Table of contents for 9 February 2023 in Chat

What do comedian Jason Manford and singer Taylor Swift have in common? To find out, solve the crossword then read down the shaded squares to find the five-word prize answer. Across Incorrect5 Bequiet4) Moveson8 Drivingpermit7 Closest7 Tennisplayer Williams (5) Atanytime4) Periodsofdarkness6) Coldsymptom6 Memo4 Ethical5 Inscribedplate6 Benchmark8 Spud6 Triballeader5 Onetunedintoa radio show (8) Vitalgas6 Zone4 Solution6 Parkseat5 JamesBondactor_ Craig (6) Competent4 Onesprofessional life (6) Animalwithantlers8) Dryandbrittle5) Failstohit6) Lightestgas8 Concurred6 Laterthan5 Loudnoisemadebya lion (4) Verses6 Cardsuit6 Inthisplace4) Pungentediblebulb5) Placewithfruittrees(7) Wanted7 Hangsfromabove8) Irritates4 Rot5 Down Landuninhabitedbypeople(10) Groupofmusicians9) Vanished4 Payattention4 Wordswiththesamemeaning (8)…

Is my breast pain serious? Q For two weeks before every period my breasts are lumpy, painful and tender. Could it be cancer? Abi, south London A You’re right to check any breast changes, but this kind of pain is unlikely to suggest cancer. It usually means your breast tissue is responding normally to hormone changes during your monthly cycle. Pain and tenderness are worst in the week or two before your period, then stop once your period starts. Wearing a support bra day and night, eating a low-fat diet and painkillers, including anti-inflammatory painkiller cream, might help. Sometimes the pill may worsen symptoms so talk to your GP if you’re taking it. More powerful drugs from your doctor, including some that completely stop your periods, can help if needed.…

TRUE-LIFE L aying my hands on my huge belly bump, I smiled weakly as I felt a tiny kick. Morning sickness was no joke. Since I’d fallen pregnant in May 2014, hyperemesis gravidarum meant I’d spent most of my pregnancy in bed. But my baby had ended two years of heartache for me and my partner, Michael, then 28. We’d almost given up hope, then a miracle happened and now, seven months pregnant, I was counting the days till we got to meet our daughter. We chose the name Nia, which means ‘purpose’ in Swahili. Putting my head back on my pillow, I decided to do something special for our imminent arrival. ‘I’m going to write you a story,’ I whispered. ‘My first gift to you.’ I grabbed a notebook.…

Walking along the street, I looked down, minding my own business. But as I approached a building site, my heart began to race. ‘Get ’em out!’ a builder yelled as I walked past. I quickened my pace, my cheeks flushing red. Wishing the ground would swallow me up. I hadn’t asked for big boobs, and I certainly hadn’t asked for the attention! Yet every day I had to put up with people commenting about the size of my chest. Just 16, I was already wearing an E-cup bra. ‘E for enormous,’ I joked to my sisters, Katia, then 17, and Emily, 23. We’d all been ‘blessed’ with a big bust. But as I continued to grow, so did my boobs. Zooming through the alphabet from E, to F, to G……

H olding another pregnancy test, I held back tears. Negative. It was January 2019 and my husband Phil, then 33, and I had been trying for a baby for over three years. Having got engaged in 2016, I stopped taking the pill and waited patiently for my periods to return. Only they were sporadic, often months apart. I’d visited the doctor after a year trying. At over 22st and 5ft 8in, I was classed as obese. Diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), I wasn’t ovulating properly, which was why I was struggling to conceive. I was given medication to encourage ovulation but still wasn’t falling pregnant. ‘You need to lose 8st,’ the doctor said to me, adding there was nothing they could do to help with our fertility issues until…

NO-FUSS FOOD Top tip If you don’t like sesame seeds they can easily be left out. Chickpea and squash burgers with carrot slaw Meat-free magic and a great way to sneak veg into your little ones. SERVES 4 PREP 15 MINS, PLUS 30 MINS CHILLING COOK 20 MINS 1 Put the butternut squash in a bowl with 3tbsp water. Microwave on high for 6-8 mins, until tender. Stand for 2 mins, then drain thoroughly. 2 Put the chickpeas and squash into a food processor and blend to finely chop. Season generously, add the breadcrumbs, cumin, coriander, egg and flour. Blend again to combine. 3 Divide the mixture into 4 and shape into 4…

TRUE-LIFE Dancing to the thumping beat, I looked around the bar. Everyone was having a great time, singing, dancing and laughing. It was November 2019 and I was enjoying a night out on the town with my best friend Amy and her boyfriend Oliver. It felt like it’d been ages since we’d seen each other and we were overdue a night of dancing. ‘Let’s go and cool off outside,’ Amy suggested, pulling me by the hand to the smoking area. Fanning my face, I sipped my drink. After a while, I got chatting with a stranger. ‘I’m Victor,’ he smiled. He was seemingly harmless and we chatted for a short while before I headed back inside with Amy and Oliver. Spotting Victor, we had a quick dance together. But by…

Bondi Sands Melt Me Cleansing Balm, £11.99, bondisands.co.uk The tanning brands’ skincare range is surprisingly brilliant. We particularly love this balm cleanser, which melts away make-up without feeling heavy or greasy. E.I.f Holy Hydration! Lip Mask, £7, beautybay.com For chapped lips that need intensive care, try this quenching mask. It’s packed with super hydrators like hyaluronic acid, squalane and castor oil for an intensive hit of moisture. Max Factor Miracle Pure Concealer, £9.99, Boots Some highcoverage concealers can sit in creases and dry skin out, but this is blended with hyaluronic acid and vitamin C to brighten and plump skin while covering dark circles. Barry M Hold Up! Brow Gel, £4.99, Boots Get the fluffy brow look with this clear gel, which will hold your brows in place all day…

TRUE-LIFE Gazing over the hills, I breathed in lungfuls of fresh air. It was June 2021 and I was celebrating my 40th birthday with friends. We’d rented a lodge in Aberdeenshire and spent the days hiking in the gorgeous countryside. But as I surveyed the never-ending sky, I felt something strange in my mouth. A niggle. Odd. During the following days, the sensation happened every time I swallowed. A scratching sort of pain. But nothing else was wrong with me. After my celebrations in Scotland, I travelled to Suffolk to see my mum Sue, then 58. By the end of July, I’d returned home. But the weird feeling in my mouth was still there, so I made an appointment with the GP. ‘I can’t see anything,’ he said, examining me.…

TRUE-LIFE I t was the end of 2019 when 26-year-old Taylor Parker announced she was pregnant. Already a mum of two, she was delighted to be expecting again with her partner of 10 months, Wade Griffin. With the baby due in September 2020, Taylor proudly showed off her scan pics, posed for photos with her growing bump, and celebrated at a gender-reveal party. And, like many other mums to be, Taylor sought friendship with other pregnant women. One was Reagan Simmons-Hancock, 21, a pregnant mum of one. She and Taylor became Facebook friends, with Taylor even taking Reagan and her husband Homer’s engagement and wedding pics. Reagan was also excited about adding to her brood. She proudly posted her ultrasound pic on Facebook, adding, we are having another SWEET BABYGIRL……

1 Be kind to yourself Often, we’re our own harshest critics, and that negative voice in our head can seem louder when we’re alone. ‘Be kind and approach yourself as you would a friend in need, with patience and compassion,’ says psychologist Dr Meg Arroll. 2 Take baby steps Connecting with strangers can feel daunting. ‘Rather than throwing yourself in at the deep end with a big social event, start by going to places that interest you, such as a park, cafe or gallery,’ says Dr Arroll. ‘Don’t feel you must talk to others straightaway; just being in a new environment is a good first step.’ 3 Avoid your triggers Steer clear of alcohol and other stimulants, and limit TV time. According to Age UK, two-fifths of older people say that the television…

Cookie jarring It’s never nice to be someone’s back-up option, but if you suspect you are, you could be getting cookie jarred. It means that someone is stringing you along, keeping you on their back-burner in case their better option doesn’t work out. Like a cookie in a jar, they can take a bite whenever they fancy it. Not as sweet as it sounds! Winter coating Just like digging your trusty coat out of the wardrobe, some people will dig through their past flames and relationships to find a passion fix. Winter coating is the practice of getting in touch with exes in the hope of securing a short-term partner to snuggle up with in winter, before breaking up in spring. Do they not have hot-water bottles?! Ghosting Your date may…

It's time to leave the in-laws Q I live with my partner and his parents. We get on well and I’m so grateful that they let me move in with them. But we’ve recently decided that we want to buy our own place. How do we tell his parents without upsetting them? He’s really close with them and an only child, so I’m not sure how they’ll take the news. Jules, 24 A Your in-laws sound lovely, you lucky thing! It’s fab that they’ve taken you in and that you’ve maintained a good relationship, despite the close quarters. Maybe what you’re really worried about is whether your man is ready to fly the nest. Have a proper natter, and discuss the pros and cons. But if you decide to go…

STYLE TIP The perfect transitional cover-up - layer a statement shacket over jeans and a T-shirt for a pulled-together weekend look. STYLE TIP A belted jacket will help highlight your waist and a rich green hue will add a pop of colour to monochrome checks. STYLE TIP Give feminine skirts a laid-back sporty twist with a pair of trainers. STYLE TIP When clashing prints, stick to similar colours to ensure they all blend together effortlessly.…

Kate Inwood, 51, Newport, Wales Pushing my son along in his pram, I paused to catch my breath. It was June 2011 and I’d given birth to my first child Llewi, just three months before. I’d been suffering from breathlessness and exhaustion since. Often at night-time, I woke up gasping. I put it down to recovering from labour and lack of sleep from night feeds. But eventually I went to see my GP, explained my symptoms. Told him that alongside the breathlessness and tiredness, my feet often felt like lead. ‘It might be asthma,’ he said, scribbling a prescription for an inhaler. But I knew deep down that I wasn’t asthmatic. All this had only started after I’d given birth. Doing some of my own research, I decided to book…

Tumbling around, my new pair of kittens explored. ‘Welcome home boys!’ I grinned, dangling a toy. Growing up. I’d always had small animals but really, I wanted a dog or cat. Now, in July 2021, I’d just moved into a new house with my boyfriend Michael. When I spotted kittens Oreo and Milo on a rehoming site, I just had to have them. They made our house a home. Then, when Oreo and Milo turned one, they’d grown out of kitten food, but we still had piles of the stuff. ‘I bet we could give these away,’ I pondered to Michael, looking at the stacks of boxes. With 40 sachets left, I wanted to donate them to local pet owners in need. Kitten food - free to anyone in need,…

For most parents, their child’s first haircut is a memory to cherish. But for Leah and her two daughters, Behautti and Bliss, there’s a different type of hair removal to think about. And it stemmed from her own difficult childhood. ‘I had a really good upbringing,’ Leah recalls. ‘But being hairy was so embarrassing. Not being able to shave or having more facial hair than the boys was humiliating. ‘The bullying started at a very young age. Even before I started school adults would comment on how thick my eyebrows were.’ Having a ‘unibrow’ caused Leah years of pain at the hands of school bullies. Suffering relentless teasing, she was desperate to find a way to make it stop. ‘I wasn’t supposed to remove my body hair until I was…

Q I put off filling my car with petrol for as long as I can, but I’ve heard that this isn’t a good idea. Why not? S Locke, Altrincham A The UK has over 12 million ‘red-line runners’ - drivers who let their fuel tank get as close to empty as possible before they fill up – according to Green Flag. But this is not recommended, for a couple of reasons. First, you’re at risk of running out of petrol completely, leaving you stranded. Second, regularly driving a car with low fuel levels can cause damage, as debris in the fuel tank can clog the fuel pump or filter.…

3-9 February 2023 Aries 21 March-20 April An investment opportunity pays off, putting you in a great position to treat yourself. Friends may ask advice regarding your recent success. • Call 0905 817 0690* for more Taurus 21 April-21 May A past love isn’t letting you go easily. You might have unfinished business with this person or you haven’t shared the depths of your true feelings for each other. • Call 0905 817 0691* for more Gemini 22 May-21 June You may be volunteering or child-minding while Venus is in Pisces, highlighting your compassionate side. Don’t forget to eat or you could end up exhausted. • Call 0905 817 0692* for more Cancer 22 June-23 July Review plans you’ve been making and rethink them. Don’t settle for the ordinary, as…

Q I’m bored of my hair colour and I want to try something new. Any suggestions? Wendy Jackson, Brighton A Now’s the perfect time to experiment with a new shade - there are some great ways to do this at home, but we’d advise going to a salon if you’re going more than two shades lighter or darker than your existing hair colour. You can now get highlights at home with Gamier Olia Highlights For Brunettes, £7.99, Boots. It’s an impressively easy kit that gives salon-style dimension for a fraction of the price. For all-over colour, L’Oréal Paris Casting Creme Natural Gloss, £8.99, Boots is designed to dye without damage, and boost shine. It’s semi-permanent, lasting 6 weeks so you can get a bit playful with colours without the worry…