Table of contents for 4-May-2023 in Pick Me Up!

Closing my eyes, I dreamt of the Sri Lankan Hill country. Since I was little, I’d had a feeling that I was meant to help the poor communities in my birth country. I had been adopted when I was a baby and in my mid-20s had gone on a journey to find my birth mother. I didn’t know any details of my story, except that there was poverty behind it – clinging onto one photo of my mother as a token of hope. By a miracle, a friend visiting Sri Lanka, armed with the photo I treasured and her name, Vijialakshmi, managed to track her down – finding her along with my younger brothers, Arun and Ashok, and extended family, working as tea pickers. I then arranged to fly out…

Giving my pooch one final groom, I looked him up and down. ‘You’re show ready, bud,’ I smiled at my American Bulldog Hustler as he wagged his tail. I loved the dog show scene – it was a lovely atmosphere, full of like-minded people who were obsessed with woofers! ‘Hey, Anna,’ a voice said, and I spun around. ‘Hi Jason,’ I smiled back. Jason and I met back in 2017 through mutual friends – he ran a breeding kennels and was also an apprentice judge, so we often bumped into each other at shows. He was always very friendly and knowledgeable about dogs, so I picked his brains for advice – I admired him. We chit chatted before the show started, then went our separate ways. He was a nice…

Dr Ruth Miller-Anderson is a multiaward-winning success in life, business coach and pharmacist, too. Experiencing severe adversity in her own life, Ruth really understands how to deal with life’s challenges. Follow @theswandoctor on Instagram or please visit: theswandoctor.com The sweetest dreams… Q I always have really vivid dreams – often about my ex-partners even though I’m in a really happy relationship now. It leaves me feeling really guilty and I feel like I’m cheating – what’s wrong with me? Nicola, Cheshire A I want to reassure you there is nothing wrong with you. This is a common phenomenon with research showing dreaming of an ex is experienced by one-third of people in a relationship. There are four stages of sleep. These are awake, light, deep, and rapid eye movement (REM). We…

Here are a few things you should know about dementia. 1. Dementia is not just memory loss – it can affect the way people think, speak, perceive things, feel and behave. 2. Dementia is not a normal part of ageing – and it doesn’t just affect older people. Over 42,000 people under 65 in the UK have dementia. 3. Dementia is caused by diseases of the brain – different types of dementia damage different parts of the brain. 4. Those with dementia can still live well – support and treatments are available to allow people with dementia to lead active lives and carry on doing the things that matter to them most. The Alzheimer’s Society is available to provide support to anyone affected by dementia. You can call 0333 150…

• To find out more please visit: sis4ersdistillery.com 1. Tell us more about SIS4ERS DISTERLLERY/SEVEN BRO7HERS – how and when was it born? Inspired by our father’s home-brewing, SEVEN BRO7HERS BREWING CO was founded in 2014 by McAvoy brothers, Guy, Keith, Luke, Daniel, Nathan, Kit and Greg. Following our brothers’ success, myself and my ‘McAvoy sisters’ Kerry Collins, Kate Haslam and Lucy White decided we wanted in on the action and launched SIS4ERS DISTILLERY in 2018. Our brand is about hard work, family values and shares our mother’s love of gin. 2. Is there a little bit of sibling rivalry here? In the beginning there may have been some friendly, sibling rivalry but today SIS4ERS DISTILLERY works very closely with our brewing brothers. It is fun to work together under…

PRICKLY FRIENDS Spring is well and truly in full-swing and hibernation season for many animals has come to an end. Hedgehogs are one of these creatures – but they need our help on their return. Holly Jones from Garden Street shares her top tips for caring for hedgehogs in your garden as they emerge from hibernation: • If a hedgehog is in your garden after hibernation, keep a dish of water out at all times for them. • Next, you can leave some dry hedgehog food and then move on to wet hedgehog food – this can be bought online. • Keep the hedgehogs safe by clearing up any netting or string you may have lying about to prevent them from getting tangled up. • Always check any compost heaps…

Scooping two delicious portions of Shepherd’s pie onto plates, I smiled as the delicious scent filled the room. ‘Smells fantastic!’ my friend Moe beamed – already waiting at the table in anticipation. I was proud of my culinary skills – my grandmother had taught me to cook, and as a result, I wasn’t too shabby around the kitchen. ‘Your Shepherd’s pie is the only reason I keep coming back,’ Moe jokingly told me. Moe saw different realms whilst in a coma On 16 June 2014, Moe, 38, and I met on a local online forum. Noticing I liked Linkin Park on my profile, we already had a few things in common. And as a carpenter, he leapt to my rescue when I needed a new wardrobe. Despite talking for a…

Verdict: GENIUS! Grab a deal! B&M Stores, available to download for free on your app store When scouring your local B&M, there are plenty of bargains to be had – but did you know there’s a trick for grabbing a better price? By downloading the B&M app, you can scan the barcode before paying and people online have reported some steals – with items for as little as 10p! Dumpster dive In 2018, after spending $20 on a teapot, that looked as if it were ready for the bin – with a cracked surface and missing lid – the owner discovered that the pot was actually the bargain of the century and was the work of renowned John Bartlam. Fetching a huge £806k at an auction house in Lincolnshire, it’s now…

For Joe and Esther Melgoza, they simply couldn’t wait to finally get hitched. Firm friends for 10 years, they were together for one when Joe decided to pop the big question. Esther of course said yes. How could she not? By all accounts Joe, 30, was the perfect family man. The father figure to his younger brothers, Joe was the man of the house helping his mother from a young age. But this never bothered him, and he was always dedicated to keeping a smile on all of his friends and family’s faces. What’s more, Joe was the life and soul of the party – always ready to put a smile on your face. And as well as Esther, his other pride and joy was his 11-year-old daughter. Frequently posting…

Catch Claire live on Facebook Wear your star sign on your sleeve! Our resident astrologist Claire has joined forces with Toff London to bring you these beautiful Zodiac wrist watches – featuring a hand-drawn design and powered by a Japanese quartz movement. You can even add free engraving to make it extra special. £89 each - use the code LENGRO25 for 25% off Please visit: tofflondon.com ARIES 21 March–20 April Mercury may have held you back, but he’s also given you the chance to reflect. You see now with clarity, who you can trust and who has been out for their own gain. Things you buy this week tell a lot about what you intend to do next and who with. Don’t answer questions you don’t want to from nosy…

YOU’VE GOTTA CHEER Rolling out my mat, it was time to see what yoga was about. Dragging myself to the gym in 2016, I’d tried two sessions with a new instructor Matt, now 40. And just as I was about to leave, Matt pulled me aside. ‘Did you know that we share the same birthday – 18 November?’ he said, smiling. ‘Oh really?!’ I replied. How did he know that? Adding his clients on Facebook, he had already done some stalking of his own. And it seemed we had a lot more in common, too. Although I told myself that I wasn’t looking for love, it happened naturally – I mean sharing the same birthday was meant to be, right? Annually celebrating our joint day, me and Matt would go away…

Give these deliciously scented, natural soaps a try from small business Bloom in Soap. Founder Alison is determined to produce products that are not only fab for your skin, but ethically made and great for the planet! Visit: bloominsoap.co.uk Smell lovely!…

Registered pharmacist Rita Ghelani from Independent Pharmacy shares her top six tips on avoiding hayfever in the spring/summer months ahead: Please visit: xlear.com Be aware of the pollen count: There are a few good websites and apps that can alert you to when specific allergens are high in your area. Knowing when levels are higher will help you prepare. Close the windows: Even though it is warm and nice outside, make sure to keep your house as allergen-free as possible so you have a place to escape when needed. You could also invest in a household air purifier. Don’t use the car’s heating/air conditioning unless it is filtered: Many car heating and air conditioning units suck in air from the outside so it is good to find out if your…

There are plenty of ways to support the Alzheimer’s Society. Whether you make a donation online, buy a Forget Me Not Appeal pin badge or fundraise through sponsored walking events like Trek26, your contribution will help end the devastation caused by dementia. Alzheimer’s Society hopes to reach more people, fund groundbreaking research discoveries and be the leading voice campaigning to make dementia the priority it should be.…

Stepping out of the bath, I winced as I carefully changed my bandages. I was covered head to toe in open wounds, and every morning it took me an hourand-a-half to prepare my skin for the day. It was something I had been doing all my life. You see, I had been born with a skin condition called epidermolysis bullosa, or EB. It’s a rare skin condition that means my skin is very fragile and doesn’t produce enough collagen 7 – resulting in blisters and scars over my whole body. I was covered head to toe in open wounds It’s known as butterfly skin, because of how delicate it is. It also means that I am more prone to conditions like skin cancer and have to be careful in the…

NEW IN Are you already a fan of Avon’s top-rated Anew Renewal Power Serum? Well, meet the Anew Renewal Power Eye Cream! Designed to help tired eyes look younger by blurring and brightening the eye area.Tried and tested by beauty lovers, this new eye cream came out on top, beating some high end favourites. So, what are you waiting for? Awaken your eyes for a bright, youthful look. • Available for £14 on Avon or through your local rep. Beauty Bible Meet the fantastic new beauty Bible from TikTok sensation Sophie Hannah. From makeup and hair styles, this book has everything a beauty lover could possibly want. With how to guides and step-by-steps, Beauty Hair Style (£18.99, available from Amazon) is packed with information to teach, inspire and give you…

No matter your culinary skills, playing with food and flavour can be fun, so choose a delicious day out with Red Letter Days. Visit: redletterdays.co.uk Sushi and Sake Masterclass – Buddha-Bar, London Get rolling… This masterclass is sure to get your tastebuds tingling and test your skills, too. However, with some of the culinary best showing you all there is to know about the world of Japanese delicacies sushi and sake, you’ll be a master in no time. For this two-hour session, the first half will be spent shadowing the head sushi chef. Then, for the last hour, you’ll turn your attention to a tasty tipple with the help from a top sake sommelier. By the end you’ll like the way you roll! • Sushi Masterclass £72 per person Cheese…

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.…

Sat down on the sofa for the evening, my husband Jim reached over to hold my hand. ‘You OK love?’ I asked. You see, Jim had never been one for public displays of affection. ‘It’s all for show,’ he used to say. ‘What we have is real.’ And after four decades of marriage, I knew it was true. Jim and I had met in Belfast in September 1973 when I was 16 and he was 25. And we started going out together when I was 17 and him 26. By June 1974 we were married, heading off to Scotland for our honeymoon. What I loved about Jim was his kindness – he was gentle and great with my family. We had two girls of our own, Heather, now 31, and…

Patchy skin Q I’m 40 and my skin is terrible – papery, dry and patchy. I don’t mind the lines and wrinkles so much but I want to look and feel healthy. Is there anything I can do? Rebecca, Leeds A There are many avenues you can take to reduce dry, wrinkly skin – such as opting for more hydrating products, concentrated ingredients or treatments. If you suffer from dry or sensitive skin, skin fasting is also a great way of giving your complexion a chance to recover and rebalance its natural levels of oils and moisture. Certain potent ingredients in our skincare products, such as retinoids and AHA or BHAs, can disrupt your skin barrier function, causing irritation and dryness. So make sure to look out for ingredients that…

WORTH £9.99! In countries ravaged by plague, war and religious upheaval, malicious magic or witchcraft was just one more menace that people had to cope with. No one was safe from witchcraft, or from accusations of practising magic and consorting with the Devil Himself – not even queens and courtiers. This fabulous bookazine covers everything you need to know about the hunts and trials that cut across Europe and the American Colonies from the Mediaeval times to the Early Modern age. Uncover the true stories of the panic that swept towns up into hysteria, from accusations at Pendle Hill in Lancashire, England, to the madness of the Salem Witch Trials. Plus lots lots more. To get your free digital copy of The History of Witchcraft use this link bit.ly/PMU401 Offer available…

Did you know Brits produce 26 tonnes of waste each, every year? TREASURE HUNTING When Flora Blathwayt, 35, from Peckham, takes to the beach, she’s on the hunt for little bits of plastic treasure… Walking along the Thames foreshore, I’m not interested in the bustling crowds at the top of the high walls. I care about what’s lurking in the mud.Trudging forward, I spot a glimmer in the wet ground. And upon closer inspection, I realise I’ve hit the jackpot – I’ve found a sparkly pumpkin sequin. That’s going to look great on a card, I think. I frequently go beach cleaning in and around London and use the fragments of plastic I find to make quirky greeting cards. In 2019 I joined a beach clean-up on the river Thames.…

with summer just around the corner, we all enjoy lighter meals. Whether you want to lose a few pounds or just want some delicious seasonal grub, Terri Ann Nunns is here to help. Founder of the Terri Ann 123 Diet Plan, she’s helped thousands of people achieve the body they want, while still eating delicious food. • Please visit: terriann123dietplan.co.uk Homemade Chicken Kebabs with Kebab Shop Salad YOU WILL NEED: ◻ 300g boneless, skinless chicken breasts◻ 1 medium onion◻ 2 cloves garlic◻ 140g plain low-fat yoghurt◻ 2 tbsps tomato paste◻ 1 tsp ground black pepper◻ 2 tsps paprika◻ 1 tsp salt◻ Wholemeal pitta or rice 1 Cut the chicken into bite-sized cubes about the size of large dice. Using a grater, grate the onion and garlic cloves on the finest…