Indice dei contenuti per 17 October 2024 in Chat

Welcome to this week’s Chat… One of the most common nightmares that we have is dreaming that our teeth are dropping out. I know I’ve had it… The sense of relief you get when you wake up and realise that your pearly whites are still there! But for poor Michelle, her gnashers disappearing is not just a bad dream but her everyday reality (p23). Now, aged 34, she’s even saving up for dentures. Reading her story made me vow to floss my teeth as often as I tell my dentist that I do! Have a great week, PS If you’re entering the puzzles online, this is the link to use: comps.lifedeathprizes.com/puzzles…

Tammy Young, 49, Staffordshire dummy zone The smell of fried chicken was strong as I walked into the kitchen. ‘Fancy some KFC?’ my partner Kelvin smiled, as he and our son Brandon, then 19, demolished a bucket. ‘You’re two peas in a pod,’ I laughed, pinching a chip. It was March 2023 and Brandon was working with his dad in construction. After work they’d usually head to the gym, then enjoy a bucket of chicken together. I had to laugh at their funny ways, but I loved seeing them bonding. Kelvin was an incredible dad to Brandon, our daughter Nicki, then 24, and my daughter Ariana, 28, from a past relationship. Together for decades, Kelvin and I had never got around to marrying. But we were twin flames, soulmates. Even…

Katie Underhill, 26, Warwick Pottering about our bedroom, I noticed my partner Dean across the room, fidgeting and nervous. We’d been out for a meal and, 26-weeks pregnant, we were back home getting ready for bed. Suddenly, Dean, then 22, was down on one knee, presenting me with a gorgeous silver ring, with a solitaire diamond. ‘Marry me?’ he asked. I beamed, my hands flying to my bump. ‘Yes!’ I said, thrilled. ‘We’ll have our own little ring bearer page, too.’ Such a special moment. But our future was more uncertain than it looked. It was March 2019, and a month earlier, we’d found out that our unborn son was seriously ill. A ‘shadow’ had been detected on the scan, further tests revealed serious heart problems. The valves at the…

1 Eat eggs for breakfast Having breakfast in the morning replenishes your glucose supply to help boost your energy levels. Fill up on eggs first thing, as they’re a great source of energy-boosting protein. ‘Improving what you eat can really lead to more positive feelings, clearer thinking and calmer moods,’ says nutrition coach Sarah Campus (ldnmumsfitness.com). 2 Let in the light Natural light resets the internal body clock, so let it into your room first thing. ‘Exposure to morning light helps you get over that groggy feeling when waking and makes you feel more alert,’ says expert Lisa Artis from The Sleep Charity. 3 Drink more water When we’re dehydrated, we feel sluggish. That’s because around 60% of our body is water. ‘Drinking two to three litres of water a day…

The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company is based in which US city, known as the ‘Rubber Capital of the World’? Solve the crossword then read down the shaded squares to find the prize puzzle answer. ACROSS 1 Actor, _ Kilmer (3) 3 Raiders of the Lost _, film (3) 5 Long-tailed rodent (3) 6 Charged particle (3) 7 Male child (3) DOWN 1 ‘Doing’ words (5) 2 Ancient language (5) 4 Harry _, England footballer (4) WIN 4x £20 Puzzle 13 Your answer: TO ENTER Turn to page 56 for details or visit comps.lifedeathprizes.com/puzzles…

Hubby’s drinking too much Q I’m worried about my husband’s drinking. What started off as a few pints on a Saturday has now become a few pints most days. Plus binge-drinking all weekend. He starts on a Thursday night and doesn’t stop until Sunday. I’m getting really worried about him. Maria, 51 A The first step is to talk to your husband about your concerns, but try to make sure you do it when he’s sober and calm, pet. Be gentle and honest with him about how his drinking affects you and the rest of the family. Encourage him to seek the help that he needs. You can’t control his actions but you can be there for him in acknowledging the problem. There’s so much support available online too, sweetheart.…

3 ways to… winter-proof your home and stay safe Do the prep now to help avoid any nasty surprises in the colder months ahead… Get sorted 1 If your boiler is due a service, book it now. Having it done annually helps ensure that your boiler is running as efficiently and safely as possible. Regular servicing can extend the life of your boiler too, says Worcester Bosch. Don’t blow it 2 Got any fence panels that need mending or replacing? Then get this sorted to prevent potential havoc caused by high winds, plus it’s better for home security too. Also, now that you’ve finished with items in the garden, like a BBQ or garden furniture, ideally store them away. If that’s not possible, make sure they’re secured so they can’t…

Mark van Dongen was a long way from his loving family in Belgium. His construction engineer skills had led him to study and then work in Bristol. In his 20s, he was young, handsome and single, with a promising future. And it wasn’t long before he was snapped up. In 2010, he met Berlinah Wallace, a fashion student in her 40s, on a dating site. Although there were nearly two decades between them, they became serious and moved in together. But it wasn’t happily ever after. Over their five-year relationship, they broke up time and time again. But something always brought them back together. And those who knew Dutch-born Mark probably couldn’t understand why. He had told his family and colleagues that he was scared of Berlinah. Even claimed she…

SINGLE-BREASTED STYLE TIP Effortlessly elegant, give this fuss-free design extra oomph with statement prints and pops of colour. PADDED STYLE TIP This sporty style is both cosy and cool. Offset the bulkier silhouette with a cropped length and a more fitted bottom half. BELTED STYLE TIP A timeless classic, the self-tie belt will pull you in at the waist to create a gorgeous hourglass shape. FROM £27 BORG STYLE TIP The ‘it’ coat of the season, this retro style is best paired with your go-to denim or a floaty boho dress.…

True-life PATIENT CASEBOOK Snita Sharma, 56, Buckinghamshire Exhausted, I flopped down on the sofa and burst into tears. It was July 2010 and I’d just been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, aged 42. ‘I’ll be on medication for life,’ I wept to my husband Kam, then 46. I’d visited my doctor after constantly feeling fatigued. At just over 10st and 5ft 1in, I’d never dreamt diabetes could be to blame. Cutting out sugar, I stuck to my meds. Swore to get healthy. It worked for a while, but over the years I slipped back into old habits. ‘The meds will take care of everything,’ I’d shrug, reaching for another biscuit. Slowly, more sugar crept back in. In August 2017, as my 50th birthday approached, my GP called me in following…

OVER TO YOU Can you set a puzzle in this format? Send it, with a photo of yourself, to the address on p5. There’s £20 for every one we use! This week’s puzzle was compiled by Stephanie Rees, Swansea, Wales WIN 5 x £20 Puzzle 6 ACROSS 1 Wound mark 2 Centre 3 Cooking appliance 4 Part of baby’s bottle DOWN 1 From Glasgow or Aberdeen 2 Coastal inlet 3 Region 4 To lease Your answer: HALF & HALF Cricket, rugby, fives, Shanghai and killer are all variants on the standard rules of what sport? Cross out a letter in each square to get a grid filled with words. The uncrossed-out letters in the shaded squares give the prize answer. WIN 3 x £50 Puzzle 7 Your answer: BRICK TRICK What is the name of the currency…

Brits drink around 100m cups a day. That’s nearly 36bn a year! Old, but gold Tea has been around for more than 5,000 years and was made in China. Feeling dippy Eight in 10 tea drinkers have a sweet or savoury biscuit with their hot drink. But which is your go-to for dunking? How do you drink yours? Nearly 60% of tea drink dairy milk, while 10% add plant milk. For those with a sweet tooth, 27% have sugar and 12% use a sweetener. Boiling point The tradition of a tea break has been around for 200 years and shows no signs of going anywhere. We’ll raise our mugs to that! Going tea-total Tea might have been around for a long time, but it wasn’t until the mid-18th century that…

Glenda McGinty, 44, Strabane, Co Tyrone Shifting in the hard seat, I tried to find a comfy position. Squashed in, I wriggled around. My back sore, my tummy rubbing against the steering wheel. But it was where I’d be for the next 12 hours. In my job as a bus driver, I’d travel the same route in Strabane, picking up familiar faces, sharing a friendly smile with them. What they didn’t know was that it was just a brave face. Really, I couldn’t wait to get home where I lived alone. I’d draw the curtains, hide away and do the only thing that numbed the pain. It was 2006, and although I’d been a bus driver for five years, I hadn’t always had to squeeze myself into that seat. In…

Aries 21 March-20 April It’s time to expand your social circle. Make new connections and boost your confidence by trying hobbies that will introduce you to like-minded people. • Call 0905 817 0690* for more Taurus 21 April-21 May At times you find it hard to stop and relax. Make time for self-care – it’s essential for your wellbeing and will ensure you have enough energy to fulfil your goals. • Call 0905 817 0691* for more Gemini 22 May-21 June If you’ve been wondering how to fulfil your purpose, try to trust the signs and your inner guidance. They are leading you in the right direction. Act on inspiration. • Call 0905 817 0692* for more Cancer 22 June-23 July Taking care of yourself is more important than ever…

QI keep hearing about double cleansing. Why should I do it and can I use the same product twice? Katie Woodward, Tenby A As the name suggests, double cleansing is as simple as washing your face twice. It’s hugely popular as it gets your skin thoroughly cleaned, meaning your complexion will be less congested. It’ll also help your skincare sink in better. Firstly, you will need to melt away any topical products like make-up and SPF from the day. We’d recommend using an oil-based cleanser such as Simple Hydrating Cleansing Oil, £7, Boots, as it will make light work of even stubborn mascara without the need for heavy scrubbing. If your complexion is naturally oily or you’d prefer something lighter, a micellar water like Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water, £4.99, Boots, will…

Solutions to Chat issue 38 (19 September 2024) Puzzle 2 Biome Puzzle 3 Atoll Puzzle 4 They have tattoos of roses Puzzle 5 1B,2A,4B,4C,4D Puzzle 6 Loop Puzzle 7 Knees Puzzle 8 Geode Puzzle 9 Basketballs Puzzle 10 Baccarat Puzzle 13 Padua Puzzle 14 Nassau Puzzle 15 Choir Puzzle 16 Emotional eating Puzzle 17 Trunks Puzzle 18 Wicker WE WON! Chat winners issue 29 (18 July 2024) £1,001 CASH V M Backhouse, Burton-on-Trent £500 CASH A Beale, Plymouth T Chapman, Brighton £250 CASH C Lovell, Barnoldswick D Cocks, Frinton-on-Sea £200 CASH S Beckley, Sutton Coldfield £100 CASH J Owen, Preston A Lightning, Sheringham L Barker, Dewsbury £50 CASH S Thompson, Ware L Stables, Skegness K Collister, Wirral P Walmsley, Norwich V Phillips, St Ives I Allsop, Downham Market £40 CASH J McManus, Bridlington £30 CASH D Griffiths-Hawke, Oswestry K Milne, Launceston Anyone from your…

This week we meet… Ian Jones, 60, from Gateshead What’s your favourite way to unwind on a Sunday afternoon? Go on a bracing walk along the River Tyne, taking in the Quayside Market, then eating a nice roast with my wife. What was your dream job when you were growing up? It definitely would have been something to do with travel. Either working on the airlines or becoming a rep abroad. If you could be any person for a day, who would you be and why? Sir Geoff Hurst. I would’ve loved to know what it was like to score a hat-trick in the 1966 World Cup final and also pulling on the shirt of my beloved West Ham United. WE PAY £50 to everyone we feature on this page!…

THE BIGGIE What do singers Rod Stewart and Mick Jagger have in common? To find out, solve the crossword then read down the shaded squares to find the four-word prize answer. WIN £1,001 Puzzle 4 ACROSS 1 Character from Sex and the City (2,3) 4 Harbour (4) 6 Filmmaker (8) 13 Michigan city (7) 14 Exact (7) 15 Adversary (5) 16 Mix of black and white (4) 17 Bracelet (6) 18 Sculpted figure (6) 20 Unwell (4) 21 Notions (5) 22 Citrus fruit (6) 25 Desire for food (8) 28 Rubs out (6) 30 Shelf (5) 32 Quarrel (8) 34 Broad street (6) 35 In this place (4) 38 Mean, cruel (6) 39 Divine messenger (5) 40 American state (6) 43 Bird’s bill (4) 44 Dairy product (6) 45 Least expensive (8) 48 Marsh (5) 49 Cooking instructions (6) 51 Convict (8) 54 Part of a shirt (6) 55 Unit of volume (5) 56 Metal (4) 58 Soak up liquid…

Fluttering heartbeat Q I’ve noticed heart palpitations where my heart pounds, flutters and beats irregularly, sometimes causing dizziness, breathlessness and tiredness. My GP diagnosed me with atrial fibrillation. What is this? Kayleigh, Derby A Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common heart condition where the heart beats irregularly and often too fast. Instead of a steady rhythm, the upper chambers of the heart (atria) quiver or flutter, causing the pounding, fluttering and irregular beats you’ve felt. This irregular heartbeat can lead to poor blood flow, which might explain why you feel dizzy, breathless and tired. AF can also raise the risk of problems like stroke, so make sure you listen to your doctor’s advice. Treatment might include medications to control your heart rate or rhythm or blood thinners to prevent clots.…

WIN £500 Puzzle 10 Coined dismissively by a neighbouring president in 1998 but since patriotically reclaimed, the ‘little red dot’ is a phrase referring to which country? Solve the puzzle by following the arrows and writing in your answers. Read down the letters in the shaded squares to find the prize answer. ARROW WORD Your answer: SUDOKU To solve the puzzle, each 3 × 3 box, each row and each column must contain the numbers 1 to 9. Solve the puzzle and the numbers in the highlighted squares will give you the prize puzzle answer. WIN 2 x £30 Puzzle 11 Your answer: WORDSEARCH WIN £40 Puzzle 12 In the US sitcom Scrubs, what nickname does J.D. (Zach Braff) receive in the first-season episode entitled My Nickname? The answer is…

WIN £100 Puzzle 14 The Very Large Telescope at Paranal Observatory and the construction site of the Extremely Large Telescope are both found in which desert? Solve the puzzle by following the arrows and writing in your answers. Then read down the letters in the shaded squares to find the prize answer. Your answer: FILL ME IN CIRCLE TIME Barry Keoghan’s first major acting nomination was for the Irish Film & Television Association Award for Best Actor for which 2016 film? Fit the words into the grid, then read down the letters in the shaded circles. 3 letters ARC ARE ARM EAT LEA MET SEE SET SUE YET 4 letters EASE LAMP LAVA MAMA MEME SLAM SPAM 5 letters MAMBA MEDIA MIMES 6 letters EAGLES ENCORE MEMORY MOMENT SALAMI STARTS…

Top tip Tahini is a sesame-seed paste often used to make houmous. Griddled lamb flatbreads So zingy, you’ll wish you had more flatbreads to dunk in this sauce! SERVES 4 PREP 20 MINS COOK 5 MINS • 1tbsp baharat or ras el hanout spice mix • 2tbsp olive oil • 400g lamb loin fillet • 2 red onions, peeled and cut into 8 chunks • 1 aubergine, cut into bite-size pieces • 4 flatbreads • 1 pomegranate, seeds scooped out • Gherkins, roughly chopped, to serve • 1 lemon, cut into wedges FOR THE YOGURT SAUCE: • 2tbsp tahini • 8tbsp natural yogurt • Small bunch dill, finely chopped, plus extra to serve • Zest 1 lemon • Handful mint leaves, chopped YOU WILL NEED: • 6 wooden skewers, soaked in water…

Jasmine, 24, Coventry As I curled up in bed, sweat rolled down my face and my stomach heaved. It was March 2021, and the early stages of pregnancy had hit me hard. Throwing up non-stop, I’d been diagnosed with hyperemesis gravidarum – extreme morning sickness. I’d even been admitted to hospital for fluids. Now, back home, all I wanted to make me feel better was a cuddle from my boyfriend Jack, then 20. It’d been a shock for both of us when I’d realised I was expecting after we’d been together for a year. ‘I’m scared,’ I’d told Jack. He’d promised it’d be OK. ‘We’ll be connected forever,’ he said, pulling me in for a hug. Now I was feeling rotten, another cuddle and a bit of reassurance would do…

To Marika, I still treasure the moment we met. You were 16 months old, with gorgeous big brown eyes. As I picked you up, you nuzzled into me. ‘You’re my daughter, and I’m going to be your mummy,’ I whispered. It was July 2011 and me and your dad, Paul, had flown from London to Nepal to collect you. You’d been living in an orphanage. Had been found outside a hospital when you were just a day old. You’d only settle at bedtime lying next to my head You had no idea that thousands of miles away in the UK, two people were desperate for a baby to love. Your dad and I had faced years of infertility and devastating miscarriages. But through my work as a fundraising manager at…