Table of contents for 16-Jan-2020 in Pick Me Up!

I’ve always been into sport. As a professional horse rider, I absolutely loved being outside. But then one day in 2002, when I was 30, all that came tumbling down. I was out in the stables, sorting out the haystacks, when suddenly, one fell from the top and landed on my head. Weighing over a tonne, the hay immediately crushed my body to the ground, shattering my left ankle as a result. My leg was severely damaged, and I knew that my life had changed forever. It was a long recovery and my ankle developed arthritis, so I wouldn’t be able to do all the sport I loved. I’d lost my identity. It was a tough journey and for the next nine years, I battled with my mental health, before…

This week, our tip of the week will receive a great product from Addis! The Ultima mop (£16.99) gives you the cleaning style and performance of a flat mop, with the convenience of a push to wring mechanism. The self-wringing mechanism operates by using a pushing action to close the butterfly head and squeeze the microfibre head dry. For more ways to make your life easier, visit addis.co.uk Great British bake off An empty herb container is just the right size filled with icing sugar or caster sugar for dusting small cakes, muffins and biscuits. It adds sweetness and makes them look pretty! Beverley Colleen Brunton, Enfield Dino-mite I glued together lots of wooden sweet fudge boxes to make these shelves for my brother. It turned out really effective! Amanda…

Should I fast? Q Is fasting during different periods of the day good for weight loss? Emily, Bristol A Yes, increasing evidence is showing that 'time-restricted eating', that is, eating your daily calories over a limited number of hours, is better for us than the old advice of eating little and often throughout the day. In fact, a study just published, has shown that eating all of your food within a 10 hour window can help weight loss and metabolic conditions like diabetes. So, consider restricting your eating to an 8am to 6pm window, for example and give your body 14 hours to repair and renew. You can even take it a step further, such as adopting the 16:8 diet with an 8 hour feeding window, if you find it…

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a highly poisonous gas. It can cause death as well as serious long-term health problems such as brain damage. Unsafe gas appliances can put you at risk ofCO poisoning, gas leaks, fires and even explosions. The key signs of unsafe gas appliances are: • Floppy yellow or orange flames on gas appliances, such as cookers, instead of a bright blue one • Increased condensation inside windows • The pilot light repeatedly going out or the boiler failing to light • Black or sooty marks on or around any of your gas appliances • Feeling unwell – the six main symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are: headaches, dizziness, nausea, breathlessness, collapse and loss of consciousness To avoid the dangers of unsafe gas appliances in your home, make…

Digging into my fish and chips in the park with my partner Peter, 53, we watched the sunset. ‘It’s beautiful,’ I smiled. On 31 August 2018, when I got home from work, Peter suggested we go out for an evening walk to Crickley Hill. Admiring the lovely sunset, I barely noticed when Peter popped a box on the park table. ‘What’s that?’ I asked. ‘Will you marry me, Julia?’ he asked, holding out a ring. ‘Yes!’ I smiled. ‘You are the only person I have wanted to marry.’ I was over the moon, and in complete shock. Peter and I had been friends for years and got together in November 2015, when he asked me out for a dog walk in the Cotswolds. We’d both been married before, and had…

Lying back on the leather bed, you prepare yourself for the fast, sharp pulses and buzzing noise. Wincing with pain, your skin tenses up. You’re familiar with the experience, but this time you’re not getting a tattoo - you’re removing it. What was once self-expression, may now be a regrettable mistake. A 2019 study by Beauty PR Club and Data Pad revealed that over one third of people have a tattoo, and one quarter of people regretted their tat. Body art is more mainstream than ever, and consequently, so is tattoo removal. According to research firm IBISWorld, there’s been a huge 440% increase in revenues from tattoo removal in the past decade. For some people, the thrill and pride of their design never wears off; for others, remorse can begin…

Red wine tea, £9.99, Firebox.com This tea tastes and smells like an exquisite heady merlot, but with none of the booze. Flavoured with elderberries, currants and hibiscus petals, and totally hangover free! Verdict: BONKERS! But perfect for dry January! Hot chocolate bombes, £8.99, Firebox.com Simply chuck one of these powerful bombes into hot milk and BOOM. Not quite an explosion, but the thick Belgian milk chocolate and marshmallows slowly melt to form the perfect cocoa. Verdict: GENIUS! Bombe squad! Bee wraps, from £4.99, beegreenwraps.co.uk These beeswax food wraps are versatile, mouldable, strong and water resistant. The perfect planet-friendly alternative to clingfilm when wrapping and storing food. Verdict: GENIUS! Jazzup your lunchbox!…

Jumping in her Cadillac Escalade in Minnesota, Lois Riess headed for Diamond Joe’s Casino in Iowa. From there, she gambled some of the $11,000 that she had just transferred herself from her husband, David’s business account. As a gambling addict, the 56-year-old grandmother, would do anything to get her fix. From the casino, in March 2018, Lois made the 26-hour drive to Fort Myers Beach in Florida. He was found dead in the bathroom When there, she set herself up in a cosy hotel and visited a number of casinos. However, while she was blowing her husband’s money, his business partner had called Dodge County authorities to ask them to check on him. According to his partner, no one had seen or heard from Mr. Riess for over two weeks.…

Junkyard Golf Club - Manchester London has one. Oxford has one. But there is no doubt that the true home of Junkyard golf remains in Manchester. Having recently moved from its original site at Great Northern Warehouse to First Street, next to the arthouse cinema, there’s never been a better time to acquaint yourself with its eclectic miniature golf course. You better go on an empty stomach – putting the ‘junk’ into junkyard, you can gorge on fairground style hotdogs, nachos, popcorn, pick-n-mix and even more treats. • From £8 • Junkyardgolf club.co.uk Ghetto Golf - Liverpool Ever wanted to organise a party in a brewery? Well now you can. Housed in Liverpool’s old Cains brewery in the city’s trendy Baltic Triangle area, Ghetto Golf combines crazy golf with theatre,…

Giving her everything Q I can’t stop spoiling my daughter. She’s an only child and I waited so long for her after fertility problems. I give her whatever she wants and never tell her off. My friends say it’s bad for her - but what’s the harm? Bev, London A I can imagine your daughter is very precious to you after the journey to have her. It’s tough when others share their views isn’t it? Sometimes it’s from a place of love and sometimes not. Do you know why they feel it’s bad? Are they concerned for you both or is your parenting style causing them issues with their own children? I understand you don’t want to tell your daughter off – children do need some boundaries to help keep…

1 Splash some cold water on your eyes. The cold temperature will restrict the blood flow from the area under your eyes, which can reduce the swelling and redness. 2 Limit your salt intake if you get puffy eyes. Salt can cause dehydration which can lead to water retention in your body, which is often more visible around your eyes. 3 Try putting green tea bags on your eyes. It contains caffeine that can constrict the blood vessels under the skin around your eyes. Placing a cooled tea bag on your eyelids for 15-20 mInutes can help tighten the skin. 4 Take two metal spoons and hold them under cold running water for a few minutes. Lie down and place the bowls of the spoons on your eyelids for 1…

Dragging the washing basket up the stairs, I was completely wiped out. It took all of my strength just to get it to the top. What’s wrong with me? I thought to myself. I didn’t seem to have any energy at all. ‘It’s probably all of the exercise,’ I said to my mum when I called her up later that afternoon. I was a personal trainer and was training almost every day, competing in fitness competitions as often as possible, all while being a single mum to my daughter, Lucy, 20 and my son Daniel, 12. Since having a breast enlargement in 2012, I had a newfound confidence and it was great for all of the competitions. Before, I was completely flat chested and I decided to do something about…

High on the hog In November, drug dealers in Tuscany, Italy, secretly stashed cocaine across the Valdichiana valley. Little did they know, they’d made a pig’s ear of their plan… Unbeknown to them, a herd of snuffling wild pigs managed to rip open the waterproof packages, scattering around £17,000 worth of the white powder across the forest floor. It is not known what became of the boars or what effect the cocaine had on them. But it’s safe to assume they were off their trotters after consumption! Piggy Pet and Play for Two, £49, at Kew Little Pigs, Buckinghamshire from buyagift.co.uk For anyone that is pig crazy and wants to get a little closer to these cute, playful creatures, this meet the piggy experience at Kew Little Pigs…

YES LONG LIVE THE SPACE COWBOY Lisajane, 45, from Surrey, can’t remove her youthful mistake... When I was 22, my friend asked me to go with her to our local tattoo shop. Whilst she was having an awful clown tattooed on her leg, I was bored watching. And then another tattooist said to me: ‘Anything that you want, love?’ As a joke, I said: ‘No, not really, unless I can have JK the Jamiroquai logo from the new Space Cowboy album.’ He asked what it looked like, so I nipped to the car to fetch the CD. I didn’t have any tattoos at the time, so I don’t know what I was thinking. Then the tattooist traced the cover image, and I had it spontaneously tattooed! For the last 25…

Any beauty lover knows the importance of washing their brushes, but what about all the other stuff? Making sure our makeup and skin is clean is just as important as the latest contour technique. So, to help you on your hygiene journey, makeup artist, Viorela Coman (www.viorelacoman.com) is here with her 10 hygiene commandments. 1 When starting your skin care routine always use clean hands – if washing them before your skincare routine or make-up is not possible, use a hand sanitiser since 80% of germs are transferred through contact with your hands. Keep that in mind so you can protect your skin from possible dangers. 2 Remove your make-up at night before going to sleep, this is the go-to rule when it comes to having great skin. 3 Do…

Creativity is a skill to be learned, practised, and developed, just like any other. So how do you make creativity part of your daily life? Experts at Mission.org, a collection of learning podcasts, share their tips on how you can get creative. Doodle something Although we may have been reprimanded in school to ‘stop doodling and pay attention’, it’s time to bring back the doodle. Doodling can help you stay present and engaged during an activity in which you might otherwise find your mind drifting. It can activate unique neurological pathways, leading to new insights. Sign up for a class Creativity flourishes when you push yourself outside your comfort zone and learn something new. Many communities offer evening adult education classes. These classes are often very casual, with plenty of…

ARIES 21 March–20 April Jupiter makes it possible for you to replenish those ever dwindling funds this week. The problems lie in the temptation for you to spend it, or to see it, as free cash. Be sensible in the coming days. If you don’t keep a tight hold of the reins this week, you’ll miss out on taking the right path, which is at the centre of your dreams and goals. Stay focused and you’ll reap the rewards. Call: 09058 170 710* TAURUS 21 April–21 May You are believing things which are mixed up with someone’s very vivid imagination. When you make up your mind to do something, you ignite the imagination of all around you. Try not to be selfish with your plans, as it will only discourage…

I couldn’t resist taking this picture in the supermarket. Potato love. Talk about wonky veg! M.Griffiths Anglesey My granddaughter Billi, 5, couldn’t decide which of grandad’s hats to wear, so she wore them all! Patricia Cordon, Cheltenham My lovely brother Ken enjoying a trip to Torquay! Karen Baker, Herts This photo makes me proud that I can show off my curvy body, and I hope other curvy ladies can do the same. I would love to spread body positivity! Jess Viljakainen, Cumbria This is my son-in-law and granddaughter having far too much fun at the toy store! Mary Hadley, Cradley Heath…

Rubbing my eyes, I could see flashing lights and black spots. What’s happening, I thought. In November 2013, I was suffering with migraines and double vision. ‘We’re going to put you through some tests to determine what’s wrong,’ my doctor told me. Trying to carry on with life, I battled my thumping headaches and blurred sight. Finishing my shift in Waitrose, I went back to my flat and looked forward to every moment I spent with my daughter, Alexa, one. I shared parenting with Alexa’s mum and really loved being a dad. ‘Look how big you’ve got!’ I beamed, cradling my little girl. As the weeks passed, my vision became worrying. ‘The results from your tests have come back,’ the consultant explained. ‘You have Behcet’s disease.’ I was diagnosed with…

Spending time with people is an essential part of life but it’s also important to enjoy your own company. It can give you the time to appreciate the people around you, and it helps you get to know yourself better! There’s no outside influence, so you can listen to your own voice. Being on your alone allows your mind and body to reboot. But don’t think you have to be by yourself in your home – grab a book and head to a café or take a walk in the local park. Enjoy the feeling you can do anything you want to!…

Pulling up onto our drive, I breathed a sigh of relief. ‘Everything looks fine,’ I said to my husband Andy, 56. Andy and I had been away visiting his family for a few days, and while we were gone, there had been a huge storm in our area. We’d been worried about our house, but, arriving home one afternoon in October 2017, we soon realised that there was no damage done. ‘I’ll just go up for a quick shower,’ Andy said as we walked in. We were minutes from death ‘OK, I’ll get the heating on,’ I replied. ‘It’s freezing in here!’ As Andy headed upstairs, I went to the kitchen to switch on the AGA. ‘The house will be warm in no time,’ I smiled. While I waited for…

1 You should check everyone in the same house if someone has head lice. 2 Your child should stay off school if they have head lice. 3 You should try wet combing to get rid of the lice first. 4 You can prevent head lice. 5 You can use medicated lotions and sprays to prevent head lice. 1 TRUE Start treating anyone who has head lice on the same day. 2 FALSE There is no reason your child cannot go to school. 3 TRUE This should be the first method you try. You can buy a special fine-toothed comb online or from pharmacies. 4 FALSE There is nothing you can do to prevent them appearing. 5 FALSE Do not use them to prevent head lice as this can irritate the…

Spooning chicken curry into my mouth, my eyes watered. ‘This is too spicy,’ I spluttered, reaching for my glass of water. ‘You can do it,’ my partner Charlie, 23, smiled. ‘It’ll help our baby along.’ It was May 2018, and at 40 weeks pregnant, I was uncomfortable. For the past nine months, everything had gone smoothly. I never had any morning sickness, and even continued to work at the nursery I ran with my mum Julie, 54. At 20 weeks, we found out we were having a little boy, and decided on the name CJ - after Charlie. We’d bought baby clothes, even a buggy and crib for our little one. Mum threw me a baby shower, and every time I stroked my growing bump, I was filled with joy.…

Feed Your Family For £20 a Week by Lorna Cooper (£16.99, Seven Dials) is out now! It contains recipes, an eight-week meal planner and a shopping list enabling you to cook and feed your family breakfast, lunch and dinner, every weekfor just £20. Check out mum Lorna’s clever tips on Facebook too. Caramelised onion & sausage stew  Serves: 4 LORNA SAYS: An upscale version of sausage and mash, this is a good winter dish and a brilliant one-pot dinner for minimal washing up. □ 50g butter □ 1 onion, diced □ 1 tbsp demerara sugar □ 200g frozen carrots □ 200g frozen swede □ 1 garlic clove, crushed □ 1 tbsp tomato purée □ 450ml chicken or beef stock □ 400g homemade tomato base sauce or 1 x 400g tin…