Innholdsfortegnelse for February 2025 i Chat Specials

Is there anything more comforting than a hot bowl of pasta? Cheese, tomato, meatballs, veg, tagliatelle, fusilli, ravioli…we haven’t met a combo we didn’t like. So let’s celebrate this Italian favourite in full force. Learn the ropes and make your own, because it’s time to get carby. Don’t be upsetti – have some spaghetti! MEET THE MAKER Pasta Evangelists’ head pasta chef Roberta d’Elia is here to answer your dough woes and teach you everything she knows about Italy’s delightful delicacy – take note! • To see more, visit: pastaevangelists.com 1. Is making pasta really that easy? It’s easier than it seems. With the right ingredients and a little practice, it can be straightforward. • Use ‘00’ flour for the smoothest dough. • Let the dough rest for at least 30 minutes.…

Michaela Hession, 27 Holding a bouquet of flowers tightly in my hands, I felt a butterfly of nerves in my stomach. Visiting my grandma Rocchina, now 94, in our hometown of Victoria, Australia, this interaction wasn’t just our usual catch-up and gossip. After telling Grandma that me and my partner Thomas, 30, were engaged, she was thrilled. But I had an important question for her, too. Passing her a big bunch of flowers, there was a note tied around the stems. Will you be our flower nonna? the note read. With no young children on either side of our families, I wouldn’t be able to have a flower girl. And wanting something a little more unique, I stumbled across the idea online and it seemed perfect. As well as my…

American stars Britney Spears and Ryan Gosling were both cast members of which TV show before making it big on their own? To find out, solve the crossword then read down the letters in the shaded squares to find the answer. ACROSS 11 Pressurised spray can (7) 5 Mountain home made from tree trunks (3,5) 9 Shopping arcade (4) 13 Frolicsome dance (5) 14 Start of the calendar (3,4) 15 Signs displayed by student drivers (1-6) 16 Use money (5) 17 Garden creature that carries its home (5) 18 Veer, dodging move (6) 20 Live, reside (5) 21 General pardon (7) 23 Perimeter (4) 26 Musical based on poems by TS Eliot (4) 27 Hamlet (7) 30 Female thespian (7) 34 Inside the house (7) 36 Magic illusions (6) 37 Sphere…

Jacqui Hopper, 62, from Devon Breathing in the fresh air, I took in the beautiful views of the Devon hills. It was our usual morning routine – strolling through our fields, joined by our German Shepherds Bear and Foxy. Suddenly, our peaceful stroll was interrupted by the trilling of my husband’s phone. Who’s calling at this time in the morning? I thought. ‘It’s the vets,’ Steve, 65, told me. Making his way back to the house, I carried on walking through the muddy fields. Oh, it’s just another bird to look after, I thought. I was used to our house being filled with odd creatures – usually little barn owls, ducks, chickens or even geese. We’d often take in injured birds and rehabilitate them until they were ready to be…

Pack your bags and prepare yourself for a Seine-sational trip. Our 48-hour guide to Paris is your ticket to fall for the romantic City of Love – oh la la! Bon voyage… Where to eat? Want to taste what Paris has to offer? Well, whether you need a little pick-me-up or want to relish in mouthfuls of cheese, here are our recommendations… Download The Fork app on your phone to see Paris’ top foodie spots. You can pre-book and get a discount by doing it all through the app Laduree Multiple locations across Paris – Macarons are a Parisian staple – and Laduree is perhaps the best place to get your fix. Offering exquisite, rich and decadent treats, choose from a variety of tantalising flavours. From Crunchy Caramel, Pistachio, Rose and Lemon to…

Ask our doc With Dr Afrah Khattak, GP at Pall Mall Medical (pallmallmedical.co.uk) Dry mouth Q No matter how much water I drink, my mouth constantly feels dry – why is this? Tara, Dorchester A Sometimes, a dry mouth can be caused by something underlying that’s affecting saliva production. Medications are often the culprit – many antihistamines, blood pressure medications, antidepressants and certain pain relievers can dry out the mouth as a side effect. Other health conditions, such as diabetes or some respiratory conditions, can also contribute to a constant dry mouth. If you suspect medications might be the issue, have a chat with your doctor. For immediate relief, there are saliva substitutes or over-the-counter products specifically designed to increase moisture, like sprays, gels or lozenges. Avoiding caffeine, alcohol and…

With an incredibly close sibling bond, Conner and Brinley Snyder were quite the pair. Living in Albany Township, Pennsylvania, with their mum Lisa, eight-year-old Conner enjoyed building forts with his sister and playing video games, especially Fortnite. Whereas Brinley, four, loved to play dress up. She adored Elsa and Anna from her favourite movie Frozen. But it seemed that Conner was having a bit of a tough time at school. In September 2019, Lisa had told her friends some troubling news. ‘He tells me that he hates school. Conner comes home and he’s just angry,’ she confessed. Conner had apparently admitted something else to his mum, too. A truth that would bring despair to any parent. ‘I would have killed myself already, but I don’t want to die by myself,’…

Jess Tierney, 30, from Runcorn As I swirled around the metal pole, my abs felt like they were on fire. But I loved it. Attending a pole fitness session twice a week, it was a little bit of me time. Normally me and my hubby David, now 40, would be running around after our boys James, 11, and Max, six. Football, school pickups – plus working full-time. So it was no surprise that I started to feel under the weather on 5 February last year. I must be coming down with a cold, I thought – my neck was really hurting as well. ‘You probably pulled it at pole,’ David suggested. ‘Yeah, it’ll be fine,’ I replied, taking some paracetamol. But waking up the next morning, I was in even…

Beverley Lee, 60, from Horton Heath Ringing up a new order on the till, I looked back over my shoulder. ‘Two haddock, pea fritters and a large chips,’ I shouted to my husband Shane, 59. ‘Coming right up,’ he grinned. Shane and I had been running our chippy together for three decades – and we’d turned it into a real family affair over the years. Naming our first shop in Hedge End after our eldest son John-Henry, now 41, back in 1988, he and his siblings Ellie, 38, Sonny, 30, and Charlotte, 24, were all behind the counter and helping out as soon as they were old enough. When they were youngsters, we took them to work with us – we’d stick them in a playpen with some toys and…

Find out how to make the perfect bake every time with Sarah. With over 80 recipes from her Cumbrian kitchen, and tips passed down from her mum and Grandma Nora, these are perfect to enjoy with a cuppa! • Sarah’s Slice by Sarah Samuels, £25, available from Waterstones BANANA, PECAN & MAPLE SYRUP TRAYBAKE SARAH’S SERVINGS: 16 SARAH’S SKILL: EASY BAKING TIME: 45 MINUTES YOU WILL NEED: • 300g ripe bananas• 250g unsalted butter, softened• 100g soft light brown sugar• 100g caster sugar• 4 large eggs• 75g pecan nuts, chopped• 1 tsp vanilla extract• 250g self-raising flour• 1½ tsp baking powder• 60g ground almonds SYRUP TOPPING • 25g unsalted butter• 50g maple syrup• 1 tbsp water HOW TO: 1. Preheat the oven to 180°C. Line a 23cm x 23cm square cake…

Casey Major-Bunce, 34, from Hampshire Settling into my seat, the opening scene of PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie flashed across the screen. It was a weekend in October 2023, and I was treating my son Kaiser, now nine, to a cinema trip. We didn’t usually get to spend time one-on-one, what with my other children Ayron, 14, and twins Arabecca and Matilda, five. Fishing around inside his cold drink, Kaiser popped an ice cube into his mouth. Chomping through the ice in his drink, I reached for his hand at the end of the film. ‘Come on, let’s go,’ I said – but his freezing cold skin shocked me. My legs started trembling and I could’ve sworn the smell of hospital disinfectant filled the air. I shifted into a familiar…

CHIN, CHIN! We love this limited-edition bottle from Kent-based Bathtub Gin – featuring fun hand-drawn illustrations by Harlie Brown of six botanicals in the tipple’s recipe, from gorgeous gloves to cardamom pods. The super stylish design will look perfect on your shelf or bar cart, and the gin itself is top-notch, too. Made using traditional copper-pot methods, the result ensures flavour, quality and makes a drink you’ll reach for time and time again. This would be the perfect Valentine’s Day gift for any gin-lovers, or you could treat yourself to a Bridget Jones style moment… • Bathtub Gin x Harlie Brown Studios, £34.95, masterofmalt.com LOVE IS IN THE AIR Want your accessories to be adorned with love hearts this season? It is February after all. Caroline Gardner’s gorgeous Valentine’s Day Edit…

FILM AND TV 1 Who becomes Ron’s girlfriend in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince? a Lavender Brown b Daisy Blue c Lillie White 2 On East Enders, which of the Slater sisters had an affair with Beppe di Marco before her wedding day? a Kat b Little Mo c Lynne 3 Which Corrie character has been married seven times in total, making them the most married man in town? a Steve McDonald b Ken Barlow c Kevin Webster 4 In TheNotebook, what did Noah and Allie do for their first official date? a Stargazing b The cinema c Candle-lit dinner 5 Finish the famous quotefrom Notting Hill – ‘I’m just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to…’  a Love her  b Propose to her c Finish his coffee! SHOWBIZ…

Fluff on fluff My furry friend Willow is a miniature lion. She loves to think that she’s a big cat – but she still loves to cuddle on our laps of an evening. Edith, Chelmsford Welcome visitor This black cat visits our back garden every day – we like to think that we are his foster family. We’ve called him Alan for now. Agnes, Lincoln You looking at me? This alpaca gave me a menacing stare when I approached him. All I wanted was a cuddle – but I think he had different plans! Daisy, Bradford Happy Valentine’s I don’t need a man – my dog Bennie knows how to treat me right. Look how handsome he is with a red rose in his mouth. Frances, Peterborough THAT’S SO BRITISH THINKING THAT VALENTINE’S…

It’s one of fashion’s most timeless debates – are you a polka dot fan or do you prefer to style stripes? No matter your preference, these prints can be chic, effortless and drop-dead gorgeous! Add pops of pattern in your accessories Stylish and chic, both options will lift an outfit…

Banoffee pie in a drink? Yes, please!…

To achieve a Parisian style theme, use a mix of old and new Stack books, ornaments and vases together to create that-lived-in feel…

Emma MacDowell, 38, from Inverness Before I could even muster up a hello, I found myself caught up in a juicy snog. ‘You’re shorter than I thought you’d be,’ I admitted with a sly grin, as we both came up for air. Instantly bursting into hysterics in the middle of the airport arrival hall, I immediately felt comfortable around Barry, now 50. I wasn’t just locking lips with a stranger – Barry and I had met thanks to our health conditions. Diagnosed with relapse remitting MS at 30, after I started losing sight in my left eye, I tried to remain positive. Growing up, both of my parents also had MS and they never made it seem like a problem. ‘Just because we have MS, doesn’t mean we don’t have…

Number fit Fill in the number grid. Your answer is the number that doesn’t fit. 568 765 587 786 885 Your answer _____________________________ Brick trick What was invented by accident in 1905 in California by 11-year-old Frank Epperson after a cold night? To find out, enter the answers to the clues in the grid. Every word is an anagram of its neighbours, plus or minus a letter. Read the shaded squares in number order for the answer. Your answer _____________________ 1 Value counted by dieters 2 Shy away, draw back 3 Ancient artefact 4 Anger 5 Falsehood 6 Wall or floor ceramic 7 Metric volume 8 Sell in a shop 9 Actuality Answers on page 60.…

Suzanne Silverwood, 57, from West Yorkshire Sat with my hubby Andrew, he was scrolling through our local Facebook group. With our two German Shepherds, Luther and Alice, and our six bunnies – Chester, three, Mary, three, Cilla, two, Bella, two, Marion, one, and Robin, one – we were known in the local community as the Silverwood Zoo. Andrew, 59, had a life-long passion for racing pigeons, too. So whenever a local critter found themselves in a spot of bother, we’d get a message asking for help. And that is exactly what happened on 20 June 2023. Scrolling on his phone, Andrew saw a post about a baby crow that had been left injured in the road. ‘I’m going to pick it up,’ he said. This was typical for Andrew –…

With weight loss jabs hitting headlines, we’ve got the low-down from Neil Raichura, Well Pharmacy’s weight loss management expert and independent prescriber. • Visit: well.co.uk DO YOUR RESEARCH There are a variety of injectable treatments available for weight loss, but it’s important to get qualified expert advice to guide you in the right treatment based on your health needs, ensuring it aligns with your medical history and lifestyle. It is essential to ensure that your provider is a qualified healthcare professional, such as a certified pharmacist, who has specific expertise in weight management. Are they registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council or the General Medical Council? A reputable weight loss provider should offer continuous support. This includes regular follow-ups to monitor progress, make necessary adjustments and provide encouragement, too. Select a provider…

Move over missionary! The Kama Sutra is an ancient Indian text that explores the art of pleasure. But it’s best known for its display of wacky and intricate sex positions. Here are some of the strangest moves to bust out in the bedroom… THE BUTTER CHURNER Steamy rating: 4/5 Calling all milkmaids! When performed correctly, this filthy position should look like the old-fashioned action of someone churning butter… First, the woman lies on her back, raising her legs all the way up so that her ankles reach over her head. The man then squats to penetrate his partner from above. It’s a wacky way to bonk – especially as the rush of blood to the female’s head is also supposed to help her reach the big ‘O’. We’ll stick to…

Carole Noel, 63, from Hertfordshire Hearing the whooshing of wind in my ears as my hair whipped around my face, my heart was racing. ‘This is amazing,’ I screamed to my husband Mark, now 62. There was nothing like the thrill of a rollercoaster – the Big One at Blackpool Pleasure Beach was one of our faves. And it held an extra special place in our hearts. Mark first introduced me to rollercoasters when we started dating back in 1994 – he eased me in with family-friendly rides at Drayton Manor, before working me up to the Big One. It’s one of the UK’s tallest rollercoasters and I was terrified. I very nearly didn’t get on it – but Mark convinced me, and I even found myself enjoying it! From…