Innholdsfortegnelse for 23-Dec-2019 i Woman

How often do you make decisions with your head, not your heart? We’re all guilty of playing it safe, but getting out of your comfort zone can be so invigorating. That’s why I loved reading about Esther Wane (p23) who rediscovered her childhood hobby of acting at 40. And as 2019 ends, it’s the ideal time to think about what you want for the year ahead, whether that’s taking up meditation (p36) or watching more of your favourite actor (Hugh Grant) on TV (p61).…

‘THEY ASK, WHO ARE YOU AGAIN?’ You’d think it was bad enough having to share the Autocue with Good Morning Britain co-host Piers Morgan, but Susanna Reid has opened up about the uncomfortable reality of sharing the red carpet with her female peers Holly Willoughby and Amanda Holden. After almost two decades in front of the camera, confident Susanna is used to the red carpet protocol, but while she’s nailed her outfit choices, she admits to struggling with feeling ‘unwanted’ when it comes to fan selfies. ‘I would never say no at a red carpet event. It’s part of the job. Without the viewers we are nothing, so a simple picture is hardly too much to ask,’ Susanna, 49, said. But the presenter, who has sons Finn, 15, Sam, 17,…

Sarah Clayton from The Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) has this advice: ‘Christmas is a time when a lot of us indulge — whether it’s food or gifts. But if you’re environmentally conscious the rest of the year, there’s no reason to abandon that just because it’s Christmas. Using up your leftovers and planning your portions a bit better can save food from the bin. Let people help themselves rather than serving up a plateful, so that less goes to waste. When it comes to gifts, get creative with wrapping. Try decorative boxes, and pick recyclable, glitter-free wrapping paper.’…

SEQUINNED Sequins might seem daunting but clever placement works, like lengthening stripes – ideal for adding inches or balancing out shorter torsos. Put your hair in a low pony to avoid bulk around your neck. VELVET WRAP Velvet can be a tricky fabric to master, so look for tailored details to reclaim your shape. The wrap waist will nip in your waist, while the V neck will flatter those with big boobs. LACE PEPLUM This luxe lace blouse is perfect for more petite shapes as the fitted style won’t swamp your body. Plus, the gentle peplum will skim over wider hips, too. PUSSY BOW Pear shapes rejoice! Thanks to the print and pussy bow, which will draw attention away from hips, this is your festive best friend! Tuck it…

HOW DOES IT WORK? With this clever plan, you can eat treats occasionally, but because you’re cutting down on overall calories, you’ll still lose weight. You’re more likely to stick to this diet too – as you won’t feel deprived. Many of the sweet foods listed also contain vitamins, fibre and minerals, so you’re getting more out of them than just empty calories, but best limit these to one a day. YOUR MENU BREAKFASTS Choose from: ✱ 1 pack of All-Bran Breakfast Biscuits and 1 small banana. ✱ 1 slice of wholemeal toast spread with 1tsp jam and a level tbsp peanut butter. Plus 1 apple. ✱ 1 slice wholemeal toast topped with 2 grilled tomatoes and 1 medium poached egg. Plus a 150ml glass of fresh juice. ✱ 1…

PARTY PUD Wow, this Croquembouche (tower of choux buns) looks a million dollars but only costs £5 from Iceland. It’s a must for any get-together with family and friends and totally irresistible with a whipped filling, caramel chocolate sauce and gold sugar sprinkles. SPICE IT UP Tesco Spiced Vegetable Roll Selection is a delicious meat-free alternative to sausage rolls, great as party bites, snacks, brunch or lunch. Each pack contains three flavours, including Moroccan spiced cauliflower with sultanas and harissa; roasted butternut with spiced pearl barley and herbs; and Katsu with curried vegetables, £1.75, nine-pack (or two for £2.50). COOK LIKE JAMIE If you’re a fan of Jamie Oliver’s latest cookbook, Veg, you’ll love his range of fruit and veg prep gadgets too. There are nine in the range, including…

Coconut rice pilaf with baby aubergines An easy way to jazz up plain rice SERVES 12 AS PART OF A BUFFET OR 6 AS A MAIN MEAL PREP 15 MINS, PLUS MARINATING COOK 25 MINS ✱ 2tbsp vegetable oil ✱ 1 onion, finely sliced ✱ 2 garlic cloves, crushed ✱ 4 whole cloves ✱ 6 cardamom pods, bruised ✱ 400g basmati rice, rinsed in cold water ✱ 300ml vegetable stock ✱ 200ml coconut milk ✱ 1tsp honey ✱ Pinch ground coriander ✱ 400g baby aubergines, quartered lengthways ✱ Good squeeze of lime juice ✱ 20g cashews ✱ 20g toasted flaked almonds ✱ 35g fresh coconut, finely sliced ✱ 50g pomegranate seeds ✱ Handful fresh coriander leaves, chopped 1 Heat the oven to 200C/Gas 6. Heat half the oil in a…

Have I been given the wrong meds? QI suffer from vertigo and my doctor prescribed me medication, but when I looked at the information leaflet it was a treatment for schizophrenia and I had already taken some. Is it the wrong one? Philippa says A One of the medications used to treat vertigo is called prochlorperazine. In high doses this is used to treat schizophrenia and psychosis, but in lower doses it’s used for other conditions. For example, it works against nausea and vomiting, for motion sickness and also to treat vertigo. Don’t panic – it doesn’t sound like there has been an error. Vertigo has multiple causes and prochlorperazine works by blocking the chemical dopamine in the brain to stop your symptoms. Side effects can include sleepiness, though. WHAT’S…

Why am I so horny all the time? Q I’ve been feeling so randy lately. I pleasure myself first thing in the morning when I wake up and last thing at night before I go to sleep, and sometimes I even leave work early so that I can get home and do it again. Once, not able to hold myself back, I ended up in the office bathroom at lunchtime. I’m enjoying myself hugely, but I do wonder why this is suddenly happening. I’m 53, have just had a health check, and I am happily single. Susan says A From the details you give, I suspect that what’s going on is your menopause. The ‘change’ can alter the balance of hormones in your body, and sometimes that raises your sex…

Every time I look at this photo, taken during a family holiday at Disneyland Paris over the summer, my heart swells with pride for my boys: my husband Nick, 38, for his constant support, my eldest, Ethan, 16, for his maturity and understanding, and of course, Joey, my 11-year-old son. He’s been through so much, but he’s a fighter and an inspiration. Joey was a happy child, earning the nickname ‘Joey the Legend’ for his quirky personality. Bright and confident, he loved wearing a dicky bow and suit, and excelled in Science and Art, spending hours drawing cartoons. But on 16 November 2018 everything changed. I’d taken Joey, then 10, to school and stayed to help set up for the winter fair. He headed off to class, but 15 minutes…

THEN Richard is best known for playing Victor Meldrew  in One Foot in the Grave (1990-2000). In the sitcom, the grumpy pensioner often found himself in bizarre situations, to which he would respond, ‘I don’t believe it!’ From 2005 to 2012, Richard played Gaius in BBC1’s Camelot drama Merlin. Earlier roles included Crown Court (1972-1984) and Only When I Laugh (1979-1982). NOW This week, Richard appears in a festive  celebrity edition of C4 game show The Crystal Maze. He pops up as Father Christmas in a grotto which has been installed in the Aztec zone. The intrepid celebrities who will be attempting brain-teasing challenges in the maze’s four zones include former Coronation Street star Catherine Tyldesley, Strictly judge Shirley Ballas and TV choirmaster, Gareth Malone.…

STRICTLY COME DANCING BBC1 This year’s festive special sees six celebs from past series returning, including ‘the lovely’ Debbie McGee, TOWIE hunk Mark Wright and Good Morning Britain’s Richard Arnold. MRS BROWN’S BOYS BBC1 There’s more mayhem in two special episodes of the comedy. In the first, Agnes is visited by an angel who shows her what life in Finglas would be like if she’d never been born… MIRANDA: MY SUCH FUN CELEBRATION BBC1 Marking 10 years since Miranda Hart first galloped onto our screens with her award-winning sitcom, the cast reunite to look back at magical memories and behind-the-scenes titbits.…

Poor Katie I’m seriously worried about Katie Price. Between bankruptcy, boyfriends and booze she seems to be ricocheting from one crisis to another. It’s tough having a disabled child and with her mum Amy so ill, I wonder who’s looking after Katie. Heart of the community Endless rain and an election have made it feel like Christmas spirit is in short supply this year. But there are still heroes out there. Step forward the landlady and landlord of my local pub, The Alexandra in Wimbledon. For the fifth year in a row, they’re inviting anyone on their own on Christmas Day to come along and have Christmas dinner on the house – all are welcome. I’ll be raising a glass to you this year.…

How Brad’s helping JEN FIND LOVE She’s been unlucky in love in recent years, but things are finally on the up for Jennifer Aniston – thanks to ex Brad Pitt! Sources tell Woman the Hollywood hunk, 55, has been quietly helping the Friends star, 50, find a new boyfriend as she navigates the dating world. It’s been a welcome boost for Jen, who’s come to accept she and her one-time spouse of five years are better off as friends. ‘Jen adores Brad and goes to him for advice about everything, including dating tips,’ an insider shares. ‘Of course, it’s no secret a lot of people are desperate for them to get back together, but they’re both content to just be friends. ‘Jen’s been open to Brad about wanting to find…

Laurraine Veal, 49, lives in Corfe Mullen with her partner, Mark, 51, and her two children, Jake, 19, and Lilly, 15. When I look back on previous Christmases, I can’t believe how much I used to throw away. I used to think I was environmentally friendly then, now I know just how wrong I was. For years, Christmas in our house was probably not too dissimilar to the average family’s. My partner, Mark, and I would pick out a stunning pine tree, I’d wrap presents in glittery paper for Jake and Lilly, and then on Christmas Day we’d pull crackers before eating a huge roast dinner and mounds of chocolate and mince pies. By New Year’s Day, we’d have thoughtlessly filled countless black bin liners to the brim with unwanted…

FOR PARTY NAILS There’s nothing like a manicure to make you feel pulled-together, but if time is an issue, why not have the nail bar come to you? Mobile beauty apps offer a professional mani in your home – you can cut out travel time and there’s no hanging around. In London, Manchester and Birmingham, Blowltd.com run from 7am till late with nails from £35 (they also do hair, tan, lashes and more). Elsewhere, use treatwell.co.uk to book a local mobile service and read reviews. They often have special discounts too. FOR PERFECT MAKE-UP A professional make-up ‘zhush’ is an instant confidence boost, and although make-up counters can be intimidating, you only have to look at the pared-back products at Bobbi Brown to know you’re in safe hands. The brand…

1 TRIFLE GRANOLA Trifle for breakfast? Why not, especially when it’s M&S Trifle Granola and includes custard-flavoured oats, white choc chunks, raspberries and cake. £2.50, 500g. 2 RUM AND RAISIN PANETTONE Swap your toast for a slice of wonderfully soft and buttery Asda Extra Special Rum & Raisin Panettone infused with rum syrup. A deliciously indulgent way to start the day. £5.50, 500g. 3 ZESTY SMOKED SALMON Co-op Irresistible Smoked Salmon with Clementine Liqueur & Zest is a must for breakfast or brunch on Christmas Day or Boxing Day, served on bagels or Co-op Star Crumpets for an extra-special touch. £4, 100g.…

It felt like a stand-off, waiting in my doctor’s surgery for him to say something. I was desperate for a word, a gesture, anything that would give away the results of my most recent tests. Then his face finally cracked and a smile emerged. ‘It’s hard to believe you’re the same patient,’ he grinned and I couldn’t help but agree – I was a new, healthy woman and that moment, at the end of 2018, was the start of the rest of my life. I was no stranger to the doctor’s office. Years of health issues, mostly related to my weight, meant endless appointments, tests and advice, but what was unfamiliar was good news like this. When I was a little girl, my dad, Eric, suffered from type 2 diabetes,…

Wake up refreshed Feeling knackered during the festivities? Try Benenox Overnight Recharge (£9.99, Boots) before bed. Packed with vitamin B6, it helps reduce tiredness and feeling fatigued the next day. Swap sugar in tea for a sweetener… …and you could cut 28,000 calories out each year, according to Hermesetas. ‘We consume over 200% more daily sugar than we should and I would strongly urge people to look at where they can replace sugar in their diet,’ says nutritionist Dr Emma Derbyshire. Try a low-cal tipple instead Looking to reduce your alcohol consumption this Christmas? Why not switch to Kolibri Cardamon & Chilli Alcohol Free  Infusion 30cl (£2.99, Holland & Barrett). With fun flavours and just 40 cals per serving, it’s a guilt-free wonder.…

There’s protection The best way to avoid STIs is to use male and female condoms. Use them for vaginal and anal intercourse and also oral sex. There are other ways to stay safe Cuddling and stroking without genital contact is safe. Using sex toys if you clean them is also low-risk — even better, get a different toy for each partner. There is often very effective treatment Most STIs are manageable and curable. You should go to a sexual health clinic after having any unprotected sex. ✱ PS: For full information about STIs and details of your local sexual health clinic, log on to nhs.uk…

ARIES 21 Mar – 20 Apr This may be the season of turkey and tinsel, but meetings and developments of the professional kind should be topping your pre-Christmas list. Keep focused. For your reading ☎ 09058 172557 TAURUS 21 Apr – 21 May A knock-your-socks-off encounter for some, an out-of-the-blue proposal for others, and, in general, elements of the unusual and the unconventional colour the week. For your reading ☎ 09058 172558 GEMINI 22 May – 22 Jun It’s your choice as to whether you declare your feelings at this time, but you won’t be the best judge of what happens next. Probably better to bide your time. For your reading ☎ 09058 172559 CANCER 23 Jun – 23 Jul If something or someone performs a 180-degree turn, or an…

THE GRAND TOUR Amazon Prime Video In the first of a new run of one-off specials, James May, Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond head to Cambodia and Vietnam where they face spiders, foot infections and worse! IT’S NOT THE ROBBIE WILLIAMS CHRISTMAS SHOW ITV Hub Robbie presents a night of music and entertainment with this intimate one-off gig featuring his classic hits, new festive songs and dazzling celebrity guests. A BERRY ROYAL CHRISTMAS BBC iPlayer Mary visits charities across the UK whose staff work over the holiday season. Inspired by her visits, she’ll then design a festive feast for a special party laid on by some royal VIPs……

Prince Andrew has once again hit the headlines after announcing he’s stepping down from royal duties for the foreseeable future, following his recent BBC Newsnight interview to discuss links with disgraced businessman Jeffrey Epstein, which was branded a car crash by many viewers. But it seems as though his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, is giving him something new to concentrate on – their family. The pair have always remained close, despite splitting 25 years ago, with Sarah admitting earlier this year that she still lives with him in Royal Lodge, explaining, ‘Yes I do live in Royal Lodge with my handsome prince, who is the best looking prince of the whole lot!’ But can the former couple survive such controversy? Sarah thinks that together they can and says she is deeply…

Private jets At the beginning of August, the Prince revealed he plans to have two children ‘maximum’ in order to save the planet. However, his words were soon contradicted after he was spotted boarding a private jet to Nice. Their friends, including Elton John, were quick to jump to their defence, saying the couple had to fly privately for safety reasons. But the public weren’t buying it after the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their three children all boarded an economy flight to Scotland, just days later. Home revamp The public were left furious after it was revealed the Duke and Duchess’ new home at Frogmore Cottage had cost £2.4 million of taxpayers’ money. The cottage was remodelled from five separate living quarters into one large residence for the…

1 Emailing cards will stop one billion ending up in landfill. 2 Six million Christmas trees (or 250 tonnes) are discarded every year, producing 100,000 tonnes of greenhouse gasses. Try renting a tree from a farm, which is re-planted when you return it, or getting a long-lasting, artificial one instead. 3 Using recycled wrapping could prevent miles of paper being chucked away needlessly. 4 Donating, recycling or fixing your fairy lights will stop 500 tonnes of them being thrown away every year.…

‘IT’S OK TO BE FURIOUS’ Text messages from three of CNN news anchor Hannah Vaughan Jones’ dearest friends and her sister, announcing the happy news of their pregnancies, came one after another, on the very same spring day last year. Her initial reaction, she’s not ashamed to admit, was one of anger, bitterness and crippling jealousy. Delight for them came later. Entirely forgivable, given that Hannah and her husband, Lewis, a fellow broadcaster, were, by then, a considerable way down an interminable and heartbreaking path towards parenthood which still hadn’t yielded any good news. It was a path that included an astonishing 15 rounds of fertility treatment, at a cost of £80,000, over five and a half agonising years. ‘I was upstairs in my bedroom when the final text arrived…

SKIN If you have time for one extra skincare step, exfoliation gives maximum bang for your buck. Exfoliating powders are great as they give the  satisfaction of a scrub without harshness. Mix DHC Face Wash Powder, £10.50, with water, work into your face in circles then rinse for smooth skin. LASHES Velour Lashes, from £24, have launched in Boots and could convert even the most lash-phobic of us. They’re subtle,  sophisticated and feel super comfortable. They can be used 25 times and are made with hypoallergenic materials, so they’re great for sensitive eyes. HAIR Colour Wow Extra Mist-ical Shine Spray, £25, isn’t cheap, but it is just about the only shine spray that gives visible glossiness to fine hair without making it go lank. A trick is to spray it…

There are several reasons why most people give up on their New Year’s resolutions by 12 January*. Not even two weeks in, and our motivation has already begun to falter. One of the main reasons is we tend to make extremely lofty promises. ‘Most of us create resolutions that are too “big” and therefore we can’t meet them,’ says success coach, Amy Applebaum. So if your aim is to become healthier as well as happier next year, then try these manageable bite-size goals. The experts reveal their secrets and how, by making a few tiny lifestyle tweaks, you can still get big results. 1 Master meditation Forget those expensive anti-ageing creams in 2020; your secret to a youthful glow is all in your mind. A study in the International Journal…

This week’s top tipples include a very drinkable new range of alcohol-free wines, a quirky-flavoured gin liqueur and some celebration fizz for under £6 a bottle! TOASTED MARSHMALLOW GIN If you know a gin drinker with a sweet tooth, Asda Extra Special Toasted Marshmallow Gin Liqueur would make a great gift. £12, 50cl. UNDER £6 FIZZ Montcadi Cava Brut is one of our favourites, not just because it’s only £5.75 (75cl) but it tastes like it should cost a lot more. Great on its own or for mixing. Morrisons. NEW ALCOHOL-FREE RANGE McGuigan has a range of alcohol-free wines called Zero. It includes a shiraz, rosé and sauvignon blanc. £4.50, 75cl, Morrisons, Budgens, Londis.…

I WANT TO LEAVE MY HUSBAND AFTER LIES Q Six months ago, my husband started spending time away from me. He’d be late home or say he had to go see family over the weekend (but I’d find he was not). And he was keeping his phone with him so I couldn’t see his texts. I asked him if he was having an affair and he denied it, but wouldn’t talk about his absences or why he’d regularly sneak off to call or text someone. A month ago, I went to see a solicitor and discussed divorce. When I told my husband, he said he could tell me what was going on – a cousin was being battered and he was helping her flee her husband. She had sworn him…

HELP! MY YOUNG BOXER HAS A RED SWELLING IN HER EYE Any changes occurring in or around the eye should always be evaluated by a vet straight away; just like us, dogs only have two eyes and they are essential! When it comes to swollen tissue at the side of the eye in a young dog, we are usually dealing with a common condition known as ‘cherry eye’. For most, this will occur before the age of two. Cherry eye occurs often in breeds such as boxers, shih tzus and Frenchies. Dogs will develop a bright red swelling, teary eyes and discomfort. The swelling is actually a portion of the third eyelid, which has popped out of place. We are not entirely sure what causes it but there is a…

60 SECOND INTERVIEW RUTH JONES Ten years after it came to an end, Ruth Jones and James Corden’s sitcom Gavin & Stacey is back for a festive one-off special. Here, Ruth, who returns as Stacey’s pal Nessa, tells us more… Why did you decide to bring back Gavin & Stacey? Ever since it finished in 2010, James [Corden] and I have texted each other with ideas and every now and again one of us would say, ‘Shall we do a special?’ or ‘Shall we do a series?’ The intention was always there, even though I used to lie to the press that there wouldn’t be any more! Did you have to keep it a secret? The day before it was announced, I went on Radio 2 Breakfast to publicise my…

Have you had your first mince pie of the festive season yet? It’s the time of year when we’re all super-busy, super-stressed and super-ready to stuff ourselves with food and drink that we wouldn’t dream of eating at any other time of year. Baileys, anyone? We’ll get in shape in the new year. But when? New Year’s Day is out of the question. That brings us to 2 January, which is a Thursday, so we might as well start the diet on Monday 6 January. But then we’re back at work and it’s cold and who’s going to have time to do 50 star jumps before getting on the bus? Gabby Logan, that’s who. The sports presenter says, ‘I don’t believe when people say, “I just don’t have time [to…