Table of contents for 23-Jan-2020 in Pick Me Up!

Putting together the final touches to my cart, I was ready to set off on my next challenge. It was September last year, and I was about to embark on a 300-mile cart pulling challenge, to raise money for Brooke, the working horse and donkey charity. I’ve always been a big animal lover and after completing a 900-mile cycle in 2018 for Senior Staffy Club, I decided to take on a challenge each year. So, with my 50kg cart attached behind me, I made my way through Shrewsbury, Kidderminster, Worcester, Gloucester, Cirencester, Swindon and Salisbury. Trekking for anything up to 12-hours a day, it took me a month to get back home. Due to the early autumn flooding, I was pushing my way through inches of water, creating blisters on…

Blowing my nails so they’d dry quicker, I grabbed the clear topcoat varnish and took it to the living room where my daughter Jade, 14, was watching telly. ‘Want to finish my nails off?’ I smiled, passing her the bottle. ‘Oooh yes,’ she squealed, setting up on the dining room table. It was her turn to pamper me. Jade was chuffed I’d given her such an honour. When I started my job as a nail technician, I agreed that Jade could occasionally have a go on my nails if she returned the favour. I needed to practice, and she loved to shine, especially when sitting on the back of a horse, her favourite pastime. Extremely outdoorsy, and always up for a hands-on adventure, Jade had taken up horse riding as…

Spend and save Q My husband wastes money and I hate it. I save so hard and he’ll come home with a gadget he’ll get bored of in five minutes. It’s causing so many arguments. Anna, Sheffield A Do you keep track of your family income and spending? It can help to show your husband how much these impulse purchases are costing over a few months. He might be shocked himself at how much he is, in effect, wasting. If this doesn’t work, and you really can’t agree on how he spends money, then why not agree a carefully calculated monthly personal budget for each of you? Identify how much money is left over each month after all your bills are covered (as well as any savings and a buffer…

I only took the essentials on my recent weekend away! Sarah Whitehead, Warrington Here’s Buddy having a run in the park! Holly Sawyer, Bristol Meet our four-month-old rescue kitten Luna. She’s mischievous but loves a cuddle! We think she’s purrfect. Jason Booth, Derby My new 11-week-old Chorkie puppy Buster had taken to having a little ride on my granddaughter’s see-saw in the garden. Patricia Cordon, Cheltenham My magical tabby cat Sabrina is 10 months old and so sweet. Carley Adair, Northern Ireland…

Dr Rekha Tailor, cosmetic doctor and owner of cosmeticsclinic.com , answers our questions… How does the rise of influencers impact consumer’s health? People are more pressured with diet advice online every day and are regularly exposed to brands putting up ads via influencers under the guise of diet advice. Consumers take these advertisements as fact and believe they will help them lose weight quickly without having to change their lifestyle. In order to lose weight safely, you must be monitored by a medical professional to ensure you aren’t putting too much pressure on vital organs. You simply cannot get this level of support from a social media platform. How do diet teas pressure social media users to look a certain way? Diet teas appear to specifically target younger millennials who are…

Thoughtful Zane Donaghy, eight, decided he wanted to do something special for his grandad Douglas Oram, 85, and his friends; who all live at Brunelcare’s Deerhurst Care Home in Bristol. Zane wanted to send them all on a trip to the seaside and to raise the money, he wore shorts every day for the whole of 2019! The dedicated grandson braved all weathers and even wore short pyjamas for 365 days from January 1, 2019, to make sure he had enough to get his grandad to the beach. Douglas has been living with Frontotemporal Dementia and receives full-time care. His wife of 63 years, Sheila, visits twice a week. Zane and his mum, Lucy, visit as often as they can together. ‘I just wanted to do something nice and send…

It’s Chinese New Year! Wing Yip, the UK’s largest Oriental supermarket is encouraging foodies across the UK to head into the kitchen and experiment with traditional Chinese flavours. Hoisin chicken wings  Serves: 6 □ 24 chicken wings, mid and prime joints □ 120g Wing Yip Hoi Sin Sauce □ 2 tbsp Wing Yip Light Soy Sauce □ 1 tsp Wing Yip Sesame Oil □ 1 tbsp shaohsing wine □ 1 spring onion, finely sliced □ 1 tbsp white sesame seeds 1 Pre-heat the oven to 180°c and line a large baking tray with foil. 2 In a large bowl mix together the hoi sin sauce, soy sauce, sesame oil and shaohsing wine. Once mixed, add the chicken wings and thoroughly coat them all in the sauce. 3 Lay the chicken…

Charles Dickens Museum - London Step back in time for a visit to this charming museum, where you’ll enjoy the world’s largest collection relating to Dickens, including letters, pictures, first editions, furniture, memorabilia and lovingly restored rooms. The famous novelist lived here from 1837 to 1839, and it was at this very house that he wrote his masterpiece Oliver Twist , achieving international recognition as one of Britain s best storytellers. Immerse yourself in the unique atmosphere of this family home, and don’t miss the regular temporary exhibitions. • From £4.50 • dickensmuseum.com Shakespeare’s Globe - London Step inside this recreation of William Shakespeare’s iconic Globe theatre and imagine it as it would have been at the centre of London’s notorious bankside entertainment district way back in the 16th Century.…

As I knocked on my little boy’s door, I was ready to see his new look. Fabian, 10, didn’t dress like other boys his age, nor did he kick a football around or want to play video games all day. He never liked any of that stereotypically ‘boyish’ stuff and would turn down his dad, Darren, 40, if he asked to play rugby with him or bought him toy cars. Even so, I’d never been too worried about him. And when I walked into his bedroom to see Fabian trying out a pair of my new high heels, I felt nothing but pride for the person he was now becoming. As long as he’s happy, I don’t care what he wears Ever since Fabian was born in 2009, he’d been…

Painful problem Q I keep getting piles and it's really uncomfortable. Are there any home remedies that will help prevent it? Sally, Bournemouth. A Piles are more common than you may think, and can be extremely painful. There are many home remedies that are rumoured to help with the symptoms until you can seek medical help or purchase some over the counter medicines. Aloe Vera can be used to manage haemorrhoid symptoms as it’s anti-inflammatory properties are thought to reduce swelling. A warm bath is another ‘go to’ home remedy. Over the counter ointments are available and can offer immediate relief. Small lifestyle changes can also help prevent piles, including staying active, eating foods high in fibre, drinking plenty of water and avoiding sitting for long periods of time on…

Two apples a day... We’ve all heard that an apple a day keeps the doctor away, but a new study has suggested that two apples may be even better. Researchers at the University of Reading found that two apples every day could reduce a person’s risk of heart attack or stroke. After 40 people with high cholesterol ate two large apples a day for eight weeks, researchers discovered it had lowered their levels of ‘bad’ cholesterol by almost four per cent. Just two apples are thought to contain about a quarter of someone’s recommended intake of fibre a day. Men’s health with Dr Clair Grainger Q I think I’ve got a fungal toe nail infection. How can I get rid of it? Jason, Norwich. A A toenail that is…

Harriet says: ‘When I first met Daniel, I didn’t know about his hand. When he told me, I really didn’t care. My manager was missing his legs, so I was used to it. I understood why he didn’t like wearing the NHS arms and when we’d been dating for about four years, I found all his childhood ones under his bed at his parents’ house. It was kind of creepy. I knew when we heard about the bionic arm testing that he had to go for it and I’m so proud of everything he’s achieved.’…

Sat on the sofa one day, my phone pinged. I love you, the message read. I want to have kids with you. While words like these would make most women’s hearts skip a beat, my heart recoiled in horror. I didn’t know this man - had never met him in my life! Yet he seemed to know all about me - at least who he believed was me... This wasn’t the first time I’d received a message like this, and by now, in early 2019, I knew exactly how to respond. I’m really sorry, but I’m not who you think I am, I replied as politely as I could. I’m afraid you’ve been scammed. You see, for the past four years, people have been using pictures of me online to…

Laying back in the hospital bed, I couldn’t wait to meet my boy. And 14 hours later, after one final push, we welcomed Henry into the world, weighing 8lb 3oz. ‘He’s perfect,’ my husband, Ben, 35, beamed. But it hadn’t been easy getting there. When I first found out I was pregnant in February 2017, we were over the moon. Only, at our first scan, we received some bad news. ‘Your baby’s bladder is full,’ the doctor explained. ‘Is that bad?’ Ben asked. ‘Bladder Outlet Obstruction is very serious,’ he warned. ‘It occurs when the urethra is too narrow or blocked. Your baby is at risk of kidney and lung issues.’ Then, things got much worse. ‘If you carry on your pregnancy you risk having a stillborn,’ he told us…

Follow the NHS’ five top tips to make healthier food choices… 1. BASE YOUR MEALS ON CARBS Starchy carbohydrates should make up just over a third of the food you eat. They include potatoes, bread, rice, pasta and cereals. Choose higher fibre or wholegrain varieties to help you feel fuller for longer. 2. EAT MORE FISH Fish is a good source of protein and contains many vitamins and minerals. Aim to eat at least 2 portions of fish a week, including at least 1 portion of oily fish. Oily fish are high in omega-3 fats, which may help prevent heart disease. 3. EAT LESS SALT Don’t eat more than 6g of salt a day. Eating too much salt can raise your blood pressure. About three-quarters of the salt you eat…

Sparkling wine jelly beans, £3, jellybelly.co.uk Toast any occasion with sparkling wine flavour jelly beans. All the flavour of a glass of bubbly with none of the alcohol. Add a touch of sparkle to any special event. Verdict: GENIUS! Perfect for weddings! Cozy microwavable boots, £19.99, prezzybox.com The pinnacle of snuggle wear. Not only do they make your tootsies super toasty, but the boots release a serene, soothing lavender scent to get you relaxed. Verdict: GENIUS! Boots made for snuggling! Baguette pillow, £18.99, Amazon.co.uk Do you love bread so much that you want to sleep with it? Avoid crumbs in the bed with this 40-inch baguette beauty. Verdict: BONKERS! Try not to eat it!…

ARIES 21 March–20 April You’re only worried, because others placed doubt. Focus on what you know to be fact, not what others think will be the pitfalls. If you can focus on what you want the end result to be, not just what the possible pitfalls are, you’ll be on the road to success. Family tell lies to cover their tracks, but this is one week, you’d be better to watch, not comment. Not yet. Call: 09058 170 710* TAURUS 21 April–21 May Jealousy is evident. Could it be that you’re experiencing a bit of the green eyed monster? I hope not. You start to recognise who is making you feel inferior and you learn that you don’t want to be around toxic people. The next step is removing yourself…

This week, our tip of the week will receive a great product from Addis! Their premium washing up range (from £5.99) is designed to protect your dishes and your sinkware. No longer worry about damaging your sink as the soft touch feet prevent scratches and offers cushioning protection while the inner liner protects your dishes. For more ways to make your everyday life easier, visit addis.co.uk Makeup queen I always use a primer instead of a make-up remover to fix eye makeup mistakes. It leaves a primed surface for new attempts and makes less of a mess. Angela Garvin, Romford The grass is greener I was spending a fortune on buying fresh flowers until one day on a countryside walk, I noticed some beautiful grasses growing by the path. They…

Blood cancers 1 There are different types of blood cancer. 2 Blood cancer isn’t common. 3 Unexplained weight loss is a symptom of blood cancer. 4 You don’t always need treatment for blood cancer. 5 Blood cancer is caused by faults in our DNA. 1 TRUE There are over 100 different types of cancer of the blood including myeloma and leukemia. 2 FALSE It’s now the fifth most common type of cancer in the UK. 3 TRUE Other symptoms include tiredness, easy bruising and joint pain. 4 TRUE Some people may never need treatment and others won’t need it straight away. 5 TRUE All blood cancers are caused by mutations in DNA.…