Time To Give Up Sugar? Catherine Balavage Tries To Get Off The White Stuff

Posted on August 5, 2013 by Catherine Balavage

It is not like I have a problem. I just like it. A lot, in fact so much I could never give it up, which is precisely why I am doing so. For an entire month. Well, nearly. My birthday is the 12th of August and I have allowed that as a cheat day, because, it’s my birthday and I only get one every year.

To be honest, I am being a bit unfair on myself. I am not addicted to sugar, and certainly not as much as other people seem to think. Nothing bores me more than people making a fuss that I take two sugar in my tea. It won’t kill me, really. I also occasionally drink coca cola, but, again, not as much as people think. I do like occasional sweet food and chocolate can be a serious weakness but I am more savoury than sweet.

But this is going to be hard. A month without sugary tea and coca cola and chocolate? Hellish. What will I drink? What will I eat? Exactly how grumpy am I going to be? A lot probably.

When I was growing up we were not allowed fizzy drinks, or McDonalds. My parents were strict and made sure we ate well. Something I am thankful for, However, I rebelled as I got older. I never went into a fast food restaurant until I was 14 and had a Burger King. McDonalds was something I thought was exotic. Unfortunately I have not kept up my parents good work. I struggle to get through the day without a cup of tea, in fact, I find it hard to start the tea off without tea and it tastes awful without sugar.

Thankfully I have Laura Thomas, founder of happysugarhabits.com, helping me on her Mentor Me Off Sugar programme; A 4-week course that helps people get rid of sugar cravings and rewire their eating habits. Today is day one and I will update daily. Laura has sent me a text to take it easy as it is day one and just avoid any nasty obvious sugary stuff. So I decide to have one cup of tea to start off the journey in a gentle way. I have just moved and I have a lot to do. I will need lots of energy and the sad thing is that I know the easiest and quickest way to do that is usually with sugar. This month will be very educational. I am excited.

Mounting Evidence Against ‘Sneaky Sugar’ :

The Negative Effect on Our Heart and Liver

That sneaky, sweet substance in many people’s favourite treats can be downright dirty when it comes to playing with the heart and liver. Unfortunately, Britons love the stuff and consume, on average, 238 teaspoons of the substance each week, more than three times the average from 50 years ago. Now that’s a lot of sugar.

Broken down, table sugar is essentially composed of molecules of fructose and glucose. When too much fructose finds its way into the human body, it doesn’t break down and metabolise like other carbohydrates. Robert Lustig, professor of pediatric endocrinology at University of California, explained that what the body does instead is “turn excess fructose into liver fat. That starts a cascade of insulin resistance (insulin promotes sugar uptake from blood) which leads to chronic metabolic disease, including diabetes and heart disease.”

Researchers at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) recently published a study in the Journal of the American Heart Association which showed a correlation between eating too much sugar and heart failure. The reason for this is a small molecule called glucose 6-phosphate (G6P). When too much of this sugar molecule accumulates, it causes changes to muscle proteins and also induces poor pump function, which can ultimately lead to heart failure.

Another study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition illustrated that fructose can rapidly cause liver damage even if no weight is gained. During the study, researchers at the Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center tested animals who were fed a diet high in fructose to measure biomarkers of liver damage. The control group was fed a diet of complex carbohydrates and soy protein.

“What surprised us the most was how quickly the liver was affected and how extensive the damage was, especially without weight gain as a factor,” said Kylie Kavanagh, D.V.M., assistant professor of pathology-comparative medicine at Wake Forest Baptist and lead author of the study. “Six weeks in monkeys is roughly equivalent to three months in humans.”

Results indicated that, in the high-fructose group, intestinal bacteria was migrating to the liver more rapidly than the control group and causing damage. This was apparently due to the fact that fructose was causing the intestines to be less protective than normal and allowing bacteria to leak out a fairly high rate.

Laura Thomas, founder of happysugarhabits.com, commented, “Changing one’s sugar habits is truly about making a conscious choice to be healthier and live longer, and it seems like science is continually proving that point as it delves further into the chemistry and effects of sugar.”

H&M Dump Cara Delevingne

Posted on August 4, 2013 by Frostie

H&M have announced that Cara, who worked with them on their 2011 Authentic Collection, will no longer be modeling for them. This follows pictures where a bag of what looked like white powder were dropped by the 20-year-old model outside her London flat in Belgravia. She laughed as she covered the bag with her foot.

H&M also denied that Cara was ever the face of H&M.

‘She is not a model with us and I think there was a misunderstanding that she was the face of H&M. We just used her for the show.’’ a spokeswoman told The Sun on Sunday

She also said that H&M had ‘no particular reason’ to work with Delevingne in the foreseeable future.

What do you think?

Paris in Pictures Part 2

Posted on August 4, 2013 by Catherine Balavage

Here is Part 2 of Paris in Pictures. We hope you enjoy. From top to bottom: Laduree, an excellent cake shop and restaurant. Try their famous macaroons. The Eiffel Tower, the view from half way up and then the view from the top. Side View of Notre Dame, from the front, a gargoyle, the view from the top and the view from inside. Part 1 is here.

20 Top Break Up Songs

Posted on August 3, 2013 by Catherine Balavage

Nothing is worse than a break up, and nothing heals better than music; so here it is: 20 Top Break Up Songs to help you get over that loser. No matter if you are sad or angry. Enjoy.

Bob Dylan – If You See Her, Say Hello

Pretty much THE break up song. The lyrics below are highlights but the entire song is a highlight. Don’t be embarrassed to listen to the song on repeat for, oh, a entire day.

“She may think I have forgotten her, don’t tell her it isn’t so.”

“Although our separation pierces to the heart, she still lives inside of me we have never be apart.”

There is also an alternative version with the lyrcis: “Although the separation pierces to the bone, you are better off with someone else, and I am better off alone.”

Alanis Morissette- You Oughta Know

“You told me you would hold me until you die, until you die, but you’re still alive”

Cee Lo Green – Forget You

“I guess the change in my pocket just wasn’t enough, I’m like, forget you and forget her too.” Also has the more risque, and satisfying F**k you version for when you are REALLY upset.

Adele – Someone Like You

“I heard that you settled down, that you found a girl and you’re married now. I heard that all your dreams came true. I guess she gave you things I didn’t give to you.”

“Never mind I will find someone like you, I wish nothing but the best for you two, don’t forget me I beg, I will remember you said; sometime it lasts in love, but sometimes it hurts instead.”

“Yesterday was the time of our lives.”

Gloria Gaynor – I Will Survive

“Weren’t you the one who tried to hurt me with goodbye? Did you think I’d crumble, did you think I would lie down and die? Oh no, not I, I will survive.”

“And now you see me, someone new, I’m not that chained up little person who is still in love with you.”

Bruno Mars – When I Was Your Man

“Too young, too dumb to realise that I should have bought you flowers and held your hand, Should have gave you all my hours when I had the chance, taken you to every party because all you wanted to do was dance, now my baby is dancing but she’s dancing with another man.”

Bill Withers – Ain’t No Sunshine When She’s Gone

“Ain’t no sunshine when she’s gone, it’s not warm when she’s away…only darkness everyday.”

Bon Iver – Skinny Love

“Come on skinny love just last the year, pour a little salt, we were never here. My, my, my, my, my, my, my, my
Staring at the sink of blood and crushed veneer.”

“Told you to be patient, I told you to be fine, I told you to be balanced, I told you to be kind, In the morning I’ll be with you, But it will be a different “kind”, I’ll be holding all the tickets, And you’ll be owning all the fines

GOTYE (feat. Kimbra) – Someone That I Used To Know

“Told myself you were right for me, but felt so lonely in your company.”

“But you didn’t have to cut me off
Make out like it never happened and that we were nothing
And I don’t even need your love
But you treat me like a stranger and that feels so rough
No you didn’t have to stoop so low
Have your friends collect your records and then change your number
I guess that I don’t need that though
Now you’re just somebody that I used to know”

Green Day – Whatshername.

“Seems that she disappeared without a trace, did she ever marry ol’ whatshisface?, I made a point to burn all of the photographs, she went away and then I took a different path, I remember the face but I can’t recall the name, and now I wonder how whatsherface has been.”

“It feels like forever ago.’

Poison – Every Rose Has Its Thorn

This songs starts off with a broken-hearted sigh. So perfectly done.

“And now I hear you found somebody new and that I never meant that much to you. To hear that tears me up inside and to see you cuts me like a knife.”

Amy Winehouse – Love is a Losing Game.

“Love is a losing game, Why do I wish I never played, Oh what a mess we made, And now the final frame, Love is a losing game.”

“Though I’m rather blind, Love is a fate resigned, Memories mar my mind”

The Wreckers – Leave the Pieces. A favourite of Nashville actress Hayden Panettiere

“It’s alright, I’ll be fine, Don’t worry about this heart of mine, Just take your love and hit the road, there is nothing you can do or say, you’re going to break my heart anyway, so just leave the pieces when you go”

“Don’t concern yourself with this mess you left for me, I can clean it up you see, just as long as you’re gone.”

The Script – Break Even

“I”m still alive but I”m barely breathing. Just prayin’ to a god that I don’t believe in. Cause I got time while she got freedom. Cos when a heart breaks no it don’t break even.”

“Her best days will be some of my worst. She finally met a man that’s gonna put her first.”

“What am I supposed to do when the best part of me was always you, And what am I supposed to say when I’m chocked up that you’re okay. I”m falling to pieces.”

“They say bad things happen for a reason, but no wise words are gonna stop the bleeding.”

Beyonce – Single Ladies

The single ladies ANTHEM.

“Just cried my tears, for three good years. Ya can’t be bad at me…if you liked it you should have put a ring on it.”

Nickelback – How You Remind Me

“It’s not like you to say sorry, I was waiting on a different story, This time I’m mistaken for handing you a heart worth breaking and I’ve been wrong, I’ve been down, been to the bottom of every bottle these five words in my head scream “are we having fun yet?”

Eamon – F**k it (I Don’t Want You Back)

This one is for when you are really angry.

“See, I don’t know why I liked you so much, I gave you all of my trust, I told you, I loved you, now that’s all down the drain, Ya put me through pain, I wanna let u know how I feel.”

Eamon – F–k It (I Don’t Want You Back) (Official Music Video with onscreen Lyrics – BK) from Banuka Knight on Vimeo.

Beyonce – Irreplaceable

“I could have another you in a minute, Matter fact he’ll be here in a minute.”

John Legend – Used To Love U

“Baby when I used to love you, There’s nuttin that I wouldn’t do, I went through the fire for you, Do anything you asked me to, But I’m tired of living this lie.”

No Doubt – Don’t Speak

“Don’t speak, I know just what you’re saying, so please stop explaining, don’t tell me cos it hurts.”

We will have another 20 soon so come back to Frost and if you have any favourites then comment below or email Frost at frostmagazine@gmail.com

Paradise: Hope Film Review

Posted on August 2, 2013 by Daniel McCarthy

Ulrich Seidel has built the reputation of something of a cinematic provocateur. The Austrian filmmakers canon has treated audiences to unflinching depictions of fundamental human flaws and weaknesses in the likes of Dog Days and Import/Export. In describing his 1996 documentary Animal Love, Werner Herzog (a director who is known for not avoiding the metaphorical abyss) was heard to say, ‘Never have I looked so directly into hell.’ Such sombre reactions have heard his name mentioned in the same breath as that as fellow Austrian Michael Haneke, a director also noted for his brutal, singular directorial aesthetic. His last three films, The Paradise Trilogy, seem to fit the mould of his previous works as we are treated to unblinking depictions of three women in one family and their (often disastrous) attempts to find happiness for themselves. The previous chapters, Love and Faith, followed two adult sisters grappling with carnal desires and religious beliefs. But on the evidence of the final installment, Hope, Seidel is not solely interested in pouring punishment upon his characters. There would seem to be cautious optimism in the tale of Melanie (Melanie Lenz), a young teenager (the daughter of Love’s protagonist) who is sent to a weight loss camp on the outskirts of Vienna over summer. Not at all concerned about an enforced health regime, Melanie spends her time at the camp longing to return home, discussing her crushes and sexuality with her fellow campers and developing an unhealthy fixation with the camp physician (Joseph Lorenz) , a man 40 years her senior.

Seidel’s approach to the material initially appears to be incredibly artificial and constructed. The framing and composition of his shots is meticulously crafted with everything within the frame feeling astonishingly deliberate in it’s placement. Characters seem dwarfed by their surroundings from dim, white washed corridors to shrowdy, mist covered woods filmed with incredibly deep focus. Incredibly long takes (some static, others roaming) give little to no respite from developments on screen whether they be physical exercise that borders on ritualistic humiliation, or Melanie’s increasingly uncomfortable relationship with the doctor. It’s rigorous imagery reminded me of the astonishingly dark comedy Dogtooth, which also forced audiences to look longer than feels comfortable. This rigid style is broken infrequently when the characters defy their oppressive surroundings. Games of the spin the bottle and midnight kitchen raids are shot in handheld camera movements and natural lighting, which punctuate the formalism like a breath of fresh air. The film hits its strongest moments as a clear, crisp portrait of adolescent boredom. The kids at camp are seemingly content with their body image and far are more fulfilled staying up all hours pondering boys, fashion and everything else one ponders at that age. Dialogue driven scenes are performed in long takes that pull no punches in frank, explicit yet naive attitudes towards life, love and lust. There is a surprising amount of humour to be mined from the proceedings that one would not expect from a filmmaker with such a dark and brooding body of work. Certainly there is nothing too broad when it comes to laughs but depictions of the ridiculous exercise regimes and sharp divide between the children and their adult minders do raise the occasional giggle. The only communication Melanie has with her (separated) parents is with a set of contradictory voice messages she leaves each of them that manages to elicit some light relief. It certainly makes a contrast to some of the more deliberately uncomfortable moments.

As a newcomer performance Melanie Lenz is simply terrific. Working on material that encourages improvisation on the actors behalf, it is a performance that is at once both beyond her years and yet achingly vulnerable. There’s no showiness or force in her acting; only a clear, disarmingly honest presence. Joseph Lorenz certainly has one of the harder jobs in the film. Whereas most audiences would seek clarity from such confrontational material, both he and Seidel’s script paint the doctor in a hauntingly ambiguous manner. The character is certainly aware of Melanie’s infatuation but his reaction is difficult to fathom. The two seem to be engaged in a psychological tug of war with each other, testing each others limits and attitudes whilst remaining within is perceived to be a socially acceptable norms. It is in the scenes where we leave the confines of the camp for more rural settings , that the lines between the characters blur including one climactic scene that whilst remaining on the right side of taste and ambiguity, is deeply uncomfortable to watch. It really is to Lorenz’s credit that he handles such a potentially unlikeable role like an open book, free for the audience to read their own interpretation. In an age where media and social outlets treat such material with borderline hysteria, its refreshing to see a film that takes a moral yet calm view and doesn’t treat anyone like a victim.

Though it certainly cannot be described as an easy watch and deserves its place in Seidel’s challenging filmography, Paradise: Hope surprisingly lives up to its title. It has a brace of strong, even charming performances with a steady, skilled hand at the helm and a genuinely bittersweet tone that challenges yet never feels like empty provocation. Seidel is a tremendous new talent of European cinema and his next project will be one to watch.

For one night only, discover the Natural History Museum’s hidden wonders

Posted on August 2, 2013 by Frostie

Science Uncovered, the annual free after-hours extravaganza, returns on Friday 27 September 2013 with more on offer than ever before.

The Natural History Museum is throwing open its doors and giving you exclusive access to its world-class scientists and rarely seen parts of its collections. Science Uncovered is your chance to discover more about the Museum, hear about the latest research and enjoy a drink in the grand setting of the Museum’s Central Hall.

For many, meeting Museum scientists is one of the most surprising highlights of the evening. Normally behind the scenes, our scientists tackle issues of global importance – from malaria to species loss. Science Uncovered involves 375 researchers from the across the Museum and from other leading organisations, such as the Metropolitan Police Service and the British Antarctic Survey.

Discover what goes on beyond the galleries at this world-renowned centre of research, learn more about the life of a scientist and find out something unexpected about the natural world. You can get involved in more than 200 different activities on the night, from the Science Bar and Nature Live talks, to visiting the Science Stations and taking part in exclusive behind-the-scenes tours. The evening is also a chance to see some of the extraordinary specimens from the Museum’s collections not normally on display.

New this year:

Live link with NASA – the Museum’s resident meteorite expert, Dr Sara Russell, hosts a link-up with the Mars Curiosity Rover team at NASA. Hear what has been discovered one year into the mission and have the chance to ask your burning questions.
Get sporty – join the world-leading sport science team from Loughborough University to find out more about the advances in sport, health and their work with the British Olympics team.
Predicting weather – meet meteorologists from the Met Office and quiz them about how forecasting is done and what is happening to our weather.
Science Fess Up – don’t know what DNA is? Never heard of Alfred Russel Wallace? Sceptical about climate change? Confess your deepest, darkest science secrets and discuss them with our scientist in a private booth.
Science Stations – get up close and personal with groundbreaking science at the Science Stations. Check out live animals, including the hedgehog-like Madagascan tenrec, inspect a new 3D map of an ancient human burial site with our world-leading human origins researchers and race maggots with our forensic entomologists.
Stamped on Science – collect all six stamps from around the Museum on the night to be in with a chance of joining a field trip to the New Forest. You will get to take part in an important study of British wildlife with Museum scientists and enjoy the great outdoors with a pasty or two.

Science Uncovered is part of EU Researchers’ Night, when institutions in more than 360 cities across Europe reveal the exciting scientific research taking place and celebrate the people who make it possible.

There will be activities suitable for everyone but from 18.00 the event is most suitable for adults. Space is limited for some activities and free tickets for certain events will be available on the night on a first come first served basis.

Date and times:	27 September 2013, 16.00 – midnight
Visitor enquiries:	020 7942 5000
Admission:	Free
Nearest tube:	South Kensington
Website:	www.nhm.ac.uk/scienceuncovered

Grilled Goat’s Cheese and Roasted Peppers on Corn Cakes Recipes

Posted on August 1, 2013 by Frostie

Grilled Goat’s Cheese and Roasted Peppers on Corn Cakes
Makes 3 loaded rice cakes

Create a wonderfully warm snack by topping your rice cakes with grilled goat’s cheese
and roasted red and yellow peppers. Just joyous!

 2 large red peppers
 2 large yellow peppers
 4 tbsp extra virgin
 olive oil
 200g soft goat’s cheese
 Salt and pepper
 3 Kallo Corn Cakes

Place your cored and deseeded peppers in a roasting dish, cover generously with olive
oil and roast for 20 minutes.

Cut the goat’s cheese into rounds and place under a moderate grill for 2 to 3 minutes.
Layer onto your rice cake, before seasoning with salt and pepper and another drizzle of
olive oil.

Great Summer Recipes To Get You Into Shape

Posted on August 1, 2013 by Frostie

Bikini Friendly Recipes For The Summer Season

We love food at Frost Magazine. We love it so much that no diet in which you need to deprive yourself will work for us. That is why these recipes caught our eye. Great food you can eat while being healthy and losing weight? Yes please.

There is no denying that the British love a good old fashioned barbecue! So with body conscious Brits preparing to don their bikinis and swim shorts this summer Dr Dukan has answered our dieting prayers.

This easy menu, boasting a delicious range of sides, mains and desserts, means you can indulge in all of your summer favourites whilst losing those extra inches fast!

recipes, recipe, summer, diet, dukan, dr dukan, lose weight, health,

Spicy Chicken Kebabs

Serves: 5

Preparation time: 30 minutes (plus 2-3 hours marinating)

Cooking time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

25 small wooden kebab sticks

1kg (2lb 4oz) chicken breasts, cut into cubes

250ml (9fl oz) fat-free natural yoghurt

1 tsp chilli powder

1 tsp ground tumeric

1 tsp ground cumin

1 tsp ground coriander

1 tsp grated ginger

1 garlic clove, crushed

Prepare the marinade with the yoghurt and all the spices, ginger and garlic. Thread the chicken pieces on to the kebab sticks and place them in a dish, covering them completely with the marinade.

Leave to marinate in the fridge for several hours or overnight. Place the kebabs on the barbeque andcook for 8-10 minutes until the meat is browned and tender.

Asian Style Beef Skewers

Serves: 4

Preparation time: 20 minutes
4 thin-cut sirloin steaks or minute steaks, trimmed of any fat and each cutinto 3 long strips
100ml of soy sauce
1 tbsp of sweetener
1 tbsp sesame seeds (tolerated)

For the salad:

1 tsp white wine vinegar
1 tsp light soy sauce
1 cucumber, cut into small chunks

3 spring onions, sliced

1Ž2 red chilli, deseeded and finely chopped
Handful coriander leaves, chopped

Heat grill to high. In a bowl, mix the steak strips with the soy sauce and sesame seeds. Thread onto 12 skewers, then grill for 12 minutes, turning halfway through, until golden and sticky.

For the salad, mix the vinegar and soy together, then toss with the cucumber, spring onions, chilli and coriander. Serve with the beef skewers.

Dukan Burger

Serves : 2

Preperation: 10 minutes, cook 10 minutes (or more according to taste)

Ingredients

3 tbsp oat bran

4 tbsp low fat fromage frais

2 eggs

2 tsp baking powder

2 low fat beef burgers (5% fat)

2 sliced onions

2 red onions sliced

2 gherkins

Tsp Dijon mustard

Dukan ketchup and Dukan mayonnaise

Mix half of the oat bran, egg, half of fromage frais and half baking soda. Pour in a circle mould and cook it in the micro wave for 4 minutes. Remove the bread and slice it in to pieces. Repeat the operation a second time to make another bread. You can toast if you wish.

Cook the onion in a nonstick frying pan with a bit of water and then cook your burgers. On one slice of the bread spread some mustard and then Dukan ketchup and mayonnaise according to your taste and then add your burger. Add the sliced onion and gherkin.

Tzatziki

1 serving

Preparation time: 10 minutes (plus refrigeration time)

No cooking required

Ingredients:

1/2 cucumber

Sea salt

1 garlic clove, finely chopped

150g (51Ž2oz) fat-free natural yoghurt

Peel and deseed the cucumber, chop it up very finely, then sprinkle a generous pinch of sea salt over it and leave for a few minutes to extract any juices. Then mix together all the ingredients and refrigerate for several hours. Serve very cold.

Dukan Coleslaw

Serves: 4

Preparation time: 20 minutes
4 tbsp Dukan mayonnaise
4 tsp red wine vinegar
1 tsp of linseeds, toasted
1Ž2 white cabbage, shredded
4 carrots , peeled and shredded
1 red onion, halved and thinly sliced

Mix the mayonnaise, vinegar and fennel seeds and season really well. Toss with all the vegetables and leave for 20 minutes. Toss again before serving.

And finally, don’t miss out on those additional extras which always seem to find their way in to any BBQ spread – do away with fatty crisps and indulge in Dr Dukan’s vegetable snacks or simply replace with salted oat bran biscuits!

Please see Dr Dukan’s desserts selection below:

Iced Lemon Mousse

Serves: 2-3

Preparation time: 10 minutes (plus freezing time)

No cooking required

Ingredients:

4 egg whites

500g (1bl 2oz) virtually fat-free fromage frais

Zest of 1 lemon

Juice of 5 lemons

Beat the egg whites until stiff. Whisk the fromage frais and carefully mix together with the lemon zest, lemon juice and egg whites. Place the mousse in a dish and freeze until it has set firm.

Chocolate and Cinnamon Ice Cream

Serves: 6

Preparation : 5 minutes – Refrigeration time : 2 hrs

Ingredients:

500ml low fat fromage frais

1 fresh vanilla bean pod or two drops of Dukan vanilla flavouring

4 tbsp of 1% Dukan cocoa powder

5 to 7 tbsp of sweetener according to taste

1 tbs of powdered cinnamon

Mix all the ingredientstogether and pour into an icecream tub then pop into the freezer. Freeze for one hour and then remove, stir well and put back in freezer for a final hour. It’s ready! Can be kept two days in the freezer.

Strawberry Milkshake

Serves 2

Preparation Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:

· 50 ml skimmed milk

· 50 ml low fat fromage frais or low fat greek yogurt

· 1 or two drops of Dukan Strawberry flavouring

· A few ice cubes

Mix all the ingredients in a blender and serve with a straw.

Vanilla Lollipops

Serves: 4

Preparation: 10 minutes; Freezing time: overnight

Ingredients:

2 teaspoons vanilla flavouring

300g fat-free fromage frais

4 Canderel vanilla sticks

Have ready four plastic lollipop moulds with sticks. Stir the vanilla flavouring in to the fromage frais. Add the sweetener and beat the mixture using an electric whisk. Fill the lollipop moulds and freeze overnight. Enjoy them the following day!