Author Archives: Catherine Balavage

The Inept Girl's Guide To Cooking: Scotch Broth Soup

Posted on by

Some cliche’s last because they are true, and the only Scottish cliches that I have found true (We’re not cheap!) are that we eat Scotch broth and porridge. I practically grew up on the stuff. If you get a big pot and make this soup, not only is it economical, it also lasts for days, even for a big family. It is also incredibly healthy. It is also so easy that I can do without trouble or injury. This is my family recipe….

You will need:
butterbeans (packet)
peas (packet)
Lentils (packet)
Broth Mix (packet)
Ham stock cubes (hard to find in West London, where I live, can also choose a vegetarian one)
Carrots 3 large at least
Leek

Steep the butterbean, peas and broth mix overnight, rinse in the morning, and then add stock cube once the water is hot.

Grate carrots and dice leek and then add lentils. Stir occasionally and keep an eye on it. Ideally I think it tastes better after being cooked for about 9 hours, get it ready about 9 in the morning and it usually ready about 6. It tastes even better the next day. you will need a good size pot.

And there you go! A healthy, filling meal for all the family that will last for a few days.

Chris Evans – 'Brutal' Pecs Appeal For ‘Captain America’

Posted on by

The actor had to bulk up to take on the role of the titular superhero in ‘Captain America: The First Avenger’ and although Chris usually loves exercise, the punishing regime was tough on his body and especially his pectoral muscles.

He said: “I don’t think my body is supposed to be as big as it got for Captain America. There was a strain on some joints. After a month and a half of training I found my right shoulder would click and my left pec would hurt. It was an ever-evolving workout, in which we always found ways to work around the parts of me that were sore. There are certain things that hurt more than others. But that seems to be pretty universal. Every guy I know has some sort of freak injury in their body.

“I’m a big fan of working out on my own. I put my headphones on and I’m pretty good at self- motivating. At the end of the day, I enjoy it. Once I’m there and once I get going, I tend to love it, and I feel good. If I don’t work out for a couple of days I feel lousy.”

Although he was happy with the results, Chris won’t be rushing to bulk up quite so much again, admitting the daily workouts were “brutal”.

He explained to Men’s Health magazine: ““It was gruelling, it was brutal and I’d find any excuse possible not to go. But I had to do it. I wasn’t trying to lose or tone – I was just looking to gain. The rule of thumb was: if you’re not eating, go get something.”

The full interview appears in the August issue of Men’s Health magazine, on sale Monday July 4.

Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul Spend Night In Haunted Hotel

Posted on by

The ‘X Factor’ judges checked into The Stoneleigh Hotel & Spa in Dallas but they had no idea about its reputation and while fellow judge L.A. Reid checked out almost as soon as he arrived, Simon and Paula stuck it out a little longer.

A source told Us Weekly magazine: “L.A. didn’t even know the story of the ghosts; he just couldn’t be inside the hotel. He was first to check in and left before the others arrived, saying it had a ‘weird feeling about it.’ Everyone joked he was being a diva, but when they heard about the hotel really being haunted they just thought he was smart!”

While Paula – who reportedly experienced her bathroom’s taps being turned on and off on their own – was left scared by the experience, sources say Simon enjoyed the spooky goings on.

The source added: “All the other judges were freaked out and insisted on changing hotels or rooms, but Simon was quite happy with the ghosts. He was fascinated by them. It wouldn’t surprise anyone if he insists on staying in only haunted hotels in future!”

Cheryl Cole celebrates 28th birthday

Posted on by

Cheryl Cole celebrated her 28th birthday at London’s Sanderson Hotel last night.

The former ‘X Factor’ star partied with friends including Nicola Roberts, Kimberley Walsh and Black Eyed Peas singer will.i.am, Cheryl is trying to get over her shock sacking from the US version of the show.

A friend told The Sun newspaper: ‘Her moping about ‘The X Factor’ is over. She’s determined to jumpstart her career. She still has America in her sights.’

Cheryl wore Stella McCartney white dress for the occasion.

Ex-husband Ashley did not make an appearance despite rumour’s the couple are back together.

Cheryl has only been seen in public twice since she was replaced by Nicole Scherzinger on ‘The X Factor’, the other time at the US embassy in London earlier this week – she wanted to let her fans know she was doing fine.

She wrote on her website: ‘I have had the time that I have not had in so long to just chill with my loved ones and do the normal things that I like to do. See my friends and family and be with my doggys. It feels long overdue and sooooo good, even my feet are happy to not have to wear a pair of high heels hehe.

‘It also breaks my heart a little when i hear that some of you worry about me and need to know that I am ok, so I want to PROMISE you that I am absolutely fine and more than OK! (sic)’

Motherhood has given Alicia Keys a “reason in life”.

Posted on by

The ‘Empire State of Mind’ hitmaker – who has an eight-month-old son, Egypt, with husband Swizz Beatz – says becoming a mum has changed her life in a “fun” way.

She explained: “Motherhood is heaven. It’s so purposeful and such fun. I feel much wiser in the choices I make. I have a reason in life I never had before.”

Alicia’s new outlook on life is a far cry from when the 30-year-old singer first found success and she admitted her fame was “scary” to begin with.

She told the Daily Mail newspaper: “I suddenly found myself doing tours, TV shows and flying every day.

“Everyone wanted a piece of me and that was scary. Being from New York, I covered that up.”

Now with a successful career and a happy personal life, Alicia is looking to the future and first on the agenda is a collaboration with Kings of Leon.

She said: “For a while I’ve wanted to do something with Kings of Leon. I definitely want to do it – I’m just waiting for the right moment.”

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have to "hide behind some walls" to escape their celebrity status.

Posted on by

The ‘Tree of Life’ star – who raises children, Maddox, nine, Pax, seven, Zahara, six, Shiloh five and two-year-old twins Knox and Vivienne with the 36-year-old actress – thinks he now has his lifestyle down “pretty well” after spending 10 years getting used to being known as one of the world’s most famous actors.

He said: “It took me a good decade of hiding in my house and not going outside to even, like, get my arms around this idea of celebrity, where suddenly people are looking for you to pick your nose or get a shot of you kissing some woman.

“It’s a very discombobulating thing. But Angie and I have got it down pretty well. We have to hide behind some walls, but we’re good.”

Despite being happy with his domestic life, the 47-year-old hunk still struggles with his views on religion – having been brought up in the mid-west of the US, which well-known for its Christian views.

He told the Guardian newspaper: “I grew up in the f**king buckle of the Bible belt.

“This idea of an all-powerful, watching being that’s controlling our moves and giving us a chance to say he’s the greatest so we get into some eternal heaven – that just doesn’t work for me, man. I got a real problem with it.

“I see the value of religion and what it offers to people as a cushion and I don’t want to step on that. On the other hand, I’ve seen where I grew up how it becomes separatist, and I get quite aggravated and antagonistic.”

Jim Carrey On The Lookout For Love.

Posted on by

Jim Carrey doesn’t know if he’ll ever find someone to spend the rest of his life with.

The ‘Mr. Popper’s Penguins’ actor – who split from girlfriend of five years Jenny McCarthy in 2010 – admitted after having had to “erase” a number of former flames from his life, he doesn’t know if he will ever commit to another person fully.

He said: “I’ve been erased and I know what it’s like to erase someone. You know the feeling when you loved somebody and it ends and you feel as if they’ve moved on or maybe even none of it ever mattered? It’s a terrible feeling.

“But everything in my life comes to me for a reason, to step me up to another level and to make me learn. Every single relationship has brought me a little bit closer to realising what I want and what I don’t want, and teaching me the value of love.

“I don’t know if I’ll ever actually find somebody I can hang with for the rest of my life.”

The 49-year-old star – who has battled with depression in the past – explained he has on occasions veered into a “bad neighbourhood” in his life.

Jim added to the Daily Telegraph newspaper: “I veer off the road once in a while and take the off-ramp into a bad neighbourhood and live there for a while, but it’s not usually very long.

“Everything starts to go wrong and you can only stay in that mode for a short time if you’re awake and sober and looking at the universe.”

Bob Mackie Debuts Series of Fashion and Costume Illustrations

Posted on by

Legendary fashion and costume designer Bob Mackie is launching the first series of his fashion and costume illustrations for sale exclusively at BobMackie.com and on the Bob Mackie Facebook Fanpage. The illustrations, curated from Mackie’s extensive archives, showcase Mackie’s exquisite, imaginative, whimsical and wonderfully glamorous designs over the past four decades.

The first series of reproductions, comprising 46 illustrations, are fine art giclees, printed on archival stock, and sold stylishly matted and framed. Each illustration is available in two sizes, 14″x17″ ($69) and 21″x25″ ($179).

Bob Mackie’s stunning costume designs have earned him nine Emmy Awards, 31 Emmy Award nominations and three Oscar nominations. His innovative work in the entertainment world, including designing costumes for “The Carol Burnett Show” and “The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour,” is legendary. His awe-inspiring costumes have been worn by hundreds of celebrities including Carol Burnett, Cher, Tina Turner, Pink, Katy Perry, Eva Longoria, Barbra Streisand, Bette Midler, Diahann Carroll, Diana Ross, Madonna, Beyonce, Jennifer Lopez , and of course, Barbie. The crowning achievement, thus far, is his 2002 induction into the Television Academy Hall of Fame. Mackie is the only costume designer in the Television Hall of Fame.