ISSUE 1, OF FIIVE, YOUR KIND OF MAGAZINE
FIVE
£2
YEAR OF THE VEGAN We’ve ranked the yummiest family-friendly restaurants serving your favourite vegan meals
HOW TO HAVE A SENSIBLE MID-LIFE CRISIS Helping you to embrace your mid-life crisis without the regrets
REAL LIFE TALK Find out why it's always best to check your breasts, with a story from one of our readers who has been through something unimaginable
AUGUST ISSUE
EDITOR’S NOTE
C
reating this magazine was an exciting experience for me to do something a little different for my degree. It renewed my passion for writing and designing and it was amazing to do that alongside my friends Kayleigh Jetten and Chloe Cook who made the decision making so easy. I wish this could have been completed in better circumstances; we made it remotely in Lockdown. Despite it all, I believe we’ve pulled it together so well and can happily say I’m proud of the work we’ve accomplished. We were lucky enough to all visualise a very similar image and brand which made the creative process much easier. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as we enjoyed making it. We’ve got articles drawn from our own experience: from our chat with Coleen Nolan, health stories, home design and vegan eating. Here’s to coming out of Lockdown at last. Enjoy your summer.
Editor: Lucy Lee
What’s inside this month... 5 7 9
Home Inspiration Breast Cancer Story: How a Bruise Saved My Life Relax, We All Deserve a Break
11 13 15
Coleen Nolan: Life After Love 12 Things to try in 2020 How to Have a Sensible Mid-life Crisis
17 19 21
Year of the Vegan Warming up for Winter Horoscope Guide
Small space, Big impact Have you ever wanted to re-decorate but had a complete mind blank? Well, don't worry. We have put together some ideas for you using the latest trendy colours, furniture and accessories. This is a simple look yet makes the room look trendy and vibrant.
Adding vibrant features around the living area creates a trendy modern look, like this yellow blanket. John Lewis ÂŁ12
Add this stylish television stand from Dunelm, its storage sections are perfect for books, movies and decorations. Dunelm ÂŁ149
The furniture in this photo is from a variety of places which we thought you’d love, here’s a list of some of them:
Add a statement piece to finish off the look, like this gold circular mirror from Oliver Bonas.
Dunelm Next John Lewis Oliver Bonas Bentalls The white company
Oliver Bonas £35 This simple black shelving unit fits almost anywhere. Its simplistic look finishes off your trendy room. Next £95
n Books and accessories are a great way to fill empty spaces
Using fake or real plants to brighten up your living room is keeping up with the trends. Mustard yellow and grey are definitely the ‘in thing’ at the moment.
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How a bruise saved my life... Cancer, the word everyone fears. The fear of the unknown, the fear of having your life cut short and the question you ask, why me? Although cancer is more common for ladies in their 50s, Cheryl a 35-year-old, was a fit and healthy woman who always assumed it just simply wouldn't be her. Here's her story.
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ack in October 2017, Cheryl Andrews and her husband Dean Andrews, decided to take a well-deserved break from Surrey and set off to the New Forest. Their holiday involved a substantial amount of walking, carrying large rucksacks of their belongings on their backs. Cheryl noticed after the first day of her trip that her rucksack had bruised the left side of her body but simply thought nothing of it as a bruise is just a bruise, as we would all think. Cheryl noticed that even by her Standards, a bruise would not last longer than a couple of days, but two weeks later, the soreness from the bruise was still there. This raised cause for concern for Dean, Cheryl’s husband, and he convinced her to get it checked out at the local GP. The GP advised Cheryl, after doing an assessment, that it was just a bruise. Despite this, the GP recommended she have her routine mammogram, which was scheduled for January, brought forward to mid-November.
Image: A model representing Cheryl holding a breast cancer awareness badge.
8 Originally when having the scan the doctors couldn’t locate the reason for the bruise lasting for so long, but on closer inspection of the scan, they found two other suspicious lumps. To investigate these lumps further, the doctors advised Cheryl to go for an ultrasound and biopsy at the hospital to check these lumps out, looking for a potential underlying condition. After a 3 day wait which Cheryl described as an “eternally long time”, the results came in and she was given the news that none of us want to hear… Cancer. Just like that the “normality” and “comfort of life” had taken a blow by the impact of invasive lobular cancer.
“The doctor told me it was nothing to worry about”
Nurses told Cheryl the best thing to do is carry life on as normal. She didn’t tell her friends or family saying “how can I live normally when I’m in a constant dreamlike numbness”.Treatment began with chemotherapy and after 3 doses it was clear that this was damaging her liver. Alongside this, she had developed a severe reaction to the medication that she was being given, causing doctors to switch to an alternative. When surgery finally came around in April, it was decided that Cheryl would have all 16 Lymph nodes on her right side removed and given Tamoxifen to take for the next five years. Throughout her treatment, Cheryl used exercise as a coping mechanism along with the ongoing support from her family. Cheryl’s journey continued as she had to go through radiotherapy throughout August, followed by six-month infusion of Zometa, to reduce the risk of the cancer returning. Cheryl also has a routine mammogram every six months now to keep her risk minimal. She is very grateful to her husband who encouraged her to get her bruise checked out and encourages everyone who has a concern to get it checked, as its “better to be safe than sorry”. “I am extremely grateful for my husband’s actions, otherwise who knows where I would be today. All I can say now is my perception of life has changed - take every day as it comes and don’t be afraid to reach out for help”.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK, with a staggering one woman diagnosed every 10 minutes. Women aged 50 and over are most at risk, as 8 of out 10 women this age are diagnosed with breast cancer. Although these figures seem shocking, thankfully around 9 in 10 women diagnosed, survive. So, what can you do? Check your breasts regularly. Its shown that 1 in 10 women have never checked, so from now on: check in the shower, check when you get dressed just check your breasts. It only takes a few minutes and could save your life.
The image representing this story is a model posing for Cheryl
We all deserve a break E
veryone needs a breather now and again and it can come down to several things. If everything seems to be getting on top of you, just take a step back and breath. We have put together some top ideas for you to try as well as, some beautiful retreats for you to visit to unwind.
Take a break from work... Even if you love your job it’s always nice to get away from the reality of working 9-5 every day. Phonecall after email can just get too much, so why not stop and go and book yourself that well needed weekend away?
The simple things... When you get a moment to yourself or simply walk through the door after a busy day at work, why not pour yourself a lovely glass of wine? Or water if that’s what you prefer. Kick your shoes off get into something comfy and just relax. Why not pick up that book you didn’t have enough time to read and immerse yourself. Or simply run a nice hot bath and escape the thoughts of tomorrow. The simple steps like these are sure to have your body and mind at ease.
Keep yourself occupied... There’s no point wandering around with your head filled with doubts, stress and your phone going off every two minutes. Try putting your phone down and just focusing on yourself. One of our top tips that work well, why not turn off your phone notifications? This way you are checking your apps when you want to, not when your phone tells you to.
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Image: Model reading Five magazine
Why not try visiting these places that we have rated as our top spots for a relaxing weekend away. A great place to visit with the company of others, or even a little trip away on your own. We've picked ones that are sure to cater for everyone's needs.
Price: £15-55
Bamford Haybarn, Gloucestershire Relax and indulge in this beautiful holistic spa situated near Kingham with all its organic and eco-vibes. It differentiates itself by having no swimming facilities but its natural furnishings create a calm essence. With full-body massages designed specifically for you, you are sure to relax and unwind.
South Lodge, Sussex A brand new spa based in the centre of natural beauty. It has its own unique heated wild swimming pool inside and out. The indoor infinity pool surrounds itself by the beautiful country views of Sussex. With plenty of treatments available, this one is definitely one to check out.
Price: £150+
Luton Hoo, Bedfordshire
Price: £65 +
Surrounded by nature, this fivestar hotel can provide you with the ultimate relaxation. Its huge hydrotherapy pool is at the centre of their hotel alongside their wide variety of treatments available it’s sure to relax you. 10
Coleen Nolan: life after love
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The loose woman, 55, reveals her struggles through the past few years and how she coped after her second divorce
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ivorce. There is no longer the extensive amount of shame or horror that comes tied to the word. The stigma surrounding divorce is less negative and shouldn’t be feared. A lot of people may choose to keep their divorce private but for people like Coleen Nolan who are in the British spotlight, divorces can be very public matters. She announced her marriage to Ray Fensome was ending in February 2018 and took a very open approach, taking to the screen on Loose Women to talk about her private life. Viewers saw tears and her co-workers discussing her divorce extensively. Following her announcement, Nolan revealed more information on the matter saying that it was mutual and that she had “fought with every fibre of [her] being” to make it work and that the divide between them was too much. “Obviously it’s sad, but there’s a massive sense of relief,” she continues. “I deserve to be happy. Everyone does. And once you know your marriage is truly dead you need to make your peace with that, bury the past and move on.”
Nolan also let loose about how her fifties had been the hardest decade yet for her after a number of traumatic events. Alongside her divorce, she had lost her sister at the age of 53 a few years prior and claimed that her mental health had been forcefully hit.
"My future is
Despite her suffering, Nolan has been very active in the time following her divorce. She has been involved in the Body Stories campaign that consisted of the Loose Women cast stripping down to their underwear to promote body confidence. She also made her acting debut on the stage in The Thunder Girls that she said was “out of her comfort zone” but was the beginning of getting her confidence back. “I was terrified about doing it because I get awful stage fright,” she went on. “I still get nervous going on live TV after two decades!” When speaking about how her life was looking more positive, she revealed that engaging herself in her work and family had been the support she needed but that most days she feared she was going to be lonely. Nolan said she had no intention of being celibate for the rest of her life but she can’t imagine being with someone again. “My future is going to be very different to the one I imagined,” Nolan said sadly. “But slowly, as I come to terms with the reality of it all, it’s making me excited too.”
going to be very different to the one I imagined" “I felt redundant as a woman,” she explains. “I lost Bernie which started it off, then I hit menopause so my hormones have been everywhere. The kids are growing up and moving out and my marriage has now ended. I was numb and had to force myself out of bed.” Coleen had received a massive online response about her open speaking about her struggles and many people took to Twitter to praise her strength and positivity for being a great national role model to middleaged women.
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12 things to try in the
20s
Ideas to jazz up your life and make the most of the new decade Get crafty Try a new hobby like crocheting or macrame. Create something funky to hang up like a plant holder or a decorative banner. Embroidery is coming back in so grab some thread and sketch out a picture. Great for gifts and keeps you entertained. Pretty too!
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Be a host
Send the invites, you’re hosting a party! Hire a cocktail mixer and dust off the barbeque. Maybe even make them themed! Party like the Irish on St. Paddy’s day and let off the fireworks for the Fourth of July. Woo!
Volunteer/fundraise
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Feeling generous? get fundraising! Sign yourself up to a colour run or month-long challenge. If you want to help your local community, see what’s coming up and volunteer. If you love animals, volunteer at your local shelter.
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Research your family tree
5
Find your roots! Investing into finding your ancestry can be an incredible gift. Know where you came from so you can tell an interesting story.
Watch live sports
8
There’s so many exciting sporting events in 2020 so don’t settle for a small screen and a pint at the pub. Grab those Six Nations tickets early. Sit on Aorangi Terrace with a refreshing lemonade in hand. Go with your friends or family. What could be better?
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Try a health kick
Make it easy ! Start baki ng with gluten-free flour or add ing flax seeds to yo ur smoothie s. Ease yourself into exercise by doing some yoga or meditati on and then challen ge yourself further. For more hea lth tips visit: WOMENSH EA LTHMAG
.CO.UK
Learn a language
6
Build a time e capsul
or put a school ld o o G on it. n twist at gift moder e a gre k a m y The stic to e fanta and ar . e v ce o r reminis
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A great thing to learn, go and try out your accent abroad and take classes to broaden your social life.
Plan an unusual trip
Put a twist on your typical family holiday by making it into a fascinating adventure. Try a treehouse stay in the woods, a cruise to see the Northern Lights or interrail around the most beautiful European cities. See what’s out there!
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Make some more £££
Sell your old stuff at a market, a car boot sale or online. Try your luck at the lottery or a TV competition. Buy second-hand to save money as well.
Change up your garden
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If you haven’t got a garden, plant some herbs like parsley and basil and put them in a windowsill. Cheap option - reuse old food cartons as plant pots! For year-round bloom, research what flowers blossom when and scatter the bulbs - your garden will be full of colour! Want something low maintenance? Try a houseplant or airplant.
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How to have a Just a few ways to embrace those reckless instincts without leaving yourself with regret
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e will all, at one point or another, come to a moment where we feel like failures because of the things we didn’t accomplish in our lives. A mid-life crisis can be a rollercoaster of emotions, usually feeling lost apathetic and thinking your best years are already gone. It could be after the kids fly the nest or are starting school. You could be coming up to retirement or a change at work. Maybe it’s
neither of those and it’s just… happening. Whatever it is, there’s never been a better opportunity to look at the future and do things that you couldn’t do before. But the freedom that has been longed for may not be what you expected. This can lead to you making rash decisions that you think are right, but really only distract you from the boredom in your normal life.
If you want to get away...
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omen in a mid-life crisis can often feel that they need to do something spontaneous to spruce up their everyday lives. If you’re feeling like you need a break, take a break. Book some time off work and make space for a getaway. Take your partner with you or do something on your own to channel your thoughts into doing something adventurous. Or go with the girls on a spa weekend and enjoy the peace and a few bottles of prosecco. It could be that you’ve always wanted to go on a cruise or climb a mountain. Tick those things off your list before you can’t. Remember not to push yourself too hard. If you’re only going to postpone the problems in your life, think about whether it’s worth it and what you really want to get out of it. Is it the right time? Are you going in blind, not knowing what you’re actually going for. Take the time to plan it and choose to do the things that are within your price range and capability.
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sensible
mid-life crisis
If you want a new career...
I
f you have wanted a change in career, don’t foolishly quit and leave yourself feeling even worse and unemployed. Explore your options, think about what you’ve always wanted to do and what you can exceed at. Get some training. There has never been a better time to go back to school with the resources on offer to everybody. Try an online course or see if you’d like to go to college or university. If you have an unusual schedule, The Open University has a wide range of courses that you can fit to revolve around you.
If you feel that you are done with education, why not try a new hobby or skill? Yoga and meditation is great for the mind and body! Find out if there are any classes you can take in your local area. That way, you’re socialising with new people at the same time. In Dr. Stoppard’s Family Health Guide has some helpful tips. She says that a lot of divorced women decide that a new job is right for them, following the concern about their maintenance payments. So this is nothing new!
If you want to give something back...
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ollowing the feelings that pop up during a mid-life crisis, the need to give back to society increases after the many years of fulfilling your own desires and needs. Instead of going crazy, blowing all of your money and time, and running yourself down to help people, take the time to think about something small that you can do. You may have more time on your hands so dedicate one day a fortnight to babysitting for the neighbours or see if the local dog’s home needs an extra volunteer. Clear a path to make room for whatever you come up with so that you’re in the best possible situation to do something selfless.
If you want a spicy love life...
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any women experience the need to relight the fire of their libido to make them feel 20 again. If you’re in a serious relationship, urges to explore further afield can arise. You may fantasise about other people in a way you don’t think about your partner. Don’t let these urges tempt you into making impulsive decisions that can break your relationship.
Take your fantasies to the bedroom and research new things that you can do with your partner. If you’re single, there’s no harm in exploring what’s out there. Nobody wants to be alone and women over 40
should enjoy a fling just like anybody else! But don’t go overboard and remind yourself where your standards are. You don’t want to be labelled as a floozy. If you’re not as confident in the dating game, this is the best time to overcome some of your insecurities. Online dating has never been hotter and meeting someone from the internet shouldn’t be something to be embarrassed about. Throw yourself out of your comfort zone! 16
Year of the vegan? Veganuary sets trends as over 600 businesses took part in Veganuary 2020 and more than 1200 new vegan products and menus were launched.
We have ranked our top five favourite restaurants now serving the yummiest vegan foods in town. All will be found across the UK, these are the most affordable, and familyfriendly options we have come across yet!
vegan junk food 2
1 Wagamama released a permanent vegan menu in 2020, filled with tasty vegan treats such as the new Vegatsu, seitan covered in crispy panko breadcrumbs with their signature curry sauce and white sticky rice and a dressed side salad.
Costa launched a vegan smoky ham and cheeZe toastie made of smoky Quorn ham and gooey melted coconut cheeZe, sandwiched between two slices of toasted vegan bread. It costs £2.95 or you can buy it as a meal deal alongside a drink and a snack for £4.95.
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Pizza Hut have been served vegan pizzas with Violife ch**se since 2017, in 2020 they have taken a step further with a vegan ch**se stuffed crust. Their vegan pepperphoni pizza has gone down a treat, made with violife ch**se and pea protein. Available in all Pizza Hut restaurants for £10.69 or with stuffed crust for an additional £2.00.
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Greggs led the way in vegan fast food eating when they launched their vegan sausage roll designed to imitate their original sausage roll and steak bake’s special features, KFC created the original recipe vegan burger as a meat-free including 96 layers of light and crispy alternative to their classic chicken fillet burger, replacing it puff pastry but instead both made with a Quorn fillet, coated in the iconic blend of 11 herbs with a bespoke Quorn filling. A vegan and spices. It is served with a vegan mayonnaise sausage roll will cost you only £1, and and lettuce. a vegan steak bake costs £1.55. They have sold a whopping 1,000,000 vegan burgers in their first month! It costs £3.99 on its own or £4.69 with a drink. 18
Warming up
for Winter
Life is all about staying home and not spreading COVID-19 right now, but that doesn't mean we can't still dream about white sandy beaches and sipping a cocktail next to the pool, right?
Cape Town, South Africa (temperature highs of 21C)
With the British government warning all of us Brits to avoid all but essential travel,, it's understandable that many people are waiting before they decide to book a holiday this summer. Travel restrictions are still in place until further notice, so what's the likelihood of you getting a dose of Vitamin D abroad this year? If you're still keen on taking a trip later on in the year, then sit tight, monitor the situation and be hopeful that autumn and winter travel will be back on the cards! If you're scared of that incoming winter weather, the dark nights and in denial that the summer we had hoped for is looking further away than we thought, then don't worry! We have our favourite winter holiday destinations to take your mind off it all.
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Even with the coolest temperatures on our list, Cape Town is our most desirable, after watching Winter Love Island, who wouldn't want to experience this fantasy? Have you ever wanted to go on a proper safari to see the big five, or find wild penguins on a beach? Cape Town is full of all these exciting experiences and more, with great views, great experiences and beautiful scenery.
Kuramathi Island, Maldives (temperature highs of 29C) The Maldives is everyone's dream holiday destination let's be honest, and we would definitely go any time of year. However, this winter seems ideal, with perfect temperatures for your ultimate relaxation, it is the perfect place to be in your bikini all day, every day. Imagine having the spa, the ocean on your doorstep and a private hut, you'd literally be in heaven. Sounds like the perfect place for a romantic getaway... who's in?
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
(temperature highs of 35C) Where else could you go that is this hot pretty much all year round? Dubai makes an easy option for some winter heat. If you can handle the perfect mix between a beach getaway and a city break, then this holiday is the one for you. If you feel like splashing the cash then treat yourself to a meal at the "underwater" restaurant, in the world's only seven-star hotel, the Al Mahara. Trek up the tallest building in the world, The Burj Khalifa, or sky-dive so you can see the palm, the possibilities are endless in Dubai. 20
a Guide to Reading the Stars ASC sun sign =
your basic ego / fundamental qualities
moon sign =
your inner emotional self / emotional personality
Star signs are for amateurs! The real answers you are looking for are found in your MOON sign. We all know our star signs, from reading countless horoscopes and reading far too many astrology books is how we judge ourselves far too much. Your star (or sun) sign represents which sign the sun was in when you were born. The earth takes 3031 days to change signs as it orbits round the sun, so you share your sun sign with everyone born in that time span of around a month. There are some controversial “crossovers” with dates, but we won’t get into that now. Your sun sign determines each aspect of your personality, your outer self that everyone can see. However, it’s your moon sign which can reveal the real you, the stuff that goes on inside you, all the private things that you know about yourself. The moon only stays in each sign for around two days, so it explains why you can be so different to any other people that you know who share your sun sign. Your moon sign reflects the emotions, fears, longings and obsessions that sit below the surface of your outgoing sun sign person. It’s all about the details of your private motivations and anxieties. Your moon sign has a huge impact on your relationships with others around you, and how you truly feel inside.
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rising sign / ascendant =
how the world sees you / how you act in new situations
Its deep stuff! Use Café Astrology’s tool on the internet to work out your moon sign, you’ll need to know the specific date, time and location of your birth for this to work. Then you can read on and discover for your moon sign means for you and your life. Each birth chart is also ruled by a rising sign, which is the zodiac sign that was ascending over the eastern horizon at the time of your birth. This can be referred to as a “mask” that people wear, as your rising sign can offset your sun sign traits, which sheds light on your initial reactions to various situations. Your rising sign has a huge factor in shaping and defining your attitude, first impressions and appearance. The ascendant changes every two hours, which is why it is so important to have an accurate time of your birth in order to calculate an accurate result for yourself. Again, just like your moon sign, you will need your birth date, time and location, and then you might just find some identifiable answers and learn some interesting stuff about your rising and what it makes you do. Many astrologers claim that they don’t identify with their sun signs, as depending on where the planets were at the time you were born, you might feel like you strongly identify with a completely different sign, and this is SO normal.
Horoscope predictions for 2020 Aries march 21-april 19 “i just need a break from everything and everyone for a little while”
cancer
go
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vir
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gu Virgo st 23 -s “i r 2 ep 2 ati eleas t v ba e th e ne an sed oug gd s on hts elf -do fear ub t”
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Libra sep 23- oct 22 “i fearlessly ask for help and guidance whenever i need it”
Capricorn dec 22- jan 19 “i choose not to allow anything to control my emotions”
S no agit v 2 tar 2- ius de “w c2 h e 1 i cr n i for eate let g o, so m sp be eth ace tte ing r”
ini
Cancer june 21- july 22 “i surround myself with people that reflect who i want to be & how i want to feel”
P 19- isces ma rch “i a 20 m in the fea wh pu rles r a s sou t se suit t o s lo n f my f ire ”
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