Table of contents for 34-2023 in Best

Putting my day-to-day life in the hands of a computer was something I never imagined I’d be doing. Whenever I hear the term ‘AI’, I think of robots turning on humanity and destroying the world as we know it. But is that because I’ve watched too many Hollywood blockbusters? Probably. The new uber-intelligent chatbot ChatGPT, backed by Microsoft, has taken the world by storm. Launched in November 2022, the AI can have human-like conversations. It’s so good, in fact, it’s been proven to pass exams, or create CVs and cover letters for those looking to spice up their résumés. Revolutionary, yes, but it’s also alarming. Even the people in charge of the world’s biggest AI labs have been warning governments to act quickly to stop computers becoming more intelligent than…

HOW IT WORKS 1 How many times have you caved in when dieting because belly rumbles get the better of you? It makes slimming a slog and nearly impossible to stick to. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Regular snacking not only makes dieting easier, but it also helps you slim more successfully. It keeps your energy levels constant and your mood more positive. 2 Follow the plan (opposite), which includes three small meals – and here comes the best bit – 10 snacks per day! Now if that doesn’t make you jump for joy then we don’t know what will. You can have two of the same snack per day, but no more than 10 snacks, daily. Include savoury and sweet snacks to get a variety of…

PLUS! overnight stay Worth £500! Ready to travel back in time and get a dose of nostalgia? One lucky best reader will win four tickets to The Biggest 90s/00s Disco, with a choice of one of three locations – Leeds on 10 November 2023, Glasgow on 11 November 2023 or Liverpool on 16 December 2023. Party the night away with live performances from some of the very best 90s and 00s acts, from The Vengaboys, Dario G, N Trance, 2 Unlimited and many more. Get ready to throw some shapes and revel in classic hits from yesteryear, and when the party is over, we’ve got you covered – the winner will also be provided with hotel accommodation close to the venue. So what are you waiting for? Dig out your…

As Catherine, Princess of Wales, steps up and accepts more responsibility, supporting King Charles and Queen Camilla in their public duties, there is a clear sense that she is preparing for the future when she herself will be crowned Queen of the United Kingdom. While its doubtless that Kate hopes that day will be a long time in the future, there is no doubt that it must be an immense responsibility to know that one day, the Crown will be hers – and that her firstborn son will go on to be King. At 41, Catherine is still a relatively young woman but, on the flip side, she has been by Prince William’s side since they were teenagers. So, despite the fact that she was not born into the aristocracy,…

It is the case that has gripped the world. Erin Patterson served lunch for family members that would end in tragedy. The 48-year-old cooked the ill-fated beef Wellington lunch at her home in the rural town of Leongatha in Victoria, Australia on 29 July. She invited her ‘estranged’ ex-husband Simon over for the meal – but he pulled out last minute – his 70-year-old parents, Gail and Don Patterson, as well as his aunt and uncle, Heather and Ian Wilkinson. Within 24 hours of consuming the home-cooked beef Wellington, all four guests became violently ill with what they initially believed to be food poisoning. But within days, Gail and Don Patterson, alongside Gail’s sister, Heather, 66, all tragically died. Police said their symptoms were consistent with having eaten death cap…

Our fabulous and funny columnist, comedian Jenny Eclair, is here to tell it like it is, in her own witty way… ‘Neighbours, everybody needs good neighbours’ – come on, sing along! We have been blessed with our neighbours, even the young people on the right-hand side are weirdly considerate, and if they do have a party, the playlist is admirable. On the left we have new neighbours, and they are great too, really nice people who have already handed down some excellent toys from their little boy to our grandson. However, as soon as they bought the house, they demolished it, and are now rebuilding from the foundations up. This process will take around a year… bang, bang, bang, bang, bang! It’s bearable if I close all the doors and…

1 ‘I’m sore from last time’ It feels hard to keep motivated when it hurts, but ‘be satisfied that you’ve achieved significant enough overload,’ says Jim Pate, physiologist at Marylebone Health. The inflammatory response to the tiny tears you’ve caused in your muscles is what drives your body to adapt, so it doesn’t get overloaded next time. ‘Soreness is a good sign,’ confirms Jim. ‘You need to rest, but you don’t want to be static,’ he adds. Try soft exercises that will keep your body ticking over. Once your muscles are more pliable, pay extra attention to tight, sore areas. Always cool down, holding stretches for at least 30 seconds. 2 ‘I’m bored with my workouts’ You’re bound to be if your routine is the same every time. But mix…

CORONATION STREET Billy presents Paul with an engagement ring for his birthday. Paul’s overcome with emotion. But when he turns up at the Bistro for the joint party with Gemma he is overwhelmed to see so many people. Meanwhile, over breakfast, George makes it clear to Todd that their working relationship is over. EASTENDERS Stacey takes a shaken Caz back to No.31 to try to defuse the situation, but Caz is spooked again when Suki and Eve arrive. Once alone with Caz, Theo meddles, encouraging her to go to the police in the hope of getting Eve out of the picture once and for all – but Suki overhears and interrupts. Caz makes her excuses for the bathroom, but it’s not long before Suki discovers she’s left for the police…

1 PAMPERED PUP We all need a pamper day from time to time, and we feel thoroughly inspired by Mason the Shih Tzu! The ‘Pupfluencer’ posted his ‘Bath Day’ selfie on his @masontheshihtzu1 Instagram, looking ready for a dip in his shower cap, no doubt making his 75.2K followers smile! 2 Who wowed the crowd? Multi-floral print dresses are bringing the joy of Summer this week with performer Lily Allen, 38, who looked a ray of sunshine in a hooded halterneck version by Magda Butrym, while presenter Lisa Snowdon, 51, stunned in an Olivia Rubin sleeveless dress and actor Christina Hendricks, 48, blossomed in a blue-based floral. Lily, Christina and Lisa shine as bright as the sun with these stunning multi-floral numbers 3 LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE We might have had a drizzly Summer,…

‘There was a time when I loved shopping. So much so, I used to go every single Saturday. I would get up early, get dressed up, head for the High Street and spend all day trawling every shop and trying on piles of clothes looking for something new to wear out that Saturday night. Later, when I had more money, I’d travel to other cities in the UK and even the world, just for the joy of shopping. Paris was my favourite. I’d go there at least twice a year with the same friend and come back with bags and bags of beautiful stuff. The thrill and the joy it brought me was something else. But the other day, when a friend said, “next time you’re in London, let’s go…

From fearless firefighters who risk their lives to do their jobs, to those who raise thousands of pounds for charity, and people who have done something incredible that has turned someone else’s life around, there are heroes in all walks of life. We’re looking for the ordinary men and women going to extraordinary lengths to help others. So whether you know a member of the emergency services, someone who has performed a heroic act, a selfless charity fundraiser or someone who has triumphed over the odds, we want to hear about them. THE best HEROES These people, although they may not think it, are all heroes who have stood firm in the face of adversity – and we want to celebrate their great achievements. TO NOMINATE THEM If you know…

In July 2008, a distressed grandma, Cindy Anthony, called emergency services to report her two-year-old granddaughter, Caylee, missing. ‘She’s been missing for a month,’ Cindy sobbed. Caylee was the daughter of 21-year-old Casey Anthony and the family – Cindy, her husband, George, son, Lee, Casey and Caylee – all lived together in Orlando, Florida. Police immediately started investigating the little girl’s disappearance and when they spoke to Casey, she claimed she’d dropped her daughter off to her childminder Zenaida ‘Zanny’ Fernandez-Gonzalez’s apartment nearby, 31 days before – and hadn’t seen Caylee since. There were also reports Casey’s car had smelt like ‘decomposition’ While searches continued for the missing toddler, the case quickly garnered public and media interest, with Casey at the centre of it. The young mum didn’t appear to…

Digital creator, Ellah, based in Austria, has an impressive 285,000 Instagram followers, who love her gorgeous feed @ell.glamhome. We’ve picked a few of our favourites that give us serious home envy!…

TWO GREEDY GIRLS! This week, our resident hungry girls – Dani and Kaya – have your treats for the week sorted! DOUGHBOYS CLASSIC MARGHERITA SOURDOUGH PIZZA, £4.95, OCADO Slow-proved sourdough pizza made entirely by hand – these are an absolute delight. The margherita’s 100% Emilia Romagna tomato pulp on the base was delicious and fresh! ★★★★★ BUTTERKIST HAZELNUT CHOCOLATE TOFFEE POPCORN, £1.25 FOR A 70G GRAB BAG OR £2 FOR A SHARE BAG, CO-OP Butterkist’s famous Toffee Popcorn has been given a chocolatey make-over. It’s the partnership we didn’t know we needed. ★★★★★ DISARONNO VELVET LIQUEUR, £11, MORRISONS If you love Baileys Irish Cream liqueur, then you will adore this. This is a smooth cream liqueur with the unmistakable taste of Disaronno. Delicious! ★★★★…

ROYAL MUSEUMS GREENWICH, NATIONAL MARITIME MUSEUM, QUEEN’S HOUSE AND CUTTY SARK It may feel like October is miles off, but you’ll need to get planning if you want a week of family fun for half-term. Royal Museums Greenwich will present a series of activities and creative responses in a new programme exploring our identities and their connections to the museum’s collection from October 2023. The Season of Identity will celebrate culture through art, music and fashion to explore Britain’s global connections and identities through the themes of the collection including trade, migration and the legacies of empire. DESIBLITZ LITERATURE FESTIVAL, BIRMINGHAM This free and family friendly Literature Festival is the UK’s largest celebration of authors and artists with Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi and Sri Lankan roots. Showcasing the breadth of talent…

SEARCH ME! Can you find the words in the grid? They will be placed only once and may be either horizontal, vertical or diagonal and go either forwards or backwards. There is one word listed that isn’t in the grid – can you work out which one it is? BELLINI BLACK RUSSIAN BLOODY MARY COSMOPOLITAN CUBA LIBRE DAIQUIRI IRISH COFFEE MAI TAI MANHATTAN MARGARITA MARTINI MIMOSA MINT JULEP MOJITO MOSCOW MULE NEGRONI OLD FASHIONED SEA BREEZE TOM COLLINS VESPER SUDOK-GO! Fill the grid using the numbers from 1 to 9 only. Each number must appear once in every column, row and 3x3 square. Now, off you sudok-go! WORD WHEEL Find as many words of three or more letters in the wheel as you can. Each word must use the central…

LESLEY BEAUTY SHORTCUTS ● Use conditioner as a body lotion. After washing, massage conditioner in from neck-to-toe, rinse off, then pat dry. The conditioner will moisturise just as well as body lotion without having to wait for it to absorb. ● For a speedy brow lift, use an old mascara brush to gently brush through using short strokes. This will give a natural effect that’s much softer than using pencil. ● Scalp showing through? Dust eyeshadow in the same colour as your hair on affected areas and along the hairline to shade your scalp, making your hair appear thicker. This also works to hide any greys. ● A little hair serum smoothed over tanned limbs is less greasy than oil and makes skin shiny and feel wonderfully smooth. And even…

The first anniversary of the passing of the late Queen Elizabeth is fast approaching. It was on 8 September 2022 that Her Majesty died at Balmoral Castle, her Scottish estate, only days after she had welcomed the Prime Minister. Dutiful to the last, she was working up to the very last days of her incredible 70-year reign. Of course, her passing at the age of 96 meant that her eldest son Charles acceded to the throne – at the age of 73 – making him the oldest monarch to ever take the British throne. But while he has been apparently relishing the role – his accession was of course coloured by sadness, coming as it did with the loss of his beloved ‘Mummy’. So 8 September will be a day…

10 to give away Worth £40! Clothes have one of the highest throwaway rates, so this Summer why not give your wardrobe a seasonal refresh ready for Autumn – without buying any new clothes! Cleaning and laundry experts, Dr. Beckmann are on hand to help clothes last longer, by replenishing and bringing back to life Brits’ existing wardrobes, to help save on costs and look fresh all-year round. Win one of 10 bundles from Dr. Beckmann and give your laundry an A* refresh, with the brand’s Colour Collectors, Glowhite range, Magic Leaves Detergent Sheets, and more! Dr. Beckmann’s product range is available at a wide range of retailers or online via dr-beckmann.co.uk. For the latest cleaning tips and tricks visit the Dr. Beckmann Instagram: @drbeckmannuk. To enter, see right. HOW…

1 WHY HAVE MORTGAGE RATES RISEN? Economic factors, interest rates and lenders’ business strategies all affect rates, which rose throughout 2022. After settling early this year, rates have risen again as the Bank of England continues to increase its base rate to tackle stubbornly high inflation. So, those remortgaging now should expect a steep hike in their monthly repayments. 2 TO FIX OR NOT? A fixed-rate mortgage is worth considering if you prefer payment certainty but you’re likely to be locking into a much higher rate than you were previously on. You can work out what different mortgage rates mean for your repayments by using Moneyhelper’s mortgage calculator or asking a broker. 3 WHEN DO I RE-MORTGAGE? You can remortgage up to six months before your current deal ends, so…

1 And Just Like That THURSDAY, SKY ATLANTIC & NOW S2 SEASON FINALE Sex And The City fans, sadly the time has come once again to say goodbye to our favourite New Yorkers – well, for now, anyway. Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte and friends continue to live their dream lives in the hustle and bustle of the city – but a face from the past soon stops them in their tracks… can you guess who?! 2 You Are So Not Invited To My Bat Mitzvah FRIDAY, NETFLIX Fancy a giggle this weekend? Well put your feet up and grab your favourite snacks as this new Netflix comedy starring Just Go With It’s Adam Sandler and Frozen’s Idina Menzel is the one to watch! Centring around Stacey Friedman, whose preparation for her…

Strictly Come Dancing pro Gorka Márquez, 32, and his fiancée, Gemma Atkinson, 38, have let TV cameras into their homes to give a glimpse into family life with newly born son, Thiago, and daughter Mia, four. They hope the series on the W channel will give parents-to-be insight into pre- and post-pregnancy life. The couple, who met on Strictly in 2017, tell us more… Why let cameras into your home? Gemma: I think people assume if you work in TV, especially a show like Strictly, they think it’s like that at home. It couldn’t be further from the truth! We wanted to make a real, raw, honest look at day-to-day life. What can you tease? Gemma: We didn’t film the birth but all our appointments are covered, there is a…

WIN 1 X £200, 2 X £100 OR 3 X £50 PRIZES ACROSS 4 Enclosed recess (6) 7 State of feeling safe (8) 8 Mixture of gases we breathe (3) 9 Dividing boundary (4) 10 Soundless (6) 11 Eg a car (7) 12 Try (5) 15 Freight (5) 17 Momentarily (7) 20 Colour of a lemon (6) 21 ___ in: eat heartily (4) 22 Word expressing negation (3) 23 Sufficient (8) 24 Continue to exist (6) DOWN 1 Discussion (6) 2 Edifice (8) 3 Projectile (7) 4 Ride a bike (5) 5 Relative social standing (6) 6 Bird eaten at Christmas (6) 13 Range of colours (8) 14 Packed (7) 15 Point where two edges meet (6) 16 Sense of musical time (6) 18 Find (6) 19 Remove dirt (5)…