Table of contents for 17-Jun-2021 in Pick Me Up!

Back in July 2019, my wonderful dad Nigel was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer. We were completely devastated, but seven months later, I was diagnosed with cervical cancer myself. It was a hard time and I don’t know how I would have coped without my dad. Always laughing and smiling, he was so cheeky, but that’s what we loved about him. Thankfully, in 2020, we both rang the cancer bell 10 weeks apart. We were on the road to recovery and looking forward to a healthy future. Only, in July, just 10 days after getting the allclear, Dad was tragically told he was dying of a brain tumour. Then, shortly after his 60th birthday, he moved into Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice. Due to the pandemic, our visiting hours were restricted,…

Sitting on the sofa, my son came storming into the room. ‘Everything OK?’ I asked Scott, then 12. I could tell he was in a mood, but he just shrugged it off. Six months prior, Scott had suffered a bladder cancer scare and he wasn’t coping well. Doctors had found a tumour and he’d needed surgery. Thankfully, his health was on track, but around six months later, he began having mood swings, which was completely out of character. Scott was always a lovely boy, but one minute he was high and the next minute he was low. Doctors advised us it was trauma, and we tried to get on with things. Soon, Scott went back to football and life began to return to normal. Only, Scott’s mood was very temperamental.…

Shpok have teamed up with the UK’s leading interiors therapist Suzanne Roynon to share their tips on how to get your closet in order. 1. DOES IT BRING YOU JOY? Separate your clothes into a pile you’ll keep and a pile you don’t wear – with ones that have bad memories or don’t bring joy and get rid of those together. 2. TACKLE DRAWERS Empty these too, clean the inside then freshly fold everything. 3. BE TACTICAL When it comes down to hangers, think before you pair them with an item of clothing. The velvet ones are best for slippery clothes, whereas wide ones keep jackets from ruining. 4. CREATE SECTIONS Hang all types of one item together, or arrange by length – this makes things easier to find while looking…

Getting dressed, I was so excited. It was November 2011 and my husband Rob, now 65, and I were heading to my 20-week baby scan. I can’t wait to find out the gender,’ I squealed. Having met Rob in 2004, he was my soulmate and although we were going to be older parents, we couldn’t wait for this adventure. ‘I have the snack bag ready,’ Rob called as we headed out the front door. My pregnancy had been relatively straightforward up until this point, but at 40-yearsold, the doctors and nurses had kept a close eye on me. Only, as my third child, I knew what to expect and just couldn’t wait to meet them. As we walked into the scan room, the pair of us were chatting away. We…

Scrolling through Facebook I nearly choked on my tea when I got two sentences into an excerpt of 50 Shades of Grey. What kind of woman is like this? I laughed to myself. The perfect Anastasia Steele. Well, perfect for a misogynistic billionaire who’s searching for a flawless, submissive sex goddess. A woman like none we know in the real world, in a situation that just doesn’t happen! To be honest, by the sounds of it Anastasia needs to grow herself a backbone. I couldn’t be bothered to keep reading, I refused to give up another minute of my time reading such tosh. What about us real women? I thought to myself. A cocktail of boredom, insecurity about uncertain times plus desperation to have a laugh, in June last year,…

This diet is completely different to the keto diet and is regularly recommended by experts ‘The Mediterranean diet is wholesome, doesn’t cut out any food groups and focuses on using unprocessed and unrefined ingredients. ‘It is less of a diet and more of an eating pattern adopted by those in Southern European countries, in particular Greece and Italy. ‘Studies have found that populations living by the Mediterranean Sea showed a lower prevalence of heart disease compared to populations in Northern Europe. ‘These findings were attributed to the nutritional habits which are known as The Mediterranean diet,’ Roxane shares. The diet includes high plant foods, such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts and seeds, olive oil and legumes. Also, seafood, meat, eggs and dairy are eaten in moderate amounts along with red…

Frank Stonemark was well known in DeSoto, Illinois. Hardworking Frank had built up a successful rental-property business with his first wife. Their three children all had a role in the business and the company grew. But after 30 years together, Frank and his wife divorced. He bought her out of the business, and they started new lives apart. The split was a shock after a three-decade relationship, but then it was revealed that Frank, then 55, had been having an affair with one of his tenants. She was a woman called Carmen Noland, then 33. After the separation, Frank and Carmen became an official couple. The pair married in 2010 and Frank tried to get his children to accept the new woman in his life. However, Frank’s loved ones were…

Flicking on the TV, I pressed play on Disney’s Dinosaur. ‘There you go,’ I smiled at my two-yearold son, Grayson. It was the beginning of this year and little Grayson had a newfound obsession for all things dinosaur – or ‘dino doors’ as he called them. With Jurassic Park a little too graphic for his age, we’d settled on Disney’s Dinosaur, The Good Dinosaur and Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs. Alternating them daily, my partner and I just about managed to keep our sanity. ‘Dino door, dino door,’ Grayson squealed excitedly. We couldn’t help but buy him dinosaur themed clothes and toys. We were enjoying the obsession with him. And, when it came to decorating his bedroom, it wasn’t hard to pick the theme. ‘Dinosaurs,’ my partner and I…

HAVE YOU HEARD OF? There are thousands of jobs out there that you’ve probably never heard of. From hippotherapists to body painters, there’s an occupation for every hobby and niche. If you’re a fan of a snuggle, then a professional cuddler role could be for you. There are a number of professional cuddlers popping up over the world. A relatively new business, clients can spoon, cuddle and snuggle with fully clothed professionals in a completely consensual way. Some cuddling studios have themed rooms, such as a tropical or meditative room, and cuddlers can watch films or listen to music together – or simply lay there in silence and enjoy the squeeze. You can earn £40,000 a year, cuddling for 45 hours a week. Who would have ever known? We’re loving…

Opening my eyes, I blinked at the daylight streaming through the bedroom window. Rolling over slowly, my partner James, 33, stared at me worriedly. ‘You stopped breathing last night in your sleep,’ he said. ‘What?’ I gasped. Only for a few seconds, but it was scary…’ he told me. It was January 2019, and my weight was beginning to have a serious impact on my health. I tipped the scales at 24st 1lb and I was a dress size 28. I suffered from a long list of illnesses – fibromyalgia – a long-term condition that causes pain all over the body – myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), non-epileptic seizures, polycystic ovaries, an underactive thyroid, depression and anxiety. It meant that I was often bed-bound, unable to leave the house. James was my…

Complete the grid then read down the shaded squares to reveal the hidden answer. Clue: European country. ACROSS 1 Unquestionable truth ( 4 2007 teen comedy film starring 12 Across, 26 Across, 28 Across, 9 Down & 23 Down (8) 10 African country (7) 11 Folds (7) 12 Jonah _, two-time Oscar nominee for his roles in Moneyball and The Wolf of Wall Street (4) 13 Decrease speed (10) 15 Whenever one pleases (2,4) 16 Portable computers (7) 20 Current of air (7) 21 Jail (6) 24 Eradicate (10) 26 _ Rogen, voiced Pumbaa in the 2019 live-action remake of The Lion King (4) 28 _ Cera, played George Michael Bluth in the TV sitcom Arrested Development (7) 29 Nurture (7) 30 Scatter (8) 31 Cause trouble (4,2) DOWN 1…

As I watched my husband play with our nephews, it seemed as if he was doing everything in slow-motion. It was January 2010, and I’d been concerned for some time that something was up with my husband, David. I couldn’t quite put my finger on it, but something seemed to be off with his movement. ‘Why do you do everything so slowly, Uncle David?’ one of the boys asked. I was surprised the kids had even picked up on it, but the fact they had wasn’t exactly reassuring. And my nephew wasn’t the first to have mentioned it. ‘David does everything so methodically doesn’t he?’ one of my friends said, after David had driven her home from the airport. ‘What do you mean?’ I quizzed. But I knew what she…

National gym provider Anytime Fitness is supporting Pick Me Up! readers with their health goals with an exclusive free, three-day pass at its nationwide locations.* Anytime Fitness has over 175 clubs across the UK for you to enjoy, offering 24-hour access, state-of-the-art equipment, private changing rooms, personal training and group fitness classes in safe, clean and welcoming surroundings. Anytime Fitness supports people of all fitness levels and abilities, working with you to achieve your health and lifestyle goals and ultimately, Make Healthy Happen. Members also benefit from access to AF Connect Online, an exclusive online member platform which provides access to on-demand classes, wellbeing content and member discounts to support your healthy journey. To find your nearest participating club and claim your free, three-day pass, visit anytimefitness.co.uk/pickmeup for details. FREE…

Take a look at La Redoute’s beautiful SS21 women’s collection. From monochrome magic to bohemian beauties, La Redoute has a host of lovely new pieces for this season. Shop the range at www.laredoute.co.uk Find out more about our commitment to REAL woman womanandhome.com/real…

Scrolling through Facebook one evening in early 2018, a post caught my eye. ‘Poor little thing,’ I sighed, as I flicked through photos of a tiny Toy Poodle. The pup, who’d been named Henry, was rescued by the incredible animal charity Harbin Slaughterhouse Survivors, which was based out in China. But as I read on about little Henry, I realised his ordeal was far from over. Volunteers believed he’d been bitten by a larger dog, which had severed his spinal cord and broke his back. As a result, Henry couldn’t use his back legs, eat or go to the toilet and was basically rotting from the inside out. Yet his little face still looked so happy. And as I carried on as normal over the next few days, all I…

Arriving at the hotel, I couldn’t wait for a week of relaxing in the sun. It was 2017 and my husband James and I had taken our family on a luxury holiday to Phuket, Thailand. With our daughter Bella, then three, my mum Elaine, then 53, and James’ aunt and uncle, I loved having the whole gang together. ‘This place is gorgeous,’ Mum smiled. Mum had raised my sister Kelly, 34, and I all alone, so we were super close. For as long as I can remember, she’s always loved going abroad, so we liked to invite her with us whenever we went, too. Within a matter of days, we were well acquainted with the area and we couldn’t believe how beautiful it was. I thought we’d all gathered our…

Batchelors has been creating tasty food for over 100 years. William Batchelor, a former tea salesman, began the company in 1895 and has been supplying vegetables to busy British homes ever since. Batchelors Original Mushy Peas are British grown and are perfect with, and in, so many different dishes! For more inspiration visit: batchelorspeas.co.uk Mushy pea fritters with chip shop curry sauce Serves: 4 FOR THE FRITTERS □ 300g mushy peas□ 75g rice flour□ 20g cornflour□ 150g sliced softened white onions□ 1g salt□ 1g cracked black pepper□ 1g nigella seeds□ 1g cumin seeds□ 75g sparkling water FOR THE SAUCE: □ 150g diced white onions□ 10ml sesame oil□ 5g nigella seeds□ 3g cumin seeds□ 4g salt□ 1g cracked black pepper□ 50g honey□ 15g garlic purée□ 25g ginger purée□ 1g turmeric□ 7g…

Ristorante Pizza Margherita Pomodori, £3.69, Tesco and Asda. Launching their first ever frozen pizza that’s vegan, Dr. Oetker Ristorante’s latest addition features their signature thin, crispy crust and tomato sauce, topped with a grated pizza topping, juicy sun-dried tomatoes and a pesto style garnish. Plant Kitchen 2 Sweet Potato & Chickpea Veg Burgers, £3.50, M&S Deliciously sweet with a spicy kick, these new sweet potato and chickpea veg burgers are great for BBQ season! Cadbury Dairy Milk Tub, £3, Asda, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Co-op. This ultimate family dessert consists of creamy vanilla ice cream with Cadbury Dairy Milk chocolate pieces throughout and a smooth chocolatey Cadbury Dairy Milk core for an extra bit of delicious indulgence. Collection Italian Pastas and Sauces, £2.50 each, M&S. M&S have launched a mouth-watering new…

After a year of charities being hit hard by Covid-19, McDonald’s has launched a brand-new way for its customers to donate to Ronald McDonald House charities UK. The My McDonald’s App now has the functionality for users to donate denominations of 20p when ordering through Click & Serve, Takeaway, Table Service, Drive-Thru or the newly launched McDelivery feature in the app. Whether customers order a classic Big Mac and Fries or a McCafé coffee, they can support families in their time of need. Ronald McDonald Houses provide a home away from home, giving families across the UK and abroad the chance to remain close to their child whilst they are in hospital. The location of these houses means that families can be by their child’s bedside in a matter of…

www.clairepetulengro.tv ARIES 21 March–20 April I see from your stars you’re experiencing a lot of doubts about all that you’ve recently committed to. Stop placing unfair pressures on yourself, Aries. Use this weekend to do the research that you didn’t do last week. The coming days are about to confirm to you that can and should follow your gut instinct. Remember that patience is your best friend. Call: 09058 170 710* TAURUS 21 April–21 May Try not to take on more than you want or need just to impress new faces, or you are only going to end up looking more unprofessional than you are professional. Mercury retrograde makes it hard for you to get what you want off others. The answer? If you want a job doing properly this…