Table of contents for 19-Sep-2019 in Pick Me Up!

I’ve always been passionate about social care. My stepsister Eve, 18, has cerebral palsy and my brother, Michael, 11, was diagnosed with autism. So I’ve always helped to look after them. My mum is a mental health nurse, so I suppose a mixture of that, and watching my siblings, has meant I was destined for social care. I was working part-time in a local supermarket, but it just wasn’t giving me any joy. So, I handed in my notice and started applying for jobs in in the care sector. That’s when Dimensions offered me an interview. I couldn’t believe it, and within an hour they’d offered me a job. ‘You’ll be looking after a lady called Wendy,’ I was told. I was a bit nervous on my first day in…

Sitting at the dinner table, I was stuffed. We’d just eaten our sixth meal of the day, and I felt awful. I was 11-years-old and on a family holiday to my birth country of Macedonia. We were visiting family and friends, and at each house, there was a different meal. There was so much to eat, but we couldn’t turn it down, so I had to keep eating. Towards the end of the trip I felt disgusting, and then one day, my cousin turned to me and said; ‘you have footballer’s knees.’ As a child, I was very active, and I did play football, so he must have been right. Do I not look like a girl? I thought. When we returned home from the trip, I started restricting my…

Weight worries QI have noticed my 14-year-old daughter has lost weight recently and I’m worried she’s developed an eating disorder. Lorna, Oxford. A Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions, and can affect individuals of all ages, and sexes. Eating disorders are more common in females, those lacking self-esteem, or those who have been overweight. It is important to In the genes? Q I’ve got a peanut allergy and I’m worried my children have developed it. How will I know if they have it? Angela, Essex. A Peanut allergies affect around 1-2% of children in the UK, whilst the tendency to develop allergies can be passed to our children, this does not mean that your children will definitely develop a peanut allergy. An allergy happens when the immune system reacts…

Teens are saying no to cigarettes According to a new survey, more secondary pupils across the UK are rejecting cigarettes than ever before. In the latest study in a series that began in the eighties, just 16% of pupils have smoked tobacco, down from 19% in 2016 and 49% in 1996. After years of campaigns highlighting the dangers of smoking and making it harder to buy cigarettes, it appears attitudes have changed. However, a quarter of those surveyed did admit to having tried drugs such as cannabis. 231… That’s the number of confirmed cases of measles in the UK in the first quarter of 2019, resulting in the UK losing its ‘measles-free’ status with the World Health Organisation. Have you tried... Cetraben Cream, £4.99, 50ml, Boots. With colder weather on…

Occupying the kids with another fun day out, it was the middle of the school summer holidays in July 2018. But my son, Robbie, 14, wasn’t feeling himself. He was moaning about a pain in his leg, but he didn’t let it stop him from running around with his two younger sisters, Tia, 10 and Orla, seven. ‘You’ve probably done it at football,’ I said to Robbie, thinking it was down to another injury on the pitch. But as the day went on, his pain didn’t seem to go away. ‘Can I have some painkillers Mum?’ Robbie asked, clutching his leg. ‘Is it that bad?’ I said, thinking it was strange that my boy, who almost never complained, was in so much discomfort. ‘It’s pretty bad,’ he replied. I gave…

1 Join at pickmeupbingo.com2 Deposit and play £10 with code PMUL383 Get your £50 of FREE BINGO *Rules: 18+. UK only. New members only, must opt in. Min £10 deposit and wager. 30-day expiry from deposit. Bingo: Advertised ticket value based on £1 tickets. Game availability and restrictions apply. Full Offer details and Rules at pickmeupbingo.com/ terms#welcomebonus. Offer in this issue ends 19 September 2019. Pick Me Up! Bingo is part of the Jackpotjoy.com network. For 24-hour support, freephone 0800 458 0770. Please play responsibly. BeGambleAware.org. JOIN NOW AT pickmeupbingo.com…

Loaded hot dogs Serves 4 4 smoked fresh pork sausages 4 brioche hot dog buns 2 onions (thinly sliced) 1 Jar Baxters Mustard and Gherkin Relish 50ml milk 50g plain flour 200g thinly sliced red cabbage 2tbsp mayo 1tsp cider vinegar 175g spinach, washed and drained Salt and pepper Oil for frying 1 Marinate one of the onions in the milk and leave for 30 minutes. For the other onion, fry over a low heat until golden and caramelised. 2 Mix the cabbage, vinegar and mayo together in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper and set aside. 3 Remove the sliced onions from the marinade and toss in the flour to coat, fry in oil until golden and crisp. Remove from oil and drain on kitchen paper. Season with…

Echo Falls pink gin, £16, Tesco Winemakers, Echo Falls, are branching out with the launch of their latest product – a new pink gin. The fruity flavour is made up of strawberries, blackberries, blueberries and raspberries, with a hint of juniper. Add a splash of lemonade and load your glass with ice and lemon to create the perfect fruity tipple. TRUST Crunch Bar, £2.50, Holland & Barrett With four moreish flavours, these Crunch Bars are packed full of protein. Give the fudge brownie, cookies and cream, white choc cookie dough and salted caramel peanut flavours a try for a guilt free snack. New York Bakery Tomato & Herb BagelThins, £1, ASDA and Waitrose Inspired by the taste of Little Italy in New York, these new bagels are baked with tangy…

WHO KNEW? According to research conducted by eBay, us Brits read on average 696 books in our lifetime. That’s a whole lot of reading! With over half of us using it as a way to relax, it’s no wonder we read so many. But what do we all love the most? According to eBay, the three most read books in the country include The Lion, The Witch and e Wardrobe, The Da Vinci Code, and Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s stone. We all love a good crime documentary, and according to the study, that influences our book choice too with 42% of us opting for a good crime novel, and 38% of us choosing to get lost in a thriller. This study shows us that the printed word is still…

Sitting on the sofa with a cup of tea, I was ready to settle in for the evening. Just then, my phone pinged. Hey beautiful, how are you? the message read. Even in my 60s, those words sent butterflies fluttering through my stomach. It was October 2016, and I’d been chatting online to someone called Kevin Churchill for a few weeks. When my marriage broke down back in 2001, I’d moved to the UK from my home in South Africa, taking my two kids, Sarah*, now 34, and Peter*, 32, with me. But moving to a new country meant I was really lonely. He was a breath of fresh air The only people I knew were my kids and the people I worked with, and the older I got, the…

1 Don’t pick or squeeze at spots as this can worsen inflammation and could lead to permanent scarring. 2 Gently cleanse your skin twice a day with a mild face wash. This is especially important after exercise or after wearing makeup. 3 Avoid using oil based and greasy products on the skin and hair. Also avoid excessive exfoliation as this can irritate the skin even more. 4 Mild cases of acne can be treated using over the counter gels and creams. Ask your pharmacist for advice. If over the counter treatments haven’t helped, speak to your GP.…

Endometriosis 1 Endometriosis only affects older women. ☐ True ☐ False 2 You can’t get pregnant if you have endometriosis. ☐ True ☐ False 3 Endometriosis can be prevented. ☐ True ☐ False 4 Endometriosis is a long-term condition. ☐ True ☐ False 5 Symptoms can vary. ☐ True ☐ False 1 FALSE The condition can affect all women and girls that are of a childbearing age. 2 FALSE Some women with endometriosis have difficulty getting pregnant. However, many women with the condition will not experience fertility issues. If you are concerned about fertility, speak to your GP. 3 FALSE There is no way to prevent endometriosis and the cause is still unknown. 4 TRUE The condition is long-term, and it can have a significant impact on a person’s life.…

THIS WEEK: ENDANGERED ANIMALS  For some endangered species, time on planet Earth is running out Onekindplanet.org lists the top 10 creatures that are most in need of our help, protection and conservation, if they’re going to survive… We can help protect these endangered species by making small changes in our everyday lives. Whether that’s learning about endangered insects in your back garden, or recycling and reducing your carbon footprint - it all makes a difference. Big campaign How Many Elephants is a powerful design-led campaign, inspiring and educating a global audience about the devastating impact of the ivory trade. 96 elephants are poached every day. At the current rate, elephants will be extinct in 10 years. Help take action by donating and petitioning at howmanyelephants.co @world_wildlife The World…

Psychotherapist Debbie Pincus shares her advice for parents who have taken their adult child back in: ‘Understand that helping your child get on their feet financially doesn’t have to mean providing them with everything they need and want. ‘Rather, it’s having a plan that in three months, six months, or a year, you’ll help them buy a flat, for example. ‘You might even start out by paying a portion of their rent, but let them know that after a certain amount of time, you’re going to reduce the amount you put in. ‘That way, their responsibility grows while yours diminishes. ‘They are working towards a goal with your help, but not relying on you completely. ‘You could also get them to pay rent at your home. You could consider keeping…

Bean Boozled Jelly Beans, £10, Men Kind This super fun game will have the whole family entertained. Fun, games and delicious treats in one package. But there’s a twist! For every colour of bean there are two flavours, one naughty and one nice! Challenge your taste buds to buttered popcorn or disgusting rotten egg. Verdict: BONKERS! Only the brave dare to spin! Crocodile Teether, £9.99, Matchstickmonkey. com This brand new Matchstick Monkey Animal shows teething pain who’s boss! It has a range of textures and is made of antimicrobial technology which kills 99.9% of microbes. Babies love it! Verdict: GENIUS! Snap it up quickly! PyroPet, from £14, 54celsius.com 54 Celsius have revamped the basic candle, bringing it up to date with a modern twist.…

ABERGAVENNY FOOD FESTIVAL 21 – 22 September This festival celebrated its 20th anniversary last year and is a staple on the food festival calendar. It’s known for bringing together chefs, food businesses, farmers and food producers who flock to the Welsh town to enjoy talks, demonstrations, and of course, lots of delicious food. From tutored tastings, demos from top chefs, tours and forages, as well as big parties, there’s something to tickle everyone’s taste buds. Tickets from £10 www.abergavennyfoodfestival.com FALMOUTH OYSTER FESTIVAL 10 – 13 October Kick off oyster season in style with a visit to the Falmouth Oyster Festival. Expect cookery demonstrations by leading local chefs, oysters, seafood, wine and local ale to sample, plus children’s shell painting and entertainment. There is also live music an oyster shucking competition,…

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Sarah called the police, and they came over right away. ‘You’re all wrong about this,’ I cried. Still, officers confiscated my phone and iPad. For the next few weeks, I was not allowed to have any contact with Kevin. I was a wreck, wondering where he was. He’ll be worried about me, I thought, becoming anxious. I was then called to the station to give a statement. I'd handed over nearly £200,000 of my money It turns out, Kevin had been worried - but not for long. Where are you? Are you OK? his messages read. But then they’d fizzled out. Kevin had disappeared. ‘I want you to tell me everything that happened,’ an officer told me. Determined to prove everyone wrong, I told her everything that happened. But the…

Award-winning life coach Chloë Leibowitz believes that life is about seeking progress, not perfection.(chloeleibowitz.com) Will I be single forever? Q I can’t find love and feel like I’m going to be single forever. I’m 45 and never really dated. I used to think that I just hadn’t met the right person, so was never bothered, but now I wonder if there’s something wrong with me! Lucy, Bath A There’s only something wrong with it if you consider there to be a ‘right’ way to do things. And there’s not. So no, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with you. The way society works means we often put ourselves under immense pressure to conform and appear ‘normal’ in other people’s eyes. I think the most positive way to live your life…

QI’m constantly suffering with lower back pain and it’s awful. How can I manage my pain? Josh, Liverpool A Lower back pain can be managed with paracetamol and ibuprofen. However, some patients require stronger non-steroidal pain killers or weak opiates such as codeine. It is also important to keep active and do regular back exercises. If your symptoms are not responding to simple painkillers, I would suggest seeing your GP for an assessment. If you are over 55, having night sweats, weight loss or a history of cancer, you should see your doctor. You should also be seen if you are having issues with your water works or bowels associated with back pain, or if you are getting sharp burning and shooting pains down your legs or weakness with numbness…

Coming downstairs on a Saturday morning, in September 2018, it was oddly silent. Usually my four children Elliot, 15, Scarlett, 12, Molly, 11 and Cody, six, are up with me, as my husband Michael, 39, stays in bed. However, this Saturday, Michael decided to get up with me as the children were all having a lie in. ‘This is strange,’ Michael laughed, heading downstairs. So, we grabbed a cuppa and set ourselves up on the sofa. We had about 45 minutes of peace before the rest of the gang came and joined to watch a Roswell documentary. We all love watching documentaries and we were discussing UFOs. ‘Do you think they’re real?’ Elliot asked. ‘I don’t know,’ I said. We debated the issue for a good five minutes before turning…

Sitting on her great grandad’s lap, my little girl was all smiles as he bounced her on his knee. Kaylah, then a year old, screeched with laughter as he tickled her. ‘Be gentle with him, love,’ I joked with her. ‘Grandad’s getting old!’ ‘Don’t be silly,’ my grandad Mervin, 70, smiled. ‘I’ve got all the energy in the world for this one.’ It was January this year, and Grandad, my mum Karen, 47, dad Brian, 49, and a few of my close friends had come over for the evening. It was the first time we’d all been together since Christmas. It was a full house, and my fiancé Connor, 22, and I had cooked up a feast. Now, chatting over the dinner table, I was so happy to be spending…

Buying a house while trying to forge a career at the same time certainly comes with its challenges. Cherilyn Leeson, 31, a dressmaker from Derbyshire, moved out of her parents’ home when she was 19 to go to Bournemouth University. In January 2015, after three years of studying and one year of travelling, she was unemployed and was forced to move back in with her parents, Karen, 58, and Stephen, 63. ‘I wanted to start up my own dressmaking business, and all my money was going into that, so I couldn’t afford to live on my own,’ she says. ‘My parents were very supportive and were happy to have me move back in. ‘It was difficult to begin with. I was so used to having my independence, and then suddenly…

SEASONAL SKIN CARE With summer now drawing to a close, it’s time to start switching up our skincare routine for the colder months. ASDA Brightening Vitamin C Microdermabrasion Scrub, £2.50, ASDA Gently remove any dull skin and impurities from the summer with this tangy scrub. Infused with vitamin C, as well as exotic extracts of acai berry and papaya, this scrub will gently exfoliate the skin, leaving it brighter and radiant. This is the perfect product to wash away those summer flakes. Oriflame Soothing Micellar Water with Organic Oat & Goji Berry, £7, Oriflame Remove any dirt and residue from the day with this gorgeous micellar water. With organic oats and super ingredient goji berry, this will hydrate your dry skin, as well as giving it a gentle cleanse. By…

As the colder months draw in, we’ll all be spending more time inside. Experts at promotionalcodes.org.uk share their tips on how to prepare your home for the change of season. 1 Clean the oven Cleaning the oven is not a popular household chore, but it’s certainly a good idea to give it a deep clean at this time of year, especially if you’re planning on spending a lot of time at home during the colder months. There are plenty of household products that make this process easier, but make sure you allow the grills to soak and give the inside a really good scrub. Stock up on oven cleaner, a sturdy sponge, and rubber gloves. Your oven will soon be looking as good as new. 2 Deep clean the house We…

ARIES 21 March–20 April The home is highlighted, and chances are, you may have had more go wrong in the home than the case may usually be. Try to make time to talk to those who should be a part of any decisions. It could begin a whole new dialogue for a whole new series of decisions, to improve both your lives. You’re growing up. Uranus brings your imagination to the fore. Call: 09058 170 710* TAURUS 21 April–21 May Many of the signs are appearing more clumsy than usual this week. This is not their fault. Try not to be too harsh on those who keep making mistakes. Any understanding you show now is sure to pay back. Important phone calls you are apprehensive of making are better slept…