Innholdsfortegnelse for 16-Dec-2019 i Woman

Dare I say it, but the big day really is just around the corner. So, whether you’re all wrapped, feeling smug and ready to pour the mulled wine or panicking about the never-ending ‘to do’ list, our bumper issue is here to help. From last-minute gift ideas to easy festive recipes, we’ve got it covered! Sit back, relax and enjoy the moment. Who knows? This time next year you may be in the Caribbean after that huge windfall… turn to page 78 to reveal what’s in your stars for 2020! Happy Christmas.…

When it was announced that Gavin & Stacey would return for a new Christmas special, fans all over the UK were so excited for Smithy, Nessa and the gang to return. But no one was more excited than the cast themselves. In fact, Ruth Jones has confessed that Joanna Page and Alison Steadman didn’t pick up the phone at first when she and co-writer James Corden called to tell them the news, as they thought it was a prank! In a chat with Woman, Ruth, 53, reveals just what fans can expect from the one-off episode, what it was like to get back into Nessa’s iconic leather, and why she won’t rule out even more Gavin & Stacey in the future… Hi Ruth! So, Gavin & Stacey is coming back…

This is an exciting time for Louise Redknapp, as she gears up to release her first solo album in 20 years. But going back to music hasn’t been without its challenges, because during the time 45-year-old Louise decided to return to life as a pop star, her marriage to ex-footballer Jamie, 46, broke down. Even though neither one of them have ever revealed the real reason for their split – which saw her move out of the family home they shared with sons Charley, 15, and 11-year-old Beau – the singer has confessed that the marriage made her feel like a Stepford Wife. When Woman catches up with Louise she excitedly fills us in on preparing for her album release, how her children deal with negative stories in the press…

Walking through town with a colleague on a hot summer’s day in July 2018, I spot a lovely silver bracelet that one of my grandchildren would love, in a closing-down sale. ‘Oh, this would be a perfect stocking filler,’ I smile, dashing into the shop to buy it. Following me inside, my colleague looks puzzled. ‘You mean for Christmas?’ she frowns, whispering the word ‘Christmas’ and looking around, embarrassed. I laugh, yet while I understand saying ‘stocking filler’ in the midst of a summer heatwave might seem unnatural for many, for me, being prepared makes perfect sense. ‘I FORGET WHAT I’VE BOUGHT’ I first started spreading my Christmas shopping out across the year a decade ago, but I actually inherited the habit from my mum, Judy. We never had much…

Japanese mini salmon fishcakes SERVES 4 (MAKES 16) READY IN 20 MINS ✱ 250g skinless and boneless salmon fillet ✱ 1cm piece fresh ginger, peeled and finely grated ✱ 2 spring onions, finely chopped, plus sliced spring onion to serve ✱ Low-calorie cooking spray FOR THE ASIAN DIP: ✱ 2 tsp dark soy sauce ✱ 2 tsp rice vinegar ✱ ¼ level tsp sweetener granules ✱ ¼ medium-hot red chilli, deseeded and finely chopped ✱ 1cm piece fresh ginger, peeled and finely grated ✱ 1 garlic clove, finely chopped 1 First mix the ingredients for the dip together in a small bowl and set aside. 2 Put 100g salmon into a food processor and process into a coarse paste using the pulse button. Transfer to a mixing bowl. 3 Cut…

CHRISTMAS G&T With hints of ginger, cardamom and cinnamon, M&S Christmas Gin & Tonic in a can is a winter winner. It packs a hefty alcohol punch with two measures of gin so be warned. £2, 250ml. TROPICAL PARADISE Malibu Strawberry Spritz, a sparkling rum-based drink with hints of coconut and strawberry is a fruity, fun alternative to prosecco and a must for all Malibu fans. Ready to pour, you can party it up by adding some strawberry slices. £7.50, 750ml, Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Morrisons. SILVER SPARKLER A bottle with wow factor – and the fizz inside is just as good. Aldi’s Prosecco Metallic Special Edition comes in a stunning silver or rose gold bottle. Lovely to open on Christmas morning with a bit of smoked salmon for breakfast. It…

Instead of going for a walk or to the gym, are you often slumped exhausted on the sofa in your free time? If you regularly feel tired and run-down you’re also more likely to reach for unhealthy snacks – which fuels fatigue and causes the pounds to pile on. But now you can break the cycle and give yourself a boost with this charge-up diet, devised by holistic nutritionist Yuri Elkaim, author of The All-Day Energy Diet (£12.99, Hay House). WHAT TO EAT These alkaline foods are easily digestible and nourishing. Certain foods, such as leafy greens and vegetables, contain enzymes that accelerate metabolic reactions in the body. You’ll feel lighter, brighter and more energised. Your body will also start to shed any excess weight and you could lose 5–7lb…

MUM’S JUST DIED, NOW DAD’S BRINGING HIS NEW FRIEND FOR CHRISTMAS Q My mum died 10 months ago after a battle with cancer. I’m still struggling with losing her and it’s been made worse by the fact my dad started a relationship with someone he works with after two months. He brought her on our holiday, and she’ll be with him at Christmas. I want him to be happy and I know he loved my mum, but I’m not sure I can cope. Suzie says A People mourn at different rates and in different ways. When you live with someone who is dying, you begin your mourning journey before – sometimes long before – they actually die. Mourning is a process and you go through a progression of emotions from…

Free money for Christmas? Make the big switch of your bank account and you can be quids in Christmas is a joy for kids, but a pain for purses. Yet if you’re very quick, you may be able to make up to £150 to help clear the Christmas bills. ALL ABOUT SWITCHING BANK ACCOUNTS Three banks are currently willing to bribe you (legally) to switch. Switching only takes seven working days. Then with two of these accounts that pay you – they promise to pay the bonus within a month of that. Overall, that’s a maximum of 40 days. While it’s unlikely you’ll pocket the money in time for the big day – you’ll most likely get the money in your account at the start of the new year to…

Neuroblastoma is a rare type of cancer that mostly affects babies and young children, and is most common in children under five. It develops from specialised nerve cells (neuroblasts) left behind from a baby’s development in the womb. It most commonly occurs in one of the adrenal glands above the kidneys, or in the nerve tissue alongside the spinal cord in the neck, or in the chest, tummy or pelvis. It can spread to other organs, such as the bone marrow, bone, lymph nodes, liver and skin. Neuroblastoma affects around 100 children each year in the UK. The cause is unknown, and there are often few symptoms, which makes it hard to diagnose in its early stages. The child may appear ‘off colour’, have aches and pains, loss of appetite…

Dominating astrology in 2020 is the conjunction of two mighty planets, Saturn and Pluto, which will deliver some of their promise in mid-January. Meanwhile, Jupiter will be in Capricorn for the year, making it one of the best in the past seven for members of this sign, as well as Cancerians, Arians and Librans. Saturn’s move into Aquarius for the spring and summer, plus Uranus’s position in Taurus, brings a lot of change for those with birthdays in late January, at the end of April, late July and in late October. The eclipses of the year will affect Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces, so random events could turn fortunes around for these signs. Still, 2020 is set to be a year of giant breakthroughs. Every year has its highs and…

ARIES 21 Mar – 20 Apr Get your skates on, and your knee pads, too. The pace is fast and the way ahead bumpy. Not everything was made to last, but there’s no need to accidentally shorten its shelf-life. For your reading ☎ 09058 172557 TAURUS 21 Apr – 21 May The weekend of the 21st is make-or-break time for a relationship. Many things can change in this two-week stretch, but be assured you’ll be oh-so-glad they did. For your reading ☎ 09058 172558 GEMINI 22 May – 22 Jun The full moon of the 12th is the only one this year in Gemini. Feel empowered and don’t be afraid to make an ending. A new beginning will follow in no time at all. For your reading ☎ 09058 172559…

Can we all just take a moment to marvel at the genius of Lorraine Kelly? Lovely Lorraine, who has made a career of being sweet to the celebs who grace her telly sofa, has turned. And boy, does it suit her. Like the rest of us, the presenter has run out of patience with politicians and flibbertigibbets trying to be famous for being famous. Aged 60, Scotland’s sweetheart no longer feels the need to pretend to like them. Her takedown of the prime minister’s controversial ‘technology advisor’ – curvy pole dancer Jennifer Arcuri, on a link between Good Morning Britain and Lorraine’s own morning show, was spectacular. ‘What’s the point? Not answering any questions,’ she demanded of Piers Morgan, who had interviewed Arcuri. ‘What’s the point of that? What’s the…

SUSANNA REID Forget who framed Roger Rabbit – Piers Morgan’s Good Morning Britain co-host Susanna, 49, has taken some inspiration from Jessica Rabbit in this jaw-dropping dress. ISLA FISHER Actress Isla, 43, looks like she’s headed for one of the leading roles in Shrek with this green outfit. And with her hair colour, she’d make a great Fiona! KATE GARRAWAY She must have been thinking, ‘Groovy, baby’ when she looked in the mirror of her ITV dressing room, as here Kate, 52, channels her inner Austin Powers. KIRSTIE ALLSOPP She’s used to hunting for perfect properties but this Location, Location, Location star, 48, could soon be walking in the air with her The Snowman-style scarf. JENNIFER LOPEZ We wonder if J.Lo, 50, took ‘be our guest’ written on an awards…

CHRISTMAS EVE With the Queen and Prince Philip already at Sandringham, having arrived the day before, the rest of the family now join them. Although close relatives are welcome to stay, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge stay in their nearby home, Anmer Hall. Everyone has an arrival time based on their seniority. William and Kate, for instance, have to wait until Prince Charles has arrived. The family then gather for afternoon tea which includes, according to former royal chef Darren McGrady, a spread of jam pennies – mini sandwiches cut into circles. Meanwhile, the children add the final decorations to the tree in the White Drawing Room. Being royal doesn’t exclude you from gift giving, but the family tend to stick with cheap, jokey presents. And, in keeping with…

Christmas is my favourite time of year. I know plenty of people say that, but ask my long-suffering Grinch of a husband, Jon, 46, and he’ll confirm it. I have a plethora of Yuletide jumpers, spend hours selecting the perfect tree, my Frank and Bing Sing Christmas Spotify playlist goes on loop from 30 November, and I plunge into a deep depression when it’s all over. I’m mince-pie mental, Christmas-pudding crazy and a mulled-wine maniac, so imagine my joy at the prospect of ditching our usual healthy, balanced and varied diet, and serving myself, Jon, and our children, Eddie, 15, Sammy, 11, and Annie, eight, a festive menu for an entire week. Here’s how we got on… MONDAY Normally, the family has cereal for breakfast, but Day One starts with…

1 Simple smoky look A night out go-to, smoky eye make-up will add definition and a little drama to your look. But instead of gravitating towards black and grey tones, switch to a lighter, warmer colour palette to avoid making your eyes look too heavy. Bobbi Brown Eye Shadow Palette in Fever Dream, £28, has everything you need – really wearable shades with a nod to on-trend copper tones. 2 Rosy glow Often neglected for bronzer, it’s time to bring blusher back into your routine – nothing perks up a partied-out complexion quite like a sweep of blush. BareMinerals Bounce & Blur Blusher, £23, Debenhams, is designed to be applied with your fingers, blending like a dream for a creamy flush of colour. 3 Eyes on the prize Don’t let…

Asparagus, mozzarella and pesto crostini Veg-topped toasts drizzled with fragrant pesto – ready in 15 mins! SERVES 6 PREP 10 MINS COOK 5 MINS ✱ 1 yellow pepper, deseeded, cut to strips ✱ 250g fine asparagus, trimmed ✱ 2tbsp olive oil ✱ 6 slices crusty bread, toasted ✱ 200g baby plum tomatoes, halved ✱ 150g pack mozzarella, drained ✱ 3tbsp basil pesto 1 Heat a griddle pan or large frying pan until hot. 2 Toss the yellow pepper strips and asparagus in 1tbsp olive oil. 3 Tip into the pan, season with salt and freshly ground black pepper and cook for 3-4 mins, turning, until softened and beginning to brown. 4 Pile the asparagus and peppers on to the toasts and scatter over the halved tomatoes. 5 Tear the mozzarella…

‘IT’S GIVEN ME BACK MY FREE SPIRIT’ I’ve always been someone who loves a party, only now I love the getting-ready bit, too! Picking an outfit used to be a necessary evil, and I’d spend ages searching for something that covered me up. These days, I’m rocking glitzy dresses and skinny jeans, and my shoe collection is flourishing because my knees don’t ache in high heels. And while, once, I needed a few glasses of wine to find the Dutch courage to hit the dance floor, now I’m brimming with confidence from dusk till dawn. My bubbly personality isn’t hampered by self-consciousness any more and I feel happy, free, and so grateful that I found a way to lead my best-possible life. Growing up in my close, loving Hindu family,…

READY FOR JANUARY Q Every year, the run-up to Christmas and new year is all about indulgence. Then in January, we are all supposed to lose weight. Will eating a big meal on New Year’s Eve throw me off the wagon? Philippa says AChristmas Day and New Year’s Eve are two days, and having an indulgent meal on two occasions is not going to make a significant impact on your weight or health, so I would definitely just enjoy it. The situation changes, though, if you are going to parties throughout December and when every day is indulgence. Try to eat healthily for 80% of the time, allowing treats for the other 20%. Always getting infected? Q For the past two years I have been getting urinary tract infections every…

I’M WORRIED MY PARROTS HAVE LEAD POISONING – WHAT CAN I DO? While we love parrots for their inquisitive nature, it can get them into trouble. Natural explorers, parrots enjoy investigating their environment and may develop lead exposure after eating things such as small batteries and jewellery, or by chewing on things that have been covered with a lead-based paint. In the wild, birds can be exposed to lead if shot and the pellet remains within them. The best way to protect our pet birds is to rid their environment of any heavy metal and allow them out only if supervised. Try to keep their mind active with lots of interaction and fun games, so they have less of a desire to be mischievous. Lead toxicity can often prove fatal.…

FOR TINY READERS Meerkat Christmas by Emily Gravett, Two Hoots, £12.99, HB, (Age 3+) You may have already met adventurous meerkat Sunny in Meerkat Mail. Now, he’s off on his travels again – this time in search of the perfect Christmas. As he checks off his list of snow, tree, presents, dinner and music, he soon discovers the most important ingredient for a truly happy holiday is time with your family. With seven ‘festive flaps’ to open, this fun picture book will delight younger readers. The Snow Dragon by Abi Elphinstone and Fiona Woodcock, Simon & Schuster, HB, £12.99 (Age 4+) In this stunning new release, prepare to encounter a grim orphanage where daydreaming is banned, skipping is forbidden, and a lonely child is the only one left in the…

GONE by Leona Deakin, Black Swan, PB, £7.99 This is a read with a dark psychological focus, questioning the very nature and position of psychopaths in society. Dr Augusta Bloom is a psychologist and private detective, drawn into a complex game by a chilling individual. People are going missing, but with no evidence of abduction, what, or who, is the cause? Clever and well-plotted, the premise is original and the ending suspenseful. For more books information, see womanmagazine.co.uk/ books Deadly advances 17 Church Row by James Carol, Zaffre, PB, £7.99 When Ethan, Nikki and daughter Bella move to an ultra-smart house, which has their every whim tended to by the main computer, ‘Alice’, they hope it will be the fresh start they need. However, when doors start to…

SIAN GIBSON The Car Share actor stars alongside David Walliams, Celia Imrie and Tom Courtenay in the Sky One comedy Cinderella: After Ever After, which begins where the classic fairy tale ends… How does it feel to be playing Cinderella? It’s an absolute dream. But when the role came up, I phoned the producer and said, ‘Are you sure?’ I’m 43. Even when I was in my 20s I never played Cinderella; I was more likely to play an ugly sister! What is your Cinderella like? She’s not your typical Cinderella. When you see how princesses used to be portrayed, it’s all about them finding a man. My Cinderella has a bit more about her. Everyone’s fawning over Prince Charming, but she can see through all that. I’d much rather…

He appears on our screens so often, most frequently as a judge on Britain’s Got Talent, that it’s easy to forget that David Walliams is also a successful children’s author. Having adapted many of his children’s books into TV shows, David’s stories are now just as much a part of Christmas as EastEnders and the Queen’s speech. This year is no different. Following the success of 2017’s Ratburger, Sky’s highest-rated show ever, David has decided to retell the story of Cinderella, revealing what happened after Cinders married her Prince Charming – who turns out to be quite the opposite. As Woman sits down with David to talk about his upcoming Christmas show, he reveals his six-year-old son Alfred’s viewing habits and how learning to dance for Cinderella: After Ever After…

✱ Drink a soft drink betw een every alcoholic one on a night out. I no w know exactly how many I can have and avoid the ‘kebab-ordering’ danger zone! ✱ I love the optic dispensers m y husband bought me so I can measur e spirits accurately – it’s so much more precise than pouring straight from the bottle. ✱ If I do go off tr ack, I don’t get upset with myself. I just get back on plan. ✱ For gatherings, home-made lasagnes or curries ar e sure to go down a treat – trust me, no one will know the difference!…

Knit and natter Feeling crafty? More than 80% of female adults felt happier after knitting, according to a study*. Knitting in a group had a significant effect on happiness while also improving social contact and communication with others. Curb chapped lips The combination of cold weather and harsh central heating can spell trouble for your lips. Apply Eucerin Acute Lip Balm (£6, Boots) before heading out to help lock in moisture and shield parched lips from the fluctuating indoor and outdoor temperatures. Try a freeze-dried smoothie ‘Freeze-drying preserves the important micronutrients, phytochemicals and antioxidants in fruit and veg that would otherwise deteriorate within a few days,’ says nutritionist Ruth Tongue. Try FOGA Plantshake Starter Kit (£2.99, foga.co). Read a map Map-reading ability can be used to predict the very early…

The smile on my daughter’s face as she perched on Santa’s knee is one of my favourite – and most meaningful – photographs we have of her. For me and my husband, Andrew, 38, this time of year will always be a reminder of the Christmases we spent beside our daughter’s hospital bed, wondering whether she would survive past her third birthday. Seeing her bursting with life, laughing, shows what a momentous difference a year can make. It was just after Evie’s second birthday, in September 2015, that she started complaining of tummy ache, and while her brother, Oscar, then six, charged around the garden, Evie was unusually lethargic. When she started vomiting weeks later, Andrew and I were worried. A trip to the GP and hospital diagnosed a kidney…

So,’ I say to Leo in the kitchen. ‘Turkey or goose this year?’ ‘Does it matter?’ he shrugs. ‘I know Dad won’t be here for Christmas. Heard you on the phone to him last night,’ he mutters. I bite my lip. ‘It’s not definite.’ ‘Whatever. See you at the concert.’ He slouches away to get ready for school. Tonight, at the school Christmas concert, 12-year-old Abby will be playing Silent Night on the flute. I drift out of my perfect kitchen to get ready for work. I glimpse our perfect Christmas tree in the lounge and wince. This year I heeded the advice in a glossy mag that ‘white-themed trees are all the rage.’ So now I have a perfectly proportioned Norwegian spruce decorated, symmetrically, with white velvet bows. I’m…