F*cking Weasels

I think some of the world is run by weasels and sadly those weasels have access to all the weaponry they could want.

Profanity while fasting, but how else can one react to these stupid, horrifying things happening all across the world.

Ramadan Smoothie (Saudi Nut Milk)

In Saudi Arabia, this was a regular staple that was served at iftar gatherings and parties, and perhaps even sehri (my family wasn't too into it so I can't attest to that).

Nut milks are pretty traditional among ze Arabs. In medieval times, nut milks were highly promoted (via skywriting) by those wily Arab physicians--who, lest we forget, helped set the precedent for modern medicine.

Okay that was a terrible intro. Summary: I LOVE it and now that the Willsome Two (baba and baby) have given it their seal of approval, I am sharing it here. EVERYONE will likey, except those who won't. There's a solid guarantee for you.

Recipe (for 2 adults, and a Wonderment Cute)

• 1 cup of almonds soaked and peeled (peeling is unnecessary, it only makes for a 'smoother' texture) 
• -Powder this in a blender with a bit of water. Then either toast it slightly first, with a bit of coconut oil, or just add to...

• 4 cups waterboiled/simmered for 10 min, with 1 inch ginger, and a pinch of salt
• Add 1 cup of organic milk. Let simmer on low for 10-15 more minutes.
• Now strain if you prefer it be smooth (I don't, and the kind in Saudi are purposely kept on the 'textured' side). If you're not straining, remove the ginger piece and blend the resulting drink some more. 
• In blender, pulverize 2 medjool dates, a small amount of unpeeled almonds (5 or so), with a pinch or two of cardamom seeds. OPTIONAL: Blend 1/3 banana too (baby likey).
•  Top the drink with this and a shake of powdered ginger *FLAVOUR SAVER.*  Let rest and steep (covered) for 10 minutes.

Optional: Add 2 tspns of sugar (gasp!) if you're fed up of health and fasting and just want some damn good taste.
Option 2: Vanilla bean pods instead of cardamom
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BEAUTY-RELATED SIDE NOTE: 
The fine almond meal, after straining, actually works perfectly as a face exfoliant.

Peeled almond skins, are what my grandmother uses to make powder kohl (she burns it with a drop of almond oil, then grinds the resulting ashes with a mortar/pestle, and stores in a silver kohl jar). Apparently this is what they all used to do in my family, preferring it commercial kohl.
I'm not recommending this, as I tried it, and it HURT.
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Benefits (the breakdown):

Tis the perfect beverage after a fast.

Almonds, especially when whole, have a potent combo of essential minerals (Ca, Mg, K),  fiber, Vitamin E, and B vitamins to keep your nervous system un-jerky-loike (technical term). The best part is, especially with the skin on, it'll keep your blood sugar from spiking/crashing as can happen at iftaar if you go overboard. The fats aren't gonna suffocate your heart, either.

Note that your ALMONDS HAVE TO BE RAW AND ORGANIC. Here is an article from Dr. Mercola briefly stating why.


Dates? Well it's the Sunnah to break your fast with them, and for good reason. Quality dates, with the Vitamin K, iron and potassium, are great for your blood/heart. Then there's the calcium... Dates also have tons of minerals (K, Se, Mg, Zn, Mn...) which have various benefits for your hormones, muscles, immunity, etc. Lastly, fibre, as with the almonds!

Ginger combats inflammation and soothes the digestive organs (intestinal spasmolytic). Every major healing tradition has utilized ginger for its protective and immunity-boosting powerz. Its minerals keep the circulation going, it lowers cholesterol (like almonds), etc.

Ramadan-related benefit? Helps you feel satiated faster, so you don't guzzle down too much food and end up with un grand tummy-ache. Besides, we have to remember what Rasulullah (s.a.w) said about 1/3rd food, 1/3rd water, and 1/3rd air.

My dad regularly has ginger tea for his asthma and acidity. As my son also suffers from acid reflux, I try to use a bit of ginger in most meals.
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More info
http://www.health-alternatives.com/fruit-nutrition-chart.html
http://foodfacts.mercola.com/ginger.html
http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Selenium-HealthProfessional/ (to check profiles of minerals/vitamins)
http://diabetes.about.com/od/nutrition/a/The-Health-Benefits-Of-Almonds.htm
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Bam! I quite enjoyed writing this.

 If I have any kind of misinformation or wrong-itude going on in this post, please to comment and correct me. 

Ramadan

Ramadan Mubarak.

This Ramadan has a sense of bitterness. I'm distraught by all the strange and terrible things that are taking place in our 'Ummah.' Ramadan is meant to bring me closer to the plight of others, but empathy becomes overwhelming when you have graphic pictures of Syrian homes being b!m!ed, videos of little Palestinian children being TORTURED (?!?) and arrested (?!?!?!), knowledge of drones, poverty, war, injustice all across the board.

These things you can't just shake out of your mind. I feel like a hypocrite enjoying my day, and honestly, once you are aware of genocides (Burma, anyone?), armies attacking civilians (modern 'warfare'), etc...well, you can't and shouldn't muffle that.

How much can charity help?

I remember in Alpha Bravo Charlie (desi show), a scene in which the UNICEF volunteers were donating food and domestic supplies to Bosnian families.

Their Bosnian guide, translator for the Pakistani soldiers, is standing by with a wry smile. Later she rants at the injustice and hypocrisy, about how they don't want more food from UNICEF, to simply live, only to be attacked relentlessly and destroyed at the hands of the Serbs. She is almost crazed with frustration.

 'We thought when these soldiers from UNICEF came, they would help us defend ourselves and our problems would be over. Then we realized they were only there to give us food to live a little bit longer, and die the next day.'

In high school we discussed an interesting short story. I wish I remembered the title. [EDIT: I remember now--it is called The Ones Who Walk Away, and you can read it here. Plz forgive my summary below]

It describes a blissful, perfect society.

They have all they could want, the government is fair, the system is impeccable, and serves the good of all. You read about the parks, schools, happy families.

 It just so happens, however, that there is a secret basement somewhere in this city. And down there, it is very dark and filthy. There lies a child, who is starved, cold, tortured, and beaten, who hasn't seen daylight.

The pain of this child is necessary, it keeps the seeming peace and order of the society. (And there is no way to get to the child or help him).

The story goes on to describe how a few people who hear of this child, simply walk away from this perfect city, this Eden. Disgusted by the brutality, they've resolved to go elsewhere, leaving behind what they are familiar with...safety, security, family.. And over time, more and more people hear about this child, and walk away from this heaven on Earth.

Most citizens manage to justify it to themselves, busy themselves with diversions, and remain. But there are always some who leave.

Healthy Fodder for Baby & Baba

I've been meaning to post this for a while, but I just don't think I can do the topic justice. Hopefully this is a start, and I'll follow up with proper tried-and-tested recipes.
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Subversive broccoli florets

Now that Lustrous-eyed Little is not quite so little, the food that he eats need not be entirely juvenile..simplistic...dull.

It took a while of him glancing enviously towards our meals for me to understand. Reaching...snatching...toppling over plates.
So I started mashing up our meals for him.

However, given that Littlest's father harbours a strong aversion towards nutritious food, I was at un petit conundrum.

 Things need to be greasy, spicy, and entirely devoid of vegetables, in this house.
'Tis not exactly my cuppa, but I've...adjusted. As Julia Sugarbaker remarked, "If everyone stops talking, you can actually hear their arteries clogging."

So how does Wonder Mum make yummy meals which:
1. won't harm baby (as spices can),
2. won't hinder his growth and development (as less than optimal nutrition will), and
3. will keep his daddykins pleased?

Blender. Smoothie maker. The magic bullet. OR good old mortar/pestle.
The idea is to pick a meat-based dish (that Yon Carnivore will approve of) and then...carefully...tinker with it. If it calls for butter, use coconut oil or olive oil, and less of it. If it calls for X amounts of chili pepper, use fresh herbs and ginger/garlic for the flavour. Instead of cream to thicken up the gravy, pureed avocado or coconut milk.

 ETC.

A blender comes in SUPER handy.

One can pick out leafy greens, etc., and chop and blend them to a fine puree, adding it to the dish at whichever stage of cooking is most suitable.
Those irksome carrot slices need not openly present themselves to the picky eater. They remain hidden, and add to the depth of flavour. You can even make burger patties with this stuff.

The best part is, after the Healthy-Without-Knowing-It picky eater remarks upon the excellent meal...well, you can pull out the carpet from under his feet.

 Pop the bubble. Rattle off the extensive list of veggies he has just consumed, as he flinches with each fresh revelation. Flabbergasted, he will stammer: "B-But...but..I didn't SEE any celery! How did you do it?"
"Sorcery, my dear. Black magic that would make even the most jaded of goats shudder with the depravity of it all." (Aim for Bette Davis-esque delivery).

Or...if you have more mercy than I...don't betray his trust.
Don't gloat openly. Simply watch, as his health steadily improves, along with baby's.

"Man I feel so ENERGETIC these days. Wonder why."

Ze BEST reward, n'est-ce pas?

Dawud Wharnsby Ali

Perspektif magazine:
 “A man should hear a little music, read a little poetry, and see a fine picture every day of his life, in order that worldly cares may not obliterate the sense of the beautiful which God has implanted in the human soul.” says Goethe.
 What are your suggestions that one should do every day, in order to keep the sense for beauty Allah has placed in our souls, alive?
Dawud Wharnsby:
"People should spend time outdoors each day in natural environments ~ observing as many signs of God’s creation as possible. Hear the songs of birds and voices of people…study the sights of dawn or sunset...inhale the fragrant scents of fruits, foliage or flowers…taste the joy of smiling at others…feel the sun, the rain, the snow or the wind. Losing touch with our earth we risk being scattered like dry leaves ~ divided from each other, uprooted in faith and withered in divine balance."

I also want to share this blog post.

Eyebrow Dance

The title is misleading, sorry to disappoint. Meaning that no incriminating video of me performing my critically acclaimed brow dance shall follow. GOMEN.
(Although, unsurprisingly, one exists, recorded in grade 10. Blackmailers, search thee well.)

Littlest of sisters has (hath) pleaded I write something tres amusement, to get her through another day (daye) of university drudgery. And I am not one to refuse a fair damsel's request, nor hers.

Basically I happened upon a natural way to tint one's brows for at least a week, and it's easy, quick, CHEAP CHEAP.

Savage, too. You whack on a load of pungent henna, with a toothpick (Mathias' sword!).

The toothpick lends a touch of delicacy, a nod to refined dining and dental hygiene. That, or Redwall.

You can use a thin eyeliner brush or paintbrush too, but it won't get in (between the skin and the brow hairs) as effectively. You could also use a henna cone if you know exactly what's in it (some ingredients can irritate the skin around your eyebrows). Finally, you can make your own henna cone/applicator by rolling up a plastic bag into a tapered cone, and taping the side shut. Good video tutorial for doing so here.

Pluses:

• If you have sparse hairs it blends in the gaps very nicely so you don't need to fill them in. 
• The henna molecule also clings to and physically thickens the brows, instead of just tinting. 
• Because you can custom blend, you can get a range of colours (with the addition of coffee, lemon, cassia, hibiscus tea, etc). You can also add beneficial ingredients (castor/coconut/olive oil) which will strengthen your hair, although it's best not to go overboard with the oil-to-henna ratio (drippity drip drip).
• If, as I do, you ALREADY henna your hair, this will ensure your brows hops onto the wild rollercoaster of colours your hair ride and there is no obvious disparity.

Cautions:

• Patch test to avoid reactions.
• Be careful, very careful, and block out enough time to do it that your needy roommate is not banging on your door urging that you go kite-racing with her THAT MINUTE. Flustered application is disastrous.
• Lemons-->fine for hair, fine for palms, not so much the eye area. (I tried it this time around, and got a reaction).
• Will need to re-do within a week or two.

Steps shall follow along with an ingenious method of storage..and results.

1. Henna-->prep... Mix up a small batch of henna with coffee and yogurt or coconut milk...anything but lemon juice. Let the dye release (4 hours or so). Add a spoon olive oil if you want. MAKE SURE THE MIXTURE IS ON THE THICK SIDE.
             -->Inevitably, the resulting batch will be too much for one application (you barely need half a teaspooon for both brows). Store the rest (see below) for future use.

2. Prep the eye area
              --> Vaseline smoothed on around the brows (where you don't want it to tint). You'll clean up as you go along afterwards, but this is a precautionary measure against a carrot-tinted unibrow.


3. Dip toothpick (or brush) into a glob of henna and smooth it on into the shape that you desire. Repeat for a long time.
                  --> Go back and forth between brows for an even result.
                  -->Always keep in mind the shape/arch that you want. You can sketch this out with a makeup pencil prior.
                  -->Clean up as you go along with a cotton-bud AKA Q-tip
                  -->It will look crazy painted on thickly, but when you wash it off it will be much softer than you anticipated. So don't be sparing, unless you just want a few steps above a Vermeer portrait.

4. Wait for it to dry (about 10-20 minutes) and wash off.
                -->For first application, 10 minutes is best, in case you hate the result. If you don't you can do it again.

Storage:
C'est une grande idee!
 Dollar store supply stores sell watercolour palettes and grocery stores/pharmacies sell pill boxes! You can use either of these, glob in the remaining henna, and freeze. Then, as needed, remove, thaw, and use. Another idea is Zip-loc bags.

I got mine during a crazy shopping spree at the local dollar store's...closing down sale. (20 DOLLARS WERE SPENT...WILD TIMES). The kindly shopkeeper took pity on my wretchedness, and tossed the palette into my bag for free. Bless. 60 cents were spared me, which shall be used towards my 'shiny silver star' fund, to top our Christmas shrub this year.

Anyway...here be the henna storage supplies. (The Garnier olia bottle doth contain henna for head application).

When not sprawled seductively across rippling leopard print, they reside in the freezer. You can take em out to thaw (1-2 hours) and use whenever. Coo.

Okay class. Much was learned. Dismissed. Au revoir.

"But soft!" cry the pupils. "Halt!"
"Miss.." Pompeii Reigns Supreme toddles forth, bashful. "Warn't thee garn show us what it's gon' lookalike?"

Sure thing, PRS.

No threading/plucking/ or other forms of carnage were wreaked on these fluffy brows. (Nor any filling-in makeup magic, though the rest of the face be plastered.)
 Just the henna. Toodles.

"Gaarsh.. Miss sure got spictac'lur brow game goin' on, darnsh't she?"
"Yeah...I like the way her neck and face are different colours too."
"The overdrawn lipstick sure is nice."
"Well, I'm quite enamoured with the split ends, myself."

ZUT ALORS!

I am pumped! Are you pumped? I SURE AS DIDDLY AM!

 PUMPED TO BE SITTING HERE, POISED TO WRITE, WITH THE SILLIEST OF INTENTIONS!

-Singing muses intervene-

 "Away with the flack, don't give her the sack. VRAIMENT! She's baaaack."

Largely due to popular demand, public demonstrations, a heartwarming letter from a young girl in hospital with a bad back (temporary, thank GOD). Well, that alone wasn't enough, of course. It never is. My heart usually remains sealed, within a fortress of obdurate laziness.

The Saudi Princess Salma or whoever, she of the fablastic lingerie line (Naomi, if you must know), may have pulled a few strings to get me writing again; you have her to thank. Even sealed fortresses have their drawbridges, with guards who succumb to only the most munificent of bribes.

Read between the lines: I like big words.

NOW THEN.

WHAT SHALL I SHARE WITH YOU?

Books? Well, apart from rifling through 'Chatelaine' and the like, I cannot say I have perused  'literature,' per se. I have heard good things about...the library. But it's a three minute drive away. Three minutes better spent...
MIXING UP LOTIONS & POTIONS! Cackles and thunderbolts!

Mais oui! I'm so excited about some of these amateur concoctions!

Here are a few things to note:;
1. That coconut oil + olive oil is + aloe vera gel is still the best thing ever.
2. That henna rocks.
3. That coconut MILK and coconut cream are worth their weight in gold.

~Unrefined, virigin coconut oil is nigh omnipotent! I don't know why I bother trying other things for my skin. It somehow brightens in a way that no serum I've tried has done, yet.
Olive oil and aloe vera mixed in seem to heighten the absorption?
 I don't know the scientific mechanics, pH and such.
 It isn't clogging for me, though it is reportedly very much so, for some.

~I have candy-floss, fine hair, which is also dry and all those other dull details that characterise curly hair. Henna powder + coconut milk, left for 5-7 hours to 'activate', then applied with or without coffee/lemon juice/egg yolk/glycerin/olive oil, mixed in.

This makes for an inexpensive hair mask.
It can be left in for 40 minutes or longer, for all the benefits of shine/strength/cuticle-smoothing-powers (aka gloss). It also imparts an auburn gleam which has refined my highlights and softened the dreaded demarcation of the roots. Katrinaosity has several useful videos on the subject.

The more frequently I do it, the thicker/shinier my hair becomes. Also: darker.

Of course, you risk protein overload with henna. Conditioners combat the crunchy, yucky feeling.

The Inebreya Ice Cream Banana-T (eh?) hair mask is indispensable for me! It's available at Shopper's Drug Mart. It has been whispered that you can go a few days after a henna treatment, using only a conditioner for rinsing! I cannot confirm this; shampoo and I, our relationship has endured the ages.

~Coconut cream/milk as a hair mask.
Too much of a good thing? Not so with this! It can be a leave-in mask for much less time than the henna mask, and impart similar results, aside from the colour.

I admit, I used the coconut cream on my face as a mask too, once, just for research purposes, you understand. Results: excellent. Most notable change was the undereye area--not crinkly, smoother. No pimples. But I'm not generally sensitive to coconut derivatives...

So there you have it! Coconut glorification, for your edification!