Table of contents for 09-Nov-2017 in Pick Me Up!

Welcome To Your Thursday Pick Me Up! Emmie Harrison, Writer What A Sight! I love Paris! The food and wine, the shopping and fashion, the Louvre, the Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame, Sacre-Coeur… And I guess you could say Eiffel for it all over again, after taking the fiance to see its outstanding attraction for the first time! We had a mini adventure! What A Game! James and Bess from the Pick Me Up! team joined me for lunchtime mini golf this week. Guess who won?! (Hint: His name begins with a J…) 250 …that’s how many feet I was under water, as we whizzed through the Channel Tunnel on the Eurostar. Amazing! What A Bake! Just take a look at these gorgeous cakes that my friend bought me –…

Rebecca Howard, 22,Washington DC,USA Hiding myself in the corner of the girls’ changing rooms, I glanced around at my peers. Wearing bras supporting blossoming breasts, they chatted away about periods and which boys they fancied. But, when I gazed down at my own chest, it was as flat as a pancake. I was 14, hadn’t started my periods or grown any pubic hair, and barely knew the meaning of sexual attraction. My body was tiny, both in height and weight. I looked and felt like a child. What’s wrong with me? I’d think every day. Crying my eyes out to my parents, teachers, counsellors and doctors, I was always told the same thing. ‘Don’t worry. You’re just a late bloomer.’ But I knew something was wrong with me… Shock diagnosis Soon…

1 Bells only Bells-only alarms are much cheaper than monitored ones. They emit a loud sound to alert your neighbours and deter thieves, but won’t contact anyone. 2 Monitored These involve an annual subscription, but will contact your friends or family if the alarm is activated. 3 Wireless You can take them with you when you move. They tend to be more attractive and easier to set up than wired systems, too. 4 Install yourself Where possible, fitting your own alarm can save a lot of cash. If you choose to have one installed professionally, shop around. 5 Know the price Alarms vary from £45 for a wired control panel, to more than £200 for a wireless device. You’ll also need a series of sensors or detectors. These can be…

Real-Life PLUS Trends, Info and Advice Stacey Mills, 32, Hull Living with bipolar personality disorder for years, I understand better than most what my son Chesney’s going through. And it truly breaks my heart – he’s only 9, but little Chesney ’s already battling depression. It started in January this year. He’d always been a happy child. But, suddenly, he wasn’t eating his meals, didn’t want to get up for school. In fact, he didn’t even want to leave his room. My husband David, 40, and I worried it was our fault. ‘Maybe we’ve spoilt him,’ I said to David, concerned. Soon, his teachers at St Mary’s School were concerned about him, too. ‘Chesney won’t take part in anything,’ we were told. He was crying all the time, as well.…

ataxia 1 There are two types. □ True □ False 2 Some cases are caused by head injury. □ True □ False 3 Symptoms include speaking difficulties. □ True □ False 4Surgery will be able to cure ataxia. □ True □ False 1 FALSE ataxia is the term for a group of disorders that affect co-ordination, speech and balance. There are many types, which are put into three categories – acquired, hereditary and idiopathic late-onset cerebellar ataxia. 2 TRUE acquired ataxia is caused by damage to the brain or nervous system. Hereditary ataxia is caused by an inherited faulty gene. Idiopathic ataxia is when the exact cause is unclear. 3 TRUE ataxia can affect any part of the body, but most common symptoms include difficulties with balance, walking, speaking, swallowing…

Pam Storey, 27, Liverpool Just like a best friend, food has always been there for me in my darkest hours. And there’ve been a fair few of those… The first tragedy struck when I was only 5 years old. I lost my mum Anne to lung cancer. Then, at 12, my dad Roy suffered a fatal heart attack. Orphaned, I felt my world had shattered into pieces. My older sister Sue, then 32, became my legal guardian. Always close, we were both grieving in our ways, but I turned to comfort eating. Comfort eating The sweet shop was on my way to and from school, so I often broke up my walks to stock up on sugary treats and salty snacks. I’d eat rubbish like crisps, chocolate and cakes throughout…

26p per serving Treat of the Week Spiced Pumpkin Loaf Serves: 10 Prep Time: 15 min Cook Time: 40 min □215g pumpkin puree □2 eggs □125ml olive oil □300g golden caster sugar □225g plain flour □1tsp bicarbonate of soda □½tsp salt □1tsp cinnamon □1tsp nutmeg □½tsp ground ginger □Pumpkin seeds,to top □Honey, warmed, to glaze 1 Preheat the oven to 160C/Gas 3. Combine the pumpkin puree, eggs, oil and 75ml water in a bowl. 2 Mix all the other ingredients together in a separate bowl, then pour the dry mixture into the liquid mix and beat with a hand whisk until smooth. 3 Pour the mixture into a lined, 2lb loaf tin and sprinkle pumpkin seeds on top. 4 Bake for 35-40 min until springy to touch. Allow to cool before…

Leanne Allerton, 35, Grimsby During the quiet of the night, I tried again to feed my baby. ‘I just can’t do it!’ I cried to my husband Lee, 30. ‘He won’t latch on.’ I desperately wanted to breast-feed newborn Frankie. It was natural, wasn’t it? So why was it so hard? I’d spent hours on the Internet, searching for the answer. Nothing helped. So I sat with my baby on my chest and turned on the webcam. ‘This is Frankie,’ I said. ‘We’re having trouble breastfeeding.’ I talked about the troubles we were having and when we were finished, I posted it to my YouTube channel. I’d started Umbumgo 9 months earlier, vlogging about parenting issues and had got over 20,000 subscribers. Already a mum to twins before Frankie, I’d…

4st 7lb LOST THE SECRET OF MY SUCCESS NAME: Alex Ball, 23, Aylesbury VITAL STATISTICS: In January 2016, I knew I had to change. I was comfort-eating all the time, turning to food even when I wasn’t hungry. At my heaviest, I weighed 16st and wore a size-16. I started to notice stretchmarks appearing on my tummy and thighs, too. MY MOTIVATION: Feeling uncomfortable, I started to look for ways to lose weight. I’d tried different plans in the past, but nothing ever worked for me. My mum has used slimFast products and seen good results, so I decided to follow her lead. MY ACTION PLAN: In a typical day, I have a chocolate Vitality shake for breakfast, a raspberry Vitality shake for lunch and a 600-calorie evening meal of…

GOING FOR GOLD…AND GETTING IT! Sophie Warden 19, Preston Waving the Union Jack flag, I cheered loudly. I really did love sport – both playing and watching it. Not surprising considering I’d been taken to an athletics track at just 6 weeks old! And entered my first track competition at 8 years old. I got a bronze, but was gutted that I didn’t win! My parents Caroline, 45, and Peter, 76, were both athletes themselves. With my dad being a 1964 Olympic semi-finalist! So, I guess it was safe to say that I’d caught the sporting bug… Last June, I was standing in the crowds spectating at a national track event. It was a really fun day packed with events, activities and, of course, sportsmanship! Gold medallist Linford Christie was…

Issue 45, 9 Nov 2017 Closing date for all entries: 15 Nov 2017 (three working days later for postal entries) Puzzle 1 Ed’s Test p3 Final answer Puzzle 2 Follow It! p8 Final answer Puzzle 3 Bitesize! p29 Final answer Puzzle 4 Cross It! p32 Final answer Puzzle 5 Sudoku! p32 Final answer Puzzle 6 Crack It! p34 Final answer Puzzle 7 Strike It! p44 Final answer Puzzle 8 Number Fit! p44 Final answer GOOD LUCK TO ALL OUR READERS! Pick Me Up!, published by Time Inc. (UK) Ltd, will collect your personal information solely to process your competition entry. We will not be using this issue’s competition entries to send you special offers or to pass on to third parties. 4 WAYS TO ENTER EASY TO ENTER ONLINE! ONliNE It’s free and only takes a moment to…

When decorating, I didn’t have a pasting table, so I used an old remnant of lino flooring as a pasting board instead! Lisa Hardy, Sunderland Your Best OLIVE OIL Tips 1 Eye say! A dot of olive oil applied regularly under your eyes before going to bed can help prevent under-eye black circles and puffiness. Bhuvana Vijay, Ilford 2 Door thing… Fixing a squeaky door hinge with olive oil is a great natural alternative to WD-40, and it smells far more pleasant, too! Carmen Stone, Flitwick 3 Body wash Make your own rejuvenating body scrub by combining olive oil with sea salt. When rinsed off, it’ll leave your skin soft as silk! Leanne Barberry, Portadown 4 Listen ear If you suffer from excessive build-up of earwax, put a few drops…

Naomi Robertson- Murray, 33, Aberdeen Growing up, I had a pretty normal upbringing. The middle child between an older sister and younger brother, I loved spending time with my family. Sure, we had squabbles now and again, but we were close, taking holidays every year and enjoying trips to theme parks. My parents Ian and Sheila had been together since they were teenagers. Inseparable from the day they met, they had an unconditional bond, one we looked up to. And they were so proud of all three of us. But in 1996, as I started my first year at secondary school, our lives were ripped apart. ‘I have breast cancer,’ Mum told us one day. She was only 35. My memory of that time is fuzzy, but our parents tried…

Acne Acne’s a common skin condition that affects most people at some stage in life. It causes oily skin, spots and skin that’s painful or hot to touch and often appears on the face, back and chest. It can usually be treated with self-help techniques, such as by washing the affected area with mild soap and lukewarm water, or by using a fragrance-free, water-based emollient. Treatments can take up to three months to work, but if you develop nodules or cysts, you should see your GP. Give Yourself A Lift Eating a handful of raw carrots after a meal increases production of saliva, reducing the risk of tooth cavities. Carrots contain keratins that prevent dental decay and help remove stain-causing bacteria and food particles.…

Hilary Skegg, 36, Milton Keynes Being tested for diabetes while pregnant didn’t worry me – it was just standard procedure. And I’d been fine with my first child Fleur, now 5. So I went unconcerned to the test at 24 weeks. Imagine my shock when the results came back positive! ‘You have gestational diabetes,’ the doctor said. I was stunned into silence, but then came the tears. ‘It’s my fault,’ I sobbed. But the nurse tried to put my mind at rest. ‘It’s nothing that you’ve done,’ she assured me. She explained that this form of diabetes can occur during pregnancy when the mother’s body can’t produce enough insulin for the baby as well as herself. It’d only last as long as my pregnancy – but meant the baby could…

We test 3 products so you don’t have to. This week OniOn Bhajis 1sainsbury’s sweet Potato & Red Onion Bhajia, £1.70 for eight The sweet potato makes these bhajia a little different! We liked the crunch of red onion, but the overall flavour wasn’t our favourite. 2M&s Onion Bhajis, £2 for four These looked great and had a nice crunch when cooked. They’re a little more dense than some of the others we tried and don’t have as much onion. Our Fave! 3Co-op Onion Bhajis, £1.49 for four These crispy and spicy bhajis were our hands-down favourite! They have plenty of onion and are the most like what you’d expect if you ordered a takeaway. PLUS how to whip up your own at home! 12p per serving Make it yourself... Makes:…

Verdict: GENIUS! A great gift for everyone who loves gin. SugarSin Dry Gin Fizz Gummies, £2.99, Lakeland Enjoy your fave tipple hangover free! Tasting of gin and bitter lemon, each sweet is topped with sour sugar – once we’d had one, we wanted the whole bag! Verdict: BONKERS! Yup, totally crackers – but we desperately want one! Smart Bacon Express Toaster, £49.95, cuckooland.com This really is the best thing that’s ever happened to a toaster since sliced bread! Just pop in up to six rashers of bacon, select the level of crispiness and wait for it to cook for perfection – and no greasy saucepan to wash up afterwards! Verdict: GENIUS! Pricey, but must-have brilliant. ViruLite Cold Sore Machine, £79.99, healthcare4all.co.uk If you suffer from cold sores, this is the…

A food stall in New Delhi serves the traditional Indian dish paan by popping it straight into its customers’ mouths - while it’s on fire! How Many Of These Music Videos Can You Name? How Well Do You Know The Musical Jersey Boys? 1On which group is the Jersey Boys based? The Drifters The Beach Boys Franki Valli and The Four Seasons 2Which anniversary did the London production of Jersey Boys celebrate this year? 10 8 9 3In which language is the opening song of the musical? Spanish French Italian 4Which actor played the part of the band’s lead singer for the longest in the hit musical? Ryan Molloy John Lloyd Young Michael Watson How Well Do You Remember Dad’s Army? 1 Who created the award-winning comedy classic ? Jimmy…

Michaela Gibbons 33, Manchester Some kids are obsessed with dolls, while others are into cars, horses or even superheroes… Not my boy, William, 6. Because he’s obsessed with Michael Jackson. Ever since he was 2, he’s been a massive fan. I put the music video for Thriller on the telly. He was mesmerised. Far from being scared, he was transfixed, his eyes glued to the screen. ‘Back, back!’ He shouted at me when it ended. He wanted me to rewind it! From that day, he slept, lived and breathed Jacko. Especially after he’d seen the documentary This Is It. He was up dancing while he was still toddling! Forever begging me to show him videos on my phone so he could try and copy the dance moves. Then came the…

•Burned in my own home •Endless agony and lifelong scars •I’ll never understand why Tara Quigley, 33, East London As my nieces played upstairs one evening in April 2013, I pottered about, clearing up. My sister Tina, 30, was in the bath. I lived with her and her daughters, then aged 12 and 9. But, as I went to wash up, there was a knock at the door. Bit late for visitors, I thought. It was 9.15pm. When I answered the door, a young lad was standing there. He was wearing a dark jacket, and looked fidgety. ‘Are you Michelle?’ he asked. ‘No,’ I said. ‘I’m Tara.’ With that, he frowned and scurried off, and I didn’t think anything of it. Minutes later, I was on the phone when there…

OURTOP TIP Kids go free Take the whole family out for less this weekend. Giraffe World Kitchen is giving away one free kid’s meal deal, including a main, selected drink and dessert, for every adult’s meal purchased. head to giraffe.net for full terms and conditions. SAVINGOF THE WEEK Time-saver made from just five natural ingredients with no hidden junk, Bam milkshakes are a great on-thego breakfast. £1 each(normally £1.50) at Waitrose until 28 Nov. Calling all gym Bunnies Containing 24g of protein per shake, Protein World’s The Slender Blend is brilliant for anyone trying to build muscle mass. Even better, when you buy selected Protein World products from Superdrug before 21 November you’ll get a second for half price. OFFEROF THE WEEK Glitter Gift The out There Glitter Glass kit…

With Dr Arabella Onslow Dr Arabella Onslow has been a Gp for 11 years and was rosemary conley’s health professional Slimmer of the year in 2012 after losing 10st. Autism signs? Qcould my daughter be autistic? She’s OK at academic work, but finds people overwhelming, making her tongue-tied and withdrawn. also she’s very literal and seems not to be able to use her imagination. Lucy, Dorking aIt could be mild autism. She has a typical triad of difficulties – in social interaction, communication and imagination. Speak to your GP, as he or she may be able to refer you to a specialist. a question of contraception QMy last period was almost a year ago now and i’ve recently met a new partner. i’m very much looking forward to having sex,…

Sarah Amos, 22, Hereford My son Finley took one wobbly step followed by another. ‘Well done!’ I said, cheering him on. My baby boy was just 9 months old, and here he was taking his first steps. Happy tears filled my eyes. It’d be a proud moment for any mum, but when I thought how far Finley had come… He’d arrived in the world with a fair bit of drama. I’d been induced at 36 weeks after being diagnosed with cholestasis – a condition where bile builds up in your liver. It can be dangerous for the baby. Me and his dad Matt, 39, had worried we’d lose him. Then, during labour, I’d developed strep B – a bacterial infection that can threaten a newborn’s life. So, as soon as…

Cabbie Ray Woodcock, 73, has set a new bungee record – 465ft over water WHO’S THE MUMMY? Can you name the celeb mums of these four? Answers: The Duchess of Cambridge (Prince George) 2. Vanessa Paradis (Lily-rose Depp) 3. Jada Pinkett smith (Jaden smith) 4. sharon Osbourne (Aimee Osbourne) Can You name The stations in These pics... How well do you know the London Underground? Answers: 1. Holborn 2. south Kensington 3. Bank 4. notting Hill 5. Balham Are You The Ultimate SHERLOCK FAN? 1.What is Sherlock’s famous address? 112b Baker Street 121b Baker Street 212b Baker Street 2. Which of these actors auditioned for the role of John Watson? Matt Smith Tom Hiddleston Eddie Redmayne 3. The first episode was? The Great Game A Study in Pink The Blind…

Want the perfect... SMOKY EYES? Our Fave! Try one of these... 1 Bourjois 24h Eye Primer, £6.99, Boots The key to long-lasting eye make-up is a great base. Apply before shadow to keep it in place and prevent it creasing, flaking or fading throughout the night. 2 Rimmel Magnif’eyes Smoke Edition Palette, £8.99, Superdrug Containing 12 highly pigmented, shimmery shades, this has everything you need to create gorgeous smoky eyes. Use the lighter shades across your lids and darker ones along the crease for the best impact. 3 Sleek Dip It Eyeliner in Black, £4.99, Superdrug Complete the look with a thick slick of eyeliner across your top lash line. It’ll help define your eyes and create the illusion of thicker lashes. TRIED & TESTED Our Fave! This week: Pore…

•UK•USA•SPAIN UK: THE BEAST OF BIRKENSHAW in 1956 a 17-year-old girl was raped and battered to death in Birkenshaw, Scotland. The Press dubbed her murderer the ‘Beast of Birkenshaw’ – and he’d go on to kill seven more. One of his victims included Isabelle Cooke,17, who went missing on her way to a dance. She was raped, strangled and buried in a field. And, on New Year’s Day 1958, Peter Smart, 45, his wife Doris, 42, and 10-year-old son Michael were all shot in the head as they lay in bed. The Beast stayed in the Smart’s house for a week after the killings – eating leftovers, feeding the family cat. However, shortly after murdering them, the Beast slipped up. He’d stolen some bank notes from the family and was…

Hannah Grainger, 27, Southport As I petted the giraffe, I marvelled at just how big he was. It was the first time I’d seen one up close, and he was beautiful. Me and my boyfriend of three years, Kieron, 38, were at Flamingo Land in North Yorkshire, on a special Giraffe Encounter – where you feed and learn more about them. For me, it was the most romantic day ever. I’ve been obsessed with giraffes since my parents took me to the zoo when I was young. I fell in love with them. Such graceful creatures. Since then, I’ve collected giraffe pictures and my home is full of wooden figurines. That day, as I took the last bit of food from the bucket to feed George the Giraffe, I saw a…

2-8 November 2017 ARIES 21 March–20 April something on which you were about to give up hope gets a boost, and you begin to feel more positive about the direction of your future the glass is suddenly half full. so, well done, aries! you’ve been patient and life and love are about to bring rewards, as is a phone call… Call: 09058 170 710* TAURUS 21 April–21 May mars is making it hard for you not to speak your mind, but try to remember who you’re talking to! if you’re not careful and respectful, then the honesty of your words will be taken away by the disrespect you show. romance will get a boost from venus on Wednesday. Call: 09058 170 711* GEMINI 22 May–21 June you must understand that…

Sarah C won £1,454 on Emerald playing my Emerald tickets, i only had a couple of games left, so was pleased when i won £4.50 on two lines. then out came my numbers for the house. i won the Emerald progressive Jackpot of £1,454. i couldn’t believe it! my mum won £8,888 a few weeks earlier on the round the Clock game. i’ve done up my house, treated my family to days out and bought my children bunk beds. the rest will go on more of my home and on a deposit towards a holiday. Janette L won £39,588 on Sapphire my amazing progressive jackpot win was in the Sapphire room and i saw my balance change to over £39K! the money will be used for a holiday and home…