Innholdsfortegnelse for October2018 i Chat Specials

Reliving the most terrifying day of her life is the last thing that Katy (pg14) wants to do, but she’s spoken out this month to warn other parents about the dangers of a seemingly innocent snack that almost took the life of her son. Brave David (pg40) feels the same about the trauma he went through after fighting for his country. But the dad is determined to show others that there’s always hope. Hiding away is something Rochelle (pg6) is determined not to do anymore. A freak accident destroyed her confidence, but she wanted to show her children the true meaning of beauty. We’re certain you’ll fall in love with the adorable Rupert this month (pg66). He’s finally found a lovely home with new owner Doreen after unforgivable neglect. And…

Ducking into the corner shop on the way home from school, I grabbed a big bag of salt and vinegar crisps. Minutes later, I’d chomped the last one with a rush of satisfaction. At 15, food was my comfort, the one thing I could control. I’d always been chubby, but after my mum Shelley passed away from breast cancer in November 2004, my junk food obsession had rocketed. At school, I would gorge on burgers and hot dogs with a slice of greasy pizza on the side. On my way home, I snacked on chocolate bars, crisps and sausage rolls. Even with tea in my sights, I couldn’t help myself. I knew that I was depressed, and I felt as if I was trying to fill the void left by…

My daughter Natalie flicked through pictures on her phone, showing me her holiday snaps. It was 2012, and Natalie, 29, had just come back from Turkey. She’d come round to show me and her stepdad, Stuart, 70, everything she’d done while abroad – the food, the beaches, and of course, the shopping! I’d always had a close relationship with Natalie and her brother Carl, now 39. ‘It looks like a beautiful holiday,’ I smiled. ‘It really was, Mum,’ she said. ‘Although I think I may have picked up a bug while I was there.’ ‘Oh? What’s wrong?’ I asked. ‘I’m just not feeling well. And I don’t have much of an appetite,’ she explained. I suggested she see her GP, but Natalie didn’t want to make a big deal of…

A voice boomed from above me. ‘Afternoon girls!’ I woke up with a jolt on the grass, and saw John, my mum’s partner, waving from the bedroom window. ‘Back from fishing already?’ I shouted up, but in seconds, he’d grabbed a handful of something cold and slimy and chucked it all over my two sisters and me. ‘Maggots! Yuk!’ we all screamed in unison. ‘Typical John,’ I sighed to myself. He was always loud, mischievous and having a laugh. My mum, Rosalind, 71, had left my troubled dad when I was 11. One day she’d had enough of it and told him to pack his things. We never saw him again. When I was 18, my sisters and I dragged Mum along to a local Monday night disco called Yellow…

MINI BEEF STEAK PIES YOU’LL NEED FOR THE BASE: • 4x 8cm diameter oven-proof dishes • Butter for greasing • 2 sheets of shortcrust pastry • Rock salt • 1 free-range egg beaten to glaze FOR THE FILLING: • 1 tbsp vegetable oil • 500g steak beef • 1 red onion, diced • 2 garlic cloves, chopped • 1 tsp of cayenne pepper • 4 tbsp of tomato puree • 1 tbsp of Worcester sauce • 500ml of vegetable stock • 2 sprigs of rosemary • Salt & pepper • 1 tbsp of flour mixed with cold water HOW TO DO IT… 1. Preheat the oven to 180 ¡ C. Heat the oil in a deep pan and sauté the onions. Add the beef and brown. Add the garlic, cayenne pepper, tomato puree and Worcester sauce, stir, then add the stock and rosemary sprigs. Cover and…

Ask our doc Dr Roger Henderson, GP and men’s health expert supporting the Tackle TD campaign ( www.doctorhenderson.co.uk ) answers your questions. Baby making I’m trying for a baby but my boyfriend has a low sperm count. Is there anything we can do to improve it? Rachel, Norwich Yes, quite a lot! Sperm quality is helped by a healthy diet that’s rich in zinc, vitamins A, C and E and selenium, so make sure he eats breakfast cereals and lots of wholegrain bread, fruit and vegetables which contain these. A moderate amount of physical exercise is good for sperm production, as is avoiding tight-fi tting underwear and very hot baths. If he smokes or takes recreational drugs such as cannabis, then he should stop, keep his alcohol intake…

Emma Whiteman, 48, Northampton Booking a holiday to Cornwall with 15 of my nearest and dearest, I couldn’t wait to get to the beach. We’d so much fun planned for our week away. Some days all of us, others just me and hubby Mark, 42. Mark and I work hard, so it’s nice to have a holiday planned. Back in April, it was almost 8pm and Mark was upstairs. I was on the sofa flicking through pics of Hayle on my phone, thinking about our trip a month away. ‘I’m going to play bingo,’ I shouted upstairs to Mark. I’d found Chat Mag Bingo and joined in June 2011, and had so much fun. I love the Sapphire 90-ball game, so I clicked on it. There was an 8pm Link…

George Reeves, 45, was a dashing actor best known for playing Superman in the 1950s TV show. On June 16, 1959, he died of a gunshot wound to the head at his Hollywood home. Although it was ruled a suicide, many believe Reeves was a victim of murder. There was no gunshot residue on his hands or fingerprints on the gun, and there were stray bullet casings at the scene. The engaged Reeves had been having an affair with Toni Mannix, the wife of an MGM executive. One theory holds that the jilted Toni had Reeves killed, another is that her husband, Eddie Mannix, used his underworld ties to have Reeves killed.…

Being 24-years-old and living as a rape victim is hard, but holding it all in and not sharing everything I went through would be unbearable. That is why I waived my right to anonymity and chose to speak about how my father raped me. I hope that my story will help even just one more person seek help rather than living in the shadows of doubt and blame. Growing up at my house wasn’t exactly normal. My dad Robert had a horrible temper and he usually took it out on my mum Karen, 53. So when they divorced in 2001, it was a relief for me and my brother. We moved two hours away from my dad, who stayed in Findern, Derbyshire, but we still spent our weekends visiting him.…

Squeaky solution If your door hinges are squeaking, don’t bother buying expensive products to fix it. Just rub a little cooking oil over them and job done! Jill Hale, Grimsby Quick fix drying To speed up drying, rub your wet clothes in a dry towel before hanging them up to absorb any extra moisture. Works every time! Allison Gray, Kent Egg-sellent! Bake your eggs instead of boiling them. Just line them in a muffin tray and pop them in the oven for 20 minutes or so. They come out just as good and save you the time and mess! Kara Evans, Southampton Get that nylon finish Cover your hairbrush with a pair of old stockings. Any hair that comes out when you brush will stick to the nylon instead of…

Spotting the signs of bowel cancer early can be life changing. Every 15 minutes someone is diagnosed and it’s the second biggest cancer killer – yet it’s treatable and curable, especially with early diagnosis. Bowel Cancer UK is looking for volunteers who have been affected by bowel cancer to give talks in their local area to raise awareness about the symptoms, and also to inform people about the free screening programme. If you’re passionate about raising awareness, then sign up at bowelcanceruk.org.uk . You will be given support and a full day's training.…

Mostly A: London This fierce and fast city would be ideal for you. You’re loud, confident and don’t take any nonsense. You’re career-driven and determined to achieve your goals. Among your friends, you’re the one making the plans, and you’re always the first to show up, wearing something super trendy. Mostly B: Florence It’s the city of art and culture, which is just up your street. You’re creative, laid back, and appreciate anything pretty. You live in a world of your own, where the food is delicious and the wine is fine. You tend to worry a lot, but try not to – you’re absolutely charming! Mostly C: Dublin This friendly city is ready to welcome you with open arms. You’re chilled out, fun, and would rather spend your evening…

Let’s hang out October 20 is International Sloth Day! But we like to celebrate the slow-moving mammals every day and it seems the high street is loving them, too. Sloths are the latest face to adorn everything you can think of, from t-shirts to mugs. Maybe we could learn a thing or two from the chilled out creatures. Switch it up Apparently, demand for meat-free food has risen by 987% in the past year! With one in five UK consumers considering ‘going vegan’, Iceland has embraced the plant-based trend by launching the largest frozen vegan range in the UK. It includes ‘No Bull’ beef, ‘No Chick’ chicken and ‘No Porkies’ pork, and a selection of vegan ready meals incorporating ingredients like tofu and wheat-based proteins. There are burgers, sausages and…

Eve Humphrey, 35, Portsmouth Polishing off a large pizza, I wiped my mouth clean and lay back on the sofa. ‘All done,’ I said to my husband Andy, 44. Just an hour later, though, I was opening a family-sized bag of crisps, my tummy rumbling again. Some people may think I was being greedy, but it hadn’t always been like that. I was on chronic pain medication, and despite anything I tried, they’d leave me with an insatiable appetite – and a growing waistline. It all started when I was 12. Walking home from school one day, I was hit by a car. I’d broken my left femur. Ever since, I’d had problems with my knees – from aching to pins and needles, they were never quite right. Then in…

Cuppa for cancer Good news for coffee lovers – one of the world’s favourite beverages can actually reduce the risk of cancer! The World Health Organisation used to have coffee on their carcinogenic list, but this was taken off two years ago after studies showed that it can actually have a protective effect against cancer, especially for cancers of the liver and uterus. Coffee contains antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticarcinogenic properties, and according to a study published in the BMJ, coffee can reduce our risk of endometrial cancer, oral cancer, liver cancer, and leukaemia. Workplace snacking With heavy workloads, healthy eating during office hours is not usually a priority. Nutritionist Liam Mahoney shares his desk-friendly healthy office snacks: • Carrots with hummus to provide a quick hit of energy. • Fresh…

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No pain no gain WE LOVE A CRY BABY If you have a baby in Japan, you’re in for a painful ride. An ancient Buddhist belief states that labour pains must be endured as a test to prepare women for the difficulties of motherhood. This explains why women here choose to deliver their babies without any painkillers – they’ll even reject the offer of an epidural! After the baby arrives, the new mum will stay with her parents for at least a month, spending her time bonding with the baby – and recuperating from an excruciating labour. And, while a crying baby is enough to drive even the calmest person off the edge, Japanese babies are encouraged to cry, and are even entered into crying contests, or nakizumo. The Japanese…

This is the heartwarming moment a young wild deer in the Scottish Highlands ate a banana straight out of a woman’s hand. Wildlife photographer Scott Jackson captured his girlfriend, Rebecca Sinclair, 21, forming an unusual bond with the deer– despite the animal usually being too afraid to make human contact. ‘I've spent so much time with these animals that I’m learning their behaviours, I know when to approach the deer and when to keep my distance,’ Scott said. ‘But these animals are not tame, and presenting food can often attract aggression.’ Scott, from Motherwell, Scotland, frequently travels to the Glen Coe and Glen Etive regions of North West Scotland to capture the deer in their wild surroundings, stopping at local fruit stores along the way to collect natural snacks for…

Be ready for school The first day of school can be both exciting and scary at the same time. Follow these tips to get your young ones ready for the big day. Get to know others Attend get-togethers arranged by the school and get to know other kids and parents. Set up playdates before school starts so your child will start school already having friends. Start a schedule Start a routine with your child at least two weeks before school starts. Get them used to a set bedtime as well as an early morning routine so there’s as little change as possible on the big day. Don’t change it all Keep some of your summer activities in place when school starts, like going to the park. Keeping some fun activities…

Walking into the kitchen, I was in for quite a sight. There, lying on the floor, with her face buried deep into a bag of dog food, was my new St Bernard puppy, Maisy. As her big brown floppy ears wiggled with excitement, I couldn’t help but giggle. ‘Maisy! Stop!’ I shouted, trying to scold her. But there was no point. Maisy had already become head of the house. She loved making a big mess by jumping into puddles, and she would even boss by hubby James, 32, around, barking at him loudly. She always had first dibs on the sofa, too, which became a bit of a problem as she grew bigger and bigger! When we adopted Mabel, a four-year-old chihuahua, Maisy had competition on her hands. But despite…

Natalie Fryer, 35, Kendal In early 2013, I was enjoying my first pregnancy – until around 32 weeks, when I started to develop a very weird symptom. My hands and feet were uncomfortably warm, the palms of my hands itchy. I was soon itching all over. ‘This isn’t right,’ I groaned to my hubby Mark. My mum had had the same symptoms when pregnant, but I hadn’t thought about it. The itching grew more intense, and soon I had big scratch marks all over. I was falling apart And at night, I couldn’t sleep. Usually a bubbly person, I became withdrawn, impatient. I Googled my symptoms and found a condition called intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP). It’s caused by large amounts of bile flowing into the blood. ‘The main symptom…

A very popular game… Here’s my puppy Eddie playing his all-time favourite game – fetch! Look how excited he is! Amy, Leeds What a cutie pie! I met this tiny dog in the park recently and called her Lucy. She was so cute, I wanted to take her home! Carrie, Durham Slow and steady wins the race This unlikely pair – my dog Arthur and my tortoise Dom – are the best of friends. Heide, Swindon Happy pup! I absolutely adore my new puppy Boo. He’s so playful, friendly, and super photogenic, too! Susan, Bishops Stortford…

Elizabeth was cleanly cut into two pieces It’s one of the most infamous Hollywood killings of all time and remains one of the oldest cold cases in LA history. The body of beautiful Elizabeth Short, 22, was found neatly sliced in half at the waist, completely drained of blood. A macabre ‘smile’ had been carved into her face with a knife. The aspiring actress would go on to be known as the ‘Black Dahlia’, and the mystery surrounding her killing would make it one of the most famous in American history. In fact, people are falling over themselves to take the credit for the murder of the Black Dahlia. Elizabeth was born in 1924 and had a humble upbringing in Boston, Massachusetts. Growing up, she developed a love of the…

Katharine Hill, the UK Director of the national charity Care For The Family ( www.cff.org.uk ) answers your questions. Taking sides Q No matter what it is, my husband always takes his mum’s side. Whether it’s to do with our kids or even what colour to paint our lounge. It’s so frustrating! Helen, Birmingham A If your husband is close to his mother, it may be difficult for him to disagree with her, but in marriage, our first loyalty needs to be to each other. It’s important that you set some boundaries and make decisions together without outside interference. Strong and healthy marriages require open and honest communication. Talk to your husband and explain how frustrated this situation makes you feel. Explain how you feel your mother-in-law is…

Doreen Connop, 71, Bromyard, Herefordshire Scrolling through my laptop one evening, I stopped when I saw a picture of a scrawny little Shih Tzu. All his fur had been shaved off, and he was wearing two coats. ‘Isn’t he adorable?’ I smiled to my husband David, 71. ‘His name is Rupert.’ David and I had always had a dog, but now that we were retired, the idea of a little puppy bounding around the house was exhausting. ‘Why don’t we adopt an older dog from a rescue centre instead?’ David suggested. So here we were, scrolling through the Blue Cross website, when Rupert’s face came up. David and I soon agreed that we wanted him, so I filled in the re-homing application form. The next day, a lady from the…