Innehållsförteckning för 09-Mar-2017 från Pick Me Up!

What A Pain! I had a power cut at home this morning. It was impossible to get ready for work. You forget just how much you rely on electricity for everything! 40 …that’s how many years it’s been since Elvis died. I’m going to Memphis this year, so I’ll be visiting Graceland to check out the special displays they’ll have up for him. What A Surprise! Who knew?! Check out these 13 foods you probably didn’t realise you could freeze on www. lifedeathprizes. com What A Bargain! We bought 1980s Trivial Pursuit in a charity shop for the bargain price of £3. Such fun, we’re getting the 90s one, too! What A Laugh! I went to a Prince and David…

‘We couldn’t wait to share our exciting news’ ‘I saw a huge grin spread across Kevin’s face’ Sitting at my desk, I suddenly felt queasy. I dashed to the loo and threw up my breakfast. ‘Maybe you’re pregnant,’ a colleague joked when I returned, looking pale-faced. I laughed, but I was thinking the same. My hubby Kevin, 38, and I had been trying for a baby for ages. He’d previously suffered colon cancer and, although he had made a full recovery, we were warned that the treatment could mean it took us longer to conceive. Three years later, and still no baby, I was starting to fret. So I took an early lunch and dashed home. I was sure I had a pregnancy test in the bathroom cupboard. Finally,…

Family Day Out Present your Nectar card at any Vue Cinema box office to save on your film ticket. Points can be used in multiples of 500 and every 500 saves you £2.50. Head to www.nectar.com for more information. Beauty Sleep On 5 March, Aldi will be launching their brand-new Lacura Lavender Midnight Repair range, including a cream and Power Eye Care. Both will retail for just £3.99, so we reckon they’ll be flying off the shelves! Light It Up Revamp your home with some new outdoor lighting for less thanks to this exclusive LED Hut offer. Head to www.ledhut.co.uk and enter the code PICKGARD15 before 9 March to redeem your 15% off. Dreamy Dinner Made only from organic beans and pulses, Explore pastas are suitable for vegans, vegetarians and…

Me and my husband Geoff, 39, were expecting bad news when we went to Great Ormond Street hospital in February 2014. We’d been referred there because our 11-month-old son Fraser still couldn’t sit up, roll over or bear his own weight. ‘Fraser has muscular dystrophy,’ said the doctor. ‘Our poor baby,’ I sobbed. We were devastated. But we were determined to make sure Fraser got the care he needed. Fraser had a form of muscular dystrophy known as Duchenne. His body didn’t produce the dystrophin needed for muscle repair, so they’d simply waste away. Fraser’s case is unique. Unlike other sufferers, he’d never stood up on his own. And he had problems swallowing - he’d take his drinks into his lungs, leaving him vulnerable to pneumonia. Worst of all, his…

1 COPD is a skin condition. 2 It’s common in smokers. 3 Symptoms include breathlessness. 4 It can be cured. 1 FALSE COPD is the term for a group of lung conditions that cause breathing difficulties, such as chronic bronchitis or emphysema. 2 TRUE Smoking is the main cause of COPD, as harmful chemicals damage the lining of the lungs and airways. Other causes include air pollution and exposure to certain types of dust. 3 TRUE Common symptoms are increased breathlessness, frequent chest infections, persistent wheezing and an ongoing chesty cough. 4 FALSE There’s no cure, but treatments can help control the symptoms and slow the progression of the condition. These include inhalers, pulmonary rehab, stopping smoking or a lung transplant. Next Week SCHISTOSOMIASIS…

Weight is lost through good diet and exercise. All these tablets and quick fixes can’t be good, and won’t be sustainable long term. Eat better, eat less, move more! That’s my motto and I’m 9st lighter than I was two years ago! Bethan Ewart, Sunderland There’s no magic pill for losing weight. Good, healthy foods, reducing alcohol, and regular exercise will only ever be the safest remedies that will be more effective in the long run. Samantha Cooper, Greenwich I’m trying herbal pills at the moment as I have about half a stone to lose, which is not shifting through diet and exercise. Pretty desperate to lose it, so I will try anything! Lydia Wolverson, Manchester I’ve done a shake diet and it made me sick – so much so,…

Secret’s Out..! OK, OK, we admit it! We have a guilty crush on these unlikely celebs HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! These classic films all turn 42 this year. To Vikings, a ‘by’ was a ‘village’ and a ‘grimr’ was a helmet-wearer. So Grimsby folk lived in ‘Helmet Head’s Village’! OOH CLEVER!   Super-smart memory tools for you (and us!) Days in the month…say the rhyme 30 days have September, April, June and November. All the rest have 31 (except February, which has 28 days clear – and 29 in each leap year)! Colours of the rainbow…use a mnemonic Richard Of York Gave Battle In Vain… That’s red, orange, yellow, green, blue, violet (in that order). Points on a compass…say the rhyme Never Eat Shredded Wheat… So, North, East, South, West…

Last May, I was nattering over a cuppa with my mate Mandy. Single, with no kids, I’m a police officer for Warwickshire Police but had recently been craving another challenge. ‘Volunteer for a trip abroad,’ Mandy encouraged. Mandy’s little girl Grace, 13, has a serious heart condition and Mandy told me of the valuable help they’d received from the charity Caudwell Children. It provides support to disabled children and their families and its Destination Dreams scheme selects kids and families who really deserve a break. ‘Volunteers carry bags, push wheelchairs, generally lend a helping hand,’ Mandy said. It had organised a week’s trip last December to Disney World, Orlando. So I filled in the volunteer form online and was delighted to be successful. First, I had to raise £1,200 for…

1 Get Your Credit Into Shape A bad credit score could mean you pay more for things like mobile phone contracts or utility bills. Log on at Noodle, Experian or Equifax to check your score and for advice on improving it. 2 Do A Direct Debit Check-up Cancel subscriptions or memberships you no longer want or use. 3 Be Tax Efficient Save for your pension; the government gives you money every time you put money in! And stash savings in ISAs to make the most of tax-free savings. 4 Pension Plan Not sure how much to put by? Go to future  you.zurich.co.uklifeplanner to match pension savings to your dreams.…

Nosebleeds Blood flowing from one or both nostrils can be frightening, but it’s not usually a sign of something serious. They often occur as a result of a scratch on the inside of your nose, blowing your nose too hard, allergies or even an infection. They can commonly be stopped by remaining upright while pinching your nose. But if it doesn’t stop bleeding, you’re on blood-thinning medication, or you’re suffering symptoms of anaemia, seek medical advice. Give Yourself A Lift Oily fish like salmon, herring and tuna are good sources of vitamins A and D, and are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which help keep the heart healthy.…

Coming from a big family, I’d always wanted loads of children of my own. So, just six months after our wedding, my hubbyMichael, 38, and I started trying. Finally, on 1 June last year... ‘I’m pregnant!’ I cried. Michael threw his arms around me, excited. That July, having our first scan, we were on cloud nine. But my heart sank when I saw the sonographer’s face. ‘I can’t find a heartbeat,’ she said sadly. Doctors explained I’d had what appeared to be a silent miscarriage - I’d lost the baby, but my body didn’t recognise it. We were devastated, but Michael stayed strong for me. I had three options. First, I could wait and give birth naturally. Second, I could take a labour-inducing tablet. Third, I could have an operation…

Carrot Cake Serves: 8 Prep Time: 15 min Cook Time: 45 min Topping: 1 Preheat oven to 180C/ Gas 4, and grease and line a loaf tin with baking paper. 2 Put oats in a small bowl, just cover with boiling water and leave for 5-10 min until all water is absorbed. 3 In a large bowl, beat eggs, oil and sugar together until light and fluffy, then beat in soaked oats, until mixed well through. 4 Add all other ingredients and fold batter together to combine, then pour mixture into tin and bake for 35-45 min, until cake is firm to touch and a skewer inserted comes out clean. 5 Turn out cake onto a wire…

Verdict: BONKERS! Sounds odd, but a little birdy says it tastes great with cheese. Birra Spalmabile Spreadable Beer, £9.99, www.firebox.com Move over Nutella, budge up Marmite – there’s a new spread in town! This gooey spread is made from 40 per cent beer, but is free from alcohol, so you can eat it on toast before work without being sent to HR! Verdict: GENIUS! Gets the job done in record time! Minky Window Vacuum Cleaner, £49.99, Very We’re all guilty of putting off the ‘big’ chores like cleaning the windows… But this nifty gadget helps you to get windows, shower screens and mirrors gleaming in minutes by getting rid of dirt and marks, as well as sucking up condensation. Verdict: BONKERS! Even if you think ‘eugh’, this promises…

TRIED & TESTED This week: Under-eye masks 1 Skin Republic Collagen Hydrogel Under Eye Patch, £5.99, Superdrug These super-hydrating patches are a lifesaver when it comes to late nights and early mornings! I was so impressed with how plumped my skin looked after use. 2 Starskin Eye Catcher Smoothing Bio-Cellulose Second Skin Eye Masks, £8.50, ASOS I’ve tried Starskin products before which I’ve loved, and these were no different! The unique shape moulded perfectly under my eyes to tighten and soothe. 3 Masque Bar Dark Circle Reducer Minimizing Patches, £9.99, Boots I went the whole hog and wore these overnight to let the blend of oils and vitamins work their magic. My dark circles were barely visible by the morning and I needed much less concealer than usual! Jess’Beauty Hero…

‘When he couldn’t silence me, he threatened to hit me’ ‘What are you doing on here?’ I typed, teasingly. Matty Jones, 37, played footie with my older brother, so I’d seen him around, but thought he had a girlfriend. So when I spotted him on dating site Plenty Of Fish, I messaged instantly. ‘We’ve split,’ he replied. After countless messages, we eventually met for a drink. He was cute and, smitten, we quickly became an item. ‘He’s bad news,’ a friend warned, sharing rumours he’d hit his ex-girlfriend. But Matty was kind, confident and cheeky. He doted on me, cleaned the house, even cooked. It just didn’t add up. And when I questioned him about his past, he claimed that his ex was manipulative. I believed him. Over time, though,…

I cut my hair short, dyed it black, brown, purple… I wish I could say I’ve always loved my red locks. But, at school, I was teased for my ‘orange’ hair and specs. ‘Don’t touch her, she’ll burn you!’ one kid shouted. I had some mates who stuck up for me, but I hated being singled out. At 14, so I wouldn’t be targeted any more, I begged my mum Michelle, 59, to let me dye my hair brunette. ‘You don’t need to,’ she urged. But I was adamant, and it really boosted my confidence. Incredibly, the name-calling stopped within days and, soon, no-one remembered I was really ginger. I cut my hair short and dyed it a different colour regularly. Black, brown, purple - anything but red. But at…

‘He’d tell me who to be friends with, what I could wear’ ‘Each flick of the lighter made me quiver with fright’ Unlocking the front door, I stepped inside and froze. The place looked different. Furniture had been switched around, ornaments moved, chairs dragged to different positions... ‘Not again,’ I sighed, annoyed. This was my husband George’s doing. ‘You’ve been gone ages!’ he raged. ‘I’m sorry,’ I replied. ‘There was a queue at the supermarket.’ I’d only been gone half an hour, but George wasn’t happy about it. He didn’t like me going out without him. And on the rare occasions I did, he’d time me. If I was too long, he’d make a huge mess of the house and change things around. In a ridiculous way, he thought…

1 Boozy bloom Adding a teaspoon of sugar and a few drops of vodka to your vase of flowers will delay wilting and keep them looking flawless for much longer. Maria Merton, Portland 2 Ice Is Nice Water your orchids by placing an ice cube on the soil at the base. The ice will melt slowly, giving the orchid a slow drip of hydration so it won’t drown by being over-watered. Linda Bartlett, Thorne 3 The Power Of A Penny Drop a penny into your vase to keep the water fresher for longer, and it’ll prevent fungus or bacteria from growing. Sandra Crawford, Ripon 4 A Cut Above  Cut your flower stems at a 45-degree angle an inch from the bottom as it’ll allow for more water intake, keeping the…

‘I became so self-conscious, dreaded going to school’ ‘Maybe I could reach out to others through music...’ I bet I can guess what you’re thinking... Look at her face! Why does it look weird? It’s nothing I haven’t heard a thousand times before. I was born this way, so people staring and making nasty comments is sadly something I’ve had to deal with all my life. When my mum, Katrina, was pregnant with me, doctors noticed an abnormality at her 32-week scan. She and my dad Larry were offered a late termination. ‘No way!’ Mum had told them. After I was born, doctors diagnosed a cystic hygroma in my chin. It meant I had cysts, caused by blockages in my lymphatic system. I was struggling to breathe. So, when…

Needle fears Q I’ve been told I need vitamin B12 injections every three months, but I’m absolutely terrified of needles. Is there no alternative available? Kelly, Basingstoke A For some people, oral vitamin B12 is just as effective as intramuscular injections. Speak to your GP and explain your fears about having jabs. If you have normal intrinsic factor, you could take tablets. Stroke prevention Q My dad had a stroke in his 70s. Should I start taking aspirin to ward off the possibility of it happening to me? Jill, Wolverhampton A With no other risk factors like high blood pressure or diabetes, there’s no benefit to taking aspirin. The slight reduction in stroke risk is offset by an increased risk of serious bleeding. Quitting ecstasy Q I take ecstasy at…

‘He claimed the killings were part of an evil double act with a pal’ In November 2013, 28-year-old Martha Anaya from Santa Ana, California, suddenly went missing. Her disappearance set off immediate alarm bells for her mum, Herlinda Salcedo, especially as Martha had two children she would never desert. Something serious had to have happened. Days passed, and the police were doing what they could, but Herlinda decided to take matters into her own hands, too. She handed out flyers, walked the streets looking for clues, and took down the number plates of cars she thought suspicious. Six months later, there were still no leads. But then Herlinda got a call from police, who broke the tragic news that Martha had been murdered. They knew the man responsible - Steven…

1 Tesco 14 Salted Caramel & Pretzel Bites, £2 A cross between rocky road and brownies, these little squares are packed with pieces of salty pretzel surrounded by a sweet, rich, soft chocolate mixture. One, maybe two bites a-piece, it’s oh-so-easy to scoff a lot! 2 Cadbury Salted Caramel Brownies, 200g, £1.75 Eight big, soft, super-sweet cookie-style brownies that have a great chocolate flavour, soft texture and are studded with big chunks of our favourite chocolate! 3 Sainsbury’s Taste The Difference 4 Salted Caramel Brownies, 120g, £2 Oh, these are good! Crisp outside, squidgy inside and with a layer of salty caramel in the centre. Very, very naughty, they’re simply divine! Make it yourself... Prep Time: 18 min Cook Time: 18 min…

Diets and detoxes are big business. Juices, shakes, herbal remedies, alternative medicines, detox teas, meal replacements and supplements. There are endless kinds to choose from. And in today’s image- and health-conscious society, many women just can’t resist the temptation to try a quick fix. But is this radical action safe? Or are we causing irreparable damage to our bodies, and playing havoc with our health? Detox overdose Last year, a previously fit and well woman, 47, was rushed to hospital after trying a New Year detox. The unnamed woman developed a potentially fatal complication after ‘overdosing’ on a cocktail of herbal remedies and too much water. She’d been taking valerian root, an alternative medicine used to help sleep problems. Valerian root is also taken to treat anxiety, stress, depression, ADHD,…

Get Moving! Lorraine Brand New You DVD, £14, Amazon TV’s Lorraine Kelly only started working out three years ago, and at aged 57, she’s slimmer, stronger and more toned than she’s been in years! Follow Lorraine and fitness instructor Maxine Jones in four workouts designed to blitz your jelly belly, work legs and tone those bingo wings once and for all. Try this…. Kettle Bites Sea Salt & Mixed Peppercorns, 99p, Tesco No added artificial flavours, colours or MSG, and under 100 cal a bag, here’s a snack you can enjoy without feeling guilty! Fit Kitchen Ready Meals, £3.80, Sainsbury’s High in protein, vitamins and fibre and under 295 cal! There are four in this new range, including Middle Eastern Grilled Chicken. Food Swaps Take3... Flattering Fashion This stunning…

I’d known Alan Miles, 31, through friends for ages, had loads in common. Then we got together in February 2014. ‘I loved crabbing as a kid,’ I said one day. ‘We should go!’ On my 28th birthday last year, Alan gave me a crab line. So, one Saturday soon after, I decided to go crabbing with pals, while Alan went to watch Portsmouth FC as usual. But... ‘Can I tag along?’ he smiled. Later, we dropped my line off a jetty in Emsworth. But, a few minutes on, Alan gave it to me. ‘I think there’s something, pull it up!’ he enthused. I did, and could see a shiny ring attached. I turned to Alan - to find him down on one knee. And, further up the jetty, there was…

Not long ago, I had the same thought every morning... ‘What have I done to deserve this good luck?’ But my story begins in early 2016. I was working as a laboratory manager in London. I loved my job, but I couldn’t shake this feeling... ‘I need adventure,’ I told my mum Annette. She told me to go and find it! So I’d left my job at the lab. And got another one in Mexico! There, I’d work as a scuba-diving instructor, teaching holiday-makers. Fateful day I’d had my diving qualifications since I was a teenager. Finally, I’d be putting them to use. And that’s got to beat a regular 9 to 5, right? The great outdoors, the sunshine, the vast blue ocean. The job was based on Cozumel, an…

‘I just assumed that I was coming down with a cold’ Arriving home from work, I was desperate for an early night. I was training to be a teacher and working in a local secondary school. Running around after a class full of kids had left me exhausted. ‘You don’t look too well,’ my mum Mayling, 51, noticed. Admittedly, I was feeling a bit rundown, lethargic and dizzy. It was February last year, and lots of the kids at school had coughs and colds. I just assumed I was coming down with something, too. Tests, scans When I spoke to my GP, I was told it was an inner ear infection. ‘Nothing to worry about,’ the doctor said. A week on, I was still feeling rubbish so my boyfriend, 24,…

ARIES 21 March–20 April The temptation to do something you shouldn’t is strong in your chart. Know how far is too far to go with your words and actions, please, Aries. Remember how hard it's been to come back from what went on last year. The future is yours for the making. Be constructive. Call: 09058 170 710* TAURUS 21 April–21 May A decision you thought was yours for the making appears to have been taken out of your control, and you seem unsure as to who you can and cannot trust. So trust in yourself, Taurus, and lead the way to what always was, and still should be, your life for the planning. Call: 09058 170 711* GEMINI 22 May–21 June Don’t let younger people emotionally manipulate you into…