Table of contents for 12-Sep-2019 in Pick Me Up!

Looking at the pregnancy stick, me and my partner Kes, 48, were so excited. When I was pregnant with our eldest daughter Jordan, now 21, it was a breeze. But this time, I was being sick and in exhaustible pain. I’ve always been fit and healthy as I spent a few years as a Military Policewoman in Her Majesty’s Services. So, I didn’t understand why I was struggling so much. Every now and then, I started bleeding, and as I have a rare blood type that could be harmful to the foetus, I had to go for injections to stop my blood poisoning my baby. I had PTSD and I was dragging my way through this horrific pregnancy. Then, at 36 weeks, I was back in for another injection. ‘We…

Walking into the doctor’s, I was at my lowest. It was November 2017, and the antidepressants I had been on weren’t making me feel any better. In fact, they were just numbing my pain. ‘You’re very overweight,’ the doctor told me, as she completed some health checks. ‘I know,’ I said. You didn’t need to be a doctor to work that out. I was 22 stone and living on a diet of three huge meals a day. I’d gorge on crisps and chocolate in between and didn’t worry about what I ate. My weight had crept up over the years and since being on the antidepressants, I didn’t seem to care. If anything, they seemed to increase my appetite even more. ‘What can I do? The tablets are making me…

Studies have shown that if you spend your days always looking on the negative side of life, then it can have a negative impact on your mental wellbeing and your health. The saying, reap what you sow, really does apply. So how can you start to be more ‘glass half full’ and reap some success? List all the things in life that you’re grateful for. It can simply be that you are loved, or you have a bed to sleep in. This will change your perspective if you do it every day. Try to catch negative thoughts before they spiral. When you feel your inner voice focusing on a failure, stop and combat it with two positive thoughts.…

As the starting gun fired, I dashed off, sprinting towards the finish line - a mile away. As my legs pumped, my heart burned in my chest and I started coughing. Still, determined to prove myself, I kept going, crossing the finish line in a coughing fit. It was 2008, I was 17, and I’d just enrolled in a sports therapy course at college. As part of the course, I had to take part in a physical induction, and I wanted to impress my new teachers. But with all my spluttering, I’d done the opposite. ‘You could have asthma,’ one of the teachers said. ‘You should see your doctor.’ A pig’s valve was going to save me To be honest, I thought coughing after exercise was normal. Always into fitness,…

ACNE 1 Acne is common in teenagers. ☐ True ☐ False 2 Ifyou have acne it means your skin is unclean. ☐ True ☐ False 3 Adult acne affects women more than men. ☐ True ☐ False 4 Acne is contagious. ☐ True ☐ False 5 You shouldn’t wear makeup ifyou have acne. ☐ True ☐ False 1 TRUE Acne is very common among teens and is commonly linked to the changes in hormone levels during puberty. About 95% of people aged between 11 and 30 will be affected by acne at some point. 2 FALSE Cleanliness has nothing to do with your acne. Acne is caused when tiny holes in the skin, known as hair follicles, become blocked. 3 TRUE About 12-22% of women will suffer from acne, compared…

What a great week ’ , my husband Kevin, 27, said. ‘Though I thin k it’s tired them out!’ I s aid nodding to our sleeping kids, aged 3 and 2 in the back of the car. The last five days had been spent splashing around in the poo l in Skegness and having an incredible time. It’s hard to believe it was all following my latest big bingo win. It was February thisyear and Kevin and I were both looking forward to having some downtime. As we settled, I thought, ‘I’m going to have a game of bingo.’ That’s where Pick Me Up! Bingo came in. It was fun and I had made lots of new friends in the chat rooms too. I’ve had a few big wins previously…

Arriving home from the school run after dropping off my daughter Amelia, six, I started to do the housework. Bundling a load of washing into the tumble dryer, I was thinking about the endless list of tasks I needed to get done. Hoovering, dusting and some more washing... Being a mum of four, there was always a continuous cycle of washing on the go. And today, my eldest son Lewis, 14, was home from school feeling unwell. Between Lewis and my two youngest kids, Freddie, two, and Amber-Jai, eight months, I knew I was going to have my hands full. With the little ones down for a nap and Lewis lying on the sofa, I finally had a spare minute to crack on with my to-do list. Hoovering around the…

Minivino, £2, Sainsbury’s Everything is rosé with this latest Minivino launch. This miniature, lightweight and shatterproof wine is the ideal on-the-go solution to those ‘one drink’ occasions when consumers don’t want to open a full bottle of wine. Reusable and suitable for vegans, too. What’s not to love?! Golf Ball Finder Glasses, £10, Men Kind The ideal gift for the man who spends all his time on the green! Get back on the course with these glasses, designed with special tinted lenses that filter out foliage and grass so that lost, white golf balls appear brighter against trees, rough or fairway. Joie Monster Over Rack, £3.99, Lakeland Ever struggle to pull trays out of the oven without burning your fingers? This genius silicone-coated oven rack puller is the perfect solution!…

WHAT’S NEW THIS WEEK? Did you ever think that Barbie would inspire girls to be scientists? Up until now, neither did we! With the latest release of new dolls, Mattel is inspiring girls all over the world to explore careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. And now, in collaboration with the European Space Agency, Barbie has taken to space and has transformed into a female astronaut. The doll is modelled after Samantha Cristoforetti, the ESA’s only active female astronaut – a role model to young girls. The partnership is part of Barbie’s ongoing Dream Gap Project, which aims to combat the barriers that impede girls from achieving their dreams. Let your girls reach for the stars! Thought of the week As The Great British Bake Off hits our…

As I sat at the bus stop, scrolling through my phone, I felt a pair of eyes staring at me. It was a Monday afternoon, and I was off to the job centre. Looking up, a handsome stranger caught my eye. ‘You’re really pretty, you know?’ he smiled. I was taken aback by his confidence, but I couldn’t deny that he was charming. He told me his name was Reuben Hylton, 28. But within minutes, my bus pulled up and we were due to part ways. ‘Can I get your number?’ Reuben asked as I rushed off. Ermm... I thought for a second, before giving in. ‘Go on then,’ I said. I gave him my digits and thought I’d probably never hear from him again. But it wasn’t long before…

This week, our tip of the week will receive a great product from Addis! This collapsible laundry basket can fold flat when not in use for easy storage and can be stored between your washing machine or in a cupboard (£15.99). It has a large capacity and convenient carry handles. For more ways to make your life easier, visit www.addis.co.uk. Ice ice baby A great way to recycle a box of chocolates is to use it as an ice tray. The shapes make it exciting for children to make their own drinks, too! David Skeet, Brightlingsea Door stop I couldn’t think of anything to use as a door stopper, and then my autistic son had a brainwave! Simply fill a plastic bottle with water and lean it against the door…

Feeling restless Q I get restless legs after sitting for too long. What can I do? Ria, Bournemouth A Restless legs syndrome is a common condition that can cause an urge to move the legs, involuntary jerking movements, or a crawling sensation. It can also affect the arms, and is often worse at night. In many cases it’s really hard to pinpoint the cause of restless legs, but there are lots of things you can try to reduce your symptoms, such as getting enough exercise, stopping smoking, losing weight, and cutting down on caffeine and alcohol. It can also be caused by an underlying health condition such as anaemia, kidney problems or low dopamine levels, and some medications you’re taking may make it worse. In most cases, if the underlying…

Heart problem UK amongst the worst Research has shown that the UK is suffering from a lack of awareness when it comes to heart health. A new survey from Cigna Europe has found that despite one in six of us having experienced a heart problem, only half know the signs to look out for. Britain was found to be the worst nation when it comes to knowledge, despite more than seven million Brits living with heart and circulatory diseases, with just under three quarters of Brits not concerned about heart disease in old age at all. 40% That’s the number of under 18s who didn’t visit an NHS dentist last year. This comes as dentists are asking schools across the UK to go sugar free. Have you tried... Sensodyne Pronamel…

Sitting on the couch, my partner Kendyl, 34, was getting rather impatient. ‘Are you going to take a pregnancy test?’ he asked excitedly. ‘Yes, I’ll do it soon,’ I told him, trying to relax. ‘Why don’t you do it now?’ he begged. We’d been together for just over a year, and we’d been trying for a baby for about three months. I already had two children from a previous marriage, Jaycee, 16 and Alex, 12. As we stared down at the pregnancy test, we were optimistic, but well aware we hadn’t been trying for long. ‘What does that mean?’ Kendyl asked as two sharp lines appeared. ‘It means I’m pregnant,’ I smiled up at him. We couldn’t believe it. ‘Everything looks healthy,’ the nurse told us at our scan. My…

Red wine doesn’t have to be warm - or even alcoholic! Made with the UK’s number one alcohol free wine, these cocktails are certainly shaking up an old favourite. FRUIT COBBLER INGREDIENTS: □ Slice of pineapple □ Slice of orange □ Slice of lemon □ Slice of lime □ 1 tsp of sugar □ Juice of ½ a lemon □ Crushed ice □ 100ml Eisberg Alcohol-Free Cabernet Sauvignon 1 Add a slice of pineapple, orange, lemon and lime to a mixing glass with 1 tsp of sugar and muddle gently with a rolling pin. 2 Squeeze the juice of half a lemon and pour in with the fruit and sugar mixture and add some crushed ice. 3 Pour 100ml alcohol-free Cabernet Sauvignon over the ice and stir. 4 Strain into…

Louise* enjoyed listening to ASMR long before she even knew what it was… I’d get that ‘tingling’ feeling whenever a shop assistant scanned my things at the till, or when the teacher would write on the board in a silent classroom. I didn’t really think about it – I just thought it happened to everyone and it was normal. But when I asked friends if they got that same ‘tingle’, they looked at me like I was mad! So, I thought, OK, maybe this is just me… After that, I kept it to myself, but still secretly enjoyed being served at a checkout. I soon realised that I also loved doctors’ appointments and being frisked at airport security. It was just a sort of super relaxed feeling that I couldn't…

EASY MAKEUP Getting ready in a hurry can be challenging, however celebrity makeup artist Stacey Whittaker is here with a few steps to follow, for a fail-safe look. STEP 1 Start with your skin, preparation is key. Apply your favourite moisturiser and use soft patting motions to push this into your skin. Top tip – style your hair or get dressed whilst waiting for this to dry. STEP 2 Apply a tinted moisturiser or BB cream. Use your fingers to apply these and blend in with a damp sponge. STEP 3 Next apply your concealer. Apply in a triangle shape under your eyes to brighten this area in seconds. Use your damp sponge to blend this out. STEP 4 Powder your face in the centre areas and under eyes using…

Herb plants are perfect for gardening beginners as they don’t take up a huge amount of space and can thrive on a windowsill, making them great for flats and houses with limited garden. Experts from GardeningExpress.co.uk share helpful hacks when it comes to growing herbs… 1 Location Herbs need two things: sunlight and well-drained soil. You need to find a location that provides both. The closer to the back door you plant your herbs, the more likely you will use them, as you can pop out as and when they’re needed. Herbs need to be watered, but can easily be drowned, so somewhere sheltered will allow them to thrive. Don’t keep herb plants too low to the ground. 2 Type As with plants, different herbs need different conditions to grow. Some…

WINCHESTER SCIENCE MUSEUM This interactive science and technology centre is home to a planetarium with a 360° cinema screen. The kids will love the exciting, hands-on science experiences that will spark curiosity and inspire the next generation of scientists! Two floors of interactive exhibits encourage children and families to explore all things science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Find out how to bend light, create a tornado, experiment with electronic music, and see a heat sensitive camera in action. This is a brilliant action-packed family day out, whatever the weather! Tickets from £12 winchestersciencecentre.org THINKTANK BIRMINGHAM SCIENCE MUSEUM Head out to this museum’s Science Garden, an outdoor discovery space packed with surprises. It offers an adventurous day out, bringing themes of engineering, mechanics and transportation to life through over 30 hands-on…

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-ChrisWay, 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.…

How do I make friends? Q It sounds silly but I don’t know how to make friends. I see everyone around me building friendships, but I’ve always been independent. I meet people, but then we go our separate ways. How do I take it to the next level? Heather, London A It sounds like you are shutting off opportunities to develop friendships and relationships further. Have a look at your existing network - are there any people that you know that you would like to get to know more and become friends with? Suggest meeting up for a coffee or a walk and start to get to know them by asking them questions and listening to them. Alternatively have a look at activities in your local area which you are…

1 Make sure you drink plenty of fluids – water is best. Adding salt to your water reduces phlegm and mucus in the back of the throat. 2 Make your own homemade cough mixture by mixing honey and lemon in hot water. There is no evidence to suggest that over-the-counter cough mixtures actually work. 3 Try sucking lozenges. They contain menthol, an ingredient that can gently numb the tissue in your throat. 4 If you smoke, try and stop, as this will only make your cough worse. Get advice from your pharmacy on how to quit. 5 Some over-the-counter medicines can help relieve cold or flu symptoms, such as a blocked nose, fever and a headache. Speak to your pharmacist for advice. If you have had a cough for over…

QI keep getting ingrown toenails that get infected. How can they be treated? George, Kent A Ingrown toenails are fairly common, but can be painful and lead to infection if untreated. The condition most commonly affects the big toe, which can become red and swollen, or cause the nail to curve completely into your toe. Try soaking your foot in warm water. This will help soften the skin on your feet, preventing the condition from worsening. When you’re not soaking the toe, make sure to keep your feet dry and comfortable in wide, breathable shoes, and use painkillers if needed. If you develop a fever, or the nail is becoming red or swollen with pus coming out, speak with your GP who will be able to prescribe antibiotics or refer…

Three reasons pets make us happier Stannah has compiled a list of the top reasons why pets really do lighten our days: 1) Pets keep you active Pets provide a purrfect excuse to get out and keep active. Research shows that pet owners have a lower body mass index, make fewer visits to the doctor and do more exercise! 2) Pets boost your social life Bumping into other pet lovers out and about sparks conversations, and pet clubs can be a grrr-eat opportunity to meet fellow owners. 3) De-stress with pets Charities such as Pets as Therapy, provide therapeutic visiting services to universities and care homes. Pets can have a calming effect – being around them helps to bring joy, as well as reducing stress. FroliCat Cheese Cat Teaser, £24.99,…

Racing into the kitchen, I excitedly announced some good news to my partner Kristian, 29. ‘I’ve just won £75!’ I grinned. ‘What?’ he gasped. ‘I won it on the bingo,’ I said. ‘What about I buy us a couple of tins of paint to give this place a freshen up?’ We’d not long moved in, and were still making our house feel like a home. That afternoon, before we ran some errands, I spent £2 of my winnings, and bought 20 tickets, at 10p each, for one of the 75-ball games in Bingo Lounge later that day. Popping my phone in my bag, Kristian and I set off. I thought nothing more of it until I heard my phone ping. I checked my messages, had a quick look at the…

Join & get £50 7 of FREE BINGO* 1 Join at pickmeupbingo.com 2 Deposit and play £10 with code PMUL37 3 Get your £50 of FREE BINGO *Rules: 18+ UK only. New members only, must opt in. Min £10 deposit & wager. 30-day expiry from deposit. Bingo: Advertised ticket value based on £1 tickets. Game availability & restrictions apply. Full Offer details and Rules at: pickmeupbingo.com/terms#welcomebonus. Offer in this issue ends 12 September 2019. Pick Me Up! Bingo is part of the Jackpotjoy.com network. For 24-hour support, freephone 0800 458 0770. Please Play Responsibly. BeGambleAware.org…

Sitting in the doctors’ waiting room, my heart thumped hard in my chest with worry. My dad, Michael, 60, had been diagnosed with Frontotemporal dementia in June 2017. Frontotemporal dementia affects the front and sides of the brain and causes changes in behaviour and language. Now, in January 2018, we were waiting to find out if it was genetic - if I would develop dementia young, too. ‘The results have come back,’ the doctor told our family. ‘Michael’s dementia is definitely genetic, so there is a 50-50 chance that Hannah will develop dementia.’ ‘It is completely your choice whether you want to find out,’ the doctor said to me. ‘Oh no,’ I sobbed. My life came crashing down before my eyes. The disease kill my grandad Reg in his mid-50s.…

Strictly Come Dancing, BBC One Shake your sequins and twirl your tassels, because Strictly Come Dancing is back! The 17th series kicks off with a show hosted by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, which sees 15 more stars paired up with their professional dance partners. This year, celebrities include broadcaster Anneka Rice, soap star Catherine Tyldesbury, sport presenter Mike Bushell, and reality star Jamie Laing. Judge favourites, Craig Revel Horwood, Shirley Ballas and Bruno Tonioli also return and are joined by a new member of the panel, Motsi Mabuse. Don’t Tell The Bride, E4 If you haven’t seen this series yet, then you really must. Brave brides hand over all the planning of their wedding to the groom – and they go rogue with their wild and outlandish ideas. While…

Lemon cake Channel your inner Sansa Stark and settle down for an evening of zingy escapism with Game of Thrones. Lemon cakes are Sansa’s favourite, and a preferred treat for the noblewomen of the Seven Kingdoms. Serves 10-12 □ 225g unsalted butter, softened □ 250g clear honey □ 100g dark muscovado sugar □ 250g self-raising flour □ 3 large eggs □ 50ml London dry gin (optional) FOR THE TOPPING □ 200g icing sugar □ Grated zest of 1 lemon □ A 20cm loose-bottomed cake pan, greased 1 Preheat the oven to 160°C/Gas 3. Put the butter, honey and sugar in a saucepan set over a gentle heat and melt slowly. Bring to the boil for a minute, then remove from the heat and set aside to cool for about 15…

Galaxy truffles, £7.49, Tesco After Celebrations said goodbye to the Galaxy Truffle in 2011, fans of the chocolate will be delighted to hear they can finally get their hands on them again. This time they’re the star of the show and available in their own boxes. The Collective limited-edition espresso martini gourmet yoghurt, £2.19, ASDA This signature yoghurt is combined with Columbian coffee beans and a dash of vodka to create cocktails in a pot. Bourbon BBQ thighs and drums, £2.99 per 1kg, Aldi Marinated in a sweet bourbon and smoky BBQ sauce, the tender and succulent chicken will give you a taste of the deep south. Peperami and Cheese Snackbox, £1.50, all major supermarkets A great alternative to an unhealthy sugary treat, these new delicious Peperami and Cheese Snackboxes…

ARIES 21 March–20 April Don’t feel that you have to cope with everything on your own. The truth is, close ones should be helping. Time spent on your own this week helps you realise who you need to put out of your inner circle. You begin to realise who you need to thank for their support and who you need to give more time and commitment to. Show family you still know how to put fun into the mix. Call: 09058 170 710* TAURUS 21 April–21 May I don’t want to sound mean, but have you let yourself go a little of late, Taurus? If you want to feel good, you have to look good. It’s time to embrace you and to gravitate more to the things that make you…