Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Gooey

For the real chocoholics: gooey chocolate moelleux.. You just have to bake these, to enjoy the creaminess of this divine, rich and delicious chocolate dessert.

What do we need:
  • 115 grams of shortening
  • 5 grams of pure cocoa
  • 115 grams of dark good chocolate (Belgian chocolate of course), cut into pieces
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 egg yolks
  • 50 grams of sugar
  • 5 grams of flour
What do we do:
  • Preheat the oven to 230°C.
  • Grease 4 ovenproof dishes with shortening. Dust them with cocoa.
  • Take a microwave proof bowl and melt the shortening with the chocolate pieces in the microwave. Stay with it, you really don't want to burn the chocolate!
  • Beat the eggs with the yolks and the sugar until the mixture becomes almost white. Don't be afraid to overmix, just go for it.
  • Sift the flour over the eggs and fold in.
  • Fold the chocolate mixture in to the beaten eggs.
  • Divide the mixture over the ovendishes.
  • Bake the chocolate moelleux for just 7 minutes. Let them cool down on a wire rack for a second and invert them onto a dessert plate. 
  • Serve right away!

Golden Girls

I can hardly believe another year has passed. One can't tell by the aged look, because it seems like you don't get any older. It must be like good wine: getting better by the year. You sure look great! Do you feel the same?
Happy Birthday Mrs T! You are a very special lady and loved by many. I think it's been a while since you were last surprised with snow on your birthday. It wouldn't surprise me if you would remember the last time it snowed on your birthday. Your memory is so good it startles me.
On several occasions you have shown me pictures of your youth, your early years in marriage. You used to pose like a queen and you still look like one. You may be small by size, you sure have a big heart. I'm happy to have you among my friends.. xx

Monday, November 29, 2010

The last supper

Imagine you have been told tomorrow will be your last day. You get to pick your own last supper. Doesn't matter what it cost or how difficult it is to prepare. It's your pick and a great chef will cook for you. What would your last supper look like?

Whippeteedooda


Photo by Lana Joos


Little miss Gorgeous has no idea what that white carpet is doing in the back yard, but she knows it's wet and cold. She has had some great moments in the snow so far. Throwing flecks of snow in the air, racing and sliding on the deck and eating snow cones!

Her ear has healed well. A little chip is missing, but her ears are large enough to have plenty of ear left. It doesn't bother her and it doesn't bother us. We love her anyway, even with a bit of ear missing.

Rebba is not that fond of snow. She goes out if there is no other option, but she prefers to look at the snow from the opposite side of the window. She loves her blanket and the heat of the fire place. Don't even think of taking her outside in the snow. She's not impressed at all. Neither am I..

Happy Birthday sweet Inthe. You have turned 1 today. Let's celebrate with a nice walk in the snow!

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Are you okay?

I can't read you anymore and I don't know what happened. You're no longer connected to the world you loved the most. Where have you gone? I'm worried. It's been a turmoil last year and things didn't turn out the way you expected them to. Anybody else knew the outcome, but you didn't. You never even thought this could happen to you and your precious little girl. It was your worst nightmare. I truly believe losing her is worse to you than the day you were diagnosed with Friedreich's Ataxia. One thing I know for sure: whatever may happen, she will always know how much her mommy loved her..

Submissive

I wouldn't call myself a submissive personality. On TV I watched this show on submissive women living in an abusive relationship. I was truly upset and appalled to see their partner verbally and physically abuse their "beloved" ones. One lady was even shot in the jaw by her precious boyfriend. Listening to their stories, I wondered what made them decide to stick with their abusive partner. Was it a lack of selfesteem? Were they deprived of love in their childhood? Did that make them long for someone to love them, no matter what? I don't know, but I felt sorry for them. It seemed like they no longer respected the person they once were. They were frightened to face their partner once they had filed complaint against him. And then the show started.. the partner started to cry, he tried to express how sorry he was and that he would never ever hit her again. Blablabla. Right. It won't surprise you that these women go back to their partner after he has convinced them of his good intentions. They go back to where they started .. and no, things won't change, as long as these women remain submissive and their partners abusive..

Saturday, November 27, 2010

One of us

Today was another day where diabetes was in the middle of the attention. A diabetic girl friend of mine organized a meeting in Antwerp. All of our diabetic friends were invited and quite a few happily accepted the invitation. And so did I. Whenever I have the chance to attend a D-meeting, I won't skip it. It's good to see one another every now and then. Some of my friends are going through some turmoil and they could use a shoulder to cry on. And a hug - or two.

Some new faces showed up as well. They are very welcome of course. After all, the diabetes relates all of us. It's good for any of us, to have someone in our surroundings to lean on. Someone who understands what diabetes is about. Someone who won't point his finger at you when things are not going well. Someone to stand by your side when you need help. But that same person can be there to have fun with as well! Did you really think we only talk about D-related problems? Absolutely not!! In fact, we are a happy troop and we have a ball when we meet!

This evening I'm driving to Dendermonde. There is a concert in favor of people with diabetes and diabetes research. Did you think I would miss that? Na-ah! I'm glad my friend is going to join me. He's not a diabetic, but he's been a great friend for many years now and he has only known me with diabetes. And yes, he's seen me while experiencing lows and highs and guess what? He never gave up on me. He's not afraid of my hypoglycaemic periods and he knows I'm not in the best mood when my numbers are high. But he's patient and caring and it's good to know that even non diabetics can deal with our mood swings due to low/high sugar levels. My diabetes nurse is going to be there as well. She arranged good seats for us. Thanks sweetie! You're the best!

Not now... not now...

Last night, I was watching a movie with the girls, when all of a sudden we saw fluffy, white, dots of snow outside the window. It was a beautiful sight, really, but hey: please! Stop!!! I'm not ready for the winter. Not yet. To begin with: I'm not a winter person. In fact, I hate snow and cold weather. So no, one can't please me with white streets and snow covered cars. Okay, I must admit it looks good on Christmas day, but hello??? It's still November???

Maybe I have forgotten about the snow when I was a child. We had a whole lot more snow than we do these days. Our children haven't seen that much snow yet. But just like their mom, they are not fond of snow. They prefer sun and good weather. Lana is talking about getting a tan on our sunbed. And I must say: I don't blame her.. I despise the cold too.

I have a long car ride ahead of me and I don't want any snow storm to disrupt my plans. So please.. Keep the snow up there, where it may stay for a very long time. It can come down in January..

Friday, November 26, 2010

Scoot over

They always seem to wait for the moment you stand up to go to the kitchen. As soon as you do, at least one of the whippets rushes to that warm spot on the couch you just stood up from. They snuggle and pretend to sleep so you won't make them scoot over when you come back. You can see their eye lids twitch, when they desperately try to keep them closed. They are too curious though. They want to see your reaction so they carefully partially open one eye to take a peek. Gotcha! You're busted! Move it! That was my seat, my favorite spot on the couch. Bye!

Pick up that phone!

I hate it when people think you have to be available all the time. Most of the time, I'm here and ready to take your call, but sometimes I need some me time. That's when I put my cell phone on mute and decide not to answer any calls. I think that's my right. I won't make up any excuses afterwards, trying to find a way out why I didn't answer your call. It is what it is and it has nothing to do with you. I will call you back, don't worry about that. I'll call you back when I'm ready for it. It is possible though, that my phone call won't be convenient for you then. But that's okay too. There's always the Internet. Mail me. I'll get back to you as soon as possible.

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Don't take things for granted

I can honestly say, without bragging, that I have a vast number of friends that are very dear to me. We like to spend time together and support one another whenever that's necessary or desired. It's no trouble at all to meet with my friends and we try to make time for our friendship as often as we can. Some friends I don't see that often, but we call or mail. Others I see weekly. Then there are my friends I daily have contact with on the Internet.

Don't take things for granted, I would say. Friends are really special and rare and unique. It takes time to get to know one another. You need to invest in good friendships if you want to make the best of it. It can't be a one way direction, because that's just not how it works. Both parties need to invest to make good partners in the art of friendship.

My friends are very different. They have a little bit of everything and they are very versatile. That's what I like in people: their versatility. I learn from all of them and they bring a new dimension into my life. I cherish their friendship, their personality, their look towards life. I embrace the person they are. I respect them for who they are. Friendship is so important it can brighten ones life..

Like peas in a pod

Trust me, I had a great time in Holland, but did I miss my dogs!!!
I felt lost without them. I couldn't stop thinking of those two gorgeous whippets. I'm convinced they had a great time in dog day care, but still.. they are my babies.. I know I didn't have to worry about my daughters. At least they understood where we were and when we would be back. But I couldn't make the whippets understand.. The three of us are really close. We get along real well and they're my little companions. We are like peas in a pod.

I'd better get showered, so I can hop in the car and drive the 45 minute ride to Holland to pick them up. They will be so excited to see me. I'm sure Inthe will jump on top of me and lick my face until all of her saliva has dried up. She will make funny noises and wag her tail in a very fast mode. And then there's Rebba.. She will give me that puppy look.. There's a small chance she will ignore me. I'm not sure what to expect from her this time. She's behaved in different manners. I hope she'll be happy too. They have been very good girls in Holland. I have been told they went to bed in their kennel around 11 PM and without getting up in the middle of the night to go pee, they slept all night until 7 AM!! Hello??? Little twits! They'd better do the same thing once they're back home..

I'm on my way babies!!!

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Impeccable

Just one hour ago, we came home from spending 3 wonderful shopping days in Holland. What a joy! Our suitcases were bulging from all the extras we bought during our stay. Shopping in Holland is awesome. Different shops, great customer service, sales at all times. We had too much to eat and we spent too much money, but hey, we're not Egyptian Pharaohs. We don't need to take our fortune along after death. We live here and now and it's a good time to spend some cash.

Happy to be home though. I'm exhausted. I guess I had an overkill of friendship, love, food and shops..

Monday, November 22, 2010

Grown up time

We will be leaving town for 3 days. Time for a break with our friends. It has become a tradition, to have this annual outing in the fall. It's good to look forward to something we all enjoy. Some shopping, enjoying each others company, good food, relaxation, some more shopping,.. No kids, no dogs, no hassle, no fuss. And no stress!

Let's pack those BoGi Bags and load the trunk. We'll drive Eva to school and then, we'll head off to our destination. See you in a while, my friends! Let's go and have a good time!

Sunday, November 21, 2010

It ripped my heart out..

The girls have left for Holland. We're going away for a couple of days, and our whippets are not used to being by themselves all day. So we called our dog day care if they would be willing to pamper our precious girls during our absence. Our dogs are welcome at any time, they said. Just an hour ago, they came to pick them up. Inthe was so aroused to see Sandra!!! She nearly jumped in her neck. It's good to see that she still remembers her. Rebba didn't know what to think of it... hmhm... I think she makes the connection: Sandra means mommy and daddy won't be around..

I packed their suitcase: their favorite blanket (it has my smell on it), their favorite toys, their passport, their leashes and some goodies. It was like I was saying goodbye to them for ever! They jumped in the car and laid down in the kennel right away. Whippet Desmond and his sister Molly were all excited in the back seat. Desmond is a gorgeous whippet male in very special colors. I'm sure he fancies my Inthe, who is still on heat. Let's keep our fingers crossed she won't seduce any males out there. Rebba will surely chaperone her, but you know those men.. it ain't any different with dogs..

I'm going to miss them terribly. It's so quiet in the house. Okay, I'll be able to wash all the blankets on the couch and I'll be able to go to bed at a more decent hour, but I'll miss them so much.. They have become really important to me.

I am looking forward to our outing, trust me! It'll keep my mind of Rebba and Inthe. But Thursday morning, I will race to Kuitaart, Holland, to pick my girls up!

Nice day for a walk in the park

Have you ever watched the episodes on the Dog Whisperer? Cesar Millan is a great dog trainer. His principles are simple and logical. He's absolutely right when he says most dogs have great characters. It's all about the leader of the pack: the owner of the dog. If the owner is not a good leader, the dog will take over that role, meaning the owner is no longer in control. And that's when things go wrong.

I have recorded several episodes now and I have watched them carefully. There are so many things to learn about canine language. There was a show on whippets and I learned a lot from that show. Ever since I started watching the program, our dogs have improved quite a bit. Or must I say: we have claimed the leader role?

Our dogs need more exercise. Hubby walks them on a daily basis. Maybe they need more time to walk, meaning I'll have to walk them too. They love to go out for a walk and I treat them by letting them run free. Go get your leashes, Rebba and Inthe! It's a nice day for a walk in the park!

Saturday, November 20, 2010

A tropical breeze

I'm so looking forward to going abroad! It's exciting to visit different countries and getting to know other cultures and products. Just to get a little of that sunny atmosphere, I have prepared a colorful mango salsa salad. It's easy to make and it's just so attractive, you won't be able to let it sit in the fridge. You will just want to dig in!

what do we need:
  • 1 mango, peeled, seeded and very finely diced
  • 1 red pepper, seeded and very finely diced
  • 1 green onion, minced
  • fresh cilantro, finely chopped
  • 1/2 jalapeno chile pepper, finely chopped
  • 1 lemon, juice only
Just mingle all of the ingredients and let the salsa marinate in the fridge for at least one hour. It's a very attractive side dish and it can accompany various recipes. You could serve it in small glasses as an appetizer as well. Top with some fresh cilantro leaves.

The pointing finger

A couple of my diabetic friends have reached their melting point.. Life with D isn't always good. We know we should be happy to have access to the insulin we absolutely need, and we truly are lucky. But every now and then, you come to reach the point where you want to give D a good kick in the bum. You want to scream and cry and throw a fit - call it whatever you want to call it. Trust me, although life with D is still a good life, at some days it really sucks big time. I see my friends struggle and it's painful to see them go through this ordeal. Their team is very strict and they point the finger at their patients, telling them they are not doing real well in treating their diabetes. Hello??? Give them a break, will you? They do real well. It's a daily struggle and trust me: it's not easy at all to resist all those temptations. Food is everywhere! In the store, in your house, on TV, in school, at work. Wherever you go, you come across goodies and the people around us indulge and enjoy their candy and chocolates. They have no clue. And no, some diabetes nurses really don't get it. They don't have diabetes and they will never understand how we truly feel. I'm lucky to have a very good nurse, and although she's not a diabetic, she can relate well to how we deal with the D monster. She's sympathetic without patronizing us. There's no pointing finger when things are not going the way they should. On the contrary, she's a very good motivator. If only other nurses could do the same. Sometimes they don't realize the cruelty of their words. They have no idea how their comments affect my friends. They think they do real well in educating and guiding their patients. But them too, they are humans and humans make mistakes.

I hope my friends will find a way to get motivated again. Because we care. Because they are worth it.

Friday, November 19, 2010

Let's celebrate life!

I had been looking for a restaurant where the two of us could meet. We ended up in a unique diner in Dendermonde, named Litus. Both of us had checked the menu beforehand, and it looked very appealing. And I can tell you: it was worth the drive.

We enjoyed an appetizer while having a glass of dry wine, before we were treated on tuna carpaccio. It was delicious! My companion had lamb chops and a variety of warm vegetables, while I had chosen a vegetarian salad. Boy, did I like that! It was packed with fresh vegetables: bean sprouts, snow peas, different kinds of lettuce, shredded cabbage, carrots, blackberries, raspberries,.. drizzled with a mustard dressing. I couldn't finish my whole plate, because I wanted to leave some room for dessert, as I had seen sabayon on the menu. It's my most favorite dessert and I won't skip it if they serve it. That's one of the only desserts you can be sure off it will be made right there on the spot. I heard the cook whisk the eggs for the sabayon and the constant beating sound in the pan made me happy. It was worth it, I can assure you.

We spent nearly 5 hours in the restaurant, because we had so much to talk about. What a lovely lady I met! It was a pleasure to get to know her. There were so many similarities between us, that it was almost scary! I think we'll hear more from each other in the future. December 1 2010 will be the point of no return. You're ready and you'll be absolutely fine. Don't worry.

Everybody likes a compliment

The day before yesterday, I paid my diabetes nurse a visit. My appointment was set at noon. I decided to surprise her by bringing home made lunch. She really enjoyed that spinach quiche and I promised her to forward the recipe. So here it is:

what do we need:
  • 1 recipe of shortcrust pastry
  • 1/2 tablespoon of oil
  • 1 shallot, minced
  • 1 bag of fresh spinach
  • 5 eggs, beaten
  • 150 grams of your favorite grated cheese
  • salt and pepper
what do we do:
  • Preheat the oven to 175°C.
  • Heat the oil in the pan. Add the minced shallot and let it simmer until it's become translucent.
  • Add the spinach and keep stirring until the spinach has wilted. Let the spinach drain in a colander until it has released all of its fluids.
  • Beat the eggs and add the cheese. 
  • Season with salt and pepper.
  • Pre-bake the crust for 10 min.
  • Divide the spinach over the crust.
  • Pour the egg-cheese mixture over the spinach.
  • Bake the quiche for 30 min.
  • Serve warm or cold, with a salad on the side.

Thursday, November 18, 2010

A good nose

It's amazing how strong your scent is. You can literally smell food from a far distance. You may be sound asleep, but still, your nose never sleeps. Your nostrils are like those of a rabbit: always moving around, trying to pick up a smell of some sort. I don't know if your good scent is a good quality, because way too often it means my lunch will be gone if I don't pay close attention to my plate. I have to constantly watch your whereabouts, just to make sure you don't eat anything that was not meant for you.

Dogs and chocolate are a very bad combination. I heard chocolate could kill a dog. That worries me, because you really crave chocolate. Just a little while ago, I was making some chocolate delight. Checking my notebook, I couldn't see you next to your buddy on the couch. Exactly! the kitchen! That's where you were! You had licked one muffin tin all the way to the bottom. There were some spots of chocolate on your chin and whiskers. Oooh sweetie, you are too cute to get mad at. You just love to eat. Then why on Earth are you a whippet??? When I think of it, you would do great as a labrador. The amounts you eat are just too big for a sighthound. Does that mean I'll have to put you on a diet? Or maybe one day, your scent will no longer be that good..

Shape up

Going to the gym has never been my cup of tea. Let's be honest: I suck at sports. Any sports. Even horseback riding, although I love horseback riding. It's just so not me. I have tried it, really. I just don't feel comfortable around sports. It doesn't give me the good feeling it's supposed to give you. I would really like it to be the other way around, because I do believe sports is good for you. Not that I know many friends that work out 3 times a week. Maybe because they can't find the time or .. yeah... why don't they? I'd really like to know!

Men tend to be better at sports. They frequent the gym more often. They run and play tennis or soccer or ride their bikes. They just do it. Just like the NIKE commercial: Just do it. Right? Maybe us women should have a little bit more of that attitude. It could help us shape up our bodies. If only sports could be fun.. If only I could find a reason why. If only.. it's just not going to happen. Sorry!

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

A blind date

This evening I'm meeting a lady I have only spoken to on the Internet. We have been mailing back and forth because we have several factors in common. And finally we're meeting up. That's pretty exciting! I don't know what to expect, but I'm sure there won't be too many silent moments. She's talkative and so am I, I've been told. And there are two subjects we will talk about almost all night, I guess.

We're meeting for dinner in between both home towns. Just to make things easier logistically. I have seen her picture and she's seen mine, so we know who to look out for. But still, it's a blind date. I'm not nervous about it, it's rather excitement. I wish I had had the same opportunity when I needed it. I will happily share my experience with her and help her through what's she's about to have done. She'll do great. I'm sure she will.

Brownbagging lunch

I'm having a lunch date with my diabetes nurse today. When we set my check up appointment, there was no intention to have lunch together, but last week, checking my schedule, I saw the consultation was at noon. So I thought: why not have lunch at the same time?

My diabetes nurse is a special lady. She's so articulate and intelligent, that I love to chat with her. She teaches me things and she makes me think things over. We hear each other multiple times a week and I must admit it: our conversations are never dull.

I decided to prepare lunch for us: cold spinach quiche and mango salsa. I'll brownbag it so we don't need to go to that dull and loud cafetaria to have a bite. It'll be kind of a surprise to her. We have so much to talk about!

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Found out about you

You surprised me with the most delicious marzipan pie. It looked like a million dollars! Wow! You had told me before, that you really are a confectioner. It had been over more than 20 years since you made your last cake. I had no idea what to expect so I was actually blown away by your fabulous cake.. Handmade marzipan roses and leaves in wonderful pink and green, a thin and crunchy shortbread bottom covered in chocolate and then the most fluffy sponge-cake ever, filled with kirsch soaked candied fruit and pineapple. You must have basted your sponge-cake with kirsch as well, because it was so moist and delicious. Topped with fresh cream.. It took you two days to complete your cake but it was worth it. And yes, you impressed me xx

Beans on toast

That's so not what we are going to have today. It's Tuesday, meaning: cooking class. Weeks fly by and we're nearly done with the first series. But that's not where it ends. I signed up for the second series as well, what did you think? I'm having a ball in cooking school. It's just what I love to do.

It's always a surprise what we're going to prepare. The first part is theory on diabetes. There are always things to learn and it's good to freshen up our knowledge. If it were my choice, I would skip the theory and cook all afternoon. It's so exciting to cook in a group and get to know the other students a bit better. We all have diabetes - or have a partner with diabetes. It's interesting to hear the story of the person beside you at your cooker. We exchange experience on both diabetes and cooking. Most people in cookery class fear cooking/baking with sugar and I'm just the opposite: I despise baking with sweeteners. To me, baked goods require sugar. Period. They need it to get the crunchy bite, the texture, the sweetness, the ... Stop! I'm not even going there. I'm not going to defend my choice. After all, it's my choice and it may not be yours, but it's how I prefer to cook.

Monday, November 15, 2010

Eat your lima beans please

There's this constant fight between kids and vegetables. There aren't many kids who are extremely fond of veggies. They'd rather not see them on their plates. Some vegetables are more in favor than other. Most children like cherry tomatoes, carrots, peas. But few voluntarily eat Brussels sprouts or Belgian endive, do they?

I don't know what the thing with lima beans is, but going back in time, I remember American parents telling their kids to eat their lima beans. I have never even seen lima beans, have you? I suppose they are very good for you and they taste like crap?

There are several ways to have your kids eat their greens. They may not like the way you prepare them or the way they look in the store. Maybe you should try a different cooking method. Or serve the vegetables as crudités. Have you ever tried to thinly slice raw Brussels sprouts? How about raw mushrooms? Or egg plant caviar? There are so many good recipes out there, that I'm convinced not one child can say: I don't like vegetables..

Today I have a vegetable terrine for you. It's packed with veggies that are good for you and it looks so festive that maybe, just maybe, your child might even dig in and enjoy it.

what do we need:

  • 300 grams of fresh green beans, finely chopped (pea size)
  • 3 carrots, peeled and cut in fine julienne
  • 1 grilled red pepper, cut in stripes
  • 125 grams of cubed ham
  • 1/4 of a Jalapeno pepper, seeded and cut finely
  • 4 eggs
  • 230 ml of (soy)cream
  • salt and pepper
  • fresh parsley or chives, snipped finely

what do we do:

  • Cook the beans and the carrots separately. Drain and dry them.
  • Preheat the oven to 190°C.
  • Dress a rectangular cake tin with cling film and let it hang over the edges.
  • Drape half of the carrot julienne in the tin. Put a layer of beans on top. Add a layer of red pepper and a layer of ham. Start over again.
  • Finish it off with the jalapeno.
  • Beat the eggs with the cream. Season with salt and pepper and the finely chopped herbs.
  • Pour the egg mixture over the veggies and let them sink in.
  • Fold the cling film over the vegetables.
  • Put the tin in a large oven dish. Fill the dish up with hot water up to half of the tin.
  • Bake the terrine for 1 hour.
  • Let it cool on a wire rack for 10 min.
  • Unmould the terrine and let it sit in the fridge until you're ready to use it.
  • Cut slices of the terrine and serve with a fresh herb sauce, full of gherkins, spring onion, capers, dill and parsley.


vegetable terrine
Photo by Lana Joos

Diabetescoach

Eva-Maria is a young woman, who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. She's clever and bright and she had this very good idea, to turn her diabetes into something positive. That's when Diabetescoach came to life. Her positive attitude and enthusiasm can help other diabetics cope with their diagnosis. Personal coaching, e-coaching, group sessions,.. There are several methods to deal with D. Just contact the Diabetescoach and she'll tell you more about the possibilities.
Do you want stress relief? A carefree life with diabetes? A better diabetes management? A healthier lifestyle? In short: do you want to be healthy, despite your diabetes? That's where your Diabetescoach comes in!

Diabetes e-coaching
The perfect way to work on your health and diabetes management, is to get involved in diabetes e-coach training. Exploring your situation and helping you out is done by e-mail and audio sessions. You move forward by answering your mail.
The pace is totally up to you, as is the the matter you wish to discuss. Maybe you don't really know what troubles you. E-coaching is a good way to find out. In the end, you will be the captain of your own diabetes ship and you will head towards the open sea. Contact me if you wish to get more information.
Diabetes coach Blog
The diabetescoach blogs about whatever keeps her busy. Diabetes is the main factor she blogs about. Every now and then there's a question of the month you can reply to. It's a good way to inspire others. Feel free to subscribe to the blog.
Group sessions
In group we have the opportunity to discuss diabetes related subjects. The emphasis is set to improve your own possibilities. We need a group of at least 5 people - with a maximum of 12) to start a group session around a subject. Some interesting subjects could be:
  • diabetes and stress
  • learn to relax with diabetes
  • how to improve your health if you're a diabetic?
  • accepting diabetes
  • have fun with diabetes
Personal guidance
How about the two of us meet up and talk about your concern. Every session lasts one and a half hour. We try to meet up every two weeks, sometimes every month. Audio sessions are used in this kind of therapy. If you wish, we can also coach by mail.
Contact Eva-Maria if you're interested in what she does. You won't regret it.

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Je vais t'aimer

An extraordinary song that I really like. I can play this song over and over again. French music is normally not my favorite music, but this song by Michel Sardou is different. The sound of the guitars in the back make me emotional. In Holland, you have a Dutch version, by Rob de Nijs. Garou, a French-Canadian artist has sung the song as well and I love his harsh voice. But I still prefer this version..
Je vais t'aimer..

Listen to it. Hear the lines, feel the music, indulge the emotions this song will bring to you. To all who don't speak French, the lyrics are translated in English as well, but I prefer the French lines.

In so much any Marquis de Sade would turn pale
Any whore of the harbour would blush
Any echo would cry for mercy
Any wall of Jericho would tremble
I'm gonna love you

In so much Hells would blaze in your eyes
Any hell and damnation would curse
All saints and your bosom would erect
Our hands would beg and beseech
I'm gonna love you

I'm gonna love you
As you've never been loved before
I'm gonna love you
Beyond the dreams you've wished
I'm gonna love you, I'm gonna love you

I'm gonna love you
As anyone has ever dared to love you
I'm gonna love you
As I would have liked to be loved myself
I'm gonna love you, I'm gonna love you

In so much any night would grow old and whiten
Any light would burn out till daylight
Passionately and madly
I'm gonna love you, I'm gonna love you

In so much our eyes would be circled, close up
Our bodies would suffer and die
Our souls would fly up to the seventh heaven
Considering ourselves dead and still be making love
I'm gonna love you

I'm gonna love you
As you've never been loved before
I'm gonna love you
Beyond the hopes you've wished
I'm gonna love you, I'm gonna love you

I'm gonna love you
As anyone has ever dared to love you before
I'm gonna love you
As I would have liked to be loved myself
I'm gonna love you, I'm gonna love you

A faire pâlir tous les Marquis de Sade
A faire rougir les putains de la rade
A faire crier grâce à tous les échos
A faire trembler les murs de Jéricho
Je vais t'aimer

A faire flamber des enfers dans tes yeux
A faire jurer tous les tonnerres de Dieu
A faire dresser tes seins et tous les Saints
A faire prier et supplier nos mains
Je vais t'aimer

Je vais t'aimer
Comme on ne t'a jamais aimée.
Je vais t'aimer
Plus loin que tes rêves ont imaginé
Je vais t'aimer, je vais t'aimer.

Je vais t'aimer
Comme personne n'a osé t'aimer
Je vais t'aimer
Comme j'aurai tellement aimé être aimé
Je vais t'aimer, je vais t'aimer.

A faire vieillir, à faire blanchir la nuit,
A faire brûler la lumière jusqu'au jour,
A la passion et jusqu'à la folie
Je vais t'aimer, je vais t'aimer d'amour.

A faire cerner à faire fermer nos yeux
A faire souffrir à faire mourir nos corps
A faire voler nos âmes aux septièmes cieux
A se croire morts et faire l'amour encore
Je vais t'aimer

Je vais t'aimer
Comme on ne t'a jamais aimée
Je vais t'aimer
Plus loin que tes rêves ont imaginé
Je vais t'aimer, je vais t'aimer.

Je vais t'aimer
Comme personne n'a osé t'aimer
Je vais t'aimer
Comme j'aurai tellement aimé être aimé
Je vais t'aimer, je vais t'aimer..

World Diabetes Day: November 14 2010

So many people out there, sharing the same chronic disease: DIABETES. Please let people realize nobody can say for sure he/she will never get this condition. Diabetes is there and the number of patients is growing by the day. It's not some disease you have never heard of. Every one of you probably knows someone with diabetes. Reach out a hand and let your diabetic friend know you care.
Today at 12:00 sharp is when we will poke our fingers and let the world know our blood glucose. At least we have the access to our own blood glucose meter. We can check our blood sugars whenever we need to. Don't forget there are so many people out there, who are not able to know their sugar level in their blood. People without access to medication, diabetes treatment, support. Even in Belgium, not every diabetic has a blood glucose meter. So many people not able to treat their diabetes in the best way, because they have no clue.

My sympathy goes out to all people out there, who have diabetes but don't know yet. They have not recognized the symptoms of thirst, frequent urination, blurry sight. They never have their bloodwork done. They may have diabetes type 2 for over 10 years without knowing it, building up the complications.. It's sad.. because unnoticed and untreated, diabetes leads to loss of sight, amputation of limbs, kidney failure, severe nerve damage. Not something you want to have..

My sympathy goes out to all children with type 1 diabetes. Their lives and the life of their parents and siblings will never be the same. I'm especially thinking of Eilish and her family. Eilish, who recently died in her sleep, from an unnoticed low blood sugar. To her family, diabetes is the worst thing ever because it took the life of their beautiful young daughter.

My sympathy goes out to my diabetic friends and their daily struggle with D. Those who don't have D, have no iDea what diabetes is. It's not about the finger pokes or shooting up insulin. It's much more than that. It's that daily bond, 24/7. Because diabetes is always there. It's there when you wake up, it's there when you are concentrating on your work. It's there when you are working out. Going out to dinner will never be the same once you're diagnosed diabetic. You always have to be aware you're a diabetic. No more spontaneous situations. Low or high blood glucose may disturb your activities severely.

My heart goes out to those who are suffering from diabetes related complications. And no, it's not their fault. Nobody has loss of sight or the amputation of a foot on their wish list. So bare with us, will you?
Reach out and let your diabetic friend know you care..

I'm counting on you, my diabetic friends. Contact your peers and let them know they are not alone.

Let's poke our fingers at 12:00 and let the world know our blood glucose. There's a bond between us diabetics that will never be broken, because there's no cure. Diabetes is for life..

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Pack your bags and go

That's a line I have heard several times in my youth. Discussions were not allowed in our house. Whatever mother ordered you to do, you did. Without any reflection on your side, you had to follow her orders. She would have made a great officer!
If you had the guts to go against her, she would say her favorite sentence: pack your bags and go..! And that's exactly what I did and I have no regrets whatsoever. After all, we're all unique people and guess what: we all have a mind of our own, right? It's possible that she never expected me to really pack my bags and go, but hey, there's a time for everything.

My BoGi Bags
Have you ever been to a place, where everything you dreamed or thought would be, was there? That's the place we're going to in January. I'm so looking forward to it.  My friends got themselves some new suitcases and they looked awesome! And yes, I ordered my own set as well. The guidelines for luggage have become more strict, so I don't want to have to pay extra for a suitcase that is not fitted. BoGi Bags are great suitcases and they look awesome. They are spacious and well organized. There's a great discount on the set of three for the moment. So don't hesitate and get prepared for your next trip. Sometimes packing your bags and go has a more pleasant tone to it, because in this scenario, it's not meant to be vicious. You're still welcome when you come back..

Something else

This tiny and fragile young woman is mysterious, gracious and elegant. She's extremely talented and worthy of your attention. I'm talking about Vanessa-Mae, an extraordinary violin player. The way she plays her instrument is .. well.. is there a word to express the feeling? Toggata & Fugue is a major piece and she makes it come alive. Just enjoy!

Friday, November 12, 2010

Chocolate delight

Photo by Lana Joos
If you are feeling down and you need something to give you a boost, indulge these fabulous chocolate cupcakes. They are so scrumptious and delicious, they will instantly make you feel better. Don't worry about the calories this time. We were talking about feeling better!

What do we need:

  • 4 eggs
  • 200 grams of sugar
  • 100 grams of shortening, melted
  • 40 grams of powdered cocoa
  • 90 grams of regular flour
  • 120 grams of chocolate chips

What do we do:

  • Preheat the oven to 190°C.
  • Beat the eggs with the sugar until they have doubled in size.
  • Beat in the melted shortening.
  • Sift the cocoa and the flour and fold it into the egg mass.
  • Fold the chocolate chips into the batter.
  • Fill up 10 large muffin cups, that you have buttered and floured in advance.
  • Bake the chocolate delight for 20 min.
  • Let them cool for 10 min in the pan, before you invert them onto a wire rack.

This recipe is a keeper, really. Freeze them in ziploc bags and keep them as comfort food. Just pop them into the microwave whenever you're feeling blue and looking for a treat.

Justice

Els Clottemans
Els Clottemans has been convicted of the murder of her best friend, Els Van Dooren. She allegedly murdered her friend, by cutting the straps of her parachute. I say: allegedly, because there is no proof. There are allegations that point in her direction, but there is no proof whatsoever. Did she or did she not commit the murder? We don't know. Nobody knows, but the person who did it.

I'm truly disgusted by the aggression in the voice of some that believe she did it. Did they witness her committing the crime? Or were they influenced by the media circus? Would they share the same opinion if it were their own child? What if they were to be convicted of committing a crime they didn't do? It makes me sick to my stomach that someone is sentenced to a vast number of years in prison, not knowing for sure that person is actually guilty. It's just so medieval. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth?

I feel sorry for the family of Els Van Dooren. They have lost a wife, a mother, a relative.
I feel sorry for the family of Els Clottemans. They know their daughter. They are convinced she didn't do it.

Els Van Dooren
I feel sorry for anybody out there, who is so blind sighted to any other option. They have made up their minds. There's no opening for any other reality. They play their own judge. They feel they have the right to decide about someone else's life and future, like the killer decided to end the life of Els Van Dooren. There are other explanations possible. Maybe Els Van Dooren couldn't take it anymore. Maybe she decided to end her own life. Or how about the lover? Who says he's not guilty of the crime?

Did she get a fair trial? No, she didn't. Even the people that believe she's guilty, can't say her trial was fair. The media made the trial for us. Times are changing. The media is everywhere. They create a story and stories sell well, don't forget that. People want to share their opinions. They want to take sides. Either they believe she did it, or they are convinced she didn't do it. The truth may be somewhere in the middle. I won't say she didn't do it. And I refuse to say she did it. I have an opinion of my own. I just believe it's not righteous to sentence someone to serve time in jail, without proof. That's what this blog is about.. And I'm sorry if you don't approve. You are entitled to your opinions. Let me be entitled to mine.

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Alla salute!

Atsina cress with chocolate moelleux
and creamy vanilla ice cream
Ignoring the rain, we went out anyway. Having lunch in a great place is not that disastrous for our hairdo, is it?
We had been to this place before.. Pandora is nearby and they offer a great service, excellent food, good prices and a warm atmosphere. Those were the perfect conditions to celebrate your birthday, my friend.
Checking the menu, we sipped our aperitif. Whoa! that was a lot of alcohol in your drink! Haha! I had a Mojito and it was just perfect.

We surely enjoyed our choice of menu. The both of us had a jacket potato with hand peeled shrimp as a starter. You had eel while I chose to have the goat cheese and bacon croquettes. In fact I was full after those two dishes (I had two starters - no main course), but dessert sounded so tempting.. yummie.. I was so looking forward to the pear crumble with five spice, but unfortunately they had no dessert of that kind left. That means I'll have to come back another time to indulge it. Which is not a problem.
You had ice cream and warm red fruit, while I had the most delicious chocolate moelleux. It was just perfect! Firm on the outside, gooey and runny on the inside. Dusted with some powdered sugar and accompanied by a creamy vanilla ice cream and soft fruit. I really liked the herbs that were shattered on my plate. I still don't know whether that was Thai basil or Moroccan mint. I'll have to find out somehow, because I love using herbs and this type was very good for chocolate desserts.

We did some shopping as well, despite the storm and the ugly rain. I didn't need dinner tonight. I had a great time, my friend. And guess what? I think you did too!

EDIT: the delicious herb served with dessert is Atsina cress. It is named after the Atsina indians, who used this liquorice-anis tasting herb in their hot drinks, to help them soothe their sore throats. The leaves are heart shaped and they have a soft and delicate structure.

On the road

Today was supposed to be our day. As usual we would have an outing for your birthday. This time we were going to visit Goes or Middelburg, in Holland. Some shopping, lunch, coffee and a lot of chitchatting. Unfortunately the weather decided otherwise: rain, rain, rain and way too cold.. We can't let the rain mess up our hairdo, can we?
I don't know yet what else we can do, since today is a Belgian holiday and no shops are open over here. Let me think some more..

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Buttermilk mash

If I ask our oldest daughter: what would you like for dinner? She most definitely will say: buttermilk mash! It's an old dish and not many people know what it is. But it's oh so good and at the same time oh so bad for you, since it has a lot of real butter in it. Every once in a while, we give in and we have buttermilk mash.

What do we need:
  • potatoes, peeled and quartered
  • unsalted real butter
  • nutmeg
  • pepper and salt
  • buttermilk
What do we do:
  • Boil the potatoes in a fair amount of salted water. Drain them and let the steam come off.
  • Melt the butter in the pot you cooked the potatoes in. Let the butter brown, but make sure it doesn't burn. You want hazelnut butter.
  • Season the butter with freshly ground nutmeg, pepper and salt.
  • Pour the buttermilk in the pot and turn on the heat.
  • Use a potato ricer to mash the potatoes into the pot, on top of the buttermilk.
  • Stir it up and serve!
Buttermilk mash is not as stiff as common mashed potatoes. You want them runnier. Some like to eat it when it has the consistency of porridge. It is just so amazingly good! Serve with poached eggs and your choice of vegetables (dandelion salad, green beans, mushrooms, spinach,..).

Idaho

Leading the life of a Belgian au pair in Portland, Oregon, I got acquainted with Idaho Potatoes. Like people call the Dutch "cheese heads", Idaho residents are "potato heads". I'm not a boiled potato fan, but most other preparations that contain potatoes are more appealing to me. Think jacket potato, American potato wedges, potato salad, scalloped potatoes, French fries, baked potatoes, mash, buttermilk mash, .. Those dishes are so versatile and interesting, compared to the plain boiled potatoes.

My children are no big boiled potato lovers either. My oldest daughter doesn't eat them at all. Only mashed (buttermilk) potatoes can win her heart. She's not even a real French fries fanatic. But that's not a problem, right?

I read a very interesting recipe on Hasselback potatoes. Maybe I should try making them. I love oven baked potatoes that have not been peeled before preparation. I really enjoy eating the peel and it gives the potato much more flavor. So Hasselback potatoes. There's no need to copy the recipe here, since I can refer you to the site where I found it. Will you let me know your favorite potato recipe?

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Soccer sucks..

I hate soccer. I really do. Not just the sports by itself, but also the noise it makes, the yelling in the audience, the violence between fanatics of opposite teams. I would never ever go see a soccer game. It's just so boring. I don't know if the soccer season started just recently, but last week, I've seen too much soccer games on TV. Hubby loves to watch the game and he cheers and jumps up and down when "the good guys" score. I don't even know why he cheers, because he's not even part of the team?? I'm sorry I don't cheer with you. I don't even bring you a beer. I try to deal with it, really. It's just so irritating..

I'm glad our TV records the programmes I like to watch. As soon as the crew is off to bed, it's my time. No more soccer games!!!! Thank goodness! I suppose hubby doesn't like to watch my programmes either, but I never make him watch, since I wait for everyone to go to bed. And yes, I do understand that recording a soccer game is not the same as watching it real time. O well.. maybe I should give him a set of headphones for Christmas. Then I won't hear the sound of the soccer games and that will take away a lot of my aggravation.

A dirty mind is a joy forever

If you know what I mean..

Monday, November 8, 2010

While you're up..

could you bring me a can of soda, please? And on your way to the pantry, the light is still on in the hallway, could you turn that off?

It comes in handy every once in a while, to have multiple people in the household. There's always someone walking around the house. Being a parent, you race around all day, trying to please your family and do whatever you can to make them feel welcome. So yes, children helping out every now and then is the appropriate thing to do. Their legs are younger and fitter than ours and they are bored anyway. It'll give them something to do.

I'm trying to teach the whippets to get me things. So far, it's not really been a success. Inthe is good at playing fetch, but she only wants to fetch her toys, not what you want. Rebba.. well.. I'm not even mentioning her in this story..

When I drive my youngest daughter to boarding school on Monday mornings, we see this man (sometimes a woman) walk a German Shepherd. The dog always carries either the newspaper or a bag of bread. It's wonderful to see them go by. I can't believe our whippets would ever do that. That's far beyond what they believe they were designed for: sleeping.

Urgh.. somebody? Anybody needing anything from the kitchen? Really? Okay, you can bring me a cup of tea, I wouldn't mind. Thanks.

Wszystkiego Najlepszego!

It's that time of the year! I know you're not a fan of celebrating your birthday, but I hope you will enjoy it anyway. We are planning on going out on Thursday, to have a good time and enjoy each other's company. We're not sure yet where we're going, but it'll probably be somewhere in Holland.

Your little girl had her birthday yesterday. By the look of our children, we know we are getting older, but then again: so what? I know I wouldn't want to go back to being 20! I enjoy every birthday. It means we're still here, right?

Have a happy birthday my friend..

Sunday, November 7, 2010

On heat

I found little red spots of blood on the floor in the living area. Immediately a bell rang: Inthe is on heat.. She's 11 months old and she's a big girl now. She was ready to put on her sexy black undies. She didn't really know what to think of it, but she was okay wearing it. She's a good girl.

We'll have to be a bit more careful now, taking her for a walk. The boys will love her and chase her, so no running loose this time! We'll keep an eye on her.

I hope she won't have tummy cramps. She does cry every now and then but I'm not sure if that's period related or not. Maybe I'll keep a hot pack ready for her.. lol..

Fresh & Fruity

I love my fruit! Although fruit contains a significant number of carbohydrates, I do eat it on a daily basis. I'm not too fond of the plain fruit like apples and pears. I prefer the more exotic fruit like pomegranate, passion fruit, mango, cranberry, papaya, .. Or I do something extra with the fruit, like pineapple mint carpaccio, baked apple wedges dusted with cinnamon. My favorite fruit has to be served fresh, not out of a can. I hate canned fruit. It's just not the real thing. The only fruit in cans I do like, are tangerine parts. I could eat them all the time, but I still prefer the fresh kind.

One can always please me with a fruit bowl. Preferably seasonal fruit. I'm dying for fresh blueberries and strawberries, and I know it's out there, but it's not really that time of the year. It always makes me long for summer. Just think of those scrumptious raspberries...hmhmhm...

Saturday, November 6, 2010

If I go hypo, I might EAT YOU!!!

As soon as I read those lines on the website, I was like: Oh my gosh! That is just so awesome! Martyn designed some great T-shirts for his DiabeTees shop. Some texts are just so amazingly good, I just had to order some shirts. Can't wait for them to get here. I'll wear the shirts to my diabetes cooking class and our diabetes meetings. Want to see the look on the face of my endocrinologist on our next consultation. I'm sure he'll crack! A diabetic friend of mine ordered 5 shirts as well. They are hilarious!

Just check it out. They are good quality shirts and not that expensive. And they are unique, you won't find them in any shop. Pick your favorite color, choose between T-shirt, long sleeve shirts, deep V-neck or whatever you prefer to wear. Spread the word. November is Diabetes Awareness month. Wear your shirt and make the people around you aware of this condition, that affects 285 million !! people world wide.

You rock Martyn! Congrats with your shop. You're doing great!

CHiPs

Do you remember that glam smile Erik Estrada used to show off on the dramedy series CHiPs in the seventies? He was asbolutely gorgeous and many many girls were devoted to him. The black hair, the mysterious look, the distinctive nose and of course.. the perfect teeth. He had that naughty smile and that twinkle in his eyes, that made many teenage hearts pound faster.

I remember my best friend at the time and I discussing the series. She didn't like Frank Ponch (Francis Poncherello was his name in the show) at all. But she was so crazy about his partner Larry Wilcox. He was the blond guy and she thought he was so much better looking than Ponch. Estrada and Wilcox would always ride in pairs on the Californian Highway and their costumes fitted them like gloves. Do you remember the sunglasses they wore?? Hahaha! Unbelievable how we can remember those little details.

I wonder if our girls would like the show. Would they find Erik as cute as we did? Or would they prefer Larry? I think Erik was very appealing to me, since he was always the one who got in trouble. Larry was more like the guardian angel or the teacher if you wish. Too tame for me. I think I'm gonna google the show on YouTube and see if I can come up with an episode of CHiPs to show to my girls.

Friday, November 5, 2010

Real Estate

We just bought another house.. A bit bigger than the first one, but just perfect. We had been looking for another house for a while, but we couldn't find one we really liked. Until I ran in to the perfect house on the Internet. Spacious, clean, easy to maintain and bigger than the one we already had. Not too big either, just perfect, like I said.

It didn't take us long to decide on this purchase. We had waited long enough and it was the right time. I don't think the price was a problem - in fact, it was a true bargain. What more could we expect? I didn't even have to haggle over the price.

The girls were excited too! They couldn't wait to move in! The house looked warm and welcoming and cosy. So we let them in to explore the house. They weren't too sure what to think of it. The backdoor was closed and in no time, the same thing happened with the front door. Enjoy your stay in your new kennel, Rebba and Inthe. Now the two of you can sleep together when we're out!

Celebrate good times

Tonight we're going to have dinner with our best friends. We have been seeing each other quite often lately. This time we really have something to celebrate. Not just something, but something big. As in BIG. 'Cause tonight's gonna be a good night..

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Je suis malade

Arthur, our tomcat
Photo by Lana Joos
Arthur, our tomcat, hasn't been feeling too well lately. His skin is irritated, he whines and he even tries to get attention from the whippets. Now that is definitely not normal. He eats well and drinks his water from the fishbowl, as usual, but you can tell he's not himself.

I took him to the vet. She examined him thoroughly. Even shaved his back partially, to see what was going on. His skin is totally irritated. Some kind of allergy, she claimed. He's on antibiotics and cortisone now. He behaved real well at the vet's office. Like he knew she was going to help him get rid of the itch. He must have gone crazy with all of those itchy spots underneath his fur. He'll survive, as usual and I hope the irritation will leave his body soon. No idea what caused it.

He's something else, our Arthur. Bladder problems caused him to pee blood in the past. That was idiopathic though.. He didn't really have a problem, but stress made him nervous and that's when he would cramp his bladder and pee blood. That mostly happened when we were out of town. He's over that now. He has special cat food for urinary problems and ever since, he's done great.

Come on Arthur, let the antibiotics do their job. You'll be better in no time.

A pigsty

My sweet little girl. You are so talented and gorgeous and I love you deeply, but your room is such a pigsty. Really, come on. How can it possibly be that messy? It will take you over two days to clean it up. At least three baskets full of laundry, buckets of empty soda cans, trash, toys, home work, cookie wrappers.. It's just such a terrible mess that you no longer know where to start. I know you don't have the time to clean your room during the week, but when does it get so messed up??? You come home on Friday night and you leave again for school on Monday morning. I really don't see how you can clutter that room in just 2 days.. It makes me desperate and some years ago, we decided we were no longer going to clean up your room for you. It's your responsibility. You mess it up and you clean it up. You're not offended by us saying that and you think it's the right way, but you just don't get to it.

You're home from school for 1 week now. Plenty of time to get started and get it over with. I have some activities planned for us, but you won't join us until your room is tidy. So it's up to you sweetheart. Come on, turn on the music, open that window to let some fresh air in and roll up your sleeves. It'll be so much nicer to spend time in your room than it is now.

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

The Big Blue Test

Just watch the video. Need I say more? Just by watching this video, you will contribute to saving the life of a child with diabetes. Thank you. Your support is more than welcome and very necessary.

November is Diabetes Awareness Month. November 14 is World Diabetes Day. I'm wearing my blue circle pin, to show my sympathy with all of my peers out there, wherever they may live. We are blessed to live in a country where medical supplies are not an issue. We have access to medication, insulin and diabetes supplies like glucose metres and glucose strips. Not all diabetics are this lucky. Too many countries are affected by this disease. Too many diabetics still die because of the lack of treatment... Don't stick your head in the sand. It could happen to you too..

Oh my Dog!

Eva was bored.. She asked if she could take one of the dogs for a walk. Two was too much for her and she was afraid she wouldn't be able to keep up with them. Since Inthe is so active and Rebba is more the lazy one, I suggested she'd take Inthe.
So she put her collar on and took Inthe for a walk. But oh my Dog!!! That was not a good idea! Rebba lost her mind! She cried and yelled and scratched the door!! She was horrified! Where was her playmate???
We had a very hard time calming her down..

In the meantime, Eva was only two steps away when she decided to come back. Inthe was frantic as well. She wanted Rebba to join her and Eva couldn't walk her. Inthe kept pulling the leash and turned to head back home. She looked like a sleigh dog, pulling Eva instead of the sleigh!

Sorry Lana, I know you didn't feel like going for a walk, but there was no other option. I was busy in the kitchen, so I sent you out with Rebba. They are a happy couple and they were thrilled the two of you took both of them for a walk..

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Tombs and graveyards

Death doesn't scare me. It's part of the circle of life. We all have to die at a certain point and there's not really much we can do about it. Do you believe in fate? Are you convinced your death is written in the books and there's nothing you can do about it? Or is it random?

Some die at a way too young age. That sounds fairly pointless. Young people need an opportunity to grow up and make the best of it. Accidents kill people and so does illness. Health issues keep me busy and leading a healthy life should be our primary concern.

I have thought about the ending of my life. I absolutely do not want a Christian funeral. No bystanders on my funeral, who only come out of curiosity. Just the family and friends that are dear to me should be invited. They shouldn't be sad or wear black on my passing on. Because I know there's more to life than death. Let's celebrate the life we had and look back with a broad smile. There shouldn't be too much sadness when someone passes. Of course that person will be missed. Maybe we should be thankful for the time we had together and the good memories that person  brought us. But sometimes it's time to move on. To a different destination. Not heaven, that's not a word I would use. We don't know what's out there after we've left this world. And I really don't need to know. This is the life we're leading now and that life is full of joy and activity so I don't feel the need to guess what's going to happen in our next life. I like the mystery behind it. It could be kinda exciting to explore a totally new world.

A reason why I do not want to be buried on a graveyard, is the gloominess of the place. I believe tombs and graveyards have something spooky and creepy. Thinking of the skeletons in the coffins, doesn't give me much joy. Cremation sounds like a much better plan to me. I'll put my thoughts away now. I'm not planning any death anywhere soon, so just forget about it. I just wanted to make a point..

One more try

Scrapbooking has always been something I liked to do. For many years, I have made scrapbooks for the girls, so they would have plenty of memories of their childhood. Since I only have one photo album of my childhood, there aren't that many memories to look back to. I wanted that to be different for my girls.

In those days, we didn't have a digital camera yet. So all pictures were to be printed by the photographer. I would immediately buy a scrapbook and start gathering the pictures and memorabilia to brighten up the book. Colorful pens, glue, small stickers and a pair of scissors did the trick. I would lay out the pictures on the table, to start getting ideas on how to make that one particular scrapbook. Sometimes the inspiration wouldn't come, so I would put everything on hold and do something else. It could take me a couple of days to get illuminate ideas, but mostly I could start right away.

The girls have grown older and the digital camera has entered our life a couple of years ago. Pictures don't get printed that often any more. But every now and then, I make another scrapbook. Actually I'm working on one right now. I should have started it 4 months ago, but I lacked the inspiration. I had just finished another one on the same subject and I didn't want to make a copy of the first book. Months flew by and I felt I was ready to start the other scrapbook.

So be patient my dear friend, I haven't forgotten about you. I hope it will be worth the wait.

Monday, November 1, 2010

A la plancha

A couple of years ago, I bought a BK metal flattop grill plate while visiting Roermond, Holland. It is a huge plate, and it covers two gas burners on my Range Cooker. I use it for American pancakes and Indian flatbread (chapati), but on some days, I cook a whole meal on it: fish, green beans and baked potatoes f.e.. Because it needs two burners, you can regulate the heat individually. Normally one burner has a higher heat than the other one. The pan is easy to clean - although it doesn't fit in to my sink or dishwasher - and it goes in the oven as well as on the stove. It's my favorite pan. It doesn't need a lot of grease so it's good for healthy cooking. I believe this plate would make a terrific gift and all of you should have one. It comes in real handy and you would use it quite often. I'm thinking of making English muffins on my BK grill plate.. Anyone?

Running around

The kids are home from school for one week. I thought we would have some spare time to enjoy each others company, but there are so many things to do. It's pretty hectic around here. There are dental and doctor's appointments, employment conversations, play dates for the girls, visits to the in-laws, diabetes meeting,.. But that's okay. I don't like boredom. There can be some activity in the house.

The end of 2010 is coming closer. The days are getting shorter and the nights are darker and gloomier. November and December are my least favorite months. I don't like the Holiday season, not at all. So I'll keep busy and distracted to make those months pass faster. I'll embrace January in no time!