Innehållsförteckning för February 2025 från Pick Me Up! Special

HOW TO REGISTER It’s FREE to enter and it’s so easy to do. Just visit comps.lifedeathprizes.com and register by hitting the Create Free Account button and then you can enter as many competitions as you like. Go on, have fun! To find out more visit comps.lifedeathprizes.com For website rules of play, go to comps.lifedeathprizes.com/rules. Terms and conditions apply, UK only…

Sunshine and snooze Whenever there’s a spot of sun, I know that’s where I will find my kitty Winnie. She loves to spread flat out – she’ll stay there for hours on end. Agatha, Helmsley Welcome home After my mum lost her Spaniel Jenson, we knew that she couldn’t bear to be alone. We surprised her with a puppy called Zeke. He’s made himself at home already. Lottie, Towcester Strike a pose Here’s our terrier Marshall sporting a pair of Barbie pink sunglasses! You have to admit that he looks the part. They didn’t stay on for long though. India, Warwick Nibble, nibble! My rabbit Lola won’t eat anything if I don’t hand-feed it to her first. She’s such a little diva. Catherine, Southall…

Easy peeling I hate peeling cloves of garlic – it takes ages and I always end up cutting myself. Instead, I heat the cloves in the microwave for 10 seconds and the skin comes right off. Wendy, Cheshire Dust collector Use a lint roller to clean your lampshades and fabric headboards. It’s much easier than using a damp cloth – the dust comes off and you can put the lint paper straight in the bin. Jackie, Newcastle Pucker up! If you want to make your own custom coloured lip balm at home, mix a little bit of your favourite lipstick or lip liner with some Vaseline. It works a treat. Yvonne, Somerset A tight squeeze Use a hair clip to squeeze the last bit of toothpaste out of the tube.…

Walking hand-in-hand through a local park, I had a gut feeling that something was about to happen. ‘Let’s take a photo,’ my boyfriend Alex, 26, suggested in May 2021. As we were already dressed up to the nines for our surprise dinner later on that night, we propped my phone up ready to strike a pose. But as soon as I smiled at the camera, Alex dropped down on one knee. ‘No way, you’re not doing this right now,’ I gasped as he flashed a sparkly ring. ‘Will you marry me?’ Alex smiled at me. ‘Yes, of course!’ I squealed in pure delight. After roughly two years together, I couldn’t wait for this next step in our relationship. Growing up together in Wisconsin, Alex had been in my class during…

The Island Getaway – Lucy Diamond, £16.99, WHSmith The queen of bestselling fiction has got yet another book to get those butterflies flittering. There are new arrivals at The Ionian Escape Hotel. But the guests are carrying some extra baggage. Miranda’s job is on the line and her sister won’t speak to her. Evelyn wants to find the love of her life, but at 82 she is still searching. And there are rumours flying as celeb chef Frank checks in – does his wife know about this trip? Will this be the perfect island getaway where everything can be resolved? And can a dream holiday end in romance? Read to find out! Bombshell – Alison Hammond, £16.99, Waterstones Madison is married to TV handyman Rich. They have two children and Madison loves…

Sardinia, Okinawa in Japan, Nicoya in Costa Rica, Loma Linda in California and Ikaria in Greece have been identified as the five places in the world where residents do what? To find out, solve the following puzzle. Add a letter anywhere in each of the boxed-off words to fit the clue, eg, LEG PART = HIGH + T = THIGH. Write the added letter in the space provided. Read down the added letters to spell out the two word answer. Milled grain Thinker Bend Glow Portly In debt Grunt Gush Kit out Small wood Move Your answer____________________________________…

We’ve got to look after our gnashers – but where do we start? Nyree Whitley, chief clinical officer at mydentist, is here to provide answers to your wobbly woes. • To see more, please visit: mydentist.co.uk Why might you still have smelly breath after brushing? Bad breath could be a symptom of an underlying health condition such as tooth decay, dry mouth, a throat or sinus infection or gum disease. Although a more common reason for bad breath after brushing is not maintaining good oral health. Plaque and food particles can build up and, over time, cause bad breath. It’s worth visiting your dentist for a check-up. When is the best time to brush? Brush your teeth for two minutes at a time, twice a day. Try brushing them to…

Scooping my baby girl up into my arms, she was feeling worse for wear. ‘There, there,’ I soothed gently. ‘Mummy’s here.’ Poor Lilah, then six months, seemed to have a horrible sickness bug in July 2023. Holding my baby close, she wouldn’t settle unless she was in my arms. Only, every time Lilah shut her eyes to doze off, she’d start vomiting again. I felt distraught – it was horrendous seeing my baby suffer. Lilah couldn’t keep any fluid down and in the early hours of 18 July, I decided to call 111. Even if it was just a tummy bug, it was better to be safe than sorry. 111 asked me to bring Lilah to A&E, so I called my grandma Shirley and asked her to come and pick…

Just for FUN FILM AND TV 1 What is the name of the pet dinosaur on The Flintstones? a Dinob Saurc Stix 2 What’s the name of the magazine that Andie Anderson works for in How to Lose A Guy in 10 Days? a Dazedb Seventeenc Composure 3 What gift does Will buy Louisa for her birthday in Me Before You? a Ruby red slippersb Black and yellow tightsc Emerald earrings 4 What is the pub in Hollyoaks also known as? a The Millb The Dogc The Tavern 5 In which year is Netflix’s Bridgerton set?? a 1876b 1902c 1813 SHOWBIZ 6 Which animated Disney film reportedly influenced David and Victoria Beckham’s wedding? a The Lion Kingb Robin Hoodc Snow White 7 What was one of Dame Helen Mirren’s first jobs before acting? a…

February special With Valentine’s Day upon us, February is the month of love. And we’ve got plenty to keep you inspired, whether you’re a romantic or not! Refresh your nightwear drawer with some intimate and sexy pieces (pg18), host your very own Galentine’s Night (pg66) and decorate your home with a hint of blush (pg34). Don’t forget your furry friends – they deserve endless snuggles, love and affection. Check out paw-some pets (pg10) to see if you can find your soulmate – the bone-ly hearts column is calling. Charlotte (pg26) knows how much joy a pooch can bring. But after scoffing something that he shouldn’t have, her beloved pup Che was in danger. Thankfully, after what could have been a deadly battle, Che lived to tell the tail. But it…

British actress Kate Winslet made her first appearance on the small screen at the age of 11 in what? To find out, solve the crossword then read down the letters in the shaded squares to find the five-word answer. ACROSS 11 Pampering for the hand (8) 12 Took an oath (5) 13 Develop over generations (6) 14 Set of clothes (4) 15 Latticed structure for climbing plants (7) 16 Hole through which light passes in a camera (8) 17 Booze (7) 18 North African country (7) 19 Barely cooked (4) 21 Vapour from the 41 Down of a kettle (5) 23 Cold-blooded animal (7) 24 Commissioned soldier (7) 28 Medical snap (1-3) 29 Printer’s need (3) 30 Series of eight notes (6) 33 Mediterranean coastal region (7) 35 Adversary (3)…

Enjoy a decadent treat this month – with a touch of love for Valentine’s Day! • To see more, visit: campcoffeeclub.co.uk YOU WILL NEED: FOR THE SHORTBREAD: □ 75g plain flour□ 25g caster sugar, plus extra for sprinkling□ 50g butter, cold and diced□ 1 tsp Camp Chicory & Coffee Essence FOR THE MOUSSE: □ 125g plain chocolate, chopped□ 15g butter□ 3 tbsp Camp Chicory & Coffee Essence□ 3 medium eggs, separated□ 3 tbsp caster sugar□ 150ml double cream□ Raspberries to serve TO MAKE: 1. Preheat the oven to 180o C, gas mark 4. Line a baking tray with baking parchment. 2. To make the shortbread, place the flour and sugar in a large bowl. Add the butter and rub in with your fingertips to form breadcrumbs, add the Camp and…

Dress to impress this February with nightwear and lingerie that helps to radiate confidence. It doesn’t have to be for someone else. Putting on a new lingerie set can boost spirits and make you feel truly sexy – try it… Wearing a matching set will help you to feel confident and put together in any outfit A touch of glam bling on your undies will make you feel a million dollars! For everyone… Working closely with Colostomy UK, Marks and Spencer have designed a brand-new range of stoma knickers. They are the first to be seen on the high street. With 200,000 people in the UK living with a stoma, these are an affordable and comfortable option of underwear that has been carefully thought out. Designed with internal bags to…

You’re so vein Q I’ve recently developed unsightly varicose veins. Is there anything I can do to get rid of them and stop more forming? Naomi, Buxton A Varicose veins are caused by damaged valves in the veins of the legs, which carry blood back to the heart. Gravity pulls them downwards and they bulge. There may be a genetic tendency which you can't do anything about. Things that make varicose veins worse are being overweight and sitting or standing for long periods. Consider support stockings. Try to put your feet up when you can. Keep the skin of your legs well moisturised. Massage of your lower limbs can help reduce swelling. Eat a healthy diet and get your five a day. Smoking worsens varicose veins. Surgery for varicose veins is…

Topping up the bird food as the last of my household chores, it felt like bliss to finally relax. Turning on the telly on 27 March 2024, with my canaries Sunny and Sunshine chirping away in the background, it was the same as any other day. I took great pride in keeping my council flat clean. It was a place I’d made my own, where I could rebuild my life after a messy breakup. But I moved on to meet my boyfriend John, 61. He was great, helping me when I suffered from seizures due to my epilepsy. That evening at 6pm, I said goodbye to Sunny and Sunshine as I popped over to John’s flat. He lived just around the corner from me. Starting one of our usual movie…

Rejuvenate your wardrobe with F&F’s brand-new spring styles. Available to purchase from Tesco, grab them on your next supermarket shop! With chic shades and trending silhouettes, you’ll turn heads… Go for timeless accessories that you can wear with every outfit in your wardrobe A classic camel coat is a wardrobe staple – stylish and effortless, it goes with everything…

Hide and seek page 3 Answer: PAGE 44 Slim one page 30 Answer: LIVE LONGEST Number fit page 24 Answer: 4388 Little one page 30 Answer: FORK Follow it page 46 Answer: CHINESE Crack it page 56 Answer: HER TV REMOTE The biggie page 6 Answer: ADVERT FOR SUGAR PUFFS Spiral crossword page 24 Answer: ELEPHANT DUNG Three in a row page 46 Answer: INDONESIA Starry eyed page 48 MAURA HIGGINS - TOM CRUISE - JESSICA ALBA - KEANU REEVES - KELLY ROWLAND Cross it page 51 Answer: HUNDREDS…

Embrace all things love and romance this February – red, pink and lots of hearts!…

Rifling through the cupboards, I grabbed a packet of crisps and a handful of biccies. Just to tide me over, I told myself as I munched away. ‘Shall we get a Chinese for tea?’ I said to my hubby Adam, 30, joining him on the sofa with my snacks. ‘I’ll get the menu,’ he smiled. Ordering rice, crispy beef and chicken balls, my mouth watered as I waited for our feast to arrive. It was a bit of a habit for us – we had takeaways a few times a week. If it wasn’t Chinese, it was cheesy pizza or a cheeky McDonald’s. And even if we cooked at home, for us, cooking meant throwing chicken nuggets and chips in the oven. Although I never really ate breakfast, there were…

FULL OF FIZZ! There’s nothing better than the refreshing hit of bubbles from a cold Coca-Cola. But did you know the drink can actually be used for cleaning?! Andrea Philips from Airtasker has shared some hacks that will surprise you. • Visit: airtasker.com HOW IT WORKS: The secret lies in its unique composition. Because of its low, acidic pH level of 2.8, Coca-Cola is comparable to fresh lemon juice and vinegar! 1 Goodbye limescale Descaling your kettle has never been easier thanks to this Coca-Cola cleaning hack. Just boil a kettle full of Coke and leave to stand for 30 minutes. Rinse and the limescale will be gone! 2 Brush the bog It’s been well documented that Coca-Cola can help clean the toilet bowl. To clean your scummy toilet, pour Coke around…

Taking a big gulp of water, I hoped it would help. ‘It hasn’t made a difference,’ I groaned to my partner Gage, 29. A sickness rose in my throat. It had been that way for two long months. The nausea had progressed to vomiting regularly. I carried on working as a beauty therapist throughout. But I’d often crash as soon as I got home. Surely there’s no way that I could be pregnant, I thought. The idea dawned on me – but I was on the contraceptive jab. But I decided to do a test anyway – just to rule it out. Only, I was in shock as two strong lines appeared on the stick. Gage had the same reaction, too. ‘I can’t believe it,’ he smiled. I was only…

Do I have to go with him? My partner has been offered a new job up north. However, I don’t want to move. I’m just not leaving my family or friends. Is this the end of our relationship? Imogen, Truro YES Pick Me Up! reader Kath from Reading says: You’ve made it clear that you don’t want to move, and he’s accepted the job anyway. That shows his real intentions. If you can work long-distance then great, but if you’re adamant that you’re not moving, maybe it’s best for you both to have a fresh start? The best things always come to an end. Stay where you want. If that’s with your family and friends, then listen to what your heart wants. It’s harsh but true. You have to live for…

These takes on some of our favourite ‘naughty’ foods feel indulgent, but they’re all low in calories and high in protein. Even better, the new recipes from slimming sensations Twochubbycubs can all be made in the nation’s favourite kitchen gadget – the humble air fryer. • Twochubbycubs Air Fryer Cookbook by James and Paul Anderson, £22, available from Waterstones Serves: 4Prep: 10 minsCook: 45 minsCalories: 379Protein: 25.2g Air Fryer Chicken Curry INGREDIENTS: □ 500g chicken thighs□ 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus extra for frying□ Salt and pepper□ 1 tablespoon curry powder□ 1 teaspoon ground turmeric□ 1 teaspoon ground cumin□ 1 teaspoon ground coriander□ 1 onion, finely diced□ 3 cloves of garlic, crushed□ 1 teaspoon ginger paste□ 2 tomatoes, diced□ 250ml coconut milk□ 2 tablespoons chopped fresh coriander or parsley (optional) METHOD: 1.…

Staring down at my chest, I was horrified. At eight years old, I was used to being flat-chested, like every other kid my age. But as I peered down, I noticed something different. Two little lumps were protruding out of my chest. What’s happening to me? I thought – running my hands over my chest, I struggled to come to terms with the new curves. That wasn’t the only major change I was experiencing – I was the first in my class to get my period, too. It came as a huge shock to me, especially as I’d barely had any sex-ed lessons. And living with my dad at the time, as my parents separated when I was young, I felt like I had no one to speak to. I…

Preparing to ask one of the biggest questions of my life, I wasn’t exactly sure how to approach the subject. Rehearsing the same lines over and over in my mind, I didn’t want to hurt my dad Andy, now 60. But I had to broach the subject one way or another – especially as the countdown to my big day was finally on. After meeting my husband-to-be Ryan, now 32, back when we were just 15, over the years we had drifted apart. I’d gone on to have a family of my own – Oscar, now 12, and Harley, nine – after meeting someone in Greece after working abroad there. Only with everything coming to a head, I moved back to the UK with my kids. And in 2016, me…

Rummaging through junk in the cupboard, anyone would have thought that my mum was a hoarder. Up to our eyeballs in furniture, my son Paul and I were sorting through her pile of household bits and bobs inAugust last year. After passing away that same month when she was 82, my mum Julie sadly died of old age. Astrong-willed Northern woman, we were close – always having a giggle over a cuppa. And for years, I’d been going over to keep her company. But sorting her belongings after she died, it seemed we had a real task on our hands. Picking out some nicer items, Paul and I arranged for those to go to auction, while the rest were uploaded to Facebook Marketplace. Using the selling site myself in the…

FUN FACT: Sleep disorders can be caused by mental health, run in the family or stem from a lack of sleep. We all know that multiple factors can affect your sleep. You shouldn’t go on your phone before bed and you shouldn’t drink coffee at night either. But there are different sleep disorders to be aware of. Have you heard of them? Sleep apnea Just as Anya experiences, sleep apnea causes breathing to stop or become shallow during sleep. Symptoms include excessive daytime sleepiness, snoring, headaches and falling asleep during the day. Sleep apnea can be fatal and needs to be treated with breathing devices, and in some cases, surgery. Narcolepsy Making it difficult to regulate sleep and wake cycles, narcolepsy can cause a number of symptoms. These include disturbed…

Solve the puzzle to spell out a term related to the picture. The arrows show you where to put your answers. The answer is spelled in the yellow squares. Your answer ______________________________ Just for FUN Three in a row The Dutch are the tallest nation in the world. Which country’s citizens are the shortest?? To find out, solve the puzzle… Make three nine-letter words using all of these three-letter sections, and enter them in the grid. We’ve given you two letters to start you off. Unscramble the shaded letters to find the answer… SEM RIM RAI NST MAT ORM NUR ONY AID Your answers _________________________________________ Answers on page 60…

IN FULL BLOOM As February rolls around it’s time to get green-fingered. It’s prime time to plant those seeds in time for summer. And with these Edible Flower Recipe Cards from the National Trust, you can watch your flora grow before whipping up a storm in the kitchen later down the line. Each card is designed to be planted, as the seeds are nestled inside the paper. Once buried in soil and regularly watered, watch your card bloom. But before planting, remember to remove the recipe section from the perforated strip. Once your flowers have bloomed, you can make treats like Wild Violet Jelly or Elderflower Cordial. A great gift for nature-lovers and any keen chefs in your life. • Edible Flower Recipe Notecards, £7, National Trust Shop Here are…

Stepping onto my ward at 7pm on 2 July 2023, I was ready for my night shift. After a normal day, I’d made dinner for my husband Arshad, now 39, and our three children Namra, 20, Adam, 15, and Ismail, 14, before dashing out of the door. An NHS support worker for Heath Lane Hospital in West Bromwich, I worked on the psychiatric intensive care ward, supporting a number of male patients with severe mental health problems. I’d worked in the NHS for 18 years, alongside my sister Areema, 36. We’d worked with each other until Areema tragically passed away from Covid in 2020. Patients could lash out at staff The grief had been horrendous, taking a huge toll on my mental health. But the support I received was incredible…