Fiffibelle

Reflections, thoughts and everyday moments

A gentle space for honest reflections, quiet thoughts and the beauty found in

everyday life.

  • Oreo Cake made with Norwegian Milk Chocolate

    There are many different Oreo cake recipes,
    but this one, made with Norwegian milk chocolate, is the best I have ever tasted.

    I promise!

    It is homemade, rich in flavor, and the chocolate mousse is simply magical.

    It is actually so good that you almost feel like making a double portion
    and eating half of the chocolate mousse with a spoon while you finish the cake 🙂

    I would say that it is quite easy to make,
    but it does take a little time because there are several layers

    First, there is a base made with Oreo cookies.
    Then comes a layer of a lovely cream made with Philadelphia cream cheese and whipped cream.
    After that, a layer of chocolate mousse.
    And then another layer of the same cream.

    But I promise you, it is worth the time🩷

    It is a cake filled with delicious flavors,
    and in a way, it is filled with love ❤️

    It makes you want more and more,
    while at the same time making you slow down
    and simply enjoy the flavors.

    I have served it at birthdays, christenings, confirmations, Christmas, Easter,
    and many other special occasions.

    I have also made it by request for other people’s celebrations and gatherings.

    It is always the cake that disappears first.

    And you know what?

    Only recently, I learned that it tastes just as good slightly frozen as it does fresh.

    Not completely frozen.
    Just slightly thawed 🙂

    Yes, I know!

    I say that I love clean, healthy and protein rich food,
    and here I am “advertising” the world’s best Oreo cake 🙂

    Hehe 😄

    I eat clean, healthy and protein rich food 365 days a year,
    but I do have a family, and we have family dinners and celebrations,
    and when we do, I make both clean, healthy and protein rich meals and cakes, but also dinners, cakes and desserts that my family and friends especially love.

    Oreo Cake made with Norwegian Milk Chocolate

    Base Ingredients

    400 g Oreo cookies

    100 g butter

    Instructions

    Add 300 g of Oreo cookies to a bowl and crush them into small pieces.

    Melt the butter and pour it over the crushed cookies.


    Mix everything together well, and press it into a round cake tin (24 cm in diameter).

    Break the remaining 100 g of Oreo cookies into smaller pieces and set them aside.

    Cream Ingredients

    2 packages Philadelphia cream cheese (original)

    3.5 dl powdered sugar

    3.5 dl heavy cream

    5 tablespoons sugar

    Instructions

    Whisk the Philadelphia cream cheese and powdered sugar together until it is light and creamy.

    Whip the heavy cream and sugar until soft and fluffy.

    Mix it all together until smooth and creamy.

    Spread half of the cream over the cake base,
    and place both the cake and the remaining cream in the fridge for 30 minutes while you prepare the chocolate mousse.

    Chocolate Mousse Ingredients

    250 g Norwegian milk chocolate

    1 egg 🥚

    3 dl heavy cream

    2 tablespoons sugar 🥄🥄

    Instructions

    Melt the milk chocolate over a water bath and let it cool.

    Whisk the egg and sugar until light and fluffy,
    and whip the heavy cream until soft and fluffy.


    Mix them together in a bowl.

    Add the cooled chocolate a little at a time,
    and gently mix it in until smooth.

    Pour the chocolate mousse into the cake tin,
    and sprinkle the Oreo pieces you set aside on top.

    Place the cake in the fridge for about 1 hour so the mousse can set.

    Take it out and spread the remaining cream on top,
    then place it back in the fridge.

    Let the cake chill for a couple of hours before serving.

    Tips

    I sometimes use 500 g of Oreo cookies instead of 400 g.

    The Oreo pieces can also be mixed into the chocolate mousse
    instead of being sprinkled on top.

    The cake can be enjoyed after a few hours in the fridge,
    but I recommend letting it sit until the next day so the flavors can really settle.

    It keeps well in the fridge for 2–3 days,
    and can of course be frozen.

    I usually serve the Oreo cake without any topping,
    but if you want, you can top it with extra Oreo cookies,
    some chopped chocolate, or whatever you feel like 🙂

    If you do not have access to Norwegian milk chocolate,
    you can choose the chocolate you like best 🩷
    or order Freia Norwegian milk chocolate online.

    Here are links to a couple of online stores
    that sell Freia chocolate and other Norwegian products,
    and ship worldwide: https://norskmat.com/ https://norwegianfoodstore.com/collections/freia-chocolatehttps://www.swedishcandyland.com/collections/freia

    You can also sometimes find it on eBay.

    I hope you and yours love this Oreo cake as much as my family and I do.

    As I said, it is simply magical – like a piece of heavenly love.

    Love,

    Fiffibelle 🌼

  • Living on a Budget – My First Month on Benefits

    It’s already April… and I have just been through my first month of living on a budget while receiving health-related financial support.

    It still feels a bit unfamiliar, and I have this kind of uneasy feeling about it.

    Not because being on benefits is a bad thing, but because I worry that something might get messed up…and that the payments will not come on time.

    I have been on benefits once before, and in a way my body still remembers all that mess from back then.

    Payments that did not come on time,
    payments that were wrong and ended with me having to pay money back (even though I had not done anything wrong),
    and my benefits being stopped in the middle of an education I had been told was supported and that everything was in order.

    Yes, I know 🙂 it was many years ago, and it does not have to happen again, but…

    Every 14 days I have to fill in a form and report on the activities I have agreed to, and then I receive the payment a couple of days later.

    In March I received two payments, but they were not the same amount.

    The first one was $557 / €514, and the second was $1,113 / €1,029.

    It is a bit uneven this month because I received sick pay from my employer the month before, so my first payment in March only covered one week.

    From now on, I will receive payments every 14 days.

    I also received a small payment from my employer.
    It was $110 / €102 🙂

    I think this was my last payment from my employer, apart from holiday pay that will come in May.

    My employer will soon be my former employer, because they have ended my employment after I have been sick for over a year, and there is still no clear timeline for when I will be able to return to work.

    It is actually okay, because I am too sick to work right now – and I have also realised that it was not a good place for me to be.

    I knew it, but you see it even more clearly when you get a bit of distance – but that is something I can talk more about another time.

    When I went through my expenses for January and February, I was actually most surprised by how much money I spent on food.

    I love healthy, clean, protein-rich food, and that is what I buy, so I do not spend money on takeout or unhealthy food (at least very rarely).

    I think consciously about everything I buy, and it is very rare that I make impulse purchases, and if I do treat myself to something extra, it is still something healthy.

    For example, a really good dark chocolate, fresh berries, or high-quality meat.

    I also keep an eye on offers and coupons, and try as much as possible to shop where it is cheapest.

    And you know what?

    When I go grocery shopping, I feel rich and happy – it actually brings me joy 🙂

    I love walking around, picking fresh fruits and vegetables, and choosing everything else I need 🩷

    Do you know why? 🙂

    It is because I have had very little money before, much less than I have now, and I could barely afford to buy food, so I had to be very creative with what I could afford.

    I still chose healthy, clean, protein-rich food.

    Food means so much to me.

    Being able to afford healthy, clean, protein-rich food – being able to give myself good nourishment.

    It makes me happy🥰

    I really enjoy cooking and eating – and yes, I make sure that what I eat looks good and inviting – even when I am sitting alone on the couch in front of the TV 🩷

    I am the most important person in my life, and it is important to be kind and take good care of yourself 🩷

    Yes, I know – I am a mom too, and I of course love my children, but to be a good mom, it is also important to be kind to yourself.

    In March my food expenses were actually even higher than in February.

    That was not exactly what I had planned, but that is just how it turned out.

    I suddenly realised it was Easter, and that the grocery stores would be closed on April 2, 3, 5 and 6 – so I ordered “a little” extra food.

    I do not often order groceries for delivery, only when there are good offers or when the items are heavy.

    Food prices might be different where you live, but this is what I got for $150 / €138.

    Grocery overview

    1 pack of baking paper
    1 pack of toilet paper (18 rolls)
    1 pack of prunes
    1 cucumber
    1 pack of chocolate truffles

    13 tubs of cottage cheese (13 × 400 g)
    6 packs of minced beef (6 × 400 g)
    6 packs of frozen vegetable mix (6 × 500 g)
    2 packs of eggs (2 × 15 eggs)

    3 × 8-pack of Cola Zero (1.5 L bottles)

    Bottle return: $7 / €6
    Packaging: $2 / €1.50
    Delivery: $4 / €3

    Total: $150 / €138

    If you look at my overview, you can see that I have spent less on transport and public transport this month 🙂 but again, I have spent more on doctors and medication.

    I have been to both my GP and a lung specialist, and even though the GP is “only” $22 / €20, the lung specialist was almost $46 / €42.

    I have a category called clothes, but I think I need to change it to clothes, shoes and accessories.

    This month I bought:

    A pair of pink sweatpants on sale (50%) = $14 / €13
    A pink and a grey workout tank top, 2 × $9 = $18 / €17
    A blue denim jacket and a blue linen-style pair of pants, 499 + 399 = $23 / €21

    You might wonder how 499 + 399 ended up being only $23 / €21 :)?

    It does not sound right, but the thing is there was an offer – buy 2 items and get 25% off the whole purchase, and I also had a store credit of $37 / €34 and a coupon for $2 / €2, so I ended up paying $23 / €21.

    When it comes to skincare and haircare, I have spent less than in February 🙂

    I have bought a hair dye and a Babor cleansing set.

    The cleanser is a bit expensive, but it is worth it and lasts at least 3 months.

    I love skincare, and good products are important to me.

    By good products, I mean products that are good for my skin, not necessarily expensive or exclusive ones.

    I have also bought some contact lens solution this month, and I am a bit unsure where to place it.

    I use monthly lenses and receive them every 6 months, and I have placed them under fixed expenses, but I am not sure if contact lens solution should go under skincare and haircare or groceries.

    This month I placed the contact lens solution under skincare and haircare 🙂

    I have spent $0 on hobbies this month.

    When I think of “hobby” expenses, I think of things like knitting and crochet🧶

    Working out is also a hobby, a passion – but I feel that expenses for workout clothes and shoes belong in the category of clothes, shoes and accessories.

    I have spent $2 / €2 on café / restaurant this month.

    It was a cup of cappuccino at IKEA☕

    Did you know that you can buy cheap coffee at IKEA?

    If you choose black coffee, it actually costs only $0.50 / €0.45 for IKEA members.

    No, this is not a sponsored IKEA post 🙂 just a good tip.

    There have not been many “other expenses” this month 🙂

    What are “other expenses”, really?

    They are the kind of expenses that do not fit anywhere else, at least not right now.

    For example, repairing my Garmin watch, birthday gifts, bedding, candles, things for the house, and so on.

    Should I have more categories than I do now?

    Feel free to share any good suggestions 🙂

    I have actually saved $28 / €26 this month.

    It is an automatic transfer into stock investments.

    I started doing that in January 🙂 and I hope I can continue and also save more money over time.

    Here is my full overview for March💰

    March

    Income: $1,788 / €1,651

    Expenses

    Fixed expenses: $1,658 / €1,532

    Groceries: $541 / €500

    Public transport: $38 / €35

    Doctor / medication: $155 / €143

    Clothes, shoes & accessories: $55 / €51

    Skin & hair care: $54 / €50

    Hobbies: $0

    Coffee / restaurant: $2 / €2

    Other expenses: $104 / €96

    Savings: $28 / €26

    February vs March

    Income


    February: $2,930 / €2,680
    March: $1,788 / €1,651

    Expenses

    Fixed expenses
    February: $1,935 / €1,770
    March: $1,658 / €1,532

    Groceries
    February: $522
    March: $500

    Public transport
    February: $68
    March: $35

    Doctor / medication
    February: $75
    March: $143

    Clothes
    February: $30
    March: $51

    Skin & hair care
    February: $229
    March: $50

    Hobbies
    February: $0
    March: $0

    Coffee / restaurant
    February: $28
    March: $2

    Other expenses
    February: $347
    March: $96

    Savings
    February: $26
    March: $26

    If you want to see my previous post with January and February, you can read it here https://fiffibelle.com/living-on-a-budget-a-new-season-in-my-life/

    Goals for April✨

    I have set myself a goal to spend a maximum of $322 / €298 on food / groceries in April.

    At first I thought about setting the goal at $276 / €255, but I am not sure if I will manage it.

    Food is so expensive, but at the same time both my fridge, freezer and kitchen cabinets are full of food.

    I have also stocked up on toilet paper, and the only things I can think of that I need now are laundry detergent, cleaning supplies, and Greek yogurt.

    Maybe I will just say that my goal is $276 / €255.

    Do you have a food budget?

    How much do you spend on food per month?

    If you have any good frugal tips on how to make your money stretch as far as possible, feel free to share them 🙂

    I would love to hear from you🩷

    I am thinking about making a separate post with my best frugal tips.

    Love,

    Fiffibelle 🌼

  • Raw Snickers Balls

    Things in my life are often guided by coincidence ☺️


    Well, I call it coincidence. But I also believe that God always has a plan for us, and that the things we think are random are perhaps just life exactly as it is meant to be.

    So the other day, when I happened to end up making raw Snickers balls, it probably wasn’t a coincidence at all, but rather God’s and my plan to do something meaningful with both my time, some dates that had been sitting a bit too long in the fridge, and my (and most likely God’s) love for healthy and nourishing snacks🩷

    It all started with me standing in the kitchen making a small salad with cucumber, orange, kiwi, blueberries and prunes.

    While I was standing in the kitchen cutting up fruit and vegetables for the salad, I got the idea that I would also make apple jam with dates (I shared the recipe in my previous post https://fiffibelle.com/homemade-apple-and-date-jam/).

    I cut up 2 kg of apples for the jam, and when I was well into cutting the dates, I started thinking about whether I should also make something with the rest of the dates I had left.

    They were starting to get a bit dry, those dates ☺️

    So while apples, dates, vanilla sugar, butter and spices were cooking together into apple and date jam, I made raw Snickers balls from dates, peanuts, peanut butter, honey, vanilla, cocoa and a pinch of salt.

    The Snickers balls turned out soft, chewy and delicious, and I did promise to share the recipe once I had gotten some rest.

    I need a lot of rest these days, but I also need to do things I love, and I love spending time in the kitchen 🩷

    There is so much joy, calm and love in being in the kitchen, putting together good and nourishing ingredients into something good.

    Homemade Raw Snickers Balls

    Ingredients

    440 g dates

    20 g honey (or maple syrup)

    20 g cocoa

    200 g peanuts

    70 g peanut butter

    50 g peanuts, chopped

    5 g vanilla sugar (or 2–3 g vanilla powder)

    2–3 g salt

    Instructions

    Start by cutting the dates into smaller pieces, and process the peanuts in a food processor until they are crushed.

    Then add everything to a mixer (I use my KitchenAid) and mix well, adding peanut butter, honey, vanilla, cocoa and chopped peanuts along the way.

    Once everything is well combined, place the mixture in the fridge for about ½–1 hour.

    After that, cut the mixture into pieces and roll them into small balls that you can place directly into a container.

    I store the finished Snickers balls in the fridge ☺️ but they can also be frozen.

    Tips

    If the mixture feels a bit dry, you can easily adjust by adding a little water or more peanut butter.

    If it feels too sticky, you can add a bit more peanuts, peanut flour or even some oats.

    Before placing the mixture in the fridge, I like to put it onto baking paper and shape it into a long roll, then wrap it in the paper and place it in a bag.

    This makes it easier to cut into pieces later when you are going to roll the Snickers balls.

    I also like to dip my Snickers balls in melted chocolate or cocoa ☺️

    Let me know how your Snickers balls turn out, and if you find a favourite way to enjoy them🩷

    Nutrition

    I made 48 Snickers balls from this recipe ☺️

    Each ball contains:

    72 kcal

    3.4 g fat

    7.9 g carbohydrates

    2 g protein

    The Snickers balls keep well in the fridge for 2–3 weeks ☺️ enjoy🩷

    Love,

    Fiffibelle 🌼

  • Homemade Apple and Date Jam

    Have you ever made homemade apple jam with dates?

    I made apple jam with dates today – and it’s actually one of my favourite homemade jams🩷🍎

    Making my own jam started as a way to save money, but also because I wanted to choose the ingredients myself – simple, clean ingredients that truly nourish the body.

    I had no plans to make apple jam today. But when I went to the store to pick up a few small things, I found apples on sale.

    They were about $1.40 / €1.30 per kilo, and I also had a discount coupon that gave me about $0.60 / €0.55 off per kilo.

    Paying around $0.80 / €0.75 per kilo for apples felt like a real bargain, and for me, that matters. So I ended up buying almost 5 kilos. It was heavy to carry home – but absolutely worth it 🙂

    Well, when I got home, I was only going to cut up cucumber, kiwi, orange, blueberries, and prunes for a small salad. But once I was already chopping fruit and vegetables, I figured I might as well cut up the apples and dates too – and make apple jam with dates.

    A little story behind my apple and date jam 🍎

    Apple jam with dates – or apple and date jam, as I also call it – actually came about by coincidence. At the time, I had very little money and couldn’t afford much fruit or berries, so I ended up buying a bag of the cheapest apples they had in the store.

    The apples I bought were completely tasteless – they didn’t really taste like anything. But since I don’t like throwing food away, I decided to try making apple jam.

    I cut the apples into pieces, put them in a pot, and set them over medium heat. As the apples slowly simmered, I decided to add dates for sweetness, and later vanilla sugar and butter for flavour.

    The jam turned out really good 🥰
    And I’ve made it many times since.

    I’ve made apple and date jam with both cheap apples (like the first time), as well as regular and more expensive ones. I’ve used red, green, and yellow apples – sometimes mixing different kinds together – and it turns out good no matter what.

    I also experimented with different spices.

    Today I added cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and cloves.

    I call it “Christmas spices,” and this mix came about when I was making jam for Christmas. I thought about gingerbread spices and the smell of freshly baked gingerbread cookies, and wanted to recreate that flavour in the jam 🙂

    🍎 Apple and Date Jam – Ingredients

    2 kg apples

    100 g dried dates

    10 g vanilla sugar

    30 g butter

    Instructions

    Cut the apples and dates into pieces, then place the apples in a pot and add the dates, vanilla sugar, and butter.

    Cover with a lid and let it cook over medium heat for about 1½–2 hours. As it cooks, stir occasionally, and add the spices halfway through the cooking time if you’re using them.

    Once the jam is done, let it cool before transferring it to jars, and store it in the refrigerator.

    Tips

    I like to use apples with the skin on, but both peeled and unpeeled apples work well, so just use what you prefer. You can also adjust the cooking time depending on the consistency you want – I usually let it simmer for about 1.5 to 2 hours.

    Sometimes I make the jam without spices, and sometimes I just add a little cinnamon. Today, I added about 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, 1 teaspoon of cardamom, 1 teaspoon of ginger, and 1 teaspoon of cloves, but feel free to adjust the spices to your own taste.

    I like to have my apple and date jam on my homemade protein bread (protein bread recipe 📝 ), or with cottage cheese and Greek yogurt. Let me know if you find a favourite way to enjoy it 🩷

    Today, after making the salad, cutting up the apples, and starting on the dates for the jam, I began thinking about what to do with the rest of the dates I had left.

    So I thought I might as well make something with them too – and ended up making raw Snickers balls.

    While the apples, dates, vanilla sugar, butter, and spices were slowly cooking into apple and date jam, I made raw Snickers balls using dates, peanuts, peanut butter, honey, vanilla sugar, and cocoa.

    They turned out really soft and delicious, and I’ll share the recipe in the next few days 📝

    But first, I need to rest and recharge a little 🩷

    Love,

    Fiffibelle 🌼

  • The Narcissist

    Why narcissists? And why are there so many of them?

    Why do we excuse them and come up with the strangest explanations for why we should feel sorry for them?

    Why do we believe we can change them?

    Why do we think we can change them if we just love them enough?

    That they will see. That they will wake up. That they will understand that what they are doing is wrong. That they were mistaken. That they didn’t really mean what they said — or what they did.

    That they didn’t mean those words. That of course they were only joking.

    Why do we believe a narcissist can love anyone — when in reality they may only be capable of loving themselves?

    The narcissist only sees himself — and everyone else becomes pieces in a game.

    A narcissist lacks empathy, feels superior to others, and has a sense of grandiosity about himself.

    There are different degrees of narcissism, and I feel like I have met them all. In the form of boyfriends, friends, colleagues, and employers.

    A narcissist will often make you feel special and unique, while slowly draining the life — and sometimes even the joy of life — out of you.

    It often begins quietly.

    They start treating you badly without you even noticing it at first. It creeps in slowly. A few words. A few actions. Things that are easy to excuse. Because of course they didn’t mean what they said — or what they did.

    They make excuses — and you accept them

    Over time the words and the actions become bigger. Harsher. More painful. But you keep excusing the narcissist. Because you feel sorry for them. And surely it must be someone else’s fault that they behave this way.

    After all, no one chooses to become a narcissist… right?

    Maybe someone once treated them so badly that they simply became this way.

    It is easy to feel empathy for a narcissist and believe that you can fix them. That if you just hold on and love them enough, things will change.

    If you are just kind, good, genuine, honest and decent — then surely the narcissist will become the same.

    Kind. Genuine. Honest. A good human being.

    But that thought rarely exists in the narcissist’s mind.

    To the narcissist, you are simply an easy target. Someone he can manipulate, dominate, and eventually discard when he is done.

    Or maybe not discard completely.

    Sometimes they keep you close enough — but still at a distance.

    Because narcissists like control. They like having power over other people, even when they are no longer truly interested in them.

    They enjoy the feeling that they can dominate and control — even from afar.

    It is difficult to argue with a narcissist.

    Because a narcissist is never wrong.

    Everyone else is wrong. Everyone else says the wrong things and does the wrong things.

    And of course, the narcissist feels misunderstood.

    Or at least — that is what he says he feels.

    But often he is not misunderstood at all.

    People simply begin to see who he really is — and he tries to cover it up.

    If the narcissist is skilled enough, he might even force out a few tears. Because it is so tragic to be the misunderstood one.

    The narcissist has a unique self-image where he sees himself as a million times better than everyone else.

    In his mind, he is good at everything. And he loves hearing it.

    He loves when people point out how talented, intelligent, and capable he is.

    But is he really all of that?

    Or is it simply a role he plays in order to appear bigger and better than he truly is?

    When you finally see through the narcissist — when you truly see him for who he is — life can suddenly become difficult.

    Because the narcissist feels cornered and wants to escape.

    He may avoid you for a long time, hoping you will forget what you saw and allow him to control you again.

    Often you need to meet several narcissists before you fully understand what this really is.

    But the more of them you encounter, the easier it becomes to recognize the signs.

    Eventually you begin to notice the signs more and more. Once you have learned to see them, they are hard to miss.

    There are so many people in the world who are genuine, honest, kind, empathetic and full of love.

    But the narcissist is not one of them.

    Signs of a narcissist

    • They are never wrong
    • Everything is always someone else’s fault
    • They lack empathy for other people’s feelings
    • They make you feel special in the beginning
    • Slowly they begin to criticize and control you
    • They manipulate situations to make themselves look better
    • They enjoy power and control over others
    • When confronted, they often play the victim
    • They rarely take responsibility for their actions
    • When you finally see through them, they may disappear or avoid you

    Love,

    Fiffibelle 🌼

  • Living on a Budget – A New Chapter

    Right now, I am living on a budget, and I need to think carefully about how I spend my money.

    After a year of illness — and yes, I am still sick and undergoing medical evaluation — I am now receiving health-related financial support while I am unable to work.

    My income has been reduced by about 34%.

    I used to receive a monthly salary, but from now on I will receive benefits every two weeks.

    I have lived with very little before, so I am not too worried. Things tend to work themselves out, and I know how to make the most of what I have.

    Life sometimes takes unexpected turns, and I am learning to adjust to that 🩷

    My biggest monthly expenses

    My biggest expenses are housing and food.

    I pay about $1,470 / €1,350 in rent each month, and that includes electricity and internet. The rent is actually reasonable compared to other apartments in my area.

    I am still trying to get a clear overview of how much I spend on food, but I think it is around $380 / €350 per month.

    I also pay for phone plans for myself and my youngest daughter, who is a student.

    I have insurance, a loan I am paying down, and a few subscriptions — like a gym membership, Netflix, YouTube, Spotify and iCloud.

    I want to take a closer look at my expenses and see if I really need to pay $12 / €11 per month for iCloud.

    I will also check if it might be possible to reduce my loan payments for a while, if I ever feel the need to.

    Since last autumn, I have known that my health situation might lead to a period where I would not be able to work.

    Because of that, I decided to sell my car.

    I sold it in November and put the money into savings.

    It always feels good to have some money set aside in case something unexpected happens 💰🩷

    A closer look at my monthly finances

    Over the past couple of months, I have started writing down everything I spend money on. It has helped me see where my money actually goes.

    This is what my finances looked like in January and February.

    January

    Income: $3,270 / €3,000

    Expenses

    Fixed expenses: $2,110 / €1,930
    Groceries: $430 / €395
    Public transport: $67 / €62

    Doctor / medication: $124 / €114

    Clothes: $89 / €81
    Skin & hair care: $244 / €224
    Hobbies: $22 / €20

    Coffee / restaurant: $6 / €5
    Other expenses: $265 / €243

    Savings: $57 / €52

    February

    Income: $2,930 / €2,680

    Expenses
    Fixed expenses: $1,935 / €1,770
    Groceries: $570 / €522

    Public transport: $74 / €68
    Doctor / medication: $82 / €75

    Clothes: $32 / €30
    Skin & hair care: $249 / €229

    Hobbies: 0

    Coffee / restaurant: $30 / €28

    Other expenses: $378 / €347

    Savings: $28 / €26

    What surprised me the most when I looked at these numbers is how much of my money goes toward food — but food is expensive.

    Eating well is important to me, so it is one of the areas where I try to be careful without cutting too much.

    Clean, protein-rich food has been part of my lifestyle for many years, and because I have IBS I also have to be mindful of what I eat.

    Looking ahead

    Later this year, I will receive holiday pay from last year, around $4,750 / €4,350.

    Even though I dream about taking a small trip to Italy, most of that money will go into savings.

    I would also like to buy myself a bicycle

    I don’t have many things I can sell to earn extra money, but I do try to sell things I no longer use — I will share more about that later.

    Dreams for the future

    One of my dreams for the future is to start something of my own that I can earn money from — and of course, to win the lottery.

    My son and I often have the most creative conversations about what we would do if we won the jackpot.

    He wants a house with a huge piece of land, big enough to have his own model airplane runway.

    And I dream of a house of my own with little details like a pink KitchenAid mixer, a white and grey marble kitchen countertop — and of course, a view of the sunset.

    Do you live on a budget too?

    I would love to hear your tips — or even your dreams.

    I am not afraid of a period with less money. I don’t see it as something negative, but rather as a positive challenge🩷

    I know that God takes care of me, and that somehow there will always be “money in my pockets.”

    Love,

    Fiffibelle 🌼

    P.S. I will share another update on my finances in a month or two ☺️

  • Simple, Nourishing Foods I Love

    I truly love healthy, clean food that tastes good — food that is high in protein, anti-inflammatory, and full of nutrients like vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber.

    When I treat myself or buy something nice for myself, I still choose something that is healthy and nourishing for my body.

    Not because I have to, but because I genuinely love it.

    Today after my workout, for example, I picked up a chocolate protein shake, a small bag of dates with peanuts and a couple of clementines to enjoy on my way home.

    When I got home, I had a stew made with lean ground beef, vegetables and coconut milk.

    For dessert I had a large portion of Fiffibelle’s “Eat Your Water” salad https://fiffibelle.com/fiffibelles-eat-your-water-salad/, and later in the evening I had a bowl with 300 g low-fat cottage cheese, 150 g Greek yogurt, 20 g prunes, 1 clementine, 5 g flax seeds, 5 g chia seeds and about 10 g honey.

    I tend to eat many of the same foods, and I often meal prep for several days at a time so that a nourishing meal is always easy to grab.

    Over time I’ve also found myself returning to many of the same ingredients.

    These are some of the ingredients I almost always keep in my kitchen:

    Protein

    • Lean ground beef (5% fat), fresh or frozen
    • Chicken breast, fresh or frozen
    • Salmon, fresh or frozen
    • Cottage cheese (low-fat or regular)
    • Plain Greek yogurt
    • Protein shakes
    • High-protein milk
    • Eggs
    • Egg whites

    Vegetables

    • Cucumber
    • Spinach
    • Yellow onions
    • Garlic
    • Red bell pepper
    • Avocado
    • Olives
    • Sweet potatoes
    • Broccoli
    • Cauliflower
    • Carrots
    • Peas
    • Tomatoes
    • Ginger
    • Frozen vegetable mixes

    Fruits

    • Apples
    • Bananas
    • Oranges
    • Clementines (when in season)
    • Pineapple
    • Kiwi
    • Lemons

    Dried fruits

    • Dates
    • Prunes

    Berries

    • Strawberries (fresh or frozen)
    • Blueberries (fresh or frozen)
    • Raspberries (fresh or frozen)
    • Cherries (fresh or frozen)

    Nuts

    • Cashews
    • Almonds
    • Peanuts
    • Walnuts

    Seeds

    • Chia seeds
    • Pumpkin seeds
    • Flax seeds
    • Sesame seeds
    • Sunflower seeds

    Dry goods

    • Rice
    • Rice cakes
    • Cocoa powder
    • Psyllium husk
    • Oats
    • Oat rice
    • Coconut sugar
    • Shredded coconut
    • Sukrin Gold
    • Baking powder
    • Vanilla sugar

    Spreads and toppings

    • Peanut butter
    • Cheese
    • Homemade jam

    Oils, fats and sweeteners

    • Olive oil
    • Coconut oil
    • Butter
    • Honey

    Spices

    • Cinnamon
    • Cardamom
    • Turmeric
    • Ginger
    • Tandoori chicken spice
    • Paprika
    • Pepper
    • Taco seasoning
    • Salt
    • Chili powder
    • Oregano
    • Ground ginger
    • Ground cloves

    Oils, fats and sweeteners

    • Olive oil
    • Chili olive oil
    • Coconut oil
    • Butter
    • Honey
    • Maple syrup
    • Apple cider vinegar

    Other kitchen staples

    • Milk
    • Coconut milk
    • Coconut cream
    • Canned tomatoes
    • Soy sauce

    Beverages

    • Coffee
    • Tea
    • Sugar-free cordial
    • Coke Zero
    • Sparkling flavored water

    Chocolate

    I love dark chocolate and always keep both dark chocolate and dark baking chocolate at home.

    I usually buy good ingredients based on need, seasonal availability and special offers. I freeze what can be frozen and I’m aware that many foods last well beyond their expiration date. I also avoid throwing away food unless something is actually wrong with it.

    Looking at my list, maybe there’s something healthy and delicious that you enjoy that isn’t on it — and maybe the other way around too.

    Perhaps we can inspire each other to try something new.

    Love,

    Fiffibelle 🌼

  • Fiffibelle’s Eat Your Water Salad

    Can you name a salad after yourself?

    Of course you can 🙂

    Today I want to share the recipe for Fiffibelle’s Eat Your Water salad and explain why I like to make and eat salads that are rich in water.

    Fiffibelle’s Eat Your Water Salad

    Ingredients

    200 gram spinach
    1 cucumber
    1 orange
    2 clementines
    1 kiwi
    100 gram raspberries
    100 gram blueberries
    20 gram prunes

    Dressing

    20 g honey
    10 g extra virgin olive oil
    1 tbsp orange or clementine juice

    How to Make My Eat Your Water Salad

    Place the spinach in a large bowl.

    Cut the cucumber, orange, clementines and kiwi into pieces and add them on top of the spinach together with the blueberries and raspberries.

    Make a dressing from honey, olive oil and juice from the orange or clementine and drizzle it over the salad

    Let the salad sit for a couple of hours before serving.

    Tips

    If you would like a sweeter salad, you can add a little Sukrin Gold or a similar product.

    If you would like more spice, you can use olive oil with chili instead of regular olive oil.

    Don’t have all the ingredients?
    Be creative and replace them with other fruits and vegetables that are rich in water.

    The salad keeps well in the refrigerator for 3–5 days.

    Dr. Murad – Eat Your Water

    In 2018 I discovered the philosophy of Howard Murad and his idea of “eat your water.”

    I was fascinated by his thought that hydration is not only about how much water we drink, but also about the nutrients we receive when we eat fruits and vegetables that are rich in water. Along with the water, we also get vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that the body and the skin can benefit from.

    For me, his way of explaining hydration was so inspiring that it made me think a little differently about the fruit and vegetables I choose to eat.

    We can all read studies, listen to experts and search for good advice. But in the long run we also need to listen to ourselves.

    What works for my body?

    What gives me energy?

    What makes me feel well?

    For me, juicy water-rich salads filled with nutrients feel good for both my inner and outer well-being — and especially for my skin.

    Fruits and Vegetables Rich in Water

    If you feel inspired to try more water-rich fruits and vegetables, you could try making Fiffibelle’s Eat Your Water salad — or simply create your own “eat your water” salad.

    Here are some of the most water-rich fruits and vegetables.

    🍉 Fruits

    • Watermelon – about 92% water
    • Strawberries – about 91% water
    • Melon (cantaloupe) – about 90% water
    • Grapefruit – about 88–90% water
    • Orange – about 86–88% water
    • Peach – about 88–89% water
    • Nectarine – about 87–88% water
    • Pineapple – about 86% water
    • Papaya – about 88% water
    • Apricot – about 85–86% water

    🥒 Vegetables

    • Cucumber – about 95–96% water
    • Celery – about 95% water
    • Iceberg lettuce – about 95% water
    • Radishes – about 95% water
    • Tomato – about 94–95% water
    • Zucchini – about 94% water
    • Romaine lettuce – about 93–94% water
    • Bell pepper – about 92–93% water
    • Asparagus – about 92–93% water
    • Spinach – about 91–92% water


    If you would like to read more about the philosophy of “eat your water,” you can explore it further in Dr. Howard Murad’s book https://www.amazon.com/Water-Secret-Cellular-Breakthrough-Younger/dp/0470554703

    Love,

    Fiffibelle 🌼

  • Who am I ?

    After three days of trial and error, and incredible help from ChatGPT, I finally finished my blog last night. It is of course not 100% finished, but it is pink, it is beautiful, and it is finished enough that I can start writing.

    What do I need a blog for, you might ask me?

    What do you want to say?

    What do you have on your heart? That we don’t already know?

    And who are you?

    I am me, and I feel that I have something to say, that I have something to share.

    Share my thoughts, reflections and everyday moments ✨

    I love everyday moments, living NOW.

    Being able to live in the moment, live NOW. Not in what has been or in what is coming.

    I love pink 🌸

    I love making and eating healthy, and nutritious food.

    I love strength training and feeling strong.

    I love nature 🌿

    I love flowers, especially colorful summer flowers 🌼

    I love going for walks

    I love sunrises, sunsets, stars, the moon, clear skies, but also the clouds in the sky.

    I love summer, but also autumn, winter and spring.

    I love sunshine, but also clouds, rain, wind and snow

    I love pink, glittery journals, but I can let my pen flow regardless of the color of the journal.

    I love writing without thinking. Letting the pen flow without a goal or a purpose.

    I am a mom

    I love my children

    I love to travel, but I am also happy at home.

    All the places I travel to always feel like home, and I never feel homesick.

    I believe in God

    I believe in life

    I believe in love, hope and joy.

    I am grateful

    I am loved and in love

    I am on a spiritual journey

    I love my own company, but can adapt to anyone’s company

    I can talk to everyone, but I don’t need to talk to anyone.

    I love surprises, and especially positive surprises filled with joy.

    I love challenges – yes I do, but I feel done with the most difficult ones !

    I am positive

    I always see solutions, even if I sometimes have to think a little extra about them 🙂

    I love listening to music, podcasts and YouTube.

    I like reading books as well as watching movies and series.

    I love skincare and good skincare routines.

    I don’t have that many friends, mostly acquaintances.

    I never feel lonely

    I love brief encounters with people I may never see again.

    I have “money in all my pockets”, meaning that God always provides and I never run out.

    I dream of winning first prize in the lottery

    I love dark chocolate 🍫

    I like knitting and crocheting 🧶

    I like sleeping

    I like midi-length skirts, white blouses, gold shoes and Hello Kitty.

    I practice Yoga every day 🧘🏼‍♀️

    I love flying ✈️

    I am sick, but have a good life ❤️

    I am planning to live until I am 103+ 🩷

  • Reflections on Vulnerability

    Reflections on Vulnerability

    The Strength in Vulnerability

    Being vulnerable allows for deeper connections and personal growth. It’s a vital part of self-expression.

    How to Embrace Vulnerability

    • Share your thoughts with trusted friends.
    • Write about your feelings.
    • Accept imperfections.