Table of contents for 6-Oct-2022 in Pick Me Up!

Wolfing down my third portion of pasta, I scoured the kitchen for more. ‘Mum, we’re full up!’ my sons Jack, now 30, and Joe, now 34, would shout after finishing their tea, dashing out of the kitchen to play Only, I never called them in to scrape their plates. There was no need, because I always finished their meals. Fish and chips, leftover treats from McDonald’s, roast dinners – I ate anything I could get. Anybody would have thought I hadn’t eaten, but this was the norm for me. Growing up in a large family, there weren’t many treats in my house when I was little. You snooze, you lose,’ my siblings would tease, grabbing the snack remains. As a result, I was pretty much left to my own devices.…

Simone Thomas is a nutritionist, wellness coach and a respected authority in the world of health and hair. As the founder of Simone Thomas Wellness, she works with people to ensure they live their best, happiest lives every day. Search Simone Thomas Wellness online for more. I’m biting my tongue Q Whenever I visit my in-laws, they comment on how I look, and my approach to parenting. I’m sick of it, how do I bring it up without breaking the relationship? Trinny, Sheffield A Family dynamics are so very hard and I really feel for you with this one. When someone close is undermining you and criticising your parenting skills it is very difficult not to rise to the bait and become emotional in the moment. Yet, doing this can…

A sore head Q I keep getting really bad headaches around my forehead area – should I be worried? Amy, Lyme Regis A Headache is a common symptom, and a common reason people visit A&E or their GP. Most headaches are not associated with an underlying condition but may be due to conditions such as poor posture, stress, dehydration, tension type headaches, migraines or perhaps cluster headaches. Initial management would be to rest, drink plenty of water and take simple analgesia. However, if the headaches are persistent, getting worse or associated with other symptoms, medical attention should be sought to find the cause and treat effectively. More serious causes of headaches may have an underlying cause, such as head or neck trauma, medication overuse, infections and perhaps malignancy. If headaches…

Release-a-cake Spray, £2.99, Lakeland Have you ever made a cake masterpiece, only to have it fall apart at the last hurdle? You’re just about to gently lift off the baking tray, when you see that it has completely stuck itself to the tray and it’s already too late to save. Well, this spray is pure genius in a bottle as it doesn’t even require you to grease or line it! Just spray onto your chosen tray before you bake, and watch as your beloved dessert comes off with ease. Who knew baking could be so easy?! Verdict: GENIUS! No more baking disasters! Grow Up Cheesecake, £8.75, Deliveroo Heavenly Desserts have recently launched their wacky cheesecake served in a plant pot, designed to look like a growing shrub. Why not be at…

Giving birth to a precious daughter, Sharee Bradley, 28, had everything that she had ever wanted. Despite having broken relationships with ex-partners, her ability to raise three loving children was evident to all that she would meet. Especially as the charisma of Nevaeh Adams, her angelic five-year-old daughter, started to shine. Blessing both Sharee and her ex-partner Dupray Adams, on 28 October 2013, they decided to name their daughter with the most gracious name of all – her name quite literally spelling heaven backwards. And as she grew into a kind and caring child, it was clear that she was a gift from above. Enjoying family life in Sumter, South Carolina, with her older brother, 13, and younger brother, three, Nevaeh was excelling in her school life, too. Transitioning to…

My daughter Layla kicked her legs out as I pushed the trolley around our local supermarket, her fluffy bright-blonde hair stark against the fruit and veg. As I reached for a salad bag, I noticed a middle-aged woman staring at Layla. I was used to this, one-year-old Layla had blonde fuzzy hair that stood up on its ends. ‘Excuse me,’ the lady said walking over. ‘Please, could I touch her hair?’ I nodded, and as she reached out, her eyes widened. ‘It’s soft and fluffy!’ she said. Layla grinned up at her – she loved the attention! ‘She’s not one of Boris’s kids, is she?’ the lady asked. ‘She looks just like him!’ Oh, for God’s sake, I thought. I knew she wasn’t trying to be offensive. But I assured…

WHAT’S TRENDING It’s officially the season for pumpkin spice! Forget lattes though – make it a strictly grown-up drink with this deliciously autumnal Pumpkin Spiced Espresso Martini. It’s a taste sensation! Pre-mixed for the perfect nofuss drink! • Kocktail Pumpkin Spiced Espresso Martini, £25, from John Lewis • Please visit: kocktail.co.uk Buy of the week Up your coffee game and sip your flat white in style with Costa’s new range of reusable travel cups and autumnal at-home essentials. The sleek grey and polished copper design is chic as well as practical, and the seasonal ceramic mug brings all the cosy vibes. Plus, become a Costa Club member and get your fifth drink free when you use your reusable cup. You’ll also get a free slice of cake on your birthday! •…

Gently passing my new-born daughter over to my mum, Elaine, my heart completely swelled ‘Hello, darling,’ Mum cooed at little Ivy. They looked a picture, surrounded by beautiful bouquets our friends and family had sent to celebrate Ivy’s birth. But as they cuddled, Mum started to look concerned. ‘She’s going purple, Kim. She’s coughing so much,’ she said as Ivy spluttered. It was true – Ivy seemed to cough more than her big brother Archie, then two, ever had before. But my partner Stefan, 36, and I weren’t too worried. Apart from the frog in her throat, Ivy seemed just fine. In fact, she was perfect. At three weeks old, Ivy was booked in for her newborn screening test and the health visitor came to our home. The test would…

Hocus Pocus 2, Disney Plus The witches are back! It’s been 29 years since Max Dennison lit the Black Flame Candle and resurrected the Sanderson sisters, and now they are out for revenge. It’s up to three high school students to stop Winifred (Bette Midler), Mary (Kathy Najimy) and Sarah (Sarah Jessica Parker) from wreaking a new kind of havoc on Salem before dawn on All Hallow’s Eve. Now on Disney Plus, get ready for a bunch of hocus pocus as the sisters look to suck the lives out of children – but beware, they may just put a spell on you… Northern Justice, BBC One Long-suffering Daniel was gradually losing his sight for years before finally being diagnosed with glaucoma, but only after countless misdiagnoses along the way. Now…

New in skincare Meet the newest affordable line-up from e.l.f Skin – plus, it's all vegan and cruelty free. Available from elfcosmetics.co.uk Pure Skin Cleanser, £9 Wash away the day with this gentle facial cleanser. Enriched with oat milk, this calming wash will even and moisturise your complexion while removing dirt and oils. Pure Skin Toner, £9 Do you use toner? Toners are designed to add additional benefits to your skincare and this is perfect for smoothing your complexion after cleansing. Infused with niacinamide, the skincare ingredient taking the beauty world by storm, this will help to nourish and smooth the skin for a radiant complexion. Pure Skin Moisturiser, £12 Finish off your skincare routine with this daily moisturiser. Delivering lasting hydration, this non-greasy formula sits perfectly under makeup –…

Swap the Norfolk Broads for Tattershall, Lincolnshire You’ll get the exact same picturesque scenery as Norfolk in Tattershall, so why not broaden your horizons by trying out this gorgeous location? Hop into a canoe and gaze out onto the serene waters as you crack open a refreshing beverage. What’s more, if you love yourself a bit of history, Tattershall is bursting with culture. Why not check out Tattershall Castle and Tom Thumb’s house (and grave)? • Stay at: Bear Lodge • Prices from: £510 Swap Blackpool Beach for Lytham St Annes, Lancashire Like any well-known tourist attraction, you may want to escape the busy, brightly lit city of Blackpool by taking a trip to the quieter seaside town of Lytham, St Annes. The location boasts the gorgeous Fairhaven Lake where…

Here is my two-year-old grandson’s recent ‘cool dude’ pose. He looks adorable, and of course, very cool, too. Beverley Lindfield, Kent Our 16-year-old rescue cat Gammy Clive is a ‘polydactyl’, meaning he has extra toes. In his case, a whopping 28 instead of the usual 18 (the world record is 29). Carol Casan, Devon This is Cookie, our lovely 15-year-old rescue dog. Despite his age he still loves long walks. I think we must have tired him out on this one though, as I’m not sure how comfortable my son’s camera is as a pillow. Sarah Brown, Somerset We were loving the sunsets in the mountains of Zia, Kos. We had such a lovely time. Just look at that view! Sian Walker, Cradley Heath If your letter makes Star Letter…

Want to make a fashion statement that will look and feel good? Handmade by Tinni is a sustainable jewellery brand who makes beautifully bright creations. All pieces are handmade from cotton rope. Please visit: handmadebytinni.com…

Swimming further up the river, life seemed to come to a standstill. I had entered a dead zone, with no fish, creatures or plants in sight. But pushing on upstream, I was soon rewarded with a beautiful chalk river. Having swam for miles already in the late-April heat, I was quickly growing tired. So, I turned around and started heading home. It was then that I suddenly noticed a pillowcase, snagged on a fallen branch. Why would someone throw a pillowcase away? I thought confused. Grabbing it, its weight took me by surprise. Then, I realised it was filled with lots of jewels. Stuffing as much as I could down my wetsuit, I quickly swam back downstream. I had found far more than just jewels When I got back home,…

Milk, bread, eggs, and your new favourite shacket?! Picking up a frock alongside your weekly food shop is a convenient, affordable and on-trend solution, especially as all supermarkets have upped their game. You can look high-end on a budget – you’ll wonder why you have never shopped here before… NUTMEG AT MORRISONS Supermarket fashion is often overlooked, so you’ll have less competition when hunting through the rails! F&F AT TESCO You can often find 25%-50% clothing deals – keep your eyes peeled! GEORGE AT ASDA Did you know you can shop supermarket fashion online, too? TU AT SAINSBURY’S Use your Tesco Clubcard, Morrisons More Card, Asda Rewards, or a Nectar Card to save when you shop – points mean prizes!…

Jutting the car forward, I nervously slammed on the breaks. ‘Find the bite and release the handbrake,’ my driving instructor Graham, 52, said gently. Quickly, our normal chit chat carried on. ‘So, how’s sixth form going?’ Graham asked, as I concentrated on the road. Wanting to find a driving instructor, my friends introduced me to theirs who they had passed with. Turning 17 and knowing that I could be whipping around in my own motor soon was a great moment – I could have some independence. It meant that my mum Libby, 55, and dad Jon, 53, wouldn’t have to be my personal taxi service! So, in July 2020, I started having a weekly two-hour driving lesson with Graham Graham. Picking me up from home or sixth form, I’d look…

Plant Based Mexican Mixed Bean Burrito YOU WILL NEED □ 225g thinly sliced red cabbage□ 180g grated carrot□ 120g red onion□ 9g chopped coriander□ 3g salt□ Juice and zest of 3 small limes□ 6g white sugar□ 3 tortilla wraps□ 1 can Princes Plant Based Mexican Mixed Bean Chilli□ 1 pouch microwave rice□ 225g guacamole 1 Mix the cabbage, carrot, onion, coriander, salt, lime juice, lime zest, & white sugar – then leave to one side. 2 In a saucepan, heat up the Princes Plant Based Mexican Mixed Bean Chilli, while you heat the rice in a microwave. 3 Pour the rice into the chilli and stir it together well. 4 Take a tortilla wrap and spread the guacamole onto it, followed by the chilli and rice mix. 5 Top the…

Catch Claire live on Facebook 7 days of hope & happiness with Claire Petulengro www.clairepetulengro.tv ARIES 21 March–20 April It’s time to admit your true feelings to the person you can’t get out of your heart, or off of your mind. You’d stand a chance of seeing your dreams becoming a reality if you free fall into Venus entering Libra. Hints you give this weekend in love do you a major favour and reveal what and whom your future entails – don’t be shy, Aries, make a move and go for it! Call: 09058 170 710* LEO 24 July–23 Aug Venus enters Libra and you pick yourself up and look at all that’s good in your life, instead of all that’s bad. With the power of the stars behind you, it’s…