Table of contents for 21-May-2020 in Pick Me Up!

Dear Mark, From the first moment I met you, I knew you were a superhero. Out with my mates at a bar back in 2009, you’d swooped in with your dashing good looks and offered to buy me a drink. A single mum to two kids – Elise, then nine, and Harley, two – I wasn’t really looking for a relationship. Still, your charm made me wobble at the knees. I didn’t think I’d see you after that, but it seemed you were determined to see me again. You found me on Facebook, and I have to admit, I was blushing when your message popped up. How are you? you’d asked. We continued to chat from then on – and we just clicked. I told you all about the kids,…

Never too late According to new research, women who take up healthy habits in middle age can help reduce their risk of a stroke by more than a third. The key healthy habits found to help included daily exercise, consuming less junk food, drinking less booze, not smoking and shedding a few pounds if overweight. With strokes being the fourth most common cause of death in the UK, the new findings only add to evidence that it’s never too late to protect yourself against serious illnesses. 20%… That’s the amount of Brit’s who suffer from hay fever according to NHS data. Those aged 45-54 were thought to be the most likely to be affected by hay fever allergies. Men’s health with Dr Simran Deo QI keep getting heart palpitations and somebody recently…

SUMMER COLOURS This summer, a strong and vibrant colour palette is on the agenda with multi-award winning nail care brand, Mavala. The exclusive summer 2020 Poolside collection is bright and bold. Consisting of six shades, each are named after some of the world’s most famous beach resorts. £5.50 each from Lookfantastic.com 1. Santa Monica – A deep blue as immense as the Pacific Ocean 2. Mombasa – A pure light blue as sweet as the African Savannah sky 3. Phuket – A turquoise green emulating the tropics 4. Portofino – A sparkling rose, like the Mediterranean summer 5. Goa – a rosy red like the overflowing intensity of the colours of India 6. Las Perlas – a fiery apricot shade reminiscent of the Central American coast Be sweet to your feet…

Shop looks you’ll love all in one place at New Look. Their new women’s range will carry you through to summer, with musthave midis, iconic denim, and timeless florals. NewLook.com also shares daily blog posts on style tips, celebrity looks and fashion inspiration. From iconic lingerie moments to DIY facemasks, they’ve got a range of posts to keep you entertained!…

Getting out of the car and walking into the school gates, I could feel myself limping. ‘You looked like you were drunk,’ Mum said with a concerned tone later that afternoon. After getting a water parasite in my eye six months earlier, I’d had daily medication and chemicals flushed into me. So, it was no surprise I was a little off balance. ‘Because the parasite has eaten its way through to your cornea, we can’t be sure if it’s dead or in hibernation,’ doctors at Stoke Mandeville Hospital told me. ‘If it comes back to life, it could go into your bloodstream and kill you.’ At 14, it was hard to accept, but I tried to get on with my life – just extra cautious if my eye even so…

Hearing the clippers buzz behind my ears, I chatted away to my hairdresser Sandra as she cut my hair. ‘So when are you going to start pole?’ she grinned. Sandra had been my hairdresser for 20 years, and recently she’d been joking about me trying pole fitness with her. ‘Never,’ I said, rolling my eyes. ‘It’s basically the same as your work!’ she said. ‘A scaffolder must be good with poles.’ She continued to persuade me, and I finally gave in. ‘Come round mine and try it!’ she said. And so, I did. One evening in 2014, I had a go lifting myself up on the pole in Sandra’s conservatory. ‘It’s actually quite fun!’ I said. I was surprised by myself. After talking to her pole instructor, she invited me…

Isle of Wight Tomatoes have been growing in the rich and fertile Arreton Valley for over 30 years. With around 40 varieties of tomatoes grown each year, the island’s unique maritime climate and southern location boasts some of the best sunshine levels in the UK, resulting in some of Britain’s tastiest tomatoes. Tomato pizza rolls ISLE OF WIGHT TOMATO SAUCE: □ 2 tbsp olive oil□ 3 cloves garlic, peeled and sliced□ 1 kilo Isle of Wight Tomatoes, chopped□ ½ - 1tsp red wine vinegar□ ½ - 1 tsp caster sugar□ Salt & pepper□ Half a small bunch basil DOUGH: □ 375g strong plain flour □ 7g dried yeast□ 1 tsp salt□ 2 tbsp olive oil□ 200ml warm water FILLING: □ 120g grated cheese (cheddar, cooking mozzarella, or a mixture)□ 1tsp dried…

Gripping a pink crayon in his hand, my little boy looked up at me eagerly. Placing my hand on his, I guided it along the paper to draw the number 20. Dylan looked at me, his eyes wide with excitement ‘That’s right,’ I smiled. ‘Only 20 sleeps until your birthday!’ It was a little tradition Dylan and I had – every year, we’d do a countdown to his big day. On his eighth birthday last year, I’d treated him to a McDonald’s in the morning, followed by a party at the house with some of his school friends. Now, it was 6 March, 20 days until Dylan turned nine. But this year, sadly, there would be no McDonald’s, no party, and no friends. The past 12 months had changed everything.…

How great is this? In Cetraben’s newest campaign, This Is My Skin, they aim to break the eczema and psoriasis taboo. Approved by the British Skin Foundation, Cetraben have partnered with photographer Emma Croman to provide the most honest portrayal of eczema we’ve seen to date. Not only are they honest, but they’re also uplifting and positive, showing the beauty and hope of all individuals who took part. The eczema isn’t immediately identifiable, but if you look closer, it’s just a natural part of the shot. As a part of the campaign, the brand has pledged to only use models with eczema, psoriasis and dry skin conditions in its advertising, and we’re fully on board! GET IN TOUCH Send us your stories and photos, including all names and ages, a…

Fill it! Complete the grid then read down the shaded squares to reveal the hidden answer. Clue: Boy’s name. ACROSS 6 Rental contract (5) 7 Interpret in a particular way (8) 10 House in the countryside (7) 11 Mean or miserly person (7) 12 Frozen figure (7) 13 Rapper and actor with starring roles in Anaconda, Three Kings, and Fist Fight (3,4) 14 Cheat or betray (6-5) 19 Socks and stockings (7) 21 Planet (7) 23 American pouched mammal (7) 25 Stirs up (7) 26 Person or firm that hires workers (8) 27 Water jugs (5) DOWN 1 Clint _, veteran actor who won an Academy Award for Best Director for 2004’s Million Dollar Baby (8) 2 Make quiet (6) 3 Film script (10) 4 Responsibility (4) 5 Number-placement puzzle…

Tiki Bingo Tiki Bingo is an entertaining, value 90-ball bingo game on Pick Me Up! Bingo, that offers jackpots, tickets from just 1p and a fun chatroom. There are also linked games, that run every half an hour. Numbers are called between 1-90 and, if your number gets called, it will automatically be dabbed off from your ticket. Cash prizes can be won on one line, two lines or the Full House. And, if your Full House is called within a set number of ball calls, you’ll win the progressive jackpot. There are even more enjoyable Tiki games to discover… Tiki Temple Start your quest to discover the fun of Tiki Temple in this exciting jungle adventure! Tiki Temple is a unique slot game that comes packed with charming characters,…

We’ve all been there – we’re busy at work when nature steps in, and there’s no way to avoid it. Reaching into our handbag, we discreetly tuck a sanitary pad in our back pocket or a tampon under our sleeve and make our way to the bathroom while hoping no one sees us. Periods – they arrive every month around the same time, and yet every time, many of us feel the need to hide it, to cover it up, treating it as some kind of taboo subject, as if we’re doing something wrong. But why is there such a stigma around the natural process of menstruation? After all, it’s something over half the population goes through roughly every 28 days. Intimate health specialist Dr Shirin Lakhani suggests that a…

Hannah Clarke, 32, just wanted to keep her family safe from him. When Hannah Clarke first met former rugby league player Rowan Baxter in 2009, they connected straight away over their mutual love of fitness. Australian Hannah, 19, was on her way to becoming a champion trampolinist. While New Zealand born Rowan loved working out and had played for his local Warriors rugby team – although he never made the main team. Rowan was 11 years older than Hannah and straight away, he took the lead in their relationship. They married in 2012 and raised their three children in Brisbane. Aaliyah, six, was a typical older sibling. Confident, caring and adorably bossy. Sweet Laianah, four, was also beautiful like her mum, and her younger brother Trey, three, was a charmer.…

There has never been a better time to give you and your family an immunity boost. Rediscover the cranberry and invigorate your taste buds with Ocean Spray Cranberry juice drink (£1.50, Tesco). Try these recipes to enjoy a delicious blend of crisp and refreshing, clean-tasting cranberries, perfect for the whole family to enjoy whilst social distancing together and beyond. Cranberry smoothie WHAT YOU’LL NEED: □ 500ml of Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice□ 1 peeled and sliced banana□ 1 apple, washed, cored and cut into wedges□ 75g mixed frozen berries, such as strawberry and blueberries METHOD: 1 Pour 500ml of Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice into a blender. 2 Place the banana, apple and mixed berries into the blender and give it a whizz on high power until the smoothie’s texture becomes like…

Peering at a faint blue line on a plastic stick, my heart skipped a beat. It was April 2019, and after realising I’d missed my period, I’d decided to take a pregnancy test. Heading out to my local Tesco to buy one, I couldn’t wait to get home, so I’d nipped into the store’s toilets. ‘Well, what does it say?’ my partner Shaun, 44, asked, eagerly waiting outside the ladies’ room. ‘I’m pregnant,’ I said. ‘I can’t believe it,’ Shaun grinned. ‘We’re having another baby!’ I already had two kids from a previous relationship – Cory, 19, and John, 11 – and after Shaun and I got together in 2015, we’d had our daughter Aalish, now three. I knew our ever-growing brood would be a handful, but I was made…

Natalie Trice is a Confidence and Clarity Coach and works with women to help them create a life they love. As a uni lecturer, she helps students to take charge of their careers. natalietrice.co.uk Terrified of failure Q How can I build my confidence? I can’t even apply for jobs at the moment as I’m terrified I’ll just make a fool of myself. Caroline, Bristol A It is so easy to look around us and think that everyone has their lives sorted, but that’s not the case. Social media can make us think that other people are super confident and leading their best lives, but quite often they are only showing their best bits and never say they hate their curly hair, would love to move to a new city…

Placing wooden blocks in a pile, my little boy Dylan had a determined look on his face. ‘Well done,’ I beamed. It was 2014, and Dylan, then two, loved Mummy time. I had my hands full with him, his brother Jake, then four, and six-week old Elliot. Just then, Dylan’s head jolted forward and a spurt of vomit came out. ‘There there,’ I soothed, wiping his chin. It had been the same routine every morning for about a week – Dylan would be happily playing, then start vomiting. I was confused, as he showed no other symptoms, didn’t seem ill at all. Worried, I took him to the GP. ‘Probably a virus,’ I was told. But I wasn’t convinced. The next day, after Dylan threw up again, I got the…

Walking down the hall, shrieks of laughter echoed from my daughter’s bedroom. ‘Here we go again,’ I smiled, rolling my eyes. It was June 2016, and Kelly, 25, was getting ready for a night out with the girls. She’d spent the last four years at Leeds University studying child education, hoping to become a social worker one day. With just me, my husband Paul, 53, and our son Adrian, 31, at home, the house had been so quiet without Kelly. And now that she was back, I was so happy to hear the laughter again, to hear her voice every day. Kelly had always been the life of the party – her bubbly personality was infectious, and everyone adored her. ‘Cheers!’ I heard her and the girls chime, clinking glasses.…

Popping into the corner shop on my way home from school, I grabbed another few cans of Irn Bru from the shelf. ‘That should keep me going,’ I joked to some of my mates. But if I was being honest, it probably wouldn’t. Aged just 14, I was drinking around ten cans of Irn Bru a day and couldn’t get enough of the sugarloaded fizzy drink. My mum, Angela, 47, would have gone mad if she’d known how much of the stuff I was knocking back every day. She didn’t let me eat anything too unhealthy and our meals were always free of junk food. Only, in the house next door was my Auntie Gale, 58, who would happily let me pop round after I’d had dinner for what I’d…

Turmeric latte This digestive drink treat contains a shot of turmeric for arthritis dogs. Best of all, you only need three ingredients! Find more dog-friendly recipes in Tasty Treats for Happy Dogs Cookbook for £11.69 on Amazon. Makes: 1 serving INGREDIENTS: □ 2 tbsp plain yoghurt□ ½ tsp ground turmeric□ 1 tbsp water 1.Combine all the ingredients in a jug, then pour into a dog’s bowl and watch your pet lap it up. Caution: please don’t serve this hot to your dog! A DOG’S LIFE Broadcaster, nutrition and behaviour guru, Anna Webb, has brought out a new podcast called ‘A Dog’s Life’. Listen as she brings to life why every dog is extraordinary! Available on all podcast platforms. Insta love @wafflethecockerspaniel Waffle ‘The Waff’ is a Byron Bay beach boy…

British Wagyu steaks, from £5.99, Aldi. Famed for its rich, buttery flavour and melt-in-themiddle tenderness, Wagyu steaks are highly prized around the world, but now you can recreate the fine dining experience at home with Aldi’s offering, all for under £8. The Tropical Cookbook, £10.99, Waterstones.com While we might not be heading off to tropical climates anytime soon, this collection of fun filled recipes will whisk you away to island paradise. Whether you want to find your wings with Flamingo Cupcakes, bake Pineapple Pancakes or rustle up a Monkey Milkshake, this cookbook by Alix Carey will see you combining quirky ideas with tropical flavours. Find Alix on Instagram @mykitchendrawer. Gü Free From Salted Caramel Cheesecakes, £3.50, Sainsbury’s and Morrisons. Gü’s much-loved salted caramel desserts now have a gluten-free alternative, joining…

ARIES 21 March–20 April It’s going to be hard for anyone to stop you from doing what you want when you want this week. You have the strength and energy for two, but why not stop and think where your time is best spent? You have friends in high places since last month. It’s time you used the impression you left on so many. Try not to make promises you can’t keep in the workplace. Call: 09058 170 710* LEO 24 July–23 Aug There is the need this week to spruce up your image a bit and to feel better about yourself in order to feel up to par with those you want to mix with. Just be you, Leo. Remember, it is your best quality, and is what sold…