Tabla de contenidos para November 2023 en Take a Break Monthly

HOW TO ENTER Solve the crossword. Then, from the top, list the letters in the yellow squares to reveal the identity of the chopped-up celebrity. Enter by post, phone, text or online — see page 73. ACROSS 1 Easy Rider actor Dennis, or Stranger Things police chief Jim (6)6 Minority - - -, 2002 sci--fi film starring Tom Cruise (6)9 Make bigger (7)10 Military greeting (6)11 - - - Richie, All Night Long singer (6)12 Exhibit (7)16 In front (5)18 Perspire (5)20 Feeling of hopelessness (7)22 Ridicule (6)24 Uncannily (6)26 Violently attack (6)27 Available at a reduced price (2, 4)28 Hand in your notice at work (6)29 Shake — with cold, eg (6)31 Fugitive, anagram of SEE CAPE (7)35 Cut back your rosebush, eg (5)37 Leather fastening strip, or skimpy…

The colder weather and the darker evenings are well and truly here. But what a great excuse to splash out on some lovely things to keep you cosy through autumn and winter! Get puzzling and you could be enjoying some treats on us this month. Once again, we are giving away £1000 to one very lucky winner. Just think what you could buy with that… How about hitting the shops and filling your wardrobe with some new knitwear to keep you cosy and stylish at the same time? Why not treat yourself to a new coat, plus some boots for those bracing winter walks? If, however, you prefer being indoors, all that cash would go a long way to turning your indoor space into a heavenly haven. You could snuggle…

Our Lives As I lay in bed, the smell of bacon wafted up the stairs. It was Sunday morning, and Mum was cooking a fry-up for our breakfast. But just as I was about to get up and go down, Dad came into my room. ‘Shhh,’ he whispered, climbing under the covers with me. I was just five and I froze as he began touching me down below. ‘If you tell your mum, she’ll leave you,’ he said when he’d finished. ‘This is love, it’s normal.’ Afterwards, he went downstairs to tuck into his bacon and eggs as if nothing had happened. Soon it was happening every weekend, and all I could think was: If Dad says this is normal, then why don’t I like it? While my friends at…

The big countdown It’s time to order your Advent calendar, and Bonne Maman has one of the best we’ve seen. Full of festive treats and surprises, it includes mini jars of delicious jams and spreads, including Raspberry with Dark Chocolate, and six herbal teas. Every order from the Bonne Maman website also comes with three full-size jars of Christmas spreads. RRP £28, from bonnemaman.co.uk, WHSmith and Ocado. We also love this Dark Chocolate Advent Calendar from Montezuma’s. Containing 25 delicious treats made using ethically sourced cocoa, it’s perfect for vegans and those who prefer dark chocolate. The packaging is also fully recyclable, compostable and biodegradable. RRP £12.99, from montezumas.co.uk A lot on your plate Dinner plates have increased in size since the Fifties, and we’re eating 35 per cent more.…

Ruth was at a dinner party when she met a couple who were crowdfunding to help them restore a property they’d recently bought abroad. She says: ‘I’m always looking out for and listening in on conversations that might trigger an idea for my next book, and this sent my mind whirring about why strangers would invest in their project without any seemingly obvious return.’ The idea for The Escape was born. When struggling influencer couple Adele and Jack post a crowdfunding video online, they’re amazed when a mystery benefactor offers to buy them a crumbling French château to refurbish. It’s the lifeline they need to leave all their troubles behind. But when Adele’s sister Erin visits, she finds the couple have vanished. Between the obsession of Adele’s fans and the…

1 SPARK SOME FUN The darker months can make it easy to feel isolated. So connect with your community by going along to a fireworks display to celebrate Bonfire Night on 5 November. 2 BAKE A PUD British Pudding Day is celebrated on 9 November. Whether it’s the sweet or savoury variety, now’s the time to indulge. 3 SHOW THE LOVE World Kindness Day is on 13 November. Spread kindness at home, in work or in online interactions — remember that even small acts of kindness can have a big impact. 4 DO A GOOD DEED Whether it’s volunteering, sharing your skills, or donating food or clothes to charity, Giving Tuesday on 28 November is a day to encourage doing good for someone else. 5 SUPPORT CARERS Join in the…

Flowers 1 What is the national flower of Japan? 2 What flower is used to make the spice saffron? 3 What name is given to the pollen-producing part of a flower? Food and drink 4 What type of pasta has a name meaning ‘little worms’? 5 What pastry is baclava made out of? 6 How many standard-sized bottles of champagne are there in a magnum? History 7 Which two wives did Henry VIII divorce? 8 Who is the most well-known person involved in the Gunpowder Plot? 9 In what country did Mary Queen of Scots grow up? Pop music 10 In which year did ABBA win the Eurovision Song Contest? 11 Which artist was last to perform at the Woodstock Festival in 1969? 12 What goes after What’s the Story…

Our Lives As Michelle Taylor gazed at the screen, she felt her heart break. How could anyone do this? she thought. She was looking at an image of a dog and the poor thing was clearly terrified. It was trapped in a filthy cage, stacked up among other dogs all awaiting a terrible fate — to be sold for meat. But two-year-old poodle Lilibet was one of the lucky ones. The poodle had been rescued on her way to a Chinese meat market by the charity Great Bulls of China. And now, as Michelle, 47, read about her plight, she knew what she had to do. She applied to adopt her. Yet Lilibet wasn’t out of danger. She still faced a horror 6000-mile journey, travelling from China across Europe —…

Fancy stocking up on a free weekly shop? Enter our brilliant competition and you could win £200 in the supermarket vouchers of your choice! You can take your pick from Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Morrisons, M&S or Iceland. Just think of all the tantalising treats that could be in store — big juicy steaks, delicious ready meals, smoked salmon, Belgian chocs, your favourite wines and beer. And of course you could fill your store cupboard with a host of essentials, from washing powder to tea and coffee. Sounds like a tasty prize? Then grab that pen and get puzzling! 3 LETTERS Add, Ask, Can,Egg, Nut, Oil,Pea, Pip 4 LETTERS Bake, Beef, Eats,Item, Pies, Pots,Soya, Stir 5 LETTERS Apple, Beans,Cakes, Pasta,Penne, Purée,Swede 6 LETTERS Salads, Strips 7 LETTERS Drained, Healthy,Nuggets, Oatmeal,Reduced, Sprouts,Sugared 8…

Want to dress up this knitted frock? Try pairing it with tights and court shoes This colourful jumper will also look great with jeans for a more casual look Make a cardigan look stylish by layering over your favourite wardrobe basics…

Health Q HE’S ALWAYS THIRSTY. Since starting school in September, my son, five, constantly asks for drinks. He is well otherwise. Should he see a doctor? A He definitely needs to see a GP as soon as possible. It is occasionally true that excessive thirst and drinking are due to psychological reasons, but it is very important to rule out other causes, such as diabetes and kidney disease. Q WHAT CAN I DO TO CORRECT THIS? I checked my NHS app and have been classified as ‘frail’, despite my GP removing ‘fragility’ from my records six months ago. I work full time and hike up mountains. I am worried this will impact my treatment in an emergency. A This erroneous coding is probably outside of your doctor’s direct control,…

I stood with my rucksack on my back and took in the breathtaking views of eucalyptus forests and awe-inspiring rock formations. Me and my son, Robert, 14, were visiting Blue Mountains National Park in New South Wales, Australia. My husband, Shane, wasn’t the outdoorsy type, so Robert and I had gone along with two friends and their three children. I was glad for a break from my job as a cleaner, and up for a bit of adventure. As I stepped on to the hiking trail, I said: ‘All righty, let’s do this.’ The plan was to hike to a lodge two hours away and stay there overnight. But 20 minutes along the trail, we were joined by a newcomer. Standing on the other side of a wire fence, was…

Big Bonanza is Take a Break’s big prize, big choice comp. Our winner can pick any prizes on this page that tot up to £1200! If you’re feeling festive, there’s no harm in prepping for Christmas early. Enjoy a blowout on a new tree and decs before splurging on a posh hamper from Fortnum & Mason. And how about an Asda gift card, so you can stock up on food and drink essentials for the 25th too? But perhaps you’d rather bag a big new telly for cosy nights in with the family and a few cheeky takeaways? Or take £1200 in cash! CODE BREAKER Each number in the grid represents a different letter. We’ve placed one word which shows that 19=P, 21=E, 2=A and 13=R. We’ve filled in the…

IN SEASON: APPLES Pork & apple cider casserole with dumplings Serves: 6 Takes: 2hr 40min ■ 1.9kg boneless pork shoulder, rind removed and flesh cubed■ 4tbsp plain flour, seasoned■ 2tbsp olive oil■ 6 pickling onions, or use 3 shallots, peeled and chopped■ 1 apple, cored, and cut into chunks■ 2 garlic cloves, crushed■ 350ml dry cider■ 250ml hot chicken stock■ 2 fresh or dry bay leaves■ Salt and freshly ground black pepper■ 200g baby carrots, trimmed■ 137g pkt dumpling mix■ 25g Parmesan, grated■ 1tbsp freshly chopped sage leaves, plus extra leaves, shredded, to serve 1 Preheat oven to 180°C (fan 160°C/gas 4). Toss the pork in the seasoned flour, shaking off excess. Heat half the oil In a large heatproof casserole over a high heat. Brown the meat in 3…

Gail Walker, 57, Loughborough, Leics This book is full of twists and turns, and has a sinister undertone throughout. I loved the description of the French château and village and felt whisked away in my imagination. The character Adele has obviously never heard the saying: ‘Be careful what you wish for’. All the characters are not what they appear to be, and the book keeps you wondering what’s going to happen next. I’ve already bought another Ruth Kelly book, and I have a feeling she may become my favourite author. Heather Lusk, 55, Hamilton, S Lanarks I didn’t know what to expect from this book, as I’m not interested in and don’t use social media. But even I could understand the storyline. I could clearly visualise the French village and…

What you’ll need ● 5m of string● A metal ring or large embroidery hoop● Scissors● Dried grasses and flowers Step 1 Tie one end of the string to the ring and take the other end directly across to the other side. Wrap the string around the ring, loop it over once more and down through the loop. Step 2 Pull it tight and then take the string back to the other side and wrap it over the ring next to your original knot. Step 3 Loop it over the ring once more and pull the string down through the loop, just as you did on the other side. Pull it tight. Step 4 Repeat to wind your string across the ring until you’re happy with the effect. Tie the other…

Autumn harvest Inspired by the colours of the season, go for rich, warming tones and layers of accessories to create a snug corner in your room. And these buys won’t break the bank. Wrap up warm Comfy loungewear, fabulous slippers and a hot-water bottle are your top must-have buys this season. Treat your dinner table Give your dining table a makeover. The cottage-core trend is an autumnal classic. Take time out Hot drinks from a funky mug bring the warmth this season. The heat is on… Silentnight winter warmer electric blanket, £25, B&M. It’s all about texture Choose the right fabrics for the perfect snuggle. Think faux fur, teddy blankets and fluffy towels.…

Our Lives I chuckled as my daughter, Ellen, ordered us to get out of our seats. ‘Come on you lot, up on the dance floor!’ she said, with a cheeky grin. A group of us were on our annual family seaside holiday and we all got up to boogie to the music. Very soon, we were having a blast and laughing away. Ellen was always the one who got the party started. The second of my four children, she’d always been the live wire, even as a kid. Now she was a doting mum of five gorgeous kids. Ellen had been a single mum when she’d met her partner, Will. They’d gone on to have more children together. Family was everything to her. Over the decade they’d been together, Will…

Shop Watch: George at Asda Go retro this season with George at Asda’s stylish buys. From figure-flattering midi dresses and A-line skirts to faux-suede boots and heritage checks, channelling the Seventies never looked so chic! Cosy up! Not only are puffer coats practical, but they’re also totally on trend. Opt for classic black or experiment with a bold colour. Get them before they go For the perfect finishing touch, you can’t go wrong with gold jewellery. A quick and easy way to elevate your outfit, these designs will add glamour without costing you a fortune.…

Our Lives My hands trembled with nerves as the results were announced. ‘And the winner is… Effy!’ I gasped, and stepped forward on stage as the audience broke into applause. I’d just been crowned Mrs Ireland at a pageant for women of all shapes, sizes and backgrounds, and I could feel myself fizzing with pride. At 5ft 4in, 22 stone and a size 24, I wasn’t your typical beauty queen. But a year earlier, my daughter Aisling had nagged me to give the pageant a go, after she’d taken part in junior contests and loved them. I’d been a size 16 then, and already felt self-conscious about my body, but I’d braved a two-piece for the swimwear section. To my surprise, I’d bagged second place. And now I was hooked.…

Beauty Perfect preps 1 Superdrug Naturally Radiant Brightening Hot Cloth Cleanser, £8.99. This nourishing cleanser melts away impurities, while gently exfoliating your complexion — just like a certain hero product, but at a fraction of the cost! 2 We all know a good primer is the key to getting a smooth finish when we apply our make-up. But you don’t have to spend loads to get the results you’re after. Instead, try Makeup Revolution Super Base Vitamin Primer, £9.99. This plumping primer is packed with vitamins B, C and E, and is a great alternative to a beauty industry front runner. Not bad for under a tenner! 3 Not only is Maybelline Fit Me! Concealer, £6.99, more affordable than a high-end alternative, but this creamy concealer is also just as…

Baked chocolate fudge pudding Serves: 4 Takes: 35min ■ Butter, for greasing■ 150ml double cream■ 100g milk chocolate, finely chopped■ 300g dark chocolate, finely chopped■ 3 eggs, separated■ 75g caster sugar■ 1½tbsp cacao nibs, or use chocolate chips■ Cocoa powder, for dusting 1 Preheat the oven to 180°C (fan 160°C, gas 4). Grease 4 x 350ml pudding moulds or ovenproof dishes. Put the cream in a medium saucepan and set over a medium heat. Bring to the boil, then remove from the heat. Add the milk chocolate and half the dark chocolate. Leave for 5min, then whisk until smooth and melted. 2 Put 2½tbsp of the chocolate mixture into the base of each mould or cup. Place in the freezer. 3 Melt the remaining dark chocolate in a bowl over…

My baby daughter, Violet, grinned up at me as I fastened her into her car seat. Before I started the engine, I turned to my mum, Carianne, and said: ‘Mustn’t forget the bear!’ Then I grabbed Violet’s favourite toy and handed it to her. Mum had bought the teddy for Violet while I was still pregnant, so it had a special place in all our hearts. Violet’s dad, Brock, was in the military, and while he was stationed abroad, we were staying with my parents. Brock and I had met three years earlier, through mutual friends. I’d always known he’d be the perfect dad, so it was hard that he was so far away. I’d send him regular updates about Violet, and photos too. More often than not, she had…

CAN A MARRIAGE SURVIVE AN AFFAIR? I’ve recently found out that my husband had an affair when I was heavily pregnant with our third child. I can’t begin to describe the hurt and disappointment I feel — it’s as if every happy moment we’ve shared since then has been a lie. Will I ever be able to put this betrayal behind me? TaB Reader Gail, 49: ‘Both my husband and I had affairs during our marriage — he slept with one of our neighbours and I had a seven-month relationship with a work colleague. Our marriage was already dead, but if you agree you have something left to fight for, you stand a chance.’ TaB Reader Emma, 33: ‘My hubby cheated last year. People were amazed when I stuck by…

Jar of prickles My boyfriend Sean and I wanted to add some plants to our home and loved the idea of a terrarium. It was expensive to buy a ready-made one, so we thought we’d have a go at creating our own. We bought some cheap glass jars and bowls from a local charity shop then we added soil and stones. Finally we planted up some mini-cacti — the results looked fab! Alexandra Bailey, Camberley, Surrey Top art I thought I’d brighten up my utility room with a bit of art using recycling as a theme. I collected the tops from old shower gel and deodorant containers and arranged them on coloured card to form a flower. Then I stuck them down with superglue. I think this idea would also…

Our Holidays Win! ● Return flights● Four-night stay● £200 spending money Prize valid until the end of November 2024 Fancy a holiday with a difference? We’ve got a wonderful treat for you. This month’s star prize is an escape for two to the fabulous city of Fez in Morocco. Crack our competition and you and a partner could be jetting off for a luxurious four-night stay at the Palais Amani — with lots of fantastic extras thrown in. Palais Amani is Fez’s leading independent hotel with a gorgeous garden filled with orange trees and birds right at its heart. There are 21 individually designed bedrooms, plus a restaurant, bar, library and underground hammam lit by candlelight. Breakfast is included in the prize, plus dinner on the first evening. But that’s…

Sagittarius 22 Nov – 21 Dec Suspense and intrigue make life colourful, so delve into mysteries for some fascinating answers. From the 23rd, you’re running the show. Your firm-but-fair approach wins friends and influences people. Financially, the foundations you lay now reap rewards come January. Matters of the heart become intense under the full Moon at the month’s end, and you’re ready to share an abundance of love. Make overseas connection Capricorn 22 Dec – 20 Jan Your ruling planet, Saturn, is urging you to get ahead of the game on the social scene, so get those invites ready for the party season. Due a pay rise or refund, Cappy? The stars are on your side from the 9th adding harmony to your negotiations. Back at base, if a heart-to-heart…

SUPERMARKET SPREE WINNER Jill Spurr, Lancaster ‘I lost my mum last year, and one of my fondest memories is of her sitting in her chair, doing the TaB competitions. She loved them. I was shopping recently and smiled as I picked a copy up. I sent in my coupon, thinking of her. I couldn’t believe it when I won £200 in vouchers. That was my mum!’ SEVILLE HOLIDAY (PRIZE ANSWER: EUROPE) D Bennett, Salisbury, Wilts. WARNER HOTELS MINI-BREAK (PRIZE ANSWER: MUSE) Mrs P Shepherd, Buckley, Clwyd. £1200 BIG BONANZA (PRIZE ANSWER: DERBY) Ms J Court, Minehead, Somerset. £1000 CELEBRITY CROSSWORD (PRIZE ANSWER: HAVE CLIMBED EVEREST) J Nightingale, Bedford. UK CITY BREAK (PRIZE ANSWER: EDINBURGH) I Ness, Livingston, West Lothian. ISLE OF WIGHT BREAK (PRIZE ANSWER: GRIPE) Mrs C Low, Malvern,…

I jumped into bed and nestled under the covers as my dad Jack tucked me in. ‘Do The Goon Show!’ I said. ‘Oh, all right then,’ Dad replied. Then he launched into his brilliant rendition of a sketch from our favourite comedy show, complete with the silliest of voices. I burst into a fit of giggles. No matter how sad I was, Dad could always cheer me up. He was the loveliest, kindest, most funny man. I adored him. As I grew up, we remained close. He always called me ‘the bairn’, even as I became an adult. Whenever I brought home a boyfriend, he’d be incredibly stern. ‘They have to be good enough for my little girl,’ he’d say. One day, after oversleeping and rushing to get the tram…