serendipitouspleasures

I often hear this question by close friend or family members, “How can I start this journey of pregnancy in a healthy way?”

Well, I am not a Doctor or a Nutritionist. I am just a normal woman who have read a lot about pregnancy and eating healthy. Therefore, I try to pass on ass much as information possible to my fellow friends. I will pinpoint some of the most important ways to conceive healthy and keep up with a healthy eating plan in this article.

First of all,

1. Make sure you are on your desired weight, because throughout pregnancy you’re going to gain a lot of weight, and it’s best for your future body and mind.
2. Start taking those Folic Acid vitamins. Read About it here
3. Eat more and more vegetables, fish and fruits
4. Go to the doctor regularly and get a Pap Smear test done
5. Do not drink or smoke.
6. Track your Fertility and Ovulation dates.
7. Stay stress free and exercise often!
8. Eat all sorts of nuts like Almond, Cashews, Walnuts etc.
9. Think positively and don’t get frustrated if you cannot conceive as soon as you desire. Everyone’s body has different cycles. Which is why it is good to track Fertility and Ovulation dates.
10. Love yourself and your partner. Give him a lot of support besides yourself and build a healthy relationship.

It’s very basic. There are no critical ways to conceive a healthy pregnancy. But, it depends on an individual how she perceives it. Pregnancy is the most tender and beautiful journey of a woman’s life. To start it with a healthy beginning and a healthy diet will guide a woman to a much enjoyable pregnancy.

After all, when you do conceive, all those cravings may get you off the healthy eating routine for a while. But be careful, always snack on healthy cravings. What you eat is what you are, and during pregnancy what you eat is what your baby gets.

We often hear the notion of getting an eight hour sleep every night and how it is beneficial to our physical and mental health. That is no joke. I have experienced sleeping disorder myself and it can bring serious risks to a person’s health, both physically and mentally. 

Sleeping disorder does not usually mean not getting eight hour of sleep only, a sleeping disorder can be any of the following:

• Sleeping too much
• Waking up constantly in between sleeping
• Not being able to fall asleep, although body is extremely tired
• Sleeping too late of the night and sleeping through the day

Lack of Sleep may trigger low immunities, learning and behavior disabilities. A lack of a ‘good night’ sleep can affect relationships, health, and mental wellness. It can even make a person feel “disconnected” from life. These can lead to more serious matters, and even death if not cared for.

Surprisingly, almost everyone today suffers from sleeping disorders of some sort. It has become so common that people no longer take it seriously enough to seek help or get treatments.

to be continued….

I have developed a deep relationship with Food Photography ever since I have started cooking. In the very beginning cooking was a mess and a hard task, but today it is a fun filled activity which energizes me, inspires me and satisfies me! To photograph the food I cook is absolutely a wonderful adventure.

There are a very few tips to photograph food which  I think are very important to accomplish a perfect photo result.

Some of these tips are as follows:

• Have neat presentation ( Not too much clutter )
• Choose a plain background/table top. (Too much fanciness is distracting)
• Use a solid colored plate/platter/base where the food is served
• Shoot in daylight. (Try beside the window or a place where there is sufficient daylight available)
• If you’re shooting somewhere daylight is unavailable, then try a 100 watt lamp or portable flash lights.
• Avoid flash on camera. Flash on camera tends to change the originality of the Food.
• Use a tripod.
• Turn the Macro setting on

Not all of the above have to be done in order for a perfect food shot to be achieved, but best results will be received if followed =)

 I have been meaning to share my love of Olives and Olive Oil with people for a while. The moment has arrived today. Well, I should say the moment has arrived because of the terrible muscle and bone aches on my legs that started since yesterday. I have been taking pain killers, taking warm baths, heat pad, rubs to cure from this pain. Although these methods are useful, they are not permanent and the pain comes back very quickly.

 As I was trying to think of other ways to cure myself from this pain, I remembered a verse I once read from the Quran stating the wonders of Olive oil and its’ benefit on pain.

I was helpless to try anything folks. So, I got my Extra Virgin Olive oil out of the counter and poured a good amount on a small bowl. I took some oil in my palms and rubbed both palms against one another to warm the oil. Traditionally you can use an oil warmer of some sort, but I don’t own anything fancy like that so the palm trick worked pretty well!

 I’ll never lie dear friends, while i was massaging my own muscles and bones I felt the warming sensation of olive oil going through my skins into the places where pain lives. After almost 30 minutes I felt much better and an ease with my pain. I did this massaging of olive oil again in the next 2 hours and the pain is gone.

Now, I can completely understand why this magic fruit has been mentioned in the Holy Book of Allah, the Quran. It works wonders!

Olives have been mentioned seven times in the Qur’an and their health benefits have been propounded in Prophetic medicine. The Prophet Muhammad (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) is reported to have said:

Take oil of olive and massage with it – it is a blessed tree.

 (Dārimi, 69:103)

In the Mediterranean culture “it has served as everything from money to medicines for several thousand years” (Zwingle, 1999). 

Olives (Zaytun) have numerous health benefits, including being rich in Vitamins (in particular Vitamin E), minerals, monounsaturated fats, and anti-oxidants. They are full of nutritional value, helping to fight against a number of critical diseases; including cancer, arthritis, osteoprosis, constipation, inflammation and asthma

Olives have been mentioned seven times in the Qur’an and their health benefits have been propounded in Prophetic medicine. The Prophet Muhammad (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) is reported to have said:

Take oil of olive and massage with it – it is a blessed tree.

 (Dārimi, 69:103)

For more information you can visit Wonders of Olives

This is very QUICK, EASY and a DELICIOUS recipe for you hungry people out there.
When we think quick and easy, we don’t often think delicious. Do we? But, the trick to making an delicious easy meal is to know the right ingredients and to add them in proper measurements.

ps* This is also a super healthy meal. I’ve used very little oil and spices. So, this goes perfectly with my nutritional diet.

Ingredients:

* White mushrooms (or any other mushrooms, cut in slices as many as you want. I used about 10 here)
* Half of a Green pepper (cut in medium pieces)
* 1 carrot sliced in thin pieces
* 3-4 Green chillies (chopped)
* 1 tomato (chopped)
* Shrimps (as many you like)
* 1 medium onion (chopped in thin slices)
* Salt (1 tea spoon)
* Black pepper (1 tea spoon)
* White pepper (1 tea spoon)
* Cooking Oil (2 table spoon)

Instruction:

* Heat the oil in pan for about 5 minutes.
* Add the onions and cook for few minutes
* Add the carrots and green pepper and cover the pan for 5 minutes for it to boil
* Then add everything else including the salt, pepper.Stir fry for another 5 - 10 minutes until ingredients look cooked and a bit juicy.

Serve with steamed rice or flat bread.

I say 2 pounds here because it is unhealthy to lose more than 2 Ibs per week. The body will lose much of its’ nutrients and water, which will weaken the body to bring side effects which are not healthy way to lose weight.

I have tried the following tips to lose weight without going on a hunger strike, and I lose a couple inches and 2 ibs! yes! It feels great to lose something in such a long time. After giving delivery to my daughter Hafsa it has been tough for me to lose the baby fat. Now with very careful steps, I am trying to get fit.

Here are the tips:

1) First thing in the morning after awaking from sleep, drink one whole glass of warm water on an empty stomach. Even better if a tspn of honey and a drop of lemon juice is mixed.

It’s okay to drink a second glass. This will balance all the juice from food eaten from previous night and prevent from acidity and gas to be formed.

2) Eata healthy meal at breakfast, but don’t restrict yourself to eat too little. Breakfast is the most essential part of one’s day and should be the biggest meal of the day to keep you energized and going for the whole day. Also, have lots of water or fruit juice too.

*avoid pop, frothy coffee or tea and juices with high amount of calories and sugars.

*Try juicing at home with fresh fruits, or just eat the fresh fruits for best results!

*Try substituing sugar with Splenda (no calorie sweetener) or non processed Brown Sugar. I love splenda. It tastes just like sugar!

3) Do not drink water or any liquid for atleast 5 minutes after finishing food. This waiting period allows the food to go down and restrains one from feeling overloaded.

*Take small sips of water.

4) Eat garlic with food. Garlic is excellent for digestion and lowering cholesterol. Although it may leave mouth with unpleasant smell. But there is mint or mouth wash for that!

5) If you have a tool or a low level chair, use it for simple exercises at home. Stand on your foot straight and place the tool in front of you. Then lift one foot and step on the tool and bring the other foot along. Try this 100 times and move it up gradually.

*This is a great leg and thigh workout without having to run on a treadmill.

6) Drink a lot of Decaffeinated Green Tea without sugar.

7) Drink 8-10 glasses of water throughout the day. Water consumtion is good for letting out toxins from body.

Eat fresh fruits and green vegetables.

9) Cook with very little oil and onions. Use low sodium salt.

10) Replace rice with barley, brown rice or brown bread. Avoid anything that contains high amount of carbohydrate.

I am having a tiresome day, I have been really sleepy and tired since I got back from Montreal. Tonight, I want to go to bed early and it has been a long long day.

 I won’t write too much. Just want to share one of my own and my most favorite recipes.

Here it is!

 —

Creamy Tomato Chicken

Ingredients:

Half kg Chicken cut into bite sizes
2-3 tomatoes - chopped
1 onion - chopped
3-4 whole green chillies
1 tsp crushed black pepper
1 tsp salt or as needed
1 tsp chopped ginger
1 tsp ginger paste
1 tsp garlic paste

Instruction:

-In a pan pur 3-tbsp ( or as needed) oil and let it heat
-Add chopped ginger and green chili, stirring frequently fry for 2 minutes.
-Add chicken and salt. The combination of ginger and garlic paste. Stirring frequently fry until the meat is well browned
-Add chopped tomatoes, stirring frequently fry the meat mixture for about 10 minutes until the tomatoes are reduced to a pulp. Add a little water if necessary to prevent the mixture from sticking to the bottom of the pan. Keep frying until the oil begin to separate.
-Add chopped green chili, black pepper.
-Reduce the heat to low, cover with a tight fitting lid and cook for 15 minutes until the chicken is tender.

Garnishing:

Sprinkle with finely chopped coriander leaves
And sprinkle some additional chopped ginger. ( optional )

Good night

Two weeks ago, I found myself very distressed and restless in everything I did. Whether i was doing my laundry, the cleaning, cooking or even Photography. Because of this excessive restlessness my sleep pattern was disorganized, my mind was a total unsolved puzzle trying to figure a way in its’ own place.

One  afternoon I was so stressed that i decided to lay down and calm down for a bit and return to what I was doing. While laying down, I began to think too much and it just wasn’t working. But then I noticed the ‘Book of Hadith’ (A book with the sayings and teaching of the Prophet Muhammad SAW) on the bedside table and thought I’d read it for a while and escape from thinking.

The following Hadith has caught my attention:

“Nabi Muhammad SAW said, There are fur characteristics of such a nature that one who has been blessed with them has been blessed with what is the best in this world and the Hereafter.

(1) A thankful heart  (2)  A tongue which remembers Allah (God).  (3) A body which endures hardships and (4) A wife who does not desire to breach the trust of her husband or squander his wealth

After reading this ‘hadith’ I felt a rush of guilt in my heart. I told myself, “What am I doing? Wasting my time worrying and stressing out over unnecessary matters? Where will this lead to anyway? To seek solace in my heart and to find peace of mind is to refresh and purify myself, my heart.

When was the last time I thanked Allah for everything he has given me? Alhamdulillah! I am a fortunate woman, despite my unthankfulness and the lack of my remembrance of Allah, I am still being given chances after chances to fix myself. Allah is merciful!

Right away after this, I grabbed a pen and jotted down some of the main actions to take towards purifying my heart.

*Be thankful to Allah for every good and bad times. For bad times always bring a good ending.

*Get my tongue busy on remembering Allah, engage in ‘Dhikr’

*In times of physical pain or hardships I should only think of doing this for the sake of Allah and enduring it for the ake of Allah

*To avoid and restrain from any backbiting, gossips.

*To read the Quran more and to pray from the heart.

*To fear death and life here after.

*Be good to others

*To practice patience and apply it in my actions

So, InshAllah (If God wills) my heart will find its’ peace =)

I always find the new years to be full of resolutions and promises to the self for a better year, but usually end up not having made half of them by the end of the year.

But this New Year I feel pretty confident about reaching half of my resolutions.  I believe that in order to reach my goals I should set my goals in baby steps, and gradually spread my wings. I have already started on my tasks to make the resolutions come true.

Starting with healthy eating and exercising. I don’t have a high goal that I will lose 50 pounds or 80 pounds, instead my goal is to have a healthy lifestyle and keep my mind at peace. Trying too hard to reach a goal that is too high can lead to zero result. Dr. Phil says that a person who goes on a diet and excessively restricts oneself to lose weight ends up gaining more weight. So, to keep a balanced diet and exercise is what I am leaning towards.

My second goal is to finish my school by the end of this year. I am starting my Aesthetics program in January 6th, 2009. I am excited to go back to the learning field. Although I was a Graphic Design student in Seneca and this has been my career goal since High school, I had taken break from it due to many unpleasant times in my life.

At this point in my life, it requires too much commitment to go back to completing my education in Graphic Design. Thus, my goal is to get a diploma in something I am good at and can enjoy and finish in a short time. So, after a lot of thought, I have decided to get my diploma in Advanced Aesthetics in the Canadian Aesthetics Academy. I am already a registered student and classes start next week.

Last but not least, and the most important of all; my goal is to make my life simpler by committing myself more into the Islamic lifestyle. I want to make my life less complicated, less materialistic and less involved in the worldly matters.

Last week, I have gone to Montreal for a one week Jamat (going out in the path of Allah). Jamat means to go out in the path of Allah with the intention of purifying one’s heart from everything worldly and evil, and to engage in learning Deen (Islam), learning the ways of living as a Muslim. This is a sacrifice, which every Muslim must make in order to spread Islam and apply onto everyday lives. During this trip I have sacrificed the warmth and comfort of my home, all worldly materials like my computer, telephone, the shopping, chit chats, etc. Throughout this whole journey we occupied ourselves in reading Hadith( the saying of the Prophet SAW) and learning and correcting ourselves. I have come back so purified in the heart that now I wish everyone’s life was this simple. Thus, the intention to make my life simple is a one huge goal.

I hope and pray that all my resolutions turn out as it is made.