Table of contents for 26-Jan-2017 in Pick Me Up!

What A City! For my honeymoon we jetted to Thailand, first stop Bangkok! It was incredible. I felt like a teen again partying on the Khao San Road with all the backpackers! 26.2 The number of miles I’ll have to run in April after bagging a spot in the Virgin London Marathon. Better get training! Gulp... What A Hand! Did you know left-handed people see better under water? As a lefty, I love these weird facts! Go to www. lifedeathprizes.com  and search ‘left handers’ for more. What A Sight! I was amazed by the temples in Bangkok. Just look at this Golden Buddha – made of pure gold! Beautiful. And this pose means Calling The Earth to Witness. What A Rave! Me and the hubby took…

‘At 3am, I was woken by police banging on the front door’ My son Mickey was always feisty. As a tot, he took a tumble off the bed with a thud. Bracing myself for him to scream, out came a loud giggle instead. ‘Brave boy!’ I’d exclaimed. In 1994, Mickey, then 1, welcomed his sister Kayleigh, followed by brother Alix three years on. Then came my youngest, Rebecca, in 2004. Mickey was a typical big brother - a real tease! But Alix looked up to him, and Mickey taught him how to ride a bike. From a young age, Mickey had been unofficially living nearby with my mum Joy Graham, 72. Extremely close, Mum’s middle name is Angel, and it became Mickey’s nickname. Mickey would pop in daily, though. We’d…

‘When I found out that it was incurable, I fell to bits’ When my 6-month-old son Aouran began to suffer sickness and had a temperature a lot, I took him to the doctor. They thought I was just an over-protective mum, but I knew something wasn’t right. And poor Aouran was vomiting all the time. In October 2010, he was diagnosed with a severe E. coli tract infection. We were referred to Birmingham Children’s Hospital where doctors found cysts in Aouran’s kidneys. Then they told us he had autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). This caused his kidneys to swell up and become heavier, causing pain and discomfort, plus it made Aouran more vulnerable to urinary infections, as his kidneys couldn’t flush out nasty stuff. When I found it was…

1 It affects the autonomic nervous system. 2 PoTS is caused by a bacteria. 3 Heart palpitations are a symptom. 4 It can be cured. 1 TRUE PoTS stops the autonomic nervous system working properly, causing a drop in blood supply to the brain and heart when you stand up, and the heart begins to race to compensate. 2 FALSE It’s caused by a problem with the nervous system, but the reason why is unknown. It’s been known to develop after pregnancy, alcohol poisoning, viral illnesses, cancer and trauma. 3 TRUE Symptoms include palpitations, dizziness, fainting, fatigue, sickness, headaches, chest pain and shortness of breath. 4 FALSE There’s no cure, but some sufferers may improve over time. Symptoms can be reduced with some medications, plenty of fluids, keeping active and…

‘The site was fun with lots of games to choose from…’ ‘I wanted just two numbers… then I only needed one…’ Pouring a cup of coffee, I listened as my mum Rose, 80, chatted away. ‘We won a few quid,’ she beamed. ‘And had such a laugh.’ Mum often played bingo at the halls with her friends. Like Mum, I love to play, but I enjoy it more playing online in the comfort of my own home. I’m often busy with cooking and the housework, so when I do have some free time, it’s feet up, a cuppa and a game of Pick Me Up! Bingo. I’d joined the site in June 2013 after a friend recommended it. ‘You’ll love it,’ she said, talking me through all the games she…

Zesty Porridge Cake Serves: 12 Prep Time: 15 min Cook Time: 5 min Topping: 1 In a pan, bring almond milk to a boil, add oats and cook for 5 min, stirring from time to time. 2 Add apricots and cranberries with maple syrup, salt and cardamom, then mix well and pour into a 15cm round, loose-bottomed tin. Leave to cool. 3 Meanwhile, make topping. In a saucepan, over a low heat, mix water with cornflour and turmeric until smooth. Slowly bring to the boil and cook for 3 min, whisking continuously until thickened. 4 Off the heat, stir in lemon juice and zest, along with maple syrup, then pour straight over cake base in tin and…

‘I’m with Mark. Relationships are about compromise, and there's no need to pose topless. It's shallow, and she should’ve considered Mark’s feelings.’ Jenny Pierpoint, 44, Merseyside ‘Clearly, she was unhappy and needed a confidence boost. Mark was obviously jealous, but he couldn't have predicted how she'd change. It's good they can be civil for the kids' sake.’ Laura Marlow, 34, Leicester ‘I feel for them both but, as a new mum also in want of a boob job, I say good for her! Her happiness is the most important thing, after all. It's great she's contented at last.’ Sophie Bole, 21, Sleaford…

‘I went to apply lip balm but my mouth wouldn’t move!’ Getting up for work one day last August, I felt exhausted. I’d been out for dinner the night before and not long started my new job as a project manager. I had a shower and started to get ready. After slowly rolling on some mascara, next, I went on to apply some lip balm. But when I went to rub my lips together, my mouth didn’t move. Weird! Lifting the tube to my mouth again, I strained my muscles and tried to squeeze my lips together. Nothing.My mouth was frozen! Looking in the mirror, I noticed my mouth was drooping slightly on the left side. So was my eyelid. This isn’t right… Googling my symptoms, I started to panic.…

TRIED & TESTED This week: Anti-humidity Sprays VO5 Ultimate Hold Weather Resistant Hairspray The name ‘ultimate hold’ is a little misleading as it doesn’t give an extreme, frozen finish, but it did a great job of fixing my style in place while still letting my locks move naturally and keeping them frizz-free. Umberto Giannini Weather Proof Finish Anti-Humidity Hairspray I’m a sucker for a pretty bottle and this rose-gold one will take pride of place in my bathroom! It worked wonders fending off flyaways and frizz, and smells fab, too. Lee Stafford Anti Humidity Spray I’m a long-time fan of this spray and it never disappoints. I always use it after I’ve just washed my hair, as it’s the only thing that stops it from going fluffy. A must-have come…

BONKERS TRAFFIC LAWS! What A Pants Idea! In San Franciso, it’s illegal to wash a vehicle with your old knickers. How did this law come about? The mind boggles! Watch Out, Moby! In California, you’re breaking the law if you shoot an animal from your car – unless it’s a whale. Eh!? Driving Blind It’s actually illegal to drive in Alabama blindfolded! Who would DO that!? That’s Quackers! It’s forbidden to drive with a duck on your head in Minnesota! Someone must’ve done this in order for a law to be passed. OK, then... Over The Limit! In Costa Rica, a bizarre law lets you drink alcohol while you drive. Yet it’s illegal to get drunk while driving... You’d have to be sozzled to make sense of that one! Monday…

Dropping the kids at school in November 2014, I went straight to the gym, where I’d work out at least six times a week. In the foyer, I bumped into my friend Marissa, who’d competed in a bodybuilding competition. ‘You should try it,’ she told me. I was keen to train more, and my hubby Chris, now 48, couldn’t have been more supportive. I’d have to cut out all sugar, alcohol and stodgy food and up my protein and veg intake. It was hard at first but, next morning at 5am, I went straight to the gym. Back home, I got my kids Louis, 12, and Lilli, 11, ready for school, then set off for work with three lots of chicken, broccoli and sweet potatoes. That night, I went back…

ARIES 21 March–20 April Love and hate may come close together for you. Try to take a step back and look at the bigger picture. Happiness and success will be yours, but first you have to admit what you really want and need to make you happy. Call: 09058 170 710* TAURUS 21 April–21 May You find it hard to tell the difference between fact and fiction. You want to work out who you can trust, but recent events have made that tricky. Luckily, Saturn is on hand to give you clarity on Friday and Saturday, when answers will fall into your lap. Call: 09058 170 711* GEMINI 22 May–21 June The sweetest moments are often the shortest, and it seems you can’t get an experience or memory out of…

Rummaging through my daughter’s hair accessories to find the right colour hairband is a nightmare, so I use empty loo rolls to organise them into different colours. You’ll never lose a hairband again, so it’s great for the morning rush! Jackie Wilson, Basingstoke To remove cooking oil from clothes, just press it with a towel, sprinkle talcum powder over both sides, press gently and leave for a short time. Then you can just shake off the powder and gently wash off the stain. Celia Salter, Waterlooville For the perfect kitchen-cupboard gunk remover, simply mix together one part vegetable oil and two parts baking soda. Eva Vida, Prestatyn I keep my cupboards clean by lining them with kitchen roll. When it gets dirty, I just throw it away. Christine Underwood, Woking…

1 Buy phone and SIM separately When buying a phone over 24 months, you’re borrowing money on an expensive APR. It reduces the initial outlay, but it’s costlier long-term. 2 Check usage Work out how much data you use and what you’ll use your phone for and buy the right package. 3 Use your apps High out-of-bundle charges for picture messages can be avoided by using a messenger app. 4 Don’t get tied in Those locked into 24-month contracts won’t benefit from any price falls until it’s up for renewal. 5 No pay as you go Pay as you go allows control, but is costly and only recommended if you must guard funds closely. Tips from John Whittle, CEO &…

Phantom smells ‘Phantosmia’, also known as phantom smells, refers to an imaginary odour picked up by your nose. Usually unpleasant, the smells may spoil the taste of food and drink, but aren’t usually caused by anything serious and will pass. They can be caused by dental problems, smoking, migraines, nasal polyps or infections. If the odour persists, see you GP, as it may be a result of something more serious, like a disease affecting the nervous system or even problems with the brain.…

‘I lost the use of the muscles that control my speech’ The pains started when I was 7. My legs felt like they were fizzing if I walked too far, and I struggled to skip around like the other kids. Referred to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, over the years I had countless tests, even a muscle biopsy. But, with no answers, I needed a wheelchair to get around. And I suffered persistent headaches, dizziness, weight loss and daily sickness. Finally, in December 2007, aged 12, I was diagnosed with a mitochondrial condition. ‘Mitochondria are like batteries that power the body,’ the doctor explained to my parents Mandy and Martin. ‘But when they begin to fail, the organs deteriorate.’ Hearing this, my parents really started to worry. Tragically, when I was…

1 Which actor would you want to play you in a movie? Jennifer Lawrence because she’s a total badass in her films, and she’s a really good role model. 2 If  you were an animal, what would you be? A cat so that I could spend all my days snacking and napping! 3 Name three things you couldn’t live without? Tea. Coffee. Biscuits. 4 Who’s your celebrity crush? Ryan Gosling: dreamy! 5 What’s your ideal holiday? Two weeks exploring the world, meeting new people, trying new food and getting a tan. 6 Favourite movie of all time and why? FairyTale: A True Story . Because those who don’t believe are never going to see… 7 Favourite Chat game? Quick draw as it brings out the artist…

1 Lidl Chef Select Sweet & Sour Chicken With Egg Fried Rice, 450g The chunks of chicken have a firm texture, and there’s masses of pineapple in the sauce, along with a side of good, fluffy rice. 2 Sweet & Sour Chicken With Egg Fried Rice, By Sainsbury’s, 450g A good portion of excellent pea-and-egg-studded rice, with big chunks of tender chicken in a rich, sweet sauce. 3 Aldi Asian Cuisine Sweet & Sour Chicken With Egg Fried Rice, 450g Moist, tender, plentiful chicken, along with red peppers and pineapple, makes this our winner! Make it yourself... Serves: 4 Prep Time: 10 min Cook Time: 15 min 1 In a large, microwave-proof dish, mix together ketchup, vinegar, sugar and garlic with…

‘I had to feel my way down the stairs, could barely see’ ‘People were so kind, donated clothes, fundraised’ My son Robin, 5, was bopping up and down in front of the TV. I chuckled as he sang It’s the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. Robin absolutely loved Mickey Mouse, watched the programme all the time. And he had a large, stuffed Mickey toy he insisted on sleeping with. Now I had to get on with sorting breakfast for the rest of my children: Matthew, 3, Sarah-Ann, 2, and 10-month-old Carrie-Ann. ‘Sit down, put your feet up,’ my hubby Andy said, appearing at the bottom of the stairs. ‘You and baby need to rest.’ Bless him! Our ideal home Andy was a taxi driver, had only got home at 1am after a…

It must’ve been awful for Anna being unable to express herself and not knowing whether she’d recover, but I’m so pleased for her now that she’s finally got her smile back. Kelly Imrie, Kilmarnock It’s really unfortunate to suffer such a condition, but Anna did really well to persevere with her treatment instead of feeling sorry for herself. I’m glad the outcome was good. Melanie Lodge, Mirfield Anna is amazing for continuing to work with such a physical and noticeable condition. Her journey is heartwarming and should give hope to others. She’s inspirational. Michelle McGrath, Grantham…

Try one of these… 1 Radox Scent Touch Feel Fresh Arctic Blueberry & Patchouli Body Wash, £3, Ocado This clever shower gel is designed to leave a long-lasting 12-hour scent that’s reactivated every time you touch your skin. The fruity fragrance is perfect for livening up dark winter mornings. 2 Original Source Mint And Tea Tree Exfoliating Daily Scrub, £2.30, Boots Everyone’s favourite tingling shower gel has had an update and is now available packed with exfoliating beads. It’s great for buffing away dry skin and really does wake you up! 3 Imperial Leather Foamburst Luxurious Body Wash with Golden Honey & Almond Milk, £3, Tesco If you suffer from flaky, scaly skin this will make you feel nourished. The gel transforms into a silky lather when it comes into…

‘Staring down at me, Josh’s face suddenly changed’ ‘Two weeks after that night, I started bleeding’ When the message popped up on Facebook, I could hardly believe it... Josh Thomas used to live close to my family when I was a kid. But I’d not seen him since we’d moved when I was 15. You’ve become such a beautiful young woman, Shannae, he’d messaged me. I fancied him, too, and was flattered he remembered me. Soon, Josh invited me over to his flat. We spent all day together, talking, and he was a really good listener. ‘You’re stunning,’ Josh told me. ‘I think you’re a beautiful person.’ After six hours together, I left with a grin on my face. From that night on, Josh and I were together constantly. At…

Aged 13, I had a new obsession. I’d discovered 80s rocker Bryan Adams. ‘I love him!’ I gushed to mymum Delia, after listening to B-side track Hey Baby . ‘You’re mad,’ Mum chuckled. ‘He’s been around for years.’ But I bought every Bryan Adams album, listened to him 24/7 – even saw him in concert. Growing up, me and Mum remained close. But in February 2009, when I was 23, Mum was diagnosed with terminal bone-marrow cancer. ‘I’m not going anywhere yet,’ she smiled. ‘I’m determined to make it to your 30th birthday.’ Devastated, I started fundraising for Myeloma UK – the bone-marrow cancer charity. I climbed Kilimanjaro, trekked Hadrian’s Wall, and ran for miles, thinking of Mum all the way. ‘I’m so proud of you,’ she’d…

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‘Jamie-Leigh would fit frequently, but knew the signs’ Walking my kids to school, I listened proudly to them chatting about their homework. ‘Come on, you two,’ I grinned, waiting for them to catch up. Jamie-Leigh, then 9, and Aaron, 6, were like two peas in a pod. Kissing them goodbye at the school gates, I couldn’t help but notice Jamie-Leigh suddenly seemed distant. ‘Jamie, are you OK?’ I asked as she stared blankly into space. ‘Jamie!’ I repeated, clicking my fingers. She suddenly snapped out of it and skipped into the classroom. From then on, Jamie would frequently just stand and stare, as if she was on a different planet. ‘I’d take her to the doctor,’ my mum Valerie, then 55, said. So I did - and Jamie-Leigh was referred…

1 Callous Cure Treat callouses by soaking a piece of stale bread in apple-c ider vinegar and taping it over the affected area overnight. Wearing a sock over it will make this less messy! Emily Harmon, F leetwood 2 Back To Life If your bread’s gone stale, sprinkling it with w ater and briefly p opping it in a warm oven will crisp it up. Shirley Carrell, Rotherham 3 Dice And Fry Whip up your own homemade croutons by dicing some bread and frying the chunk s in olive oil. Molly Stevenson, Wakefield 4 Smell Stopper Place a slice of bread over your vegetables while you’re cooking them to absorb the odour. Alexandra Foster, Irvine…

‘I did what my body begged me to – I delivered the baby!’ Sitting in the pub, I grabbed a glass of wine and clinked glasses with my fella. Our birthdays were four days apart, so me and Ross, 31, always had a joint celebration. This year, in August, we’d come on holiday to Point of Ayr Holiday Park, Holywell, with our mates Kirsty, 29, Ian, 28, Cal, 21, and Liv, 20. Now, in the pub, I was trying to have fun...but I felt rotten with an awful backache. Soon, I decided to call it a day. ‘I’m going back to the caravan. You guys stay out, I’ll see you later,’ I said. I wanted to curl up and sleep. But back at the caravan, I was in terrible pain.…

Cancer concerns Q My grandmother has just been diagnosed with breast cancer. I’m now worried I might develop it, as I know it can be genetic. Emma, Livingston A Unless several of your close relatives are affected, it’s unlikely there’s a genetic link. But this type of cancer is common, so check your breasts regularly, don’t smoke, and maintain a healthy weight. Tonsils grown back? QI had my tonsils out when I was a child, but occasionally I get sore throats that feel like tonsillitis. Can tonsils grow back? Louise, Nottingham A It’s not common, but if there’s any residual tissue left behind after surgery, they can regenerate. They may not need re-removal, as long as the sore throats aren’t too troublesome or frequent. Self-harm solution QI’ve just discovered my…

‘After pregnancy, my boobs shrank back to nothing’ Natural boobs are better,’ my fella Mark insisted. ‘Maybe if I had some to start with!’ I scoffed. A size-32A, we’d had countless discussions about my dream... Getting a boob job! I felt miserable every time I stared down at my flat chest. Mark reassured me constantly, but it wasn’t about how he felt. At 13, I’d started researching boob jobs online. I used to lie awake, willing my breasts to develop. My mum Ann, 60, had a generous pair of F-cups. ‘If I could give you mine, I would!’ she’d say. We’d have a laugh shopping together, but I was always stuck browsing padded bras and buying ‘chicken fillets’ to boost my bust. I avoided sexy styles that drew attention to…

Ez Teether, £9.99, www.ezteether.com Designed by a dental student, the world’s first adult teether has been created to help soothe the pain of wisdom teeth. It’s made from sturdier plastic than a baby’s and is more discreet! Astronaut Ice Cream, £5.99, www.firebox.com You might not be able to lift off into space, but you can eat like an astronaut! This ice-cream sandwich has been frozen to minus-40 degrees, vacuum-dried and sealed for you to enjoy just as if you were floating around in outer space! Torch And Cash Stash Keyring, £9.95, www.prezzybox.com Never be short of money at the end of the night again by stashing away some secret cash in this clever keyring. It’s even got a torch to help you find your…

Flattering Fashion Embroidery is going to be huge in 2017, so steal a march on this year’s hottest trend in this stunning, form-fitting biker jacket. At £35, it’s a brilliant buy from George at Asda. Food Swaps Swap 1 MEDIUM BANANA 105 CAL For 1 WEDGE OF WATERMELON 75 CAL Try this….   itsu sweet soy & sea salt flavour crispy seaweed thins, pack of five, £1, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Asda, Morrison’s High in zinc, iron, B vitamins, antioxidants and protein, they’re only 24 cal a pack. Sparkling Ice, £1.49, Boots, Sainsbury’s, WH Smith, Superdrug Four flavoured waters: Peach Nectarine, Orange Mango, Kiwi Strawberry and Black Raspberry, all just 12 cal a bottle. Get Moving! Davina Vinyl 2kg Kettlebell, £3.99, Argos Add a kettlebell into your workout, to help…

‘Tristan got out Jaffa Cakes, and I knew he was ‘the one!’ It was fun browsing the stalls in London’s Covent Garden on my first date with Tristan, 25, on 11 November 2005. Then, on the train home, both of us ravenous, Tristan suddenly produced a snack... Jaffa Cakes! ‘My fave!’ I grinned. There and then, I knew I’d found ‘the one’! We’ve always challenged each other to eat Jaffa Cakes in different ways: sponge first or chocolate first, keeping the orange jelly layer till last. In November 2014, Tristan proposed in a private pod on the London Eye. I said yes, and we booked a venue in Epping Forest for 11 November last year, to mark our 11th anniversary. Busy sorting everything, I was just about to research cakes…

‘I promised myself that I’d never put limits on her…’ Looking down at my 11-month-old daughter Logane as she wriggled on her changing mat, I frowned. Her skin had a strange grey tinge and her chubby little legs were mottled with a red rash. I called my mum Janet, who came over to look after my son Damion, 3, while I took Logane to the doctor. But by the time I got there the rash had spread all over. ‘You need to get to hospital - now,’ the GP said. At Northampton General I got the news I was dreading. ‘It’s meningitis,’ a nurse said. Logane was whisked off to a high-dependency unit. The next few hours were a whirlwind of doctors. By 4pm, her condition had deteriorated and she…