Pick Me Up! 25-Jun-2020

Back when I was 16, I was proud to be a cadet for my local police force. However, one day, when I was standing outside the station, a car drove past and hurled racist abuse at me. I was a bit taken aback, but I’d grown a pretty thick skin over the years and decided to ignore it. However, not long after, a lad threw a piece of pepperoni at me–to mock my religion. After that, I decided enough was enough and I wasn’t going to stand for this racial abuse any longer. After getting involved with the NCS–a youth development programme for 16 and 17 year olds–I realised that people from all walks of life could come together to make a difference. I couldn’t stand by any longer So,…

Time to get moving With Race for Life events postponed until Autumn, Cancer Research UK is encouraging the nation to keep active by signing up for Race for Life at Home, in partnership with Tesco. From a family dance off in the garden, to a HIIT workout inside–there is no right or wrong way to do a Race for Life at Home. Once you’ve signed up at www.raceforlife.org, you can: • Join Facebook Live events–a variety of hosts will lead you through different exercise routines. • Create your own challenge from your living room–this could be a record number of burpees or a yoga session, anything goes! • Go for a solo walk, jog, or run–this could be a 5k, 10k, or simply a lap around the garden. Show your support…

Standing up, I whipped out my purse. ‘Right, it’s my round ladies, what are we all having?’ I asked above the racket in the pub. ‘The usual please babe,’ they shouted,, smiling at the thought of more drinks. It was 11 May 2019, and we were at The Good Measure pub in Caldicot. I was out with a mix of family and friends–a few had gone home already, so it was just me, my aunt Bernie, 59, and my mate Jackie, 50, still standing. After a few more rounds, they decided to call it a night. ‘Stay for a few more, the night is young!’ I begged them. Living at home with my parents, Liz, 69, and Frank, 75, I was Dad’s full-time carer. I rarely got the chance for…

Pastry Beijing lamb skewers SERVES 2-3 Wing Yip has everything needed to create authentic dishes. Shop online at wingyip.com INGREDIENTS: □ 500g lamb shoulder□ 2tsp cumin seeds□ 1tbsp dried chilli flake salt to taste□ 2tbsp of oil□ 1 spring onion stalk, finely sliced□ ½ a red chilli finely sliced□ 6 x bamboo skewers, soaked in water for one hour 1 Cut the lamb into ½ inch cubes and place into a bowl. Grind the cumin seeds, dried chilli flakes and salt together using a pestle and mortar until coarse. Add half of the mixture to the lamb and reserve the other half for later. 2 Add 1 tablespoon of the oil to the lamb and mix well ensuring that the lamb is evenly coated. Cover with cling film and refrigerate…

As I twirled in front of my bedroom mirror, I admired my new slimmed-down figure. I’d wanted to lose a bit of weight to feel better about myself, and after a few weeks of mindful eating and going to the gym, I’d managed to shed a stone. I was chuffed that the band on my jeans was feeling a little looser, but while I was made up with my new waistline, I couldn’t help but feel my breasts had become flat and saggy. I’d never been bothered by my 34C chest before, but after losing weight, my boobs seemed to have deflated–like popped balloons. I started covering up in baggy tops and jumpers and became more self-conscious. And after a while, in January 2004, I decided that I wanted to…

Be a winner! This week, our tip of the week will receive a great product from Addis! This window vac will make light work of cleaning windows (£24.99). This household cleaner is multi-purpose, offering effective cleaning on windows, mirrors, shower screens and fighting against condensation. For more ways to make your life easier, visit addis.co.uk SUSTAINABLE LIVING Launching their new Art Collection bottles, cleaning brand Method shares their top tips for making more planet-friendly plastic choices at home… 1. SQUASH TO SAVE SPACE Fit more into your recycling by squashing plastic bottles. 2. LEAVE THE CAPS ON Smaller pieces of plastic might fall out during the recycling process, so leave your caps, pumps and triggers on the bottle. 3. FOOD CONTAMINATION You can’t recycle packaging that’s covered in food, such as…