Chat -julkaisun 27 June 2024 -irtonumeron sisällysluettelo

Welcome to this week's Chat… What's the one sweet treat you couldn't live without? For Carol, it's a jammy doughnut – and working in a bakery, she wasn't short of them! Trouble was, her health was on the slide and she needed to lose weight. How on earth would she manage it without giving up her sugary faves (p24)? If you've a sweet tooth too, check out the easy bakes on p42. The good news is they've got fruit and veg in, so they're healthy! Well, kind of… Have a great, week, PS If you're entering the puzzles online, this is the link to use: comps.lifedeathprizes.com/puzzles…

TRUE-LIFE Laura Sugden, 34, Driffield Dabbing my eyes, I found a bouquet on my desk. The tag read: Missing you already… And that's when the tears really started. It was August 2016 and I'd been with my boyfriend Shane Gilmer, then 28, a year after meeting at our council housing job. Now living together in Driffield, East Yorkshire, everyone joked we were glued at the hip. We worked together and lived together. Even ate off paper plates at weekends to minimise washing up and maximise cuddling time! But now Shane had moved to a different office for six months, and even though I'd see him at home, I was pining. Still, looking at the flowers, I felt a warm glow. I'd never known a love like ours before. Shane had…

Brekkie brainwave Instead of throwing out the plastic clips used for packaging new shirts, I reuse them to seal cereal packs to keep the contents fresh. Maxine McShane, Leeds, West Yorkshire £25 For every photo tip that we print All in the balance When planting my hanging basket, I pop it in a bucket to keep it level. It's so simple to do now – and it doesn't tip over and spill soil everywhere. Lucy Hodson, Hoylake, Wirral Travelling trinkets Use a matchbox to store your jewellery when you go on holiday. This is a decorative one but an ordinary one will do just as well! Wen Sharron, Townhill, Swansea Book smart I added a couple of curtain hooks and some string to the lid of one of my 2-year-old…

What connects actor Billy Bob Thornton and singer Jon Bon Jovi? To find out, solve the crossword then read down the shaded squares to find the five-word prize answer. ACROSS 1 Photo book (5) 4 Elephant tooth (4) 6 Appreciative (8) 13 Herb (7) 14 Make believe (7) 15 Solemn pledges (5) 16 Anthony _, former PM (4) 17 Sweet Chinese sauce (6) 18 2001 film, _ Rouge! (6) 20 Sailor's greeting (4) 21 Lift up (5) 22 Big, striped cats (6) 25 Enchanting (8) 28 Sewing tool (6) 30 Not tight (5) 32 Protection from rain (8) 34 Take for granted (6) 35 Dull pain (4) 38 Very infrequently (6) 39 Japanese poem (5) 40 Plant loved by felines (6) 43 Aquatic mammal (4) 44 Large spoons (6) 45 Capital of Belgium (8) 48 Banish (5) 49 Place to park a car (6) 51 Actor who played Grant Mitchell on EastEnders (4,4) 54 Giving money to…

Could it be cancer? Q I'm a 38-year-old man and can feel a lump in my balls. I've never checked them before, so I don't know how long it's been there – it's on my left ball and feels like a pea. Mark, Nottingham A It's great you're taking steps to look after your health. Finding a lump on your testicle can be worrying, but it's important to stay calm. It could be testicular cancer, but it could also be something harmless, like a cyst or growth, especially if it's small like a pea. Testicular lumps can come from different things, such as cysts, hydroceles (which are fluid build-ups), or varicoceles (enlarged veins that feel like a bag of worms). It's best to see your doctor as soon as you…

At the end of Beatrix Potter's The Tale of Peter Rabbit, Peter is sent to bed early by WIN 2 x £25 Puzzle 9 his mother with only a teaspoon of what foodstuff in place of supper? To find out, solve the puzzle… Add a letter anywhere in each of the boxed-off words to fit the clue, eg, Treaties = PATS + C = PACTS. Write the added letter in the space provided. Read down the added letters to spell out the prize answer. Treaties Drops of moisture Artist's garment Bob around Whizzes Suggest Begs Reverie Direct Brandish Tilts sideways Your answer: TO ENTER Turn to page 56 for details or visit comps.lifedeathprizes.com/puzzles…

JUST FOR FUN MOOBS EVERYWHERE Whether you're taking the kids to the park or running errands in town, you can't avoid the sunburnt man flesh that's on display 24/7. Everyone's desperate to cool down and men all over the country whip off their T-shirts and let it all hang out. Doesn't matter if they've got a bod to rival Tom Hardy or Johnny Vegas, you're in for an eyeful. And, as the thermometer hots up, you start to wish you could do the same… EVERYONE'S MOANING Usually around mid-July, everyone stops beaming about the weather and someone quietly admits they wish it'd be just a smidge cooler. Before you know it, you're thinking back fondly to the last night you didn't need to sleep with the bedroom windows open and…

TRUE-LIFE Natasha Hunton-Walker, 31, London My eyes opened and rested on my husband Zac, then 31, sat on my hospital bed. He was cradling a tiny baby. Our baby. Little Maximus, who we'd welcomed just hours before, in September 2023. I felt strange, like I was in a dream. Awake but not. My brain felt muddled. I mumbled some nonsense, couldn't make anybody understand what I was trying to say. ‘Just rest, love. You're exhausted,’ my mum, Tanya, then 61, soothed. I couldn't deny that. After a smooth pregnancy, 36 hours of labour had certainly taken it out of me. I was allowed home with Maximus three days later. As Zac and I settled into a newborn bubble, I tried to ignore the headaches that had started plaguing me There…

TRUE-LIFE Nicole Goss, 31, Burgess Hill, West Sussex Hearing the ice cream van's loud tune as it drove past my house, my tummy roared. Grabbing my purse, I popped out for a Twister. ‘I'm not usually a fan of these,’ I shrugged to my friend, arriving back carrying a stash of them. ‘You must be pregnant,’ he said, laughing. Could I be? It was April 2012 and I'd recently come out of a relationship. After my Twister, I rushed to buy a pregnancy test. When it was positive, I was gobsmacked. Aged only 19, I knew solo parenting would be tough. But I was excited to meet the little person growing inside me. Then, at my 12-week scan, the sonographer dropped a bombshell. ‘Your baby has gastroschisis,’ she said. She…

Aries 21 March-20 April Your confidence and enthusiasm are contagious! You have the amazing opportunity to influence others in an uplifting way, so use your words wisely. ● Call 0905 817 0690* for more Taurus 21 April-21 May You can live in the past at times. Focus on the present and try not to compare too much with what has been. By living in the moment, new doors will open for you. ● Call 0905 817 0691* for more Gemini 22 May-21 June Take a moment to smell the flowers and really enjoy the beautiful summer that's just begun. Gaze up at the stars and give thanks for the blessings in your life. ● Call 0905 817 0692* for more Cancer 22 June-23 July The Sun, Mercury and Venus are…

Q Which strength of SPF should I be using when I'm away on holiday? Sandra Collins, Swindon A Sun damage through UVA and UVB rays is a risk all year round, no matter what the weather. But it's especially important to wear a high SPF when you're on holiday and exposed to stronger sun rays. Make sure you wear an SPF50 on your face, to help prevent ageing, as well as sun damage, every day. Bondi Sands SPF50+ Fragrance-free Face Sunscreen Fluid, £7.99, Superdrug, is a lightweight, broad-spectrum one that deeply hydrates for up to 72 hours and sits well under make-up. Garnier Ambre Solaire Sun Cream Mist SPF50, £13, Boots, is an essential too, particularly when you're on holiday. Use it on your scalp, over make-up or just by…

Caroline Crouch was 8 years old when she moved to the beautiful Greek island of Alonissos with her oil executive dad David and mum Susan. Raised in the idyllic surroundings of white beaches, crystal-clear waters, blue skies and sunshine. Liverpool-born Caroline excelled in sport, particularly swimming, kick-boxing and running. At 15, she met Charalambos Babis Anagnostopoulos, a helicopter pilot 14 years her senior. Despite her young age, the pair fell in love, tying the knot in Portugal in July 2019, shortly after Caroline turned 18. They set up home in a villa in Glyka Nera, a suburb near Athens. The following year, they had a daughter. And Caroline adopted rescue dog Roxy. Life was good. But in the early hours of 12 May 2021, police responded to a call from…

Dear Dad, Even now, I remember drawing a family tree at school, aged 13, and looking at the blank space where your name should be. Fostered since I was 3, I didn't know my biological family and though I had my birth certificate, you weren't on it. Would I ever find out who you were? Around that time, I contacted social services, wanting to know about my birth family. But all they had was a photo of my mum holding me as a baby. You were a mystery, Then, in 1983, when I was 16, I met Mum. Though we kept in touch, we never built the bond I'd longed for. I did get one piece of the puzzle though. ‘What's my dad's name?’ I asked her. ‘Michael Williams,’ she…

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YOU'RE THE JUDGE! It was a regular Friday morning for Jennifer Dulos as she ferried her five kids to school on 24 May 2019. After waving goodbye to her brood, aged between 8 and 13, the 50-year-old was seen arriving home at 8.05am. That day, Jennifer had a busy day planned. She was due to see the doctor, then visit her mum Gloria, 83. Only, Jennifer didn't make any of her appointments and didn't respond to phone calls or texts. By 7pm, with no sign of her, the mum-of-five was reported missing. Investigators found her black Chevrolet Suburban abandoned three miles from her home in New Canaan, Connecticut. Searching her house, they uncovered her blood splattered in her garage and on surfaces in the kitchen. Cops said it was clear…

1 Savour your mouthfuls Are you guilty of wolfing down meals? It takes around 20 minutes for your brain to catch up with your stomach and send ‘full-up’ signals, so eating quickly increases the chance of overeating. Focus on every mouthful – does it smell great? Taste great? And avoid seconds. 2 Stop, before you're full Try ‘hara hachi bu’ – a Japanese term that means eat until you're 80% full. This gives your body the chance to realise it's had enough. Struggle to leave food? You're not alone. ‘Most adults have trouble leaving something on their plate – a habit from childhood,’ says mindful eating consultant Emma Randall*. ‘Try serving less so you don't leave anything, or leave one potato instead of three so you don't feel deprived.’ 3…

Lisa Davies, 42, Cardiff Cuppa in hand, I settled onto the sofa to enjoy five minutes’ peace. It was January 2024, and my daughters Maisy, then 12, and Freya, 16, were playing upstairs. Looking at our tabby cat, Ziggy, curled up on an armchair, I smiled. Ziggy was our lockdown pet. My partner Kevin, now 46, and I had finally given into the girls’ demands for a cat in May 2020. He settled in, would strut his stuff, giving a big meow, full of cat-titude. Well, he was gorgeous, with tabby fur on his face and back, and bright white on his front. He also had a two-inch patch of tabby fur on his front left leg. And now, as the sun highlighted the patterns on Ziggy's colouring, I sat…

WOOF WOOF BRIGHT STRIPES BUDGET BUY…

First created by an Italian cobbler in 1603, mysterious ‘Bologna stones’ that glowed at night were later shown to be minerals consisting of a sulphide of which metallic element? Unscramble each group of letters to discover six chemical elements. Now fit them across the grid and you'll spell out the answer to the question. 1 ABC LOT 2 GULL AIM 3 MUU RIC 4 BE MINOR 5 LIME UH 6 ACID MUM WIN £75 Puzzle 17 Your answer: TO ENTER Turn to page 56 for details or visit comps.lifedeathprizes.com/puzzles…

Blackberry and apple crumble muffins Turn a classic pudding into a tasty grab-and-go treat Top tip If you don't have apples, pears will work well instead. MAKES 12 PREP 20 MINS COOK 35 MINS ● 150g butter, at room temperature, plus a knob ● 225g caster sugar ● 250g self-raising flour ● 3 medium free-range eggs, beaten ● 100g apple sauce ● 3 Cox's apples, cored and cut into small chunks ● 150g blackberries FOR THE TOPPING: ● 40g butter, at room temperature ● 40g light muscovado sugar ● 60g plain flour ● 3tbsp rolled oats YOU WILL NEED: ● 1 × 12 hole muffin tin ● 12 muffin cases 1 Heat the oven to 160C Fan/ Gas 4. Line a muffin tin with the paper cases. Using an electric whisk,…

TRUE-LIFE Mia, 26 Playing Crash Team Racing on the PlayStation, I heard a loud knock on the front door. ‘Uncle Kev!’ I shouted, dropping my controller and racing into the hall. It was 2006 and Kevin, then 27, was my mum's younger brother. Aged 8, I loved how he enjoyed mucking about with me and my two brothers, then 13 and 15, when he came over. But one day our PlayStation went missing. Mum explained Uncle Kev had stolen it. ‘He took money out of my purse, too,’ she said. ‘He's not welcome here any more.’ I was devastated. A year on, we discovered we weren't the only people Uncle Kev had stolen from. ‘He's been sent to prison,’ Mum said. She didn't mention him much after that. But two…

Lottie London Ready Set! Go Undereye Setting Powder, £6.95, Asos This powder is designed to be used under the eyes to brighten, reduce shine and give a long-lasting, natural-looking matte finish to your make-up. Discover Sunrise Eau de Toilette, £10, M&S The scent of summer has arrived with this affordable fragrance – ideal for taking on holiday. It combines gorgeous notes of bergamot, jasmine and sandalwood. The bottle gives off a summery vibe, too. Fussy Refillable Natural Deodorant Wavy Days, £12, Sainsbury's An eco-friendly, natural and refillable deodorant will keep you feeling and smelling fresh all day long. This one has an energising eucalyptus, sage and peppermint. scent. Lacura Shimmer Tan Body Butter, £3.99, Aldi A fast-absorbing body butter that's infused with avocado, vitamin C and peppermint oils to deeply…

Solutions to Chat issue 22 (30 May 2024) Puzzle 2 Tontine Puzzle 3 Data Puzzle 4 They can play the trumpet Puzzle 5 1C,2A,2B,2D,3D Puzzle 6 Glen Puzzle 7 Faro Puzzle 8 Breton Puzzle 9 Kim Basinger Puzzle 10 Carlisle Puzzle 13 Truro Puzzle 14 Camomile Puzzle 15 Bounty Puzzle 16 Timelessness Puzzle 17 Cluedo Puzzle 18 Catatonia WE WON! Chat winners issue 13 (28 Mar 2024) £1,001 CASH S Watson, Lytham St Annes £500 CASH M Edwards, Bridgend L Aubury, Norwich £250 CASH J Yates, Chesterfield A Gregory, Belper £200 CASH J Kitcher, Lymington £100 CASH S Miller, Darlington M Limmage, Northampton A Cox, Stockton-on-Tees £50 CASH D Lee, Norwich M Montoya, Edinburgh C Tatum, Bridgend £40 CASH S Freeman, Kettering £30 CASH C Elmer, Clacton-on-Sea P Perry, Lincoln £25 CASH W Ouni, Rugeley J Kingston, Chesterfield £20 CASH A Rees, Treharris R…

This week we meet… Maureen Farren, 59, from Derry What's your favourite biscuit to have with a cuppa? Jacobs Cream Cracker! Two stuck together with a good lashing of butter. They are so moreish. If you could live anywhere, where would you choose? I love living in Derry, except for the fact we get too much rain. So if I could choose to go anywhere, it would be Pollensa, Majorca, where my brother lives. It's such a beautiful place, historic and charming. Are you more of a cat or dog person? As an amateur photographer, I specialise in taking photos of dogs. My West Highland White Terrier Riley is precious to me. The excitement he shows every time I return home (even if I have only been gone half an hour)…

A Gilwell is the main form of what item of scouting equipment, invented by Bill Shankley? The number next to the clue tells you which line the answer's in. We've put a section in to start you off! There may be two Across answers in WIN £100 Puzzle 2 one line. Down words fill themselves in. The shaded squares spell out the one-word prize answer. 1 Stare ∙ Harbour 3 Alteration or addition to a document 5 Which person? ∙ Wooden pin or dowel 7 Reduce to dust 9 Sly look ∙ Cried Your answer:…

TOPS STYLE TIP Avoid showing your bra by styling a nude cami under crochet pieces, or wear a bikini top. DRESSES STYLE TIP Wear bohemian flowing dresses with ankle or cowboy boots. To cover up, opt for an on-trend quilted jacket. ACCESSORIES STYLE TIP A pouch bag is perfect for a hands-free festival experience. Crochet bucket hats fold up small and travel well. TIERED SKIRTS STYLE TIP For maximum style points, avoid multicoloured prints and stick to neutral or block colours.…

Judith King, 26, Stourbridge True-life PATIENT CASEBOOK Walking through the door, I was waving the test papers in the air. ‘I did it!’ I squealed to my mum Rachel, then 51. It was January 2018 and I'd passed my driving test. Very excited for my new-found freedom after years of difficulty. Back in 2014, I'd started having troubles with my joints, in particular my left knee and hip. I'd noticed a twinge in my knee after a stumble on the ice rink, skating with friends. I'd thought nothing of it. Only, soon I was in constant pain. Docs had put it down to a soft tissue injury. Then, I started falling on the stairs, my left hip giving way. Physio and surgery to remove broken cartilage followed but the pain…

TRUF-LIFE Carol Price, 68, Ore, Sussex Jam squidged out of the doughnut as I took a bite from the delicious, sugary treat. Hearing the bell ring, I wolfed down the rest, licked my sticky fingers and hurried to the counter. ‘How can I help you?’ I asked the customer, hoping I didn't have any telltale sugar on my lips. It was August 2015 and I'd just landed my dream job in a bakery after being made redundant from a DIY shop. I'd always had a sweet tooth, so being surrounded by cakes all day was amazing. But it could also be a bit of a nightmare. I just couldn't stop myself from indulging! I'd always been big, with an appetite to match. Aged 15, I'd tipped the scales at 15st.…

The last square-rigged sailing vessel used to carry commercial cargo is often considered to be a ship by what name, sunk in 1958 carrying guano off the Peruvian coast? Solve the crossword, then read down the shaded squares to find the prize puzzle answer. ACROSS 1 Thick branch (3) 3 Alcoholic spirit (3) 5 Small deer (3) 6 First woman (3) 7 Consume food (3) DOWN 1 Big (5) 2 Welcome (5) 4 Encounter (4) WIN 4 × £20 Puzzle 13 Your answer: TO ENTER Turn to page 56 for details or visit comps.lifedeathprizes.com/puzzles…

He's sabotaging my diets Q I'm trying hard to lose weight but my husband makes it really difficult. I try to cook healthy meals but he'll come home with a chippy tea or cracks open the biscuits after dinner. He does it without thinking and apologises when I remind him of my diet, but I find it hard to resist the temptation. Should I stop him bringing junk food into the house? Hannah, 34 A I feel your pain, my love! Dieting is never easy. But you can't ban your hubby from eating his fave foods just because you want to shed a few pounds. I am sure he'll want to support you where he can but don't make him go out to his car to scoff his biscuits! In…

3 ways to… save on rail travel Train fares can be expensive, here are some tips on how you can cut the cost. 1 Get organised Know when you want to travel? Then plan ahead to buy the cheapest tickets. Train companies release advance tickets about 12 weeks before the day of travel – though, some do this earlier. You can set up a Ticket Alert at thetrainline.com and you'll get an email when they go on sale for your trip. If they're already available, it's usually best to book as soon as possible as prices tend to go up. 2 Bag discounts Travelling as a party of three to nine? Check if you can save one third on off-peak adult tickets with GroupSave tickets – find out more details at nationalrail.co.uk.…