Category: Uncategorized


Jun
2015

What keeps you motivated?

categories: My babbles, Tips, Uncategorized

Motivation stonesWhat or who keeps you motivated? Think about it for a second.

Some people are gifted, they can motivate themselves. Others get motivated by their loved ones, a book they read, a stranger they just bumped into, their children, a YouTube tutorial, a situation, circumstances, an occasion. The list is endless.

Sometimes it is “scary” to work towards your dreams because it is out of your comfort zone. Right at that moment we need to get motivated or else we will let go of our dreams. Achieving your goals in life gives you satisfaction and fulfillment. Think about the chores you postponed and the satisfaction you felt once they were done.

I know two gentlemen who have quitted their well paid job to start their own business. They were motivated to pursuit their goals, their dreams. They dared to step outside of their comfort zone. Then there are people who have a goal but can’t achieve them. Since they cannot motivate themselves or the people around them demotivate them, by telling them they just can’t do it. Then there are people who are motivated to reach their goal but because of the circumstances or situations they can’t.

Maybe you have read my blog about my Maharadja’s eczema, if not here’s the link https://babblewell.com/maharadjas-eczema-caused-food-allergy/. His milk allergy motivated me to bake dairy free cakes and cookies. I can even make dairy free ice cream now!

pink roseA few weeks ago we were at my friend’s house. They have a beautiful house with a beautiful well kept garden. And it’s not a tiny garden! I asked my friend who did her garden. And she said we do it ourselves. That got me thinking. If they can do their huge garden all by themselves how hard can it be to do our tiny garden by ourselves. So Mr. Babblewell and I did our garden. My friend also gave me some gardening tips like cut back what you don’t like and improve the soil quality. With only these few tips my garden looks much better! We only need some color in our garden so this weekend my Maharadja and I are going shopping for some flowers.

Motivation (or getting inspired) leads us to completing our goals whether they are big or small. The most important part is, it gets you started.

What keeps you motivated?


Jun
2015

Weight loss and a fall back

categories: Food, My babbles, Uncategorized, Weight loss, Working out

Does this sound familiar to you? You are so proud about your weight loss journey and then there is this one day that you crave for some chocolate, candy maybe even a hamburger or something else which is not that healthy. And then before you realize it yourself you just can’t stop eating. At the back of your mind you know that you should stop eating but you just don’t stop. You are just filling your mouth with all the yummy goodies. Then after you had your, let’s call it “eat attack” you feel guilty and think that you have ruined everything you have worked so hard for. And therefore you start going back to being your old you.

croissant with chocolate bar

If you ever have one of this “eat attacks” please do not go back being the old you. Instead go ahead with what the new you was doing before the “eat attack”.  One eat attack won’t ruin what you have worked so hard for. Let me tell you, there will be more of these kinds of “eat attacks”. We are humans after all. The most important thing is “pick yourself up” after such an “eat attack” and keep yourself in control for the next few days. Doing some extra workouts and watching your diet carefully like a hawk. You will shed the extra calories you consumed in the next few days, don’t worry about them. And don’t feel guilty or think you have failed, you haven’t at all!

Measuring tape sandwich

During your weight loss journey many events will take place, there will be holidays, birthdays, weddings, vacations or other special occasions. At all these events there will be lots of yummy food which you should absolutely enjoy, in moderation that is. You can’t be on a strict diet all your life that is just impossible. Enjoying the food at all these occasions can prevent “eat attacks”. Discipline yourself to shed the extra calories after such an “eat attack” and you will just be fine.

The most important part is, is to be nice to yourself :).

When and where was your last “eat attack”? Please do share with us.


Jun
2015

Are you a honest parent?

categories: family, My babbles, Tips, Uncategorized

Are you a honest parent? Do you tell your kids that they do not have the skills to, for instance sing, dance or play soccer?

Are you a honest parent?

A few weeks ago I went to a concert of a big Bollywood singer. In the hallway I heard “singing” which can be more described as  screaming , I thought to myself …….? It was a kid who could not sing at all. Then after that another kid began to sing and it was just horrifying. What were his parents thinking? Putting him on stage in front of 1000 people. That he was the next Justin Timberlake? I really felt sorry for the kid…..

In my opinion your “job” as a parent is  to guide your child. If your child likes to become a singer and doesn’t have any talent at all, be honest and tell your child that singing is not his or her cup of tea. They can sing in private as a hobby  but not in public. This way your child can’t make a fool of themselves. You as a parent don’t want to your child to be laughed at, right? If your child is not talented to be a singer, he or she definitely has other talents, like playing a music instrument, painting drawing, sports or….

It’s a fact a child can’t do everything right. When your child draws a human being and the hands are out of proportion for instance, you should tell your child so (unless your child is drawing inspector Gadget). This way your child can improve itself. In my opinion by not telling parents are sending the wrong signals. And in the future it can back fire on your child. Since the child thinks that everything it does is great.  And who can blame the child? No one ever told the child that certain skills really need  improvement.

Next time your child is painting something, be honest and tell them what they could improve. Unless your child is the next Picasso of course.


Apr
2015

Sweet or savory?

categories: Food, Food Pictures, My babbles, Recipe, Uncategorized

Sweet or savory, which one do you prefer?  Or do you prefer both? Every now and then (or all the time) 🙂  we like to munch on a sweet or savory snack. When this happens to me I prefer to make my own snack. Yes it takes time to make your own snack but  in my opinion the result is much more better and much more yummy.

Trifle with easy sponge cake

Whenever I crave for something sweet,  I make a simple sponge cake with just four ingredient, eggs, flour, sugar and vanilla extract . Sometimes I add pieces of apple which I lightly coat with some flour before adding it to the batter. Coating the apple with flour prevents that the apple sinks to the bottom.

This is a low fat cake since no fat is added but it does contain sugar. It only takes 5 minutes to make the batter and 30 minutes to bake at 180 degrees.  You get the best result if all the ingredients are at room temperature. Easy sponge cake recipe:

  1. Preheat the oven to 180 C or 350 F
  2. Line an brownie pan with baking paper
  3. For an brownie pan you will need 8 medium eggs
  4. Weigh equal amounts of eggs, flour and sugar, start with weighing the eggs first
  5. Cream the egg, sugar and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract for 5 minutes with your hand or stand-alone mixer
  6. The mixture is done when the mixture changes to light yellow
  7. Now spoon the flour through the batter but not overbeat. You want to keep the batter light and fluffy.
  8. Pour the batter into the brownie pan and bake for 30 minutes.
  9. Since all ovens are different, do keep an eye on the cake
  10. You can check if the cake is done by inserting an toothpick or fork. If it comes out wet bake it for another 5 minutes
  11. The cake is done when the toothpick or fork is dry
  12. Let it cool ad enjoy

When I make this cake I decrease the amount of sugar by 25 to 50 grams.  If you want to make an apple cake, add the apples after step 6 to the cake.

This cake is so yummy try it with homemade custard, blueberries, raspberries and whipped cream, see picture above. Yummy yummy, can you feel it into your tummy?

Next week I will post a yummy savory snack.

Happy baking.


Apr
2015

Do you get value for your money?

categories: Uncategorized

pansy-224913_640Is it value for your money when you go grocery shopping, for instance.  Or do you just go grocery shopping, buy what you need and head home? It depends on what kind of product it is right? Is it a necessity product like rice or oil or is it a luxury good. Some necessity products are getting more expensive lately, like rice. We still buy it because we need it. We actually don’t think about the value of our money. Or we might, buying a cheaper brand of rice, because the brand you use to buy had a raise in price and we are not willing or cannot afford to pay for it anymore.

The other day I went grocery shopping. When I walked towards my car I saw trays of beautiful pansies in a pot for € 9.99, € 9.99 is about $ 9.25. There were about 4 pots of pansies in the pot. In my eyes this  was just ridiculous! Too expensive! For that amount of money I could buy  a tray (12 pots) of pansies and 2 or 3 pots of my own choice at the dollar store and even some soil! That is what I call value for my money.

You are right, that is value for my money through my eyes. I did not take into account how much  time it would take to buy all the products, my labor cost if I would make the pots of pansies myself. But still I didn’t buy it, for that amount of money I could have 2 or 3 pots of pansies of my own choice. What more fun is there to create something yourself?

The lesson learned is that value for money is in the eyes of the beholder.

Am I a cheapskate?

Well, I don’t think so, I want maximum value for my hard earned money. I want 2 or 3 pots!


Feb
2015

Store bought or homemade yummy salad dressing?

categories: Food, Recipe, Tips, Uncategorized

Picture this: you just washed some crunchy fresh salad leaves. Added a handful of diced fresh carrots and chucked some garlic olives along with some fresh cherry tomatoes in the bowl.  Now it’s time to choose your protein, grilled chicken, some grilled tofu or some kidney beans maybe?

You walk towards the fridge to get your favorite store bought salad dressing to pour it over your homemade salad. And then you stop and start to think. I made all the effort to make a lovely homemade salad. Why am I going to pour store bought salad dressing over my salad?

Salad dressing is really easy to make. I make this salad dressing  from “Eugenies kitchen”  (see video below) all the time. Eugenie’s recipe is my basic recipe. Sometimes I add some dried herbs to the dressing or some extra garlic. I just make the dressing and keep it in the fridge.

Want a more creamier dressing? Make your own mayonnaise or buy a really good one. Add a tablespoon of mayonnaise in a bowl and add a few drops of water. Whisk it till the mixture is combined. You could add some dried parsley, some finely chopped onions, some garlic maybe (yes I love garlic!).

Lots of us choose the easy way because it is convenient or it didn’t came up to make our own.  It goes without saying that when you make your own food from scratch it is (usually)much more healthier. In this case the salad dressing has no additives, thickening agent or artificial flavors.

By the way salads are really easy to make you can add anything you like. Baby spinach, roman lettuce, onions, cabbage, beans, corn, mushrooms, walnuts, almonds, leftover protein from last night meal (chicken, tofu, beans, fish or any kind of meat), leftover pasta, cheese, some fruits maybe? The options are endless.

Store bought salad dressing or homemade salad dressing?

 

 


Feb
2015

Do you have time for personal development?

categories: Get organized, My babbles, Tips, Uncategorized

Name at least  one skill you would like to develop.

We all have skills we would like to develop. Whether is it learning a language,  learning how to bake, how to do presentations  or maybe even an crochet class. These are only a few examples of the many skills we can develop.

Personal development is an important part of our life. Many people think about it and only a few take action. Then there are those who want to but have no time. Everyday life is hectic. Work, mortgages, family, kids, the gym…..

I myself wanted to learn how to crochet. And NO, crochet isn’t  just for old ladies!  Since I did not had time (and I did not feel like leaving the comfort of my own home, to be frank) to join a crochet class I learned to crochet by watching YouTube tutorials. I can now crochet blankets, shawls and am currently working on a clutch.

Time. If we don’t have time to develop ourselves we should do something about it. How busy is our daily schedule really? We need to find out.  The best thing to do is write down what we really do on a daily basis. Don’t forget to write down how much time you spent on work, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, WhatsApp, Snapchat, surfing the internet, watching TV, games, folding laundry, doing dishes, cooking, helping the kids with their homework, household chores, commuting  and so on. Once you have written everything down it is time to “sacrifice”. (Hmmm, now you know what your daily schedule really looks like).

Which activity would you “sacrifice” to develop yourself, to learn or improve a new skill? Please note:  you do not have to sacrifice hours of your time. Half an hour or an hour,  3 times a week works.  Let’s say,  your “sacrificing” half an hour,  surfing on the internet time for learning French. How and when are you going to do that? Are you going to follow a course on the internet, are you downloading an App, will you hire a teacher….? Once you have determined the “how and when you are going to do it” it is time to take action! Block your calendar and now it is all comes down to discipline, willpower and how much you really want it.

What skill would you like to develop? Please leave a comment.

 

 


Jan
2015

Maharadja’s eczema caused by a food allergy

categories: family, Food, My babbles, Tips, Uncategorized

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?


Jan
2015

How to get tasks done

categories: family, Get organized, My babbles, Uncategorized

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?


Jan
2015

What happened to your New Year’s resolution?

categories: My babbles, Tips, Uncategorized, Working out

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.