Innholdsfortegnelse for 23-Jun-2016 i Pick Me Up!

What A Thing To Say! I had to laugh at how typically British I am when I read the phrases only Brits say. I’m guilty of at least 10 of them. Still, 'not to worry', eh? Read 'em for yourself. Search 'British phrases' on www.lifedeathprizes.com What A Boon! The clever Cuddle Mattress lets you slip your lower elbow between its comfy foam slats as you snuggle up with your partner! To see how, search 'cuddle mattress' on Facebook. What A Look! I think this pic of my new trainers says it all... I just LOVE my cute, poochy paws! What  A Blast! Since downloading Bitmoji and creating a personalised emoji of myself, I’ve had endless hours of fun texting my mates. Not sure they’ve enjoyed it quite as…

‘I noticed her eyes were wide apart and her head misshapen’ After my fella Anthony, 31, and I had our Georgia, now 10, and Dominic, 7, we grew broody again. It wasn’t easy, though. In July 2013, joy turned to sadness when, at 12 weeks pregnant, doctors informed us that the baby had a hole in its head. The pregnancy wasn’t viable, and I was booked in for a termination. Georgia and Dominic were so upset to hear the baby was with the angels. Taking time to grieve, two years on, we were ready to try again. One night, in April 2014, I’d had a funny feeling in my tummy, just like when I was expecting Georgia and Dominic. I sneaked into the bathroom and took a test... Positive! Delighted,…

1 Chill out  If it’s too hot to sleep, cool down with an ic e pack wrapped in a pillowcase. Paul Baldwin, L eeds 2 Sleepy snack  Kiwi fruit have serotonin and antioxidants, both helpful for sleeping – eat a couple before heading off to bed. Jac Wilkins, Frome 3 Deep breaths  Instead of counting sheep, count your breaths, in and out. If you get distracted, start again. P James, Weymouth 4 On and  off Throw off all your bedclothes and get really cold for as long as y ou can stand it… Then turn on your side and cover up. May Piercy, Hassocks…

‘My world stopped when I found out it was cancer’ My little Spider-Man raced around the house, slinging webs, climbing over furniture! It was Christmas 2006, and I’d bought Ryan, then 5, a Spidey costume. He wore it all day! Ryan, who had autism and learning difficulties, was obsessed with superheroes. Had all the clobber, DVDs, action figures. Was always glued to Batman and Superman films, or Spider-Man cartoons. ‘Watch, Mummy,’ he’d grin, re-enacting his favourite bits. Only, in September 2011, aged 10, he started saying his knee was hurting. A tumour An X-ray showed nothing. ‘It might be growing pains,’ doctors told his stepdad Gary and me. But Ryan would wake in the night crying in agony. That November, Ryan got off the school bus sobbing. ‘Mum, please take…

Dr Arabella Onslow has been a GP for eight years and was Rosemary Conley’s Health Professional Slimmer of the Year in 2012 after losing 10st. Breast pain but no lump Q I’ve noticed a pain in my breast for several weeks now. I’m vigilant about checking my breasts for lumps and there aren’t any. Should I worry? Amanda, North London A Persistent breast pain needs checking out. Rarely, it can be a sign of cancer, despite there being no lump. It may require an imaging test to examine the tissues. Toddler diarrhoea Q My toddler does a poo two or three times a day and it’s always loose. He’s not bothered by this, but I’m worried as it’s been going on for weeks now. What could be wrong? Luciana, Birmingham…

‘Some wounds were inflicted after death’ They were dubbed the ‘Tarantino murders’ because of the bloody brutality reminiscent of Quentin Tarantino films... On 29 June 2008, French students Gabriel Ferez and Laurent Bonomo were in their rented bedsit in south London. Trapped in their home after two men broke in, the students were bound and gagged. The burglars stole two mobile phones, PlayStations, and demanded bank cards and PIN numbers from the victims. But after Gabriel and Laurent gave up the information, the two criminals didn’t walk away. Instead, the pair proceeded to stab and slash the victims with sustained ferocity. The force of the blows sliced into the victims’ brains. Massacre Laurent Bonomo, 23, sustained 194 stab wounds, and Gabriel Ferez, also 23, was stabbed 50 times. Some wounds…

1 Tesco Coarse Smoked Mackerel Pate, 100g, £1 This actually has a smooth texture and a good fish flavour – though we were surprised to find the 47 per cent mackerel is blended with a long list of ingredients, including mayonnaise per and salmon! 2 Morrisons Hot Smoked Mackerel Pate, 100g, £1 If you prefer a punchy flavour, this blend of 55 per cent mackerel, with creamy buttermilk and soft cheese has a mild kick of heat, thanks to the addition of cayenne pepper. 3 Waitrose Full Flavoured Smoked Mackerel Pate, 115g, £1.75 This light blend of 66 per cent smoked mackerel with cream and full-fat soft cheese is perfectly seasoned, with a light, creamy texture and a lovely, rich fish flavour. Make it yourself... Serves: 6 Prep Time: 10…

‘I’d been told the mole was harmless 10 years earlier’ ‘There’s no telling when the cancer might return’ Full neck-dissection. It was every bit as horrible as it sounded. A large incision would be made across the length and half the width of my neck to gain access to my lymph nodes. The ones on the left-hand side of my neck would be removed, along with surrounding connective tissue. And then my neck would be stapled back up. ‘It’s major surgery,’ the doctor told me. I knew straightaway what it would all mean. More scarring. But, also, a chance at life. I’d tried so hard to be brave, but I couldn’t hold the tears back any longer. My fella Paul, now 41, wrapped his arms around me and the doctor…

Flattering Fashion This slip-on Empire-line maxi dress is a breeze to wear – perfect for weekends and holidays. Just pop it in your suitcase! Try this…. Greggs Chargrill Chicken Salad, £3 Check out the Balanced Choice range at Greggs: salads, soups sandwiches, drinks, yogurts and fruit pots, all less than 400 cal. This chicken salad is 200 cal. Princes Fruit Refreshers Juices, £1.94, Asda, Morrisons Quench your thirst with a choice of six delicious fruit-flavour combinations – all at just 25 cal or less per 150ml serving. Food Swaps Take 3… Vanilla ices THE SECRET OF MY SUCCESS NAME: Heather Peters, 59, from Kilbirnie, North Ayrshire. VITAL STATISTICS: On Boxing Day 2010, I slipped on ice and broke my back in two places. I spent four months in rehab and…

Working as a barmaid in a local pub, in September 2010, a mutual friend introduced me to Andrew Gallon, now 25. He added me on Facebook and, swapping numbers, we got together two weeks later. Andrew was a farmer for nearby Neill Family Farm. ‘Don’t worry if you aren’t an early riser, I start at 8am,’ he grinned. We moved in together and, in January last year, our son Dominic arrived. On the day before my 26th birthday, on 9 August 2015, I had to go to work. We took Dominic to Andrew’s parents’, then Andrew drove me to my job at the pub. At around 3.45pm, he collected me. Only, I was stunned when he gave me a blindfold. ‘It’s a surprise!’ he chuckled. Presuming I’d a birthday treat…

‘Bless her. I can see why they’re so protective – after losing a baby you want everything to be right. Brianne was gifted to the right family. She’s got her brother’s support, no matter what.’ Denise Neal, 49, Peterborough ‘People’s perceptions need to change, as coping with this may prove harder for her than the condition itself. It will be difficult, but she’s got great parents who love her.’ Helene Stone, 35, Bromley ‘Brianne is a lucky little girl to have such a doting family. With their support, I hope Brianne will have the confidence to brush off people’s judgments.’ Caroline Midwood, 61, Stourbridge…

We’ve done the research – you save the dosh! Snack Happy Yushoi Snapea Rice Sticks contain just 95 calories per pack (and they’re absolutely delicious!) making them the perfect mid-afternoon snack! Pick up a multipack for just £1 (normally £1.79) at Morrisons until 26 June. Smile! Keep your pearly whites tiptop with 25% off all DenTek products at Superdrug (excluding the First Aid Kit) until 28 June. These picks are great for keeping in your handbag. Sleep Tight If your bedding needs replacing, try the Boston Duvet & Pillow Co! Its online outlet second sells products with minor cosmetic errors and they’re available for a fraction of the normal price! Visit www.bostonduvetandpillow.co.uk and check it out for yourself. Drink To That! Delicious for summer, you can now bag two bottles…

 Every time he cried, my heart broke. And it seemed my little Owyn was crying all the time. ‘An endoscopy revealed a stomach full of ulcers’ He was just 2 months old, his tears the result of cramps, diarrhoea. The health visitor thought he was lactose intolerant and he was put on soya milk. But by the time he was 5 in 2010, Owyn’s tummy still wasn’t OK. And his top lip had become swollen, his gums so sore his mouth would sting when he ate. Doctors simply advised Vaseline. But Owyn’s dentist was more concerned. She referred us to oral surgeons at Bangor Hospital in October 2010. But they again diagnosed lactose intolerance. It was the same with everyone we saw, but Owyn kept complaining of severe stomach pain…

Atopic eczema 1 This is the most common form of eczema. 2 Atopic eczema only affects children. 3 It only affects the face and neck. 4 It can be cured with creams. 1 TRUE Atopic is the most common eczema, affecting one in five children in the UK, often before the age of 1. 2 FALSE While more common in children, the condition has been known to continue or even develop during adulthood. 3 FALSE It can affect any part of the body, but is commonly found on the neck, hands, cheeks, knees and elbows. 4 FALSE There’s no cure, although symptoms can be relieved with emollients and topical creams. Next Week MUMPS…

Like most 10-year-olds, my son Joe is football mad. His face lights up when his team, Sheffield Wednesday, is playing. ‘Come on lads,’ his dad Martin, 45, chants, taking Joe to all of their home games. But unlike other little boys, Joe can’t cheer with fans. You see, Joe was born with a rare condition called CHARGE syndrome. The syndrome causes defects including eye problems, heart defects, deafness, breathing difficulties. The list goes on. After Joe was born, doctors predicted he only had a 20 per cent chance of survival. A born fighter, he had proved them all wrong. Over the years, he’d had numerous operations on his bowel and heart. As so little is known about the condition, we were warned Joe might never speak, walk or eat. We…

‘We knew what we wanted to spend the winnings on...’ Lucy won £10…and then hit the jackpot! Lucy Robinson, 28, Loughborough, Leicestershire Heaving the rest of the boxes through the front door, I sighed with relief. ‘That’s everything,’ I said to my boyfriend Paul, 35. We’d just bought our first home together and had finished moving in all our stuff. A two-bedroom semi, it was perfect for us. And it was ours, thanks to Pick Me Up! Bingo. See, back in January 2014, I hit the jackpot - literally. I was due to finish work, then head to Paul’s parents’ house. We were saving for a deposit, to buy a place of our own. Putting my feet up When I left work, I realised that the roads were dangerously icy…

We put some truly original products to the test… Bridgedale WoolFusion Trekker with CuPED Technology, £15.99, www.bridgedale.com The clever people at Bridgedale have embedded copper ions – meant to reduce fungi, bacteria and odours – into the fibres of these socks to help keep feet pong-free all day! Bear Hug Pillow, £29.99, www.firebox.com You’ll never be lonely again with this friendly fella! It’s squishy, so you can get the perfect hug without having to speak to anyone We want the grizzly bear and panda versions so we can have one on each side… Polaroid ZIP Bluetooth Mobile Printer in Red, £99.99, www.argos.co.uk With most of us taking photos on our phones these days, it’s a treat to be able to print them out so…

‘Mum told me people come in different shapes and sizes’ ‘Oi! Hagrid!’ the kids jeered down the school corridors. I pretended not to hear their cruel comments, but they stung. Aged 14, I was bigger than my mates. Always had been... Ashamed and embarrassed, I’d hide in the toilets to get changed for PE. ‘Why are people so cruel?’ I’d say back home. ‘Don’t listen to them,’ my mum always said. She loved the 1950s, always dressed up and had friends covered in tattoos and piercing. ‘People come in different sizes and shapes,’ Mum insisted, but I found it hard to believe. There were only skinny girls in magazines, and the pop stars I listened to like, Avril Lavigne, were tiny, too. Where were the positive images of big, beautiful…

Browsing the Internet one day, I read a fascinating article about pet foxes. Different to wild foxes, domestic ones were bred in Russia in the 1950s. Intrigued, I spent weeks researching further. We’ve already got three dogs – Border collie crosses Smudge, 8, Poppy, 7, and Benji, 3. Not to mention my being a full-time mum to our kids –Jacob, 5, and Holly, 2. But, at home all day, I knew I’d time to dedicate to settling in a fox. I spoke to my partner Andy, 35, who agreed we could get one. ‘But you’re looking after it,’ he smiled. Thrilled, I contacted a specialist breeder in Nottingham. In May 2014, I travelled there to meet cub Evie, then 8 weeks. Gently, I stroked her. Fiercely loyal, pet foxes are…

‘Doctors said she had a one per cent chance of survival’ My daughter Izzy, then 7, was always full of beans. She’d tear around the garden on her bike, swing about on monkey bars at the park... ‘I can’t keep up,’ I’d laugh to her dad, Oliver, then 36. In September 2010, Izzy was her usual, happy self when I dropped her at school. ‘Bye,’ she beamed, skipping across the playground. But, a few hours later, her school phoned saying she wasn’t well. I wondered if she was pulling a fast one. But when I picked her up, she had a fever. Back at home, I made her cosy and put on the TV. But, hours later, she started throwing up. Poor thing even had a bruise on her wrist…

‘One day, I found myself telling a friend everything’ ‘I realised I had to let go of all my hurt and pain’ I was 11 years old when I first met Wayne Burgoyne, then 37. He was my mate’s dad, and my mum knew him from the school run. He was charming, friendly. So when I was invited round to play at Wayne’s house, I went. ‘We’ve got a Sega Megadrive,’ Wayne told me, and I spent ages playing Sonic the Hedgehog with Wayne’s son. Another time, I went round and Wayne took us to the market. He put his hand on my lower back to steer me through the throngs of people. I thought he was being protective. Kind, too... ‘I’ll get this for you,’ he said, showing me…

Put a few grains of rice into your salt shaker – they'll absorb moisture and stop the salt from clogging up. Emma Wood, Studley Always pack a roll of dental floss in your holiday suitcase o – it’s handy if you need some strong thread for handbag or shoe repairs. Carole Casan, Tiverton Store plastic carrier bags in the leg of an old pair of tights. Abbie Cairns, Colchester As a fun alternative to kids’ party bags, cover empty crisp tubes with birthday wrapping paper. Louise Hext, Hayling Island Stop potatoes sprouting by storing them with apples. Marie Singh Ghataura, Sheffield Add a sparkly touch to your plant pots by sticking on some craft jewels. Lilian Smith, Preston Using an old cotton duvet and some cord, I made these pretty…

1 Post pictures Ads with images get more views and replies. 2 Don’t use generic images Buyers are savvy and less likely to believe you’re a genuine seller if they see you’ve grabbed a stock picture from the web. 3 Consider offers Some people are willing to pay the price you set, while others may want to negotiate. Who you sell to is up to you. You may want someone who can pick it up within an hour, or someone who can sort out their own transport. 4 Be descriptive There’s a 10, www.packpeaceofmind.co.uk 000-character limit in the  description box, so don’t scrimp on the details! 5 Use the mobile app Over 12 million people access…

Croup Babies and toddlers will cough, but if it’s more like a barking cough followed by a harsh, struggling sound when they breathe in, your child could have croup. Often the result of a virus, croup is a childhood condition affecting the windpipe, voice box and airways. Most cases are mild and can be treated at home with plenty of fluids. But you may want to see a doctor for medication to reduce swelling in the throat, or if your child develops problems breathing.…

Strawberry & Vanilla Ice-cream Cake Cones Serves: 12 Prep Time: 40 min Cook Time: 18 min Decoration: 1 Preheat oven to 180C/ Gas 4 and put 12 paper cake cases into a bun tin. 2 Beat butter and sugar together until fluffy. Add golden syrup and beat well, then add eggs, beating well. Stir in vanilla extract, then fold in flour and salt. 3 Mix Squeezy Syrup with food colouring and swirl through. Divide mixture between cases. Press an up-turned cone onto each, then bake for 15-18 min until risen. Cool in tin for 15 min, lift out and peel off paper cases. Leave on a wire rack until cold. 4 For frosting, beat…

Kyle must’ve found out about our hiding place... My body was smothered in black bruises Clearing away the empty glasses, I sighed with relief that the day was over. ‘I can’t wait to put my feet up,’ I laughed to one of the barmaids. Running a local pub in Barry was exhausting work, although I loved it. I suffer from multiple sclerosis (MS) - a condition affecting the brain that causes extreme fatigue and muscle stiffness. Some days were worse than others. Not one to mope, though, I just powered on. I liked to keep busy, and running a pub was great fun. In 2003, one of my neighbours started working for me. She had a son Kyle, then 7, and he seemed like a good lad. I watched him…

‘I was over the moon when I found out I’d won a holiday’ Alexandra Won A Holiday And £1,000! Alexandra Malten, 62, Sydenham Relaxing on the sun lounger, I soaked up the afternoon rays. ‘Heaven!’ I said to my friend Steve, 69. It was November last year and we were off enjoying an all-expenses-paid trip to Tenerife. We’d spent the week in a luxurious, all-inclusive five-star hotel. It was incredible! We’d had cocktails on the beach, fancy meals, refreshing dips in the pool... ‘Thanks for inviting me,’ Steve smiled. But it was all thanks to Pick Me Up! Bingo. See, I’d won the trip after playing a few of my favourite games online. I joined Pick Me Up! Bingo in 2012. I knew lots of people who played bingo online…

TRIED & TESTED This week: Highlighting powder 1 Benecos Natural Highlighting Powder, £6.95, www.pravera.co.uk I patted this across my browbones, cheekbones and cupid’s bow and it really brightened my complexion! It’s made from natural ingredients, so great for sensitive skin. 2 MUA Luxe Strobe & Glow Highlight Kit, £5, Superdrug This kit contains both a highlighting powder with a subtle hint of shimmer that I loved for everyday wear, and a champagne-coloured gel with a lot of sparkle for a night out. 3 George Highlight & Glow Strobing Kit, £4, Asda I was nervous about this at first, as both shades looked dramatic. But the blush and highlighter blended really well to give a natural finish. Jess’ Beauty Hero I love a paddle brush, and the bristles of…

‘For everything I sell, I always buy more!’ Emma’s home is a 1950s vision Some say it’s kitsch - I say it’s quirky! As a teen, I adored 1940s film stars like Rita Hayworth and Dorothy Lamour. Delving into US culture, I loved the Polynesian style made popular in 1950s Hollywood by stars like Elvis Presley. The wild Tiki patterns caught my eye, and I adored the flamboyance of the era. Not to mention the rum cocktails! My wardrobe filled with colourful, vintage, novelty print dresses and, soon, my passion extended to furnishings, too. My bedroom, living room and kitchen were transformed to fit my vibrant American dream. Original 50s microwaves and fridges exist, but it’s hard to find working ones. So, I’ve a modern microwave and fridge done up…

GEMINI 22 May–21 June New ideas are the basis for a really successful future, Gemini. Those of you who’ve been in the wrong jobs will have no hesitation in changing what you’re doing, with some particularly dramatic responses from some of you, too. Call: 09058 170 712* CANCER 22 June–23 July A jealous streak could see you saying and doing things you’ll come to regret this time next month. Keep a nice, slow pace, or you’ll end up with a lot of apologising to do in the days to come. An ex is back in touch for an exciting reason. Call: 09058 170 713* LEO 24 July–23 Aug Your element of fire is making it difficult for you to know how to deal with all that’s annoyed you since the…

3 in 1 Patio Buddleja A compact Buddleja plant that produces 3 flower colours to choose from, seemingly on the same plant! Supplied as 3 plants in 1 single container, each will grow and produce a compact bush with fragrant, Indigo, Ivory and Candy Pink flower spikes! 3-in-1’ is easy to grow and problem-free, with a super long-flowering period. Perfectly for patio pots and smaller gardens. Height and spread: 120cm (47”). Supplied as a 9cm Potted Plant. Buy 1 for £14.99 Buy 2 & GET 1 FREE for £29.98 How to order: 1. Online – Visit www.thompson-morgan.com/PMU122 2. By Phone – Call 0844 573 1686 (Quote PMU122) Lines open 9am-8pm (Weekdays) & 9am-6pm (Weekends). 3. By Post – Fill Out Coupon & write your name and address on the back…

Staring at the pregnancy test, I couldn’t make out the blue lines I’d hoped to see. ‘Not this time,’ I sighed to my fiance Ricky, 25. Our faithful American akita dog Keola looked at us, tilting her head. She seemed to understand. Throwing the test in the bin, Ricky and I went shopping. Returning home, cheeky Keola had been through the bin... And she had my pregnancy test in her jaws! ‘Keola!’ I tutted. Then I glanced down at it... Were there two lines after all? Rushing out, I bought another one while Ricky had a nap before his nightshift as an accountant. The test was positive! ‘You’re so clever,’ I told Keola. I slipped a note into Keola’s collar and led her to the bedroom. ‘What’s this?’ Ricky said,…