Table of contents for 06-Sep-2018 in Pick Me Up!

Growing up, I loved both my sisters Steph and Alexandra dearly - but we also fought like cat and dog! Especially Steph and I. I was a girly girl, loved playing dressing up and looking pretty. Three years younger, Steph was a tomboy who loved getting grubby! She didn’t care, but our mum Bernie, 60 did. ‘Come on, Bob,’ Mum would say dragging Steph along to the bathroom for yet another wash. We all called Steph ‘Bob’ because she was just like a little lad! She was fiery, too. She always had my back in the playground, chasing bullies away for saying mean things about my glasses. ‘That’s what sisters do,’ she’d tell me triumphantly. And as we’ve grown up, not that much has changed really. We’re still chalk and…

Insomnia 1 You have insomnia if you regularly findit hard to sleep and wake up several times in the night. 2 Insomnia is often caused bystress, anxiety or depression. 3 Symptoms can be helped by sleeping in late and napping throughout the day. 4 A pharmacist can’t do anything to help insomnia. 1 TRUE You may also still feel tired when waking up, wake upearly, and be unable to nap, regardless of exhaustion. 2 TRUE It can alsobe due to jet lag, shift work, noise, temperature, discomfort, alcohol, caffeine or drugs. 3 FALSE These can disrupt sleep more. Instead,try relaxing for one hour before bed, ensure your bedroom is dark and quiet, and exercise inthe day. 4 FALSE You can get sleeping aidsfrom a pharmacy. But see your GP topinpoint…

Fixie Bike Pizza Cutter, £19.99, firebox.com Why use any old pizza cutter when you can use the front wheel of a miniature, gold bike instead? It might look crackers, but the two cutting wheels do make it more effective than a regular slicer. Verdict: BONKERS! On your bike! Still, it is wheely fun! PMD Kiss Lip Plumping System, £139, lookfantastic.com This clever gadget pulsates on contact with lips to help reduce fine lines or wrinkles, and to plump and restore their natural colour. Pulse 15-20 times on each section of your lips. Pricey, but simple! Verdict: GENIUS! But something to save up for! Avocado Keeper, £5, aplaceforeverything.co.uk Designed to keep cut avocados fresher for longer, this neat acrylic storage box is the gadget…

My husband Matthew, 43, was engrossed in the telly, as I opened my laptop to play on Pick Me Up! Bingo. I’d been a member for about six years. My fave game was the Wonderland slot which I played that evening. After a few spins, I was surprised to see three doors pop up. Stunned, Matthew and I both sat there in silence as we ate A bonus round! I had a chance to win the big progressive jackpot! I clicked on a door and was greeted by the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party bonus game. First, I had to find the dormouse in a teapot, clicking on the pots randomly. Then I had to choose one of the cupcakes on screen... Suddenly, something flashed - I’d won the progressive jackpot…

Nattering with my mum Anita, 48, over a cuppa at the kitchen table, she asked her favourite question. ‘Any nice men on the horizon?’ she nudged, a twinkle in her eye. ‘Me?’ I snorted. ‘Course not!’ I was 24, still living at home with Mum and my dad Colin, 49. I didn’t mind. Mum was one of my best mates. And our favourite thing to gossip about was men. Since my teens, we’d chatted endlessly about my fantasy wedding - the princess dress, the fairytale ceremony, the first dance to Marvin Gaye’s Sexual Healing. And to make sure that happened, in my 20s, Mum had given me a dating dos and don’ts handbook. Don’t meet a man in a nightclub... Do introduce him to your family and friends... We even…

We don’t let our boys, aged 5 and 7, play violent games, and I ask other people not to play violent games around them. There’s enough violence in this world without video games entering their minds, too. Emma Grainger, Pontefract I don’t allow my daughter to play violent games. I’d rather she played out innocently with other children than was glued to a video game with horrific content. I’ve seen so many children acting up from these new hype games. It’s unreal – they have an age limit for a reason. Shelley Yale, Keighley, West Yorkshire My son plays Fortnite and has also played other games, such as Assassin’s Creed . He’s one of the nicest, softest children you could meet. He…

Having the odd fling kept our relationship exciting Sitting across the table, I fiddled anxiously with my cutlery. It was my first time going out with Ash, 29... but these weren’t first-date nerves. I already knew we’d get on. We’d been chatting online for weeks after meeting at a craft fair. We’d loads in common - and not just our similar names. We loved classic rock, board games, hiking, the same restaurants... I’d light up every time I saw a message from Ash pop up on my screen. There were fireworks - big time! But what I was about to tell him now might dampen that spark. ‘The thing is...’ I hesitated as Ash looked at me smiling. ‘I’m not into traditional relationships.’ I never had been. I mean, what…

Pressing my hand against my 3-year-old daughter Chloe’s forehead, I felt a surge of worry. She was burning up. It was last September, and Chloe had come down with another viral infection. Since January of that year, she’d suffered viral and ear infections, one after another. ‘I don’t understand why she’s getting so many,’ I said to her dad Martin, 35. Referred to Royal Blackburn Hospital in October, Chloe was treated with antibiotics while doctors ran tests. We were told she had a narrow ear canal. Then in December, we learnt she had extensive bone erosion in her skull. But soon, after further scans, we were given the worst news. ‘Chloe may have a rare form of cancer,’ the doctor explained. Martin and I stared at each other in disbelief.…

Hair scraped into a bun, I pulled my safety goggles into place. With no make-up on, and wearing a pair of old joggers, I was ready for work. Today, I was trying to save a heron’s life. By the end of it, I was covered in fish guts! See, I’m not your ordinary lass. Not only do I have an animal sanctuary in my back yard - but at a size-24, I take my clothes off for a living as a plus-size model! Growing up, I didn’t care about what was fashionable, or on-trend. Caring for animals filled my heart and soul. I’d started out in a pet shop aged 8, fascinated with every creature and critter. At 10, I’d started working for a wildlife sanctuary. Born and raised in…

Garnier Ambre Solaire Aftersun Tissue Mask, £2.50, Boots If your skin feels tight after a day in the sun, whack on this new sheet mask. It cools your complexion, calms redness and leaves it glowing too. Vaseline Intensive Care Mature Skin Rejuvenation Moisture Restoring Lotion, £5.99, Superdrug This new formula contains drops of Vaseline Jelly to really up those hydration levels. It locks in moisture for an intense dose of nourishment. Neutrogena Hydro Boost Capsule-in-Serum, £14.99, Boots Apply this before your moisturiser for weightless hydration that lasts the whole day. It’s perfect for anyone who hates the dewy residue of an oil, but needs a complexion pick-me-up. Super Facialist Pure Sensitive Skin Recovery Day Cream, £14.99, Boots This cream not only nourishes with shea butter, it soothes and calms with…

Loaded halloumi flatbreads Serves: 4 Prep: 25 mins Cook: 10 mins ◻ 250g halloumi, cut into 12 fingers ◻ 4 large flatbreads or wraps ◻ 125g hummus ◻ 1tbsp harissa FOR THE SALAD ◻ ½ small red cabbage, shredded ◻ 2 carrots, grated ◻ 1 small red onion, grated ◻ 4 Medjool dates, stoned and chopped ◻ 400g can chickpeas, rinsed and drained ◻ Handful of chopped coriander ◻ Juice of 1 orange FOR THE DRESSING ◻ 2tbsp olive oil ◻ 1 red chilli, diced ◻ 1tsp grated fresh root ginger ◻ 1tsp cumin seeds ◻ 1tsp black mustard seeds ◻ 200g Greek yoghurt ◻ Salt and freshly ground black pepper 1 To make the salad, mix all the ingredients together in a bowl. 2 To make the dressing, heat…

Heaving myself into the car, I could smell Chinese takeaway... My eyes must have been like saucers, as my fiance Michael, 33, took one look at me and burst out laughing. ‘It’s not for you,’ he grinned, starting the car. ‘Not even for him?’ I winked, stroking my massive baby bump. He shook his head. By day, Michael was a courier. But by night, he delivered takeaways in the local area. Tonight, I’d begged to come along. A week overdue, I hadn’t wanted to be alone. Our girls Leah, 13, and Georgia, 3, were with their granny Lorraine. As we dropped off orders, I felt a twinge in my back and let out a groan. Michael spun round, eyebrows shooting up. ‘You might be delivering your boy tonight,’ I ribbed.…

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Healthy and tasty… The new vegan and veggie balls from Heck are packed with flavour and are good for you, too! They come in two flavours – fresh and herby Super Greens and Indian-style Bollywood Bites (below). They’re on offer for 2 for £5 (usually £3 each) at Waitrose until 4 September. Bold and silver..? Embrace your greys with whitehothair.co.uk. Pop to their website and sign up for their newsletter for 10% off your order of gorgeous products for grey or white hair. Perfect to tone your dye job if it’s too yellow and needs more ash tones. The queen of puddings No Sunday roast is complete without some crisp and golden Yorkshires. Aunt Bessie’s packs of 12 Golden Yorkshires are ready to pop in the oven before serving with…

I’m so emotional QI’m struggling with my mood – I cry at the slightest thing. I don’t want antidepressants as I’m on breast-cancer treatment. Are supplements any good? Jane, Macclesfield A Yes, some are effective. Unfortunately, they can interact with some breast-cancer medication, so check with your pharmacist first. But consider counselling if you don’t wish to use pills. No more pain QI have terrible nerve pain, and painkillers don’t work. Is there anything else I can try? Polly, Brighton AMultifactorial management of nerve pain includes non ‘painkiller’ medication to reduce (not remove) pain and improve function. It takes two to four weeks before a difference is noted. Psychological therapies can also help. Will my little girl grow quicker? Q My baby was born early and she is still small…

Getting comfy in the salon chair, I watched in the mirror as the hairdresser combed through my locks. As she reached my ears, she frowned. ‘You’ve a small bald patch here,’ she said, pointing to a spot just above my left ear. Weird, I’d not noticed. ‘It’s probably just stress!’ I laughed. It was April 2010 and I was coming to the end of my last year at uni. With my final dissertation due in, I’d been under pressure. It’ll grow back, I told myself. But over the next few months, I noticed my short, blonde hair thinning. When I spotted clumps on the floor after brushing it, I decided to book an appointment with the GP. ‘You have alopecia areata,’ he said. A condition that meant that my hair…

Our king kitty, Romeo, thinks he’s going to be as big as a lion one day, so he’s working on his roaaarr. Lisa Hardy, Sunderland Babe the guinea pig loves tucking into a big, juicy slice of watermelon – it’s her favourite treat. Gillian Jackson, Todmorden Say cheese! My smiling lizard just loves posing for the camera. Such a show off! Karen Hill, Caernarfon 'Food? I’ve not seen any food!’ promises my hamster, Winnie. I think her chubby cheeks tell a different story, don’t you? Krissie Cope, via e-mail My gorgeous lion head rabbit, Simba, says he’ll give Romeo a run for his money on being the new king of Animal magic. Angela Codling, Midgley My pup loves soaking up the summer sun, look at her just basking on the…

ARIES 21 March–20 April You and I know you’ve been existing not living, but that’s about to change. Jupiter, the planet of self-expansion, will help you realise where you went wrong and who's been holding you back from enjoying life more. A chance encounter will help ignite a new dream or ambition. Call: 09058 170 710* TAURUS 21 April–21 May Don’t waste any more time on what isn’t working. From this weekend you realise you can take on the dream others refuse to help with. I know, and you will soon, that you’ve the power and abilities to take on what’s ahead as a solo project if others won’t stand by you. Call: 09058 170 711* GEMINI 22 May–21 June What you thought were promises from family may have been…