Monthly Archives: November 2012

Islam

Movie Series To Watch

, , , Leave a comment

20121104-180154.jpg
Flu season has hit our house hard, so we have been holed in trying to recuperate and thank Allah for our blessings.

One of the halal things we love to do at home is catch up on movies and television. We recently discovered an amazing series called Omar. It’s about Omar Ibn Khattab (ra)’s life. It’s more in depth than that though. It is literally almost like a whole walk through early Islamic history.

I learned so many different things! Another great benefit has been seeing how early Muslims sacrificed so much to establish our deen. I feel like such a wimp in comparison now. We are so fortunate to be able to practice our faith so freely in America Alh.

So if you have some time, please check out this series iA. Here is the link: Omar Series Ep 1

Yummy Treats

Quick and Easy Chicken Noodle Soup

, , , , 1 Comment

20121103-150116.jpg

It’s cold and flu season, which means lots of sore throats, queasy tummies, and stuffed noses.

Growing up, when I was sick, I used to WISH that my mom could just walk to our supermarket and buy a can of Campbell’s Chicken Noodle soup. Since I follow the zabiha meat opinion, this was definitely not an option for me. So my mom tried her best with curried ramen noodle soup (which is also delicious).

Now that I am a mom, I know that there are instances where curried soup is not ideal. Since my baby is not even 2 years old, she can’t handle the spice.

So for her, I make traditional American chicken noodle soup. It’s actually super easy and while it cooks, you can do other tasks nearby (like taking care of your sick ones).

I modified this recipe with what I had, but any root veggies work. You can throw in potatoes, celery, etc. This recipe is designed to be simple so that even beginners can make it.

Make sure your hubby learns this recipe so that when you get sick, he can make it for you so you can bounce back to being the super mom that you are!

Today, I woke up at 4 am to find my baby is ferverish and crying. She then proceeded to throw up all over me, herself and the bed. Us moms have all been there I am sure!

So today was definitely a chicken noodle soup day in our house.

Here is the base recipe:

Ingredients:

2 leeks chopped

2 chicken breast cut into bite sized pieces

4 Maggi chicken bouillon cubes

1 carrot chopped

4 cloves of garlic minced

4 tbsp butter

10 1/2 cups of water

1/2 tsp pepper

1 bay leaf

1/2 of 16 oz pkg of spaghetti

1) Make sure you do your prep work. As I wrote above, the vegetables and chicken should be chopped and ready to be cooked.

20121103-151547.jpg

20121103-151809.jpg

2) In a large stockpot, slowly melt butter. Once it starts to simmer, and leeks and garlic. Add bouillon cubes and sauté till it becomes translucent (10-15 minutes).

20121103-152812.jpg

3) Add chicken and sauté till chicken is fully cooked (15 minutes)

4) Add water, pepper, and carrots. Add bay leaf.

5) Take spaghetti and snap pasta into bite sized pieces (I do one thirds)

6) Bring soup to a roaring boil.

7) Add pasta and lower to regular boil for 45 minutes to an hour depending on vegetables’ consistency.

8) Garnish and serve.

Life

Stress Management

, , Leave a comment

20121102-171516.jpg

Stress is a natural part of life. However, chronic stress is not healthy. In Islam, we are sure to be tested in this life:

“Be sure We will test you with something of fear and hunger, some loss in goods or lives, but give glad tidings to those who are steadfast, who say when afflicted with calamity: To God we belong and to Him is our return. They are those on whom (descend) blessings from God and mercy and they are the ones that receive guidance.” (Qur’an 2:155)

As humans, it’s only natural to get stressed about these trials. But a practicing Muslim will learn to overcome these feelings of stress. Trust me, I am still working on this myself!

But whenever I get stressed, I find myself turn Allah (swt). Here are my tips for learning how to cope with the stress in your life:

Avoid the triggers: We all have certain situations that make us stressed. The next time you are stressed, think critically about what is causing it. Is it being late? Make sure to start getting ready earlier so you can avoid that situation.

Pray: There is a reason why yoga is taking off. It’s a great way to tune out the daily drone of life and balance yourself. Allah (swt) gave us the gift of praying 5 times a day! That is 5 chances for us to forget the stresses of life and focus on what is important.

Read Quran: Never underestimate Allah (swt)’s words to soothe you. When I get stressed about life, I read Surah t-ul Inshirah:

Have We not opened your breast for you (O Muhammad (Peace be upon him))?

And removed from you your burden,

Which weighed down your back?

And raised high your fame?

So verily, with the hardship, there is relief,

Verily, with the hardship, there is relief (i.e. there is one hardship with two reliefs, so one hardship cannot overcome two reliefs).

So when you have finished (from your occupation), then stand up for Allahs worship (i.e. stand up for prayer).

And to your Lord (Alone) turn (all your intentions and hopes and) your invocations.

Just hearing Allah (swt)’s promise about ease after hardship always calms me.

Do what makes you happy: For me, it’s blogging. For you, it may be painting, singing, cooking, sewing, etc. Take a walk if you need it. Once you occupy yourself, things are easier to deal with.

Remember, stress happens. But make sure to take care of yourself so that you can take care of others.

Beauty

Beauty Subscriptions: Are They Worth It?

, , , , Leave a comment

20121031-234609.jpg

Clockwise from top left: Birchbox, Allure’s Sample Society, Beauty Box 5, and Glossybox

As a self proclaimed beauty junkie, I noticed a trend. There are all sorts of new beauty subscriptions cropping up! Typically, a beauty subscription is a medley of different beauty samples shipped straight to your door for a monthly fee.

While some of you may scoff at paying money for samples that you can get at department store for free, one of the cool things about beauty subscriptions is that you can try new products that you would have never tried or selected on your own.

It’s like having a beauty editor pick out the coolest brands or products for you to try! Plus as a busy hijabi mom, I do NOT have the time and patience to wheedle with beauty counter ladies in order to score from free samples.

I would have never tried this highlighter called Mary Lou Manizer from The Balm if it did not come in my October Birchbox. NOW I am hooked on it. It helps me glow even when I am sleep deprived. So thank you Birchbox!

Here is a rundown of my top 4 beauty subscription picks:

Birchbox :

Cost: $10 a month

Pros: Comes with a wide range of funky beauty samples plus it comes with a freebie non beauty item. It is the cheapest subscription of the bunch too.

Cons: The caliber of some of the brands is weak. Also, they need to work out logistics with shipping on time.

Beauty Bar’s Sample Society With Allure

Cost: $15 a month

Pros: Beauty Bar teamed up with the famed Allure Magazine to create beauty boxes worth coveting. Also they sometimes throw in full size items! Also includes a subscription to Allure Magazine and a coupon to use on the site for a full sized item.

Cons: It is one of the pricier subscriptions.

Beauty Box 5

Cost: $12 a month

Pros: Their samples seem more generous.

Cons: The beauty brands they carry are not as well known or as prestigious.

Glossybox

Cost: $21 a month

Pros: Carries the most high end samples of the bunch. If you are into sampling luxe brands like Burberry Beauty, Carol’s Daughter, and Kinerase, then this is the box for you.

Cons: Most expensive subscription of the bunch.

There are plenty of other subscriptions like Ipsy, etc but I thought the four I reviewed above were my favorites. As for my true blue favorite, that is a secret! What is your favorite beauty subscription? And just so my male readers don’t feel left out, there are men versions of subscriptions too (like Birchbox Man). Let me know what your recommendations are.