Innholdsfortegnelse for 07-Apr-2016 i Pick Me Up!

What A Hoarder My friend Jo moved out of our flat, after living with us for five months. And I benefited from her beauty-product clearout before she moved..! What A Relief After almost a year of doing up our home, room-by-room, we’ve reached the final hurdle – phew! We’ll be laying down the paintbrushes and cracking open the bubbly any day now. What A Star I’m a volunteer dog- walker for little Trouble, as his owner’s no longer able to take him out. If you’re a dog-lover, too, go to www.lifedeathprizes.com and search ‘waggy tail’ to take our quiz. 12...  …that’s how many medals my friend Sarah has got for her running achievements over the past year – wow! What A Pro! This is my sister Sam, with her son…

‘He was soon using more than cruel words to hurt me’ When a pal first suggested I try online dating, I wasn’t keen at all. But I was shy, struggled to meet men. So in October 2008, I signed up to a dating site. To begin with, I wished I hadn’t. The minute I put my profile on, dozens of guys started sending naked pictures of themselves. ‘They’re all so sleazy!’ I groaned. But then, I got a message from Kenny. He seemed different. For a start, he was fully dressed in all his pics! Plus, he was handsome, polite, fun to chat to. Just a really nice guy. The only thing that niggled me was the age gap. I was 20, Kenny was 35. But as we carried on…

1 16-25 Railcard For those aged 16-25, and students over 26 or in full-time education. It costs £30 a year, or £70 for three years, to save a third off fares. 2 Two Together Railcard for two named people travelling together, 16 or over, is £30 a year and youÕll save a third off fares. 3 Family & Friends Railcard up to four adults and four children age 5-15. Travel on one £30-a-year card, saving a third off most adult fares (60% off kidsÕ ones). 4 Senior Railcard £30 for a year, £70 for three, for anyone over 60, saving a third off fares. 5 Disabled Railcard £20 and available to anyone who has a disability that makes travelling by…

‘I can’t believe it all started for her when she was so young. It shows just how delicate that age is. But it’s a positive story. It’s great that she had a good support network to help her through. Chloe should be proud of what she’s achieved.’ Charlie Richardson, 29, Powys ‘Chloe is an inspiration. Her story highlights the hidden side of the disorder and how easily disguised it is, as well as the need for CAMHS. You can’t get through this alone. It also goes to show the impact bullying can have at such a young age.’ Colette Mellor, 43, Rotheram ‘Such a horrifying disease. I’m so glad she’s back on her feet, now with a kitten and a boyfriend. Hopefully her story will help other sufferers realise they,…

Pneumonia 1 This is a lung condition. True False 2 Headaches are a major symptom. True False 3 Everyone who catches pneumonia will need to be hospitalised. True False 4 Antibiotics are a common treatment. True False 1 TRUE Pneumonia is the swelling of the tissue in one or both of your lungs. It’s usually caused by an infection, and can be a complication of other conditions, such as bronchitis. 2 FALSE The main symptoms are a cough, difficulty breathing and the production of mucus, which is usually green or yellow. Other symptoms include fever, a rapid heartbeat, chest pain and loss of appetite. 3 FALSE Many mild cases, known as ‘walking pneumonia’, can be treated at home. People in at-risk groups, such as the elderly, young children and people…

‘Rudi was wearing a harness with a blue ribbon...’ Climbing into bed with my boyfriend Michael Lambert, someone soon snuggled down between us. ‘Rudi!’ I chided, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Michael and I had met through friends back in 2004 when I was 17. He was relaxed, hardworking and we had great banter. He really was my best mate. Finally, in 2012, I’d made the decision to move from Aberdeen to Edinburgh to be with him. Both dog-crazy, we’d got our gorgeous pug Rudi that year, too, and were utterly devoted to him. It seemed the feeling was mutt-ual, because, despite having dog beds around the house, Rudi always got into bed with us! Rudi was loving and friendly to all the dogs I walked with…

Weird Ice Creams That Really Exist! 1. Crocodile egg 2. Coronation chicken 3. Salmon and white chocolate 4. Breast milk 5. Bacon and eggs Nature’s Biggest Killers Mosquitos – kill over 1 million humans a year. Snakes – kill over 50,000 humans a year. Dogs – kill over 25,000 humans a year. Scorpions – kill over 5,000 humans a year. Tapeworms – kill over 2,000 humans a year. 4 Spooky Signs That The Dead Want To Talk To You 1. The phone ringing once 2. Clocks stopping out of the blue 3. Finding white feathers 4. Finding pennies on the ground 6 Weird Willy Facts 1 The average human penis size is 5.5in when erect, and 4.7in around. 2 The world’s largest penis, belonging to New Yorker Jonah Falcon, is…

It was great for the boys to experience new cultures There’s nothing more important than good friends and family. That’s what me and my husband David, 49, decided in October 2014. A few close mates had passed away and it’d hit us hard. ‘I haven’t seen many of my Facebook buddies in years,’ David admitted guiltily. Between us, we had about 500 mutual pals on Facebook, but we only saw a handful of them regularly. A plan... Friends from school, work, childhood... Of course, we always made promises to visit everyone. But life was so busy, things would often get in the way. Facebook was great for keeping in touch, but nothing could beat meeting in person. ‘We need to make more effort,’ I agreed. David and I got chatting…

Food Swaps Take 3… chips Flattering Fashion When you’re swimming for exercise, a well-fitting one-piece is a must! This pretty colour-block costume flatters and ticks all the boxes. Get Moving! Would you rather be at the gym, or cleaning? They burn the same amount of calories… 15 min scrubbing the bath… or 30 jumping squats. 1 hour cleaning windows… or 40 push-ups. 15 min daily washing up for a week…or swim 2,500m. 20 min vacuuming… or 15 min kickboxing. 15 min dusting…or 2 min plank. 3 hours ironing…or a Zumba class. 30 min mopping…or 15 min on the treadmill. 30 min gardening…or 45 min cycling. THE SECRETOF MY SUCCESS NAME: Shaheen Pratten, 45, from Romford. VITAL STATISTICS: When I hit 24st, a size-22, I knew I had to make some…

I swotted up by borrowing library books on nutrition In May 2008, tipping the scales at over 20st, I’d severe heart palpitations. Rushed to hospital, I was relieved to be told I wasn’t having a heart attack. ‘Try to lose some weight,’ the nurse advised. I felt defeated before I began. Slimming pills, juicing, the Atkins diet... I’d tried them all. I’ll always be fat, I’d managed to convince myself. I continued scoffing three bowls of cereal for breakfast, double ham sandwiches with crisps for lunch, followed by stodgy fast-food at night. As a busy single mum of two boys - Daniel, 3, and Tyler, 2 - I never found the time to cook for myself as well as the kids. A size-26, in October 2009, Daniel and I went…

‘ She had angry purple spots all over her body ’ When our daughter Lily was born in June last year, my hubby Rickie and I were besotted. ‘I can’t believe we’ve got a little girl,’ I sobbed, overwhelmed, holding her for the first time. Two days later, we brought her home and introduced her to Rickie’s son James, 12. He was brilliant with Lily and she was an absolute delight - fed well, slept well and loved her cuddles! Before we knew it, she was 6 months old and we were starting to wean her. ‘She’s so grown-up,’ Rickie smiled with pride. In December that year, we went on a break with Rickie’s parents to Cornwall, but Lily was out of sorts... She was coughing and sneezing, so I…

ARIES 21 March–20 April Plans concerning the home are held up but, rather than seeing this as a setback, use it as a chance to go over what you’ve planned and to ensure you’re getting the best deal. Chance encounters with faces from your past spark a renewed interest. Call: 09058 170 710* TAURUS 21 April–21 May A breakdown of communication within the family is causing tension and stress. Be the bigger person and pick up the phone. By leaving things to stew, you’re allowing other areas of your life to suffer. Take control of everything again. Call: 09058 170 711* GEMINI 22 May–21 June A forced change isn’t sitting well with you, but instead of throwing your toys out of the pram, find the good that can be gained…

Little STAR My son Ralph was a pageboy at my sister’s wedding. He’s nearly 3 and already a very sharp-dressed lad! Paul Rabey, Grays Get fit Buddy’s got his legwarmers on and is waiting for the treadmill to start, so he can shape up for summer. Susan Robinson, Stoke-on-Trent Fish face! My hubby John having a whale of a time in Paris… Tracey Johnson, Carlisle Prickly pressie Pedro was a lovely gift from our grandchildren on our wedding anniversary seven years ago. He’s still hanging on to his hat, barely! J Cope, Ripley Sea view The shoreline of Cornwall is just stunning. All that’s missing is Poldark! Christine Bartram, Heanor Sunny spot We loved the beautiful coastal town of Nerja in Spain so much that we’re heading back there next…

‘Doctors were all around me, picking out the spikes’ Last December, I couldn’t wait to escape to Marrakech with my boyfriend Matt, 29. Our first day, we explored the winding souks and had a relaxing scrub in a hammam. The next day, we headed to the Jardin Majorelle, a botanical garden in the city’s New Town. Matt and I had a leisurely stroll round the garden, posing for snaps in front of various plants. But, walking up some stairs, I missed a step and fell backwards, straight into a bed of cacti. Trying to break my fall, I grabbed a cactus stem. Instantly, my body felt as if it was on fire. I was semi-impaled on the plants. ‘Help me!’ I screamed. Matt looked on in utter shock as people…

‘He was able to come home for Xmas!’ My boy Jakub, 6, was only 4 days old when he was diagnosed with the rare genetic bowel condition Hirschprung’s disease. Me and my husband Artur, 39, were in shock. Jakub’s doctor explained that the illness causes blockages in the bowel, so he’d need surgery. It was one of the worst cases of Hirschprung’s the doctor had ever seen. ‘My little boy! I cried. He had an operation at Addenbrooke’s Hospital to have a stoma fitted for collecting his poo. He had to stay in for six months. It was a tough time. Artur had to work away from home. So I was alone by Jakub’s side. Jakub had to be fed intravenously. It was the only way to get food into…

Blueberry & Lemon Curd Muffins Treat of the Week Makes: approx 10 Prep Time: 15 min Cook Time: 20 min 1 Preheat oven to 200C/ Gas 6, and line a deep, 10-hole muffin tin with paper cases. 2 Melt butter in a small pan, and leave to cool for a few min. 3 Wash blueberries and pat dry, and then toss in 2tsp flour. 4 Sift rest of flour and bicarb into a large bowl. Stir in blueberries, caster sugar and lemon zest. 5 Beat melted butter, eggs and milk together, and then stir into blueberry mix. Don’t over combine – mixture should still look a bit lumpy. 6 Divide between muffin cases, then make a small dent and put…

‘Scared to leave the house, I’d lock the windows and doors’ My boyfriend Dean Roxburgh and I were constantly on and off. When we met in 2013, I saw he was confident with a great sense of humour - just my type. But quickly Dean and I began to bicker over silly things, and we split up. Dean would always beg me to give things another shot, though. ‘I can’t be without you,’ he’d plead. And, because I loved him, I’d always relent. But then, in July 2014, I found out I was pregnant. I hoped for our baby’s sake that Dean and I could make things work once and for all. Bombarded When our daughter Isabelle was born in April last year, I couldn’t wait to be part of…

Spain was fab! Sophie Donoghue, 30, Rossendale, Lancs My kids just couldn’t stop smiling. My partner Nathan’s grandad had just treated our family to a holiday to the Costa Brava, Spain. It would be our first family holiday, and my children aged 13, 7, 4, and 9 months, couldn’t wait to jet off in three weeks’ time! Later that day, last September, I logged in on my phone to play Pick Me Up! Bingo. I’d only joined a week earlier. I liked Sapphire Bingo, as I could play it on my mobile. This time, I left my phone on the kitchen table as I let the game play out. Minutes later, my phone vibrated and a message flashed Winner! I checked and couldn’t believe it - I’d won £1,000! When…

We put some truly original products to the test… Bubble T Bath & Shower Jelly in Summer Fruits Tea, £4, Superdrug If washing yourself with soap feels too boring, try this! Once our Jess got over the feeling she was washing with a pudding, she found that it lathered well and didn’t slip off her hands like an ordinary shower gel would. Verdict: GENIUS! What a fun idea! Hunger Breaks All Day Breakfast, £1.50, Tesco This all-in-one canned meal saves you fridge space, cooking time and washing-up with everything you need for breakfast in one can! Pour into a saucepan and heat before tucking into baked beans, sausages, mushrooms, pork and egg nuggets and, of course… bacon. Verdict: BONKERS! But good if you’re in a hurry. Slumbersac Baby Sleeping Bag…

‘We shop in our favourite places and get cashback!’ I heard about Quidco in 2009, through an advert I’d seen on Facebook. I have to say, I was a little sceptical at first, wasn’t too sure about signing up... But, after doing some research, I found so many positive reviews. So, in the July, I joined up and started using Quidco straightaway when I shopped. What do I normally buy that uses Quidco? I thought, as I scoured the Internet. Myself and hubby Nigel use Quidco for pretty much everything now. We even have our own separate Quidco accounts. The main things we splurge on are holidays and hotels. So far, we’ve used Quidco to get money for New York, Frankfurt, Portugal. But, of course, we use Quidco for everyday…

My mate David Sheehan, 24, introduced me to his older brother Richard, 25, over pub drinks in August 2011. ‘Where’ve you been hiding him?’ I joked to David. We started dating, fell in love and, three years on, we started looking to buy a house. Moving in on 3 October 2014, Richard surprised me by proposing. ‘Yes!’ I squealed. We set the date for 15 August last year - our four-year anniversary. Richard , David and their older brother Chris work for their dad Brian, 67, at his firm of crane-hire specialists. One day, discussing wedding transport, my dad Christopher, 51, piped up. ‘Use a crane!’ he joked. Richard’s face immediately lit up. His 40-tonne crane is his pride and joy. ‘Great idea!’ he said. And, the more I thought…

According to astronauts, space smells like steak 7 Signs You’re A CRAZY CAT PERSON 1 You  never sleep alone – and always make room for them, however uncomfortable it is for you! 2 You  don’t mind cat hair on everything – including your food. 3Your phone’s full of photos of your cat. 4Your cat’s the first person you say hello to when you walk through the front door. 5 You ’d much rather speak to your cat than a human. 6The cat has health insurance – you don’t. 7 You ’d pull the pin on a prospective partner if they didn’t like cats. Name The Book From The Opening Line... 1. Call me Ishmael. 2. I scowl with frustration at myself in the mirror.…

‘I woke up to find him on all fours, eyes wide in terror’ When I got together with my Paul, I didn’t think he’d have any deep, dark secrets. We’d been close since school and had got together when I was 21 and he was 19. He wasn’t fazed by the fact I had a 3-year-old son, and he loved Nathan as if he was his own. Paul could be shy, but it never felt like he was hiding anything from me. Until the first time he stayed over. I woke up in the middle of the night to find him on all fours, eyes wide in terror. ‘Help me! Help me!’ he bellowed, petrified. ‘It’s OK,’ I told him. ‘You’re having a nightmare.’ Next morning, we had a laugh…

1 Epic foil Put tinfoil under your ironing board cover – it reflects back more heat. Lisa Prince, Chipping Norton 2 Gentle scrub Has your iron got a ceramic plate? Then use toothpaste and a cloth to wipe it clean. Tracey Cannon, Glasgow 3 Flat out If your ironing cover has become flattened with use, put a towel underneath it. Helen Baldwin, L eeds 4 Stand-in The base of a warm hob kettle can be used to quickly iron out creases in your clothes! P Brown, Exeter…

‘Ana told me I was fat and ugly, making me paranoid’ One girl turned primary school into a battlefield for me. From year two, she took an instant dislike to me. And egged other kids on to taunt me. ‘You have wonky teeth,’ or, ‘You’re a stupid runner,’ they’d sneer. I was 7 when the girls cornered me in the toilets and called me fat. But Ana came to my aid, quickly becoming my best friend, my confidante... Ana was the anorexic voice in my head. Despite being skinny, I’d look in the mirror and cringe. You either have to be pretty or thin, I told myself. You’ll never be pretty, so you have to be thin. Not one to mince her words, Ana agreed. ‘You’re vile, fat, and shouldn’t…

Dry vagina QI’m a new mum, and my vagina has been itchy and sore for the last few weeks. Thrush treatment hasn’t helped. What can I try while I’m still breastfeeding? Elizabeth, Northumberland A Breastfeeding lowers oestrogen levels, which can result in vaginal dryness. Ask your GP about using topical vaginal oestrogen cream, which is safe for when you’re breastfeeding. Dandruff disaster I have embarrassingly Q bad dandruff, and I feel everyone’s laughing at me. None of the anti-dandruff shampoos I’ve tried seem to help. What can I do to control it? Alexandra, Macclesfield AA reduced resistance to yeast infection causes thick scale to build up on the scalp. Remove this scale with oil soaks or keratolytic preparations (coal tar/salicylic acid) and use a medicated shampoo twice-weekly. Tonsil troubles Q…

1 Memory Lane Coconut Sponge, 75p, Morrisons This super-light cake is sandwiched and topped with soft marshmallow, but the only real flavour comes from the desiccated coconut on top. Nice, but not special. 2 Morrisons Coconut Sponge Cake, 82p Another light cake, but this has a bit more flavour, thanks to a layer of thick buttercream in the centre and a wonderfully thick, gooey marshmallow topping with plenty of coconut. 3 The Co-Operative Loved By Us Coconut Sponge Sandwich, £1 Delicious buttercream and raspberry-jam filling takes this to another level. Still light, but a slightly more substantial sponge with a thick layer of marshmallow and coconut. Make it yourself... Serves: 8 Prep Time: 25 min Cook Time: 30 min Frosting: 1…

A2001 US study found that pregnant or recently pregnant women are more likely to die from violent crime than through any other cause. Frighteningly, the majority of these women are killed in their own homes, by men they know – such as their partners, husbands or other family members. ‘They lured her to remote woodland near Berlin…’ Burnt Alive: GERMANY Eren Toben, 20, didn’t want to be a father. So, when his girlfriend Maria Peiner, 19, was eight months pregnant, he hatched a deadly plot with his old school friend Daniel Mueller. They’d kill Maria. In January this year, the monstrous pair suggested they all go shopping for baby clothes. But, instead, they lured Maria to remote woodland near the German capital of Berlin. Once they arrived, Toben hit his…

TRIED & TESTED This week: Blue eyeliner 1 Benecos Natural Kajal in Bright Blue, £3.95, www.pravera.co.uk This didn’t irritate my (often) sensitive eyes. It lasted all day and didn’t smudge! 2 Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal in Blue, £3.99, Boots This high-impact liner made it quick and easy to achieve a statement look. It’s creamy, so blends well for more muted eye make-up. 3 MeMeMe Enchanted Eyes Dual Ended Eye Wand in Midnight Storm, £7.95, www.  mememecosmetics.com This double-ended eyeliner can double up as two eye shadows with a little blending – the blue and turquoise shades work well with each other. Jess’ Beauty Hero Garnier SkinActive Moisture Bomb Super-Recharging Night Gel-Cream, £7.99, Boots. This hydrates skin overnight, leaving it feeling smooth and plump! ASK JESS…

Quidco, the UK’s No1 cashback site with six million members where you can earn £££s and get cashback from over 4,300 retailers! Go to www.quidco.com/  pickmeup and sign up for tons of great offers. 1 Browse through thousands of retailers to check out their deals. 2 Click through to the retailers of your choice and start shopping for whatever you want. The prices will be the same as if you’d gone directly to the sites, but you’ll end up getting a percentage of your money back.…

A lot of people meet their other half at work. Idid,too.Andmeeting my hubby Tim when we worked at the National Anti-Vivisection Society (NAVS) meant we shared an important passion – fighting for animal rights. Back then, circuses were exempt from having to provide legal papers for endangered species to cross borders. Tigers, lions, monkeys and chimpanzees were often declawed or had their teeth forcibly removed. It was horrific. Something had to change. So, in 1990, Tim and I founded Animal Defenders International (ADI). We work to change laws, and arrange rescue missions to save all types of suffering animals. To date, we’ve helped secure new rules on the cross-border movements of endangered species in over 170 countries, and we’ve rescued over 100 animals. In Bolivia, in 2011, we arranged the…

‘ Growing up, we’d wear matching outfits, share toys ’ Two peas in a pod. That’s what everyone says about me and my sister Clare, 32. And they’re spot on. See, we’re identical twins. Growing up, we were always inseparable. We’d wear matching outfits, share toys, finish each other’s sentences... ‘Here comes double trouble,’ our mum Christine, now 65, would chuckle to our dad Colin, 66. For our birthday on 18 June, we’d have a joint party outside in the garden. As we got older, we stuck to tradition and celebrated together. We’d have a nice meal, then see a show at the theatre. The best of friends, we couldn’t be without each other. In time, we even moved into houses just minutes apart. When me and my husband Alex,…