Table of contents for 7-Jul-2022 in Pick Me Up!

Scribbling my thoughts on paper, I felt relieved. After coming out of rehab in 2005, writing really helped me come to terms with my emotions. I’d battled with addiction for most of my adult life, but now, I was finally on the straight and narrow. I’d had my fair share of trauma, when my dad passed away in 2005, and nearly losing my sister, Vikki, 53. However, my friends and family were so proud of me for turning my life around. Being sober, I thought the worst was over. Only, after putting myself through all that, my mental health was in a bad way. Whilst meditating in 2011, I had an overwhelming urge to write a book. Journaling had been such an escape for me, I thought this was a…

Complete the grid then read down the shaded squares to reveal the hidden answer. Clue:Bird. ACROSS 7 Truck (5) 8 Actor and rapper whose films include Crazy Rich Asians and Raya and the Last Dragon (9) 10 Emblems (6) 11 Mentally sound (3,5) 12 Bony piece of pork (5,3) 13 Charged particles (4) 15 The _, 2022 animated film starring 8 Across, 28 Across, 19 Down & 24 Down (3,4) 17 Boffin (7) 20 Association of countries (4) 22 Openly (2,6) 25 US lifeguard TV series (8) 26 Reciprocal (6) 27 Prison chiefs (9) 28 Anthony _, actor whose films include In the Heights and A Star Is Born (5) DOWN 1 As it were (2,2,5) 2 Amphibian climber (4,4) 3 Trust implicitly (5,2) 4 Residence (8) 5 _ Hound,…

Breakfast lollies With the amazing range of Bonne Maman conserves and compotes, you can create some refreshing treats! For more inspiration visit: bonnemaman.co.uk INGREDIENTS □ 60g toasted toffee granola□ 2 tbsp Bonne Maman Salted Caramel□ 300g fat-free, thick-set natural yoghurt□ 200g Bonne Maman Cherry, Apricot or Rhubarb Compote 1 In a small bowl, mix the granola with the salted caramel and stir well to combine. 2 Spoon the mixture into the bottom of four ice-lolly moulds and press down firmly with the handle of a wooden spoon.  3 Add alternate dollops of yoghurt and compote. Insert a lolly stick into each and freeze overnight until firm. Strawberry ripple ice cream INGREDIENTS □ 300ml double cream□ 300ml full-fat Greek yoghurt□ 275g Bonne Maman Strawberry Conserve□ 2 tbsp liqueur, such as Crème…

A smile has the power to make someone’s day – so oral care company Smile Direct Club set out to find Britain’s Best Smile. After narrowing down hundreds of happy, grinning entrants, they crowned their winner – 26-year-old Ehizon, from Northampton. How do you feel about having Britain’s Best Smile? I never expected to even be in the top three, let alone win it! It was awesome. When I got the message that I had won, I still felt emotional. I was bursting with happiness, like fireworks were going off in my heart. And after seeing the trophy, it’s one of the best things that has ever happened to me – being recognised for a feature which I never really took notice of. What makes a great smile? A great…

LEANNE ORR, FOUNDER OF THE HEN PARTY, SHARES HER TOP TIPS ON THROWING THE PERFECT HEN PARTY. 1. MAKE A STATEMENT WITH DÉCOR Buying a statement décor piece like a balloon arch will help fill out the space and make for a lovely backdrop for photos. Large foil balloons also look classy and make great props for pictures! 2. PERSONAL TOUCHES All the small personal details are what make a hen party memorable and unique! Some cheap and cheerful ideas include: • A nostalgic playlist • A photo album with a collection of pictures with the hens • Props of the groom’s face for a funny cardboard cutout • A hangover kit always goes down a treat! Fill with painkillers, water, lip balm or an eye mask 3. ICEBREAKERS For…

Being a terrible cook had made Ariel Robinson a reality TV star. Ariel found fame in 2020 after appearing in the series, Worst Cooks in America on the Food Network channel. The show follows members of the public, with poor cooking skills, as they compete against each other through a series of ‘bootcamp’ style challenges overseen by celebrity chefs. Mum Ariel, from Greenville South Carolina, was a middle school teacher with a sense of humour that had prompted her to try her hand at stand-up comedy. She had been crowned the champion after showing the most improvement and had walked away with a cash prize of $25,000. Viewers discovered she was married to her childhood sweetheart, Jerry ‘Austin’ Robinson, and they also had two sons together. She revealed the money…

FUN DAYS OT Is there a better way to spend a summer afternoon than out in the English countryside, sipping on delicious sparkling wine? The vineyards at Tinwood Estate are waking up for the season, and the grapes are being stomped for use. Sit back and take in the picturesque views of the West Sussex countryside, as you sample Tinwood’s three exquisite sparkling vinos and meet the winemakers, to discover how they grow the vines and produce the wines. Go on a tour of the vineyards before sitting down for afternoon tea. • Daily vineyard tours and wine tasting from £21 per person • Visit: tinwoodestate.com GET IN TOUCH Send us your stories and photos, including all names and ages, a daytime phone number and full address. E-mail hello@pickmeupmag.co.uk WRITE…

We all know diabetes is a disease that occurs when your blood sugar getstoo high. But did you know that, if not properly managed, diabetes can affect your sight? Find out how from Dr Shane Kannarr, medical reviewer for eyesight experts All About Vision. • Why does high blood sugar affect a person’s eyes? High blood sugar can change the blood vessels in our retina or cause swelling in the tissues of our eyes which help us see. It can also change the shape of our lens, and can lead to cataracts, glaucoma and retinopathy. • How does it happen? Insulin processes and ships blood glucose from your food to your body’s cells. If you have high blood sugar, glucose stays in your bloodstream rather than reaching your cells. This…

Tying my laces securely, I grabbed my phone and darted outside. Joining my nearest running group, the Chafford Hundred, we gathered around to start our first Couch to 5k session of the week. Out of breath and challenging my body, I felt exhilarated. Running was only something I started in 2015, as I felt like I needed to up my exercise to lose some extra pounds. Not only that, but I wanted to be able to join in on fundraising events such as the Race for Life, especially after my two sisters Susan, 61, and Sharon, 51, had both been diagnosed with breast cancer earlier that year. I wasn’t a natural runner, but being outside really helped to clear my head, giving a boost to my mental wellbeing. My husband…

Looking at my boyfriend Maurice down on one knee, I sighed. ‘I’ve told you before,’ I said. ‘No!’ ‘Go on, Jo,’ he said. ‘Please marry me.’ ‘I prefer being your mistress,’ I joked. Mo and I had been together for 38 years, after meeting through a dating agency. I’d been signed up for a while, and I’d never had any luck with it. But I was Mo’s first date, and we hit it off straight away. We had a lot in common, and the conversation between us flowed easily. ‘You’re a diamond in the rough,’ he told me. He was so cheeky, and he was always making me laugh. I think my son Keith, 67, was over the moon – being with Mo meant I wasn’t bothering him so much!…

Come Dine With Me: The Professionals, Channel 4 For the first time ever, Britain’s favourite daytime cooking competition now has professional chefs battling it out in the kitchen – celebrating the wonderful variety of restaurants in the UK. In each episode, three local restaurant duos go head-to-head as they take it in turns to host the others for a three-course dinner and prove they’ve got what it takes to win the £1,000 prize. At the end of each meal, the visiting restaurant score their host’s dinner out of 20, with the highest scorers overall scooping the prize. Expect stunning cooking, hilarious hosting, no shortage of drama and some secret scoring, as these restaurateurs go to battle for the coveted cash prize. Queen Of Trucks, BBC One Meet the 27-year-old trucking…

It’s time to make the most of your outdoor space – transform your garden into an Instagram-worthy outdoor cinema, with top tips from Cuprinol’s creative director, Marianne Shillingford. Get the seating right Give ‘lounging in front of the telly’ a warm-weather upgrade with a garden pallet bed. Start by cleaning and sanding four wooden pallets, before screwing them together to create an L-shape. Attach castors underneath, and apply two coats of Cuprinol Garden Shades Urban Slate, for a sleek, polished look. Add squashy cushions and let the movie night begin! The power of colour Refreshing wooden garden furniture with a fresh lick of Garden Shades paint will instantly make your space look more pulled together – and with just two coats, you can give it up to six years of…

I have just visited the Scottish Maritime Museum. My husband took a photo of me reading a diary entry from WW2. I had to wonder – where’s my hand? Fiona Deans, North Ayrshire. This is Mia, eight, my daughter, having the best time on her holiday. Bless her. Lisa Adams, West Midlands. This is my gorgeous dog Norman posing for your magazine. Fran Aiello, Hove. My and my partner have just come back from a long holiday in Zante. It was full of relaxing and lots of delicious cocktails! Casey, Devon. STAR LETTER I had an amazing holiday in Australia visiting my sister. One of the highlights was getting to cuddle an adorable koala bear! Mandy Burgell, Burgh Castle. If your letter makes Star Letter of the week, you will receive some beautiful blooms from…

Barbecues are supposed to be fun – but struggling to get the grill lit, burning the sausages and accidentally serving beef burgers to vegans can see tensions rising. Avoid BBQ breakdowns with a little help from Peter Andre – he knows his way around a chipolata, and he’s teamed up with plant-based experts Beyond Meat to help you throw the perfect summer barbie and add some Flava to your Mysterious Grill! Follow Peter’s top tips for an Insania BBQ… Grill gear: Give your barbecue a clean and position it safely three feet from any walls or fencing. Wear heat-resistant barbecue mitts and have a spatula and tongs to hand. Wear a barbecue apron, too, as it will protect you from heat and spattering. Working the BBQ: Always pre-heat your barbecue…

As I wriggled my wetsuit over my thighs, I winced. ‘What’s wrong?’ my friend asked ‘My finger’s really sore,’ I said, looking more closely at my hand. The fourth finger on my right hand was very hot, red and swollen. Back in 2009, we were travelling the world on our gap year after finishing uni, and we were scuba diving in Thailand. But even when I managed to get my wetsuit on, the pain in my finger meant I struggled to pull myself back onto the boat after the dive. The boat crew had to help me over the edge. What’s going on? I thought. I thought maybe I’d been bitten and my finger was infected. But I couldn’t see any bite marks. As we made our way to Australia,…

We have partnered with Product of the Year once again to give you the chance to join the judging panel for the Awards and help decide this year’s most innovative products across food and drink, health and beauty, home, pet and tech. Try, test and decide which are the best new products on the supermarket shelves this year and be among the panel of experts to help select the brands you think should win an award. On Wednesday 7th September 2022, one lucky winner and a friend will be among the experts to select this year’s shortlisted products, which will then be put forward to the vote of more than 10,000 people. As part of this fantastic prize, you and your plus one, will be treated to an overnight stay…

It’s wedding season, which means every weekend, hen and stag parties are happening up and down the country – and abroad. The ultimate girl’s night out, a hen party is a staple in the wedding calendar. However, it seems gone are the days of a boozy night out with inflatables and sashes. More and more, bridal parties are jetting off on exotic holidays for a weekend or week of lavish celebrations. In fact, this year, a poll of 1,200 people, commissioned by Hotels.com revealed that the average hen party costs £242 per person, compared to £150 in 2012. And this year, research by VoucherCodes.co.uk estimates that after Covid, us Brits are set to spend a whopping £1,300 on weddings alone! And that’s as guests! That’s a lot of money. Whilst…

The market town of Tewkesbury, nestled in the Gloucestershire Cotswolds, is the perfect place to take in scenic views and discover a slice of English history. We’re a nation of dog lovers – so a weekend away wouldn’t be complete without our four-legged friends, and there’s plenty to do with your pooch here! Where to stay Holidaying with your precious pup doesn’t mean you have to forgo luxury. Tewkesbury Park’s dog-friendly rooms are kitted out with memory foam mattresses – for both you and your pooch! Your pup will be king for the weekend with special treats, posh food and water bowls and a comfy bed, handmade in the UK by dog lifestyle brand Hunt & Wilson – perfect to curl up for a snooze on after a long walk.…