Table of contents for 8 May 2025 in Chat

Welcome to this week's Chat… Nowadays we hear so much about what we should and shouldn't eat. We know to have five fruits and veg a day, 30 plants a week, don't forget to get enough protein… didn't it all used to be simpler? This week we've got all nostalgic reading about Rachel's culinary time travel (p24). She tried out her little boys with the food she grew up with, like spam fritters and crispy pancakes. The results are interesting! What a fun foodie trip down memory lane… Have a great week,…

The comforting smell hit me as soon as I walked into my nana's kitchen. Roast chicken and freshly baked pies. Delicious. And there was Nana bustling about in her pinny. ‘How was school?’ she asked, wrapping her arms around me. Nana Glenys, 67, was tiny, only 4ft 9in, but she had a huge heart. And I adored her. Three years earlier, when I was 9, my dad John – Nana's son – had died of cancer, aged 41. Mum struggled to cope, so I'd moved in with Nana. Her three-bed terraced house was my sanctuary. We'd settle on the sofa, watching EastEnders and eating chocolate biscuits. I slept soundly in her bed at night, piled high with blankets. She taught me how to cook, clean and save money. She had…

WIN £1,001 Puzzle 4 Actor Stephen Mangan says that performing in which trilogy of Alan Ayckbourn plays is the piece of work that he is most proud of? To find out, solve the crossword then read down the shaded squares to find the three-word prize answer. ACROSS 11 Light that flashes rapidly (6) 12 Sweet treat made with cocoa (9) 13 Plunder (4) 14 Artist, _ da Vinci (8) 15 Snapshot (5) 16 Attracts, entices (6) 17 Sad story (7) 18 Customary (11) 20 Flower (5) 22 Hopeless case (4,5) 24 Punctuation mark (5) 28 Alien from the Red Planet (7) 29 English city (7) 32 John _, member of The Beatles (6) 34 Queen song, Bohemian _ (8) 36 Actor who played Michael Corleone in The Godfather (2,6) 37 Metallic element (6) 39 Eight-sided shape (7) 40 Capital of Thailand (7) 45 Thin branch (5) 47 Revolt (9) 48 Desert…

Q My 17-year-old daughter, who is a virgin, is on a mountain study trip. She previously had regular periods, but has now skipped one. Could the high altitude be to blame? Lisa, Birmingham A Altitude can affect menstrual cycles. High elevations expose the body to lower oxygen levels, which can impact hormone regulation and cause missed or irregular periods. Physical stress, increased activity and changes in her diet or sleep patterns may also have contributed. Emotional stress, weight loss or illness can disrupt the menstrual cycle too. Her periods will likely return to normal once her body adjusts or she returns home. However, if she experiences other issues like extreme fatigue, dizziness or prolonged irregular cycles after the trip, a medical check-up may be helpful.…

1 Plan your walk Seasonal allergies from pollen tend to worsen at dawn and dusk, says wellness expert Samantha Greener. Plan your dog walk and outdoor activities outside of peak pollen times. Visit kleenex.co.uk/pollen-count to check the levels in your local area. 2 Avoid triggers This means ditching processed, sugary foods, alcohol, caffeine and mucus-producing foods, such as dairy, as well as limiting stress. There's a clear link between stress and the severity of hay fever symptoms, found a survey by the National Pollen and Aerobiology Research Unit. ‘Take time out to relax, such as reading a book, meditating or having a warm bath to ease symptoms,’ says nutritional therapist Liz Cooper. 3 Spring clean Dust furniture, vacuum carpets and change bedding regularly to ensure that you're keeping your home as pollen-free as…

Murder, he wrote After hundreds of years, mystery still surrounds the death of playwright Christopher Marlowe. He was stabbed in the head aged 29 during a drunken tavern brawl in May 1593. But some think there was a more sinister motive. Said to be a member of Queen Elizabeth I's spy network, created to protect her from assassination attempts, Marlowe was about to make a court appearance. Was he ‘dealt with’ before he could reveal any secrets? Meanwhile, some conspiracy theorists believe the writer wasn't murdered at all. They claim his spying skills led to him being ‘disappeared’, with another corpse being buried in his place. Whether he met a grisly end or lived out his days in anonymity, the question remains… Holy moly When King Henry II lost his…

Q I'm the only single mum in my family, and they treat me like a failure. My sister makes lots of snide comments about me ‘needing a man’, and my mum constantly tells me I should have chosen better. I love my son more than anything, but their judgment makes me feel ashamed. How do I stand up for myself without causing a family fall-out? Lynette, 31 A You made a life, you're raising a tiny human and you're doing it on your own. That's strength, not shame. Now, your family? Their outdated nonsense says more about them than you. And just because they share your blood doesn't mean they get to drain your spirit. You're not here to please them, darling. You're here to raise your son with love,…

It's an age-old assumption that cats and dogs do not get on. But G and her other half Kei disagree. To them, pups and felines make perfect partners. And not just in pet form. The couple have been together since 2008, but each have a unique identity. ‘I feel more like a dog and G feels more like a cat,’ Kei explains. ‘Meow,’ says G. After meeting online, they liked each other's pictures and there was an immediate connection. ‘We had dogs growing up and also cats, and I definitely felt more of an affinity with the dogs,’ Kei says. Since meeting G, that affinity grew stronger. ‘Once we got together, it came out of me more. Certain qualities, like the way I feel devoted, or I want to be…

Top tip Serve this with simple couscous and salad. Moroccan chicken parcels Chuck all the ingredients into baking paper and bung it in the oven. SERVES 4 PREP 10 MINS COOK 20 MINS ● 4 chicken breasts ● 4tsp Moroccan spice paste ● 1 lemon, sliced ● 1 pepper, deseeded and sliced ● 12 stuffed olives, sliced ● Small bunch coriander ● 400g tin chickpeas, rinsed and drained ● 2tbsp olive oil 1 Heat the oven to 200C Fan. Cut 4 large pieces of baking paper and put into a roasting tin. Top each piece of paper with a chicken breast. 2 Slash the chicken pieces and spread over the paste. 3 Add the lemon, pepper, olives, coriander and chickpeas. Drizzle with oil, seal the parcels and bake for 20 mins.…

Aries 21 March-20 April You're always active in your social circle, organising your next party or getaway. Find new ways to delegate, so you feel like you're sharing the responsibility. ● Call 0905 817 0690* for more Taurus 21 April-21 May If you feel in need of some rest and relaxation, take a break. With the Sun in Taurus supporting your health and wellbeing, it's the ideal moment to let go. ● Call 0905 817 0691* for more Gemini 22 May-21 June With the Moon in Gemini end of April, you will feel fired up for something new. Embrace this motivation and start a project that will engage you during spring. ● Call 0905 817 0692* for more Cancer 22 June-23 July With the Moon returning to Cancer on 1…

LETTER of the week! Q Is it OK to dye my eyebrows myself? Rebecca Key, Norwich A There are many options out there, but if you're looking for a brow-tint finish without the work, try Refy Brow Tint, £16, refybeauty.com. Giving an immediate yet temporary tint without dye, this product is great for last-minute plans when you want a tint without the wait. Or try Rimmel Wonder'Last Brows for Days, £9.99, lookfantastic.com, which gives you that ‘dyed’ brow look minus the permanent finish. Lasting up to two days, it's ideal for occasions or weekends away when you want enduring brows. If you want to recreate your in-salon brow dye, opt for Eylure Dybrow Brow Dye £8, Boots, which gives long-lasting colour in just 15 minutes. The easy-to-follow instructions allow you to…

Chat winners issue 6 (6 Feb 2025) £1,001 CASH EM Murphy, Guildford £500 CASH M MacKay, Gorebridge M Priddis, Peterborough £250 CASH I Rennison, York L Fannon, Sheffield £200 CASH MJ Hall, Edinburgh £100 CASH D Phelps, Atherstone M Kimber, Glossop P Darling, Stowmarket £75 CASH S King, Westonsuper-Mare £50 CASH D Moore, Swansea G Moon-Sopp, Sunderland L Clark, Glasgow J Curtis, Felixstowe K Leat, Bristol D Keeton, Doncaster £40 CASH K Crunkhurn, Grimsby £30 CASH S Newman, Plymouth J Hayward, Northumberland Anyone from your town in the list this week..? £25 CASH H Andrews, Plymouth M Stones, Durham £20 CASH S Jones, Caernarfon J Lawson, Thetford K Coe, Chelmsford K Fisher, Glenrothes J Morgan, Cardiff C Jowett, Basingstoke H Pucko, Bristol M Davis, Worksop J Linney, Reading R Butterfield, High Wycombe A Plumpton, Burnham-on-Sea S Hornby, Stockport B Blackie, Elland V Evans, Abertillery M Brown, Nottingham J Stephenson, Chesham M Ehsan, Rochdale P Balzano, Swansea P Holcroft, Essex E…

When I tried on my sister's hat, I felt cute like Paddington but she said I looked more like the lead singer from Jamiroquai! We pay £25 for any photos that we use on Chat To Us! Here's my hubby Nick, 63, comparing pouts with a fish sculpture on our holiday on Fuerteventura. I can't tell which one's which, can you? You'd never guess my cockapoo Bobby is recovering from having a cyst removed! Happy days. Happy birthday to my daughter Neve, 15, and her pooch Edna Mode, whose first birthday is the day before Neve's. Cake anyone? Get in touch! EMAIL chat_magazine@futurenet.com POST Chat, 121-141 Westbourne Terrace, London W2 6JR Find us online at facebook.com/ChatMagazine Who's that trip-trapping over my bridge? My daughter Aubree, 7, on a beautiful day in…

Turquoise waters, golden sand and perfect peace and tranquillity. Heaven on earth? Turtle Island certainly came close. A 500-acre holiday destination in Fiji, around 1,300 miles north of New Zealand. The remote location was the backdrop for the 1980 film The Blue Lagoon, starring Brooke Shields. Offering visitors access to private beaches and horseback riding. Turtle Island was popular with celebs like Britney Spears and Jessica Simpson. And it was so exclusive, the resort only allowed 14 couples to stay at a time. In luxury beachside bungalow suites. Many guests were on their honeymoon. Like newlyweds Bradley Dawson and Christe Chen, who arrived on the island on 7 July 2022. Christe, 36, was a newly qualified pharmacist. And Bradley, 38, worked in IT. The couple, from Tennessee, had exchanged vows…

My golden Labrador, Daisy, then 5, had her big head flopped in my lap. As we cosied up on the sofa in November 2017, it was hard to believe she'd once been a tearaway pup belonging to my son Andrew. Chewing the rubber around his washing machine, pulling bags of flour from the cupboards. Eventually, Andrew admitted defeat, and she came to live with me and my husband Philip, then 80. Now, Daisy was the soppiest, most obedient dog I'd ever known. She loved pottering in the garden with Philip or snuggling with me, like now. Days later, I went off to my Pilates class. Walking back up our driveway, around 2.30pm, Philip came rushing out. ‘I can't find Daisy,’ he said. That day, we searched high and low for…

Pottering around at home, I saw my phone light up with a video call. My daughter Hollie, then 31. I swiped the screen, expecting to see her grinning back at me. Only, tears were streaming down her face. ‘What's wrong?’ I gasped. Hollie held up six white sticks in front of the camera. ‘I'm pregnant!’ she said, grinning through her sobs. ‘Congratulations,’ I cried, bursting into tears myself. What a pair! It was November 2021 and Hollie and her partner Paul had been trying for a baby for years. Her endometriosis made it hard to conceive. They'd had a failed round of IVF, too. Now, I was over the moon. ‘My first grandchild!’ I whooped. As weeks passed, Hollie's bump grew. And so did mine. ‘Mum, you need to lose…

3 ways to… save on your mobile Cut the cost of your phone with these handy tips 1 SIM-only savings Feeling tempted by a phone upgrade because your current contract is ending soon? First, think about whether you really need a new one. If you're happy with your current handset, see how much money you could save by keeping it and shopping around for a SIM-only deal instead. Or depending on how often you use your phone – for example, if you only make the odd phone call and you mainly use the internet when you're connected to Wi-Fi – you may be able to save even more by moving onto a Pay As You Go deal. 2 Second-hand switch If you decide you want a new handset, could you get…

Outside the gym, I watched muscular men and women swagger past in fitness gear. I pulled my baggy T-shirt down over my bum, took a deep breath and walked in. It was 2009. As a kid, I'd loved basketball and gymnastics. But as a teen I'd fallen pregnant with Zake, then 18 months, then watched my relationship crumble. I gained weight and lost confidence. Now 20, I wanted to reclaim my identity. I'd come along to this martial arts gym, hoping to find myself again. I tried the punchbag, swinging my arms, getting my frustrations out. It felt brilliant. By the end of the session, I was sweaty and achy, but I hadn't felt so good in years. From then on, I went to the gym twice a week. I…

Nail Polish Remover Pen, £2, Primark Removing nail varnish is a chore. Picking, peeling or even painting a layer over the top are methods we're all guilty of doing. But thanks to this bargain buy, removing your old polish properly has never been easier. The remover pen is loaded with a hydrating formula infused with nourishing and strengthening vitamin E and C, plus avocado oil. Discover Sweet Frangipani Eau de Toilette, £10, M&S Bursting with the sweet scents of delicate rose petals, frangipani blossoms and creamy vanilla, this new fragrance is perfect for warmer weather. Encapsulating everything we love about spring and summer, this smells like your favourite holiday in a bottle. The long-lasting scent lingers on skin and clothing all day for a mood-boosting lift.…

Are you a coffee or a tea person? I like a nice cup of tea, especially first thing in the morning. I also enjoy a cuppa in the afternoon with a piece of cake. What's your favourite time of the year and why? I love the early spring, when everything starts to come alive. The bulbs start flowering and the birds build their nests, ready for their babies. It's also the time when you can get outside in the garden to tidy up after the winter. Where's the best place you've ever visited? Definitely America. I enjoyed travelling around California, seeing the Grand Canyon and going to Disneyland in Anaheim. And spending time in Las Vegas was an experience I'll always remember. WE PAY £50 to everyone we feature on…

Which capital city's name derives from a phrase meaning ‘doesn't sleep’ in its local language? The answer to each clue (apart from the first) begins with the last letter of the preceding answer. The shaded squares will spell out the prize answer. Your answer: WIN £100 Puzzle 2 1 Strengthening medicine (5) 2 Ornamental hanging light (10) 3 C of E clergy member (6) 4 _ Kipling, author (7) 5 Bottlenose _ or Risso's _ (7) 6 ‘New Stone Age’ period (9) 7 Police officer rank (9) 8 Hug or accept (7) 9 Compass point (4) 10 Small freshwater turtle (8) 11 Sentimental about the past (9) 12 Meat eater (9) 13 Tallinn's country (7) 14 Car which changes gear itself (9) 15 The universe (6) 16 Timid, bashful (3)…

JACKETS STYLE TIP Invest in a classic true blue or update with a quilted design. Timeless ecru and soft pink shades will go with everything in your wardrobe. WAISTCOATS STYLE TIP Layer this versatile piece over boho blouses or cotton dresses or wear on its own with a denim maxi skirt. SHORTS STYLE TIP Opt for on-trend Bermuda styles and wear slightly oversized. Tuck in a flowing top and pair with chunky summer flats. FROM £18 DRESSES STYLE TIP Choose soft chambray styles to keep you cool. Belted and drawstring waists highlight curves, flattering all figure types.…

True-life PATIENT CASEBOOK Dragging myself out of bed, I felt exhausted. ‘I'm not sure how much more of this I can take,’ I groaned to my husband Jose, then 36. It was January 2018 and I'd been ill with a chest infection for three months. The following month, I was admitted to hospital with bronchitis. Doctors couldn't get it under control, and when I was discharged 10 days later, I felt just as poorly. My symptoms became worse, my lungs weaker. I struggled to breathe, needing Jose's help to walk, get up the stairs or have a shower. I was in and out of hospital. Watching Jose playing in the garden with our son Nicolas, then 7, it broke my heart that I couldn't join in. I was desperate to…

Walking down the freezer aisle of the supermarket, I stopped and did a Wdouble take. A brightly packaged yellow box I'd not seen in donkey's years! Mr Brain's pork faggots. ‘That takes me back,’ I laughed. Suddenly, in the middle of Tesco, I was transported to my childhood. I could remember eating the gravysoaked meatballs at Grandma's house. Sitting at her kitchen table away about all sorts while we ate. Lovely memories of spending time with her. But as for the faggots… There was a reason I'd not eaten them in decades! But now, as I looked at them in the freezer, I found myself putting them in my trolley. I wondered if my sons Rory, 12, and Seb, 8, would like them. Or find them as gross as I…

He's a no-good dad Q My ex and I share custody of our daughter, but he always lets her down. He cancels their plans at the last minute, doesn't pay me child support and then blames me when she's upset. I don't want to badmouth her dad in front of her, but I'm sick of making excuses for him. How do I handle this to best help my girl? Sharon, 38 A Your ex is the one that keeps dropping the ball. You don't have to badmouth him, but stop sugar-coating his mess. Say something like, ‘Daddy couldn't make it today, and I know that's really disappointing.’ You're doing double the work and carrying double the emotional load. Don't let his chaos become your burden. Just keep being loving and…

Q I work full-time on the minimum wage, and it barely covers the rent and bills. By the time I buy food and pay for my child's school needs, there's nothing left. I'm exhausted, and I really feel like I'm failing as a mum because I can't give my child the life they deserve. How do I keep going when every day feels like a struggle? Zoe, 28 A You're not failing, my love, you're fighting. Every single day you show up, work your backside off, stretch pennies into meals and magic? That's not failure. That's pure, relentless love. That's what they'll remember, pet. It's OK to cry, to feel worn down, to scream into a pillow at 1am, but you keep going. Not because it's easy – because you're…

As my partner Gareth, then 44, pulled me into his arms, I let the tears fall. ‘I can't believe it's happened again,’ I sobbed. Gareth was just as upset. Neither of us knew what to say. We just held each other in silence. It was early 2018, and a hospital doctor had just confirmed what we already knew. I'd had a miscarriage. My fourth in two years. Heartbroken was an understatement. Together for two years, Gareth and I were desperate to be parents. But it just didn't seem to be happening for us. I was referred to the recurrent miscarriage clinic. My danger zone was between five and nine weeks but docs had no idea why. I was given progesterone to take if I fell pregnant again. And by June…

L'Oréal Paris Excellence Cool Silver Enhancing Treatment, £11.99, Boots Embrace your greys with this treatment for natural grey hair. Apply to clean, damp strands and leave for 10 minutes to reveal a vibrant, shiny grey colour. Morphe Love Bite Lip Stain, £11, uk.morphe.com Want a bold lip colour without having to top up all day? You need to try this lip stain that provides buildable, long-lasting coverage without drying out lips. Umberto Giannini Slick Gel, £9.95, Boots Suitable for all hair types but specifically curly hair, this oil-infused strong-hold gel keeps strands polished, smooth and defined. Imperial Leather Ultimate Moisture Foaming Body Scrub, £6.99, Superdrug This sweet-smelling scrub buffs away dead skin. With nourishing oil, conditioners and gentle exfoliators, this leaves skin soft and smooth. Palmer's Natural Bronze Sunless Tanning…