Table of contents for 29-Aug-2019 in Pick Me Up!

Leaning in to help my daughter Ella, now six, blow out her birthday candles, I was over the moon. It was her second birthday and I couldn’t believe how quickly it had come around. Everything in my life was near-perfect. Me and my partner Ian, 45, had not long tied the knot in December 2014, and Ella was growing into a beautiful little girl, plus my job as a solicitor was as good as ever. But then, in May 2016, I found a lump on my breast. That’s when I received the devastating blow that I had grade three breast cancer. I always thought that only older women got breast cancer. I just didn’t understand. So, I started browsing Breast Cancer Care and joined some online forums. It was nice…

Getting dressed in my room, I heard my husband Peter, 61, call from downstairs. ‘You’re going to be late if we don’t leave soon,’ he said. Looking down at my watch, I realised he was right - time had completely gotten away from me . It was September 2015, and I was going to a weekly meeting with my local health group. ‘Just coming,’ I called. I quickly sorted the mess on top of my chest of drawers, returning my deodorant and makeup to its place before turning to walk out the door. The bottle crashed down onto my foot But as I swung around, my arm caught one of my perfume bottles and knocked it to the floor. All of a sudden, I felt an almighty pain in my…

This week, our tip of the week receives some great products from Addis. The INVISIFIX caddy is ideal for fixing to any smooth surface (£10.99). Use it to store your non-scratch Supersponges (99p). The 100% microfibre, colour-coded sponges are tough on stains yet gentle on dishes. For more life hacks, visit addis.co.uk. Magic marker Using permanent marker doesn’t have to mean it’s permanent. If you make a mistake then simply use some antiseptic to erase, or deodorant works great! Alexandra Low, Halesowen Reduce, reuse, recycle Use the plastic bag that comes inside cereal boxes as a freezer bag or for sandwiches. They’re really sturdy and airtight, and it benefits the environment by reusing plastic that otherwise would be binned! Natalie Ahmed, Nottingham Minty fresh I found a great way to…

Side effects Q I’m going away soon and need to take malaria tablets, but I’ve heard they have terrible side effects. Do I have to take them? Emma, Kent A Malaria is a serious illness caused by a parasite carried by a certain type of mosquito, and it can make you very ill with high fevers, muscle aches and flu-like symptoms. It can sometimes be fatal. If you’re travelling to an area where there’s a high risk of getting malaria, it’s strongly advised that you take antimalarial tablets. But depending on which ones you decide to take, they can cause side effects such as nausea, thrush, increased sensitivity to light, headaches and mouth ulcers. Some anti-malarials aren’t suitable for people taking other medications, or who have seizures or have had…

Walk Together With over 42,000 people being diagnosed with bowel cancer every year in Britain, show your support by taking part in Walk Together this September for Bowel Cancer UK. It’s a sponsored walk to bring people together to support those undergoing treatment, remember loved ones and help stop people dying from bowel cancer. It’s open to people of all ages and abilities. Walk Together events are happening in London, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast during September. Sign up today on Bowel Cancer UK’s website: bowelcanceruk.org.uk/walktogether 16,000 That’s the number of people dying from bowel cancer in the UK every year, while 1 in 18 women will be diagnosed during their lifetime. It’s the second biggest cancer killer in the UK, but it is treatable and even curable in many cases,…

I believe that everyone is different in their own way, but when it comes to me, I’m incredibly unique. You see, at 31, I am just 3ft 6in tall, the oldest living woman to have an incredibly rare condition. In fact, I’m one of only 14 people in the whole world to survive with this special syndrome. It’s never held me back, though, and despite my height, I’ve always stood tall. It all started in 1988. When my mum Margie, now 60, was pregnant, doctors had told her that I was growing at a normal, healthy rate. But the doctors were wrong. When I was born, they quickly realised that I had a pronounced forehead and smaller head. It came as a complete surprise to my parents - I was…

Breathing a sigh of relief, I walked through the front door, carrying my beautiful newborn son, Jayden, in my arms. ‘Welcome home little one,’ I whispered in his ear. ‘Evie, do you want to help me change Jay Jay?’ I called my daughter Evie, two. She was a bit shy at first, but she slowly came round to the idea of being a big sister. But it wasn’t easy for her, she had a lot going on. She was only one when Jayden was born, and had already had two major operations on her skull. When I’d first fallen pregnant with her I was so excited, and couldn’t wait to be a first-time mum. But then, at my 20-week scan, it was revealed that her skull was measuring two-weeks behind…

Grieving mum, Kathleen Pelaez, who recently shared her story with us, is still trying to process that her 11-year-old daughter, Nelly, took her life, just eight months ago. ‘I noticed almost the second Nelly’s mood changed. She was such a happy child, but one day when I picked her up from camp, she was very quiet. ‘She had withdrawn herself into her phone. At first, I dismissed it as teenage hormones, but then, at a marching band event, I found faint scars all up her arms,’ Kathleen says. Upon further research, Kathleen discovered that Nelly was being bullied by another camp mate. ‘I told Nelly to stay away from the bully, but she just wanted to make friends. So, I was forced to take her out of camp.’ Nelly started…

Ultimate Gourmet Gadget, £12.95, Everyday Gourmet Gadgets This handy, brand-new British-made gadget can shred, peel, slice, grate AND make courgetti spaghetti. It’s quick, easy and so effortless. It’s portable, too – ideal for your next camping trip. Unicorn Poo bath bombs, £6.99, Prezzybox.com Once you get over the name, these Unicorn Poo bath bombs are so colourful that they look good enough to eat! They give off a delicious raspberry scent and a marble of colours. Relax in an array of magic or see the joy on a little one’s face while they bathe in a swirling mass of mythical goodness! Flamingolf, £12.99, Prezzybox.com Indoors, out in the garden, or even on holiday, take Flamingolf anywhere for hours of tee-riffic putting fun. Whether you’re a golfing…

Asian peas and tofu salad Serves 4 □ 1 egg, beaten □ 300g block of tofu □ 3 tbsp cornflour □ 3 tbsp black sesame seeds, plus extra to serve □ Sea salt þakes & freshly ground black pepper □ 150ml vegetable oil □ 250g tenderstem broccoli, sliced into 3-4cm pieces □ 1-2 tbsp soy sauce, plus extra to serve □ 250g peas, defrosted □ A bunch of spring onions, finely chopped □ 1 carrot, peeled into ribbons □ A bunch of fresh coriander and mint, roughly chopped, plus extra to serve □ Lime wedges, to serve FOR THE DRESSING: □ 3 tbsp fish sauce □ 1 tbsp brown sugar, plus extra to taste □ A thumb-size piece of fresh ginger, grated □ Juice of 3 limes □ 1 red…

Tomahawk steak, £12.99 per kg, Aldi A hit with meat lovers, the Tomahawk steak will be back in Aldi this week. After Lidl launched its own Tomahawk steak, Aldi have brought back their own version, and won’t be beaten on price! Smarties and Malteser McFlurries, £1.09, McDonalds Back by popular demand, Malteser and Smartie Mcflurries are back on the menu at McDonald’s. The fan favourites are back to stay and are the perfect way to cool down on a hot summer’s day! HARIBO’s Starmix Exotic Fruit and Tangfastics Wild Berry, £1.49, SPAR Already a family favourite, HARIBO have launched two new varieties of their Starmix and Tangfastic sweets. Exotic Fruit and Wild Berry are the two new flavours to look for. That Boutique-y Gin Company craft cocktails in a can,…

ARIES 21 March–20 April You are about to be taught that happiness is an attitude. You can either make yourself miserable, or happy and strong. Turn events around. Say what’s been on your mind. I know your dreams can become a reality. Make time for the friend who has started something new. They know something you need to hear. Make time to tell loved ones you’re there for them. Call: 09058 170 710* TAURUS 21 April–21 May Don’t say things which you know your close ones will find hurtful. You of all signs should know how it feels to be under the spotlight. Work on helping them step out of public view so they can heal as they need to. The beginning of something wonderful is forecast professionally. Don’t be…

CLEVER IDEA Now you can get rid of your old clothes while saving the planet. The Dress Change is an online womenswear exchange community allowing women to swap clothes, shoes and accessories they no longer want. But unlike traditional re-selling sites, The Dress Change helps you save money whilst also saving the planet by recycling your clothes. It’s a women-led company that cares about the world in which we live in. The brand believes fashion should be affordable for everyone, and advocates sustainability. The Dress Change is a membership-based platform, and all you need to do is create an account, describe your items, submit for approval and bids, then pickyour item to exchange. Let’s get swapping! www.thedresschange.com WHY DIDN’T WE THINK OF THIS? Old school doesn’t get much cooler than…

I created a list of all the positives that would come with the removal of my foot, and it continued for over two sides of an A4 piece of paper. ‘I’m going to see a specialist about my foot and the options I have,’ I said to Peter in September 2016. ‘I still believe amputation is my best option, and I’d love for you to be there when I speak to them about it.’ He agreed to come with me, where I explained to the specialist that I had no quality of life anymore. ‘I can’t leave the house, I can’t walk without crutches and I am barely sleeping,’ I sobbed. ‘And there is no chance that this is going to get any better without taking action.’ I had done…

The wrong kind of guy Ican’t stand my sister’s boyfriend. She has completely changed since being with him and only ever gets in contact now when she needs something. We used to be so close, but her boyfriend rarely lets her see us, and when she does, he causes a row. How can I address this with my sister? Tess, Brighton Remember, you are only seeing one point of view from the people involved. Your sister may get something she needs from this relationship that you are unaware of. The important thing is to get clarity on how she feels and to know she is happy. Can you chat with him? If he is seeing you as a threat in some way, it would be good to reassure him that…

1 For short term relief, pharmacists can offer antacid medicines that will neutralise stomach acid and protect your oesophagus. 2 Try to lead a healthier lifestyle – lose some weight, stop smoking and cut down on your alcohol intake. 3 Make sure your last meal of the day is at least three hours before you go to bed. 4 Raise the head of your bed by four to six inches – just raising your head by using an extra pillow won’t have the same effect. Sleeping at an angle stops acid from backing into your oesophagus. 5 Keep a food diary and make a note of any foods or drinks that make it worse and try to avoid them if you can. If pain or bloating persists, contact your GP,…

QI keep feeling short of breath and I’m always coughing and wheezing. Could I have asthma? Dominic, Leeds. A shortness of breath, coughing and wheezing can be caused by a number of factors, including a chest infection, bronchitis or even some heart problems. Some people think asthma is something you develop as a child or have from birth, when in fact it can start at any age. Your symptoms may be due to asthma if they keep coming back, are worse in the morning and at night, and are triggered by factors like exercise, animal fur, or high levels of pollen. Whatever the cause, it’s a good idea to see your GP who can conduct some tests to check whether you’ve developed asthma and can help put you on a…

I have always been a fan of bingo and used to go to bingo halls to play. But sometimes I found them too busy and overwhelming. ‘Too much going on, I can barely keep up,’ I’d tell my partner Andrew, 46. But Pick Me Up! Bingo had me intrigued. Plus, I’d be able to play it from the comfort of my own home. I decided to set up an account and deposit £10, entering the code in Pick Me Up! and claiming my free bingo tickets. I decided to play the Sapphire 90-ball bingo game, as it was the most like the bingo I’d played in the past. One of the great things about the game was I could leave it to run in the background. But when I next…

Walking down the aisle, I clutched a bouquet of blossoms. My tummy tickled with nerves as I gazed at the love of my life, waiting at the altar. We were just three years old, but even then, I knew Ben and I would be together forever. Our mums were best friends, and we were always so close. ‘I’ll marry you for real one day,’ Ben had told me. A few years later, my family and I moved away. But as we grew up, Ben and I dated long distance. As teenagers, we saw each other whenever we could. When Ben passed his motorbike license at 17, he would ride to my work and bring me a rose every day. ‘For you,’ he’d smile. My childhood sweetheart. Ever since I can…

By law, your child’s school should have a behaviour policy in place to protect against bullying. However, if you are still worried about your child’s mental health, here is when you can call the police; • Violence or assault inside and out of school. • Theft inside and out of school. • Repeated harassment or intimidation – name calling, threats and abusive phone calls, emails and texts. • Hate crime. #CheerupCharlie Following the story of nine-year-old Charlie who was horrifically bullied, Mel Pledger created five ways of helping your child. These include breathing exercises and discussion points, to find out what’s wrong. Find the guide on: dnalightup.net…

Jelly heaven! Move over powder and cream, jelly makeup is the trend of 2019! Collection Gorgeous Glow Jelly Highlighter in Royalty, £5.99, Boots Add a touch of sparkle to your cheekbones with this springy highlighter.This versatile, vegan- friendly formula is best applied with fingers to ensure you achieve that natural glow. Dab along the cheekbones, tap down the bridge of the nose, pat onto the brow bone and Cupid’s bow, or mix with foundation for a veil of radiance. This jelly highlighter will do all the hard work for you! Elegant Touch False Nails Jelly Collection Jellyliscious, £5.99, Superdrug These ‘Jellyliscious’ nails are sure to be the talk of the town. Choose between coffin, stiletto or oval stick-ons for your desired style. With a variety of colours, these jelly nails…

THE ICE CREAM ECSTASY TOUR, LONDON The Ice Cream Ecstasy Tour in London takes you through Soho and Covent Garden, stopping for samples at some of the best gelaterias – get a chance to taste the best choc chip and salted caramel flavours – and for the brave: a blue cheese and walnut ice cream! Discover the sweet side to the city! Tickets £37.50 chocolateecstasytours.com CALLESTICK FARM, CORNWALL Just a few miles from Truro, Callestick Farm is the perfect Cornish retreat. Home to pigs, chickens and Tommy the turkey, visitors also have the chance to see the ice creamery in full swing, from mixing flavours to filling tubs, before letting off steam in the playground! It’s free to enter, but you’ll want to make sure you have plenty of change…

I was packing to go to Marbella with the boys. My fiancé Emma, 38, had made us organise the stag six months in advance. ‘I don’t want you at the altar with broken bones,’ she said. Knowing my best man, Nick, 36, I wouldn’t have been surprised - he was renowned for his practical jokes. ‘I’m sending you a Freddy Mercury costume to wear to the airport,’ Nick called me. My shorts dissolved in the pool! I pictured it in my head - a yellow jacket, white jeans and a tash. That’s not even that bad! But when it arrived at my door, I was in for a surprise. ‘What a sight!’ Emma laughed, kissing me. I was wearing fishnet tights, a leather skirt and a wig. Straight out of…

I got my butt stuck posing for this photo on a ride! Mrs S P Clarke, Middlesbrough My Evie at 6 months. Where has the time gone? Amanda Hadley, Cradley Heath This is my wife Lisa at the top of a volcano in Lanzarote. Shortly after we went to a restaurant serving food cooked via the heat of the volcano. Amazing experience! Richard Adams, West Midlands Me, my partner Dave, and our little Yorkie Dennis went out for lunch. We were chatting to a couple before we realised the gentleman was no other than the snooker legend Willie Thorne! Here’s Willie with Dennis. Kyri Dalton, Bristol Here’s my daughter Sue modelling her new cap and þashing her Love Island tee. She certainly is what she is – really funny! Patricia…

Living with anxiety can be very difficult. It can be really hard to stop worrying when you have anxiety, and you might have concerns you can’t control. Or you might feel like you need to keep worrying because it feels useful – or that bad things might happen if you stop. Try different ways of addressing these worries. You could set aside a specific time to focus on your worries – that way you can reassure yourself that you haven’t forgotten to think about them. Talking to someone you trust about what’s making you anxious could be a relief. If you aren’t able to open up to someone close to you, the Samaritans and Anxiety UK both run helplines that you can call.…

Crohn’s disease 1 Crohn’s is a lifelong condition. ☐ True ☐ False 2 Crohn’s only affects children. ☐ True ☐ False 3 Symptoms may be constant or may come and go ☐ True ☐ False 4 Treatments can help with symptoms. ☐ True ☐ False 5 A particular diet causes Crohn’s. ☐ True ☐ False 1 TRUE There is currently no cure for Crohn’s and sufferers are faced with a lifetime of recurrent disease flare-ups. 2 FALSE The disease can affect people of all ages, but symptoms will usually begin in childhood or early adulthood. 3 TRUE Symptoms can be there all the time or flare up every few weeks or months. Symptoms include diarrhoea, stomach aches/cramps, weight loss and tiredness. 4 TRUE Although there is no cure, treatments can…

HE SAVED MY LIFE Cradling my son Dougie, 14 months, I sat down on the sofa to breastfeed him. My daughter, Isla, then six, played with her dolls. Dougie latched onto my left breast as usual, feeding away. Moving him onto my right breast, I watched him stubbornly close his mouth. He wouldn’t latch on. ‘What’s wrong baby?’ I muttered. I’d breastfed him since the day he was born, and he’d never rejected my boob before. What’s he trying to tell me? I put Dougie down to nap and went to the mirror to check my breasts. I knew in my gut that the lump wasn’t right Feeling my right boob, I came across a pea-sized lump. It must be a blocked milk duct, I thought. They were common when…

Top of the Reel Unlock Box Bonanza games and more daily! Reveal table-topping games and enjoy the chance to unlock Box Bonanza games and win prizes every day! Simply spin the wheel each day between now and Saturday 31 August to opt in and discover how to enter the prize draw. Bingo Planner Make the most of our bingo offers, with our new Bingo Planner! Take a look at the 3-for-2 offer on tickets in our Round the Clock room, with £100 guaranteed Full Houses on offer; or play our Blox Bingo at participating times, with over £2,000 in guaranteed prize money. For full details andT&C’s for the above promotions, visit the promotions page at Pick Me Up! Bingo.…

Nadiya’s Summer Treats, BBC TWO This hour-long special sees Nadiya cooking up a summer party feast for her loved ones. The Bake Off favourite barbecues a delicious butterflied leg of lamb with sticky rhubarb glaze, colourful sides including zingy kiwi and feta salad, fresh and fragrant edamame wild rice, and a spectacular glazed bread shaped like a crown. There are magical desserts and refreshing drinks, too. Nadiya’s tipple of choice is an elderflower cooler, and she heads to the UK’s Vale of Belvoir to discover how elderflowers are produced, before cooking up a meal to remember for over 100 eager guests. Interior Design Masters, BBC TWO If you haven’t been watching this addictive programme, then catch up fast as the competition is really hotting up! The show started with 10…

With many of us forgetting to recycle our bathroom waste, Garnier have now joined together with TerraCycle to help save our planet. The Personal Care and Beauty Recycling Programme allows you to recycle your beauty products for free and with ease. For every product you recycle, you will receive a charity point, which will be redeemable as money, for you to donate to the school, charity, or non-profit organisation of your choice. Garnier drop-off points will accept all brands. Visit terracycle.co.uk to find your nearest drop-off point and find out how to redeem your points!…

Every year, we wrestle with our suitcases in a desperate bid to get through check-in. Montana Marshall, CEO and founder of The Dress Change (www.thedresschange.com)ishere to make your life easier. 1 Utilise secret space ThinkTetris. Use all the space and compartments your suitcase provides. All the little compartments on the lid and sides of your case make a perfect snug home for electrical wires, and little bits and bobs like accessories and jewellery. Even when packing your case, put items inside each other. Socks and underwear can go inside shoes. Clutch bags and wash bags can be filled with things and then packed. 2 Rollin’ Our instincts say fold, but we (and Marie Kondo – queen of space saving) say roll! Soft items should be folded in half then rolled…