Table of contents for 12-May-2022 in Pick Me Up!

This week, our tip of the week will receive a prize from Addis! Anti-moisture with a lifetime guarantee on the seal, this set of six Addis Seal & Store vacuum bags feature a unique patented seal technology which is 100% airtight. Made specifically for travel – they can optimise packing space by compressing items by 80%. For more ways to make your life easier, visit addis.co.uk Easy pea-sy! You can reduce the cooking time of your veg by using sparkling mineral water. This softens it while protecting your vegetable’s vitamins and nutrients. Amanda Hadley, Cradley Heath A fresh idea Instead of buying dryer fabric softener sheets, I save some extra money by making my own. I simply moisten a flannel with one teaspoon of softener, then add it in with…

Banish joint pain If you live with arthritis, you’ll know all too well how the agonising joint pain can keep you awake at night. A recent study by Arthr, a brand dedicated to helping people with arthritis, found that nearly three quarters of people with the disease said it stops them from having a peaceful slumber – with almost a quarter saying it happens every night. TV personality and presenter Ulrika Jonsson, who lives with arthritis, says: ‘There are so many nights in which I have been in pain from my arthritis. ‘It can really affect my mood and overall wellbeing during the day – it almost feels like being jetlagged.’ Here, she shares her top tips on managing joint pain at night… 1. Keep on moving If I don’t…

INSTANT appointment With Dr Deborah Lee, Dr Fox Online Pharmacy (doctorfox.co.uk) Chunky calves Q My calves have always been really big compared to the rest of my body. Could I have lipedema? Mary, Swindon A Lipedema is a common condition, which is often underdiagnosed. It means there is fluid trapped within the fat. The cause is unknown, but there may be a genetic tendency as it tends to run in families. Lipedema is not the same as lipoedema, or simple obesity causing fat legs. You may have lipedema if: The swelling in the calves is symmetrical The feet are not involved The skin feels lumpy, like there are little peas or marbles underneath it The skin does not pit (indent) when you press on it with a finger for around…

Canine collector Steve Wilkinson, 71, from Bramhope, has raised a paw-some amount of money bucket collecting with an adorable accomplice… Hearing the doorbell ring, I leapt up from my chair to answer the door. ‘Hello Harley,’ I smiled, as I received an excited tail wag in response. My son had a black Labrador puppy with his girlfriend, which meant I had lots of doggy cuddles when he came over to visit me at the weekend. And those big puppy dog eyes were something I couldn’t resist. It wasn’t just me that thought so. Everyone who met Harley thought he had such a loving temperament. ‘Oh, look at you,’ passers-by would comment, and before long, Harley had been registered as a pet therapy dog. With spare time on my hands, I…

When choosing swimwear for your body type, it’s all about finding the right combo to help you feel beautiful and totally flawless when you step into the sun. Boux Avenue have shared their insider tips for embracing what you love about yourself when the sun is out… PEAR SHAPE: 1. High-cut legs are flattering for pears because they elongate the figure – this will create the illusion that you’ve got legs for days! 2. Halter bikini tops draw attention upwards and accentuate slimmer waists, too. APPLE SHAPE: 1. Swimsuits with ruching on the sides or in the middle work wonders in creating the illusion of a cinched waistline. 2. High-waisted bikini bottoms that end above the belly button to help flatten the tummy. A well-fitted halted top will lift and…

A quick browse on the supermarket shelves and you’ll soon notice a clear trend Products relating to gut health are on the rise and in 2021, sales soared by 59%. Since the pandemic, we are much more conscious of our health and wellbeing, and it seems caring for our gut is at the heart of this. With kefir and kombucha, new products are popping up on the shelves every day. And it’s not just food products. With documentaries like Channel 4’s How Healthy Is Your Gut? and endless recipe books, the focus on gut health doesn’t seem to be going anywhere. However, like with many health specific areas, it can be rather confusing. Where do we start and how do we know what products will really make a difference? To…

Have you ever found yourself sipping on a brew that just doesn’t taste right? BRITA water sommelier Samantha Stokes spills the tea on how to make the perfect cuppa… • Fill your kettle with freshly filtered water Using a BRITA filter removes unwanted tastes and odours from water, to let the taste of the tea shine through. • Fill a pot with the boiled water Measure the temperature using a kitchen thermometer – it should be 95-98C for black tea. If it’s too hot, leave it to cool for a minute. • Pop the teabag in When the temperature is right, pop the tea bag or loose leaves into the pot and steep for three to five minutes. Pour into a mug or cup, and enjoy!…

Finishing up my shift, I gave my colleagues one final squeeze. ‘Good luck!’ they beamed as I left. Waddling out of the building, a huge grin spread across my face. In just two weeks, I was going to start a new journey – motherhood. A single mum, it was going to be tough, but I was so excited. I’d had the perfect pregnancy. My girl had been moving loads and I didn’t even get any morning sickness! Isla was born on 30 September 2019, weighing 9lb 5oz. ‘Hello you,’ I cooed. Staring at her little face, I knew we were going to be the best of friends. My mum, Doreen, 63, and dad, Charles, 54, came to meet her and we were all in awe. We stayed in hospital for…

Why not get the whole family involved?! Warmer days are coming and a spot of sunshine means it’s finally BBQ weather! Here’s our ultimate chargrilled checklist to ensure you have a happy summer gathering… EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW BBQ don Phil Wood, head of Swedish wood burning stove brand Contura, has shared his top tips to make sure you serve up flamin’ goodness all summer long… BRING THE BBQ OUT OF HIBERNATION First things first, and before you even consider firing up the BBQ, it’s important to give it a good wash. Ideally, you should clean the grill after every use, but a deep clean at the start and end of BBQ season is essential. Ensure your BBQ is placed on a noncombustible surface such as a patio, gravel,…

When the world went into lockdown, Lucy Burton (@lucyburtonbakes) realised that if people couldn’t go out to eat cake, she needed to get the cake to them! In her new book, Postal Bakes (£16.99, Welbeck Publishing) Lucy shares over 60 recipes, all designed to be baked and sent through the post… White chocolate, ginger & sour cherry biscuit cake FOR THE BASE: □ 400g white chocolate, broken into small pieces□ 75g stem ginger syrup (from the jar)□ 100g unsalted butter, cubed□ ½ tsp fine sea salt□ 250g ginger biscuits (cookies)□ 150g stem ginger, finely chopped□ 20g freeze-dried sour cherries FOR THE TOPPING: □ 400g white chocolate, broken into small pieces small handful of freeze-dried sour cherries This recipe took a few attempts to get right, but I knew I was…

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.…

Hearing a knock on the front door, I checked on the stove before heading to answer it. ‘Hi Mum,’ my son Billy, 16, said before coming in with his then girlfriend. ‘You’re just in time for dinner,’ I laughed, plating up the food in the kitchen. It was July last year, and Billy made a conscious effort to come over for dinner a couple times a week, after he had been living with his girlfriend just around the corner. We had always been really close, and it was nice to see him, even though I knew he was safe living a few streets away. Billy was comfortable in my company, but he had always suffered socially and with autism he wasn’t always so confident in public situations. So much so,…

Taking a sip of water, I frowned. As I swallowed, I noticed a gurgling sound. It had been happening for a few days, every time I swallowed – like a plughole draining. I thought it would pass with time, but when I struggled to eat, I booked an appointment with my GP. I went back and forth to the doctor, and I was eventually referred for a barium swallow test, which came back clear. But my symptoms were getting worse. ‘Something’s not right,’ I said to the doctor. ‘Your throat is probably inflamed,’ the specialist said. ‘I’ve been Googling…’ I said, and the specialist looked me in the eye. ‘Lyndsey, this isn’t cancer,’ she said. ‘You’re far too young.’ Three months later, I was still struggling to eat and swallow…

There are some crimes that stay with you forever. Not because of their gruesome nature, their high body counts or their despicable perpetrators, but because, despite all the efforts of investigators, they remain unsolved. Packed with crime scene photos, maps of killers’ hunting grounds and suspicious suspects, the world’s most notorious unsolved crimes are featured within these pages. Read all about the infamous serial killers, Jack the Ripper, Long Island Killer and the Monster of Florence. Discover the mystery behind the biggest diamond heist of all time and the tragedy of The Highway of Tears, where over 80 lives have been lost. Did the mystery passenger, DB Cooper, survive his truly shocking escape plan after a daring, solo hijacking of a plane? The investigations continue… To get your free copy…

Grab your towel, lather on your sun cream, and soak up the sun in these swimwear options giving us the ultimate summer vibes. Own your style on the sand… LOUNGING AROUND WHO SAID LOUNGING AROUND HAD TO BE BORING? HERE IS A SIMPLE WAY TO ELEVATE YOUR LOOK… Top tip Sarongs are a beach essential. Not only do they act as a cover up, but you can wear them in your hair or tie them into a top.…

Peeking out of the kitchen window, I was met with an all too familiar scene. Waving from the top of the climbing frame, my daughter Flo, six, held on as she looked for a way down. Her sister Phoebe, three, was waiting at the bottom wanting to reach the same height. Flo always loved being outside, excited at the thought of climbing trees. Phoebe loved to join in, but she was happier to just chill in front of the TV. As the sun was shining, the girls were playing and the summer holidays in July last year were seemingly off to a great start. Rushing back into the house for a snack, Flo launched on the sofa, watching the lunchtime cartoon that was on in the background. ‘Are you heading…

Cocktail slushie machine, £30, B&M Do you ever just dream of having a frozen daiquiri or margarita whilst in the comfort of your own home? Well, this perfect kitchen gadget can do just that. The slushie machine, designed with the ultimate party vibe, can make your frozen favourite at home. All you’ll need is some syrup, ice, water, salt, cocktail glasses and your chosen alcohol. Finish with a party umbrella and sip your beverage with your feet up delicious! Verdict: GENIUS! A summer bargain Giant Pass the Pugs game, £14.99, Amazon If an at home cocktail making session wasn’t enough, bring the beach party inside with this hilarious family game. Throw the inflatable pugs in the air and depending on the position they land in, you’ll win points. The first…

With brightly coloured houses, tree lined streets and white picket fences, the town of Celebration, in Florida, resembles a film set. Unsurprising – as Celebration is the pictureperfect town that Disney built. A utopian community, where families could be happy, and children could grow up feeling safe. Just a short drive from Disney World, Orlando, the area used to be swampland until Walt Disney Corp designed and developed the suburban haven. With carefully thought-out green spaces and friendly neighbourhoods, it became popular with US families. Even when it was sold to a private company in 2004, the rules, and the Disney magic, remained in place. The Todt family moved to Celebration in 2017 to become part of the dream. Anthony Todt and his wife Megan, 42, had been living in…

Baileys Eton Mess, £17, Tesco Our favourite creamy drink has been given a limited edition summery makeover! With meringue and strawberry, raspberry and blueberry, this delicious twist on a classic dessert is like summer in a bottle. Ben & Jerry’s Salted Caramel Brownie Peace Pop multipack, £4, Tesco A thick brownie sauce is encased in deliciously sweet caramel ice cream, before being covered in a gooey salted caramel coating and popped on a stick to eat on the go. Delicious! Hellmann’s Gravy Flavour Mayonnaise, £2.25, Asda It’s a controversial topic – do you dip your chips in gravy? If it’s a yes, this new mayo is for you! Whether you dollop it on your chips, squirt it in a Sunday roast sarnie or drizzle it over fried chicken, this is…

www.clairepetulengro.tv ARIES 21 March–20 April You will never do anything in this world without courage. It is the greatest quality of the mind, next to honour. You do care what others think of you, but this week gives you the chance to put the record straight. Past and present come together and you no longer have to choose sides. It’s been a long time coming and not a moment too soon. Ring now for your week in full. Call: 09058 170 710* TAURUS 21 April–21 May Start by doing what is necessary, then do what’s possible and suddenly you will be doing the impossible. Working for others may make you feel like the underdog, but sometimes we have to get lost to find what we were looking for. What happens…

Cooing at the rollercoaster flying above my head, I felt a rush of adrenaline. Ever since I was a kid, I would love to get involved with action packed adventures and growing up I had managed to tick a great deal off my bucket list. Skydiving, scuba diving and even white-water rafting – I couldn’t get enough. Only, in 2019, I was at Disneyland Florida waiting to get on the Toy Story themed ride with my 22 month old daughter, Violet, and hubby Mark, 39, waiting patiently by my side. Reaching the front of the queue, Violet stood tall against the measuring stick. ‘Not this time, you need to grow a little more,’ the ride assistant muttered. And Viole was devastated – the teacup ride just wouldn’t do. Unlike other…