Finding my Way through Sentimental Decisions
Clutter can creep into every home and every item has the potential of becoming clutter. Raveena Singh We accumulate clutter by postponing decisions we need to make. We don’t want to procrastinate but neither do we want to make the decisions we are sensitive, sentimental or unsure of. No matter how advanced a homemaker you… Continue reading Finding my Way through Sentimental Decisions
Finding my Way through Impulsiveness
I saw this message from a fellow homemaker and I find that this is a question many declutterers ask. How do you stop yourself from being too savage with the “get rid of it” pile? I find that I am super quick to decide if something needs to go. Has anyone had the issue of… Continue reading Finding my Way through Impulsiveness
Making my Way through Filing
When we work on our homes, we are reminded to file away papers we need to keep and to discard those we don’t. Home Management Planners always set aside some time each week to attend to bill payments and filing. Today, let’s discuss UNFILING s part of the decluttering process. One fine morning, when you… Continue reading Making my Way through Filing
Self Care! Self Care! Self Care!
This morning I was listening to a talk show and the psychiatrist mentioned that while most stress is circumstantial, the worrisome one is Extended Acute Stress. Stress is our built-in response to danger, a surge in hormones as we choose between fighting, fleeing, or freezing. The danger may be real or imagined, immediate or farther… Continue reading Self Care! Self Care! Self Care!
Finding my Way through Bad Projects
The most frustrating thing in my life (home related of course) is a project gone wrong. In my case, the garage! Sorry, I threw that in but I am just so frustrated with the garage. Our garage is at the entrance of our house. We have two entrances, one from the visitor’s parking which is… Continue reading Finding my Way through Bad Projects
My Decluttering Habit 😊
So.. I feel like sharing something. It’s a personal little excerpt of my DECLUTTERING SYSTEM Before I declutter I always clean the room itself. I actually take the time to clean before I clean. I clean any fan or cooler I will be using. I also clear off and wipe down countertops. And then I… Continue reading My Decluttering Habit 😊
Finding my Way through Bad Choices
Have you ever made a bad choice? Some might even say, their partner was a wrong choice but let’s keep this space about home making. Have you done a bad purchase? Or made a bad meal? Sure you have! I have done this too often. So, what happens next? You have bought it but now… Continue reading Finding my Way through Bad Choices
Finding my Way through Hurdles
In an earlier article, I mentioned the paralysing resistance that comes with the decision to declutter. It manifests in many ways, including distraction, resentment and dread. In addition to that, while many of us do have the desire to get things decluttered and organized in our homes, it is not always such an easy thing… Continue reading Finding my Way through Hurdles
Finding my Way through the Tide
I actually remembered an old article I had written years and years ago for a magazine called Time and Tide wait for No one – and then I also recollected another article, Prioritising Spells Success. Both these were aimed at people looking for motivation and time to get your home organised. The fact that you… Continue reading Finding my Way through the Tide
Finding my Way through Projects
It’s been 9 long months since we were hit by pandemic that took the world by storm into a new era which I guess in time will become the new normal.We were abruptly disrupted from leading the life we were used to, unable to meet the people we wanted, worse, we were unable to greet… Continue reading Finding my Way through Projects
Finding my Way through Hosting
After so many months of absolutely no social interaction, because of the dreaded Covid and then losing my mum, I decided I really wanted to do some hosting. Rather hostessing as I call it. We have extended family over for games night but this was different. I know my family in general needed a change… Continue reading Finding my Way through Hosting
Finding my Way through Healthier Choices
Eating is one very important aspect in our family. I grew up in a family where meals were a very important part of our day. We made sure we were at the dining table on time while in our parents home. When eating is a big deal, cooking becomes a bigger deal. Mum was a… Continue reading Finding my Way through Healthier Choices
Finding my Way through Destiny
Home has always been a huge part of my life. I love cleaning and organising. It’s just what I do and have always done. Studying Organisation just helped me make sense of some things I did instinctively and helped me formulate new ways. By this, one would imagine my home is perfect. Rows of perfectly… Continue reading Finding my Way through Destiny
Finding my Way through Association
Today is a Sunday. I filmed my Sunday Morning Routine Video this morning. When I woke up this morning and walked out to this flower on the railing. I’m going to admit, I ran a few tears because my mum loved these frangipanis in our garden. It gave me a moment with mum! There I… Continue reading Finding my Way through Association
Finding my Way to Good Health
Yesterday was a very laid back kind of day for me. I wasn’t feeling energetic enough to actually be active but trust me, I try to remain productive. I have come to accept my challenges and my health issues as a part of me but I refuse to let it define me. In case you… Continue reading Finding my Way to Good Health
Finding my Way
I think I am going to call my personal blog Finding my Way. A Day in my Life, as YouTubers call the vlogs is also a song written and sung by The Beatles and almost at the end it says Finding my Way… that kinda resonated with me. Everyday I stumble on new issues, problems,… Continue reading Finding my Way
Home Management Planner 2021 – Poll
Welcome to the Raveena at Home Planner Team! Please participate in the questionnaire below and get a chance to win a FREE PLANNER!! Thank you for filling this questionnaire!! Every submission is very important to helping us give you what you want! Look out for our e-mail of gratitude and we will also announce the… Continue reading Home Management Planner 2021 – Poll
Indonesian Vegetable Stew
Better known as sayur lodeh or kuah lontong, this is a flavourful combination of vegetables brewed slowly in a coconut gravy to give it a rich taste. While sayur lodeh is usually eaten with steamed rice, lontong has ketupat (a type type of dumpling or rice cake as some call it) added in and is… Continue reading Indonesian Vegetable Stew
Post Father’s Day Update
For me taking it easy doesn’t mean not doing anything. To the contrary, I am tackling my spring cleaning and recharging my home and my self to bring you fresh and new ideas and content that is relevant! Read more>
Spicy Fruit Salad
The moment I saw this recipe while surfing, I knew I had to try it. It had many flavours I like and a combination of those definitely appealed to me. This recipe is from The Slow Roasted Italian Page and he uses pineapple, mango, kiwi, oranges and strawberries and tops it with a delightful dressing.… Continue reading Spicy Fruit Salad
It isn’t the leftovers and bins, so what is it?
Since the newsletter went out and the deep cleaning video was uploaded, I have gotten so many messages asking me why the smell remains lingering in the refrigerator. Everyone seems to have tried almost everything. So, what is the cause and what is the solution? Read more!
Samosa Chutney – Another Red Sauce
This red sauce is a sweet and sour chutney which goes super well with samosas and pakoras. If you are making samosas or are trying out my pakora recipe, then make this sauce a day or two ahead in anticipation. RED CHUTNEY 2 cups water2 Tbsp tamarind paste1 cup sugarSalt to taste1/4 tsp ginger powder1… Continue reading Samosa Chutney – Another Red Sauce
Crispy Vegetable Fritters
These delicious bites are really popular in South Asia, especially in India. These are called bhajiyas or pakoras as well. Although this is basically street food, it is also a very popular dish made at home, especially at tea time. These are simple enough to make but taste fabulous with a hot cup of tea… Continue reading Crispy Vegetable Fritters
Decluttering & Reorganising
This is what I call my D&R projects which are ongoing throughout the year. However, instead of the usual slow and steady pace I work at, things have been moving so much faster because we are all at home and half the key to success is getting help and team work! So, what have I… Continue reading Decluttering & Reorganising
The Requisite Red Sauce
You can use this for just about any dish that calls for a red sauce! It’s that useful to have on hand. Okay, I admit it takes a bit of time to make but once you have that in your refrigerator, life gets that much easier!! No delays, let’s get the sauce going. NOT SO… Continue reading The Requisite Red Sauce
Let’s Make Enchiladas
I have no Mexican genes and neither do my mini adults (I can swear to that) but we all LOVE Mexican food. The mini adults take their Mexican food very seriously, it’s a staple more than an occasional. While we usually make tortilla wraps or quesadillas, I was inspired by a video my daughter was… Continue reading Let’s Make Enchiladas
Pantry Pasta Recipes
I am so glad to have gotten so many positive comments for the No-cook Recipes I posted earlier this week. While those were more light meals and snacks, I am adding some pasta dishes today. Now these recipes are both basic and decadent. In the video, I am sharing the basic version which will hopefully… Continue reading Pantry Pasta Recipes
No Cook Meals
Hey my loves! As promised, I am uploading the recipes for the “Pantry Essentials & Recipes Video.” All these are no cook solutions for quick meals. These recipes use pantry ingredients as a substitute to your first choices. KIDNEY BEAN HUMMUS Ingredients 1 can Kidney Beans – drained & washed1 Tbs Tahini 1 tsp each… Continue reading No Cook Meals
Most Versatile Chilli Sauce Ever
If you are fond of cooking and eating Asian noodles, fried rice and Chinese food, then you have to learn to make this super versatile and flavourful chilli sauce. Keep it ready in the refrigerator as a welcome addition to your meals. It will last up to a week in the fridge. Here in Singapore… Continue reading Most Versatile Chilli Sauce Ever
Hearty Punjabi Meal
Whatever said and done, we are of Punjabi origin. An occasion Punjabi meal is called for eventhough pastas and Asian food have become a norm in our household. So, this meal is something my Dad had requested but I didn’t get time to make until this lockdown. All I can say is that I am… Continue reading Hearty Punjabi Meal
Banana Leaf at Home
If you are Malaysian or Singaporean, then you will definitely know the pleasure of having a banana leaf dinner. For others, it is just known as a South Indian meal or Chettinad food. Whatever you may want to call it, bottom line is that I was craving for the spicy, flavour filled meal and there… Continue reading Banana Leaf at Home
General Tso’s Vegetarian Tofu
We are all in a period of time where we are cooking what we have at home and ultimately that means what we are able to score at the grocery store. I had some tofu at home which I wanted to use up, but at the same time I did have poke bowl on my… Continue reading General Tso’s Vegetarian Tofu
Lockdown Survival Tips & Menu Plan
EASY MINESTRONE SOUP This soup is just so simple to make. It took me all of 15 minutes and I only used one pot! Chop an onion and 3 cloves of garlic and sauté them in some olive oil. Add in some carrots and 1 chopped tomato and continue to sauté. Then add in 1… Continue reading Lockdown Survival Tips & Menu Plan
Vegan Stew
It’s not everyday that I upload a vegan recipe but this stew may be vegan yet everyone loves it. This is my mum’s recipe and believe me when I say I had no idea this is how her version starts. Mine is totally different btw! I want to mention, that if your family is in… Continue reading Vegan Stew
Taco Tuesday
#tacotuesday is one of the mini adults fave days of the week. It is when they show up for dinner most often. I mean, I even get calls saying “I might be late tonight but do keep some dinner for me”, that is a courtesy I don’t get all that often. So, I am trying… Continue reading Taco Tuesday
Fruit Compote Day
So, 28 February is ‘International Fruit Compote Day’ and I believe the best way to observe that day is to, yup! make fruit compote at home. I absolutely love quick fixes, and if you do too, then compote is your go to. First, let me rave over compotes. They take less than 10 minutes IN… Continue reading Fruit Compote Day
Valentine’s Day Breakfast in Bed
It’s Valentine’s Day! It gives us a chance to do something special for our significant other. So this Valentine’s, I decided to make a breakfast in bed for my husband. I wanted something that was easy to make, tasty, and at least, somewhat healthy all at once. And I definitely wanted some chocolate, strawberries, whipped… Continue reading Valentine’s Day Breakfast in Bed
Meal Prep Recipes
Hey my loves! I have recently decided to be as organised as possible, especially regarding my meal preparations (preps) and stocking my refrigerator. I am sharing more on my meal prep with you on ‘THE REFRIGERATOR & FREEZER ORGANISATION’ video on my YouTube channel. Having meals made in advance can be a real sanity saver.… Continue reading Meal Prep Recipes
Corn Chip & Dip
If you are using the Home Management Planner 2020, then you would have seen that 29 January 2020 is ‘International Corn Chip Day‘. Hey, I am not the one who invented it! I simply searched for existing international observance days and incorporated those relevant to homemaking. In fact, not just relevant but also simultaneously useful.… Continue reading Corn Chip & Dip
Hosting a Party
Hey, my loves! It is that time of the year when many of us are faced by the task of hosting parties. Some of these parties may be at home while others are at a restaurant. In this TWO PART article, I am going to give you some tips and ideas on how to deal… Continue reading Hosting a Party
Fall Entertaining Menu
If you are entertaining, then the first step to a successful bash, is to have a theme. Having a theme makes it so much easier not to go off at a tangent because you only add dishes that suit the theme. Similarly for the décor, you curb your natural instinct to get carried away by… Continue reading Fall Entertaining Menu
The only 10 Things Needed in your Bag
During this horrid pandemic that we are going through, not going out is of course the best solution. But that can’t always be done right? So, if you do have to go out, carry as little as possible. A few tips: Avoid jewellery Wear machine washable clothes Go alone – definitely avoid taking kids and… Continue reading The only 10 Things Needed in your Bag
An Introduction to Decluttering – Recognising Hurdles
Hey, my loves! Here is the next podcast of the Decluttering Series. We are often faced with resistance on the way and here is a list of commonly faced hurdles and recognising them for what they are! Until you recognise those, you will not be able to move forward plus it always feels good to… Continue reading An Introduction to Decluttering – Recognising Hurdles
Introduction to Decluttering – Acknowledging your Clutter
Click here to listen to Podcast. Hey my loves! Its time to take the next step. You have to ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR CLUTTER! Realisation is followed by acceptance. So accept the chaos, own it and then gradually, systematically eliminate it! So lets brave the clatter of our clutter and move forward. You can find a corresponding… Continue reading Introduction to Decluttering – Acknowledging your Clutter
An Introduction to Decluttering – My Journey
Hey my loves! You have been asking me to talk more about my own decluttering process. It has been a learning curve for me too and here I am sharing with you my personal journey as a homemaker, wife and mother. I hope this podcast is as meaningful to you as it is to me.
An Introduction to Decluttering – Making Time
Hey my loves! It’s uploaded! The first podcast! Today, we are discussing the most important aspect of decluttering and that is making time in our hectic day to focus on decluttering. Podcast is uploaded here! and also on Spotify! You will also be able to read all the ways to making time for decluttering in… Continue reading An Introduction to Decluttering – Making Time
Stretching your Day
You want to know how to find time to declutter in addition to cleaning the house when your day is already packed with activities. You are right to say there are only 24 hours in a day that will never change. Whatever you do has to be done within those given 24 hours, which means… Continue reading Stretching your Day
5 Top Methods to Maintaining a Clean Home.
Hey my loves! Good morning… It’s a quarter to 11 am and I am done with all my morning chores. I was going through my messages and I find one similar question popping up. How to keep the house organised? Indeed it is one thing to work on that one huge project of cleaning and… Continue reading 5 Top Methods to Maintaining a Clean Home.
The Block System
Hey my loves! Ever since we started our morning and evening routines together, I keep getting asked these questions: What time should I start my routine? How long should it take? And my standard response is: it’s completely up to you! Honestly, there is no right or wrong answer, I promise. But then the follow… Continue reading The Block System
Evening Routine
Hey my loves! Don’t forget to check out The Functional Friday Tip on The FB Group – not a member yet? No problem, simply click on the link to get motivated and connected with likeminded people to get your home organised. Having worked on your Morning Routine for the whole week, it is definitely time… Continue reading Evening Routine
Cleanage?
As a professional organiser, part of my job is to encourage people not just to organise their possessions, but also to evaluate these items and consider what they really want and need in their homes, and in their lives. There are multitudes of philosophies on how to declutter your home of course, which may be… Continue reading Cleanage?
Morning Routine
A good morning routine is the foundation of a well managed home. It is excellent for starting your day off on the right foot. Just like your own personal morning routine of showering, skin care, eating breakfast and taking your supplements prepares you for the rest of the day ahead, similarly the morning home routine… Continue reading Morning Routine
Carrying your Load
Everybody has their baggage, and the loads they carry. For me, that burden is my daily load of laundry. In truth, most of my friends hate doing laundry. They all look at me funny when I proudly declare my love for laundry, and that my favourite part is when I take out warm and fragrant… Continue reading Carrying your Load
Productivity
Good morning my loves! Today is an early start and hopefully very productive day! I am seriously interested in starting my day earlier than I used to. I have more to do everyday to get my home up and running. What I did yesterday was clear up my potential home office/ study room. I have… Continue reading Productivity
An Organised Kitchen
I love cooking but the chopping and the washing up after – not so much! I do love cooking but THAT DOES NOT MEAN that I love spending hours in the kitchen! Nope! Not at all!! To the contrary, I like things that do not take too long to prep and cook. I have simplified… Continue reading An Organised Kitchen
How to Get Organised
I had written a series of articles for a magazine on How to Get Organised and I have been asked to rewrite it based on today’s “culture”. I suppose by that what they mean is that Perfect Homemaking is no longer an acceptable term! Today, we are emphasising that we are not seeking perfection because… Continue reading How to Get Organised
Meal Planning
Meal Planning is one totally important part of homemaking. Honestly, the energy you save is by itself a reason to meal plan. In addition to that, you will find that your grocery bill will go down tremendously because you know exactly what you need and there will be no wastage. Save money, eat well? Now… Continue reading Meal Planning
Keep Your Home Clean
Keeping your house clean is probably the most important part of home organizing and of a beautiful home. All the lavish or artistic décor has truly got very little so say for your home if it is covered with dust or cluttered. However, this definitely does not mean that you need to do everything everyday!… Continue reading Keep Your Home Clean
Good Habits of Good Food
I love cooking but the chopping and the washing up after – not so much! I do love cooking but THAT DOES NOT MEAN that I love spending hours in the kitchen! Nope! Not at all!! To the contrary, I like things that do not take too long to prep and cook. I have simplified… Continue reading Good Habits of Good Food
Prioritising Spells Success
Being able to prioritise is a skill – it is your ability to see what tasks are more important at each moment and give those tasks more of your attention, energy, and time. You focus on what is important at the expense of lower value activities. Simple example is that although your goal and priority… Continue reading Prioritising Spells Success
8 Reasons to Get Organised
Getting Organised is not an option, it is THE WAY TO LIVE YOUR LIFE. I find being organised very satisfying as I am sure you do or at least will but satisfying is a very subjective, personal word. Here are 8 more factual and tangible reasons why you should clean up your act ! 1.… Continue reading 8 Reasons to Get Organised
Blocking off your Time
When I say to some of my clients that they need to do their laundry on Saturday, I certainly do not mean that you do not do any laundry during the week (unless you live alone but then you will not be seeking my services would you?). I recommend dividing the day into blocks of… Continue reading Blocking off your Time
Bless us as we do our Daily Chores
Please remember that not everything needs to be done everyday. We cook everyday and do a load of laundry daily. It is something like your personal hygiene regime. Although we have a monthly facial and a bi-monthly manicure, does that mean we do not need to shower daily? It’s the same thing! We do a… Continue reading Bless us as we do our Daily Chores
Planning a Schedule
There are a number of things that we do at home which we jumble into a hop-scotch of errands and chores. I always use the example of an Asian household as I cater mostly for Asians and Expats who are living in this country with the privilege of a helper(s). It is no longer acceptable… Continue reading Planning a Schedule
Paper Clutter
When we start detoxing our home, we work on a whole lots of things, but very often what we overlook is Paper Clutter. Over the weeks (or is it months) that you have put off sorting out your mail and papers… especially receipts, you would probably have accumulated heaps of paper, mostly still in envelopes.… Continue reading Paper Clutter
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the answers for some of the questions that I keep getting asked 1. How long does it take to get organised?Depends on many factors, especially how much accumulation has taken place and how much help you are likely to receive from those around you. Getting organised and staying organized takes time and commitment, but… Continue reading Frequently Asked Questions
Time and Tide wait for no Man
Putting things off – we’ve all been guilty of it. “I’ll do it later”. You don’t like doing the job at hand, the task seems too OVERWHELMING, you’re a perfectionist, you don’t know where to begin, you are afraid of failing — there are lots of reasons for PROCRASTINATING. But overcoming procrastination is less about… Continue reading Time and Tide wait for no Man
There is No Place like Home
There is no place like home, even for your things. Once you have completed the de-cluttering or “detoxing” your home, you should be able to find a place for the things that you need. Every item has to have a home. Home is the safest place to be~ Raveena Singh Here are some ideas to… Continue reading There is No Place like Home
Some Advice
Right now I am wearing my Counsellor hat and am writing this post while I am in that mode. So bear with me if I sound a little preachy or like someone who has my *ish together. I am writing this from my experiences as a counsellor and someone who juggles a career and my… Continue reading Some Advice
Wanting to get Organised
Wanting to get organised is pretty much like wanting to lose weight. You can both jump into it and jump out just as quickly for the want of being able to cope with it OR you can go about making positive and guided changes in your lifestyle at your own pace and never have the… Continue reading Wanting to get Organised
Why I love Chickpeas
I do love chickpeas, I can eat them just boiled and salted. I can eat them at any time of the day as a snack as well. I always find chickpeas give me a sense of fullness and satiety that many other foods don’t. This was my personal feeling long before I got into the… Continue reading Why I love Chickpeas
Lifting the Fibro Fog
It is so unclear in a fibromyalgiac’s life whether the darn fog is the cause of other symptoms such as pain and fatigue or whether it is a symptom in itself. There is however, one thing that is clear – we need to address it and reduce it in order to be able to function.… Continue reading Lifting the Fibro Fog
Exercise and Fibromyalgia
I am so sorry for the delay in uploading this article. I have written it and saved it but for life of me, I can’t remember where! I would like to call it “fibro-fog” so I don’t feel too bad. I will look for it and will definitely post it very soon. Love, Raveena
Phytonutrients, Enzymes & Amino Acids
The best thing I love about phytonutrients is actually the word itself. Pronounced “fight-o-nutrients”, it gives me a kick to keep fighting!! So,on a more serious note, phyto means plant in Greek – therefore phytonutrients are nutrients found in plants. Plants basically need these nutrients for protection from germs, fungi, bugs, and other threats. In humans,… Continue reading Phytonutrients, Enzymes & Amino Acids
Let’s Talk Broccoli
Before all this fibro stuff came into my life, we ate broccoli like all others but it was definitely NOT on my favourite list. The only discussion we had on broccoli was the pronounciation. My parents say bro-koli and my kids say brawk-li. I hope I got the phoenetics right but I am sure you… Continue reading Let’s Talk Broccoli
Strawberries
I love strawberries! But then again, who doesn’t? The tart sweetness is just so delish! Of course the fact they are always used in romantic dinners and desserts, just makes strawberries all the more tempting. 1 cup of strawberries per person (well, this person at least) is more than enough for any recipe and the 1… Continue reading Strawberries
Food Intolerance
Let’s laugh at ourselves. See at the very beginning, I have given you a general outline of what we need to eat and what we need to avoid. Then we went a little deeper into the analysis and we related each symptom with beneficial foods. However, there is a little more information that we can… Continue reading Food Intolerance
Are we what we Eat?
Isn’t this what we have been hearing just about forever? “We are what we eat” , “We are what is at the end of our fork” etc etc. Well, it should actually read “We are what we DIGEST” because no matter what you eat, until and unless it is digested, it is absolutely useless to… Continue reading Are we what we Eat?
The Fibromyalgia Food Map
This is STEP 2 – my Fibromyalgia Food Map (FMFM) which is a more detailed food plan based on common FM symptoms. Pain Since pain is the foremost symptom of fibromyalgia, it is very crucial to eat and fortify our diet with anti-inflammatory foods. These foods are those which contain omega oils, phytonutrients, anti oxidants such… Continue reading The Fibromyalgia Food Map
Fibromyalgia Diet
Is there a proper Fibromyalgia Diet to eliminate my symptoms? No, dear I am sorry to say there isn’t. This is because each of us fibro fighters has different food sensitivities and different symptoms and worse yet, we also have different symptoms flaring up on different days. However, there certainly are guidelines that we can follow to… Continue reading Fibromyalgia Diet
Dippers and non-dippers
Is there a correlation between blood pressure and fibromyalgia (FM)? In a recent test carried out in Ankara, Turkey the connection between FM and blood pressure was studied. Firstly, we all have this discomfort when our blood pressure is being checked. Having our arm squeezed is no fun. While this is a discomfort for everyone,… Continue reading Dippers and non-dippers
