Table of contents for 28-Dec-2017 in Pick Me Up!

What A Bore! I hate New Year resolutions, so I’m making mine fun this year, with more travelling, more time with friends and family – and more chocolate! 11 …that’s how many shopping days there are left until Christmas. I suppose I should make a start on mine… What A Celebration! I just love Christmas – the parties, the mince pies, the silly Christmas jumpers… literally everything! What A Bump! My twin sister Clare is 34 weeks pregnant and ready to pop… I really can’t wait to meet my new nephew! What A Pose! I’ve been practising my yoga at various locations, but this must’ve been one of the best – with the sun setting over Paphos.…

‘Within seconds, my whole body erupted on fire’ ‘Abusive names would ring out as I walked to class’ Read that headline again. And then imagine someone saying that to you...aged 6. A week earlier, I’d been standing by an open bonfire at the farm where we lived in Mexico. Watching the bright-orange flames, me and my older brothers Franz, then 8, and Hans, 10, laughed and joked as it crackled away. But as I leant closer, I felt a burning sensation. Just a tingling at first. Then, suddenly, my entire body erupted on fire. Flames burning my clothes. It happened in seconds. But I’d remember every agonising moment for the rest of my life. The boys panicking, throwing water on me, trying to pat me down... Overwhelmed by pain and…

Your Best STRESS-FREE CHRISTMAS Tips 1 Categories  Stick to gift c ategories to make Christmas shopping easier. Books one year, games the next, and so o n! Shirley Canton, Pembroke 2 Jolly jobs  If you’re hosting Christmas Day, delegate little jobs to your kid s, hubby or partner. Sally Bartram, Knighton 3 Deadlines  Start your Christmas shopping early and set yourself deadl ines for when you expect to be finished . But why stop there? Yo u can set deadlin es for all your Christmas jobs! Anna Gates, Tipton, W Mids 4 Keep it small  You don’t have to invite every single relative for Christmas dinner. There’s plenty of time to see everybody t hroughout the festive season. Joan Westman, Omagh Avoid buying Christmas placemats by covering your own with…

A twin always knows what you want to hear! Laying in my hospital bed, I heard them before I could see them. ‘Merry Christmas!’ my twin sister Katie and her daughters Emmie, 9, and Hollie, 5, cheered, bundling onto the ward. Cheeks rosy from the cold, their arms were full of gifts and they had smiles on their faces. ‘Tell me what Father Christmas brought you!’ said as the girls clambered onto my bed. As they chattered away, I realised that I was smiling, too. Even though, for me, this Christmas wasn’t a very happy one... Aged 18, I’d been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Katie and I had inherited polyendocrinopathy syndrome, which meant we were susceptible to the disease, as well as kidney failure. Grim Christmas Katie didn’t have…

‘I was in agony but decided to power through...’ Falling ill at the busiest time of the year is always a drag. It was December last year - and, just as the build-up to Christmas started, I was plagued by vomiting and a pain in my stomach. ‘A stomach bug,’ the doctor kept saying. But the pain grew so bad I needed time off my receptionist job. Still, tests showed nothing. ‘I’m in agony,’ I wept to my partner Matthew, 32. Determined to power through, I took our son Finnley, 3, to see Santa and was up opening presents first thing in the morning. But in the following months, my symptoms failed to improve. By April this year, I’d had enough. ‘Please help me,’ I begged A&E staff. I was…

‘The lack of blood pumping round her body left her grey’ I’d gone to my 20-week scan full of excitement in the summer of 2015. But the doctor’s frown soon changed that. ‘The baby’s heart doesn’t look right,’ she said. Referred to Liverpool Women’s Hospital, I had echocardiograms. ‘Our baby’s going to be fine,’ Robert tried to reassure me. But it wasn’t good news. Our baby had a congenital heart abnormality called tetralogy of Fallot. The pulmonary artery was narrow, making it difficult for blood to be pumped around her body. Also, the ventricles were enlarged, and there was a hole between the right and left chambers. Robert and I were in bits. But I couldn’t cry for long. I had to stay strong. Here at last I was induced…

Sol, 45, says, ‘I feel like I have a death sentence over my head. Nobody can imagine how bad Lyme is. As I live in Argentina, I’ve no chance of treatment here. All the options are far away and too expensive. I’ve spent all my money over the last three years looking for a cause of illness. I saw 50 doctors, and paid for lots of tests for nothing. ‘Some people contacted me in the past trying to help, but they just got frustrated and quit. So, when Kelly wrote to me about helping me, I thought here’s somebody else with good intentions that’s going to give up. But she didn’t, and she gave me hope. She made me feel like I have to fight, even with the pain and…

Chile: Take Your Pulse Eating lentils is an important New Year’s Eve tradition in Chile, where having a spoonful on the stroke of midnight is said to ensure the year ahead is filled with work and money. Philippines: Get ! A Round In!  If you happen to find yourself in the Philippines for the festivities, you’ll probably be presented with lots of circular items. Filipinos believe that if they surround themselves with round things – pancakes, plates, CDs – on 31 December, it’ll bring them wealth in the coming year. Colombia: Just In Case This ritual seems a little odd – but, in a bid to make sure travel is on the agenda for the next year, Colombians run around the block with an empty suitcase.…

‘Jolting upright, we looked at each other, confused’ ‘Gareth was warned not to go near – but he was on a mission!’ A former Intelligence Corps operative for the British Army, my man had travelled the world on top-secret military investigations. ‘What did you do?’ I asked, curious, when we met in 2013. But Gareth, 31, never let anything slip. Settled as an IT worker, it was all in the past. Moving in together, we soon had a beautiful baby daughter Demi, now 3. And, in November 2016, we got married. Our house became a home. On the evening of Sunday 11 June this year, I took Demi up to bed. After watching TV, we were soon ready for sleep, too. Heading upstairs, I checked on Demi, then crashed…

1 Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Belgian Champagne Truffles, 140g The Marc de Champagne centre is covered in smooth milk chocolate and dusted with a festive shimmer. 2 Asda Extra Special Gin & Sloe Gin Belgian Chocolate Truffles, 58g An indulgent duo of gin-infused Belgian milk chocolate truffles. With both gin and tonic, and sloe gin flavours – they’ll bring a touch of boozy sophistication to any party. 3 Aldi Moser Roth Salted Caramel Boxed Truffles, 140g These smooth and rich chocolate truffles have a soft caramel centre and are finished with a touch of salt. Or if you prefer, there’s also a Marc de Champagne box of Truffles, too.…

‘I’ve made so many friends since joining the site’ I’m Chuffed To Bits! Jean has won the jackpot TWICE! The soft, silky fluffiness between my toes felt amazingly good. ‘What a lovely carpet!’ I said to my husband Peter, 64. We’d just splashed out and had our bedroom and lounge re-carpeted. We’d been thinking about sprucing the place up for a while. Now, thanks to a win on Pick Me Up! Bingo, we’d been able to treat ourselves. See, I’d won a grand playing Cloud - a 90-ball bingo game. It was April last year. Peter was pottering around, so I settled down in front of the TV with a cuppa, and bought a few tickets for Cloud. As my games played out, I had a natter in the chat…

‘Dan was acting shifty and seemed nervous...’ Rushing around, all flustered, I was trying - and failing - to leave the house with my kids Sophie, then 4, and James, 2. It was 7 November 2011. Six months earlier, I’d split from my husband of six years. It was a difficult time. I was struggling emotionally and financially, juggling a million things at once. Then the doorbell rang. Through the frosted glass, I spotted a bright-orange jacket, the telltale sign of the dreaded door-to-door gas salesman. A bit strange I groaned and opened the door. ‘Can I help you?’ I snapped. He looked taken aback. ‘Are you still Strange?’ he asked, looking up from his tablet. At the time, my last name was Strange - of course, coming with its…

These life-like animal cakes will make you do a double-take! These spectacularly realistic creations are by Zoe Fox, the Leicestershire baker Sweet Foxylicious Cakes, who made them to highlight the depleting numbers of endangered animals in the wild. Are you a Neighbours superfan? 1 In which year did former Neighbours star Holly Valance have a UK hit single with Kiss Kiss ? 2001, 2002, 2003 2 Craig McLachlan, who starred as the loveable Henry Ramsay, went on to play which character in rival Australian soap Home And Away ? Grant Mitchell, Greg Marshall, Steven Matheson 3 The most iconic episode, featuring Scott and Charlene’s wedding, was first broadcast in the UK in November 1988. How many people tuned in to watch it? 25.1 million, 16.7 million, 19.6 million…

BORN WITH A BANG Charlotte’s New Year's baby is so precious… In September 2015, I found out I was pregnant. Me and my partner David, then 21, were shocked, but thrilled. Our 12-week scans showed our baby was healthy. But two weeks later, I had a miscarriage. I was heartbroken. Christmas went by in a blur. Then, last April, away in Spain, I was sick for three days . Could it be? I did a pregnancy test, and... ‘I’m pregnant!’ I told David. We were excited, but very nervous, as we didn’t want history repeating itself. We hardly breathed at our scans, even when 12 weeks passed. Then 14 weeks and still healthy... But, every day, I was worried. My baby hardly kicked, making me anxious. I hardly even had…

FOUR CELEBS Who Have Serious Medical Conditions Kim Kardashian Kim suffers from psoriasis, a skin condition that causes red, flaky patches all over the body. She’s tried many treatments, including her sister’s breast milk! Jack Osbourne Jack was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2012. It affects the nerves in the brain and spinal cord, causing problems with movement, balance and vision. Catherine Zeta Jones The actress has spoken openly about having bipolar disorder. It affects your mood, which can swing from one extreme to the next. Medication can help control symptoms. Morgan Freeman In 2008, Morgan was involved in a car accident that left him with fibromyalgia, a painful, long-term condition that causes muscle stiffness and extreme tiredness. What’s The Real Meaning Behind Humpty Dumpty ? The rhyme… Humpty…

‘I didn’t have a boyfriend, wasn’t even dating!’ My back twinged as I carried a huge pile of plates into the care-home kitchen. It was 23 December last year, and I was coming to the end of a hectic double shift. Thank goodness! My job was tough, but so rewarding. And it fitted in with my favourite motto - work hard, play hard! Looking back over the last year, I’d had a great time! There’d been a fling with a mate in March, and a very heavy night out on my 23rd birthday in August. Vodka slushies, fags, dancing til dawn... I’d had a whale of a time! And, once I’d done my Christmas Eve shift the next day, I knew there’d be lots of partying ahead. First, though, I…

1 Ignore trends Sale rails are stuffed full of trend-led pieces, but chances are you will have gone off them by next year. Only stock up on items you’ll wear again and again. 2 Try for size It sounds obvious, but we’re all guilty of buying items that are a little too big or small because they’re cheap. 3 Gift cards Buy unwanted gift cards at discounted rates at zeek.me before you shop. Every little helps! 4 Keep your receipts safe You might not get to try your purchases on, so put your receipts in a safe place in case you need a refund. 5 Get cashback Shop through cashback sites to save even more dosh on your sale buys.…

‘I was just 5, and couldn’t wait to be a part of a family’ ‘That monster even had the gall to wink at me in court’ Clutching my social worker’s hand, I was led into a room where a couple sat waiting. ‘These are your new parents,’ she smiled. Douglas and Julie Barr were in their 30s and looked nice enough. Now just 5, I’d been in care since I was 2, as my biological parents couldn’t cope. But the Barrs wanted to adopt me and I couldn’t wait to feel part of a family. Punished Douglas was a big, chubby bloke. When he pulled me in for a hug, I thought he was like a cuddly teddy bear. But I soon realised there was nothing cuddly about him. He…

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. Winter flare-ups QI don’t know why, but my daughter’s asthma always gets worse in winter. What are the best ways to reduce flare-ups? Marina, Fordwich A The main winter triggers for asthma are cold air and infections, which narrow airways and increase sputum. Make sure she has the flu vaccine, keeps up with inhalers and stays warm. If out, she should cover her mouth with a scarf so the air going into her lungs is warmer. Weight-loss supplements QI’m considering using supplements to help me lose weight, but will they have any effect on other medication I’m taking? Kathleen, Pontypool A Don’t take them, especially…

Victoria ITV German-born Prince Albert’s contribution to how we Brits celebrate Christmas is marked in this festive episode. It was thanks to Albert (Tom Hughes) that Christmas trees were first brought to Britain. Watch ‘snow’ Queen Victoria (Jenna Coleman) and her growing family experience the joys of an OTT royal Christmas. Snow Bears BBC1 This enchanting true-to-life tale, narrated by Kate Winslet, follows two polar bear cubs who are forced to embark on an epic journey of survival to the ice surrounding the North Pole. On their way, the little bears encounter a colourful collection of Arctic animals, including reindeer, narwhals, walrus and snow foxes. Mrs Brown’s Boys BBC1 Mammy is back with two new Christmas specials. In the first, Grandad fears the house is haunted, while Mammy hopes a…

Chocolate martinis Serves 2 Prep time 15 min Chill time 1 hr £1.30 per serving For the chocolate liquor ◻ 100g 70% dark chocolate, broken into pieces ◻ 100g golden caster sugar For the cocktail ◻ Crushed ice ◻ 4 x 25ml measures gin or vodka ◻ 2 x 25ml measures vermouth ◻ Cocoa powder, for dusting 1 To make the chocolate liquor, put 150ml water, chocolate and sugar in a saucepan and bring to a simmer over a low heat, stirring constantly. Remove from the heat and allow to cool. 2 Put two large martini glasses on a shelf in the freezer for 1 hr. 3 Half-fill a cocktail shaker with crushed ice, then add 4 measures of chocolate liquor and the other liquids and shake well.…

‘There was always a chunk of lard in the fridge at home’ ‘I dumped my fave meals for lots of protein and salad’ Stepping on the scales, my face flushed red. It was my first day of high school, in gym class. They were weighing us. 11st… At 11 years old. Bullying was relentless after that. ‘Donna kebab’ soon became my nickname. ‘It’s not my fault,’ I wanted to sob. You see, my family loved food. Ate mountains of home-cooked meals. I remember there was always a chunk of lard in our fridge. For greasy, fried roasties and chips. The more of which I ate, the more I was bullied. I was huge when I moved in with my first boyfriend at 18. I felt so grown-up making my own…

‘Allaround us, lights twinkled. But our lives were shattered’ Balanced on a step-ladder, my husband Darren, then 34, added the last bauble to the tree. ‘We’re ready for Christmas!’ he grinned. Darren was already dressed up in his elf outfit. All ready to amuse the local children, including our own five, at a party later that day in December 2012. The best thing about Darren was that he was such a big kid at heart. He loved making Christmas special for our lot - Jack, then 15, Danielle, 13, Callum, 11, Louis, 5, and Caitlyn, 4. Working hard as a ground worker, every penny he had went on our brood. He’d take them swimming and dive bomb in the pool to make them laugh. ‘I’ve got six kids, not five,’…

‘Bodies lay in the street next to fallen Christmas trees’ ‘He even turned to the CCTV camera and raised a finger’ The area of Breitscheidplatz, in the west of Berlin, was buzzing with festive feeling. It was 19 December last year, and a Christmas market near a church was heaving with shoppers. The delicious scents of mulled beer and wine filled the streets. And fairy lights twinkled in the darkness. Everyone was excited about the holidays and getting into the Christmas spirit. But at 8pm, the bustling market became a scene of horror. A stolen truck tore through the crowds, mowing down innocent bystanders. People fled for their lives. But not everyone was lucky enough to escape. The truck travelled 50 metres through the market before coming to a halt.…

So Simple Bag two packs of Quaker Oats Protein for £3 (normally £2.60 each) at Tesco until 30 December. Great for helping you start your day right during party season. Boozy Bargain Pick up two bottles of Lambrini in So Strawberry or Very Cherry flavours for £5 (normally £3.25 each) at Morrisons until 2 January. With 52 calories per 100ml, it’s a great guilt-free tipple. Cooker Cleaner Get your cooker spick and span for the big day with Oven Pride Deep Cleaner. It’s now £2.99 (normally £3.99) at Co-op until 26 December. Phone Home Vodafone has recently launched a new pay-as-you-go tariff, which gives unlimited texts and calls, as well as 500MB of data for just £1 per day. Ice Is Nice Fancy a festive treat? Kelly’s of Cornwall have…

1 This condition increases blood-cell production. 2 Symptoms include heart palpitations. 3 The cause is unknown. 4 It can lead to further problems. 1 FALSE The lack of iron causes the body to produce fewer red blood cells, which help carry oxygen in the blood, meaning that organs get less oxygen than usual. 2 TRUE Symptoms include tiredness, shortness of breath, heart palpitations and a pale complexion. 3 FALSE The most common causes in women of reproductive age are heavy periods and pregnancy, while for men and post-menstrual women, it’s bleeding in the stomach and intestines. 4 TRUE If left untreated, sufferers become more vulnerable to illness and infection, but long-term issues are rare. The main treatment is taking supplements to boost the body’s iron. Next Week LARYNGITIS…

‘What if something like that’d happened when I was travelling?’ Pulling the final envelope from my sack, I smiled. My round was over at last. I loved my job as a postie - didn’t mind the early starts or 10-mile walks in the rain and snow. Chatting with the locals made it worth it. I’d always been a friendly type. Then, this March, I saw a Facebook plea on the wall of a friend I was supposed to meet while travelling in Argentina back in 2012. The post was about her friend Sol, now 45. She’d been adventurous like me, and came travelling to the UK in 2012. But, while visiting, she’d been bitten by a tick and had contracted Lyme disease. An infectious bacterial disease, it can have devastating…

One male colleague in a place where I used to work would rest on my leg or shoulder as he spoke to me. He also made reference to how good I looked with lower-cut tops and when I wore heels. It was only after I left that I realised how uneasy he made me feel. For a while, it knocked my self-confidence. It also made me wary of men in general. Debbie When I was young, one of my bosses used to grope me regularly, but I was frightened people would think it was my fault so I never said anything. Cassie I worked for one creep who thought it was OK to rub past me, touch my bum and breasts. I never made any complaints because I just let…

‘I have no bucket list – I don’t need to skydive or travel’ The pebbles on the beach were digging into my bum but, as I watched my girls - Darcey, then 8, and Emily, 6 - racing and whooping across the beach, I’d never felt so happy. I glanced down at the diamond ring glinting on my left hand, then over at the man who’d put it there. My fiance Jason, then 37, was busy collecting pebbles with our 3-year-old son Josh. Jason had proposed on this very beach just a few days earlier, in September 2015. The girls were already daydreaming of bridesmaid dresses. And I was daydreaming, too. Of my own happy-ever-after. ‘I’m so lucky,’ I sighed. But I was awoken from my thoughts by a sudden…

Co-op Irresistible Collection Macarons, 125g These exquisite macarons are crisp on the outside, soft and chewy when you bite in. They’re made in France and come in a selection of bright, metallic colours. Asda Extra Special Half Serrano Ham Leg, 2.5kg This striking treat has been cured for a minimum of seven months – a meticulous labour of love that guarantees an unrivalled, sumptuous flavour. A real luxury for a bargain price. Get it while stocks last! Cadbury Dairy Milk Winter Edition This sharing bar is made of milk and white chocolate in Christmas tree shaped chunks. You could also use the little chocolate trees as cake decorations! Asda 6 Christmas Tree Crumpets These novelty crumpets are perfect for a fun, festive brunch. We like them served with a good…

DAWN The multi-patterned wrapping… the swirly carpet! No wonder she’s fond of a garish print even now! ANNA A right-royal cutie who still has a cheeky smile! TANYA These days, this happy little grin appears whenever our mystery girl sees a pug! KATE This little cherub hasn’t changed much – she still loves writing. KRISTINA A cheeky minx who loves big presents (and has a fab presence herself!). KIRA Christmas kitty cuddles – but can mew guess who’s the mystery blondie? EMMIE Aww, she looks so sweet and innocent (still does, actually, but she’s not fooling us!). JO Dr X is in the house and the diagnosis is – this quiz rocks! SARAH A 'special delivery’ now means a glass of wine for this festive postmistress!…

‘My baby’s chances of survival were less than one per cent’ ‘I shut my eyes, and felt his little fingers in mine’ Though I was pregnant, I wasn’t as excited as I should have been. In fact, I was gripped with anxiety. It was May 2016. And, though I only had one child - my beautiful daughter Leigha, 15 - this was actually my sixth pregnancy. I’d suffered four devastating miscarriages between 2010 and 2013, early in my pregnancies. I was terrified of going through another. Despite my fears, everything was fine - until I went for my 20-week scan... As I looked at the screen, the picture didn’t seem right. I could hear the heartbeat, but couldn’t see my baby properly. There was no fluid around him and it…

Try this… Smirnoff Coconut & Lime Soda, £5 for four, Asda Vodka-based drink with natural fruit and no artificial sweeteners. Contains just 127 cal per bottle. Higgidy CherryBell Pepper Feta & Spinach Frittata, £4, Tesco Crack this delicious pastry-free fritatta out at Christmas drinks for a tasty snack with zero guilt. Pick Me UP! FOR LESS £1 at Sainsbury’s until 01/01/18 (normally £1.60) Take 3...party bites Tesco Frozen Cumberland Sausage Rolls… 56 cal per roll Tesco Frozen Mini Vegetable Spring Rolls… 33 cal per roll Tesco Frozen Mozzarella Sticks… 44 cal per stick Flattering Fashion ROCK THIS BLOUSE The deep V-neck and studs on this top are a great, eyecatching detail – while the shape skims your figure. The perfect blouse for parties! Get Moving! Make your fitness goals a…

‘I couldn’t even remember giving birth to my kids’ ‘I’m so used tohaving strokes, Idon’teven go in to hospital’ As my eyelids fluttered open, I glanced at the faces before me. Confusion pulsed. Where was I, who were all these strangers? As I came round properly, I was told I was in hospital. I’d had a stroke, apparently caused by undiagnosed multiple sclerosis (MS). I’d been in an induced coma for a week. ‘Mummy, I missed you,’ said a little girl with long hair. She hugged me, but I just didn’t know who she was. Who are they? ‘Do you remember what happened?’ a doctor asked me. I shook my head. I didn’t remember anything at all. It was 2002, and I was 26 years old. Apparently I lived with…

‘They’d been on spa weekends, ate out – could they afford it?’ The news was utterly devastating. Terminal cancer. My mum Doreen, 80, had always been so strong, independent, active. But, since 2007, she’d moved in with me as she was fighting cancer. In 2013, everything changed. She’d been diagnosed with breast cancer and there was little more the doctors could do. I was heartbroken. We’d always been really close, shared a love of horses. I’d grown up on a farm, so they were a fixture. Only, now Mum was ill, she could no longer look after our 15 horses. I tried my best, but it was a full-time job looking after all of them - and as I was also Mum’s sole carer, it was tough. So I put…

ARIES 21 March-20 April LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP Venus made it hard for you to say how you felt in 2017. That all changes this year, when you’re no longer frightened to go for what – and who – you want. Just remember not to change who YOU are. That’s what attracted them in the first place! HEALTH AND HAPPINESS Your energy levels are flagging as you enter the New Year. This is the stars’ way of making you stop and think about what you do next. Take all forced delays as the chance to perfect your plan. True happiness is linked to travel in which you’re investing now, and will enjoy in the summer. MONEY MATTERS You begin to be more responsible around finances and you’re no longer as impulsive…