Alfie leans across and kisses me then, swiftly, gently. He tastes of carrot cake and strawberries and hope, and that makes me smile. I am not sure you could ever have enough of a kiss like that.
‘Hey. I made something else for you,’ he says, taking something from the side pocket of his rucksack. ‘It took forever because my fingers are all clumsy and slow, but …’
He holds out a daisy-chain circlet and puts it in my hair, tucked behind the pink silk flower, a princess-crown, fragile, perfect.
Resources
If you are worried about an eating disorder, please talk to a parent, teacher or to your family doctor and get some adult help and support. As Summer comes to realize, controlling your food cannot solve your problems – it will only add to them.
If you are worried about a friend, talk to a trusted teacher and share your concerns, in confidence if need be. Letting an adult know is important, as an eating disorder is easier to treat when spotted early on.
Remember that diets of any kind are bad news for teens or pre-teens; your body is still developing and restricting calories can cause real damage. If you genuinely feel you need help with your weight, please see your family doctor.
WEBSITES:
www.b-eat.co.uk – help and support for anyone worried about an eating disorder
www.eatingdisorderssupport.co.uk – confidential support for anyone with an eating disorder
www.eating-disorders.org.uk – beating anorexia, bulimia, binge-eat disorder, etc.
www.evamusby.co.uk – for parents worried about a child with anorexia
EMAIL SUPPORT:
[email protected]
UK HELPLINES:
Beat Youthline: 0845 634 7650
Eating Disorders Support: 01494 793223
BOOKS:
Letters To Cathy by Cathy Cassidy – help and advice on self-esteem, confidence and learning to accept and like yourself, plus support with many other growing-up issues.
shy, quiet, always on the outside … sometimes finds it hard to separate truth from fiction
14 years old
Born: Glasgow
Mum: Kiko
Dad: Paddy
Looks: small; slim; coffee-coloured skin; straight, dark hair with a fringe, often worn in little bunches
Style: bright skinny jeans, T-shirts, anything with a Japanese theme
Loves: dreaming, stories, cherry blossom, Irn-Bru, gypsy caravans
Prize possessions: kimono, parasol, Japanese fan, photo of her mum from long ago
Dreams: of being part of a family
www.cathycassidy.com
friendl, eccentric, individual, imaginative
13 years old – Summer’s identical twin
Born: Kitnor
Mum: Charlotte
Dad: Greg
Looks: shoulder-length blonde hair, blue eyes, big grin
Style: floppy hats and vintage dresses, scarves and shoes
Loves: history, horoscopes, dreaming, drawing
Prize possessions: her collection of vintage dresses and the fossil she once found on the beach
Dreams: of travelling back in time to see what the past was really like …
www.cathycassidy.com
quiet, confident, pretty, popular, and very serious about dance
13 years old – Skye’s identical twin
Born: Kitnor
Mum: Charlotte
Dad: Greg
Looks: long blonde hair, always tied back in braids or a neat ballerina bun; blue eyes; moves gracefully
Style: anything pink … neat, pretty, fashionable clothes and dance-wear
Loves: dancing, especially ballet
Prize possessions: pointe shoes and tutu
Dreams: of going to the Royal Ballet School, becoming a professional dancer and one day running her own ballet school
www.cathycassidy.com
cheeky, energetic, friendly, adventurous, crazy about animals
12 years old
Born: Kitnor
Mum: Charlotte
Dad: Greg
Looks: chin-length wavy blonde hair, always tangled; blue eyes; freckles; big grin
Style: tomboy: jeans, T-shirt, always messy and dishevelled
Loves: animals, climbing trees, swimming in the sea
Prize possessions: Fred the dg and the ducks
Dreams: of having a Ilama, a donkey and a parrot
www.cathycassidy.com
a drama queen: moody, selfish, often sad … but also bright, charming, organized and sweet
15 years old
Born: London
Mum: Charlotte
Dad: Gerg
Looks: long, ringletty blonde hair that reaches to her waist; blue eyes; creamy skin; tall; slim
Style: cool: little print dresses, strappy sandals, shades, shorts and T-shirts
Loves: drawing, painting, fashion, music … and Shay Fletcher
Prize possessions: hair, diary, sketchbook, turret bedroom
Dreams: of being a model, actress or fashion designer
www.cathycassidy.com
Which Chocolate Box Girl Are you?
Your perfect day would be spent …
a) visiting a busy vintage market
b) with your favourite canine companion on a long walk in the countryside
c) curled up on the sofa watching black-and-white movies with your boyfriend
d) window-shopping with your BFF
e) sipping frappuccinos in a hip city cafe
Your ideal boy is …
a) arty and sensitive
b) boy? No thanks!
c) a good listener … and a little bit quirky
d) polite and clever
e) good looking and popular – what other kind of boy is there?
Who’s the first person you would tell about your new crush?
a) your sister – she knows everything about you
b) your pet cat … animals are great listeners
c) your BFF
d) your mum – she always has the best advice
e) no one. It’s best not to trust anyone with a secret
Your favourite subject is …
a) history
b) science
c) creative writing
d) French
e) drama
Your school books are …
a) covered in paisley-print fabric
b) a bit muddy
c) filled with doodles
d) neat, tidy and full of good grades
e) rarely handed in on time
When you grow up you want to be …
a) an interior designer
b) a vet
c) a writer
d) a prima ballerina
e) famous
People always compliment your …
a) individuality. If anyone can pull it off you can!
b) caring nature – every creature deserves a bit of love
c) wild imagination … although it can get you into trouble sometimes
d) determination. Practice makes perfect
e) strong personality. You never let anyone stand in your way
Mostly As … Skye
Cool and eclectic, friends love your relaxed boho style and passion for all things quirky.
Mostly Bs … Coco
A real mother earth, but with your feet firmly on the ground, you’re happiest in the great outdoors – accompanied by a whole menagerie of animal companions.
Mostly Cs … Cherry
‘Daydreamer’ is your middle name … Forever thinking up crazy stories and buzzing with new ideas, you always have an exciting tale to tell – you’re allowed a bit of artistic licence, right?
Mostly Ds … Summer
Passionate and fun, you’re determined to make your dreams come true … and your family and friends are behind you every step of the way.
Mostly Es … Honey
Popular, intimidating, lonely … everyone has a different idea about the
‘real you’. Try opening up a bit more and you’ll realize that friends are there to help you along the way.
How can you make your WISHES and DREAMS come true?
WISHES and DREAMS are just other words for positive thinking, and that’s something that can be very powerful! Get together with friends and create some beautiful dream flags to start the magic …
You will need:
* A3 white or coloured paper
* Coloured crayons, felt pens, oil pastels, water-based paints, brushes, scissors, glue, glitter, sequins, yarn, foil streamers, tinsel, stickers, stars, tissue paper, ribbon, gold/silver pens, assorted collage materials
* A long length of string/coloured cord/ribbon
* IMAGINATION!!!
How to make your DREAM FLAG:
* Take your piece of A3 paper and cut it in half lengthways. Then fold each piece in half so you have two long thin strips of paper. This will give you 2 flags.
* Use paints, pens, crayons, pastels or a combination to pattern/colour the paper. Or collage your flag with ribbon, foil, stars and paper.
* Write your dream on to the flag shape. If you’d rather keep the dream secret, just decorate the flag with your own patterns and symbols, but think about your dream while you are doing this.
* Use both sides of the flag, or get your friend to use the other side so you can share the dream flag!
* Fold your flag over the string/cord and staple or glue your flag into place … then hang the dream flags along a wall or classroom!
Coco’s Lemonade
You need:
1 cup sugar
4–6 fresh lemons
Method:
Place one cup of sugar in a heatproof mixing jug and add one cup of boiling water, stirring gently until the sugar dissolves.
Use a lemon squeezer to squeeze the juice of 4–6 fresh lemons, enough to make a cupful.
Mix sugar-water and lemon juice together in a tall jug/pitcher and add 3–4 cups of water to taste.
Refrigerate for 30 mins and serve with lots of ice and slices of lemon.
For pink lemonade, slice up a bowlful of fresh strawberries and stir into the finished lemonade instead of lemon slices.
Find more yummy recipes at www.cathycassidy.com
Yummy Ice-cream Sundaes
Banana Split
You need:
1 banana
vanilla ice cream
chopped nuts
chocolate sauce
Method:
Slice the banana in half lengthways, place in a dish and arrnage three scoops of vanilla ice cream between the halves.
Decorate with a sprinkle of chopped nuts and a squoosh of chocolate sauce!
Chocolate Heaven
You need:
3 chocolate chip cookies, crumbled
4 squares chocolate, grated
vanilla ice cream
chocolate ice cream
chocolate sauce
aerosal cream
Method:
In a tall glass, layer a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a sprinkle of crumbled cookie, a scoop of chocolate ice cream and a layer of grated chocolate, and another scoop of vanilla ice cream and a layer of crumbled cookie. Top with a layer of squishy aerosol cream and decorate with grated chocolate and sauce … bliss!
Strawberry Sundae
You need:
fresh strawberries
plain frozen yoghurt
strawberry yoghurt
strawberry sauce
Method:
Cut most of the fresh strawberries into quarters then layer in a tall glass with the plain frozen yoghurt, strawberry yoghurt and an occasional squirt of strawberry sauce.
Repeat the layers until you reach the top of the glass. Finish off with the leftover strawberries and an extra squoosh of strawberry sauce!
www.cathycassidy.com
Summer Fruit Skewers
For a refreshing healthy snack on those hot summer days, try making your own garden of fruit skewers.
You will need:
Your fave fruits (the best ones include kiwis, strawberries, grapes, oranges, and watermelon and pineapple slices)
10 or more wooden skewers
Heart, flower or butterfly cookie cutters
A shoe box (this will be your garden display)
What to do:
Using a chopping board carefully cut your chosen fruit into round shapes.
One at a time, lay your slices of fruit on the board and cut into flower, butterfly and heart shapes using the cookie cutters.
Carefully insert the skewers into the fruit to create a beautiful flower display.
Making a flower:
* Cut a slice of pineapple into a flower shape and add to the skewer so it’s horizontal. Then add a small strawberry to the very top to make the centre of the flower. Add a couple of grapes to the ‘stem’ of the flower to look like leaves. Try other methods and designs too!
Top Tip!
For an extra-refreshing taste, serve with a yoghurt or cream-cheese dip!
Assemble your Flower Garden:
* Decorate your shoe box to make it look like a garden, using green paint, tissue paper, flower stickers, etc.
* Cut small holes into the top of the shoe box.
* Insert your flower skewers into the holes to create a flower border!
www.cathycassidy.com
How to make your very own friendship bracelets
Friendship bracelets are great fun to make, and even better to make with and for your best friend! There are lots of colours and patters you can use to create a unique and special bracelet for y our friend.
Method 1: The easiest way to make a friendship bracelet is by plaiting.
1. Choose 3 colours of thread that you like.
2. Take 2 strands of each colour.
3. Tie a knot in the end of the 6 strands and separate the different colours from each other.
4. Get your friend to hold the knotted end of the bracelet and start plaiting the 3 colours together.
5. Once the bracelet is long enough to go around your wrist, tie a knot in the other end.
6. Snip off any straggly ends and you’re done!
Method 2: This is more difficult but you’ll end up with a cool pattern.
1. Take 6 strands of thread – choose any colours you like.
2. Each strand represents a letter in the word FRIEND.
3. Tie a knot in the end of the 6 strands.
4. Arrange them in the order you like and ask your friend to hold the end.
5. Take the first string on the left F and wrap it over and around the next string R to make a knot. Pull up on F to tighten.
6. Make a second knot the same way with string F over and around string R. Pull up on F to tighten.
7. Drop string R and pick up string I. Make two knots with string F and around string I.
8. Repeat on strings E, N and the last string D making two knots on each with string F, now on the right. This makes a complete row.
9. Continue the next row by taking the first string on the left, now string R, and making two knots over and around the other strings.
10. With each row the string on the left is worked over the string on the right.
11. Once the bracelet is long enough, to go around your wrist, tie a knot in the other end.
12. Snip off any straggly ends and you’re done.
www.cathycassidy.com
Random Acts of
Kindness
Copy cool sam Taylor from Ginger Snaps and try a random act of kindness every day. Here are a few to start you off . . .
Wash up without being asked
Hug a friend!
Talk to someone who’s feeling lonely or left out
Compliment a classmate on his/her appearance
Send a card to you BFF for no reason at all
Carry shopping for an elderly neighbour
Play with your little bruv/sister – it’s fun!
Smile – it’s free
and it makes everyone feel good. Especially you!
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