Table of contents for 27-Sep-2018 in Pick Me Up!

A tough cookie, with a heart of gold - that’s my mum... When the going gets tough, you’ll never hear her grumble. But, when you’re the one with a problem, Mum’s there in a flash. Growing up, Mum’s advice was gold dust. Whether she was warning me off some spotty lad, or reminding me to be myself, she was always right. I still talk to her every day. Her opinion means so much. Her support, too. When I discovered I was pregnant at the age of 26, I knew that I’d be able to lean on her. She nagged me like mad, though, ‘Don’t eat that!’ or ‘Put your feet up!’ followed by one of her no-nonsense looks. But you always do what my mum says - she’s the boss!…

A tenner off top brands Spend £50 on any products at Brand Alley and get £10 off with My Voucher Codes. Visit myvouchercodes.co.uk/brandalley for details. Offer valid until 30 September. Flash bangers Heck Chicken Italia’s juicy and flavoursome sausages combine lean British chicken with basil, tomato and mozzarella. Why not try slicing them up and adding them to a risotto for a tasty midweek meal? They’re only £2.36 at Tesco (usually £3.15) until 6 October. Creating a stir It’s an Italian staple, but risotto can be challenging for many Brits. These new kits from Loyd Grossman make this comforting dish a walk in the park – choose from Creamy Mushroom & White Wine, Butternut Squash & Sage, or Tomato, Ricotta & Red Chilli. They’re only £2 at Asda (usually £2.79)…

Sweaty, sore pits Q I need to use special anti-perspirants for excess sweating, but the treatment is causing irritation. I can’t bear to stop because my sweating is so terrible without it. Is there anything I can do to reduce the redness? Bettina, Salford A The treatment for hyperhidrosis (excess sweating) can irritate the skin. Using a mild over-the-counter steroid cream on cleaned skin will improve the redness. No more periods? Q I’m 30 and I have only had one period in the last year. My GP says I’m too young to have the menopause, so what is it? Sharon, Carlisle A Menopause usually begins in your mid-40s but can start sooner. Have your oestrogen levels checked to see if they’re reduced, as you may be suffering from premature ovarian…

*T&Cs: 18+ UK only. New members only. Registration and opt in required. Min £10 deposit and wager. Bingo restrictions apply – £50 v on 25 tickets. 30-day expiry from opt in. Rules apply. Offer on this issue ends 27 September . See full T&Cs at pickmeupbingo.com . ! Bingo is part of the Jackpo . com network. For 24-hour support, freephone 0800 458 0770. Please play responsibly . BeGambleAware.org…

Children’s laughter filled the hospital ward. Paul, a fellow mental-health nurse where I worked, was up to his old tricks, pulling faces and telling silly stories to entertain the kids. I’d worked with Paul, 37, for three years. His special quality was making children laugh - even if they’d been through something traumatic... And he was always doodling, drawing hilarious caricatures of everyone. ‘Watch out, I’ll draw you soon,’ he’d tease. He began to show less interest in me and the children We were good mates, enjoyed great banter. Then, one evening in early 2007, we all went out for drinks after work. That night, everything changed. Before I knew it, Paul and I had fallen for each other. With two kids, Scarlett, 4, and Charlie, 9, from my previous…

1 It’s acommon mental-health condition in which a person has obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours. ■ True ■ False 2 OCD is caused by an unhealthy diet. ■ True ■ False 3 Cognitive behavioural therapy can help with symptoms. ■ True ■ False 4 It often improves without treatment and support. ■ True ■ False 1 TRUE It affects men, women and children and can develop at any age. 2 FALSE Factors such as family history, differences in the brain, life events and personality all affect the development of OCD. 3 TRUE This is the main treatment for OCD, as well as certain medications that can help balance the chemicals in the brain. 4 FALSE This is very unlikely to be the case, so make sure you reach out if…

Dancing round the nightclub, drink in hand, I was having the time of my life. It was October 2002 - and just a month earlier, I’d started at Lancaster University, studying English Language. It was the first time I’d been so far away from my parents in Hampshire. ‘I love it,’ I’d said to my mum Mary, now 70, on the phone just days before. Joining the university’s gym, making new friends and socialising - I was getting my first taste of independence. It felt amazing. The future looked exciting. But just as I was adjusting to my new-found freedom, something odd happened. My left leg started to get weak. ‘I keep tripping up,’ I told my mum. ‘It’s probably all the booze,’ she joked. But quickly my mobility deteriorated…

What better way to spend a Friday night than lazing on the sofa? It was last April, and my son had gone to bed early. He was 2, and didn’t often sleep through the night, so this was a rare occurrence. I decided to have a game of bingo, as I’d played in the halls in the past and enjoyed it. I hadn’t played online bingo very often, but when I saw you could download an app for Pick Me Up! Bingo, I thought it looked like a good site to try. It was easy to load the app, and I made a deposit of £10. I was spoilt for choice...several fun bingo rooms, themed slots, casino games and more! I played Sapphire Bingo as it’s like the 90-ball games…

I looked over at my best friend Angela Samota, 20, from the passenger seat of her black Toyota Supra. It was October 1984, and we’d just started our second year of university. Her glossy, thick, brown hair was flying around wildly as she roared down the road. She looked over at me with her dazzling blue eyes and laughed. It was funny to think how close we’d become, as we couldn’t have been more different in personality. Forced together as roommates at the start of our first year, Angie was a social butterfly. Popular, beautiful and highly intelligent, she charmed everyone. But I was more reserved. I didn’t have nearly as much confidence. Angie helped me come out of my shell, invited me to parties and social events. From a…

‘I don’t think e-cigarettes should be banned. They have helped people I know stop smoking and they’ve now given up vaping, too – so it has only been positive. If they’d carried on smoking, the effects on their health would have been much worse.’ Michelle Slinn, Chesterfield ‘It should be banned completely. Vaping products allow the predatory targeting of young people, and I’m wary of the chemicals in them. More should be invested in helping people quit altogether. In my opinion, vaping has become a craze rather than a solution for ill health.’ Jackie Wilson, Basingstoke ‘There isn’t enough research yet to know whether vaping is 100 per cent safe, and I don’t think it should be banned totally. But I feel it should definitely have the same restrictions as…

ARIES 21 March–20 April No yesterdays are wasted as they teach us what we want and don’t want. Children, or the younger generation, are costly and time-consuming – but for reasons which pay off in the future. Have faith and they’ll succeed. A surprise call comes on Wednesday. Call: 09058 170 710* TAURUS 21 April–21 May Why are you trying to run through life when the best view is found walking? You of all signs should know it’s only by being patient that you’ll allow others to catch up with your dreams and desires. This weekend brings a confession that you already knew about. Call: 09058 170 711* GEMINI 22 May–21 June Just when you thought you’d feel like growing up, you discover you have help from hidden quarters. You…

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How do you feel when you see someone hugely overweight? Do you pity them? Or do you shudder with revulsion, think, How could you let yourself end up like that? I used to feel those things. But it wasn’t a stranger’s flabby tummy and triple chins I was judging. It was my own... I’d look in the mirror and be revolted with myself. I’d feel other things, too. Shame. Self-loathing. And utter, abject terror. Because I was sure that, one day, my size would kill me. So how had I let myself get like that? In truth, it’s hard for me to even remember. I’d been slim and healthy as a young child. But at school, I’d started being bullied - turned to pizza, crisps and cake for comfort, and…

As the school bell rang, I stood up from my stool. To my horror, I felt a familiar wetness... Glancing at my seat, I saw a red stain, and died inside. My period had come - and, once again, I’d bled through my uniform. Ever since I started having periods, aged 12, this was a monthly occurrence. As was the agony. ‘It’s just period pain,’ my friends would shrug. ‘You’ll get used to it.’ But nobody else had to keep two spare pairs of knickers in their bag, or had to buy extra-large tampons. Every time I begged for answers, doctors said, ‘You need to learn to live with it.’ I battled through seven years of trauma and embarrassment, and I wasn’t getting answers. So I started thinking maybe it…

Orly Lacquer in Snuggle Up £11, Superdrug Loved by Kim Kardashian, this polish not only comes in gorgeous new autumn colours, but also has a 600 bristle brush that delivers precise, easy application with a new shape that fans out to fit cuticles, meaning you get a smooth and even finish. Barry M Molten Metal in Antique Gold, £3.99 If you want to get in the mood for firework night early, then you’ll love the array of shimmering, cosmic shades Molten Metal gives your nails. Each of the chrome-effect colours has a mirror-shine foil finish. Collection 2 Step Solar Shine Gel Nail Colour in Biarritz Blitz, £3.99 Fancy a salon-worthy gel-like mani for under £4? Look no further. You’ll get intense colour and a high-gloss finish without the need for…

Smoked tofu and mango tacos Serves: 6 Prep: 25 min plus marinating Cook: 10 min FOR THE MARINADE ◻ 2 x 200g blocks of firm tofu, cut into slices, 1cm thick ◻ 1tbsp ancho or medium chilli powder ◻ 2tsp sweet smoked paprika ◻ 1tsp ground cumin FOR THE SALSA ◻ Flesh of 2 large ripe mangoes ◻ 1 small red chilli, de-seeded and finely chopped ◻ ½ bunch of coriander leaves, shredded ◻ Juice and zest of one lime FOR THE MAIN RECIPE ◻ 2tbsp olive oil ◻ 12 x 15cm soft corn tortillas ◻ ½ small red cabbage, shredded ◻ 2 fresh green jalapeño peppers, carefully sliced ◻ Guacamole, to serve ◻ Chilli sauce, to serve (optional) 1 In a large bowl, toss together the tofu, chilli powder,…

Life with kids is like a box of chocolates... You never really know what you’re going to get. I mean, every day is different. One day they love watching Power Rangers, the next it’s all about Spider-Man. It’s tough being a mum. You have to be able to keep up. At least that’s the case with my son Harrison, 4. There are three things you need to know about him... One, he loves his food. You wouldn’t like him when he’s hangry! Two, right now he’s obsessed with the character Venom from Spider-Man (he’s sort of the dark anti-Spider-Man!). Three, he hates wearing clothes. A little naturist in the making! But why am I telling you this? Well, simply because it explains my boy’s sticky situation last year... I’d admitted…