Month: January 2015

Maharadja’s eczema caused by a food allergy

My little Maharadja eczema was caused by milk and the additives in our food.

eczema caused by milk

Just before Maharadja turned two we went on a holiday to dream destination Mauritius. We booked our accommodation and trips thru Island Explorer & Tours (www.islandexplorertours.com), I highly recommend them :-).

During the holidays Maharadja had milk for breakfast which he gulped down much to my surprise. At home he did not want to drink any milk. I was one happy mom. Because they say milk is healthy, right?  I was wondering why he did drink the Mauritian milk and hated the milk at home.  I took a small sip and tasted the milk, it was sweeter then what he got at home.  Now I understood why he drank the milk without any tantrums.

At the end of our holidays he started to scratch severely . But there were no sign of eczema. When we got home the eczema appeared. He started to scratch but little did  we knew that the dairy, sugar and food additives were the culprits. So I kept feeding  little Maharadja cheese and yoghurt drinks, which he loved.

We took our Maharadja to the doctors. They prescribed him hormone creams. Since these creams have many side effects I refused to use them for my two year old. I am surprised that doctors are not interested in what causes the eczema.

I tried every cream and gel on the market.  I walked into every store which sold creams to find a solution. And I tried a lot of creams and oils. Maharadja turned 3 and I was searching the internet for a solution. Meanwhile I did find out that if he had sugars and foods with additives (like a stock cube which contains MSG or a juice with additives or sugars or both) he started to scratch right away. So these foods were banned. I also introduced spelt bread into his and our diet. I used and still use hemp  oil and coconut oil and neutral crème the doctor prescribed. Maharadjas clothes were and still are washed with a perfume free detergent.  We also got him perfume free soap. Then right after his 4th birthday I found the culprit by accident. One night I was watching some videos on YouTube about eczema. By accident I stumbled upon a documentary about eczema and allergies. There was this one boy who had a dairy allergy and severe eczema. Once these foods were removed from his diet the eczema started to disappear. The next morning I removed all dairy products from his diet and in  the next few days, he stopped scratching! We were so happy for our Maharadja. He slept through the night. Usually he woke up because he was itchy. We told our Maharadja that he cannot have any dairy products due to his allergy and he understands now.

eczema caused by milk

By accident we found out that my Maharadja can have sheep cheese. So he is one happy Maharadja because he just loves cheese soo much! He is a real Dutch boy ;-)!

Cookies and cakes I make myself. When I go to a birthday party I make a cake for my Maharadja and take it along. For his 5th birthday I made dairy free muffins which the kids could decorate. I found out that he can have chocolate as long as it is 72%. White bread is a no-no and  so is white flour.  Sodas are also a no-no. Maharadja drinks water and 100% apple juice. He can have real butter. The culprit is the milk protein in  dairy products.  If you have a good brand of butter there are hardly any or no milk proteins in it.  I buy organic food as much as I can. I do read the labels because some organic products contain milk protein or even  palm oil! I am one lucky lady,  I buy organic flour at an authentic Dutch mill. I bake pancakes with coconut milk or almond milk.

The eczema is disappearing now, Maharadjas skin has to heal over time.

Do you have any experience with eczema?

How to get tasks done

How to get things don eWe all have tasks to do. Some are easy and a necessity (unloading the dishwasher). Some are fun(baking a cake for your grandma’s birthday party or crochet a scarf) and some tasks are somewhat more difficult (writing an essay). Some people do their tasks immediately without any postponement.  And then there are those who postpone them.  Tomorrow . And when tomorrow is there , tomorrow or next weekend.  Does this sound familiar?

 

Why do we postpone our tasks? The answer is simple. Because we just don’t feel like doing them (now or ever). Not only the tasks around the house are being postponed. Work related tasks are also being postponed. That dreadful  presentation you have to write, paperwork that needs to be filed or _____ fill in the blank.

Let’s face it. We will never like doing certain tasks. We just have to them.  When your garage is all piled up with boxes you have two options.  You can leave the boxes forever in your garage or you can start now and organize your garage. Once the task is done you will feel better. One task you don’t have to think about anymore. Moreover it declutters your mind.

How to get things done

Same goes for work related tasks. Do not postpone,  it will cause stress when the deadline is there. So why put yourself into that situation? Or are you one of those people who like to work under pressure?
You are aware that stress can lead to health issues right?

 

 

How to get tasks done whether is it work related or personal related. Make a to do-list. A personal to do list and a work related to do list. Write down the most 5 most important to do’s and start doing them. Please note: By just writing them down they aren’t done, you really have to take action. If you have the urge to do a task, do it right away. Because within a few minutes the “I don’t feel like doing it” will crawl into your mind. With the end result that nothing has been done. And will be done for a long time.

Are you one of those people who think that making notes in a notebook is ancient. There are lots of Apps you could download like Evernote, Springpad, Simple and the list goes on.

What is on your to do-list?

What happened to your New Year’s resolution?

What happened to your New Year’s resolution?Did you had any?  Did you chuck them in the bin or are you sticking to your New Year’s resolution?  If you did chuck them in the bin. What was the reason? Was it too hard to stick to them?

Making changes to your lifestyle is challenging. Changing your lifestyle will not just happen overnight.  It will take time.

 

It actually comes down to how much you really want it, the change.

My New Year’s resolution is to shed the extra weight I gained during the Holidays. I ate in moderation but did not work out. (Too much calories + no work out = gaining weight. ) In my opinion the best way to tackle the weight resolution is too start right away. After the holidays (which was January 5th for me) I started with banning all the food which contained sugars and fats. I substituted them for lots of fruits, veggies, tea, water,  low calorie sandwiches and a proper meal.  For me a proper meal is important. It satisfies me and keeps me from snacking. Sometimes I have a rice cracker or some fruits if I really crave for something more. The first few days are always the hardest. Your body has to adjust to your eating habits. So don’t give up! It is all about willpower. And it doesn’t mean you can’t have any snacks. Learn how to make healthy snacks or desserts. Ever tried baked banana with cinnamon and honey? How much do you really want it, the change?

Exercising of  is good for the body and the mind.  For a workout you really don’t have to go to the gym. You could easily do it at home. If you have discipline that is. You could go for a walk or a ride on your bike.  You could go for a walk on the treadmill or for a bike ride on your bike trainer. In the comfort of your own home in front of your own TV.

Even for  Pilates classes  you don’t have to leave the comfort of your own home.  YouTube is a great channel to follow classes of any kind (Zumba, Insanity, Yoga et cetera) . I just love the videos from Cassey.  Her YouTube channel is  named Blogilates. I have my own personal trainer in the comfort of my own home.

So pick up your New Year’s resolution whatever that might be and remember it is about how bad you really want it.

Just so you know: Rome wasn’t built in a day.

 

 

New Year’s resolution: Losing weight and how to save money

How to save money

Do you have any New Year’s resolution? I do. Mine is too shed the extra weight I gained during the holidays. For a lot of people this is their New Year’s resolution.) You will achieve your goal if you really determined to do so. Just take it step by step.) Please see my blog post “Losing weight is hard” https://babblewell.com/losing-weight-is-hard-part-1/.

Let me introduce another New Year’s resolution: How to save money in 2015. Here are just a few tips:

  • Turn off the lights when you leave the room. (I really have to teach myself to do that)
  • Stock up on long shelf life bargain items like laundry detergent, body lotion, dishwasher detergent, body wash, tissues and so on. By stock up I mean stock up.
  • Cook your own food. Cooking your own food has two major benefits. A, it is ealthier and B it saves you money. Need some tips: www.babblewell.com/5-easy-dishes-cook-dont-feel-like-cooking/
  • How to save moneyMake a grocery list and stick to the list! If you’re buying an item that is not on the list ask yourself, do you really need it? And when will you use it, make it? Don’t forget to check the grocery deals. Stock up on long shelf life items.
  • Declutter the attic, garage, the play room or any other room. Have a garage sale or sell the items online.
  • If you are thinking about spending money on an item you don’t really need, stop yourself.  Don’t  rush to the store. Wait two weeks.  If, at the end of  the two weeks, you still want the item, buy it.
  • Ban your credit card. Learn not to spend money you don’t have.
  • How to save moneyTake your own lunch to work. Make sandwiches, salads, meals et cetera a day in advance. This avoids the morning stress the next morning. Don’t forget to pack some fruits, snack and drinks! Keep a stock of crackers, drinks, snacks or anything you like at work.
  • Take your own coffee or any hot beverage to work. Spending dollars or euros on coffee is outrageous! You can save 100 dollars or euros per month! If you spend 5 euro or dollar every workday, that is.  How much do you spend on beverages?
  • usa-339566_640Going on a road trip. Pack your own food, drinks and snacks. This will save you a lot of money! Make your shopping list a week in advance.
  • Do not go shopping for fun. There are lots of other activities you could do.
  • Like to go to museums or the cinema? Did you know that most museums and cinemas have discount times?
  • Host dinner parties at homeHost dinner parties at your own place instead of going out to a restaurant. It saves you a lot of money! Don’t have time to cook. Ask your guests to bring something along.
  • If you haven’t been to the gym for more than two months, cancel your membership. Just face it. You will not go to the gym in the next few months. Find other ways to exercise like going for a walk.
  • Save money by buying potted herbs instead of buying bunches of herbs.
  • What are your ways to save money?

 

Can we entertain our kids with no technology?

When we were younger we did not have tablets, iPads, Playstations, Xboxes, Nintendo’s. And still we were not bored and we were able to entertain ourselves.

It is winter and it is getting colder outside. My little Maharadja does not want to play outside. It is too cold he told me the other day. There are a lot of activities kids can do during the cold winter months. They don’t need to go outside and no TV, tablet, IPad and so on are involved! Yes, we can entertain our kids with no technology.

Can we entertain our kids without technology?

 

 

 

 

 

Coloring

Almost all kids love to color. And it is such an easy activity to set up. All you need is a coloring book and pencils. You don’t have any coloring books? Google for free coloring pages or buy some cheap coloring books at stores like Dollar store, Action. Where do you buy your coloring books. Please share your tips with us.

Playing with Lego or Wooden Blocks

Can we entertain our kids without technology?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My little one loves to build, with Lego, Wooden Blocks or Kapla. It is a great way for kids to use their imagination. If they are clueless what to build, give them some tips what to build. An house, aircraft or…. The options are endless.

Moon Sand

It is winter and the kids can build sand castles. What more joy can they have? It is easy to make Moon Sand. Don’t rush to the toy store to buy any. You might need to rush to the grocery store. The recipe for Moon Sand is as follows:

8 cups of flour

1 cup of oil.

Mix these Ingredients and voila you have Moon Sand!

Give the kid some plastic cups and let them build castles.

Painting

Get some paint, brushes and paper and let the little artist start.

Bake something

Can we entertain our kids without technology?

Baking is always a hit with kids. Ask them in advance what they want to bake. Search for an easy recipe on the internet. Let them help you weigh the ingredients, mix the batter and help you clean up.

 

 

 

Salt dough

Make some salt dough with 1 cup salt, 1 cup flour and 0.5 cup water. The kids could make shapes using cookie cutters. If you don’t have cookie cutters you could use plastic cups.  They could make Christmas, Easter, Divali, ____Ornaments. Bake them on 200 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes. The next day the kids could paint the ornaments. Or you can make the ornaments in advance and have the kids paint them.

100 cup challenge

Buy cups at a dollar store and have the kids make a tower cup.

Indoor camping

Kids just love the idea of camping. If you have a small tent put it up.  No tent? Just throw a sheet over your kitchen table and the tent is ready. (if you don’t want to put up the tent this is an excellent alternative!). Let the kids pack the things they want to take with them for their camping trip. Give the kids a picnic basket to enjoy their camping. If you really want to, let them sleep in the tent!

Playdough

Can we entertain our kids without technology?

Which kids doesn’t love to play with Playdough? What fun it is, to build a zoo or a fruit basket with good old fashioned playdough. Let the kids imagination go wild!

 

 

 

 

 


Making Greeting Cards

Start with folding a colored piece of paper in half and let the kids start decorating. There are many ways to decorate Greeting Cards. The kids could decorate them with glitter, ribbon, stickers, colored paper, fabric. In short there are many option to decorate Greeting cards.

There are many more options to entertain our kids without technology. These are just a few. How do you entertain your kids?