Table of contents for 26-Aug-2021 in Pick Me Up!

Slamming the front door behind me, I kicked off my shoes and let out a sigh of relief. I was completely exhausted from a long week of work. I knew marketing was going to be a stressful industry, but I wasn’t prepared for this. I found it so toxic and draining. My 30th Birthday was coming up, and I felt I needed to make a change to my life. Browsing the web one day, I came across a volunteer programme made for professionals. It was based in Peru to help Andean communities set up their own local businesses. It seemed like the perfect opportunity for me. So, in January 2020, I quit my job and signed up. Everyone in the community was so kind and welcoming, but I could see…

Dragging an old chair out into the garden, I wiped my brow. What the hell am I going to do with all this stuff? I thought. I had some free time, so I’d decided to have a big clear-out. But it had left me with a huge pile of junk in my back garden. Grabbing my phone, I tapped out a post on Facebook. Does anyone know of someone who can collect some rubbish from my garden? My phone soon pinged with a reply. I’ll come and get it. The message was from Henry Willis. He was a local scrap metal collector. I’d known him briefly through mutual friends years ago, but I hadn’t seen him in ages. I messaged back and agreed a time for him to pop over.…

ACROSS 6 Extreme (5) 7 Not frightened (8) 10 2021 Disney film starring 27 Across, 4 Down, 16 Down, 17 Down & 20 Down (7) 11 Make less heavy or burdensome (7) 12 European country (7) 13 Small bubble on the skin (7) 14 Authorisation (11) 19 Avaricious (7) 21 Pitifully sad and lonely (7) 23 Biggest (7) 25 In theory as opposed to fact (2,5) 26 Not fit to be eaten (8) 27 Emma _, played Gwen Stacy in 2012’s The Amazing Spider-Man (5) DOWN 1 Progress with difficulty (8) 2 Perennial plant (6) 3 By far (3,3,4) 4 _ Walter Hauser, actor whose film credits include Richard Jewell and BlacKkKlansman (4) 5 Decree or settlement imposed (6) 6 Male relatives (6) 8 Style of jazz piano music (7)…

QWhy do I have tight hamstrings and what stretches are best to help relieve them? Alan, Southampton A Hamstring injuries are common, especially in runners, but you can be genetically more limited in your hamstring flexibility. Other reasons include a sedentary lifestyle; working the hamstrings in a shortened position may increase tightness and reduce extensibility. For example, hamstring curls, cycling and finally, a bout of intense activity – playing a sport, especially if after a break from it. Try lying on your back and bringing one knee to 90 degrees and clasp your hands behind the thigh then straighten your leg until you feel a pull – hold 30 secs and repeat three times. This is the safest and gentlest way to start stretching them.…

As you spring from your lockdown cocoon, your feet might not be as ready as you are. Luckily, Deichmann is here to help with some top tips on how to stop your shoes rubbing: 1. KEEP FEET DRY Moisture softens the skin and increases friction, meaning it increases the risk of blisters and skin breaks. To protect your feet from moisture, ensure your shoes are waterproof. Alternatively, you can use Deichman’s moisture blocking spray to help keep those feet dry. 2. NEVER BUY NEW SHOES IN THE MORNING As the day goes on, your feet will naturally swell. Poor-fitting shoes can cause all sorts of problems and discomfort, so buy shoes in the afternoon for a true fit. 3. TRY BEFORE YOU BUY Wearing the right size and style of…

From your lockdown haircut to the person you have chosen to marry, regret can appear in any aspect of our lives, big or small. It’s something we all feel from time to time and is pretty impossible to avoid in life. But regret can be such an overwhelming emotion, and it becomes difficult to move past. Overthinking every part of your life or the mistakes you have made, whilst good to acknowledge, can be destructive to your present self. The pandemic hasn’t exactly helped either with every decision having a consequence and countless hours stuck indoors to think about the times we didn’t take advantage of our freedoms! Ironically, it might even cause you to have more regrets because you miss out on other opportunities by getting so caught up…

TIE-DYE WALL ART Discover the art of shibori, an ancient Japanese tie dye technique that specialises in creating unique patterns with indigo dye. YOU WILL NEED: PREP: □ White fabric (100% cotton is best to absorb the dye) □ Bucket □ Rubber gloves □ Pencil □ Ruler □ Scissors □ Elastic bands □ Indigo blue dye □ Water □ Picture frames STEP 1 Measure and cut the fabric to your desired size. Ma ke sure it fits the picture frames. STEP 2 Prepare the dye by pouring it into the bucket according to the packet instructions. STEP 3 Fold the fabric into your desired shape using the shibori method. You can choose between crumpling up the fabric, tying it into knots for a stripe effect or tying it in small…

Somerset-based Yeo Valley Organic is on a mission to put nature first, make the most of leftovers and reduce food waste! Using a variety of leftovers such as roast lamb, roast pork, salad greens and pineapple, these delicious recipes are a perfect way to create amazing meals while being kinder to the planet. Roast pork tacos with guacamole FOR THE CABBAGE PICKLE: □ 1⁄4 small red cabbage□ White wine vinegar□ 1 tbsp salt□ 1 tbsp sugar FOR THE ROAST PORK: □ 500g leftover roast pork□ 50g Yeo Valley Organic butter□ 1tbsp olive oil□ 1 whole orange FOR THE JALAPENO YOGURT: □ 1⁄2 jar of pickled jalapenos□ 1 tbsp olive oil□ 1 tsp salt□ 1⁄2 small pack of coriander stalks□ Yeo Valley Organic yogurt FOR THE GUACAMOLE: □ 2 avocados□ 1…

Fun days out It’s called black magic! Mixers, it’s time to get excited as Madame Tussauds has officially unveiled the figures to the biggest girl group on the planet! Marking Little Mix’s 10th anniversary, Jade, Perrie, Leigh-Anne and Jesy have been immortalised in the style of their world-famous 2019 Bounce Back music video. Leaving no detail overlooked and no stone unturned, Madame Tussauds London have worked closely with Little Mix and their team of stylists to ensure visitors can get up-close and personal with the megastars. • Prices from £24, www.madametussauds.com BOOK OF THE WEEK On the morning of 18 June 2001, 15-year-old Danielle Jones left home for school, never to be seen again. The hunt for the missing girl and her abductor remains the largest and most expensive investigation…

Placing my baby boy, Callum, then nine-months-old, in his cot, I stood up and felt a pain in my stomach. ‘Are you OK?’ my husband, Robert, 29, asked. I nodded while doubled over. It was January time in 2016 and my twinges had been coming and going since I gave birth to our third child, Callum, on 7 April the year before. Running around after my two older cheeky monkeys, Kyle, 11, and Luke, nine, as well taking care of Callum - I thought was the cause of it. ‘Go and rest, I’ll sort dinner,’ Robert told me with a smile. I met Robert, my soulmate and childhood sweetheart when I was just 16. Then, nine years ago, I was lucky enough to marry him. Robert took care of me…

Jaz Ampaw-Farr is a resilience ninja, international speaker, coach and author. Jaz has been hailed ‘the UK’s answer to Oprah’. (jazampawfarr.com) Giving them confidence Q I’ve noticed my kids are very reluctant to do school plays – or stand up in front of people. I’m not a confident person and I worry it’s rubbed off on them. How can I turn that around? Lizzy, Kent A Great parents always want the best for their kids. The great news is that confidence isn’t hereditary, but a habit you can develop – either at home or school. Sometimes children are ready and take up the opportunity to develop their confidence, and other times they aren’t ready – yet! Rather than focussing on them performing, get them to be brave in other ways…

1Adenoids are small lumps ■ True ■ False 2Adenoidectomy is an illness ■ True ■ False 3 Adenoids get bigger with age. ■ True ■ False 4The adenoids can cause breathing problems. ■ True ■ False 5It’s rarely an operation for adults. ■ True ■ False 1 TRUE At the back of the nose, above the roof of the mouth, are small lumps called adenoids which you cannot see by looking in the mouth. They help the body’s immune system. 2 FALSE It is an operation that removes the adenoids in a quick, 30-minute operation. They are removed through the mouth and general anaesthetic is used for the operation. 3 FALSE Children usually have bigger adenoids which gradually shrink as they grow older, eventually disappearing entirely by the time they…

Sitting on the floor of my bedroom as a child in the 70s, I could feel the excitement swell as I held that brightly coloured box in my hands. I brushed my fingers over the words ‘Fuzzy Felt’ in the top left corner and gazed at the images of the felt monsters on the front. I could already picture all the creations I would soon be able to make. Fuzzy Felt is a craft toy that contains a number of different felt shapes, which you place onto a backing board to create different pictures. Carefully opening the lid, I picked at the different pieces, feeling the soft shapes sitting in my hand. I started to move them along the board, making different scenes, and creatures as I went. Over the…

Looking down at the bundle in my arms, my heart broke to see my baby so ill. It was December 2020, and Gunner was now 13 months old. Apart from a failed hearing test and a herniated belly button that cleared on its own, he was a healthy baby, but now he couldn’t make it through a week without getting ill. ‘We’re going to have to call the doctors again,’ I said to my husband, Jamie, 31. As the weather got colder, we noticed Gunner was always congested and suffering from some sort of chest infection. This would be the eighth week in a row we would have to call the GP for antibiotics. ‘Nothing seems to work and as soon as the course of antibiotics comes to end, Gunner…

Nachosaurus Snack Dip, £25, redcandy.co.uk The Nachosaurus is roaming right into snack time with the aim to curb your mammoth hunger! Serve with a variety of delicious dips. Verdict: BONKERS! Tuck in! Bogpuss Toilet Paper Holder, £13, redcandy.co.uk While he looks on with his big, cute eyes, this positively purrfect holder will be sure to leave you feline good once you’ve finished! Grab yourself one of these meow! Verdict: BONKERS! Peek-a-loo! Planet Coasters, £14, redcandy.co.uk If your guests are keen to put their glasses directly on the table at your parties, you can tell them to (space) hop it or suggest adding one of these flying saucers to keep the cosmos clean. Out of this world. Verdict: BONKERS! To infinity!…

There were many things that Nicole Montalvo regretted about her marriage to Christopher Otero-Rivera, but she was very thankful for one thing that came out of the ill-fated match. Their relationship gave her the most important thing she had in her life – Nicole’s eight-year-old son. By 2018, after suffering years of abuse at the hands of her toxic partner, Nicole, 35, had finally ended things with Christopher, 32. But in a terrible twist of fate, her son was the one reason that Nicole could never truly be free of the man who had always wanted to control her. Christopher was dating someone new, but he was also fighting Nicole for custody of their son. It came to a head when Christopher, and his girlfriend at the time, allegedly forced…

This week, our tip of the week will receive a great product from Addis! Creating a clean and neat area can help makeover a space with a minimal cost yet maximum impact This Addis rattan effect laundry hamper and basket, toilet brush and bin, is a perfect mini makeover. To embrace your space and love your home visit addis.co.uk Colourful creations Wrap masking tape around children’s crayons to prevent them from snapping in half. Abbie Cairns, Essex Sofa rescue If your sofa is starting to look a bit flat in the middle, then put an old pillow underneath the cushions. It will rescue it by giving the sofa cushions some added support. Marion Aldred, London Fancy a cuppa? I get rid of tea stains in my drinking mugs using a…

Top tip Great with strappy heels Top tip You can dress these up or down Top tip Pair prints with neutral shades Find out more about our commitment to REAL woman womanandhome.com/real…

Turning around to see where my little shadow was, I laughed. ‘Come on Monty, you slow coach,’ I said, waiting for him to catch up. I’d had my eight-and-a-half year old apricot-coloured Labradoodle since he was just a puppy, and the two of us did everything together. He wasn’t just a dog, he was family. My wife Luanne, 55, and kids Josh, 30, and Sophie, 21, felt the same. We all adored Monty. He’d always been an incredible companion – so affectionate, intelligent, loyal, and so sociable too. But I’d noticed recently he’d started lagging behind on our walks, and he seemed a bit lethargic. It wasn’t like him, but I put it down to his age. But when Sophie came home from university for Christmas in 2019, she was…

Joe Lycett’s Got Your Back, Channel 4 Comedian Joe Lycett returns to fight for the consumer rights of the British public, as he takes on big brands, dodgy scammers and rogue traders in this brand-new series. With the help of his assistant Mark Silcox, a weekly studio guest and celebrity cameos, Joe campaigns on behalf of viewers who come up against red tape, get caught out by small print and are bullied by big businesses. Joe scores victories everywhere as he goes up against major international companies to make their packaging environmentally friendly, launches a massive campaign to back British wool, takes on dodgy puppy dealers and hits back against the nation’s worst bosses. And on top of all that, each week Joe gets behind the Customer Service desk as…

CLEAN AS A WHISTLE Cleaning our makeup brushes is not a chore most of us enjoy. We all know we need to do it, but let’s be honest, how often do we really? Well, to encourage us to apply our makeup as hygienically as possible, award-winning makeup artist Lisa Armstrong, is now an ambassador for Beauty Hygiene Plus. The new brand is set to be a ‘game-changer’ as it includes everything you need to keep your makeup products and beauty tools as clean as a whistle. Prices from £12, available from www.beautyhygieneplus.com Lisa says; ‘Hygiene has always been an essential part of my day-to-day working practice to avoid spreading harmful bacteria. With the new Beauty Hygiene Plus, cleaning and sanitising your personal brushes, makeup and beauty tools and sponges is…

Mini Pork & Branston Topped Pies, £1.50, ASDA The perfect combination of sweet Original Branston Pickle drizzled on top of a crisp pastry encasing a soft, seasoned pork centre. It’s the ideal, easy picnic snack for all of the family. Fizzing Cherry Cadbury bar, £1, Sainsbury’s Cadbury are setting the bar high with a magical combination of smooth milk chocolate, chewy cherry pieces, tingling, cracking popping candy and crunchy biscuits. It’s one of three of their new creations! Spicy Mediterranean Paxo, £1.49, Sainsbury’s Make an easy and delicious dinner with the help of Paxo’s veggie fillers! A delicious blend of breadcrumbs, herbs and seasoning is perfect to stuff peppers or mushrooms. Crunchy Seed Clusters Flaxseed & Cranberries, £3.99, linwoodshealthfoods.com This combination of toasted golden flaxseed and sliced cranberries provide a…

Set sail this summer at Drayton Manor Park’s all-new attraction. Adventure Cove features boats, barrels and steering wheels aplenty, so families across the UK are invited to set sail and experience a host of new exciting rides and attractions – as well as some old-favourites decked out in a gorgeous, fresh, bright and coastal colour scheme. Adventure Cove brings two exhilarating new attractions, which are sure to give the young and young at heart a ride to remember. Brave young seafarers can get a taste for the high life aboard the all-new Wave Swinger, soaring up to the sky and feeling the sea breeze with breathtaking views. Aspiring adventurers can also climb to new heights aboard Tidal Towers, another new addition where the young ones can explore the playground and…