Resolutions: I don’t really believe in them—at least not tied to a specific date like January 1st. For me, changes can just as easily begin in mid-January, whenever the moment feels right. In the past, my resolutions often failed after just a few days or weeks, but I’ve since learned what works. The secret? Taking small, achievable steps. No leaps from zero to a hundred, just a steady build-up.
I also discovered the power of writing down my resolutions and making them visual. I turn them into affirmations, complete with mood boards and drawings. By painting and framing my goals, they become tangible and visible every day. The creative process helps me deeply embed my intentions.
One of my mood board affirmations centers around finding peace of mind. For this, I painted a serene watercolor: a simple tree on a mountain, weathering the seasons and inviting you to pause. Embrace the luxury of doing nothing—just sitting and gazing into infinity. The cranes in my illustration symbolize beauty, freedom, and the eternal cycle of life, heralding spring and winter with their rhythmic presence. When I look at this image, I feel a wave of calm, and I hope it inspires you too. Start small, make your goals visible—perhaps on a mood board or in a journal—and live a life full of growth and fulfillment. The fact that you’re reading this blog shows your curiosity. Take that step and discover the power of mindful living for yourself!
The New Year: An Opportunity for Change and Growth
For many people, the New Year feels like a fresh start. A moment to make better choices: exercising more, eating healthier, living more mindfully, and finding moments of relaxation. We aim to compare ourselves less to others, trust ourselves more, spend less time on social media, and perhaps let go of unnecessary belongings. After all, clutter can unnecessarily fill your mind with stress.
The New Year also offers an opportunity to deepen relationships, and these don’t have to be romantic ones. Perhaps it’s time to reach out to the lonely neighbor who’s been alone for too long or a family member with whom you’ve lost touch over something minor. It could even involve caring for your pets – refreshing the aquarium or cleaning a birdcage that’s been neglected. Care and connection come in many forms.
With the rising cost of living, it might be time to think about your career. Do you want to grow, follow your passion, or achieve your ambitions? For me, passion and dedication are key: when you love what you do, you’ll sustain it longer. That doesn’t mean you need to quit your job immediately – the bills still need to be paid. But it’s a moment to dream and plan. What would your ideal job look like? The perfect challenge? Or if work is no longer necessary, what would be your ideal hobby or volunteer activity?
The New Year invites us to reflect and take small steps. Whatever your goals may be, it starts with making that first choice.
Final conclusion: small steps, big impact
Although the world around us is often turbulent and challenges are a part of life, small steps can make a big difference. As my parents always said: “A better Mother Earth begins with you.” The new year offers a beautiful opportunity to bring out the best in yourself and in life. Set achievable goals, cherish the things you are grateful for, and remember that every day is a fresh start.
With the right intentions, strong motivation, and small, deliberate steps, you can make this year truly special. Gratitude is your compass – it helps you see the beauty of life, even in the smallest moments.
“.Make this year your most beautiful journey – step by step, with gratitude as your guide.”
The English translation of our cookbook filled with French family recipes is complete, and I’m now busy working on the French version. Progress is going well, and I can already envision the final result taking shape. When working in three languages like I do, staying organized is key. One handy trick I use is adding mini-illustrations to my index list. At a glance, I can see which recipes are finished. A tiny watercolor indicates the recipe is ready in all three languages—a visual delight to work with!
Last week, I had the pleasure of shipping out more orders, and it’s always such a delightful task. It’s wonderful to see the recipes we’ve poured so much love and care into finding their way into the hands of others. The feedback I receive from customers is truly heartwarming and inspiring.
But alongside work, we consciously make time to enjoy the delightful autumn weather. Just yesterday, for instance, we took a long walk under the brilliantly blue sky. The crisp fall air does wonders for both body and mind. Afterward, we treated ourselves to a healthy salad for lunch—simple, yet so flavorful.
Once the French translation of the cookbook is complete, I’ll begin working on part two of our family cookbook. The watercolors for this volume are already finished, and I’m genuinely excited to dive into the next phase. The process is always a blend of hard work and creative joy, with each day bringing new challenges and moments of fulfillment.
The pleasant weather makes everything a little brighter, turning daily tasks into something that feels more like a celebration. Every day remains a fresh challenge, one we approach with enthusiasm and a smile.
Soon, the e-books of the English and French translations will be available in our online store. Additionally, we offer the option to order a Print-On-Demand (POD) copy. Our cookbooks, enriched with beautiful hand-painted watercolors, are filled with authentic French family recipes and are a true treasure for anyone who loves culinary traditions.
I’m looking forward to the weeks ahead, filled with new recipes, stories, and, of course, even more watercolors!
In the Netherlands, I always loved walking in the “forest” with Lies and the dogs, but now I can’t help but laugh a little. Looking back, they weren’t real forests at all—more like large parks made to look like forests. Here in Burgundy, you find yourself in forests where you can truly get lost. We experienced that firsthand recently—and honestly, it’s not all that fun.
It started as an ordinary forest walk, even with beautiful November weather, around 16 to 18 degrees Celsius. Perfect hiking weather, you’d think. But in these forests, with dense undergrowth and barely a clear path, things quickly got more adventurous. Of course, we had a compass and occasional phone reception, so spirits were still high—but that started to change as the hours went by.
From funny to frightening
At first, it was kind of funny to think we might be lost, but three hours later and almost 20 kilometers in, the humor had worn off. The forest floor was strewn with long bramble vines that kept tripping us up. Lies and the dogs managed better; the dogs leapt gracefully over fallen logs, and Lies moved through it all with apparent ease. Our real mistake? We’d left the path—something you quickly realize is a no-go in such dense woods.
Obstacles, streams, and soaked feet
Thankfully, our compass eventually led us to a small stream, giving us our first real clue toward the right direction. Lies and the dogs leapt over the stream like graceful gazelles. But for me? Far too wide. By then, my summer hiking shoes were already soaked from the muddy puddles we’d waded through, so I decided to just wade straight through the water. My shoes couldn’t possibly get any wetter!
A beautiful ending with a valuable lesson.
In hindsight, it did have its charm. We spotted beautiful cranes, mushrooms, and were treated to stunning autumn scenery. And luckily, I managed to snap a few photos along the way. But the takeaway from this adventure? In the Burgundy countryside, it’s wise to stick to the paths and wear winter hiking boots—getting lost in a real forest is an experience I’d rather not repeat anytime soon!
And so, there’s always something happening here in Burgundy. Boring? Definitely not. Getting lost? Hopefully not again!
Has something like this ever happened to you, or does it sound exciting? I’d love to hear yourthoughts—I’m curious!
When we announced that we were moving from the outskirts of Amsterdam, in Haarlem, to the countryside of Burgundy, on the edge of Parc du Morvan, many friends, family members, and acquaintances warned us: “Don’t do it, you’ll get bored, you’ll feel isolated, and you’ll miss city life.” But believe me when I say that there’s plenty happening here. In fact, because you have fewer people around, life feels more intense. The contacts you have might be fewer, but the connections are so much deeper. People in the countryside are always ready to help each other – at least, that’s been our experience.
This past weekend, we were heading to the farmer to pick up some straw for the chicken coop. It was a beautiful late summer day, though you could already feel the hint of autumn in the air. As we drove past the church, we saw something unexpected: cows wandering in circles around the church. Some were peacefully grazing, while others seemed a bit panicked. Three cows were in a small field nearby, with the gate wide open. It’s peaceful here, but just beyond is a busy national road where cars speed by at 90 km/h. It was a worrying situation.
My daughter called the farmer and said, “There are about 15 cows wandering around the church, that can’t be right.” The farmer, who is also the head of the local farming union, was in the middle of organizing an event, but he came as quickly as he could. Fortunately, he brought help with him, and my daughter joined in too. The cows were herded back to their pasture fairly easily, like a funneling system, gently nudging them while blocking off escape routes with bits of straw string. The process went smoothly, except for one cow. She stayed behind. But, as herd animals, cows don’t like to be left alone, so eventually, she picked up speed and jumped right over a fence.
And that just goes to show – there’s always something happening in the French countryside. It may be different from city life, but that’s exactly what makes it so wonderful and exciting!
Drinking water offers numerous health benefits, including improving skin health, promoting weight loss by boosting metabolism, and supporting digestion. It maintains stable body temperature, lubricates joints, and aids in waste elimination. Adequate hydration also improves concentration and increases energy levels. By regularly drinking water, you can significantly improve your overall health and well-being. Below are some fruits and vegetables that are high in water content.
Cucumber – Often considered a vegetable, cucumber is technically a fruit and contains almost 96% water.
Tomatoes – Also technically considered fruits, they contain about 95% water.
Watermelon – Contains about 92% water and is an ultimate source of hydration.
Strawberries – Contain about 91% water and are also rich in vitamins.
Peaches – Contain about 89% water, making them ideal for a hydrating snack.
Lettuce, especially iceberg lettuce, contains about 96% water, making it one of the most hydrating vegetables.
Celery is made up of about 95% water. It also contains fiber and useful minerals such as potassium.
Zucchini has a water content of about 94%. It’s also a good source of vitamin C.
Radishes are composed of about 95% water and also provide vitamin C, potassium, and antioxidants.
Tomatoes consist of about 94% water and are also rich in vitamin C, potassium, and lycopene, an antioxidant.
oor een verfrissende en hydraterende smoothie, combineer waterrijke fruitsoorten zoals komkommer, tomaten, selderij, watermeloen en aardbeien. Deze ingrediënten zorgen voor een voedzame, dorstlessende boost op elk moment van de dag!
“Live, move and drink daily!”
For a refreshing cucumber smoothie, blend spinach, mint, a banana, an apple, and half a cucumber. Add a glass of water and blend until smooth. You can add more water to reach the desired thickness. This recipe is perfect for starting your day with energy.
This is my favorite morning smoothie:
For a refreshing cucumber smoothie, you can combine spinach, mint, banana, apple, and half a cucumber. Add a glass of water and blend this into a smooth puree. You can add more water until the smoothie reaches the desired thickness. This recipe is ideal for an energetic start to your day.
CouKoe Lifestyle 