Home/Women's Lifestyle/Take a Break Monthly/January 2024/In This Issue
Take a Break Monthly|January 2024Your special momentsPacking the essentials I don’t think my cat, Jarvis, was too keen on me going away — but he made sure I didn’t forget to pack my favourite mags! Emily Goom, 46, of Exmouth, Devon Eyes down… I love a night out at the bingo with my pals. As you can see, we’ve got our dabbers ready and we’re hoping for a full house. I’m on the right in the striped top, with Chelsea, 28, Tasha, 29, Christine, 62, Mary, 65, Stella, 65, Bethan, 67, Carol, 64, and Sheila, 68. Nerys Anderson, 65, of Denbigh A pizza the action Here I am enjoying a slice and a tipple while away in Dublin! Marie Gee, 57, of Newcastleupon-Tyne Artist at work My granddaughter, Lucy, three, tapped into her creative side when…2 min
Take a Break Monthly|January 2024The stranger’s SECRETA number popped up on my phone and I braced myself for what was coming. It was my mum Gloria and I knew why she was phoning. Someone’s told her I’m pregnant, I thought. Mum had always said to me: ‘I don’t want you ending up in the same boat as me, getting pregnant at 16.’ Now I had. I answered the call and waited for her to read me the riot act. But, to my surprise, she didn’t. Instead, she said: ‘Are you going to keep the baby?’ ‘Yes, I am,’ I replied. ‘It’s going to be OK,’ Mum said. ‘I love you and I’ll be there for you.’ I should have known she would support me. Despite having a hard life, Mum had never judged anyone, least of…6 min
Take a Break Monthly|January 2024Get the PICTUREHOW TO ENTER Solve the crossword. Then, from the top, list the letters in the yellow squares to reveal the identity of the chopped-up celebrity. Enter by post, phone, text or online — see page 73. ACROSS 1 Place bets (on) (6)6 Pick, choose (6) 9 Homeless wanderer (7)10 Riga’s nation (6)11 Look up to (6)12 Expressing assent by moving your head up and down (7)16 Relating to hearing (5)18 Vertical passage such as a lift moves up and down in (5)20 Staying power (7)22 Best in quality (6)24 Three times (6)26 Little Jack - - -, nursery rhyme (6)27 Mystery (6)28 Actress who starred in Ray and directed One Night in Miami,- - - King (6)29 High - - - Drifter, classic Western (6)31 Closest (7)35 Melanie - -…1 min
Take a Break Monthly|January 2024HERE’S TO MORE IN 2024!Happy New Year, everyone! We hope it’s a thoroughly good one for you and yours. What are your hopes and wishes for 2024? We bet you have a list of things you’d like to do and get done. Are you dreaming of a relaxing holiday in the sunshine with your other half? Perhaps you’re set on organising a big family get-together with a party, or a mini-break? Or have you got those long-overdue home improvements on your mind? Whatever you’re planning, let us help you turn your resolutions into reality with an amazing giveaway. Crack our puzzle and you could be £1000 richer and ready to spend, spend, spend! Just think about what you could do with all that cash in your pocket… Maybe you’d like to take it easy…3 min
Take a Break Monthly|January 2024Your big RELAXIs it a CROSSWORD? Is it an ARROWWORD? It’s BOTH! Write your answers following the arrows. Some of the boxes have clue numbers which refer to the clues below the puzzle. CLUES 1 Employment agreement (8)2 Update on bank account transactions (9)3 Dog’s menacing sound (5)4 Word that links plate, head and spot (3)5 Rigorous regarding discipline (6)6 Old Joanna instrument? (5)7 Newspaper journalist (8)8 Unit of electric current (3)9 One twelfth of a foot (4)10 Six deliveries bowled in cricket (4)11 Charge made for using some motorways (4)12 Indigenous New Zealander (5)13 Lion’s thick hair (4)14 Type of tax (1, 1, 1)15 South African currency (4)16 Garment worn in ancient Rome (4)17 Seaweed jelly (4)18 Distinguished, anagram of NINE MET (7)19 Walk unsteadily (6)20 Moisture at dawn (3)21 Single…1 min
Take a Break Monthly|January 2024NEWS FOR JANUARYHealth Brew Monday You might be aware that 15 January is Blue Monday — regarded as the most depressing day of the year — but did you know it’s also Brew Monday? An initiative in the UK by the Samaritans, Brew Monday encourages people to connect with each other over a cuppa to combat loneliness and provide emotional support. You can get involved by hosting a brew and spreading the word, using the hashtags #BrewMonday, #ConnectOverTea and #MentalHealthMatters on social media. Reduce your risk Sedentary lifestyles are a leading cause of poor health and a contributing factor to early death. But, the negative impact of sitting for long periods can be offset by a 22-minute brisk walk. A study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found only those…1 min
Take a Break Monthly|January 2024Tesco VOUCHERSWin! £100 FITBACK 3 LETTERS AIRARCAWEBEEBETEAREKEEVELETRAYSETVIE 5 LETTERS OPERATREAT 6 LETTERS ABRADEAYE-AYEBECALMBECAMECACKLECHALETCHIEFSCONSULEMERGEHEIFERMEEKERNUANCESACHETTEDIUMTIMERSTIMELY 9 LETTERS CHASTENEDELABORATEEXALTEDLYMANHANDLE HOW TO ENTER Fit all the listed words into the crossword grid. We’ve placed one word (ARC) to get you started. When you’ve finished, list the letters in the yellow squares for the winning word. Enter by post, phone, text or online — see page 73.…1 min
Take a Break Monthly|January 2024‘You wanted to die’The doctor pressed my stomach as I lay on the hospital bed, and asked if it hurt. I hesitated, then saw my mum’s face contort with fury behind his back and remembered her hissed instructions to me to lie before we entered the room, and her vice-like grip on my wrist. So while I felt absolutely no pain at all, I now looked at the doctor and nodded. I was just three, but I knew if I didn’t do as Mum said, she’d turn her anger on me. To others, she appeared loving, but in private, it was a different story and I was frightened of her. Over the next years, I was in and out of hospital, being poked and prodded by doctors, as Mum told them about symptoms…6 min
Take a Break Monthly|January 2024Two’s COMPANYACROSS 1 Act of ad-libbing or creating spontaneously ● Art movement that was developed by Monet and Renoir (13)8 Forearm bone ● - - - Novello, Welsh composer who has awards for songwriting named after him (4)9 Mix, combine ● Ski hill? (5)10 Assistant, helper ● Netting (4)13 Hospital vehicle ● Powerful computer supporting a network (9)16 Highest point ● Sugary plant fluid (6)18 Turned up the corners of your mouth ● Wept noisily (6)19 Sixteenth of a pound in weight ● Surpass (5)20 Bed cushion ● Medium in which a recording is available (6) 22 Pulled hard and roughly ● Julius - - -, assassinated Roman leader (6)27 Tiny — bottle of whisky? ● Timer filled with sand (9)30 Stroke of brilliance ● - - - Blyton, author of…2 min
Take a Break Monthly|January 2024What’s cooking... IN JANUARYMidweek inspo If you’re in need of inspiration, try Asda’s new Bom Bahia and House of Yum premium Indian and Pan Asian ranges for restaurant-quality meals at home, without the hefty price tag. We love the Royal Chicken Biryani (£4.50) and the Slow Cooked Beef Massaman (£4.50). The full range is in store now, from £2.50. Succulent every time If you love a roast, give the Self-Basting Roaster from Salter a go. Made from strong, enamel-coated steel, the roaster is dishwasher and oven-safe. Its fitted lid locks in the moisture of your meat and vegetables, giving you perfectly succulent meals every time. RRP £24.99 from salter.com and other retailers. Say cheese! Eatlean’s Tasty Mature Cheese snack bars are perfect for lunchboxes, afternoon snacks and for refuelling after a workout. With…2 min
Take a Break Monthly|January 2024Read it!The Excitementsby C J Wray Jean Owtram and her sister, Pat, were codebreakers during the Second World War, and while working with them on their memoir, author Chrissie Manby, aka C J Wray, says: ‘I would playfully ask 95-year-old Jean if she was ready to tell all about her career as a spy, and she would always respond, with a wink: “Good luck with that, dear.”’ Those jokey conversations got her thinking: What if Jean really had been a spy? What might a spy have been doing in the years since 1945? How might they have used the skills they’d picked up in training? Chrissie began reading up on the Special Operations Executive, which trained brave women to be sent into occupied Europe. She says: ‘As well as lessons in…1 min
Take a Break Monthly|January 2024Solve it!DUMPED BY MY FRIENDS ON NYE! I’m a single parent with an autistic son, aged nine. My friends and I take it in turns to host New Year’s Eve celebrations, but this year the others have decided to go out. I can’t leave my son, so I feel excluded. Am I right to think that they should have been more considerate? TaB Reader Emma, 37: ‘I also have a child with additional needs and I can’t leave him with anyone other than my hubby — he gets so distressed it’s not worth it. I can only imagine how hard it must be on your own. You’re right to feel so upset.’ TaB Reader Julia, 31: ‘My friend has a party every New Year and she’s always been fine about me…1 min
Take a Break Monthly|January 2024Your brilliant BrainwavesJazzy jotter I had a new notebook that was really plain and I wanted to jazz it up. I had some felt pieces, so I cut them up to create a patchwork that covered the front of the book, then carefully glued them in place. I added some ribbon and small jewels and sewed on a label to say ‘notes’. I’m really pleased with the results. My notebook doesn’t look boring any more! Ruth Graydon, Rotherham, S Yorks Loo-tiful! I wanted a new loo roll holder for my woodland-themed bathroom. So while I was out walking my dog around the woods, I collected up some sturdy twigs. I varnished them and then screwed them into a wooden base, before popping on my toilet rolls. It fits perfectly with my decor,…1 min
Take a Break Monthly|January 2024Restaurant VOUCHERSTake your pick from ● Beefeater ● Pizza Express ● Brewers Fayre ● Café Rouge ● Planet Hollywood ● Table Table ● TGI Fridays ● Pizza Hut NETWORK ACROSS 1 Area of boggy ground, anagram of ARM SOS ● Donkey ● Profound 2 Camera hole ● Bushy boundary? 3 Apart ● Pungent vegetable 4 Clan ● Upright 5 - - - Grey, tea variety ● Tranquil ● Tether 6 Gardening tool ● Fashion, or flair ● Snooker aid 7 Leaning Tower city ● Prima donna ● Grown-up 8 Fuss, bother ● Gold purity unit ● Thick pulp of fruit, eg 9 Not wild! ● Allot ● Storey 10 Shade ● Rick Stein, eg ● Spicy Italian sausage 11 Bright thought? ● Mistakes in writing, anagram of EAR RAT ● -…1 min
Take a Break Monthly|January 2024A BIG WEEKENDER BREAK FOR FOURStart 2024 with a bang! We’ve teamed up with Butlin’s to give you the chance to win a three-night Big Weekender break for four. This adults-only break includes accommodation, live acts, lots of daytime activities and much more. If you’re our winner, you’ll be staying Friday to Monday in either a gold apartment or in the hotel at Bognor Regis. You’ll also enjoy premium dining, plus we’re throwing in £200 to spend. Activities include pool parties, silent discos, live comedy and Bingo Bango. New this year on selected Weekenders there’s a Midway Madness Party and Sunday Survivors session to enjoy. There are over 70 Big Weekenders to choose from this year, with acts including Peter Andre, Wet Wet Wet, Soul II Soul, Claire Richards and So Solid Crew. New to…1 min
Take a Break Monthly|January 2024A GRAN CANARIA HOLIDAY FOR TWOOur HolidaysWin! Imagine waking up in a holiday apartment, just footsteps from the beach… We’ve teamed up Neutradol — the fresh air specialists with a solution for every smelly situation — to give you the chance to win a wonderful holiday for two to Gran Canaria. Get puzzling and you and a guest could be off to the Canary Islands for a week at the Cala d’Or Apartments in the resort of Puerto Rico. Make the most of the sun, sea and sand, explore the island, treat yourself with the £200 spending money we’re including, and take a dip in the pool before returning home fully refreshed. When you get back, you’ll want your home and carpets to have that same holiday freshness. To get rid of bad smells caused…2 min
Take a Break Monthly|January 2024JANUARY STARSAQUARIUS 21 Jan – 18 Feb Laying the foundations for future success is a must, as the planets align for you to put all the pieces of life’s puzzle together. Once your Uranus picks up speed on the 27th, you’ll be ready for anything. There’s a wonderful Full Moon in your heart chart too. You may be waving goodbye to loved ones embarking on magical journeys, while welcoming additional friends into your flock. Socialise at sports centre PISCES 19 Feb – 20 Mar As soon as you’ve polished off that glass of New Year’s bubbly, Pisces, you’re back on track without a blink. The first New Moon of the year is bringing out the best in you. Once movers and shakers know you exist, good things are destined to come…4 min
Take a Break Monthly|January 2024Winners: September£1000 WINNER Jill Stoneham Westbury, Wiltshire ‘What an amazing surprise to return from holiday to find out I’d won £1000. I always do the competitions in TaB monthly and weekly, but never dreamt I would win. Now I can start browsing and booking another break!’ TENERIFE HOLIDAY (PRIZE ANSWER: CANARIES) R Wood, Alfreton, Derbys. MANCHESTER BREAK (PRIZE ANSWER: SLANG) Mr J Pickersgill, Stafford. £1200 BIG BONANZA (PRIZE ANSWER: QUACK) J Horn, Lytham St. Annes, Lancs. £1000 CELEBRITY CROSSWORD (PRIZE ANSWER: STUDIED AT BALLET SCHOOL) Mrs J Stoneham, Westbury, Wilts. CUMBRIA BREAK (PRIZE ANSWER: ESCAPE) A Fowler, Bristol. J Stone, Gillingham, Kent. FAMILY BREAK AND ZOO TICKETS (PRIZE ANSWER: TIGER) S Haley, Chelmsford, Essex. FAMILY ZOO TICKETS Mrs S Bennett, Nottingham. D Dickman, Gravesend, Kent. Mrs L Schofield, York. BLACKPOOL BREAK…4 min
Take a Break Monthly|January 2024The LOVER at the WEDDINGOur Lives I took a sip of my coffee, then put down my cup and took a deep breath. ‘There’s something I need to tell you,’ I told the figure sitting opposite me. I was on a first date and things were looking good. But there was something he didn’t know about me, and I felt I had to be honest. As I began to explain, I saw my date’s eyes widen. Then he shook his head. ‘I’m sorry,’ he said, ‘but that’s not for me.’ I understood. After all, my lifestyle wasn’t for everybody. ‘I’m sorry, that’s not for me’ It had all started when I was 17. I’d gone out with a man who lived with his girlfriend, and the three of us had got on so well,…6 min
Take a Break Monthly|January 2024Into the BLUEA smart coat and boots elevate a simple knitted dress These sports luxe trousers will also look great with a shirt and heels Get the layered look without any faff with this smart jumper…1 min
Take a Break Monthly|January 2024Clarks VOUCHERSWin! £100 MISSING LINKS ACROSS 5 Line ● Shoulder ● Watch (5)6 Hay ● Pitch ● Yellow (5)8 Cardiac ● Citizen’s ● Warrant (6)10 Round ● Switch ● Wire (4)13 English ● Gas ● Seed (7)14 Chimes ● Mill ● Screen (4)17 Bags ● Blue ● University (6)20 Evening ● Master ● Room (5)21 Mat ● Name ● Setting (5) DOWN 1 Gazer ● Pop ● Shooting (4)2 Boy ● Problem ● Turner (4)3 Dead ● Wave ● White (4)4 Colon ● Detached ● Final (4)7 Police ● Power ● Railway (7)8 Head ● Poison ● Root (5)9 Candle ● Catholic ● Numerals (5)11 Active ● Pirate ● Silence (5)12 Cake ● Coin ● Dog (5)15 Away ● Bone ● Hands (4)16 Hot ● Job ● Tidy (4)18 House ●…1 min
Take a Break Monthly|January 2024Just for FUNSkeleton PUZZLE Given the starter clue numbers and black squares, can you solve this crossword? When complete, the pattern of the black squares will be fully symmetrical (the pattern will look the same if you turn the grid sideways or upside down). So you can deduce the positions of several more squares right away. Across 4 For that reason, ergo7 Fib 9 Father11 Not - - - Out, sitcom12 Entice 14 ‘Downward dog’ exercise16 Business providing a service17 Preserve in vinegar19 Ale21 Dull and grey22 Astound23 Lock opener25 Barrel26 Swearword Down 1 Consumed food 2 Thickness of tights?3 Primary colour 5 Rim, verge6 Wild party8 (Of handwriting) unreadable 10 To hand, ready for use13 Wash out soap15 Happen18 US nappy20 Sloping platform 21 Cold meats counter24 Graveyard tree?25 Barbie’s boyfriend…1 min
Take a Break Monthly|January 2024I haven’t eaten for FOUR YEARSThe best health advice for you and your family As I lay in bed, a feeling of nausea washed over me and I had to get up and rush to the bathroom. Just moments before, I’d been as right as rain. ‘Maybe I’ve got a stomach bug,’ I said to my husband. But the next night, I was sick again, bringing up everything I’d eaten that day. I saw the doctor who referred me for tests, but while I waited for the results my weight plummeted, and I suffered tummy pain, heartburn and bloating. ‘I’m really worried about you,’ my husband fretted. I was fitted with a feeding tube that went through my nose and down my throat, to ensure I got the right amount of nutrients and calories. But…2 min
Take a Break Monthly|January 2024ASK Dr JillQ IS THIS MILK OK FOR A CHILD? My daughter is dieting and has switched to skimmed milk. She’s also giving it to her three-year-old son. Is that OK? A Milk is the source of a significant proportion of fat and energy during childhood. Provided he’s a good eater, he could have semi-skimmed milk, which is recommended for children over two. Children under five need fat from dairy as this provides calcium, which helps build bones and keep teeth healthy. Fat in milk also carries and helps absorption of vitamins and minerals that help keep the body, skin and eyes in good health. Q WHERE CAN I GET HELP? I came to this country six months ago to be a receptionist, but that was a lie and instead I’m forced…2 min
Take a Break Monthly|January 2024Help! My boobs won’t stop GROWINGAs I ran across the playground, a group of girls started laughing at me. Then one turned to me and said: ‘I think you need to wear a bra.’ I flushed beetroot. I was just 12, but my boobs had been growing since I was 10. I rushed home to Mum in tears. ‘Let’s get you your first bra,’ she said. ‘There’s a chance your baby could suffocate’ My breasts grew at the speed of light. By 14, I was in a DD, and by 16 I was a G-cup, making me the subject of catcalls and creepy stares. Though Mum and my sister had big boobs too, I soon overtook them in size. And while they had pretty bras, I was limited to granny-style boulder holders. ‘Surely they can’t…4 min
Take a Break Monthly|January 2024Your big BONANZABig Bonanza is Take a Break’s big prize, big choice comp. Our winner can pick any prizes on this page that tot up to £1200! A new year always seems to bring a burst of energy for getting things done. Bag the money here and splash out on that new bed and mattress you’ve had your eye on. And why not blow the rest on a gorgeous rug to give the lounge a lift? Improve health and fitness with lifestyle changes like cooking with an air fryer and using an exercise bike — all bought on your new laptop! Or take £1200 in cash! CODE BREAKER Each number in the grid represents a different letter. We’ve placed one word which shows that 11=S, 22=W, 26=O and 9=T. We’ve filled in…1 min
Take a Break Monthly|January 2024HAPPY NEW YOU!Lentil cottage pie Serves: 4 Takes: 55min ■ 800g potatoes, chopped■ 40g butter■ 1 onion, finely chopped■ 1 garlic clove, chopped■ 2tbsp tomato purée■ 400g can chopped tomatoes■ 250ml hot vegetable stock■ 130g red lentils■ 1 medium carrot, finely chopped■ 60g frozen peas, defrosted■ 2tbsp Worcestershire sauce■ Handful of fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped 1 Preheat the oven to 220°C (fan 200°C, gas 7). Cook the potatoes in a large saucepan of boiling water for 15-20min until soft. Drain and return to the pan. Add half the butter and mash until smooth. 2 Melt the remaining butter in a separate pan over a medium heat. Cook the onion and garlic for 3-4min, stirring, until the onion has softened. Stir in the tomato purée. Add the tomatoes, stock, lentils, carrot and…5 min
Take a Break Monthly|January 2024Make the most of... JANUARY!Gemma Nelson, 39, of Loughborough, Leicestershire This light-hearted, funny book had me smiling all the way through. Penny and Josephine are the kind of women I would love to sit and talk to. I was reminded of my nan and her war stories. The cheekiness of them both had me wishing they were people I knew in real life. The story had lots of twists and turns, and I was gripped and keen to see how it all ended. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would definitely read another by this author. Abi Davies, 36, of Warmley, Gloucestershire This is a fantastic book about two war veteran great-aunts, Josephine and Penny, and their light-fingered escapades. I loved how the story is in the present day but you’re then pulled into…2 min
Take a Break Monthly|January 2024Feel Fab in Five!5 WAYS TO FIGHT THE JANUARY BLUES 1STAY ACTIVEResearch has found that a daily one-hour walk in the middle of the day could be as helpful as light treatment for coping with the winter blues. 2GO OUTDOORSBeat depression by getting as much natural light as possible. Pull on a coat and head outside before lunch, as the dark evenings draw in quickly. 3KEEP WARMStudies have found that being cold makes you feel more depressed. So stay warm and fill your home with cosy throws, lights and candles for an uplifting ambience. 4EAT HEALTHILY A healthy diet will boost your mood. So fill up on hot nutritious soups and veg-packed casseroles. 5SOCIALISE Meeting up with friends and family will lighten your mood and help you feel happy, so accept invitations to…1 min
Take a Break Monthly|January 2024Quiz it!Musicals 1 On what Shakespeare play was West Side Story based on? 2 Which musical includes the song You’ll Never Walk Alone? 3 What musical was written by Lin Manuel Miranda? Board games 4 What’s the most expensive property on a standard UK Monopoly board? 5 How many points do you get for the letter Q in Scrabble? 6 What’s the name of the murder victim in Cluedo? Fashion 7 Which designer is famous for launching the mini-skirt? 8 What street in London is famous for men’s tailoring? 9 What does the French term pret-a-porter mean? Animated films 10 Who was the voice of the genie in the animated version of Disney’s Aladdin? 11 In which animated film series does Tom Hanks voice the main character? 12 What was the…1 min
Take a Break Monthly|January 2024The WRITE stuff!As my English teacher spoke, my hand was the first to shoot into the air. She’d just asked if any of us wanted a pen pal, and I said: ‘I do, Miss!’ It was 1971, and I was 11. I got writing to a girl called Barbara who lived in Germany. She was a similar age, and our conversations revolved around hobbies, fashion and school. Barbara wrote in English really well, but was keen to improve. Can you send my letters back with corrections? she asked me. So I began marking her letters in red pen like a teacher and sending them back with my replies. Over the years, Barbara became a close friend. Even though we’d never met, I felt I could tell her anything. When we both turned…4 min
Take a Break Monthly|January 20245 reasons to visit... EDINBURGHOur Holidays 1 Shop till you drop If you’re after some souvenirs, look no further than the iconic Royal Mile, where you’ll find shops selling tartan, Highland whisky and buttery, melt-in-the-mouth shortbread. For quirky boutiques, Grassmarket is a paradise of independent merchants, designers and artisans, and the area is home to an array of high-quality gift, clothing and homeware shops. It’s a lively area of the city, with an assortment of bars, restaurants and cafés. 2 Soak up the culture Culture vultures will be in seventh heaven mooching around the city’s museums and galleries. Begin at The National Museum of Scotland, which has an eye-catching mix of old and new — from dinosaur skeletons and Egyptian sarcophagi to artefacts from Scottish history. Then head to the Scottish National Portrait Gallery…2 min
Take a Break Monthly|January 2024SNAPPY NEW YEAR!Fiction Clive watched his wife from the safety of the kitchen table and wondered what he’d done this time. It was the first day of January and he’d seemingly already set a foot wrong. ‘Jools Holland was great last night, wasn’t he?’ Clive asked timidly, desperate to break the unnerving silence. ‘I’m glad I had the good sense to record it. You enjoyed that fella on the banjo, didn’t you?’ Brenda shrugged as she turned some sausages in the frying pan. ‘I suppose so,’ she said. If his wife said more, Clive didn’t hear her over the sizzles and cracks of bacon. All that hot oil spitting on the cooker and there she was, still giving him the coldest shoulder she could muster. The unsettling silent treatment did have one…5 min
Take a Break Monthly|January 2024Every picture TELLS A STORYMy boyfriend Craig was sitting on the living room floor surrounded by maps and trying to work out our travel plans. Looking up from the map he was studying, he said: ‘I’ll join you in Switzerland, then we’ll make our way down through Europe from there.’ Craig and I had been together for two years, after meeting on a camping trip in Australia with mutual friends. We’d joked on and off about getting married, with Craig even stopping me in the middle of a run once to say he thought we should get hitched. ‘It’s not a serious proposal,’ I’d told him. ‘You’re not even down on one knee!’ But now, knowing our travel plans would end in London, where he’d lived for a couple of years, I hatched a…2 min
Take a Break Monthly|January 2024Taking the PLUNGE!Wheezing and puffing around the field, I watched my team-mates race off ahead of me until I was right at the back of the group. It was a Wednesday evening, and I’d turned out to train for the first time with my local ladies’ football team. It was a sport I loved, and I’d been really looking forward to it, but the warm-up alone had left me shattered. Everyone else was on their second lap, but I could only just about manage the one, plus a few stretches. ‘Sorry, I really don’t think I can play today,’ I told the team. ‘I’ll be back next week.’ Of course, I didn’t go back. Playing a game like football felt impossible for me at 5ft 3in and weighing 15 stone. Growing up,…4 min
Take a Break Monthly|January 2024Improve your money mindsetMore than a third of us don’t feel comfortable discussing our finances with friends, according to a study by ALA Insurance. It’s teamed up with Laura Ann Moore, host of the Mind Money Soul podcast, to share ways to think yourself into a more prosperous position, and feel more confident when it comes to talking money… What is money mindset? Laura says: ‘Your money mindset is your own unique set of beliefs and attitudes towards money. It’s these beliefs that quietly govern the way you manage, spend and save your money. ‘If you often find yourself bumping against financial roadblocks or struggling to maintain productive habits, the solution might not lie in numbers, but rather in improving your money mindset. ‘Understanding and reshaping your money mindset is a key step…5 min
Take a Break Monthly|January 2024Reclaim your VA-VA-VOOM!It’s that time of year when getting out of bed on a dark, cold morning is hard. Repeatedly snoozing that alarm will not only leave you rushing to get to work on time, but this fragmented sleep can actually make you feel more tired throughout the day. Starting off on the right foot can affect how the rest of your day pans out. Here, Jenaed Brodell, performance dietitian and founder of Nutrition and Co, suggests a few simple habits to implement that might be just the shake-up you need… Stick to a sleep schedule Our circadian rhythm loves routine. Sticking to the same wake-up and bedtime can help keep your internal biological clock ticking as it should. This will leave you feeling more energised during the day and make you…4 min
Take a Break Monthly|January 2024A MINI-BREAK FOR UP TO EIGHTIf your New Year’s resolution is to spend more time with family and friends, you’ll want to win this fab prize! We’ve teamed up with the Celtic Manor Resort in Newport to offer you the chance to win a three-night weekend break for up to eight people. If you’re our winner, you and your guests will be staying in a sumptuous Hunter Lodge — a private home-from-home in the peace and tranquillity of the South Wales countryside — with Celtic Manor’s five-star amenities and activities on your doorstep. Perfect for families and groups of friends, the lodges have four double or twin bedrooms, spacious dining and living areas, fitted kitchens and their own sauna and outdoor hot tub. Hunter Lodge stays include complimentary use of Celtic Manor’s health clubs and…1 min
Take a Break Monthly|January 20244 steps to GLOWING SKINBeauty Step 1: Deep clean After the excesses of the festive season, the first step to getting your skin back in check is a deep cleanse. Q+A Niacinamide Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser £7.50, effectively removes make-up and impurities. It also gently exfoliates skin to minimise the look of pores. Follow with a gel-based cleanser to leave skin feeling fresh, like Simple Smoothing Gel Cleanser, £8. This product will leave skin refreshed without drying it out. To take your cleanse to the next level, massage the gel cleanser into your skin using Boots No.7 Radiant Results Revitalising Sonic Action Cleansing Brush, £29.95. This pushes product into the skin, making your chosen cleanser work harder, while also stimulating blood circulation. It will leave your complexion feeling soft, smooth and super-clean. Step 3: Repair…2 min
Take a Break Monthly|January 2024A double diagnosisDriving home after climbing Mount Snowdon, a lorry shunted into the back of my car. Once the shock had subsided, I checked myself over. ‘Still in one piece,’ I said to myself, relieved. Only I then started getting back and neck pain. At first, I just put it down to the hike. But as months passed, instead of improving, I felt worse. ‘Try physio,’ specialists advised. Only that didn’t help. I began to struggle at work. My job required me to spend a lot of time at my desk, which exacerbated the stiffness, and by the end of the day, I’d often be in agony. Eventually, I was diagnosed with a rare type of arthritis called ankylosing spondylitis. ‘It’s a long-term inflammatory condition that causes pain and stiffness, as well…3 min
Take a Break Monthly|January 2024A HERO called MOOS E!Looking across the harbour and out towards the ocean, I sighed happily. This is the life, I thought. My husband Chris, 54, and I lived on a houseboat. We’d spent a happy summer on board along with his children Logan, 12, and Anya, 10, and my granddaughter Luna, eight. Hearing footsteps, I turned round to see Chris making his way across the deck. ‘The kids are having a sulk,’ he said. ‘But you’re not a dog person’ ‘They’re just sad the pool’s closed,’ I replied. ‘We need something to liven things up.’ So later that morning, we all headed into town and I spotted a flyer for our local Humane Society. They were offering a service where you could foster a dog. ‘Look at this,’ I said to Chris. ‘The…4 min
Take a Break Monthly|January 2024Watch it!One Life (in cinemas) This film tells the true story of Sir Nicholas ‘Nicky’ Winton, a London broker who rescued 669 children from the Nazis. Nicky visited Prague in December 1938 and realised it was a race against time. How many children could he rescue before the borders closed? Starring Oscar-winner Anthony Hopkins as Winton and Johnny Flynn as his younger counterpart, the film jumps between past and present. Also starring Helena Bonham Carter and Jonathan Pryce.…1 min
Take a Break Monthly|January 2024Make it!What you’ll need ● Plastic garden mesh● A small mirror, preferably with a wooden frame● Scissors● Wire cutters● Bubble wrap, folded fabric or a towel● Staple gun● Selection of faux silk flowers and foliage● Craft or floristry wire Step 1 Roll out the garden mesh on to your work surface and place the mirror on top. Leave approx 5 or 7cm all the way around the mirror, so you have a mesh border. Alternatively, you could count the squares in the mesh. Then, using either scissors or wire cutters, cut away the excess and shape accordingly. Step 2 Place the mirror face down on to something soft like a piece of bubble wrap, folded fabric or a towel, this will prevent the mirror and frame getting scratched while you attach…2 min
Take a Break Monthly|January 2024COLOUR me beautifulMagic marigold Set to be a big hit in 2024, this sunny colour is ideal for bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms. Warm and welcoming, it will put a smile on your face. Fern Folk ochre reversible duvet cover and pillowcase set, from £16, Dunelm. Soft pink If you’re after a cool, calming feel, then Dulux colour of the year Sweet Embrace is for you. A subtle shade of pink that will work in any room. Sweet Embrace matt emulsion, from £20, Dulux. Moody blue Relax and embrace Blue Nova, Benjamin Moore’s colour of the year — a subtle shade, great for offices, sitting rooms and hallways. Blue Nova matt emulsion, from £20 per 0.94l, Benjamin Moore.…1 min
Take a Break Monthly|January 2024Take a break… IN PARISOur Holidays Against a backdrop of a watery blue sky, the day shivers in the crisp January air. Hats are pulled down firmly, scarves are wound tightly and coats are hugged against the chill. It’s too late for Christmas and too early for Valentine’s Day, so it might seem like a strange month to visit Paris. But we’ll let you into a secret. There’s no better time to go. And here’s why. In January, Paris prices — like the temperatures — plummet. Travel tickets and hotels can be booked for a snip, and you’ll have no trouble getting a table in a restaurant. Queues at the museums and landmarks thin out, and you can wander in the parks and along the boulevards without feeling the crush. In addition, it’s the…5 min
Take a Break Monthly|January 2024EDINBURGH MINI-BREAK• Two nights for two• Breakfast• £200 spending money Fancy a mini-break to Scotland’s beautiful capital? We’ve teamed up with Leonardo Royal Hotels to give you the chance to win a two-night getaway for two. Get puzzling and, if you’re our lucky winner, you’ll be off to Edinburgh’s charming Old Town to stay at the recently refurbished Leonardo Royal Hotel Edinburgh. Close to a host of iconic landmarks, it’s the perfect location from which to explore this vibrant city. Take a long walk around Holyrood Park, or immerse yourself in the rich history of Edinburgh Castle. We’ll throw in £200 too, so you can really enjoy yourselves. With 186 stylish bedrooms featuring exclusive DREAM beds for the utmost comfort and luxurious White Company toiletries, a state-of-the-art gym and a brand-new…1 min
Take a Break Monthly|January 2024‘I thought we had forever…’Stepping into the café for my latest internet date, I took in the two male customers sitting at opposite ends of the room. One had a nice beard and a twinkle in his eye — definitely my type. But because the blurry photo on my date’s profile had been clean-shaven, I shrugged and headed for the other. Only, right then, the handsome, bearded man stood up and asked: ‘Zoe?’ Result! After a string of bad dates, I’d been ready to quit online dating. But something about Brian’s profile had made me give it one last shot. And boy, was I glad I had. Brian, who sold produce to the hospitality trade, turned out to be funny and well-travelled. A keen biker, he also volunteered for the charity Blood Bikes in…6 min
Take a Break Monthly|January 2024‘Just look at me NOW ! ’Our Lives As I made my way down the supermarket aisle, I spotted something that made me stop and stare. A woman was walking past me pushing a pram and I couldn’t help peeking inside. As I looked at the baby, I thought: Why can’t I have one of those? I’d been trying to be a mum for years without success and it was breaking my heart. I’d get pregnant but it would never last and I’d suffered six miscarriages, which had devastated me. My doctor told me it was because I was overweight. I’d struggled with that since I was a child and now weighed 17 stone. On top of that, I was newly divorced, so I felt as though I was back to square one. I was only…6 min
