Innehållsförteckning för 21-Apr-2022 från Pick Me Up!

Settling down to an evening of homework, I got my thinking cap on. Being a mum to Charlie, 10, and Ella, seven, my nights would be hectic after a long day working for Virgin Media. After 15 years in my full-time job, I found out that I was being made redundant in 2017. I felt at a loose end. ‘There’s an event coming up and there will be a stall about fostering,’ I revealed to my partner James, 39. We had always wanted more children and had frequent conversations about fostering. And with one door closing for me, it felt like the perfect opportunity to open another. Attending the event, we learnt about the process as well as the children that were looking for a home. Seeing them smiling at…

Feeling my phone buzz in my pocket after school, I opened up a new message and smiled. It was from a lad called Lee Brown. I’d been chatting to him for a few days, after a friend shared my pin on the Blackberry BBM messaging app. I’d only recently turned 16, and I’d just had my heart broken for the first time. Lee was five years older than me, and I was flattered he’d taken an interest. It made me feel so grown up. It turned out that Lee worked in the local chicken shop just around the corner from me, owned by his uncle. Do you fancy meeting up? Lee wrote. I’d love to, I replied. But I’ll bring a friend along with me. I will, too, he said.…

Letting out a big yawn, I saw light coming through the curtains. I pulled the pillow over my head and groaned in frustration. ‘Oh, not another morning…’ I wailed. I’d been in bed for eight hours and I’d done all the right things – avoided caffeine, avoided the phone or computer before sleep, not had caffeine or alcohol – yet still I felt absolutely exhausted. It was always the same. I’d exercise during the day and eat healthily and always get to bed on time. Yet every morning I felt I’d had no sleep at all. I had headaches, felt tired and was always hungry. I also had sad days even though there was nothing wrong with my life, and I was fed up of feeling exhausted. Only, I wasn’t…

Opening the door to crisp, fresh air, I clutched three dog leads in my hand as I stepped out into the sun. ‘Come on you lot!’ I sighed, as the dogs rushed out, eager to get outside. I didn’t really feel like doing anything – I was having one of my bad days. On days like this all I wanted to do was close the curtains, turn away from the world and lay in bed. It was like a black cloud was hovering over me, zapping my energy away. But I knew I had to get out and about, if not for myself, for my three pooches – Elsie, Ethel and Bert. It was about 25 years ago that the black cloud first hit me, when I was going through…

Treat yourself, or someone you love, to a delightful spring bouquet from Eflorist.co.uk. We have a beautiful selection of spring bouquets filled with beautiful blooms to brighten your home! Also, browse our extensive range of bouquets suitable for all budgets, occasions, and recipients. Get 20% off the freshest spring bouquets at Eflorist.co.uk with code PMU20. Plus, receive a free box of Belgian chocolates when ordering a courier bouquet. Eflorist has been delivering flowers since 1947 and offers a simply stunning collection of fresh flowers, with same-day or next-day delivery. Choose from a collection of bouquets that are sent in bud in their freshest form, via a tracked courier delivery service, or have one of its 1,500 UK-based florist members hand-craft a specially selected bespoke bouquet which will be hand delivered…

Dear reader, if there is a fashion scandal, I shall uncover it… With the second season of Bridgerton available to stream on Netflix now, mimic the dazzling regency wardrobe with these highstreet alternatives. Beware, Lady Whistledown is watching you! Top tip Dress a floral number up with heels or down with a denim jacket. Top tip Wear hair adornments for a Bridgerton inspired look. Top tip Statement bags can really change the vibe of your outfit.…

ACTIVE INGREDIENTS Looking to reduce the signs of ageing? Meet the one pot of wonder from L’Oréal Paris which works to visibly reduce wrinkles. Retinol is one of the top searched for skincare ingredients of all time and niacinamide has been gaining attraction thanks for its soothing and brightening properties. Bring them together and you have a recipe for success. The Rivitalift Laser Retinol + Niacinamide Pressed Night Cream (£27.99, Boots) gets to work to target wrinkles and uneven skin tone. Start by using twice a week and slowly build it up to every night. This is a fail safe, non-scary entry into the wonderful world of active ingredients. Working together, these ingredients will leave you with a fresh, glowy complexion. What is retinol? Retinol is derived from vitamin A,…

Get involved Ready, steady, bake! The Queen of Cakes, Mary Berry, is once again championing the Great British Garden Party as it celebrates its third, delicious year. Designed by the National Garden Scheme to help raise vital funds for nursing and health charities, this year they’re inviting you to throw your very own garden party this summer. Partnering with Talking Tables, this year, the NGS want you to throw loud, colourful parties for everyone to enjoy. So, bake your cakes, make flower crowns and party as the sun sets on your table while raising all important funds. The Great British Garden Party takes place between 16 and 24 July. • Sign up today and get your free fundraising pack which includes invitations, posters and fundraising tips. Visit: ngs.org.uk/gardenparty GET IN…

Over the next few days, dark thoughts sank in. I wanted to end my own life. I couldn’t put my finger on why I felt that way, though, as I couldn’t admit to myself that I’d been raped. The days passed in a blur, and on 2 January 2017 I went to see my GP. ‘Has anything happened to cause these thoughts?’ she asked gently. I was honest and it all came tumbling out. The doctor was full of advice and support, and gave me a phone number for an organisation that helps women affected by domestic abuse or sexual violence, called Safe Place. But I was told there wasn’t much they could do. I hadn’t told the police, as I didn’t want to get Lee into trouble. I just…

This week, our tip of the week will receive some a product from Addis! Anti-moth, anti-mould, antimoisture with a lifetime guarantee on the seal, this set of two Addis Seal & Store quilt vacuum bags feature a unique patented seal technology which is 100% airtight and compressed stored items by 80%. The bags are reusable and come with a lifetime guarantee. For more ways to make your life easier visit: addis.co.uk Clever thinking! If you want to paint the bottom of a heavy item that you can’t move around the room, just put a wallpaper scraper underneath the bottom and move it along as you paint. You won’t get any mess on your carpet or floor. Tamara Foster, from Essex Daily cleaning… Jewellery experts at Ingle & Rhode have compiled…

Keep colds at bay With lighter evenings, milder temperatures and even a hint of sun, winter is starting to feel like a distant memory. But spring is actually the second yearly peak for the common cold – and with Covid still at large, keeping our immunity in tip-top condition should be a priority. Stephanie Drax, immunity expert at Leapfrog Remedies, shares tips and little-known hacks to help you swerve illness, and fight it off if it does catch you out… Hugging We are between 74% - 90% more likely to catch a cold when stressed. Research suggests that a 20-second hug can significantly reduce the stress hormone norepinephrine, lower blood pressure and heart rate, and improve mood. Cold showers As little as a 30 to 90 second burst of cold…

FEELING FRUITY With punnets of juicy fruits on display on supermarket shelves and sunshine on the horizon, berries are a top buy. However, Dog Nutritionist Cam Wimble has joined forces with Love Fresh Berries, to highlight the importance that berries can have on a dog’s health. Cancer is the leading cause of death in dogs older than 10, with almost half over this age developing the disease. Only, fruit can be a preventative measure. Blueberries are one of the best possible sources of antioxidants helping to protect healthy cells from harm. Strawberries, blueberries and raspberries all contain a compound called resveratrol, a potent antiinflammatory that can tackle degenerative diseases in dogs. Blackberries are a rare source of manganese which can help with dogs’ bone mineral density in order to aid movement…

DON’T MISS Freeze the Fear with Wim Hof, BBC One In this brand-new series, Holly Willoughby and Lee Mack follow eight celebrities as they give up their warm cosy lives to live in the Italian mountains in sub-zero conditions to face daunting cold challenges designed to push their minds and bodies to the ultimate limit. They’ll be guided by the record-breaking, global sensation Wim Hof AKA ‘The Ice Man’ who believes that embracing the cold can change their lives for the better. The celebrities, Patrice Evra, Gabby Logan, Alfie Boe, Tamzin Outhwaite, Owain Wyn Evans, Dianne Buswell, Professor Green and Chelcee Grimes, are all hoping that they can emerge from the experience feeling happier, healthier, and stronger. Can the cold change their lives forever? Idris Elba’s Fight School, BBC One…

Complete the grid then read down the shaded squares to reveal the hidden answer. Clue: Country. Answer on page 47. ACROSS 6 _ Morgan, star of the fantasy series Merlin (5) 7 Tall African mammals (8) 10 Aardvark (3,4) 11 2021 drama film directed by 25 Across and starring 6 Across, 27 Across, 6 Down & 17 Down (7) 12 Rain jackets (7) 13 Illegal drug (7) 14 Group of islands (11) 19 Forsake (7) 21 Trader, tout (7) 23 Visual symbolism (7) 25 _ Branagh, played Gilderoy Lockhart in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (7) 26 Computer item (5,3) 27 Caitríona _, stars in the historical drama series Outlander (5) DOWN 1 Overabundance (8) 2 _ Rayner, Labour MP (6) 3 Unprovoked attack (10) 4 Horse type…

We all know stress can affect our health in different ways – but did you know it can take a toll on your eyes, too? When we feel stressed our pupils dilate – so that more light can enter, giving us a clearer vision of possible threats. Stress also results in high levels of adrenaline, leading to a build-up of pressure in the eye. Sharon Copeland, optician at Feel Good Contacts, shares some stress-related vision problems… Stress is also linked to conditions like glaucoma, optical neuropathy and age-related macular degeneration – and vision loss can also be a symptom of stress. Once you’ve found a way to deal with stress, your vision should go back to normal. Try… If eye related…

Outside, it was warm and the sun was shining brightly – perfect tanning weather. Yet, I wasn’t planning to go out and bronze myself. I was happy to sit in the shade, out of the sun’s reach. Years ago, you would never have caught me doing this. I was a total sun worshipper. When it came to sun cream, I’d usually be putting on a Factor 5 and I would use sunbeds frequently. Only, that all changed back in 2011. I come from a close-knit family and my dad Geoff and I had a great relationship. We used to spend a lot of time together and my kids Danny, 17, Ciara, 14, and Isabelle, 12, loved him. Sunday roasts at my parent’s house were a regular thing and my husband,…

We had it all – the four-bed semi-detached house, good jobs and decent cars. I worked as a manager for social housing and my husband Will worked as a key account manager, selling wine to bars and restaurants. We were doing everything right – get a job, get a mortgage, settle down… But there was more to life than this, wasn’t there? Still, I had to be sensible. We carried on – working, saving and paying off the mortgage. When we did get time off, we loved to visit France. We adored rural France – staying in villages and buying local produce from the markets, then going back to a rented farmhouse and cooking up a feast. We even spent our honeymoon there eating, drinking and walking. ‘I just love…

Nothing says springtime quite like a yummy cocktail! Thanks to Gordon’s delicious new Tropical Passion fruit gin, whipping up a fruity, refreshing drink is a breeze. Try a summery take on a classic G&T, or go wild and create an elaborate aperitif – check out our favourite new twist on a martini below. Be careful, though – it’s so tasty, it’s easy to forget how boozy it is! Gordon’s Tropical Passionfruit Martini Serves 2 YOU’LL NEED: □ 100ml Gordon’s Tropical Passionfruit Distilled Gin□ 100ml pineapple juice□ 100ml passionfruit purée□ 25ml lime juice□ 25ml vanilla syrup□ A passionfruit, to garnish 1 Filla martini glass with fresh ice cubes 2 Add all the ingredients to a cocktail shaker full with ice, and shake it up! 3 Fine strain into the chilled glass,…