Innholdsfortegnelse for 11-Jan-2021 i Woman

I have two young children and, as much as I try not to raise my voice and instead exercise the calm tones all parenting gurus recommend, I have to admit there are days I find it tough. According to Oli Doyle, author of Mindful Parenting, ‘There are no bad situations, only bad reactions,’ and so Natasha Harding embarked on a week of not shouting (see p32). Could you? This week the issue is jam-packed with goodies, including a diet and fitness guide with your very own step-by-step workout. The best part? You don’t need to leave your house. Have a great week.…

Picking the right projects While Prince Harry spent much of 2020 focusing on his new life with Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, and their son, Archie, the Duke of Cambridge selected projects that resonated with the public. The ITV documentary Prince William: A Planet for Us All back in October showed the Cambridge children – George, Charlotte and Louis – meeting Sir David Attenborough, who described the young royals as ‘charming’. And William also filmed a documentary for the BBC, which aired last June, on a subject very close to his heart. Football, Prince William and Our Mental Health saw him urging men to open up, using football as a way to break the taboo surrounding the subject. Getting results Last year, William unveiled an environmental initiative called The Earthshot Prize,…

Christine Lampard GET THE LOOK Wearing head-to-toe LK Bennett, Christine, 41, isn’t the only one who is a fan of these gorgeous wide-leg trousers. The Duchess of Cambridge also has the same pair. Ruth Langsford GET THE LOOK Modelling a design from her latest collection, Ruth, 60, stuns in this figure-hugging, printed dress. It’s available in three different lengths, catering for petite and taller ladies. Andrea McLean GET THE LOOK Not many people would look this good in blue and red tartan, but Andrea, 51, pulls off this colour combo with ease. Saira Khan GET THE LOOK Saira, 50, looks fabulous in this spotted maxi dress. Her concealed platform boots have secretly added a couple of inches to her height, a great styling tip to make you appear taller.…

Hitting the slopes in my boots, warm coat, hat and goggles, I breathe in the fresh air, take in the views of the Alps and realise just how happy I feel. Strapping the board to my feet, I slide through the snow. I’m not fast – a bit wobbly – but, at 40, I manage to snake down the piste, following the curve of the mountain and, when I get to the bottom, I feel utterly exhilarated. Since my teens, I’ve suffered with chronic fatigue and endometriosis, and am often in pain. Any activities I take part in are dictated by my body’s energy levels on the day. ‘I’D NO IDEA WHAT I WAS DOING’ Until 2016, I’d never been on an alpine break nor had any desire to learn…

Before having children, most of us imagine being this calm, patient and tolerant earth mother. Then the kids arrive. Suddenly the days pass with shouting, reprimands and guilt. Especially this year, when we’ve spent months cooped up. But there is another way, according to Oli Doyle, author of Mindful Parenting, who says that, ‘There are no bad situations, only bad reactions.’ So what does he suggest? And will it keep me from nagging incessantly at Zak, 14, and Lexi, seven? I call a family meeting and tell my husband, Paul, 51, that we’ve all become too shouty lately and we’re going to try to get through the week without raised voices. MONDAY Sleepless evenings By 7pm, Lexi, who has autism, is playing up. Mondays aren’t great as she finds school…

Spag bol  Not strictly British, obviously, but one of the nation’s favourite dinners, so I had to include it. SERVES 6 PREP 10 MINS COOK 1 HOUR 15 MINS ✱ 1tbsp olive oil ✱ 1 large onion, diced ✱ 1 medium carrot, peeled and diced ✱ 1 celery stick, diced ✱ 3 garlic cloves, crushed ✱ 1tbsp balsamic vinegar ✱ 1tsp yeast extract or miso paste ✱ 200g chestnut mushrooms, sliced ✱ 500g frozen soy mince ✱ 2 x 400g cans plum tomatoes ✱ 150ml vegetable stock ✱ 6 fresh basil leaves, finely chopped ✱ 1tsp dried oregano ✱ 1tbsp tomato ketchup ✱ 8–10 fresh cherry tomatoes, halved ✱ 400g dried spaghetti ✱ Vegan Parmesan or nutritional yeast, to serve (optional) 1 Add the oil to a large saucepan on…

He needs a donor Q My son has leukaemia and needs something called a stem cell transplant, but there is no one suitable on the register at the moment. Could I help him? Philippa says A Stem cell transplants are used for patients with illnesses which affect their blood or ability to make blood cells in their bone marrow, such leukaemia or lymphoma. Stem cells WHY AM I HEARING VOICES SUDDENLY? Q After nearly a year of pandemic social restrictions, I’m struggling. I live alone, but am beginning to think I can hear people talking to me, but no one’s here. What’s going on? Philippa says A It sounds as if you may be experiencing auditory hallucinations. Hearing things is potentially serious, so please speak to your GP. Living alone…

Wedding planning is ruining our love life QI’m very much in love with my fiance. But we’re getting married this summer, and have been so busy with wedding preparations that we’ve had less sex than usual. In fact, the only time we do make love is when I have erotic dreams about sex with other people, and wake up feeling randy. Now I’m really worried my dreams are a sign that I’m not committed to my man. Does this mean I’m having doubts? Susan says A Dreams can be a sign of doubts. More likely, you’re anxious about having less sex, and worried you’ll lose the passion once you’re married. Make time for sex, even though you’re busy. Keep talking about what turns you each on. Expand your moves. And…

It’s Kate’s time to shine The duchess has truly proved herself For nearly all of us, 2020 has been an annus horribilis – a year we’d rather forget and hope and pray will never be repeated. But for one member of the Royal Family, this miserable 12 months actually represents a coming of age. As the Duchess of Cambridge turns 39 this month, her position in the nation’s psyche has reached an all-time high. I first met Kate in early 2005 during the royal ski trip to Switzerland. At the time she was Prince William’s stunning new girlfriend, whose relationship had blossomed over bowls of home-made spaghetti bolognese while they studied at the University of St Andrews. We journalists were banned from speaking to the mysterious brunette who had stolen…

Kate looked simply angelic in this white Suzannah dress. She gave a sweet nod to her three children by wearing a necklace bearing their initials. Kate clearly wanted to impress for her meeting with the president of Ireland, opting for this gorgeous Alessandra Rich dress and dark green Emmy London suede pumps. One of Kate’s most iconic looks of the year came at the Commonwealth Day service, when she recycled the Catherine Walker coat she debuted on Christmas Day 2018. To celebrate the 72nd birthday of the NHS, the duchess looked chic in a blue dress with a white collar. She dressed up the look with some statement Patrick Mavros earrings. The Duchess of Cambridge kicked off 2020 by dazzling in this Needle & Thread midi dress at Buckingham Palace.…

A little TLC Alteya Citrus & Mint Liquid Soap, £9.95, alteya.co.uk Keep your mitts protected and healthy by wearing gloves when cleaning, and switch harsh hand soaps for something nourishing. Spot of bother Caudalie Vinoperfect Dark Spot Correcting Hand Cream, £15, lookfantastic.com If sun or age spots are your biggest concern, the active ingredients in this cream are your go-to for even skin tone. Nourishing shea butter and avocado oil also bring much-needed moisture to parched skin without any stickiness. No more dryness Dove Pro Age Nourishing Hand Care, £3.99, Boots Specifically designed for older skin, the Pro Age range uses AHAs to exfoliate the skin and rejuvenate cells. Olive oil nourishes dry, flaky skin, while vitamin B3 prevents any further hydration loss.…

Hearing the sound of my alarm clock, I squinted at the sun peeking through my curtains. It was then I felt it, a splitting headache and a dizzy, sick feeling pulsing through my body. All the classic signs of a hangover. ‘One cocktail too many,’ I muttered as I dragged myself out of bed. My husband Paul looked on, grinning. It was April 2019, and a day earlier I’d met up with the girls from work for our annual Easter night out. All teachers working in a primary school, we relished the opportunity to get together in the school holidays, and this time was no different. I wasn’t a regular drinker, but I enjoyed a big night out at the end of every term to release the stress. We’d headed…

As well as giving the children more autonomy, I’ve also paused many times and ignored minor misdemeanours, and as a result the house has been calmer. However, it’s been hard not to shout because I wouldn’t say their behaviour has been miraculously better. What has happened, though, is there haven’t been any escalations. If Zak has said something, rather than picking up on it – which might’ve resulted in a row – I’ve ignored it, so nothing has come of it. I don’t know whether this is a good thing – but I’ve felt better for not shouting and will definitely keep practising staying calm.…

I’M TAKING THE SHOW ON THE ROAD Toni Finnimore, 35, lives in Brighton. Packing my belongings into boxes, I tried not to feel sad. ‘This is a new beginning,’ I told myself, separating items into three piles: stuff to sell, things for the bin, and the items I’d keep. In truth, while it was overwhelming, I was excited for the future, even if I didn’t entirely know what to expect. Running my own events company, The Social Society, organising gatherings that connected skilled workers with charities, meant that within 24 hours of the March lockdown I’d lost all my contracts. Within weeks, it became a stretch to afford bills, so I moved in with a friend, racking my brains for a next step. Even as restrictions lifted and I attempted…

STI check Research* shows more than half of people aged 45-64 have never had a health check for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), despite more divorcees having sexual relationships with new partners. Visit nhs.uk and search your postcode to find a sexual health clinic near you. Jewellery hygiene How often do you wash your jewellery? Two-thirds of Brits admit to never cleaning theirs, and this means that, in just one week, it could be collecting a shocking 428 times more germs than a toilet seat!** Keep well Take control of your health and immunity with the Immune 52 Power Boost daily supplement drink, full of every vitamin, mineral, amino acid and adaptogen you need to stay fighting fit. (From £29 for a month’s supply, reverselife.co.uk.)…

Yes, you climax – almost always. And it’s nice – almost always. But is that enough? Here are three questions to consider if climax isn’t always the high quality you’re hoping for. Enough preparation? Whether by yourself or with your man, a wonderful orgasm needs prepping. Right atmosphere, focus, and foreplay. Get more of these and quality will soar. Enough technique? Are you exploring, experimenting, enhancing your bedroom activity? Are you claiming what you need from your partner? Knowing what you want and asking for it are essentials for great climax. Enough connection? The best orgasms are almost always with the best partner. Are you having sex with a man you aren’t close to, or one you used to be close to but aren’t now? Improve your connection and quality…

HOW TO BELONG by Sarah Franklin (£14.99, HB, Zaffre) In her second novel, Franklin revisits the Forest of Dean, where we meet Jo and Tessa. Jo has returned to the place where she grew up, in order to save the family’s butchery business; farrier Tessa has returned, too, but with a secret, complex past. Circumstances compel the two to live together and face up to what it means to belong within a community. Exquisite descriptions help make this atmospheric read simply beautiful. 33 Women by Isabel Ashdown (£8.99, PB, Orion) This foreboding thriller sees sisters Celine and Pip reunited at their mother’s house after her death. Their thoughts turn to their missing sister Vanessa, whose brutal murder years before remains unsolved. When a body is discovered in similar circumstances,…

60 SECOND INTERVIEW GRAHAM NORTON As RuPaul’s Drag Race UK returns for a new series, Graham is back on the judging panel alongside RuPaul, Michelle Visage and a guest judge. Here, he tells us more… What was it like to return for series two? Joyful. I was so excited to see who the drag queens were going to be, and it’s always gorgeous to see RuPaul. I can’t tell you what that’s like to be sitting on the panel and then see RuPaul come around the corner. You feel like you’re in the presence of a deity! Has your judging style changed for series two? I’m not judging, I’m just the luckiest audience member in the world in that I get to sit up close and talk to them. Mostly…

Singer Jesy Nelson has the X factor in abundance. A decent voice, great stage presence and fabulously outspoken. Being part of one of the biggest-selling girl bands since the Spice Girls made her dreams come true. It brought her fame, fortune and fit boyfriends. But that heady cocktail was soured by persistent cyber-trolling and an equally relentless work schedule. When the then 20-year-old Essex girl strutted up to the X Factor audition mic, she knew she would have to work for her dreams but no one warned her quite how all-consuming her new life would become. Before Jesy quit, Little Mix bandmate Perrie Edwards said, ‘I don’t think we expected it to be this hard. We don’t rest, we don’t sleep.’ Simon Cowell described them as the ‘hardest-working bunch of…

Legs for heights There was a right kerfuffle about the pic of Posh wearing shiny leather, skintight trousers to climb a ladder in her kitchen. Yeah sure her leggings were more S&M than M&S, but why on earth does she keep her kids’ lunch boxes in such a ridiculously inaccessible cupboard? Robotic deliveries Royal Mail are looking into delivering parcels by drone. Accepting a package from a friendly postman or woman has been the only human contact many people would have had while self-isolating or shielding. So I’m not convinced this is a great step forward for humanity.…

‘CRAZIER THINGS HAVE HAPPENED’ It wasn’t long ago that Jamie Redknapp’s dad Harry referred to Jamie’s ex-wife Louise as ‘family’, hinting there may still be hope for the former couple. Now Woman can reveal that Jamie, 47, and Louise, 46, are closer than they have been in years. It seems last year’s struggles have brought them closer, with a source telling us exclusively, ‘There’s been a real shift since last Christmas, and the roller coaster of 2020 has led to some deep thinking.’ So could 2021 be Louise and Jamie’s year? UNWILLING TO MOVE ON? ‘This time last year, Lou was really gung-ho about moving forwards but, to be honest, the single life hasn’t turned out quite as she expected,’ a longstanding friend of the couple tells us. ‘Dating during…

Tired of 20-something fitness gurus telling you to spend hours in a gym in order to stay healthy as you get older? Look no further. We’ve spoken to Josh Salzmann and Wayne Lèal, creators of Super-A (supera.uk), who train A-listers including Kate Winslet and Pierce Brosnan as well as royalty, with Sarah, Duchess of York being one of their clients. Here, they deliver simple exercises you can do in your own home. No gym pass, no fancy gym gear and no equipment. It’s the workout we’ve all been craving. Both in their 60s, Josh comes from a strength conditioning background, while Wayne’s is yoga and martial arts-based. Together, they’ve reinvented fitness for those who don’t want to fork out on a gym membership and spend hours training. Josh, 64, and…

1 Recharge faded colour If you’re looking to enhance your shade and repair dry ends, a tinted gloss treatment will deeply condition your hair while adding some much-needed vibrancy. Josh Wood Shade Shot Semi-Permanent Treatment Gloss, £19, gives fading locks an instant refresh and comes in shades ranging from smoky brunette to ice-blonde. 2 Get to the root If you’re in need of an emergency touch-up, extend the length between salon visits with a temporary root spray like L’Oréal Paris Magic Retouch Instant Root Concealer Spray, £8.99. Apply where it’s needed and it’ll last until your next shampoo. Alternatively, L’Oréal Paris Magic Retouch Instant Grey Concealer Brush, £8.99, gives much more precision for covering scattered or stubborn greys. 3 DIY highlights For ombré, balayage or subtly lightened hair, highlights can…

NICE RICE Ring the changes with your favourite rice dishes such as risottos, salads, soups and stews with two new variations from Gallo. Rustico Nero Venere is a black wholegrain rice that adds a touch of drama to dinner time, and Rustico 3 Grain Mix is a blend of rice, spelt and barley for extra flavour and nuttiness. Both cook in just 18 mins. £2.79 (Nero Venere), 500g, £2.49 (3 Grain Mix), 400g, Tesco, Ocado, Waitrose & Partners and Booths. INSTANT COFFEE UPGRADE Brighten up your day with a cup of coffee that tastes like freshly brewed but is in fact instant. Little’s premium coffee has all the speed and convenience of instant but with a richer flavour, and it’s much cheaper than a takeaway too! Choose Colombian for a…

CAN I STOP SEEING MY PARENTS? QI remember as a child being amazed at how different my friends’ parents were to mine. Theirs were so often kind, supportive and loving; mine were judgemental, critical and quite cruel to me and my two brothers. I was so lucky to meet and fall in love with a wonderful man who loved me and who was kind and caring. Meeting his parents was a revelation – a mum and dad who just wanted to welcome me into their family. My two brothers no longer visit our parents. Can I do the same? Suzie says A It’s often worth while trying to understand why some people find it hard to care and show love. We learn to love by being loved, and their own…

SHOULD I ADD ‘EXTRAS’ TO MY CAT’S BOWL TO GIVE HER SOME VARIETY? While we would be fairly cheesed off if we had to eat the same thing day in day out, we should not assume the same is true for our furry felines. Remember, their food is a complete meal that contains all of the nutrients they need to keep them fit and healthy. For most, they are more than happy to tuck into their meaty morsels or fishy feast. To give your cat a treat, you can ‘tweak’ their meal every now and then, but there are some rules: Count the calories. Feeding guidelines written on food packets assume the cat is not fed anything extra. So, whatever you put in, take away an equivalent amount of the…

ARIES 21 Mar – 20 Apr You’ve got some proverbial wood to chop, and you’re going to feel great when the job’s done. Finances are top of the list, and a friendship is second. For your reading ☎ 09058 172557 TAURUS 21 Apr – 21 May Mars enters Taurus this week and gets you moving and motoring. Friday brings a relationship issue to crunch point. Don’t push it under the carpet – talk it through. For your reading ☎ 09058 172558 GEMINI 22 May – 22 Jun It’s no use you turning a blind eye to the current situation – you have to meet it head on. Say what you mean and mean what you say so there’s no room for ambiguity. For your reading ☎ 09058 172559 CANCER 23…

BULLETPROOF: SOUTH AFRICA SKY ONE Ashley Walters and Noel Clarke are back as buddy cops Pike and Bishop, now on holiday in Cape Town. They don’t get a relaxing break, however, when they’re caught up in a terrifying kidnap situation. LIGHTNING BBC2  BBC2’s latest quiz Lightning is hosted by QI and Mock the Week panellist Zoe Lyons. There’ll be lots of quick-fire question rounds and  mini physical challenges, that all need to be done without being struck by studio ‘lightning’! MARCELLA ITV Amanda Burton will be joining the third series of ITV’s Marcella which now sees Anna Friel’s troubled detective living in Ireland. Amanda plays Katherine Maguire, the matriarch of a tough criminal family. SILENT WITNESS BBC1 Following the departure of Clarissa Mullery (Liz Carr) in…