Innehållsförteckning för 10-Mar-2016 från Pick Me Up!

What A Pup! For my mate’s wedding, they chose their gorgeous dachshund to be a ring bearer. Woof a great idea! Love You, Mum! That’s how many Mothering Sundays I’ve shared with my beautiful mum so far. Don’t forget it’s early this year, 6 March! Let’s spoil ’em! What A Waffle! Size doesn’t matter but, on a trip to Belgium last month, this extra-large waffle was a winner. Paws For Thought! What A Quiz! ? Know your Del Boy from your David Brent? To pit your wits against our ultimate sitcom quiz, visit www .lifedeathprizes. com  and search ‘British sitcom’. Just Hangin’ Around! What A Laughing Stock! My fella Stephen and I visited Warwick Castle recently – and found ourselves in quite a bind!…

‘Kev told me he’d fancied me from that first moment’ My twin sister, Caroline, fidgeted nervously in the hospital waiting room as we waited for my results. ‘It’ll be OK,’ I reassured her. We were identical, went through everything together. Moments later, four doctors arrived. My heart lurched. I’d had what seemed like a chest infection. Next, I’d found a small lump on my neck. I was covered with bruises, too. I’d had tests, convinced it was nothing serious, as I was only 19. But now... ‘I’m afraid you have acute lymphoblastic leukaemia,’ said one doctor. Known as ALL, it was an aggressive blood cancer. Without immediate treatment, I’d die. In a blur, I called my mum, Helen, 55, at work. She met us at the hospital and my treatment…

Pristine clean If you’re in need of a new dishwasher, now’s the perfect time to buy one! You can get a free three-month supply of Finish Quantum tablets when you purchase any Beko dishwasher between now and 14 March. Visit www.beko.co.uk/ finishclaim for full details. Good as new Perfect for removing stubborn stains and odours from your clothes, 1-litre bottles of Ace Gentle are now reduced to £1.50 (normally £2) at Tesco until 15 March. Tasty lunch You can’t go wrong with a delicious carton of soup from New Covent Garden Soup Co. Each variety in the core range is now just £1 (normally £1.98) at Asda until 9 March. Shake it up, baby! Download the TGI Fridays app to enjoy 2-for-1 cocktails Sunday to Friday, from 8pm until close.…

‘I hated what my condition had done to my body, My symptoms started nine years ago. Agonising cramps, fatigue, changes in my bowel habits. I went to the doctor, and was referred for tests at Bangor Hospital. There, I had a colonoscopy, and soon after, a diagnosis. ‘You have familial adenomatous polyposis,’ the doctor told me. He explained it was a genetic condition that causes polyps to grow in the colon. If they aren’t treated early, there is a high chance they could become cancerous. Which meant more tests and a biopsy. I was stunned - I was only 30. And now I was running the risk of cancer? A month later, in January 2008, I got horrifying news. I had bowel cancer. I would need an ileostomy. The small…

My dad was just 34 when he died. A heart attack. I was 3. The pain of losing a parent never goes away. My grandad had died young, too. Also a heart attack. When I turned 7, I started having migraines. Because of this, and Dad’s fatal heart attack, Mum took me to the doctor. Blood tests showed I had unusually high cholesterol. After that, I wasn’t allowed the same food as other kids. My classmates would tuck into chips and biscuits, while I made do with healthier options. Dessert was a meringue nest, as Mum read that egg yolk was bad. Some of the cruel kids teased me because of it. I hate being different, I’d think. But, despite eating healthily, my cholesterol remained high. I played sport, I…

Chocolate Cake Serves: 8 Prep Time: 20 min Cook Time: 18 min To decorate: 1 Preheat oven to 180C/ Gas 4 and lightly grease and base-line two 18cm sandwich tins. 2 Beat butter and sugar in a bowl until fluffy, then gradually beat in eggs. Stir in milk and vanilla extract. 3 Sift flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt into the bowl with egg mixture. Fold in. 4 Divide mixture between tins, level tops and bake for 15-18 min. Leave in tins to cool for 5 min, then turn out onto wire racks to cool completely. Remove lining paper. 5 For buttercream, beat butter until soft, sift in icing sugar, cocoa powder and vanilla extract…

"Angela was the victim of a cruel genetic quirk" Some things run in the family. Take the case of Angela Cannings. Sadly, Angela’s great-grandmother had lost a baby to cot death, medically known as sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Her grandmother had lost two babies to SIDS, too. Tragically, by 1999, Angela had lost three. Baby Gemma had died at 13 weeks old in 1989, Jason at 7 weeks, in 1991, and Matthew at 18 weeks, in 1999. Gemma’s death had been recorded by the authorities as SIDS. But now that Angela had lost two more, they were growing suspicious. Angela, then 36, was arrested. Instead of focusing on her grief and on her family – husband, Terry, and surviving daughter, Jade, born in 1996, Angela had a huge battle…

TRIED & TESTED This week: Dry shampoo 1 Avon Advance Techniques Dry Shampoo, £3.50, www.avon.uk.com This worked well to soak up all the oil from my roots, and didn’t leave me with white, powdery hair. 2 Batiste Dry Shampoo in Sweetie, £3.29, Superdrug I love this sugary version of my favourite dry shampoo. It’s the same great product but with a raspberry and vanilla scent and cute packaging. 3 Bagsy Hair Wonder Finely Fragranced Dry Shampoo, £5, Debenhams I had high hopes for this pretty little bottle, and it didn’t disappoint. I’ll be keeping one in my handbag! ASK JESS Q I love wearing eyeshadow, especially on a night out, but it never stays put and ends up halfway down my face – help! Isabella Beckford, 24, Carlisle…

Our 7-month-old bulldog crossbreed, Jaden, bounded into our home, in October 2003. Energetic and friendly, he soon became part of the family. My wife, Madelon, 35, and I enjoyed taking him on long walks. When we had our daughter, Lynn, in September 2010, Jaden became fiercely protective of her. He’d lie beside her cot, trot beside her pram in the park. When Lynn started toddling, he’d let her gently tug his tail, give him huge hugs. ‘Such a softie,’ Madelon smiled. One day, Lynn dressed him up in a tiara, declared him a princess. ‘A very pretty one,’ I chuckled, snapping a photo. When our second daughter, Jenna, arrived, Jaden became a faithful companion to her, too. Last March, Jaden turned 12. The breed generally lives up to 10 years…

‘She let out a little squeak and I felt her chest move’ I never used to believe in miracles. But now, I only have to look at my daughter, Chloe, 18, to know they exist. See, after she was born in December 1997, me and my hubby, John, 50, were told she wouldn’t survive. Nine months pregnant and ready to pop, I’d been rushed to Bishop Auckland Hospital when I woke up surrounded by blood. My first pregnancy, I was terrified. A scan struggled to find the baby’s heartbeat. And, before I knew it, I was rushed into theatre for a Caesarean. When I came round, I was desperate to know about my baby. ‘She’s alive,’ a doctor confirmed. It’d taken 45 minutes to get her heart beating. ‘It’s unlikely…

What ya do-wing? While visiting a butterfly farm, one of the critters landed on my head – and sat there for ages! I couldn’t leave the enclosure until he flew off. Sarah Myers, Bracknell Going gaga… I was supposed to be Lady Gaga for a fancy-dress party – but I think I might’ve been better off going as Ziggy Stardust! Joanna Campbell, Whitehead On the case My kitties obviously missed me while I was on holiday… When I got home they did their best to make sure I didn’t go off again. Bethany Briggs, Worksop Super babe! Billi, my 1-year-old grandaughter, making off with Daddy’s food supplements – even though the pot’s almost as big as her! Patricia Cordon, Cheltenham Look who I met! Actress and former Celebrity Big Brother…

1 Cool idea!  When s erving soup to the family, stir an ice cube into each of the kids’ bowls, so it cools just enough for younger mouths. Jenifer Moyneux, Llandebr-Dyffryn-Clwyd 2 Extra something  Throwing half a stock cube in when boili ng vegetables is a sure way to make them taste divine. Lee Hall, Sittingbourne 3 Get shredding  The quickest way to shred lettuce is to snip it across-ways with a pair of sharp kitchen scissors. Margaret Heigold, Rotherham 4 Spud-u-nique  For an attractively different way of serving sweet potatoes, cut them into thick slices and roast them, then use different-shaped pastry cutters to cut out and present the flesh. Linda Doyle, Bolton…

1 Stream it! Watch workouts for free on YouTube rather than buying celebrities’ fitness DVDs. 2 Doorstep deals Talk to your local authority to see what’s on offer, such as outdoor gym sessions or free leisure classes for people on benefits. 3 Accept all offers Most gyms offer free one-day passes. Try before you buy Ð or just use the facilities for free as a one-off. 4 Pal power Get together with a friend for power walks or gentle runs Ð but leave your money at home or you could end up down the pub instead! 5 Ditch the car Save money and get fit by walking as much and as often as you can, rather than using transport.…

Extra iron Q I always feel washed out a few days after my period. I assume it’s because of the blood loss but I can’t tolerate iron tablets, as they give me diarrhoea. What else might help? Diana, West London A Try iron liquid, which is better tolerated than tablets. You can also eat iron-rich foods - red meat and pulses - and take vitamin C supplements, which promote iron absorption. Liver problems and itching Q I have liver problems and am awaiting a transplant but, in the meantime, I have terrible itching, which really interferes with my life. Is there anything that would reduce the itch? It’s unbearable. Kathryn, Oxford A Sertraline, an antidepressant, was found in trials to help with itching caused by liver disease. Ask your GP…

1 Morrisons Signature Saucy Centres Smoked Haddock & Davidstow Cheddar Fishcakes, 290g, £2.50 As you cut into these, they release a satisfying pool of mild cheese sauce. Well seasoned with lots of pepper, a good fish flavour and a nice, firm consistency. 2 Aldi Specially Selected 2 Deliciously Tasty Smoked Haddock, Cheese & Leek Fishcakes 290g, £1.69 A delicate, fish flavour and plenty of thick, creamy sauce in the centre. Great for supper along with chips and peas, of course! Great value. 3 Asda Extra Special 2 Smoked Haddock Somerset Vintage Cheddar & Leek Fishcakes, 270g, £2.30 These look good – and they taste great, too! With just a little sauce on top, we liked the drier consistency of the potato mash layered over tasty fish. Make it yourself... Serves:…

"My baby was alive – that was all that mattered" ‘ Everything looks fine,’ the sonographer smiled. ‘Ten fingers and ten toes.’ ‘Thank you,’ I said. I was so pleased! It was November 2006 and I was 16 weeks pregnant with my first child. I wasn’t with the baby’s dad, but I couldn’t wait to be a mum. So much so that, four weeks later, I paid for a private scan. I thought they’d look for things like Down’s syndrome... But I was sent in and out of the room for scans three times. Something was wrong... ‘Your baby’s bones are fine, but there are no fingers on the left hand,’ the nurse said. They must’ve made a mistake at the previous scan. Shocked, I was terrified and numb as…

"I woke from an induced coma, unable to move" Studying for a degree in Law at Leicester University, I’d thrown myself into university life. I was loving my course and had made loads of good pals. So I couldn’t wait to go back and start my second year in October 2013. As soon as I arrived back at my student digs, I was out partying with my mates at the union bar. But, three weeks on, I was feeling really run-down. ‘Ugh, I think I have freshers’ flu,’ I moaned to my housemates. That’s what everyone calls feeling worn-out after burning the candle at both ends. But, a couple of days later, I felt no better, so I headed off to see a doctor. They thought I might have mumps…

Food Swaps Try This... Fibre One Chocolate Fudge Brownies, £2.89, Tesco This box of five 90-calorie treats is high in fibre and low in fat. They also come as Lemon Drizzle Squares. Pick Me UP! FOR LESS Take 3… Beers Flattering Fashion We love this ‘coldshoulder’ top! It shows off just enough flesh, while covering your upper arms and skimming your tum! Great colour, pretty print – and a fab price. THE SECRET OF MY SUCCESS NAME: Mel Semple, 48, from Haddington, East Lothian. VITAL STATISTICS: Since my 20s, I’ve been a yo-yo dieter, putting on a stone and then losing it. By my 40s, I found it harder to shift the weight. I was grabbing a bacon roll for breakfast, chips and fried food for lunch and chocolate and…

A single mum to two boys, Jack, 15, and Ben, 13, I’m always kept on my toes. In 2011, I was an activities co-ordinator for local schools. But heaving around my size-22 bod left me breathless. So busy, I’d grab crisps and sandwiches to guzzle on the go. At home, I’d devour ready-made lasagne or takeaways, followed by huge chocolate bars. I never stepped on the scales. In May 2011, my work contract ended. I’d had the most fun teaching kids how to rollerskate. So I launched skating lessons for hen parties and birthdays. In September 2011, a pal and I launched Diva Sport UK. We expanded into offering fitness classes for kids and adults, got a £1,500 grant from the National Lottery to buy equipment. Teaching six classes a…

All Set To Style And...Defrost! Who knew your trusty hairdryer was so useful? Remove stickers/labels Heating a stubborn sticker makes the glue more malleable, so it’s easier to peel off. Break in new shoes Pop on a few pairs of socks, slip on the shoes and blast them with hot air to avoid nasty blisters. Stretch skinny jeans Warm your jeans after the wash with your hairdryer to stretch the fabric. Defrost the freezer Use your hairdryer to help melt the ice! Iron clothes For crease-free clothes on your hols, hang your dresses in the bathroom while you shower to get them steamy, then blast away the wrinkles. GUESS THE FILM... ...from the tagline! 1 Love is in the hair Tangled Hairspray There’sSomething About Mary 2 The true story of…

‘In the bathroom, I felt Alan behind me as I did my hair’ My boyfriend, David Alan Owen, known as Alan, was carrying my bags on one arm and had the other wrapped firmly around my shoulders. ‘I’ll look after you,’ he promised. ‘You’re safe with me.’ We’d just started dating, but Alan was just the sort of man I’d been looking for. He was 18 years older than me, but I thought that made him reliable and responsible. He was so protective, I couldn’t help falling for him. We’d met in the summer of 2014 at a party. He was laid-back, and I was drawn to that. My mum, Geraldine, 53, took a different view. She’d worked with Alan’s ex-wife years earlier, and had nothing good to say about…

If your new slim-fit jeans are a bit tight at first, stretch them to a more comfortable fit by wearing them at home for a few days over a pair of jogging bottoms. David Nicholson, Yanchep, Aus Recycle surplus perfumes and body sprays as air fresheners for your bathroom. Stephanie Morrison, Sutton Coldfield If you have any scented candles that’ve burnt down in the middle, scrape out the extra wax and warm in a fondue set for a sweet-smelling room. C Thompson, Erskine Instead of a shop-bought baby book, I made my own with my daughter’s birthday cards, wallpaper samples and cuttings to make a more personal memory book. Lisa Adams, Halesowen Car lock frozen? Douse your key with hand sanitiser – the alcohol in it will thaw the ice.…

‘Elijah had crawled into the kitchen, grabbed the bottle, ‘His burns faded, leaving only faint scars in places, One second. That’s all it took. In that briefest moment, my hubby, Jim, 40, looked away, and our 11-month-old son, Elijah, got his hands on a bottle of oven cleaner. And put it to his lips. It was September last year, I’d been working late and was on the train home from my admin job. My signal was dipping in and out, when I got a text from Jim. Tried to call, he wrote. Elijah got hold of some oven cleaner. We’re on our way to A&E. My stomach fell. In shock, I realised my train was pulling into the station down the road from Birmingham Children’s Hospital, so I leapt out…

1 Schizophrenia is a mental illness. 2 Hallucinations are one of the symptoms. 3 There are tests to diagnose it. 4 There are no treatments available. 1 TRUE It is a long-term mental-health condition that causes a range of psychological symptoms. Schizophrenia is most often diagnosed between the ages of 15 and 35. Men and women are affected equally. 2 TRUE Seeing or hearing things that aren’t there is a common symptom, as are delusions and confused thoughts. People may also withdraw and lose interest in activities they’d previously enjoyed – but they don’t have split personalities. 3 FALSE There is no specific test to diagnose the condition. A community mental-health team will usually make a diagnosis after referral from a GP. 4 FALSE It’s treated with a combination of…

‘I learned never to believe the labels you give yourself, You can choose to believe in labels. You’re fat. You’re skinny. Or, in my case, too old... In August last year, my daughter, Kallula, 28, was telling me I should enter a beauty pageant. At my age! ‘I’m 57,’ I laughed. ‘Not 17.’ Two years earlier, Kallula had made me the proudest mum when she’d won Miss Philippines UK, an annual event to celebrate the country’s Filipino communities. I’m from Pagadian City, in the south of the Philippines. That’s where I’d met John in 1986. He was over from the UK working, and it was love at first sight. We married and moved to Northumberland. John’s from nearby Newcastle. Soon, we had our three gorgeous children Bonita, 30, Kallula, and…

Fishy Fact In March 2010, spangled perch fell from the sky over a remote desert town in Australia! OOPS! CLUMSY CUTIES Crazy Laws About Love & Marriage Why you should think twice before you say 'I do’ – especially in America! In Michigan, it’s illegal for a man to scowl at his wife on a Sunday. In Iowa, kisses must last no longer than five minutes. In Kentucky, a woman needs her husband’s permission to buy a hat. In Massachusetts, it’s illegal for a woman to be on top during sex. In Florida, it’s illegal for a divorced or widowed woman to go skydiving on a Sunday. What’s The Capital Of..? 1 Turkey a) Istanbul b) Antalya c) Ankara d) Izmir 2 Thailand a) Chiang Mai b) Phuket c) Bangkok…

"Panicking she was pregnant, she’d made up a story" It was 1979 when Gary Dotson, then 22, was sentenced to 25-50 years for aggravated kidnapand rape in Illinois, USA. His victim, Cathleen Webb, had identified him in a police line-up at the time. But, six years later, Cathleen changed her mind, admitting she’d lied. Back in 1979, she’d been a high-school student who’d had sex with her boyfriend. Panicking she was pregnant, she’d made up a story about having been raped by a stranger. Gary Dotson had been in the wrong place at the wrong time, and had ended up going down for the make-believe crime. Trouble was, in 1985, the governor of Illinois didn’t believe Cathleen’s sudden confession. But, four years on, in 1989, new evidence came to light.…

Beauty Sweeties Fruit Jelly Bears, £2.99, Superdrug Made with 20 per cent fruit juice and six per cent fruit pieces, as well as aloe vera and collagen, these claim to help with ageing and make you more beautiful. Although they were tasty, we didn’t notice any difference in our skin. CEL Robox Desktop 3D Printer, £999, Hobbycraft Designed for craft lovers, this futuristic machine lets you print pretty much anything into 3D plastic – from jewellery to tools! Nails Inc Paint Can Spray-On Nail Polish in Hoxton Market, £10, www.nailsinc.com If you never have time to do your nails – we have just the thing! Apply a base coat before spraying this revolutionary polish onto your nails and, when it’s dry, wipe off the excess with soapy water.…

‘I EARNED £1,300 BY SHOPPING WITH QUIDCO’ ‘With Quidco, a little can turn into a lot really fast!’ You might recognise me... I’ve been in Pick Me Up! before, raving about the fantastic cashback I’ve pocketed by shopping through Quidco. From mobile phones to maternity wear, there are bargains to be had on so many items. As I’d been on maternity leave, I had lots of time to bargain hunt. It certainly paid off! Last time I was in Pick Me Up!, I’d saved a whopping £900. Just by continuing to shop with Quidco, I’ve pocketed hundreds more since! One of my mum’s favourite sayings when it comes to saving is ‘every little counts’. With Quidco, you’ll discover that a little can turn into a lot really fast! Over the…

‘To cope with the pain, I just kept playing’ The harp’s the perfect instrument to play for some ‘me time’. So relaxing. My hubby, Creag, 30, is a guitarist. We met travelling in Australia in 2009, and spent three years busking in Europe. Settling back in the UK in 2013, Creag learned to craft harps. Now, we run Hands on Harps, hiring out and teaching the instrument. Last February, I discovered I was pregnant. I’d read somewhere that babies can remember sounds inside the womb, so I wrote a lullaby. I’d play it often to my bump. We’d planned a home birth, but my 31-week scan showed our baby was breech. I was advised to deliver in hospital. On 10 October, I’d some discomfort, but I’d had false labour pains…

PISCES 20 Feb–20 March New friends are helping you look at the lighter side of life and you no longer feel weighed down by problems or out of your depth. An emotional meeting with a family member helps bring closure, as well as answers. Call: 09058 170 721* ARIES 21 March–20 April It’s time to put your needs first, so that you’re able to find the strength to help others. Use Wednesday to make phone calls that you’ve been avoiding as those who weren’t helpful may well have experienced a complete change of heart. Call: 09058 170 710* TAURUS 21 April–21 May Venus helps you to better understand a past event that’s had you at an emotional standstill for several days now. Venus brings out your naughty side on Friday.…

Relationships are always a focus of concern in our lives. Are you seeking a romantic partner? Are you experiencing difficulties in your current relationship? Are you both compatible? Our team of specially selected love psychics can help you find the answers you’re looking for on all matters of the heart. Using the ancient art of the tarot, your psychic reader will provide revealing answers. LIVEPSYCHICS & MEDIUMS! Call our live Psychics and Mediums now! Pay by your phone bill… Love Psychics 0906 174 1693 (£1.50/min)** Live Mediums 0906 174 1777 (£1.50/min)** Call Freephone 0800 063 0687 Book your reading with our friendly advisors Enjoy your consultation Or simply text LOVET (Space) plus your question to 86655 (Texts £1.50 per msg x 2)***…