Table of contents for 25-Jul-2024 in Pick Me Up!

Holding out my hand, I braced myself. Then I whistled. And it wasn’t long before I saw feathered wings zooming towards me. ‘How magical,’ I breathed. Even after flying my Galah cockatoo Eddie for years out in the open air, the beauty of him landing on my hand never grew old. This is just what I’d campaigned for – for birds like Eddie to fly freely. I’d always been passionate about animal conservation. As a child, I visited the zoo with my family for a day out. Peering at the birds in their cages, they looked miserable. What if they could be free instead? I thought. I quickly clocked on that exotic birds weren’t meant to be trapped in cages. And that stuck with me. Working at different animal sanctuaries,…

Get clued up We all know that checking our breasts can be a vital way of identifying breast cancer. Many people may think that pain in your breasts is a sign of breast cancer. However, breast pain on its own should not be a major cause for concern. So, what other signs do we need to look out for? According to Breast Cancer Now, here are the changes which could raise alarm bells: A lump or swelling in the breast, upper chest or armpit. A change to the skin, such as new puckering or dimpling. A change in the breast colour – they may look red or inflamed. A nipple change – for example, it has become pulled in (inverted). A rash or crusting around the nipple. Unusual liquid (discharge)…

Sudoku Toilet Roll, £3, Flying Tiger When having a number two, you can often find yourself with nothing to do for five minutes – and sometimes even longer! So, why not take the time to engage your brain while you do your business? This sudoku bog roll allows you to pass time and train your brain, doubling up as a wipe afterwards. And with an individual puzzle on each square, you’ll always have something to keep you entertained whilst on the loo. Who knew doing a poo could be so fun? That stinks! Smells are subjective – we all like different scents. But according to Guinness World Records, one of the world’s worst scents is called US Government Standard Bathroom Malodor. The synthetic scent was first created to test deodorising…

The sun is here and that means one thing – it’s time to get the BBQ out! Forget boring burgers and bangers though, give your grill a twist with these recipes from Hellmann’s. • Please visit: hellmanns.com Treat of the week TOP TIP: You can roast the mushrooms on the BBQ rather than in the oven if you prefer! Vegan Pulled Mushroom Burgers Serves: 4 Prep: 10 mins Cooking: 30 mins YOU WILL NEED: ☐ 4 white rolls☐ 8 large Portobello mushrooms, shredded FOR THE BBQ GLAZE: ☐ 4 tbsp ketchup☐ 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar☐ 2 tbsp brown sugar☐ 2 tbsp soy sauce☐ 2 tbsp vegetable or sesame oil☐ 2 tsp smoked paprika☐ 2 tsp cayenne pepper☐ 2 tsp garlic granules FOR THE CLASSIC ASIAN COLESLAW: ☐ 2 large carrots,…

Reason to smile A new baby is always a happy occasion – and we were thrilled to hear about the newest cute arrival at Blackpool Zoo. Summer, a critically endangered Bornean orangutan, gave birth to a healthy baby boy earlier this year, joining fellow first-time mum Jingga and her son Jarang. Along with Kawan, dad to both primate babies, the new mums and their little ones live together in the zoo’s £1 million Orangutan Outlook facility. Make sure to stop by and say hello on your next visit! • For more, visit: blackpoolzoo.org.uk Fun days out Did you know Cheddar Gorge and Caves is one of Britain’s natural wonders? Experience it for yourself and discover Yeo’s Journey – telling the story of how the caves were formed over hundreds of…

Escape to the country Get away from the hustle and bustle of your daily routine by taking a break in the countryside. Nettlecombe Farm, located in Whitwell, is the perfect place to do exactly that. You can find yourself some new furry friends in their up-close and personal animal encounters. From sheep to goats, cows and alpacas, you can get hands-on. Surrounded by fresh saltwater lakes, you can try your hand at fishing, too. There’s so much to do at Nettlecombe Farm – and the best part is, you can stay overnight in one of their farm cottages to make sure you can fit everything in. • Activities from £6. Please visit: nettlecombefarm.co.uk It’s getting hot in here! Did you know that the Isle of Wight is home to Britain’s…

Lying in my bed on the maternity ward, a tear pricked at my eye. I should have been happy – I’d just given birth to my second little boy, and I was over-the-moon to be a mum again. But listening to babies babbling away on the ward broke my heart. Because I couldn’t even hold mine. Born on 6 May 2017 at 3.10am, weighing a healthy 8lb 15oz, little Shaemus was perfect. With my partner Kieran, 42, next to me, I thought I would just burst with happiness. He’d been born via emergency C-section, just like my eldest, being two days overdue – but other than that, it was a textbook birth. And Sean, then six, couldn’t wait to meet his little brother, heading straight to the hospital with his…

Janey Morrissey is BACP accredited psychotherapist and counsellor, with a passion for helping people with all sorts of challenges – from relationships, bereavement and work-based difficulties, too. For more information, please search Janey Morrissey Psychotherapist and make sure to visit: bacp.co.uk He’s a foul human being… Q I’m sick of my family turning a blind eye towards my brother’s disgusting behaviour. He makes misogynistic comments towards my daughter. I can’t bite my tongue anymore… Antonia, Croydon A Being made to push your feelings aside like this can be tough, especially when you feel protective of your child. You’re likely to get to the point where it all becomes too much and you boil over. To avoid an explosion, when you’re less likely to be heard and understood, could you talk…

Wanting a fresh start, Carolina Flores moved to Houston, US, hoping to achieve a better life. She’d uprooted from Honduras in 2012, alongside her two children aged seven and 17. And she was also taking care of her teenage nephew and niece. Sharing her Magnolia Cove apartment with several family members, Carolina, 33, also worked hard to provide for her loved ones. She was a ‘hard-working woman’ who held down two jobs as a caregiver and worked in the local hotel, too. Despite coming from a background where she struggled, Carolina ‘wanted to be something’. Introduced to one another by her brother Juan, Carolina also found a friend in Erika Miranda-Alvarez, 35. They were close to one another in age, and they also shared another valuable quality, too. In late…

Handing out cream tea on 11 June this year, I had a full house. With 70 people nestled in our back garden, my husband Bob, 69, and I were hosting our annual garden party and auction for CamSAR. Only this year, we had an unexpected guest. ‘The fox is here,’ I heard our guests chatting. And looking to the back of the garden, I saw her jet-black paws and dainty face. It was Ms. Fox. She was beautiful. But despite her being a bit of a local celebrity, this was the first time I’d ever seen her. She’d never come to our house before. Plus, she seemed to prefer Bob’s company. In fact, Bob and Ms. Fox’s bond was well known in our local community. Ms. Fox responded to Bob…

 Four-year-old Tomaz has decided he’s going to climb Everest when he’s older – here he is getting some practice in! Carole Gasan, Dundee My daughters Lacey, 11, and Zarah, nine, needed some fresh air – a game of cricket went down well. Jennifer Prowse, Hull I had a lovely time on my recent trip to Kos! Cheryl Harvey, Kent This is Oscar the cat. He lives a very busy life, spending his days snoozing on the sofa and his nights hunting in the fields behind our house. Tina Vowles, Stroud 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…

Licking the vinegary dust off my fingers and smacking my salty lips, I couldn’t get enough. I’d littered the sofa with enough green packets of Walkers to feed an entire family and I wasn’t done yet. With my hubby Bryan, 36, and son Dainton, nine, sound asleep upstairs, it was my time to shine. Scoffing as much savoury food as possible, anything that was high in fat had my name all over it. Calorific cheese, crunchy crackers, even a whole charcuterie board filled with fatty salami. Anything that was high in fat was mine However, crisps were my ultimate weakness. My mouth would drool at the thought of them. Buying a 30-pack of Walkers a week, I’d have onion rings and share-size bags stuffed away in the cupboard, too. However,…

INSTANT appointment With Dr Unnati Desai, national lead for GP Services at Nuffield Health (nuffieldhealth.com) Bed habits Q Throughout my twenties, I loved using sunbeds at least twice a week. I’m now in my thirties and have recently noticed a sore patch of shiny skin on my shin that won’t go away. Could my sunbed use have damaged my skin? Tasha, Blackpool A We know that tanning beds emit two to five times more UVA radiation than the sun. Just a few minutes under a tanning bed can cause the same amount of skin damage as spending several hours in the midday sun with no sunscreen. People who first use a tanning bed before the age of 35 increase their risk of melanoma by 75%. The sore patch of shiny…

New in Want salon-quality hair at home? Revlon’s new AirFlow Dryer is a gamechanger. With the power of airflow, it reduces drying time and minimises heat damage for a perfectly sleek, professional look. Plus, with a unique 90-degree rotating head, you can direct the air exactly where you want it to create your favourite styles with ease. Complete with three heat and two speed settings, along with a cool shot button, salon quality hair has never been easier. Not to mention, it’s small and compact, making it perfect to pack in your suitcase this season! • £34.99, available from Tesco Pedi-cured Pedis at the salon can be a little costly, but fear not, you can keep your tootsies in tip top shape from home. Step 1: The first thing you…

Catch Claire live on Facebook ARIES 21 March–20 April In the build up to Monday’s full moon, you find yourself asking why close ones are making simple things so difficult for you. You learn in this process to do things for yourself. You realise that you were always capable of leading. Don’t allow this week’s aspects to see you blaming others for not doing what you were always capable of achieving for yourself. Call: 09058 170 710* TAURUS 21 April–21 May You realise as this week unfolds that you’re overthinking problems. By stepping back and letting others make the next move, you will know sooner what you can expect from them going forward. Money you invest in the home does much to restore the balance that fear of the unexpected…