Table of contents for 30-Jan-2020 in Pick Me Up!

Returning from a trip to New York, I felt utterly exhausted. Before going on the holiday, I’d been suffering with short-term memory loss, headaches and extreme tiredness, but now, I was burnt out. As a businesswoman, wife and mother-of-two, I just didn’t understand. Curled up in bed, I basically spent the next four months wrapped under the covers. My whole body hurt - even having a shower felt like rocks hitting my skin. Soon, I was diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome, but there was no help. I had to give up my job, and my home-life broke down. But soon, I decided enough was enough. If no one else was going to help me, then I would have to help myself. I looked at all aspects of my condition and…

My granddaughter looks fabulous wearing her New Year glasses! Mary Hadley, Cradley Heath This is my Nanny Von on her 80th birthday! Bless her, she’s still a right old laugh! Alexandra Low, Halesowen My fiancé Grant, 35, has my whole heart especially in this mask. Stacy Gibson, Wordsley My lovely granddaughter had this mermaid outfit for her birthday recently, she couldn’t wait to pose in it Patricia Cordon, Cheltenham I took my daughter Mia shopping on the weekend and she thought it was hilarious to take this pic of me being eaten by a T-Rex Lisa Adams, West Midlands 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…

Throughout our lives we experience change, and for some, it’s scary. The unknown can be a pretty daunting thing to face, whether it’s a new job, a new town, or the end of a relationship. But there are ways to cope better. Ask yourself what is the worst that can happen? Imagine all the likely outcomes, and by thinking them through, you’ll see that nothing is as bad as you are imagining. Figure out how much of it you can actually control, and try not to fight the things you can’t. Seek support and tell yourself that ‘things are changing and that’s OK.’ Accepting change will reduce the fear factor.…

Admiring my tan in the mirror, I grinned proudly. It was June 2016, and I was on holiday in Gran Canaria with my husband Phil, now 45, and our kids Reece, 14, and Annabelle, seven. ‘You’ve done well,’ Phil winked, admiring my bronzed skin. ‘I’ll get ready for dinner,’ I said, taking off my bikini. Just then, looking in the mirror, I noticed that my right nipple was completely flat. That’s odd, I thought. Feeling my breast, I couldn’t feel a lump, so I put it to the back of my mind. But to be safe, when we got home a few days later, I went to my GP. She couldn’t feel any lumps either, but referred me to the breast clinic at Burnley Hospital. Two weeks later, I had…

Luscious locks Pantene Pro-V Hair Biology range, from £5.99, Boots Created following groundbreaking research from Pantene scientists, this new premium range treats your hair like it’s your skin. With skincare inspired ingredients, the range is tailored to gently balance and revive different hair types through the various phases of our lives. Choose from: Cleanse and Reconstruct, De-frizz and Illuminate, Full and Vibrant and Grey and Glowing. In this gorgeous new range, there is something for everyone. Herbal Essences Real Botanicals masks, £6, Boots Introducing their most intensive conditioning formula yet. These masks are designed to hydrate or repair the look of hair in just three minutes. Endorsed by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, the masks are enriched with Aloe to nourish the hair with moisture and restore its vitality. Choose…

Horror film IT Chapter 2 highlights the importance of facing your fears to be able to move on with your life! We spoke with leading psychologist Honey Langcaster-James to share 7 ways you can overcome your fears in 2020. (IT Chapter 2 is out now on 4k, Bluray and DVD as well as Digital Download.) 1 Look to the past Fears are generally learned at some point in your life and the origins of them can be buried quite deep down, often in a key experience which you perceived as threatening at the time. Try to work out where your fear originated from by thinking about when you first remember having your fear, or asking family what might have happened to make you afraid. Trying to recall a key memory…

Remem ber when…? Celebrity style is outrageous – there’s no doubt about it. Whilst the high street is usually quick to follow trends, there are few celebrity outfits that not even super fans are willing to follow. Taking a trip back through time, we reminisce on the media headlines that have sent the world of fashion into a frenzy. From Lady Gaga’s meat dress to JLo’s jungle dress, fashion has defined the past few decades. Gone are Miley Cyrus’ pink and glitzy Hannah Montana days, now she is raunchy, rebellious and refreshingly controversial. You didn’t think we’d forget about the risqué naked wrecking ball now, did you? In the 90s, Victoria Beckham loved low-rise jeans, Madonna rocked a mini dress and Sarah Jessica Parker was a shoulder pad icon. Remember…

Tentatively popping the wine cork, I was grateful when my boyfriend, Samuel Ford, 24, took over the pouring duties for me. ‘I’ve always been a bit clumsy and you’ve got white carpets!’ I explained with a laugh. Samuel smiled and leaned in to give me a kiss. ‘You’re too beautiful to be clumsy,’ he told me, sitting back down on the sofa and handing me a large glass of red wine. ‘Right, where were we?’ I asked, leaning back and settling into my story. I’d been confiding in him about my struggles with anxiety and depression, and although we’d been talking all night, there was still so much more to say. I’d never felt able to talk to anyone so honestly before, but I loved how open and sensitive he…

This week, our tip of the week will receive a great product from Addis! The Easi Airer (£39.99) is ergonomically designed to make loading your laundry a breeze. The specially designed rungs are angled to ensure easy loading of clothes and offers 15m of drying space. For more ways to make your life easier, visit addis.co.uk . Homemade light I created this unique light by using an empty wine bottle and themed tissue paper. Simply paint whitewash glaze over the surface, then use PVA glue to stick the paper, and place a set of cork lights inside. Connor McGuire, Cleethorpest Needlework storage I use a scourer as a pin cushion. It’s much cheaper than buying one and just as safe. Angela Garvin, Romford Sparkling white To wash trainers, put them…

Back again Q My 11-year-old son keeps getting athlete’s foot. What’s the best way to get rid of it for good? Jen, Blackpool A There needs to be an approach that both reduces the fungal load on the skin and also prevents it from thriving in the future. Topical preparations are particularly effective at reducing it, and a podiatrist or pharmacist can advise on which one is the most appropriate. A routine of skin cleansing and effective drying (especially in between the digits) is essential, and frequent sock and shoe changes will reduce the likelihood of the fungal infection returning. Fungus thrives in dark, warm and moist environments, so try and deny them these key elements for the best success and try and encourage your son not to scratch the…

Run, swim or cycle! German scientists have found even more evidence to suggest that regular exercise can protect the brain from damage and helps keep it healthy as we start to age. The team of researchers discovered that cycling halted age-related decline in hundreds of volunteers with an average age of 52. But, they also found that just about any physical activity that gets your heart pumping would have the same effect on your health. Strenuous exercise like running, swimming or cycling could all do the trick, with the researchers recommending two-and-a-half hours of moderate exercise every week to keep the brain healthy. 300… That’s the number of patients in A&E every week after being injured in DIY related accidents. At least one person a day is hurt mowing the…

Cathy Hassell runs www. teencalm.com – a box for anxious teens and tweens. We asked her how parents can navigate the often-explicable world of viral challenges… ‘The ‘dare’ between children has been around for years,’ Cathy explains. ‘But some of the new wave of viral challenges can be hazardous to your child’s physical and mental health. Teens and tweens who have grown up on YouTube are susceptible to peer pressure, and unfortunately self-harm is likely to be a subject not unfamiliar to them.’ Follow Cathy’s advice to help protect your children… 1. Be there for your child Be available and non-judgemental. Listen to them. 2. Stay up to date with teen trends Make it your business to know what’s going on both in the wider world and in your neighbourhood…

Tenderstem broccoli is an all-natural fast food that is packed with goodness and is delicious from stem to tip. Tenderstem broccoli and chicken burrito Serves: 3 FOR THE SALSA MIX: □ 1 avocado, chopped or sliced □ 3 tomatoes, sliced □ 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced □ Small bunch coriander, chopped □ 2 tsp dried chilli flakes □ 2 tbsp olive oil □ Juice of 1 lime □ Sea salt and pepper FOR THE SPICED CHICKEN: □ 4 chicken thighs, skinless and boneless □ 2 tsp ground cumin □ 2 tsp ground paprika □ 1 tbsp olive oil □ Juice of 1 lime □ Sea salt and pepper FOR THE BURRITO: □ 4 chicken thighs, skinless and boneless □ 1 tbsp olive oil □ 200g Tenderstem broccoli □ 70g Cheddar…

Vegan Moroccan Falafels, £2.25, ASDA, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s. Inspired by an authentic Moroccan recipe, these bite-sized falafels are made with chickpeas, apricots, dates and agave instead of honey, making them completely vegan. Elmlea Plant Single and Double Alternatives to Dairy Cream, £1 for single and £1.10 for double, Sainsbury’s and ASDA. Whether you’re a seasoned vegan or ditching dairy for Veganuary you’ll be grateful for this alternative to dairy cream. Billington’s Canadian Maple Syrups, £6.99, Waitrose. Bringing two new maple syrups to the UK, Billington’s are introducing Amber and Very Dark. Amber is perfect for pouring over pancakes, while Very Dark will suit both sweet and savouring cooking – great for the more adventurous foodies out there! Peperami Beef Bar, £2.75 (3x20g), Tesco, ASDA, Sainsburys. The latest member of the Peperami…

ARIES 21 March–20 April A ship in the harbour is safe. But that’s not what ships were built for. You’ve taken time out of life for long enough now, Aries. Try to focus on what you wanted your end result to be. Aspects suggest you’ve been putting time and energy into helping others this month, to avoid dealing with your own worries. Solutions fall at your feet by Friday. Stay alert and ready. Call: 09058 170 710* TAURUS 21 April–21 May Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement that something else is more important than fear. Try to take control of your emotions this week. Jupiter is on hand to help you see right from wrong. Conversations you have with people from your past this week…

Send us your stories and photos, including all namesand ages, a daytime phone number and full address. E-mailhello @pickmeupmag.co.uk WRITE TO Pick Me Up! Media Centre, Emma-Chris Way, Abbey Wood Park, Filton, Bristol, BS34 7JU PHONE 01174400607 FACEBOOK facebook.com/pickmeupmag SEE OUR WEBSITE lifedeathprizes.com TI Media Limited reserves the right to reuse any submission sent to Pick Me Up! magazine, in any format or medium. Unfortunately, we can’t return photos without a stamped sae. Letters/photos must not be sent to any other publication.…

As I was about to climb over the railings, I saw my neighbour walking by, and screamed at him to call the police. Samuel, who’d come back into the room, turned on his heels and ran. With him gone, I managed to carefully put my sling back on over my shoulder. A few minutes later, the police arrived, and after giving them a statement, I was taken to hospital to have my shoulder seen to. After that, fearing Samuel would be after me, I went to stay with my mum. I was told a few days later that the police had caught up with him. He was arrested while staying at his sister’s house, and he’d been charged with assault and false imprisonment. I began to look forward to his…

Desperate to fix it Q I betrayed my friend by sharing some confidential things she’d said to me, and now we’re not speaking. I know I was wrong. How can I make it right? Bella, Stafford A You can’t change what happened, so what you do now is important. Honesty is the best next step, so find a way to tell your friend that you know you have made a mistake in doing what you did, that you are sorry, that you know it was wrong, and whatever else you want and need to say to her. Face to face is best, but if she doesn’t want to speak to you, you may need to write her a text or a note. Unfortunately, you aren’t in control of her reaction…

1 Stay hydrated Constipation is related to dehydration, so drinking plenty of water is key to relieving and preventing symptoms. 2 Eat lots of fibre Increasing the fibre in your diet will prevent constipation and help digestion. 3 Get active A daily walk or run can help reduce the symptoms of constipation and help you go to the toilet more regularly. 4 Improve your toilet routine Keep to a regular time and place and give yourself plenty of time to use the toilet.…

As Bella limped across the floor, I couldn’t help but feel sorry for her. ‘Not long now,’ I soothed, as I gave her a little bit of a fuss. Bella was our eight-year-old Shih Tzu and she was just about to go in for surgery. She’d ruptured her left cruciate ligament and injured her kneecap in the process. She needed an operation, but Bella was used to that. At the age of eight, she’d already had seven operations - almost one a year! She’d been prone to breaking bones in her legs or damaging the ligaments. ‘Will this one be too much for her?’ I worried, to my fiancé Gareth, 36. ‘Hopefully this will be the last time she needs any surgery,’ he said, trying his best to reassure me.…

Stockholm Requiem, Channel 4 Based on the brilliant Kristina Ohlsson’s novels, this gripping psychological thriller series follows unconventional criminologist Fredrika Bergman, who after a tragic car accident, accepts a job at Stockholm police’s special investigation unit to help tackle crime – but her presence is neither welcomed or wanted. On the same day Fredrika joins, a little girl is abducted from Stockholm’s Central Station and the reason behind it is far more complex than expected. It’s impossible to know who to trust. Love Monster, CBeebies Brand new to CBeebies, this quirky animation for pre-schoolers based on the best-selling books by Rachel Bright, is bursting with fun. It follows the adventures of lovable hero Love Monster as he searches for the right thing to do in a world where he’s one…

When Philip Grandine handed his pregnant wife Karissa a fruit smoothie, it would have seemed like a rather touching gesture. Philip certainly had a lot of making up to do. He’d been caught cheating, and as a pastor at the local church, it was scandalous. Karissa had forgiven his seedy liaisons and was hopeful that their first baby would heal the hurt. But her good nature was clouding her judgement. Karissa was in more danger than she could’ve imagined. It was 2011, and Philip, 25, was a pastor at Ennerdale Road Baptist Church in Toronto, Canada. An upstanding member of the community. He also worked as a senior nurse in a retirement home - he was an all-round caregiver. He was married to insurance underwriter Anne Karissa, 29, who was…

Afternoon Tea and Bottomless Bubbles at London Marriott, Marble Arch Located in this iconic hotel, The Pickled Hen offers a modern take on classic British gastropub dishes and prides themselves on serving locally sourced food. Enjoy an eclectic mix of sweet and savoury dishes from fish finger sandwiches, and scotch eggs to traditional scones with Devonshire clotted cream, toffee popcorn cheesecake tarts and white and dark chocolate mousses served in egg shells with toasted brioche, all complete with two hours of free-flowing bubbles. • £49 for two people Cream tea at the Harrods Tea Rooms Savour a delightful treat in this famous luxurious department store. Sit back and relax as you tuck into your delicious tea, complete with fluffy freshly baked plain and fruit scones with mouth watering clotted cream…