Pick Me Up! 20-Jan-2022

Growing up, I had low self-esteem. In school, I had a group of close friends, who I had known since I was three. They helped me through everything – we were like sisters. Leaving school, I wanted to have a gap year, but my friends carried on their studies. I felt like I had lost my support bubble. Living in Australia for three years, I saw the most incredible sights and landmarks. Even though I was having a great time, I felt like I was missing out. So, I moved back to Leeds settling back into UK life, with a new office job. As a result, my mental health had soon plummeted. This was not an unusual feeling for me, I had been seeing therapists since I was 17. Going…

We’re loving We all need to express a little creativity sometimes and unleash our inner Art Attack! Rather than a paper plate and a pipe cleaner, Artisans provide a crafting box to make an array of stylish leather creations. The box contains everything you need to make a leather keyring, pencil pot or even a handy card holder. The DIY leather products can fit into everyday lives, as all of the products can be easily crafted at home, without the need for specialist tools or equipment. With simple step-by-step guides and visual workshops, it couldn’t be easier! So, if you’re looking for a new hobby this year, or simply want to turn your hand to leathercraft, these sets are your answer. So, it’s time to thread your needle and get sewing!…

If your letter makes Star Letter of the week, you will receive some beautiful blooms from Flying Flowers. With over 30 years’ experience of helping celebrate life’s special moments and FREE delivery by post, a gorgeous bouquet by Flying Flowers is a lovely way to celebrate sharing smiles and happiness. See flyingflowers.co.uk for more details.…

As my sister Gemma jumped around on a bouncy castle, I grinned at her. ‘Come on, Tom!’ she yelled. ‘Get on here!’ It was her 22nd birthday – or her 21st again, as she called it – and she’d gone all out. All our friends and family were over, with a BBQ and a big bouncy castle. It summed Gemma up. She was fun and care-free. Later that afternoon, as we all gathered around to watch Gemma blow out the candles on her cake, I looked at the man standing next to her. He was Jason Burrows, Gemma’s new boyfriend. At 34, Jason was quite a bit older than Gemma, but we both worked with him at our local Domino’s. I worked part-time in the shop, and Gemma and Jason…

◻ 2 Pink Lady® apples, core removed and roughly chopped◻ 2 tbsp rapeseed oil◻ 1 leek, roughly chopped◻ 5 sprigs fresh thyme, leaves removed◻ 2 sticks celery, roughly chopped◻ 11 medium celeriac, peeled and roughly chopped◻ 2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced◻ 1 vegetable stock cube◻ 300ml unsweetened almond milk◻ Salt and pepper TO SERVE ◻ 1 Pink Lady® apple, core removed and diced◻ Handful chopped walnuts◻ 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 1 In a deep pan over a medium heat, add the oil, leeks, fresh thyme and celery. Slowly cook until soft. Add the celeriac, garlic and chopped Pink Lady® apples. Then give it a good stir. 2 Dissolve a stock cube in one litre of boiling water, and pour into the pan until everything is just covered. Then simmer…

Piling around the bar with my mates, we each ordered a pint. The local girls liked to dance on the side lines, but a smiley woman caught my eye. Growing up in the Whitby area, I lived on a farm. Although the long hours were something that took a bit of getting used to, the social events were great! There would be a variety of things on every week – dinner dances and summer BBQs. At the ripe age of 20, I met Cath, then 17. We had been attending the same Young Farmers events for months, I plucked up the courage and got talking. She also lived on a farm in the local area, so we already had a mutual background. And we got on like a house on…