Little by little

I have had a busy 2 weeks!....
We all caught very bad flu,teething baby and my daughter had a 'Adenoidectomy' operation,so.......nourished mama.....well she lost her way a bit!
But I am back ......and determined, ....too many biscuits eaten and not enough exercise...


I finally started to knit!It took me about 15 minutes to figure out how to cast on, but it all came flooding back from my school days....and I have now knitted about 5 rows!! Kids were amazed to see mummy 'making' something, they were waiting for the scarf to appear...it's going to take a while ......a long while... I said!!
The 'To do' list has come out too. I need to set my goals big and small.......this year I would like there to be change and progress......

All good work is done the way ants do things, little by little. Lafcadio Hearn

God grant me the serenity to accept the people I cannot change, the courage to change the one I can, and the wisdom to know it's me. Unknown

I am dreaming of ........ a simple home in the sun, a growing friendship, a happy family,a deeper faith, a healthier body, being creative and resourceful ,to inspire and be inspired,to give more,contemplate more,appreciate more........

may the year ahead be the stepping stones to the things we yearn for........


Now...onto my home treats....
I attempted to do the sales!! It was just too hectic, so I treated myself to some online treats....this one arrived today.......

a hanging Moroccan star lantern!..Waiting for husband to come home to help me hang it.I do like making my home pretty....

Thought for the day:

Fear less, hope more. Eat less, chew more. Whine less, breathe more. Talk less, say more. Hate less, love more . . . And all good things are yours.
Swedish Proverb

God's pharmacy

Part of the reason for starting this blog was to help me with eating food better suited to my body, to nourish myself and stop feeling uncomfortable and unwell but to realize my full potential.I have my good days and then my bad...I am aiming for balance.....the way God intended.....

• “What killed mankind is the introduction of food on top of food before it could be digested.” Al-Harith Bin Kalada

• Spiritual benefits of eating less: Humbleness of the heart, strengthening of understanding, decrease in lowly desires and anger. Overeating induces the opposite. Al-Hasan Al-Basri said:

• “O, son of Adam, eat with one third of your stomach and drink with one third and leave one third of your stomach to breathe so that you may think.”

• “No human ever filled a vessel worse than the stomach.''

• Muhammad Bin Wasi said: “Whoever eats little will feel cleared and humble. Overeating weighs a person down and stops him from much of what he wants (to accomplish).”

Introduction of food on top of food is one my problems and eating certain foods that just don't agree with me!{wheat} Why is addiction so hard?
I want to eat beneficial,nourishing,simple food just enough to satisfy me.

When I manage to avoid wheat I like to eat sprouted spelt bread.It is moist and sweet and easy on the digestion.I like to eat it lightly toasted with scrambled eggs and a drizzle of good quality olive oil on top. Eggs and olive oil are amazing foods and incredibly good for you.When you consume high quality nourishing simple foods you feel satisfied with less, I tend to eat more when I don,t eat well! Going back to basics.....thats where I want to go,I am tired of being tired all the time, there is so much to do.......






I,ll leave you with this......

on the mend

Baby is feeling much better today.....and I am free! I can actually get on with things.I used the homeopathic baby kit and sabucol syrup for the last 2 days and I do feel like they really helped.
Grateful for natural medicine, a gift from our Creator!
Today I wanted to create a different atmosphere in the house,so I burnt a lovely woody blend of oils which contains:

• Frankinsense-healing,inspiring,fortitude,peace
• Cinnamon-energizing,strength,practicality
• Orange- Joy,creativity,concentration
• Myrrh-positivity
• Pine- exhilaration,mindfulness,humility,alertness
• Clove-happiness,focus,self-awareness
  

It has a very earthy ,woody,spicy smell......I do feel energized and in a good frame of mind, it is quite different to the way I feel when I burn lavender and rose!

''Good smells also have a profound effect on the soul, which yearns for beauty, whether limitary or absolute. ''


From this material which I bought ages ago........I would like to try the scalloped fabric garland tutorial from sew mama sew

I will give myself a month to do this as I am a complete newbie to the world of sewing!
Now.....where is that sewing machine hiding?

Just chatted to my friend about her 3 o'clock snack,she wanted something a little different to her usual......found this recipe.......I only have 1/2 of the ingredients so will have to shop tomorrow and try them out......

Sunny coconut fennel flapjacks
200g rolled oats
100g virgin coconut oil
50g maple syrup
50g sunflower seeds
50g dessicated coconut
2 tablespoon's fennel

Melt virgin coconut oil over a low heat. Remove from heat and add rolled oats, maple syrup, coconut, sunflower seeds and fennel seeds. Place in oiled baking tray. Heat at 200C for 20-25 mins. Allow to cool, Divide. Share.

I'm off now to turn my day into a positive one!

Thoughts for the day....

When it comes to eating right and exercising, there is no "I’ll start tomorrow." Tomorrow is disease. - V. L Allineare

Sometimes in life the difference between success and failure is right motivation.

lantern passion winner

the winner of the lantern passion giveaway is...INES
well done......enjoy
pls contact me with your email address...



thankyou for your sweet comments, I wish I could send you all one.....

more morrocan ispiration

I thought I would share some more of my morrocan inspired things around the house.
Everything was bought for very little money from fetes ,car boot sales and charity shops.....I am very grateful that I could fill my home with things I love and that inspire me....rustic simple morrocan design.

The silver table is for serving tea, the little chair is actually a milking stool, the pot used to be used for cooking soup,and leather pouf.......well it was a bargain at £1......

I bought these 2 lampshades today, I thought they were quite morrocan inspired,they look lovely at night...my picture taking doesn't do them justice......



and the little one gave me 20 mins of peace climbing up and down the ladder....he was fascinated by it ,good to see him smiling even though he is very sick.

I haven't been able to exercise or cook nourishing meals for myslf......
I really hope next week will be better......I miss looking after myself!! at least I have shiny hair from my oil treatment yesterday....


I leave you with this.....

Every day do something that will inch you closer to a better tomorrow.
Doug Firebaugh

What progress, you ask, have I made? I have begun to be a friend to myself.
Hecato, Greek philosopher

tired mama

I am so tired! My poor little baby boy has been sick for 2 days.Non stop crying day and night,fever, running nose,cough.........
and just wants his mummy. I am sleep deprived and haven,t been able to do a alot of nourishing for myself......but there is always light at the end of the tunnel......

Verily, with hardship, there is relief (Qur'an 94:6)

The job of being mummy is truly the hardest but the most rewarding.I thought this was quite funny......
They joys of motherhood are never fully experienced until the children are in bed.
- Author Unknown.
Sometimes I really can,t wait till they are all asleep

We did manage to make some candle holders with the kids cousins.......from old jars and tissue paper....





As for myself,I did manage to oil my hair this morning and I am hoping to have a calming candle lit bath when husband comes home.....I think I deserve it.
Hoping baby will be better tomorrow so I get back on track.

Leave you with this.....

And it may be that you dislike a thing that is good for you.....

Quran 2:216

Before its violent revolution, France imprisoned two brilliant poets: one an optimist, the other a pessimist. They both squeezed their heads through the bars of their cell windows. The optimist then stared at the stars and laughed, while the pessimist looked at the dirt of a neighboring road and wept. Look at the other side of a tragedy - a circumstance of pure evil does not exist, and in all situations one can find goodness and profit and reward from Allah.

resist resist

Today I did my resistance and toning dvd. Lots of squats and hand weights! Why is it good to do resistance training as well as aerobic execise?
Resistance training increases your resting metabolism,so even when you are having a nourishing knitting session your body is still burning calories and fat.Muscle gives you shape and definition and we like a bit of that!!......It should be done at least 3 times a week with rest days inbetween.
I am doing one day resistance and one day aerobic...alternating as the week goes on.

It is a great way to supercharge your metabolism......c'mon ......give it a go..you won't regret it, especially when you see your shape changing.

Thoughts for the day:


Those who think they have not time for bodily exercise will sooner or later have to find time for illness. ~Edward Stanley


Lack of activity destroys the good condition of every human being, while movement and methodical physical exercise save it and preserve it. ~Plato

lantern passion GIVEAWAY.....

This is my beautiful new lantern all lit up at night.I just LOVE it.
so........to celebrate my new blog....I want to share my lantern passion!
Leave a comment below ,about anything nourishing and I,ll draw a name from a hat on Sunday!

shopping heaven

Let's start from the morning!! Woke up to find a lovely gift for the little one from his daddy.....a gorgeous dinner set.....it's just the cutest design....just a shame the food doesn't stay in the bowl but rather tipped out on the table!! oh well....


Did a quick tidy up and decided to take a brisk walk to the market!.....just in case I got carried away with shopping and had no time for exercise!! which is exactly what happend! I am sooooo predictable!
Oh I was in shopping heaven, it was just my day today!
Went to the charity shops ,hoping to find something interesting or unusual!
This is my haul........

What did I find?.... knitting needles and knitting magazines......yes I am going to attempt to knit, haven't tried since my school days so it may take some time to get the hang of it but watch this space......
I found a great book called......

love the writng inside,very simple, authentic, nourishing recipes ,I am so excited to try some of them out.

The blue ornament is a candle holder,I just love the colour and the shape is very unusual!..I bought a cute notepad for my daughter and organic top {still had the label on}for my son.
And the lantern.....well I couldn't resist....it is new ,not from the charity shop but was a bargain at £5!!.......
So I got all my goodies for under £10 ........oh.....I am ever so pleased with myself....and thankful of course!!

So no exercise today, I have to rush off now to make nourishing supper for the family....on the menu tonight is...roast shoulder of lamb, rice and green salad.......

Leave you with this thought:

There is no sight on earth more appealing than the sight of a woman making dinner for someone she loves.
~Thomas Wolfe

mummy tea party

Today I had a mummy tea party.A chance to talk ,relax...enjoy each others company.We are always so busy making sure our chores and families are looked after, it's good to change the routine once in a while especially with good friends.
Lit lots of candles and lanterns,had tea and treats........just relaxed!
Friends are truly a blessing,especially if they want for you what they want for themselves.Friends can have a big impact on your life....it's wise to choose them carefully.

"The example of a good companion and a bad companion is like that of the seller of musk, and the one who blows the blacksmith's bellows. So as for the seller of musk then either he will grant you some, or you buy some from him, or at least you enjoy a pleasant smell from him. As for the one who blows the blacksmith's bellows then either he will burn your clothes or you will get an offensive smell from him."

It was also a chance for me to dress up,wear a little makeup, nice perfume,my favourite jewelry......on the other hand my one friend felt relaxed enough to come in her pyjamas.......we are a funny bunch!!!

This week I would like to get back on track with my exercise,it was impossible for me to exercise since Monday....and I really missed it .{I am pleased to say!!}

So tomorrow morning I will start the day with a warming cup of ginger tea....to get the day off to a kicking start....and a nourishing week ahead.

Thought or two for the day:

"Do not dismiss certain acts of kindness by deeming them to be insignificant, even if (such an act) is to meet your brother with a smiling face (for that is a deed which might weigh heavily in your scale of deeds)."Prophet Muhammed (Blessings and Peace be upon him)

A pleasant face, kind words, and good manners are the most powerful ways to ingratiate you into the hearts of people. And yet even more powerful is gentleness. That is why the Prophet said:

"Anything that has gentleness in it is beautified by it, and anything that is bereft of it is stained."

Take from: Don't be sad

nourishing wife

This morning has been really hard for my husband,something happened where he was treated very unfairly,I can see he is really upset and feel so bad for him......so I have a moto for today to get us through:


Al-Hasan al-Basri said: “Do not resent the calamities that come and the disasters that occur, for perhaps in something that you dislike will be your salvation, and perhaps in something that you prefer will be your doom.”

going to be a nourishing wife today and offer him lots of support......so we march on and forward

Been having a bit of trouble with my baby sleeping at night.My friend V gave me a great tip....which I am trying to put in place today.Baby usually sleeps around 10:30 in morning and then around 4 in afternoon....so I am trying to keep baby awake ,then let him sleep around 12 until 2...and then bed around 8pm.....not as easy as it sounds!

We are eating & reading books and he is pulling books off my bookshelf.......mmmmmm..so entertaining for him yet annoying for me!!





totally off subject now and onto the humble courgette!! or zucchini you might say!
I eat way too much bread ,it's my vice and its's dragging me down.I'm trying to find foods to accompany my lunch or supper..that are filling and alkaline.
The courgette is a forgotton food but oh so good for you.



So affordable,easy to grow if you have the luxury of a little veg patch, very alkaline, filling but easy on the digestion.There are so many great recipes on the web but if want a quickie ...I just saute sliced courgette in a little butter for 5 mins......and serve drizzled with good quality olive oil,salt and a black pepper..

Baby's gone to sleepy land so I,m off to make my nourishing courgette.....


Thought for the day:

The wise man should consider that health is the greatest of human blessings. Let food be your medicine’s. - Hippocrates

aroma mama

Hello everyone....went a bit quiet as I had the roofers in again since tuesday.....and so not much nourishing mama happening!!....Could not do my exercise, make nourishing food,go out,do cosy housy things!! Apparently today is the last day
so hopefully I can get back on track......

Been reading the lovely 'THE FRAGRANT MIND'....



I love burning oils in the house,and as I had a few stressful days I was looking for tips to calm me using aromatherapy....

I chose...ROSE and LAVENDER.....
Rose oil is used for these positive attributes: motivates,inner vitality,sense of freedom,forgiving,fulfillment , confidence....

Lavender oil for these positive attributes: balance,clarity,inner peace,gentleness,rest,rejuvenation.....



I bought this aroma steamer from a car boot sale..{I know ,I am CAR BOOT JUNKIE}.
It's really great when you have kids as you can leave it on for hours with no worry of anyone getting burnt and the oils can be released over a long period of time or over night.The smell of the lavender and rose is divine......heavenly.

Went digging in cupboards again and found another PUKKA tea I did not know I had.Husband must of brought it home as a sample and forgot to tell me.....

It's soooooo delicious.......


It contains....green tea, cinnamon,ginger,star anise, cardamon.licorice.....
to warm and enrich.....and of course the packaging is beautiful....

so I am calming and motivating with my rose and lavender oils ...and warming and enriching with my PUKKA CUPPA!!...and I don,t have a leaking roof! yayeee

Thought for the day:

"Stress is not what happens to us.
It's our response TO what happens.
And RESPONSE is something we can choose."
Maureen Killoran

Thankfulness........

This morning we had great quality family time,for the first time in a long time, we just all sat in the kids room .... talked ,played, watched...we felt so happy and content !!
So grateful to have kids to watch growing up,a husband to share it with.....

An Arab poet said:

"Thankfulness. Remembrance, and patience,
In them are blessings and rewards."

A while back I was given a challenge by my lovely friend,which was to completely clear out the bathroom and give it a good clean....including shelves,windows,toiletries ....everything ,so finally..... I am going to complete the challenge tomorrow...


and on the subject of cleaning,found this video on how to cleanse your face properly.....
I have come to age where I need to start looking after my skin better,splashing with water in the morning does not count....
so my next nourishing mama mission is have a facial routine morning and night...
starting tonight ...going to cleanse my face properly....
I don't have a fancy cleanser,so I am going to use plain yogurt, and follow her advice..

enjoy.....






thought for day:

Doing good to others brings happiness to both the heart and the soul. A good deed provides greater benefits to the benefactor - in terms of blessings and recompense and peace - than it does to the receiver.

taken from: Don't be sad

amazing almonds

Still at home ,waiting for the roofer to finish,so went raiding my cupboards for things to eat!!
Found some organic almonds! The best way to eat them is to soak overnight until plump and skin peeled. The skin comes off very easily and the almonds are soft and juicy.You only need to eat 10 a day....so no munching whole packets of almonds!!.....tempting I know.

So I've soaked my 10 alomonds ready to eat with breakfast tomorrow .

Why do I want to eat almonds?

Almonds are rich in calcium and protein.
Almond is known as a brain tonic. It is rich in essential fats and serves to enhance memory and intelligence.
They lubricate the skin and the microcirculatory channels and support all the seven tissues, especially reproductive tissue. So very good for pregnant women.
Soaked almonds are a food that increases sexual energy and enhances fertility.
Soaked almonds give your skin lipid support from within

Apparently you can almond butter with fresh herbs and soft cheese,or a almond shake with dates mmmmm..... soaked of course!!..I will post these recipes once I have tried them....

So soaked almonds are 1 more step towards me becoming a nourished mama, the kids will love them too, just a few before school.

Today I am doing my step dvd........
and if the roofers leave soon enough a little bit of retail therapy-----I do love shopping! Even if it's at the local charity shop...you never know what treasure you might find!


Thought for the day...

You have two eyes, two ears, lips, two hands, two legs, a tongue, a heart, peace, safety, and a healthy body. Then which of the Blessings of your Lord will you both [jinns and men] deny? (Qur'an SS: 13)

kiddies, tea & tone

Its cold and rainy out there today........ginger tea came to mind........to warm me from the inside....

I simmered the sliced ginger in water {covered} for 10 mins then sipped till I felt that familiar warming energy boost.Ginger is a great winter tea and so good for you!! Great for tired digestions and those who have a bit of flatulance. The libido gets a good kick, which is always a bonus.....and it helps improve circulation and blood flow. In the winter we all need a immune booster and ginger is a good way of preventing the cold and flu virus from attacking.
So my nourishing tip for today is to have a cup of ginger , I am going to include 1 cup a day into my routine.

found this great tip on the web:

To get the best health benefits of ginger tea, wrap fresh ginger root tightly in a towel, place it in a sealed plastic bag, and keep it in the refrigerator (for 3 weeks) or in the freezer (for 3 months).

Today I am looking after my sisters kiddies......so including my little babes.....I have 3 under 4's to run after.......whooo hoooo

I'm off now to do my toning dvd.....with six beady eyes staring at me......''why you doing that aunty?''......he he they are too sweet!!

I am loving doing my exercise, I wonder why I left it so long to start again, I really am getting a great buzz......I hope this becomes a lifetime commitment. Even my kids are joining in with me ,if they are home from school and I am doing my dvd.......great addition to my life!! Sometimes I regret not doing more in the past..or doing things differently....but then I read this.......

Former days are gone and done with, and you benefit nothing by carrying out an autopsy over them, by turning back the wheels of history.

The person who lives in the past is like someone who tries to saw sawdust. Of old, they used to say: "Do not remove the dead from their graves."

Our tragedy is that we are incapable of dealing with the present: neglecting our beautiful castles, we wail over dilapidated buildings. If every man and every jinn were to try jointly to bring back the past, they would most certainly fail. Everything on earth marches forward, preparing for a new season and so should you.

Taken from:Don't be Sad

morrocan inspiration

I love morrocan design.....I love having a home filled with things I love to look at and creating a tranquil ambience and atmosphere.Here are a few pictures of my morrocan treasures I have collected:







As you can see I have a bit of a lantern passion....I love lighting them all up at night....burning oils....
family all together.....good food.....mmmmmm

I am waiting for the roofers to leave so I can get on with nourishing myself!!...Today is step exercise.......yesterday I did toning......so today is all about burning fat!!
My relaxing oil bath yesterday was great but.......I realized there was one thing I forgot!! and that was to exfoliate!!.....So nourishing thing number 2 for me today is : to give myself a good exfoliate, awaken those winter skin cells...

A little thought for today:

Contentment leads to thankfulness, which is among the highest levels of faith. In truth, it is the reality of faith.Indeed, the thankful person is the most blessed and prosperous of people.

Taken from: 'Don,t be Sad'