Pick Me Up!の 09-Apr-2020 の目次

This week we’re recognising the work of Dawn Williams, 56, from Gloucester. She wrote to say… On 1 June 2000, my husband Simon, 59, retired from the Royal Navy. He’d served for 24 incredible years and I was so proud of him. I loved our life with our two sons, but just three short months after he’d retired, Simon was sadly diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma. And to make matters even worse, the cancer had been caused by an exposure to a radioactive substance down in the submarines. So, with two young boys and no financial income, things were hard. As part of his treatment, Simon was undergoing a new drug trial, but it was tough. During the second week of his chemo his mouth blistered, his neck started to burn…

Only the best wheat goes into Carr’s specialist flours and they are trusted by Britain’s best artisan bakers. They’ve been milling in the UK for 200 years and can help you create some awesome Easter bakes! Easter Simnel muffins INGREDIENTS: 250g mixed dried fruit 1 orange, zest and juice 175g butter, softened 175g golden caster sugar 3 eggs, beaten 300g Carr’s Self Raising Flour 1½ tsp mixed spice ½ tsp nutmeg, freshly grated 5 tbsp milk 200g marzipan 200g icing sugar 1 lemon, juiced Mini chocolate eggs 1 Tip the fruit into a bowl, add the orange zest and juice and leave to soak for 1 hour. Line 12 deep muffin tins with muffin cases. Preheat the oven to 180°C/Fan 160°C/Gas 4. 2 Beat together the butter, sugar, eggs, flour,…

Elisabeth Hancock is a business coach, working with women to help them get their energy back so that they can have more freedom, increased success and be true to themselves. elisabethhancock.com Scared of everything Q Recently I’ve felt really anxious about everything even if it’s a run to the supermarket. I’m 36 and I’ve never experienced it before. What’s wrong with me? Hayley, Dorset ATry not to worry, we can all feel anxious from time to time, and it’s often just our bodies way of trying to tell us something. Have you had a traumatic experience lately or gone through some big life changes? If this is the case, then I would suggest trying some meditation to help you get back in balance. You can also connect with your inner…

#teambowelcancer Around 268,000 people in the UK today are living with a diagnosis of bowel cancer. But we know it doesn’t just impact the person with the disease. This April during Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, Bowel Cancer UK want to shine a light on all the amazing people who help those suffering, and ask them to join in as part of #teambowelcancer. So, whether it’s family, friends, work colleagues, surgeons, pets, oncologists, neighbours, or the charity dedicated to those affected by bowel cancer itself, you’re encouraged to #tagyourteam, take a photo with them, or tell us who they are and tag @bowelcanceruk in your photo. Don’t forget to hastag #teambowelcancer when you share it! Help shine a light on all the amazing people who do good! 28%… That’s the number…

Rubbing my back, my husband James nudged me awake. ‘You OK?’ he asked. ‘You fell asleep.’ It was July 2018, and James, now 33, had been at work all day while I took care of our one-year-old son Henry. It had been the same routine since Henry was born, but lately, I’d been feeling more exhausted than usual, would often fall asleep early. I put it down to looking after a toddler, but deep down, I knew there was more to it. The night before, I’d found blood in the toilet, and the first thing that crossed my mind was bowel cancer. My dad Derek had died of the disease in 2001, aged 53. I knew blood in my poo was a symptom, so the next day, I went to…

This week, our tip of the week will receive a great product from Addis! For a delicate and caring clean of your hardwood and laminate floor use the Addis flat mop (£16.99). No need for separate cleaning chemical due to the microfibre technology, it lifts and traps dirt effortlessly. Can be used dry or slightly damp, on all floor and wall surfaces and high to reach areas thanks to a telescopic handle for height adjustable comfort. For more ways to make your life easier, visit addis.co.uk Easter eggs I made boiled eggs for my grandchildren’s breakfast and stuck funny Easter stickers on them to encourage them to eat them. Truly egg-cellent! Colleen Brunton, Enfield Tip of the week Rise and shine Put baby wipes or makeup wipes in the fridge…

Deluxe Triple Choc Hot Cross Buns, Lidl, 99p It’s not just the eggs that will be chocolatey this Easter with Lidl’s new ultimate hot cross buns for chocoholics – complete with chocolate flavoured dough. Gin white chocolate egg and Prosecco & raspberry milk chocolate eggs, £4.99, Aldi. Infused with either gin or Prosecco, these Easter eggs are one for the grown-ups! Cox&Co. Eggs, £10, Ocado. Ethical chocolate brand, Cox&Co. have launched three new Easter eggs this year. The packaging is 100% sustainable and fully compostable. Even better, they taste amazing! The Best Hot Cross Bun Fudge, (150g) £2, Morrisons. Made with Italian orange, lemon peel, sultanas, and a sprinkling of cinnamon spice, these sweet treats are being sold at Morrisons for the first time this year. Cream Egg Tea, £5.55…

INSTANT appointment With Cheryl Lythgoe, Head Matron for Benenden Health. Dizzy spells Q I often feel faint and dizzy. Could that mean I have low blood pressure? Jessica, Durham A Feeling faint and dizzy is grotty and can definitely put us ‘out of sorts’ for the day. However, it is important to consider when you are feeling faint or dizzy. If it tends to coincide with standing up or moving quickly then it could be connected to low pressure. Do get your blood pressure checked. There are many other conditions that can give you these symptoms and a quick visit to your GP would ensure that you have a thorough assessment and find out the cause. In the meantime, make sure you drink plenty of water, take care when changing…

Dear Darren, Waving goodbye, I couldn’t believe how well the two of us got along. ‘It was great meeting you,’ I smiled over. You wouldn’t believe just two hours before we were perfect strangers. It was 1994 and we’d just met at our local leisure centre – spending ages chatting in the car park. We’d both just been for a swim and you’d had struck up a conversation about cooking. As a chef myself, it was the perfect conversation starter. ‘See you Wednesday Neil,’ you smiled back. We’d planned to meet for a drink just two days later, but by Tuesday night I was desperate to see you. After an hour or so on the phone, which seemed to pass by in minutes, we’d already arranged a third date. You…

Raiding the kitchen cupboards, I crammed a few chocolate biscuits into my pockets and dashed into my bedroom. Made it, I thought to myself as I shut the door behind me. If Mum had caught me, she would’ve gone mad. I’d already had dinner, but like always, I was still hungry. Aged 13, I’d always been the bigger girl at school, and it was mostly down to my snacking. While Mum cooked big dinners, I didn’t help myself with my constant eating on top. Crisps, chocolate, you name it - whatever I could get my hands on in between meals, I’d eat. I knew I had a problem, but I wasn’t interested in doing anything about it. ‘What about exercise?’ the school nurse asked me one afternoon, during one of…

Amy Steele, 31, from Bristol, uses her experience of PND to help others… ‘During my pregnancy, I didn’t feel great. Physically or mentally. I wasn’t happy about being pregnant and however much I tried, I couldn’t get excited about the arrival of our baby. I tortured myself with feelings of guilt. When Maddie was born, I felt numb. She was handed to me and I waited for the rush of love but it didn’t come. I had a sickening, claustrophobic feeling and an overwhelming sense of regret at becoming a parent. I was told that it was just ‘baby blues’, but when I confided in my midwife that I didn’t want to be a mum or live anymore, she sent me back to hospital. I was sobbing and saying ‘please…

Cat bunny ears, £3.19, Amazon.co.uk Turn your kitty into the Easter bunny this spring! Made of super soft material. All that’s missing is the eggs and basket. Verdict: BONKERS! For some bunny special! Chocolate afternoon tea, £30, Yumbles.com A British tradition with a Belgian chocolate twist. Surprise an afternoon tea lover and switch out their usual chocolate egg. Verdict: GENIUS! Cucumber sandwiches for two? Dress up your own drag queen mug, £9.99, Prezzybox.com Doll up your very own Ru Paul style drag queen! Choose from wigs, hats and makeup stickers. The quest for beauty is all yours! Verdict: GENIUS! Careful with that wig honey……

www.theastrologyroom.com Catch Claire live on Facebook ARIES 21 March–20 April You finally reach the realisation that to be happy, you have to be you. This was not clear to see earlier this week, though, when you clearly let someone get to you. Time you take out of life for yourself this week helps you to clarify what you really do and do not want. Listen to those Aries instincts, my friend. They’ve never let you down before, have they? Call: 09058 170 710* TAURUS 21 April–21 May The Sun heats up your social sector this week, and you start to see with ease who has been a real friend and who has been dipping in and out of your life, as and when they need something from you. Talks with…

ACROSS 1 Lithe (6) 4 Blameworthy (8) 10 Judicial reviews (7) 11 Traditions (7) 12 Danny _, actor whose credits include Mean Machine and The Football Factory (4) 13 Bank notes (5,5) 15 Winnings (6) 16 Highly skilled musician or conductor (7) 20 Cooperate or contribute (5,2) 21 Fictional butler (6) 24 Academic period (6,4) 26 Elm, for example (4) 28 Eccentric (7) 29 Coastal barrier (7) 30 Tortures (8) 31 Banquets (6) DOWN 1 Pop stars Alvin or Ziggy (8) 2 Spicy pizza topping (9) 3 Fibber (4) 5 The US government personified (5,3) 6 Royal Mail official (10) 7 Colour (5) 8 School writings (6) 9 Indian state famous for its tea (5) 14 Voting body (10) 17 Backward movements (9) 18 Very small allotment (4,4) 19 In…

Grabbing my mug of tea, I lowered myself onto the sofa. It was October 2019 and, after a day at work, curling up in comfort was just the ticket. Picking up my laptop, I logged onto the Pick Me Up! Bingo site. I used to go to the bingo hall once every couple of weeks, but now I like playing at home just as much. It suits me well – gives me time to relax and enjoy the odd game from my sofa. I signed up to Pick Me Up! Bingo over 10 years ago and, as well as the bingo games, I also enjoy the slot games, too. Double Bubble and Tiki Island are my favourites. But if anything, I love the chat room the most. I can have…

Face masks galore Meet the new skincare hero on the block – BUBU Skincare. With five magical face masks, for all skin types, you’ll quickly fall in love with this brand. #soakmewet Hydrating Sheet Mask, £7, bubuskincare.com This sheet mask will deliver a shot of hydration, drenching your skin with moisture. With ingredients such as Hyaluronic acid and liquorice root, it will plump your skin, leaving it smooth and radiant. Penetrating deep into the cells, whilst moisturising the skin, this vegan mask will give you instant results. #stripitoff Exfoliating Sheet Mask, £7, bubuskincare.com This sheet mask will gobble up and remove all of those dull, greying and pore-congesting dead skin cells and leave you with a fresh and glowing complexion. With AHAs, charcoal and green tea, this sheet mask will gently exfoliate, detoxify and…

Dr Diana Theodores is an executive performance coach, speaker and Director of Theatre4Business (www.theatre4business.com). Her new book ‘Performing As You: How to have authentic impact in every role you play’ is out now. Here, she shares a few ways theatre skills can improve your everyday confidence. Awaken your passion Ever notice how animated you are when you talk about something that inspires you? Whatever form your creativity takes, when you are doing something you love, you are on fire! Connect to that passionate, energised you before being in the spotlight. You will inspire everyone around you! You need to warm yourself up for the role! Warm up! As all great performers know, you have to warm up the ‘instrument’ that is you! If you need to build courage or get…