Table of contents for 23-Jul-2020 in Pick Me Up!

This week, we’re recognising the amazing work of Lois Cook, nine, and Lily Davies, seven, from Dunoon. Lois’ mum Susan, wrote to say… Doing yet another fling along to the piper, Lois and Lily were cheering everyone up with their highland dancing. They’d been doing it ever since they were four and absolutely loved it. As best friends, they were always dancing together around town. Then, when coronavirus hit, our local community hall and kitchen asked them to give a helping hand. ‘Would you like to do it?’ we asked them, and sure enough they said yes. Arriving at the sheltered accommodation, volunteers at Burgh Hall Dunoon Community Kitchen handed the residents some food, whilst the girls got ready. Standing two metres apart, they performed their spectacle with a live…

There is nothing more important to me than seeing my children happy. Watching my toddler son grow up confused and uncomfortable in his own body was heart-breaking. Although Ashton was born male, from the moment he could speak, he insisted that he was a girl. Now, Ashley, aged 13, is one of Britain’s youngest transgender children. She has never been happier, and I have never been more incredibly proud. When Ashton was just three years old, he was determined that the name I’d chosen wasn’t right for him. He even complained his body was wrong. ‘But it’s a horrible name!’ Ashton screamed at dinner. My other two children, Sharla, then seven, and Archie, then two, were used to the usual conversation. ‘It’s a lovely name,’ I said. ‘It suits you!’…

BIG health story Pulling out the last slice of bread from the packet, my mum Doris frowned. I’ll need to get some more bread,’ she sighed. It was 2003, and Mum, then 79, was treating me and my dad Robert, then 81, to lunch. Tucking into our sandwiches, Mum frowned. ‘I’ll need to get some more bread,’ she said. ‘I know, Mum,’ I replied gently. ‘You just said that.’ For a while now, Mum had been more forgetful, repeating herself all the time, and often talking about the past. A few days later, I got a worried call from a friend. ‘I found your mum walking down the middle of the road,’ she said. Mum had gone out to the shops, but forgot how to get home, and was wandering…

Sex education Leading pet charity Blue Cross has launched Sex Edu-Cat-ion, a new nationwide campaign which aims to reduce the number of unexpected pregnancies in young cats. Many pet owners are unaware that cats can become pregnant as young as four months old, so it is vital that they remain inside if unneutered, particularly over summer ‘kitten season’ months. Due to this lack of awareness, there is often a spike in unexpected cat pregnancies during April to September, leading to a significant increase in the number of kitten litters being left abandoned or unwanted. Help reduce the pressure on rescue charities and keep your young kitties inside this summer! Dog Friendly Britain The latest book from Punk Publishing and Cool Places showcases the very best places to stay in the…

Revolutionary Shapewear All women are unique. And yet, their experience of underwear is universal: disappointing. Whether hoisting up sagging tights on the bus, cutting off suffocating shapewear at a wedding, or removing a digging bra the second you get home – women are being failed by the very garments that are supposed to support them. So, the Heist mission was born, to liberate women from disappointing underwear! Through an innovative combination of technology, Heist have created underwear world-first that will change every woman’s daily experience for good. Go to heist-studios.com to find high-quality, comfortable and flattering every-day underwear and shapewear.…

As the sky lit up, I couldn’t take my eyes off the incredible storm going on outside my window. ‘Wow… Look at that,’ I said to my dog, Araya, as we both snuggled up in bed. It was March this year, and the power had gone out in my neighbourhood in Nashville, Tennessee. That night’s storm was quite the spectacle and I was happily watching it all unfold from the comfort of my bed. Since moving to Nashville a year earlier from Los Angeles, I’d slowly got used to their crazy weather. I was from the UK originally, but had moved out to the states to pursue my modelling career in 2013. And after five years in LA, I’d relocated to Nashville and rented a place on my own. I…

They’d met as teenagers while they were studying, and despite their relationship being fraught with problems, they had been together ever since. Caitlin O’Brien, 31, knew that being with Shea Sturt was toxic, but however much she tried to get out of it, she was trapped. Caitlin was a nurse, living in a second-floor apartment in Melbourne, Australia. She was kind and caring – and always trying to help others. Quiet Caitlin would often shock her hospital colleagues by showing up at work crying and covered with bruises. Shea’s violence towards her had seen him end up in court several times. As early as 2010, Caitlin lodged a police report after fleeing an attack from Shea. He was charged with assault, but was then placed on an adjourned good behaviour…

Have you heard of… Cleanercising? With the rise of cleanfluencers Mrs Hinch and Queen of Clean, it’s no surprise that the Instagram generation are house proud. According to eco-cleaning brand OzKleen, 25-34 year olds are more likely to clean than any other age. ‘Cleanercising’ has been a big way to boost moral in lockdown. According to OzKleen, most people have upped their cleaning game, with 30% now cleaning two or three times per week and 22% cleaning every day. However, cleaning has caused many arguments, as one person picks up the majority of the slack! So, are you the clean one at home or do you leave it all to your partner? GET IN TOUCH Send us your stories and photos, including all names and ages, a daytime phone number…

Clutching a pile of The Big Issue magazines, I noticed one of my regular customers heading my way. ‘Good morning,’ I smiled. ‘Morning Lavina - congratulations!’ he beamed, his eyes staring down at my rounded tummy. ‘Congratulations?’ I repeated, with a quizzical look on my face. ‘Is it a boy or girl?’ he went on. As the man glared at my bulging stomach, I realised he obviously thought I was pregnant! I was stunned. While I knew I’d gained some weight recently, I had no idea it was quite so noticable to everyone else. But too embarrassed to correct him, I just brushed it off. ‘Thank you,’ I said, forcing a smile and hoping the conversation was over. But at home that night, I couldn’t stop thinking about it. As…

In March of this year, the government put forward a new Domestic Abuse Bill, which creates a statutory definition, recognising coercive control as a form of abuse. Described as an ‘act or pattern of assault, threats, humiliation and intimidation which is used to harm, punish or frighten their victim,’ campaigners fought for many years to bring this bill to life. In the year ending March 2019, an estimated 2.4 million adults aged 16 to 74 experienced domestic abuse, and almost every one of those were victim to coercive control. Whilst coercive control has been illegal since 2015, it is only now being defined as a form of abuse. 74% of coercive control victims are women Working closely with domestic abuse charities, this year Coronation Street has aired a coercive control…

New findings from cookware brand Pyrex® show the average UK household throws out 367kg of food each year, or enough to make over 300 plates of food. The research shows fruit and vegetables making up a whopping three quarters of household waste. The second-largest wasted food group is breads and cereals, which contribute to 11% of waste, then dairy products, which make up 7%, followed by meat and fish at 5%. Zero waste chef Max La Manna is sharing his tips to get you started on reducing your food waste. POTATOES Potatoes are the #1 most wasted food in the UK. Over 9 million are wasted every day. Store your potatoes in a cool, dark cupboard and out of your fridge. If your potato is sprouting, just remove the sprout…

Arctic 1L Café Latte, £1.99, Co-op and Tesco. The same perfect blend of fresh Devonshire milk and premium Arabica beans, Arctic iced coffee now comes in a brand new 1 litre carton. Specially Selected Flavoured Chipolatas, £1.99, 375g, Aldi. Go gourmet this BBQ season and cook up some posh ‘dogs’ with Aldi’s brand new flavoured Chipolatas. You can choose from Pork, Tomato and Mozzarella, or try out their Spanish-inspired Chorizo Style Pork Chipolatas. VITA Vodka, £27, online at Amazon and masterofmalt.com Bringing you a taste of the Mediterranean, this citrus infused spirit is made with natural ingredients straight from sun-drenched Spain. Bad Dog Flavoured Hot Dogs, £1.99, 400g, Aldi. Naughty but oh-so nice, Aldi’s brand-new flavoured hot dogs are perfect for treating even the pickiest family and friends. Try out…

www.theastrologyroom.com ARIES 21 March–20 April Scared is what you may be feeling, but brave is what you really are. You find yourself in a more reflective mood this week, but you don’t have time for wishy washy words. Those you wish to talk with you call, and those who have annoyed you, you avoid. The chance to make more money requires you to step down off your moral high horse. Call: 09058 170 710* TAURUS 21 April–21 May Unfold your own myth, Taurus. Close ones think they know you, but they’re about to find out they’ve barely scratched the surface. The need to locate missing items could see you throwing accusations at those same people. Jupiter makes it possible for you to take an arrogant attitude and run with it.…

Walking through the town centre, I rested my heavy shopping bags on the ground with a sigh. It was December 2017, and I’d spent the day dashing around town picking up bits and pieces. ‘I think I’ll call it a day,’ I said to myself, exhausted. Just then, I spotted a nail salon in the distance. I hardly ever got my nails done – only ever for weddings or other special occasions. Now, though, I decided to head in. I think I deserve a treat, I thought to myself cheekily. ‘Come in,’ the technician smiled sweetly as I entered the salon. After picking out a set of pink acrylic nails, I took a seat at one of the stations. As she got to work buffing the nails on my left…

Fill it! Complete the grid then read down the shaded squares to reveal the hidden answer. Clue: Something you’d find at a party. ACROSS 1 Time to come (6) 4 Hurdle (8) 10 Aide (9) 11 Intends (5) 12 Very strong person (5) 13 School janitor (9) 14 Julia _, Erin Brockovich actor (7) 16 Weeps (4) 19 Among (4) 21 Foes (7) 24 Remember (9) 25 _ Fury, British boxer (5) 26 Matt _, The Martian actor (5) 27 Biscuit type (9) 28 Cutting instruments (8) 29 Serious and dignified (6) DOWN 1 Excessive or insincere praise (8) 2 Laboratory vessel (4,4) 3 Lifted (5) 5 One after another (2,5) 6 Schedule (9) 7 Emilia _, Game of Thrones actor (6) 8 Guarantee (6) 9 Moves to music (6)…

Laying in bed, I placed my hand on my chest. Thump, thump, thump – I could feel my heart beating. It was 2001, and at 16, my life was filled with friends, family, school work, chores, music and laughter. But sometimes, I’d need some peace and quiet. I’d creep into my room, lay on my bed, block everything out and just listen to the sound of my heart in my chest. To me, it was the most beautiful sound in the world. The sound of my heart beating reminded me that I was still here. Born in December 1985 at Guy’s Hospital, I’d quickly been diagnosed with a congenital heart defect. My mum Annette, now 66, and dad Keith, now 70,were told that my heart had three working valves instead…

Hovering around the building site with my friend Louise, there was an excitement in the air. DIY SOS were in a nearby village, so there was definitely a buzz in the otherwise quiet area of Abbey Town. Me and Louise knew a couple of the volunteers on set, so we hung around there with a few other onlookers. Everyone loves a little bit of DIY SOS. As such an uplifting show, it’s hard not to be a fan. It was definitely interesting getting to watch it all up close and personal. I never knew just how many people got involved! Back in 2013, chatting to the crew and the famous Nick Knowles, it was all so thrilling. We even managed to get a picture with the main team! ‘Why don’t…

WHAT YOU’LL NEED: ◻ 190ml oat milk◻ 2 ripe bananas, mashed◻ 200g spelt flour◻ 100g deglet dates, chopped◻ 35g walnuts, crushed◻ 1 tsp baking powder◻ 1 tsp bicarbonate soda◻ 1 tsp salt◻ 1 tbsp vanilla extract◻ ½ tsp cinnamon powder METHOD: 1 Preheat oven to 170°C. Add your dry ingredients (flour, salt, baking powder, bicarbonate soda and cinnamon powder) to a Pyrex® bowl and stir to remove any lumps. 2 In a separate Pyrex® bowl, add your mashed banana until creamy, but keep them slightly chunky too. Add the vanilla extract and combine together. Pour your dry ingredients into the banana mixture and fold. Next, add plant-based milk and stir slowly. Make sure you scrape down the sides of the bowl. 3 Once the mixture is smooth and ready to pour,…

Good food starts with simple ingredients, and that’s why Flora fill their spreads with 100% plant goodness. These plant-based BBQ dishes are packed with taste and will really impress this summer! BBQ glazed pineapple ◻ 1 large peeled pineapple cut into wedges◻ 2 tbsp Flora◻ 1 tsp ground ginger◻ 1 tbsp maple syrup◻ 1 lime, juiced and zested◻ Coconut ice cream◻ Toasted coconut chips 1 Melt the Flora and mix with ginger, maple syrup and lime juice. Put the pineapple wedges into a reusable food bag, tip in the marinade and shake the bag so the wedges are well coated. Put the wedges on the BBQ and cook until they have distinctive char marks. 2 To serve, pile 2 wedges on each plate, add a scoop of coconut yogurt or…

In the past 12 months, over 250,000 people worldwide went vegan, so it’s no surprise when last year, writer, photographer, food stylist and recipe developer Bianca Zapatka’s vegan cookbook became an instant hit in Germany. It’s now been translated into English, bringing hearty, wholesome plant-based cooking into all our kitchens! Vegan Foodporn: 100 Easy and Delicious Recipes contains creations that are a feast for the eyes. With step-by-step pictures and practical tips, it’s easy to follow the recipes and create your own foodporn! Get your copy from Amazon now! Italian one-pot pasta WHAT YOU’LL NEED: ◻ 250g pasta of your choice◻ 2 cloves of garlic, or 1 onion (or both)◻ 1 cup strained tomatoes◻ 1 cup chopped tomatoes◻ 1 cup vegetable broth◻ 2 cups courgette, chopped◻ ⅓ cup pitted olives◻…

Walking through the small farm next to our family home with my partner Robin, 49, I call out to the boys. ‘Dexter!’ I say, as my four-year-old son comes running. ‘Henry!’ I call, as my two-year-old son follows. ‘Peter Pan!’ I shout, as our family’s lamb trails behind making ‘baa’-ing noises. Two boys, one sheep. For over 10 years, Robin and I have had a patch of land with a tractor and farm equipment. And when we welcomed our two sons into the world, we decided to take on a few animals, too. An alpaca, two llamas, peacocks, guinea fowl, and 12 sheep – the boys love them! Henry totters about, feeding the sheep grains, whilst Dexter helps scatter hay. After lambing season this year, we had 15 lambs. Sadly,…