Table of contents for 03-Oct-2019 in Pick Me Up!

Dropping the kids off at the gates, I felt like I was walking through sticky treacle. I was on the daily school run, but my mind was elsewhere. I was 43 and had four lovely children and a wonderful husband, but I was miserable. My periods were also extremely heavy, which wasn’t helping anything. In need of help, I marched myself down to the doctors. ‘It’s depression,’ I was told. It didn’t make any sense. But I was given antidepressants and was sent on my way. Then, four years later, I completely broke down. ‘I don’t know what’s wrong,’ I sobbed to my dad, Michael. ‘I don’t think you’re depressed, I think this is hormone related,’ he said. Dad is a breast cancer surgeon, so I trusted his advice and…

Deborah Meaden was definitely not a dragon when I met her at a recent Birdfair event. She was friendly, had a really hearty laugh and happy to share some banter with me! Maria Marston, Chesham My Ronnie is only 10 months old and he’s already walking about like he owns the place. The don and not even one! He’s too funny. Alexandra Low, Halesowen My mother Gina loves doing activities with my daughter Meg and son Ethan. She’s so special and is still a spring chicken at heart! Cam Jacobs, Cheshire We all had the best time at Haven Burnham this year, making family memories to last forever. We loved this triple seesaw and I love this photo! Richard Adams, West Midlands Check out the mush on Evie! She’s really…

On 23 March last year, I had a caesarean with my beautiful twins, Logan and Chase. It was a horrendous birth. Chase almost suffocated twice, he was so close to death. ‘It’s all my fault,’ I sobbed. If I wasn’t so big, Chase might not have had any health problems during birth. This was the reality check I had needed for so long. The day I bought my babies home, I knew it was time to change my life. ‘Welcome home,’ I whispered as I cradled them into their cots. Having the twins felt different to the other kids. I was a mum to five beautiful children now, and I couldn’t let my weight affect my health, or theirs. I still have my guilty pleasures In April, I signed up…

QI have eczema on my hands and arms that won't stop flaring up. What can I do to keep it at bay? Lee, Plymouth A Use a fragrance-free ointment or cream based moisturiser throughout the day and focus on reapplying every time you wash your hands. Try over the counter moisturiser such as Cetraben Cream (£4.99, 50ml, Boots). For hand washing use a soap substitute such as a cream or ointment or try an antiseptic moisturising lotion. After washing your hands make sure you dry them thoroughly, paying attention to the spaces between the fingers. For itchy, red patches of eczema, ask your GP to prescribe an ointment based steroid for you to apply once a day for 5 to 7 days in order to bring down the inflammation of…

Nicolas Cage sequins pillow, £4.55, Amazon This beautifully designed pillowcase features a vibrant print on reversible gold sequins that change when flipped. A perfect decorative pillows for your room, office or garden. An ideal gift for birthdays, anniversaries and Christmas! Verdict: BONKERS! A great gift to trick a special someone! Spider catcher pack, £11, Amazon The world’s friendliest, most innovative way to catch spiders, moths and all those unwanted pests flying around your house. The 65cm long stick keeps you at a safe distance and reaches ceilings and corners. Verdict: GENIUS! Au revoir daddy long legs! Pizza scissors, £2, Flying Tiger Ever get into a mess trying to cut your pizza hot out of the oven? Say goodbye to your knife. Pizza scissors are the solution! It’s the crafty gadget…

Millie and Molly, aged three, sharing some bunny love. It’s just too cute – you can’t beat how much fun and love they give you! Karen Hill, Gwynedd Our bunny Bertie taking a well-earned rest from all that hopping around. It’s thirsty work being a bunny! Karen McGuire, Cleethorpes My Chihuahua Teddy, aged four, chilling with all her toys. Vicky Annetts, Bradford Here’s our pet bunny Pickle who just loves an extreme close-up moment. He’s far too nosey to sit back and pose for a cute pic! Connor McGuire, NE Lincolnshire…

Father of two James Maynard, 41, has been a stay-at-home dad for just over two years, after his wife fell ill during her second pregnancy. He says; ‘My wife was sick during her pregnancy and she needed a lot of help back at home. ‘My employer wouldn’t give me much time off, so in the end, I decided to quit to help out as much as I could. ‘I went from earning £93k a year, to earning £93 a week. It was a big difference, but I didn’t care about the money. ‘I just wanted to look after my children and give them the best start in life.’ When James’ wife was better, she went into full-time studying and did personal training on the side, making James a stay-at-home dad…

BEAUTY WITH A STORY TO TELL... Bombsy UK, prices from £2.25 After suffering from a cardiac arrest, father of four, Michael gave up his job as a builder and started creating bath bombs. From the comfort of his own home, he and his wife Nicky make magnificent and sparkly bath bombs and bath products. From Ducking Doughnut bath bombs to Monkey Farts body souffle, this family run business is sure to brighten up your bath time. Joyce Connor Cosmetics, prices from £2.50 With 22 years of experience, makeup artist Joyce Connor decided to embark on her own skincare adventure. Combining the best of Korean and Japanese skincare, Joyce has created a range of luxurious but affordable skincare, that are designed to drench your skin in nutrients. Known for her flawless…

Stir-fried Sichuan chicken Serves 4 Sichuan peppercorns are dried red berries, native to China. They have a distinct scent when crushed and numb the tongue. They can be found in Oriental shops. □ ½ onion □ 1 red pepper □ 400g boneless chicken thighs □ 3 garlic cloves □ 1 bird’s-eye chilli □ 1 spring onion □ 2 teaspoons Sichuan peppercorns □ 10 dried red chillies □ 200g cashew nuts □ 1½ tablespoons vegetable oil FOR THE THE MARINADE: □ 1 teaspoon sesame oil □ 2 teaspoons granulated sugar □ a large pinch of Chinese five-spice □ 3 tablespoons light soy sauce □ 1½ tablespoons cornflour FOR THE THE SAUCE: □ 2 teaspoons chilli paste or chilli bean paste □ 2 tablespoons light soy sauce □ 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce…

Quorn Vegan Crunchy Tex-Mex Nuggets, £3, Morrisons. A twist on the Quorn crispy nuggets, these new nuggets are coated in spicy breadcrumbs made with quinoa, oats, barley and linseed. Serve with fresh dips for the perfect vegan snack. Skittles treat cake, £8, Tesco. Skittles fans will love this new pink sponge cake. It’s topped with a fruity flavoured frosting and scattered with Skittles across the top. This showstopper is sure to be a crowd pleaser, no matter what the occasion! Jack Link’s Biltong, £1.50 for 25g pack, ASDA. Meat snacking experts, Jack Link’s, have launched a new meat snack to join the brand’s range. The Biltong has been made with marinated prime cuts of British beef and seasoned with the Jack Link’s special family recipe to create a taste of…

UNUSUAL BUY Forget socks and sliders, socks and flip-flops are coming! As post-summer blues hit us hard, we’re all desperate to keep the magic of summer alive. And this fashion statement is the perfect way! The Happy Socks and Havaianas collaboration gives you a new wardrobe alternative: matching flip-flops and toe socks. These snug socks shape your big toe to allow the flip-flop strap in! Previously, you’d never be seen dead wearing socks and sliders... But fashion found a way to make it the biggest trend. And, we’re predicting these flip-flops and toe socks will be next! Limited edition set, £29.95, www.happysocks.com GOOD DEED OF THE WEEK If you spot a bar of Cadbury Dairy Milk in the shop without any words on the front, don’t worry, it’s not an…

Laying the table for Sunday lunch, waiting for my guests to arrive, my phone rang. ‘Do you want us to bring anything?’ my best friend Carol, 28, asked. ‘Just yourselves,’ I chirped. It was August last year, and she and her boyfriend Liam, 29, were popping over to my house for lunch. They were like family to me. I lived over 200 miles away from my relatives in Warwickshire, so I had them over at least once a week. ‘I hope you don’t mind,’ Carol continued. ‘But Liam has a friend staying and we thought we’d bring him, too? I think you’ll like him.’ ‘Of course,’ I grinned. I loved playing host. The three of them turned up around midday, and Carol introduced me to Paul Thackray, 28. ‘Thanks for…

Flare ups Q I have small patches of dry, irritated skin on my torso and back. Could it be psoriasis? Caron, Preston A Patches of dry skin can be caused by a number of skin conditions including psoriasis. The condition tends to cause scaly looking red or purple thick plaques of skin. It can appear anywhere on the body, including the torso. It especially affects the elbows, knees and hairline. Psoriasis can run in families or appear without any family history and start at any age. Sometimes it can be triggered by infections, including sore throats; stressful events, smoking and certain medications although often, no trigger is identified. I would recommend seeing your GP for a diagnosis. If you have psoriasis there are many different treatments you can try, which…

Addie Mitchell, Clinical Nurse Specialist at BreastCancer Now, says: ‘Anyone affected by breast cancer can call our free helpline on 0808 800 6000 to speak to our team of experts for information and support. ‘Our Someone Like Me service connects people with volunteers who have experienced what they’re facing now to offer emotional support and help them feel more in control. For help adapting to life after treatment, people can attend our Moving Forward courses or download our support app, BECCA.’ Visit breastcancercare. org.uk for more info. Wear it pink on 18 October and help Breast Cancer Now fund vital research into treatment. Visit wearitpink.org for more info.…

Type 2 diabetes 1 Type 2 diabetes is a common condition ☐ True ☐ False 2 It’s caused by problems with a chemical in the body called insulin ☐ True ☐ False 3 The condition is not lifelong ☐ True ☐ False 4 Many people have type 2 diabetes without even realising ☐ True ☐ False 5 Most people won’t need medicine to treat their diabetes ☐ True ☐ False 1 TRUE It is a common condition that causes the level of sugar (glucose) in the blood to become too high. 2 TRUE The condition is often linked to being overweight or inactive and can be due to having a family history of the condition. 3 FALSE The condition is lifelong and can affect your everyday life. You may need…

Woofbrush a day keeps the dog breath away Chewing gum and facial haircuts are just some of the bizarre ways owners are trying to combat their dog’s bad breath, according to a new study commissioned by Lily’s Kitchen. The survey of 2,000 dog owners revealed over half believe their dog suffers from bad breath – and yet the same percentage think this whiffy affliction is normal for canines. Actually, it can be a symptom of poor dental health! Although dogs are a man’s best friend, 33% of pet lovers admitted to avoiding going near their canine companion because of their terrible breath. In a bid to improve the dental health of the nation’s dogs, Lily’s Kitchen has worked with an expert vet dentist to develop these  delicious, spongey dental chews…

Cuddled up watching CBeebies Stargazing with my little boy Hayden, three, I pointed at the TV. ‘Wow, that star is big isn’t it?’ I smiled, encouraging Hayden to respond. But instead of talking back, or catching my eye, Hayden continued to watch the programme in awe. From 10 months old, I knew Hayden was different. He failed his two-year checkup and he was still non-verbal. It was difficult to guess what Hayden did or didn’t like. But, I knew that he was passionate about space. I’d always loved astronauts, and Hayden did, too. Carrying him to the window, we gazed at the sky. ‘Those stars are above us, far, far away,’ I whispered to him. He stayed quiet, but his little eyes twinkled with wonder. I wasn’t an anxious mother,…

SAPPHIRE Our 90-ball Sapphire Bingo room is just as sparkly as a sapphire, with its entertaining chat rooms, huge jackpots and exciting linked games! You can play from just 10p a ticket. BINGO LOUNGE Try out our 75-ball bingo game, Bingo Lounge! This exciting game is not only about dabbing out the numbers, but also recreating game patterns such as a heart, airplane or even a blackout! TIKI A members’ favourite, you’ll find tickets on Tiki Bingo from just 1p. A 90-ball room like Sapphire, this room offers everything a bingo lover could ask for!…

Have you got left over beauty products sitting in the back of your vanity cabinet? Did you receive too many shower gels for your birthday? Why not box it up and send it to Elle for Elle. This non-profit charity will send all your body-care, haircare and cosmetics to women’s refuges in the UK. With their campaign, ‘Dignity after Distress’ they help vulnerable women keep their bathroom cupboards stocked, allowing them to maintain a sense of independence and self-respect. By sending your unwanted cosmetics, you could help make a big change. If you would like to donate your unwanted cosmetics, email: elleforelleuk@gmail.com…

Through the eyes of social media, their relationship was utterly enviable. Matthew and Lauren had been married less than a year and they were still in the honeymoon period. I am so blessed to have this handsome man to call my husband, Lauren wrote on her Facebook wall. Matthew’s profile picture was the couple goofing around on their wedding day with lightsabers. The fun couple had much in common - a love of Star Wars, their devout Christian faith and an excitement about starting a family together. The couple lived in Raleigh, North Carolina. They’d married in November 2017 after reconnecting through social media years after being at middle school together. He’d woken up covered in blood Outgoing Lauren, 29, sold scented candles and taught at a local Sunday school.…

Send us your stories and photos, including all namesand ages, a daytime phone number and full address. E-mail hello@pickmeupmag.co.uk WRITE TO Pick Me Up! Media Centre, Emma-Chris Way, Abbey Wood Park, Filton, Bristol, BS34 7JU PHONE 01174400607 FACEBOOK facebook.com/pickmeupmag SEE OUR WEBSITE lifedeathprizes.com TI Media Limited reserves the right to reuse any submission sent to Pick Me Up! magazine, in any format or medium. Unfortunately, we can’t return photos without a stamped sae. Letters/photos must not be sent to any other publication.…

Walking around town with my son Jordan, 28, we bumped into one of his old friends. ‘Hey Jordan,’ his friend shouted across the street. ‘I’ll meet you over there,’ I said to Jordan, sliding away to give them privacy. As I waited for them to finish up, I browsed some nearby shops. ‘Well that was embarrassing,’ Jordan said, as he came over to join me. ‘What was?’ I quizzed. ‘He thought you were my girlfriend!’ he said, bursting into laughter. I was 50! Thankfully, although a little mortified, Jordan joked it off. It may have been a little embarrassing for him, but for me, it was very flattering. At 50, I’d never looked so good. I first started losing weight when I was 48. I’d managed to turn back time…

Curled up on my bed, I ate chocolate as tears welled up in my eyes. Reminiscing on special memories, I felt completely heartbroken. At 11 years old, my mum Amanda, 34, had just died. I’d lost the closest person to me and I didn’t know how to cope anymore. Growing up, I’d always cared for my mum. She had diabetes that caused her to become blind, so she relied on me for a lot. With a hole in my heart, I had no-one to turn to. I comfort scoffed through my grief When I missed my mum, I would eat food for comfort. ‘How are you feeling sweetie?’ my nan, Jacqueline, 70, asked, as she sat on the end of my bed. Nan had taken me in, and we were…

1 Take painkillers such as ibuprofen or paracetamol to help ease the pain. 2 Try rinsing your mouth with saltwater. (Don’t let children try this). 3 Use a pain-relieving gel for your mouth. These can be bought at the supermarket or from a pharmacy. 4 Eat soft foods like yoghurt or scrambled eggs, and avoid chewing with the sore tooth. Did you know that only two thirds of your teeth are visible? You should see a dentist if you have a toothache that lasts more than two days, doesn’t go away when you take painkillers and if you have a high temperature, pain when you bite, red gums or a bad taste in your mouth.…

Cancer survival lagging behind According to new analysis, cancer survival is on the up in the UK, but still falling behind other high-income countries. The study in Lancer Oncology, found that the UK performed worse than Australia, Canada, Denmark, Ireland, New Zealand and Norway. However, it also found that survival rates for rectal and colon cancer improved the most. It’s thought that advances in treatment and surgery are behind the UK’s progress. 7/10… That’s the number of adults that don’t know how much sugar they can safely consume. The same amount admit that they don’t check the amount of sugar they’re consuming when eating a ready meal. Have you tried... Perspirex Original, £8.49, 20ml, Boots For those who desire superior sweat reduction from their antiperspirant, Perspirex Original is clinically proven…

Applying my bright pink lipstick, I admired myself in the mirror. With my green contact lenses and a big fluffy pink and white dress, my look was almost complete. And as I placed a dark brown flowing wig over my own hair, I was immediately transformed into Baroness von Bon Bon. A character from the video game Cuphead, she was sassy and full of mischief. It was 2012, and I was getting ready for a Comic-Con convention in my hometown of Philadelphia, USA. I loved nothing better than immersing myself in character. But for me, this was more than dressing up. When I was in costume, no one knew what I was hiding. You see, I had huge, unsightly, haggis-like growths coming out of my ears. Earlier that year, piercings…

@_missythepug Up-and-coming superstar Missy is a seven-year-old Apricot Pug. She loves belly rubs and walks. Peas are her chosen snack and playing with balls is her favourite thing ever. Follow Missy for your cute daily dose of dog! Fresh Home Zoflora, £5.45, Asda or Morrisons Zoflora have designed a lively, floral fragrance specially to eliminate pet-specific odours including urine, vomit, excrement and wet-dog smell. And the best part of all, this pet-friendly fragrance appeals to your pets sensitive noses.…

Looking through the travel brochures showing off sun-kissed beaches, I couldn’t wait to book a trip. It would be our first family holiday abroad. My partner Carl, 43, and I own a window-cleaning business, so we’d been working really hard, and we were looking forward to going away. I dreamily wondered where. Spain? Greece? France? It was a bit different from the rainy weekends we’d spent camping in England. In February last year, it was cold and gloomy. Around then, I was catching up with a pal when she reminded me how much we’d liked playing Pick Me Up! Bingo. There’s such a great community and fabulous promotions ‘It’s still so much fun and there are even more games to choose from!’ she exclaimed. I thought I’d enjoy playing a…

Scared of the reality Q I’ve met a man online who I really like. We’ve spent six months chatting online and now he wants to meet - and I’m terrified. What if he doesn’t like me in real life? I’m confident behind a keyboard, but I’m actually shy. Should I just break it off? Carly, Leeds A If he’s asked to meet you, that means he likes what he has learned about you. He could also be shy and needed to pluck up courage to meet you! Remember, we don’t know what another is thinking, and to start assuming can lead to stress and anxiety. Stick to what you know – that he has enjoyed your conversation for six months, that he wants to meet you. You ask if you…

If you’re looking to support super small beauty businesses, then Etsy is the place for you. Founded in 2005, the platform has grown into a multi-million-pound industry. In recent years, the site has quietly emerged as a booming beauty resource, given the industry’s shift to natural, small-batch and one of a kind. Simply search for makeup and beauty products and you can find a wide range of items, from personalised makeup bags to handmade bespoke lipsticks. It’s super affordable and is a great way to support startup businesses.…

Half the fun of earning money is spending it. Whether it’s on a holiday, a night out with loved ones, or a new outfit, we all love treating ourselves. But it can come with a burdening guilt. Abigail Yearley, a spokesperson at Top Cash Back (www.TopCashback.co.uk) is here with her top tips for helping you spend your hard earned money guilt free! 1 It’s ok! One of the best ways to feel good about every luxury spend is to accept it’s okay to treat yourself. The money you have is a result of an accomplishment, be that a raise or simply managing a 9 ‘til 5. It’s okay to use the money you make in a way that makes you happy. 2 Give something back If you want to off-set…

ARIES 21 March–20 April It’s going to be almost impossible to please everyone this week, as mix ups make it difficult for you to be seen as an ally. Try to let the dust settle, as the truth will come to light in time. A new path in your career opens up, which puts your future into a completely new and fun perspective. This is your time Aries! Find time for you.Think about what YOU enjoy. Call: 09058 170 710* TAURUS 21 April–21 May With an abundance of energy in your chart, it’s going to be easier than normal for you to get into trouble and mischief. Try to avoid mixing with those you know will come with drama. You would be far better to put this excess power into…