Innholdsfortegnelse for January 19, 2015 i Woman

When Coronation Street’s Hayley Cropper took her own life after a long battle with cancer in January last year, the nation wept. Now, actress Julie Hesmondhalgh is back in saucy new Channel 4 drama Cucumber , which explores one man’s midlife crisis after an attempt to spice up his sex life with his boyfriend. Julie, 44, lives with her husband Ian and their two daughters, 13, and 10. So this is pretty different from Coronation Street ! It’s completely new and exciting. I didn’t really have a plan when I left Corrie , and I didn’t set out to do anything particularly edgy or wildly different from Hayley. I just wanted to be a jobbing actor again. The…

Rummaging through the racks at Topshop you might think I’m out shopping with my teenage daughter, or that the bundles of clothes draped over my arms are gifts. But you would be wrong on both counts. At 50 years old, I’m shopping for myself. And this isn’t just a one-off, this happens to be one of my all-time favourite high street stores. I’ve always loved fashion. As a child, I’d save up my pocket money and buy as many magazines as I could. Then, I’d sit cross-legged on my bed and read every single one from cover to cover. I would flip through the pages, pouring over each picture, and putting a mental tick beside each piece of clothing I so desperately wanted (and told myself I needed). Of course,…

Say hello to your new wear-me-anywhere cover-up… the cropped bomber For daytime, choose sandy tones and crisp white for a chic safari feel This trench is grown-up and glam in blush pink and belted to the side TIPS TO FIND YOUR NEW FOREVERS: * Stick to classic shapes with a fresh spin. The trench feels new in satin while a trouser suit in pale lilac gives it a new lease of life. * Safari comes round each year so invest now! Keep it simple with deep pockets and a drawstring waist. * The white shirt is fail-safe for teaming with trousers or tucking into skirts.…

Veggie tofu stir-fry A good-for-you one-pan meal with a chilli kick SERVES 4 PREP 5 MINS COOK 10 MINS 200g (4 nests) wholewheat noodles 1tbsp garlic olive oil 200g tenderstem broccoli 300g stir-fry vegetables 200g sliced smoked tofu 4tbsp chilli stir-fry sauce 1 Bring a large pan of salted water to the boil. Add the noodles, return to the boil and cook for 4 mins. 2 Meanwhile, heat a non-stick wok with the oil and stir-fry the broccoli for 2 mins. 3 Add the stir-fry veg and cook for 2 mins. 4 Tip in the tofu and chilli sauce and cook for a few mins. Drain noodles and toss together with the pan contents. Per serving: 284 cals, 4g fat (0.7g saturated), 46g carbs Smart idea: Leftover roast chicken pieces…

As I walked into the salon, a hush descended. The stylists who I usually chatted with averted their eyes and save for the hum of hairdryers, the place was silent. With my lip quivering, I scuttled to the back and sat through my appointment. It wasn’t until I walked out the door that I let the tears roll down my cheeks. So why did I now feel like an outcast in the salon I’d been visiting for years? I’d recently been diagnosed with breast cancer. It was Stage 4 and incurable – and no one knew what to say… Too shocked to cry Before I was dealt this devastating blow, I rarely gave cancer a second thought. With a husband, Carletto, and three children – Columbus, then 13, Angelica, 11,…

Pick up a pot With jumbo oats and creamy West Country yogurt, the new Cuckoo bircher muesli pots (£2.49 per 200g pot, cuckoo foods.co.uk) are a great source of fibre and protein. And they have fewer than 300 calories! They’re a perfect healthy breakfast for people on the go. Put your guard up We’d all love to escape those winter bugs and the Nasal Guard Cold & Flu Block (£11.99 for 150 applications, boots.com) could help. Drug-free, the gel creates an invisible barrier around your nostrils and upper lip to keep germs at bay! Make up Never go to bed on an argument – because it could be bad for your health. People who think their partner is unsupportive are more likely to develop heart disease, according to a new…

FAMILY MEAL FOR JUST £8 …buy this ‘NO COOK’ NIGHT Feed the whole clan with the help of Lidl. It’s unbelievable value – just what you need at this time of year! And it all tastes gorgeous… Lovely lasagne Chef Select Lasagne Bolognese, £2.69 for 1kg. This tasty dinner is generously meaty with super-saucy layers. Super sides Oaklands Easy Italian Style Salad, 89p for 150g. Add a hint of healthiness. Just serve dressed with balsamic vinegar. Trattoria Alfredo Tear & Share Garlic And Herb Bread, £1.39 for 300g. Garlic bread has moved on. It’s no longer in baguette form, meaning it’s deliciously doughy. Perfect pud Deluxe Sicilian Lemon & Lime Meringue Tart, £2.99 for 547g. We can’t believe how good this tastes. It brings back memories of Granny’s treat! ……

Around 1 in 3 homeowners doesn’t know how their boiler works – and 1 in 7 has never found the thermostat! 1 Become energy-smart Replacing an old, inefficient boiler can reduce heating bills dramatically. The new Baxi EcoBlue Heat boiler (£1,199+VAT, baxi.co.uk) is one of the best-value on the market. It uses less energy as it only fires when needed and could save you up to £300 per year according to the Energy Saving Trust. Meanwhile, insulating your home will drive down bills further. Alex Gosling, managing director of online estate agents Housesimple (housesimple.co.uk, says, ‘Loft insulation can save up to £150 a year on your energy bills and you may even qualify for free insulation. Contact your energy provider to find out more.’ AVERAGE SAVING: £450 per year 2…

Jumping in a taxi with my husband, Clive, 60, I couldn’t wipe the smile from my face. We were off to our local for the night. We’d have dinner and watch a singer, too. But that wasn’t why I was excited… ‘Clive, I’ve got something to tell you,’ I said. ‘I think I’ve won some money.’ Clive’s face was a picture. ‘What do you mean?’ he asked. ‘On the bingo!’ I smiled. At home earlier, after I’d washed my hair and got ready to go out, I’d had a quick few games on Woman Bingo, buying tickets for the Bullion Bonanza slots. I’d been a member for three years and if I had a spare half hour, I’d have a few games of bingo or play on the slots. And…

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Chatting to Alison Hammond, two things come across clearly. Firstly, she’s still living in the Strictly bubble months after her exit from the show thanks to her role in the upcoming tour. And secondly, she’s smitten with her boyfriend of nine months, security guard Jamie Savage. So when she brings up the subject of marriage, we’re dying to know more! Alison, 39, lives in Birmingham with her son Aiden, nine. She tells us why she can’t wait to get back in the ballroom, and who she wants to see on the show next year… ‘I’m so excited about doing the tour, although I never even thought about it when I was on Strictly . I’m not going to lie, I was disappointed to…

Woman’s Lifestyle Director Kath Brown says: * Choose wisely: Topshop is always on-trend, but don’t buy just anything. It is a young brand so lengths tend to be shorter. However, there are also stylish midi skirts, well-cut trousers, or why not give culottes a go? * Make a statement: Topshop does really good tailoring and a well-cut blazer or neat shift dress looks great on everyone whatever their age. * Accessorise: The brand is great for bags, shoes, scarves and jewellery. So even if you don’t spot any clothes that work in your wardrobe, you’re sure to find something to give your outfit a fashionable twist.…

Combine bold colours and textures to brighten up your look Balance out a slouchy jumper with a fitted pencil skirt Team this midi skirt with heels to elongate your legs Don’t be afraid to mix different prints together Try a cosy roll-neck jumper with a swishy midi Put bright red with mono geo prints Oversized flowers and embellishment and go hand in hand Reinvent your party skirt with an oversized knit on top…

Get it before it goes! Need added motivation to keep fit? Treat yourself to some fabulous buys from the Aldi yoga and fitness range. Yoga top, capri pants and kettle bells, all less than £7! EASY CHEESY Use Lake District Mature Cheddar (£1.99 for 350g, Lidl) to create speedy suppers. Make cheese on toast a tad healthier with veg! Pan-fry leeks until soft, put them on toast, pile on grated cheese with a dash of Worcestershire sauce and grill until melted. DIETER’S DELIGHT You won’t be tempted to tuck into anything naughty with the new Balanced For You range at M&S. Stock up with their cut-price offer – two for £7. Including Peri Peri Chicken, Wedges & Corn, usually £4.25, and Superfood Keralan Chicken Curry, £4. WINE UNDER £5 Craving…

My teenage son is becoming a father – and I’m terrified I ’ve just found out that my son’s girlfriend has got herself pregnant. They’re both 18 and have just started university and now she expects him to become a father. They insist they’ll carry on with their courses and get married next year. But I can’t see how they can possibly make it work. They can barely look after themselves, let alone a baby. Suzie says: We all have hopes for our children, so when something happens to derail our expectations, it feels unfair. You sound angry and sad and I can understand where those feelings are coming from. But his girlfriend did not ‘get herself pregnant’ and both of them ‘expect’ each other to be parents. They are…

TRIED & TESTED GOOGLE GLASS It’s not fair that Lara gets to play with all the toys, so our commissioning editor Laura Jackson trialled these much-hyped computer specs. How does it work? I downloaded the free My Glass app which linked the glasses to my phone’s 3G network to access the internet. They’re controlled with tapping and swiping motions on a sensor. A window of information pops into your vision on the right. Best bits? Using them for directions, as there’s no fumbling with maps or your phone. Taking photos using the voice control function is fun, too, and you can email them instantly to friends. Worst bits? After a few hours the right hand side of my face felt warm from the sensor. They also drained my phone’s 3G…

‘You can play from as little as a penny’ Jen Pinchbeck, 58, from East Riding of Yorkshire, used her prize to spoil her husband with a holiday. Last year was one of amazing treats, all courtesy of Woman Bingo. I was one of the 24 lucky Woman Bingo members to go to Turkey, along with my husband, Stuart, 65, in May, and then we had three relaxing weeks in Cornwall. I’m still in shock! In Turkey, we were put up in a fab all-inclusive four-star hotel. All we had to do was get ourselves to the airport. We were treated like VIPs and it was the best holiday we’ve ever had. After we got back, I was playing in the Bingo Lounge room one evening when I won the Game…

ARIES 21 Mar – 20 Apr You could be missing the point, losing the plot or too preoccupied to notice what is going on in another part of your life. So pay attention, especially midweek. Deal with a red flag as soon as it appears. For your reading 09058 172557 TAURUS 21 Apr – 21 May Do everything by the book: no shortcuts, quick fixes or window dressing. Look at situations warts and all, and then get to work. What gets done this week will prove worthwhile and lasting. For your reading 09058 172558 GEMINI 22 May – 22 Jun If you feel under pressure or unfairly judged, avoid voting with your feet. Far better you work at putting a wrong to rights. Those affirmations you made can still be…

Marvellous Matt We all know him as David Metcalfe on Emmerdale but Matthew Wolfenden, 34, was a gymnast and a dancer – which perhaps helped him win Dancing On Ice in 2012. He lives with his partner Charley Webb – who plays Debbie Dingle on the soap – and their four-year-old son, Buster. I’d love to have more kids. I’ve always said I’d like three. Although I think it’s just about working it out sensibly and properly. It would be daft to do it when Charley’s got a massive storyline coming up. Mine and Charley’s storylines rarely cross. I think they once toyed with the idea years ago of putting Debbie and David together. But waking up every morning, working together all…

1 in 7 people has been made redundant since the start of the recession in 2008 Placing a blanket around my two boys, I wished them sweet dreams. For anyone who’s a mum, it’s no doubt a familiar evening ritual. Only, while I should have been tucking my children into their beds, I was tucking them into their car seats. I was a 32-year-old mum-of-two, who’d worked all my life. And yet, I was living in my car. It’s terrifying how quickly life can change. Raised by two loving parents, my childhood was a happy one. Growing up, I had always imagined I’d find a career I loved, have a family and live in the perfect house. Aged 27, after meeting James* at a party, it seemed like everything was…

Lynda Berger, 48, lives with partner Rob, 50, and daughter Catherine, 18, in Surrey. I know better than anyone that bullying isn’t something to be laughed about. Because it destroyed not only my childhood, but my daughter’s, too. At school I was the quiet, studious type. However, my classmates saw this as something to mock me for. From sniggering in the corridor to pretending I was invisible, they were tireless in their efforts to grind me down and I became a complete recluse, leaving school at 16 with no friends. Their words affected me for years. It was only in my thirties that I realised I couldn’t let them ruin my life any more. I became a tutor, teaching adults about self-esteem and motivation. When my daughter, Catherine, then 11,…

‘Am I too old to be a mum?’ Q I’m 44 and have three children under 10, but I’d love to have another baby. However, given the risks of Down’s syndrome, do you think I’m being selfish? A I don’t think you’re selfish, but you need to be realistic – not just about Down’s syndrome, but of conceiving at all. We can’t ignore the fact that for every 100 women trying to get pregnant naturally at 40, only five will. At your age, your chances of having a child with Down’s syndrome would be one in 30, compared to one in 1,250 when you were 25. There are also other complications, such as pre-eclampsia and a higher chance of the baby being premature. You’re also more likely to have twins!…

Helen Stuart read The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton, £5.99 paperback, £2.85 ebook In 17th-century Amsterdam, Nella Oortman begins her new life as the wife of rich merchant Johannes Brandt. But living with his fierce sister Marin and the strange servants forces Nella to seek solace in the miniature house gifted to her by her new husband. But when the items sent by the miniaturist begin to foretell the future, Nella must discover if she is in charge of her own destiny. This fairy tale is a real page-turner that makes you want to read it all over again once you’ve finished. Our verdict: IF YOU LIKED THAT, TRY THESE… What went before? The Lives Of Stella Bain by Anita Shreve A young woman wakes…

Claire Harris is 35 and lives in Wandsworth, South London. She works as an accountant. ‘I first heard about Quidco in 2007, when I was looking at Martin Lewis’s site, moneysavingexpert.com,’ says Claire. ‘I decided to try using it to get money off my train fares, as I often travel to Manchester to see my boyfriend, Adam. When I realised I was earning around 4-5% off the tickets, I was thrilled.’ Soon, Claire was using Quidco for other purchases, too. She used it to make savings on clothes at M&S and for home and travel insurance. ‘For the past 10 years, my three friends and I have been going away for a winter weekend every year,’ explains Claire. ‘The rule is we always go somewhere colder than London. We went…