muurtje | ExpatWoman.com
 

muurtje

muurtje
833
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EW GURU
Latest post on 27 June 2011 - 21:35
Really love this salad at the moment: 3 medium beetroots (unpeeled) Halumi cheese (I desalt mine by putting it in water for 5 min and changing the water 3 times untill it's clear) Mint Olive oil Rub some olive oil on the beetroots and roast them in the over for about 45min at 175. Once soft peel and slice them. I wear latex gloves for this as pink fingers are not so attractive. Slice the halumi cheese and drizzle with olive oil. Grill them in a hot frying pan. Put on a plate with the sliced beetroot. Sprinkle over some chopped mint and olive oil.
muurtje
833
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 26 June 2011 - 13:14
Just out of interest, what should the budget be for an engagement ring? One month salary, two? Less? I'm just wondering what is normal here.
muurtje
833
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 26 June 2011 - 13:00
Try Debbenhams they have good swim wear and I'm sure they will have board shorts as well.
muurtje
833
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 26 June 2011 - 12:57
We just pretend that a certain amount of my DH's salary doesn't exist. You need to save at the beginning of the month because if you try to have money left over at the end it won't work. We try as much as possible to live a moderate life as we would back home. We don't go out that often as DH insists the food I cook is better then in most restaurants and we both prefer having friends round to our house anyway. Enjoy Dubai and all it's luxuries but remember that's what they are. Going out for a brunch should be a special occasion and you should really enjoy it rather then doing it every week and becoming accustomed to it.
muurtje
833
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 26 June 2011 - 12:22
A new recipe to try on PP days during the cruise fase. Got so fed up with chicken and turkey and the occasional steak. I made these meatballs and they taste great. I made small ones as I find that while being on this diet I eat smaller portions more often during the day. 500 gr of lean mince 1 small onion 2 garlic cloves 2 tbsp chopped parsley 3 sundried tomatoes (I know these aren't strictly allowed but they add real depth of flavour and I pat they dry to remove the oil) 2 tbsp oat bran salt/pepper Just mix everything together and roll into little balls. Fry off in a non-stick pan. The oat bran makes them quite firm and you don't need to add an egg to bind it.
muurtje
833
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 22 June 2011 - 17:07
Can't remember who posted this, but it's very handy. Will give you all the info you need: seatguru.com
muurtje
833
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 22 June 2011 - 16:46
I orded two lovely dresses for my friends daughter when she turned six. I went onto the Debbenhams website, ordered from here. Payed out of our Uk account and it was delivered to her in the UK. She loves them and wears them a lot :) Just make sure you know roughly what size she is.
muurtje
833
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 22 June 2011 - 15:31
With regards to the Nando's even if you take off the skin be careful of the amount of salt and extra fat. It's just as easy to do your own and then you'll be certain there is no extra salt of fat. I'm finding the sauce thing quite tricky as the sauces listed in the book are not really to my taste. I did make a lovely gremolata which goes well with all meats and fish. (Chop up mint, parsley, basil and garlic. Add a smidgen of salt and a teaspoon of olive oil). Have to say it's becoming a bit boring on P days. Chicken, prawns, steak, fish. But always roughly prepared in the same way. Need to think of some healthy alternatives without too much sauce or any veg. PV days are sooo much easier. Love having soup with tons of veg or a great big salad. Maybe I should go the Asian route and steam fish with soy sauce, garlic and chilli. However isn't soy very salty? Any interesting recipes for P days would be great!! <em>edited by muurtje on 22/06/2011</em>
muurtje
833
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 22 June 2011 - 15:10
Hmm not sure if DH would prefer a man or a women to do this as it's basically the area where your coccyx is. Anyway will make some inquiries at the doctors and see if they have any recommendations. Offshorewife, I'll let you know if I find out anything.
muurtje
833
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 22 June 2011 - 12:35
I've noticed that you need to be so careful here when shopping in any supermarket. If you don't watch out you end up paying ridiculous amounts for certain things. Like 50drh for a pack of fish fingers... Don't go shopping when you are hungry as you will fill up the trolley with much more then you need. Make a list and stick to it. Don't get side tracked by luxury items such as magazines, ready-made sauces, chocolates etc. Soups, stews and pasta dishes are great value for money and you can use all your leftover bits of veg or frozen stuff. Limit 'luxury' meats and meals to the weekend and really enjoy them. Homemade is almost always more economical and you have control over the ingredients that go in. Whipping up a batch of cookies or baking a loaf cake is quick, easy and cheap. Freeze what you are not going to use straight away. There are lots of great websites recipe's that are inexpensive to make, or where you can get more then one meal out of it. Just be creative and use what you've got rather then what the recipe states.
muurtje
833
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 22 June 2011 - 12:24
I would make the chipping in bit clear from the start so there is no discussion about it. You can either get everybody to put a certain amount of money in and drink/eat from that until it's finished or you could just make everybody pay for themselves (this saves discussions about who drinks what and how much). You might want to pay for some snacks/food as you would also buy food if the party was at your house and you are the ones inviting all you friends round. One idea that is always nice is to put together some kind of memento book. People can write a good luck messages for your fiance and they can add pictures as well. Good luck
muurtje
833
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 20 June 2011 - 12:08
It is true that bra sizes differ depending on style and brand of the bra. Always try before you buy : ) There are some great tips and tricks on the internet that you can check to make sure the bra firs properly. As a 36H girl myself :\: I cannot find anywhere that stocks the bra's I need/want. Anyone ever seen any Prima Donna bra's being sold anywhere in Dubai???
muurtje
833
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 19 June 2011 - 17:27
Wow so many of you are doing great!!! Good to read this and keep myself motivated. I've been doing ok. Not as good as I wanted. Had a slip up last week and have had a couple of glasses of wine. Will be doing the cruise fase for a long time and have to keep telling myself that slipping up isn't that bad as long as I don't give up! Slowly approching -7kg. Can't wait because to keep myself motivated that's when I'm allowed to take my new handbag out.
muurtje
833
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 19 June 2011 - 17:02
Thanks Katcooti. I've got a couple of larger things that I would like done, so I think it's too much to do myself. Maybe I should try a car garage. They often spray cars, so why not furniture? Will keep on looking.
muurtje
833
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 19 June 2011 - 12:44
A real mish mash. Ikea meets hand me downs, meets recycled furniture meets new things. I wish we had more of a general theme, but these are all the things we have collected over the years and they make it feel like home! Thinking about adding some colour to the walls as I don't like this nondescript magnolia and after an unfortunate incident involving pomegranate juice it needs to be painted anyway. :\: Just go for what you love and don't be afraid to mix and match. I don't like it when a home looks like it came straight out of a catalogue where everything matches.
muurtje
833
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 18 June 2011 - 18:32
Does anyone know of a place where they could spray paint furniture? We have some furniture which we would like to have sprayed high gloss white. TIA.
muurtje
833
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 17 June 2011 - 12:11
Try smothering it in sauce ;)
muurtje
833
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 17 June 2011 - 12:08
Ha if fat is sign of having a wealthy hubby then my DH would be a millionaire :) Still when you are actually trying to get rid of the weight and someone makes a comment like that it can be very hurtful even when you know/hope the person didn't mean anything nasty by it.
muurtje
833
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 16 June 2011 - 13:58
Thanks Haz will have a look at that. KCHRISTINE I like chicken but if it is for another type of protein that is fine too. Thanks.
muurtje
833
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 15 June 2011 - 15:49
For me it has to be Chris Hemsworth. First time I ever like a movie like this. DH was quite surprised that I didn't complain when he wanted to go and see it. http://newsandmovies.net/chris-hemsworth-shirtless-in-thor Don't care much for his face, but OMG that body :)
muurtje
833
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 14 June 2011 - 21:07
We live in Arabian Ranches and I love it here! The best thing for me is the amount of greenery around us. All the trees and shrubs are lovely and matured and as our garden backs on to the park I get to see them all the time. It always makes me smile and has made me reluctant to get curtains. The second best thing is that I can cycle around the Ranches. I can get my shopping and even visit the doctor. Despite what many people think it's actually quite a central location and as we're quite close to the access road it's easy to get in and out. Couldn't imagine living anywhere else in Dubai although the previous posts sound lovely too. I think it is great that there is such a variety in the places to live and you can choose anything from a super modern apartment in the Burj to a lovely old villa.
muurtje
833
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 13 June 2011 - 17:47
What about in the mean time volunteering his skills to a charity? I am sure there are plenty of charities out there that would love some free marketing advise and it would be a way for him to accumulate at least some experience. It would also be a positive experience and might get him out of his negative mood. I can understand that it must be really hard if you have worked so hard to get a degree and aren't given the chance to start working. There are quite a few charities in Dubai that do not receive government funding, but do amazing work. He could try and find one that really suits him. I.e. he might want prefer a 'children s' charity over an 'animal' or 'environmental' charity.
muurtje
833
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 13 June 2011 - 15:48
It does seem to be a Dubai thing. The other day I was in a pharmacy looking for some face wash and the ladie who was 'helping' me thrust this extremely expensive serum into my hands and said: You need to buy this because you have terrible skin. This will make the wrinkles go away and you will look pretty, not ugly like now... I was too perplexed to be able to say more the no thank you and left the shop not buying anything...
muurtje
833
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 13 June 2011 - 15:33
This is why I love my Nespresso machine so much. It makes such yummy coffee for me right at home and then with the milk frothing machine I can make cappuccino's too. I'm out I prefer Costa, Caribou or Nero. Do like the mugs at SB have some of the countries we've lived in and use them for tea at home.
muurtje
833
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 12 June 2011 - 12:51
I often use the Dylon fabric dyes. They just go in the washingmachine.
muurtje
833
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 12 June 2011 - 12:06
Could you use Spelt flour? I know it's not gluten free, but it's low in gluten. I've understood that as long as you have an intolerance to gluten it's fine to use. It's only if you are a Coeliac that it wouldn't work. It's lovely to make bread out of. I've found that with making any kind of bread it's just a matter of practice and always using the same ingredients. Also you can add different flavours to your bread such as grated beetroot and garlic (makes it very moist), walnuts honey and goats cheese, sundried tomatoes, dates etc etc. Happy Baking!
muurtje
833
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 12 June 2011 - 09:30
Your best bet is to get rid of the mattress, and get him a new one. Ditto for the bed linnen (and don't leave it in the laundry basket as they will be able to get into other things too). With the stuffed toys, wash them as hot as you dare and then leave them out in the sun. Good luck!!! They are horrible and there isn't much you can do about them. My DH was once bitten while staying in a 5 star hotel in Norway. Here are some more helpful tips: http://www.grandmashomeremedies.com/bed-bugs.html
muurtje
833
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 12 June 2011 - 09:23
@ Haz, I would bake it at 180C for about 15 min.
muurtje
833
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 12 June 2011 - 09:19
Welcome back and I hope that it will all work out for you and your family. Huge respect for you and your children living with your Mum for so long and for being able to maintain your relationship with your DH. Many would have given up when faced with lesser hurdles. The Dubai heat will be waiting for you when you get here! :cool:
muurtje
833
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 12 June 2011 - 09:13
Just simply pan fried with some gremolata (lemon zest, parsley, garlic, lemon juice, salt and olive oil) is always great. Otherwise make a dressing out of soy sauce, spring onions, chilli, garlic, pinch of sugar, little bit of oil. Put the fish on paksoi and pour the dressing over the fish. Bake this in the oven in aluminium foil (so it steams). Or make healthy fish fingers by making a crust of oats and panko bread crumbs. Serve with some home made tartar sauce.
muurtje
833
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 09 June 2011 - 13:27
There is a factory in Northern Minnesota which makes the Tickle Me Elmo toys. The toy laughs when you tickle it under the arms. Well, Lena is hired at The Tickle Me Elmo factory and she reports for her first day promptly at 8:00 am. The next day at 8:45 am there is a knock at the Personnel Manager's door. The Foreman throws open the door and begins to rant about the new Employee. He complains that she is incredibly slow and the whole line is backing up, putting the entire production line behind schedule. The Personnel Manager decides he should see this for himself, so the 2 men march down to the factory floor. When they get there the line is so backed up that there are Tickle Me Elmo's all over the factory floor and they're really beginning to pile up. At the end of the line stands Lena surrounded by mountains of Tickle Me Elmo's. She has a roll of plush Red fabric and a huge bag of small marbles. The 2 men watch in amazement as she cuts a little piece of fabric, wraps it around two marbles and begins to carefully sew the little package between Elmo's legs. The Personnel Manager bursts into laughter. After several minutes of hysterics he pulls himself together and approaches Lena ... 'I'm sorry,' he says to her, barely able to keep a straight face, 'but I think you misunderstood the instructions I gave you yesterday....' 'Your job is to give Elmo 2 test tickles.
muurtje
833
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 09 June 2011 - 13:00
Have to say after feeling miserable yesterday seeing the scales this morning made me smile! - 2.5 kg after four days!! When I did the true weight calculations it said that I should follow the attack fase for 6 days, but am very tempted to follow it for a bit longer. Would this be a bad idea? Little bit worried about the upcoming weekend as I have a housewarming party tonight (am bringing some food that I can eat) and we're going out tomorrow evening to celebrate the birthday of two good friends. Not looking forward to an evening like that without drinking... Thankfully I won't be the only one not drinking. Just hope my friends won't think I'm pregnant! Has anyone signed up for the online programme? I am a bit reluctant to do so, but if I want to get to my true weight I will have to follow the cruise fase for 270 days and the consolidation fase for 385 days which I'm finding very daunting. Just keep telling myself to take it one day/kg at a time :) Are there any other lovely ladies on this forum who are in it for the long haul?
muurtje
833
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 08 June 2011 - 13:59
My Moroccan friend bought one at Carrefour. Might be worth having a look.
muurtje
833
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 08 June 2011 - 11:59
You are so right. I really feel for the people working outside in this heat... Will buy some extra normal pepsi or coke to give to the guys as I doubt the diet version will help them much. Thanks for reminding us!
muurtje
833
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 08 June 2011 - 11:55
Thanks JS. Yesterdays galette went a lot better already. One friend told me to leave it for a while and that seemed to help. Will look out for sugar free syrup next time I head out to the shops. So far it's going ok. I'm determined to make a proper go of this diet but can't help thinking about toast :( all the time!! The scales this morning made me smile - 1.5 kg after two days! Might even hang on and do 10 days of attack fase instead of 7. Am hoping to loose between 30 and 40 kg so am in this for the long haul..
muurtje
833
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 06 June 2011 - 16:58
Denshort I have to agree with you. We've made some wonderful friends out here and found it much easier then when we lived in NL and the UK. I think that in Europe if you move around a lot and don't have family or friends on your doorstep it's very difficult to make friends. We were lucky to be introduced to a group of people by one girl that I knew vaguely and we welcome new people to our little 'family' on a regular basis. IMHO it's important to keep in mind that we've all been new to Dubai. However we have also met lots of people here who aren't genuine at all and stay clear of them as much as possible!
muurtje
833
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 06 June 2011 - 15:15
Thanks JS. I just bought some candarel as I remember that from back home. Don't need much, just one a day for my coffee. Just one more question. I just made the galette and although I love the taste, it didn't really turn out as it should. It was more scrambled then anything else. Any tips? Or is it just a matter of practice?
muurtje
833
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 06 June 2011 - 14:32
Singing. I get together with a bunch of girls once a week and love it. Cooking. I love making something yummy for others to enjoy. I like swimming too, but the water is so warm at the moment.. will need to start dragging myself to the community pool soon! Entertaining. I love having friends round, giving them things to eat and drink and just hanging out together!
muurtje
833
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 06 June 2011 - 14:27
I am guessing this is going to be my future... we don't have children yet, but our parents live on opposite sides of the world. Goodness knows how we're going to do this once the time comes. Thankfully our parents are not adverse to coming out here. Just a matter of how long I will be able to 'put' up with them but I guess that's a whole other thread! OP and others in similar situations I wish you all the best for the summer holiday and hope that once you are there you will be able to enjoy it! Make sure that as you are staying with others you get them to look after the children so you and your DH get to spend some time (maybe even a night) away together. Good luck!!!
muurtje
833
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 05 June 2011 - 17:39
There are also a few haberdashery shops in Satwa.
muurtje
833
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 05 June 2011 - 12:32
Started this morning. So far have a had some 0% yogurt for breakfast with a slice of smoked salmon and 1 chicken breast for lunch. 1.5 l of water. Not feeling too bad. Had a coffee this morning with some tropicana slim sweetener... it was horrible! Ended up throwing is away. Very nasty bitter aftertaste. Will have to try some other sweeteners.
muurtje
833
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 05 June 2011 - 12:09
Our friends bought a cake for my DH's b-day in Dubai Mall at the bakery at Bloomingdale's (can't remember the name). It was a red velvet cake and was very very good. I normally don't like shop-bought cakes but this one was very yummy. They can add a message on the top in icing.
muurtje
833
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 05 June 2011 - 11:21
This makes me think back to when my BIL wrote a CV and included a photo of himself where he wasn't wearing a shirt... Told him that unless he was applying for a job as an exotic dancer he might be better off leaving it out!
muurtje
833
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 05 June 2011 - 09:13
Isn't that an oxymoron? ;) Sorry, haven't managed to find one here yet, so fingers crossed other posters have.
muurtje
833
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 02 June 2011 - 20:45
Thanks for all the helpful advise! That's why I love EW. Calimom, I quite like the idea of having students from different schools together rather then working at one school each afternoon. Sorry that you won't be able to come out here, it would have been great to have your son as my first student. I really want to do this right and make sure that not only is everything legally in oder but also that the students and I will be safe in my home.
muurtje
833
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 02 June 2011 - 14:50
Izzy, I have looked into getting a 'freelance' licence from Knowledge village. I need to speak to them to see if this licence would apply. I hadn't thought of the insurance policies I would need yet, so thanks for pointing that out to me. Do you think that there is a need for a homework club here in Dubai? I would think that for many working parents it might be useful. Also I have noticed that there are many students that prefer not to do their homework at home, as they just want to be able to relax and have fun when they are at home. For them this would be a good idea too.
muurtje
833
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 02 June 2011 - 08:47
gentle bump
muurtje
833
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 01 June 2011 - 17:38
You are welcome! edited to add the way to a mans heart is through his stomach ;) <em>edited by muurtje on 01/06/2011</em>
muurtje
833
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 01 June 2011 - 16:34
Hahaha I'm usually the same. Now if it was a women I would buy her a nice hand cream or scented candle to take with, but I'm guessing that's too girly :) Maybe a cd or dvd? A magazine? Chocolates? A 'voucher' for a home-cooked meal once he gets back?
muurtje
833
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 01 June 2011 - 16:29
What about a nice book for him to read? It can be quite personal to go and look for a book that you think he would enjoy reading. It shows you put some time and effort into it without it giving any other messages.
 
 
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