Table of contents for 32-2020 in Best

The world may not have totally returned to normal yet, but that hasn’t stopped the news. The trial of Depp versus Heard is over, but it looks like their reputations are what was really lost in this libel case. Let’s hope the same does not turn out to be true for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex (at least Meghan has a fan in Lady Colin Campbell, see page 8), as they, too, head back to court in an ongoing privacy battle over her letters to her father – exactly at the same time the book Finding Freedom hits the bookshelves. Meanwhile, Emmerdale’s Lisa Riley has admitted (on page 14) she is haunted by her former fat self. I think many of us former fatties hear her. I have not…

Good Morning Britain presenter Kate Garraway was pushed to the brink recently, after being involved in an ‘utterly terrifying’ tyre blowout on the motorway – while rushing from a visit with friends to the hospital, so she could see her sick husband, Derek Draper. The mum-of-two had her kids – Darcey, 14, and Billy, 11 – in the car and was shaken when the tyre exploded. Kate called the police when she was stranded on the motorway with no hard shoulder, for over an hour. Speaking after the event on GMB, the upset star said: ‘There’s a phrase, that God and the universe don’t send you anything you can’t deal with. I’m at my limit. I’m at my absolute limit, so if the universe could give me a minute.’ She added,…

JASMINE It’s one of the most expensive oils, due to the lengthy and costly extraction process. But it’s worth splashing the cash on. It will help clear congestion and hydrate dry skin. It also has a wonderful perfume and, when used as aromatherapy oil, can help boost positivity. TRY: Pixi Retinol Jasmine Lotion, £24, features vitamin A and jasmine oil to help renew skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines. DIY: For a relaxing bath, add a few drops of jasmine essential oil into your bath water (try Miaroma Jasmine Blended Essential Oil, £7.49), and inhale the calming aroma. Be careful, it’s also an aphrodisiac! JUNIPER Juniper helps stimulate the lymphatic system, making it a good choice to treat fluid retention and smooth cellulite. It is also marvellous for…

Sitting down to a family meal, I’d only had a few mouthfuls of rice, when I felt like the food was stuck in my throat. I couldn’t speak as my husband, Sean, 45, jumped up and started slapping me on the back. I coughed and spluttered as our children, Tobi, now 15, and Teri, now 10, looked on in horror. ‘What’s wrong, Mum?’ Teri asked, frightened, but I couldn’t answer. After a few minutes of coughing, my food came up through my nose. I was so shaken; I could barely whisper: ‘I’m OK.’ But deep down, I had to wonder if that was true. Especially when it happened again, a few days later, in November 2015. Soon, it was happening at least once a week. When I tried to go…

Our time and our money are precious, so it makes sense that we want skin care that gives us more bang for our buck. From products that mimic professional treatments to multitasking marvels, here are the newest youth-boosters on the block. Fake it yourself The superfood face mask Blackberries are in season and, thanks to their antioxidant and vitamin content, they make a great addition to a homemade face mask, helping to counteract some of the damage done by ‘free radicals’ (the group term given to the likes of pollution affecting your skin). Combined with plain yogurt, a gentle exfoliator, you’re minutes away from a revived complexion. Mashup two blackberries with a fork and combine with 2tbsp plain yogurt. Apply a thin layer on to your face, and rinse with…

Greek Chicken Salad Paninis If you don’t fancy the bread, you could toss the topping ingredients and dressing together for a delicious salad. Hands-on time: 20 mins Cooking time: about 5 mins Serves: 4 Per serving: 377 cals, 17g fat (5g saturates),31g carbs (8g total sugars),28g protein, 3g fibre2 panini rolls, halved1 red onion, finely sliced75g feta, crumbled½ cucumber, roughly chopped40g black olives, pitted and chopped2 tomatoes, sliced into rounds2 cooked chicken breasts, thinly sliced FOR THE DRESSING 1tbsp each wholegrain mustard and clear honey½tsp dried oregano1½tbsp white wine vinegar3tbsp extra-virgin olive oil 1 Heat a griddle pan. Griddle panini halves cut side down for 2-3 mins until charred lines appear. Put each panini half on a plate, cut side up. 2 In a small bowl, whisk the dressing ingredients…

LEO 24 July – 23 August Leos such as the star of Sex Education and The X Files, Gillian Anderson, and The Hunger Games author Suzanne Collins, love a challenge and should be on the lookout for opportunities and activities that offer intellectual stimulation. Make sure you grab these opportunities with both hands. SCORPIO 24 October – 22 November Your partner or best friend has some strong opinions about the people in your life. They may say you're spending too much time online with certain people. Your friendships help make your life meaningful, and no one should ask you to end arrangements that bring you pleasure. March to your own drum. AQUARIUS 21 January – 19 February The more freedom you give your imagination, the more interesting your life will…

Fashionista and foodie Gok Wan, 45, cooks up simple versions of Asian food classics from his own London kitchen in this mouth-watering new show, taking us back to his roots… Do you have a favourite dish from your new show? That’s like asking what ex-boyfriend you hate the most! Probably one of my curries. There’s a steamed egg mainland Chinese dish that seems like the most boring – but it takes me right back to my childhood, and I always think of my dad. This show allows me to get emotional talking about the backstory of some of my dishes, that’s what I love so much about it. How did you find life in lockdown? I won’t lie to you, I really struggled – especially in the beginning. I actually…

‘We didn’t have things but we were happy’ Wendy Elizabeth Gibb, 83, married at 18 and had her first daughter, Desiree, when she was 21. I was 15 when I went to a dance and saw a young man adjusting his bow tie. Ron, then 21, asked me to dance and I said yes. We wanted to get engaged on my 16th birthday, but my mother said I was too young and, in those days, you did what your parents told you. We married when I was 18 and were happy for 47 years, until he passed away. As a teenager, I didn’t have any aspirations. I was a stay-at-home mum to Desiree, now 62, Beverly, now 60, Mellonie, now 55 and Timothy, now 53, because that was just what…

HOW IT WORKS 1 Stress is the enemy of weight loss – it releases fat-storing hormones, alters metabolism and can cause you to comfort eat. But, some foods can actually help combat pressure and anxiety. It’s been shown, for example, that fermented foods like yogurt, can directly affect the balance of bacteria in the gut, increasing numbers of those that send calming messages to the brain. On top of that, vitamin C – found in blueberries, oranges, peppers and sweet potatoes (among others) – the B vitamins in wholegrains and Marmite, and the omega-3 fats found in oily fish all create calming reactions in the body. And then there’s oats – these fall into a special group of edibles called nervines, which act to calm your nervous system. 2 By…

I CAN’T STAND MY HUBBY’S COOKING! I’m probably going to sound like the most petty wife in the world here, as most women would give their right arm to have a husband cooking them dinner every night – but, mine can’t cook! In lockdown, the kitchen became his favourite place to be – and, initially, I thought his efforts were very sweet – but four months down the line, I can’t eat his bland meals anymore. How do I take over, without hurting his feelings? He’s so happy with himself, I couldn’t bare to let him know how I really feel – but my taste buds have had enough! Francesca, Glasgow I could just say, invest in some ketchup and mustard, count your blessings, and don’t make a fuss. But…

Sweetie pie! Enjoy your favourite dessert in sweet form, thanks to the new Swizzels Great British Puds, £1.29. Each bag has a mix of Apple Pie & Custard, Rhubarb Crumble, Sticky Toffee Pudding and tangy Lemon Meringue – a lovely way to get a sugary treat without indulging in an entire pud! Lovely and low cal! For a tasty snack that won’t ruin your waistline, try new Müller Light Crunch Flamingo, £3 for six. The strawberry yogurt comes with crunchy biscuit balls, delicious eaten straight from the pot, or frozen in a dish for a DIY yogurt bark. THEY’VE QUACKED IT Delicious duck! Clever old M&S have really excelled themselves with the Hoisin Duck Burger, £4 for two. It’s made with a blend of British duck breast, Chinese Style Shredded…

Lady Colin Campbell, 70, isn’t one to sugar-coat her opinions when it comes to the Royals. And the former I’m a Celeb star has just as much to say about the Sussexes in her new book, Meghan and Harry: The Real Story – particularly on their decision to step down as senior Royals… Why is this the right time for your book? There was a need for a book that examined what’s really going on in Meghan and Harry’s life, and I was privy to a lot that the public and press didn’t know. I wanted to shine a light on a truly extraordinary situation. My guiding thought was that, 50 years from now, when someone picks this up, they’ll say, ‘She was spot-on’. What did you make of the couple stepping back from…

TOP TIP Sheer dresses look great layered over your favourite jeans as well.…

Established in 1759, Lotus is recognised as the oldest British footwear brand. Building on from the successful launch of the debut SS20 Stressless by Lotus collection, AW20 also sees the unveiling of the follow-on range, from sneaker-esque shoes to off-duty ankle boots. Each pair within the collection boasts shock-absorbing properties courtesy of an ergonomic in-sock, plus new boot options feature a water-resistant coating for dry feet season-long. To browse the collection, visit lotusshoes.co.uk. We’re giving one best reader the chance to win 12 pairs of shoes. To enter, see right. HOW TO ENTER ONLINE: Save money by entering online at hearstmagazines.co.uk/best3220 by 21 August 2020. PHONE: Call 0901 027 2710 by midnight on 21 August 2020. Calls cost 30p per minute, plus your telephone company’s network access charge, and will…

Standing next to the laundry trolley, I took off my plastic apron and gloves – or PPE as we all now know it’s called. It was my first shift at St Wilfrid’s Hospice near my home in Uckfield, East Sussex, and I was on laundry duty, delivering clean bedding to the wards. A tall, strikingly handsome man passed me in the corridor. I noticed he was wearing a wedding ring, and thought to myself, ‘His wife is lucky’. I’d lost my partner, Paul, just two years before. We’d been together for six years and the pang of loss still had the ability to wind me. The Coronavirus pandemic had meant the shop I managed – which raised money for St Wilfrid’s – had to close, and, like everyone else, I’d…

COULD I BE HAVING A MID-LIFE CRISIS? With all this extra thinking time lately, I’ve decided I want to completely change my life. I don’t even want to live in this country any more – I want a fresh start. The only problem is, I’m still married – but I’m bored. I feel like the passion left years ago, and my lust for life went with it. I deserve happiness, but I’m starting to question if I’m just having a funny five minutes. Do a lot of people go through this as they approach 50? I don’t want to throw my current life away, if I’ll feel differently in a few years… Alana, Belfast MANDY SAYS: As the saying goes, ‘if you go to a foreign country to find yourself,…

Leftover Chicken and Spinach Curry We love a good curry in our house and this creamy chicken dish is a family favourite, packed with chickpeas and spinach. You can swap the chicken for any other meat or fish – or even thick-cut aubergine for a vegan option. PER SERVING CALS 665 FAT 32g SERVES 4 185g basmati rice4tbsp olive oil1 medium onion, diced2 cloves garlic, finely sliced2 inches of fresh ginger, grated400g diced chicken breast240g tinned chickpeas (drained weight)2tbsp curry powder (medium heat)1 tin coconut milk (400ml)1tbsp honey100g baby spinach 1 Add the rice to a saucepan with 500ml boiled water and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, cover with a lid and turn the heat down to a gentle simmer for 10 minutes, then remove from the…

Farmer, foodie and now TV presenter Jimmy Doherty is the face of hit Channel 4 shows Jimmy’s Farm and Food Unwrapped. The 45-year-old, who lives on a picturesque Suffolk farm with his family, went to school with celebrity chef Jamie Oliver – and the two have remained firm friends ever since. Here, Jimmy, clearly a man with his hands full, reveals how he’s relished more time recently with his wife of 10 years, Michaela, and their four daughters – Bo-Lila, six months, Neve, two, Cora Mae, six, and Molly Rose, seven. And he opens up about his lifelong friendship with Jamie and his upcoming TV show - about bees… Jimmy, with four young children – has life changed for you since lockdown? I certainly have a much bigger appreciation of teachers now! Home-schooling…