Food and Wine To Make Mother's Day Special

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All mums deserve a treat, like relaxing with a glass of wine from this fabulous range whilst you prepare her one of the expertly chosen complimentary dishes.

Fish Hoek Shiraz

This juicy red wine is a delicious addition to a number of meals. It’s a good, strong, superb wine. It’s not too tangy. Full of flavour and with not much after taste. You can taste berries. Try it with a hearty cottage pie, lasagne, or roast beef. Even better how about a delicious classic bistro Mother’s Day feast of steak, green beans and potato dauphinoise.

Banrock Station Sparkling Rose

This sparkling rose works perfectly as a standalone aperitif before a meal, or as an interesting desert choice. Best served with a light, red fruit desert such as pavlova or fruit tart. It is a good, light and refreshing wine. Perfectly fruity and with just the right amount of sweetness. One of the best Rose’s I have ever tasted.

Mother’s day is on April the 3rd. So treat her with these superb wines and some good food.

Complimentary dishes suggested by Constellation’s in-house wine expert, Sam Caporn.

Frost, Nearly a Year Later

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In October 2010 we had the Frost launch party. It wasn’t to actually launch the magazine. We had a soft launch in April and steadily built from there. Nearly a year later we are still not just going, but building every month. Our hits are in six figures and the Huffington Post have quoted us.

Vitamin Water sponsored the launch and The cast of Coming of Age; Ceri Phillips, Annabel and Joe, Jonathan Hansler, Anthony Epes, Nicholas Lezard, John Moore, John Bird,Nike Williams, Geoff Searle, Jamie Speakman, Olivia Wood, Paul Blanchard and Amy Yamazaki from Hollyoaks were among the over 300 people who came. All of our subscribers were invited.

It was held at the Club Burlesque after our original venue pulled out at the last minute. It was probably the most stressful few months of my life planning it. I was also doing a film and rehearsing a West End play at the same time. I’m surprised it didn’t kill me actually.

There were burlesque dancer’s, free drinks and a goodie bag. In fact, it was a little but like childbirth. I have nearly forgotten the pain and I’m thinking of doing another one. Let me know if you’re up for it.

Florence and the Machine backs new FOUR PAWS campaign film

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Florence and the Machine has lent its support to FOUR PAWS’ campaign calling on EU decision makers to keep their promise to ban the sale of animal-tested cosmetics, by allowing their haunting track Cosmic Love to be used as the soundtrack to a new thought provoking film, launched last week.

Animal testing for cosmetic ingredients is now banned in the EU. However, some tests for cosmetic ingredients can still be performed on animals outside the EU and those ingredients are imported for sale in EU products (until 11 Mar 2013). There is now a serious threat to this deadline which could be postponed by years.

The thought provoking and shocking film’s below and it’s worth watching.

A forthcoming European Commission decision is expected soon on whether to recommend a delay to its implementation due to alternatives not having been developed or validated in time.

“Our film is a reminder that the ugly face of animal tested cosmetics has not gone away and there can be no excuse for testing cosmetics on animals wherever in the word it takes place. We want to see an end to animal-tested cosmetics and that’s what EU politicians promised. If they break that promise by delaying the sales ban, they will be sanctioning the silent suffering of animals in countries such as the United States and China.” – Marie-Claire Macintosh from FOUR PAWS.

The new viral film has been launched across the EU in conjunction with a petition calling on EU decision makers not to delay the ban.

To sign the petition: https://www.secureconnect.at/4paws.org.uk/petition/110302/index.php

Japan Disaster – How you can help

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Relief organizations are quick to respond to the plea for help from the Japanese Government for the provision of aid to victims of Japan’s massive earthquake and tsunami. The twitter has tag being used to keep informed on developments within the country is #prayforjapan. Somehow, praying doesn’t seem to be enough and if you want to help in some way, here’s a few ways in which you can donate:

Japanese Red Cross: You can donate directly to the Japanese Red Cross from their website or from the Google resources page.

American Red Cross: The American Red Cross is collecting text donations, according to Renee Kelly, an American Red Cross spokeswoman. To contribute, send a text with REDCROSS to 90999 and $10 will be donated to the relief efforts. You can also donate on line on the American Red Cross web site.

Natori Yagawahama Before-After
Before and after the earthquake and tsunami. Above is Yuriage in Natori, below is Yagawahama. Both are in in Miyagi prefecture. © 2011 Google, GeoEye, DigitalGlobe, Cnes/Spot Image, TerraMetrics

Shelterbox: Author Maureen Johnson has launched an online fundraiser for Shelterbox, collecting money for earthquake and tsunami relief in Japan. Johnson led a similar fundraiser for earthquake victims in New Zealand, raising more than $15,000. According to the organization’s website, Shelterbox is an organization that goes into areas of the world affected by disaster with large green boxes that contain shelters and the materials needed for people to restart their lives on some level. The boxes always include a top-quality tent, and they usually include stoves, blankets, water purification systems, and tools. This is true, life-saving stuff, hand-delivered by volunteers trained in survival techniques.

Save the Children: Save the Children says it is mobilizing global resources to respond to the needs of children and families affected by the earthquake and its aftermath. The organization’swebsite reports that an international emergency team has been dispatched to assist staff in Japan.

The humanitarian agency, which is based on Westport, Connecticut, says it has been operating in Japan for 25 years along with other Pacific nations impacted by tsunamis. Donors may make charitable contributions to the group’s Children’s Emergency Fund.

GlobalGiving: This Washington, D.C.-based group has launched the Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Fund. According to the organization’s website, it will disburse donations to groups providing relief and emergency services to victims of the earthquake and tsunami. GlobalGiving is working with International Medical Corps, Save the Children, and other organizations.

Convoy of Hope: Convoy of Hope, a global relief organization based in Washington, D.C., is accepting online donations. You can also text TSUNAMI to 50555 to donate $10 to the group’s disaster response efforts. According to the organization’s website, the Disaster Response team “has established connection with in-country partners in Japan who have been impacted by the damage and are identifying the needs and areas where Convoy of Hope may be of the greatest assistance.”

Salvation Army: The Salvation Army, which has had a presence in Japan since 1895, says it is mobilizing relief efforts in response the earthquake. According to a spokeswoman, the Salvation Army in Tokyo is sending an assessment team to the city of Sendai to assess damage and will begin providing basic necessities, such as food and water, beginning as soon as March 12.

You can get more information on the organization’s website, Facebook page and on Twitter. Donations are being accepted by texting JAPAN or QUAKE to 80888 to make a $10 donation to the group’s relief efforts.

Give2Asia: The Give2Asia Japan Earthquake & Tsunami Fund is raising funds to support immediate relief and short-term to long-term recovery projects undertaken by the affected communities. The organization said in an email that it is working with local advisors based in Tokyo to assess the current situation and to obtain more information on the needs of survivors.

Donations to the fund can be made online. For more information, contact info@give2asia.org.

International Medical Corps: International Medical Corps is mobilizing relief teams and supplies to respond to the tsunami and earthquake in Japan. “We are communicating with local partners in Japan on the most pressing needs,” says Crystal A. Wells, a communications officer at the Santa Monica, California-based group. “We will be responding to needs on the ground, which may include sending supplies to local partners and/or deploying emergency response teams.”

People can help in the relief effort by visiting the organization’s website or texting MED to 80888 to donate $10.

For those who are worried about relatives, friends, loved ones who haven’t been able to get in touch, Google have made a person finder especially for the Japan crisis or The Foreign Office has established a crisis unit and set up a helpline for UK nationals in Japan and their relatives back home. That number is +44(0)207 008 0000.

If you can think of any resources we’ve missed off, let us know and we will add it to the list.

[via Reuters]

 

Keith Allen to star with Tara Fitzgerald in BBC One’s new crime drama series The Body Farm

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Keith Allen has been cast to star alongside Tara Fitzgerald in BBC One’s new modern crime series The Body Farm. Keith plays Detective Inspector Hale who calls upon Waking the Dead’s pathologist Dr Eve Lockhart (Tara Fitzgerald) and her private forensics facility to help solve crimes and find justice for the victims.

Keith says: “I’m delighted that the BBC has given me the chance to delve into the murky world of The Body Farm”.

In the modern world, private forensics are being used by the law more and more. Eve’s brilliant and ambitious team of scientists turn to police work to pay the bills, but in this team, it’s only Eve who has had any previous experience of dealing with the aftermath of a horrific crime.

Eve’s team is made up of Rosa, Mike and Oggy. Wunmi Mosaku (Moses Jones, Father & Son, Silent Witness) plays Rosa, who is young and eager to put her research into practise, Mark Bazeley (The Queen, The Bourne Ultimatum) plays Mike, Eve’s right-hand man, and Finlay Robertson (How Not to Live Your Life) is Oggy, a hardcore science geek who has had his head buried in his studies so long that he has begun to fear the real world.

Kate Harwood, Controller, Drama Series and Serials, says: “We are tremendously excited to have such a wonderful cast line-up and be following the character of Eve Lockhart into a new job as she leads her pioneering forensic team out to fight crime; Eve will face her challenges in the same way that she did in Waking the Dead, with cool professionalism and quiet compassion.”

We see D.I. Hale introduced to Eve’s team in the opening 90-minute special episode. Viewers are led into their world within the Body Farm, a facility that is pushing back the boundaries of scientific research and solving crimes – it’s unchartered territory. Here no horror is taken for granted and murder is seen to be what it is – visceral and shocking.

Created by Declan Croghan, this is a new six-part series made by BBC Drama Production in association with Trevor Eve’s company Projector Pictures for BBC One (1×90′ and 5×60′). Produced by Simon Lewis, the executive producers are Sue Hogg from BBC Drama Production and Trevor Eve for Projector Pictures. Filming started this week

Transworld to publish Shaun Ryder autobiography

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Transworld Publishers are delighted to announce the publication of the autobiography of Shaun Ryder. As yet untitled, the book will be released in autumn 2011. It will tell the story of Ryder’s entire career, from the drug-fuelled days of The Happy Mondays and the Hacienda era, through his amazing come back with Black Grape to his recent reappearance in the Australian jungle and his new solo album. Editorial Director Sarah Emsley, who acquired the book for Transworld from Matthew Hamilton at Aitken Alexander Associates, said: ‘Shaun Ryder is a living legend and his is one of the great untold stories of a life lived through the highs and lows of rock ’n’ roll excess. We are absolutely thrilled to be publishing the raw, undiluted autobiography of one of the UK’s most beloved rock stars.’

Shaun Ryder says: ‘I’ve been mithered for years to write my autobiography, but I’ve always said no because the timing never felt right. Plenty of other people have had their say on Happy Mondays and Black Grape, and now just felt like the right time to tell it like it really happened.’

HIGH-FLYING FEMALES SHOULD NOT FEEL “GUILT” RETURNING TO WORK AFTER HAVING A BABY

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Successful women in business should not feel any guilt returning to work after having children.

They will have made the decision to return to work because it is in the best interests of their families and themselves.

Niamh O’Keeffe, MD of First100, a global company which aims to help senior women executives return to their roles after maternity leave.

Leadership performance acceleration company First100, which has offices in London, New York and Dublin, works with senior executives to put in place plans for their first 100 days in either a new role or the same role after returning from having a child.

First100 has issued a series of tips for maternity returners, including:

· Let go of the previous role as full-time mother
· Return to the work environment as a confident woman and leader
· Find the right balance between the roles of mother and senior business executive.
· Everything will have changed so prepare well in advance.

Niamh O’Keeffe said: “Once a woman has made the decision to return to work, they need to let go of their role as full-time mother and carry no guilt. Guilt is something brought on by the individual and no one else.

“The woman will have made this decision in the best interests of her and her family and they need to be pragmatic in making it work.

“Living in the moment is critical. When the woman is at home, they need to be fully at home and not juggling their laptop and BlackBerry while making the tea or reading a bedtime story. Equally, when they are at work, it is vital they are not constantly calling home to make sure everything is okay.”

Niamh added that finding the “right balance” was crucial in order to make a true success of combining being a successful woman in business with being a mother.

“The working mum needs to take time out regularly to check they have the balance right. Sometimes one area of your life can get very busy which makes it easy to lose focus in another part of your life. Taking time out to refuel and refocus is very important.

“It is also critical to set realistic expectations at work and at home as there are only so many hours in the day.”

The majority of First100’s clients are male, but the company is finding an increasing number of senior women executives asking it to help them navigate their vital first 100 days in a role or when returning from maternity leave.

First 100 days plans are becoming increasingly common-place within global organisations such as Vodafone, Accenture, Telefonica 02, BP, BT and Merck.

Niamh said: “From my own personal experience and the feedback I receive from our consultants working with clients in the UK, Ireland and United States, female business leaders often make far more willing clients.

“Women are often easier to coach than their male counterparts and more willing to listen and take on board new skills to help them succeed in challenging roles. Sometimes senior male executives are instinctively more defensive and cynical and need a little longer to be persuaded as to the merits of the coaching.

“Undoubtedly, one of the principal reasons why women are generally quicker to understand the benefits of working with companies such as First100 is that they face the added pressures of competing in a still male-dominated business world, many with the challenge of juggling huge responsibilities both at work and at home.

“Putting in place a sound strategic plan for your first 100 days whether you are taking on a new role or returning from having a baby can make all the difference between success and failure.”

The nation’s favourite meal

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A survey of favourite meals commissioned by The Fat Panel revealed that Sunday Roast with all the trimmings was the nation’s favourite, showing that traditional English fare is top choice.

Over 35 per cent of men and women in the UK enjoy tucking into a traditional Sunday roast more than any other meal and more than one in three polish off the meal with a helping a chocolate fudge cake and cream for dessert, a survey of favourite meals commissioned by The Fat Panel, can exclusively reveal.

Second place in the nation’s food hot-list is occupied by steak and chips with 11% of the vote. The British steak and kidney pie and toad in the hole came last. For desserts, apple pie and ice cream is the second favourite choice (20%).

The research also shows that cooking from scratch is not greatly popular, with only 20 per cent managing it every day. Nearly half of people say that the biggest obstacle to cooking more often is that it takes too long. Another reason given by 13 per cent of people is that buying ingredients for home cooking is too expensive.

Chinese food is the takeaway of choice for 30 per cent of people, followed by twenty nine per cent favouring an Indian.

Fat Panel expert and nutritionist, Sarah Schenker, says it comes as no surprise that the Sunday roast comes out on top and as for takeaways, it is the easier option that comes at a price.

“This research shows that takeaways are very popular, however we need to be careful not to eat meals high in saturated fat too often. It’s much easier to stay in control of what we are eating when we cook ourselves. Being aware of what’s in the food we buy, using sensible cooking methods, such as grilling, and opting for common sense swaps like using 1% milk instead of full-fat or margarine and spread instead of butter will all have a positive effect on the amount of saturated fat we eat.

The nation’s favourite main meals

1.Sunday Roast with all the trimmings
35.6.%

2.Steak and Chips
11.85%

3.Lasagne
11.75%

4.Fish & Chips
10.55%

5.Chicken Tikka Masala
7.4%

6.Spaghetti Bolognaise
6.15%

7.Shepherd’s/Cottage Pie
5.3%

8.Sausages and Mash
4.8%

9.Toad in the Hole
3.8%

10.Steak and Kidney Pie
2.8%