Table of contents for 28-Mar-2024 in Pick Me Up!

Dishing up a mouthwatering Sunday roast, I placed a plate of chicken, veg, roasties and gravy in front of my daughter Morgan. ‘I can’t eat that,’ she ‘You’re not on another diet, are you?’ I sighed. ‘You’re perfect as you are.’ Morgan had been on and off diets for years, her weight constantly yo-yoing. She’d lose weight, but then put it back on when she went back to eating normally – the cycle continued. On the larger side as a child, I knew she’d grow out of her puppy fat. But starting secondary school, some of the kids picked on her – calling her nasty names, it got so bad that I had to move her to a new school. She thrived there, and although she plastered on a smile,…

People with PTSD most commonly experience four distinct groups of symptoms. According to the charity PTSD UK, these can include: • Reliving the traumatic event through flashbacks, nightmares or intrusive memories. • Avoiding situations that serve as reminders of the traumatic event. • Undergoing negative shifts in their beliefs and feelings. • Constantly feeling on edge. However, for those with Complex PTSD, also known as C-PTSD – which is caused by being exposed to sustained, repeated or multiple forms of traumatic events – there are three other groups of common symptoms, too. These include: • Difficulties with controlling your own emotions. • An impaired sense of self-worth. • Difficulty maintaining relationships and trusting others. Please follow @ptsd_uk on Instagram for more information Disclaimer: Medical advice provided is for interest only…

Coffee fix Q No matter how much coffee I drink, I never get the caffeine buzz most of my friends do when they drink it. Could I be immune? Jill, Dublin A There are lots of reasons you may not feel the same effect from caffeine as your friends. Genetics can play a part – some people simply don’t respond in the same way as others. But if you drink a lot of caffeine-containing drinks, you’re likely to feel its effects less as time goes on. This is described as caffeine tolerance. And if you’re sleep deprived, you may also not notice its effects in the same way. Caffeine in moderation (up to 400mg a day – about four cups of brewed coffee or four mugs of instant coffee, or…

The Mediterranean diet is scientifically proven to improve health and promote healthy weight loss. Discover what this popular eating plan involves and all its benefits. Explore the foods you should be eating regularly, foods you should eat now and again, and foods you should try to avoid. Plus there are 49 delicious recipes to try out at home. To get your free digital copy of The Mediterranean Diet Book use this link: bit.ly/PMU446 Or scan in the QR code using the camera on your smartphone Offer available from 21 March to 21 April 2024 Check out more of our amazing bookazines at www.magazinesdirect.com/guides-and-specials/ The link directs you to a landing page, please leave your details so that the digital download can be emailed to your inbox, this can take an…

Step by step Vitamin C is a must-have ingredient for a glowing complexion. It tackles dullness and areas of pigmentation for a clearer, smoother skin tone. And with Super Facialist’s vitamin C three-step routine, incorporating it into your regime couldn’t be easier. Step 1: Use the Vitamin C+ Brighten Cleansing Oil (£6.50) to effortlessly break down makeup – even waterproof mascara. Super hydrating, it will leave your skin quenched after use. Massage onto dry skin, then add a splash of water to transform the oil into a light milk. Rinse away with warm water or a damp towel. Step 2: Use the Vitamin C Micro Polish Wash (£10), a gentle, energising daily exfoliator. Biodegradable micro beads buff away impurities to promote healthier-looking glowing skin. Gently massage a pea-size amount onto…

Hopping on my pushbike, I teetered as I tried to balance all of the boxes. The Easter Bunny may have had magic on his side, but I had a bicycle without brakes! You see, I’d just been to collect a large donation of Easter eggs for the children at Crosshouse Hospital. And balancing a dozen wobbly boxes across my handlebars, I had to strain my neck to see the road. Pedalling off, I have to admit my heart started racing as I reached the end of the road – would I be able to stop the bike in time? But this was precious cargo – there was no way I was dropping the chocolatey goods. Getting home to my two daughters Keira, 15, and Keeley, eight, they were completely unphased.…

Foodie finds Did you know it’s World Cheese Day on 27 March? Celebrate with these yummy cheesy goodies! Forget your standard bag of crisps with a sandwich, these savoury baked cheese snacks are perfect for fromage lovers. Made from nothing but pure, unadulterated, mouthwatering cheese, they’re baked until crunchy – truly delicious! Plus they’re high in protein, low calorie and carb free, too – what more could you ask for?! Cheesies, available in Cheddar, Red Leicester, Goat’s Cheese, Gouda and Chilli Cheddar, from £1.50, Waitrose What’s trending Are you ready for some egg-citing news? That’s right – the Cadbury Worldwide Hide is back this Easter, encouraging people to hide virtual Easter eggs anywhere in the world for a loved one to find, using a special clue. The clue can be anything…

This week, our tip of the week will receive a great prize from Addis. Ideal for using both in the house or in your garden shed, this shelf storage is perfect for organising all of your bits and bobs. Easy to assemble, you can wipe clean with a damp cloth, too. Made from high quality plastic, it’s durable, meaning it won’t topple over or get rusty either. For more ways to make your life easier, visit: addis.co.uk Butter up If your door sticks after painting, rub some butter along the edge. The door will slide open and shut again. Margaret Anderson, Sunderland Blooming good Keep your dried flower arrangements looking good by spraying them with hairspray. It will stop pieces of it from dropping off! Liz Tubby, Norfolk…

With Easter Sunday on 31 March, don’t miss out on these chocolately treats – but be quick, or you might end up an unhappy bunny! FOR EASTER RECIPES, TURN TO PAGE 40…

Staring at your reflection in the mirror, it’s tempting to pick every bump on your face until you’re bright red. Even if there’s not a whitehead ready to pop, the light reveals all sorts of spots that you want to squeeze. And the level of pleasure is immense when there’s a launch of a yellow splat, an almighty ‘pop’ or a worm crawling out of your skin. Only, the addiction to pimple popping doesn’t just stop there. As when scrolling through social media on your phone, there are numerous videos of up-close spot extractions. Enormous cysts, decade-old blackheads and pimples in the weirdest of places, too. There’s something about watching the pus explode that makes you want to squirm, but you also can’t look away. In fact, dermatologist Sandra Lee,…

Chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate! What more could you want? Whip up these gooey, delicious treats just in time for Easter with baker Jessica Marsden’s newest cookbook Chocolate Overload! With bakes for every season and celebration, this will get your tastebuds tingling. Chocolate Overload! by Jessica Marsden, £12.99, Amazon Bunny Hug Biscuits YOU WILL NEED: □ 100g unsalted butter, room temperature□ 50g caster sugar□ 200g plain flour, plus extra for dusting□ Zest of 1 lemon□ 15 mini chocolate eggs (you could use Cadbury Mini Eggs) 1 Preheat the oven to 180°C and line a baking sheet with greaseproof paper. Cream the butter and sugar together in a bowl until light and fluffy. Add the flour and lemon zest, and with your hands work the mixture into a dough. If it’s…

If your letter makes Star Letter of the week, you will receive some beautiful blooms from Flying Flowers. With over 30 years’ experience of helping celebrate life’s special moments and FREE delivery by post, a gorgeous bouquet by Flying Flowers is a lovely way to celebrate sharing smiles and happiness. See flyingflowers.co.uk for more details.…

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition which can develop in people after experiencing or witnessing traumatic, life-threatening events or serious injury. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to be a soldier or a witness to war to have PTSD either. Traumatic events are defined by their ability to evoke fear, helplessness, or horror, often in response to the threat of harm or danger. Some examples of traumatic events include assault, road accidents, natural disasters, domestic or child abuse, war, acts of terrorism or traumatic childbirth. After witnessing or experiencing a traumatic event, you might feel scared, vulnerable, like you’re lacking control, and you may find it hard to feel safe or trust other people, too. For those with PTSD, these symptoms can persist for months or…

According to PTSD UK, the most frustrating thing for someone with PTSD can be struggling to articulate how they’re feeling. However, while supporting a loved one with PTSD, you don’t need to have all the answers or try to make things right for them. Here are a few ways you can help support a loved one with PTSD: • Be present – offer to hold your loved one’s hand or give them a hug. Instead of solutions or words, this is an effective way of showing them that you are there for them by providing physical reassurance and support. • Communicate openly with them – be aware of what your loved one needs in that moment, whether that’s your company or some alone time. However, try not to take offense…

Putting down a fresh layer of hay in the enclosure, we were expecting a delivery of rabbits at the shop – having always loved pets, I started working there in 2016 to support me through uni. Only, it soon became clear to me that not all the animals were treated with the respect they deserved. Bunnies seemed to be very low in the pecking order – anyone could just walk in and buy them. Plus, when we received the delivery of seven bunnies, I was horrified to learn that four had died in transit. Driving the surviving bunnies to the vet, all bar one needed to be euthanised. ‘Is there a chance this one can survive?’ I asked, looking at the one sole survivor. ‘It’s 50/50,’ the vet told me.…

Cate Campbell is a sex, relationship, and trauma therapist. She is also a writer, co-host of The Real Sex Education podcast and member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. To find out more, please visit bacp.co.uk and catecampbell-psychonatter.com STI? ST-Bye! Q I think my boyfriend gave me an STI but he won’t admit it. How do I get him to tell me the truth? Paulene, Worcester A It’s totally understandable that you’re upset if you have developed STI symptoms and suspect your partner has been cheating. However, if your boyfriend has no symptoms, he may genuinely believe he hasn’t infected you. Indeed, it’s possible that you may have unwittingly infected your partner rather than the other way around. Sometimes symptoms may not show up at once, as can…

Karly Anne Cantrell was a loving person. An animal lover and devoted mother and grandmother, she was known throughout Canyon County, Idaho, for her compassion. And Karly’s compassion was prominent in her from an early age. As a child, the family dog would never leave her side, and every storybook she chose had to revolve around an animal. Karly, 44, always wanted to work with animals. Originally considering becoming a vet, she ended up saving small lives at West Valley Humane Society animal shelter. Working her way up to executive director, she would go out of her way to find the perfect home for the rescues and strays that came to her. And this kindness was not left at the kennel. A private person, outside of work Karly’s family meant…

Catch Claire live on Facebook ARIES 21 March–20 April Without realising, you find yourself creating quite a few shock waves in your social circle, as you say and do things which will raise more than a few eyebrows. You are going through an important emotional journey – and only by truly analysing your feelings and talking to the source, not third parties, will you get the answers you need to make the right decisions. Call: 09058 170 710* TAURUS 21 April–21 May You can’t yet see it, but your nature over the coming days is a little overbearing – and even though you may feel you’re being fair to those around you, you come across as pushy and uncaring. Change this by involving those you need in what you’re doing.…