Table of contents for 20-Feb-2020 in Pick Me Up!

Sitting down with my dad Bob, 86, on Boxing Day 2010, he broke some devastating news. ‘I think your mum has Alzheimer’s,’ he told me. My grandmother suffered from it when I was younger, so we knew the symptoms. And six months later, our fears were confirmed. My wonderful mum Isabelle was sadly diagnosed with Vascular Dementia. Thankfully, for the first few years, she had a steady decline. But then, in 2015, my dad suffered a stroke and spent six months in hospital recovering. Every month I had to travel up from London to Scotland to help my two sisters look after Mum at home. Unsurprisingly however, her health deteriorated. And when Dad was discharged, we moved them into a two-bed bungalow that suited both their needs. We wanted to…

Cashing up at the end of the day, I couldn’t wait to get home. It was 2004, and, working at a newsagent, I’d been on my feet all day. Just then... ‘I recognise you,’ a customer said, as he tried to place if we’d met before. ‘You’re not Tracy, are you?’ I recognised him right away. ‘I am,’ I smiled. ‘And you must be Anthony - you haven’t changed a bit.’ I hadn’t seen Anthony Robinson, 43, for years after he moved away from the area. We’d gone to the same secondary school, and, although he was in the year above, we had the same group of mates and hung out together. Back then, he was known for being a bit of a troublemaker. A few years later, when his…

Constant cough Q My husband has had a cough for the last few months that won’t seem to go away. What could it be? Sue, Dorset A Coughs usually accompany other symptoms of colds and flu, and while they are often the last of the symptoms to go away, they should resolve by themselves. Any persistent cough that lasts for more than 3 weeks should be checked by your GP. It could be caused by smoking, allergies, reflux of acid from the stomach, mucus dripping from the back of the nose, a side effect of a medicine, or an infection, for example. Ask your GP to take a look as soon as possible. Bad timing Q I’m going on holiday and I don’t want my period, but I’m not on…

Feeling nauseous and weak, I lay on the sofa playing with my two-year-old son Castiel. ‘I’m back!’ my fiancé Dan, 38, called, carrying a white takeaway bag and a Slush Puppie. ‘I went to the Chinese for food and then to the cinema for the drink,’ he smiled. It was October 2018, and I was in my first few weeks of pregnancy. They didn’t think he would ever survive I had horrible sickness and the only cure was my craving for salt and chilli chicken and Slush Puppies. ‘Thank you!’ I said - Dan was good as gold. At our 8-week scan, we were told that we was expecting twins. ‘I’ve always wanted twins!’ I beamed. We were both really excited. ‘One twin is really small, so we’re going to…

GIVE IT A TRY! Looking for a new hobby to take up? Why not take a leap of faith (or should that be a swivel) into the world of dance! From line dancing to Latin, ballroom to ballet, there are dance classes available to suit all interests and abilities. Helen Stirrup, health advisor at Stannah, shares her reasons to dance: • You’re never too old - there are no rules when it comes to dancing. Start small if your mobility isn’t what it used to be. • Build up a sweat - dancing keeps you mobile, maintains your agility and strengthens bones. • Reduce falls - dancing is one of the best forms of exercise to help with balance, which in turn could improve coordination in the over 65s. •…

Then it all came flooding back to me. Anthony raining punches down on me as I lay helpless at the bottom of the stairs. Why had he done that to me? It wasn’t like him at all. I couldn’t comprehend it. My tongue was split in two Just then... The kids! I thought. Had he hurt them, too? Thankfully, a few seconds later, I heard their voices around me. ‘We’re OK, Mum,’ Lucy said tearfully. ‘What happened?’ I asked. But as soon as I opened my mouth, I realised my speech was slurred and I struggled to get my words out. Later, a doctor explained that I had two broken wrists, a broken nose, broken shoulder, and serious injuries to my face -including losing the tip of my tongue. I…

Success & transformation coach Dr Ruth Miller-Anderson brings real-world solutions to life’s problems through her experiences of rebuilding her own life. theswandoctor.com The right reason? Q I’ve just broken up with my boyfriend and now I’ve found out I’m pregnant. He says we should try again for the baby but I’m not so sure. It hasn’t changed the way I feel about him. Harley, London A Before making any decisions, let’s first concentrate on the relationship you had with your boyfriend and your reasons for breaking up. You already say it hasn’t changed the way you feel – I assume you mean that you no longer love him nor want to be with him. If this is the case, what is the best situation you can create to bring this…

Q I really struggle to get a good night’s sleep. Is there anything I can do to help? Ben, Bath A Some simple lifestyle measures can really make a difference. Plan a regular evening routine, and try to keep to the same bedtime each night. Get yourself relaxed – have a warm bath, read a book, do some gentle exercise or stretches, write down your thoughts for the next day so they’re off your mind, and make sure your bedroom is quiet, dark and not too hot or cold. There are some things to avoid, too – don’t use your phone or gadgets for an hour before going to bed, don’t drink alcohol or caffeinated drinks in the evening, and don’t have anything to eat at the last minute. Your…

HONEY BANANA PANCAKES Serves: 2 INGREDIENTS: □ 2 bananas □ 2 British Lion eggs □ 30g rolled oats □ ½ teaspoon baking powder □ A pinch of salt □ A little vegetable oil □ A small knob of butter □ 2 bananas (not too ripe), cut in half long ways □ 1 tbsp honey □ A few walnut pieces 1 In a blender, blitz together the bananas, eggs, oats, baking powder and salt until combined but not smooth. 2 Heat a little oil in a frying pan, then add two separate ladles of batter into the pan, making two round pancakes. 3 Fry on one side until golden brown and bubbles start to appear on the surface, then flip over and cook on the other side until golden. 4 In…

Intelligence, Sky One David Schwimmer, aka Ross from Friends, is swapping New York for Cheltenham in this new comedy where he plays a radical, cocky spy working at Cheltenham’s Government Communication Headquarters (GCHQ). David plays power hungry NSA agent Jerry and his arrival ruffles plenty of feathers. He’s teamed up with bumbling computer analyst Joseph, played by Nick Mohammed, and the mismatched duo spells for plenty of comedy moments as they tackle cyber crime from their desks. Both talented actors are also producers of the show. Man With A Plan, E4 Already a big hit in the US, we finally get to watch the sitcom comedy that stars Matt LeBlanc. The ex-Friends star plays old-school Adam, a dad forced to take care of his three kids when his wife, Andi…

This month, WW, Weight Watchers reimagined, have launched their new cookbook exclusively available in WW Workshops across the UK and online at weightwatchersshop.co.uk. The myWW cookbook offers over a hundred delicious recipes for all mealtimes, that prove that life doesn’t have to stop when you’re trying to lose weight. Steak au poivre Serves: 4 □ 1 tablespoon whole black peppercorns, crushed using a pestle and mortar □ 4 x 225g sirloin steaks, fat trimmed □ 2 teaspoons olive oil □ 1 large courgette, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced □ 3 shallots, finely chopped □ 3 tablespoons brandy or bourbon □ 250ml beef stock, made with ½ stock cube □ 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard □ 320g Tenderstem broccoli, to serve 1 Spread the crushed peppercorns onto a plate. Coat the steaks…

Unicorn Alpaca Walks - Beccles, Suffolk Church Farm is a truly magical place where you can meet not only a herd of friendly alpacas, but also goats, chickens, donkeys and Ralph the pig. Their Unicorn Alpaca Walks include a wander around the hobby farm, where you can meet and feed the animals. If you’re looking for somewhere to stay with the kids, this is the perfect setting. Go glamping in a yurt, book a night in their treehouse or cosy up in their woodland cabin! • From £25 • Follow Unicorn Alpaca Walks on Facebook Lucky Tails Alpacas - Atherstone, Warwickshire This small farm is situated in the beautiful Warwickshire countryside on the borders of Birmingham, Staffordshire and Leicestershire, and is home to some of the very best alpacas in…

Look at that mush! Ronnie is making less of a mess than his dad! Alexandra Low, Halesowen Here is my daughter Heidi getting ready to set sail in Corfu. Rebecca Simmons, Derbyshire Here’s my four-year-old Tristan hiding in his grandad’s guitar case. We couldn’t find him until we heard the giggles! Alexandra Bennett, Porth My little flossy, isn’t she cute! Her whole day was made just from this candy floss. Richard Adams, Halesowen Look at this pair! So excited that we’d hired out a boat. Sian Salsbury, Cradley Heath 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…

Counting my reps as I lifted dumbbells in the gym, I felt strong and fit. ‘How are you doing?’ my husband, Rus, then 31, panted. ‘Great, I’m almost done,’ I smiled to him. At 28 weeks pregnant, I was in my third trimester of pregnancy and still loving working out in the gym. I’d fallen pregnant in December 2015, and it had been a smooth ride ever since. ‘I’m so lucky,’ I told my friends, enjoying every moment of having a bump. As the end neared, Rus and I started to get ready for birth. When the week of my due date arrived, my mum Liz, 51, moved in with us. A retired midwife, she was the best person to care for me. ‘Your bump has dropped,’ she smiled as…

With 2 in 3 people saying they have experienced a mental health problem in their lifetime, there’s likely to be a time when you need to offer your support. Sometimes it isn’t that obvious whether someone is having a hard time, but if you’ve noticed someone has lost confidence, has a change in mood, is losing weight or seems anxious, it’s important to offer help. Set aside a time to talk to them with no distractions. Make sure they know they can share as much or as little as they like, and don’t try and second guess their feelings – you’re just there to listen. Repeat back what they’ve said so they know you’ve understood, and suggest getting professional advice.…

Peering at me intently, Betty, my 92-year-old mum, had a confused look on her face. ‘Why are you wearing those dark glasses?’ she asked. It was September 2019, and I was visiting Mum in a dementia care home. Despite often being confused, this time, Mum was on the ball - it was dark out, and I was wearing sunglasses. ‘How are you feeling?’ I asked, changing the subject. I couldn’t tell Mum the real reason I was wearing shades. It would break her heart to know that I’d completely lost the vision in my right eye. It all started back in 1997 when I was 32. After suffering a miscarriage, my husband Jayl, now 57, and I had been devastated. The trauma had caused me a great deal of stress,…

1 It is the most common type of dementia in the UK. ☐ True ☐ False 2 Alzheimer’s can be prevented. ☐ True ☐ False 3 The exact cause of Alzheimer’s is not fully understood. ☐ True ☐ False 4 Problems with speech and language is a symptom of Alzheimer’s. ☐ True ☐ False 5 Alzheimer’s cannot be treated. ☐ True ☐ False 1 TRUE Alzheimer’s affects 62% of those diagnosed with dementia and is most common in people over the age of 65. 2 FALSE There is no known way to prevent the condition, but there are things you can do that may reduce your risk such as stopping smoking and staying physically fit. 3 TRUE It’s still unknown what triggers the disease, but factors such as age and…

Save the koalas It’s been estimated that 1.25 billion native animals have perished in the Australian bushfires, including koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, echidnas and more. Among the devastating flames, daring acts of bravery have helped save the native koala population. One example is Toni, in New South Wales. After spotting a koala crossing the road amongst the flames, Toni rushed to the animal’s aid, wrapping it in her shirt and pouring water over it. She then took the injured koala to a nearby Koala Hospital. Many other locals have helped save native animals across Australia, and thousands of volunteers have united to knit, crochet and sew shelter for animals affected by the crisis. If you would like to help combat the Australian bushfires, you can donate to WWF…

Walking through the door after a long week volunteering at the RSPCA, I knew what I wanted to do. There had been so many calls about abandoned or neglected farm animals, and I couldn’t bear to see them all suffer like that. ‘I’d like to start a farm,’ I said to my mum, Kelly, 41. ‘It would be a little rescue centre for animals in need of a home.’ ‘The house is a zoo already,’ she laughed. It was true - we were a family of animal lovers and already had dogs, cats and Wellington, my rescued Shetland pony. I got him when I was 11 years old, after we saved him from an abusive owner. He’d been hit in the eye and his injuries had caused a nasty infection.…

Ginking Original Rose, £12.99, Marks and Spencer. Combining London Dry Gin and wine, Ginking has created a crisp and botanically infused fizz. Perfect for those who can’t choose between a G&T or glass of bubbly. HECK! Vegan Vegfurter, £2.50, Sainsbury’s. The newest vegan offering from Heck, these ‘frankfurters’ are made from mushrooms, carrots and beetroot. Luscombe DrinksCherry Crush, £3, Sainsbury’s. The latest flavour to hit the Luscombe Drinks range, Cherry Crush is made with organic sour cherries, Sicilian lemons, Madagascan vanilla and soft Devon spring water. Cherry Blossom and Lychee Gin Liqueur , £10, Asda. Enjoy this gin liqueur alone or add a dash to your favourite Prosecco to create something extra special! Pizza Hut flatbread pizza range, £5, Pizza Hut Delivery. For a lighter take-away alternative,…

ARIES 21 March–20 April Try not to allow others to push you into situations that you know are no good for you, Aries. Time is definitely on your side this week, and you and I both know that you are normally the impatient one. You are dragging your heels for a reason. This week sees you building a strong foundation of trust which you have not had before. Try to stay in control and keep talking. Call: 09058 170 710* TAURUS 21 April–21 May Do not let flirtations get out of hand this week. You have been working towards your future happiness and you have done so well since this year begun. Is it because it’s Valentine’s week, Taurus? Take a step back and try to look at the bigger…

Peering out the front window, my daughter Tia, three, stood on her tiptoes pointing at the road. ‘Look Mummy, look!’ she said excitedly. It was a Monday morning in December 2019, and Tia was watching the bin collectors pass by. Whilst my eldest daughter Taylor-Brooke, five, was into dolls and jewellery, Tia has always loved diggers. And now she was obsessed with bin trucks - from their flashing lights to the way they pick up wheelie bins - it was fascinating to her. She waits outside the house for them I watched Tia wave at one of our local bin collectors, she had a little bond with him. ‘Can we write them a Christmas card, Mummy?’ she asked. ‘Of course!’ I agreed. It was sweet of Tia to appreciate their…