game over. And in a mug – I’m a mug person. Who would you most like to have a cup of tea with? I love having a cup of tea by myself. I feel this wonderful calmness of happy solitude. I often hang around with girlfriends, lounging about drinking tea, but my favourite way would be alone. What food couldn't you live without? Good bread and cheese. What's your favourite kitchen gadget? A mezzaluna. It’s a blade, shaped like a half moon and has a handle on either side. It’s very good for chopping chocolate up for recipes. What…

We love letters Woman’s Weekly, 110 Southwark St, London SE1 0SU. PS. It really helps when you put your details in capitals We do not return photos (apart from ‘You Look Great!’) so please do not send originals Email us Womansweeklypostbag @timeinc.com  Tell us your full name, address and daytime phone number, please Fancy a chat? Log on to facebook.com/  womansweekly We can’t wait to hear from you! Important! All contributions to Woman’s Weekly must be original and NOT duplicated to other publications. £25 will be paid to the writer of the ‘Letter Of The Week’, and the ‘Good To Meet You’ contributor will receive a gift or similar as stated at time of publication of contribution, for all rights in each letter printed. The Editor reserves…

Almost two- thirds of species in the UK have declined in the past 50 years * Natterjack Toad Found in coastal dunes and salt marshes, this rare toad has an exceptionally loud croak that can be heard for up to 2km in still air. Adults produce deterrent toxins from the parotid glands on their backs, although the grass snake, one of the toad’s main predators, appears to be immune. Females lay single strings (as opposed to the common toad, whose spawn consists of a double row of eggs) of up to 4,000 eggs. They’re found on the Merseyside and Cumbrian coasts and on the Solway in Scotland, and used to be common on heaths in Surrey and Hampshire and around the coast of East Anglia. Programmes to reintroduce the species…

Editor Diane The sleep saviour… Origins Plantscription Powerful Lifting Overnight Mask, £52, origins.co.uk What they say: Gravity’s pull can keep planets in orbit, so just think how it affects your face, especially when you couple it with environmental agers, like the sun and pollution. Used every night, this mask contains a special lifting complex that leaves skin looking fuller and firmer. What Diane says: ‘This isn’t a mask in the traditional sense. It’s more a nourishing night cream. As thick as it was, it went on smoothly, was easily absorbed and wasn’t greasy. I worried it would be smeary on my pillow, but it wasn’t. I didn’t see an instant difference to my skin but it felt well moisturised and soft in the mornings.’ The fatigue fighter… Montagne…

The easiest to grow of all bedding plants, these extremely colourful begonias will fill your garden with an eye-catching display all summer long. Sensational combinations will produce a spectacular show from these energy-packed tubers. Height & spread 30cm. COLLECTION COMPRISES: • Buy 10 tubers of any variety for £9.99 (RRP £12.99) • Buy 40 tubers (10 of each) for £19.98 (RRP £51.96) – saving over 60% To order, call 0844 573 6057 quote WWK2063 HOW TO ORDER Order By Phone Call 0844 573 6057 and quote WWK2063 Fill In The Coupon Payment must be made by card or cheque (with your name, address and WWK2063 on the back of the cheque, please), crossed and made payable to Woman’s Weekly . Order Online Visit thompson-morgan.com/  womansweekly…

YOU WILL NEED • Egg box • PVA glue • Cocktail stick • Chopstick or knitting needle • Fine-grade sandpaper • White acrylic paint • Acrylic ink or paint • Bead cores • Decorative glass beads • Waxed cotton necklace cord • Kitchen sieve • Medium and small bowls • Varnish or embossing powder • Spray adhesive • Heat gun • Board to protect work surface NOTE: One cardboard egg box for a dozen eggs will make about 40 beads. 1 Tear up the egg box into tiny pieces and place in a bowl. Pour in some boiling water and leave to stand for at least an hour. 2 As if you were making a crumble, work the soggy box with your fingers until you have a soupy mass. You…

Dear Keren My 38-year-old daughter has been looking for Mr Right for a number of years, but no one has come along. She decided that she could no longer wait to have a child, so she asked a gay friend of hers to ‘do the honours’, so to speak. He says he won’t want anything to do with the child and she’s happy with that as she wants to work and support the child herself and doesn’t think he’d be a very good influence on her baby. I think she’s being naive as, once the baby is born, I think he’ll be smitt en and will want his part in its upbringing. Jayne, Devon This is a very different way of having a family from one that many of us…

1 What’s cashback? Every time y ou shop at an y of Quidco’s 4,300 retailers they receive a commission for generating a sale. As a r eward for using their servic e, Quidco passes that commission back to you in the f orm of ‘cashback’. Yes, it’s that simple! 2 What’s on offer? Whatever you’re hoping t o buy we’re sure Quidco’s got a deal with y our name on it. Quidco offers cashback on e verything – from luxurious beaut y supplies, up-t o-the-minute fashions t o memorable days out. Plus must-have toys, hi-tech electr onics and takeaway meals too. Quidco works with all your favourite brands, including, M& S, Tesco, Amazon.co.uk , Debenhams, Expedia, Boot s, Argos, The Body Shop , ASOS, Waterstones and thousands…

Hair Care Along with the face mask they sent me to try for the feature on page 22 , the makers of 7th Heaven also sent this hair treatment. And it was absolutely brilliant! Have a look at the feature to see what I thought of the face mask. Montagne Jeunesse 7th Heaven Manuka Honey Rescue Masque, £1, Boots and Superdrug. The Right Notes I was lucky enough to be invited to a wonderful concert at the Royal Festival Hall. Best of all, one of the pieces included that unbelievable organ. What a sound! Nice To See You! We had a couple of unexpected visitors at WW HQ. You can see from the grins on the faces of (clockwise from top left) senior designer Lorna,…

Vinyl Analysis Occasionally, when putting a price on something, we have to consider the story behind it. And here’s a great example. Please Please Me was The Beatles’ debut album, released in 1963. This particular record is a collector’s item in itself. Issued on Parlophone, the first UK edition was not large, as The Beatles were a new band. In good condition, the album would attract £2,000-£3,000 at auction. Of course, it sold very well and many more were pressed. But the inner dust-jacket of this particular ‘first edition’ disc is autographed by all four Beatles, each one adding an amusing thought. Why they came to sign it is a genuine and charming story. During the summer of 1963, after a day of promotional work in central London, The Beatles…

Admire Gorgeous Graphic Art Czech-born Alphonse Mucha (1860-1939) is best known for his beautiful advertising posters. The Sainsbury Centre For Visual Art, University of Norwich, is showing more than 60 drawings, paintings, photographs, and his sumptuous, Art Nouveau-style posters. Until 20 March – call 01603 593 199 or visit scva.ac.uk Book Leonardo da Vinci: The Mechanics Of Genius Not only did Leonardo paint the Mona Lisa , he was also a remarkable draughtsman who created mechanical drawings, including flying machines and diving apparatus. This major exhibition, at London’s Science Museum from 10 February until 4 September, celebrates the genius of Leonardo as a scientist, inventor and engineer, recreating his designs in 3D form. To book, visit sciencemuseum.org.uk/Leonardo Get on board Christchurch Winter Bird Boats Now’s your chance to observe the…

‘My mum made me feel I could achieve whatever I set out to do’ Oh dear, Nicola Stephenson has certainly put the cat among the pigeons, ruffled a few feathers and put a rather hefty spanner in the works. Really! How could she? But in the land of TV soaps, just as in real life, love can make people do the strangest things and right now, Emmerdale is abuzz with extra-marital shenanigans. No matter that her character, Tess, the likeable teaching assistant, is a happily married girl; she’s definitely connected to Paddy – also happily married – and half of one of Emmerdale’s most popular couples. Nicola, 44, admits that whatever her character’s done, she can’t help feeling some sympathy for her. ‘People come up to me in the supermarket…

I do dread January. As the first month of the rest of the year, it sucks. It’s just the wrong time to be starting out on anything. For a start, you’re broke and the only thing filling your purse are dog-eared receipts for Christmas gifts you gave to your family. Some didn’t fit, some weren’t liked – or worse, were duplicates of presents you gave last year but didn’t remember. Have I mentioned my new age-related problem with both short- and long-term memory? If that isn’t bad enough, I’m nervous of sticking all these unwanted items in the post to return them. So I brave the cold to take as many back in person as I can – all during the January sales. Which means traffic jams, crowded shops, long…

ABOUT OUR AUTHORS Character & Dialogue with Fiction Editor Gaynor Davies and author Della Galton Sunday 6 March at the SECC in Glasgow Friday 9 September at EventCity in Manchester Monday 10 October at our London HQ Short-story Writing Workshop with Fiction Editor Gaynor Davies and author Della Galton Monday 21 March at our London HQ Writing A Short Story With A Twist with Fiction Editor Gaynor Davies and author Della Galton Thursday 3 March at the SECC in Glasgow Monday 18 April at our London HQ Friday 8 July at our London HQ Friday 28 October at our London HQ Serial Writing Workshop with Fiction Editor Gaynor Davies and author Suzanne Ahern Friday 15 April at our London HQ Plot & Storytelling with Fiction Editor Gaynor Davies and author…

Chunky Tomato & Vegetable Broth 2tbsp olive oil2 small red onions, chopped2 garlic cloves, crushed400g can chopped tomatoes1ltr (1¾pt) hot vegetable stock½ cauliflower, broken into florets3 carrots, cut into chunks4 pieces Tenderstem broccoli,halved400g can butter beans, drainedSmall bunch of basil leavesGrated cheese, to serve 1 Heat the oil in a large pan and fry the red onions for a few mins, to soften. 2 Add the garlic, canned tomatoes and vegetable stock. Season generously and bring to the boil. 3 Add the cauliflower and carrots, return to the boil and simmer for 15 mins. 4 Add the broccoli and butter beans and cook for 5 more mins. 5 Serve sprinkled with basil leaves and grated cheese. Sweetcorn, Squash & Chorizo Soup 1tbsp olive oil60g (2oz) diced chorizo1 onion, chopped2 garlic…

Five-star European River Cruises There are lots of vessels cruising Europe’s rivers but few ships can match the luxury and elegance of our selection of five-star vessels on the Rhine, Danube, Moselle, Main, Rhône and Seine. Selected departures April to November 2016. The price includes: Return rail* and Eurostar, or flights, taxes and transfers Five-star cabins with hotel-standard beds, private bathrooms and river views Exceptional cuisine with full board throughout Extensive and fully inclusive touring programmes Lake Maggiore, Orta & The Matterhorn Selected departures April to October 2016. The price includes: Return flights, taxes and transfers Seven nights in a four-star hotel with half board A visit to Isola Bella, Zermatt in the Swiss Alps, the Matterhorn, Lakes Como and Orta, and Orta San Giulio A ride on the Centovalli…

I chose to train in alternative therapies because of my own first-hand experience with homeopathy and craniosacral therapy (a gentle way of working with the body by manipulating the skull). When my eldest child, George, was young, he had several food allergies, as well as eczema and asthma. I was keen to find a non-drug solution, so I did some research into natural treatments and discovered that homeopathic medicine stimulates the body’s own defence system to cope with exposure to allergens, rather than suppressing the allergic symptoms. I decided to give it a try and was pleasantly surprised with the results. Alongside homeopathy, George also had craniosacral therapy, which helped to calm his lungs and adrenal glands (responsible for producing hormones), allowing his body to repair itself. I had a…

Help!I’ve come across several recipes that contain dukkah. I know it’s a mixture of herbs, spices and nuts, but I don’t know the proportions. Can you help? Jenni Jones, St Albans, Hertfordshire Don’t Worry This is a versatile Egyptian aromatic seed and nut mix – it’s great sprinkled on houmous, roasted vegetables, salads and fish. Dry-fry 90g (3oz) sesame seeds, 60g (2oz) coriander seeds and 30g (1oz) cumin seeds until fragrant. Crush with a pestle and mortar. Roast 100g (3 ½ oz) hazelnuts at 180o C or Gas Mark 4 for a few mins, to brown. Mix together. Stir 5tbsp dukkah into a 400g can of drained, chopped chickpeas. Store remainder in a jar. Got a burning cookery question? A problem shared is a problem solved when you ask our…

This is a photo of my friends May Lacey (left) and Pam Hutchinson (right) – I’m in the middle. We’ve been friends since we were five and grew up during the Second World War years with our lives and activities woven around the church at Royal Oak, Wythenshawe. Despite now living in different countries (Canada, UK and Australia), we’ve remained close, keeping in touch by letter and email over the years. We all managed to meet up in Manchester to celebrate our 80th birthdays together. How wonderfully exciting it was! Barbara Loxley, Kialla, Victoria, Australia What a hugely anticipated reunion that must have been, Barbara. We love to hear from you, so please do get in touch if you have something to say…

Sue Gray, 62, Kidderminster Tell us about your lookÉ I like smart, simple and graphic clothes. I like to wear colour as it makes me feel brighter and better, but I do have a lot of black basics. I’m wearing a Jaeger dress and Hobbs coat and shoes today. I shop from all over the place, though – and as often as possible! And the best bit of your body? My legs, as they always stay the same. Christine Chasemore, 72, Birmingham Tell us about your lookÉ I like to look smart and a bit trendy, but not OTT. At the moment I like wearing separates and jumpsuits. I also love faux fur as it’s warm and a bit glam. The gilet is from River Island…

Margaret Clemence in Brookside (1990-93) Nanny Margaret wasn’t the luckiest in love. First, she fell for a Catholic priest, then struggled with her sexuality when best pal Beth Jordache (Anna Friel) confessed she loved her. Julie Fitzjohn in Holby City (1999-2001) Debt-ridden single mum and nurse Julie had to moonlight as a lap dancer to make ends meet when she lost a promotion to best friend, Jasmine (Angela Griffin). Suzie Davidson in Clocking Off (2002-3) The factory’s feisty forklift-truck driver wanted to marry the man of her dreams but – once she found him – did a bunk through a window in her wedding dress. Jackie Armstrong in Christmas Lights , Northern Lights…

Where I’ve been… The South of France. Still beautiful despite a lot more policemen and soldiers everywhere. Who I’ve met… Joan Collins for supper. Looking stunning, but dealing with the grief of losing her brilliant sister Jackie. What I’ve seen… The glories of the Cotswolds. Gorgeous creamy stone walls and hedgerow-edged fields. What I’ve bought… A large scarf in palest turquoise to make last year’s coat look livelier.…

The Printed Dress With flattering three-quarter-length sleeves and a wrap front, this is easy and comfortable to wear. £39.50, sizes 6-18, M&S Wear It Smart Wear It Casual Take The Grey Coat And Wear It Like This, Too STOCKISTS Accessorize 020 3372 3052; uk.accessorize.com Asos asos.com BHS 0344 411 6000; bhs.co.uk Debenhams 0844 800 8877; debenhams.com French Connection 0333 400 3285; frenchconnection.com Hobbs 0845 313 3130; hobbs.co.uk House of Fraser 0845 602 1073; houseoffraser.co.uk Jacques Vert 0344 770 5838; jacques-vert.co.uk La Redoute 0844 842 2222; laredoute.co.uk Liz Earle uk.lizearle.com M&S 0333 014 8000; marksandspencer.com Next 0333 777 8000; next.co.uk Very 0844 822 2321; very.co.uk White Stuff 020 3752 5360; whitestuff.com…

Remember the white violet, Mum, and the flower lady at Waterloo Station? Fifty years on, I can still see the two of us rocking to the rhythm of the engine all the way to London. “You’ll have to hurry, Annie,” you say. “It’s a long walk from Waterloo to St Thomas’s.” To a child whose capacity for dawdling is legendary, the instruction to hurry comes as no surprise. I nod, aware that the other three occupants of our compartment are now looking at me with interest. “Bit of a dreamer, is she?” asks an old lady whose teeth seem to slide about when she talks. You smile, giving me one of those sudden cuddles of yours. “You could say that, eh, Annie? In fact, dreamer’s your middle name, isn’t it?”…

1 ROASTED BEETROOT Makes 1.25ltr (2pt) Cut 600g (1¼lb) beetroot into wedges and spread out in a roasting tin. Add 2 small red onions, and 200g (7oz) ripe tomatoes, both cut into wedges, 2 crushed garlic cloves, a few sprigs of thyme and 1tbsp ground cumin. Drizzle with 2tbsp olive oil. Roast at 200°C or Gas Mark 6 for 50 mins. Blitz in a blender with 1ltr (1¾pt) hot vegetable stock until smooth. Serve swirled with soured cream. 2 TIKKA BUTTERNUT Makes 1.25ltr (2pt) Fry 1 chopped onion in 2tbsp olive oil for a few mins, to soften, add 2 crushed garlic cloves and 1tbsp tikka paste. Add 500g (1lb) cubed butternut, 2.5cm (1in) finely grated ginger and 1ltr (1¾pt) vegetable stock. Season, bring to the boil, cover and simmer…

Inspired by the ’70s retro trend on the catwalks, this remake of a Woman’s Weekly pattern has a scalloped edge, buttoned-up top and flared skirt. It’s knitted in chevron stitch with tiny garter-stitch edgings, and uses a striking choice of yarn. MEASUREMENTS To fit sizes 76-81 (86-91) (97-102) cm/30-32 (34-36) (38-40) in. Top: Actual bust measurements 88 (99) (110) cm/34¾ (39) (43¼) in. Side seam 30 (31) (32) cm/11¾ (12¼) (12½) in. Length to shoulder 52.5 (55.5) (58.5) cm/20¾ (21¾) (23) in. Sleeve seam 17 (20) (23) cm/6½ (7¾) (9) in. Skirt: Actual hip measurements 88 (99) (110) cm/34¾ (39) (43¼) in. Length All sizes 63cm/24¾in. MATERIALS Top: 4 (4) (5) 100g (170m) hanks of Rowan Fine Art Aran* (50% wool, 20% mohair, 25% alpaca, 5% silk) in Conga (545);…

Grief is the price we pay for love, but it can feel as if our own life has ended, too. We may never really get over our loss, but we can find ways to live with it, and even be happy again. Stages of grief These often apply to other losses, too, such as a relationship break-up or redundancy. Initially we’re shocked, can’t believe it, think we’ll wake from this nightmare, and endlessly ‘rerun’ events in our minds but the ending’s always the same. Distress overwhelms us – we may cry, collapse or seem unnaturally calm. Funerals can help to keep us busy, do justice to a loved one’s memory and we can feel comforted that others cared deeply, too. Determined activity may keep us going for a while, although…

Your family aren’t deliberately trying to upset you QI had a sinus infection a few years ago and have lost my sense of smell. My family know I can’t smell, but they’re constantly referring to smells or asking me if I can smell something. It’s both annoying and upsetting. Why don’t they think before they speak? Janine, Leicester A That must be hard for you as losing any sense is never easy. Every time someone mentions it, you’ll be reminded that you’re missing something. I know it feels uncaring that they don’t remember you can’t smell, but I’m sure it’s not done to upset you. I think you need to tell them your situation isn’t that different from becoming visually or hearing impaired and they’d never keep reminding you of…

right, for its collection of Scottish Colourist works. Where I stayed At the stylish Edwardian townhouse ABode Hotel, with dreamily comfortable beds and an old-school lift in a cage. Visit abodeglasgow.co.uk to book. What I ate Haggis, haggis and more haggis! For breakfast, lunch and dinner. Where I went Nearer to the Arctic Circle than Moscow, Scotland’s largest city, Glasgow, was built up as a merchant city in the 19th century. Today it’s home to a thriving art scene and its architecture combines red sandstone tenements with art deco gems and highly contemporary renovations. What I did I took a City Sightseeing bus tour to get my bearings and learn about Glasgow’s shipbuilding history. Then, after a pause to hit the shops, I visited the hillside necropolis, where all the…

Q I read e-books in bed. What is the best technology for it? The easiest option is to download an e-book app on to your smartphone or tablet, but it will drain the battery. The brightly-lit LED screen can be wearing to read over long periods and can irritate a partner trying to go to sleep, too. Even worse, the blue light it emits may reset our body clocks and disrupt sleep patterns. So for many people, the best option is an e-reader (such as the Amazon Kindle), which uses an e-ink screen instead of an LED. Then you can carry a whole library in a gadget smaller than a slim volume of verse. E-readers are usually lighter as well, making it a lot easier for people to hold over…

Aries 21 March - 20 April You’ll make a great impression at work. Spend a bit of time on your appearance. Projecting the image of a cool, competent professional will put your star in the ascendancy. You’ll also do pretty well romantically this week, so you should take a moment to relax, too. For more, call 0901 609 2591* Taurus 21 April - 21 May Follow up any opportunity to write, study or travel that comes your way. You’ve spent enough time becoming an expert in a certain field. It’s your moment to take on a new challenge. Venture off the beaten path and you’ll enjoy a walk on the wild side. For more, call 0901 609 2592* Gemini 22 May - 21 June Your confidence soars when you’re with…

I had one of those vivid dreams the other night that involve searching for something that you know from bitter experience of dreams that you will never find. In this case, it was my car. It was parked, I knew, somewhere in this huge multi-storey but whenever I reached a familiar spot there was no car to be seen. Eventually I found it outside on double yellow lines with a traffic warden writing out a ticket, the Queen at the wheel and the Duke of Edinburgh in the passenger seat. What does one do in such circumstances? Simply tap on the window and ask Her Majesty if she wouldn’t mind dropping you off at the post office. In the presence of royalty, it seemed a little rude to wake up,…