Table of contents for 21-Nov-2019 in Pick Me Up!

Glancing up from my glass of wine, I tried to wipe the look of shock off my face. ‘I’m serious, I really want us to have a baby together,’ my boyfriend Aiden, then 24, grinned. ‘Let’s do it then!’ I said. I already had a little boy, Marley, then five, from a previous relationship, and always wanted more kids. The only problem was that Aiden and I had only officially been together for a month! We’d started chatting on Instagram in January 2017. We had a lot in common - including a shared love for tattoos - and the following month, we met for drinks. Aiden was such a gentleman, insisted on walking me home at the end of the night. He’d previously worked as a personal trainer, had even…

Dr Ruth Miller-Anderson is an award-winning transformation coach. Through her real-life experiences, Ruth brings real-world solutions to life’s problems.theswandoctor.com Make her feel better Q My teenage daughter has no confidence. She criticises herself all the time. What can I do to help her? Lynsey, Brighton A Confidence is a skill which can be grown and developed through believing you have the ability to achieve and be what you want. Your daughter indulges in negative self-talk and is therefore creating limiting beliefs about herself. This can turn into a ‘bad habit’ and the cycle of this habit needs to be broken. Begin with helping your daughter identify all the things she is good at. Affirm these good points regularly with her. Then identify the areas in life where your daughter wants…

1 Cut your salt intake down to less than 6g a day – which is roughly around a teaspoonful. 2 Be active and do more exercise. 3 Eat a low-fat, balanced diet which includes plenty of fresh fruit and veg. 4 Stop smoking and cut down on alcohol and caffeine. Simple lifestyle changes can help reduce high blood pressure. Speak to your GP who can advise you about these changes and see if you would benefit further from medication.…

Q I’m overweight and don’t know where to start when it comes to losing weight. What should I do? Steve, Leicester A The fact that you want to lose weight is the most important step, and it’s great that you have taken this step already. It can be difficult to know what the best options are, with so many different diet methods out there, but I’d recommend starting with the NHS 12 week weight loss plan, which can be found online. It’s a free, simple, guided plan with weekly information packs and progress charts and only requires you to make small changes at a time. By making drastic changes you’re less likely to keep them up. It promotes good habits - healthier eating and increasing levels of exercise - in…

Huffing and puffing as I made my way up the stairs, I paused at the top to catch my breath. ‘Time for school,’ I shouted across to my son Rylee, six. ‘OK Mum,’ he replied, rubbing his eyes. But as I got him dressed in his uniform, I was feeling worryingly out of breath. Nothing prepared me for how bad it had got I suffered with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) - a lung condition that means I often have difficulty breathing. But that wasn’t my only problem. I’d been piling on the weight for years, making my health deteriorate even further, and when I split with my ex-partner in 2017, my eating habits hit an all-time low. Rushing around after Rylee and my two grown up children, Maison, 20…

1 Register at pickmeupbingo.com 2 Deposit and play £10 with code PMUL 47 3 Claim your £ 5 0 of FREE BINGO *Rules; 18+ UK only. New members only, must opt in. Min £10 deposit & w ager. 30-day expiry from deposit o.com . Bingo /terms : Advertised #welcomebonus ticket value . based Offer in on this £1 tickets issue ends . Game 21 November availability 2019 & restrictions . Pick Me apply Up! Bingo . Full is Off part er details of the jackpotjoy and Rules . at com : pickmeupbing network. For 24-hour support, freephone 0800 458 0770. Please Play Responsibly. BeGambleAware.org.…

Jade Jeanes, 27, from Weston-Super-Mare, who recently shared her stroy with us knew she wanted an unusual name the moment that she fell pregnant… ‘My husband Josh and I decided to call our little girl Disney. I had been a Disney fan since I was a child and wanted to have Disney mentioned in the name. The movies have always helped with my anxiety and allowed me to escape into another world. Our family and friends loved it, and the midwife thought it was cool, too. But people online haven’t been so kind... I posted a photo of Disney and shared her name on a Facebook mum group and people started to send me horrible messages. They said that I was cruel, and my daughter was going to be bullied…

Muffin top baking cups, £14.50, redcandy.co.uk We’ve seen the muffin top look before, but not quite like this! Fill these denim cupcake pants with your favourite cake batter, then watch them rise and bulge. There’s just more to love. Nachosaurus, £19.50, redcandy.co.uk Back from extinction, the Nachosaurus is roaming right into snack time. The next time you host guests, serve your crisps and dip in this dinomite dish! Poo-Pourri Before You Go spray, £5, Sainsbury’s Spritz the bowl before you go and no-one else will ever know! Poo-Pourri is a pure blend of natural essential oils that eliminates bathroom odour before it begins.…

Crawford had stolen a knife It had taken months to plan the perfect proposal. Daniel Hincapie knew that his quick-thinking girlfriend, Wendy Martinez, wasn’t easy to surprise. Daniel also knew that anything he arranged for a weekend would arouse suspicion, so he’d picked her lunch hour to pop the question. A friend brought her to a spot in Washington DC that Wendy, 35, loved - the Spanish Steps. A peaceful stone staircase set in a pretty park that lead up to a viewing terrace. It was September 12, 2018 and when Wendy arrived, Daniel was waiting at the top in a blue suit with a photographer to capture the special moment. Wendy was overjoyed when he dropped to one knee and revealed a stunning emerald ring - the national jewel…

Cadbury Heroes, £9.99, all major retailers. Marking its 20th anniversary, Cadbury Heroes have had a little makeover. Designed to look like a birthday cake, the new look launches just in time for Christmas. Dr. Oetker Momenti Pizza, £2.29, ASDA. Perfectly portioned just for one, Dr. Oetker have launched a brand-new range of pizzas with Italian deli style toppings. Choose from tomato, mozzarella and pesto, salami calabrese and grilled vegetables and ricotta. La Boulangère Vegan croissants & pains au chocolat, £2.75, Sainsbury’s, Ocado and Morrisons. Available in UK supermarkets for the first time ever, these plant-based pastries are perfect for vegans or those looking to cut down on their dairy intake. Wall’s Pastry vegan rolls, from £1.25, ASDA and Tesco. The UK’s number one sausage roll brand, Wall’s Pastry, have launched…

Life is full of choices – and some can be tough. Many of us can be indecisive out of fear that we’ll make the wrong decision. While it’s good to be cautious, it can hold us back. Asking for advice can be helpful, but you need to learn how to process your own thoughts. Knowing your goals will help you make decisions as you can take the route that will get you where you want to be. If it stops you heading in the direction you desire, then it’s an easier decision to make. Write down your thoughts. Take your time. By slowing down to think about the options, you’ll be able to tune into your instinct better. You probably already know what you want to do! You just need…

Slathering a thick layer of shaving foam over my neck and chest, I made sure to reach every spot. Next, I reached for my trusted razor... Scraping it along my skin, thick black hairs came off. While this may have been a proud moment for a teenage boy, for me, a 16-year-old girl, it was mortifying. It was 2010, and for the past year, I’d been growing unsightly hairs on my neck, chest and top lip. Embarrassed, I’d shave the hairs off every day, but that only meant that they would grow back thicker and darker. And often, I’d be left with ingrown hairs and dark spots all over my chest. I tried to cover it up as best I could, wearing polar neck tops - even in summer. When…

1 People with GAD feel anxious most days. ☐ True ☐ False 2 GAD only has psychological symptoms. ☐ True ☐ False 3 The cause of GAD is not fully understood. ☐ True ☐ False 4 GAD is not common. ☐ True ☐ False 5 There are self help methods that can help with GAD. ☐ True ☐ False 1 TRUE Those with GAD feel anxious most days and will struggle to remember a time they last felt relaxed. 2 FALSE GAD can cause both psychological and physical symptoms for sufferers. 3 TRUE Although the exact cause is not understood, research suggests that factors such as a chemical imbalance could play a role. 4 FALSE GAD is a common condition with 5% of the UK population said to be affected.…

Running the mop over the kitchen floor, I wiped the sweat off my brow and poured the murky brown water down the sink. Looking at my pristine kitchen, I grinned. ‘Sparkling clean,’ I smiled to myself. Two hours of housework had paid off. Satisfied, I laid back on the sofa and opened my laptop and logged on to Pick Me Up! Bingo. Before the cleaning escapade had begun, I’d spent 75p buying three 25p tickets for the 9pm link game on Blox Bingo. I usually like to play 75-ball bingo in the Bingo Lounge and Bingo 20 rooms or sometimes have a spin on the slots. Working long hours in a factory, playing bingo is a nice way to unwind after a busy day. I’ve been a member for over…

Parent and Children’s Anxiety and Confidence Coach, Jen Harrison @the_sensitive_adult_and child, says: ‘It’s amazing how much we attach our identity to our name. I don’t know anybody who hasn’t shortened their name, changed their name or fiddled with it in some way. It’s like we want to put our stamp on it and for obvious reasons – we want it to feel right for us. ‘When choosing a name, it’s really important to consider the consequences that may come with that name. If a child is named a very unique name, they are more likely to stand out. For some sensitive children, this adds more pressure to fit in, and it could be hard for some children to deal with. ‘I observe that children from a young age want to…

THE EFFECTS OF ACNE Bad hair days are frustrating enough, but bad skin days are another matter. Acne affects far more than just your skin – it can have a negative effect on your mental health, too. According to LUSTRE Pure Light, acne sufferers would fork out an average of £1,693.12 to get a flawless complexion. So, if you think you’re alone, you’re not! In fact, according to the survey, 30% of acne sufferers admit they would avoid a social gathering because of their skin. And 1 in 10 even take time off of work. Unfortunately, acne can hit us at any age, so if you ever feel alone, know that thousands of people feel exactly the same. Adopt a balanced diet and exercise routine and consult your doctor for…

The day that Billi started school this September, her sister Georgi didn’t want to let her go. They are so cute and I’ll treasure this pic forever! Sue Hutchinson, Cheltenham A best bud for life. This is my daughter Millie-Rose enjoying her time with her favourite character. What a bond! Jade Yeoman, Essex I am a nanny to six beautiful grandchildren including three grandsons that were all born last year! Lucy Bennett, Kent Meeting John Lennon in Liverpool! Jacqueline Mullen, Glasgow Here’s my mum, Karen, and my two aunties, Joanne and Tracey, on their weekly dog walk. They have dog walking clothes made in honour of my grandma Maureen Sarah Walker, Oxfordshire If your letter makes Star Letter of the week, you will receive some beautiful blooms from Flying Flowers.…

This week, our tip of the week will receive a great product from Addis! Their INVISIFIX crystal clear bathroom collection (from £5.99) with strong, non-marking mount, easily secures to smooth surfaces and is ideal for fixing to tiles. The INVISIFIX pad can be easily lifted and re-located, plus the strong, shatter-proof acrylic construction will comfortably hold up to 5kg. For more ways to make your life easier, visit addis.co.uk Bakers gonna bake I recently purchased oven gloves but couldn’t find anywhere to hang them. My granddaughter told me to hang them over the door handle. What a good idea! Dot Whittaker, Bracknell Hey pesto! To save my pesto going off, I freeze it in my ice cube trays. When I fancy some, I simply pop one out and add it…

Always tired Q I eat well and get enough sleep but don’t seem to have any energy. What can I do? Lauren, Plymouth. A This is a common complaint and even has its own acronym - TATT (Tired All The Time). There are lots of reasons why you might be feeling like this, despite an apparently healthy lifestyle. For example, alcohol, caffeine, having long naps in the daytime (short naps are fine - and beneficial), and getting too much or too little exercise. They can all affect the quality of your sleep and might make you more tired in the long term. Stress and anxiety can make you listless too - are you experiencing these, and can you identify and address the causes? If you have been feeling tired for…

Can the weather make your aches aches and pains worse? You might think it’s all in your mind, but new research has suggested that damp and windy weather can make aches and pains feel worse. The study by scientists from The University of Manchester, found that patients were 20% more likely to suffer from pain on windy or damp days and pain didn’t increase on dry days. Scientists didn’t look into why pain may increase with the weather, but it’s thought that a drop in atmospheric pressure may cause already inflamed tissue to expand and lead to increased levels of pain. 40%... That’s the rise in people under 65 who had strokes in the last decade. This comes as scientists are finding new ways to help younger stroke sufferers get…

We first met Liz and Drew this summer, when they revealed how they’d swapped to Aldi and had more money to spend on quality time with their cute kids. And now the couple have grown their family with a new baby Eli. All together now, ahhh! But as we all know, life with kids can get pricey, so great-quality products with an affordable price tag are a no-brainer. Fortunately the family can keep on saving with Aldi’s Mamia nappies, wipes, baby food and other essentials for Eli. It’s not just the cost that makes them a smart buy, it’s the quality - the range has won a host of awards from Loved by Parents. Easy to pick up with the rest of your food shop, the Mamia baby range is…

WIN! Vouchers or cash prizes every day! Get in the mood for a present or two early this year with Pick Me Up! Bingo’s new promotion, Gift You Up! There are fantastic vouchers or cash prizes to be revealed daily. Simply flip the card each day between 11 November and 20 November 2019 to opt in and discover how you can enter the daily prize draws. Opt in and minimum £1 wager required. Check out our bingo offers! Make the most of our bingo offers, with our new Bingo Planner! Take a look at the 3-for-2 offer on tickets in our Round the Clock room, with £100 guaranteed Full Houses; or play our Blox Bingo at participating times, where there is over £2,000 in guaranteed prize money. You can find…

As my dog, Ethan, carried my bank card in his mouth, he jumped up and made the contactless payment. ‘Good boy,’ I praised, as I handed Ethan a carrot for his efforts. He bounced back down to my side and gazed his big brown eyes up at me, eagerly awaiting his next task. Ethan is an assistance dog and before I got him in 2015, my life was very different. In 2005, I was finishing my A-levels and getting ready to head to medical school, after dreaming of being a doctor. But as I started sitting my exams, I began to feel unwell. I was constantly tired and suffering from chronic pain, but doctors didn’t know what was wrong. By the time I’d got my exam results, my health had…

Leading job search engine Adzuna has analysed the most popular baby names of 2019 to reveal which names have the highest earning potential. Ed and Liz are the most valuable names in the UK, with Ed having an extortionate earning potential of £61,362. Followed by Bill, Geoff, Bob and Mike, and Jo, Michelle, Alexis and Jean. If your name is shortened, you’re more likely to achieve higher earning potential - Liz averagely earns £9,000 more than Elizabeth. How much is your name worth? Go to adzuna.co.uk/jobs/value-my-name to find out!…

This gluten-free Christmas recipe below is made using the newest addition to the Schär range. Delishios are made with a light, crunchy cereal centre and are smothered in indulgent milk chocolate. Find them in the ‘free from’ aisle (ASDA, £1), and bake up a festive wonder! INGREDIENTS FOR ROCKY ROAD: □ 180g dark chocolate □ 50g butter □ 3 tbsp golden syrup □ 3 x 37g packets Schär Gluten Free Delishios, halved □ 60g Schär Gluten Free Pretzels □ 50g marshmallows FOR DECORATION: □ 50g white chocolate for decoration □ 1 packet of Schär Delishios □ Gold edible glitter/lustre METHOD 1 Grease and line a bundt tin (you can use a normal cake tin if you don’t have a bundt tin). 2 Melt the chocolate and butter in a bowl…

Plenty of our favourite dishes include garlic and this recipe book gives you 65 more to fall in love with! Garlic by Jenny Linford (by Ryland Peters & Small, £14.99) is a celebration of the bulb that has been enhancing our food for as long as we can remember! HOW TO ROAST GARLIC : Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) Gas 4. Slice the top off the garlic head, to expose the cloves inside. Wrap in foil and bake for 1 hour. Unwrap the foil and set aside to cool. Roast garlic pork burgers Serves: 4 □ 1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds □ 1 roasted head of garlic □ 400 g minced pork □ 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley □ 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest □ sunflower or vegetable oil,…

Many of us do most of our Christmas shopping online, so experts at moneysupermarket.com have shared their tips on how to stay safe in cyber space… 1 Know who you’re buying from You’re probably already familiar with most of the major online retailers, but if you’re unsure about a seller you have never done business with, then make sure you get phone numbers and addresses in case there is a problem. It’s worth searching for reviews to see if any other buyers have had issues with the seller. 2 Buy safely Under section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act, any goods purchased costing no less than £100 and no more than £30,000 are protected if you buy with a credit card. This means you are covered if a company collapses or…

Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market Located in Winchester Cathedral’s historic Inner Close and surrounded by an open-air ice rink, Winchester’s German-inspired Christmas market attracts over 350,000 visitors a year. With traders selling stollen and mulled wine, delicate glass-work and painted textiles, it’s easy to see why. A particularly magical experience sees beautiful and creative hand-crafted lanterns paraded from the Cathedral to the Outer Close. The parade ends with a fireworks display, adding extra sparkle to the day out. • 21 November - 22 December • www.winchester-cathedral.org.uk Glasgow’s George Square Christmas Market With gifts from as far afield as Kenya and Ecuador, Glasgow’s markets are a great place to track down stocking fillers with a difference. There are two, with 50 stalls apiece: George Square Market and St Enoch Square Christmas Market. Painted Russian…

ARIES 21 March–20 April Events which happened last week are still playing over in your head. You are worrying about matters you are not in control of. If you can’t let things go, then I suggest you go to the source. Energy and willing you show, can get you more information this week, than you have received in the last six! Manners with older faces is critical this weekend. Don’t forget to use it! Call: 09058 170 710* LEO 24 July–23 Aug Why do you feel as if everyone is watching and commenting on your life? Could it be that you’re not happy within yourself about the decisions you’ve made? It’s not too late to change your mind. In fact, it’s your right! Speaking up in the days ahead, can…

Fishing on the local lake, the sun beamed down. In June, and I sat with my three kids, Callum, nine, Lucie, eight, and Connor, four. Lucie and Connor quickly scampered off into the trees. They never sit still, I thought, rolling my eyes. Moments later, Connor shouted out. ‘Dad, come quick!’ he said. ‘Look what I’ve found!’ he said eagerly. What has he discovered? I thought, jumping up. Dropping the fishing rod, I followed Connor’s voice. But little did I know that he’d tracked down the local killer... Our neighbourhood lake had been the talk of the town for three years. Fish had been found with their tails bitten off, fins missing, and triangle chunks bitten out. ‘There’s weird marks on their scales,’ locals said. The owner of the fishing…