Innholdsfortegnelse for November 2021 i Pick Me Up! Special

November special Step outside! It may be cold, but there’s nothing better than a crisp autumn walk. This month, take a trip to Sheffield and explore the Peak District (pg52), go on an action-packed day out (pg26) or help your little ones grow their own veg with Morrisons (pg50). However you choose to celebrate the great outdoors, we have you covered. Marine loves spending time in nature, but for years she struggled to do so (pg64). However, with the help of her trusted guide dogs, she’s now living life to the fullest. They even make great receptionists! After meeting in 2007, Dianne and Richard loved spending time abroad and making memories (pg6). However, after stubbing his toe, Richard’s health rapidly declined. He made a drastic decision, but in the end,…

WitchTok An aptly named community built on the social media app TikTok, nicknamed WitchTok revolves around the modern practice of using traditional magic and witchcraft. Including everything from spells, crystals and astrology, videos guide users into the world of magic. Language experts at Babble.com have created an encyclopaedia of basic witch terminology to lend a helping hand to occult newcomers. It really is word wizardry! CRYSTAL WITCH A crystal witch covers and practices the power of crystal magic. They use chakra cleansing and healing, which is based around the belief that certain crystals vibrate at unique frequencies and can be used to heal or alter your energy. Over the past few years crystals have become popular thanks to celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow supporting the idea that crystals evoke a positive…

There was a sound of paws scuttling across the floor with the brush of a fluffy tail following just behind. ‘Well, she’s got that the wrong way round,’ I giggled as my female Jack Russell, Titch, tried to hump my friend Michele’s male Shih Tzu, Charlie. ‘Doesn’t she just?’ Michele, 52, replied. As Michele was my best friend, we always joked that our pooches were soulmates and might as well be hubby and wife. When Michele’s life turned upside down after finding out she had terminal cancer, we knew there was only one place for Charlie to be. ‘Look after them for me?’ she asked nervously. ‘Of course,’ I answered. After Michele passed in July 2019, aged just 54, Charlie moved in with us and he fit right in. On…

Gary Stroud was an ex-Ohio police officer, with a reputation for up-holding the law with passion and integrity. His wife Diane had devoted years of her life to her hometown council, too. They were a respectable couple in the community. So it naturally came as a huge shock to their friends and neighbours when Gary announced, out of the blue, that Diane had left him. He also claimed that she had run off to join a cult. Questions started to be asked, the answers would shock and disgust the small community. Gary and Diane Stroud lived together in Mentor-on-the Lake, in northeast Ohio. Gary, 58, had an excellent committed service record in the police. He was a man who readily got involved in investigations, and had notable people skills with…

International Executive Coach of the Year, confidence & human behaviour expert Jo Emerson answers your questions. Grab her book Flying for Beginners: A Proven System for Lasting Self Confidence on Amazon. For confidence building tips, advice and inspiration find Jo on Instagram at @jo_emerson_ Should I start again somewhere new? I made a big mistake, and my infidelity ended my marriage. Now everyone is talking about it, and I’ve become the local gossip. Should I move away and start again? Eleanor, Chester YES Pick Me Up! reader Ellie, from Cardiff, says: Sadly I do think you’d benefit from starting somewhere new – not because of the small mindedness of others, but because it sounds like you can’t move on. If you don’t feel like you can live your life the way you…

Looking out into the garden with a cuppa in hand, I saw my daughter, Isla, eight, playing in the sunshine. ‘Mum,’ she said, whilst she flicked her blonde hair out of her face. ‘Look at this bee, it’s beautiful,’ she cried. ‘Wow, amazing,’ I replied, a little scared as I didn’t want to have to shoo her new friend away so soon. She was very intrigued by nature. And it made me happy to see her this way, especially knowing she was keeping herself busy. We had just started lockdown in March last year. It was really difficult not seeing Isla with her friends, playing as they usually would. And I was worried this lack of social interaction would make her increasingly unhappy She always loved to stay active by…

love it Neutrals are in - but don't be scared to make a statement Belted coats are a great way to tie your outfit together Five top tips to help you transition your wardrobe between summer and autumn 1. Layer your clothing We all have those go-to tops that are a little too thin to be worn on their own during the winter. But that doesn’t mean we have to pack them away until next year. Repurpose the clothes you already have to suit the weather by layering them! Slip two of those plain summer tops over each other and pair them with a light jacket or thick cardigan, for the perfect winter look. 2. Thicker pieces are your friends As we begin to slide into winter, you should introduce…

Period trackers can be a useful tool to help women monitor their menstrual cycles. But if you’re approaching the menopause, you might want to consider switching for a perimenopause app. Health & Her is a brand-new app which tracks perimenopause and menopausal symptoms, as well as offering practical advice and consultations with menopause experts. Menopause specialist Dr Kate Burn says: ‘Health & Her’s menopause tracker allows you to log your menstrual cycle whilst simultaneously recording any symptoms or triggers, and creating individualised daily goals. ‘It also gives you access to specialist advice that can be tailored to your individual needs.’ + Health news…

1. Lacura Pineapple Microdermabrasion Scrub, £3.99, Aldi Need some TLC? This innovative scrub works to buff away impurities and dead skin, leaving it visibly smooth and glowing. 2. Elegant Touch Mauve It, Girl, £6.50, Superdrug A dreamy twist on tonal nails in the most gorgeous mauve hues. 3. Lacura Intensive Eye Cream, £3.99, Aldi Packed with must-have ingredients such as vitamin A, C and E to hydrate and smooth the undereye area. 4. Tangle Teezer, £12, Sainsbury’s Easily detangle your tresses with the award-winning Tangle Teaser for thick hair. 5. Garnier SkinActive BB Cream, £9.99, Boots Everyone’s favourite BB Cream has had a revamp. The new and improved hybrid formula will moisturise, hydrate and illuminate skin. 6. L’Oréal Paris True Match Nude Plumping Serum, £13.99, Boots Enhance your complexion with…

Gently placing my beautiful baby boy, Hudson, down next to me for a nap, I decided to take a moment to chill out, too. Cosying up on the sofa, I grabbed my phone and had a quick scroll on Instagram and Facebook. For my friends and family, social media has been wonderful for keeping up to date with the latest things Hudson, his dad, Scott, 24, and I had been up to. Because my Instagram profile was public, I didn’t post that many pics of my boy on there – I mostly put them on my Facebook page which is private. After a while, I decided to check in with the mum’s group that I was a member of. When I got on there, I was surprised by what I…

This month… HELPFUL DECLUTTERING 1 Plan of attack Try to declutter in bite-size chunks. Focus on contained spaces such as a drawer, cupboard or shelf. 2 Prepare Have three bags at the ready: donate, recycle and rubbish. Also have an action box, for items that need mending and a Memory box for anything with a sentimental value. 3 Empty and clean The easiest way to start decluttering is to completely empty the space you are decluttering onto a flat surface. 4 Declutter Approach each item individually deciding on the category: donate, recycle, rubbish, action, memory, keep. Mentally answer: Do I have something similar? Could someone else make better use of it? 5 Start with 'storage' areas Hard to reach areas are prime locations for stashing. Start with these first and…

Shallots are at the heart of many classic dishes, and add a uniquely delicate, sweet, piquant flavour. They can transform everyday meals into something extra special, and UK shallots are a perfect place to start. For more inspiration visit ukshallot.com Cauliflower cheese INGREDIENTS: FOR THE CAULIFLOWER CHEESE: □ 1 large or 2 small cauliflowers□ 1 tbsp olive oil□ ½ tsp salt□ ½ tsp pepper□ 4 tbsp butter□ 2 round shallots, finely chopped□ 4 tbsp flour□ 500ml whole milk□ 2 tsp Dijon mustard□ 250g extra mature cheddar cheese FOR THE CRISPY SHALLOT TOPPING: □ 2 tsp olive oil□ 2 round shallots, finely sliced□ 120g breadcrumbs□ Fresh thyme□ Zest of 1 lemon□ 100g parmesan cheese, grated□ Salt and pepper, to taste METHOD: 1. Cut up all of the cauliflower into large chunks,…

Staring at yet another negative pregnancy test, my heart sank. ‘Not this time,’ I said to my husband, John, now 38, as I made my way out of the bathroom. And while it never got any easier, we’d grown used to it. For the last 11 years, we’d gone through the same routine over and over again. Another negative test after negative test. But the doctors had no idea why it was that we were struggling to conceive. After lots of tests, they couldn’t seem to find any reason for our fertility issues. And as the years went on, we started giving up hope that we would ever be able to start a family together. It felt like it just wasn’t meant to be. ‘We can keep trying,’ John encouraged.…

Subtle touches can make a big difference Blue tones are relaxing and calming Bird watchBird As summer comes to an end, we’re all being encouraged to make our gardens and outdoor spaces more bird friendly. The experts from GardeningExpress.co.uk have shared the best ways to turn your outdoor space into a paradise for birds… Shrubs and hedges Every bird needs a place that they can call home and many varieties love snuggling in a shrub, hedge, and tree that has sturdy branches. Different varieties of birds all build their nests differently. Whilst different preferences are common, all birds need structure and cover to start building. Having cover is especially important, to protect birds and their babies. Flowers Planted shrubs that flower with nectar-rich blooms are great for bringing insects into…

Patting my chest and letting out a little cough, I was beginning to get frustrated. It was January 2016, and for the last few weeks, I’d had this pesky cough that just wouldn’t seem to go away. It wasn’t particularly bad, but it was annoying me. And no matter what I tried, I couldn’t shift it. ‘You should get that checked out,’ one of my friends encouraged. ‘Oh it’s probably nothing,’ I assured her. But I decided to go and see my GP anyway. After some flooding near my home in Hebden Bridge, I’d recently been helping out with the clean-up efforts. Thinking it was related to being around those awful flood waters, I booked an appointment with my doctor. And after my GP examined me, I was sent for…

What we’re all talking about… TASTY TREAT Food lovers rejoice – Costa Coffee’s autumn food menu has arrived! Available to purchase at Costa Coffee, the new menu includes a selection of seasonal savoury and sweet treats, all perfect additions to enjoy alongside a cup of delicious, handcrafted steaming Costa coffee. Start with a British Chicken and Mushroom Toastie and choose from a Terry’s Chocolate Orange Brownie, Apple & Caramel Loaf Cake, Lemon Drizzle Loaf Cake or an indulgent Golden Caramel & Chocolate Cake. SNUGGLE UP As colder, darker nights draw in, what’s more cosy than snuggling up on the sofa with a beautifully scented wax melt burning nearby? Try the two new deliciously scented wax melts from Sassy Shop Wax – Pumpkin Spiced Latte and Pumpkin Cake. Hand-poured in Bristol,…

Add tights to a dress for a warm look Bold accessories are a must have Teddy coats add great texture to an outfit.…

As I scanned the dessert menu, my eyes lit up. Vegan and nut-free. ‘Ooh, chocolate tart, sounds delicious!’ I said to my friend. ‘I’m so glad I can eat it!’ ‘I’m going to have that, too!’ she said. We were choosing our dishes for an upcoming event for our law society social, at the Hilton Hotel restaurant in Manchester. I’d had nut, egg and dairy allergies my whole life, so I was used to double and triple checking menus and ingredients when I went out to eat. It was always a nice surprise when something I really wanted was fine for me to eat! Other students had allergies, too, so we’d picked this menu especially to make sure there was something for everyone. The social fell on my 21st birthday,…

Trailing my suitcase through the door, it was good to be home. ‘Nice to have you back,’ my mum, Karen, then 39, beamed in October 2014. I was back home in Nottingham, after completing my first term at Liverpool John Moores University. I was studying Psychology and Criminology and now I had a weeklong break and was determined to make the most of it. ‘I’m out with the girls this weekend,’ I told Mum. ‘You’re feeling better now then,’ she chuckled. Just a few weeks before, I felt like I was on death’s door. Putting it down to freshers’ flu, I wasn’t too concerned. And as Saturday night rolled around, my friends and I got ready for a night out. ‘How’s uni then?’ I asked the girls, desperate to hear…

Sea turtles have graced our ocean waters and sandy shores for millions of years – from the Indian Ocean to the Eastern Pacific. But sea turtles have been hunted to nearextinction by humans – facing slaughter and habitat destruction. We all need to do our bit to save these amazing creatures… Did you know…? Sea turtles have been around since the dinosaur ages. • They’ve been roaming the earth’s water for over 150 million years. They always find their way home • A female turtle can spend 20 years around the ocean and still find her way back to where her original breeding grounds were. Survival of the fittest • Only one in 1,000 marine turtles survive to adulthood. It’s always a gender reveal • The temperature of the sand…

1. NORI SEAWEED It’s great for cutting shapes into for decorating your box. You’ll be able to find Nori seaweed from any supermarket, but they’re best from Chinese supermarkets. 2. LUNCH BOX BAG Buy a lunch box bag that is wide enough for you to pack it upright to keep your decorations in place. 3. CUTOUTS To cut shapes into the food, either print an image onto paper to cut around, or buy some cookie cutters. The best cookie cutters to use are on my Etsy account: LunchLadyLucinda. 4. STOP SLIDING Put a base layer of spinach or salad at the bottom of your lunch boxes to prevent the design from sliding about. 5. TIME-SAVING Bulk cut your veggies into shapes to use throughout the week and then store them in…

Looking myself over in the mirror and that awful, familiar feeling quickly grew inside of me. I didn’t like my reflection in the mirror nor the images of myself on my phone. With 14st 11lb staring back at me, what was to like? When did things get so bad? I thought to myself. It might have been when I kept eating the things that were supposed to just be pregnancy cravings. ‘Can you swing by McDonald’s and get me that cheeseburger and chocolate milkshake I like on your way home?’ I’d ask my husband over the phone. ‘Not again,’ he’d groan. I always thought the weight would disappear after I gave birth, but it never did. In January this year, things only got worse during lockdown. I needed to make a…

Just for FUN Solve the puzzle to find a word. Fit the words back in the grid and the letters in the highlighted squares spell out the answer. We’ve put in one word to help. Your answer ____________________________________ 3 letters Boa Gas Irk Lac Paw Use 4 letters Aqua Loth Play Rite Upon 5 letters Demon Rumba Solid While 6 letters Agleam Assess Asthma Reefer 7 letters Chancel Endorse Nodular Platoon 8 letters Abnormal Fragrant Inventor Neonatal THIS MONTH’S PUZZLE ANSWERS Cross it Answer: MIDGES…

Just for FUN Film and TV 1 In what year did TV show Mr Bean first air? a 1989 b 1990 c 1991 2 Who directed the 1997 film Titanic? a James Cameron b Steven Spielberg c Tim Burton 3 The first episode of hit drama Line of Duty was shot in which city? a Dublin b Cork c Belfast 4 The fourth Harry Potter movie is called… a Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire b Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban c Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix 5 Which broadcasting company produces Sherlock? a BBC b Channel 4 c ITV 6 How many seasons are there to date of the Great British Bake off? a 8 b 11 c 14 Showbiz 7 Which country won Eurovision this year?…

Scientists at the University of California have found that what sort of people are better at solving complex problems? To find out, solve the puzzle… Add a letter anywhere in each of the boxed-off words to fit the clue, eg, Trepidation = READ + D = DREAD. Write the added letter in the space provided. Read down the added letters to spell out the answer. Decorate Ahead of time Bravery award Soup Grain Oak seed Hobo Pull hard Snub Dot dash code THIS MONTH’S PUZZLE ANSWERS Slim one Answer: DAYDREAMERS…

Give your kitchen a makeover!…