Indholdsfortegnelse for April 2021 i Chat Specials

Spring has sprung here in the UK and we couldn’t be more excited. Longer days and warmer weather, there’s no denying spring is truly a spectacular season. Here at Chat we’ve got everything you need to celebrate this beautiful time of year. Spruce up your garden with our easy green in 15 guide (pg22), discover the brightest trends from Oliver Bonas (pg34), and make the most of nature with our foraging feature (pg7). Spring is a season of love and happiness, and we have plenty of that to go around. After just one date, Helen and Mike knew they were destined to be together (pg18). Planning the trip of a lifetime, the pair set off on their bikes to travel the world. With their wheels of love, they even said…

Paula Andrews, 26, from Basford The sun beamed in the window as I chatted away in the kitchen to my mum, Angela, 49. ‘Do you want some salad?’ I shouted to my partner Ryan, 30, in the living room. It was July last year and we’d stopped running errands to grab some lunch. My brother Shane, 30, rang me to say he’d had a flat tyre. ‘Can you meet me around the corner?’ he said. ‘Sure, just give me a minute,’ I replied to him. As I jumped into the car with Ryan, I started to feel flushed. ‘I feel funny,’ I said to Ryan. ‘What do you mean?’ he asked. My head throbbed and I started to get hot and sweaty. ‘I don’t know what’s going on,’ I cried,…

Sticking to healthy eating Dr Rachel Evans (PhD) shares five reasons we often find ourselves failing our healthy eating regimes, and how to stay on track. You’ve ‘blown it’ The cycle of feeling like you’ve broken the diet can result in weight gain. It can cause you to spiral into eating everything you want before you ‘start again Monday’, resulting in eating more unhealthy foods as you think you won’t be able to soon. Willpower alone Research has shown that good self-control isn’t the only important factor in sticking to a diet. Intentions to eat healthy, habits and how people ate in the past is also important. Restrictive goals If your goals are too strict you’ll end up thinking more about food. This will result in the triggering of your…

The NHS is launching their brand new campaign, ‘Leave Them Certain’ to urge families to talk about organ donation. It follows the law change last year in England, which means that all adults are now considered as willing to donate their organs, unless they opt out or are in one of the excluded groups. Many people don’t realise that families will still be approached before any donation goes ahead. Even though 80% of people are willing to donate their organs, only 39% say they have shared their decision. While 9 in 10 families support organ donation if they knew what their loved one wanted, this figure falls to around half when a decision is not known. Find out more, and register your decision at: organdonation.nhs.uk…

Ask our doc With Cheryl Lythgoe, Head Matron for Benenden Health. High blood pressure Q I’ve been told my blood pressure is too high. I exercise and eat fairly well. How can I bring it down? Rita, Doncaster A We all have blood pressure but when it’s consistently too high it can cause life-changing health conditions. Exercise and eating a healthy mixed diet are great foundations for blood pressure control. Other lifestyle factors also need consideration, such as stopping smoking, cutting back on caffeine, maintaining a healthy weight, limiting your alcohol and reducing your stress levels. I suggest visiting your GP to get an accurate blood pressure reading first, but for more information about the issues surrounding blood pressure, and to understand what your reading means you can use Benenden…

Mash Direct is an independent company started by Martin and Tracy Hamilton at their family-run farm in Comber, in 2004. Today, using a small factory on their farm to capture traditional cooking methods, combined with bespoke equipment including a unique masher and steam cooker, Mash Direct brings you convenient and healthy side dishes. They can all be used to create some delicious meals! PESTO & OLIVE CRUMB HADDOCK SERVES 2 YOU’LL NEED... • 2 white haddock fillets (or cod) • Mash Direct Chilli Baby Bakes • 2 tbsp green pesto • Zest of 1 lemon • 10 green olives (pitted and roughly chopped) • 50g fresh gluten-free breadcrumbs • Salt & pepper (to taste) • Rapeseed oil HOW TO DO IT… 1. Remove outer sleeve and film lid of the…

Nathan Phillips, 22, Warwickshire Rushing down the stairs, the smell of my favourite cheese and potato pie had wafted its way through the entire house. ‘You’re not staying for dinner?’ my mum Anita, 53, frowned. ‘No, but can you save me some?’ I called out, as I headed for the front door. The smell of Mum’s delicious cooking was almost enough to keep me at home, but I soon dashed off to see my mates. As I made it out the front door, my dad David, 58, and brother Luke, then 11, were getting ready to go out on a ride. Dad worked in an automotive plant and had been riding motorbikes all his life. When I was a kid I’d often go out with him, but now, in June…

Leanne Proctor, Wakefield Walking through the front door, we welcomed the newest addition to our family home. It was February 2018 and Rio – a Dalmatian – was just eight-weeks-old. Immediately, he developed a special bond with our daughter Maisie, now 10. It was clear from the start that Rio was a typical Dalmatian. Full of life, he bounces everywhere and loves going for walks. That being said, he loves a lie in! Over the past three years, Rio and Maisie have grown so close. They do everything together and despite suffering from scoliosis, she never misses a walk with him. Only, in August last year, we started to notice that Rio was acting a bit strange. He wasn’t drinking much, was straining to wee and he seemed very quiet.…

Clearing out your wardrobe can often feel like a chore, and it’s especially hard to find time when you are busy. However, a clear out can be therapeutic, invigorating and refreshing. As the warmer months approach, now is the perfect time to sort through your clothes. Award-winning personal stylist Lisa Talbot (www.lisatalbot.co.uk)shares her top tips… Firstly, pop your clothes into four piles: keep, charity, resell and relegate. There are many businesses online where you can sell your second-hand clothes. This is a great way to embrace sustainability and support slow fashion. Plus, the extra money can go towards some new staple pieces in your wardrobe. As you look through each item, ask yourself these questions: • When did you last wear it? • Has it seen better days? • Can…

Helen Langridge, 30, from Glasgow Opening up my Tinder app, I swiped through the potential candidates. It was then that I came across a profile of a man called Mike, 32, who was standing in Yosemite National Park over in California. It’s my life goal to cycle the world, his bio read. Just my kind of guy… I’d been using Tinder for a little while, after splitting from my partner of four years. After the breakup, I’d moved from London to Glasgow for a fresh start, so I was just looking to get to know people. I really liked the sound of Mike, so I decided to swipe right – it was an instant match. So, when are we leaving then? I joked. How about Tuesday? Mike quickly replied. I’ve…

1. PLAN YOUR PLANTS Review your planned growing site to ensure that it’s the best spot for optimum growth. Most edible plants, including fruit, vegetables and herbs, need at least six hours of sun per day in order to thrive, so choose a sunny spot and make sure that you have easy access to a water source. And remember, a long hose is your best friend! 2. MOOD BOARD Creating a mood board of what your ideal or dream garden could look like, either using an app like Pinterest or a good old-fashioned collage. Explore different colour combinations of plants and don’t forget to add in water features, outdoor furniture and anything else that takes your fancy. Dream big! 3. SOWING CALENDAR Start your planning by considering what produce you’d…

Wallpaper design brand I Want Wallpaper has found that nature-inspired wallpaper searches have skyrocketed! Giedre Silinskaite, Ecommerce Manager at I Want Wallpaper, has shared some tips for those wanting to add the outside into their interior design. 1. CONSIDER YOUR THEME The term ‘nature-inspired wallpaper’ is not just greenery - colours in nature are beautifully diverse and can vary wildly. Floral designs traditionally incorporate soft colours, from delicate pinks and yellows to subtle purples. In contrast, tropical designs are brought to life by vibrant and striking shades of blues, greens, red and oranges! 2. COMPLIMENT NATURAL LIGHTING Natural lighting should be at the heart of your own design choices as well. Always look at where natural light enters the room and take into account the time of day - it…

Tom Home, 25, from Melton Mowbray Growing up, I was always a sociable and active lad. With a love of rugby, sports and spending time with my mates, I never imagined that come my early twenties, I’d begin to suffer with my mental health. Only, that’s exactly what happened to me. At the beginning of my second year in university, I was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression. I dreaded going out or seeing anyone and as a result, I became incredibly isolated. Only, true to the stereotype, I didn’t think I needed to talk about how I was feeling. Instead of acknowledging the problem, I became embarrassed and didn’t know where to turn. Over time, I started to open up and confide in therapists as well as…

Expert tips With spring officially upon us, it’s a good time to prep our skin for the warmer months. After winter, our skin can often be dry and lacking in nutrients. Owner of Louise Thomas Skin Therapy and Panasonic Beauty Ambassador, Louise Thomas Minns, is here with her top tips for caring for your skin this spring. HOW TO TAKE CARE OF DRY SKIN READY FOR SUMMER? Something that I see a lot when treating my clients, is trans-epidermal water loss, which is when the skin loses water because the lipid barrier has been impaired. The heating goes on, we’re going from hot to cold, and this can dry out the skin. One of the at-home solutions that I would recommend is using a facial steamer. Whilst you can of…

FILM AND TV 1 Which of the following TV series has not yet been turned into a big screen film? a Friends b Sex And The City c The X Files 2 Which year is the latest Wonder Woman sequel set in? a 1978 b 1984 c 2020 3 Before Meghan Markle became the Duchess of Sussex, which US TV drama did she star in? a Big Little Lies b Suits c The Morning Show 4 In 13 Going On 30 which magazine does Jenna go on to work for? a Vogue b Poise c Elle 5 How many episodes of Game of Thrones are there? a 73 b 43 c 93 6 Which sport is the subject of the 1993 film Cool Runnings? a Skiing b Bobsleigh c Ice…

GIANT GROWER Steve Connolly of Sharon, Massachusetts, broke a Guinness World Record last year after his 30-year-long passion project of growing giant pumpkins paid off with a 470.5lbs bushel gourd. The gigantic fruit was supercharged with organic fertilisers and extra attention, and took 600-square-feet of land to grow. SUPER SUCTION Shunichi Kanno from Japan achieved the Guinness World Record title for the most drink cans placed on the body using air suction. He managed to stick 20 cans on his head and body. He is also already a record holder for the most drink cans (nine) placed on the head using air suction. TALLEST TEENAGER On 18 October 2020, Ren Keyu from China, not only celebrated his 14th birthday, but also received the Guinness World Records title for the tallest…

BUSY BEES Spring is here! Each and every day, nature flourishes all around us. Some of nature’s most beautiful creatures show us their stunning patterns and glide through the air, dancing effortlessly as they go about their day. While some people have gardens and others have limited space, these ingenious homes from Kikkerland can be attached to any shed, post or even outside wall, to encourage these magnificent creatures into your space. The Kikkerland Little Bee House is a great way to invite nature’s pollinators to take off their jackets and stay awhile! Cute in any garden or backyard, the Little Bee Home is great for the environment. Give bees a place to call home while they take care of our planet. £10 from Trouva. The Kikkerland Little Butterfly House…

THE LAW The Theft Act of 1968 specifically covers what is and isn’t allowed to be picked and foraged. ‘A person who picks mushrooms growing wild on any land, or who picks flowers, fruit or foliage from a plant growing wild on any land, does not (although not in possession of the land) steal what he picks, unless he does it for reward or for sale or other commercial purpose.’ Stick to these rules, and pick to your heart’s content. BLACKBERRIES You can find these juicy berries, which are bursting with flavour, along hedgerows between the months of August to September. They grow in large patches so they’re easy enough to spot, just watch out for the prickly brambles which often surround them. Elderflower In May, elderflowers bloom. These delicate…

Steph Davidson, 26, from Alness, Scotland In February 2019, I took Adeline, then two, for a routine check-up at the paediatricians. I was in my third trimester carrying twins, and Adeline was full of energy, forever running around wanting to play. ‘Come on, Mummy,’ she said, tugging on my arm. I waddled after her, struggling a little to keep up. After weighing Adeline, the paediatrician was concerned. ‘I’m going to take some bloods to check her iron levels,’ the paediatrician said. ‘Adeline looks a little pale.’ Looking at Adeline, I hadn’t noticed her skin tone prior to this. Adeline was a normal, happy toddler – she had just started nursery and she was really enjoying making friends. She understood that I was expecting twins, and loved cuddling my bump and…

Into the Fire by Rachael Blok £18.99, AVAILABLE FROM AMAZON NOW. In a mansion in the Hertfordshire countryside, sisters Lois and Ebba prepare to launch their new venture. Archipelago is an exploitation-free tech company whose virtual reality game promises to unite the worlds of technology, politics and the environment. Invited to the launch party are their investors: current and ex-politicians, international business moguls and activists, one of whom – Marieke – has been receiving online abuse and death threats for her views on eco-politics. DCI Maarten Jansen has been summoned to join the house party. He is sure the threats are from trolls with nothing better to do – he’s only offering police protection because his boss wants to put the guests at ease. But when eight of the guests…

Daunting changes Q After splitting up with my husband, I’m about to start co-parenting. I can’t imagine not having them full-time. What if they prefer being with their dad? Or I’m just so lonely without them? Georgina, London A Starting to co-parent is a huge life change, and it’s completely understandable that you’ll feel uncertain and upset. Having an agreed plan with your ex-husband on how you will go about co-parenting can help you manage some of that uncertainty. A predictable routine for school pick ups/drop offs, which weekends are spent with which parent etc, can help both you and your kids as you will all know what to expect at any given time. This will most likely be unsettling at first, but if you know in advance when you…