Roast leg of lamb with hasselback potatoes recipe

 Serves 6   20 mins to prepare, 1hr 30 mins to cook,   501 calories / serving

• Ingredients

• For the anchovy crust

• 25g (1oz) anchovy fillets in olive oil, drained
• 1 x 31g bunch flat-leaf parsley
• 1 lemon, juiced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic

• For the lamb

• 2kg (4lb) leg of lamb 
• 1kg (2lb) white potatoes 
• 1 head of garlic, halved
• 1/2 x 31g pack fresh rosemary
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lemon, long strips of zest removed with a vegetable peeler
• salt and pepper

This easy roast leg of lamb recipe is bursting with beautiful flavours thanks to a flavour-packed anchovy crust, made with anchovies, garlic and lemon juice. Paired with rosemary hasselback potatoes, it's a showstopping roast recipe that's sure to impress.

1. Preheat the oven to gas 6, 200oC, fan 180oC. Begin by preparing your paste. Empty all the crust ingredients into a food processor and whizz to a coarse paste.
2. 
   
3. Place the leg of lamb in a large roasting dish and spoon over the paste. Using the back of the spoon, gently smooth it over the lamb. 
4. 
   
5. Cut the potatoes in 2mm slices widthways, two thirds of the way through – don’t cut through to the bottom. Nestle the potatoes around the lamb. Add the halved garlic bulb and rosemary stems. Scatter over the lemon zest.
6. 
   
7. Drizzle the olive oil over the lamb and potatoes. Season well. Roast for about 1 hour 15 minutes. Check the lamb after an hour and if the crust is becoming too dark, loosely cover the roasting tray with foil and return to the oven.
8. 
   
9. Remove from the oven and allow to rest for 10 minutes. Carve the lamb and serve alongside the potatoes.

source:realfood.tesco

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Foods that prevent wrinkles

Aging can be scary for some of us as you start to see those wrinkles pop up one by one. You might be looking for that magical fountain of youth that will keep you looking and feeling young forever, I know a lot of us are. People are so interested in staying youthful that an incredible amount of money is spent on potions, lotions, and cosmetic surgery, making beauty a multi-billion dollar industry. But, although these products may help, they don't actually address the underlying cause of wrinkles—lifestyle and diet.


As a registered dietitian, I have found that the solution for looking and staying young doesn't cost nearly as much as you might think and definitely doesn't require any surgery. Food actually has a much bigger impact on the appearance of your skin, more than any beauty product ever could. Here are the top foods you need to include in your diet to help prevent wrinkles and keep your skin smooth and youthful forever.

What causes wrinkles?

Before we get to the foods, let's talk about what causes wrinkles. Wrinkles have two primary causes: sun damage and skin changes due to aging. Sun exposure decreases collagen in the skin, which is a big deal because collagen makes up the structure of the skin. Once the collagen is depleted, the skin becomes weak, leading to drooping and the appearance of wrinkles. Also, as you age, skin naturally gets thinner, drier, and less elastic. The skin is unable to spring back as easily from any damage because it is weaker, which leads to wrinkles.

Wrinkles usually begin in areas with facial expressions—such as smiling, frowning, or furrowing of the brow—and in those exposed to the sun regularly. Pollution, smoking, weight, dehydration, diet, stress, and other lifestyle factors can also impact the appearance of skin and how quickly wrinkles appear.

How food protects skin

There has been a lot of research focusing on the impact of diet and skin appearance. A 2001 study, conducted with people living in three different countries, provided interesting findings in the area of wrinkling and diet. The secret to preventing wrinkles seems to be to consume a combination of foods that are high in antioxidants, protective against sun damage, and that provide essential fats.

Foods that contain these specific properties are inherently beneficial to health and well-being, including skin. Those with antioxidants help reduce free radicals, which damage skin and can cause a variety of other health problems. In addition, since sun damage is one of the major culprits of wrinkles, any food that can protect against the effects of the sun on collagen will be beneficial to the skin.

Lastly, certain dietary fats are necessary to help the skin stay moisturized. When a food is high in these specific beneficial nutrients, adding these foods to your diet these foods can help protect your skin against wrinkles and keep you looking youthful forever.

Legumes

Legumes are a family of foods that include beans, lentils, nuts, and peas. They contain fiber, protein, and are full of antioxidants. The fiber in legumes is amazing for skin. It helps trap toxins in the digestive system, removing them from your body before they can be absorbed and affect the appearance of your skin.

Legumes are also high in vitamins E and C. Both vitamin E and C have been found to be photoprotective, meaning they can protect the skin against UV radiation from the sun. When consumed together, these two vitamins tend to have a synergistic effect on one another, boosting their antioxidant power even more. Of course, this doesn't mean you should skip the sunscreen!

Still, legumes are incredibly versatile, inexpensive, and easy to prepare. Include legumes in your diet as a healthy mid-afternoon snack by munching on a handful of almonds. Or consider eating beans or lentils a few times a week as the primary protein source for a meal. A few servings of legumes a week can give your skin the nutrients it really needs to stay smooth and healthy.

Foods rich in vitamin C

A high intake of vitamin C-containing foods has been connected to a decreased appearance of wrinkles and dry skin. This is because vitamin C is an antioxidant, which means it can help reduce the effect wrinkle-causing oxidative damage, which can be caused by poor diet, stress, and even pollution. Vitamin C is also powerfully protective against sun damage.

But, research is still unclear if it is just the vitamin C itself that leads to the reduction of wrinkles or if it's a special property of vitamin C-containing foods. Your best bet is to always eat whole foods that contain vitamin C. Almost all fruits and vegetables contain vitamin C. Some of the highest vitamin C foods include citrus fruits, strawberries, and bell peppers.

Foods rich in vitamin A

Foods containing vitamin A have also been found to be protective against wrinkles. Vitamin A is found in two forms, beta-carotene and active vitamin A. Beta-carotene needs to be converted into active vitamin A and is found in most orange and yellow fruits and vegetables. Active vitamin A is found in animal foods such as beef liver, eggs, and butter.

Vitamin A is used in almost all of the body's skin cells to help them bind together to form tissues. Without enough vitamin A, the body cannot heal from cuts, scrapes, or damage. This is the reason why vitamin A is such as powerful wrinkle fighter, it keeps skin cells bound together tightly, reducing the appearance of wrinkles.

Vitamin A can help skin in two ways, by either being consumed from food or applied directly to the skin as a cream called retinol. The cream is usually prescribed by a dermatologist, but there is no need to call for an appointment today when you can get the benefit of vitamin A without seeing a doctor by just eating vitamin A-containing foods. Munch on some baby carrots as an afternoon snack or add eggs to your breakfast for a healthy dose of vitamin A daily.

Olive oil

Skin dryness leads to premature wrinkling because when the skin is unable to hold in moisture, it starts to sag. You may think that drinking more water can help moisturize the skin, but this is only partially true. Without the right type of fats in your diet, skin cells are unable to hold water inside, and your skin will stay dry.

Olive oil helps the skin in two ways. Not only does it provide healthy monounsaturated fats, necessary to hold water in the cells, it is also incredibly high in antioxidants. It contains large amounts of vitamin E, more than most plant-based oils, as well as other protective antioxidants such as lutein and vitamin A. This makes it one of the best fats for preventing wrinkles and keeping skin moisturized.

Use olive oil as your primary oil to add to salads and for dipping. It can be used to sauté foods at a low temperature, but should never be used to deep fry or cook at high temperatures, because high temps can destroy the delicate fats. Just be careful with the portion size; even though olive oil is extremely healthy it is still high in calories, which can add up quickly. A tablespoon or two is all you really need for cooking or as a salad dressing.

Foods rich in potassium

Potassium is an electrolyte commonly found in many foods, particularly fruits and vegetables. Potassium plays a major role in helping maintain fluid balance particularly in the individual cells of the body. It works against the dehydrating effects of sodium to keep water inside the cells. When water stays inside the body's cells, it helps the skin look hydrated, plump, and wrinkle-free.

Add potassium to your diet by eating plenty of fruits and vegetables. A few that are the highest in potassium are spinach, bananas, and avocado. This is especially important after you consume a high salt meal, the potassium can help counteract the skin-wrinkling effects of sodium.

Fish

Fish is an amazing food for skin and overall health due to its high omega-3 content. Omega-3s are an essential fat, needed to help the skin maintain fluidity and flexibility, reducing the appearance of wrinkles. They are also one of the primary types of fats used to help with hydration inside the cells. In addition to these benefits, they are also highly anti-inflammatory, which can help decrease skin dryness. Fish is your secret weapon for smooth, radiant, and youthful looking skin.

Aim to eat fatty wild-caught fish at least two to three times per week. Salmon, mackerel, sardines, and albacore tuna are the highest in omega-3 fats. Your skin will thank you.

High protein foods

Eating enough protein is essential for healthy skin. Skin is made from protein, so without adequate amounts in your diet, your skin cells will not be able to regenerate and will begin to look dull and dry. Frequent cell turnover is what leads to youthful looking skin, therefore protein is necessary if you want to stay wrinkle-free.

Foods that contain protein include animal foods such as chicken, fish, pork, and beef as well as beans and legumes, and dairy. Try to include one of these foods at every meal and snack to get enough protein throughout the day.

Preventing wrinkles with food

As you can see there are several powerful foods that can help prevent wrinkles. The bottom line is eating foods that are high in antioxidants is not just incredible for your skin, it also provides benefits for your whole body. Get those fruits, veggies, and healthy fats into your diet to give you a powerful antioxidant boost.

Foods high in vitamin A, C, E, and potassium can also have an impact on your skin's hydration, decrease the collagen-depleting effects of the sun, and slow wrinkling. Lastly, the right types of essential fats help hold water in, making cells look plump and full, so wrinkles are less apparent. Eating a well-balanced diet can help you look young and beautiful without breaking the bank.

Source:Thelist

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Whatever happened to Sharon Stone?

Sharon Stone was a bonafide '90s icon thanks to her attention-grabbing roles in Total Recall and, of course, Basic Instinct. Following her Oscar nomination for Casino in 1996 (she nabbed the Golden Globe that same year), Stone seemed on course for a world-conquering career. But now, 20 years on, it's difficult to pick out even one role since that comes close to those three.


Although Stone has worked consistently over the past two decades, she's also been mostly out of the spotlight (perhaps by choice?). When she does pop up in the media, it's usually to discuss whether the infamous leg-opening scene was kosher. Or it's because director Paul Verhoeven is flapping his gums again about what she really agreed to do. But, in the background of all this, Stone has been quietly building a life, family, and a career for herself that's worth taking notice of, too.

She's played a variety of roles that toyed with her persona

First and foremost, she has been working. A quick glance at Stone's IMDb shows nary a gap in the schedule, in fact. There may not have been a big, career-defining moment like that of her most (in)famous role, but that doesn't mean she's been sitting around knitting blankets for 20 years. The intervening two decades since Casino have, interestingly, seen Stone focus more on tough, difficult female characters in smaller indie movies. It's unlikely she's about to pop up in the next Transformers (even if Anthony Hopkins is there to greet her).

She's also been taking aim at her sexpot persona. The year 2013 alone saw her playing a repressed mother in Lovelace, and a woman paying for sex out of desperation and loneliness in Woody Allen's Fading Gigolo. In a 2014 interview with The Independent, Stone waxed lyrical about her choice to play such roles, deadpanning that she feels the concept of shame was "invented by a man." Whether this was in reference to Basic Instinct, and the ensuing controversy, is open to interpretation but Stone is certainly unafraid of toying with the public's long-held idea of who she is.

She suffered a massive brain hemorrhage

Back in 2001, Stone's life changed forever after she suffered a massive brain hemorrhage. As she detailed in an emotionally revealing op-ed in The Hollywood Reporter, Stone bled in her brain for nine days straight. After spending a week in the ICU, noting the survival rate for what she went through "is very low," Stone had to learn how to walk, talk, and read again.

She spent the next two years trying to piece back together who she was, a process Stone now credits with making her unafraid of the aging process because she knows "what the alternative is." The actress described it as a "humbling journey" that has forced her to work at everything in her life a bit harder as a result. She's made a habit of eating clean and works out four or five days a week, and she doesn't drink alcohol. But she hasn't lost her sense of humor, admitting, "People don't want to see a fat Sharon Stone, do they? I know my brand!"

She made a home for herself on TV

Off the back of her aneurysm and the difficult recovery period, Stone admits she found herself pushed to the back of the line. A guest spot on Law & Order: SVU led to difficulties with remembering her lines, but Stone pushed through and has found significant success on TV as a result. Although she'd already appeared on the likes of The Practice and Roseanne over the years, it's only now that she's found a real home for herself on television.

In particular, Stone headed up TNT show Agent X, playing none other than the President of the United States. She also proudly executive produced the show. Next up on her roster is the intriguing Mosaic, in which she plays popular children's author Olivia Lake. Considering the show is based around solving Lake's murder, it's fairly likely Stone will be front and center once more. She also found time to narrate children's TV show Harold and the Purple Crayon throughout its 13-episode run, a nod perhaps to her status as a quietly content single mother.

She's been a vocal proponent for women's rights

Those who have only seen Stone's name popping up in relation to that  Basic Instinct moment (she'll probably still be discussing it when she's 80) will be surprised to learn she's actually quite the activist. A loud and proud proponent of women's rights, Stone has discussed everything from the gender pay gap to the #metoo movement.

Back in 2015, Stone spoke out at a fashion event hosted by her sister Kelly about how "no one wanted to pay me" after Basic Instinct. Stone recalled sitting at her kitchen table with her manager, crying with frustration. And, even though she took a stand by refusing to work for free, Stone still got paid significantly less than her male co-stars.

The struggle to survive in a male-dominated industry is something Stone discussed again, in an interview with AARP, accompanied by fellow actresses Jane Fonda and Alfre Woodard. The three women discussed aging and the pressure to continue to be desirable in Hollywood. She also spoke to Luxury London about just how much strength it takes to survive in the business as a woman and how her strong characters represent that eternal fight.

She's been the chair of amFAR for 20 years

Not content with simply being a voice for marginalized women, Stone has also been quietly working away as an activist for the past 20 years. In fact, she's been the Global Campaign Chair of amFAR (AMerican Foundation for AIDS research) since 1995. Stone initially signed on for a three-year stint in 1995. Then, in 1998, she renewed her term until a safe and effective AIDS vaccine could be found (i.e. it's still going).

This impressive career as chair is detailed in all its glory on their official site, but suffice to say Stone's efforts have been more than exemplary over the years. Nothing she does is small, and from spreading awareness to fundraising, she's more than made her mark. In August 2000, she even hosted an auction at the starry Venice Film Festival that raised over half a million dollars. She won the Peace Summit Award in 2013 for her work.

She held an impromptu auction to build schools in Africa

Speaking of auctions, Stone seems to have a bit of a knack for utilizing them to their greatest potential. One of her most impressive moments as an activist and humanitarian came in 2015 when she held an impromptu auction to raise much-needed funds for Africa.

As a guest of honor at the Pilosio Building Peace Award in Milan, Stone could have just smiled for the cameras and reveled in the moment. Instead, she took the opportunity, in front of a crowd of the most powerful and wealthy construction industry CEOs in the world, to raise both money and awareness.

Stone managed to gain enough pledges just from this one moment of spontaneity to build a whopping 28 schools in Africa. As it turned out, the idea was spurred on, Stone explained, from her meeting a businessman earlier who pledged to build two schools in exchange for a picture with her.

She adopted three sons

Arguably Stone's biggest personal achievement over the past two decades, however, is as a single mother. Stone adopted her three children Quinn Kelly, Laird Vonne, and Roan Joseph in 2000, 2005, and 2006 respectively. She's kept them mostly out of the limelight, but in 2017 they presented her with a Mother Of The Year Award at the Associates For Breast and Prostate Cancer Studies (ABCs) Mother's Day Luncheon in L.A.

In her acceptance speech, Stone admitted that motherhood "didn't come easily" to her. Stone also told PEOPLE, in relation to life as a single mother, upon initially adopting Laird, "I have more love, help, friendship and kindness than at any other time in my life." Although they're mostly kept off social media and out of the public eye, Stone did post a fun snap sharing her 59th birthday with her kids to Twitter. Roan also broke with tradition and accompanied her to the 2018 Golden Globes.

She dabbles in music on the side

With a busy acting career, three children, and a massive humanitarian commitment all to contend with, it's amazing Stone finds time to breathe let alone do anything else. And yet, in an interview with The Independent, she admitted to yet another creative pursuit: songwriting. Albeit, naturally, with a humanitarian twist.

Stone revealed that the first song she ever had published was in aid of Hurricane Katrina, as part of a fundraising album (Come Together Now). Her song was actually the title track, which is no small feat. Elsewhere, she revealed, "I had a song come out in Argentina last year about a terrific writer and poet who was murdered in his car." Even further afield, Stone released a song in Sweden called "Let's Kiss."

Stone explained she went to college on a writing scholarship at just 15 and has "always been a person who's loved to write." She's even had several stories published in magazines over the years. This may be less of a hobby soon enough if the right project comes along.

She was the face of a high-fashion campaign

Stone has had brushes with luxury brands before, launching a special line of personally-designed vanity cases for Louis Vuitton back in 2000. Sales of the cases reportedly generated more than $3 million for amFAR. But, in 2016, she got even closer to the fashion world.

As detailed in an eye-catching spread and in-depth interview with Luxury London, Stone starred in Austrian label Airfield's S/S 2016 campaign. Clad in a variety of stunning, age-appropriate looks, Stone is the picture of assured confidence. She spends much of the interview discussing her seemingly everlasting sex appeal, noting, "Sexiness comes from deep inside. It's the feeling of being present, having fun and liking yourself enough."

She actually began her career as a model, as the interviewer notes, before moving forward with acting. So the campaign surely came easily to her. And it most likely won't be the last for a woman who doesn't let age get in the way.

She sent herself up as a bloodthirsty talent agent in The Disaster Artist

After years spent working away quietly in the background (relatively speaking), Stone stormed back into the multiplex in the most take-notice way she could. Taking aim at her own man-eater personality, cultivated over years of the media and public alike being unable to let the leg-crossing go, she turned up in The Disaster Artist.

Almost upstaging James Franco himself in the sweet, true-life take on Tommy Wiseau and Greg Sestero's ultimate good-bad movie The Room, Stone appears as a bloodthirsty, platinum blonde talent agent. Called into the room by a subordinate who's visibly terrified of her, Stone turns her sights on Dave Franco's Greg, naively enthusiastic, grabs him in her claws and tells him simply "you're mine." It's a funny, Hollywood-skewering moment in a movie full of them. It also reaffirms Stone's standing as an icon, even if many people will struggle to think of what they've last seen her in.

Source:Thelist

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Mushroom Brown Is the Hair Color Trend of the Moment, and It’s Seriously Gorgeous

You may be tempted to get brighter highlights now that spring is around the corner, but we're here to talk you out of that plan. See, mushroom brown hair color is all over Pinterest right now, and it's a cooler way to transition to warmer temps. (The name doesn't exactly inspire cool, but trust.) Check out the gorgeous ways that people are pulling it off, and get inspired!

This multi-dimensional shade gives off the same earthy-neutral brown as a Portobello mushroom, hence the name. To achieve this look you have to start with an ashy brown base and add dimension with beige blonde lowlights. Since this color is a neutral, somewhat middle of the road brown, it picks up added color quite nicely.

Mushroom brown is super customizable. You can add ashy blonde for a more monochromatic finish or bits of a buttery shade if you can’t quite let go of your summer color.

If you’re feeling edgy, gray highlights add for a striking effect that doesn’t take away from the pretty brown but adds an extra touch of dimension. The Portobello color looks good on many different skin types, so it gives you the room to experiment with lowlights and highlights that’ll work best for you. As a matter of fact, we encourage stepping out of your hair color comfort zone. Do it!

This Story Originally Appeared On Real Simple

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How to Survive Cold Season, 1761

Giovanni Battista Ferrari, Hesperides (1646)

Fever: To prevent catching any infectious fever, do not breathe near the face of the sick person, neither swallow your spittle while in the room. 

Cold in the Head: Pare very thin the yellow rind of an orange. Roll it up inside out and thrust a roll up each nostril.  

Cough: Drink a pint and a half of cold water lying down in bed... Or, make a hole thro' a lemon, and fill it with honey. Roast it, and catch the juice. Take a tea-spoonful of this frequently.  

The Country Gentleman, Farmer, and Housewife's Compendious Instructor 

What, you don't want to spend the winter with a cocktail garnish up your nose? Maybe you shouldn't have swallowed your spittle, my friend.

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How to Make Snowballs for Dessert, 1798

Isaac Cruikshank, "Snow Balls" (1794), LWL

"Snow Balls. Pare and take out the cores of five large baking apples, and fill the holes with orange or quince marmalade. Then make some good hot paste, roll your apples in it, and make your crust of an equal thickness. Put them in a tin dripping-pan, bake them in a moderate oven, and when you take them out, make icing for them... let your icing be about a quarter of an inch thick, and set them at a good distance from the fire till they are hardened; but take care you do not let them brown. Put one in the middle of a dish, and the others round it. 

[Icing:] Take a pound of double-refined sugar pounded and sifted fine, and mix it with the whites of twenty-four eggs, in an earthen pan. Whisk them well for two or three hours till it looks white and thick." 

William Augustus Henderson, The Housekeeper's Instructor

Ring in the New Year with this festive dessert! Bonus: if you start whisking the icing at exactly 9 PM, you'll die of exhaustion before 2018.

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How to Prevent Drunkenness, 1612

"A Looking-Glass for Drunkards," 17th c.

"Shew me a way how a man may drinke much wine and yet not be drunke. To drinke great store of wine, and not to be drunke, you must eate of the rosted lungs of a Goat: or otherwise, eate sixe or seaven bitter Almonds fasting: or otherwise, eate raw Coleworts before you drinke, and you shall not become drunk.
How to make them which are drunk sober. You must make them eate Coleworts, and some manner of confections made of brine; or else drink great draughts of vinegar." 

William Vaughan, Approved Directions for Health

Office holiday party preparedness kit: cabbage, pickles, goat lung.

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