Innehållsförteckning för OCTOBER SPECIAL 2020 från Chat Specials

With a whirlwind summer now behind us, we’re looking forward to Autumn this year! We’ve got everything you’ll need for the change of season on page 14, including ways to decorate your home and enjoy the cooler weather. This month, we’re celebrating change. Sometimes life can lead us in one direction, but a sudden realisation can send us on a different path entirely. Jannine (pg16) always struggled to concentrate in school, but could never figure out why. It was only years later, when her own children started showing similar traits, that she discovered the truth. A diagnosis at age 47 made her finally see the light, and now she’s embracing her new lease of life. Nicola (pg32) is proof that if you put your mind to it, you can achieve…

Strolling around Aldi, I had a quick glance at their potluck middle aisle. I was there to grab a few bits for me and my husband, Ian, 37, and our two children, Evie, three and Charlie just one. But as I wandered the aisles, I couldn’t resist taking a look at this week’s random selection of bargains, when something unusual caught my eye. ‘Garden wire’, the sign read and suddenly I had an idea! ‘I could use this for crafts with the kids,’ I said to myself. With lockdown in full swing earlier this year, keeping the little ones occupied meant I had to get creative. Juggling it all with my job as a paediatric nurse, Ian and I took it in turns to entertain our little ones. While Ian…

Digging through a pile of my old things, something caught my eye. ‘Oh I remember this,’ I smiled to myself. It was a class photo from 1996, and my eight-year-old self was grinning at the camera. Stood behind me was my best mate Phil Allen. At least, he was my best mate back then. I hadn’t seen him in 10 years! Now it was 2006, and Phil and I had grown up and gone our separate ways. Back at Kingsthorpe Grove Lower School, we’d been as thick as thieves, and Phil was always getting up to mischief. He’d run around the hall during PE lessons, clamber right to the top of the climbing apparatus, and laugh at the teacher as she shouted for him to get down. He definitely was…

As a busy single mum with two young sons, Nicole White turned to internet dating to find love. After chatting to one guy she met online for a few weeks, Nicole, 28, felt a connection with him. Jonathan Harris lived locally, and they shared mutual friends. After meeting up as a group, Nicole and Jonathan went for their first official date, just the two of them to a local bar. Then the young mum vanished without a trace. Nicole’s mum reported her missing the following day when she didn’t return to her boys, aged eight and four. While police launched a vast manhunt, Nicole’s loved ones and the community searched the local area of Orting, Washington State. They spread the word on social media for the woman who loved the…

Laying in bed, I placed my hand on my chest. Thump, thump, thump – I could feel my heart beating. It was 2001, and at 16, my life was filled with friends, family, school work, chores, music and plenty of laughter. They were all things I was very grateful for, but sometimes, I’d need some peace and quiet. I’d creep into my room, lay on my bed, block everything out and just listen to the sound of my heart in my chest. To me, it was the most beautiful sound in the world. The sound of my heart beating reminded me that I was still here. Born in December 1985 at London’s Guy’s Hospital, I’d quickly been diagnosed with a congenital heart defect. My mum Annette, now 66, and my…

No chance to explain Q When I was a teenager, my parents made me give away my baby. 40 years on, I am desperate to reconnect, but when I tracked my son down through a third party, he said he wasn’t interested. I’m bereft that I can’t explain the past and that I’ll never know him. Should I respect his decision? Jen, South Wales A In a nutshell – yes. He may change his mind in the future, but for now this is his decision, and hard as it is for you, it is important to respect it. Given that it wasn’t your decision to give up your baby, it’s understandable that you would wish to explain what happened to your son, but given his reaction, it seems that at…

Picnic in the park Spent my boyfriend’s birthday having Greek kebabs in Bath! Daisy, Saltford Daydreaming I love that the harbour is so close to my home! Samantha, Reading Doorstep delivery The ice-cream van came to our road in lockdown! Trudy, Bristol Happy Anniversary! A lovely bunch from my hubby! Amarie, Cardiff Brownie bakes My friend is a baker and she made these yummy Terry’s chocolate orange treats. Hayley, Thornbury Hairdressing return My first trip back to the hairdressers and I was so excited. Louisa, Kent Look at the view! Blue skies and blue seas, how lush! Marie, Berkshire Half and half There’s nothing better than sharing food in a restaurant! Audrey, Dorset Homemade burger Chilli con carne and bacon – what a dreamy combination! Sharon, Manchester…

Listening to the TV from the next room, I cringed as I heard my own voice. ‘What are people going to think?’ I thought to myself, trying to block out the noise. But there was no escaping it. My husband Nathan, 45 and eldest daughter, Lauren, 18, were glued to the screen as they watched me appear on Dragons’ Den in April this year. And while they were loving watching me have my five minutes of fame, I was hiding away in my office over at the other side of the house. In fact, I’d been dreading the show ever airing since filming it back in spring 2019. I’d got a spot in the den after a friend of mine put in an application for me. She thought the company…

Go pink in the fight against breast cancer. Over the past 24 years, Asda’s Tickled Pink campaign has raised over £68 million for Breast Cancer Charities. This year, in their fight against this disease, they’ve welcomed CoppaFeel! to enhance the partnership alongside Breast Cancer Now and to work together to improve the future of breast cancer in the UK. For Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Asda have a range of fabulous pink products for you to choose from. With every purchase you will directly help fund vital research.…

Those with a strong belief in the paranormal often speak of a thin veil between our world and the dark realm of spirits and ghosts. We explore some infamous stories of unearthly beings from around the world. THE BLINDING WAILER Don't look! AMongolian legend says that a nomadic traveller died long ago after being overcome by hunger as he crossed the Gobi Desert. His spirit never left the vast arid landscape and still wails loudly, lamenting his tragic fate. Those who wish travel through the Gobi Desert are warned to avoid laying eyes upon the deceased traveller, better known as the Gobi Desert Wailer, if they hear his mournful cries. It is said that any person who looks at the Wailer will bleed from the eyes and become blind. THE…

Sitting in the pub with my daughter Emily, 21, I sipped my drink and chatted away. It was her leaving do with friends as she was moving away from our home in Bournemouth, Dorset, to London to live with her boyfriend. My youngest daughter Mollie, 15, was spending the night at her dad’s house. ‘Can I buy you a drink?’ a handsome stranger asked, as he walked up to me in the pub. ‘Go on then,’ I smiled. ‘I’ll have a glass of white wine.’ I’d clocked the good-looking chap sat at the table nearby and was thrilled when he strolled up to me and struck up a conversation. He told me his name was Ryan Pitman and he was 31. Gorgeous, funny and charming, we got on like a…

Staring at the blackboard, I carefully copied down what the teacher was writing. Just then, looking out the window, I saw a bird building a nest on a nearby tree. Gazing at the little creature as it busied itself with small twigs and leaves, I was completely mesmerised by it. Before I knew it, 10 whole minutes had passed, and I realised I’d been paying no attention to the lesson. The teacher had erased her notes from the board, the information lost to me forever. As a child, I’d always struggled to concentrate in school. I knew I was clever, I just couldn’t seem to focus on anything for very long. Even when given homework, I’d have every intention of doing it, but as soon as I got home, I’d…

Flicking through my emails, I came across one from Evie’s primary school. They were looking for students to participate in a pen pal scheme in partnership with Home Instead Senior Care. Now more than ever, the elderly need someone to talk to, one of the teachers had written to us. It was back at the beginning of the pandemic when the over 75s had been asked to go into shielding. I couldn’t bear to think how lonely they must have been, and Evie agreed when I asked her if she’d like to take part. ‘Of course,’ she smiled. Home Instead Senior Care, allows individuals to live in the comfort of their own house, rather than going into a care home. It’s an amazing organisation, however, with no family or friends…

Lee Kum Kee, the inventors of Oyster Sauce, have created some delicious authentic Chinese recipes that are easy to make and are the perfect go-to for BBQ’s and al-fresco get togethers. GRILLED VEGETABLE VERMICELLI NOODLES MAKES 4 YOU’LL NEED... • 200g vermicelli noodles • 1 tbsp Lee Kum Kee Premium Dark Soy Sauce • 3 tbsp Lee Kum Kee Premium Oyster Sauce • 2 tbsp Lee Kum Kee Chilli Garlic Sauce • 1 tbsp Lee Kum Kee Pure Sesame Oil • 1 aubergine, thinly sliced into rounds • 1 mixed bag of peppers (red, yellow and green), sliced • 250g shitake mushrooms, larger ones torn • Drizzle of vegetable oil • 40g cashew nuts, toasted and roughly chopped • A handful of coriander • Lee Kum Kee Chiu Chow Chilli…

Ask our doc With Cheryl Lythgoe, Head Matron for Benenden Health Clumsy feeling Q My hands have become weak recently and I keep dropping things. Should I be worried? Lynda, Hull A Our hands are in constant use to help us communicate, feed our bodies, support our minds and undertake our daily tasks. Any weakness in our hands, whether intermittent or constant, is noticeable and can have a frustrating or even worrying impact. The cause could be something as simple as extreme tiredness, too much or too little exercise, inadequate nutrition, or something that requires further investigation by a doctor. The weakness could be secondary to nerve, muscle, or joint problems, therefore a quick chat with your GP about this should provide you with information and a plan of action.…

In a world more connected than ever before, it can be hard to unravel why it is you feel alone. The truth is, loneliness affects us all at some point in our lives. In her new book UnLonely (£8.99, Amazon) health and wellbeing specialist Claire Chamberlain offers practical advice for recognising and understanding the way you feel, alongside helpful tips for looking after your mental health. WHAT IS LONELINESS? Loneliness is not a pleasant feeling, and yet it’s something we’ve all experienced. You can feel lonely in a variety of different situations, from being physically alone, to being surrounded by other people and yet feeling like you don’t really fit in anywhere. Whatever your experience, you will likely identify with the fact that lacking close human interaction can leave you…

Sitting in the chair opposite my GP, I was desperate for some help. ‘I don’t know what to do anymore,' I admitted. 'Please help me.' Within a few short years, I’d gone from being a slinky size 10 to a size 22 and weighed 24st. I’d battled with my weight since meeting my husband Andy, but after getting on a plane to Cuba and having to ask for an extender belt, it was the final straw. I regularly worked out and even owned a gym with Andy, but when it came to dieting, I just had no self-control. So, knowing the likes of Slimming World wouldn’t help me, I needed a quick fix, and thankfully, my doctor referred me for a gastric bypass. It was just what I needed and…

PIN IT Spend some time looking for inspiration in magazines, Pinterest, retailer websites and shop mannequins. Make a mood board and add any celebrities you think could be your Style Icon. PICK A PATTERN Patterns say a lot about our personalities. Whether you like feminine florals, sassy animal prints or elegant geometrics – try adding some pattern. If you’re unsure, an accessory is a good place to start. INJECT COLOUR Colour is wonderful for our mood and for sending a message to the world. Black can be edgy and cool, but people can also hide behind it because of its slimming properties. Wear colours that make you feel happy! CLASH TEXTURES If you prefer plain neutral tones, then textures can play an important role. Think about juxtaposing textures like chunky…

It’s funny how a lifetime of memories can fit into one book. Flicking through the family photo album, I was whisked back to my childhood. My mum Mary, my dad George, my four siblings and I grinning from ear to ear on the beach. The seven of us stood outside that old familiar caravan in Wales that we went to every year. Birthdays, Christmases, christenings and weddings, all wrapped up into this organised collection of photographs. Now, it was 2013, and I was around Mum’s with my husband Lennart, now 58, and daughter Charlotte, 19, for a visit. ‘Do you remember this Mum?’ I asked, pointing to the group of us sat outside our caravan. ‘Who’s that?’ Mum, then 75, asked, pointing to the man stood beside her. ‘That’s Dad,’…

Stuck in a tiny hospital room with my two newborn twins, I sat and sobbed. I couldn’t understand why I didn’t feel that sudden gushing of love. What’s wrong with me? I thought. Through conflicting waves of excitement and sadness, I felt regret that I’d had my babies. At one point, I even wished they were dead. That’s not a thought any mother would want to have, but that’s the problem with postnatal depression. It warps your perspective of what’s normal, and makes you question your worth as a mum. There is so much unspoken about motherhood, which is why I’m speaking out now… My partner Yaw, now 43, and I had only been together for two months when I fell pregnant in 2015. Sitting in the bathroom, I took…

Every year, a local musician would throw a huge Halloween party in French Township, Michigan, and around 1,000 guests would flock in fancy dress to dance and drink all night. It was 2014, and Chelsea Bruck, 22, had hand made her costume for the event. She’d decided to go as the comic villain ‘Poison Ivy’ from Batman . She’d attached green leaves to a top, chosen black leggings, and planned on completing the look by covering her blonde hair with a black and dark red wig. Unlike the cold-hearted comic character Poison Ivy, Chelsea was a compassionate homebody, who still lived at home with her parents. The youngest of five siblings, Chelsea worked as a waitress at a local restaurant, and had started to look into doing a culinary degree…

Recently, charity shops have been forced to turn away donations due to the huge influx of contributions following lockdown clear-outs. GivingAssistant.org found that searches for ‘charity shops near me open today’ have increased by 450% in just a month! Keen to give a helping hand, GivingAssistant.org shares some alternative solutions if your local charity shops are overfilled… 1. RAGS TO RICHES Turning unwanted clothes into cleaning rags is one of the easiest ways to recycle – not to mention you’re saving money, too! Simply lay the clothing flat and cut off any sleeves or straps. For a more durable rag, hem the edges and double up on fabric. A one-of-a-kind rag! 2. DONATE TO ANIMAL SHELTERS Some animal shelters are paired with local charity shops – such as RSPCA, Dogs Trust and…

Standing outside the police station, I was minding my own business. At just 16-years-old, I was proud to be a cadet within my local police force. However, on this day, at the end of my shift, a car drove past and hurled racist abuse at me. I was a bit taken aback, but I’d grown a pretty thick skin over the years and decided to ignore it. However, not long after at school, a lad threw a piece of pepperoni at me – to mock my religion. After that, I decided enough was enough and I wasn’t going to stand for this racist abuse any longer. I want to put a stop to hate crime for good After getting involved with the National Citizen Service, I realised that people from…

With masks part of our day-to-day lives now, Antony Arulanandam, Microbiologist and Founder & CEO of Masksrus.uk shares his advice on finding the best one. WHAT SHOULD I LOOK FOR? The material used in face masks is really important. Cotton may be comfortable against the skin, but good face masks should be constructed of at least two layers, and never be 100% cotton, which is too widely woven to create an effective barrier. The optimum design for weight, comfort and effectiveness is for the mask to have an outer layer made of a tightly woven polyester, mixed with a little elastane, Lycra or Spandex. This creates a very effective barrier against particles and airborne diseases. HOW SHOULD I WEAR MY MASK? It’s very important that your mask is comfortable to…

Breathe deeply: Take five deep, audible breaths, in through the nose and out through the mouth. Focus on the sensation of your breath. Feel your chest rise and fall. Don’t think about breathing or try to alter your breathing – just breathe naturally, and stay focused on that sensation. On the last exhalation, let your eyes gently close. Check in: Take a few moments to settle into your body. Gently observe your posture and notice the sensations where your body touches the chair and your feet meet the ground. Acknowledge your senses – notice anything you can smell, hear, or taste, and sensations of hot or cold. Scan your body: Scan your body from head to toe, observing any tension or discomfort. Don’t try to change what you find; simply…

Indulge your skin It’s time to get face mask happy with these hero products from Skin Republic. Available from: theskinrepublic.co.uk GOLD HYDROGEL FACE SHEET MASK, £5.49 Infused with 25k Gold, this face mask instantly reduces the signs of ageing for lifted, smooth and younger looking skin. Instantly minimise the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles with this luxurious hydrogel serum and sheet mask, rich with antioxidants. Age-defying minerals and plant extracts help to promote a radiant and glowing complexion. SEAWEED HYDROGEL FACE SHEET MASK, £6.99 Indulge in this mineral-rich hydrogel face mask, infused with seaweed to target visible signs of ageing. This revolutionary mess-free, mud mask enhances the skin’s elasticity and suppleness, in order to leave a radiant and even complexion. RETINOL HYDROGEL FACE SHEET MASK, £6.99 Super-charge your skin…

SAVED BY THEIR PETS A nationwide survey conducted by Mars Petcare UK has revealed that 80% of pet owners believe their pet has got them through the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, 63% have claimed their furry friends have provided better company in lockdown than their other half. We don’t blame them – pets are cuddly, comforting and they can’t argue back! The results found a whopping 86% have bonded with their pet even more during lockdown, and 19% of pet owners were not aware of the difficulties rescue centres are facing as a result of the pandemic. The findings come as Mars Petcare UK joins leading pet charities to call on the nation to donate much-needed funds to their local animal shelters. If you can afford to donate, please help…