Saturday 28 December 2013

Ideas how to celebrate New Year's Eve at home- Ιδέες για μια όμορφη παραμονή Πρωτοχρονιάς

 Για ελληνικά πατήστε εδώ
I hope you had wonderful Christmas, and if not, as the year draws to an end, there is always time to compensate for a sparkling New Year's Eve! Here are some ideas, I found on the web, hope you enjoy them!




Tuesday 17 December 2013

Last minute Christmas gifts charity - Ιδέες για χριστουγεννιάτικα δώρα με φιλανθρωπικό σκοπό

 Για ελληνικά εδώ
Christmas draw close; Only 8 days are left! OMG! I was so taken with the physio visits and my rehabilitation exercises in addition to the babies that I just realized I need to speed up to provide gifts for everyone. And since this year I am not able to go shopping myself due to my broken leg, I will buy everything online. Moreover, I decided that this year I will go manly for alternative gifts, that give back also to society and since I run out of time, I opt for short deliveries. 
The last years, I foisted a budget on me which mounts to 10-15 € per gift, which I try not to exceed. Hence, here are some of my ideas for this year:







$25 loan (slightly over my budget but worths it) to people without access to traditional banking systems, who need money for their business. When the borrower repays the loan (99% repayment rate), the money returns to your account, and you can loan it out again to someone else. For more info go to KivaThis is going to be the perfect gift for my husband - I already found the borrower to whom I will lend money in my husband-s name.


Wednesday 11 December 2013

Vaccination yes or no?

Today I had my girls vaccinated against MMR. Every night before any vaccination so far, I hardly sleep due to what I have read and heard but part of me feels like I did what I ought to do for them. 
The choice to vaccinate my babies, (the mandatory ones) was not made in a vacuum, on the contrary, I did an investigation and got  informed about whether the vaccines worth the risk or not. 

Sunday 8 December 2013

Vegan Apple Pie- Μηλόπιτα νηστίσιμη χωρίς λακτόζη (Βέγκαν)

                                                                                       Για ελληνικά πιο κάτω 
I officially put my foot down after 3 months!I started physio last Monday to rehabilitate the foot and since then I put 20 kg weight on my left foot. I still use the crutches but for me this is a new milestone! Until now I was moving around with my foot dangling so now that I can step on, it feels wonderful, despite the pain sometimes. 

Thus, I thought to celebrate it with a delicious vegan apple pie! I am not vegan but since I strive to burn calories due to my leg situation, I prefer to eat less fatty foods. Furthermore it is the perfect snack for my girls! It is quick to make and leaves you with few dishes to wash (actually two!). I discovered this recipe on the web, I slightly ammended, still I guarantee 100% success. This healthy and easy apple pie is loved by everyone who tried it, so I thought I should post it here! 




Sunday 1 December 2013

DIY Sock Dolls perfect for Christmas gifts - Δημιουργίες ζωάκια φτιαγμένα από κάλτσες

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December is here, the month of magic and sparkling, one of my favourite months because it is all about Christmas! And Christmas is not really Christmas without the gifts to the people we love. There is not so much time ahead so I guess it is time to start the preparations..During the period of crisis, money got more value, so why don't you create something beautiful with love for the small folks around you? I can give you a hint! I have rounded up to 5 projects from bloggers for stuffed animals you can make yourself using ...socks! You may find the tutorials on the links on the top of each image..It is time for new inspiration challenge!


Wednesday 27 November 2013

I love Ballet

Yesterday I read on Cup of Jo about the City.ballet, the 12-episode web reality show developed, produced and narrated by Sarah Jessica Parker. I wanted to check out one episode to see what it is about and I could not help watching all the episodes at a stretch! Each episode which lasts around 6-7 minutes goes behind the scenes of the intense life of the dancers of the New York City Ballet. I found it so inspiring and enchanting! I have always admired ballet art and the dancers for their discipline and their ability to make something so hard to look easy! 
Check out the full series on Aol city.ballet 
and if you like it, I recommend you to watch the documentary film "First Position", you will appreciate further ballet performances! 






Εχθές διάβασα κάπου για το City.ballet της Sarah Jessica Parker, το τηλεοπτικό σόου, παραγωγός του οποίου είναι η ίδια.

Friday 22 November 2013

November movements : Movember & Dinovember

Movember (the global charity movement which calls on men to grow mustaches during the month of November in order to raise awareness and funds for men's health issues, such as prostate cancer and other male cancers) is not the only movement which is happening during November. 

Why don't you grow a moustach (growYourMo) & download the app Movember!

Some days I ago, my friend Maya refered to me the following link. I found the idea awesome! And I will definetely execute it as soon as the girls will become a bit older to enjoy it! The dinovember! 


Wednesday 20 November 2013

DIY Coat Rack Ideas

Coat hangers are essential elements for every house. Yesterday, I bumbed into some DIY projects for coat hangers, which I loved! I did a small survey and gathered some smart and fun coat hanger ideas and I decided to feature them here! Hopefully you may opt for one of those! 
You may find the link for the step by step procedure below each picture! Good luck!



Thursday 14 November 2013

Recipes for toddlers who refuse to eat

Για ελληνικά πατήστε εδώ 
Lately my twins have became very picky with food. Probably it is a phase which I hope they will outgrow as soon as possible because it is getting too hard to keep them calm on the chair. As soon as they see a colourful plate (which means veggies inside), they turn their heads, push the spoons away and clamp their mouths closed...And consider that some months ago they were eating anything and everything they could put their hands on! I decided not to stress about it, but try to invent new recipes and "hide" the vegetables in the food they prefer. 
Three friends of mine and marvellous mothers send me three delicious recipes (& the photos) they do for their kids and not only! 

Tuesday 5 November 2013

Pregnancy Essentials

Lately, there are plenty of pregnant women around me which is great!Last week I received a visit from two friends of mine, who are in their 5th and 9th month relatively. I was so excited to see them! Apparently, we were focused on the pregnancy stuff, and I realised I have forgotten what it s like being pregnant (it s been more than a year since my experience)...I remember though some essential items that I had relied on during my pregnancy, so I thought I can share on this blog the gear that had been most helpful to me ! 

Sunday 27 October 2013

Why I love Bologna in autumn

We are back in Italy! As soon as I set my foot on the airport of Bologna, I realized how much I missed this town! We traveled with Pegasus airlines, and I must give my compliments on their service despite they are a low cost air company. They were very friendly and very helpful, and they managed to guarantee me a comfortable flight as it could be, since I had to travel with my foot in a cast.

Monday 14 October 2013

Friends space


A couple of days ago, I received an email (one of the ways of communication with my long distance friends) from my friend Hara, who was sharing her thoughts with Maria regarding the fact that by simply adding certain foods into our diet, we could have a huge impact on the quality of our hair, nails and skin. They concluded that no product in the market can make us as beautiful on the outside as feeding us inside with the right food. Here is what they found on the web:  

Saturday 12 October 2013

My beautiful long distance friends

Good morning again from the hospital ! I did a third operation because the fibula was completely out so doctors considered they should fix it.. My leg adventure made me realised for once more how many people i love, love me back!and how awesome and important those folks are !
Life is full of unusual twists , and mine the last years is based on long distance relationships.. after a 3 years long distance relationship with Jony(i promise i will post about it in the future), i had to suffer from homesickness and long distance friendships and now that my husband moved to Germany i have to go through all over again, with him and my friends in Italy..

I can't give you 5 magical ways to keep in touch with your friends that live far away..but i can share my experiences; each friendship is special and has its dynamics and to my opinion, we shall not try so much to make them work..real friends forgive and accept you with your flaws so even after a long period without contact you shall be able to pickup where you left off- if not, no means of communication can make wonders for your relationship. 
After i relocated  in Italy i did have some fears considering me drifting away from my friends and loose contact but being away doesn't mean you can't stay close! the most essential ingredient is mutual care and love, and the good will to stay in touch!I am officially the worst at calling people regularly but i do spontaneously pick up the phone or text to report big or little things from my life every now and then, and that , i believe, keeps my friendships flourishing..and technology fortunately eases it. Here are my fav apps: 

FRIENDS SPACE

What my friends say:

*My perfectionist friend Maria, who always makes me laugh with her sarcastic sense of humour, is passionate about healthy living, and here is one of her latest favourite drinks:

Friday 27 September 2013

Bedtime struggles are getting worse and worse.

                                                                                                                                  Η ελληνική έκδοση βρίσκεται πιο κάτω
Bedtime struggles are getting worse and worse..every night we have a couple of crying concerts, so sleeping deprivation forced me to seek among my friends, the magic recipe for ensuring that babies stay asleep in their cribs... and i got some interesting advices...
The most popular tips were the sleeping schedule, basically a regime for their sleeping hours, putting them to sleep in the right moment, or introducing a comforting bedtime ritual...well, i must admit that lately we became very inconsistent with the sleeping schedule. Before the holidays the girls used to have a strict sleeping routine and indeed were sleeping through the night, at least for 8-10 hours without waking up.. some friends just told me that it s a phase and will pass away, but my impatient character can't accept this excuse...so i started searching in the web for experts advice..i was surprised of how many sites and blogs are exclusively dedicated to this issue...too many moms are suffering?!

Monday 23 September 2013

Good morning! i did the operation and now I am at home, safe and sound!

I am still overwhelmed from this fantastic emotion when you feel that all the people you love are close to you! even if they are far away physically...thank you what's up, face time, viber & skype!

Saturday 14 September 2013

Israel

Israel
      
   Για ελληνικά προχωρήστε πιο κάτω στη σελίδα

I don't know if this is a random coincidence or the universe responds, but a couple of days after my first post, i broke my leg! While I was going down the stairs with one of my angels on my arms, I stumbled and put my foot on the staircase to prevent us from falling down and having my baby hurt...and I fractured my shinbone...complicated fractures...for which i need operations, rehabilitation bla bla bla... Anyhow, since i am a positive thinking dude, i won't be here crying over spilt milk; on the contrary, trying to see the glass half full, I realised that now i have more time to dedicate myself to this blog!

At the moment i am in Haifa at my husband's family. This post is inspired from Israel...




If you read the headlines, Israel sounds as a non safe place to visit; Often people asks me if I am afraid to come here..(it also occurred being asked if i have to wear a burka, or if we move with camels, but i won't comment on it). Well, on the contrary, you will be surprised how peaceful life rolls along -well at least, at the majority part of the country. Even two weeks ago when the rumours about Syria's attack with chemicals to Israel, were speculating, I did't feel any panic here...I won't speak about politics, that's not the purpose of my blog.

Tuesday 3 September 2013

About me and the blog

Αρκετό καιρό σκεφτόμουν να ξεκινήσω ένα blog για να μοιραστώ τις εμπειρίες και τις σκέψεις μου ως πολίτης του κόσμου..ζω και εργάζομαι στην Ιταλία, παντρεμένη με Ισραηλινό με ρώσσικη καταγωγή και μητέρα δύο υπέροχων διδύμων κοριτσιών τα ονόματα των οποίων εκφέρει ο τίτλος του συγκεκριμένου blog.. Maya (=generous) και Zoe(=life). Η ζωή μας ως οικογένεια multicultural διαδραματίζεται σε 4 χώρες: Ιταλία,Ελλάδα, ισράηλ και πρόσφατα Γερμανία ..στο σπίτι μιλάμε τουλάχιστον 4 γλώσσες καθημερινά και μας αρέσουν πολύ τα ταξίδια, και η ιδιαιτερότητα είναι η βασική μας αρχή σε ό,τι και αν κάνουμε..Στο blog αυτό θα προσπαθήσω να μοιραστώ την ιδιαιτερότητά μας αυτή αγγίζοντας θέματα που με απασχολόυν καθημερινά: μητρότητα, ταξίδια, lifestyle,internet, μαγειρική, βιβλία, αγορές και ότιδηποτε μου κεντρίζει το ενδιαφέρον κάθε εβδομάδα στο διαδίκτιο...


There's been a while that i was seriously thinking of starting a blog in order to share my experience and thought..i am Greek, i live and work in Italy, i am married to a Russian Israeli and we have two lovely twin girls. This blog is entitled after the meaning of their names, Maya(=generous) & Zoe(=life), after my friend Sruthi 's suggestion. I will write in english (i pardon myself for any mistakes) and in greek. Our life as a multicultural family takes place among 4 countries: Italy, Greece, Israel and recently Germany..we speak at least 4 different languages daily at home, and the originality is the key principle of our life..this originality i will try to share in this blog that features recipes, motherhood issues, lifestyle, travelling, shopping online and whatever Peaks my interest when browsing the web...stay tuned!!!!