Homemade Beauty: Lip Scrub with kids

Kids made Lip scrub today with 3 ingredients that we already had in our Kitchen. It was a simple and fun project that they really enjoyed, especially the kids. I try to teach kids to make whatever they can at home and from scratch and whenever they can instead of always buying it as the first option. Instilling the idea of being producers rather than consumers is crucial at a young age. AR always has chapped lips so we made these lip scrubs for all of us. These have always helped his chapped lips. H of course love making it since it's a beauty product. Also teaching them that our beloved used to do things himself (Peace and blessing be upon him).

Kid's lip scrub

Here is what we used in the kids version of the scrub:

• 1 tsp - organic coconut oil
• 2 tsp - organic cane sugar
• dash - organic cinnamon 

Adult's lip scrub

Here is what I used for the adults scrub:

• 1 tsp - organic coconut oil
• 2 tsp White sugar 
• 2 drops lavender essential oil
• 1 drop Eucalyptus
• Dash of grated lemon 

Optional additions when making it for adults or giving as a gift:

• Food coloring (gives it a LUSH touch)
• Coffee
• Brown sugar instead of cane sugar and white sugar
• Olive oil
• Honey

Enjoy the recipe and polish those beautiful smiles!

Stay tuned for more of our Homemade recipes for the whole family.

Yoga with kids

Every morning as I do my yoga after dawn prayer time my kids start to creep out of bed one at a time. Sometimes after I am have completed my yoga regimen I put one episode of Cosmic kids on for them for their yoga time. The kids have been doing Cosmic kids yoga for quite a few years, recently she has been adding plenty of new videos.

Happy Yoga Mommies and kiddies!

Nature Nurtures Learning

The last few months we have been living out of hotel rooms, Alhumdulillah. It is awesome to have room service, and I feel like I am getting too spoiled by it. However, it can sometimes get quite cramped for the 5 of us in a tiny space, especially for the children. So we try to keep as many outdoor activities as possible, and not burdensome for any of us. One of the things we have been taking outdoors are our books!

We have a nice park by our hotel, we take our books there and stay put a good 2 to 3 hours. The kids play and learn at the same time. They have grown in their cognitive abilities, behavior, in learning and understanding new concepts, each other and the world around them. How things around them are constantly changing naturally and so are we. They're not just doing their daily lessons but also observing and learning from their surroundings and the beauty in what He has created with astonishing perfection.

We have always enjoyed the nature, being in the wild, forests and falls of Canada and United States to the desserts and beaches of Arabia. We love it all! Kids and adults both benefit and flourish in nature. It connects us in a unique way to The Creator, and puts one in a state of Awe in His Signs, as one reflects. All this love for nature was taken to another level when I read "I love Dirt" By Jennifer Ward. And just recently "Last child in the woods"

I leave you with poster and the above quote from the book "Last child in the woods"

Positive Discipline - Online Course

Positive Discipline is offering an online course in January called - Discipline with influence. Ruth Baffin is the founder of Positive Discipline, she is a woman full of wisdom and great advice. Don't miss this opportunity.

Studying online at home is a good way to learn in you own comfort zone and at your own pace in some cases. However, it comes with its own challenges, for some people it is the issue self motivation and consistence because "no one is watching". One simple solution for that is, try taking the course with other mom(s) or husband, split the cost and meet once a week for 7 weeks (or other duration) and benefit from it together inshaAllah. Doing it together in a group also opens up new topics of discussion and ideas.

Do benefit from the opportunity!

Enjoy Peaceful Parenting!

Book Review - Have you filled a bucket today?

I simply love this book!  It is one of those classic books every family should have in their home library.

It encourages positive behaviour,  passion and empathy in a very child friendly manner. Even our 2 year old talks about his "bucket".  The language is very simple for children to comprehend and remember.

I feel we tend to neglect building emotional intelligence our children. Often a subject easily ignored. This is a wonderful  book to start of with.

It has a few other sister books you can also look into.

Time to fill your bucket! 

A New Beginning...

Doha, Qatar - downtown

We recently moved to Doha, Qatar, (Alhumdulillah - all praise is for God), a lot of settling in to do and adjustment for all of us. Its not too hot right now so we get a lot of chance to go out and explore.

When we got here we only had 4 suitcases each which mainly had clothes and hygiene products and some books. Since I didn't have much to be very crafty with them, I decided to use the resources we have around us and the books we had with us. I made a quick draft of how I wanted to establish rhythm in our day once again, and got at it! Alhumdulillah so far its going well. We have our spontaneous days too where we drop the books and go outside. We have also taken our books out and studied on grass under the blue sky in fresh air.

Doha has been a nice place so far Alhumdullilah. We continue to ask Allah SWT to bless this place for us and bring khair and only khair for us from this part of the world. And unite us with righteous company. Ameen

Many beautiful views and a very diverse and welcoming community, they say Doha is only 20% Qatari's and 80% foreigners. It will be a very different experience then living in Canada and Saudi, We are looking forward to it.

Missing friends, family sisterhood, TMH and fall in the Canada immensely though.

Souq Waqif, opposite to Fanar Masjid

3D painting, kids saw the painters work on it over a span of a week.

Sheridan Hotel, known to be the first major hotel, been around for over 30 years.

Night time boat glamour!

Fanar Masjid

Abdul Wahaab Masjid - Main Masjid of Doha

Doha Skyline :)

Book Review: Ramadan books

Here we go... And InshaAllah hoping to stay. 

We are always looking for good Ramadan books. I want to share some Ramadan titles we are planning on reading this Ramadan.  The best part about them is they cost $0! I had put them on hold at  our local library. Alhumdulilah we got them a few days before Ramadan.  We try to make use of the resources we have, they help us stay more frugal!  

InshaAllah we want to start again

Assalamu Aalaikum wa rahmatullahe wa barakatuhu

InshaAllah we are planning on being back on blogging, been MIA for a while, Alhumdulilah. We have been doing a lot of "living" learning!  We learned a lot about Allah's amazing plans. His Divine Decree, Love and Mercy that surrounds us all the time. We are indeed blessed, blessed and blessed over billions. 

So stay tuned InshaAllah. Be'iznillahi Ta'ala (with Allah's permission) 

Ramadan Kareem!

Moment of Aww... & Doll stroller seat Redo

A couple of  months ago H's doll stroller seat ripped.  Since then she has been asking  for another stroller. So I decided to Redo the stroller seat instead of  buying another.  It literally cost $0 since I had all the supplies at home.

The reason  why I wanted to share this  was H's reaction to it.  Mashaa-Allah she was so happy to have her stroller seat back. What made the whole thing more wonderful was the smile of feeling  special she had on her face when I said  to her "I made this for you".  (this happens for everytime I make or do something for any one of them. And Yes! This goes for hubby too)

There is just something about "making/ doing"  things, clothes, food, duas, lessons, toys and much much more for your family. The feelings you get and give are so powerful that it makes you want to do it again and again. To blossom  the whole experience up even more it helps me by purifying my intentions only for Allah SWT.  I feel this gets me up and going / doing even on those days when I am feeling down. 

File Folders

I made a few file folder games for the kids to go along side with their everyday main lesson plans.

I used online resources and store bought books. MashaAllah the kids are really enjoying and benefitting from them. 

DIY - word family house.

This year our main lessons have revolved around writing and reading year (not reading and writing).  We approached literacy this way because  this is how AR liked and enjoyed it. Plus that is how language evolved, through storytelling, writing and then reading. Alhumdulillah, AR has gotten good at writing (still learning) and now reading... He has written many of his own small books and really enjoys reading them. 

Recently  I introduced word families in an interactive way to see if he would be interested in them.  He totally loved them. I just leave them out in a bin on the table and he just picks them up randomly and tries to play and read the words.

Here is the link to these great interactive word family houses. And the second picture is from a book I just had to cut and color them.

How and when did you introduce literacy to your little ones? Please share in comments.

Why we love everything coconut

Coconut is a staple in our home, we love it "in" and "on" our bodies.  Hope this inspires you to include this wholesome superfood in your lives too.

Prioritizing & Reconnecting at deeper level with the Quran

Starting  each day with the recitation of the Quran puts ones heart at peace and in a state of calmness. This helps one to take on the challenges of the day and stay focused on the important things. The most beautiful part is every time one opens the Quran there are lessons and reminders for one to hold on to and work on for the day. 

The goal should be quality not quantity. Reading half a page, a page or two, but reading with understanding is important. If one doesn't understand Arabic then reading a translation can be useful. Trying and testing different amounts and seeing what works best can be helpful. 

As Muslims parents everyday we strive to instill in our kids the love of Quran and the Sunnah. What we forget is... If they don't see us loving Quran - by spending "one on one time" with it (I am sure we as parents are very familiar with this phrase) how exactly  do we expect them to love it.  If they don't see us turning to the Quran when we are overcome by negative emotions so we can return to our normal states. How will they learn to channel their emotions in a positive manner, or control them. To function at our optimal level we have to first and foremost connect ourselves with Allah and Quran. Having this spiritual connection can help us see this world and the people around us from a whole new lens.

I just have too much on my plate and that is the case of most moms. So I have set a goal to read one double  sided  page a day no matter where I am and how busy the day ahead might seem. I feel so dependent on it that if I miss it I feel out of place in all my roles as a woman, Or more like everything feels out of place. 

Every time before sitting with the Quran I just remind the kids that it Mama's time for what Allah created us for, if they need something I will listen to them after I am done. Of course, it took them some practice but now Alhumdulillah it so amazing,  while iI recite they quietly listen Mashaa-Allah. Before I use to explain in simple words to them that "Allah SWT created us only to worship Him, pray to Him and to read understand and implement the Quran. There are other important  things that we have to do but before all that comes Allah. And when pleasing Allah is our goal then Allah SWT helps us with everything " 

Here is a glimpse of the reminder I got from my time with Quran today. 

He said, "I only complain of my suffering and my grief to Allah , and I know from Allah that which you do not know. {Yusuf:86}

How is that you spend time with the Quran and make it an important of your day?

Life with a baby

Alhumdulillah  for older siblings and their tiny helpful hands.  Mashaa-Allah every  morning AR volunteers to feed baby S while I do some kitchen work.  And for some odd reason S is always more excited to eat with bhiya then Mama anyways.

I wanted to share some nutritious quick and easy baby food recipes ideas and tips. I puree fruits and veggies weekly and freeze them in ice cubes trays. I don't freeze any grains or seeds. Baby food is a great way to involve kids, they love blenders and pouring.

Every morning first thing I do is in a small pot I put 2 tablespoons of either organic brown rice, hulled millet (I use hulled because it's a lot quick and easier to cook), quinoa or brown rice flakes. While I prepare breakfast for the rest of the family the seeds are fully cooked. I just add a cube from the freezer of the puree while it's still warm, and it's ready to be served to our little man.

As he is getting older he is not interested in puree foods, he wants more texture and boiling fresh grains  and seeds adds that.  Sometimes I toss fresh fruit or veggies while the seeds still boiling and just mashed it slightly with a potato  masher.

I have done this all three of my kids and all of them have different reactions and tastes. So it important  to change things around depending  on individual  child's needs. These are no just easy to make but frugal too.

Here's our fresh pear and organic millet breakfast with a dash of organic cinnamon powder from this morning.

Lessons from life

I always find such simple yet profound wisdom and truth in these words of Ronald Russell. It's something I want to reproduce and hang in our home as a constant reminder.

Product review: Substance - Nappy Rash Onitment

Bismillah

This post is mainly inspired by my life revolving around a baby these days. Its about a product I have been using for about 4 years now, and really feel I need to share its immense benefits we have had. Its like the only baby skin care  product I carry in my diaper bag. 

It works great for almost everything! I have used it for the kids on cuts, diaper rashes, sunburns, burns, mosquito bites, dry skin, irritation my daughter gets in her private because of swimming and for her . It is the only product we used on our son when he got circumcised . If you are like me and love good smelling things, you will simply love the way it smells.

It is however a bit on the expensive end but the way it works is a little goes a looong way. I have only bought it 2 times in over 4 years and still have enough to inshaa Allah last this whole year or more.

- We ask You O Allaah to protect our families for any evil in this World and the Hereafter, and to make them great thinkers and make us of those who fear You due to knowledge. Ameen.

Organic versus conventional food

A few weeks ago AR asked me "Mama what is the difference between organic and not-organic?" before going to bed. So I told him we learn about it tomorrow inshaa-Allah. So At night I looked up some simplified information that a 6 years old can understand. I knew and had a lot of resources and information but but not at a child's level. I didn't want to give him unnecessary information that he doesn't  need to know at his age. Of course some things are necessary and need to be known.a


Here is what we found for kids to learn about their food, where its coming from and what are our alternatives.

We read these 2 books Meet Pauly and Organic Farming. Alhumdulillah since it is getting slightly warmer here now we prepared our organic seeds for planting in our good soil. We also watched the following Youtube videos.

What is Organic?

Epipheo TV - What is organic? Fresh versus Processed

(I love Epipheo TV videos)

Organic in Ontario Canada

11 year old organic food activist 

Jamie Oliver

What Farmers can use instead of Chemical sprays

A day in the life of a farmer

 Potato Experiment 

We watched these two documentaries Home and Food inc. There are many more but for his age these were enough, even these I supervised and skipped some parts. Inshaa-Allah as the weather gets warmer we will be visiting and doing some hands on learning in the local organic farms.

If you know of any other resources please share with us.

Learning through real life

  "...‘How will they learn to read?’ you ask, and my answer is ‘Remember the lessons of Massachusetts.’ When children are given whole lives instead of age-graded ones in cellblocks, they learn to read, write, and do arithmetic with ease, if those things make sense in the kind of life that unfolds around them."

 – John Taylor Gatto

This has proven to be totally true for us. Mashaa Allaah on his on time and pace AR learned to write and read, and is still learning. He took his time to let things sink in and make sense to him. On the other hand H is already writing/copying letters and words wherever she sees them. Early learning is not our thing so I am just leaving it at that, not planning on pushing her into it.

Children learn on their on pace if they are provided the right environment to promote imagination, be creative and explore. They need boundaries to feel secure, they need us adults to show them how and what to do, they love to imitate. They look up to us to see how we deal with challenges of life and take on a positive role in our homes and communities. They need to see us turning again and again to Allah SWT and not to people when a difficulty arises. They need to see us following the sunnah, worshiping our Lord and reading the Quran, to know that this is what is most important in our lives... THIS is the purpose of our creation.

                     And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me.

Every  child should be given the freedom to learn on their on pace.... learning and gaining knowledge is like the vast oceans, the deeper one goes the more amazing things one finds and learns. Learning should not be restricted to books, and classrooms (although these are great and beneficial)... we can learn a lot without them too.

- We ask You O Allaah to protect our families for any evil in this World and the Hereafter, and to make them great thinkers and make us of those who fear You due to knowledge. Ameen.

Long time no seee

Bissmillah (In the name of Allah)

Its been a loooong time. I really feel a part of me missed blogging, and a part had not time to think. Alhumdulillah we are well settled with our new addition and managing home, fun and learning.

Inshaa Allah (God willing) hoping to be back in the blogging world and to inspire and get inspired (by the Permission of Allah).

Until next post...

- We ask You O Allaah to protect our families for any evil in this World and the Hereafter, and to make them great thinkers and make us of those who fear You due to knowledge. Ameen.

A short update of our life...

Assalamualikum wa rahmatullahe wa barakatuhu

It's been a loooong time since I last blogged. Things have been very busy and adventurous in our family. InshaAllah (with the permission of God) we will soon be having a new addition to our growing family tree. This has slowed us down a bit and in our unschooling, yes, that's what we have been doing for the past few months. The journey of past few months has been very unique in many ways...its has helped us bond in a unique way as a family.

Alhumdulillah both our children are very excited about the new addition. We have encouraged bonding between the baby and the kids from the very beginning so they feel connected to the baby ones it comes into the world inshaAllah. We have daily ritual of saying 'Salam' (His and Byes) in the morning and at night. They like to share random things and incidents with the baby. AR like reciting to the baby... and SubhanaAllah its amazing how the baby calms down while he recites. We pray to Allah SWT to increase them in love for each other and make their bonds stronger and based on trust. I pray that they hold firmly to each other on the straight path. Ameen.

Me and the kids are temporarily living in Canada. Since we were here we enrolled the kids in some Homeschooling  programs in our community. MashaAllah the kids are enjoying the change of weather and the snow. For H it was her first snow and we were very excited to see her reaction to it. She's loving the snow. We went to play in snow and tobogganing a few times. Despite all the fun we miss Baba a lot, he came for a one week visit recently and it was the best week we had since we've been here.

Our life in last few months has been about real life-skills and making memories. We as a family have gone through some big decision making processes and some tests that we with Allah SWT's help passed and the rest we ask Him the Exalted to help us through as well. It has made us all stronger and closer to each other and Allah SWT. It made us value how temporary this life is. We learned and experienced things that NO school can teach one.

InshaAllah I am hoping to update the blog a bit before the baby arrives. So stay tuned to see what are some things that have kept us busy.

Till then...stay warm <3