Innehållsförteckning för Best Of 3 2017 från Chat Specials

Imagine watching your beloved family dog fading before your eyes? This is what happened to Fiona (pg12) after her pup Eva was hit by a car. But thanks to pioneering surgery, she’s made a remarkable recovery. This month we’re bringing you lots of astonishing stories, including the tale of Reece (pg8) who was saved by his mum’s ginger cake, Gemma’s account of the unforgettable birth of her first baby (pg34) and Amber-May’s hilarious revelations about her extremely unique tattoo! (pg31) On a serious note, Joanne (pg38) is speaking out to warn other families after the tragic death of her daughter Georgia. Doctors thought the young woman had an eating disorder. When they discovered the truth, it was too late. Victim Lisa (pg36) bravely opens up about being preyed on when…

She deserved a second chance As I walked my dog along the quiet golf course one evening, I suddenly saw a small fox dart across a path in the distance. Walking with my son, Duncan, 12, I had just taken Eva, my one-year- old Munsterlander, off her lead so she could run around for a bit. It was the last time we would have our evening walk with her before we jetted off to Kenya for a safari holiday to celebrate my husband Graeme’s 50th birthday. ‘Oh no, she’s going to run after it!’ I said to Duncan. Just as I thought, Eva gave chase. I ran after her as fast as I could, but I was no match for her long legs. Eventually I came to the main road…

Mum found mecollapsed on the floor The doctors struggled to bring me back around My mate Tash, 26, and I eyed up my son’s pop up tent and tunnel that was set up in my living room. ‘Go on,’ she urged, with a giggle. After putting Callum, three, to bed, we’d sat down together with a bottle of wine. Now after a few glasses, we thought it would be funny to play with his toys. Giggling, I slid off the sofa and wriggled my frumpy frame into the tunnel, as Tash egged me on. Within a few seconds, I was properly wedged in. ‘I’m stuck!’ I cried, writhing around trying to get free. Tash rolled around in hysterics. ‘It’s not funny,’ I squealed, absolutely mortified. In the end, I had…

A hit of taste and colour! ROASTED PEPPER SOUP SERVES 4 YOU’LL NEED… 6 large red peppers 2 tbsp of olive oil 1/2 garlic bulb cut horizontally 2 tbsp of brown sugar 1 tsp of salt 1 chopped onion 1 tsp of cumin seeds Salt & pepper 2 pints of vegetable stock 1 tbsp of honey A bunch of fresh basil, keeping some to serve 3 tbsp of plain yoghurt, keeping some to serve Drizzle of olive oil, yoghurt and chopped basil to serve HOW TO DO IT… 1. Preheat the oven to 200c degrees. Wash and cube the peppers. Place in a baking dish and coat with oil, add the garlic bulb to the centre. Sprinkle with salt and brown sugar, then place in the oven for an hour.…

The beanie hat hurt like crazy Blurry eyed, I stumbled into the living room and glanced around at the mess. There were empty drink bottles strewn over the floor and spilt drinks staining the carpet. ‘Move over,’ I groaned to my best mates and flatmates, George Fellows and Hannah Croft, both 22. The night before, we’d hosted a legendary vodka-fuelled house party. Crawling onto the sofa, we tried to piece back together our few hazy memories. ‘Don’t forget your Ian Beale tattoo,’ George laughed. What? ‘You promised!’ the girls cried in unison. My fuzzy head started to remember a lost bet - the forfeit being a tattoo… I was a big fan of inking my skin – I already had eight adorned across my body. I’ve got the word ‘banter’…

The weight lifted as I opened up What I found out was shocking Sat in my lounge, clutching a cup of tea, I poured my heart out and felt the relief wash over me. ‘This feels so good,’ I sighed to the sympathetic face sitting opposite me. At first I didn’t know where to turn for help when my world crumbled around me. I hadn’t told anyone how low I was. But now I was revealing my inner most thoughts and feelings to a virtual stranger; Christine Stevens. ‘You can start to heal now,’ she insisted. After enduring the agony of two miscarriages in just a few months, I knew I needed some professional help. My counsellor Christine, 47, was a mutual friend and we’d connected through Facebook. She saw…

Mark was always trying to compete with me Mum sent me a sign from above I decided to forgive my twin brother for murdering our mum on the day I identified her body. In my grief, I chose forgiveness instead of negativity and anger, because I don’t want to spend the rest of my life feeling resentful over it. My brother Mark and I weren’t just twins. We were best friends and at one point, we’d been business partners. We had a happy childhood and were part of a normal, loving family. Our parents had been married for 39 years and loved us, and our brother Carl, very much. Growing up, Mark and I dressed in matching outfits and after school, we’d play Pacman together or watch films for…

Fear Factor Q I’ve never had a smear test as I’ve always been too scared and now I’m in my late 40s and terrified that if I finally go, they’ll find something awful. Sarah, Cardiff A Cervical screening, also known as a smear test, helps to detect cell changes that can lead to cancer. Your GP or nurse won’t judge you for not previously having had a smear test, but it’s best to go sooner rather than later. Cancer is scary, but it’s important to get tested. If there is something wrong, catching it early will greatly improve your chances of survival. It’s better to know and be treated, than to wait until it’s too late. Sun Itch Q Is there anything I can do about heat rashes? They plague…

MYTH: ‘I NEED 7 OR 8 HOURS OF SLEEP TO FUNCTION’ ‘While it’s important to get enough sleep, there is far too much significance placed on the holy grail of 8 hours,’ Dr Nerina insists. ‘Everyone’s sleep requirements are different and it’s unhelpful to focus on getting a set amount.’ Instead, focus on how you feel when you wake up. If you wake up feeling refreshed after five hours you’re probably getting enough sleep for you. MYTH: ‘I NEED TO KNOW THE TIME’ If you wake up in the night and instantly check the time, you’re likely to start calculating how many hours you have left before your alarm goes off in the morning. ‘This is a terrible cycle to get into, as obsessively checking the time will only make…

We had an incredible night away for our 30th anniversary As I clicked ‘spin’ on the screen, I heard the kettle boil, so I turned to make myself a cuppa. Suddenly, noise burst from my laptop. Spinning back to my screen, I saw five diamonds lined up – I’d won! I’d been playing a few spins on the Diamond Bonanza slots on Chat Mag Bingo after I’d finished work for the day. And scooped the progressive jackpot – on a 25p spin! My jaw dropped when I saw I’d won £4,384! It was my biggest-ever win. My wife Sharon and I own a women’s boutique and, after a long day, my Sharon, 54, had gone up for an early night. I raced upstairs, and burst into our bedroom. ‘Sharon!’ I…

I knew I couldn’t grieve forever After applying a lick of red nail varnish, I shook my hands and blew on my nails to dry them. ‘Perfect,’ I smiled, admiring my handiwork. There wasn’t a day since I was 15 that I hadn’t stepped outside without sporting a polished manicure. I was obsessed with trying out the latest hair and beauty trends. Looking and feeling good was always important to me. In my teens I’d arrived at school with a full face of make-up, only to be forced to scrub it off each morning by my teacher. Always adventurous, I did my hair in a new style and colour every other day and had been bright pink, brunette and bleach blonde over the years. I’d had my fair share of…

Ring-a-ding All I wanted to do Saturday morning was sleep in, but my boyfriend insisted we get some fresh air and go for a walk. I wasn’t happy at all. He dragged me out of bed and I snapped at him all the way to the seafront. Suddenly we came across a picnic set up complete with champagne. I turned to see my boyfriend down on one knee with a diamond ring. ‘Will you marry me?’ he asked, looking exhausted. I was amazed he’d still asked after my behaviour! I snapped up his offer. Katie, Dorchester Trip up My first love and I promised to make it work long distance when we went off to separate universities. I missed him like crazy, so I decided to surprise him by turning…

Where was he taking me? We were going to be neighbours Skipping and playing outside, I heard my mum’s voice. ‘Heidi!’ she called. ‘Coming!’ I cried, running down the street to our house. ‘Your auntie and uncle need you to babysit tonight,’ Mum told me, as I walked through the front door. Uncle David was a burly but quiet man. He was married to my Auntie Lisa, and they lived just a few miles away from us. They had three young children and now that I was 13, if ever they fancied a night out, I’d look after their brood. When I arrived at their house, Uncle David answered the door. ‘Hello,’ he grunted, walking off and leaving me to make my own way in. He never really paid attention…

He’d like to be an astronaut What would you say if I told you my three-year-old can count to 10 – in Russian…! Our Michael knew the alphabet before he could walk, and read Mr Men books to himself at just two years old. I just can’t explain it. We are a normal family – I’ve got a degree and I work as a postwoman. My husband, Anthony, is dyslexic, and he works as a chef. We encourage Michael to learn, like we do with our eldest son, Ashton, now 16. He’s bright, too, and we expect him to get good grades in his GCSEs. But Michael… if he learns something, it just seems to stick. ‘This is too easy,’ he moans about games for his age. This March, we…

Find A Better Way was founded by Sir Bobby Charlton after a visit to Cambodia in 2008. After seeing first-hand the impact of landmines on local communities, Sir Bobby realised that clearing landmines is only part of a recovery process. People need support after a conflict, during the demining process, and long after the last landmine has been cleared. Find A Better Way supports the physical and mental health of landmine blast survivors through access to healthcare. The charity also educates children about the risks of landmines, provides training to surgeons, and funds research into new medical treatments and technologies for landmine detection.…

FOOD FORTNIGHT From 23 September to 8 October, the country celebrates British Food Fortnight, the biggest annual celebration of the UK’s food and drink. Since 2002, it has become one of the best opportunities to showcase the benefits of buying local. Over the two weeks there are celebrations across the country, from promotions and tastings, to special menus in pubs and restaurants and food and drink county fairs. What’s on... 19 – 28 September: York Food Festival 28 September: Manchester Food Festival 30 September: London City Harvest Festival 5 – 7 October: Eastbourne Beer Festival 7 October: Newport Food Festival 7 – 8 October: Melton Mowbray Food Festival Visit www.lovebritishfood.co.uk  for more events and information. The Best of British HOW MANY HAVE YOU TRIED? Spotted dick This is…

Bio-Synergy coconut flavour Skinny Water, £1, Primark Offering a taste of the Caribbean, this is the perfect drink for those who want a healthy, zero-calorie, sugar-free alternative to traditional fizzy drinks. Its special ingredients help burn fat and curbcravings . Botonique non-alcoholic champagne, £6.99, ocado.com This low-calorie alternative to wine looks just like Prosecco, and boasts flavours of herbs, spices, and citrus, and is blended with sparkling water and pear juice. Sugar-free Polo pot, £1.49, nationwide Accredited by the Oral Health Foundation, these handy mints are kind to the teeth and contain just 10kcals per serving. The handy pot is perfect to pop in your handbag, too. Heck Super Slim sausages, £3, Sainsbury’s These sausages are as delicious as ever, but with less than 3% fat. Based on…

Our first wedding was so low key My daughter, Beverley, sat with my wedding album on her lap, flicking through the dog-eared sepia photographs taken six decades ago. 'You’ve always wanted a big white wedding, haven’t you Mum?' she said. 'You should let me organise it for you!' 'I’m nearly 80,' I said laughing. 'Yeah, so what? You and Dad deserve a proper wedding.' Harry Brookman, 82, and I met outside the Gaumont Cinema in Surrey in 1949 after we were both stood up by our dates. I was 13 years old and looking forward to my very first date with a boy called Freddie Taylor. I waited and waited, but Freddie never showed. I felt like a right lemon as tears welled up in my eyes. But before I…

Follow these steps to make sure your counsellor is up to scratch: Go with your gut Pay attention to how you feel when talking to a counsellor. While you need to be comfortable with them, you also need to be sure that you’ll get results. Look for credibility Find out the type of therapy the counsellor uses – do a bit of research so that you are an informed consumer. Evaluate their style Don’t be afraid to ask them more about their training and be sure to visit their website. Pay attention to how they speak to you You’ll get an idea of their demeanour from their website, but they should also be patient with your questions and not act in a condescending way.…

Turn Up The Heat Many of us have a love-hate relationship with spicy food - the combination of pain and pleasure is the draw that makes us crave it. As Encona launches its new limited-edition Carolina Reaper hot sauce, their hottest one yet (£1.59, Tesco), food scientist Dr Stuart Farrimond explains that the sensation we get from eating chillies is in fact a trick of the brain. Despite the pain, chilies don’t leave any lasting damage and can train your brain to fall in love with the endorphin rush that they give. Chillies turn up the body’s thermostat, helping us to keep cool on hot days while burning off calories. A Good Egg Brits are being seduced by new superfoods, believing that ‘trendy’ foods such as coconut oil are healthy…

Aries 21 Mar - 20 April It’s set to be a very busy time for you, so you might want to bring all your fun projects full circle; note that your energy will be redirected on the 5th – your routine habits will start to come under scrutiny. A healthy fresh start is available towards the end of the month; set healthy goals on the 20th. Escape your busy stride on the 6th – take a step back and recharge, and think of others... Taurus 21 April - 21 May Prepare yourself, Taurus - September brings fun and friendship to your door! The stars have finally delivered some emotional security and stability at home, and from the 10th, it’s your passion projects that you can start to pursue with vigor.…

James accused me of cheating The brutal attack lasted days It was New Year’s Eve, but as a busy mum-of-one, I knew exactly what I wanted to do. ‘Let’s just have a nice cosy night in tonight,’ I said to my partner, James Barrow, 26. ‘Sounds perfect to me,’ he smiled. We had only been together for three months - after meeting through Tinder - but I had started to see a future with James. I planned on putting my son, Benjamin, three, to bed, cooking a romantic dinner and then cuddling up to my new man. But my little boy hadn’t been very well, so he joined me on the sofa and quickly fell asleep. Completely exhausted, I also started to drift off. ‘My phone’s run out of battery,…

Mum would have wanted to help others It was a feeling of pure love When Ella Murtha's mum passed away at the age of 56 after suffering an aneurysm, the full-time mum knew exactly what to do when doctors broached the topic of organ donation with her. There wasn't a moment's doubt when Ella signed the form to donate her mum's organs. Ella says openly: ‘My mum would have wanted to have her organs donated. I knew the answer straight away, even though we had never actually discussed it in the past. Mum was such a spiritual person and always told me that the human body is just a vessel – what makes a person is the spirit.’ On Mother’s Day, 2013, Ella found her mum, Tish, with a black…

Eels Eels were imported from Holland, cut into pieces, and boiled, while the juices were thickened with flour to make a liquor. Portions of meat, seasoned with salt and pepper, were served in a cup (liquor sold separately), but customers had to eat the snack quickly, as the vendor would want his cup back. Sheep’s trotters These delicacies were bought cheap by vendors from slaughterhouses, skinned and parboiled, before being sold on the street. Customers would buy a whole trotter and suck the sticky meat and fat off the bone. If you were lucky, the vendor would clean the dirt out from between the toes on the hoof before you ate it. Calves foot jelly This dish was prepared with a calf’s head and feet, boiled and then strained. The…

Mostly A: Culture Capitals You love soaking up culture and basking in the finer things of life. You enjoy history, art, and anything creative. Cultural hubs like Paris or Rome would be ideal places for you to live as you would be surrounded by trendy restaurants, galleries and architecture to keep you busy. Mostly B: Adventure destinations You live for the moment and you don’t take life too seriously. You would love living in activity-pumped places like Australia, New Zealand, or America. Places like these will have plenty of adventures to offer, but also beautiful beaches to relax on with a cold beer in hand. Mostly C: Luxury locations You love to shop until you drop and are into the latest trends. Cities like New York or Dubai would suit…

The pain wouldn't go away Standing in line, I waited excitedly for the shop doors to open. It was sale time and I was ready to hunt down some serious bargains. 'We've got birthdays, weddings and parties coming up!' I said to my partner Kevin, 31, who looked far from pleased to be spending his day doing a shopping trip. He sighed, holding hands with his two kids from a previous relationship. 'Don't even think about asking for my wallet,' he winked, whisking the kids off to the toy section. In town, I was getting some looks as I rushed around, pouncing like a tiger on piles of discounted clothes and cut-price toys. Being six month’s pregnant wasn’t about to slow me down! At least people were making way for…

‘I believe you’ I promised her My 18-year-old daughter, Georgia, was beaming as she jumped into the back of my car with her little sister Alex, 15. ‘He was amazing!’ she squealed. Georgia and Alex had just been to see their favourite singer, Paolo Nutini, in concert. They’d had such fun together and I loved that I could trust mature Georgia to look after Alex. I was a single mum, so we all stuck together. We even called ourselves The Three Musketeers. Both girls loved live music and booked tickets to see Paolo Nutini again in five months’ time. But a few weeks later, Georgia complained of feeling exhausted and was constantly in the bathroom. ‘You OK Georgia?’ I asked, rushing to help. ‘I think it’s a tummy bug,’ she…

All I could see was my jelly belly I'd never been more embarrassed Rifling through the rails, I pulled a floor-length number out and held it up. ‘What about this one?’ I asked, hoping for my two sisters' seal of approval. ‘Hmm, I don’t really like it,’ Emma, 34, groaned, shaking her head. ‘Me neither,’ Netta, 30, complained. Defeated, I hung it back up. With all three of us to please, it felt like we were never going to settle on identical bridesmaid dresses for our youngest sister Jessica’s wedding. We’d trawled the high street for hours and were still no closer to agreeing on a style we all liked. But determined to try and find one, we headed to the changing rooms with arms full of dresses to try…

My legs turned to jelly As the last guest left my friend’s Halloween party, I volunteered to stay and help clean up. I bent down to pick up a balloon, and felt a sharp, searing pain in my lower back. It was so bad, I struggled to stand. I assumed I’d just pulled something and that it would pass. But I was in agony for weeks after that. In December, I spent two weeks in Salisbury General Hospital, where an MRI scan found an annular disc tear and a posterior bulging disc. The doctor explained that they’d heal by themselves, and prescribed me painkillers. I said I’d felt spasms in my lower back, but he thought it was part of the healing process. That was just the beginning. Before long,…

Best mates This is my little sister Ayesha and her cat Mittens. They are the best of friends and go everywhere together. Katie, Newport Comfy cat My cat Daisy loves snuggling up to us on the sofa and has made herself more than comfortable in our home. Suzanne, Edinburgh Nipping in for a treat My dog Nipper is always nearby when the treat tin is opened – he never misses an opportunity for a tasty snack! Cath, Newcastle Camera-shy Our cats Milly and Scruffy are always together and have shunned the camera in this picture, but they are usually very friendly! Anaya, Bristol…

FILM AND TV 1 Which TV programme featured the Nag’s Head pub? a Dad’s Army b Only Fools and Horses c ‘Allo ‘Allo! 2 What is the name of Peppa Pig’s little brother? a George b Alfie c Simon 3 What part of his body did Charlie Chaplin insure for 150, 000 US Dollars? a His hands b His feet c His hair 4 First broadcast in 1953, what is the world’s longest-running current affairs show? a The Daily Show b Good Morning Britain c Panorama 5 Who directed the films Edward Scissorhands, Corpse Bride, and The Nightmare before Christmas? a Stanley Kubrick b Peter Jackson c Tim Burton 6 Which US TV show took place in Lima, Ohio? a Glee b Grey’s Anatomy c Pretty Little Liars SHOWBIZ 7…

Personalised notebook, £6.99, gettingpersonal.co.uk Start class with style with your own personalised notebook – it’s perfect as a back-to-school gift or to keep as a treat for your own desk! Personalised water bottle, £15, itsyourstory.co.uk These high-quality, scratch-resistant water bottles are fun for all ages. Choose from 17 different designs, from pirates and cheeky monkeys, to little monsters and super heroes. Personalised dinosaur colouring pencil tin with pencils, £14.99, borngifted.co.uk Let the kids stand out in the classroom and show off their wild side with this unique pencil tin, perfect for those creative daredevils. Personalised space A5 notebook, £6.99, borngifted.co.uk Bring the universe into the classroom and get the kids excited about writing with this personalised out-of-this-world notebook.…