Table of contents for 27-Jan-2022 in Pick Me Up!

Working for the NHS, I had managed to work my way up in the hospital sector. Even though I thoroughly enjoyed my career, it could be very high stress at times. I’m a creative person and I needed something to soothe my brain. Semi-permanent makeup was something I was really interested in. After having my eyebrows microbladed, I knew this technique was great. I would also spend hours watching videos of microblading on YouTube. That’s when, in 2018, I thought I would give it a go. After researching a little more, I found a course I could complete during the evenings and weekends, when I wouldn’t be on shift at the hospital. I loved every single second of it. A year later, in 2019, I became a fully qualified semipermanent…

Staring intently at the pregnancy test, I held my breath. Slowly, two blue lines started to appear. Positive. My heart sank. I showed the stick to my husband David, 34. ‘Oh,’ he said. We were already parents to a little girl, three-year-old Gracie, who we adored. But this pregnancy hadn’t been planned, and the timing couldn’t be worse. I’d started at university just two days before. I was studying to be a midwife, and the course was intense – I was juggling studying full-time, doing practical work experience and looking after Gracie. David worked as an officer in the merchant navy, which meant he was away for long periods of time. A new baby was the last thing I wanted. ‘What do you want to do?’ David asked. ‘I don’t…

Rhiannon Spurgeon is a coach, mentor, author of Grief Without Guilt, and founder of the Totally Awesome Women’s Network website (rhiannonspurgeon.com) Feeling guilty Q My husband died last year, and I was heartbroken. Now I’ve met someone I like, but I feel guilty that I’m betraying my late husband. Will I ever stop feeling this way? Siobhan, Kent A This may sound easier said than done, but you’ll stop feeling guilty when you choose to stop feeling that way. Moving on after the death of a partner is different from moving on after a divorce, even if the relationship wasn’t a fairy-tale. After a break-up we take down photos, but after a bereavement, we don’t. The rational part of us knows that he’s gone and not coming back. The less…

Varicose veins They’re life-threatening. ◻ True ◻ False They are usually lumpy. ◻ True ◻ False The cause is unknown. ◻ True ◻ False They can cause swollen feet. ◻ True ◻ False There are treatment options. ◻ True ◻ False 1 FALSE Varicose veins are swollen and enlarged veins, often found in the legs and feet. They are not dangerous, though sometimes a trip to the GP is needed if they cause pain or discomfort. 2 TRUE Often varicose veins are dark in colour – blue or dark purple – and are lumpy, bulging or twisted in appearance. There are several different types of varicose veins, each varying slightly in shape and colour. 3 FALSE They develop when the small valves inside the veins stop working properly. The chances of developing them…

Scrambling on the rock face, I looked for my next perch. I’d been climbing for as long as I could remember and I loved nothing more than being outdoors. Standing on the top of the rock, I longed for adventure. Growing up in California, I dreamed of seeing the world. And always wondered what else was out there. I had an amazing childhood. My parents Karen and Richard supported my dreams. As well as their love for nature, they encouraged my passion for all things DIY. Dad collected wood for us to build a treehouse together and Mum taught me how to sew. However, in 2010, at the age of 19, I decided it was time for my next adventure. Switching California for York and then Manchester, I was ready…

Investing – a word we seem to see time and time again these days. In the past, it’s mostly been associated with banks and large companies in the financial sector. That, and Leonardo DiCaprio’s depiction of criminal stockbroker, Jordan Belfort, in the 2013 film, The Wolf of Wall Street. However, the reality is, anyone can invest. And more and more people are doing so. But what exactly is it? And why does it seem so scary? ‘Investing is basically when you buy something you hope will increase in value in the future,’ Clare Francis, Director of Savings and Investments at Barclays Smart Investor says. ‘That could be property, art, jewellery or even wine. But commonly, when we talk about investing, it is in reference to the stock markets where you…

January can be cold, damp and miserable – so Burns Night, held on 25 January, is the perfect excuse for a knees-up! Burns Night celebrates much-loved Scottish lyricist and poet, Robert ‘Rabbie’ Burns, every year on his birthday. You don’t have to be Scottish to get involved, but there is a traditional way to do it – including toasts, reciting poetry and ‘addressing the haggis’… Throw a Burns supper with Drambuie, the Scottish whisky liqueur. What to eat It wouldn’t be a Burns Night supper without traditional Scottish grub – including haggis, neeps and tatties (or swede and potatoes), as well as a few drams! Brian Kinsman, Drambuie’s master blender, shares his culinary tips for serving a tasty Burns Night banquet. ‘In one of Burns’ most famous poems – Address…

Have you heard of? It’s time to get messy! It’s Switch on your creative brain and piece together a perfect design. The only limit is your imagination. Noah’s Pottery Clay Kit is the perfect activity for families on a dark and rainy day this winter. And don’t worry, you don’t have to be a pro to get started with this kit. It comes complete with everything you need to create your masterpiece – including an eight-piece toolset, paint brushes, varnish and a base paint. Once you’re happy, simply leave to one side and let the clay dry! Add a personal touch to your home by creating a plant pot or an adorable trinket bowl. Plus, they make the perfect homemade gift! • Prices from £35, noahsbox.com WHAT’S TRENDING Muscle aches and pains…

This recipe is easily halved should you want to make less If you’re in need of a burst of healthy energy, these fruity snacks, from lovefreshberries.co.uk, hit the spot! TIP: Try raspberries, strawberries or blackberries instead of blueberries! ◻ 160g roughly chopped dates ◻ 100ml water ◻ 120g blueberries ◻ 120g peanut butter ◻ 60g oats ◻ 50g toasted sesame seeds 1 Place the dates and water in a small pan, cover and simmer for two to three minutes. Stir, mixing to a paste, and cook for a minute or so to make a thick paste. Remove from the heat. 2 Add the blueberries, crushing them slightly, then mixin with the peanut butter and oats.  3 Once cool enough to handle, wet your hands slightly, and roll into 20 evenly…

Complete the grid then read down the shaded squares to reveal the hidden answer. Clue: French painter. ACROSS 6 Halloween _, 2021 horror film featuring the villain 21/27 Across and starring 17 Down (5) 7 Pertaining to business and finance (8) 10 Grittiness, or the state of being uncooked (7) 11 More cruel (7) 12 Trampled (7) 13 _ film, horror sub-genre of which 6 Across is an example (7) 14 Fantasy, pretend (4-7) 19 Spartan (7) 21 First name of horror movie character who wears a white mask and a jumpsuit (7) 23 Visual symbolism (7) 25 Tending, caring for (7) 26 Military contest to develop weapons (4,4) 27 Second name of 21 Across (5) DOWN 1 Bioluminescent insect larva (4-4) 2 Climb (6) 3 Fair, judicious (10) 4…

Dr Patel shares her top tips for stress-free snoozing… ● If you can get 10 minutes of natural daylight in the morning, it will help you get your circadian rhythm, which in turn will help you sleep better and then feel better the next day. Try having your morning drink in a sunny spot in the home, or even get outside. ● Try and add nasal breathing in the morning and exercise into your regular routine. These will both help to reduce anxiety and depression, so you get a better-quality sleep. ● Try and consume lots of fruit and veg – these help to reduce inflammation, which is often the cause of morning ‘grogginess’. Also, avoid stodgy carbs and sugar – these can cause inflammation by causing a blockage in…

Dear Mum, Coming home from school, I always knew where to find you. Opening the gate to the garden, you smiled whilst waving your muddy fingers in the air. You just loved nature – flowers were your favourite. Do you remember when you begged Dad to buy you a potting shed? Your wish was his command, and the wooden structure took pride of place in the garden. You even went to a flower arranging group with your best friend, Emma, once a week. Being my silly teenage brothers, Louis, Owain, and Rhys would tease you for going. You were the youngest person there! The smell of home-grown sweet peas lingered in the kitchen and Dad nicknamed you his ‘little sweet pea’. Growing up, we knew that certain foods didn’t agree…

Rubbing my bloated stomach, I sighed. Must still be getting over the festive indulgence, I thought to myself. It was January 2020, and my stomach had been bloated on and off for a few weeks. I put it down to eating the wrong things, and didn’t really think much more of it. I assumed the bloating would go away on its own, in time. But a couple of months later, when I started feeling dizzy, too, I decided to see my GP. We’d just gone into lockdown, which meant my appointment was over the phone, rather than in person. My tummy swelled, I looked pregnant ‘It sounds like it could be a bit of IBS, or maybe endometriosis,’ she said. ‘I’ll refer you to a gynecologist though, just to be…

Even when her eight year marriage was over, Amanda Canales still wasn’t ready to openly admit just how toxic the relationship had been with her ex-husband. Amanda had been with Kevin Lewis for a decade, and they shared three young children – two girls and a boy. But Amanda had been deeply unhappy, and even when they got divorced in June 2017, she was frightened of her ex. He’d physically hurt Amanda in the past, leaving her bruised and scared, and despite their separation, he was still threatening her. In the August, Amanda was granted full custody of her three children. Instead of child support, Kevin was ordered to pay $800 a month. It was a fresh start for Amanda. She focused on her home in Everett, Washington, and as…

Gripping onto my mum’s hand, I was absolutely terrified. At 40-weeks pregnant, I had been booked in for a C-section, and my mum Joy, 63, was by my side. Only, instead of excitment, I was filled with nerves. There was a chance my baby wouldn’t make it and the staff at the Countess of Chester Hospital had set up a family room to give us some privacy. Despite being told at my 34-week scan that my baby had a 1% chance of survival, I refused to believe I would lose the little girl who I’d already named Millie. Doctors had previously advised me to terminate her, but I knew that I’d rather have my girl alive in my arms for two seconds than not at all. Millie was diagnosed with…

Q Sometimes when I wake up I can’t move or speak, this can last for up to 10 minutes. What’s wrong with me? Jason, Dudley A This is called sleep paralysis. It can happen to people with other sleep-related conditions like narcolepsy, sleep apnoea, and idiopathic hypersomnia. It can sometimes occur as an isolated condition on its own. The episodes are usually harmless, but they can be a sign of poor sleep quality. Review your sleep habits and see if you can make any positive changes to your usual sleep routine. When you do wake in the morning, avoid hitting snooze on your alarm – this will cause sleep fragmentation, daytime sleepiness and even insomnia. Take some big deep breaths through your nose and out through your mouth. Try and…

Pawfect getaways The Dog-Friendly Travel Awards have been announced by PetsPyjamas, a dog dedicated travel company. These worthy winners are pawfect for hounds and their humans. For booking information, visit petspyjamas.com OVERALL WINNER: HOMEWOOD HOTEL & SPA, BATH, SOMERSET Furry friends are welcome to roam around this luxurious 13th-century property with their human as they please. There’s even an option to dine with a specially curated doggie menu. • From £128 per night IDO’S FAMILY FRIENDLY: WILDERNESS, SAXMUNDHAM, SUFFOLK Spend lazy days fishing, toe-dipping, doggy paddling or enjoying the swimming pool on one of the 12 farmhouses and cottages on this 5,000 luxury estate. • From £136 per night BEST DOG-FRIENDLY PUBS WITH ROOMS: THE THREE BLACKBIRDS, NEWMARKET, SUFFOLK Humans can expect fantastic British food made from local produce and pooches will…

Looking at dog breeds on the internet, I cooed at every single one. Finding a picture of an Azawakh, a breed related to the Greyhound and Whippet, I smiled. ‘What about this one?’ I pointed to my husband Ian, 38. An Azawakh was a bucket list dog of mine. They are one of my favourite breeds, but they are also extremely rare. I had never seen one in person before, let alone be lucky enough to actually have one of my own. Growing up in South Africa, Ian had never been introduced to the idea of dogs being pets. In his culture, dogs would sleep outside. He soon had to warm to the idea of having a furry family, when I said I wanted to rescue. Going to the local…

The Responder, BBC One Martin Freeman is almost unrecognisable in this new police drama series, written by an ex-police officer. The actor plays Chris, an urgent response police officer on the beat in Liverpool, tasked with six gruelling night shifts in a row – which he completes over the course of six episodes. Chris is just trying to make it to the end of each shift unscathed – but his daily grind is soon interrupted when he’s forced to take on new rookie partner Rachel (Adelayo Adedayo). Chris balances the challenging, and sometimes hilarious, aspects of his job alongside his own personal issues, including his mental health and a struggling marriage. Jay Blades: Learning to Read at 51, BBC One TV presenter Jay Blades has been told he has the…

We’ve all been there – you’re halfway through making a cake, you open the cupboard…and find you’re out of eggs, or there’s no self-raising flour left.  Never fear – the Easy Peasy Baking campaign, launched by UK Flour Millers, has put together a handy guide of top baking swaps to save you making another trip to the supermarket! 1 Bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) Did you know you can substitute bicarbonate of soda with baking powder? Just make sure it’s at a ratio of ¼ tsp of bicarbonate of soda, to 1 tsp of baking powder. Baking soda is much stronger than baking powder, so be careful not to get mixed up, as too much baking soda can cause a metallic taste in your bakes! 2 Buttermilk You can also…

Leicester Comedy Festival is back! This year, Europe’s biggest and longest running comedy festival returns for its 29th anniversary! You’ll be belly laughing in no time. Between 2 and 20 February, this epic festival will feature over 560 shows, over 800 performances and 64 venues. As always, this festival will see some of the biggest names in comedy take to the stage. From Katherine Ryan, Ed Gamble and Rosie Jones, this event will have you roaring with laughter. As well as classic stand up gigs, the festival will see comedians perform in a number of competitions. The Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year Competition has been running since 1995, and past winners have included Johnny Vegas, Josh Widdicombe, Romesh Ranganathan, Jo Enright and Kate Lucas. Who will take the crown…