Table of contents for 21 March 2024 in Chat

STYLE TIP A tailored two-piece looks sleek for the office or add heels for a date-night twist. STYLE TIP Pair with ditsy florals and western boots for an easy weekend look. STYLE TIP Layer up over pretty blouses and crisp shirts, adding a maxi skirt for effortless chic. STYLE TIP Neutral co-ords in soft tones will see you through spring in style.…

True-life PATIENT CASEBOOK As the familiar hot flush crept up my neck, I took a deep breath. My skin was on fire. About to head off to a meeting, I felt like I was burning up. ‘You all right?’ a colleague asked. ‘It feels like the worst sunburn,’ I replied, fanning myself. Truth was, I didn’t know why I was suddenly always so hot. I’d been working as a nurse for 20 years. Always had a good memory, too, but lately I felt like a different person. It was summer 2019 and, aged 42, I’d been struggling to concentrate or sleep. The hot flushes were the latest symptom. My husband Simon, then 50, did his best to reassure me. ‘You’re busy, love,’ he insisted. He was right. Not only was…

The first music video recorded in planetary orbit was made for a cover of which song by astronaut Chris Hadfield in 2013? To find out, solve the puzzle… Add a letter anywhere in each of the boxed-off words to fit the clue, eg, Grates = RAPS + S = RASPS. Write the added letter in the space provided. Read down the added letters to spell out the prize answer. WIN 2 x £25 Puzzle 9 Your answer: TO ENTER Turn to page 56 for details or visit comps.lifedeathprizes.com/puzzles…

German scientist Oscar Hertwig is credited as the first person to directly observe the fertilisation of an ovum by a sperm cell, by studying samples from what type of marine creature under a microscope? Unscramble each group of letters to discover six sea creatures. Now fit them across the grid and you’ll spell out the answer to the question. 1 LET RUT 2 HAS FIRST 3 COPOUTS 4 HOLD PIN 5 QUIDS 6 EMANATE WIN £75 Puzzle 17 Your answer: TO ENTER Turn to page 56 for details or visit comps.lifedeathprizes.com/puzzles…

Cheese flatbreads If you're a ham and pineapple pizza fan, you'll love these. SERVES 4 PREP 20 MINS, PLUS RESTING COOK 20 MINS For the flatbreads: ● 350g self-raising flour, plus extra for dusting ● 1tsp baking powder ● 350g natural yogurt ● 150ml olive oil ● 100g red Leicester For the toppings: ● 4 peaches, each cut into 8 wedges • 2tbsp olive oil ● 100g red Leicester, grated ● 100g rocket ● ½ a lemon, juice and zest ● 250g Parma ham ● 50g basil (optional) 1 Put all of the flatbread ingredients into a large bowl and mix to form a dough. Tip onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 1 min to bring together. Put the dough into a flour-dusted bowl, cover with a plate and…

TRUE-LIFE Seeing the silver car pull up outside our house, I felt nervous butterflies in my tummy. ‘Good luck,’ smiled my younger sister Kelly, then 15. Mum and Dad hugged me before I stepped out of the door. It was September 2003, and they’d adopted me and Kelly when we were 5 and 3. I’d had a tough life before that. Now in my teens, I’d become a bit rebellious. Falling in with the wrong crowd, skipping classes. But Mum and Dad still surprised me with driving lessons for my 17th birthday, after Mum’s friend recommended the instructor, Frank Barham. I walked anxiously towards his car in my joggers and a baggy T-shirt – I’d always been a tomboy. Out on the road, Frank soon calmed my nerves, chatting away.…

Dear Jason, T hey say opposites attract, don’t they… Well, we illustrate that point perfectly! At 5ft, I’m used to most people being taller than me. So I guess that’s why, when we met through a friend in early 2010, I didn’t clock your height immediately. You were an MMA [mixed martial arts] fighter and I’d seen marketing about the fact you were big, but what struck me was how much better looking you were in real life. I wasn’t looking for a relationship – as a single mum to Xander, then 6, I’d pretty much sworn off men. You had two daughters of your own. But there was something about you I couldn’t resist. It wasn’t your 7ft height that hooked me; it was your confidence, good looks and…

Indoors or outdoors? I am very much an outdoors person, and enjoy walking any time of year. I find the fresh air and exercise very uplifting. I love spending time in my garden too, planting flowers to keep it cheery in winter. What’s your favourite way to relax? For me, the best way to relax is with a puzzle, especially crosswords. I love the Chat puzzles! Failing that, I enjoy a good murder-mystery book, trying to figure out who dunnit! Fave TV programmes? When I watch TV, I’m usually watching game shows, as I enjoy playing along at home with the contestants. Of course, I can’t resist Coronation Street either, and have been keeping up with the cobbles for years! Any advice you live by? I’m a big believer in…

WIN £1,001 Puzzle 4 What do actors Charlize Theron and Cara Delevingne have in common? To find out, solve the crossword then read down the shaded squares to find the five-word prize answer. ACROSS 1 Inventories (5) 4 Quick (4) 6 Gets ill again (8) 13 Closest (7) 14 Bloodsucking creatures (7) 15 Thin pancake (5) 16 Nautical greeting (4) 17 Newsreader, _ McDonald (6) 18 Citrus fruit (6) 20 Part of the foot (4) 21 Go by car (5) 22 At a higher temperature (6) 25 Response (8) 28 Perfect place (6) 30 Unsuccessful contestant (5) 32 Private lesson (8) 34 Parts of a flower (6) 35 Actor, _ Kendrick (4) 38 Beast (6) 39 Grave danger (5) 40 Disappear (6) 43 Be in want of (4) 44 Drying cloths (6) 45 Suddenly (8) 48 Japanese dish (5) 49 Take for granted (6) 51 Almond-flavour liqueur (8) 54 Customer (6) 55 Governor (5) 56 Abominable snowman (4) 58 Away…

Help! I keep belching Q I burp so much every day – how can I stop it? I’m getting too embarrassed to meet anyone. Kimberly, Hamilton A Lots of burping can occasionally point to stomach inflammation or acid reflux, where stomach acid leaks into your gullet, and you should see your GP if you also experience indigestion or heartburn. But the most common reason for burping is that you’re swallowing air. This could be happening when you eat or drink, or simply as a nervous habit. The swallowed air lodges in your gullet, and escapes later as a belch. You can stop yourself swallowing air by eating slowly and in a relaxed way, and try to not talk while you’re eating. Also avoid fizzy drinks and don’t smoke, suck hard…

1 Stay hydrated A staggering 45%* of us admit to drinking just one glass of water a day – bad news if you’re prone to headaches. Pain that worsens when you move your head, bend down or walk around is typical of a dehydration headache, says nutritionist Judy Watson. ‘When you’re dehydrated, your brain can temporarily shrink and blood vessels dilate, causing painful inflammation,’ she explains. Drink a large glass of water – you’ll notice a difference within 30 minutes. 2 Have a nap If you can get your head down for an hour, a snooze could be what you need. ‘Sleeping or napping can help ease headaches by allowing the body to rest and recover, reducing tension and stress that may contribute to the headache,’ says sleep therapist Denise Iordache, founder of JoySpace…

FANCY FLORALS BUDGET BUY LUXE LOOK…

We were on a break Q My partner and I took a break from our relationship a few months ago. During the break he slept with two other people. Eventually we got back together, but I’ve been struggling to trust him. I’m hurt and angry that he’s slept with other people. But I love him. What should I do? Em, 27 A If you’d agreed neither of you would see anyone else, then yes, he’s obviously broken your trust. But if there were no rules, then he hasn’t cheated, as you were no longer together. Even then, it doesn’t bode well that he used your time apart to bed-hop. At the end of the day, only you can decide if you can move past this, flower. But I have to…

3 ways to… TEACH KIDS ABOUT MONEY Here’s how to help your children get to grips with their finances… 1 Set a challenge Try writing a shopping list of some items you need from the supermarket and challenge your kids to find the cheapest way to buy everything you need. You could offer tips like suggesting that supermarket own-brand items may be cheaper than branded items (but that they should always check). Get them to keep a running total as you go around the store to help them understand how the cost adds up. 2 Pay their dues We may be living in an increasingly digital age, but using cold, hard cash can make it easier for children to understand the concept of spending money. So look for opportunities where they can handle cash.…

The Great Celebrity Bake Off DON’T MISS C4 ● Another bunch of famous faces enter the tent hoping to impress judges Dame Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood as the celebrity version of Bake Off returns for a five-part series. The first four celebs to don pinnies and whip out their whisks in aid of Stand Up To Cancer are actor Jodie Whittaker, singer Paloma Faith, comedian Munya Chawawa and reality TV star Spencer Matthews, going head to head in the classic Signature, Technical and Showstopper challenges. Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding host. Look out for ex-EastEnders star Danny Dyer, Spice Girl Mel B and former Strictly pro Oti Mabuse later in the series. Beyond Paradise DON’T MISS BBC1 ● The Death in Paradise spin-off returns for a second series with…

Super Facialist Clear Skin Pore Clarity Daily Exfoliator, £5, Boots Struggling with breakouts? Your cleanser could be making things worse. Trade oily and balmy formulas for this refreshing face wash that leaves skin feeling satisfyingly clean but not stripped or tight. It contains niacinamide to balance excess oil, tea tree to banish bacteria and pumice to gently exfoliate. PS… Soothe Me Post Shave Serum, £4, Primark Summer is in sight, which (for some of us) means bringing your razor out of retirement along with your hotweather wardrobe. If you normally find that shaving leaves you with a bumpy red rash, then this is just the tonic. Apply a couple of drops to freshly shaven skin to soothe it in seconds.…

BEHIND THE BIG CRIME TRUE-LIFE Toddling up the aisle in a white princess dress, with a head full of curls, Riley Fox, 3, scattered red rose petals. By her side, her older brother Tyler, then 6, carried a ring. An adorable pair, playing their roles perfectly at their uncle Chad’s wedding. But as they neared the altar, Riley broke away. Ran straight into the arms of her dad Kevin, then 27. A daddy’s girl, Riley loved being carried on his shoulders, and when he took her fishing. Two weeks later, on 5 June 2004, Riley’s mum Melissa, then 25, visited Chicago to take part in a walk for cancer, an hour away from their Wilmington home. Kevin planned to greet her at the finish line that Sunday morning. The family spent…

TRUE-LIFE Hearing a knock at the door, I opened it to see my son Oliver, 19, with a big soppy grin on his face. ‘You’re going to be a grandma,’ he announced. ‘Oh my God!’ I shrieked. It was autumn 2020, and as we were mid-pandemic I couldn’t even hug him. But his dad Rob, then 48, and I were chuffed to bits. Oliver hadn’t had it easy. He’d always struggled with sensory overload. Refused to sit with other kids in preschool, clamped his hands on his ears at loud noises. Aged 12, after years of assessments, he’d been diagnosed with high functioning autism, ADHD and learning difficulties. We got him into a specialist school by 14 and there Oliver flourished. Full of life, he loved fishing with his grandad…

TRUE-LIFE With her stethoscope pressed against my bulging bump, the midwife gave a little shrug. ‘No sign he’s ready to make an appearance yet,’ she said. ‘Come on baby,’ I said, patting my tum. ‘Get a move on!’ It was October 2023, and my due date was long gone, seven days earlier. Like most expectant mums I was anxious for my litt’un to arrive. So were his big sister and brothers, then 12, 9 and 3. My other kids had all arrived more or less on time. But if this one didn’t arrive soon, I’d need to be induced. ‘I’ll book you in for 1 November,’ the midwife said. ‘Just in case.’ I was a single mum, so life was hectic. And it’d soon be even more chaotic. So when…

On 3 March 2020, Manuel Ellis – known as Manny – wasn’t doing anything out of the ordinary. He played the drums at his church. Made calls to a few pals. Then he went on a snack run to a 24-hour convenience store near his home in Tacoma, in Pierce County, Washington. He bought a box of raspberry doughnuts and a bottle of water, and left the shop at 11:11pm. What happened next is a story bearing alarming similarities to others across the US. Manny, 33 – a Black man – walked past a police car. Two police officers, Matthew Collins, and Christopher Burbank, were sitting inside. Manny spoke to them for about 10 or 15 seconds, according to eyewitnesses. Then the officers launched themselves out of the car. Pounced…

Q Why am I getting so many wrinkles? My friend says it’s because I smoke, but how can that be? Viv, Doncaster A Sorry to agree with your friend, but smoking prematurely ages your skin. Besides wrinkles you might risk acne, slower skin healing and even some forms of skin cancer. Repeatedly screwing up your face to prevent smoke getting into your eyes may be partly to blame for wrinkles, but mostly they appear because smoking slows the production of collagen and destroys the elastic tissues, which are essential to keep skin smooth and supple. Of course, there’s more to wrinkles than smoking, and protecting your skin from the sun or extreme weather is important too. But it’s another reason to quit, which will slow any further wrinkles and could…

TRUE-LIFE Wolfing down my third slice of cheesy toast, I popped more bread into the toaster. All while bobbing my three-month-old baby boy, Kristian, on my hip. It was August 2017 and as a new mum, life was busy. ‘I can’t be going hungry,’ I told Kristian. Not if I had to tend to his every need all day. Five years earlier, after unhealthy habits in my teens, I’d been 18st 7lb, and a size 24. But with diet and exercise – and sheer determination – I’d lost 7st and gone down six dress sizes. Then I’d met my fiancé, James, and fallen pregnant. I’d already lost the weight I’d put on carrying Kristian. But the healthy diet I’d adopted to shed all those pounds had slipped now. On maternity…

Turning on the telly I sank back on to the sofa to watch an old episode of Planet Earth. Finally some peace, I thought. As Sir David Attenborough’s soothing voice flooded the living room I relaxed. It was January 2023, and life was busy. I worked full-time in online car sales. Had a family too. Engaged to Charlie, then 28, and mum to Arlo, 6 months. A night in with Charlie, watching Sir David, was a treat. Always had been. As a kid I’d loved curling up with my mum to watch one of his nature shows on the telly. Waxing lyrical about the planet. All too soon the episode was over. Padding up the stairs to bed, I flung open my wardrobe to find an outfit for tomorrow and groaned.…

truly Chat! When Sydney was a teenager, she had more questions than most about her changing body. The first time she visited the GP, she was concerned about her spots. ‘When I was around 15 years old, I decided to go to the doctor for severe cystic acne,’ says Sydney. ‘They were able to measure my hormones, thinking that could be a contributing factor. ‘It was found that I had a heightened level of androgens – or what are sometimes called male hormones. ‘They prescribed me hormones for my acne, to try and make me “normal”. ‘That’s the very first time that I noticed my body was different.’ Then, a year or so later, she visited the doctors again – with an even more alarming problem. She found she had…

There’s nothing unusual about a 13-year-old boy going to his mother’s bedside in the middle of the night. Perhaps he’s had a nightmare. Or, maybe something woke and frightened him. Not Derek Rosa. When he approached his sleeping mother in October, his newborn sister lying peacefully in her cot inches away, he allegedly had one thing on his mind. Murder. Derek is accused of stabbing his mum Irina Garcia, 39, to death in a frenzied attack at their home in Florida. Afterwards, Derek made a phone call to police. Allegedly admitted slaying his mum with a pink-handled kitchen knife. Derek is now charged with murder and is being tried as an adult. Parricide – where children kill a parent or a near relative – isn’t just a US phenomenon, though. Statistics…

15-21 March 2024 Aries 21 March-20 April With both the North Node and Mercury travelling together in Aries this week, say what you need from the heart. You deserve to have your needs met. ● Call 0905 817 0690* for more Taurus 21 April-21 May Share your gifts to help others and you’ll be rewarded tenfold. Think about how you can be of service and can make the most difference. ● Call 0905 817 0691* for more Gemini 22 May-21 June Pay attention to repeated ideas that come to you, because they’re offering a solution to a challenge or a new direction to take in some area of your life. ● Call 0905 817 0692* for more Cancer 22 June-23 July If you have a decision to make, take your…

Q I want to try some new eyeshadow looks but I don’t know where to start – help! Anne Mouray, Essex A Our top piece of eyeshadow advice is to keep it simple. Very detailed looks are a nice idea, but getting both eyes to match is very fiddly, and layering lots of shades gets messy quickly. Instead, stick to just one or two coordinating colours and experiment with the shades you choose instead. If you’re bored of classic brown and taupe tones, tiptoe outside your comfort zone with a khaki eyeshadow – it looks especially good on brown eyes. Applying 3INA The 24H Eye Stick in 769 Olive Green, £12, Superdrug, requires absolutely no skill or patience at all – simply scribble onto your lid and swipe to blend.…

Sanctuary Spa White Lily & Damask Rose Melting Pearls Body Butter, £12.50, Sainsbury's You’ll find moisturising dream team shea butter and vitamin E in this treat-in-a-tub. It works wonders to soften even the driest, thirstiest skin. Catrice Cosmetics Blush Affair Liquid Blush in Orange Fizz, £4.49, justmylook.com This blush makes it easy to fake a bright, wide-awake complexion. A little goes a long way, so dot sparingly onto cheeks before blending. Skin Proud Secure The Barrier Barrier Boosting Eye Cream, £14.95, iamproud.com A must-try for tired, crepey eyes, this eye cream uses squalane to nourish, ceramides to lock in moisture and caffeine to take the edge off dark circles and puffiness. Charles Worthington Moisture Seal Nourishing Conditioner, £8.99, Boots Made with a blend of five different oils, this conditioner restores swish…

Chat winners issue 50/51 (19 Dec 2023) £1,001 CASH M Letters, Antrim £500 CASH C Mann, Ashton-under-Lyne A Richardson, Barnsley £250 CASH T Warner, Leighton Buzzard J Newbert, Nottingham £200 CASH J Stewart, Newton Aycliffe £100 CASH R Francis, Thetford J Stephens, Manchester J Heaton, Leeds £50 CASH F Cole, Sunderland K Adams, Lowestoft D Thomas, Llanelli M Horton, Weymouth Y Dixon, Newcastle upon Tyne A Nash, High Wycombe £40 CASH J Cumming, Liverpool £30 CASH K Lewis, Chesterfield J Duffy, Runcorn £25 CASH F Barratt, Swansea G Smith, Hayle Anyone from your town in the list this week..? £20 CASH A Bryant, Bristol M Hancock, Rochdale JA Kenington, Hull P Robinson, York L Wilson, Motherwell A Bridge, Reading M Pebworth, Sherborne N Fortune, Beccles R Dicks, Carshalton C Thomas,…