Indice dei contenuti per 10-Nov-2022 in Pick Me Up!

Skipping a beat Q I keep getting heart palpitations at random times of the day, should I be concerned about it? Susan, Bedford A Heart palpitations, which are an awareness of your heartbeat, can be normal and can happen even if your heart is healthy. They are often caused by abnormal heart electrical pathways, heart muscle disease, an electrolyte imbalance in your blood, medications (certain antibiotics, anti-depressants, stimulant treatment for ADHD, for example), or lifestyle choices such as alcohol, tobacco, caffeine, recreational drug misuse, acid reflux and exercise, too. So more often than not, it is nothing to worry about. However, palpitations can also be a sign of a heart arrhythmia, which means your heart is out of its usual rhythm and can be serious if ignored and untreated. If…

How to register It’s FREE to enter and it’s so easy to do. Just visit, comps.lifedeathprizes.com and register by hitting Create Free Account button and then you can enter as many competitions as you like. Go on, have fun! For website rules of play, visit comps.lifedeathprizes.com/rules. T’s&C’s apply, UK only.…

Do you want to feel confident, liberated, and a little cool? That’s exactly what fashion retailer Joe Browns stands for, aimed at those who want to show a rebellious side – who said fashion had to be boring?! If you want to stand out from the crowd, add these quirky items to your winter wardrobe… DRESS THE PART TO FINISH OFF ON TOP PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER…

Flicking through my photo album for the second time that night, I felt emotional. I had stared at the same pictures of my dad, Bachir, over and over. Tracing my hands over the pages, I wondered what kind of dad he would’ve been. Would he have picked me up from school like other dads? Would he have sat on my bed and read me to sleep? After all these years, it felt like I was no closer to meeting him in person. The only communication we’d ever had was through a video call. My mum, Patricia, would phone him when I was little and I’d sit in. Although I could see his face, seeing him through a laptop screen was never enough. And when our FaceTime calls stopped at aged…

Rhiannon Spurgeon is a coach, author, and the founder of Totally Awesome Women’s Network, helping women to achieve their goals. (rhiannonspurgeon.com) I’m hiding the truth… Q My husband and I want to move into a four-bed home together, however he doesn’t know about my hidden debts. I don’t think we will be able to get a mortgage and I don’t want to spoil this special time. How do I get out of it? Shauna, Lioncoln A Recent movements in the government have made getting a mortgage far trickier than it was a few months ago, so you’re probably off the hook in the short term. Longer term, how do you feel about the importance of honesty in your marriage? If your husband was putting money away into a savings account…

As I huffed and puffed, I knew my birth wasn’t going to plan. I had been in labour for two days starting on 11 May 2004, having been admitted on 13 May, and the baby was nowhere to be seen. ‘It seems the baby has got a bit stuck,’ the midwife said after a while. ‘What?’ I cried. ‘Is she OK?’ ‘She’s fine, and not in any distress,’ came the reply. ‘So, we’re going to let her come out at her own pace.’ It took five hours for my little girl to unwedge herself and meet the world. Bethan was our first baby, and she was beautiful. But it was a horrific labour. The midwives cleaned me up and I took Bethan in my arms. ‘She was worth it,’ I…

With the aim to empower the younger generation, Modern Milkman launched a competition earlier this year to offer little ones the chance to see their drawings feature on the brand’s milk bottles. In August, sevenyear-old Bella-Rae from South West London, was announced the lucky winner. Why did you want to enter the competition? I wanted to enter Modern Milkman’s Message on a Bottle competition because I thought it was a great way to encourage people to look after our oceans. This is something that’s really important to me. I also love to draw, it’s my favourite thing to do, so this competition gave me the chance to use my drawing to make a difference and bring attention to how we need to be looking after the planet. How did you…

You crafty kitten… We all know that sometimes a cardboard box can actually turn into a toy – and with budgets not stretching as far as they have in the past there are some pur-fect boredom busters you can create for your feline friend from things you already have at home. Arden Grange, premium pet food service, have shared exactly how you can have a Blue Peter moment in the comfort of your own home – cat approved. ● To find out more visit: ardengrange.com 1. Loo roll kibble catcher All you need for this one is an empty loo roll tube and some Arden Grange kibble! Simply crush each end of the tube and fold slightly with the kibble inside. Don’t seal too well, the idea is for some…

● Huddle up twigs and leaves Rather than removing fallen twigs and leaves, create some small piles in your garden beds and leave them there throughout winter – they can provide essential cover for insects and small mammals like hedgehogs. Hedgehogs in particular love to nest in natural materials and are a welcome addition to your garden since they help keep insect pest populations at bay. They usually enter hibernation in November, so be sure not to disturb any of the piles where they may be nesting throughout winter. ● Plant wildlife-friendly plants This will not only breathe some life into your garden but provide a safe haven for many animals and insects. Shrubs like honeysuckle, lavender, and ivy can all be planted in autumn and are ideal for providing…

Verdict: GENIUS! One to remember It’s all gravy! Next time you make a gravy for your Sunday roast, why not try adding a few saved citrus skins to your mixture? The acidity levels in the peel will help break down any of the fats left in your gravy, meaning it will feel a little lighter on your plate. You can use lemons, limes, grapefruit or oranges. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure… Normally we put our fruit peelings on the compost – but that would be blasphemy in this case! Chenpi, a type of dried tangerine peel that is a delicacy in China, is known to be worth more than gold. In fact, if you were to buy a kg of the peelings, this would set you back£ 160k. Used in…

When it comes to cooking, especially mid-week, most of us tend to ‘rustle up’ whatever we can! So, that’s exactly where the inspiration for this new cookbook came from. Rustle Up, by Rhiannon Batten & Laura Rowe, is all about low-fuss, high-flavour cooking that everyone will enjoy. With these delicious recipes, you are sure to rustle up a storm in the kitchen! ● Rustle Up, £ 12.99, Amazon HEAVEN AND EARTH HOT DOGS Aspell in Germany left Rhiannon with a soft spot for the country’s culinary treasures, among them Himmel und Erde – ‘Heaven and Earth’ – a simple dish of mashed potato and apple that is often served with sausages. Here, it’s reimagined as jacket potato hot dogs, topped with apple-flecked onions. COOKING TIME: 1 HOUR, 10 MINS YOU…

www.clairepetulengro.tv ARIES 21 March–20 April Everything is leading up to Wednesday’s full moon, but the lessons for you to learn lie in how far you’ve come. Don’t ignore what went wrong before, but instead learn from it and the stars will help you go on. You will be bigger and better than ever before. Believe in yourself, my friend, and others will, too. Focus your mind and you will be sure to achieve great things! Call: 09058 170 710* TAURUS 21 April–21 May You need to believe in what you’re doing, or how can you expect others to invest emotionally or financially in you? Someone you’ve had work links with in the past offers help, not in you working with them – but in who they know. Don’t be afraid…

My eight-year-old granddaughter Billi absolutely loves fossils, dinosaurs and sharks, so she was in her element to have her picture taken in this shark’s teeth – she even wanted to take them home with her, but her mum was having none of it! Patricia Cordon, Cheltenham Here is my six-month-old kitten, Hope. He is full of mischief, but very affectionate and cute, too! Louise Wiggs, Stevenage My mum Jo loves Pick Me Up! but as she now lives in Spain, she finds it hard to get hold of. So, I buy a copy with my weekly shop and take a pile over to Spain for her every time I visit! Alicia Shaw, Ilkeston I now know why my dog Cody follows me to the toilet. I follow him outside when he goes…

This week, our tip of the week will receive a great product from Addis! Ideal for all hard wood surfaces and carpets, the Carpet Sweeper will make your home sparkle. With no batteries or leads required, as well as being effective on pet hair, watch as the rotating brushes sweep your dirt away. It also folds flat for easy storage. For more to make life easier, visit: addis.co.uk Mud-buster I have a great hack for dirty football boots. Get a cleaning caddy, or washing up bowl so they can put their boots in there, and let that catch all the mud, rather than it going everywhere in the car. Richard Adams, Halesowen Light it up Fairy lights in a glass bowl make a cheap yet effective decoration. Doesn’t it look…

The number of us getting tested for STIs is down 13.2% according to data from the UK Health Security Agency. Valentina Milanova, founder of Daye, a gynaecological health company, shares the biggest myths surrounding STIs. All STIs have symptoms 70% of female STIs are asymptomatic, so you won’t know you have an STI unless you get tested. This is why it’s incredibly important to get tested regularly, even if you are in a monogamous relationship. The pill protects against STIs There are lots of benefits to being on the contraceptive pill, but it does not offer any protection against STIs. Condoms can protect against all STIs While condoms are great at preventing most STIs, you can still get genital warts, herpes and syphilis. STIs will eventually disappear without treatment STIs…

Excilor Nail Fungus Treatment ULTRA, available at Superdrug, £20.49 Nail fungus can occur in a multitude of ways, such as excessive moisture and poor hygiene, however sports-induced nail trauma is a factor which is commonly forgotten. The clear signs of a toenail infection are a discoloured, thickened or a brittle, crumbly nail. Any signs of such symptoms should be quickly cared for to mitigate any pain or discomfort. Excilor Nail Fungus Treatment ULTRA is an extra strong formula that works to rapidly penetrate both in and under the whole nail, with precision and convenience to fully treat the infection. The treatment comes in the form of a brush or a pen, for a smooth application and accuracy. Needing only one minute to apply, results are achieved in two weeks!…

Lugging the last of the boxes into the house, I was exhausted. My wife, Leanne, 39, and son Daniel, 15, followed me in, collapsing on the sofa we’d hauled in a couple of hours prior. It was positioned across from a dated fireplace. ‘Anyone want a cup of tea?’ my sister Deborah, 51, shouted from the kitchen next door. ‘I’d love one, thanks,’ I replied, coming in to help. It felt strange moving my sister back to the estate we had grown up on. After suffering a brain aneurysm a few years ago and recently coming out of a longterm relationship, she needed a change, and this felt like the right move for her. I only lived up the road, and my mum and brother lived on the same estate.…

L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Clinical 12% Pure Vitamin C Serum, £ 29.99, Boots Meet the newest serum from L’Oréal Paris. The new 12% Pure Vitamin C Serum helps to fight against the early signs of ageing to leave you will a youthful, smooth complexion. For the best results, use the serum on clean, dry skin to even the skin tone and smooth out pores and fine lines. Let it sink into the skin before continuing with your usual routine. BUDGET BUYS Lacura at Aldi are back with their latest range of dupes to save you big bucks. The Microdermabrasion Scrub (£ 3.99) boasts a unique formula to buff away impurities and dead skin, leaving a visibly smooth complexion. Tackle skin concerns with the Glycolic Exfoliating Treatment (£ 5.99), enriched with glycolic…

Living in the close-knit community of Topeka, Kansas, Hester Workman, 46, was the kind of woman who would do anything for her family. She had two children – Dillon, 16, who she lived with, as well as a 13-year-old daughter who lived with her dad, too. Regularly taking her dog, Peanut, on walks around the neighbourhood, she lived a quiet but meaningful life. She was a legal support worker at the Kansas Board of Healing Arts, so helping people was a big part of her job. And a big part of her home life, too. A bit of a secret thrill-seeker, she enjoyed going to waterparks and watching crime shows in her spare time, as well as the more peaceful activities like puzzling and reading. But her kids were truly…

Whether served on toast, laden over a jacket potato, smothered across a burger or as part of a delicious morning fry up, Tomato Ketchup and Beanz are two of the nation’s favourite ingredients. To celebrate the country’s love for both iconic products, Heinz has launched two new gift books. Each book features 30 new and mouthwatering recipes, with Heinz Tomato Ketchup and Beanz the stars of the show, plus fascinating historical facts and trivia. £10.99, available at Waterstones THE HEINZ TOMATO KETCHUP BOOK This book is perfect for Heinz Tomato Ketchup lovers young and old, celebrating the condiment in all its tomatey glory. Taking inspiration from ketchup’s iconic history, there is something for everyone to enjoy, from quick ketchup chicken and sticky ribs to the more modern aubergine katsu curry,…

Lifting another pile of washing onto the sideboard in the utility room, I glanced over at my little daughter, Hollie, two. She was sat content in her sandpit, giggling and shrieking with her toys. It’s lucky I can keep an eye on her from here, I thought, as my mind drifted back to the task in front of me. She had spent the morning playing with our rabbits. She was so gentle with them – it was lovely to watch. Hollie, my partner Chris, 25, and I, are animal mad. In fact, it has always been Chris’ dream to own a goat! Last summer, Hollie became obsessed with a spider we saw on holiday and wanted to take it home. ‘My spider, Mummy,’ she told us. A couple of tantrums…