Table of contents for 21-Mar-2024 in Pick Me Up!

This week, our tip of the week will receive a great prize from Addis. This kitchen caddy will make the perfect addition to your home. With an easy-access, flip top lid and clip lock to hide those pesky bin smells, you can organise your waste in style. Ideal for storage or your waste, the easy wipe surface means you can keep your caddy spick and span! For more ways to make your life easier, visit addis.co.uk Stretch and wipe Baby wipes are great for cleaning your yoga mat after a class. I always keep a packet handy! Natasha Senior, Chelmsford Light it up When I can’t light a candle with a lighter as it’s too low in the jar, I use a lit wooden skewer. Jennifer Prowse, Hull…

INSTANT appointment With Dr Aneesha Ahmad, NHS GP and owner of Skyn Doctor (skyndoctor.co.uk) Picky eater Q My daughter is really sensitive to different food textures and colours. She won’t eat anything unless it’s beige – she’s sick if I feed her fruits and vegetables. Why is this? Carol, Huddersfield A Sometimes children deem ‘beige’ foods to be safe foods, as they look non-threatening. So, it’s important to bear in mind that if a child has been limited in exposure to a variety of foods, they may develop a preference for what they are familiar with. Commonly, this happens to be foods such as chips, crisps and pasta. This often leads to a restricted colour palette in their diet. Other considerations may include texture sensitivity and avoiding new experiences (which…

Gazing in the mirror, there was one thing I wanted to change. My boobs. With B cups, they weren’t as perky as I wanted. Lacking volume, they sagged making me feel unconfident. You see, I’d been on quite a big weight loss journey. In April 2021, I’d flown to Turkey to have gastric sleeve surgery. And over the course of two years, I’d lost 6st – going from 16st 12oz to 10st 9oz. I’d gone from a size 16 to a size 10. And as a result, my boobs had been left a bit droopy. I’d always wanted a boob job. And looking in the mirror last summer, it felt like the right time. I would have the whole winter to heal, I thought. ‘I’ve decided I’m getting my boobs…

Alison Goolnik is an experienced psychotherapist and a member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy. She helps adults manage anxiety, navigate life transitions, and improve self-esteem while supporting them to positively change their mental health. For more, please visit: bacp.co.uk and therapyhere.co.uk Pinching the pounds Q I’ve recently got into a new relationship and my partner has a lot more money than I do. I don’t want him to know that I’m living paycheck to paycheck. He’ll think differently of me. Should I just get out now? Dehlia, Plymouth A Money is a common stress in relationships. It’s understandable that you don’t wish to discuss your finances in case he judges you. At the start of a relationship, there’s also the added anxiety of whether it will last…

Calming down after a blustery coastal walk, it was a miracle that I hadn’t been blown off the cliff. Only, I had special news. ‘I’m engaged!’ I cried, calling my grandad Bert, now 95, in December 2021. We’d always been so close. Growing up, Grandad loved to take my brother Sam, now 25, and I out exploring. So, I knew after nearly eight years with my partner Andy, now 29, Grandad was one of the first people I had to call. ‘Ah that’s good,’ Grandad cheered. ‘That means I can get some great grandchildren.’ Known to be the joker of the family, as well as his love for the great outdoors and poetry, Grandad has a passion to make other people chuckle – always up to no good. And despite…

Lighting candles, I carried the cake out as everyone erupted into a sing song. And holding his breath before blowing out the flame, my son Alex, then five, closed his eyes tight. ‘What did you wish for?’ both me and my husband Robin, 31, asked. ‘I can’t tell you that!’ Alex chuckled. ‘My birthday wish won’t come true if I do.’ Only, no more than five minutes later, he finally confessed. ‘I wished for my arm to grow back,’ he whispered to me. In that moment, I wished Alex could have seen just how special he was. Yet, Alex was at an age where he was beginning to know that he was different. Something that came as a total surprise to us all when he was born. ‘One of his…

Dr Alka Patel, lifestyle doctor and longevity expert, shares what happens when you put the vape pen down and your body adjusts to life without nicotine. Imagine you’re a regular vaper, and you decide to stop vaping today at 9am… ● By 9.30am your heart rate has slowed down. ● By midday, you start to notice some withdrawal effects from the nicotine you’ve become used to. You might be feeling on edge and irritable. You might have a sore throat or abdominal cramps, too. ● At 11pm, you might have difficulty falling asleep. ● Three days later, the withdrawal effects may be worse, but you persevere and stay off the vape. ● Three months later, your circulation improves, your blood vessels are more open. ● Nine months later, your body’s…

Want hearty and delicious meals that are less than 500 calories? Well, with these easy and straightforward recipes from Christina Kynigos, you’ll be whipping up a storm in no time. ● Very Hungry Greek by Christina Kynigos, £20, Meze Publishing ● Follow Christina on Instagram: @veryhungrygreek Meatball Marinara Sub Big juicy meatballs smothered in a rich marinara sauce. It’s time to get seriously messy but it’ll be totally worth it… YOU WILL NEED: ◻ 250g lean beef mince◻ ½ onion, finely diced◻ Low-calorie cooking spray◻ 100ml beef stock◻ 250g passata◻ 1 tbsp tomato purée◻ 1 tsp dried oregano◻ 2-3 drops of Worcestershire sauce◻ 2 gluten-free rolls, sliced◻ 4 tbsps low-fat mayonnaise◻ 50g reduced-fat cheddar, grated◻ 40g mozzarella, grated 1 Combine the beef mince and diced onion in a large bowl,…

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.…

Scrolling on my phone, I waited for a knock at the door. Like most evenings in 2020, me, my children Stewart Jr, 14, Duncan, 13, Holly, nine, and Jenna, six, and my husband Stewart, 37, were waiting for our takeaway to arrive. That night, we’d gone for our favourite Indian – and it was a treat for the kids, too, as they didn’t have takeaway as often as me and Stewart. While I shared a delicious chicken tikka starter and a chicken tikka korma with Stewart, the portion sizes weren’t the problem. Ordering a takeaway three to four times a week, me and Stewart usually went for an Indian or a McDonald’s. It wasn’t the cheapest way to eat. We spent upwards of £25 per order. But if not, we’d…

In the know Cath Stanley Chief Executive of the Huntington’s Disease Association has answered some questions on Huntington’s disease. Visit: hda.org.uk 1. What causes Huntington’s disease? Huntington’s disease is a genetic disease which means if you have it, you inherited it from one or both of your parents. It is caused by a hereditary fault on a specific gene. 2. Is any demographic more at risk of developing Huntington’s disease? Due to its hereditary nature, you will only get the disease if one of your parents in your family has it. You may not be aware of the disease being in the family if you don’t know the medical history of your parents. You would be born with the gene, but symptoms usually start between the ages of 30 and…

If you’re a carer, then it’s important you have emotional support. This can come from: • Friends and family • Online communities, message boards and forums for carers • Local Huntington’s Disease Association branches, groups and events for those affected by Huntington’s disease • Expert support, for example the Specialist Huntington’s Disease Advisers, who are there to support you and the person you care for both emotionally and practically • Telephone support, such as Carers UK’s adviceline • Talking therapies, such as counselling • Taking a break from caring – either regularly, e.g. using a day centre two or three times a week, or for a longer break, perhaps once or twice a year…

The annual Product of the Year awards are back once again – voted for by over 8,000 UK consumers. The famous Product of the Year red logo is a seal of approval, giving shoppers the inside scoop on the year’s most innovative buys. Make sure you look out for it when you’re next in store! We’ve teamed up with Product of the Year and 10 lucky readers will win a bumper bag of award-winning products, filled with this year’s buys across food & drink, health & beauty and laundry and household. Cow & Gate Follow-on Milk Value Pack £12.50 for 1200g tub (2x600g) Introducing Cow & Gate Follow-on milk Refill-Friendly Value Pack. Cow & Gate proudly relaunch their Big Packs to support parents by offering their same loved recipe, at…

You don’t need to count sheep this season, as with these sweet PJ sets, you’ll be snoozing in no time. From airy shorts to sublime prints, beauty sleep has never felt better. OVER THE BUMP Releasing a brand-new maternity collection, high-street favourite Primark have everything covered – bump included. Even though your nighttime routine may be a little disturbed, at least you’ll be comfy! Available to shop in store now…

How egg-citing Give bathtime a hopping makeover with the new Easter collection from Lush. With a range of bath bombs, soaps, scrubs, sheet masks and more, this collection will leave you a happy bunny. Here are just a few of our favourites from the collection. Available in a Lush near you Brighter blonde Looking to brighten your blonde tresses? Well, John Frieda’s new Blonde+Repair range may be just the ticket – designed to help repair blonde damage for a brighter crown. Step 1: Pre-Shampoo Treatment – Apply a generous amount from roots to ends on damp hair, comb through and leave for one minute before rinsing. Step 2: Bond Building Shampoo – Now it’s time to cleanse the hair while the ingredients work to help reverse damage. Step 3: Bond…

Given how highly addictive nicotine is, quitting vaping or smoking is no easy feat – it’s something you should definitely be proud of if you do. But if you’re just starting to kick the habit, then Harris has shared his top tips for sticking to your goals. ● One of the most effective ways to quit is to see a healthcare provider who can discuss the options that are available and work with you to select the best option and strategy for you as an individual. ● Set a quit date so that you can share a definitive date with others and hold yourself accountable. ● Build a support network of friends who know you are quitting and who you can speak to for support and encouragement when it feels…

ARIES 21 March–20 April Adopt a different tactic with a professional problem that is interfering with your personal life. Try not to sweep your problems under the carpet this week, but work on talking things through. The party concerned is likely more willing to stand by you, if you initiate willing my friend. So, take full advantage of it while you have astral backing behind you. Call: 09058 170 710* LEO 24 July–23 Aug Gossip is rife about what you did or didn’t do and how you don’t care what others think. Think carefully about the effect this naughty mood may have on your long-term future. Saturn could see you having to pay twice for something that others should have paid for in the first place. Put family first this…