Table of contents for 19-Jan-2023 in Pick Me Up!

Pulling up on the driveway, I lugged my bag over my shoulder. Ready to say hello to my mum, Sally*, and sister, Sophie*, I couldn’t wait to chill out for the evening, preparing to settle down after a long day at work as a carpenter. However, as soon as I stepped through the front door, in January 2020, it seemed my idea was turned on its head. Hearing voices in the kitchen, there was an unfamiliar one that I didn’t recognise at first. And walking in it was clear that there was a stranger in our home – a man who looked roughly the same age as me. ‘Ah, this is Sebastian,’ Sophie introduced, before he smiled in my direction. Flashing one back at him, the name suddenly rang a…

In the winter months, a baby’s skin is far more delicate to the harsh conditions than us adults. The Face The Day Stick is a unique balm of sunflower, coconut oils, beeswax and shea butter, that acts as a skin barrier on your baby’s face – protecting from drizzle, dribble and the harsh weather. It’s dermatologically tested and suitable for sensitive and eczema prone skin, helping to soothe any redness. Disclaimer: Medical advice provided is for interest only and should never be substituted for seeing a doctor or seeking medical advice. If you have specific medical concerns please seek advice from a qualified medical professional.…

Period cramps Q I’m 35 and I still suffer from terrible period cramps. Is there anything I can do, besides taking painkillers? Jessica, Cirencester A Applying heat, avoiding certain foods and massages with essential oils are some alternative remedies you can take when experiencing period cramps. If you smoke, quitting may help with period pain, as well as taking some gentle exercise throughout the day, such as yoga or a light walk. Applying heat to your lower abdomen can help relieve discomfort, using a hot water bottle or a heating pad. A light massage for around 20 minutes paired with some essential oils including lavender, fennel and peppermint oil can reduce pain significantly. Your diet can also be extremely important during menstruation as there are certain food groups that some…

So, you’ve got the name sorted and you can’t wait for your new furry friend to arrive. Now, you just need to get your house pup-proofed and stocked full of treats, all for training purposes, of course. Queens of the Bone Age is a plant-based dog bakery, specialising in doggy doughnuts and personalised biscuits! Celebrate your pup’s first birthday in style with a bone they won’t forget in a hurry. Each box includes two iced woof doughnuts and eight personalised bone biscuits, individually hand-made and beautifully gift wrapped. 10% of sales are even donated to animal charities including the RSPCA – it’s a win-win! • £14.99 per box • Please visit: queensoftheboneage.co.uk…

WINTER WINDS Winter can be harsh on our skin, especially our hands. With the help of Palmer’s you can hydrate, soothe and replenish your skin on-the-go with their trusty range of hand creams. Available from Superdrug Choose from: Coconut Hydrate Hand Cream, £2.50 Enriched with moisture-rich coconut oil, this cream will hydrate and replenish your dry hands. Cocoa Butter Hand Cream, £2.15 Soften and smooth dry, cracked hands with this intensely moistursing cream. Raw Shea Nourish Hand Cream, £2.75 Soothe and nourish your hands and bring your skin back to life. Bright and bold In 2023, Pantone Viva Magenta is set to dominate. This vibrant red/pink shade is powerful and empowering. So, have fun and incorporate it into your beauty routine! A bit of a splurge, but if there’s one…

HAVE YOU HEARD? Good news for pink fans! Pantone’s colour of the year for 2023 has been revealed as Viva Magenta – so expect to see vivacious shades of pink creeping their way into fashion and interiors. And with the new Barbie movie, starring Margot Robbie, hitting screens later this year, we can’t wait to think pink! We’re loving If you love the McPlant, get ready for the newest vegan offering from McDonald’s…that’s right, the Double McPlant! From this month you can get your hands on a burger featuring not one, but two delicious Beyond Meat patties, as well as a vegan sesame bun, mustard, ketchup, vegan sandwich sauce, fresh onion, pickles, lettuce, tomato and vegan cheese… And don’t worry – it’ll be a permanent feature on the menu, so…

Heading back to my seat after ordering two cold pints from the bar, I lay my cards on the table… ‘I’m going to be honest with you. If you don’t want children then I’m afraid you’re not the one,’ I confessed to my date, Sarah, now 32. Hitting my late 20s I wanted to be certain that the next person I met would be my lifelong partner. ‘It’s a good job I want them, too,’ Sarah laughed. We’d been friends for a while but in February 2017, both newly single, we decided to start dating. ‘I’ve always wanted three kids,’ I admitted to her. ‘I think I’d like two,’ Sarah added – so when the time came, we knew we had to compromise somehow. And despite being in a samesex…

Helping my patient into the scanner, I was as reassuring as I could be. ‘This won’t take long,’ I smiled. I was a mammographer at the Royal Hospital Liverpool, so I helped ladies with their breast concerns every day. But I was looking forward to a relaxing weekend with my husband Chris, 42, and little boy Reuben, now five. Only, as I got in the shower on a Sunday night, I noticed something was wrong. Massaging soapy suds over my body, I winced. My breasts had been sore recently, but I thought that was as I was 13 weeks pregnant. Running my hands over my boobs, the right one felt fine. But there was something quite off about the left. ‘Chris,’ I called, as I hopped out of the shower.…

Adjusting the pedals of my old but reliable touring bike, I couldn’t wait to get started. In just a few weeks I would set off on an extraordinary tour of the UK – cycling all the way from Land’s End in Cornwall, to John O’Groats in the north of Scotland. Filling my pannier bags with bricks, I set off – the brisk January wind in my hair. I wanted to work out how much weight I would have to carry. I had to make sure I could carry all my supplies, and carrying bricks would help me get stronger. Raising money for domestic violence charities Women’s Aid and Refuge, I knew I had to finish, and therefore working out how much weight I could carry was vital. While reading the…

Glancing at the café menu, I couldn’t decide what to have. ‘Do you know what you want sweetheart?’ I asked Jamie, then three years old. ‘Yes Mummy,’ he replied. ‘I’ll have chicken and chips please!’ It was then I noticed other parents looking over at my son – I hadn’t even had to read out anything on the menu to him – he was acting three times his age. ‘How old’s your little boy?’ one parent leaned over and asked me. ‘He’s just turned three,’ I replied. ‘He’s a genius!’ Only, it hadn’t always been this way… At 21 weeks pregnant, I was told my placenta had stopped functioning and my baby wouldn’t survive. Having had a normal pregnancy up until that point, it was a complete shock when I…

Don’t forget the whisky… It wouldn’t be a Scottish celebration without a tasty tipple. Brian Kinsman, Drambuie’s master blender has shared his tips on how to host the perfect Burns Night – you better like Haggis! ● To see more Burns Night inspiration visit: Drambuie.com 1. A modern twist It’s true that haggis, neeps and tatties, are well known for being a Scottish delicacy and haggis actually plays a huge part in Burns Night. One of Robert Burn’s most famous poems is titled Address to a Haggis – so haggis is therefore a key element to keeping tradition alive. But made from sheep’s heart, liver and lungs, while being mixed with onion, oatmeal, suet and spices, it’s certainly not for everyone. Why not add a little whisky to your gravy,…

The January diet doesn’t have to be boring. With a few simple swaps and a splash of creativity, you can whip up some nutritious yet delicious meals. The new Slimming and Tasty cookbook by Lotoyah Egerton is packed with 100 delicious, low-calorie and healthy fakeaways that are sure to please the whole family. And the best part, all the recipes are under 600 calories! ● £20, available from Waterstones Baked Fish and Chips with Tartare Sauce YOU WILL NEED: □ 2 x 150g skinless cod or haddock fillets □ 2 wholemeal bread slices, blitzed in the food processor to make breadcrumbs □ 1 medium egg, beaten □ 300g frozen or tinned peas □ Lemon wedges, to serve □ Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper FOR THE CHIPS: □ 2 large potatoes, peeled and cut…

MARVELLOUS MUSEUMS Why not absorb a little culture at Museo delle Culture – The Museum of Culture. Showcasing different cultures from around the world, you’ll feel like you’ve been on a trip around the globe! Entrance to the museum is free, however, some exhibitions do need a ticket to enter. We recommend the Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru exhibit, which run up until March and display millennia-old artifacts, and ancient myths. ● Admission starts at €19, mudec.it WHAT A SIGHT Milan is known for its beautiful architecture and stunning artwork. Here are a couple of places you should try and squeeze into your visit. Remember, tickets to attractions often cost less in the winter, making it an optimum time to go and visit, especially if you’re on…

12-18 JANUARY www.clairepetulengro.tv ARIES 21 March–20 April Mercury directs and we have a new moon in Aquarius! That feeing of being restrained from all you want is lifted. Your words are no longer misinterpreted by others and communications commence for plans to move your life forward. This is the perfect time to re-read letters or emails you didn’t understand. It’s also time to let people know your commitments. Call: 09058 170 710* TAURUS 21 April–21 May Use the new moon this week to focus on what you want and not what others have been demanding of you lately. On that note, you would be wise to forgive a close one for harsh words they said. It was Mercury who was behind their stern approach and you should find your close…

Here is Eric the cat, just emerging after a sneaky catnap in the guinea pigs’ hutch. Luckily the pigs were out in their run at the time! Carol Casan, Tiverton I spotted this rare white blackbird in the garden recently. I just hope that the crows and magpies don’t attack him. Lucy Travell, Gloucester This is Ryan and I at Wollaton Park. We were having a lovely walk and looked at the deer in the background minding their own business. Debb Hunt, Nottingham I love this old school photo of me, aged six (on the right), and my sister Carol. It was taken 54 years ago. Just look at our ‘pudding basin’ haircuts! Tina Vowles, Stroud If your letter makes Star Letter of the week, you will receive some beautiful blooms from Flying…

This week, our tip of the week will receive a great product from Addis! Ideal for all hard wood surfaces and carpets, the Carpet Sweeper will make your home sparkle. With no batteries or leads required, as well as being effective on pet hair, watch as the rotating brushes sweep your dirt away. For more to make life easier, visit: addis.co.uk Vodka revolution To save costs when hosting a party, I decant supermarket spirits into branded bottles. After a few drinks, no one is any the wiser! Hayley Veales, Bridgend Circle the drain If you boil your kettle and pour the hot water down the sink it prevents blockages. It’s a good idea to do this regularly so you will always be sure to have clean drains. Angela Garvin, Romford…

Nearly 10 million people in the UK suffer from osteoarthritis, which causes chronic joint pain, stiffness and immobility. Award-winning nutritionist Anita Bean shares her top foods to keep your joints happy and healthy. Please visit: gopo.co.uk Rosehips have been shown in numerous studies to help relieve joint pain and stiffness, whilst helping to protect cartilage. This is due to a anti-inflammatory compound called GOPO®. In one study, eight out of 10 patients with osteoarthritis experienced significant pain relief after using GOPO®. Adding a rosehip powder supplement to meals is an easy way to help reduce inflammation. Dark green leafy vegetables such as broccoli, kale and spinach are packed with antioxidants like vitamins C, A, E and K, which help protect joint tissues from damage. Vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower and Brussels…

Most lumps on your breasts are not cancerous, but you should always get them checked out by a doctor to be safe. Here are the most common symptoms of breast cancer: Please visit: nhs.uk • A new lump or area of thickened tissue in either breast that was not there before. • A change in the size or shape of one or both breasts. • A discharge of fluid from either one of your nipples. • A lump or swelling growing in either one of your armpits. • A change in the look or feel of your skin around your breasts, such as puckering or dimpling, a rash or redness. • A rash (like eczema), crusting, scaly or itchy skin or redness on or around your nipple and breast. •…

AND THE WINNER IS… When it comes to naming your dog, it can be hard to settle on just one with all the input from family and friends. But did you know that a dog’s name is more important than you first might think? From affecting their training speeds to how they’re perceived – it’s often not as simple as picking one out of a hat… Adem Fehmi, Rover’s canine behaviourist, has shared his top tips on naming your pup. • To learn more about Rover, the world’s largest online marketplace for loving pet care, please visit: rover.com/uk 1. Short and sweet Giving your dog a short name can aid them in learning and hearing their name clearly when called, as well as responding to it when needed. One or…

Your one stop shop for stunning home accessories, fun for all the family, and stunning fashion buys, too?! Matalan have dropped their brand-new transitional pieces to bring your winter style into both January and February… Shop in store and online at: matalan.co.uk LAYER UP THE BOTTOM HALF THE FINISHING TOUCHES…

Many parents worry about the safety of their children when they’re out and about – but how often do you think about your child’s online safety? You may assume they’re safe at home in their bedroom, happily chatting to friends and playing innocent video games, but the online world can be a darker place than you first might think. In September last year, online safety for our children came to the forefront of discussion, with the recent announcement of the proposed UK Online Safety Bill. In it, the government outlined their plans to make the internet a safer place. Once upon a time, social media platforms were used simply as a way of staying in touch with family and friends. How often do you think about your child’s online safety?…

Toasting to her Facebook friends in October 2017, it was clear that Paula Chin, 65, was happy with the life that she led. A toast to all of my wonderful and dear friends and remembering how lucky I am to have you in my life to share this special day with… And it was normal for Paula to document her pleasant lifestyle to all – whether that was a summer vacation to Grand Canyon National Park, or posing with her two sons Jared and Brandon, in the mountains of Cappadocia. Living in a suburban town home in Morristown, New Jersey, a place that her and her husband Philip had bought in 1987, their house was situated on a winding mountain road – perfect for Paula’s keen walks. And it soon…