Table of contents for 17-Feb-2022 in Pick Me Up!

Lunging forward to reach the football, I aimed towards the goal. The ball landed in the net as the goalie swooped in the opposite direction. ‘YES!’ the audience cheered as my teammates came rushing towards me. I had always loved football. In 1985, aged 21, I took part in an indoor footie game. The football had rolled in the corner of the room. I slid to reach it in time and as I did so, my leg went through the glass escape door, slicing through my left leg. Waking up in hospital, I didn’t know how bad my injuries were. ‘We tried our best to save your leg, but your injuries were too advanced,’ the doctor said. Looking down, I felt relieved. It was a strange feeling, but I was…

Flashing his brand-new driver’s licence at me, my son Cody grinned as I snapped a picture. I was so proud of him. My husband David, 49, and I had been trying to convince Cody to get his licence for ages. We knew it would give him independence and help him with getting to and from work. But Cody, 19, was afraid. When he was 16, his dad had been in a bad car crash, and Cody was with me when I rushed to the scene. The car was in a bad way, and David suffered with a back injury. It had been traumatic for Cody, and left him too scared to learn to drive. ‘You’re an adult now,’ I told him gently. ‘You need to be able to get around…

We share your brillianttips! This week, our tip of the week will receive a great product from Addis! Sort your shoes and maximise wardrobe space with the Addis hanging shoe organiser Featuring 10 pockets measuring 15cm x 30cm, the organiser fastens securely and easily over the clothes rail. It’s also anti-moth, anti-mould and water resistant. Simply spray down and wipe clean with a damp cloth. For more ways to make your life easier, visit addis.co.uk Yolk-ing around Use a slotted spoon to separate the yolk from the white of an egg. The white will slip through, leaving the yolk intact. Colleen Brunton, Enfield A brew-tiful day! Instead of buying flavoured coffees, I make my own with different extract and they taste just as good! Gloria Wilding, Prescot Tip of the week…

• If you’d like advice from our Pick Me Up! expert, email us at hello@pickmeupmag.co.uk or write to us at the address on our contacts page (pg4). • If your problem affects your mental wellbeing, you can call the helpline run by the charity Mind on 0300 123 3398, open 9am to 6pm weekdays. Accepting compliments Have you noticed how bad we are at accepting compliments? When someone comments on our outfit, we play it down. When someone says we’ve done a good job, we point out the one area we weren’t happy with. Hearing words of praise can boost our self-esteem. It’s also important to value the effort that the person has made to share those kind words. Remind yourself that you do deserve compliments that head your way!…

Achalasia 1 It’s a rare disorder ▢ True ▢ False 2 There are no symptoms ▢ True ▢ False 3 There is no cure ▢ True ▢ False 4 It usually affects adults ▢ True ▢ False 5 The exact cause is unknown ▢ True ▢ False 1 TRUE This disorder of the food pipe is rare. It can make it difficult for people with the condition to swallow food and drink because the muscles in the food pipe do not work as they should do. 2 FALSE Not everyone with the disorder will experience symptoms. However, those who do can experience choking, coughing fits, heartburn, chest pain, drooling, gradual weight loss and bringing back up undigested food. 3 TRUE There is no cure for achalasia, but there are treatments that can…

Lisa Talbot, award winning personal and fashion stylist, is here to answer your biggest fashion dramas. Visit lisatalbot.co.uk Shoes glorious shoes! Q I have an outfit planned with a great pair of flare trousers, but I’m stuck on what shoes to wear. I know boots would look the best, but I want to be comfy – help! Dianne, Stockport A A pair of flared trousers are super flattering and depending on the look of the outfit you arewanting to create I would recommend a solid heeled court shoe, a sock boot with a wedged heel, or a platform trainer. A tip for a flare trouser is to remember to enhance the shoulders to create a balanced body shape. Adding colour Q I always reach for the same black outfit. I’m…

Seeing a strange number flash up on your phone, receiving an unusual email, or even opening an out-of-theblue text message can make us panic. Especially when the subject of the email is something so close to home. This could be your bank letting you know you need to change a few of your personal details or a familiar courier service asking you to pay a customs charge. For many, the first reaction to this type of occurrence would be to ignore it and simply go about your day. But the harsh reality of the scamming world only needs a few people to be lured into a trap – claiming a huge sum of money and potentially more. In 2020, it was reported that a huge 2.3 billion was lost due…

Sam O’Brien, expert at performance marketing platform Affise.com, has shared his tips on how to spot and avoid a scam… SPELLING MISTAKES A clear indication of a scam is that the email or message is poorly worded with multiple misspellings, awkward syntax, and grammatical errors. A legitimate message from a company would have been proofread and should be very easy to read. IMMEDIATE ACTION A scam message often prompts recipients to act instantly and has a tone implying that emergency action is required. THE OPENING ADDRESS Scam emails and texts will often address the receiver in a way that might appear strange or uncommon. This could be in vague forms of addressing the victim through names like ‘Sir’, ‘Madam’, or ‘Miss.’ Another way to spot a scam is to look…

Cross it! Solve the puzzle to find a word. Fit the words back in the grid and the letters in the highlighted squares to spell out the answer. We’ve put in one word to help. Answer on page 47. 3 letters Gas Gin Gnu Sea Spa 4 letters Bell Bugs Ears Edge Eels 5 letters Acorn Adorn Aroma Arrow 6 letters Garden Glance Glares Grease Reeled Reopen Roosts 7 letters Earlobe Sandbag Swagger 8 letters Passages Persists Pipeline Supports Cross it! pg 45 Sweetener Sudoku! To solve the puzzle, each 3 x 3 box, each column and each row must contain the numbers 1 to 9. Solve the puzzle, then read down the numbers in the highlighted squares for the answer. Answer on page 47. Sudoku pg 45 4,3,3…

Catch Claire live on Facebook www.clairepetulengro.tv ARIES 21 March–20 April With a full moon in your fellow fire sign of Leo, it is your pride which comes to the fore this week. You’ll be taking steps to cut off those who are not treating you with the respect, as you now know your sign needs this. Beware of mixing business with pleasure this weekend. It could be your downfall, especially if you know they’re a part of your professional future. Call: 09058 170 710* TAURUS 21 April–21 May I know you’d like to change how you began this year, but these are some very important lessons your sign has had to learn. You’re a better person for the stress you have gone through. One relationship in particular is better for…

FUN DAYS OUT It’s easy to get stuck in a rut of spending all day indoors, in front of the telly – but this half-term, drag the kids out of bed and get the whole family exploring the great outdoors. Search for hidden treasure, go on a ghost hunt or become a super sleuth with Treasure Trails – fun for all the family. Whether you want to explore somewhere new or go on an adventure in your own town, there are 1,200 interactive Trails across the UK to choose from, each with fun themes. Use the self-guided booklet to solve clues and uncover secrets, from remote locations to wide open spaces. Lasting around two hours, each Trail has its own theme and makes use of well-known local landmarks, signs, statues,…

Serves 2-3 Dandies plant-based marshmallows are made with real vanilla and vegan cane sugar. Find online at Holland & Barrett stores and Asda. Marshmallows or Dandies Mini Marshmallows for topping 1 In a saucepan turned on low heat, whisk together all the hot chocolate ingredients. Once thoroughly combined and heated, pour into mugsIt’s and top with Dandies. 2 Up your game by drizzling on some additional peanut butter! The longer it sits the thicker it gets. If you prefer a thinner hot chocolate, add more milk. It’s totally vegan!…

INSTANT appointment With Dr Sasha Shoat, consultant dermatologist at Stratum Clinics Wart woes Q My sevenyear-old son keeps getting warts on his hands - how can I stop it? Georgia, Exeter A Warts are caused by infection in the outer layer of the skin, the epidermis, with a virus called the human papilloma virus (HPV). This causes an overgrowth and thickening of the skin and is very common. Unfortunately, there is no silver bullet cure. Salicylic acid works by triggering the body’s own immune system into clearing the virus and is available over the counter, or from your GP. Top tips whilst using salicylic acid gels or paints are to soak you little ones’ hands in warm water, once a week for 10 to 15 minutes, before gently filing away…

Dr VictoriaManningfromRiverAesthetics, who treated Summer, says: ‘Summer first approached us 20 months after completing her last chemo treatment.‘I could see she had lost all her confidence. I wanted to do all I could to give her something back. ‘Her facial ageing was one of the most extreme cases I have seen, her dramatic weight loss and cancer treatment journey had affected her skin drastically causing what was akin to third-degree burns. Her skin was paper thin. ‘I recommended treatment with a dermal filler called Ellansé, to improve the gaunt appearance of her face instantly, but which would also improve the quality of her skin. ‘Summer received a full-face rejuvenation, beginning with her temple area to add volume, which in turn softens the appearance around her eye area. ‘This was followed…

Panting away, I took a deep breath as the midwife passed me my baby girl. I gave birth to Daisy on 8 July 2013, weighing 6lb 8oz, and she was perfect. Holding her to my chest, I waited anxiously. Only, almost immediately, she latched on. ‘Wow, she’s latched perfectly already,’ the midwife smiled. It was such a relief. As soon as my partner Mike, 35, and I found out we were expecting, I knew I wanted to breastfeed if I could. My mum Elly, 56, had nursed me and my siblings, and it always seemed like the preferable option. As I fed Daisy from my breast, it felt amazing to know that I was giving her everything she needed in my liquid gold – comfort, nutrition, pain relief and immunity…

Action Fraud, the UK’s national reporting centre for fraud, have shared their advice on how to deal with a potential scam… • To find out more information, report fraud or a phishing attempt, visit Actionfraud.police.uk STOP Take a moment to stop and think before parting with your money to keep your information safe. CHALLENGE Could it be fake? It’s okay to reject, refuse or ignore any requests. Only criminals will try to rush or panic you into doing something you don’t want to. PROTECT If you think you’ve been a victim of fraud, contact your bank immediately and report it to Action Fraud online at police.uk or call 0300 123 2040…

Celebrity chef, Jeremy Pang, and food influencer, Pippy Eats, have created some delicious recipes for authentic Chinese sauce brand, Lee Kum Kee. Celebrate the Chinese New Year, the year of the tiger, with recipes that symbolise luck, prosperity and new beginnings. For more inspiration from Lee Kum Kee, visit uk.lkk.com Pippy’s Vegan Fujian fried rice ▢ 250g precooked rice or ready to use microwave rice▢ 3 dried shiitake mushrooms▢ 2 spring onions, julienned▢ 1 courgette, diced into small cubes▢ 1 long aubergine, or regular aubergine, cut into 2cm x 1cm rounds▢ ½ celeriac, cut into ½ cm x 2cm strips▢ 1 tbsp Lee Kum Kee Sesame Wok Oil▢ 1 tsp grated ginger▢ 1 clove garlic, grated SAUCE MIX: ▢ 2 tbsp Lee Kum Kee Mushroom Vegetarian Stir-Fry Sauce▢ 1 Tbsp Lee Kum…

Not drinking enough can you leave feeling tired and thirsty, with dry skin, muscle cramps and headaches. David Wiener, training specialist at AIbased fitness and lifestyle coaching app Freeletics, shares his top tips to make sure you’re getting enough H2 O! DON'T FORGET! DRINK UP! Water aids digestion, helps weight loss and makes your skin glow!…

STAR LETTER If your letter makes Star Letter of the week, you will receive some beautiful blooms from Flying Flowers. With over 30 years’ experience of helping celebrate life’s special moments and FREE delivery by post, a gorgeous bouquet by Flying Flowers is a lovely way to celebrate sharing smiles and happiness. See flyingflowers.co.uk for more details.…

Standing with a group of friends at my sixth form school, someone suddenly said something funny. A burst of laughter escaped my mouth. Then without any warning, I collapsed in a heap on the floor. Trying to process what was going on, I realised I could still hear everything around me but couldn’t open my eyes or move my body. ‘Are you OK?’ a friend asked. Panic set in and I desperately wanted to scream for help. But I wasn’t able to move a muscle – not even my mouth. I was fully conscious, trapped inside of my limp body. Trying to control my breathing and relax, I was incredibly relieved when I was finally able to open my eyes again a few minutes later. Eventually, the rest of me…

Rebecca Eggleton, AKA The Practical Parent, is a family reconnection specialist, primarily helping parents and children to adjust and overcome trauma such as bullying, abuse, and divorce. Follow Rebecca @rebeccaeggletonparenting Bullied for years Q I was bullied in school, and now I’m being bullied at work, I’m made to be the butt of everyone’s jokes. Is there something wrong with me? Penny, Hull A I’m sorry you’re going through this. When we think about bullies, we tend to picture school playgrounds. Unfortunately, workplace bullying is actually becoming more common. If you feel that you can, I would start by talking to the person bullying you. Maybe they haven’t realised the effect they are having on you and this would give them time to reflect on their behaviour. Giving them the…

Dr John Butler, a consultant gynaecological oncology surgeon at The Royal Marsden, and medical director of The Lady Garden Foundation, shares what you need to know about smear tests. 1. What is a smear test? A smear test checks for abnormal cells in the cervix. Finding these cells can help to prevent cervical cancer. 2. Who can have one? The NHS cervical screening programme offers testing to women and people with a cervix between the ages of 25 and 64. You will be contacted every three years, or every five years for over 50s. 3. What happens during the test? Does it hurt? At the start, you will be asked to undress from the waist down. The doctor or nurse will use a speculum to access your cervix. They then…

Enter now to win these and many more fantastic prizes… Find out more at comps.lifedeathprizes.com How to register It’s FREE to enter and it’s so easy to do, just visit, comps.lifedeathprizes.com and register by hitting the join button and then you can enter as many competitions as you like. Go on, have fun! Look what you could have won! REGISTER NOW AND NEVER MISS THE OPPORTUNITY OF A WIN! For website rules of play, visit comps.lifedeathprizes.com/rules. T’s&C’s apply, UK only. *These have now closed.…

This week… Double denim Do you want to channel your inner Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake moment? Double denim is back! With lots of different style jeans and alternative fashion accessories treat the street as a catwalk… Top tip Mix and match different shades of denim to really add to your look. Top tip Try not to wash your jeans as often as you wash other items of clothing. Levi’s suggests to wash them every six weeks. Top tip Add fun patches or badges to decorate your jeans or jacket.…

Hearing a beep from outside, I looked out of the window. Seeing my boyfriend Mark Bonito, 42, pulling up in his van, I smiled. With five kids between us, dating was difficult. So Mark’s camper van came in handy. He’d park up in my driveway and cook us dinner in the van. At first, when I found out he lived in it, I was dubious. But for our first date, he decked it out in fairy lights, lit scented candles and made me the most delicious meal. It was so romantic. I’d never done anything like it before I met Mark – I’d been glamping once, and even that wasn’t up my street. But I could see how passionate Mark was, and when I started getting to know his friends…

Know your stuff Covid vaccine passports are a new way that scammers are trying to get hold of your personal details. They may text or email you saying, ‘click here to get your Covid passport’. The message may look reputable but remember, the NHS will never ask you to make a payment or provide your bank details. In the UK, coronavirus vaccines passports will only be available via the National Health Services of England, Northern Ireland, Wales, and Scotland. At no point will you be asked to pay for your passport. The NHS will never: • ask you for your bank account or card details. • ask you for your PIN or banking passwords. • ask you to prove your identity by sending copies of personal documents such as your passport,…

Wireless Speaker Ice Bucket, £24.99, www.therange.co.uk Get the party pumping with an ice bucket that’ll keep your bottles cold and your music blaring. Cool right? It’s wireless, it’s colour changing, it’s sparkly. What more could you want? Cactus Light, £12.99, gettingpersonal.co.uk Life without cactuses would succ. Although this light might get a little prickly at times, it will never desert you. And this one in particular, is pretty fly for a cacti. Fishes For Dishes Salt & Pepper Shakers, £19.50, redcandy.co.uk This pair of coy Koi are fin-tastically popular with the other shoals in the big blue ocean. Salt and pepper can be sprinkled out of their tiny noses. You’ll never be short of seasoning again.…

What had once been a hobby for reptile fan Benjamin Renick growing up, became a lucrative business. Throughout his life, Ben, 29, had kept pet snakes. He eventually set up Renick Reptiles in Montgomery County, on land that had been in his family for decades. The facility skillfully bred exotic snakes, such as boas, ball pythons, and anacondas. Some were so rare they could be sold for $25,000 each, which made Ben worldfamous in his field. By 2017, Ben was in the process of selling his 72-acre business to a professional ice hockey player. It was rumoured to be worth $1.2million, due to the extensive collection of the popular ball pythons. Sadly, his personal life was not as successful. Ben was married to Lynlee Renick, 31, who owned a spa…

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YOU’VE GOTTA QUACK Walking down the lane from our farm, I glanced over my shoulder. My granddaughter, Freya, then one, trotted along singing nursery rhymes to herself. Nearing the stream at the bottom of the lane, we stopped to admire the ducks swimming in the water. ‘Ducky!’ she mumbled, pointing to the water. Ever since she could walk, Freya loved coming to stay at ours to see all of the cute animals. Me and my husband Robert, 44, would look after her on a Wednesday and Sunday, whilst my son Dean, 32, and daughter-inlaw Ashley, 35, were at work. Freya would demand to spend most of her time outside, looking at the cows, chickens, polecats, and geese. She was simply infatuated with them all and she had such a caring nature.…