by Dee | Jan 21, 2016 | Featured, Glo Arts & Entertainment
The National Television Awards which took place at the O2 last night, was brilliantly hosted by Dermot O’Leary and paid tribute to the industry greats from the British Public votes.
The usual programmes and presenters such as Downton Abbey, Eastenders and Ant and Dec were recognised and rewarded, but the night was completely turned on its head when our legendary Billy Connolly was presented with the Special Recognition Award by International Icon Dustin Hoffman.
Now suffering from Parkinson’s disease, our iconic comedian braved the steep climb to the stage alone. He delivered sharp witty dialogue in spite of his physical disadvantage and brought tears to our eyes as he bantered true Connolly style with his fellow artists.
The standing ovation from the entire audience of superstars and supporters was evidence of his long standing successful career as a comedian, presenter and movie actor and how much he is loved.
Our very own Judy Dench stood witness to his sensitivity and gift for putting fellow performers at ease, and Dustin Hoffman also paid homage to the talent of the man.
The night was fun and entertaining, but it left me with a question and investigation into this debilitating disease. Parkinson’s is still a mystery, its causes are still unexplained and the disease has affected so many prominent figures in entertainment and the public eye.
Johnny Cash and fighter Muhammad Ali, evangelist Billy Graham who is still alive at 94, singer Linda Ronstadt and the late Bob Hoskins are all victims of Parkinson’s and many many more.
I am not here to spoil the occasion, but like anything we do not want to face, we tend to sweep it under the carpet. Seeing someone we know and love like Billy Connolly has brought it to our attention, and perhaps has helped in some way to make inroads into combatting this devastating disease.
Please go to www.parkinsons.org
by Dee | Jan 20, 2016 | Featured, Glo Arts & Entertainment
We have so much media pressure to defy the ageing process and maintain eternal youth.
Models in magazines are airbrushed to look a size zero, with the promise that if we achieve this unattainable goal, we will meet our prince and live happily after. This is of course complete fantasy and one that has been blamed for a multitude of conditions in young women, bulimia especially.
So what are we doing to prevent this insanity which in spite of the bad PR, still reigns in our glossy magazines.
On the other hand, it is also propagated that we have moved on in so many ways. Those who are of a certain smaller than average height are no longer on display as circus freaks or referred to as midgets, and others with disabilities or conditions such as epilepsy are no longer shamefully locked away by their embarrassed parents at birth (it even happened in our Royal Family).
There was an issue this week with a female who had served in the Army for a number of years, and had suffered severe stress through exposure to terrifying events abroad. The Army had ignored her pleas of help as her mental state deteriorated, and refused to help her. So have we really made that much progress?
Our very own Idris Elba in parliament this week was speaking out about racism within the film industry. Fortunately, Idris has made his mark as the unforgiving Luther in the named series. Let us hope that this penetrates the crusty walls of the walk of fame and will kick some grit in the faces of the offenders.
Turning the ‘freak show’ repulsion on its head, it would be good for you to google Actor and Presenter Adam Pearson, who suffers with the rare condition neurofibromatosis. Adam journeyed across America to explore the world of freak shows for a new BBC3 documentary. His tales of meeting people who use their medical conditions to educate, entertain and make money, and to explain how his opinion on exploitive side shows has changed after meeting these extraordinary people.
Another great book for you to read is by campaigner Rosie Moriarty-Simmonds biography Four Fingers and Thirteen Toes, whose account of growing up in the fifties having been affected by Thalidomide, is both emotional and inspiring.
I was so happy to see the Thalidomide story was covered in this week’s Call the Midwife. Producers used Rosie Moriarty-Simmonds’ biography to help with the plot after she wrote to demand the BBC drama tackled the subject.
The issue of respecting our differences is a complex issue, and one that raises the question time and time again – how do we define normal? We would like to hear from you with any experiences or opinions on this emotive subject, after all it is now in our hands.
by Glotime | Jan 19, 2016 | Featured, GloKitchen
As the cold January days set in, we need some real comfort food to cheer us up – but with an undeniable conflict of interest as we also set about our new health and fitness regime or resolutions.
So I am not here to interfere, far from it, but just to show you that we really can have it all, and here is how to start.
Do you like crispy chicken and chips? Who doesn’t unless you are veggie, and there is a solution for you here too. One thing for sure the majority of kids do, and will really thank you for this.
It is all in the cooking, and I am here to remind you that you don’t have to ruin your diet or gain pounds for the sake of a few minutes of shame.
Healthy sin free Chicken and Chips – please see below:
12 pieces of chicken thigh or legs (or fish if veggie)
One quarter cup of rice flour (gluten free option)
Half cup ground almonds
Half teaspoon celery salt
Half teaspoon paprika
One teaspoon mustard powder
2 teaspoons olive oil
Egg whites of two eggs
Method:
Pour rice flour and ground almonds into a bowl and mix, add celery salt, paprika, mustard powder and olive oil and blend.
Pour egg whites into a separate bowl and whisk.
Dip chicken into egg white and then into the marinade
Place chicken pieces on a baking tray.
Oven Baked Chips
Peel six large potatoes and cut into four pieces. Partially boil for five minutes, drain and chop into bite size pieces.
Add to the egg white and marinade and then to the baking tray together with the chicken.
Cook together in a pre-heated oven on 180 C-350 F for 40 mins, turning up the heat for the last five minutes to crisp.
Serve with sauce or relish of your choice. Eat your heart out Colonel Sanders.
