Innehållsförteckning för BEST OF 2 2019 från Chat Specials

Life can often be cruel, sending us to rock bottom. But in these moments, we can find the strength to fight back and become better people. Carole (pg6) will probably never understand why her beautiful daughter took her own life. She showed no signs of being depressed. But out of her grief, she’s set up a foundation to stop other families from suffering the same fate. When he realised his weight was preventing him from being a proper dad, Darren (pg18) finally stepped up. But an unexpected blow put a stop to his exercise programme. Still, he persevered, step by step. We’re supporting the Alzheimer’s Society’s Cupcake Day this June, after being inspired by Caroline’s story (pg24). While watching her mum’s condition deteriorate, she decided to give back to the…

Jessica Wright, 26, Tamworth Sitting on the loo, I was bent over in pain. What’s wrong with me, I grimaced, forcing myself to my feet. As I looked into the loo bowl, I noticed spots of blood. ‘You need to get yourself checked out,’ my fiancé Dale, 27, said to me that evening, after telling him. ‘Hopefully it’s nothing serious,’ I said. But over the next few days, the cramping just worsened. I was in absolute agony. ‘You poor thing,’ my mum Ruth said, as I sat on the bathroom floor in bits, talking to her on the phone. I’d rush to the loo up to 30 times a day. So I stopped leaving the house, out of fear I’d have an accident while out. I started to become a…

Tracey Jones, 48, Wiltshire Pulling into a service station, I looked at my watch. Still an hour to go, I thought to myself. As an HR manager, my job took me all over the country for regular business meetings. Now it was 5pm on a Friday evening in 2013, and I couldn’t wait to get back home to my husband Nick, 47. But as I filled up my car, my tummy rumbled loudly. ‘I’ll get a quick bite,’ I said, walking into the shop. Food was my treat but I was soon paying the price ‘Just these please,’ I said to the cashier, plonking down a sausage roll, a bottle of coke and a bag of Haribo on the counter. Soon back on the road, I’d scoffed all my snacks…

Ready-to-drink cocktail bottles, £9.99, Lidl. Impress your guests with insta-worthy cocktails and get all the credit with none of the fuss with this delicious range of pre-mixed cocktails. Choose between a classic Negroni or an Espresso Martini, a perfect combination of vodka and coffee. Crosse & Blackwell soups, £1, Morrisons.  Crosse & Blackwell have launched four new trendy and delicious soup flavours – carrot & quinoa, chicken & multigrain, broad bean, gammon & parsley, and green vegetable & kale. Perfect for a healthy lunch! McCoy’s Muchos tortilla snack, £1.99, Sainsbury’s. These light and crispy tortillas are bursting with three new flavours – smoky chilli chicken, nacho cheese, and sour cream & onion. Inspired by the street kitchens of Mexico, every bite is bursting with seasonings for more…

Make a dash for it A condition once only associated with those over 40, type 2 diabetes is increasingly being diagnosed in men and women in their 20s and 30s. New research from Lloyds Pharmacy has found that almost half of people diagnosed in the last year were under 35. To combat this, pharmacist Pareena Patel suggests the DASH diet – limiting foots that are high in saturated fats, including full-fat diary products and high-fat meat such as bacon. Instead, we should be looking for low-fat sources of protein, such as fresh fish, chicken, beans, pulses and nuts. The missing link Nearly all of us are deficient in Vitamin K2, an unknown but powerful nutrient that plays an essential role in our health. In fact, experts say it may be…

Who wore it best? It’s amazing how my boyfriend’s hoodie fits our dog Ollie. To be honest, I think it looks better on Ollie! Hazel, Swansea Priorities, people Despite my boyfriend’s efforts to get some work done, Coco has to play her part – insisting she hold his arm while she naps. Marie, Leeds Ageing gracefully Missy is starting to grow a few grey hairs on her nose, and at 12 years old, it’s not surprising. She’ll always be my beautiful girl. Dianne, Liverpool His Royal Highness Happy fourth birthday to my adorable rabbit Philip. He was named after the Duke of Edinburgh, naturally. Kelly, Bolton…

Even as a teenager working part time as a waitress between her high school classes, Dorothy Hoogstraten stood out from the crowd. Tall, with blonde hair from her parents’ Dutch heritage, Dorothy had a look that made people do a double take. It was 1977, and Dorothy, then 17, was working at the local Dairy Queen restaurant in Vancouver, Canada. Dorothy’s mum was working and raising her two younger siblings on her own, so typically, the kindhearted teen got a job to help. It was at the restaurant where small-time club promotor Paul Snider first laid eyes on her. At 26, he was nine years older than Dorothy. Paul drove a Corvette and had a confidence about him that people were drawn to. He wanted fame and fortune, but knew…

Yolande Kennedy, 51, Thurrock, Essex Running out of the front door, the ice cold air was like a slap in the face. It’d just gone 6am, and was getting light. I’d have to hurry if I wanted to catch the bus to my job in London, working in an exchange bureau. It was 17 September 1985. A typical 18-year-old, I would have preferred to stay in bed that day. I lived at home with my mum Diana, 49, and my dad Stanley, 51, but I loved socialising and seeing friends. But I had to go work – I needed the cash to fund all the fun. I hurried down the deserted road in the quiet Essex village. First, past the small row of houses, then a gate. It was my…

Theresa Loyacano, 42, Texas Walking around the house, I called out for our dog. ‘Nessie!’ I shouted. ‘Come here girl!’ It was dinner time and I knew the little thing would want feeding. Suddenly, my adorable Nessie came hopping towards me. You’d be forgiven for thinking we had a baby kangaroo in the house – but Nessie is actually our two-legged chihuahua! Last January, my thoughts turned to our beloved Dachshund, Sunday, who we’d sadly lost the year before. I’d started looking at pet shelters, wondering whether it was time to get a new pup. We’d never replace Sunday, but me and my husband Gregory, 45, missed her so much, I thought it would be a nice idea. My heart melted as the cutest, most vulnerable thing I’d ever seen…

Sasha Aristide, 28, New York Stepping outside, a familiar figure appeared at my side. ‘What are you doing here?’ he asked. I’d just finished an exam to get a nursing qualification, and I wasn’t prepared for what was about to happen. My boyfriend Kevin was standing there with a strange look on his face. Then, without saying a word, he dropped down to one knee and held out a sparkly diamond ring. ‘Oh, my God!’ I cried. ‘Yes! Of course I’ll marry you!’ Although it was a shock, Kevin and I had been talking about getting married for ages. We’d known each other since we were kids and had been together for 10 years. We were opposites – he was quiet and shy while I was loud and confident –…

Elizabeth Howell, 47, Phoenix, Arizona It was love at first sight. ‘Look at this puppy!’ I squeaked to my daughter Megan, 15. It was January 2016 and I was on Facebook, watching footage of an adorable golden retriever called Chi Chi. Filmed at a rescue centre in South Korea, her four legs were heavily bandaged, and she was lying on her tummy. Chi Chi was so far away but I knew I had to give her a home Chi Chi had clearly been through something awful in the past. But her tail wagged as she shuffled towards the cameraman. ‘Aww, look, she wants to play,’ Megan cooed. Smitten, I watched the video at least 10 times. Me and my husband Richard, 46, already had three rescue dogs living with us.…

HOUSE CEREMONY There are lovely ceremony spaces including grand rooms with Jacobean panelling, a library surrounding historic tomes, and even a ballroom with sweeping vistas. OUTDOOR CEREMONY Celebrate your marriage under 300-year-old chestnut trees or perhaps in the romantic Victorian Dovecote. CHURCH CEREMONY There are several beautiful historic churches nearby, including the charming village church, nestled just 800 yards away from the house. THE PARTY As an exclusive country house wedding venue, you can bring your own DJs and bands – there are late licenses to party late into the night.…

BIRDS HILL DAYS (www.birdshilldays.com) Bringing countryside sports to you, they can provide archery, pistol shooting, clay shooting or fencing experiences. Go away with a sense of achievement, ready for your next adventure. MIRANDA HACKETT FLOWERS (www.mirandahackettfl owers.co.uk) Based in the heart of the South West countryside, Miranda concentrates on promoting the natural characteristics of flowers and styling them in a soft romantic fashion – twirling tendrils and all! BRAY VALLEY WINES WINE TASTING (www.brayvalleywines.co.uk) Established in Devon in 2002, Bray Valley provides quality, easy-drinking wines at affordable prices. Whatever the occasion, whatever the wine, you’re sure to be delighted by every bottle.…

There were men going missing in Toronto, Canada, for seven years, and for most of that time, hardly anyone noticed. Some members of the community tried to raise the alarm, but it fell on deaf ears, and a predator serial killer stalked his victims undetected, in plain sight. There were whispers of a danger lurking around Toronto’s Gay Village neighbourhood. Since the legalisation of homosexuality in Canada in 1969, it had become a thriving area packed with gay-orientated bars, shops and cafés. But it was also a place of secrets and risk-taking, where many lived out their true desires – married men who had tried to suppress their same-sex desires and those who came from cultures where being gay was forbidden. Despite the rumours that several men had disappeared, many…

CHOCOLATE & PISTACHIO PAVLOVA SERVES 8 YOU’LL NEED... ● 4 medium egg whites ● 225g (8oz) caster sugar ● 40g (2oz) pistachio nuts, very finely chopped TO FINISH ● 100g (4oz) dark chocolate, broken into pieces ● 300ml (1/2 pint) double cream ● 550g (20oz) mixed strawberries, hulled and halved, blackberries, blueberries and raspberries HOW TO DO IT… 1. Preheat the oven to 140°C (120°C fan), Gas 1. Line a baking sheet with non-stick baking paper and draw a 23cm (9 inch) circle on to it. 2. Whisk the egg whites with an electric mixer until they form stiff moist-looking peaks. 3. Gradually whisk in the sugar a teaspoonful at a time and continue whisking once all the sugar has been added, then whisk for a few more minutes until…

Pam Roberts, 49, Maidstone The ball pinged around the squash court, bouncing off the walls. My eyes darted after it, quick as lightning. ‘Gotcha!’ I yelled, swinging my racket. The game was mine! I was a panting, throbbing, red-faced woman on a mission! I ran a successful domestic cleaning business and had a three-year-old daughter, Bethany, with my partner Martyn, so life was hectic. No surprise then, really, that I got a few headaches. But these weren’t normal ones. ‘I’ve got this weird thumping noise in my left ear,’ I moaned to Martyn in May 2015. Then, one day, we were chatting over the dinner table… ‘Sorry,’ I blurted. ‘I’m shouting.’ ‘No you’re not,’ Martyn frowned, confused. It was so weird. In my head, it sounded so loud. When the…

MYTHS BUSTED According to new research, more than half of Brits believe that bread is bad for you. Over a third believe that they need to cut out bread to maintain a healthy weight, and nearly a quarter are clueless on carbs, having no idea on whether the food group is good or bad for us. The national study of more than 2,000 adults, commissioned by healthy bread brand Burgen, is aiming to help tackle the confusion by busting today’s most popular health myths and inspiring healthy eating attitudes. ‘Over the years, carbohydrates have been vilified, yet they are absolutely essential for a balanced diet,’ says Rhiannon. ‘It’s important to remember that everyone is different and will have a different lifestyle, energy expenditure and dietary needs. There is no one…

Shanda Hill, 36, Vernon, British Columbia, Canada Hiking along a snowy mountain track, I stopped to catch my breath. My companion was speeding ahead I couldn’t keep up with him. ‘Wait for me!’ I panted. My furry black and white goat, Yoda, stopped on a rocky outcrop, smug on his hardy hooves. When it came to climbing mountains, hooves definitely beat my hiking boots! It was December last year, and we were enjoying our weekly hike together. He cried all day long and I gave in I like to think I’m in good shape – I’ve done the odd triathlon – a running, swimming and cycling race. But hiking? My goat was made of harder stuff than me. If someone told me Yoda would be my training partner when I…

I didn’t show up because something happened then and there. It wasn’t intentional, it wasn’t planned, it just happened that way… I don’t want to get into it… I’m not going to say ‘I don’t love you’ after 10 years. It’s up to her, whatever she wants to do. We can repair it. If not, then that’s how it is. It’s between her and me and it’s not one-sided. In order for me to save it, she’d have to save it as well. I’m not grovelling at her feet. I’m not begging for anything.…

Keep your flowers lemoney fresh Keep a vase of flowers smelling fresher for longer by putting fresh slices of lemon into the water. The citrus from the lemon kills any bacteria in the water, helping your flowers look crisp and new for ages! Lindsay Owens, Blyth Getting charged Don’t leave your phone charger behind the next time you stay in a hotel overnight. Just attach your car keys to it – that way, it won’t be possible to leave without it. Ellen Phelps, Sunderland As good as new Restore your white trainers with baking soda. I just mix a teaspoon of it with water to make a thick paste, rub it onto the shoes with kitchen towel, then rinse it off. They’ll soon look as good as new! Jenny Ellis,…

MAKES 12 ● 125g unsalted butter, softened ● 330g caster sugar ● Grated zest of 1 lemon ● 2 eggs, beaten ● 150g self-raising flour ● 150g plain flour ● 125ml milk ● 4 tbsp lemon curd ● 3 egg whites 1. Preheat the oven to 180°C. Line a 12-hole muffin tin with paper cases. 2. Beat together the butter and 150g of the sugar with the lemon zest, until light and fluffy. Add the eggs a little at a time. 3. Fold in the flour and milk, until you have a smooth thick batter. Spoon into the paper cases and bake for 20 minutes, until risen and lightly golden. 4. Remove from the oven and, using a small serrated knife, cut a 2-3cm deep cone from the centre of…

FORMAL AND FANCY There are five grand reception rooms that are fully flexible for banqueting. Each room can be laid out as needed. Formal dining options include round or trestle formations, and you can choose any style of service, including silver service, family style or buffet. CASUAL AND COSY Some guests prefer their stay to be more informal. Casual dining caterers can provide bowl food, canapé service or hog roasts. For cosy dining, guests often choose garden picnics with pre-made hampers, a pop-up dinner, or a fish and chip van. DRINKING Feel free to bring your own drinks with no corkage. Huntsham Court is licenced for a pay bar, but often guests like to run a free or bring-your-own bar. Some guests even bring in supplies, including a 1950s cocktail…

Suffer in silence I’m 62 and have been told I need a hearing aid. I’m terrified. Does this mean that I’ll eventually go deaf? Mary, Wiltshire Experiencing difficulties with your hearing is actually very common. Hearing aids enhance your existing hearing, so you need to have some level of hearing decline for an aid to work. However, this doesn’t mean you’ll go deaf. Just as we all have different prescriptions for glasses, we all need different kinds of hearing aids as well as different levels of assistance. Won’t listen My husband has the TV on so loud but insists his hearing is fine. What else should I look out for? Helen, Bradford Listen to him on the phone. Are his conversations hard work? Do you have to repeat things or…

CARTER BEAUTY’S FULL MEASURE HD FOUNDATION The season 16 premier of Keeping Up With The Kardashians aired earlier this month, and Carter Beauty by Marissa Carter are the secret behind Kourtney Kardashian’s flawless skin. Available in 12 shades ranging from Meringue to Vanilla Fudge, this foundation range is another beauty bargain from the must-have brand of 2019. £11, Primark KABUKI BRUSH This handy brush is perfect for applying loose powder evenly over the face. Gradually build up the powder with the brush to create a natural flawless looking finish. The synthetic dense soft bristles are made from toray fibres which makes this product excellent for vegans, and the handle is made from birch wood and recycled aluminium. £12.95, Benecos Natural Beauty CC CONCEALER This natural concealer is suitable for all…

Under the thumb? Q I’ve been with my boyfriend for 10 years and he’s the decision-maker. I’d love a part-time job but he’s refused, saying he’s the provider. I love being looked after but is he actually just controlling me? Emily, Manchester A Over time, one person can sometimes become more of the decision-maker in a relationship while the other is happy to let them take more of a lead. Your comment that ‘I love being looked after’ sounds like this might be the case for you – but it is a cause for concern when you say your boyfriend has ‘refused’ to let you get a part-time job. Those kind of life choices should be something that you discuss and decide together. However, before you conclude that he is…