Table of contents for 19-May-2022 in Pick Me Up!

This week, our tip of the week will receive a great product from Addis! This foldable chopping board provides a clever chute which easily guides chopped food or waste into a pan. Just squeeze the comfortable soft grip handle. Dishwasher safe, with a non-slip base and a knife-friendly cutting surface. For more ways to make your life easier, visit addis.co.uk Popping idea I carry some bubble wrap in my bag, handy to sit on to keep my bottom dry and warm. Rose Janes, Monmouth Tip of theweek That’s sound To get scratches off CDs, I put some toothpaste onto a damp cloth and rub. It is gentle, so it doesn’t damage the surface. It works like a treat! Gloria Wilding, Merseyside How to make your home more sustainable… Rising gas…

You’ve probably not put much thought into your vein health, because, let’s be honest, who has? A whopping 20 million people in the UK live with blood flow conditions. Most of the time, they don’t cause life-threatening issues, but it can impact your quality of life. Professor Stephen Black, vascular consultant and surgeon at UK Vein Clinic, shares signs that could mean you have a problem. Poor circulation Numb, tingling, or cold hands and feet can often be the first sign of poor circulation, because it can mean that blood flow is restricted. It’s recommended that you get this checked out by your GP, to investigate the causes and understand what the potential complications are. Prominent veins Veins that are noticeable, particularly in your legs or feet, are often signs…

Sitting next to my dad, Neil, I clenched my fists anxiously. Come on, I thought, feeling nervous. Just kick the ball! As my team scored, we jumped up and cheered. But as I went to sit back down, a horrible, familiar feeling crept over me. I needed the toilet – and I needed it now. I leapt up out of my seat and ran straight to the bathrooms. But I didn’t make it. It was horrifying – a grown man, in his 20s, not making it to the bathroom in time and soiling himself in public. I waddled to the toilet, cleaned myself up and went back out, commando - with my dirty underwear screwed up in my pocket. I felt disgusting, trying to just carry on as if everything…

We all love summertime – but when the sun starts to come out, it can also shine a light on the dark, drab corners of our home. If your home needs a freshen up but you don’t want to spend too much time or money, then try Dulux Simply Refresh – the one-coat paint can help you with a fuss-free transformation! Marianne Shillingford, creative director at Dulux, says: ‘As a nation, we’re more in love with DIY than we’ve been in a long time. ‘More and more people are looking to brighten up and refresh their homes, with the individuality of each room becoming a lot more pronounced. ‘Sometimes it can be difficult to find that inspiration or spark, but Simply Refresh can help inspire creativity and encourage people to…

Strawberry circular hob cover, £15, Sophie Allport No matter how hard you scrub your hob, the rings still look so dirty. This clever design will turn your oven into a scene of beauty! Sophie Allport have released a range of stunning hob covers that will change the appearance of your cooking appliances. With strawberries, rabbits, hearts and bees to choose from, to name a few, your oven is due a welldeserved makeover. Verdict: GENIUS! We love this! Electric oven in Fandango Pink, £10,800, Everhot Spice up your kitchen with a pop of pink! Following 2022 colour trends, Everhot have launched this eye-catching colourway to inject vibrancy into your cooking area. However, there is one thing that stands out more than the colour – the price! Starting at £7,890 this cooker truly is…

It was 6.20am when Stacy Feldman received an email that would turn her world upside down. The message from a stranger contained information that she couldn’t ignore, and the mum-of-two picked up the phone and made a call. By the end of the day, Stacy, 45, was dead. As the plot unravelled, the quest to bring her killer to justice would last years. It was March 2015, and Stacy lived in Denver, Colorado, with her husband Robert, and their two children. The couple had been married for a decade. Everyone said that nurturing Stacy was born to be a mum, and she was always had so much fun with her two children. With her big blue eyes, warm smile, and great sense of humour, Stacy was the life and soul…

Bitesize! pg 3 Teen Strike it! pg 13 Narwhal (Cross out: 6, 8, 11, 22, 41, 55, 56, 64, 78, 88) Cross it! pg 45 Rambles Fill it! pg 13 Margate Crack it! pg 38 Metaphor Number fit! pg 13 2883 Sudoku! pg 45 462 Follow it! pg 6 Chutney PLEASE NOTE Pick Me Up! will still be bringing you great puzzles to pit your wits against, but will no longer be offering prizes. Don’t forget, you can do puzzles for big cash prizes every week in our sister magazine, Chat. Pick Me Up!’s on Facebook! facebook.com/PickMeUpMag E-mail hello@pickmeupmag.co.uk WRITE TO Pick Me Up! Media Centre, Emma-Chris Way, Abbey Wood Park, Filton, Bristol, BS34 7JU PHONE 0117 440 0607…

www.clairepetulengro.tv Catch Claire live on Facebook ARIES 21 March–20 April You’re unsure why close ones have said the things they’ve did. This week you get answers, but if they’re not what you want to hear, then you’ll be making it very clear that you’ll be taking steps to plan a life with them at a distance. Friends help you professionally, if you’ll lend them your ear and listen. Ring now to hear why it’s worth putting your funds into the home. Call: 09058 170 710* LEO 24 July–23 Aug When you’re told you can’t, you say you can. You’re determined to prove that you were right to start down the path which now has others so confused. Try to ensure that the decisions you make are about your life and…

Huffing and puffing, Ross would get angry at me over pointless things. ‘Look what you’ve made me do now,’ he screamed, slamming his phone on the sofa after losing a poker game. And no matter what we argued about, somehow everything was my fault. One day, after an explosive row, Ross forcefully pushed me into a lamppost, trapping my body tight against the metal. ‘Get off me, Ross, you’re hurting,’ I cried, not recognising the man stood in front of me. With his smile, Ross knew exactly how to win me over and we would resolve our issues just as quickly as they started. I accepted his apology and carried on as normal – I loved him after all. Then, in December 2019, our dreams of starting a family happily…

If you’ve been feeling bloated or sluggish lately, this could be a sign of poor gut health. Chamomile works well at relaxing muscles, relieving nervous tension, and supporting digestion – perfect for soothing your symptoms. Grab yourself a box at the local supermarket.…

Ulcerative colitis is a long-term condition where the colon and rectum can become inflamed. The colon is the large intestine, which stores your undigested food and turns it into stool. Small ulcers can appear and can cause bleeding, pain and needing to go to the toilet a lot. The cause is not clear, but it is thought to be your immune system attacking your digestive system. The stoma bag carries the waste that the large intestine would store – it needs changing every two days. It’s not noticeable and if you didn’t know someone had one, you’d never be able to tell.…

Guess who’s back? Back again! Cycling shorts, Bermuda shorts and claw clips – oh yes! A 90s style is making a comeback in time for summer and we are loving it! Here’s our favourites… Top tip Add some colour to your wardrobe with statement prints – pair with neutrals to tone down the look and accessorise on top! DIVINE DENIM: Longer length denim is a summer must have – goodbye bum shorts! Claw clips The perfect accessory for a messy hair day. Plus, it looks like you made a great effort in getting ready! Footwear on fleek Chunky platforms are essential for that 90s vibe! MODEL OFF-DUTY… For no one could rock the 90s style better than Diana. Here’s an easy and comfy outfit to use as inspiration..…

Cross it! Solve the puzzle to find a word. Fit the words back in the grid and the letters in the highlighted squares spell out the answer. We’ve put in one word to help. Answer on page 47. 3 letters Ale Gas Gig Was Woe 4 letters Each Exam Exit Tall Trap 5 letters Eight Expat Realm Rehab 6 letters Abacus Acacia Airbag Avenue Damage Dramas Duties 7 letters Avenged Emerald Umbrage 8 letters Abnormal Analogue Eggshell Evaluate 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.…

Merchant Gourmet Firey Jamaican-Style Grains and Pulses, £2, Morrisons Brand new this week, this spicy rice is perfect for BBQ season! Cooked with scotch bonnet jerk paste, creamy coconut and fresh lime for Carribbean flavours, it’ll give a kick to your summer dishes. Extra Special Mango & Habanero Chilli Pork Hot Dogs, £2.75, ASDA Forget everything you thought you knew about sausages – this is something special. Prime cuts of British pork are mixed with sweet chunks of mango, spring onions and spicy chillis for a truly sensational sausage! Infusionist Cherry Blossom Gin Liqueur, £10.99, Aldi Spring has spring – and now it’s hitting your drinks cabinet, too. This fruity, floral tipple has delicious notes of cherry blossom and zesty citrus to get your taste buds tingling. OUR MUST TRY…

Lucy is gorgeous and a big part of our family! Look at those eyes. She is now eight and loves to cuddle. She’s so well behaved, too! Dawn Humphrey, Scarborough. This is my husband posing next to the Terminator on our trip to America. It was quite intimidating how big it was! Amanda Hadley, Cradley Heath. Look at these cuties fighting over the dog blanket. They are besties! Alexandra Low, Halesowen. This is Valentina, three, and Bianca, one, at the play centre. When Valentina grows up, she wants to be a doctor. Her little sister is a passionate patient. Maria Van Raalte, Norfolk. Whilst on holiday in Spain, instead of relaxing, I was in search of tree mendous trunks and tree roots! David Anderson, Sunderland. If your letter makes Star…

Breathing in the warm summer air, I felt on top of the world. Grabbing onto my husband’s hand, I dreamed about our future. I wond I wonder if this time next year we’ll have a little one with us for our walking adventures? I thought to myself. Walking around the Lake District, we often went on hiking holidays. We always dreamed of having a child who would share our love of being in nature. But we decided to save up to buy a family home before trying for a baby. Then in August 2018, after two years of saving, we finally moved into our home. To our delight, just two months after moving in, we were pregnant. And when we found out we were having a girl, at our 16…

With Dr Deborah Lee, Dr Fox Online Pharmacy (doctorfox.co.uk) Persistent pain Q I’ve just been diagnosed with fibromyalgia – are there any home remedies I can try to ease my symptoms? Karen, Staines A Fibromyalgia (FMG) is a chronic pain disorder. Your nerves become hypersensitive, causing muscle and joint pain–this is usually the major symptom, but fatigue, ‘brain fog’, anxiety and depression are common. Although medication is usually needed, there are a variety of other ways to improve your symptoms. try meditation or yoga exercising in warm water has many advantages a therapist assists you in developing coping strategies. this has been shown to greatly improve FMG symptoms in research studies. FMG is a real disease, which is poorly understood. Remain open to some…

Tried and tested Tangle Teezer Everyday Detangling Spray, £7.99, Boots Does your hair tangle easily? This Tangle Teezer spray gets to work instantly to give you painless, easy brushing. With shea butter, it helps to nourish and condition your locks, while minimising frizz and flyaways, leaving you with smooth, knot-free hair. BRUNETTE BABES Is your brunette hair looking a little dull or faded? Well, the new Aussie Brunette Hydration Range may be the answer to your prayers. If it’s a polished, glowing complexion you’re after, then The Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Moisture Deep Treatment has been a fan favourite for many years. The original conditioning mask, Aussie are renowned for their hydrating properties. And this new range is no exception! With a three step routine, these products will take your…

With fashion trends flooding high street stores, it can be easy to find something you like – but are you worried that you won’t be able to recreate a perfect look at home? Miranda Holder, TV and celebrity stylist, has shared her answers to common misconceptions surrounding a retro style… Wide leg jeans makes my hips look even wider, what alternatives are there for me? If you want to tap into the looser-leg trend but find wide legs unflattering, try a cropped trouser such as a culotte. Showing a bit of ankle gives you back a bit of shape, add a heel for a more flattering, leg-lengthening effect. Alternatively, the flare can work for absolutely everyone as it accentuates your womanly curves. Crop tops are in, but I don’t want…

I grabbed a family size bag of Doritos that clearly said ‘share bag’ on the side. Ignoring the advice, I tore it open. Plunging my hand inside, I sat there, stuffing all the Doritos into my mouth until the bag was almost empty. Might as well finish them now, I thought. I’d always been overweight. Even as a newborn baby, I’d weighed in at over 9lbs. Every photo of me as a child showed a chubby little girl. I’d just always been that way. Then when I started at university, I had even greater free reign to eat whatever I wanted. So, I’d eat easy convenience foods like takeaways, crisps and biscuits. Soon, I’d ballooned to a massive 25 stone. At 20, I had my son, and as he was…

It’s about time we give salads the limelight they deserve! Salads Are More Than Leaves, by Elena Silcock, features sections on building your salad, maximising flavour and plating your salad to impress. There are 80 recipes for salads to get excited about with plenty of inspiration for dressings. Salads Are More Than Leaves by Elena Silcock is published by Hamlyn (£20) Serves: 4 Thai larb □ 2 banana shallots□ 2 garlic cloves thumb-sized chunk of fresh root ginger□ 1 lemon grass stalk□ 1 red chilli□ 1 tablespoon vegetable or sunflower oil□ 500g (1lb 2Oz) minced pork – get the fattiest you can find!□ ½ bunch (50g/1¾Oz) spring onions□ 1 cucumber□ 3 Gem lettuces□ ½ small bunch (about 15g/½oz) coriander□ ½ small bunch (about 15g/½oz) mint□ ½ small bunch (about 15g/½oz)…